A Running Mom

I used to think it was impossible for me to drop time. I’m just not a fast runner. I’m not even a pace runner. I’m one of those dopes who thinks she’s flying while still plodding along at the same pace she was going 3 miles before.

But, I was wrong. I owe this epiphany to my friend, Patrice, who challenged me to run a little faster during a “better than nothing” workout in my home with our little babies crawling around our feet. She used weights while I ran on my treadmill. In-between sets she looked up at me, tilted her head to the side with a surprised look on her face, and she said, “You know, I think you can go faster.”  

I couldn’t believe my ears.  I already felt like I was pushing myself. But as pride dictated, I pushed harder. I ran faster. But not faster enough for Patrice.

She commented again, same surprised look on her face, “I think you can go faster. You look like you’re jogging.” Jogging?  C’mon!

So you know I tried to run faster yet again. And this fun continued until I reached a dizzying — for me — 6:30 pace.  I thought my feet were going to fly back behind me.  Finally, Patrice said, “Now you look like you’re running.”

I’ll never forget that day nor that moment.  

I couldn’t keep that pace for long.  I felt breathless. But it taught me something. I could run really fast. At least for a little while. I could!

And that’s how I started running intervals as part of my regular workouts. And then, I started achieving personal best times. I loved it. And I still do. Thank you Patrice!

Why don’t you take a chance and run a little faster next time you go out. Don’t pass out. But challenge yourself. Perhaps you’ll get stronger. You will feel better. And maybe you’ll finish your next run just a little… faster!

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Sometimes I get to run with special people.  For years it was tricky getting to run with my boyfriend.  My favorite person.  My husband.  My bff.  But now, I get to run with him every Sunday morning.  Here’s one of the things we see while we run:

http://tinyurl.com/6hsn4d

Beautiful, yes?  Even at 32 degrees, we’re psyched to be out there, just like when we were dating.  It’s my favorite day of the week.

Who do you run with?  Do you listen to your ipod?  Got a favorite song?  Sometimes you’ve got to do something that makes it worth it, especially when it’s cold enough like today, to say, maybe I’ll stay home.  

Whatever or whoever it is that makes a run special, plan one this week.  Tell me about it!  I’d love to get inspired by you.

I’ve got 3 good runs to get me through the yummiest holiday week of the year.  More on that later…

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Maria, at the Pittsburgh Marathon, with her medal:  

Great news–in case you haven’t heard–the Pittsburgh Marathon is BACK!  It’s May 3, 2009.  And I’m going to train for it.  Wanna train with me?  For me, it’s all about setting a goal that keeps you running… training for a marathon certainly does that!  Thaink about it!  If you’re on the fence, check this out: http://tinyurl.com/64vxes  and see this:

trib_pghmarathon_11×5  

May your next run be a great one.

Rebecca

Anticipating a tough game tomorrow as part of the most respected rivalry in college football history. Go blue!  

Bump.Bump.Bump.Bump-bump. 

Bump.Bump.Bump.Bump.Bump.Bump-bump.

Bump.Bump.Bump.Bump.Bump.Bump-bump.

Bump.Bump.Bump. Let’s Go Blue!

if i don’t run soon i’m going to lose it.  where does all the time go?  

tick. tock. tick. tock.

hopefully tomorrow!

May your next run be a great one.

Rebecca

Welcome to my ‘hood.  This is the fastest part of any run for me around where I live.  When I make it to this stop sign, my wheels can’t stop.  I’m running as fast as I can down this hill, around this corner (beautiful view, yes?) and whew! into my backyard.  Why is it so great?  It’s all downhill, baby.  Not steep.  Just sloped ever-so-subtly so that by the time I reach my house, I feel like an Olympian.

It’s a great finish.  And for me, sometimes, a great finish means a great run.

May your next run be a great one.

Rebecca

This is about how old I was when I started running.  11.  I remember feeling less than delighted with the state of my development.  And as the youngest of 10 children, with comments about fat, skinny and dieting, I thought a lot about how my body looked.  I became obsessed with my derriere.  It was too flat.  I know, that sounds ridiculous.  But my dad’s backside was about as flat as a wall.  And mine emulated his.  So to me, as a girl with a flat butt, this just wouldn’t do.  My sister had a running boyfriend at the time who jokingly said something like, “You know, all runners have great tusches.”  The rest is history.

That is why I started running.  True story.

Next time you see a kid like I was — you know, in the middle of becoming herself — don’t discourage her from taking up a new hobby.  Exploring a sport.  But maybe offer some kind word that has more to do with her strength or her great wit or her goal to do something.  Maybe then her story will seem a little less bizarre and will make more sense for why she started to run. 

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Last year, at this time, I played paddle tennis several times a week.  I started running a little less.  And I developed some pretty uncomfortable lower back pain.  You know the kind, where you squat to pick things up instead of bending over?  Yeah.  No fun.  Because of a friend, I found a pilates studio nearby where I learned the “hundred,” among other exercises.  Here’s the man himself, Joseph Pilates, demonstrating the hundred.  Look simple?  You strike that pose and count to 100! Try it.  It’s really, really tough.  Lower those legs a bit and it gets more challenging.  Just make sure you keep your back glued to the floor, because if you engage your back muscles you could get hurt.  For me, it worked and I’m a pilates convert.  You might even end up with a six-pack!  

Want more Pilates? Check out: http://tinyurl.com/6jjz8d

May your next run be a great one.  

Rebecca

my favorite run

Top 5 Favorite Runs of All Time by Rebecca Gaynier

5. The Fairfield Half Marathon, Fairfield, CT - Beautiful rolling course with many water views. Well attended. Lots of water. Really fun “party” finish. Can’t wait to run it again! www.fairfieldhalf.org

4. The Shelter Island 10K, Shelter Island, NY - One-of-a-kind course with water views, beautiful homes and no big hills. The friendly “hometown” atmosphere keeps you smiling throughout. Terrific finish. www.shelterislandrun.com

3. The Paris Marathon, Paris, France - French language, croissants, unparalleled art, history and/or shopping plus the challenge of perhaps facing a chilly, rainy marathon… hm… this run might be for you. Truly unforgettable.  http://tiny.cc/mRl3Q 

2. Any Day, Any Distance, in Sausolito, CA - The cool, sunny mornings, rich with fog might hook you.  The challenge of a few, steep hills may entice you.  But it’s the charm of the architecture, shopping and the beautiful bay views that will make you yearn to run here again.  I know I do. _ http://tiny.cc/O7bCb 

1. The New York City Marathon, NYC, NY - Some love how runners “touch” all five boroughs.  Others think the neighborhoods are cool.  To me there is not another run like it in the world.   Spectators scream for you like family, you hear them every mile, and some of them even follow you! www.nycmarathon.org

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca

Here’s another mom’s reason for running.  Check her out:

http://tinyurl.com/5j2jxm

May your next run be a good one.

Rebecca