Yesterday, I posted the top 10 running rules and I have to admit that I needed to take some of my own advice. Easy said than done... I told you to JUST DO IT, that if there is a race that you have been eyeing for a while, that you should just sign up already. What are you waiting for? Well, I must admit that I had fallen victim to my own fears and that the race I had been eyeing for a while was going to fill up before I built up enough courage to register.
My race is actually a Triathlon, the Muncie 1/2 Ironman! I have wanted to do an Ironman for quite a while now, years in fact, but I promised myself that I would build up properly and go through all the different levels rather than skipping to an Ironman or a 1/2 Ironman race, like I did for the Marathon! Last summer I managed a Sprint and an Olympic distance triathlon, so naturally the step is a 1/2 Ironman race. But I was terrified that my knee (which as you all know likes to give me problems) wouldn't be able to handle all the training and the race and that this recent episode with Exercise Induced Asthma would create problems that I didn't know if I could overcome! I've made HUGE progress with my knee but it is still an underlying fear. I haven't had another asthma attack and it seems to be under control!
My Triathlon Team has been trying to convince me to sign up for this race for forever! Teammates have even refused to sign up until I did! I kept telling myself that I would decide by a certain date, or I'd wait until I ran this certain race to figure out if my body could handle it. But those dates kept getting pushed back and I still didn't register.
But... Something happened this morning. I have no idea what it was, but suddenly I just decided to go for it! Just register for the dang thing! So I did!!! I am officially registered for the Munice 1/2 Ironman race! My first Ironman distance race. I am still terrified that my knee won't handle it and that my asthma will act up again and create huge problems. But I am tired of living in the fearful "what ifs"!
So, What if I don't finish? What if I get hurt? What if my knee and asthma flare up? What if it's a horrible time? But... What if I do finish? What if I don't get hurt? What if my knee and asthma are completely fine? What if I have an amazing time doing the race? Basically it comes down to wanting to give it a try. I'll never know what will happen until I do it!
To everyone out there who has a million reasons not to, find the reason to do it! You'll be happier with yourself if you do!
Song of the Moment: Who Says by Selena Gomez
Blog
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
Running 101
My top 10 list of lessons that Runner's should know:
1. Start Slow - Both with Speed and Mileage! If you start slower then you won't burn out and you can slowly get faster each mile. It's important to build up mileage but to do so slowly so that do not get injured!
2. Make a Plan and Stick to it - Decide which days you are going to run and stick to it! You will develop the necessary determination and perseverance to stick to your schedule and your training plan!
3. Take a Rest Day - It's important to let your body rest and recover in order to heal your muscles
4. Listen to your body - There is a fine line between soreness and pain. It's important to know the difference!
5. Mix it Up - It's important to add variety to your run, change up the location, the running surface, incline, speed to make it more fun!
6. Cross-Train - This is extremely important and it doesn't have to be boring or a strict weight lifting plan, make it fun, do something different, like a Hip Hop class, Zumba, playing a pick-up game of your favorite sport. You'll end up working different muscles and gain overall strength.
7. Just DO IT! - Do you have a race that you've been eyeing for a while but haven't signed up for? Just do it! You don't know if you can or can't do something until you try, so just sign up already! You can do anything you you really set your mind to!
8. Have a word/phrase or power song to help you push through - Mine? Phrase, "I can go the distance!" Power Song, "Here we go" by Nsync
9. Reward Yourself - Set-up a reward system for yourself for achieving your goals, whether its a new song from Itunes or a new pair of shoes. It helps keep you accountable!
10. Reach High and Set new goals - always challenge yourself to hit your goals and once you do, set new goals for yourself!
1. Start Slow - Both with Speed and Mileage! If you start slower then you won't burn out and you can slowly get faster each mile. It's important to build up mileage but to do so slowly so that do not get injured!
2. Make a Plan and Stick to it - Decide which days you are going to run and stick to it! You will develop the necessary determination and perseverance to stick to your schedule and your training plan!
3. Take a Rest Day - It's important to let your body rest and recover in order to heal your muscles
4. Listen to your body - There is a fine line between soreness and pain. It's important to know the difference!
5. Mix it Up - It's important to add variety to your run, change up the location, the running surface, incline, speed to make it more fun!
6. Cross-Train - This is extremely important and it doesn't have to be boring or a strict weight lifting plan, make it fun, do something different, like a Hip Hop class, Zumba, playing a pick-up game of your favorite sport. You'll end up working different muscles and gain overall strength.
7. Just DO IT! - Do you have a race that you've been eyeing for a while but haven't signed up for? Just do it! You don't know if you can or can't do something until you try, so just sign up already! You can do anything you you really set your mind to!
8. Have a word/phrase or power song to help you push through - Mine? Phrase, "I can go the distance!" Power Song, "Here we go" by Nsync
9. Reward Yourself - Set-up a reward system for yourself for achieving your goals, whether its a new song from Itunes or a new pair of shoes. It helps keep you accountable!
10. Reach High and Set new goals - always challenge yourself to hit your goals and once you do, set new goals for yourself!
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