A few months back, I pondered the idea of being “just a 5k runner.” Last week, I shared that I signed up for a 10k, allowing over ten months to prepare. Well, that 10k is going to be my cooldown. We signed up for a half marathon! That was my one Black Friday sale purchase; we decided to sign up because they offered a code.
The race isn’t until May, allowing six months to prepare. While researching half-marathon training plans, it’s becoming clear that a runner can prepare for one in twelve to sixteen weeks. I can continue to do my short (for others) runs during the weeks and aim to increase my distance by 1-1.5 miles weekly during a long run on the weekend. Even if I miss a little bit of training due to New England winters and have to backtrack when the weather gets warmer, I will have plenty of time to be ready. My running friends and I have committed to running together on the weekends.
Why am I doing this?
To prove to myself that I can set a goal and reach it
To finally conquer my self-doubt when it comes to running
Hopefully, to lose some of the ten pounds that have crept up in the last two years
To be vulnerable and supportive and work towards a goal with some amazing people
So I can put a cool 13.1 sticker on my Subaru (only kinda kidding)
Now comes the hard part, besides the training itself. I need to tell people I’m doing it. It took a long time to tell people I was running. I still preface any running talk by saying, “I’m not fast, but I’m doing it.” Just as I was initially nervous to reveal to people that I was running, I am nervous to tell people I am training for a half-marathon. I’ve never run for than four and a half miles in a row. I’m not fast. But I am running. And I am running towards a goal.
Most of my runs stay in the three-mile range. I know I could run farther, three-miles fits my schedule and ability. In group runs, we often talk about completing longer races. Many complete 10K and 10 milers regularly. It seemed like a distant dream for me. Then I remembered that running three miles used to seem impossible.
Registration for the Ocean Road 10K opened today. A lot of the Rhode Runner group participates. I know there will be a lot of support and friendly faces there. The race isn’t until September 2018, allowing a lot of time to prepare. Being a worrywart, I looked up last year’s results. There few almost 1400 runners; at my current expected pace, I should be faster than 200 of them. I have over ten months to get stronger and faster!
Yesterday was my first run in the suddenly cooler weather. Wow, it was terrible! I just thought that wearing longer pants and sleeves would be enough. My lungs burned! That was an expected surprise! After doing some reading online, I learned that keeping my neck warm should help; Target sells fleece scarves that will do the trick. Running in the cooler weather required changing up a few things. I was not expecting my nose to start running fast than the rest of my body and my arms to get so cold. After maintaining paces in the low 12’s, I was back in the low 13’s. To face this new awkwardness, I signed up for a Thanksgiving morning race in Maine. I’ll miss running with my friends at the local race; I’ll still be able to get in a race and enjoy an extra treat that evening!
Just like all of the challenges life throws at us daily, running in the cold will be a fun new one! It will take some adjustments, but I will get where I need to be!
In seventh-grade, I decided to be an English teacher when I grew up because I thought there would be nothing better than spending my days reading and writing. Never in those thoughts did I think about having summers off with Liam. However, almost thirty years later, I get to earn a living doing something I love and enjoy two months off with Liam. I often explain that I have the best of both worlds.
I feel the same way about running. I have a supportive fun group of people to join on runs but also get the pleasure of going out solo. Once a week, I am able to run the Boulevard before picking Liam up at school.
I love both of these runs for different reasons. When I am with friends, the time flies by! We pick up right where we left off, talking and laughing. I wondered how we were able to connect quickly. A line from Big Little Lies sums up what I am trying to put into words:
“It was interesting how you could say things when you were walking that you might not otherwise have said with the pressure of eye contact across a table.”
I love when a group run can push you to go a little faster than you normally would. I also love when you can pass the time chatting and forget that you are engaging in a challenging physical activity.
My solo runs also hold a special place in my heart. I can zone out and focus on the world around me. I can listen to my embarrassingly pop-filled “Run Run Run” playlist on Spotify. My pace is mine alone. Even though I can go as far as I’d like, my distance tends to be two miles around the neighborhood and exactly 3.1 miles when on the Boulevard. I can focus on my breathing and my form. (My form is causing underpronation. I’m learning about it and trying to correct it myself.) When I started running the Boulevard solo, I noticed a lot of things that had gone previously unnoticed while chatting.
When I first began running on my own, I thought the time would drag. While it doesn’t go by as quickly as it does when I am with a friend, I love having the time with my mind to challenge myself to get better at something that previously seemed impossible.
While BRG was an amazing, life-changing experience, it was a commitment that required the support of my family. For those fourteen weeks, Mike, Liam, and I were on auto-pilot. On Mondays, Mike relieved me at Liam’s ninja skills class so I could make it to Providence for 6:00. Thursdays were a little less challenging, but we just exchanged a kiss as he walked in the house and I rushed out the door. I was also doing my usual Tuesday yoga class and taking a course at Bryant. It was a busy spring! When people ask how I have time to work out, I give Mike a lot of credit for being fine with his wife being out of the house a few nights a week. Being a fantastic team, we made it work.
Since finishing BRG, most of my runs have been solo. I was heading to Rhode Runner for their Wednesday evening runs but fell out of the habit. (Mental note: get your butt back to Rhode Runner on Wednesdays.) Each Sunday, I look at the weather forecast and map out the afternoons best for running. The night before, I pack my running clothes in what has become my running bag and place it next to my school bag. After school, I change my clothes and head for the Boulevard. I am able to beat the worst of downtown traffic, pick Liam up from school, and still make it home before Mike. These runs are peaceful but sometimes lonely.
After a few months of mostly solo runs, I’ve been fortunate to participate in two races in two weeks. I forgot how encouraging it was to run with a group! I enjoyed chatting with others and the energy of races. I loved running with a thousand other people. Because I wore my Rhode Runner shirt, others in the community cheered for me as we passed. Being part of the group is such a supportive motivator!
This weekend’s Monster Dash was a lot of fun! The course was set in beautiful downtown Providence. People were very much in the Halloween spirit and dressed up. It’s amazing to think that people run in elaborate costumes and face makeup, but they manage to make it look easy. The highlight of the course is getting to run through the tunnel usually only used by city buses. It was a dark and spooky with people dressed as zombies trying to scare you.
Because I wasn’t feeling great that morning, my hopes weren’t high that I would even beat my last 5K time. Maybe it was the clean, rainy weather, but I managed to PR! I’ve shaved five and a half minutes off of my 5K time since April!
Liam and I signed up for many races this fall. While they’re not overly expensive, the cost adds up. After Monster Dash, I decided not to sign up for any races until next spring. After going a few months without running with a group, I forgot how important it is to give and receive support. My BRG companions, who only a few months ago could not run for four minutes without feeling like their lungs and legs would give out, are getting stronger and faster. Although I am happy that I am continuing to run and make progress during solo runs, it is nice to have a supportive group to cheer you on at a race!
The Newport Bridge Run always intrigued me. It looked like such a unique experience, even though it began at sunrise and required shuttles to get to the starting line. Every year, I would see updates about the race and social media posts from friends who completed it or went in support of another runner. While I longed to be part of it, I never really thought it would be something I’d achieve. At a Blackstone Boulevard 5k over the summer, we decided to sign up for the Bridge Run. While it seemed like a great idea at the time, each time I drove over the bridge after signing up, I questioned that decision.
Of all the races I’ve run, this is the one that made me the most nervous. I could barely get myself to sleep the night before. That morning, I could not bring myself to eat, forcing down a breakfast bar on the drive to Newport. Being a self-proclaimed “precrastonator,” I planned to get there twenty minutes early. When I arrived, the parking situation was a nightmare. After wasting ten minutes roaming a full parking lot, I managed to find a spot up the street. Now, I was worried because I was late.
I managed to sit next to the most delightful lady on the bus ride over the bridge. She was a kind British lady who lived in Newport and walked this race several times. “My friends and I walk it. They give you an hour on the bridge. If we need an escort off, then that’s what we do.” We made small talk. Usually, I am not a chit-chat with strangers on transportation kind of person. On this occasion, it calmed my nerves.
3,000 other runners were waiting for the race to begin. As soon as I met up with my BRG friends, I knew I would be okay. As the sun rose over the ocean, I felt better an better about this experience. We made our way to the twelve-minute mile group, doubtful that we would stay at that pace up the steep incline of the bridge.
The race was definitely one of the high points on my running journey! (Yes, that pun was intended!) The energy of the crowd was supportive. The smiles from volunteers and support personnel helped me through. I loved some of the quirky smiles from bridge workers, seeming amazed that we would get to Newport at 6am with the intention of running over this tall, long bridge.
While running, I chatted with one of my favorite BRGers, Meghan. We instantly clicked and spent most sessions chatting. During BRG training, we ran twice a week, filling the time with silly stories and laughter. My friendship with Meghan is one of my favorite rewards of joining BRG. Early on in training, we made a few running goals:
To look like we are enjoying ourselves while running
become BRG pacers and pay it forward (Our pacers got us through some tough nights.)
Run a 10K
Run a half-marathon
We reflected on our goals while running the bridge, making a point to smile whenever we saw photographers. We easily laughed our way through this run.
Proof that we can smile while running!
One of my favorite takeaways of BRG is the friendships. In fourteen weeks, we transformed from a group of strangers with individual goals, to friends who cared about each other, pushing and supporting through goals. We managed to stay in touch through running. It’s great to be able to pick up right where we left off. Since we chat through our runs, we got to know each other fairly well. I’m thankful to have a running buddy to share progress and vulnerabilities. We remind each other how far we’ve come and that we can achieve whatever goals we set for ourselves. Now that we’ve successfully completed a four-mile race, I know we can work our way up to a 10K and a half-marathon!
For the past few weeks, I have been trying to run four miles, a seemingly easy goal that has somehow eluded me. Each run would end just after three miles for various reasons: exhaustion, blisters, chubb rub. A new run would begin, full of promise and hope, only to have to stop before reaching the goal.
Yesterday was the last chance I will have to run before Sunday’s Newport Bridge Run. Being a four-mile run, I wanted to know I could run that distance before race day. I was determined to do this!
I’ve been using a Fitbit for over four years. It keeps me honest. When I began running, I loved seeing my distances, intervals, and paces. Being naturally competitive, the features fueled my desire to improve. During these last few runs, my focus on my Fitbit interfered with my progress. Two weeks ago, I forgot to pause it to take pictures of a butterfly on a flower. The inaccurate time messed with my mojo for the rest of the run. Yesterday, I didn’t hit pause hard enough when I stopped to tie my shoe. Thanks to the new IOS update, my phone is eating battery. When I realized I used 30% of my battery during my first mile, I manually closed a bunch of apps to save battery, accidentally closing out Fitbit and ending my run. I stopped, reloaded the app, and started another workout, wishing I made a mental note of the time and distance before opening another workout. All the while, I contemplated whether the Fitbit helps or harms my mojo and workouts.
This made me wonder how much technology not only helps but harms our workouts. Yes, Fitbit helps me in many ways. I track workouts, steps, heart rate, and sleep. But I sometimes rely on it too much during my runs. If I am slower than usual, I get discouraged. When I am faster, I push a little harder. I enjoy seeing progress as I get stronger and faster.
Yesterday, not only did I run 4.6 miles total, I ran my fastest 5K! While I’m sometimes torn about how much to rely on technology during a run, I am pleased that I can use the results to track progress and get new goals! I’m trying not to look at it so much while running and focusing on how I feel rather than how fast I should be going. It’s times like these when I need to remember how far I’ve come and have faith that I will reach future goals rather than beating myself up if I go a few weeks without making progress.
Last month, I completed BoldRDash, an obstacle course race. Having wanted to complete one for some time, it was a nervewracking, yet exciting event. While people who enter Beast and other extreme races didn’t consider BoldRDash a big deal, it was to me. This race brought with it a variety of emotions, both high and low.
The first low came at the very beginning. The owner of the gym where I work out said that he would stay behind with whoever needed support. That person turned out to be me. While I knew I wasn’t the strongest, I didn’t expect to be bringing up the rear. I was able to complete all but one obstacle, climbing a rope; I just don’t have that upper body strength yet. We wound up staying together as a team. There were times I waited for people and there were times they waited for me. I was really proud that I had set a goal, trained for it, and achieved it.
I walked on air for the following days. One of the oddly fascinating moments came in the following days as various bruises showed up all over my body. My stomach was covered in deep bruises, most likely from an obstacle called “Over, Under, and Through.” Participants carried a buoy over, under, and through platforms over various heights. I was tired by the end and just hurled myself over them rather than trying to climb them. I was sore in places that usually aren’t sore.
This leads to my love affair with DOMS and soreness in general. I’ve been doing muscle workouts for years and consider myself at least slightly stronger than average. When I workout with weights, I love the soreness that follows a day or two later. It reminds me that I have achieved something that I previously couldn’t do. While my quads may not love running two days after deadlifting 195 pounds, I remind myself that soreness equals change.
Thursday’s run began with the best of intentions. I walked a bit further to the very start of the Boulevard to try to make it past my three-mile hurdle. My phone was fully charged. I remembered to pack a smoothie so my sugar wouldn’t drop mid-workout. I was three days out from my last weightlifting session so my muscles weren’t sore. I was ready!
And that’s when the best-laid plans fell apart. I almost immediately regretted my decision to not bring my sunglasses. I forgot my water in the car. My new headphones vibrated, making a bumping sound in my ear at every step. (I tried new ones because my iPhone earbuds fall out when I sweat.)
There were many excuses I could’ve used to quit. In spite of them, I kept going. At the turnaround, there was a beautiful butterfly sitting on a flower. Since summer is dwindling, it seemed important to stop for a picture. I paused my workout on the Fitbit app and began taking pictures. A bumble showed up and perched itself on another pedal. Obviously, this required more pictures! All I could think of was the “Bunny and Kitten” song from Kimmy Schmidt. This is unapologetically cheesy, but it made me happy. It was only when I finished snapping pictures that I realized my Fitbit hadn’t paused, factoring forty-five seconds of idleness into my pace. I know it shouldn’t matter, but since I’ve been trying to build my pace, it was a big ole’ kick in the pants.
In spite of my phone thinking I’m running slow, I decided to continue my pace and finish. This is when the blister began. I received a free pair of expensive running socks when I finished BRG. They were not supposed to go into the dryer. I dug them out of the washer for a while, letting them dry on the shelf. After accidentally going through the dryer a few times and being “fine,” I started putting them there on purpose. It caught up with my feet. I made it just over the three-mile mark. As soon as I took off my sneaker and saw the red marks trying to form a blister, I was thankful I trusted my gut and stopped. All of the little signs I decided to work through led to a clear warning to stop running.
That brings us to today. This past weekend was rainy and windy, thanks to the remnants of Hurricane Nate. During the one nicer morning, Liam and I completed the Color Run, which for us was pretty much the Color Walk. We did it and I love that he and I have something we enjoy doing together. Sunday and Monday brought hard rain and strong winds, creating less than desirable running conditions. We managed to get out for a quick walk yesterday morning, wearing our water shoes and raincoats.
Today is supposed to be warm, almost hot with temperatures in the upper 80’s. Liam will stay at the afterschool program so I can complete my four-mile run. After I pick him up, I promised a bike ride to our favorite little beach up the street from our house. I’m thankful that my schedule allows me to create time for my workouts. I’m thankful for the bits of Indian Summer gifted to New Englanders in the fall. I’m thankful that I’ve learned that it is okay to have a less than perfect run; the important think is running and making progress.
In less than one month, I will turn forty-one. For my fortieth, Mike asked what I wanted to do. I’d always said I wanted to visit the West Coast and put my feet in the Pacific Ocean. Summit training provided me that opportunity twice. Being realistic, I decided on a party in the backyard. It wasn’t fancy. It was simply a night with all of my favorite people together. Mike borrowed a bouncy house “for the kids” from a coworker. We barbequed and ate great food, talked, and laughed. I was a little nervous that people would bring up politics as it was a few days before the election; people stuck to safer topics. I loved seeing friends from different parts of my life come together and get to know each other. We sat around the fire belting out old school rap. It was perfect!
Turning forty is a milestone to be celebrated. However, turning forty-one simply means that you are in your forties. Why does this feel different? I remember being seven, the same age as my son. I also remember when my mom was forty-one. My thirties brought quite a few changes and milestones:
Buying a house
Getting married
Becoming a mother
Losing my mother
An older friend recently told me that her forties were her favorite decade. Her forties brought her confidence and health. I’m trying to decide how I feel about being in my forties. I, too, think this might be my decade. I weigh more than I have in awhile. While I wish I could lose ten pounds, I am proud of what my body can do. I’m strong and getting stronger. I can run (slowly). I’m able to perform yoga poses that previously eluded me. I am also thankful that I have the time and support to work towards bettering myself. If my thirties were spent trying to figure out who my friends are, my forties provides strong friendships. I’m blessed with my yoga crew, a strong core of mom friends, and spectacular coworkers. Mike and I have a great marriage. We have this amazing son who teaches and inspires us every day. I am really happy with where I am right now.
In college, I remember writing a list of all the things I hoped to accomplish in my adult life. When I stumbled upon it years later, I was happy to realize I had accomplished a few. I found myself back to being an active member of a church. I can appreciate Shakespeare, even asking the Reverend to read Sonnet 116 during our wedding. My toes have touched the Pacific Ocean.
Fanfare and celebration accompany of life’s biggest milestones; turning forty was no exception. In the next few weeks, I will officially become in my forties. I can honestly say that I am looking forward to this portion of my life. Life is pretty good when the only thing I can think that I really want is a cup warmer for school because I am constantly getting caught up in things and letting my tea get cold. I love this simplicity. I am hopeful that my forties will be the start of my favorite decades.
One of the reasons I’ve strayed from running in the past involves the lack of desire to accomplish new feats. The first time I ran a ten-minute mile, I had no desire to go for a nine-minute mile. As I get more confident in my running, I’ve been asked if I’ve considered upping my distance and signing up for a ten miler or half marathon. I’ve thought about me, maybe if just so I can put a cool “13.1” sticker on the back of my Subaru. Truth be told, I have more desire to have the bragging rights about running a half than I do about the actual act of running one.
October brings three races for me. The first is the Color Run. Liam and I did it the first year it came to Providence. Four years later, he still asks to do another one. I refused to spend the full $44.99 each for us to participate. (Seriously, I could take him to Edaville for the day and only spend $54.) When the Color Run offered $19.99 tickets, I signed us up. I remember talking to my friend after completing it for the first time; we made a goal that we would train and be able to run it the following year. We made the goal for the sake of making it, knowing full-well that we would not train for this. Even though Liam and I will walk most of it, I am proud to know that I could run it. I love seeing progress. Also, Mike and Liam have so many common interests (Legos, airplanes, etc).
My next race it the Jamestown Bridge Run. This is a four-mile race. I keep saying that I am going to get around to running four miles before the race, but I always stop just after three. Since it is three weeks away, I need to get on this. Since it’s a bridge, the beginning of the race involves running uphill. I’ve been told that there are so many people participating that it is difficult to run around the walkers. I am okay with this. I’ve always been intrigued by this race and am beyond thankful that a few friends and I are doing this one. Since signing up for the race, I’ve driven over the bridge a few times, wondering what possessed me to think this was a good idea. I know I will complete the race, but I’m not sure this one become one I do each year.
The Monster Dash is the following weekend. I’m really looking forward to this one. A lot of the BRG folks attend. I’m still deciding whether or not to wear a costume. I have my Pickachu costume that I wore for this year’s plunge . I could easily run in this one. Because I am not a fast runner, I wonder how much attention I want to put on myself.
I was not planning to run three races next month. I’m glad my schedule and budget allowed it. For now, I am perfectly happy being a 5K runner. I am proud that my training allows me to complete the race non-stop. I’m proud that I was able to complete my first race within my forty minute goal. I’m working on completing them faster and wondering if the upcoming cooler weather will help in these goals. I still challenge myself by trying to run fast and playing with intervals. My runs fit into my schedule and leave me feeling accomplished. The future may bring a desire for longer distances. For now, this will be enough.
World's Okayest Runner 