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A Weekend of Non-Race Results

I swear I read on the pamphlet that the kids’ race started at 9am. I’ve had it written in ink in my calendar for months, since I reserved Peanut’s spot right when registration opened.

I get a call from my mom. Where are you? The five-year-olds are already lining up. Peanut is 5. Oh noooo! It’s 8:30 and the races have already begun. I race down the street and will the lights to turn green with my razor-sharp glare. We pull up and the 6-year-olds are already starting to run. Peanut is crying real sincere tears in the backseat as I share the news with him that we missed his race.

Peanut and I rush out of the car and run toward the crowds, my pregnant belly not holding me back yet. We race up just in time to see the 7-year-olds lining up. His cousin is in this group, so we’ll see about sneaking him in. I get Peanut in line to run and I race over to the registration booth to grab Peanut’s race bib. Without enough time to pin it on, I tell him to just hold it in his hands.

The whistle blows and the 7-year-olds and one 5-year-old bolt across the pavement. The route for 7-year-olds is quite a bit longer than the route for 5-year-olds, but Peanut holds his own. He even manages to pass a few little runners. With his height, he doesn’t even look the least bit out of place.

I meet him at the finish line, and the huge smile on his face as he shows me his medal helps me to feel a little less guilty. I high-five him and give him all the accolades about keeping up with the big kids. His daddy calls and gives him a virtual fist bump from work. He’s happy and proud and smiling. And that’s what truly matters.

Sunday morning, Hubster and I are signed up to run the corresponding 5k. I also signed us up way back when registration opened. I pick up our race packets after Peanut’s run and set out all our gear for the next morning. Being pregnant and tired, I plan on walking for most of the race, which suits my unconditioned Hubster just fine.

But Saturday night turned out to be the very epitome of “April showers.” April showers that didn’t relent for one second. April showers that filled our backyard like a built-in pool. The rains went well into the night and we prepared ourselves for what happens nearly every spring.

Hubster set up camp on the couch, checking and adjusting the pumps every half hour. I pulled a pump-watching shift from about 1-3am since I couldn’t sleep anyway and Hubster needed a break. The encroaching waters and the perceived threat on our garage and eventually our basement left me feeling wide awake in the middle of the night.

Toward 6am, the rains finally let up and the backyard drainage was actually getting somewhere. We were finally starting to feel that exhaustion seep in as the water finally seeped out. Sleep was much more needed than the gratification of finishing the race. Yes, the race is one of our family traditions, but so is pumping out our spring-fed backyard I guess, so we’re even. Ha. We’ll run again next year.

This morning we woke up to snow on top of our spring floods. It was like a cruel, yet beautiful-looking joke. With our natural northern instinct, we brush off our vehicle windows, pull out the snow pants again, and pretend like the snow will just vanish by the end of the day, hoping against hope that 70-degree weather will be in the forecast for next week again, yet knowing in the back of our minds that snow is possible well into May.

How was your weekend?

It’s OK to be a Runner and Not Race

It’s OK to be a runner and NOT want to sign up for races!
— Jessica Collins (@BounSee_Jess) September 24, 2013

I posted this on Twitter this week and realized that I wanted to take this a little deeper. What was a passing thought quickly turned into an essay:

photo P4211452_zpsc8898ff8.jpg

It’s OK to be a runner and not want to sign up for races.

As of right now, I have no real burning desire to run a marathon. I think marathons are amazing and people that finish them deserve accolades. And if you’re an ultrarunner, you’re my hero. But I have no burning desire to do so myself.

For one, it can be really expensive to pay all those race fees. Yes, they usually go to a good cause, but it can be expensive to budget for a small family. For another, I am not the most competitive person. I will compete with myself, and I’m sure the thrill of coming in first, second or third place would be phenomenal, but it just isn’t me. The extra time on Saturdays that it took to train for my Half Marathon would be pretty brutal right now. But even though these are legitimate reasons, they seem like petty excuses in the bigger picture…

I want to run faster, I want to get stronger, I want to run with better form and I’m constantly researching ways to do so, but I don’t feel like I need a race to prove it or to motivate me. I’m pretty strongly self-motivated most of the time, so I don’t need a race to push me. And I don’t need the ends to justify the means. I don’t need a better race score to justify the time I’m putting into running better. Maybe I just want to run better. I want to stretch myself in my own way, not the competitive way.

I am a simple runner. I don’t own any compression socks, nor do I regularly buy gel packs or fancy schmancy gear. I just have a pair of JC Penney running shoes and the road. It’s not that I don’t find value in that type of gear or that I’d never use them, I just prefer to do without them most of the time. I like to keep things simple. To just run and not think about it too much.

Everyone who becomes a runner seems to morph into a marathoner, doesn’t it seem that way? But what if I don’t want to? I just enjoy the thrill of the run, the distance and the experience of it. It doesn’t make me any less of a runner that I don’t have more medals hanging on my wall. I finished a Half Marathon once, and it was such a thrill to accomplish, but that’s been enough for me. I think races are a great way to change your routine and set out to achieve new goals. I love the sound of thousands of feet on the pavement and the electric energy and camaraderie at races. But I don’t think it’s necessary to be considered a “real” runner only if you pound out race after race.

And I always want running to be fun, not a chore that I have to accomplish four days per week with cross-training every other day. I want to decide to take a 13 mile run one day even if it has nothing to do with a training schedule. And I want to decide to take just a 3-miler when the sun is setting, just because. And I want to bodybuild just a little and try out Barre and so many other fitness methods without worrying about how it will affect my running pace or training schedule. I already know that I have the discipline to follow a running plan, because I’ve done that before. I don’t feel the need to prove that again and again to myself or anyone else.

I am a fitness blogger and I’d love to be a running coach alongside being a personal trainer. But I think that the fact that I’ve only finished a handful of 5ks and a Half Marathon shouldn’t strip me of my clout. I have a genuine desire to be a better runner and I want to make better runners or just plain runners out of others, and that should be enough. I just plain want to help.

I just love running for running’s sake.

I am a runner.
I am not really a racer.
And that’s enough.

It’s OK to be a Runner and Not Race

It’s OK to be a runner and NOT want to sign up for races!
— Jessica Collins (@BounSee_Jess) September 24, 2013

I posted this on Twitter this week and realized that I wanted to take this a little deeper. What was a passing thought quickly turned into an essay:

photo P4211452_zpsc8898ff8.jpg

It’s OK to be a runner and not want to sign up for races.

As of right now, I have no real burning desire to run a marathon. I think marathons are amazing and people that finish them deserve accolades. And if you’re an ultrarunner, you’re my hero. But I have no burning desire to do so myself.

For one, it can be really expensive to pay all those race fees. Yes, they usually go to a good cause, but it can be expensive to budget for a small family. For another, I am not the most competitive person. I will compete with myself, and I’m sure the thrill of coming in first, second or third place would be phenomenal, but it just isn’t me. The extra time on Saturdays that it took to train for my Half Marathon would be pretty brutal right now. But even though these are legitimate reasons, they seem like petty excuses in the bigger picture…

I want to run faster, I want to get stronger, I want to run with better form and I’m constantly researching ways to do so, but I don’t feel like I need a race to prove it or to motivate me. I’m pretty strongly self-motivated most of the time, so I don’t need a race to push me. And I don’t need the ends to justify the means. I don’t need a better race score to justify the time I’m putting into running better. Maybe I just want to run better. I want to stretch myself in my own way, not the competitive way.

I am a simple runner. I don’t own any compression socks, nor do I regularly buy gel packs or fancy schmancy gear. I just have a pair of JC Penney running shoes and the road. It’s not that I don’t find value in that type of gear or that I’d never use them, I just prefer to do without them most of the time. I like to keep things simple. To just run and not think about it too much.

Everyone who becomes a runner seems to morph into a marathoner, doesn’t it seem that way? But what if I don’t want to? I just enjoy the thrill of the run, the distance and the experience of it. It doesn’t make me any less of a runner that I don’t have more medals hanging on my wall. I finished a Half Marathon once, and it was such a thrill to accomplish, but that’s been enough for me. I think races are a great way to change your routine and set out to achieve new goals. I love the sound of thousands of feet on the pavement and the electric energy and camaraderie at races. But I don’t think it’s necessary to be considered a “real” runner only if you pound out race after race.

And I always want running to be fun, not a chore that I have to accomplish four days per week with cross-training every other day. I want to decide to take a 13 mile run one day even if it has nothing to do with a training schedule. And I want to decide to take just a 3-miler when the sun is setting, just because. And I want to bodybuild just a little and try out Barre and so many other fitness methods without worrying about how it will affect my running pace or training schedule. I already know that I have the discipline to follow a running plan, because I’ve done that before. I don’t feel the need to prove that again and again to myself or anyone else.

I am a fitness blogger and I’d love to be a running coach alongside being a personal trainer. But I think that the fact that I’ve only finished a handful of 5ks and a Half Marathon shouldn’t strip me of my clout. I have a genuine desire to be a better runner and I want to make better runners or just plain runners out of others, and that should be enough. I just plain want to help.

I just love running for running’s sake.

I am a runner.
I am not really a racer.
And that’s enough.

Weekly Workout Rundown

photo 0e340d3e-62ba-4e55-9f4a-7258f16cd99a_zps3484b587.jpg
Monday:
Tuesday:
  • 30 min AM run, 2.13mi, 393 calories
  • 30 min casual walk at lunch
Wednesday:
Thursday:
  • Rest
Friday:
Saturday:
  • Rest
Sunday:
  • 5k race, 29:11 official race time
You’ll notice I tapered a bit toward the end of last week. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t tight and sore before running the 5k on Sunday. It worked! The run was amazing–though pretty dang cold even for being in Wisconsin. You can read about the 5k and my Peanut’s first official run in yesterday’s post.
This week, I’m so beyond excited to be starting the Tone It Up Bikini Series, I can hardly stand it. The official kickoff email came out this morning. This year, I’m actually a member of the nutrition plan, so I will even qualify for all the amazing prizes. I can’t wait to hear what the grand prize is.
If you don’t know about them yet, be prepared to have your mind blown. Tone It Up is the most amazing community of women who are either already addicted to fitness or are about to be. Their business and community model is something to aspire to, especially for a fitness professional. Right now, I’m busy getting the details down on paper, marking down my plans, and filling in my calendar. I will have a post soon about how I plan out my days, from workouts to blogging to family schedules, in my planner. Stay tuned for that.
If you haven’t already signed up for the Bikini Series, head over here pronto. You’ll even get this free kickoff printable with recipes and workouts:
BIKINI-SERIES-Tone-It-Up-Bikini-Series
Anyone else signing up for the bikini series challenge? Anyone else as excited as I am?

Welcome to the Running Community

I wish the whole world could be a big version of running events. Have you ever seen how awesome people are at 5ks and other events? Even the winners come back and cheer on those that are bringing up the tail end. Everyone’s automatically amiable those days. And at the end, everyone gets to revel in the feeling of having accomplished something.

I never really was a runner until my later college years. One day, I just decided to enter a Half Marathon. I mean, usually people start a little smaller. But not me! And boy am I glad I did. My second run was a measly cross-country 3-mile run in hot, humid temperatures. I always say, if that had been my first run, I would’ve given up road racing right then and there. But the Half was one of the best experiences of my life. People were cheering at every corner the whole 13.1 miles. It felt like I was partying inside a huge celebration.

If you’re thinking about entering an upcoming race, I encourage you to go for it! To help you decide, I’ve listed my most favorite parts about running road races:

1. You get a nice solid run in on a Saturday before most people have even rolled out of bed.

2. The quiet sound of thousands of feet on the pavement! I wish I had a recording of this so I could use it for meditation. Yes, it’s truly that amazing!

3. You get some fun swag and usually a free T-shirt.

4. The amazing people who come out that early just to wave flags, direct traffic, ring cowbells and encourage runners. I need some of these people in my life every day. Imagine how much we could all get done with that level of enthusiasm and encouragement!

5. Vendors selling last year’s shoe models for less than a cheap meal!

6. The feeling of community. No one cares how fast you are or what you’re wearing, you just automatically belong. You’re all there to run and encourage each other and that feeling of connection is amazing.

7. Water stations. I love them. People volunteer to just stand with their arms out to hand you a cup of water or Gatorade. Such a gracious act. And you totally have permission to litter afterward!

I’m sending in a 5k application today for my husband and I. It’s become one of my dearly favorite yearly tradition with us. We plan on making running dates from now until April. How sweet is that?

The New Charity “Race”

I just had a great idea for an invention I thought I’d share. Not so much a physical invention as an inventive idea. There are so many charity runs and only so many ways to switch those up (run a 5k night, taste beer along the way, etc). Why not do some sort of contest where you dedicate the pounds you intend to lose to a charity or worthy cause? You make some sort of pledge or solicit pledges for each pound lost. It would totally make sense to “donate your pounds” to premature babies in the ICU. This would be a great addition to a company wellness program or a gym promotion. Just a thought…

A run is a run is a run…or not!

I recently had a conversation with someone who was bothered by the time she achieved on a 5k run. It was her PW: personal worst. When you think about it though, there are so many factors that contribute to each and every run that the times may sometimes say little more than how you were doing on that particular day. Next time you come in last place on your own scale, think about all the factors that contribute to your run and try not to get discouraged when you fall behind your PR. After all, you are running, which is a huge accomplishment in itself, and you’re probably running for a very worthy cause. A big pat on the back!

Some of the many factors that determine the speed of your run are:

1. Weather: anything from temperature to humidity levels to wind intensity all affect speed and stamina.

2. Shoes: if they’re not properly fitted, older or even brand-new, the shoes you wear running impact your comfort level and ability to speed.

3. Posture: some days may be better than others. I know that if I don’t mentally check in with my shoulders, abs, ankles and foot bottoms, I don’t run as well.

4. Breathing: holding breath or taking too short of breaths can sometimes knock the stamina right out of you.

5. Outfit: is your sports bra too loose; are your polyester shorts trapping too much heat; are your socks rubbing; do your ipod ear buds keep falling out of your ears? Some attire nuisances are bothersome enough to slow you down.

6. What you’ve eaten: Whether you hit the taco bar the night before or skip breakfast on race day, what you do or don’t put into your body can either fuel it or slow it down.

7. Exertion in the days preceding: There is a reason for tapering just as there’s reason for building endurance. If you don’t follow the guidelines, you’ll feel it.

8. Terrain: Each race takes you from one city or route to the next, and none are the same. Obviously hills and rougher roads are going to chip a few minutes off your best time.

9. Sleep patterns: if you don’t sleep well in the days before the race, you’re probably going to run out of steam. Sleep is essential for healing and energy. Skip the shut-eye and you’ll probably fall behind.

My message to you is: Kudos for taking up running and supporting local charities! And don’t be so hard on yourself when your strides don’t meet your version of personal perfection. There are so many elements that factor into your pace that it’s best if you just take in the sights and sounds and enjoy yourself!

Married to a Potato

Well, I used to be a potato too, a couch potato that is. I never really had a very active upbringing aside from dreaded gym classes and recreational volleyball and softball. So, I completely understand the “Potato Mentality.” I picked up a fitness habit around 2001 and have stuck with it ever since. I later added the healthy eating part of the equation, and still work on this part to this day.

The trouble is, my husband is a true couch potato. There are noticeable markings on the area of the couch where he always sits indicating that he spends a lot of time there. This can be very discouraging. It’s also difficult, when you understand the high value of healthy habits, watching your partner not take care of themselves. It’s difficult when you don’t have the same goals and you feel as if you’re missing out on having the perfect workout buddy.

There’s a difference though between acquiring your partner’s participation and acquiring his support. My husband has always supported my fitness habits. True, there was a time when he offered me an unhealthy serving of cake right after I worked out, but for the most part, he’s very supportive. Just two days ago, I was on the treadmill for maybe 10 minutes when I turned if off and said “I just can’t do this tonight.” He encouraged me, well…nearly demanded, that I get back on. It worked! I stayed on for a full 35 minutes and felt much better afterwards. So, the support is very important. You need only ask.

By being a role model, perhaps one day you will inspire your significant other to begin their own healthy habits. You can offer little nudges, perhaps by showing them interesting articles you’ve read or relaying other tidbits. My husband has an injured back, so when I come across articles about how exercising decreases back pain, I like to gently remind him of how he could “cure” himself or at least feel better, which he is understandably highly receptive to. Also, hearing it from a source other than me improves the likelihood that it will get through, but that’s a whole different story. Just please promise you won’t nag! This will make health-ifying that much more of a chore for your partner. And it’s a very private, personal choice that a person has to make for themselves.

Aside from being encouraging, maybe you are able to control the weekly menu to help your partner at least in the diet arena. Find a healthy cookbook that remakes some of your partner’s favorites. You need not mention what you’ve done lest they refuse the food on principle. Some secrets really are healthy!

The good news is, my husband has agreed to run a 5k with me in April. Well ok, maybe he’ll walk it with me, but that’s a wonderful change either way. It seems he has been finding more and more excuses to walk and fit in extra exercise. So, I signed the registration, sent in the money, and smiled at the thought of crossing the finish line with my new fitness buddy.