Hello everyone! Miss me? Ha ha. I realized that I needed to get a post up today. It is what I am considering my 4 year running anniversary (runniversary?) 4 years ago today, I laced up my shoes, and started the Couch to 5k program for the first time. Yes, I said first time. I believe it took me three times before I finally got it finished. I have learned many things throughout this journey. Hopefully this post finds you inspired to be able to do what I have done!!!
I had a routine blood test done in December 2011 which showed that my triglycerides were moderately high. I decided that I was too young to start having cardiovascular issues, and needed to do something about it. Diet and exercise, the magic pill.
So, I made the decision that I would get into better health. Running seemed to be the "easiest" and "cheapest" choice for exercise. All I needed were some tennis shoes, socks, shorts, t-shirt and sports bra. Easy, yeah right. I realized on that first run that none of this would be easy. I could barely run for 30 seconds without feeling like crap. This kept on for some time, before I finally felt good running a single mile without stopping. Oh what a feeling that was!!!
I ran sporadically that fall until I finally completed Couch to 5k. This led me to my first race. Lake Sara Dam Run 5k.
I had no idea at this point that I would run as much as I have. I had no intention on ever running anything more than a 5k at this point. Oh was I ever wrong! I have since run a 1 mile race, 5-5ks (3.1 miles), 2-10ks (6.2 miles), 1-8 miler, 2 half marathons (13.1 miles), and a full marathon (26.2 miles)!
Peachtree Road Race Start 2014
Heartland Half Marathon 2015
Lake Sara Dam Run 8 miler
Monumental Marathon 2015
I have learned many things on the roads of this little town I live in. I will try to highlight the things I have learned.
- Starting anything new is TOUGH!!! But, if you stick with it, it will get easier, and the aches and pains will go away.
- Just because my muscles and joints may hurt occasionally when I start, after the first mile, things loosen up. It usually means I didn't stretch enough from the last run. I need to get better at stretching/foam rolling.
- Casey is FLAT!!! As in, the only hill work I get in is going over the railroad tracks. Makes it tough to prepare to run in Atlanta, or prepare for St. Louis!
- Speaking of flat, I have learned that the track at the High School is wonderful, and makes for some beautiful sunrises.
- I have also learned that said track is kind of eerie if you get there before the sun rises, and there happens to be fog. If it was up to me, I would have security lights around the track. (It's not, I checked)
- Waking up at 4 a.m. on a Saturday is not fun. Taking a nap after a long run is fun.
- It stinks that Casey shuts the park bathrooms and water fountains down in the winter. I understand why, but it doesn't make things better for me. Just because there is snow on the ground doesn't mean people don't need the bathrooms anymore.
- The best hills to run in the area are out by White Oak Church, Smithville, and Rouley's Hill.
- The "cheap" sport I got myself into has cost me 8 pair of running shoes and numerous clothes for all different conditions. I "need" moisture-wicking clothes, reflective clothes, water-resistant clothes, a headlamp, etc.
- I also "need" to have an expensive Garmin Forerunner 220 GPS watch that tells me distance, pace, cadence, heart rate, calories burned and I am sure more. I also "need' to have a Garmin Vivofit 2 that tells me steps per day, and also tracks my sleep.
- I have a weakness for Pro Compression Socks. As in, I might have a problem. They put out new patterns and/or colors every month. It's all I can do not to buy every pair. If you see me in long socks while running, these are it. I love them, and I feel they help with recovery very well.
- I also needed to buy a handheld water bottle, and a hydration pack. Marathon training would not have happened without it. Gotta stay hydrated while out for 20 miles!
- I also learned that I need to drink more water throughout the day. I don't hydrate enough.
- What you get out of your body depends on what you put in it. Eating crap makes me feel like crap. I had no idea until my diet changed.
- I still enjoy crappy foods, just not as often as I used to.
- You can't outrun a bad diet. As many calories as I burn, I will not have a 6 pack until I completely cut out the unhealthy foods out of my diet. Not ready for that, so no 6 pack for now!
- I am much tougher than I thought. Digging deep into yourself to finish a long run is tough. 800 meter repeats are tough. 8 mile tempo runs are tough. Running in the Midwest during summer is tough. Running through a blizzard is tough. Finishing 26.2 miles is tough.
- After typing "tough" 6 (now 7) times, it starts to look misspelled and sound weird
- I may not ever finish first in a race, but as long as I don't finish last, I am fine with that.
- Non-runners believe that every race I run is a marathon. I have been asked by one person three times in the last year if I have run any marathons lately. I wish I could just pump them out numerous times throughout the year, but that is NOT HAPPENING! I don't have that much time on my hands.
- I started this blog as an accountability tool for marathon training. It is hard to find the time to post. I need to learn to make time for it.
- Last but DEFINITELY not least, I have a FANTASTIC support system. They have listened to me complain about aches and pains, about the amount of miles that I have to run the next day, and I am sure much more. Said support system has also accompanied me to my races. Leave at 5 a.m. to go to a race just to stand around and wait for me? I am definitely loved. Drive to Atlanta, GA or Jasper, IN just so I can run in a race? Done. Surprise me on marathon morning by showing up to try to see me on the course? Check. Thank you to my husband Chris, my Mom, and my Dad. Without them, I would not be able to do what I love to do.
These are just a few of the things that I have learned in these last four years. Running isn't easy, and it isn't cheap if you "need" all the expensive items. You will definitely learn a lot about yourself if you do not use headphones and just run. Use the time to look inside you and learn. Enjoy the scenery, because we live in a beautiful world that too often goes unnoticed.
I have went on long enough. Here's to 40 more years!!!
Happy Running!
