I had to share this from Kristin Armstrong's blog Mile Markers:
"How do I express in language that will resonate with them how running kept me together when everything else seemed to be falling apart? Or how it keeps me sane and clear headed, and creates a pocket of silence in my core that no level of noise or chaos can touch for the remainder of the day? Or how it gives me an identity and a community that I wouldn't have otherwise? Or how it saved me twice from post-partum spiral? Or how it can alter my mood from sour to sweet, resetting my gratitude meter, in a mere 30 minutes? Or how it reminds me that I'm beautiful even when I feel nothing close to cute? Or how it reminds me that I'm strong and resilient, even at my puniest? Or how it cultivates a foundation and awareness of endurance that far exceeds the mere physical? Or how it has become a standing date with my girlfriends, scheduled, reliable, and heaven-sent? Or how it is a proven method to transcend cattiness, PMS, mood swings, and body image issues?"
She describes it so well.
{to read the entire post click here}
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Just Running ... Scared.
So, I've been trying to catch up on all the time I missed while recovering. I just read about the 16 mile Saturday day run and Marcie's long run from a week or so ago. I'm scared that St. George is less than two months away and I have yet to run over 12 miles in a long run. I am building my miles back up and can't build up too quickly and risk injury again. Saturday I ran about eight and felt ok, just sore calves. This weekend I have 10 planned. In two weeks is the Hobble Creek 1/2. So, how high do I dare jump after that and how soon and how far from the marathon to allow recovery time? I was already supposed to have run one 20 miler and one 18 miler by this point. So, yeah. I'm feeling the pressure and total lack of confidence.
P.S. I ran in Vegas this week. I am so impressed by you Arizona runners. It is WAY too hot to run outside!
P.S. I ran in Vegas this week. I am so impressed by you Arizona runners. It is WAY too hot to run outside!
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Expect the Unexpected
What do you think about before you drift off to sleep? If I'm running the next morning, it's usually about the route I'm running. I have a few routes: a one-mile loop, two-mile loop and five-mile loop. Usually I repeat loops or connect them together depending on how many miles I need to run. But for long runs, I usually head to the paved trail about 15 minutes from my house.
So last night I was thinking about the trail - where I was going to park, what direction I was going to run, the water fountains that are available, etc. But things didn't turn out how I envisioned them. About a half-mile into the trail, I came to a sign that said "This Trail is Closed." What? Why? What? I looked for a way around the sign but there was no going around the fence and barbed wire. They were making sure no one went beyond that point. So I turned around mad, dejected and mumbling under my breath, "Now what?" I wasn't familiar with the neighborhood and streets in that area but I needed to get the miles in so I just decided to run and see where I ended up. I ran on busy streets. Ran in unfamiliar neighborhoods. And I ran three tough hills. My legs are sure feeling those hills tonight. Maybe that's a good thing about my little detour this morning - the realization that I need to incorporate more hills in my running. And another realization, when a detour comes I should embrace it. It just might make me stronger.
So last night I was thinking about the trail - where I was going to park, what direction I was going to run, the water fountains that are available, etc. But things didn't turn out how I envisioned them. About a half-mile into the trail, I came to a sign that said "This Trail is Closed." What? Why? What? I looked for a way around the sign but there was no going around the fence and barbed wire. They were making sure no one went beyond that point. So I turned around mad, dejected and mumbling under my breath, "Now what?" I wasn't familiar with the neighborhood and streets in that area but I needed to get the miles in so I just decided to run and see where I ended up. I ran on busy streets. Ran in unfamiliar neighborhoods. And I ran three tough hills. My legs are sure feeling those hills tonight. Maybe that's a good thing about my little detour this morning - the realization that I need to incorporate more hills in my running. And another realization, when a detour comes I should embrace it. It just might make me stronger.
Chocolate Milk Rocks!
This morning we did our 17 miles. Okay, I only did 16 miles. I think next week Ill bump it up- step up my game and merge with my groupie's program. They've been doing a harder program than I.
When my alarm goes off, I always run downstairs and set my watch outside to sync with the satellite, while I get ready. I am usually met by a blanket of hot air when I take that step outside. This morning was surprisingly cool! And even stayed pleasant throughout our run!
Cynthia had planned a good route for us- one that would keep us outside for 12 miles before we got to the gym where we could finish on the treadmills.
We had a new face in the mix today. Molly is a neighborhood friend who is training for Chicago marathon. And then it was Lisa, me, and Cynthia.
The only bad thing about it being nice outside, is that the last few miles on the treadmill were actually harder, instead of a relief. Id like to think that it is going to stay this way now, and that our saturdays need no longer include treadmills. But that is probably not the case. Today was probably a gift to remind us of cooler days in our future.
Cynthia did all the pre-work for this run. She stashed her car for our return ride home, and even went the extra mile. In the car was a cooler full of ice and very cold, individual sized "Rockin Refuel, protein fortified lowfat chocolate milk." I highly recommend it as a post-run recovery drink. It hit the spot!
Now we all know that its better not to drink our calories. Chocolate milk seems like a luxury only allowed to the lucky younger generation. After our long run I felt TOTALLY justified to indulge. I felt like I was living in luxury there, with my creamy cold chocolate milk.
Thank God for the small, but huge pleasures in life!
When my alarm goes off, I always run downstairs and set my watch outside to sync with the satellite, while I get ready. I am usually met by a blanket of hot air when I take that step outside. This morning was surprisingly cool! And even stayed pleasant throughout our run!
Cynthia had planned a good route for us- one that would keep us outside for 12 miles before we got to the gym where we could finish on the treadmills.
We had a new face in the mix today. Molly is a neighborhood friend who is training for Chicago marathon. And then it was Lisa, me, and Cynthia.
The only bad thing about it being nice outside, is that the last few miles on the treadmill were actually harder, instead of a relief. Id like to think that it is going to stay this way now, and that our saturdays need no longer include treadmills. But that is probably not the case. Today was probably a gift to remind us of cooler days in our future.
Cynthia did all the pre-work for this run. She stashed her car for our return ride home, and even went the extra mile. In the car was a cooler full of ice and very cold, individual sized "Rockin Refuel, protein fortified lowfat chocolate milk." I highly recommend it as a post-run recovery drink. It hit the spot!
Now we all know that its better not to drink our calories. Chocolate milk seems like a luxury only allowed to the lucky younger generation. After our long run I felt TOTALLY justified to indulge. I felt like I was living in luxury there, with my creamy cold chocolate milk.
Thank God for the small, but huge pleasures in life!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Needing Some More Motivation...and Getting It!
Just sharing my excitement with you ladies that I'm starting to train with a running club on Saturday morning! We meet at 7 different rotating locations around the valley on Saturday mornings (typically for long runs) and every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00pm at the Scottsdale Community College track. I've known many people from the group for a couple of years now, but I always thought I lived too far away from SCC to make it worth while. This year I found out that a couple other coworkers that live just barely closer than I do are joining. Hearing that was all I needed to decide that I can do this too! I've been needing some more motivation and encouragement lately and what could be better than an entire group of fun runners?!
From what I hear we will be starting off this Saturday at the beginning - a timed mile. I've never really done this. I've always set out for more than a mile and I never thought to just try my best at a single mile. This gives a baseline to track your improvement. It will be at around 6:30am, so I hope I still do pretty well in the heat. I'm about to get used to it though - 7:00pm twice a week outside will do it! Lucky we don't have too much longer to deal with it.
Anyways, I'll keep all of you posted on how my training is going. I will start my training with those that are going for a full marathon. If I can keep up with the training without knee pain or injury I will continue and go for the PF Chang's full here in Phoenix. If not, I'll try to do a few half marathons along with relays. I'm just excited to get back to consistency here! If any of you are interested in joining, let me know and I'll get you the info. I paid $150 total for 6 months of training - not bad for all you get! Web site isn't completely up to date, but here it is if you are curious: http://www.iknowaguyracing.com
From what I hear we will be starting off this Saturday at the beginning - a timed mile. I've never really done this. I've always set out for more than a mile and I never thought to just try my best at a single mile. This gives a baseline to track your improvement. It will be at around 6:30am, so I hope I still do pretty well in the heat. I'm about to get used to it though - 7:00pm twice a week outside will do it! Lucky we don't have too much longer to deal with it.
Anyways, I'll keep all of you posted on how my training is going. I will start my training with those that are going for a full marathon. If I can keep up with the training without knee pain or injury I will continue and go for the PF Chang's full here in Phoenix. If not, I'll try to do a few half marathons along with relays. I'm just excited to get back to consistency here! If any of you are interested in joining, let me know and I'll get you the info. I paid $150 total for 6 months of training - not bad for all you get! Web site isn't completely up to date, but here it is if you are curious: http://www.iknowaguyracing.com
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Cut-back week
Our training program has a reduction in mileage about every 3rd week. Today we set out to do 10-11 miles. We wanted to travel to Las Sendas- a 30 minute drive, and still get finished before the sun was up long enough to make it hot out. So I set my alarm for 4 am. I must REALLY love this sport! (o:
Pretty early in the run I had a jumping cactus attack me! Ouch! I had a little ball of prickles stuck in the back of my lower leg. I told Sarah, Cynthia, and Lisa to keep going. I was about to grab that prickly and pull it out. Luckily Sarah yelled "no" and she got some sticks and pulled it out of me using 2 sticks to get it. Thankyou Sarah. Im glad I didnt touch it.
Hannah- add cactus to your list of things we endure to be tough and participate in this sport!
The run was pleasant for awhile after that until my bowels started to complain big-time. So then I had to walk-run for over a mile until the loop came back to a porto-pottie we'd passed earlier. Thank goodness it was there, or I wouldve had to go home!
The rest of the run was good. Then home to my traditional post-run scrambled eggs and toast. I feel great and Im about to hit the shower, as soon as this baby on my lap allows me to disappear for 15 minutes.
I cant wait for next saturday.
Pretty early in the run I had a jumping cactus attack me! Ouch! I had a little ball of prickles stuck in the back of my lower leg. I told Sarah, Cynthia, and Lisa to keep going. I was about to grab that prickly and pull it out. Luckily Sarah yelled "no" and she got some sticks and pulled it out of me using 2 sticks to get it. Thankyou Sarah. Im glad I didnt touch it.
Hannah- add cactus to your list of things we endure to be tough and participate in this sport!
The run was pleasant for awhile after that until my bowels started to complain big-time. So then I had to walk-run for over a mile until the loop came back to a porto-pottie we'd passed earlier. Thank goodness it was there, or I wouldve had to go home!
The rest of the run was good. Then home to my traditional post-run scrambled eggs and toast. I feel great and Im about to hit the shower, as soon as this baby on my lap allows me to disappear for 15 minutes.
I cant wait for next saturday.
Out Running
Today was a 15.5 miler. I was a little worried previous to the run for two reasons. My husband and I ate at a Thai restaurant last night. Ate some delicious spicy curry. Love spicy. But wasn't sure how my stomach would handle it on the long run this morning. Turns out, my stomach liked it. I think my stomach and I can be friends forever. The second reason I was worried is because I haven't done this long of a run for a while and I was worried how my foot would handle it. Sometimes the plantar fasciitis acts up the longer the run. But the foot felt fine. In fact, today was a great run. I started the run easy and thought I would pick-it up at the halfway point. I did have little bursts of energy after the halfway point but decided to relax and enjoy this run. These are the kind of runs that I need to give me confidence that I can go the distance for a marathon.
Hannah, hang in there! Patience. So much patience. I kept thinking this morning how TOUGH we have to be. We have to be tough to work our way out of an injury, run in the heat, run on treadmills where it seems like it takes forever to run one mile (at least, that's how I feel on a treadmill) and for all our toughness our end reward will be running 26.2 miles together in 9 weeks. What a reward it will be! Can't wait!
How was your run this morning?
Hannah, hang in there! Patience. So much patience. I kept thinking this morning how TOUGH we have to be. We have to be tough to work our way out of an injury, run in the heat, run on treadmills where it seems like it takes forever to run one mile (at least, that's how I feel on a treadmill) and for all our toughness our end reward will be running 26.2 miles together in 9 weeks. What a reward it will be! Can't wait!
How was your run this morning?
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