Tag: Running

Obsessions

On By DGThomaIn Exercise, Friends, Humor/Light Hearted, Writing1 Comment

Obsessions, everyone has a few.  They may be mild or they may be extreme.  Mine fall somewhere in the middle.   I call them “my crazies”.  People may say they don’t have obsessions, but I don’t believe it.  Even Superman has Lois Lane.  If you must have crazies, pick something you enjoy.

My current crazy is easy to recognize.  Visit any of my social media accounts where threads of running related anecdotes litter the posts.  Most days between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM, I’m dressed in spandex and Asics running shoes ready to exercise.

My number one addiction is running.  I find it social, meditative and energizing.  It can be a much-needed tension reliever and in my group, filled with laughter.  We have christened ourselves, the fun group.

As a young naïve employee, I smirked watching my 50+ co-workers lace their Keds ready to spend the lunch break in a brisk walk.  I lounged inside, enjoying the air conditioning.  If I walked, I never wore tennis shoes and a dress!

Well, how silly was that?  Who cares what I wear during a lunch walk? If they do, that’s their problem not mine.  My mature self knows better.  Most days I eat, then slip a favorite pair of athletic shoes on anxious feet, anticipating spending half an hour in the fresh air and sunshine.

My younger clueless self missed much enjoyment, choosing safety behind the glass while she could have meandered through the tree lined paths on the other side of the pane.

This current obsession has enjoyed a longer life span than former ones.  With 18 marathons, over 20 half marathons and  countless 5 and 10 K runs completed, I hope this one doesn’t end.  And there I go again, letting crazy spill out.

If I run 100 marathons when I’m eighty, that’s my crazy.  Well not that I’m 80 but I will be someday.   I resolve to be diverse in choosing topics to tweet, post or blog, but for today, here is one more on my current obsession.

 

A Calm Mind is a Precious Gift

On By DGThomaIn 2016, Exercise, Family, News and Reviews, WritingLeave a comment

The Bastrop State Park is a quick 20-minute drive from my home.  I love to visit the park, picnicking, cooking on the grill or hiking and running the trails.  My memories are peppered with hours spent in the park.

In September 2011 a roaring fire swept through Bastrop County in Central Texas.  The fiery inferno didn’t spare the state park. The resulting devastation affected ninety-six percent of the park as firefighters struggled to extinguish the blaze.   Ultimately, it charred 32,000 acres.

The recovery has been amazing and the many volunteers who work tirelessly to revitalize it are inspiring.

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Last Sunday, we arrived at the park for our first visit of the new year. As I tightened my laces, my spirit stirred.  The sandy trail, flowed beneath my sneakers, grabbing  for traction, keeping me sure-footed as  I navigated the rocky trail.

The rustle of the dry leaves falling from the trees whispered, reminiscent of a Texas rattlesnake.

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Fallen trees lay tangled, a jigsaw of trunks etched on the ground by spring flooding.  We passed a young hiker garbed in a pink dress and knee high cowboy boots.  She grasped her father’s hand wide eyed as her brother warned us “to watch out for those ants up ahead”.  He punctuated his words with his walking stick, the stick twice his size.

Regal pine trees crooned a melody, their branches, the wind’s violin.  Small white flowers sprinkled across our path an embryo that would soon be plump juicy berries, ripe and tart.20160228_115141

Trudging up slopes I flew down the other side, shedding inhibitions.  I felt free to stumble, laugh, fall and get back up to do it again.  Leaping mud puddles in a single bound, I conquered makeshift bridges and eluded poisonous tendrils of vines alongside the trail.

Fire damage and destruction faded.  Sparks of green climbed over and under fallen and damaged trees.

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Seven miles of fun later, wonderfully spent but also energized, I sat.  Warmed by the sun, I enjoyed the song of a bird, the notes carried on the breeze.  Marveling at the unexpected joy of a soul unburdened, my soul and body were restored.  What a precious gift!

Where Oh Where has the Cool Weather Gone?

On By DGThomaIn Exercise, Writing1 Comment

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The past couple of weeks the temperatures in Austin Texas hovered just under 100 degrees finally tipping the scales to peak at 100 degrees for more than 8 days straight.  The thought of slogging through the humid soupy air isn’t very motivating.

As the heat climbs, exercising outdoors becomes dangerous.  In Austin, the trails and roads are filled with all of us crazy runners, walkers and cyclist at all hours of the day.

Savvy athletes know you should always carry water if you will be out for any length of time in the Texas heat.  Even so I have occasionally found myself in the heat sans water bottle.  It usually happens when I intend to go a short distance and turn around but get caught up in the run and forget.  I’m certainly no expert on how to prevent or treat heat illnesses but running in Austin for 12 years, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks on keeping your cool.20150609_192313

If you run in the downtown area, the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail has water fountains placed strategically along the course.  Much of the trail is shaded with large trees hanging over the path. I enjoy the shade on the trail, but it does get too crowded at times.  Dodging strollers, cyclist and pets often drives me to the pavement for my runs.

If like me you prefer to run the roads instead of the trail, downtown Austin offers wide sidewalks on many streets.  Drivers are accustomed to runners in the crosswalk, on the shoulder or occasionally in the bike lane.  Less traveled side streets commonly offer tree lined sidewalks which provide some shade.

If you find yourself in need of water, there is a public water fountain near Colorado on Cesar Chavez.  About a mile down Congress from Cesar Chavez you can access a replica water fountain located on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol Building.  The fountain was restored in the early 1950’s and has a foot pedal to pump fresh water to quench your thirst.  Warning!  Be prepared to get wet as you push your face under the falling stream for a sip.

Fountain

There are a few businesses who provide access to water for runners as well.  I personally know of a dry cleaner who leaves a hose out for runners so they can get a drink from his outdoor faucet.  I have also befriended a gas station attendant who has invited us to share the fountain in his garage any time we are out for a run.

On the UT campus there are public areas that offer cold water fountains for a brief respite for overheated runners.  In addition, Pease Park and Butler Park both have water fountains to refill water bottles.  I’m sure there are many other water sources but these are some of my “go to sources”  if I find my water bottle nearing empty on a hot day.

All things considered, if you have to train in the heat, Austin Texas is a great place to do it.

Jack and Jill

On By DGThomaIn Exercise, Friends, Humor/Light Hearted4 Comments

fell down a hill….

Saturday morning, 4:30 AM and my eyes are open.  What’s wrong with this picture?   In the background, I hear the faint sound of the music from the alarm.  Grudgingly my feet hit the floor and I am semi-vertical.  To avoid the extreme Texas heat, our weekly running group meets at 5:45 AM for a 6:00 AM run.  We have to be in the car before 5:00 AM to arrive on time.

Pulling on my running clothes and grabbing a bagel for breakfast, my husband and I made it out the door and were on the road by 4:50 AM.  For some reason, I just didn’t feel like showing up, but shrugged it off.  I mean after all who would want to get up at 4:45 AM on their day off to go for a long run!

Driving through Manor, TX at 5:00 AM, the last thing either of us wanted to see were flashing red and blue lights.  A very nice man in uniform introduced himself as a county sheriff, and informed us our right headlight was out.  With a warning ticket in hand, I asked Ron if he was sure he didn’t just want to go back home and go to bed.  He just grinned at me and pulled back into traffic.

We actually made it on time and headed for a quick bio break at the restrooms provided by our running group.  As we walked toward them we were warned, someone had forgotten to lock them the prior night and they were so soiled they were virtually unusable.  Great!

Undeterred, we each found our running mates and lined up in the pre-dawn muggy heat, ready to do a 6 mile run.  I was scheduled for 14 miles for the day, so I was looking forward to an extra 8 miles after the group run.

We all synchronized our watches and set off, settling into an easy rhythm.  The first few miles went by pretty fast although there were a lot of uphills.  I told my coach I was ready for some downhills.  Pretty soon, every downhill someone would call out, “Here’s a downhill for Deanna!”  Around mile 4, we turned down a particularly hilly road where the slopes were quite a bit steeper.  I was enjoying an especially steep downhill, feeling like I was riding a Radio Flyer red wagon.  My right shoe hit a patch of gravel and suddenly I knew I was going down.  I’ve run a lot of years and have never fallen, but it was happening!

My right hand hit the asphalt first followed by my elbow, hip and knee.  As I slid a few feet down the hill, I managed to avoid hitting my head o20150729_214408r tumbling head over heels.  Completely mortified, I tried to jump up as blood dripped from my right palm and elbow.  Everyone gathered round and offered assistance as they returned my possessions.  Some one had my phone, another runner had found my Jawbone and someone else returned my water.  Everything had flown along with me and been scattered when I hit the pavement.

After the shock wore off, I walked a few blocks and decided I was not significantly injured and finished my run.  I actually caught back up with part of my group and finished.

This afternoon I still had swelling and bruising from my wrist to my elbow, so I ducked into an urgent care center for x-rays and a tetanus shot.  Good news – nothing is broken, only sprained.  The only down side is a splint and a late blog post.

20150729_214402Not too bad after all!

Zooma Half Marathon 2015

On By DGThomaIn Exercise, News and Reviews, Writing3 Comments

Saturday morning Mar 29, 2015, the much awaited/dreaded race day.    Up at 4:20 AM, we needed to arrive at the Cedar Creek high school parking lot before 6:00 AM.  The shuttle buses would start running at that time to transport runners and spectators to the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa for the Zooma Texas 2015.  We were out the door by 5:10 AM and on our way.  We arrived at the parking lot by 5:55 AM and scrambled to make sure we had our watches, gels and sunscreen before boarding the bus.

The temperature was mild at 55 degrees with a light breeze.  By the time we arrived at the Resort, I was grateful to be wearing my jacket as the temperature dipped to 47 degrees.  The resort is beautifully nestled in a wilderness setting.  The run is not ‘a walk in the park’.  It is peppered with multiple hills from slight rises to steep grades.  If you plan to run this race, you should train on hills.

Mile 9!
Mile 9!

We arrived at the resort and moved inside where staff opened the door and welcomed us.  Inside additional staff were stationed throughout the building offering smiles, greetings and directions as needed.

For runners who are used to port-a-potties at the start of a race, it was quite a treat to have indoor, clean and warm restroom facilities.  It was wonderfully relaxing to sip a cup of complimentary coffee seated on a comfortable chair and visit with fellow runners.  In the lobby, I met Shonda and Lisa from Houston, TX where we joked, laughed and discussed race strategy.

As we lined up at the starting line there were a couple of llama’s on the sidelines to send us on the way.

The Llamas
The Llamas

Once on the course, runners were full of smiles and waves.  As I turned onto Highway 71, a school bus full of kids passed by.  With the windows down, they were all shouting ‘Run Forrest Run’! I smiled for several miles remembering their enthusiasm.

 

 

The last couple of miles were on the resort property, along a relatively flat only slightly rolling path on the golf course.  Mile 13 was marked by the resident longhorns lounging in the grass.

The golf course
The golf course

Ron 406

This is the third time I have run Zooma at the Lost Pines Resort.  It has not disappointed yet.  If you can forget about those hills for a minute, the scenery is lovely.  The run starts in the parking lot and continues to Pope Bend which is a county road.   The road is lined with wildflowers including Bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and natural grasses.  There is a short leg of the course that takes you down the shoulder of Highway 71, but it’s relatively short and downhill.

The temperature and winds both rose as I neared the finish line.  The wind, although gusting at times, was a relief from the 70+ degree temperatures.

Bluebonnets in Bloom
Bluebonnets in Bloom

The Zooma race mission is to inspire women to live healthy, happy, & active lives.  The post-race celebrations included vendors, live music, food, and massages.  Sponsor Barefoot wines provided post-race samples and complimentary coffee was also available.

The race field the inaugural year 2009 was over 1200 women.  This year the event included a 5K and a 10K in addition to the half marathon.  There were only 362 runners in the half marathon, 162 in the 5K and 173 in the 10K but the celebration was just as entertaining.

Not my Chi…..Anticipatory Failure

On By DGThomaIn Exercise, Family, Friends, Humor/Light Hearted, Musings, Writing5 Comments

On the journey to recapture my fitness, I am trying to remind myself to draw on my chi. Chi Running, defines chi (pronounced ‘chee’) as the energy that unites body, mind, and spirit.  How awesome is that.  If only I could learn to tap into that!

A few years ago, when we traveled to in San Francisco, CA for the Nike Women’s Marathon, my running partner and I purchased stones with Chinese symbols engraved on them.  We each chose a symbol that had special meaning for us.  We often trade them at the beginning of a race as a symbol of support for each other.  We call them our chi.2015-03-25 18.31.44

As fun things often do, they took on a life of their own.  On our training runs, if  someone just a little faster ran past us, we would challenge ourselves and pick up the pace, shouting “It’s our chi!”

If someone sprinted by much faster, we would look at each other and proclaim, “Not my chi!”2015-03-25 18.33.29

Those little engraved stones have become a symbol of support and companionship, but occasionally even they aren’t enough to push me up a hill.

Years ago, someone told me a secret to running hills.  You should visualize a rope at the top of the hill and imagine someone is pulling you forward.  It’s a great visualization and can help.  But it can’t really pull you.  You still have to move your legs and when you haven’t trained; well it isn’t as easy to make it up the hill.

Recently, I was out for a run with my two favorite running partners.  It was an easy and pleasant run and things were going well.  We were at the start of our training plan, so the run was short and not too aggressive.  Near the end of the run, we were faced with a hill.  The hill is about a 45 degree incline alongside a busy road. When I looked ahead and saw the hill I said, “I’m going to run to the bottom of the hill and then I’ll walk the actual hill.”  I was thinking I was already tired and would not have the energy to run up the hill.  Both my companions nodded and headed for the hill determined to beat it.

Hill no plate

I realized I had allowed anticipatory failure to keep me from making it up the hill.  No it’s not ‘rocket science’ but for me it was an eye opener.  I actually got it.  If you don’t start, you can’t finish is a real thing.  I ran the hill, huffing and puffing the entire way, but I didn’t stop until I reached the top.  Even if I had taken a break half way it would have been fine.  I wasn’t attempting to set a record, just keep moving until my body said stop instead of my head.

I have a half marathon to run in this weekend and haven’t trained as well as I could have, but I never do.  I considered switching to the 10k instead.  Then I remembered the hill and changed my mind.  I may not finish, but I will start and I will listen to my body not the anticipatory failure in my head.

Motivation where for art thou?

On By DGThomaIn Exercise, Humor/Light Hearted, WritingLeave a comment

I’m not talking about the motivation of New Year’s resolutions.  I’m talking about motivation for the lifestyle of exercise and eating healthy food that I have professed to follow for the last ten years.

Never Give Up!
Never Give Up!

I know my motivation was here in December!  It was there when my good friend and running partner said, “Let’s do the ZOOMA TEXAS HALF MARATHON at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, in Bastrop, TX.  She and I ran the half marathon in 2009.  That year, we completed a training program of sorts to prepare for the “challenging course through the scenic Texas countryside with rolling hills”.  Or as I like to describe them, “the brutal hills with a few flat stretches thrown in.

As I write this on February 7, 2015, 7:00 PM, I checked the website.  The countdown says 48 days.  Now you would think that would motivate me.  So far I have not run one full mile since the first week in December.  I hope it works!  I planned to get on the treadmill this morning, but excused myself, due to a fender bender I had yesterday.  No, I’m not really sore and I wasn’t injured, but it gave me a great excuse.  In December, we were traveling a lot, so I didn’t train.  My husband, who is always motivated, ran while we traveled.  The first week in January, I had the flu, so I took January off, even though the flu lasted less than a week.

So looking at the countdown, I have to admit, these are all a lot of excuses.  I’m out of time for excuses.  In just over 6 weeks, I have to run 13.1 miles of not so gently rolling hills.  So in the morning, my plan is to drive to Bastrop State Park and run/walk some hills.  Wish me luck!

My hope is that perhaps my motivation will return soon.  If you see it, would you please send it back?  I sure could use it about now.

Back on the Trail
Back on the Trail

P.S.  As always, be careful what you ask for!  Monday morning, two different friends reached out and invited me to go for a run with them this week.  Motivation or not, run I shall!