Friday Five – Sharing the Running Love!

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.

Dreaming the Dream until I Can’t Dream It Anymore

May7

Life has sadly made me a realist. I know that it’s not fair. I know that you can’t always get what you want. I know these things, yet I will let you in on a little secret. I’m still a dreamer. I’m still the person who thinks maybe, just maybe, I could win the lottery. Every year I still without fail dream and enter for my HGTV Dream House. The list goes on and on. But as much as a dreamer as I secretly am, I still prepare for what life brings. One of my life motto’s is”

Prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.

Not very inspiring at face value but if you look a little deeper it really is inspiring. Yes, you have to prepare for anything that life may throw at you, but all the while you know there is something more. Usually it’s the middle of the road more and not the golden ticket more, but there is always hope.

Growing up, I watched as my Grandmother had her book of lottery numbers. She kept track of the numbers she played, What numbers hit. What the payouts were. She dreamed of hitting the big one. You know what? She never did. That was still ok because although she would have loved to win, it was the process that she enjoyed. I guess I’m a lot like my Grammy and I actually think that is a good thing. My Grammy I remember growing up was tough as nails, but also had such a softer side. Now that she’s almost 90, I think it is the tough side that is keeping her going but the soft side is what shows through.

So it is in the spirit of my Grammy, the woman who always shot for the stars that taught me to dream the dream. Even though the realist in me knows that I won’t win, I’m still shooting for the stars. What am I shooting for now? To be on the cover of Runner’s World! Hey someone has to win and why can’t it be me. No I’m not an elite athlete. No, I don’t have a great backstory (although I kind of do). No, I don’t have a bring a tear to your eye reason that I run. I am just your average run of the mill runner like millions of others. So why not me?

Now if you’ve made it this far, I would like to ask you to go one step further. Please click on the link to vote for me. You can vote for me often just not more than once a day. So go ahead, you know you want to.

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE

LET ME DREAM MY DREAM UNTIL…..

Runner’s World Cover Contest # 205

Check Your Form

May5

I’m going into day 4 of my training. I have to say it’s been nice not have to think about what I will be doing. I am excitedly (nervously) waiting for this weeks schedule to arrive. The only thing that I do know is that I will be running every other day or at least that’s what I’ve done the last 4 days. I do believe that this will continue as I work on recovory with my foot.

Today is swimming which I haven’t done since last summer. Oh my, how did that happen? I was supposed to swim all year long while the boys were in school. I guess it is true that time has a way of getting away from you.

I will say that I did start to embrace the 11+ miles on my 6 mile run yesterday especially because I went mid morning when it was starting to get hot. I also thought about how when I ran Philly, I basically ran the entire marathon at a 10:20 pace. My normal pace. I need to be able to regulate my pace. Let me control the pace and not the pace control me. Now just because I had this Epiphany does not mean that it was easy to keep the 11+ place, but I did it. I hit my target and I’m not sure if it was the heat, the extra miles, or the route; but I did feel less choppy than I did the first day. I still had to keep track of my pace, but I didn’t feel so jerky. I even hit my target pace all 6 miles.

11:36, 11:19, 11:27, 11:34, 11:25, 11:25

I’m happy:)

One of the other things that I was thinking about while I was running was my form. This gave me something to think about as I’ve never really given it much thought other than to make sure I had good posture. Well according to Meb from Meb for Mortals there is so much more to think about.

Things like:

Landing position – feet should land under body and need to be careful of overstrides

Core and Back – core should be engaged

Arms – should swing in direction moving, not back and forth (to me this sounds the same, but it’s not).

Shoulders – (this is the only one I was already doing) low and level

Head – Meb says to pretend you have an egg on your head to stay in proper posture

When all of these things come together it is a beautiful thing!

This picture explains why Meb is an elite athlete. He readily admits that he does form drills EVERY day. He also knows that the average runner (hello, me) will not do form drills every day, but does suggest to build them into your weekly routine. His job is to run and run well. His job is to train. For most of us, we barely have time to get done what we need to get done. Although, it really isn’t such a bad idea to pay attention to our form. Not for speed, but as an injury prevention measure.

I also think that if I work on my landing just maybe this will help with my feet issues. I have a feeling that maybe I have been overriding. I also hope that my inserts are the magic that I need to take away all that ails my feet. Bad form can lead to bad things.

Don’t let this be you

as I know it’s me

Who knew that there was so much to think about?

How’s your form?

How Slow Can You Go?

May2

Ok, I’m ready to start working with my new coach. I just got my first training plan and it’s time to get moving. It’s only for 4 days as I will normally get my weekly plan on Tuesday’s. It seems like when I get my new plans, I will then email her back with my weekly completed training plans with some notes. She needs to know what I completed, how I felt, paces, and such. Seems pretty reasonable and I am excited to get started. I guess it’s a good thing that I bought the training journal to keep track of things too!

One thing that struck me though is that FOR NOW she wants me to slow down my training runs. The next two runs are scheduled to be run at 11+. What? How can that be? I think my average run lately is in the low 10’s or better. To slow down is going to be hard. It goes against the grain. When I first started running, I was running an eleven minute mile. Now to intentionally run this “slow” is just going to seem weird and it is actually going to be hard to do. I will do it, but it won’t be without a lot of looking at my Garmin for help. I know that I am going to have to pay close attention to my time and not just go with the flow. Caolan has assured me that there is a method to her madness and to trust her. As I said before, she knows what she is doing. So I will trust her knowledge that I need to run at these slower paces more than my desire not to.

The one line in the email that really stood out to me was when she said,

“Most of us run too fast too often and not fast enough ever.“

She is so right and I will listen to her.

So I will check my ego at the door and run the pace or as close to the pace as she tells me to run.

The real challenge will be being brave enough to get in my swim suit tomorrow for a swim!

Wish me luck!

Have you ever slowed down to speed up?

Friday Five – 5 Reasons I love to Run Races

May1

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

Today’s Theme

5 Things about Race Day’s

But I mistankenly did that one last week.

My Bad.

That Post is here.

So Today I will do….

5 Reasons I Race

1. Bling – Admit it, you love, love, love the bling!

2. The sense of accomplishment finishing a race gives you. Be it a 5K, 10k, Half or Full Marathon. Crossing the finish line is always an amazing accomplishment.

3. Friends – Running a race is great in and of itself, but running it with friends is even better!

4. Tutu’s – Need I say more:)

5. Supportive Family – My Mom, sister, and family friend surprised me at the end of the Philly Marathon. It added to the amazement of the experience. I think my Mom was more excited about me crossing the finish line than I was (and I was pretty happy!).

Running can take you places you never imagined.

Where has your running taken you?

Turning Goals into Accomplishements

Apr30

I said yesterday, I’ve got Plans. Well, I really don’t have solid plans as much as I have direction that I’m moving towards that will develop my somewhat rock solid plans. That’s something though:)

First Step

I finalized working with a running coach and even paid for the first three months. Now I feel funny saying that I am working with a Running Coach as it just doesn’t sound right to my ears. Me, working with a Running Coach. Ha. I was introduced to her by my running cohort Dawn. We all rode down to the Philly Marathon together. I thought that Caolan was amazing just based on her personal record. We became Facebook friends after Philly and she added me to one of her Facebook groups that she moderates. Then after I got into the Marine Corps Marathon while still running all my 9+1 races, I started thinking about how can I put this all together. This is where Caolan comes in.

I’ve purchased online training plans before. So why not work with an online coach? I’ve filled out all the initial forms, we’ve emailed about what I’m looking for and what my goals are, and we’ve even connected through my Garmin Connect account. She is in the process of putting a plan together for me. That is both exciting and scary. Now before you think, “OH MY GOD, THAT MUST BE SO EXPENSIVE!” Let me just say it really is not. Working with Caolan will be cheaper than what I spent on Crossfit each month. That being said, I still will need access to the YMCA for cross training as we both agree I need to swim as a great cross training exercise. Luckily we have a family membership.

Next step

I bought myself a handy dandy Training Journal. Yes, I have online training logs, but I really am old school. I still buy monthly planners at Staples for the year. I just need to write it down in my own hand. There are lots of types of Training Journals out there. I bought the Runner’s World one. I just like the way it is set up. I will start using it once I start working with Caolan.

Step Three

New shoes and orthotics. I don’t have my orthotics yet, but I did get new shoes. They are lovely and I will do a review of them next week:)

Finally

Breathe and know it will all come together just the way it is meant to.

You can set all the goals you want to but if you do not create a course of action, you will never reach them. You have to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

So I’m walking the walk now.

Word of the Week – Commitment

Apr29

commitment

noun com·mit·ment \kə-ˈmit-mənt\

: a promise to do or give something

: a promise to be loyal to someone or something

: the attitude of someone who works very hard to do or support something

Don’t be fooled by my tutu’s that I’m not committed to my running. There are those who think that just because I like to have fun and am silly sometimes that I don’t take my running seriously. They couldn’t be further from the truth. Somewhere along the way this recreational fly by the seat of my pants runner became a very committed runner. I have even stepped away from other types of exercises that I enjoyed (ahem – Crossfit) because it didn’t fit into my running plan right now. I am committed.

I love the way Meb Keflezighi put in in the book, Meb For Mortals.

“Commitment is a form of risk taking. That’s another way of saying there’s faith involved in commitment, because you don’t know if you’re going to reach your goal.”

Go Meb!

Go!

There is such truth to this. No one can be 100% sure if they will reach their goals, but they need to take the leap of faith that they can. Otherwise you will never know. You must set yourself up for reaching them no matter how big or small. You must allow yourself the chance to strive for them. You must set yourself on a coarse to reach them.

I have a friend whose goal is to do a 10K this year and get a medal doing so.

Great Goal!

Attainable Goal!

She is setting herself up on a course to reach this goal by adding miles to her running. Following a path that will lead her to the finish line.

I have goals this year.

I have set myself on a course to reach them

Some people wonder why I push myself to do the things that I want to do.

Some days I wonder that too.

In all honestly though, what is life without goals?

I’ve made a commitment to reaching those goals.

Tomorrow I’ll let you in on the plan:)

How do you stay committed to your goals?

Living and Learning

Apr24

Living and learning go hand in hand. Opinions evolve as does your experiences grow. When I first started running, I knew of a couple of people that had running coaches. I thought to myself….. What a waste. I know. I know. I’ve evolved now. I understand that there is more to running than putting on running shoes. I also understand that you don’t need to be an elite runner to have a coach anymore than you need to be a professional bodybuilder to have a personal trainer. I didn’t think of it that way. I apologize to my hopefully new running coach.

I get it now.

No, I do not have to be an elite athlete.

No, I do not need to plan to “win” any races.

(Although, lets be honest for us mere mortals showing up at the starting line is a win).

No, I do not need to think that I am suddenly a top of the packer.

What I am though is someone who wants to improve.

I am someone who is smart enough to know that there is a whole Hell of a lot of things that I don’t know.

I am someone who has a full race schedule coming up that found a little overwhelming.

I am someone who is striving to do better than I did yesterday.

That is all.

No more.

No less.

My epiphany came when I realized that a cookie cutter plan would not work for me. I have had personal trainers in the past at the gym. No one though twice about that. This is no different. Instead of teaching me routines to use at the gym though, she will help me get the most out of each run.

I will say that after our initial chat today that I am frightened especially when she said she will build my running up to 40 miles a week. WHAT!?! She, as most coaches, takes this seriously which I should hope so since this is her job. She knows what she’s talking about too having just completed her 3rd Boston Marathon and now a week later getting ready to run Big Sur Marathon. I hope I am up for the challenge.

It will be nice for change not to have to figure out if I am following the right plan as she will create a plan just for me:) It will be nice just to focus on the task at hand.

If all goes well we will start in the beginning of May which is only a week away. She seems to think that with my past results it might be possible for me to get a 4:30 at the Marine Corps Marathon, but that seems out of my league right now. I guess that’s why we are starting the training now.

Wish me luck.

Have you ever had a Running Coach?

Friday Five – 5 Things About Race Day

Apr24

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

Today’s Theme

5 Things about Race Day’s

I’ve done a few races now. I have a bit of a ritual as I think most of us do when it comes to our race prep. Race prep is just as much as a mental prep as it is a physical one. Neither one can or should be ignored. If you are physically prepared but your head isn’t in the game, you may still have a bad day. Obviously, you can be as mentally prepared as you want but without being physically ready, you might as well stay home.

Here is my all important check list

1. Besides the standard carb loading, I also like to increase my water consumption leading up to a race. Just a day or two ahead of time. Now I’m not talking chugging extra gallons of water, because that won’t do anything except make me bloated. I’m just talking about adding a glass or two throughout the days leading up to the event. The reason that I do this is because as anyone who knows me can tell you, I am a massive coffee drinker. Massive. I just feel like some added water evens it all out. I should probably do this everyday, but I do feel it more important near race day.

2. Not only plan out my race attire, but lay it all out including Bib number. I am a visual person and I need to see it all together down to my Garmin. This way in my sleep deprived state all I need to do is go to my preplanned pile. It’s all thought out ahead of time and there is less chance of forgetting anything. I really don’t know anyone who doesn’t do this unless, of course, you don’t pre-prep.

3. Plan my morning “breakfast.” Usually races require an early start. This means no time for a big breakfast and who wants that when you will then need to search porta-potties because you ate too much. My normal go to breakfast is a breakfast bar with a banana. This way I can eat it while I’m getting ready or in the car.

4. Have coffee. I’ve said it before, I drink massive coffee. Hey, it’s good for me. Right? Anyway, race morning is no the day to go through caffeine withdraw. Even though I am not a morning person, I will wake up at least an hour early to allow time for my morning coffee.

5. Post Bakery Snack – We have been doing a lot of racing in NYC. Most of them are near Central Park. We park in the same vicinity every time. This way at the end of every event; we come out to Magnolia’s Bakery. Somehow, you don’t feel as guilty eating a million calories after a run:) There have been times we have said we wouldn’t stop, but like on Auto Pilot our feet bring us right to the street and we stop anyway. It’s almost like every road leads to the bakery:)

What do you do Race Day?

Waiting is the Hardest Part

Apr22

Tom Petty said it best.

Waiting is the Hardest Part.

Patience has never been my strong suit. Never. Even as a child. I was the kid who would find her Christmas presents. Then carefully open them. Peak inside and then even more carefully wrap them back up again. My Mother didn’t know until I was an adult that I did such things. What could she expect though when she just kept them in a corner of her room? But as often, I digress.

I am trying to become a more patient person. Having Children does help a little. Although, admittedly, they try it more than I would like. As an adult though, you can no longer open things before they are ready. There are times when there is no choice but to be patient. Gardening is teaching me that. It’s hard, but I’m learning that I need to have vision. I planted what hopefully will be a beautiful flowering and full perennial garden.

Patience.

But I want it now.

I must develop the

Vision to see what is not there.

Yet.

Just because I planted in on Monday does not mean that it will be flowering by Tuesday.

I want it to, but that just isn’t the way life works.

Patience.

Life will teach it to you whether you want it to or not. There really is no other choice. Everything happens in it’s own time and as much as we want we can’t make some things happen any faster.

Patience.

My Plantar Fascitiis will teach me patience weather I want it to or not. I would like to think that the Cortisone shot would make it all better and believe me it did make it better. That being said it really is only a bandage. Yes, I have been able to get out of bed the last two mornings without pain (yeah!). Yes, I have been able to stand up without a shooting pain in my heel (yeah!). But it’s not really over, I was reminded of that by mid afternoon when I felt some discomfort in my heel.

Patience.

I must remember that just as it took a while for the pain to become part of my day, it is going to take some time for it to no longer be a part of it.

Patience.

Just like planting flowers requires consistent watering and weeding to grow, recovery will require consistent stretching and mindfulness of it.

Patience.

I will learn it.

I will master it.

I won’t like it, but what choice do I have.

As they say, the best things in life are worth waiting for.

Are you a patient person?

Patience.

The Accidentally Running Mama

Run, Bike, Swim and Have a Life!

Friday Five – Sharing the Running Love!

Dreaming the Dream until I Can’t Dream It Anymore

Check Your Form

How Slow Can You Go?

Friday Five – 5 Reasons I love to Run Races

Turning Goals into Accomplishements

Word of the Week – Commitment

commitment

Living and Learning

Friday Five – 5 Things About Race Day

Waiting is the Hardest Part