The Power of Music

It's crazy how music can send you to so many places and bring back memories either recent or from years past.  I'm sure you've experienced it many times.  A song can catch me off guard, regardless of where I am or what I'm doing and cause the biggest smile or tears to come across my face.  I love it and hate it all at the same time.

Today I was cleaning the kitchen and had Pandora on with my new favorite station created from the Broadway Musical 'Once'. I've only listened to that station a few times, and have really connected with some of the songs and artists that station plays.  I highly recommend it!

Well, the last time it was playing on my airwaves was on Saturday when I was driving  home from Mendon Ponds Park. That  was the first time I heard an artist, new to me, who  was singing a cover of 'With or Without you'  by U2.  This song captivated me.  The acoustic guitar and voices that are in this version hit me and immediately made me feel calm.  At that moment when it was playing in the car, I was driving out of Mendon Ponds Park.  The sun was high over the Sunflower field, creating such a beautiful picture.  I wish I had my {good} camera! It was stunning.
Well today, when I was in my kitchen and this song came on again, I was able to think about that perfect morning.  It was such a great distraction from the dishwasher that needed to be emptied and plied dishes in the sink that needed to be rinsed and loaded.  I was able to get lost in the song, continue the task at hand and reminisce about Saturday mornings' accomplishment.... where I ran the longest distance I ever had!

I remember feeling invincible.  It truly was the proudest I have ever been about myself.  7.5 miles.  Who knew I had it in me?  Who knew that on that cold February morning when I walked into Fleet Feet to "learn how to run" that 6 months later I'd be enduring the hills of Mendon Ponds Park... oh and actually RUN seven and a half miles? All that and more was flooding my mind Saturday morning. I knew that when I pulled in the driveway that moment was going to be over.  And I was perfectly content with that.  I had things to do (SHOWER) and people to see (Family Reunion Party) and I knew I was going to feel great inside the entire day!
The run itself had it's good parts and bad, but the group I was with was the BEST ever. I've become close to new runners who have an amazing energy! Pina was our fearless pacer and just kicked butt! Honestly, I see her get stronger after each run!  

I don't know what it is, but after I can physically see 4 miles on my watch, everything a head of me seems easier.  The first 3-4 miles, always seems boring and tough.  It's all a mental thing, but as soon as my watch reads something more than 4.0, I feel like a switch in my brain turns on and sends a signal to my body that it's "GAME TIME". Call it adrenaline or call it the drive to make this a "significant" run that means something.  As I explore longer distances and realize that I can do it, I become more excited to get it done.  Sure, the jitters the night before are still there, but the confidence the morning of is getting stronger!
What moves me today?  September 21st. In less than a month I'll be running the Marathon relay with some pretty inspiring people! I'm in 'training mode' until then and am pretty excited to see the end result!!  

Going the Distance

24 hours ago I was a nervous wreck. I I had butterflies in my stomach and I was so worried about the 6 mile No Boundaries workout at Mendon Ponds Park. I questioned if I had hydrated enough and worried that I wasn't prepared mentally and physically for this morning's challenge.

I woke up at 6:30 a.m., like every Saturday these past 6 months, determined that a running workout was going to happen. The next 1.5 hours flew and before long I was in my pace group fiddling with my watch to get satellites when Ellen yelled "Lets go 13's"... and we were off. 

Within 2 seconds, literally, we were faced with a pretty steep and incline. Within a minute, I was out of breath. I guess I felt okay since everyone else around me was in the same boat and felt the shock to the body too.

Long story short, there were highs and lows throughout the run, but bottom line...I felt stronger than last Saturday and am so proud about how far I have come. Next week I tackle 7.5 miles with a great group of runners. I'm excited for the challenge.... and will probably still have those same butterflies the night before. And I'm okay with that. 

What an incredible journey this has been!

Who just ran 5 miles?

...... THIS GIRL! 

What an incredible morning, spent together with my No Boundaries group. We were unified, all with the realizations that milestones were on the horizon, but work had to happen in order to taste that sweet flavor of SUCCESS! 

I have to say that I was extremely nervous.  The fact that I ran 5 miles this past May, once before, didn't ease any emotions.  I got up, dressed and made some breakfast as I waited for Pina to come greet me with her "It's game day attitude" hidden behind her smile.  
I couldn't find my watch, and I was letting that get to me.  I also was going to try "magic jelly beans" during this run to help aid with energy and nutrition. Two new things to tackle, but I had to keep my head in the game.

We got there, and when I saw all the others from our pace group, a sense of calmness came over.  If I was going to have to do this, they were going to have to do it as well.

3.2.1. GOOOOO.  We left the beautiful scenery of Durand Park and headed for the streets and subdivisions.  After that we continued towards the O'Rourke bridge that gets you from Irondequoit to Greece.  I've crossed that COUNTLESS times via car over the past 30 years of my life and never once ever thought I'd run over it.  The view of the Lake, and all the new renovations this area has made helped block the horrible incline.  After that, we were at the 2.5 mile mark.  Right about then I popped the full bag of Pomegranate Jelly Belly brand of Nutrition/Energy beans. They tasted really great actually, which was a nice surprise.  Eating and Chewing them however, as I labored a bit with my breathing; was not something I appreciated.

So... did they work?  I don't know. Ha!! 
I couldn't tell if it was more in my mind, or if they actually improved the last half of my run.  I can tell that they did a number on my stomach... but can't be completely sure if my stomach just needed more water.  (Note to self, upgrade the amount of water I carry when running more than 4 miles).  

At one point we were told that we were at 3.75 miles and the Park was in the distance. It was the best news ever.  "I got this" I said to myself. "And soon you'll be home to tell you husband how awesome it was!"

When we got to our starting point, we were only at 4.7 miles.  Once getting over that mental block that we indeed had to run farther than we thought, it was smooth sailing.  Disappointing at first, but the fight I still had left to give shined as best as it could. We did it.  We ran passed others that had finished their goal and were now stretching. 

We did it... and we were together, start to finish!  These girls along with Pina, our fabulous pacer and friend gave this run our all.  

THAT's what moved me today!  And it felt great!  Dare I say SIX MILES is next week?  Holy cow... but it is.  So here's to a great week of strength training and homework runs. I put faith in No Boundaries time and again, so I shouldn't have anything to worry about!  Running CHANGES everything!

I Don't Want To RUN!

I woke up today completely against going for the "assigned" 4 mile run. Sure, the St.Lawrence River was outside my window. But I had a headache and just wanted to be lazy. I thought I could 'fly under the radar' in front of my family and just suppress the guilt inside UNTIL my husband uttered the words... "No run today?"

Those three horrible wonderful words were exactly what my body didn't want to hear and what my mind needed to. I was caught in a crossfire of emotions.

Why should I run today?
1. My fellow 13's were doing 4 miles today.
2. I had to cut my workout short yesterday due to bodily functions.
3. The forecast predicted showers the rest of the day (and tomorrow) and if I  wanted to take advantage of the beautiful sun, I needed to do it then!
4. GUILT

There were tons more and in order to just shut them off from circling throughout my brain, I knew I needed to start getting ready. "I don't want to run" I kept saying to myself.... which wasn't the best way to prep and start off the workout. I felt defeated even before I started. And I was the one to blame!

I managed to pull things together and as I headed out the door, I gave one last kiss my little Elijah James and even made him say "Have a good run Mommy" to me. I was banking on that being the last push to confirm to my body that THIS RUN IS HAPPENING!

His words hit me, even if they were forced, and I focused on them a lot during that 56 minute run. Today is his third birthday and part of the main reason I began to "learn to run" was because of my family. And today, FAMILY was the driving force that got me through.... beginning to end.

Happy Birthday Elijah! What moves me today? YOU... and the desire to spend countless birthdays with you and your sister.

I can't say that was the best run, nor was it pretty, but it was done.... and I'll take it as a win!

Shoreline 5K

37:14 with an average 12:01 per mile was my finishing result at this past weekend's Shoreline 5k at Hamlin Beach State Park. It felt amazing! My kids, husband, brother and his girlfriend created such a motivating cheering crowd. The support they gave, made me feel so special and determined to give it my all!

It was a beautiful morning. The race route was flat and the last mile was along side Lake Ontario. It was so pretty.

I felt confident about this race, especially since I pushed myself during last week's workouts. (Well, Pina did in all fairness!)  I was thrilled that my husband could see me start and finish since this was the first time we were not both competing on the same day.

It's still crazy for me to believe at times that I am still doing this. Like this is NOT a dream or some casual thing that I decided to do but then lost interest with.

I am still running. Each night before a homework run with Pina, I set the alarm for that scary 5:45 a.m. wake up reminder that confirms my "Runner" status. I never have the feeling of wanting to get out of bed... but I do.

Maybe it's because I know Pina is waiting for me at the end of my driveway. Maybe it's because I think that if I don't get out of bed, the running switch in my body will turn off forever. Maybe it's because the way my husband looks at me after I complete a run gives me so much more motivation, to one day, be at his level.

What moved me today? The feeling I had after the race on Saturday. I wanted to stay in bed and avoid the 3 mile workout this morning, but knew in order to feel what I felt on Saturday again, I had to put in the work TODAY!

I'm not sure who is reading these blog posts, but if you are, I sincerely encourage you to do something you thought you never could. Weather it's learning to run, create a healthier lifestyle or heck, knitting a beautiful quilt... Whatever it is, go and DO it! Proving to yourself that you can actually achieve it is so EMPOWERING!
I wish you the best. Oh, and thanks for reading, too!

22:32

On Wednesday, the NoBo Coaches "surprised" us with a Time Trial.  This was very much like what we did the first workout of the season to get placed  in our pace groups.  I'm not sure if it was a good surprise or not, but at that moment I really had no choice. I had so much on my mind, and even though I wasn't in the mood to run 2 miles as fast as I could, I welcomed the distractions in my brain to help hide the sweat and pain that was about to come my way.

Two miles, as if you were running a race with no talking.  I positioned myself in the back of the pack this time, so I wouldn't feel like I was in anyone's way as they passed by.  I was bummed that I didn't have my watch with me and really felt like I had no way to gauge my progress or pace.  It was a bit intimidating, but soon that feeling escaped my mind after a woman from the 13:00 pace group said "hi Divina" as she passed by.

"Hi Fawn.  I'm so happy to see you!" I exclaimed and instantly my mood had changed! AHA... that was my "watch"... my pace leader... my prize, I thought to myself!

Fawn and I have ran together during Wednesday workouts, and she was always a few steps ahead of me.  If I could keep up with her, then I knew I would be in good shape.  And that's what I did.  I stayed a little behind her, 16 seconds exactly.  I finished in 22:32 minutes, 1:13 FASTER than I did a month ago.  It didn't feel easier, but the feeling afterwards was so rewarding!  

Today's NoBo workout was 3 miles, just like yesterday's homework was.  3 miles at a 13:00 minute pace is going really well.  My breathing is pretty much in control the whole way, unless it's super hot out.  But even that's going pretty good too.  Slowly I can feel my body getting used to the heat with each run.

I feel like I'm transitioning again, which is truly an awesome experience.  I'm not scared of 3 miles, or the heat as much, OR for what is coming next.  I have a new record to beat at the next Time Trial and more goals to follow. I'm so ready for this!!! Bring it!

My Reward

Saturday morning's No Boundaries workout was brought to you by the most beautiful place I am able to call my second home of the summer
What moves me today? The St Lawrence River!

The 2-mile loop outside Lazy Acres was where I spent this morning after forcing my butt out of bed. I had every intention of doing it yesterday, but the excuses in my brain won.  "I'm tired & Friday's are my rest days" seemed fair enough to me to keep my body from moving.
Not today! All day yesterday I wish I had felt the satisfying feeling of "I ran today". I thought about it when I was on the boat and drinking my new favorite Bud Light strawberry margaritas. I thought about it as I eagerly grabbed the second helpings of macaroni salad. Even by breakfast, I felt guilty I didn't make it out for a run.

Today, I wanted to feel that I earned the right to indulge. I wanted to feel that inner satisfaction and joy I get from running. Right now, I feel great and so glad I got my butt in gear this morning! Four miles. In my favorite place. Done.

The first loop went by really fast. It was pretty crazy. The best part was the recovery. A slight down hill, cool breeze and the River, in all it's beauty, straight ahead. Simply stunning!

As I passed our cozy little cottage the first time, I could see my father in law sitting in the sun porch enjoying his cup of coffee. "That will be ME very soon. All I need is one more lap"... I thought to myself.

Coffee, the beautiful recovery scene and the fact that I promised Pina a picture of my watch time is what drove me through the next two miles. They seemed so much longer than the first two, but I knew the ending would be worth it.. AND... the rest of the day to follow.

So here, as I sit on this beautiful boat, with great family and friends, I feel a bit more satisfied. Knowing that the run this morning helped "ground" me for the day. It was the first time in a while I ran by myself, connected to my own thoughts. I needed that. It was great!

I love running here. And even though it was just my second time, I know there will be countless times in the future.
Heck, maybe in the near future I will add another lap, creating 6 miles as the goal. When I am ready to I do it, I can't think of a better place!