I Am A Runner

 As a new runner I rejected the title "runner". I even rejected it as an adjective to describe me. I was running. I was learning to run. I was training for a 1/2 marathon but I was not a runner.

I had this idea that a runner was someone who was fast, who ran marathons and was stick thin. And I admit, I judged that the running community was unfriendly. It was club I was never going to belong to. I'm not fast, I'm not thin, and I am not a marathoner. Therefore, I was not a runner.

But it's hard to talk about running a 1/2 marathon without defining yourself as a runner. I tentatively tried the title on, the week of the Biggest Loser 1/2 at the phone store explaining to the sales clerk that "I am a runner and need a phone that won't die".  Yes, 6 months of training for the race and I used the term runner to describe myself for the 1st time. 

I held my breath after I said it. I was afraid he was going to challenge me. Ask for my runner card or something. Quiz me on the lingo. Challenge me in the store. But this crazy thing happened. He accepted my statement and then we bonded over his girlfriend being a runner.

I felt I needed to earn the title of runner because for so long I never felt it was something I could be. Six months of training and a 1/2 marathon medal seemed like enough sweat equity to bestow upon myself this coveted title. But guess what?

I became a runner the first day I started training.

That's right. The first day. The first step, in fact. I didn't need to prove it to anyone but myself. Because by and large, runners are an inclusive and friendly group. When I began talking about being a runner I found all these other people in my life were runners (or runners afraid to admit it) like me. I joined a Facebook group of people who love Disney and running and they were great. 

Every person I told was excited. Some were skeptical, which I totally get. I would look at me and think-she never runs. But I do. But ultimately everyone wanted to connect with me if they were a runner or cheer me on if they weren't.

I'm sorry I missed out on the running community for so long. As I hit the pavement Friday morning before work to relieve the stress of the week, I passed several other runners. And when the last guy in tights waved at me, it hit me, I really am a runner!

1) I was running in the morning on a Friday

2) To relieve stress

3) When the guy in tights waved he was accepting me as a fellow runner

4)I didn't think, How strange? he's in tights

5)I thought, I bet he's training for a marathon. Good for him.

I imagine that he was having a similar thought as he was running behind me because here is the thing, unless you are a top finisher, your fellow runners don't care how fast you are. They are just happy you are a runner too. They aren't thinking "My God, why is she so slow?!". Nope. They are thinking, "You go do your race!". 

When we were in Disney earlier this month a runDisney race, Tower of Terror 10 Miler, took place. Seeing the participants walking around with their medals was amazing motivation. And so many of them looked like me. All of the eager to talk about running. Some excited to talk about gear (one lady and I bonded over my Sparkle Skirt on the tram in Animal Kingdom). Each an inspiration to me, a fellow runner!

Ditka Dash

Yesterday was the 2014 Ditka Dash and we could not have had more perfect weather.  The setting for the Race was Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, and right on the lakefront of Lake Michigan.  I've run this route previously but the temps were just right, the sky was blue, and the tunnel under the stadium was lit up with orange and blue lights which was pretty cool.

There were three start waves 8, 9, and 10 am. We opted for the 10am so that we did not have to get up before the sun. We arrived at 9am and had plenty of time to hang out and enjoy the music before our corral started. The energy of this race was great and it was fun to see all the crazy costumes and everyone in their sunglasses and mustaches! There were even a few costumes including a few who had the trade mark Ditka cigars and Bears sweaters.

I was a little nervous about how I would do since I've had a miserable cold all week and had been extra busy between work and family obligations so I didn't get in any runs since last weekend. It's was a fun run and since there was no chip time I had to rely on my Nike Running App and my Garmin watch to track my time.

I broke the cardinal rule and tried something new on race day. I wore my new Sparkle Skirt (Sparkle Tech Castle Blue). I've read several reviews about this gear, I asked for one for my birthday. I loved it so much, I bough a longer version for our trips to Disney!

The start line was exciting due to the confetti, but also because Ditka was there in the flesh! Smoking a cigar (which was odd considering we were racing) and waving hello! 

I used my Garmin running watch to keep my intervals going. I ran 30 seconds, walked 30 seconds.  I ditched the mustache around the 1.5 mile mark. There were DJs blasting music near each mile marker and the aid station. I even heard the Super Bowl Shuffle! 

I managed to PR (personal record) this 5K which shocked me. I started off a little fast and had a lot of walkers to dodge during the race. (I don't mind walk/runs but walkers, please move over to the right and don't walk 4 people deep!) I averaged a 15:41 pace which is under the 16 min pace requirement for the Run Disney races.  The best part was that I wasn't totally dead on my feet when I crossed the finish line. I still had energy and I felt really good. I grabbed a banana and a beer and enjoyed the rest of the morning hanging with our friends.

Now we start training for the Hot Chocolate 15K!

Must Remember to Stretch

Because it really, really hurts when you forget to stretch. I went and ran on the treadmill during my lunch hour so I could go stretch really good at the fitness center.

I am slowly becoming friends with the treadmill. I am still worried I'm going to take another spill, but I am gaining some confidence and increasing my pace and the incline. I did intervals today. 2 minutes at a 15 min/mile pace and 2 minutes at a 18 min/mile pace. And then I foam rolled and stretched for a good 15 minutes. 

It's amazing how much energy I have after working out. And as a bonus I went at an off peak time and had the entire fitness center and locker room to myself. It was a nice break in my day.

Now I'm need to go slather on the Icy Hot! 

Love in Elevator

So my Trainer was trying to kill me helping me get fit, and Aerosmith's Love in Elevator came on and I couldn't help but get excited. That's one of the songs they play in the Rockin Roller Coaster Ride in Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World. And it happens to be my favorite ride at that park (well aside from The Great Movie Ride after a few drinks at Dad's Liquor Cabinet because that was awesome!). I got really pumped for my training for the Princess 1/2 Marathon. (PHM)

I mean I was so pumped, that I got dizzy from the effort. The hit man  Trainer said that it was the Anaerobic excercise we were doing. I was a little frustrated. Luckily, I recognized that I was headed towards feeling that way as last week I pushed too hard and then felt nauseous. It's no fun to feel like you are hung over without the shenanigans of drinking to go along with it!

My cute little Garmin Forerunner 15 was telling me my heart rate was up around the high  150-160 range.  I felt strong. Until about 4pm when I realized I didn't stretch after my workout. And  my legs felt  like Jello.  But hey! That's what they feel like at the end of the race.

My next mini-goal is to improve my time for the Ditka Dash 5K. It's this fun race where everyone gets aviators like  Da  Coach used to wear, a faux 'stach, and a race shirt that says Ditka on it like the Bears sweater he wore back in the 80s.  Apparently, these Anaerobic exercises and the sprints Dr. Death* prescribed will help me that.

Then it will be time to train for the Hot Chocolate 15K to qualify for a start corral  for the PHM.

*In all seriousness though, I really like my Trainer. We'll call him B. He's got some great energy and he's always smiling and he has good taste in music.  He pushes me when I need it and he has taught me how to approach my fitness. I look forward to our sessions even on days where he makes me stand on the Bosu and throws 10 lbs. balls at me.  

Same Thing, Right?

So in my quest to learn as much as I can about the best way to train as a runner, I read several places that Chocolate Milk was a great post workout beverage. Something about the right ratio of protein and carbs.

I ran thirty minutes on the treadmill this evening and foam rolled for another 15 and figured that if try out this whole post workout chocolate milk thing. But then I drove past the fast food place and thought- Chocolate Milk Shake!?! Pretty much the same as chocolate milk, right?

Right. 

The chocolate shake almost made up for the pain of the foam rolling. Foam rolling is great but it hurts like a mother when you are doing it the right way. 

I just keep thinking that after the Princess 1/2 I'll be able to pit a posture of myself in a Tiara on my desk at work and it will be perfectly acceptable!

Finished the 1st 1/2 Marathon

Yes,1st. Because I am already registered for a 2nd and considering a 3rd! 

Not only am I proud I finished a 1/2 marathon but I'm congratulating myself on reaching my goal without giving up. In the past I would have quit four times by now. But I kept going. Step after step after step.

I've learned a ton about willpower. I actually have some! And I like working out. I crave the days my body can sweat out all of the stress and aggravation. I can thrown all the negative energy and things that are unfair in the world into my workout and physically feel it dripping out of my body. 

My goal was to complete a 1/2 marathon. I did. I did it in under 4 hours. I was still upright at the end. I was in pain and I walked funny for 2 days but I was upright across the finish line. I didn't run all of it. I hit my wall between mile 8 and mile 9. And that was okay. I ran farther then I ever imagined I could. I beat all the people who didn't have the courage to start. I did it once, I can do it even better the next time.

The next time will be in Walt Disney World at the 2015 Princess 1/2 Marathon. I will run through the castle with my best friend and sister-in-law. My goal will be to finish and enjoy such a fun race. (And to collect as much princess swag as possible. Other runDisney runners don't judge tutus and tiaras!)

The focus for July and 1/2 of August is strength training for weight loss. Then in late August and September I will switch gears and focus on training for the Ditka Dash 5K in September and the Hot Chocolate 15K in November. 

I've made peace with the treadmill. I have conquered the fear if the gym. I am ready, ready to run.

5K

Did my first 5K race of the season. Ran it in under 48 minutes and at a 13:47 pace.  It was in honor of my grandma. As I started the 3rd mile, the sun started to come out and there was a sign that said, "U got this." I certainly did.