simply running

We've had some hurdles come up in my family's life. The last three weeks have been filled with frustration, disappointment, anger, hope... pretty much every emotion out there. It's been a rollercoaster, to say the least. But again this month, I've been reminded what a blessing it is to be able to run. It's been there for me throughout the years, whenever those tough times come up and I need an outlet it's been there for me. And, right now, I need it more than anything. My miles have ramped up these last few weeks, my runs have been at a faster pace and I actually find my body responding very nicely to the increases in distance, pace and frequency. This is all very good for me because I have a tendency to eat nonstop during stressful periods. The increased running and nonstop eating have balanced each other.

Due to the recent hurdles, I'm holding off on actually registering for any races. This freedom has also been very good for my running. I'm not following a training schedule so I'm free to run whenever and whatever I want. This has been a really good three weeks for my running. I've been running long runs on the weekend with a friend who is training for Boston, so it would make sense to sign up for a marathon around that same time since I'm putting in the miles. But I haven't, yet. It just feels really good right now to do the longer runs without any pressure or race commitment looming.

If it weren't for running, I'd have been a mess this month. Actually, I probably would have been the whack-o in spin class pedaling like a lunatic every single day.

I Run Because...

My dad has been a marathoner for as long as I can remember (really I think he must have been crazy in the days before Ipods,Garmins and GU) and my little sister caught the bug several years ago as well. I have always loved running but resisted the long distance thing-thought they were crazy-until the past couple of years when they finally got me to try...now I am crazy with them. Anyway, my dad has always had a poster in his office with this saying about running. I've seen it many times but for some reason today while I was running I was thinking about it...Thinking about how running races can be fun and a good goal to have but it's not the reason why I love to run..so I thought I would share this saying with anyone who might not have heard it before...

I Run Because...I love not just the finish line, but the trip along the way * it makes me feel free * I've got energy to burn * I need energy * it's my anti-depressant * I hope my kids will * I need and excuse to eat * stopping would hurt so much more than a blister or a broken toenail * walking takes too long and I have things I need to get done * my personal best is just that:mine * it's a good kind of sore * it makes the pavement feel needed * there are a lot worse addictions out there * there's no better way to explore a city or enjoy the spring flowers and fall leaves * I "just felt like running" * there's no drug like adrenaline * I'll never know how far I can go unless I try * the pavement doesn't complain when you pound it * it takes all I've got, but gives back more * Other's can't * I can *

Mom on the run

I felt as if me and my son Jan (11) hadn't talked in quite a while. During schooldays we always talk on the way to school and back, but during summer vacation he's in his room reading a lot.

So I decided to be good runner ánd a good mom and asked him to accompany me to Zelhem, for a 10K run. Because he was on his bike, I ran much faster than usual, and I managed to run the 5K to Zelhem in just over thirty minutes, which is quite fast for me.

When we arrived in Zelhem we went out for coffee and ice cream and had a really good time together.

Then we ran back home, while Jan talked and talked and talked, while I ran and ran and ran.

When we got back home I felt really good: not only had I put in a very good run, I also felt like I had really connected with my son.

I love this about running! You can be a good mum while you're on the run!

Running for the hills!

I've said it before: I used to hate running and thought runners had to be out of their minds to go out there and get all sweaty and everything.

But there's just something about being a mom, and spending lots of time with little people that makes you want to run. Run far, far away. Preferably screaming.

Leaving all the stresses, demands and the endless: 'Mommy, mommy, he hit me!'
'No I didn't!
'Yes you did!
'No I didn't!'
'Yes you did!'
'No I didn't!
'Yes you did!
'No I didn't!'
'Yes you did!'
etc.

The sport of running gives you the chance to do exactly that, and isn't it a nice bonus you usually run into yourself while doing it?!

To marathon, or not to marathon. That's the question.

I was sitting at the kitchen table reading the Non-Runners Marathon Trainer, and getting more and more excited.

But this thought kept nagging me: Why? Why would I want to run a marathon. Didn't I read somewhere the human body isn't really made for distances that long?

But I love the psychology that the Non-Runners Marathon Trainer is peppered with: about taking control of your life. As a mom of five children it's sometimes hard to feel in control. You never know when one of them is going to fall down and hit his head or something. Or where the next 'Mommyyyy!!!' is going to come from. I would love to be more in control of my life.

But then there's this other worry: I hate crowds. They make me feel claustrophobic. Then again, a mean little voice inside of me keeps whispering: you won't be in a crowd very long, what with your speed!

So I was just wondering: what motivates you to participate in a marathon? And does it have to be an official marathon? Can't you just run a marathon in silence, all on your own?

Is this a philosophical issue? If you run a marathon and no one is around to see you do it, did you do it?'

I Run Because I Can

Much of why I continue to run is somewhat centered around me. I run for the health benefits, to lose weight, to have time to myself, to maintain balance in my life, to experience the peace of mind that running provide me. But it is impossible for me to forget why I started running in the first place. My reason to start running actually had nothing to do with me.

As I walk around my office and see all the posters and signs for the upcoming Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, I am once again reminded of why I started running: I ran for those who couldn’t…who maybe still can’t. My company is putting together a team of employees and their families to take part in this 5k run or 1 mile walk. I get very excited when people work together for a purpose. (I blame my dad…he’s practically giddy when all of us are in the kitchen, working together to clean up after a big family dinner.) But underneath all this excitement, I can’t help but feel this sadness for those who have battled breast cancer and for the more than a million women who will be diagnosed this year alone.

After my run this morning, I stood in our back yard looking upward during one of my stretches. As I watched the wind move the dark clouds across the sky, the peace that I started to feel suddenly turned into what I can only describe as determination. It was time for me to take the energy it took to be sad and turn it into energy to give others hope. And so…here I am.

This is me encouraging all you beautiful women/Marathon Mommies to take part in the Race for the Cure in whatever way that you are able. How awesome is it when you can take something you love (running) and apply it to a cause so worthy. I’m pretty certain that all of us have a family member or a friend that we can run in celebration of or in honor of, and somehow, running for those who can’t…well, it just gives us all a chance to give someone a little hope.

I Think It Might Be Called Joy

I am technically way behind schedule in my training. I knew I’d be on a “break” when we went on vacation. I, of course, couldn’t know that I’d immediately get so sick and be on a forced “break” for another few weeks. (Darn that bronchitis.) My runs aren’t what they were before getting sick. My times are a tad poopy. I’m squeezing in my run each night at about 8:30 or 9…at the gym…on the treadmill because that’s the only time I have with our crazy life.

Each night when I get home my husband asks me how things went. I can’t help but smile and say, “really good” because despite all that I listed above, and maybe because of all that I listed above, I’m proud of even the small accomplishments.

By golly, I’m enjoying myself. THAT is why I run.

A Christmas Gift: Run with Someone You Love

Right now I am in beautiful, sunny California. It is so nice to be on vacation where I can run without rain gear and a flashlight! Today I ran the first 2 miles with my father-in-law. He is a good man who runs and practices yoga to stay healthy. I've learned a lot from him over the years. No matter where we are for our family get-togethers, we always try to get out and run together. We've run in California, Arizona, and Hawaii (I'm sure there are other places I'm not remembering right now...) His pace is slower than mine these days, but that doesn't matter to me at all. I'd slow to match anyone's pace just so we could run together. Running with the people I care about is more important to me than getting in an optimal training session.

Well, the holiday season is upon us and many of you are going to be with family over the next few weeks. Grab that in-law that you've never really gotten to know and take him or her for a run. Running with someone else is a good time to "bond". Here's why:

1- First of all, you are sharing an activity together - this is a no-brainer. Either one person is doing it just to spend time with the other, or you are both doing it because you share a common interest. Socially-speaking, everyone wins AND everyone gets some great exercise when you run together.

2- Running next to someone is the best set-up (physically speaking) for having a meaningful conversation. You are physically close, but you don't (and can't) make eye contact. This makes it a little easier to really say what you are thinking and not feel self-conscious. My inner-most thoughts that I wouldn't normally share in a day-to-day conversation often bubble out of me during a run.

3- There is something about the regular cadence of a running pace that helps me organize my thoughts and say them out loud in a coherent way. My closest running friend and I consider our time running together and talking the best kind of therapy. My mind which is usually full-to-overflowing with stress over this-and-that feels clear and organized after a run.

4- The natural high caused by those happy endorphins in your brain makes everything seem right in the world. Sharing this experience with another person makes for shared happy memories.

5- OR ... Going out for a hard run with that special someone? Nothing bonds people together like shared pain. Attack an especially long and steep hill together and you'll be making a memory that will last a lifetime!

All of these reasons and more are the reasons why I prefer running with other people. I've made the best friends I've ever had while running, and I've built on my important family relationships this way. So, over the next few days while you are spending time with the people you love (0r are required to tolerate), invite someone to go on a run with you. A shared run will make both of your hearts healthy in more ways than one.