One Thousand Miles This Year

Goal Accomplished ~ 1,000 Miles

2011-12-01T19:23:00.001-06:00

Thank you to this random Chinese teenager who helped
me prove that I am indeed in China!

December 1 – 1,000 miles!

December 1 – 7.25 miles

November 29 – 4 miles

November 28 – 7 miles

November 25 – 4.25 miles

November 26 – 4 miles

November 23 – 6 miles

November total – 66.05

December 1 – 7

Grand total: 1,000.10

I proudly reveal that I finished my 1,000 miles on December1!

No shortcuts

I am most proud that I never took a mileage short cut. I raneach and every part of these miles. If I cut a run short or walked part, I onlyrecorded what I actually ran. I wouldn’t even cut across the street at anangle. If in doubt about the length of a run, I underestimated a bit. I wanteda full 1,000 miles.

Early finish

I finished with one month left in the year. This in itselfis a major accomplishment. This kind of goal requires the slow and steadyapproach. I generally run right up to deadlines to get things done. Not thistime. I kept chipping away at the miles from the start. It did help, though, totrain for that marathon early in the year and pad my mileage early!

Always fun

This goal was fun to achieve. Sometimes an individual runwas tiring, or it was so cold that my sweat froze on my jacket, or itwas so hot that my sweat irritated my eyes. I reminded myself that I took onthis goal. No complaints. No whining. I knew each individual run was part of alarger goal, a larger picture for me.

Still healthy

My body is still in great shape. I was considerate of mybody and treated it well. I respected the value of rest and gave it to mymuscles and bones when needed and just simply wanted.

Understanding motivation

I hit a motivation lull in July and August. My drive toreach my goal hadn’t ceased, but my desire to run lacked energy. To be honest,I was nervous as I waited out my apathy, but I forced my mind to trust that mydesire to run would return. It did.

Grounding base

A lot changed for me during 2011. Running was alwaysgrounding base for me, regardless of where I was, physically and emotionally.Working toward this larger 1,000 mile goal kept me focused on somethingconsistent and rewarding for the year.

Unexpected accomplishment

I ran a marathon! A full one! A full 26.2 miles! I was saidthat I would never, ever run a full marathon. I was wrong. That wasn’t in theplan for the year, but plans take interesting twists.

Help along the way

The immense value of friendship for motivation was not loston my on this journey.

~ Thanks to Amy for inspiring me to begin this journey.

~ Thanks to RJP for logging many Madison and marathon mileswith me.

~ Thanks to Claire for taking on the role of being my newrunning buddy in China!

~ Thanks to Tom and Lisa for encouraging the goal and notasking why I was so crazy to take this on.

~ Thanks to Erin for always reminding me that running shouldbe fun. Thanks to her advice, if I did not want to run one day, I didn’t.

Next steps

Simply put, I will continue to run. I’ll run more thisDecember. My 1,000 mile year will be 1,000 plus. I’ll run more next year. WillI run 1,000 miles? Maybe, maybe not. I will just see what happens.

Thank you for following my journey this year!

Agree, Disagree

2011-11-20T19:16:00.001-06:00

A Chinese flower for inspiration ... I
still don't know what it's named.

November 1 – 3.7

November 3 – 3.1

November 5 – 6.25

November 7 – 3.1

November 10 – 6

November 11 – 3.1

November 16 – 6.5

November 18 – 3.1

November 19 -- 6

Some thoughts on running ...

"The difference between a jogger and a runner is anentry blank." – George Sheehan

AGREE (ALBEIT GRUDGINGLY): I guess I must call myself arunner.

"It is better, I think, to begin easily and get yourrunning to be smooth and relaxed and then to go faster and faster." --Henry Rono

QUASI AGREE: Yes, do start easy and run smooth, but you don’t haveto go faster. It’s YOUR run. Do what YOUwant. It does not matter what any other runner around you is doing.

"Anybody can be a runner. We were meant to move. Wewere meant to run. It's the easiest sport." – Bill Rodgers

AGREE: The only people who shouldn’t run are those who don’thave legs (and some runners have solved this problem) or do have metal knees. Anyone can run. Just be smart about it, and don’t quitjust because it gets a little hard. Don’t whine about what hurts. Think aboutwhat you can do to fix it or prevent it or get stronger.

"There's no such thing as bad weather, just softpeople." -- Bill Bowerman

DISAGREE: While training for and running the marathon, I ranin all kinds of crappy weather. I have earned my stripes. I will never againrun in the rain.

"Ask yourself: 'Can I give more?'. The answer isusually: 'Yes'." -- Paul Tergat, Kenyan professional marathoner

AGREE: Think you are going to die? Go ten more steps. Seewhat happens, but be smart. Learn your limits but don't sell yourself short.

“Me fail English? That’s unpossible.” – Ralph, TheSimpsons

AGREE: Are you paying attention?

"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, becauseyou get out of it what you put into it." – Oprah Winfrey

AGREE: And you always have to keep working at it. Once youhave experience, and you quit for awhile, you know it will be hard but you alsoknow it gets better.

"Many people shy away from hills. They make it easyon themselves, but that limits their improvement. The more you repeatsomething, the stronger you get." -- Joe Catalano

AGREE (VERY GRUDGINGLY): I hate hills, but I do listen to my very wise friend Erin. Sometimes, I do makeit easy on myself and avoid them. Other times, I know I need to do them toremind myself that the flats really are nice and easy. Up hills are generallyrewarded with down hills.

"A course never quite looks the same way twice. Thecombinations of weather, season, light, feelings and thoughts that you findthere are ever-changing." -- Joe Henderson

AGREE: But have many courses.Variety is always good.

"Running is not, as it so often seems, only aboutwhat you did in your last race or about how many miles you ran last week. Itis, in a much more important way, about community, about appreciating all themiles run by other runners, too.” -- Richard O'Brien

AGREE: A good reminder for my number-oriented mind.

“I will never run a marathon. That’s just crazy.” – Me!

DISAGREE: I was wrong. I did run a full 26.2 miles. I plan to runanother marathon, so maybe that crazy part is true.

Boot Camp for the Brain

2011-11-20T18:38:00.001-06:00

Simply follow the path.

October 26 – 6

October 27 – 3.1

October 28 – 6.5

October 31 – 3.1

October total – 63

Year-to-date – 927.95

Left-to-go – 72.95

I finish October with only 72.95 miles remaining for my 1,000mile year.

I am a numbers person. I enjoy setting a numerical goal andticking off each number as it passes.

With this type of goal, there is a clear path for me tofollow. While I am on the path, I do not have to think about what’s next. Ionly have to put one foot in front of the other and enjoy the scenery. I amtruly in the moment. If a hill rises in front of me, it’s hard for a bit, but Isucceed. I get to the top of the hill. Rocky's theme song plays in my head. I enjoy my moment of glory. A long downhill is a nice reward andgreatly appreciated!

Running 1,000 miles gives me 1,000 moments of pleasure asthe number whittles down, smaller and smaller. I record each and every run,down the .05 of a mile. Every bit counts, and I don't take shortcuts. Many people can’tstand this method and ask why can’t I run for the pleasure of running. Icorrect them. I DO run for the pleasure of running, and part of that pleasureis a nifty number, a goal that I have achieved for each and every run, whateverthat goal is for the day.

Sometimes, I set out for a longer run and fall short becauseI am tired. It took me a few months this year to accept the limitations of mybody each and every day. I also learned that I shouldn’t always listen to mymind. My weary mind, thick with life thoughts, often tells me that I can’t do this run today. My body saysotherwise. My body is my boot camp for my brain. Balancing mind and body is an ongoing task.

I am one month away from achieving this goal. I don’t knowwhat’s next. I have some time to ponder while following my next running path.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

2011-10-25T08:59:00.000-05:00

Chinese character for rain

October 2 – 9 miles

October 5 – 5 miles

October 7 – 3 miles

October 11 – 6 miles

October 14 – 5 miles

October 15 – 4 miles

October 16 – 3 miles

October 20 – 6.2 miles

Rain. Clouds. More rain. Slippery streets. Off to the gym Igo.

Fall in Tongren is short-lived, they say. Apparently, cloudsand rain rule the skies and my running.

I earned my foul-weather stripes training for the marathon. Iran through everything during the rather challenging Wisconsin spring. I canhandle the cold and the heat. I will even withstand the wind, if need be.However, I will not run in the rain. Imagine me with a piece of chalk. Watch medraw a line on the ground, but pretend it’s sand. This is my line, myrain-running line. I will not cross it.

Running inside has been the norm the lastfew weeks. I found a small gym, and with the translation services of a friend,became a member. I watch Chinese TV that once had English subtitles. That moviemade more sense. Minus the subtitles, I make up the story. I watch men smokenear the windows. Yes, smoking at the gym is perfectly all right here. Smokingis acceptable everywhere. I’m the only girl in the gym, most of the time. I cantalk a teeny bit to the trainer. I can only wave and point to communicate withthe owner. It works, though. I can still run, and I eagerly await the arrivalof winter if only for the halting of the rain.

I did sneak in a few outsiders … on quests to prove to myfellow Chinese neighbors that I can and will run up this damn unexpected hillwhile they watch. “Crazy American,” they think. “Why is she running up thehill? Wouldn’t it be easier to walk? What’s the hurry?” This imaginaryconversation does help me get up the hill. I’ll show … them … I guess.

First Runs: Welcome to China!

2011-10-25T08:30:00.000-05:00

September 21 – 3.2 miles

September 23 – 3 miles

September 24 – 6.25 miles

September 26 – 5 miles

September 28 – 3.1 miles

September 30 – 6.25

September total: 80.15 miles

Year-to-date: 864.95

Left-to-go: 135.05

Welcome to my new home, Tongren, Guizhou, PR China. New running paths are just waiting to be discovered!

After one week in my new country, I finally gathered thecourage to run for the first time. I was forewarned that people would gawk. Iwas nervous! What would people do? What would I do? Getting some China miles under my feet would calm me.

Jet-lag and anxiety served me well when I woke up at 4:30 in themorning. Running nice and early, when few people were out and about, abated some of my nervousness. By 6:15, I was laced and ready to venture outside.

The morning was gray and cloudy, the Fall norm. I found a greatriver trail that follows the Jinjiang River. Better yet, it was void of otherpeople. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and I was a bit shaky. What to do? Well, put one foot in front of the other, just like always. Once I started jogging, I was in my comfort zone. My body knew what todo, and I settled into myself and my new surroundings.

A fewpeople were already starting their days. Yes, they looked at me, but anything Ido is weird to them. Running is just one more thing to add to the “weird list.”I saw only one other runner, a younger man, and we nodded at each other inrunners’ camaraderie.

I did feel awkward running by an elderly man practicinghis Tai Chi along the river. East and West almost collided in the form of exercise. I got a bit lost, but what better way to learn a new city than byrunning by trial-and-error? When I returned home, I was relieved and happy.Running in China will be just fine.

Last Runs: The Hunt For Elderberries

2011-10-25T07:58:00.000-05:00

Ripe-for-the-picking elderberries

September 9 – 6.25 miles

September 11 – 5 miles

September 13 – 4 miles

Beautiful weather welcomed my last Wisconsin runs.

My last Madison run was celebrated in the Arboretum, aclassic Mad-City route, followed by beer in the park with my well-deservingrunning buddy. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t run as much and as far as Ihave over the past year if I didn’t have his company and willingness to followany path. The good-bye was bittersweet. My motivation alone must now keep my feetmoving. (Many, many thanks, JRP.)

My last two runs followed the roads of my childhood,complete with the same gravel roads that plagued my 17-miler with my mom duringthe spring. I was nervous, for many reasons. Four months had passed, and now the roads were tinged with hints offall. On Sunday morning, my mom and my youngest brother biked as I ran. Thegravel was dry, so the white farmer’s pickup and the red InternationalHarvester tractor kicked up dust as they passed our trio. Country drivers arefriendly. They slow to pass on gravel roads, trying to avoid you and keep thedust low, but hazy clouds always follow in their wake. (Runners are rare in thecountry, so part of that slowing was probably to figure out who the heck wasrunning.)

The run ended with a pit stop for elderberries, now in season.Wild elderberries are abundant in rural ditches. Wicked snag weed likes to growin the same ditches, adding a small element of danger. Add sweaty legs inshorts, and that snag weed drew a miss-mesh of bloody scratches on my skin. Thepain was minor, though. A morning run and elderberry picking with my mom was anice way to end my State-side running.

Overdue Check In

2011-09-08T22:23:00.002-05:00

August was a slow month. I didn’t run much because I’m working on moving to China. The month was tied up packing up or giving away my stuff, getting a visa, buying plane tickets, and everything else needed to move to a new country. Some of it was just general laziness and running burnout. I should have run more but am forgiving myself for low mileage. On the other hand, 50 miles is no small change.

September is going better, even as I am in the stages of moving to China. The running will continue in a new country!

August 1 – 3 miles

August 9 – 7.5 miles

August 15 – 6 miles

August 17 – 9 miles

August 18 – 6 miles

August 20 – 1.5 miles

August 26 – 6.2 miles

August 27 – 5 miles

August 28 – 8 miles

August 30 – 2.5 miles

August total – 54.7 miles

Year-to-date – 784.80

September 1 – 4.5 miles

September 2 – 5 miles

September 4 – 13.1 miles

September 5 – 5.5 miles

September 7 – 3 miles

September 8 – 7 miles

Ninety Miles in Three Weeks, Plus an Adventure Run

2011-07-30T17:34:00.000-05:00

Thursday, July 14 – 5.5 miles

Friday -- 5.4 miles

Monday – 7 miles

Tuesday – 6 miles

Thursday – 9 miles

Saturday – 9 miles

Tuesday – 9 miles

Thursday – 8 miles

Saturday, July 30 – 6.5 miles

July total – 104.3

Year to date – 730.1

Left to go – 269.9

Ninety miles in three weeks … but I missed my goal by two days. I hit the 90-mile mark on day 23. I had to stack up longer runs near the end to snag that full 90 miles.

This past Tuesday, I went on an “adventure run.” Such runs begin with no direction or goals. You start running and see where your feet take you and what strikes your fancy along the way. Stops for exploration are encouraged, and it’s the best way to really see a city.

New Challenge Interrupted by Common Sense

2011-07-13T22:41:00.000-05:00

Friday – 6 miles

Saturday 6.2 miles

Sunday – 6 miles

Wednesday – 6.5 miles

Summer doldrums prompted me to give myself a new challenge – run 30 miles per week for three weeks. I just need to do something different, and 90 miles is a number I like. Amy isn’t joining me on this challenge of our thousand-mile journey!

I set out on Saturday hell-bent on running 12.4 miles with two Arboretum loops. After the marathon, I have an unhealthy fear of loosing my long-distance endurance. I want to sprinkle in some longer runs because it will magically keep me conditioned to run a marathon at any given time, right?

About three miles into the loop, Hades was burning me over. The humidity was not fun, not fun at all. I was sluggish and regretting that I ever thought running was fun. The day before was an awesome run with low humidity and shining sun, and I thought running was THE best thing in the world. By mile four on Saturday, I decided running just plain sucked.

Half Way

2011-07-05T17:31:00.002-05:00

Sunday, June 26 – 11 miles

Tuesday – 6 miles

Thursday – 3 miles with sprints and speedwork

June total: 81.4

January through June total – 625.80

Monday, July 4 – 8 miles

Tuesday – 6.2 miles

The end of June marks the half way-point of the year.

Revelation: I’m over half way to reaching one thousand miles. I am falling behind on my writing.

I’m surprised. Is running now the easy part? Likely not. The better question -- how did writing become harder than running?

Goals are tricky buggers because you set them to push yourself, to make yourself better or more committed to something. You quickly realize that the only person really keeping you in check is yourself. You can ask others to help out, but you can blow them off or not listen. It’s you and … you.

What's Next?

2011-06-25T20:36:00.000-05:00

Friday – 6.2 miles

Tomorrow morning marks four weeks since the marathon.

Post-marathon running simply feels odd. Why? For months, you have clear goals. Your running miles are written on this calendar, and this plan gives you the best chance, or at least you hope, for success. Marathon day is starred with the biggest star you can manage around that day’s box. You watch that day slowly move closer and closer … and closer and closer. Your only real decision is whether or not you will run this eight-mile stint today or tomorrow. You plot out water stops every third mile and test which jog bras won’t chafe a smiley face across your upper chest. You wake up on marathon morning, put on you well-worn shoes and the selected job bra, and head to the start line.

A lot happens between those start and finish lines. You have fun. You have misery. You pull deep from your months of training and pray that your friends are at the miles markers you picked out for them. You spend a few minutes wondering why the hell you wanted to do this in the first place. In the toughest moments, you realize that you chose this, it will soon be over but you have to keep moving, and you will finish.

You finish. You revel in something that not many people accomplish.

Then what?

Mileage Check In

2011-06-21T22:08:00.000-05:00

I've been lax on writing but still working on miles ... more on running in California in a few days.

Thursday, June 2 -- 9 miles

Monday -- 3

Tuesday -- 6.2

Wednesday -- 8

Saturday -- 5, Lake Arrowhead, CA mountains

Tuesday -- 10ish, San Francisco, CA hills

Thursday -- 3ish, San Diego, CA, Dictionary Hill

Friday -- 3ish, San Diego, CA, Dictionary Hill

Tuesday, June 21 -- 8 miles

Tally Check

2011-06-06T22:06:00.000-05:00

May – 120.30 miles

Year-to-Date – 544.40

The Marathon

2011-06-06T22:00:00.004-05:00

After the run, photo by (and stolen from) Michelle

For mile after mile, I logged run after run week after week, fueling up and building up to the marathon goal.

Now that it’s done, I can say that I did it. Now I ask, “What’s next?”

The marathon had two parts – the easy part and the hard part. The easy part, and I use the word “easy” loosely, was through mile 19. Mile 1 feels like a little comedy moment. Oh, only 25.2 more miles to go! Mile 6 marks off the first 10K; only 30K more to go! Mile 10 was significant for some reason; I’m not sure why. Perhaps I just like the number. Mile 13 was the reset button -- half way, new race, start over. Mile 16 came and went, my “turning point” mile. I make it 16, I make it the last 10.

The Best-Laid Plans Meet Jackhammers

2011-05-28T20:43:00.003-05:00

My shoes and clothes are sitting on the table. My black Sharpie for my arm notes is resting on my shirt. My stop watch peeks from under my shorts. My headphones are unwound. The shuffle is charged and includes new Girl Talk tunes.

My belly is full of yummy pasta. I’m drinking a bit more water.

It’s 8:41 p.m. on a Saturday night, and it’s time for early dreams.

What's my problem, you ask? Oh, just the jackhammer ripping up the street. I feel the vibrations in my walls. I hear the sound of crushing pavement through my windows, and uh ... a concrete saw? WTF? Realy? REALLY?

“Emergency AT&T work,” say the workers. Doesn't AT&T know I have a marathon tomorrow morning? Can't people do without their phones and internet for a day to two? Yes, the ability to make 911 calls is very important. Amazon orders can wait, can't they?

Oh, boy. THIS wasn't in my planning!

T Minus 4 Days

2011-05-25T21:52:00.000-05:00

Monday – 3 miles

Thursday – 8 miles

Friday – 6 miles

Monday – 4 miles

Tuesday – 10 spinning miles

Tapering is very, very difficult. As nervous energy settled into the sternum on my chest Monday morning, I thought, “I sure hope I don’t feel this way all week.” Hmmm … yep, that’s pretty much how I’ve felt … nervous and energetic.

I feel:

Anxious

Nervous

Excited

Calm

Scared

Foggy

Focused

Distracted

I feel a lot of emotions all at once, and they don’t make sense. Calm AND excited? Focused AND distracted? The whole experience is surreal. I am an active participant at watching myself. It’s very, very weird.

I think:
I am awesome! I will do something most people don’t do! Yay me! I have trained hard! I put in my miles and my time! I am ready! I deserve this! Who-hoo!

I also think:
I’m not special. People run marathons all the time. It’s only 26 miles; what about those ultra-marathoners? THEY are impressive. It’s only four and half hours. Big deal. Whatever. Bleh!

People ask if I am ready. I have no choice but to say yes. How can I possibly say no at this point?

Officially Tapering … After Urban Assault Cross Training

2011-05-16T21:54:00.001-05:00

After Urban Assault ride, photo by E!

Friday – 18.6 miles

Sunday – Urban Assault bike ride

I split from my training program and opted to not taper at three weeks. Adding one more long run was one last challenge to convince my mind that I’m ready. By run-day Friday, my mind was tired … in that “Maybe I’m tired of this” sort of way. My heart was not in the first six miles. I could not get my rhythm down. I considered bailing; after all, this was a bonus long run. Why was I doing this?

Of course, at mile six, when I’m about to give up, and I let go, things clicked. The next 12 miles flowed fine. Naturally, I get more tired the higher the miles tally. However, it was a great running day, unseasonably cool with a slightly chilled breeze that felt good. I just kept chipping away at miles and noticing the spring flowers – scillas, trilliums – blooming.

Short Cuts

2011-05-12T10:07:00.000-05:00

Tuesday – 5 miles

Wednesday – 5 miles

For the first time in my training yesterday, I took a short cut. Instead of the scheduled eight-mile run, I only ran five. My excuse? I was slick with sweat from the high humidity. We skipped spring this year. Temps soared from low fifties to mid eighties in one week. Add in general fatigue, and I was toast. I was even annoyed with the sun. Normally, I love the sun! How can I be annoyed with a shining ball in the sky?

For the past few days, I have not wanted to run at all. I forced myself outside for the last two runs, even though I nearly talked myself out of each time. I am tired from all the miles from past few weeks and life in general at the moment. It’s a busy time.

Mind 1, Hill 0

2011-05-09T22:07:00.002-05:00

Monday – 5 miles

Wednesday – 8 miles

Thursday – 6 miles

Sunday – 20 miles

At mile 18.90, my mantra was, “Just get up this hill. Just get up this hill. Just get up this hill. Last one. Last one. Last one. Relax. Relax. Relax.”

With one last hill to go, I knew I'd make my 20 miles, but this one hill haunted me for the entire run, no matter how hard I tried to block it. When someone says to not think about elephants, all you think about is elephants. When I told myself to not think about this hill, all I could think about was this hill.

I don’t know why this particular hill is my nemesis. It’s not the biggest hill I scale on this route. It’s not the tallest or the longest. There’s just something about its timing and the sneaky way it’s a hill long before I realize it’s a hill that nails me. I actually mastered it some time ago. I remember the pride I felt when I scaled it the first time without having to walk. Still, though, knowing it’s coming fills me with dread, that of chest-pressing, “Do I have to?” kind of dread.

I’m Gonna Make it and Not Think About It

2011-05-01T19:33:00.001-05:00

Friday -- 18.6 miles

April total -- 140.85
Year to date -- 424.10

4 weeks to marathon

It’s been a cold spring, about nine degrees cooler than average during April and the coldest in 10 years. The toll is hitting everyone, even those hardy winter folks.

Friday was a beautiful day, the first beautiful day for an outside run in over two weeks. The sun promised to warm to 60 degrees, and the trees are finally starting to bud. Brilliant weather naturally lends itself to brilliant running, right? I put on some sunblock for good measure, honoring the Sun

God, pleasing her so she’d shine for my whole run.

Run With Momma

2011-05-01T18:56:00.002-05:00

Thursday - 4.25 miles
Saturday -- 17 miles*
Monday -- 5 miles
Wednesday - 8 miles

* Run with my momma

First off, I title this “Run With Momma,” but my mom would fall over if I called her Momma and whop me if I called her Ma.

“Ma! Ma! Ma! Ma! … I hate that word!” she’d say.

*********

As I plotted out my marathon training in early March, I realized that my 17-miler was Easter weekend. I called my mom and asked if she’d bike along side me as I ran. She agreed. She also agreed to carry my water and snacks because she’s a good mom. I called several times over the next few weeks to ensure our “date.”

The day dawned cold and rainy. We watched the mud puddles in the driveway ripple with fallen raindrops. YUCK! Not every run can have perfect weather, but a girl can dream.

Little Devils

2011-04-21T07:41:00.000-05:00

Monday – 5 miles

Wednesday – 8 miles

I expect miles 15 and 16 to be difficult on long runs.

I don’t expect a short five-mile run to kill me.

Monday dawned gloomy-doomy gray, with threat of rain, snow, slush, ice pellets and everything else that falls from the sky. Well, off to the gym. I simply cannot handle wintery-feeling runs anymore. I’m burned out from white stuff falling from clouds.

It was the perfect day to crank the music and zone out on the treadmill. Sunday’s short five miles popped out fine, so I expected a zippy little run, another “check off” on the marathon training.

This blasé attitude lasted until the belt started spinning. My feet agreed to move, but my thighs were PISSED OFF. My blood certainly was replaced with liquid concrete during my sleep, and it pooled in one rock-hard mass on the front of my thighs. I was certain of it! But, no fear! Experience tells me it sometimes takes a mile to warm up. I will prevail! (Drum bangs victoriously in the distance.)

What Was I Thinking?

2011-04-17T21:52:00.003-05:00

Monday – 5 miles

Wednesday – 8 miles

Friday – 16 miles

Sunday – 5 miles

6 weeks to marathon

I finally had it, that moment when I wonder what is wrong with me, as in that “what the hell was I thinking” kind of moment. It happened just as mile 13 flipped to 14. All was well until supposedly "unlucky 13" passed, then the reality that I still had miles to go weaseled into my brain. Add in the wind gusts of 40 miles per hour, and I was having a serious discussion with myself about my sanity.

Longer and Longer Runs

2011-04-10T08:02:00.002-05:00

Saturday – 14.5 miles, Arboretum, 2 times plus some

Monday – 4 miles, leisurely treadmill with Jim

Wednesday – 7 miles, treadmill because of RAIN!

Friday – 15.5 – Nakoma loop for 10.5, followed by Tenney/Olbrich loop for 5

41 miles in one week, 7 weeks to the marathon

More wisdom coming soon …. ;)

First 100-Mile Month ... I Like It

2011-04-01T20:39:00.002-05:00

Tuesday – 4

Wednesday – 4

Thursday – 6.2

Friday – REST!

March total: 106.2 miles in 17 days of runs

Year-to-date total: 283.25 miles

Marathon countdown: 8 weeks to go

Numbers, numbers, numbers … today is all about tallies, goals and countdowns. I did not run today, so I find myself thinking about my totals completed and yet to go.

I am one-third of the way through the year. Since I was obsessing about numbers, I crunched them several ways, learning about my nest egg. I have built a nest egg of 33 extra miles. I accomplished this without realizing it. I have some breathing room. I like it.

Successful "Little" Jaunt in D.C.

2011-03-28T20:39:00.001-05:00

Genuine D.C. cherry blossoms!

Saturday – 13.1 miles

Along with the previous week –

Monday – 6.2 miles

Thursday – 3 miles (in DC to the White House)

Friday – 2 miles (to U Street and Swann Street)

The half marathon with Amy* in Washington, D.C., completely rocked!

Here are 13.1 reasons why.

The run was fun!
I felt great during and after the run! I never had “I’m gonna die right on this street corner” or “I have to peel myself off this chair because my legs don't work anymore” moments. My body felt great.
DC does NOT know hills. This run is ranked as one of the flattest in the nation. I can see why. Hills make me nervous … so it’s more that I allow them to make me nervous. I did not notice the hills along the run. I notice hills when they strain my chest and my thighs. Strain did not cross my mind at all. Hills are softer when you can’t actually see them, though. A sea of bobbing heads, stocking caps and ponytails ahead of you often erases the true visibility of a hill under their feet.

Big Ol' Piece of Humble Pie

2011-03-20T23:54:00.003-05:00

Thursday – 6.2 miles
Saturday – 10.5 miles

On Saturday, I was one week out from the National Half Marathon in Washington, D.C. I planned my last long run on a sunny, warmish spring day.

Somehow, I managed to run 10.5 miles in one hour forty minutes, just shy of 10 minutes a mile. I added half a mile and still worked off two minutes of time since the ten miler two weeks ago. I wasn’t quite sure how I did it, but I was pretty proud of myself and my legs.

Later that afternoon, I read that the half marathon awards ceremony takes place one hour and forty-five minutes after the run starts at 7 a.m. ... right about the time I expect to hit tap mile ten's half way point.

Well, then … fine … I won’t be at the awards ceremony. The winners will be off their pedestals before I finish the run … quite humbling ... but I will still get a medal, and I hope it's cool.

Spring!

2011-03-15T22:16:00.000-05:00

Daffodils are emerging!

Tuesday – 4 miles

Spring has returned … I saw a robin and a red-winged blackbird AND heard a woodpecker, all under the same tree in Tenney Park. This is a sure sign that Spring is overtaking Winter’s hold.

The temperature was still a mere 25 degrees upon the start of my run. In the 40 minutes to the run’s end, it rose to 35. By the end of the day, it was 46 degrees.

And the sun was shining. In fact, it shined all day long.

This was the first winter I ran outside at least once each week, even in the bitterest cold of a few of those weeks. In some ways, this made winter pass faster. I didn’t feel quite as cooped up, but it took some pure grit to bundle up running style and pound out those miles.

I am more proud of tackling that challenge than I am of the actual miles I ran. I look forward, however, to not tackling the cold. I’m ok if I never have to tackle it again. I know I can do it. Chapter closed.

Why I Run

2011-03-13T21:52:00.000-05:00

Why do I run?

This answer did not come to me while writing about running. Instead, it came to me in a different writing space.

Check the answer here.

Six

2011-03-13T20:52:00.000-05:00

Tuesday – 6 miles

Friday – 6.7 miles

Saturday – 6 miles

Sunday – 6.4 miles

Six is the number for the last few runs.

Here are some facts about the number 6:

A standard guitar has 6 strings.
Simpsons characters have 6 fingers, three on each hand (with one thumb on each hand).
A touchdown is worth 6 points.
Recycling coded 6 represents polystyrene.
The cells of bees’ honeycomb has 6 sides.
A US Senator’s term is 6 years.
There are 6 cardinal directions – north, south, east, west, up, down.
6 is the only number that is both the sum (1+2+3=6) and the product (1x2x3) of three consecutive positive numbers.
6 word stories are great writing practice … “He sat by her. She looked.”
A 10K is 6.2 miles.

In Like a Lion ... A Slow Little Lion

2011-03-07T21:03:00.001-06:00

Tuesday – 5

Thursday – 6.3

Sunday – 10

Sunday’s ten-mile loop took me to a new path, taking me from my east side apartment all the way to the west side in five miles.

It’s funny how far you can go in five miles.

It’s funny just how small Madison really feels.

The run took us an hour forty-two, an average just over ten minutes a mile. I was extremely disappointed. I thought finish in an hour and half … after some moments of irritation with myself, I realized my math was wrong. An hour and a half is a nine-miler, so one forty two was decent for ten miles. At that pace, I’d finish a half marathon around two ten … about eight or so minutes faster than the last half … yet I still felt disappointed.

1:23

2011-02-28T19:36:00.001-06:00

Monday – 8 miles
February total – 77.8 miles, year total 177.5

Three days of no running … an unexpected break. It’s funny how I decide to run a marathon and then don’t run for three days straight.

I was on the paths by 7 am this morning, the earliest I’ve been out to run … maybe ever … I had some guilt to run off after a few days of low motivation …

…only to learn that morning drivers are impatient and careless. I was in crosswalks no less than three times only to have three cars run red lights or plow through the crosswalk as if it wasn’t reeeeeeally for pedestrians. One was even a Smart car. That can't be right. I was taller than the car. I realized that I expect for a greater desire for the safety of humanity from Smart car drivers.

... but it was nice to watch the sun come up. It was also a bit weird that my stopwatch time was 1:23 from start to finish, a bit slower than expected but I take all the hills and the Monona Terrace stairs. That's gotta be good for something.

Ice Now, Marathon Later

2011-02-25T08:04:00.000-06:00

Sunday – 13.1, inside, half marathon test

Tuesday – 3 miles, inside

Thursday – 5 ran out of 6.2 intended due to ice

NOTE: I have decided to run the marathon. Amy is also onboard!

Now, to the writing ...

I tried to remain open minded. On Sunday, even though it was snowy, rainy and slushy, I thought maybe, just maybe, I could still run outside. I could wrap my feet in plastic bags so they would stay dry. I could wear a waterproof jacket to keep slush chunks falling from trees off my skin. Two steps outside my door told me any run outside would just suck.

Silage, Salmon, Spirit

2011-02-19T12:16:00.001-06:00

Saturday – 4 miles

Running has given me the courage to start, the determination to keep trying, and the childlike spirit to have fun along the way. Run often and run long, but never outrun your joy of running.

Julie Isphording, Marathon winner, quote passed along from Amy

Today, I ran to La Brioche True Food to meet my friend Lisa. My plan was to run the 4 miles to the restaurant, eat a super yummy smoked salmon and cream cheese omelet, then run home.

I started out at 8 a.m., giving myself plenty of time to wander. I passed the Capitol area, and the scene was quiet as the protesters just beginning to gather coffee and their signs and head to the Square. Here’s a bit of background. Protests (very peaceful, contrary to anything you hear elsewhere) have filled the Square and closed Madison schools for the last few days in objection to Governor Walker’s budget repair bill for the state. Today’s crowds are expected to swell to 40,000, evidenced by people streaming by my apartment’s low windows, complete with signs and kids and, occasionally, a dog.

The “M” Word

2011-02-18T20:27:00.001-06:00

Thursday – 7 miles, inside

I think more and more about the marathon … 26.2 miles … and coming more and more to the realization that I CAN indeed to do this.

What are my biggest fears? My recent email to Amy reads, “... we should just do the marathon … My biggest fears? 1. Not being able to finish. 2. Doing it by myself. You could help with point 2. I could conquer point 1 if I had point 2 covered.”

I simply don’t want to run the marathon alone. I’ve moved through too much alone. Just because I can do something alone does not mean I want to do these things alone. There is a difference.

As I read Born To Run, I think more and more about mind over matter. I am coming to the full mental realization that I can do this.

I love, apparently, to ponder my weaknesses more than my strengths. I can’t run a marathon. I can’t do this … I can’t do that … on and on …blah, blah, blah ...

I’m sitting at 75% that I can do a marathon … maybe 80% …give me a few days ... I'll move myself to that 100% ...

Midday Run

2011-02-15T21:06:00.000-06:00

Tuesday – 7 miles, inside

I normally have a writing class on Tuesday afternoons, but not today. I decided to keep the midday break and head to the gym instead.

It’s weird going to the gym at a different time of day. It’s a whole new crowd of people with a whole new feel. Yesterday morning, at this same gym, someone commented that I was a “social butterfly.” As an introvert, I found this observation oddly correct. I do chat with a lot of people. Today, I felt anonymous, and that felt unusual. It also meant I was running without any interruptions, even for friendly hellos. It really was just me and my run. While a lot of things felt weird, I didn’t feel so weird once I stated jogging. My body knew what to do, and I bopped around the treadmill, track and gym, running on autopilot.

Mid Winter Blahhhh

2011-02-13T20:10:00.000-06:00

Wednesday – 5.4 inside

Thursday – 3 inside

Week 6 total – 20.4 miles

Sunday – 6.3, outside, 40 degrees!!!

No comments … waiting for inspiration and wisdom to strike on many fronts …tune in again!

There are Ultramarathoners, and Then There’s Me

2011-02-06T14:38:00.005-06:00

Art on Lake Mendota ... little monsters, I think ... or whales?

Thursday – 4 miles

Week 5 – 20 miles

Saturday – 6 miles, inside

Sunday – 6 miles, outside

This week’s blizzard brought us a total of 18 inches of snow. I refuse say any more about it. Remember, I’m moving to get away from these things.

This morning, we ran on fresh-fallen snow, another inch or so that we SO desperately needed. It was quite lovely until a car slushed us OVER the four-foot snow bank between us and the street. I tasted street salt. It tastes just like regular salt, with extra grit. I didn’t even get the worst of it. I happened to be positioned just perfectly between Ricardo and Angela that I was only fifteen percent slushed. They were about forty percent, I think.

I'm considering running a full marathon this May. I have a few halves under my belt. I know my strengths, to some degree, but I know my weaknesses better. About the time I opt out, something sneaks back into my brain, percolating reasons why I should.

January … 99.25 miles

2011-01-31T20:40:00.000-06:00

Saturday – 10 miles, outside at 30 degrees

Sunday – 6 miles, outside with a wicked unexpected breeze

January total – 99.25 miles

I thought about running .75 miles today just to round out 100, but I resisted the urge ... 99.25 it is.

Wow! One month down and a mere eleven to go!

January was a pretty amazing month. When I first started this little venture, I was energized by a goal to work toward. It was simply a goal, something to give me focus. I would run and write, two things I really enjoy. At the end of the month, I’ve worked both pretty seamlessly into my life. I don’t accept any excuses for not completing either, even if conditions aren’t “ideal.” Just because it’s cold or snowing doesn’t mean I can’t run. It's just a bit colder or bit wet. Just because I don’t feel like writing doesn’t mean I can skip it. A few years back, I went to a writing conference, and the author was asked the secret to writing. His response? “Ass in chair. That’s the secret to writing.” So my ass sits in the chair, and I write.

You Don’t Always Get What You Want …

2011-01-28T19:51:00.003-06:00

Wednesday – 2 miles, treadmill

Thursday – 6.2 – outside run turned inside with interval and inclines (a.k.a. very fake hills)
Week 4 -- 20.4 miles

Imagine my disappointment when I woke up Thursday morning to … SNOW … the kind that forecasts one to two inches but falls as three to four. I was very excited for an Arboretum run, and my hopes were dashed into the (frozen) ground the minute I looked out the window.

Fine, Mr. Weather and Mr. Snow ... fuck you (sorry, Mom). I’ll just go to the gym and makes friends with yet another treadmill. I wasn’t excited or happy, but it had to be done. I had six miles left to my week.

Blank Space

2011-01-24T21:33:00.000-06:00

Monday, 3.1 miles, inside

Wow! This morning, when I walked outside, and was 16 degrees. It was the warmest it’s been in about a week … heat wave! (AND it was 26 degrees warmer than it was Friday morning. CRAZY!)

… and I’m off to the gym because it’s running and weights day. Who-hoo! Ooh … some sarcasm there? Yes. I hate weights. They are important for my body, but it doesn’t mean I have to ’em.

I honestly cannot remember what I thought about on the treadmill this morning. Maybe this blank space is a good thing, but it doesn't give me much to share ... or does it?

The Real World

2011-01-23T19:30:00.001-06:00

Friday – 3 miles, inside, 27 minutes (my version of fast)

Sunday – 6.1 miles, outside, somewhere between 1 degree below zero to 6 above, depending on your source

Oh, today was a cold one, I will admit. Again, I am amazed by the human body as I warmed quickly.

Today, everything seemed so bright. The sun was shining in that winter blue sky, the kind of blue that just feels cold when you see it in the crayon box or the oil paint tube. Fresh snow fell Friday night, and it wasn’t yet dirtied in any way, and the pure whiteness of it glistened in the midday sun. Edges were sharp, crisp, brittle … as if the extreme cold was holding everything close and tight, inside rigid lines.

The world did not appear real. It also seemed very, very big and I very, very small.

Paths to Uganda

2011-01-19T20:53:00.002-06:00

Isa, Uganda

Wednesday, 6.8 miles or 7.1, depending on how you look at the sprints/recovery*

Week 3: 20.3 miles

What a wonderful surprise to see my friend Dave show up at my side this morning. I was treadmilling out my miles and some irritation, and Dave appeared just before I crested mile one. I traveled with Dave to the Buvuma Islands in Uganda in August 2009 with his organization, WE International. We got ourselves some open side-by-wide treadmills and talked, with him really doing more of the listening.

I was thankful for his company and friendship. I realize often how my gym and running routines have brought wonderful friends into my life. I’ve made many amazing connections that have had huge impacts on me. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t be running, now that I think about it. A few years ago, a stranger-turned-friend picked me up on the track one day, convincing me that I could go one more mile, then one more, and so on, making me realize I could do this “running thing.”

Mind Power and Jicamas

2011-01-16T18:34:00.000-06:00

Sunday, 7.2 miles, outside, 8 degrees that “feel like 1” degree

Feels like one degree. Whatever.

“Pick a subject,” Ricardo said. “Let’s not focus on our suffering.”

Over one mile from the end, we were both tired. This was a tough run for both of us. I guess I shouldn’t speak for him. It was a tough run for me. We tackled some crazy hills, and the last one took a lot out of me. If Ricardo wasn’t ahead of me, I might’ve bailed and started walking or sat in the snow and started crying. This is when a running partner is a great asset to keep motivation strong and movement forward.

Yin and Yang

2011-01-15T21:35:00.002-06:00

Saturday – 6.3 miles, outside

Last night, I took a three-hour Yin Yoga workshop. It was the fastest three hours of my life. It took one hour to work though a series of stretches on the right side, and then we repeated it on the left. I stretched my body in ways it hasn’t been stretched in some time. It felt SO good to loosen body and mind, and the concept of time passing was lost on me. Three hours later, we were done. Toxins of unnamed types worked out of my spine, hips and feet … and today, the exhaustion of this release slowly and painfully crept into me as the day progressed.

Yet I still had to run. I pondered being gentle with myself and skipping the run today. Instead, my bargain with myself was to still run but as gently and slowly as I needed. Also, yesterday’s snow made sidewalks unpredictable, so I had to slow down to not skid on my rear end.

Grumps

2011-01-13T19:40:00.001-06:00

Thursday - 3.5 miles, outside, in the dark, in the snow, 20 degrees that "feel like 8"
Week 2 - 21.25 miles

When I started I was grumpy ... I felt like a big 'ole YUCK all around.

When I was done, I was felt great.

I guess there's no better way to say it.

Today was my first ...

2011-01-11T20:02:00.009-06:00

… run in the falling snow, at night.

Pretty tree and weird fake glowing deer

Tuesday, 3.25, outside, night time (I’m claiming that .25 miles because running on unplowed sidewalks is hard.)

I rarely run at night. I can honestly say that I would not have run tonight if I wasn't aiming for goal mileage. However, it was a great night for a run. About four inches of snow fell today, and it was still falling when darkness hit. It was pretty and fluffy, I must admit. I do not like to admit this.

Lessons Learned ... and Learning

2011-01-09T15:37:00.002-06:00

Smiling at the end! Angela (right) and me


We all know what this is.

Saturday – 6.5 miles, inside on treadmill and track with gym loops and stairs, with some sprints, and yes, the hot tub

Sunday – 8 miles outside, with Angela for most and a few extra because I felt good

Ah, the second week begins … and after one week of working out road bumps, here are a few things I’ve learned.

Naughty, naughty ... on the tracks.

1. I do not want to run every day. I want this to be a fun focus and not a crazy obsession.

2. When I complete my 1,000 miles, I will have to actually call myself a runner. Right now, after running very regularly for three years and after completing four half marathons, and lots of 10ks, I still resist the label "runner".

3. Speed does not matter to me. I do not run to race. I run just to run. My speed is naturally increasing, but that is a side effect of becoming stronger, not a priority by any means. I've discovered that my strengths are endurance and distance, not speed. This feels good to me.
Read more »

From Amy: Easing into My Thousand Mile Year

2011-01-09T09:34:00.001-06:00

Since Amy is the "instigator" of this journey for me, here's some insight from her!

Easing into My Thousand Mile Year

Robber Masks and Sparkles

2011-01-06T19:59:00.006-06:00

Thursday – 6 miles

Week One – 21 miles with a day to spare … mission accomplished!

This morning, Ricardo and I looped through downtown and along Lake Monona. It was about 15 degrees and sunny with talk of wind chills, so we bundled up and decided to test our braveness. All was going well until the third mile, and we turned around at Olin Park … and THEN we noticed the BREEZE coming RIGHT AT US. Now I know just how wind chills matter! The return stretch to the Monona Terrace was a true the challenge of grit. A few times, I had to twist around and jog backwards just to get my face out of the breeze for a bit.

I now get why some runners wear face masks. They may look like robbers on those “Wanted” posters, but I bet they are warm.

Baby Run

2011-01-04T20:19:00.000-06:00

Tuesday – 3.1 miles, inside … yes, the treadmill

Over the next year, I need to remember my normal cross training. I think it’s very important to be strong and flexible all over and not just run. I do better with strength training by going to the gym instead of being left to my own devices. Before work, I ran a 5k on the treadmill then did my core and upper body routine. Tomorrow, I’m taking a little break from running for a spinning class. Truth be told, I don’t want to run every day. On Thursday, I’ll finish off this week’s miles. The catch? It’s supposed to be REALLY cold … we’ll see if outside or inside comes out on top!

Crispy Run

2011-01-03T21:42:00.001-06:00

ice, ice, ice everywhere ... buckling near Monona Terrace

Sunday – 6 miles, outside, John Nolan path

Amy, we have another recruit! Welcome, Angela, to a year of 1,000 miles. Lucky for me, Angela is right here in Madison, so I have another running buddy close to home.

On Sunday, Amy got rain in D.C, and Angela and I got 18 degrees. However, the wind was low and the sun was strong, and I was bound and determined to tackle outside.

I'm a sucker for photos of leaves trapped in ice.

While I dread, hate and curse the cold, I’ve learned that the hardest part of the run is the first few steps outside my door. I will procrastinate by cleaning my toilet to put off stepping foot outside in this weather. Once I suck it up and get my butt moving outside, within a quarter mile, I am plenty warmed by my own movement. The human body is really an amazing thing. I hate to admit this, but there is something very invigorating to the cold air moving around my warm body. I did add some orange long johns to my running attire for the day, the same bright orange long johns that I bought while visiting Amy in China three years ago.

The First Day

2011-01-01T21:09:00.001-06:00


Lovely stack of running shoes

Today’s high temperature was 12 degrees with wind gust of up to 19 miles per hour, making it feel like seven to 10 degrees BELOW zero.

It’s a great day to start running 1,000 miles!

Sara Grace’s advice to Amy was to log extra miles during the first three months (check out their blog here), during the honeymoon period. Great idea! My honeymoon period crosses January and February, the worst months in Wisconsin. That sucks! I can toughen up to some extent, but I draw the line to running outside when it’s 18 degrees or colder. As I drove to the gym, I did see hardcore runners wrapped tight in winter gear, but more power to them. They are better than I, and I am perfectly fine with that!

And So It Begins

2010-12-31T19:45:00.001-06:00

I will run 1,000 miles in 2011.

On a whim, I decided to commit to join my friend Amy on her quest to run 1,000 miles this year. There is just one small glitch. Amy lives in Washington, D.C., and I live in Madison, Wisconsin. By the end of the year, I will live in the Bay Area in California. We will motivate each other as we head out on our runs in our respective cities, helping to hold each other accountable as we chip away at our mile counts with HUGE smiles on our faces the WHOLE time. Yep. It will be that easy.