Worried Anticipation

No – not in completing the Austin American Statesman Capitol 10,000 or not in besting last year’s 6.2 mile time – I’m worried about the pins; that’s right, safety pins. Last year I was a complete nervous wreck before the Cap10K. It would be my first official event as a runner. Imagine my disappointment while picking up my packet, I was given the heart-stopping news, “We ran out of safety pins. Sorry.” What, no pins? How in the world will I be identified, how will my number remain attached, how can I possibly run now? Every safety pin available in the entire city of Austin was gone; the whole lot of silver and gold fasteners depleted from our state’s capitol. This however was not true. There were still safety pins available – I just had to go out of my way and purchase them for myself. And buy them I did, 300 of them, from a Michael’s store somewhere across from the Arboretum. My boys and I only needed a dozen. I was tempted to tear the corner off the plastic baggie they were in and just palm a few, but, thank the good Lord, I was able to overcome.

Now I’m sure that planning the largest 10K run in Texas is no easy feat. There are so many minor details to consider - but no pins? It’s not as if they have no earthly idea this need is on the horizon. Come on, every entrant needs four. Someone at the Statesman could have been buying a couple packages every month, throwing them in a drawer and they’d be all set for packet pick-up day. Now I’m no Rhodes scholar, shoot, I’m not even a college graduate but I can multiply 20,000ish by four. Take this year for example; they are hoping to have 30,000 entrants. So I’d start with at least 120,000 safety pins. Throw in an extra five thousand and they’ll be good to go. I’m hoping it’s not too late; I hope somehow, some way, someone at the Austin American Statesman gets this message: Please, for the welfare and security of our bibs, don’t run out of pins again!

Switching Gears

It’s been a little hectic at my house lately. Event planning, weekend trips, school, and work have all kept me from writing. I’ve had several good runs this week, getting ready for the Capitol 10K in Austin this weekend. Even with a still slightly sore hip, I’m looking forward to Sunday. My boys and I decided to register in the Fun Run category. We’ll time ourselves with our own watches and just enjoy being a part of something bigger than a chip attached to our shoe. No pressure – lovin’ that!

To add some variety to my cardio workouts this week, I went for a bike ride with John. Of course he wanted to take the mammoth uphill incline that I usually take a pass on. He told me he’d teach me how to switch gears. So that’s what those circular number thingies on my handlebars are for! I had no idea of the noticeable difference they make. My leg muscles contained the vigor and brawn of ten men. That hill was no problem. I was feeling so self-confident I decided to try the last lap without changing to the easier gear. My husband wasn’t switching gears; surely I could get up the hill once too. So much for my ten men - I made it – but it was a painfully slow climb.

As we headed toward home, my husband stretched his arm toward me as if to hold my hand. I steadied my front wheel and put my hand softly in his. It was such a sweet, romantic moment; just the two of us spinning wistfully through the early morning dew. When I commented to John about his charming gesture, he responded with a laugh, “I just wanted to make the blog again.” At least somebody is reading this thing!!

Pain in the . . .

Left Hip - and it really has been cramping my style if you know what I mean. I've been taking it a little easy this week, substituting Pilates for some of my weight and cardio workouts. Just trying to get all stretched out. I went for a massage today which I'm hopeful will give me some relief. I had a different therapist and she really seemed to know her stuff. She was explaining to me that runners often have tight (some name that is long and begins with an "i") muscles and that seemed to be my problem. Since I have little anatomy and physiology knowledge, I was impressed by her muscle name dropping and that she seemed to know what to do to loosen it. Time will tell.

Meanwhile, Satan has taken this opportunity to fill my mind with less than positive thoughts. "You're just being lazy. Runners run through the pain. Miss a workout and you'll be fat." It's always the same old thing, and yet it gets me every time. It takes a real effort to remember to call upon the Lord. He wants me to see myself as wonderfully as he sees me. I'm not lazy, weak or fat - I.M. Fitt

Reunited

Last Sunday evening just before drifting off to sleep, my husband turned to me and asked “Do you want to go for a run together tomorrow?” I demurely answered “Sure”, but my mind began racing – why does he want to go with me? He usually goes with Kyle (our son). I must be looking puffy or not be doing something right. You see, I’ve been running solo since last year’s Capitol 10K. My husband, John, and Kyle began training for their full marathon shortly thereafter and I was left to go it alone. I did every bit of Hal Higdon’s Beginner Half-Marathon training program by myself and I hadn’t planned on my partner returning. John was my first coach, mentor and cheerleader. He listened to me whine, complain, and say, “I can’t do this” more times than necessary. John encouraged me literally every step of the way. While I had missed his company, I knew there would be new challenges placed before me when we ran together; move faster, breathe more rhythmically, push yourself just a bit more.

We started out Monday morning while the sun was still on the rise. After stretching, we cleared the chrono mode on our watch timers, checked our iPods, and got ready to head out. John leaned over, moved his cap bill out of the way and gave me a kiss, just like he had practically every other time we had gone together. As the tenths passed, I kept waiting for my “training” to begin. But it never did. The only comment John made was a simple yet profound, "I like this. It's nice." Our run together seemed less stressed, comfortable, natural; in part I think because my self-confidence level has increased. Now I know I won’t get to run with my husband every session, and while I do still enjoy my alone time, I’ll appreciate our couple time even more. It just “feels so good!”

Backslider

Well, not really. On Sunday, 3-4, I participated in a small, local 5K event - but I walked. I had committed to pacing a good friend of mine who recently started walking daily for 30 minutes. It's always more stimulating and more fun to have a partner. Although the wind was quite chilly at the gun, we warmed up quite nicely. The focus for this race was not on me and I loved it! I was able to remind my friend to breathe, challenge her to target someone and pass them and most of all, motivate her to keep going! This was very different from her usual 30 minute pace and she admitted she probably would have slowed down if she were solo. My friend was ecstatic to win 2nd place in her walking age category. As a bonus, I came home with a 2nd place trophy in my respective category as well. It will display very handsomely next to my half-marathon finisher medal.