Why I love to Run
Recently a friend asked me why I like to run. This got me thinking about why I started and how there are many more reasons why I continue now. Two years ago I wanted to start running so I could do the Hot Chocolate Run in town. I had started and stopped couch to 5K programs multiple times that year, never getting very far into the program. Life always seemed to get in the way and it was easy to come up with excuses. I never got around to signing up for the race and by race time I wasn’t prepared anyway. Now it was winter, it was the holidays, and I didn’t belong to a gym anymore. So the most active I was for the next few months was when I was shoveling. By the end of the winter, it was clear I was going to have to do something, otherwise I’d have to buy a new wardrobe. Everything was tight.
So that was my big motivator. And my goal was to be able to do the Hot Chocolate Run that year. I was determined not to give up this time. I started another couch to 5K program (again) in April. Slow going at first, but I kept at it. By July, I started putting my training plan on my calendar and that helped me be more consistent. I also noticed around that same time, I started loosing some weight. Then finally by August I was able to run 30 minutes without stopping. This was a huge milestone. Running got a lot more fun after that point. Sort of spur of the moment, I signed up for the Smith College Fall Fit 5K, a low key local race. I could do the distance and thought it would take the pressure off the Hot Chocolate Run in December. I only told a couple people I was doing it, still doubting myself. But I finished it and didn’t feel like I was going to die at the end either.
I continued running through the fall using a beginner 5K program, though weekly miles were only about 8 each week. It felt so good to finally be able to do the Hot Chocolate Run. I improved my time by 2 1/2 minutes and was thrilled. But soon after the race, my runs dropped to about 1 a week. I guess I really needed a future race to keep me motivated. In January, I signed up for my first 10K and started a 10K training plan to get ready. And that’s when I really started to get into running and was looking forward to a lifetime of running.
So here is why I like to run.
• I can eat more pie.
• I enjoy the feeling of running as fast as I can.
• My body doesn’t jiggle as much as it used to.
• It’s fun to push my body further than it’s ever gone before.
• I have better endurance so I can go on longer bike rides.
• I’m discovering lots of interesting podcasts such as 4 Feet Running, The Runners Round Table and Run Run Live.
• I love data, and there are lots of numbers I can collect from my runs. Too much fun.
• It’s a great, portable workout I can take anywhere I travel.
• I like to motivate others to be active.
• I actually enjoy being outside now, even when it’s raining. But I still don’t like wind.
• Running gives me a chance to see a lot more of my town and neighborhood than I would see otherwise.
• It makes me feel better when I’m angry or frustrated or sad.
• It’s a great way to enjoy my favorite fast and loud music.
• When I run first thing in the morning, I feel so much better about my day.
• It makes me feel strong.
• It makes me happy.
And I plan to continue to run well into my 80s.
Whately Police Triathlon Race Report
I was originally planning to do my first triathlon with my SIL Jenn in Portland, but Whately race was so close to home I thought I couldn’t pass it up. It would be good practice. My goal was to finish, have fun, and maybe learn something. I definitely accomplished all three of those.
I kind of didn’t want to wash off my number.
It couldn’t have been nicer weather. 60s at the start and the water temp was 71°. I got there well over an hour before the start of the race so I had plenty of time to set up my transition area. Someone noted how organized my transition area was. If they knew me, that wouldn’t be very surprising. I told them at least that was one thing I had control over. While setting up transition, I was very surprised to discover my Garmin 405 had frozen at 10:34 pm and there was nothing I could do about it. I’m so used to at least having some kind of watch. This sort of forced me just go by feel and have fun. I had no idea of how much time was passing through any of the race. While talking to other people, I did come across a few other first timers. But I also noticed I was only one of two people who didn’t have a road bike. And I’m sure I was the only one with a kickstand and bell on their bike. Well at least I don’t have streamers on my handlebars anymore. I also had a little wetsuit envy. I got the feeling most of these folks had done a triathlon before, probably many times. But finally two familiar faces. Sage and Furn showed up, and Sage parked her bike next to mine which was nice.
There were 6 relay teams, and 101 individuals racing, 38 of which were women. You could say it was kind of intimate with only 3 racks in the transition area. The men went out in the first wave 3 minutes before the women. We started in the water up to our calfs/knees. While waiting for our wave, someone got nudged by a turtle and freaked her out a bit. I managed to avoid the wildlife. The temperature of the water didn’t bother me a bit (probably my biggest fear before testing the water last week was being too cold). When it was time to go I was able to start right away. I didn’t have to worry about getting kicked in the head since I was way back. I tried a few freestyle strokes and then immediately went to my crazy breathing state and switched to breaststroke. It wasn’t until I turned around at the half way point that I was able to control my breathing so I could attempt more freestyle. I managed to go the rest of the way with intervals of freestyle, resting with breaststroke and backstroke. Through the whole swim I was near Sage which was kind of comforting.
Near the edge of the beach I stood up whipping off my goggles/cap and ran to my bike. Super easy to find it since there weren’t many left at that point. I managed not to tip over while trying to get on my shoes and socks. Now I totally understand the appeal of speed laces and wish I had a pair. I ate a little banana, had some water and was good to go. There was a longish transition to run through with the bike before getting to the road. Glad I didn’t have bike shoes for this part. Furn was just a bit up ahead of me and stayed so for most of the bike portion. There was one other woman in our mini-pack throughout the race too. With the excitement of T1 I went out a little fast. But since I was familiar with the course I was able to get back on track so I had enough energy to tackle the quite hilly bit of the route right after you cross 91, after mile 4. The reward of getting through the hills was being able to ride down the windy portion on Westbrook Rd by the very pretty creek. I didn’t push myself too hard on the bike. I was shooting for comfort. But by the time I was running my bike into T2, my legs were telling me I had been doing some work on the bike. Kind of rubbery.
T2 was pretty fast. The only thing that held me up was my race skirt. Apparently when I had pinned my number to the skirt, I pinned the front and back of the skirt together. Kind of makes it difficult to put on. So there was some repinning to do before I could get going. The first 3/4 mile my legs felt heavy and it sounded like I was just plodding along. But then I got into a good rhythm and felt better. Unfortunately by the half way point, my left foot went numb and I couldn’t really feel it. I guess the ankle strap might have been a little tight. Don’t know how else to explain it. Just kept moving. Since the course was an out-and-back, I could see there weren’t many runners left behind me. Once I got to the lake I knew I only had a 1/4 mile left and pushed it, finishing comfortably strong. I actually got a little teary as I crossed the finish line. Not something I usually do.
I was hoping to finish in under two hours. Final time was 1 hour 48 min and 55 seconds. So even though I was at the back of the pack, I’m super happy with my time. Got some food and water and waited for Sage and Furn to come in so I could cheer them on. It was a good race and it seemed well organized. Everyone was supportive and helpful to a newbie like me. I’m really looking forward to the next triathlon coming up. I’d love to cut off 2 minutes from my swim. That means I’ve got a lot of work to do. I’m not shipping my bike, so it’ll be interesting to see what bike I end up with. But best of all, I get to do it with Jenn. It’ll be her first triathlon.
Final Times: Swim 20:43, T1 2:15, Bike 57:19, T2 1:02, Run 27:38.
