3rd Annual Run the Plank

Immanual Lutheran, St. Isidore, and St. Peter collaborate to sponsor a great race and raise funds for local Macomb County charities = A-MAZE-ING!!!

As I've said before, this was the first race I ever ran in 2012.  Last year, I had a big PR, so naturally I was looking forward to accomplishing the same this year! Am I right??

...until I didn't get in nearly the training required to do it.  Spine pain and muscle spasms kept me off the track and on my a$$.

I'm not going to lie here, and I'll preface this with I do feel totally ashamed of my thoughts here:  I knew people were going to beat me that had not beaten me before, and that was almost as painful an idea as not PRing.  BOOOOO!  I know, what a brat.   I had even recruited co-workers to this race, spreading the word about what a well organized and fun even it was (which it totally is, consider it for next year).  I was so stiff that I conceded and told my husband I would just walk it with him and my 4-year-old daughter.  While he was welcoming the company, he supported my trying to run it, reminding me it's about being out there and being mobile, not about beating my time or others'...blah, blah, blah.  In my heart, I knew he was right.  With prayer and medicine on race day, I decided to just run whatever I could, and use it as a launching point for training again.  Long story short, I PRd and was beaten by the people I knew would.  I was only relieved that I had beaten my last year's time so that I could say I met my goal, and inside focused on the fact that I was officially behind now.  Isn't that terrible?! My goodness...

So, there it is.  I'm STILL struggling with focusing on myself and my own journey, and not qualifying it against others', even when I meet my own goals.  Tell me I'm not the only one who does this.  And tell me how long this nonsense lasts in training and some ways to expedite getting over it!  ;P

"Up North" runs

I was lucky enough to be in Traverse City last week and got a couple runs in "up north."  Wow, just wow.  I saw on Michigan Runner Girl's blog a pic of a trail she was on near the old State Hospital, so my niece, nephews, husband, and daughter went on a hunt to find it...what a reward for us!

We actually found this trail, among others, and spent hours running through it.  It was a great time and a great run! 

One thing I was hoping to find on this vacation, was that spot in my soul that appreciates the hard work I put into running and training, and being grateful for it, instead of...constantly comparing myself to others.  I've talked about it here before, so you know it's an ongoing struggle for me.  I wouldn't say I found the spot, buuuut...I'm definitely getting closer... ;)  

One morning I got up to run, got my dog harnessed and leashed up, Garmin sats connected, annnd...the leash snapped, dog ran away, and I had to carry her 55 lbs back 1/2 a mile... I returned SO CRANKY! LOL! I hadn't felt like getting up anyway, and just wanted to sit back with my family, wake up with coffee while staring at the beautiful lake.  Instead, I hopped on my Twitter feed and looked to some of my regulars for motivation, inspiration, and no-excuses to not get back out there (@michrunnergirl, @acurls, @DETwomenshalf, @epicraces, @mileposts, @themotherrunner).  I did it! Ran 4 miles around Wolf Lake in Baldwin, MI, and was back in time for family breakfast cook-out!  It felt really awesome, as I know you can imagine.  It felt like I literally made hurdles that run, too: 1) getting back out there after making a short jaunt and necessary return, 2) fighting with my inner self to stop comparing myself every second and cadence of my run to others, and 3) just looking around, enjoying my scenery and the fact that I'm still able to be out there.  As the weather warms, my propensity for relapses and flare-ups has been increasing, creating barriers to improving my time, which also gets me down...  I have to be happy I am still able to be out there, and this weekend, I was! :)

It's a small world after all

On Wednesday, my running partner and I attended an event at Hanson's Running in Sterling Heights sponsored by Detroit Women's Half Marathon & 5K.  It was informative AND fun, my favorite combination!  Brooks Running, Goal Maker, TriCovery Massage and Flexibility, Douglas J Aveda Institute, and of course the Hanson's Running Team!

My favorite part was getting to meet the people behind the scenes.  First, after receiving the book, Hanson's Half-Marathon Method, I got to meet, talk with, and have a book signing by the author, Luke Humphrey! He was so patient with my newbie questions and uncertainty, all the while supporting my efforts...super cool!  We also learned of their Tuesday Speed Workouts and Wednesday Group Runs that I'm sure will prove to improve our performance!

THEN, I got to meet the ladies behind Epic Races and the Detroit Women's Half Marathon & 5K! Not surprisingly; they're super cool, supportive, friendly and genuine gals.  Super surprisingly however, was learning that I used to work with Race Director, Mary, a lifetime ago! It was fantastic to see her after all the years, and I marveled at the synchronicity, both of us turning to this sport (her finding it much earlier!) and her involvement in such a cool effort.  At the risk of getting that song stuck in your head for days, it truly is, "A small world after allll...!"

As if all this weren't enough, we then did a group run, facilitated by Hanson's Running Shop.  I was impressed that they assessed their participants' goals for the run: distance, pace, familiarity with the area.  I will definitely be participating in some of their Wednesday runs again.  I connected with another cool gal who was here for the first time, and may have another running partner this summer as we begin our training for the Half September, 21!

The evening was a timely boost I needed, and again renewed in my efforts.  I recommend attending any of these events of which you become aware.  It's worth your time and you gain so much from it!

What are some worthwhile events you attended lately or would recommend for future dates??  It's been so exciting meeting our community, and I'm looking forward to more!

Paul DeWolf Memorial Hero Run

On Sunday, my girl friend and I ventured to Ann Arbor to participate in the first annual Paul DeWolf Memorial Hero Run.    It was a beautiful day, beautiful scenery, and a gathering of loving, sincere people to celebrate the memory of a son, brother, fiancé, and friend to many that tragically died too soon.  While I didn't know him, I get the sense that this tribute to him was one that would make him proud.  He cherished running and sent us off on a beautiful trail run through Nichols Arboretum.  This was my first trail run ever! It was AWESOME, I can't say enough about the scenery.  People were sharing memories and how they knew Paul.  Like many, I had never met him, but felt like I knew him through the stories of others.  I was proud to be part of such a beautiful memorial effort.

That aside, let me tell you else I learned during this event.  Macomb County has no hills to train on, and it showed! LOL! WOW were there some serious grades that sent my quads a-blazing! I'm humbly admitting I actually stopped and walked during this one...I haven't had to do that during a 5K in 2 years.  I wasn't there for time, though, so it didn't get into my head too much, which was a relief. I could actually just enjoy the run, surroundings, and conversations (which I NEVER do!).  If you get the opportunity to participate in this race next year, I highly recommend it...and try to get in some hill work prior! ;)

I also want to share one last little triumph of progress:  I did my killer FitRanX class Friday morning, actually ran 8 miles Saturday morning, this 5K Sunday morning, and a FitRanX class this morning.  For me, this is HUGE, and I'm ecstatic for having done (survived!) it!  I'm aiming to keep this motivation up.

...I "joke" that I'm working toward "MILF" status (tacky, I know, but it gives you the idea) by my 40th birthday.  I have 13 months, so I better keep this activity up! LOL!

Any races/milestones this weekend?

Cross-training Constitutional & Weekend Workout

You know I've been struggling this Spring with keeping my motivation up and finding ways to keep working toward my fitness goals.  The brutal Winter and monsoon Spring were a big impact.

I was looking for guidance.  Direction.  Accountability.  I always say I wish "research" burned as many calories for as much time I put into it! LOL!  During my research, I came across a runner/coach at Total Health Systems, Laurie Nuyens.    Her explanation of a 30-minute fitness class called FitRanX inspired me to give it a try.  (Did I mention I truly HATE classes and HIIT-related events because I'm so insecure?!)  I've gone twice this week, and when I leave, I'm dizzy and feel like puking...but in a good way! I LOVE IT!  I've done things I didn't know I could do:  box jumps, TRX Suspension, kettle bells! I'm sore but it helps me feel I'm already getting stronger.

So I'm happy to finally report finding my connection with a Cross-Training program that is working for me, and will support my running getting stronger.  They have three locations in Macomb County, and I recommend checking them out!

I'm running a race this weekend in Ann Arbor with a friend:  Paul DeWolf Memorial Run.  "In the early morning of July 24, 2013, Paul DeWolf, a 25-year-old fourth year medical student at the University of Michigan Medical School, was killed in the midst of a home invasion."  Six-degrees of separation makes this race a little close to me:  I work with the mother of Paul's fiancé.  So, I'm running in his memoriam and in support of the organization's effort "to good and be a hero."

Race for Heros

Sunday is supposed to be the nicest day of the weekend; come on out and join us!

Frosty Cinco de Mayo Morn

The 5th of May, and we wake up to a Frost Warning!  The good news is, that didn't stop me from getting some miles in this morning!  FIVE miles - woohoo!  It felt so good! So, on my quest for 100 miles in May...95 to go.  =P

I read on Run Like a Mother about your definition of "race."  When I put myself at the starting line, I know I will not win this race.  I'm not saying that to be defeatist, however at this point, it's to be realistic.  On the bigger track of life, of course I did win, because I got out there and did it in the first place; but for this purpose, that fact is beside the point.  When I picture myself in the corrals and running the course, what I realized a race has become to me is, is an opportunity to not be intimidated by others (they're so much faster than I, why aren't they breathing as hard as I, who am I kidding?!), and be genuinely happy for the success of their efforts.  The laws of the universe suggest the feeling will be mutual, and the camaraderie of running is born.  I've written before about the struggles of my mental game.  Turns out, for me anyway, it's something you have to keep consciously working on; you don't conquer it once and move on.  I use mantras.  I try visualization.  I think next I'm doing a vision board with my sister!  Whatever it takes, right??  =D   We'll see if/when I finish it, and I'll put a pic of it here.  Maybe it will inspire some of YOU to make your own vision boards to keep you on track, feeling positive and confident in yourself as you should!

100 Miles in May

Ok, so @DetWomensHalf is following Run U Mother in a "100 Miles for May" challenge.  I've officially accepted that challenge and making myself accountable for it here!  Now, I've probably never even reached 75 miles in a month, even when I as training for my Half Marathon last fall, but I'm hopeful that with this challenge, I'll at least get closer to it.  Do I have a plan, you ask?  No.  Should I? Absolutely.  My problem is usually over-thinking things so much that I miss the run entirely, so I'm going to avoid pouring over a calendar, figuring out miles, routes, and times, and Just Do It!

You can, too!  Join through the Facebook event here and keep us posted on your progress!