A Running Mom

my favorite run

The start of the race is important to me. Sometimes race directors line you up in some random, tight space that feels more like a cattle chute than the beginning of a race that required some training on your part. The Chicago Marathon has a start that is a little like that. The Marine Corps Marathon lacks a bit in the starting arena, too. Both races are phenomenal in total, but the start? Not so fabulous.

For me? The New York City Marathon start is unbelievable. Bam! You’re running over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. In an instant, your memory-making begins. It won’t matter how well you run that race, there are 2 points in running the New York City Marathon that you won’t ever forget: the start and the finish. 

The Fairfield Half Marathon used to have a start that left quite an impression, too. Same with the Shelter Island 10K. Even the Hoboken 5K (I think?) offers a lasting impression of the neighborhood-all-out-in-the-street-to-support-the-race kind of feeling that makes every runner happy to be out on the course and taking part in the run.

All it takes is a key visual, like a peek at the ocean or a downtown full of spectators, the race gives the runner a feeling of something special; unique; memorable.

What are some of your fave starts of races? Why? What should my half marathon training race?

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Photo Credit: http://farm3.static.flickr.com

My friend, Karen, and I, used to run together in New York City. We both loved to chat and run, so we made perfect running companions. She joined the NYRRC and began training for longer and longer runs. Next thing I knew, I started running longer and longer runs, too. If Karen could run that far, I started to think, then I can too. Before I even realized how far we were running, we were training for the NYC Marathon.

I ran my first marathon in 4:32, back in the days before running chips. I had to wait 16 minutes before I crossed the starting line, and then, at mile 2, I needed to relieve myself so badly that I waited in one of the hideous lines for a portajohn for 15 minutes! I finished that race with confidence that I could break 4 hours one day. I immediately began to plan for my next marathon.

After I had my first child, I ran my second marathon and managed to shave off 16 minutes. 

Then I ran my third marathon and somehow managed to add them back.

My fourth marathon was going swimmingly. I reached 13 at an 8:30 pace but found my hamstrings in full charlie horse mode by mile 22, and finished the race with a personal best by minutes.

All I need to do is keep a 9 minute mile pace, and I can do it. I can break 4 hours!

So I’m planning my 5th marathon. And I really think I’ll do it this time. 

Any advice?

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Photo Credit: www.active.com

This weekend, whatever else you’ve got going on, you go get that run in. Me? I’m going to try and get 2 runs in. 3 miles tomorrow. 6 on Sunday. Wish me luck! Hopefully I’ll have something to share to inspire you.

I haven’t been running longer distances in the past few weeks. So I’m hoping the back-to-back milage will help me get back some strength. I know I need this for a few reasons:

1. I felt sore in my quads this morning after playing tag (aka Mommy Monster) in the basement with my kids. Now that’s not right. And it’s a tad unbelievable, actually. But all the same, it’s true. I guess it was from all that “sprinting.”

2. I’m carrying that winter extra little insulation and I want to get rid of it. How can I tell? My baggy pants just aren’t so baggy right now. Need to correct this asap.

3. There are a few things on my mind that are still fuzzy; I need some clarity. So, for me, this means that I need to get a few more miles in!

TGIF! Cheers!

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Photo Credit: thebullrunner.com

Check out these moms who ran the “Milkshake Marathon” — a fun run for breastfeeding. Can you imagine?Breastfeeding moms running a marathon? I’m sure that’s shocking to some. Not to me. After I had my first child, I felt determined to get back into running shape, so I trained for the NYC Marathon (with the doctor who delivered my baby, can you believe it?). I had my first child in June and ran the NYC marathon in November. It was a challenge, but it ended up really making me feel like I could accomplish anything. That’s pretty much the feeling at the finish of a big race you’ve trained to run, isn’t it? That race, for me, represented so much, because I was one of those moms who planned to go back to work, but when the time came to leave that baby, I just couldn’t do it. I didn’t want to be a stay-at-home mom. I wanted to be a working mom. But I just couldn’t leave that baby? See the irony there? More on that later.

I can still feel the incredible soreness of needing to nurse my daughter at the end of the race… I rarely went 8 hours during a day without nursing her, and by the time I made it back home to my 5-month old, I was bursting! True story.  

Photo Credit: www.meetup.com

Check out these women! They are new runners in Washington who trained together through meetup.com. Don’t they look like a fun group to run with? 

Photo Credit: catherinedrew.wordpress.com

And then there’s this woman, finishing a race with a huge smile. Don’t you love it? Best part of her story is that the smile isn’t because she finished. It’s because she spotted the photographer too late to strike her running pose! I simply love this pic and this story. How many times have you run a race and reviewed the pictures from it with dismay, as you see yourself either looking too comfortable or a tad weary!

At least in this shot she looks really happy! I’d take that!

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Photo Credit: bellaonthebeach.files.wordpress.com

I’ve been chatting with friends who want to run but feel intimidated by the very thought of putting on running shoes and running out the door. They say that they have been doing such a low level of aerobic activity, that they can’t imagine even running a mile. If you feel like this, you’re going to love this post. I wrote it based on how I would get back into running after my 12 weeks of resting after having a baby. Now, before you try it, of course, you need to make sure your doctor agrees that training for a 5K race is a good idea for you. Bounce this training plan off her. See what she thinks. And if it’s a go, here’s how you can get your happy feet running a 5K. It’s easy. Fun. You’ll be so proud of yourself, too! Try this: 

Day 1: Put on your comfortable shoes. Set your running watch for 20 minutes. Walk out the door. Keep walking for 5 minutes. Now try to jog for 5 more. Walk 5. Jog 5. How did you feel? You’ll never feel this tired again. So the worst part is over. Congratulations.

Day 2: Same as day 1. But this time, walk for 10 minutes first and then complete the walk/jog.

Day 3: Rest. Stretch. Drink water.

Day 4: Same as Day 1.

Day 5: Today set your watch for 30 minutes. Walk 5. Jog 5. Walk 5. Jog 5. Walk 5. Jog 5.

Day 6: Rest. Stretch. Drink water.

Day 7: Set your watch for 40 minutes. Walk 10. Jog 5. Walk 10. Jog 5. Walk 2. Jog 8.

Day 8: Set your watch for 40 minutes. Walk 10. Jog 5. Walk 5.  Jog 5. Walk 2. Jog 8.

Day 9: Rest. Stretch. Drink water.

Day 10: Set your watch for 40 minutes. Walk 5. Jog 8. Walk 5. Jog 8. Walk 2. Jog 12.

Day 11: Set your watch for 35 minutes. Walk 5. Jog 10. Walk 5.  Jog 15.

Day 12: Rest. Stretch. Drink water.

Day 13: Today’s a big day. You’re ready to jog for 25 minutes straight. Set your watch for 35 minutes. Walk 5. Jog 10. Jog 15. Walk 5. Congratulations!  Wasn’t that easy?

Day 14: Rest. Stretch. Drink water.

Day 15: Set your watch for 35 minutes. Walk 5. Jog 10. Jog 15. Walk 5.

Day 16: Set your watch for 40 minutes. Walk 5. Jog 30. Walk 5.

Day 17: Set your watch for 40 minutes. Walk 5. Jog 30. Walk 5.

Day 18: Rest. Stretch. Drink water.

Day 19: Rest. Stretch. Drink water.

Day 20: Rest. Stretch. Drink water.

Day 21: Run your 5K race! Be proud!

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Each Spring, when the weather warms enough, I make the official switch from hot lattes to iced. I have a friend who does the same thing. It was beautiful one day this week. I finished a run. I went to the coffee shop to reward myself with my fave drink, a latte, when it struck me: maybe it’s time to make the switch! So I texted my friend.

She texted back. No. It’s not warm enough. Soon.

You must know that when it’s this warm, I feel the need to make the switch, officially.

I’m getting impatient.

I’m longing for sun. Warmth. A healthy glow on my skin. A nice, cold, iced latte!

When?

When to switch?

How long do we wait? 

March 21st?

Once you make the switch, it’s hard to go back. It won’t do to switch and then have more snow.

So when?

When do you start drinking your iced lattes?

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Ever have one of those days where you think all is well then you find out that something has gone terribly wrong? Maybe a friend lets you down; Something you’ve worked hard to accomplish falls through; At the moment of taking on a run you’ve orchestrated, you find you cannot complete it because you’ve suddenly fallen ill.

It’s days like these that require each of us to dig deep and make use of that sudden change of plans without feeling totally disappointed. This weekend, I found myself feeling pretty crummy. Against every grain of my being, I pulled myself together, crawled into bed and resigned myself to resting–something I hate to do. In order to coax myself into settling down, I decided to take on something I absolutely love and grabbed a book I was planning to read: Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer. Fabulous.

Meyer’s characters exude such tension and yearning from the first page of the book, that a reader who loves a good character sketch gets caught quickly in her web. I love it. Can’t put it down. When will I find time to run?

I was nearly sad to wake up the next day feeling healthy again. And yes, I did enjoy a run in the pouring rain, with my fave person in the world. It was a relaxed run without any big hills or fast speed, but a ton of chatting and laughing. Just what I needed to keep me from spending the day curled up reading the entire book one of the Twilight Series! More on that later.

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

So check it out: if I can run about 15 miles/week, Hal Higdon has a training schedule that gets me running the Pittsburgh Marathon.

http://tinyurl.com/gmsne

Think I’m crazy?

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Some people rock in a chair. Others jump on a trampoline. More lock themselves in a room and force the issue. A few get surprised by them. And the elite get ‘em continuously. Me? I get my ideas when I’m running.

What spurs your brilliance? Think about it. Really. Now make plans to do that again. And again. It’s why I run. Brilliance? Ok. Not really brilliance. But clarity about my ideas? Being true to me and what I value most? Always, it becomes clear to me in a run.

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

I have to. And I’m just about to. Waiting for the fight in my house to settle down and for peace to resume so I can sneak it in right now. Here’s what I’m facing this weekend. It’s weekends like this that make me feel more than ever that I simply must get my run in. Even if I have to be sneaky on the treadmill.

Remember, too, that I’m flying solo this weekend. Here’s my list:

1. four kids, one dog

2. big personalities with lots of activity, even while “relaxing”

3. three basketball games

4. one birthday party; one jewelry party

5. one rehearsal for the talent show

6. four practicing piano  

7. one on the double bass

8. one on the clarinet

9. one pair of jeans ripped, last of that size + talent show costumes needed +  someone grew an inch this week = need to shop for clothing

10. four religious ed classes and homework

See why I must run?  

What’s on your list? What do you do to keep yourself sane?

May your next run be a good one. 

Rebecca