Fear

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I’ll admit it, I’m scared.  I’m scared for a bunch of reasons.  The colonoscopy is tomorrow – will they find something?  The last one happened 5 years ago, they found a polyp, and this is the reason I’m on the 5-year plan.  I’m terrified of the prep work with good reason to be.  The last time was plain old violent.  That is the only word I can use to describe it – violent.  And now there are two small children running about our house when last time there were none.  Granted, I have a wonderful husband who will be corralling them; but, as a parent it breaks your heart to be in that situation and not be able to help with the day-to-day stuff.

The Two Skraelings

 

I’m afraid I’m not cross-training enough which leads to me thinking I won’t be ready in May for the big day.  Once again, enter the two Skraelings (thanks to my brother-in-law for that word) who take up a big chunk of my time and leave me with little to nothing left outside of training.  Dave (the dear husband) has picked up my slack as I train for the Fifth Third River Bank Run but the poor guy can only be a single dad so long.

Those are the two biggest fears I have going on right now in my life and as I ran on the track this morning at the YMCA I had an epiphany – why am I so darn afraid of the unknown?  Can I control any of it?  Yes.  Can I do something about it?  Yes.  What do I do with the part I can’t control?  Let it go.

While I was pounding out repeats on the treadmill I thought, “Time to choke the life out of this useless waste of energy and focus.”  So here I go.  I can do what my doctor says with my prep work today and trust the nurse who told me my previous prep 5 years ago was RECALLED!  Recalled?  Seriously?  You mean to tell me the hell I went through was avoidable?  Nice.  So, the power of me and a bunch of other people telling their doc the day of the procedure that the prep was unbelievably horrible made a difference?  YAHOO!  With a change in focus and attitude I’m looking forward to see what the unknown has in store for me at 5pm.  No matter what, it really can’t be any worse than last time.

As for the actual procedure and what the outcome will be, I can’t focus on that.  I have no idea what they will/won’t find.  It’s a waste of time and energy to focus on the negative and what COULD happen.  Heck, I COULD get in a car accident on the way there and never make it to the appointment.  Am I going to focus on that either?  Nope.  Focus on what I can change and that definitely isn’t something I have any control over.

Onto the training part.  I can control this one.  If I’m so darn worried then I need to do something about it.  I’ve asked coaches Amy and Mike about running more than 3 times per week.  Both have said that I’m okay with what I’m doing right now.  Do ya hear that fear?  I’M OKAY!  When it comes to cross-training I need to step it up.  What can I do to get in another workout without it affecting my family.  How about you get your butt outta bed earlier, Kristen?  Sound good?  Another sacrifice on my end but it’s because this is the path I have chosen.  This is about me and what I want/need to do.  This shouldn’t effect my family so much that I put our relationship in jeopardy.

So, in the end I guess it’s how you address your fears.  Personally, I like to face them head on with a gleam in my eye daring them to hit me.  May not be your style or the smartest way to do things, but it’s my way.  I’ll keep you updated on how the procedure goes at 8:30am tomorrow.  If you can, say a few prayers for me as I’ll take as many as I can get.  I may be crazy but I’m not stupid.

Think about your fears, what you are in control of, and how you could possibly get rid of those fears.  Holding onto that negative thinking can eat you alive, destroy your health, and turn you into a different person.  I highly encourage you to let them go and control what you can.  I know I’m a much happier and healthier person when I do.  I would love to see you and meet you at the public training run this Saturday at the David D. Hunting YMCA downtown.  There will be a clinic on injury prevention at 7:20am and the run at 8am.

Tomorrow’s procedure?  BRING IT!  ;-)

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Let’s Go Brown Team!

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One of my favorite things to do on Tuesday nights is to come home after RunGR speed work and watch The Biggest Loser.  It’s one of the few reality T.V. shows I’ll actually admit to watching.  I got hooked a couple of years ago and love to watch the transformation each new season’s contestants undergo.  It’s amazing to watch them struggle through a mile on their very first day and then watch some of them complete a marathon by the end of the season.  It makes me emotional every single time.  I’ve trained for a marathon before and it is hard work.  These people do it in a much shorter time span than I had and their accomplishment blows me away.   

I’ve been even more invested this season as I know one of the contestants.  Buddy, from the Brown team, was a teacher of mine and youth group leader when I was in high school.  He’s a loving husband and father who has made the choice to get healthy for his family.  This whole season is focused on no longer making excuses for unhealthy, destructive lifestyles.  Buddy has made a decision to stop the excuses and make a change.  Even leaving the Ranch for the birth of his son didn’t stand in his way.  He went home and managed to lose 10 pounds.  He continues to kick some major butt week after week and it has been so exciting and inspiring to watch.  I can’t wait to see what the upcoming episodes have in store.  To learn more about Buddy’s story click here.

I tell you about Buddy because I want you to be encouraged to get out and make a change.  Maybe you don’t have a 250 pound weight loss staring you down, but you know there are some things you could be doing differently.  It’s not always easy but it’s also never too late.  What are some old habits you’d like to kick?  What are some new goals, big or small, you would like to achieve in the upcoming months?  How about starting this Saturday at 7:20 AM at the Fifth Third River Bank Run injury prevention clinic followed by a couple mile run at 8:00AM?  Both are at the David D. Huntington YMCA.  Hope to see you there!

**This year my fellow teammate, Cozy and I are raising funds for the American Red Cross.  Click here to find out how you can help support.**

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“Shin Splints Are Gone,” or “Just in Time.”

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2012 is off to a great start.  If you’ve followed me, you remember me talking about what I ate over the holidays.  Thankfully, this year I didn’t gain any weight.  But, over Christmas and New Year’s, I was experience some crazy pain in my left shin, and my legs generally were feeling a bit heavier during most of my runs.  I attribute this to two things.  The first is that we were doing a lot of running on the track at the YMCA.  Now, don’t get me wrong, the track is a great thing…easy to know how far you’ve run, warmer than outside, no ice, etc.  But, you’re constantly turning…the same direction…over and over again.  I wasn’t used to this, and I think it started to mess with my shins and then some in my ankles.  I also think my diet was so messed up that my muscles weren’t getting the things they needed to function properly.

Now, I don’t know the science behind all of the nutrition stuff.  But, I know that during January I’ve been very conscious of my diet.  I’ve used an online tool called My Fitness Pal to track my calories every day.  I’m paying careful attention to getting the right number of carbs vs. proteins vs. fats.  Most of my runs are now outside on the streets and sidewalks.  I think the combination of diet and no longer running in circles on the track has helped me to get past the shin splints and foot/ankle pain because it’s no longer there.  And, as an added bonus, I lost a little bit of weight in January.  I wasn’t trying to, but when you stop making regular lunch stops at One Stop Coney Shop, it makes a difference.  At any rate, I’m carrying a little bit less weight, my body is getting the nutrition it needs, and the shin splints are gone…just in time for the training to pick up significantly.

 

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Speed and Hills

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Wow, what a crazy winter we’re having! Thermal tights, jackets, and heavy gloves one day, and shorts and short sleeves 2 days later? If this is Global Warming – I’ll take it. These conditions have made for favorable training and I hope you’ve had a chance to get out there and take advantage!

How is your training going? Are you running in a way that will bring success in May? Ideally you should be running at least 3-4 times per week to finish The Fifth Third River Bank Run comfortably, and most of these workouts should have some kind of goal. Currently the Road Warrior Team is running one hill workout, one speed workout, and their long run together each week as well as once or twice on their own.

Running at different speeds and on varying terrain keeps the body from becoming used to one pace, thereby overall fitness is constantly improved as it tries to adapt. Running shorter although high intensity workouts improve cardio vascular fitness, hills build power and endurance. Pair these together with 1 longer easier paced run per week and you have a good formula for success.

You don’t have to be a track star to benefit from a speed workout either, and anyone can do them. Once a week after a short warm up, try running close to as fast as you can for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Or if you don’t have a watch, run from one telephone pole to the next fast and then slow down and run easy to the next pole. Repeat the process 4-6 times and add time or distance as your fitness improves. These types of runs are called fartleks, fun to say annnd do.

Hills also serve as an ally in a good training regimen. There are several from about mile 9.5 to 12 on the 25K course, but if you prepare properly they are actually not that bad. For one workout per week find a hill in your area that takes approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute to run to the top. Then practice running fast up the hill and easy for recovery on the way back down. Repeat this process 4-6 times and every week, add one repeat until you get to 12.

This coming Saturday (Feb 4th) we have another public training run from the David D Hunting YMCA at 8:00 a.m. Before that there will be a clinic on avoiding injury at 7:20 a.m. Both of these events are free and open to the public. If you haven’t yet seen the hills I am talking about on the back of the 25K course, now might be a good time to come out and investigate.

Hope to see you there!

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Reality Check

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“Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.” — Gilda Radner
 
The last few weeks for me have been filled with what I will call “grumpy running” moments. From having the seasonal head cold to running in 10 degrees and negative windchills there were days I literally had to force myself out the door to run. I am ashamed to admit it but some days I was just plain angry that I had to run.

 

That all changed last Tuesday when I was reminded of the real reason why I’m training for this years Fifth Third River Bank Run.

Along with the many wonderful benefits I’ve received as a Fifth Third River Bank Run Road Warrior, the greatest gift I have been given is being paired with Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids as the charity that I will work with to raise money and awareness for. I knew of Gilda’s and had a general awareness of the services they provided but I never really understood the magnitude of what goes on in that beautiful farmhouse on the hill on Bridge Street until I took the opportunity to take a tour and learn more.

When you walk throught the doors of Gilda’s Club you immediately feel like you are walking into your own home. It’s a very peaceful, friendly environment complete with a kitchen, quiet sitting rooms, a resource library, beautiful dining room, and even a giant play area called “Noogieland” for the kiddos. There is always something going on at Gilda’s and this is evident by their schedule of activities provided to members. Knowing what I know now about Gilda’s renewed my energy to work diligently to support them in keeping their signature red doors open for years to come.

Take it from experience. Running has many benefits associated with it but for me running for a greater purpose makes the whole experience even more gratifying.

If you are commited to running in the Fifth Third River Bank Run this year or are still contemplating it why not be a part of a team? I am looking for runners/walkers of all levels to join Team Gilda’s. Some benefits of running for Team Gilda’s:

  • Fundraising webpage to e-mail to friends, family and co-workers, with personal support to set-up your page
  • Complimentary Dry-wick Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids Team t-shirt for individuals who raise $500 or more and recruit 5 runners
  • Complimentary Cotton t-shirt for individuals who raise $100 or more
  • Race week pre-race team dinner
  • Event day charity booth with gear check, massages and refreshments just for Team Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids
  • The thrill of knowing you are supporting so many families in our community living with cancer and grief

Here is a link to my Active Giving Page. Simply click ‘Become a Fundraiser’ and select my Team Name ‘Alisha’s Runner’s For Gilda’s' from the Join A Team drop down menu OR create your own fundraising team! If you are unable to physically participate please thoughtfully consider a donation of your financial support.

Join me in helping Team Gilda’s be a huge success at this years 35th Anniversary of the Fifth Third River Bank Run. Be a part of it!

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