Running with Ray

So Sunday after the Race for the Cure, I really needed to get into double digits.  So I mapped out a landmark five miles from my house.  It is longer than I have run in about a year so I told myself if I had to walk a little it is okay, many people walk a bit in a marathon, right…right?  Okay let’s hope so because at this point the idea of almost tripling my 10 mile run seems very daunting.  Well back to the run on Sunday.  At 11:00 I set out for my run with what I was assuming was plenty of time to get back for the Ravens taking on the Steelers.  I told Tim half jokingly that if I don’t come back after two hours to come looking for me.

I started out feeling a little tight from the 5k and I also had new running shoes, which I know you should break in with shorter runs, but the idea of running in my shot shoes didn’t seem any better.  I got into my groove though and about a mile in it felt great.  Knowing I was going longer of course I slowed my pace down from the beginning, which really did wonders for the length that I felt strong.  The route I was going was not only beautiful, but on a perfect Carolina fall afternoon - tons of people were out running, walking, or biking so it made for great people watching.  I ran through the Dilworth area into Myers Park and through Queens College.  I ran up Queens Rd, which as a side note changes names at least 3 times that I know of which is consistent with every other street in Charlotte - making getting to know the city incredibly difficult.  Anyways when I say running up Queens I mean that literally - it is just one slow rolling hill, but on the upside either the city or residents have water fountains scattered about the historic neighborhood.  Odd, but wonderful for runners!  So I got to Myers Park Methodist Church, my turn around point, and still felt just dandy. 

On my way back though I really started to slow down.  I was feeling drained and my feet hurt!  I started to walk for just a bit around mile 7.5.  Throughout the run I had been thinking about the Ravens playing the Steelers and nervously wondering about the game.  Then I thought what would Ray Lewis tell me to do if he were here watching me walk?  I’m not trying to say that professional football players are the epitome of inspiration, as there are many more people that have overcome incredible feats (did you read my last entry) with grace and without a check for millions of dollars.   But right now I needed Ray, a man that some how has only gotten stronger, faster, and tougher as he’s aged.  At age 35 when many football players start to think about relaxing in retirement (or waiver on the decision publically), he is without question the most terrifying guy the opposing team has ever met.  So what would Ray say to me now?  He would say “Girl run your ass home so you can watch me kill some Steelers”.  So that is what I did and what they did as well.

So I run into my building, get to my apartment door at 12:58.  Hand on the knob, I can just feel the water in my throat and the feeling of my feet free, and the door is locked.  Okay first I think Tim just locked it on instinct, but after banging for what seemed like an eternity I accepted the fact that Tim had gone searching for his favorite runner.  Well that is when it’s good to have a sports bar in your apartment building, where I settled in with the Ravens, a ton of water, and used the bar phone to leave Tim a message letting him know of my safety.  Even though I typically do not like to go into a bar drenched in sweat in my workout gear, I was a pretty happy camper having completed my run and watching my boys.  Oh and Tim joined me pretty quickly, he was just alarmed that I would miss kick-off so thought something had to be wrong.  Also if you missed the game we did beat the Steelers and ended the game with Ray Lewis incepting the Steelers pass ending any thought of a last minute comeback.  I know it’s silly, but I felt Ray was saying to me, “No matter what, always finish strong!”

Race for the Cure

Okay, it has been a busy two weeks so my blog is a little backed up…  Last Saturday morning Tim and I ran the Race for the Cure here in Charlotte.  Even though it was just a 5k it was great to actually compete in a large race, which I haven’t done since the Cooper River Bridge 10k in March.  More importantly however it really put into perspective the physical struggles I am going through when I saw cancer survivors and their loved ones.  It is unbelievable to see those that have survived this disease through incredible physical, mental, and emotional strength.  Also to see the huge number of people just here in Charlotte who are so committed to achieving a cure so that no one will have to face that struggle again.

Those running in memory or in celebration of a loved one wear a small sign on their back with their loved one’s name and sometimes additional information they choose to provide.  Logistically it makes a lot of sense because as you are running you can read the names or those affected by cancer and traditionally your identification number is on your front.  However I feel there is deeper symbolism than those facts.  Our loved ones are always behind us in achieving our goals and conquering our struggles.  They do so by offering encouraging words and advice, but they also do so by their own inspiring actions.  I thought specifically about the father and daughter in front of me at one point running in celebration of their mother/wife.  I am sure that the mother would say the love and support of her daughter and husband got her through her greatest struggle of her life.  On the flip side I am certain that watching their wife and mother conquer cancer inspires those two strong runners (they were only in front of me within eye sight briefly before they shot ahead) in all aspects of their life and in the race.  I certainly know how much the people in my life have helped me achieve what I already have and I know there is no way I will cross the finish line of the marathon without their love and faith in me.

Since I am backlogging a little bit, I can give you a hint to what happened the day after the race – it includes 10 miles, a worried boyfriend, and Ray Lewis….

Girls Weekend....

This weekend I went with seven of my girlfriends to Isle of Palms, SC for a weekend of fun in the sun.  We all went through the same training program right out of college and then got placed in various places so we do not see each other very often.  I was very excited to see everyone, but knew that my running schedule would probably suffer given the increased humidity and temperature and of course the amount of drinking and eating that would be involved.  We all got in around 10:30 Friday night and planned on staying in and catching up a bit before hitting the hay – pretty good set up for my Saturday morning run.  Flash forward to 4:45 in the morning and, after “catching up” aka drinking all night, I was just getting into bed.  Great choice…  My alarm went off at 8:30 and the last thing I wanted to do was get out of bed and into my running gear.  Before I would have taken the excuse that I had a long week and I deserved some R&R, but I mustered together what little motivation I had and was out the door by 9.  Already hot and muggy as hell and I could feel every hour of sleep I missed and every beer I drank. 

I’m into making bargains with myself and the one that I made that morning was that I would not even take my watch I would just go until I couldn’t make it another step.  Granted I crawled along most of the way, but I ran for about 40ish minutes according to my iPod and mental time.  Not too shabby really given the circumstances.  In the beginning I felt awful, but then I got in my usual groove and enjoyed my surroundings.  I could smell the ocean air the whole time.  As I normally do running anywhere I looked at all the houses and picked out a couple that I would settle on for a future pad – given winning the lottery etc.  Then I ran across the bridge to Sullivan’s Island which was breathtaking – I even saw a group of dolphins.  Then I ended my run and took off my shoes to walk along the beach back to our condo.  Although it is hard to do sometimes incorporating running as I travel really has its benefits.  I was able to see the neighborhoods and scenery in a different perspective than I would have in a car.  

Introduction

I’m running my first marathon here in Charlotte in December!  Whoa Nelly!  I’ve run a fair amount of races in the past including a half marathon last fall and I ran cross country in high school. However do not let these facts give you the impression that am I a hard-core runner.  I’m not fast nor do I have the body of your typical runner.  I am a pretty average girl that just likes to run.  If you are looking for great professional level tips and ideas this is probably not the blog for you to follow.  If you want to get a couple of good laughs and maybe a little motivation than I am your girl.

So I feel like I should give a little background to why I decided to run a marathon and also why I decided to blog about my last months of training.  I have had a pretty tough and crazy year.  In the last 5 months alone I lost both of my grandparents and moved to a new city (unrelated occurrences just happened all at once).  Other than loss this year I really am happy with my life –I have a job I love, a wonderful boyfriend, and amazing friends and family.  Even though looking at where I am at 24 I feel pretty pleased sometimes I still get the feeling I’m just watching my life happening and I’m not sure I know the girl living it anymore.  Call it a quarter life crisis or whatever you want, but I decided that no matter what happened this year I am going to end 2010 on a good note!  So that gives you an idea to why I’m running a marathon, but why blog about it?  Anyone that runs, bikes, swims, or walks, knows you think about everything while you’re alone and in the zone.  I have my deepest musings about life while on a run.  After my grandfather died this spring after the funeral in Maryland, where I grew up, I came home to North Carolina and moved from Winston-Salem to Charlotte the next week.  I was so caught up in my new role at work, my new apartment, and getting to know a new city and the people in it I left my feelings of grief and sadness home in Maryland.  I wouldn’t call myself happy, but I just was not feeling much of anything.  Anyways on a long run one weekend morning something triggered a memory and I just lost it.  Months later I can’t remember what it was it that set it off – it could have been an old man I passed or some other association I had with my Granddad.  I cried almost the whole way home.  Good thing I sweat so much because no one I passed probably even noticed.  The important part was when I got home I felt better than I had when I left for my run.   I've also had countless other less sad thoughts and ideas while running - and I want to have record of the good and the bad.

Okay so down to the nitty gritty.  If you are thinking that I am right on track with my training schedule you are pretty wrong.  I have breezed in and out of my training schedule for many silly excuses – travelling, long hours at the office, and probably the biggest culprit this oppressive Southern heat and my inability to get up in the morning and run before work.  Anyways I’ve been back on the wagon – I am making running a priority in my life!  Oh and the temperature has started to go down…