CLARITY

By looking at the most recent postings you will see that the running hasn't been that great lately. Well, it could be great, if only the consistency were there. I have struggled the past few months with hitting the road regularly. I could contribute my lack of motivation to many things. The selling of a home; moving to a rental packed with someone else's things; vacationing in the midwest, where carbs run high, and physical fitness tends to run low; the rain; the heat; these allergies that have fuzzied my head (I've never had allergies before!); my schedule changing in everything from Bible Study to my social time; stress about my new house that is still a dirt pile; the fact that my sister's birthday is in two days and I have yet to decide on a gift....there are SO many things to blame for my lethargic attitude towards my running shoes. None of these things, however, are adequate reasons to not run. So, today, I put it on my list. Along with the laundry and lunch with Rosalie, I jotted down running on my "to do" list. And I did it. And all of those reasons listed above are still true in my life. And here is another things that is true in my life. As far as it depends on me, I will not stop running.

Race Day on Vacay

On June 6th I ran a 10K (6.4 miles) race in Troy, Ohio. I decided that signing up for a race ewhile on vacation would be a good way to (somewhat) focus and active while away from home.

This was the first race that I started alone. During the Shamrock Run and The Race for the Roses, Ava and I started together and ran the first few miles. I was a bit lonely as I ran through the start line. A few minutes after I started I felt someone bump me and turned to see Eric jogging beside me. He ran with me for the first 3/4 mile -- in regular clothes, on a humid day! What a great hubby I have!

Her I am making a dash for the finish line. My time was 58:31. I made my goal of finishing in under an hour!

Family friends Leslie Boggs and her brother-in-law, Keith braved the local flash flood warnings to come and cheer me on. Leslie is definately one you would want cheering for you at the finish line -- she wins for most spirited spectator. Thanks guys!

Resume Post!

Dear Blog readers,
I have returned from a two month blogging hiatus. As you already know Ava made an appearance in late May. I am hopeful that we can both continue keeping our dedicated readers up-to-date on all of our running and fitness adventures.

Stay tuned....

Sally
~Running Sister

HELLOOOOOO BLOG!

Hello! Remember me?!?


As the story goes, I was forced into a running hiatus after the April 11th event. Over the last 6 weeks I took the time to feel sorry for myself and heal. But I missed running, I missed yoga, I missed sharing athleticism with my sis. I have gotten the green light from my Physical Therapist to "start slowly" and so, I'm back in the game!

I think the best way to get back into it is to just get back into it. Today I laced up my running shoes, and felt excited like a puppy that hears the car door open. ~ I rode the stationary bike for 20 minutes to warm up, stretched as if my life depended on it, then started out walking at a fast pace. At the 1/2 mile mark I picked up speed (if running 10:45 minute miles could be defined as "Picking up speed".) and off I went. My goal was to run one mile comfortably.

I could feel my hamstring, but it didn't hurt, it just felt over worked. You know that feeling you get the day after a tough work out. I clipped along feeling pretty good. When my mile was up I felt sad, because I wanted to go further and felt like I could. But I stopped hoping that stopping at a mile will help me run 1.5 next time.

Run Sister!

Race Day Run Down

Well, its done. Yesterday was the Race for the Roses 1/2 marathon that my sister, Ava & I have been training for for 12 weeks. I crossed the finish line in 2:13:24. A bit slower than I'd wanted but not too bad for the first time out. :) The beauty of running a new-to-you race length is that no matter what, you will set a personal record! So, my PR (that's runner speak for personal record) is 2:13:24.


The festivities began on Saturday when Ava & I went downtown to pick up our race-day packets. These packets include our race number, a timing chip that goes on our shoe, and of course, our coveted event T-shirt! We also got a fun little drawstring backpack to put everything in and lots of advertisements and coupons. Its like a little prize pack before the race even begins.

Then Ava hosted a pre-race carbo loading dinner party. We had rice pasta w/ a delicious pasta sauce, made from scratch by Ava, and an equally delicious green salad. Along w/ copious amounts of hydrating water. After sufficiently carb loading it was home to bed for a good night's sleep.

Ava & I headed to the race at 6 a.m. We were very excited and everything went smoothly. With so many people and a time crunch - to be at the starting line at 6:45 -- it can be quite hectic on race day.

The weather was great! No rain and not cold at all.

We were both concerned about the pain we'd been having since the Shamrock 15K four weeks ago. We decided to just take it slowly and hoped that it would work itself out.

The first two miles we ran together at an 11 minute pace. It was my plan all along to run slowly the first few miles and warm up my legs. After mile one I really wanted to go faster but I had to talk myself into pulling back, knowing that I had 12 miles left to go and not wanting to run out of steam too soon. At mile 2+ I realized it was time to pull ahead a bit and get up to my regular speed. I gave my sis a hand squeeze, "see you at the finish line sis!". From then on we were on our own.

At mile 6 I saw my mom and dad, Eric & Troy, waving and snapping photos. I smiled, waved, posed for a photo and kept running. Then I came to a table w/ little cuties (oranges) and gummy bears (my favorite!). I grabbed a cutie and a dixie cup of bears -- YUM!
Then I saw Corie standing on the corner waiting for me to come by. I think I saw her first and yelled "Corie!" and waived my arms around. After a quick hug, and handing off my gummy bears to her. I kept going. Even though I only got to see my family & friend for a moment it was a HUGE encouragement to keep me going. I can't explain how much it means to have someone there cheering for you. Sometimes I would even pretend that other people were cheering for me too AND each time I'd pass a dog, who was watching w/ its owner, I'd pretend that it was secretly cheering for me. Silly? Maybe, but it kept me going.

I prayed a lot too. Asking God for strength, both mental and physical and He answered by giving me strength.

Once we got to highway 30 (about 7.5 miles in) we had to run down and then turn and run back the same way we came....this was the opportunity to see who was behind you as runners were running both ways. I knew that I would get to see Ava and we'd have a chance to cheer each other on. As I turned the corner and headed back down the highway I checked my watch. Thinking she was probably about two minutes behind me I started looking for her. When the runners started trickling by, well past the 12 minute pace I knew something was wrong. I had either missed her running by or she hadn't made it this far. I prayed. I asked God to cover her, hoping she wasn't out on the course somewhere limping or hurt and alone. For a second, I considered running back down the course to look for her, but I knew I had to keep going - God would take care of her.

Once I hit the 10 mile marker, I knew that I would finish. I had three miles left and I knew that I could run three miles -- no problem. About mile 11.5, I started to get tired, "why am I getting tired" I thought. Then I remembered, "well, you just ran 11.5 miles". Aah, ok, I SHOULD be tired...keep going.

At mile 12.2-ish I had to go to the bathroom SO bad I stopped at a port-a-potty. Even though there was less than a mile to go, I was sure I could hold it no longer. I stopped my watch so I 'd have an accurate run time, put my ipod in my mouth so it wouldn't drop in the toilet, did my thing and got back on the race course. Feeling much lighter I took off, sprinting the last mile to the finish line.

As I rounded the corner to the finish I saw my Dad first, "go Sally!" as he snapped pictures, then Eric & Mom, "go Sally!" snap snap, more pics. Mom called out, "Look Up!" I looked up at the overpass above me. There was AVA smiling down, cheering me on w/ Troy! " Thank you Lord," I said, so glad to see her safe and sound.

I crossed the finish line and collected my finishers rose. I did it.....I did it!

It turned out that Ava was forced to stop at mile 6 because of her hip pain. She was limping and would not have been able to safely finish the race. Thankfully, she was able to stop when she got to our family so she didn't have to limp off of the course alone. I'm glad Troy talked her into stopping, because I know that she wanted to try and finish -- but it wouldn't have been a good choice. There will be other races.

What's more is that yesterday wasn't really just about yesterday. It was about the last four months, planning and training and rewarding and encouraging one another. Working "together" with one common goal. I would not have done it if it hadn't been for AVA.

I think that Bette Midler said it best when she said, "you are the wind beneath my wings".

Stay tuned for pictures.

Run Sister!

PROUD OF YOU, SIS!!

Ecclesiates 4:9-10

"Two are better than one because they have a good return for thier work.
If one falls down, his friend can help him up".

When we started our training the countdown clock was at 84 Days! The days have ticked by, and now the clock diplays only hours.

Tomorrow at this time our parents and husbands will be celebrating with us Gloria's Secret Cafe. Though we will be sore and tired, we will have accomplished what we set out to do.

Run, Sister! Run!

Pre-Race Injuries

I'm usually one of those people who isn't too tolerant of folks and their sports injuries. "Really", I would think to myself, "suck it up and train already".

That is, until I started running. First was the silly IT band thing which miraculously went away after 10 days of stretching, icing and rolling. I had a great long distance run on Saturday. Felt Great Sunday, went to yoga. Felt great Monday. Tuesday, "BAM!" woke up with a painful hamstring and limped around all day.

Was able to run 4 miles on Tuesday. Today it's excruciating. Got a sports massage on my lunch hour to knead it out, stretched like gumby and then tried to run. Got about 4 steps and had to stop.

I refuse to have even one negative or self doubting thought in my head about this. My plan is to cool it on the running the rest of the week, I'll cycle, stretch and hydrate, meditate and pray. Hopefully all those things are enough to make me feel strong at the starting line.

"REWARD", a matter of perspective

It was 5pm when I stepped out of my warm jeep onto the cold wet pavement of Farimount Loop. I zipped my fleece jacket snug around my neck and pulled down my cap to ward against the 42 degree windy rain. "Okay, Jew-bert, let's see what you're made of", I muttered as I set out on my 10 mile run.

As I often do during my runs, my mind wanders to my sister and how blessed I feel to be on this adventure with her. When we first planned this little tour de force, we decided that after every 4 weeks of training we would enjoy a reward together. Very quickly the training schedule was pushed to the side of the table as we discussed the type of reward we would get.

"How about a massage?"
Yes, definitely!.....

"What do you think of pedicures?"
We will need them after our long runs....

"I'd like a new running outfit"
And you will certainly deserve it.....

And so it went. Today I wondered what we would do for our encore... a memory of a conversation I had with Troy several years ago came to mind. I was setting out on a new weight loss program and he was helping me set my schedule. "What do I get when I loose those 10 pounds?" I asked eagerly. ~ He just stared at me, incredulous. "What do you GET?!? (pause for dramatic effect) You GET to weigh 10 pounds less!"

One of the reasons I married this man; he will always tell it as it is.

Okay... Now, back to me. As I was running today, thinking of my sister and our upcoming reward it dawned on me that THIS IS the reward.

REWARD: Being healthy enough to run 10 miles comfortably.

REWARD: Filling my lungs with fresh air and oxygen for almost two hours (even if it was cold air)

REWARD: The 14 beats per minute my resting heart rate has dropped since I began training.

REWARD: The way my favorite jeans fit now, with room in the bum.

REWARD: Endorphins from running don't leave you hungover in the morning.

REWARD: I feel healthy, fit and focused. I think I might even be a nicer person.

Things we do along the way to stay motivated are small celebrations of milestones passed. This entire experience has been the best REWARD, I could think of.


Author's Post Script: But ABOUT that encore.....What do you think of Cirque's KOOZA or the Bare Naked Ladies concert???

The Power of Ten

It was a dark and stormy morning when I pulled into the Nike World Campus. I knew I had ten miles ahead but I still had not decided how to accomplish such a challenge on a day such as this. My gym bag was packed with many layers of clothing so either way I was "covered". I didn't want to run outside in the rain mainly because I didn't want to ruin my running shoes -- which are cute and kind of space-age looking. Also, it wouldn't be a good idea to buy new running shoes one week before the big day. Its suggested by veteran runners to run one's event in the same shoes one trained in.

Well, this story could get longer but since I'm too tired to be creative I'll just tell you what happened.

I ran the first five miles on the treadmill inside the gym. It was so boring and I hated every minute of it -- but I pushed through each mile knowing that I'd be glad to have them behind me when I hit the pavement outside for the last five miles. When I got outside and the cool air hit my, now-beginning-to-be-sore legs, it felt great and reinvigorating. I ran around the campus twice to complete 5 miles (first the big loop then the small loop, for those who are paying attention). With each mile that ticked by I encouraged myself aloud. When the tenth mile was complete I lifted my arms in victory--Rocky Balboa style. I wanted to run back into the gym and announce to the whole world that "I JUST RAN TEN MILES!" But instead I warmed myself for a long time underneath the shower and then took myself out for a bowl of soup.

Hi, my name is Sally and I just ran ten miles.

I'm BACK!!

Today was my longest run AFK. 4 and 1/4 miles. It felt good...I could have done more but don't want to push myself into injury. I'm really looking forward to putting on the miles this week. I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to do it...but that was all mental b/c my body was ready and I had done all of the necessary things to recouperate my IT band.
Two weeks from this moment we will have completed our 1/2 Marathon!

Run, Sister, Run!

Best. Run. Ever.

I've decided that my training falls into two different categories. BFK and AFK.

BFK: Before Fifteen K, I had plenty of great runs. A few tough ones, and one where I had to negotiate with myself not to just stop and go for ice cream. All and all, I was following my training scheudle, doing what I needed to do to accomplish my goal.

AFK: After Fifteen K has been a struggle. My first run out I was a Clydesdale body on Daschund legs. My second run out winded me at mile 2; the third run got my IT to hurting so badly I had to cut it short and walk the rest of it in.

These are NOT the traits of a 1/2 marathoner. Indeed!

Today as I laced up my shoes I was anxious yet contemplative, wanting the result to match my expectation. ~ My feet hit the pavement with a rythmn I hadn't felt since BFK. I felt good! The stop-in-my-tracks pain of last week was no where on that
3.5M Fairmount Loop. When I finished I felt ready to go again.

As far as AFK runs go, this was my best run EVER!

A Short Post

My foam roller has become my new best friend this week. I have been using it to stretch my I.T. Band, quads, hamstrings, calves and even my gluteas maximus. It is an amazing tool. Like Ava, I have had to find other methods of training this week while my muscles heal. I have been swimming, biking and just plain walking. Today I enjoy a great circuit training class.

I am looking forward to a small run on Friday. I haven't run in a week and I'm ready to get back to it.

Bike Sister, Bike!

That's my theme this week! Running isn't in the cards right now. I have to tell you, I miss it!

I miss the way my legs sear and my heart pounds as my feet hit the unforgiving pavement. I really do. I miss the way I feel at the end of a strong outdoor run, my lungs filled with fresh air, my face kissed by the sun.

So, what the frick am I doing on the stationery (or is it stationary?) bike inside a stark gym?

Healing.

Tonight at the gym was the first day since the run that I had gasoline in my tank. I tore the pedals up.

Healing.

So that I can be there, ready at the starting line, and strong at the finish line.

Post Vacation Post

I'm laying in bed with my laptop watching the clock count down to race day. I'm thirsty and thinking that I could have skipped the quesadilla I had last night right before bed. This is the first day back from vacation and its time to get back to "it".

The training experience is quite different on vacation. You saw from my previous post that I did get some running in. All in all I probably ran 8 miles while away. The first few days were easy with somewhat of a routine. I was able to run from Nick & Julie's house and around base. I event got up before dawn one day to make sure I got my run in before we headed to OKC for the weekend.

While staying at The Hampton Inn, I used the fitness room and did some cardio and weight training. I had printed off a nice run around the area that I had planned to do on Saturday, however, a winter storm hit the city on the first day of spring so when I got up on Saturday morning it was snowing. I went back to the fitness room for 40 minutes of cardio -- hardly the 6 miles I was suppose to run.

Like Ava, I have also been having trouble with my IT Band along with some hip pain. (I believe the hip pain is due to ingesting lots of salt and processed foods for the last week --sounds strange, but trust me on this. I'll let you know if it gets better as I get back to eating clean this week.) Today I will go swimming. I think the low impact and stretching will be helpful.

I will pick up my training partner Sarah this morning...it sounds like she's been able to keep up on her fitness, with, up to, five walks a day! More than she will get with me, to be sure!

But before I get back to training & clean eating....I've got to get out of bed!

And on the 7th day God created ADVIL

This has been a difficult week for me, running wise. Early on in our training, back in January or so, I was having trouble with my Iliotibial Band (I-T band). After giving it some rest and major stretching it went away and didn't bother me again.....until my little stunt called the Shamrock 15K.

I-T syndrome is common with runners, brought on my over training. Now my runs are halted around mile 3 with unbearable pain. Unbearable.

Thankfully Amelia and Troy both have had good experience with the I-T roller, a mid-evil contraption that you roll your entire body weight over to soften the I-T muscle. It hurts like hell, but supposedly will keep me on the road.

I couldn't get my training runs in this week. I did a 3 1/2, a 4 and a 3 = total of 10 1/2 miles for those of you that were scolded by your parents for counting on your fingers. I need to be doing 5 miles a couple times a week with a 9 mile this weekend.

The only way to heal the I-T band is rest, stretching and rolling; not running. ~ So, this week I am going to take it easy. Yoga, cycling, stretching and resting.

This isn't the way I want to feel three weeks out from the big dance.

The Oklahoma Plains: Flat, Windy, Planes.

Today was my first run since Sunday's 15K success. Even though I'm on vacation, in Oklahoma, training must continue. Its time to get back to it, after the high of the Shamrock Run and recovery of my legs. My sister-in-law Julie dropped me off at the Altus Air Force Base golf course. There is a 1.9 mile path that goes around the golf course. While everyone else headed over to the base playground, I headed down the path. Back at the house I had added some new "sister" music to my playlist. [that is, music that my sis runs to] I was looking forward to the new songs when I realized I had left my ipod sitting on Julie's kitchen counter. bummer! Oh well, I had just read in my Runner's World magazine that sometimes its good to run without music...I guess today would be one of those days.

As you can imagine the terrain out here, in Oklahoma, is pretty flat. I figured it would be a pretty easy run -- especially after conquering Terwilliger on Sunday. What I didn't factor in was THE WIND! It whips across the plains and makes for some great resistance that is almost comparable to running up hill.

After about a mile I came across a bench perfect for assisting me in some calisthenics (think Fartlek Run). I stopped and did some push ups, tricep dips, squats & lunges. Since I was just a few hundred yards from the base runway, I got to see four huge C-17 cargo planes take off over my head, one after the other. It was SO cool!

On my way back I took in the beauty (yes, I said beauty) of the flatness, the awesomeness of the rows and rows of huge air force planes in the distance. Running through the base to meet up with my family at the playground I thought about how thankful I am for our military and how blessed I am to live in this great country.

It was a great "first day back" run.

Shamrock Photos!

What a great day!

Shamrock 15K Challenge: Done That

Webster's Dictionary describes the verb "RUN" as: to go faster than a walk, to go steadily by springing steps so that both feet leave the ground for an instant in each step.

Sally and I are official runners now! We've done the training runs to prepare us; we've had the early morning race day jitters and the pre-requisite breakfast banana before heading out in the early morning light to meet up with thousands of other folks who also had the bright idea that this would be more exhilarating than staying home under a warm down blanket this day. Those 21,000 people were right.

As we stood in the 15K heat (and I'm not talking about warmth) waiting for the gun to go off I glanced over at my little sister and felt so much pride, joy and love that I had to bite my lip lest I start tearing up. Saved by the starting gun!

We saw Troy around mile marker two and he was a cross between frenzied paparazzi and dutiful supporting husband, as he snapped photos and then ran up the block ahead of us to snap more as we travelled up Broadway! (Thanks, Troy!)

Soon thereafter Sal and I gave each other the "love you" nod and she forged ahead while I traveled my own pace.

The Terwilliger hill? Not as daunting as I anticipated, thank-you-very-much. Before long it began winding down hill... Ahhh, down hill...... And then zchooooop.....another HILL??? Course Designer, I hate you.

But before I knew it, mile marker 6 turned into 7, which morphed into 8......9..... and I was running (with springing steps I think Mr. Webster would be proud of) down the chute to the FINISH LINE!

Troy was on my right, Sally and Eric on my left as I crossed the finish at 1:46!

Why do we run?

We run to achieve a goal.

We run to challenge our bodies and our minds.

We run to be a part of something that collectively is bigger than we are as individuals.

We run so we can say, "I did that".

We run for reward.

Today I ran for pizza.

And to spend an early Sunday morning with my sister.

How many people get to say THAT?!?

A Runner's Best Friend

Bruised toes and bloody nipples, sure it's a runner's "right of passage". But does it have to be?

The answer is a resounding "NO!" If you can finish your run unchaffed and unscathed, why wouldn't you?

I'm here to tell you that Body Glide will help reduce friction in those sensitive places where frankly, no one likes that type of friction.

Glide some on your body TODAY! ...Well, maybe wait til Sunday!