The Question Runners Hate to Hear

“Why?” “Why do you want to run all that way when it hurts?” “Why do you want to run so far if you’re going to hurt for days afterward?” “There are easier hobbies.” “There are better ways to have fun.” “Enjoy getting up at 4:30am while I’m in bed asleep.” Why, why, why.

I just read an article on Active.com about this same topic and since I am so passionate about it, I thought I would expound on it. So, here ya go, peeps.

After my introduction a few weeks ago on why I love running, I think this is a good follow-up. First and foremost, do you really think I would do something on my own time that I really didn’t like? So, after reading this, I need you to ask yourself why you don’t run; or better yet, do you have anything in your life that gives you the same feeling?

Let me be completely honest. There are days that I really hate running. They are few and far between, but, those days do come. I dread them. Running is a love/hate relationship. Those days that I hate it usually come the day after a 17 or 20 miler, or actually, the rest of that day that I run that distance until I hit my tub and bed. A big percentage of running is mental. For example, I have to mentally prepare for a long run. My running buddy, Tim, wanted to switch a long run from Saturday to Friday one time. Saturday mornings are long run time for me. He decided to tell me this Friday morning at work. I was already mentally preparing for a Saturday morning run. I really can’t tell you what my mind goes through during this ”prep” time, but it’s a process that I have to have before I do pretty much anything over 10 miles. I was aggravated that he would flip this on me so soon before the run. Nonetheless, you give and take during training if you have a running partner, and I gave in. Schedules change sometimes and you deal with it. We started our run Friday afternoon. But, let me tell you, from the time we decided to run it Friday instead of Saturday, my mind was in overdrive. I think about what I had for supper the night before. Was it enough carbs? Have I hydrated enough? Do I have enough ShotBlocks on me? What can I eat for lunch that will be “run compatible” so I don’t have to hit the bathroom every 2 miles. Yes, even this question sounds gross, but it’s a big part of planning for long runs. If you’re a runner, talking about how regular you are is pretty regular. (teeheehee) Fellow runners have all been there, so we all know what to eat, what not to eat, etc. But, these are just a few things that go through my mind when prepping for that long run.

But, back to why I do what I do. Let me just quote the Active.com article. This guy, the writer Doug Robertson, says it oh, so eloquently. (from http://www.active.com/fitness/Articles/When-Does-Endurance-Training-Get-Fun.htm) “Endurance sports are not fun. Not in the traditional sense. Not like going to a movie, playing a video game, or eating ice cream. Endurance sports are hard. They hurt. Endurance sports are about suffering. So why do an endurance sport? Shouldn’t a hobby be fun? Endurance sports require a great deal of time, commitment and money. First, this isn’t a hobby. Model rockets and stamp collecting are hobbies. This is a sport. Fun isn’t the point of sport. Fun is the point of games, and as the T-shirts say, “No one plays triathlon.” All this defining still doesn’t answer the question, why do something that isn’t fun and hurts in your free time? Why spend so much time and energy risking injury, and constantly walking funny up stairs, on something that isn’t fun? Endurance training should have elements of fun. Otherwise, you would burn out.”

Back to Tess now…I agree 100% with what he said. And, yes, I have been burn out before. I was training for my first marathon last year, became injured with tendonitis, and had to take 6 weeks off and couldn’t run my marathon. But, all things happen for a reason. At the time I had to take time off, I was so burn out. It was actually a relief. I actually needed to take a break from running for multiple reasons. One was injury, but the other was because it wasn’t special to me anymore. During that time off, I had to cross train a lot, which I wasn’t as excited about as I am now. But after those 6 weeks were up, I was so ready to hit the asphalt again. I couldn’t wait to hit the road, hear my feet pound the ground and feel my heartbeat through my shirt. It’s a feeling like no other.

So, in order to break up the monotony and make it fun sometimes, here’s a few things that I do to make running fun:

1. Group Runs. I run track on Wednesday nights with other running friends and I always look forward to that midweek motivation. I also participate with training runs for upcoming races on Saturday mornings with the Greenville Track Club, if I’m not already training for something bigger on my own (marathon, trail run, triathlon, etc.)
2. Trail Running. This is new to me. I’m signed up for my first relay trail running marathon. I’m very excited about it. I’ve always been against it because I didn’t want to risk injury because it is a bigger risk running and jumping over roots and streams and what not. But, it also strengthens other muscles in your feet and legs because of it. I’m all about cross training now. What if I get injured again while training? I need to fall back on something like swimming or cycling if I ever lose my privilege to run. God forbid.
3. Take different routes. I don’t run the same course each time I run. I use the Swamp Rabbit Trail a lot, but it’s over 15 miles long almost and I can start at either end or start in the middle, add on some roads or the park downtown, etc. I love running my Monday night Liberty 5k downtown. Nothing but main street and people getting off work, running, walking their dog, having supper on the street and I’m having more fun than all of them put together. That’s one run I really never get tired of.
4. Triathlons. This, I am new to, as well. I am in training for my first triathlon for this July 8. I am totally stoked about it and I am pretty sure I’m gonna get the bug for it. I dearly love doing all three sports now. I do enough of the other 2 sports, swimming and cycling, that I don’t tire of running. In fact, I long to run more because I spend so much time cross training now. This is how it should be. Doing 3 sports really is the way to go. For me, at least.
5. Take pictures. I want to start doing this. And since I’m blogging now, I want to carry my camera in my fuel belt to take pics of the journey as I go on long runs or bike courses. You do see awesome and sometimes weird things early in the morning and I want to share them with you.

So, let me end it with Doug Robertson’s words from Active.com. “The fun about an endurance sport is self-discovery. You discover yourself when the tough gets going. Endurance sports are fun like climbing Mount Everest or writing a novel. The process is long and arduous, it takes planning and patience and luck, and there will be numerous times along the way where you want to throw up your hands (or just throw up). Those moments aren’t fun. Those moments are brutal. Those moments happen 7 miles into a half marathon. For many runners, the 7th mile sucks. The run portion of an Olympic distance triathlon sucks for many people too. And right there, right when you’re suffering the most is when self-discovery kicks in. Once you hit the point of highest suffering there is only one place to go, and that is past it. When you learn to “embrace the suck,” as Chris McCormack calls it in his book, I’m Here To Win, you discover things about yourself you never knew.  You discover how you can challenge yourself and accomplish the challenge. Hating mile 7, walking through some aid stations, and finishing a zombie-shuffle sprint, teach you about your depths, strengths and ability to overcome. And that is fun.”

Give a girl the right shoes…

We’ve all heard Marilyn Monroe’s saying, “Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” Well, indeed, it is true! Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer a whole lot more than the world; she can conquer whatever she puts her mind to.

For me, these shoes would be Newton running shoes. For the past year, ever since I read about them in Runner’s World magazine and seen them at different race expos, I have fallen in love with them, their idea, and, of course, their look. That’s a given, right? I mean, at least 40% of running is all about the outfit! But, I digress.

In every area of my life, I try to go the natural way, if at all possible; from a physical ailment to eating to running. Newton Running shoes promote natural running, meaning a natural strike of the foot to the ground, which helps with injuries due to incorrect strike. If you hear any group of runners talking, the words “heel strike” or “chi running” may come up when speaking of running shoes. I naturally strike mid-foot, anyway, but am all for anything to help that habit.

I purchased the shoes two weeks ago on a Friday and took them on their maiden voyage the following day (Saturday) for an 11 miler. I didn’t want to give my feet “new shoe shock” or risk injury, so I took it pretty slow. After the first 2 or 3 miles, I started feeling pangs here and there, but nothing painful. It was my body getting used to the shoes. This is to be expected when switching different brands or a different style of shoe, say, from neutral to stability type. I started out wearing stability shoes when I began running 2 years ago, but have graduated to neutral because of my running stance (natural mid-foot strike). My 11 mile run was a new course I was trying out, beginning at the Swamp Rabbit Trail Café, heading toward downtown , through the park, circling around on some roads and back toward he cafe, all leading up to 11 miles. I have run this course twice now and absolutely love it. You get a few hills here and there, run into runners and cyclists, and get facetime with road running, not just the trail. Road running make you more alert and you can’t just daydream when going on longer runs. You have to stay alert due to traffic and redlights, and what not. Plus, I got to show off my new multi-colored Newtons!

All in all, the run went well that morning. I felt great, enjoyed the run, and when I was finished, wasn’t in pain; number one on the accomplishment list after every run. I did feel a pang here and there, but recovered quickly. So, after talking with some other Newton runners, this was the bottom line: You don’t break in the shoes. They break in you. These shoes are not your typical running shoes. You don’t break them in or get the soles cut. They train you and your body to run the natural way. Even though I am already a mid-foot striker, the shoes still affect my legs and feet differently and they are still “having their way with me.” Today I ran 5 miles for an upcoming race training run and I still felt a little tight for the first mile or two. But, this is to be expected until they have my body and legs and feet trained and used to them.

But, speaking of doing anything you put your mind to…once the shoes get me broken in, they are proven to better your running overall; from no injuries to running faster to running lighter on your feet. Newton’s slogan is “Hello Better® – Newton Running Shoes.” http://www.newtonrunning.com/  This, I am looking forward to. As I have mentioned before, I am not a fast runner, but anything to help improve my time I’m all for…as long as it’s injury free. I don’t want to run faster and stay injured all the time because of it. That defeats my purpose of running for the love it. And if that means keeping to that 11:15 pace, then I’m sticking to it. Besides, no matter how slow I go, I’m still lapping everyone on the couch.

“Yolo, Dude! Yolo!”

My Monday evening schedule usually consists of running the Liberty 5k. My good friend and fellow runner, Stephanie, and I came up with this name about two years ago when the time was changing in the fall months and we needed a lit place to run in the evenings. So, we thought downtown on Main Street would be ideal. We start at the Liberty Tap Room on the West End of downtown and run all the way up Main Street to Stone Avenue, cross the road to the other side and run back up to the Liberty Tap Room. It is roughly 3.4 miles; a good weekday hilly run. I always enjoy my Monday night runs because we get to run on Main Street and I always enjoy window shopping and running into other fellow runners doing their own course. Well, this past Monday night was no different. My friend Reggie joined me and we headed down Main. Once we started into the “restaurant” section of Main, we were running past two guys talking outside, but they looked up as were passing them. As we are running past, all we hear is, “Yolo, Dude!” To which the other guy chimed in, “You only live once, Man!” I literally laughed out loud and said to Reggie, “I love it! That is definitely going to be a blog title soon!” So, here it is.

I turned 30 this past December and I cannot begin to tell you what a change it has made in my life. I dreaded it all year long my 29^th year and fought mental demons about not being where I wanted to be or have done what I wanted to have done by age 30. But, shortly after my 30^th birthday, it’s like a light was flipped on in my head and I now love every day that I am alive. Every day is a gift, sometimes a challenge, but always a gift. I have started my own Bucket List, and I believe I will have to live until I’m passed 100 to do it all. I think I add something to it daily. I have completed 4 half marathons to date and have a full summer and rest of the year planned already. I have 2 sprint triathlons in July and August and my first marathon in D.C in October. As of Friday, I have signed up for a trail marathon relay in July, consisting of a 4-man team relay running 26.2 miles on trail, not asphalt. I’ve always been an asphalt runner, and said I would never run cross country, but that’s changed now. The more I do, the more open minded I become and the more determined I am.

Life really is too short. I hate when I read people’s statuses on facebook about not liking Mondays or they can’t wait until Friday. I almost feel sorry for them. I enjoy every day that I am alive and even those tedious tasks that must get done in the week, enjoy them. I am blessed enough that I dearly love my job and look forward to going to work every day. I know not everyone can say that, which is why I said I am blessed, as well as blessed to have a job (Amen!). And sometimes I think that I have entirely too much outside activity going on that I think my job gets in the way…but, that job pays for that extra activity that I so enjoy. So, I’m back at square one. See, it all works together. Without that Monday, you would never get to that Friday. So, might as well enjoy it! Something extraordinary may happen on that mundane weekday that you are always complaining about.

My thought for today is this: You only live once. I have pondered this thought all week and it has made me want to do more and aim for the impossible. Impossible is nothing. If you want change, but keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll forever stay where you are. Change, sometimes, requires pain. I relate it to running: At first, you feel like dying. Then, you feel reborn. The same applies to life. Last year was a hard year for me in all areas. I was in a bad dating relationship, lost 2 grandmothers, and had a hard time with some family matters. And at times, I wanted to quit, give up, move away, and start over. But, going through all of that has made me who I am today. I have never been more content and happy with who I am, where I’m going and where I am, than now. Yes, the hard days, weeks, months, sometimes even years will come, but once the storm passes, you get up, dust the dirt off of you, and you keep going. As in running, sometimes you just have to keep reminding yourself, “Just one more mile.” And when the good times are back again, sometimes you say to yourself, “Man, just one more mile? Ah, let’s make it 5 more!” Thankfully, this is where I am today and I relish in it.

And speaking of all this has really got me even more motivated now! I may just run the Liberty 5k twice tomorrow night!

Running Encourages Fitness and Fellowship

Running Encourages Fitness and Fellowship

Click on the link above.

Bobby Chandler, both a friend and fellow runner, is featured in this video. This was filmed at our track practice last Wednesday, May 9. He is an inspiration and I am proud to run with him. Here’s to you, Pop!

Riding Pride-free with Clipless Pedals

I had scheduled a 30 mile bike ride Friday afternoon after work, beginning on the Swamp Rabbit Trail downtown, but my clipless pedals arrived Thursday, so I thought I would go a shorter distance not knowing how I would take to them. People have told me that compared to regular bike pedals, clipless pedals work your thighs more because you are not only pushing down on the pedal, but you are also pulling up on the pedal, thus working other muscles. They also increase your speed overall by a few more miles per hour. Clipless pedals make you one with the bike. So, knowing I had my last swim lesson Saturday morning, followed by a 10 mile run, I would go easy on the bike today, around 20 miles, and just get used to the new pedals.

I was meeting a friend from work, that is an avid cyclist, and he would ride with me on the trail and then cut off once we neared Paris Mountain, which he would ride over. I thought I would keep to flat lands that day since I was getting used to the “oneness” with the bike. People kept telling me, “Just be prepared for it. You’re going to fall over at least once your first day of riding with the clipless.” To which I thought, silently, “Not if I can help it! Not everybody has to fall.”

Getting on the bike and clipping in was no problem. It all “clicked” for me. At road crossings, I would clip out on my left side and be prepared to stop, if needed, if there were vehicles coming. I was overly cautious because I was determined to not fall over my first day.  I wanted to be the exception! They couldn’t be that difficult, could they?

After I had ridden my 20 miles, I decided to ride over to Pedal Chic and look around for a new bike bag. This included riding on real roads and stopping at real red lights and following the road signs as if I were a car. I had only braved the roads once on the bike, but they were less traveled roads around downtown, which are very bike-friendly. Again, I was overly cautious and probably waited for traffic longer than I should because one thing you have to keep in mind: Yes, all vehicle road rules apply to bicyclists, but remember, a car is much bigger and heavier than you and the majority of vehicle drivers are not fond of bicyclists on the road. I know, my sister is one of those. (o:

I was approaching Pedal Chic and was all excited that I had not fallen once and here I was arriving at a bike store, on my bike, decked out in all of my chic bike apparel, helmet and sunglasses. They would think, “Ah! Here comes a real cyclist.” Then, as I was approaching to stop in front of the window-front bike store, I couldn’t get my clip to un-clip. Needless to say, I came to a complete stop by the time it was unclipped, but it was too late. I was leaning too far over to the right side and down I went. I have to say, though, the thoughts that ran through my mind during those few 7 seconds were comical. I thought, “You’ve got to be kidding me! I make it 20+ miles and pull up at a bike store and I have to fall here?? Really? Really.” I guess the bike gods sensed my pride and thought my first day should end otherwise.

As soon as I fell, a lady employee of the bike store came out and asked me if I were hurt. I raised my hand up and proudly said, “I’m alright! I’m alright! First day using clipless pedals. It’s all good!” I added in a little laugh to make her believe me. She believed me, as all cyclists, so they claim, fall once or twice while getting used to clipless.

I ended the day with only 3 bruises on my legs. All of which I’m proud of. Scars of glory, you could say.

Speaking of, there goes that pride thing again. So, I totally lived out the Bible verse, Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before the fall.”

Running Love Affair

“Friends, Peasants, and Gentle Rodents, Good Day!” …so my weekly Monday morning email begins. For close to two years now, ever since I fell in love with running, which is another story for another day, I have been sending out weekly motivational emails to fellow friends of mine that are runners, but the email has recently grown to include cyclists and hikers. I mainly include my running schedule for each day of that particular week, along with motivational running sayings, pictures or encouragement. I do this to encourage my fellow runners, but ultimately, I do it to encourage myself. It’s my own form of accounting to someone, or rather a group. I am in no way the type of person who, when you first look at her, thinks, “Yep, she’s a runner.” But, honestly, if you happen to look around at any given 5k, 10k, half marathon or even full marathon, how many “runner bodies” do you really see besides the 25+ runners “toeing” the starting line? That’s the beauty of running. Yes, even we, runners, stereotype ourselves sometimes, but the truth is displayed at your hometown 5k.

I’m not a fast runner. I have still yet to break my 5k personal record (PR) of 30 minutes, which I achieved April of 2011. But, I run for the love of it. Yes, I work on my time, I go to track practice weekly and work on speed, but the bottom line is this: I love running. I run for a thousand different reasons, all of which you’ve read in running books, articles, facebook, and what not. And if I had to list every single reason why I run, which would be in book form, love would be the number one and top reason. All the other reasons I would list are merely benefits. I have signed up for two triathlons this year and have started training already. I was pretty psyched when I purchased my road bike and even more when I signed up for swim lessons to work on technique. And I dearly enjoy both activities. But, let me tell you, when the stress begins and life throws a curve ball at me, it’s not my bike or the pool I think about. It’s the open road. Just me, God and a pair of running shoes. A run makes it all better. It’s good for stress relief, anger management, crying, talking to God, uncontrolled happiness, or getting at least one good thing accomplished that day.

I wish running were my first love, but, alas, it wasn’t. But, it is the one love affair of a relationship that will last until I can’t contribute any more to it, which I hope will be the last day my heart beats.

So, there’s my running love story. I’ll tell you how we “met” later on.