I run for...freedom.

9/28/13 - 4.36 mi

Today I did what I like to call a "free" run. Free from tracking my pace. Free from time constraints. Free from gadgets, accessories, and running gear. Just me, my shoes and the open road. I think it's really important to "free" run often, especially if training for a race. It can be really easy to get caught up in "Am I going to PR?" (PR - personal record aka PB - personal best) and a lot of runners get burnt out when they are not progressing like they want. "Free" running reminds you of the pure simplicity of running. It doesn't matter if you win the race. It doesn't matter if you PR. All that matters is that you run. I've said it before…running is one of the most natural processes for your body. It's part of our human development. By 20 months of age, we learn to run. Why do we ever stop?! You should be running. Remember that!

 

Today's "free" run was really important for me. As I mentioned in one of my first posts, this blog has a lot to do with holding myself accountable. As such, I have a confession to make. I have not ran since my 21 mile run on 9/14! I've walked a lot and exercised in other ways but not one single run in 2 weeks. I have been feeling overwhelmingly incomplete. I was starting to doubt my abilities big time. I was even thinking about switching from running the full marathon to the half marathon in November. Today I woke up prepared to run. I knew I needed to revitalize my commitment to my training so I decided to "free" run. As soon as I took my first step, I remembered that I LOVE to run and my confidence reappeared. Yes, I took two weeks off from my training but my endurance barrier has been set. I just ran 21 miles two weeks ago!! I still have over a month left of training. I still have one more 20+ mile run before marathon day. To think that I doubted myself is crazy!! Of course I can do this. And that is what the power of the "free" run can do for you.

Next week's plan - maintenance runs on Sunday, Monday & Wednesday and interval training (12 - 1 milers) on Saturday.

Excited to get back into the groove. Happy running!

I run for...the feeling.

9/14/13 - 21 miles - 4:00:47

This past Saturday I ran my second 20+ mile run of my marathon training. One more 20+ mile run to go. So excited! I wish that I could accurately convey what running 20+ miles feels like. To me, it is a feeling like no other. It is one of exhaustion and pain, but also joy and exhilaration.  As you all know, one of the main reasons I decided to start this blog was to inspire and motivate others. I want everyone to feel what I feel.  Running has truly changed my life. I went from being afraid of most things in life to feeling like there is nothing I cannot do. Once you run 26.2 miles, "I can't" is no longer part of your vocabulary.

Lately I've heard these questions a lot: How did you get started? Wasn't it hard? Or how did you get to being able to run that far? As you are reading this, you might be wondering to yourself the same thing. Or maybe you are thinking to yourself "Well maybe Amanda can do it, but I can't. I'm too [old, fat, busy, or insert any other inconsequential excuse here]".

As you may remember from my initial blog post, I used to live a sedentary lifestyle. I do not want to give the false impression that just deciding to go out and run and then doing it was easy because it was not. However, I am here to tell you that it does get easier. So to all of you beginners out there feeling frustrated at how hard it is to run just one mile….trust me, I get it. But remember this, you will only get out of it what you put into it. Getting started and reaching those milestones on my running journey came from making running a priority in my life. Sometimes running has to be more important that watching tv, having a glass of wine after a long, hard day, or even sleep. Believe me when I say that I have NEVER been disappointed by making the decision to go out and run. Even when it's raining or cold. Even when I'm sick or tired. Even when I feel like I have better things I could be doing. If I ultimately make the decision to go run, I am never disappointed. Take a second to think about how powerful that is!

Okay, beginners, one last thing. Bare with me on this analogy here…

Imagine you are a rock. Just sitting there in the middle of the road. This is you - not doing anything, not running, not exercising, taking no action, completely sedentary. It is impossible for this rock to move on its own. But rocks DO move don't they? However, not without any effort. Someone has to pick up and move this rock. Or someone has to kick it. Or maybe a car will push it to the side. Effort. Force. Encouragement. Call it what you will but the rock needs something, a catalyst, to make it move and keep it moving for that matter. And so it is the same for you - not doing anything, not running, not exercising, taking no action, completely sedentary.

To get started you need to put forth an effort. Make a goal. Dedicate yourself to that goal. Make it a priority in your life.

Right now you might be thinking "It's not worth it." Okay then decide, what's your limit? What's your boundary? Becoming 10 pounds overweight? Or 100? Getting out of breath walking up the stairs or getting out of breath walking to your bedroom? Feeling sick from time to time or always being sick and needing medication? Stressed out after a busy week or feeling anxious, depressed, and overwhelmed on a daily basis?

Guess what? It IS worth it. So go out and do something! I obviously endorse going for a run but it honestly doesn't matter as long as you're active, healthy and happy.

I run for...my sanity.

8/30/13 - 5.30mi at 11:47 min/mi

9/02/13 - SICK
9/04/13 - SICK
9/07/13 - 6.27mi at 12:15 min/mi

As you can see from my weekly summary, I have been down and out for the last several runs. My body forced me to take a much needed break from running. My body recharged. My mind…did not. After going on 2 years of regular running/training, I can tell a BIG difference in my attitude and my mood whenever I don't run for a week. My tolerance for stress goes way down, irritability goes up, and I slowly start to withdrawal from the outside world.

September is National Recovery Month for those with behavioral health conditions - this includes substance use and mental health disorders. I felt it appropriate to write this blog post this month in honor of National Recovery Month and as such, I will be doing a little self-disclosure. One of the reasons that I run, as the title of today's blog post suggests, is for my sanity. Because guess what….running is cheaper than therapy. :)

There was a time in the not so distant past when I struggled with depression, anxiety, and substance use problems. Not a lot of people know this because I kept it a secret from almost everyone I knew. The guilt and shame I felt inside was eating me alive. I had completely lost who I was as a person. Inevitably, like most secrets, the truth had to come out sometime. This was all happening the year I should have been graduating from college. But because of everything I was going through, I ultimately failed an entire year of school. My family started to put the pressure on me about graduation. That's when I had to break down and tell them the truth. Although it was the scariest and hardest thing I've ever done, it was also the best thing for me at the time. And I was incredibly lucky to have such a supportive family. What I thought would be met with hatred and disdain was instead met with much sympathy and concern. I'm going to be completely honest. I was to a point where I knew I couldn't get out of "this" alone. I needed therapy and medication for a brief time until I gained enough confidence and strength to face my problems on my own. Even after therapy and medication, it took me probably 2 years to really feel like myself again.

So even though I'm back, so to speak, my old struggles creep in from time to time. Thankfully I have a lot of healthy coping skills under my belt but nothing has been as effective as running! Running not only helps get rid of stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, anger, low self-esteem, etc., it also helps to PREVENT it. When I run regularly, at least 3x a week, I find that I can cope with anything. In fact, I welcome life's challenges! Challenges are nothing more than opportunities to succeed. (The old me would have viewed them as automatic failures.)

So my message today is pretty straightforward. If you find yourself in a place where I used to be, there is no shame in letting someone in on your secret and getting the help you need. Or maybe you just find yourself a little stressed out from time to time. Try RUNNING! It really is great therapy for your whole being - mind, body & soul.

For more information and resources on National Recovery Month go to: www.samhsa.gov