Lessons From a Runner

When my friend asked if I wanted to run a 1/2 marathon with her in December I reluctantly agreed. And between you and me the only true reasons I did it is because I knew I'd never make the gym a priority to lose the last of my baby weight that I've carried around for 3 years AND because I wanted to prove to myself that I could run 13.1 miles at 40 years old. Dumb reasons, maybe, but it's gotten me off my butt. So, as race day draws near and my runs get longer, here are some things I've learned...
1. I am NOT a morning runner. I loathe running in the morning. I run about 15-30 secs slower per minute than I do during afternoon/evening runs, which really adds up after a few miles.
2. I love my "ME" time but I do not in any, way, shape or form consider a 1 1/2hr run "ME" time. It is not relaxing to watch out for dogs, cars and weird people. Nor is it relaxing when you're trying to monitor your breathing, worrying about the aches and pains or thinking about how much further you have to run before you can put an end to this madness.
3. Speaking of pain, I am not a pretty runner (nor am I a pretty crier). My runs are not pretty in the beginning because my shins hurt SO bad. So I run like those old lady power walkers. You know the kind that are stiff as a board with arms swinging wildly at their sides? Yeah, that's me. At the end of my run it's not pretty because my face looks like a tomato that's been doused with a bucket of water. Some people are pretty runners. I am not.
4. I can gauge how far I've run without looking at my app. The first 1 1/2 miles cause major shin pain. Once my shins stop hurting and I look like a normal runner I know I've gotten past the first mile and a half. By Mile 4 my left toes have gone numb. Mile 6 is when I want to lay down in the fetal position and go to sleep. At Mile 9 I'm yelling "I've got this. Rocky Balboa has nothing on me." OK, I don't really yell that because then I'd be one of the weird people I keep an eye out for but you get the point. I haven't gotten past 9.5 miles yet but I'm guessing I'll be in tears by Mile 13. Stay tuned for that one.
5. Everyone has their own genre of music that motivates them. When I'm running I want a rated PG Eminem Pandora station. But, since that doesn't exist, I get my groove on to 80s music and the Vanilla Ice Station. You know when I'm listening to a good song because I may have a little dance/run thing going on.
6. Once my run is done I try not to sit down for at least a half hour. My knees, lower back and hips hurt making sitting down painful. I've gone from a 40 yr old to an 80yr old and it ain't pretty!
7. I run better on an open road than on the treadmill. When people are watching me I feel like I have to prove myself so I push myself when I hear a car or see a walker.
8. I feel safer with my pepper spray than our Big Lug. With our dog, I'm worried that he's going to trip me (more because I'm clumsy than because of him). I also worry that he'll attract other dogs and that's what I'm trying to avoid.
9. My boys are my biggest motivators. When I am running around our neighborhood or at the park and they're there I feel invincible. They yell words of encouragement or give me High 5s and I feel like I could run forever.
10. You have to change your eating habits to lose weight, even when you're running 20 miles a week. Single handedly eating a loaf of homemade chocolate chip banana bread still counts as bad, despite a 5 mile run. (Not that I've done that. I'm just giving you an example.)

The biggest lesson I've learned???? I can do it! I start runs thinking that I won't be able to run as far or as fast as last time but every time I prove myself wrong. Despite my aches and pains and head games I complete my goal every week. So bring it Beach Half! I'm ready for ya....I think.