Long Run Randomness 1

Came across this sign on this morning's long run:

That's right, it's a Pop-Tart ice cream sandwich. On one hand, I'm a little creeped out that this exists. We are a society in search of ultimate  gluttony. On the other hand, the hand that wins out, what I'm really upset about is that I never thought of this!!  Pop-Tarts are my ultimate the wheels have come off the wagon food (next to Cheeto Puffs, that is). The idea of combining warm (preferably cinnamon) Pop-Tarts with ice cream,yes please!! I believe I have found my DIY treat for when I hit long runs in the teens. 

FU BC

Yesterday morning my friends and I gathered for the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure in support of our wonderful friend Denise. To-date, team Crazy Fox Tales has raised over $10,000 and I am so proud of us!  

I was the only team member who opted to participate in the competitive run. It had been a pretty long time since I'd entered and run a race, so it was good to shake off the racing cobwebs. I'm not used to running races alone, so it was a little different for me but a good thing. As I stood waiting for the start, race officials read the names of all the women teams were running in memory of. It was pretty overwhelming. I couldn't help but think of my wonderful brave friend and as those names were read, I decided I was going to run my ass off for Denise. 

And run my ass off I did. As always, I forgot to hit stop on my Garmin when I crossed the finish line, so I'm still waiting on final race results to figure out my exact pace. What I can tell you is that it was unbelievably hot and humid and as I waited for the rest of my team, sweat literally poured off of me. I will not be posting any post-run photos, that's for sure!!  One thing about the Komen race is that it is HUGE!  I don't know the number of participants off the top of my head, but it's in the big thousands, I am sure. I spent the first half (if not more) of the race dodging other runners and walkers. Running to the left and right and hopping up on curbs and medians. I'd forgotten about the log jam of runners that occurs at the start of huge races and then remembered that I find it very frustrating. Something I'm going to have to think on for the marathon. 

After the race, the timing was perfect for me to loop around and walk with the rest of my team. What a great time. If you ever get the chance to participate in the Race For The Cure, I would recommend it. The whole event is touching and motivating. I dare you to get through without at least tearing up once. 

These are pictures of Denise walking down the Survivor Path. Now if these aren't examples of pictures being worth a thousand words, I don't know what is. 

Thank you to all who donated. If you are still interested in donating, the link is still open and in the Doing It For Denise Post. 

Protect Yourself

Okay, you know how I say one of my favorite things about running is that you can just grab your shoes and run (literally) out the door?  Well, I am probably exaggerating a little on that one. While still the most convienent form of exercise, there is some preparation that goes into running. Aside from standing around with my arm aimed to the sky waiting for my Garmen to locate a satellite (seriously why is it so slow some mornings!?!), this is how I spend a lot of my pre-race time:

Say hello to my running shelf. This is where I spend time before every run protecting myself. Really runners, you've got to use sunscreen before heading out on those long runs. Lets face it, tank tops and racerbacks do not leave sexy tan lines. You can always spot a runner in a bathing suit, she will be the one with crazy tan lines across her back and weird sock lines on her legs. But really, the truth is we run for our health. So be healthy running!!  Protect yourself from the sun. Even when the weather starts to cool (I hear that happens. I haven't actually experienced it yet), it's important to protect your skin. You'll notice I use the sport spray. It makes quickly getting out the door much easier. But, because I have sensitive skin, I also use a very high SPF on my face.  It's worth the extra 30 seconds of application. Oh, and if you're from around Houston, you'll know why I keep a minimum of four mosquito repellents handy. Really, I don't think those little blood suckers. Are going any where this year!!  They make post-run stretching miserable. 

So to you runners I say, be strong, be fast, be safe, and be sticky. Because there's no way around it. Sweat + sunscreen + mosquito spray = one hot mess. 

Doing It For Denise

I think several months back I did a post about not taking your relationships for granted and not waiting until someone you love has cancer before you tell them how much you love having them with you on the long run.  In that post I introduced you to one of my very best friends, Denise. 

We took this picture on a walk immediately following Denise shaving her head.  She is beautiful.

Earlier this year, Denise was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I don't know how to accurately describe the shock that comes with a cancer diagnosis for one of your friends.  I hate to admit this, but when it happens to your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even your parents there is a small part of you that accepts it as part of age (please do not confuse this statement for me saying that it is any less painful.  A loved one being diagnosed with cancer is horrible no matter what).  But, when your friend is diagnosed with cancer, it is devistating.  Our friends are not supposed to get sick.  Our friends CANNOT get sick!!  Why in the world are our friends getting sick?!!?

 

The immediate feeling of helplessness when your friend is diagnosed is, for lack of a better word, overwhelming. Now that I think about it, overwhelming is exactly the right word.  After Denise told me the news, I probably spent a week begging God for the ability to fix my friend.  Well, not really to fix her, there is nothing wrong with my friend, she is awesome.  What I mean is that I prayed for the ability to take her cancer away.  Maybe that sounds dumb, but knowing what my friend was facing, and feeling like there was nothing I could do about it was awful.

 

This is where you come in.  This Saturday, I will be participating in the Komen Race For The Cure.  Being able to raise money in honor of Denise eases that overwhelming feeling of helplessness. I can't cure cancer, but I can run.  I can put one foot in front of the other and in doing so, I can help make sure that Denise and all women to come after her receive the best possible treatment.  This is where I ask you to PLEASE donate to my team in honor of Denise.  Or if for whatever reason, you can't make a donation right now, please forward the link to anyone you know who can.  I want to raise as much money as I can in honor of my dear friend and in hopes that your dear friends never have to go through this.  Every little bit helps.  Here is the link to my personal page:

http://rfch.convio.net/site/TR/Race/General?px=1908045&pg=personal&fr_id=1170

Ever since Denise was diagnosed, she and I have pounded the pavement together for many a mile.  We've being taking these walks since right after her diagnosis, through her first chemo treatments, through her hair falling out, through ringing the bell on her final chemo day, all the way up to right before surgery.  During these walks we've spent a lot of time talking about cancer.  We've also spent a lot of time talking about the usual stuff like food, travel, and our husbands (sorry Paul.  I've learned so much about her during these walks.  Let me tell you, Denise is brave, she is shockingly (only to herself) strong, she is wise (this girl can research better than the FBI!!), she is giving, and open, and I am in awe of her.  I wish I could adequately describe to you what these walks and talks will mean to me for the rest of my life, but it sort of goes beyond anything a blog could capture.  This is the link to Denise's blog so that you can get to know what an amazing person she is. 

http://crazyfoxtales.com/

To all my fellow runners out there, please donate.  Can we all send one giant runner's wave to Denise?

Spot the Problem

So, this is what happens when you pack your running bag in the wee hours of the morning:

So now I'm sitting here at the running trail  debating if it's a sign or not. What do you think?  Should I run in this condition?

***UPDATE:  I'm updating to let you know that I did indeed run 5 miles like this.  Luckily, other runners are very forgiving and did not give me any crazy looks.  At least not while they were running towards me.  Once we passed each other, I'm sure they started cracking up.  But man, when you have one new shoe and one old shoe on you can really tell just how dead that old shoes is.  The shoe on the left is toast!  I knew it was bad, which is why I bought the new, but I didn't realize how bad.  I had been hanging on to the old pair for emergencies, but no more.  These shoes are immediately going to be recycled!  Did you know that you could recycle your old shoes?  I have someone in my office who keeps a box for collecting and donating old shoes, but there are PLENTY of ways to donate your running shoes.  And, Goodness knows we runner's go through a ton of shoes!  Below are some links to multiple  shoe recycling programs:

http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/better-world/stories/2013/05/reuse-a-shoe

http://soles4souls.org/

http://oneworldrunning.com/

http://www.greensneakers.org/

Also, for all of you in Houston, Luke's Locker will take your old shoes for a recycling program.
 

Will and Mind

Today's long run marked the furthest I would run since I last trained for a half marathon over ten months ago. I spent all night yesterday hydrating and preparing.  Yet, this morning I was still really anxious. It may sound silly, and I'm sure it is, but I get really nervous before long runs. I'm not exactly sure why. I spent a lot of today's run trying to figure out why the anxiety. I think it has something to do with my perfectionistic tendencies. I want every run to go perfectly (you've probably guessed that I don't define perfectly as fast. I'd be in trouble if I did).  I think that because my first marathon did not go as planned, I'm feeling more pressure to get this one right.  Anyway, as I ran I came across this sign:

I don't go to this church, so I have no idea what this sermon series is about, but I sure am glad I came upon week three. I realized then and there that these were the two things that were going to keep me going: my will and my mind. My body is strong. My body can run. My body has been prepared for each run by every run that has come before. My body is capable of running what is requires. It's my will and my mind that struggle. When the run gets hard, my breathing goes, and my feet ache, it is my will that will either stop me in my tracks or carry me forward. 

The run was hard, but with my will and my mind set straight ahead, I made it and in decent time. There are many, MANY miles ahead and many of those miles will be a struggle. But thanks to a little sign along the way, I know I've got the tools to make it. 

Oh, and if anyone remembers my complaint about the heat and humidity, well, it's still hot and humid as hell here. Forget that it is only a few days from October, it still feels like 90 degrees!! 

And then it was home to take part in my post long run tradition. Which is to eat everything in sight!!  I may want to rethink this tradition, but some other day. You're looking at my favorite post long run indulgence. Don't judge. Okay, you can judge, but that's fine. It just means there will be more for me!

I Have Control Issues

Just Tuesday I was telling a friend how addicted I am to my Garmin.  I specifically mentioned that I am obsessive about keeping track of pace and distance and went so far as to say that running with anything else is crap.  And, because life is hilarious in this way, Wednesday I started warming up for a run and my Garmin absolutely refused to find my location.  I stood in the driveway with my arm lifted up towards the sky hoping the satellites would find me (have you ever seen anyone doing this?  We look ridiculous!) and nothing happened.  I probably would have stood there like that until the blood flow to my arm ceased to make it up to my fingers, but my family was holding dinner for me.  So, against every fiber in my body (I REALLY rely on my Garmin), I turned on the Map My Run app on my phone and headed off. 

When I say I am obsessive about keeping track of pace and distance,  I mean it.  I keep constant track of how fast (err...slow) I'm going and I can't help but check every tenth of a mile.  So, the thought of freely running without constant feedback was not something I was happy about.  But, off I went.

You know what?  It ended up being one of my fastest runs this year.  I found I was flying (err...going slightly above a crawl, which is fast for me) and I wasn't slowing down.  Sure, I was dying to know exactly how fast and how far I'd gone, but I was going and I wasn't stopping.  It felt great.  I was reminded by something I'd written back in November of 2012:

" I really struggle with pace during long runs. I'm always looking at my pace and telling myself to slow down because I'm going to get too tired. I get now that I am often struggling to keep an unnatural run pace in the hopes of "conserving energy." This week I decided to just turn my mind off and let my body takeover. It was a great run.  The lesson is - don't limit yourself by holding back because you are afraid. You are capable of achieving more than you can imagine!!! But you'll never know if you don't let yourself fly."

So, it turns out, I need to learn lessons over and over again before actually "getting" them.  I never claimed to be a quick study (or runner).  What dawned on me yesterday though, while I was running free without the Garmin is that maybe we too often constrain ourselves by the idea of what we are supposed to do or how we are supposed to do things and we end up limiting what we CAN do.

 

Don't get me wrong, when my Garmin fired up right away this morning, I breathed a huge sigh of relief.  Part of training is monitoring each run.  We learn from the patterns in our running.  Seeing where we struggle and where we excel can only help us get better in the long run.  But maybe, just maybe, every now and then, it's okay to take the chains off and see just what we CAN do.  Try it.  I bet you surprise yourself.