Inspiration comes in small packages

May 2, 2010 by 4 Comments

Today I volunteered at my oldest son’s elementary school Fun Run. There was a half mile and mile runs for the kids, and then a 5K. It’s always a great family event and today did not disappoint. And, I had the best job a volunteer could have – I handed out medals to all of the kids as they crossed the finish line! Watching these kids give the race everything they had and crossing that finish line (first, last or somewhere in between) with a look of pride on their faces – let me tell you, it was a great way to spend a morning! (I also had the added bonus of putting a medal around my son’s neck…how many moms get to do that?!) Watching these kids I kept thinking this is why you run — they weren’t worried about form or technique. They just let go and ran for the pure joy of it! I wish I had approached my own morning run with such abandon. Ah well, there’s always next time!

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Filed Under: motivation

Maybe running in circles can move you forward

April 29, 2010 by Leave a Comment

At the advice of some of my runner friends, I hit the track this morning. Left knee pain is one of the roadblocks I’m hoping to overcome as I make my running “comeback” (said with tongue firmly in cheek!) so I thought it was worth a shot to see if things would feel any better on a track.

Yes running loops on a track can be a bit tedious, but without the varied surfaces of the roads and sidewalks I usually attempt, I found it easy to fall into a nice, steady rhythm. And best of all…..no pain! The usual discomfort in my knee was gone before the first lap was completed! Now I wasn’t fast by any means, but without having the pain to focus on I did comfortably complete two miles. I’ll take that kind of progress any day! So I guess while I continue to strengthen my knee with weight-training, I’ll definitely be adding in some more time on the track. 

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Filed Under: tips, track work, training

Getting Started….again

April 27, 2010 by 7 Comments

Here’s the deal…I am not a runner. At least I do not consider myself a runner…yet. I don’t miss running if I haven’t gone in a couple of days (er…weeks). I don’t look at my running shoes with great longing on a cool crisp fall day and wish I were out on the open road. No…I have not fallen in love with running yet.

So…the obvious question…why run? I like the results …I like that my clothes fit they way I want despite my serious ice cream addiction. I like the escape factor – you put on your sneakers, headset and go. It clears my head like few other things can. And, for a serious Type A, mother of two boys, like me the value of that cannot be underestimated. I also like both the physical and mental challenges of running – I watch marathoners and am in awe of how they will themselves to keep going, how they find another gear when others would just flat out give up.

And so I am making another attempt to become a “runner.” Yes I have started and stopped running a couple of times before. This last stop came as a result of injury, no access to a treadmill in the dead of winter and the general demands of life, in that order. I have promised myself that if I can get over the initial hurdle (read pain and frustration) of getting started I will not stop this time. I’d like to eventually work up to running a half marathon…but first things, first. First I figure I need to get around my block (1 mile) without feeling the need to dial 911. Then I will work up to a 5K…then a 10K…but I’m getting a head of myself. Right now I need to wrestle one of my sneakers away from my dog and get going.

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Filed Under: general musings