Behind the holidays

It's not always easy to get out the door.  The holidays and flood of work over the last 6 weeks has made it very challenging to get out for runs.  I didn't for about 3 weeks.  Last week I managed a few, but this week is slack again.   This time I can't blame work.  Granted there's always plenty to do, but it's not that.  It's frustrating because I have a big deal race on the calendar.  One that was very difficult to get into.  No guarantee to get in next year if I wanted to skip this year.  I am behind in training and I know how hard it was even when I was on top of training! 

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If you just give yourself a chance and get out the door, your mind and body will surprise you most of the time.

Jenny Barringer Simpson, middle distance runner and steeplechaser

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After running a few marathons I can explain to people why I run. It calms me. I can't imagine not having it in my life. It helps me to sort through things. It's like stepping outside myself and getting a better perspective of who I am.

Gail Kislevitz, First Marathons: Personal Encounters with the 26.2-Mile Monster

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If we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything, is ready, we shall never begin.

Ivan Turgenev, Russian novelist and playwright

Streets

I hate running on the roads.  My dog Lola hates it.  We were both miserable today with cars whizzing by us... but we did it.  For the first time in almost three weeks I got out that door with my running clothes on.  I didn't have time to get to the trail.  But the fear of getting into the Way Too Cool 50k got me out the door. 

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Hills. We love them. We hate them. They make us strong. They make us weak. Today I chose to embrace hills.

Hal Higdon, author and contributing editor for Runner's World

Uh Oh... Ultra

Today's quote is quite timely...

It's utterly amazing what the mind and spirit can cajole from the body. - Kristin Armstrong 

 A few weeks ago I entered the lottery for the Way Too Cool 50k.  After achieving my 26.2 goal and feeling pretty high and confident my sights were set ahead.  2013 would be about the 50k, the entry "ultra" distance.  Not too much further in actual distance, but leaps and bounds in bragging rights.  The one 50k that really appealed to me was the WTC but it is reported to be very difficult to get in.

So I put my name in the lottery.  Odds are I won't get in on the first try.  Then work got really busy and I stopped running for what seems an eternity.  Turns out it's only been two weeks.  But I should also confess that I have eaten like a Mid-Western American* gone bad.... There was no regulating what or how much.  Interestingly, after feeling so good recently, I really noticed how horrible my new (old) routine was making me feel.  In the back of my mind I planned on becoming much more conscious about my health in the new year.  Just let the holidays go by.

So today I get an email.  "Congratulations!  You have been selected for the 2013 Way Too Cool 50K!".

What!?!?!?

 Holy crap!  I never thought I'd actually get in.  Now I'm behind in training, I've gained body fat.

But.  There is a voice in there that says "Good.  This is what you need to get back on track."  Just do it.  Use this fear.

And this is where today's quote is apropo....

A part of my mind tells me there is no way.  But I know better now.  It will be difficult.  I will have to work hard and I will have to be dedicated and focused.  That's what a little fear is good for.    It is possible.  I think I have realistic expectations; to finish within the time limit.  I'll be in the company of some big names in the Ultra world.  There are 941 runners.  It's very exciting.

What I am bummed about is that my friend, Torie, did not get in.  She is doing really well in her training and I feel guilty that I got in and she did not.  She is on the wait list (number 85 our of 396).  Entrants will undoubtedly drop out, so there is a chance she'll get in.  If not, I think she plans on volunteering.  I hope she gets in!

Another note of interest; my landlord is in this race.  She won it last year (with the fastest female time ever). 

My head is spinning.  But I am so excited!




* Use of the term "mid- western american" is not meant to offend anyone... it's based purely on the stereotypical American diet... If you have a better analogy, please share :)

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It's utterly amazing what the mind and spirit can cajole from the body.

Kristin Armstrong