The alarm had gone off and the snooze button pushed. It wasn't the worst night sleep ever, but I was up for an hour with Charlotte at 4:30. Then my early waker arrived. I told Adrianne that I was tired and she replied "Isn't Rebecca coming?"
Ah Rebecca...my faithful babysitter who is making a fortune off me with all this running. She informed me the other day she is saving for a laptop. What a 12 year old needs a laptop for, who knows!
I did manage to peal myself out of bed and get some breakfast. This is my last week before official training begins. I had a goal for myself today of 5 miles. My normal run takes me to the end of my country road and barely turns me on to the next to make a 4 mile loop. I always look further down the road when I'm doing my turn around, knowing that soon I will be going down that way. Four miles have been getting easier, but still enough work that I've been wondering how I'll do when I have to increase my mileage.
Today was the perfect running day. It was cold out, 50 degrees when I left my house. I just felt good when I hit the road. Secretly I had been hoping that Joan would run with me today and that she could push me, but I run too early for her. The further I ran the more I wanted to go 5 miles. I air punched all the street signs I passed and each one made me feel more positive and more in control. By the time I hit the 2nd bridge, 2 1/2 miles from my house, I was pumped! The guide talks about memorizing your best run days, the sights, sounds, how you felt, so you have some mental imagery for the days that your runs feel like a grind. The memory of my run today will get me out of my bed and on the road for weeks to come. I can do it!
Miles today: 5
Monday, August 24, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
I am a marathoner
Running alone 2 of 3 days this week gives me plenty of time in my own thoughts. One of the first things the guide tells you to do is to start identifying yourself as a marathoner...to yourself and especially to others. This sounds so odd to me since the most I've run so far is 4 miles at one time. I know the point is to start to get your mental self thinking a new thing. But inevitably, I feel a little ridiculous stating it when I haven't run one yet. I guess that's why I need to blog and also sent out my email cry for help to my friends. It is going to be a habit to get into thinking of myself as a runner.
I have been thinking about how this is true for my spiritual life too. Way back in the day as a new Christian...Telling people that I was one but still figuring out how it would be possible to live like one. I remember writing millions of poems in those days expressing my fear of falling away. Now that I've been at it for 14 years, it is easy to identify myself as a Christian. I am still growing, there is still new things that Jesus speaks to me that I am and sometimes it takes some mental effort to believe them about myself.
One week left before official training starts. There is a little butterfly in my stomach that wonders if this is really possible (or have I really lost my marbles). Thankfully I have enough will/guts/trust to say something about myself that I am not yet, but God willing, will soon be.
Miles Today:4
Miles for the Week: 12
I have been thinking about how this is true for my spiritual life too. Way back in the day as a new Christian...Telling people that I was one but still figuring out how it would be possible to live like one. I remember writing millions of poems in those days expressing my fear of falling away. Now that I've been at it for 14 years, it is easy to identify myself as a Christian. I am still growing, there is still new things that Jesus speaks to me that I am and sometimes it takes some mental effort to believe them about myself.
One week left before official training starts. There is a little butterfly in my stomach that wonders if this is really possible (or have I really lost my marbles). Thankfully I have enough will/guts/trust to say something about myself that I am not yet, but God willing, will soon be.
Miles Today:4
Miles for the Week: 12
Monday, August 17, 2009
Running Away
I really do enjoy the days Tinsa, Joan or Charlie run with me. However I am beginning to really really enjoy the days I run alone.
This morning Jonah was at work, so my mom came to let me get my run in. I really like the early morning, I know shocking to come out of my mouth, I'm such a non morning person. I love to get up, slide in my running clothes, put on my trusty brooks. Mace in one pocket (for scary truckers and wild dogs!) phone in the other.
The guide talks about not using iPods or mp3 players. I wouldn't anyway because I'm running on open road and not side walks. It talks about instead listening to your body's rhythm, nature and your own thoughts. I crack myself up because almost every time I turn from my driveway to the pavement, I hear the opening rhythm of Queen's "We will rock you" or some old school Keith Green song. I think it actually helps me set my pace.
I almost always think about that movie "What women want". The part where they are making the ad campaign for Nike for the woman runner. It is true, the road does not judge me or my pace. Does not care about the way I look. I am so thankful for running. Days like today it may be the only time I spend alone until the girls go to bed tonight. When I got home from my run there was some "girl drama" with Adrianne (oh to be 5) and I jokingly told my mom that I was going to go on another run and would be back later. I get a huge sense of peace when I'm gone. Maybe it's the silence. Maybe the alone time. Whatever it is, I love the feeling that no one is making any demands of me, just me making them of my own self.
Miles today: 4
This morning Jonah was at work, so my mom came to let me get my run in. I really like the early morning, I know shocking to come out of my mouth, I'm such a non morning person. I love to get up, slide in my running clothes, put on my trusty brooks. Mace in one pocket (for scary truckers and wild dogs!) phone in the other.
The guide talks about not using iPods or mp3 players. I wouldn't anyway because I'm running on open road and not side walks. It talks about instead listening to your body's rhythm, nature and your own thoughts. I crack myself up because almost every time I turn from my driveway to the pavement, I hear the opening rhythm of Queen's "We will rock you" or some old school Keith Green song. I think it actually helps me set my pace.
I almost always think about that movie "What women want". The part where they are making the ad campaign for Nike for the woman runner. It is true, the road does not judge me or my pace. Does not care about the way I look. I am so thankful for running. Days like today it may be the only time I spend alone until the girls go to bed tonight. When I got home from my run there was some "girl drama" with Adrianne (oh to be 5) and I jokingly told my mom that I was going to go on another run and would be back later. I get a huge sense of peace when I'm gone. Maybe it's the silence. Maybe the alone time. Whatever it is, I love the feeling that no one is making any demands of me, just me making them of my own self.
Miles today: 4
Friday, August 14, 2009
To date...
I have been running consistently for 2 months now. It feels so good to pound out 4 miles no problem. My plan is to run 3 times a week (which is what I've already been running) for the next 2 weeks. I am up to running around 4 miles each day. Beginning the first week of September I will begin my 1/2 marathon training.
Why a 1/2 and not a full. Simple: Marathon training requires 16 weeks, plus several work up weeks to be able to run 30 minutes without stopping and there wasn't any marathons in my area that were 16 weeks or longer away from when I began running. My first full marathon option is the Eugene Marathon in May 2010. I plan to run in Portland's "Run Like Hell" 1/2 marathon on Oct 25, 2009. Then I will have 2 months of "downtime" before beginning marathon training in January.
I have a running partner, Tinsa, who is training with me. I am totally excited to have her...accountability, someone to understand what I'm doing, just the company sometimes. We are trying to run at least once each week together. She joined me on my run today. Made the miles fly by.
It feels good to have a personal goal in front of me. Having had 3 kids in the last five years has shifted my focus. There are very few things I do for myself anymore. I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. I do however, think that this is a very healthy goal. I am turning 30 this fall and I think it will be a fun way to mark this birthday. Changing it from having a somewhat negative tone, to something I am proud to say I've done.
Why a 1/2 and not a full. Simple: Marathon training requires 16 weeks, plus several work up weeks to be able to run 30 minutes without stopping and there wasn't any marathons in my area that were 16 weeks or longer away from when I began running. My first full marathon option is the Eugene Marathon in May 2010. I plan to run in Portland's "Run Like Hell" 1/2 marathon on Oct 25, 2009. Then I will have 2 months of "downtime" before beginning marathon training in January.
I have a running partner, Tinsa, who is training with me. I am totally excited to have her...accountability, someone to understand what I'm doing, just the company sometimes. We are trying to run at least once each week together. She joined me on my run today. Made the miles fly by.
It feels good to have a personal goal in front of me. Having had 3 kids in the last five years has shifted my focus. There are very few things I do for myself anymore. I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing. I do however, think that this is a very healthy goal. I am turning 30 this fall and I think it will be a fun way to mark this birthday. Changing it from having a somewhat negative tone, to something I am proud to say I've done.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
How it all began...
I remember the day vividly. This past May 2009, my husband and our 3 kids, ages 5, 3 and 5 weeks had driven to Newport, OR and were waiting to see her. My mother-in-law, Joan, would be rounding the corner at any time now. She was running in her very first marathon. Each runner that past us to go to the finish line only built my anticipation. And there she was, jogging the last stretch of her 26.2 mile journey. We screamed and cheered and held our signs. I choked back my own tears of pride for her. Here was this woman in her 50's who had never run prior to the previous year and she did it. She ran a marathon! When she came over to us, she said to me "I made it! I can do ANYTHING!"
I thought to myself, "wow. I want that feeling."
That's when it happened. Not once during her weeks of training did I ever want to do what she was doing nor did I think I could. But there it was, the tiny spark in my own heart that said "I think I want to do it too."
Doubt quickly followed. I had just had a baby in April and was still recovering from c-section and the fatigue that comes with a new born. I had gained a liberal amount of baby weight (more then 50 pounds) and had not exercised regularly since high school soccer 11 years ago. How could I run any distance when walking up and down the stairs at my house made me breathless?
I remembered then how Joan had started. Last summer Joan was like me. Maybe a few pounds overweight and not a runner. A friend encouraged her to start with an easy goal. Joan went out in the following days and ran 1/2 mile. 11 months later she completed her marathon.
My determination begin to build. I started walking down my driveway to get the mail, .6 miles. It took more then 2 weeks before I could do it without huffing and puffing. When I would get to my mailbox, I would look up the road and wonder if I really would be able to run. I let myself be realistic and slow, never forgetting that I had a new baby, not expecting myself to be able to do grand distances too soon.
I was excited the first time I put my feet on the pavement. I jogged to the nearest street sign (less then .1 miles) and jogged back to my driveway. This was my beginning.
I thought to myself, "wow. I want that feeling."
That's when it happened. Not once during her weeks of training did I ever want to do what she was doing nor did I think I could. But there it was, the tiny spark in my own heart that said "I think I want to do it too."
Doubt quickly followed. I had just had a baby in April and was still recovering from c-section and the fatigue that comes with a new born. I had gained a liberal amount of baby weight (more then 50 pounds) and had not exercised regularly since high school soccer 11 years ago. How could I run any distance when walking up and down the stairs at my house made me breathless?
I remembered then how Joan had started. Last summer Joan was like me. Maybe a few pounds overweight and not a runner. A friend encouraged her to start with an easy goal. Joan went out in the following days and ran 1/2 mile. 11 months later she completed her marathon.
My determination begin to build. I started walking down my driveway to get the mail, .6 miles. It took more then 2 weeks before I could do it without huffing and puffing. When I would get to my mailbox, I would look up the road and wonder if I really would be able to run. I let myself be realistic and slow, never forgetting that I had a new baby, not expecting myself to be able to do grand distances too soon.
I was excited the first time I put my feet on the pavement. I jogged to the nearest street sign (less then .1 miles) and jogged back to my driveway. This was my beginning.
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