Feeling Sick

Photo Credit: http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/money/sick.jpg

I have really hit a stride the last few weeks ... running all of my scheduled training runs, having great long runs, hitting yoga twice a week, and even losing a few pounds along the way.  I was feeling so great, and then BAM!  I get hit with a nasty cold/flu/virus/bacteria, whatever you want to call it.  And for the last week, I've been laid up at home, nursing my lungs back to health, feeling totally defeated in the exercise department.  I've always stood by the rule that if your sickness is below your throat, then you shouldn't run, and definitely held to that this week.

But man, it SUCKS not keeping up with your fitness. 

And as I'm trying to get ready for my half next Saturday, I'm feeling a little tentative not having run in a week.  Any tips?  

Thoughts on running...

Wanted to share a post by my friend Kristin Brown Marshall- I liked some of her thoughts/descriptions.

My post a little while ago about what I do all day got me thinking....

Is running all that I do? Is it who I am?

Well it is a major part or how I spend my individual free time, but I want to publicly state that

I am not a runner.

I run. I love to run. But I am not a runner. I am so much more than that. It's a hobby, a passion, an interest, an indulgence, but running does not define who I am. I've known people before, that let running (or some other sport or activity) define them. My life is not fulfilled only if I am running; setting new PR's, logging a certain number of miles, going a certain speed, beating certain people, getting a BQ (Boston Qualifying Time) etc. etc. I am not left forlorn and empty if people don't praise or acknowledge my running accomplishments. I don't rely on my running accomplishments to fuel my mood, or my opinions about myself.

Yes, I think everyone should run, but not because I think it will make them a more worthwhile person or in some way increase their individual worth. I just think that a person can learn immense amounts about themselves and life while running; and the parallels of running and life are endless. But, I get that not everyone likes it and it's not for everyone.....but I still think everyone should do it! Even just a little. A mile or two a few times a week? It can work wonders on the soul! But, I digress....

Running is a huge part of my life (some people in my life who don't understand running would say I'm obsessed - Why do people who don't run think that all runners are crazy or obsessed? I don't get it - But perhaps that is a different post altogether).

As I was saying, running is a part of my life (yes a big part), but it is not who I am. However, it IS something that has taught me about myself and helped me grow mentally. It has pushed my limits and made me stronger. Running is something that has given me more than normal amounts of serious introspection time, and contributed to my well-being. It has helped develop my character, tested and proved my work ethic, my dedication, my will, my resiliency. It brings peace to my life. It brings pain as well - but the pain brings appreciation and growth. It's principles can be applied and compared to other parts of my life, which help bring understanding to other things in my life as well. Yes, I am aware that running isn't the only activity in existence that can bring this to a person, but it has been a very effective source in my life, and I think it can be fore most people. In a nutshell, running is the conduit that helps me discover who I am.

And though I absolutely LOVE running, if I wasn't able to run ever again I would be ok.

Running was taken away form me once before in my life and I survived. If it were ever taken away from me again my life would go on, I would be ok, and I would still be me - because it is not who I am.

I think that there are people who think that all I do is run and that it is who I am and there isn't much more to me. I guess I just wanted to express the point that though it contributes a lot to my life, trust me; I am so much more than a runner.

Having got that off my chest....anyone wanna go for a run?

hills!

I'm set to run the Lake Tahoe Half Marathon in just under 7 weeks. I have been wanting to run this race for years and am so excited I'm actually doing it this year! Check out the description and profile below.

The Half Marathon starts south of Meeks Bay on Glen Street, halfway down the Marathon course. The course rolls downhill for the first 2 miles before starting a challenging climb of 520’ over 1.55 miles up the "Hill from Hell", then 1.3 miles of rolling terrain, then down 200’ over 0.9 miles crossing over Eagle Falls, and back up 200’ over 0.9 miles to the 20 mile mark at Inspiration Point. The spectacular 20 mile mark (or 7 mile Half Marathon mark) is the narrow spine of the ridge overlooking Emerald Bay, Cascade Lake, and Lake Tahoe itself. This may be the most beautiful run you ever do. The last 6.2 miles are all down hill and beautiful, picking up the bike trail for the last 3.5 miles to the finish, going over Taylor Creek Bridge and the spawning fire cracker red Kokanee salmon, through the Pope and Valhalla Historical Estates along the waters edge, by Camp Richardson, and finishing at Pope Beach where the cold waters of Tahoe await your tired feet.



The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the 6.2 miles of downhill! That is going to be brutal on my knees, hips, and back.

I'll definitely need to run at Rancho this weekend. Got to get those hills in.

Okay. Your turn. Let's hear about your upcoming races!

List of Races

Alright, I'm hearing a lot of talk about races for the fall ... what's everybody running?

Ready to Glisten

This year, I'm ready to glisten.  OK, I'm ready to sweat.  I'm just trying to make it sound a little more glamorous.  ;)

I guess it took four years living in North Carolina to adjust to the summer's humidity, its heat.  I don't mind "glistening" in the early morning on a run.  In fact, I love it.  I am so relieved to be perfectly honest with you.

My marathon training starts next Saturday.  4 miles and then we move from there to November 6 when I run the City of Oaks Marathon with Kaylynn (and anyone else who wants to join me).  With wedding season, my baby, my family, yoga, and life, I know training for a marathon will be less than convenient, but oh so necessary and I am ready.  Ready to glisten. ;)

PS: Molly ..................................... a huge GOOD LUCK from me this weekend.  I will be thinking of you in Tahoe. xoxo

National Running Day

Happy National Running Day!!

Here are ten ways to celebrate ... :)

Click here.

The Race

This popped up in my inbox yesterday from Miss Kaylynn.  Thought it was definitely worth a share.

Our Inner Dialogs Part II

Fast forward almost one year from this post ... I've had a baby and have dedicated a lot of time to running and continued to spend hours on a yoga mat since my Quin has been born.  I feel like becoming a mother has transformed me into a different kind of runner and paired with my new found yoga mind, I feel like I am in such a better mental place.  Physical?  We're getting there.  That's a whole different post. ;)

My half marathon in April in the Outer Banks was incredible.  I felt such a good, strong, consistent pace throughout the entire race.  My mommy muscles (as I now like to refer to them as) slowly began to fail halfway through and from mile 7 on, putting one step in front of the other continued to require more and more effort.

Before Quin, before yoga, it would have been very easy for me to look at the 6.1 miles ahead and feel so discouraged knowing that my body was different postpartum and much weaker.  It would have been so easy to anticipate the pain and the extra effort that the last half of this race would require.  But now, with a new mind set, I was able just to be at mile 7 and enjoy mile 7 for what mile 7 was.  To acknowledge that my inner dialog was there ("Wow, 6 miles to go, I am so tired.  Will I make it?  That finish line sounds soooooo good right now.  That summer break I've scheduled for running season is looking soooooo good right now.") and then to let it pass.  I loved that mile 7 more than I've ever loved a mile 7 and then 8, and then 9 and then 10.  I was in the moment, listened to my body and enjoyed just being.  Being in nature, being a momma, being weaker, being stronger, and being a runner.  And then, the finish line arrived and I was happy.  So, so happy.  While the race wasn't my fastest, or wasn't my strongest, it was one of the most enjoyable races I have ever run.  Accepting who I was in that moment, for those 13.1 miles made me feel whole.

I'm A Runner

Thanks to Linds for this share. Bahahaha!!

3 Months, 4 Weeks Postpartum

... and I'm running a half marathon this weekend.  Ladies and gentleman, I never thought it would be humanly possible, but with the help of an incredible husband and some goal races along the way, we're back to 13.1 and I'm feeling so confident.

It's so empowering to truly know what your body and mind are capable of.  Makes you feel like you can really do anything.

Dear Neglected Running Blog

Dear Neglected Running Blog:
I promise my love for you and for running has not diminished, just been put aside for a few months.  Maybe 9 to be exact.  Being pregnant has made running difficult (well, non-existent), but I cannot wait to pick you back up in the beginning of 2011, and share it with my new son.

Love,
Julia

PS: In the meantime, I will be watching the NYC Marathon with baited breath, living vicariously through them, not to mention my other rock star friends, including Miss Kaylynn, who have rocked their marathons this year.

http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/

Our Inner Dialogs

It's summer here in NC.  Due to that nasty heat and other recent developments, running hasn't been in my exercise vocabulary as of late.  Enter my yoga mat.  I've spent a lot of hours on my yoga mat the last few months and I feel like I've gained so much physically and also mentally.

My yoga instructor talks a lot about our inner selves and how it relates to the world we create for ourselves.  She makes me keenly aware of this inner self and inner dialog that is constantly happening within me whether I acknowledge it our not.  How self critical am I during my yoga practice?  During work?  While I'm with friends or family?  How often do I validate the good things I do?  How often do I just acknowledge that the dialog is there?

I feel like my inner dialog is pretty loud while I'm on my yoga mat.  I'm constantly thinking about how long my lines should be, or how strong I'd like to be or how much that certain pose hurts or is stretching a muscle I didn't even know I had.  This negative inner dialog then drifts from what I could be doing better on the mat to what I think I should be doing in relation to others or during my day.  It's negative and completely detrimental to success and progress.  I love taking that off the mat with me and realize that every day I am subconsciously talking to myself ... constantly validating or criticizing and then I need to be more aware of how I "treat" myself.  Hopefully that makes sense.

On a running note, I feel like while that inner dialog wasn't as loud for me on runs, it was definitely still there.  Hearing it in on my yoga mat helps me realize that it's on the pavement too.  Am I going fast enough?  It's only mile 3, why does this feel so uncomfortable?  It's so hot - I can't take another step.  Or, wow, I feel amazing.  I could go forever.  Mile 5 feels great.  See what I mean?

My new challenge is to recognize my inner dialog and then to let go of it ... to realize that for that moment I am there, participating to fullest capability for that day, that hour, that minute ... and that it is simply good enough.  It's a challenge, but I'm ready to work harder at it and to become more whole because of it.

Never Give Up

running music

Look what I found! This may be old news to many of you, but this site (and I'm sure plenty of others) lists music by beats per minute! Check it out here. The ideal distance running cadence is 85-95 (correct me if I'm wrong).

Running cadence is how many times one foot (right or left) hits the ground in a minute. I guess we should all be striving for 85-95, right?

That said, if you like to run to music, getting 85-95 bpm music or 170-190 bpm music would carry you right at that cadence.

So halfway through your next run, take a minute to count your cadence. If it's too slow, try shorter, faster steps. And go find some music that can get you closer to the ideal running cadence! Sounds fun to me!

The Truth

Great share by Kaylynn.

Read a fantastically funny half marathon article here.

Calories In. Calories Out.

I loved this article from Runner's World today.  It was so simple.  In order to lose weight, look great and stay trim you need to burn more calories than you intake.  Done.  No gimmicky pills, no funky diets, no quick answers.  It's called hard work and eating right.  I love it.

I'm going for a run.

2010 Races

Alright, I'm ready.  What are you running this year?

Tobacco Road Half Marathon

Dear North Carolinians (and any other interested parties ... ahem ... California runners):
Highly recommend the Tobacco Road Half Marathon.  Jonathan and I had a great time on this flat, fast course in gorgeous west Cary, North Carolina.  If you would like to join us next year, we'll definitely be there.

Love,
Julia

Need To & Want To

I was at yoga last week and our instructor said something (as I'm in the middle of a great sun salute a) that really hit me.

"Pay attention to when you want to stop," she said, "and when you need to stop."

While running, I find that 98% of the time when I'm feeling it, I want to stop. Does anyone else feel that way?  I'm not talking about that nagging injury or a pulled muscle or serious injury... it's so important to listen to you body and know when you need to stop, at the risk of injuring yourself.  I'm talking about when you're so tired, or having a rough day, or just plain don't want to, and you want to stop.

For me this little snippet has been seriously empowering.  A new mantra perhaps.  I've got a half marathon on Sunday and that is what I'll be asking myself when those miles get hard (and believe me, they will get hard).  Julia, do you need to stop?  Or do you just want to?  Mind or matter.  That's all there is to it.

Happy Birthday ... and a shameless plug.

Today I turn 28. 28 years old. I feel like I have a lot of amazing running years left in me, right? I hear 30s are the best. So there you go. Happy Birthday, Julia.

And for my shameless plug, head over to my brand new photography website and blog, where I'm giving away a free session to anyone who lives in the lower 48. :)

• www.julia-wade.com
• www.julia-wade.com/blog
• www.facebook.com/juliawadephotography    Become a Fan!

Thanks for all the love and support on this blog.  I am so glad I have a space here where I can vent frustrations, share victories (CONGRATS KAYLYNN) and Love to Run.

XOXO,

J