Hills Anyone?

When runners talk about doing a race, the first question usually asked is "Any hills? And if so, how bad are they?"  Some people will avoid them at all cost but if you run for long and anywhere in the Memphis area, you will eventually have a race with a hill or two.
Don't get me wrong, they can get my attention when the legs are tired or the heat and humidity are high, but hills get a bad wrap.  They are a runner's best friend.... really! Speedwork without the track!
I have lots of running Mantras that I use to get to the top that I have heard over the years and they just fit.  My favorite is courtesy of Bill Bell from his Marine Corp Marathon which is "See the hill, take the hill." A marine stood and yelled that as runner came to a hill on the course.  I visualize that marine at the bottom of those long nasty, never ending mountain like hills and he is telling me to take the hill!!!
The thing is, they aren't really that bad if you run them correctly with proper form. Shorten your stride a little, don't lean forward or back-just keep perpendicular as much as possible, and use those arms!  Sometimes people want to speed up a hill and get it over with but if you do that, it has to be done right.  I read once that you should attack a hill like a dragon.  You don't want to thrash at it's tail, it might thrash back.  Attack at the head. If you speed up at the bottom, about halfway in you are usually feeling the effects.  Just ease into it (stalk it) and then two thirds of the way up start picking up the pace if you want (go for the kill). 
The great thing about hills and life is what goes up, must come down.  One man's speed bump is another's mountain depending on their perspective.
 Next time when you are running and come to a hill, don't let it take up rent space in your brain for one second.  Disregard it like you would any other little challenge in your daily life. No big deal, just put a little extra effort in for a few minutes and then it's the sweet life of the down slope.  The more you do it, the less you will notice hills on your runs and the "speed bumps" in life. There's that <life = running> parallel.
Running teaches us so much! 

Keep Running Happy!

Happy 4th of July

Last nights 5K was a blast and my favorite despite it being my slowest time.  A downpour of rain for an hour before race start time made it feel like a sauna!  It began with some military music and our national anthem as they raised a huge American flag.  Never have I seen so many nervous runners stop and focus on the words with their hands on their hearts. My sweet husband ran as much of it as he could, which was quite a bit and the last mile was a big struggle with frequent walk breaks but he hung in there to run it in strong.  It was easy for me, despite the heat because I was just focused on helping him.  I hope that I woke up the runner in him because it was beyond enjoyable running by his side.  I had a hard time containing my excitement because I love running and to run with the person you love most is something I never thought I would experience.  He quit running before we even met, I suspect from burnout from running every day so I have only done Sunday morning strolls and skiing with him. Not the same as running, at least for me.
The after race party was a blast with friends old and new.  At 9:00PM they showed 200 service people in Kabul, Afghanistan start their race.  I am sure I wasn't the only one that wished I could reach through the screen and hug them for all they do for us.  They ensure that every day, not just the 4th is Independence Day.
I hope all my running friends, my family, Americans (by birth and by choice) all have a wonderful day.
My holiday couldn't have been any better. (-;

Happy Running!

Running with/for Heroes

Even though I am not looking forward to moving at any pace out in the heat this evening, I feel honored to be running with and for some Heroes of mine.
The Memphis 5K starts at 7 p.m. Sunday July 3 and afterwards at the pool party at 9 p.m. organizers plan to show live footage of the race in Afghanistan, which in their part of the world will be taking place at 6:30 a.m. July 4.
While picking up our packets yesterday there was an area for taking a wristband which each has a St. Jude patient's name and the disease which they are fighting printed on it. Participants can wear these in honor of their fight for freedom from cancer during the race.
I will be running for Annesha, who is 19 years old and has ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). John will be wearing one for Amber, who is 7 years old and is fighting Wilms Tumor. While they are fighting this disease at home, there are some brave individuals who will be getting up quite early on their July 4th to run in what has to be unbearable heat before putting in their days work to fight for our freedom in a country where they can never feel safe.
They all want to be healthy and to be free from harm. Some chose this fight and some have been forced at a very young age to realize how precious life and freedom are to us. How fortunate we are to sleep in our own beds, wake up and feel healthy enough to run, and enjoy the fellowship of friends and family while eating fresh summertime foods on this holiday weekend.
As runners, sometime the best way to show support is to write a check, show up, and run. It will be my pleasure to strap on my running shoes and go sweat for all my heroes. 

Happy Running

Running in the heat

So, I HATE this heat and humidity but love running so what's a girl to do? Get up early and get er done! Some running friends will love you for this and some will say...see ya in the Fall.  I marvel at people who are out in the full sun, baking in high temps because they would rather sleep in a few hours.
The thought of this would keep me awake with nightmares!
Tomorrow night I am doing a 5K (I hate them) on July 3rd (double hate them in the summer) with my sweet husband, who is more of a walker now than runner.  No chip, no pressure, and most of all...no internet results so nosey running friends can't look up your results. (-;
 I know you can't resist, and it's okay, but I am not racing and just don't want a record of what will be a long, horrible 3.1.  I am a distance runner, not a 5K sprinter but I hope to be both someday. 
It's for a great cause (St Jude Hospital) and the party afterwards will be fun with lots of friends.  I can't believe how hot it will be at 7PM when we start but my goal is just to stay with my husband and pray that he is still a walker and doesn't go Kenyan on me.
Meanwhile, I will just keep slodging through my runs in the heat knowing that I will be kicking the crap out of some half marathons this fall and New York Marathon in November.

Happy Running!