Thankful

A typical running week is one long run (8-9 miles) and two short runs (3 miles each) for a total of 14-15 miles per week. 

However, this week we were preparing for Thanksgiving and I just didn't have the time to complete that 9 mile run, so I created a series of descending runs (6 miles, 5 miles, 4 miles, and finally 3 miles) for a total of 18 miles per week. 

This descending series was so much fun: 

* Okay, so the 6 miler was just a normal run, but 6 miles is one of my favorite distances. 

* The five miler Mike dropped me off and I ran home so I got to run through a different part of town and listen to the new album of my favorite band. It's the simple things when running. 

* The 4 miler ended up being all uphill, no kidding. I planned on one huge, major uphill, knowing I could recover on the downhill. Then I anticipated the rest of the run would be flat. However, I took a wrong turn and ended up in a park that was a series of 8 switchbacks, which you guessed it, were all uphill! After pausing to take photos of the gorgeous view I headed back down the switchbacks. Now I could have run flat road home but I figured I'd done so many hills already, what was one last hill? So I turned to run back up and down that original huge, massive hill one more time. It was so amazing and powerful to run all those hills. I kept hearing my aunt's voice that says hills make you faster. I loved every minute of it. 

* The last run, the 3 miler was equally as great. It was more uphills, but my aunt was right, I was so much faster (It works like that, right? ;) ). After cresting a huge ridge, I ran a long stretch of a downhill and actually hit a 9 minute mile (which is fast for me). Coming back was a long, long uphill as I ran back to the ridge. However once I made it over the ridge it was downhill again for 1/2 mile and I ran as fast as I could and finished at a 7:52 pace (WOW). What an amazing, fast run! 

(View from the ridge)

As I finished my series today, I was so thankful for such a fun and invigorating set of runs. I was thankful for the hills and the power and strength to conquer each one. I was thankful for legs that could carry me faster than I thought possible. And I was thankful for a family that supports me while I'm out doing all this running. 

Am I crazy? I can't decide.

I recently completed my first 1/2 marathon. If you stood within ten feet of me the week following, then I'm sure I bored you to death with all the details. 

When I was done I felt great, except for one toe, an especially horrid runner's toe. The toe was so injured that I said I might not do another 1/2 marathon. I said it might be better to just end on a great race. I said I had until February to decide (since that's the next race I actually paid for). 

I've spent these last two weeks not running much. I did a five miler with my dog that I walked part of and a six miler (that felt great) today. That's it. No mid-week runs, nothing. Needless to say, if I plan on more 1/2 marathons, I need to have better dedication to maintain my base. 

During these two weeks I've also spent some time looking for a fun Santa 5k. Something quick and easy. Instead what I found was a Santa 1/2 marathon in an awesome setting (Knotts). There are holiday cookies and candy along the way, and of course, the main reason I run, a medal. As I sat looking at the race's website, I forgot all about the promises to my toe and the doubts in my mind. 

I looked at a calendar to see if it was even possible to train in time (it is). I thought about running for 2 hours and 26 minutes again (it didn't seem THAT long, did it? I don't remember). I thought about if I could do it without my family standing there (I'm not sure). And yet, I thought, I still might. I still might want to put myself through the time, the training, and the pain (sorry toe). 

Since I can't decide, anyone want to weigh in? Should I or should I not? Any comments or input to help my undecided brain?

These are a few of my favorite things

In case I didn't mention, I'm not loving this 1/2 marathon training. I'm not finding joy in the journey. I'm not excited to get up and face the challenge. I don't feel like it's making me into a different person. But today, as I finished my training, my final long run before the race, I I wanted to make sure I actually noticed some good things on my run. Here are my favorites, in no particular order:

1. Egrets and ducks playing in the water

2. Runners that smile as wave as they pass

3. Familiar road markers and signs

4. A pile of foam taller than me 

5. The spot where the riverbed meets the ocean and lush trees and plants show up

7. A jumping fish that jumped 5 times in a row

8. The look on the cop's face when I told him how far I'd gone

9. My hand touching Main Street at the end

10. My husband's truck in the parking lot waiting to give me a ride home

Even in the bad, there is good. I know this, it's true in life and it's true on a run. So I'll remember that and keep am eye out for amazing things as I run my first 1/2 marathon next weekend. Wish me luck. 

First ten-miler in a year

I'm still in training for my first 1/2 marathon and it's not going well. I have found that running 7 miles is what I consider the threshold of a fun run. I'll enjoy an 8 mile run as a challenge. A 9 mile run I might need encouragement. But a ten mile run? A ten mile run is mentally miserable. 

I can't seem to find any enjoyment in ten miles (or even 9 really). It's exhausting before it begins. There is so much pre-planning involved: fueling options, water options, proper dress, right music, podcast or audiobook to listen to, etc. ).

The smallest irritation becomes monumental problems when you're running ten miles. Today's problems were ear buds that refused to stay in my ears and an adverse reaction to my fueling choice. That's the reason for the part 1 and part 2 of my run. I had a 1/2 mile walking break to recover from my fuel reaction. 

I have more training miles to go and one more 1/2 marathon in the works. I'm not sure what my lesson is in all this misery. I'm not a quitter, so the misery will continue for a few more weeks and then I can be happy running my 7 miles again (until training ramps up again). 

Whatever the lesson is, I commit to finishing this miserable training so I can cross the finish line of my 1/2 with a smile on face. 

The blahs

I haven't felt like running lately. I lay in bed and find a million reasons not to run. I cannot find a worthy reason to lace up my shoes. I think of all the runs I should do and I don't do them. It's been over a full week since I've run. I even tried joining a running group, and although that run felt great, it wasn't enough to spark any kind of motivation within me. 

This is bad. Not because not exercising is bad for your health (although it is) but because I am supposed to be training for a 1/2 marathon. It's hard to build up mileage when I can't even leave the house. It hard to improve and meet goals when I'm not even willing to try. 

Yesterday, I was stressed.  Normally I'd run to get rid of that stressed energy coursing through my body, but like I said, I haven't been able to get my running shoes on my feet. I just sat in that bad energy instead of running through it. 

This morning my husband asked if I was running. I hemmed and hawed and said that I should, but felt nothing about getting up and actually doing it. He said I had to, that it was time and that I needed it. He said to go small and just do 5 miles. He said I always feel better after a run and this run would make me feel better too. 

I acquiesced. I strapped on those shoes and headed out for five miles. For not running in a week, I felt fine. I quickly decided to run my six mile course, not the five. I thought through all my thoughts and found no answers. But I felt better. I prayed for what's on my mind and found no answers, but I felt better. I solved nothing, but I felt better. 

And as I headed home, I found the motivation to add one more mile. Seven miles completed by someone who couldn't even tie up the laces yesterday. And I remembered that my husband is usually right. Running does always make me better, I just have to be willing to lace up those shoes. 

Out with the old, In with the new!

Running doesn't require much except a good pair of shoes. My first pair came from a retail store and not a specialty running store. They were fine. But man, was I excited when I got my first pair of real running shoes. 

I ran almost 400 miles in the shoes, wore the tread flat and completely obliterates the in-soles. But these shoes carried me in ways that can't be quantified. They carried me through a streak, through a year of 10Ks and transformed me into a runner. I'm proud that I left a little piece of sole (pun intended) on every step of my journey. 

But it is time to retire these shoes. They hurt. I hurt when I run in them. I hurt days after I run in them. Their final miles were an 8 mile run that I ran while training for my first 1/2 marathon. I was almost crying from pain the first three miles, but it ended up being a really good run. It's the first time I've run 8 miles in many, many months and I'm glad it's these shoes that ran me there. 

Today I ran six more miles, nothing hurt, and it was a great run. And that was all because I made new friends. 

Here are the new shoes that will train me for my 1/2 and carry me across the finish line. I'm excited for the adventures we will embark on together. 

A Year Of 10ks

It has been a year since I started running. When I started running and saw what I could do,  I told myself that it would be a year of 10ks. This running year resulted in 8 race and 5 medals. It also resulted in a crazy passion that I could ramble on and on about forever. Just ask the many people who got trapped in a running conversation with me. (Mostly my mom and husband.)

I have one race left on the books this year- the only repeat race- a 5k Bubble Run. This time I will be joined by my mom and three kids. But after that race, I've got nothing to run and nothing to talk about.

So what's a runner like me to do when a year of 10ks is over? Start a year of 1/2 marathons, of course. This is exciting for a variety of reasons. One, it will help keep my running and training in focus. Two, I'll get to do something I've never done before. And finally, three, the mileage seems challenging (which I love) and yet still manageable.

Since I'm a runner who can't stop talking about running, if you get stuck in a room or car with me this next year, I'll probably talk your ear off about this new running challenge. It's ok if you tell me you're bored and don't want to hear anymore, as long as you tell me good luck on my next race as well.

This was from my final 10k. A double loop of either up hills or down hills through my old hometown. There were lots of memories on that run and a great way to end my year long goal. 

Running VS. Jogging

By most standards, I am a jogger. I "jog" over a ten minute mile for most of my runs and I only "jog" three to four day week. While I have some running gear, I do not have all the best or every piece of running gear. I do not do fartleks or have training sessions. I run races, but have no intention of ever winning them. So from the outside, I jog. 

But this is why I am a runner. I run in torrential downpours. I run on Christmas morning. I run on vacation. I run races two weekends in a row. I run despite the fact that it does not always help me lose weight. I run crazy streaks that are 46 days long and I cry like a big baby when the streak is over. I wake up early on the weekends just to go run. 

But mostly I am a runner because I have to run. I waited thirty-six year to find something that makes me better and stronger, both physically and mentally. Running does that. I hate running at times but I love it all the time, and only a runner gets that. I love what it does for my soul and the thoughts I have when I'm on the road. And I run all those races because I love the fun experiences and challenges I get to face. I also love my growing collection of bibs. 

I started this blog when I started my streak. The purpose of my streak was to prepare for a 10k. I ran that 10k last weekend and while I didn't make my goal (under an hour), I did create a PR for myself. 

Last 10K:

This 10K:

And what I find so great about that time is that was accomplished after recovering from a very persistent ankle injury. 

This weekend I have another race. Not sure if I'll PR or not. Not sure about the weather and how that will affect me (although I ran in a crazy rainstorm today!), but I do know, I am a runner, so while my family is sleeping in, I'll run. I also know I've missed writing about running, so I guess I'll be doing that now and again too. 

The End

So yesterday's run was my last of my streak. This day ended in tears. I had to choose between continuing the streak and preparing for future races. I also had to choose between healing and possible future injuries. 

I am choosing to heal and race in the future. 

I cannot describe to you the incomprehensible sadness I feel over this. I realize how minor streaking is compared to the rest of life, but streaking was life-changing for me. It gave me the chance to challenge myself and do something great and I feel like it was taken from me before I was prepared. 

Yes once I'm healed, I'll still run. But the sadness is with me for a while. Even once I'm healed and go on that first run, it will be a run of sadness. 

I realize when I'm healed I could start streaking again, but right now, today, that is just not a possibility. I cannot go through this again, at least at this point. For now, I'll focus on recovering and see where my heart is in a few days. 

Days 40-45: Going Places

This past week I've been nursing that same sore ankle. It was getting better daily and as promised (to my husband) I stuck to running one milers. 

Some runs my kids went with me, some the dog and some were just me. All these days  were just to keep the streak going. Some were fast and some were slow but they had no real purpose. 

But one day did have purpose. I used my running as transportation, instead of as fitness. I had to pick up something from the local store a 1/2 mile away. As I ran there, I had to contend with one street light, but for the most part I just ran as fast as I could, while still technically warming up. And the I turned around and I ran home as fast as I could. 

This was such a fun run for me I wanted to keep going (but didn't because I promised my husband).  I felt great, felt strong and most importantly, felt happy. 

After 8 runs of running the same track again and again, I needed this run. In addition to have a purpose of completing my errands, it's purpose was to respark the love and joy I feel when I run, the freedom, the strength, the fun that is not always there in a run, but it sure was in this one. 

Days 36-39:

I've been nursing a strange ankle pain. It was minor, didn't hurt to walk, but felt tight. The pain, which on a scale of 1-10 was only a 2, occurred when I rotated my ankle in a circular motion, which in reality, no one does very often.  So, while I'm still streaking, I had to rest. 

Resting in streaking is running one mile slowly. Running slowly means I make my kids run with me. I took one kid each night. We ran at dark, and for little kids, running at night is a great adventure. We had a great time running together talking about the benefits of running at night: cool weather, adventurous spirit and of course, good company. 

My husband and I also discussed the benefits of running one mile per day. I was complaining that I'd lose fitness and he calculated that on average someone could lose up to 15 pounds a year by running just a mile a day. His argument won. Now I know a lot more goes into weight loss than just exercise, and that is not the primary reason I run anyway, but he made his point, which was I shouldn't be ashamed of running a mile a day when I need to. 

Today, after all that "resting" I decided to take myself out for a little bit of a longer run. I started great, with absolutely no ankle pain. I purposely went where street lights were, just so I'd be forced to stop and rest if I needed to. I ran and ran at a good pace and felt so good. 

However, at a mile and a half, I hit a wall. My pace dropped by a full minute. It wasn't even my ankle, it was my mind. I mentally just gave up, and instead of running, I trudged and trudged at a slow pace and felt so miserable. 

Just a half mile later, I got my second wind and finished this run. Again, my pace picked up and my mind and body were in sync again. 

And so goes the story of my running career, good moments, followed by bad moments, followed by good moments. And my ankle? It's tight, so I'm back to running slow one milers again, but as my husband says, that's A-ok. 

Day 35: The Top 6 Things I Learned While Streaking

So today was the official last run of my streak. I don't think you can do something for 35 straight days without learning a little bit about yourself and life. During this last run of my streak, after running 95.81 miles, I thought of the top 6 things I've learned. 

6. Running is the best anti-depressant or therapy I've ever known. I always feel better, about myself and life. I've run angry. I've run happy. I've run sad. I've run tired. But running handles it all, it gives my brain a chance to process all the junk. In the end, life is just a little better when I run. 

5. I can fit a lot more exercise than I thought possible into my life. Before the streak, I ran three times a week. I thought that was all my busy schedule could handle. However, I learned I can fit a lot more exercise into my life. Really, I can fit exercise everyday into my life, even if it is just ten minutes. 

4. When it gets too hard, slow down. There are some runs that are hard. Either I'm tired or the terrain is difficult, or the mileage is long. I have found that it is easier to just slow down and keep running instead of stopping. If I stop, that just means I'm walking back to the car, which becomes slow and tedious and often more difficult than if I just slowed down. This is true in my life as well. When it gets hard and stressful, I need to just slow down (and probably go for a run -see #6). 

3. Know when you can work harder. When running, I've learned to know when I can push more. Today I was tired, but for a quarter mile, I pushed and ran faster than my normal pace. As I reread old blog posts, I saw a few days when I was tired, but ran farther than I thought I could. While in some cases, it might be advantageous to slow down, often, I have more to give. I've always known I'm a pretty strong person, but this run confirmed I'm a hard worker and dedicated goal setter as well. 

2. Running is solitary, but requires a community. When I run, it's all up to me. Good or bad, the run is powered by my legs and my will-power. But as I ran this streak and wrote about it, I was amazed by all the support I got. I was encouraged to keep at it every time someone I didn't know surprised me by telling me they read my blog. Every "like" on Facebook was encouragement. Every comment on the blog was reason to keep going. Every face to face encouragement made me feel better about doing this crazy thing. Everyone who ran with me, carried me with their support. I did this alone, but I did this with all of you too. 

1. I learned I am an athlete. I never have thought this about myself. I've never committed to long term exercise. I've exercised in the past, weights for a while, yoga classes I loved, but I've never transformed myself so completely, in mind and body, as I did during this streak. I will never win any races and I will never be on the cover of "Runner's World" but in my mind, I am a runner. I hope to always be a runner. 

I am not done. I already have plans to run tomorrow. I don't know how long I'll go. Since I'm at day 35 I might try to get to day 50 (just 15more days). But I'm switching blogging format to once a week and I'll share my favorite run for the week. 

Thank you to everyone who read my thoughts. I appreciate you all. And as someone shouted at me on my run today, "Happy 14!!"