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Why Do I Run?

It’s Complicated.

This isn’t an easy question to answer but I’m going to give it a try…

I was a late starter with running. Growing up I would have done just about anything to get out of running in PE class. When forced to, it would take me the entire class period to run a mile. **I did however love the time we got to do hurdles**

So what made me start running 25 years later?

I didn’t have some major life experience – good or bad – that running helped me get through. No major disease diagnosis. No desire to break the tape at the Boston Marathon (I’d be surprised if Boston was even on my radar 20 years ago!). All of those reasons that people give for taking up running….I don’t have one of those.

I used to run the occasional 5K – maybe once or twice a year. And of course by ‘run’ I mean waddled. One year I volunteered at the LA Marathon – at a water station on Wilshire Blvd – and thought “I might be able to do that” as I watched runners pass by for hours. But then it was another few years before I actually did it.

And then, after my first marathon I just kept doing them. Keep in mind, my training has*NEVER* been what you might call…um…stellar. Even though each time I cross a finish line I say to myself “I bet if I trained I could do lots better”. And then I don’t train. Lather, rinse, repeat

5 years after my first marathon I was diagnosed with diabetes. So now, 14 years later, running is a way to keep things a little more under control. And to try to manage my weight.

But, I don’t *LOVE* running. I love the excitement of the starting lines, the people along the course, the places I’ve gone. Seeing a city on foot isn’t a bad way to go! I enjoy the bling, but it isn’t the reason I show up (unless it’s really great!!) I love the people that running has brought into my life and sometimes the only time I see these people, my ohana, is when we’re at races. Running. So I love that.

I couldn’t tell you how many half marathons I’ve done. But I can tell you I’ve done 25 marathons (I think…I will have to re-count) since my first in 2000. I can tell you I didn’t even run the full 13.1 in my first half – I didn’t even go to the finish line since I passed my car. I may have also cut the course on that one.

But I don’t love running. At the same time, I feel guilty when I don’t run.

So you’re probably saying “then stop running”….but then what do I do? I get it, there are millions of people who don’t run and I could easily be one of them. But I would miss it. Really I would.

Plus what would I do with all my super cute running clothes??

See? Cute clothes! Skirt Sports Jette Skirt and Tough Chick jacket in Frolic

Skirt Sports Jette Skirt in Tantrum

There’s that Jette Skirt again!! Tantrum

So, while I don’t love running, I don’t actually hate it either. I’m comfortable having running in my life. And I would miss it for sure if I stopped.

Tags: #Frolic, #Jette, running, SKirt Sports Ambassador, Tantrum

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Categories Running

Let the Re-Capping Begin!!

26 Sep

As I mentioned Friday in my ‘return to blogging” post, it’s is Fall Race Season. Or as I like to call it, “Sunrise Season” – on account of how many sunrises I’ll witness in the next few months!!

In my quest to stay on top of my race recaps (and get back in your good graces) I present to you – the 2016 Hogsback Half Marathon

Kathy came over Friday night for an early morning drive up to northwestern CT – and it was an early, wine-free night of reality tv.

Got up dark and early to make my oatmeal and have time to digest it before hopping in the car. It’s really a pretty drive, once the sun comes up. I was aiming for good parking, if I can be honest! And, whaddayaknow, I got it! #Rockstarparking.

Picked up bibs and shirts and got back in the car since it was chilly out! We had signed up for the early start (which is an awesome benefit to this race!) so didn’t have long to wait before we headed UP THE HILL to the start line. We picked up Kim and Tom on the way. Kim was starting early and I figured I’d see Tom later when he passed me (spoiler, it was around mile 11.5!) It was a pretty decent group of early starters and we had our own pacers. 2:45 and 3:00. I was going to try to keep 2:45 in my sights but stick to my 30:30’s as long as I could hang in there.

I managed to keep up my intervals and everything felt pretty good most of the way. I’m working on breaking in the shoes I plan to wear for Marine Corps but they are causing me some issues…so we’ll have to see what happens. If I need new shoes I need to get them pronto!

This is a beautiful ‘country’ course — an out and back of sorts along a river. This year for the first time there were a few families out in the yard cheering runners on. The run takes place on country highways but there isn’t a ton of traffic. The first finisher passed me around mile 5 – the next runners showed up when I stopped at mile 6 to take off my jacket! There was a HUGE gap between them – amazing!!

Course elevation – first half is my favorite!!

Tom caught up with me about mile 11.5 and stayed with me a bit but he had a plan and took off after a few minutes. At some point, I had managed to let the 3 hour pacer catch me. Ruh-Roh!! Picked it up again but she passed me for good on “the hill” – about a quarter mile incline. That I walked up. I had given up on my goal apparently.

Heading across the dam to the finish line I passed Kathy! I don’t think I’ve ever beat her in a half!! Though, in her defense, she said her hamstrings were tightening up..whatevs, I still beat her!! haha And then I saw Kim and Tom waiting on the side of the bridge so stopped for a second – mainly to point out that I was beating Kathy! Then, ta-da!! The finish. And it turns out that I only missed my goal by 48 seconds.

Small sample of the post race eats! Ziti, chicken, meatballs, cornbread muffin, TWO kinds of Rice Krispie Treats!!!

Post race is one of the best ones out there!!! LOTS of homemade food – chicken, pasta, cookies, muffins…NOMS. And great raffles. And time to hang with friends. And puppies. Did I forget to mention that there are puppies? The charity partner for this race is Running for Rescues and there were a few puppies visiting and hoping for a furever home. I don’t think I’m ready for 2 dogs yet…

And now I’m going to try something new for these recaps – maybe it will stick and maybe it won’t!

Welcome to The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good
1. Early start ya’ll! When you register, there’s an option to register for an early start if you think you’ll take more than 3 hours. And it’s been a couple few years since I’ve finished under 3. The only caveat is that you get disqualified if you finish faster than 2:20 since this is the RRCA Championship event
2. The outfit. Please. (Tantrum Jette Skirt and Tantrum Lotta Love top – converted to Eclipse Tank in Marine when I took off the jacket!)

3. The post race party. The RD and her family do all the cooking and baking. Plus this year there was a new baby!! Congrats Kelly!
4. The medal.
5. The charity. Running for Rescues. Dogs dogs dogs. My house loves the dogs!!
6. My time – only missed my goal (per my MCM plan) by 48 seconds

The Bad
1. Newer shoes that I’m breaking in for Marine Corps. Found a bruise at the base of my Achilles tendon post-race. Need to figure out what to do
3. My time – missed my goal by 48 seconds.

The Ugly
1. This Hill. Mile 12.5 ya’ll.
2. Post-race crampy legs. Walking around helps
So, I really had to reach for the Bad and the Ugly cause this is really a well-run, fun, small race with a great family-like atmosphere

Except the Ugly. I really do hate that hill.