Not-Fab Five Reasons why training for a 1/2 Marathon is a little harder than I thought:
1. I'm following an actual training schedule that has upped my weekly mileage SIGNIFICANTLY. My long runs have gone from the very occasional 6 miler to 8 milers and what was supposed to be a niner this morning (more about that one later).
2. Crazy me - former non-sweater and hater of the sun - decided to do this while it's still hot as hell, so I'm having to practice hydrating on-the-go. This is actually harder than it seems, so small wonder I spilled blue Gatorade all down my backside the other day and had to run those last two miles in leaky pants.
3. I bought new shoes - the "barefoot/minimalist" style that I needed - and yes, they're bright pink and totally awesome, but they are taking some getting used to (read: sore legs - all the time).
4. I got a killer side-stitch cramp that almost knocked me down at mile 6.5 (of 8) last week and another one again today. Those totally suck, by the way.
5. I've had a lot of moments facing what runners call "The Wall." I even went out and bought some of those GU energy shots that "Real Runners" use to help ward it off. They are thick and kind of gross, but judging from my performance this morning, they might actually work.
Seriously, though, despite all the pain (and running three miles with a killer right side side stich IS painful, no doubt about it) - so far, I've managed to power through, stick to the schedule, finish every run and still manage a smile. I say "I've powered through," but really, it's my music that's kept me moving. It moved me 10.14 this morning (again, I was only scheduled to run 9), and it will move me 13.1 come September 24th. Music is magic stuff.
I know many people run with friends and have packs of folks that they hoof it with on a regular basis - ununh - not me. I have never been able to do any kind of exercise without having a beat blaring in my ears. More than anything else, music moves me. My runs (or walks or time on the elliptical or whatever) are all about me, and they're fueled by good tunes, Belgian waffles and maybe a little ice cream.
Without the music, I know for sure I'd never have made it two miles, let alone ten. I think lots of folks feel this way. I asked around to find out what kind of music moves my friends, and here are some of their favorites. Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." The Who's "Who Are You." ACDC's "Back In Black." Definitely.
Personally, I'm partial to '70s & '80s pop and rock (of both the metal and hair band varieties) - and country. Yes, I am a country fan - I'm from Tennessee, what of it? Brad Paisley is one of the best pickers ever, and his quick fingers and plucky pace get me going like nothing else. Don't believe me? Listen to "Mr. Policeman," and see if you can sit still. If Van Halen (or Van Hagar, either one - take your pick) pops up on the shuffle, I'm sure to speed it up. Tom Petty, Duran Duran, Guns & Roses, Queen - even Toby Keith. They all make it into my mix, and they all rock my run.
Then there are the songs that come on, and I pick up the pace a little (or a lot - which I sure pay for later) - because they bring out the badass* in me. ACDC's "Thunderstruck." Stevie Nicks' "Stand Back." Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me." They're little bursts of lightning that charge me up and wipe out whatever negative voices are running through my brain. They're electrifying. They change my brain - instantly. Instead of thinking, "Dear God, how much farther!?" I start thinking, "SHAZAM!! Heck yeah! Do it, Girl!" Instead of seeing myself all haggard and sweaty and stopping to walk, I see myself bursting though a door, dressed to kill, wind in my hair, light shining all around me - all Kelly LeBrock "Weird Science" style, or like every chick in every '80s hair band video. I'm out here running, out here gettin' it done!! Yeah, I'm "One Hot Mama" (another such song, this time a country one - Trace Adkins, check it out). I'm a badass for sure.
At least for the duration of that song. In the silent interim, I'm at the mercy of the iPod.
If I'm real lucky, something else good pops on. I got lucky this morning.
Like I said, I was "only" supposed to do a nine mile long run this morning. That would still have been my longest long run to date, and that was all I had planned on running, but I had prepared to go the distance. I planned a route that took me back past my house halfway through so I could grab the nasty GU I'd stashed on my porch (in hopes that it would carry me through the next half). I did, and as I made the block again, I downed it with the blue Gatorade, already spilling all over me. I was determined to make the nine, so I powered through the next three miles with a killer cramp. Once I'd managed that - I'd gotten that far - I decided I was going to go the distance and do the double digit for the first time ever.
At the beginning of the 10th mile - knowing I'd already met the day's goal of nine - I kind of started to bonk. My mind said I could stop now. My legs were sure wanting to, but my heart wanted to keep going. It was two against one, and then the music stepped in to save me. By some miracle, a breeze started blowing and my very favorite running tune started flowing through the phones. I literally said - out loud (to no one) - "Really? Okay then. Well, I've got to do it now." Seriously, whenever I hear this song, I am unstoppable. It says, "If you want it, come and get it," and I wanted it bad. It might not speak to you, but it screams to me. Sugarland, you saved me...again. Dear Readers, I give you Sugarland's "Take Me As I Am."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw-8WmLUZoQ
I don't clean toilets in a grungy motel, and no, my name's not Maggie, but Maggie sounds like the kind of take no prisoners, take it or leave it, no nonsense - yes - badass chick I'd like to be. So yeah, that's my kind of tune.
Spurred by my favorite song, I made it home and made it to 10 miles (actually 10.14, but who's counting, right?) - no stops, no walks. I'm kind of still in shock.
I want it. I want to be the best me I can be. I want it bad, and I'm coming to get it. My music is helping me get there. I get a little closer every day.
Hmm...this reminds me. I need to add that "Stacy's Mom" song to my playlist. Granted, I'm Emma's mom, and Charlie's mom, and that song's neither badass nor hair band, but it's about a mom who's "got it goin' on." Yeah, I'd run to that.
So what are the tunes that move you? Feel free to share, and we'll create the perfect playlist together. Until then, keep trying for what you're trying for, Friends!
Until we read again...TTYL -
Ali
*No. I normally do not condone swearing in my blog. I'm usually super-square like that, and I have a kid who's savvy enough to pull it up and read it whenever she wants. But seriously, even the English major/future teacher/mommy in me cannot think of a better word for that feeling than badass, because that's just exactly what it is. And it's awesome.
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