3.11 Miles of Smiles

My on-again off-again relationship with running experienced an off-again period this year.  In January I ran my second marathon and my first (and probably last) Goofy challenge.  The back-to-back races didn’t bother me, the wonky sleep schedule did.  It was strong and steady after that as I prepared for the Glass Slipper challenge, which I highly enjoyed.  However, March and April featured spurts of running that just petered out in May.  Then, it got hot.  I mean really really hot.  Since I already work outside, nothing seemed worth an extra 30 to 60 minutes in heat indexes of 105 degrees.  With no easy access to a treadmill, I switched to the exercise bike and my indoor Total Gym.

I knew that I wasn’t feeling like I normally did, and when I stepped on the scale I found out why.  I was missing the physical, mental and emotional rewards of running.  So, I signed up for my third marathon and next year’s Glass Slipper Challenge, and today I put on those shoes and went out the door.

I needed today’s run.  I need all 3.11 uncomfortable and tough miles.  I needed to get my mental callouses back and remember all those important gifts running has given to me.

I learned a lot on this on-again run.  I learned I still hate the first mile.  I learned that despite the fact that it was a relatively cool day, I still sweat A LOT.  I learned that the inner Bad Ass never left.  But the most important thing I learned was that it’s not about how many times you stop, but how many times you start.

Dear Friend and Newbie (The Starting Line)

Dear Friend and Newbie,

I see that you’ve reached that point in your running journey.  You and running are starting to see each other who you truly are, blisters and all.  It was always a challenge, but now it seems just plain hard.  I see you struggling and wondering if it’s all worth it.  You’re wondering if you’re the only one who has gone through this, and I am here to tell you, you’re not.

I saw you start with a “Gung-Ho” attitude and a smile on your face.  You bought the shoes, downloaded the app, got an armband for your phone, and headed out the door ready to cover the miles.  Then you got the blisters, the sore legs, and the “I-Don’t-Want-Tos”.    It didn’t help that your runner friends began to talk about losing toe-nails, bleeding nipples, and pooping their pants in public races.  Perhaps you thought, how is this fun, or pretty?  Take heart my friend, I seriously doubt all of this will happen to you.  As you settle into a routine, some of the starting aches and pains will go away, but you will find your own bumps in the proverbial road.  Runners can be plagued by a variety of challenges, but there are things in place to help you ward them off.  I personally have never lost a toenail, or pooped my pants.  I do, however, get the occasional chaffing around the waist, and for some reason, bugs love me!  Don’t be afraid of the gross.  Once you know what affects you the most, you’ll be able to find ways to fix it.

I’m sure you heard that running is the great way to lose weight, and it is.  Does it seem like it’s taking forever, or that you haven’t lost any at all?  Your body is going through changes.  That sounds very middle school doesn’t it?  But it’s true.  You’ve added a new activity to your life that needs proper fueling and an adjustment period.  It’s possible that you might never reach a certain goal weight, but your clothes will fit better, you’ll be stronger, and you’ll be in amazing shape.  Remember, numbers are just numbers

With that in mind, slow is relative and distance doesn’t matter.  Don’t think you’re not a “real runner” if you’re not “fast”.  I will never qualify for the Boston Marathon.  I just don’t run that fast,  and I’m okay with that.  I never thought I’d be able to run a mile, much less a full marathon.  As of last year, I thought that was an unattainable goal.  Perhaps that’s how you feel about 2 miles.  Remember, the distance you’re running now was more than you ever thought possible and you’re doing it.  If that’s all you want to do, that’s great.  It’s amazing!  Be the runner you’re meant to be.

Which leads me to social media.  It’s a great place to reach out to fellow runners, get some motivation, and keep yourself accountable.  It can also be a comparison trap.  Maybe you see posts on Facebook from your friends: pictures with medals after races, tweets about achieving a PR, or the Instagram picture of a person who just finished a 9 mile training run.  Have you clicked that “like” button and then found that you’re:  disappointed that you haven’t run a mile, much less 9, bummed that you don’t even know what PR means, or conflicted that you’re not even sure you want to run a race?  Don’t be.  Celebrate your friends accomplishments, and celebrate your own.  Each step is a success, each run a source of pride, and each goal reached a reason to cheer .  You should run for you, not for others.

Remember that this is your running journey.  It will be different from mine, different from your neighbor, different from your spouse.  Maybe you’ll skip the on-again/ off-again phase I went through for years.  Maybe you’ll never run a race.  Maybe you’ll turn into an ultra-marathoner.  Maybe you’re already experiencing a taste of some of the gifts running brings: confidence, strength, commitment, positivity, and joy.  Whatever happens, please keep trying.  Find the reason why you run and hold onto it.  They pay-off is so worth it.  Keep in mind, that if you need a friend, I’m here.  I think you’re incredible, and I’m proud of you!

My Complicated Relationship with the Morning Run

As the heat index increases here, I’ve moved my lunch break runs to before or after work.  This has meant an increase in morning runs.  If I had to officially categorize my relationship with morning runs on Facebook, it would read “it’s complicated”.

I love to sleep.  My hobbies include: reading, running, sleeping, artsy stuff, and writing.  (That order changes depending on the day.)  When I started running, I avoided the morning run like the plague.  I heard people poetically praise it, but I just couldn’t get out the door.  If I went to sleep early, I would just snooze on through and count my blessings that I got extra sleep.  My sweet husband would wake me up and ask if I was running, and about 85% of the time, my reply would be, “I’ll run tonight.”

The more committed I was to my running, the more I needed flexibility with my schedule.  This meant that eventually I had to get up early and run.  That’s when I discovered the charm and benefits of getting out the door first thing.  I started my day already having accomplished something important to me.  It was an instant burst of positivity.  All the inspiration, pride, joy, motivation and more that I normally got from my afternoon and evening runs was there to help carry me through the day.

I still run in the afternoons or evenings.  However, I have added a couple of morning runs to my week.  Now, when my sweet husband wakes me up and asks if I’m getting up to run, 99% of the time I reply with a sleepy smile and a “yes!”

Marathon Munchies (My Marathon Part 10)

I read somewhere, probably in Runner’s World, not to expect to lose weight during a marathon.  This is so TRUE!  Fueling your body properly is incredibly important during training. Plus, the more I ran, the hungrier I was.  I became the Hulk of eating.  My truth?  I was always hungry.   If I wasn’t running, I was probably eating.  Here’s some of my favorite foods from my training.

Peanut Butter:  For the love of Peanut Butter!  Before I started training, I wasn’t a big peanut butter fan, but suddenly I couldn’t get enough.  I ate it on bagels the mornings before my long runs, in cheesy peanut butter crackers as a snack, and sometimes just a spoonful for no reason whatsoever.

Berry Rain Gatorade:  During training, I drank this by the gallon.  After a long run, I would have a huge cup of water, followed by a huge cup of Gatorade, followed by another huge cup of water.

Coke:  This is my one vice.  I will not give it up and I will not feel guilty about not giving it up.  I try to keep it to only two a day, but sometimes, life happens.  I’ve read that coffee will help give you that caffeinated kick you need before a race, I got mine with a can of Coke.  In fact, my marathon breakfast was a peanut butter bagel and a Coke.

Fast Food:  I am not a fast food person.  If you see me in at the local drive-through, that would be the day to play the lottery.  However, while I trained for the marathon, Subway became an easy go-to meal.  My husband would pick me up a foot long Spicy Italian with Chipotle and black olives, and I would eat half and save the rest for lunch the next day.

One day after a very long run, my husband was trying to figure out what to feed me and said, “I know we have Eggo Waffles in the freezer.”  Five minutes later, we were going through the drive through of McDonald’s for a double bacon cheeseburger with extra fries.  That was the best cheeseburger I ever had, until the day of the race.  When we got back to the resort, that was the best cheeseburger I ever had.

Pasta, Pasta, Pasta:  Eggplant Parmesan, Shrimp Scampi, Spaghetti, and more!  After one disastrous long run where I didn’t fuel properly, I was insistent on a pasta meal the night before.  For my pre-marathon meal, I fueled up at the Olive Garden with spaghetti and meatballs.

Margarita Clif Shot Blocks:  I am not a fan of the squishy, gooey, squeeze it in your mouth stuff.  I’m also very picky about flavors.  I found my perfect race fuel with the Margarita Clif Shot Blocks.  One every three miles helped me through my training and the day of the marathon.  (I actually sewed a little pocket on the back of my skirt just to keep my Shot Blocks handy.)

My marathon diet kept me healthy and happy during my training.  I’m not suggesting it was a perfect meal plan, nor am I suggesting that anyone else should eat what I ate.  What I am saying is do what works for you.  Eat to fuel your body, and don’t expect to lose weight.   My ultimate goal was to enjoy running my first marathon and that’s exactly what happened.

 

Gold Star Run

There are some days it’s just harder to get out the door than others.  This is still a truth for me.  Even though I’m no longer a reluctant runner, there are days it would honestly be easier to just skip the run.  All those old excuses I had are still hanging around.  The difference is, now I don’t give in to them.

Sure I’d like to sleep a little later, or I’m tired after working all day.  When I do get a day off, maybe I just want to stay in my jammies all day long.  These are the days that test my commitment, and these are the days that I continue to surprise myself.  When I lace up my shoes and drag myself out the door, I do it for many reasons.  My fitness, my health, my happiness, and to honor and acknowledge all those other hard days I ran despite challenges.

Often I find that it’s these runs that make me the most proud. It doesn’t matter how far or how fast I go, I’m just impressed that I made it.  I feel like I did in grade school when I got back a paper with a gold star.  Not just a check, or an ‘A’, but a sticker to let me know that I did something special.

That’s why I go.  Each run is a gift, a gift that continues to amaze!

 

Marvelous May Ultimate Coffee Date

It’s the first Saturday of the month and for the second time, I’m participating in The Ultimate Coffee Date.  It’s a group of bloggers who share the love and spend a little time getting to know each other.  Last month I didn’t quite get what to do, but this time, I think I’ve figured it out.  So, grab a cup of coffee, a soda, beer, or cider and let’s chat!

If we were having coffee, I would tell you…..

It’s my birthday month!  My birthday falls on Memorial Day this year, and national Tap Dance Day every year.  I’m hoping for some Incredible Hulk cupcakes, though I haven’t dropped the hint to any of my friends yet.

Speaking of The Incredible Hulk.  I just finished watching all the Marvel Avenger related movies.  I “discovered” them in February, and have worked my way through them.  I haven’t read the comics, so each character, plot twist, and nuance is all new to me.  I love the Hulk!  (Randomly punching Thor and letting Loki know he was a “Puny God”, were two of my favorite moments.)  I like how complex Black Widow is, and let’s face it, I’m a fan of a shirtless Thor.  Though I’m not a huge fan of really long fight scenes, I love these movies and can’t wait to see the new Avengers movie soon.

On the topic of movies.  I still haven’t seen Cinderella yet.  I’m a huge Disney fan, so this is a pretty big deal for me.  I’ve heard nothing but great things about the movie, and I really hope I get a chance to see it in the theaters.

One more thing about the movies.  Movie popcorn is my favorite food on the face of the earth!  Swimming in butter and accompanied with a fountain Coke.  I always get a large so that I can get the free refill at the end of the movie and have a snack for the next few days!

If we were having coffee, I would tell you….

On Tuesday I signed up for my second marathon.  I’ll be running the 2016 Walt Disney World Marathon, but not just the marathon.  I’ll be running 39.3 miles in the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge.  I’m so excited.  So far I’m signed up for the Wine and Dine Half and the Goofy.  I’m hoping to also make it into the Glass Slipper Challenge for the Princess Half weekend.

So far this year, I’ve run over 480 miles.  This is an amazing accomplishment for me.  I had to take a few days off in April because I was under the weather, but I didn’t let it derail me completely.  When I started to feel better, I got back out there and made up those miles.

I also got a new pair of running shoes this month.  What a treat!  I stuck with the Nike Air Pegasus Zoom 31, but this time I got the hot pink pair, not the white pair.  If I could, I would get them in every color.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you…

I just changed the name of my blog from Running Through the Muddle to Running the Extra Smile.  I’ve evolved from a reluctant runner to one who fully embraces the gifts that come from the challenges.  I wanted a name that reflected the positive influence running has had on my life.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you…

I’m looking forward to seeing what this month has to offer.  I’m opening my heart to new opportunities and I’m excited to see what the universe has in store.

Have a Magnificent May!

Check out the other blogs participating in the Ultimate Coffee Date

http://got2run4me.com/2015/05/02/marvelous-may-ultimate-coffee-date/

 

What’s in a Name?

I am happy and pleased to announce that my blog has a new name: Running The Extra Smile!   When I started this blog, I was a reluctant runner.  At best, it was an erratic relationship.  I knew running was good for me in so many ways, but I never made a true commitment.  Now, I have developed a real relationship with running.  The more I commit, the more it gives me.  My blog has evolved with my running journey, and Running Through the Muddle no longer represents the message I want to share.  Running has given me confidence, inspiration, positivity, hope, and much more.  This is road I want to run down with you.  Thank you for joining me when I was Running Through the Muddle, and for continuing the journey Running the Extra Smile!

P.S.  Though the name and the URL is changing, you can still find all my past blogs, comments, and more.

Training Plan Revisited (My Marathon Part 9)

In my post, Training Plan (My Marathon Part 3), I shared the training plan that I created for the marathon.  I was determined to stick with the plan.  Running a marathon was a huge decision and I wanted to give the training the dedication it deserved.  Of course, sometimes, life has other ideas.  Here’s a look at how my goals actually panned out and what I learned in the process.

My Original Goals and What Actually Happened:

*  I wanted a solid base.  The goal was three runs on top of my weekly long run.  About four weeks into my training, I actually added a day, and for the majority of the time after that, I ran 5 days a week.   I realize this isn’t for everyone, but it helped me a lot.  I had the ability to be more flexible with my shorter runs, and build a better base.  It also helped with my commitment.  By the end of my training, the days I didn’t run felt like I was missing something.

*  I wanted to do more hill training.  Hill training is a challenge for me because I live somewhere very flat.  There are areas near by, but it was far enough away to require planning and time.  Unfortunately, time was something I didn’t have a lot of.  I only made it out to the hills for 1 of the 3 scheduled hill training.

*  I wanted to run a 5K and a 10K.  The 5K happened because I was able to register for a night run.  Unfortunately, the 10K did not.  (That was a sacrifice due to the work schedule.)

*  I wanted to run more than one 20 miler.   After a couple of brutal long runs, I settled into my running groove and began to enjoy my hours on the road.  I’m happy to say that I ran a 21 miler and a 24.5 miler.

*  I wanted to cross train on The Machine (my Total Gym).  I was on track for 8 weeks of my marathon training.  Then, due to a packed schedule, I only had two days left in my “running week”, and two days of strength training to do.  So, I did them.  Unfortunately, it’s a circuit training program that involved the same exercises.  Doing two days back-to-back was a bad choice.  I reaggravated an old groin injury.  Luckily, it didn’t affect my running, but after giving it a try a few more times, I decided to just ditch the strength training.

Things I discovered:

*  Flexibility is key!  Sometimes I had to step back from the little picture of my running week and focus on the big picture of my training goals.  Bad days happen, bad weather happens, life happens.  Looking at the big picture helped me adapt and get in the miles, maybe in a different way or on a different day.
*  Don’t Overreact!  See above about stuff happening.  When I did have a bad week or a not so great run, I acknowledged that it happened, learned from the mistakes (if any), and moved on.  I did not let it derail me from my overall goal.  I didn’t want to let one missed goal lead to others.

* Runner, Know Thyself!  I am an overachiever when it comes to training.  A lot plans call for just one long 20 mile run before the marathon.  Plus, I got a lot of advice telling me I didn’t need to do more than 18 miles.   Fortunately, I know myself better than that.   I had to know that not only could I run a lot of miles, but that I could do it more than once.  Getting in both a 21 miler and a 24 miler, helped me be comfortable and at ease during the marathon.

*  I love Running!  When I started running, I liked it.  Sometimes I loved it and sometimes I hated it.  It was a fun addition to my life, but it wasn’t until I trained for my first marathon that I truly fell in love.  Just like any other relationship, it took hard-work, commitment, dedication, time, compromise, tears, and laughter.  My training was all this and so much more.  Love in any form is truly life changing and this was no exception.

Overall I was thrilled with my training.  I had a strong base filled with a lot of miles.  Because of this, I was confident on the day of the marathon and able to enjoy all 26.2 miles!

Shhh! This goal is a secret!

One of the things I love about running is setting and achieving goals.  Sometimes I want to run a certain distance, accomplish a particular average pace, or try a new race all together.  The feeling I get when I achieve one of these goals is a burst of positivity.  Running my first marathon within the time I wanted showed me I could do the impossible.  That created a new confidence that I carry everyday.  A morning run starts my day off with a sense of accomplishment that helps me get even more done throughout that day.

It’s become a habit for me when I run to not only have a goal, but to also have a secret goal.  My original goal is something I know will take a lot of hard work, but I’m pretty sure I will be able to achieve.  My secret goal is a bit more “Pie in the Sky”.  For example, my goal for my first marathon was under 5 hours, my secret goal was 4.5 hours.  (For the record, I finished in 4:49:56.  I hit my goal, but not my secret goal.)  This year I want to run a total of 1000 miles, but my secret goal is 1500.  I’m on pace for the 1000 and then some, but the 1500 is definitely an unknown.

I’ve realized that these secret goals are important to me because they help me keep believing that anything is possible.  They also push me just a little bit farther than my regular goal might.  Each secret goal gives me the opportunity to dream big, and why not?  The bigger you dream, the better choices you make to achieve that dream, the more you can do!

Like so many other lessons running has taught me, I’ve started making secret goals for my life.  Who knows, maybe just maybe, I’ll tell you what they are on Jimmy Kimmel one day.

Ooh La La, Sexy Runner!

Nothing is as sexy as a runner after a great run.  The sweat dripping off the elbows, into the eyes, ears and other crevices.  The resounding smack of the water-logged running clothes as they hit the floor.  As the runner drips, the smell of a successful run lingers in the air.  Don’t turn off the lights or you’ll miss the face peeling from sun and wind burn, the toenails turning black and falling off, and the vaseline sheen that doesn’t quite cover up the chaffing.  The runner looks wilted, tired, and sore, but still sexy.

Because a runner who just finished a run has the air of accomplishment.  Beneath all that sweat, you can see the strength it takes to commit to getting out there no matter what.  Making good choices has given that runner power and confidence.  Look deeply into the runner’s eyes and you will see courage, and will determination.  The sunburn and chaffing can’t hide the radiant smile of true happiness and the pride found from hard work.  And that is truly sexy!