Tag Archive | running

Find the Joy!

Oct22

So I’m taking a step back from all Runner’s World Hat Trick talk to tell you a cute story that happened today.

In my town, we do not have pick-up for recycling.   You are required to take  recycling to our town recycling center.

Yes, I know you are scratching your head thinking,

“What?   You can’t just put it on the curb?”

No we can’t, but that’s a whole different post!    Now even though I have to sort and drive over my recycling, I still do.   I am THAT Recycler who even recycles the box her butter comes in, but considering the amount of butter I use in my house I feel like I’m doing the world a favor.   I firmly believe in taking care of the earth and that there is no Plan B.

Anyway, that is not the point of this post.

speaking_of_joy_by_marielliott

Now, I’ve been dropping off my recycling now for about 15 years.   Over time you get to know the people.   To be honest most of them are a little on the grouchy side, but there is this one gentleman who is a sweetheart.    We chat every time I go and he has such a positive outlook on life and makes the trip a little nicer.   In talking to him today, he was telling me how everyone is thinking that he’s sick because he’s lost 25 pounds.   He further goes on to tell me that he decided that he needed to start taking better care of himself and setting a better example for his grandkids since he’s older now ( I don’t know exactly how old he is, but I swear he said that he was in his 70’s).    He started telling me how he just goes out and runs.   He said, ” I run here. I run there.   I just go out and do it.   I don’t need to be doing marathons or any of that.   I just want to be healthy.  I used to be able to do it, so I just decided to do it again.”

I will interject to add that he has no idea that I like to run or that I run races (one day, I will get to say marathons).   He was just so cute telling me how good he feels just because he started running.  He said that he couldn’t stop telling people how great running is and how much better you feel doing it.   He brought a real smile to my face simply with the joy he obviously gets simply from his runs.

I can further guarantee that this is not a gentleman who has any type of GPS training watch, fancy shoes, ear-buds, or any such thing many of us, myself included, think that are needed to run.    He runs for the joy of it and there really is joy in running if you have the right attitude.

So next time I go out for a run, I am going to go out Naked and Afraid (not that way!!!!).   I’m going to leave my GPS off (ok, I will never do that, but I WON’T look at it) and I will leave my music off just to run for the run.  I will feel the wind on my face, the air in my lungs, and just experience the joy and beauty that is around me.

This Is It!!

Oct19

10574337_10204206801842726_6487229589586268714_n

Today was the last day of the Big Event.   I’ll be honest as Dawn as my witness, once I signed up I wondered if If could do it.   I went into this with a goal of just finishing all three races.   I went into this not really knowing if I could do it. I wasn’t even sure if I was going to run it a few days ago.   As you know though, I didn’t take this weekend lightly.   I trained and busted my butt.   I can say that now because not only is it over, but I am really happy with the way it ended.

If you read yesterdays post, you know that yesterday was also a good day.

For a recap

5K – used it as a warm-up

Time: 29:39

Wanted to finish under 30

Age Division (45-49) – placed 41 out of 99

Gender 390 out of 959

Overall 793 out of 1595

Pace: 9:31

10K – Target Race

Time: 57:19

Wanted to finish under 60 minutes

Age Division – 29 out of 64

Gender 265 out of 1016

Overall 605 out of 1635

Pace: 9:13

Half Marathon – Crap Shoot

Time: 2:06:08

Division 50 out of 152

Gender 556 out of 1333

Overall 1206 out of 2311

Pace: 9:53

To say I am pleased is really an understatement.   You are talking about someone who NEVER would have ever thought of herself as a runner.   Someone who still remembers the “fat kid” she was as a young child.   I’m still shocked at myself.   I honestly was worried that I would not be able to do the half after running the previous day.   But not only did I finish, I ended up with a personal record.   I didn’t get here alone though.

So I would like to give a shout out to the people who made this possible

Yes, I know I didn’t win, but for me this is a big win.

(Hey I will never win an Academy Award, so I’ll take my moment:)

Dawn (Yup, you made the blog again) – Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader and being the one to encourage me to sign up for this in the first place.   Without you there pushing me (you know it’s your specialty -getting people to sign up for things).   Plus, you’ve been so helpful with sharing your knowledge, words of encouragement, and a fun running buddy too.

My Running Group –  You know who you are!   You guys kept me on track and honest with my training.

Cue the music….

Ok, this was a BIG, BIG, BIG event.   So Big that they call it a festival.

Expect more posts about it because there is so much more to tell.

Like

Don’t be that Runner

Running with the Pack

and

more!

I’m a Little Bit Country, but now I’m also Little bit Rock N Roll

Oct7

Part 2 – Grete’s Gallop Run NYC

I’m a country girl at heart.  I grew up with space.   I grew up with trees and mountains.   Life in the Burbs feels too congested for me sometimes.   I have a sister that lived in The City (NYC – because there really is no other city like it).   She loved it.    She still misses it.   Now don’t feel too bad for her as she is now living in sunny California, but it’s different.   I really never understood her love for The City until this weekend.   Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy going into The City on occasion, but I honestly didn’t get what the excitement was all about.

I will admit the thought of running in Central Park was very appealing to me especially after missing the opportunity to run the NYC Marathon that I told you about in https://accidentallyrunningmama.wordpress.com/2014/09/16/cant-always-get-what-you-want/

I’ve never dreamed about running in the city.   I’ve never really given it much thought.   Until recently.   Then when this chance came along I couldn’t pass it up.    I’ve only been on the outskirts of the park.   Never venturing in.   Didn’t think I was missing much because really what could The City have that a Country Girl would appreciate.  Now I get it.   I get why people dream of running in Central Park and NYC.   It’s an amazing experience.

The People

10690324_1497145117201625_3575926529110256613_nEvery race has people but there was just something different here.

Not sure if it was because of the sheer number of participants, volunteers, spectators,

and just people who could care less that you were running a half marathon because they came to enjoy the park themselves;

but this was different.

The Park

1208524_1497145103868293_2415875355252458864_nThis was the best starting line I’ve ever been to!

The Course

10698499_1496674013915402_4038269502547917188_nIt was challenging, interesting, and you really did get to see the park.

I really wanted to hurt someone and hurt them bad for constantly lying to me

telling me it was all downhill after the turn.

lies, lies, lies

 

It’s really is Picture Perfect

945019_10204089024858375_774358394750037621_nYou don’t get views of the skyline like this in the country!

Probably because there are no skylines like this in the country.

That’s why it’s the country:)

That being said, it is a spectacular view and I’m sure those that live in there don’t even notice it after a while;

but I did.

It really was spectacular!

It also helped that it was a beautiful fall day in the Park.

Wait….

There’s still more:)

Tomorrow!

Be the athlete You Want to Be!

Sep20

keep-calm-and-run-forest-run

There are a million and one training plans. Most share similar ideas of how to improve.  The question though is not “what plan” but “what is your goal?” Asking that question will help you narrow down your plan.

As you know, when I started running, I just ran. I started with the basic running plan that my Tri Group introduced me to. The couch to 5k. It was perfect for my goal of the time which literally was just to get my @ss off the couch to run the 5K in the Tri. It worked.

When it was all said and done, I turned into Forest Gump without the beard. I just ran and ran some more. The more I ran though, the more I realized that I needed to learn more about the “art” of running.   Yes, running is simple. Just put one foot in front of the other, but there can be so much more… If you want there to be.

I will say though that if in the beginning I felt the need to do more than just run, I might not have run as far and long as I am now.  I ran just to run.   I didn’t have a plan.  I didn’t have a goal. I didn’t know about mile repeats, speed training or any of the other types of training. I thought if I put the miles in that was enough.   You know what?  For me at the time, it was enough.  If I didn’t just put on my shoes and run,  I might not be where am today in my training.   My only thought in the beginning was just pure and simple to be able to run without feeling like I was dying.

I was talking with a friend who is just getting back I to running (yes, I mean you:).  She was asking me if I was doing all these accelerated glides (not even sure what that is) and magic miles (something else to investigate).  I told her no because right now I’m too late into my Hat Trick training plan to start something new.  Stick with the plan. Keep my eye on the end goal.   I do want to investigate over the off season, but not yet.  I know that I do have  much to learn about running, but I think if I knew how clueless I was when I started that I might not have started.   I would have been overwhelmed.  I’m glad I didn’t know any better and just ran.

My advice to anyone just starting out is to not worry about those Magic Miles yet!  Don’t think about all the things that you think that you need to know to start, because the bottom line is that running really is simple.  Yes, there are many complicated training exercises that you can do to improve your running.  Yes, they can help you run faster.  But the knowledge will come in time as will the improvements.  As I said in the beginning, ask yourself one simple question (which you can share with us if you’d like):

What is Your Goal?

If you goal is just to run. Then just run…

 

There May Be Something To This…..

Sep9

For those who read my  Race Day Recap post, you know that I said that I tried something new with my run.   Yes, I know you shouldn’t do anything new on race day.   I get that, but I wanted to run with a friend.   So I did.   What did I do?  I walked!   Say Whaaat???   What do you mean walked?    Well, just what I said.   I walked.   I also ran and then I walked again.    My friend swears by this plan.  

The plan apparently is from Jeff Galloway who apparently is a really big deal.   How do I know this?   Because my friend told me.   I’ve learned that he not only has written books on running, but was also an Olympian.  I feel he might deserve more investigation on my part.

Now to me the concept of walking when I’m supposed to be running just doesn’t seem right.  I’ve done it, but only with guilt.   I’ll be honest – One of the reasons I did this with my friend besides wanting to finish the race with her is because the thought of being allowed to walk without guilt after swimming and biking seemed really good.   So I did it and still had a great run in 27.55 minutes.   So I thought I would give it a try today on a non race day.

Now that the Tri is over (boo hoo), I’m back on my Hat Trick training plan (yeah).   Today I has scheduled an “easy” 5 mile run.   So I thought, why not?   Nothing ventured.  Nothing gained.    And again the thought of being allowed to walk sounded good.   Laced up and off I went.  

You know what?   It worked pretty good.  I was basically better or the same time as my other training runs and I probably walked for 5 minutes.   Not bad for just 2 days after a Sprint Triathlon!    I had good splits.   

Average Pace:  10:05  

Best Pace:  7:26  

Whaaat???   Hmmmmm, how is this possible?   

Time

This really does need more investigating on my part.  I may even have to buy his book.   I do know though that I did push myself for those 3 minutes because you really can endure anything for three minutes.   Then I was looking forward to the walk buzzer.   So I’m sure if that is  good or what.   Either way, I am happy my run today.   A run that I really didn’t feel like doing. 

So now there is another option…..

A

Time to Get Running

Apr15

Last week was a bad week.   Not too bad a week for working out, but a bad week for blogging.   I’m going to try better this week all the way around.   

This morning I started off things on the right foot.   One of my girlfriends and I had arranged to meet at the gym instead of driving together as she then had errands to run.     Then after a weekend of binging on cake and crab shack in celebration of my oldest son’s 13th birthday, I thought that I really should take it up a notch today.    So I texted my friend and asked her to pick me up anyway.   

We went and worked out mostly arms and abs today for about and hour.   No cardio.   When we were done, she went her way and I went mine.   My way was to actually jog/walk home.     I used the App Map My Run for the first time.   I liked it,  because every mile (and there are three between my house and the gym) she would tell me how fast I went.   I will say that my first two miles were faster, but overall I was pleased.   I ended up for the three miles averaging a ten minute 27 second mile.   Does this compare to real athletes?   Not even close.    Is this good for me?   Yes.   I’m happy with it.     Please don’t tell me that you can do a six minute mile, because I will never be a good runner.   Remember I hate running:)

Please remember when you read of my slow routines, that I really have only been working out for a few months.   I’ve only been in “training’ for about a month.     This is all new to me.

Live, Laugh, Love

 

 

The Weather is Finally Cooperating!

Apr8

The problem with starting your training when it’s still cold outside is that it’s cold outside.    Who wants to go running or biking in the cold.   Not me.   I much prefer to spend my cold winter months by the fire with some cocoa.   It is very hard to motivate yourself to go running in the cold.    But now Spring has finally sprung and it is very easy to get yourself motivated to go outside.     This really is the prefect time for training.   It’s not to cold.   It’s not too hot.   It’s just right:)

It really is amazing how perfect the Couch to 5K plan works for running too.    It is such a gradual occurance that unless you really go back to track your progess, you don’t even notice the change each week.    The first week, it seemed so easy with only running 60 seconds and walking for 90.   It almost didn’t seem like anything.   Now after a month we are up to jogging for 5 minutes.   Although, I will admit, when I am running by myself I usually go a few minutes longer.     Now five minutes may not seem like a long time to be jogging, but when you are just starting out it feels like an eternity.     That being said, we are just a few short weeks away from jogging for a full 30 minutes.   I’m thinking that I shouldn’t have looked ahead:)

As for now, though I will just worry about what I’m doing this week.     I’ve got time to worry about the rest later on or at least I think so……

Live, Laugh, Love

Getting My Grove On (sort of)

Mar27

I’m feeling better today.   My panic attack of yesterday has passed and I’m getting it together.

At least for the moment.

Last night I went to do laps as I’ve done the last few weeks.   This time my girlfriend couldn’t go, so I was on my own.   I think that might have been a good thing because there was less chit chat.   Not that chit chat is a bad thing, but I do believe I did AL LOT more laps last night!   I lost track, but I did a lot.  

I also think that I might finally be getting the hang of this swimming thing.   Not that you could tell from looking at me, but I know I’m making progress.   With each stroke, I just kept counting.   One, two, three,  breathe.   Arms extending.   Trying to make it look as effortless as those who’ve been to the rodeo before.   Just kept saying to myself, “head down, arms extended forward, bend arms, swivel hips, turn head,  do not pull head out of the water.    Who knew there was such much thought that went into swimming.    Not me!   I’m looking forward to next week when the mentors will be on deck to give pointers as I think I’m getting it, but who knows.   I could be getting it all wrong:)

Then today, I did get in my run.    I packed the boys and their bikes up.   I met a girlfriend who brought her son, bike, and dog.   Then off we went.    They all rode around, while I did my couch to 5K plan.   I do notice that it is getting easier.   Now when I say easier, I don’t mean that I’m not huffing and puffing along because I am!   I just mean that (as it is supposed to happen), I can jog farther and faster than I could a month ago.   And that is how it is supposed to work.   Great program!

So for today, I feel like I might just be able to do this.

    Although, I still need to get on a bike!

 

Live, Laugh, Love

I hate Running! I really, really do!!

Mar11

This past weekend we had our first training for running.   It is based on a book called I Hate Running.    I think it is true for many of us.   I know I do not enjoy it.   I do not enjoy it at all!   That being said, I do need to be prepared for it.   Not only do I hate running, but as of right now I don’t even think that I could run a straight mile.   I especially know that I could not run a mile right now after swimming for a half mile and riding a bike for 10.   Therefore, I got up early on Saturday to join the group.  I found out, surprisinly, there are really not too many people who like running.    And the ones who do like it said it took them a long time to get to the point where they could say that they actually like running.    My question is why keep doing it if you don’t like it?    But then again, who am I to say?    Just another crazy person out of my element trying to do something that I never thought possible.

Like anything in life, the trick is to be prepared.   I found that I don’t need to be able to run 3 miles today.   That I will build up to it.    So that is my plan.  I’m going to start running/walking with my workout buddy tomorrow.

I really am taking this one step at a time/   I know I will never be the star athlete nor will I have have great time.   I really am just using this as incentive to keep going.   Keep moving.   Keep getting it together.