No More Excuses....

One of my favorite parts of running is, obviously, races.  I don't really care about racing with the other people there (God knows, I'm not competitive), only myself.  But what I love most about races are meeting new people and seeing some of the same-old people you see at all of the other runner events.

There are some tried and true running characters in the DFW running community.  People I see at almost every race, people that are memorable.  Someday I'll learn their "real" names.  There's Crazy Run On Lady who speed walks every half marathon faster than most of us run it.  But Heeeey Guy is my newest favorite DFW Running Character.  I've seen/talked to this man at quite a few races in the last year.  He's an older man (older than my dad) who is so friendly and happy.  He's sort of stuck in the late 1960's with his "Heeeey, maaaan!  What's happening, man?" speak, but so outgoing that you can't help but smile.  We were recently in a water/beer/something line together and I had the chance to really talk to him, and hear his story. 

I'd asked him if he'd ever done a full marathon.  "No, man, I'm still new to this running thing." 

It sort of surprised me because he's pretty quick, has all the gear, and seems to know everyone at every race.

Then he told me the story of why and how he began.  His health had begun to deteriorate quickly as he aged.   In an effort to combat it all, he took up running. 

"Yea, ya know, man, I'm a PROSTATE cancer survivor.  I've got diabetes, and a pacemaker.  I gotta run."

And run he does.  With a p a c e m a k e r!  On that short course, he managed to outrun most of us younger, "healthier" folks. 

I left that race with that nagging question..."What's your excuse?"

What IS my excuse?   What's YOURS?

The terrible, horrible, no good, very bad run....

There are good runs.

There are great runs.

And then, every once in a while, there are runs which can be described as nothing other than

shit-tacular.

No matter how hard you've trained, how well you've slept, and how fresh your shoes are, once in a while your body will simply decide to give your mind the proverbial middle finger.

 "Oh, you thought you were going to run 7 miles today?  Ha, that's funny.  I have other plans."

Those of us who have been running for a while realize this.  We've experienced these moments where just a few minutes or miles into a longer run something happens.  Something shuts down.  While we're aptly aware that these days happen and our conscious mind tells us it'll be okay, we're still disappointed.  However, we know enough that tomorrow we'll put our sneakers on again and get back on that horse.  For a newer runner, however, these days can be heartbreaking.

Saturday was one of those days for one of my running partners.  Having only become a runner in January, she's come exceptionally far.  From struggling to run 10 straight minutes in February to tackling her first 5k in April, she was ecstatic to complete 6+ miles last week.  So this week we thought, "hey, let's go crazy and try for 6.5...or even 7!"

However, it just didn't happen.  Whether it was the exceptional humidity, the hillier-than-normal-course, or the fact that we started off in a "different" way, her body and mind weren't in agreement.  

She was, understandably so, crushed.  But to me, it was yet another lesson to be learned.  While it was upsetting that she wasn't able to run the "desired" distance, the day wasn't a fail.  We were out and moving for 5.5 miles, farther than we would have gone in March.  We weren't sitting on the couch, yelling at our children, sleeping, or eating donuts.  While there was disappointment, there wasn't failure.   You only fail if you accept road blocks a finality. In my opinion, there's no such thing as a bad run...if you got up and got out there...you achieved and succeeded!

We all have those shit-tacular runs.  And it's really easy to obsess on "why" they happened.  But it doesn't really matter.  What matters is getting up and putting on your running shoes the next day  to challenge those demons again.

I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.

                                                             Michael Jordan 

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

                                                          Winston Churchill 

Keep running...don't give up!

In a Funk? You're Only a Run Away from Fixing It

For the last week I've been in the IR.  Again.  Another freaking injury (call me Bella Swan)  forced me off the roads.

Basically, I had my birthday weekend which involved a lot of

 

and

After that indulgence, I got in just two runs before I knocked my eye out, leading to a forced rest week.

Yesterday was day 6 of no running and  I had this moment, at the dinner table, where I cringed because I felt so gross.  My mood continued to spiral downward:  I can't see out of one eye.  I'm in yoga freaking pants.  I haven't run.  When did I last wash my hair?  I'm eating like garbage.   

So this morning, before I even got the kids off to school, I donned my Lululemon Runner Crops.  Because, seriously, you can't help but be in the mood to move when those baby's are hugging your butt.  Once the kids were out the door, I threw on my Brooks and headed out to take a walk with Isla.  The just the movement lifted my spirits!  Feeling like I could actually be...active...today, we headed to the gym.

Now...I'll admit that I probably shouldn't have run.  The two miles on the treadmill were pure hell because my eye was throbbing the entire time.  It still feels like crap.  But, my legs...my lungs...my mind...my soul...felt 100 times better. 

It's funny because as I got home, I noticed that my BRF (Best Runner Friend) had texted me exactly what I had just realized  "How come I'm only one run away from a good mood?"

Brick Wall.

Don't Wait for Inspiration

This is one of the best motivational pieces I've seen in a while.

I see them at the start line.  I see them at mile 10 when things get rough.  I see them as I wind the corner towards the finish line.  When I cross it...I do it for them. 

My inspiration comes from how much I love them...and how much I want them to know that they...can do ANYTHING. 

"Don't wait for inspiration...BECOME it."

A New Crew, Inspiring for Me! Moms Running

About a month ago I posted my "check-in" at the White Rock Half on my Facebook page.  My mom, and a few other family members, like to keep up with my races, and it makes it easy to log events that way.  One of my sweet friends commented "I've always wanted to become a runner" to which I thought, "Then let's get you there!" 

Being that I was, once upon a time, a professional couch sitter who always wanted to run, I am always inspired by others with a similar aspiration.  Often times people are overwhelmed with the idea of becoming a runner.  It seems like such hard work.  It seems like a title that only women, along the likes of Paula (Radcliffe) and Kara (Goucher) are worthy of.  But the reality is that we are all capable of becoming a runner.  Sure, it takes a little bit of work, but it is so do-able.  If I can become a runner...anyone can.  That's a sentiment I sincerely mean.

Another friend of mine was, once upon a time, a voracious runner, who had completed a few half marathons.  Life, kids, and an injury got in her way, and so her running shoes were retired.  But she'd been wanting to get back.  And so, with these two women, and another friend, all motivated to accomplish something awesome, we began our little Couch 2 5K Crew. 

I am beyond proud to say that they finished their first week today.  The weather, on Wednesday and Thursday was unforgiving.  It was cold and windy.  Yet, they showed up, at my doorstep, ready and eager to run.  Instead of snoozing in on a Saturday morning, or noshing on donuts while watching the cartoons, they were ringing my doorbell at 9 am.  Getting the first step out the door really is the hardest part, and they did it.  And they did an amazing job, too. 

The Couch 2 5K program is so amazing, I really can't say enough good things about it.  It really does work for nonrunners.  But even better, for me, I am quite certain that by doing it, in conjunction with regular training, it will help me get faster.  What's great about c25k is that it's not overwhelming. 

I'm feeling so motivated and inspired by our little running group.  It's exciting for me to think about us finishing our first 5k together, as a team, in just 5-6 more weeks.  Hopefully they'll get addicted and we'll be able to tackle bigger events together, like a 10k, and maybe even a half, at some point! 

Pity the Fool

Monday Motivation from monsters

A motivational message that Isla would like to share with you all.  Remember, there's nothing you can't achieve when, in yourself you believe!

Priorities, Where are YOU.... Moms Running

Ever notice how everything is always due at once?

The way my schooling works is that every five weeks I start a new course.  Because it's an accelerated program, I am writing a 10 page, scholarly referenced, final paper almost once a month.  That's on top of the regular weekly discussion board work.  It never seems to fail that during that 5th week, every course, the shit hits the fan.

 I can guarantee that week five will always be the busiest day of the month.  Not only will I have that school work to do, but 17,000 other things pop up with the addition of the mundane household tasks.

So last night, as week 5 was just beginning, I had this moment of "Here we go..."  I began to lay out my master to do list of tasks to be completed by Saturday and wondered, "at what point will I squeeze in my short runs, my long run, my speed work, my ab work, and my leg work?"

And then I saw this on Facebook....

Those words hit me like a ton of bricks.  Absolutely.
There are other people who are just as busy, if not busier than me, MAKING time to get out there and train.  The key, is, they are MAKING time.  Carving it out of their hectic schedules.

How to do this?  Create priorities.
Which of those items on my to do list might be able to wait until Sunday?
What are the obstacles in my way, preventing me from thinking that running is possible?
I may not be able to force the baby to sleep through the night, but I can certainly put 2 loads of laundry on hold til Saturday.  The children do have clothes to wear.  

And so, with some minor rearranging, I was able to make time to get in a 4 miler this (very cold) morning.  My to do list isn't shortening any, but it's not an excuse to NOT run.  Running is not a luxury.  It's not something that's always "fun".  It's not an option.  It's a necessity.

Being "busy" is not an excuse not to take care of yourself.  

That....fellow moms....is sometimes a hard pill for us all to swallow, right?

 Besides...it made her (and Elmo) happy to get out there!

Need some motivation?

 

Words.

Powerful little buggers, aren't they?  It's funny how quickly they can fly from our mouths, without much thought some days.  

We talk.  

A lot.  

We say a lot of things.  

The result, however, of those words can be monumental, they can build hope, joy, and happiness, yet they can also wreak havoc.


We all know that it's important to be careful with the words we use when speaking to others.  I think the average Joe will acknowledge that he knows how much of an impact words can have when we say them to our children, friends, spouses.   

But how about the words we say to ourselves?  

What value do they have?  

Are they important?  

What's the conversation like in your head?

I argue that the way in which we talk to ourselves is paramount to the conversation we have with others.  Really.  If our internal dialogue is ugly, than our own output can be ugly, in turn, what we expect from others is less than it should be.  In order to put out positivity, we must generate our own, first.

 

Positive self talk is, therefore, something critical to utilize when you're training.  Take a moment...evaluate how you've been talking to yourself.

Are you being your own cheerleader?  Or are you ripping yourself apart constantly?  Because, when you think about it, at our most vital moments, we find ourselves alone.  Mommy's not there to pat your back and say "I'm so proud" at mile 20 (okay, mine was at my marathon...but not during training runs!).  Your spouse won't hold your hand during that half-marathon and cheer "you can do it!"  for 13 miles.  
When your lungs burn during intervals, the only one to pull you through to the other side of particularly challenging events is Y O U.

Go, grab your pom poms and cheer for yourself.  Practice positive self talk.  I know it's not easy.  I'm the biggest offender when it comes to dogging myself.  I admit, I need to work on it.

 Take a few minutes and tell yourself what you did this week that was pretty freaking awesome.

 

Me?  I made it back to a 20 mile week!  I did lots of speed work, and felt the result today.  Isla has been super crabby and not sleeping well (thanks freaking 2 year old molars) for a few weeks, but despite her complaining, I packed her up, loaded her into the car, and made it to the gym 4 days this week (so far!).  Now, I imagine that I will probably miss out on the long run this weekend, again.  Given that I'm so tired.  And it'll be rough not to beat myself up over it.  But it's my goal for this weekend.  Stay positive and focused on The Run. 


Besides....

It's never too late

I was supposed to go for a long run this weekend.  But I just didn't get my shit together enough to make it happen.  Again.  This is like 3 weekends in a row.  The problem is that I find myself so freaking exhausted by Saturday, that the thought of getting out on the road by 7 a.m. to do a long run (before it hits 90 degrees) makes me want to throw up.  So, instead, I pack the baby up and grab a Starbucks coffee and chug it down before the reality of weekend chaos ensues.  I think, I'll do it Sunday.  I make quiet bargains with myself:  "If Isla wakes up at 5, instead of putting her back to bed, I'll throw her in BOB and we'll run..."  "If Isla doesn't wake up at 5, I'll wake up at 7 and sneak out by myself"  The problem:  Isla woke at 3.  And 4. 

But then There I found myself, Sunday night, pissed.  I was really mad at myself.  I was getting ready to throw in the sweat towel again.  I've been busting my ass Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at the gym.  My 5k time is dropping...dropping...getting better.  So why can't I get my shit together on Saturday...or Sunday a.m.? 

Maybe....I'm tired.  Maybe...I need to give myself a break.  While I'm not working on distance, the intervals and sprints are really building my lung strength and quick twitch muscles.  So, no, I won't give up. 

Just because I didn't long run this weekend, that doesn't mean my plan is ruined.  I'm not ON a plan.  Every day is a new day.  Every day is a second (or third, or fourth, or fifth chance).  Each morning I'm given the gift to make a choice to make it right.  We're ALL given that blessing, each and every day. 

It's never too late to do the right thing.  It's never too late to challenge yourself.  It's never too late to be the best you can be.  Just ask Fauja Singh, the 100 year old man who finished the Toronto Marathon this weekend. 

It Was a Good Run...

The moment my alarm clock went off, I was hit with those all-too-familiar butterflies.

The rush came on as I stepped out of my bed and began to Glide and dress.  It was Run Day.

When running a half, I typically find myself in the middle of the pack.  I'll never be the fastest, and it's always been my deepest fear to be the last.  Yet with this race, I expected to be towards the end of the pack.  I was 6 weeks off shoulder reconstruction, hadn't run more than 6 miles since, and it was a pack of less than 250 people.  I was actually in fear of being the last person.  Surprisingly, that didn't keep me away.  I just wanted to go out and be there.  My rule for the race...Have Fun or Stop changed when I saw a quote from the amazing, wonderful, inspirational Dean Karnazes:

Run when you can,

Walk when you have to,

Crawl if you must,

just NEVER GIVE UP.

The first three miles went beautifully, which is a gift, considering the fact that the first three miles were straight up one hill, then another, and then another long climb.  It was at mile 6 I began to hit the wall.  I remember seeing the mile 6 sign thinking, "oh yippee, less than half way done."  But I was still enjoying myself.  My music was great, the volunteers were wonderfully motivating, and it was just great being out on a course.   My mojo was severely cut at mile 10 when I reached up for a cup of water and my shoulder refused to cooperate.  It was frozen.  I was in severe pain.  It was getting really hot out there.  But I managed to grab the water, down it, and truck on.  I did a lot of walking from 10 to 12.5.  

At mile 10.8 I made friends with a first timer.  As I passed Shawn, I noticed his feet were badly pronating and that his knees were bowing.  Shortly after I passed him, I heard him make some unpleasant noises.  So I immediately stopped.  I looked at his feet and noticed his shoes.  Really, dude?  After I found out how he'd gone to Dick's to pick up a generic pair of running sneakers, I gave him the "If you want to be a runner..." speech.  He promised me to invest the time into a proper shoe fitting, and I also talked to him about IT Band stretching (use your pool noodles, people!) and soleus stretching.  After I pepped him up a bit, I picked up my pace, and as I ran off, I shouted Dean's quote to him, guaranteeing him that I will wait for him at the finish. 

From that point on, I really just enjoyed chatting it up with the other "slow folks" and cheering them on.  Mile 10-13.1 sucks for any first timer.  You think you're "so close" but it's really a battle of wills to get you to that finish.  I finally crossed the finish line and joined my friends in my celebration.  At that point we waited at the finish to cheer the final finishers, including one of our friends, a first timer, and by shoe buddy, Shawn.

While I wasn't the last person to cross the finish line that day, my friend was.  This first timer really inspired me, motivated me, and taught me a lot about tenacity.  It takes guts to be that last person.  She could have bowed out, taken a police man up on his offer for a ride.  But she fought the battle between body and mind.  The battle in which your body just wants to, begs to give up.  She won.  And she should be very, very proud of herself today. 

Me...far from setting a PR, I did meet my goal of having FUN, and remembered why I do, after all, enjoy getting up at 6 a.m. to torture my body.

My legs, shoulders, and back are killing me today....and I liiiiiiike it!

  This was at the start line.  A little bit of sad.  A little bit of encouragement.  A lot of reflection.

You Know You've Become Crazy When...

I realize I'm not the typical suburban house frau stay at home mom.  I've never been one to place a high emphasis on getting my hair done, going for pedicures, or maintaining my nails.  As much as I enjoy a good massage, if it ain't a therapeutic sports massage, it isn't my thing.

Yet, the other day I had this realization that I might actually be crazy.

I signed up to run a half on Sunday.  As in 2 days from right now.

13.1 miles

It's the first time I've done something like that, just on a whim, dropped $80 to go run 13.1 miles.  I know I'm not in good shape.  I know I won't PR.  I know I probably will run the slowest half I've ever done.  Shit, I just had shoulder surgery 6 weeks ago.  I'm allowed.

I signed up for this race for really silly reasons...

It's close to my house.  The drive will be 5 minutes.  The course is a route I've done as a training run a few times.  There's HORSES on the course!

I was going to run 6 miles, anyway.  Why not do 13 and get a shirt.  And a medal.  And a free banana.

I miss that giddy, adreneline feeling you only get when standing at the start line.

I miss the taste of Gu.

My legs are feeling too good.  I need them to feel a little stiff and achy.  I miss that lactic acid build up feeling all over my lower half.

I only have 20 other things going on Sunday, why not!

I may not even finish this half on Sunday.  Because, to be honest, I have one rule:   Have Fun.  The minute this race isn't fun anymore, I stop.  I'm out.  I'm no longer running to beat the shit out of myself.  I'm running for the fun, the joy, the rush, the H I G H.

Even with that being said...I still may need this: