Bind & CrEATe

And like that, a goal has been surpassed.

It’s been a bumpy sort of year for me. More rediscoveries of self. Change in every direction. Bouts of stagnation lifted by energetic surges. And all of that so easily has the ability to wreck (or aid) in my goal setting and follow-through.

Thankfully, with this one manageable goal, I’ve done it. I’ve officially run the equivalent of a mile a day, each day for an entire year. To thank, I have my running shoes, a half-marathon training guide, a few fun 5Ks with friends, and the endurance that hasn’t left me since youth. I’m so thankful for this body that keeps pushing through the years. Even as it changes and reshapes itself, I still find solace and strength in exertion.

I haven’t done much thinking about resolutions for this new year – running or otherwise. I don’t want a date on the calendar to renew me. Instead, I want to keep focusing on the hobbies and interests as I always have. Perhaps dedicate myself a bit more. Hope that during down moments I continue with my goals and move forward.

In terms of running, my goals for the year are simple: Surpass another 365 miles. Train for another half marathon (May 6 in Pittsburgh). Run a few 5Ks with friends. Perhaps even tackle a 10K–something I haven’t done since 2004. Keep moving these legs. Change the way I feel about my body and settle into a nicer comfort zone.

I’m proud of this year. It’s no 1,000 miles like my friend Chandra (so impressed, lady!), but it’ll do. I set a goal, and I accomplished it. There is no sweeter gift than that.

I am officially 16 miles away from my yearly goal of running 365 miles! The past few months have been a bit rough. I didn’t run as much as I wanted from July-September, but I officially ramped it up in October and November with regular running and road races. I am getting faster, stronger, and have more endurance with each running session.

Unfortunately, we’ve moved into treadmill season–which I loathe. Thankfully, there is a gym less than half a mile on foot from work. Though it’s a time-ticking humidity bomb, I’ve been using it consistently at the end of a work day, generally 3x/week. It’s not pleasant, but it gets the job done. And I’ve been working on increasing not only my speed but the incline to mirror an outdoor trail run.

I also had the pleasure of hiking twice this month, which utilizes muscles normally dormant (especially during this season.) There’s something about the crisp Fall air, leaves under boots, and uphill climb that gets my blood pumping.

In terms of races, I ran a Turkey Trot 5K this month (which I noted on a previous post). My time was around 31:15, and honestly, I was hoping for better. I had a stomach cramp that stretched throughout my entire insides, making it hard to get going. Because I’d really like to break 30:00 this calendar year, I’ve signed up for a Jingle Bell 5K on Dec. 8 with a friend. I was supposed to run this race last year, but a death in the family prevented me from doing so.

I also need to scrounge up $90 and sign up for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon already. I’ve vowed to myself that I will run this race yearly. There’s no greater sense of accomplishment for me than running 13.1 miles. I saw my runner friend the other night, and I’m trying to twist her arm into running with me so I have a buddy. Fingers crossed.

This year I’ve felt more like a runner than many years past. I’ve kept up with it consistently, and whereas other goals have gone by the wayside (my scrapbook, for example), this is one I’m so close to achieving. Yay!

It’s been a while since I’ve updated you all on my running. Probably because I really haven’t been doing it! Like anyone, I tend to go through cycles with exercising. However, I have managed to run 30 miles in the past two months.

In the other time, I’ve been focusing my efforts on swimming, night walking, and hip hop aerobic classes. There was also three weeks of doing nothing at all. Hey, I’m honest. Sometimes life gets me down.

Because I can tell I’m getting into a bit of a running rut, so I decided to sign up for two upcoming races. Fall is my favorite time to run, and I’m sure I’ll get closer to my yearly goal of 365 miles with these races on the docket:

• Aug. 25: Color Me Rad 5K in Pittsburgh
• Sept. 30: The Great Race, 10K in Pittsburgh

I’m running Color Me Rad with my roommate and intend on it being a fun run. That means walking breaks and laughter. I’m not aiming to PR or anything like that. I’m just aiming to get splattered with paint.

I’m going to take the Great Race a little more seriously. I actually haven’t run a 10K since 2005. The last time I did one, my time was 1:06. I’m not sure if I can beat that, but I’m sure as heck going to try.

I set up a workout schedule for myself this month to get me back on track with running and strength training. I find my calendar to be my most helpful guide. When I don’t plan, I often skip workouts. Seeing a visual helps remind me of my goals and I have to think less about what I’m going to do that day.

Somehow, over this summer, I’ve gained back the pounds I lost in early Spring. I’m hoping to turn that around in August and feel healthier and more fit again.

Here’s to a scheduled 30+ miles this month. Hopefully I can get them in.

So, I did not run 100 miles this month. That’s okay. I ran 70, and that’s probably the most I’ve run in a long time. I am tired, feeling good & completely ready for this Sunday. It feels pretty incredible to have already run 184 miles this year. It’s pretty amazing that I am more than halfway to my goal within five months of setting it. I deserve a good pat on the back, if I do say so myself.

I’ve learned a lot about myself this month. I have the ability to run nearly 10 miles every weekend for five weeks in a row. I take naps after my long runs because nothing else feels quite right. I’m addicted to running under the shelter of trees & woods & forest. I’ve even started smiling at other runners when they glide by.

I think the most profound experience I’ve had this month is when I fainted. I’d been under a time of stress & pressure and wasn’t fueling my body properly. I went out for a run on a very hot afternoon and ran my first mile in under 10 minutes. I felt alive and fast and free. Then, I started feeling woozy around 1.5 miles. I really needed something to drink. Or maybe to slow down. So I stopped, rested against a tree, and fainted (but only for a few minutes). When I came to, all I wanted was to get back to my car in one piece.

The experience showed me that I really need to take better care of myself sometimes. When I am feeling anxious, I tend to lack. I don’t eat. I can’t sleep. And I don’t want to do anything, really. If I run after a few days of that – I will always have trouble with my endurance. I need to remember that when I’m feeling woozy. Food is love. Water is care. Sleep is immeasurable, really.

So this week is about fueling & taking care of my body. My half marathon is five days away, and I’m ready. I know I can tear apart my time from the last time I ran, and I’m excited that I’ve kept up with this goal for so long.

Wish me luck, friends. I will leave you with this inspirational tune that will undoubtedly be playing in my head come race day:

This month was a doozy in terms of running. It was the first official month of half marathon training, and I had 72 miles slotted for the month. I ended up running 57 miles (with another 4 tomorrow, bring it to 61) because I skipped a few runs when I was sick and in California. Ultimately, I’m pretty pleased with this mileage, and I’ve completed almost 1/3 of my goal in just three months. Training for a race really racks up the miles.

I’ve learned a few things about myself as a runner this month. Running has given me hours to think and ruminate, so I have plenty to say about my experiences.

It’s extremely helpful to have a running partner who is a tad faster than you. It’s motivating & inspiring, but also sometimes annoying. Kristen can talk more than I can, and sometimes I feel like a weak link in our running conversations. But she’s always fine when I tell her, “I can’t talk this mile.”

Hill running is important, necessary, and I should stop avoiding it. I’ve had two of my most favorite runs this week on the same trail in Schenley Park. I had to walk for 15 seconds, but I’m okay with that. I can tell I’m getting faster and gaining more endurance by running this awful hills.

I am not eating enough protein. It shows in my diet, lack of energy, and lack of muscle rebuilding. I’m working on ways to include protein powder into my mornings and more lean meats throughout the day. I don’t want to feel so depleted the day after a run.

Running is helping me lose weight and stay fit. I’m maintaining a five-pound loss on Weight Watchers and consistently losing each week. Even better than that, I’m wearing a pair of jeans today that used to be uncomfortably tight. An added perk.

I am more at peace. I think this might be the most important thing I’ve learned. I feel restful. I feel more at peace and calm when I run. Running is my therapy (in addition to my real therapy). I don’t have a lot of work stress, but I do worry about what people think sometimes or stupid things like that. When I’ve finished a run, most of those worries or insecurities have completely left me. I especially like that.

In April, I am scheduled to run 100 miles. Wow, that sounds insane just writing it out. But I’m running high mileage on Sundays, and I’m still only running 4 days a week. I like this schedule quite a bit. Here’s to a good half marathon time (I’m hoping for 2:25 or better. That would be a 10-minute improvement from three years ago, and I think I can do it!)

EDITED TO ADD: I just realized there was one more day in this month, which brings my grand total up to 61 miles this month!