A Necessary Evil

Jan27

I’ve been good in listening to my coach.   I’ve done the required runs with the required paces.   I listen to the things that she asks me to do because I know that she knows what she’s talking about.   That being said, I may have slacked off a bit on the cross training.   Not until recently did she really give details on cross-training.   It had been more of telling you to cross-train.   So I will say that my cross-training may not have been what was expected, but I was doing my runs.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

I know that’s not really the way it works.   There is more to running than the actual running.   I know.   When I first started running, I was doing Crossfit which I loved.   Loved.   Loved.   Loved.    At the time though, I really couldn’t justify paying for both Crossfit and having a coach especially when I already belong to my local YMCA.    Besides I was finding that between recovering from an event or tapering for one, Crossfit was no longer a good fit for me.    For a while I was good about continuing my cross-training.    Then little by little, things just slipped away to the point that I really was not doing much more than running.

 Ooops.

I also know that if I want to improve my running, I can’t continue just running.    I need to get back into doing other things.   Maybe tone up my abs a little.   Now I’m not deluding myself into thinking that I will ever get washboard abs or even pre washboard abs.   I’m thinking maybe I should have a little less jiggle in the pouch.    No amount of running is going to make that happen which really does suck.

As I said before, now my coach through Training Peaks is giving specifics.   I will admit that yesterday she said 4 sets and I only did 2, but baby steps.   Besides I’m sore today from just 2 sets.   I couldn’t imagine how sore I would have been with 4 sets.    What really stinks too is that there really is no excuse not to do these things as there really isn’t much equipment involved and what is involved I already have.

Here is a sample of my workout

10 push-ups, 20 Kettle-bell swings, 10 burpees with push-ups, 10 bicep curls, 15 triceps dips.

Back in the hey day of Crossfit, I could have killed this workout.    Not so much now.   I had to break them up some.    I realized how just because I can now run around the block a few times, does not mean anything when it comes to cross-training.   I realized that I missed it a little too.    So I will continue to add these back in and do more than just the running.

I even went today and did the elliptical and stationary bike today per my schedule.

It is a necessary evil that I really shouldn’t avoid.

Besides I do like it:)

Yeah, I’m crazy like that.

 

What do you do for Cross-Training?

Do you like Cross-Training days?

It Could Happen?

Jan26

As a mother of teens, I always try to impart to them that things just don’t always happen to other people.  I’m not doing this to instill fear in them, but I want them to think.   I want them to be safe.  To be smart.    To think about things before they jump into them even if all their friends are jumping.  Teens have a tendency to think that nothing bad will ever happen to them.

Runner’s tend to be like teens in this respect.

Then I saw an article about a young mother who was killed by a car while jogging.   Sadly it is not the first time I’ve seen such articles.   Sadly it will not be the last time I see such articles either.   Sometimes the runner is doing everything right.   Sometimes the runner is not.   Either way it is a devastating loss.   Either way someone has lost someone they love.   Either way there is a driver who must now live with the fact that another life was taken even if he was doing everything right.   And still every time, I think not again.

I know that there are those who spend their working lives trying to make the roadways safer for us all and I thank them.   I also know that there are those who do not think anyone besides a motorized vehicle should be out on the roadways.   They, of course, are wrong.    The problem is that we as runners have to share the roads with both the considerate and inconsiderate.   I also know that even though I think that I maybe doing everything right that I am only human and will make a mistake on occasion.   I need to stop thinking like my teens and realize that, yes, it could happen to me too.    There are no guarantees.

I say these things not because I am trying to instill fear.   I say these things not because I am going to stop running outside and go back to running on the dreaded treadmill.  I say these things because just like my children, I need to be safe, smart, and think about things.   We need to be as safe when running as we would want those we love.   We need to remember that it just doesn’t happen to someone else.

Now I know that we all see those out on the road running whom we know are doing everything wrong.    These are the people that I really have to stop myself from rolling down my window to tell them that they should wear reflective gear at night, that they should run towards and not with traffic, that when safe they should run on sidewalks, and that they should not have earbuds in while running.   The only thing that stops me is that I’m sure it will not be well received.   So I have to do my part by being a good example and sharing my knowledge with those in my circle who may need some guidance.

I needed to get my run in today.   I needed it not just for my legs, but also for my head.   I have as most on the East Coast been stuck inside the last several days due to the blizzard Jonas.   I also really, really, really did not want to take my run inside.   I wanted to be out in the snow.   I also do not find inside running as relaxing as running outside in the elements no matter what they may be.   That being said, I knew that due to the conditions of the streets that I needed to be all the things I try to teach my teens.   I needed to be smart.   I needed to think and I most importantly I needed to be safe.

Before my run, I texted some friends to see what the condition of their streets and sidewalks were.    I adjusted my route according to their responses.   I also knew that no matter how much I HATE to run on sidewalks that they would be my best option today.

snow

Still safer than running in a street made smaller by the snow.  I stayed off main roads where I might normally run because they were not clear enough.  I also took pace off the table.    I further adjusted my route when faced with impassible conditions.

Case in point…

snow1

I got my 5 miles in.   They were not fast.   They may not even have been pretty, but they were as safe as I could make them.

How do you deal with the winter running?

 

 

 

 

Dreaming the Possible Dream

Jan21

If you recall last year I was chasing that little thing called the 9 plus 1.   For those who don’t know what that is (even though I know you all do), it is a way to qualify for the New York City Marathon the following year.  I am lucky enough to live close enough to NYC to have made this a viable way for me to get in.   It is not “hard” to do, but it is a commitment of both time and effort.   Thanks to my running friends, I was able to do it!

Now the thing with doing the 9 plus 1 is that even after you complete it, you still must register for the marathon or all that hard work is for naught.   Registration for the 2016 opened today at 12:00.   I believe that I completed my registration by 12:15.   It’s a strange exciting feeling to know that I will be running the New York City Marathon this year.

It’s funny I never imagined that I would ever run a marathon.   Then when I started to think about it and get caught up in the excitement of my fellow Mama runners, I thought well maybe I will one day run the NYCM and check marathon off my bucket list.   Yet, now I’ve done 3 marathons to date and New York will be my 4th.  That being said, I’m looking forward to being able to say that I’ve done New York.   Come on it’s like the expression says, “If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere!”

945019_10204089024858375_774358394750037621_n

I know that NY will be different than the others.   I know NY will hold a special place in my heart as my love for running and some amazing friendships have been developed chasing the dream.   The good thing about dreams though is that reality is always so much more than you imagined.

I am also so excited that I am now one step closer to NYCM as could be shown by how quickly I registered today.

I once thought that NY would be it for me.   That I would hang up my running shoes next to my medal and put the crazy business of running behind me.   Then I realized something…..  There is no putting this behind me.   There is no going back.  I’m an addict.      It apparently is now in the blood.   I will continue to run.    I will continue chase other dreams.   Dreams that have not even been dreamed yet.

What do you dream of?

 

Chasing the Dream

Jan19

Although we have had some cold spells recently, winter did not official seem to arrive until this week.   We had a dusting of snow and with any luck we are going to be hit by a big snow storm this week.   Yes, I said with any luck.   I love the snow.   I love to run in the snow.   It’s nice.   It’s peaceful.  It’s beautiful!   And there is also something that makes you feel a little bad ass about running in the snow.

All that being said, it has been pointed out to me that there is only 8 weeks until the New York City Half.   Oh no!!   This will more than likely bring fast paced runs which the snow and ice might wreck havoc with.   I hope it doesn’t force me inside to the dreadmill!

This is the half that I really would like to hit what will probably be my max PR for a half ever.   This is the elusive sub 2 that I am chasing.   I will be content with this and can then hang up my speed shoes afterwards.  (maybe) As the saying goes,  “Don’t put off ’till tomorrow what you could do today.”    This is kind of how I feel about this half.

As someone who will be turning another year older this year, I know that my time to pick up speed is short especially when I didn’t start off that fast.  Not that I’m getting that old, but I will be getting to the point where I will have to say that I am in my mid to late 40’s.   I am a Master Runner:)   I once thought that title was assigned to elite runners.   I didn’t know it was something that I could age into.   It sounds impressive anyway to say that I am a Master Runner, so I’ll take the title even though I only earned it by the number on the calendar.   I will continue to  push the envelope as long as I am able to which will be a LONG while to come and today.   Well maybe not today as I technically am still in recovery from my trail marathon,   but soon.   Very soon.

I’ve got to say though that I am a little apprehensive about it.  I am thinking about what it  will take to get me there or I should say how far I’m going to have to push myself to make it happen   I think what might be making me nervous is the fact that my coach keeps telling me to make sure to follow her recovery plan for me as she wants me to go into my training recovered and rested.   My question is “WHY?”

Maybe I don’t want to think about that today and just enjoy another 5 mile easy jog.   The rest will come soon enough or more accurately the hard work will come soon enough.

I do also think of the expression that sums it up

dreams

So I guess my dreams are big enough, because the ones I’ve dreamed up this year scare me a lot!

 

What do you dream of doing that scares you?

 

It’s All a Mind Game

Jan13

There was a time before I started on this journey that every day was a rest day.   It was easy enough and I had no guilt about it.   No running.   Ok then!    It’s funny how things change.

Now I do appreciate a rest day in my training.   I also know the importance of recovery and how hard training and running races is especially when your in your mid 40’s.    I have been good and resting after the marathon.   I even went for a sports massage to aid in the recovery.    I get it and I know that I need it.

But still sometimes I don’t recognize how important rest is to the body  now that it is so used to going all the time.

Yesterday,   I excitedly open my email (yes, excitedly) as I know we are going to start training for the NYC Half and I’m curious what I’m going to be doing.

My Coach starts off talking about the Trail Marathon as expected and how we will start focusing on the half soon.    What wasn’t expected was the part about making sure that I am fully recovered from the trails and making sure to actually rest.   As I said yesterday, trails are a different beast than road running.   She has found that even though a person may feel fully recovered that the  fatigue from a trail race is more subtle and runs deeper.   Therefore, I am to rest.   Although I can swim or bike EASY, but today I will take yet another a rest day.

Boo Hoo

Then I looked at my schedule  more closely and realized that there were more rest days that I am used to having.    What?    Even then when running they are short, easy JOGs.   I capitalized jog because this is how she emphasizes them to me.    I know she may be (ok she is) right, but all I really wanted to do was run today.

I also know though what happens when I push myself more than I should.   Two years ago I ended up running the local Pizza run literally 3 days after doing a Sprint Triathlon.   I did it because I felt fine – no soreness, no fatigue, felt totally normal.   That is until I started to run.   I felt it almost immediately and I ended up very sore for days after.     It was a hard lesson to learn, but one that I am glad that I learned early on.

We as athletes must respect what we do.    We must respect the strain we put on our bodies and we must respect our bodies enough to allow it to recover.   Yes, my mind is saying go, go, go and I know if asked my legs would go.   But running is nothing if not a mind game.  So I must use my mind to make the right choices for my body.

Patience

Rest it is.

JOG it will be.

So what do runners do when they aren’t running?   Look for races to run.

Ha!

And I’m only partly kidding.

Anyway, I will be good because part of me is kind of afraid of what she has in store for me.    Yes, she is only going to give me the plan that will hopefully get me to where I told her that I want to go (the sub 2 half).    That being said, I know it won’t be easy.    I know there are going to be some (a lot) hard fast speed workouts.    I only hope that I am up for the challenge.

 

Do you like your rest days?

 

Slowing Down Isn’t Always A Bad Thing

Jan12

Someone once said  to me that if I was a running dog that I would be a working dog like a husky.   At the time, I took offense to it but now I think I would like to own it proudly.    As a matter of fact, I know that I would.   I would be happy to have the running power and stamina of a husky.

siberian-husky-running-through-garden

Besides look how magnificent they look while running.   But that’s another issue.

What has become apparent to me is that for some strange reason, just like the husky, I’ve developed a desire to run and run far.    I actually think that depending where I’m running that I would rather do a long slow run than a quick short one.

Yes, that boggles my mind too!

Now maybe this talk is just because I’m having such a good recovery after my trail marathon.    I don’t know.   I do know though that it is NOT that the trail was easier than a road marathon.   It is just that they really are two very different beasts.    Both road marathons that I have ran I reached a point where I questioned my sanity, I couldn’t believe how stupid I was to sign up for it, and I did hit the proverbial wall.   None of these things happened out on the trail.    NONE.    I’m not sure why.

Yes, both races are technically the same distance.   Although, I do believe that a trail marathon is actually longer but that  will happen.    I think there were a few major differences for me and maybe part of it was because I didn’t approach it like a race.   I went into this with no time limits, no set paces,  nothing.   I went into my trail marathon like I was going for a normal run.  I didn’t watch my pace at all.   There in lies the difference.   It’s not that I wasn’t pushing myself but especially (for me) on muddy trails there is only so fast I can go.    When I ran my MCM I kept a fairly steady pace the entire race of about 10:30 while my average pace on the trails was about 13:30 with some miles hitting 16.

Now don’t think that just because I was running slower that  I wasn’t working.  Trails are a different beast than Satan’s Tar as Dawn now refers to roads.   One of the reasons my pace is so much slower on the trails besides needing to run them more often is that  I approach them with caution.   They are muddy.   They are filled with slipper rocks.   There are places that you really need to pay attention to which doesn’t always happen on the roads.   When running the roads especially in a closed course race, you really can just zone out.   You can never zone out on the trails unless you want to eat the dirt or worse.

Now, the side effect of running slower does mean that you have more time on your feet.   I ran MCM officially in 4:38:18.   I ran this event officially 6:30:08.    So the slower pace does add up.   That being said as far as the actual running goes, I think that I enjoyed the trail running more.   My mother asked me what motivated me to run for such a long time.   I had no answer on the motivation other than I just liked to run.   I’m not winning any races.   This event there wasn’t any bling or even a t-shirt.   It was just that satisfaction of knowing what I could accomplish and that was enough.

I have decided after this weekend’s event, that I really need to do more trail running.   More trail races.    Before this event, I was wondering what I was thinking signing up for the Dirty German.    Now I’m looking to see how I can squeeze more off road races into my schedule.

oh my.

Have your tried the trails yet?

Fake It Till You Feel It

Jan11

As the weekend comes to a close, I’m working on recovering from it.   I went it to it not really thinking that I would need to recover from it.  I was signed up to run my first trail marathon.   I hadn’t trained like I was running for a marathon.  I hadn’t blogged about it at all.  Outside a few of my running friends, I’m not sure anyone knew I was supposed to do it.   I was very ambivalent about it.   To the point that my coach sent me an email the day before asking how I was feeling and also addressing the fact that I had been VERY quiet which she let go because of the holidays.

My reply to her really held no clues as to what I was going to do or how I was planning to do it either.

“Yeah, I know I’ve been under the radar lately with this trail race.   Things seem to be settling into the normal crazy routine.   I’ve probably been quiet because I’m really a bit ambivalent about this weekends event and really even today just planning to see how it plays out.   I’m thinking because this is not one of my goal events for the year and it is also a place I frequently run at that is causing the lack of excitement.  I also am going into this knowing that even though I could probably run the marathon distance,  I won’t if tomorrow I feel like it’s going to cause me problems for NYC Half training.  This is not to say that I’m not going into it not wanting/planning to run the full.   It just means that I plan to listen to my body.   In saying that I am do not mean that I am expect it to be a piece of cake.   Again, very ambivalent. “

I’m sure after she read my email, she scratched her head and was wondering why the Hell she is coaching me.

 I really was planning not to plan and just do a wait and see approach.   That being said though, I did decide to pretend that I was really going to run a real race.   I carb loaded the night before with some yummy Mac & Cheese and chicken served with a side of bread.   I packed my bucket for the event.   Yes, a bucket.   It was a great suggestion from a running friend, Mary, whose hubby is a pro at these things.

I got to the event and met up with my fellow MRTT Mama’s and friends.   We took the required pre-race pictures!

NJTrail

We were all running different distances, so we  only got to cross the start line together.   I’ve run all my big events by myself.   I’ve also done many of my training runs by myself.    Even so, I still didn’t know what I was going to do.   Part of my mind was thinking that I would just do the 30k and be happy with it.  Part of my mind thought that I might even settle for the half and recognize that was ok especially since I hadn’t been running tons in December.  Then something changed along the way.

Now what changed me from being ambivalent to actually running a marathon?   I’m not really sure.   I think what helped was that in the very beginning I met a fellow runner who I was able to fall into not just a good running pattern with but I was able to chat away the miles with.   She has her own amazing story which isn’t mine to share, but I will say that she has run over 40 marathons, 50K’s, 100 milers.   She is a true Ultra runner. More importantly she was someone who  made the miles go by easily.    So we ran almost 3 laps of the 4 needed for the marathon distance.    She was stopping, but I felt strong.   I felt like I had more in the tank.   Also my mindset somehow changed from ambivalence to “I want this.” I was so close how could I stop?

I recently had a conversation with a friend who had lost her Mojo about how to get it back.   With the New Year, she was starting back with her running.   She was doing it, but her heart wasn’t in it yet.   I told her that she just needed to keep going until one day she realized that she once again had found her Mojo.   I told her to fake it until she felt it and I guess that is what I did at this trail race.    Sometimes, you just need to show up for the magic to happen.

Since I went into this event with no thought, no plan, no idea; I had no pace or time in mind.   So when I ran it, I just ran it.   I wore my watch but I really didn’t pay any mind to it other than when it would beep the miles away.    That being said, my laps were consistent.

Lap times – 1:29:53, 1:29:48, 1:42:57, 1:47:13

I even stopped at the end of lap 3 to take a picture or my running buddy and then some more pictures on the trail.

 

In the end, I am glad that I went as I really had thought of bailing.   The trails as always are beautiful, peaceful, and bring me happiness.  In the end, I am happy with my official time of 6:30:08.   My actual running time according to Nike+ was around 6:18 which I can’t believe.   It boggles my mind to think that I ran that long, but numbers don’t lie.   It also gave me a big confidence boost for the Dirty German 50K as even though I was VERY happy to have finished, I felt like I could have gone more.  Maybe not happily, but I could have if needed.

It was a good day all the way around.   I am so glad I went and I’m even happier that I finished especially when my running buddy Dawn puts it like this about me, she “is always pushing me to take more chances and to go for it. She put her money where her mouth is with a great marathon at Watchung!”

And truth be told, I couldn’t do it without the encouragement that I get from my running and non running friends.

The funny thing is when it was all over both Dawn and my Coach were not surprised that I did the full as that was what I originally wanted to do.   Dawn said I’m too stubborn to back down and my Coach just said that she knew it.

Have you ever gone into a race not caring about the outcome?

What to Do? What to do?

Jan7

I’ve been thinking a decent amount about what I would like to accomplish in 2016.   The more I think about it, the more I think I’m going to simplify and streamline my goals this year.   While I LOVED the Bib a month challenge, I don’t want to put that type of pressure on myself to have to do an event.   This is not to say that I won’t be doing events, I just want to do what I want to do when I want to do it.

So what do I want to do?

Speed has always been my problem.   I’d like to say it’s my little legs as I’m only 5 foot 2, but that really is a cop out.   I think I need to go out of my comfort zone and push myself this year.  I mean really push myself as there have been times after an event I wanted to kick myself because I felt like I could have done more.   So this year, I hope to do that.    I hope to push myself to the point where it’s uncomfortable.

comfortzone-crop

  1. My first big event of the year will be the New York City Half Marathon.   I’m going to throw the gauntlet down and say that I would like to do this race as a sub 2:00 event.   I don’t care if it is 1:59:59, I really want this.   I hear amazing things about this course.   I know NY crowds are awesome.   So this is the place I want to do it at.
  1. Then I plan to build my endurance up and slow down to train for the Dirty German 50K which I already signed up to do in May.   I have no time goal for this, other than I want to finish it.   I want to have fun with it and I don’t want to die doing it.   Seems like a good goal to me:)
  2. Last year I didn’t run a lot of 5K’s.    This year since I’m not chasing the 9 plus 1, I would like to do more.   Since I’m already chasing a sub 2 half, I would like to see if I could chase that 25 minute 5K.   We will see.   We will see.
  3. Then lastly, I want to run the NYCM STRONG.   I want to finish this race knowing that I gave it all I got and couldn’t do anymore.    Ideally, I would like to do this in 4:30 WITHOUT walking.   I don’t know why the walking bothers me, but it does since it is not part of my plan.
  4. Lastly, I want to stay healthy.   I want to reach these goals without injury or pain outside of the normal pain that comes with running these distances.
  5. Oh and while doing all of this, run 1000 miles again for the year:)

I think that is enough for this year.

I think that is more than enough for this year!

What are your 2016 goals?

 

Another Year Down

Jan6

As I plan for 2016, I paused to look back on 2015 and I have much to be proud and thankful of with my running.  Sometimes I still can’t believe how far I have come.  Sometimes I still can’t believe that I am a runner as that is not something I ever could have imagined.   I am not the same though.   People evolve, grow, and change.   Even so, sometimes I forget that.   Believe it or not some days,  I still struggle with calling myself a runner which is kind of head scratching when I look at my running history.   Last year alone, I ran many events including a marathon.   On top of that I ran 1000 miles.   Yet with all of these miles, I still struggle to call myself a runner.  I might be a little mental…..

I’m not fast enough.  I don’t know enough.   I’ve walked in both marathons that I’ve completed.  ect, ect, ect.

Then I remind myself that none of that matters.    If any of my running friends said these things about themselves, I would shut them down.   The same should apply to me…

I am a runner because I say I am.   I am a runner because I run no matter the pace or distance.  You don’t need to be the fastest to be a runner, you just need to be running.

Year

This is one of the reasons that I display my bibs, medals, and running pictures in my office area.   It is a reminder to me of what I can accomplish if I dare to dream and I tend to dream big:)  I also did a decent job of completing some of my goals for 2015.   I didn’t complete them all which I’m ok with because I completed them all in one year then my goals weren’t challenging enough.

Here is the run down…

  1. Complete the 9 plus 1 for NYCM entry – Check.   Not only did I complete it, but I had such a great time doing it!
  2. Run a Half Marathon in 2 hours – Nope.   This one didn’t fit into my training plan as I was working more on endurance not speed.   This year it will be back on the table.
  3. Complete the Iron Girl with better time than last year – Didn’t meet this goal which really wasn’t a surprise as I did not train enough on the swim or the bike.   I think this race will now be delegated to a run event where time doesn’t matter.
  4. Run my first trail Half – I did this one well before I realized I would.   I ran in in January and it was a surprise to me:)
  5. A Bib a month challenge –  With chasing the 9 plus 1, this one wasn’t that hard to accomplish. The hardest month to complete was actually February as February races in the east are hard to find.   I ended up doing a virtual race with my MRTT group.   Although I did add the Jingle Bell Jog in December to finish it off.   Normally, I would not race in December.
  6. Run the MCM – Semper Fi!!    Would love to do this one again as it really was a great event.

Now time to reflect on goals for 2016.   Some I can’t believe I’m not only dreaming about but already signed up for such as a 50K!     But that’s for another day.   Today is a day of refeclecting.   Tomorrow is the day for planning:)

How did you do on your 2015 Goals?

 

Do you make resolutions or goals?

Jan1

I am not a person to make resolutions.   I’ve tried in the past and realize that they just aren’t for me.   I never keep them and I know I’m not alone in that either.   You start off good with your resolutions and it’s all downhill from there.  Statistically only 8% of people actually keep their resolutions.   I know I was usually one of them.   I admit that over the years I made many resolutions to get healthy, to eat better, to exercise, ect, ect.    I’m not sure if I even made it to February.

Now, I will say that what for me works is goals.  This is what I need to have to stay on track.  I started all of this with the goal of finishing a Sprint Triathlon.    I also made this goal in September not a New Year’s Day goal.  Having a goal kept me honest in my training.     Having a goal made it harder to quit when I may have wanted to especially when I told everyone what my goal was.  For me, I need a goal which usually is an event.

As we begin the New Year I will evaluate last years goals to see which one’s I’ve accomplished, which I would still like to strive for, and what new goals I would like to set.

It may sound similar to coming up with resolutions, but in my mind it is a totally different thing.

Here is why…..

Simple Definition of resolution

  • : the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. : the act of resolving something

  • : an answer or solution to something

Simple Definition of goal

  • : something that you are trying to do or achieve

To me it’s clear cut…..   A resolution you are looking to solve a problem, but with a goal you are working towards something.    With a goal it is more tangible.   It is the difference between saying, “I’m going to start eating better” or “I want to be able to loose 10 pounds.”   Although, I really don’t worry about the weight, my goals are more…. I want to run x miles in y minutes.    In order to do so, I must do xyz:)

I like goals.   I need goals.   That is just the way I am wired.    So this week, I will be focusing on these things.

What are your goals for the New Year?