You are a runner if ...

“I am a runner.” When can one who runs confidently make this claim?  I believe it is different for everyone. This morning I ran eight miles to stay on track for half marathon training. My legs are pretty tired. Actually, all of me is quite tired! I think I can say, “I am a runner.”

I heard others refer to me as a runner long before I thought I was legit. I ran, sometimes, and not especially fast – but I did run. When I participated in my first 5K I was hysterical afterwards, laughing to keep from crying. It was hard! It rained that day and there was the added difficulty of being cold and wet. I didn’t do much of anything the rest of the day. I was busy recovering! Did that make me a runner?

I ran for four years before I could break a ten minute mile and it still doesn’t happen every day. Did clearing that hurdle make me a runner? I ran and walked a half marathon last year. Does that qualify me? I have run in the rain, the wind, and a blizzard. Runner yet?

This is what I have determined. It’s just the opinion of a granny who runs. 

• You are a runner if you run. It matters not how fast or how far. 
• Racing doesn't matter. Some runners love to race and some do not, so racing doesn’t matter. (Well, it does for those of us who enjoy it!) 
• You are a runner if you continue to run. Obstacles such as illness and injury, scheduling, and really bad weather might get in the way, but a runner will resume his sport as soon as the obstacle has been cleared. 
• Some days will be easier than others.  Some runs will be longer or faster than others, it matters not. 
• You are a runner if you run.

Run on, you runner, you!

Question: Do you have an opinion about what makes a runner?  Feel free to sound off in a comment below.

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!

Carol - aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Fun Run - It's not an oxymoron

Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so too, is fun.  There are many who say that running cannot be fun so there is no such thing as a “fun run.”  I would argue that this is not so. This is why:

·         To a serious runner, it is fun to run a race and win.

·         To a recreational runner, it is fun to run a race and perform better than last time.

·         To a beginner runner, it is fun to run your first race and experience  the sense of accomplishment that accompanies it.

·         To a walker (because walking is allowed at Fun Runs), it is fun to do something healthy with other walkers.

·         To everyone, it is fun to get a T-shirt that tells the world you participated in a Fun Run!

·         Prizes are fun!  Sure, the fast guys get a prize, but race registrations often go in a drawing for things like water bottles, gift certificates, and socks.  That is always fun!

·         It is fun to hear observers cheering you on along the route.

T-shirt from Old Fort Boise Days Run 2012

The next time you hear the phrase “Fun Run,” remember it isn’t that running is fun (Well, for some), it’s that participating in a run is fun.  Don’t believe me?  Why not try it?  This one is small and low key, so you really can have fun!

Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!

Carol - aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

The Lonely Run

It seems I’ve been training for a half marathon all year!  Actually, I began in March and hit a road block about the time I was due to run my first six-miler.  After recuperating from a couple of setbacks, I began again and reached the six-mile long run last weekend.  I had recruited a running buddy because long runs can get pretty lonely.  Unfortunately, there is a strange phenomenon surrounding the six-mile run.  Running buddies tend to disappear for six-milers.  I think I know the reasons.  It isn’t because they are wimping out (well maybe) rather they have reasons not to run six miles.

#1 – They are not training for a half, so six miles is just a random run.  It is not their goal.

#2 – Unless you can run a six minute mile (Most of us can’t) it takes a while to run six miles. Sometimes a long run just doesn’t work into your day.

#3 – Recovery.  Six miles takes more out of a body than three, or four, or even five.

This time my running buddy had something else come up and she had to cancel.  That happens, too.

That’s why I found myself alone on the road with only the voices of Alan Jackson, Sarah Brightman, Roger Miller, The Beatles, David Essex, and George Jones, to name a few.  I have an eclectic taste in running music!  I chose a route I had not traveled for many moons.  Long runs are typically done at an easy pace.  Their purpose is to build strength and endurance. I think they also have a purpose for building patience – something I need to work on.

Blooming Russian Olive Tree

 I started slow.  At 1.5 miles I was still slow and tried to pick up the pace a bit. Somewhere around mile three I got lost in my thoughts.  This was strange because somewhere around mile three I realized I had a 2 mile stretch that was bordered by blooming Russian Olive trees!  Like this one.

This was a problem because those innocuous yellow blossoms have a sickening sweet aroma that wreaks havoc on my head!  I dislike blooming Russian Olives with a passion, which is unfortunate because I am trying to bridle my passions! I thought, perhaps, this 2 mile stretch would be my undoing, but I just kept moving.  I ignored the trees and focused on … I don’t remember.  I think I let my mind wander, enjoying the assorted tunes bouncing in my ears and wondering what the uphill mile at the end of the run was going to feel like.

It felt fine.  In fact, it almost felt good!  The best part was the time on my watch at the end of the run.  It was the fastest I had ever covered six miles – 10K races included!  The slow start, the Russian olives, and the uphill mile at the end, were all a part of my lonely run and they combined for success.  I was satisfied with a sense of accomplishment afterwards, yet I had no buddy to whom I could brag, but then, if I had done the run with a buddy my time would have been slower because I would surely have been chatting along the way.

Innocuous Yellow Blossoms

What's in a word?

I had a conversation yesterday with a non-running friend about participating in an upcoming local 5K.  This One. Her goal is to walk the route and that is always a worthy goal.  We don't all have to run, but we should all attempt to move!  I was reminded once again how runners have our own vocabulary. 
She asked, "Now, there is a five and a three?"
"No, just a 5K,"  I answered.
"So ... a 5K is how far?"
"Three miles."  (I thought everyone knew that. Yet, I didn't know that before I began running.)
She looked at me sideways, but seemed to accept that information as fact.  I didn't include that last .1 mile.
I am sure it's all very confusing.  We measure our races in kilometers and our pace time by the mile. We use terms like tempo and tapering, throwing them at non-runners the way educators throw acronyms (AYP, LEP, SAT) at parents. 
Maybe it isn't the running that scares them off.  Maybe it is the confusing lingo.  Running is hard enough without the challenge of learning a new language!  For the non-running reader out there, here is a short glossary.

K - Kilometer or 1000 Meters.   A 5K is equal to 3.1 miles.  A 10K is 6.2, and so forth.
Carbo Load - Eating lots of carbohydrates prior to a race for race day fuel.
Race Pace - How fast can you go for at least 3 miles or 5000 meters?
Tempo Run - A workout done just under Race Pace.
Tapering - Taking it easy at the end of your training plan in an attempt to have fresh legs on race day.
PR - Personal Record. Your fastest time at a given distance.(I once had a sibling thinking I had been interviewed about my race!  Public Relations???  I'm really not that fast!)
Refueling - Just what it says. Eat up!  You earned it by racing!

This is a SHORT glossary, but it might help next time you try to communicate with a runner.  We sometimes forget that not everyone is interested enough in running to try it.  Fewer still have mastered the language!

Non-runners Just Don't Understand!

New running shoes!

My non-running friends and family do not understand my obsession with running shoes.  I suppose neither do yours.  Ahh, the comfort of the perfect shoe!  We don't care about the color, or what world class athletes wear, or if the shoe looks fast.  It's all about the fit and performance.  Once we find The Shoe we don't ever want to stray.

If you are like me, you study the tread of your favorite shoes like a meteorologist studies a radar map, checking often for the first signs of wear.  You can almost predict the number of miles left in the shoe. You begin shopping for sales in a panic that you might not find The Shoe before it's too late!  When nagging pains begin to develop in your knees or ankles, you know you are pushing the limits and it's time to bite the bullet and go shopping.  I even brought out a retired pair of runners recently while awaiting the purchase of a new pair.

My husband and sons took me shopping for Mother's Day.

"Those look fast!"  One commented.

"Yes, but they don't have the exact size."  (I run in an 8.5 while I wear a 7.5 dress shoe.) "I will lose toenails if I get an 8 and a 9 might make me trip!"  It's all very scientific and proven by personal experience.

"I like the color of those."  Wrong brand.

"These look comfortable."  Not enough stability.

My shoe of choice?  Asics Gel- Kayano. They don't match any of my running shirts, but I don't care.  My feet are happy and I even feel faster in them!

Unfortunately, The Shoe was not on sale.  Well, last year's model was on sale, but all out of my 8.5's.  Fortunately, it WAS Mother's Day, so I was pampered and got the more expensive shoe.  At least, I think I was pampered.  I'm pretty sure I got stuck paying for them!



Ten Reasons to Love Running …

1 – No gym membership dues.

2 – People think you are awesome.

3 – It can lower your blood pressure.

4 – Running can lower your weight.

5 – People think you are crazy.

6 – Increased endurance for other activities.

7 – Racing.

8 – Running gives you a reason to listen to music.

9 – Running buddies.

10 – Grandchildren.

I could go on, but you get the picture.  There are more reasons to run than there are reasons not to run!

Why do you love running or another favorite physical activity?

Happy Running!

Everybody needs one of these!

Why didn’t I know about that!

This expression often comes out of my mouth when I discover that someone else has a piece of information that would make my life better in some fashion and I feel cheated that I had not known about it sooner.  Such was the case when I recently visited friends/relatives and my friend was carrying what looked like a large hook for a hanging pot.  I paid little attention to it until a noticed she had it slung over her shoulder while sitting on the sofa watching TV.  Now I was curious.

TheraCane

“What IS that?” I asked.

Her hubby chimed in, “It’s a TheraCane.”

“A what?”

“A TheraCane … for massaging your back.”

I finally understand the Amazon smile. 
I was SO HAPPY to get this box!

I watched as she held one end of the cane and worked a knob on the other into the knotted muscles in her back. I have a pretty good massager of my own (Hubby), but his hand tires quickly and he can’t always find the right spot between my shoulders, so when she offered, I jumped at the chance to give it a try. Incredible!  I shopped Amazon and bought one of my own.  I really hate to deny Hubby the chance to serve, but it is easier to find the knot than to explain to another where it is AND I get to control the pressure. My TheraCane has become a permanent fixture in my living room this week.  I highly recommend getting one of your own.  If it doesn’t work for you, you can always use it to hold a hanging pot!

P.S.  Runners:  The shorter knobs work great for massaging arches!


Happy Running!

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Where Were You?

I use my iPod for two purposes. One is to pass the time on long airline flights (they are few and far between) and the other is to keep me running when I don’t have a running buddy along for a chat.   Some of the music is slow and I have to skip over those songs. I like Alan Jackson, The Beatles, Jason Aldean, and Broadway Soundtracks.  I use the shuffle mode because I like to be surprised when a new song begins to play.

One song that frequently tumbles in is “Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?” by Alan Jackson.  (It’s an old album.) I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the Twin Towers were hit. I was in my lab bending wires for retainers while my children were getting ready for school.  I remember it like yesterday.  So too, I suppose, shall I remember the Boston Bombings as Monday’s attack has been dubbed.

Monday morning I was very interested in the Women’s Elite race. I had been casually following Shalane Flannagan and Kara Goucher as they trained for Boston.  I had a friend visit just as the race was ending.  She isn’t a runner, nor is she an avid fan, but I forced her to watch.  Congratulations to those two American runners!

Later in the day I was once again I my lab bending wires when I received a call from my friend.

“Are you still watching the Boston Marathon?”  She asked.  She then informed me of the blasts that had occurred.  I turned on the TV and began watching the coverage.  Here are some observations:

·         Innocent people always suffer from selfish acts of others.

·         Heroes always surface in the face of tragedy.

·         There is more goodness in the world than bad.

·         The world doesn’t stop turning. Our understanding of the world changes.

·         Boston Bombings did not have the magnitude of 9/11, but for a few the pains and suffering are greater because it affected them personally.

·         Everyday people suffer tragedies and nobody knows.  The rest of us go on our merry way.

 

Boston will remain vivid in my memory as does 9/11.  I am certain I will consider both when Alan Jackson begins to croon, “Where were you when …”

A Run in the Sun

Ah, the beauty of a run in the sun!  The weather has been wreaking havoc on my training as of late.  I am afraid I will have to postpone my next half marathon for a bit. The cold temps and wind, coupled with a gimpy knee have really slowed me down.  Today was warm and sunny and I was determined to go for a run.  I chose to leave my watch and music home and attempt to run in tune with my body – most particularly, my knee.  Rather than attack the run (This is relative.  My “attack” compares to most runners “recovery run.”) I would take it slow and easy and pay attention to twinges so as to stop before they became full blown pains.  As I was preparing to step out the door, my Running Buddy Julie messaged me, offering to run along.  Julie has also been treating some injuries, so she made for a good partner today.

We took it easy, only running (slowly) until the first twinges manifested themselves.  Walking for a bit, we resumed running when the twinges subsided and ran again until they whispered their presence once more.  It wasn’t much of a run, but we covered a good three miles in the sunshine.  We caught up on our visiting as we hadn’t seen each other in a couple weeks.  It felt good to be outside and moving.  It is encouraging to know that the running isn’t over, it has just tapered off for a bit.  I still want to run that half marathon sometime – I really want a do over after the High Desert Half – but for today, I am happy that I can run, that the weather is nice, and that I had a buddy to run with me.  We will see what tomorrow brings.

Injuries! Ugh!

 

I try to be patient.  I really do!  It isn’t something that I was blessed with.  All of the patience I ever exercise requires effort.  That’s why I struggle when exercising requires patience!  Last week it was my back.  This week it’s a knee.  It is hampering my half marathon training and I’m beginning to worry that I may have to reschedule.  I don’t want to do that!  Last time I rescheduled until the half marathon available was this one! I would rather opt for a road race this time. 

Fortunately, the weather is nice enough to bike (easier on the knees), so today I donned my biker gal gear,

 

, grabbed my buddy Julie, and we hit the road.  I couldn’t believe how green the pastures are already!  We saw lots of black beef calves, some kind of brown geese, and water in the ditch.  Ah, life in the country!

 

 

It wasn’t the six mile run I needed to do, but it was good to enjoy the scenery, hang with my friend, break in the bike muscles.  The bike seat, however, I could do without!

 

 

I Run to Ski

Brundage Mountain.  Look at that powder!
 

I’ve mentioned before that I am running away from heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, but there are other reasons why I run.
I run to ski.
Skiing isn’t all about the strength of the legs.  In fact, much of skiing is about endurance and a lot about technique.  When I get tired, my technique (which is not expert, anyway) goes out the window.  Fatigue brings on bad habits.  Wow, that’s another essay in itself!  More later on fatigue and bad habits…  Bad ski habits bring on danger and the opportunity for injury.  The more I run, the longer I ski without fatigue.  The longer I ski, the more I improve.  The more I improve, the happier my ski partner!  The happier my ski partner, the more I enjoy skiing.  And so on…

While my avoidance of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes is a long term goal, I have more immediate motivators to keep my running.  Snow skiing is just one of them.  On days when it seems just too hard to lace up my shoes and get out the door, I can remind myself that the ski hill will be much more enjoyable if I just keep running.

What is your motivation? I would like to hear about it in the comments below.

Happy Running!

The Value of a Running Buddy

With Running Buddy, Susan

Ah, speed work.  How I love to hate it! Wednesday was my first speed workout of my training program for the Famous Idaho Potato Half Marathon.  Due to the shortened schedule (I didn’t start training early enough in the year!) the first timed runs were miles rather than half miles.  Additionally, I planned to run with a buddy late in the day.  I had plenty of time to talk myself out of the speed work. When we met up for our run, I even said, “It wouldn’t take much to talk me out of doing speed work today.” She countered with, “Oh good, cuz I’ve been dreading it all day!”  We decided to do the warm up mile and then choose whether to do one timed mile, two timed miles as the program designated, or to bag it all together and just make it an easy four mile run.

Running buddies can save us from ourselves. The warm up mile was the key.  By the time we had one mile under our feet, we were excited to stop and stretch prior to running a timed mile. We convinced ourselves that it would be okay to just do one timed run.  Then we would see how we felt about the rest of the workout.  So we did.  The first mile was 22 seconds under the target pace!  We started too fast, had to slow down, and then recovered with a good pace for the second 800 meters.  We were surprised and confused with our success.  We slowed, talked about it, jogged for a half mile, and convinced ourselves to run a second timed mile.  That pace?  Thirty-seven seconds faster than the target!  Even our half mile cool down was done at a pretty good clip.

What did I learn?
A – Friends can help us be our best selves.
B – Misery does love company!
C – Speed work really works!


Running Granny Green encourages women, especially grandmothers, to gain greater fitness by providing tips and inspiration to insure long years of joyful grand-parenting. The cookie recipes are a bonus!

Happy Running!

Carol - aka Running Granny Green

Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

It's a Rest Day

The grass is always greener.

 

Rest days or cross training days are built in to race training schedules.  Instead of running every day, or three to four days in a row, training schedules only have you run three to four days per week.  Somehow, the weather seems to know which days are running days and which days are rest days.  It likes to blow and drizzle on running days.

Today was a rest day.  Of course, the sun was shining and the wind was still this afternoon!
 
If I were not training, I would have felt pressure to run today and I may have found ways to talk myself out of it.  Because it was a rest day (and the weather was nice) I had a desire to run, but … it WAS a rest day. If I din't run, what would I post on A Mile for My Heart?

Why is it that when we can’t have something, we want it more?  We aren’t hungry until we begin a diet.  In the summer 65 degrees is too hot indoors and we need air conditioning.  In winter 65 degrees is too cold.  I suppose it’s human nature, but I think it is something we should work on.  So … I am going to attempt to enjoy the rest days and embrace the running days, because I am sure to miss them both when it is not their turn!

Tempo Run - Ugh!

Today’s training schedule said “Tempo Run.”  Tempo runs are almost harder for me than speed work.  It’s early in the training, so the tempo run was only two miles - two miles just under race pace. The problem with a training run is there is no adrenaline boost like there is on race day, so the tempo run feels like race pace!

I did a warm up mile, stretched, and gave myself a pep talk.  Then I set off on mile one, hurrying to ensure I was on pace with the time the schedule prescribed. After mile one I was 26 seconds under the required time – and I was exhausted! Mile two of the tempo run was a bit slower.  Still, I came in 22 seconds under pace.  I ran a slow cool down mile and now my legs feel like noodles – and I am starving! 

The best part was … I beat the rainstorm that was chasing me!

 

 

Question: What part of race training do you dread? How do you conquer your fear?

 



Happy Running!

Training for a half marathon - The beginning.

Today I begin training for the Famous Idaho Potato Half Marathon in May.  It is sunny and there is no wind, so it’s a great day to start. I plan to smash my time logged at the High Desert Half last summer.  Read about it HERE.

If a half marathon scares you (and it should!) there are 5K and 10K race distances at the Famous Idaho Potato, or you can just go for it and run a full marathon!  Visit the registration page.

If you have been thinking about running a half, but haven’t quite committed, there is no time like the present! Today’s workout is an EASY three mile run. 

EASY just means “slow.”  Running is never easy.

I do it for my heart.

Surviving the inversion

Where have the days gone?  It could be just a January funk, but I am blaming my lack of activity on the inversion in the Treasure Valley.  I am grateful for skiing because it gives me a chance to get out of the heavy, dark, cold air and locate the sun still shining in the sky!  This is the view of the valley engulfed in phmog (My term for the pollutant infused fog trapped below warm air.)

View from Pioneer parking lot at Bogus Basin

That white sea is the top of the layer of phmog.  There are thousands of people roaming below unaware of the beauty that shines above.  It reminds me of Mordor. (See J.R.R. Tolkien)

I attempted to keep up my running routine.  See this post.  When the temps dipped below 0 and remained under 10 degrees for most of the day, I gave up.  I've been doing some yoga, but it isn't my strong suit!  It takes more patience than I am used to devoting to an activity!

The beauty of super cold temps is that it produces some sparkly snow! My daugter would love it.

Sparkles!



Fortunately, there was a break in the weather today!  Yay!  Freezing rain!  Who would have thought I would be grateful for freezing rain?  It cleared the air and allowed the blue sky to peek through the phmog.  Temperatures climbed into the high twenties.  I went for a walk with only a sweatshirt to keep me warm! (And pants and shoes, etc.) It was only a mile, but at least I can report that I logged A Mile For My Heart. Check out the Facebook page.  It is intended to help keep me motivated.  Others can join and chime in with what motivates them to move.
I am trying to beat heart disease and stroke.  What about you?

Happy Running!

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Snow!

Finally, a snowstorm!

Finally!  I have been waiting for a snowstorm.  Not because I was so anxious to run in one, but I wanted it to warm up enough to snow so that I could stand to run outside.  I am not an indoor runner.  Give me the open road, passing cars to dodge, and an occasional barking dog to avoid and I am a happy runner. I have also been waiting for two years to try out my Yaktrax, a Christmas gift from my youngest son.

Yaktrax

It wasn't a long run, and I am sure it wasn't pretty, but it was a run none the less. (Is that supposed to be one word?)

Lucky running socks

I donned my new lucky running socks (a Christmas gift from my good buddy, Paulee), double layers on my legs and torso, headband, gloves, running tunes, hooded sweatshirt, running shoes (still sporting jingle bells from Bust Your Bells Fun Run), my Yaktrax, and off I ran!
Snowflakes stayed on my nose and eyelashes.  The Yaktrax were very effective on loose and packed snow - not so good on ice.  Who needs to run on ice, anyway?

Yaktrax Tracks

Running out of year ...

This running granny is running out of year!  The holidays (I am not being politically correct.  I am simply including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and my birthday!) have been tough on this runner.  Too much celebrating and not enough running, but things will begin to settle down - maybe late next week!
I thought it mighthelp if I listed the running accomplishments of the past year.
January - No races. However, I kept running through the cold weather.
February - Some days were two-a-days.  I ran in the morning and took Mom too the track for a half mile strol in the afternoons.
March - I began training for my first half marathon.
April - I visited Erie, PA and ran with my daughter and granddaughter.  The three year-old made it nearly a mile!
May - Beat the Coaches Fun Run in Parma - track team benefit.
June - Ahh, June!  Old Fort Boise Days Fun Run.  I finally broke a 30 minute 5K!  Then I almost died in the High Desert Half Marathon.  Read about it here.
July - Spudman Triathalon in Burley with my good buddy Paulee.  We took first place in our age group!
August and September - Cross Country. Running with the kids!
October - The Color Run with Tami and Karli.
November - A lazy Turkey Trot with my hubby (just the two of us) on the hills in Cache Valley.
December - Bust Your Bells Fun Run!

That feels better.  I can see that I did, indeed, keep on running all year - injury free!  I expect I will do the same in the year to come.   I will, however, find an easier half marathon!

Just trotting ...

Ugh!  This morning’s run was rough.  I believe that is because Thanksgiving week was accompanied by the remnants of a cold that had knocked me off my game for a few days. Contrary to my own advice, I did not run while I was sick.  I was just too tired!  The week was busy with work, travel, and dinner preparations.  My hubby and I did manage to squeeze in a Thanksgiving Day trot around the neighborhood in Hyde Park (Cache Valley) prior to the traditional turkey day indulging.  Hyde Park is hilly and sits at around 5000 feet.  We followed the path of least resistance, walking the hills and running the downhill.  Hey, it was a holiday!  You didn’t expect us to knock ourselves out?  

This morning was a post-holiday, post-travel, post-illness run.  The temperature was sub-30 degrees, but the sun was out!  My running buddy and I ran a mile (slowly), walked a half mile, and picked up the pace a bit on another mile run. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a run!  That’s what counts.  Keep moving, even if it isn’t your best effort. It still counts, especially when it would be easier to stay indoors.

Happy Running!

Leaves and more leaves!

Boy, have I been neglecting my blog, or what?  I've been busy running and picking up leaves, and trying to promote a run and picking up leaves, and doing other stuff and picking up leaves!  I think my trees have finally lost most of their foliage, and so have the neighbors' trees.  The wind started to blow.  Now that I have picked up most of my leaves, the neighbor leaves are coming for a visit.  The trouble is - they stay. How does that work, anyway?  My leaves are tiny and they drop straight down.  They stay where they land until I pick them up, but the neighbors have big leaves and if they wait long enough, their leaves just blow away - usually to my house!
Enough of that rant!

 

Come join us for the Bust Your Bells Fun Run on December 15.  The leaves should be gone by then!