After this post two days ago, I woke up yesterday feeling rejuvenated and refreshed (as a side note: I'm not sure I've ever used the term "rejuvenated" in my life). I felt like I had control over my little piece of the world. I was just going to take the day as it came, and move on. Get done what I could, and not sweat the rest.
Within 30 minutes of jumping out of bed, I was...you guessed it...making more lists. I needed more shampoo. I needed to remind myself that it was trash day. I needed to grab milk on the way home.
I started to wonder if I needed to be committed.
Sheesh. I couldn't even make it an entire 24 hours without making another list!?!?!
Fortunately, my faithful blog readers came to the rescue and gave me a load of tips and strategies to keep the list making but pare down on the amount of things on the lists.
For example, Anne told me she only gives herself 8 things to do in day. Fantastic idea! I love it. And then I compared it to my Tuesday list...I had 36 things that I was going to accomplish on Tuesday...36 things people.
Who does that?
Again, I'm started to wonder if I need some meds for this madness.
So, mid-day I decided to take some action on the tips from my fearless readers, and just schedule 8 things for the following day. Today. I made running first and foremost on the list because it's the thing that keeps me from really needing to be committed. It's the thing that keeps me sane, keeps me married, and above all, keeps me from getting fat. I was a little nervous about putting it as "Thing #1" and more importantly, I wondered if I'd follow through with a 7am run in 30 degree weather...I don't like early. I don't like cold. The combination of both makes me give up, on most days, before I even give it a try.
But, I did it. I got my carcass out of bed in enough time to do my pre-morning routine (make Troy's lunch, get his schedule together, and get a load of laundry in the washer). And then I headed out. I only ran 3 miles. I just wanted to make sure I could do it and not feel miserable or achy or craptastic. If I came home feeling like I'd just run the easiest run of my life, well then, I knew I'd be up for the challenge tomorrow. So, I did it...but what I didn't expect was that I actually enjoyed it. It wasn't as painful as I had imagined. I was able to run alot faster than I had expected. And never once did I feel like I was sucking wind. I even discovered that two pair of gloves, a beanie hat, and neck to ankles Underarmour was being completely overdressed for the 30 degree occasion.
It's awesome and spectacular and I realized that I don't need some crazy pill to make me less OCD...I just need to run - my drug of choice.
Have a great Thursday!
March 04, 2010
March 02, 2010
AN EXPERIMENT IN INSANITY...OR REALITY...
I'm getting ready to do something really out of character.
I'm shredding my "To Do List" notebook (yes, it encompasses an entire notebook), and I'm deleting all of my 200+ emails from my inbox (including the 80 that I haven't read yet).
Why am I doing something so crazy?
Well, because I'm losing it. I am being overcome by the "to do list" blues, micromanaging my life to the 'nth degree, and succumbing to a life of task after task after task.
If you've known me for, oh, I don't know...about 10 seconds...you know that I'm extremely organized. I probably make people uncomfortable with just how organized I can be. Looking for a spice at my house? Well, just resort to the list posted inside the cabinets...you can find your cinnamon on shelf 2, and your tarragon on shelf 1 (in the back - because they are alphabetized - but you knew that, right?). Wondering where to throw your dirty towels? Why, in the laundry basket LABELED "Towels", silly! Six different baskets all labeled to p-e-r-f-e-c-t-i-o-n! Whites, darks, delicates, sheets, towels, and even workout clothes don't have to fraternize with each other - except on those often occasions that Troy forgets that white basic tees are not washed the same as white workout tees, and hence don't belong in the same basket together. And if you're ever at my house and need a book to read, you can find workout, nutrition, and activity-related books (kayaking, hiking, cycling, etc) on the shelves in the gym....fiction in the tv cabinet in my office...and all nonfiction on the shelf in the living room. Bibles and other religious related readings are on the 2nd shelf in the living room.
This sort of perfection in all things organized does not come easy. It requires an entire notebook dedicated to not forgetting to do a single thing. Everything that needs to be done gets put on the list. Big things like "pay electric bill"....to small things like "get red ink for estimate stamp." Really. If it needs to get done, it gets put on the list. Whether its personal, like "get eyebrows waxed" or business related, like "follow up on so-and-so's late payment" or volunteer related, like "order more singlets." Nothing is too insignificant to make the list.
And therein lies the problem.
The list is consuming me. Not only do I write everything down, but I also really in my heart of hearts believe that I'm going to get it all done...one day...this week. Every week is the same...more stuff added...a few things completed...and constant defeat that I didn't get it all done. I go to bed thinking about the list....I wake up thinking about the list...when I leave the house, I might forget my phone, but I NEVER forget the list.
I got an email from RC yesterday and it said this: "Life if short. The whole reason you left the base [my old job with the Air Force] was supposed to be to enjoy a better quality of life. I think that should include some running :)"
I've thought about that email all day. What is the quality of life that I want? When I die do I want people to say "Wow, that Amy, she sure could get a lot done!" Or would I rather them say "Wow, hate to see her go, but man she led a great life!"
The path that I'm on right now...the one where I'm OCD (there, I said it) about the details...the one where fun doesn't exist because while I'm supposed to be doing something fun, I'm constantly thinking about all the other things I should be doing...the one where Troy just gets sick and tired of hearing me talk about how sick and tired I am...yeah, that path? Well, it sucks!
It reminded me that some of the BEST runs I've ever had, are the ones where I don't have anything else to do. I haven't had one THOSE kind of runs since I left the base. And yes, I know being the owners wife does make me a lot more responsible for many more things...but it doesn't have to always be about "what else can I get done?" Sometimes it can just be about making things happen within realistic means, with realistic time frames. Heck, Troy's been running this show for 11 years without me and he's the most unorganized person I've ever met (okay, not the "most" but pretty darn close). And guess what? His life? Totally stress free. He doesn't sweat the details or get bogged down with time management. He just does what's right, right now, and moves on. I bet all of his runs are BEST runs ever.
So, in an effort to get my life back...do things that are FUN and enjoy them at the same time...and just stop worrying about the details, I'm getting rid of the list. Starting over. At square one. I'm going to try it for a week...no list...no details...if it needs to get done, I'll do it right then or not at all. Hopefully, the week will turn into two weeks and three weeks, and before I know it...well, it will be a lifetime of being "list-free."
I'm shredding my "To Do List" notebook (yes, it encompasses an entire notebook), and I'm deleting all of my 200+ emails from my inbox (including the 80 that I haven't read yet).
Why am I doing something so crazy?
Well, because I'm losing it. I am being overcome by the "to do list" blues, micromanaging my life to the 'nth degree, and succumbing to a life of task after task after task.
If you've known me for, oh, I don't know...about 10 seconds...you know that I'm extremely organized. I probably make people uncomfortable with just how organized I can be. Looking for a spice at my house? Well, just resort to the list posted inside the cabinets...you can find your cinnamon on shelf 2, and your tarragon on shelf 1 (in the back - because they are alphabetized - but you knew that, right?). Wondering where to throw your dirty towels? Why, in the laundry basket LABELED "Towels", silly! Six different baskets all labeled to p-e-r-f-e-c-t-i-o-n! Whites, darks, delicates, sheets, towels, and even workout clothes don't have to fraternize with each other - except on those often occasions that Troy forgets that white basic tees are not washed the same as white workout tees, and hence don't belong in the same basket together. And if you're ever at my house and need a book to read, you can find workout, nutrition, and activity-related books (kayaking, hiking, cycling, etc) on the shelves in the gym....fiction in the tv cabinet in my office...and all nonfiction on the shelf in the living room. Bibles and other religious related readings are on the 2nd shelf in the living room.
This sort of perfection in all things organized does not come easy. It requires an entire notebook dedicated to not forgetting to do a single thing. Everything that needs to be done gets put on the list. Big things like "pay electric bill"....to small things like "get red ink for estimate stamp." Really. If it needs to get done, it gets put on the list. Whether its personal, like "get eyebrows waxed" or business related, like "follow up on so-and-so's late payment" or volunteer related, like "order more singlets." Nothing is too insignificant to make the list.
And therein lies the problem.
The list is consuming me. Not only do I write everything down, but I also really in my heart of hearts believe that I'm going to get it all done...one day...this week. Every week is the same...more stuff added...a few things completed...and constant defeat that I didn't get it all done. I go to bed thinking about the list....I wake up thinking about the list...when I leave the house, I might forget my phone, but I NEVER forget the list.
I got an email from RC yesterday and it said this: "Life if short. The whole reason you left the base [my old job with the Air Force] was supposed to be to enjoy a better quality of life. I think that should include some running :)"
I've thought about that email all day. What is the quality of life that I want? When I die do I want people to say "Wow, that Amy, she sure could get a lot done!" Or would I rather them say "Wow, hate to see her go, but man she led a great life!"
The path that I'm on right now...the one where I'm OCD (there, I said it) about the details...the one where fun doesn't exist because while I'm supposed to be doing something fun, I'm constantly thinking about all the other things I should be doing...the one where Troy just gets sick and tired of hearing me talk about how sick and tired I am...yeah, that path? Well, it sucks!
It reminded me that some of the BEST runs I've ever had, are the ones where I don't have anything else to do. I haven't had one THOSE kind of runs since I left the base. And yes, I know being the owners wife does make me a lot more responsible for many more things...but it doesn't have to always be about "what else can I get done?" Sometimes it can just be about making things happen within realistic means, with realistic time frames. Heck, Troy's been running this show for 11 years without me and he's the most unorganized person I've ever met (okay, not the "most" but pretty darn close). And guess what? His life? Totally stress free. He doesn't sweat the details or get bogged down with time management. He just does what's right, right now, and moves on. I bet all of his runs are BEST runs ever.
So, in an effort to get my life back...do things that are FUN and enjoy them at the same time...and just stop worrying about the details, I'm getting rid of the list. Starting over. At square one. I'm going to try it for a week...no list...no details...if it needs to get done, I'll do it right then or not at all. Hopefully, the week will turn into two weeks and three weeks, and before I know it...well, it will be a lifetime of being "list-free."
February 28, 2010
CANTRELL 5K
Yesterday was the 2nd annual Cantrell Center 5k. It's a tough course, mainly because the last mile is one GIANT hill. I don't have much love for this race, mainly since it's still too cold, in my opinion, to be sporting little shorty shorts and a singlet at 7am. Don't get me wrong, those folks at the Cantrell Center do a fantastic job of putting this thing on...I just wish it were in April or October or any other month where the average temps are above 60 degrees. At any rate, I had to go to the race because I got a free race entry from my favorite running store: Run Fit Sports.
(Note: I voluntarily signed up for the free race entry so any and all complaining about how cold it was or how difficult the course was is completely, and 100% my fault.)
So, I dreaded it and kept telling Troy that if weren't for that dreaded free entry, I'd stay at home in the confines of my warm bed.
When will it ever warm up around here???
At any rate, I carpooled to the race with Angela and boy was I thankful we decided to ride together. She's been going through the same bouts of un-lovingness for all things running faster, just the same as I have been. It was nice to spend 30 minutes comparing over-taxed schedules, unmotivation, and how much we both despise this cold weather. It really was nice to talk to someone else who is my similar shoes (no pun intended...unless you like puns, of course).
We arrived at the race and went to pick our packet's up. Upon entering the packet area, I spotted Runner Ashley. She's a 16 year old who frequents our Tuesday night track workouts and really is just a very sweet girl. I don't know why I did it...but I asked her if she'd like me to pace her on the race. She's relatively new to running, doesn't have a great coaching staff at her very small school, and therefore suffers in knowing what to do to get faster. She ran a 5k last weekend in 34 minutes. She's good as gold, until about mile 2 where she's spent, gives up, and decides to walk the rest of the way. I didn't want to run this race, so I figured it would be a perfect opportunity to take the pressure off of myself and do something for someone else. She didn't really have any goal in mind. Just to run faster and not give up. In my mind, I wanted to help her break 30 minutes and NEVER stop running.
At the start, I just told her to stay next to me. If she started having trouble, to just stay one step behind me. I'd get her to the finish, show her she can run faster than she thinks, and that she can do all of that and not die! We began at a 9 minute pace. I figured if I could just keep her there for the 1st mile, she would have enough energy to get through the hills without stopping.
I talked and talked and talked. Probably doesn't surprise anyone....I was having a ball. No pressure. Just solid encouragement for someone in need. She did really well through the first 1.5 miles. We came to some rolling hills and I told her to just let gravity take her down them, and use that momentum to climb back up. I was actually surprised to see that she didn't stop once! Around mile 2, the climb for the last hill begins...you can see it coming so it wasn't like I could hide it from her. She asked to stop at the water station. I told her she could grab water but to just keep on running. She did it! As we began the climb to the top of the hill, she began to get frustrated. She kept saying she couldn't do it. Everything hurt. She really just wanted to stop and give up. I kept telling her to keep going, that she wasn't losing much time on the hills, and to focus on the people she could pass. By the time we got to the top of the hill all she could say was "I can't do this." And I'd say "Yes you can." And she'd follow with "I can't do this." And again, I'd just say "Yes you can." I started repeating my mantra to her, the one I say over and over again when things get tough:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13
She probably thought I was crazy but I just kept saying it to her over and over again. We rounded the turn...less than .20 of a mile to go. We could see the finish line....I told her to start sprinting...do what she is good at. She began crying. At a 7:45 pace....lol. She had no idea she was running that fast. And she just kept crying as she crossed the finish line in 28 minutes and 57 seconds! Her step-dad came over and asked me why she was crying. I patted her on the back and told him "those are tears of joy." She agreed.
I was really proud of her. She never stopped once. She did everything I told her to do even when she didn't want to. A little Grasshopper in the making! I really was proud of her.
Now, I have to get myself back in the game. I've run about 20 miles this week. Not stellar but better than many of the past few (several, many) weeks. Maybe the warm weather will show up soon and I'll make more time for it. Maybe...just maybe.
(Note: I voluntarily signed up for the free race entry so any and all complaining about how cold it was or how difficult the course was is completely, and 100% my fault.)
So, I dreaded it and kept telling Troy that if weren't for that dreaded free entry, I'd stay at home in the confines of my warm bed.
When will it ever warm up around here???
At any rate, I carpooled to the race with Angela and boy was I thankful we decided to ride together. She's been going through the same bouts of un-lovingness for all things running faster, just the same as I have been. It was nice to spend 30 minutes comparing over-taxed schedules, unmotivation, and how much we both despise this cold weather. It really was nice to talk to someone else who is my similar shoes (no pun intended...unless you like puns, of course).
We arrived at the race and went to pick our packet's up. Upon entering the packet area, I spotted Runner Ashley. She's a 16 year old who frequents our Tuesday night track workouts and really is just a very sweet girl. I don't know why I did it...but I asked her if she'd like me to pace her on the race. She's relatively new to running, doesn't have a great coaching staff at her very small school, and therefore suffers in knowing what to do to get faster. She ran a 5k last weekend in 34 minutes. She's good as gold, until about mile 2 where she's spent, gives up, and decides to walk the rest of the way. I didn't want to run this race, so I figured it would be a perfect opportunity to take the pressure off of myself and do something for someone else. She didn't really have any goal in mind. Just to run faster and not give up. In my mind, I wanted to help her break 30 minutes and NEVER stop running.
At the start, I just told her to stay next to me. If she started having trouble, to just stay one step behind me. I'd get her to the finish, show her she can run faster than she thinks, and that she can do all of that and not die! We began at a 9 minute pace. I figured if I could just keep her there for the 1st mile, she would have enough energy to get through the hills without stopping.
I talked and talked and talked. Probably doesn't surprise anyone....I was having a ball. No pressure. Just solid encouragement for someone in need. She did really well through the first 1.5 miles. We came to some rolling hills and I told her to just let gravity take her down them, and use that momentum to climb back up. I was actually surprised to see that she didn't stop once! Around mile 2, the climb for the last hill begins...you can see it coming so it wasn't like I could hide it from her. She asked to stop at the water station. I told her she could grab water but to just keep on running. She did it! As we began the climb to the top of the hill, she began to get frustrated. She kept saying she couldn't do it. Everything hurt. She really just wanted to stop and give up. I kept telling her to keep going, that she wasn't losing much time on the hills, and to focus on the people she could pass. By the time we got to the top of the hill all she could say was "I can't do this." And I'd say "Yes you can." And she'd follow with "I can't do this." And again, I'd just say "Yes you can." I started repeating my mantra to her, the one I say over and over again when things get tough:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13
She probably thought I was crazy but I just kept saying it to her over and over again. We rounded the turn...less than .20 of a mile to go. We could see the finish line....I told her to start sprinting...do what she is good at. She began crying. At a 7:45 pace....lol. She had no idea she was running that fast. And she just kept crying as she crossed the finish line in 28 minutes and 57 seconds! Her step-dad came over and asked me why she was crying. I patted her on the back and told him "those are tears of joy." She agreed.
I was really proud of her. She never stopped once. She did everything I told her to do even when she didn't want to. A little Grasshopper in the making! I really was proud of her.
Now, I have to get myself back in the game. I've run about 20 miles this week. Not stellar but better than many of the past few (several, many) weeks. Maybe the warm weather will show up soon and I'll make more time for it. Maybe...just maybe.
February 24, 2010
THE SMORGASBORD ENTRY
1st and foremost: Running. I've rekindled my romance with running and I'm back to loving speedwork, looking forward to a TEMPO run (yes, I really just said that - and lightening didn't strike), and just having a jolly good time doing what I do well - Run. I even jumped into an unplanned 5k on Saturday, and while I didn't beat my own personal record, I beat my record on the same course from last year. Score one for Running Amy. I have also run two solid days in a row and even convinced myself to run almost 2 miles farther than I had planned to on Monday. Things are looking up for me in the world of running and I couldn't be more happy about it.
2nd: Work. Holy cow I can't get organized. One of these days....one of these really long days, I'm going to get things in order. Really. It's driving me nuts. And the fact that we will be moving into another business venture in May...well...I guess I sortof feel like an expectant mother (and just so you know, I'm not one.) I always hear how moms-to-be run around there homes getting everything in order before said baby arrives. I feel like I'm getting ready to birth a new opportunity and Ineed NEED to get my house in order before that day. One of these days...I swear...I'm going to get it together.
3rd: Volunteerism. Really. Need I say more? I totally and 100% understand why so many people do not like to get involved with anything that would require them to be a volunteer. The drama. The chaos. The lack of communication. Sometimes it makes me want to throw in the towel and scream "UNCLE!" (by the way, if I volunteer for your organization and you're scratching your head trying to figure out if I'm talking about you...well, fear not...it's not about you...I can assure you of that).
4th: Old blog entries. Almost 4 years ago, I wrote a blog post about a certain fitness center that doesn't have the level of customer service that I (or anyone else on this planet) should have to deal with. You can click on the link above and read for yourself. Why am I bringing this up? Because...here...almost 4 years later...I am still getting emails from people who have had problems with this place. And not small problems, mind you. My latest email came from a mother who has a daughter who is attending one of our local universities. The daughter applied for a job at the fitness center and was told that she had to sign up for a membership in order to work there. So she did. And guess what? She didn't get the job. Read the comments section on that post...it goes on for days...well, years in this case. I'm not sure why I'm bringing it back up. I guess I'm hoping that one of my community buddies who works for the paper might be interested in doing a story on it...or maybe I'm just hoping that one more person doesn't fall into a death trap with this center...it's such a shame...such a shame.
So, there you have it...your smorgasbord of what's going on in Amy's Running Life.
Until next time....
2nd: Work. Holy cow I can't get organized. One of these days....one of these really long days, I'm going to get things in order. Really. It's driving me nuts. And the fact that we will be moving into another business venture in May...well...I guess I sortof feel like an expectant mother (and just so you know, I'm not one.) I always hear how moms-to-be run around there homes getting everything in order before said baby arrives. I feel like I'm getting ready to birth a new opportunity and I
3rd: Volunteerism. Really. Need I say more? I totally and 100% understand why so many people do not like to get involved with anything that would require them to be a volunteer. The drama. The chaos. The lack of communication. Sometimes it makes me want to throw in the towel and scream "UNCLE!" (by the way, if I volunteer for your organization and you're scratching your head trying to figure out if I'm talking about you...well, fear not...it's not about you...I can assure you of that).
4th: Old blog entries. Almost 4 years ago, I wrote a blog post about a certain fitness center that doesn't have the level of customer service that I (or anyone else on this planet) should have to deal with. You can click on the link above and read for yourself. Why am I bringing this up? Because...here...almost 4 years later...I am still getting emails from people who have had problems with this place. And not small problems, mind you. My latest email came from a mother who has a daughter who is attending one of our local universities. The daughter applied for a job at the fitness center and was told that she had to sign up for a membership in order to work there. So she did. And guess what? She didn't get the job. Read the comments section on that post...it goes on for days...well, years in this case. I'm not sure why I'm bringing it back up. I guess I'm hoping that one of my community buddies who works for the paper might be interested in doing a story on it...or maybe I'm just hoping that one more person doesn't fall into a death trap with this center...it's such a shame...such a shame.
So, there you have it...your smorgasbord of what's going on in Amy's Running Life.
Until next time....
February 15, 2010
I'M VENTURING BACK OUT....
Yes...finally...my little hiatus is over. It was fun sucked while it lasted...
It was nerve-wracking and aggravating and somewhat depressing to know that I can run...physically, I can do it...but mentally...not so much. Big giant note to self: next winter don't take any time off...it's too dang hard to get back into it!
But, that's the past and now I'm moving on. I got an email from RC this morning that said Team POD needs me....so like Super Woman to her cape, I am putting my shoes back on and heading out for a real live track work out....filled with speed, and pain, and oh, alot of fun...
Bring it on.
Troy and I visited some family this weekend in NC. Saturday morning we were driving down a street and I spotted this sign:
I mean, how cool is that? Troy thinks it used to be a restaurant...with a name like that, I don't have to wonder long why it's out of business. I wanted to call the owner and buy that sign. Troy thought I was a dork.
I have absolutely nothing interesting, inspiring or earth-shattering to say today...which means I need to run. I come up with most of my blog material while I'm running....yes, while I'm pounding out the miles, I think about you guys.
Now, doesn't that just make your Monday night?
It was nerve-wracking and aggravating and somewhat depressing to know that I can run...physically, I can do it...but mentally...not so much. Big giant note to self: next winter don't take any time off...it's too dang hard to get back into it!
But, that's the past and now I'm moving on. I got an email from RC this morning that said Team POD needs me....so like Super Woman to her cape, I am putting my shoes back on and heading out for a real live track work out....filled with speed, and pain, and oh, alot of fun...
Bring it on.
Troy and I visited some family this weekend in NC. Saturday morning we were driving down a street and I spotted this sign:
I mean, how cool is that? Troy thinks it used to be a restaurant...with a name like that, I don't have to wonder long why it's out of business. I wanted to call the owner and buy that sign. Troy thought I was a dork.
I have absolutely nothing interesting, inspiring or earth-shattering to say today...which means I need to run. I come up with most of my blog material while I'm running....yes, while I'm pounding out the miles, I think about you guys.
Now, doesn't that just make your Monday night?
February 11, 2010
"THE SUCCESS PRINCIPLES"
I'm currently reading devouring this book: "The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be." And holy cow...if you are interested in being successful at anything from running a sub-20 minute 5k to becoming the first person to walk a dog on a tight rope to being a cajillionaire before you die...well, this is the book for you.
It certainly is for me. It has helped put so much of the last 7 or 8 months into perspective.
Since I left my cushy, do-what-I-want-to-when-I-want-to government job, I've been sort of lost. I can't seem to get into a routine...pre-quitting-of-the-job, routine was my way of life. The job never called for more than I could accomplish in 4 or 5 hours in a day so I'd spend the rest of the day working on volunteer projects, catching up on blog posting, or running - I was able to spend at least 30 minutes of my work day, on the clock, running! Sometimes I'd even take the afternoon off work, come home to clean the house, and then even take a nap for good measure. Then you throw in all of those government holidays and my AWS (alternate work schedule, which meant I was able to take every other Friday off), and no wonder I felt like Super Woman. I could do ANYTHING because my job didn't require the majority of my time.
Fast forward to the life of being self-employed...and wow....are things different. Not different - BAD - just different. I have not been able to get into a routine to save my life...whether it's a routine of getting daily tasks completed or a routine of getting in those miles pounding the pavement....I just haven't been able to do it....haven't been able to accomplish it all...haven't found that super-hero feeling.
Now, don't get me wrong. I wouldn't leave my current job for all the money in the world. I love it. I finally feel like I'm making a difference. When I see that bottom line every month, I get to smile knowing that I had a hand in making that happen. When our employees get to take a vacation with their kids, I get to smile knowing that we were able to help them get to a point where taking a vacation was an option. When a customer calls to tell me how pleased she is with the repair one of our guys did, I get to smile knowing that we have the best employees in the world. I love it, and nothing can take away the daily pride I have in knowing that with what we are currently doing, we are successful beyond measure.
And that's where my warped sense of working-as-a-government-employee perception causes me problems. I'm used to the routines. The schedules. The days that aren't ever overbooked. I'm used to sitting in the warmth of security...the lap of knowing that for all intents and purposes I'd never get fired. And it's that security that causes me to take less risks, reach out to potential opportunities, or go out on a limb for what might just be a failure. It's like a baby sitting in poop. It's warm and it's mine. Right?
We are about to embark on a risk. To Troy, the consummate entrepreneur, it's just another exciting adventure in life. To me, well, it's got me paralyzed. I've had such a hard time being on board. I want to jump off of that diving board...I really do. But what if I do jump and I find out I can't swim? What if I jump only to find out that the pool's only 3 feet deep? What if I jump and there is no one there to save me? So, instead of finding out if I can swim, I just choose to stand at the end of the diving board...shivering...scared...humiliated...waiting for everyone to stop staring so I can climb back down the stairs to the warmth and security of having my feet firmly planted on the ground.
Until yesterday. And the book. And specifically Principles 13 (Take Action), 14 (Just Lean Into It), and 15 (Experience Your Fear and Take Action Anyway).
Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step. -Martin Luther King Jr.
I couldn't believe what I was reading. It was like my entire life flashing before my eyes...right here in this book. I don't "take action." I wait for action to happen to me. I don't "just lean into it". I wait for it to fall on me. I do "experience my fear" on a daily basis, but I have never been one to "take action anyway." It was everything that has made me what I am today. Conservative, reserved, fearful, riskless. And while yes, I've had an amazingly wonderful life being on the straight and narrow path, what would my life be like if I took a leap of faith? Jumped off that diving board? Faced my fears head on, and moved past them? And more importantly, what about the future? Can I continue to be successful without taking risks? Should I break away from that mold I've made for myself and do things I only see other people do? Can I do it? Will I become a failure? Is now that time?
Yes. I do believe it is.
We come this way but once. We can either tiptoe through life and hope that we get to death without being too badly bruised or we can live a full, complete life achieving our goals and realizing our wildest dreams. - Bob Proctor
So, this morning I told Troy I was 100% on board. I am ready to jump of that diving board and for once, I remembered that I can swim....that it's 11 feet deep under that board...and that I'm not doing this all alone, but as part of a very large and encouraging team.
It feels very empowering, very exciting, and ironically not as nerve wracking as I thought it was going to be.
Do you want to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great? - Jimmy Johnson
So, for now we are pressing forward with vengeance. We don't borrow money (for anything!) so it will be a few months of watching dollar movies, volunteering at races rather than running in them, and saving money to make things happen. I'm excited. I'm optimistic. And strangely enough, I feel like I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.
Tomorrow, I'll post about how "The Success Principles" have helped me in the area of running!
Have a great Thursday!
It certainly is for me. It has helped put so much of the last 7 or 8 months into perspective.
Since I left my cushy, do-what-I-want-to-when-I-want-to government job, I've been sort of lost. I can't seem to get into a routine...pre-quitting-of-the-job, routine was my way of life. The job never called for more than I could accomplish in 4 or 5 hours in a day so I'd spend the rest of the day working on volunteer projects, catching up on blog posting, or running - I was able to spend at least 30 minutes of my work day, on the clock, running! Sometimes I'd even take the afternoon off work, come home to clean the house, and then even take a nap for good measure. Then you throw in all of those government holidays and my AWS (alternate work schedule, which meant I was able to take every other Friday off), and no wonder I felt like Super Woman. I could do ANYTHING because my job didn't require the majority of my time.
Fast forward to the life of being self-employed...and wow....are things different. Not different - BAD - just different. I have not been able to get into a routine to save my life...whether it's a routine of getting daily tasks completed or a routine of getting in those miles pounding the pavement....I just haven't been able to do it....haven't been able to accomplish it all...haven't found that super-hero feeling.
Now, don't get me wrong. I wouldn't leave my current job for all the money in the world. I love it. I finally feel like I'm making a difference. When I see that bottom line every month, I get to smile knowing that I had a hand in making that happen. When our employees get to take a vacation with their kids, I get to smile knowing that we were able to help them get to a point where taking a vacation was an option. When a customer calls to tell me how pleased she is with the repair one of our guys did, I get to smile knowing that we have the best employees in the world. I love it, and nothing can take away the daily pride I have in knowing that with what we are currently doing, we are successful beyond measure.
And that's where my warped sense of working-as-a-government-employee perception causes me problems. I'm used to the routines. The schedules. The days that aren't ever overbooked. I'm used to sitting in the warmth of security...the lap of knowing that for all intents and purposes I'd never get fired. And it's that security that causes me to take less risks, reach out to potential opportunities, or go out on a limb for what might just be a failure. It's like a baby sitting in poop. It's warm and it's mine. Right?
We are about to embark on a risk. To Troy, the consummate entrepreneur, it's just another exciting adventure in life. To me, well, it's got me paralyzed. I've had such a hard time being on board. I want to jump off of that diving board...I really do. But what if I do jump and I find out I can't swim? What if I jump only to find out that the pool's only 3 feet deep? What if I jump and there is no one there to save me? So, instead of finding out if I can swim, I just choose to stand at the end of the diving board...shivering...scared...humiliated...waiting for everyone to stop staring so I can climb back down the stairs to the warmth and security of having my feet firmly planted on the ground.
Until yesterday. And the book. And specifically Principles 13 (Take Action), 14 (Just Lean Into It), and 15 (Experience Your Fear and Take Action Anyway).
Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step. -Martin Luther King Jr.
I couldn't believe what I was reading. It was like my entire life flashing before my eyes...right here in this book. I don't "take action." I wait for action to happen to me. I don't "just lean into it". I wait for it to fall on me. I do "experience my fear" on a daily basis, but I have never been one to "take action anyway." It was everything that has made me what I am today. Conservative, reserved, fearful, riskless. And while yes, I've had an amazingly wonderful life being on the straight and narrow path, what would my life be like if I took a leap of faith? Jumped off that diving board? Faced my fears head on, and moved past them? And more importantly, what about the future? Can I continue to be successful without taking risks? Should I break away from that mold I've made for myself and do things I only see other people do? Can I do it? Will I become a failure? Is now that time?
Yes. I do believe it is.
We come this way but once. We can either tiptoe through life and hope that we get to death without being too badly bruised or we can live a full, complete life achieving our goals and realizing our wildest dreams. - Bob Proctor
So, this morning I told Troy I was 100% on board. I am ready to jump of that diving board and for once, I remembered that I can swim....that it's 11 feet deep under that board...and that I'm not doing this all alone, but as part of a very large and encouraging team.
It feels very empowering, very exciting, and ironically not as nerve wracking as I thought it was going to be.
Do you want to be safe and good, or do you want to take a chance and be great? - Jimmy Johnson
So, for now we are pressing forward with vengeance. We don't borrow money (for anything!) so it will be a few months of watching dollar movies, volunteering at races rather than running in them, and saving money to make things happen. I'm excited. I'm optimistic. And strangely enough, I feel like I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing.
Tomorrow, I'll post about how "The Success Principles" have helped me in the area of running!
Have a great Thursday!
February 09, 2010
STILL HERE....
I'm still here....
Just lurking really....
Not really doing a whole lot of running....
Or any, for that matter....
I have decided that I've overextended myself....
Yeah, I know...I think a few of you told me that before...
Well, now I'm finally listening....
And clearing the plate....
Of unnecessary obligations....
Vacuuming is one of those, btw....
And so are alot of other things....
I'm downsizing to a few running related obligations (track club, and OH, running might be nice)..and a few personal obligations (like taking daily showers)....
But, other than those important things....I'm 86'ing the rest of it....
So, don't stand too closely to me....
Because you might be next....(not you Troy!)
Just lurking really....
Not really doing a whole lot of running....
Or any, for that matter....
I have decided that I've overextended myself....
Yeah, I know...I think a few of you told me that before...
Well, now I'm finally listening....
And clearing the plate....
Of unnecessary obligations....
Vacuuming is one of those, btw....
And so are alot of other things....
I'm downsizing to a few running related obligations (track club, and OH, running might be nice)..and a few personal obligations (like taking daily showers)....
But, other than those important things....I'm 86'ing the rest of it....
So, don't stand too closely to me....
Because you might be next....(not you Troy!)
January 30, 2010
DRAMA QUEEN
I don't like getting up in front of a crowd. During my freshman year in college, I had to give a speech on the pros and cons of year round schooling. I got so nervous that my professor stopped me mid-speech to make sure I was okay. She thought I was getting ready to have a heart attack. Yes, I like to talk...and yes, I may be guilty of trying to be the center of attention on occasion, but in front of crowd where all eyes are on me? Not so much.
So, when it dawned on me two days ago that I might be a tad-bit of a drama queen...well, I decided to do some research....first going where every self-respecting researcher would turn for information: Google.
I found two definitions. The first being "an overly dramatic person." A little vague, and honestly, I didn't get a warm-fuzzy that that definition described my exact situation. I mean, when I think of "dramatic", I think of the cast from Chicago, or anyone who has ever starred on Law and Order, or our very own local drama queen: Katy Thompson. But me...dramatic? Not so much.
On to definition numero dos: "Someone who turns something unimportant into a major deal. Someone who blows things way out of proportion when ever the chance is given."
Okay, that's much better. Sounds...well...exactly like me.
I mean, seriously...who in their right mind would get bent out of shape because the lights aren't separated from the darks? Yeah, that would be me. Who would hyperventilate because the tailor hemmed my pants a 1/10 of inch too short. Yes, that was me with the measuring tape. And who in their right mind would have a complete meltdown because they didn't feel like running. Yep. Me again.
I'm sure my family could throw out quite a few other examples of my hysteria as a child and a young adult. I vaguely remember crying over my hair, my makeup, the color of my jeans, the boy that looked at me, the boy that didn't look at me, the party that I didn't get invited to, and the party that I did get invited to and didn't want to go but my mom was making me go anyway. Yeah, I guess I was a tiny bit of a drama queen as a child.
But honestly, until a few days ago, I thought I had grown out of all of that...oh...like 10 years ago. I guess not.
I am constantly analyzing things (the reason, in my former life, I was so good at being an auditor for the Air Force *pat on the back*). So, it's no surprise to many of you that I've spent the last few days pondering my discovery of being a drama queen. I mean, really, if I go back and look at the things that are such a big deal...well, in reality...yeah...not so much of a big deal. I mean, the people I know...some of them...way bigger deals going on in their lives and you never hear a peep about it.
So, I'm a little embarrassed that I made such a big deal about the fact that I didn't feel like running. In the scheme of things, it's awfully pleasant that I have two legs, right? And I'm a little ashamed that I broadcast my little temper tantrum to the 178 people who clicked on my blog that day. Because really, isn't it just nice that I have the physical fitness to go out and run 5 miles when I do feel like it? And finally, I'm a little disheartened that I cried (yes, I actually cried over that blog post) about my breakup with running. Seriously, isn't it a blessing to know that I'm actually fairly good at something that deep down inside (and on a good day), I really do love to do?
I wonder what most people would give to have the things I take advantage of?
My near-perfect health, my perfect-in-my-eyes husband, my less-than-perfect-family that still loves me despite my faults, my dream job, the fact that I don't have to worry about finances...the list could go on....instead of celebrating these things and the wonderful opportunities I have in my life...I throw a hissy fit. Nice. Super nice.
So, I think at age 33, it's probably time to retire that tiara. Give it to someone who rightfully deserves it...like...oh...my 9 year old niece...or better yet, leave the drama for people who are actually good at it, like Katy Thompson! Yes, I think it's probably time to put on my big girl panties* and take the minor snafus of life with a little grace, a little charm, and a lot of laughter.
Have a great weekend!
*please spare your comments...it's a figure of speech.
So, when it dawned on me two days ago that I might be a tad-bit of a drama queen...well, I decided to do some research....first going where every self-respecting researcher would turn for information: Google.
I found two definitions. The first being "an overly dramatic person." A little vague, and honestly, I didn't get a warm-fuzzy that that definition described my exact situation. I mean, when I think of "dramatic", I think of the cast from Chicago, or anyone who has ever starred on Law and Order, or our very own local drama queen: Katy Thompson. But me...dramatic? Not so much.
On to definition numero dos: "Someone who turns something unimportant into a major deal. Someone who blows things way out of proportion when ever the chance is given."
Okay, that's much better. Sounds...well...exactly like me.
I mean, seriously...who in their right mind would get bent out of shape because the lights aren't separated from the darks? Yeah, that would be me. Who would hyperventilate because the tailor hemmed my pants a 1/10 of inch too short. Yes, that was me with the measuring tape. And who in their right mind would have a complete meltdown because they didn't feel like running. Yep. Me again.
I'm sure my family could throw out quite a few other examples of my hysteria as a child and a young adult. I vaguely remember crying over my hair, my makeup, the color of my jeans, the boy that looked at me, the boy that didn't look at me, the party that I didn't get invited to, and the party that I did get invited to and didn't want to go but my mom was making me go anyway. Yeah, I guess I was a tiny bit of a drama queen as a child.
But honestly, until a few days ago, I thought I had grown out of all of that...oh...like 10 years ago. I guess not.
I am constantly analyzing things (the reason, in my former life, I was so good at being an auditor for the Air Force *pat on the back*). So, it's no surprise to many of you that I've spent the last few days pondering my discovery of being a drama queen. I mean, really, if I go back and look at the things that are such a big deal...well, in reality...yeah...not so much of a big deal. I mean, the people I know...some of them...way bigger deals going on in their lives and you never hear a peep about it.
So, I'm a little embarrassed that I made such a big deal about the fact that I didn't feel like running. In the scheme of things, it's awfully pleasant that I have two legs, right? And I'm a little ashamed that I broadcast my little temper tantrum to the 178 people who clicked on my blog that day. Because really, isn't it just nice that I have the physical fitness to go out and run 5 miles when I do feel like it? And finally, I'm a little disheartened that I cried (yes, I actually cried over that blog post) about my breakup with running. Seriously, isn't it a blessing to know that I'm actually fairly good at something that deep down inside (and on a good day), I really do love to do?
I wonder what most people would give to have the things I take advantage of?
My near-perfect health, my perfect-in-my-eyes husband, my less-than-perfect-family that still loves me despite my faults, my dream job, the fact that I don't have to worry about finances...the list could go on....instead of celebrating these things and the wonderful opportunities I have in my life...I throw a hissy fit. Nice. Super nice.
So, I think at age 33, it's probably time to retire that tiara. Give it to someone who rightfully deserves it...like...oh...my 9 year old niece...or better yet, leave the drama for people who are actually good at it, like Katy Thompson! Yes, I think it's probably time to put on my big girl panties* and take the minor snafus of life with a little grace, a little charm, and a lot of laughter.
Have a great weekend!
*please spare your comments...it's a figure of speech.
January 29, 2010
BACK TO REALITY
First of all, let me say THANKS to all of you who posted to my blog, sent me an email, texted me, or just showed up at my house to tell me that I am crazy completely normal. For the record, only RC told me I was insane and he didn't specifically say I was nuts, but that generally most women runners have a little bit of crazy going on inside. He lives in a house, not only with three women, but three women athletes, so he is definitely in the know when it comes to crazy-speak.
At any rate, I'm fine now. Thanks to everyone telling me they were or are currently going through the same things, I've deduced that it's probably just a combination of being tired and this craptastic weather that have just made me not want to put forth the effort.
The biggest thing I've taken away from this (besides that I have some really great friends, and one awesome older brother) is that it's okay to feel less than motivated from time to time. It's just a part of the cycle of life.
I haven't run in almost a week and I don't feel one iota of guilt about it. I'm just catching up, cooking dinner at a reasonable hour, and hanging out with friends and family. Tonight is the Urban Cowboy party and I'm looking forward to staying out late and sleeping in even later....because you can do that when you don't have a race to run or a Quality Workout to do at 7am on Saturday.
Maybe if you're lucky I'll post some pictures of the party...
I plan on starting back with running next week. A no-pressure, no-frills kind of running. As many miles as I feel like it, as slow as I want to go.
Have a great weekend!
At any rate, I'm fine now. Thanks to everyone telling me they were or are currently going through the same things, I've deduced that it's probably just a combination of being tired and this craptastic weather that have just made me not want to put forth the effort.
The biggest thing I've taken away from this (besides that I have some really great friends, and one awesome older brother) is that it's okay to feel less than motivated from time to time. It's just a part of the cycle of life.
I haven't run in almost a week and I don't feel one iota of guilt about it. I'm just catching up, cooking dinner at a reasonable hour, and hanging out with friends and family. Tonight is the Urban Cowboy party and I'm looking forward to staying out late and sleeping in even later....because you can do that when you don't have a race to run or a Quality Workout to do at 7am on Saturday.
Maybe if you're lucky I'll post some pictures of the party...
I plan on starting back with running next week. A no-pressure, no-frills kind of running. As many miles as I feel like it, as slow as I want to go.
Have a great weekend!
January 26, 2010
WHAT IS IT?
I'm not sure what's going on with me lately. I can't believe I'm about to say this....
I'm just not interested in running.
Well, not running fast anyway.
I think about speedwork and my head starts to ache.
I think about a TEMPO and I break my arm, get a shin splint, or come down with a raging cold (okay, the arm thing was a little dramatic, but you get where I'm going with this.)
I'm just totally, 100 percent not invested in this.
And for the love of all things running, I can't figure out why.
And it's driving me absolutely bonkers.
It started several months ago. I thought that maybe it was because I didn't have a concrete goal. So I made one. And two. And ten. None of them seemed to light that inner-runner-fire in me.
Then I thought it was because I needed a definitive, written schedule to follow. So I made one. And two. And ten. Again, nothing. Not one of them made me want to go and run my heart out.
Then I thought it was work. And my new job that seems to not ever end. I guess that's what happens when your self-employed. The job keeps going day and night. Our official hours are 8am to 6pm. So I decided to try and get all my runs in at 7am. I tried one day. And two days. And ten days. And while I loved running at those times, I found that I struggled with making myself run fast on those mornings. I could get up and run 6 easy miles. But, include some speed, hills, intervals, tempos? Nope, couldn't muster up the energy to do anything but run easy. So, I did what made me feel better....I just gave up on trying to run at 7am.
And now, here I sit. With nothing. No enthusiasm. No inner-runner-fire. No mojo.
It's weird because I see race results or read others stories about their awesome PR at a local race and I think "wow, I want to do that." But then I can't find the energy to follow through with it. I know I don't have nearly the amount of work on my plate as others, but I feel overwhelmed and training to run fast just seems like something else on my endless list of to-dos. I don't know how to find that person that I was just a year ago when the possibilities of getting faster were just endless. At the time, I thought nothing would stand in my way of getting faster. And now, here I sit with this giant invisible roadblock.
Is it burnout? Is it laziness? Am I overworked? Am I putting too much pressure on myself?
What is it?
I am certain that I can't move on until I figure out what it is. I don't want to hang up my running shoes. I love running. I love going out for a 10 mile run with the wind at my back and the sun in my face. I love running a 5k and finding out that I finished it faster than I did a year ago. I love running with my friends. I love talking about running, especially to someone who doesn't think they could ever do it. I don't dislike running. I am sure of that. But, I'm beginning to feel like a quitter...
If you've gone through this before, PLEASE post a comment. I need all the advice I can get!
I'm just not interested in running.
Well, not running fast anyway.
I think about speedwork and my head starts to ache.
I think about a TEMPO and I break my arm, get a shin splint, or come down with a raging cold (okay, the arm thing was a little dramatic, but you get where I'm going with this.)
I'm just totally, 100 percent not invested in this.
And for the love of all things running, I can't figure out why.
And it's driving me absolutely bonkers.
It started several months ago. I thought that maybe it was because I didn't have a concrete goal. So I made one. And two. And ten. None of them seemed to light that inner-runner-fire in me.
Then I thought it was because I needed a definitive, written schedule to follow. So I made one. And two. And ten. Again, nothing. Not one of them made me want to go and run my heart out.
Then I thought it was work. And my new job that seems to not ever end. I guess that's what happens when your self-employed. The job keeps going day and night. Our official hours are 8am to 6pm. So I decided to try and get all my runs in at 7am. I tried one day. And two days. And ten days. And while I loved running at those times, I found that I struggled with making myself run fast on those mornings. I could get up and run 6 easy miles. But, include some speed, hills, intervals, tempos? Nope, couldn't muster up the energy to do anything but run easy. So, I did what made me feel better....I just gave up on trying to run at 7am.
And now, here I sit. With nothing. No enthusiasm. No inner-runner-fire. No mojo.
It's weird because I see race results or read others stories about their awesome PR at a local race and I think "wow, I want to do that." But then I can't find the energy to follow through with it. I know I don't have nearly the amount of work on my plate as others, but I feel overwhelmed and training to run fast just seems like something else on my endless list of to-dos. I don't know how to find that person that I was just a year ago when the possibilities of getting faster were just endless. At the time, I thought nothing would stand in my way of getting faster. And now, here I sit with this giant invisible roadblock.
Is it burnout? Is it laziness? Am I overworked? Am I putting too much pressure on myself?
What is it?
I am certain that I can't move on until I figure out what it is. I don't want to hang up my running shoes. I love running. I love going out for a 10 mile run with the wind at my back and the sun in my face. I love running a 5k and finding out that I finished it faster than I did a year ago. I love running with my friends. I love talking about running, especially to someone who doesn't think they could ever do it. I don't dislike running. I am sure of that. But, I'm beginning to feel like a quitter...
If you've gone through this before, PLEASE post a comment. I need all the advice I can get!
January 08, 2010
NEW YEAR...NEW CHALLENGES
It's no secret that I've been sort of slack lately. I felt like I had just lost my lovin' feeling with running. I just couldn't get excited about it. Sure, I'd make some crazy insane goal (read: Boston) in hopes that training for it would make me excited. I'm here to report that it didn't. It actually did quite the opposite and made running seem more like a work-challenge, than a fun-challenge.
So, I figured I'd just spend a few weeks of running easy and see where the time takes me.
Yeah, that wasn't exciting either. I just find it really hard to motivate myself to go run 5 easy miles. Sounds so simple, but is ridiculously difficult.
Enter RC and his new and jazzy ways to change things up.
He sent our little team an email yesterday analyzing his running. He had lost some speed towards the tail end of 2009 and wanted to know why. After some serious spreadsheet work, and some pretty graphs, he discovered that the thing that changed was a remarkable decrease in mileage when it came to TEMPOS, Marathon Pace, and Interval training. Sure, he had been consistent with mileage, but as far as those three key ingredients above? Yeah, not so consistent.
So, he decided to take the data from the last 3 months leading up to his biggest PR for the year (which was Labor Day - he had like 16 of them but that was the best), and increase the TEMPOs, Marathon Pace, and Interval mileage by 20-30% for the next 90 days. See what happens, right?
And then he challenged all of us to do the same.
And well, I'm always up for a good challenge.
So, off I go to sort, analyze, tabulate, make graphical representations of my data for June, July, and August 2009. And guess what?
I was shocked at what I saw.
26 miles of TEMPO
24 miles of Marathon Pace
24 miles of Intervals
I hate TEMPOs. I mean I really really HATE them. But, I did more of them during that 3 months period than the other, much easier runs? And I still had an awesome PR at the Labor Day Road Race? Really? I did that?
And even discounting the fact that I ran more TEMPOS than the others...now...6 months later...I could totally double those numbers in 90 days. 26 miles of TEMPO is only about 3 miles a week. I'm in easy for a 4-miler once a week. And Marathon Pace? I could do 24 miles of that in my sleep! Heck I could do 48 miles of in my sleep!
You see where this is going, right?
Ummm, yeah, I got really EXCITED about running. For once in a very very long time. I don't have to focus on a sub-23 minute 5k time goal, or a 1:45 Half marathon goal, or an 8 minute TEMPO pace. I just have to focus on knocking out 52 miles of TEMPO runs and 48 miles of Marathon Pace and another 48 miles of Intervals.
(You know I couldn't just take the 20% challenge...I had to see the challenge and raise it to 50%. It's the overachiever in me.)
I can't decide if I'm more EXCITED about being EXCITED about running again, or if I'm more EXCITED about running for a purpose again! I can actually see myself meeting this goal and proving RC's theory is correct. I can actually see myself running because I want to...because I need to achieve this goal...because I have a goal that is fun...and more importantly because I can!
So, I figured I'd just spend a few weeks of running easy and see where the time takes me.
Yeah, that wasn't exciting either. I just find it really hard to motivate myself to go run 5 easy miles. Sounds so simple, but is ridiculously difficult.
Enter RC and his new and jazzy ways to change things up.
He sent our little team an email yesterday analyzing his running. He had lost some speed towards the tail end of 2009 and wanted to know why. After some serious spreadsheet work, and some pretty graphs, he discovered that the thing that changed was a remarkable decrease in mileage when it came to TEMPOS, Marathon Pace, and Interval training. Sure, he had been consistent with mileage, but as far as those three key ingredients above? Yeah, not so consistent.
So, he decided to take the data from the last 3 months leading up to his biggest PR for the year (which was Labor Day - he had like 16 of them but that was the best), and increase the TEMPOs, Marathon Pace, and Interval mileage by 20-30% for the next 90 days. See what happens, right?
And then he challenged all of us to do the same.
And well, I'm always up for a good challenge.
So, off I go to sort, analyze, tabulate, make graphical representations of my data for June, July, and August 2009. And guess what?
I was shocked at what I saw.
26 miles of TEMPO
24 miles of Marathon Pace
24 miles of Intervals
I hate TEMPOs. I mean I really really HATE them. But, I did more of them during that 3 months period than the other, much easier runs? And I still had an awesome PR at the Labor Day Road Race? Really? I did that?
And even discounting the fact that I ran more TEMPOS than the others...now...6 months later...I could totally double those numbers in 90 days. 26 miles of TEMPO is only about 3 miles a week. I'm in easy for a 4-miler once a week. And Marathon Pace? I could do 24 miles of that in my sleep! Heck I could do 48 miles of in my sleep!
You see where this is going, right?
Ummm, yeah, I got really EXCITED about running. For once in a very very long time. I don't have to focus on a sub-23 minute 5k time goal, or a 1:45 Half marathon goal, or an 8 minute TEMPO pace. I just have to focus on knocking out 52 miles of TEMPO runs and 48 miles of Marathon Pace and another 48 miles of Intervals.
(You know I couldn't just take the 20% challenge...I had to see the challenge and raise it to 50%. It's the overachiever in me.)
I can't decide if I'm more EXCITED about being EXCITED about running again, or if I'm more EXCITED about running for a purpose again! I can actually see myself meeting this goal and proving RC's theory is correct. I can actually see myself running because I want to...because I need to achieve this goal...because I have a goal that is fun...and more importantly because I can!
December 30, 2009
BIPOLAR RUNNER
Let me get something out of the way before I write this lengthy post: I understand that there are alot of people out there who really suffer from bipolarness (is that a word?) and by no means am I making fun of them or downgrading their affliction. So, with that out of the way....
I've come to the conclusion today that I am a Bipolar Runner. One minute I'm UP! and I love running and the next minute I'm down and running is the last thing in the world that I want to do. This affliction does not affect any other part of my life. I promise. Just running and running alone...okay, and maybe sometimes laundry, and maybe sometimes cleaning. On second thought, I'm always down about those tasks, so no Mom, I don't think I need to be medicated for my "issues".
At any rate, last week I was UP! and declared to the world, or at least to everyone who got my Christmas card letter and to everyone who reads this blog (which is a big world, by the way) that I was running the Boston Marathon in 2011. Well, here I am just a few short days later declaring to all you blog readers and stalkers alike, that I am not, in fact, running the Boston Marathon in 2011. I would notify my Christmas card letter receivers but that would really be pushing this whole situation over the edge...and be ridiculous...and be a waste of time....and they should be reading my blog anyway.
Where was I?
Oh, so I'm not doing it. I don't plan on training for a Boston Qualifying marathon in 2010, or any marathon for that matter. As odd as it sounds, the idea of running another marathon (at this point in my life) does not sound fun. Really. The entire funtasticness of it all is just not there. I think about running one and I immediately get a headache. I am even getting a headache typing about it.
Honestly, I just cannot wrap my arms around all the time and energy that I'm going to have to put into it. I'm a 23 minute 5ker (on only a couple of occasions) and, not only would I have to get that time down to the 21's to feel like I had a decent shot, but I'd also have to run all those long and painful long runs...mostly alone....in the cold...and then the heat...and then I'd have to do it all at a much-faster-than-I'm-running-now-pace. See, I told you it didn't sound fun.
Not that I'm totally ruling Boston out in my lifetime, but I just need to achieve a few more things before I even consider giving a real shot. Mainly, running faster and longer and being comfortable with it. The idea of trying to cram all of that into 8 or 9 months is just unfathomable. Not to mention that I have other goals for 2010 that I'd like to achieve...and...wow...I can't believe I'm about to say this...but...I can't do everything.
Shocker, huh?
I haven't told Troy and I only told RC in the same email that I sent to wish his lovely wife a Happy Birthday...I was hoping that maybe they are in a margarita induced birthday celebration so maybe the whole "I'm bailing on Boston" message won't come across really loudly or clearly...of course, until he reads this post. But, by then I'll have my game plan together and I'll be able to show him how ridiculous it was to even think that I could be ready by fall anyway.
So, if I'm not going to do it, what am I going to do?
Well, first I'm going to Vegas and brush up on my black jack skills. And after that I'm thinking about entering a hot dog eating contest...no, wait...a Twinkie eating contest. And then after that I'm thinking about learning how to become a birdman,...wait, that would be a birdWOman. Big plans people, big plans.
Okay, so really Troy would divorce me if I entered a Twinkie eating contest or became a compulsive gambler, and since one of my goals for 2010 is to keep my marriage intact, I'll scratch those ideas...and becoming a birdwoman...well, he would think that's really cool but I'd never really follow through with it (deep down, I'm really chicken little - but don't tell anyone.)
So in lieu of becoming an addict, I think I'll work on a few fitness goals that have been lingering over my head. Like losing a few body fat percentage points. Which means I'll be picking back up with regular Fit Camps and maybe even throwing in a day of yoga or riding my bike during the week. As far as running goes, I'll keep on being Grasshopper. I still plan on running all those races I listed on my last post and my goal by the end of 2010 is to be a faster, leaner Grasshopper with some super-PRs to boot.
On the personal side of things, I'd like to spend more time with my friends and family. 2009 came and went and I feel like I didn't spend anytime with anyone. I'd like to make them a priority for 2010. I'd also like to get myself more organized in my new job with Dent Tricks. I'm still not there and it's driving me nuts. And I'd just like to be happy in 2010. Not that I wasn't happy in 2009, but I think I just let everything take over my life and I never stopped to smell the tea olive. I don't want that to happen in 2010. And then, because everyone in the world keeps asking me, YES we are going to try and have a little Troy or a little Amy. If that's what the world wants, then who are we to deny them, right? And finally, I want to organize my recipe collection. Weird goal, but it's been weighing on my brain for a while and 2010 looks like a good year to separate the poultry recipes from the chocolate dessert recipes....because chocolate flavored chicken has never sounded good to me anyway.
So, see, Boston just didn't fit into all of that...so I'm bailing....backing out...packing up my crayons and going home.
It's funny because I never thought I would get to the point where I even thought qualifying would be an option, and I never really cared. But then...I started to get a little faster and my brain started to think of all the the possibilities...and before I knew it I was telling the world that I wanted to run Boston. But, I never really stopped and thought about it. I mean, REALLY thought about it. Is this something I really want to do, or is it just something else that I can check off of my list of accomplishments? Is it something that is going to sustain me, or make me happy for a few months until the nostalgia wears off and all I have is me and my medal? And my biggest fear....would all the smaller smaller accomplishments that I'd make along the way by getting faster out of necessity, would those elation's be diminished by the constant thought that the BQ race is right around the corner. And really, I want to remember each of those days as a special day...a day that I finally overcame what I never thought was possible. I still remember the first race I ran as part of Team POD. I wasn't even trying for a PR and in one small step, I almost shattered my goal for the entire year (breaking 25 minutes). And then my goal race in May...when I inadvertently told my dad at the beginning of the race that I planned on running it 30 seconds faster than I had trained for...and then I did it! I still remember those feelings...and I want to have many more of them, not in a quest for the holy grail of running, but in a quest for overcoming everything that I never thought I was born to do.
So, until next year...have a great one!
I've come to the conclusion today that I am a Bipolar Runner. One minute I'm UP! and I love running and the next minute I'm down and running is the last thing in the world that I want to do. This affliction does not affect any other part of my life. I promise. Just running and running alone...okay, and maybe sometimes laundry, and maybe sometimes cleaning. On second thought, I'm always down about those tasks, so no Mom, I don't think I need to be medicated for my "issues".
At any rate, last week I was UP! and declared to the world, or at least to everyone who got my Christmas card letter and to everyone who reads this blog (which is a big world, by the way) that I was running the Boston Marathon in 2011. Well, here I am just a few short days later declaring to all you blog readers and stalkers alike, that I am not, in fact, running the Boston Marathon in 2011. I would notify my Christmas card letter receivers but that would really be pushing this whole situation over the edge...and be ridiculous...and be a waste of time....and they should be reading my blog anyway.
Where was I?
Oh, so I'm not doing it. I don't plan on training for a Boston Qualifying marathon in 2010, or any marathon for that matter. As odd as it sounds, the idea of running another marathon (at this point in my life) does not sound fun. Really. The entire funtasticness of it all is just not there. I think about running one and I immediately get a headache. I am even getting a headache typing about it.
Honestly, I just cannot wrap my arms around all the time and energy that I'm going to have to put into it. I'm a 23 minute 5ker (on only a couple of occasions) and, not only would I have to get that time down to the 21's to feel like I had a decent shot, but I'd also have to run all those long and painful long runs...mostly alone....in the cold...and then the heat...and then I'd have to do it all at a much-faster-than-I'm-running-now-pace. See, I told you it didn't sound fun.
Not that I'm totally ruling Boston out in my lifetime, but I just need to achieve a few more things before I even consider giving a real shot. Mainly, running faster and longer and being comfortable with it. The idea of trying to cram all of that into 8 or 9 months is just unfathomable. Not to mention that I have other goals for 2010 that I'd like to achieve...and...wow...I can't believe I'm about to say this...but...I can't do everything.
Shocker, huh?
I haven't told Troy and I only told RC in the same email that I sent to wish his lovely wife a Happy Birthday...I was hoping that maybe they are in a margarita induced birthday celebration so maybe the whole "I'm bailing on Boston" message won't come across really loudly or clearly...of course, until he reads this post. But, by then I'll have my game plan together and I'll be able to show him how ridiculous it was to even think that I could be ready by fall anyway.
So, if I'm not going to do it, what am I going to do?
Well, first I'm going to Vegas and brush up on my black jack skills. And after that I'm thinking about entering a hot dog eating contest...no, wait...a Twinkie eating contest. And then after that I'm thinking about learning how to become a birdman,...wait, that would be a birdWOman. Big plans people, big plans.
Okay, so really Troy would divorce me if I entered a Twinkie eating contest or became a compulsive gambler, and since one of my goals for 2010 is to keep my marriage intact, I'll scratch those ideas...and becoming a birdwoman...well, he would think that's really cool but I'd never really follow through with it (deep down, I'm really chicken little - but don't tell anyone.)
So in lieu of becoming an addict, I think I'll work on a few fitness goals that have been lingering over my head. Like losing a few body fat percentage points. Which means I'll be picking back up with regular Fit Camps and maybe even throwing in a day of yoga or riding my bike during the week. As far as running goes, I'll keep on being Grasshopper. I still plan on running all those races I listed on my last post and my goal by the end of 2010 is to be a faster, leaner Grasshopper with some super-PRs to boot.
On the personal side of things, I'd like to spend more time with my friends and family. 2009 came and went and I feel like I didn't spend anytime with anyone. I'd like to make them a priority for 2010. I'd also like to get myself more organized in my new job with Dent Tricks. I'm still not there and it's driving me nuts. And I'd just like to be happy in 2010. Not that I wasn't happy in 2009, but I think I just let everything take over my life and I never stopped to smell the tea olive. I don't want that to happen in 2010. And then, because everyone in the world keeps asking me, YES we are going to try and have a little Troy or a little Amy. If that's what the world wants, then who are we to deny them, right? And finally, I want to organize my recipe collection. Weird goal, but it's been weighing on my brain for a while and 2010 looks like a good year to separate the poultry recipes from the chocolate dessert recipes....because chocolate flavored chicken has never sounded good to me anyway.
So, see, Boston just didn't fit into all of that...so I'm bailing....backing out...packing up my crayons and going home.
It's funny because I never thought I would get to the point where I even thought qualifying would be an option, and I never really cared. But then...I started to get a little faster and my brain started to think of all the the possibilities...and before I knew it I was telling the world that I wanted to run Boston. But, I never really stopped and thought about it. I mean, REALLY thought about it. Is this something I really want to do, or is it just something else that I can check off of my list of accomplishments? Is it something that is going to sustain me, or make me happy for a few months until the nostalgia wears off and all I have is me and my medal? And my biggest fear....would all the smaller smaller accomplishments that I'd make along the way by getting faster out of necessity, would those elation's be diminished by the constant thought that the BQ race is right around the corner. And really, I want to remember each of those days as a special day...a day that I finally overcame what I never thought was possible. I still remember the first race I ran as part of Team POD. I wasn't even trying for a PR and in one small step, I almost shattered my goal for the entire year (breaking 25 minutes). And then my goal race in May...when I inadvertently told my dad at the beginning of the race that I planned on running it 30 seconds faster than I had trained for...and then I did it! I still remember those feelings...and I want to have many more of them, not in a quest for the holy grail of running, but in a quest for overcoming everything that I never thought I was born to do.
So, until next year...have a great one!
December 26, 2009
2009 RECAP
It's getting close to the end of the year and I figured while I've got a few minutes to spare, I might as well get this obligatory post out of the way.
What were my goals going into 2009?
I revisited some of my blog posts and wow was I funny....first there was the "Why I don't like Sam post" (actually titled "It's About That Time" and written just a few short weeks before he became "Run Coach Extraordinaire"). And the very next day, I posted this little ditty about "Themed Goals," and I totally forgot that I was going to spend 2009 in a margarita-induced, chips and salsa eating, Mexican theme. How could I forget that??? In the end, my "Less is More" approach really did come to fruition this year...less time on my 5k meant more hardware for my desk. And sometime in January, I decided to start working with RC, to become a smarter, faster Running Amy, and it all begin with "Building My House of Running."
I also revisited our local track clubs web forum, and found that I proclaimed these as my goals for 2009:
I plan on:
Breaking 25 minutes in a 5k. (completed)
Breaking 2 hours in the half marathon. (completed)
Getting the nerve to sign up for another marathon in the fall. (not completed-but the commitment for Boston was made)
Becoming a "regular" at Tuesday night speedwork. (completed)
Riding a century on my bike. (I don't even think I got on my bike in 2009)
Running all year injury free, or at the very least not having to get any stitches in 2009! (completed and completed)
I also noticed that just a few short entries later, RC posted this: "Coach at least 3 newbie people on the wonderful sport of running. I am a wannabe coach, try me, I work for free" and I replied to his post with this: "Sam, I'll take you up on that coaching offer...My goal this year is focused on speed and not distance and who better to get advice from than the fastest guy I know! "
Amidst all those smiley faces...that's where it all began.
I had a stellar year in running. I smashed my PR in the 5k and the half marathon. I found myself running with people who I never thought I'd be able to keep up with. And I even found myself being able to carry on a conversation with them while doing it. I did things that I never thought were possible, including running a 6:59 for an entire mile.
But, I could have done better. After running a 23:12 in September at the Labor Day 5k, my motivation started to wane. I'm not sure what happened...burn out, maybe? I just lost my lovin' feeling for trying to run faster. And it showed. Between September and December, I have progressively run slower for the 5k. As the weeks ticked by, I can literally feel myself getting slower and slower.
And then, because I'm not insane enough, a few weeks ago I decided that I needed to give Boston a push. I am hoping that all the training, the hours, the long fast miles that will be put in, will keep me motivated to just run faster. That's what I'm hoping for anyway.
So, my goals for 2010?
- Obviously to qualify for Boston. I've been going back and forth on where I'd like to do it. I thought I had settled on the Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio but now I think I might try and run the Chicago Marathon (thanks to Perry at Run Fit Sports for the suggestion - he ran his fastest marathon there...a blistering 2:44 - and hi Chad and your google alerts...)
- To run with focus and discipline. I started 2009 with ridiculous focus and discipline, but as the year went on, I figured out what I could get away with (ie, the bare minimum that I could do and still run with a little bit of dignity). I want to get back to that place that I was last spring.
- To start writing a book. People tell me all the time that I should do it, and I guess now is as good a time as any.
- To have fun. In everything I do.
Now, back to Boston. I have to run an 8 minute pace for 26.2 miles in order to qualify. That scares me...well, not to death...but it scares me none the less. Troy paced me yesterday on a 4 mile tempo run at an 8 minute pace. It was hard and difficult and I can say, without a doubt, that I would not have been able to keep that pace up for 22.2 more miles. I'm not sure that I could have kept it up for .2 more miles. But, I guess that's what focused training is going to do for me. Take that scariness out of it all...and replace it with confidence and speed.
So, there you have it. Just four short little goals for 2010. Boston-discipline-book-fun. Sounds easy enough, right?
I've also got some other, more specific goals in mind like logging 2,000 miles and riding my bike more...heck I may even decide to tackle that century. But, as far as races, I plan on running the following in 2010:
- Sweetheart 12k (February)
- Al Toll 5k (February)
- Cantrell Center 5k (February)
- Seaside Half Marathon (March)
- Forsythia Festival 5k (March)
- Cheerios Challenge 10k (April)
- Run For Missions 5k (May)
- Salute to Freedom 5k (June)
- Torture Trail 10k (June)
- Wrightsville 4th of July 5k (July)
- Anniston Bobblehead 5k (August)
- Jim Herrin 10k (August)
- Feed the Bears 5k (August)
- Labor Day 10k (September)
- Boston Qualifier (September or October)
I listed all of those in case you are a blog stalker and want to get my autograph...or in case you are in my age group and want to know when and where you can try to beat me. I do reserve the right to not show up to any of these races though...just so you know.
Hope you all have a wonderful rest of your 2009!
What were my goals going into 2009?
I revisited some of my blog posts and wow was I funny....first there was the "Why I don't like Sam post" (actually titled "It's About That Time" and written just a few short weeks before he became "Run Coach Extraordinaire"). And the very next day, I posted this little ditty about "Themed Goals," and I totally forgot that I was going to spend 2009 in a margarita-induced, chips and salsa eating, Mexican theme. How could I forget that??? In the end, my "Less is More" approach really did come to fruition this year...less time on my 5k meant more hardware for my desk. And sometime in January, I decided to start working with RC, to become a smarter, faster Running Amy, and it all begin with "Building My House of Running."
I also revisited our local track clubs web forum, and found that I proclaimed these as my goals for 2009:
I plan on:
Breaking 25 minutes in a 5k. (completed) Breaking 2 hours in the half marathon. (completed) Getting the nerve to sign up for another marathon in the fall. (not completed-but the commitment for Boston was made) Becoming a "regular" at Tuesday night speedwork. (completed) Riding a century on my bike. (I don't even think I got on my bike in 2009) Running all year injury free, or at the very least not having to get any stitches in 2009! (completed and completed)I also noticed that just a few short entries later, RC posted this: "Coach at least 3 newbie people on the wonderful sport of running. I am a wannabe coach, try me, I work for free" and I replied to his post with this: "Sam, I'll take you up on that coaching offer
...My goal this year is focused on speed and not distance and who better to get advice from than the fastest guy I know! " Amidst all those smiley faces...that's where it all began.
I had a stellar year in running. I smashed my PR in the 5k and the half marathon. I found myself running with people who I never thought I'd be able to keep up with. And I even found myself being able to carry on a conversation with them while doing it. I did things that I never thought were possible, including running a 6:59 for an entire mile.
But, I could have done better. After running a 23:12 in September at the Labor Day 5k, my motivation started to wane. I'm not sure what happened...burn out, maybe? I just lost my lovin' feeling for trying to run faster. And it showed. Between September and December, I have progressively run slower for the 5k. As the weeks ticked by, I can literally feel myself getting slower and slower.
And then, because I'm not insane enough, a few weeks ago I decided that I needed to give Boston a push. I am hoping that all the training, the hours, the long fast miles that will be put in, will keep me motivated to just run faster. That's what I'm hoping for anyway.
So, my goals for 2010?
- Obviously to qualify for Boston. I've been going back and forth on where I'd like to do it. I thought I had settled on the Air Force Marathon in Dayton, Ohio but now I think I might try and run the Chicago Marathon (thanks to Perry at Run Fit Sports for the suggestion - he ran his fastest marathon there...a blistering 2:44 - and hi Chad and your google alerts...)
- To run with focus and discipline. I started 2009 with ridiculous focus and discipline, but as the year went on, I figured out what I could get away with (ie, the bare minimum that I could do and still run with a little bit of dignity). I want to get back to that place that I was last spring.
- To start writing a book. People tell me all the time that I should do it, and I guess now is as good a time as any.
- To have fun. In everything I do.
Now, back to Boston. I have to run an 8 minute pace for 26.2 miles in order to qualify. That scares me...well, not to death...but it scares me none the less. Troy paced me yesterday on a 4 mile tempo run at an 8 minute pace. It was hard and difficult and I can say, without a doubt, that I would not have been able to keep that pace up for 22.2 more miles. I'm not sure that I could have kept it up for .2 more miles. But, I guess that's what focused training is going to do for me. Take that scariness out of it all...and replace it with confidence and speed.
So, there you have it. Just four short little goals for 2010. Boston-discipline-book-fun. Sounds easy enough, right?
I've also got some other, more specific goals in mind like logging 2,000 miles and riding my bike more...heck I may even decide to tackle that century. But, as far as races, I plan on running the following in 2010:
- Sweetheart 12k (February)
- Al Toll 5k (February)
- Cantrell Center 5k (February)
- Seaside Half Marathon (March)
- Forsythia Festival 5k (March)
- Cheerios Challenge 10k (April)
- Run For Missions 5k (May)
- Salute to Freedom 5k (June)
- Torture Trail 10k (June)
- Wrightsville 4th of July 5k (July)
- Anniston Bobblehead 5k (August)
- Jim Herrin 10k (August)
- Feed the Bears 5k (August)
- Labor Day 10k (September)
- Boston Qualifier (September or October)
I listed all of those in case you are a blog stalker and want to get my autograph...or in case you are in my age group and want to know when and where you can try to beat me. I do reserve the right to not show up to any of these races though...just so you know.
Hope you all have a wonderful rest of your 2009!
December 22, 2009
GREAT WORKOUTS MAKE FOR GREAT OUTLOOKS
I started my run this evening in a pretty foul mood. I'm not sure why. The stress of the holidays...the stress of year end...the stress of living in my obsessive compulsive, anal retentive little mind...it all just put me in a foul mood.
So, being the NEW COMMITTED RUNNER that I am (more on that later), I decided to head out to the track early...you know so I could get my workout in all alone and sulk and be mad at the world for all of its injustices and stupid things that make me stressed out. I just wanted to vent and I wanted to do it by myself. Of course, there are much more COMMITTED RUNNERS than I am (that's you Chuck, Kat, and Cherry) who were out early and ready to rock and roll. So, I ran with them. And talked about the holidays and training schedules and marathons and a bunch of other things that had nothing to do with my stressful day. And by the time we got a mile warm-up in, I was feeling better, but still pissy enough to go ahead and get the workout in.
And that's when RC...like a guardian angel...showed up early...and gave me that "Grasshopper, I'd be disappointed if you didn't do the workout with the rest of the group" look. You know...the look of disapproval...the look of wondering if I'm really a poser...the same look he had when he took my coveted pebble back. I hate that look. I hated it enough today, to stick around and wait on the rest of the group to get my workout on.
I ended up running over 3 miles while I was waiting on everyone. I got to run with Kat and Chuck and Cherry and Troy and Grace and RC and Angela and Paul and as more and more people showed up my mood went from semi-bad to better and better.
By the time the workout started, I was happy as a clam. I was cold. But I was happy none the less.
The workout turned out to be fantastic. 4 x 400s followed by a 2 mile "race." The goal was to predict your 2 mile time and nail it. I knew I could run a 4 mile tempo at a 7:57 pace so I erred on the side of caution and predicted 16 minutes flat. Our local running store, Run Fit Sports, donated cool prizes (socks, hats, cool Adidas shirts, etc) for the top 5 male and female finishers....in other words, the 10 people who came closest to their times. We had 20+ peeps there so the competition was tough!
As we began, my mood just kept getting better and better. I started to think about my day...and about how bent out of shape I was at not getting "everything" done and how stressed out it made me. And then I remembered what REAL stress is like:
A great workout made for a great outlook. I have to sometimes be reminded of how blessed I am...how charmed my little part in this great, big world is...how bad it has been...and how great it is now. A great workout is what reminds me of those things and I am so glad that I'm a part of that world that finds peace in running a comfortably painful 7:37 mile.
Hope you have a fabulous week! If you don't do anything else, find a way to remind yourself of how good life really is!
So, being the NEW COMMITTED RUNNER that I am (more on that later), I decided to head out to the track early...you know so I could get my workout in all alone and sulk and be mad at the world for all of its injustices and stupid things that make me stressed out. I just wanted to vent and I wanted to do it by myself. Of course, there are much more COMMITTED RUNNERS than I am (that's you Chuck, Kat, and Cherry) who were out early and ready to rock and roll. So, I ran with them. And talked about the holidays and training schedules and marathons and a bunch of other things that had nothing to do with my stressful day. And by the time we got a mile warm-up in, I was feeling better, but still pissy enough to go ahead and get the workout in.
And that's when RC...like a guardian angel...showed up early...and gave me that "Grasshopper, I'd be disappointed if you didn't do the workout with the rest of the group" look. You know...the look of disapproval...the look of wondering if I'm really a poser...the same look he had when he took my coveted pebble back. I hate that look. I hated it enough today, to stick around and wait on the rest of the group to get my workout on.
I ended up running over 3 miles while I was waiting on everyone. I got to run with Kat and Chuck and Cherry and Troy and Grace and RC and Angela and Paul and as more and more people showed up my mood went from semi-bad to better and better.
By the time the workout started, I was happy as a clam. I was cold. But I was happy none the less.
The workout turned out to be fantastic. 4 x 400s followed by a 2 mile "race." The goal was to predict your 2 mile time and nail it. I knew I could run a 4 mile tempo at a 7:57 pace so I erred on the side of caution and predicted 16 minutes flat. Our local running store, Run Fit Sports, donated cool prizes (socks, hats, cool Adidas shirts, etc) for the top 5 male and female finishers....in other words, the 10 people who came closest to their times. We had 20+ peeps there so the competition was tough!
As we began, my mood just kept getting better and better. I started to think about my day...and about how bent out of shape I was at not getting "everything" done and how stressed out it made me. And then I remembered what REAL stress is like:
- REAL stress is having close to $100k in debt and a job that barely paid $30k a year
- REAL stress is thinking that only way to pass time is by smoking cigarettes and drinking
- REAL stress is being a relationship that was totally destructive to both parties involved and not knowing how to get out of it
- REAL stress is feeling like your life is spinning out of control all day, everyday
- Seven years later I am completely and utterly debt free and I did it all by myself (don't believe me...watch this...skip to the 1st white bullet)
- Seven years later I get to do this thing that I love that is not work or a chore or a bad habit: it's called running. And I get to do it everyday if I want to.
- Seven years later I am married to the best guy I know (besides my Dad and Jesus)....he has helped me to become such a better person, to become that person that I always wanted to be - I just didn't know how to get there. I mean, seriously, I did something very right for Troy to pick me!
- Seven years later I don't feel like my life is spinning out of control anymore. As a matter of fact, I have a perfect and wonderful life. I bet there are people out there that would pay me money to have my life (okay, maybe not alot of money, but you get my point). I get to work from home doing something I love. I have a great house (despite the green 70s tile in my bathroom - but hey, I have my very OWN bathroom that I don't have to share with anyone.) I have a great housekeeper and a lawn guy and a massage and physical therapist on speed dial. I have a personal trainer and a Run Coach who both keep me in check with my eating, my weight, and my running. I have a great family and lots of nieces and nephews to entertain. I have a grandmother who still alive and spunky at the ripe age of 84. I have parents who are still married after 40+ years (by the way, I'm sure it may not have always been bliss but they have taught me alot about toughness, loyalty, and that the power of two is always greater than the power of one - especially when I was in trouble!) I have great and wonderful friends that have great and wonderful things going in their lives that they are letting me be a part of...I have running friends who share this passion and joy and have no problems with spending an hour talking about how fun that 20 mile run was. I have that life that I never thought was possible and it is completely and utterly unchaotic.
A great workout made for a great outlook. I have to sometimes be reminded of how blessed I am...how charmed my little part in this great, big world is...how bad it has been...and how great it is now. A great workout is what reminds me of those things and I am so glad that I'm a part of that world that finds peace in running a comfortably painful 7:37 mile.
Hope you have a fabulous week! If you don't do anything else, find a way to remind yourself of how good life really is!
December 16, 2009
I DID IT AGAIN....
Something unthinkable, that is!
I actually got myself up, out of my warm bed, at an unheard of hour (okay, so it was already 6am, which is my "noon", but it makes the story sound better, right?) to go run...all...by...myself.
And this time, I even stepped up the "ridiculous" notch and tried my hand at a 4 mile TEMPO run ...all...by...myself (side note: why do we always capitalize the whole word "tempo"?)
I've never just gone out and run a TeMpO...all...by...myself.
Usually, my tempos arise out of RC's constant proding:
"How many TeMpO's have you done this month?"
"You gonna show up for tomorrow's TeMpO?"
"You know, only posers don't do TeMpOs!"
etc.
(and okay, maybe I made that last statement up too...)
And then, the worst is when I find myself ill on the days that I REALLY do want to participate in the fun-ness that is a TeMpO run. Back aches, colds, hay fever, morning sickness (okay, so I made that last part up, again.) Sue me because I really have a serious allergic reaction to TeMpOs.
Except when I do them on an unscheduled day...all...by...myself.
Ladies and gentlemen: I rocked it out. 4 mile TeMpO at an 8:01 pace. Not a PR, but faster than my VDOT chart says I should be flying, and faster than I've ever run one...all...by...myself. I had no rabbit to chase, no RC being a smart aleck, and no one to push me except me-myself-and-I.
And it was amazing!
Have a great Wednesday!
I actually got myself up, out of my warm bed, at an unheard of hour (okay, so it was already 6am, which is my "noon", but it makes the story sound better, right?) to go run...all...by...myself.
And this time, I even stepped up the "ridiculous" notch and tried my hand at a 4 mile TEMPO run ...all...by...myself (side note: why do we always capitalize the whole word "tempo"?)
I've never just gone out and run a TeMpO...all...by...myself.
Usually, my tempos arise out of RC's constant proding:
"How many TeMpO's have you done this month?"
"You gonna show up for tomorrow's TeMpO?"
"You know, only posers don't do TeMpOs!"
etc.
(and okay, maybe I made that last statement up too...)
And then, the worst is when I find myself ill on the days that I REALLY do want to participate in the fun-ness that is a TeMpO run. Back aches, colds, hay fever, morning sickness (okay, so I made that last part up, again.) Sue me because I really have a serious allergic reaction to TeMpOs.
Except when I do them on an unscheduled day...all...by...myself.
Ladies and gentlemen: I rocked it out. 4 mile TeMpO at an 8:01 pace. Not a PR, but faster than my VDOT chart says I should be flying, and faster than I've ever run one...all...by...myself. I had no rabbit to chase, no RC being a smart aleck, and no one to push me except me-myself-and-I.
And it was amazing!
Have a great Wednesday!
December 15, 2009
DOING THE UNTHINKABLE
Running in the rain...it is just something I'm not a big fan of. I will try my hardest to find every excuse in the book to get out of it (come to think of it, I see a theme here with me and excuses...but that's another story for another time.)
So, when Sunday, and the "new week" rolled around, I was not too happy to know that not only did we have 100% chance of morning showers, but it was also going to be 35 degrees. Sounds fun, doesn't it?
Now, I know you are asking yourself "if it's just morning showers, then why not wait until the afternoon when it's nice and clear?" Because I'm lazy. And I knew if I didn't get it out of the way in the morning, that 11 miles would never ever happen. And on top of all of that, I needed to go visit this cutie and I certainly wouldn't have wanted a stupid run to interfere with that!
I already made a deal with myself before venturing out that I could cut my 11 miler back to a 6 miler. There was no need to possibly get pneumonia, right?
So, off I went. Troy thought I was crazy. And I was beginning to wonder if I really am crazy. Because on top of running in the rain and the 35 degree weather, I decided to pick the hilliest route I could find. 6 miles...4+ miles of it is hills.
At mile 2, I just stopped. Dead in my tracks. At the top of hill #6 (I told you it was hilly) and thought I just can't go anymore. I wasn't cold but I was tired and out of breath, and at that moment in the solitude of the foggy, rainy, cold morning, I thought life couldn't get much worse. But, something made me trudge on. So, on I went.
At mile 3, and my turn around point, I thought "hey self, this isn't so bad...you could at least do 7 miles." So, I pushed on for another half mile and turned around. Proud at my ability to just keep going....
As the miles ticked along, I begin to think that running in the rain and cold isn't so bad. As a matter of fact, I must have layered appropriately because I wasn't cold at all! I decided at that point to run back to my house for 7 miles, grab some water, and head back out for 4 more...finishing the 11 that was originally on my schedule. I needed to finish what I had started.
A half mile from home and I begin to get a little cold. I realize that if I run all the way back home, I may be tempted to not leave again....so my brain cut off all senses to my cold hands, my wet feet, and my thirsty mouth and I turned back around and headed back out. Thanks brain...you saved me once again....within 5 minutes of making that decision the sky opened up and a torrential downpour began. It was actually raining so hard that I couldn't see in front of me. And yet, I just kept going. My brain began to leak out senses to my hands, my feet, my shins...that I was freezing! And yet, I just kept going.
The rain eventually subsided and I was happy with myself that I had done the unthinkable...something I would have never done before...
Troy must have gotten worried about me being gone so long...a mile from home, I see him headed towards me in the car. He said he imagined that he'd find me walking, sulking, freezing, and in a bad mood. Instead he found some crazy girl running in the rain...freezing her tail off...and doing it all with a smile on my face!
I decided then and there...if I want to be a Boston Qualifier, I have to do what Boston Qualifiers do...and that includes running when I don't think I want to.
Have a great Tuesday!
So, when Sunday, and the "new week" rolled around, I was not too happy to know that not only did we have 100% chance of morning showers, but it was also going to be 35 degrees. Sounds fun, doesn't it?
Now, I know you are asking yourself "if it's just morning showers, then why not wait until the afternoon when it's nice and clear?" Because I'm lazy. And I knew if I didn't get it out of the way in the morning, that 11 miles would never ever happen. And on top of all of that, I needed to go visit this cutie and I certainly wouldn't have wanted a stupid run to interfere with that!
I already made a deal with myself before venturing out that I could cut my 11 miler back to a 6 miler. There was no need to possibly get pneumonia, right?
So, off I went. Troy thought I was crazy. And I was beginning to wonder if I really am crazy. Because on top of running in the rain and the 35 degree weather, I decided to pick the hilliest route I could find. 6 miles...4+ miles of it is hills.
At mile 2, I just stopped. Dead in my tracks. At the top of hill #6 (I told you it was hilly) and thought I just can't go anymore. I wasn't cold but I was tired and out of breath, and at that moment in the solitude of the foggy, rainy, cold morning, I thought life couldn't get much worse. But, something made me trudge on. So, on I went.
At mile 3, and my turn around point, I thought "hey self, this isn't so bad...you could at least do 7 miles." So, I pushed on for another half mile and turned around. Proud at my ability to just keep going....
As the miles ticked along, I begin to think that running in the rain and cold isn't so bad. As a matter of fact, I must have layered appropriately because I wasn't cold at all! I decided at that point to run back to my house for 7 miles, grab some water, and head back out for 4 more...finishing the 11 that was originally on my schedule. I needed to finish what I had started.
A half mile from home and I begin to get a little cold. I realize that if I run all the way back home, I may be tempted to not leave again....so my brain cut off all senses to my cold hands, my wet feet, and my thirsty mouth and I turned back around and headed back out. Thanks brain...you saved me once again....within 5 minutes of making that decision the sky opened up and a torrential downpour began. It was actually raining so hard that I couldn't see in front of me. And yet, I just kept going. My brain began to leak out senses to my hands, my feet, my shins...that I was freezing! And yet, I just kept going.
The rain eventually subsided and I was happy with myself that I had done the unthinkable...something I would have never done before...
Troy must have gotten worried about me being gone so long...a mile from home, I see him headed towards me in the car. He said he imagined that he'd find me walking, sulking, freezing, and in a bad mood. Instead he found some crazy girl running in the rain...freezing her tail off...and doing it all with a smile on my face!
I decided then and there...if I want to be a Boston Qualifier, I have to do what Boston Qualifiers do...and that includes running when I don't think I want to.
Have a great Tuesday!
November 30, 2009
NEW MONTH...NEW GOALS
Well...almost a new month.
I've spent the last 5 or 6 days in sheer agony. For those of you who deal with chronic back pain, I applaud you...because given the chance, I would have surgically removed my back with a rusty knife two days ago...the pain was just that bad.
It all started because I'm a bad bowler...and well, the fact that I haven't been Fit Camping like I should over the last 6 months and lost every bit of ab-fab-ulousness sort of made matters worse. But, back to the bowling. A week ago Sunday...it was supposed to be a day of running and spending time on our bikes at the Riverwalk, showing Pete, our visiting nephew, how great and wonderful exercise can be....but the rain, oh the rain had other plans for us, so Troy and I decided to take Pete bowling instead.
Let me just state the facts: I bowled a 29 on my first game. I made a D in bowling in college (but the professor felt sorry for me because, while I failed on every game, I aced the final...he gave me a C on my official records). I beat Pete (who is 9 years old and got to use the bumpers) once during our 3 games, and that was only by one point. In other words, I'm a bad bowler.
It doesn't reason to stand that I probably have bad bowler "form" as well. So, Monday morning when my back started to twinge, I just chalked it up as an old car accident injury and moved on...slowly and painfully. I iced. I used heat. I took more Advil than I have in my entire life. By Wednesday night I got zero hours of sleep as I tossed and turned (slowly) trying to figure out which position would make those back spasms go away. It turns out that the only position that gave me relief was one of being bent over in the ER getting a shot of morphine in my butt. Within minutes I was living in a wonderland of pain-freeness and completing forgetting that it's Thanksgiving morning and I have three dishes to prepare before our afternoon with the fam.
That's what good husbands are for. Troy, who's sole purpose in the kitchen is to eat my meals and do the dishes, made broccoli salad, sweet potato pie, and pumpkin bars that were delicious!
But, back to my back. The morphine wore off and I spent the next two days medicating with Lortab (although my lovely husband told everyone I was on Lexapro...quite a bit different than Lortab...). I iced. I used heat. I talked to every medical professional I had on text messaging to try and figure out what I needed to do to get better. I finally figured out two things on my own: the heat...well, that was just making it worse. The ice...well, that was just making it worse as well. Once I stopped doing both of those...the pain...well, it begin to disappear. And now, Monday morning, I feel as good as new!
So, during this period of pain, when I wasn't in a lortab-induced nap, what did I learn?
1. If I had of been Fit Camping like I should, my back and ab muscles probably would have been tight enough to withstand the bad bowlers "form".
Remedy: get back to Fit Camp PRONTO! Luckily, a new class begins this week and I am making it my mission to be there for every Wednesday and Thursday class.
2. Not being able to run sucks. Massively. I got one 6 mile run in on Tuesday before the real pain got me down, and then another 4 miles on Saturday trying to test my heat/ice theories. While both were a tad bit painful, nothing compared to the inability to get off the couch and just move. In other words, I found myself wanting to be thankful for every crappy run, every tempo run, every race that I didn't want to run...because in the end, those days were much better than these days where I couldn't walk, much less run.
Remedy: remind myself daily that I am fortunate enough to be able to run, that I am fortunate enough to have a Run Coach who wants to see me succeed, and that I am fortunate enough to have a spouse that supports me in all my crazy running endeavours and wants to run them with me! But the main remedy...run every day like it was my last...because really...it could be!
My new goals for December:
1. Get my butt to Fit Camp at least twice a week. AND do my at-home weights that RC2 tells me to do each and every week...and each and every week I find an excuse not to.
2. Get all my prescribed runs in. That means running the Reindeer Run this Saturday and running like someones chasing me so that I can get that elusive 22:59 PR...that also means that I should have no less than 20 miles of TEMPO runs in my log book by months end!
3. Send my weekly logbook to RC1 because, really, he's who keeps me honest about all of this.
4. Wear my 26.2 necklace every single day to remind myself that the only way I am Boston bound is by completing all the workouts, every day and on time.
5. Have fun...sitting on the couch for one day is f-u-n, but sitting on the couch for five days! Not so much fun....
Have a great Monday!
I've spent the last 5 or 6 days in sheer agony. For those of you who deal with chronic back pain, I applaud you...because given the chance, I would have surgically removed my back with a rusty knife two days ago...the pain was just that bad.
It all started because I'm a bad bowler...and well, the fact that I haven't been Fit Camping like I should over the last 6 months and lost every bit of ab-fab-ulousness sort of made matters worse. But, back to the bowling. A week ago Sunday...it was supposed to be a day of running and spending time on our bikes at the Riverwalk, showing Pete, our visiting nephew, how great and wonderful exercise can be....but the rain, oh the rain had other plans for us, so Troy and I decided to take Pete bowling instead.
Let me just state the facts: I bowled a 29 on my first game. I made a D in bowling in college (but the professor felt sorry for me because, while I failed on every game, I aced the final...he gave me a C on my official records). I beat Pete (who is 9 years old and got to use the bumpers) once during our 3 games, and that was only by one point. In other words, I'm a bad bowler.
It doesn't reason to stand that I probably have bad bowler "form" as well. So, Monday morning when my back started to twinge, I just chalked it up as an old car accident injury and moved on...slowly and painfully. I iced. I used heat. I took more Advil than I have in my entire life. By Wednesday night I got zero hours of sleep as I tossed and turned (slowly) trying to figure out which position would make those back spasms go away. It turns out that the only position that gave me relief was one of being bent over in the ER getting a shot of morphine in my butt. Within minutes I was living in a wonderland of pain-freeness and completing forgetting that it's Thanksgiving morning and I have three dishes to prepare before our afternoon with the fam.
That's what good husbands are for. Troy, who's sole purpose in the kitchen is to eat my meals and do the dishes, made broccoli salad, sweet potato pie, and pumpkin bars that were delicious!
But, back to my back. The morphine wore off and I spent the next two days medicating with Lortab (although my lovely husband told everyone I was on Lexapro...quite a bit different than Lortab...). I iced. I used heat. I talked to every medical professional I had on text messaging to try and figure out what I needed to do to get better. I finally figured out two things on my own: the heat...well, that was just making it worse. The ice...well, that was just making it worse as well. Once I stopped doing both of those...the pain...well, it begin to disappear. And now, Monday morning, I feel as good as new!
So, during this period of pain, when I wasn't in a lortab-induced nap, what did I learn?
1. If I had of been Fit Camping like I should, my back and ab muscles probably would have been tight enough to withstand the bad bowlers "form".
Remedy: get back to Fit Camp PRONTO! Luckily, a new class begins this week and I am making it my mission to be there for every Wednesday and Thursday class.
2. Not being able to run sucks. Massively. I got one 6 mile run in on Tuesday before the real pain got me down, and then another 4 miles on Saturday trying to test my heat/ice theories. While both were a tad bit painful, nothing compared to the inability to get off the couch and just move. In other words, I found myself wanting to be thankful for every crappy run, every tempo run, every race that I didn't want to run...because in the end, those days were much better than these days where I couldn't walk, much less run.
Remedy: remind myself daily that I am fortunate enough to be able to run, that I am fortunate enough to have a Run Coach who wants to see me succeed, and that I am fortunate enough to have a spouse that supports me in all my crazy running endeavours and wants to run them with me! But the main remedy...run every day like it was my last...because really...it could be!
My new goals for December:
1. Get my butt to Fit Camp at least twice a week. AND do my at-home weights that RC2 tells me to do each and every week...and each and every week I find an excuse not to.
2. Get all my prescribed runs in. That means running the Reindeer Run this Saturday and running like someones chasing me so that I can get that elusive 22:59 PR...that also means that I should have no less than 20 miles of TEMPO runs in my log book by months end!
3. Send my weekly logbook to RC1 because, really, he's who keeps me honest about all of this.
4. Wear my 26.2 necklace every single day to remind myself that the only way I am Boston bound is by completing all the workouts, every day and on time.
5. Have fun...sitting on the couch for one day is f-u-n, but sitting on the couch for five days! Not so much fun....
Have a great Monday!
November 22, 2009
CROSS-COUNTRY RACES ARE FOR.....
Well...cross-country races certainly aren't for people like me.
I almost taste a little vomit in the back of my throat when I hear people shout "I love CC! It's my favorite kind of race!" What sort of planet were these people born on?
What part of dirt, mud, getting lost, and possible snakes living under all those leaves sounds like fun? I haven't even begun to talk about all the ticks out there!
I just don't like them. I get nervous and scared. I feel like I'm going to trip over every root, slip on the mud, and get lost on most turns. I'm constantly asking myself if I'm going the right way. Climbing hills is hard enough...try throwing in some mud, slippery leaves, the fact that I might be lost AND there might be snakes out there...it's just too much for me.
And for that reason, I ran the worst race I've run in all of 2009 yesterday.
And that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
On the plus side, I PR'ed by like 15 minutes on this course. It's the same course I ran with my brother year before last. It was his first...and now, going back and reading my description of the course...I'm wondering what planet I was on when I decided that running it again would be such a great idea.
Oh well. I ran it. I had a horrible race. I didn't slip in the mud, but I did get lost for a second. I also *gasp* stopped and walked. And boy, did I get in trouble with RC for that! (Note to self: don't be so honest next time!) I came across the finish line saying "I hate myself for suggesting this..." and really, at the time, I did. It was horrible.
On the other hand, I did score some hardware coming in 2nd for my age, Troy got 1st for his age, and RC and GT came in first overall! And well, having Waffle House post-race with some of my most favorite running buddies....well, that totally makes up for the mud, the leaves, the possibility of snakes, and all those other things that make me dislike CC.
Until next year....(yes, there will be a next year...I may hate CC, but I hate letting a race beat me even more!)
I almost taste a little vomit in the back of my throat when I hear people shout "I love CC! It's my favorite kind of race!" What sort of planet were these people born on?
What part of dirt, mud, getting lost, and possible snakes living under all those leaves sounds like fun? I haven't even begun to talk about all the ticks out there!
I just don't like them. I get nervous and scared. I feel like I'm going to trip over every root, slip on the mud, and get lost on most turns. I'm constantly asking myself if I'm going the right way. Climbing hills is hard enough...try throwing in some mud, slippery leaves, the fact that I might be lost AND there might be snakes out there...it's just too much for me.
And for that reason, I ran the worst race I've run in all of 2009 yesterday.
And that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
On the plus side, I PR'ed by like 15 minutes on this course. It's the same course I ran with my brother year before last. It was his first...and now, going back and reading my description of the course...I'm wondering what planet I was on when I decided that running it again would be such a great idea.
Oh well. I ran it. I had a horrible race. I didn't slip in the mud, but I did get lost for a second. I also *gasp* stopped and walked. And boy, did I get in trouble with RC for that! (Note to self: don't be so honest next time!) I came across the finish line saying "I hate myself for suggesting this..." and really, at the time, I did. It was horrible.
On the other hand, I did score some hardware coming in 2nd for my age, Troy got 1st for his age, and RC and GT came in first overall! And well, having Waffle House post-race with some of my most favorite running buddies....well, that totally makes up for the mud, the leaves, the possibility of snakes, and all those other things that make me dislike CC.
Until next year....(yes, there will be a next year...I may hate CC, but I hate letting a race beat me even more!)
November 16, 2009
CHICKAMAUGA POST-RACE REPORT
When I set this half marathon as a "goal" race some 3 months ago, I did not anticipate taking 7 weeks off to be a lazy bum. So, as the day grew near and RC kept telling me that he KNEW I could start the race at an 8:20 pace and hang on to that for 13.1 miles...well, I knew he'd lost his mind...but since I'm in Grasshopper Probation Status, I just kindly agreed with him...no real reason to make him any madder at me, right?
While I was certain that 1:49 race (the equivalent to an 8:20 pace) was not in my future, I knew I'd PR for this race. My best time was 2:16 at the Mercedes Half in Birmingham and I knew that even running it at "easy" pace, I'd run a better time than that. But...what I really wanted was to run a 1:59:59 race. Just a sub-2 hour half...that was all I was asking for.
As the day grew nearer, my long runs sortof started to suck more...actually my entire week leading up to the race was not spectacular...all my runs seemed difficult...even the easy ones. It wasn't until the Tuesday night prior, at the track, when I commented to someone about how hard this all seemed...well, at that moment, Phil (a local runner) said something like "you're just worried about the race. Stop worrying about it because really, you aren't going to win the thing."
Eureka.
For some reason, what he said hit the mark. My 400s and 800s that evening (in the pouring down rain) got better and better. And my attitude for the next 3 days improved dramatically.
Because, really, I wasn't going to win the thing....under any circumstances...even if I had of trained like I was supposed to.
By Friday, I decided I was going to experiment with this race and do something I'd never done before: not let myself get nervous. Really. At any moment that those waves of butterflies started to float up, I just told myself "you're not going to win so stop worrying." I actually spent the entire day on Friday NOT BEING NERVOUS. It was a first in running for me, and it turns out...it actually works. More on that later.
Saturday morning came very slowly...I must have woken up 47 times on Friday night. Not because of nerves but because we had some very noisy children staying in our hotel. But, it was funny...I didn't get angry or upset that I was losing precious hours to be rested for the big day...every single time I got woken up I felt like I had been sleeping for 10 hours...even if only 10 minutes had passed since the last time I woke up. It was a strange feeling....
5:30am finally arrived and I completed all my pre-race routines and we were out the door (shower, get dressed, eat breakfast...no, I don't do anything crazy like pray over my shoes or put voodoo hexes on my competitors). I still wasn't nervous. I wasn't nervous about getting there too late to warm up...I wasn't nervous about whether I ate too little or too much...I wasn't nervous about being able to keep my pace...I wasn't even nervous about all those hills....
I got in an 8 minute warmup before I realized that a pee break (sorry) was in order...the line was long but moved quickly...and then I sprinted across the grass 6 times doing some pre-race striders.
I still wasn't nervous.
In line...I found some locals (Melissa and her friend Judy)...I saw Terri behind me...Andrew, FM, and Marcus in front of me...I'm sure Troy was at the front of the pack...and Tim, Stef, and Kenny somewhere behind me.
I still wasn't nervous.
The cannon went off and I spent the first .18 miles (yes I looked) weaving in and out of people and wondered to myself: why would people who are walking feel it necessary to start at the front of the pack? Or why do people who are running together not run in a single file line until the pack spreads out? I'm going to write a book on running etiquette one day.....
And then I lost my first earring. The earrings I've worn in every single race I've run since I started this. I took the other one off, holding it in my gloved hand, waiting until the pack spread out so that I could toss it in my back pocket...and then...just like that...it was gone too. My lucky earrings were gone.
But I still wasn't nervous.
I was pushing an 8:20 pace at this point and feeling fine. Wondering...maybe I can keep this up for the entire race?
We round Barnhardt Circle and then headed into the park...finally some elbow room! FM catches up with me and we hang together until right before Mile 2. He asks me what pace I'm shooting for and I tell him 8:20 and he says "well, then why are we running an 8:04?" I didn't answer back...I was comfortable at that pace and I just wanted to hang onto it as long as I could.
This year, as the temps were in the mid-40s I opted for a short sleeve race tee, shorts, gloves, and an old long-sleeve tee cut in a few strategic places so that I could easily get it off while still running. At the mile 2 water stop I took it off and handed it to one of the volunteers...and I did it while I was still running!
This race winds in and out and around the park. It's extremely scenic with all of monuments and beautiful old oak trees and fields for as far as you can see. Funny that last year, running at a much slower pace, I never even paid any attention to it! My short sleeve race tee says across the rear bottom band "Does this shirt make my butt look fast?" The miles clicked by as people ran by me and said one of two things: "No, that shirt doesn't make your butt look FAT at all!" or "Great shirt...glad you brought some humor to this."
I told myself in the beginning that I'd try and maintain an 8:30 pace for the first four miles. After that, I could slow down to an easier pace of 9:00 and still make my 1:59:59 (yes, I was counting my chips while they were still on the table...bad GH...bad GH). But before I knew it, I was at mile 5 and still maintaining roughly an 8:30 pace. And I still felt good. I had climbed some hills pretty effortlessly and still maintained that 8:30 pace. So, I decided I'd give it to the halfway point of 6.5 miles at an 8:30 and then slow down. 6.5 came and went and I was beginning to get amazed at myself...I hadn't done this in training...I was definitely in uncharted waters. I just tried to not over analyze it...
And then I remembered: I still wasn't nervous! It had actually worked!
I just kept plugging along until about 7.5 miles and then life started to intervene. My brain started to get sortof fuzzy...my pace was slowing dramatically...I would crest a hill at a 9:15 pace and was struggling to get it back down to an 8:30. At that point I decided I was okay with anything under a 9 minute pace. I was almost done...more than half way there....I was NOT going to intentionally slow down just because I could. It took my almost two miles but something happened around 9.5...a fire got lit under my rear and I was ready to run an 8:40 pace again.
And I did. For the remainder of the race.
Finishing in 1:54:07, or an 8:39 pace overall.
And I never got nervous. Not once did I want to throw in the towel and call it quits. Not once did I even contemplate walking. Not once did I think these goals were stupid.
Running the half was very different than any half I've run before, or any 5ks I've tried to race in the past. There was a lot of strategy going on climbing the hills, recovering coming down, dressing in layers and not getting too warm or too cold, alternating 2 gulps of water with 2 gulps of Powerade at every other water station, keeping my pace without looking at the whole picture (I never looked at my overall time or pace the entire time...the only thing I could see was my distance and my half mile lap pace).
It was just very different.
I did not in fact win the thing but I kept my cool, never got nervous, and in the end ran one of the most enjoyable races I've had!
While I was certain that 1:49 race (the equivalent to an 8:20 pace) was not in my future, I knew I'd PR for this race. My best time was 2:16 at the Mercedes Half in Birmingham and I knew that even running it at "easy" pace, I'd run a better time than that. But...what I really wanted was to run a 1:59:59 race. Just a sub-2 hour half...that was all I was asking for.
As the day grew nearer, my long runs sortof started to suck more...actually my entire week leading up to the race was not spectacular...all my runs seemed difficult...even the easy ones. It wasn't until the Tuesday night prior, at the track, when I commented to someone about how hard this all seemed...well, at that moment, Phil (a local runner) said something like "you're just worried about the race. Stop worrying about it because really, you aren't going to win the thing."
Eureka.
For some reason, what he said hit the mark. My 400s and 800s that evening (in the pouring down rain) got better and better. And my attitude for the next 3 days improved dramatically.
Because, really, I wasn't going to win the thing....under any circumstances...even if I had of trained like I was supposed to.
By Friday, I decided I was going to experiment with this race and do something I'd never done before: not let myself get nervous. Really. At any moment that those waves of butterflies started to float up, I just told myself "you're not going to win so stop worrying." I actually spent the entire day on Friday NOT BEING NERVOUS. It was a first in running for me, and it turns out...it actually works. More on that later.
Saturday morning came very slowly...I must have woken up 47 times on Friday night. Not because of nerves but because we had some very noisy children staying in our hotel. But, it was funny...I didn't get angry or upset that I was losing precious hours to be rested for the big day...every single time I got woken up I felt like I had been sleeping for 10 hours...even if only 10 minutes had passed since the last time I woke up. It was a strange feeling....
5:30am finally arrived and I completed all my pre-race routines and we were out the door (shower, get dressed, eat breakfast...no, I don't do anything crazy like pray over my shoes or put voodoo hexes on my competitors). I still wasn't nervous. I wasn't nervous about getting there too late to warm up...I wasn't nervous about whether I ate too little or too much...I wasn't nervous about being able to keep my pace...I wasn't even nervous about all those hills....
I got in an 8 minute warmup before I realized that a pee break (sorry) was in order...the line was long but moved quickly...and then I sprinted across the grass 6 times doing some pre-race striders.
I still wasn't nervous.
In line...I found some locals (Melissa and her friend Judy)...I saw Terri behind me...Andrew, FM, and Marcus in front of me...I'm sure Troy was at the front of the pack...and Tim, Stef, and Kenny somewhere behind me.
I still wasn't nervous.
The cannon went off and I spent the first .18 miles (yes I looked) weaving in and out of people and wondered to myself: why would people who are walking feel it necessary to start at the front of the pack? Or why do people who are running together not run in a single file line until the pack spreads out? I'm going to write a book on running etiquette one day.....
And then I lost my first earring. The earrings I've worn in every single race I've run since I started this. I took the other one off, holding it in my gloved hand, waiting until the pack spread out so that I could toss it in my back pocket...and then...just like that...it was gone too. My lucky earrings were gone.
But I still wasn't nervous.
I was pushing an 8:20 pace at this point and feeling fine. Wondering...maybe I can keep this up for the entire race?
We round Barnhardt Circle and then headed into the park...finally some elbow room! FM catches up with me and we hang together until right before Mile 2. He asks me what pace I'm shooting for and I tell him 8:20 and he says "well, then why are we running an 8:04?" I didn't answer back...I was comfortable at that pace and I just wanted to hang onto it as long as I could.
This year, as the temps were in the mid-40s I opted for a short sleeve race tee, shorts, gloves, and an old long-sleeve tee cut in a few strategic places so that I could easily get it off while still running. At the mile 2 water stop I took it off and handed it to one of the volunteers...and I did it while I was still running!
This race winds in and out and around the park. It's extremely scenic with all of monuments and beautiful old oak trees and fields for as far as you can see. Funny that last year, running at a much slower pace, I never even paid any attention to it! My short sleeve race tee says across the rear bottom band "Does this shirt make my butt look fast?" The miles clicked by as people ran by me and said one of two things: "No, that shirt doesn't make your butt look FAT at all!" or "Great shirt...glad you brought some humor to this."
I told myself in the beginning that I'd try and maintain an 8:30 pace for the first four miles. After that, I could slow down to an easier pace of 9:00 and still make my 1:59:59 (yes, I was counting my chips while they were still on the table...bad GH...bad GH). But before I knew it, I was at mile 5 and still maintaining roughly an 8:30 pace. And I still felt good. I had climbed some hills pretty effortlessly and still maintained that 8:30 pace. So, I decided I'd give it to the halfway point of 6.5 miles at an 8:30 and then slow down. 6.5 came and went and I was beginning to get amazed at myself...I hadn't done this in training...I was definitely in uncharted waters. I just tried to not over analyze it...
And then I remembered: I still wasn't nervous! It had actually worked!
I just kept plugging along until about 7.5 miles and then life started to intervene. My brain started to get sortof fuzzy...my pace was slowing dramatically...I would crest a hill at a 9:15 pace and was struggling to get it back down to an 8:30. At that point I decided I was okay with anything under a 9 minute pace. I was almost done...more than half way there....I was NOT going to intentionally slow down just because I could. It took my almost two miles but something happened around 9.5...a fire got lit under my rear and I was ready to run an 8:40 pace again.
And I did. For the remainder of the race.
Finishing in 1:54:07, or an 8:39 pace overall.
And I never got nervous. Not once did I want to throw in the towel and call it quits. Not once did I even contemplate walking. Not once did I think these goals were stupid.
Running the half was very different than any half I've run before, or any 5ks I've tried to race in the past. There was a lot of strategy going on climbing the hills, recovering coming down, dressing in layers and not getting too warm or too cold, alternating 2 gulps of water with 2 gulps of Powerade at every other water station, keeping my pace without looking at the whole picture (I never looked at my overall time or pace the entire time...the only thing I could see was my distance and my half mile lap pace).
It was just very different.
I did not in fact win the thing but I kept my cool, never got nervous, and in the end ran one of the most enjoyable races I've had!
November 13, 2009
CHICKAMAUGA PRE-RACE REVIEW
The Chickamauga Battlefield half marathon is on Saturday...I've run it before so I shouldn't be worried, right?
Wrong.
The last time I just "ran" it...no real goal except to finish...this time I've got goals, and I'm actually participating in the "race" aspect of it...all the way down to my fancy new arm warmers.
So, I'm a little worried...there will be a HUGE personal best in my future, that I'm sure of...but hitting that mark...finishing in a time that lets me know "ok, it's time to really start thinking about Boston"...well, that part of it is downright scary.
Until next time...
Wrong.
The last time I just "ran" it...no real goal except to finish...this time I've got goals, and I'm actually participating in the "race" aspect of it...all the way down to my fancy new arm warmers.
So, I'm a little worried...there will be a HUGE personal best in my future, that I'm sure of...but hitting that mark...finishing in a time that lets me know "ok, it's time to really start thinking about Boston"...well, that part of it is downright scary.
Until next time...
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