Running as a team sport

On the surface, running is an individual sport, but since we started this journey I've learned it is much more like a team sport. Everyday I am the one that has to convince myself to lace up my shoes and pound the pavement, but when I'm out in the world, touring the parks, trails and sidewalks of Denver, that is when my team shows up.

This morning as I walked out of my building, there were two homeless men in the foyer, they'd been there over night protecting themselves from the cold and they were the first to tell me to have a good run. Turning the corner and running past the Governor's mansion I past dozens of cars, their drivers on the way to work; whenever the street lights turns red, the drivers that are first in line are like my cheerleaders, the lights on the car like the spotlights in a stadium.

Cheeseman Park is when I meet up with my competition, luckily it is always friendly. I took two laps of the park this morning and each time my fellow runners and I past each other we gave "the nod." You know the one. It's when two runners going in opposite directions look each other in the eye and lift their chins slightly. That little movement, that could easily be confused as a muscle spasm to the untrained eye, is all I need to keep my my left leg following my right. The nod says "Good morning, nice to see you again. Sweet kicks, are those new? I thought I saw that Runners Roost was having a sale this weekend. There's a big hill up ahead but keep going, you're doing great!" There aren't any classes you can take to learn proper etiquette of the nod. It almost seems like the nod was developed on accident as people's heads were bobbing along on the trail.

On the way back to my apartment there was a driver that had pulled out into the driveway, blocking my path to cross the street. As I got close the driver waved at me as he put the car in reverse and backed out of my way. It was all I needed to go the last few blocks.

I like team sports. They keep me running, day in and day out.
-Becca

Thank God for Treadmills

I HATE TREADMILLS. It's true, I can't deny it any longer. Treadmills have the amazing ability to suck my soul out of my body through my feet. The worst part is that the gym in my building doesn't have a tv in it to distract me from the sheer boredom that is the treadmill. Plus, as if every person in the world couldn't already find something they didn't like about their bodies, there are giant mirrors set up in front of the treadmills. They are conveniently placed so that you can see your face get red as you lose your breath and your thighs giggling around as your legs hit the conveyor belt! It's nauseating really.
Even though these things all add up to a totally legitimate hatred of running indoors I find myself living what an environment that has recently transformed itself into something that can be most easily described as the frozen tundra of mother Russia. I've gotten pretty good at handling cold weather, but -17 degrees just doesn't work for me.
On top of that last week I got the great news that I had both a sinus infection and pink eye! I couldn't make it up the stairs at work without having to send word (through use of a little known network of Denver Sherpas) that I would be setting up camp overnight and would summit in the morning. Plus eye infections have a well documented impact on a runners ability to maintain their footing!
So tonight, after more than a week without a run, I needed it. I needed the run like mean girls in 7th grade need someone with low self esteem! So, I caved, and I got on the treadmill.
It was glorious! I finally got to test out my new shoes even though it's only 1 degree outside!
While I maintain my strong dislike for small conveyor belts and unchanging scenery, I've decided that I don't have to pound the pavement to get my trot on!

If you like Pina Coladas...

Or getting caught in the rain, which is exactly what I did on Saturday morning. Saturday was one of those dreary, wet days, in lovely DC and I got my tush out of bed and ran. While I was prepared for the cold temperature, I was NOT prepared for the drizzle. After 10 miles a drizzle can really do some damage. Needless to say I was soaking, but man it felt good! We ended by going up the Woodley Park Hill, which for those that don't know is a long, treacherous, "death" hill that is a perfect cherry on top of a hard run. But hey, I'm in the double digits!

Also, I saw this story http://www.newser.com/story/111442/man-runs-365-marathons-in-one-year.html which reminded me why we started this whole thing. Can you imagine doing 365 marathons? That can't be good for your body!

My new expensive hobby

I am running more than ever! I just got back from a 5 mile run and I feel great! I am going a body attack class tonight, though so we'll see after that. My pace is getting better and I am baring the cold weather (which really isn't that bad). The bad part about running for a girl like me is it open a whole new shopping world! I now have to go into all the athletic stores to see what's on sale, what's new and how cute I can look while I run. Please, how cute can anyone look while they run??

I am still running with the DC road runners and I really like it. For anyone who is scared of long runs and just can't get in the mindset I would highly recommend running with a group.

As for my new purchases they have mostly centered around warm clothes and long spandex pants (I am fortunate to have no butt so spandex doesn't look to gross on me). I did have to get one of those water bottle belts, though, so we'll see... I'll keep you updated on some of my other purchases!!

Stay close to the lamp, the sidewalk can be very treacherous

So after 20 something years of what I would consider being a mostly functional bi-ped, my streak came to an end this week.

On Thursday, I was out running with my friends Matt and Josh with the Snug. The trail goes from the bar on Colfax, through Cheeseman Park, around the outside of the Botanical Gardens and then back to the bar. Matt, Josh and I made it safely through the park, which is a feat of it's own because the city is doing construction in it during the winter, so there are piles of dirt all over the place and it's hard to find the trail at night depending on what they did during the day. Luckily, I followed the Snug's suggestion and got a headlamp so I could see where I was going after the sun went down. Josh fell behind since he was sore from the day before's workout, but Matt and I followed the 5 Ds of dodgeball: dodge, dip, duck, dive and dodge, to make it over, around, through and under the obstacle course also known as a park.

But once we turned the corner to go by the Botanic Gardens it became clear that I left my bi-ped skills in the park. I stubbed my toe and immediatly proceeded to eat sidewalk. I brused my hands, my knees and my ego, which was made obvious when I yelled many explatives at the top of my lungs! But Matt was right next me, picked me up, helped me brush off, and we were on our way.

I thought this experience was behind me when I decided to go for my regualr run to Wash Park on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and there were a ton of people at the park showing off the new gear they got from Santa and had just unwrapped that morning. On my way back home I ran into my friend Marshall, who was just getting started on his run to the park. We hugged and wished eachother a happy regular old December 25th before Marshall told me about the awful day he'd had at work the day before. "I might be toxic", he said, referring to everything that he touched going wrong, "I probably should have said something before we hugged." I blew it off thinking it was just a coinsidence.

So there I am on Seventh heading back to my apartment, excited and exhausted because I am almost done with the 6.5 mile trail and because the best part, the very end, is all down hill! Clearly my mind was elsewhere, because before I knew it, I was again eating sidewalk. This time I didn't curse, because I remembered just walking past an old man that probably didn't care to hear what was going through my head. So instead I just rolled over and started to cry. I've been running, we'll say regularly because it is certainly not as much as I should be, for almost a whole year and now twice in a matter of 3 days I am flat on my face. This time I banged up my shoulder and hands, hit my head and scrapped up my knees.

The old man I'd just run past came to make sure I was ok and see if I wanted a ride home. I was only a few blocks away, so I declined. But you better bet that on the walk home I was thinking about Marshall and his toxic hug not 20 minutes before.

So now that I am terrified of all the sidewalks in Denver, I think I'll suffer through my time on the treadmill...until either my knees or my ego are back to normal.

Hit the Ground Running

I started training with DC Road Runners this past week. I will admit that I was definitely nervous to start. It's cold here in DC, and I have NEVER run in the cold. So, I borrowed Mike's ear muffs, go on my Patagonia and showed up at Pacers (a local running store) at 8 am. After a quick tutorial we were off. I joined one of the slower groups and was surprised to find I was one of the fastest of the slow. Not bad, right? After a Saturday morning run, it's funny how accomplished you feel. You definitely have this sense that you can tackle anything that day. Well, lucky me I got to tackle finals! Starting to train amidst all the commotion of finals is actually a stress reliever.

Last night, I did my second run of the week, which was on a treadmill. I worked on getting my speed up, which is really easy to do on a treadmill. I didn't study, but some days, just like running, you need a break from studying. The good news is I am not soar. This Saturday I plan to run 5 miles with DC Road Runners!

If I can tackle 5, I can tackle finals, right?...

When the Weather Outside is Frightful...

Train for a half marathon, right?

I can't believe it's already November. It is starting to get cooler in DC, which makes for excellent running weather. Well, until we get a blizzard. Can you believe that I have not run since my last post? With school and work it is tough to make time for running. Now with daylight savings, I imagine many people will hit the gym more instead of running outside.

Well, to motivate me I signed up for a half marathon in June. http://www.run4virginiawine.com/ My friend, Vaughn is going to run it with me. My true motivator is having good support. Knowing that Becca is across the country running all the time is a helpful motivator, but having someone in town is also good. I have decided that with my busy schedule I need a hand. So, I have also signed up for a training program with DC Road Runners. They meet every Saturday am. I'll let you know how it goes, but we start on December 4, which will be here before you know it. This also means that for the first time I am really embracing running in the cold and will have to get appropriate attire. I have always been a t-shirt and shorts kind of girl and have never thought about proper wear. That is until I came to DC and almost suffocated myself in the heat. So, just as I learned to run in the humidity, I will learn to run in the cold.

I also told my boyfriend, Mike, who is a born athlete and a fast runner, that he should train or do the marathon with me. I like running with him, since there is little pressure to keep up, but he is so quick that it makes me quicker! I need to work and getting speedier and he is just the guy to help me. While he did say that long distance is not his "cup of beer" he did say that he'll accompany me on some of my jogs. Do workout partners stay together? :)

Happy Early November! I love the leaves!