A short rundown of the year.

I can’t end the year without reviewing some of my running experiences throughout 2013.  It was a year of firsts for me!

·         It was the first time my daughter and I competed in the same half marathon.  She beat me, of course!

·         I won a pair of running shoes at a race! (Not because I was fast.  Lucky ticket number!)

·         It was the first time I have had a sweatshirt with the words “Coach Green” on the back.

·         I left flesh on the pavement during a workout – for the first and hopefully last time.

·         The first time I went for a run in Jackson Hole,WY.

·         The first time I had someone recognize me and say, “You’re gonna think I’m weird, but you are Running Granny Green!”  Thanks Jodi!

·         First iPhone which translates to, “First time tracking a workout on MapMyRun.”

There are certainly more, but this is the first time I have posted on New Year’s Eve and I think it’s time to start the celebration!

Have a Happy and Safe New Year!

Talking Turkey

 

It is Thanksgiving week.  Last week got away from me and I found myself taking a seven day break. I didn’t plan to take the time off, it just kind of happened.  As with anything that takes effort, beginning again can be challenging. It was only seven days, but I had to do a bit of self-talk before I headed out the door.  I decided to take a new approach.  I have mentioned how I enjoy my new iPhone and the use of the MapMyRun app that gives me pace and distance updates. It is a very good tool, especially when training for a race, but this week I turned on some tunes and turned off the app.  I didn’t pay attention to my speed or distance.  I just ran.  I had a really great time!  I think it was a good week to run for fun.  After all, it’s Thanksgiving!  I am thankful that running can be fun, because just like life, sometimes it can be really hard.  Just like life, it’s worth it.  Have a happy Turkey Day and remember why we celebrate – because we can!

Tuning In ...

Dr. Seuss is credited with, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”  That is how I feel about cross country season.  In fact, there are days when I smile because it’s over! The changing of the seasons is always a challenge for me.  I am never quite ready for it to be this hot, cold, or windy.  Running doesn’t escape the challenge.  I have to adjust from the very social and consistent running of cross country practice to a solitary and admittedly sporadic winter running regimen. It isn’t sad, it’s just different and it takes me a week or two to adjust.

I have rediscovered one of my forgotten running buddies, Alan Jackson.  Because I now have an iPhone, I use the MapMyRun app and have a very encouraging female voice in my ear every half mile to give me pace and distance updates. This week I changed things up a bit and included Brad Paisely in my tight circle of running friends.  Here is one of my new favorite tunes!

 

We can fight change, or we can embrace it.  The choice is ours.