It's All Worth It

Some mornings, I wake up thinking about how much it sucks that I get up before dawn, while it's pitch black outside, to go sweat it out at the gym before starting a full day of work. I'm not training for anything. No one is paying me to work out. Why do I do this to myself?  

But then, I walk out of the gym to this sunrise and realize it's all worth it. 

The Best Laid Plans

"The best laid plans.... often go astray."

Not so long ago I filled you in on my plan to take a month off from running. And so far, I've been really good at sticking to The Plan (she writes as she blogs from the elliptical machine). Buuuuut....I had to make an exception yesterday. Yesterday was our Girls On The Run 5k. You have to know that there is nothing I'd rather make an exception for. 

I love the GOTR program and all it stands for. And I love all of our wild, honest, and sweet girls. I am so glad I found the GOTR program last year. Volunteering with young girls and trying to teach them lessons like self-confidence through running has given me so much perspective on my own life. 

What you don't know is that almost two months ago, I had to quit teaching at GOTR. I took a new job further out of town, which made getting to the classes in the mid afternoon pretty much impossible. I sometimes don't know how much I miss it until I see the girls again (I've been able to pop in and visit a couple of times). 

Yesterday's 5k was so much fun. It was great to see the girls experience a true race day. So many of the girls pushed themselves faster than I had ever seen them train. And they laughed and talked and held hands the whole way. I'm telling you, you've never seen such a happy group of runners.  It was awesome to see all of the families lined up along the course with signs and whistles cheering the girls on. I've written before about how awesome race spectators are, but yesterday's group was pretty darn special.  I was proud to get to be a part of it. 

 

A dad running the whole way with his daughter - melts my heart. 

So, I strayed from The Plan. That's okay, I've never been happier to break my own rules. 

If you would like to learn more about or donate to the Girls On The Run organization, follow this link (I'm sending you to the Houston chapter, but there are girls on the run programs all over the country, just google Girls On The Run to find the closest to you):

http://gotrgreaterhouston.org/

One of the medals I am most proud to have earned. 

Happy First Birthday!!

Happy first birthday to me!! 

Today marks the first birthday of this blog. Exactly one year ago, I made my first entry and declared to the world that despite all appearances, "I am a runner."

Writing that first blog wasn't easy. Deciding to take that small step forward out of anonymity was scary and intimidating. Putting myself out there to be judged by strangers was something I wasn't exactly thrilled to do. But more than the fear, I felt a calling to put it all out there. After each long run, I would be tugged with the thought that I should share what I was learning. I tried to shake it for a long time, but the more I avoided it, the more it ate at me, until I finally caved and started writing. 

When I started, I made a commitment that I would continue my jogging and blogging for a least one year and then re-evaluate. In the last year, I've logged a lot of miles and learned a lot of lessons. I've enjoyed sharing these lessons, and a lot of totally random, pretty useless information too. I am proud of what I have done over the last year and I've decided to keep at it. I haven't had a ton of feedback on this blog, but I have had a number of people tell me that this blog inspired them to try to go for a run, register for a 5k, or even tackle their first half marathon.  The joy that this has brought be is indescribable. 

I hope I can continue reaching out and inspiring people with this blog. At this milestone, I've decided to really take a look at the blog and see if there are any improvements to what/how I write. Do you have any suggestions?  Formatting ideas?  Content you would like me to add?  Things you wish I would or wouldn't do?  Let me know what you think. Yes, this is my blog and I would like to stay true to my original calling, but I also write it for you and I would love your feedback (I think?). 

Oh-- and this is pretty cool: recently I was chosen as an IDEA inspired blogger. I'm so excited to be included in this list of awesome ladies (and gentlemen) who are  doing such great work. http://www.ideafit.com/inspired-bloggers

Now let's party!!  

I've been loving birthday cakes forever. 

She nailed it. And I added a few.

I came across this short article today, and yeah I would say she nailed it.  Especially the last one...

 

http://www.theclymb.com/stories/out-there/7-things-runners-long-runs-probably-wont-admit/

 

A couple of items I would add:

 

1.  Plan future conversations.  I can't tell you how many arguments and then subsequent make-ups with my husband I've had in my head all alone on the long run.  With so much time on my hands (actually, on my feet) and no one to actually talk to, I spend an insane amount of time imagining I'm talking to someone.  A lot of that time, I'm pretending to talk to Paul  This probably pays off pretty well for him because I've usually solved our imaginary argument by the time I get home and all is well and he doesn't even know we had a fight.

 

2.  Take pictures.  Okay, so y'all are all painfully aware of this one by now.  You'd think I'd get better at the on-the-long-run selfie with so much practice, but no...

 

3.  Learn French.  I am sad to report that my French is TERRIBLE.  After hours and hours of running and listening to "How to Speak French, Lesson One," I thought I was ready to move on to lesson two.  Ha!  I was oh so very wrong.  Back to lesson one for me.  Of course, listening to and then repeating French statements out loud is a lot less embarrassing alone on the trail than on the elliptical with someone right next to you.  So, I might be putting off lessons for a few more weeks.

 

4. Curse myself for starting this.  Let's be honest, on long runs we all spend a significant amount of time questioning our sanity and cursing ourselves for setting the alarm.  It's usually not until after I've finished my mileage that I am overcome with the gratitude and excitement I feel about running.  It's an in hindsight feeling, not so much an as it's happening feeling.

 

4. To Do Lists.  What else is there to do but make them?

 

5.  Obsessively check my Garmin.  I do it like it's my job.  This is a bad, bad habit.  One I am unlikely to break anytime soon.  But, I do encourage you to break the habit if you do this too.  You know, it's a do as I say not as I do type thing.

 

6.  Wave.  You know how much I love my runner's wave!!

 

7.  Write blogs.  Well, at least plan the blogs I will write.  I can't lie.  This is the main thing that occupies my time while I run.  I love thinking of what I'm going to tell you later (all 3 or 4 of you).  Sometimes I start out with something on my mind and spend the run developing that thought into a blog and sometimes I have no idea of what I will write about next and then something happens on the long run that inspires me to want to inspire you.  Either way, I spend a lot of time imagining what I will say to you.  So,in a way, you are my inspiration for running.  Thank you for that.

 

 

And I keep reading how you should never post a blog without pictures.  But, since I'm not running and pictures on the elliptical are boring, I've just posted the last photo in my phone.  I colored my hair (big news for me) and I was trying to document the change, but you can't tell at all in this picture.  What can I say?  It was this photo or the screenshot of the recipe I'm going to cook tonight for dinner.  Not so sure you came out ahead on this one.

 

 

 

The Plan

I've been spending some time trying to come up with a plan and now I'm ready to share the plan with you. 

I'm not going to run. 

Yes, you read that correctly, I am not going to run. I know, it's an odd thing to hear from someone who writes a running blog. But, it's true. I'm taking some time off from running. 

While I was running the half marathon two weeks ago, I felt some pretty significant pain. I was able to through it, but I felt it every step of the way. Even days after running, I was still feeling an extraordinary amount of soreness and pain.  When you feel pain like this, you have to do some evaluating of what's going on with your body. I've come to two conclusions:

1.  My body needs a break. Several of the places where I was really feeling the pain while I ran were the same areas that hurt so badly during the full marathon in January. This tells me that I've never taken the time to let these small little injuries (for lack of a better word) heal. With no distance races planned, I think it's time to let my legs heal. My injuries are minor and need nothing more than a little rest.  I think that if I give up running for a little while, my legs will bounce right back and be ready to run strong. 

2.  I'm out of shape. Okay, I know this is the part where most people roll their eyes. Of course I'm not really out of shape. I just ran 13.1 miles. I'm in shape. I'm just not in my typical shape. And, I'm not saying that with any negative connotation. It's okay to go through varying levels of fitness. It's normal not to be in "fighting" shape all of the time. It's been a rough an exhausting year and there have been plenty of reasons for me to let my fitness level slip a little. My strength training went down to only about once a week for most of the year and I really think that had a big impact on my running. While trying to fit marathon training into an already insane schedule, I found myself sacrificing all of my other fitness routines. My strength and flexibility have taken a big hit this year. Part of being a good runner is being strong. I'm going to take my time off from running to get stronger, more fit, and more prepared for the long run. 

Even though it's only been a few days, it's weird not to run. I already miss it. When I drive by a runner, I can't help but feel a little jealousy. But I am certain on my decision to take a break. I think this break isn't just going to get my physically ready to run again, but mentally it is going to get me excited to run again. 

In the meantime, I'm finding other methods of exercise and that's fun and exciting. Two days ago I talked my husband into going on a 16 mile bike ride with me. It was fun seeing the trails I normally run from the vantage point of a Bicycle. I've been able to get to Bar Method several times this week and all of  my leg muscles are remembering what it means to shake like crazy. 

I've also been able to catch up on some old Sex And The City episodes from the comfort of the elliptical machine. 

Inspired To Run (Boston) Strong

Anyone else watch the Boston Marathon today?  Anyone else shed multiple tears while watching the Boston Marathon today or was I the only one sitting in their office, glued to the live feed and overwhelmed with joy and inspired to run?  What a difference a year makes!  Last year, it was tears of shock and horror and sadness that I shed on Marathon Monday.  This year, I was flooded with pride and awe as I watched all of those amazing runners press on for 26.2 miles.  I was inspired!  Inspired to run (Boston) strong.

After work today, I slipped into my  blue and yellow and went for a run in in honor of Boston.  I ran because it's what I do.  Running is my way of paying tribute to big things.  Today was a big thing.  Today we witnessed a sport's, a city's, a country's, and humanity's answer to terror.  Today we saw the definition of Boston Strong.

I ran last year in honor of Boston too.  But last year, I ran with a heavy heart to honor those affected by the devastation of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.  This year, I ran in honor of those who chose to come back and race again.  I ran for all of those who said they had unfinished business in Boston.  I ran for all of those who faced the pain and trauma of last year and said that they weren't going to let that be the end to their story.  As I ran, I honored the bravery of all of those runners who weren't going to let terror win.  I ran 4.7 miles to honor the approximately 4,700 runners who weren't able to finish last year's race, but agreed to run it again this year.  I ran in awe of all of those who trained like hell and ran like hell last year and said they were willing to do it all again.  I ran because it was all I could do to show my support for everyone who faced the fear of last year and ran today anyway.  I ran in tribute to all the Boston Strong runners.

 

 

I believe we are all Boston Strong.  I believe that it is our basic nature that when we are thrown to the ground, we dust ourselves off, get back up, and run on stronger.  At the very core of all of us is a Boston Strong runner.  We won't let anyone stop us.  When things are hard, we go harder.  We won't let the bad guys win.  We dig deep and find out how strong we really are.   It's only when we start letting the doubts and the can'ts and the shouldn'ts sneak in that we lose our confidence.  But, we need not lose our confidence.  We are STRONG.  We are BOSTON STRONG!

 

Race Day Recap - Diva's Half Marathon

Last weekend, I ran the Diva's Half Marathon in Galveston. The Divas races are a series of races all across the country in awesome places like San Francisco, Myrtle Beach, And Puerto Rico. Since one of my new running goals is to make trips out of races, I foresee some more Diva runs in my future. This was the first Diva's Half Marathon in Galveston (you may remember my love for Galveston running http://longrunlessons.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-beach-is-in-my-blood-and-stuck-to.html?m=1 ), so I was excited to give it a try. I was also interested in this race because it is an all women event (men can run, but aren't counted in the results) complete with pink boas and sparkly crowns. I've mentioned before that after the seriousness of the Chevron Houston Marathon in January, I'm in need of some light hearted, no pressure races.  So, way back in early February I signed up for the Diva run and then promptly forgot about it and barely trained. 

First, let me give a shout out to my friend Amy who talked me into signing up. This was Amy's very first half marathon and she did great.  Best of all, she had a great time. I feel like it's safe to say that we have a new running sister. 

(Pre-race photo. We were way sweatier at the end). 

While I'm giving shout outs, I'd like to give one to my dad, who drove an hour to be at the race by 6:30 a.m., just to watch me run. I don't think dads ever stop being daddies. 

I would also give a shout out to my husband, who not only wakes up with me on every single race day, but who has  put up with months and months (years - truthfully) of living with someone in training, which is not an easy task. But if I were to get into all he means and has done for me, the blog would be a book. 

Back to the race. The start line was in the heart of Galveston at The Strand. A perfect place to start and finish a race. Over the thirteen miles, we ran through some historical neighborhoods (Galveston contains one of the largest and most historically significant collections of 19th-century buildings in the United States (per Wikipedia)), along the ocean, and through some newly developed neighborhoods. It was at about mile 3 that we made our turn for the seawall. I love running next to the ocean. Nothing makes me feel more alive and more connected to the whole world than the ocean. A couple of times I caught myself staring over my shoulder to watch the waves (this is not a smart race-running technique and I wouldn't recommend it). 

I noticed early on that I was on-pace for a really great run. Nothing feels better than looking down and seeing your pace and realizing you aren't even struggling to keep running where you want to be. So on I ran, over-taking runner by runner (I even overtook the pace runner!) and really feeling good.  That is, until mile 10 when we made the loop turn around and I was hit right in the face by a brutal headwind. Now, knowing what running next to the ocean is like, I was expecting the humidity and wind...I just wasn't expecting to be slowed down so much by it. I dug deep and willed myself to run, but I just couldn't get my pace back down to where I wanted it.  Watching seconds stack up was hard and frustrating, but I had to remind myself that running 13 miles is hard. It's not supposed to be easy. Luckily, after only two miles of the crazy headwind, we peeled back off towards The Strand for the finish. I have to say this was probably my fastest closing mile ever. My legs were kicking and while I was exhausted and hurting (more on that later), it felt amazing to be headed in so fast. I remember seeing my husband and daddy as I flew on to the finish. 

Of course, being greeted by this at the end, didn't hurt!

We were also greeted by a glass of champagne with our medals. Of course, I promptly dropped and spilled my champagne (noooo!!). 

Overall, I have nothing but great thoughts about this race. It was fun to push myself past my expectations. Running with all women was amazing. You've never seen a cleaner race. Very little spitting and every single person made it to the trash can with their water/Gatorade cups. I even witnessed a woman mid-stride fix the garbage bag, so that it was in the proper position for the rest of us to drop our cups. Women are also amazing encouragers. I got high fived by a total stranger as I passed her. Plenty of women (including me) would yell out encouraging "you got this and you can do this" when passing someone who was really struggling. It was such a great run to be surrounded by strong, motivated, and determined women. And it was a lot of fun.seeing all of the men along the route cheering on their badass ladies. Girl's Rule!