The goal is so close and yet so far



Will's Hill.  Halfway point on one of our runs.

I’ve hit that point in my half marathon training when I just want it to be over. I’m enjoying my training partner, and I always feel good after the workout, but the anticipation of the long runs and speed work days is starting to get to me.  My legs are tired. We have just over two weeks until race day.  Only two more long runs and two more speed workouts loom before we reach the goal.  I know I can make it.  I just need to get my head in the game – recommit if you will. 

Training for a road race, especially a half marathon (I wouldn’t know about marathon training and I doubt I ever will) is much like any other path towards a goal.  How often do we get so close and yet the end is far enough away that we consider aborting the mission?  We begin to doubt our ability to achieve the goal that once seemed so worthy, so attainable. How can we recommit?

Sometimes it helps me to look from whence I came.  For instance, before the training began I was logging about ten miles per week – often fewer.  I wasn’t timing any workouts so I didn’t know how fast or slow I was running.  After a ten-miler on Saturday I will have logged 26 miles this week.  That does not include walking miles to warm up and cool down.  I have also cut 30-40 seconds off my average per mile pace over a three-mile run.  I have made a new friend in Kelli who has enriched my life.

I made some commitments this summer for which this training will help me prepare.  First is the Fitfor Life Half Marathon.  I ran it last year and I am hoping to beat my time.  We runners call that a PR (Personal Record).  After this race I can cut my mileage back just a bit, but not too much as I am doing the Burley Spudman Triathlon two weeks later with my good buddy, Paulee. My run leg is a 10K (6.2 miles) so I should be well prepared for the distance.  Again, I am hoping to beat my time from last year. Lastly, and probably craziest of all is the Grand Teton Relay two weeks after the Spudman.  My training has prepared me for the distance, but the elevation could be my nemesis! You can expect a full report sometime after I have recovered.

I’m feeling better already!  This quick evaluation of my progress towards my goals has changed my perspective. I can get through the next seven timed workouts.  I can do the long runs and the speed work.  They will help prepare me for the race.

I encourage you to evaluate your progress towards a goal.  Maybe it is possible, after all, to write your novel, kick that bad habit, or reduce your debt load.  Take a look at from whence you have come.  You may be farther down the path than you thought!

Happy Running!

Summer running by example

Come run with us!

Open summer runs for the cross country team began last night.  “Open” runs are optional – show up if you can, feel guilty if you can’t.  “Open” also means anyone can join us.  They don’t have to belong to the team.  We had as many adults present as kids.  That is great and here is why …

I learned a long time ago that a good leader, even a great leader won’t ask those he is attempting to lead to do anything he is unwilling to do himself. Let me word that a different way … Great leaders teach and lead by participating in the very thing they require of their subjects or students. 

This is especially effective on the cross country course.  An adult that has logged as many miles and traveled the same route as the young athlete, perhaps a little slower, gains the athlete’s respect and attention. Respect because they both know how difficult the task at hand, and attention because the athlete can be confident in the adult’s knowledge and experience. This holds true whether that adult is a coach or a parent. Surely, the adult knows what it feels like to want to quit, have lungs that burn, and legs that cramp. The adult also knows that the discomfort will end when the race is over and he can reassure the athlete that they are doing fine. 

It’s a simple concept and one we’ve all heard.  “Teach your kids how to work by working alongside them.” Yes, we’ve heard it, but sometimes we forget.  We want to dictate.  We want to make assignments and hope they get carried out properly. We justify by saying, “Do as I say and not as I do.”  Then we wonder why we have trouble leading.

To all the brave adults out there teaching by example I say, “Carry on.  You have it figured out!” And if you are a running adult I say,

“Happy Running!”

It must be a mind trick

Country running

We ran nine miles today as part of our training for the Fit for Life Half Marathon, but this post isn’t about the long run.  This post is about the short run.  I am beginning to believe the short run is as much about the mind as it is about recovery and speed work. Running is a mind trick.

The first mile of any run is always hard for me.  It takes that long to warm up and get into the groove of running, and from where I start, it is usually uphill.  Slow.  The second mile goes by quickly and then the short run is over!  The end of any run always feels good.

Two days ago we did a short, two-mile run.  Later in the day I found myself thinking, “I feel like I need to run farther.” I refrained.  After all, I’m on a training plan and I’m sticking to it quite faithfully.  A rest day followed the short run and by today, I was ready to settle in for the nine-miler. 

I suppose it’s a little about perspective. When training for a long race, the short run leaves me feeling like there is more to do.  As the long runs get longer the short runs do, too.  I find myself saying things like, “It’s only five miles.”  Only?  Really?  That’s quite far, but compared to 9 or 10 – not so much.

Don’t get me wrong.  I look forward to the short runs, especially those two-milers.  However, they leave me feeling just a bit unsatisfied, like an appetizer they are starters, getting me ready for the main course. It's a mind trick and that is good, because I need all the help I can get to ready me for those long runs.  Like I said, the end of any run always feels good, especially the long ones!

Question: Do you have a mind trick that helps you overcome difficult tasks?  Please share in the comments below.

Happy Running!

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Tempo training in the rain

Soggy runners!

Today was one of those running days that could have gone very wrong, as in I may have opted out!  My bed felt so nice this morning and the birds were quiet because it was raining.  It was the perfect combination for hunkering down and staying indoors. I've been praying for rain. However, I am in training for a half marathon and my running buddy was counting on me.  I could have talked her out of it had we not been training.  That’s the beauty of preparing for a race. It keeps me dedicated. I use the term “dedicated” loosely. 

So it was that we found ourselves on a five mile workout with a three mile Tempo Run in the middle – in the rain.  The rain was actually kind of nice, until we stopped.  The cool down came quickly, as did the shivers! I was soaked through all my layers, but we were under our prescribed pace!

I’m warm now and the rain is still falling softly. I’m glad I did the run and I am very grateful for the rain. I am also grateful for race training – it keeps me moving.  Here is a short list of things that are good about training.

Training keeps me on a schedule.

It gives me goals I might not set for myself.

I get to eat snacks on the long runs.

I actually do long runs.

Rain, wind, sleet, or fire – we run!

If you are having difficulty staying on schedule with your running/exercise routine, maybe committing to a fitness event is the answer.  It works for me!

Question: Do you have a training tip you would like to share?

 

Happy Running!

 

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An easy two miles

A runner's view in Erie, PA

Today was an easy two mile run.  I remember the days when I would never have considered two miles “easy.”  It’s all about perspective, I guess.  My running buddy, Kelli, raced hard in the Old Fort Boise Days Fun Run on Saturday. I was so proud of her! I sat this one out, mostly for logistics.  There were too many places to be and not enough Me!

Back to my two easy miles – Kelli was sore from her race and our half marathon training plan said today’s run was a 2-miler at an easy pace.  That is a good distance for a recovery run. It was cool outside which makes running more comfortable.  I forgot my watch, and that’s okay.  We have been easily under the prescribed training paces on most of our workouts, even with each of us taking time off to travel.  Except, now I’m wondering how fast we were on that easy two miles. We discussed the usual – running shoes, who passed her during the race, religion, running aches and pains, who she passed during the race, cool downs, stretching, our kids – the same things friends discuss whenever they are together with a stronger emphasis on running stuff.

When I left the house this morning my hubby said, “Have a good run.”  I replied, “It’s always a good run when it’s just two miles.”

Just two miles.  Yes, two miles used to seem far, but we have a 9-miler planned later this week.  Nine is far.  Two is just a warm-up, unless, of course, it’s at the end of a race.  Then it’s an eternity!

Like I said, it’s all about perspective.

Happy Running!

Time for a tempo run!

It has begun.  Training time.  I wore a watch for the first time in many moons. The watch doesn’t lie.  It tells me exactly how quickly or slowly I ran my workout.  We were ahead of our required pace on our first training run - faster by almost a minute per mile.  I’m thinking that’s not good and here is why …

My brain says, “If you were a minute under pace on the first run, then you can surely be that much faster on the rest of your workouts.” That’s what one would think.  Here is the problem … I’ve done it before. I start out faster than the schedule requires, then somehow the schedule begins to close the gap.  Instead of lowering my time each week while increasing mileage, I find myself hanging right around the same pace. I need to work on that. My speed workouts need to be more effective.

There is another thought process that I repeatedly run through.  It goes something like this …

“I want to be faster than last year.”

“What does it matter?  At your age you should be satisfied with finishing the race.”

“If I trained better, or lost a few pounds, I could run faster.”

“Hey, you’re awesome.  Look how far you can run. Just keep running!”

“But my relay team would probably like me to be faster.”

“You are doing this for health and for fun, right?  Chill.”

And so on …

I think I will take it one workout at a time. Today is a tempo run – and there is a breeze – and it could rain. Tempo runs are hard, but then, so are speed workouts and long runs. I need to remind myself that this is running.  It’s supposed to be hard.  If it were easy it would be called “walking.”

Happy Running!

Training time

Busted SpudmanTrophies!

It's time to start training for races.  That means sticking with prescribed mileage and timing my runs.  I've been postponing it, but next week will be twelve weeks prior to a half marathon.  It's time to get serious.  I'm preparing for the Fit for Life Half in July.  There will be a couple of 5K's thrown in there in the meantime like THIS ONE.  The half marathon is actually in preparation for two other races that I am planning for this summer. 

This will be my third year competing with my good buddy, Paulee, in the Burley Spudman Triathlon.  This one is special because I get to do it as a team with one of my longest (I don't want to say oldest anymore) friends.  It is a little bit about competing, a lot about companionship, and even more about the silly trophies.

The second race is going to be crazy!  It will be my first relay and I picked THIS ONE!  I am still trying to coerce team members into participating.  I need two more runners, but I think I have a couple in my back pocket if some don't come forth.  The Grand Teton Relay is a 12 person 180 mile race over a 24 hour period.  Did I mention the altitude?  Let's just say it's about 5000 feet higher than my current residence.  Oh, yeah.

It's all good, right?  I mean, after all, it gives me something to write about and I love that!

Warm weather running

Warm weather running, oh how I’ve missed you!  It’s like it happens overnight in the Treasure Valley.  One day I am layering on long sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, gloves and headbands, and just a weekend later I am running free in a short sleeved Tee. 

Freedom!

Well, except for the part where it is so warm that sweat stings my eyes as it drips from my brow and the cool down is actually a warm down.

I do enjoy a warm weather run.  I feel ten pounds lighter what with the absence of the sweatshirt and added warm gear.  My muscles don’t protest as much at the beginning of a warm run as they do during colder temps.  Slow as molasses?  Yes, I understand that expression. It is also easier for me to take time to stretch post-run.  When it is cold, I can’t wait to get indoors and into a hot shower!  While this feels absolutely divine, I would be better served to stretch a bit first.  Experience has taught me how important it is to stretch, but oh … that warm water calleth me!

I have to hurry to enjoy it, however.  You see, the seasons change quickly around here and soon I will be going for hot weather runs.  They are almost as challenging as cold weather runs, only opposite.  Instead of adding more layers I plant water bottles in strategic spots and rise early to avoid the heat.

Alas, I must be difficult to please, but I must keep running, and so I shall.  For now, I will bask in the comfort of moderate spring temperatures – at least until the wind comes or it rains.

Question: What weather conditions do you prefer for your outdoor exercise?

Happy Running!

Perfect Moments

Every once in a while you find a perfect moment ...

What a beautiful evening for a run!  I keep praying for precipitation because it is dearly needed, but I do so love a run in the sun.  I’ve been grumbling all week about Daylight Savings Time because it has messed up my mornings, but it certainly helped make this evening great.  I thought my day was too full to work in a run, but even after feeding my hubby his supper and getting him out the door for a meeting it was still nice and warm with enough daylight left to hit the pavement and log a few miles. Some cool things happened …

I was able to run in a short sleeved shirt.  Love that.

I ran upon a friend who was out for a walk.  I abandoned the run and enjoyed her company for about a mile.

After the walk, I felt like I needed to make up some time so the next mile and half turned into speed work.  It just happened.

I arrived home and decided that the night was young and warm and I had time to run farther, so off I trotted for an easy mile cool down.

I am looking forward to some balmy running weather.  I am a realist, however, and know that mixed amongst those balmy runs are rain and wind and hail and more wind! For today, though, the weather was perfect!

I am grateful for moments of perfection.

Question: Have you had a moment of perfection lately?

Happy Running!

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I'm still running ...

Boy!  Time slips by when you have a lot of projects underway!  It’s time for a Running Granny update.  Yes, I have been running, but I am in that lull between Cross Country season and Race Season.  Cold weather can be a deterrent, but that’s not my excuse.  I usually don more clothes and brave the cold.  It’s all the other distractions that make me struggle.  The Christmas season is always a distraction – busy, busy, busy!  I kept running, mostly out of fear that I would expand like a balloon what with all the reasons to celebrate with food!  I’ve been writing and editing and publishing.  Finally!  I took a little trip to the tropics.  You can get a brief overview with photos HERE.  While in Maui I found time for two runs.  I even used MapMyRun just to prove I was there.  We also managed to work in a nice hike to this waterfall.  Beautiful! 

Now I am back in the saddle again, as the old cowboy sang - still running, hoping to be skiing, marketing this new book, and gearing up to write the next one.  Readers of this blog might look forward to it.  I haven’t determined a title yet, but runners will be able to relate and I hope that non-runners will enjoy it, too.  I am hoping that it will inspire folks to push through pain a little more and learn from the uncomfortable experiences they have already endured.  I will keep you all posted on the progress. 

In the meantime, Happy Running!

Runner’s Greetings

Music in my ears!

I went for a run today all by myself. I do that often this time of year, mostly because I can’t commit to a time frame. I am too busy waiting for the weather to improve or my courage to build. When I run alone, I use music to keep me company. When I run with friends, they keep me company. There is too much chatting to be bothered with music.

I am a rural runner and therefore I don’t encounter too many others afoot. A few autos passing by get a nod or a wave, but for the most part it is usually a solitary run. On the occasion that I do see another individual out and about there is always a friendly exchange. At least, I think it is friendly. My music muddies the waters a little. The exchange goes something like this:

The passerby smiles, waves and moves his lips.

I reply, “Yes, it is nice to finally see some sun,” or “Thanks! I will,” or some other comment that may or may not have anything to do with what they said to me. 

I pondered this while on my run today, mostly because it happened today. When the fellow with the white beard made a comment I replied with, “Yes, it’s great to see the sun,” and then wondered if he had asked me how far I was going or if I was crazy. (The crazy question comes up a lot!) I came up with a solution to my communication problem. It’s kind of like being prepared for unexpected company – but different. Whenever I meet another walker, runner, or farmer that slows down to chat, I am going to smile, wave, and say … “Great day for a run!” How can they argue with that?

Question:  Do you have a generic comment you use when you didn't really hear or weren't really paying attention?  Share it in the comments 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

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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!

Wear them out!



All Asics but for the Pear Izumi pair

It’s no surprise that I am a hoarder.  I have confessed it publicly on more than one occasion and I am committed to overcoming this personality flaw – to a point.  I refuse to stop hoarding running shoes!  They just come in so handy.  When I retire a pair from logging miles on the road because the tread is worn and they no longer offer needed support, they get moved to the “I can wear these with jeans for shopping or other casual activity” pile.  As the pair that bumped them off the mileage list gets retired, they then get moved to the “biking” position followed by the “camping and hiking” designation.  Before they ever end up in the discard pile, they do an important stint as “yard and garden shoes.”  I currently have three pairs that are in good running condition. This is a record. Two of these pairs were obtained at no charge!  Take a look!

Can you spot the garden shoes?

I love my running shoes and I will hang onto them until they fall off my feet, or until they smell so bad they must be retired. They have been my companion through many miles and injuries.  I will not abandon them before their time!

Do you have something you cling to beyond its usefulness simply because it has served you well? Tell me about it in the comment section below.

Happy Running!

 

Mrs. Green's Power Cookie Recipe Reveal



It’s here!  The big Power Cookie Recipe Reveal is here! It really isn’t a secret recipe and the power in the cookie is merely in the mind.  Power Cookies help you run faster because you “think” they help.  That and the carb boost you get from the oatmeal in them.  These cookies are a favorite of the Parma Cross Country Team and a staple in the Green Household.  Give them a try!

Mrs. Green’s Power Cookies

1 ½ C Brown Sugar
1 ½ C Sugar
1 C Butter Flavor Crisco (Do not substitute!)
3 Eggs
3 Tbs. Milk
1 Tbs. Vanilla
4 C Flour (Add more if the dough seems too loose.)
1 ½ tsp each of baking soda, baking powder, salt
2 C Old Fashioned Oats
12 oz. bag of semisweet chocolate chips

 Cream together sugars and the Crisco.  Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Add one cup of flour, baking powder, salt, and soda and mix well.  Add oatmeal and mix until blended.  Mix in the rest of the flour and add chocolate chips. Bake for 11 minutes in 350◦ oven. Hide them!

*For “healthier” cookies you can substitute 2 cups whole wheat flour for two cups white flour and dried cranberries or raisins for chocolate chips.

 To learn more about the power of a cookie, read “Can a Cookie Cure a Cold?” in Gold Pans and Iron Skillets.

Enjoy!

Find more of my favorite recipes HERE.

Question: Do you have a favorite recipe to share?  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.

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.

To run or not to run?

I’ve been avoiding the run for a couple days.  I don’t know if it was the letdown after our trip to State Cross Country or if the change in weather had something to do with it, but I’ve had trouble getting out the door.  The fact is, now that cross country season has ended, I don’t have an obligation to run each weekday afternoon.  I have told myself that the afternoon practice kind of interrupts my day and I look forward to running in the mornings again. When the opportunity came, however, I was back to making a decision – every day. I decided to skip it for a couple of days! 

Parma Girls XC Team 2013

I made the decision last night that I would run this morning.  Morning came and I began to assess the weather and determine if I had a head cold that was bad enough to keep me off the streets.  This was silly because I have often gone for cold weather runs and I am a believer that a little exercise lessens the severity of a cold. I wasn’t completely committed to a morning run, but I chose to don my running gear while I went through the motions of my morning routine – making the bed, cleaning up the breakfast dishes, doing some laundry, checking to see how many views my recent blog post has earned, and so on.

Parma Boys XC Team 2013

I knew that this simple act would bring me closer to the front door.  Just as muscle memory workouts help us perform better in competition, the look and feel of my running clothes helped my mind prepare for the next step.  It worked!  I went for a run and it was great!  It wasn’t my longest or fastest run, but it was effective and I felt better afterwards.

I do this with other aspects of my life.  It’s often easy to talk myself out of any given project because I don’t feel up to it, or it isn’t convenient, or it might be uncomfortable.  When I simply dive in and get the job done, it often proves to be satisfying and not nearly as difficult as anticipated. Sometimes just going through the motions is the jump start I need.

What helps you tackle those things you would rather not face?

I’m a runner and I know it!

More evidence that I am a runner came today.  I escaped for a couple days with my husband.  While he was in meetings learning how to better do his job, I had free time on my hands in Teton Village! I could have booked a pedicure.  We all know runners need pedicures! I could have shopped the shops or ordered breakfast in and scheduled some other kind of pampering at the spa.  I could have gone to Jackson Hole and spent the day in those shops or stayed in my room to read a book. But I am a runner, and so I ran three miles at 6300 feet!  Here is the evidence.  Those would be Teton Peaks in the background.

 

Proof

 
I need to work on selfies.  I forgot to smile!
It was a brisk morning and the elevation is a killer, but here are some of the things I would have missed had I chosen a different activity.

 

A glimpse of the Tetons in the fall. My early years were spent in view of these mountains and I still get a feeling of “belonging” when I see them.

 

Check out those ski runs!  It won’t be long before they are covered in snow, the lifts are running, and skiers are scattered about the mountain.  Did I mention that I am also a skier?

 

Look at those fall colors! 

Yes, I am a runner and I know it, not because I can run a six minute mile – I can’t. It’s because I run.  Whether I run because I am racing, staying sane, helping with a cross country team, or killing time, it matters not.  What matters is – I run. 

Do you run?  If so, then you are a runner, too.

 

What do you do that says, "I am  runner?"



It's Fall. What's your excuse?

It's Fall! I don't know why I think I should have time to report about running during this busy season.  The daylight gets shorter and the work load gets longer.  Here is a list of excuses for my silence.

1. Harvesting the garden.
2. Canning - tomatoes, hot pepper jelly, mandarin sauce, and chicken
3. Lawn care.  Cooler temps and a little precipitation make for rapid grass growth.
4. Football.
5. Running - daily with the XC Team.
6. XC Meets.
7. Cookie baking - for the XC Team.
8. Examining toes for shedding nails.  They are still hanging in there!
9. Wondering what on earth I could possible write about!

That just about covers it. Now I am off to run in the rain with the XC Team!  Happy Fall!

I've been busy living life and neglecting the blog!

I realized the other day that life is what is happening while I'm not writing.  Well, I haven't been writing much so here is a bit of what I have been doing.

I have been picking tomatoes so I can eat this!

Tomatoes, Mozzarella, basil, and balsamic vinegar!

 And removing my toe polish so I can examine the nails that are going to fall off.

This is what happens while training for half marathons

 

 

And covering them with blue polish so nobody can see the nasty nails!

Much better!

 

And running with these folks ...

XC Team ready for a trail run

So I can hang out with these guys..

 

And do this!


Yup, that's me!

 

It's a tough life!