Evaporating

Time, that elusive thing that I wish I had more of and never seem to hold on to. I look at my last entry and realize I need to catch up. I don't want this to be a good intentions gone a stray. However, just as time evaporates so do the details of things if not written down. At least that is how my mind works, or should I say, doesn't work.

So to keep myself true to this blog and my cause I will pull back from my memory the past week's running. I'm slowly increasing my miles to reach a level of around 35 miles per week before I start serious marathon training in July. Last week my total was 17.75 miles and this week I'm finishing off at 24.28 miles.

On Thursday 10 May I had a most enjoyable almost 10k run with quite a few hills thrown in for good measure. My legs are still recovering a bit and I do feel some soreness on the uphills in my thighs, but with lots of stretching I'm working them out.

Saturday 12 May was great to get out early and find the quiet of running down some of the back roads a change from the busy major roads. I can't seem to escape the busy roads as I wait to cross over after descending from the village. My breathing is good, but I find that only after 2.5 miles my legs are getting tired and my stamina is weakening. I find myself walking for a minute or two and collect my thoughts and remind my body that I am only running around 6 miles and can find the strength to pick up the pace. The feet listen and off I am again. The final run up the hill to home feels good and I actually have the same pace as Thursday for a shorter distance.

Sunday 13 May is something different. The Women's Running Network that I also belong to has organized a morning run. It's to be off road and out in the countryside. I am so looking forward to this change of scene and the group run. Just about all of my running is solo so having the opportunity to run with others is a nice change. The run originates in the small village of Scorton and takes in some country roads as well as public footpaths through the fields. There are about 15 of us with various skill levels. We run in the shade of a river bed, out in open farmer's fields making sure the livestock keep well away. I'm loving wearing my trail shoes again. It's been too long since they got mucked up! The distance is about 5.5 miles and we finish it off with a downhill to the village and gather in the local tea shop for a morning pickup.

Looking over the week it was an enjoyable mix of running places, surfaces and time of day. My body is still reminding me to not over do, to keep slowly bringing the miles up but take those rest days as needed. I do plan rest into my weeks to give these sometimes over used muscles a bit of recovery time.

Finding the time to get the runs in each day, each week don't seem to be a problem. I am now just so used to getting out there and enjoying myself. It's the writing the experiences down that seems to elude me. Therefore, my next blog will be the catch up of another week. I don't want the memories to evaporate any further.

Turning It Around

So much can happen in the span of a few minutes. The best laid plans can be blown apart like leaves scattered in a fierce wind. My plans for Tuesday were to run with the Women’s Group. A nice change of pace from my usual solitary training runs. I look forward to the social as well as recreational side to these evenings.

All looked great for getting to the meeting location in plenty of time, until…..
It seems that when it hits spring around here that’s the signal for just about every road to be ripped apart causing traffic delays. That’s what befell me and the over a mile long line of slowly moving cars made it obvious that I would not make the start time for the run.

Returning to home was the plan, and that is what I did. It would have been so easy to just leave the run for the next day, settle in for the evening and call the entire night a wash. I was tempted, but with my husband’s encouragement I went out for a run of my own.

The rain had eased, the air was fresh and the temps were cool. It was 7:30pm once I got going and the evening had the start of a golden glow. The girl football teams were having a practice match on the upper field and the valley on the other side of the road had a smokiness from the evening clouds.

The run was quick, a 5k, my legs felt strong, and my breathing relaxed and focused. No other runners were out. I was surprised at the stamina and buzz even on the uphill. The last dash home was an all out burst. It was a great evening to be running. I’m really glad that despite the disappointment at the start of the evening, it all turned around for a great end.

Voices That Carry

It's a Bank Holiday Monday today and that means no work. The clouds are allowing the sun a bit of room but just a bit to not make it totally a cotton wool sky. Traveling light today with just my watch and iPod. Keeping the music a tad lower to let my mind slip in and out of the miles and not let the music determine all of my pace.
This is a more relaxed run of 4 miles around very familiar roads. Traffic is light and my mind drifts to thinking about people. I recall an editoral in one of the runner's mags about how when at the London Marathon Expo the Editor was offering the mag at a discount to folks. He was struck by the many who refused the offer by saying, "I'm not an athlete".
There was a time when I didn't consider myself an athlete. Well, to be honest, for a very LONG time I didn't consider myself an athlete. Ya see, my concept of an athlete was one of those speed demons and gangly legged men and women I had wached on the sports shows on Sunday afternoon TV as a kid. They were the ones on the Olympics who were pushing themselves toward perfection. I didn't look like them, have the same drive as they, or attained anywhere near the same level of achievement, or even have the outward conscious desire to. My mind told me I wasn't an athlete.
But all of that changed. Sometime during those first few months of running back in 2004 I became an athlete. I no longer listened to those voices in my mind saying how I didn't match up to the perceived image of an athlete. I began setting goals, training for races, and pushing myself further to reach even newer goals. Now I say to those who question if I fit the definition; a person trained in exercises requiring physical strength, skill, stamia, speed, Yes, I AM an athlete.
Those kids on the Marathon courses that want to high 5 us runners coming by see us as athletes, no matter what our speed. They want to be a part of what we are doing, they want for an instant to feel what we are feeling. Their cheers are the voices we carry along with us. We have our own voices within that push, scream, cry, encourage us to the finish line. When we finish we have that subtle voice that tells us, well done, now lets go do it again real soon.

Running With Wings

This was my first longish run since The London Marathon. I was looking forward to getting out, putting some good tunes on and seeing how my legs have recovered.
Where I live I have no choice but to run hills. This medium size village sits atop one. So even if I start on a downhill I will have to run up to get home. Same goes for running up the hill, home is up. But, part of the run is flat and that is where cruise control sets in.
Today temps were in the high 50s and a cloud cover when I got out shortly after 9am. I headed up the mile long hill to catch some of the sites out over the valley. My legs were feeling strong, not many out even at this time on a Saturday.
Breathing was excellent and I seemed to find a bit of spring in the step as I greeted the lambs in the fields close still to their moms. The horses weren't yet out, but the cattle were still in repose in the upper fields. Then it's the downhill bit to the more congested footpaths of the shops. I shortcut behind them to avoid traffic and then Heather Small kicks in on my iPod. PROUD sends shivers and chills to my soul/my spirit and I begin to relive London two weeks earlier.
I see the red laces in my shoes, I hear her voice again as it played while I was awaiting my start in the blue area. I smile outwardly and something inside soars. My feet feel lighter, my breath seems less of an effort. Another hill in front of me doesn't seem as steep as other days. I crest the hill, I hit replay and keep running to her anthem of achievement and I sing along.
This training is what today makes me proud. I feel my soul ascending, I step out of me, I realize that I am doing things that I never ever imagined. Where has it come from? A desire to be more than I ever imagined? A goal realized? I don't know, but I today I run as if I have wings on my feet. I am a streak, a flash, a ribbon of energy. I am flying!

A warrior, a runner, an athlete

I'm starting this blog anew. Watch this space