Life certainly has a way of getting in the way of...well, life. Sometimes I feel like I'm two separate people who have completely different goals and lifestyles that want to be congruent but can't seem to get together. There's the "responsible" me that just started a new job and master's program. And then there's the "fun" me, the one that wants to run, play, and spend ridiculous amounts of time at Disneyland with her husband and friends.
Sadly, the responsible me has taken over for the last couple of months. Now I know she's important, but she's so BORING! I've actually made a couple of very significant changes. I left the counseling program that I'd spent the last year and a half obsessing over. I realized that although I desperately want to help people, the capacity I'd do so with a master's in counseling just isn't the way I want to do it. So now, I've started a master's in a subject I NEVER thought I'd pursue. I'm in a dual degree program that will earn me a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Science in Leadership. I enjoy leadership, but business? I may be going insane (if so, beware of heads exploding... maybe I just need a good long run?). Honestly, I'm mostly doing it to help my husband. He'll be opening his own craft brewery soon, and it would be useful for one of us to know something about business. On top of that, I just started a new job, and that's always a source of stress for me. I hate feeling like I don't know what I'm doing.
Well, enough of that sob story. I'm baaaack! Can I be that excited to return to something I had only just barely started? I'm really looking forward to sharing more of my experiences with you all, and there couldn't be a better time to do it... On January 19th, everything changes!
We'll come back to that in just over a week. For now, here's a recap of what I've been up to, running-wise. First off, I ran the ROC Race (Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge) in Scottsdale, AZ in November. That was ridiculous alright... ridiculously AWESOME! I had a blast! The giant moon bounce really sealed the deal. The very next day I ran my second 10K - the Phoenix 10K. That was really nice also. It was hard, but I PRed by about a minute and went to lunch with a friend and her boyfriend afterwards. She'll be running the Princess Half-Marathon with me, so we were hoping to get a decent proof-of-time to move up a corral or two. We turtles will take every break we can get!
From there I also did a Turkey Day 10K that I sort of DNF (at least that's how I feel since I had to cut off part of the course). When the cops say the streets are opening in that part of downtown Phoenix, you find the rest of the group. Period. Now, I'm slow, but not that slow. However, I couldn't get past the 5K runners so I started the 10K later than everyone else! I did an Ugly Sweater 5K with a few friends, although we basically walked the whole thing. The Ugly Sweater Run wasn't my favorite, but hey, you can't win them all.
The best running moment since my last post, and arguably, my best in 2013 as a whole, was the Hot Chocolate 15K. I cannot say enough good things about this race. Maybe I loved it because I had some pretty special PRs, but I honestly thought it was fantastically organized. All of the volunteers were cheerful and friendly. The hoodie all runners received was extremely comfortable and durable. They had enough aid stations, we had a great course, and the fondue and hot chocolate available to finishers was insanely delicious! But what really got to me about this race was my performance. Of course I was in a SparkleSkirt and Minnie Ears (isn't that the normal thing to do?), but I didn't just look good. I usually use a 2/1 run/walk ratio. I'd never run more than a mile and a half without a walk break. But that day, when my watch beeped to let me know to walk, I decided to keep running. I felt good. Next thing I know, I'm thinking I can make it to two miles. Then, 5K. Then, I somehow ended up making it to the 10K mark, still holding strong. I didn't feel like I needed to stop until about mile 7, but by then sheer stubbornness kicked in. I RAN the whole 9.3 miles! I was just as slow as if I'd used the Galloway run/walk method, but I had never been so proud. The sheer joy (and shock) I felt was completely new. I think it was the first time I ever truly felt like "a runner." I know it was the first time I couldn't have cared any less about pace. And later that day, a couple of women who I'd run alongside for quite a while actually stopped and told me they tried to keep up with me but couldn't! It was like my first kiss all over again. I was dazed, and utterly elated.
After all that, I think it's time for this girl to get some sleep. But I do want to thank you, whoever you are, for sharing my story with me. I'd love for you to continue to follow along as I get the hang of this running thing, and I'll be back very soon with another chapter.
Happy running!
Friday, January 10, 2014
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Gladiator Rock 'N Run Fun
For some inexplicable reason, I agreed to join my friends in yet another obstacle race. This time, DH joined me, which was pretty exciting since he doesn't run and hasn't ever participated in a race. So off we went to the Gladiator Rock 'N Run.
Overall, it went pretty well. One obstacle, Hamburger Hill, involved a half mile incline up the side of the Estrella Mountains. I struggled there, but finished most of the other obstacles, and I think I conquered my fear of heights. Okay, maybe not. But I got over that awful wall (the literal wall, not the figurative one - although I suppose I did that too), so I call it a win.
Of course, I couldn't have completed a few of the obstacles alone. I'm a whopping 5 foot 3 inches, and some of these obstacles aren't made for the fun-sized, if you know what I mean. I was very lucky that two of the men from our group hung back with my husband, a runner friend, and I. Both were so sweet, helping not only me, but several other runners who needed the occasional boost or encouragement. One of the obstacles was a dumpster you had to climb into and back out of. There were some bars on the outside that I used to get in, but I had no hope of climbing out. I couldn't reach the top of the dumpster and my parkour skills are seriously lacking (read: non-existent). But I wasn't alone and one of the guys who'd hung back with us knelt down and allowed quite a few people to use him as a step stool.
This isn't uncommon at obstacle races in my (very limited) experience. I'm amazed, and quite touched, by the kindness I see in runners. There are stories in the media all the time about runners who sacrifice a PR or win to help out another runner who's struggling or injured. I admit it, I tear up a bit when I read these, blown away by the selflessness and consideration runners exude all the time. Of course, this isn't necessarily true of all runners, unfortunately. However, the majority seem to be of the mindset that an individual sport doesn't have to exclude camaraderie. For that, I'm extremely grateful. It's encouraging for people like me who are just getting started and aren't confident in our abilities. It's inspiring to know that we're supported and should anything happen, our fellow runners will be there to pick us up. And it's a relief to know that when we're too short to do it ourselves, there will almost always be another runner waiting to give you a boost.
Overall, it went pretty well. One obstacle, Hamburger Hill, involved a half mile incline up the side of the Estrella Mountains. I struggled there, but finished most of the other obstacles, and I think I conquered my fear of heights. Okay, maybe not. But I got over that awful wall (the literal wall, not the figurative one - although I suppose I did that too), so I call it a win.
Of course, I couldn't have completed a few of the obstacles alone. I'm a whopping 5 foot 3 inches, and some of these obstacles aren't made for the fun-sized, if you know what I mean. I was very lucky that two of the men from our group hung back with my husband, a runner friend, and I. Both were so sweet, helping not only me, but several other runners who needed the occasional boost or encouragement. One of the obstacles was a dumpster you had to climb into and back out of. There were some bars on the outside that I used to get in, but I had no hope of climbing out. I couldn't reach the top of the dumpster and my parkour skills are seriously lacking (read: non-existent). But I wasn't alone and one of the guys who'd hung back with us knelt down and allowed quite a few people to use him as a step stool.
This isn't uncommon at obstacle races in my (very limited) experience. I'm amazed, and quite touched, by the kindness I see in runners. There are stories in the media all the time about runners who sacrifice a PR or win to help out another runner who's struggling or injured. I admit it, I tear up a bit when I read these, blown away by the selflessness and consideration runners exude all the time. Of course, this isn't necessarily true of all runners, unfortunately. However, the majority seem to be of the mindset that an individual sport doesn't have to exclude camaraderie. For that, I'm extremely grateful. It's encouraging for people like me who are just getting started and aren't confident in our abilities. It's inspiring to know that we're supported and should anything happen, our fellow runners will be there to pick us up. And it's a relief to know that when we're too short to do it ourselves, there will almost always be another runner waiting to give you a boost.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
A Race for Maggie's Place
I finally did it! My first 10K!
If I'm this elated now, what in the world is it going to feel like when I finish my first half?!
At any rate, I ran (/walked) 6.2 miles for the first time ever on October 9, 2013 at the Arizona Race for Maggie's Place. I was hoping to get some semblance of a decent time to submit for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon. Prior to this, my farthest distance was about four and a half miles. I was so nervous the entire week before the race. However, the night before I diligently laid out my running clothes, prepared my water bottles, packed a GU pouch in my belt, laid out my headphones, ate my pasta, and went to bed. I woke up on time and made to the race with a little bit of time to spare. On my way to the race area I get ready to put on my bib... only to realize I didn't have it. So at this point, here I am all by myself at my first 10K, practically in tears because i literally forgot the ONE thing I needed to participate. I called my husband, who I figured was at home still asleep, to see if he could make sure my bib was where I left it before I tore my car apart. It was and he offered to bring it to me, but suggested I start by asking the organizers if they could by chance provide me with a new one instead.
Luckily someone at the registration booth must have felt for me, or just didn't want to see me cry, and I got hooked up with a shiny new bib. All systems were go, and I got myself to the start line in one piece.
I was doing pretty well and made it to just before the first mile marker, when I saw some guy standing near the path. I got closer and realized I was looking at my husband, holding a sign and ready to cheer me on. Since I'm an unaturally emotional person, I started tearing up a bit and made a very strange half-laugh, half shocked squeal type sound (judging by their faces, the two women running in front of me didn't know whether to be irritated, entertained, or concerned).
My fabulous husband was waiting at nearly every single mile marker with a different sign, a few quick words of encouragement, and at one point, some more GU (he didn't know I'd remembered mine). That was probably the most romantic gesture I've ever seen, and honestly, I think I could have finished even if he hadn't done that, but I wouldn't have finished nearly as strongly as I did. Nor would I have been as happy.
Silly woman that I am, I didn't get a picture. But I know I'll never forget seeing him on the course after he did a surprisingly good job acting like I'd woken him up on the phone earlier. I finished in 1:25:48, which for me, was actually pretty darn good. After all, I finished my first 5K eight months earlier in 57 minutes.
I have no idea if that's going to be a good enough time to affect my corral placement at the Tinker Bell Half, but I know that I've pushed my limits once again, and I couldn't be happier!
If I'm this elated now, what in the world is it going to feel like when I finish my first half?!
At any rate, I ran (/walked) 6.2 miles for the first time ever on October 9, 2013 at the Arizona Race for Maggie's Place. I was hoping to get some semblance of a decent time to submit for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon. Prior to this, my farthest distance was about four and a half miles. I was so nervous the entire week before the race. However, the night before I diligently laid out my running clothes, prepared my water bottles, packed a GU pouch in my belt, laid out my headphones, ate my pasta, and went to bed. I woke up on time and made to the race with a little bit of time to spare. On my way to the race area I get ready to put on my bib... only to realize I didn't have it. So at this point, here I am all by myself at my first 10K, practically in tears because i literally forgot the ONE thing I needed to participate. I called my husband, who I figured was at home still asleep, to see if he could make sure my bib was where I left it before I tore my car apart. It was and he offered to bring it to me, but suggested I start by asking the organizers if they could by chance provide me with a new one instead.
Luckily someone at the registration booth must have felt for me, or just didn't want to see me cry, and I got hooked up with a shiny new bib. All systems were go, and I got myself to the start line in one piece.
I was doing pretty well and made it to just before the first mile marker, when I saw some guy standing near the path. I got closer and realized I was looking at my husband, holding a sign and ready to cheer me on. Since I'm an unaturally emotional person, I started tearing up a bit and made a very strange half-laugh, half shocked squeal type sound (judging by their faces, the two women running in front of me didn't know whether to be irritated, entertained, or concerned).
My fabulous husband was waiting at nearly every single mile marker with a different sign, a few quick words of encouragement, and at one point, some more GU (he didn't know I'd remembered mine). That was probably the most romantic gesture I've ever seen, and honestly, I think I could have finished even if he hadn't done that, but I wouldn't have finished nearly as strongly as I did. Nor would I have been as happy.
Silly woman that I am, I didn't get a picture. But I know I'll never forget seeing him on the course after he did a surprisingly good job acting like I'd woken him up on the phone earlier. I finished in 1:25:48, which for me, was actually pretty darn good. After all, I finished my first 5K eight months earlier in 57 minutes.
I have no idea if that's going to be a good enough time to affect my corral placement at the Tinker Bell Half, but I know that I've pushed my limits once again, and I couldn't be happier!
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