I Was Running

We Moved

2011-04-05T11:15:00.001-06:00

Every future post about my exciting (right) life of running can now be found here.

Riverton Half-Marathon 2011

2011-03-31T09:52:00.006-06:00

Despite loving to run, and doing it off and on for nearly 10 years, I have never ran a half-marathon. Until now.

Last Saturday, we plucked sleeping babies out of beds, loaded them in car seats and headed to the valley. It's quite an event to go anywhere with the babies. There's loading of bags and preparation of breakfast, lunch, snack, car snack, sippy cups, changes of clothes, etcetera. Then I still need to get stuff ready for the babies! (bu dum ching.)

I ran the race with my friend Steph who is such a wonderful person and always has a smile, a happy attitude, and also does my run/walk/run style. She's a fabulous race partner. Her husband Steve (future ironman in training) and two daughters, Amber and Heather were outstanding hosts to my kids and husband while we scampered off to the starting line.

Our smiles are frozen on at this point.

Utah had a lovely spring snow (read: booooo on you snow!) the day before so race day morning was frigid. We huddled around standing heaters before we lined up and I jumped in placed to get blood flowing to my digits. Stephanie thought she had a rock in her shoe the first 1/2 mile. Turned out it was just a numb foot.

Steve took this road side shot of us galloping girls.

We definitely warmed up and were shedding layers mid-race. The course was beautiful. We ran through a neighborhood, a 55+ community, and the majority of the race was along the Jordan River park trail. It got a little interesting in some places. The snow, warm weather, snow syndrome that happens here caused the trail to be flooded in some spots, so we jogged through a little mud trail and under a bridge at one point. We also skirted a golf course which made me giddy in anticipation of swinging a club a few times this year. Last year's baby-palooza kind of halted any golfing. I think we can squeeze in a few rounds this year. I hope.

There were a few hills. One killer one around mile 10. I don't know if I have a problem. I don't know if I should seek help, but I love em. I love the uphills. No joke. I heave and huff and puff and need a serious slow jog recovery after. But I love dem hills.

The cooler weather turned out to be perfect for trotting 13.1 miles. Probably the best part of the day was the new PR Stephanie crushed. She ran this race last year and showed me her card. She finished 2010 at 2:40 and some change. We crossed the finish line at 2:28:03. Amazing!

There it is! Steph crossing the finish line and her new PR.

It was a near perfect first half-marathon experience one could have. (I think anyway, I don't have a lot to compare it to.)

Don't we look post-race outstanding?

Great friends, beautiful course, smiling volunteers, it was a great day. But the thing that most made my heart beat a little happier was the tall, handsome guy pushing the triple stroller at the finish line. Chris has been such a champion to my running habit and makes sure I have plenty of time on the weekends for my long runs. He surprised me with a treadmill this last Christmas because the cold weather mixed with being mom times three to one year olds makes it tricky to get in those weekday runs. He is my biggest fan. I loved that it wasn't a question whether or not he was going to be there. He wanted to!

My sweet babies had red noses, despite being bundled, so the post race festivities didn't last too long. We headed back to the Galleys. It involved a little foam rolling, taking turns showering, a couple of recovery shakes, and a little bit laying on the living room floor. :)

Great day.

Babies having a little lunch while mom foam rolled.

Super Dale 5K

2011-03-23T15:02:00.005-06:00

Although the winds blustered and blew us around, (at one point, I think I was actually running in a diagonal slant) good times were had at the Super Dale 5K! There really is nothing like running FOR someone. I only live in the same community as Dale. I've never met him. But it was sensational to come together with your family, friends, neighbors to do something fun for a purpose. It was touching to see a few athletes there with disabilities gearing up their racing chairs in support of Dale.

Often I think how thankful I am for my body and abilities after I go running. I feel so good as my lungs work at full capacity and blood pumps to my limbs, brain, heart, fueling my desire. On this day I felt especially grateful. I hope Dale and his family are finding peace with this sudden curve ball life has thrown at them.

Finishing the last (extra) 1/4 mile together! Left to right: Michael, Ben, Sheryl, me, Shauna, Jenna.

Yes, we wore matching shirts. Deal with it. Chris skeedaddled home right after to rescue our neighbors from their kind act of triplet-sitting.

Other BEST parts of the day? All the people that raced with me! Chris ran with me which was stupendous. I paced us the first half, then he decided he could go faster. I kept up with him (it was fast!) but I knew he couldn't hold it. How rude does that sound? Nothing worse than an arrogant runner. He eventually slowed down, admitted he was tired and we finished together. The race was actually .25 mile longer than a 5K. Our average pace 9:24.

Almost the entire race day crew. Back row: Dane, Michael, Mindy. Middle row: me, Jenna, Shauna, Sheryl, Amelia, Rich, Kim. Front row: Alex, Ben

My sister Shauna, her husband Rich and their 7 year old, Alex also ran. My brother Michael, his wife Mindy, Mindy's sister Kim and her husband Matt joined the racing fray. Michael did a ridiculous 6 something pace. He finished in 24 minutes and change.

My mom raced. My mom raced! Why two sentences to announce this? Because it was her first ever organized race! We were all tremendously proud of her. My mom started her current career in her nearly empty nest years. Also, at 50+ decided that she was going to take up races. (She's also a future Ragnar finisher.) She is inspiring. Most would say, "eh, maybe if I was younger..." Most think that things you have done in your life, at a certain point, are what define you. The End. No more new adventures. She inspires me to always keep hold of new dreams and go after adventures not yet experienced.

Big hoopda hoop to Jenna for watching everyone's kids in the back of Shauna's Pilot while the adults pranced around. Cute picture here. Big hoopda hoop to my great neighbors who came over to our house at the last minute to watch mine. (Did I mention there were gale force winds blowing?)

Hooray, the finish line is up ahead!

Post race we feasted on an early lunch. Lunch was much less windy since we ate indoors. It was also delicious.

They were a little bummed they missed the big race, but said the pasta salad I made for lunch helped make up for it.

Chris, some weirdo who was trying to look like a turtle for some reason and Shauna

I have another worthwhile 5K to promote! Stay tuned...

Music and Gear For the Long Run

2011-03-05T10:08:00.007-07:00

No frozen hams today. Today's long run was so much better than my last one. I learned from my mistakes and layered up today. An extra layer of skin underoos and extra pants over my tights. MUCH better. Much warmer. Although I think I look like a complete nerd in all my gear (hydration belt, little pack for a gel, big hat, there's a picture below) I had everything I needed for a fantastic nine miler.

Music is an essential part of my running regimen. Every once in a while I will go sans tunes because I think it's right to be one with where you are. There is something almost sacred about your feet hitting the earth while you hear the birds talk, see the leaves blow, smell the cows and notice the melting snow.

But today was a music run. Just for fun, here is a rundown of who kept me company during my one hour, forty one minute jog fest. Eclectic is the word of the day.

Sounds So Good - Ashton Shepherd
Coldplay - various, always from Viva la Vida!
Battle Hymn of the Republic - MoTab (you better believe it)
Rihanna - stood under her umbrella, ella, ella, ella
Forever - Chris Brown (WHY do I love this song so much?)
Alicia Keys - she's my girl
Shinedown - Second Chance
Eddie Vedder - Hard Sun
Nickleback - Chris and I share an ipod. Normally, not my thing. (I mean BLAH!) But for some reason on a run, they get me going.
Kings of Leon - DEFINITELY my thing. Love em.
Sting - All This Time Album
Popular from Wicked (...ler...lar!)
Justin Timberlake - at about mile 5 we BOTH brought sexy back.
Mos Def - Quiet Dog
Mana, Shakira and Locos por Jauna - My heart is 1/16 Latina. It's got to be fed.
Metallica - my running guilty pleasure band. Where is that crown King Nothing?
The Way I Are - Timbaland (Another favorite I don't know why I like so much.)
Counting Crows - 1995 called, they want their playlist back
Alien Ant Farm - Seriously, Annie, are you ok?

There is a sample of my playlist of songs whilst prancing through my back country valley looking like this:

(I had Chris snap this picture when I got back. What a nerd! Me, not Chris.)

9 miles. 1:41:39. 11:17 min/mile.

What is on your running playlist? What songs get you going mid run?

Do This 5K/10K

2011-03-01T10:15:00.003-07:00

As promised, I have a worthwhile 5K to promote.

Dale Lawrence is a local high school student in Heber Valley. He was injured a few months ago during wrestling practice.

From the school's website:

On Tuesday, January 4, 2011, Wasatch High School senior Dale Lawrence suffered a serious neck injury in wrestling practice. "Super Dale", as he is known to Wasatch High School students, is currently rehabilitating at University of Utah Medical Center. While Dale is still unable to move his arms and legs, he has regained some sensation in his limbs. Dale is in the thoughts and prayers of the entire Wasatch community.

On Saturday, March 19, there will be a 5K/10K race with all proceeds going to his family. I'm all about running FOR something. It's super easy to sign up. Only a $10 minimum, but I'm sure we can all give a few extra bucks. Click here for the link.

Happy running! Spring is close. I can smell it. (Even though my phone says it is nine degrees outside right now, I'm looking at the sunshine and pretending it's 50.)

Addiction

2011-02-21T20:37:00.004-07:00

Hi. My name is Kara and I'm addicted to running.

It's the only conclusion I could come to after rehashing my Saturday long run to my husband.

Him: How was your run?
Me: Miserable.

I then went on for minutes and minutes about how during the entire 7.5 miles, I never warmed up. How it suddenly started snowing, like, HARD at about mile 4. Have you ever seen an animal in the middle of a snow storm out in the middle of a field and thought, Oh, poor cow. I was the cow.

My rear end took days to finally get warm. I felt like I was hauling around two frozen hams.

Later that day, I had a text conversation with a friend and continued to rant to her how terrible it was. (She was the first to hear my cow analogy.) It was then I realized, yes, it is conclusive, I really must be addicted to this crazy activity. Or else, why? Why in the world?

I was actually giddy Friday night when I went to set my alarm because I needed to wake up and get running before the babies woke up. (Side note: I heart Saturdays. Daddy is so good at getting our munchkins breakfast and such on the weekends. Such a welcome break. LOVE it.) I was looking forward to plodding along at 5 miles per hour in 35 degree weather on the one day that I could actually sleep in if I really wanted to.

Before: excited.
During: miserable.
After: complained about it.

But will I do it again? Abso-friggin-lutely.

Because although I was a freezing cow, that familiar endorphin rush kicked in (during my complaint session) and my body and mind felt whole and good for a long time.

Because there are lots and lots of reasons why I run. Four of them happen to be the cute faces I left behind that morning. I'm such a better mom and wife when I get my running fix.

I could've slept in or steeped a herbal tea cup or two. (This was a thought I had around mile 5.) But I got up at 6:30 on a Saturday morning, in February, in the back of the Wasatch and ran.

I think I might need help. (Or just an extra layer or two.)

Run or Freeze aka SoJo 5K

2011-02-14T11:24:00.005-07:00

I officially kicked of the 2011 racing season with a sweet little 5K in South Jordan.

Running with my friend Steph was a definite highlight. The cute Wickify shirts with a cupid on them in honor of Valentine's Day was another outstanding highlight. Not to mention the pink bag our swag stuff came in.

But the cold! Good gravy, the freezing wind. I checked the weather that morning and saw pleasant little numbers like 48. But the wind was making it closer to 12. Agghh!

Good thing we were there to run, otherwise, what a stupid day to go to the park! It was the least amount of time I've ever spent at a finish line.

After being shuttled through the line of ropes most races put you through, there was a table full of fruit and water. Then, at the very end of the table, there was a big bag full of medals. The girl in front of me got one, so silly me, I thought they were handing out participation medals. As I stood with a goofy grin on my face, hand outstretched, waiting for my medal, the guy asked to see my time card. After a quick glance at it, he reached in a bag that had no medals in it and handed me a $5 card to Village Inn. Yea. No participation medals after all. Age group winners got those. Oh well. My goal was not to win my age group.

Goals for most recent 5K: Have fun. Run with a friend.

Mission accomplished.

There is a whole lot of year left for time goals and the like.

Also, I am officially endorsing two great 5K races coming up soon. Both for meaningful causes. Stay tuned. (Because I'm such an important person, my endorsements really matter. Ha.)

The darling racers after the run, in a house, away from the cold. Sorry no pictures at the race. I couldn't think about much except for moving to keep my eyelids and lips from freezing together.

Also, PS - my ever supportive husband and three babies came! Of course they were in the car the entire time. (Did I mention it was soo cold?) But cute Chris got out of the van and cheered us on for the 10 seconds it took to run by his little parking space.

Last Saturday

2011-02-08T09:06:00.003-07:00

Six point two miles: awesome

Snowy weather: awesome

Beautiful mountain landscape: awesome

Getting splashed with sludge from rude driver: not awesome

Lovely device that tells me my stats: awesome

Lack of traction from snowy roads in some places: not awesome

Endorphin high lasting ALL day: always awesome

Dad hanging back with kidlets so I don't have to rush: sweet

On a scale of not awesome to sweetness on a Saturday: Absolutely Outstanding.

Morning Date With Treadmill

2011-02-03T12:40:00.002-07:00

I'm usually not a big fan of treadmills. But when it is negative seventeen degrees outside and the sun rises after your children do, I'm glad I have one around.

Did a lovely little interval workout this morning. Nothing crazy. Thirty minutes. Jogged for four, then a one minute sprint. Rinse and repeat.

Still Running

2011-02-01T22:11:00.003-07:00

Six months since I last posted here? Sheesh. Good news, I'm still running. Bad news, I'm going to blog about it.

Summary of last six months:

August : Ran a sweet 5K with some neighbors and some church going peeps. Felt real good since it was still round the clock with the babies. Loved, loved getting out of the house by myself.

September: Ran a sweet 10K in Midway. So pretty. I had a great picture but lost it due to technical difficulties on my phone. The Galleys came to see their kin folk finish, but I pretended they came to see me.

October: No races. But plenty of 80's music montages going through my head as I hit the hills to take in the majesty that is fall in the mountains. (It's the eye of the tiger...)

November: Cold.

December: Still cold. BUT, my cute honey surprised me with a treadmill. What?!? Nice.

January: Found durn cool app to help me log my runs. Result? Total miles: 42.67. Total time: 6:48:31. Average pace: 10:10.

February: Hoping I don't get stuck in my day tomorrow and have to repeat it over and over and over and over until I learn some kind of lesson.

24th of July 5K

2010-07-25T21:37:00.004-06:00

It was a perfect day to start racing again. Now when I say 'racing' I'm actually not trying to beat anyone or break any Charleston Town 5k records. But I won't deny that you run a titch faster when you come up behind someone who seems to be going your pace. Just enough to pass them and make sure they don't catch you again. I guess in that sense I was racing. Kind of. It does kind of hurt when the guy pushing the double stroller with toddlers in it passes you.

The best part was racing with my super fast sister! I think I probably would have averaged a 20 minute mile if she didn't run with me. 60 minutes to run 3.1 miles? The free pancake breakfast would have been all gone if I actually did that! So I'm glad she ran with me. Not only to make sure I got pancakes, but she is, well, amazing. For a lot of reasons. We averaged about 9 minute miles and finished just over 27 minutes.

The other best parts are the people who show up to these events. The guy in the hot pink tank top who decided to full out sprint at the starting line. Then later took a couple of minutes to sit on the side of the road and rest. Then sprinted again. Then stood under the spray of an irrigation sprinkler and tried to catch water in his mouth. Then coming in the finish line like he was going to die if he ran another yard. I'm glad he wore the hot pink tank top. Otherwise I might have missed ALL of his shenanigans.

So yippee for holiday races. Yippee for getting this part of my life back. Yippee for my husband holding the fort down all by his handsome self for two hours. Yipppee!

Five Kilometers

2010-07-13T00:06:00.002-06:00

Race time baby. I did it. I signed up for a race in two weeks.

Five kilometers or 3.1 miles. I wonder if race organizers in Canada and Europe and shoot, EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD use miles when they race. Like, Sign up for the Fun Run 3.1 miler! This weekend in Devonshire!

Right. So July 24th, I'm pinning a number on and aiming for a 9 minute mile. (No snickering.)

Wish me luck!

Or cheers.

Help

2010-05-22T01:26:00.002-06:00

Must find motivation! Must find time!

Must sleep. Love you babies. All of you. But mommy is excited when bedtime is at 7pm and morning is 12 hours later.

Also, since I am posting about not running, I'm highly envious of all runners who will be scampering the back of Wasatch Mountains in a few weeks for Ragnar.

Highly envious.

I'll Take It

2010-05-10T21:42:00.002-06:00

Exhausted? Yes. Limited time? Of course.

But. But, but, but. I need you Senor Running!

So that 30 minutes 2.87 miles past my house will do for now.

Breathe in. Breathe out. That's what I do when we are together, naturally. Because my life now - well - sometimes I have to remind myself to breathe period.

See you again on Wednesday!

So Good To See You Again

2010-03-04T22:24:00.003-07:00

It's been a long time, hasn't it? It was kind of awkward meeting you today. That familiar awkwardness that comes from meeting an old flame. It took me a few minutes to feel that rhythm we used to have. We haven't seen each other in so long. I can't even remember the last time. You understand why I stayed away don't you? The not feeling well. The reason - rather reasons - I didn't feel well. The giant stomach that grew three tiny things. All legitimate reasons. But it doesn't mean I didn't miss you. It doesn't mean I didn't think about you. I even dreamed about you once. That's right. It was like we were back at Ragnar, the week before I had to give you up for a while. I was lacing up my shoes. Tying back my hair. Just about to stretch a little... Then I woke up. I was large and swollen and hungry. Not a runner, but pregnant.

But today wasn't a dream! You were real. You made my heart beat faster. You made my blood move. I love how you make my blood move. I forgot how addicted I was to you and that feeling.

I missed you running. But I'm glad we found each other again. I'll try not to stay away so long next time. We belong together.

I Am Not a Runner by Mindy DeGering

2009-06-25T17:51:00.003-06:00

Please put your hands together to welcome one of the best bloggers around and runner extrodinaire... Mindy! Thanks for sharing your running triumph with us! For more of Mindy's everyday adventures and amusing blog visit here.

I am not a runner. I have never been a runner. In high school, my sport of choice was cheerleading because I was certain it would not entail running. I was wrong. Every morning. 6:00 am. Around and around the track we ran. “We” meaning everyone else as I slowly slogged (slow jog) behind them. My sister is a runner. She always has been. For a long time I’ve wanted to be a runner like her, but the three words I used to my requesting-a-running-partner sister were always the same: maybe next time.

At a young age I started watching that older sister, Kim, sign up for, run, and finish every 5K the Sanpete valley had to offer. Once in a while, in the early mornings, I would decide that maybe I could run with her, and I’d lace up my sneakers and follow her out the door. But try as I might, as soon as mile one would roll around, I’d be doubled over trying to catch my breath while motioning for her to go on without me. I wasn’t a runner. Fourth of July and Scandinavian Days Fun Runs came and went, and each would end with me telling myself that maybe next time I would participate.

That was almost five years ago, and up until April of this year I was still telling myself that “maybe next time” I would participate. At the time, I was running/slogging a mile or so a couple of times a week, but nothing was pushing me to reach my long-time goal of running a 5K. A Sunday walk along the Provo River Trail changed that. As I passed the advertisement for the upcoming Utah Valley Marathon, I realized I had a good two months until the race would actually take place. I thought about that length of time and realized that by June 13th, I could be ready.

It seems a little bit silly to most that I would have to “get ready” to run a measly 3.1 miles, but for me, this 5K was an average runner’s marathon. I would have to train and push and tell myself a million times over that I could do it. I would have to get up early and time my miles and practice breathing techniques in order to accomplish such a feat. Later that night while lying in bed, I perused the Utah Valley Marathon website via my iPod. I had been toying with the idea of signing up for the 5K all day, and I told myself that if I just did it, I would have no reason not to get ready. I filled in each section and bubble, I entered my credit card information, I agreed to the terms and conditions, and then I stopped dead in front of the final “submit” button. I rolled over and asked my husband what he thought. Could I really do it? Would I ever be able to run that far? Could I be ready by June 13th? Before I could spit out another question he had grabbed the iPod, scrolled to the “submit” button, and made the choice for me. He had more faith in me than I had in myself, and he knew that I needed the extra shove he could give me. I was signed up. I was on the list. I was going to run a 5K.

Well, as with everything I do, my tendency to procrastinate kicked in and the days leading up to the race began to tick by. I wasn’t being completely lazy, I was running a mile to a mile and a half three or four times a week, but I wasn’t pushing myself to go any further than that. I kept telling myself that I had plenty of time and that I could still be ready by June 13th. I considered making a schedule for myself in order to see how much further I needed to be running each day in order to be ready, but I talked myself out of it certain that I had plenty of time.

On June 5th, I realized I had just over a week before the race. That June 13th date was staring me in the face as I went for a jog with my husband and we went one and a half whoppin’ mile and a half. I wasn’t completely dead at the end of the run, but I didn’t know how I would ever double that length in only a week.
It wasn’t the easiest running week of my life, but I pushed myself and got as ready as I could get in four short days. Friday night, I tossed and turned in bed, uneasy about what to expect the next morning, and when I arrived at the Provo Towne Centre, I couldn’t believe how many cars filled the parking lot. I had heard news that there would be over a thousand runners in the race, and I hoped that out of those thousand people, I wouldn’t come in dead last. I felt intimidated by the lady in tight biker shorts and a sports bra, I felt nervous standing next to the girl with the ear buds already in and the determined look in her eye. I felt reassured by the lady who, I was sure, was at least eight months pregnant. “If she can run this, so can I,” I told myself. I felt sheepish standing in the crowd by myself, so I put in my own ear buds and pretended to tinker with my iPod. A voice soon came over the speaker that the race would be starting in one minute. The voice gave brief instructions about the course of the route, reminded us to stand near the mat so we would be timed, and wished us luck. The knot in my stomach twisted and grew, and the blood in my veins pumped harder and faster. Then, a gun shot, and the massive crowd was pouring through the tunnel. My adrenaline kicked in and as I picked up my feet, and I couldn’t help but smile at myself and the hundreds of other people around me.

I’d like to say that the next thing I remember is crossing the finish line to a cheering crowd, but it’s not. Those were three (point one!) long miles for me. I put sweat and energy into every step I take when I run. I watched myself pass and fall behind the run-then-walk ers, I shook my head at the boy rounding mile two as I crept across the mile one mark (crazy five-minute milers!), and I watched the back of the girl staying steps ahead of me. Around mile one and a half I finally found my groove and felt like I could run forever, and around mile two and a half I wondered how I could keep going. “I am not a runner,” I thought to myself, “What was I thinking signing up for this?!” Then I remembered my goal. I looked around at those hundreds of people and remembered how long I’d been wanting to do this exact thing. Although my pace slowed, my will didn’t. “You’re not gonna die, you’re not gonna die, you’re not gonna die,” I told myself with every step. “Don’t stop and walk, you can’t stop and walk, don’t stop and walk,” I silently chanted to myself. “Just get to that tree. Just get to that post, just get to that curb.” I’m not lying when I say I put sweat and energy into every step. Running is hard work for me. Hard work! I focused on a certain hill and told myself that once I reached the top of it, I would be home-free. I reached the top of that hill, two side aches, my shoelace coming undone, sweat dripping down my face, and I actually felt home-free. I smiled at myself as I realized that I had almost done it. I had almost finished running farther than I had ever run before. I had almost finished a race! A real live, actual race! I picked up my pace as I jogged up the last hill, and I smiled as I ran towards the finish line. I lowered my head as I crossed the line, grateful that I had made it. I stopped my watch and checked the time. Slow. Really, really slow. But I finished. I didn’t stop and walk. I didn’t die. I was doing an inner victory dance (because nobody wants to look like a crazy doing an outer victory dance) as I grabbed a water bottle and headed to stretch. I looked at the people around me. I found the lady in the biker-shorts and sports-bra, the girl with the ear buds and determined eye, the pregnant lady… and I realized we’d all done it. We’d all finished the race.

As I walked to my car, I couldn’t help but smile. I sent my husband a text: “I did it!!” I knew it would be hours before he’d read it, but I was so excited that I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. I got in my car, turned off my iPod, and realized the goal I had just reached. “Maybe,” I thought to myself, “maybe I am a runner.”

Can't Stand the Heat

2009-06-04T17:14:00.004-06:00

Have you ever felt the heat? Heat that starts in your chest and rises up like misshapen loaf of hot bread? Heat from stress. Heat from an argument. Heat from the straw that breaks your already weak camel's back. I did last night. 10:45 pm and the heat was rising, rising, rising. I try to stop it before it reaches my arms, my legs, my fingertips. Or worse yet, my tongue.

My tools I use against the unpleasant sensation of reeling out of control sometimes include praying (VERY tricky and hard to do if the heat has risen too far), eating (the after glutton guilt is often worse than the heat) and sometimes, running.

Last night I chose running.

Luckily my access to a treadmill provided a safe 11 pm run. I set my ear buds set to "leave me alone for however long this takes." I usually start out with a jog. I push shuffle and let whoever pops up try to get me out of the funk that sneaked up on me. One mile went by and there was still some residual pressure and hotness that did not belong. Push the incline button, one, two, three, four ought to do it. Increase speed by a few clicks. Yes, that's better. The shuffle no longer satiates my thirsty, wanting to be empty head. I seek out songs I know will erase the dirty junk that is still sitting in my adrenals. Nirvana, Mavis Staples, Shinedown, Kings of Leon, Akon, Ozzy Osbourne, Metro Station, Shakira, The Strokes. They all showed up on demand throughout my run and were quite helpful when I decided to take the incline up to five, six, seven, eight, nine. Yes! There it is! A few minutes here then back down. Now my paces feels light and easy and it is just so great to run and run and run. I forget why the fire rised. Mile two, mile three. I forget what the uncomfortable burning in my brain felt like. Now all I feel is cool, clean sweat drip down my face as I unconsciouly beat out the rhythm of my steps. One two three, one two. One two three, one two. One two three, one two. Then back up to nine incline. Can I do four minutes here at nine with this pace? Who am I grinning at? There's no one here but me and I am staring at a wall. But I'm smiling. I challenge myself to see if I can stay at this pace for that long.

I do.

Fifty minutes later the inner fire is put out. I am now hot and sweaty on the outside and feel amazing.

If You Go

2009-05-31T22:26:00.002-06:00

Lots of runners have aspirations of running a long race. A 10k, a half marathon, or the big sha-banger - 26.2 baby. But what about just going to a race to see the finish line? I didn't set out as this for my goal, but lucky circumstances and wanting to see a friend led me to the finish line of the Brooklyn half marathon.

The entire atmosphere of a race is electric. Before a race you see faces trying to be relaxed while stretching. But are so obviously fierce with anticipation of the word, "GO!" Music loud. Watches set, reset, then tested again. Bibs checked, calculations made. Everyone waiting for "go." But after a race, at the finish line, there is where the story is told.

I recommend going to the finish line after the top finishers have already crossed the line. Like an hour after. It's these finishers that have the best stories. Of course they don't personally tell you with words. But some stories are written on faces. Expressions, smiles, near tears, raised hands. You can imagine you're own stories and reasons how these finishers made it to the finish line. These finishers weren't the fastest. The elite runners finished over an hour ahead of them. But these runners didn't set out to be the fastest. They set out to just finish. The lady who wasn't exactly the perfect specimen of fitness sprints by me, finding some adrenaline left in the tank to finish strong. The two friends who probably ran side by side the entire race and held hands the last 100 yards, grinning, smiling. They accomplished something great - together. The older man (I mean I've seen men his age bed ridden and arthritic and in wheel chairs) who waves back at the cheering spectators. I can't remember where I've seen more genuine grins all in one place.

I love the spontaneous applause of race spectators. They don't know the names of the runners they are cheering for, but cheer anyway. And it's sincere. "Good job Purple!" (Lady in purple top.) "Way to go 1290!" (Yelling out the runners bib number.) "Good job runners!" One tired lady tripped and fell with 50 yards to go. Everyone around her, including me, waited quietly until she got up. There is a time to cheer and a time for giving the runner quietude. It's amazing how everyone watching her knew what to do. Then when she got to her feet, she received thunderous cheers, telling her good job, you're almost there, way to go, keep going. Dozens and dozens of finish line spectators lined up on either side shouting encouragement to strangers. Of course there is the occasional watcher who actually knows one of the finishers. "JANA! JANA! Way to go honey! I'm so proud of you! YOU DID IT! YOU'RE ALMOST THERE! WHOOOO!" And Jana smiles, puts her hands up to her face when she crosses her 13 mile goal.

I defy you to to stand at the finish line of a long line and feel no emotion watching the runners come down the home stretch. I loved it. There were thousands and thousands of runners. Each one with more than one supporter, cheering them on, pats on the back, hearty embraces of congratulations. Between the runner's high of thousands of runners and their proud friends and family, I was surrounded by a wonderful atmosphere, aura, ambiance, (something!) of exhilaration on the boardwalk at Coney Island. It was a great way to spend a Saturday.

My beautiful friend Erin, and her looks too young to be her mom (along with several other of her running rock star friends I met after the race) cranked out the 13.1 miles that day. It was great to see you girl! Way to go on your 2ND! halfer!

Pseudo Hills and Dollar Bills

2009-05-13T12:55:00.003-06:00

I am running a race in June. It's the Wasatch Back Ragnar. I'm quite excited. Back in September, I was considered an alternate, back of the mind team member. But things happened, and now I'm in. I am now an official team member of Team TRANSFORMnow. The high school basketball coach (Cap'n Steve) of Riverton is funding a scholarship. More info here. I am collecting my own donations that go directly to the scholarship. I think it's great. It's a scholarship based on lifestyle changes that make you a healthier person. I think it's so important you run a big race for a cause. Whether it's benefiting someone else or the cause is your own self getting off the couch and becoming more active and alive. Don't just run. Run with a purpose.

My part of the race has a very steep hill. Steep? Very, very steep. Seven percent incline. It's practically straight up a mountain! Do you have any idea where I am training right now? Sea level! No mountains in sight! I can't even find a hill that's longer than 1/4 mile. I can't find a hill that is as steep as 7%. Luckily I have access to a treadmill. I know I put it down in my last post, but now that I am running this race, it has come in quite handy. I can create the hills. At least I hope I am. I can't really tell if it is really the same. So instead of leaving the gauge at the number "7," I take it up a bit. Ten, eleven, twelve is the barn burner. I'm hoping I'll be somewhat ready to run 3.something miles straight uphill. Whew. We'll see!

Danger Will Robinson! Danger!

2009-04-19T21:21:00.003-06:00

I now have a treadmill at my disposal. I'm pretty sure this is a bad thing. Before, with no treadmill, I had to plan the best time of day to run. Daylight, temperature, etc. But now? It's available to me 24/7! I'm trying not to take advantage of that. I feel like when I run on a treadmill, it makes it harder to run outside. But that's where all the races take place! Outside. No one has a 5K on a treadmill. That would be just silly. So I am just going to pretend that it is out of order. Broken. Stick to the road! Stick to the road!

Geeked Out

2009-04-03T20:03:00.000-06:00

This race is going to be su-weet.

Disappointed

2009-03-29T16:55:00.002-06:00

This is kind of how I felt after my long run yesterday. My silly knee started hurting. Grrr. My six miles did not go well. I finished it. I didn't do it as fast as I wanted, but I completed the six miles. This coming week, I supposed I am going to do a lot of IT band stretching. I even resorted to taking a couple ibuprofen. My knee was still throbbing a little after I had finished and stretched. I don't do drugs. That in and of itself was kind of a set back. The fact that my run went so bad kind of put me in a funk for the rest of the day.

Trying to stay positive however, the sunrise was absolutely gorgeous. It was totally worth getting out of bed at 5:55 in the AM. Just beautiful.

6.02 Miles
1:23:52
13.56 min/mile

Sweet!

2009-03-21T12:21:00.002-06:00

That is what I said in my head today after I finished my "magic mile" time. Two weeks ago, I cut four seconds off my time and I was mildly excited. 8:48 to 8:44. Really, four seconds is nothing to get your Under Armor in a bunch. Frankly, I was kind of disappointed. The training schedule today said it was magic mile time. I was almost apprehensive. What would I get today? 8:40? Warm up mile. Stretch. Go. I felt great. I was really pushing it. Mile over. Check my time.

8 minutes! Are you serious? Is it possible I cut 44 seconds in two weeks? Needless to say, I was a bit ecstatic. Not only did I have an incredible runner's high from practically sprinting for a mile, (a slow sprint) but 44 seconds?

I re-read the story this morning of Katherine Switzer before my run. The first woman to enter the Boston Marathon in 1967. The amazing part of her story is that in 1967, it was illegal for women to compete in the big race. She entered with the help of her cross country coach, Arnie, using her initials, K.V. Officials didn't know she was a woman. When the race started, word spread that a woman was running with an official number! (Roberta Gibb Bingay entered the Boston Marathon the previous year without an official number. She just jumped in and finished the race in 3:20.) Unbelievably, the race organizer, Jock Semple, physically tried to stop Katherine from finishing the race. Here is an execerpt from Running to Catch the Hero Inside, an essay she wrote about the experience:

At 4 miles, it turned into a nightmare...I could hear a barrage of cameras snapping. The race director, Will Cloney, stepped into my path to shake a menacing finger at me. I side stepped him.

Then I heard quick scrabbling steps behind me and turned as a ferocious Semple grabbed me by the shirt and shoulders, spun me around and screamed, "Get the hell out of my race and give me those numbers!" For a second, I was paralyzed with fear, embarrassed beyond words.

Arnie tried to pull Jock away, saying, "She's okay; I've trained her," but Jock was like a terrier, clenching my shirt. "Stay out of this Arnie!"

There was a flash in my peripheral vision, then a crunch. Big Tom [Katherine's boyfriend] hit Jock with a flying shoulder block and sent him through the air. There was another thump when he landed. Now I was truly frightened. A wide-eyed Arnie shouted, "Run like hell!" and away we ran, cursing and crying..."

So maybe it was Katherine's image of defying ignorance over 40 years ago, helping to set the scene for women to compete whenever where ever they wanted. Literally blazing trails of equality in women's sports. Maybe it was this image that spurned me on. I know 8 minutes isn't the fastest mile around. But today, for now, I did run like hell.

More on this race hero, click here.

Motivation Tip For the Week

2009-03-14T14:19:00.000-06:00

I don't feel completely qualified to offer solid advice on running. I'm not an expert. But here it goes anyway.

Have a long run coming up?

Drive somewhere to run it. This completely helped me today. It was so much easier to get started when I wasn't running straight from my driveway. New scenery, new trails, new asphalt. The five miles went by no problem.

Drive. Then run.

5.00 Miles
1:05:03
13.00 min/mile

Long Saturday Run

2009-03-07T20:37:00.000-07:00

In theory at least. It wasn't that long. Only 4 miles. But eventually my Saturday runs will be longer and longer. So I am just calling them long from the get go. I really have to get used to how long it is taking me to run! I'm trying to follow Galloway's plan, and it took me 50 minutes to run 4 miles! I can't imagine when I have to run, like, 10 miles.... 8 y e a r s l a t e r . . . . . . . .

Still enjoyed myself though. I try not to have headphones for every run, but it was dusk and I ran on a road that has no traffic because there are no houses. Just asphalt. So today, I podcasted it while I ran. Listened to a podcast that is. 2004 April GC Session. Not a bad way to spend the end of the day.

4.01 Miles
56:52 minutes
14:09 minutes/mile

New Magic Mile Time!

2009-03-02T22:03:00.000-07:00

I did another "magic mile" run today. I maxed out a mile. Ran hard for 5,280 ft. I really pushed it too. I wasn't sure if it was going to be faster than my previous two magic miles. (Which were identical times.) But it was.

Previous mm time: 8:48

MM time today: 8:44

Oh yeah.

Today also marks week 2 of my 30 week training program.

2.28.09

2009-03-01T16:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my first real run with the run/walk method. It was only three miles. (My 30 week countdown has officially begun.)

A couple of things.

1. I'm not sure I had the run/walk time ratio correct. There is some math involved with the "magic mile" scenario and I was worried the whole time that I was running more than I should have been. Running more than I should have been? And I'm on a marathon training program? Something is wrong with that picture.

B) I am going to need a lot of patience for this program. You are running way below the level you think you should be at. My 3 miles didn't take the usual 30-33 minutes it usually does. Forty minutes! But I need to keep in mind this is an "injury free" training program. I suppose less injuries occur when you take it slow.

3.06 miles
41:49
13:40 minutes/mile

Still Running

2009-02-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

don't worry. I just haven't been the best updater lately. This coming Monday marks my 30 week beginning to training. Up to this point it's been pretty boring 3 mile runs with some "magic miles" mixed in every once in a while.

2.9.09

2009-02-09T17:53:00.001-07:00

Some days, I'm telling you. There is anger inside me. I have no idea where it comes from or when it plans to leave. So today, I ran of course. I can either wait for it to leave, or I can run it out of town. I chose the latter. I'm a busy woman. I don't have time to sit around waiting to my mood to change.

2.73 miles
31:20
11:28 minute/mile

Last Friday

2009-02-09T17:51:00.000-07:00

I went a little too fast. I was trying to do another "magic mile." Sheesh. I thought I was really hauling. I ended up with the exact same time as my first one. 8:48. And it hurt my knee by the end of the run. Took it easy. No run on Saturday.

2.3.09

2009-02-03T22:32:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to report no knee pain or knee nagging or knee annoyance today. My slow, ever so slow approach to increasing mileage seems to be working.

I'm about 3 weeks away from beginning my 30 weeks to marathon program!

2.43 miles
28:52 min
11:53 min/mile

1.26.08

2009-01-26T18:05:00.000-07:00

I thought my cheeks were going to fall off right around the 1/2 mile mark. But I made it. Freezing, but worth it.

2.13 Miles
24:14 minutes
11:23 minute/mile

Cold Weather No Good for Motivation

2009-01-26T13:26:00.000-07:00

Arrgh. I know it's Utah. I understand that it snows and is cold here during the winter months. That doesn't mean I like it. It is not helping my desire to get outside and go running. When you can hear the wind whistling through the windows, it's hard to lace up the shoes. Because all that wind is going to be whipping around you!

Big sigh.

But I'm going today. Cold or not.

1.19.08

2009-01-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

I did my "magic mile" run today. According to the Jeff Galloway training program, this should dictate the training pace.

8:48.

This means I'm supposed to train at 13:26.

That seems so slow! But it is what I'll do this week. Maybe my mm will increase?

I'm all about injury free though, so I'll give it a shot.

It was cold today. 18 degrees. Brrrrr.

Saturday Run

2009-01-17T19:53:00.000-07:00

I just finished week one today of Hal Higdon's spring training program. I have to think in baby steps, but the ultimate goal is marathon. This is a warm up to get me ready for the marathon training. I'm going to look more closely at Jeff Galloway's "injury free" program. I struggle with a silly, nagging knee problem.

I know there is an entire community out there of runners. People far more advanced than myself in their training and expertise and race experience. There are also average, novice runners like myself who have aspirations of being in the "expertise" neighborhood of that community. Maybe my week only equaled 9 miles total, but I am still a citizen of the running world.

I get high after I run. I can literally feel fresh blood pumping through my entire body after I run. It's an amazing feeling. There is also something about running that makes you want to go faster, farther, harder, more...someday. That is the draw, you can always beat your personal best. Even if you have run a dozen marathons. You can always run a dozen more, just faster.

So for now, I am a 9 mile per week, 10 minute mile kind of girl. But not for long.