Running through Life's Troubles

Kennebec Valley Coaching had a nice little shout out in the Kennebec Journal today--you can read the article here. Since the article mentions this blog, I thought I should go ahead and post an update. For the first time in a month. I used to be such a super blogger--now I'm more of a super go-to-bed-at-8-o'clocker.

So. Anyhoo...

I've had a bad 2 weeks. A baaaaaad 2 weeks. It's been the kind of 2 weeks where gravity feels like it's pulling on your body extra hard--it takes a lot of umph to smile, and a lot more umph to get up and out of bed.

We all have clumps of weeks like this. It's part of the privledge of being human. We go through ups, downs, highs, lows, great races, and races where you accidentally poop your pants. Thankfully, it's the pants-pooping incidents that make the PR races feel so much greater.

So what's my point? During times like this, the last thing I even think about doing is going for a run. Beause seriously, how does one run and cry without falling into an open manhole? And more than that, I just want to lay around.

But guess what? Running is exactly what I should absolutely be doing. Not only does is release all kinds of feel good endorphins in the brain, it also helps with anxiety, it relieves stress, it gives you a feeling of accomplishment, it gives you a change of scenery, a chance to see the world from a different perspective, and listen to the summertime birds. It's good for your physical heart, and it's good for your proverbial heart.

So. During these past 2 weeks have I been running?

Yes, I have been, but only because I have the support of the KVC running groups. They expect me to be there, smiling, joking, answering questions, and running with them. During the past 2 weeks, when I've heard someone say, "I'm gonna run after Lunch Pump," I go with them. If someone's having trouble with their motivation, I've been meeting up with them to try to rediscover some mojo. And for the second time in 2 weeks, a whole mess of KVCers will be at a road race, so I signed up.

If I didn't have KVC, I'd probably be in my basement learning how to play the XBox.

During the past year of KVC, personal things have happened to plenty of our runners. At this point we have almost 200 on our rosters, so it's bound to happen. There have been deaths, divorces, cancer, family difficulities, miscarriages, unemployment, you get the idea. Pick your own poison and add it to the list.

Sometimes, people need a break for running, and that's okay. Yet, somehow, despite these knock-you-on-your-you-know-what life events, lots of people have been running longer, stronger, and faster. They keep showing up, and during their times of turmoil, something great is coming to pass in their lives.

My point? The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

I'll try it again without the semi-confusing cliche: People keep running because they have a group to do it with. When you can't stand to get out and run on your own, the group swallows you up in the laughs and conversation, and they carry you along. Even when they have no idea that they're doing it.

Just like it says in KVC's 2nd of 5 Philosophies:

There's Power in Groups

Group exercise training provides community, comaraderie, accountability, and friendly competition.

Whether it's KVC, or a club in Omaha, you owe it to yourself to find a running group. There's a bond that grows on the road, and it's a privledge to be able to experience it.

So thank you to my fellow KVCers, for giving me the much-needed gentle shove than I've been needed these past 2 weeks. My life is better because I have you all to run with.

Does Running Make you Fat? Part 1

 
Isn't that a weird question? If you were a random, non-running person on the street, you'd probably laugh if someone asked you that kind of thing, because du-uh, RUNNING MAKES PEOPLE SKINNY.

Or does it?

Honestly, I don't think there's a straight and easy answer to this question. And actually, it should probably be phrased more like this: Does Running Make YOU Fat?

But I'll start by saying this. On it's own, no--running doesn't make people fat. But their habits around running? Those might do it.

Here are a few things to think about...

1) A lot of people start running because they want to lose a bunch of weight. Either they actually have some weight to lose, or they *think* they have some weight to lose and the totally don't. Either way, this group of people, who make up a huge percentage of the running community, already think they're fat--whether or not it's true. And even when a heavier person loses some weight, guess what? They usually still think they're fat.

The truth is, runners can sometime be a twisted up group of people. They tend to be high acheivers, their own worst critics, and always working toward another goal. So before anything else, take an honest look at your sense of self, and how you interpret your own body. Chances are, you're probably just fine.

2) That said, there are lots of runners our there who I could safely call 'skinny fat.' In other words, they look slender and wear a small size, but have pretty poor muscle tone.When you see Olympic level runners on TV, and their bicep veins are popping out all over the place, I guarantee you that's not from running—those muscles develop in the weight room.

Runners are so incredibly infamous for not being able to do a pushup. Think about this: Most people running in a marathon, probably can't do 10, or even 1 single pushup. The ability to run 26.2 miles, but barely carry a bag of groceries? That's a fitness imbalance, and a 100% surefire way to get injured.

I say it every day--fitness is like a 3-point triangle. Stregnth, Flexibility, and Endurance. If you want an athletic build, you HAVE to focus on all 3.

3) Running burns a lot of calories, so running--especially longer distances--makes you really, really hungry. If you don't properly plan your food, this type of hunger totally opens you up to the overeating--guilt--running--overeating--guilt--running cycle.

Think about it this way: Most normal, grown women should eat about 1800 calories per day. Since we're dealing with [crazy] runner, let's pretend they're on a calorie--restricted diet, taking in about 1500 daily. If that runner goes out and does an 8 mile training run, they just burnt about 800 calories. Now their net calorie intake for the day is 700.

Maybe you're thinking, "Wow, that's awesome. I'd get really skinny."

No, you probably won't. Either you'll completely overeat during the next 24 hours, or your body will freak out, drop into starvation mode, and hang onto every little fat part on your body.

That 8-mile runner up there? They should have refueled with 800 EXTRA calories of good food--not cake, not pizza, not milkshakes. Something like a big old homecooked meal, and an extra mini-meal before bed.

When you refuel, you're not undoing what you just did during your run. You're PRESERVING what you just did in your run.

I'm gonna go ahead and repeat that one more time. When you refuel, you're not undoing what you just did during your run. You're PRESERVING what you just did in your run.

...to be continued.

Next Up...

I'm working on a post called, 'Does Running Make You Fat?'

Because sometimes it does.

Back later...

Race Report: Race the Runways Half Marathon

I kind of hate reading race reports, so I promise I'll keep this really short.

Did the Airport Challenge on Saturday--a one miler followed by a half marathon.

Ran the mile in basically a full snowsuit (see post below), because it was cold as frozen balls out there. Decided not to race the mile due to the icy-testicle-like conditions, and opted to run it as a warm-up. Chatted with a girl wearing toe shoes the whole time and ended up coming in around 8:55ish? I think?

Finished the half marathon in 1:45.38? I think? Came out to be something like 8:03 per mile. Totally happy with it, but totally wish I could have pulled off something more like, oh I don't know, 7:59.9999 per mile. It's not super far off from my best time, and when I think about the fact that I've been putting in about 12 miles per week because of my bastardly knee, I'm really happy.

The first 11 miles all averaged under 8 minutes per mile--anywhere between 7:45 and 7:52. Mile 11-12 was 8:30ish and the last mile was 9:30ish. My legs were super dead, and it was so freaking windy running down that wide open air strip. Not so fun, but that means I put it all out there.

I'm really glad it's over!

Next up? The Sugarloaf 15k. Then I'm moving to the 5k. My next goal is a 19:xx 5k. It's my own version of marrying a girl who's 22 years younger than I am.

My Best Race Pictures EVER

This is what intimidation looks like. Don't be jealous.

The Half Marathon:

 

And the Mile:

 

Racing. Scary as Hell.

It's true. Racing can be scary as all hell for so so so many reasons.

I have a race coming up this Satruday, and I'm straight up terrified. I'm running the Airport Challenge at Race the Runways. That means I'm running a 1 mile race, and following it up with a Half Marathon. I've run a zillion half marathons--this shouldn't be a huge deal.

But it feels that way.

I've trained up to 14 miles, and I have lots of 11, 10, 9, and 8 milers under my belt. But you know what? With this #$%^^&%$$# (pick your favorite swear word to fill in the blank) knee injury, my training's been totally spotty.

That said, my training's been a lot faster than usual, too.

Here's the bottom line...my race could be surprisingly amazing, horribly terrible, or anywhere in between.

So that was the bottom line, now here's the kicker...20ish people I know, love and coach will be there running the 5k. That means they'll finish before me and probably witness the whole unpredictable event. Hoo boy. High potential for ugliness, embarrassment, and an overall sense of wanting to die.

I've weighed my options, and here they are:

a) Race the mile and do the half marathon as an easy training run.
b) Race the mile and pace my girl Tara during her first half marathon.
c) Run the mile as a warm up and race the half marathon.
d) Tell everyone my knee still hurts (because it kind of does) and forget the whole thing.
e) Race both.

As much as it's my dead last choice, I've picked option e. (side note: typing that phrase just induced genuine dry heaving).

If I run like total and complete crap, so what. If I run super well and set a PR, so what. In the grand scheme of things, I'm a life long runner. Every race comes with different circumstances. Some races are ridiculously amazing, and some straight up blow.

One time, I was the 6th place overall woman in a marathon. Another time, I dropped out at mile 20 and took the quitter bus to the finish line. Really, I survived both and I'm just plain old me.

So I'll give it my best and see what happens. Either way, I hope I'm a good example to everyone who trains at Kennebec Valley Coaching.

Some days you have it some days you don't. Either way, you just freaking keep on trying.

10 Reason You Should JUST FREAKING EXERCISE

I guess you can say I've always been an exerciser.

Sports? Absolutely not so much. Sticks, balls, shin guards, scores...oh my word, I have the cold sweats just typing those horrifying words. But regular old exercise? I've always been able to do.

I'm lucky, I like to work up a sweat and feel all burny. My husband on the other hand? He'd rather grow a boob on his back than skip to the corner and jog back home.

My point is this: Some people like to exercise and some people hate to exercise, but either way, you should really freaking exercise! Allow me to convince you...

1) Exercise makes your brain release endorphins and makes you feel all happy. Aside from that, exercise is now recognized as an anti-depressant. For real. Check out this article by this really smart professor from Boston University. He's cute and I believe him.

2) Sweating is good for you. Why? Well, a lot of reasons. But think about this...sweating is one of the major mechanisms for your body to get rid of muck, and gunk, and biproducts, and toxins. Really, if you're a regular heavy sweater, you don't have to worry about shopping around so much for colon cleanses and whatnot--you're already doing a pretty good job of sweating your excess crud right out through your pores.

This is also why you should never lick your treadmill.

3) If you're an exerciser, you can justify all kinds of adorable purchases from the active section of TJ Maxx. For real, have you been there lately? If you don't have an interest in wearing the world's cutest NorthFace half-zip for only $17.99, then let's just face it, you're a wreck of a person.

4) Once your find what you're into, exercise is honestly fun. Is it fun every single minute? No. But in general, bike rides, interval walks, dodge ball, ultimate frisbee...fun.

5) Movement and endurance are basic life skills. A few weeks ago, I saw a little boy dart into the parking lot at Sam's Club, and his mom wasn't able to chase after him. She had a really hard time changing directions, hopping a curb, and generally keeping up. My heart totally sunk for her. Motherhood is so stinkin' exhausting all on it's own--a basic level of fitness makes it more manageable.

Maybe you don't have a toddler who makes you feel like your hair's about to burst into flames, but you probably do have big bags of flour to lift at the grocery store, a lawn to mow, a fun run to benefit a friend....see where I'm going?

6) At our core, human beings like to move--and that's why I have a hard time believing it when people say things like, "I have no interest in exercise," or "I really hate moving and sweating." Don't get me wrong, on the surface, people hate these things, but deep down, we all want to be active. Think about it--out all these activities, in your wildest dreams, which ones seem most appealing to you?

Hiking around Acadia Park with some friends.

Playing soccer with your kids.

Doing tricks on a trampoline.

Playing video games.

Taking a Dance class.

Facebooking for a few hours.

Water skiing.

Watching TV.

Now don't get me wrong here. I looooove TV as much as the next guy, but my wildest dreams only have me watching TV while I sit on Dr. Drew's lap in Southern California.

6) Any idea what gives people heart problems? Family history, diet, lack of conditioning, and stress. Stress. Stupid, stupid stress makes people sick in so many ways. Now I'm stressed that I'll get sick from stress. But guess what? Exercise is an awesome stress reliever, and does a good job of helping people move on from disappointing and difficult parts of their days. It's almost like a magical reset button.

7) Exercise has a good chance of giving you a longer life, and making that life a lot more healthy and enjoyable.

8) Every time you finish a workout, whether it was your best ever or your worst ever, you just accomplished something hard. That feels good. Tackling hard things helps people a good sense of self. When people start exercising, they often worry that they'll feel inferior, or fat, or silly, or embarrassed. Honestly, 99% of the time I see the opposite effect. Exercise builds self esteem.

9) Exercise can be a hobby, and it's cool to have hobbies. Trust me, there's nothing worse than going on a date and when the hot guy's all, "So...what are you into?" You're like, "Ummmm....errrr.....well....Twitter? Shopping? I love to sleep!" Way more awesome to be able to say something like, "Tennis."

10) And finally, exercise is a great way to make new friends. Join a bowling league, or a spin class, or a soccer team, or a running club. Sweating your balls off, it builds bonds. Commiseration is a foolproof way to make a new friend.

So. Did I convince you? In the next post, I'll help you learn how to get started!