Reading Does a Body Good

I've been reading Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It has been one of those books that I stay up late reading and when I put it down I feel inspired. When I read about these amazing, superhuman-like Ultra Runners I just feel like getting out in the world and doing so much more than I ever thought was possible. Speaking about running specifically for a moment, I just starting running four months ago. I have completed a 5K race in the middle of the pack. I am training now to run a 10K in four weeks. I am not doing so well as I haven't been putting in the miles like I should. But when I read more of this book and learn more about the famous and even not so famous ultra runners out there I am pumped! I imagine what it must look like to watch them run for 50, 100, or 500 miles. I can't fathom what that must be like. I try to read every tidbit of information about form, shoes, style, breathing, diet, everything so that one day I can run those long distances too.

And it's not just about the running. When I hear about people who have the dedication and desire and passion to run across the country or across a desert and put in hundreds of miles a week just running well, I take a look at what I'm doing and think I better kick it into gear! I have never felt so happy to run. I feel better about life when I run. I am not so moody after a run which I am sure my husband and two kids really appreciate because I can be an exhausting roller coaster of emotions. I push myself when I run. I mean, I could push harder but when I'm on the trail or path and it's just me and the sunset and I'm running towards it like if I don't get there then the world might end. It brings me peace. When I feel the air against my face, pushing the hair from my eyes, and feeling the ground beneath me...I feel peaceful. That is until my lungs or shins or calves start burning and then I refocus. But that is good too. I can be very in tune with myself and honestly I don't listen to myself enough so this is a good lesson in that.

I can't wait to keep on with my list of books to keep me learning, inspired, and on the road.

Thank goodness for literature.

You Will Be Injured

I have started reading quite a bit about running and runners and all that goes with the sport. I am also in process of training for a 10K that is in about four weeks. This will be my longest distance so far. I'm nervous. But while reading about these amazing, super human ultrarunners, I am becoming more and more inspired with greater goals to reach for. However, one thing that I keep reading and coming across is that all runners get injured. There is no way around it. You will be injured.

Well, this I know already. The first two weeks I started to run at all my knees were a mess. This is what they looked like after my husband taped them with Kinesio tape.

They hurt and ached like I had never felt before. The tape worked along with a regiment of Fish Oil and joint compound vitamins. And so I continued on with my quest to become a runner.

Just yesterday I made it to four miles. I had a break between mile two and three but I still felt good and like I was really getting the hang of this running thing. Then about half way through mile three I felt an uncomfortable pain start in my knee and it just kept getting worse. I stopped a few times to massage my knee. I could feel a big knot in there. I can still feel it. But I managed to make it all the way to mile four. Whew! I know I am never going to get better if I just keep walking during my runs. I take too many breaks in my opinion. So, I pushed on. Then I took an Ibuprofen and stretched and it by mid afternoon it certainly seemed better.

I had an appointment to participate in a focus group that evening at 5:30 and while sitting there I could feel it starting up again. Maybe the Ibuprofen had worn off. I don't know but it was slowly kicking back into Painsville. After focus group I headed straight for a concert. We parked pretty far out so as to miss the traffic after the show. I looked at my husband and said, "let's run there." It was only about a quarter mile but no sooner did we stop for traffic at about 250 meters did I feel that intense pain in my knee. The hill to get down into the Pavilion was excruciatingly painful to maneuver down as my knee just started on fire. To make matters worse, I decided to jump up and down and rock out all night on my bum knee. I had to limp all the way out and back to the truck with a stiffened straight left leg.  I called it my Pimp Gimp Walk.

Today luckily it feels slightly better but not much. I am supposed to be running three miles today with some sprint intervals at the end. I do not see how that is going to happen. But I gotta say that the more I am held back and the less miles I can pack into my week, the worse I feel. I think to myself that I am never going to be a long distance endurance runner at this rate. But I just have to keep on. I know it will come and that injuries come to all. I can't over train or run on injured knees or I will really end up hurting myself and not be able to run at all. And now that it is practically my salvation for sanity I just can't have accept not running as an option.

So here's to the injured runners. May we heal quickly and effectively so that we may run a million miles.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.

First 5K Race, Here I Come

In just about eight or nine short weeks I have gone from not being able to run for more than two minutes at a time to being able to run my whole 3.1 miles without stopping. I am so amazed and so proud of myself. When I first started running I couldn't even fathom what it would be like to run the whole three mile loop. I was exhausted and huffing and puffing like I was going to pass out after running for like three minutes. My first 5K race is still three weeks away so I have plenty of time to pick up my pace a little before I actually cross the finish line. And I can't wait. I simply can't wait to see my husband and my two boys waiting for me at the end of my first race. I have never competed in anything before. I have never participated in sports in any way. So to set this goal and achieve it is going to be the best feeling in the world.
I haven't even done this race yet and I've set my schedule and training program in place to prepare for a 10K next. I know if I thought it was impossible to do 5K in eight weeks but here I am running 3 miles better and better each time that I can do 6 miles before I know it. I have another 5K race lined up for February and I should be able to do the 10K early spring when it warms up a little. I don't care to run in the cold but luckily we live in NM and it's not often too "cold" comparatively with say, oh Chicago! So here's to reaching goals and setting sights higher and higher. I am so excited.