Managing Training and Dreams

Scrolling through my FB page, I ran across an entry from Slow Is the New Fast:

Teresa posted this and needs your encouragement: "I need to vent...and I am also looking for some encouragement. Have any of you have been where I am at at some point in your running career?? I'm at the beginning, have only done 1 5K on 10/27 and had to walk some of that due to asthma (you might have remembered me asking the asthma questions here before) but did have a great run and I was proud of

 myself but since then I have had a terrible bout of bronchitis (couple that with the asthma) and have not been able to run hardly at all. I feel so discouraged, like I just am not cut out to be a runner. Like I'm just too old (40) and this is too hard and why can't I run for even 2 miles without stopping! My goals of 1/2 marathons and even full marathons feel so daunting and unattainable. I get so down on myself and want to quit because I'm not instantly good or decent at this sport. I am supposed to run another 5K on Thanksgiving and have not trained at all due to illness since 10/27. Another 5K 12/9 too. Those times are just going to stink and I feel like why should I even bother. I feel like I need to start over with couch potato to 5K. Like all of the strides that I have made are just gone. I'm not trying to be a down, just feeling down about it."

Minus the bit about asthma, I could have written this, even down to the dates for the next races.

Trust me, I'm not giving up. Not by a long shot. It helps to know what by body is like cyclically, and rarely do things last forever.* Plus I've sunk money into clothing and race fees. Plus I've talked loudly about it. Plus I am hyper-aware that my daughter is watching me.

But I admit there are many Impossible Things Before Breakfast going on: I'm weeks away from my 42nd birthday. I am technically obese. I have never voluntarily participated in any sport until now. I still spend a good deal of my 5K time walking. But I'm still planning on hitting the pavement tomorrow morning at the buttcrack of dawn with my best effort. My bravery (or stupidity) is not in question here.

I'm not even questioning the size of my dreams. With effort, I think I can manage at least one full marathon before I'm 50.

But coming back to Earth, I really think I need to get my 5K distance at least solid running, right? Not fast, but solid. Then I can start stretching for the 10K ... then the 10 mile ... then half marathon ...

I think it's time to start back on the standard C25K training and see what happens.

* Managing infertility some six years ago can do that.

(Virtual) Race Report: World Run Day

It's an odd convergence of World Run Day and Rememberance Day/Veterans Day. Last Sunday, our parish celebrated the Feast of All Saints (although it is actually 1 Nov). During our mass, we are given the opportunity to light a candle in memory of those who have died.

So, when I ran today, I was thinking a lot about how life and death inform each other. I run to experience and appreciate life as well as prolong it.

Not sure what
the neighbors thought

Or at least that was the intent. A lot of the run was fighting my GPS, and then later having to adjust the map manually. It's very discouraging in the middle of the run, as I can't relax and just pay attention to my body. Hence, I end up walking more than I intend. I did, however, solve part of my calf ache issues by paying attention to my feet--rolling through toe to heel rather than hitting flat.

I'm calling official time at 43:50. Really got to pick it up before next month.

Today's Run OR Consistency

Find this here.

Since my brain cannot be trusted to work with my body, I went back to the 1-1 training. Not stellar, but pretty consistent. Thanks to hormonal flux, my water weight is up and my joints feel loose. I'm participating in World Run Day on Sunday; I'm hoping I can get my time down again.

But here's where I'm proud of myself--or forcing myself to be proud of myself: my consistency rocks. I get up. I go. Period. And that adds up.

Another thing that adds up: my consistent mileage. I have to remind myself that a half hour used to mean a mile and a half. Then it meant two miles. Now it's at least two and a half miles. And this will continue.

If I'm being repetitive, it's because I'm constantly having to remind myself of my progress. Otherwise, I have a tendency to get discouraged by the Big Picture.

I'm also grateful for the consistent diminishing of the Child's Halloween haul. Between her and her parents' sneaking, all the good stuff is gone. It's easier for me to resist pretzels.*

One last thought on consistency: I think I'm beginning to see a bit of wear in my running shoes. There's the start of a teeny hole on the top of the right shoe. The padding still seems to be okay, but my calves hurt a bit with each run in a way that I think may be the shoes rather than me. For as much as I shilled out for them, I was hoping they'd last a little longer. Maybe now that I know what shoes are supposed to feel like, I can find last year's version of this year's shoe at a cheaper price.(Running a cheap sport? My ever-tightening fanny!)

* Who the hell gives out pretzels for Halloween? That's only a step up from pennies!

Holiday Wish List

This is not on the list, but who am I
to deny the joy of giving?

It suddenly occurred to me that the holidays (and, consequently, my birthday) are right around the corner. Along with the panic that I should have started my holiday knitting on 26 December 2011, I've been bulking up my Pinterest with gift ideas and having Miss start looking through catalogs. At the same time, I've been cleaning up my Amazon and Etsy wish lists so people can easily shop for me.

I used to act all contrite and blushing when it came to gift receiving. But my mom used to say, "Do you want what you want, or do you want to be surprised?" Since I want it all, I just make lists and let the gifts fall where they may.

Here are a few things on my list--either to gift me or yoink for your own wish list:

1. Wonder Woman jewelry - I've decided to make WW jewelry a Thing, especially at work. Inspiration, if you will.

2. Sparkle Skirt gift certificate

3. Arm warmers from Groovy Baby Action Gear - I know she has my measurements on hand. Any of her styles are amazing. Did I mention she's offering a special coupon through this blog?

4. Bondiband headband - I love this, but any of them, really.

5. Fox socks - Foxes are a Thing with me as well. But again, any of the novelty socks here work for me.

6. This bracelet 

7. This shirt (2X)

8. This rack for holding race medals*

9. A race registration from Run 4 Bling

10. For you to run a race, participate in a walk … move! (Because I love you. And this makes me sound altruistic, doesn't it?)

What am I missing?

* Heh, heh. She said, "Rack."

Sunday Through Tuesday OR The Dog Ate My Extra Hour of Sleep and Probably My Enthusiasm Too

Let's call this the down side of my mood swing.

Last week was tough in terms of getting going. I did my run days, and I walked the "off" days, but getting out of bed has been icky. Got up Sunday and did my 3+ miles in around 43 minutes (lots of unenthusiastic walking). Similar non-running story today (only worse time). I Made it to the Y yesterday for a swim; much training with the water weights. But my enthusiasm is at a minimum right now.

It's not just the running where motivation is low; it's a lot of aspects of my life. I'm at a typically low point in my hormonal cycle.* Work is not all that great right now. Parenting is ... well, parenting. Puppy training is ... well, puppy training. I'm uninspired in my crafting. I'm drifting from fluffy book to fluffy book. I'm dreading planning for the holidays. What I really would like to do is sleep; if sleep is not forthcoming (as it hasn't been much these days), then I'd like to zone out. It's that Matthew Sanford quote: "There's a small death when you realize that adult life is deeply repetitive."

I guess the point is that I didn't want to get up and go, but I did it anyway. Wheeee, I'm an inspiration.

But seriously, it is important to me to recognize the lows as well as the highs because it reminds me that most things are pretty cyclical. The low points are not forever, but neither are the highs. I'm hoping to learn what I can where I am.

* It's stupid that this affects me so much, but at least I've gotten to the point that I recognize it for what it is.

Variations on the Theme OR Have I Got a Deal for You!

Silver and Sparkly White!

Since it was getting down to the wire with my costume last week, I developed a back-up plan by having a set of bracelets and tiara that I could wear with any of my work out gear. You can expect to see this set frequently in pictures for virtual races. I have also joined Team Tough Chik 2013; one of the requirements is to wear the shirt in an official race, and these will be part of that particular uniform.

Can we talk a minute about Katie of Groovy Baby Action Gear? First off, her stuff is cute and affordable. Secondly, she does custom jobs and ships super quick. Thirdly, she's got a definite WW vibe going. Finally, she's just massively adorable herself.

Christmas stars (for me, at least)

One of the things I learned from this last race is that I really ought to be better prepared for the cold, and running sleeves are a viable solution. For my Christmas races, I've ordered a set of white stars on red that I will wear with the tank. They are amazingly comfortable (and nicely hold in the batwing arms).

Matching the skort

As a second cold weather/mid-season option, I will probably get a set of arm warmers that match my skort. (I've been considering a matching Bondi Band as well.)

I've been tickling her ear for other variations. For the Electric Run, she and I have been talking about options for a tiara and bracelets that will glow in black light. For the Color Me Rad race, we are both thinking white tiara and bracelets with sparkly red star to best capture all the color.

Speaking of Color Me Rad, registration for the Houston run is now open for a reduced fee. Several people have expressed an interest in joining me on this; I will be running in the 9:20 wave, and you can run independently or join Team Chunky Wonder Woman (my feelings will not be hurt one way or another).

But that's not all! I've spoken with the above-mentioned Katie, and she's willing to cut you a deal just for putting up with my blathering! If you order something from her shop and use the code  noticeablyfoxed at check out, you will get 15% off your order!!!* If you're joining me for Color Me Rad, you can get a set to match mine. Or design your own. Or grab one of the cute designs already there. You don't even have to run--they're good for cycling or even just layering for every day.

I know I sound like a commercial; but I like what I like, and I like to share! Seriously, go check out Groovy Baby Action Gear and buy handmade!

* This is really the only Web presence I have that doesn't have some kind of fox theme to it. Long story.

Today's Run OR Whether the Weather Be Cold or Whether the Weather Be Hot ...

I wish our weather was maybe a titch less bouncy.

Aaaand back to wearing shorts.

I shouldn't complain--the weather this morning was great! It was cool enough to get moving but not overheat. I have to explain to more northerly family and friends, though: You know that feeling you have in March when it's still cold, not too cold, but you're just kind of sick of the whole cold thing? That's how we feel about the heat in November. (Holy cow, it's November!)

Anyhow, I've been going "free-form" in terms of training, meaning I run for as long as I think I can, walk a while, back to running, and so on; I've done the route enough to know where the warm up ends and the cool down kicks in. This morning was one of those odd "I'm running. I usually walk here. Don't feel like walking. I'm running a little farther" kind of deals. Made a PR in terms of pace. So, yay!

I got my official event photos last night (see sidebar of this blog). That made me feel a little better about not making it to the event Flickr stream. I know I'm not going to be a size 10, but I wish I looked a little less bull-necked.* Costume looks cute, though. And I have a waistline. I'm planning on doing a series of progressive event shots to see the changes to my body. The bag full of Non-Recession Candy Miss got trick-or-treating last night isn't going to help any, though.**

* I'm blaming the camera position. They were shooting upward, which is assuredly not my best angle. Thankfully, I'm not the only one with this problem.
** Last year, we went out trick-or-treating with friends. One of the moms looked through the haul and declared it Recession Candy. I'm pretty sure you know what that means; for example, if you can't find the item in a non-"fun size" or there are flavors of Tootsie Rolls other than chocolate. Not that I won't eat it. Just sayin.'