Race Coach and Team Training!

New things are happening all the time!

I am happy to bring a celebration of a successful second Half Marathon with my run buddy Lisa J. - beating our previous time by 10 minutes!  Not bad for being 4 years older!  Now we are working on our third 15k with Gasparilla!

In addition to successes in PR's  I have created a 5k race team for Gasparilla of newbie racers! This is  such a thrill for me!  Now I'm coaching Team Training on Saturdays with a fabulous group of ladies!

It has been exciting to watch them take on the challenge!  Many of them have never run before much less enter a race!  We have started from he ground up with Jeff Galloway's interval system.

After easing them into running at a 30 second run/1 minute walk for a few weeks, this past Saturday we jumped to 1minute intervals of run/walks.  We did this consistently for two entire miles.   I kept speculating to them before the one mile mark that they may just get within a 12 minute range for they magic mile!   It was apparent that this was going to be an exciting prospect!  As they crossed the one mile mark I kicked into full coach mode pushing them to run over that line within the 12.  I announced each time with great celebration!   

The magic mile with a time for the first time is a huge accomplishment!  It should be exuberantly honored- and it was!  But no resting on laurels for this team!  We kept on for the second mile goal!  It took some effort and huffing and puffing for a few but they each crossed their finish line with a new personal record - albeit their first!!!

It was a wonderful thing seeing each one feel that sense of WOW and accomplishment for their effort!

Have I ever expressed just how much I love running?  Now not just for myself but for others!

GO TEAM DESTINY DIVAS!!!!  

Cut yourself loose!

Today was my long run.  

I have made it a ritual to do them on the beach that is within 10 miles of my home.  

I have been running for 8 years now and have never ran on the beach until this year! What was I thinking?  The Beach is a perfect place for a long run. 

 First, I feel it is safe.  There are not many opportunities to attacked not the beach: too many people and no vehicles to be dragged into. (which makes me point out that no one honks at you - can I hear an amen!)  Secondly, you can run straight for 100 miles if you wanted to!   Thirdly, the terrain is constantly changing which gives you challenges each time you run, which is very practical for a racer to learn to  adapt to variables in a race.  Lastly, it's just sooooo beautiful!

Two weeks ago I had a fantastic long run - 11 miles!    So I hit it today looking for a good 10 so I can do a 12 miles two weeks before the race.  

However, when I stepped on the beach it was obvious it had rained the night before.  All the sand, from the shore to the dunes, was wet.  That means there aren't any areas that are solid down at the walking/running line of the shore.  To be more specific that means that it's soft and your shoe sinks into the sand.  This takes a lot more effort and strain on the muscles to run.  It's almost like resistance training! 

 Adding to that was the - what I call - beach poop.  I know that's gross but it literally looks like huge piles of it.  It's wet washed up wood/sponge/coral like stuff - brown and lots of it and all of it right at the line of running.  It's like the beach had a big bowel movement the night before - disgusting!  In addition, the waves had eroded the shore area, making the run area horizontally slanted and hilly.  This made me run with one leg bent and the other straight and go up and down to the point it made me nauseous!

To add insult to what I felt like injury- the time had changed. Where before the time change my early morning run had the sun just rising and low enough to hit the buildings on the beach to cause a shadow for 3/4 of the run, now I had full sun the entire run.  

As you can tell - I was whining and complaining all the way for the first two miles.  I had urges to call out to other runners, "this sucks right?!"  I was sure they were thinking the same thing.  I even stopped running to take some pictures of the things that were irking me.

That's when I noticed a man with his arms out trying to give a hug to a sea gull.  It took me a minute to see he was just trying to catch it - which is still strange.  By the time I walked up - yes walked - to him I saw why.  The sea gull had a large hook with fishing line and a very large lure on the end dragging it.  The woman with the man kneeled down and cut the line and then removed the hook.  

As a teacher/preacher I immediately saw my lesson/sermon for the day.  When something is entangled in something - cut it loose.  I knew what my hook and line was - my pathetic complaining and letting my negativity talk me out of a good nice long run.

As the freed seagull was let go he immediately took flight.

I think you get it.   Cut the things that keep you from flying loose - even if it's you.

That's exactly what I did - and I ran!    

9.25 miles

What do hormones have to do with running? I'm glad you asked!

Four weeks until the Half Marathon.

Despite the grandiose lofty goal of shaving off 15 minute of my first Half Marathon - I spent the first four months of my training totally defeated.  I never was able to get my speed per mile down.  The little I was able to run mile after mile I was "bottomed-out!"  I would get a mile in and be struggling and weak.  I was so discouraged and flabbergasted.  I really believed my mantras and determination would trump how I felt physically. I got a new playlist, changed up my route, listened to inspiring coaching, pushed myself, rested myself, fueled, hydrated and "carbed" up and "proteined" up! But my body did not respond to my aggressive effort!

Finally in the midst of this discouraging training I went for my 6 month checkup with my nurse practitioner I've been seeing at my Holistic Health Doctors office.  This nurse practitioner specialized in Thyroid and Hormonal Issues.  I've been on a Thyroid replenishing program for 6 years and Bio-identical Hormone replacement for 2.  After reviewing my blood work and hearing my complaints she revamped my hormone treatments.  I needed more progesterone and less testosterone.  So I went home and started my new regimen.

All I have to say is - within a week I hit the trail and half way through my first mile I felt completely different.  The bottomed-out feeling was gone.  I felt....normal!  A week and a half later I ran 7 miles on the beach without a break, strong, free, confident and surprised!  Even though I still need to get my time down - there is no denying my energy is entirely renewed as well as my mind set.  This has convinced me even more than before that the hormonal link is too big to be ignored!  

As women over 40 we need to bring our hormones to the table of discussion when we are not feeling ourselves.  Whether we are not sleeping well, not losing weight after sincerely trying everything or at a loss of energy.  

Don't ignore your hormones because your body isn't ignoring them.  In fact your body is giving you clues to it's desire and need to be replenished and balanced!

Almost 50 New Life Adventure!

This blog is all about an over 40 adventure!  It primarily has been about beginning to run and race after 40, but truly the essence is about new life and adventure in this second chapter!  It's my passion to experience and inspire to the fact that the second half of life is not the winding down of all that's awesome in your life - but it can actually be the ramping up of the best!

So I am very excited to announce my new adventure.  

Becoming a Life Coach, focusing on Personal Life Coaching, Wellness & Weightloss, Peri-menopause and Menopause Transitions and Spiritual Coaching!  

wholenesslifecoach.com

This new business has been such a swift and smooth transition because it is truly the epicenter of my passions and gifts.  I am currently still building my resources and product inventory and launching the business, however, Wholeness Life Coach is open for business! 

I have to say that two years ago I would have never dreamed I would be a business owner or a certified Coach!   That is why I want to encourage every one who is struggling to have a vision or see beyond where they are now.  It doesn't matter what you can't see and just because you can't see it doesn't mean there is nothing out there for you!  Just keep moving forward and things will open up!

It's true;  The best is always yet to come!

Overcome the mental challenge

15 weeks 

until the Half Marathon.

Most training plans are an average of 12 to 15 weeks.  So usually at this point the mind feels there is so much room to slack or play with the rigidity of the schedule.  So I took advantage of that today.
It also helped that I had an attack of mosquitos on my running trail and was forced to hit the parking lot for a while with something different!

This guy was still on me when I got back in my car-
yes that's probably my
blood in his pouch.  

That disruption helped in my decision to finally ditch my original training plan app that I downloaded  last month for a sum of about $19.   (Don't tell my husband!)   It focused on duration of time rather than distance and it absolutely had no clear cut weekly goals that I inspired me.   It advised me to:

"Run at a pace which you feel comfortable at any time. You shouldn't be out of breath.

  Run slowly so that you always have the feeling you could

 "really run a lot faster" if desired."  

WHAT???!!!! 

First of all, I never "DESIRE" to run faster.  Also, I am always keenly aware I can run faster.  OF COURSE  I want to be "comfortable" at all times and I'm comfortable shuffling at the lowest effort possible.  WHO DOESN'T feel that way???

 That training plan's prompt is what my mentality is instinctively - to do the least I have to do.  I don't need to be told to do that, because that's where I'm starting from and I have to do better.  That is

MY GOAL

The original goal for this Half Marathon is to "shave off time" - at least 15 minutes - from my last Half's recorded time.  So being comfortable, trying to not to challenge my lungs, and always knowing I could do better but not doing it, is going to give me the same results I had before.  Only a fool does the same thing over and over expecting a different result!  I can't afford that - even 15 weeks out.

For some reason....and I know what it is... this is more a mental block with me than a physical one.  I KNOW I can do better, because I have done better.  I have had golden miles where my time blew my mind when I saw it on my app!  So it is possible!

What everyone needs to know and never forget is - 

IF YOU HAVE DONE IT ONCE you CAN DO IT AGAIN!  

If for some reason your mind is telling you "YOU CAN'T" and giving you a long list of possible reasons why you can't - then you MUST tell yourself YOU CAN and list all the possible reasons why you can and will! Even if it means you say it to yourself while everything in your body is indicating the opposite.   You have to tear down the wall in your mind first before you can tear down the wall limiting you physically.

It's important on a running journey to know that training isn't just physical, it's mental as well!  In fact so many people start running and quit not because they aren't physically capable but because they aren't capable mentally. (This is really true of anything in life.)

So a training plan MUST incorporate a training plan mentally as well. 

 And some seasons of running is more challenging mentally than others.

Sometimes, an injury causes you to be intimidated to push in that area of your body because you fear being re-injured.   Mental blocks can also come from outside stresses that cloud your focus and you can't seem to concentrate.  Other times, it's only because you have allowed negative thoughts about your physical ability to slowly degrade your physical confidence with a lot of doubt.

I believe I'm having a challenge this time around because I have had so many changes physically and challenges with it that I have allowed it to intimidate me.  Like it or not my body has gotten older. (I said "older' not decrepit!)  In my first Half Marathon I was pare-menopausal and now I am almost post-menopausal!  That's right - I said it!   It's not something to be embarrassed or ashamed!

It's a season of LIFE,

not a DEATH sentence!

Life doesn't stop with menopause and neither should your running or running goals.  HOWEVER, it does require such different ways of keeping your body strong and healthy,  Sometimes I can hardly keep up with it!

Week to week I have to change my normal regimens that used to work so wonderfully but now my body doesn't respond well and needs something different.  There are so many areas from exercise, eating, supplements, sleep routines and even my skin care!   It's like I got a whole new physiology and I'm having to get acquainted with it.   That is the wondrous world of menopause that NO ONE ever talks about - but I'm letting the cat out of the bag!

So I'm having to rebuild confidence and not be afraid to push myself.  My body isn't broke it's just...

 DIFFERENT!

Don't be discouraged at the challenges you might face in your running journey, because that's exactly what it is -

A JOURNEY!

There are always tools to help you.  If the challenge is mentally- use affirmations that you speak to yourself until your mind is renewed to it.  Fill your mind with coaching motivations on your iPod.  Set smaller challenges that you can excel in like short fast sprints, or do just one mile at an awesome time instead of pushing and failing at a 5k.  Then celebrate yourself when you do well at these smaller goals.  The little victories help you face the 5k or the 6 miles because your mind will be like wind in your sails!  

So before you take on new or different physical challenges and goals in your running, overcome the mental challenges.

YOUR BODY CAN NEVER TAKE YOU 

WHERE YOUR MIND HASN'T GONE TO FIRST!

So whatever you do - 

SHOW UP

GET OUT THERE

RUN!

Five years running....

I am six days short of my 48th birthday which makes it 5 years of this running journey!

I am hitting this short milestone with fresh training for my second Half Marathon.   My inventory of all the races tally one Sprint Tri, one Half, two 5k's, one 5 mile, two 15k's, 2 color runs, 1 mud-run and a partridge in a...

Our first Half - I say "our" because the majority of these races have been a running-buddy effort - was  the second race of this running adventure.  It was a major challenge since it was the first timed race that "mattered."  I remember that we were just glad we finished before the truck picked up the strays.  So with our second 15k recently beating or first 15k time by 15 minutes I decided we should do the same on our Half!  Bright idea, huh?!  Who cares that we are three years older than we were before.  That really doesn't factor in.  I'll explain those details in a blog coming up!

I won't even let the cat out of the bag and tell you that I am seriously considering a Full Marathon for my 50th birthday.  It's crazy I know but it's more than just a fleeting thought, but I am not officially announcing it yet, so don't tell anyone.

I am more than excited that our Half is...

I have been obsessed with this Race company through Facebook for years, but they have never had one within driving distance until now! So we are registered and in training as I type!

Getting back into train mode was what I needed.  As always, when I don't have a registered race in front of me I tend to wane in my consistency.  And -as always, I start training with a concern I can't handle the challenge.  I feel weak and scattered and I was in that zone until Friday when I was able to break the ceiling and do six miles instead of five on my training schedule.  It was what I needed to convince myself I haven't lost my strength or ability.

 In fact, I have been so struggling mentally over being strong enough that when preparing for the 15k this last time I had to pull out some motivational coaching on I-Tunes to re-wire my thoughts!   It's like I needed runner's therapy!

Not this kind.

But this kind.

I had to revamp my playlist with music that doesn't weigh me down. Even this time I have added about six motivational coaching sessions.  They were really hard to find because no one wants a motivational that is like a meditation while you are running.  I need something that inspires me with energy and really there are only two that have that feel. 

So the field is WIDE OPEN for someone to get on that and make the bucks while helping us older ladies with big aspirations athletically. 

I'll post some more on this race preparation and it's challenges.  I have knee issues. I have weight issues.  I have digestive issues and  I'm not even mentioning all the hormonal things happening.  This is a blog about "over-forty  running" and these things are issues at over forty!  

So stay-tuned for the more over-forty running blogging.  I'll keep it real and show you how it's done.

And it doest look like this.

But like this.

and this

and maybe this

definitely that!

Not blogging but definitely running!

It's been a while since I blogged about running.  

Not for a lack of running, just for a lack of blogging.

When I started blogging, it was a new adventure.  

Now running is a way of life. 

For that- I am oh so thankful!

Since my run with Miles for Moffit, there have been a couple new running adventures.

A Color Me Rad 5K

This race was really not a race, just pure fun getting covered with color.  I highly recommend it!  If running is not just about physical fitness but mental release - then you have to add a Color Race to your list of things to do!   I'm currently registered for Run or Dye in Tampa in March.

Paddle Boarding

Ok- this isn't even in the running category- but it was a challenge.  Not that it was difficult physically but challenge my fear of the unknown and doing something so out of my norm.  I truly felt a sense of conquering!  Again - running is about facing limitations and overcoming them.  That's what I did on that board!   Again two thumbs up and a recommendation to add this to your list.

The Citadel at Cap Haitian in Haiti.

This was not running - but walking an incline that matched that of the Great Wall of China - and I've climbed the Great wall of China so I know! (I would love to know if anyone could ever RUN this!)  It was told to us that it would be seven miles straight up. So for two months I took hills and did a million steps in preparation.  It ended up being only a few miles as we were able to park higher up than originally told we could.  However, the incline was so ferociously steep and the pull of gravity so heavy, I have no doubt we wouldn't have made 7 miles.  It would have taken much more training than I did.  Still the sense of accomplishment after much huffing and puffing was thrilling!  The views were A-mazing.  This was an OFFICIAL CHECK OFF on my OFFICIAL Bucket List!   

After all these sweet new adventures I was left with a tenacious desire to do a lot more in the next 12 months to challenge myself and experience the unknown at a greater level.  

So- 

December 7th - me and my sweetest race buddies will be getting "PRETTY MUDDY!"

Don't RUN from cancer, RUN against it!

I'm running AGAINST CANCER and YOU CAN RUN WITH ME!

 Three years ago I had a brief experience that led me to MOFFITT CANCER CENTER in Tampa, Florida. I had a "cancer scare" with a diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer from my doctor.  The three weeks I waited before arriving at Moffitt Cancer Center were the greatest challenge I ever faced in my life.  All the questions and fears about mortality were in my face!

When I was told I needed to see an endocrinologist at Moffitt, I have to be honest, just the word Moffitt chilled my spine.  I equated that word with cancer.  The thought that I was going there stole my peace.  I was devastated.  I dreaded the thought.

But I will never forget the day we drove into the driveway of the Moffitt Cancer Center.  We were greeted by valets to park the car and I was impressed.  That may seem narcissistic to be pleased with such a luxury at a medical facility when you are facing an uncertain fate.  But just that service alone settled me in some way. That was just my first impression.

We made our way in, had our doctor visit, did my blood work and waited in each phase in a waiting room with others that had been in treatment for a long time and it was obvious they were fighting for LIFE.  My heart and mind were altered with a compassion that has ruled my thoughts towards anyone suffering with any type of illness, especially a cancer diagnosis.

I visited the Moffitt three more times before I was able to move on with my life without a cancer diagnosis.  I was "lucky," "fortunate" or "blessed" to have a conclusive NO CANCER result.  But there was no doubt that cancer had touched my life - in that it moved me to my core when it was even mentioned to me as mine.

I began running after I left Moffitt.  As I have mentioned on this blog many times, I ran for health and I ran to live and I still do.

                                              NOW I GET TO COMBINE IT ALL!
                                             I GET TO RUN AGAINST CANCER!!!
                                           And you can run right along with me on May 11th 2013  !

By going to my donation website set up exclusively for the race you can make a donation that will go directly to Moffitt Cancer Center.  Miles for Moffitt Race is my opportunity to give back and to give for all the others who will experience the fight of their lives at Moffitt!

You can click here right now and give. No matter one dollar or ten - it will all make a difference!

Your donation will help fund research and treatments for cancer patients at MOFFITT CANCER CENTER in Tampa, FL  fighting for their health and lives.

Your contribution is greatly appreciated!

Donate here.

Post Race must blog now.

Take one

Take Two

Yes, sometimes after you've been up since 4 am and ran 9.3 miles, self-portraits are difficult.

I thought I would do a sloppy, quick yet prompt blog on my race today, while I am still awake and before I get into a mindless relaxed state.

If you read my last installment, rest at ease, we found parking!  In fact it was so easy it scared us that our car might get towed.  The best part, it was FREE!  That's when I knew the god's of racing were smiling on us and yes that would be Jehovah, Jesus and the Holy Ghost in one!   (I'm tired so I'm going to be wise cracking through this entire writing. Sorry in advance.)

----"we" means Me and Lisa.

Right after the swift parking discovery there they were...a row of unused Port-a-potties!  If you run races you know what a blessed find it is to go into an UNUSED fresh one!   Then right to the start line, finding our estimated pace section.  Then very quickly we were off!!

The good news was the 15k was not jammed packed.  This gave us room to set our pace and run unencumbered.  We ran 3 miles, took a little breather, ran to 5 and then intermittently ran and walked.   We got caught in a walk/run cycle for several reasons.  One, we were talking so much, two we were giving ourselves lavish leeway and...ok there are only a couple reasons.

One interesting happening was we had decided to wear our water belts so we wouldn't need to go through any water stops.  We had found that they slowed us down last time and we wanted to take that out.  I was a little concerned because I don't usually wear my belt and didn't want to be hindered by it and I wanted to look cool and thought we might risk looking like novices.  But once again- it worked out!  The City of Tampa water system was tainted and was on a boil alert! So they sent out emails to tell us to bring our own water.  Therefore, many people were wearing belts even though Zephyrhills stepped in and provided pure water everywhere!  At least we looked cool and fit in!  The bad part about the boil alert was that Starbucks wasn't serving coffee.

Our gu-estimation for finishing time had been 2.5 hours.  We came in at exactly 2.  We were so pleased!  I can't tell you how good it feels when you complete a race.  Just a sense of accomplishment and pride in your effort.  We got out there and did it.

The race in general was a FABULOUS experience.  Gasparilla Distance Classic was very different from our Half at Disney.  Much more organized and pleasant.  Of course, running on Bayshore Boulevard is beautiful and a treat.  The crowds for the 15k were totally manageable.  The weather was perfect for the 15k because it was so early and once again, GOD (He always gets the credit!) kept a sweet hazy overcast to keep the sun off our backs!  SWEET!

When we were finished we stuck around to see some friends in the 5k.  THAT WAS AN EXPERIENCE in and of itself.  First, the 5k must have had 20,000 people!  There were four huge waves with a sea of runners in each.  It was a miracle we saw our friends.  Second, it was the first time being at the finish line watching all those runners cross the line.  There were so many amazing people and you knew they each had their own journey and story that led them to that finish moment.  Moms and sons running together cried and embraced. Women and men who obviously took all they had to cross wept. Teams of people running on behalf of a passed loved-one with pictures on their shirts of the person.  Most striking were the  pockets of Military and Vets who crossed the line together, some wounded with prothstetic legs, burned faces, and some with huge military backpacks.

We were very glad to have stayed to be a part of the finish line experience from the other side!

All together we were there for 6 hours!  Both of us were more than ready to get home!

AND lastly...

I had found a cute Nike Running shirt to wear and thought it so cute.  It's sometimes can be tricky running with a buddy.  You have to compromise throughout on the pace you will set.  Sometimes you are ready to bolt and she's not and then like clock-work she has gotten her second wind and has to push you to keep moving.  It's a give and take collaboration.  I guess that is half the fun!  SO when I saw this shirt I knew it was perfect for Lisa and I. 

However, I think maybe not everyone got it.  

And that is my Post Race Blog!

Pre-race Fodder

What are most racers talking and thinking about two days before the race?

Here are what my racing buddy and I are foddering on about.

1.  What we have been eating this week.  What we haven't eaten.  What we shouldn't eat.

2.  Where is the Expo?  We have spent some time trying to figure out if the Convention Center was the same as the Arena.  No it isn't.  Case solved.

3.  Where are we going to park for the Expo?  From the online map, the Convention Center Garage.  Case solved.  Unless, that is, it's packed from the several events going on at the same time there.  In which case...case not solved.

4.  Where is the start and where should we park?  These two questions combined because it's envitable the latter would be asked.  Case still not solved on the latter.

5.  Let's meet up somewhere then drive together to the start so we can experience even more moments of nervous anticipation together.

6.  Where do we park.  Oh yeah, still not solved.

7.  For goodness sake, let's just get to the running part!

And that folk's is pre-race fodder.

The use of cows in this picture is only in correlation to the "fodder" reference and
 NOT to the runners referred to in this blog, thank you very much!

PRECISION ENGINEERED TO RUN!

I have often heard, especially before I started running, that running ruins your joints.  I think that this entire rumor was perpetuated by non-runners if you know what I mean!

This morning I "ran" across this informative video on AOL that disposes the question, "Does running cause arthritis?"  If you ever had that concern click right here to get your answer.

I think it's really important to note that every runner needs to be wise.  You need the right equipment, form, nutrition and training schedule for your running to benefit your body to the upmost.

Our bodies were created by an awesome Creator.  We are truly wonderfully and fearfully made!  Yet you will never know that until you utilize every muscle and internal organs to their maximum.  It's like driving a BMW or fine tuned sport's car.  If you only drive it at 35 miles per hour on a straight road, you will never know how amazingly precision-engineered-for-performance the car is.  But if you take a few sharp corners, accelerate to 60 in a few seconds, hit the highway at 85 and break on a dime - you come to see what a fine vehicle you are driving.  Then going back to just any run of the mill car is just not as satisfying.

This is running.  This is working out.  This is living active and pushing your body to do things you don't normally do in your mundane weekly routine.  You discover how finely engineered your body is. Your heart, brain, muscles, ligaments, lungs, and your breath!  AMAZING!  Pushing your body is what you were made for!

So get up, get out and and experience the amazing fine tuning of your body!  It can take it!  It will thrive on it!

Enjoy!

The Power of Inspiration

There's something powerful about inspiration.  It can change the course you are on and give you ability and strength to continue and finish.  

I got inspired today on my Friday long run, the possible last long run before the 15k next Saturday.  I originally wasn't sure I would run today, since school was out  and I always take advantage of a sleep-in day.  In addition it had been rainy all night long and had gotten cold and those are always the excuses that win over a morning run.  But when I got up after I had slept in, saw it was mildly cold and just overcast  and felt the pressure of the  impending race only 7 days away I had no ability to deny myself the opportunity to train.

I'll be honest that I don't like running my normal trail later in the day.  I just don't feel as comfortable and safe.  In the early mornings there is always a flood of walkers, runners, roller-blades and even boot-camp classes going on.  But not so much later in the morning. So when I felt the "now or never get out there" come on me I had only one more option and that was to hit the busy streets.  I charted out 7 miles which actually took me on the busy stretch of populated road to the entrance of my morning run trail.  This trail I usually DRIVE to every morning, now I was going to run to it and back to the house!  

I put my light weight jacket on, put my phone in my hand instead of my arm case, put only one bud in my ear, reported my new course to my family and I was off.  Oh yes, I put a hat on, which I never wear because I feel like it's too hot, but I wanted to be incognito.  Why?  Stupid reasons like no make-up, being out in the open instead of hidden on a run trail - like anyone cares but I still have an ego.

Immediately I knew this all was the right choice for my last long run.  The course was full of distractions; honking trucks, whisking cars, uneven sidewalks, scattered debris to dodge, and even the need to improv my course to avoid stopping and waiting on the lights to change at the intersections.  To add to all that distraction the clouds parted within about two minutes and direct sun blazed down.  My usual trail is all shaded and I never have to deal with direct sun.  Sun means heating up doubly and that means early exhaustion and thirst.  I had no water with me so I had to make a quick dash into a corner CVS for a drink at the water fountain!

This couldn't be more perfect for me and my tendency to train so well but get over distracted and excited in the race and lose my focus, pace and control.  

I was so proud of myself.  Yes I said it - I was stinkin' proud of myself for pushing to the turn around at 3.5 miles without stopping to peel off my jacket and heading back as far as I could before my water dash at CVS.  I took 45 seconds of a walk in and out and finished my run at my front door. 

Now the inspiration part of this blog.  The last time I did 7 miles in training was for the half marathon.  During that training seasons I was doing the Jeff Galloway Run/Walk Method with intervals of run 3 minutes walk 1 minute.  This was the first 7 miles I have ran fully.  This is a HUGE BARRIER BREAKER for me!  I have always dreamed of running a long distance and now it's happening.  I've been working hard the last 5 months to initiate and build long runs. That's when inspiration came all over me that I CAN and I WILL go back to a half marathon running it out right and finish!   It can be done!  I could scream with thrill!

So I am determined after this 15k to enter a half and do it up right this time!  

And that is my report for the day!

A Registration Rush!

I am currently experiencing a REGISTRATION RUSH!   It happened the moment I clicked on "finish" and the "print waiver" form popped up on my screen!  My heart started pounding when I glanced down and saw the line "Bib Number.....4005"!

It's official!

I'm getting up at 4:30 am and driving over the bridge to Tampa to find a parking space downtown in some parking garage and then walking to a start area I have absolutely NO IDEA where it is.  I will join a crowd of strangers in the dark, all crammed together, just waiting until 6:45 am.  My wave, which will probably be way far back will move together like a heard of cattle with anticipation of some breathing space happening around the first mile mark.

Of course with me will be my faithful running buddy Lisa, whom I persuaded to enter this race with no more training than the 12 days we have now.  I will be all up and excited and she will be too and we will both have our usual pockets of "coaching each other through it"; mine in the first half and hers toward the end when my rush out the gate enthusiasm is now exhaustion!

Without shame I will admit I am doing this to rack up a medal with my collection and another t-shirt I won't ever actually wear again...ever!  My long range goal is to run every race from 5k to full marathon. I also want to be able to get a nice long race in at the beginning of this new year to let that accomplishment drive me the rest of the year through.  No doubt I know this will give me new material for my blog.  Lastly, because I feel bad for my new shoes who have never experienced the thrill of a finish line crossed.  (Is it a little weird that I personify my shoes?" Go ahead, say yes.  I can handle it.)

So, with that I say LET'S DO THIS!!!

#4005

New Shoes Transition-

The new shoe transition....

Painful.

Sometimes literally.

You leave a shoe that fit you like a glove, that's why you had them so long.  The arch was perfect support, the sizing kept you from rubbing off your toenails and the the soles were shaped to provide you a perfect hit and roll of the foot.  But now, you get a new shoe that fit when you tried it on in the store - but out on the trail, after repeated pounds on the pavement, give you blisters, hurt your arch and you trip as the rubber hits at an unexpected point off the pavement.

Painful.

Emotionally.

You had those old worn shoes so long and they have been along for the ride...or run, for a year maybe two or maybe five.  You and your shoes ran on new roads together, broke personal bests, pushed through a rough morning of no energy, charged a hill two more times, crossed a finish line, passed that young twenty year old, and doggonit stepped in that dog poo someone didn't pick up on the trail!

Painful.

Mentally.

Will these old faithful shoes feel abandoned?  Do they feel tossed aside now that they don't sport the new hot neon colors so "in" this season?  Am I justified in throwing them in the garage just because my repeated rubbing of my wide feet made holes from my pinky toes?  Should I throw them away or should I keep them as reminders of the segment of my fitness journey between total beginner runner and training for a full marathon where I learned to run with strength and focus? Should I take the old tie clip off and put them on my new shoes or just buy new ones?   So many questions...

The new shoe transition...

Trepidatious.

Will these new shoes break my flow?  Will they jinks my focus?   Will I get out there tomorrow and be all "I don't know how to run in these new shoes"?

Full of possibilities.

I'm going to have to get a lot of new neon shirts to go with these new neon shoes.

Transforming.

Look how old and nasty my old shoes look next to my new one.  Why did I wait so long to get new shoes?  What was I thinking?   Does the trash go out tomorrow? 

Hey get my shoe tie clips off those first.

And to think that 5 years ago I didn't even own a pair of good running shoes...

Leave no Hill unturned....

Running is a psychological therapist.  It exposes the deepest roots of your psyche.

You find out so many things about yourself, the real truth about yourself.  It causes you to face your limits and fears.  It shows you your weaknesses and then surprises you and puts a spotlight on your hidden strengths.  It makes you listen to thoughts from your unconscious memory that you keep yourself too busy to think of usually, but while your Ipod music fades from consciousness for a few minutes, there they are.  All pretense evaporates in the company of a run.

That's why I love 'the Hill" that is positioned not far from where I run on my trail.

This is not "the Hill" - it is however, very much like it.

It stands there totally exposed to the morning gleaming sun, while the rest of the area is shaded with Oak Trees.  Sometimes, it glistens with morning dew or has a thin haze of fog hovering over it's grass and when it does...it calls to me.

Yes, I said it calls to me.

Hills call to me.  They always have.

Don't ask me why.  They just do.  Not every Hill, just Hills that seem to have a cover that is undisturbed.  Like the morning dew.   It's so compelling.  Even if I have run a few miles already, if the Hill looks right and I have to finish my run with a few passes over it.  It really is a compulsion.  Thus, running at my particular running trail, with the Hill,  has made this all the more clear to me.  I must experience the Hill.

It's not like I didn't know it before.  I have many times lost all ability to control myself and taken "for the Hills" before.

Once on a Ski Trip with our Florida Youth Group, it began to snow relentlessly and my husband had to put snow chains on our church vans to get up the mountain to our cabins.  As we were parked at this gas station, he had made it clear in no uncertain terms that everyone was to stay in the van while he took care of the snow chains with the station attendant.  You know how young people are restless and he left me in one of the vans to keep an eye on them.  But as I sat there in that van I looked over across the street to this amazing hill with a foot of freshly driven snow from top to bottom and then it happened.  Yes, it happened - the Hill called for me.  It cried out for me to jump out of that van across the street and as fast as I could and run to the top and back.  I was not a runner back then but I did it.  I don't think I consciously gave it a logical thought because by the time I got back to the van in what seemed only like 30 thrilling seconds, my legs were like wet noodles under me.  I think I even fell at the bottom when I got to the flat surface of the road.

My husband told me later he was so angry as he looked over at some "youth" running up the hill against his explicit instructions and then heard someone call to him that it was me. He couldn't believe it!  Little, and young at that time, quiet, intimidated and insecure Carmen had bolted in freezing cold snowing weather to a hill while the group of young people stared out the van windows!

That's what running does.  It draws something deep out of you that seems to not even be there.  But running finds it, makes you realize it and live and breathe it!

And so my Hill reminds me every time I see it who I really am.  I am a woman who likes to run where no one else has before.  To make my own mark.  To conquer even if my legs give out on me.

What's your hill?