The pleasure of finishing

Hello all,

    Now that I am getting into the deeper waters of my race training I am having a lot more time on the road with my thoughts so my blog posts will become more numerous. Hope you all are up for it. Today I want to talk to you all a little bit about how it feels when you finish your run or race or whatever. It doesn't matter if it is 1 mile or 100 miles, we all share the same experiences. This post isn't so much for my running friends because you all already know this feeling, but so many people have never been able to experience that perfect moment when you get to go inside and take your shoes off. I may talk a lot about how good it feels to be running, and sure there is a freedom and a peace that is unbeatable when you are out there just working your body as nature intended. I am not going to lie to you all though, it is tough. Damned tough! This sport can seriously kick your ass and beat you down. There is pain, blisters, and complete to the bottom of your soul exhaustion.

    I ran 11 miles this morning, to some that may seem like an unobtainable goal, and for others it is just a short easy stroll. For me, it is a challenging distance. I was pretty dog tired at the end of it, and even had to walk the last half mile or so because I was just beat down. It was hot and sweaty out there, and I lost 2 lbs of sweat despite drinking close to 2 liters of water. I wasn't fast but I left everything out there on the roads of backwoods Hammonton. Sometimes, this is not a sport for the weak of heart. After all that, I finished and unlaced my shoes. The fun wasn't over though, oh no. One moment may have ended but another perfect moment started.

     First, you get to unlace your shoes from your tired and weary feet. Its almost like you can feel them sigh in pleasure, and even more so if the run was long enough and you apply ice to them. Then you get to start refueling and replenishing. I like to have a little protein and a little sugar so today I chose a cliff bar and a iced coffee from Wawa (that last part I don't recommend though) As you sit there chewing and sipping, you can feel whatever you are eating start to enter your body. Some of it might even be imaginary but your weary muscles start to spring back to life and your mind begins to calm. You become one with your body and the inner workings of it. The endorphins haven't quite left your system yet, but the pain your body released them to combat has stopped and everything is a pleasure. Whatever you may be eating tastes like ambrosia from the gods and even the water from the purest mountain stream can compete with the taste of the tap water from my faucet after a long hot run. You are present in your body but elevated at the same time. Its like you are in touch with the best you that you could possibly be.

    Then comes the shower and the dry clothes, oh God, the dry fresh clothes. I could wax poetic about them for hours, how they feel on your skin as they slip over your head. Words can hardly do it justice for how amazing they feel. I won't though because I am getting pretty wordy here as it is. But I want to leave you with one final thought. If my talking about how good the running part feels never convinced you to lace up and join me, think on this idea. You will never get to feel how amazing it feels when you finish, and are on top of the world in mind and body. Positively brimming over with pride and pleasure. And how lucky am I, I get to do it all over again on Tuesday. Who is with me?

Slow Carb Experiment: Or how I leanred to stop worrying and love the sugar bomb

Hello all,
   As many of you know, I read the book "The 4 Hr Body" and decided to give the "Slow Carb" lifestyle a test run as it were. I believe there definitely is some merit to the diet. In the 5 days I did it, I lost about 3 lbs, which is a lot for me who generally loses 1 lb a week. That being said I just don't think it is a valid lifestyle for me. There are a number of reasons it didn't work for me. Being in training for a major endurance event is one of them. To do 10 mile runs you just need some quick carbs plain and simple. All eating beans before a run seemed to do for me was give me an upset tummy. This is especially not good if you are 3 miles away from your toilet.
    Another reason I wont be adopting it is because I just like white carbs. I have never been a depriving myself kind of girl. Sure I can do it for a few days, but in the long run I will lash out against it. For me, its good if I just try to strike the best calorie balance I can. I like having the flexibility to spend a little longer on the arc trainer and eat some ice cream that night.
     Finally I think my husband didn't appreciate the grumpy Heather he had to deal with from eating all those beans. I am unsure if the weightloss was based solely on the diet or more just  the fact I couldn't bring myself to eat more than about 1200 calories a  day of slow carb foods. I usually eat around 1700 calories and even more if I run over 6 miles. The verdict for me is, if you want to give it a shot, go for it. I just wont join you for a bean lunch tomorrow.

Lets hear it for the bad runs

    Good morning all. I have to tell you, today's run was not good. The plan was to do a simple 6 miler with my usual 4:1 ratio. Things started off well, but it was hot and humid out. I am suspecting the heat to have caused the tummy cramps that started about mile 2.5 of my run. I started adding in more walk breaks and tried to slow my pace down. I have been having some pacing issues the past few runs, where I am running much faster than I should and don't seem to be noticing I am doing it. It always seems to catch up with me after a few miles though, so it is a habit I need to work on.

   I seriously was considering cutting it short. Around mile 3 on my 6 mile loop there is a place I can cut through the woods and be home in a couple minute. I have used that cut-through on a couple of really rough runs in the past. I thought about doing it and almost had myself convinced to do it, but I didn't. I didn't make the turn and just kept running. Even if I ended up walking most off it, I really wanted to get the 6 miles in today. So I ran, then I walked, and then I ran a little more, and walked a little more. I am not going to say it  got any easier, but my personal satisfaction started growing. I was feeling proud of myself for sticking with it when giving up was so easy. When I was about a mile from home a flock of wild turkeys ran across the road in front of me. There were a few baby turkeys in the pack that were really cute. I wouldn't have gotten to see them if I had given up, or if I hadn't had to add in all the extra walk breaks. I would have been long past that area when the turkeys crossed the road. So something good did come out of the bad run. I sort of appreciate the bad run in a strange kind of way.

    I certainly didn't enjoy it while it was happening, but looking back on it now that I am showered and sitting in front of a fan I think some positive learning experiences presented themselves to me in this run. I think it really has driven home that I need to work on pacing and taught me a little lesson in self efficacy.

Come run with me.

    I thought it was about time I took you all on a little photographic tour of some of the places I run. These were all taken from my 9 miler this morning. It was a little overcast but a nice run all around. I love springtime, everything is so green. That is one of the great things about running, especially running as slow as I do. You get to really see all the sights. 


    The photo at the top of the page is of a strange  tractor thing I always pass. For some reason a lot of people in the town I live in like to decorate with rusty farm equipment. The picture to the right is of a pretty typical street I spend most of my miles on. Its nice to run in a fairly rural area because I don't have to contend with a lot of traffic.










 These two are of a horse farm I run by, the horsies were being anti-social today as were some pigs I also run by. I tried to get a picture of them, but they refused to leave their little pig houses. The other one is a wetland area. It is really pretty back in that area but very swampy.

    The last picture down at the bottom of this page is of the ubiquitous blueberry farms, you really can't leave my house in any direction without passing them. During the summer there is a lovely blue haze that covers the branches as they are weighted down with ripe berries. On more than one tun I have considered sneaking over there and a grabbing a couple to munch on.

  Well thanks for joining me in my virtual tour of my long run today. Any time any of you want to join me in real life you need only ask.

Those who push you when you wont push yourself

   I can't tell you how different it is having a running partner to run with. It is so easy to let the lazies kick in when you are just by yourself. The little voices of "I'm tired" or "My legs hurt" can talk you out of preforming the best you can. That is where the delightful power of friendship kicks in. If you are responsible to someone else you don't want to mess up their workout with you slow and lazies. So you in turn run a little faster than you would alone. Its easier to treat others well than it is ourselves. I can't recommend running with a friend enough.

   I also wanted to share a little mini victory with you all. I ran my fastest mile ever. It wasn't fast by anyone's standards than mine, but it means I am getting better as this little sport I have chosen. I have had a few false starts in the past but I have never in the shape I am in now. I can actually see myself doing well in some major distance races. If you can see it, you can do it. So I know I will do well in my future of this sport.

Seriously F'ed Up

    Wow time really slips by when you are procrastinating something. I have tried to write this post a few times, but not sure I could do it justice. This isn't going to be much about running and more about some heavy realizations I have come to.   I have finally gotten healthy enough mentally and physically to realize something: I am seriously fucked up. That's how fucked up I am, I resort to curse words to illustrate a point. Now I know some of you are rushing to defend me, but wait, you might change your mind in a moment. You are seriously fucked up too. Everyone I know is f'ed up. This entire country is thriving on it. We are all buying things we don't need on credit we can't pay back just to give the illusion we have it all together. In reality no one has it together, but we are trying so hard to present this illusion that everything is ok.

    I have been trying so hard to be perfect I was ripping myself apart, and I know I am not the only one. I know suburbia moms who are addicted to painkillers and mother's whose children drive them crazy. I have friends with eating disorders and others who quietly cry themselves to sleep. I think that is why we love shows like Real Housewives, because these are people who all look perfect on the surface but we see how messed up they are underneath. I am no better or no worse than anyone. Why can't we all just admit we are not perfect and lend our support to each other? If we could all just accept we are messed up it might actually help our healing. If we aren't all comparing ourselves to the faces other people show but to the real person behind the mask, it could help everyone's self esteem.

    Who will join me in telling the truth and asking for help when we need it? We all need help and only when we ask for it can we move past our issues. You could have a friend , family member, or neighbor who has just what you need to get past your problems and they have no idea you need them because you are trying to look perfect. If any of you need someone to go for a run with and tell you silly jokes I am here for you, as always.

Running with friends

   I have a new running buddy. It makes me really think about the changes in my life. I have a friend who I spend time with by doing active things together. How awesome it that? Usually I just get together with my friends to eat things. A year ago, if any of my my friends suggested doing physical activity as a fun bonding thing I would have giggled at them. Its pretty fantastic to have another running friend, and she is slow like me too. She doesn't want to run faster than me. Everyone wants to run faster than me. It just proves it is meant to be. I love how life provides exactly what we need when we need it.

The Big Race

     Well, I finally did it. I toed the line in a big race and even managed to finish with a time I was proud of. It was the April Fool's Run on the Atlantic City boardwalk and it was a fantastic race. I was so nervous the night before I kept waking up like every 5 minutes to check my clock and see if I needed to get up yet. I ended up getting out of a bed about an hour before I needed to but I couldn't sleep anymore. I was just a squirming bundle of energy. I got to the check in about an hour before gun time and I was a bit chilly but I insisted on standing outside with the crowd just to take in all in. There were some crazy costumes including 2 guys dressed as Teletubbies. It was quite sad later in the race when I got passed by the purple Teletubby.

    I was running the 7k but there was also an 11K. They let the 11k runners start first, and then a few minutes later we got to join them. I guess there was about 700 people total. I didn't get to start running until about a minute after I crossed the start line because they funneled us trough a narrow area to start the timing chips. I have been training using the Galloway method with a 4:1 ratio, but decided I had way to much energy to take walk breaks that often, so I changed to a 10:1 ratio, and I am glad I did it. I really never did burn out, but was able to use the quick walk breaks at the water stops to gulp a few sips. I started off in the back of pack but surprisingly to me and my slow self I started passing people by a half mile in. I guess they went out way to fast and just couldn't maintain their pace. I have heard enough advice and managed not to fall into that trap too badly. It felt amazing to slowly start reeling people in and then pass them.

    I would say my biggest mistake of the whole race was about 3/4 of the way trough when the fastest 11k runners started passing me. I got confused why people were passing me and though I must have slowed down so I started running faster than I should have. I think I was pushing an 11 min/mile pace for a few minutes (which is way too fast for me). Finally I realized those were the winners and I really should try to keep up with them and fell back into my comfy pace until just about the end of the race. For those of you who know the area I took a one minute walk break just after the Hilton Hotel, so I could crank up the speed for the  finish line which was on front of Bally's. I got to see my husbands smiling face cheering me on which felt amazing.

     They had fantastic after race snacks. I had a big cup of Rita's water ice, a philly pretzel, and some water. They also had a beer garden for the runners and lots of people were enjoying that but they only had Bud light and I couldn't bring myself to drink a Bud at 11 in the morning, I can barely tolerate them at night. I really had such a fantastic time with this race and encourage every one of you reading this to try and train for a 5 or 7 K race. If you live near me I will even join you on your runs whenever you want. I promise you if you finish this you will feel like a King of Queen of the world, I still have that feeling.

My Indian name would be Runs with Bears

     Well really "runs from bears" would be more appropriate. Or actually "runs from possibly imaginary bears". I guess I should start from the beginning. I was down in Virginia last week with my husband who was on travel for work. We were near a park called the "Great Dismal Swamp". I know it doesn't sound like a very nice place, but it was quite pretty actually. It is a huge park which stretches across Virginia and North Carolina. I decided to go for a jog in the swamp because they have some nice well maintained paths of moderate to long length. I went to the ranger station got a trail map and plotted out my run. On the cover of the trail map was a photo of a bear cub one of the rangers had taken. I think this planted the suggestion in my head, so really I blame the graphic designer for my adventure that followed.

    So, I planned out a 5-6 mile run on something called the Washington Ditch trail, which had something to do with George Washington. I didn't stop to read the sign so that's all I know. I was cruising along in nearly perfect weather and the first 2.5 miles went well. I was just taking in the scenery and having a grand time. Then "The Growl" occurred. It sounded like somewhere between a werewolf and a dinosaur. For all I know it could have been a Were-asaur. In my mind only one word was echoing. "Bear, bear, bear, bear......" I never saw anything but thought it would be in my best interest to remove myself from that area as quickly as possible. If I was going to be a bear snack at least I would be fast food. I took off. Now being chased by a bear even if ti is imaginary is a great way to do speed work. My gps was telling me I was running too fast and this was not the speed I had programmed in. I argued with her that my plan was pre-bear and would she please be quiet she could be attracting the bear to us. As if my huffing puffing lumbering run wasn't already drawing  attention. Every branch I hear break was clearly a vicious rabid bear. I stepped in a few holes because I was running looking behind me. I finally made it safety and I had run the second half of my run 6 minutes faster than the first half. Clearly I just needed a little bear motivation. Looking back though, it very well might just have been a chainsaw. I did see some sawdust in the parking lot.

Trail Running

    So today I decided to attempt a 5 mile trail run. Now for those of you who don't live in South Jersey, you may not know our entire ground is made of nothing but sand. No matter how far you go inland, you will find sand. Some sand is harder packed and some is softer. You might even find a bit of clay in the sand now and then, but generally just sand. Well most of my runs have been on a treadmill or the occasional street. Today I learned all about the new kinds of pains one can experience when one tries to propel one's body trough sifting South Jersey sand.

    This pictures shows the start of my run, note the wide and well maintained trail. People local to the area might recognize it at Batsto Village. They have a 10 mile trail that connects it to Atsion Lake and I chose this as my first ever trail run. All I can say is the trail is a liar. After about 1/4 of a mile is turns into soft beach sand with the occasional horse hoof print in it. I am assuming it was a horse, it could have been the Jersey Devil for all I know. Soon after that the trail become about a foot wide and occasionally becomes swampy sand. If anyone feels compelled to take this trail make sure you have a gps with you. I did, thankfully, and still got turned around and had to backtrack to find my car.

    It was supposed to be a 5 miler, but I cut it short to 4 when I realized I was no longer keeping anything close to a running pace and my gps was telling me it was a brisk walk. My arches were killing me from sliding around in the sand, and strangely my back kinda hurts too. I think it is from the twisting. I assume I was using completely different muscles that I ever have before and don't really plan on using again soon. I think I might stick to pavement from now on. At least for a while. Look how friendly the pavement looks.

Running with Id and Ego

    I ran 9 miles today, the longest I have ever run. With me every step of the way were my 2 little friends Id and Ego. I am starting to think running is more about trying to calm the little voices in my mind more than moving my legs. I start playing games with myself to keep my brain occupied. It all starts with jellybeans. For energy, I keep a little baggie of Jelly Belly's on my treadmill that I munch along the way. My plan was to eat one every 10 minutes along with a big swig  of Gatoraid. Well Id kicks in early with "I'm hungry". This was after about 5 minutes. I know I am not hungry yet, I just ate breakfast. Ego softly tells Id "no". This does not stop Id, he keeps obsessing about the jellybeans, trying to figure out the flavors from the colors and select which one it wants first. After it gets the first one this game continues. Which flavors would mix well? I should have been happy with the jelly bean obsession. even if I ate the whole bag of jelly beans to keep Id quiet.

    Id gets bored and moves on. "I'm bored" he says. "Why aren't we going faster?" Ego chimes in with "We can't, we have a long way to go" Id doesn't settle for that "I know we can run faster than this. I have seen it, don't give me that crap" Ego replies "Those are shorter runs, we need to conserve energy" Id doesn't listen and starts moving my finger towards that little triangle pointing up on the console of my treadmill. I barely was able to stop Id in time. I tell them both to shut up at this point in time and I will go faster at the end if I feel like it.

   That's when another voice kicks in to back Id up, I think I call her the self destructive voice, she seems to have Id's side in this one. "At this rate it is going to take you 15 minutes to run a mile, we have to run 9 of them, do you know how long that is? Why are we even doing this, a half marathon is going to take you forever. Do they even let in people who run this slowly. Go faster" She tries to guilt me into pushing the pace. She doesn't really care if we go faster or not, she just wants me to burn out and fail. Ego and I politely tell her where she can go and recommend a hand held wicker carrying vessel she can deliver herself in.

   All if the voices in my head continue in this manner until about mile 6. Id kicks in with "I'm tired" Self-Destructive has his back, even Ego is like "I have no suggestions here, I am kinda tired too" Then my arm comes up with a great trick for all of us. It lashes out and pulls the safety key out of the treadmill. We come to a screeching halt. As I hook it back up I realize my arm is a genius. All of the previous miles and minutes are erased. Now I just have a short 3 mile run to do. I didn't just run 6 miles there is no proof of it, and even if I run 15 minute miles its still only a quick 45 minute run. We all manage to finish the run arm and arm. Even Self-Destructive had nothing to say. I know on my next long run thee voices will start all over again but I beat them today and I can do it in the future and they will be there with me asking for jellybeans and a nap when we cross the finish line of the Half-Marathon.

Triumph and tragedy of this running lifestyle

  Well it has been an interesting week, still having most of my free time monopolized by my bathroom remodel. The end does seem to be in sight though, of course then the kitchen remodel starts. Ugh home ownership, it never ends. When I was a renter I would just move when I got tired of my kitchen or if I found mold in the bathroom.

    I had one of my best runs ever this week, it was just a little 3 miler but my pace was flying (for me at least). I felt so strong and powerful afterward. I had a few other good runs mostly in the 3-5 mile range. Of course with every up there comes a down. I have done something to severely tweak my right arm. I blame the seemingly endless stream of bathroom tiles I have to cut. I can't lift my arm above my waist or pick up anything. This is going to make running pretty much impossible. Today I am going to be permanently attached to the sofa in hopes to heal quickly. Wish me luck.

Running Coach Meeting

   I had another conference call with my running coach group last night. He gave the most interesting analogy about running form. You should think of your hips as a bowl of water. you should be running so no water sloshes out of your bowl. I tried to hold that image in my mind during my 4 miler this morning. It could have just been I had something else to concentrate on, but I did seem to feel better on my run.

    On a totally unrelated note I got a cute new little running outfit. It was a size 16. I am now officially down from a 28 to a 16. Lets give a little props to the girl.

On the road again

    I am so happy to have a few warm days to be able to run outside. On Monday I made it on the pavement for a nice 4 miler, it was so gorgeous. I think I am going to try to switch up my weekly long run to tomorrow since it is going to be in high 50s. Don't want to waste a minute of the early springlike weather. Hope it sticks around.

Bathroom Demolition

   I haven't posted the past couple of says because I have been dismantling my bathroom and removing mold. Saturday I did a 3 milers with my Miracle Mile at a 4.8 pace. I followed it up with a few hours of removing linoleum. Today more linoleum and some mold scrubbing.

Fantastic 5

     Today was such a great feeling 5 miler. I went really slow, since I was only supposed to run 4 according to my training schedule. I felt good though. I stuck to my 4:1 ratio until the end when I did a little sprint just to try to push my pace a bit. My treadmill has developed a weird squeaking noise, I think I am killing it with all the work it is getting this winter.

Wardrobe Malfunction and a Spin Class

I admit, I may not have chosen my spin class outfit based entirely on practicality. The padded shorts are practical, and pretty well required if I am going to be sitting on a bike over an hour and the bright pink dry fit shirt is very good at wicking sweat. Wearing them together was pretty much pure vanity. I thought I looked very cute in the combo. The part I didn't consider is how slippery both articles are. I must have spent at least 5 out of every 30 seconds pulling or tugging at some part of my outfit. Everything I usually try to keep under wraps kept trying to escape into public view. My poor instructor, I must have flashed her about 15 times.

   On the logging side, I got in about 70 minutes of a good spin class and burned about 800 calories. So other than everyone in the class getting to see a completely different side of me, it was a good class.

To windy to run

     It looks like the warm weather yesterday wasn't here to stick around. Its really windy here so it was back to the treadmill for me today. Went to the gym and did a little light  lifting and the ran 4 miles, with a 4:1 ratio. The run portions were 4.5 mph and the walks were 3 mph. Now I am refueling a little. Does anyone out there know of any really tasty protein bars? I have tried Detour and Balance and they are both eh at best.

   On the food note, is anyone else as addicted to zucchini noodles as I am. I use them to replace spaghetti and really lighten up a dish. I also helps control my husband's diabetes. I highly recommend them to anyone as a great way to slip a little more veggies into my diet. This pile became the base for a chicken parm last night.

Warm weather 4 miler

     It was fantastic day for a run today. We finally had weather above freezing so I was able to get off the treadmill and onto the asphalt. I did a 4 miler with a 4:1 ratio. Felt really good mainly just because I was happy to feel like I was getting somewhere.

New site, New coaches, New attitude

     Hello everyone. I am Heather and I am a runner, well sort of. I like to run, but the runs don't always seem to like me. Over the last 8 or 9 months, I have lost about 90 lbs and running has been a large part of that. So, in some ways running and I get along perfectly. The problems arise when you consider my speed. On more than one occasion, I am pretty sure I saw a snail speed past me and wiggle its antennae at me in frustration. Apparently it had somewhere to be and I was holding it up.

    I just signed up with a pretty cool running coaching group. Its called the Slow Runners Club, so it seems like it should be pretty perfect  for me. The 2 guys running it have a podcast by the same name, here is a link to it http://slowrunclub.blogspot.com/

     Basically, I plan for this site to be a running log, meeting spot, and discussion about the things that are helping, hurting, or pleasantly distracting from my running. If anyone is reading this and has anything useful to share please do so.