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Showing posts from 2011

Back to the Basics

When I first started running seriously a year and a half ago, I did so with the intention of getting myself triathlon ready.  I enjoy running so much because it has enhanced my life and will forever be a five day a week activity for me not only because of the health benefits but also because it keeps me sane. I do have to  admit that I also think I love running simply because I have semi-irrational fears and I am lazy. OK, so I know how ridiculous this sounds considering I ran a marathon but stick with me here... Running is simple; buy some running shoes that work, put them on and put one foot in front of the other. Cycling and swimming? Not quite as simple, in my mind at least. If I want to go out for a ride there are so many steps involved (this is where lazy comes into play). First of all I have to have a functioning bike and if you know me, I like to fix my bike myself which often involves duct tape and butter knives, rather than multi-tools and grip tape. Also, I have to ha

Setting New Goals!

I had many people send me comments regarding my post last week. Thank you for your thoughts and comments!!! I want to let you all know that although I talked about failure last week I was not saying that I am a failure; I was simply acknowledging that I am not going to achieve a goal I set for myself. Although I find the positive in everything I can tell you that failing to achieve my mileage goal for November and December is a huge bummer! On the other hand I actually am happy that I recognized my limitations due to a nagging injury that seems to be pretty close to healed; I am also happy because I feel like I have been brought back to the basics regarding why I fell in love with running in the first place. Running provides me an outlet to relax and unwind. It reminds me to live my life in a carefree, youthful way. Some people have told me that I have become obsessed with running and I prefer to call it a passion (thank you Chris for that one). The reality is that if something allo

Try again. Fail again. Fail better.

I have been focusing on running for about a year and a half. Pre-running days I was a 'triathlete' who didn't ever really run except for the few weeks leading up to the triathlon and I always somehow managed to finish. I always knew, as a triathlete, that at some point I would get a flat tire on the course, hurt myself on the run or get in over my head during a difficult swim. I did triathlons for years with no incident until 2010. I was participating in the south shore sprint triathlon in Chicago with my sister and a couple of other friends. I was on track for having quite possibly the best event of my life and I blew a flat tire. I did not have the equipment on the course to change my tire so had to helplessly wait for the SAG vehicle to pick me up and then stand at the finish line watching my friends successfully complete the race. Since I have been running (which you all know is my favorite sport) I have set many goals for myself and have achieved them all. My firs

I Run for My Life!

I had the good fortune of seeing many wonderful people this past weekend. It was amazing to hear all of the good will people offered me as it was the first time many of these folks had seen me since I ran the marathon. I was also blessed with a few emails from friends who have decided to pick up running and have told me they are inspired by me and my persistence. Here is what I have to say regarding all of the amazing thoughts that people have shared with me over the last weekend. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! In all honesty I do not feel like an inspiration I do what I do because I want to improve my quality of life; I want to live. What do I mean you may ask? Well, I want to have a long life of many hikes, camping trips, music festivals, road trips, visits with my friends/family, and the list goes on... I realize that I have very little control over when I am going to die but as long as I am alive I am going to live my life to the very fullest, which includes logging an hou

Addicted? Perhaps.

I was supposed to run tonight after babysitting the cutest little man in Columbus, but due to timing I have been forced to relax instead. Getting back into running after a marathon varies from person to person. Some folks jump in immediately and are able to heal quickly, while others may take a few weeks or even a few months to fully recover from a marathon. Over the last week I have been trying to build my mileage back up to pre-marathon weekly mileage. I have not been fully successful but I am getting there! I have started writing a training plan but have become more inspired by running for the sake of running rather than having a true plan. Don't get me wrong, I am trying to achieve 250 miles for November and December (I am likely to fail as I will probably only hit 110 miles in November) and that is a plan, however I like to just go out and see where my feet take me. Tonight as I sit in my 'grampa' chair, listening to music, reading and writing I have discovered th

Humbled by Running

I realized today that there are a number of words I use on a semi-daily basis that I don't even know the true meaning of (wow ending sentences in prepositions, today is not a good writing day). Because I am a word of the dayer I feel like I have a somewhat adequate and intelligent vocabulary but when I realize I don't know the literal definition of, say, the word humble I need to educate myself so I don't sound ridiculous! Dictionary.com solved this problem and provided me with a definition of humble (I should mention that I might still sound ridiculous even though I looked up the definition, but I'm OK with that.). Here is what I learned: Humbled means: adjective 1. not   proud   or   arrogant;   modest:   to   be   humble   although successful. 2. having   a   feeling   of   insignificance,   inferiority,   subservience, etc.:   In   the   presence   of   so   many   world-famous   writers   I   felt very   humble. 3. low   in   rank,   importance,  

Lessons From the Sidelines

Experiencing a marathon from the sidelines is very different than running one yourself. I had the pleasure of spectating my second marathon ever yesterday in Elyria, Ohio. Because I am a very reflective person I stood on the sidelines of my favorite person's marathon reflecting on his success and how I can learn from his success. For starters, nothing in life is easy; neither is crossing the finish line of a marathon. The result we get when we cross the finish line is very reflective of the work we put in to getting there. Sound dramatic? Perhaps, but the reality is  that statement is so very true. Think about it, if your goal is learning to play puff the magic dragon on your guitar by Christmas but you only pick up your guitar to tune it from time to time, you should not expect to play puff the magic dragon any time soon! So as I was watching this incredible individual achieve his goal all I could think is we all need to try harder, play harder, practice harder and believe in

Pre Marathon Jitters to Post Marathon Blues

Some of the runners I love (my sister is missing) If you love a runner, you will understand what I am about to talk about here. The people I am closest too have told me that I have had particularly cranky days leading up to the marathon AND I was told that I have lost a bit of my optimism over the last couple of weeks. I think I can, almost, safely say that I am in a better place today but I still feel it is necessary to address the topic! Pre-marathon can be a particularly hard time for a runner. I think I mentioned this challenge in my post  Truth About Tapering  post. First of all, runners have to decrease their mileage pre-marathon and on top of it fuel their body properly. The decrease in mileage for some of us can drive us crazy, not to mention feeling like a sloth as the carbo-loading ensues. It is necessary though. I was particularly lucky to be spending time with the coolest kiddos the weekend before my marathon but any time I was not with them I may have been found sha

Self Reflection

I am sitting here thinking about what I got myself into signing up for this lil' marathon I am going to run in four days. Many of you have been following me since the beginning of this journey, while others are newer to the scene but none are less important than the other. If you know me at all, you know I spend a lot of time self reflecting and as I was sitting on my couch relaxing for the last five minutes I figured it would be nice to catch some of this self reflection (or perhaps I should call it a reflection on my journey) on my blog. I try not to get to personal on here because let's face it, this is about my journey to becoming an athlete NOT about my personal life beyond running/cycling/swimming; and I would kind of like to keep it that way. On the other hand there are a number of things I have learned about myself that I feel are tied into this amazing journey that I know is going to continue beyond the finish line on Sunday. Here are my lessons: Finding the Une

The Truth About Tapering

First I have to say tapering sucks!!! I have promised honesty while on this journey and I would be a big ole liar if I said I enjoy this low mileage stuff leading up to the marathon. A number of factors have impacted my training this week but one of the biggest factors is my brain. I have read the most recent article in Runner's World Magazine about tapering  and it provided great recommendations on tapering properly; they are the experts, why oh why don't I believe them. As I sit here watching some terrible movie on the Lifetime network (the number 3 reason for getting rid of cable at my house) my mind continuously drifts to the impending marathon. Here are some of my thoughts: - If I don't run big mileage this week, how can I be sure I can finish 26.2 miles? - If most of my runs were challenging and demotivating last week will I still have the positive attitude to complete 26.2? - One of the motivational people in my life ran her marathon today, will I have the s

Sharing the Joy

In ten days I will be running my first of many anticipated marathons. I am ecstatic, although suffering a little from a troubling run today. As I was driving to Chicago last night I was thinking about all of my running friends and feeling the joy of having so many wonderful people in my life. I have a feeling that I am going to be so self absorbed, once I cross the finish line next week, that I will forget it is also the starting line for expressing gratitude for all of the people who have been/will be cheering me on through Facebook, on my blog and along the sidelines of the marathon. One of the most powerful things I have learned through this journey is that sometimes hearing about a friend's accomplishment is as awesome as having an accomplishment of my own. I have owned, throughout this journey, that I am a slow runner, and though this may make me feel inadequate at times, I am extremely proud to watch my friends achieve new PRs, fastest splits on a speed workout or fastest

A Different View of Hospitality

I truly enjoy the opportunity to practice self reflection which, I realize, can take many forms. Some people meditate, others chant, some pray and I run. Today, while at church, I recognized that running has been the greatest form of hospitality I have given myself. My church, which I lovingly call the hippy church, has been focused on hospitality this month which has been interesting on many levels. I view hospitality so very differently that many. I practice hospitality as most humans do by opening my front door and welcoming anyone to join me in conversation, for a place to crash for a night (or five) or to sit around the dining table with me. On the other hand I view spending time with supportive people and always being myself as a way of providing me a form of hospitality; I am talking about the people I can talk to without limit, the people who I can be comfortably silent with, fall asleep with while watching a movie in my home (rather than trying to stay awake to entertain)

My Biggest Fear

Last week I disclosed that fears often hold me back from achieving my dreams. I also expressed my interest in tackling my dreams without regard to fear. I am going to start talking about and expressing my biggest fear now so as to rally as much support as possible! In one month from today I will be celebrating my completion of the marathon. I am guessing I will still be on cloud nine two days after the marathon but my fear is that I will forget to encapsulate the amazing accomplishment and lose my drive. This song kind of mirrors my fear of losing running: Being a person who struggled with finding the 'right' thing I recognize that losing running, because of the pure joy it provides me, is my biggest fear. I find hilarity in the fact that I have already decided I am going to run another marathon (or two) next year seeing as a 10k was only in my sights for the first time two years ago; however I am the queen of the exercise sabbatical. This is the year that I am going

Mind Games

I lived in Boulder Colorado for four years while I was studying at the University of Colorado at Boulder. During my time in Colorado I fell in love with the mountains, skiing, hiking, the dry air, moderate winters and gloriously sunny summers. I never went 'home' to Chicago over the summers but instead stayed in Colorado so I could take summer classes and be around my nephews at the time. I always had the desire to be an athlete while living in Boulder but never the drive. About six months ago I started planning a vacation to Colorado centered around a 50 mile bike ride in the foothills of Boulder and of course to visit my brother. What really happened amazed me. I started my journey driving out to Colorado from Columbus Ohio, logging some decent runs along the way. I had extreme trepidation as I began pondering the 20 mile training run that was scheduled for September 10, 2011, just one day prior to the Buffalo classic. My brother informed me that he took Friday off from

Giving the Gift Of...

I have received many gifts in my lifetime. I remember my first cabbage patch doll, the trumpet my dad brought home from work after Christmas, the scooter I received for my first communion, the scarves people have made for me and the list goes on. I also remember the gifts of time. There is nothing I value more than the time I spend with people. I believe my parents instilled in me the importance of time. When I hated reading in sixth grade, my mom would sit with me and read, page by page, the Call of the Wild. This was a gift! Over the last few years I have deeply embraced cycling, swimming and running. Running has definitely become my favorite sport and I have been trying to figure out why. For me it was the most challenging to embrace but has probably been the most rewarding. I honestly can't remember how I was initially introduced to running. It must have been the exercise bully, otherwise known as my oldest sister. I was recently talking to a friend of mine who is a new

DC Running

Post Earthquake at twilight. Can you see the crack? Last week I blogged about my struggles with running while on the road. I am proud to say I got over my challenges, found my stride and enjoyed the new sites and sounds of city running. Here is my story: While laying in bed last Tuesday I was shamefully recognizing I had gotten very few miles in so I quit feeling sorry for myself, stuck my feet in my shoes and headed out for some of the most enjoyable routes this season. Tuesday morning I was scheduled to meet a co-worker for a run. Much to my dismay she never showed so I headed out alone. I had a great run past the White House around the Washington Monument (pre-earthquake) and back to my hotel. Tuesday evening I was picked up by a great passionate woman who took me to the burbs to run with her running club on what she proclaimed a 'flat' trail. There was nothing flat about this five mile run. I have never been so challenged while running!!! It was a very motivatio

Traveling and Running?

One major struggle I have encountered over he last five years has been maintaining a training schedule when I am traveling for work. This really would not be a problem if most of my work travel took place over the winters as winters are appropriate times, in my mind, to take exercise sabbaticals. I could feel myself slipping slowly on Saturday morning. I wasn't even on the road yet but for some odd reason I found myself oversleeping until 6:30, and then 7:00, and then 8:00. I convinced myself when I woke up that I would put my things together for my dog sitter and then head out for 10 miles. Well, Sunday came and went with little success for logging any substantial mileage and so the story goes... It is Tuesday now and I hang my head in shame as I consider the limited opportunities that have presented themselves to me to get in a good workout session; I have only minimally capitalized on those opportunities. I am feeling both thankful and frustrated about the remainder of my week

When in Doubt

A couple of things I have to say today. I know this is two in one week but this one might actually have a point? You tell me! First I have to say, when I am in doubt about what I am about to post on my blog I should take a step back and press the delete button. Last night's post was TERRIBLE!!! I don't know whether I should thank my close friends or shame my close friends for NOT telling me to take that crap down. Well at least the video was good! And yes I am leaving it because it will remind me to reflect before I post. I discovered today how crucial running is to my mental health. I had a somewhat frustrating day. It was long, tiring, mentally draining and the list goes on. I got home and was exhausted. I thought it might be nice to take the night off and just lounge around my freshly cleaned house. I was sitting on my couch, reading a book and I got the itch. Without even thinking, I was in my favorite running clothes and at the corner of Goodale and Grandview Avenue. I

And So the Story Goes...

This week has been interesting on so many levels! I'm going to stick with the running levels though... First I had experienced pure euphoria, most likely because of an amazing pace coach who made me realize that everyone has hard days. The true test is sticking with it and making it through the tough days. The quiet nature and gentle words spoke volumes about the care he puts into helping people across the finish line. I'm going to have to say thank you next time I see him. I had a moment of, it could have been me, this week. My favorite bike path has fallen victim to a man approaching people with a knife. I should have been in the same location at the same time as the woman who was approached but for some reason I wasn't. Call it what you will but I'm calling it luck. It wouldn't have bothered me as much as it did but it was at 3:00 in the afternoon. I guess I need to find a new bike/run route to work for awhile and check the news to see if he was caught. I neve

Happiness

Happiness comes in very small packages. Have you ever looked around at your life and tried figuring out what is going to make you 100% happy? I'm sure you have; everyone has at some point in their life. Have you ever had that moment where you all of a sudden felt fully fulfilled in life, just to not truly understand where that fulfillment and happiness came from. You know the moment. It is that moment where all of a sudden you realize you are totally happy, everything is perfect and you never want to let it go just to realize the next moment that feeling is gone? I know I have. I started writing this post about a week ago. The same day, one of my friends wrote a post about the very same thing. I decided to hold off on posting it because I couldn't eloquently make my point and I probably still won't make my point. But here goes nothing! I have been striving for that moment of sheer joy for a long time. If you know me, you know that I am a very happy person 95% of the tim

It's Not Always Sunshine and Roses

Sunrise over Oman I know I may, at times, make it sound like picking up a more athletic lifestyle is easy. Well I'm here to tell you it's not. This post is not meant to discourage anyone but instead acknowledge that it can be tough. At times you may run into people who think you are crazy or less than encouraging. When I run into these folks often, it can impact my mind and I may start to believe it. Recently I was telling one of my biggest supporters about my desire to attempt a half iron man at some point in the near future, just to be met with skepticism. I honestly wasn't expecting it and was a little taken back. I realize the intensity and time it takes to train for any endurance sport takes persistence and is more about the power of the mind but if there was any time to take on the challenge it would be now when I am childless and enjoying the positive benefits of my new lifestyle. When I was faced with this less than positive statement I felt like I hit wall, a

Torture (trash) or Treasure

Doesn't that snow look delightful?  As the depths of hell, or what I might think hell feels like, descends on Columbus Ohio I have been reflecting on whether my desire to run/be an athlete is a personal treasure or torture. This morning I ran to work in the thickest humidity. I had a big bottle of water in one hand and a smaller bottle of G2 in my other hand. The water was half frozen when I departed on my journey to work, half way there it was thawed and warm. I kept pouring it over my head and saying to myself "why do I do this to myself." Most things we do in life have either positive or negative ramifications. Every once in awhile something that is good for us may feel like torture but what you get in the end is a treasure. I am always baffled when people make decisions to continue torturing themselves when they know the end result is going to hurt. It pains me to watch people continue to walk into the same wall over and over again, when they have the choice to i

Feet Time, Friend Time

Before you begin reading, go and press the play button on the video below. It is great background music for today's post. I always get nervous when I begin to miss workouts. This weekend instead of running on Saturday, like I should have done, I was at the Dave Matthews Band Caravan Tour in Chicago. There is nothing better than sitting back or standing and dancing to the sounds of awesome music. You name it, I heard it this weekend. I got to listen to moe, Ben Folds, Umphrey's McGee, Michael Franti (a personal favorite) and OAR. I spent more time on my feet this weekend than I would have running six miles. If the coach of my running group is correct what matters is time on your feet. Well let me tell you folks, I got that time. Today I started getting that rise is blood pressure I encounter when  I realize I didn't do everything I was supposed to do. All I could think of was needing a friend to make me feel a little better. I have two of the most supportive running frie

Capturing the Weekend

I have many of visions of a perfect blog post regarding dreams; stay tuned it will appear in the near future. Instead I am going to tell you about my adventures of a long unplanned weekend... The Fourth of July was approaching and I had no plans. It was killing me to think that I might lay on my couch watching TV while the world continued to rotate without my full participation (remember I am a bit dramatic). I started getting anxious and began planning berry picking, canning, cleaning, etc. I was determined to not lay around. What I got from bad planning was instead an awesome weekend with friends and great exercise. I went to my friends house on Friday night and made some plans to connect the next day to go berry picking. I did my morning run in the rain and humidity, nine miles to be exact. I met my friend at the North Market since we couldn't find a place to pick berries. The weekend exploded from there. I walked around the zoo, went to the waterfalls in Columbus, fixed m

A Different Lens

I was talking with a friend of mine last week regarding her new adventures in cycling. She was telling me about how the views of her city are so different by bicycle and her familiarity with neighborhoods has developed since she began riding. About three months ago an gentleman at weight watchers told me that you never really see a city until you run the city. On my own, I have discovered that the lens through which we explore life changes based on our experiences, our attitude or our ability to be empathetic. I am often found telling a story during training sessions that we all have a choice when we wake up in the morning whether we are going to roll out of the right or the wrong side of bed. We can choose, when standing in the long line at the grocery store, whether we are going to have line rage or simply read the magazine or chat up another person in line. Yesterday morning I woke up on the right side of the bed, however life had different plans for me. I woke up late, rushed a