I Give Up!

Or at least I wanted to.  It was one of those runs that started off great and ended with me in tears - questioning myself, my abilities, and my training.

Let me set the scene: my training plan insisted on 16 miles...in the rain...and 90+% humidity...OK, no problem. Got off to a good start.  Legs felt fresh, pace was comfortable, fuel belt stocked.  I've got this!  And then the rain picked up...and my phone, which I use to track my run and play my music, begins to act demon possessed - because it's wet.  And I'm wet, head to toe, so I can't dry it off, or dry myself off so I can try to fix it.  And I'm only at my half-way point...Deep breath.  Regroup.  I know my route.  I can run without my music.  It's a chance for me to just run... unplugged... me and the road.  I've got this!  And then my ankle starts hurting - a similar pain from when I trained for a half-marathon two years ago.  And my soaking wet clothes are rubbing me raw in places you don't talk about in public.  So, I make the decision...take it home, change into dry clothes, and run the rest of the miles on my treadmill...as much as I HATE a treadmill...Still, I've got this...

Limp it on home with 3.3 miles left to go, change into dry clothes and get on the treadmill.  And hit the proverbial wall!  I was tired.  I was in pain.  I felt like I had absolutely nothing left to give.  I didn't have this...tears of frustration, disappointment, self-doubt, and exhaustion mixed with the sweat dripping off my face.  And, yet, between running, walking, and sometimes shuffling, I finished up those 3.3 miles.

So why the tears?  Because I was tired of trying.  Because it was too hard.  Because it was causing me pain.  Because my goal seemed out of reach.  Because every single little circumstance seemed to be telling me to quit. Because I wanted to quit.

As it is with running, so it is with life.  How many times has it seemed too hard or too painful?  How many times have circumstances thrown you a curve ball?  How many times have you compromised your dreams and goals because it got too hard?  So adjust your plan, even cry a little bit, but never stop moving.  Never give up!

Dreams are worth pursuing!  Goals are worth reaching!  Is it possible that you will limp across that finish line out of breath, out of gas, in tears? Yes!  But will you also know in your heart of hearts that you persevered, you did what you had to do, you never gave up and you never quit?

Abso-freakin'-lutely!  You've got this!

Run Strong!

What the....Hills?!?

 I live in Auburn, Alabama, commonly known as "The Loveliest Village on the Plains", though you are hard pressed to find a "plain" to run on.  In fact, it is pretty much impossible to run for any significant distance without encountering a hill or two.  So, over the years I've learned several different ways to deal with running hills depending on my fitness level at the time.  Here are a few different options:

 

Use Imagery

If you're the kind of person that really likes the sports psychology side to running, using imagery is probably right up your alley.  My dad will tell you that he imagines a hill as an escalator and he's just along for the ride.  Thinking that way helps him maintain a smooth stride and allows him to regulate his breathing.  Others just simply picture themselves already at the top and use that sense of accomplishment to urge themselves on.  I tend to imagine the hill as something to conquer - almost a living, breathing thing that can be defeated.  It becomes a competition and drives me to win!

Walk All or Part of the Hill

Though it is my least favorite option, walking hills is a very viable way to train, especially if you are brand new to running and/or if you are finishing up a distance run and have hit the wall, so to speak.  I know I've had times (more than I'd like to admit) when I'm on a something-teen mile run and certain hills just get the best of me.  Walking seems to be the only way to make it to the top without passing out!  However, I always make a mental note...that hill goes on my "list".  There will come a day when we will meet again...which takes me to my next option.

Make That Hill Your Bitch

OK, so you know there had to be a "Diesel" way to get up a hill!!  This option is all about attitude.  It is a combination of imagery - Me vs. the Hill - and fighting determination.  It's a no-matter-what mental state.  It's what I use as revenge on the hills on my "list".  The ones that had beaten me before...now it's my turn!
Making a hill your bitch does come with a warning: you can get yourself in trouble by biting off more than you can chew.  I've made it to the top before and realized that was it...I'm out!  I just used up all I had left in my tank to beat that hill and I've still got miles to go.  That's never a good feeling.  You want to hold just enough back so that when you get to the top you can look back over your shoulder and whisper ever so quietly, "I just made you my bitch"! Ha!

What's your most-used method of Hill Domination?

I'd love to hear how you get up and over those hills!  Whatever works, right?!?!   Leave your comments - they are much appreciated!

Run Strong!

Mind Games

10, 12, 14...my mileage for the last three Saturdays!  What is so AMAZING about that, you ask?  Well, each week, once finished, I would have told you I could not have taken one more step; that it was so hard; that I was exhausted, spent, and completely out of gas.  And yet, just one week later, I successfully added two more miles!!!

So, here's what is AMAZING: the mind is the strongest and most persuasive organ in the human body.  Did I suddenly increase my fitness level in 7 days?  No.  Was the weather drastically different? No.  Did I run a less hilly route?  No.  Did I know what my training program required of me? YES!  Did I know that I couldn't stop until I was finished? YES!  Did I know that unless I push I cannot improve? YES! YES! and YES!!

It is all about Mind Games.

It's learning to cheerlead for yourself.  It's telling yourself to ignore the fatique and just keep running!  It's inventing a badass alter-ego and naming her Diesel!!  Conversely, it's knowing how to quiet that inner voice that tries to tell you you can't do it or whispers comparisons having to do with not being faster, better, healthier...

Perhaps the most AMAZING thing is we think we are out there day after day, week after week training our bodies when the absolute truth of the matter is we are out there training our MINDS!

Run Strong!

Running on Diesel Fuel!

Welcome to my running blog!  I hope you'll find my thoughts on life and running interesting and entertaining.   "Diesel" is a nickname and a badass alter-ego born during a rough patch in life.  Ever since then, Diesel is that inner-strength I tap into when I get whiney and my runs start to feel weak.  That's when I'm running on Diesel Fuel!!   

 

I love to Run!  Running is cheaper than therapy, so when I'm out there putting one foot in front of the other I usually have my best ideas, my greatest thoughts and many lightbulb moments! ("A-Ha! I should start a blog!").

Who I Am

"I'm a bitch, I'm a lover, I'm a child, I'm a mother
I'm a sinner, I'm a saint, I do not feel ashamed..." ~ Meredith Brooks

Fun song from the '90's and it kind of sums up who I am.  I can be edgy.  I can be shocking.  I can say things that may offend.  I can also be boring and quiet. You may find all of that in this blog!  In fact, I hope that you do, because there is nothing worse than the same-ole, same-ole!!  Please read on and always let me know what you think.

Run Strong!