A mild winter followed by a long summer and an unseasonably warm fall was barely enough time to entertain my mind and body with outdoor adventures. It was early October and I was already planning my winter so that I could be in top shape and have the lung capacity needed for ascending Lone Peak in 2013. With the unusually mild temperatures I figured I'd stay outside as long as possible. With the ever shorter amounts of daylight, my options for trail running and hiking that would fit my schedule were dwindling.
It all started one evening while I was browsing around Barnes and Noble while the kids were at fencing. I had subconsciously figured out that I would need to do some serious cardio training to get in shape for a 6000 foot climb in elevation, and I knew that I would also need endurance to keep it going for what I estimate to be around 12 hours. Then I happened upon, out of the corner of my eye, Runner's World magazine.
There are hot bodies, and there are super models, there are movie stars and airbrushed perfections, and then there are Runners. We all know who they are, in fact you may be one yourself. Those perfectly toned and muscular thighs, flat and solid brick abs. They are everywhere in our neighborhoods. They're more dedicated to miles, rain or shine, than the post office is to delivering mail. Runners work Saturdays and Sundays too. Hills, trails, roads, weeds, rocks, obstacles of every kind, nothing they can't get through over or around. I thought to myself, it's not really all that different than hiking, except slightly faster. And so, I grabbed the magazine and headed out with a new goal, train for a 10K. In my mind I was thinking, run 6.4 miles, hike 6 miles, not too much different, except the elevation gain, I could do this.
Looking back on life, I guess I've always been a pretty active person, but I never really liked running much. 2 Years of soccer practice when I was 13-14 years old gave me all I thought I ever wanted for running. I remember times when the coach would make us run in the rain, and there would be lightening coming way too close to a very open soccer field. I once ran so much I stopped and threw up, coach looked at me and said, "you done?", but before I could answer he motioned for me to keep going. When I was 14, I probably had thighs strong enough to crush another Human. My mom, not so well known for her couth amongst youth, actually called me thunder thighs. Being 5'3" and having tree stumps for legs gives a girl one of two things, a major complex about her thighs, or the ability to kick some serious ass. Yeah, I never had much time for a complex.
My first goal during training was to run 100 miles by Christmas. From the middle of October to December 2nd I did it. I hit my 100th mile in Chandler, Arizona while waiting between fencing bouts at a competition. It had not been easy, but the satisfaction was soul refreshing and life changing. That first month and a half was a trial by error for so many aspects of the game. Comical in hindsight, and well worth sharing. I had a strange problem in the beginning where I would bite the inside of my cheek during most of my runs, it took about a month and some salt in the wounds to figure out I needed something to do with my mouth while running. I happened to be chewing gum one day, and realized that if I bit down and held the gum in my front teeth, I could avoid jarring and biting my cheeks. First problem solved, next up, what to eat and what not to eat. I had not really planned on a specific diet, I figured I could eat whatever I usually did and everything would be fine. Turns out, a hearty breakfast will not fuel your morning run, rather it will feed the wildlife, regurgitated. And then there's the after run, I'm going to die if I don't eat now, panic! Well, as I learned again the hard way, do not eat too much after a run, else it too will come right back up. Finding the right balance takes patience and preparation, but eventually I was able to sustain a 5 mile run on a piece of toast with peanut butter without giving up my morning coffee. After several experiments with different types of clothing, I also found what to wear that suits me best, And yes there are special socks and they do make a difference. Shoes... if the word sketcher is anywhere in the name, description, or even color, it will not work for running. No matter how cute they are or if they come in your favorite color, buy good running shoes. Seek an expert, for your first pair, it will be worth every penny and non painful recovery. Listen to your body, rest when you need it, take care of your insides and outs and be prepared for all kinds of changes. Emotionally, mentally, and physically. Sticking to it was hard at first, but within a couple of weeks a lot of changes started to take place, positive changes.
Every body is different, every runner is different, and what works for one will most likely not work for another. It's calculations, trial by error and persistence that eventually got me through my first 100 miles and helped me log well over 300. Becoming a runner was not my intention, but it has become a motivation that is like no other, changing my path, my mind, my body and my soul. It's entirely individualized. No winners no losers only finishers. You get out of it, exactly what you put into it. Interesting how that sounds so much like life. Sometimes you have to look back, to move forward, just don't stay too long, don't get caught in the trauma of your past and become trapped. Step back, take a look, remind yourself of your mistakes and move along. Take with you the lessons you have learned, leave behind anything and anyone that holds you back. Realize that there are going to be people in this life that you must let go of in order to go forward. And what lies ahead waiting are the people that carry you forward continuously, without hurt, without fear, without judgement. Walking by your side, with only love and acceptance of you, exactly how you are.
I have just 4 weeks before my first 10K. I am confident that I will finish, my body is stronger than ever, my mind focused and my soul more satisfied every day. I'm not a super star, or a runners magazine cover model. I have aches, and pains and days where I should, would and could give up. It's not about winning, or beating any records. It's simply about crossing the finish line going forward, living, loving, running.
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