Let's Run About It // Coming to an End

Well, I didn’t think I’d get here so quickly but it looks like my running for the year is coming to an end. I might have one or two short runs left, but after that, there will be no more until after the baby gets here. I consulted with my NP this week, and it’s recommended that I switch to exclusively walking if my pelvic pain continues. I honestly envisioned having at least another month of running, but my body has other plans.

That said, I’m going to be shelving this little “series” of mine. I’m a little sad about the whole thing. More so because I dislike walking. I wasn’t able to get nearly as many miles in as I had hoped for either. But it is what it is. I’ll do my best to walk during the week, and see if I can’t get some mileage in that form. Otherwise, I’ll just be over here attempting some light exercise, and stretching.

But here’s to 2025! I’ve got some goals in mind already. I’ve been eyeing a few half-marathons at the end of next year. It all depends on when this baby arrives, and how my recovery goes. But I’d like to get back into a routine by March of next year and start training for a half about 2-3 months after that. God willing.

It’s ambitious, I know. Life with a newborn isn’t the easiest. And my daughter’s schedule is pretty packed. I don’t know when I’ll find time to fit in running or a training plan. Especially if I’m prioritizing naps and keeping my house in order. But this is something I really enjoy doing so I’d like to pick it back up as soon as I can.

So, this is my official “See Ya Later” to the physical activity I enjoy the most. You’ve been good to me. And hey, I ran up until I hit 30 weeks! I’m super grateful for every single time I got to lace up my running shoes. And I’m so thankful for how much my body has given me throughout this pregnancy. Even when there’s been pain. Until the next one…

Wordless Wednesday

📸: Jill from SRC

Let's Run About It // Revising My 2024 Goals

Running looks a lot different for me right now. It’s been a tough pill to swallow, even though I know it’s for the best. But having to take a step back has also allowed me to appreciate running differently. Right now, it’s more about moving my body for as long as I can, and it’s also about self-care. So, keeping those things in mind, I’ve decided to revise my running goals for this year.

I’m going to focus on slow run/walk intervals. While I had been able to run a 10k without stopping, and I was working on longer intervals, those are no longer options for me. Going forward the goal will be to maintain a 2:1 run/walk interval again. This was my “go-to” interval previously but at a faster (for me) pace. I want to be able to maintain that interval, even if I’m much slower,

I’m going to stop looking at my pace. This one is hard. While I am not a fast runner, I did enjoy seeing my pace get a little faster. It’s also hard not to compare myself to other pregnant runners in our group. Some were able to go just as hard and fast as they did pre-pregnancy. My situation is different, and I just can’t keep going the same way I was before. So, I have to stop checking my pace. If I’m running a 15 or 16-minute mile then so be it. At least I’m running.

I’m revising my mileage goal for the year even though I know I won’t reach it. I would like to hit 365 miles for this year. I think it’s much more attainable than the 801 miles with 4 half-marathon distance runs I had originally set out to do. I was already a bit behind due to illness. Then I was sidelined for a month. Plus, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to run. So, I’m not entirely sure if I can reach this revised goal, but it helps me stay motivated to put on my running shoes. Again, I won’t beat myself up if I don’t reach it. I just need something to work towards until I’m told I can’t anymore.

And finally, I’m going to continue focusing on running for fun. While I may not have much fun as I get bigger - I've already had to purchase a running belly belt.  I want to keep that mantra going. That said, I’m constantly reminding myself that I'm running for my health; both physically and mentally. I’m running for the simple joy of it. And I’m doing this for me.

Wordless Wednesday

A Break from Running

As of today, I’m going on a month of no running. It wasn’t my idea; doctor’s orders. And it's been a very…interesting experience. At first, I felt very disconnected. Not just from my running friends but from myself as well. While running has always been a part of my life, joining a running club in 2021/2022 brought my relationship with it to another level. It also brought me a running community. A group of friends. It got me out of my comfort zone. It helped relieve my stress and gave me mental clarity. And it’s become a pretty major part of my life.

📸: Caitlin Moyer Photography

So, when I was told that I needed to scale back on running, it felt doable to let my body recover. “I’ll just run 5k’s for a while,” I told myself. Then at my last appointment, after some follow-up questions, the nurse practitioner said, “We’ll revisit this at your next appointment, but for now, no more running.” And I was so bummed. A month of no running? What was I going to do now? Well, I signed up for a gym membership thinking that if I at least moved my body it would be better than nothing. I overestimated my motivation though, and in the past month, I’ve only gone to the gym four times. Lifting weights and using a stationary bike are just not the same as going for a run.

The hardest part about this experience is putting my running goals on the back burner. At the beginning of the year, I talked about my plans, and how I wanted to reach certain distances this year. Then in February, I decided that I would train for the 2025 Cowtown Half starting in October. And I wanted to work on running farther without having to stop. While I had hoped to still be able to tackle some of these goals, after my last appointment, I was forced to realize that this probably wouldn’t be the case. Now, I know that there is a really good reason for being told to stop. My doctor knows best. So, I will do as I’m told because it’s important and because I eventually want to be able to run again. But it’s still hard.

Tomorrow is the "next appointment" and we will discuss my options. I’m hoping to have some good news. Please let me do slow intervals. But I’m also aware that even if I have good news, depending on how my body responds, I could be told to stop running for the rest of the year. So, here’s me hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. Regardless, I know this is all in God’s hands and there’s a reason for it. In the end, I’ll accept whatever he has in store.

Wordless Wednesday

📸 : Julie Brinkley from SRC

Wordless Wednesday

Taken on my last run before being told to stop.

Let's Run About It // Make it Simple

Running lately has looked a lot different than what I originally pictured for 2024. I have spent the equivalent of 4 weeks this year being sick or recovering from being sick. That time off set me back a lot, regarding my yearly running mileage goal of 801 miles. In fact, I’m 95% sure I will not reach that goal. I did the math, and when I saw the weekly mileage I needed, I said, “Nope.” Because, again, this year I’m keeping it simple. 

So, what exactly does that mean and look like for me? Well, I’ve tossed out my running schedule. I’ve started this thing where I only run when I feel like running. I try to run at least once per week as long as my schedule allows for it - because as we all know: life happens. So, that’s the new goal. It’s taken a lot of pressure off of me, mentally, and I’m not stressing over having to hit a specific weekly mileage. When out on group runs I’m usually asked, “How many miles do you need?” And it’s very liberating to answer with, “I’m down for whatever y’all want to run, I don’t have a set amount.”

Now, I get that there’s something to be said for discipline, and doing things even on days you don’t want to. I could regurgitate all of these toxic gym/exercise quotes about “pushing yourself because no one else will,” or “quitters don’t get results.” But I’ve learned, that going hard 24/7 is NOT it. And when something you once enjoyed starts to become a cause of stress in your life, then maybe it's time to scale back. And honestly, there are times when I know I’m just being lazy or coming up with excuses not to run. But I’ve felt so much better, and happier since implementing this way of approaching running. I’m seeing my family more, and getting more sleep. My home life doesn’t revolve around a run schedule, and while some days I do solo runs that are hard - it’s because I want to. It’s because I feel like it. It’s not a chore. It’s not forced. I feel good about each run. And running is starting to feel relaxing again - fun even. 

I’ve also stopped being so concerned with my pace. Which isn’t always easy, because I can be a little competitive. And while I know I originally wanted to focus a bit on speedwork this year, one of my hips has been acting up. Usually around mile 5 or 6, and the pain sticks around for a day or two. So, I’ve stuck with easy paces that feel comfortable and maintainable for me. Also, I have reluctantly started doing short 20-minute yoga sessions to help with my mobility. The hope is that it will help my hip get back to feeling better. Y’all, I am not flexible. In fact, I’m very rigid and tight. So, I’m not a huge fan of yoga, but I wanted to try something at home before hitting up a physical therapist for this issue. Fingers crossed that increased flexibility and stretching will do the trick.

And that’s been my approach for the past few weeks. Just doing my best. Running for fun. Tackling some solo runs, and then enjoying some miles with friends. The other day I ran across this reel by herms.runs, and as I was going through the comments I realized that my desire to make running simple was something other runners were really into as well. And sometimes, others felt it was necessary. So, I feel like I'm on the right track, and it's reinforced my resolve to continue with it for the rest of the year.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

 

Let's Run About It // 2024 Goals

Well, the first month of 2024 has had me sitting on the sidelines for a good chunk of it. As I've mentioned before, we dealt with a lot of illness and injury. So, it was not the running start I had been hoping for, and I spent a lot of days feeling pretty jealous of everyone else getting to wake up at 5 am to go run. Weird, right? I know. Things have gotten better now, but having that much time off set me back in a lot of areas. This means I'll need to kick it up a notch this next month to catch up. 

So, with that, let’s jump right into the goals I have for 2024! We did our New Year's Resolution Run back on December 30, and I had still been a little hesitant about what I wanted for my goals. I kept going back and forth on mileage. I chatted with other friends, and everyone seemed to be trying for the comma (1,000+ miles). And since I have declared that this year will be a year of “no races” - I wasn’t sure if I needed to set a second goal like I did the year before. However, after finishing 7 miles that morning, our “club president” asked, “Great job getting to Roswell! What are your goals for 2024?” I blurted out my scary goal, “801 miles for the year.” Then as she was writing that number on the back of my shirt, she asked, “Last year you had two goals are you doing that again?” And I’m going to blame this next part on that runner’s high or the smell of coffee - maybe both, but I nodded my head and then replied with, “Yes, I’m going to do 4 Half marathon distances this year.”

Since that day, after the runner’s high wore off, I’m not entirely sure if these goals are reachable for me. However, I am going to give it what I can! That said, as I mentioned in a previous post, this year I plan on not getting too caught up on the end result. If I accomplish them, great! If I don’t, that’s fine too! My priority is doing what’s best for me. Not comparing myself, or overworking my body to keep up. At the end of 2023 I started to have hip pain after all of my longer runs so I’m sure that will need to be addressed sooner rather than later. And I don’t want to push myself so far in trying to reach these goals that I end up hurt. But the challenge is there. I’ve put those goals out to the universe, and run club. They’re written on the back of my shirt, and I have something to aim for this year.

Now, as I mentioned above, this is the year of “no races” for me. That doesn’t include Cowtown - which I had already committed to signing up for as part of a team. There is also a free 5k that happens in November. But that’s about all I plan to sign up and/or pay for this year. There are a lot of factors that went into this decision, but the main one is that it’s an expensive hobby. This past year there were several months that I was spending between $50-$100 on races. This might not seem like a lot, but it adds up. Some club members were out there doing destination runs or signing up for 3+ a month! And well, I just don’t have that kind of money. Then, as I mentioned in my New Year’s post, I want to focus on being rooted, slowing down, and living simply. With that comes the desire to spend less. I still plan to volunteer when our run club has a booth set up though! I love getting to cheer other runners on, and it’s a way for me to still contribute to our running community.

This year, I just want to get back to running for myself. Running for fun. I’d like to work a bit on my speed, and running longer distances without intervals. This year I was able to run an entire 10k without walking, and I’d like to see if I can do that again or maybe go a longer distance. While races can be so fun, I want to take a break and focus on getting what I need from running this year. And that’s honestly to just keep it simple.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Let's Run About It // Thoughts on New Goals

On NYE 2022, our running club had a resolution run. Afterward, we set goals for the year and wrote them on our shirts. My two goals were: 1) Run 350 miles total for the year and 2) Run a half marathon by the end of October. With my schedule, I wasn’t sure if either of these would be doable. However, by September I ran my first half marathon distance (non-race). And by the end of October, I had surpassed my 350-mile goal. While I know those aren’t the highest numbers or biggest challenge - they were each something that I worked hard for, and I’m really proud of.

Since then, I’ve been taking it pretty easy. Mostly due to a busy season. Then wedding stuff. And somewhere along the way, I lost the motivation to finish strong at the end of the year. I’ve been averaging about 5-7 miles a week. Those miles usually happen on Saturdays. I’ve also stopped going to the gym - which I really need to pick back up again. And while there are times that I’ve felt a little disappointed with myself, I’ve also tried to give myself some grace. Because sometimes, you NEED to scale back. Sometimes, you NEED a break. And sometimes you just NEED to run without any kind of goal or challenge so you can remember what it’s like to run for FUN. For your health - both mentally and physically. So, that’s what I’m currently doing. And honestly, it has been great. It’s been enjoyable. And also, freeing. This unexpected scaling back has reminded me of why I love to run. And I'm super grateful that this is even something my body can do. 

Now, with this year coming to a close, and our next resolution run happening in 5 weeks I’ve started to think about what I’d like to achieve next year. What kind of goal do I want to set and work toward? I’ve tossed a few ideas around, briefly considered an insane one, and then thought about timing-related achievements. I probably won’t decide anything until we’re closer to NYE, but the wheels have been turning. I’m also open to suggestions or recommendations. And while I have taken a bit of a step back from running, I’m actually pretty excited about what this next year will hold for me. So, here’s to new running goals!

Let's Run About It // Half Marathon

I had originally set out to start a running “series” back at the beginning of June. I wanted to track my progress leading up to our local Spooktacular Half Marathon in October. However, I won’t be running the half marathon at this local race anymore. I’ve opted to downgrade to the 10k instead. And it’s not because I fell behind on my training or got injured. In fact, it’s the opposite. I had already started increasing my mileage by the end of June and was ahead of my training schedule. In August I had already done a handful of double-digit mileage runs. And then, this past Saturday, I actually completed the half-marathon distance goal I had for myself! So, I think this “series” will be more about running in general. New gear, speed work progress, new shoes, fuel options, and an overall update on my running journey.

My “training” wasn’t an actual training plan I got from somewhere or someone. Though, if you have a Garmin watch they have some great adaptable plans. My training consisted of building up mileage and cross-training. At the beginning of each month, I would increase my Saturday long run and then try to hit that mileage every Saturday for that month. For example, in June, my long-run goal was 6 miles. So, every Saturday I would try to run a minimum of 6 miles. In July, my goal was 8 miles. So, every Saturday I would try to run a minimum of 8 miles. And so on, and so forth. This helped me get comfortable with running those longer distances consistently. I would also run shorter distances twice a week. And in August, I also started to incorporate cross-training twice a week. This was just the standard weight lifting machines at Planet Fitness for 30-45 minutes each day. This helps to prevent injury, and I'm desperately in need of core strength. Anyway, I stuck to this routine pretty consistently and I noticed a big difference in my endurance. 

Still, there were some days when I didn’t reach those distances or didn't feel like going to the gym. There were two weeks when I wasn’t able to run due to illness or previous obligations with Emery’s after-school activities too. I did do my best to stay on top of the long-run goals though. The plan was to hit 10 miles consistently by September, and then in October, I would hit 12. Finishing it off with 13.1 by the end of October - in time for the Spooktacular Half Marathon. This past Saturday, as my running friend and I  started out the morning we discussed how much we didn’t like the idea of half-marathon and full marathon races. We each had started our running journey for fun, a want for a hobby, and for mental health benefits. There was this enjoyment and carefree attitude attached to it when we had started. And once we started training for these longer races we realized that it was taking up much more of our time than we had originally anticipated. Also, when we didn’t reach weekly goals it would affect how we felt about ourselves. It also caused us anxiety because we felt we weren’t going to be ready in time. Then there was the fear of getting injured or sick. Having to train had sucked the joy right out of running and we were both feeling mentally tired of all the stress that it was causing. 

This past Saturday our goal was to just do 10 miles. But as the run progressed I was feeling really good! When we hit 10 miles I knew I could go further. So, my friend and I hit up one of our local running club aid stations and then pushed through the last 3.1 miles. I did one final little loop and heard the "DING" on my phone signaling my latest achievement of 13.1 miles. And I felt this huge wave of relief when we stopped. I was done! I had just hit one of my 2023 Distance Challenge Goals: Run a half-marathon by the end of October. There were no cheering spectators or a medal at the finish line, but I had done it! I had had a good run day, and still felt strong as I walked a bit to cool down. If you're a runner then you know that this isn’t always the case for some of us. This achievement came at the hands of super early mornings, a lot of run club encouragement, many failures, and several “dumpster fire” runs. It felt great, but also like I had been beyond ready to be over it. 

While I'm super grateful to be able to run, and really proud to have finished 13.1 miles, I’ve come to the decision that races longer than 10k are not for me - right now. I think 6.2 miles is the sweet spot. Maybe if I get some more 13.1 distances under my belt I’ll feel comfortable enough to pursue those races. But for now, I’m going back to running for fun. I’m doing away with 4 a.m. wake-up calls, and going to focus more on shortening my interval times. I want to finish the year on a good, carefree note. I’m going to relax, and hopefully start out the new year with an overall yearly distance goal that’s challenging for me. Then I'll re-evaluate this decision sometime next year to see if I still feel the same. For now, here's to finishing out the year with easy runs and hitting my overall yearly distance goal of 350 miles!

Wordless Wednesday

 

Wordless Wednesday

 

#SRC//Running Again - Part II

A month would pass before I looked at the group again. I gave a few likes. Then another month went by - I ordered a shirt. I started recognizing some of the faces from the group around town, on the trail, and on the rare occasion that I made it to the gym. I finally unmuted the group and started interacting a bit more. But it wouldn’t be until right before the 5k in March that I would gather the courage to attend one of the meet-ups. For an introvert like myself that gets social anxiety easily - saying that I was nervous is an understatement.

Before I left my driveway for the first meet-up I honestly sat in my car for several minutes thinking I shouldn’t even go. "You won’t have anything in common with anyone. You’re too much of an introvert people will think you’re weird. You’re too big to be in a running group. People will laugh at you. You’re not a real runner." These are just a few of the thoughts that popped into my head as I sat there. I finally took a few deep breaths and put the car in drive.

Twenty other runners showed up that morning. And some did look like me! Some people were way faster, and some walked. Some people never spoke a word to me, and some greeted me with a smile as they shook my hand. Some ran 6 miles while others only did 1. Some understood my struggle of juggling so much and finding time to run, and one responded with “No excuses.” Some experienced the same anxiety I did, and some couldn’t relate. But there were some. And that’s one of the main reasons why I still show up. For the next member who needs to see that there's someone just like them. 

If you’ve been on here long enough then you know I’m pretty introverted. Social situations can feel draining to me. Smiling and contributing to small talk are two things I am NOT good at. But being a part of this group pushes me outside of my comfort zone. I do my best to attend the Saturday meet-ups and the monthly socials. I tend to gravitate toward the older members, but I’m open to everyone. And the people in this group have pushed me to set running goals - even if they look different from their own. They’re encouraging and cheerful for every single accomplishment, and even the setbacks.

So here we are - ten months into being a member of a run club. Eight months of me consistently running. And two months of me setting distance goals. I’ve logged 70 runs and they’ve equaled out to about 132 miles. Some runs have been fast and some have been slow. I have gone on nonstop runs, and then some have consisted of more walking than running. I’ve made some new acquaintances, and hopefully, I’ll get some friendships out of it. But if I don’t, well, that’s okay too. I still have a group of people who motivate, inspire, and understand the love/hate relationship that comes with running. A run club with members who want to make their community better - their club more supportive/inclusive. And it’s filled with people who just get it. So, I’m pretty dang proud to be a part of it! And I can’t wait to see what we accomplish in the next year. Together. 

Wordless Wedesday

#SRC//Running Again - Part I

About halfway through 2021, I was feeling very - meh. You know that feeling you get when you’re just going through the motions of your daily life? Or when you realize it’s been too long since you’ve actually tried to accomplish something? Don’t get me wrong - life was/is good. I just felt like I didn’t have anything for myself. My daughter is getting older and she has more of a social life than I do. Corey has kayak fishing and he’s gone two weekends out of each month during the tournament season. And me? My routine consisted of work, school, cleaning, and studying. Wash, rinse, repeat.

One evening, right before my birthday last year, while we were getting ready for bed I remember that I was complaining about something stress related to Corey. I was tossing the pillows and sighing out in frustration when he asked me, “What is it that you like to do? What do you enjoy doing for yourself? Emery and I have our hobbies, what’s yours?” And I couldn’t think of a single thing. My response was, “I don’t have anything. I’m a mom and a partner. I feel like I sacrifice for you two to have your things.” He stood there quietly for a moment and then said, “Find something and make the time. Emery and I will adjust. You need something for yourself.”

The following day, after trying to think of ideas for hobbies, I decided to go for a run. That used to always help me think and clear my head. So, I dusted off my running shoes, and out the door, I went. The ideas didn’t come but my lungs burned. Two days later I went out for another run. Again, no idea what hobby I should try, but my legs felt like jello. Since my method for gaining some ideas wasn’t working I stopped. But a week later I saw my running shoes next to the bed and threw them on. When I got back home Corey was smiling and asked, “Find your hobby?” I grumbled. Waved him off as I tried to breathe and make my way to the shower.

Running was something I enjoyed in high school. Nothing long distance though. Then after I had Emery I turned back to it to help me lose a bit of weight. And over the years I’ve turned back to running - off/on - for its positive mental health benefits. It’s never been something that I stuck with for long though. But what if I did? What if I found a running partner? What if running became my hobby? Well that night, again as we got ready for bed, I searched Facebook to see if there were any local running clubs. Two popped up, but one hadn’t had any activity for a while. The other club had just under 300 members and that seemed intimidating. “Here goes nothing.” I requested to join the club and went to bed. The following day I received a message from the admin and shortly after I was accepted!

Running and I had a rocky start this time around. Most days I’d ask myself if I really wanted to start this up again. Could this really be my hobby? Could running really be my thing? Cardio was not my friend weight loss-wise anymore. It tends to do the opposite. My schedule was pretty packed so realistically would I have the time? Then I saw that the runners in the club were doing some major distances. The feed was peppered with posts that contained “13 easy miles” or “8-minute mile paces”. They were getting up between 4 - 5 am to run. Some were training for half and full marathons. Spartan races and Ironmans. Most of them ran 5+ days a week. And NONE of them looked like me. Feeling a bit self-conscience and defeated I muted the group. I told myself to do the best that I could. If I could only fit in a mile each week - that was fine. But I didn’t need to put any more pressure on myself.