Streaking to a runner is a bit different than streaking to a college frat boy. I am NOT running naked around the block, down the road or around campus. I am running EVERY day. Every single day I am lacing up the sneaks and hitting the pavement running. In fact when Running on the Fly, initiated the challenge to streak the month of April, I had already run the last two days of March, so today marks 32 days of streaking. Some days I am logged some miles and most days I just did my mandatory at least one mile. Some of those one miles days were done as fast as I could and some were just slow comfort miles. I have run alone, with partners and pushing my littles. I have run in the cold, the wind, the snow, the dark, the morning, the night and the gorgeous spring sunshine.
Halfway through April, my legs were TIRED. Even on my one mile days I could feel how heavy they were and how slow I had become. I wanted to end the streak, I wanted a running break, but I stuck with it. Something, however, has changed in this last week of April. As the finish line to the challenge approached the more I WANTED to run. In fact this past weekend I took on 2 of the hilliest 5k courses I have ever come across. Back to back, Saturday AND Sunday and I PR'd both times. Out on those hills, I actually laid down my two fastest 5ks EVER! In fact, according to my trusty Nike + app my average mile for the month of April is 35 seconds FASTER than my average mile in March. I have logged twice as many miles, yet I am somehow faster?!
Before the streak, I was a huge promoter of rest days. Running just 3-4 days a week. However, I think I may have had a change of heart.... I think that my streak may continue for as long as I am still loving it. How about you? Ever streak? Want to streak? Streaking thoughts?
Off to run :0)
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Running Rules...
Ok, it's been awhile. My dreams of writing a few times a week were sidelined when my heart went out to Boston. After the Boston bombings I was heavy, I was sad and I was at a loss for words. I couldn't figure out what I wanted to say and I couldn't figure out how to organize myself to let inspiration flow. So, I didn't write.
I have even sat down and asked on my Facebook page Crazy Mama Runner, for help on what to write next. I was in the middle of composing a piece on my kids because running and my kids are like my all time favorite things, but it wasn't coming together. Then this morning, I had one of my dear running partners post to my personal page. This list of running commandments posted by Favorite Run. As I read them I started out with small nods of approval and by the end was just about shouting YES! These are a fantastic lists of things I believe as a runner. I especially love #5 and #8 ;0). What are some of your running commandments? Happy Running :0)
The 53 Runner's Commandments
1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run.
3. Don’t make running your life. Make it part of your life.
4. During group training runs, don’t let anyone run alone.
5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.
6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing.
7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride.
9. Don’t compare yourself to other runners.
10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.
11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run.
12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.
13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner.
14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape.
16. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.
17. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach.
18. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe.
19. Don’t always run alone.
20. Don’t always run with people.
21. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it.
22. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.
23. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you’ll get during racing.
24. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast.
25. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.
26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.
27. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
28. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow.
29. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.
30. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run.
31. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
32. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better.
33. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.
34. Don’t try to outrun dogs.
35. Don’t trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of share, or not feeling well.
36. Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often.
37. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.
38. Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.
39. Without goals, training has no purpose.
40. During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace.
41. The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies.
42. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.
43. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.
44. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate.
45. “Winning” means different things to different people.
46. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.
47. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.
48. Never tell a runner that he or she doesn’t look good in tights.
49. Never confuse the Ben-Gay tube with the toothpaste tube.
50. Never apologize for doing the best you can.
51. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them.
52. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.
53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.
I have even sat down and asked on my Facebook page Crazy Mama Runner, for help on what to write next. I was in the middle of composing a piece on my kids because running and my kids are like my all time favorite things, but it wasn't coming together. Then this morning, I had one of my dear running partners post to my personal page. This list of running commandments posted by Favorite Run. As I read them I started out with small nods of approval and by the end was just about shouting YES! These are a fantastic lists of things I believe as a runner. I especially love #5 and #8 ;0). What are some of your running commandments? Happy Running :0)
The 53 Runner's Commandments
1. Don’t be a whiner. Nobody likes a whiner, not even other whiners.
2. Walking out the door is often the toughest part of a run.
3. Don’t make running your life. Make it part of your life.
4. During group training runs, don’t let anyone run alone.
5. Keep promises, especially ones made to yourself.
6. When doing group runs, start on time no matter who’s missing.
7. The faster you are the less you should talk about your times.
8. Keep a quarter in your pocket. One day you’ll need to call for a ride.
9. Don’t compare yourself to other runners.
10. All runners are equal, some are just faster than others.
11. Keep in mind that the later in the day it gets, the more likely it is that you won’t run.
12. For a change of pace, get driven out and then run back.
13. If it was easy, everybody would be a runner.
14. When standing in starting lines, remind yourself how fortunate you are to be there.
15. Getting out of shape is much easier than getting into shape.
16. A bad day of running still beats a good day at work.
17. Talk like a runner. “Singlets” are worn on warm days. “Tank tops” are worn to the beach.
18. Don’t talk about your running injuries. People don’t want to hear about your sore knee or black toe.
19. Don’t always run alone.
20. Don’t always run with people.
21. Approach running as if the quality of your life depended on it.
22. No matter how slow you run it is still faster than someone sitting on a couch.
23. Keep in mind that the harder you run during training, the luckier you’ll get during racing.
24. Races aren’t just for those who can run fast.
25. There are no shortcuts to running excellence.
26. The best runs sometimes come on days when you didn’t feel like running.
27. Be modest after a race, especially if you have reason to brag.
28. If you say, “Let’s run this race together,” then you must stay with that person no matter how slow.
29. Think twice before agreeing to run with someone during a race.
30. There is nothing boring about running. There are, however, boring people who run.
31. Look at hills as opportunities to pass people.
32. Distance running is like cod liver oil. At first it makes you feel awful, then it makes you feel better.
33. Never throw away the instructions to your running watch.
34. Don’t try to outrun dogs.
35. Don’t trust runners who show up at races claiming to be tired, out of share, or not feeling well.
36. Don’t wait for perfect weather. If you do, you won’t run very often.
37. When tempted to stop being a runner, make a list of the reasons you started.
38. Never run alongside very old or very young racers. They get all of the applause.
39. Without goals, training has no purpose.
40. During training runs, let the slowest runner in the group set the pace.
41. The first year in a new age group offers the best opportunity for trophies.
42. Go for broke, but be prepared to be broken.
43. Spend more time running on the roads than sitting on the couch.
44. Make progress in your training, but progress at your own rate.
45. “Winning” means different things to different people.
46. Unless you make your living as a runner, don’t take running too seriously.
47. Runners who never fail are runners who never try anything great.
48. Never tell a runner that he or she doesn’t look good in tights.
49. Never confuse the Ben-Gay tube with the toothpaste tube.
50. Never apologize for doing the best you can.
51. Preventing running injuries is easier than curing them.
52. Running is simple. Don’t make it complicated.
53. Running is always enjoyable. Sometimes, though, the joy doesn’t come until the end of the run.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Marathon Monday!
What a sunshiny day here, it almost makes you believe it's warm and perfect for running and not cold and perfect for not.
I have had an unbelievable outpouring of support after making the decision to branch out and become a runner blogger. My Facebook page scored 26 likes overnight, yay !!
I just wanted to do a special marathon Monday blog post. What motivates you? What inspires you?
I know for a fact that those Boston runners running today are one strong group of inspiring people. The training , the qualifying runs, the barely missing the qualifying time and doing it again and sign makes for some awesome runners! I have a very very special friend who just recently qualified for Boston 2014. I can not wait to travel down and cheer her on. She is such an inspiring runner and person and I often times find myself using her as my "head" voice when I want to quit. I don't, I just put on my big girl sneakers and keep at it. Pounding pavement one step at a time. Because after all one step becomes two and two becomes three and before you know it you've crossed the line 13.1 miles later.
Have a happy marathon Monday all and good running to all you running the Boston!!!
Live laugh RUN!
I have had an unbelievable outpouring of support after making the decision to branch out and become a runner blogger. My Facebook page scored 26 likes overnight, yay !!
I just wanted to do a special marathon Monday blog post. What motivates you? What inspires you?
I know for a fact that those Boston runners running today are one strong group of inspiring people. The training , the qualifying runs, the barely missing the qualifying time and doing it again and sign makes for some awesome runners! I have a very very special friend who just recently qualified for Boston 2014. I can not wait to travel down and cheer her on. She is such an inspiring runner and person and I often times find myself using her as my "head" voice when I want to quit. I don't, I just put on my big girl sneakers and keep at it. Pounding pavement one step at a time. Because after all one step becomes two and two becomes three and before you know it you've crossed the line 13.1 miles later.
Have a happy marathon Monday all and good running to all you running the Boston!!!
Live laugh RUN!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Hitting the road running!
Hi! *wave*
Welcome aboard my crazy train. Things around here are never dull and it is never easy to squeeze in a run, but somehow I make it happen. I have learned in the past year that I need to start doing things *gasp* are you ready for this?... I need to do things for ME! Yes, that's right for myself. As a mom, me as a person is always shoved to the back. My needs are last, if I have to eat I do after everyone else is served and fed, if I need a shower I am the one with the cold water, if I need to potty I cross my legs and put everyone else through the line first. But with my new found friend Running, I have learned that I can do things, awesome things and I need to do them for ME!
So I have decided to take it up a notch and add my little quirk of writing in with the running and now I can become a crazy writing runner. What better place than a blog to chronicle all my running stories and to maybe just MAYBE motivate some other runners out there for whatever they are training for.
I wasn't always a runner, in fact when I first took up running I couldn't even do a 1/4 mile without quitting and just giving up. But things change (see here for the beginning of that change!) and I have changed. I ran my first half last fall and I haven't looked back yet. I am loving the new confidence and freedom being a runner has brought me. I officially call myself a runner now, which for the longest time I had a HARD time doing. I always used to say I run but...not fast, not far, not long, not good.... Whatever, I run. I may run like a turtle through peanut butter but I run and thanks to one cold winter day where, while running it all clicked, I can call myself a runner.
So, my name is C. And I like to call myself C Runner. I run. I am a mom. I am a wife. I am a daughter, sister, friend and more. But most importantly I am me. This is a journey of discovery, because what you discover about yourself while the miles are pounded down under your feet is pretty freakin amazing. I hope you follow along, and say hi occasionally!
Live, Laugh, RUN
Welcome aboard my crazy train. Things around here are never dull and it is never easy to squeeze in a run, but somehow I make it happen. I have learned in the past year that I need to start doing things *gasp* are you ready for this?... I need to do things for ME! Yes, that's right for myself. As a mom, me as a person is always shoved to the back. My needs are last, if I have to eat I do after everyone else is served and fed, if I need a shower I am the one with the cold water, if I need to potty I cross my legs and put everyone else through the line first. But with my new found friend Running, I have learned that I can do things, awesome things and I need to do them for ME!
So I have decided to take it up a notch and add my little quirk of writing in with the running and now I can become a crazy writing runner. What better place than a blog to chronicle all my running stories and to maybe just MAYBE motivate some other runners out there for whatever they are training for.
I wasn't always a runner, in fact when I first took up running I couldn't even do a 1/4 mile without quitting and just giving up. But things change (see here for the beginning of that change!) and I have changed. I ran my first half last fall and I haven't looked back yet. I am loving the new confidence and freedom being a runner has brought me. I officially call myself a runner now, which for the longest time I had a HARD time doing. I always used to say I run but...not fast, not far, not long, not good.... Whatever, I run. I may run like a turtle through peanut butter but I run and thanks to one cold winter day where, while running it all clicked, I can call myself a runner.
So, my name is C. And I like to call myself C Runner. I run. I am a mom. I am a wife. I am a daughter, sister, friend and more. But most importantly I am me. This is a journey of discovery, because what you discover about yourself while the miles are pounded down under your feet is pretty freakin amazing. I hope you follow along, and say hi occasionally!
Live, Laugh, RUN
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