Keep Calm and Carry on Running

First of all, I would like to dedicate this ‘crappy and boring’ blog (oh, ya gotta love trolls) to my friends.  No matter what happens in my life my friends are always there for me, encouraging me on and loving me through whatever comes my way.  I am very lucky to have such amazing women in my life and I cannot appreciate them enough.  So, Mariah, Nicky, Amy, Kimberly, Jenny, Lorraine, Molly, Ashley, Jessica, Valerie, Julia, and all the rest of you- this blog is for you.  I love you all more than words can say.

Lately my drama llama has been so overloaded that I fear he’s going to catch fire.  Some days it seems like there’s always some sort of crisis, and although I am happier than I have ever been, my stress level is high.  Very high.  I haven’t blogged in awhile because I stopped running for a bit.  I couldn’t find the time, things in my life imploded, etc. etc. On Monday, I blew the dust off my running shoes, pulled on my short shorts, and hit the road.

It felt amazing.  There’s nothing like six miles along the beach to make you feel like a new human again.  I’ve been running most days this week and it makes such a difference.  Running always makes me feel grateful, so when I hit the trail I always spend most of my time counting my blessings.  My beautiful daughter, the perfect love I’ve found, my friends, my family, the smell of salty sea air, and sunshine are what I focus on as the miles pass away unnoticed.  There’s something about a good run that cleanses my soul and makes me feel like a new, better version of myself.  I return to my life renewed and refreshed, my only concern being what flavour ice cream to buy when I take my daughter for a walk along the beach.  Despite everything, running helps me remember that life is sweet.  And, I am so blessed to be living the life I lead. -Sarah

Run, mama, run?

Mucho apologies here at Run, Mama, Run for our hiatus. I blame Amy.

Just kidding. I think we’re both struggling with our mobile children and all the rest that motherhood entails. It’s a lot most days, but I’m going to double dog dare myself to write at least one blog a week. If y’all aren’t too bored, maybe I’ll strive for more- I have a few friends that have started running because of our blog.  That gives me hope and makes me feel that I must persevere.  To make certain Amy writes, I’ve installed an electric shock device on her computer so if she doesn’t blog once a week the keyboard gives her a nasty shock.  Y’all are that important.

Lately running has been difficult for me. I’m running the Brighton marathon in a week and a half and the training has kicked my ass. My hip has started to really hurt (old war/ballet injury) and the training hours eat away at my family time. Also, the weather here blows. It’s still freezing cold and I don’t think it’s helping ye olde gammy hip. I’ve decided that I’m going to pull up my Pollyanna positivity big girl panties and quit whining. Now is the time for strength and optimism. The weather will improve. The hip will hurt less. I will keep running. This blog will keep on keeping on.  -Sarah

Brutal 10, Never Again

Well, I hate to say never.  There are lots of things I said I would never do, most of which involve my child.  Fussy baby in the car?  Hand them your cell phone, and who cares if they call 5 or 6 of your nearest and dearest- they’re happy.  The list goes on and on.  However, in this case, I think I can safely say that it will be donkey’s years before I attempt another Brutal 10k.  I mean, I’m glad I did it, and I finished- but dude, never again.

I should start by saying that I am a girly girl.  I like to think I’m pretty scrappy, but I’m not a huge fan of things like camping, or  quite frankly of dirt in general.  I enjoy trail running, but primarily I just like that there aren’t very many people around and I can rock out and sing along to the Biebs to my heart’s content.  Not that I do that, I mean- how undignified!  Anyway, I like the great outdoors in snippets, but I prefer hotels to tents, if you catch my drift.  Also, I’m just a normal mother.  I mean, I cross my legs when I sneeze just like we all do.  When I signed up for the Brutal 10k, I figured it was a 10K with a little added difficulty.  My friends, that is NOT what it is.  As my mother-in-law (and one of my biggest fans) said, “Oh my goodness, that was a proper military assault course.  Never do that again dear.’ I love her because she’s wise.

It was essentially a military assault course.  It’s the real deal, for bad asses, and while I am a bad ass- it was not NOT the thing for me.  First of all, the hills they mention in the brochure?  They’re less like hills and more like vertical climbs.  I spent a couple of those hills scrabbling from root to root pulling myself up, and I was not alone.  If you like crawling on your face through mud up a vertical hill scrabbling for a root to hold onto- this is the race for you!!  Also, the mud and swamps? They are pits of mud and actual swamps, more of what you would visualize in the Ozarks than the picturesque British countryside.  Finally, I’m a short-arse (as my husband would say) and I was waist deep in mud on several occasions, as well as being face first in swamp water at one point.  I am clutching my pearls just thinking about it.  Disgusting.  It took many showers to feel clean.

The event was well run and I , of course, got a tee shirt.  It just was not what I thought it would be.  Perhaps I should have taken a clue from the word Brutal and not expected a normal hilly race.  Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.  Never again.

– Sarah

  

Wit, wisdom, and inspirational quotes

I LOVE inspirational sayings.  If I had an office it would look exactly like Barney’s office on How I Met Your Mother.  Sometimes when I don’t feel like working out I log into Pinterest and browse the health and fitness section.  When I read things like, ‘No matter how slow you’re going, you’re still lapping everyone on the couch,’ I feel motivated to actually do something.  I don’t care if it’s cheesy, it works for me, and I’ll take anything that peels me away from a particularly engaging episode of Snapped.  So, when I get my mitts on a running book with lots of inspirational quotes I clap my little hands with glee and start taking notes.

This weeks obsession is a book called Eat and Run by Scott Jurek.  Y’all it’s awesome.  Beyond awesome.  And, it’s full of inspirational sayings and witty catchphrases.  My favorite thus far is, “Pain only hurts.”  Repeating pain only hurts got me through a particularly grueling hill repeat session on Monday.  Jurek is an ultramarathoner (he runs races that are like 100 miles long) and a staunch vegan.  He has inspired me to start really thinking about the foods I eat, and I’m even conducting a little experiment which I will fill you all in on another day.  I bet you’re on the edge of your seats.

The weather has actually been great here lately,  and I even ran in shorts and a tank top today.  While I probably blinded a few people  with my pasty white legs, it felt good to be outdoors without my usual winter gear.  Tomorrow I’ve got a sixteen miler planned, so hopefully it will hold for a while.  I leave you with a little advice on running a marathon from the LEGEN… wait for it… DARY Barney Stinson,

“Step one, you start running.  There is no step two.”

-Sarah

Tips for Beginning Runners

by Amy

I didn’t begin to exercise regularly until my son was about 5 months old.  After my husband hung a full length mirror in the hallway I noticed that my ass had grown to the size of Texas. It was time for a change. Sarah posted a photo of her running in a race on Facebook. I thought, “Damn, she looks great! I need to get on that running train!” I figured it would be all cupcakes and gravy, and that I would get into awesome shape instantly. If the results had been instantaneous I could have written a book and made a million dollars. Then I would have gone on a quest to find a unicorn.

While I may not run like Usain Bolt or look like Sophia Vergara, I have been learning quite a bit. Some of this may seem a bit obvious but sometimes one needs a kick in the proverbial balls to get going. So, without further ado, I give you TIPS FOR BEGINNING RUNNERS:

1. START SLOW. When I first started I could barely jog for three minutes without getting winded. I walked about 90% of the time. A mere three weeks later I can go a good 30 minutes jogging about 90% of the time. Some elderly people can walk faster than I jog, but that’s OK. So far (knock on wood) I have managed to avoid injury or burnout. Don’t feel bad if you have to walk more at first. Take it slowly, and you won’t be sorry.
2. TREAD LIGHTLY. The first few times I ran my feet were clomping on the ground like a cracked-out Clydesdale. Being 30+ pounds overweight I must have been putting significant strain on my feet and knees. I was jogging on a trail one day when this annoyingly fit lady floated right past me. Her footfalls were damn near silent. It was amazing. A quick Google search of “running form” found a few good resources. It really isn’t necessary to lift your knees much. Try to land on your feet softly and quickly.
3. FORM. Like any exercise, form is important when running. Holding your body the proper way can prevent injury and increase endurance. You’ll want to have good posture. Look straight ahead and scan the path for obstructions and dog poop. Keep shoulders down and relaxed. Arms should be in close at a ninety degree angle on your sides. Swing arms forward and back. Feet straight ahead. Try to land between your heel and the middle of your foot and quickly roll of the toes. Keep strides short. These people explain it better than I ever could. But don’t despair if you don’t get it all right away. I’m finding that the more I run, the more natural proper form feels.
4. WEAR DECENT SHOES. If you don’t have a pair of running shoes, go out and buy the best ones you can afford. You probably don’t need the latest $200 Nikes. Good support is more important than fashion. But if you can find something that looks great in addition to being well-constructed, you are clearly fabulous. Rock it. I’m wearing year-old New Balances.
5. DON’T EAT A BIG-ASS MEAL BEFORE YOU RUN. Before I got the jogging stroller my only option was to go on a run in the evening after my husband came home from work. One night I attempted to run right after pigging out on a pasta dinner. Needless to say I made it about five minutes before tromping home like a dejected circus elephant. The best time for me to run is earlier in the day. My stomach isn’t full and the baby is a lot less fussy.
6. IF YOU’RE A MAMA, SCHEDULE STROLLER RUNS ACCORDINGLY. When I’m bringing my son along for a ride (which is about 95% of the time) I try to go at an optimal time-maybe an hour after a feeding, for example. Change the kid’s diaper before you leave. If you are unable to go out at an optimal time, run near a park so you can take a break and feed the baby. Stowing a diaper bag is also a good idea.
7. EAT HEALTHY AND LOSE WEIGHT IF NECESSARY. Most runners aren’t fat, but running without eating a healthy diet won’t make you lose weight. I learned that the hard way. I thought, “Oh cool, I’m running now. I’m hungry, so I’ll just eat these three slices of pizza and down a couple of beers. No worries, I’ll still lose weight.” Um, no. I gained weight because I was eating even more! The extra weight slows me down and puts stress on my joints. While I’m not enough of a masochist to go on some crazy vegan salad diet, I cut down on my portion sizes and beer consumption. I’m also trying to eat foods that make me poop because pooping is the key to eternal youth. Veggies, fruits, whole grains, the usual high-fiber foods. I have been drinking my own bastardized version of the Green Monster smoothie.  Sarah loves this drink, and adds peanut butter to it. Make sure you drink plenty of water! Otherwise the whole healthy diet thing becomes pointless.
8. BUMP SOME TUNES. Music (via iPod or stroller radio) keeps me motivated while running. While I’m normally an indie-rock kind of lady, upbeat dance-pop is really helpful in maintaining a decent pace. “Body Talk” by Robyn is my favorite workout album of the moment. When I run alone, I nerdgasm with podcasts. “The Bugle” (with John Oliver of “The Daily Show”) brings me great joy and satisfaction.
9. DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK.  When I run I often feel like Jabba the Hut in a sequin dress. I’ve been called “fat ass” and the like. Screw those kinds of people. They don’t deserve a second thought. Besides, most people couldn’t give a rat’s ass about how you look or what you’re doing. They have their own concerns and insecurities.
10. RUN WHENEVER YOU CAN. Don’t stress if you can’t run every single day. Run whenever you can. Sometimes you’ll feel amazing after a run. Other times the idea of a run might be akin to getting a root canal. But if you stick with it, you will feel better physically and mentally. Eventually you will be able to meet your goals, whether they involve weight loss or half-marathons.

Of course, everyone is different. This is an anecdotal framework that has been helping me with my running regime. Whatever path you choose, may you live long and prosper running!

Valleys Fill First

Amy’s latest blog and my recent health struggles have really got me thinking about hard times.  Unfortunately, even here at Run, Mama, Run, life isn’t always rainbows and puppy dogs.  I know this is the internet, and we’re all supposed to be smiles, positive thoughts, and cat videos, but that just isn’t always reality.  Some days are hard, some times are hard, and feeling down and out is part of this wonderful journey of life we’re all on together.

My motto lately has been slow miles are better than no miles. The weather here has been utter crap, and while that usually doesn’t get me down, combined with a consistent lack of sleep and poor health- I have been dragging ass on the trails.  It sucks.  Normally, I look forward to each and every run, and I come in the house afterwards fist pumping and full of energy.  Lately not so much, I come in wet, muddy and grouchy and head straight for a long, hot shower.

This all reminds me of a Caedmon’s Call song from my youthful days.  It’s called Valleys Fill First, and it is essentially about how at your low points, the only way is up.  So, at times like these I try (no matter how hard it is) to look for the positives in life.  Sure, I feel like crap now, but won’t I really appreciate feeling well and healthy?  The weather may suck today, but I’m certainly going to savour the warmth of spring and summer.  Finally, maybe this run is slow, but it’s a run.  I’m healthy enough to be out on the trail, no matter how grouchy or crummy I feel.  Down in the valley for today, but fortunately the valleys fill first. – Sarah

Necessity, invention, and this running mama…

People often ask me where I find the time to run 30 miles a week.  After all, I have an active ten month old genius on my hands and my husband works about 50 hours a week in London.  The fact of the matter is that I have to be pretty organized about my running schedule, and sometimes I have to get a bit creative.

If you’re friends with me in the UK, and you’ve been over to my house, this scenario has probably happened to you.  I lure you in with a delicious home cooked lunch, fresh cookies or banana bread, and coffee.  As soon as you get comfortable- BAM, I ask you if you mind terribly watching Daisy for 45 minutes or so, and quicker than most people can react I’m changed into running gear and sprinting for the door.  Seriously, my friends are awesome y’all, and they really help me put the miles in.  Also, Dan’s family have really taken me on as one of their own, and his parents love having Daisy on Saturday mornings.  Saturdays are usually my long run day, and it’s also nice to have a little break to drink my coffee with both hands.  And, of course my husband (my number one fan) does whatever he can so that I can have the opportunity to run.  I feel really grateful for my little support system.

Today I decided to try something different, and inspired by my sister, I took Daisy with me out for a run.  I don’t have a jogging stroller, but I do have a fancy-schmancy pram with big wheels and shocks and all that so I figured we’d be fine.  It turned out to be a really fun experience for the both of us, and Daisy loved watching the sea whip by (okay, slowly go by- I wasn’t going that fast) and it was a nice bonding experience for us.  I still enjoy my running time alone, but I think taking Daisel out from time to time is another really good way to meet my goals.

Speaking of goals, in January I ran 133.3 miles.  I’m actually pretty pleased with this number, and I’m looking for at least 134 miles in February.  I also signed up for a ‘Brutal 10’ on February 23rd which is sort of like a bad ass 10k, with big hills, mud, swamps, and streams to ford.  I figure completing the Brutal 10 in under 60 minutes would up my bad ass quotient by at least another 15%.  I’ll keep you posted, but until then keep on running. -Sarah

The Magnificent Bridge

It has been over a year since I last travelled to England. I dream of returning someday. It is the land of my ancestors. I feel very much at home among the tall people, some of them with less-than-perfect teeth. Just like me! I miss the scones and dairy products. I miss the painterly landscapes, the sheep, and the train system, which, for all its faults, still beats what we have in the US. I miss walking into a village pub where I’ll likely be referred to as “Yank” and treated with a general disdain. Most of all, I miss my sister and my niece, who I have yet to meet in person!

Sheep > people

This is what I think of as a “painterly landscape”.

Right now I cannot afford plane tickets and the exchange rate so I’ll have to retreat into a goofily arbitrary world of imagination. Thanks to Google maps I was able to calculate the distance between Sarah’s and my homes: 8709 kilometers, or 5412 miles as the crow flies. I am going to pretend that the terrain from here to there is similar to a suburban sidewalk (where I’ve been running lately), the climate is mild and that there’s a magnificent bridge spanning the Atlantic Ocean.

Today I “wogged” (walk-jogged) 7 km. Only 8702 km left ’til I knock on my sister’s door! I’ll get to hug my niece and my sister will hug her nephew (I put him in the jogging stroller, after all). After we put the babies to bed we’ll make some queso* and laugh at trashy television shows together. Yes, that is how we bond. Please don’t judge.  -Amy

*I did run over 5412 miles, so a bit of molten cheese won’t hurt, right? And of course I’ll have to bring the Velveeta and rotel, as those things are apparently not available in England. How very uncivilized.