The half marathon is 28 days from today!
This week's ten mile run was a struggle. Both my running pal and I were feeling under the weather and, speaking of weather, after a beautiful week of ideal running temperatures, the weather changed and it was a cold (but sunny) run day.
Ten miles is the longest distance I've ever run and I am pretty darn proud of it!
What amazes me about running is that phenomenon of getting "in the zone." I find I hit my stride around the six mile mark - that's when I get "in the zone" and feel like my body is moving without much effort on my part; my mind is perfectly clear and I feel like I am the only person on the planet. It's the craziest (and coolest) experience. Of course, then some big truck comes barreling down on me...or some fellow runner goes speeding by...and I snap out of it pretty quickly.
While I enjoy the "zone" phenomenon, I do feel like running is sort of taking over my life right now. My weekends revolve around long runs and on weekdays, I'm planning my after work activities around when I can get in shorter runs. Not to mention, I talk about running. I talk about it a lot. I don't want to become one of those running assholes, you know, those people who can only talk about running. Now, since I am not a "real" runner and I will never be a real runner (you know those people: they've got those perfectly sculpted calves, they look good in spandex and they are always dressed like Sporty Spice) so, there is no way I will ever really talk running that much. I'll just write about it instead!!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Nine miles: What keeps me going
Had it not been for some unexpected snow on the roads, today's nine mile run would have been...well, pretty easy! It was great, I felt great - except for the times I was running in slush/snow uphill! I am feeling confident with the half marathon a mere 36 days away.
However, I have to tell you that this morning when the alarm went off I was not a happy camper.
I woke up at 4:13 a.m. from a work nightmare (have them ALL the time) - this one was enough to make me sit right up in bed and, once awake, made my mind run in several different directions. I finally fell back to sleep around 6 a.m. and boom - the alarm went off at 7 a.m. I was tired, cramped up and cranky. Mentally I just wasn't there. One thing I've learned with all this running is that the most important "thing" I need to run is the right mental state. When I get "in the zone" I can just cruise. I would argue running is more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge!
This morning as I started coming up with a million and one reasons why I simply would not be able to run nine miles today, I thought of a quote I recently read: "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start," John Bingham.
Yes! John Bingham is correct!
I've lost exactly 60 pounds since I started running. My goal is to lose at least 30 more to get back to the weight I was in 2004 when I started working for the organization I work for now.
It's a miracle someone weighing as much as I did (and it was A LOT) could ever muster the physical and mental strength to start running.
What inspired me? Well, first, definitely being at my heaviest weight ever. Second, my dad was diagnosed with cancer and that put so much in to perspective and three, I lost my favorite aunt to cancer three months after my dad was diagnosed. My aunt was diagnosed with brain cancer when I was a toddler and the fact she lived as long as she did was simply amazing - however, her quality of life was horrendous. She spent the last few years of her life on a feeding tube. She was about my age when she was diagnosed with cancer...and when she died it got me thinking about all that she never got to do in life because of her illness. Running was one thing I could do in her honor because it was something she could never do herself in her 30s.
When it was tough to keep going, especially in the beginning when I could literally only run a few blocks, I thought of her - immobile in a nursing home on a feeding tube - and thought about how much she would have loved to be able to stand up and run.
Here I am on the brink of running this half marathon - with Aunt Vicki and my dad as my motivation to keep me going when the going gets tough!
P.S. I have to tell you - even the touchy-feely stuff couldn't motivate me this morning. What it took today was simply jamming out as loud as I could to some of my favorite running songs! Four songs and I was ready to rock!!! Some of my faves include - "Don't Stop the Music" by Rihanna, "Raise Your Glass" by Pink, and, the blast from the fast, "Flashdance (What a Feeling)" by Irene Cara.
However, I have to tell you that this morning when the alarm went off I was not a happy camper.
I woke up at 4:13 a.m. from a work nightmare (have them ALL the time) - this one was enough to make me sit right up in bed and, once awake, made my mind run in several different directions. I finally fell back to sleep around 6 a.m. and boom - the alarm went off at 7 a.m. I was tired, cramped up and cranky. Mentally I just wasn't there. One thing I've learned with all this running is that the most important "thing" I need to run is the right mental state. When I get "in the zone" I can just cruise. I would argue running is more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge!
This morning as I started coming up with a million and one reasons why I simply would not be able to run nine miles today, I thought of a quote I recently read: "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start," John Bingham.
Yes! John Bingham is correct!
I've lost exactly 60 pounds since I started running. My goal is to lose at least 30 more to get back to the weight I was in 2004 when I started working for the organization I work for now.
It's a miracle someone weighing as much as I did (and it was A LOT) could ever muster the physical and mental strength to start running.
What inspired me? Well, first, definitely being at my heaviest weight ever. Second, my dad was diagnosed with cancer and that put so much in to perspective and three, I lost my favorite aunt to cancer three months after my dad was diagnosed. My aunt was diagnosed with brain cancer when I was a toddler and the fact she lived as long as she did was simply amazing - however, her quality of life was horrendous. She spent the last few years of her life on a feeding tube. She was about my age when she was diagnosed with cancer...and when she died it got me thinking about all that she never got to do in life because of her illness. Running was one thing I could do in her honor because it was something she could never do herself in her 30s.
When it was tough to keep going, especially in the beginning when I could literally only run a few blocks, I thought of her - immobile in a nursing home on a feeding tube - and thought about how much she would have loved to be able to stand up and run.
Here I am on the brink of running this half marathon - with Aunt Vicki and my dad as my motivation to keep me going when the going gets tough!
P.S. I have to tell you - even the touchy-feely stuff couldn't motivate me this morning. What it took today was simply jamming out as loud as I could to some of my favorite running songs! Four songs and I was ready to rock!!! Some of my faves include - "Don't Stop the Music" by Rihanna, "Raise Your Glass" by Pink, and, the blast from the fast, "Flashdance (What a Feeling)" by Irene Cara.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The countdown is on!
In 36 hours I will embark on my longest run to date - nine miles. Not like I'm counting or anything.
So far the half marathon training has been going really well. Well....until last Saturday. Last weekend we did an eight mile run that included a few rolling hills and two really steep ones. Everything was great until about an hour after the run. That's when I hit my wall!
Normally after a long run I feel invigorated! I have so much energy and feel like I could do anything. Not last weekend. Rather than bouncing around town, I sat curled up on the couch feeling like I had been hit by a truck.
Last week a major snow storm hit my town. As a result, running outdoors was virtually impossible. I worked out every day last week but did not run. I know that's what did it.
This week we had near record cold temperatures. I am talking 1 degree for a high. Now, I love my Under Armor cold gear but no cold gear would have gotten me through even a short run in this weather. In order to not experience another miserable Saturday, I opted to fork over $20 for two days as a guest at the local YMCA. Yes, I paid $20 to run a total of 6.2 miles (3.1 each day) on their teeny, tiny, hot, humid track. It was pretty miserable.
I don't know how people tolerate running on that track! Seriously, give me cold weather, ice and snow any day over that miserable, miserable track!
However, that track kept me moving this week.
The plan is to just do a workout video tomorrow and then 9 miles on Saturday. Fingers crossed!
So far the half marathon training has been going really well. Well....until last Saturday. Last weekend we did an eight mile run that included a few rolling hills and two really steep ones. Everything was great until about an hour after the run. That's when I hit my wall!
Normally after a long run I feel invigorated! I have so much energy and feel like I could do anything. Not last weekend. Rather than bouncing around town, I sat curled up on the couch feeling like I had been hit by a truck.
Last week a major snow storm hit my town. As a result, running outdoors was virtually impossible. I worked out every day last week but did not run. I know that's what did it.
This week we had near record cold temperatures. I am talking 1 degree for a high. Now, I love my Under Armor cold gear but no cold gear would have gotten me through even a short run in this weather. In order to not experience another miserable Saturday, I opted to fork over $20 for two days as a guest at the local YMCA. Yes, I paid $20 to run a total of 6.2 miles (3.1 each day) on their teeny, tiny, hot, humid track. It was pretty miserable.
I don't know how people tolerate running on that track! Seriously, give me cold weather, ice and snow any day over that miserable, miserable track!
However, that track kept me moving this week.
The plan is to just do a workout video tomorrow and then 9 miles on Saturday. Fingers crossed!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Resolutions and a Resolution Run
'Tis the season for New Year's resolutions. I don't like that word "resolution" - it sounds like an act of Congress or something (I work in Government Relations so I guess my mind just goes there). I prefer to talk about goals. Last year my "goal" for 2010 was to run a 5k. As a goal-oriented individual, I blew that one out of the water, running six 5ks and a 10k. I will end 2010 on a running high by participating in the four mile Resolution Run here in Grand Rapids, Mich. I'm at the point where four miles isn't much - I've come a long way from the days in late 2009 when I could barely run four blocks!
Looking ahead to 2011, I have a new goal - to complete my first half marathon in March in under 2 hours and 45 minutes. Yes, this one is a little more specific. In addition to a specific time, I have that date - March 20. I'm feeling confident about my goal as we head in to 2011. No, I cannot run 13.1 miles yet (at least I don't think I can)...the furthest I've run so far is just over seven miles. But, you know what, I ran seven miles and felt fine after! I remember the first time I ran a full 3.1 miles when training for that 5k - I seriously wanted to die....and woke up the next morning feeling like I had been hit by a truck! These days, I run six or seven miles and go about my day. I know I still have work to do to get to 13.1 but fully believe I can do it. So, Georgia Marathon, here I come to run your half marathon! I know the route will be hilly - but I love Atlanta and couldn't think of a better place to stay motivated to keep running during the race.
What is your running goal for 2011?
Looking ahead to 2011, I have a new goal - to complete my first half marathon in March in under 2 hours and 45 minutes. Yes, this one is a little more specific. In addition to a specific time, I have that date - March 20. I'm feeling confident about my goal as we head in to 2011. No, I cannot run 13.1 miles yet (at least I don't think I can)...the furthest I've run so far is just over seven miles. But, you know what, I ran seven miles and felt fine after! I remember the first time I ran a full 3.1 miles when training for that 5k - I seriously wanted to die....and woke up the next morning feeling like I had been hit by a truck! These days, I run six or seven miles and go about my day. I know I still have work to do to get to 13.1 but fully believe I can do it. So, Georgia Marathon, here I come to run your half marathon! I know the route will be hilly - but I love Atlanta and couldn't think of a better place to stay motivated to keep running during the race.
What is your running goal for 2011?
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Drivers ignoring stop signs...
Picture it: You're running, you approach an intersection and see a car coming. You know the oncoming car is heading toward a stop sig. You also know you can cross the intersection before the driver comes to a (legally required) stop, so you keep going and the driver opts to treat the stop sign as a yield sign (or, even worse, pretends it isn't there) and drives at you.
This has happened to me several times and every time the driver has stopped before hitting me or I simply stopped and went behind the vehicle. I get it - people aren't always looking for pedestrians.
In today's scenario the driver had no excuse whatsoever.
Running parallel to a busy road, I approached an intersection where traffic trying to cross or turn on to the road have to stop at a stop sign. As I approached the intersection I saw a white van approaching the stop sign. I slowed down, knowing he would have time to stop and go before I crossed. I noticed a crappy burgundy pickup truck behind the van and actually locked eyes with the dark haired male driver. I think I shot him the "Don't even think about driving in front of me look." It all happened quickly. I slowly proceeded into the intersection as the white van turned so I could quickly cross the road - still giving the pickup truck plenty of time to come to the LEGALLY REQUIRED STOP. He didn't stop. Instead, he followed the white van and rolled right through the stop sign and directly at me, with no intent to stop. I literally ran into the side of his truck and he just kept going. I ranted and raved, pointing and waving at the stop sign and he slowed down, probably looked at me in his rear view mirror, then went on his merry way.
If nearly getting mowed down in broad daylight won't get your adrenaline going I'm not sure what will! Thankfully I was able to channel the adrenaline and anger into a great 5k run. However, I just don't get it. I know I would never intentionally run someone over. I will be the first to admit I get angry when people in my neighborhood stroll out in front of my car while I am trying to drive down the road. However, when I am at a stop sign, I yield to pedestrians - no matter how fast or slow they're going.
Someone from my town told me he was crossing in a crosswalk and this happened, he got angry and hit the car that tried to run him over with his fist - all in site of a local police officer and the officer sided with the driver, not the pedestrian. So, I have to ask...has this ever happened to you? I did a little research and found I indeed had the right of way in the situation!
This has happened to me several times and every time the driver has stopped before hitting me or I simply stopped and went behind the vehicle. I get it - people aren't always looking for pedestrians.
In today's scenario the driver had no excuse whatsoever.
Running parallel to a busy road, I approached an intersection where traffic trying to cross or turn on to the road have to stop at a stop sign. As I approached the intersection I saw a white van approaching the stop sign. I slowed down, knowing he would have time to stop and go before I crossed. I noticed a crappy burgundy pickup truck behind the van and actually locked eyes with the dark haired male driver. I think I shot him the "Don't even think about driving in front of me look." It all happened quickly. I slowly proceeded into the intersection as the white van turned so I could quickly cross the road - still giving the pickup truck plenty of time to come to the LEGALLY REQUIRED STOP. He didn't stop. Instead, he followed the white van and rolled right through the stop sign and directly at me, with no intent to stop. I literally ran into the side of his truck and he just kept going. I ranted and raved, pointing and waving at the stop sign and he slowed down, probably looked at me in his rear view mirror, then went on his merry way.
If nearly getting mowed down in broad daylight won't get your adrenaline going I'm not sure what will! Thankfully I was able to channel the adrenaline and anger into a great 5k run. However, I just don't get it. I know I would never intentionally run someone over. I will be the first to admit I get angry when people in my neighborhood stroll out in front of my car while I am trying to drive down the road. However, when I am at a stop sign, I yield to pedestrians - no matter how fast or slow they're going.
Someone from my town told me he was crossing in a crosswalk and this happened, he got angry and hit the car that tried to run him over with his fist - all in site of a local police officer and the officer sided with the driver, not the pedestrian. So, I have to ask...has this ever happened to you? I did a little research and found I indeed had the right of way in the situation!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Turkey Trotting
I started running about one year ago in a quest to both lose weight and become a healthier person. I set a goal to run a 5k in 2010 and slowly trained to be able to run 3.1 miles without feeling like hell. After running my first 5k I felt amazing, so I decided to set a goal to run a 10k in 2010. A case of bronchitis messed up my 10k training this summer, but I am pleased to say I completed my first 10k on Thanksgiving, finishing in one hour, 15 minutes and two seconds.
My goal for 2011? To run (and finish) the Georgia Marathon half marathon in March. This is going to be tough, as winter weather is about to roll in to my area...and it won't leave until well in to March (if we're lucky).
So here goes nothing. I am going to run in the cold and snow...and along the way I will have some interesting stories about running in my neighborhood! To read some highlights of my running escapades this year, visit my Single Broke and Sort Of Fabulous blog.
And p.s. - I DO run in pearls - here's a photo of me with my dad after the Turkey Trot.
My goal for 2011? To run (and finish) the Georgia Marathon half marathon in March. This is going to be tough, as winter weather is about to roll in to my area...and it won't leave until well in to March (if we're lucky).
So here goes nothing. I am going to run in the cold and snow...and along the way I will have some interesting stories about running in my neighborhood! To read some highlights of my running escapades this year, visit my Single Broke and Sort Of Fabulous blog.
And p.s. - I DO run in pearls - here's a photo of me with my dad after the Turkey Trot.
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