The Beast

My favorite part of the book I'm reading, Born to Run:

"Strictly by accident, Scott stumbled upon the most advanced weapon in the ultrarunner's arsenal: instead of cringing from fatigue, you embrace it. You refuse to let it go. You know itso well you're not afraid of it anymore. Lisa Smith-Batchen, the amazingly sunny and pixie-tailed ultrarunner from Idaho who trained through blizzards to win a six-day race in the Sahara, talks about exhaustion as if it's a playful pet. 'I love the Beast,' she says. 'I actually look forward to the Beast showing up, because every time he does, I handle him better. I get him more under control.' Once the Beast arrives, Lisa knows what she has to deal with and can get down to work. And isn't that the reason she's running through the desert in the first place - to put her training to work? To have a friendly little tussle with the Beast and show it who's boss? You can't hate the Beast and expect to beat it; the only way to truly conquer something, as every great philosopher and geneticist will tell you, is to love it."

Moody Slough My Old Friend

The countdown begins...6 more days in my in house in cozy Winters (population~6,000). Only 6 more days to run Moody Slough Road, my favorite and nearby run through farms and orchards with a view of the Berryessa Mountains. I have ran this road faithfully for the last six and half years. In the winter, I would wake up while dark careful not to disturb my snoozing husband as I clamored for my running tights and REI long-sleeve shirt and headband. Armed with a flashlight and water bottle, I would descend into the dark and fog inhaling crisp and frigid air. In the summer, shorts and cold water were staple items to endure the heat and sun. On the weekends, as I caught my running rhythm through open fields I watched hot air balloons take off into the sapphire sky. Yes, Moody Slough is like an old loyal friend. When I felt crummy and needed a boost, Moody Slough was there to lift my mood. When I felt strong and invincible, Moody Slough laughed at the challenge and said "How fast can you go?"


Goodbye Moody Slough I will miss you!

From: The Runner who will be known as the Runner Formerly from Winters

Running staples: Garmin watch, Ipod, water bottle

On Moody Slough Road

Moody Slough Road with mountains

Me and my sweat

Progress

Usually after a 12 hour shift, I'm pooped.  But I managed to get my sleepy self to hit the track right before dark.  I decided to make this run count, since I took 3 days off and downtown at night by myself would definitely insure a lecture from my husband about safety.  I ran 3.1 miles (my own little 5K race against myself) in 28:37.  Yay! I did under 10 minute mile! I finally trying to figure out how to set a good pace for myself.

How is everyone else's running going?

My favorite so far...

I grew up in California. Because the world is so full of beautiful places, I sometimes forget what we have here. Once in a while, Graem and I escape Sacramento to see the coast.  Last week, we explored Bodega Bay for the first time. Graem found me a  2 mile trail on Bodega Head that so was breathtaking, I didn't mind running around it almost 3 times. I was freezing and could have used a whole box of Kleenex by the end, but I was in total bliss. I loved the sounds of the birds, the fishing boats and even the sound of my feet shuffling along the dirt hills. The sights of fuzzy caterpillars, deer, seals, bunnies, and a whale kept me going for 5 miles.  Lastly, I saw Graem hiding from the wind, reading his book, ready for clam chowder. I don't think I could ever run on a treadmill again.

"Strong is the New Skinny"

I began considering getting back into running a few months ago. Speaking honestly, my original motivation was solely to burn calories. I have some "pre-baby" jeans (Yes, I know! My "baby" is now 3 1/2 years old) that I really wanted to wear again one day. I was lying in bed thumbing through a magazine and thinking of what changes I could make in my life that would motivate me to get strict with my food choices. Then, it hit me. I needed to take up the sport that I hated more than one could imagine.... running. I flashed back to my last attempt. The nightmare that was River Run 2011.

The River Run is a big race in Jacksonville, FL. I had actually done a little tiny bit of training the year prior, but wasn't able to run due to strep throat. I spent that whole day in bed watching running movies, wishing I could be out there. I was determined this time I would do it. Knowing that we were moving to Cali and that this may be my last opportunity, I embarked on the 15K monster without a day of training. At minute 4, I knew I had made a terrible mistake! As inexperienced runners often do, Seth & I started out much too fast. We were jumping on & off curbs to get around other people. I twisted my ankle as I took a nasty fall. I should have stopped right then and there. But, my stubborn side took hold and I decided that even if I had to hobble over the finish line, I was going to cross it. Hobble over I did! I ended up with a major pain in my foot. I suspect a hairline fracture. As soon as the adrenaline wore off, I was in so much pain that I could barely walk. The sharp, shooting pain lasted over the next several months. From then on, anytime I heard the mention of running, I knew I just wasn't cut from that mold.

With this sour taste in my mouth, I knew that if I could get myself disciplined enough to make it through even a short run, I would definitely have the discipline to decline a 2nd brownie! I couldn't jump right in though. I needed a goal. A reward. Something tangible to look forward to. While brainstorming what this something might be, I came across the Nike Women's Marathon in San Fran. After reading that there was a 1/2 marathon option, a chocolate mile, and a blue-boxed Tiffany's necklace presented by SF firefighters in Tuxedos to the finishers, I decided this was the race for me. Also, the race is in October which makes it great timing. I'll be 30 in November and thought this would be a great way to bring on a new decade in my life. After finding out that Jaide & Kindra were for sure on board, we started running.

Since then, our group has grown. Lauren has been running. I am so proud of her! I think she started out hating it even more than me. But, she's sticking it out and is even excited now. Marisol (running isn't new for her) is always a great support and is hoping to do the NWM. Leslie, although she can't commit to the SF trip, is regularly running with us and often sets the pace. She's a total drill sergeant! I say that with the utmost affection of course! And, Ashlee has mentioned maybe coming to SF and will hopefully join us soon. We've been a little less consistent with our group runs over the past couple of weeks but we've still been going on our own or in pairs. I am ready to get back to our groups though. I love being with all of you girls. :)

It hasn't been very long at all since we've started. But, somewhere along the way, my thinking has completely changed. I no longer think of how many calories I'm burning while I run. Sure, I like burning calories, and I'm not getting rid of my "skinny-jeans!" But, for me, my running just isn't about that anymore. I am running to be strong. Physically and mentally. As Jaide expressed, I too really appreciate more than ever the Bible's illustration regarding our "race for life." Running is so challenging. It certainly still doesn't come easily for me. Every time I lace up my shoes, I am thinking ahead to that moment that is going to hit when I want to just stop, drop to the ground and make grass-angels. ;) But, every time I power through and sometimes even get rewarded with a 2nd wind, I know I get a little bit stronger. Seeing the progression from not being able to run 1 mile, then not stopping for 3, now pushing through to 5 is extremely motivating. It is what keeps me going back for more. The thought that I may actually just be able to make it to this 13.1 mile achievement by October. And, along the way, I'm gaining mental clarity and physical stamina. I'm craving healthy food and the brownie just isn't all that appealing anymore. Ok, ok, maybe that's a stretch. Lol. But, at least I am craving healthy foods too. :D This parallels so much to our spiritual lives. All of the challenging times that we make it through, the times that we push ahead... refusing to drop to the ground and give up, make us that much stronger. One day we'll have made it. We will look back at this race and realize the accomplishment. Until then, let's keep our minds on our progress and enjoy our run!

Love you!

Jen

Zoo Zoom

 April 15. The race!! Leslie almost forgot there was a finish line (it was her first race), and Jen put her hand in bird doo-doo on the orangutan statue.  Then we had bottomless mimosas.  All in all, a great day!

Why I run

It all started in March.  My multitalented friend, Marsiol, who spends her free time learning her fourth language, face painting, and running races (among other things), invited me for the umpteenth time to join her for a 5K.  This time it was the Zoo Zoom.  I decided I had already said "no" enough to my ambitious friend and signed up.  Then, while I was trying to stay awake on a long night shift at work, Jennifer, who shares a similar passion of goal-setting, proposed the idea of running a half marathon.

Her enthusiastic texts about the Nike Women's Half Marathon enlivened me as I paced hospital walls, ensuring my sleeping patients were still breathing.  I instantly felt the itch to run.  I remembered when I was young I was dragged into runnng with my sister, Jasmine, who would then literally run circles around me trying to get me to go faster. Soon, though I fell in love with running as a teenager and vowed to run a half marathon. But after a 6 mile run, I decided I didn't  like running any longer than an hour.  I thought of how my obession with boys, pioneering, a new job killed my running.  I learned I was not good at multitasking. I remembered that days before I got married, my sisters pulled me out of the house for one last run as a single person.  How they laughed, although sweetly, that even though I was skinny, I had the lung capacity and enduranceof a person three times my age.

I thought of how a few years ago, my sister, Jehan, asked me to run the Nike Women's half marathon.  I was so excited to run again!  Then we didn't get in.  Graem and I decided to go to Guyana for 2 months and the more I planned my trip, the less I ran.  I have since been more convinced that I am not good at having more than one goal at a time. I guess I am disproving the theory that girls were supposed to be good at doing lots of things at once.

I thought of how my sisters had both run marathons before they turned 30 and how the big 3-0 is right around the corner for me.  How as a cardiac, then a rehab nurse, I should be able to hold my own on a treadmill.

Even though, I have only run on and off since being a teenager, the challenges I have faced felt like a run.  During my last stay in Guyana, I would be overjoyed by the exciting twists and turns of the experience.  Then I would be hit by a sudden pain, longing for home, much like a side stitch could practically drop me in my tracks.  But I would keep on going, feel better, and be overjoyed again.  When it was over, I felt like a new person, proud and encouraged that I could do it again.  It was the same feeling after a year of pioneering, finishing nursing school, or enduring any trying day.  It was soon be over.  I would feel good and be ready to take on another day, or year, or feat.  I get why the Bible says we are in a race for life.  It makes sense.  It's worth it. 

So here it goes...I will finally do a half marathon, while doing all the other important things in my life.  I am happy so many of you want to go run with me. It makes it so much better! Running is a sport that I can do alone, but its really about all of you.