Milestone Day finally got here!

I wasn’t too sure how I was going to handle 11 miles since this was going to be my first time running 11 miles.  My initial thoughts were should I think about it as just adding a mile on what I did last weekend or should I think about it as adding half a mile to the 5 I would run out and another half to the other 5 running back to where I started?  Either way it was going to be 11 miles whether I liked it or not.  I was nervous about it but knew that I was committed to finishing it no matter what. I got a message that morning from a dear friend that said “it doesn’t get easier. You get stronger” and I took that to heart and used that as a mantra while I was out there. 

The first few miles were in a new location for me and it was beautiful.  I always wondered how people got to the Mormon Temple since it looks inaccessible when you see it on the beltway.  A friend’s daughter Jalyn always asked me whether that was a castle and I always told her that it kind of looked like one but wasn’t one and she always asked when we would go there and I always told her there must be a mystery road to get there but we shall get there one day.  Watching the sun rise and the rays reflect on the top of the temple was beautiful.  I thought to myself I should stop and take pics and save them for when I see Jalyn and tell her that I was not too far from the “castle” when I was out running.  I stopped to take a pic until when I realized this was just around mile 2 and I had 9 miles to go.  I had no time to spend taking pictures and off I went knowing that I would be back to take a few pics on my way back at

the end of the run.

It was about 60 degrees when we started and was hot and I started to complain about the heat until when I decided oh no this is what we must deal with today so I have no choice but to keep it moving.  Along the way, I was reminded that the half marathon I am running is in Florida so these temperatures are just getting me ready for the heat if any on race day so yet again I had no choice but to check myself. The times when I would get negative thoughts and feel like giving up I would find a familiar face along the route which makes it easier and a little enjoyable that you are not in this alone.  Talking about familiar faces along the route, I met Sarah twice on my way out and back and I think she is the only person who I have met who is able to smile, run fast and is with a dog J Where do you get all this energy from Sarah?   

Somebody asked me about what I think about when am running and I told them my mind is all over the place that one would probably think I was a little crazy.  Well we all have a little crazy in each and every one of us so don’t judge me…LOL. So here were some of my thoughts while I was out there:  Hmm will I be able to do anything the rest the day when am done, OMG am I really running 11 miles, snap out of it Lynn you got this, ok ok, hmm look at those very fast runners, do they feel the aches and pains that I do?  Do they experience any chub rub, oh chub rub a topic for another day, I guess they are fast because they are skinny..arrgghhh, you don’t have to be that fast there isn’t any animal chasing you, is that what they call their slow run, gosh what am I going to have for dinner? Hmm somebody promised to make me dinner, will I be able to get there to enjoy the dinner, oh have I paid my bills, what am I having for breakfast after all this, it is really hot, gosh it is so hot I think am going to throw up, does that mean I like running in the cold, oh no am getting converted to being a winter runner, hmmm I wonder if I will see any familiar faces, why don’t people smile when they are just walking their dogs, oh that is a really cute couple, hmm I wonder how long they have been married. Are they married, did I take the trash out, what a beautiful house, I should start clean eating again hmm why won’t I commit to a clean eating even for 10 days and the thoughts went on and on   and on. 

View of the temple and yummy dinner

Anyway the 11 miles were finally done woot woot, I was able to walk after that and still be able to function later on in the day.  I got to be pampered with homemade dinner and the only thing I was not able to do was take the extra photos on my way back for Jalyn because this girl was beyond exhausted. I hear from seasoned runners that if you can run 11 miles then you can run 12 miles so 12 miles here I come so help me God!

Double Digits here I come.

Cherry Blossom 2016

My goal was to conquer 10 miles as a training run this past Saturday and hope that I would function after I had completed the run.  I had previously run 10 miles twice last year and that was only during races. The first time I run 10 miles was in April 2016 at the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler.  I recall that being a very emotional race for me and can’t forget the look of all the band members who were waiting for me at the finish line to celebrate the milestone. I remember thinking there was no way I was ever going to run 10 miles again.  I called in sick the next day and almost called in on Tuesday too. I could barely walk to the bathroom that night or even function the next day.

Fast forward to October 2016, my second 10 miles was at the Army 10 miler.  During training, we never run the actual distance of the race we are targeting so that we are ready and it reduces the risk of getting injured before the race. The Army 10 miler was an emotional race in a different way compared to the Cherry Blossom race.  I was inspired by how many wounded veterans were out there doing the distance.  I recall seeing a runner who lost both his legs and was running on blades and had stopped for a break because he was in pain but he didn’t quit.  Watching the strength of these wounded men and women was enough to keep me going.  There was no way I was going to feel sorry for myself or have time to complain about anything being hard.  What a humbling experience and a reminder that you can’t take things for granted and you are the only person who limits yourself in what you can do in this life. 

Earlier in the week, I attended a talk titled “Resilient and Ready:  How to Thrive Through Challenge and Change” by Valorie Burton a life coach who specialized in positive psychology and felt so inspired from the talk and decided I would have to channel positivity during the run.  A part of me was still stressed out but got encouragement from my friends that I would be able to do it and it helps to get the extra boost from friends even when you are freaking out.

Phew I found them 😊

I started off the morning with a few setbacks (left my inhaler at home) on my way for the run but I wasn’t going to use that as an excuse not to do the run.  I decided to visualize the mileage as a pie that had 5 big slices each representing 2 miles.  Using this method wasn’t as daunting as dealing with the miles one at a time since the route was challenging and needed one to dig deeper.  I guess all the hill repeats we did on Wednesday came in handy on Saturday…thanks Coach KC.  It was a beautiful day and it was nice to see friends out doing their own training.  My highlight though was meeting the training group that was doing 7 miles at their half way point since I didn’t expect to find them.  At that point I had been singing to myself since my phone battery was down and had seen a few runners who I didn’t know and just wanted to see one familiar face.  At mile 6.5, I kept on saying to myself multiple times please meet the band and my only prayer at that point was answered and the feeling was priceless.  Thanks guys you know am always humbled by your support.

I finally finished the 10 miles and was still able to stand and celebrate with friends on completing my accomplishment.  Interesting how a year makes a difference, I was able to go to church later that evening and volunteer which I would not have been able to do last year.  Reality is beginning to set in that I need to acknowledge that am getting stronger and with the right attitude I will conquer the half.  Next weekend will be new to me so bring on 11 miles woot woot.

Do you really run?

I have met several people who have asked me questions about my running experience and I sometimes wonder whether these questions are because they are curious about running or for them to compare themselves to me or even doubt that I run or whatever reason they may have to ask these questions makes me sometimes wonder what they would like to know.  Here are some of the questions that am usually asked:   Do you really run the whole distance, are you sure you run and not just walk fast, are you serious you can do the distance, don’t your knees bother you, what about your leg does it bother you and oh I didn’t think you were serious when you said you run? Depending on the tone and how am asked, I find myself sometimes being defensive in explaining why I run and have had to always go into depth to explain why and how I started running.  One of the main reasons is that I run to challenge myself and see if I can conquer whatever challenge I set for myself.  Secondly, the amazing friends I have met and kept through running are who inspire and motivate me to do better every time am out there and finally it’s all about the social part the food, drinks and chill out time…woot woot.  Who doesn’t like rewarding themselves with good food or a drink.

Last in a race but won't stop

The running community is such a welcoming community that does not pass judgement on people based on how they look or how fast they run.  This is where I fully understood the statement never judge a book by its cover.  There are all types of people, different personalities, sizes or even with disabilities but with a common goal to enjoy the activity.  Before I became a runner yes, I just called myself a runner I always thought that people who run had to be skinny and lean and must all be fast like the Kenyans we watch on television who win marathons.  Those who have known me or have met me know that I don’t have the typical “runner’s body” or what we assume to be the typical runner’s body but that does not stop me from going out and doing the best I can to make myself better day by day.  This journey is not easy at all but it gets easier if one remains consistent and let us not forget the mental strength.

Oh what the hills elevation

This week’s training was tough.  On Wednesday night was oh what the hill night?  I think we were all speechless when we did our first hill repeat and by the time we were done with the 5^th repeat we were probably cussing in another language whether you spoke more than one language or not it was just rough.  The temperature that night during the run was the only pleasant thing until when we were

done.

On Saturday, while the training group was scheduled to run 7 miles I had to prepare for 9 miles.  I didn’t know whether I should think about it by splitting it in half and deal with one half 4.5 miles and then the next or to just think of the 8 miles I run last week and just add 1 more mile.  Either way I was going to have to find some inner energy to do the 9 miles.  My fourth to fifth mile was brutal.  It was very hilly and am so glad we had done hill repeats during the week.  I can’t believe I just said that but gosh am I glad we had done some tough hill during the week.  A part of me thought that somebody had paid Coach KC was determined to test the level of my strength and resilience during the training.  Coach told me she had faith in me that I would do it but a part of me had my doubt while I was going up the hill but am glad I did it.  I finally made it and can now look forward to the next weekend when I finally get to my next challenge the double digits.

To those who think they can’t run there is always something out there for anybody to do such as walking or swimming or whatever fitness journey you would like to take on for a healthier life.  Just find out what your passion is and go for it because the sky is the limit.

This is it with the excuses!

The start of a new month meant that I would really really stop with any excuses I had since January felt like it was 40 days long.  So, I woke up the morning of February 1^st just singing to myself “This is it” (don’t know the title of the song or who even sang it) although I wasn’t feeling too well and didn’t know if I was catching a cold or I was just exhausted.  With this weather, anybody can come up with an excuse not to do anything.  I felt like a warrior and there was nothing going to stop me this time. Wednesday nights mean it’s a training night.  Our training schedule had hills and we were scheduled to do 5 hill repeats that night.  We were going to a new location (hill) and there is always something that makes me anxious about either the new location or the hill and how steep this hill will be during the run. 

Hills never disappear

When we got to the bottom of the hill, I didn’t know what to think since it was steep on our way down. For a moment, I felt that I was going to have to dig deep since that was going to be tough to conquer.  Little did I know that we were going to run up a different hill and I should check my attitude before giving up so easily. I used to be so hard on myself about my pace and realized that all that matters is that am out there doing something.  Everybody was done with their 5^th hill repeat while I was finishing my 4^th and had to go for the last repeat while they waited.  A part of me felt like giving up but thought oh no I woke up singing “this is it” so off I went. The amazing thing about teamwork is that some of the runners joined me to give me support while I finished my 5^th repeat while others made sure I was hydrating since I wasn’t feeling well.  When our fierce leader talks about no runner left behind this is confirmation of great teamwork thanks guys.

My Saturday schedule had 8 miles with temperatures in the low 20s and gosh was it cold.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to mentally prepare for the run and I did not want to get overwhelmed with how and when I will finish.  I decided I would deal with the mileage in quarters and after I finish the first 2 miles then I can deal with the next two miles and so on and so forth. 

Where are the leaves?

The first two miles were just tough because I was freezing and I didn’t think I would ever warm up.  By mile 3 I was already warm and sweating except for my fingers even with my thick gloves.  Hmm I guess I need to buy hand warmers for the next run. I decided to count how many people I would meet while out on the trail as a distraction before negativity set in.  I believe I counted about 7 people by the time I got to mile 4.  At mile 4, my fingers were warm except for my ring finger on the right hand. I started thinking oh no what is going on, has my finger frozen, is this frost bite, has it fallen off, so where will I put my ring when my future husband proposes, wait that is put on the left hand, OMG should I take my glove off and lay down and pass out or call for help.…LOL.  Such thoughts made that mile go by pretty fast and by the end of it all my fingers were warm.  Talk about being so dramatic.

All by myself ...

From miles 5 and 6 all I could think about was why am I doing this until when I began to see familiar faces on the trail.  I met up with the runners from the program that were doing 6 miles on their way out while I was heading back to my start point.  Seeing familiar faces made those miles go by fast.  I don’t think I really remember my last two miles all I had in my head was when the heck does this end?  I used both the map my run app and my garmin to measure out my mileage and they were not telling me the same mileage so I opted to select the one that had higher mileage. It helps to accept some of the alternate facts about the mileage when it is convenient for you right?  My garmin measured 9.3 miles for some strange reason and my phone said 8.16 miles so my conclusion was I did 8.5 miles….LOL.  A bear claw pastry from Panera was my reward after the run..opps what happened to clean eating and the theme song at the start of the week??  Oh well on to the next week.

Moments to Miles: Week 4 of training

Moments to Miles: Week 4 of training: Last Sunday just before I published my first blog I was so nervous about the process since all this is new to me. I thought I would start ...

Week 4 of training

Last Sunday just before I published my first blog I was so nervous about the process since all this is new to me. I thought I would start off the new week by sticking to my clean eating diet but at that moment I decided I would just go to Five Guys and get a cheeseburger with mushrooms and fries for dinner and yes had sweet potato cake too for dessert. The sweet potato cake from the DC Sweet Potato Cake is amazing just in case you have never tried it.  I realized later that am an emotional eater and get temporary satisfaction from delicious food which is exactly not good for you.  In any case this is only one meal and won't be the case all week long.  I thought I would be guilty and beat myself up with the choice of dinner but oh no I was a happy camper until later on that night that guilt set in and that was no fun.  After beating myself that night I decided that I would make better decisions during the week and try my best to deal the realities about life while making the right choices.  My week in review:

Monday:
I started off the week feeling empowered and determined to stick to my clean eating plan and told myself I will not be breaking my own rules.  My breakfast that day was an egg white scramble with sausage, mushrooms, spinach and a little cheese.  Had the right snacks for the day  between fruit, roasted soy beans and almonds, I was so confident that I am on the right track and nothing is going to stop this young lady. My dinner that night was zoodles and baked chicken and made sure that I had prepared enough for the next 4 days to take for lunch as well as packed snacks for the week.

I bought new cycle shoes so I tried them out for the cycle class I did on Monday evening.  The feel of new shoes made the class more challenging compared to when I was wearing regular trainers and I felt different types of muscles burn and left the class feeling like a super hero.  Best part about this class is that I went with 4 of my friends and it felt like we were at the club dancing in one spot while exercising.

Tuesday:
Am still on a roll and feel am conquering the world with all my cravings and no one can stop me now not even my negative side.  Well I did pretty well, enjoyed the leftovers of the day before, felt energized and since it was not too cold went for a walk during my lunch break.  The barbell class was fun and is always challenging and we got to sweat, moan and groan during the class but got it done.  On my run training schedule, Tuesday night is when we are scheduled to do a 2 mile tempo run.  So after doing lots of squats, strength training and was all sweaty and exhausted I knew I still had to do my run homework.

The thing about running just like anything else in life is that you have to do the work in order to be successful.  So with that in mind and some whining about how I don't like running on the treadmill aka dreadmill I was joined by a friend and off we went running.  I really don't know how people are able to run on a treadmill and for a long period of time.  Running 2 miles on the treadmill felt like I was running 100 miles and the tough part is when you think that you are almost done with the run and you check the time and it is only 5 mins and you haven't yet done half a mile and wonder when will this end...arrgghhh.  While I watched the mileage increase very slowly and the clock looked like it was not moving at all all I could do is try and focus on my music. I was able to finish and felt great after I was done because that run on the treadmill is what I called mission impossible but it was done...woot woot.

Wednesday:
The night of hill repeats.  I guess this is the week of wearing new shoes and it takes a while to break into new shoes.  I bought a pair of new running shoes since I felt that the ones I had on previously were hurting my feet and knees so it was time for change. Have you been in a situation where everything isn't working for you the way you planned it and you just feel like you would rather just go home, chill, watch TV and eat some good food?  Well that was Wednesday afternoon, I had so much to do and for some strange reason didn't think that my baked teriyaki chicken with zoodles will be enough and bought some fries to add onto my lunch (see emotional eating again)   Clearly that is what one would call over eating but I convinced myself that I was "carb loading" for the hill repeats that night...yeah right...that is just eating for the sake of it.  Any runner would get a kick out of this comment.  The rest of the afternoon I felt so full and uncomfortable and started to regret my choices but the decision had been made and the food tasted good.

Just before training I realized I had forgotten my water bottle and flash light and at that point made up my mind that nothing was going to work for me that evening and doing these hill repeats was going to hurt  whether I had the right attitude or not.  I complained about how I don't like running outdoors, how it is dark outside, it is cold and how everything is so hard as if this is my first time running outdoors.  It ended up being a nice night, great running weather at about 46 degrees F.  Despite the negativity I was able to do it which is all that matters.

Thursday:
I decided to make this a rest day since I had to meet friends for dinner.  For somebody who had said they would not have any alcohol before the race I ended up having 2 glasses of white wine (don't judge me). I think this "live a little" attitude needs to be put in check because it seems am finding any excuse not to be disciplined and yet my days are going by fast.  The only form of exercise I did was go for a walk since am on a Fitbit work week challenge and needed to get my steps in for the day.  My highlight for the day though was the amazing company I had for dinner.  Nothing beats friends you haven't seen in a while and catching up over good food and conversation is a great pass time.

Friday:
This is the official rest day both from my gym routine and also my training schedule.  It was a pretty windy and cold day so I was determined to rest until when I remembered Friday is the last day of my work week challenge and my competitive side still had to come in a little.  I had convinced myself that I was really going to relax and looked at the number of steps that I had taken most of the day and they were only 357 steps.  How do I get to 10,000 steps as my daily goal while on a rest day? With extra push from my best friend who reminded me that I have no choice but to get up and do something I had to go for a walk.  This reminded me that having a support system is also important because it keeps you accountable.

Saturday:
Reality set in on Friday night after I got my run schedule for the half marathon training which meant that I was going to do more miles compared to the majority of people in the training program.  Most of the runners in the training program are training for a 10 mile (16km) race later this spring however, there are a few of us in the program who will be running half marathon races before the 10 mile race. Saturday morning started off when a few of us had to meet earlier than the rest of the crew to do a either 1 or 2 mile runs before the scheduled 6 mile run with the group.  It was cold with temperatures in the high 20s so one had to get ready with layers, gloves and hat and off we went.  I only had to do 1 mile but ended up doing a little over a mile after missing the turn around point.

We met up with the group to start out our 6 mile run and all I can say is that course was really hilly.  Whenever I went down a hill I didn't have enough time to smile and enjoy any flat course because we would end up going up another hill. I think the mental part was a little tough because every time I looked up and saw that I had to go up a hill I assumed that was the end of the hill but no not at all. One went up and down and up and down again until when we were done with the 6 miles.  In so many words many of the runners called this brutal and those who liked it well I didn't get to talk to them...LOL.   Despite the challenging course we all did it and finished strong.  Yes I run 7.4 miles on Saturday woot woot.  We were able to enjoy breakfast after our run and enjoy great company.  The rest of the day was spent chilling and that is all I could do since I was exhausted.

My week might have had it's challenges and I might have had some set backs with my eating and even my attitude when it came to running but am glad this week is over.  The best part about this journey is having a great support system and even when you don't want to go out and exercise accountability plays a big role in this process. Off to the next week and hope it will be better.

Moments to Miles: Intro to Week 3 of training

Moments to Miles: Intro to Week 3 of training: I will be running my first Half Marathon this March in Sarasota, FL.  I have been running for about 2 years and this journey has not been ea...