Cold Weather Running Quotes

Ever since I started running again back in 2007, I have struggled with cold weather running.  It is difficult to get my muscles warmed up and breathing in near freezing temperature air is misery. To relieve my cold weather running experience, I frequent the gym more often and run out my miles on the treadmill. Treadmill running has its perils too, but at least it's hot. :D

I stumbled upon a few running quotes that really got me motivated to get back out on the cold concrete. Last night I ran at the gym. Today, it's back to road running. I'll save the treadmill for snow days. ;)

"There's no such thing as bad weather, just soft people". - Bill Bowerman

"This is about doing something difficult and not stopping when it becomes not just difficult, but cold and difficult... or cold and wet and difficult... or cold and wet and dark and difficult." - Suzy Hamilton

"Runners don't get rained out, they get rained on." - Unknown

Should I Be Running 6.7 Today?

Anyone who knows me well can tell you that there is always something wrong with me.  Wait… that didn't come out right. (Smile)

As I get older, I seem to be more prone to aches and strains. Thank God that I have not suffered any major sickness or long term injury (other than minor knee pain).  Yet, when you love to run like I do, anything that inhibits a run can be frustrating.

Last week I somehow strained my lower back.  I thought perhaps I did it working out, but when I think back, I was doing a lot of chair moving at church.  I do happen to also recall moving a large table as well.  Yes, I should have waited for help, but I think I’m super woman. 

So, for the last several days I took a break from running, thinking that would help my back. But, instead of getting better, it became sorer and Mr. Icy-Hot and I saw a lot of each other.

Then yesterday I decided to jump the “rest and relax” ship and head to the gym.  I couldn't take it anymore! Hahaha… Running addicts know where I’m coming from.

I hit the treadmill with the intent to walk.  After all, it made sense to me to not run a 10K if you have a sore back.  I tried to walk.  I promise I did.  But I was surrounded by everyday athletes like me, running their hearts out.  Running euphoria was in the air.

I tried to walk and preoccupy my mind with the theater movie of the day, “Maid in Manhattan”.  That was a no go.

I started walking at 4.0…then 4.5….then a slight jog at 5.2.  The soreness in my back was bearable.  As a matter of fact, after I hit the first mile, my back felt less sore.  Well that’s all I needed to crank it up to 6.7! It felt good to be home again! (Smile)

PLEASE NOTE!!! – If you have an injury, see your physician and ask how you should proceed with your fitness regimen.  My decision to go to 6.7 with a sore back is because I’m stubborn.  Be warned.

The ironic thing was this morning, my back feels better.  Thank God for having grace and mercy on my stubborn running soul.  The morning before, I had to pull myself with my upper body to get out of the bed.  Now granted that is not so different from other mornings, but this time it was physically painful. 

This morning, there was only a slight soreness and as I sit at my computer blogging, I can feel no pain.  Hallelujah!!!

Once again...I am not a doctor. You definitely should see a doctor if you are injured or else you can cause more damage to your body. It seemed like getting back into my exercise routine helped do the trick or like I said before, God just had mercy on this running-loving lady.  Either way, I’ll take it.

My Top Ten Excuses For Not Running Today

My top ten excuses for not running today....ends today.

1. It's too cold.
2. It's raining.
3. I have to do my laundry.
4. I'm too tired.
5. I need to join a gym first.
6. I just went to the hair salon.
7. My cute running clothes are dirty.
8. I don't want anyone to see me/I'm embarrassed of my body.
9. I don't have time.
10. I need someone to run with me.

There is no excuse for not doing the best you can when you can.  Get fit today.

Do Runners Feel Pain?

Do Runners Feel Pain?

Since middle school I have loved running.  In my younger days I competed in the shorter distances and now that I am older I love to tackle the longer runs.  One thing that all distances have in common is painful training.

Some runners are nutty and they love the pain.  They love the hurt.  I am more conservative in my rush for pain.  Although I must admit that when training I need a little burn to make me feel accomplished.  Okay, maybe I’m a bit nutty myself. 

I feel that runners pain, but I very seldom mind.

It is my passion for running that helps me endure the pain.  I have always hated hill and incline workouts….always.  But I will run as many hills as it takes if it means I simply get to run.  My love for running overrides the pain.  I feel it, but I can endure.  I feel it, but it doesn't control my will.

And such has been my life…

I have lived through some pretty painful times, but the outcome of life’s pains made me a stronger person.  As long as I keep moving forward, I am sure at some point to get my second wind. 

In some ways being a runner conditioned me to handle all kinds of pain.  Runners have mental toughness. 

If there is no finish line, we are not finished.

Do runners feel pain?  Of course we do.  But we endure it for the sake of doing what we love, and being the best at it that we can be.

Next Race? The Findlay Market 5K #Cincinnati

On Your Left...Running Traffic

I learned the hard way that very few people understand the phrase, "on your left".

Yesterday I didn't have time to get a long run in, so I went to a local park that is surrounded by a paved path about a quarter of a mile long.  One loop around is short but half of the loop is on an incline so it is great for hill workouts.  However... never again will I run at this park on a beautiful warm day in the evening.

The path was loaded with runners, walkers, baby strollers, dogs on leashes, and children.  Please understand that it was a beautiful sight to see.  I love seeing others get off the coach and get moving.  And how sweet it is to see young couples holding hands while pushing their little one in the baby stroller.  

However, if your trying to work on speed, this is not the ideal environment.

So... I learned that very few people understand the phrase, "on your left".  When someone is running, riding a bike, or on roller blades, and they say, "on your left"; this means that the person/people they are passing should move to the right.  

Instead most people turn around with a confused look on their face and move towards... the left.  Or they have their head phones on their ears and they can't hear you in the first place! Lol

I was forced several times to run off the path, into the grass, and hurdle a few ditches.

Then about twenty minutes into my run a boy's baseball game gears up.  

Parents are pulling up lawn chairs in droves right along the path, blocking the grassy areas I needed to pass up people who's iPod's are turned up loud or had no clue what was going on when I said, "on your left!

Just another adventure in running.... :)

Preparing for the Flying Pig Cincinnati 2013

I'm super excited about running the Flying Pig 5K and 10K this year.  I have wanted to double for a number of years now, but because of injury I haven't been able to do so.

Race day is on Saturday May 4th.  The main event, the Flying Pig marathon will take place on Sunday.  If you haven't been to Cincinnati for this event, you are missing a great thing.  Cincinnati is already a great running community and the Flying Pig is the cherry on top.

So, what's left to do?  I'm super late on this, but I need to purchase a new pair of running shoes today.  It is best to run in new shoes well before a race, but I procrastinate.  That's what I do.  However, I feel confident  that I can break in a new pair before the start.

Next up?  Registration.  My life is chaotic so I do not register early.  If you do register early, you can take advantage of discounts, but I never know when something will come up.  I would hate to spend a hundred bucks on a race and then not be able to run.  So I wait until the week of and wait in a long line of procrastinating runners just like me!  It's all fun.

This will be my first race of the year (not what I planned at all) so I'm not looking to run any personal records.  My PR for the 5K is sub 24 minutes.  My goal on May 4th is to run under 28 minutes in the 5K and under 55 minutes in the 10K.  The races (for me) will be about an hour apart, so I should have time to recoup.

Anyway, that's my Flying Pig prep update and I hope to see you there!

Running Quote of the Day...

“It’s very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners.

Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.”

-George Sheehan (Runner and Author)

Inhale.  Exhale.  Run.

My Running goals for 2013

Compete in 10K & 5K Races

Complete 2 Half Marathons

Run 1000 miles!

My Next Race:  Saturday March 2^nd - Food on the Run 10K in Cincinnati, Ohio