With it being only 2 days until the marathon, the only word that can describe how I feel and will feel for the next 2 days is NERVOUS.
Nervous: highly excitable; unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive.
When I start out training, there is one thing that is in my mind, typically, and that is, just have fun! Run because you like to! And because you want to! No one said you had to! Then as training goes on, my highly competitive side takes over just like a jeckyll and hyde...or maybe in my case bipolar! LOL! Well, whatever you want to call it, it evolves as I progress through the 18 weeks of training. Then by the time the week is here, I feel nervous and sick and wonder why I do this year after year. I wonder sometimes why I bother when I don't feel like I get any better at it. If I don't get any better what is all the training for? I have been told by almost everyone I have ever talked to about running that I am too hard on myself and that I should be happy to just finish. I'd like to think that, but the truth is, I feel like I should be harder on myself. How do I obtain any goal if I go easy? If I don't have a goal (time) in mind then what point is there? They call it a race for a reason don't they? Then reality sets in and I have to understand that my biggest competitor is only myself and that no matter how fast or slow I might run, I am doing it because I can. As long as there is a breath left in me, I will run....
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Honor
Honor: High respect, as for worth, merit, or rank.
With Marathon training winding down and my efforts toward fundraising for the American Cancer Society coming to an end, I feel the only word I can choose this week is HONOR. I wrote some names on my shirt this evening and although it is sad that so many people have cancer, it also made me feel honored that I can run to help find a cure. The miles are reduced significantly and I feel like I am not doing enough...isn't that funny, someone who runs less than 40 miles in a week is thinking they aren't doing enough. Well, I guess the least I can do is try to motivate someone. That is one of the things I have enjoyed the most since I started running is motivating people. I have helped people figure out a training schedule and have seen them succeed. I have talked people into doing half marathons that they never thought they could possibly run, but they finished with pride and a sense of accomplishment. They have thanked me for believing in them and are running more. I am happy to hold out my hand to anyone that wants to start, even if it is just walking a 5K, everyone has to start somewhere and not everyone can run. It is about being active, having fun, and being healthy to live a longer life! I hope that as I continue to run and try to stay in shape I can motivate and encourage more people to start. It is such a good feeling and I get so excited when people tell me of their successes. People often think that the 5K they run isn't comparable to a full marathon that I have run. But, it really isn't about the distance, it is about getting motivated and being happy and healthy and having fun while you are doing it. So I would love to challenge anyone to start...something...feel good...it is amazing how your body feels after a workout! Tired...probably. Sore...yea, maybe at first. Rewards...absolutely!
With Marathon training winding down and my efforts toward fundraising for the American Cancer Society coming to an end, I feel the only word I can choose this week is HONOR. I wrote some names on my shirt this evening and although it is sad that so many people have cancer, it also made me feel honored that I can run to help find a cure. The miles are reduced significantly and I feel like I am not doing enough...isn't that funny, someone who runs less than 40 miles in a week is thinking they aren't doing enough. Well, I guess the least I can do is try to motivate someone. That is one of the things I have enjoyed the most since I started running is motivating people. I have helped people figure out a training schedule and have seen them succeed. I have talked people into doing half marathons that they never thought they could possibly run, but they finished with pride and a sense of accomplishment. They have thanked me for believing in them and are running more. I am happy to hold out my hand to anyone that wants to start, even if it is just walking a 5K, everyone has to start somewhere and not everyone can run. It is about being active, having fun, and being healthy to live a longer life! I hope that as I continue to run and try to stay in shape I can motivate and encourage more people to start. It is such a good feeling and I get so excited when people tell me of their successes. People often think that the 5K they run isn't comparable to a full marathon that I have run. But, it really isn't about the distance, it is about getting motivated and being happy and healthy and having fun while you are doing it. So I would love to challenge anyone to start...something...feel good...it is amazing how your body feels after a workout! Tired...probably. Sore...yea, maybe at first. Rewards...absolutely!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Willpower, the strength to act, or forbear from acting, in the pursuit of a goal.
WOW! I get out of bed today and take a quick peak out the window before getting on my running attire. I see...SNOW! What the? It is May 1st people! Give me a break! So then I started thinking...should I just go to the gym and run on the treadmill, at least I would have a TV considering I will be running for between 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Then I started thinking about what this is all about for me this year. It isn't about me, first of all, it is about my brave and loving friend Vicky who is strong every day. She doesn't have the option of taking a day off from cancer. Nor does she have the option to take a day off from treatment. So what am I thinking! Get out there and stop being such a wuss!
So instead of putting on my "light" running pants, I pull on the thick warm ones, layer with 2 layers plus a coat and a winter hat and gloves. Not exactly my idea of a Spring run...but nonetheless, it has to be done...all 20 miles!
So, I step outside and #1 almost all on my ass because the steps and sidewalk are covered with glare ice and #2 the wind is so strong it takes my breath away. This is going to be a LLLOOONNNGGGG RUN!
So I set out for lap number 1. I do a nice short loop of 6 miles around the youth hockey arena. Glare ice, snow sticking to my eyelashes and wind do not make for a fast pace..this sucks I think to myself. Lap 2, the sun is trying to shine through the cloud cover and snow is still falling lightly, OK, that must be a sign from someone that reminds me this is not about me, it is about Vicky. I keep going, but faster and stronger. Willpower is kicking in because despite the weather, the aches, the pains, the wrinkled fingers from wet gloves, the snot running down into my mouth, the wet feet, the blood started in the back of my ankle from my zipper on my pants, I keep going. After lap 2 I stop by home to get some water, 1/2 banana, shot blocks and go to the bathroom. Sweating through my clothes so I decide to take a layer of my coat off and switch gloves. Back out...8 miles to go!
Oh wow! The wind has picked up...I swear it must be gusting up to about 25-30 miles an hour. I run by the church on 30th Ave and the temperature reads 23 degrees. I keep going against the wind, hoping I don't hit a patch of ice at this point because I don't know that I would be steady enough. I get to stop n go. There is a man with a dog and he looks and stares at me as I pass him by with a slight hint of "that chick is crazy" in his eye. I keep going. I get to 8th street. Ah Yes! A break from the wind again at last! I take off as I can now see the end in sight. My legs are starting to feel like lead. Willpower...I will finish soon and my pace is improving without the ice. I have this! Stay focused. I get to my neighborhood and see Jason. I run a short lap around the neighborhood with him. I end my run at 20.50 miles. I feel great! Cold, sweaty, and thirsty, but great! I thank you, Vicky for the strength to keep me going!
So screw you snow! And screw you cancer! The snow will melt and cancer will be cured....
So instead of putting on my "light" running pants, I pull on the thick warm ones, layer with 2 layers plus a coat and a winter hat and gloves. Not exactly my idea of a Spring run...but nonetheless, it has to be done...all 20 miles!
So, I step outside and #1 almost all on my ass because the steps and sidewalk are covered with glare ice and #2 the wind is so strong it takes my breath away. This is going to be a LLLOOONNNGGGG RUN!
So I set out for lap number 1. I do a nice short loop of 6 miles around the youth hockey arena. Glare ice, snow sticking to my eyelashes and wind do not make for a fast pace..this sucks I think to myself. Lap 2, the sun is trying to shine through the cloud cover and snow is still falling lightly, OK, that must be a sign from someone that reminds me this is not about me, it is about Vicky. I keep going, but faster and stronger. Willpower is kicking in because despite the weather, the aches, the pains, the wrinkled fingers from wet gloves, the snot running down into my mouth, the wet feet, the blood started in the back of my ankle from my zipper on my pants, I keep going. After lap 2 I stop by home to get some water, 1/2 banana, shot blocks and go to the bathroom. Sweating through my clothes so I decide to take a layer of my coat off and switch gloves. Back out...8 miles to go!
Oh wow! The wind has picked up...I swear it must be gusting up to about 25-30 miles an hour. I run by the church on 30th Ave and the temperature reads 23 degrees. I keep going against the wind, hoping I don't hit a patch of ice at this point because I don't know that I would be steady enough. I get to stop n go. There is a man with a dog and he looks and stares at me as I pass him by with a slight hint of "that chick is crazy" in his eye. I keep going. I get to 8th street. Ah Yes! A break from the wind again at last! I take off as I can now see the end in sight. My legs are starting to feel like lead. Willpower...I will finish soon and my pace is improving without the ice. I have this! Stay focused. I get to my neighborhood and see Jason. I run a short lap around the neighborhood with him. I end my run at 20.50 miles. I feel great! Cold, sweaty, and thirsty, but great! I thank you, Vicky for the strength to keep me going!
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