Runner's High

Since the weather warmed up to 30 degrees, we decided to hit the trails for our Saturday morning run (oh, how I miss sleeping in ... now, I get up to run). Nothing compares to running outside. I've heard other people say how much they dread the treadmill and I never really understood it until just this past week. As much as I love seeing the numbers and being able to watch television, my love for the treadmill ended this week. Being outside is absolutely invigorating. To hear the birds, feel the wind on your face, and the sound of your feet hitting the pavement is truly remarkable.

Not to mention, I had the opportunity to see so many other runners (even a few walkers). I took note of running form, clothing, and pace, and I was highly impressed by all of them. I'm pretty sure they could tell that I'm a beginner (it could have been because I was saying, "hi" to each one as they ran past me in an all too cheerful voice - I'm thinking runner's etiquette is to just nod - I may need to look that up).

Needless to say, I experienced a runner's high. As Adam and I were in the beginning of the run, we finally came upon the mile marker. As we were approaching, I said, "Oh, finally, the mile mark." You can only imagine my disappointment when I discovered we had only covered half a mile. All in all, we ran close to 3 miles (our first 5K is just a few short weeks away) and it felt incredible.

The picture was taken towards the end of our run (fun conversation to have with Adam as we ran - "Hey, sweetie, would you mind taking a picture of me as I run. I want it for my blog." Adam - "Uh, that's kind of hard to do. I'm running too." Me- "I think you can do both." Adam - "Yeah, maybe if I wasn't also holding your sweatshirt, hat, and gloves." Me -"Oh, good point."). Obviously, the picture was taken (Adam is very talented). Don't I make running look easy! See, that's the runner's high talking!

I can't be the only one

As I was running yesterday, I realized that I'm constantly giving myself positive reinforcement. I'm beginning to feel like a cheerleader but for myself.

This is kind of what it sounds like to be in my head as I'm running:
"You're doing great. Sure, you just started, but keep it up. See, that's not so bad. Keep going! You're amazing! You're like a machine! Way to go! Woo-Hoo! Look at that! You don't realize it just yet, but you secretly love this. Wow! See, you just reached .25 miles."

This self-talk continues until I'm finished with my run.

I just assumed that everyone did this as they ran. How else would they keep running past the point where they feel like their legs are going to fall off? When I was telling Adam what I think about/say to myself, he said that he doesn't do that. He said that every once in a while, he might say something like, "You've been running 10 minutes. Keep going" but those thoughts are not constant. That only made me feel like I've completely lost it. Am I the only one who talks to myself like that while I'm running? Is this a reason to be seriously concerned?

Please tell me that you do this too. I can't be the only one.

What did you just say to me?

Am amazing thing happens once you begin to run. For one, you discover that there are a lot of people who run. It's like this secret club (one that I was okay not being a part of). You mention running and soon discover that quite a few people have participated in races all over the country.

Once I find out that someone has completed a marathon, I immediately ask, "What was it like?" Here are some of the responses I've received. By the way, none of these responses make me feel better about completing a marathon.

"I threw up three times before the 10th mile marker."

"It hurts. It really hurts."

"Buy a running shoe 1 size larger than you normally wear. I didn't at first and found out the hard way that your toenails will nearly come off once you start reaching 10+ miles ... not good."

Vomiting and missing toenails ... seems like if I can just get past the 10th mile, I might be okay.

Seriously, what have I done?

Ready, Set, Go!

Before completing a marathon, I thought it might be a good idea to participate in other races. Tonight, I sat down and scheduled the races I'll be completing in for the remainder of the year. I'm a girl that loves a plan. Having a goal written down excites me more than I can even describe. I'm a big believer that when you write your goals down, then they are one step closer to being accomplished. I've done this numerous times in my life and believe it wholeheartedly. I encourage everyone to try it, regardless of the goal. It seriously works.

Here's our running schedule for 2010:
(1) March 20th: Snake Chase: 5K Run (3.1 miles) in North Kansas City, MO
(2) April 10th: April Fools Run : 8K Run (4.9 miles) in Cameron, MO
(3) April 18th: Brayden's Race for Life and Miracle Mile (5K walk with co-workers and friends) in Shawnee, KS
(4) May 16th: 10K for Tin Cans Benefiting Harvesters: 10K Run (6.2 miles) in Overland Park, KS
(5) June 5th: 5K Run (3.1 miles) Hospital Hill Run in Kansas City, MO
(6) July 3rd: 10K Run (6.2 miles) Lenexa Freedom Run in Lenexa, KS
(7) August 8th: 5K Run (3.1. miles) Komen Kansas City Race for the Cure in Kansas City, MO
(8) September 11th: 10K Run (6.2 miles) Parkinson's Association Helen's Gold in Overland Park, KS
(9) October 16th: Marathon (26.2 miles) Waddel and Reed Kansas City Marathon in Kansas City, MO
(10) November 25th: 5K Run (3.1 miles) Parkville Turkey Trail Trot in Parkville, MO
(11) December 11th: 10 mile trail run: Alternate Chili Run in Kansas City, MO

That means that from March 20-December 11, I will have completed 75.2 miles in organized runs. Now, that is pretty exciting.

If you have ever even thought of completing a race, I highly encourage you to do it. You can always pick a race and run it with me. I'd love to have you along for the journey.

"You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm"
- Colette

The Ugly Truth

When I started writing this blog to chronicle my running adventures, I decided I was going to post it all ... the good, the bad, and the ugly. So far, I've focused on the good and the bad. Now, it's time for the ugly... so very ugly that I've only been able to admit it to a few people. Until now.

Okay, here it goes ... I ripped two pairs of my pants at the seams. I've had a lot of things happen to me, but ripping my seams has never been one of them. Never. Until this week. Not just one pair, but two (it's only at two because, after that, I stopped checking my work pants). I was absolutely mortified. Was I gaining weight? The scale was reporting the same numbers. Yet, all of a sudden, I had become the Hulk. Plus, my experience with weight gain had always resulted in not being able to button and zip the pants. I never actually ripped clothes. I took a look in the mirror ... yep, the butt was definitely different. This is where it gets even uglier ... (consider yourself warned) .... my butt had grown ... into a bubble. I went from flat to bubble. I did not ask for this. Never. Not even once. Matter of fact, it had been my only body part that was flat. There was no need to complain. I had a flat body part.

The worst part is that I don't even know when it happened. Both pairs of pants are only pants I wear to work. So, if it happened anywhere, it would be there. Surely, somebody would have said something.

I went to the only one I knew would know anything about this ... my friend and co-worker Kim. She informed me that, because I'm running, I'm using different muscles and those muscles are getting "stronger" (sign she's a good friend - she didn't say "bigger").

Personally, I'm hoping that the area is just swollen and is going to return to it's original size and shape very shortly.

This is only the second month. Let's hope the surprises are over with.

What would I do without Google?

Tonight a Google search led me to discover Runner's World (www.runnersworld.com) ... also known as my new favorite resource. What an incredible website (proof - there is an article entitled, "Happy Valentine's Day: Be Sure to Enjoy The Benefits of Chocolate")! With an article like that, I just had to join. There is just an abundance of information (training, nutrition, motivation ... basically everything I need to know). I plugged in some running numbers and they customized a running plan just for me (and it was free). Why didn't somebody tell me about this? As I was signing up, I thought, "I never imagined I'd be a member of Runner's World." It's kind of liberating to do things you never imagined you would (yes, for me, it was liberating to sign up for a runner's account - I take pride in everything).

Just discovering this new resource gave me a new sense of energy. I'm back in the game (it did help that I set a goal for myself on the treadmill tonight and accomplished it. It also helps that I know tomorrow is my "rest day" ... that always makes me feel better).

Thanks, Google! What would I do without you? (okay, I know ... I'd probably just watch more television).

My First (and hopefully last) Running Nightmare

Well, it was bound to happen. I tossed and turned last night, resulting in a less than perfect night's rest all because I experienced my first running nightmare. Oh sure, I've had nightmares before where running was involved, except I was always being chased (I should note that I always counted that as my daily exercise since my heart rate did increase in those dreams). This time was different ... I was running .... in a race ... and I couldn't move. I was on this track and my legs were just stuck. My upper body was able to move forward, but my feet were planted and would not budge. I had trained and trained, then I couldn't even complete the race. It was just the worst feeling as I was standing there in pure devastation.

I don't need a dream interpreter to tell me what that dreams means. I know it's because I've been thinking (and reading) a lot more about running lately. As the weeks progress, the fact that I'm training for a marathon is becoming more and more of a reality. I'm beginning to recognize the enormity of what I'm doing and just how terrified I am.

I live life with the belief that you choose your attitude. Life, in general, is so much better if you just take what is given to you and make the best of it. Anytime I begin to worry, I immediately think, "Is this something I can control? Is this going to matter in a week or even a year." If the answer is "no" to either question, then I'm usually able to feel much better about the entire situation. Yet, with this, I just have this enormously petrified feeling that I can't seem to shake, and it's all because I know what a big challenge I have ahead of me.

I take solace in knowing there have been many others before me that have done this and I'll do it too. I may need to crawl to the finish line, but I'll get to that finish line. It may take me 6 or more hours, but it will get done. I may even need to jump on someone's back (I can't help it, but that just sounds fun), but I will make it across the finish line.

I just want the nightmares eliminated ... I'm going to need all of the rest I can get, especially if I'm expected to run 26 miles in October (oh boy, I shouldn't have even mentioned the marathon because now the anxiety/fear have returned and just when I was beginning to feel better ....).

My Gift to You

Seeing as I've been running for 7 weeks now, I've discovered some pieces of knowledge that, I feel, is pertinent to share with other runners and/or future runners. Consider it my gift to you.

1) Taco Bell is off limits, especially before a run. Really, who ever feels good after eating Taco Bell? More importantly, why don't I ever remember this when I'm at Taco Bell ordering my bean burrito?
2) Do not skip a scheduled run to watch television and/or nap. It only makes the next night's run painful.
3) It's okay to wonder if there is something wrong with you if you are leaving a warm house to enter frigid temperatures to go running. Let's face it ... there is something seriously wrong with that.
4) Stay hydrated by drinking water. Caffeine provided by 4 cups of Dunkin' Donuts coffee and a Coke Zero is not listed in a runner's guide. Someone should have shared that information with me.
5) Sometimes after running, your legs will feel like spaghetti. That does not mean eating a bowl of spaghetti is a good idea, although it does sound very delicious.
6) If a person who has completed a marathon in 3 hours and 24 minutes tells you that it is hard, believe them. Then wonder, who runs a marathon in that amount of time?
7) Don't feel guilty if you schedule your run to coincide with when reality television shows, such as the "Bachelor," come on. It's not like you're at home watching it. It just happens to be on the television and you just happen to have control of the remote. It's not like you want to watch it. You just leave it on because the guy behind you might want to see it. Plus, watching it makes you feel better about running. At least, you're not confessing your love to someone who is also dating 20 other women. We all need confidence boosters. This show is just one of them. I mean, if you like to watch that kind of show.
8) If you are following a runner's guide and they have you running a ridiculous amount of time (currently 25 minutes for me), just do it. The second time you have run that length of time will seem so much easier because you've already done it once (so far, I'm feeling better than I did on Saturday. Let's see how I feel in the morning).
9) Find a running partner. They keep you accountable, encourage you, and make it all so much better.
10) Attitude is everything. You can do more than you think, but you have to try.

Houston, we have a problem

Good news is .... I just got back from my first 25 minute run outdoors. Bad news is ... I thought I was going to need to call 911.

The weather had warmed up so we decided to run outdoors on the track near our house. Our last outdoor run was on our first day of training, so we were both wondering what it would be like to go from the treadmill to the track. For Adam, it appeared easy. For me, it was quite the challenge.

Almost immediately after the run started, I was already exhausted. My goal wasn't distance, it was just running consecutively for twenty-five minutes and twenty-five minutes seemed like forever. At one point, I even wondered if our stopwatch had broken. Running outdoors is vastly different than running on a treadmill. For one, it's a lot more beautiful (tonight, the color of sky was turning purple as we ran) and breathing in fresh air was quite nice. However, running on a surface that was constantly changing was quite difficult. Good thing that our first race will be on flat land. Now, I just need to find a marathon that doesn't have any inclines. That exists, right?

The greatest part of the run was having Adam sing to me to keep me motivated as we ran the inclines. Because he doesn't know all of my favorites, he had to sing bits and pieces of ones he did know. You can only imagine how much fun it was listening to Adam sing, "Nasty Boys" by Janet Jackson, "SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake, and "You Can't Touch This" by M.C. Hammer. As I was gasping for air, he made me laugh and it made it all better.

Hope he knows a lot of good songs because I'm going to need it for this marathon.

People keep asking me

People keep asking me, "How is the marathon training going?" My usual answer is "great!" At this point, it's been pretty easy, especially since I'm not actually training for the marathon yet. Thank goodness for baby steps!

According to my training manual, I can't begin training until I can run for 30 consecutive minutes, which is a 5K (or 3 miles). I've been following "The Couch-to-5K Running Plan (http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml) and I'm currently on Week 6 (really, has it been 6 weeks since I started because it feels like a lot longer).

By following the plan, I've only needed to run for up to 8 minutes. Tonight, I'll need to run 10 minutes, which I've been able to do (I can run for 16 minutes without stopping), but I was looking at the next one and I'm expected to run for 25 minutes! What kind of training program has you go from 10 minutes to 25 minutes ... in the same week! Is this a joke? I can barely watch a 25 minute television show (okay, that's a lie. We all know that I love to watch television). This has "not a good idea" written all over it!

I think my answer to "How is the marathon training going?" is about to change and the answer isn't going to be pretty.