Musings on Running

It is a funny thing.  When I am running, I can actually come up with some really wonderful stuff to reflect on but when I get back home, the excitement of committing any of it to “paper” is gone.

I think this will be the year that I actually keep this blog going.

Last year I ran a disastrous Hood to Coast (heat exhaustion) and then recently entered the lottery for the New York City marathon.  I’m running in the Yellowstone half marathon in June which was  a total mistake.  I have absolute brain fade and mixed it up for a Yosemite half marathon.

Trail running is now high on my priority list.  I did book the hotel for the half for my good friend and I so that is taken care of.

But in each of these new races, I have a new outlook on running.  I am going to run them to have fun, I will not be racing them anymore.  Pushing myself to hit certain times or even place can squeeze the fun out of any run for me.  When just running for fun, I am definitely slower but so much more enjoyable and I don’t have to really prove anything to anyone.

Thoughts on running for the New Year?

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Friends

What we would be without our friends, our partners in crime, our soul sisters, our solemates, our running buddies and our lifelong squeezeamundos?

We pull each other into adventures, missteps and journeys we will never forget.

This year, my very best friend ran the Tinkerbell Half Marathon and Pixie Dust challenge.  I  joined her for the second run, the Tinkerbell half marathon.  I would have never thought to run such a race if it hadn’t been for her.  Friends always challenge us in good ways and I will always cherish them for that.

 

Before my friend became a runner, she was always my cheerleader and my advocate.  I’m so pleased now that we both share the love of running.

Next week I head off to my fourth Hood to Coast relay and I wish my friend was joining me but I am lucky to count friends I will be running again with.

 

 

So off to another adventure and a future blog about the Hood to Coast 2016. Like I say every year, this will be my last one, but I’m sure that this will be my last one.  17 miles, no sleep, crammed in a van, having to use porta potties, and I simply get cranky.  And this year after turning 55, I think that this is one for the archives.#HoodtoCoast

 

Why do we run…?

I have just finished reading In the dark, dark wood by Ruth Ware.  Her protagonist , Nora, is a runner.  Nora talks about why she runs – to hammer out problems, to escape the claustrophobic feelings four walls can bring and to make problems fade into the background.

I know that I feel better after running.  Problems disappear with the sound of my feet hitting the ground.

But more importantly, I run because I can.  I can run 12 miles without a thought.  I can sprint a 5K at a 7:30 pace (okay, I will flop over afterwards).  But after never being an athletic child or adult, I am now.

I am amazed at what my body can do.

Again, I run because I can.

How about you?

 

 

 

 

So I ran a marathon…

Oh yeah, look at that big smile.  Is that a smile of happiness, satisfaction and accomplishment?

Nope, it was a smile that I was done.

 

Portland Marathon 2015

It had been a long 4 hours 23 minutes of looking down in paranoid fits to see if my timing strip had fallen off my shoes.

It had been a long 2 hours and 23 minutes of trying to keep my left leg straight because my IT band syndrome had decided to up its game.

It had been 4 hours since I realized one of my super powers was that I could identify empty porta potties from 50 yards away.

It had been 4 hours since I realized I had to drink electrolyte water or I was going to hit the wall (and hence the discovery of above super power).

It had been 30 minutes since I saw a running mentor and told him my knee was now completely blown and I had to walk down  hills.

It was 30 minutes since I realized I wasn’t going to Boston qualify.

It had been 4 hours and 23 minutes since I had thanked my lucky stars that it was going to be a unseasonably warm day and not a typical fall Portland day.

It was 4 hours since I laughed at the silly pirate themed entertainment cheering us along.

It had been 3 hours and 30 minutes since I waved at friends who were cheering me on.

It had been 15 minutes since I crossed the finish lines with the encouragement of the fans.

It had been mere minutes since my husband told me I was amazing.

After 4 hours and 23 minutes of second guessing myself and months of training, I crossed the finish line.

I.Did.It.

And I would do it all again.