Am I a runner?

No, I am not. I am a jogger. And I'm ok with that. Today was the "big" run for my Sole Sisters and I, they running a 25k and I running a 5k. I use the term "running" loosely, because my pace is no match to theirs. I really don't even keep track of my pace, other than to be able to converse with them about it. Today, I had planned to at least try to beat my time from last year. But I was running with a friend who struggles with running, and I opted to stick with her instead. And ya know what? I really enjoyed myself today. When she walked, I jogged slowly next to her. Instead of looking at the ground, and searching out the openings to be able to move ahead, I looked around and enjoyed the crowd cheering us on, the beautifully georgeous weather, the U.S. Marine corp group running in formation, chanting their songs as they passed. I really had a fun time! I ran with my friend through mile 2. That was where the "big" hill is that her and I have discussed the past year that we needed to get through (this year it didn't really seem nearly so big!), and I really felt I wanted to be with her as we ran up it, and cheer with her at the end of it. It was a great feeling. After that, she wanted to walk again, and said I could go on, so I opened up and just ran. While that felt good too, I wasn't attentive to my time. Truth be told, I still haven't checked my time. So I think I'm really just a jogger. But, man, I sure did enjoy the jog today a lot more than I would have a run. And I'm ok with that.

Why I eat

At a recent gathering of the Sole Sisters, the topic of eating came up. One of the girls was lamenting how she was unable to meet her daily caloric needs with her running, not able to eat enough. My jaw just dropped. I asked her how that was possible. How could she not eat enough? She said she just wasn’t hungry. Huh?? Since when does being hungry have to be the motivator to eat? (Yes, I know this is an issue I need to work on. :)) She didn’t appear to understand where I was coming from, so I’m writing this to offer some insight to her.

Why do I eat?

• I eat because… it’s 8 a.m. and I’m “supposed” to have breakfast.
• I eat because… it’s 9 a.m. and I’m cleaning up the kids breakfast dishes and there’s two bites of oatmeal from the 2-year-old, and one bite of peanut butter toast from the 4-year-old, and, ummm…yum! Can’t waste that!
• I eat because… it’s 10 a.m. and the kids are asking for something to eat, and some apple slices magically slip into my mouth.
• I eat because… it’s 11:30 a.m. and I’m making the kids lunches and peanut butter is my absolute biggest weakness, so how can I help having a teaspoon or two?
• I eat because… it’s 12 noon and it’s “time” for me to eat lunch now.
• I eat because… it’s 12:30 p.m. and I’m cleaning up the kids lunch plates, and there’s a couple bites of p.b.&j. sandwich left, and did you read about me and peanut butter?
• I eat because… it’s 1:30 p.m. and the kids are asking for a snack, and the pretzels/peanuts/teddy grahams sound nice and crunchy and just a little won’t hurt.
• I eat because… it’s 2 p.m. and I’m so tired I could fall asleep if I sit down so I need some energy food.
• I eat because it’s 2:30 p.m. and the 2-year-old just came in from the sandbox and put her sandy hand in the ½ full jar of peanut butter. Then when she realized she was going to get in trouble, she ran to hide behind the couch in the family room and stuck her peanut-buttery-sandy hands all over it. Oh I need some chocolate!!
• I eat because… it’s 4 p.m. and my 6-year-old just got home from school and it is yet another snack time, and now I AM actually hungry, and cheese and crackers and grapes sound yummy.
• I eat because… it’s 6 p.m. – dinnertime. Of course, dinner is always really tasty because it’s something that sounds good to me, or that I haven’t had in a while, and while I do make my dinners healthy, that doesn’t help when you overeat because it tastes so good.
• I eat because… it’s 9 p.m. and the kids are all in bed and I could actually eat something without having to share it with 3 others’ little hands.

With all these opportunities, I don’t understand, how does my Sole Sister NOT eat?!

Sitting on the bench

Running has been something that I wanted to do my whole life, but never did until January 2007.  I was recruited by SoleSisterJeanine and SoleSisterShelly for training for the 5/3 Riverbank race.  I found the training excoriating and thrilling.  By the summer of 2007, I had decided that I was runner.  What an amazing feeling! 

 This year, I have been ‘benched’ due to my pregnancy for my second child.  I am thrilled to be pregnant, although not running is a lot harder than running!  I have read many articles about running during pregnancy, although I did not feel my body was able to handle running and making a baby, and I chose to take a break.   My husband feels this pregnancy is ‘flying by’, I disagree 100%!  Walking on the treadmill next to a runner makes a pregnancy go slow!   I only have five weeks left in my pregnancy, and then a few weeks of rest, and I’ll be back on the running track. 

 Listening to my fellow teammates will give me the energy to balance two young children and running.  I look forward to all of their tips to start up my training this summer, and hopefully I’ll be able to join them in a few races in the fall.

I always want more!

I ran 15 miles today. I am very excited to be back there. It has been a year of resting, dealing with injuries, learning form, reading about nutrition and just puttin' in the miles, but I am back and feeling much better than the last time I was here! However, it was on this run this morning in the pouring rain that I realized--- I am really good at 13 miles. I could even get really good, but I want more. If I can do 13, I think to myself, why not 15 and if I can do 15 why not 26.2!!!! Well, I am sore this evening, but it is a good sore and I don't think even Astavita, which has been incredible on this training journey, will work for me this week. But that is okay, I know that by the time I need to run again I will (not sure sure the last time I was here at good ole' 15!) Because when it comes down to it. . .I will always want more miles and in time I'll get them!

Out Like a Lamb?

I've never really understood that whole "In like a lion, out like a lamb" thing. I don't think it holds true in Michigan. Cold is cold. It can still snow in April. We can still get an ice storm. This winter has been a trying one--record snowfall, ice, an occasional warm day just to wreak havoc on our sinuses.

We had our first race of the season on March 15. Chris, Jeanine, and I ran a local 5K. I have to say, the weather was quite perfect that day. Low 20s and sunny. Not like today--rain rain rain, but supposedly it will get up to 60 today. I've decided, however, I may not necessarily run the Irish Jig again. It seems to be a jinx for me. Four years in a row--2005--I ran with the flu, just because I couldn't get ahold of my running partner to tell her I had a fever of 102. 2006--that was the day I got a stress fx to the hip/foot. 2007--ran it w/ another stress fx to the foot--different spot. This year--developed heel pain. Am HOPING it is plantar fasciitis and not another $%&**@ stress fx. Am thankful for the bike to be able to cross-train.

Chris and Jeanine had great times for the 5K. Mine--30:06. I've defintely had better. It was hard to keep myself going slower--I'm "saving" myself for the 25K in May, and clearly fear injury -- with good reason.

I guess the only bright side is that it gives me a lot of space to improve, eh?

Post-Vacation...Pre-Race

What a week! This past weekend my husband and I went on a short cruise -- a reward to him from his company for the crazy hours and work he puts in (and results, of course). I made sure to get in all the runs pre-vacation as well as on the cruise. Trying to run on a ship during a storm with high swells made for an interesting time! I chose the treadmill in the gym instead of the track, as I had a 8-9 mile run on schedule for my long run--and the track is only 1/11th of a mile. I sure as heck didn't want to have to keep track of 99+ times around! My husband offered to count for me...but I'm not sure I could have trusted his count as he sat there lounging, drink in hand. The ship would shift, thus making me shift on the treadmill--trying to stay on was a core workout in itself. But I did it! I worked out every day we were gone, and I made sure to only use the stairs and no elevator the whole time, too. Not one pound gained on the trip!

This coming weekend is our first race of the season--the Irish Jig 5K, with proceeds going to colorectal cancer research/awareness for a local hospital. This is one of my favorite races--very laid back, always cold, and the kick-off for many area runners for the local race season. Three of us Sole Sisters are running in it--along with some other friends of ours from a Moms' Group we are in. I can't wait! My biggest dilemma right now is what to wear and whether or not to still fit in a long run this weekend. This marks the weekend I tend to attract stress fractures, so I'm still on the fence with that one.

We'll drop a line next week to let you all know how we do! :)

Michigan Winters!

Michigan Winters are not usually this bad, but alas I love it! SNOW, SNOW and more SNOW!!!! The snow is awesome for skiing which I do, but not for the running. Here is the problem: running in the snow is aggrivating my IT Band and right foot!!! I didn't have this problem last year because the deepest snow I ran in was 2 inches which was lovely for YakTrax. So, I have been relegated to the treadmill for the past month and while my feet and knees thank me my mind is about to explode! I have 9 miles this weekend and I just saw they plowed the bike path. Hopefully, my IT Band and foot will hold up on the pavement. Beacuse my mind really does need the break right now!