Run Streak Success

My first day of my Holiday Run Streak was great.  I ran 5.1 miles and was feeling awesome!  So excited that I wanted to run , and that it felt good too.  Day #2 proved to be a pretty decent 2 miles.  Then I hit a bad patch on day #3.  One very hard, what seemed like forever mile.  No worries,  I pulled it back together for day 4 and 5, with 3 miles each, and then....Day 6, 7, 8, 9 happened.  Each of those days I was managing to "Squeak" my run in.  I knew I only had to go one little mile to make it count.  I didn't want to let myself down.  So I jumped on my tread mill at 9:30 at night just to "get it done".  These were not very fast miles, and they felt particularly awful.  Each morning after, when I awoke, my body was sore.  What on earth had I done?  I only ran a mile.

Day 10.  I made a choice.  I chose to break my streak.  Now I couldn't post to Twitter on my accomplishment, or keep up with my Streaking friends.  But was it all bad?

On Day 11, with a one day break, I ran a fantastic 3 miles.  It was a great decision for ME.  I learned a bit more about myself.
No, I didn't even come close to the goal of completing the 30+ days of running. But what I did do...

• Started running again
• Remembered that I enjoy running (when I wasn't just "getting it done")
• Learned that my body really does prefer a morning to mid-day workout
• Learned that my body likes a break now and then
• Started feeling mentally and physically better
• Remembered that although I'm busy, I can get some miles in, even if I miss one of my workout windows for the day
• Learned that just because I didn't hit my original goal, doesn't mean I failed

We all have to decide what success and failure mean in context in our lives.  I was so worried about failing to reach my goal, that I was missing what my body was saying to me.  In the end when I chose a different path, I attained success.  Not my original goal, but success in my running moving forward.

To all of you still Streaking.  Great Job!  I'm not sure I'll ever figure out how you do it.  For those of you who have stopped, Great Job trying.  And for those of you who haven't tried a streak, I think I would recommend trying it to see what you find out.

And 6 days after I ended my streak, I did my fist Half Marathon in 9 months.  Stay tuned to see how that turned out.

Holiday Run Streak?

Everyone is all a twitter with the holiday run streak.  I have not done well at all getting my workouts in.  With a busy schedule, if I miss the slot in my day for a workout, due to lack of motivation at that moment, I generally have lost out on that day.  So sure, I'm all in for a holiday run streak.  Good way to get me going. Right?

Nope!  I have come to realize, more honestly (even though I've mentioned it before) that my motivation comes from doomsday,  I mean race day.  I actually love races, they are not doom, but it means I must be somewhat prepared for that day or I will fail.  I do not like the thought of failure.

So here I am, 3 days into the run streak, and I have yet to put in one mile.  But my savior, I have a half marathon in T-14 days.  The Holiday Half Marathon. One of my favorites.  I get to wear a super fun outfit, and it is usually cool to cold, my favorite running weather.

Today I realized I had 3 uninterrupted hours to do something. And, I was already too far from my house to make a round trip back to clean or organize. So what to do? Head to the gym for a run.  Not being a fan of the treadmill, I was a bit hesitant, but knew if I blew off this opportunity, another day would get away from me. So off I went.

I got on the treadmill with the intention of 5 miles, but sort of talking myself down to 3. I picked one with the Ohio State/Michigan game on.  This was a good game. A nail biter. In no time I had gone 2 miles, without even noticing.  As the game came to an end (Michigan so close to upsetting Ohio St.) I began to get bored. So I hit the "random" button on the treadmill.  Off on the hills I went.  I found this to be just what I needed, variety, and a challenge.  I went from 1 to 6 percent incline, and sure enough, the time and the miles whizzed by.

I finished the final hill at 5.1 miles. Legs feeling great, but exercised. So here I begin what is hopefully my streak, with the half marathon looming.  Run Streak - 1

Now to find the perfect outfit.

Here are the last two years choices.

2012 - Little Miss Christmas, Sparkle Santa skirt, and I even have real lights around my waist

2011 - Little Miss Christmas, and Candy Cane Legs

And sometimes.....Life Wins, but that's not the end of the story

Oh my goodness... It's been two weeks since my last "scheduled" training. I've fit a few workouts in, but it has really been two weeks.

Wait, wait, wait...don't count me out. I still think I got some decent "non traditional" workouts in.

I sit here wanting to write about my running and triathlon training, but life seems to have taken a temporary stronghold on my schedule.  Let's just say, I don't even think a screen writer could come up with this story line. I had even signed up and was ready to do a sprint Triathlon last weekend.

But... Instead if taking this a check-mark in the loss column, let's see what I did get done, as far as exercise.

Dancing

Three Days Grace Rocked the house

Trampoline

Super BBQ, and I know I burned off those calories.  Accompanied by volleyball and horseshoes.

Bookcase Building

Thank you Ikea and the hex wrench

Golf

Looking good always makes golf even better

So when life throws you a detour, enjoy the little stops along the way until you return to the planned path.  Work, life, training balance can't always be achieved, but you can still have fun and be active.

If you can't get your planned training in, what do you do for alternate exercise?

Running a Relay...6 person Style

Subtitle: "We Must Be Crazy" and "Deep Introspection"

It's the end of August, so what does that mean here in Portland?  Hood To Coast Relay time.  I have never run the Hood to Coast relay myself, but it is all the chatter around here every year.  I thought I'd take this opportunity to look back at the Relays I've done the past 3 years.

Here's the "Normal" scenario...Let's look at Hood to Coast.
Hood To Coast
TOTAL TEAMS: 1,050 teams of 12 runners (min. 8) in 2 vans
RACE COURSE: Hood To Coast is 198 miles long.
TOTAL PARTICIPANTS: The 2013 event will include 12,600 runners (About 1,000 Teams)

And a little explanation from Ragnar Relays
You and 11 of your craziest friends (or 5 of your crazier friends for an ultra team) pile into two vans and tag team running 200(ish) miles, day and night, relay-style. Only one runner hits the road at a time. Each participant runs three times, with each leg ranging between 3-8 miles and varying in difficulty.

Here's my Scenario
TEAM SIZE: 6  (See note above *You and 5 of your crazier fiends) in 1 Van
RACE COURSE: About 200 miles long
TOTAL PARTICIPANTS: 150-250 Teams of 12, 6, (or even crazier 5,4,3,2,1)
Each participant runs three times, with each leg ranging between 6-16 miles and varying in difficulty.

Let's start in 2010.  We shall call this year "Too wide Eyed to know better"

While sitting on the Strip in Las Vegas, having just completed, my first Half Marathon, my college room mate and friend, CK2 asked if I'd like to join her and her husband, JK, on a 200 mile relay in 6 months.  I had heard of these relays, and thought it sounded like fun.  My training partner, JT piped up and said "I'm in"..and so began our journey into Overnight Relays.

Our team "SIX PACK" was made up of the following cast.  CK2-mama and wife, JK - Husband, Myself, my training partner - JT, CK2's other college friend (and now mine as I mentioned in an earlier post) - EB, and JB - her brother.  We believe he is a runner in denial. As you can see a small team of six fairly newbie runners (except for EB). Destination - Woodstock, New York for Ragnar Relay NY (They no longer offer this route).

For six months we planned, we made spreadsheets of our legs (we are about 50% running nerds too), we made travel plans, and converged in New York to all pile into 1 mini van (not a 15 passenger van), and start our journey.

The MINI Van

We started out with so much energy and joy.  But that energy started to fade, and the joy turned to illness,  frustration, and a lot of wondering if we could actually do this.  As a 12 person team, you get two vans that leap frog, after 6 runners in the van have completed their 1st of 3 legs.  So at any given time.. One van is resting, showering, eating, etc.  With a 6 person team, you run 2 legs back to back, and then switch runners.  The van only stops long enough for the runner to return.  There are no showers, no resting outside the van, no eating at restaurants.  It is 30 hours in and out of the van like a revolving door.

Enjoying the Run in New York

EB had the first double leg, which ended up being longer than a half marathon.  We all took our turns, and by the time we got back to EB for round 2, our team was starting to unravel.  Dehydration, lack of salt, puking, then more puking.  These long hot double legs were taking their toll.  We were scrambling in the van. Rearranging the so "perfectly" made spreadsheet.  Who would fill in?  How many legs could a healthy runner pick up, and still do their own legs?  We made it through the night, barely.  I was on my morning leg, when I noticed the van coming towards me.  This is not right! The van should be ahead of me.  I should be following it.  They pull over, roll down the window, and say "get in!  We are just going to drive to the next major check point, get some rest, and run a few legs from there.  We've already let the race officials know."

What? Are you kidding me?  I'm feeling good this morning. I'm not fast, but I'm moving and enjoying it.  I didn't fly across the country to not run when I can.  I argued, and told them to just let me run my legs, and they could decide what to do after that.  JB agreed that I should be able to at least run my run, and off I went.  JT met me at the halfway point of my leg.  He explained that no one wanted to get so hurt/ill that they ended up in the hospital.  I agreed, but wanted to still finish my run.

I'm not really sure what happened in that van while I was running, but by the time I was done, the SIX PACK was ready to continue.  And with that, onward we went.  When EB crossed that finish line, we were all smiles.  We had done it, and conquered all of our pains and illness and doubt.  The best Part.  We came in 3rd in our Division.  Woo Hoo.  Awesome Bling for that!

SIX PACK finish in NY

After all of that, you'd think team SIX PACK was done.  But like all runners, we were planning the next one very soon.  We decided to try the West Coast in 2011.  So the "Much wiser" SIX PACK planned for Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage.

We knew what we were doing this time.  We got a 15 Passenger van.  So much more room.  We knew what we were training for.  And after a year, we were all much stronger athletes too.  We packed the proper nutrition, had super awesome outfits, and the race went down perfectly.  Just Kidding.  It's never quite what you plan.  We still had to rearrange our fabulous spreadsheet, when someone just couldn't make their body do , what the body wasn't ready to do.  But this time we didn't panic.  And trying to recall the race 2 years later, my memory is of a pretty good run.

With a logo and "official" uniforms we were ready for this one, and finished in style.

Of course we were "All In" for 2012.  Setting our sights higher, we opted for the Wild West Relay - "Get Your Ass Over The Pass" - Yup, Here is a brief course description.  "Starting in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Fort Collins, and finishing in the beautiful Steamboat Springs. Much of this very scenic and remote course runs through National Forests or on dirt roads." And Not 1, but 2 Mountain passes. Pass 1 -"After crossing the summit of Sand Creek Pass (10,269 feet), the road descends to the Laramie River. Pass 2 - "Now Get Your Ass Over the Pass! - Rabbit Ears Pass - and the Continental Divide (9573 feet)"

So smart, aren't we?  We are all strong runners and triathletes now.  We all live below 1,000 feet.  Who cares if we need to run at 10,000 feet.  "WE GOT THIS!" And the best part is, at the end, we can stay in a beautiful condo for a few days, on the mountain in Steamboat.

You can see where all of this is headed right?  Oh wait!  I forgot to mention, JB will not be joining us this year.  We will now be a team of 5.  New team name "SURVIVE WITH 5"

SURVIVE WITH 5 - and another cool team logo

The 5 of us converged in Colorado, ready, but also nervous to start this race.  In a slightly different fashion, the rules of this relay for a 6 and under team are to rotate single legs.  So the individual runs are shorter, but instead of say 3 long runs, you'd do 6 short ones.  Of course we had 5 people for 36 legs.  This was a whole new animal.  We had no idea the effect elevation would have on our muscles for this prolonged activity.  The up hills and down hills were unrelenting.  The scenery BEAUTIFUL!!!!.  One of the most beautiful runs I have ever done.

Flying into the exchange.    "Deadman Hill" They weren't kidding.       Getting up the hill.         Need Compression now!

But somewhere in the wee morning hours, this team had hit its biggest wall ever.  Some could just not continue, some were not quite sure, and some wanted to keep going.  A discussion ensued for what seemed like an eternity, and in the end we called it QUITS.  Yes.  I said it.  We quit.  This was the first time in my life I had not completed something I had set out to do.  It was a quiet, long van ride to the "End".  We would be spending the next few days together, but I think we were all unsure what to say.  It took a few hours before we could all talk again.  But we did.

The next day we set out on a hike to the top of Steamboat, and RAN down.  A noncompetitive, totally freeing trail run.  It was absolutely amazing.  And just what we needed to bring the TEAM back together.

Trail run in Steamboat.  Amazing run with great friends.

We didn't sign up for a relay this year.  We may again sometime, we may do something different.  These three very different experiences were all great and tough in their individual ways.  I love my teammates, and can't wait for our next adventures together and individually.

So Cheers to all you Hood To Coasters.  I hope you have a great run and a wonderful experience. But no matter how your actual run turns out, I know you will look back, and be so grateful for the experiences, as I have been.

My Nemesis...The Treadmill

Its a Beautiful Sunday morning, sun is out, but not too warm.  So what to do?  Sunday long run outside, of course.  Right?  NOPE!  Not today.  I have promised my kids I will take them to the gym with me.  And, to go with our schedule, this morning is it.  So I rally my troops, get in the car, and head to the closest 24 Hour Fitness.  I check the kids into Kids Club, and off I go.  Upstairs to the Cardio Zone.

I have a serious problem with the treadmill.  Sure it is great when it is the middle of the Oregon rainy season (6 months of constant rain). Or, when I want to sneak in a workout at lunch, because the shower is right there.  But it was nice out today.  Strike 1 against the treadmill.  The second problem, I usually talk myself into a shorter distance, somewhere in the middle of my treadmill runs.  Boredom I suspect.  I'd rather be anywhere else.  But today..this was going to be my workout.  5 miles on the treadmill, and maybe a swim after.  (I haven't been in the pool in 3 months)

I turn the corner towards the treadmills.  There are only a few people on them, so I have a pretty large choice.  Proper treadmill selection is key.  Someone is on the one I usually take.  That one at least offers a view of people lifting downstairs, and I can see out to the street.  I don't want to be right next to someone when there are plenty of machines open, so I move 2 to the left.  As I get on it, I feel a breeze from the air conditioning system.  This is a good sign.  Slightly cool before I start, I wont bake in the middle of the workout.  I no longer run with music, and I do not like to have the treadmills with the TVs attached.  That is way too close to my face, and makes my eyes buggy.

The Precor, My usual style (without the TV)

So I get on the machine, feet to the sides, press Quick Start, up my elevation and speed, and jump on.  It always feels too fast at first, but I find if I start slow, the whole treadmill run ends up being at too slow a pace.  So I always start at the slowest speed I ever want to be in that workout,  I figure the 5 miles will take me about 48 minutes plenty of time to still jump in the pool.

Wow, I'm feeling good.  I can do this.  I have no where else to be, I'm not rushed, and I'm almost 3/4 of a mile in without even noticing time pass.  Then....It all starts to go downhill (except for the treadmill elevation).

Shark Sonic Duo

In the cardio area there are 10 TVs, with a variety of programming from news to sports to TNT. (I have no idea why that channel is always on.)  But what is in front of me???  An infomercial.  A Loooooooong 30 minute infomercial on the "Shark Sonic Duo".  Over and over and over I see the vacuuming, and the tape on the carpet showing dirty and clean.  It is such a bad commercial that I'm not sure weather to laugh or cringe.  I start cringing.  And then it really starts bugging me. I think.." I want off this treadmill.  I don't want to see this anymore.  Maybe I should just cut my run to 5K."  Like I said. I'm pretty good about talking myself into a shorter workout on the treadmill.  I manage to stay on through the rest of the infomercial.  I'm about 24 minutes into my run.  Woo hoo, I made it through.  And then....Infomercial #2 comes on.  The Nu Wave cooker or something.  Honestly.  Just too much for me.  I'm sure you are wondering why I didn't look away, but there were really no other TVs in a good sight line or distance.  I was trapped.  So I finished 5K, pushed STOP, cleared my workout, and walked to the water fountain.

And then I thought, "I'm not quitting today".  I turned around, and chose a new treadmill, right behind my usual one, and the Sunday Nascar pre-race was on the nearby TV.  I'm fine watching cars and garage areas.  But, this was a different type of treadmill.  TheFreeMotion Incline treadmill.  I haven't tried them before, because I always see people hanging on for dear life to the top handles.  Does the machine not go slow enough? 

FreeMotion Incline Treadmill

But hey, I have 1.9 more miles to do, so let's go!  I get on, feet to the sides, press Quick Start, up my elevation and speed, and jump on. My elevation on the Precor treadmill had been at 1.0, so I figured I'd do the same.  But, It felt like I was running downhill.  I double checked, not in the negatives, so I upped it to 2.0.  It still seemed quite different, and possibly downhill.  I did notice that the deck was a lot firmer, and much more similar feeling to a road.  This I liked.  I got going on the 1.9 miles, and in an effort to get through this workout, kept upping my speed.  So I guess I got a little speed work in too. I finished.  5 Total Miles.  Goal Met!!!!!


As for the swim... I managed to do that too.  It was a nice cool down.  I had no expectations for how far or fast I was going, and I even used flip turns.  It turns out, flip turns make the swim flow a lot better, and I don't get a break at each wall, which is much more like my open water swims.  Glad I finally learned how to do them.  400m complete.  Then a shower and picked up the kids.  Turned out to be a good morning.

Do you have a treadmill preference, brand, type?
Do you find it easier or harder to run on a treadmill as opposed to outside?
What's the furthest you've ever run on a treadmill? (I've heard of people running 13 miles. I would never make it)

Shout out and Thank You to EB

My good friend EB has been so kind to help me on this journey, and so sweetly mentioned my blog to her followers.  So here's a little shout out to her.  Woot Woot!!!

You can catch up with her at  http://running-on-eb.blogspot.com/ or on Twitter @runningeb

Although she is the whole way across the country, we have run together on three 200 mile relay teams.  We run as a team of six, so only one van, and after 24 hours of that you are definitely good friends, with a huge dose of TMI, fooling around, and fashion tips.

Always a fashion show.  I think I won the running shoe contest.

As she calculated, we have spent over 100 hours together in those vans. 

Always fun.  The Jayhawk even got in on it. And boy you never know how much stink you're going to get.

If you haven't done a relay, you should try it once.  The scenery is amazing!!!

Just look at the view!!! Western Colorado

Back on the Bandwagon

As you may have noticed from my race listing, my race season in 2013 has dropped to almost zero. 
As February rolled around, and my Half Ironman training was to begin, I kept stalling.  I would say..."it's only February, I can run tomorrow".  Apparently there are a few things in life that training could not "fix" for me.  So I spent my summer rebuilding my "House", both literally, and mentally.  In fact, my first project of the morning tomorrow is a little spackling.

Anyway, a few weeks ago "IT" hit me again.  I knew I was ready to start working out and training.  Since I haven't done much in three months, the muscles are a bit weaker, and the feet a bit slower, but trust me, they remember how to do it.  My mind was a bit behind on this plan.  The 4:45 AM alarm clock got a lot of snooze taps.

So what does it take to get back to craving a workout, needing the energy rush and release, and getting the body out of bed? Here's what I've found..

1. Friends (Near and Far)  Here in town I have friends of different abilities reaching for their own goals.  Ask them to go workout with you.  Set a time, so if you don't show up, you are very much the "bad guy". Talking on the phone or over lunch about weekly accomplishments.  From across the country I get texts from friends letting me know how many miles they've laid down in on the bike, road, or in the lake.  Wow.  Great job! (I'd better get on it).
2. Professional Help  I'm a member of 24 Hour Fitness.  They are open almost all the time, and offer a bunch of fitness classes every day. I have a few favorites "Athletic Training", "Spin", and "Willpower and Grace". However, if you don't go, no one will ask why you haven't come.  So I decided I needed a personal trainer of sorts.  During my research I cam across Twist Sports Conditioning.  A gym based on functional fitness training. Speed, agility, power, strength, balance, and core strength.  They offer group classes, but your absence will definitely be noticed. I have only attended three classes so far, but they have been awesome!
3. Looking Good  I love to buy new athletic clothing. If I get a new top, pants, or wildly awesome socks, I have got to get out and show them off. Get a new item every few weeks, go to the gym, and show your stuff.  Secondly, I meet my mirror every morning.  I love the feeling of walking by and noticing new muscle definition that wasn't there last week.  That's motivation.
4. Sweet Pain  I work out hard.  It is sometimes painful, but the feeling when the workout is done is amazing.  It becomes addictive.  I want the next workout, so I can finish and say "Yup, I did that.  I made it through, and I'm feeling exhausted, yet stronger".

What keeps you motivated to get up and workout?
How many times a week do you train to feel you've accomplished your training goal?

How I got here...

I'm JoJo.  I have always loved sports and the outdoors.  I played ice hockey soccer and lacrosse, as well as skiing, hiking and various other activities growing up, through high school and college.  Then "real life" began, and I stopped playing sports, and being active.

In 2009 I realized my body wasn't what it used to be, and I tried running a little on the treadmill.  A few weeks later, a friend called me, who knew I'd been starting to run and asked, "would you like to come to Las Vegas with us and do a half marathon?"  I thought out loud, Vegas sounds like a lot of fun, how far a run is that.  She replied "13.1 miles".  Hmmm I thought, Vegas would be fun, I'm sure I'll never make it on a run that far.  So of course, I said YES!!!!

And that's how my love of running came to be.  Training for that first half marathon.  Of course I started smaller with 5 and 10K races.  Each one more fun than the last.  I fell in love with the training.  Personal time, stress relief, and time for introspection.  Guess what else happened...my body started to change and I liked what I was seeing in the mirror, and how I was feeling every day.  I did it.  I completed that half marathon in Las Vegas. Awesome!  Before I could even catch my breath, that same friend said "Would you like to do a 190 mile running relay next?" So, of course I said YES!!!! (She would later tell me it would only be a 6 person team, but that's another story)

While training for that relay, I injured myself.  A little over use, and 3 stress fractures later, I found myself in the pool trying to recover.  And that’s how the triathlete began to emerge.

For the past 4 years I have been running and competing in triathlons of all distances (well not quite a full Ironman yet).  I love so many things about triathlon and running.  First, is the person I have become.  I like who I see in the mirror, and I like how I feel inside.  I’m back to the size I was in college while paying ice hockey 2 hours a day.  Second, are the people.  People from every walk of life, competing in the same races.  Not only are they competing, but they all seem to be willing to help out, encourage, and offer advice to complete strangers.  It is a fabulous community of people, many of whom I can now call friends.

So here I am with a new love and passion; exercise, competition, and the next adventure.