Year 2, Day 222: The Year of Healing

Year 2, Day 222

The Year of Healing

I can't believe it has been over two and a half years since I started my running journey.  I thought the months of physical therapy I went through just to get to the point of running was hard, but this last year has proven to be harder.  I learned that physical training is hard, but the work behind emotional healing is even harder. 

It was just over a year ago when my life was turned upside down by a storm.  Everything that had made me feel safe and secure had been damaged.  There was a hole in my roof and fear in my heart.  Running grew more challenging because of frequent panic attacks due to PTSD.  

My evening runs grew infrequent because I was having panic attacks during my runs.  Then my husband brought home a dog named Heidi.  She became my running partner for several months.  During that time, my panic attacks lessened and even stopped during my runs.  

Today, I was able to go for a two and a half mile run alone without a panic attack and without Heidi.  I still have panic attacks when it rains or I get stressed out, but I'm hoping that soon running will be a place that relieves stress once again. 

Day 678: Let's Catch Up!

Day 678:

Let's Catch Up!

Well, once again, I have neglected writing here in lieu of just posting on Facebook.  And a lot has happened since my last post.  Here's the quick catch up:

Toward the end of August (just two weeks before my first half marathon) my shorts ripped and left me having to embark on a late season shopping trip for running for shorts for the not-so-thin.  Anyone who has ever gone shopping with me knows this is no easy feat.  Add in that I am not only shopping for fitness apparel, but my body is not shaped like most runners, I began to fear that might have to run my first half in the buff.  (Not a pretty site.)

One week before my half, Lane Bryant to the rescue!  Shorts were found and a local big girls' store with a great fitness section that includes more than two items.  YAY!

Sept 1st dawned with rain clouds on the horizon.  I ran my first my half marathon in 3 hours 27 mins with only a little rain toward the end (and lots of mosquito bites).  I did have some trouble with my knee.  I think I pushed it too far (distance), too fast.  Either way, the race was awesome!  I might not have met most of my goals, but I did it and now have some new goals to work toward.

Sept 2nd, I severely sprained my right ankle while walking my bike to sidewalk.  Guess God decided I needed a little more time to recoup than I had planned on taking. 

Now, my ankle is mostly healed - just a few tender-to-the-touch spots - but now is the time for the secondary injuries to appear.  My poor knee is all stressed out from the race and supporting my injured ankle.  So, after today's run, I am back to icing my knee. 

So what about those new goals I mentioned?  Here they are:  Run a 5k in 40 mins. Run a half marathon in 3hrs. Consistently run under 9 min/km (14:30 min/mi) pace.  Participate in a triathlon in the late summer/fall of 2015.  Run my first full marathon in 2016.  

Whew!  That's a lot.  Looks like I have some work to do now.
See you out on the road!
Lisa

Day 634: That Moment

Day 634: That Moment

I posted this on Facebook earlier today because I've been struggling with anxiety and panic attacks for about 6 weeks now.  I find that it is really hard to explain to others what exactly is going on during those moments of intense anxiety and sadness.  I hope this sheds some light.
 
As some of you know, I had a major panic attack Saturday morning while doing some hill training with the Southfield Running group.  Hill training is suppose to be hard.  It challenges you physically and mentally - and I lost it mentally.

Imagine for a moment running up a steep hill, giving it all you've got, and seeing that not only are you the last one up hill, but everyone else is on the other side, far, far away.  In that moment, it is hard to remember just how far you've come.  It is hard to remember that you couldn't even make it up that hill two years ago.  In that moment, all you see, feel, and know is that everyone else is so much farther ahead of you.  In that moment anxiety and depression live. 

Yes, I have become a much stronger runner.  Every race I've re-run this year I've run at least 4 1/2 to 5 mins. faster.  (Which is an unbelievable amount of improvement in the running world.)  But, I'm still slow and am still the last one across the line and that gets tiring.  It's hard to always be last, to never know what it's like to finish anywhere near the front, to know that everyone is waiting on you.  The mental part of running is tough and I am struggling to be tougher.

So, when you see me out there running, say a prayer for me.  Not necessarily that I'll be faster, but that I'll be tougher - that I'll finish the race God set before me and hear the words, "Well done," in that moment of deepest despair.

Lisa

Day 631: PTSD

Day 631: PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder - that's what my therapist calls the anxiety and panic attacks that I am struggling with right now.  The question is how does a mom, wife, librarian, and runner living in the mid-west get PTSD?  Doesn't this only affect soldiers?  A fast moving storm filled with hurricane force winds is how.  On June 30th a tree fell on my house and I was standing in the room that was destroyed.  It has taken weeks for me to stop hearing the sound of the tree crashing through the ceiling every time I close my eyes.  The anxiety was intense and continues to plague me.

So, what does this have to do with running?  For the last month I have struggled to do the one thing that was a stress reliever.  The one thing that helped me calm down after a long, hard day of work is now causing panic attacks.  Running is one of those things that triggers a person's fight or flight response.  It helps you run faster and farther when in danger.  This response is why runners have a runny nose, stop to use the bathroom right before running (or during), and experience an adrenaline rush (or runner's high).

Today was really tough.  With my anxiety levels still running high, I had a full blown panic attack while do some hill training with my running group.  I ended up hyperventilating and crying during most of the run.  You see, I know that I am the slowest person in the group and there is really no way for me to keep up without modifications.  I know this and have accepted this.  So has my running group.  But, today the pressure to keep up was too much.

This leaves me wondering how I am going to do during my first half marathon in less than a month.  I really want to do well (finish in about 3 hours).  I know that I will be at the end of the pack, again.  I just don't want to have a DNF because of a panic attack.  Guess my therapist and I have some work to do.

Taking lots of deep breaths,
Lisa

Day 561: Grant's Wish

Day 561: Grant's Wish - One Year Anniversary!

This was suppose to be written and posted on May 31, 2014.  However technology has not been my friend recently.  My computer was slowly dieing a horrible death and would daily decided which programs or features I was allowed to use.  Therefore, I could find this website, read posts, title a post, but not compose one.  Hmmm, frustrating.  Especially as this race marked my one year anniversary of racing.

So, computer issues aside, there are so many things to celebrate about the last year of running.

First, I am faster than I was a year ago!  (I know I'm still a turtle compared to most runners, but I'm now a very fast turtle!)  I finished over 5 minutes faster this year with a time of 43:08.  Still missing the all allusive 40 minute 5k mark that will move me from turtle status to something a little faster (not sure what yet).  I plan to attain that 40 minute mark this year at the Sundowner knowing I was about minute off during that race last year. 

Second, I made it one full year of races without any injuries!  No rehab! No crutches, or wraps, or anything but a few well deserved sore muscles. 

Third, I finished 5 different races!  Did you catch that?  I FINISHED 5 races!  I didn't just think about running and racing.  I didn't just hope to race or hope to finish.  I did it!  I trained, registered, showed up, ran, and crossed the finish line. 

So, what are you celebrating this race season?  Me?  Running free for one year!
Lisa

Day 512: The Hardest. Race. Ever. Done!

Day 512:

The Hardest. Race. Ever. Done!

 

The "Toughest 10k in the Midwest" is done! 

I ran. 

There were hills. 

Lots of hills. 

I finished. 

I met my goal.

1:30:49

Funds raised = $205

 

So, what more can I say other than thank you! 

Thank you to all the runners at Southfield Church who have helped me train for this race.  Especially Bob Coyne who put together all the workouts.

Thank you to my family for putting up with all the hours of work that goes into training for any race.

Thank you to all those who donated to Abolution International and giving new meaning to being free to run.

Thank you Mom and Doug for showing up to cheer me on at mile 5.5.

Thank you Haley Hurd and her cheering crew for brightening a very tough mile 2.5.

Thank you Daisy Austin for being an awesome friend, running partner, and photographer (that's her picture of me above).

Thank you Ray and Alice Capps for being there at the finish line to cheer me home.

Thank you Vicki Braun and Joie Austin for running the last .2 miles with me.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and follow my running journey.

 

What's next you may ask?

Finish the other two races in the Run3

Half-marathon in the fall!

 

Taking a well deserved nap now,

Lisa



Day 506: The Scariest Race Ever (So Far)!

Day 506:

The Scariest Race Ever (So Far)!

 

Saturday, April 12, 2014 is the date. 

 

Rockdale Ramble, also known as the toughest 10k in the Midwest, is the name. 

 

10 kilometers (or 6.2 miles) is the distance.

Am I ready? I thought I was until it came time to start my preview run of the race course yesterday.  Circumstances conspired against me and I ended up running my preview alone in the middle of the afternoon.  It was warmer in the afternoon than in the morning, but that was really the only redeeming point of the run. 

 

With map in hand, I sat on my couch, dressed to run, trying not to hyperventilate.  Runner me kept telling myself, "You've trained for this!  You've spent the last four Saturdays running up and down hills so you could run this.  Let's go!"  Hyperventilating me kept staring at the map saying, "How far did you say that is?  I've driven down that road.  It goes on forever!  What were you thinking?"

 

Finally, I got up and drove to the starting line.  Hyperventilating Lisa voted for driving the route.  Runner Lisa answered with you have to at least walk it. 

 

Well, I did run most of the route and walked when I had to stop and read the map. I made it back to my car and really wished I had been able to do this with my group.  I know that I would not have been able to keep up with any of them, but at least someone would have been waiting for me at the end. 

 

But I. Did. It!  I ran the course.  I found all the hills.  (And yes, every hill in Illinois is located in Rockdale.)  I faced my fear!

 

So, earlier today I posted this on Facebook:

 

As many of you know, I am running the Rockdale Ramble 10k. This is the longest and most difficult race I have ever attempted (so far). To celebrate this, I joined with WBGL and Abolution International and am raising funds to fight human trafficing. I am asking all my friends and family (those on Facebook and those who are not) to help me by praying for the girls who are healing from the horrors of slavery and/or by donating to help build a home in Nashville that will house rescued girls.  

 Here's the link to donate: http://www.crowdrise.com/TeamWBGL2014/fundraiser/lisabutler2

You see, even though this blog is called A Runner's Journal, the web address is runningfreefinally.  Today, I am free to run.  And today there are girls out there who are not free.  Period.  I am free from injury, worry, and fear.  There are girls who are not.  And there are girls out there who have been rescued from slavery and are facing their fears right now in order to heal from the scars left on their souls.  I want to honor them by helping my favorite radio station raise money to build a house for these girls to live in, learn at, and have the time they need to heal.  Will you join me?

Facing fear together,
Lisa  

Day 491: Hill Training!?!

Day 491:  Hill Training!?!

So today was the second time I have ever purposely run up a hill in order to train for a race.  It was a good thing I was with a group because it was hard!  The really cool thing was I actually had a running partner and I'm not talking about one of the faster runners slowing down to keep pace with me either.  We had a new person join us today who only recently started running again after being sick most of the winter.

Together we tackled the one mile warm-up.  Then challenged each other to run up the short steep hill 5 times (everyone else did 10 reps).  Followed by a half mile recovery lap before moving on to the long gentle slop; 3 reps for us, 5 for everyone else.  Then one more half mile lap before the really steep and tall hill 2 times! 

Looking back at today, I should have taken pictures.  It was cold and wet, definitely not the best weather conditions.  Plus the grass was soggy from all the recent snow melt.  So instead, I found some pictures on the Internet. 

This is what I imagined I would look while hill training:

Here is what I really looked like after the first 3 runs up a hill:

Yep, that was me.  Bent double trying not to heave my breakfast all over the trail. 

Now, my legs just feel weak and sore.  Tomorrow I'll go for a nice long run (I hope). Maybe if I keep this up I will reach my goal of running the Rockdale Ramble in 90 minutes.

Hills are my friends,
Lisa

Day 489: It's Spring! Finally!

Day 489:   It's Spring!  Finally!

Today is the first day of Spring and International Happiness Day.  So, what does any "normal" person do?  Why, run of course!  I just got back from a much needed run.  Not only  have I been cooped up because of the weather, but I ended up taking 8 weeks off for the flu, car accident, jury duty, and then a hip injury.  It got so depressing that I just started dating everything 2015 in hopes that the misery of 2014 would end sooner.

 

Then I came across this post from Life in the Day of a Runner on my Facebook page:

 

 

What motivation!  For me, running isn't really about losing weight (even though that would be a nice side effect), or being fast.  It's about being a better person - a better mom, a better wife.  Running lets me clear my head and discover what is really important in life. 

 

- Breathing:  Take a deep breathe and relax.  God's got this.

- Vision: Take time to not just look around but really see the things and people around you.  (There was one Canadian Goose standing on one leg with is wings just slight spread out from his body to help him balance.  I wouldn't have seen that if I was speeding around in a car running errands.)

- Endurance:  Life is hard and sometimes we just have to endure really tough periods of time.  Without endurance, I would never make to the other side much less a finish line.

 

So, in the words of Brian Metzler: Just run.

 

Running toward the important,

Lisa



Day 408: First Run of the Year!

Day 408:

First Run of the Year!

Wow!  Did I really wait eight whole days to go for my first run of 2014?  I can't believe I waited this long.  I guess between the holidays, having the kids at home, and the weather, finding a time and place to run has been hard the last few weeks. 

Running in winter seems to be a lot more challenging than running in summer.  In the summer, I just wait for the sun to start to rise or set, bring extra water and find a shady trail.  In the winter, I need to run before the sun sets, like at high noon.  The sunnier the trail the better.  And layers, I can't emphasis enough the importance of gauging the right number of layers.  Then there are pesky little things like snow and ice.  This year has seen a lot of snow and ice. 

I think we have had something like three significant snows.  (And what I mean about significant is sidewalks need to be shoveled before I can run on them.)  The last snow fall happened Sunday dumping 11 inches of snow, then blowing it all around while someone misplaced the north pole leaving it hanging out over the Great Lakes region.  I mean seriously, it was -15 degrees on Monday.  Tonight it might be above zero, but not by much and more snow is forecast for tomorrow. 

So, like I said finding a place and time to run has been hard.  Outside is really not an option right now.  I don't own a treadmill and the track is in another town 20 minutes away.  So, I'm curious, how is everyone else handling this cold and snowy winter?  Are you still running outside?  Have you broken down and dragged out the treadmill?  Or are you like me and have to find an indoor track that doesn't charge much?

Feeling the winter runner blues,
Lisa

Day 400: What Running Taught Me in 2013

Day 400:  What Running Taught Me in 2013

I just past the one year mark in my running journey.  I can't believe it was only last fall that my journey started.  Over the last 12 months, I have run four races, recorded running 187 kilometers (on dailymile.com), and learned some really cool life lessons while on the road. 

Lesson One:  Running is an individual sport, but an individual doesn't run alone. 

The first (and best) thing I did when I started running was to ask if anyone in the group wanted to run with me outside of the group runs.  You see, I knew this running thing would be tough for me.  I was (and still am) over weight and injury prone.  I knew that my chances for failure were high.  I needed someone to hold me accountable for the mid-week runs.  I needed someone to talk to while running.  I needed a running buddy to kept me from feeling alone.

The same thing holds true in life.  We are all living our own individual lives, but none of us are living our lives alone.  Each of us need friends to hold us accountable, to talk with us and encourage us.  Life is tough and the chance for failure is high.  Meeting together every now and then in a group isn't enough.  Daily interaction with a buddy is where growth happens.

Lesson Two:  Set a goal and celebrate it! No matter how small.

This wasn't my first rodeo.  I have taken up jogging before, and exercising, and eating healthy, and every other New Year's resolution that has ever been made.  And I have failed spectacularly!  So what made this time different?  I set a goal with a reward and then celebrated it.  It wasn't a big goal. I only had to stay in the running program for four weeks.  That's it!  Run three times a week for four weeks.  And because it was the beginning of the Couch to 5K program, most of that "running" was really walking.  Simple right?  By the end of week two, I was ready to quit, but I had a reward waiting for me if I stuck with it for two more weeks; my first pair of running shoes.  Not cross-trainers, not tennis shoes, running shoes. 

I did it!  I ran/walked for four weeks and got my shoes.  (I love those shoes.)  Then I set another goal for four more weeks.  This time I got clothes.  (Winter running gear.)  The next goal was a race (with an injury thrown in there for good measure).  None of these were big, but they were motivating.

Now, my big motivation is a glass of chocolate milk after every run.  Chocolate milk is a luxury that I have not afforded myself since the days of school lunches.  Every run is a celebration of simply being able to run.

Lesson Three:  Be inspiring.

Okay, so this one happened late in the year and actually will probably end up being a goal for the next year.  After my third race, I started running into other people, some of them runners, who wanted to know why I run.  So, like any good storyteller, I told them about my journey.  Each time it was a little different depending on who I was talking to and how much time we had to talk.  But each talk ended the same way, "You are an inspiration."  Wow, me? An inspiration?  Well, I guess that is part of my motivation for writing this blog.  I wanted other beginning runners to know that although running is hard it is do-able.  But an inspiration?

In hindsight, that's what motivates me to run.  During the race I missed due to injury, I saw runners encouraging other runners.  Runners going back out to run with a slower runner.  People cheering for everyone including the last place finishers.  That's what I wanted to be.  I wanted to be a runner who encouraged other runners, who would run with a slower runner and help them get to the finish line. I wanted to be there cheering for the last place finisher simple because they finished the race. 

So, as 2013 ends and 2014 begins, I vow to run with a friend, celebrate every run, and be inspiring.  My year of struggling to learn to run is over.  My year of encouraging other runners has begun.

Looking forward to being inspiring,
Lisa

Day 349: Words

Day 349: Words

Tonight I sit here at my computer, after running 8 km, and marvel at the fact that it has been almost one full year since my injury and the beginning of this journey.  I have run a total of four races this year; my last one was on November 2nd.  I ran a 3 mile trail at Starved Rock for my birthday (a bucket list item checked off).  My next season of running is planned and the details will be finalized after the first of the year.

So, what do I write about?  My joints are no longer plaguing me.  My run times have improved from dismal to respectable.  My distances are slowly getting longer. 

So, what is left to talk about in a Runner's Journal?

The Runner.

This weekend I attended a women's retreat through my church.  It was excited and exhilarating.  And it left me with a lot to think about.

Words.  Messages.  Spoken and unspoken language.  This was the topic.

What does this have to do with running? 

Everything!

I discovered this weekend that running is one of my messages.  The things I say about running influence others; runners and non-runners alike.  The things I write here in this blog influence others.  Words, both spoken and unspoken, are powerful!

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose

Proverbs 18:21

Listen:

Two doctors, both with the same level of education, same field of study, same injury, same diagnoses, 25 years apart.  One doctor says, "Quit!  Give up!  You'll never be able to do it."  The other doctor says, "We can fix that!  You'll be up and going soon."  One doctor spoke death.  One doctor spoke life.  Twenty five years were lost because one person said, "You Can't."

Words. Are. Powerful.

My question to both you and me is: Which doctor am I?  Do I shout, "Quit!",  "You can't!",  "Give up!" or do I shout, "Let's go!"  "You can do this!"

Tonight I choose to keep journaling.  To keep writing about running.  To keep telling my story as it unfolds both on the road and at home.

I don't know what this next year of running will bring, but I do know it will be worth sharing.

Learning to speak life while running down life's road,
Lisa

Day 306: The Journey Continues

Day 306:  The Journey Continues

In September 2012, I started my running journey with the Southfield Running Group.  With Bob Coyne leading, a group of us completed the Couch to 5K program.  It was toward the end of this program that I injured my ankle and thus started this blog.  

Today I completed my third race and set a new PR for the third time.  Now, I do realize that at some point I will plateau with my times and make smaller and less frequent speed gains.  So, today I officially switch my focus from speed gains to distance gains.

Just a week ago, I ran 8k with my running partner Daisy.  That was exciting and for the first time ever, I have started to consider running a half marathon and maybe someday a full marathon. 

Wow, I can't believe I just put that in writing.

So, the journey continues as I move into training for longer distances.  I plan on completing the Joliet Run 3 in 2014 before moving onto longer distances.  Be sure to stay tuned for the next chapter in this journey.

Here's to meeting goals.  Setting new ones.  And never giving up.
Lisa

Day 275: Running Blues

Day 275:

Two weeks ago I ran my fastest run and felt great!  Since then my runs have gone down hill.  I have had a cold, cramping calves, and tonight an unhappy digestive tract.  Running is hard!  And sometimes down right depressing.

It seems that no matter how much personal growth I make, I am still so far behind my fellow runners their dust has already settled by the time I catch up.  Every setback, no matter how small, seems devastating. 

It's times like these that I am glad I spent so much time memorizing Bible verses as a teen.  2 Corinthians 4:18 comes to mind.  "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  I have to remember that I run not just to meet some arbitrary goal or to keep up with all the "cool" running kids.  I run because I can.  I run because I enjoy the feeling moving fast.  The wind in my face, the sun shinning down, the fresh air of the trails, and even the solitude of running alone.  

It is the unseen pleasures of running that matter the most.  These are things that can't be measured by clocks or distance.  

I think I just needed to remind myself of why I run.  Maybe if I start my next run with these things in mind, it will go better.

Remembering why I run,
Lisa   

Day 255: Running for a Building

Day 255:


I need your help!  I have set a few tough goals for myself to meet before the end of the year in preparation for running a 10k in the spring.  One is to be able to run a 5k in 40 minutes or less and two is running 17 plus km a week.  So, to make this a little more fun, I added a new challenge: run 250km by December 31, 2013.  

Here's where you come in.  I am asking everyone I know to donate 10 cents for every km I run between now and December 31st to the Southfield Church building fund.  Yes, you heard that right!  Southfield is finally ready to build a home base!  I am so excited!

To Donate click on the link below:

http://runningfree.wufoo.com/forms/z7x4m1/

I have spent a lot of time over that last two weeks trying to come up with a fun and creative way to contribute to the building fund. My family and I don't have a lot of money for fluff so, we really don't have anything to give up. 

So, what do I have?  Baby blankets, funny stories, and running. 

My first idea was to sell baby blankets, but I felt guilty asking for money for something I have always given away to celebrate a new life.  And well, my comedy relief is really not ready to be taken on the road.  So, that leaves running. 

Then Pastor Dennis threw down the gauntlet by offering to donate 40 pounds.  What a great idea!  I can't guarantee I will ever lose weight, but I can run 250km!  I will run one kilometer for every $1,000 we need to raise.  If 40 people donate 10 cents a km, that's a total of $1,000 raised.  That's my goal!

Getting ready run for a building,
Lisa

If you want to check out Dennis' challenge, go over to FieldNotesToday.com: http://www.fieldnotestoday.com/2013/08/im-donating-40-pounds-toward-our-new-building.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogs%2Fqjon+%28Field+Notes+Today%29&utm_content=FaceBook

Day 238: Reflections

Day 238:  Reflections

It's Monday night.  My race was Thursday night. I think I have finally recovered from the race and am ready to start training for the next one.  But before I do, I want to look back at that race one more time.

The Joliet Sundowner 5k fell during yet another heat wave.  The temperatures had been in the upper 90's with humidity almost as high all week.  The sky actually threatened to storm for awhile, but by race time the sun was back out and the humidity had returned. 

The race went  off without a hitch and thanks to some great planning by the Joliet Park District, the water stations were fully stocked even for us slow ones.  I finished the race with a time of 46:32!  My best time so far!  I met my goal of running a 15 min mile and fell short of my overall time goal by half a minute.  I'm pretty happy!

As I think back on this race, a few things stand out to me.  First, the heat.  Yes, it was hot, but I was in the shade during the race.  So, for me, it wasn't bad. 

Daisy said the heat got to her around mile two.  It probably would have gotten me too if it wasn't for a few other runners on the course.  One gentleman stopped to walk with me a few paces then as he started running again shouted back to me, "If I don't make it, tell them I died happy!"  This made me chuckle. 

There was a mom and daughter in pink shirts that had been close by since around the first mile marker.  They had remained just in sight in front of my for most of mile two.  As the second mile marker approached, the little girl started to lose it.  She was ready to quit!  Frankly, so was I.  As I ran passed, I shouted to her, "You're two thirds of the way there.  Not far to go now!  You can do it!"  In my head, I was saying the same thing to myself.  The pair stayed nearby the rest of the race and even passed me when I suggested we race to the finish.  Encouraging her was like encouraging myself.

The last and greatest part of the race was the end.  (Of course!)  Not for the reasons you would think though.  As I came into that final stretch and the mom and daughter pair took off, one final song came on my ipod shuffle.  Right before my cheering squad could be seen and heard I hear in my ear, "It's the end of the world as we know it. It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine!"  Yep, good ole R.E.M. is there to sing me to the finish line.  So, while my friends are cheering, I'm singing in my head, "It's the end of the race as we know it, and I feel fine!"

So, here I am at the end of the race, feeling fine.  Where are you at the end of your race?  Do you feel fine? Are you like the guy who said during the race I died happy?  Are you the little girl needing someone to tell you to keep going, the finish is just around the corner? 

I know runners are always comparing running to life, especially our spiritual lives.  So if this season of life right now was a race, where are you?  Are you running happy?  Are you chasing someone/something that is just out of reach?  Are you ready to quit and need a little encouragement?  Are you the one shouting encouragement to others?  Where is your cheering team? 

Thursday night, I was feeling fine.  Monday night, I'm back at the second mile marker needing some encouragement as I go about the task of setting new goals for the next race. 

Thinking about goals,
Lisa

Day 230: Ready for Race 2?

Day 230   -   38.29 total km

Ready for Race number 2?  After tonight's run, I do believe I am!

 

Daisy and I did a little prerace run along the race course tonight and ended the night with a glass of chocolate milk.  It was a great night to run.  Hot, but not too much humidity and the hint of a breeze coming through the trees.  We finished in just over 46 minutes and my goal for Thursdays race is to finish in 45 minutes.  I think I am actually going to make it!

 

The other great thing about tonight was I finally found my rhythm.  For about the 1/2 mile to 3/4 mile, I so wanted to quite.  My body was refusing to work and my brain was not convinced running was a good idea.  Then, all of a sudden, everything fell into place.  My body stopped protesting and my brain decided this was a great idea.  That is until around the 2 1/2 mile marker.  Around that point all I can think about where on earth is the finish line!  (I swear it moves just to mess with me.)

 

Anyway, now to rest up for Thursday's race!  Good luck to all those racing this week!

 

Lisa

Day 208: It's Muggy Out There!

Day 208:

It has been two hundred eight days since I started my running journey.  So far, it has been great!  I wish now that I had kept better track of how many miles/km I have run since starting.  A friend did introduce me a website called DailyMile.com.  I started using the site to track my runs about a month ago and have logged about 23km since then.  So, I think I will start putting my total km/miles on here too. 

OK, so it's muggy out there!  Yes it is June.  Late June to be precise.  The summer solstice to boot.  So yeah, it was hot and muggy on today's run.  This is notable since I have never run in the summer time.  Running in the heat is new to me. 

I have done my homework though. 

All the articles say to run in the morning.  Did that Wednesday and it was great!

The articles say to drink lots of water before, during, and after your run.  Still working on that one.  (I don't like to have to go to the bathroom and if you drink, water especially, then you end up going to the bathroom a lot.)

The article say to pace yourself.  If it is hot, adjust your run by going slower or running a shorter distance.  Not sure I could run slower or go a shorter distance without just walking around the block and calling that a run.

So, what have we learned?  It is hot, muggy, and I have some work to do on following directions/advice from long-time runners. 

Well, I guess I had better learn these lessons fast since my next race is on July 18th.

See you on the road!
Lisa

Day 170: Glorious Chocolate Milk

Day 170:

Yes, you read the title correctly.  I haven't had chocolate milk for a long time because I thought it wouldn't be "as healthy" as regular milk.  But, a trainer told me that chocolate milk is great to drink after a workout.  So, after running 4.5 km tonight, I drank a large glass of chocolate milk.

Let me tell you, that was the best drink I have ever had after a run!  I felt energized instead of drained.  My taste buds did a little dance and my tummy didn't scream for a snack.  It was great!  I think I will drink chocolate milk after a run more often.

Oh, and did you notice that I logged my run in kilometers instead of miles?  Yeah, I got a new runners watch with a better GPS signal than my phone.  Only problem is that I have yet to figure out how to change the setting from km to mi or how to read my pace accurately.  Guess I'll have to run some more so I have a reason to play with my watch more.

Drinking chocolate milk again,
Lisa

Day 169: Running in the Dark

Day 169:

Running in the quickly fading light is what I ended up doing tonight.  I don't know about you, but I enjoy running in the evening more than running in the morning.  In the evening, I don't have to worry about being done in time to shower and get to work or being done in time to drive someone to school. 

In the morning, I have to drag myself out of bed. Running in the morning feels like a chore that I "have to do."  I don't want running to ever be a chore.  I want to always enjoy running.

The only problem with running in the evening is that I sometimes run out of light.  So, as long as I remember to get out before the light fades, I will continue to enjoy my evening runs.  Sure wish more races were in the evening.

Running at sunset,
Lisa