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
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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!
Monday, March 21, 2011
1/2 Ironman Race vs. The Chicago Marathon Round 4
As many of my loyal readers know, I am all about running the Chicago Marathon. To me, it is “MY race”, ironically though, I’ve never done very well… or atleast met my full potential running that race. It’s been a huge struggle for me, to accept giving the race my all and then ending without meeting my time goals, or even coming close to them because of this constant knee pain. I know, I know, I should be happy that I have completed 3 marathons, and don’t get me wrong, I am! My problem lies within me, knowing that I am capable of an under 4 hr marathon and being denied that every time due to my knee problems.
This year, I’ve been really focusing on making my knee really strong so that I can run without this nagging pain. It’s a pain that I can only ignore for so long and eventually it leads me to have to walk and depending on the length of the race end in tears or the very least an ice bag wrapped around my knee. So I’ve been feeling really confident about my abilities this year and have been excited about the Chicago Marathon.
As I think I’ve said in a few posts though, I was kind of on the fence with whether or not I wanted to register this year. The only reason for contemplating this is because I do have other fitness goals, such as completing an Ironman race and even qualifying for Boston! Does that make me crazy? Probably, but I am always up for a challenge… obviously! The trick here is that I am being smart about triathlons and promised myself that I would only do an Ironman once I had worked my way through the different levels of triathlons. Last summer I tackled the Sprint and Olympic distances. I think I am ready for the next level, which would bring me to a ½ Ironman race this summer.
So the question arose, which race do I focus on, my ½ Ironman or a Boston Qualifying time at the Chicago Marathon? While technically I could train for both of them through the summer, I want to really focus on one so that I am happy with the results and if it doesn’t go as planned I can’t blame it on my training or lack thereof. My family, for the first year ever, was in 100% agreement that I should take a break from Chicago this year, while most of my runner and triathlon friends were encouraging me to do both! Ahhh… such a decision!
Well, I ended up procrastinating long enough that open registration closed for the Chicago Marathon! NOOO… So I contemplated running it for a charity and looking into it, when the beginning of March hit. I had decided that I was DEFINITELY going to do my ½ Ironman this summer – Racine or Muncie. So my more “intense” training I decided would start March 1st. Two weeks in to it, and feeling exhausted but loving every minute of it, I had my asthma attack! Woah… talk about a set back! I was so physically wiped out by that attack that it has taken me a week to get back to being able to give my workout 100%. That’s so not me, but shortness of breath and chest pain, kind of took that decision away from me… unless of course I wanted to end up in the hospital again. Thanks, I’ll pass!
I’m not a big person to believe in signs and all that stuff… but maybe this asthma attack was my body’s way of telling me to focus on my triathlon this year. Especially since swimming is a great exercise/sport for an asthmatic athlete, which I now am apparently…
So I’ve decided to be a great Cheerleader this year for all those marathon runners out there! Some of the spectators helped me get through all my marathons, but especially my first one! I only hope that I can return the favor to some struggling marathon runner! And one day, one day hopefully soon, I will get my BQ, be injury free and have strong lungs!
Just remember, the struggles that we face in every aspect of our lives make us who we are, so see them as a challenge to overcome with a positive mindset! Don’t let an obstacle hold you back! I’m not going to and you shouldn’t either!
This year, I’ve been really focusing on making my knee really strong so that I can run without this nagging pain. It’s a pain that I can only ignore for so long and eventually it leads me to have to walk and depending on the length of the race end in tears or the very least an ice bag wrapped around my knee. So I’ve been feeling really confident about my abilities this year and have been excited about the Chicago Marathon.
As I think I’ve said in a few posts though, I was kind of on the fence with whether or not I wanted to register this year. The only reason for contemplating this is because I do have other fitness goals, such as completing an Ironman race and even qualifying for Boston! Does that make me crazy? Probably, but I am always up for a challenge… obviously! The trick here is that I am being smart about triathlons and promised myself that I would only do an Ironman once I had worked my way through the different levels of triathlons. Last summer I tackled the Sprint and Olympic distances. I think I am ready for the next level, which would bring me to a ½ Ironman race this summer.
So the question arose, which race do I focus on, my ½ Ironman or a Boston Qualifying time at the Chicago Marathon? While technically I could train for both of them through the summer, I want to really focus on one so that I am happy with the results and if it doesn’t go as planned I can’t blame it on my training or lack thereof. My family, for the first year ever, was in 100% agreement that I should take a break from Chicago this year, while most of my runner and triathlon friends were encouraging me to do both! Ahhh… such a decision!
Well, I ended up procrastinating long enough that open registration closed for the Chicago Marathon! NOOO… So I contemplated running it for a charity and looking into it, when the beginning of March hit. I had decided that I was DEFINITELY going to do my ½ Ironman this summer – Racine or Muncie. So my more “intense” training I decided would start March 1st. Two weeks in to it, and feeling exhausted but loving every minute of it, I had my asthma attack! Woah… talk about a set back! I was so physically wiped out by that attack that it has taken me a week to get back to being able to give my workout 100%. That’s so not me, but shortness of breath and chest pain, kind of took that decision away from me… unless of course I wanted to end up in the hospital again. Thanks, I’ll pass!
I’m not a big person to believe in signs and all that stuff… but maybe this asthma attack was my body’s way of telling me to focus on my triathlon this year. Especially since swimming is a great exercise/sport for an asthmatic athlete, which I now am apparently…
So I’ve decided to be a great Cheerleader this year for all those marathon runners out there! Some of the spectators helped me get through all my marathons, but especially my first one! I only hope that I can return the favor to some struggling marathon runner! And one day, one day hopefully soon, I will get my BQ, be injury free and have strong lungs!
Just remember, the struggles that we face in every aspect of our lives make us who we are, so see them as a challenge to overcome with a positive mindset! Don’t let an obstacle hold you back! I’m not going to and you shouldn’t either!
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