Mom, Unable to Act
38, Pennsylvania 
When I run, it always piques my interest how some people will politely wave, nod, or say hello whereas others will just put their head down and run by. Depending on my mood, I can be both types. I also find myself putting my head down if it's a man. I don't know why. Intimidation I guess.
Back in 1999 I was 25 years old and in my 2nd year of pharmacy school. I started working out a lot with my sister. We did Billy Blanks Tae Bo tapes (yes TAPES!!!!) in her basement. It was so hard and I lost a lot of weight. So did my sister. Maybe we should should break out the VCR!
Two years ago my life was eerily similar. I had just moved 1200 miles across the country, was adjusting to living a life in limbo (between houses), getting my kids acclimated to their new surroundings, AND training for a marathon. I like to keep things simple.
By mile 16 of the marathon I'm usually done. It's pretty hard to wrap your head around having 10 more miles (or 100 or so minutes) of running left to go when you just want to be finished. I'm hoping I won't hit the wall so early this time, but 16 does seem to be the magic number even in training runs. 16.2 should be the new marathon distance.
During the Austin Marathon I ran with a guy who was doing a walk run method. This would be fine except for the fact that we wasn't really doing walk run. He was doing walk, sprint as fast as you can for 100 yards, walk. It was so annoying to me. I finally had to give it my all to speed up for long enough to get away from him. He was driving me nuts.
During this marathon I plan to use Chocolate Outrage Gu. I've used it on pretty much every training run for over a year. If it ain't broke....
Once during a race, I saw the dreaded poop in the pants. It was at about mile 22 of the San Antonio Marathon. Clearly the woman had had an accident and washed herself up, but the evidence was there. She looked like a normal everyday person. She looked like a mom. She looked like it could have been me. I'm so thankful it never has been. I honestly think pooping my pants would be a deal breaker. Unless it was 25 miles or greater. Then I'd just shake a leg and move on.
I run to music during a race. I've never tried to do it without. All my music is on my nerves right now. I might just have to put Blown Away by Carrie Underwood and Country Girl by Luke Bryan on repeat for my race.
I recently signed up my friend for the half marathon in Pittsburgh in May. WITHOUT HER KNOWLEDGE. She's run one other half marathon, but her ending was spoiled by an apparent bomb threat. Turns out there was no bomb, but she still got rerouted through a train station and had to do stairs. All this probably less than a mile from the finish. I told her this would be her redemption run. I don't think she wanted redemption and I don't think she's pleased with me. I love you Dedie!
I'm running New York for absolute fun. Do you hear me? I will NOT set a time goal for myself and I will take as many pictures as possible to remember the experience. This is a tour of New York City, not a marathon. Did you hear me? K! Good!
I don't know how people run 26.2 miles in less time than it takes me to run 13.1. Actually anything less than a 10:00 pace impresses me. Actually just running 26.2 miles impresses me, but you get my drift. I just don't understand how some people get their body to comprehend that they are supposed to run FAST for 26.2 miles. My body only knows trudge along.
Someone once told me to work on increasing my turnover to improve my speed and not worry about my stride length. I'm all like, "increase my turnover? Um please explain." He's like, "You know increase your turnover." I think to myself, as in make my feet go faster. You mean it's that simple? Think about making your feet go faster and they will?? Hmmm there's a novel idea. Guess what? I tried it, it doesn't work. Humph!
Interested in reading more from this series? Check them out below:
I'm a Runner
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