Eight felt GREAT!

We ran 8 miles this a.m., and I am absolutely astonished.  Not only did I run it, but it felt awesome!  I am so happy about setting another new personal record and about how good the run felt all the way through.  If there are three words to describe this morning, they would be "very pleasantly surprised."  (Or you could interchange that with "joyful and grateful"!!!)

I was honestly going into this run thinking, "We'll see..."  I really did not know if I could pull out 8 miles after struggling to make 7 last week.  I still don't know how it happened—but I'm not asking any questions!  For the first couple miles, it was all about getting into a groove and getting warmed up.  At that point, I still wasn't sure how it was going to go.  I felt good, but I know how those last couple miles can be in the home stretch.  I really hit my stride and felt GREAT between miles 3 and 6. Running down to the south end at Wrightsville on such a beautiful morning was an awesome change in scenery and a gorgeous backdrop—we're so blessed!  The whole time, I was anticipating the last two miles to get really hard, and while I'm not saying there was no challenge, they were so much better than expected.  No real aches and pains that were extremely obvious, and endurance was good.  We had kept up I think around a 10:45 pace (which, at times, was faster), but we really pushed it and ran fast for that last half mile.  It ended up being about 8.2—which, I mean, hey, I'm counting it!

This morning I decided to go ahead and scale back the basal pattern on my insulin pump.  I have definitely noticed that my blood sugars have been running low more consistently lately from all the running.  So I took my normal "workout-day" rate back by .05 units of insulin/hour (which I can actually adjust by .025 units with this new pump) for both the 12am-7am and 7am-12am time periods.  (I only have those two time periods for workout days; I've noticed that going low for me most often happens in the middle of the night.)  I disconnect completely when I run, just because I don't want any insulin pumping at the same time—exercise affects my sugar greatly.  I don't know if that's wrong or not, but I sure do feel free!

The toasted bagel with peanut butter for breakfast has really been helping me last through my runs, and today's mid-morning snack was a gluten-free homemade peanut-butter granola bar made by a friend who gave them to all of us for after our run today.  So sweet!!!  She also gave us all the most encouraging note, which was just an awesome way to top off the run:

^ Just to show you the kind of people God has blessed me to know and to run with. ^

Today's other "pleasant surprises" (as if the run and the note weren't enough!) were running with the water belt and taking a GU gel.  I got the water belt with the one big bottle in the back (as opposed to the four smaller bottles all the way around).  The bottle felt heavy while full when I first put it in, but when we were running I was amazed by how NOT a big deal it was!!!  I had adjusted it pretty snugly, and it barely bounced around at all.  I took it out two, maybe three, times, and I can tell you I would much rather have those swigs of water on an 8-mile run than go without!

The GU gel I was little more nervous about... I have heard they are GROSS, and people have wanted to throw up from taking them while on a run!  Some people prefer the jelly beans or something else that is not such a thick, gooey consistency.  I have heard that you're supposed to eat one before you run and one for every 45 minutes you're out there. But since I had eaten breakfast, I just took one with me to take at some point during our run.  Around mile 6, I decided to give it a gu... hehe. ;)  Trey gave me a bunch of gels for Christmas as part of my stocking stuffers, and I chose Vanilla Orange to be my first one.  Y'all, I am not even kidding... somehow, it actually tasted like chocolate!!!  I don't know if my taste buds are messed up, or if it's just the fact that by that point I didn't care what it was... but I actually didn't mind it at all! :)

Overall, I am elated about today.  The run was awesome, but I am continually blown away by God's goodness and graciousness.  He is the one who has provided this incredible group of girlfriends to run with, the training I have grown to love, and the beautiful place we get to run every weekend with beautiful January weather.  I can't contribute anything I'm doing to anyone or anything other than our amazing Heavenly Father!  Thank you, Lord!

First few groups waiting on the last few groups to come in... We always cheer each other in!

8 miles!!!

Let there be rest.

This week felt really good!  I got in three short runs, and the weather could NOT have been more beautiful.  Runs were at Autumn Hall (a beautiful neighborhood off Eastwood), the Loop at the beach, and then the UNCW campus (which was fun—my alma mater!).  The second of my three weekday runs was the only one I did by myself, but it happened to be the most gorgeous day.  It actually reached 75 degrees and sunny!  I'll take a January like this any time!  I ended up running at the beach, and there were so many people out.  It felt like summer. :)  

New this week is that I feel like I've figured out a good schedule for me.  Sure, I've basically been following the "2-3 short runs during the week" between long runs on Saturdays, but I now have more of a routine with my short runs.  I like to do them on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.  This gives me a break the day after and the day before long runs, which is good.  That just leaves Wednesdays, on which I have been doing Insanity (as well as on Mondays after a short run—yikes?).  But this week on Wednesday I took a complete rest day.  It is so easy to get swept up in the excitement and addiction of running when you're new to training, but I am seeing all over the place how important rest days are.  For example:  "Rest means no running."  "Better two quality days and two of total rest than four days of mediocrity resulting from lingering fatigue."  "Take recovery days equally as serious as your running days."  So that's what I did on Wednesday—no working out, period.  I ended up hanging out with a good friend I haven't had one-on-one time with in a while, and it was awesome!  We grabbed a little sushi for dinner (shout out to some edamame and that sweet-potato tempura roll she let me try at Nikki's, in between my staple Spicy Crab Avocado rolls) and then frozen yogurt for dessert (shout out to some sugar-free vanilla frozen yogurt topped with pineapple at Fuzzy Peach, yum!).  Needless to say, the rest day was greatly—maybe too greatly—enjoyed. :)  I mean, after all, it IS biblical...

Well, we are running 8 miles on Saturday...  I am nervous and excited all at the same time. :)  It is still so crazy to me how this training works.  Yes, I ran 7 miles last Saturday, but that's farther than I've ever run before, and I was definitely struggling at the end.  My three short runs throughout the course of this week were 3 miles, 3.8, and then 5 (which I felt great during, but still).  So now on Saturday I'm supposed to just be able to go out there and magically run 8?  It doesn't quite add up or make sense to me... but I'm trusting that this is how it's all supposed to work. :P  If I can push this one out and make it all the way through (and I guess what I mean by that is no walking), it will be another new record another week in a row—part of the challenge and what makes this whole thing so addicting!  

With the 8 miles coming up this weekend, so begins the longer of our "long runs."  We are starting to run with GU gels (and/or the jelly beans) and water belts.  I have mine all ready to go, but it will be the first time I've ever run with them before, so it's probably going to be a little bit of a distraction—which may be a good thing. :)  I'm interested to see how weird it's going to feel (or not).  Another good distraction will be the change-up in our environment.  We're still starting at the Starbucks in Landfall and running down to the Loop, but this time we're just running down the right side, taking a right, then running all the way down to the Coast Guard Station at the south end of Wrightsville Beach, and following the same route back.  I love running all the way around the Loop, but I'm also looking forward to a change in scenery.

Something else I started thinking about this past week was this excited-sounding little chirp in my head..."Half before Thirty!" "Half before Thirty!"  I love that I am going to run a half marathon before I turn 30—not that it was ever a goal before... but now that I'm doing it, I can say that I have.  Which is a totally silly thought.  What's really in numbers like that?  I'll tell you what: comparison and pride.  I had started thinking about it and realized that I could create a whole "30 Before 30" bucket list (a.k.a. 30 "cool" things I could do to "close out" my 20's).  It's certainly not bad to have dreams and goals—I have plenty.  But I started thinking a little deeper, and the only question that came into my mind on this particular topic was, Why?  Couldn't you just live every day like it's your bucket list and not feel like you have to do something before a certain time?  Just be doing it!  I want to practice the art of being grateful for the moment and for what I do have... not just what I want to be able to say I've done.  The end result can be satisfying, but the process is transforming.  Kind of the same concept I began to develop in a previous post ("Setback and an A-Ha Moment").  I'd rather learn a whole lot along the way and be sick on the day of the half, than train without paying attention at all and have a great half.  Running is teaching me the patience I never knew I didn't have... and giving me such an appreciation for the process along any journey.  Sure, I will be able to that running a half marathon is one thing I did before I turned 30.  But does that make it any less of an accomplishment if I had waited a couple years?  If I had done it a couple years earlier?  

If "rest" is a discipline, so is gratitude and appreciation.  I'm grateful every day I get to go out and run without health issues.  I'm grateful for such a beautiful place in which to live that provides so many beautiful locations in which to run.  I'm grateful for friends and for goals, both of which push me and challenge me to be better.  But I can't not be grateful for the journey... I'm so grateful for the journey...

glorify

Praise the Lord, the new shoes are keepers!!!

It's amazing how much of a difference it makes to have good shoes.  I don't know if I could tell that much of a difference before, but getting into longer runs is where I think I'll really see it.  Generally speaking the first thing I noticed in my short run yesterday was the amount of cushion.  What a huge advantage when it comes to simply the amount of pounding on your feet that takes place during running.  I try to run on pavement vs. concrete whenever possible, or even better if there's trail beside pavement anywhere, but the new shoes give me that much more of a buffer and support.  I've also started stretching not just before and after runs, but also every morning before work and sometimes randomly at night if I just feel like I need it.  I know it's important to go easy on stretching when your muscles aren't warmed up, but constantly doing it just makes me feel so much better.  We did do Insanity yesterday after running, but we modified everything to be lower impact (no jumping).  I'm going to kill my knees otherwise, doing that while training for the half...

Those three miles yesterday was a little bit of a struggle unfortunately, but I was still kind of feeling it from Saturday, and I was pushing a bit of a faster pace than normal due to running with a buddy.  It's great, though, because it challenges me.  I could easily go out and run comfortably, but I might not get much better.  I recently heard that you're supposed to take it a little slow for your long runs (for me that's the group runs on Saturday mornings), work on your speed during the week (2-3 shorter runs), and then just give it your all on race day.  (I'm thankful for these "tips" because, really—I have no idea what I'm doing.)  Even still, with 7 miles being a challenge for me this past Saturday and running with faster friends twice this week (which I love—not just for the challenge but for the company), today I think I'm going to go out on my own and take it slow.  I want to just soak in what I've come to love about running itself, not worry about time (forget the rules), put on some music, and just make it fun.  I think you have to remember what's fun and what you love about what you do sometimes, regardless of what it is.  It's what makes going on mission trips so good for me and the other missions coordinator at church.  Besides the other obvious benefits (which have nothing to do with us anyway), it's just great to get out and see why we do what we do.  Because even in the field that we're in, it can be easy to slip into "work mode" and getting things done at the office, since, if you look at everything as a whole, our jobs are actually primarily admin tasks.  I think the same can be applied for anything.  It's all about paying attention...

One thing I am ecstatic about is the weather we're having this winter.  I could not have asked for better winter weather for training!  All throughout November, December, and now January, we've had temps consistently reaching the '60s and even '70s.  There have definitely been a few pretty-cold days here and there (seemingly on the days I'm out running!), but for the most part it has been absolutely incredible.  Last year was MUCH colder by this time of year, and had been for a while, so I am just extremely thankful that God chose the year He did for me to run a half marathon... :)  He sure knows me well.

January temps! And this isn't even that rare a week for this whole past winter!

Speaking of God, I had a great conversation with two friends last night, also runners, about making running to be about glorifying God, as well as seeing it as an opportunity to witness.  One said that another friend, when asked about running the full marathon she's currently training for, will instinctively answer, "God-willing.  Yes, I'm going to run a marathon, God-willing."  Like anything else in this world that we are passionate about and do, it is all a gift from God—not anything we're entitled to but something He allows us to have and to experience.  Besides getting t-shirts with a verse printed on them for race day, one question one of these friends asked me last night has really stuck with me and is my current challenge "off the trail":  "How are you making running about glorifying God?"

So I'll just pass that one on as I think about it myself... "How are you making [whatever you do and/or are interested in] about glorifying God?"

literary nutrition

This one is on my ever-expanding book list, recommended by a friend...

Review on Amazon.

Records and Running Shoes... Make Me Smile :)

I think I might actually be able to say it... I've crossed over the hump!  I'm on the other side!


One of the greatest things about running is simply being able to see tangible results to goals.  I'm not necessarily a numbers girl (OK... not at all), but it's really helpful to put numbers to things with something like this as a way to mark process.


For example.... 7!

Yikes... me "post-run."  But a day to be documented!

I can't believe it.  Yesterday's long run with the group was 7 miles, and finishing it set a new personal best for me.  The longest I had ever run before was 6.5, so this weekend was a real milestone.  I wish I could say it was the best run of my life, and I felt great... Not so much.  All the odds were against me.  I had been sick the entire week before and didn't run at all (since the previous Friday) until Thursday.  I was still not over my cold, and, speaking of, it was dang COLD out there!  Then I ran 5 on Friday, which was probably not the best idea either, being the day before our long run.  So, I was feeling better on Saturday for sure, but the runny nose was lingering, and I still felt a bit low on energy.


The run itself was beautiful...  We started at the Starbucks in Landfall, ran down Eastwood Road, cut left and went all the way down Summer Rest Trail, came out parallel to the waterway (hello, dream homes), down to the Loop, took a left, down and out through the Harbor Island neighborhood, back onto the Loop, around the turn back up Eastwood, across the bridge, took a left through some neighborhoods by the waterway (hello, more dream homes), back onto Eastwood, and up that god-awful stretch back to Starbucks.  Does it sounds like I'm dragging it out?  No, friends... it was just. THAT. long.  I was really struggling in my last two miles or so.  There were so many times I wanted to just stop.  I had been talking some, especially at the beginning, and (of course) trying to keep up with the pace of my peers.  But you know what?  I could either hang back and run by myself, or push myself to be challenged... and still make it.


Those are the times when you play all the mind games you can.  Focus on this song; it's a good one.  If you give up, you won't be able to say you beat a personal record today!  Look around you at where you're so blessed you get to run.  Join this conversation, and forget about your lungs... they'll be there tomorrow.  Don't you dare stop, don't you dare stop...  There was a struggle in my swagger but a smile on my face when got back to where we started.  Yay!!!

(Gray v-neck, pink headband.) Surrounded by awesome people!

That very afternoon, yesterday, I finally went in to get new running shoes.  Real running shoes!!!  Folks, I've gotten up to 7 in these guys, and even though I love them, they are just NOT cut out for distance running...

I learned a lot while I was in the store.  Like apparently my foot is narrow in the middle, and I have a narrow heel.  I have decent-size arches in my feet, but they lower slightly when I stand up.  And yet, instead of "rolling in" like she expected, I "supinate" just slightly, which means I roll to the outside of my feet when I run.  (And run I did—right there on the treadmill in the store, in about five different pairs of shoes.  Hey, you gotta be sure!)  Out of the three categories of running shoes (neutral, stability, and motion-control), she determined my best fit to be neutral.  And because of the narrow heel, we went with Saucony's.  So basically because of the shape of my foot and the way that I run, my shoes chose ME!  They feel great on my feet, and I can't wait to try them out.  After resting today, I've got a 3-miler planned for tomorrow with a couple friends, which will be a good test drive...

I also left the store with one of those belt packs that you can put a water bottle in.  (Pretty sure my husband snickered a little when I showed it to him, but whatever... just ignore him. ;) )  It's going to feel funny running with a water bottle strapped around me, but at this increasing mileage, I'm learning how important it is to stay hydrated.  It's also got a little zip pocket for my GU gels... another new thing I'll be trying out next week... stay tuned!!! :P


All in all, I'm just so happy and thankful to be well, and not to have encountered the set-back I feared.  Eight miles is definitely looming on Saturday, but I've got a plan for this week, and it's funny... you just trust the training and don't allow any doubts to enter your head.  Thanks to God for overall health and the sheer aspect of having fun...  

Setback (and an "a-ha" moment!)

Monday, Jan. 16, 2012

Potential setback... yuck.

It's so funny, all the ups and downs with this running thing.  My life and myself are usually pretty "even keel"—but running seems to be providing some drama!

From Thursday to today, there has been a little bit of sliding back down the mountain.  I had to miss my group run on Saturday, so I went to make up for it on Friday... and had a pretty bad run.  I needed to do 6 miles, and I felt like it should not have been that hard.  I didn't make it the whole way.  I woke up sick on Sunday, and I think my lack of energy those couple days before (including Friday) was my body starting to try and fight it off.  Another big issue was the fact that my calves were still SO tight after doing Insanity on Wednesday that I felt like I could barely lift my legs.  I have really enjoyed doing the Insanity workout program since this past summer, taking a little time off over the holidays, but I am starting to wonder if I should be doing it at the same that I'm training for this half marathon.  I can't imagine not doing either one right now because I love them both so much, but if Insanity is going to inhibit me that much in my training, even just from time to time, I might have a very hard decision to make...

The incomplete long run on Friday, then being out on Saturday, working all day yesterday and still being sick today are collectively setting me several days back.  I'm hopeful I'll be well enough to do something tomorrow, but with being sick it's no guarantee.  All of this probably could not have come at a worse time.  I mentioned before that this coming weekend is when our group "long" runs will start becoming longer than I've ever been able to do on my own before.  So every week from here on out is going to be more and more of a challenge.  I was already a little anxious entering this week because of that, and now I feel like I'm coming into it BEHIND of all things—which only adds to that battle.  So we'll have to see how it goes!  What I don't want to do is start thinking "I can't" just because I'm behind.  I love the quote that says: "Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly.  But the bumble bee doesn't know this, so it keeps on flying anyway."  Maybe if I press on with that type of disillusionment, the word "can't" will never creep in to my mental psyche. :)  (And it just makes me laugh—I am totally a bumble bee out there trying to run a marathon!  "Aerodynamically"... this should not be my sport. ;) )

I remember hearing a speaker at a conference once, talking about climbing to the top of Mount Everest.  She said you would think you just start at the bottom and, though it takes a very long time, climb from there up to the top.  But what actually happens, because your body has to get used to the altitude, is you climb to Base Camp 1... and then go all the way back down to the bottom.  Then you climb up to the next station or camp... then turn around and go all the way back to the bottom again.  This continues for I don't even know how long until you are finally at a place where you can climb forward to the top.  So even when it seems like you are going in the complete opposite direction of where you are headed, it doesn't mean that progress isn't being made.  In fact, it's actually all part of the process.  That is what I'm trying to keep in mind right now... 

On another note, I just have to share my most favorite conversation about training I've had yet.  A friend and I were talking about music, and I asked her if she made a playlist specifically for her half marathon that she ran last year.  (I'm pretty sure I will do this, but for now I've just been turning my iPod on "shuffle."  I skip the songs that aren't motivating me at the time, and I get to hear ones I might not have thought to play.)  She said yes and proceeded to tell me about choosing her finale song.

"Your what?" I said.

"My finale song," she repeated.  She went on to explain the term as the song you play when you're at the end of your race, the one that's blasting as you come toward the finish line and finally cross it.  What's funny is that I have actually thought about that before.  Music motivates me so much that I have often pictured certain songs I hear as being the one that might have to get me through at the very end.  I asked what hers was, and I absolutely love her answer.  It's the song in the movie The Lion King when Simba is climbing up in front of all the other animals at the end in a really dramatic and powerful moment after he has taken back Pride Rock and is assuming his reign as king... YES!!  Now THAT is a finale song!!!  I think I may be stealing it. :)

There is one other thing I want to note about the past few days since my last update.  I just want to record this so I can come back to it and read it... perhaps again and again.  Just this morning I read the blog post of a friend who ran a FULL marathon on Saturday.  That in itself is incredibly inspiring.  She had been blogging about her training experience, and yesterday she wrote about the marathon itself.  The first half of it was great apparently—but the second half was a total nightmare.  She began to have extremely painful cramps around mile 13, and eventually they became so bad she had to starting walking around mile 19.  She was all alone on the course (there were no volunteers or other runners around, in an area where no spectators were allowed), and it was a really bad set-up (you had to pass the finish line way before the race was actually over, and then there were several out-and-backs at the end where it seemed like it should be curving around and approaching the home stretch).  She was miserable and felt completely defeated.  After all that extremely hard work training to get to that point, she felt "robbed of an awesome first marathon experience."  When her husband came to join her for the last several miles, she was in so much pain she was sobbing.  With feelings of failure welling up, at one point she literally told him to just go get the car.  But she didn't end up quitting, and she finished the marathon, even running the last two miles.

What is the most inspiring to me about this story is actually not the fact that my friend didn't quit.  Yes, she can say that she completed a full marathon and never gave up.  That is AWESOME and probably much more than I would be able to say.  But what I have taken away from this more than anything is to not put so much pressure on race day.  (I think I may have already starting doing that without realizing it.)  I don't want to get to the day of the race and feel like none of it was worth it if I have a bad day.  I want to still be able to include a beautiful prayer at the end of my "recap" like she did.  It's made me realize I want to stop and really celebrate the victories along the way (like she did as well, making signs for the end of each next long run with the number mileage on them).  I want to be able to appreciate the blessings and the lessons I have gained and continue to gain through this experience.  I'll admit I have definitely thought about how awful it would be to wake up on race day and just have a bad day (which could absolutely happen).  But if I start to cramp up or even have to walk some—when I know I could run 13.1 miles at that point in my training on any given day—I don't want to feel like it's the end of the world.  What I am so thankful to be realizing this early on in my training is that it shouldn't even matter what happens on the day of the half.  Those specific 13.1 miles are actually not what this is all about at all.  Besides, I'm starting to learn that doing all this training is MUCH more impressive than a one-time 13.1 miles with your adrenaline pumping and tons of people cheering you on.  (In fact, I believe that very much!)  The preparation is a process where all the development, advancement, and refinement takes place.  It's what gets you to where you can run farther than you ever imagined possible—sheesh, 13 miles!—no matter what happens on the one day when everyone happens to come to watch.  The race itself is just an experience.  The training is what shapes you and molds you—even what makes you a "runner."  That status will not change based upon my performance on race day.  I don't want to build that one day's experience up so much that it overshadows and robs the journey of getting there.  Huge thanks to my friend for her honesty and for sharing her story!

*** On a side note, my husband has been experiencing a much greater setback than I, and while my blog is for personal life and these notes are about running, I can't help but to take the opportunity to ask for your prayers for his healing—physically and mentally. He has a torn left hamstring and a pulled right hamstring, and has been on crutches for 5 weeks. He is doing all the right things, and it's hard to understand why things seem worse right now after they were just starting to get better... Thank you for your prayers. ***

"finish"

Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012


A link to my other blog, The Glenham Addendum" (about married life), with a reference to running and how it ties in to My One Word this year...

www.glenhamescence.blogspot.com

Hitting My Stride

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012

Much like the race itself, every passing week is another "mile" closer to the goal. Each one is different, and each one seems to bring a new challenge, but they are all a step closer along the journey.

I am surprised this week by how running has become so much a part of my routine that I miss it sorely when I break from it. I didn't run for two days in a row this week (life happens), and I was already craving it by this morning. I ran what seemed like "fairly often" before I started training, but it's just different now. I "finally" did a short run late this afternoon, 3 miles at Wrightsville Beach, and will be doing 6 tomorrow to make up for the group run I will miss on Saturday. So, if no every day, at least every other day feels ideal. :)  (Side note: I learned in my Shape magazine this month that—unlike muscle strength, which can take several months to wane—your cardio endurance starts to decline within just a couple weeks of not doing it. So if your schedule gets crazy or you've been on a long vacation, and you try to do your normal cardio routine after just a few weeks, it's already going to feel harder. Not that I'm planning in any way to take a few WEEKS off, but wow!)

One thing that I wouldn't say is different this week so much as "increased" is just that sense of accomplishment and confidence you get with running. I always thought the benefits to running, if you could manage to make yourself do it, were all physical: you stay in shape, you gain endurance, you (hopefully) trim down, and you keep your heart healthy, etc. But that sense of accomplishment when you attain set goals and break through challenges is such an emotional and mental win. I can see now more than ever why running programs for children and youth are so beneficial, in ways that I was never able to see before beyond the physical. Of course we want our kids to be physically fit, but there is so much more to it than that. This is something that has really surprised me and that I might be learning the most right now. Plus, clearing your head, getting away from distractions, being outside, having more prayer time, and all the physical benefits combined are also a great way to decrease stress. (I'm not a super-stressed person most of the time, but, really, who couldn't use a little less of it?) Those endorphins are actually real, people... they not only give you that "runner's high," but they carry over into your day-to-day as well!

I have also been excited to learn new routes through friends and through websites like MapMyRun. I've learned a new 4-mile route from my church (where I work) to Mayfaire and back, and I've also learned new ways to make the Loop longer—without simply circling it more times. :) Talking to people about their routes is fun, and it's always good to change things up. I never knew there are as many places to run in Wilmington as there are until I started "networking" and doing the research.

Not mentioning stretching has been a huge oversight. Oh my gosh, YES, I just went there, and, yes, I am that person now. Haha! I can remember playing entire full-court basketball games in high school without so much as a second thought toward stretching. That doesn't so much work anymore. I've been fairly OK about remembering to stretch before working out while in my '20s, but it's usually kind of slack to be honest. Since training (and this is probably the result of several months of doing the Insanity workouts, where they stretch you to death), I have become really diligent out stretching really well before AND after runs. It makes SUCH a big difference. Not like flossing your teeth, where you know it's good for you, but you don't really notice any big difference about anything when you do it (expecting that it will probably end up being a good thing for you in the long, long run). Stretching has kept me from being sore and/or tight in between workouts unlike anything I could imagine, and I know it's preventing injury because as I type, my husband is nursing a torn hamstrings and has been on crutches for weeks. :(  Stretching has been a huge part of this entire process, and I know you may hear it all the time and not get the importance, but I seriously can't stress it enough! 

This week has been pretty good, so I guess I would say my only frustrations would be finding the right times to run that don't interfere with work or home life (or sufficient sleep... hehe). This winter has also been one of the most mild winters, even for Wilmington, that we've had in a very long time. So I'm preparing myself for the coldness to come (and rejoicing over the temps we're reaching currently!). As we add a mile to our long runs each week, I also know I will have to become even more intentional about where and when to run. Especially when I have to run by myself some days, I am literally racing the sun to get one in while it's safe to be out. That is on thing about training during this time of year when the days are shorter. Other than that, my blood sugars have been OK—although I have definitely experienced more lows recently than usual. Just another thing I'll have to become more and more intentional about.

What I'm very much anticipating on the horizon at this point is next weekend's long run... I realized today that, thus far, every group run we've done has been at a mileage I have reached before on my own. The farthest I've run to date without stopping is 6.5 miles. Tomorrow is 6, but next Saturday is 7. I'm hoping that my improvements so far will continue with training (and it not be that I'm just able to do each next week because it's something I've done before). After next week, every week to come will be a greater and greater challenge... but it will also be an opportunity to attain a new personal best—every single week. I'm looking forward to it, but I'm also a little bit nervous (and hopeful) that I'll actually be able to do it. When you combine and add physical, emotional, and mental rewards to an achievement that you really have to work hard to reach, there is nothing like that feeling of accomplishment and belief in yourself once it's done. Running (particularly with distance training I'll say, since it hasn't been this way before) has been all of that for me and more... I'm so glad I've found it! 

Breakthrough

Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012

Breakthrough!!  Yesterday was our second official group run, and it went great!!  I was pretty nervous about it, considering the Saturday before, but what a difference a week makes!

This time we (18 of us!) did almost 5 and a half, starting the Starbucks at Landfall, then down around the Loop and back.  I ran the whole time, enjoyed great company, and was even able to talk/keep up a conversation for almost the entire run.  And felt great after!  I'm so excited about this breakthrough because I could have very easily gotten into a doubting, negative mindset after last weekend.  It's nice to know that if you push on and push through, the good days will come!

One thing I changed was my breakfast.  I eat cereal every single morning for breakfast (literally... every. single. morning).  But the milk was one thing that I think "did me in" last week.  It was definitely NOT the greatest beverage to have sloshing around in my belly during a run. :P  So yesterday morning I had a toasted bagel with peanut butter and organic agave nectar, and it was super for a run!  Really sticks to you and gives you fuel.

The other big difference I think were my weekday runs.  We're supposed to do 2 to 3 "short runs" during the week, and then our group runs on Saturday mornings are longer, adding one mile per week.  I haven't followed that quite exactly because two of my short runs this past week were both at least 5 miles apiece.  The first one was Tuesday evening... the coldest day we've have yet by far!  Running in the lower '30s almost turned me into a sprinter (haha!), but I was grateful for my running gloves and dry-fit clothes.  5.2 felt great; the worst part was not really warming up until probably mile 2 or so... brrrrr!

My other 5+ run this past week has been my favorite run of training so far... even better than my 6.5 after Christmas!  I ran with a couple girlfriends who are training for the full (wow).  They are two awesome women who are very encouraging and fun.  This was one where I really felt more comfortable talking during the run, which hopefully is a sign of greater endurance.  We ran the riverwalk downtown, and it was absolutely GORGEOUS.  The sun was setting over the river by the bridge and battleship, and downtown was such a nice change of scenery.   We did probably close to 6 miles together and paced in almost perfect sync with each other, which was really nice!  The view down there (and then the dolphins in the waterway yesterday morning at the Loop) make me so grateful to live in such a beautiful city.  There are so many great places to run... why haven't I started this sooner??? ;)

The riverwalk run and yesterday's group run have almost completely changed my attitude about running with others.  Now that I have stuck with it and not settled for running by myself, even when I thought it was better for me, I definitely prefer the company!  The support, accountability, encouragement, fellowship, challenge, and meeting new friends are all things I have appreciated SO MUCH this week.  I am thanking God for these blessings...

Another change after this week is me not just thinking the half is attainable but actually feeling an excitement about doing it!  I have even been considering other races!  (Anyone want to do the Tarheel 10-miler with me in Chapel Hill, one month after the half??? :) )  I'm certainly not up to that mileage yet, but I am just trusting the training... and the evidence of improvement so far.  And I am loving it!!!

So, there you have it.  Another week of training gone by and my honest account of where I am in the midst of it all.  I hope this has been helpful to anyone, and I guess at the very least it will be a journal of my journey to look back on... 

So Not A Runner...

Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012

I run all the time… but I don’t consider myself a “runner.” 

Lately, this seems to have become my line when talking to anyone about this half marathon coming up in March.  In fact, if you had told me even a month ago that I would be halfway considering a half marathon, I’m sure I would have started laughing before you ever finished.

And yet, just yesterday, on New Year’s Eve, I registered.  For the half marathon.  Meaning: I put down $68 and have my name in the list of “runners.”  Now it’s official.  In fact, it’s an investment.  It’s crazy talk.

Ironically, it all started at a cookie exchange party a couple weekends before Christmas.  I was standing there chatting amongst the peanut-butter blossoms, oreo truffles and red-velvet brownies, when the talk turned to running (of all things).  Several girls I know, many of whom I work with, are all planning to run the Quintiles Wrightsville Beach Marathon in March, and one of them suggested I join them.  I have to admit: at first, I was attracted to the challenge.  This is purely the private-school mentality in me coming out (you know, when you’re the captain and MVP of everything, but, turns out, that’s just because there weren’t that many people, and no one was really a rockstar athlete in the big picture.  I say that with the greatest respect).  I seem to think if you put me in a group of women for any kind of physical activity, I should be able to do at LEAST as well if not better than at least half of them.  Right?  It’s not arrogance, it’s a totally misconceived notion driven by six years of playing sports in my budding-athlete years at a very small, rural-NC school.  (Believe me, this has humbled me several times before and still seems to stick.)

But back to the question at hand. 

I also had several immediate hesitations.  One being the fact that I may have only reached about five or six months of straight running EVER before being completely worn out, and that was pushing myself to the limit.  13.1?  It just sounds completely unattainable.  I have nearly convinced myself, quite convincingly actually, that some people’s bodies are just better designed for running.  Their bodies fit what is needed to do it, and some people, like me, just don’t have those particular complementary parts.  I have good balance, am fairly strong, generally athletic and love to compete… but endurance I have not. 

My second hesitation was just how hard it is on your body.  I’ll admit to having thought before—quite smugly, I might add—that if all these people who run half and full marathons are so fit and health-conscious, then why don’t they know how bad it really is for you?  It seemed totally oxymoronic.  Running, especially on hard surfaces, is just plain bad news in all kinds of ways for your joints, bones, muscles, etc.  Aren’t we defeating the purpose here?  And thirdly, I was worried about the time it takes to train.  How in the world do people find the time to be out there for HOURS at a time?  When would I? 

Besides… I am so not a runner. 

Have you ever heard someone say that, particularly someone who now has at LEAST one race under his or her belt?  It’s usually followed by “before I did my marathon.”  I’ve heard it plenty of times, and it was always super annoying.  No, you just didn’t realize you have the runner body that I don’t have, I would think.  It’s not the same for everyone.  You can’t expect just anyone to get out there and be able to do that like you.

I guess you have to understand my ongoing, dysfunctional relationship with this thing called running.  As I said, I run all the time (it seems like) for exercise.  I’ll get on the treadmill at LEAST twice a week, definitely once on the weekends if I’m in town, maybe get outside once in a while if it’s nice, and it’s usually on days when I’m not taking a class at the gym or doing free weights on my own.  That’s about the continual extent of it.  That has pretty much been a routine for me since I quit playing three sports per year in high school and went off to college.  I run to manage my weight (although it seems like exercise, for me, forever simply maintains it).  And it’s never “fun,” really.  It’s just what I do.  I get to about three miles or so, on a good day, and call it quits.  I run hard, no pace whatsoever, and so, fortunately, these purely cardio workout days are relatively quick ones.  It’s kind of like eating vegetables.  I don’t always have them with every single meal every day, and they might not always be my most favorite item on the plate, but they are a consistent, healthful, ordinary part of life.

I guess, that is, until now.

I mulled the question over in my mind for a good little while.  Would I join them?  At one point, I had actually made up my mind as a definite “no.”  But, just out of curiosity, I decided to see what I could do if I got on the treadmill, paced myself a little better, and told myself I would do more than usual.  The first time I did this, I ran four miles.  The next Thursday, I went out to the “Loop” at Wrightsville Beach and ran it… twice. 

This was huge for me.  I was shocked.  I was absolutely astonished by the difference it makes when you actually slow your pace, have a goal in mind, and believe in yourself to do it.  (Oh, and worship music on your iPod—maybe a little Christian hip-hop as well—is a always huge contribution.)  For the very first time in my life, right in the middle of contemplating doing this, I truly felt like I might actually be able to run a half marathon.  For the first time ever, because of that one run, it honestly felt attainable. 

See, the “Loop” is a beast I have loved and loathed since college.  I remember struggling to run the entire thing at times as an 18-year-old college freshman.  Now, at 28 years old, I had just run it twice—and, endurance-wise, felt great.  I won’t kid myself, my knees and feet were starting to feel it, and it was time to EAT for goodness sakes, but I felt like, if not for that, I had more in me.  This was such a huge accomplishment to me, in what is probably just a small package to anyone else.  But the Loop somehow represents to me the constant battle I have I faced since what feels like forever.  That is, the inability to lose much weight, as I just simply maintain (somewhat like a continual, frustrating circle—or “loop”), as well as the barrier I could never seem to break through of running farther than 3 miles without stopping.  But getting out there and putting my mind to running those 2.5 miles twice—and then doing it—made this whole thing very personal.  This is a mental game we’re playing.  This thing can be conquered.

The next time I got on the treadmill, I did 4 miles again (in JUST over 39 minutes)… and two days later I did 5.5.  I could not believe what I was seeing in those bright red numbers.  I was beginning to feel that “high,” the addictive nature of running that actually feels good and makes you crave more.  (Who knew?)  I was starting to see, in a very small way, why people love it the way they do. 

A few days later I ran the Loop with a friend on the morning of Christmas Eve, which we turned into 3 miles by taking a little side track.  I actually didn't mind getting up early to run, especially with this view on the way and when I got there...

Airlie Road

Wrightsville Beach Park

And after being gone for Christmas, I came back and ran at Halyburton Park, a beautiful, woodsy trail near my house.  I ran 6.5 miles.  Without walking or stopping. 

Half of the half almost exactly…  

I came home that morning to tell my husband about my accomplishment, and for some reason I found myself almost getting emotional about it.  It was so much more than a run.  I could finally see that this could be attainable, and I was starting to build a confidence that I could do it.  It’s not something I was even remotely close to considering a few weeks ago, and yet I can’t tell you how many barriers this will break for me to run the half.  Mentally, emotionally and physically.  Yes, it’s just running—but years of lies are coming undone.  Lies like I just can’t; it’s not possible for me personally; I’ll never be one of those people; I can’t because of my diabetes… But, yes, actually, I can.  The only person telling me I couldn’t was me.  All of it represents so much more for me.  And somehow along the short way so far, I am loving it.

Now, don’t get me wrong: Not every day is a great day…

Just yesterday morning, New Year’s Eve, we started “officially” training.  There were 14 of us from our group that started at Lumina Station, ran down around the Loop and back to make not quite 4 and a half miles.  

To me, I felt like I did not do well.  Just two days before I’d had the best run of my life, those 6.5 miles all running, and there I was really struggling before reaching 4.  It was not exactly the “kick-off” to training that I hoped for.  I stopped to walk several times at the end, and despite doing everything the same that morning, for some reason I felt more full from breakfast and more cramped up than usual (which made that last little stretch no fun at ALL).  I absolutely love being a part of this group and can’t WAIT to continue training with them.  But here is where I’m going to get very transparent because I think that’s important…

I also do so much better by myself. 

I know, it’s very weird.  Most people do better with others around them, but for some reason, I am a much better runner alone.  I am talking purely performance here.  As far as the encouragement, accountability, company, friendship and support of running with others, you can’t beat it!  Not only do I love it, I also NEED it.  In fact, I need to do it more, especially to get ready for race day.  I have just found that when I pace myself at my own personal rate, listen to music, don’t try to talk, and don’t try to keep up with others, it’s going to be a better day for me.  I'm not sure where to take that observation except that I need to get better at running with others.  I don’t think I should take it to mean I need to only ever run by myself (because how else will I conquer it?).

But here is what I absolutely love about running (in general): Being outside in God’s creation for so much longer than I might be normally on any given day.  Clearing my mind and having no distractions for a good span of time.  Getting into a good groove and simply feeling healthy.  Hearing a particular song or two that takes me to a completely different place.  (Like this dream I have of being with the youth in Kenya and starting a Girls on the Run program for the girls there.  You may think that sounds really cheesy, but I think about that sometimes while running, not being too serious, and it pumps me up!!)  I love the challenge of it all.  The feeling of pushing yourself toward a goal and reaching it.  The confidence and gratification it brings when you finish a run and are just plain proud of yourself.  Oh, and we can’t forget the gear.  I am loving the gear.  A good outfit is going to make any run better.  (I said I was being transparent, right?)  Let me not get side-tracked, but I got a pair of Lululemon running tights for Christmas (wa-hoo!), and a few short- and long-sleeve dry-fit shirts, and I’m becoming obsessed with how good they feel…

Anyway, so here I am at this point, all registered and ready to go, and very thankful for another three months to train.  I have no idea what race day will hold for me, but here is what I’ve learned so far:

Pace yourself.  Pace is so important.  I start out much, much slower than I would like to, eager to go faster like usual and “get it over with it.”  But distance running is teaching me to be more patient.  I have all the patience in the world with people, but when it comes to doing things, making decisions, etc… I am NOT the most patient person.  It’s all about changing your expectations.  I have had to nearly force myself to simply get comfortable and accept the fact that I’m just going to be out there for a while.  I don’t let myself hurry.

Have a goal in mind.  I used to just run until I felt like I couldn’t go anymore.  There was no real goal.  So my distance would, of course, vary, and I was never able to really push myself past a certain point without having that higher number in mind.  When you’re running toward a goal, it changes everything.

Believe in yourself to do it.  I used to have very little confidence with running.  Like I keep saying, “I run ALL THE TIME… but, no, I definitely don’t consider myself a ‘runner.’”  The good news is, we can actually choose to think our thoughts.  So choose to tell yourself that you can.

Something the pastor of my church has said is “How is third.”  That phrase is one that has stuck in my mind throughout this whole process (just a few short weeks, which have seemed like so much longer!)  When you cast vision for something and set a goal, “how” is not the first question you ask.  It is actually the third.  I am going to run a half marathon, and I have to put the question “how?” at the bottom of my list of questions that come with that goal.

I have heard many people say that their goal with the half is simply to finish.  I am not so much worried about finishing if I’m doing the run/walk method.  A personal goal for myself is to do the entire 13.1 miles all running.  I know you can actually improve your time by walking some, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of at ALL to walk at times.  It’s just something personal I want to do and to prove to myself. 

Actually, that word “finish” is one I’m really mulling over right now.  I’m considering it for something my church does this time of year, every year, called My One Word.  Of course I want to apply it to finishing this marathon… but I would also like to improve my “finishing” in many aspects of life.  I have an innate personality trait that causes me to be completely unmotivated by to-do lists.  (Like how I justify that?  Haha.)  Seriously though, to me, it’s not about checking things off; it’s about the process.  To leave things open and unfinished always gives you the opportunity to make them better.  Maybe it’s the writer/editor in me, but it seems like no piece of work is ever perfect; there will always be areas to improve and make the most out of their potential.  It’s creatively fantastic and absolutely maddening. 

But this is not always the best philosophy for all things in life.  Tasks need finishing.  And one day, our life on this earth will be finished and closed off.  There will not be the opportunity to go back and make anything better or do anything we didn’t do.  So this New Year’s Day, no matter what your resolutions are, I would challenge you to put “how” third and to commit.  I still don’t know how I’m going to run this half marathon (especially with managing my blood sugars, which is something I’m currently trying to figure out with these longer runs).  But I don’t want to look back on this year with regrets, I don’t want to make excuses, and I don’t want to be my own worst limitation.  I could be the only thing getting in my way.  Or I can choose to just do it—and find a new love in the process.

Now if I can run for as long as I write… I think I’ll be OK. ;)