Today’s Run

April 17, 2012

Another 6.5 miles this morning.  Boy, that darn arctic wind sure bites its way through no matter how many layers I wear.  Good thing I keep a snot-rag with me because my nose dripped constantly because of the cold.  Good run though.

April 9, 2012

Had to run in the wild winds this morning where they kept pushing me around and snaked through my clothing.  Brrr! Did 6.5 miles though.  The first mile or so felt cold and I kept asking myself what I was thinking going with this arctic blast, but soon I felt happy with my choice.  I may not be able to fix all my problems in life, but somehow being able to do battle with nature and getting the job done in spite of it helps. 

March 21, 2012

First day of spring ramblings.

Thought of Sting’s ‘Desert Rose’ song and horses while running this morning.  The birds sang and the sun felt warm.  The sun’s yellow rays, the young greens bursting everywhere, and the blue sky covered from above.

Love the early arrival of spring mixed with a mild winter before-hand for so many reasons.  One reason is because it has allowed me to run outdoors and boy have I.  Haven’t had to use that terrible tredmill.  Yeah!

Been visiting my sister and again, like often lately, I’ve run in an area I’m not farmiliar with.  My sister’s home is surrounded by many other homes and many roads.  Lost my way yesterday and tried to look at the good part of that – I ran longer in attempt to find my way back to her house.    Thought about how regimented I used to be, had to know how far and for how long I ran, or I wouldn’t run.  Boy, has that changed.  I’m much easier on myself, telling myself the most important part is that I get out and run.  I run more often as a result.  This same mindset floods into other areas of my life as well.  Maybe it’s age.  People are hard on us, but we’re the hardest on ourselves.  Be nicer to yourselves everyone.

January 7, 2012

It’s that time of year again when I decide not to run out-doors.  Some people don’t mind running in the winter.  I am not one of them.  My toes, fingers, and thigh muscles freeze.  Most winters I run inside instead on a tredmill.  Hate the things.  This winter I was able to run up until mid December because of the mild weather.  Winter finally kicked in however and stopped my out-door running off.

Some people cannot run when it’s 85 degrees out, but I can.

It has been about 3 weeks without a run and already my leg muscles are changing.  Another runner and I exchanged notes recently and we both agreed, if a person has run for years, a short break doesn’t ruin your body too much.  We both told how quickly our bodies get back with the program once running again.

Never-the-less, I miss running and cannot wait for a thaw.  But, I confess.  It isn’t only the weather that has kept me from running lately.  Sometimes you give your time to a friend in need.  Running is important, but life happens and brings me back to why I titled this site:  “Running for and in Spite of Life.”

August 2, 2011

Today’s Theme:  Running as a De-stresser

Today’s run was more to calm my nerves and to destress.  Today’s run involved resolve over a decision I’ve been attempting to make for a long time.  Emotionally and mentally I’m worn out, battered and bruised.  I realized the stress and drama around me is too much and that I can change things for other people only so much, especially when it involves choices they make.  To over-bend myself because of their choices extracts too much from me, and in time they come to expect I continue to over-bend.  It’s time to put myself first.  If only other areas went by the same rules that running does.

When I run I’m in control.  It’s me against myself.  If I push and work, the results come.  It’s not complicated and doesn’t involve anyone else’s opinion, or waiting around for them to understand.  There isn’t the stall of forms, politics, laws, or anything like that either.  If only a few other areas in life went by the simple rules that running does, how much less complicated and less painful life would be.  Running is not complicated.

This morning reminded me how much running helps my mind as well as my body, and when I think about it, both are dependent upon the other, so really helping my mind helps my body. As my body worked my brain relaxed.  Oh, it thought about situations, yet without fog.  The simple clarity of putting one foot in front of the other bled into life’s complications and in turn provided also clarity.

This morning I was reminded that I run for and in spite of life – for survival.

July 26, 2011

Thought for the day:  Cycles

Everything must run its course and many things have a beginning, a middle, and an end.  They have a cycle.  Life does, relationships do, semesters in college do, and running as well.

Each day I run on the bike path where many others also go.  Some are alone and some with a partner. Some walk, some ride bicycles, some walk a dog, and some push a baby carriage.  My routine is to run to a specific destination and then turn around.  On my way back this morning, a young woman ahead pushed a carriage.  Her baby slept soundly and the woman seemed deep in thought.  As I passed I noticed her watching me in that way that reminded me of years ago when I pushed a carriage.  I wondered if she thought what I had then -” I wish I could run.”  Some people don’t wait.  They push the carriage and run at the same time.

Now, I could have been way off.  This young woman may not have been thinking this at all.  It was the way she looked and the way she continued to after I’d looked back.  I wanted to say, “Your time will come.  Hang in there.  What you’re doing is very important.”

I got to thinking about cycles afterwards.  One sad day my body will give out and I’ll be watching other runners again.  I’ll miss flying as they now are.  Each part of the cycle has perks, has downfalls, and a feeling of routine.  We must remind ourselves that we get turn with each.  For now I fly, I feel my body respond to what I ask, I feel  my body cut through air, feel my feet pound the blacktop, and feel my chest pull air in and out efficiently.  For now, I am a machine, one in the middle of a cycle.

July 1, 2011

Had a difficult time finding time to run while teaching.  There were times I went after work.  That didn’t happen too often because the day’s fatigue had already claimed much of my energy.  Thank goodness for week-ends.  Now that school is out and free time more accessable, I’m running mornings three days a week.  This is when my running is at its best, when my body is at its best, and my mind is at its best because it rests.

Life says we can’t have it all.  I say we can but not all at the same time.   Because I’ve not found a summer job as of yet, my money situation is at it’s worst.  What could I buy that would equal the high I experience while pounding the bike path though? The birds sing, dash in and out of bushes? The spuirrels dash about barely getting out the way of my oncoming feet? The cool early morning smell whispers of the day’s coming heat. My mind finds the ability to answer dilemmas otherwise hidden, to swim through demands and insistants, through requirements and pressures, and through insecurities and questions.  Peaceful rest finds my mind while sluid work finds my body.

An almost empty wallet, yet my soul plays, my mind rests.  I may not be able to have “it” all at once, but that is okay.  Most everything seems okay these days.

April 10, 2011

Pushed myself further yesterday morning.  It always takes me a little while to gain back what I lost over the winter, even if I do use that horrible, but great treadmill.  Found myself amazed at how fast I am able to do this and then decided it must be from running for 15 years.  Although I enjoyed yesterday’s run and was able to go further, I fell asleep early and slept heavy. 

April 3, 2011

My second run outdoors this year. Ahhh. So much better than the tredmill. Funny how fast my body adjusts after not running much this past winter, not even on the tredmill. This is the first time, since beginning to run 15 years ago, that I’ve went this long without running much. I hated it, but didn’t have much choice. My life was at a crossroads and my hands tied where running was concerned. Anyway, I thought for sure my running would be terrible, my body sore and complaining. It wasn’t though. Maybe running for so many years takes time to lose. Thank goodness. I don’t want to push my luck though.

A friend’s husband said he saw me running the other day and told me I have good form. This is the first time he’s ever seen me run. Maybe he was being nice, but I suppose it’s possible my form isn’t too bad.

Being out made me want to be out more and more. Running makes everything else in my life better. I’m very glad I pushed myself years ago to become a runner. I recommend it highly.

March 26, 2009

I’ve run outdoors almost this whole month and have enjoyed each time. Found I am able to run in 35 degrees instead of at least 40. Maybe I’m desperate and just need to be out. Ran 5 miles this morning and feel great! The trouble I first had with the muscle behind and just above my knee is now fine. No rubber-band feeling either.

Read an article the other day on how some runners are built more for short distance running and make good sprinters, and then others are built for long distance running. Guess this difference is in their genetic make-up. We used to own two thoroughbred horses from the track. One was a sprinter and the other a long-distance runner. I wonder if body build has anything to do with it too? One was shorter both in height and from head to tail (the sprinter). The other tall with long legs and long from head to tail (long-distance). Both were mares and won many races. I couldn’t help but think of them when I read the article about people. Interesting, I thought. Of course you know what I next asked myself, right? Yup. What kind of runner am I? As my legs worked and I looked off in the distance at the mountains, I knew the answer right away. I’m a long-distance girl. I do okay with short bursts of speed, but my specialty is going the distance. This girl has stamina. I am tall, I guess, five-foot-seven and a half with long legs.

What kind of runner do you feel you are?

February 27, 2009

Ahhhh! I just experienced my first run outdoors for the year. Yes, the temperature was over 40, 45 to be exact. What a feeling. When I run I think, “I’m alive. Wow, I didn’t even know I was dead before.” That is what running is for me – I am ALIVE and every fiber of me knows it, freedom is finally mine! The bindings that I hadn’t known were there, binding my heart, my soul, my everything vanish. And, because of the treadmill, yes that darn thing, I didn’t lose much wind, strength through the winter. I almost ran my full outdoors distance, but I decided to take it slowly. I know too different muscles are used on the treadmill as apposed to really running. Today, a muscle in the back, just above, but a little off to the side of my knee, felt strained. No, it didn’t hurt, burn, or anything other than let me know it had been awhile since it worked this hard.

Anyone know what muscle this might be? What it’s name is?
Today’s soul-freeing run released some of the stress I spoke of on my home page the other day. Oh,the sweetness of running.

These two songs express my mood during the run, my mood now – one of melancholy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQeqmNbA2Hs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDl5G-mxqF0

February 2, 2009

I’ve managed to average three days a week on the treadmill. I’ve also managed three or more days of lifting weights and doing sit-ups, leg lifts, and the like. My body is well into the changes necessary for the machine as apposed to the road and my abs are strong. To help lesson the boredom I’ve placed the machine in front of the French doors. This enables me to view the outdoors. Birds fly by, rabbits creep out scouring our lawn for something to eat, and now and then I see a few walkers, and/or runners go by on the road. They are certainly better at handling the cold than I am. This causes me to glance at the reading on the round thermometer outdoors, but it continually lets me down. I just can’t run when the temperatures are below freezing. My feet and thighs freeze up and don’t want to work properly.

Running is head therapy as well as body therapy. Outdoor running delivers better therapy, but treadmill provides some. Running also fixes my body chemistry. Winters are long around here and getting enough exercise isn’t as easy as it is the other seasons. I don’t live next to a gym, I live rurally. Something happens after a good run/workout. Problems are placed into perspective, body chemistry balances, and the body is invigorated and alive again.

I found a few links for others who run on a treadmill, either full time or seasonally like me.

* Running on a treadmill: http://www.mamashealth.com/exercise/treadmill.asp

* Treadmill running Tips – Tips that Will Skyrocket Your Benefits From Using the Treadmill:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Treadmill-Running-Tips—Tips-That-Will-Skyrocket-Your-Benefits-From-Using-the-Treadmill&id=1905220

* The Pros and Cons of Treadmill Running:
http://www.runningplanet.com/training/treadmill-running-pros-cons.html

* The Running Treadmill Benefits: http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/8-4-2006-104495.asp

* Treadmill verses Outdoor Running – Pros and Cons:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Treadmill-Vs-Outdoor-Running—Pros-and-Cons&id=1528924

* Treadmill Running Compared to Outdoor Running: (This one offers a video on how to make treadmill running less boring)
http://hubpages.com/hub/Treadmill-Running-Compared-to-Outdoor-Running

Happy Running!

December 30, 2008

End of semester finals and shopping for Christmas sure kept me hopping. Really had to pinch running time in where-ever I could. Though the number of runs a week suffered, I’m happy to get running time in at all.

Pulled out the treadmill too. Darn! Sure don’t enjoy that as much as a run outdoors. The nice thing is I can use my MP3 player indoors. I don’t use it running outdoors because I don’t feel safe. Hearing what is going on around me is very important. Besides, hearing nature is wonderful. The treadmill is harder, in my opinion, than running on the road. My miles are cut in half indoors because of the amount of work on the thing. I’d feel guilty if I thought doing so robbed me of a good work out, but I know the treadmill is more work. Maybe not everyone feels this way about treadmill running. My treadmill isn’t the top of the line and its speed only goes up to 5 mph. When I’m using it, and my mph are 5.4, I know I’m working hard to pull the rubber around. My speed on the road is somewhere around 6.3 mph.

Anyone else have an opinion on treadmill running?

October 5, 2008

Wow, a month since I’ve written. College is why – a lot of homework and field work. My time is stretched thin, which has resulted in stress. How surprising to realize the effects when I finally had time to regroup. One way I regroup is to run. Unfortunately, two times a week is all I’ve managed this past month. They help though and provide a moment to think straight – to use logic, to reason with my heart.

Notice the foliage. How beautiful it is with the various colors painting the mountains and livening the sky. As I run, crisp autumn tantalize my senses with its cool air and fallen leafy scents. Listen to the chipmunks sputter, the birds flutter, and the leaves rustle in the breeze.

Have you changed your running attire? Instead of shorts and a t-shirt, I now run in running pants, a turtle neck, a little red jacket, and a pair of mittens. The jacket soon ends up tied around my waist however. I hope the temperatures wait before plunging below 35 degrees. I am not ready for severe cold. My body doesn’t respond well then and as a result, I’m forced indoors onto the treadmill.

September 6, 2008

Hurricane residue hit our area this morning. The downfall fell to a trickle and I began. Well, about one and a half miles later, the trickle morphed into a hearty process. I dealt with it okay because at least, I thought, I’m not overheated. I didn’t even mind the squeaky noise my sneakers soon sang, or my sticky clothes pasting themselves to my body, but I did mind the drops covering my glasses. It is a good thing there aren’t a ton of cars passing by where I run. I saw just enough to continue and kicked-started auto-pilot. Why did Aerosmith’s song, “Sweet Emotion” played in my mind suddenly, I’ll never know. Around the 5th mile I couldn’t take not being able to see clearly any longer. I knew my t-shirt was wet and wouldn’t dry my glasses nor would the hanky I always carried with me because it had disappeared. Darn, I liked that dainty blue sweat and snot-wiper. I reached around to a lower back part of my t-shirt and found it mostly dry. Ahhh. This spot thankfully cleared my glasses enough to bring clear sight back once more. I later told my daughters how I wished someone would invent little wipers for eye-glasses. You know, ones like the wind-shield wipers on your car, only these would be tiny little things.

Running in the rain has its hazards. Blacktop can be slippery when it is wet, especially when going down hill. This meant my speed had to suffer. Dodging spidering streams and puddles reduces speed and means I may not see an approaching car as soon as I should.

Anyone else care to share their thoughts of and experiences about running in the rain?

September 3, 2008

So far, so good. My fall schedule is a bear, but I’m finding time to run. It isn’t easy, but the way I look at it, running aids my schedule, my head, my emotions, and provides a place to work problems out in my head. It also provides a place for stress to be let off. In essence, running helps me.

At work yesterday, a young co-worker came in with two blisters on her feet. She said she’d just began running with the track team on campus. The poor thing had a difficult time walking. Two band-aids with salve later, we talked about her place on the team. She felt bad because most everyone else runs faster than she does. As I listened, she explained how badly she wants this and how hard she works. She’s dabbled in running with a team before. It sounds to me like she is working hard and that some of her team-mates might be taking their abilities for granted. I told her that having your head and heart in the right place means everything and if she hung in there, she’d surprise herself and everyone else as well.

Run first and foremost for yourself, not for anyone else, and not for the prestige either. Rewards will come your way if you do.

August 26, 2008

I’ve been getting three days a week in and although this is the first week of classes (have them every day), I still think I can manage to fit three in outside – at least for a while. The temperature at 7:30 this morning was 40 degrees. I wore long pants and should have worn mittens too. My hands were eventually red and partially numb. This doesn’t seem right for August.

I Have to run off to class in a second, but I wanted to throw something out there that I’ve noticed for years now. Maybe my smeller is over sensitive, but when a car passes and someone is smoking a cigarette inside, I can tell. Cigarette smoke is strong and lingers long after a car is gone, especially to someone who pulls air deep into their lungs.

I’d love to hear other outdoor runner’s thoughts on this.

August 21, 2008

Classes will begin again on Monday. I’m both excited and nervous at the same time. I really put myself into doing well, which takes away from everything else in my life. One of these things is running. Finding time to get a run in is not easy, especially too when the weather brings snow in later months. With these facts in mind, I set out to enjoy my last runs before classes begin. This means I push harder and run farther. I’m certainly not Olimpia material by any means. My mileage lately is 5 miles, 15 miles a week.

Anyway, I try to enjoy running outdoors on the road instead of inside on the boring treadmill. I don’t like running on a treadmill. Many other runners I’ve spoken with say the same thing. We all say something like, “I don’t know what it is, but there is a difference physically. Running inside is harder.” I personally think different muscles are used. When switching over from the road to the treadmill, or the other way around, there is an adjustment period. What do you think and feel about treadmill running verses running outdoors?

The morning is crisper today (50 degrees) and I noticed not fully light until somewhere between 5:30 and 6:00. I opted to wear my long running pants instead of my shorts. For those interested, I live in the North Eastern part of the country.