Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Can I get a 'HELL YES"?
Day 1! 117 days and a few hours until June 6th, race day. The commitment is a little overwhelming at this end of 4 months....I can hear a little voice talking...chiming on and on.
It's doubt saying, "Are you sure another marathon is a good idea? What if you don't make the 4 hour cut off? I'm not sure you can."
I wish I had an outside giant voice that would yell, "SHUT UP!" to my little voice. It would also assure me with, "HELL YES!" every time the little voice speaking up. Could someone invent a gadget that would kick in and give encouragement? I guess it's all up to me.
So, if you see me on the trail and I'm yelling HELL YES or SHUT UP, please try not to stare. I'm just trying to quiet my little voice.
Day : 1
Total Miles: 4
It's doubt saying, "Are you sure another marathon is a good idea? What if you don't make the 4 hour cut off? I'm not sure you can."
I wish I had an outside giant voice that would yell, "SHUT UP!" to my little voice. It would also assure me with, "HELL YES!" every time the little voice speaking up. Could someone invent a gadget that would kick in and give encouragement? I guess it's all up to me.
So, if you see me on the trail and I'm yelling HELL YES or SHUT UP, please try not to stare. I'm just trying to quiet my little voice.
Day : 1
Total Miles: 4
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Running makes you grow
I realized something as I drank my preparatory coffee this morning. One of my biggest stresses about running is this: How will I ever measure up to the runner in my head?
My inner runner always does the training as scheduled. She's lighter and has tighter butt cheeks. 'Can't' does not exist in her vocabulary. She's more naturally talented and has the potential to be a competitive runner. When I say competitive, I refer to placing in my age group or even winning my age group. In 40 years, look out 80-85 group! She's even taller than me, 5'6" to be exact.
Not entirely sure I'll ever be taller. At forty, i realize it's a long shot. But the rest? I could be naturally talented and may even have a competitive runner deep inside.
But seriously, here's what I'm getting at. No matter how much I improve in the real world, I'm comparing myself to that inner perfect runner and not measuring up. I'm not the only one.
I'm always trying to recruit new running buddies. If I like someone, I ask them for a run. Often I hear the same responses. "Oh, I can't run." or "I couldn't keep up". Now, if you've been reading along with me, you know that I am not naturally talented. I'm athletic but even my best running times are middle of the pack. I think we all race against the ideal runner in our head.
I know I'm afraid of not measuring up. But here's yet another super fabulous thing about running. When I do go out and run, I'm never the fastest but for a few minutes on magical days, I swear I'm taller.
My inner runner always does the training as scheduled. She's lighter and has tighter butt cheeks. 'Can't' does not exist in her vocabulary. She's more naturally talented and has the potential to be a competitive runner. When I say competitive, I refer to placing in my age group or even winning my age group. In 40 years, look out 80-85 group! She's even taller than me, 5'6" to be exact.
Not entirely sure I'll ever be taller. At forty, i realize it's a long shot. But the rest? I could be naturally talented and may even have a competitive runner deep inside.
But seriously, here's what I'm getting at. No matter how much I improve in the real world, I'm comparing myself to that inner perfect runner and not measuring up. I'm not the only one.
I'm always trying to recruit new running buddies. If I like someone, I ask them for a run. Often I hear the same responses. "Oh, I can't run." or "I couldn't keep up". Now, if you've been reading along with me, you know that I am not naturally talented. I'm athletic but even my best running times are middle of the pack. I think we all race against the ideal runner in our head.
I know I'm afraid of not measuring up. But here's yet another super fabulous thing about running. When I do go out and run, I'm never the fastest but for a few minutes on magical days, I swear I'm taller.
Breathing is good
Should a runner wear music when running with other people? I say no but I have a friend who says she needs it. She listens to 'angry' music to make it uphill and says it helps keep the pace.
I think it's a little rude but also think it's hilariously entertaining in a group.
Her part of the conversation is always a little off because she misses details. For instance, when a young gal ran by I joked, "holy tanning booth Batman!" The girl looked like Jersey Shore was missing a cast member. Laurie heard "that man" and asked "what man?" After another 20 minutes she'd made a few more of these innocent blunders and entertained us through our whole morning run. She's not the only person I know who complains about running without music. Another friend complained because she could hear herself breathe hard.
Is hearing yourself breathe a bad thing? I say no! There's magic out there if you look and listen. Even I run with music occasionally, it's a nice change. But, the truth is, I like listening.
I like hearing the rise and fall of my breathing, the wind, gurgling water, birds chirping and even the rain falling around me. I think life's too short to miss out on all that juicy detail. There is a beautiful moment when everything is perfect. When the magic happens your brain just wraps around the movement of your legs and suddenly, nothing matters except the sound of your feet hitting the ground and ....just breathing....
I think it's a little rude but also think it's hilariously entertaining in a group.
Her part of the conversation is always a little off because she misses details. For instance, when a young gal ran by I joked, "holy tanning booth Batman!" The girl looked like Jersey Shore was missing a cast member. Laurie heard "that man" and asked "what man?" After another 20 minutes she'd made a few more of these innocent blunders and entertained us through our whole morning run. She's not the only person I know who complains about running without music. Another friend complained because she could hear herself breathe hard.
Is hearing yourself breathe a bad thing? I say no! There's magic out there if you look and listen. Even I run with music occasionally, it's a nice change. But, the truth is, I like listening.
I like hearing the rise and fall of my breathing, the wind, gurgling water, birds chirping and even the rain falling around me. I think life's too short to miss out on all that juicy detail. There is a beautiful moment when everything is perfect. When the magic happens your brain just wraps around the movement of your legs and suddenly, nothing matters except the sound of your feet hitting the ground and ....just breathing....
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Get 'er done, just don't forget to look back!
Life is hard to keep up with. We're constantly moving forward, trying to improve, move on, achieve something new...pushing and struggling to 'get 'er done'. It's good to move forward right? I think so.... and...
Sometimes, it's good to look back. I've always had to struggle with being proud of my own achievements. I have the tendency to push! and go! This method does work on one level. I do get 'er done much of the time but I tend to ignore the best part. I ignore the sense of accomplishment that comes with a job well done. I'm trying to change that.
So, today I sat down and wrote a thank you to nutritionist, Sheena Gravis. In May of last year, we reviewed my eating habits. Not surprisingly, I ate way too much sugar. (Ahh sugar, I do love you!) She helped me evaluate my intake and gave me ways to improve them. She also outlined some lifestyle goals for me. We talked about work, life and surprise!.. Running a 50K.
I realized that my goals are closer and more realistic than last May. I'm running more, feel better, make healthier choices like drinking almond milk and less red wine.
Sheena did a few things for me. For one, she made me realize an entire 1 lb. bag of candy is never reasonable, even on a really bad day. More importantly, she helped outline reasonable and achievable goals.
Almost a year later, I see some of the steps I've taken to achieve those goals and a few more to go! and get 'er done!
Sometimes, it's good to look back. I've always had to struggle with being proud of my own achievements. I have the tendency to push! and go! This method does work on one level. I do get 'er done much of the time but I tend to ignore the best part. I ignore the sense of accomplishment that comes with a job well done. I'm trying to change that.
So, today I sat down and wrote a thank you to nutritionist, Sheena Gravis. In May of last year, we reviewed my eating habits. Not surprisingly, I ate way too much sugar. (Ahh sugar, I do love you!) She helped me evaluate my intake and gave me ways to improve them. She also outlined some lifestyle goals for me. We talked about work, life and surprise!.. Running a 50K.
I realized that my goals are closer and more realistic than last May. I'm running more, feel better, make healthier choices like drinking almond milk and less red wine.
Sheena did a few things for me. For one, she made me realize an entire 1 lb. bag of candy is never reasonable, even on a really bad day. More importantly, she helped outline reasonable and achievable goals.
Almost a year later, I see some of the steps I've taken to achieve those goals and a few more to go! and get 'er done!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Today is not another day of complaining. Instead it is a day of joy. Running is beginning to be, dare I say, enjoyable again? I realized it a few days ago as I reflected on a track workout last week.
I struggled to keep up with the other two girls but still had fun despite the struggle to breathe enough life sustaining oxygen. That may sound funny but, I'm pretty sure my internal organs would beg to differ. During one very short 100 repeat I kept up with Katy. That's it I kept up for about 90 meters then had to stretch out my hamstring before I finished our workout. Did that suck a bit? Did I also cling to the magical 90 meters? You bet your sweet pitooty I did! Did I mention Katy is in her 20's? Yep, clinging to that too...
I struggled to keep up with the other two girls but still had fun despite the struggle to breathe enough life sustaining oxygen. That may sound funny but, I'm pretty sure my internal organs would beg to differ. During one very short 100 repeat I kept up with Katy. That's it I kept up for about 90 meters then had to stretch out my hamstring before I finished our workout. Did that suck a bit? Did I also cling to the magical 90 meters? You bet your sweet pitooty I did! Did I mention Katy is in her 20's? Yep, clinging to that too...
Monday, February 1, 2010
Oh Alanis, you do write a mean quote...
Just had to share this...
"I think there is no better way to invite a human being to view their body
differently than by inviting them to be an athlete, by revering one's body
as an instrument rather than just an ornament. It's a really great way to
reorient how you see your body so you can see it as this incredible,
awe-inspiring machine that you need to fuel well in order for it to
function."-- Alanis Morissette
True dat!
"I think there is no better way to invite a human being to view their body
differently than by inviting them to be an athlete, by revering one's body
as an instrument rather than just an ornament. It's a really great way to
reorient how you see your body so you can see it as this incredible,
awe-inspiring machine that you need to fuel well in order for it to
function."-- Alanis Morissette
True dat!
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