Running Wogging & the Glass Half Full

First long run Let’s just say there’s a confidence that comes in running a few 3 milers-  You get a little cocky and the muscle memory of it all starts coming back Fast? Naw- But does it really matter? You haven’t run in ages  Just getting out is a feat You hand out high-fives Claim to the world that you’re back And take your rest day like you’re a king Complete with way too many chocolate chip cookies Then comes Saturday  Well,  Friday night  comes first You’ve got 6 miles on your mind And you dice it to cut it down to size You plan to run 3 miles then double back How hard can that be Aside from the fact that the first couple 3 and 4 had you  Sucking air Side stitched Hot Tired Legs like lead No biggie Outfit picked Even threw some KT tape on the ball of your foot On account of it trying to blister Ready Saturday sunrise Sleep in Life happens Too hot to afternoon it Excuses Sunday Sleep in Church All the things Packing packing packing for the cabin And dri...

Well guys, I’m back at it Running I know what you’re thinking “She’s said that before” But... I’ve run 3 times in the last 5 days I guess you could say things are getting pretty serious... Go ahead and giggle—- I did. So here’s a rundown... Because I know you’re curious It’s hot Really hot I forgot how odd the first few runs are You have all the confidence in the world But none of the staying power Everything’s moving Everything It feels weird So you stop Catch your breath Start back up Only this time your earbud falls out So you stop Catch your breath Start back up But the shirt you picked has sleeves And it’s sunny Super sunny You worry about a farmer tan So you stop  Catch your breath... And on it goes Wow, this running stuff is not what I remembered Do you ever feel that way? Overwhelmed because things aren’t going how you thought they would? You paralyze yourself thinking about wh...

It's been ages and days... Since 2014 to be exact That's a lifetime ago-right? Or was it just yesterday. Yep- 2014 The year I hung up my running shoes And called it quits. I was tired Life was happening I needed to regroup I had it in my mind that a runner Had to log hours And Miles I hid Behind new things Like smoothies And Quinoa Good things Like weights And Burpees And Pull-ups But my running friends Still called me friend As if I'd never left Kept me up on races And the bragging rights of winter training I was in awe I missed being a part Of it all So today I ran And it was marvelous It's good to be back.

Tuesday, January 21 A couple weeks ago I made a photocopy of Brad Hudson's marathon training – And promptly instagrammed it for the world to see   It has a lot of mileage, and 5-6 runs throughout the week  It was the training plan that I used for my first marathon –  My thought was that if I re-created that magic- I'd be golden for my 4th marathon   But I'm finding my schedule is totally different now- Hubby used to head work by 8 Now it's 6:15 So getting up and running before he heads out- is not really an option That- And Some days, hubby and I meet up at the gym to work out Which is so good for us Bad for 6 day training routines   I've been panicking I'm going to have to do something different Enter: New plan   I bought the book, Run Less Run Faster  , a while back, a recommend from Violin Running And was immediately intimidated by the running jargon. I...

Saturday January 18th This run had it all Drama, danger, laughs, and a little magic It started off innocently enough With me taking an ungodly amount of time getting geared up to head out That usually means an epic fail of a run is ahead. I don't know why I drag my feet Calculating what time it will be when I'm done if I start now.... Then 15 minutes later.... If I start now Annnnnnd  If I start now.... Only to wait 15 more minutes to start ON the hour---- all the while bemoaning that I would have been over half done, if I'd started when I first started calculating finish times-- Sigh Just get out there already! Up and out- I sputter and cough Suck air  Wheeze  You'd think I was a chain smoker I'm actually ticked And scared I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack Anxiety  What is wrong with me Where is that girl  That didn't care Who just went out with open arms And let the run happ...

Friday, January 10th, Today I ran in my new kicks And I've decided Newtons are my shoe of choice-   I have the Gravity and Terra and love them both They make me happy   And that got me thinking I've been doing this running thing long enough to know, it's the little things that make a difference Here's my short list: Urban halo head band I use one of these every time I run  It keeps my bangs out of my eyes  Keeps my pesky glasses from bouncing around I use it as an ear warmer in winter   I love the fabric It feels like the softest brushed cotton Like your favorite broken in yoga pants Perfectly stretchy- but stays put I found mine at the TCM expo I need to order more You can find yours HERE Under armour tech tee I literally have clocked thousands of miles in this shirt Run marathons in it Again, it comes down to the softness and ease of movement of the fabric to me ...

Tuesday, March 20th Today I ran for the first time after my first 1/2 marathon, just two short days ago. I remember on Saturday, after finishing, feeling the fatigue, and wondering how long it would take me to recover. I had planned a week 'off' thinking to walk some daily miles to pass the time. But yesterday, as I photo copied my next training schedule- the butterflies in my stomach told me this renewed excitement for the sport should be put to good use. Berg Park it would be. I should have worn my Cascadias, but found myself grabbing my Ghosts. I knew they'd feel honored I chose them again, after the hard work they helped me do on Saturday. I slip them on, They feel tired- but there is an unspoken camaraderie between us now. It feels good. Jeep parked- Warmup walk to the running path. The park has a chill about it. I chide myself for wearing short sleeves, and begin a motherly conversation about proper weather dressing. And then I run- It fe...

My Friend Pam, at boomerbackbeat.com was so sweet to pass along a Liebster award to me the other day. Thanks Pam! boomerbackbeat.com The Liebster Blog Award originated in Germany. Liebster means dearest or beloved, and Liebe is love. To me, the essence of this award is to encourage bloggers, with a little pat on the back- and allow them to, in turn, share some of their favorite blogs too. Blogs should be ones that are newer, with smaller following--- But- I just have to share my favorites without regard to size- Please forgive me if this is taboo! Favorite blogs: My first blog for today is from a fellow high school classmate My Minnesota Jenny has found herself in India!- thanks to her hubby's work transferring him there. I HANDS DOWN LOVE EACH POST! You will too---- Jennyfromthebangaloreblock.blogspot.com   Next up- Run Street Runstreet.com This blog is a fun one. Marnie does a great job posting workout ideas for your run, as well as cross traini...

Friday, march 9 Hubby and I have stayed up past midnight, 3 nights in a row. I don't recommend it. This morning, I rationalized in my head great reasons not to run. Ran a decent run yesterday ITB is a little growly Have to get hubby ready for another business trip Girls have early afternoon hair appointments Then I get a 'bright and early' text from ViolinRunning- an easy 1 mile sandwich,  with half marathon tempo practice in the middle. And suddenly a run seemed like a good idea. Drop kids off at school- teach my nephew a mini piano lesson- Then off for a run OK- can I admit something- I cancelled my usual Friday sis-in-law coffee to get this run in. (need to make that up-thinking I will watch her kiddos so she can get a run in next week) When I read the part that said:"half marathon pace"... I thought she meant 'half' the normal speed she usually runs- Which is perfect! Cause my speed is totally right there! Yeah---- no- 'Ra...

Wednesday, March 7th Ran Monday, Tuesday had other plans for me- Wednesday is my treadmill day- But as I picked Molls up from school- she could tell I was dragging my feet "Let's go to the workout place mommy!" she cheered "Just a minute- " I said, flipping through emails- blogs- anything, on my phone I could think to check. Finally, I realized this was silly, I just need to go in, pound out 3 to appease the the running gods, and live to sleep another day guilt-free. Drop Molly off at the child care Head into the dressing room Pull out my running gear shoes/socks sports bra/shirt Hmmmmm What do you think I forgot? Yep- my pants Can't very well run with out those. Well, I COULD- But I'll spare you Luckily I had my swimsuit Laps for me. I thought I pulled a fast one Even secretly patted myself on the back like it was fate or something not to run. Walk out to the pool The 'Silver Sneakers' water aerobics class i...

Monday, March 5th Little 7 miler Been wanting to run down by Berg Park. Today would be that day. I parked at the kid's school- and ran down Sullivan to it. Wore my Brooks Cascadias- They are great for the mix of terrain I'd find on this run- be it pavement, wood chips, or gravel. The trail was sleepy, But the park was alive with both runners and walkers, happy to have this day. I had more "hello!"-s and "have a great run!"-s than ever I've had before. Made me smile Glad to be moving along with this throng of happy people. Fun to feel a part of it all. Once around, and I'm ready for a scene change- Should have stayed at the park, Because the next phase of my run was ridiculous. I run back up Sullivan... only this time I'm on the OTHER side of the street Yeah- DOG HEAVEN Now, I'm not afraid of dogs, mind you- I just don't like being yelled at by them. And yell they did. Loudly Like the...

So I go to a body pump class with my sis-in-law the other day, love that class- It's crazy fun. Class is packed. We're working away, doing squats, when I see it- This girl in front of me is wearing lifting gloves . Lifting a barbell with 1kg on each end. I think I giggled out loud. Gloves for that? Those tiny donuts of weight? Smirk Then I felt dumb did I think I was better because I had more weight on my bar? I knew nothing about her Maybe it was her first class- and she was excited to get fit Or first class back from injury? Working her way back into a routine I thought about running, and how easy it is to make assumptions. Size someone up- Gotta work on that.....

My first half marathon is just a few short days away. March 17th -Moab Canyonlands Half- Want to savor this moment, you only get to do it once. I really want to be honest too- so that I remember just exactly the thoughts running through my head. Part of me feels confident and ready I am confident I can do the mileage. So glad ViolinRunning suggested a program that pretty much for the last 6 weeks or more had me running weekly long runs of 10-14 miles. I have no worries in this area. I really like this mileage- I like the way I break it up in my mind- Get to 3 Run to 5 8 is great Push to home Excited that the 'Get to 3' is getting smoother Realized about a month or so ago I would walk a large portion of the first 3 miles. I've been working on finding a balance between warm-up and wimp in this area- Run to 5 For some reason 5 is special to me- When asking myself- "why 5?" I'm not quite sure, but I think it must be because the...

Can you believe we got an extra day this year? Leap day- Should have run, But who can resist a chatty Mol's Who's begging for a tuna lunch date? Gotta love her!   So, now it's: Thursday, March 1st My last run being Monday I was bound and determined to get one in today Put together a ensemble that would find me going NO WHERE but the pavement Took a self portrait reminiscent of ol' Uncle Sam saying: "I want YOU to run today" I want YOU to run today! Even pulled out my half and half Brooks Ghosts.... Yeah that's right- I hate white shoes so much I sharpie-d them- Well, just one so far (takes a wicked long time to cover all that white) sharpie heaven on one Cursed white on the other And I ran. fast I just wanted to see what it would be like to really run it Mile 1 was clipping right along Over a minute and a half faster than my usual My pace felt great- I did the math in my head figuring an...