Yesterday was one of those days to try my soul.
I had 16 miles on the schedule. Tons of rain in the forecast. I listened to the rain overflowing our gutters at 6 am and decided that I would wait for daylight and hope for a break in the downpour.
I quietly ate my breakfast and smiled as I realized that the rain was slowing to manageable levels. Packed up my long run gear, donned a reflective rain jacket, and headed out the door. Nothing to suggest that this run would shake me to my core.
About three miles in to the run, I have to run through a section of town I don't enjoy. Freeway ramps in both directions must be crossed, but it was early on Sunday morning, and I always make sure I follow every traffic light. Yesterday was no exception. And of course, this is the time when the sky lets loose with another downpour. Lovely.
Still, as I waited for the walk light, I remember thinking that I felt really good 3 miles in. Only a half marathon to go. The walk light came on, and I started into the intersection.
I notice down the ramp that a Jeep is coming my way. I keep my eye on him to make sure that he has seen me - you never know when someone might be talking on the cell phone or fiddling with the radio. I'm trying to hustle across the lanes; this is a long crossing, and I hate to be in the way if someone wants to stop and turn right.
The Jeep seems to be moving pretty fast, so I probably had a look of concern on my face as he approached. Maybe this pissed him off. Maybe he just doesn't like runners. I don't know. I've locked my eyes on his car.
He's now close. Slowing up a bit. Good, he is going to stop for his red light. I start to relax, and then he accelerates again, deliberately swerving at me so that I have to jump out of the way. The car narrowly misses me. And now I'm looking at him again. He's laughing. Laughing? Laughing! I start screaming at him.
He barely comes to a stop, and then turns right. I'm still yelling. I'm angry. I'm scared. Shocked. I'm sure I looked like a crazy person.
I keep running, all muscles on fire. My heart rate has rocketed. And then I stop for a minute and begin to sob. Did he actually want to hit me? Was it that funny to scare me? Why? I was crossing in a crosswalk in the middle of a downpour. He had a red light. I was a mess of emotions.
And I had 13 miles to go.
I thought about calling home. No. He wasn't going to take this run - any run - from me. I kept moving. And as I kept moving, spaces in my heart opened up. My breathing calmed. Run long enough, and fear and anger disappears. There is no room in your muscles for those things.
In many ways, this run was a gift. I realized more clearly why I run. I become a better person when I do. The miles can work magic, releasing negative emotions in their wake. I might still be tightly angry about what happened yesterday had I cut that run short. But I ran so much of it out that it is just a loose ache today, something to wonder at. And that, my friends, is why I choose to run.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
i'm a slut
I just realized this about myself.
No, not in that way.
But when it comes to running, I'll run with anyone. Anywhere. Any time. I'm not faithful to one running buddy, one running trail, one running distance. I'll dally with 20 miles. Shake with 3. Slow dance with 10 on the trails.
New friends to run with? Great! Total strangers to run with? That's fine too. Totally crazy schemes involving people I've hardly met, really long runs, and potato chips - sign me up.
I've run safely at home. In the dark. In the country. Between the pine trees early in the morning. Next to lakes. Right by the freeway where everyone can see. Doesn't matter. I'll run anywhere.
Sounds a bit like an addiction. Maybe it is. I can live with that.
No, not in that way.
But when it comes to running, I'll run with anyone. Anywhere. Any time. I'm not faithful to one running buddy, one running trail, one running distance. I'll dally with 20 miles. Shake with 3. Slow dance with 10 on the trails.
New friends to run with? Great! Total strangers to run with? That's fine too. Totally crazy schemes involving people I've hardly met, really long runs, and potato chips - sign me up.
I've run safely at home. In the dark. In the country. Between the pine trees early in the morning. Next to lakes. Right by the freeway where everyone can see. Doesn't matter. I'll run anywhere.
Sounds a bit like an addiction. Maybe it is. I can live with that.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
marathon course lengths
When I ran the Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon, I was disappointed in my finisher's time, but I took solace in the fact that many people reported a total Garmin distance of 26.6 miles. Factoring in the extra mileage, I had actually averaged a pace of 9:37, rather than the 9:46 that 26.2 penciled out to. "The course was long!" I was telling all my friends and family. "Can you believe it?" I was indignant.
This past Sunday, as I was pacing our group, I leaned over to my co-leader and said, "My Garmin is off. I keep hitting the mile marker almost a full .10th early!" After thinking we had caught up to our pace, because I was using the Garmin, I realized that we still had to adjust to what the course mileage said. What is wrong with these race directors, I wondered. How hard is it to make a course that is 26.2 miles?
Playing in the back of my mind, though, was some advice that pace leaders in the Eugene Marathon had provided us. "Run the tangents," they urged. "Cut the corners, find the shortest line. You'll save a few steps every time. Those steps equal time on the clock."
Hmm.
And then, finally, a wise pacer put it all together for me. Here's the secret.
To get certified as a marathon course by the USATF, the course MUST be at least 1% longer than 26.2 miles.
Your Garmin will always measure long on an official course.
And that's where running the tangents come in. If you can cut those corners, run the shortest line, do it, because the course is based on that shortest measurement. It is not based on swinging wide, dodging in and out of people, and heading all over the place. Which means if you run in the big pack of people, your Garmin is probably always going to measure long. The RDs didn't screw up the course - they were just doing what they were supposed to do.
Which, I suppose, is encouraging to know, but sure bums me out on my average pace in Seattle!
This past Sunday, as I was pacing our group, I leaned over to my co-leader and said, "My Garmin is off. I keep hitting the mile marker almost a full .10th early!" After thinking we had caught up to our pace, because I was using the Garmin, I realized that we still had to adjust to what the course mileage said. What is wrong with these race directors, I wondered. How hard is it to make a course that is 26.2 miles?
Playing in the back of my mind, though, was some advice that pace leaders in the Eugene Marathon had provided us. "Run the tangents," they urged. "Cut the corners, find the shortest line. You'll save a few steps every time. Those steps equal time on the clock."
Hmm.
And then, finally, a wise pacer put it all together for me. Here's the secret.
To get certified as a marathon course by the USATF, the course MUST be at least 1% longer than 26.2 miles.
Your Garmin will always measure long on an official course.
And that's where running the tangents come in. If you can cut those corners, run the shortest line, do it, because the course is based on that shortest measurement. It is not based on swinging wide, dodging in and out of people, and heading all over the place. Which means if you run in the big pack of people, your Garmin is probably always going to measure long. The RDs didn't screw up the course - they were just doing what they were supposed to do.
Which, I suppose, is encouraging to know, but sure bums me out on my average pace in Seattle!
Monday, October 11, 2010
the view from the 24th mile
For the past two years, I've had the pleasure and the honor of helping out at the Red Lizard Mile 24 aid station at the Portland Marathon. We hand out water and Ultima, pretzels and gummi bears. We've got music and a guy on a mike, encouraging the runners on, calling them out by name, joking with them. The aid station has won the "Most Spirited" award more than once. The energy is electric.
As I stood there, cheering and encouraging people as they ran by, I couldn't help but wonder about their stories. What had brought them to this place. The miles that had gone by. What was driving them to keep going, or what had caused them to give up. So many stories running past.
You see it all at mile 24. The quiet smiles of those who know they have their goal in sight. The grimaces of those who have gone out too fast and are now paying the price. Those out to enjoy the day, joking with their running buddies. The injured. The nauseous. Bloody nipples, awkward gaits, tears. You see it all out there.
At times, I felt the tears welling up, knowing that there was nothing I could say or do to make it better for a runner in that moment. And then the tears from the runners who couldn't help contain their excitement that they were doing well. Having a good day. The runners from the late corrals passing those from early corrals. Early starters far behind their peers.
One runner stands out. She had started out with the 4:30 group that I was pacing for the first half. Normally a Vibram 5 Fingers runner, she had chosen to wear some new Nike Frees for the race, but within a couple of miles, they were hurting. She fell back and we continued on. After mile 13, my buddy pacer and I started walking back to the car. We saw her, barefoot. Not in Vibrams. Completely barefoot.
I saw her later coming through the aid station. Her feet looked to be hurting, but she was still moving along, the pain clear in her eyes. So much courage, conviction, to get through that day. And I saw her again at the finish. She had done it.
The marathon is an amazing event. If you want to be encouraged by the great heart and spirit of people, spend some time near mile 24 of a marathon. You'll see so much courage and bravery that you can't help but tear up a little.
As I stood there, cheering and encouraging people as they ran by, I couldn't help but wonder about their stories. What had brought them to this place. The miles that had gone by. What was driving them to keep going, or what had caused them to give up. So many stories running past.
You see it all at mile 24. The quiet smiles of those who know they have their goal in sight. The grimaces of those who have gone out too fast and are now paying the price. Those out to enjoy the day, joking with their running buddies. The injured. The nauseous. Bloody nipples, awkward gaits, tears. You see it all out there.
At times, I felt the tears welling up, knowing that there was nothing I could say or do to make it better for a runner in that moment. And then the tears from the runners who couldn't help contain their excitement that they were doing well. Having a good day. The runners from the late corrals passing those from early corrals. Early starters far behind their peers.
One runner stands out. She had started out with the 4:30 group that I was pacing for the first half. Normally a Vibram 5 Fingers runner, she had chosen to wear some new Nike Frees for the race, but within a couple of miles, they were hurting. She fell back and we continued on. After mile 13, my buddy pacer and I started walking back to the car. We saw her, barefoot. Not in Vibrams. Completely barefoot.
I saw her later coming through the aid station. Her feet looked to be hurting, but she was still moving along, the pain clear in her eyes. So much courage, conviction, to get through that day. And I saw her again at the finish. She had done it.
The marathon is an amazing event. If you want to be encouraged by the great heart and spirit of people, spend some time near mile 24 of a marathon. You'll see so much courage and bravery that you can't help but tear up a little.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Take It and Run Thursday
You know what I miss? The old Take It And Run Thursdays from Runner's Lounge - the Thursday writing prompt where you got to add your link to the group and chime in on a different running topic every week. It was a fantastic way to get to know other running bloggers, and it was the forum that helped me get started blogging in the first place.
But things change. Runner's Lounge is now for sale. My main blog, runningrelays.com, is under new management. Things don't stay the same on these interwebs (unless it's the website of my former employer - come on guys, update your website already. Four years without one change. Really?)
But Take It And Run was a great idea. And I just happen to have the magical widget that makes it possible. So you know what, I'm going to host a new version. I might be the only participant. Oh well. But if you'd like to chime in and add your name to the mix, please feel free. Of course, I should probably call it something slightly different, so let's go with Run With It Thursday. (Totally original, eh? ha ha)
Run With It Thursday
Alright, it's time to channel your inner Jeff Foxworthy. This week's topic: If you ..., you might be a running blogger. Go!
But things change. Runner's Lounge is now for sale. My main blog, runningrelays.com, is under new management. Things don't stay the same on these interwebs (unless it's the website of my former employer - come on guys, update your website already. Four years without one change. Really?)
But Take It And Run was a great idea. And I just happen to have the magical widget that makes it possible. So you know what, I'm going to host a new version. I might be the only participant. Oh well. But if you'd like to chime in and add your name to the mix, please feel free. Of course, I should probably call it something slightly different, so let's go with Run With It Thursday. (Totally original, eh? ha ha)
Run With It Thursday
Alright, it's time to channel your inner Jeff Foxworthy. This week's topic: If you ..., you might be a running blogger. Go!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Guest post at runningrelays.com
Up until this August, I ran the blog runningrelays.com. It was a marvelous project, and I had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people, including race directors and relay fanatics. But the blog was quickly taking over my life and I didn't want to commit the resources it needed to really make it something special, so I handed it over to a gal who has plenty of relay experience. However, I still enjoy writing about relays, so I put together this guest post that should appear there soon.
You might think that, as a runner, my favorite part of relays would be the miles on the road. Pushing myself to run faster than ever so as to not let my team down. Working hard and having the sore legs on Sunday to prove it. But you know what? As much as I love the running, that isn't my favorite part.
No, what I love is seeing all the creative ways that people deck out their vans and their persons, running in crazy costumes that range from the silly to the divine. The costume contest at the Cascade Lakes Relay is my favorite part of the race - some of those teams spend more time on that one costume than they do on their training. Developing and honing a team theme is surprisingly rewarding for me.
Buried somewhere deep in side me must be a trapped designer - of interiors, fashion, events. This alternate persona doesn't get to come out and play much, but give me a great relay team theme, and it just can't help itself. I've got ideas coming out of my ears. So you can imagine how excited I was to check out some mood boards for interior design and realize that the same could be done for relay teams.
My hope is to bring you new mood boards on a regular basis. If you have a team theme you'd like some brainstorming help with, please feel free to email me at teri@runningrelays.com.
So without further ado, here is my first team mood board.
Think favorite songs, bands, lyrics...
If you're gonna be a rockstar, you need an instrument. Inflatable guitars are an obvious choice. How else will you totally rock out when you stop to support your runner?
Yeah, you can wear your sunglasses at night, Corey Hart. They even react to sounds of passing cars.
Are these not the coolest lights ever? Why have just one disco ball when you can fill your entire van with them? Not sure how to hook Christmas lights up in your van? Here's a guide.
Many of the relays are now requiring you to wear blinking lights on your back at night. You could go the traditional red blinkie light route, or you could be totally rockin' and wear a red guitar.
To pull a look together, matching team shirts are the way to go. Purchase enough for your team from a local running store (they will usually give you a discount - be sure to ask), design a cool rocking logo and have them screen printed locally. My team purchased tech shirts and had them custom printed on a small run for $33 each. Road Runner Sports gave us an awesome discount on our shirts.
* * *
You might think that, as a runner, my favorite part of relays would be the miles on the road. Pushing myself to run faster than ever so as to not let my team down. Working hard and having the sore legs on Sunday to prove it. But you know what? As much as I love the running, that isn't my favorite part.
No, what I love is seeing all the creative ways that people deck out their vans and their persons, running in crazy costumes that range from the silly to the divine. The costume contest at the Cascade Lakes Relay is my favorite part of the race - some of those teams spend more time on that one costume than they do on their training. Developing and honing a team theme is surprisingly rewarding for me.
Buried somewhere deep in side me must be a trapped designer - of interiors, fashion, events. This alternate persona doesn't get to come out and play much, but give me a great relay team theme, and it just can't help itself. I've got ideas coming out of my ears. So you can imagine how excited I was to check out some mood boards for interior design and realize that the same could be done for relay teams.
My hope is to bring you new mood boards on a regular basis. If you have a team theme you'd like some brainstorming help with, please feel free to email me at teri@runningrelays.com.
So without further ado, here is my first team mood board.
The Rockstar theme.
Team names in this genre: Dexy's Midnight Runners, Buns & Roses, Steve Miller's Band, Tramps Like Us, No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn, Elvis Has Left the Van, Born to RunThink favorite songs, bands, lyrics...
4. Big hair
I mean, you can't be a butt rock band without a mullet. And forget punk without a smokin' mohawk. Shop after Halloween sales to save on killer wigs.6. Tattoos
You can't be a rocker without some tattoos. These ones even glow in the dark.8. Awards
Complete your relay experience with team awards - Best Air Guitar Player, Most Welcome Singing at 2 am, Parties Most Like a Rockstar...it can be a fun way to wrap up a weekend.
So there you have it - the Rockstar relay theme mood board. Have any more ideas about how to rock it relay style?
RWIT: You Might Be A Running Blogger
If you take pictures of random objects you find on the sidewalk...you might be a running blogger.
If you're out on a run, and pick up the pace to get back to write up the post you've got in your head...you might be a running blogger.
If you research your running injury for several hours to be able to write up a complete overview to the injury...you might be a running blogger.
If you check your number of followers every morning, you might be a running blogger.
If you think about signing up for last minute races because it would make a good post, you might be a running blogger.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)