I cannot believe what just happened!
So yesterday (July 20, 2013) I completed my first 5k race since before my surgery in April. The catch was that my doctor said I wasn't allowed to run and so I had to switch my entry from a "run" race to a "walk" race. I knew that I was mentally ready to run my 5k so I knew that I could complete my 5k with a fierce attempt at walking. So I gave it my all and guess what??? I won my age division! I canNOT believe it! I even won a medal! The bad part is that when I was presented with the medal, Randy Beamer hit me in the head with the microphone. LAME! You can see my pics with a before and after. HAHAHA
But, I WON A MEDAL! I rock at walking!
How 'bout you? RYAO (or should I say WYAO)
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Friday, July 19, 2013
2012-2013 in a flash
This year has been quite a growing year.
First, I helped mentor 3rd grade students through their own running journey.
Second, I had to help them understand just how evil the world can be when they asked questions about the Boston Marathon bombing. THAT is a hard conversation to have with an 8 year old.
Third, just when I reached running 16 miles, I decide to xtrain and blew out the ligaments in my ankle. The recovery has been pretty mild, but it has caused other issues that have impeded my ability to run freely. Eh, that's ok. I'll get back to where I was in time, right?
Last, I've moved campuses. I am now a principal at an early childhood center. I am SUPER excited, albeit a bit nervous. It's one thing to help someone else in charge, but now I'm the one in charge and it mostly falls to me. Luckily I've hired a WONDERFUL person to help me out. I just know this year is going to be awesome!
I'm also nervous about my next running adventure. I've been selected to participate in the Nike Women's Half/Full Marathon in San Francisco. Am I going to be ready for 13.1 miles by mid October? God only knows, but I'll try my best!!! I'm also going to run my first 5K since before my surgery. My doctor said to walk it so as not to injure my Achilles tendon any further, but the burning in me to run it is so strong. I know, small steps. I'll follow his instructions and give my goblin legs a break.
Well, that's all for now. Sad that I can sum up a year's worth of running in such a short entry, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, right???
Until next time: lace up, head out, and RYAO!
First, I helped mentor 3rd grade students through their own running journey.
Second, I had to help them understand just how evil the world can be when they asked questions about the Boston Marathon bombing. THAT is a hard conversation to have with an 8 year old.
Third, just when I reached running 16 miles, I decide to xtrain and blew out the ligaments in my ankle. The recovery has been pretty mild, but it has caused other issues that have impeded my ability to run freely. Eh, that's ok. I'll get back to where I was in time, right?
Last, I've moved campuses. I am now a principal at an early childhood center. I am SUPER excited, albeit a bit nervous. It's one thing to help someone else in charge, but now I'm the one in charge and it mostly falls to me. Luckily I've hired a WONDERFUL person to help me out. I just know this year is going to be awesome!
I'm also nervous about my next running adventure. I've been selected to participate in the Nike Women's Half/Full Marathon in San Francisco. Am I going to be ready for 13.1 miles by mid October? God only knows, but I'll try my best!!! I'm also going to run my first 5K since before my surgery. My doctor said to walk it so as not to injure my Achilles tendon any further, but the burning in me to run it is so strong. I know, small steps. I'll follow his instructions and give my goblin legs a break.
Well, that's all for now. Sad that I can sum up a year's worth of running in such a short entry, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, right???
Until next time: lace up, head out, and RYAO!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
We will survive 2012!
I have decided to run my first full marathon.
Yes, I know this is not for the faint of heart.
Yes, I know this is a huge committment.
Yes, I know the very first marathoner (in Athens) DIED because of his run.
Yes, I know I don't have a runner's body, ability, mentality, training schedule.
I - DON'T - CARE!
I have almost successfully mentored 9 ... NINE mostly new marathon runners this season.
I have the guts to at least go out and try.
I have the will to cross each finish line I have ever stood behind.
I have a Godly protector.
I have another half planned to help with training:
Zooma Texas
How about you? What are you committed to trying in the year 2013?
Go and RYAO!
Yes, I know this is not for the faint of heart.
Yes, I know this is a huge committment.
Yes, I know the very first marathoner (in Athens) DIED because of his run.
Yes, I know I don't have a runner's body, ability, mentality, training schedule.
I - DON'T - CARE!
I have almost successfully mentored 9 ... NINE mostly new marathon runners this season.
I have the guts to at least go out and try.
I have the will to cross each finish line I have ever stood behind.
I have a Godly protector.
I have another half planned to help with training:
Zooma Texas
How about you? What are you committed to trying in the year 2013?
Go and RYAO!
Saturday, June 30, 2012
I am back and stronger than ever before!
Ok, not really. I actually have a pulled groin that I got during my post run stretch. Stupid, I know. My sister already gave my grief about it so get those thoughts out of your head. Exactly who's head am I speaking of since no one really reads this blog? Dunno
So updates:
1. I'm scheduled to run my third...read it...THIRD half marathon! My goal is under 2 hours.
2. I'm involved with TNT again. I'm mentoring this time and I'm LOVING it! It's like being a sorority big sister again without all the drama and blegh that goes with it! hahaha
3. I still hate waking up at 4 to train, but now that I have mentees that rely on me (and my example - albeit BAD at times), I'm more inclined to wake up and lace up.
4. Thinking of running the FULL marathon in October 2013. I just need to decide on either San Francisco or Big Sur. I would LOVE to run Big Sur. Maybe I'll do BOTH next year? CRAZY? Too much? Yeah, probably.
5. I REALLY want to convince the folks out here at the Cave to host a 10K night run and call it (get ready for it) "Bat Guano Crazy 10K Night Run." BRILLIANT, I know. Now I just need to actually get them to agree, set a date, find a service provider, and ask Bat Cave International if they'd be up for allowing us to host it for them. A daunting task, but maybe I can get that done sometime in 2013?
6. Just realized the lofty goals I've set for myself for 2013. Might just need to tone it down a little.
So, I can't really go out to run my you-know-what off, how about you?
Get out there and RYAO! (for me???)
lali
So updates:
1. I'm scheduled to run my third...read it...THIRD half marathon! My goal is under 2 hours.
2. I'm involved with TNT again. I'm mentoring this time and I'm LOVING it! It's like being a sorority big sister again without all the drama and blegh that goes with it! hahaha
3. I still hate waking up at 4 to train, but now that I have mentees that rely on me (and my example - albeit BAD at times), I'm more inclined to wake up and lace up.
4. Thinking of running the FULL marathon in October 2013. I just need to decide on either San Francisco or Big Sur. I would LOVE to run Big Sur. Maybe I'll do BOTH next year? CRAZY? Too much? Yeah, probably.
5. I REALLY want to convince the folks out here at the Cave to host a 10K night run and call it (get ready for it) "Bat Guano Crazy 10K Night Run." BRILLIANT, I know. Now I just need to actually get them to agree, set a date, find a service provider, and ask Bat Cave International if they'd be up for allowing us to host it for them. A daunting task, but maybe I can get that done sometime in 2013?
6. Just realized the lofty goals I've set for myself for 2013. Might just need to tone it down a little.
So, I can't really go out to run my you-know-what off, how about you?
Get out there and RYAO! (for me???)
lali
Sunday, April 22, 2012
This is familiar territory...
What sparks nostalgia? For me, it's two things: music and smells.
About three years ago I began my journey into the world of running. Wow! I can't believe it's been over three years! I started slow (doctor's orders) then built up to some semblance of a "pace." I wanted to do something that I never imagined I'd be able to do: run a half marathon. What better way to get ready than to sign up for the race AND run it with a fundraising organization. Once your first pledge comes in, it's ON. You have no choice but to lace up and hit the trail/tread/road. When I first started training, I was good about meeting the running group out on the streets. I followed their training schedule, but life started getting in the way of my training. Waking up at 4:30 am five days a week made it difficult to wake up at 5 am on a Saturday to meet the running group.
"If only they would meet at 8:30 or 9:00, I'd TOTALLY make it," is what I told myself.
So, since I was close to my fundraising goal and had absolutely no plans on backing out of what I had committed myself to doing, I followed my line of reasoning and began training on my own here at the Cave.
To help, I downloaded music that had a rhythm to get me through my runs at a good pace. I ran for time, not distance. Thirty minutes was my goal. Walking and/or running...it didn't matter. I just needed to get 15 minutes out and 15 minutes back. The first few times, I was lucky to get up the first long hill. Before I knew it, I was up BOTH long hills and past the first cattle guard. I'd say that was probably about 2 miles. One mile out...one mile back. Little by little my distance got farther and farther. Two and a half out...two and a half back. And so went the routine. All the while listening to the Entourage soundtrack, BEP, Beastie Boys, Eminem, Lady Gaga (sorry, Boys, she has a great beat that's easy to dance - I mean - run to). As I drove around town, I'd hear these tunes on satellite radio and I'd get kicked into thinking about my runs. How did I feel? How far did I go? Could I go farther? Nostalgia triggered by music.
Fast forward over three full years and here's what I now know:
1. The rhythm of music has been replaced by the rhythm of my breathing.
2. The music of Gaga and Eminem have been replaced by the music of God (no, I won't get all churchy and stuff): finches, mockingbirds, grasshoppers flying through the air, the wind, the sound of my footfalls on caliche road.
3. My nostalgia has gone from being triggered by my iPod to being triggered by smell: dust, morning dew, mountain laurels, cedar trees, the bat cave less than a quarter mile away, my sweat.
4. My distance gets better and better the longer I run. I'm back to measuring my accomplishments based on what I see at the ranch. Today's 45' run was: two country road gates, two long, steep, and steady hills, and two cattle guards OUT and BACK for a total distance of 3.8 miles. Am I a 10' mile runner? Not even close. Today I was over 11'. Will I ever be? Probably not, but it's good to keep trying, right?
What's your nostalgia when you're out RYAO?
About three years ago I began my journey into the world of running. Wow! I can't believe it's been over three years! I started slow (doctor's orders) then built up to some semblance of a "pace." I wanted to do something that I never imagined I'd be able to do: run a half marathon. What better way to get ready than to sign up for the race AND run it with a fundraising organization. Once your first pledge comes in, it's ON. You have no choice but to lace up and hit the trail/tread/road. When I first started training, I was good about meeting the running group out on the streets. I followed their training schedule, but life started getting in the way of my training. Waking up at 4:30 am five days a week made it difficult to wake up at 5 am on a Saturday to meet the running group.
"If only they would meet at 8:30 or 9:00, I'd TOTALLY make it," is what I told myself.
So, since I was close to my fundraising goal and had absolutely no plans on backing out of what I had committed myself to doing, I followed my line of reasoning and began training on my own here at the Cave.
To help, I downloaded music that had a rhythm to get me through my runs at a good pace. I ran for time, not distance. Thirty minutes was my goal. Walking and/or running...it didn't matter. I just needed to get 15 minutes out and 15 minutes back. The first few times, I was lucky to get up the first long hill. Before I knew it, I was up BOTH long hills and past the first cattle guard. I'd say that was probably about 2 miles. One mile out...one mile back. Little by little my distance got farther and farther. Two and a half out...two and a half back. And so went the routine. All the while listening to the Entourage soundtrack, BEP, Beastie Boys, Eminem, Lady Gaga (sorry, Boys, she has a great beat that's easy to dance - I mean - run to). As I drove around town, I'd hear these tunes on satellite radio and I'd get kicked into thinking about my runs. How did I feel? How far did I go? Could I go farther? Nostalgia triggered by music.
Fast forward over three full years and here's what I now know:
1. The rhythm of music has been replaced by the rhythm of my breathing.
2. The music of Gaga and Eminem have been replaced by the music of God (no, I won't get all churchy and stuff): finches, mockingbirds, grasshoppers flying through the air, the wind, the sound of my footfalls on caliche road.
3. My nostalgia has gone from being triggered by my iPod to being triggered by smell: dust, morning dew, mountain laurels, cedar trees, the bat cave less than a quarter mile away, my sweat.
4. My distance gets better and better the longer I run. I'm back to measuring my accomplishments based on what I see at the ranch. Today's 45' run was: two country road gates, two long, steep, and steady hills, and two cattle guards OUT and BACK for a total distance of 3.8 miles. Am I a 10' mile runner? Not even close. Today I was over 11'. Will I ever be? Probably not, but it's good to keep trying, right?
What's your nostalgia when you're out RYAO?
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Hard to cry and run at the same time...
WOUNDED WARRIOR 5K - Schertz, TX
What an amazing experience Saturday was. I had absolutely NO motivation to lace up and get out to run, but a co-worker of mine was determined to get started again and so I decided to join her. I am so glad I did.
The morning was pretty chilly and realizing that this race had a LOT of military/ex-military running coupled with me not having laced up since November, made it that more intimidating. All that faded into oblivion when the National Anthem played pre-race and I say all our military and their families salute our Stars and Stripes. It sent a chill down my spine and brought tears to my eyes. As we all lined up, the Wounded Warriors went first. Again, crying at their determination and guts. I felt so small at how I complained over my notion of not being "ready" for this race. Hell, if these individuals with their challenges could get out and run, I could, too.
This race felt so different. Maybe it was the inspiration that surrounded me. Maybe it was my readiness to get back out and get into race mode. Maybe it was the good Lord showing me the various blessing that surrounded me at that time. IDK. All I know is I ran this race in 35 minutes. Am I ready to break 30 minutes? Ehhhhh...not quite, but I sure am ready to try.
Now...get out there and RYAO!!!
What an amazing experience Saturday was. I had absolutely NO motivation to lace up and get out to run, but a co-worker of mine was determined to get started again and so I decided to join her. I am so glad I did.
The morning was pretty chilly and realizing that this race had a LOT of military/ex-military running coupled with me not having laced up since November, made it that more intimidating. All that faded into oblivion when the National Anthem played pre-race and I say all our military and their families salute our Stars and Stripes. It sent a chill down my spine and brought tears to my eyes. As we all lined up, the Wounded Warriors went first. Again, crying at their determination and guts. I felt so small at how I complained over my notion of not being "ready" for this race. Hell, if these individuals with their challenges could get out and run, I could, too.
This race felt so different. Maybe it was the inspiration that surrounded me. Maybe it was my readiness to get back out and get into race mode. Maybe it was the good Lord showing me the various blessing that surrounded me at that time. IDK. All I know is I ran this race in 35 minutes. Am I ready to break 30 minutes? Ehhhhh...not quite, but I sure am ready to try.
Now...get out there and RYAO!!!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Shaved off time!!!
I am soooooo excited! I shaved 29 minutes off my half marathon time! I guess not making a MILLION potty stops makes a difference. My feet almost detached from my ankles right about mile 11, but I managed to keep it together 'til the end.
Will I run it again next year? You bet! I want to try and shave off another 15 minutes. In order to do that, I have to keep training. I know I keep saying that I don't have time, but I need to make the time if I want to accomplish that goal.
Thought about a 5k for this Saturday, but NO WAY. I really just want to do NOTHING for the next few weeks. So I went out and ran a half marathon today. Did you get out and RYAO?
Will I run it again next year? You bet! I want to try and shave off another 15 minutes. In order to do that, I have to keep training. I know I keep saying that I don't have time, but I need to make the time if I want to accomplish that goal.
Thought about a 5k for this Saturday, but NO WAY. I really just want to do NOTHING for the next few weeks. So I went out and ran a half marathon today. Did you get out and RYAO?
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