Dirt: Running is our newest tradition

Steve and I started having a Saturday morning date these past few weeks.

Both of us wanted to start getting a little variety in our exercise routines and wanted a fun way to have a date in our busy schedules of schlepping kids around and work.

We are about the same fitness level right now when it comes to trails, so that is good. Usually Steve kicks my bee-hind in most things athletic. He is a freak when it comes to fitness. There is not much I have not seen him pickup quickly, literally and figuratively. 

We have been hitting the trail so far. We live in a great town which is very close to lots of trail heads within about 20 minutes of our house. Chattanooga has more trails within 30 minutes of downtown than Boulder. Making us the king of trails. So,  no excuses. Steve and I are working our way to much harder trails. 

In the mean time, we park at Ruby Falls and run on the Guild Hardy Trail. 

The dogs, Steve and I all have a great time and it makes our busy weekend just that much easier. 

The trail run also is a great stress reducer in our marriage as well. Life is great after a run.

*This week, I stopped and smelled the roses and took some shots of the amazingness that is Chattanooga.

Gratituesday:

I had this whole funny snarky post planned for today, but instead I am posting about what is on everyone's lips and minds today.

Boston.

Or better yet, the peace that was shattered yesterday afternoon. I have no idea what would make someone hate, yes, hate humanity so much that it would allow them to be able to randomly kill and maim. I cannot wrap my mind around it.

via

As I watched the news yesterday to get my mind around what happened, I thought of two things.

The first was how many times I have crossed finish lines with my kids and husband watching and waiting, cheering me on. The thought of seeing them carrying me through the race.

The second was how hard those runners trained and how much they gave up just to be at "THE BOSTON" and how that closure of a year of training will  never happen.
 

Yes, the heartache of lives lost and maimed is horrific, much worse than not finishing a race, by far. But the gut punch of not finishing will always be there. The fear of wondering if your kids and spouse were alright must have been maddening and the panic would have almost made my heart stop.

I have stood with my kids and cheered Steve on and he has done the same. Big races, little races, it didn't matter. We have been there. The atmosphere around a race is so fun and addictive. The runners are high on finishing and the spectators are thrilled to be a part of that. A marathon is that times 1,000 and I am sure the Boston is that times a million. You are in the moment, cheering and celebrating others successes.

*But this time the atmosphere of love was shattered.
All the happiness,bombed. I will always pray, for Boston.





*This post was finished by my youngest daughter. I had more to say, and left it up on my computer  and found it finished. She summed it all up.

Exercise: My break is almost over

Running became an addiction for me for a few years.

I ran a 5k, then a 15k, a few 10ks and then a marathon.I over trained for the marathon and ended up injured about mile 16 and walked the last 10 with the thought of " It's only 10 more miles." My pre-runner self would have rolled her eyes.

 

After the marathon, I was really hooked. I started running every race in town, just for the shirt. For awhile, my favorite distance was half marathon. I even ran one with a broken toe in the rain! I ran the Ragnar Relay (twice!) I organized and was race director for a 5k which is still in existence here in Chattanooga. 

 

 

Running was my "thing" that I had searched for all my life.

 

 

Then, I started having knee problems and dreading having to go run to train for whatever race I had signed up for. Running became a chore.  So, I stopped cold turkey. Not running has been great. My knees don't hurt, I don't feel guilty that I am not running, and I have had the same shoes for a year! 

 

But, lately, I have started missing it. Maybe just a little. Especially on those days when it is warm and sunny. And when I see blonde women running with cute pink shoes. I feel the siren song. Just a little.

So, I set a date to return to "my thing". March 15th. A Friday, five days before the first day of spring, two days before Saint Patrick's day, two weeks before Good Friday. 

I will put on my new running shoes (I am looking for bright aqua!) and my new running shorts and hit the road. This time, however, I am not doing it for a shirt or a medal. I am doing it to be outside in the warm sunshine and for the love of running and sweating. 

 

Gratituesday: Legs that run

I have legs. 

Most people do. 

Mine are 41 years old and carrying me around pretty darn well.

For the last 7 years, they have carried me around at a faster pace than they had before.

I started running when I was 33 years old as a way to get into shape for a ski trip I was going on.

I ran a 5k, then a 15k three weeks later. The day after I finished that 15k, I registered for a marathon.

I got bit.

Now, I was extremely slow. The first race I did, I came in last.

The 15k I ran just under 15 minute miles. I walk faster than than now.

But, as I continued running, I got stronger and faster. 

I placed in a few races in my age group, climbing up to 2nd in one race.

But what I got most of is this. Confidence. 

I started believing I could do things that were athletic. I grew up not playing sports. I played outside a lot, climbing trees and making forts.  I never really learned swim strokes and definitely never dove. My family spent a lot of time outside as well, hiking all over the southwest. But I never played any sports other than youth group volley ball and kickball. 

In my twenties, I joined gyms and did step aerobics.

So, when I married my hyper active husband, I started having to do stuff. 

We rollerbladed all over St. Louis. We walked our dogs miles and miles to get ice cream. 

HE played roller hockey, ice hockey and was on a crew team. 

I watched.

Once my kids were born, I decided I want to be a fit mom.

One who can pick large things up and run after balls, kids, dogs, etc.

I also decided at 39 to be a better swimmer.

But at 33 is when I became an athlete. I trained for and ran a very painful marathon.

Since then I have run many 5k race, several 10k races and 5 half marathons. Last year I ran three legs of a race between Chattanooga and Nashville.

I fall in and out of love with running.  But I always come back. I like how I feel when I finish a run. I like how my mind wanders and my head clears when I am out running. I like that when I hit the gym,  can lift more than double my body weight and I have strong abs, all due to running. 

I am running my last relay race next month. My team is a fun group of misfits that all are runners. 

We share war stories of plantar faciitis, shin splints, dogs bites and best times.

All of us are athletes.

I am grateful for that first race I did and also for all the runs since. But mostly I am thankful for healthy legs which carry me around.

Exercise: I am not

I had gotten my butt back in gear this summer with my fabulous plan.

I dropped my kids off at their respective summer activities and then I strapped on my iPhone and went for a run. I averaged 4 very slow miles up and down Chattanooga's famous hills. I was doing great, feeling fine, getting my legs back. My knee was only bothering me on occasion and I was sweating like a beast. I didn't mind that it was 8:30 and 92 degrees. I just thought about running when it was cool.

 

 

 

 

I was back.

Then.

We started renovations and I started a new job.

Exercise became more sporadic. 

This week....

It died.

I was feeling guilty, but then I thought about it.

I can take a week (or 10 days) off and not fall off the wagon.

I can eat healthy and maintain my weight. (The real reason comes to light!)

So what, I am getting bat wings. 

Big deal,  I feel slug like. 

 

My life will not fall apart.

 

Unless....

 

I don't get back to it on Monday.