I run because

Shortly after the Gainesville marathon, a running friend sent me this video. It gives different reasons why people run. You can refresh your memory about how that marathon went here, but the abridged version: it was hard and left me feeling a bit down on myself.

The quote at the end is what got me: "I run because when I do, there is always the chance to be extraordinary."

Flash forward a few months... some of you are aware of my current "job" situation. I've found the proverbial "right door," I'm just waiting for it to open. The waiting is the hardest part- being *this close* to starting my dream career weighs heavy on me every day.

Running has provided me with an excellent distraction from the waiting. It's been my saving grace, reminding me God truly does have plans to "give me hope and a future."

I don't mean to get all mushy on you, but I wanted to share, at this point in my life, why I run.

I run because I like to feel the wind at my face and my feet hit the ground.

I run because it makes me feel like I can do anything.

I run because it reminds me there is always room for improvement.

I run because it makes me thankful for today.

I run because it gives me hope for a better tomorrow.

I run because I’m reminded anything is possible.

I run because life isn’t always easy but the things that are worth having are worth fighting for.

I run because there is a little part of me that is always striving to be better, faster, and stronger.

I run because I like to face my fears before defeating them.

I run because I want to test my will and come out more resilient.

I run because I want to see what I’m made of.

I run because I want to feel alive.

I run because I can.

Why do you run?

Hydrophobia be gone!

It may surprise some of you that I grew up in Florida, yet I am not comfortable in the water. Don't get me wrong, I can "swim" but it's not the kind of swimming that real athletes do. When it comes to real swimming I start to freak.

But since swimming is such a major part of Navy basic training (duh), I figured I better conquer this fear. Quickly. Plus, what runner wouldn't want to have swimming in their back pocket as a cross training option? Something about low impact....

When we found a fitness/aquatic center that wasn't too far away, you better bet we switched our gym memberships. And after having multiple swimmers on twitter recommend I look into taking private swim lessons, I took the bait and signed up.

Enter, my new swim coach/teacher/lady-who-laughs-at-me-when-I-freak-out-about-OMG-3-feet-of-water!! Actually, she doesn't laugh at me, she's been great.

Though I've only had two lessons (shall I call them "coaching sessions" so I don't sound so helpless?), I'm feeling MUCH more confident in the water. We started in the "heated pool" which is just a nice way of saying "the pool that little kids and 80 year olds who just had hip replacements" swim in. It was great- the deepest part was never more than 4.5 feet.

Today I graduated to the "adult" pool. I'm not going to lie, I was freaking out for the first few minutes. But she gave me some great exercises and drills to calm myself down and relax. I wouldn't say I ever felt truly comfortable, but by the end of the lesson I was able to swim laps completely on my own without hyperventilating and sucking in water or flailing excessively. Success! (the depth was 6 feet, 4 inches by the way).

I was on Cloud 9 as I walked out of the gym... until I got into my car and it wouldn't start- I had a dead battery. Womp womp.

I've had Hal in my life for nearly 10 years and never once has he left me high and dry. Until this morning.  But I guess that's more the fault of an old battery, not Hal. Luckily, the staff is AWESOME and came out to jump my car. I was able to drive straight to get the battery replace. And yes, I reeked of chlorine and looked like a hot mess.

Then this evening I headed out for my first road run since before the Croom 50k. Don't get me wrong, I'm  coming to love running on trails, but sometimes I just want to crank out some fast miles on the pavement! I had a great run, with two of my six miles being under 9:00- wha wha?!

Are you a swimmer? Ever been coached?


How was your run/workout today?

The day I ran to South Carolina

Before I start this post, can I first of all whine a little about this new blogger format!? Call me lazy, but I just don't feel like learning an entirely new interface/layout. I'm going to be looking into different blogging platforms in the near future, so keep your eyes open. I figure if I'm going to have to learn something new, it might as well be something a little more reformed than Blogger, right? Anyone?

Ok, on to the good stuff!!

This morning I headed south to one of my favorite places for some quality hill training- Crowder's Mountain! Being two weeks post-50k and feeling the beginning stages of a cold, I didn't want to push it, but I did want to get a quality work out.

The plan was 16-18 miles. How naive of me! I got 13.5 miles before I cried uncle, but I also got three really good climbs in. You guys- I walked every.single.incline. It was insanely hard!!

1. Crowder's Mountain
2. King's Pinnacle
3. Somewhere in South Carolina

I figured this would be a good indicator run from the Twisted Ankle coming up. I'll be enjoying almost a 1,000 foot climb within the distance of one mile. 

I started off with a 2.75 mile trek up Crowder's Mountain where on a normal day, you can see downtown Charlotte.

Not today though!

It was pretty foggy- that was definitely not my view! There were dozens of kids up at the top, so I didn't spend too much time up there. I took an e-cap, ate a Blok, and snapped a picture. Yes, be in awe at my photography skills.

Behind my big head is Charlotte. I promise.

It was a really beautiful day for a trail run. Not too warm and not too crowded. I saw a few other runners, but mostly hikers enjoying the day with their dogs.

After my out-and-back from Crowder's, I headed south to King's Pinnacle (the second hump on the elevation chart). I ran into quite a few boy scouts on my way. I'm not going to lie, it felt good to pass them all up!

After a grueling .2 mile climb up to the pinnacle, there's a lovely sign in front of a bunch of rocks telling you you've hit the end of the road.

Nonsense! Who doesn't love a good rock climb?

Especially when it leads to a view like this!

 I took another e-cap and a Gu. A few other girls were up there, admire the "beautiful birds" that were circling the sky. I hated breaking it to them, but I told them they were seeing vultures. Yep, creatures of beauty...

After rock climbing down, I kept heading south right into... South Carolina! I expected there to be some kind of sign on the trail saying "Welcome to South Carolina!" but I had no such luck. It was a little bit of a let down to be honest.

Though the trail continued further into S.C., I decided to turn around at the 2 mile marker. I'll let the rest of the trail be a mystery... for now.

I'll be back again soon though to see what lies on the other side!

Total miles: 13.43
Elevation gain: 2,554 feet
Elevation loss: 2,574 feet


What blogging platform do you use? I hear Wordpress is a popular one.


If you do a bit of trail running, what shoe would you recommend getting?


Tell me something awesome you did this weekend!

Getting fresh...

It's no doubt that since I've discovered healthy eating blogs, I've totally broaden my horizon when it comes to healthy and fun foods. With the convenience of a Trader Joe's being right next to work (or at least where I use to work) and a new Earth Fare right around the corner, I've had ample opportunity to check out new foods.

Additionally, being close to the Davidson Farmers Market has opened my eyes to the wonders of eating locally. Not only is the produce comparable to grocery store prices, but it tastes better and stays fresher for longer than store bought produce. Plus, I'm supporting the local economy and cutting down on gas used to transport the food and all sorts of other stuff I've never gotten into about eating local.

Last year, I discovered Know Your Farms via A Healthy Slice of Life's blog. This "Community Supported Agriculture" program allows the community to purchase a "share" of the upcoming harvest from the multiple farms participating in the program. The result is the farms receive a sure-profit and the consumers (me!) get a weekly pick up of fresh goodies!

You can read more about the CSA program (and find the one closest to you) here- Local Harvest.

Tuesday is my pick up day so I eagerly waited in line for my bag of produce from the produce mobile.

Since I had to rush home to teach, I couldn't really explore my bag for a while. When I did finally dig in, I was pleasantly surprised!

Produce items included:

head of lettuce (HUGE!)

head of cabbage

2 tomatoes

green onions

strawberries

and a brown bag surprise of....

really freaky looking mushrooms! Eeek! Anyone know what kind of mushrooms these are?

I chose to go with the "small" produce share, which costs $222 (it's a little cheaper for returning costumers). The total length of the program is 12 weeks, which comes to about $18.50/week. It may be a little pricier than what you could find it for in the store, but I'd rather support the local farms and eat a little fresher ;)

Do you have a program similar to this in your area? If so, do you participate?

Do you know what kind of freaky mushrooms those are?

Anyone who can answer this question gets bonus points: what meal can be made using all 6 of those ingredients?

A word (or two) on trail running

Yep, my brain is still stuck on the trails.

I had such a good time this weekend that I've decided to sign up for my next big trail adventure-The Twisted Ankle Marathon in NW Georgia on May 12th!

In case you're having a hard time reading that, the lowest elevation point is 700 feet and the highest is about 1,550, and I get to climb it not once, but TWICE! And I get to do it all with Gail, who I've talked in to running it with me! Fun will be had by all ;)

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A few days after the Fools run, I enlisted the help of a friend and my hubby to clean the race trails.

And of course, my ever loyal and occasionally hyperactive JRT, Crazy Face.

"Mom, do I have to carry the flags?"

We covered the first half of the 15 mile loop and picked up nearly three bags full of garbage. Roscoe went first to sniff the trail out (and find any tasty treats left on the side of the trail), I forged through the spider webs and picked the ribbons from the trees (so I wouldn't have to bend down), my friend got the flags from the ground, and David kept an eye out for miscellaneous garbage.

"And I'll pee on you, and you, and you and you...."

*Please note* it's never a good idea to let your dog off leash on a trail. Unless you're there on a Monday with not a soul in sight and your dog is well adequately behaved.

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So now on to the topic at hand: trail running. I by no means consider myself an expert on trail running; I barely consider myself "mildly experienced." But there are a few rules of the trail that I've picked up on that I'd like to share for the folks interested in venturing out into the woods.

• Don't litter. Sweeping the trails after the race just reinforced this cardinal rule for me. When racing on roads, it's more acceptable to toss your empty water cup or Gu pack to the side of the road where people will come by later to clean up after you. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO TRAIL RUNNING. Put your garbage in a trash can or carry it with you. Similarly, when using the "outdoor bathroom," at least burry your TP (or, ahem, *other* products... I'm talking to the women out there) so passers-by won't have to see it.
• Know when to yield. Runners can use horse trails (most of the time) but horses always have right-of-way. When you approach a horseback rider, walk or move off the trail to allow the rider to pass. Bikers are suppose to yield to runners, but it's always good to be aware and make eye contact just to make sure.
• Stay to the right, pass on the left. When you're passing someone, announce your presence. A simple "on your left" or "passing left" will do. Also be mindful that you don't "tail gate" the runner ahead of you on a single-track trail. There's nothing more obnoxious that having someone on your heels that won't pass you.
• Stay on your designated trail. There's a reason why some trails don't allow horses or bikes- they tear up the trail and make it miserable for runners. Running through horse poop sucks too. But runners should also be mindful that it's not safe to be on a horse-only trail when a horse comes galloping around the corner.
• Be prepared. You're not going to run by a gas station or convenience store to buy a bottle of water. Bring your fluids and fuel with you and always be prepared for "extra mileage" (AKA: getting lost).
• Be courteous. If you're with a large group, run single file and try not to be too raucous. I've noticed trail runners tend to be pretty friendly, so make sure you return the smile, nod, or greeting. Sharing lube and fluids is optional.

What would you add to this list?

Fools Run 50k Race Recap

This past weekend I ran the Fools 50k trail race. The event took place at the Croom State Park, the same location as my last 50k. You can read the in depth race recap here. I'm going to try to keep this one a little shorter ;)

After my horrendous FAIL at the Gainesville marathon, I decided to go about this race a little differently. First, I got a solid long run in two and a half weeks before the race. Second, I fueled like a maniac.

I didn't want to deal with dehydration issues like I did in Gainesville, and I didn't want to bonk like I did at the Zoom. Well, let me rephrase that- I didn't want to bonk (or "hit the wall") as hard or for as long as I did at the Zoom. I made sure to eat something at least every other mile, whether it was a Clif Blok, a Gu, or a PB&J. I drank down my entire supply of Gatorade within the first 3 hours and ended up refilling my Camelbak twice with water. Additionally, I took 2-3 cups of water at every aid station.

The Peace Sign at E's Hill

Starting at mile 10, I took an e-cap (electrolyte replacement) once every 5 miles. I won't go into too much detail about the success of my hydrating, but let's just say I went to see a farmer about a dog a few times during this race.

Along with the 50k distance, there were the 50 Milers (who began 1 hour before us at 6:00 AM) and the 15 Milers (who ran the first full loop with us). The course was absolutely gorgeous and the weather was decent (mid 80s)- a little on the warm side but not too humid.

The volunteers at the aid stations were wonderful- so helpful and encouraging. Many of them know my dad, so I was greeted with a lot of "Hey, you're Dan's daughter!" It's nice to be welcomed into their running community even though I'm not really a (local) member.

The second half of the 15 mile loop had some rolling hills and some sunny spots. I felt pretty good the first time I hit them, but made a mental note to hydrate-up before I had to hit them the second time around. Toward the end of the first loop, I tripped on a $*^*&@ stump and came smack down on my knee. I wanted to have a little pity party for myself and maybe shed a tear or two, but quickly realized it wouldn't do me any good (no one was there to give me sympathy anyway). I picked myself up, brushed off the dirt, and kept going. It took a mile or two to walk it off and I've got a lovely bruise now, but luckily it didn't give me any more problems.

The in-between miles (17-23) were a little rough as my legs were getting pretty tired. I was afraid I was starting the "slow decline." I ate, drank, and tried to focus on my music (I can't say how awesome Lynyrd Skynyrd is for trail running). I would shuffle along during a song and then take a 30 second walk break at the next song cued up. I wouldn't say I was breaking any speed records (probably running around a 12:00 pace) but it was enough to get me through the wall and to the other side.

Running down "Beaver's Gulch"- I channelled my inner Katniss.

Before I knew it, my Garmin read 26.2 miles. At this distance last time, I swear it laughed at me. This time, I grinned at the thought that I had just run a marathon and felt great. I alternated between small bites of a Snickers bar and my magic beans (chocolate covered espresso beans) for the rest of the race. It didn't even feel like my legs had been used!

Going down Bundy's Pit (as in, Ted Bundy)

Knowing the sunny hills were looming ahead, I stocked up on my water and popped another e-cap. I wasn't dreading the hills like I thought I would. My legs have strengthened from the Carolina hills (or heeeaaaaallls) and I felt invincible. I told myself those hills were going to give me a boost and help me get stronger. My pep talk worked!

With about two miles to go, I decided to run as hard as I could. The 50 miler that I had been running with wished me luck and told me to "go get it!"

I crossed the finish line at 6:17 with a 30 minute PR. I couldn't believe how great I felt.

All the finishers got a HUGE mug

I sat down and began drinking everything in sight. As usual, my "race crew" was there with the fur kids and a nice comfy chair.

the trick to keeping your feet pretty is to paint your toenails... no body notices the blisters!

We sat around and waited for my dad to finish the 50 mile race. He ended up missing the Western States qualifying time by less than 30 seconds, but I think he's ok with that ;) He ran a great race also, finishing just over 11 hours and placing second in his age group.

Official time: 6:17:41, 12:11 overall pace

Finished 42 out of 78 total finishers in the 50k

Placed 6 out of 8 in the Females 29 and under (there were some FAST ladies there!)

My dog is a monster

Wow- so many of you weighed in on my last post about blogger etiquette! From the comments, it seems the biggest impression was made in regards to, well, comments. Many of you (ok, I think all of you) agreed that some kind of connection needs to be made between you and your reader, but that replying to people's comments wasn't always practical or purposeful (because who ever returns to their comment?).

I try my best to read, comment, and reply to as many people and their blogs as possible, but the truth of the matter is- it's a big blogging world out there and we're busy people!

Just because you all are awesome, I'm putting together a little give-away to say "thanks" for being a reader (and offering your support, encouragement and insight). I'm still searching for that one last item to make it perfect, so be on the look out for another LMYR give away! I guarantee you won't want to miss this one!

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This past week has been pretty ho-hum since I've been in taper mode. Couple that with the un-excitement of being unemployed and you can understand why I haven't posted in a while. We did have some excitement yesterday though.

(Erica is my go-to girl when my dogs maim themselves)

The boys were playing tug-of-war with a stuffed toy and I guess Roscoe got a little too excited and nipped at Max's back. Poor Max screamed bloody murder and immediately ran to me with his head down.

After a little antiseptic rinse and antibiotic wash, I was satisfied that Max wasn't going to become a victim to gangrene. After the dogs calmed down a bit, we let them back together.

Today I'm happy to report they've solved any issues there were between them and are back to being crazy Jack Russells.

Tell me an awesome work out you've had so I can live vicariously through you!

Got dogs? Do they fight? (cats count too)