Tag Archives: sports

Here’s what he said…

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My husband, Al, who is the editor of the Echo Press newspaper, wrote about his experience running the half-marathon in Las Vegas. The story, along with a picture of him running the race, ran in the Opinion section of the newspaper last Friday.

His story is very vivid and almost makes it feel as if you could have been running right beside him. I would love for all of you to read it, so here is a link to the story from the newspaper’s website: Highs and lows of a half-marathon.

Check it out and let me know your thoughts!

Thanks!

Lessons learned about running

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I have been running about a year now…give or take a few months. And since I started running, I have learned some lessons – some valuable and some, well, not so much. (Maybe humorous is a better word!)

So, my dear readers, here is some insight into the world of running – well, from my perspective, anyway!

1. Invest in a good pair of shoes. Or two. Or, maybe even three.

2. Find the right music for you. Mine, I found, is all instrumental, upbeat, up tempo music. I found it on iTunes and I think it might even be called running music/tunes or something like that. I run in tempo with the music. It’s actually quite cool.

3. If you use a GPS system, like a Garmin Forerunner, by all means, make sure you turn it on at the start of your run. It doesn’t do much good to turn it on when your run is over.

4. Make sure you have on comfortable underwear. Enough said.

5. Make sure you wear a decent, comfortable sports bra. Which reminds me, I think I need to invest in one or two of these. (Any suggestions, anyone?)

6. Running up hills is just not fun. Period.

7. Running into the wind is not any fun either.

8. Running up hill and into the wind, well, that is just plain wrong. And, yep, you guessed, REALLY not fun.

9. It really doesn’t matter that your outfit doesn’t match. Really. It matters, however, that it is comfortable and doesn’t chaf you…anywhere. Today, I had on gray capri pants with white and yellow stripes on each side. My shirt was red. Nope, didn’t match. Nope, I didn’t care. I was comfortable and I didn’t chaf.

10. Time. Speed. Distance. Doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are out there doing it. You are moving.

11. It also doesn’t matter if your husband can run faster. Really, it doesn’t. (Yes, I think I have finally gotten over this.)

12. Don’t give up too early. If I gave up right away, I would only get about 10 feet and then I would either stop and turn around or continue, but walk instead. The pains you think you feel will probably go away. Just find your rhythm and run/jog.

13. Perseverance matters.

14. Quitting is not an option.

15. Oh, back to the GPS. Make sure it’s fully charged. It doesn’t do any good if the battery dies half way through your run.

16. And speaking about being charged, make sure your iPod or other music device is also fully charged. For me, running without music is like trying to drive your car without any gas. It don’t work.

17. Socks. Spend the money for some good ones. Actual running socks. They DO make a difference.

18. Don’t eat a big meal and then go out and try and run five miles. Doesn’t work. At. All.

19. Make sure you go to the bathroom BEFORE you start running.

20. Be proud of yourself for actually running. Period.

If you have learned any lessons about running or any other exercise, for that matter, please feel free to add them by leaving a comment. I would love to hear about it! Thanks much. Stay safe and ALWAYS remember to stretch – before AND after!

Running?

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It seems like I have been doing lots of running these days, but yet I feel like I am going nowhere. But I guess that’s probably because the kind of running I’ve been doing isn’t the kind of running I SHOULD BE doing.

So, what type of running should I be doing? Well, the kind that is going to get me into shape for my first race of the season. A couple of months ago, I got the bright idea to sign my husband and I up for the Lucky 7 race in the Twin Cities. Runners can either compete in the Lucky 7K, which is a little more than 4 miles, or the Lucky Triple 7K, which is roughly a half-marathon or a little more than 13 miles.

Nope, I did not sign us up for the half marathon. Seriously? Did you really think I would? Not a chance. To be real honest with you all, I don’t ever have the intention of running a half or a full marathon. Neither of these races really trip my trigger. I am not knocking either of these distance races, but I just don’t have the desire to do more than a 10K.

For those half-marathoners and marathoners out there, I give you so much credit. You all deserve a big huge KUDOS! Seriously, you people amaze me. Especially those who keep doing these types of races over and over and over again. I commend you on your discipline, energy and drive. Give yourselves a pat on the back.

I am not sure what it is about the distance running for me, but it just doesn’t sound appealing. For me, the shorter distance races are much more manageable. Or at least I hope they will be this year. I will have to say, though, I am tremendously nervous about this first race. I haven’t done any type of running – inside or outside – since the beginning of November. I thought by signing us up that I would kick it into gear.

I haven’t. But I know I need to.

The countdown is on….I have just 67 more days until the race….that’s a little more than nine and a half weeks. YIKES! If only there were more than 24 hours in a day!

Emotional ride

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It’s amazing what a little inspiration, a positive attitude and a simple, but amazing, chat with another runner can do for a person.

Today, my husband and I completed our first 10K…a 6.2 mile run in Fargo, North Dakota. It was amazing. All my self doubt about not being able to complete the run went out the door this morning when I decided to face this run with an upbeat, positive attitude and no more self pity.

We stood side by side at the starting line, but when the gun went off, I started running one direction…more to the right…and my husband started running a different direction…more to the left. Not once did I look where he was at or worry about how far in front of me he was. For the first time during a race, I focused on me, myself and I. Not a single other person. No one.

I cranked up my music, which were new running tunes I had recently downloaded. No lyrics, just awesome upbeat, up-tempo music that helped me set my pace. I concentrated on my breathing and my running. I concentrated on me.

I also had little pep talks with myself…as weird as that may sound. I kept repeating over and over, “You’ve got this. You can do it. You are running a 10K. How many other people can say they can run a 10K. You’ve got this.” (So, okay, there were tons of other people running a 10K, but at that point, it didn’t matter to me. I mattered to me.)

“Hey, are you the blog lady?”

OMG! Somebody recognized me. Which, okay, probably helped that I had my T-shirt on with my logo on it. But still, someone recognized me from my blog.

“Yes, yes I am.” I replied back, after taking my headphones out so I could actually hear her. She told me “way to go” or something like that, complimented me on my shirt and then said, “You can do it!” Or something like that.

Goosebumps ran up through my entire body and I don’t think I could have had a bigger smile on my face. It may have been simple to her, but to me, it was exactly what I needed to keep going, not give up and finish strong.

So, thanks to the runner, who happened to be a member of the team, Miles for Mark. You have no idea what you did for me. Thank you.

As I crossed the finish line, my arms flew up in that, “Yes, I did it!” motion. It is hard to describe the feeling. Truly it is. My husband was there waiting for me and I think we high-fived, hugged and kissed. Then, as I put the medal around my neck, for some reason, the dam broke and the tears came. I was overwhelmed with emotion. I did it. I completed my first 10K and the coolest part, I ran the whole thing. I didn’t walk once. And…I got under the time I had set for myself. I wanted to finish it in one hour and ten minutes and I did it in one hour and nine minutes. I couldn’t be happier.

Oh, and another really, really cool part of the day…I got to meet a fellow runner, Weight Watchers member and blogger, Jim Lindlauf. It was awesome to meet him in person. Jim recently finished his second marathon and today, ran the half marathon. He is an inspiration!

Thanks to everyone who encourage me and had the faith in me to complete this race! It was an awesome way for my husband and I to celebrate our 2nd anniversary!

Me at the finish line!

Al and I at the finish line.

Me giving my medal a big ol' kiss!

Our times according to our watches. My official time was 01:09:33 and Al's official time was 01:01:22.

Us...again!

Our medal...yes, we actually received a medal!

A "Miles for Mark" sign near the finish line.


A change of heart?

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So, okay, I have been doing some thinking. Long and hard thinking. Which by the way, I do from time to time. Surprising, isn’t it? That I do, indeed, think.

Anyway, in my last post, I said I was going to give up running. When I wrote that blog entry, I was not in a good place – mentally, not literally.

I felt defeated…for more than one reason. After the race in St. Cloud, I really did struggle to breathe; my lungs ached and I coughed and wheezed more than any other race I’ve participated in.

It wasn’t what I was expecting. I guess I am always expecting more.

But see, the thing is, it was cold and damp that morning, plus the run included at least four hills (or what I consider hills because I am a novice runner). Sometimes, I don’t take everything into consideration. I focus too much on my time – not on my breathing – and I think I have finally realized I need to let go of that – my time, not my breathing. I know I have to breathe while running!

And speaking of time, I was really shooting for 30 minutes or at least 31 minutes and I ran it in 32 minutes and 19 seconds. I know…learn to let go, right? Yes. I have since let go.

And since I wrote my whining blog about wanting to quit, I have received plenty of feedback. Surprisingly, more people have told me to go ahead and quit and that it is okay to do so. I’m not sure why, but I was surprised by that.

I think in the back of my mind, when I wrote it, I was looking for some encouragement. I was looking for a hint of glimmer or that little bit of hope that maybe, just maybe, I was making the wrong the decision and that I shouldn’t give up. At least not without checking with my doctor first.

I was looking for what I believe I provide to others on a regular basis – inspiration.

I was down and I needed just a little pick-me-up. Don’t we all need that sometime?

Well, I got my inspiration, but not in a post or comment on my blog site (athough there were a couple of inspiring ones!). I got my biggest inspiration from a former co-worker and friend of mine who sent me an email, an email I wanted to receive from her.

She is and has been an inspiration to me through most of my journey. She doesn’t really know it, but she is my positive reinforcement when things aren’t going the right direction or when I need a little pick-me-up. She always seems to know when I need a little something, a little nudge. Not sure how, but she always sends me a message when I need it the most. So, thanks to the running, yoga and biking queen who rules the roads now in St. Paul/Minneapolis.

Erin, you truly inspire me.

Thanks for your words of wisdom…and encouragement.

In addition to Erin’s email, I received some inspiration from a couple of conversations I had and from a personal message on my personal Facebook page.

Thanks to all of you who gave me what I needed.

And, I also have to give a HUGE thanks to my husband. I kind of shot him down in my last blog post and that wasn’t very fair. He encourages and inspires all the time and I thank him for it. Sometimes, I think he doesn’t understand, but then we talk and I realize just how much he truly does understand me and gets where I am coming from. Thanks, Al, for always being there for me…listening, encouraging and loving me for me.

I am gearing up for this Saturday’s 10K in Fargo and I truly am looking forward to it. And I have already made up my mind that I don’t care what my time is. I care only that I finish….without walking any of it!

Nothing but honest

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Okay, since I began this blog, which was back in January of 2009, I have been very open and honest with my readers. Maybe too much. I have shared my weight (yes, the actual number – currently at 140 pounds), my clothing sizes, my eating habits and more. At times, I have been pretty blunt, which I think is great. I have had people comment on how much they love my honesty and my openness because it makes them feel like they are not alone. I am real, to the point and I tell it like it is.

Well, I feel it is time to be a bit more honest about my running.

Yes, I have completed eight 5K races this year and yes, I do have a 10K race coming up next weekend. And yes, I have been honest about my finishing times. However, I haven’t been totally truthful about how running is for me. How it makes me feel. The upcoming 10K race is what made me realize I need to be more honest with not just you, my readers, but with myself. So, to be completely 100 percent honest, I am scared s***less. Really, truly, I am.

I have been thinking a lot about running lately and in all honesty, I am at the point where I think I am going to give it up. Yes, you heard it right. I think I am quitting. Disappointed? I am.

Here’s the thing: I truthfully don’t think my body, my mind, my lungs are cut out for running. I thought I was ready for it. But emotionally, mentally and yes, physically, it’s draining. I am not where I want to be for running and lately, it’s because of my lungs. At our last race, which was last weekend in St. Cloud, I thought I was going to die. Literally.

My lungs have never hurt so much after a race and I didn’t even push myself that hard. My goal was to finish it in 30 minutes and I did it in 32 minutes 19 seconds. I had to walk several times because I just could not catch my breath. I can’t breathe when I run. And I cannot figure out how to do it. I know my time wasn’t bad, it wasn’t. But it is just not where I want to be. And mentally and emotionally, it’s taking a toll. The thing is, I don’t thing my body will let me push it any harder. I don’t think my lungs are made for it. After the St. Cloud race, my lungs were so tight and heavy that I coughed and wheezed for about two hours after. To put it bluntly, it sucked.

If I had the money, which seriously don’t we all wish we had more of, I would love to go to a trainer. And truthfully, to the doctor, as well, so I can figure out if I have exercise-induced asthma or what the heck is going on. I do think with the proper – yes, the proper, training, I probably could become a runner. But I can’t do it on  my own anymore. And I can’t afford to hire a trainer or for that matter, get the proper medication to help me breathe. Yes, I know, I completely sound like I having a pity party for myself. But I am just trying to be truthful.

I don’t think my husband fully understands how much I seriously struggle with running, which doesn’t help matters at all. For him, it is easy, or at least easier than it is for me. He doesn’t get that I can’t breathe. He doesn’t get that my lungs feel like they are going to collapse. He doesn’t get that I have this pain in my back/left side that stabs every time I take a step. He used to be a runner and for him to just get out there and run, it is easy. Or at least he makes it seem easy. I could run five days a week and he could run one and then we could race and he wouldn’t struggle in the least. And because I am being completely honest here, emotionally and mentally, it sucks. I wish it didn’t. I truly, truly do.

So, until the 10K next week, I am going to try my best and just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I am going to try not to think about anything else but myself. I am going to just simply try my best. That is all I have. It’s all I got.

Whew, I got that all off my chest now. Maybe now I can breathe when I run!

Calling all runners: I need advice/help

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As many of you know, I started running awhile back. My goal this summer was to do a 5K each month. So far, so good. Actually, I am exceeding my goal by doing two 5K runs in July and two 5k runs in August. Plus, as most of you know, my husband and I are planning on doing our first 10K in October. 

But here’s the deal. Instead of getting better at running, I am getting worse. Really, truly, I am. My guess is that the humidity is really wreaking havoc with me, but I really don’t know what is going on. And it’s getting frustrating. Really, really frustrating. I’ve starting having to walk throughout my running because I just can’t breathe. I can’t catch my breath.

And besides not being able to breathe, I have had problems with this pain I keep getting in my left side, mid-back, side, rib area. It’s kind of hard to describe, but it almost feels like my rib either shifts or breaks and then stabs me in the side/back area. The first time it happened was when we did our 5K in Fargo and I had bronchitis. Since then, I have had it once or twice, but lately it seems to be happening on almost every single run.

In addition to not being able to breathe, dealing with a back/side/rib pain, I also have started feeling sickly when I run. It usually comes on around mile 2 and lasts until I am done. It’s almost like a heartburn/nausea feeling. This may be gross, but I can usually burp my way through it. Gross, I know, but it does help.

Because of my breathing issues, I have had to slow way down, and like I said, even having to walk sometimes, and that is the frustrating part. Because I am so new to running and I haven’t really ran through the summer months before, I am just wondering…is it the humidity that’s doing it? Do other runners experience this kind of stuff? Am I the only one? 

Seriously, can someone tell me what’s going on? I am getting so frustrated with it all. I have tried running in the morning, when it’s not so hot, but most of the time, it is still humid. I have tried running later at night, when it’s cooled off, but again, the air is so thick. 

I know I am going to juts push through this. I am not going to give up. I have really started enjoying this sport. I feel so good when I am done. Well, that is after I get done having my little hissy fit, ranting and raving about how slow I ran and how I couldn’t breathe and all. After that is all done, then I feel good.

So, really, anybody got any advice? I need some tips or some reassurance that this, too, shall pass and it will get better come fall. You can either post a comment at the end of the blog or feel free to send me an email to confessionsofaformerfatgirl@gmail.com. You can also check me out on Facebook; look up Confessions of a Fat Girl and hit the "like" button. You can send me a message on there or post a comment. 

I really look forward to hearing from all you seasoned, and maybe not-so-seasoned, runners out there. Help, please!

I need your help…

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As many of you know, my goal this summer is to run a 5k each month. My husband and I started in May with the Fargo 5K and then did the Osakis 5K in June and will do a 5K in Henning in July. In September, we are doing one in Alexandria. We planned on doing the 5K race in Hoffman in August, but I just found out it is the weekend I am going to be in Wisconsin having a mom and sisters weekend. Dang it.

So, I am now in search of a 5K race for August. I would love to find one within a 40 to 50-mile radius of Alexandria either the first weekend of August – the 6th, 7th or 8th – or the last weekend in August – the 27th, 28th or 29th. The third weekend of August is the Douglas County Fair and both my husband will be attending the fair; taking pictures for the newspaper and working in the Echo Press booth. 

We could maybe do a race that weekend as long as it was earlier morning on Saturday or Sunday, but it would have to be real close to Alexandria. 

So, if any of you who read this column know of a 5K race in the vicinity, please let me know. If you have a website I could check out, that would be great. I have been on the active.com website, along with pickleevents.com and haven’t really found anything. Although I wasn’t looking real hard. 

You can either post a comment here with information or please feel free to send me an email at confessionsofaformerfatgirl@gmail.com. That is confessions of a former fat girl at gmail dot com. 

Thanks so much!