Training

When you need a little nudge to get going

January 27, 2024 by Juls 1 Comment

Have all of you been seeing these adds saying “Anyone can run a half marathon”? Maybe it’s just me, but they are received as a bit of a mockery at my current struggle. I mean, I KNOW that I can do it; it’s just not as easy as the tone of these infomercials would suggest. Am I wrong?

Once again, Ryan (aka YaYa) and I are planning to run another half marathon. This next one is in April. It’s near home but not the one that had me running circles around downtown feeling like a I was stuck in some sort of a maze. Officially, my 12 week training plan started this week. And although I ran 6 miles a week ago, today I lacked the inspiration to get out the door.

I found it a little strange since last week’s run was in less than optimal conditions (cold and drizzly weather). Yet, today’s running conditions were optimal. I was dressed, fueled, hydrated, had done my pre-run drills. But I just couldn’t get myself out the door. I felt like I needed a little nudge (virtual or other) to get going.

My initial self-examination reveals that the main difference appears to be Ryan’s training. Don’t judge; it is what it is. Although I do not envision us running this race together (side-by-side), I somehow find that I am more accountable if he is hitting his scheduled runs. Yet, when his competing priorities prevent his training from going well, I have a harder time pushing myself out the door. If I thought I was doing the same for him, I’d probably have an easier time of it. But our means of motivation/inspiration are different.

It should be noted that I have not missed a single training run; it’s just been harder to begin each one of them.

I’ve enlisted the help of others for complimentary activities such as Strength & Mobility Training, and Nutritional Coaching. It is my hope that these measures will help me successfully train for and run the race without injury or compromising my wellness level (including body composition, bone health, joint stability, overall health, etc.).

The support ends there, however. My training runs are done alone. It’s up to me to do my drills, properly fuel, and get each of the training runs done. During today’s run, I thought about how the members of the Running Blog Family (RBF) supported each other in my years of marathon training. Back then, even though many of my long runs were also run alone, I always felt like we were connected as we all shared our training plans, trials & tribulations, and other aspects of the training experience on our blogs.

Although nowadays, I often feel a bit isolated, I find connections with the people I pass.

Today, I saw a man up in his tree trimming back its branches, several people walking their dogs (big and small), and a few others being walked by their dogs. There was a man pushing a walker with his cheering squad at his side, a few cyclists, and another man under the hood of his truck trying to convince it to GO. I smiled as I passed these people and somehow felt each of us supporting one another simply by our solo effort. For each of us are working towards something better. It won’t happen by itself; we have to make it happen.

What are YOU working to make happen?

I’d love to hear about what you’re working to make happen this year. Please leave a comment to share with me — and anyone else who may be reading.

T minus 21d

April 16, 2023 by Juls 1 Comment

I dug out my official 2011 Boston Marathon shirt this morning and tried it on just to feel something. I can’t say exactly what I needed to feel. Connection, maybe. It’s marathon weekend in Boston with Marathon Monday just a few days away. Every year, a part of me remembers that amazing experience of being able to run that incredible race. It’s a little bitter sweet; pride coupled with a feeling of missing out. This morning, as I prepared to go out for my weekend run, I eyed myself in the mirror wearing that shirt. It still fits nicely, in spite of the weight gain. But I don’t feel like much of a runner these days. I thought be now I’d find a new groove but it’s still not so easy.

I’ve been continuing my regular yoga practice, stepping up my strength training effort, added supplements for arthritis relief, and even have been working with a nutrition coach. And, I *have* been training, although my training has not been the best. In spite of logging the distances of my planned long runs, I have had to walk-jog most of these miles in the past few weeks. I have a number of “excuses” that I have been blaming: everything from cold weather, arthritis flareups, hip and knee strain, trail closure due to flooding, and even a period of separation-anxiety with my treadmill. Seriously! I guess I am finally over my PTSD from the treadmill fall (concussion + treadmill burn turned to leg cellulitis, infection, and ugly dark scarring) incident of 2009. To be honest, it’s just convenient. If I have to stop to go to the bathroom, it’s right there. No trail closures. No giant sections of slippery mud. And, I get to see and learn about places all over the world thanks to iFit.

But treadmill running and propelling myself on dirt and pavement are not the same even with added incline. I had to break away from the ‘mill and get outside to walk, jog and run. The long awaited Yosemite Half Marathon is sneaking up on us rather quickly. TOO QUICK, if you ask me. Of course, I don’t feel a prepared as I had wanted to. In fact, I hardly feel like I can call myself a runner. Nonetheless, I do plan to toe the line, albeit reluctantly. YaYa’s training has had some hiccups as well. A hard takedown in his judo class coupled with the time and energy limitations of juggling a full college load and his role as Fitness Manager at the gym make training hard for him to get in. Although he blew me away with his half marathon time last year (also with limited training), I’m not sure how it will go this time. He may be hanging back with me. He may blow past me. I guess we’ll see.

Due to the crazy weather that California has been experiencing, the race course had to be re-routed to a completely new course. Although the new course won’t be the downhill race profile that racers had planned on, I does appear to be a mild course with very lovely views of the lake along the way. I am excited and nervous. Oh yeah, the race starts at sunrise (6am) with shuttle buses taking us to the starting line at 4am. *yawn* Although I am not excited to read this, YaYa (being a night owl) will have a harder time dealing with this than I will.

Well, I have my longest training run next weekend with 10 miles on tap. I have a 2-week taper after that in preparation for the race. If anyone is reading this, please send good luck vibes to YaYa and me.

Meet Pelé

September 4, 2022 by Juls Leave a Comment

I’d like you to meet Pelé, my newest training partner.

For those of you who have known me for some time, you may be questioning my judgement on this one. It is true, I did NOT ever come to love road cycling. In fact, I sort of blamed road cycling for my back ailments. Unlike my fabulous training partner Nordy, who joins me in the sport I have a long time afinity to, Pelé supports me in my pursuit of a sport that I have always felt inadequate at doing.

However, Pelé presents my with a different training method: one where I don’t have to constantly be tense & on guard, fearing one of the fast moving cars behind me will take my life and leave my kids without a parent. The result, no back pain. Also different, no matter what speed I go, or what level of cyclist I am riding with, I don’t ever hear anyone telling me that I’m too slow. On the contrary, even random strangers give me high-fives as I ride. It’s kind of cool.

I sweat up a storm during my lunch break, and get back to my desk on time for my 1pm teleconference — after a little cheering for my stellar efforts.

A Goal Without a Plan…

October 29, 2018 by Juls Leave a Comment

Last week, I read a fabulous article describing the difference between a wish and a goal.

A Goal Without a Plan is just A Wish – Shona, WodPrep

I immediately thought about my recent race experience and my goal to join the Trifecta Tribe by completed the race. Although I wasn’t sure if it was realistic, my actual goal was to do the Beast in approximately 6 hours. Of course, if you don’t work on being fast, you cannot expect to be fast on race day. After all, we get good at what we practice, and I had practiced moving at hiking/backpacking pace. So, although I knew I could go the distance, it was certain that I would not do it in under 6 hours. Then there were the obstacles.

As for the plan, I wasn’t exactly following a plan. Although I certainly I only had a rough idea of what I would face on race day, my “plan” was only in my head. In my head, the extent of my plan was simply to do what I could in order to get strong and more agile, develop grip strength and the ability to hang from my hands. Running wise, I knew what it would take but just didn’t make time for it even though I knew that the course would be mountainous and long. Instead, I hiked and told myself that I was developing endurance and put off doing the work of actual running.

Now I have no excuse; I know what I can expect from the Spartan Sprint, Super and Beast. I know the obstacles which cause me to take penalty burpees: Monkey Bars, Multi-rig, Twister, and Spear Throw. I also know the obstacles which I always need to get help with: Walls & Hurdles, and the Olympus. And although I don’t have access to walls or the rigs listed to gain these skills, I can work more diligently and smartly on the body movements and strength these obstacles require.

It’s time to plan and execute. Five weeks until the Spartan Stadium Sprint at AT&T Park (San Francisco). Aroo!!

the road ahead

March 10, 2018 by Juls 5 Comments

Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday that I had 6 months to get Spartan fit. Today, I look at the calendar to find my race 3 months away. Technically, race day is < 3 months away! And me… well I’m no where near ready for a race that involves 8-10 miles of running and 25+ obstacles there to test my strength and agility.

It’s time to get serious!

Not only do I need to build more strength, I also need to get down and dirty, squat, crawl, jump, carry weight, pull weighted objects, and muscle my way into my version of race-ready. Whatever that means.

It is certain that the road ahead will be interesting. Most definitely, it will be an uphill battle complete with many struggles mental and physical.

As scary as this seems (to me), there is a part of me that is also a little excited about it. It’s been a long time since I have been driven like this. Seven and a half years to be exact. Yes, I am excited. I am still scared as well.

Fortunately, there will be little moments, or creatures, along the way that offer me reason to smile. Hopefully, these moments will be more frequent than the moments that make me want to cry from frustration.

My goal is not to complete a stellar race. I have only the goal of completing the race relatively unscathed. My goal is HUGE, but I think it can do it.

Over the next 3 months, I need to change the “think” in I think I can to “know”. I hope that you all will cheer me along, [virtually] from where ever you are. I need all the support I can get.