10k Starting line

I love challenges.  Whether it’s a new DIY project at home, new technology or equipment at work, or a new distance or PR (personal record) in running, my juices get flowing when I’ve got something new that I’ve never done before coming up.   When I started running, before I had even signed up for the 8k in 2007, I mentioned to Christi one night, “I’m going to have to sign up for a race or something to motivate me to keep running.”  Truer words have never been spoken.  After my first race, I was addicted.  Though the energy of the crowd was great, the real thing that keeps me coming back is the challenge of finishing.  Whether it’s finishing a distance I had never run or finishing faster than I did last time, there’s always a challenge.

My favorite distance is the Pikermi (a.k.a. half marathon).  When I ran my first one in 2008, the sense of accomplishment couldn’t be beat. Not only had I finished the distance, I now had a time to beat!  I beat that time the following March, and I’m headed to the Richmond Half Marathon this November to try and beat that time. This weekend is the Patrick Henry Half Marathon in Ashland.  I don’t have time to run it this year, but that was a very challenging race that I would really love to run again.  The hills on that course are tough and if the weather is at all warm you will bake on the scenic farm roads that offer little or no shade for most of the course.  I’ve run 3 Pikermis and, aside from proving to myself that I could actually go 13.1 miles, this was the most challenging.  I’d love to say that this course was my PR, but I don’t think anyone sets a PR at Patrick Henry.

Right now, I’m training for the Richmond Half Marathon this November.  I’ve raced this distance 3 times now and you wouldn’t think there would be much challenge left.  But I’ve got a big goal in mind that is immensely challenging to me.  Not only do I want to beat my PR (1:52:35), I’m setting my goal at 1 hour 45 minutes.  That will be 8 minute miles, people!  I’ve never, ever run that fast farther than 3 miles.  Also, I’m trying something new with my training.  Instead of focusing on my pace, I’m focusing on my heart rate while I train.  Those who’ve done it say heart rate training is the way to really improve your speed, I just hope they’re right.  All of these challenges make my 8:00/mi goal seem doable, but it will be a lot of work.  I can’t wait!  (I just finished day 2 of my training yesterday, and I plan to post updates along the way here.  You can also see how I’m running at Garmin.com)

The marathon distance last fall was brutal, but I don’t think I can fully explain how I felt crossing the finish line.  The challenge of all the miles up to that point (not just the 26.2 that day, but all the training miles too) made this an amazing experience.  The feeling of knowing I had conquered that distance, farther than some say the human body should be able to run, was unbelievable.  As a bonus, I beat my goal time.  I’ll definitely run another marathon next year.  After all, now I have a time to beat.

Happy runner at the finish!

Some days I feel just plain crazy. My mind runs a million miles a minute thinking about no one thing in particular or multiple different things are coming at me all at once. My job isn’t extremely high stress, but it does have its moments.  This is when I’m really thankful for running.

During the week I run in the mornings.  Early morning.  I try to get out the door on running days before 6:00 AM.  It doesn’t always work out, but that’s my goal each time I head out Monday through Friday.  Some days I snooze too much.  Some days I get a serious case of the lazies.  Most days, I get up at 5:00 AM, have some cereal, espresso, and water; and hit the road.  These runs are always peaceful.  The whole neighborhood is quiet, the sun is just coming up, there’s a tranquil serenity about it that’s hard to describe.  Of course, I blow “tranquil” and “serenity” away by plugging my earbuds into my ears and cranking some music or a podcast.

For an entire hour, or sometimes a little less, I zone out.  My mind still thinks about things and races around a bit, but in a good way.  More ordered and structured is how I would describe my thinking when I’m running.   I’ve been stressing lately about the fact that I didn’t write anything since mid-February here.  I had hit a block and couldn’t think of anything to write.  This series of posts is a result of thinking about that while I run.   It took me a while, but I figured out how to kick myself in the rear and get writing again.  Thanks to running, I’ve got one less thing to stress about.

Saturdays and Sundays, I venture out into the daylight.  Never both, our weekend schedule at home doesn’t really allow for that.  I don’t care what season it is, it’s always beautiful to run along the Swift Creek Reservoir for a nice long run.  Sunrise and sunset on the reservoir are nice, but it’s really pretty any time of day.

Sunset on the Reservoir

Tell me a view like that wouldn’t instantly banish all the crazy from your life?