May 20
What do you do when you’re faced with the prospect of coming in last? How do you handle it? What keeps you focused, and how do you keep going? A bit of experience, and a bit of guidance, and a bit of running math.
From the first 5k to the Olympic track – it’s safe to say I had no idea when I started that running would become so important to my life!
It’s been a great month for questions, and I thought I’d take the chance to pluck one from our Q&A page (thanks, Wendie!) and answer it for today’s blog.
“I would like to know what it was like for you when you started running – what kept you motivated and how you worked through feelings of being bored (if you get bored) while running. I would like to know what your original running plan was, the pace you worked through it and how long it took you to get to your first race.”
Thanks for the question, Wendie. When I read it, I was out of breath, just thinking about what it was like! I think what started me running (regularly) was a feeling that I wanted to be able to keep up with a new group of friends i had found. They were playing softball, and football, and ultimate frisbee, and I was a recovering law student who literally couldn’t stay vertical on a softball field while chasing a slow grounder to center.
I talked to one friend, then another, then another, and we agreed to train for a 5k about 10 weeks out. I was helped immensely by running with a kind, patient, incredibly awesome friend who had been running for awhile – Kristin found a 5k training program for us, and, running with three of my friends, we took to the streets 3 days a week (at a minimum).
I won’t lie. I sucked wind for those 10 weeks. We built up the way the program said we should, but my friends were lighter than me, and they just didn’t have to work so hard. But they went slowly (for me) and ran with me the whole time. They were amazing. And the biggest gift they gave me was to carry the conversational weight while we ran – distracting me from the distance and keeping me entertained. With only 1 or 2 miles to go every time we went out, I eventually was able to talk a bit too. That felt good.
Staying motivated was easier with a race in mind – we paid early, and a few weeks in, we recruited even more friends to join us. Suddenly, we were meeting one night a week (I think it was only one), 7 or 8 of us (most who had never, ever considered doing this) traipsing around North Center in Chicago in a simple grid pattern, knocking out our miles and having a ball. Yes, I was generally at the back – but no one ever got left behind.
So, I would say that thanks to friends, there really wasn’t much chance to be bored. That, plus I had quite a bit going on in my life, means that I really enjoyed the time to think. And, a nice side effect of running was that I was getting to know Chicago’s neighborhoods – something i hadn’t spent a lot of time to do. I loved to check out the view from the sidewalk – looking two stories up to check out the different crown work on the buildings I passed. I find even today, I have the same approach – keeping my eyes towards the horizon to see what’s out there…
And as for training plans and pace, I have a note out to one of my old friends, asking her to confirm – but my recollection is that we used a light, building up training plan – we built up very slowly, going from 1/2 mile and up in minor increments, over 10-12 weeks. And to the best of my recollection, we didn’t run/walk – we just ran, flat out.
As for pacing, I started running at 245 pounds, and I think by the time I was doing our race, I was down to about 220 (I’m 5’9″). I was running with faster people – so most of my training runs were “4″ on an effort scale of 1-5, with “5″ being all out – not the way I’d train today, to be sure. That said, it made me faster, and I ran about a 13:30 pace for that race and the others that year.
As for training plans, there’s a lot of options out there, but I would recommend anything from coach Jenny Hadfield; you can also purchase the plans via Walk Jog Run as an app for the iPhone for only $4.99. And there are loads of free plans out there – lots of people like Couch to 5k (commonly known as C25k) – my friend Scott just finished his race using that plan – and one other option is to take something that you know is a healthy plan to get there, too – presumably, something like this one from Girls on the Run St. Louis might work (though I worry it’s only 6 weeks!).
In my experience, stretching it out to 10-12 weeks is safer, and helps you avoid the shin splint problem you’re having. Your body needs time to recover on this stuff – and a serious increase in mileage (more than 10% per week) puts you in prime spot for trouble. So stretch it out if you can.
All of that aside, race day was pretty cool. And today, 13 years later, I can still picture in my mind, those fun training runs (and the side stitches, and the sweating, and the lack of O2!) with my friends. They’re cherished memories for me – and to the extent you can add some humans to your journey, they’re the best motivators you can find.
Good luck and keep us posted on the journey!
Sallie
Apr 3
Triathlete apparel for plus sized athletes has come a long way but still requires some patience and skill to find the perfect racing and training kit. Here, for spring 2012, a few choice recommendations from the Plus Runner on the pieces that will take you through spring and summer training, and racing all season long – and a guide to finding your own pieces with minimal hassle and maximum reward for the seasons ahead.
Mar 25
There is something that happens when you become a regular runner. You believe less in luck, and more in training. Run any half marathon or marathon, and train seriously for it, and you begin to believe that with the right nutrition plan, training plan, pace buddies, shoes, gear, clothing, and attention, you can control how and when you finish that race.
For about 10 years, that’s how it went for me. If I ran a bad race, it was usually on me – I either hadn’t trained enough, or hadn’t thought through the course. If I got hurt it was on me. I didn’t stretch enough, or I didn’t stop when the pain told me to. In 2009, when plantar fasciitis reared its head while I was intermittently running (and still training), I didn’t listen up and slow down, and I paid in the end, with a two year condition that only recently healed after two bouts of PT and finally, a quick surgery.
Those of you who read regularly know that I moved to London from Chicago in 2011. It was 10 weeks after surgery, and those first few weeks, months in London were tough. I was in trainers every day, and the pain was still pretty regular. By summer, it was getting better. By September, it was gone. I felt strong, and I had lost some weight, and I started to run again. It was awesome.
I ran on the common by my house, and on the road when I traveled. I ran so much when I was home in Cincinnat and Chicago at Christmas that I felt like I would never stop running again. I felt the kind of joy that I remembered from those first days of running. And so when, in mid-February, it snowed here, I felt like a kid who’d won the lottery – lucky, lucky, lucky to get to run on one of my favorite vistas – a park in snow.
I laced up my trainers and went out for a run. It was a bit squishy – a bit slid-y. A bit wet. I caught up with my brother and nephew building a snow fort, and we had a great time. I ran home, and all was well. And three hours later, I left my house to go to a Superbowl party, slipped on a patch of ice in front of my apartment, and felt my knee slam into itself in a way that wasn’t good. I held up, and held on, for a minute. Then I kept walking to the train. By midnight, mid-way through the game, I couldn’t go down the stairs without it locking up. The next day, I compounded the mistake in a pair of heels at work.
Six weeks later, I have the diagnosis. I’ve been benched for that time, icing, resting, ibuprofening away here, and it’s not gotten any better. Well, technically, that’s not true. I can now go down the stairs without flinching (but not without a rail).
I’ve managed to tear the meniscus in my knee in two places. One on the inside left, one on the center of my left knee. One would likely heal. The other, not so much. The doctor tells me that there’s an easy procedure to clean it up, a keyhole surgery where they trim down the cartilege or something and that makes it better. I’m working out the logistics of a second opinion, a schedule, and a plan.
In the meantime, I’m pondering luck. Maybe I’ve been lucky all these years to have so few injuries. Maybe I’ve been stronger, and maybe now I’m just old and out of shape. I don’t really know. I do know that this makes me want to throw things at a wall, and that’s not so good. So I’m going back to the original plan – to have one. Get a doc. Get an opinion. Get the surgery. Get back out there.
Lucky as I may have been, I never saw that patch of ice, and I had no chance to adjust. I was unlucky. It happens. So now it’s time to get to the pool, and walk while I can, and bottle the frustration of living in this lovely city which makes cycling a bit too dangerous and swimming a bit too inconvenient. The excuses will have to go for awhile, while I try to get the groove back.
Luck’s a bitch. But she’s got nothing on me, and my plan.
See you on the path….
Mar 7
I know, I know. It’s a common refrain. But these past few weeks have been a combination of screeching along at 80 MPH and then careening to a dead halt.
Mid-run with my nephew on London's Clapham Common during a recent snowstorm. The Kid and my brother certainly were fort-a-licious.
So, in no particular order, some not-so-inspirational Plus Runner updates for the week.
I might be racing on an Olympic track.I know, it’s scary. But there’s this thing, and it’s through work, and I might just get to run a 100 meter dash on the Olympic track in London in early April. COOL, eh??? I maintain it might be the slowest finish ever, but can you imagine???
I might be slightly hobbled in that endeavor by a torn MCL. Yeah. I’m trying to pretend that the screaming pain every time I step wrong on my left leg is just a figment of my imagination. But it turns out that either a) not wearing heels for two years and then doing some downward stepathon in them might not have been the best plan or b) that sliparoo on the ice the day of our big snowfall here was worse than I thought. In any case, I’ve been running-free for three weeks, and I am officially. a. lunatic. Back to the pool, right? At least till a doc gets up in there and tells me what’s the what.
Big races are lining up. Have you picked yours for the year? More to come on this, but I did officially make the London ballot for the Olympic distance triathlon. Here’s to recovering from whatever _this_ is and kicking butt come September.
But in the meantime, how terrible am I at 100 days of anything? I biffed again this year on the 100 days, but MAD PROPS to Cindi Hammer and all the kids out there doing 100 days proud. I am nothing if not humbled by your continued inspiration for the rest of us.
Tick tock. That’s the sound you hear of me eagerly awaiting the Spring 2012 Triathlete Magazine Buyer’s Guide, which should include a piece about the best triathlon apparel for plus size athletes (written by yours truly). Word’s still out on when it will hit the stands, but keep your eyes and ears peeled.
I learned how to fence last week. Gingerly, yes, but it reaffirmed my belief that you’re never too old to learn a new sport. Or to be a hyper-competitive crazyhorse who believes in fair play and rules, rules, rules. It’s amazing they let me play team sports sometimes, I swear. But honestly, fencing? Very cool. And doesn’t require massive white bodysuits either, which was a refreshing realization.
We’re gearing up for spring travel around here. Kruger National Park (South Africa) and Talinn, Estonia (not to mention a possible side-o to Dusseldorf) are all in the makings. Got a recommendation? A road or a hike I can’t miss? This knee will NOT slow me down – send me your best stuff!!
And now, the good stuff. Who needs free gear??? I have a few pieces of gear that were sent as testing pieces for this recent article, and though a few are dedicated to some of my besties, there will be at least one upcoming contest for readers….so watch this space for more news – the contest will be announced next week to celebrate the Plus Runner’s 3rd birthday!!!
Okay, gotta go get some shut-eye now. Thanks for the readin, and see you on the path.
Oh, and one more coolest as all cool thing…my good friend Cindi was kind enough to nominate Plus Runner for a fitness magazine blog award. How cool is she? Very. But if you’re feeling the luvvvvv, please have a vote. And even if you’re not, well, thanks for stopping by…
I had a wonder the other day about all the words that end up on this page. What pushes my buttons? What makes us move? Found a fun tool called Wordle (www.wordle.net) that lets you dump all of your text into a programme and comes up with cool word art. Here, a sample from the Inspiration pages of Plus Runner. Just a lil teaser for your Sunday morning. 
What amazed me this Saturday wasn’t that the Channel exists; it’s that it took me 9 months to realize it’s a fifty minute train ride to get there. How did I not know this? How had I wasted so many weekends in my apartment, watching re-runs of True Blood or reading the latest novel, while this gorgeous countryside awaited me?
I wasn’t disappointed in the trip. My friend from work and I (Carolina, she of the blue top in the pics below) met up with a Meetup group who offered a guided hike (great when someone else does the navigating!). All we had to do was show up at Liverpool Street Station at 9 a.m. I, of course, was late. But I wasn’t so late that I didn’t make the train – and I met some really cool people along the way. Below, a few pics from the trip (because y’all occasionally ask)! Yes, you’ll note that I’m hiking in jeans (a first for me). I wouldn’t normally, but it was an okay way to go, even if the mud was up to my ankles by the time we got back on the train.
And also, a word about the views – this place was really spectacular (it’s called Leigh on Sea) and it’s going to be host to the mountain biking course for the Olympics for 2012. And the best part about it, yes, was the small sea town at the end of our journey. Ironically, we never got to the wide open beach-type view you expect; but for a little while at the end, we stood by the sea wall, and watched a great sunset, enjoying the freshest fish and some excellent company. I’d write more, but there’s nothing pithy or wise to say about it – I went, it was fun, and I’ll do something again. All in all, an excellent adventure for a fifty minute train ride just East of London.
Carolina leading up to Hadleigh Castle
Walking into the castle grounds- it was on a fault line and shortly after built in the 13th century, began falling off a cliff. Literally.
Don't I look like the picture of fun? Yeah. It was pretty cool. That's the sea behind me in the distance.
Jan 16
There’s lots of guidance out there for mothers and fathers of little girls, but very little for how to be an active, encouraging, parent of a little girl who’s a budding athlete. Here, a few choice recommendations for those sleep-deprived, much loved, parents of little girl athletes everywhere.
The ruins will not be on tomorrow's route.
I’m cycling to work again tomorrow. It’s been months since the last attempt, but the weather looks good and I’m getting some lovely positive peer pressure. But just in case I want to bail in the morning, a list of reasons why I should:
10. The vertical shower stall at the office means I won’t have to shave my legs tomorrow – yay!
9. No chance of a repeat of today’s conversation on the tube, overheard by the 25 year old dude and his roommate next to me (all of us, armpit to armpit): “Ah, the lovely smell of Old Spice”. “Really? I can only smell cedar chips.” “Yeah, but just wait until it’s raining again.” “Yeah, the worst is those Barbour coats, they just waft.” I almost woozed just listening to them.
8. The Thames.
7. Westminster.
6. Two pounds and thirty pence (X 1.60 dollar conversion) X2. That pays for lunch, every day. Well, at least tomorrow.
5. Forces early arrival and on-time departure from the office on account of traffic.
4. Get to play “Frogger” with real life sample sizes. (Music optional.)
3. Chance to work on my British swear words and slang (directed only at what promises to be evil cabbies and double-decker bus drivers)
2. Enjoyment of being an “amateur” pedaling at my pace while annoyed London cyclists zip around me and huff. Nothing more fun than pissing off an angry commuter.
1. The look on the guys faces at the office when I finally show up. The smugness of the Boy Mafia does wear thin after a while….
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog. I particularly enjoyed the bit about filling the Sydney Opera House 9 times with your readership. Here’s to an even better 2012!
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 25,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 9 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
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