Archives For Running

Am I running these days? Yes…my mouth. About how much I don’t want to run.

March 1, 2014

Want to know how I’ve mentally and physically prepared for running a big race in May thus far? Come on, you know you do. It will make you feel better about yourself.

I over-zealously declared all my New Year’s resolutions to anyone who would listen. I AM DOING ALL THE THINGS!

I gave up pop for a full month. I patted myself on the back.

I logged 3.5 miles a day for a week straight. At which point, my back responded: Uuummm…yyyeah…about that weak core of yours. I still can’t support it. So I’m out.

As my back went on strike, my recovery plan included a cocktail of chiro and physical therapy appointments, lots of Subway sandwiches, microwave popcorn, Girl Scouts cookies, and remorse.

I bought some new running shoes.

I complained about how I’m not able to get in my training miles when the freezing temperature makes it impossible to run outdoors in Nebraska, when the treadmill in my basement makes me angry just looking at it, and when the number on the scale reminds me that this year will be harder.

As I’ve said before, the act of running is not something I ever look forward to doing. Ever. However, being alone with my mind and experiencing endorphin release in my body make the lens in which I look through life much clearer.

Spring is coming. I must remember that.

Until it gets here, I’ll just sit back and watch this clip of a baby instinctively bonding with its mother on auto loop to make me smile.

Written by Heidi Woodard

In Fitness, Running, Shame , , , , , , ,
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Queen of sporadic confidence checking in

January 1, 2014

I’m here to conquer you, New Year. You should know this about me…I’m not, and have never been, deficient in the confidence department.

But I’m a realist too. And, realistically speaking, I know I represent false hope. Because today I am shouting from the mountain top.

Where will I be in 30 days, 6 months, 1 year from today?

I signed up to run my fourth Half Marathon on May 4, which as my Facebook friends should know by now, means they need to decide if they want to unfriend me. I’m going to publicly share how I’ve either met my training goals or failed miserably. Consider yourself forewarned.

I’ve committed to giving up pop for the next 30 days. Or, as I like to call it, my happy juice. I’m in the process of developing coping strategies that don’t involve the beheading of my spouse or getting fired from my job.

I got on the treadmill and logged a very slow and steady 3.5 miles this morning. It felt good. It always does before you allow the soreness to soak in.

I’ve committed to attending a kickboxing class on Friday. I figure I’ll have a lot of pent-up rage from seeing everyone around me drinking pop by then. My imaginary sparring partner won’t stand a chance against me. I’ll actually likely envision the 20-year old version of myself with her flat stomach and ability to eat anything without regret staring back at me. She’s going down.

Finally, I’ve vowed to read more as part of The Empty Shelf Challenge.

Yep, that seems to be enough crap to concentrate on for now.

Good luck to everyone with all your many resolutions. Let’s remember that, at the end of the day, we’re all pretty awesome as is.

New Year. Same ol me.

New Year. Same ol me.

Written by Heidi Woodard

In Fitness, Reflection, Running, Strength, Stress release , , , , , , ,
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Being a runner shows commitment in every aspect of life

May 6, 2013

Let me live on the top of my mountain for just one post. Basking in the sunlight of the “post-race high.”

https://www.facebook.com/foottogroundalot

Credit: Rather Be Running

I completed a Half Marathon yesterday. It was my third time running 13.1 miles. And I completed this feat three consecutive years.

Boo ya, baby.

Back when I created my my LinkedIn profile a little over year ago, it looked a little weird to have Running listed as one of my skills. According to everything I read about LinkedIn, the tool is supposed to be an online resumé of sorts, allowing people to catch a glimpse of your professional career – a snapshot of what you’ve accomplished.

Naturally then, when it came time to list those things I felt I excelled at, I thought Running should be included in my repertoire even though it was a personal versus professional endeavor.

Every runner (or weight lifter, or cyclist, or swimmer) finds a way to stick with their routine through the good and the bad and discovers new ways to mix it up to avoid pain, boredom, and burn out.

I’d be willing to bet the majority of 9-to-5’ers I know working in corporate America run the risk of suffering those same consequences.

Again, this could just be my endurance euphoria speaking, but I have better clarity today for having set and surpassed a goal.

Knowing that I had in it me to follow through on a commitment I made to myself months ago feels amazeballs (thanks to my cousin, Jen, for that phrase).

And it proves I will work hard. In my family. In my workplace. In life.

The results of sacrifice, when you can truly step back and appreciate them, will always overshadow temporary pain.

Oh, and I’ve already re-absorbed more calories than I burned in the past 24 hours, and I wish I could say they were all from fruits and veggies, but…come on…you know me better than that. Here’s to killer burgers and pancakes!

Created by Heidi Woodard

In Fitness, Inspiration, Running, Strength, Stress release , , , , , , , , ,
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