No One Quite Like a Runner

Before I started running, whenever I would see someone out running, I'd think,  I wish I could run.  Finally in 2010, I worked up enough courage to start running.  I remember the first day I stepped on a treadmill, I couldn't even run for 5 minutes.  Over the next few months running became easier for me, something I actually enjoyed doing.  My first 5k was the Council Bluffs 5K and Half Marathon, running along the route I thought, these people are encouraging me and they don't even know me.  As I neared the finish line I heard people yelling, you're almost there, keep pushing, you're doing great, again, complete strangers.  It was then I realized that there is no one quite like a runner.  They are friendly, giving high fives as you come across the finish line, handing you a water.  They are encouraging, many walk back down the route to cheer others on. They are supportive, when you feel like giving up, they tell you it's almost over and you'll feel better as soon as you cross that line.

I'm a member of an online running group and the support we offer each other is outstanding.  People from across the nation encouraging, motivating, supporting other runners, whether you started yesterday and ran for 2 minutes or you've been running for many years.

It's Gage's first year in cross country, and recently I was talking with a senior who has been running cross country for 4 years and she said the same thing about their team, there is nothing like our little group, it's like we are family, we do everything together.

I noticed yesterday at that first meet, that the high school kids stuck around and really encouraged the junior high kids, who were just starting out.  They ran around the course cheering them on, letting them know they were doing a great job.  It reminded me again, that runners are some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.  

My Ability to Run

Last week I told you about getting up at 5:30 a.m. to start running, and I actually did get up and out of bed and ran at least 2 miles three times last week!  I don't know if you know this or not, but I actually used to run a few miles a week, and I mean a few.  I trained and actually completed a half marathon, it was at that time my weekly mileage was pretty high.  Running five miles a day was a walk in the park for me.  I was also in the best shape of my life.  But that was then and this is now, or at least that is what I keep telling myself.  Life got in the way of my running and there were times when I would only run a few times a month.  A few times meaning less than once a week.

Last week was frustrating to say the least, struggling to get 2 miles in during a run is basically starting over for me, it's depressing, but it's also my own fault.  I'm the one who let running be something I used to do.  I'm the one who gained a few, 5, okay 10 extra pounds because I would tell myself I'm too exhausted to get out and run.  So this morning when the alarm went off at 5:30 a.m., after only a few hours of sleep, I reminded myself, that saying I'm too exhausted for my own health is just an excuse.  So out the door I went.  I wasn't feeling it at all, but pushing snooze 10 times until 6:30 a.m. wasn't going to get me any more sleep, so I might as well get out and run.  I put in a little over a mile and promised myself I'd get out later today and do 3.

I've realized when you have a goal or a race you are training for, running and sticking to a schedule is so much easier.  I've been looking a some virtual runs, here, and will probably sign up for a few of them, because look at all that bling!  I would really like to get registered for another half sometime in the spring, a Disney half is on my bucket list, hmmm, maybe a birthday present to myself....

<3 Julie

Butt Crack of Dawn

I'm no morning person, AT ALL!  I don't even pretend to be a morning person.  I absolutely HATE getting up and out of bed, so most mornings I am usually rushed to get ready and drive to work, usually arriving at 8:07 a.m. every single morning, 8:07.  Why not get up 7 minutes earlier and arrive to work at 8:00?  That's what I ask myself all the time.  I don't know I guess I'm just programmed to get to my destination late.

I have done a lot of research into "How to wake up earlier each day" and found some tips, here.   Do not laugh, people have actually done studies on this and many blogs tell you how to become a morning person.  Ok, who am I kidding, I laughed reading them.  Really, can someone actually become a morning person?  Some people just have it in them, alarm goes off and they jump up out of bed ready to start the day.   Others, like me, have every intention of getting out of bed and doing something in the morning, but that's the night before, by morning, none of those things seem important and I tell myself, it can wait.

Today starts another trial of working out in the mornings.  How did it go?  Well the alarm went off at 5:30, without even opening my eyes I reach over and hit snooze.  (Exactly what everyone recommends not doing.) Here we go again, let's take baby steps into getting out of bed early.  After what seemed like an hour, I grabbed my glasses and put them on so I can see what time it is, knowing I'm late, but wait, guess what, it's only 5:36!  My alarm should be going off in 2 minutes, so I wait, because you don't think I want to get out of bed before my alarm, right?!  And I wait, and wait, 5:38....maybe I shut it off instead of hitting snooze, because how many of you have your snooze set for 8 minutes?  Not me!  I have it set for 9 minutes!  Boom the alarm sounds and I am up and out the door ready to start my run.  We ran 1.80 miles this morning and it felt great.  I feel great!  Let's see how tired I feel this afternoon.

Day 1 of getting out of bed early complete!  Bring on Day 2....

<3 Julie

Running So Slow a Mosquito Bit Me

As the baseball season is winding down and coming to an end (blog post later), I have more time to actually run again! 

 I started running regularly about three and a half years ago when a friend of mine said, hey we should start running.  We both started, very slowly, and I mean VERY slowly, and I've stuck with it.  Running was something I wanted to do, but didn't know where to start.  Ok I knew where to start, I just didn't want people, or other runners to see me running, well walking at a pace a little quicker than a mall walk, and laugh or think, what the hell is she doing.  Now that I consider myself a runner, or part-time runner, I know that other runners would never look at a person and think that, they look at a person who wants to run and think, I remember being in their shoes.

The other night, I set out on my first run in a few days, ok, in over a week!  It's hot, it's humid and down right gross out, and I'm maybe a half mile in and I think, why do I keep doing this to myself?  Why do I build up a nice base and then stop for weeks on end?  I hate that side ache you get, the blisters on your toes, the pain in your legs the next day.  I hate the thought that I could run 5+ miles a day and now it's challenging just getting in 3 miles.  

I'm not one to follow the rules, even when it comes to running.  For crying out loud, my first mile was over 12 minutes!  As I climb to the top of the hill, I think, maybe I should have had more water today instead of those 3 glasses of tea and super nachos before I started out on this run.  Maybe I shouldn't breathe through my mouth, because now I have to choke up this bug that flew in and straight down my throat.  Maybe I should have worn a wick-a-way shirt, because this all cotton one is really hurting my arm pits right about now.  So I stop, because as I get to the top, these guys were looking at me like I was crazy.

But I LOVE running.  I love that running clears my head.  I love the feeling I have after a run, the feeling that I just went out there and kicked some ass!  (Even if it was only for 2 miles).  

Here's more of why I love to run: 

1. I run to leave my troubles behind.
2. I run to move forward.
3. I run to be alone.
4. I run to be with others.
5. I run to push myself to my limits.
6. I run to test myself.
7. I run to think about everything.
8. I run to think about nothing.
9. I run to listen to my heart.
10. I run to listen to my thoughts.
11. I run to take in the scenery.
12. I run to listen to the quiet.
13. I run to just get out and go.
14. I run to buy new shoes.
15. I run to breathe.
16. I run to relax.
17. I run to energize.
18. I run to get sweaty.
19. I run to become breathless.
20. I run to manage my weight.
21. I run to enjoy that dessert
22. I run to be fit.
23. I run to be healthy.
24. I run to have great lungs.
25. I run to escape.
26. I run to feel alive.
27. I run to post it on Facebook and annoy people.
28. I run to motivate others to get out there and move.
29. And most importantly I run because it's cheaper than therapy

When I got back from my run, I felt amazing!  I was in such a better mood, I didn't feel exhausted and more importantly I felt like I deserved that ice cream bar.  So like any runner would do, I sat down and enjoyed every minute of it.  

<3 Julie