Challenges

Why do we run?  This question comes up so many times, both from non-runners wondering why us runner folk are so gosh-darned crazy, and from other runners who have a genuine curiosity about their compatriots' motivations and backstories.  I started running to literally run away from my problems (more on that perhaps later this week), but continued running because it was a new and exciting challenge.  Running continues to present new challenges every week, and I've been relishing (and dreading) some of the unique challenges that marathon training has presented.

This week's Tuesdays on the Run wants to know what is currently the most challenging aspect of running.  With about a month to go before my first marathon, it's pretty easy to say the greatest challenge I've been facing is the mental aspect of tackling long runs.  After Sunday's 17-and-change, plus the successful Beat the Bridge dress rehearsal (18 miles) a couple weeks ago, I'm generally feeling much more confident that I will actually finish in a lengthy race, but I still haven't done that crucial 20-miler that most people will say is a staple of marathon training.

Psychologically, I know I can do it when I'm thinking about when and where.  It's mid-run that my faith and confidence wavers a bit - usually.  I am very happy to report that my solo 17 run on Sunday gave me quite a boost, since I ran all but about 45 seconds of the entire route, and was actually considering adding extra mileage to make that outing my first 20-miler, but there were many moments of doubt along the way.

In fact, I have been noticing on many of my runs lately that the start of my second mile (only my second!) seems to be the most difficult point for me mentally.  It's early enough in the run that I have a loooooong way to go, but I'm already a mile in and starting to settle in, so it's just a little too early to turn back and give up.  The thought runs through my head: OMG WHY am I out here again doing this?  It's going to take forever!  Some days, it really does take a long time.  It's not a quick outing to cover double-digit mileage on foot, especially if you're not all that fast.  By mile four or five I'm usually settling fully into a groove, and the demons are quelled for another hour or so before rearing their ugly heads around mile 11.  This isn't even a half marathon yet, and you're going to do TWICE that?!  Are you crazy?? 

In point of fact: I AM crazy.  It's definitely pushing the limits of sanity to decide you're going to do a marathon, and to train for it fully.  But I'll tell you what else I am because of this decision: I'm in crazy good shape, I feel crazy good about myself and my accomplishments, and I'm making some crazy good friendships.  All of that is MY kind of crazy!  I'll gladly take that over the madness of living a sedentary life without goals and without pushing myself physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Challenges breathe life into my lungs.  They keep me moving forever forward.  When this challenge ends, I'll find another.  Heck, I already know what my next running challenge will be - next year I'm planning to start focusing on speedwork, aiming for PRs at 5k (stretch goal to be under 24 minutes) and half marathon (stretch for a sub-2-hour) distances.  So bring on the next one - I'm ready!

Don't forget to visit the Tuesdays on the Run Linkup!  I know it's (late) Wednesday already, this post didn't get posted when I planned, but there's still plenty of time to check out other bloggers' challenges and share your own!  Thanks to hosts MCM Mama Runs, My No Guilt Life, and Marcia's Healthy Slice!

Running Advice

It's another Tuesday on the Run - and today we're talking about the best running advice we've ever received.  This is a very hard prompt for me, since I have received a LOT of advice over the past couple of years, most of which has made me faster, stronger, and more devoted to the world of running.  Much of that advice was indirect, and I didn't really absorb it at the time, so it's hard to really pinpoint what the actual best advice has been.  So instead, here are some pieces of advice I have found most useful over the past two years!

Get fitted for the right shoes.  I ran in whatever was around for a while, then I ran in some hand-me-downs from a multi-marathoner because they were better shoes, but neither plan was what one might call a "good idea".  Finally, I went to a running specialty store and not only bought shoes that were right for my gait, I also had custom insoles fitted.  Having shoes that fit properly and compensated for the tendencies of my running style made it possible for me to move forward in training and achieve new goals.  It cannot be stressed enough, the importance of wearing the right shoes!

Run slower to run faster.  Counter-intuitive though it may seem, this phrase is pretty often heard around the running world, and when I happened to start paying heed to it in the middle of a recent race, I learned that it was far more true than it sounds.  Training doesn't have to be all-out, balls-to-the-wall speed training every time you lace up; in fact, slowing down really can make a huge difference in how fast you run.  Check out some training plans and find one that matches some of your goals and your schedule, you'll be surprised!

Recovery, recovery, recovery.  Building a solid recovery program is so key to staying on your feet and moving forward.  Injury lurks in every shadow, especially when you're increasing training to prepare for a big goal.  Taking proper care of your body post-run and on off days is vital to maintaining your training gains and staying healthy.  When I was a team sport athlete, I definitely did NOT spend enough time thinking about recovery; I am pretty sure I sabotaged myself frequently because I wouldn't take ten minutes to stretch or roll out a tweaked muscle.  Now, I use an entire arsenal of recovery tools, including foam rollers, compression sleeves, yoga, hydration, recovery flip flops, supplements, and good ol' fashioned rest'n'relaxation!  Listen to your body.  Tend to its needs.  It'll take you where you need to go!

I'm sure I could make a list that goes on for days if I were to recount ALL the amazing advice I've been given or "accidentally" picked up over the years!  These three items are certainly some of the biggest game-changes I've put into practice, though, so hopefully by sharing my experiences, next time this question comes around someone might be writing about MY advice!  But really, the best piece of advice I can give to anyone looking to start running, it would be to "just do it".  You'll love what running does for you!

I'm not the only one with advice for runners though - head over to Marcia's Healthy Slice, the host of Tuesdays on the Run, for links to other running bloggers sharing the words of wisdom that have powered hundreds of miles across the pavement!  You never know when you'll find the next big piece of your running puzzle...

Don't forget to share YOUR favorite piece of running advice in the comments!

Fall Race Calendar

This week's Tuesdays on the Run is taking a look at fall race calendars, and as I'm finalizing my own, it's a perfect time to talk about some of the races I have coming up, as well as some of the races I wanted to do this year but have had to postpone.

Anyone who's been reading my blog at any point in the past five or six months probably knows by now that I will be running my first full marathon at the end of October when I take on the Marine Corps Marathon.  This honestly may be a one-and-done marathon experience, but I can't imagine a better race for what might be my only 26.2 experience.  Of course, I said after my first half marathon that I probably wouldn't do it again, and that has not proved to be true at all, so it could go either way with this full marathon thing...  Today does mark the 60-day countdown, and as I just recently runfessed, I'm starting to get nervous.  Thankfully, I have a few other things on my calendar to keep me occupied and training over the next two months.

Coming up this Saturday, I'll actually be completing a different 2016 running goal: six half marathons in six months!  The Boy Scout Half Marathon in Bowling Green, Ohio, has the potential to not only earn me an extra moon over in the Half Fanatic charts, but also to be a new PR at the distance.  My recent training runs have finished with pacing faster than what I need for a PR, and I haven't really been "trying" to run that fast.  Saturday's course is being advertised as having "minimal elevation changes."  If that's true, and the day's conditions are decent (ie, NO 95% humidity, eh), I have a very good chance of shaving some time off the old PR.  My training run the other night had me completing 14 miles and taking only five minutes longer than my current half PR, so technically I alread PRed, but we'll wait until it's really "official" before I celebrate!

In October, I'll be on my beloved Towpath once again for Towpath Marathon weekend.  Obviously I'm not doing the full marathon for that one; as much as I love the trail and the people who put those races together, it's not really the pomp and excitement I'd like to have in my memory for my first-possibly-only marathon.  I will, however, be doing yet another half marathon on the trail, continuing my half streak to seven-in-seven.  And why stop there?  I'm about to add the Black Toenail Friday half in Michigan to my calendar for November, and am already registered for the Cedar Point Santa Hustle half in December!  If I can manage to keep it up, the early 2017 goal is to complete a full 12 months of half marathons by running one in January, February, and March.  Taking recommendations - ready go!

Originally, I had wanted to run the River Run half in September, which is the longest race owned by Hermes (my company).  Since we own it, though, it's all-hands-on-deck on race day, and I'll actually be working all day instead!  I also had my eyes on the Las Vegas Rock and Roll half (or possibly full, trying to become a Double Agent) but the travel and the proximity to my uncertain success at the MCM were prohibitive and I decided not to sign up.  I was also hoping to find a way to get to Tulsa OK for the Route 66 half, but once again the cost of travel and the awkward timing in November made me opt out for this year.  All three races are still on my wishlist, and I'm sure I'll somehow find a way to make them all happen, but for this year, I'm satisfied with my schedule and excited to add some new bling to my collection!

What are your running plans this fall?  What are some of the races on your wishlist?  What should I run in 2017 (and how can I make travel/costs more efficient - ie, can you hook me up)?  Don't forget to check out the host, Marcia's Healthy Slice, for the rest of the Tuesdays on the Run linkup!

Photobombed!

I'm working on my race recap from Sunday's Rock Hall Half Marathon, but the weather knocked me out a bit and I'm taking my time with finishing that post - which left me an open slot to check out what today's Tuesday on the Run linkup topic is.  It just so happens that the prompt for this week is "race photobombs", and until Sunday I wouldn't have had anything to share!

I met up with one of my runner friends after the race, and after the first couple photos we were about to get back to our much-needed relaxing, but our friend holding the camera said "no wait, just ooooone more..."  Sure enough, later that day when she posted the race photos on Facebook, we found out why that last photo was taken!  Y'know what, though?  I don't even mind - these guys are part of the reason I love the running community so much!  It's always fun and games, even after an atrociously humid race that tested everyone who stepped onto the course.  And honestly, despite that humidity and the 13.1 mile run preceeding this picture, I actually loko pretty good... ;)

Tuesdays on the Run are brought to you by My No-Guilt Life, Marcia's Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs!  Click the linkup icon above to check out what other bloggers have to say about the costs of destination racing, and be sure to share YOUR views in the comments below!

Destination Racing and My (Empty) Wallet

Now that I'm running more longer distance races (ten milers, half marathons, and oh yeah, that full marathon on the calendar), race opportunities around home are feeling a lot thinner!  Cleveland has hundreds of races available year-around (Hermes Road Racing alone has over 180 races on their calendar this year) but the vast majority of those events are 5k races, with a handful of 10ks and a few longer distances throughout the year.  So far I've managed to stay pretty close to home while adding a handful of distance races to my own calendar, but if I want to do different courses next year or find more events for the later half of the year, I'll have to start looking at travel.  This week's Tuesday on the Run has me thinking about what it will actually cost for me to start planning destination races - beyond just the entry fee!

I made a wishlist way back of my top ten destination races, but at the time that list had been one of those silly "what if" pursuits, especially since I wasn't really in a financial or career situation that would have allowed the travel even if my physical fitness would have allowed the distance!  But now, longer races and travel for running aren't just fever dreams.  I've already completed three half marathons, with my fourth just days away and a fifth on the calendar for June!  There's also the Marine Corps Marathon looming at the end of October, and that will be my first real "destination" race.

The MCM will be an introduction into the craziness of traveling out of state to a massive big city race.  Though I did travel out of state for the Sunburst half marathon last year, the number of people who showed up in South Bend for that series was nothing in comparison to the tens of thousands who will flock to the nation's capital in October.  Race day logistics, especially getting to the starting line, are going to be a nightmare, and I've never really experienced this before.  Time spent trying to get where I need to be will be the first unusual "cost" of heading to a destination race.

Actually, I'm going to be very fortunate for this race: accommodations are FREE!  My brother lives in DC, and I'll be mooching off his new home for the trip, which will save me a considerable amount of money.  Hotel costs are outrageous these days, and while I usually opt to stay in cheap motels rather than paying the heavy cost for a nicer room, something tells me trying to find a cheap motel close enough to DC to reach the starting line on race day in a reasonable amount of time is nigh impossible - and that's before I factor in the 30,000 other people who will be trying to get a room.  Not to mention the tendency of hotels to jack up rates during major events...  Yeah, staying with family is going to save me a bundle on my first major race travel experience.  Thanks, bro!

Of course, that doesn't help me actually get to the race.  Maybe he'll be able to help me get from his house to the starting line, but there are over 400 miles between Cleveland and DC.  I could drive, and shell out big bucks for the gas while putting hundreds of miles of wear-and-tear on my car and hours of wear-and-tear on myself.  Or I could fly, but something tells me airfare into DC on a major event weekend is not going to be cheap.  A train to DC wouldn't cost too much...  Oh, but it's a 12 HOUR TRIP.  Yeah, pass.  There's not really a winning situation here.

And then there's eating.  We all know how important it is to fuel properly before and after a major race, and when you're at home, it's a lot easier!  Dining in a different city can be tricky.  You're tempted to try interesting local places, but not every option is going to meet your needs or your budget.  Again, I'm fortunate to have family in town and this won't be as big a concern for the MCM, but I'm eyeing down a couple other destination races for which all of these facets would definitely become a major part of my planning.  Races are expensive enough just to reserve a bib, but when you add the high cost of travel and lodging, plus concerns about food, and let's not forget the opportunity cost - using vacation days at a job or missing pay completely if you don't have vacation time - you're looking at hundreds of dollars spent on an experience.  I know several people who regularly fly to Florida or California for RunDisney events, which are even more expensive than many other destination races, and I can't for the life of me figure out how they afford it!

So are destination races actually WORTH the expense?  It all boils down to the individual and the event, I suppose.  Would I want to invest hundreds of dollars to go run some average, local 5k somewhere across the country?  Probably not, but maybe someone else would.  Heading to Vegas for the Rock and Roll Marathon is a much, much bigger draw for someone like me - it's a total experience, not just showing up and running.  Same with MCM: there's going to be so much going on, and the overall experience will be so much more than just 26.2 miles of pavement.  To me, that all-around, all-encompassing atmosphere is going to be worth every single penny!  And since I have the luxury right now of looking ahead, you can be sure I'll be setting aside a little here and a little there to make that old wishlist become a checklist!

Tuesdays on the Run are brought to you by My No-Guilt Life, Marcia's Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs!  Click the linkup icon above to check out what other bloggers have to say about the costs of destination racing, and be sure to share YOUR views in the comments below!

Have you done any destination races?  What was your favorite part about the experience?  What was the hardest aspect of the trip to coordinate?  Was it worth it in the end?

If I only knew then...

It's been almost two years since my first race.  I've come a LONG way since that first obstacle course, non-timed, low pressure Zombie Run!  I've run many miles, moved many miles, and learned a lot along the way.  Today for Tuesdays on the Run, we're sending a message back to our former newbie-runner-selves with some words of advice!  I have two pieces of advice I'd send to myself two years ago, but since I talked a lot about the importance of recovery yesterday, I'll just stick with the second piece of advice today.

Dear Innocent Little Newbie Runner Amanda,

You grew up playing soccer and lacrosse, and you spent most of your time working on speed and agility.  Now you have big legs full of spring muscle, and you hate long distance running because it's really hard for you.  Endurance muscles aren't really your "thing" after all that short-range work.  But you know what?  You're still a runner.  Those legs are STRONG, and they're going to carry you to amazing places.  The most important thing to remember when you are running is that every step forward is your choice.  You only have to go backwards if you choose to - and you never have to choose to go backwards again, if you don't want to.  You'll never run a six minute mile, but you'll still be able to run distances that scare you right now, and you'll feel incredible afterwards.  You'll meet people and go places that will make your life better, all because you keep choosing to take another step forward.

And it's not just your legs that are strong.  It's your heart that is strong, too.  Just like running a long distance, life is an endurance event for your heart.  There will be some courses with lots of hills, and those uphill battles will be battles, but when you crest that hill and it's all downhill from there, you're going to love the ride.

Always choose to take that step forward.  It's worth it every time.

Love,

Future Awesomesauce Amanda

Tuesdays on the Run is hosted by Marcia, Patti, and Erica!  Check out what other runners have to say to their former selves in week's linkup, and stay tuned for more Tuesdays on the Run every week!  Don't forget to share the advice YOU would give to yourself in the comments on any Tuesdays on the Run post!

So, how 'bout it - what advice would you give to yourself back when you started your fitness journey?

Running in 2016 (So Far!)

Today's Tuesdays on the Run linkup asks a seemingly simple question: what one word describes your running lately?  I'm pretty excited to get to respond with this, because it's both accurate and features The Rock:

Apparently, cross training really DOES help with long distance running!  Though my past few months were woefully lacking actual run training, I've been consistently teaching multiple group exercise classes (both strength and cardio) and have been slowly building a weight training schedule as well.  Now that I'm finally taking the time to start dedicated race training, I'm noticing that my splits on long runs and short runs alike are getting WAY faster than my benchmarks from last year!

One of my favorite little timing tests is what I call the "puppy block" - a lap around the inner portion of my street, which is about 1.25 miles, on which I usually take Kaalia when she's getting overly antsy.  It's a long, slow uphill first, then a long, slow downhill heading back home.  And it used to take 15 minutes or more.  The other day we clocked our one-mile at 9:27, a PR for me and the puppy!

This past weekend, I took a long run through one of the local Metroparks.  My average split was a 10:15 mile, tying my half marathon PR pace from last year on an easy training run!  I looked a little more closely and found that my 10k split was my new PR by over two minutes!  And both of these times include the massive, angry hill I accidentally encountered when I took a wrong turn.  I slogged it up and down that hill and STILL posted times that made my eyes bulge.

All this said, there's still a long way to go.  I have some big challenges coming up, including three half marathons in the next two and a half months, and of course that little full marathon thing on the schedule in October...  I have my work cut out for me, and I'll need to learn a lot more about how to properly train for the distance and keep a healthy balance with the rest of my life, but I know I am up to this challenge.  Watching those times keep improving over the course of the next few months will be as amazing as seeing my early-season times as low as they are!

Tuesdays on the Run is hosted by Marcia, Patti, and Erica!  Check out what other runners have chosen as their word for this week's linkup, and stay tuned for more Tuesdays on the Run every week!

So, what word describes YOUR running lately?