First I would just like to comment on something. I'm all about the freebies. I never pass up on a chance for something free ( just look at my collection of waterbottles ). But I'm also skeptical about it too. Nothing worst than when something is free and there is shipping and handling so your actually paying more than the worth of the freebie. So when I saw an ad for a free pair of Powersox I was waiting for the catch. Guess what -no catch! And I got my socks and they a great socks. So next time you see the ad -go get them. Actually I'm thinking about buying some now.
Also I hope everybody had a great holiday weekend. One of my favorite things to do now on Thanksgiving is a Gobble Jog. What a way to kick off the holiday by burning off some calories. Another thing for me now is to find socks for my holiday runs. For a half I did on Halloween I found some Halloween socks. For a daylight saving run ( I know its not a holiday but it was at 2 in the morning) I had glow in the dark socks. So for turkey day why not break out some turkey socks? Well that was easier said than done. I know I was behind the curve waiting the day before but I held onto hope anyway. Well I didn't find my turkey ones but I was able to set myself for Jingle Jogs. Nothing like cranking out a race in Santa cocks.
If your not into holiday themes why not just some crazy socks. My favorite pair are my rubber ducky ones. I don' t know about running a marathon in crazy dress socks but I do know you can do fun runs in them. Why not?
More to come.....
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
John
Today while I was running I once again saw this guy.He is in his 50s with Einstein hair and big full mustache. I see him all the time running with somebody and if I'm there long enough I see him again with somebody else. This guy is great-this guy reminds me of John.
I met John 30 years ago. I was trying to run a lot during my that summer break so I was out almost every morning trying my best to improve. John was also out almost every morning but for different reasons. John was in his late thirties and loved to run.So seeing each other on the roads we were bound to end up running together. The great thing about John is that he would run whatever you wanted to run. He just wanted to run! Five miles at a 7min pace-he was there. Hill workout, right there with you. He was happy to meet you anywhere (most of the time he would run there). John was a pure runner. Never even wore a watch. Never did a race because it just wasn't his thing. It wasn't that he couldn't keep up. Hell I never saw him drop back!
The cool thing also was the talks. He would talk about anything. We would go out on these long runs (of unknown distance because he never measured them). And he would tell me about all the places he ran. He worked for an airline and he would take these trips to different cities and just run. What a great way to see a new place!
Come to find out John just wasn't just a great guy to run with but he was also a great guy all around. He was heavily involved in his church. He lived in a small house with a big flat backyard that was mostly a vegetable garden. What he didn't eat (he was really big into growing what he ate) he gave away to the older members and anybody who needed help in his church.
John I hope your still running and enjoying the wonders of the world.
More to come.....
I met John 30 years ago. I was trying to run a lot during my that summer break so I was out almost every morning trying my best to improve. John was also out almost every morning but for different reasons. John was in his late thirties and loved to run.So seeing each other on the roads we were bound to end up running together. The great thing about John is that he would run whatever you wanted to run. He just wanted to run! Five miles at a 7min pace-he was there. Hill workout, right there with you. He was happy to meet you anywhere (most of the time he would run there). John was a pure runner. Never even wore a watch. Never did a race because it just wasn't his thing. It wasn't that he couldn't keep up. Hell I never saw him drop back!
The cool thing also was the talks. He would talk about anything. We would go out on these long runs (of unknown distance because he never measured them). And he would tell me about all the places he ran. He worked for an airline and he would take these trips to different cities and just run. What a great way to see a new place!
Come to find out John just wasn't just a great guy to run with but he was also a great guy all around. He was heavily involved in his church. He lived in a small house with a big flat backyard that was mostly a vegetable garden. What he didn't eat (he was really big into growing what he ate) he gave away to the older members and anybody who needed help in his church.
John I hope your still running and enjoying the wonders of the world.
More to come.....
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Yes you are a runner!
I had a great run yesterday. Two if you count the fact that I broke it into two parts. The first was a 5k. I felt so good that I decided to just "take off" and go go go. Ran the best 5k than I have ran in a long long time-22:14. The second run was just a bit slower around 8:30 and was 2 miles. But these runs are not while I'm here.
While I was sitting there, taking a sip of water and putting on my music I was people watching. I watched some ladies run in and over to their cars. Just behind them was another woman. She was a bit heavier, wearing a t-shirt and old sweat pants and was running at a much slower pace. I watch as the other two give her the look. I know that look, she saw them looking at her, and I cleared my throat to let them know I saw them looking at her. What is that look? That " What are you doing here look?".
You don't need a sticker on the back of car.You don't have to have the shirt on from your last race. You don't need a fancy watch that gives your exact mileage, pace, bla, bla, bla. You don't need tempo runs, hill workouts, and a pair of shoes for each of those workouts.
Don't get me wrong I will stack up stuff against anybody and I have all of it . The difference is that I'm happy to see anybody out running. When ever I pass someone in my car I see running I say " God bless you! Keep on running!"
I was that woman four years ago. I was carrying around 40 more pounds than I am now and could only run less than a mile at a time. I don't know how long she had been running but I thought doing good.
When she walked by me I said " See you tomorrow!" And when I see her again I will be happy to cheer her on because- Yes she is a runner! Keep on running.
More to come....
While I was sitting there, taking a sip of water and putting on my music I was people watching. I watched some ladies run in and over to their cars. Just behind them was another woman. She was a bit heavier, wearing a t-shirt and old sweat pants and was running at a much slower pace. I watch as the other two give her the look. I know that look, she saw them looking at her, and I cleared my throat to let them know I saw them looking at her. What is that look? That " What are you doing here look?".
You don't need a sticker on the back of car.You don't have to have the shirt on from your last race. You don't need a fancy watch that gives your exact mileage, pace, bla, bla, bla. You don't need tempo runs, hill workouts, and a pair of shoes for each of those workouts.
Don't get me wrong I will stack up stuff against anybody and I have all of it . The difference is that I'm happy to see anybody out running. When ever I pass someone in my car I see running I say " God bless you! Keep on running!"
I was that woman four years ago. I was carrying around 40 more pounds than I am now and could only run less than a mile at a time. I don't know how long she had been running but I thought doing good.
When she walked by me I said " See you tomorrow!" And when I see her again I will be happy to cheer her on because- Yes she is a runner! Keep on running.
More to come....
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Sometimes its not all about you.
I love fun runs. I hope I do since I did three last weekend (morning, night, next afternoon). Especially the small ones-the ones with only a hundred people or so.
The first one I did was one of those small ones. I stood in the back to let all the sprinters take there shot at the first mile. Then I found someone to keep me at a nice pace until mile 2 when I could start to kick. So at mile 2 I picked it up and as I went by I thanked him as was on my way. I can usually do this kick at a 7:30 pace and when I do I pass a few people along the way. I have one rule though- I don't pass kids. I can't do it and I don't want to. So with that in mind of course just after I pass the gentleman I was hanging on to for the first two miles who do I run up on-a young boy. He was maybe 12 at the most and he was starting to fade. So I run up beside him, pull out my headphone and say hi. He said hi back and I asked him " you ready to take this home?". He smiled and we picked up the pace. Then with the finish line in sight " ok you ready to kick?". With that he pulled whatever he left in the tank and showed all of us what a great kick he had. It was great! When we finished I thanked for a great race and offered some water. Seeing a kid accomplish something is one of the greatest things in the world.
More to come....
The first one I did was one of those small ones. I stood in the back to let all the sprinters take there shot at the first mile. Then I found someone to keep me at a nice pace until mile 2 when I could start to kick. So at mile 2 I picked it up and as I went by I thanked him as was on my way. I can usually do this kick at a 7:30 pace and when I do I pass a few people along the way. I have one rule though- I don't pass kids. I can't do it and I don't want to. So with that in mind of course just after I pass the gentleman I was hanging on to for the first two miles who do I run up on-a young boy. He was maybe 12 at the most and he was starting to fade. So I run up beside him, pull out my headphone and say hi. He said hi back and I asked him " you ready to take this home?". He smiled and we picked up the pace. Then with the finish line in sight " ok you ready to kick?". With that he pulled whatever he left in the tank and showed all of us what a great kick he had. It was great! When we finished I thanked for a great race and offered some water. Seeing a kid accomplish something is one of the greatest things in the world.
More to come....
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Rain part 2
It rained again yesterday. But this time instead of sitting here wallowing in my head I took to the streets. What a feeling! Something about it makes me feel alive. Don't get me wrong I like good clear days too. But something about the rain, the cold...... It just makes it fun to me. I remember last winter I would be out there in freezing weather busting out ten and the only other person I would see is who I like to call the Viking Lady. I called her that because she is tough with a capital T. And the fact I would pound my chest with a Viking salute every time I saw her on the road.
No matter what the conditions-make it count.
More to come....
No matter what the conditions-make it count.
More to come....
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Every run is a great run
I'm always striving for a peaceful life. "Conflict is suffering" and who wants to suffer-inside or out. This is how I like to view running. Enjoy the ride! Time,weather, physical and mental conditioning are not things to fight. Take them in and adjust.
I came to this thought a few years ago. In all places- the middle of a marathon. I had been running for a year and this was my first marathon.( I ran years ago but don't count it since I took so long off) I had a lot of things going on and was not training like I should for a marathon. Actually my long run was a 10 miler the week before. I figured I would jog through it with no problem. Boy was I wrong. Sure it was nice for the first few miles until my body decided to throw some fun into the day-runner's trots. Fun, fun, fun till our daddy takes the t-bird away! So that is when I joined the small elite category only known to a few- a race within the race- the porta john group. Racing one mile at a time to our next pit stop. I was having a great duel with a woman from Memphis (who I think was a pro). Through all this I learn to be in the moment. It was like the whole world opened up to me and become one of the best days of my life! When someone would ask me how I did I respond " less than a day!". Marriage, kids born, marathon all rank up there as best days ever. Now to me every run is a great run. Fast, slow, long, short, heat, rain.....just enjoy the ride.
More to come....
I came to this thought a few years ago. In all places- the middle of a marathon. I had been running for a year and this was my first marathon.( I ran years ago but don't count it since I took so long off) I had a lot of things going on and was not training like I should for a marathon. Actually my long run was a 10 miler the week before. I figured I would jog through it with no problem. Boy was I wrong. Sure it was nice for the first few miles until my body decided to throw some fun into the day-runner's trots. Fun, fun, fun till our daddy takes the t-bird away! So that is when I joined the small elite category only known to a few- a race within the race- the porta john group. Racing one mile at a time to our next pit stop. I was having a great duel with a woman from Memphis (who I think was a pro). Through all this I learn to be in the moment. It was like the whole world opened up to me and become one of the best days of my life! When someone would ask me how I did I respond " less than a day!". Marriage, kids born, marathon all rank up there as best days ever. Now to me every run is a great run. Fast, slow, long, short, heat, rain.....just enjoy the ride.
More to come....
Now What!
So what do I do now? Why me? What did I do? Questions that raced through my head on a loop. After time I think the comments would wear anybody down. I'm the first to admit I'm not perfect but I am who I am and I'm a good person. My love has always been unconditional. How does the saying go? " The world is not what it is but how we see it." I believe it's true. I believe how we think of people is how we treat them. Ever been around someone who always thinks your wrong? Don't know what your talking about or can't understand?
Well enough of that. We are working on our problems. I've started back running. Now let's just see what it takes to get my life and sanity back.
More to come....
Well enough of that. We are working on our problems. I've started back running. Now let's just see what it takes to get my life and sanity back.
More to come....
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