mindfirerunner

Today was “long run” day, and as much as I wanted to run hills (since this is what I’ve been telling myself all week long I would do) I was really dreading getting out and actually doing the hill work. I started bargaining with myself, “Well, I’ll just do 8 today and then do an easy run tomorrow”, and “I should just do both days easy”. You know how the story goes. I couldn’t make up my mind where I wanted to go, in which direction, or how many miles. I knew I ultimately wanted to get a long run out of it, but just didn’t have the gumption to be on the road for a few hours.

Finally, I told myself I should start in the direction of the “hills” and see how things go. The sun started peaking through the clouds and there was just enough breeze to not get overheated in all of my core gear. It felt great. It felt steady. And, it felt like I should do the workout I had planned on for that week. I decided what better way to make sure I did the whole run than to take and out and back route. If I didn’t finish all of the hills then I could always call my husband to pick me up.

I got to the halfway point literally at the end of the hill route and thought the area looked somewhat familiar in the distance. It did. I had actually run to the next town. Huh. Who knew? I turned around knowing that the hardest part was ahead since now my legs were tired from the first half of the run, and I still had to run those same hills in order to get back home. I told myself to just take it one mile at a time. Before I knew it, I had crested the last of the dreaded hills and knew I was home free, even with three miles left on my route.

I’m glad I pushed myself beyond my comfort zone. I almost let my head get the best of me this morning. Now, I’m enjoying some hot tea, football, a dark and rainy afternoon, and a quiet house because the toddler kindly asked me to put him down for his nap. I worked hard for this moment. And now, I rest.

The “Hells”

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My other love…

I’ve been toying with the idea of training for another race. I’ve always enjoyed running, but training for Boston over last winter really took its toll. I swore I’d never train over the winter again, but here I am in October with temps in the 30’s and I have the itch to train. Something is clearly wrong with me.

I have missed my long run Saturdays which might sound strange to some, but nothing beats the feeling of accomplishing something that few take on…and usually before most are even rolling out of bed. I have to admit I’m a bit uncertain as to what winter training brings with it this year, but I figured what’s there to lose? I’ll pick a race, plan my training schedule, and adjust as necessary. I don’t know about you, but once I’ve made up my mind there’s no looking back.

So, what are you going to train for next? Maybe you’ve never run a race or trained for anything. What’s stopping you? Find a local 5k and announce it to your friends and family. I guarantee once you tell people you’ll have that voice in your head on those mornings you don’t want to get out of bed and go for a run. And if you can’t find a reason to do it for yourself, do it for someone else. Help raise money for a local charity or help to support an event for good cause.

I’m determined to keep moving as long as my legs will take me. I may not be as fast as I have been in the past, but I have the heart to keep trying. After a 16 mile run this morning, I know that my heart’s in it. Is yours?

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My oldest son, standing in front of the National Archives in D.C.

Traveling to a new city always brings with it a challenge to scope out the best running trails. City running is so much different than running in farm country. This country girl is not used to running with traffic, pedestrian crossings, honking horns, and heavy foot traffic. To top it off, this week I had to travel to D.C. and previous experience has shown that this is a very busy city. I could have hidden in the hotel and used the two-treadmill exercise room, with squeaky, shaky equipment, but instead I decided to ask the locals where the best running routes were. I figured I’m not the only runner in D.C., and come to find out I was right. After doing a little research and taking a stroll the evening before my first run in D.C. I felt I was ready as ever. After all, it wasn’t like I was going out into a landscape of sinking sand or had to figure out how to walk on water. All I needed was some ground.

The next morning I woke up, laced up my shoes, and powered up my Garmin. I headed out of the hotel and started running in the general direction I was advised. I wasn’t sure really where I was heading, or even how far I’d get before I ran into a wall of people, heavy traffic, or some crazy D.C. event. I wasn’t even sure where the streets led but realized the best way to learn about a city is by pounding the pavement. After about two miles I came across some familiar territory; the Mall and the Capital of D.C. It felt oddly strange to be running on the Mall and around the Lincoln Monument, both places I had visited many times as a child and in my youth. I felt like a citizen of D.C. – as if I belonged in the city. I felt comfortable and safe as I saw dozens, if not hundreds of other runners. I wrapped back around the back side of the White House just as the guards were changing shifts and within minutes had several dozens of police officers surrounding my route. Here I was afraid to run alone in D.C. in the dark and on a new route. Suddenly, I felt safer there than I do in my small farm town in Colorado.

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It was a busy day, preceded by a busy week. There’s always a lot going on, but compound that with planning travels and kids, and you get one tired girl. I’ve been wanting to write all week, but the days just kept slipping by. So now, as my chauffeur (a.k.a. husband) drives us home from work I finally take a deep breath and decompress from the week, lost in the transient music of Kings of Leon. All that’s missing is a nice glass of red to accompany the private world I’m in.

I sit mindlessly thinking of nothing and everything at the same time. All the while twirling my hair which I tend to do when I’m tired, but don’t notice until my husband says “You must be tired”. A quite drive home. Enough time to be lost in thought, and enough time to meditate on the sporadic moments of peace I find intermingled with my days.

I’m okay with being tired. I know I’m tired because I woke up early to crank out an eight mile run, just to see what my race pace might look like. Then, I made breakfast for my family, shuffled the kids off to school, and worked my tail off in a job I love. So I’m okay with being tired. I’d much rather be tired than bored or complacent. My reward is knowing that I’ve given all of myself to everything that I do, and that nice cup of hot tea in the morning sun after a good night’s rest.

My Post-Run Quiet Time

“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

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