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Why Do You Run?

Since today is National Running Day, it seems like a good time to think about why I run?  I think it became even clearer to me when I couldn’t run.

I RUN…

  • because it makes me feel good
  • because it makes me feel healthy
  • because it makes me feel active
  • because it gives me time to be alone
  • because it gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment
  • because it makes me feel young
  • because it makes my day start better
  • because it makes a bad day end better
  • because it helps me  enjoy the fresh air and the scenery
  • because I have met awesome people who are runners
  • to inspire others to become runners
  • so that I can eat more ice cream and desserts
  • so I can listen to music I like as loud as I like
  • as fast or slow as I want
  • until I feel like stopping
  • wherever I choose
  • alone or with thousands of others
  • to support a cause
  • to get a medal
  • to a get a tech shirt
  • because I can

It is raining and I have a cold but I hope to at least run on the treadmill at PT today.

Happy National Running Day!  Why do you run?

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Two for Tuesday: The Good and Bad


1. The Good:

Still reveling in the after glow of  my great weekend…

running for the lst time in over 5 months

spending time with my favorite kids

going to NYC to see “Once” on Broadway

2. The Bad:

It has been raining since my race on Saturday. Things aren’t looking good for the rest of the week either.

I have a miserable head cold!!! Yuck!

So my running has been on hold.

Happy Running!

 

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The Cat is Out of the Bag

Image

This photo was published on the front page of the sports section of our local paper yesterday.

I am the one in the purple shirt  front and center.

No, my doctor did not clear me to run yet.  My Pt guy told me I could only walk it.

Oops!

Happy Running?  Ever ignore an injury and run in a race?

 

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Freihofer’s Run for Women Un-Race Report

I got a medal

Obviously not a PR…but this medal is meaningful in a different way.

On Dec 29, 2011, I thought I may not ever run again.

Today, I know I will but I am not sure how fast I will get or how long a distance I will run

But it’s okay.  I definitely appreciate being able to run a lot more.

My new favorite quote:

I made a pact with myself to never complain about an event I’ve successfully finished. No matter what my finish time or pace, I will cross the line with a pocket full of gratitude. Records are meant to be broken, but those moments are far and few between. Every adventure offers an opportunity to evolve, explore, and celebrate life. And that is the gift that keeps on giving.  — Jenny Hadfield

So now about the race.

Yesterday, I took my daily lunch walk to pick up my bib, tee-shirt (& goodies – loaf of bread, box of cookies, lots of free samples). It’s about a 5k there and back.  However, going back is UPHILL.

It was tough; my ankle HURT and I wondered how would I do this race.  Why was I doing this race??

I woke up early today to RAIN!!  I toyed with not going since I wasn’t racing anyway and walking in the rain would take twice as long.

But I put on pants over my skirt, grabbed a jacket and umbrella and drove to work.

The rain let up a little and the walk to race was a good warm up for my ankle.

this year’s banner along the route

I love the ENERGY of this race!! All women! Elites and first timers! 

As I approached the race start, I knew I made the right decision to WALK this race.

I bumped to many people I knew…and finally some of the SRMs for our photo shoot.

some of the group

It was now drizzling but looked like it would rain at any moment.  I decided to hide my pants & umbrella but tie my jacket around my waist & wear the cap. (It was very HUMID so I should have left the jacket behind too.)

I squeezed in with the other YELLOWs (though I thought that I should go to the end with the walkers but it was too far to walk!)

view from above

As soon as the gun went off, off I ran.

Yes, I ran!

I ran up the hill.  I kept running and running and running.

I cautioned myself to go slow so that I would be able to finish the race.

Everyone was running.  I felt that if I stopped to walk, I would be trampled.  Yes, runners were passing me but for the most part I was keeping up at my slow pace.

There were timers at every mile and every K.  I left my Garmin home (not on purpose – I forgot it.) My pace was consistently between 11-12 min/mile…I was happy and I was not struggling to run at that pace.   My ankle did not hurt.

I stopped at both water stops to walk not because I had to but because I was thirsty and felt I should walk some.

As we approached the end…it was downhill.  I slowed as to not FALL and then I sprinted (yes sprinted) across the finish line.

I had TEARS in my eyes.  The last time I felt like this was after my FIRST HALF.

5th FRW

I’m not sure what the chip time was but the gun time was 35:xx.  I far exceeded all my goals!!!!!!

It is my second slowest 5K time (my first 5k was my slowest) but I am SO HAPPY!!!!!!

As soon I finished, it started to rain.

I have to admit, that my ankle really hurt afterwards.  I struggled to walk back to my car.

It was worth it. 

So it seems that the cure for a stiff weak ankle is a RACE!!

Happy Running!  Enjoy your weekend!

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Hopping and Racing


I found out at PT why I am having trouble running.  I cannot hop!

Of course, I can hop on my good foot but I can’t on the other.  As a result, I can only push off on one foot and I am sorta dragging the other … so my running is slow, painful and awkward.

I was told to keep trying to hop.

I know it will come because there was a time when I couldn’t stand and couldn’t walk and couldn’t run.

So when I can hop, I think I will be able to race.

Speaking of racing, tomorrow is one of my favorite races.

Hopefully, it will not rain as predicted.   The SRMs are planning a group photo.  Many of the recent SRM marathoners will be cheering.

SRMs in 2011

Obviously, I cannot race it but I am doing it anyway.

Goals:

  • Walk fast and finish in under an hour
  • Run some and finish under 45 minutes
  • Have fun

Happy Running!  Are you racing this weekend?

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My Favorite Month Has Ended…

May was a pretty good month:

went on my tennis vacation to Florida

turned 59 on 5-9

got to visit with my Russian friend Anna

started boating on Lake George

did a lot of biking

ran my first mile

Here were my May Goals:

  • Continue PT 1-2x per week. Yes, except when on vacation.
  • Do exercises on my own, as well 1-2x per day. Yes, but not a diligently as before.
  • Use exercise bike and/or treadmill at work on days with no PT. Yes, when raining bcause I have been walking outside.
  • Go biking outdoors 1-2x per week. Yes and everyday when on vacation.
  • Go for walks outside. Yes, everyday at lunch.
  • Run outside (at least a few steps or maybe on a track.) Yes, one mile on dirt/sand 4 times so far
  • Hit a few tennis balls (maybe practice serving or volleying) Yes, while on vacation.
  • STAY POSITIVE!! Trying but it is tough!

So I think I’ve met all my goals in recent months so it’s time to switch things up.

June Goals:

  • Run/Walk a 5k in less than 45 min.
  • Run a mile in less than 12 min/mile
  • Run 3 miles (with few walk breaks)
  • Sign up for a 5k

How’s that for optimism?

Happy Running!  How did you do in May?

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Boating and Running

Two of my favorite things!!

the gang toasts the 1st boating weekend of the season

my hubby enjoying the view

enjoying a Memorial Day lunch on the island

a visitor to my chair

I am still working on running.  I didn’t leave my Garmin behind as suggested. I dodged the storm yesterday and ran ONE MILE on the dirt path of Washington Park (with some walking) at an amazing pace of 12:33!!

As soon as I got in my car, the rain came and boy did it rain!!!

Today is a PT day and tomorrow, I hope to try some more running. 

I have an Un-Race on Saturday and then a trip to NYC on Sunday.

Happy Running!

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Re-Learning To Run

I’ll start with this quote:

“Everything will be all right in the end… if it’s not all right then it’s not the end.”

It’s from The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.  I absolutely loved this movie. (Go see it if you haven’t!!)

Anyway back to my first running experience.

My PT guy said I could run on a track.  I decided that this would be boring so on Friday after work, I parked near Washington Park, walked to and from the park and ran on the dirt paths around the lake and the gardens.

Running is not easy right now.  Since my ankle is still stiff, I have to focus on running correctly (if that is possible).  It’s much harder than on a treadmmill since the treadmill is already moving.  Pushing off, that is moving forward is tough.  So my pace for run/walk was about 14 min/mi.

2.5 miles

after my lst run in 5 months

I’m not giving up.

On Sunday, in Bolton Landing, I walked a mile to the Sagamore Hotel and ran a mile on the Nature Trail and then walked back to the marina.

in front of the Sagamore Hotel

my view from the Nature Trail

Still running at a slow 13.39 min/mi pace. UGH!! (Maybe I should ditch the Garmin until I am healed!!)

But “it’s not the end.”

And I will be fine… (just don’t know when???)

Happy Running!

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11 Good Things About Being Injured

If you are new to my blog, this was me during my 10 mile training run on Dec 29, 2011:


and then this was me for 2 months after that day (note the surgically repaired raised ankle on the left):

Five months later, I am on the road to recovery (I can walk without limping) and I want to say that it hasn’t been all bad:

  1. Less laundry – no running clothes or tennis clothes or yoga clothes (and sometimes all 3) to wash each day
  2. Fewer bags to carry to work – no running gear bag or tennis gear bag or yoga clothes bag to lug into work
  3. Easier to park your car – my handicap sticker came in handy cuz it’s free to park with it at the beach
  4. More time with friends and family – I now eat dinner with my hubby every evening
  5. Save money – no race fees, no gels to buy, my running shoes are not wearing out
  6. Learn something new – I now know how to knit
  7. Discover other ways to exercise – I walk at lunch and ride my bike on weekends (I never did this before…)
  8. Eat healthier – in order for my ankle to heal faster, I started taking vitamins, eating more fruits & veggies- I didn’t have to carb load so although I haven’t run in 5 mos, I haven’t really gained weight
  9. Get more sleep – no getting up early to run before work or to race on Sat, no coming home wired from tennis & staying up too late
  10. Teaches patience – I am NOT a patient person…I do things right away and I want instant results so I guess this was a test (I may have still failed, though)
  11. Find out who  your friends really are – I am truly blessed…I have received many cards, gifts, meals, loads of support, etc.

See I can write a positive post…more on my first attempts at running to come!!

Happy Running! If you have been injured, can you add anything to the list?

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FMM on Thursday

So if you’re not running, then you have to invent things to blog about. So here’s a belated FMM thanks to www.alltheweigh.com

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question before next Monday on your own blog and then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com  so we can all see your FMM questions and answers.

Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Here’s this week’s topic!

FMM: Three Things

1. Three of your favorite movies:

– Midnight in Paris
– Slumdog Milionnaire
– Once
-many others but these come to mind first

2. Three of your favorite things to drink:

– Starbucks frapuccino
– Starbucks latte
– Chocolate Martini

3. Three of your favorite songs:

-anything by the Beatles
-anything by Billy Joel
-anything by Adele
– Many others as well

4. Three people who have recently been a positive influence on your life (outside of your family):

– my tennis friends who have supported me (with visits, food, etc) during my recent injury
– PT guys Rick & Joe who have patiently helped me recover
-my friend from Russia, Anna who has showed me how to appreciate the little things

5. Three things you to do keep yourself entertained:

– Blogging & reading Facebook
– Reading books and magazines
– Knitting

6. Three things you’re attracted to in the opposite sex:

-sense of humor
-athletic ability
-honesty

7. Three things you love about yourself:

– I’m pretty smart.
– I’m good with technology
– I’m creative.

8. The last three people who text messaged you:

– my tennis friend Catalina
-my boating friend MaryAnn
-my mentee Amanda

9. Three things you’re looking forward to this week:

– a 3-day weekend on our boat
– running outside a little (without any bad side effects)
– seeing a movie

10. Three wishes specifically for yourself…What are they? (Be selfish, and be honest.)

– that my ankle heals sooooon
-great weather this summer (esp. on the weekends)
-financial stability

11. Three of your favorite quotes:

-“Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.” ~ Lance Armstrong
-“If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years…” ~ John Bingham
-“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

12. Three of your biggest fears:

-that I will not be able to run again
-that I will get injured again
-that I will not have enough money to retire (ever)

13. Three of your favorite TV shows:

– Smash
–The Good Wife
– Grey’s Anatomy

14. Three of your favorite things to purchase when you’re shopping.

– running gear
– shoes
– tops

15. Three things that you enjoyed last week:

– the beach in Naples, Fla
– boating last Saturday on Lake George
– dinner out with friends in Bolton Landing

16. Three things that you always have in your bag (or close to you if you’re not a purse kind of person. )

-phone
-sunglasses
-extra pair of contacts

17. Three types of food that you wouldn’t want to give up.

– coffee
– ice cream
– carbs such as bagels, pies, cakes, etc.

18. Three things you do to enjoy burning calories:

– running (when I was healthy)
– tennis (when I was healthy)
– riding my bike

19. Three things you dislike about blogging:

– not getting comments
-running out of storage space for images
-inventing things to talk about when not running

20. Three ways blogging has changed your life:

-kept me motivated to keep running
-introduced me to new people with the same interests
-I learned things about running from those who are more experienced & more knowledgeable

Now it’s your turn to answer the questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in Alltheweigh‘s comments.

Happy Running!  Have a great weekend!  Will you be racing?