As devoted fans of Coffee Betsy know, I am feeling a bit hutt-like after a poor week of running last week. By competing in the Hawk Hustle, a 4-mile cross country run, I planned to kick-start my running, get my mojo back, and resume the training that I know I am capable of.
The trouble is, a week of sloth does not make for a good race experience. I felt sluggish and tired the entire time. I never had a moment where I felt good and strong like I usually do on a run. I even took a few walk breaks - up hills, but still unacceptable to me for a run of such a short distance.
As I shuffled along, I resolved to never let myself get to this state again. True that by going out on a cold Saturday in the first place, I am doing better than the many people who were still sleeping or eating doughnuts, but I was not at the level that I know I am capable of. I can do better - and moving forward, I will.
So, imagine my surprise when I crossed the finish line at 37:10; not as fast as last year's 36:57, surely, but not too far off. My astonishment continued when I picked up my trophy for coming in second in my age group. My first lesson expanded into a second lesson.
That is that I am stronger than I thought. Even running poorly, I can finish in a time that at least is not embarrassing - and can be rewarded with some hardware. To extrapolate, if I can do this well with an effort that isn't up to par, imagine what I can do when I am at my full strength.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Slacking
These past two weeks have really been pretty weak in terms of running. Little things keep getting in the way. Steve has a meeting, or I have a meeting, or Jack has transformed into a hideous Whine Beast, and next thing you know, I've decided to skip my run. On Sunday, I certainly had time, but I had a horrible case of Dontwanna that kept me in the house. It's not that I haven't run at all, but I certainly haven't run as much as I should.It is not good.
What's worse is that once I've skipped one run, it's a little easier to skip the next one. And the longer I take to get back into it, the colder it's going to get and the easier it will be to just hibernate for the winter.
I feel lazy and bored and slow. I posted the picture of Jabba not because I feel fat - my clothes all still fit me fine - but because I feel sluggish. Because I'm not making the effort to exert myself physically, I feel only a few steps removed from just beaching myself on the couch.
The time has come to shake that off and move on. I am running a 4 mile race tomorrow on a hilly and challenging trail course. Next week poses more of a challenge - Steve will be out of town, so I will have solo Cub duty. But that just means I'll have to work harder and hit the gym at lunch.
I can do this.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Bein' Green
Take it and Run Thursday this week is about "running green." Excuse to post a picture of Kermit the Frog? Done and done!
There are quite a lot of things that I do in my everyday life in an attempt to think green - CFL's, driving a fuel-efficient car, recycling, and waging a war against plastic grocery bags, to name a few. But I want to focus on what I, as a runner, do to be green.
If we want to save the Earth, we have to love it first, and I feel that runners especially love our planet. We spend as much time as possible outside, experiencing the elements, and enjoying the physical beauty of our surroundings. I feel a responsibility as a person to take care of the planet, but even more as a runner.
That was a lot of preamble, wasn't it? Let's throw in another Muppet quick before I continue.
That's Kermit's little nephew, Robin. Isn't he cute?
Okay, right. Running green. Here are my tips:
- Whenever possible, I register for races online. Saves the paper for the printed application, plus the envelope, plus the transportation costs to get it from one place to the other. Besides that, it's faster!
- I never buy bottled water. I have a reusable water bottle that I keep in the fridge so it's nice and cold. No waste, no needless use of plastic.
- I also don't buy bottles of Gatorade. I buy the powder and mix it in my reusable bottles. As a bonus, that's cheaper.
- I almost never drive to go running. My running routes pretty much all start and finish at my house. I am lucky to live a mile and a half away from two tracks, so on speedwork days, it's a perfect warm-up and cool-down.
- I try to race local, too. There are lots of great races in my area, and I rarely have to drive more than 5 miles to go to a race.
- I donate used running shoes, t-shirts, and other gear to charity. What no longer works for me can be a great benefit to someone else.
- When I run on trails, I keep my eyes peeled for trash. I'm not running my fastest on a trail anyway, so I definitely have time to go pick up that discarded beer can and throw it away.
Plus there's always riding your bike - cross training AND green (and an excuse for more Muppets)
Monday, November 10, 2008
Ironic
I am not going running tonight because I am going to a meeting for my local running club. Ironic, no? I guess if i were really organized, I could run there, but it's just not going to happen tonight.
I am really hoping to get more involved in running in my community. Wish me luck that I happen to sit by somebody cool.
I am really hoping to get more involved in running in my community. Wish me luck that I happen to sit by somebody cool.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Change We Can Believe In
The topic of this week's Take It and Run Thursday is "running through transitions." Transitions and changes are on everyone's mind this week, runners and non-runners alike. The United States just elected a new president who promised us sweeping changes to the status quo. I heard a story on NPR about how incredibly challenging this transition will be for President-Elect Obama (man, do I love typing that). He has the burden of taking office while the country is fighting two wars and is in an economic crisis. President-Elect Obama (look, I said it again!) has the added pressure of a tremendous amount of hope and faith placed on him by voters.
I also think about the huge transition this will mean for the Obama family on a personal level. Dad now has an incredibly challenging new job. Many of his detractors questioned whether or not he was ready to be president, and honestly, I don't think anyone could possibly be fully prepared to take on such an awesome responsibility, though I have faith that he can handle it as well as anyone else could. And then there is the fabulous Michelle, who must leave her Chicago home behind and be thurst even more firmly into the spotlight. And let's not forget Sasha and Malia, who are going to have to switch schools, leave behind their friends, and move to a new house. At least they're getting a puppy out of the deal.
My advice to the Obama family is simple: go running.
When life throws a series of curveballs at you, when everything is in transition, running can be a constant. It can be a time to either sort out your thoughts or to not think at all, focusing only on your breathing and the pounding of your legs. Running allows you to put aside all of the other trappings in your life and just be you. Can we feel better after simply lacing up our shoes?
Yes, we can.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
You Bet I Voted
I am completely geeked out on democracy right now. I fully anticipate spending tonight glued to the TV, waiting for election results. It is strange to remember the last presidential election. I was hugely pregnant and sick. I remember waking up in the middle of the night and flipping on the news to see if the election had been determined yet. When the results came in, I could not believe it. George Bush had been re-elected, and I knew only one person who was voting for him. I felt completely disconnected from so many other people in the country.
This year will be different. First and foremost, no matter what happens, I truly believe our president will be a good, smart person who will work hard to do what's best for America. I definitely don't agree with everything John McCain stands for, but I will not be upset if he wins. And I am filled with hope that Barack Obama will be our next president. I truly believe that he will do something special for our country.
I've spent the past few days talking to Jack about voting. I have tried to explain in the simplest possible terms what the president does and what an amazing thing it is to be part of choosing who has that job. We also talked about why it is an important thing to do. I had a mock vote about whether we should have chocolate or strawberry ice cream. Jack and I both voted for chocolate, and Steve wasn't paying attention. "See how Daddy didn't vote?" I asked. "If he wanted strawberry, he's out of luck now, isn't he?"
I took Jack with me to vote this morning. We waited in line for about half an hour, which pleases me. Not that we had to wait, but that voting was so important to so many people this election. In my county, 20% of eligible voters had already voted early, which is amazing. I held Jack up so he could watch as I marked my ballot. After we were finished, we both got "I Voted" stickers.
On the way to Grandma and Grandpa's house (and they will be taking Jack to vote with them later), Jack asked, "Mommy, how did you know that you wanted to vote for Mr. Obama instead of Mr. McCain?" I did my best to explain it in a way that a three-year-old would understand, but more than anything, I was proud of the fact that he asked the question.
This year will be different. First and foremost, no matter what happens, I truly believe our president will be a good, smart person who will work hard to do what's best for America. I definitely don't agree with everything John McCain stands for, but I will not be upset if he wins. And I am filled with hope that Barack Obama will be our next president. I truly believe that he will do something special for our country.
I've spent the past few days talking to Jack about voting. I have tried to explain in the simplest possible terms what the president does and what an amazing thing it is to be part of choosing who has that job. We also talked about why it is an important thing to do. I had a mock vote about whether we should have chocolate or strawberry ice cream. Jack and I both voted for chocolate, and Steve wasn't paying attention. "See how Daddy didn't vote?" I asked. "If he wanted strawberry, he's out of luck now, isn't he?"
I took Jack with me to vote this morning. We waited in line for about half an hour, which pleases me. Not that we had to wait, but that voting was so important to so many people this election. In my county, 20% of eligible voters had already voted early, which is amazing. I held Jack up so he could watch as I marked my ballot. After we were finished, we both got "I Voted" stickers.
On the way to Grandma and Grandpa's house (and they will be taking Jack to vote with them later), Jack asked, "Mommy, how did you know that you wanted to vote for Mr. Obama instead of Mr. McCain?" I did my best to explain it in a way that a three-year-old would understand, but more than anything, I was proud of the fact that he asked the question.
Monday, November 03, 2008
Race Report: Governor's Cross Country
"Are you sure that thing is waterproof?"
As we lined up yesterday afternoon at the Governor's Cross Country race, a fellow runner noted my Garmin and asked that very astute question. I wasn't too worried about it. While I can't take Paula swimming with me, I believe it's okay for her to get splashed a bit. And it was a lovely day for a run, warm and sunny. I was wearing my She-Hulk trail shoes, my lucky running skirt, and a red shirt. Ready to go!
I had no idea what I had in store for me.
The race was completely on trails, which also meant it was nothing but hills. One of the hills was so steep that runners had to use a rope to climb it. At the top were two volunteers, who each grabbed one of my hands, yanked me to the top, and launched me back down the trail. I jumped over hay bales, fallen logs, and tree roots. I crossed creeks of rank swamp water up to my waist.
It was, as you might have guessed, an absolute blast. And if the race itself wasn't enough fun, the organizers added a sort of treasure hunt. Just off the trail were hidden ribbons. If you found a ribbon, say, tied to a tree branch, and brought it back, you could get a prize. I think there were some pretty good prizes, but there were also smaller, fun prizes - like t-shirts from other races, small bags, and lanyards. For climbing into a sticker bush after my ribbon, I got a water bottle.
Because I wasn't prepared for the conditions to be quite so rustic, I did not dress right at all for the race. My She-Hulks were okay after going through the washing machine, but next year I'll save an old pair for this race. My shirt was fine, but the skirt was a huge mistake. Because it was soaking wet, it got really heavy and threatened to become an ankle warmer. I wound up wringing it out and tying a knot in it at my waist, essentially transforming it into a pair of Ridiculously Short Shorts. In retrospect, I should have either worn tights or just gone with a pair of RSS and worn them with a pair of knee socks to protect my legs a bit.
My legs took quite a beating. I have scratches all over them, and my left knee got it pretty bad in that thorn bush. It didn't hurt, but for a while, I had blood running down my leg. I have to admit to thinking, "I hope other people are noticing this, because it looks bad-ass."
This race was the absolute definition of fun run. I don't think anybody came out expecting to finish strong or get a good time. There were a bunch of high school cross country runners out there, and I definitely felt good about keeping up with them. Towards the end of the race, I was running with a big group of people and we realized that we had somehow gotten off course - no red flags to be found. We kept on following the trails and finally found our way to the finish line.
And at the finish? Delicious, delicious beer.
As we lined up yesterday afternoon at the Governor's Cross Country race, a fellow runner noted my Garmin and asked that very astute question. I wasn't too worried about it. While I can't take Paula swimming with me, I believe it's okay for her to get splashed a bit. And it was a lovely day for a run, warm and sunny. I was wearing my She-Hulk trail shoes, my lucky running skirt, and a red shirt. Ready to go!
I had no idea what I had in store for me.
The race was completely on trails, which also meant it was nothing but hills. One of the hills was so steep that runners had to use a rope to climb it. At the top were two volunteers, who each grabbed one of my hands, yanked me to the top, and launched me back down the trail. I jumped over hay bales, fallen logs, and tree roots. I crossed creeks of rank swamp water up to my waist.
It was, as you might have guessed, an absolute blast. And if the race itself wasn't enough fun, the organizers added a sort of treasure hunt. Just off the trail were hidden ribbons. If you found a ribbon, say, tied to a tree branch, and brought it back, you could get a prize. I think there were some pretty good prizes, but there were also smaller, fun prizes - like t-shirts from other races, small bags, and lanyards. For climbing into a sticker bush after my ribbon, I got a water bottle.
Because I wasn't prepared for the conditions to be quite so rustic, I did not dress right at all for the race. My She-Hulks were okay after going through the washing machine, but next year I'll save an old pair for this race. My shirt was fine, but the skirt was a huge mistake. Because it was soaking wet, it got really heavy and threatened to become an ankle warmer. I wound up wringing it out and tying a knot in it at my waist, essentially transforming it into a pair of Ridiculously Short Shorts. In retrospect, I should have either worn tights or just gone with a pair of RSS and worn them with a pair of knee socks to protect my legs a bit.
My legs took quite a beating. I have scratches all over them, and my left knee got it pretty bad in that thorn bush. It didn't hurt, but for a while, I had blood running down my leg. I have to admit to thinking, "I hope other people are noticing this, because it looks bad-ass."
This race was the absolute definition of fun run. I don't think anybody came out expecting to finish strong or get a good time. There were a bunch of high school cross country runners out there, and I definitely felt good about keeping up with them. Towards the end of the race, I was running with a big group of people and we realized that we had somehow gotten off course - no red flags to be found. We kept on following the trails and finally found our way to the finish line.
And at the finish? Delicious, delicious beer.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
If I Could Turn Back Time
This week's Take It and Run Thursday challenges us runners to "Choose Your Superpower." As a comic book fan, obviously, this is something I've given some thought to. If I were a superhero, my powers would definitely include flight (because why be a superhero if you can't fly), my costume would be red and would include pants (so no one got a free show while I was flying overhead) and would have a cape because that would look cool rippling in the wind.
But, for practical purposes, I am a mom, which means that I am already a superhero. See? Look at me as Elasticgirl last Hallowwn:
As a mom, my superpowers include the ability to find lost objects (Jack, Roary is on the couch in the living room, under the Mickey Mouse blanket, and Steve, the honey mustard salad dressing is in the door of the fridge, second shelf, in the back, towards the left), cure boo boos,
make Roary's tail tiny, create a healthy meal out of whatever random stuff we have in the house, remember when Jack's homework is due, not to mention the whole bit about working full time, training for marathons, going on dates with my husband, and still having time for lightsaber battle-fights.
Maybe I don't need super powers... but I could use a little magic.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, my girl Hermione uses a magic necklace called a Time Turner. The necklace has an hourglass, and for each time you turn it, you go back in time an hour. Hermione, overachiever that she is, uses it so that she can take more classes.
If I had a Time Turner of my own, I'd use it so that I had just a little more time in every day. If I was out running, a twist of the necklace would give me the time to turn a five mile run into a ten mile run without sacrificing any time doing the other things I have to do. I'd be able to give myself a little extra time on nights that I'm scrambling to get dinner on the table. Or, on weekends, to take a nap or see a movie. Everything would be just a little bit easier.
Also, I could still fly.
But, for practical purposes, I am a mom, which means that I am already a superhero. See? Look at me as Elasticgirl last Hallowwn:
As a mom, my superpowers include the ability to find lost objects (Jack, Roary is on the couch in the living room, under the Mickey Mouse blanket, and Steve, the honey mustard salad dressing is in the door of the fridge, second shelf, in the back, towards the left), cure boo boos,
make Roary's tail tiny, create a healthy meal out of whatever random stuff we have in the house, remember when Jack's homework is due, not to mention the whole bit about working full time, training for marathons, going on dates with my husband, and still having time for lightsaber battle-fights.
Maybe I don't need super powers... but I could use a little magic.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, my girl Hermione uses a magic necklace called a Time Turner. The necklace has an hourglass, and for each time you turn it, you go back in time an hour. Hermione, overachiever that she is, uses it so that she can take more classes.If I had a Time Turner of my own, I'd use it so that I had just a little more time in every day. If I was out running, a twist of the necklace would give me the time to turn a five mile run into a ten mile run without sacrificing any time doing the other things I have to do. I'd be able to give myself a little extra time on nights that I'm scrambling to get dinner on the table. Or, on weekends, to take a nap or see a movie. Everything would be just a little bit easier.
Also, I could still fly.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Hitting the Dirt
I'm happy to report that after over a week without running (the longest I've gone without being injured in I don't know how long), I am back at it again.
On Monday, I went out for a casual almost 4-mile run. I took it easy at a 10:00 pace and felt great - I definitely had a lot more in me, but I didn't want to push it too hard. I was happy just to be running.
In the time I was away, the weather got much, much colder. It was time for a long-sleeved shirt, tights, jacket, hat, and gloves. I swear to Yoda, I saw a couple of snowflakes while I was out! Can anybody recommend some good cold weather socks? My toesies definitely get cold.
Today, I'm going for a miles TBD trail run at Blackhawk State Park. You guys, trail running is really hard! Those of you who have run long races and training runs on trails have my respect. I'll be out there working my butt off, heart pounding, trying not to fall down a cliff, and Paula The Garmin will notify me that I am, in fact, crawling along.
The thing is, though, that although I'd be much faster on the road or on the track, I would not be surrounded by breath-quickening beauty every step of my run. I wouldn't have the fun challenge of jumping over tree roots and climbing steep hills. Plus I wouldn't have the excuse to wear my super cool new green trail shoes!
My series of November cross country races starts on Sunday with the Governor's Cross Country race. How awesome is it going to be? Let's review the race application again, shall we?
On Monday, I went out for a casual almost 4-mile run. I took it easy at a 10:00 pace and felt great - I definitely had a lot more in me, but I didn't want to push it too hard. I was happy just to be running.
In the time I was away, the weather got much, much colder. It was time for a long-sleeved shirt, tights, jacket, hat, and gloves. I swear to Yoda, I saw a couple of snowflakes while I was out! Can anybody recommend some good cold weather socks? My toesies definitely get cold.
Today, I'm going for a miles TBD trail run at Blackhawk State Park. You guys, trail running is really hard! Those of you who have run long races and training runs on trails have my respect. I'll be out there working my butt off, heart pounding, trying not to fall down a cliff, and Paula The Garmin will notify me that I am, in fact, crawling along.
The thing is, though, that although I'd be much faster on the road or on the track, I would not be surrounded by breath-quickening beauty every step of my run. I wouldn't have the fun challenge of jumping over tree roots and climbing steep hills. Plus I wouldn't have the excuse to wear my super cool new green trail shoes!
My series of November cross country races starts on Sunday with the Governor's Cross Country race. How awesome is it going to be? Let's review the race application again, shall we?
"Weather conditions can make the course very difficult. Be prepared to get wet, muddy, slip, fall, and laugh at yourself. "
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
A Week of Magic
The boys and I are back from Disney World. I didn't run the entire time, yet managed to hold onto my sanity because, really, when you are experiencing wall to wall fun, a little time without running is okay.
Jack met every single princess in Disney World.
Cinderella (at the castle!)...
The Little Mermaid...
He and Princess Jasmine bonded because they both have tigers. We also met Sleeping Beauty and Belle. He loved the princesses, and...
They loved him, too.
There were a million little moments that were special and fun. Jack danced with Sully in a parade...
Clowned around with Daddy on the teacup ride...
and visited the Muppets with me.
But the Serious Awesome came when he was chosen for Jedi Training at the Star Tours ride at Hollywood Studios. I was beside myself with excitement, and you can see how happy he was.
The Jedi Master led them through a series of lightsaber drills, and then they got to put them into practice with a battle-fight (as Jack would put it) with Darth Vader. Now, the other kids had been training to battle-fight Vader for about three minutes, but Jack has been preparing for this for literally half his life. He ditched the prescribed routine and just unleashed his wee Jedi fury on Vader. And it was awesome.
After defeating Vader, all of the kids got certificates declaring them to be official Jedi. That certificate is probably Jack's most treasured posession.
We ended our vacation by going to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, dressed, naturally, as "Star Wars Guys." Jack was Anakin, Steve was Luke, and I was Princess Leia. Let me tell you, in no way were we humoring Jack by dressing up as Star Wars characters; Steve and I were giddy with excitement at it.
I loved being Princess Leia. People complimented my costume all night, and according to Steve, lots of guys were checking me out.
Because there were fewer people at the party than during the usual Disney World hours, it was a great chance to see characters. We met Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty again, this time with Prince Charming and Prince Phillip. Both of them were amused by the fact that Cinderella's wicked stepsister Anastasia had kissed Jack.
We then went to the next room, where we met characters from Alice in Wonderland. Alice and her friends were hilarious, adding a level of chaos to the proceedings that was completely in character. The Queen of Hearts demanded that Jack bow, but he didn't know how. Alice grabbed Jack by the arm and busted into the princess room, demanding that one of the princes teach him how to bow properly to the Queen. Prince Charming obliged.
We are already planning to go back next year.
Jack met every single princess in Disney World.
Cinderella (at the castle!)...
The Little Mermaid...
He and Princess Jasmine bonded because they both have tigers. We also met Sleeping Beauty and Belle. He loved the princesses, and...
They loved him, too.
There were a million little moments that were special and fun. Jack danced with Sully in a parade...
Clowned around with Daddy on the teacup ride...
and visited the Muppets with me.
But the Serious Awesome came when he was chosen for Jedi Training at the Star Tours ride at Hollywood Studios. I was beside myself with excitement, and you can see how happy he was.
The Jedi Master led them through a series of lightsaber drills, and then they got to put them into practice with a battle-fight (as Jack would put it) with Darth Vader. Now, the other kids had been training to battle-fight Vader for about three minutes, but Jack has been preparing for this for literally half his life. He ditched the prescribed routine and just unleashed his wee Jedi fury on Vader. And it was awesome.
After defeating Vader, all of the kids got certificates declaring them to be official Jedi. That certificate is probably Jack's most treasured posession.
We ended our vacation by going to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, dressed, naturally, as "Star Wars Guys." Jack was Anakin, Steve was Luke, and I was Princess Leia. Let me tell you, in no way were we humoring Jack by dressing up as Star Wars characters; Steve and I were giddy with excitement at it.
I loved being Princess Leia. People complimented my costume all night, and according to Steve, lots of guys were checking me out.
Because there were fewer people at the party than during the usual Disney World hours, it was a great chance to see characters. We met Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty again, this time with Prince Charming and Prince Phillip. Both of them were amused by the fact that Cinderella's wicked stepsister Anastasia had kissed Jack.
We then went to the next room, where we met characters from Alice in Wonderland. Alice and her friends were hilarious, adding a level of chaos to the proceedings that was completely in character. The Queen of Hearts demanded that Jack bow, but he didn't know how. Alice grabbed Jack by the arm and busted into the princess room, demanding that one of the princes teach him how to bow properly to the Queen. Prince Charming obliged.
We are already planning to go back next year.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Nothing But a Number
The Laminator just rocked out a 1:25:44 half marathon, and the blinding speed has him in an introspective mood. Laminator muses:
Internet, we may not like it, but the fact of the matter is, we are all getting older. And as we get older, we will eventually get slower.
Now, I'm not saying that all runners over the age of 29 should just pack it in. There are plenty of fantastic athletes who are not spring chickens. We all saw the way that Constantina Dita-Tomescu rocked out the Olympic marathon in Bejing at the age of 37. And Dara Torres may not be a runner, but she is an inspiration, swimming amazing times against athletes much younger than she is. What I am saying is that although we runners are healthier, sexier, and more overall awesome than everyone else in the universe, we are not immune to the aging process.
The key, as I see it, is to look at your running career not as one big volume, but to break it down into different phases.
Many of my Blogging Running Friends (BRF's) discovered running in adulthood. Not me. I ran my first 5K when I was 10 years old. I ran cross country and track all through high school., then rediscovered running after I turned 30 and had Jack.
I am incredibly proud of the athlete that I am today, and of all that I have accomplished. But I am definitely slower than I used to be. My 5K PR at the moment is 25:13, which is an 8:something average mile pace (I don't feel like doing the math exactly). When I was running varsity cross country, if I had finished a mile in 8:something, I would have died of shame. Miles started with 6 or maybe 7, not 8.
I am working hard and improving my speed all the time, but I don't think I will ever be as fast as I used to be.
But I'm completely okay with that.
The fact of the matter is, I am a completely different person now than I was when I was 17. I weigh about the same as I did then (don't hate me; I worked for it), but I have padding where I didn't before and muscle definition that I didn't before. I look at the world differently - less selfishly, more patiently, and a lot less seriously.
A common piece of advice given to runners is "Run your own race." I keep those words of wisdom in mind. I shouldn't be preoccupied with the shadow of my 17 year old self any more than I should be with the other runners on the course.
We race not just against the clock, not just against the other runners, but against inertia. No matter how slow you might be, every run is a victory against complacency. That poem about "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me" is a cliche now. Instead, think of this one:
When I am an old woman, I shall wear running shoes
And enter races that I have not a prayer of winning
And I will race them as fast as I can
Never apologizing for my lack of speed
On the other hand, I couldn’t stop wondering if 1:25:44 really will be my best half ever, forever.
Internet, we may not like it, but the fact of the matter is, we are all getting older. And as we get older, we will eventually get slower.
Now, I'm not saying that all runners over the age of 29 should just pack it in. There are plenty of fantastic athletes who are not spring chickens. We all saw the way that Constantina Dita-Tomescu rocked out the Olympic marathon in Bejing at the age of 37. And Dara Torres may not be a runner, but she is an inspiration, swimming amazing times against athletes much younger than she is. What I am saying is that although we runners are healthier, sexier, and more overall awesome than everyone else in the universe, we are not immune to the aging process.
The key, as I see it, is to look at your running career not as one big volume, but to break it down into different phases.
Many of my Blogging Running Friends (BRF's) discovered running in adulthood. Not me. I ran my first 5K when I was 10 years old. I ran cross country and track all through high school., then rediscovered running after I turned 30 and had Jack.
I am incredibly proud of the athlete that I am today, and of all that I have accomplished. But I am definitely slower than I used to be. My 5K PR at the moment is 25:13, which is an 8:something average mile pace (I don't feel like doing the math exactly). When I was running varsity cross country, if I had finished a mile in 8:something, I would have died of shame. Miles started with 6 or maybe 7, not 8.
I am working hard and improving my speed all the time, but I don't think I will ever be as fast as I used to be.
But I'm completely okay with that.
The fact of the matter is, I am a completely different person now than I was when I was 17. I weigh about the same as I did then (don't hate me; I worked for it), but I have padding where I didn't before and muscle definition that I didn't before. I look at the world differently - less selfishly, more patiently, and a lot less seriously.
A common piece of advice given to runners is "Run your own race." I keep those words of wisdom in mind. I shouldn't be preoccupied with the shadow of my 17 year old self any more than I should be with the other runners on the course.
We race not just against the clock, not just against the other runners, but against inertia. No matter how slow you might be, every run is a victory against complacency. That poem about "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go and doesn't suit me" is a cliche now. Instead, think of this one:
When I am an old woman, I shall wear running shoes
And enter races that I have not a prayer of winning
And I will race them as fast as I can
Never apologizing for my lack of speed
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Say It!
Always on the lookout for inspiration, our friends at Runner's Lounge have dedicated this week's Take It and Run Thursday to running-related sayings and quotes. Friends, I have them for all occasions.
To Relish The Challenge:
President Kennedy may not have been talking about running, but this statement could easily be applied to what we runners do in training. We choose to tackle the challenge of a difficult run or a long race not because it is easy, but because it is hard. Because in doing something that is challenging, we discover the best in ourselves.
Running legend Emil Zatopek would agree.
We do not run marathons because we hope to cross the finish line first (at least nobody I know does). We run marathons because of the full experience - the good and the bad - of training, of preparation, of the joyous miles at the beginning, the tedious miles in the middle, and the incredibly difficult miles at the end.
When I ran my last marathon, I was struck by the fact that every other person out on the course with me that day, from the elite runners who were so far ahead that I never saw them, to the people working their hardest at a walk-run strategy to finish, were experiencing a journey. Each and every one of them had my respect.
To Feel Stronger:
Pretty soon I am going to have to break down and buy this t-shirt. I don't feel like it's completely true, because Internet, sometimes I do get really catlicking tired. But I don't quit, because when I get tired, I get tough.
Or, as the great poet Eminem would say,
During really tough moments, I will find this song ("'Til I Collapse") on my iPod, because with Eminem rapping these words at me, I would be completely ashamed if I quit.
To Feel the Joy:
I may sit at my desk all day at work, but when I go out for a run, I am free. I am flying.
Madonna puts it more succinctly.
And let's not overlook The Redheaded Stranger.
When I'm out running, I see the world in a way I would never see from the comforts of my couch. I explore my town on foot, seeing the change of the seasons, seeing people out working on their yards, seeing the river flow past me. Yesterday, I did a trail run, and I swear to Yoda I saw a wolf. Opening my eyes to the bigger world around me makes every difference in my outlook, and it wouldn't happen if I weren't running.
To Feel Special:
My friend Felicia told me about going to the starting line of a marathon with her dad. He surveyed the crowd and said:
While the rest of the world is sitting on the couch eating junk food, we are working hard, getting leaner, stronger, and tougher. We are special. We are different.
To Do Something Extraordinary:
Ever since I was a kid, these lyrics have resonated with me:
I am called to do something different, something special. Every time I lace up my shoes and face the challenge, I am chasing that rainbow. I am chasing my dreams.
To Relish The Challenge:
"We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too." -John F. Kennedy
President Kennedy may not have been talking about running, but this statement could easily be applied to what we runners do in training. We choose to tackle the challenge of a difficult run or a long race not because it is easy, but because it is hard. Because in doing something that is challenging, we discover the best in ourselves.
Running legend Emil Zatopek would agree.
"If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon." -Emil Zatopek
We do not run marathons because we hope to cross the finish line first (at least nobody I know does). We run marathons because of the full experience - the good and the bad - of training, of preparation, of the joyous miles at the beginning, the tedious miles in the middle, and the incredibly difficult miles at the end.
When I ran my last marathon, I was struck by the fact that every other person out on the course with me that day, from the elite runners who were so far ahead that I never saw them, to the people working their hardest at a walk-run strategy to finish, were experiencing a journey. Each and every one of them had my respect.
To Feel Stronger:
Pretty soon I am going to have to break down and buy this t-shirt. I don't feel like it's completely true, because Internet, sometimes I do get really catlicking tired. But I don't quit, because when I get tired, I get tough.
Or, as the great poet Eminem would say,
"'Cause sometimes you feel tired,
feel weak, and when you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up.
But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength
and just pull that shit out of you and get that motivation to not give up
and not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face and collapse." -Eminem
During really tough moments, I will find this song ("'Til I Collapse") on my iPod, because with Eminem rapping these words at me, I would be completely ashamed if I quit.
To Feel the Joy:
“We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves. The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable.” -Roger Bannister
I may sit at my desk all day at work, but when I go out for a run, I am free. I am flying.
Madonna puts it more succinctly.
"Time goes by so slowly for those who wait. No time to hesitate. Those who run seem to have all the fun." -Madonna, "Hung Up."
And let's not overlook The Redheaded Stranger.
"On the road again. Going places that I've never been. Seeing things that I may never see again. I can't wait to get on the road again." --Willie Nelson
When I'm out running, I see the world in a way I would never see from the comforts of my couch. I explore my town on foot, seeing the change of the seasons, seeing people out working on their yards, seeing the river flow past me. Yesterday, I did a trail run, and I swear to Yoda I saw a wolf. Opening my eyes to the bigger world around me makes every difference in my outlook, and it wouldn't happen if I weren't running.
To Feel Special:
My friend Felicia told me about going to the starting line of a marathon with her dad. He surveyed the crowd and said:
"You don't see these people lined up at the Old Country Buffet."
While the rest of the world is sitting on the couch eating junk food, we are working hard, getting leaner, stronger, and tougher. We are special. We are different.
To Do Something Extraordinary:
Ever since I was a kid, these lyrics have resonated with me:
"Have you been half asleep? And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm s'posed to be...
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers, and me." -Kenny Ascher and Paul Williams (Made famous, of course, by Kermit T. Frog)
I am called to do something different, something special. Every time I lace up my shoes and face the challenge, I am chasing that rainbow. I am chasing my dreams.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tagged
Who wants to hear six random facts about me?
I knew you'd be excited, Internet!
1. I am totally afraid of bats. Seriously, they freak me out big time. The evil beady little eyes, the noise, the way they swoop down on you. Oh, sweet Yoda, I cannot deal with bats. I will not go into any tourist destination with the words "Caves" or "Caverns" in it because I am sure they are chock-full of bats. Also, the summer after I graduated from high school, my mom's house had a bat problem for a while - we are talking bats hanging off the crown molding, people - and I seriously was about to move out.
2. At least 50 times in my life (seriously), someone has asked the question, "Hey, Betsy - you'd probably know this. What is the name of those guys in the balcony on The Muppet Show?"
And, duh, of course I know. Statler and Waldorf. I love, love, love the Muppets and take a tremendous amount of pride in the fact that Jack does, too.
3. I love all autumn squash. When it's in season, I will buy squash at random, whatever looks interesting, because it always tastes great to me. I like it with butter, brown sugar, and raisins.
4. I am famous for my desserts. I make a cheesecake that weighs about eight pounds, chocolate chip cookies that once got me a job, and delightful pumpkin cake roll, to name just a few.
5. The fictional characters I most relate to are Lisa Simpson and Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter books.
6. Despite the propensity for endurance running and the toughness therin, I am a fainter. I've fainted after giving blood, during a golf lesson on a hot day, and once on the Metro, in which I collapsed, landed on my face, and got a black eye (I did get a seat after that move). I can come very close to fainting if I haven't eaten in a while or if I stand up too fast. I am a delicate flower.
Consider yourself tagged if you're looking for material, catlickers.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
My Hero
Jack and I went to the zoo on Saturday and, of course, rode the train. As we passed the Australia section, Jack got a bit panicky. A few months ago when he and I saw the lorikeets, I was feeding one of the birds from a cup of nectar and the feathered bastard bit my finger. That's not the kind of thing Jack forgets. He moved closer to me and put his arms around me. Then, he said, "I am protecting you from those birds so that one doesn't bite your finger again, Mommy."
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
The topic of this week's Take It and Run Thursday is "Signs you would love to see when running a race." It's great when spectators bring signs to a race, and it really can lift your spirits when you need it.
There are some general signs that I've always liked -
You're All Kenyan to Me
Your Feet Hurt Because You're Kicking So Much Ass
or even a simple
GO RUNNERS!
are all cool.
I really like signs that are personal. When my brother ran his first marathon, we made signs for him. Andy is a very tenacious person. One of his many accomplishments is that in 1992, he was the Doughnut Eating King of Moline High School (a fact that is on his resume to this day). Andy ate a ridiculous amount of doughnuts in a very short period of time. He was so focused and so determined that my cheer for him was simply, "Eat the doughnut, Andy!"
How could my marathon sign say anything else but, "RUN THE MARATHON, ANDY!"
During my marathon two weeks ago, I saw a woman holding a sign that said, "I Have Faith In You, Mom!" The sign wasn't for me, but the sentiment made me feel great. It brought to mind all of the people who have faith in me to finish my race. A "Way to Go, Bob!" sign makes me think, "Yeah, way to go, Bob. And way to go all of us. This is great!"
Spectators should know that even if the sign they've made is personal for the runner they're watching, it really can make a difference to all of the runners out there on the course.
Just ask my mom - she came to the marathon with a sign that said, "GO BETSY!" on it in huge letters. As fate would have it, another woman named Betsy (alas, not this Betsy or this one) was running close to me for much of the race. Every time she saw my mom, she'd yell, "Hey, I'm Betsy, too! Hold up the sign!"
Every runner on the race course is going through their own journey, but we have many experiences in common. A race sign held aloft by a loving spectator may be intended for just one person, but will resonate with many. It will remind them of all the hard work they've done, all of the people who have supported them, and can give them a little extra strength to "RUN THE MARATHON!"
There are some general signs that I've always liked -
or even a simple
are all cool.
I really like signs that are personal. When my brother ran his first marathon, we made signs for him. Andy is a very tenacious person. One of his many accomplishments is that in 1992, he was the Doughnut Eating King of Moline High School (a fact that is on his resume to this day). Andy ate a ridiculous amount of doughnuts in a very short period of time. He was so focused and so determined that my cheer for him was simply, "Eat the doughnut, Andy!"
How could my marathon sign say anything else but, "RUN THE MARATHON, ANDY!"
During my marathon two weeks ago, I saw a woman holding a sign that said, "I Have Faith In You, Mom!" The sign wasn't for me, but the sentiment made me feel great. It brought to mind all of the people who have faith in me to finish my race. A "Way to Go, Bob!" sign makes me think, "Yeah, way to go, Bob. And way to go all of us. This is great!"
Spectators should know that even if the sign they've made is personal for the runner they're watching, it really can make a difference to all of the runners out there on the course.
Just ask my mom - she came to the marathon with a sign that said, "GO BETSY!" on it in huge letters. As fate would have it, another woman named Betsy (alas, not this Betsy or this one) was running close to me for much of the race. Every time she saw my mom, she'd yell, "Hey, I'm Betsy, too! Hold up the sign!"
Every runner on the race course is going through their own journey, but we have many experiences in common. A race sign held aloft by a loving spectator may be intended for just one person, but will resonate with many. It will remind them of all the hard work they've done, all of the people who have supported them, and can give them a little extra strength to "RUN THE MARATHON!"
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Mwhahahaha!
Oh, Internet, you have forced my hand.
On my recent post Marathon vs. Childbirth, several commentators noted that the fact that childbirth is harder than a marathon gives you all the more reason to stick to marathons, rather than babies.
I didn't want to do this, but as I said, you forced my hand.
On my recent post Marathon vs. Childbirth, several commentators noted that the fact that childbirth is harder than a marathon gives you all the more reason to stick to marathons, rather than babies.
I didn't want to do this, but as I said, you forced my hand.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Inaccuracy!
The boys and I were hanging out reading the Sunday paper, and I handed Jack the Toys R Us ad. There were Star Wars toys on the cover, so I thought he'd be pleased. Instead, he found this image quite disturbing:
Jack marched is little self over to Steve, wielding the paper, a look of annoyance and confusion on his face. "Daddy," he demanded, "What's this all about?" Steve said that it was an ad for toys, and didn't they look cool? "No, no, no," Jack explained. "This kid is being a Stormtrooper, and he is holding a lightsaber and Stormtroopers do not have lightsabers!"
Steve had to agree that this was true.
Jack was determined to find a reasonable explanation for this strange phenomenon. Finally, he recalled that one time (in one of the prequels), Obi-Wan was dressed like a Stormtrooper, but considering that he is a Jedi, he did have his lightsaber. "That must be it," Steve quickly agreed, hoping to calm Jack down.
"But, Daddy! This Stormtrooper's lightsaber is red. Obi-Wan doesn't have a red lightsaber." I tried to open the door for another possibility, reminding Jack that when Luke pretended to be a Stormtrooper in Star Wars, he surely brought his lightsaber with him. (What, he was going to leave it on the Falcon? I don't think so.)
Jack sighed. "Mommy, this Stormtrooper's lightsaber is red. Obi-Wan and Luke don't have red lightsabers; only Sith Lords have red lightsabers."
The kid has a point.
Jack marched is little self over to Steve, wielding the paper, a look of annoyance and confusion on his face. "Daddy," he demanded, "What's this all about?" Steve said that it was an ad for toys, and didn't they look cool? "No, no, no," Jack explained. "This kid is being a Stormtrooper, and he is holding a lightsaber and Stormtroopers do not have lightsabers!"
Steve had to agree that this was true.
Jack was determined to find a reasonable explanation for this strange phenomenon. Finally, he recalled that one time (in one of the prequels), Obi-Wan was dressed like a Stormtrooper, but considering that he is a Jedi, he did have his lightsaber. "That must be it," Steve quickly agreed, hoping to calm Jack down.
"But, Daddy! This Stormtrooper's lightsaber is red. Obi-Wan doesn't have a red lightsaber." I tried to open the door for another possibility, reminding Jack that when Luke pretended to be a Stormtrooper in Star Wars, he surely brought his lightsaber with him. (What, he was going to leave it on the Falcon? I don't think so.)
Jack sighed. "Mommy, this Stormtrooper's lightsaber is red. Obi-Wan and Luke don't have red lightsabers; only Sith Lords have red lightsabers."
The kid has a point.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Marathon vs. Childbirth
The always fabulous Marcy is gearing up for her first marathon and poses the eternal question:
It's a comparison I've encountered more than once. And seeing as how I've done both things, I feel qualified to tackle this one.
Preparation: No doubt about it, training for a marathon can be a bitch. Track workouts, tempo runs, and long runs can create a host of pain, from cramping, sore knees, shin splints, sunburn, blisters, missing toenails, and chafing. You're out in all kinds of weather, dragging yourself out of bed at ridiculous times of day. On the other hand, being pregnant isn't exactly a picnic, either. There's the first trimester, which was marked for me as three months of alternating dry heaves and crushing fatigue. I felt like absolute hell, but I didn't look pregnant yet, so I was just some crazy chick gagging at the scent of anti-bacterial soap. Then, in the second trimester, all of a sudden none of my clothes fit me, I was constantly kicked in the ribs by a freakishly strong baby, and to add insult to injury, developed stretch marks on just about every part of my body. But that was just a warm-up for the third trimester, in which I had restless leg syndrome, pain in my sciatic nerve, a constant pressure on my tailbone, a sore lower back, and well hello, my old friend fatigue! I'd love to sleep, but this kid keeps squirming around all night long. And if there was any other doubt, marathon training takes 18 weeks, pregnancy takes 40. Worse: Childbirth
Hero Factor Compare and contrast: "Wow, a marathon! I could never do that!" versus, "Oh, you're planning on an epidural? Well, I had an unmedicated water birth surrounded by three generations of women in my family. But I'm sure that will be nice for you." Worse: Childbirth
Anticipation: The weeks leading up to a marathon are tough. You're stressed out, poring over the course map, worrying about the weather, wondering about what to wear, thinking you might not be able to finish. But the weeks leading up to having a baby include people telling you how gigantic you are (thanks), feeling like hell, and realizing that there is absolutely no way you can back out of this ridiculous endeavor. Plus, you know exactly when your marathon is going to start, so at least you can be prepared. That baby will show up whenever he damned well feels like it. Worse: Childbirth
Pain: During my worst ever pain in a marathon, I felt uncomfortable to the point where I needed a walk break. During my worst ever pain in childbirth, I curled up into a tiny ball in bed, silently turning purple until it was over, unable to walk or talk. Sure, you can get drugs for the childbirth, and let me tell you, they work. But my longest marathon was less than five hours. In contrast, I started having labor pains on December 22, only to have the actual child on December 24. Worse: Childbirth
Recovery: I bounced back from both the marathons and the childbirth pretty equally. After the marathons, I took Advil for a couple of days, took some time off from running, and was fine. The baby-having was a little more dramatic, since I had a C-section. On Christmas of 2004, I was unable to move my legs for much of the day, and the pain I experienced the first time I tried to walk to the bathroom was probably the worst I have ever experienced. But by the next day, I was feeling pretty good, to the point where I never bothered to fill my prescription for pain meds. Worse: Childbirth, but only slightly
Swag Because I have a fabulous husband, I score jewelry after both giving birth and finishing marathons, so it's a draw there, provided you were smart enough to marry a good guy. But other than that? Finisher's medal vs. beautiful new baby? Worse: Marathon, easily.
So, there you go - having a baby is way more painful than running a silly little marathon. Marcy's got two kids, so homegirl has nothing to worry about. And men, you can forgive us if we smile a bit indulgently when you talk about how much it hurt when you bonked.
Does running a marathon hurt as much as childbirth?
It's a comparison I've encountered more than once. And seeing as how I've done both things, I feel qualified to tackle this one.
Preparation: No doubt about it, training for a marathon can be a bitch. Track workouts, tempo runs, and long runs can create a host of pain, from cramping, sore knees, shin splints, sunburn, blisters, missing toenails, and chafing. You're out in all kinds of weather, dragging yourself out of bed at ridiculous times of day. On the other hand, being pregnant isn't exactly a picnic, either. There's the first trimester, which was marked for me as three months of alternating dry heaves and crushing fatigue. I felt like absolute hell, but I didn't look pregnant yet, so I was just some crazy chick gagging at the scent of anti-bacterial soap. Then, in the second trimester, all of a sudden none of my clothes fit me, I was constantly kicked in the ribs by a freakishly strong baby, and to add insult to injury, developed stretch marks on just about every part of my body. But that was just a warm-up for the third trimester, in which I had restless leg syndrome, pain in my sciatic nerve, a constant pressure on my tailbone, a sore lower back, and well hello, my old friend fatigue! I'd love to sleep, but this kid keeps squirming around all night long. And if there was any other doubt, marathon training takes 18 weeks, pregnancy takes 40. Worse: Childbirth
Hero Factor Compare and contrast: "Wow, a marathon! I could never do that!" versus, "Oh, you're planning on an epidural? Well, I had an unmedicated water birth surrounded by three generations of women in my family. But I'm sure that will be nice for you." Worse: Childbirth
Anticipation: The weeks leading up to a marathon are tough. You're stressed out, poring over the course map, worrying about the weather, wondering about what to wear, thinking you might not be able to finish. But the weeks leading up to having a baby include people telling you how gigantic you are (thanks), feeling like hell, and realizing that there is absolutely no way you can back out of this ridiculous endeavor. Plus, you know exactly when your marathon is going to start, so at least you can be prepared. That baby will show up whenever he damned well feels like it. Worse: Childbirth
Pain: During my worst ever pain in a marathon, I felt uncomfortable to the point where I needed a walk break. During my worst ever pain in childbirth, I curled up into a tiny ball in bed, silently turning purple until it was over, unable to walk or talk. Sure, you can get drugs for the childbirth, and let me tell you, they work. But my longest marathon was less than five hours. In contrast, I started having labor pains on December 22, only to have the actual child on December 24. Worse: Childbirth
Recovery: I bounced back from both the marathons and the childbirth pretty equally. After the marathons, I took Advil for a couple of days, took some time off from running, and was fine. The baby-having was a little more dramatic, since I had a C-section. On Christmas of 2004, I was unable to move my legs for much of the day, and the pain I experienced the first time I tried to walk to the bathroom was probably the worst I have ever experienced. But by the next day, I was feeling pretty good, to the point where I never bothered to fill my prescription for pain meds. Worse: Childbirth, but only slightly
Swag Because I have a fabulous husband, I score jewelry after both giving birth and finishing marathons, so it's a draw there, provided you were smart enough to marry a good guy. But other than that? Finisher's medal vs. beautiful new baby? Worse: Marathon, easily.
So, there you go - having a baby is way more painful than running a silly little marathon. Marcy's got two kids, so homegirl has nothing to worry about. And men, you can forgive us if we smile a bit indulgently when you talk about how much it hurt when you bonked.
On the Road Again
"On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again,
And I can't wait to get on the road again."
--Willie Nelson
Oh, bliss! After a week of marathon recovery, I am indeed on the road again. On Friday I did, as Steve put it, "a gentleman's three." That is, I ran three miles on a flat course at a very relaxed pace of 10:00 miles. It felt fantastic - the weather was perfect, it was great to be out running again, and I had absolutely no pains or twinges bothering me.
Therefore, on Sunday, I was able to officially roll out Cross Country Season. I ran two miles from Stately Wasser Manor, crossed a beautiful little bridge, and hit the trails on Sylvan Island. Sylvan Island is quiet little island in the Mississippi, with both easy to run trails and some that are a lot more rustic. I saw some people fishing, and one guy out walking his dog, and that was it... probably because about 10 minutes after I left the house, it started raining.
The rain just made the scenery all the more idyllic. When I was running under the canopy of trees, the rain barely touched me. But then, I'd burst out of the woods, be on the bank of the river, and the rain would be pouring. Awesome.
The other fun thing about cross country season is that I can be a bit more laid-back about my training. I don't feel like I have to hit certain distances. Yesterday, I was aiming to run around 8 miles and would up with 7.76. During marathon or trisko season, I'd have run up and down the street to make it to 8 miles, but yesterday, I just happily headed inside, satisfied I'd had a good time.
Ooh, and also?
I just splurged on thse:
Can't wait until they come in the mail!
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