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.

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.... :)

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

Indomitable Running

Running Quote of the Day

"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves...

The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. 

No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' 

The human spirit is indomitable." 

-Sir Roger Bannister, 
(The first to run a sub-4 minute mile)

www.2ndwindrunning.blogspot.com

Welcome to the Second Wind Running Blog

Welcome to.....

"Second Wind Running"

Here at Second Wind Running I will blog race results, running experiences, racing news, running quotes and share running tips from the experts.

So why “Second Wind”?

I joined the track and field team when I was twelve years old and began cross country the following year.  I started as a sprinter for the local high school and continued running until I graduated in 1993.  Almost twenty years ago…. (Sigh). ;D

The chances of continuing my running career on a collegiate level were slim.  A small college in Arkansas showed some interest, but I wanted to stay in Kentucky.  Over time I finally earned my degree but never raced again, until….

In 2007 I decided to start running again.  That year I hit a major wall in my life.  Runners are familiar with “the wall”.  My nemesis was the one that stood at the 300 meter mark of a 400 meter race.  You pump your arms and lift your knees, but it feels like fifty football defensive linemen are pushing you back. 

Weight gain, poor eating habits, and the cares of life were physically and emotionally depleting me.  I felt like I was hitting the wall before my feet hit the floor in the morning.  My life desperately needed help shifting to another gear.

I prayed and prayed and one day the Spirit of God said, “Run.”

You may not be a Christian or believe that God could possibly care about running.  But I will never forget that day.  I was suffering from depression and God knew I needed a complete health makeover… not just for my soul, but for my body as well.  As I got healthier and stronger, my entire outlook on life changed.  Over the last 5 years I have completed one half marathon, four 10K’s, and a ton of 5K races. 

Since 2007, my running regimen has been all over the place.  Since then I have gotten married, assist my husband in ministry, and focused on my writing career.  My goal is to add more focus to my running in 2013.

So this blog is about my second wind.  A second wind is like gold to a runner.  It’s the moment in the race where you realize that you're getting closer to the finish line and every part of your body feels awesome.  Your breathing is perfect and all that’s left to do is accelerate.  

So….here I go!

God knows I have hit many walls in my lifetime, but each new day is an opportunity to run and capture a second wind.   

Inhale.  Exhale.  Run.

Running goals for 2013

Compete in 10K & 5K Races

Complete 2 Half Marathons

Run 1000 miles!

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

-Candra