Becoming a Runner (my progress)

My Chip Time was as 2:10:00.54

I went in with the goal of finishing in under 2 hours and was quite confident that it was achievable. Ultimately I fell short because of a lack of preparation. The failure of preparation was on all facets of health: Emotion, Intellect, Social, Physical and Spiritual.

Emotionally: I failed to ground myself prior to the race. I showed up late in that the gun for the start of the race went off while I was in line to go to the restroom. Even if I went straight to the crowd of people starting off, I still was late. Ultimately I only SHOWED up and started to run without really thinking of why it was important for me to run the event in the first place.

Intellectually: I failed to prepare in getting exposed to the course. The route was no secret and I made no effort to get acclimated. I didn’t even come out to get familiar with the area! I had no clue that thick solid concrete bridges would feel like a rickety swaying bridge at later stages of my endurance and energy! I didn’t stop to consider that my phone gps and CardioTrainer app would stop working and I would lose track of my pace. It stopped logging after the first 3 miles: all of which I didn’t realize I lead out with a sub-8min pace. I raced certain individuals throughout the event and neglected to realize the pace I kept.

Socially: I had a false sense of confidence looking to this event taking in to account that my running coach and confidant, would be there to lead my way. I forgot that ultimately this is my journey…one in which I will have to run alone. I don’t know of anyone in my circle of friends who have a goal of running any events that surpass the mileages of the marathon. Regardless, had I shown up early and dived in to the social environment and camaraderie, I may have had a short term confidant to stay on pace with. Instead, I showed up and made my way across the check mat alone. I did however find a helping burst and kick with a fellow runner (the Man named Earl) who shared his energy with me and invited me to a sprint across the finish. It was he who helped me unleash a burst of energy I didn’t realize I had. I was walking some 100m from the finish because I ran myself silly trying to race people I felt I should keep up with. I felt defeated. The Man named Earl came running pass and screamed, “Come on!” …Thanks Earl. I thought you were right by my side at the finish but the results show that somehow you pushed me 4 seconds pass you.

Physically: I neglected my training. I let the heat get the best of me and didn’t stay motivated to own my training. I logged only one 3mi run in the two weeks prior to the event and 25.3mi in the month before (JULY) through just 6 total runs. I didn’t stay on top of my nutrition and ran the event at 205lbs. I am not happy seeing the video of my finishing topless! I LOOK LIKE A RUNNING SUMO! I felt like I had a competitive advantage with my Herbalife 24 Hydrate packages ready for use at checkpoints, but they fell out of my pocket somewhere along the way. I was untrained as the last 45min I was grossly inefficient in managing the heat soaking within my skin.

Spiritually: I lead out with high spirits as I had my bluetooth headset connected to my phone with my cardio playlist. It was a great blend of upbeat high energy to mellow… zooey deschanel (she&him) which helped me to sync up a favorable cadence. AS SOON AS I FELT GREAT (the 3rd mi mark) the music cut off. The gps signal dropped. The CardioTrainer app stopped providing me with updates. I didn’t want to burn time, emotions and energy by getting frustrated with the trouble of getting things back to working order. I turned to racing along those I pegged as my rabbits to chase. I forgot this event wasn’t about me chasing or beating out anybody… this event was about learning more about me. I finished with very little sense of accomplishment or self-enlightenment. I found more solace and peace in my 14.3mi run on July 9 that started at 3:30am finishing in 2hrs18min (paused time when going in to cvs or gas stations to buy water)

I really do feel humbled and don’t feel as confident as I did before that I would run and finish the full marathon in December. Will keep you posted!

Building momentum is quite challenging with this Texas heat. To get a run in under 90degree heat, I have to get it in before 9am or after the sun goes down. At this point, I know I need to get in my runs…I know there are tons of reasons for me to get them in. I just don’t love running yet. I’m not the “cardio junkie” I wish to be. I don’t hate running. I just don’t love running alone yet. There just aren’t many people willing to run with me early in the morning or later in the night…or even during the heat that the sun brings. I started this blog so that I wouldn’t be alone in my journey. Although it creates accountability, I still have to get out and do the work alone.

Something tells me I’m not going to be able to go in to auto-pilot with my training. I had thought if I can just force enough long runs I would become this running fiend who couldn’t let a day pass without running. Last night as I dreaded my run and started this post, I forced myself out for just 3 mi. It was out there that I noticed that although getting out and starting to run is not yet hardwired in to my mind and heart, once I push my body forward with one step I can achieve autopilot then. I decided to run myself lost in the suburban sprawl. Once I got myself lost, it was automatic to keep running and find my way home. I ended up with 5mi. It was most certainly “harder when contemplating in advance, yet so easy when you do it.”

For now I’m going to force myself on to the road and cross my fingers that I become more and more drawn to running. The good news is that I am getting stronger as a runner. My lungs can now handle a complete run of 5mi without the need of a rest interval while sustaining at least a 10min/mi pace.

And so what was my intention, I now share so as to make the commitment.

“…there’s no denying that healthy runners will race about two seconds per mile faster for every pound they lose. Weight loss boosts maximal aerobic capacity (VO2 max), an essential contributor to distance-running potential, because the less weight you carry around, the more miles per gallon you get from your oxygen. And because losing a few pounds makes running easier, you should be able to increase your workout distance and speed. So losing weight helps you train harder.” -from runners world

I’m not running for first place in any of these events. My competition to beat is just myself…that is to push myself to finish before the event volunteers and staff pack it up. more »