Being a runner

In 2009 I decided to start running with a local running group.  I have never been a runner or really an athlete.  I grew up skinny, some say too skinny. I graduated high school at 101 lbs and that was only because a friend and I had a bet to see who could put on the most weight by graduation day. I know, I know many people say it isn't a big deal and they had the other problem; but I will say it sucks when people say you have an eating disorder or you don't get hired for a job because someone thinks you are too little to handle it.  Remember folks, everyones body is different.  Back to my point, I was active, but not an athlete. I was very clumsy.  I was good at falling and embarrassing myself, not being athletic. (Terry Johnston, you can tell stories all day I am sure.)
So here I am in my, cough, cough, 40's (early 40's...) and I decide to start running.  No big deal, right?  Haha.  I couldn't run a 5k (3. something miles) without stopping to walk.  I walked A LOT. I did it almost every week.  I wanted to be strong and fit. Not much happened. Guess what?  You have to run/walk more than 3 miles once a week....
Ok. So I decide I want to run 10 miles.  A challenge.  I had this friend and she signed up for a race, Iron Girl.  It sounded cool.  All girls 10 miles.  I can do this.  So I trained.  I ran 3 miles (5k) 3 times a week. I was able to run 5k without stopping to walk, but OMG I was exhausted!  How do people work out so much???  Those runners, they are lunatics!!  Anyway, I did this race, 10 miles.  I was hot and sweaty. I had my period and it sucked.  But it was fun.  Really fun!!  I was tired.  I ate a lot afterwards. I was exhausted and I napped. How do these "runners" manage?  It is so tiring to train and workout and race and go to work every day and make dinner etc, etc.  How do those people manage their lives?
After the race I was hooked.  I decided I could do it too.  I wanted to become a runner.  Now, HOW??
It is magical. A pill,  a secret.... Want to know what it is? Doing it.  That's it.  All you have to do is get out there. Once a week, twice or 3 times is better.  It will suck.  Sometimes it will suck tons.  Just go.  Find a friend.  Join an online group for accountability. Tell people what you are doing.
I have gone from not running a full 3 miles at once to easily running 10+ a day. 
You don't have to do that.  Do what you want. Find your goal, your rush. Walk, run, swim, bike, whatever you want to do. Whatever makes you feel good, alive and energized.
If I could do it I know anyone can.

My First Super Long Trail Run

This weekend was the test.  I have been training for my first 50 mile trail run. http://www.oldpueblo50.com/

This was my chance to test myself.  I had the opportunity to do a trail marathon "fun run" with a bunch of Ultra runners.  (I was allowed in!!  Yeah!!)  They even made sure I finished and someone even kept me company.  I made him tell me stories of his adventures all day while I huffed and puffed along...

Ok, let's start from the beginning:

I woke up at 5 and left my house at 5:45 to drive an hour to a trail head in the desert.  Spur Cross in Cave Creek, AZ.  It is beautiful desert out there.

I woke up and it was drizzling. Usually my wimp alert goes off.  This time I had to prove myself.  I drove out to the desert and parked my car, got out and met a bunch of new people. 

We started the run just after 7am. 26 miles of desert running, YAY!!  Usually, in our area this means loose rock with lots of climbing and descending.  This time it meant river crossings as well.  There were a few places with boards to cross the water.  There were several places where I actually had to GET IN THE WATER!! It was fantastic!!

The whole day was like that; water, mud, fog, rain, rocks, climbing and descending. It was truly a wonderful experience.  At the end of it all (8 hours later--I know, I know, I am not fast.) I proved to myself that I WILL be able to do a 50 miler.  I wasn't terribly sore.  I was tired and hungry, but I did it.

If I can do it, anyone can.  It is true. It takes time, patience and training but you can do it too.

I would love to hear your stories.  GO!

Robert promoting

Look at the FOG!!

Travis our aid station- he was great!

Me with my new friend Robert

Good Morning Camelback

Today I did one of my favorite road runs. 56th st and Camelback.  It is a few nice loops with a bit of climbing (2000 ft over 12 miles). The weather was nice 45 degrees.  That beats 20 degrees last week.
I love living in AZ.  I can't believe I survived MI the first 24 years of my life...sooo cold.

Hello from me!! 

Isn't it lovely?

Lately my friends who have run with me have run in shifts.  They are all training for marathons or triathlons and don't need quite the mileage, but they fit me in anyway.  I am so lucky to know such awesome people!  Thanks Mandi, Christy, Amy, Abby, Michelle, Sharon, Julie, Tyler, Erin, Jake, Ginger, Courtney, Lesley...am I forgetting anyone??

Bottom line, today was a great run with lot's of people to talk to along the way.  KISSES to you!

A Mountain

Got up and got it done today!  10.5 miles.  ( My goal is still to average 15 miles per run.)  Did some hills.  A Mountain.  I love this run.
http://connect.garmin.com/dashboard?cid=13299029
A nice flat run with climbing in the middle and back to flat.  A beauty. Today it was dark, but in the summer you get to watch the sun rise over Phoenix.  I love it.

Putting on the Miles

I only have a month and a half before my first 50 mile race. http://www.oldpueblo50.com/ I am excited and nervous.  Check out the vertical feet on this baby!
It is pretty much all I think about lately.  I am pretty sure people get sick of hearing me talk about it... oh well, it is a big part of my life right now so suck it up friends!!
Motivation is still difficult.  I am getting used to spending hours by myself just running.  (It is still easier with a buddy, but well, I have to get over that!! :)
I am part of the Altra Zero Drop Ambassador program.  Woot woot!!  I am legit.  Check out the link below.
 http://www.altrazerodrop.com/
It is pretty exciting!!
Now off to bed so I can get up and do a nice run tomorrow. Nice 12 miles, flat for 4 with hills in the middle and flat at the end.  YUM!