A Running Survey

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I saw this post on Carrots 'n' Cake and thought it might be fun to share with y'all, too -- especially because I'll soon be training for my next big race (half marathon? marathon?) with the kids!

Best Run

For this, I have two answers: my first 15-mile run and Dam to Dam 2012.

My first 15-mile run was not necessarily my best run because it was the first time that I had run that far in my life but rather because it was literally the best my girl Jori and I had run -- ever.  We started at Roosevelt and headed downtown via Ingersoll and ran straight to the fairgrounds and back.  Jori and I ran nearly the entire time (we usually take liberal walk breaks), and we both felt like we could continue the run for a couple more miles.  It was great.

Dam to Dam was the second time that I felt so accomplished.  First, I trained for this race largely on my own.  Sure, I would find a friend to run with every now and again, but it was mostly just me.  Second, it was the second time that I ran nearly the entire time.  Although, as you can see in my race recap, the running ended with 200 meters to go: I got sick.  Still, however, I was so proud of myself.

Three Words that Describe My Running

Therapeutic.

Slow.

Enlightening.

My Go-To Running Outfit

No one ever told me how darn expensive running is.  I guess I thought I could just go out in sweatpants, a tank top, and some tennis shoes and do just fine.  I'm sure I could -- for a mile or so.  But if I want to go on a "real" run, I have some necessities:

Obviously, I need a good pair of running shoes.  If you are even considering running more than a block, please please please go get fitted for a good pair of shoes, talk to someone who actually knows running, and shell out some dough for the ones that will work best for you.  I'm on my second pair of Asics GT2000s (the 2170s, to be exact), and I love them.  I have a lot of foot issues, specifically in regards to tendonitis and residual effects from a horrible sprain, and these minimize those injuries extraordinarily.

In addition to good shoes, I also need good socks to ward away as many blisters as possible.  The best ones I've found so far are from Nike.

I have to wear super-fitted spandex capris and a tank top with as little fabric as possible.  A good sports bra is also a must, but I don't have good recommendations as to amazing big-boob bras, as I'm still trying to find one myself.

I also must have a headband, especially if I'm running a long race.  I buy a new Bondi Band at each expo: iRun, One Hot Mess, Twins (like the baseball team, written in rhinestones), and 26.2.  These are good for a.) keeping the sweat out of my eyes, and b.) keeping my ears warm before a race.

Finally, I need to have my Spibelt, my Garmin, my hand-stamped bracelet and necklace, and a cute pair of bling-y stud earrings.  (Yes, I know I'm crazy.)

Quirky Habit While Running

I never noticed I did this until I was running in northern Illinois one day and passed a woman who gave me a thumbs up.  I was like, what?  Do I look like I'm dying (cuz I'm definitely not running fast...)?

Nope.  Not the case.

Apparently I run with my thumbs up.  It's really important to have relaxed hands, and for me, that means I'm constantly giving people a thumbs-up, I guess.

Oh well.  Better than flippin' 'em the bird.

Morning, Mid-Day, or Evening

I like getting my runs out of the way.  (Wow, sure sounds like I loooooooove running, huh?)  I feel like I don't get much motivation after I bum around, eat breakfast, clean the house, watch TV, etc.  If I'm going to get out there, it'd better be right away.

I Won't Run Outside When It's...

Late at night.

I have no problems running in the dark if it's at 6:00 a.m.  But once 9:00 rolls around, there is no way I'm heading out for a run.  I made this mistake when I was running with some kiddos who were fasting during Ramadan and had no choice but to run (and fuel) after sundown.  We headed out for a 12-mile run, and while I thought I had planned a route that was well-lit, it turns out that Des Moines is pretty much pitch-black (and scary!) after dark.

No way am I doing that again.

Worst Injury -- and How I Got Over It

Well, this would have to be the tendonitis that prohibited me from running the marathon in 2011.  After that glorious 15-mile run, I became quite injured and just could not make the other long runs happen.  I went to a lot of physical therapy, used kinesiotape, ultrasound, and e-stim, and then in the end just had to rest.  A lot.

I Felt Most Like a Badass Mother Runner When...

Mags and I finished the Gladiator Assault Challenge a year ago.

Running more than five miles up and down the ski slopes in Boone, shimmying under barbed wire, climbing cargo nets, scaling slippery embankments, traversing tires and endless trails, and climbing cliffs was so freakin' hard and so freakin' awesome.

I was bloodied, bruised, and battered beyond belief, and all of it was oh, so worth it.

Running Goal for 2013

• Finish Dam to Dam (since it's in seven weeks and I haven't really started training)
• Run two half marathons (Minneapolis and Des Moines)

OR

• Run one half marathon (Minneapolis) and one full marathon (Des Moines)

BUT, I just don't know if I can do that to myself again either physically or mentally.  We'll see.

Next Race Is...

The Glow Run.  My next real race, however, is Dam to Dam.


What are your running goals for this year?  If you enjoyed reading through my survey, answer the questions yourself, link back, and let me know!

Decisions, Decisions

I'm sorry, but I'm going to talk about my feet.  Again.

Today I ran twelve miles.  Let me repeat in case you didn't quite get that: I. Ran. Twelve. Miles.

Although, I'm not sure "ran" would entirely be the correct word.  It was somewhere in the mid-90's today, with a heat index of 109 degrees and humidity so thick that we could barely see in front of us.  Essentially, it was the most awful weather I have ever experienced - which led to the most difficult thing I have ever done.

The distance was definitely twelve miles.  I would say we ran nearly the entire first six to seven miles, and then it all went downhill.  We. Were. Dying.  There was a lot of walking involved, and frankly, I was not even sure I could walk the last mile.  My entire body hurt, my hands were so swollen that they had creases on them, and I was nearing pass-out point.

It wasn't good.  But I did it.  Kind of.

The rest of today has included a lot of eating and a lot of sleeping.  It's fairly unbelievable.

I also went to Half-Price Books with the BFF and bought tons of books for so little money.  I'm excited to start perusing them, especially the books I bought about Africa, child soldiers, and the many civil wars.  (I'm starting summer school on Monday, and our first unit is all about the Lost Boys of Sudan; I bought several other books to use as additional resources with the kids.)

Now I'm chowing down some Mac & Cheese (the meal of marathoners, duh) before getting ready to go out with some girlfriends this evening.  Here's my question to you: do you think my über-sore legs and ridiculously-blistered feet can handle these shoes?

Or are flip-flops the way to go?

Maybe my Sauconys?

A Milestone

Happy Monday, everyone!  I hope you all had wonderful, relaxing weekends!

Mine was awesome: jam-packed full of family, friends, and fun.  It started on Friday when my soon-to-be sister-in-law came to town.  She recently became a stylist with Stella and Dot and had a trunk show at my apartment.  I am usually not super into house parties where stuff is being sold, but I absolutely LOVE this jewelry line and am even thinking of selling it myself.  Until that happens, though, please consider purchasing from Aly.  :)

After the trunk show, we went downtown to meet her best friend, and after a quick visit to a new-ish patio, we headed up to her friend's roof - and managed to bribe a singer/songwriter/street performer to play his guitar up there for us.  While it was a little on the humid side, it was a spectacular view and amazing entertainment.

Saturday morning, we woke up bright and early (5:45!) for our run.  Can you guess how many miles we did?

It was awesome.  I cannot even tell you how proud I am of all of us - and I'm totally including myself here!  It was SO hot outside, and it was obviously the longest distance we've run.  Interestingly (or maybe not so interestingly), it was the first time I've been sore after running.  I really haven't had any muscle soreness, oddly enough.  The ten-miler was quite different, though, and I was hurting immediately after we finished.

In addition, while my slicing shin pain has been almost completely alleviated with my new shoes, I am starting to develop "runners' knee."  It's very, very sore, but I also know I need to ice and Advil more than I am.

But enough complaining: I RAN TEN MILES!

After the run we came home and had to relatively quickly get ready for an appointment: to shop for wedding dresses!  We hit up Schaffer's, an upscale bridal boutique, where Aly tried on beautiful couture gowns and classy bridesmaids' dresses.  From there we went to the mall to pick up new running shoes for Aly, new software for me, and lunch.  And then Aly had to leave.  :(  I love that girl and am so thankful she's a part of my family.

As soon as I arrived home, I absolutely crashed on the couch.  I did not even wake up to two text messages or a phone call - and I always wake up to my phone!  Saturday night I went on a date to see Horrible Bosses.  I had absolutely no idea what this movie was about (or even what genre it was), but I am so glad we went: it is one of the funniest movies I have seen in a LONG time.  I was crying because I was laughing so hard.  After the movie we went to one of my favorite bars, had a couple of cocktails, and called it a night.

And it was a good thing we did because I had to wake up early: my mama came to town!  We had a girls' afternoon/evening at Summerset Winery planned, and my mom came in early so that we could go to brunch and then on a hot, humid cemetery walk.  After a short rest at home, we packed up our picnic and headed south to the winery for a wonderful time with great friends.  I worked briefly on my new job (!!!) and then crashed - I was pooped!

Today included a three-mile run and a gut-buster workout, a dentist appointment, more work for the new job (!!!), and dinner with friends, and now I am ready to crash.  Is it bad that I'm kind of crossing my fingers for storms in the morning so that I can sleep in and run later in the day?  :)

My Running Mantra

For See-Us Run Des Moines, we have practice Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.  The three weekdays are shorter runs, generally three to four miles, accompanied by strength workouts (hills, squats/lunges, crunches, sprints, etc), and the Saturday run is our long run, gradually building distance until we reach 20 miles, the farthest we will run pre-marathon.  As Dawn Dais says in one of my all-time favorite books, The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women: Get Off Your Butt and On With Your Training, "Since when do you only train for two-thirds of an athletic event?"

Because of my amazing summer-work schedule, I am able to attend most of the morning practices.  Last week, however, I wasn't able to attend any.  That does not mean that I skipped working out altogether; instead, I had the pleasure of running after summer school - at 1:00 - in 100-degree weather.  Let me tell you how much I was looking forward to those runs.

I cannot tell you how many times I had to repeat my three favorite running mantras:

• I will never regret a workout - this is courtesy of Tina Haupert at Carrots 'n' Cake, probably my all-time favorite blog.  She recently ran her first marathon and continually has great workout routines as well as healthy recipes, and I really appreciate that she is so realistic.  She'll have dessert, and she'll have a cocktail.  It's so refreshing seeing someone to whom I can really relate.  I had to repeat this over and over and over in order to brave the heat to complete my workouts this week.
• My body is stronger than I think it is - honestly, I cannot remember who deserves the credit for this one.  It may be Kristin from Iowa Girl Eats.  I get a lot of my workout inspiration (and recipes!) from her.  Regardless of who the originator is, this quote is so true: our bodies are machines, intended to do hard work; our minds are what prevent us from doing so.  I constantly remind myself of this during workouts.
• I can do anything for two minutes/a fourth of a mile/etc. - I believe my mom is the creator of this gem.  If I'm struggling up a hill or at the end of a race (okay, okay: throughout the entire race), I repeat over and over and over that I can do anything for a short amount of time/distance.  The other day one of my students and I went to the YMCA as opposed to running in a 117-degree heat index, and we ran two miles at a much faster pace than we do on the trails.  I repeatedly had to remind myself that I can do anything - even a really fast anything - for a short amount of time.

You can bet that as I lace up my tennies to run ten miles (yes, TEN MILES) on Saturday, these three mantras will be on "repeat" in my mind.  I can't imagine finishing the run without them!

Speaking of tennies, here are my brand-spankin'-new shoes:

I went to a real-life running store and got fitted for new shoes because of intense pain I'd been having in my shins.  I cannot even begin to tell you how much these have helped; the pain is non-existent (knock on wood).  Thank you, Fitness Sports.

Now if I could just find a sports bra...

Reality

So, reality has sunken in.  This is what I'm going to be doing in approximately 16.5 weeks (please note my new, fancy-schmancy countdown for the exact numbers):

What in the world am I thinking?