Only You Can Bring Me Cheer

Activity: Run
Date: 09/10/09 08:50 AM
Distance: 5.01 miles
Time: 0:52:59
Speed: 5.7 mph
Pace: 10' 35 min/mile
Calories: 483

Today's run was at the bay. I did mile to mile intervals, meaning miles 1,3 and 5 were slow, and miles 2 and 4 were at 5k pace. When I started out, the air was still pleasant and there was a nice breeze, but on the return there was direct sun and no breeze, and it wasn't even 10 am yet. The return was a bit tough and my splits were slightly slower, but when it was done, and I cooled off and stretched, I felt great. I haven't felt GREAT after a run in ages. I mean, considering my past year and all the rehab, I would feel thrashed/tired after a run, any run. This is the first time that I recall that I've felt good (a sense of well being) after a run since I've started running again. I don't know if that makes sense to anyone, but this is somewhat of a milestone for me. It's all coming back. Now, the next trick is to get that "woo-hoo" feeling after a race. Baby steps, still.

TIART

"Now that we're heading into the fall and winter marathon seasons, and we've talked a lot about how to prepare for races, let's talk about spectators. What do you like and dislike from spectators out on a course? Are cowbells good or bad? Do you prefer to have someone waiting with food or Gatorade? What tips can you give for people who are just out to watch the race and not participate?"

Spectator tips:
No matter where a person is in a race NEVER EVER SAY: "You're almost there!" This messes with my psyche and it automatically does something inside me that makes my body want to slow down. You're almost there when you start the race, really. In my mind I'm almost there when I can actually see the finish line just a few hundred feet in front of me. Also, never yell to a runner: "You ONLY have _____ (pick a number) miles/meters/blocks/feet to go." Duh. We know.

Things that I've heard from spectators at races that I liked:
"Thank you for running today!" Most runs benefit a charity.
"You make a difference." From coach Paul on his bull horn.
"Go runners!" From random people
"Go Mimi!" From my grandson.*

Other things that spectators have done/can do:
*Show up and cheer for the people who have no one cheering for them.
*High Fives - only when appropriate. I high fived a Marine at this year's SDRNR marathon.**
*Cowbells are OK
*Quick hugs from people you know are great at mile 23 of a marathon. (Got a hug from my son at about mile 23 this year.)

Yesterday's song:
What I Like About You - The Romantics - Run-DMZ

PEACE

*Instead of Grandma, he calls me Mimi, which is what he came up with when he was learning how to talk.
** That's me in the red running skirt getting ready to high five the marine.

No One Ever Told Me

TIART

"This week's theme is ... Yeah, no one ever told me this about running.... Now that you are a runner, what is something you have learned about running that no one ever told you before. You didn't read it in a book, a blog or hear it from a friend or another runner. Or...maybe you did, but you didn't understand it or remember it until you learned it yourself."

No one ever told me that I'd run one 5k then suddenly want to do another event, and eventually I'd get the chutzpah to sign up for a marathon, no matter how many people thought I was a psychopath for wanting to do so.

No one ever told me that I'd be making so many new running friends through blogging. The running blog community has been amazing, even though my non-runner friends and family are concerned that they're all psychopaths.

No one ever told me that I would break a bone from running. Who breaks a bone from running? Me. I didn't fall or get beat up. The diagnosis was a femoral neck stress fracture. I got a bonus surgery, complete with hardware, and a 4 night's stay in the hospital, and mind altering medications. Wooohooo! (NOT!) I always thought my injuries would be limited to blisters, losing a toe nail or two, sore muscles, and perhaps tendinitis. Call me enlightened.

No one, not even the doctors, ever told me that I couldn't run after my surgery. Even before I had the surgery they said I'd be running with in 4 to 6 months of the surgery. They were right. It wasn't pretty, but I was up and running. I'm still working on making it look pretty.

No one ever told me that I would travel by plane to run in out-of-state events. I wouldn't think to travel to those places, otherwise. The Rock 'n' Roll half marathon in Las Vegas, NV in December on my calendar.

No one ever told me that I would own more running shoes than other types of shoes, because I'm always in search of just the right shoe, and bonus points if I find my perfect shoe on sale for less than half price because it's from two seasons ago.

No one ever told me that I would remember the Boston Marathon qualifying times chart, and I can't even remember my husband's work phone number.

Finally:
No one ever told me about the sense of well being and satisfaction that running gives me. I can pound out any frustration or problem while running. It's such a release. Sure, life's problems or frustrations may still be there, but I can handle things better and with a clearer head after a run.

Monday's song:
Struttin' With Some Barbecue - Louis Armstrong

PEACE

Summer Girl

TIART:

"This week's theme is ... Gearing Up For Summer. With the really warm summer temperatures around the corner, it is time to dust off our warm weather gear, tips and know how in order to transition and run well into summer. Share your best tips for how you transition from cooler to warmer temperatures as well as stay cool during those hot weather runs."

Aside from the usual tips of staying hydrated, running earlier in the morning before it gets too hot, or after the sun goes down, DO NOT forget the sunscreen, preferably with an SPF of 30 or higher, and reapply if necessary. I prefer sunscreens that are water-resistant. I currently use Kinesys, but I'll use the kid's Banana Boat in a pinch.


Tuesday's song:
Survivor - Destiny's Child - Run-DMZ

PEACE

In My World

I thought I would take a go at today's TIART.

"Today's theme is .... Only in running... Have you ever noticed that your definition of "acceptable" changes when it comes to your running? Your standards of public displays of bodily functions lower, you find it acceptable to give bear hugs to sweaty complete strangers who you bonded with in the last mile of a tough race, you easily pay $100+ for a pair of shoes you may wear a few months, and on and on. Share your take of the interesting and peculiar things running brings into our lives."

• Upon seeing someone wearing a t-shirt from a run event is every reason to strike up a conversation about running. ("Did you actually run in that race? Are you planning to do that one again this year? How did you do? Did you PR? How about that hill at mile 6?")
• I, too, have given and received hugs to or from people before, during and after a run event. The sweatiest people were at the 23.5 point at last year's San Diego Rock 'N' Roll Marathon, where I volunteered at the hydration tables. I hugged a whole lot of sweaty people that day.
• Because I run my father thinks I know everyone who runs. I think this is funny because I don't think my dad realizes how many people run, and just in my city alone. ("My doctor runs. She has all of her race numbers taped to her office wall. You probably know who she is!")
• I accepted a ride to a run event from a blogging runner who I had never met in person. That was 3 years ago. (Remember what your mom said about accepting rides from strangers?) I'm still alive, no creepy person, and we're still friends. Hi Anne!
• It was so cold that we thought nothing of reusing someone else's discarded gloves! The 2007 PF Chang's AZ Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon had start of the race temperatures around 24 degrees Fahrenheit . Who would have thought it would be THAT cold? Phoenix NEVER gets that cold, or so we had just assumed. The race brochure shows people running with tank tops and shorts and boasts about the warm climate. Even the locals were perplexed with the cold snap. Around the second mile of the run we were so cold that my husband "shopped" the ground for discarded mittens/gloves. At first my reaction was "ewww", but my fingers were numb and any warm mittens/gloves would do. I got over the "ewww-ness" of it.

I'm sure I'll think of more "only in running" incidents later, but those are the ones that come to mind.




Tuesday's song:
Wounded Feet - Telecast - Barbie2be


PEACE

Passion Play

Over at Runner's Lounge, the theme of this Thursday's TIART (Take It And Run Thursday) is the marathon. More specifically:

Why Don't They Get It? The Marathon-Explained.

The marathon is something most non-thrill seekers or non-runners will not understand. A marathon is one of those things you have to experience for yourself, whether if you just do one or several. Some people run in their first marathon and are immediately swept away in the accomplishment and know they want to participate in more events. Some people run in their first, swear they're never going to run in one again because of the sore muscles and recoup time, but once that pain is over they start looking into other races. They're hooked. Others run one marathon and they're done -- They just wanted to say they did it at least once.

For me, it all started with fitness. Running sort of manifested itself out of losing 30 pounds and becoming more fit. Prior to running, I swam a lot. I discovered that I actually enjoyed running and eventually signed up for a 5k. I had a blast.

My first marathon was inspired by a friend who decided to run at least 5 marathons before turning 50. I believe she gave herself two years to achieve this goal. At the time, I was about 45, and figured I could perhaps do at least one marathon, and I was 5 years younger. I signed up to run in the San Diego Rock 'N' Roll Marathon for June 5, 2005, just 4 days shy of my 46th birthday.

I dragged my reluctant husband with me, but did most of the training on my own, with the guidance from the book Marathoning For Mortals by John Bingham. It was a lot of work and a lot of alone time. I soon discovered that running those long distances gave me plenty of time to think and solve the world's problems. I had no real time expectations for my marathon, but I just wanted to finish on my own two feet.

I did finish on my own two feet in about 5:30, and so did my husband in about 6:18. My runner brother even flew down from Northern California to run our first marathon with us. We were sore, tired, exhausted, exhilarated, and euphoric. My husband's office took bets to see if he would walk into the office the Monday morning after the marathon. He limped into work just so he could show off his medal. My once reluctant husband now had his own marathon story, and beamed when he talked about it. I also had my own marathon story, complete with tidbits about what I saw, how I felt, and how I was already looking to next year's SDRNR Marathon. Yeah, I was hooked.


After the marathon -- Karl, me, and Michael
Posted by Hello


Since that time I have run in two more SDRNR Marathons, a handfull of half marathons and 5ks, and everything in between.

The hardest thing I've had to deal with was getting serioulsy injured just 2 weeks prior to last year's SDRNR marathon. I was able hang out at one of the hydration stops, see the elites glide by, greet all of my friends, encourage my husband, and spend time with other injured runners. I must admit to feeling a bit wistful when I saw video clips of the runners going through the finish line. I was thrilled for everyone, but I cried because I wasn't a part of that. I must admit to feeling heartbroken. No medal for me because I now had to deal with metal in my leg.

This year, with the stamp of approval from my doctor, I'm running again. I'm also training for my final SDRNR marathon. Some people think I'm nuts for wanting to complete another marathon, but it's still a passion, and a matter of unfinished business. My thoughts of attempting a BQ time have diminished, but now, as with my first marathon, my goal is to finish on my own two feet. I've gone full circle.

The marathon thing: It's all about passion. Whether if your passion is running or collecting stamps, find YOUR passion. We can all relate to passion, right?

Yesterday's song:
Rehab - Rihanna, Amy Winehouse - Barbie2be, 2nd Chances

PEACE