This weekend marked a big moment for me. A year ago, I decided to train to run a 5K in August. What surprises me the most is that one year later, I'm still running. So, what better way to celebrate this occasion than by compiling a list of the top three things I learned my first year running road races.
1. I can use a porta-potty.
This may not seem like such a big deal to some, but I'm the girl who would seriously restrict fluid intake to avoid this unpleasantry. I've made it through concerts and soccer games, bypassing large drinks to the point of near dehydration. I would walk the extra half-mile to use the flushable toilets for our family reunion at the lake. But, thanks to having four kids, and the need to increase fluids before a race, using a porta-potty is inevitable. But you can bet if there's an alternative, I'm standing in the longer line to use the indoor facilities.
Note to other runners/spectators: Never use the porta-potties after a race. Enough said.
2. I still can't eat whatever I want.
I started running as a way to drop a few final pounds. Then I gained seven more. The post-race recovery fuel can put back every calorie I burned while running, and sometimes more. This is especially true if the race is followed by a stop to bring home donuts (for the kids, of course). In the very early days, I would have no appetite once I finished a race. Alas, those days are gone. Race sponsors go all out providing bananas, chocolate milk, yogurt, fajitas, baked potatoes, granola bars, and bagels. The bigger the race, the more to choose from. There's always something I can't pass up. And I've earned it, right?
3. I'll never have to search for a safety pin again.
I recently cleaned out my car, and unloaded at least 20 safety pins. These were used to pin race number bibs to my shirts. Gone are the days of digging out my seldom used sewing box to make a temporary clothing alteration. But still, when I go pick up a race packet, if they ask me if I need pins, I say, "Yes, please." With the races I've done this past year, only once did I need to pull from my stash because no pins were included. It was a good thing I saved all those.
I could continue with how I've learned to avoid the oblivious runner in headphones, the chronic spitter, and the walkers stretched four across (who must have missed the announcement for slower runners to start at the back). But I guess those are just pet peeves.
So, I'm eagerly anticipating what the next year of racing teaches me. With the marathon goal in there, it's sure to be a doozie.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
A Good July Run
This past weekend, I did something I've never done before. I enjoyed every minute of a 5k race.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love running. But I'm always very goal-oriented when I race. But here lately, when the temperature has been so high and I've had some extra obligations at home, I've had some difficulty motivating myself to run. I still go out several times a week, but that's only because I have trouble letting go of the chocolate cravings. In this case, my dad (who ran his first 5k in June) asked me if I wanted to run a 5k with him near their home. It was a fundraiser for a young girl with cancer.
I'm always up for a race.
Things were not looking good for me going into this one. The past week, my healthy eating habits were shot, the heat was unbearable, and I was tired. The night before the race I was able to get less than four hours of sleep. This wouldn't be a record breaker.
From the start, this 5k was different. It was a small race, probably around 100 runners. There were no timing chips, no race number bibs, no age categories for prizes. This was strictly a fundraiser. The 9 year-old girl who was fighting cancer stood out there to tell all the runners good luck and started us off. I wonder what was going through her mind knowing everyone there was running for her. There were some runners there she knew, but I'm sure many she didn't, all to help with her treatment. I started the race with my dad, and after I made the loop to turn around, we passed each other. We were running for the same reason.
At the finish, the young girl who was fighting for her life, high-fived every sweaty palm that came through.
When have you had a time when you went into something exhausted and came out of it energized?
Now, don't get me wrong, I love running. But I'm always very goal-oriented when I race. But here lately, when the temperature has been so high and I've had some extra obligations at home, I've had some difficulty motivating myself to run. I still go out several times a week, but that's only because I have trouble letting go of the chocolate cravings. In this case, my dad (who ran his first 5k in June) asked me if I wanted to run a 5k with him near their home. It was a fundraiser for a young girl with cancer.
I'm always up for a race.
Things were not looking good for me going into this one. The past week, my healthy eating habits were shot, the heat was unbearable, and I was tired. The night before the race I was able to get less than four hours of sleep. This wouldn't be a record breaker.
From the start, this 5k was different. It was a small race, probably around 100 runners. There were no timing chips, no race number bibs, no age categories for prizes. This was strictly a fundraiser. The 9 year-old girl who was fighting cancer stood out there to tell all the runners good luck and started us off. I wonder what was going through her mind knowing everyone there was running for her. There were some runners there she knew, but I'm sure many she didn't, all to help with her treatment. I started the race with my dad, and after I made the loop to turn around, we passed each other. We were running for the same reason.
At the finish, the young girl who was fighting for her life, high-fived every sweaty palm that came through.
When have you had a time when you went into something exhausted and came out of it energized?
Monday, July 11, 2011
Setting Limits
You never really know what you're capable of until you're put in a particular situation. But on the opposite side of the equation, how do you know what you're not capable of?
I was confronted with this thought on more than one occasion this past week. I try to run five days a week, but when temperatures are still in the triple digits at 7 p.m. I realized I couldn't run my usual distance and speed. I made a conscious decision to scale back. I don't know exactly what it would take to dehydrate me, and my children don't need their mother passed out on the side of the road from heat stroke. So how do I know what I'm capable of?
I've come up with a theory. This is profound, I'm sure. I hope you're ready for it.
When a situation falls upon me that is completely out of my control, I have no choice but to keep going. In the depths of a crisis, I still have to get up every day and push through the problems as they come. Sure, those are the days that I say, "Lord Jesus, come quickly." But, I don't stop to think about how I'm going to make it through, I just do. I rely on the support of others, and God's promises that better days are coming. Looking back after some of these situations, I can say, "Wow, how did I get through that?" It's simple. I didn't get through it - I was carried through it.
On the other hand, when I voluntarily put too much on myself, that's when I falter. Actually, the word falter is too kind. The more correct verb should be flounder, or break down, or crash. It's those times when I'm going and doing so much, that I don't realize how much I'm pushing myself. I am invincible! Then something takes me down. A headache (for someone who never gets them) sends me to bed early. An illness takes me out of a whole day of work, forcing me to rest. My thirteen year-old daughter waves a board game in front of me and tells me I need to take a break and relax. These are the times I need to reflect on what needs to be cut, and work to make those changes. I wish I could see the warning signs. If only I could figure out I'm not invincible sooner!
I was confronted with this thought on more than one occasion this past week. I try to run five days a week, but when temperatures are still in the triple digits at 7 p.m. I realized I couldn't run my usual distance and speed. I made a conscious decision to scale back. I don't know exactly what it would take to dehydrate me, and my children don't need their mother passed out on the side of the road from heat stroke. So how do I know what I'm capable of?
I've come up with a theory. This is profound, I'm sure. I hope you're ready for it.
When a situation falls upon me that is completely out of my control, I have no choice but to keep going. In the depths of a crisis, I still have to get up every day and push through the problems as they come. Sure, those are the days that I say, "Lord Jesus, come quickly." But, I don't stop to think about how I'm going to make it through, I just do. I rely on the support of others, and God's promises that better days are coming. Looking back after some of these situations, I can say, "Wow, how did I get through that?" It's simple. I didn't get through it - I was carried through it.
On the other hand, when I voluntarily put too much on myself, that's when I falter. Actually, the word falter is too kind. The more correct verb should be flounder, or break down, or crash. It's those times when I'm going and doing so much, that I don't realize how much I'm pushing myself. I am invincible! Then something takes me down. A headache (for someone who never gets them) sends me to bed early. An illness takes me out of a whole day of work, forcing me to rest. My thirteen year-old daughter waves a board game in front of me and tells me I need to take a break and relax. These are the times I need to reflect on what needs to be cut, and work to make those changes. I wish I could see the warning signs. If only I could figure out I'm not invincible sooner!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Beginnings
As I embark down the path of putting my passion of writing into practice, I wonder...what took me so long?
This step is part of a move for me to focus more steadily on my career as a writer. There's also something intimidating about putting my thoughts out there on the web for anyone to read and comment on. I do have several writing projects in the works, and I expect to post about them from time to time. Accountability is an important driving force for me.
I've struggled over the last month or so with settling on a subject for my blog. Do I focus on motherhood (life with four kids is anything but boring), running (planning my first marathon in December), or my Christianity (definitely a vital part of my life). I've come to the conclusion that it's every part of my life that makes me who I am and what I love to write about. So this blog will be about me - my perspectives - on anything and everything. Topics seen here will vary, but I can promise that you won't find much from me in the way of politics. I am conservative, and I think that will be evident on its own, and there is enough anger and tension in politics for me to keep it at bay. Rest assured, if you want a break from the 2012 election coverage, this is the spot. Although, chances are, there may be a post about me trying to make it to vote in the rain, after sitting in the waiting room of Discount Tire for a flat to be fixed with four tired, hungry children. Oh wait, that was 2010.
I'm excited about this journey. Who knows where the road will lead? I'm looking forward to the ride!
Eileen
This step is part of a move for me to focus more steadily on my career as a writer. There's also something intimidating about putting my thoughts out there on the web for anyone to read and comment on. I do have several writing projects in the works, and I expect to post about them from time to time. Accountability is an important driving force for me.
I've struggled over the last month or so with settling on a subject for my blog. Do I focus on motherhood (life with four kids is anything but boring), running (planning my first marathon in December), or my Christianity (definitely a vital part of my life). I've come to the conclusion that it's every part of my life that makes me who I am and what I love to write about. So this blog will be about me - my perspectives - on anything and everything. Topics seen here will vary, but I can promise that you won't find much from me in the way of politics. I am conservative, and I think that will be evident on its own, and there is enough anger and tension in politics for me to keep it at bay. Rest assured, if you want a break from the 2012 election coverage, this is the spot. Although, chances are, there may be a post about me trying to make it to vote in the rain, after sitting in the waiting room of Discount Tire for a flat to be fixed with four tired, hungry children. Oh wait, that was 2010.
I'm excited about this journey. Who knows where the road will lead? I'm looking forward to the ride!
Eileen
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