Archive for December, 2009
Better
Posted by: | CommentsWhen the New Year rolls around I always think well this year is going to be better than last year. Not because I think the year before was particularly bad but more because I think we should always aspire for better. Being a pessimist takes work, I don’t need any extra work. For as long as I can remember whenever I’m worried about something (which is often, I’m a worrier) my mom has said “what’s the worst thing that can happen?” Now I just ask myself that question, figure out what I’d do, see that it’s not so bad and move on.
So if you have a day when your long run stinks or you don’t get out for a run ask yourself “what’s the worst thing that can happen if I cut short this run?” You’ll realize that tomorrow’s a new day, a day to do it better and how great is that? You have the opportunity to make every single day better than the one before, every single run better than the one before it. Of course they won’t all be but the promise of better is always there. If you have trouble sticking with a routine or setting goals that seem out of reach, just shoot for better. Even if the only thing that’s better is your attitude, that counts for a lot.
Have a better run or workout with this tune.
Dust yourself off
Posted by: | CommentsRaise your hand if you had laudable goals to run over the Christmas holiday even if it was snowy and cold and then realized – HEY it’s snowy and COLD and then didn’t run for two weeks. Can you see my hand way up in the air? Let’s be honest people, it’s hard to run in a blizzard. And a break is good for you once in a while, as long as you get back on track. Just like that time in a race when I tripped over the orange safety cones; get right back up on your feet, laugh at your clumsiness, and keep on running.
After our day of travel yesterday I got a nice night’s sleep and was ready to run this morning. It was 7 degrees when we left Omaha yesterday morning and so the 40 degrees we had here this morning seemed positively balmy. I like to ease back into my running routine so I did an easy 3 miles and it felt great and I’m ready to run again tomorrow. I’m also ready to work on my 2010 goals.
I’ve got some race goals in mind but one thing I’ve always been bad about is incorporating a little strength training into my routine. I want some more muscle tone in my arms and abs (ok ANY muscle tone in my abs if you must know), and I want to find something I can do at home so I’ll be more likely to stick with it. To help me plan out my goals, I’m using my brand spanking new fitbook that my friend Joanna gave me.
So, who has a favorite at home strength training exercise I should do? Please remember that I tripped over a safety cone so my coordination is a little wonky. I need easy and not likely to end up with a broken bone type exercises!
Since 2009 is drawing to a close, here’s a New Year’s song for your holiday run mix.
Running Rules
Posted by: | CommentsI get an email now and again from Runner’s World trying to entice me to buy something and today’s installment was a book that included running rules. Now this is a better piece of marketing than that one time I got a mailer that was covered in fighter planes and guns and announced “SUZANNE, YOU ARE WANTED AT THE FRONT!” That was for the military book of the month club. It got me thinking about my running rules. I love order so rules are right up my alley, though I am nice enough to apply my rules only to myself, I’m not the running cop. Rules are good. Without rules it’s chaos, right. So in order to keep running order, I present my running rules.
- Never pass up a bathroom opportunity. Even if you think you don’t have to go. Go.
- It’s ok to run (or walk) 2 or more abreast on a trail if you pay attention and move over when a runner approaches from the other direction. It’s not ok to hold your ground and crowd me off the trail, we’re living in a society here people!
- When crossing a street or approaching an intersection, assume none of the motorists see you unless they give you visual confirmation.
- Running in place when you are waiting to cross the street is ineffective and makes you look stupid, it’s ok to stand there for 30 seconds and wait, your workout doesn’t become immediately ineffective by a moment’s break.
- Despite what my brother says, you can in fact eat a pop tart and have a diet dr. pepper before a race and expect to have a PR.
- What you look like in running gear is way down the list of important things, as long as your shoes fit and nothing is chafing, your outfit is perfect.
- When you run a race take your race number and wad it up several times and unfold it before you pin it on your shirt. That way if it’s windy, it won’t flap in the wind.
- Most matters of decorum are out the window when you run, it’s ok to spit and blow your nose a la the runner’s blow, just make sure you aren’t upwind of another runner.
Tomorrow the wee one and I set off for Omaha. I am optimistically bringing my winter running gear. I am hoping that instead of curling up in a ball and crying about how cold it is, I will have the fortitude to get myself out the front door and warm up with some old fashioned exercise. So here’s your holiday mix tune for the day, Another Christmas at Home ,which is in fact about Omaha and the bar where the champagne’s on tap.
Staying on the wagon
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As much as I like to run and know that it’s good for me, sometimes, like this past week, it seems as though the fates conspire against me. We’ve had illness all around, parties, houseguest, holiday shopping, and getting ready to go visit grandma for two weeks. This is a good time to step back and instead of beating myself up about the miles I didn’t run I try and focus on the days I did get to run. Sometimes you just need to give yourself permission to take a little break or do a little less. Just resolve to get in an extra run when you get an unanticipated break or if you can’t squeeze in a run, do something else like chase your kid around the park.
I’m also thinking about my 2010 plans. I like to use the upcoming New Year as an opportunity to set some new goals. The goal setting is also a way to ensure that if I slide toward the end of the year in my running routine I know my 2010 will start out on a good foot, so to speak! So far I’m thinking for 2010:
- Run the Chicago Marathon
- Keep track of every mile I run in 2010
- Do at least one triathlon
How do you stay on course as the year winds down? What are your goals for 2010?
Yesterday a friend was going to the Nutcracker with her four year old and I was thinking that I can’t wait until my little girl is old enough to go. I love the Nutcracker, hard to believe that when it premiered it was not quite embraced, a critic said “For dancers there is rather little in it, for art absolutely nothing, and for the artistic fate of our ballet, one more step downward.” I’ll take the Nutcracker over Dora the Explorer any day. Here’s a little bit of the Nutcracker for your holiday run mix.
