April, 2010

I didn’t always run for fun. I ran because I had to for other sports. I hate, hate, hated running sprints for errors. I hated warm-up jogs. I hated long runs for crew. I envied my cross-country friends — lean gazelles who ran 3 miles to warm-up and liked it.

I jogged a few times a week in college but only 30 minutes at the most, and it always ended with an ice bag on my knee. The treadmill bored me but New York and Missouri had cold months so I only ran April-October.. Then I moved to New Orleans, with a humid subtropical climate and suddenly had a lot of time to allot during the day.

I picked a goal race (Crescent City Classic) that happened to align with my master’s project time line. Sounds crazy: finish a 200+ page research project AND do something I hate 3x week? Best decision ever. Running grounded what would have been a crazily-free semester, gave me a starting point for each day so I didn’t sleep in until noon and spend the day in my pajamas. I also got to know the city, see some great scenery.

Running carved out me-time to think and often when I run, I think about why I’m doing it. Here are some thoughts from recent runs.

I run because…

it makes me feel strong.

My calves have always been my favorite body part. They took me through cheerleading, tennis, softball, basketball and rowing. I’ve been lifting weights consistently for the last month, which hasn’t happened since fall 2008. I can totally feel a difference when I run now. My joints have benefited from the extra hip and quad exercises. Sprints are much easier. And I’m injury-free! (fingers crossed for the next nine weeks)

I ate a chocolate chip cookie for dessert — after breakfast.

I’m insulin resistant but maintain glucose levels with a balanced diet and frequent exercise. My body can adjust to sugary and starchy foods better with a run or hike or walk. A few more miles means a few more cookies.

I never want to take off my New Balance shoes.

Last year, I discovered the NB 1223. I went through two pairs. A few months ago, I decided I could go with a lighter shoe with less stability. I am in love with the 769s. Good quality shoes didn’t make me like running, but they certainly helped.

many friends, relatives and coworkers have donated to toward my half marathon effort.

We’re over halfway to our goal, which doesn’t include the $100 my coworkers have donated by eating my baked goodies on Fridays. (Note to self: chocolate chip cookies were a hit, make them again.) We met our re-commitment goal on Saturday, so we’re really doing this thing!

Yesterday I struggled through 6 miles. The last time I ran 6+ miles was during last year’s Crescent City Classic when I screwed up my knee for the millionth 4th time. Saturday’s run was so-so — I had no focus and my legs got tired after 45 minutes. I definitely shifted into the “mental mode” of running. I also got enough sun to put some freckles on my nose.

Today, it snowed. When the weather is so iffy, I have to take advantage of those perfect 60-degree days. I can’t say, “I can skip today’s run and do it tomorrow.” Because tomorrow might be cold, wet and wintery, even in June April.

I had three exciting weekends in a row:

1 – Josh came to visit. He cooked dinner one night and no one got hurt/sick!

Salmon with asparagus, tomatoes and red peppers and obligatory olive/cheese plate.

2 – We went down to Keystone and Breckenridge to ski with my mom and sister.

With Mom and Sam at Breck on Easter.

3 – I witnessed two of my friends from high school tie the knot in Illinois. I also visited my grandmother in the hospital (recovering slowly from hip replacement) and celebrated the birthday of my friend Emily (and got to meet her 3.5-month-old son.)

Ryan Tyler, such a good baby.

They were fun weekends, but afterward, I was ready for a low-key weekend in Wyoming. Looking ahead, I needed some time to decompress before this week.

After a couple April snows, spring has arrived. On Friday, I played catch and hit softballs for the first time since high school. I signed up for a co-ed summer softball league with a bunch of people I’ve met in the past few months. We have practice again today, first game in a month.

Yesterday I ran errands and tried to check-in with Foursquare. I get it, but I’m not completely sold. More Wyomingites are signing on, so I will use it.

I hit up the Ropin’ & Riggin’ Days college rodeo, only my second rodeo ever. I sat too far away to get good pics. Here’s a few out of the 413 takes.

This morning I made oatmeal pancakes with fresh strawberry sauce (for the second day in a row). Of course they were healthified — oat bran, oatmeal, egg, yogurt, pumpkin, cinnamon, baking powder.

I credit them for powering me through a 5 mile run along the river in the sunshine. I felt really good during and after the run, which is good news for my struggling half marathon training plan. I wanted to go 6 but cut it short so I wouldn’t be a slug at softball practice. Time to go swing that bat again!