What I’ve Found On My Running Journey
Some people live for running. That's not me. It's not natural for me. My first attempt at running was pre-season high school cross-country. My friends were doing it so I figured I would give it a try. I lasted a few days (maybe) and ended up with sprained ankles. That was the beginning and end of my running experience until early into my 40s.
Fast forward to 2011 and a challenge that my chiropractor had started around a year-long wellness journey. Part of the activities included how fast you could finish a mile - walking, jogging, running, crawling. You only got tested quarterly but it was the motivation I needed o do a little bit of running. Fast forward to Thanksgiving that year, and I figured I'd tried to a 5k Turkey Trot. My theory...I knew I could walk it if it got too hard. But...I finished it without walking it. I kept doing a little bit of running through the winter and then joined my daughter's Girl Scout troop in a spring 5k. Amazingly, my time was decent, and I got 3rd place for my age group. That was the beginning of me pushing to see if I could do more. Winning a medal was a throwback to my childhood, competing in swimming for ribbons and medals. I loved the accomplishment!
From that point, I only got incrementally faster on my 5k, but I decided to keep seeing if I could go further. Later that summer, I ran my first 10k. I was terrified as I drove to the race. What if I couldn't do it? What would people think? I called my sister (not a runner) for a pep talk, and she helped calm the butterflies a bit and reminded me that really no one was hanging out waiting to see if I did it or not (except maybe my family). I finished the race and then decided I should try a half marathon later that year. A friend of mine in the DC area was also thinking she wanted to run her first half so we both signed up to run Annapolis and started training for a November race. It was on the cold side for the race but we all finished, and I started thinking about the next one. I wasn't at the point of thinking full marathon then...it was about seeing if I could get faster.
The next year, I ran 2 half marathons (including one in Dublin) and then 3 half marathons the following year, and then 6 the next year (one that was supposed to be a full marathon). I've now run 19 half marathons including one that I convinced my 70 year old, non-running mom to do it with me on a last-minute whim (no training time). Talk about a gutsy move on her part. We did run/walk intervals, and we finished. She was amazing as a non-runner (though she'll never do it again)!
So...what have I been learning?
Sometimes, you just need to try something again that you didn't originally enjoy. Think small kids and vegetables.
There are lots of ways to run your race, and no one's really paying attention to your style of running or walking. No matter how fast you are, you're still doing the distance. I've gotten ok with being a run/walk interval runner...though i still want to get back some of my speed from a few years ago. But, I'm being patient, listening to what my body's ready for, and rebuilding. Run your life race your own way. Own the journey.
Even though every run starts out hardish (the first mile), eventually your body gets acclimated and remembers what it's supposed to do. Key lesson - don't give up when it feels hard starting something...give it some time before you say you don't want to keep doing it.
Starting out running, I had doubts of being able to do a mile. And then it was trusting that after doing 8-10 mile training runs that I could finish a half marathon. And then, it was...how am I going to get 18 miles done in North Carolina in August by myself? We can do hard things that our brain/common sense/friends tell us we can't. We need to believe and prepare.
I don't love to do the strengthening exercises that I need to do. However, I know when I do, I reduce my injury chances. I still struggle to put them on my schedule. This is a discipline and a habit that I need to embrace just like other things in personal care - healthy eating, sleep, enough water, etc.
My motivation is significantly enhanced when I'm training with others. I've trained by myself for many races due to schedules but I know I'm better if I'm doing it with others. It gives me the push to get out of bed earlier than I want on a Saturday morning; it gives me the push to keep going when I really just want to stop and walk the rest; it gives me the energy to go a little bit faster to try to keep up with the faster crowd.
Music moves me. Whenever I'm running alone, I like music. The perfect song seem to show up at the right time during a run...either a bit on the contemplative side or maybe a fast-paced song that gets you to the finish. I remember a tough finish at a cold Annapolis half marathon when Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger" came on....it was just what I needed, particularly since I thought I was closer to the finish line than I really was.
I generally compete for me...can I run faster or longer than I've done in the past. This focus is one that I need to also maintain in my professional life...run the race that I'm in...not the one I see others in and sense that they're running faster or further.
My goal was to be able to run the half marathon in under 2 hours. During one race, I got super close...2:00.50 ...but then injuries and lack of training have taken over so the goal still looms out there. Don't give up on the dream even if it seems far away. My last half marathon in 2018 finish was 2:29, and I'm slower now than I was then. I've got quite the journey to go to get to the 1:59.59 goal...some day.
Disappointments are part of a running career. Not breaking my 2-hour half marathon goal, not getting to the start line for my marathons, random trip and fall injuries, and one exertional compartment syndrome (which is not usually found in almost 50-year old women who are not elite runners). I've been registered for a full marathon 3 times so far but haven't made it to the start line due to injuries. The last one the most frustrating...a trip and fall at the beginning of the 20 mile training run. Disappointments are about what you do with them. Do you take it as a sign that you should stop what you're doing or as a sign that you need a different strategy?
In the year of 2020 chaos and not really working out a whole lot during the winter and spring after a late fall trip and fall (again), I realized I needed a challenge to shift my mindset. So...I'm now registered to run the virtual Marine Corp Marathon at the end of October. Maybe the 4th time will be the charm! My training this round accelerated probably a bit quicker than ideal but I'm focused on getting to the start line with a healthy body and getting to the finish line with a smile on my face (or a grimace with a smile) and not tripping and falling.
If you're feeling like 2020 has been a struggle, consider if you need a different focus or a new challenge to shift your mindset. I'm not recommending jumping into marathon training but maybe it's a challenge to walk 30 minutes per day or to read every day or something else that will enhance your well-being. I know many are struggling just to do the basics, so I hear you on that. But, sometimes, even a minor shift in the routine is enough to pull us up out of the valley. Is it time to test the limits of your comfort zone or shift your mindset of what you can do?