Can I call myself a RUNNER now?

I feel like I can really call myself a runner now. Even though I'm not very fast. Even though I haven't run a super long distance. NOW I have a running war wound.

Ok, so it's not nearly that bad. But I have to say, I honestly feel like I crossed over some invisible line and really joined the group known as "runners." Just the excitement on the Dad's face when I told him about it, confirmed my thoughts. I am a runner now!

The story is not very exciting, but I am going to tell it. (I'm just so proud of my scraped up knee! haha.)

My running buddy and I were a little less then half way through our run this morning and as usual I had almost tripped over him a few times already. (I was sure this would be the way I earned my first wound, but nope.) I looked up at the street sign to decide which way to turn and did a double take because I thought I was on a completely different street. In the half a second I took to look back at the sign, I rammed the big toe on my right foot into the half inch of uneven sidewalk. And fell. Slammed really. Onto my right knee. It took most of the fall. Lucky I guess, since I was holding my phone and didn't slam it into the sidewalk. That might have made me turn back and head for home the short way. But since it was just my throbbing knee, I got up and slowly started forward to complete my run.

As I was falling, I dropped my running buddy's leash and he came back to stare in my face as I sat on the ground. I think he was try to protect me from the sidewalk rising up and hitting me again. I'm sure we looked great hanging out on the ground. My pants didn't tear, but I was sure there was a lovely scrape underneath and a bruise that was already thinking about the rainbow of colors it would produce on my knee. I thought about heading back towards home, but as soon as I started walking the pain wasn't bad so I decided to finish out. I ran about a mile on my newly busted knee! Slowly, but I did run it!

After the kids woke up this morning, they were asking me why I was walking funny and I told them my injury story. The Politician proceeded to run, fall, and ask for some medicine and an ice pack for his knee. PT brought me her Nemo Ice Pack and told me that it would make my boo-boo feel better. Then she decided the Politician's game looked more fun so they ran together, fell, and put Nemo on their knees. Quite cute those two can be.

As I type, my knee is showing some gorgeous shades of purple around the edges of the pink scrape and I'm sure there are other less appealing colors coming soon. At least the swelling seems to have gone down a bit. That ice was getting cold.

What made you feel like you can really say you're a runner?? Or dare I say, an athlete!? (I guess I feel like one of those too. Why is it harder to say I'm an athlete, then to say I'm a runner?? That's a thought for a different day, the Enforcer is letting us all know his is quite done with his nap this morning...)

OH and PS, my running buddy is our big black mutt, Bear. I don't generally run with people on leashes...

Keyword: Active

Ok, so apparently, I have some really strong feelings about this. I can't seem to get it off my mind recently. It's been something I think about off and on and wonder what I can do to alter the course, but lately thoughts of how to challenge the obesity problem, that can sometimes seem like it's taking over, have been taking up a lot of my brain space.

It's hard to get away from. TV shows are popping up all the time with stories centered on overweight characters or weight loss themes. Biggest Loser, Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition, Ruby, Heavy, Our Big Fat Weight Loss Story are just what popped on a quick internet search and I'm sure the Murray has done more then a few show on the topic. New shows seem to appear every season. Every half season almost. It's all over the television, but know one talks about the issue as it affects them. It's a taboo topic. 

I have heard people say "you can tell someone how gross it is that they smoke, but you can't tell them you think they're overweight. You might hurt their feelings." Yup, you might. But it's a real problem and it is causing more problems. Health problems, social problems, even space problems. Why can't we talk about it? It's like many illnesses, I think. It's hard to talk about things that are uncomfortable. So we bring up the shows we see on TV, how those people are changing their lives and maybe it will spark something inside us and those around us. 

I didn't realize it when I started, but part of having my personal challenge was to get others around me out and moving and talking about moving. To invite my family and friends to join me whenever they could. With 12 races of varying lengths and locations, I hope get a lot of people out there moving! In training for my 1st half marathon, I keep proving to myself that I have the determination to finish what I start, the will to keep moving when I feel like just going home and laying on the couch. My new favorite thing to repeat to myself on my longer runs is "you're still moving faster then the people on the couch." There are so many people who are confined to the bed, the couch, a chair who would love to be out moving and walking/ running/jogging, but they physically can't. If you can, why aren't you? That's a personal question we each have to ask ourselves. Why do we keep making excuses for ourselves? I know my life is filled with so many blessings, I owe it to myself and those around me to be excited and involved in life: an obligation to keep myself healthy and doing what I can to prevent illness and disease. Pulling away from all the distractions that can so easily over run my day (ahem, Facebook and Pinterest... oh my what time sucks) and noticing and paying attention to that which is around me. Being an active participant instead of just an observer. Keyword there being active. 

So whether you're running marathons or taking a stroll around your local park or throwing a frisbee, let's all get out and enjoy what's around us. 

PS - I don't think we all need to be "skinny." I'm all about having different shapes and sizes. But find your healthy size shape, the space where you feel good, where you feel healthy.

PPS -  I have no problem with Facebook, Pinterest, and the like, but I think they should be like a decedent chocolate cake: taken in moderation. And as with cake, it is difficult to walk away from when the rest is sitting, staring, waiting for me to devour it... 

Inspiration is Everywhere. Jeez, that sounds Corny.

I have recently become really inspired by other "normal" people out and about getting exercise and just being out of the house.

My first realization of this new inspiration for me was at the St. Patrick's Day 8K in DC. A father and daughter team, who were running in support of Samaritans' Purse in "Memory of Jack," and I kept about the same pace for a large part of the race. The little girl was about 9 or 10 and her dad was amazingly supportive. It sounded like they had completed a similar distance before and they were trying to beat their time. Gently pushing his daughter to go a little faster if she wanted to, but always letting her stay within her comfort zone. He kept telling her "You've got this, this is your race." There were many times that they were running together holding hands. He also kept telling her how proud he was of her for pushing herself and completing her goals. They were great motivation for every one around them. She had a great attitude as well and I never once heard her complain about a single thing. As we approached the finish line, I told them both how they were inspirational and that I hoped one day to run races with my kids.

Out on my long run yesterday, I ran around one of the local parks where there are a few baseball fields, a soccer field, a basketball court, and lots of open space. On one of the baseball fields a father and son were practicing. The father was batting and the son was running all over trying to catch the balls his dad hit. A little further down the trail, another father was taking a walk with his toddler and she was full of laughter. Racing across the basketball court, a grandpa chased his two young grandkids on their tricycles while his older grandson was shooting hoops.

Out in the woods, about a mile later, there is a nature preserve where I passed a large family group out for a trail walk. I smiled as I jogged past. The three little girls in the group would lag behind to look at something or try and move some sticks and then run back to reach the group. They climbed mountains of leaves and sticks and crossed creaks on sturdy logs.

I was really excited to see so many kids and families out together. It's a sure sign of spring. And I hope spring sticks around.

3 down 9 to go (aka St. Patrick's 8K)

The St. Patrick's Day 8K on March 10th in DC was my favorite race yet! The weather was wonderful (no wind! yay!) and I got to share the day with a lot of family! This was the biggest race I have raced in with about 6000 finishers! I'm sure the nice weather helped bring more people out.

The race started in Freedom Plaza (yup, the site of "Occupy Washington," tents and all) and wove around the Downtown DC streets. At the start, we were racing towards the capitol building which was pretty cool. Seeing the streets filled with people instead of cars is a wonderful sight in a city so full of drivers.

With so many runners there was definitely more to listen to while running. I don't know if people don't realize people outside of their little group could hear them  or not,  but I learned a lot about these three women, their significant others and how those significant others don't do anything except play Xbox and how much the women would like them to "Get out and DO something."They said it twice... in unison... while I kept pace with them.

There was one pair that I really wanted to share their story. A father and daughter racing together. A post on that coming soon. There were so many costumes and interesting t-shirts. One was a green jersey with "Poo Flinger" on the back. I couldn't help but laugh as I ran past. There was also on man who juggled while running. The whole race. He juggled. I don't know if he ever dropped any of his balls, but he must have been juggling about 5. Quite impressive. I also over heard a runner talking about a sign she saw at the Marine Corp Marathon: "You run better then the Metro." That one is almost as good as "Run, Stranger, Run!" I hope to see a few good signs at the Pittsburgh Half.

The volunteers working the course were wonderful in cheering everyone on. One gentleman was singing songs about running to the finish line and he would call out people's bib numbers as they ran past. Crowd support is something I haven't had at a race before and I can't wait to get some more! I wondered if the bag pipers on the course switched off, or if it was the same two guys playing for over an hour...

On to some stats: There were 3601 women and 2408 men registered for the 8K. It was the first race for 617 of them! In my age group, 25-29, there were 1039 women and I came in 796th. I completed the 8K, which is just under 5 miles, in 54:50 with an average pace of 11:02/mile.


We missed the Irish Dancing after the race, but as we walked toward the National Mall for a picnic lunch we discovered the St. Patrick's Day parade was making it's way down Constitution. We saw at least three Irish Dancing Schools, two bag pipe groups, lots of cars, police units, a few marching bands, and 2 South American groups (I'm not sure why they were part of the St. Patrick's day parade.) After an hour and a half of parade watching we were all ready to head back. It just kept going and going!

The Politician meets George Washington on the Nationals!

Great, well put together race. The chocolate cookies were just what I needed after this race. I felt a million times better after getting a little fuel back in me!

What I learned from Race Number 3:
1. You don't get lonely in a race with 6000 finishers, but I found it a little harder to push myself when I was getting tired. The more people around you the easier it is to blend into the pack.
2. If there is a tight turn around, go to the outside to maintain speed. Inside at the turning point, it can come to a slow crawl.
3. According to The Dad, the footfalls of 6000 people make a lot of noise thundering down the street.
4. I should really look up the race map and study it a bit BEFORE the race starts. I like knowing where I am in the race.
5. After about 45 minutes of running, I need to refuel with something more then water. I think it's time to test out those fitness gels.

I would really recommend this race for anyone who wants to push themselves a little harder and feel the exhilaration of finishing a great race. My mom, my youngest sister and her friend race the 8K with me and I cheered them all on as they crossed the finish line. Just remember, no mater how slow you go, you are going faster then the people on the couch!

OH! And I won a raffle prize! A free entry into the July 4th Freedom Run 5K in Fairfax, who wants to race with me??

ZOOMA Training Run Kick-Off

One of my 30 by 30 things is to run with a racing club or group and I did my first of many (hopefully) group runs this past Saturday. 

I LOVED IT! 

First I need to tell you a bit about the ZOOMA racing series:

- it is a racing series that caters to women (though I think men can race if they want)

- they have an after party-expo with shopping opportunities

- get a massage after the race

- WINE for racers 21 and up!

One of the organizers was calling this the ultimate racing event with your girlfriends. And I believe it!

I'll be racing the ZOOMA Annapolis 10K on June 2nd and it is one of the races this year that I am most excited about. There are 5 ZOOMA race events across the country and they all have a half marathon and either a 5K or a 10K. They have free training sessions they set up by using a meet-up group and the first Annapolis one was the first group run I attended this past weekend. The Annapolis group is going to have training runs throughout the Annapolis/Baltimore area and they are going to have a group in VA as well. 

It was really great to run with just women. They have ZOOMA Ambassadors how lead the group on the training runs and from what I saw on Saturday, they seem to be of varying levels and speeds to keep up with all the types of runner/walkers in the group. We started and finished at Charm City Run in the Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole. Great local running store. The store had bagels, cream cheese and juice available for all the runners after our training run! 

So we started off with an "easy" three mile run around the shopping area. Some where along the way, the group I was in made a wrong turn and we had to do a few circles and extra turns to make up some ground. We ended up doing a 5K instead. (Which I saw we did in about 32 minutes! Even faster then my last 5K!) A little less then a mile in I was running along side the only other woman in barefoot shoes. We started talking about our shoes and then moved on to how long we've been running and our racing goals. It was nice talk with someone new and share a similar goal. We both agreed that the ZOOMA race season was starting off really well and enjoyed the first training run!

When we got back to the store, everyone got a ZOOMA shirt, a water bottle with the mix that will be used on the course and some muscle milk (I haven't tried that yet...) I was really impressed with the organizer and the ZOOMA ambassadors and I am looking forward to our next training run!

So Ladies, how about doing this 10K with me? It's only 6.2 miles!

2 down 10 to go (aka Frostbite 5K)

One of the very few days this year that was below freezing happened to be race day number two! The 7th Annual Valentine's (Frostbite) Chase 5K and Couples Run on February 12th at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes DE had almost 70 crazy runners out in the freezing cold and wind. Again with the racing in the wind! The first place finisher (he finished in less then 17 minutes, yup less then 6 minutes a mile) was wearing shorts. Good thing he ran fast.

As we were lining up at the start, one of the organizers was telling us that water was available just before the hill, but as they were pouring it, it was freezing. Awesome. I skipped the water station on this run.

The Dad and the kiddos got out of the car to cheer me on at the start. The Politician was doing his own little sprints to keep warm and PT and the Enforcer were covered from head to toe in coats, hats and fleece blankets. Before the start, I was a bit worried about the state of my toes in my barefoot shoes. They were a bit numb and quite frozen as far as I could tell. Luckily, they warmed up quickly as the race began.

Because of the cold, I was hoping to finish in less then 40 minutes again. After a terrible month of training in January, I wasn't expecting run much faster then my first race. I was worried about the cold air in my lungs while running and the lack of feeling in my fingers and toes at the start making my finish time a bit slower. Luckily, I was wrong! I finished in 33:27! Almost 4 minutes faster then my last race, giving me a pace of about 10:47 per mile. I couldn't have been happier!

I did come in closer to the end of the pack this time, 53rd out of 68 and 5th of 6 in my age group.

The course was an out and back course along one of the trails at the park. I'm sure in April, May or even some summer months the trail is a great place for a walk. It's a paved trail and mostly covered with trees until you reach the hill over looking the beach. But, on the coldest day this year, the tree cover meant LOTS of ice. There were a few patches of black ice on the trail and quite a bit on the hill, but luckily I didn't hear of any falls or injuries.

There were a few times during the race where I wanted to stop and walk, but after a few steps the cold would set in again and running just felt better. That was a nice change! Every time I would want to stop and would slow down a bit, I could hear someone coming up behind me. Over and over I told myself, don't get passed walking, don't get passed walking. I feel like that would be giving up on myself a little bit. If I get passed while running, that's fine with me. I am pushing my body as fast as it will go and someone else's just goes faster. I'm ok with that. It really did give me the motivation I needed to keep my feet moving.

I have to say, I have never been happier to see a bright orange cone then I was to see the turn for the last quarter mile. As the course turned and twisted back to the parking lot where the finish line was, I was looking for that clock at every turn!

At the final turn, I could see the Dad and the Politician standing next to the finish line (PT and the Enforcer were nearby in the car.) The Politician is a great cheering motivator! There is nothing like seeing your little man cheer you on to the finish. It was great. His little voice carried over the blacktop and gave me that extra push I needed at the end. He came over and gave me a great big hug afterward and then asked to go back to the car where it was warm. (By the way, this end of race photo makes me want to work on my form a bit more...)

End of race snacks were water, bananas, apples and some cookies. I had left a bottle of water in the car and I was glad for it because it wasn't frozen. I grabbed a few sandwich cookies too. Yum. We didn't stick around for the awards and medals since it was so cold outside and the kids were getting ready for some lunch. The Politician and I did step out on the fishing pier for a few VERY WINDY photos. The wind was whipping the water into the shore.


What I learned from Race Number 2:
1. Even in the freezing cold, I will get to hot for my sleeves. If the race had been much longer I would have wanted to get rid of my sleeves.
2. Little motivations for each step help me to finish the bigger goals.
3. I really enjoy cheering on the runners/walkers I pass on my way back through the course. The smiles and nods I get back are much more numerous and encouraging then those I got from runners who passed me on their way back.
4. No matter how nice the view is at the top, I am just happy to finally start going down.
5. Stepping on or around ice, will really mess up your running groove.

One of the other racers commented that "we all should have our heads examined" for running on such a cold day. Maybe we should, but the race was a success anyway! Every racer was given a red short sleeved technical shirt, not as nice looking as race #1 shirts, but the technical shirt is nice. I'm not a fan of red though, so this one will probably become a craft project later this year. I am looking forward to a warmer race with much less wind! Come on Race #3!

Wait, What happened to January

Ah, when did February get here?!? Though it feels like early spring in the bright sunshine, the first month of this year ended and we're almost just over a week into February. I have to say, I'm ready for a quieter month. In January, I had two wisdom teeth pulled (at two different appointments) and I did get two days to myself, yay, wait... The Dad got a great new job and we uprooted and planted down in a new place. All of the little things about moving, and the bigger ones,  took more time then I realized. As we settle in to February, we are finding new routines. The kids are loving their new back yard and the boys are getting used to sharing a room. PT was in the house less then 24 hours before we had a major clean up job, so she must like it here.

January and the beginning of February were busy, but good. But training, and blogging, wise... terrible. I didn't get the running in that I had hoped and I'm still not able to run the full 5k distance without a walking break. I have noticed in the gym (with all of the New Years resolutionists...) I seem to overheat very easily. I think it has to do with my new shoes. I got a pair of Merrell Barefoot Run Pace Gloves as a more normal-looking shoe. That I can wear normal socks with. At first, I thought I was getting too hot because of all the other bodies in the gym while running. Then I thought it was the socks. But I tried the shoes again on the treadmill yesterday and though my feet weren't hot initially, they definitely don't breathe as well as my Five Fingers. I think I am going to take them back to REI and get a new pair of Five Fingers instead. REI has this wonderful 100% guarantee and you can return gear after using it if it doesn't work for you for ANY reason. AWESOME! And our new living location is only about half an hour from about 3 REIs. I think the kids and I may need to take a field trip.

So for my race this weekend (Race Number Two is on Sunday,) I'll be back to Five Fingers again. It's out in Lewes, DE and I am looking forward to running near the beach. I don't think there will be any over heating this weekend. They (the all knowing weather people, ha) are calling for snow Saturday night, so hopefully if it comes, it comes sooner rather than later. Here's to hoping.

No Excuses, Nice Mantra

2012 has just begun and everyone is ready to live life to the fullest with no excuses. With most people, this will last a few weeks. Some it's already over. But there are those that stick to their goals and make it through the year having lived a full year and made many a memory. I hope to find myself in that last category.

Will I slip back and have a day or two that are off track? Probably. But as long as I can get right back on, I'll consider it a success. Things happen, plans change, but a curvy road is a lot easier to stay awake on then a straight one. There may be mountains that seem to high or valleys that seem to never bottom out, but each day is a new start and we can choose to start with a positive outlook or not. It's a choice.

So, what's my choice today?

Today, I choose to be present with my kids and to enjoy some quality time, not only quantity. Being a SAHM there is a lot of quantity, sometimes to much to be honest, but quality time can be at a minimum.

Today, I choose to eat what ever I feel like, regardless of it's health benefit. That may not be the best choice, but I don't have any excuses for it. I like cookies and bean dip. That's all.

Today, I choose to get to bed early so I can be up in enough time to run tomorrow before going to the dentist. I hope I stick to that choice and don't choose to sit in front of the tv instead. I could use some more sleep.

It's all about our choices. Choose to act or not to act. To eat or not to eat. To do or not to do. To be or not to be. (I had to throw that one in there!) What's your choice?

1 down 11 to go (aka the Winery Run)

Day two of 2012 was race day number ONE! The Vineyard Dash at Layton's Chance Vineyard was a great new race. This year was their first year and they had about 70 racers! Great turnout for a first race in this area.

I gave myself a goal of finishing in 40 minutes or less, though I was thinking I would probably be closer to 45 minutes. I was so happy to be wrong! I turned the corner to the finish line and the clock read 37 minutes, I was ecstatic! I finished in 37:43 giving me a 12:10 pace per mile. AND I finished the 5K about 2 minutes before the first person finished the 10K! I thought there would be 10K finishers before I finished and I was glad to be able to watch the first 10K guy finish from the sideline.

After the race, they sent an email with all my race stats. There were 9 ladies in my age group and 69 finishers in the race. I came in 7th in my group and 49th overall. 

I arrived at the vineyard about an hour before race time which gave me more than enough time to get ready and warmed up. The skies were a clear blue with wisps of white clouds. It would have been great running weather at about 40 degrees, but then there was the wind. Apparently, it had died down a bit since earlier in the morning, but when you were facing the way it was blowing good luck keeping your face on. (I learned later they were 15-25 mph winds.)

The timing chip is supposed to go through your shoe laces, but since I don't have those I had to find a way to secure it to my shoe. Here was the solution:

The driveway up to the vineyard is gravel and I was a bit nervous about running on that. It wouldn't be a problem in traditional running shoes, but since I run in the barefoot shoes the gravel would not be so comfortable. Thankfully, the grass on the side of the driveway was short, smooth, and easy to run on.

From the gravel driveway, we turned left and ran on the black top for what seemed like forever. The first mile of running always seems the longest to me. We turned around at the cone/flag waver and ran back past the vineyard. Apparently, there was some confusion on where the next turn in the course was and runners started back down the driveway before realizing they were supposed to stay straight to the next paved road. There were enough people in front of me that it wasn't a problem for me!

In the beginning, I was passed by quite a few people, but I did pass a few at the end! The dirt farm road around the back of the winery was my favorite surface to run on. Now, that may have been because it was the last stretch before the finish, but I liked the feel of it under my feet.

Sadly, I didn't have anyone ask me about my shirt, but I did have a few people ask me about my shoes. They are always a conversation piece.

Things I learned from my first race:
1. Wine after a race is delicious.
2. I will get to hot about 5 minutes in and I should stop wearing long sleeves during races.
3. Little goals throughout help me finish stronger.
4. Give myself goals of landmarks, not other racers I might not be able to catch, or catch to early.
5. There will always be a line to the bathroom before a race, and even after using it, I'll still need one about half way through.

All in all race number one was a success! The shirt they gave runners is really well done, white long sleeved technical shirt with green screen printing. And we got to keep out timing chip. Great after race food (chili and baked ziti along with oranges and bananas, water and mulled wine. Not to mention wine tasting!) Looking forward to race number 2 in February!