Running Without Scissors

Rewarding

Remember my plan from December to recommit to exercise and reclaim some "me time" from the busy life of a working mom?  The plan, if you recall, was to train for a 25K run. I don't think at the time that I actually connected with the fact that my "me time" would be running for 2+ hours at a time...which is probably a good thing, because it likely wouldn't have sounded very nice.

As it turns out, there was much to be learned from training for a 25K. Running (especially for 2 hours at a time) is wonderful solitude. Even better, the feeling of accomplishment I've gotten from (A) setting and reaching an ambitious goal and (B) learning what my body was physically capable of, has surpassed any of my expectations. Who would've thought that pushing my body to keep moving along a dusty dirt road would also be such an exercise in mental toughness? I don't think I made the connection until my brain learned to convince my body that it could make it to that next cross street...and then to the next one...and the next (we tricked the body, my brain and I!).

I'm not going to lie- it's totally cool when people are impressed with how far I can run. I'm sure I must sound matter of fact to someone who claims "there's just no way they could run that far!" when I tell them that I thought that too, and if I can do it, of course they can too. This is absolutely true. But it's still cool to be someone who actually decided to do it (and did!).

Even though I'm taking some time right now to revel in my accomplishment, I will admit that my Type A drive has crept in and decided that 15.5 miles isn't really all that far, and what am I going to do now? And couldn't I have done it faster? And those amazing people who run these distances with speed? Wow! Not to mention my new-found awe of marathon runners! So I guess that answers the question of whether I will continue to run: most definitely! I've already decided to set a 15 mile a week minimum (I'm determined to do some cross training and have to leave time for that) and I'll do a half marathon this fall. But I'm still not warming to the idea of a full marathon. Not yet, anyways! But all in all, I can definitely say that undertaking my first 25K was a fantastically rewarding experience. I highly recommend it. Really—you can do it!

 

Pictures!

Smiling around mile 7...

and feeling a little less smiley just before crossing the finish line!

Seven Seconds

My goal: under ten minute miles...which equals a finish time of 2:35:20.

My finish time: 2:35:13.

Seven seconds to spare.

I actually thought I was coming in much faster than this, because at first I was hanging with the 10 minute mile pacer (who happened to be my ultra-marathon/iron man finishing friend) but I pulled out ahead and stayed there. Until 15 miles, when she blew up behind me out of nowhere, yelling "if you want to finish in under ten minute miles you need to stay ahead of me!"

Race day was good. It was crazy running with 6,000 of my closest friends, after training every day alone. The support from other runners was amazing. The support from the crowds on the sidelines was equally as cool, until I got to that uncomfortable zone between 13 and 15 miles and people on the sidelines were yelling, "You can do it! You're almost there!" And quite frankly I was thinking, "Listen, loser. That's easy for you to say from your lazy perch on the curb. My ass is tired." I mean, I know they meant well, and for the most part I really, really did appreciate the support of spectators. I just had a few moments of discomfort that reminded me of being in labor when delivering my babies. I wanted to rip off the heads of the damn "spectators" with no uterus who kept telling me to "hang in there...I was almost there."

Anyways, I did it. I kept a steady enough pace to finish (just) under my goal of under 10 minute miles and though I was cursing a bit the last 2 miles, once I finished I wasn't feeling so bad at all. I got my finishers medal, and a couple of whole grain bagels from Panera Bread. 

Pictures tomorrow: stand by!

Ready

It's hard to believe I've been in training for over 5 months. That's right- I began running waaaaay back in December. Back when the brutal winter of '08 was in its infant stages. Back when Hilary and Obama were dueling for the Democratic nomination. Oh wait. That's still going on. Back when Jamie Lynn Spears was an innocent teenager.

I was not a runner. I celebrated the first time I ran 5 miles. Now that's a "short run." Wow. Crazy stuff.

I'm excited for Saturday. I'm hoping for good weather but I'm confident that I'll finish respectably no matter what the weather, because I've run in rain, wind and snow. I've run with pain in my knees and toes and back. I've run when I really needed to go to the bathroom. I am ready! 

Speed

Running for speed is definitely not the same as running for distance. As my daily runs of betweeen 3 and 5 miles become easier, I've been more interested in timing. Last week I pushed myself to see how quickly I could finish 3 miles. I could almost hear the components of my cardiovascular system inside: "Hey! What are you doing? Just how long do you think we're going to be able to keep this up?!" I tried to explain that we were only going 3 miles, but the heart, it did protest! I think I finished around 27 minutes. This week I got that down to 26:06 without feeling so bad. But I definitely have a comfortable zone that is too close to 10 minute miles for my liking. I want to finish the 25K under 10 minute miles-- not a second more than 2:35:20! The goal is now official.

Wednesdays workout was to run 2 miles, walk 10 minutes, run 2 miles. I decided to see how fast I could crank out those first 2 miles. Not that I'm making excuses (again) but I was against the wind. I did it in 16:10-- but geez it felt awful! The only thing that kept me moving was knowing I got to walk for 10 minutes! I stayed in my comfy place for the last 2 miles and did those in 18:39.

Today is Saturday but it is such a busy Saturday that I'm heading out for a 4 mile run and saving my last long run before the race for tomorrow. Yesterday I scheduled a massage and pedicure for 2 p.m. on race day-- if that doesn't motivate me to finish fast, I don't know what will!   

Against The Wind

I was runnin against the wind
I was young and strong, I was runnin
Against the wind

The warmer weather was nice while it lasted. Really it was a much needed reprieve that came along just in time to save the sanity of millions of Mid-westerners who have been stumbling around in a  numb, frozen stupor since December. For those brief few days, we all smiled brightly at one another and spoke with a touch less bitterness about how very, very long the winter has been. Yes, it was enough to keep us hanging on, even though yesterday found the temperatures back down to barely 40 degrees with winds out of the northwest at 29 miles an hour. Perfect running weather!

The optimist in me wants you to know that only 5.5 of yesterday's 11 miles were against the wind. It was back to hat and gloves, a base layer of wicking material* and a runny nose. And for some reason, it was the Day of Much Roadkill. Among the carnage: several birds, a frog, a possum, an unidentified black and white animal (no smell, unfortunately may have been a domesticated animal...must check missing pet ads) and last but not least, a big turtle (maybe a 12 inch shell) whose untimely demise left him belly up, squishy and oozy and requiring a slight slow down to actually identify what it was that I was looking at.

I am back to following the race day schedule, which means I ran a total of 29 miles between Monday and Saturday. And today? Today is Sunday...day of hangover rest. I have one more long run- next Saturday lets me choose anywhere from 8-10 miles- and the next Saturday is RACE DAY! My registration confirmation arrived this week- I'm excited to tell you that I am runner # 4,441! Sounds like a lucky number to me. Or at least one that is going to cross the finish line.

*I am skeptical about specialty gear for...well, most anything. (Remember how I resisted buying running shoes?) I always assume that someone is just trying to get rich by telling me that I need a certain type of clothing or equipment to be better at something or enjoy something more... That's right, you sneaky marketers! You can't fool me with your running hats and running sunglasses and running watches! I have hats and sunglasses and watches already. And guess what? I ran with them! BUT...the wicking material clothing that keeps your skin dry? Must have for running in the cold! Positively! First I just got the leggings...so nice! And I actually didn't buy the shirts, but stole one from my husbands closet. Too big, but still keeps me dry and warm. Strongly recommend!

Dear Driver of the Gray Chevy Cavalier,

I noticed you were very put off by the fact that I was running on the very road upon which you drive. It's true I was a good 12-18 inches to the left of the shoulder. Since you were perhaps one of two cars that drove by me over the course of my two miles on desolate 92nd Avenue, I assumed it would not be a problem for you to cross over the middle yellow line and drive, just for a moment, on the other side of the road. Obviously, my assumption was wrong. Thank you for staying firmly planted in your lane and coming so close to me that I could reach out and draw a smiley face on your window.

Love,

Kristine

When You Reach A Goal, Move It Forward

There is definitely something psychologically relieving about the distance of the Saturday runs going down rather than up. First they jumped a mile a week. Then a two mile increase would sneak in here or there. This week's 12 miles felt like a gift! A gift of 2 whole miles less than last week! I consciously kept my pace comfortable and steady, wanting to see if that was more effective than trying to push myself (and then having to pull back in order to finish the distance). It did not cost me time- I finished in 2 hours and 18 minutes, which is 2 minutes less than the last time I did 12 miles. So 2 minutes isn't such a big deal, but the fact that I was able to stay in a comfortable mode for the most part, and spend considerably less time on self pep-talk...that part was good.

I still have 3 weeks to train. And now that I'm confident I will finish the race...I mean, I always knew I could do it...yeah. Anyways, I'm thinking now about how fast I want to finish the race. I would love to do it in 10 minute miles (or under!) which is a finish of 2:35:20. Let's not call it the official goal yet...

One Tattoo Girl

Maybe I just don't have an addictive personality. It's not like it's a bad thing (think alcohol, drugs...M & M's...) Someone told me when I got a tattoo (I was about 20...a tiny tattoo, for my tiny streak of rebellion I guess...) that I would want more tattoos. Not so far. And while I'm really enjoying my running (except between miles 9 & 12...then I hate it) I still don't see myself moving on to marathon training following this run.

I had lunch today with the crazy tri-athlete whose lunch plate I always envied. Ironically, she just had soup today because she's actually trying to drop a couple pounds. She's already done an Iron man. She was telling me about some "ultra" event where they run 30 miles. And a triathlon where she's going to pull a kid in a raft during the swim and push them in a wheelchair during the run. Admirable, sure. But where does it go from there? I'm just saying, it's starting to look like training for a 25K is the gateway drug and once I get used to increased caloric intake and black toenails, I'm going to wake up one day to find myself convinced that this is how I should spend my summer vacation. IF I had an addictive personality, that is. So luckily I'm okay.

I was sick (so horribly, disgustingly sick...food poisoning, I'm guessing) on Tuesday night and skipped my run on Wednesday. On Thursday I was lazy. I tell you, if I don't run in the morning by the time I get home at night and the kids and the dog and the husband all make their demands...the running ain't happenin'. So I went early this morning, when the birds were chirping and everything was peaceful. The weather has been fantastic the past couple of days (Spring? Is that you? Finally!) and my six miles was pretty enjoyable. I think tomorrow is 12 miles, although I have to consult that schedule that I'm going to get back on! I had been waiting until later in the day for my long runs, so the temps would warm up, but I'm hoping to get out as soon as its daylight tomorrow and get my miles in. Don't worry...it's a healthy addiction. I can quit anytime I want to. Really.   

Modesty Is Overrated

Hey you readers in awe of my enviable endurance! Thanks for the encouragement-- and for those of you lurking (I know you're out there...I check the site traffic) you know you want to say something...like you think that I'm lying and I actually hang out on my couch all day and make up stories about how far I can run, or maybe that you've run 14 marathons and I should get over myself...you know, whatever you've got to say.

I took yesterday off, which was nice. Today I decided to run 3 miles for speed. I'm sorry to say it was a bit disappointing. My time was around 26 minutes, which isn't that much faster than I run long distance. It was windy though. And did you know I'm only 5'2"? Yeah- short legs. I'm not making excuses, really. Just, um... stating facts, is all.