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! 

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.**

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.

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!

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!

How to choose what is right for you.

There are so many groups that one can choose from that a person must investigate and research.  Most groups will let you try them out before you join.  Be prepared to ask and answer-direct questions about training schedules.  You want to know up front if you have common expectations and a similar workout ethic. Do at least two trail runs before you commit to more.  You’ll know pretty quickly if the other person is positive and reliable.

Benefits of a group or partner.

For me being apart of the Road Warriors has given me a whole new group of friends.  I have the support that I need to increase my mileage and go faster, but most of all it gives me accountability.  I am responsible for not only showing up for practice, but also bringing a positive attitude.  As a new runner you need veteran runners to educate you about the runners rules.

I would like to invite you to RunGR if you live in an around Grand Rapids and “For the Run of Muskegon” if you live in Muskegon. I will have my first experience with RunGR this week., but my follow Road Warriors sing their praises.  ” For the Run of Muskegon ” is a new group  in Muskegon that is just trying to get people out of the door and exercising. Both of these groups can be found on Facebook. So get a partner or join a group you might fine that you will become a better runner.

Early on in the race, while telling me impressive stories on his running career, he stated, “Today, I will finally become a runner and not a racer”. This sort of shocked and confused me.  What in the world did he mean by that? During those next 16 miles running together, I would discover what he meant by those words…

Throughout this race, his response back to his family, spectators and other runners on course, was similar to one who would be running their their first race. Giving high fives, cheering on other racers, and waving at vehicles driving by.  He had a certain smile on his face, almost as if he had never smiled while running before.  When he could  tell that the inclines and wind were bothering me, he took on a mentor role and he’d remind me to relax, smile, and take it all in. He’d say, “Make sure you not worry about the outcome, just enjoy this”.  He stopped at every aid station, had his picture taken with the locals, and sampled the food goodies offered.  Comments like, “I can’t believe how great I feel” and “I don’t remember ever enjoying a race like this before” were made by him.  I could tell he was having the time of his life at that race.  I sure enjoyed seeing this elite runner discover a new part of running that he had never experienced before. I, on the other hand, can’t imagine just going through that sort of discovery now after all I have been through in my short 4 years of running. I’d like to remind you, that I consider myself a ‘zen runner’. When I loose that ‘feel good moment’, I tend to hold back.

Our training, as Fifth Third River Bank Road Warriors, is going to get pretty intense moving forward. So, I will learn to discover the racer inside me instead. As this transformation occurs, I will hopefully think back on this day when the racer became a runner.  To just be as optimistic as he was and to savor every moment on my journey to the finish line.. no matter how difficult it may get. May 12, 2012 will be here before we know it!

Finishing strong.. with a smile!

I’m a passionate person and when I take something on I throw myself into it 100%.  I learn all I possibly can about what I am doing so as not to be surprised when issues pop up.  I’m constantly asking questions, doing research, and trying to prepare myself to avoid the worst whether that is an injury, or training improperly, or whatever.

Enter Dwight, or as I am now calling him, Sensei.  Dwight is my partner in crime when it comes to all things Road Warrior related and he’s a “been there done that” kind of runner.  Whenever we get a chance to run together, I have yet another chance to interrogate him.  This past Saturday it was a chance to run in the worst weather we had ever encountered and for Sensei to give me a nugget of his wisdom.  I was running too fast during my long runs.

As Dwight explained, the idea of a long run is to let yourself get lost in it and to use it as a piece of your training to enable your body to adjust to long distances.  Running it fast, in all actuality, can be detrimental to your training and hinder your progress.  Wow.  Who’d a thunk it?  So instead of chugging out 7 miles on Saturday in some of the fugliest weather I’ve ever run in, we ended up doing a little over 8 miles at one of the slowest paces we’ve ever done together.  And yeah, the weather was still horrible but neither of us had ever run that far before – another PR for the both of us.

This brings me back to the whole being committed part.  I am committed enough to this program to buy the right gear to protect my body.  I am committed enough to grill my Sensei, and everyone else for that matter, for tips and tricks as to how I can train better for the Fifth Third River Bank Run 25K on May 12.  I am committed enough to drag my happy butt out of bed on a Saturday morning, get to the YMCA, and run in a snowstorm for just over 8 miles which froze my tush, my hair, my hat, my scarf, my thighs, I had to take off my glasses because I couldn’t see because of the snow on them, the ice/snowflakes were whipping into my face, my feet were soaked, and then some yahoo almost ran Dwight and I over when the car could have gone into the other lane.

Why am I this committed?  Because of you.  Over 200 people applied to be a Road Warrior.  I was chosen one of ten.  There are over 200 people who would pretty much kill to be in my wet and snowy shoes right about now.  This is bigger than me.  Whenever I want to stay in my warm bed instead of going on a long run, go home after work and be with my kids and husband instead of going to speed training, or not go out in that fine Michigan weather I think of you and how you would kick my butt to the curb to be in my place.  Yes, you inspire me to be a better person and to follow through on this adventure no matter what.

I promise to never let you down.  I promise to put everything I have into this experience.  I promise to blog about the good, the bad, and the ugly because this process isn’t all sunshine and roses.  I promise to do my best to let you live vicariously through me as I fully understand and appreciate the importance of the Road Warrior program.

Obsessed?  Maybe a little.  But you need to be a little obsessed to be a runner.  Committed?  You bet.  Thanks for the motivation.  I couldn’t do this without you.

And for those of you keeping track – the colonoscopy is scheduled for this Friday the 3rd.  Please say a little prayer and keep your fingers crossed that everything is A-OK.

Time Schedule

Oh, and don’t forget to donate a little to the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan, they are doing good work here and a little bit can go a long way!

Until next time, see you on the run!

In the spring of 2009 I weighed 360 pounds and my blood pressure was so high that I was basically a walking stroke waiting to happen.  I was reaping the results of years of laziness, indulgence and gluttony.  Then Elisabeth made her grand entrance.  I knew things had to change.  There she was, this little life for whom I was now responsible.  My life wasn’t mine any more.  I knew I had to make changes to ensure I was around to watch her grow up, to dance at her wedding and to help her terrorize her mother for years to come.

It took me two years of trying before I finally figured it out but she was always there, smiling and reminding me the reason I was here and why I should stick around. Now she wants to get involved.  She’s inserted herself into my post run routine.  When I walk in the door she knows it’s time for chocolate milk.  Once we’ve replenished our carb stores its time to stretch.  She’s always terribly concerned about how sweaty I am, never satisfied until my arms are dry and I’m “all better”.

She’s going to run her first race with me next month; a kids fun run at a February 5k.  It makes my heart leap at the thought of us sharing my new found passion for running, cycling and fitness.  She already has a permanent spot in the burley for my summer bike rides and it won’t be long before she’s riding her own bike alongside me.  I’ve also come to realize she inherited her father’s love for gear.

She will be three years old in May.  It’s been the fastest three years of my life.  I know some day I’m going to look back and despair at how fast my little girl grew up but for now I’m going to enjoy the journey.  I can’t imagine a better companion.

I love you baby girl!