Essential Marathon (Running) Items

I am in no way endorsing any of these products. These companies have not paid me to say anything about them (I wish, haha!). Instead, these are simply the products that worked well for ME while training for my marathon, and I wanted to share them in case they can also benefit other runners.

1. Good shoes. I like the Asics GT 2000, and I bought them a size up to accommodate for my swollen feet after 26.2 miles. Check them out here.

2. Fuel. Yes, when you're running for more than an hour, you need to replenish calories. Besides the standard two to three bottles of Gatorade, I also chose to take in more calories at a time with Clif Shot Bloks and Clif Shot Gels. These are the only ones I could find bearable. They taste like gummy bears, while the other brands tasted like chalk to me. Thanks, Clif! Some flavors have caffeine (which helped more than I thought it would), and others did not. Check them out here and here.

3. A way to track your progress. I chose Nike+ because it allows you to customize it. You can choose whether you were running on roads, trails, or a treadmill. You also can enter how you felt after your run. It adds up all of your miles, and you can set it to talk to you every mile (or half or even quarter mile) to tell you how far you've gone and what your splits are. I use this with a Bluetooth headset that I wear to listen to music on some runs. Check it out here.

4. A way to motivate you to get out there and run. I use the Big Day app on my iPhone because it lets me have multiple countdowns. I had this marathon one on there, and I would check it every morning. Seeing the numbers get smaller motivated me to keep running! Check it out here.

5. A GPS running watch. This one is NOT necessary, but I did enjoy my Garmin Forerunner. It tracks your mileage during runs, and it lights up. It easily charges through a USB port... AND it's cute. I am glad I bought it, but again, this is not something you NEED. Check it out here.

6. A way to carry your goods when you're on the run. I chose the Spibelt after it was recommended to me by a couple different people. I chose the lime green one (of course - it's my favorite color and matches my shoes and watch). It stretches out quite a bit. I held my ID, credit card, iPhone, and 20 Clif Shot Bloks in mine during the marathon. The downside was that it couldn't also hold my Clif Shot Gels, but I easily attached those to my pants with safety pins, and that worked great. Check out the Spibelt here.

It's also seen on me during my race here:

• What are YOUR essential items for running? 
• What do you carry with you on long runs?
• Did I miss anything important? 

Why I Run

Running takes me back. When I was a kid, I used to run laps around the playground for fun during  recess. I would run with my dad some afternoons. I would run, run, run for no apparent reason. It wasn't my sport. It wasn't my thing. I just did it to keep up with my friends in the neighborhood, who were older than me, and to keep out of reach from my younger brother, who would chase me around with a baseball bat. Seriously. (But don't worry -- we're cool now).

I grew up as an athlete. I danced tap, jazz, and ballet. I competed in power tumbling (acrobats) for MANY years (and loved it). I played soccer. I played basketball. Heck, I even played football (amazing experience, by the way). When I was 13, I was healing from a torn MCL (left knee) from acrobats. I didn't know what to do with myself. I decided to be crazy and to sign up for cross country as a brand new seventh grader (the first year school sports were offered at my middle school). (I know what you're thinking -- why would she sign up to run long distances with a torn MCL? You've got me, but hey, I healed, and I'm still running, nearly 13 years later). 

I ran cross country and track all the way from 7th grade through 12th grade. I pushed myself in ways I had never imagined. I made friends I wouldn't have otherwise. My teammates became a second family to me. I had some amazing coaches who guided me through perseverance. I learned so much about myself while testing my limits running. I still continue to develop in my mind. My legs are not in control; my heart is. 

You know what they say:

"Running is the greatest metaphor for life. You get out of it what you put into it."

I'm a firm believer in that statement, and running long distances has trained my mind to think that way.

I'm not fast. I never won any races (other than relays, and I credit my teammates for that). I will never break any records (other than my own). I don't run for the glory; if I did, I would never see it. I run because it EMPOWERS ME. 

WHY I RUN

·      I can

·      Runner’s High

·      It challenges me

·      It clears my mind

·      It relieves my stress

·      To prevent heart disease

·      It is cheaper than therapy

·      Someday I won’t be able to

·      For all the people who cannot

·      It makes me feel good about myself

There are so many good reasons to run. Every runner has different reasons, but they are all valid. Running may not be the most fun way to exercise all the time, but I have NEVER once regretted a run I have gone on. Even if I'm slow, I'm still faster than the people on the couch. I'm still better off than those who choose to sit around. I still feel better about myself than those who aren't tough enough to work through their issues. 

I have run in numerous races. I have over 50 5Ks under my belt. Some of those were high school races, and others are fun runs, like the Color Run, the Dirty Dash, and the Glow Run. I ran the Go! St. Louis Half Marathon in 2008, and then I let running taper off in my life. I knew I missed it. I ached for it. My body WANTED to run, but my mind told me: "NO! You aren't strong enough for that anymore. You can't handle it."

Recently, I picked it up again. Running is good for the soul. I am challenging myself in ways I never have before. I KNOW that I am capable of doing whatever I set my mind to. My legs aren't going to give out. My heart will keep on beating. It's my mind that likes to play tricks on me... but this time, I am out to get that brain of mine. I WILL conquer it. I WILL run a half marathon in Denver at the end of July. I will be a fresh 26 year old woman for that race, and I WILL dominate it, even if that only means running the entire thing without walking. I can, and I WILL. 

Dan and I will be running in the Dog Days Half Marathon in Westminster, Colorado (near Denver) on July 27th, 2013. We are both following the Hal Higdon Half Marathon Training Plan, and so far, it's going well. We are training separately, of course, but it will be nice to run the 13.1 miles together. I can't wait! The proceeds from this half marathon will be going to the Colorado Canine Rescue, which makes this race even sweeter. I'm such a sucker for animals. 

Also, I may be getting in over my head, but like I said, I think I am capable of ANYTHING I SET MY MIND TO... which is why I am seriously contemplating running a full marathon next year. I have always wanted to. I know I want to do it before I have kids one day. I also think it would be the perfect pre-wedding training plan. My good friend Lizzie (at Sweet Kansas Girl) wants to run one as well, so we decided that we should run our first one together. That way, we can hold each other accountable and be there for moral support! I want to do a marathon at lower altitude than Colorado has to offer, though, and I've also always wanted to travel for a race. Since Dan and I are paying for our wedding next May, I didn't want to spend a ton of money... so I found the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, which is held on April 27th, 2014, just 33 days before my wedding. I think it sounds absolutely perfect, and I am determined. My farthest distance to date is 13.1 miles, but I will not be saying that by this time next year. 

I often turn to quotes for motivation when I'm feeling down before a long run. These are some of my favorites: 

Do YOU run? If so, WHY do you choose to run? If not, what is your preferred exercise? 

The Glow Run 5K

On April 27th, 2013, Dan and I ran the Glow Run 5K in Fountain, Colorado, just south of Colorado Springs. We originally found the race in February, but Dan was hesitant. He enjoys running, but he isn't a huge fan of all the "fun" runs I seem to find. He changed his mind, however, when he found out some of his Flying Team teammates wanted to run it. That worked out well for me because he agreed to run it.

I am SO glad we did! It was an absolute blast. I ran my best 5K time since moving to Colorado (aka high altitude central... which equates to very poor breathing while running for a person with exercise induced asthma). I was pretty proud of myself, and we had a BLAST running together!

We even signed up for a half marathon together at the end of July in Denver. We are both following Hal Higdon's half marathon training plan. I just finished week one of 12, and I'm excited to announce that I ran my farthest distance since 2008 just today! I feel on top of the world right now, and there will only be more days like this to come. My next blog post will be about why I run... because it's long and emotional. I was going to add it to this one, but there would just be way too much going on. I'll save it for later!

For now, pictures!

See us? We're coming in back there!

I love this! I'm glad I don't look like death for once!

Happy to be finished! :)

Happy! :) 

Dan is in the pink, and I'm to the right of him! We ran with some of his teammates! :)

with our medals... which is weird! I have NEVER gotten a medal for running a 5K before... it was strange, but hey, they are pretty and glow in the dark! 

Overall, the Glow Run was an EXCELLENT experience! I hope they offer it again next year because it was so much fun! 

What I'm Looking Forward To

As work is at one of its busiest points of the year, I have been feeling a little bit overwhelmed. This feeling is NOTHING compared to how I felt last year at this time, and I am incredibly thankful to teach in such an amazing little school. However, we just wrapped up our state standardized testing (TCAP in Colorado), and it has been ROUGH. Proctoring test after test gets tiring, and the students have not been themselves. They have been bored out of their minds taking so many tests, and I can't blame them! Tomorrow, we are rewarding them with an ice cream party at the end of the day -- it should be SO much fun!

Because I've been feeling stressed out, I decided to come up with a list of things I am looking forward to in the near and distant future.

1. SPRING BREAK. It starts in less than 24 hours. I am STOKED! Tomorrow and Saturday, Dan and I are just hanging out and relaxing. We leave early Sunday morning to head to the hot springs for a day/night and then to Copper Mountain to ski for a few days. We will head back to Colorado Springs on Wednesday evening, and my mom flies in then to spend a few days here. I don't know what all we will do, but I am looking forward to sleeping in.

2. Celebrating Dan's birthday in April. He turns 24, and I love the few months when we only have a one year age difference. My birthday is in July, and then we'll be back to two years apart. I have a pretty fun gift for him this year, and I can't wait to give it to him!

3. Running a fun 5K! I get to check one off for the year in April, and I'm pretty excited! I am running The Glow Run with Dan and some people on his Flying Team. It's on April 27th, it's at night (in the dark), and lots of glow sticks are involved. I CAN'T WAIT! For fun, here are a couple pictures from The Color Run last year...

4. Engagement Pictures in Colorado! Dan and I are having our wedding photographer take engagement pictures of us so we can get to know her style, etc. I have been dying for pictures at Garden of the Gods, so guess what is in our future... ;) A friend took some gorgeous photos for us last fall at the Air Force Academy, and they turned out great, so I'm excited for this last set of pictures before our big day!

5. Finishing my novel! I actually finished writing it in 2010. I didn't look at it once in 2011. I did one edit in 2012, and that felt WONDERFUL to finish. Now that I'm in my second edit, it's tougher. I love the story. I love the characters. I am just a little bit tired of trying to make it all perfect... but it will come together. I enjoy working on it when I can find the time, and I am looking forward to several Saturdays doing just that this spring while Dan is flying. I love going to La Baguette downtown to work. The atmosphere is great, and the food is even better!

6. Spending some time at Garden of the Gods. It is my favorite place in the world (so far), and I always feel completely at peace there. I could drive through it, run, hike, whatever... it's just SO nice. Dan and I picnic there sometimes, and it's so romantic and beautiful. I could basically live there. And hey, rent would be a lot cheaper too!

7. Exploring the outdoors with Dan as it continues to get warmer. This is something we both love. Hiking together is great, especially if there is a picnic in the middle! I can't wait to take our British friends hiking in gorgeous Colorado this summer when they visit. This state is so wonderful for doing things outdoors.

8. Starting our garden again! There's nothing like growing your own food. It's amazing to watch, and it tastes ever-so-slightly better... just because you watched it grow from day one. Last summer, we got several veggies, but since I didn't move into this house until July, we didn't plant seeds until mid-July... so I KNOW we will yield even more this year. We have mapped out what we want to plant, when to plant it, and where to put it. I am looking forward to lots of fresh vegetables this year!

9. Going home to Missouri for part of the summer. I do this every year when Dan is busy. I look forward to the drive through Kansas by myself because it is so calm. I take the cats with me, and we drive almost straight through for ten hours. I stop once for gas, food, and a bathroom break half way, and I make CDs to listen to for the parts where the radio doesn't even work (gotta love middle-of-nowhere Kansas). It's always fun, and I enjoy seeing my family and friends when it's nice outside... because the only other time I go home is in the winter. I always go to a Royals game while I'm home, and I can't wait to do that again this summer!

10. Marrying my handsome fiancé in just over a year and finally calling him my husband! I enjoy being Dan's fiancée, sure, but it gets old not being able to see him during the week, not being allowed to live with him, etc. I am 25 years old, and I am READY. I have been learning how to be patient (and let me tell you -- it's gotten much better over the past few years). By our wedding date, we will have been together for five years and three months -- plenty of time if you ask me! Our wedding date is just two days after his Air Force Academy graduation. Since he's not allowed to be married while he's there, we aren't going to waste any time afterward!

Well, that was fun! I highly suggest writing out all of the things you're looking forward to the next time you're stressed. Going through old pictures makes it even better. I am in a VERY happy mood right now! I just need to make it through tomorrow, and I will be on spring break for nine days! Life is good.