How many times can a person stop and start running again? I've probably taken more extended breaks from running than any other person who runs. Yet, I persist in considering myself a runner. Mostly because when I don't run, especially for an extended period of time, I start losing my marbles. Anxiety kicks in, sleeplessness, an overwhelming urge to eat nothing but cereal and ice cream. It appears that I am one of those people whose moods can be regulated by frequent, consistent exercise. It is fascinating how our bodies respond to exercise. If you don't believe that exercising can make you feel better, take a look at me. I'm not even talking about Working Out, but even just walking around the lake down the block or getting outside to do Anything for some period of time. There must be some physiological reason why our bodies respond so well to being outside or elevating our heart rate a bit. I feel considerably better about myself and life in general when I've spent lots of time outside and enough time of it running around.
It's interesting how we have evolved from hunter-gatherers into mostly sedentary folk. Still, though, when we do elevate our heart rates, a whole slew of chemical reactions happen, not the least of which is the release of endorphins, those happy little chemicals that make Us happy. Or at least feel better for a little while.
So, I went for my 30-minute run today, did some planks, wall sits, 6 pull ups, and I feel better. And I feel like I'm starting this whole game over again. Struggling to breathe through a 3-mile run... It does get easier with time; I've done this enough times to know that. But it's still hard restarting. It's still something I am going to keep doing though, pushing through until it's easier, until I can run 6, 13, 26.2 miles once more. Here we go! And did I mention the 6 pull-ups? I think so. Cheers!
Showing posts with label running outside. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running outside. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Woah, life updates are in order
Sitting in a coffee shop, sipping chai and munching on a chocolate chip cookie, I am neither running nor cross-training at the moment. In fact, my body decided it would be a great idea to go and find a cold and hold on to it for a few days, so I am taking it as easy as possible to expedite the recovery process. Because, I have embarked on yet another crazy adventure....
In FIVE MONTHS!!, I am going to run a marathon. Run, finish, and rock a marathon. I began training last week, which, for me, means getting in the mindset of running more regularly and running with a purpose. No excuses, no injuries, no turning back now. I am doing this for First Descents, a non-profit based here in Denver. Their mission, as taken directly from the website: "First Descents offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors (ages 18 to 39) a free week-long outdoor adventure experience designed to enable them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, defy their cancer, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same." A succinct way of saying, basically, we do awesome things for awesome people. FD changes lives and perspectives and gives YA survivors the opportunity to push themselves past boundaries they didn't even know they'd established.
My first experience with FD was at a rock climbing camp in Jackson, Wyoming. Climbing and rappelling from cliffs in the Tetons, my world expanded far beyond the limits I had unintentionally set for myself as a young adult survivor. I met other young survivors who believed in me even when I didn't have much faith left in myself. From there, my entire perspective changed. Two years later, and I am living in Denver, CO. I never imagined I'd be living here, and honestly, five years ago when I was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, I don't know if I fully believed I'd still be alive today. Yet here we are: I've rock climbed in Wyoming, Colorado and Utah, all with FD; I packed up my life and moved to a brand new city with only a handful of contacts; I finished the Chicago Marathon; I ran an 18-mile road race in Canada! Shoot, who does that? Actually, I know a lot of people who have done similar things, and most of them I know through FD. An FD camp gives survivors confidence; it instills in them the belief that they can do anything. Camp also establishes a network of friends who are there to bolster that belief whenever it starts to lag. A friend I met through camp in Utah was actually waiting for me at mile 25 of the Chicago Marathon, and she gave me a cinnamon roll when I stumbled across the finish line. It was amazing (both her support and the cinnamon roll).
I want to give back to this group, want to do whatever I possibly can to help other survivors have the same experiences I've had. So, the opportunity has arisen for me to fundraise for FD with the goal of ultimately running (and rocking!) a marathon this coming April. I'm not exactly sure which one yet, but I'll be sure to update as soon as I know which one. I haven't been posting regularly on this thing, but all that is about to change. Writing about my running gives me a little bit more accountability. So, follow along as I train through a Denver winter! Please, please, if you can donate to my cause, do! If you're unable to donate monetarily right now, I'd love some positive vibes. Tell your friends about my quest! Tell your friends about FD! And definitely check out some cool events I'm planning for the near future. Thank you so much, and I'll see you at the finish line. Keep on plugging away!
My FD Fundraising Page:
http://teamfd.firstdescents.org/2011/fd/Fridges2011/thefridge/
In FIVE MONTHS!!, I am going to run a marathon. Run, finish, and rock a marathon. I began training last week, which, for me, means getting in the mindset of running more regularly and running with a purpose. No excuses, no injuries, no turning back now. I am doing this for First Descents, a non-profit based here in Denver. Their mission, as taken directly from the website: "First Descents offers young adult cancer fighters and survivors (ages 18 to 39) a free week-long outdoor adventure experience designed to enable them to climb, paddle and surf beyond their diagnosis, defy their cancer, reclaim their lives and connect with others doing the same." A succinct way of saying, basically, we do awesome things for awesome people. FD changes lives and perspectives and gives YA survivors the opportunity to push themselves past boundaries they didn't even know they'd established.
My first experience with FD was at a rock climbing camp in Jackson, Wyoming. Climbing and rappelling from cliffs in the Tetons, my world expanded far beyond the limits I had unintentionally set for myself as a young adult survivor. I met other young survivors who believed in me even when I didn't have much faith left in myself. From there, my entire perspective changed. Two years later, and I am living in Denver, CO. I never imagined I'd be living here, and honestly, five years ago when I was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, I don't know if I fully believed I'd still be alive today. Yet here we are: I've rock climbed in Wyoming, Colorado and Utah, all with FD; I packed up my life and moved to a brand new city with only a handful of contacts; I finished the Chicago Marathon; I ran an 18-mile road race in Canada! Shoot, who does that? Actually, I know a lot of people who have done similar things, and most of them I know through FD. An FD camp gives survivors confidence; it instills in them the belief that they can do anything. Camp also establishes a network of friends who are there to bolster that belief whenever it starts to lag. A friend I met through camp in Utah was actually waiting for me at mile 25 of the Chicago Marathon, and she gave me a cinnamon roll when I stumbled across the finish line. It was amazing (both her support and the cinnamon roll).
I want to give back to this group, want to do whatever I possibly can to help other survivors have the same experiences I've had. So, the opportunity has arisen for me to fundraise for FD with the goal of ultimately running (and rocking!) a marathon this coming April. I'm not exactly sure which one yet, but I'll be sure to update as soon as I know which one. I haven't been posting regularly on this thing, but all that is about to change. Writing about my running gives me a little bit more accountability. So, follow along as I train through a Denver winter! Please, please, if you can donate to my cause, do! If you're unable to donate monetarily right now, I'd love some positive vibes. Tell your friends about my quest! Tell your friends about FD! And definitely check out some cool events I'm planning for the near future. Thank you so much, and I'll see you at the finish line. Keep on plugging away!
My FD Fundraising Page:
http://teamfd.firstdescents.org/2011/fd/Fridges2011/thefridge/
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Made it happen today.
Today's temperature reached a whopping 28 degrees Fahrenheit, more than warm enough for a jog through my idyllic snow-covered and slick suburban streets. Or something... I didn't get an hour in, more like 45 minutes, but still, I'm pleased with my 4.6 miles. It was a pretty glaring reminder, though, that I am very far behind in my training for this upcoming race. And whatever progress I made today I am currently eating away at with my Starbucks' milk chocolate graham cookies. Mmm, so good.
But the run wasn't great. For some fun reason, when I run in the cold, my nasal passages constrict and I cannot breathe through my nose at All. I dunno; it's just unpleasant. Maybe I'm a "fair-weather" runner, but I really do not like running outside in winter. My self-preservation instinct is considerably stronger than my desire to run. I read some article once explaining that our bodies are programmed to seek the easiest, safest route to the longest life. Running, especially distance running, places a tremendous amount of stress on our bodies. It isn't fun, and in the 21st century, it is no longer a necessity for survival. We impose powerful mental blocks against running, and when faced with the prospect of venturing outside into below-freezing temperatures wearing naught but a few thin layers of wicking fabric, it is almost physically impossible to get out the door. At least, this is what I've found. And getting out the door really is the hardest part. Once you've over come that block, once you've started to move and warm up and regain feeling in your toes, the endorphins kick in and it really isn't that bad.
Supposedly it takes three weeks to form a habit. Today was a good start. Tomorrow it is supposed to be snowing, but I've got a back up. I am taking my workout clothes with me to work, and I am going straight to the gym from work. That is the plan. The goal. To get to the gym. Once there, we'll see how long I can run for. Shooting for 35 minutes. Right. Less thinking; more running. Go.
But the run wasn't great. For some fun reason, when I run in the cold, my nasal passages constrict and I cannot breathe through my nose at All. I dunno; it's just unpleasant. Maybe I'm a "fair-weather" runner, but I really do not like running outside in winter. My self-preservation instinct is considerably stronger than my desire to run. I read some article once explaining that our bodies are programmed to seek the easiest, safest route to the longest life. Running, especially distance running, places a tremendous amount of stress on our bodies. It isn't fun, and in the 21st century, it is no longer a necessity for survival. We impose powerful mental blocks against running, and when faced with the prospect of venturing outside into below-freezing temperatures wearing naught but a few thin layers of wicking fabric, it is almost physically impossible to get out the door. At least, this is what I've found. And getting out the door really is the hardest part. Once you've over come that block, once you've started to move and warm up and regain feeling in your toes, the endorphins kick in and it really isn't that bad.
Supposedly it takes three weeks to form a habit. Today was a good start. Tomorrow it is supposed to be snowing, but I've got a back up. I am taking my workout clothes with me to work, and I am going straight to the gym from work. That is the plan. The goal. To get to the gym. Once there, we'll see how long I can run for. Shooting for 35 minutes. Right. Less thinking; more running. Go.
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