Finding The Motivation

I've been wanting to run for years however the mind was willing but the heart and body were weak. To get myself off the sofa, I knew I needed an extra push. some sort external motivation to keep me going.

Team In Training with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was exactly the catalyst I was looking for...a structured program in a team environment with experienced trainers, something my body could get into. Their mission of raising money to cure blood cancers was something my heart could get behind.

When I went to the informational session, I met coaches and a few others who said they had sat in my seat just a year ago. An LLS staff member said she had never run before and positively glowed when she showed off her medal and told us how thrilling it was to cross the finish line.

Sign-up form in hand, I was given a choice of doing a triathlon (yeah, right!), running or walking a marathon or a half marathon. Although my eventual goal is to do a full marathon, I thought it best to start small and work my way up considering these old legs hadn't run one mile straight for nearly 30 years.

Then we had to choose which event we'd like to run. Our choices ranged from Cincinnati, to Nashville, to Vancouver, BC or even Madrid, Spain. As awesome as Vancouver or Madrid sounded, I chose Cincinnati for my first attempt because I can drive there. It was also a plus that I would need to raise less money to participate.

Sign-up form completed, I was welcomed aboard and handed my official Team In Training shirt and a training schedule based on the event I chose. I left the meeting feeling cautiously optimistic that this was something I might be able to do with the support they offer.

Then reality set in and my sofa beckoned.

My First Week of Training

I've run seven miles during my first week of training and just ran my toughest two miles. Maybe it was Thursday's turkey weighing me down or maybe it was the wind in my face...not sure, but it was rough going.

My two mile Thanksgiving morning run went much more smoothly which made me think two miles would continue to be easy for me. Not so much today.

The main thing is that I finished it.

I have one more week of running two miles, then next Saturday I have my first three mile run. At this point, I just have to focus on keeping one foot in front of the other and not getting too far ahead of myself.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

Today on training day #2, I had my one mile route all mapped out and was actually looking forward to running after work. It looked like I was going to get my run in but when I got off it was raining steady. Hmmm, learn to deal with the conditions or find a treadmill?

Yeah, can't quite go there yet as I'm still a fair weather runner. I was totally prepared for the cold, but the thought of getting soaked to the bone doesn't thrill me.

After two days of sore muscles and stretching, one mile seemed pretty easy and I was ready to keep going. That surprised me.

I would rather have been outside, but was glad to have had the treadmill option to run without ending up like a cold, drowned rat.

I have two more training days this week with two miles each day. I'm thankful for the steady, slow pace to adjust to a life of training along with the many other blessings in my life that I'm thankful for this time of year.

Marine Corps Marathon Motivation

I got a little marathon moto from recent Marine Corps Marathon finisher and friend Lori Howard at our Women Marines meeting today.

Lori just ran the event on 30 Oct 2011 and said if you only run one, the Marine Corps Marathon is the one. She said that as a Marine, it's awesome to cross that finish line and have a Marine place that medal around your neck.

Very cool!

My First Training Run

I did it...I actually finished my first two mile training run!

It's been nearly 30 years since I ran two miles straight without stopping and I was so thrilled to have completed it.

I'm not thinking about all the training that lies ahead, I'm just going to take one day at a time and do the best I can.

But I'm definitely savoring this day!

Running Scared

I have a dream to run the Marine Corps Marathon. There, I said it to the world and it scares the hell out of me.

When I served in the Marine Corps more than 30 years ago, we had to run and I hated it. Dreaded having to do it, couldn't wait to stop, and was relieved to get out and be free of that necessary evil.

A couple of years later while in college, I ran a 5K to impress a runner I dated. Though I did get a sense of accomplishment and thrill out of finishing the race, I didn't enjoy running any better than I had years earlier.

Throughout the years, I've thought wistfully of my pre-Title IX school days when I loved to run, feeling the wind at my face, loving the freedom I felt, and living for the kick at the end. Periodically I'd try running again but I lacked the motivation to keep me going. Even the moto fun run at the Denver WMA Convention last year didn't give me the drive to do it (though there is nothing quite like running in formation with a DI calling cadence!). 

Until now.

I'm rocking off the 'life stresser' chart with all that has happened in the last two years, but life is short and time is ticking.