Every year I try to include "the Tour" as part of my marathon training because I can get a lot of miles in and visit with so many friends along the way. When you arrive, you get your timing chip, strap it around your ankle and circle the same mile that is part paved, part trail as many times as you want in 24 hours.
There are walkers, speedsters, and teams who are all there to support the cause. No pressure from the dreaded clock like other races, just you and the mile loop doing whatever distance or pace feels good. You are never alone out there at any time so if you want conversation or just to zone out with your ipod, there is something for everyone. When you have marathon training miles to get in, there is no worries of restrooms, water stations, and routes. All of that is there on the mile, you just have to show up.
One of my fondest memories of the tour was when I did 55 miles talking/running/walking with a friend from a running group I had just joined. Karen and I got to know each other well and it solidified my relationship with the Gazelles Running Group, which I still train with to this day.
There is something therapeutic about just lapping that mile over and over...no lap ever seems the same. What is said on the mile, stays on the mile.
This year was special because I ran with a friend that I know well. We have put in many miles, side by side in the very early morning or evening depending on time of year and schedule. Julie did her first 18 miler, which is part of her St Jude Marathon training. We used this opportunity to practice her fueling and running to the water table without stopping. We talked a lot about what it takes to do a Marathon and why you shouldn't even consider it if you are not committed to the training because it is more that just running miles. The brain has to be trained as well, which is sometimes the hardest part. A lot of time was spent talking about St. Jude course and strategy for different miles of the race. Each mile we ran was an opportunity to talk about why we do it and how much we love to run.
She finished so strong and I couldn't have been prouder.
After Julie finished, I had 3 more miles to get in and along the way ran into another running friend that kept me company for a mile or so. The last mile was the only one on my own. As I went up into the wooded area of the trail portion, I visualized Central Park and how I will run in strong, taking the hills with my tired legs and pushing them to keep going. It made be realize how far I have come in my running and how it has changed more than my body along the way. More than anything, it was a reminder of all the wonderful people I have met through the years and how awesome it is to see them every year at this event. I am already looking forward to next year!
Run Happy, my friends.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Training the mind
Long before a race, specifically a marathon for me, I start training my mind along with my body. It is equally important. On those tough days when you want to quit or your mind is swirling with a lot of negative chatter, it is the perfect time to start the visualization process. Before any race/marathon I always start visualizing the course and finishing strong as I tell myself power words and/or sentences. My favorites when I am going for a PR are "I want it!" and "This is not easy, but it is worth it".
When you are training and start thinking of your race and what it means to you, your own power words will appear. You love to run, it is a wonderful cause, and you are a strong runner who can do it just like everyone else! The more you think of these "power phrases" during your training, the better you will feel during your race when you start pulling them out. They take you back in time to your training and how you survived that brutal 18 miler by reminding yourself that you deserve to run your best. They get you through aches and pains, bad run days, burnout, and the big one...FEAR of failing.
Learning to zone in on what your mind needs during your run to stay focused will get you through that inevitable bad patch you encounter and will fight off the negative chatter in your mind when the aches and pains begin. When I find myself losing focus on a training run, immediately I start visualizing the race course along with the cheering crowd. I tell myself to "go get it" and see myself running strong...passing landmarks....checking my garmin...and before you know it, your are back on track. It is a wonderful thing to tap into during your race because even if you have the worse nerves ever, you can tap in to your training runs and how you finished them strong.
My last race, which I PR'd by 14 minutes happened because (1) I was thinking of the cause (breast cancer) and all the women it has affected (2) I had visualized finishing strong (3) and most important, I pulled out my power phrase the last few miles which was "trust your training".
If you are training for a fall half or full marathon, think about why you are doing it. On your runs, start thinking of the course and the balloons at the end. You are strong and will do it. Visualize the finish line....screaming crowds...friends and family that are there and so proud of you.....the medal around your neck. Whatever is meaningful, focus on that now and it will carry you through. Believe in yourself. YOU CAN DO IT!!!
When you are training and start thinking of your race and what it means to you, your own power words will appear. You love to run, it is a wonderful cause, and you are a strong runner who can do it just like everyone else! The more you think of these "power phrases" during your training, the better you will feel during your race when you start pulling them out. They take you back in time to your training and how you survived that brutal 18 miler by reminding yourself that you deserve to run your best. They get you through aches and pains, bad run days, burnout, and the big one...FEAR of failing.
Learning to zone in on what your mind needs during your run to stay focused will get you through that inevitable bad patch you encounter and will fight off the negative chatter in your mind when the aches and pains begin. When I find myself losing focus on a training run, immediately I start visualizing the race course along with the cheering crowd. I tell myself to "go get it" and see myself running strong...passing landmarks....checking my garmin...and before you know it, your are back on track. It is a wonderful thing to tap into during your race because even if you have the worse nerves ever, you can tap in to your training runs and how you finished them strong.
My last race, which I PR'd by 14 minutes happened because (1) I was thinking of the cause (breast cancer) and all the women it has affected (2) I had visualized finishing strong (3) and most important, I pulled out my power phrase the last few miles which was "trust your training".
If you are training for a fall half or full marathon, think about why you are doing it. On your runs, start thinking of the course and the balloons at the end. You are strong and will do it. Visualize the finish line....screaming crowds...friends and family that are there and so proud of you.....the medal around your neck. Whatever is meaningful, focus on that now and it will carry you through. Believe in yourself. YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
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!
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!
Monday, July 4, 2011
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!
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!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
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
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
Saturday, July 2, 2011
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!
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!
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