Running in the Dark

Today I really noticed how tough it is to run in the dark.  Usually I run with several people, and we have lights on our caps to light the way.  As the sun creeps up, we can see better, and even the moon lights our path.  

But today, I forgot my water bottle.  When I headed back to get it, a friend offered one of hers.  What a blessing.  It saved me 4 miles.  But by the time I got the water bottle, my pace group was way ahead.  I ran through the park by myself.  Where the trees covered the path, I could only see by my headlight.  If I looked out too far, there was not enough light to see.  I had to keep my head down and eyes focused j on the path a step or two in  front of my feet.

 I knew the path because I had run it many times, but I had not memorized it.  I didn't remember when it veered left or right, went up or down.  I had to keep my eyes right on the path. The light showed me where to take my next step.  

Since I was running alone, I had much time to reflect on this thought.  It is similar to my work situation right now.  I have 35 weeks of 4th grade ahead of me to learn about  and turn around and teach.  My students are tested in 3 area - reading, math and writing, all of which I must teach them.  As of now, I don't have a plan and it is  overwhelming.  But, if I will just look at what I need to do this week, I can plan that.  If each day I just prepare for that day, I can do that.  It is when I look too far in the future that the task looks enormous.  One week plan and one day preparation are doable.  I have to quit looking out to the path ahead, and just look for the next step.

I was reminded of a Bible verse, Psalm 119:105  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.  The Message version puts it this way: "By your words I can see where I'm going .  They throw a beam of light on my dark path."  My path looks dark far out, but I made it through this week one step at a time.  I will do the same next week, and the next.

 All along the way, God has guided me and sent help.  Today I  ran my 12 miles with no training runs during this week.  A kind friend gave me a water bottle, and another waited  and ran  6 miles with me.  It all worked together to make  a successful week. Chicago is 40 days away - which is overwhelming.  I have so much to do between now and then.  I haven't gotten the days off work yet, and then there is planning for a substitute.  But right now I'll just plan next week, run my miles, and not look too far ahead.   

Keeping my eyes on the light,
TVW   

Running Conflicts

I started my full time job on Monday.  It is not your ordinary 8 hour a day job.  It takes me at 2 hours to prepare for 5 hours of teaching.  Every night after work I head to Target, WalMart, Teacher's Tool, and Mardels.  Tonight I just went to the grocery store.  Wth all this, I have not run since my18 miles on Sunday.  

I am hoping that I can run Chicago.  I have to ask off, and I have to keep up my running.  Things are getting complicated.  But this weekend I hope to catch up.  I have a race on Monday.  Things were easier when running was my full time job.

Running on Empty ,
TVW

Team Weaver

Team Weaver was out in full force today.  Starting at 5:30 a.m. we left the house - I on my feet and my husband JIm  on his bike. We rode/ ran 2 miles until a water break - Jim carrying the water.  We continued for another 4 miles back and forth on a wide, well lit parkway.  I then headed out on another 3 mile out/ 3 mile back trek of the  planned run when I suddenly realized I need gatorade.  For some reason my nutritionists wanted me to just drink water.  But with 82 degree weather headed to 92 degrees, I need electrolytes.  Jim headed back to QT for gatorade and had it and ice cold water for me at mile 12. 

With 6 miles to go, I was dying, but I'm pretty sure this is where the mental toughness practice comes in.  I headed back down the parkway, Jim give me a thumbs up  each time he passed on his bike.  Finally I was at the park trails for my last 4 miles.  It was tough, and I was spent.  When I crossed the 4 mile mark on the trail, I still had .3 to go.  JIm was there with cold water and gatorade trying to figure out what I was doing.  When the watch finally read 18 MILES - I stopped.  Best thing to have cold water and gatorade hand delivered.  He also had the car with a towel to transport my tired 54 year old body back home.

After a quick shower, it was off to Snooty Pig for The Breakfast of Perseverance- me for running 18 miles and Jim for supporting me for 4 hours on Sunday morning.

Hurting all over, but a full heart,
TVW

Training and Working

For the past 8 years, I have either not worked, or worked part time.  If my job comes through, I will for the first time be working full time and training for a marathon.  This is going to be a shock for me- both the working 8 + hours a day,  and fitting in my run.

I'm a teacher, and for my marathon training time I have been working as a substitute.  I never worked more than 4 days a week, and I could work my running around my teaching.

But if all works out for my new job, I will be working full time while continuing to train for the Chicago marathon which is 50 days away.  I already have a conflict with my 18 mile run scheduled for today.  I have a 7:30 a.m. meeting so I had to switch my Saturday and Sunday running schedules.  This morning I have to run at 6 a.m. , in the dark, to get my run in while it is still cooler than 90 degrees.

Tomorrow I have to run 18 miles by myself.  Monday, I will have to run early again, and Tuesday (hopefully my first day) I'm not sure how I will do it.  I'm going to have to either run early in the dark, run late in the heat, or run bored to death on the treadmill.  I guess I am going to have to get tough and join the real world. I've had it easy for the past year training, but now I'm not going to have the luxury of a convenient run.  It will get easier when the temperatures drop. Afternoon and evening running will be an option. But for now, it is squeeze the runs in before work.  I'm impressed with all the people who have been doing this all along. 

Running by the moonlight,
TVW

Night Running

Thursday I found myself too nervous to run. I woke up at 5 a.m. without the help of an alarm. I had a job interview scheduled at 1:15 p.m.  But I kept putting off my run.  I didn't want to use my energy running -  I had an interview to worry about. So at 8: 30 p.m.,  6 hours after the interview I finally went for my run.  Summer weather has returned to Texas and even with the sun down, it was still in the high 90's.

My husband rode his bike on the same road while I ran - the idea was that he was near by for my protection.  Fifty minutes seemed like 2 hours.  It was hot, and it was humid, and it was after 8:30.  Finally with the help of 17 good songs, I finished.  As for my husband, he beat me home.  When he couldn't find me on the road,  he headed home.  So much for protection.

This Saturday I'm scheduled for an 18 mile run.  But, because of my job possibility, I have a meeting Saturday morning.  My husband has redeemed himself because he has agreed to be my support team on Sunday, when I  will run 18 miles by myself starting at 5:30 a.m. 

Motivation Returns with Cooler Weather

Running had become a drag.  Everyday for two weeks I've had to mentally drag myself out of bed and out the door.  At first I blamed it on my year and half pursuit of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. I was just burned out.  Then I decided it was because I had not run a race since April. My motivation needed a competitive boost.  But on Thursday, the temperature  unexpectedly dropped.  90 degree mornings are typical for Texas in August. Thursday morning's temperature was in the 70's. Ah - it was the hot humid conditions that had zapped my running zeal.  With the cooler temperatures, suddenly my mood changed. The fun was back - the joy, the excitement, running miles unaware- it all came back. Cooler temperatures reminded me why I like to run.  It was a preview of fall running  only weeks away.  I could relax, my hope renewed for a 4:10 Chicago Marathon - the time needed to qualify for Boston. 

Saturday was even better.  At our 5:00 am start, the temperature was in the 60's- is this really Texas?  Add to that two conversational running buddies and the first half of my run flew by.  They were running 18 miles, and I only 10, so I turned back  at mile 5 to run the last half solo.  It was still cool.  No hills on the schedule. Eve, my nutritionists was the guest speaker after the run.  I even heard a short clinic on the best socks to buy. Wonderful Saturday!

Chicago Marathon, I'm back on schedule,
TVW

Fantastic Buy on Sweat Rag

I finally remembered during the week that I need a - what do I call it  - wash rag, wash cloth,-  actually it is my sweat rag.  Pure and simple that is what it is used for and so that is what I will call it.  Cloth sounds too dignified and I do not wash with it.  So the official name is SWEAT RAG.  

I found the perfect ones at Walmart. 

Not too thick - that makes it hard to tuck in my running shorts. 
Not too big - I dropped my make shift rag twice last Saturday which I made by tearing a  hand towel in half. 
Not too expensive - 18 for $4. With my accounting training I can calculate  in my head  the price to to be less than 25 cents each (22 cents to be exact).   
Not too special - with 18 I can drop a few, lend a few to fellow runners, and not get too upset if my dog eats one or two.


They are perfect and I may go buy another pack in case they are a back to school special.

Perfect timing to try out on my 9 mile run tomorrow,
TVW

Welcome Cross Country Season

Today I ran smack dab into the Keller High School Cross Country Team.  I'll bet there were 20 of them- guys and girls.  They had just started, I think, because they were all in a clump.  It doesn't take long for them to spread out.  It is always the same - 3-4 boys without shirts in front, followed by 3-4 thin girls.  After that is a larger mixed group of girls and guys, then there are the straggles.  I love to see them out early running while it is still summer.  They are rare among their peers.

I have a theory: Cross country runners are smart.  It was true at my kids' school and I'll bet is is true everywhere.  What it takes to be a good runner is that same that it takes to be a good student.

Discipline - These kids have to run early and long - even when it is hot. You can't cheat on weekly mileage or it will ruin your races.    Same with studying - those kids have to study long and hard even when everyone else is out having fun.

No crowd needed - Runners have to run many hours and miles by themselves, when no one knows or is around.  Same with good students. - they spend much time by themselves studying and pursuing knowledge/good grades.

Tactical - Runners continually check their watches, and their pace. They have a plan pace per mile and when to accelerate to run their best race.  It takes brains to calculate and keep up all that while running.  Similarly  good students constantly know their grade average and what grade they need to keep their grade point and class rank.

Not on TV - Only once every 4 years do we watch runners on tv.  Same with cross country - maybe the district or state meets attract attention, but most  of their races are run during the school day. No one is there but their parents and coaches. You don't even have to pay to watch their events.  Same with good students - no one watches them take big tests.  No spectators at ACT, SAT, or AP Tests - where they shine.  Exception is the Spelling Bee on ESPN.  

It is a lifelong pursuit - Runners don't have to quit when they get 30.  They can continue their sport their whole life.  Good students are life long learners no matter what field they enter.  

Another thing I love about Cross Country - there are no cuts.  Everyone can be on the team.  Everyone can win their race, not by coming in first, but by improving their own time.

What is not to love about this sport?
TVW

Tools for Long Term Healthy Eating

It is ironic that I would attempt to write about long term and healthy eating.  I can write better about backsliding and repeat offender.  But one thing I do have in my favor, I keep on keeping on.  The fact that I have not gotten much more than 20 pounds over my wedding day weight except for pregnancy is a little admirable.  So, here are the tools that when I use them do work to keep me from eating everything in sight for 6 months.

1. Write it Down/Calories Count  It is kind of like money, even if you don't keep track of it, it still counts.  So, keeping track of what I'm eating even when I blow it helps me not keep blowing it.  I use Lose IT .com and it makes it really easy.  

2. Drink water not diet drinks.  I don't know what it is, but  diet drinks don't taste good with healthy food, and water does not fit in well with junk food. I do drink coffee, tea, and Crystal Light and they don't seem to have craving for junk food effect that diet drinks have. I'm just saying.

3.  Weigh.  I don't like to do this because no matter what happens, my reaction is not good. If my weight is down, I like to eat the rest of the day for a reward.  If my weight is up, I eat all day because I'm depressed about it.  But I have noticed that not knowing is the worse.  So, I suggest weighing once a month.  Plus when your clothes get tight there is not denying that something is up.  Clothes you've had for years don't suddenly begin to shrink.

4.  Quit making food the highlight of my life.  This is huge.  I always think of fun as entertainment with a fun factor.  Most healthy foods aren't fun.  So, I give myself coffee after dinner and consider that fun.  I get other things to do distract myself like a good book or go to Target, or google famous people.  When food is the focal point of my life - and with all the restaurants, and cooking shows it is hard not to get consumed with food - especially when you aren't working full time - it is hard not to eat all the time.  So, I work to distract myself.

I have a few other tools, like buying fruit already cut up, and Chick-fil-a when I'm about to go wild eating.  But these 4 are the basics.

Last Time: Discipline

The big area of my life that still lacks discipline: eating.  Now I can lose weight with the best of you.  Give me a diet and a motivation goal and I can do it.

First time I lost weight was in middle school - we called it junior high.  I had stopped growing but kept eating like I still needed fuel to extend my legs and arms.  I don't remember what I lost, but I do remember weighing 110 at my goal.  I haven't seen that number on the scale in years.

In college - freshman year I went on a 5 day fast - so stupid and freshmany of me.  I remember weighing 114 at the end.  That was the last time I saw that number.

When I fell in love with my disciplined man, I lost weight without even trying - that is how I knew I was in love.  I weighed 118 at my wedding.  That number is long gone too.

Between my two babies, I lost a ton of weight to go back to my college 10 year reunion.  I was  Ms. Weight Watchers - even attaining lifetime status -  weighing 120.  Do you notice these numbers keep going up - little by little.  

Since then it has been a merry-go-round .  I'm either on a diet heading for a goal, or I'm eating everything I want to with no caution until my clothes get tight, then I'm back to Weight Watchers or something similar.  It seems I think that once I lose the weight I can go back to my old habits and it will magically stay off. Round and round I go (and grow).

This summer, I lost 8.5 pounds in 2 months with the help of a sports nutritionists. (Notice I'm not giving specific weight numbers anymore).  She was so impressed with my efforts, and so was I .  Since I left her office a month ago, I haven't stopped celebrating.  Now I have not gained back much - honesty I'm too scared to get on the scales, but my clothes still fit.  But I go back to her one week from today.  So of course, my accountability/goal motivation kicks in and I'm back to being good or "on the plan".

But here is what I'm trying to learn and implement at my ripe old age of 54.  I've got to make a real change.  It's time. I've been at this for 40 years. I've got to learn how  continue to use the tools I used to lose weight to keep it off.  

This post is at its max - so tomorrow permanent weight loss tools tomorrow.
TVW

Where Did I Get Discipline Part 2

We were talking about the D word - and  actually, there are probably two sources for my slowly acquired, still in process, personal discipline. 

Now remember, I have been praying for years for discipline.  I read The Disciplined Life  several times, starting in my teens.  But knowledge about discipline does not make one disciplined.  No, I think what has helped me the most is this:  witnessing others' undisciplined lives. Observing the result of a life time of undisciplined living has taken me past desire for discipline to implementation - that and hormones that disturb my sleep.

I saw that just a little over eating or over spending is not a big deal in your 20's and 30's.  It is easy to fix those in the short term with Jenny Craig and credit cards. But when those habits continue and  creep into your 40's and beyond, the snowball effect gets huge.  All the sudden you can't lose weight easily or get a higher paying job and there is no quick fix. Plus years of bad habits take a long time to break.  

So when faced with a choice to be disciplined or not, I just thought about what the undisciplined decision would look like multiplied by a thousand in ten years, and it was much easier to get up and run, not buy the dress, clean out the drawer, do the hard thing now.

And my second source of discipline I must attribute to the movie What About Bob and the writer/blogger  FlyLady(.www.flylady.net/‎ )

I realized from Bob that change begins with baby steps. Discipline is not one big leap from 3 snoozes to getting up early for the rest of my life - it is just the baby steps of getting up and putting my feet on the floor when the alarm rings today.  I didn't run a marathon in January of 2011, I just laced up my shoes and started running a few steps for one day. The next day I did it again. Baby steps, in almost any area, are doable.

From Fly Lady, I realized discipline does not have to be done perfectly to work. I always started with these big plans to get up early, run, have a quiet time, etc. Sometimes I only got so far as making the plan before I quit- it overwhelmed me.  But now I have grace in my plan which allows for  imperfect results..  For example,  I may get up early 4 of 7 days a week and I'll accept that.  I don't have to quit because I didn't make it all 7.  And with running, I may walk some - that does not ruin it.  What I did run works and I can think of  the walking as a cool down. if I miss a day on my schedule, I don't have to start all over - i just pick up and keep going.

Tomorrow - I will tell you about the area of my life where discipline still eludes me.

Baby steps,
TVW

Where Did I Get This Discipline

This what it looked like outside the running store when I arrived at 5:00 this morning.  Yes, that is 5:00 a.m.  I then proceeded to run for 2 hours and 52 minutes.  If I wasn't there myself, I wouldn't believe.

I am not really a disciplined person.  I'm okay for the short term - like I could always cram for exams and stay on a diet for a week.  But this type of discipline has sneaked up on me. How did I get from a 3 time alarm snoozer to this?  

First I must admit that I married discipline.  His name is Jim and he was the answer to my years of prayers asking God for discipline.

  Once I married him, my finances and my profession found discipline almost immediately.  I married in May, and by November I had traded my pop corn stand business ,which barely broke even, for an accounting job that had the highest salary I'd had to date.  When I got married, I had a $300 balance on my credit card which I thought was very reasonable but my husband was appalled.  Years later he would continue to refer to the debt he inherited, not mentioning his much larger college loans I inherited, but I regress.

This was marital discipline, and I am very thankful for it, but I was still very undisciplined in my own personal habits.  Late night was a family ritual when I was growing up, and I enjoyed being a night owl.  I was energized at night and got all kinds of things done after 10:00 pm, but it did make getting up for work the next morning very difficult - thus the 3 snooze alarm.

But somewhere in the last 28 years, I have acquired my own personal discipline.  Maybe working and having a boss aided in this, as well as having 2 children who depended on me for their food, safety and sleep. Although, I must admit they are both night owls.  I trained them well.

So responsibility helped, but it had to be more than that.  I mean all kinds of adults have jobs and that discipline does not translate to training for marathons.  Where did I get this abnormal sense of discipline that gets me up at ungodly hours on the weekends and keeps me to a running schedule for which I get no money or grade.

This post has gone on way to long, so I will solve the mystery next post.

Trying the disciplined life,
TVW

Conquering Hills

Today was my hill work out.  I've been doing hills for over a year now. My plan says to run up a hill for 40 seconds, jog down and repeat various number of  times.  Last year I never got the hang of it.  Probably because I did not run them with much frequency.  Anyway I look at hills, they are not fun.

But this year, I've noticed something - I don't dread them so much, and I think maybe they have gotten easier.  Today I had the option of repeating the hill 8 times - and I did all 8.  Surprisingly it really wasn't that hard.

How can that be?  The hill has not changed, so it must be me.  I must have gotten stronger over the last 12 weeks.  When I wasn't looking or complaining, just doing what I was told, strength snuck in.  

Wonder if that works with other things in life? 
hang up my clothes after I wear them                                      . . .40 seconds
load the dishes in the dish washer after I eat on them               . . .40 seconds
clean my trash out of the car when I get out                              . . .40 seconds
fold/put up my clothes after I wash them                                  . . .1 minute and 40 seconds

How much emotional energy do I waste dreading and putting things off.  Just  a few seconds of extra effort  - done  on a regular basis - and see the benefits sneak in.

Love downhills,
TVW

Must Have Tools

Every sport has its equipment and these tools are my running equipment.  I can't leave home without them.  Let me explain about each one.

Hat - I have never bought a hat before this year. Since February,  I have bought 3 and want another one. I started wearing a hat to protect my ( slightly) colored  hair from bleaching out, but it does so much more.  It shades my eyes, keeps sweat out of my eyes, and makes it so I don't have to worry what my hair looks like before, during and after a run.   I like the neon green so my husband can find me in a race. I also have a pink and a blue one.  I want a white one, but how many NIKE hats do I need?

Garmin watch - This watch with a GPS is the best thing ever.  Never again to I have to get in my car and drive a route to know the mileage.  This watch tracks mileage, pace, calories, and time.  At $100,  is the bottom line Garmin, but has all I need, and it is very much worth the price. I don't think they sell this great green color any more.  A friend recognized me running on the road by my bright green watch!

Roo Sports bag - great bag that attaches with magnets.  It can hold a small phone, and/ or GU and chomps .  It has a  secret zip pouch for money.  I got this at an expo, and I think that is the only way it is sold.

Water bottle - This bottle clips on my shorts, is not too heavy and very convenient.  Some of my friends have a belt that carries several water bottles.  I would feel like a pack mule wearing that. I'm a minimalist so this fits me perfectly.   Remember to wash after every run - trust me.

Chomps and GU - I use a combination of these fuel foods on my long runs.  Some times I will use them to bribe myself on shorter runs, if it is a really tough day.  GU comes in so many flavors, but I stick with vanilla and chocolate. Chops - I get the red ones.

IPOD - Can't leave home without his.  I listen to music and podcasts and some radio dramas.  I've had it for years, it is probably a style they don't  make any more.  I've seen ones half this size, but as long as it works I'll keep using it.

Headphones - I have already broken these headphones since I took the picture.  Last year I bought $30 headphones, but I broke them.  I just keep get cheap ones so it's not much to replace.  I am in search of  the perfect headphones that are durable but not  too expensive.

Head band - I started using this with my hat and it helps keep my hair off my neck and forehead.

Wash cloth - see yesterday's post.

Before races and long runs, I make a check list so I won't forget any of my must have tools. It can ruin a race and severely dampen my mood on a practice run. 

Tooling along,

TVW

Running with a Rag

My day started like this:

(Yes that is the moon in the top left, or maybe it is a street light. Any way it was dark.)

and 12 miles later it was this:

Not too bad for a Saturday in July August. Can it already be August?  Summer flies by. ( I have already seen school supplies front and center at Walmart for weeks.) It is crazy to say, but my 12 miles went by kinda fast today.  Since most of my running buddies had to run 16, my 12 was actually manageable.  Plus, today I added a great tool - the washcloth - or since they are so old when you use them to run with - the rag.  

I have been thinking about running with a rag for forever, but I always forgot about it the morning of my runs.  My running group sets out ice cold wash rags along the route, but not until after 10 miles or so.  At about mile 2  I need them.

It was so helpful to have one with me.  I obviously used it to mop my sweaty face, and at the water stops, I got it cold and wet and it had an amazing cooling effect.  It stayed cool for a few miles.  It's somewhat like when you were a kid and had a fever and your mom put a cold washcloth on your head - it just makes you feel better all over.

This week, I'm heading to Walmart or Target, past the school supplies I love but don't need,(I get a little teary eyed at school supplies since my 21 and 23 year old kids don't need or  invite me to go back to school shopping with them anymore) and head  straight to the cheap inexpensive washcloths.  I think I need a bundle of these cooling tools.

Oh, and my pace today?  Thanks for asking.  10:29 - right on plan even in hot humid August.

Its hot and going to get hotter,

TVW

Free Friday

Fridays I'm free from running and I love it.  I don't have to get up and talk myself into running, and most Fridays, I don't have to wash and fix my hair.  I don't have to feel guilty until I finally go run -- I'm free.  Today to celebrate my freedom, I ate out breakfast with Monica, and lunch with Sharon- which lasted 2 hours!!  Sharon was celebrating freedom from the one hour lunch break.  I ate a Hershey chocolate bar, and I'm planning on pizza for dinner.  Friday's are not supposed to be nutritionally free, but today, because it is 102 degrees in Ft. Worth, Texas at 4:18 p.m. I am claiming freedom in many areas.

Tomorrow, it will be very hot at 5:00 am when I start my group workout.  12 miles at 10 1/2 minute miles will be probably 8:00 am finish and hopefully it won't be 90 degrees by then. Our wonderful coach Paul will probably have ice cold wash cloths for the over 12 mile runners, which won't help me at all.  But tomorrow I'm going to take my own cloth, and try to use it to cool off at the water stops. 

Sweating way too much for a 54 year old,

TVW