Carter County 5K

I ran my hometown Relay for Life 5K this past Saturday in Grayson, a small community in Northeastern Kentucky. It was a good race and fun time, and I would like for more local families to enjoy it as much as my husband and I did.

When we approached the registration table, I saw familiar faces: a childhood friend, the local optometrist and race director, and my grade school health and PE teacher.  I pinned on my race bib, ran a short primer around a city block, and inquired about the Dyer girls, local athletic phenoms and daughters of a runner friend. I figured it was their year to shine at the race. They were out of town.

We lined up at the start between two orange cones, and I scanned the small crowd looking for a competitor. The woman wearing the marathon shirt caught my eye.

With enthusiasm, my friend called out, "On your mark, get set, ... "  Then dejectedly added, "The gun didn't go off."

For a second time it didn't sound on cue, but someone yelled to go on, so we did. I started out fast and tried to slow down, but by mile three, that wasn't a problem.

After mile two I encountered a barking dog protecting its territory, and I yelled out to the man in the yard, "Sir, that scares runners."

The last mile was a challenge, a gradual uphill battle.  I was happy to be the first woman of the 51 runners to reach the finish banner where volunteers held watches to keep time and pulled the tabs off the bibs. The director was still running the course, and bottled water sat in shrink wrapped pallets, so I walked back down Main Street to cheer on incoming runners.

The street was lined with church bake sales for the upcoming Memory Days Parade.  I was the only one clapping, and the sound echoed against the buildings.  One runner thanked me for applauding her effort.  The runners recovered and mingled until the race came to a close with a nice awards ceremony recognizing those who placed in their age groups.  The director mentioned that he had no awards for under age 15 because no one participated in that category.  That is quite telling.

This is in contrast to the community were I live, Apex, NC.  Today, my daughter's school running club of 3rd through 5th graders finished its spring season with a 5K beginning on the school grounds.  My hometown race had 51 participants;  the school race had 47 children.  I hope my daughter will be cleared to run by next Spring and that she will join other youth running through the streets of my hometown.

No More 5K Training

I just got back from my last speed work before an upcoming 5K race on Saturday.  I had wanted to see if I could improve my time, so I trained for this one.  I had not trained for a 5K before, and on the run I decided that I won't do it again.  One of my friends recently asked me why I need to train for a 5K.  She had a point.  What I would like to do is run them with my husband and girls for fun.

At this time last year, my husband, oldest daughter and I ran a race together, and it was fun.  It was my husband's first 5K, and my daughter's second.   My daughter and I had run the race a year or two before that, and to our surprise, she placed in her first race.  After the race I knew she had done well, but she had no idea.  I was delighted at watching her response when she was called forward to claim a medal and a gift certificate.   Now, we look forward to the day she can run again.  For the past 10 months, she has been told by her orthopedist to avoid running long distance, and he considers a mile to be long distance for a nine-year-old.  My daughter has a knee condition that calls for rest with the hope that healing will occur.  She can't wait to run and participate in the running club and to play soccer.  And, I can't wait to watch her.  Running races with her and watching her accomplishments is much more rewarding than my running and placing in a 5K.

Bald Head Island Loop

Today I ran a loop around Bald Head Island to make 10 miles.  It was a cool morning with threatening rain clouds, but while running, the conditions were just right.  I started around 7:15 AM with a map in my belt pouch on Seagull Trail and turned right onto West Bald Head Wynd to make my way toward the Island Conservancy.  The terrain and houses were familiar because we had ventured by golf cart along the same route to play in the waves on East Beach.

Because I sensed rain was imminent and had inadvertently gotten my shoes and socks wet taking pictures at the beach, I decided I should head back instead of exploring East Beach.  I thought I would enjoy the beach area more, but the return trip on Federal Road, which runs parallel to the creek and salt marsh, was serene and lovely -- at least at first.   I learned that you could make an adventure of running the Island if you have enough time and good weather.  Additionally, I learned that bugs and mosquitos thrive along Federal Road, and that it's a busy thoroughfare around 8:30 AM on a Friday morning.  Each time I stopped and stepped off the pavement to take pictures (emitting vast amounts of attractive carbon dioxide), bugs and mosquitos flocked to me.  After a while it wasn't worth it to stop;  I'll count the mosquito bites in the morning.

I had to tell myself to enjoy the run and to not try to capture it.  Then the traffic increased.  I imagine that, in season, the golf cart traffic would mimic HWY 55 in Apex.  But on this morning I enjoyed the stately trees dripping with Spanish moss.  I added on the harbor area and another mile out and back to make 10 miles.  It was a nice end to a great week at Bald Head Island.        

I'll Take What the Run Gives

Runners often say that you never know what the day will bring when talking with friends before an upcoming race, and we tell ourselves that, maybe as a defense mechanism so that we aren't disappointed with the outcome.  We can't control the weather, and we don't know how our bodies will feel or perform on any given day.

Today for speed work I was listening to Mumford and Sons, and as I finished my two-mile warm up, I was pleased that "Little Lion Man" began to play with its 180 beats per minute.  While counting my footfalls I favored one foot, got frustrated, and quit counting.   I was sluggish and my legs felt heavy;  I did not like what the day was giving me.  On this glorious day at the beach I clocked a 7:40 pace. During my three minute walk and jog before the next interval, I began making excuses: the full sun; lack of sleep for two nights; and Syrah with dinner and a sidecar cocktail the previous night.

I started the next three quarters of a mile wondering what it would bring.  I was relieved to find my expected pace of 7:15.  Next, my half mile was on target as I found myself entering the picturesque harbor.  I took copious pictures and lingered during my break.  After feeling good about my progress, I wanted to be finished and stay to absorb the ambiance, the sights and sounds.  What would another quarter mile do for me anyway?  I made myself finish the session, but I didn't pay attention to my pace except to notice that I had slowed.  I didn't care.  A family was embarking on a kayak excursion on the marsh side of the harbor.  Oh, yes, my family wants to do that, I thought.  It snapped me out of my self-absorption and had me longing to get back to them.  Almost home, I remembered the cool down and turned back to add the last half mile.  I ran to the island chapel, a fitting destination to finish the run as I was thankful for what the run gave me today.

Reflecting on the Amendment

As Mother's Day comes to a close, I'm sitting with my laptop on a beach house porch overlooking the ocean at the mouth of the Cape Fear River on Bald Head Island, NC.  The beach is my favorite place to be. My family and some friends are inside playing Wits and Wagers and tired from our time on the beach. The blender has begun to whirl.  

My day started with a rare run with my husband during which we explored a few miles of the island together.  This is our first time to visit, and we might have found a favorite vacation spot.  It almost seems too perfect here.  The island is secluded and restorative and just what I need now because I am in the midst of an existential crisis.  I thought it had passed, but it returned with a vengeance.

Since my last published post, I wrote a post and wrote an essay in my head during a 10 miler.  Actually, I was ruminating and expanding on my thoughts about the passage of the amendment in my state that defines marriage as between one man and one woman.  I restrained myself from posting my thoughts.  When I started this blog, I wanted to keep politics and religion out of it.  After all, they are usually not topics one broaches at a polite, social gathering among a diverse group.

I have found it difficult to stay silent here because I consider myself an advocate for the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender) community.  I am a counselor through education and training.  Counselors are not supposed to keep silent on issues such as this.  This is who I am.  So, if you read my blog, know that I must be genuine.  I voted against this amendment.  Most voters in the Triangle area where I live are like minded and voted against it; however, most rural voters supported the amendment.  Through social media I watched as friends on both sides of the issue posted reminders to vote their way and then friends, on both sides, were either upset, angry, hurt, bewildered or a mix of these following the vote and ensuing comments.  People on opposing sides think the other side is just wrong.  

I feel guilty because I am able to escape somewhat from LGBT issues.  I am not currently a practicing counselor.  Heck, I'm on an island accessible only by ferry or boat, inhabited with affluent residents with cultural capital.  People who are gay or love those who are cannot escape from their struggle for equality at the hands of the majority -- at least not in today's world.

Voted on the Run

Today, North Carolina held primary elections.  I like election days because I feel empowered;  my voice is heard.  The big draw to the polls was the opportunity to vote in favor of or against an amendment to the State constitution.  The new amendment, if approved by voters, would define marriage as between one man and one woman.

I gathered all my gear and set out on a warm up for speed work, a run that takes me past my designated polling place, St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church.  The Church is about a mile from my house, so I was glistening when I walked through the door.  I seemed out of place among the elder election volunteers and few citizens gathered to cast their ballots.  But, I was happy.  I was happy to have the opportunity to vote and happy because I was on a run.  Talking with volunteers, I learned that I was the third person on a run to stop in today.  I watched my ballot be tabulated and received my "I voted" sticker.  I love wearing that sticker:  It's like a badge that states I did my civic duty.

I ran another mile and paused to take off my fuel belt, which contained my sample ballot.  I noticed my calves were tighter than ever as a result of my new running form, but I was able to go about the workout with confidence and a swift pace.   Many people and pets were on the trail, almost like obstacles, perhaps because of the beautiful weather or the opportunity to vote.   When I finished I noticed my sticker was missing, so on the cool down, I ran back to get a new one.  Standing just inside the door to the Church was a couple I know and another man I recognized from my children's bus stop.  Suddenly conscious of my flushed face and dripping sweat, I blurted out that I was embarrassed for them to see me like that.  They didn't seem to mind.   Grateful for the new sticker, I tucked it safely inside the pouch on my belt and started on my route toward home.  In the parking lot I passed an acquaintance who had been pushing her baby's stroller on the trail as I ran past.  Making assumptions, I thought that our votes must have cancelled out each other's.  Either way, she probably felt as satisfied with her sticker as I was with mine.

A-ha! That's How to Run!

This morning I made progress in changing my form to become a more efficient runner.  I've been working on this for a week and added it to new strength training.  It's been difficult to discern why my muscles are sore.  Is it because of the weights, the classes, the runs?  Probably all of it.  This is a picture into how my progress has gone so far:

Take one:  Basic Training class;  Running portion on tiptoes: Slow and awkward.

Take two:  Five mile run on tiptoes; Slow and awkward.  

Take three:  10 mile run on tiptoes to heel;  Fast and uncomfortable.  

Take four:  Five mile run on tiptoes to heel;  Fast and uncomfortable until "A-ha!"  I understand now. 

I've read about proper technique, listened to people explain how to achieve it, and watched videos, but I still didn't get it until today.   I had been armed with this information:  land with my feet under my hips (never in front), move my feet quickly, and lean forward.  In practice I landed on the front of my foot, rolled to my heel and pushed off while keeping my footfall under my torso and leaning forward.  When I told my husband what I had been doing, he said that's impossible.  It's amazing that I can still walk and haven't injured myself.  

Today on my run with a friend, who successfully changed her form, I uttered, "A-ha!"  Talking through it while running brought clarity.  I had shared with her how sore I am and asked how long her conversion took.  It took  a month to change and condition herself to hit 180 foot strikes per minute.   One week down, I thought.  I told her how I'd been slapping the ground heavily with the front of my foot before rolling back to my heel.  "Your heel never touches the ground,"  she said.  My husband said the same thing earlier in the week, but it didn't register.  How did I not get it?  The video showed runners springing off the front of their feet, and it made perfect sense.   I thought I mastered it on Saturday when I was merely expending more energy to run faster (and hurting myself). I look forward to tomorrow's run.  

Changing Running Form Process

This morning I made progress in changing my form to become a more efficient runner.  I've been working on this for a week and added it to new strength training.  It's been difficult to discern why my muscles are sore.  Is it because of the weights, the classes, the runs?  Probably all of it.  This is a picture into how my progress has gone so far:

Take one:  Basic Training class;  Running portion on tiptoes: Slow and awkward.

Take two:  Five mile run on tiptoes; Slow and awkward.  

Take three:  10 mile run on tiptoes to heel;  Fast and uncomfortable.  

Take four:  Five mile run on tiptoes to heel;  Fast and uncomfortable until "A-ha!"  I understand now. 

I've read about proper technique, listened to people explain how to achieve it, and watched videos, but I still didn't get it until today.   I had been armed with this information:  land with my feet under my hips (never in front), move my feet quickly, and lean forward.  In practice I landed on the front of my foot, rolled to my heel and pushed off while keeping my footfall under my torso and leaning forward.  When I told my husband what I had been doing, he said that's impossible.  It's amazing that I can still walk and haven't injured myself.  

Today on my run with a friend, who successfully changed her form, I uttered, "A-ha!"  Talking through it while running brought clarity.  I had shared with her how sore I am and asked how long her conversion took.  It took  a month to change and condition herself to hit 180 foot strikes per minute.   One week down, I thought.  I told her how I'd been slapping the ground heavily with the front of my foot before rolling back to my heel.  "Your heel never touches the ground,"  she said.  My husband said the same thing earlier in the week, but it didn't register.  How did I not get it?  The video showed runners springing off the front of their feet, and it made perfect sense.   I thought I had figured it out on Saturday when I was merely expending more energy to run faster (and hurting myself). I look forward to tomorrow's run.  

I am a heel striker

I am a heel striker, and I want to reform my ways.  For a while, I didn't know that I wasn't using proper technique.  I just ran;  it felt natural.   Then I noticed friends reading and raving about "Born to Run" and buying minimalist shoes.  Finally, I read the book and bought the shoes.  After that, I didn't change anything because it would have taken time to learn something new, and I didn't want slowing down to affect my chances of qualifying for Boston.  It's time now.    

How does one learn to run properly, and not just study how, but practice by doing drills, adjusting, adapting, and ultimately, run more efficiently?   I am about to find out how difficult it is and how long it takes.   Today after my speed work and while folding laundry, I watched "Evolution Running," a 45 -minute DVD that teaches how to become a more efficient runner.  It was straightforward, and most of it made sense.  I  have more information to read and drills to try.  If I feel I am already running naturally, and I am not, how difficult will it be to retrain myself to a new normal?  It seems daunting.   My motivator is that if I can run with the proper technique, it should be easier to run, and I might even be faster.  That sounds too good not to try.