The Kids Partake In The Action.......

The kids got to practice their running skills one more time, on Saturday.  I had both of them signed up for the Kids Fun Run, part of the Houston Half Marathon, when I signed up for the Half.  They had been wanting to run a race and Tracy told me how much fun her family had in it last year so we thought we would give it a try.  Plus I wanted them to see what all the hoopla about racing was about.

As soon as we got there we got their race packets and changed their shirts into the Fun Run shirts.  We then went and got in their respective corrals, Makayla with me and Malik with Mario.

The race was great.  It was a 3k, about 1.8 miles.  Malik started off running, he couldn't wait.  Makayla wasn't too excited about running.  She had a side stitch and her ankle hurt and she just wasn't into it.  It was hard for me b/c I wanted to run so bad.  This was sort of like my mini-race, since I wasn't able to run the Half. :)  But after telling her how happy she would be if she continued and finished the race she decided to give it a try.  She walked most of the race but I did get her to run a few times.  We all ran together as a family for a little bit, that was really nice.

Malik ran almost the entire race.  He has so much energy!  We all ran the last few minutes together and everyone crossed the finish line.  The kids got their medals and we went in to enjoy the kid zone.  I was very proud of both of the kids but especially proud of Makayla for not giving up.

They really had a fun time and Malik is already talking about his next race.  I think he is going to be my running buddy!

Um Excuse Me......Something Is Wrong........

After the third race I felt a little tightness in my left calf.  No big deal....just a little tight from all of the awesome races I have been running in. At first it didn't hurt while I was running, only afterwards.  But then it got to a point where it hurt all of the time, including when I ran, so I sucked it up and went to a sports medicine doctor.

I am not injured, I am not injured, I am not injured.  I replayed this about 50 million times in my head.  As I sat in the doctor's office my stomach was in knots, please don't tell me I can't run.  When the nurse took my blood pressure she said it was a little high, which is abnormal for me, my bp is always perfect.  I asked her if nerves could effect it and she said yes, definitely.  I told her we didn't have anything to worry about then b/c I am nervous as hell right now.

The doctor had me move in every which way trying to figure out what was wrong.  She finally concluded that when I run I turn my left foot in slightly and now that I am up in the mileage it is starting to effect me, in my calf.  She also said I need to build my glutes and ankles b/c they weren't strong enough. The ankles I wasn't surprised about, thanks mom for the wimpy ankles, although you would have thought I would have built those up carrying all that weight around all those years.  The glutes I was surprised about, I mean my Lord, I do like a million squats a week!  But ok...fine dr.....what do I do so I can run again?

She said to not run AT ALL until there is absolutely no pain in the calf, as well as use ice and Aleve.  She also gave me some exercises to build those glutes up.  But doctor....will I be able to run my Half Marathon in January?  Sure, no problem, you will be fine by then.

It was a little hard to swallow the fact that I couldn't run for a while, but it wasn't the end of the world.  I vowed to work out like a mad woman until my calf was better.  Riding the bike, the elliptical, strength training, whatever it took to not lose the muscle tone and conditioning I had gained over those 5 months so far.  I also threw in a few yoga classes, mostly b/c I needed the mental release but also to help build those ankles.

Speaking of the mental release.  I had no idea how much running was feeding my brain, not just my soul, until I couldn't run anymore.  I had heard about runners going into depression when they got injured but never really understood it.  I have a much better appreciation for that now.  I was very down for a long time.  I wouldn't go so far as to say I was depressed but I was definitely down.

After 6 weeks, YES 6 WEEKS, I called the doctor back and said, "ok, it doesn't hurt anymore, can I run now?"  And no, it wasn't the first time I talked to her since the original appt.  I called that poor woman a million times to ask her a million questions.  I felt like I was just wasting my time and of course everyone and their dog had an opinion of what I should do.  I even went and got a MRI but they found nothing.  But now it didn't hurt anymore, I was ready.  Mind you at this point there is only 4 weeks left until the Half Marathon.  She suggested a walk a minute/run a minute for 20 min and see how it goes.  IT FELT GREAT!  You should have seen me.  I know people around me thought I was crazy, I was grinning from ear to ear.  I was running again!!!!!

I ran min/walk min for a week and then the doctor said I could step it up and run straight for a while to see how it feels.  Unfortunately that didn't work out as well as hoped. My calf started hurting again. I almost broke down in tears in the middle of the gym. You have got to be kidding me! Right when I was feeling comfortable that I would be able to complete this race.   So I called the doctor back and went for a visit.  She said things were looking up, my ankles and glutes were stronger and that I should be able to run the race.  However she wanted me to go see a podiatrist to talk about putting orthodics in my shoes so I wouldn't turn my foot in as much.

I was excited to see the podiatrist b/c he was also a runner.  I wanted to get a runner's opinion on what was going on.  So we sit down and I tell him everything going on and he says, "were you training for a particular race?"  I said softly, "um....yes.... the half marathon in two weeks" and he immediately says, "well you're not going to run that, right?"  I said even softer, "um....I was planning on it" and I just looked at him with as much hope as I had and he said, "I highly suggest you don't run the half in two weeks".

No, no, no, no, no!  This is not happening.  I am running that race.  He said there was about a 90% chance that I would blow my calf out if I ran that race and that would require 6-9 months of rehab vs. only 2 more months or so.  Would you believe I still left that dr.'s office with the intention of running the race?  I am just a little hard-headed.

However it ate away at me all day.  Should I do it, should I not?  On the way home I finally broke down and cried, the pressure of making this decision was just too much.  I prayed to God that he would help me give this problem to him before it made me sick.  And I prayed that I could talk to someone who would help me put things into perspective.  And wouldn't you know not more than 5 seconds after saying that my phone rang?  It was my sister. Wow....thanks God.

My sister and I talked about whether I should run it or not, for a while.  I told her what the dr said that morning and she soon helped me to realize this one race just wasn't worth it.  I think it was the hardest pill I have ever had to swallow.  I cried and cried.  What a disappointment.  I had worked so hard for this and I so deserved it.

When I got home I told my husband and kids I made the decision to not run it.  Once again, breaking down in tears.  Even though I was crying I felt more at peace than I had in a while.  The decision was made.  It took me a few days to get through the pain and disappointment I felt.  But I am not a wallower (or however you spell that), I refuse to wallow in my sorrow for longer than a few days.  Time to get back on my feet and get this thing healed once and for all.

So I am now focused on a half marathon at the end of March.  There a few other events I want to do in March as well, an indoor triathlon at the gym and the Warrior Dash.

I went to physical therapy for the first time tonight.  The dr. only thinks I will need 2-4 weeks of it and I can still run while I am healing.

I ran 20 minutes straight twice now and my calf didn't hurt during or afterwards so I am stoked. Really hoping this is a sign of good times to come.  I will gradually increase the time and hopefully train as much as possible for that half at the end of March.  I really want to run a half marathon this year b/c I want to train for the full marathon next year, starting in July.  If I am not ready in time for March then i will find one in April or May.  I WILL RUN A HALF THIS YEAR!

My Third Race........

Houston's 2nd race in the warm up series for the Marathon is a 25K race downtown.  They offer a relay as well, for those training for the Half.  It is a three-person relay of 5.2 miles each, however I didn't want to just run 5.2 miles so I originally opted out, until I found out you could run more than one leg.  I was immediately stoked.  For one, that would be the farthest I have run so far and secondly, I wanted my friend Andi to join me so she could feel what it feels like to run in a race.

Andi and I joined the running club together last July.  After a car accident left her in PT she decided to walk with the walkers in the half and not push herself to run.  So we didn't get the chance to really spend time running together.  This would be a great chance to bond over running. :)  Plus, she needed a little motivation at the time and I knew this would do it for her.  As I said before, there is nothing like your first race.

So she met me at my house very early that Sunday morning and we headed out, including my very supportive husband!  We got there with like 15 minutes to spare and by the time we found the tent our running club was in Tracy was in panic mode b/c she was worried we would miss the start.  But we made it and trotted over to the starting line.

Andi and Tracy took off when the gun shot and they were on their way.  Leaving me behind.  It was the first time I actually got to experience what my husband had been doing at these races, waiting.  It seemed like an eternity for even Tracy to make the loop but she trotted on around that corner and I yelled so much I thought I would go hoarse.  And then finally Andi came.  She was the last person to come in from the first leg of the relay but I could not have been prouder of her!  SHE DID IT!  Completed 5.2 miles, which I believe was the longest she had run so far.

And I was off.  It was so hard to sit there and watch all these people run by, I was sooooo ready.  I had to make myself watch my time b/c I knew the adrenaline was pumping hard by now. I waved at Tracy and Pat (another running buddy in the club) each time we passed on opposite sides of the road.  It was nice to see her face a couple of times, in the midst of the craziness, even though she looked like she was going to pass out. :)  Tracy always looks like she is about to pass out when she is running but she always does fantastic.

It felt great turning the corner for the second loop and seeing Andi and Mario cheering me on.  I am very blessed to have a husband who completely supports me.  It was very cold that day and he sat all bundled up in his jacket waiting for just a glimpse of me as I ran by.

I learned a new lesson about running on this race.  To date I had never taken water or gatorade from the volunteers handing it out b/c I carried a fuel belt and never ran out.  Well I ran out at this race so at the last water station I grabbed a cup of gatorade.  I was so close to the finish line I didn't want to stop running so I just turned the cup up and "drank".  Um.....yeah......not so much.  That doesn't really work.  I was now bathed in gatorade and I know the runners around me were thinking "you dumb ass".  I just laughed it off, wiped my face as much as I could and realized if I fold the cup sides in when drinking and running it doesn't spill. :)

I crossed the finish line with an average time of 9:39.  Andi ran up with me and we crossed the finish line together.  I was so happy she did that.

Overall it was a great run.  I proved to myself I could run 10.5 miles, I am ready for the Half now, what is another 2.5 miles?

Andi, Me, Pat and Tracy

Third Place.......What??????

The next race I ran was a 5K to benefit Addie's Faith Foundation, formed to fight childhood cancer.  I picked this race for a number of reasons. 1.) I had never run a 5K before, 2.) it was for a great cause, 3.) it was on a Sunday, so it didn't disrupt my long training runs on Saturday and 4.) they had a 1K for the kids to run.

Everyone was so excited for the race.  The kids had been wanting to run with me, even though they couldn't believe I could run faster and longer than them, and they wouldn't be able to keep up.  I am an old lady to them, how I could run further than them?  So I was excited to get them to a race they could actually run.

Tracy and her family joined us.  Tracy and I decided at the beginning of the race just to go all out.  What was 3 miles when we were up to running a lot more than that?  Let's just give it everything we have and see where it gets us.  Thanks to Tracy's Garmen we were able to pace ourselves and we ran very hard at a 7:45 pace, which is WAY faster than my normal 9:40 or so.  But it was for a short period so I was able to maintain, but I could not have run another minute after I crossed that finish line.  I thought I was going to throw up for the first time running.  All I kept thinking was "don't throw up in front of the kids". I didn't want them to remember that when they thought of running. :)  I was able to hold it all in and after some water was just fine.

Well come to find out Tracy and I tied for THIRD place.  That is just insane.  I couldn't believe we did that well.  We were very proud of ourselves!  We even got a 3rd place medal.  I started to feel like a real runner.  Like I could really climb to great heights.  I was more pumped than ever.

 Can you tell I was sucking air big time?  But I love this pic b/c it shows Tracy and I crossing a finish line together, maybe one of the only times that is going to happen. :)

The First Race......Nothing Like It......

This was the one thing I journaled in the 7 months I have been running.  Enjoy!

I was so excited for my first real race.  I had been training for 3 months and was just at 7 miles so this 6.5 mile run shouldn’t be a problem.

I did everything I was supposed to do the night before, to have a successful run.  I went to bed early, ate a good meal, got my fuel belt ready and even put some new songs on my ipod.  I was ready!

I got up bright and early on race day, at 5am, so I wouldn’t be rushed when leaving the house.  Mario, my husband,  and I headed out around 5:45am.

When we got there we had a heck of a time finding the Kingwood Fit tent, but finally located it, unfortunately too late to take the team pic.  But I found my race partner, Carolyn, and we shared our excitement for the race (it was her first race as well).  As we were talking I reached into my jacket pocket to get my ipod out and only pulled out headphones.  Where was my ipod?  Panic mode starting to step in.  I have NEVER run without my ipod and now I have to do a race without it?  I ran to the car as quick as I could, hoping I dropped it in there, but to no avail.

As I was walking back from the car it hit me that I was about to have to run 6.5 miles without music.  And I had JUST downloaded new songs and everything. But I decided to make the most of it, as I try to do in every aspect of life, and enjoy the sounds of a “race”.

When I got back over to my group I met up with Tracy,my running buddy, told her of my misfortune and my new plan and we started walking over to the starting line.  There were so many people!  Tracy was quick to tell me that there would be 5 times that amount of people at the Houston Half in January, man I can’t imagine.

The gun goes off and Tracy and I are on our way.  After about ½ mile together I told her to go ahead and run ahead of me (she is faster) b/c I was worried I would push myself too hard at the beginning and not be able to finish strong.

So it was just me for the next 6 miles, no music, only the sound of the race.  So many sounds I never thought of or considered, I heard:

-          People talking (remind you I normally don’t hear this b/c I ALWAYS have my music)

-          Footsteps on the downtown streets

-          Running shorts rubbing together as legs moved

-          Water splashing around in fuel belts

-          The sound of people running through Gatorade/water cups after runners have thrown them down (this is the one I was least expecting)

-          People on the side of the street yelling words of encouragement

-          The lone man about 3 miles into the race ringing his cow bell.  He might have been out there to encourage one person in his family, etc but he encouraged us all.

-          The two little boys standing on one of the overpasses on Allen Pkwy telling me to keep running, that I could do it and I was a winner.

-          The volunteer who called my number on the walkie talkie to the people at the starting line, so they could alert Carolyn to get ready for her leg of the race.

-          The many people at the end of the race, shouting so many encouraging words, “You are almost there”, “you have a perfect pace”, “you are doing great”, “keep it up”.

So because I “lost” my ipod I had a whole different experience than I would have with it.  I really “felt” this race and what it meant to be a runner.  I am so glad God instilled in me the thought to make the most of that challenge and to turn it around into something positive.

As I hit the last mile or so I turned on the after burners and went after it. I knew I had it in me at the time.  Thank God I had been running hills on Tuesday’s because those hills on Allen Parkway would have killed me otherwise.  I just envisioned myself on the little hill on Kings Park Way in Kingwood and made it through every one of them. It felt great, even though my heart rate was a little higher than I like it. And it helped so much to have people shouting from the sidelines those words of encouragement.

Mario was waiting for me as I crossed the line, I was so amazed with my pace I was trying to tell Carolyn that if she really went after it we might have a chance to place (not having a clue where we sat.)  I finished my leg of the race in 1 hour and 2 minutes.  That is a 9.5/min mile.  I have NEVER run that fast in my entire life, I normally run closer to a 10/min mile.  So I was ecstatic.

I went and picked up my medal (which I didn’t even know I got) and took my “finisher” picture. Mario and I waited around for another hour or so for Tracy and Carolyn to come in.  Carolyn came in at the same pace I did, 1 hour and 2 minutes and Tracy did an awesome job, completing the whole ½ marathon in 2 hours 7 min.  Those were personal records for all of us. 

I never thought I would call myself a runner.  I never thought I would LOVE to go outside and run.  I never thought I could run more than 3 miles. I never thought I would be half-way fast at running.  I never thought this was me……but it so is!

Wow.....I Really Like This Running Thing......

I started training for the Houston Half Marathon in July 2010.  I went to Luke's Locker and got some new shoes, I was ready to go.  It didn't take me long to realize I liked to run. 

There is something about running.  It is calming and soothing.  Your feet hitting the ground in perfect cadence, your steady breathing (most of the time), your mind a million miles away.  Running is an escape for me.  I love the peace and quiet it provides, and the serenity of running outdoors.  Although a good portion of my running is spent on the treadmill at the gym, I still love to run. 

I love the early morning Saturday runs we did in the training program, we ran through many a sunrise, and each one was beautiful.  I loved running with the group most of all.  It would be very hard for me to run more than 5 miles or so without other people.  And it is not because I want to talk to the people, most of the time I don't like to talk while running, it is just to have their presence.  You feel a sense of camaraderie as you run together, all at the same pace. 

And the crazy thing is, I was pretty good at it. I always finished the training runs at the front of pack and my time was about a 9:45 minute mile.  Now I understand that is NOT a great time, there are a lot of people that run below 7 minutes like it is nothing.  However, it is very good for me, especially since it is only my first year.

I just soaked it all in.  I got a subscription to Runners World, signed up for running websites, etc.  I researched ways to run more efficiently, what to eat and different ways to run hills, speed workouts, etc.  I wanted to learn everything I could about running.

My true love for running didn't start until I ran my first race.  In preparation for the Half Marathon there is a Half Marathon Relay that you and a team member can run.  I asked a lady that was in my running club, and who was always at the front of the pack with me, if she would like to run the relay. We each ran 6 1/2 miles and we kicked butt.  We both ran a 9:30 min/mile and got 16th place out of 68 teams.  And that was my first race ever.  Yep, needless to say, I was hooked.  I now understood that little thing they call adrenaline.  The feeling you get when you cross that finish line is like no other.  It feels so extraordinary to be proud of yourself and to accomplish something so big. I ran 6 1/2 miles, how many people do that?

I soon started thinking of the training session for 2011 and how I was going to train for the marathon, instead of the half.  I will have completed a half marathon by then, it will be time to push myself further to see if I can run the full.  I have big dreams.

The Journey.....So Far.....

I never really thought of myself as a runner.  I ran a few times before in life when I wanted to lose weight, it always seemed to be the quickest way to get it off.  I was always pretty active though, soccer, softball, etc. But never a runner.

So when a friend of mine suggested I consider running a half marathon I instantly thought no, I don't think so.  I had knee problems since trying the quick-weight loss method of running in college, something about "over-use" syndrome, blah, blah, blah. All I knew is my knee hurt most of the time after that.  Knee pain and half marathons don't mix.

But my life changed in a big way in 2006/2007.  For most of my life I have battled weight problems.  I was never huge but overweight for a good part of life.  I decided to change all of that in August 2006 when I joined Weight Watchers.  I had just had my second child.  I pretty much let myself blow up between children.  I knew I was going to try WW after I had my second child so I just ate whatever I wanted for about 4 years, it was great!  Except I was a lazy, fat bum who didn't do anything.

I lost 52 lbs following the WW program.  I learned how to eat healthy forever, not just until I lost the weight.  I now prefer a grilled chicken breast with broccoli over a chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes.  I NEVER thought in my life I would say that. I have never been prouder of myself in my entire life.  It takes a lot of work and determination to lose 52 lbs and even more to keep it off.  Once I did that I truly felt like I could do anything.  I gained so much confidence in myself, in all aspects of life.

But the biggest gain I got was a motivation to workout. Being 52lbs lighter suddenly cured most of the knew problems, amazing, right?  I started working out regularly 2 years ago and I love it.  It is a release for me.  I am a very busy person who juggles A LOT every day so I need to decompress to be able to maintain.  I found that in working out.  I like to strength train with weights and like to take classes like step aerobics and kickboxing.  I also love yoga and try to fit that in when I can.

But in February 2010 I decided I wanted to challenge myself even further.  Can I really do anything? A friend of mine had just trained for and ran the Houston Marathon for the first time and I thought, let's try it, but the half, not the full marathon, that is just crazy.  So I got the training group info and marked my calendar for July 2010, when we had to sign up.

I was ready and inspired to try this new sport.  To push myself past where I thought I could go.  To prove to myself once again that I could do anything I set my mind to.  Let's see what this running thing is all about.....

Surprise.....I am Blogging.....

I never thought I would have a blog. I am sure I have a few friends reading this right now that are about to fall out of their chair (I hope everyone was sitting down).  I am a very busy woman who never has time to sit down, much less keep up a blog.  So I am interested to see how this goes.  But I am going to give it a try.

I am here because I have recently discovered I love to run.  And I have been wanting to somehow capture all of the lessons I've learned and the feelings I've had from this new sport.  I considered just journaling it on my computer when I got the chance but in the 7 months I have been running I have only done that once, so I don't think there is a chance I will keep up with that.

So I decided to try a blog for two reasons, 1.) to hold myself accountable to keeping up with it, I will write more if I think other people are reading it. And 2.) to share with other runners the highs and lows of running. 

I hope I can motivate people through my journey.  I have big dreams.  I want to run! A lot! I plan to share my life with you as I chase this dream. From race to race. Let's see where it takes me.

And as a bonus I will have journaled my journey to remind myself later of how great it all felt.