View from the Chesapeake Boathouse - Photo by Marilyn Nimz
This past weekend, I somehow accomplished a 12-miler with the Oklahoma City Running Club: Landrunners at The River Trail on the Oklahoma River. This isn't something new for me. I've run a few half-marathons before, so knowing that I've done it before sort of gave me the confidence I needed to be able to run on Saturday. I ran with my faithful and positive friend Heather and her husband. Without the encouragement and 'go-getter' attitude of Heather, this journey would be much harder to accomplish. I highly recommend finding a committed friend to run with if you are aiming for 10 miles or more. Otherwise it might get a little boring depending on your course.
My leg was still bothering me this week (read more about that here). However I decided to go ahead and try to run the distance and just go a slower pace. Generally I can at least maintain a 10 minute pace overall up to 13 miles in a race (past that, I don't know since I've never run that far). So this week I deliberately ran slower and tried to pace myself at the same slow pace the whole way through. Pacing myself really helped my leg to not flare up for a while. While it started hurting (and I probably should have quit) at mile 2, I kept going because I really don't want to give up on striving to run the marathon this year. So my leg did okay for the 12 miles. Please note: I really don't recommend this for those of you just starting to run.
When I run, I am pretty faithful to using the MayMyRun App for the iphone (screenshot above). This is a great way to track your time and plan your runs. I love it because I see running as a story. Running is something I've learned to love because I know it is good for my heart health and makes me feel better about life. So when I see that I've built up my distances to become greater over time and realize that one day I can run a marathon, I am encouraged to think I can achieve a huge life goal. And when you can achieve a huge life goal, that's a pretty big deal. I think I will feel at that point like nothing is impossible! It's funny how running used to be something I hated. Now running is a way for me to tackle the small things; it's therapeutic; it's my 'me time.' If I can run a mile, then I can get through a tough day; or if I have a tough day, I can run a mile and get the stress out. If I can run a marathon, maybe I can encourage others with my story.
I am impressed by your creativity
ReplyDeleteThanks Milex! Come visit our blog again as we are hoping to post more creative projects.
DeleteKudos to you! You are already encouraging...I have a love/hate relationship with running. i haven't seriously run since like highschool (half marathon was required for a fitness class & has it really been 5 years..whoa)i only got through it because i trained with friends & ran with a couple of my slower (like me) friends at the back of the pack (& there were gummi-bears involved)...since then the most i've "run..jog..trotted" have been little 5ks during college for charities...I seriously need to get back at it (gradually of course), this is inspirational.
ReplyDeleteThanks Haley! Haha, well sometimes it takes a few gummi-bears to get you through the tough spots. We truly appreciate the kind words and encouragement. We hope that if you find that running is something you can do, that you will pursue it from the perspective of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While running is not for everyone, there are other cardio exercises that can help you take care of your heart (i.e. cycling, swimming, rowing, etc).
DeleteThat is super impressive. I'm amazed by the energy you have for so many different things. It's awesome.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel! We truly appreciate the encouraging words.
DeleteWow -- 12 miles, really? I don't think I've ran that much in total over the past five years. That is sad! hah -- I never enjoyed running but that is hopefully something I will change. I recently moved into a very nice neighborhood where everyone is out running & walking their dogs. It's been inspiring me to get out and do the same -- and now your running story was definitely the push that I needed!
ReplyDeleteSo impressive, wow.
Haha Latrina! Well most people don't really take to running the way I've kind of imposed it on myself. I think I just have these almost ridiculous goals, but I would really like to see if I can make them happen. There is nothing to lose! We hope you will enjoy the benefit of being able to walk and run in your new neighborhood. What an asset! And congrats on the move! :)
DeleteMarlen, we kind of have this belief that you can achieve anything if you would really like to. I definitely took baby steps with the idea that I might run a marathon one day as an eventual goal. But I started with setting goals for myself like running a 5k, and then a 10k, and so on.... Haven't made a marathon yet, but hopefully will be in April! Thanks for the encouraging words. It truly means a lot for me to hear. :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I started running about a month ago so I'm still in the baby phase but I hope to get there!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try that app too, thanks for the suggestion!
Thanks Krissy! Yeah the app helps a lot. There's just something fulfilling about being able to put down that you achieved a goal. Good luck with the running. Keep us posted on how it goes!
DeleteDang, that's impressive!! Go you! I'm certainly inspired. I'm a moderately new runner myself, and am currently training for my first half marathon! I'm excited and nervous. I'm also doing it for cancer research, so I'm fundraising at the same time, and putting that in the back of my mind during the tough training days definitely pushes you forward, you know? I figure, if these incredible people can battle and survive cancer, I can run 21k. ;)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your leg injury - hopefully it won't be bothering your training too much from here on out. :)
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