From the monthly archives:

July 2010

Gear Up, Gear Down

by admin

This post is dedicated to my friend Amy. She’s a new runner and I’m super proud of her. She’s working on her C25k right now – and really making great strides. She’s a neat person and a really great friend. I met Amy online about 4-5 years ago and through the years she’s taught me to be more honest with myself, among many other things. We’ve gotten together a couple of times in person too. She’s one of the people I can get most raw with and share really tough feelings with. I really cherish Amy as a friend – she’s been something wonderful the internet has given me. The other thing about Amy is her sense of humor, and we’re similar with a tough wit and sarcastic edge. We can rib each other and know not to take offense.

Anyway, one of the topics we got onto recently was about running and running gear. Now, we all know I’m a gear geek and love all the goodies that go along with running. I love my Garmin, I love my Camelbak, I love my Running Skirts, my SpiBelt, my iPod and my Sensheiser headphones that can handle a lot of sweat. I love my Shot Bloks and I love my Gatorade. Did I mention how much I love my Asics? Oh, I’m a brand champion too, right?

We were talking about headsets and the such, and I mentioned I wear a Spibelt and let my wire run up across my chest – and pointed to a picture so she could see. This one:

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….and she was like, that’s a lot of crap you’re wearing! Yup, sure is…and yup, would drive other people crazy. What you’re seeing is a picture of me running a half marathon. You see running 3 miles and running 13 miles are two different animals.

On a 3 mile run, this is what I look like:

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I just took this picture this afternoon – after running 3 miles. (Yes, my face gets that red – I have Rosacea, so I get red REALLY FAST, and stay red for awhile) –I don’t need to think about fuel. I don’t need to worry about lining up at a race line 2 hours early at Disney (the pic above, have gloves and a headband tucked in my shoulder there)….

…what I need to worry about for 3 miles is keeping my shoulders loose, keeping my hands up so my fingers don’t swell – and remembering to wait 20 mins before hopping in the shower so I don’t come out of the shower still sweating.

Running 13 miles I need to worry about blisters that might form at mile 8 or 9 and I keep spare Vaseline in the pocket of my Camelbak – or God forbid I have to pee at mile 10 and there’s no bathroom handy, so I keep a tissue in the pocket too – just in case. If I’ve driven myself I have to put my car keys and phone somewhere, so they get tossed in there too…

…so there you have it. I gear up for longer runs and races, and gear down for shorter distances.

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When Running and Friends Collide

by admin

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ROTErs do Disney (I’m on the far left)

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Ernie and Deb – Epcot

What happens when you find yourself talking to running friends on a regular basis online – even when you’re in different states? You get together whenever you can….especially on vacation! I knew I wasn’t a natural runner and to keep myself in the right mental shape to take on running longer distances – that I needed some extra motivation. For me, that came into play when I found some running friends online.

I am surrounded by people who run 5k’s, 10k’s, 1/2 marathons and marathons on an ongoing basis. This keeps the running mindset in focus for me. Talking about running often helps me want to keep running, and inspires me to want to try harder, do more and try things I had never thought of.

- Running friends taught me how to plan races behind your next to keep you going.

- Running friends taught me how to understand what it felt like to bond with other runners doing the same thing as yourself.

- Running friends taught me how to believe in myself when I was struggling.

-Running friends taught me to keep going when I wanted to stop.

- Running friends taught me that it’s okay to be slow, just keep trying.

- Running friends taught me how to support and guide others in their running journey.

…..and running friends taught me that they talk about food and drink all the time! haaaaa — donuts, pizza, nachos, happy hours, margaritas, beer, you name it – and it’s dangerous and contagious and if you don’t keep it in check and actually eat all the things they talk about, you’ll be in trouble….thx gang!

Lastly, my special group of running friends taught me that the bond you can create while training is an incredible thing. These are just a few of my running friends….and man, oh man….do I adore each and every one of them.

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Ready to Get Moving

by admin

goagain

It’s that time again. Time to start moving – only this time there isn’t any hesitation. I know what I’m capable of and that has helped my confidence a ton. I know that with time you build your endurance. I know you build up slowly so you don’t injure yourself. I know how to stay on schedule, and I know what my goal is….

It’s time to start moving again.

My next half marathon is in early October and I’ll be starting my training schedule this weekend. It will feel good to move my body again beyond what I’ve done the last few weeks. I’m looking forward to the feeling of a good worn out “I did it” feeling again. I’m anticipating the build of longer runs weekly. I’m excited to watch my progress again….now it’s just one foot in front of the other.

My next half marathons fall in October 2010 (Wine/Dine – Disney), November 2010 (Amish Half) and then February 2011 (Princess/Disney), and probably April 2011 (Bucks County). Nothing else is written in stone, but those four are my focus at this point.

The journey starts with one step. The fear is gone – since I’ve completed three others – now it’s about improving on my times. The battle is with the voice inside my head and my body pushing me to go farther, faster and stronger – when my mind says I’m done.

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