Tag Archive | Motivation

Starting Line….

It’s funny I ran the Chicago Marathon just 5 weeks ago, yet some how I feel like I couldn’t run around the block. I don’t know how anyone who has run as many races as I have can still feel like she’s back at the starting line again, but I do.

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This probably is not too far from the truth.

As I’ve been recovering from my tendonitis, I’ve been good. I’ve been doing some limited running. Some limited cross-training and lots of being lazy. It’s really not been a good combination for the mind or body.

So as I often do when I feel like I need a little push of motivation, I have signed up for another race. I know it’s shocking. I’m trying to drag in…. I mean I’m trying to encourage others to join in on the fun. I’ve got to say that i do miss the year we were chasing the 9 plus 1 and the fun we had. It can not be repeated as it was such a special year, but I will say racing with friends is so much better than racing alone.

I needed Chicago to prove to myself that I could still finish a marathon if I wanted to. Right now, I just want to run a half. Plus it will keep me running during the holiday’s which really will be necessary. I’m not even trying to be a super star. I just want to run to run to find my love of running and racing again. To get back to normal.

What race you ask…..

Fred Lebow

For extra motivation, I purchased the NYRR 10 week plan for this race. I want to go into this race trained. I want to get back to the confidence that comes with being trained. That being said, my goal for this race is 2:25, so I’m not expecting for this training plan to turn me into speed racer. Just to get me back into my routine of running. I miss it. I want to just let my body put in the miles and bring my mind the peace that running brings.

I have not formulated any plans other than Fred Lebow, but I do know that I just want to rediscover my passion for running. It’s not as easy as it used to be, but I already know that. This isn’t a fake it till you feel it thing either. My body is already chomping at the bit. I just have to get my head in gear.

So I’ve purchased the plan, so my head doesn’t have to do anything. Let the body do it’s job.

Tomorrow is day 1 of training….

The Moment

Sep14

The moment someone ask what your training for and then the look of surprise when you tell them Chicago marathon.

Then the next question is usually, “Is this your first marathon?”

Then a further look of surprise when you tell them this will be your 5th.

I still haven’t decided weather I take their look of surprise as a compliment or an insult. Either way, I do see it. I really can’t hold it against them when as I’ve said before , I don’t have “the traditional runners body.” What ever the Heck that is.

Then usually they ask how long it takes?

I’ve never really understood why non runners ask this question, because then it is usually followed with, “Is that a good time?”

My answer is usually, ” For me it is.”

Then the final question that grated on my nerves even before I made the concious decision to do walk/run approach, “Do you walk?”

I have found these questions are only asked by non runners. A runner may ask your finish time or pace, but a runner has never asked if I walk.

Here is the Rub…….

Does it matter?

Is 26.2 miles in 5 hours, still not 26.2 miles?

And even though I’m wondering if I will sneak in this time right under the 6.5 hour cut-off, won’t I still be going 26.2 miles???

Some runners may push themselves to finish a marathon in a Boston Qualifying time. While some runners may be pushing themselves just as hard and coming in just under the wire. You don’t know what someone is dealing with. You don’t know how hard someone is pushing. We are each pushing ourselves just to get out the door and to the start line.

So this is my pet peeve today. Please don’t assume just because my pace is slower than those at the front of the Pack that I am working any less than them.

But as I said before, most of this comes from people who think I’m crazy anyway:)

We are all just doing the best we can on any given day.

What more can we ask for?

Nothing.

So keep doing what your doing, because you are doing it for yourself and no one else anyway.

Oh, and I admit that I do like a little bling.

So I might also be doing it for the bling:) 26.2_1

Leaving My Couch Behind

Sep9

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I have to be honest as you know I always am, I really used to hate this expression. I find it to be condescending. Smug and even a little obnoxious.

Not everyone wants to get off the couch. I’m not in competition with those that our sitting on their couch. Now though I look at it not as a way of shaming those who for whatever reason are not getting out there. I look at it as a way to say that I am willing to push myself past all the reasons that I could use to stay on the couch.

Recently (like today) though I’ve been thinking about it. A lot. It would be so much easier for me to give up. No one would blame me. Some might even think it is the smart thing to do. I can stop at any time if I wanted. Yet, for some reason I can’t.

It’s just not something that I am willing to do.

No one is pushing me out the door. Although I have awesome supportive friends, they would support me no matter what I decided to do. No one is making me train. No one is making me run or train for a marathon. (If anyone would like to, that would be fine with me).

Today’s run I knew would not be a good one. I knew it before I even walked out the door. My body aches. My foot is still hurting. I had 14 on the books and from the get go decided that I would do 10 today and run tomorrow to kind of make up the difference. (Yes, I know that’s not how training works; but sometimes you’ve got to adjust).

Out the door I went.

It wasn’t a horrible run, but it might have been up there with worst training runs. I walked more than I should. I stopped a few times to stretch. I just was Blah. All that being said, I ended up with an 11:40 pace.

Then I did something on my run today that I thought I would never do. I called for someone at home to pick me up. If I pushed, I knew I could finish. I was only 2 miles from home.

Here is the rub.

I didn’t want to. I just didn’t think with the way my body was feeling that it made any sense to do that. I also knew that it would not be good for my mental training either.

You would think that I would be freaking out since Chicago is less than a month away. I’m not. I’m actually pretty calm about it. Really this close to the race, pushing when I shouldn’t push will do more harm than good.

So I did the “ride of shame” home, but felt no shame.

I have no doubt that when I step up the Chicago Start line that I will also cross the Chicago finish line.

Remember I’m one stubborn and determined person. Besides, I do like getting a medal put around my neck.

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Funny How It Works

Aug27

It’s funny how things work. I started my blog way back when just to keep track of my fitness journey. When I started and even now, I write my blog for me. Really. It’s my way of processing things and expressing myself. I’m always surprised that anyone reads it, but I do know that there are a few who follow my journey. Even with that, when I write; I don’t think of that and write for me. If I didn’t I might not put it all out there as honestly as I do.

So first of all, if anyone is reading this….. Hi there:)

Now I’ve been pretty open about how much my running has sucked lately and how disappointing I’ve been. Again, I do this because writing helps me to process things and sometimes it even gives me an Aha moment. Then sometimes, someone will send me a message or a comment to open my eyes to that not only are people reading but they have insight and words of wisdom too.

Then sometimes you get a message from someone unexpectedly. Someone who I’m shocked my blog even makes her reading list. Someone who if you look up badass runner in the dictionary will have her picture and stats. Someone who inspires me and leaves me in awe. Someone who honestly I would now be too embarrassed to run with, but know that she wouldn’t bat an eye at taking a run with me. She’s just that awesome.

Anyway, sometimes it helps to hear things that you know to be true but somehow it rings truer when coming from someone whose badassness can’t be questioned.

“Try to not apologize for pace or distance. You got out there. That’s it! You ran! You sweat! You put in the hard work! You feel pain and elation! Focus on the feeling not the pace. Fuck it.”

“In the end, it’s not about your pace or your time. It’s about the journey”

“Don’t run for anyone else. Run for yourself.”

These are words that I know are true. These are words that I’ve tried to tell myself too, but somehow when I said them to myself I felt like I was copping out or making an excuse. Now she is not the first to say these things to me, but somehow when I read her message to me, I really just wanted to cry.

She (and others) have been right. I’ve been too focused on pace and distance. I’m doing the best I can on any given day. Like everyone some days are better than others. As long as I’m doing what I can, what more can I ask for? I’ve always ran for me. I’ve ran because I enjoy pushing my limits and the actual feel of running. I think somehow I got caught up in a bit of a pity party. Kind of stupid actually.

I need to focus on the basics which is running to run. Running because it is what I want to do. I need to remember that this is actually something that I both want to do and enjoy doing. No one is making me run. This isn’t gym class.

I need to find the joy!

So today I went out for a run (shocking). Before I left though, I turned my Garmin to only show me distance and time of day. I set my timer for my 3 to 1 walk ratio and out the door I went. I ran on feel. I ran to run. I ran for me.

You know what?

I had a great run. I don’t mean pace or distance. Truth be told, I wanted to do 12 today but due to time restrictions I only got 7 in. During the run, I went only by the way my body went and it felt good. I know if I had had the time that 12 would have happened today and I would have felt good about it. I also felt good about the 7 that I was able to do because they were a happy 7. I ran by feel. I walked when the timer went off and ran again when it beeped again.

Now I will admit that I am never going to run without my Garmin. Just not going to happen. What I can do though is like today take the focus off it and put it back on the run. The funny thing is that when I allow my body to do it’s job, it knows what to do. Today I did not feel choppy in my run. I did not feel pressure. I just enjoyed the beautiful running weather. When I did download my run though, I did notice something. I was pretty consistent in it.

So maybe it’s time to just say….

Just run

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The Shadow of Fear

Jul7

noun

noun: fear; plural noun: fears

1.

an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

verb

verb: fear; 3rd person present: fears; past tense: feared; past participle: feared; gerund or present participle: fearing

1.

be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening.

As humans fear is a normal emotion. It’s a survival instinct. Everyone has some fear and anyone who says they have no fears is either lying to themselves or you. It is a necessary emotion……

To a point.

If allowed our fears can become bigger than the reality. We create a boulder to carry when we should only be carrying a pebble. It happens before we even know it! Once we realize the truth of our fears, we can chip away at that boulder and return it to it’s pebble size. But in order to do that, we must admit our fear and face them.

I’ve realized that I’ve been living on the edge of fear lately and it’s been holding me back. I’ve never been one to worry about the “What if’s in life.” I’ve just kind of rolled with it. Since my diagnosis, I’ve been fearful. Fearful of a calcium crash. Fearful that my calcium will spike. Fearful of the side effects of the medications I must now take. Fearful that I’m going to end up with kidney stones which is a common side effect. Fearful that I’m in over my head since I still can’t seem to find a doctor that “gets it.”

Then there is the part of me that thinks I could just stop taking everything and that I’m perfectly fine. I mean I look fine. I actually feel good right now which also brings up fear as my levels are too good. Yes, I know that sounds strange but it’s true. There is a fine line. Anyway even though my PTH levels indicate that as much as I’d like it to not to be true, my body just isn’t working right. So in this case the fear of not taking my meds is a good thing.

stubborn

But fear can also be a bad thing.

Fear can be used to hold us back.

I can’t let the not knowing how my body and how my calcium levels will react hold me back. Any runner/athlete on any given day can be sidelined by a whole host of things out of their control. You can do everything right and still have a bad day. You can’t live in the shadow of fear.

So today I am starting to chip away at that boulder. As FDR said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” It is with this thought that I went out on my 3 mile run last night. I didn’t do anything stupid and push myself into paces that I couldn’t hold. What I did though is say that I am going to run 3 miles and run the whole thing. I reminded myself that I ran a half marathon only a few months ago and my levels were much lower than they are now. This does not mean that I’m giving up on the walk/run method. This just means that I’ve realized that out of fear I may not have been pushing myself to do things that I should push myself to do.

It’s time I started remembering that no one knows what their day will bring and start facing it accordingly.

For now, I choose to embrace a new meaning of fear and once again try to live my life accordingly. It won’t be easy and I’ve still got baggage to deal with, but I’m going to try.

Fear2

Again

One day at a time.

One run at a time.

Be Where You Are

Jun18

I’m not where I used to be. A major part of me knows that is ok. A small part of me is still coming to terms with it. I really wish that I could shut that small part of me up, but it’s a work in progress. I feel that right now everything is a work in progress but isn’t that everyone? What was once easy is now difficult, but what was once impossible is now possible. It’s all in the way you look at things.

Moving forward but not giving up.

I’ve said before that mentally I think that I need to run Chicago. What I need to do though and I’ve said it before is adjust expectations. Easier said than done, but I am getting better.

accept-change-poster

Here’s the thing that I keep reminding myself and coming back to……

I’m not an elite athlete. I’m not winning any medals except the medals that I earn just crossing the finish line. I’m not a contender. Running is not my job and I do not want to make it feel like it is my job either. There is no hidden agenda in my running.

Here is what I am….

I am a Mama runner who just wants to run. I want to be able to clear my head by going out for a run. I want to be able to get a good workout in at the best of my ability. I want to run with my friends. I want to be healthy and running is something that both mentally and physically helps with that.

So I’m really trying to let go of where I used to be and hold onto where I am. I also know that I am very lucky. There are some people with calcium issues that can’t do anything physically without their calcium crashing. I also know that I have to be smart with my training for Chicago. I’ve got a lot going on and I’ve still got a lot to learn with how my body will deal with not just the training but the training in the heat. It seems to effect me more now. It’s a learning process. As a friend a ran with today pointed out, I’ve got a lot of pieces that still need to be put together.

I’m trying to embrace being where I am at and I am very lucky to have a great support system of not just “running friends” but real friends who I happen to run with! Today I went out with a friend for a few miles. The weather is in the 80’s with 73% humidity. With the humidity at those levels, it was brutal. I did walk when I needed to which “is what it is.” Even with walking, it was still a hard run. It was still 6 miles and I still got it done. And honestly it was overall still a good pace at 12:13.

We all know that running is a mental sport…. From talking ourselves out the door to pushing our bodies to make the impossible possible. It (and I’ve said this before) is also accepting where you are on a given day and period in your life. I am where I am today and that is enough.

It is enough…..

To get out the door

To run and to also walk.

To do the best that I can at a given day.

To accept that no matter what pace I’m running, it is enough.

To cut myself a break when needed and push myself when needed.

And most of all….That I am in competition with no one not even who I used to be.

start-where-you-are-use-what-you-have

It Is What It Is

Apr17

Life is ever changing. Life is all about new beginnings. Often in life many of us focus too much on what is ending or changing and not what is beginning. Yes, I do this way too often too. It is easy to get stuck in the rut of what is missing, what is different, what will never be the same again. I wonder if somehow that is a coping mechanism for many of us. The way to hold onto what we are not ready to let go of or accept. A way of tying us to the past. In the end though all it does is keep us stagnant and does not free us up to confront the changes in life.

Life is ever changing.

Each day we must wake up and realize that it is a new beginning. Yes, we may have the same routines but each day brings new hope. New possibilities. Maybe not a clean slate, but definitely a fresh start with unimaginable possibilities.

It is up to us to face this fresh start with a positive attitude which I wholeheartedly admit is not always easy. While many of us try to decide if the glass half full or half empty, we must remember how blessed we are to have a glass in the first place. It may not be the size glass that we want, but we are blessed either way and there are countless others who wish they even had a glass.

We may not like change, but change is a fact of life. Now, I am not going to say that every change in our life is good. Some changes down right suck. Some changes take getting used to and still suck. Some changes we would not wish on our biggest enemy (although as an adult who really has enemies?). All that being said, change is inevitable and we must learn to adapt, roll with it, and accept.

I’ve learned in life that you can really get through anything in life one you accept that this is the hand that life dealt you. Acceptance does not mean that you are necessarily happy with the changes, but that you know those are the breaks. One of my favorite quotes sums it all up.

it is what it is This is where I am with a few things right now.

I will say that this is definitely where I am right now with the NJ Half which is less than two weeks away now.

I’m going into this SEVERELY under trained. I’m going into this honestly wondering how I will finish it since I can’t remember the last time that I ran 10 miles let alone 13. I’m going into this knowing that this is where I am at right now and no amount of running in the next two weeks will make it any easier.

It is what it is.

and

What ever shall be, shall be.

YUP

I have a plan for race day though. I’m going to call my bluff. I’m going to show up at the starting line with no plan. With no expectations. With the only thought of running till I can’t run. Then walking. Then with any luck some more running. I’m going into this with the expectation of this being my slowest and hardest half ever. Probably harder than when I ran my sub 2 NY Half. This will be one that will leave me out of breathe and sore for days.

All that being said, I am also going into this knowing how lucky I will be to be at the Start line, let alone the finish line.

This will be my wake up call and it’s about time I pick up the phone.

Do The Right Thing

Mar12

In Life many times, we wonder if we have made the right decision. Sometimes we have regrets, but sometimes we can wholeheartedly know we made the right decision. This is one of those times.

We need to embrace these times too.

Over the last week, I’ve had a few good runs. I’ve been happy with where I am at. I’ve started thinking about what I want to do this year. My first event that I’m scheduled to run is the New Jersey Half Marathon. Right now my goal is just to run it, but I wanted to look to see how my training has been overall. When I was hard core training I used a program called Training Peaks. When I thought I might run the NJ Marathon and not the half, I had bought a marathon training program to use with the program. Yesterday, I logged on for the first time in probably a month. This is when I realized that I had done the right thing.

According to the marathon training program, my mileage for the week should have been 32 with a long run of 16.

HA!

My total miles for the week were 13 with a long run of 6.5.

I don’t want to be running 32 miles right now. Funny thing too is when I changed the training program to a half, it is right about where I am right now. Better yet, it is right about where I want to be.

I am happy that I took the time that both my body and mind needed. I’m happy that my running seems to be getting stronger. I’m happy that i seem to be getting back into the rhythm of not just my running but my life.

I’m happy now:)

And that I will take over running a marathon any day.

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Let The Games Begin

Oct29

Next week at this time I will hopefully be putting the final touches on what I will need for the NYC Marathon. Hopefully, I will even be getting ready to sit down to a nice carb loading dinner too.

I’ve finally decided to take my head out of the sand and actually it has been very good. All this talk about not being excited and admitting the truth of how I’m feeling has been freeing. Dare I say it, it is even getting my a little excited.

I’m an avoider by nature. I like to bury my head in the sand and not deal with things. It’s often my way of dealing with things. Dealing with things is messy, complicated, and means you actually have to face things. So by pretending the marathon wasn’t happening, I could just go about my business.

BUT

When I pulled back the curtain, I got wise words of advise and incite from friends. One friend really knows me well and she may have put the final nail in the coffin why I was feeling the way I was feeling. It was the real thing that I was avoiding which was NOT the marathon….

My surgery. See the way, I spoke about my upcoming surgery (getting my thyroid removed) was it’s after the marathon. So if the marathon happens, by default that means then so is my surgery. Yes all the other reasons for my non marathon excitement are true, but this was true. When she asked me about it, it really was like a door was opened. I heard and knew the truth of her words. I will have to deal with this, BUT FIRST THE MARATHON.

Then another thing happened, in talking with my coach and friends we started talking about my training and goals. My one running mama pointed out that the if I want to see the sites of NY, we can take a short road trip to see this and that I can run this race. I realized something. I think I actually want to run this thing. I mean not all out I’m going to die run this thing, but I want to run this and I want to run this well.

I’ve got a lot coming up, but it’s time to be a grown up and face them. I realize that I want this (the marathon not surgery silly). I want it bad. I want to hobble from the finish line of the NYCM knowing that I ran a smart race. That I ran it to the best of my ability. That my training was not just to get to the start line, but get my ass to the finish line too.

I’ve got this now.

And thank you to all my real life in person friends who have given me encouragement, kick in the behind, and your wonderful incites. You are amazing and I’m so lucky to have all of you.

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Be Nice

Mar19

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I was talking to someone this week about my upcoming half this weekend. Did I mention that I am running the NYC Half Marathon (13.1 miles) this weekend? This is a goal race for me. One that I’ve been training for. One that I’ve thrown down the gauntlet and said I would like to run in sub 2 hours. I’ve been training, but I’m still doubtful.

I told my friend that I wasn’t sure how it would go. I was nervous and hope that I didn’t choke under the pressure of it. (Yes, there is pressure even for the middle of the packers). Self imposed pressure maybe the worst. Anyway, my friend shut me down. She shut me down fast and with such a true and profound statement that I had couldn’t argue with. What was so profound?

First she told me to trust in my training and pointed out that I have been running my ass off. (I would love it if it would also run my pouch off, but that’s different). She then went on to say the profound part that I will paraphrase….

“Don’t allow your inner voice to speak to yourself in a way that you would not allow other people to speak to you. Imagine if one of your friends was saying the things that your inner voice was saying? Would they remain your friend? Would you put up with that?”

Let that sink in for a moment.

Read it again.

Right!

Mind Blown!

If one of my friends said the things that I say to myself, I would be livid. I would not listen their crap. So why do I listen to it form my inner voice? Why is my inner voice so negative sometimes?

Such as…

I should have pushed harder

I was so slow

I’ll never be able to do it.

Why didn’t I hit my paces

Can I do it?

As with many things in running, this also carries over to our non running lives (yes, we have those). We have to stop being our own worst critic. We have to get our of our own way and side step the negativity. Most importantly, we should be our biggest cheerleader. Now, I’m not saying we should be arrogant or obnoxious. I mean that we should be treat ourselves the way our Best Friends treat us which is usually pretty awesome. We have to have faith in ourselves.

This does not mean that we will always succeed in everything we do, but as I tell my preschool gymnastics kids’ “You will never know if you can do something unless you try. And if you don’t do it this time, we can try again another time. All you can do is try, try, try.”

I think that I need to take my own advise.

I know that I have put in the many miles to train for tomorrow

I know that I have done the speed workouts required

I will give it all I have and that will be enough

I know that I have run these paces before

I know that I can do it!!!

So all I can do is try, try, try…..

NYC Half

The Accidentally Running Mama

Run, Bike, Swim and Have a Life!