Why Do You Run?

Something I needed before I attempt another 12 mile run today.

Hurricane Half Marathon 2010

Here I am!

It's been a fun and exciting Spring so far. Actually, a lot of events that I wish I had blogged about. But, we'll start here with the last two weeks because that's what is on my mind.

We planned a trip to St. George for the week of my birthday. Being a person that does not exercise unless I have something to train for the amazing athlete that I am, I decided to sign up for a half-marathon on my birthday. Luckily my sister, Heidi, agreed to train with me.

The whole week before, I was a bucket of nerves. I felt like I couldn't fully enjoy "vacation" food because of the upcoming event (which isn't such a bad thing), and two days before the race I started getting sick with a sore throat. Eric bought me a jamba juice type thing and a shot of wheat grass. WHO drinks that stuff!? I felt like I had just swallowed a handful of grass.

The night before the race, Eric gave me a blessing and I said a long prayer. It might sound strange to care that I was able to perform well in the race, but it was SO important to me. I had something to prove and it was a long time coming. Remember back in 2008, when I did all of the training for the race and then had a little road bump? Well, this race was my time to shine. And after the blessing and a prayer, I felt confident that I was not the only one who wanted me to do well. Nothing like a little faith building exercise right before a race!

So, the race started bright and early on Saturday, April 24th and I was tired after no sleep from nerves and the sore throat. I was still so nervous that I forgot my ipod and other things that I planned on having. But, really, there is an energy before a race starts. If you've ever done a race, you'll know what I'm talking about. There is a huge group of people, sizing each other up, getting ready to go for the same goal. I like it!

Of course when I'm sizing people up, I realize that some of the guys running this race have legs as long as my whole body, and I'm saying to myself, "Please don't come in LAST place!"

The race started up a hill, but my sister and I were feeling awesome! The weather was beautiful and the sun was just starting to rise over the reservoir we were running around. I was just taking it all in. Seeing the red rocks of the St. George area, the water, the sunrise; and then I saw a guy peeing and I thought, "Hmm, already at mile 2?" People have warned me that during longer races, people will just do their business on the side of the road but it's still wierd to see.

Then, mile 5 started and all I saw was "UP". It was a major hill and mentally I shut down. It ended up being a mile long and it psyched me out. I could not get in the groove after that. People all around us were walking and in my mind I kept asking when I could walk. Heidi motivated me the best she could with lures of fetticine alfredo and whatever I wanted to do after the race. I was just so tired.

Really, though, the thing that kept me going was knowing that my husband was there at the finish line. I knew that he didn't care what my time was. Only I cared. I knew he'd be proud and I also knew that my kids needed to see me finish strong, even though I felt far from strong. The whole last 3 miles I was chanting to myself, "Don't stop running, don't stop running."

I could see the finish line and I could see my family. Heidi and I sprinted to the finish line for a time of 2:27. Not even close to the time I trained for, but it's a place to start for me.

Here we are getting ready to sprint to the end!

(ignore the creepy smiley guy behind Heidi...strange)

I FINISHED!

And here's what I learned from training to the race:

• I am capable of doing whatever it is that I set my mind to
• The only limits that I have are the ones I set on myself
• I am NOT the slowest runner!
• I am strong
  
• A marathon is possible for me.
  

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So, I did race the next week. JUST a 10K, though.
Much better time. 62 minutes. 10 minute miles. NOT 11, like my half marathon.

What I learned from the 10K? 6.2 miles is a MUCH better distance!

"...You get out of it what you put into it"

For the second time in my life, I've taken up running. I really tried hard to start running again after I had Crew, but I started way too early after having a C-section and the pain set me back. (and by set me back, I mean I didn't try again for 10 months.) The joy wasn't in it for me anymore. I had forgotten why I liked it; why I had gotten up some Saturdays at 5 AM just to run.

On my quest to enjoy running again, I signed up for the Ragnar relay race in June. Nothing like FORCING yourself to run because others are counting on you, right? And I'll tell you, after 2 months of consistent running: I am getting back to loving it again. After I decided a couple of things about running, the "fun" factor clicked again.

1st, I decided that while I AM running to lose weight and get healthier, it is not the PRIMARY reason I'm running. I am running because it makes me feel good. I feel like, "Hey, if I can run this distance, I can tackle those other hard things in my life." It feels good to accomplish a goal. It helps my self-esteem and self-image. It's one of those things where I can see my efforts and realize I am improving. To quote Oprah,

"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it."

2nd, I decided that it really doesn't matter how fast I run. A couple of months ago, I would dread my running days because I felt so slow. Then I realized, "Who CARES?!" Isn't the point of a race, to finish the race? It's not always the goal to be the fastest. It's not like I'm an olympian. (YET! ;)) My mantra has been "Progress...not perfection." And with that mantra in mind, I've shaved 1 minute + off my miles in only 2 weeks, not to mention that I also doubled my miles from last month. It's amazing how much we psych ourselves out. Or at least I do. (did.)

What keeps you motivated to run? I would love to hear!


And, as a side note, I updated my sidebar to include the races I'm doing this year. Wanna join me for any of them? I would love some company!