Why???? Because I can!

I hate to admit it, but I have been struggling. I’ve gotten the majority of my runs in, but I’ve missed more this time around then my last marathon training stint 11 years ago. In 1999, my first go at this crazy event, I maybe missed 2 runs in the 7 months leading up to the Austin Motorola Marathon. For the record I was 29 and had no kids. Jim and I worked different shifts so my time was my own. If I missed a run there was no good reason for it so I didn’t miss them. For the past month I’ve felt slow and sluggish and found myself wondering why I was doing this. I wasn’t scheduling my time in the best way to ensure I got my run in each day. I told myself I’ve nothing to prove. I’ve run two of these things before. I don’t really have a goal like beating my best time. I don’t care if I set a personal record. But then, in the way the universe tends to work I got a little boost!

Now don’t think I’m nuts, but I’m pretty sure Big Ben was on my last run with me. Why me and not someone else who he was closer to? Who knows and maybe it was just my subconscious kicking me in the pants. I’ll tell you the story and let you decide. It was an 8 miler and I was only two miles in and I began to feel light and happy and then tears starting falling down my cheeks for no reason I could think of. It was an odd mixture of emotion and just like that I knew why. Big Ben was striding with me. I also knew why I was doing this marathon. It was because Ben couldn’t. I was doing it so maybe others wouldn’t have to hear the words you have cancer. The rest my run felt great. I cruised the remaining 6 miles easily and finished the distance averaging 12 minute 12 second miles. Yep, for me that is cruising. I’ve never said I was fast.

So was Ben with me in those miles physically? I don’t know, but I do know that I will carry him every step of the way. I’ll think of him a lot on my 20 mile training run coming up this Sunday. I’ll be struggling to get one foot in front of the other by mile 18 and by mile 20 I’ll be in a lot of pain. Although what I’ll think of most is that this is temporary self inflicted pain that will subside and go away. A little Advil and I’ll be good to go. We haven’t found the “Advil” yet to make all cancer go away. So I’ll run this marathon and raise money so the American Cancer Society can fund cutting edge research that will make all cancer patients good to go! I’m determined to make a difference and this is one of the ways I know how.

Running while running around

Almost every trip for the past 10 years I have packed running gear. Some trips I use it and some trips I don't. But every vacation or business trip that I carve out time to run I am rewarded. Some times that reward comes in the form of an amazing run. One where I feel great or cover a long distance easily or run faster than ever. But more often than not I find a gem. A hidden place known by the locals but seldom seen by those of us just passing through.

I have eaten wild raspberries off a bush in a park in the middle of Atlanta. I have run miles between a river (canal) and a zoo in downtown Indianapolis. I have run off a heard of elk on accident and to everyone's surprise. Too many ocean runs to mention but they were all memorable in one way or another. A runners view of a place is special. You find cute neighborhoods, nice parks and unusual sculptures. This week in Gaylord it was various bears painted and decorated with different themes. One of the best parts of running in a new space is you are still close to your community.

One thing I always encounter when I run no matter if I am at home or on the road is the wave or nod. If you have been running long you know what I mean. Rarely does a fellow runner pass you with out at least throwing you a nod. It is a big community. Runners are connecting in a big way via Facebook and twitter, but the wave, nod or the friendly hello is the best. For some reason it makes me feel like a real runner a sort of validation that we are all out here fighting the good fight together.

So the next time you are planning a trip take some time out to fit in a run or two. You might see something you wouldn't have seen otherwise and you can add a wave or nod to your collection of running accomplishments.

Baby Steps

Days like yesterday are hard. I want to run but, my brain gets in the way. My calendar is full with work and home obligations and on top of that it is super hot and extra humid. If I don't get up early and get out the door before work the chances of getting that run in goes down considerably.

Additional I am not a big fan of waking up early. So the baby steps start the minute the 5:30 am alarm sounds. I am just gonna get up and have a cup of coffee and check out what has been happening on Facebook and twitter. That is what gets the foot on the floor. I just think about the coffee. As I am sipping the coffee and perusing the Internet I start thinking about my running clothes. I lay them out the night before.

All I have to do is get dressed. All I have to do is put on my headphones. All I have to do is get out the door, down the block and oh look...I am running. How did that happen? Usually the first half a mile keeps me tricking myself. Go slow warm up if you don't feel better in 5 minutes you'll turn around. Well the bottom line is that once I'm out the door the run will get done. It

Isn't always pretty and a lot of times it isn't fun, but tricking myself by taking baby steps gets it in the books and I can forget about it again until the alarm sounds again tomorrow.

Commitment Renewed

Wow it has been awhile since I’ve updated you and for that I’m sorry. But rest assured I’ve been putting in the training miles.

What has prompted this return to the page you ask? Well a combination of things really but the forerunner is it has been 1 year since my friend Ben died of Cancer. I can’t believe it has been that long. It seems like yesterday. This last year has gone by in a nightmare for his wife, parents, sisters and his best friend (my brother Jay). I’ve stood by and provided a listening ear and a hug, but otherwise have felt pretty helpless. I suppose that is why I committed to running a marathon and raising money to fight against cancer.

The American Cancer Society’s DetermiNation program gives me a way to fight back. I can never help Ben. But maybe the money I raise can fund lifesaving research and keep other families from having to wade through the grief and loss that Ben’s family and friends has had to.

Additionally running for Ben has helped me drop nearly 30lbs. I’m not mentioning this so you can tell me how great I look the next time you see me (but of course please do if the spirit moves you) It is to point out that physical activity and eating healthy will help protect me from cancer and a whole host of other ailments that genetics has potentially thrown in my way.

So I’m planning to update you more often so you can train with me. I’ll need all the help, motivation and DetermiNation I can get.

Real Runner Second Class

Hello all!

Well it has been a while, but things are starting to come together. The last week or so I've started to feel like a real runner again. I've been slogging through runs for months now, but I've been faking it. But about a month ago or so I started watching my calorie intake and it has made a huge difference. In fact I've lost about 20 lbs. This is significant for anyone, but when you are running it is HUGE. It means for me running 11 to 12 minute miles instead of 13 to 14 minute miles. There is this funny phenomenon with running. The faster you go the more weight you lose and the more weight you lose the faster you go. Now don't get me wrong...I am still a slug in the running community.

Don't try to make me feel better because I have proof. Today I ran an 8K (For those of you not familar with the metric system that is 4.8 miles) in Ann Arbor and the weather was perfect for running, 50 or so and overcast. There were 108 people in the race and I finished 102nd. I suppose I'm to feel pleased that I finished and most of today I have been. But then there is that part of me that wishes I was the thin fast girl pulling ahead of me with her flawless ponytail bopping up and down. Ah well, I finished and my amazing friends (ACS colleagues) were waiting for me at the finish. They saved me a water and a banana and really what else do you need.

Until next time...

Travel got in the way

Okay I got in my way. But so easy to blame it on a long work week capped off by a business trip to Indianapolis. I only got two runs in last week for a grand total of 7 miles. Very disappointing considering I did 17 the week before and was planning 18 total miles for the week.

Better planning and more discipline would have helped to get at least one more run in, but bottom line is adding runs last week would have added stress to an already stressful week. Running is suppose to relieve stress not create it. So last week I chose differently. I chose to spend the few extra minutes I had away from work with the kids or maybe sleeping. Not throwing on my running clothes to shoe horn a run in between meetings or after the kids went to bed.

That is not always the right decision... but last week it was. I know this because I've gotten right back on track. Both scheduled runs so far this week have been completed. I feel happy and refreshed. I know in the future I will have to run when I don't want to, but once in a while you need to create space to breathe.

Report from the road well... treadmill.

I thought I'd report back on my week. It has been busy with hockey and gymnastics, but I still was able to get all 5 runs in for a total of 17 miles. It has been a few weeks since I've been able to (had the disciple to) stick to the schedule.

All 5 runs were on the treadmill. This bores the brain, but takes a lot of the decision making process out of it. I did some workouts this week that I'll be calling the shredder from now on. I run fairly slow and then do sprints for 30 seconds. According to the experts this is suppose to burn serious fat. We'll see. All I know is that I did 6 sprints, 4 at 7 mph and 2 at 8 mph. I'm not sure I've ever run that fast.

Tomorrow is a rest day and then it all starts over again. I think I have 18 miles scheduled for this week. Wish me luck!

Bad Run Bad Mood

I'm in a bad mood. This is unusual after a run. Usually I am pretty happy and not from those elusive endorphins we have all heard so much about, but because I did it. I'm a bit like a bumble bee. As they should not be able to fly, I should not be able to run. My proportions are all wrong. But, I digress, my bad mood.

Being proactive about this weekends long run ( a whole 5 miles) I switched todays scheduled run with tomorrows. I know the chances of getting in a long one tomorrow. Tomorrow is my birthday and I plan on over indulging, 41 only comes around once in a lifetime you know. So I'm guessing I will find an excuse not to lace them up. I'd rather miss a 3 miler than a 5 miler.

So I dressed for the run, first set of hard decisions. Pretty and sunny out but 31 degrees and super windy. I made the mistake of checking out the temp on my smart phone. It gave me the real feel temp... 14. Ugh! I put on several layers and headed out. I was cold at first, but worked up a sweat real fast. I was trudging along and feeling uncomfortable from the start. I was going slow, cold from the wind then hot from the sun. Oh did I mention I had to pee. (TMI I know) I shuffled 2.5 miles and then had a mental breakdown. I stopped to walk. I DON'T do that. I walked some and ran some all the rest of the way home.

All in all it only took me 6 minutes more than my usual 5 mile time, but I feel like I failed today and I hate that feeling. Jim was great telling me most of America was sitting on their rumps all morning and that I should feel proud that I was moving. I'm trying to look at it that way but it is hard. I know from past training that this happens from time to time. Things just don't always come together... but that doesn't mean I have to like it!

Summer Knee in Feb

Yep... I have a skinned knee and a leg full of road rash. It is highly unusually to have skinned knees in Feb in Michigan but I have managed it. Out for a morning run on one of my usual loops. A couple of days before the path had been clear. All snow had been plowed and everything was still pretty cold. Then... a warm snap. A lot of melting has occurred in the last few days. So snow turned to water and covered the side walk and then over night the temp dipped and water turned to ice. I had already done a lap with no mishaps. I knew where the danger spots were. Enter another runner, a friendly runner, a talker. We were passing each other and he said a few words, I answered and was thinking more about the conversation than the terrain. WRONG MOVE.

You know how lots of times when you slip on ice you seem to go down in slow motion. Not this time. I was eating pavement before it even registered that I'd slipped on the ice. I jumped up just as fast even though my brain was thinking I might be really hurt. I limped a few steps before realized I was going to be okay.

The minute I got home the dog was all over my knee. Another indication I might not like what I saw when I got my pants off. The dog was right. I had some pretty nasty vertical gouges across my knee and down my leg. It looked like I had tried to slide into second base. Well, if I didn't know how to slide.

Throughout the day my muscles on the left side of my body started to tighten up. I was glad my husband had brought me some Advil. But I'm trying not to think about the injury too much. Why? Because I have another run in the morning.

Logistics

Today was about scheduling. My daughter had a gymnastics meet and there is a lot to do to prepare for that and it was about an hour away. So on this fine Sunday morning my alarm went off about 10 to 7. It is really against the rules to have to wake up early on a Sunday, but to get the planned run in it had to be done.

I got up, drank coffee and ate an Adkins Bar for breakfast. Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not on the Adkins diet or any diet at all for that matter. My son likes them, they were handy so I ate one. Then off to the gym for my long run. Yep all the way up to 5 miles now.

To my surprise Sunday mornings at my gym are very busy. There were several open treadmills when I got there, but they filled up quickly. This meant that I had to spend the majority of my run feeling guilty for ignoring the 30 minute policy. My gym, like most, have a 30 minute policy if folks are waiting for a machine. Do your 30 minutes and get off. I've found most people ignore it. I ignore it. Mostly cuz it takes me that long to run 2.5 miles and well that is just not long enough. But today I was running 5 and that was going to keep me on well past the 30 minutes allotted to me. I always worry that some skinny blonde girl is gonna lean over and check my timer and meanly tell me to get the hell off. Of course then I'll ask her... who do you really think needs to be on here? Me or You? In the end I'd win, but loose too! Nobody did that, but I was prepared!

I logged my 5 in about 65 minutes and then quietly surrendered my mill to the next victim. Off to start the rest of my day with my family. On a side note Avery did great in gymnastics. Two blue ribbons and two red ribbons. YEAH!

Two in a row

It has been a rough week to train. Work hours doubled and the work was tedious, exacting and very important. Tough conditions! I'm not the kind of person who rebounds from that by taking a run. I'm the kind of person who rebounds from that by ordering pizza and watching a marathon of House. So yesterday was my first run of the week and it took a shoehorn to get me out of the house.

So running today was an important tell. If I got out the door then maybe I still have what it takes to put in the miles need to be marathon ready. If I excused my way out of it today, well maybe I was really fooling myself this time around.

There were a couple obstacles. Jack had an 8:30 am hockey game and Avery had to be at gymnastics at 8:30 am too! So the parents split. I take Jack (the joy of coaching) and Jim drops Avery at the gym. The Blues win the game in the last 5 seconds of the game 2-1. We wrap up and go home. Now I have to manage the transition. That is what life is all about, managing the transitions. My friend Scott and I were discussing training earlier in the week and this was an epiphany I got from that conversation.

Go in the house, straight to the bedroom, take off rink clothes, put on gym clothes, grab my gym pass, Ipod and car keys and GET OUT THE DOOR! Do not pass go. Do not collect $200 just Go Go Go! Somehow I did it and got to the gym. You would think at this point my struggles would be over, but no. Treadmills are jammed. The only two left are archaic machines who nobody ever uses if they can avoid it. I don't need fancy so I just jump on and go. 20 minutes into the run I find out why nobody ever uses them. You get in 20 minutes and then you start your two minute cool down. There is no adjusting this. Oh did I mention that the other old machine next to me has an error message on the screen and that every person that gets on it to use it asks me about it. "Hey what's wrong with this thing?" "Is this thing broken?" Does the attendant know about this?" How the hell do I know. I answer nicely which is just not natural for me, "Not sure." "Yep, seems like it." and "No clue." Yes...that is very nice for me when people are asking me stupid questions.

But I digress, so I have to jump off the machine reset it and start again. Did I mention that I didn't look down at my distance? So now I'm running again trying to get in as much distance as I can before it decides it is time for me to cool down again. After 40 minutes and way to many conversations about broken exercise equipment I get off the treadmill. I can only hope I got in my 3 miles. Any normal adult would have 4 miles done but I'm not normal. I think we have established that.

Pathetic

5 posts and then MIA... what's with that?

Lets bring you up to date... I did finish that half. I ran some and walked some. In my defense I did sprain my ankle pretty bad in March and then walked spent a week in Orlando walking on it before it was completely healed. But I went the distance at my pace.

So that was five years ago and I'm still overweight and have not run consistently since so of course I signed up for a full marathon in Nov. Isn't that what people do... over commit and under deliver? Well, here I go again. Training! Hurrah for me. I've been doing pretty good sticking to my base miles schedule until the week. Work through a major wrench into the plan, but I got back on the horse so to speak tonight. 20 degrees and windy but I ran three outside today. Gotta love Feb in Michigan!