Category Archives: running motivation

February 12, 2013

You Need Bad Runs to Appreciate the Good Runs

This Sunday I had a disastrous 6 mile training run. Actually, it didn’t end up being 6 miles like I had planned that’s how bad it was. I ended up going back to my apartment at 4.5 miles. While I won’t get into the details, it just didn’t seem right from the start. My breathing was off (stupid asthma), ice was all over the ground from Nemo, and everything just felt uncomfortable from my feet to my shoulders.

A bad training run hasn’t happened to me in a while so of course when I got back home, I was all sorts of upset. I didn’t get in the distance I needed to according to my Nike Women’s Half Marathon training plan, my foot was bothering me due to a blister, and just felt generally awful afterwards. I’ve been having issues with motivation to run lately to begin with so this 4.5 miler was just salt on the fire. Or so I thought.

When I got home I tweeted about my bad run and immediately got INSANE amounts of support from so many of my amazing followers. I cannot be more grateful for what blogging has brought me, and this was just a reminder of how many amazing people are out there. People who really want to see you succeed and will give you the motivation to do so.

Brooks13s

TooOldToRun was one follower who sent me an amazing tweet telling me that we all need bad runs to appreciate the good ones. You can’t have one without the other. And I got to thinking about this and could not agree more. When I’ve had what I’d call a “good run”, I felt great and got in the distance I wanted to. But I also knew it they were good because I was able to compare it to those times when running was a struggle.

Thinking in these terms made me feel 100 times better and I decided to use this run as motivation to fuel my running fire. Today I went out and had a good 4 mile treadmill run, remembering all the support I had from so many great friends. The miles flew by for the first time in a while and I really had fun. Although Sunday’s run was emotional and upsetting, it was because of that run that I enjoyed today’s so much.

So… using this run and remembering the struggle I went through this weekend, I will have an amazing long run next weekend. Remember that you can and will overcome your struggles in running and in life and that every single thing happens for a reason.

ihaterunning

I also wanted to share some great posts from fellow bloggers that I found this week. They all sort of relate to the things I was talking about today. Check them out:

“People who run races are insane” via Healthy Next

“Why I love running” via Emily Runs

“Renew your passion for running” via Will Run for Glitter

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There’s still time to enter my Stride Box Giveaway! Especially if you are a runner, this is one you don’t want to miss!

StrideBox2

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Have you had any bad runs lately? How did you handle it?
What gets you through the tough times?

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September 30, 2012

One Year Runiversary

One year ago today I ran my first 5K: the Tunnel to Towers Run in NYC. Happy Runiversary to me! Running that race was something I did spontaneously, without much training, and without any expectations. But crossing the finishline for the first time that day ended up changing my life.

After crossing the finishline of my first 5K.

After running that first race, I got hooked. I decided to sign up for another 5K that year and several other races at the beginning of 2012, including the NYC Half Marathon. At the time I was doing this, I wasn’t in the best shape and wasn’t necessarily trying to lose weight. But once I started running more often, my overall view on health started to change. I realized there was no point in exercising so much if I wasn’t going to eat healthy too. So I made major changes to my nutrition and was more conscious about what I was putting into my body.

Since then, I’ve lost a ton of weight and am conscious about my health all the time. Eating right and exercising have just become a part of my life, especially compared to one year ago. Now, I still have a soft spot for sweets/chocolate but I work it into my diet now in moderation. I am a brand new person than I was in 2011!

Over the past year I trained for and ran the NYC Half, my first half marathon, and two more after that.

I’ve also run a handful of 10Ks, 4 milers, a 10 miler, and my first duathlon. Becoming a runner was something I never thought would happen to me, but completing a duathlon was even farther from my mind! Now I own a bike and love cycling almost as much as running. And I don’t want to limit myself to that either. I have so many plans for other endeavors and things to try for the future. One year ago all this never seemed possible for me.

I’m a duathlete!!

There have also been some difficult times in my athletic career this year. I was injured with an IT Band injury from March to about July (although I was still running a little during that time) and have just now been able to increase my mileage back up to where it was at the beginning of the year. It was a long, hard journey and I have to admit there were times I wanted to give up on running but I never did. And I think this is part of the new me. The old me may have stopped running and not cared, but that isn’t what happened.

Lake Placid Half in June

Running has been great for my health, yes, but it has also changed my outlook on life. This is a sport that builds character, determination, and the ability to set goals for yourself. I’ve also been able to do the same in my life based on what I’ve learned from becoming an endurance runner. Sometimes you have setbacks but its important to push forward,  do your best with the situation, and learn from any negative experiences you are going through. I’ve learned that things worth having usually come slow and with hard work, but are always worth it in the end.

Shortly after my first half, I also started my blog. Through it I’ve met so many amazing people and friends who inspire me each and every day. Each and every one of you keep me motivated and have always supported me.. and I THANK YOU for that from the bottom of my heart.

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So what does my running future hold?

My upcoming plans include running the RTB Relay on October 12-13 with my amazing teammates, perhaps running another half this year or early next year, and finishing my 9+1 for entry into next years 2013 NYC Marathon. I can’t believe it, but I’m planning on running the marathon next year. I’m not sure how my body will react, but I’m going to try. Other than that, I’m not sure what my second year as a runner hold for me but if its anything like the first, I can’t wait for the experiences :)

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What have been some notable races for you this year?
Have you made any major changes to yourself this year?
Has running taught you anything about life?

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September 27, 2012

Three Things Thursday

Its that day of the week again so you know what this means (even though I’ve been slacking with it)…

Get ready for some lists! Here’s three random things going on.

1. Its time to re-visit the funny/crazy search terms that lead people to my blog. I’ve gotten some good ones lately that I just have to share. I LOVE that people are making their way to my blog (and hope you come back) but am so confused how Google is connecting some of these searches to Run Like a Grl. Others I know exactly how they made it to mu blog. At least it provides me with a smile and sometimes a really good laugh. Here’s a few of the top ones. Enjoy :)

Sexy IT Band

does it band snapping over knee pose a problem

i can’t wait to finish grad school

potatoes characters walkin and aware its goin to be eatin

had a great time from concert

attaching bib to clothing nyrr race

carrying groceries in the city

like treadmill but not

i can’t study

i’m loving my new bike

Which search term was your favorite?

2. Recently, Saucony launched a running app called Run For Good. Now not only do I LOVE Saucony (shoes, clothes, etc.) but I think this is a fantastic program. And actually its not just an app, but a way to help Saucony raise money for a really good and important cause!

“R4G is a powerful personal running app and an easy way to fight childhood obesity. By tracking your miles with the app, you are helping Saucony and its partners donate to organizations that keep kids active and healthy. All for doing what you love to do anyway, running.”

In summary, all you have to do is run and track your miles using the iPhone app and Saucony will donate money to charities. What could be better than that?! As soon as I heard about this, I downloaded it to my phone on the spot, set it up, and can’t wait to try it out this weekend on my runs. I feel very strongly about getting kids active from a young age like my parents did so programs to fight childhood obesity are right up my alley. Its a fantastic way to encourage a healthy lifestyle they will hopefully maintain their whole lives!

Unfortunately its only available right now for the iPhone, but if you have one you should check it out!

3. In light of all the search terms involving the word “IT Band” and people asking me about it, I’m going to briefly update you all on how things are going for me. If you’ve had enough of my IT Band talk, you can just skip ahead to the 3 things questions below :)

As you may have noticed, I’ve been running A LOT lately (in comparison especially to where I was a few months ago). I stopped PT about a month and a half ago (maybe 2 months?) and have been lucky to have no knee or hip pain during my runs since then. My longest run has been 11 miles (yay!) and I’ll be going for 12 miles this weekend. Its very exciting after battling this injury since March.

PT focused mainly on glute, hip, and leg strengthening, with stretching my hip flexors, as well as ART Therapy and ASTYM which were effective for me. I also changed my running shoes based on the gait analysis at my PT office (now running in Brooks Adrenaline 12s for long runs and Saucony Kinvaras for short runs). Since my discharge I’ve kept doing the exercises once or twice a week although I could probably stand to incorporate them a little more. I also foam roll pretty often as well with a technique I learned in therapy.

I think a big change for me was learning that I don’t think I can run more than 3-4 times a week… my body just can’t handle it. But I’m still getting in my long runs, and a training plan with less running just works for me. I know others can run everyday and never get injured but that’s just not me unfortunately!

3 things questions:

3 brands/types of running shoes I wear:
1. Saucony Kinvara 2
2. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 12
3. Asics Gel Nimbus 12 (although less lately)

Love my Saucony Kinvara’s!

3 shows I’m really excited for this fall:
1. New Girl – one word: hysterical
2. Dexter
3. Homeland

3 best things about fall:
1. Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha
2. Cider Donuts
3. Sweater weather :)

Tell me three random things about your week/day!
Answer any of the three things questions above.

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