Whose in Control?

Mar11

There are so many things in our lives out of our control. We all feel it. We all know it. We all want more control, but the truth of the matter is much of it is not in our hands. We just have to roll with the punches that come. Some harder than others. This is true not just in life but with our training.

There are things in our training that our out of control. Injuries and time just to name a few. We know that there are other things in our training just like our “normal lives” that we can’t control. That being said, we must learn to focus on what we can control. The other things will either fall into place or not and again we have to just roll with the punches that come.

lista-control

Now just because I realize that I don’t have total control doesn’t mean that I am not working on the things that I can control such as…

Taking time for myself to get the runs/workouts I need. If the work is not put in than the outcome will never change. This is in my control.
Putting the effort into each workout. It does no good to take time for said workouts if I am not going to do what needs to be done. On days that I need to push and challenge myself, I can’t back down. Not every workout/run is meant to be hard, but on the days that are supposed to be hard let it be hard. Don’t back down. Everything is hard at first and if it was always easy where would the challenge be?
Pay attention to how you fuel and recover. I’ve mentioned this before that I am working on figuring out my fueling for my runs. As I said, you can’t run on empty and each person has to learn what works for them.
And just as in life, give yourself a break. Some days you just don’t have it in you and that is ok. The trick is to get back up and keep moving forward.
Never back down or give up. I will stumble. I will fall (especially on a trail, but I will always get back up. That is in my control.

It’s time that I admit it…….. I may have started off as the Accidentally Running Mama, but I am well past that now. I am no longer a beginner. I am not accidentally running now. I think after 3 marathons, countless other events, and the fact that I am training for a 50K kind of proves that I am running with purpose. And even though I have been precise and followed my plans, I think that I am getting to the point that I need to take more ownership of my training. Don’t take that as I am saying I don’t need my coach because I do. I don’t even have one tenth of the running knowledge that she has. What I’m saying is that I need to take my training off of auto pilot and take ownership of it.

I need to control what I can because that will give me a sense of comfort.

Win or loose

(Ok, I’m always in the middle of the pack),

it is up to me.

Up to me

What is in your control?

Why Ask Why?

Feb3

I was recently asked why I would ever run a Marathon. This person must not know that I actually signed up for a 50K, but that is a different story. They were wondering why I would ever want to run a marathon especially a trail one where I ran over six and a half hours. My answer is complicated and yet simple at the same time.

Let’s be honest, everyone has their thing. Everyone has something that someone else might look at and question, “Why?”

Some don’t understand the drawl of Crossfit, Spinning, hot Yoga, biking, or the many other types of exercises available. They might not be for you, but I bet they are for someone else.

So my question is why not?

What does it matter what someone wants to do? They do not need our approval. Probably aren’t even looking for it. We are all grown ups here. As long as we are not doing anything illegal or that is hurting someone, to each their own I say. This is one of the things that make the world so wonderful. We are all different. We all follow our own paths. Even those of us with similar paths do not follow the same one.

Now sometimes people will ask why because they might not be able to wrap their head around why anyone would want to run for hours on end. I will say that it is really not something that I can explain either. I run these distances not only for the challenges of them, but also many other reasons. The feeling of accomplishment afterwards is awesome, yet there is more to it than that. I run them because I actually like to run them. Yes, maybe not ever second of every run yet still…. There are times that you get into a rhythm with your feet, your breathing, your mind and you just keep going because it’s perfect. There is truth in the runners high. It is why we keep coming back for more.

Some things in life must be experienced to fully understand. Like someone trying to explain to you what being a parent feels like. It is something that is intangible till experienced. I can tell you about the peace running brings me. The calmness felt after a good run. The joy of crossing a finish line. The pride in having done something and many other things that running brings no matter what the distance. It still isn’t enough. Some things in life must be felt to understand. This is why runners as a whole usually stand (or run) together.

We know what most people won’t know until they experience it themselves is that

Running is Aweome

Amazing

Calming

and

Bad@ss!

So my question is not why?

My question is why not?

Living an Authentic Life

Nov3

When you live an authentic life, you will have to deal with haters. Some you know in real life and some you only know in the virtual world. Not really sure why that is except maybe they are not living as authentic life as they pretend to be. Now I’m not saying that just because I live an authentic life, I put everything out there. Frankly, I don’t. Frankly, I don’t think that everything in my “real life” needs to be shared online especially because my blog is about my fitness journey. But as far as my fitness journey goes, I put it all out there pretty much. I think I’m up front and honest about my goals, my training, accomplishments, and even my failures. Failures are part of life and anyone who pretends they have never failed at something obviously didn’t get out of their comfort zone.

I’ve been out of my comfort zone since I got off the couch.

Then there are the people who like to throw the stones. These are the people who have something to say about everything except about themselves.

Starting on this journey 3 years ago was a major step for me. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I was by no means the athletic child. In my family, I was the heavy one. I still remember the time my doctor put me on a diet and I was trying to sneak an extra packet of oatmeal for breakfast. The horrors! I’ll be authentic and honest and say that growing up I did struggle with confidence, self-image, and whole host of other issues.

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Yup,

I’ll be honest, I don’t anymore.

It’s not that I think that I have a perfect body or am the best. In all honesty, there is no such thing as perfect and those who strive for perfection will only end up seeing the flaws anyway. It’s sad really. I reached the point in my life a long time ago where I realized to just accept myself for who I am. You know what? There are a whole slew of people that not only accept me but think I’m pretty swell too. I like me and that’s good enough for me. I am who I am now because of who I was then. I have the drive and determination that I do now because of the struggles that I had then whether those struggles were real or self imposed.

I will honestly say that I have changed since I started running. I’ve said it before. I, also, think these changes have been positive for not just my health but my life in general. It has brought so much to my life and I can not see a point in time where running won’t be in my life in the future. It has become part of my life. It is not just something that I do. It has become part of who I am.

I am a runner.

Yes, there will always be those who do not want to recognize the changes and will continue to try to put you in the box you used to be in. It bothers them when you go against what they expect of you. Yes, there are those who can not accept that you are allowed, encouraged, and supposed to grow and change in life. It is the process of life. The past can not be changed. It can be accepted or used as a reason to not move forward. I choose to move forward.

Do you live an authentic life?

Stepping Out Of The Comfort Zone!

Jul14

So I had a funny conversation with my son yesterday before we left to go swimming at my Mother-In-Laws. I had my new bathing suit on and this is the conversation that I had with my 8 year old son.

Him, “Is that a new bathing suit?” (This boy misses nothing and I will warn his future wife)

Me, “Yes.”

Him, “What are those lines on your stomach?”

Me, “They are from you and your brothers when you were in my tummy as babies.”

Him, “Ok. Can we go to Mimi’s now?”

When we get there the boys immediately go in the pool. Me, I like to sit and get nice and hot before I go in. So, I’m sitting there with my cover up on and finally get to the point (very quickly as it’s really hot) where I’m ready for a swim. I take my cover up off.

Guess what happens?

Nothing!

The earth did not open up and swallow me.

The birds did not stop chirping.

Not one of the people at the pool looked twice or thought twice about my suit.

I might just wear it again:)

Then another funny thing happened.

Even though I posted it here on my blog for the few of you who actually read my posts (although the FB share button does show that this post was shared a few times! Who did that?). I also shared in the closed FB group that started this all. Then my friend Dawn encouraged me to share it on our local MRTT page. We are always sharing our sweaty selfies after our runs. It was a leap to share it there because I knew more people would see it there than here, but I did anyway. The response was overwhelming and amazing.

There were many positive comments and a few who commented that they couldn’t wear a two piece and that I was braver than them as in my post I did say truthfully I was trying to be brave. I will tell you something? Each and everyone of those Mama’s could so rock a two piece and I’m not sure why we all think we can’t.

My favorite comment though was

“ I like your power pose! You’re rocking that body, that suit and LIFE!“

Now, I did not post the picture for likes or compliments. Honestly. I did it as a way of empowering myself. To step out of my comfort zone.

You know what?

It was worth it!

Yes, I know that there are “mean girls” out there who may say things about me wearing a two piece bathing suit, but I don’t think I care anymore.

In talking to another friend who said my post was inspiring, she commented on how she thinks about what her own self consciousnesses will do to her daughters. Children do learn not just from what we say, but what we do. They see so much more than what we give them credit for.

So I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone to see what happens.

It might just surprise you!

To streak or not to streak that is the question?

May31

Ok, that is one of many questions but that is the question of the day. I am lucky enough to belong to an aweome Mom’s Run This Town group with a lot of wonderful and truly inspiring women. One of the Mama’s has been on a running streak for just over 550 days now. Another is just starting one after coming back from a baby followed by some challenges of her own. They as many other Mama’s in our group are so inspiring for many different reasons.

One of the ways that we like to inspire each other is with challenges. The gauntlet has been thrown down for the month of June. A challenge of a minimum of a mile a day. Part of me wants to jump at it and go for it. Part of me thinks I need to hold back and let this one pass. It’s like on one side there is the angel on my shoulder and the other is the devil.

What to do?

For some a streak is a great motivator. For some it will keep them moving. To be honest, I just don’t know if I need or want it.

I’m just not sure. My miles are finally going back up and only going to go higher as marathon training begins. Then there is that nagging foot issue and I’m wondering if it will all be too much. Hmmm.

This streak is just for the month of June and requires only a minimum of a mile a day. Seems reasonable. I’m just not sure. I guess I have till the end of the day to decide.

What to do?

I think what I might do is on my non running days is take the dog on a mile walk.

I think he would like it too.

A mile is a mile.

Right?

Have you ever done a streak?

What is your longest streak?

Pass the Kool-Aid Please

May21

A friend of mine who recently got back into running after being on the track team in college has been toying with the idea of running a 10K. She’s already run a couple of 5K’s which she has rocked, but she thought maybe a 10K would be a good challenge. I’ve been trying to talk her into a half pointing out that I had only run a 5K before my first half. She then pointed out that she is not as crazy as me:) That being said, she wanted to run a 10K as the next challenge and she wanted a medal. Very doable goals.

The next race on my calendar in the NYRR Oakley 10K in NY City.

(I must interject to add that this advertisement for Oakley includes one of my MRTT Mama’s from last years race. Don’t they look like they are having a blast!?!)

It starts by the park, but it is not the 2 loops through the park event that many of their Central Park races can be. I will admit that running through the park is not always a picnic as there are some pretty decent hills. I’ve never run Oakley, so I really can’t speak of what the course is like. To be honest, I’ve signed up for most of my races not giving the coarse a second thought until I’m preparing for the event. Maybe there is something to this crazy thing my friend speaks of….. No, no, no.

Anyway, most of the MRTT Mama’s that I ran Brooklyn with are running Oakley. Then there seems to be a bunch of others running this one too. So I “encouraged” my friend to sign up for this one. Some may say harassed, but I will go with encouraged! Thought it would be a fun event for her to do and I think running your first “big” event with friends is cool. She was concerned because the day of the event is the same day as the end of the soccer season for our kids. As much as a planner I claim to be, she is what you call a real planner! This maybe why she is an actuary. Anyway, the way I sign up for an event is that I see the event, I sign up for the event, I put it on the calendar and everything else just falls into place even if I have to shove a round peg into a square hole. My husband also doesn’t know what or where I’m running till I tell him. Now the question has become, “Do you have any races this weekend?” Now, I’m not racing nearly every weekend (even if it feels like it), but this system works for us. My friend pointed out that this system would emphatically NOT work for her and her husband. I get it. I get it. That did not stop me from telling her to sign up. Hey, I knew this race would sell out which it did. That being said, she did do what was right for her and her family. She talked to him first and still was able to get in under the wire and sign up.

I think I am more excited that she is doing this race than I am! I can’t wait and I’ve already secured her a seat in the clown car. It is going to be such a fun day and I can’t wait for her to experience it. She doesn’t realize it, but this is how it starts. SHHHHH, don’t tell her and when you, my friend, read this I’m only kidding (maybe:)

There is something to be said for the mob mentality. Now, I am by NO means saying that my MRTT group is a mob, but we do like to pass the kool-aid.

Should you sign up for a race?

Of course!

Should you sign up for another one?

You bet!

But I’ve never done one before you?

You got this?

Yup, we are an encouraging group. Yes we are:) That being said, we do also do tell each other to rest when need be. To train smart. To be healthy. We not only tell you that you can do something, we will also help you do it too. Just remember that we will be there with you from start to finish and we’ve got your back.

Friday Five – Sharing the Running Love!

May8

Friday Five Link-up with by Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Today’s Theme

5 Ways to Share the Running Love

To me these transfer to life too!

1. Be Inspiring – What I mean by this is just do the best that you can on any given day. The best way to inspire people is to walk the walk or in this case Run the Run. Be it a run around the park, a 5K, a 10K, a Half, a Full. What ever it is make it the best run you can have.

2. Be Authentic – Don’t try to be anyone else. The world is full of other people. What the world needs is you to be you. If you are a fast runner, run fast. If you are a slow runner, run slow. If you are in between, that’s fine too! Life would be boring if we were all the same. Running would be boring if we all ran the same race. Be who you were meant to be and that is inspiring enough.

3. Be Happy – Yes, I know that there are things in life that are sad, depressing, and sometimes things don’t work out. Yes, I know that there are runs that are sad, depressing, and sometimes don’t work out. That being said, everyday is a gift. Every run is a gift. There are things in life and running that we just can’t change. Don’t focus on those things. Focus on the positive things, embrace them, and Be Happy.

4. Encourage Others – There is a saying about strong women building each other up. It’s true. Another woman’s success does not take away from your accomplishments. We are all in this together and should have each others backs! You never know what your encouraging word can do to inspire someone. Besides there is too much negativity in the world without adding to it!

5. Be Proud of your Accomplishments – Now, I don’t mean walk around with your medals all the time. Although, I will admit that I will bring them to school pick-up after a big event to show my friends. I don’t mean brag about it to every person you see either, although that is sometimes tempting. I mean let your light shine.

Sing it with me now,

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine

let it shine

(Admit it, you sang it)

How can we inspire others if we hid away what we are doing? You can’t. So be proud of your hard work. Share your hard won accomplishments, your goals, and what you are doing.

Now, your turn…

I’m going to ask you to share the Running Love with me now too:)

I wrote about this is my Blog Post Dreaming The Dream Until I can’t Dream It Anymore. I’m not your typical runner. I don’t have the runner’s body (what ever that is). I wasn’t athletic ever, but I’ve become a runner along the way. I have a passion for it. I have a need for it. I love to share it. So I think to myself, why couldn’t I win to be on the cover of Runner’s World. Wouldn’t it be cool if just your average running mom made the cover? So, please vote for me here.

The Accidentally Running Mama

Run, Bike, Swim and Have a Life!

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