September 30, 2014

That cookie runner

I woke up at around 4:00 this morning to thunder and lightening, so I decided that I would do my run tonight instead of in the morning. Once I took the kids to their bus stops, though, the weather was absolutely PERFECT for a run. It was 54 degrees, overcast, and an occasional very light drizzle of rain. If there was ever perfect running weather, this was it.

I put on capris and a short sleeved shirt, which was the right choice for the weather. I decided not to look at my Garmin at all (not even a little peek) through the run. I didn't want to see a slow pace and feel discouraged for any reason, so I just wanted to run without giving a thought to my pace at all. As soon as stepped from my driveway onto the street, a man on a bike went by in the opposite direction. We exchanged "good morning"'s , and then I kept going.

About a mile in, I saw the same man on the bike. This time we said, "hello", as we passed. Seeing someone once is no big deal; twice is slightly awkward, because you've already exchanged greetings. But then I saw him AGAIN at around mile three. This time, he stopped and said, "Hey, you're that cookie runner, right?" I laughed and said I was. We chatted for a minute, and I learned his name was Greg. He had seen Stephanie's blog because they are both self-proclaimed "weather geeks", and found my blog through hers, which is how he recognized me. That was fun! Usually, one or two people will recognize me at a race, but never while I'm just out for a run.

I had an absolutely fantastic run today! I didn't look at my pace, but I imagined it was probably around 10:00/mile, which was fine. But what made it so great was the weather and that I just had a good day. Some runs are good, some are okay, and some are terrible, but today's felt really, really good. When I heard my Garmin beep after mile five, I pressed the button to stop it, and then I just sat on my porch for a few minutes while I cooled down.



My average pace ended up being 9:35/mile, which really surprised me (in a good way). I was even more surprised to see my splits, and how close they were without even trying.


I'm hoping for identical weather on Friday for my long run! (Oh, I am not doing that half-marathon on Saturday with Nathan after all... I forgot that Noah has a cross country invitational that day.)

I had plans to meet Jessica for lunch at a new local restaurant called Public House. They use all fresh, local ingredients, which is very refreshing for this area. I hadn't tried it yet, but Jessica said it was great. It was good to see her, because it's been a long time since we've gotten together. I've had such a busy few months that I haven't really seen any of my friends for a while, so it was nice to catch up. The food was good, too! We split an order of fried pickles (my favorite appetizer) and they were awesome.

Shortly before we left, a couple of young soldiers walked in wearing their uniforms. After seeing everything my younger brother went through, I have a special place in my heart for young guys in the military, so I paid their tab before I left. (A "pay it forward" from the stranger who gave us those tickets to the Renaissance Festival on Friday!)

Noah had his second cross country invitational today. The weather was definitely better for running today, so I was curious to see how he'd do. I picked him up from school, and then picked up Eli, and we drove to the meet. The ground there was much softer than at the last meet, and the grass was longer, so I was a little worried for Noah having to run on that. He said he was really nervous.

His race today was only 1 mile (it was 1.3 last time). Eli and I went to the starting line to see him off, and then we rushed to the finish line. The kids started coming it at the six-minute mark. I was expecting Noah between the 9:00-11:00 timeframe, based on his last race. He came in at around 10:45-ish (I don't have the official results yet). He wasn't very happy, and said he was "almost dead last". It didn't help that his friend on the team came up and told him that he (Noah) finished in 118th place (while the friend finished in the top 20 or so). This kid is super competitive, and always makes Noah feel bad about his running pace.

I told Noah that he did awesome--he finished in 10:45-ish, which is much faster than he was just a couple of weeks ago. And due to the course being more difficult (soft ground, longer grass), he should be very proud. It's hard to get him to see the value of improving his pace over keeping up with his friend.

I laughed when I saw the photos I took of him. He apparently takes after his mom in race photos--his eyes were closed in all of them!


His next invitational is on Saturday, so I hope that he has a great race. My older brother is supposed to come out and watch :)

11 comments:

  1. When you said it's hard for you to show Noah the value of improving over keeping up with friends, it reminded me of something. Recently I shared on facebook about how I had gone over to the middle school to use their track. I wanted to run a mile straight but when I got there the middle school students were actually already using it to run the mile themselves. I was able to get in between classes and do it, but it reminded me how when I was in middle school (or high school for that matter) I was never able to run a mile straight. Just one of the many things that made me feel bad about myself and made me think I couldn't or wouldn't ever be able to run. I said that it wasn't until I was an adult rediscovering running that I learned the value of pacing. I may have to run at a snails speed, but I can actually run a mile without walking. Then a local friend chimed in on the comments about how she remembered specifically that to get an A in gym we actually had to run the mile under 9 minutes, and if you aren't fast enough they will fail you. There is no value put on actually running the whole thing and improving your pace. So sad. And I wonder how many kids get discouraged because they know they will never be fast and so don't even bother. I was one of those kids and it took a long time to unlearn that mentality. It's hard enough dealing with the peer pressure of your classmates that might be sprinting, but then to get so much backward education is just heartbreaking.

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    1. I remember a similar thing in school. We had "conditioning" once every 2 weeks where we had to run a mile. I couldn't run the whole thing. I would also get a terrible rash on my thighs (exercise induced I believe) that caused to me walk and scratch. it was awful and I had no self confidence. Finding running as an adult has been amazing and I really wish it was presented in a different way in school. I wish I found this much earlier in life.

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    2. I've blogged a lot about that too. My middle school had an ex-military guy and his commanders for our teachers lol. If you didn't make the mile in a certain time you were put in with all the "big" kids who spent the whole class period walking/running the track. It was horrible (although it did push me to try and make it under a certain time)

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    3. I had this too! I started running (turtle slow) this summer for the first time since grade school. I remember the shame I used to feel because I couldn't run a mile straight (sports-induced asthma + killer seasonal allergies = just couldn't breathe). The hardest part about the run? Not the shin splints or maintaining my breathing. It was getting all of my past gym teachers and coaches out of my head, who had said "go faster" or "you're too slow." Once I got them to be quiet, my runs were much more peaceful.

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  2. Nice to have met you! As Dory says, "just keep swimming (or running or pedaling)!"

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  3. Good job Noah! You're going to be great on Saturday!

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  4. My 28-year old son who lives at home and has been fighting a long-time weight loss (and regain) battle, was asking me about the girl who writes about running for treats. "Oh Katie, you mean." He likes that idea--of running so you can eat more. He loves food, as we all do, and has the energy and ability to work it off. Currently he is at his lowest weight since middle school, and would like to lose another 15 pounds. He says that winters are worst for him however, since the weather is so bad and it's hard to get outside to run. He also lifts weights and has a nice set-up for that in our basement, where he lives. His older brother has said he will give him their treadmill. I'm wondering if this is a good idea? I always knew if I bought one, it would end up serving as a clothes rack, but I'm thinking if I allowed him to bring that huge thing into our house, he might get good use out of it. He asked if he could put it in our formal living room. "NO!" I emphatically said. That's the one room in the house that stays cleaned up, and it always makes me feel good to look in there and see how nice it looks, even though it is basically just wasted space. He used to work out in a spare bedroom upstairs, and if you close the door to that room, it still has that sour smell of sweat. If we could get that treadmill down to the basement, I guess that would be an okay place for it. My son used to wok for a local mover and has said that those treadmills are the hardest, heaviest things to move. He would have to get it out of his brother's basement and then down into ours. He's strong, but that's a chore! Where do you keep your treadmill? Do you notice if that room smells like sweat? Do you think we would get good use out of the treadmill if we go to the effort to move it into our basement?

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    1. Pam, I love my treadmill! I prefer to run outside, but the treadmill has been a huge help when I don't have someone to watch the kids, or when the roads are icy or it's too hot outside. I get a lot of use out of it, so it was worth it to me! But it really just depends on your son, and if he'll really use it. If I were you, I'd be encouraging, and let him bring it inside where he'll use it most. If he doesn't use it, then you can always give it to someone who will use it :) I keep my treadmill in my living room, and I don't *think* our house smells like sweat! ;) The only necessity for me is that I have to be able to watch TV while I run, otherwise I won't last two minutes.

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  5. Tell Noah all us adult newer runners think he is awesome. Pooey on that other kid ;)

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  6. Please tell Noah he's awesome and that other little kid needs to learn how to be a friend. >:(

    I am cracking up that someone recognized YOU from MY blog...you certainly have the edge in health and fitness blogging, but clearly I am a super-star in the world of weather, Lolol! Thanks for making my day. :)

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  7. Oh, thank you! I would love to read that. I haven't been reading many blogs lately, but I know of Roni :)

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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