10 Weird Running Things I Do

It is very true just like any other sport or hobby you develop a set of traditions or superstitions about how if you do this one thing, you will be that much better. I know that I am guilty of these here are some of the things I do:

1. Pin your running bib on your shirt and lay out your whole outfit in the order you are to put it on the night before just to have a few extra minutes of sleep.
2. Always have the same race day breakfast regardless if it is a 5K or Marathon, because you don't want to get cramps.
3. Check you GPS watch constantly when your running because you feel like you have gone further and feel faster than you are.
4. Hold your GPS watch out to the sky because it will sync faster that way.
5. Whenever you travel anywhere you must pack your favorite running shoes and watch but wear them instead thru the security check point, because just in case they loose your luggage you have your favorite running shoes and watch.
6. Plan your vacation and then scout the net for the nearest run in the area.
7. Can not pass thru Target with out at least walking thru the running stuff even though you went there to pick up your medication on the other side of the store.
8. Religiously check your mail box once or twice a day near the first of the month hopping that the new edition of Runner's World has shown up and only check your mail once a week after that because there's nothing else interesting in your mail box.
9. When you see someone get on the treadmill next to you, you must keep running until they get off their treadmill just to out run them even though you've already finished your millage for the day.
10. When you buy new running clothes, you think about how can I wear this with my everyday work clothes.

"I run in the snow, rain, wind and heat. I run until I cannot run anymore then I run some more. I run thru the blur of tears, the aches and pains and then I keep going. I have more running clothes than some running stores, I know Fartklet does not mean like it sounds. I go to bed at 9pm; I get up early just to do it all over again. Why do I do this? Because I am a runner and that's who I am"

Women’s Distance Festival - 5K

Some of you may know that I took time away from my running.  I had some major changes in life that kept me from my running. I am working hard to make my come back and with each day it gets a little easier and I get stronger.

Saturday the 18^th was the Women’s Distance Festival.  There were a few reason's I choose this run:

 

# 1.   It was cheap….$15

# 2.   All the proceeds went to help “Girls on the Run of the Rockies”, an organization that teaches healthful living and empowers girls 8 to 13.

# 3.   Did I mention the medal?

# 4.   I needed to see what I could do

# 5.   I signed up when I had endorphins rushing to keep me motivated

# 6.   Did I forget to mention the medal?

 It was a gorgeous morning and I felt like it was a good day for a run! I started out the run in a nice comfortable 10 minute pace and I thought okay, if I keep this up I can hit my goal. I tried to tune into my music and just run let the road carry me along.  

As you can see at the start I am really feeling good:

 

From my time you can guess it, hills! There were four inclines, which normally are not bad but I lost my umph on them. I blew thru the first water check. After I hit 1.5 I wanted water there would be another one at 2. I can tell that I had not hydrated enough for a warm day and I got that dam cotton mouth! ICK! Between 2 and 3 the wheels started to come off. I really lost my momentum and knew I started out too fast. I got frustrated because I remember where I was last year and where I am now….starting over is really hard to do.

 I got irritated when the younger boys that had finished already where cheering us along. I just looked at them and scoffed to myself. I could be your mother! This just sucks. I know they are really trying to encourage all the participants and it really was for a good cause, but I got mad at myself because I know I could do better.

When I got the medal placed around my neck, I remembered something someone had once said it me and it made me feel a little better,

 “No one ever gave me a medal for being a good sister, daughter, wife or mother. When I get a medal placed around my neck after I finish a race it tells me look at what you did, you did this yourself and you did an amazing job, congratulations”

Usually, after a race I get something to eat and I walk around and wear my medal proudly.  I like to wear it as long as I can that day. People as you about it and you hear things like, wow that is really neat, wow I don’t think I can do that, wow you’re crazy! Okay, that last one is usually only comes from family and friends and they usually say things like wow you did a 5K how long did it take you to run that marathon?

 

I am doing my best to look at this run as a starting place.  We all have to start somewhere right? I have my base line to start with and I can only go up from here. I just have to keep moving on foot in front of the other and repeat.

"I run in the snow, rain, wind and heat. I run until I cannot run anymore then I run some more. I run thru the blur of tears, the aches and pains and then I keep going. I have more running clothes than some running stores, I know Fartklet does not mean like it sounds. I go to bed at 9pm; I get up early just to do it all over again. Why do I do this? Because I am a runner and that's who I am"

Day 17 Updates

I have had a little case of what we would call "the writer's block". You have to say that with the accent Adam Sandler uses in Waterboy.

I have stayed on the wagon of no fast foods and only good foods in. I thought it would be a little tough, but I am finding how easy it is to make different fishes. The hard part for me is I hate the taste of fish, but I really like fish. I am not much of a meat eater I don't eat red meat, pork and most chicken. Although some thoughts of cutting into a chicken breast makes my skin crawl! I would not call myself a true vegetarian anymore but meat still grosses me out. Although, bacon totally needs it's own category.

Saturday the 4th was run #1 for the Pikes Peak Road Runner's Summer Series. I ran slow, but I am just trying to finish all the runs, placing will come later. I need to get this back in to my life style, before I go for bigger. My handicap time was 18:30 placing me 92nd, my actual time was 23:49. Can all races have a handicap time? This run is run ever first Saturday of the month, so I can monitor my times. In the prime I was at 18 without my handicap so it gives me something to work towards.

More updates: I have worked out every day since April 22nd. Some days were a little tough but I pushed thru the thoughts of I will do this later and just did it. I am down 4lbs and have just 8 more to go before I am back to my running weight. I gave myself till Memorial to get to as close as I can to my running weight. Those that don't run don't understand how much harder it is to run with the extra LB's on you.

So folks, I am on the right track and I will keep you updated on my progress.....I'm on my way back!



"I run in the snow, rain, wind and heat. I run until I cannot run anymore then I run some more. I run thru the blur of tears, the aches and pains and then I keep going. I have more running clothes than some running stores, I know Fartklet does not mean like it sounds. I go to bed at 9pm; I get up early just to do it all over again. Why do I do this? Because I am a runner and that's who I am"