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When Running Became a Team Sport – 48.6 Miles of Dopey

I started running, in part, because it was an individual event. I could go when I wanted, as far as I wanted, as slow as I wanted…you get the picture. I gravitated to it because I could do it alone; no one had to depend on me. I suppose this was attractive to me becauseContinue reading “When Running Became a Team Sport – 48.6 Miles of Dopey”

The Temptation to Quit

With about two weeks to go before the Dopey Challenge begins, I find myself battling the temptation to pull back on my training. I’ve stuck to my running schedule, no matter where we were over the last year – vacations and all. But here (apparently) is where it gets hard. Last weekend I finished myContinue reading “The Temptation to Quit”

Giving Thanks

I’ve seen many pictures of Turkey Trot runs and Thanksgiving dinner tables today. I’m still mid-training schedule for the Dopey in January, so I made sure to fit in my training run – but it wasn’t a Turkey Trot of the type I’m used to (cold, wet, rainy). On my 8 miles today, I hadContinue reading “Giving Thanks”

The Coaches in our Heads (For Leo)

I am always surprised at the ability of a coach to continue coaching far after the coaching event. I had a coach who wanted me to focus on my form, so she told me to think about kicking my butt with my feet. This was intended to both straighten my stride and make sure IContinue reading “The Coaches in our Heads (For Leo)”

Adjusting Expectations

I started running with the fine people at Southwest Endurance Training (SWET) recently. I found them because I was looking for an individual running coach. Someone to meet with once a month or so, to work on my form; someone to give me a personalized training plan for this Dopey Challenge I want to trainContinue reading “Adjusting Expectations”

Practice

I ran both a Half Marathon and a Full Marathon a couple weekends ago. On two consecutive days. And I survived. The Half marathon was on Saturday. It started at the Hyak trail head on Snoqualmie Pass. I roped in my cousin (R) and my uncle (K) to run the race. It was K’s firstContinue reading “Practice”

Vacation Running

We have traveled quite a bit over the last couple of months. Not long trips, but most of our weekends the last month have been spent somewhere other than at home. When we booked these trips I knew I would be in the home stretch of my training program for the Marathon and a HalfContinue reading “Vacation Running”

Spring Has Sprung

Spring in the desert is so much fun – it is also one of the most beautiful times. We get perfect weather to be outside all day, can still wear more than flip flops, shorts, and tanks, and all the new growth is inspiring. Running long distances, though – that becomes more of a challenge.Continue reading “Spring Has Sprung”

TBD

I ran a half marathon a couple weeks ago. The first one by myself – the first race, really, without a friend – in a long time. I don’t know when a half marathon became a training run for me. I don’t know that I like that feeling. 13.1 miles is FAR. 13.1 miles isContinue reading “TBD”

Fear

I’m sure I will be able to write many more posts about the fear I experience as I prepare to run the Dopey Challenge in January 2020. Really, I could talk about fear in all aspects of life, but this blog is about running, so I’ll focus on that. I find that my fear creepsContinue reading “Fear”