"When I run, I make a 'Rrrrrrrrrrrrr' sound and it makes me run faster. Really."
William, age 7
Sunday
Monday
Boston
Running is a universal language. Like a smile or a hug, it transcends language barriers, cultural and educational backgrounds, and doesn't care on which "side of the tracks" you grew up. Being a runner has nothing to do with your pace, whether you run a 5K or a 50K, or if you run organized races or out on your own. Running breeds instant kinship between all other runners. A bond that makes strangers, friends, and friends, brothers. Which is why, when my running community is shaken as it was today, I am shaken with it.
Today was the Boston Marathon, one of the major marathons. Approximately 4 hours into the race, two bombs went off near the finish line, killing at least 3, including an 8-year old, and injuring more than a 100 others. Some witnesses reported runners who lost their legs. When the news broke, I was still at work. I watched some footage with my coworkers, my heart sinking and my eyes filling with tears. Senseless doesn't even begin to describe the event.
Tonight's 3 miler was a heavy hearted one. Despite the rain it was necessary to go out. To run out of solidarity. To run as a way of honoring my fellow runners. To run because that's what we do. There are events in life that we cannot control...some good, some bad. No matter what, we hold tight to the people we love, we help the people who need us, we fight for those that cannot fight for themselves...
We run.
Today was the Boston Marathon, one of the major marathons. Approximately 4 hours into the race, two bombs went off near the finish line, killing at least 3, including an 8-year old, and injuring more than a 100 others. Some witnesses reported runners who lost their legs. When the news broke, I was still at work. I watched some footage with my coworkers, my heart sinking and my eyes filling with tears. Senseless doesn't even begin to describe the event.
Tonight's 3 miler was a heavy hearted one. Despite the rain it was necessary to go out. To run out of solidarity. To run as a way of honoring my fellow runners. To run because that's what we do. There are events in life that we cannot control...some good, some bad. No matter what, we hold tight to the people we love, we help the people who need us, we fight for those that cannot fight for themselves...
We run.
Sunday
Impromptu Cross Training
Runner's World Tip:
If the idea of going on your regular four-miler just sinks you further into your recliner, remember that there are other ways to put in some miles - like a pickup game of soccer, flag football, or ultimate Frisbee. A soccer midfielder runs up to six miles in a regulation 90-minute game.After a week of rain and cold, today was absolutely gorgeous. It's my cross training day so I have a date with Leandro and his Sculpting workout tonight, but I could not resist taking my 7-year old to the park. He played on the playground for awhile before requesting we play football. Sure, why not. We played catch for a bit, then he said it was time for tackle football even though "I don't want to hurt you, Mommy." We had an intense match up full of harrowing plays, darting to avoid tackles, head bumps, tongue bites, tickles, grass stains, and lots of laughter. Even though I can run for over 2 hours I was sore, my back especially. Slowly tackling a first-grader is harder than it looks! Fortunately I was granted a reprieve...for about a nanosecond...then it was on to "Mommy! Go down the slide!" So I did. And I was the biggest kid going down the tube slide.
Calendar of Awesome Entry:
Getting grass stains
First of all, getting a grass stain means that you were running around at high speeds without proper equipment. Maybe you slid last minute to avoid a frozen tag or made an awkward, somersault dive at a line-drive Wiffle ball. Either way, the grass stain symbolizes your large, devil-may-care investment in having balls-out fun, and that’s something worth respecting.
See, boring people, like myself, rarely get grass stains running around because we’re always doing it in Umbros and shin guards from 7:30 to 8:25 p.m. on Mondays down at the indoor Sportpark.
Now, when you’re just running around full throttle in cords and a sweater until you trip on a rock and fall down a hill, well, that is something. Walk home with pants full of grass stains, some spicy knee burn, and mud-caked shoes, and you’ve just had yourself a great day.
Awesome!
 |
| Showing off our grass stains |
That sculpting workout tonight is going to hurt...
Thursday
Drive with your butt!
Best running advice I've received to date...
"Drive with your butt!"
What is the meaning behind this advice, you ask? I recently commented that my quads are tiring more quickly than usual during my runs, to which the above advice was given. Basically it's a reminder to engage all muscle groups when running. Don't just pull the body along using the quads, get the hamstrings and those gluts involved. Same goes for working that core and arms. Running is a full body sport. Use the full body. But I like the summary "Drive with your butt!" best, don't you? And you know what else? It worked!
"Drive with your butt!"
What is the meaning behind this advice, you ask? I recently commented that my quads are tiring more quickly than usual during my runs, to which the above advice was given. Basically it's a reminder to engage all muscle groups when running. Don't just pull the body along using the quads, get the hamstrings and those gluts involved. Same goes for working that core and arms. Running is a full body sport. Use the full body. But I like the summary "Drive with your butt!" best, don't you? And you know what else? It worked!
Ahhhh...a sigh of relief
My running funk of the past two days seems to have subsided thanks to the encouragement of my fellow runner. Still unsure of what was best...to run today or not to run today?...I opted for 3-4 miles. I figure I will take tomorrow off from running to be ready for a long Saturday run. As I was leaving I thought, "I'm going to assume this run will suck that way when it does it will have achieved expectations." With this super positive attitude I ventured out for my twilight run.
The first mile was okay. My left calf was tight. I tried not to think about it. "It just needs a mile to warm up," I told myself. I must be pretty convincing because sure enough, after about a mile, things started to fall into place. I eased my stride, focusing on short, smooth movements. I also chose a different route than what I've been running. The change of scenery definitely helped.
"You want to be present in your run, not still stuck at your desk in your mind. Choose a new route or find a scenic trail to help you get into the moment." - Runner's World Daily Calendar
I knew it was two miles to Melas park, there and back would be four. But once I got there it didn't seem right to not run the path around the park. Away I went, turning my 4 mile run into 6 miles, my legs finally enjoying the moment, my mind focusing on the darkened path ahead. There was the distance hum of traffic on road, the welcoming sounds of kids practicing soccer, the softball league playing their game on the fields, and the beat of my shoes on the path. Steady and strong, urging me forward. It was what I had been missing, I was hitting my stride. I reveled in the sounds of Spring. People were out and the park was alive despite the absence of sunlight. Soon the trees will bud and the world will wake from its winter slumber. I could almost hear the collective sigh of relief as I eased into my run.
The world is my gym and I am ready to play.
The first mile was okay. My left calf was tight. I tried not to think about it. "It just needs a mile to warm up," I told myself. I must be pretty convincing because sure enough, after about a mile, things started to fall into place. I eased my stride, focusing on short, smooth movements. I also chose a different route than what I've been running. The change of scenery definitely helped.
"You want to be present in your run, not still stuck at your desk in your mind. Choose a new route or find a scenic trail to help you get into the moment." - Runner's World Daily Calendar
I knew it was two miles to Melas park, there and back would be four. But once I got there it didn't seem right to not run the path around the park. Away I went, turning my 4 mile run into 6 miles, my legs finally enjoying the moment, my mind focusing on the darkened path ahead. There was the distance hum of traffic on road, the welcoming sounds of kids practicing soccer, the softball league playing their game on the fields, and the beat of my shoes on the path. Steady and strong, urging me forward. It was what I had been missing, I was hitting my stride. I reveled in the sounds of Spring. People were out and the park was alive despite the absence of sunlight. Soon the trees will bud and the world will wake from its winter slumber. I could almost hear the collective sigh of relief as I eased into my run.
The world is my gym and I am ready to play.
Wednesday
Stay inside for tornados
"If your mind is completely zapped, don't force a demanding workout. Instead, go out for an easy three miles and reschedule the long run."
- Runner's World Daily Calendar
I am officially putting in a request for a brain transplant. I would like an intelligent and sophisticated brain, please. One that could pass a "survival of the fittest" test. Because I am currently failing. Take this morning for instance. We had a tornado drill at work and I was ready to go outside. Clearly, outside is the safest place to go... during a tornado...
*sigh*
My running has suffered this week as well. Yesterday's 4 miler was slow and awful. My form was off, my legs felt like lead, and I felt clunky. But not every run can be a good run, right? Certainly today's run would be better, right? Right? Not so much. Today I felt like a running newbie, huffing along. I was crabby, no, pissed that I was struggling so much. I was hoping for a better run after yesterday's disappointment. However, after stress nightmares and oversleeping it just wasn't meant to be. Even today's run would not get me out of my funk.
What did get me out of my funk was running with a friend. It's easy to push the pace when I have someone to do the pushing for me. Granted it takes some patience to run with a crabby superhero. Awesome patience to listen to my ranting and whining while still assuring me that, while my behavior is ridiculous, it's okay. Encouraging me to tough out the run and that the next run would be fine. That it's okay to have a bad run. Naturally, the jokes, laughter, and a hug to make me feel better always helps.
Sometimes it's the run that lifts the spirits. More often, it's the chance to run with a friend.
- Runner's World Daily Calendar
I am officially putting in a request for a brain transplant. I would like an intelligent and sophisticated brain, please. One that could pass a "survival of the fittest" test. Because I am currently failing. Take this morning for instance. We had a tornado drill at work and I was ready to go outside. Clearly, outside is the safest place to go... during a tornado...
*sigh*
My running has suffered this week as well. Yesterday's 4 miler was slow and awful. My form was off, my legs felt like lead, and I felt clunky. But not every run can be a good run, right? Certainly today's run would be better, right? Right? Not so much. Today I felt like a running newbie, huffing along. I was crabby, no, pissed that I was struggling so much. I was hoping for a better run after yesterday's disappointment. However, after stress nightmares and oversleeping it just wasn't meant to be. Even today's run would not get me out of my funk.
What did get me out of my funk was running with a friend. It's easy to push the pace when I have someone to do the pushing for me. Granted it takes some patience to run with a crabby superhero. Awesome patience to listen to my ranting and whining while still assuring me that, while my behavior is ridiculous, it's okay. Encouraging me to tough out the run and that the next run would be fine. That it's okay to have a bad run. Naturally, the jokes, laughter, and a hug to make me feel better always helps.
Sometimes it's the run that lifts the spirits. More often, it's the chance to run with a friend.
Tuesday
Why I Run
My daughter said to me, "Mom, I was talking to my friend and I said I wanted to start training so I can run longer distances. Maybe not a marathon yet, I'll wait until I'm older, but I told her I want to train so that I can run like you do."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)