song of the day: 'take it on the run' by reo speedwagon
as most of you know, i am a runner. i love it. it's kinda my drug. i run in basically any weather, any time, anywhere. but i wasn't always that way.
i started running about 6 years ago. it was right after isaiah was born, and matt was inspired to start training for a marathon. i thought he was a whole bunch of crazy at the time, but as i watched him get into it, he began to inspire me.
see, i had a really hard time after having a baby. i felt like i was losing myself, who i was apart from this little helpless being who needed me all the time. i needed an outlet, something that made me feel good about myself, and boosted my energy. so i tried running.
oh it was hard in the beginning. i could only run a few minutes at a time, then i'd walk, but i'd always go out for a half hour. each time i could run a little bit more. the day that i ran for a full 30 minutes straight, was the best day ever. that's when it clicked for me and i became a runner for life.
now i don't think i did it the right way, i signed up for a marathon after only running for 6 months. but on november 19, 2007 i finished the tulsa route 66 marathon in 4 hours and 45 minutes. i cried when i crossed the line and my dad was the first person to hug me. i told him it was the hardest thing i'd ever done. he told me 'never again.' but they put that medal around my neck and i was hooked!
so to date, i've done 3 full marathons (trained for another but got injured and had to drop out 3 days before the race), 2 halfs, and a number of 5ks, including three where i won my age division. i plan to run another half-marathon this spring, possibly in oklahoma city, any takers???
so hopefully you've made it this far. i do want to talk about getting started. i encourage any and every one to run. it's like one of the joys of my life.
first off, GET SOME GOOD SHOES!!! that's the most important part. i go to fleet feet for my shoes. they have a very knowledgeable staff, and what's more, they put you on a treadmill and study your foot strike and can recommend the best shoes for you. i spend more money on running shoes than i do on anything else in my wardrobe. it's that important to me. and you can spend loads on other running gear, like wicking shorts and socks and bras and shirts, but i just run in whatever. my money goes into shoes.
next, SIGN UP FOR A RACE!!!! nothing motivates more than putting your money on the line. plus having a goal never hurt anyone. just make sure you give yourself enough time to train. you don't want to over do it and then get injured or burned out.
now, FIND SOME INSPIRATION!!!! that can be in the form of a running partner, an awesome playlist, some cute running shorts, or buying a subscription to runner's world (which i highly recommend). runner's world can give you tips, race info, there are forums where you can discuss different issues, and the stories will get you way motivated. seriously, it's like running gold.
and if you've never in your life ran a step, there is a brilliant little training program called 'couch to 5k'. it gives you a plan to get started.
and please please please don't hesitate to email me with questions if you have any! like i said, i love to encourage people to take up running.
and now that you are a running goddess, sit back and enjoy your accomplishment!!! but just remember to take your bottle of bubbly out of the freezer after about 20 minutes or you'll be drinking celebratory champagne slushies like we did!
13 comments:
wow, you are awesome! I'm taking up running again so this is a great post! now I know where to run (pun intended) to for some motivation! ^,^
I have to say you were one of my inspirations to finally run a real race after being a casual runner for years. I did a half in November in 1:49 and it was the best summer of my life training. My mind was clear, my body was toned, it was simply amazing. I am since pregnant and due in September but I plan to do a full marathon sometime next year when I am ready. Thanks for the post I hope it inspires people as much as you have inspired me! Thank you!
OK, you are inspiring me! I started running a couple of months ago but never could get past 2 miles. I'm now up to 4.5 miles and I think I should sign up for a race to keep the momentum and motivation going. No marathons for me, but maybe a 5 or 10K.
Here's a question: My feet and shins hurt after running (right now I'm on a treadmill in my basement), any suggestions to prevent this?
this is VERY inspiring, amanda! i totally hate running - but i am looking at the couch to 5k website now, and i think i already know why - it says most people start too fast with high expectations. that's so me. whenever i go out and run, i think im going to run a few miles, but my body isnt ready and i fail...so i quit. looking at the plan they suggest, i am SO going to start. TODAY. small steps.
thank you for sharing! cheers (with a champy slushy, of course!)
running is great! especially when your hubs does it with you and ESPECIALLY post baby. this is a wonderful post that i totally connect with. my next race is the cooper river bridge run (10K) in charleston. it's a blast and you should check it out somtime!
first of all, i love how every time i read the title of your new post i immediately start singing the line from the song in my head [and it stays there for a while..]. you are such a trooper! i was a serious runner in high school [mostly sprints and field events] and have tried many times to pick it back up but i am horridly out of shape. maybe i will try one more time...with success?! :)
you are amazing.
What an inspiring post Amanda! I love to run too...but I don't think I would ever go in for a marathon! I'm more of a jog for twenty minutes and then do a bundle of 100 meter sprints type girl (I LOVE to sprint...and I'm pretty fast if I do say so myself).
But I am SO IMPRESSED by anyone who runs distance. You're awesome.
heart: miss furnellie (with a baby in her belly)
I'm always amazed when you talk about your running! You're so inspiring.
Thank you for sharing this link, I'm definitely going to be using it!
I wish that I enjoyed running... I just don't, haha. My dad runs with Team in Training, though. He started running to blow off steam in his early 20s, and ran a couple of marathons when I was a little kid, but mostly stuck to trail runs. He was diagnosed with tertiary Non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2008, and, while undergoing chemo, joined Team In Training. Since then, he's gone into complete remission. He's also ran two marathons in one month, two half-marathons and one full marathon in a month, raised about 20,000 dollars for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. He goes on these epically long runs every weekend. He really inspires me! You runners are really somethin' else :)
Yes so glad you got around to writing the running post! It's awesome that you have a built in running buddy with Matt. Even if you don't run together you know that both of you are getting out there and continuing to take care of your bodies (ehem). It's all very good. And I would be lying if I didn't say that I thought of you on all my recent runs. INSPIRATION out the wazoo.
can we just trade our motivations? cause that would be great.
okay question. how do you get yourself out there in the cold? i do fine with the running during spring summer and fall, but come winter and there's no way you could drag me out there. the weather is always anywhere from -20 to -40 (-5 to -40 in F) so tips on how to cope that would be most excellent.
So glad I found this post! I started the Couch to 5k program two months ago & am now on week 6 (had to do a couple of repeat weeks during our move to a new house!) When I started, I could barely run a full minute without stopping. This past Friday I ran a solid 20 minutes & felt a similar boost of energy/encouragement. It was an unbelievable rush and such a strong feeling of accomplishment, I can see why people get hooked on this!
The thought of running a marathon totally scares me, but perhaps I will get there one day!
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