RunLove

Thanks to my membership this year in TEAM BEEF MONTANA, I have had reinvigorated enthusiasm for running and racing. It is a sport I have always been into, since I began participating in Track and Field at Ames Middle School in 7th grade, but I'll admit that I have gone in waves of varying degrees of fervor toward the sport since my high school days. It's hard to stick with running through college (if any of my North Star tracksters are reading this, take heed!), especially when one is a natural sprinter, such as myself. Transitioning to running longer distances was a challenge for me, as someone who never ran longer than a 400 meter race in her Track career.

Ames is such a strong running community, however. There were always races in town or in nearby Des Moines a person could get excited about. Thankfully, too, I grew up in a household where I watched my parents regularly fit running and workouts into their very busy schedules . I had a great example for planning and training for races by watching them over the years. When I was in college, I did make the transition to running 5Ks, often with my parents participating in the same race. When Ryan was around or available, he joined us, too. What a great family tradition! I had a great group of active friends in college, too, who were often looking for races and events to train for. By the time I was a Junior or Senior in college, I had made it my goal to race in one 5K each month. A goal I was largely successful with.

Upon moving to the West in 2007, I had a harder time sticking with running. Races were much fewer and farther between, and often greater distances from my house than I might have been comfortable traveling. Without races to train for, my motivation to run slipped heavily.

Then, in 2009, I had what seemed like a minor skiing accident, but resulted in ACL surgery. During my recovery was when I realized how much I actually missed running. It felt like since I had the option of running taken away from me for the better part of a year or more(knee surgery combined with several related-to-knee-surgery foot injuries), that suddenly running was what I wanted to do most of all. Even more than get back on the ski hill. Luckily, by this time I had moved on to Bozeman, where there were a few more 5Ks and other races available, and I was able to pick back up with a sport I had truly grown to miss.

Now, I am finding more and more races in Montana all the time, and even some in faraway lands that I can do when I travel, such as the Beat the Deadline 5K that I'll do in a few weeks in Washington DC! I have also decided to take a risk and sign up for my first ever 10K, The Kickin' Asphault Half Marathon and 10K,which will be this September 13 in Great Falls. Moving up from 5K to 10K is a big deal for me, but it's going great so far! Just this morning I knocked out 5 miles on the dreadmill (outside running was not possible due to muddy roads and no access to pavement at my house), and I feel pretty good.

Sometimes it's hard to keep motivated to run, especially as the distances get longer and the workouts harder. These days, I am constantly inspired by the kids I work with at school and those on the North Star Knights track team I am fortunate enough to coach. I think sometimes when I tell them that they inspire me every day, they think I'm full of it, but I truly mean it. Nothing makes me want to work hard like seeing how hard those kids work for me and the other coaches.

Additionally, my husband has been such huge support for me and my running hobby, and has gotten into it a bit himself, signing up for 5Ks with me, when his schedule allows. I love that we can be fit together and I love sharing a sport that I love with someone I love.

One last little bit of motivation/inspiration, is running clothes. I was a Textiles and Clothing major in college, and still believe, to an extent, that the right outfit can help you go far. Here are some recent additions to my running-wear stash--

Picked up this super cute, soft t-shirt on a trip to Missoula earlier this summer.
I don't actually wear it to run in because I prefer a quick-dry athletic-material top and this is just a t-shirt, but it's so comfy and soft. Makes a great pre-or post- workout shirt. 

These shorts were on the sale rack at our local sporting goods store and I couldn't pass them up. I haven't decided if the text is a description of how I feel when I am running, or if it's more like a mantra to remember when the run is challenging. Either way, they're great, and super comfortable.

These socks were a recent gift that I tried out for the first time today. They couldn't have been more perfect in message, especially in light of THIS recent post I did about confidence. I am pleased to report that they were cushy, wicking, and kept my nagging blister from flaring up. Perfect!

I'll let you know how my two upcoming races turn out! In the meantime, thanks to everyone who has ever encouraged me or inspired me to keep running. Truly, thanks. :)