10k?! Did I Miss A Turn Somewhere?!

The 5k I ran today started off great. The weather was perfect... not too cold and not raining (yay!). I felt good and didn't even mind that I showed up alone. The last few races I've run, I've had a “running buddy” with me (usually one of my kids I dragged along). It had been a while since I'd run at an event by myself so I was anticipating feeling lonely and left out. I noticed, however, as I ran along, that there were quite a few people running “alone”. They all planned ahead, as I did, and had their headphones on.

I train with my ipod all the time but it was the first time I'd brought it to a race. I decided I really liked it!  I feel like I ran better and harder having some jammin' tunes to distract me and also to help me keep up a good pace. I fueled this run with a mixture of up-tempo songs on shuffle, from bands such as Daughtry, Queen, Styx, The Fray, and Neon Trees. I was surprised how “Say When” by The Fray helped me pick up the pace in the last mile and “Animal” by Neon Trees brought me in to the finish line.

But before I tell you how it ended... I have to explain the title of this blog entry. I had a few scary minutes, about half-way through, when I thought I had accidentally missed a turn and was in the wrong race! This race had both a 5k and 10k. We all started together and then somewhere along the route, one group was supposed to turn off. The email I'd received prior to the race had specified which group it was, but I couldn't remember. They had the course well marked with signs, including ones being held by volunteers, to make sure we didn't get lost. We had passed a volunteer who was holding a sign and I thought I was going the right direction because I was following everyone else. A little while after that, we passed a sign telling those running the 10k to turn. It didn't say anything about the 5k. I started to panic thinking that maybe I was supposed to have turned at the previous sign.

For several very stressful minutes, I thought I had accidentally gotten myself into a 10k race! Thoughts started flooding my mind as I was looking around me trying to figure out if the people I was running with looked like elite enough runners to do a 10k. I was trying to think back to that previous sign and what direction the arrow was pointing. I was trying to decided if I should keep going and try to finish a 10k (with walking, of course!) or if I should turn around and go back. I thought about asking someone as they passed me, but they had headphones on! Then, just as I was really starting to freak out, I see a volunteer up ahead, holding TWO signs, one for each race. Whew... was I ever relieved!

The 5k runners turned right and the others kept going straight. I couldn't help but think, as I turned that corner, and watched my counterparts continue to run a much longer race than me, “So long, suckers!” I was SO happy that I only had to run 3 miles instead of 6, it made the race so much easier to get through! I managed to run the WHOLE thing (other than one brief walk at the hydration station-- it's WAY too hard to drink water while running!). About the last half mile, my legs started feeling like lead weights and I wasn't sure I was going to make it. A couple girls ahead of me started walking at this point and I was Soooo tempted, but I knew we were close and I wanted SO badly to run the whole way. Then I turned a corner and saw the finish line! I knew I was gonna make it!

By this point I was quite tired, my legs hurt, and I was breathing really hard. I was thinking that I was actually glad I hadn't brought a running buddy with me. That way I didn't have to worry about feeling obligated to talk to someone when I could barely breathe! I really thought I was just gonna lope along and drag myself across the finish line. As I got a little closer I could see the time clock and what I first noticed was that it was still in the 30's. Then I noticed it wasn't to 35 minutes yet! I'd never finished a race in less than 35 minutes before. I think my best time prior to this race was 38. The clock turned over to 34 and I decided to put on the gas. I wanted to cross that finish line before it hit 35 and I did it! My official time was 34:27! I was so proud!

It's such a great feeling to finish a race anyway, but especially running the whole way, and pushing myself at the end when it was getting hard. Oh yeah... and it doesn't hurt to have complete strangers clapping and cheering for you at the end, either!

Ready or Not.... Here I Come!

Yesterday was my last run for the week, which means it was my last run before the 5k on Saturday. I'm feeling pretty good about it. I wish I was a few pounds lighter and in a little better shape, but I feel like my training has been going pretty well and I'm excited about the opportunity to push myself a little. I always push myself harder during a race than I do just running on my own.

There's such an excitement in the air at running events. It's fun to be in the company of people who share a passion about something with you. It motivates you to work harder, partly because you're inspired by the elite runners, but mostly because you don't want to be the schmuck who comes in last! I'm not a fast runner so my goal is never to make a good time on the clock, but to just finish. I'm always happy finishing a race regardless of how long it takes me, as long as I don't come in last! I also push myself to run harder so that I don't get passed by anyone. You can't help but have your ego take a big hit when a power walker is faster than you are running!  I try to be the one to pass runners who are even slower than me-- makes me feel SO good!

In preparation for the race on Saturday, I looked up advice on a running website about how to prepare the week of a race. There is a whole science and method to training for races. You actually need to start preparing your body days before the actual event. I've been eating my carbs, drinking water, ran twice and walked once, took my rest days, and did a little speed work.

What is 'speed work', you may ask? That is Runner's Talk for running 'wind sprints' or basically running full out as fast as you can for as long as you can. I incorporated a 'wind sprint' into each of my runs this week. It helps you with your pace and endurance, both. I'm working, slowly, on improving in both of these areas. But, one step at a time. First the 5k on Saturday and then we'll work up from there.

I'm excited about my future in running and racing. The sky's the limit, as they say, and it can only go up from here. I feel like I've finally settled on a fitness path that is the right fit for me. I've tried all kinds of weight loss and fitness programs over the years. For one reason or another, I've never been able to stick to anything for very long. Even with running in the past, I wasn't able to sustain it because I wasn't doing it right. I understand better now, after doing a lot of research, that running is a whole system unto itself, if you really want to get serious about it.

There are a lot of people who are casual runners and use running as a means to an end to help them lose weight. I was one of those. Only problem is, if you truly want to have the energy, endurance, and stamina to complete long distances, you can't "diet". You should eat healthy but you have to eat MORE the farther you run. I found this great book I've been reading that helps you know what and exactly how much to eat in order to train for long-distance races, yet still lose weight. There's an actual formula to it and I finally feel like I have the missing puzzle piece. The book is "Nancy Clark's Food Guide for Marathoners". I am learning SO much from this book! It's really helping me see that I am truly meant to be a runner, not just "do some running".

I love running and I love eating so it's the perfect sport and fitness program for me! No longer do I have to worry about depriving myself or dieting. I find I'm eating healthier, the more I run, because I like how much more energy I have when I do. It's not a struggle anymore, because I'm not really focusing on the weight loss as much as I'm focusing on the fitness and endurance. The weight loss will just be a natural bi-product of that. It may take a little longer to see results than when you diet, but it's so much healthier and longer-lasting. It's definitely worth being patient and persistent.

This 5k feels like the start of a new adventure. I feel as if it's a springboard to bigger and better things. In the past, I was so emotional when I would cross the finish line at a 5k. I was so proud that I had run that far, when I had been so out of shape in the past. Each race was always the end of a long journey for me. This time, the finish line will only be the beginning of a whole new life. Let's just hope it isn't raining!

How bad do you want it?

I'm officially declaring my intent to run a half marathon.  I have run 5k's before, but nothing longer than that.  I'm not the kind of person who has any desire to run anything as long as a full marathon (I think it's a long way to drive 26.2 miles--why on earth would I want to run that far?).  I have, however, off and on, over the years, thought it would be quite an accomplishment for me to complete a half marathon.  Thirteen miles is MORE than ambitious enough for me!  As much as I thought about it, though, it was always something to do in the future... something I'd get around to doing "someday".

Well, I decided at the beginning of this year that I was going to finally go for it.  I wasn't getting any younger and I knew it would be a lot harder to procrastinate if I picked a race and officially set the goal.  I chose the Helvetia Half Marathon in June, found a training schedule online and started working on increasing my mileage.  It made sense to me to run some shorter races, getting incrementally longer (ie- 5k, 10k, etc), working up to the half.  Besides giving me shorter goals to work for, I figured it would force me outside and off my treadmill.  However, I found that there were very few races available in the winter-- for precisely the same reason I preferred to run on my treadmill.  Since the first 5k wasn't available until April, and I hate going out in the wet and cold, I just trained on my treadmill, which I found much easier than running outdoors.

Unfortunately, between fighting illness off and on all winter and the lack of motivation due to the races being so far away, my training lagged.  I have increased my mileage and run outdoors occasionally, when weather permitted, but my progress has been a lot slower than I had hoped for.  Still, I did not give up.  I found training schedules that assured me that there was still plenty of time to train for a half marathon.  I also started reading books and blogs about marathon running and was getting lots of motivation and encouragement.  One common theme I kept coming across was the "mind over matter" theory.  The whole idea of "you can push your body harder than than you think" and "you have to know why you want to run a marathon" (apparently to lose weight is generally not considered motivating enough).

With all of this motivation under my belt, I headed outside yesterday to run.  It was a beautiful dry day, a little chilly, but sunny.  I had my ipod and decided I'd fuel my run with some Tim McGraw.  He has a song called "How bad do you want it?"  The chorus goes a little something like this:

Can you feel it?
Can you taste it?
Can you hear it knocking at your door?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Are you eating, sleeping, dreaming
With that one thing on your mind?
How bad do you want it?
How bad do you need it?
Cause if you want it all
You've got to lay it all out on the line


As I listened to the song, it got me thinking about what one of the running blogs was saying about knowing why you want to run a marathon or half-marathon.  What's my motivation?  Well, I think my reasons for running are better left for another blog, but suffice it to say that I want to prove that you're never too old to accomplish any fitness goal if you put your mind to it.  Again, the "mind over body" theory.  I had left the house with this theory in mind.  I can WILL myself to run farther than my body thinks it can.  In order to stick to my training schedule, I would have to run over 4 miles.  I mapped my run online and was totally ready to do it.

I started out fine, but considering I had been sick all week and hadn't run since the previous Saturday, I figured I'd have to cut myself some slack and do some walking breaks.  I was okay with that.  Every running expert will tell you that it's actually better to take walking breaks if you need it, to not only prevent injury, but it also helps you make faster progress in your endurance over the long run.  I was feeling pretty good about my run/walk, willing myself to keep going... or so I thought.  All of a sudden my body decided to speak up and tell my mind to shut up.  It yelled pretty loudly, "Oh yeah, lady? You think you can just WILL yourself to be a marathoner?  Think again!"

Very subtly, at first, my left hip started aching.  I'd walk it off and stop to stretch occasionally and then run a little farther.  As far from home as I was, I decided I'd better change the course and start heading home, cutting off what turned out to be about a mile of the predetermined route.  Still, for awhile, I was able to continue running, sprinkled with walks and stretches.  Unfortunately that only got me so far before my hip was hurting so much that I couldn't even walk without pain.  So much for "mind over body".  My body was giving out on me and no matter how much I willed it, it wasn't having any more!  It was reminding me, quite loudly, that I am no spring chicken, and that I don't bounce back from being sedentary for a week like I used to.  Still, considering everything, I still managed to run/walk a total of 3 miles before I was forced to walk the last half mile home.  I was pretty proud of that and didn't even mind too much that I was starting to feel a little like an old lady with arthritis.

I would have even arrived back home, with my dignity intact, hip pain and all... if only I could have made it ALL the way home.  I was SO close!  But that darn hip was hurting more and more and I still had about 1/3 of a mile left to go, uphill, to get back to my house.  Man... talk about feeling old.  It was just shy of feeling like the old lady in the commercial who says, "I've fallen and I can't get up".  I had to use my "Life Alert" cell phone and call my husband to come pick me up!  By that time I was limping and I was seriously concerned that if I tried to make it the rest of the way home, I might end up causing myself greater injury.  It just wasn't worth my "athletic" pride.

My hubby was on his way out to pick up our oldest son, anyway, so I didn't have to wait too long before his silver sedan came pulling up.  Thank goodness my husband is not the type to judge or criticize!  He just said hi and I thanked him for being my "knight in shining car" and that was the end of the discussion... at least between the two of us.  For me, it was just the beginning of a long discussion in my own mind about what direction I want to go with my fitness goals.

It was loud and clear to me that my body has limitations.  It doesn't mean I'm giving up my goal of running a half marathon.  I just may need to readjust the goal a little.  I may need to find another race that's a little farther out and give myself a little more time to train.   I may need to just focus on attaining the smaller goals first and work my way up.  I've already registered for a 5k that's in 2 weeks.  At this point, I feel like it will be a huge accomplishment just to run that without stopping and do it in less than a hour!

This experience has been a good reminder that the mind is a powerful tool and we can mentally motivate ourselves to get outside or get on the treadmill, but we still have to be mindful of our bodies' abilities and limitations and go at a pace that doesn't kill us off in 'one fell swoop'!