Lifelong Runner

Dear Fall,

You know you’re my favorite season.  I’ve told you before; I’ve told everyone before.  With your beautiful colors, breathtaking sunsets, and perfect running temperatures, you won my heart over years ago.  This year, you graced us with an extended stay.  In fact, you stayed so long I thought maybe you’d never leave.  I hoped, maybe just this once, we’d skip over winter.  I’d be totally fine with just three seasons.  Think of all the things we could accomplish if we had more time together.

Rumor has it, you’re leaving soon, maybe even tomorrow.  You will be replaced by your dreadful old man, winter.  Now, instead of dashing out the door in t-shirts and shorts, I will have to bundle up in layers and then pray I selected the correct clothing combination to keep me warm.  Tights, shirts, a jacket.  Will those be enough?  I will need mittens, which make it hard to work my Garmin, or gloves, which don’t really keep my fingers warm.  I will need a hat, and we both know I don’t look good in hats.  Instead of taking in the views of the city, the river, and the people, I will have to pay close attention to my footing so I don’t slip on a patch of ice or lodge my foot in a pile of snow.  Instead of that glorious post-run glow, I’ll have frost on my nose and eyelashes, and not in a fun, lyrical way.  I’ll need long, hot showers to regain a steady, normal body temperature.  Or, worse yet, I’ll be forced inside to log miles on the treadmill while watching reruns of “Grey’s Anatomy” or the news.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’ll suffer the challenges of winter for my running.  I just want you to understand why you are so special to me.  You make running so much easier, safer, and achievable.  You take away the excuses for not getting outside.  

I understand that you can’t stay.  I understand it wouldn’t be right, even though welcomed.  So, to mark the end of a great season together, I got out for a run today.  A friend joined me so we could celebrate the occasion together.  We spoke fondly of you.  For possibly the last time this year, we enjoyed all the beauty that you have to offer.

So, I’d like to thank you for your extended visit.  Thank you for giving me five extra weeks of my favorite time of the year.  Even though it’ll be wrong to do so, I will likely still complain when you do leave.  It’s a hard habit for me to break.  But, I will remember that I should be grateful.  And, to show my appreciation, I will try to embrace winter a little more this year.  But don’t you worry.  Your absence will make my heart grow fonder for you.  You could never be replaced.  Until next year…  

With Love,

Tricia Hedin

“Age is no barrier, it’s a limitation you put on your mind.” – Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Track and Field Olympian

It goes without saying that running, like most things in life, changes as I age.  During my 30 years (gasp!) of running, I have certainly noticed many differences.  To be expected, running has become in some ways harder and in other ways just simply….  well, different.   

As a kid, I wasn’t affected by the time of the day that I ran or what I had eaten immediately prior to a workout.  I could lace up my shoes right after dinner and get in my miles without fear of tossing up that evening’s meal.  I shudder at the thought of that now.  These days, I have to pay special attention to what I consume prior to running.  I am most comfortable with little in my stomach.  If I am running after work, I need to ensure I eat a sensible lunch at a normal hour.  I cannot do heavy, late lunches and then run late afternoon without guaranteeing an upset stomach.  I have also learned the hard way that if enjoying a Chipotle burrito bowl for lunch, add at a minimum two extra hours to allow for digestion.

In addition, I used to be able to eat a huge meal following a long race or intense workout.  My stomach would feel fine almost immediately after, and I had no problem quickly replacing my calories.  On one particular occasion, my college team had stopped for pizza following a track meet.   I had run the 10K and was busily scarfing down slice-after-slice while the other distance runners picked cautiously at their food.  The coach even noted that you could tell who ran what event based on what they were eating.  Except for me; I was the exception to that rule.  I thought running farther meant eating more and nothing was going to ruin that for me!  Now after such races, I normally resist inhaling the nearest food until I’m certain that my stomach is well settled.  

When it comes to stretching, I have always hated it and normally do everything possible to avoid it.  To me, it’s just a way to delay hitting the pavement.  I was perhaps most diligent when I was co-captain of my high school cross country team.  To set a good example for the younger runners, I would go through the motions the best I could on a daily basis.  Though I have learned injuries often result when I ignore this essential part of the sport, I still can easily take off with little thought to this nuisance.  One day, not that long ago, I was standing on the sidewalk attempting to stretch my calf muscles when a neighbor walked by.  She asked me what I was doing.  After I explained and she continued on her way, I laughed quietly to myself.  Clearly, what I was doing was not evident to my friend.  I must have appeared as though I was just standing and staring.  My technique must need a lot of work!

My desire to run and compete has actually grown more intense the older I get.  It’s hard to put my finger on the exact reason, but I suppose it has to do with controlling my own body.  I refuse to accept that aging means slowing down or doing less.  I suppose I could also attribute the fact that I don’t want to lose this vital part of my identity.  Luckily, my times have remained pretty consistent over the past several years.  Despite feeling a little sluggish and under-trained for the recent Twin Cities 10 mile, I discovered that I actually ran faster than the last two times I competed in that event in 2010 and 2013.  While my effort might seem more, the results have been consistent and in some cases, better!  This of course has me wondering for how much longer I might experience improvement, and this makes me eager to get every PR I can.  

When it comes to safety, I would say that I’ve naturally grown more mature in this area.  I’m sure I worried very little about this as a kid running around small-town Elgin.  As an adult living in the city, I am very aware of my surroundings at all times.  I never run with headphones, mostly out of laziness.  I can get out the door much quicker without worrying about devices being charged and playlists prepared.  However, I also realize it’s important to know what’s going on around me and being technology-free makes that much easier.  I’m lucky to live in an area with lots of sidewalks and trails and countless walkers, runners, dog owners, and bikers out at all times.  In fact, when I go back to small-town Elgin and run down roads with no shoulders or deserted gravel roads, I can’t believe my parents let me run alone during my high school years.  They must have hated every minute of those summer and weekend runs on which my brother and I embarked.  But, they’ll be happy to know that safety is priority #1 these days!   

The most obvious change that I experience with aging is of course the wear and tear on my body, which is growing more consistent and persistent.  I can recall only being injured once during my high school career and once during my college career.  I was lucky, and I now realize it.  These days, I seem to cycle through various overuse injuries.  This means x-rays, MRIs, physical therapy, and the dreaded time off are a more regular part of my life.  It also means I have started to consider things I never would have in the past- namely, deep-tissue massage.  Up to this point in my life, I have had one massage and it wasn’t a great experience.  However, after reading about the benefits and consulting with my doctor, I am ready to give this a try.  While I may not like people invading my personal space, I will be very happy if this is part of the solution in getting and staying healthy.  If my next blog post mentions acupuncture, you will know I have become desperate.  I can faint just thinking about a needle, so here’s hoping the massage is a success!

Because of these injuries, which have posed a threat to my participation in several events, my appreciation for running has certainly increased the older I get.  Every run, every event, every accomplishment is such a gift and I have vowed to never take my abilities for granted again.  Running might be harder some days than others, and it might challenge me in ways I don’t want.  It might frustrate me and make me doubt myself.  And though I may not always be happy with my results, deep down I know that I am blessed.  And because of all the rewards running gives me, I pray that I can overcome any obstacles in my way and that I will truly be a Lifelong Runner.

You read that right.  I almost did something really stupid this morning.  I almost went for a run.  Before you worry that you clicked on the wrong blog post, allow me to explain.  

Last week, I blogged about how great my running had been going and how I had been fairly pain free.  If only I could rewind and take back those words, as I fear that my cheerful bragging brought me bad luck.  Last Wednesday, September 28th, I took off for a run and felt immediate pain in my heel.  Nothing hurt the day before, nor did anything feel wrong as I was moving about that morning.  Normally, I wouldn’t be overly concerned as I have dealt with persistent, though not always serious, injuries for many years.  This pain, however, I remembered quite well.  It sidelined me several months ago for nearly 3 weeks.  I panicked.  After all, the Twin Cities 10 mile is October 9th.  So, with a week and a half before race time, I did indeed start to worry.  Of course, I finished my run and hoped it was just an off day.  Sadly, my ankle was swollen that evening and it hurt to walk.  I quickly came up with a plan that would ensure I’d be at the starting line for the 10 miler.  I didn’t run Thursday or Friday, but I did need to log some miles on Saturday to see how things felt and get in one more quality run before race day.  Dan and I did 7.5 miles that morning.  Things felt okay.  Not 100%, but I didn’t need to Uber home either.  If only you didn’t need your feet for everyday life, it would make it much easier to rest them.  We had a weekend full of activities, and nothing was going to slow us down.

By Monday morning, my heel was still sore and my ankle a little swollen. I told myself no running this week.  Allow the swelling to go down, do some cross training, and maybe get in a couple of miles on Saturday to try it out (and not be totally blindsided on Sunday).  Work in a little strength training early in the week, still well before the race, as I don’t want to drastically change my workouts a week before the event.  It all sounded promising.  I would take it easy and improve my chances to compete on Sunday.

Today, I almost broke down and went for a run two full days ahead of my plan.  First of all, it is truly killing me that I’m not running the full marathon (as predicted in last week’s blog).  Yes, I’m worried I won’t be able to make it 10 miles, but lamenting that I’m not going 26.2 miles. Couple that with taking the week off to rest my foot, and I was in despair this morning.  I was so close to heading out the door in my running gear when finally, reason set in.  What was truly more important, I asked myself?  A short, likely unfulfilling, run today with the possibility of further damage, or being able to race on Sunday?  If I was experiencing frustration today after not running for 4 days, how would I feel when I was watching everyone from the sidelines on Sunday, and then possibly not running for weeks?

And so, as hard as it was, I turned my focus elsewhere.  I did some work.  I did some research for a committee on which I volunteer.  I did some more work.  And now, I’m writing this blog post.  It’s the one thing I wish I could change about my running.  I wish the quality of my day didn’t depend on how far or how fast I ran, or if I ran at all.  I wish I could feel accomplished, or at least the same level of accomplishment, in something else.  For as good as running can make me feel, not running can make me feel pretty awful.  However, the decision I made today is not something I would have done years, or even months, ago.  I do feel proud that I made a good decision for myself on this particular day.

With any luck, my discipline will be rewarded on Sunday.  With any luck, I will be at that starting line and the only thing I’ll be worried about is deciding what to have for lunch afterwards.  After all, this is one the premier events in the country and it requires sacrifice of all forms to get there.

Thanks for listening and for possibly sympathizing.  And if you rolled your eyes at my absurdity, it’s okay; I won’t know.

Thanks for asking.  Allow me to share with you the reasons behind my abundant happiness:    

I recently returned from a fabulous European vacation (thus the long absence from my blog).  My husband and I visited London, Munich, and Salzburg.  This meant we were able to spend valuable time with my family, explore new cities, try different foods, and experience new cultures.  And, of course, enjoy different scenery for our runs.  While in London, we ran through the Hampstead Heath with my brother.  It felt so good to run on the soft grass while enjoying the views of downtown London.  The challenging hills made sure we got in an adequate workout, which is necessary after trying all the local fare.  Thankfully, my brother knows the Heath quite well, or we possibly could have gotten lost in the 790 acre park.  

While in Munich, we discovered the Englischer Garten (English Garden). Ironic, I know, since we traveled to Germany from England.  Anyway, this park spans 910 acres and is actually larger than New York’s Central Park. Since we had to run 3 miles to get to the park, we only made it through a very small fraction of that acreage.  However, it was so peaceful and relaxing.  After battling crowds day-after-day, it was nice to find a place to run where we could have our own space without fear of being trampled. 

Getting in a workout while on vacation is often one of my favorite parts of the trip.  It’s one way to not feel like a tourist and experience the city as the locals do.  That is until we stop to take a picture…!  

Want another reason why I’m so happy?  It’s Fall, easily my favorite of the four seasons.  What’s not to love about the changing colors, the breathtakingly beautiful sky, running through crunchy leaves, the smell of fall, and the crisp air?  I have been looking forward to the cooler weather for quite some time.  I sweated way too much this summer.  I am ready to return from a run without appearing as though I went for a swim!  Once it’s long-sleeved top and shorts weather, I’m delighted.  

Fall brings another of my favorite things- my birthday.  September 27th is one of the best days of the year.  But in reality, I celebrate for an entire month.  Though I’m not embracing the aging process as gracefully as I’d like, I’m thankful to be blessed with good health, a loving family, and true friends .  This September 27th, I turn 43.  I tell myself that number means nothing as long as I can stay healthy and keep on running.  This Lifelong Runner can’t be sidelined this early in her life!  So yes, I’m another year older.  And yes, I am still running.  That deserves celebration for certain!

My birthday isn’t the only big event this week, however.  I’m beyond thrilled to be coordinating a Prediction Walk/Run for my neighborhood community which will be held on Thursday.  A month ago, I proposed the idea to our Social Committee and they have graciously supported this effort.  So far, we have about 30 people registered for this 2 mile event in which you win by successfully predicting your finish time.  I have a few more days to recruit participants.  Fingers crossed it’s successful!  If it is, you might be hearing more about it in the future.

Once the Prediction Walk/Run is complete, all my focus will turn to the Twin Cities 10 Mile on October 9th.  This year, I’m running as a team with Dan, his sister (Joelle), and her husband (Jason).  After doing the marathon the last couple of years, I’m looking forward to the “Shortcut to the Capitol”.  Sure, I will have mixed feelings about not doing the full 26.2.  However, my body is grateful for the shorter distance.  And besides, first ones to the capitol get more beer.  Just kidding.  Kind of.  

Speaking of shorter distances, my lesser mileage has to be part of the reason I’ve been running fairly pain free lately.  That nagging Achilles Tendinitis seems to be taking a break.  It is so wonderful to take off running and not have to drag one leg along for the first half mile.  It is also refreshing to not limp around the house for the rest of the day after my run.  I stretch a little these days, which also might help.  But the final factor, I think my body just realized I’m not quitting.  As long as it’s along for the ride, it might as well behave.  

So, as you can see, life is definitely good.  In fact, it’s great.  It has me smiling from ear-to-ear!  I hope your Fall is off to a wonderful start, too!

Talk about a winning and satisfying weekend.  Three great Minnesotan events, two days, and one very exhausted (yet happy) me.  It really doesn’t get any better.  

It all began on Saturday morning, August 6th.  Actually, it all began very early on Saturday morning.  I woke up at 5am in order to prepare myself for the Minnesota Half Marathon.  And since this race took place in St. Paul, there was actually travel involved.  I could not just stroll down the street to the starting line this time.  Luckily, Dan agreed to drive me so I didn’t have to worry as much about driving and finding a parking spot in time for the 7:30am start.  Have I ever mentioned what a sweet, supportive, and awesome husband I have?  We made it to St. Paul and found a parking spot with plenty of time remaining to use the dreaded porta potty.  Before I go on, it’s important to note that this particular event included a half marathon run, half marathon relay, half marathon skate, and 6k walk/run.  I generally shy away from these types of events as there is too much going on, and they have the tendency to be crowded and chaotic.  When I signed up, this thought was in the back of my mind but I decided to give it a try as I had never done this half marathon before. Well, as I was standing in the line for the bathroom, I witnessed something I had never seen before.  One of the skaters cut to the front of the line as his race was starting 15 minutes before the run.  Yes, he really did just cut in front of everyone.  I couldn’t believe it, and more so I couldn’t believe no one expressed any displeasure with it.  A couple of minutes later, one of the race officials announced that the skate was starting momentarily and that everyone should allow the skaters to the front of the porta potty lines.  Thankfully, I had just finished my turn and was on my way to the start.  Otherwise, I might have started protesting! That’s all part of the race, having a plan to get there on time in order to complete any pre-race preparations.  Cutting in front of others, or asking others to let them in front, is something I have not once witnessed in all my years of racing.  Anyway, enough said on that topic.  I think I’ve made my feelings clear!

The half marathon got underway and excitement was in the air.  I was determined to have a good race and hopefully improve my time from my July half.  As this race was out-and-back with two turnarounds, I was mentally preparing myself to stay focussed on my own race.  I was determined to not be distracted by those in front of me, even though I’d be able to see them at two separate times on the course.  I was moving along nicely and enjoying the St. Paul scenery.  It was a gorgeous day. Though it wasn’t overly hot, the sun was shining brightly with not a cloud in sight.  Couple that with little to no shade along the road and I was starting to feel quite warm.  Still, I pushed onward.  One of the good things about an out-and-back course is that I got to see Dan about halfway through.  I had to appear strong for him.  And, I needed his encouragement to keep working hard.  By this time, the half marathoners and 6k participants had merged on the course.  I felt frustration creeping up, but it actually wasn’t too bad.  There was no tripping over each other; no one cut me off or vice versa.  The worst part was they got to turn around and finish, while we had to trudge on, in the hot sun, with our turnaround seemingly forever ahead.  I started to overheat and was desperate for some shade.  I noticed a guy puking alongside the road.  I looked away; I was determined to maintain my pace.  At one point, when I was convinced I’d soon be in Wisconsin, I let out a frustrated gasp. Actually, it was more of a whimper.  I was starting to feel defeated… but then there it was!  Behold, our turnaround!  Mentally, it was now a whole new race.  Heading towards the finish instead of away from it made every difference in the world, and now the sun was at my back.  I started to push myself even harder as I noticed that if I maintained my pace, I would indeed finish with a faster time than in my last half.

Eventually, the finish line was in sight.  There were more and more spectators cheering us on.  Adrenaline pumping through my veins, I gave what I could and propelled myself across that finish line.  I competed against every runner until I was across that final mat.  That glorious satisfaction of finishing set in quickly.  1 hour 46 minutes and 22 seconds! Almost a full minute faster than last month!  It was amazing how quickly the frustration I felt during the race dissolved once they put that medal around my neck and a glass of water in my hand.  Sometimes, the challenge is physical and sometimes it’s mental.  That race definitely tested me more mentally than I had been in recent races.  I think that made the achievement all the more worth it.  Originally, there was an error with the results (they had me listed under the relay), but it was corrected and I placed 3rd in my age group.  Elated doesn’t even begin to capture how I felt.  I might be 42 and face increasing injuries, but I can still compete!

Now that the race was behind me, it was time to celebrate.  I would have settled for lunch and a nap, but Dan was intent on taking in the Minnesota Fringe Fest (a series of theatrical performances held on various stages throughout the Twin Cities).  We had originally planned on just the Sunday shows, but I agreed to see a couple on Saturday afternoon as well. Besides, Dan got up with me at 5am and chauffeured me around.  It was the least I could do for him.  So after lunch and a shower, we made our way over to the first show.  It was a performance by a local ballet company and it was great.  I just sat back, in the comfy and dark theatre, and enjoyed their talent and skills.  And yes, I did stay awake for the entirety of the show!  The second one we saw was a comedy about couples. Thankfully, this time the theatre was fully lit and the laughter helped revitalize me.  It was another great show.  We really enjoy the Fringe Fest and have been a part of it for several years now.  The performances are only 60 minutes and feature all different kinds of talent.  There’s something for everyone to enjoy, and it means a lot to us to be able to support the gifts and talents of others.

So, now it was Saturday afternoon, and we needed to hop on the light rail and get back to St. Paul.  Yes, two trips to St. Paul in one day!  We were meeting our friends, Greg and Amy, for dinner and the Showboat.  It’s been a tradition of ours’ for several years.  First, we fill up on the fine Italian fare at Pazzaluna, and then make our way across the river to Harriet Island and the Showboat.  Featuring students from the University of Minnesota Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, the Showboat has never disappointed us.  Each year, the performance is a melodrama.  This means the audience gets to participate by booing the villains and cheering the heroes.  In between the scenes, the actors entertain us with musical olios.  On this particular Saturday night, we watched “Under the Gaslight”.  We sang and clapped along with the opening song.  We booed and hissed.  We cheered.  We nibbled on popcorn and sipped wine.  We laughed and laughed some more.  Then, we sang and clapped along with the closing song.  We tried to take in all the charm of the performance and the evening.  You see, much to our shock and sadness, this is the final season for the U of M Showboat.  It’s hard to believe this summertime tradition will be no more, and it’ll be hard to replace this wonderful entertainment.  Although our favorite olio, Frankfurter Sandwiches, wasn’t done on Saturday night, Amy and I did request a photo with the Frankfurter Sandwich.  At least now we have something by which to remember this truly amazing tradition that ended way too soon!

If I was going to enjoy the Sunday Fringe Fest shows, it was critical to get some rest.  Therefore, I crashed wearily and happily into bed after our friends dropped us off.  Thoughts of an amazing day floated through my head.  Needless to say, I slept quite well that night.

Our Sunday outing began with brunch at The Sheridan Room in Northeast Minneapolis.  We had never been to this establishment, but were excited to try a new place.  I’m not really a breakfast or brunch person, but I discovered an amazingly delicious Veggie Scramble on the menu.  I savored every bite.  We took in three shows on Sunday, grabbing beers at Dangerous Man (another first for me) in between.  We saw an Irish song and dance production, a one-woman show about dealing with a life-threatening illness, and improv comedy.  All three were entertaining in obviously very different ways.

As I noted earlier, I love watching other people’s talents on display.  I very often find inspiration and confidence when watching theatre and dance productions.  To be honest, I also spend a fair amount of time wishing I had those gifts.  To be able to dance, sing, act, or have the confidence to share a personal struggle is very admirable.  In the end, I always remember that I do have many gifts, and one I feel proud enough of that I blog about it!  And just as others appreciate my gift and read my words, I, too, shall do that for others.  It’s what makes life great!

I am blessed to live in such a great city and state!  There’s almost always a race to run and a performance to watch.  And did I mention all the fine food and drink?!  As I said, it was a satisfying and fulfilling weekend.  I left nothing undone and it was great!

Sunday, July 31st was a great day and one I won’t soon forget.  It all started a couple of months ago when a friend asked me to participate in 15s 5k with her.  This race, started by Minnesota Twin Glen Perkins (#15) and his wife, is a benefit for PrairieCare Child & Family Fund.  Since I love running, baseball, and it was for a great cause, I eagerly signed up.  I soon learned another friend was doing it as well, so the three of us made plans for Sunday.  We were excited for the run, but had no idea what great things were in store for us that morning!  

The sun was shining and a perfect summer day was beginning as we arrived at the starting line around 7:30am.  The race began at Mariucci Arena on the University of Minnesota campus.  As runners began to gather, we had time to stretch and hydrate before the singing of the Star Spangled Banner.  My friends and I had decided to each run our own race and find each other at the finish, so we found our respective spots in the corral and listened to Glen Perkins deliver a short message.  After that, he sounded the air horns to start the race and we were off!

This event was not chip-timed, and I unexpectedly ended up enjoying that aspect of it.  Instead of focusing on my pace and worrying about my finish time, I just took in the scenery as we wound through the streets of Minneapolis heading towards Target Field.  There were a few spectators out, but it was fairly quiet along the course for the most part.  The last few races, I’ve found myself appreciating the police officers staged along the route, re-directing traffic and ensuring we have a safe event.  I wondered how they felt about being assigned road race detail for the morning.  Was it a welcome change from their normal routine or would they rather be solving crimes?  As you can see, it’s easy for my mind to wander when I’m running.  Anyway, back to the race.  This being my second 5k in the past two weeks, after a long absence from this race distance, I did try and push myself out of my comfort zone and maintain a somewhat faster pace even though only I would know my finish time.  For once, I managed to run a fairly straight path and so my Garmin was on track with the mile markers. This was definitely an advantage, and it also meant I knew precisely how much farther I had to go.

As we made our final turn and my watch read 2.5 miles, my adrenaline began pumping even faster as I knew we were nearing the finish.  And not just any old finish line, but the finish line on Target Field!  The stadium grew closer and closer and my heartbeat quickened.  We were in a large, open lot and I saw huge doors through which we’d enter the stadium. Finally, I could see the green turf, the warning track, and Twins Mascot TC Bear.  I was there!  I was on Target Field!  And then I did something I didn’t even knew I could do.  I sprinted.  Yes, me!  I sprinted!  I even passed another runner right before the finish line.  If only every run could finish in the most beautiful ballpark in the country, how many PRs would I set?!  It was truly amazing to view the stadium from that vantage point. I had been on the field previously, but only for a brief time.  This day, I took time to soak it up and I loved every second of it.

I made my way up the steps and on to the plaza where I received my finisher medal from Glen Perkins.  I exchanged pleasantries with an All Star; that was a pretty neat moment!  I then grabbed a water and some food and started looking for my friends.  As I was searching the crowd for them, I noticed several tall, athletic figures making their way onto the same plaza.  I quickly realized it was Joe Mauer, Trevor Plouffe, and Taylor Rodgers.  To say I was excited was an understatement.  I knew Glen Perkins would attend the event that bore his name, but I had no idea that his teammates would show up, and most notably Minnesota’s own Joe Mauer.  Luckily, I spotted one of my girlfriends and she and I got in line to have our picture taken with Mauer.  While in line, we spotted our other friend and when we informed her what we were doing, she was pretty ecstatic herself!  As we got closer to the front of the line, I was nervous.  I had just run a sweaty 5k and probably didn’t smell all that great, but I was not going to miss out on this opportunity.  Then, we finally reached the front and our turn had arrived.  We got our medals autographed, had our photo snapped, and thanked Joe for being there.  He was every bit as kind as I knew he would be.  It was a fantastic moment.  After that, we headed towards the line for Trevor Plouffe and then Glen Perkins.  We were all pretty in awe and so pleased with the unexpected surprise the 5k presented us.

With autographs and pictures in hand, we found a place to sit down for a brief moment.  We enjoyed some refreshments while listening to GB Leighton on the Target Field plaza.  We could have stayed all day, basking in the joy of our running accomplishment and celebrity encounters. However, we needed to shower.  Afterall, we were also attending that day’s afternoon game.  So, three grown women, smiling ear-to-ear, walked home reliving the events of that morning.

Friends + Running + Baseball = Life Is GREAT!

It’s well documented by now the important role running plays in my life. Why do I love it so much?  I’m glad you asked.  Here are the top reasons that I started running 30 years ago and never stopped.

Belonging to a Community

We all gravitate towards those with whom we share similar interests and goals.  It’s natural that one of my favorite things about running is being amongst other runners.  Whether training or racing, I’m always surrounded by people who understand me and relate to me.  On any given day at any given time, I can take to the nearby trails and encounter countless others out getting in their mileage.  The slight nod, wave, or even robust greeting is always a welcome sign of camaraderie.  When lining up for a race, it’s entertaining to listen to conversations of those around me and feel a bond with complete strangers.  Whatever the topic of their commentary, I’m either thinking it or having the same exchange with my running partners.  My husband dreads it when I encounter other runners in social situations.  Though he loves sports and even runs an occasional race himself, he can only listen to so much talk about sore muscles, bruised toenails, skin chafing, and how great or awful that last race was.  I try to pick up on his cues when he’s heard enough, but I am usually too engrossed in conversation and eager to get my point across that he often suffers at my expense.  A sense of belonging is a very gratifying part of running.

The Solidarity

I don’t intend to be contradictory.  I just appreciate the solitude of running as much as the community.  I can run a race with 8,000 of my closest friends and still keep all to myself at various points throughout the course.  Wrapped up in thought and strategy, I can block everyone else out and focus on the task at hand or merely enjoy the peacefulness I feel. Though the trails and sidewalks on which I train are very high traffic, I can normally find solitude and worry only about my goal.  And once I’m ready to engage, well, I need not look far to find company.  

The Food

I love to eat.  I’m more than thrilled when a long run or race approaches and I find myself planning out all I can eat the day leading up to it.  12 miles tomorrow?  Pasta and bread for dinner it is!  18 miles tomorrow?  An extra serving of each, please!  Once said long run or race is complete, watch out.  I’ll eat my food and I might take yours’, too.  Okay, I’m kidding.  A little bit.  Don’t get me wrong, I eat more than I need.  Sadly, I’ve come to learn that running does not give me a license to consume whatever I want.  I have actually gained weight while training for a marathon, which should have been my first clue.  I always figured I shouldn’t change my diet while training.  Deal with that after the race has always been what I’ve told myself.  Despite my love of food and beverage, I am learning that my body can perform with fewer calories.  I’m trying to find proper balance, allowing myself to indulge while still maintaining a healthy diet.  When I find the secret, I’ll be sure to blog about it.

Sore Muscles

Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.  You know the feeling.  That glorious soreness that results from a tough workout or race. Sometimes it sets in the same day.  Sometimes you have to wait until the next day to experience it.  You know you worked hard, but you need your muscles to confirm it.  When you don’t get sore, you second-guess your efforts.  Did you really work as hard as you thought?  And when the soreness subsides and you can get up off the couch or out of bed without grunting, you’re sad.  So admit it, people.  You and I, we both love sore muscles.  

Working Towards a Goal

I panic when I don’t have a race on my schedule.  Running just to run is great.  But running to train for a race is even better.  I thrive when I have a goal.  Whether it’s a 10 mile, half marathon, or marathon, I feel such purpose each time I set out to train.  Oftentimes, I experience a huge let down after a race.  It’s almost like the sadness some experience after the holidays or other big life events.  You work so hard to get to that day, you’re not sure what to do with yourself once the event is over.  That’s why I often sign up for another race within days of finishing one.  Every once in awhile, I experience burnout and take time to run just for pleasure.  This lasts for varying amounts of time as, in general, having a goal keeps me disciplined and on track.  

Feeling Good at Something

I’m not saying I’m good.  I would never brag like that.  What I am saying is that I feel I’m good at running, at least compared to most other things I do or have done.  Sure, I’ve experienced success in many areas of life, but I’m most proud of my running achievements.  Perhaps it’s because it’s the one thing I’ve been dedicated to for most of my life.  Perhaps it’s because the heartaches it’s caused me have made me appreciate the successes so much more.  What I do know is that the longer I keep running, the more my statistics seem to improve.  Is it because the competition in my peer group has quit?  Who knows.  I find joy and reward in it regardless.  

Minimal Equipment Necessary

Runners are lucky, as are the parents that raised them.  We don’t need a lot of expensive equipment to participate safely in our sport.  A good pair of shoes and comfortable, breathable attire are all that’s necessary.  Toss in a little sunblock and we can be out the door in minutes.  The lack of bulky and excessive equipment also means we can get our miles in most anywhere.  You can always find room in your suitcase or duffel bag for what’s needed to run while away from home.  

It Makes Me Tougher

Whether it’s training in extreme temperatures, logging high mileage, or dealing with seemingly unending pesky injuries, running has made me a tougher person.  The physical and mental challenges have tried to wear me down and break me, but I’ve always worked diligently to manage them and stay the course.  It hasn’t always been easy, and a lot of credit goes to my support system for their encouragement during uncertain times. Aging adds a new layer of complexity but I’m determined to stay healthy, keep the injuries to a minimum, and keep on running.  Did I mention that I’m also really good at outrunning geese, convincing dogs I don’t pose a threat, and sternly warning foxes to not even bother attempting any attack on me?  Indeed, running has made me tougher.  And braver.

So there you have it.  I heart running.

I believe that running has made me a better person.  It has taught me many things, some that I likely could have also learned elsewhere; however, some lessons are pretty unique.  Some are obvious; some are hilarious. Here are the top 10 lessons that decades of running have instilled in me. Warning:  Some content not suitable for all readers.  

Discipline Required

Let’s start with the most obvious one.  Running, like most sports, requires discipline if you wish to enjoy any amount of success.  Everyone who competes on a team, no matter the level, must demonstrate a commitment to the sport and team or risk being cut from the squad. Whether it’s 5am pool workouts, daily practice, weekend runs, or volunteering at an event with your teammates, attendance is mandatory. Being punctual is just as critical.  This is perhaps the first thing I learned when I joined cross country way back in the 7th grade, and my discipline has evolved just as my running has.  You have to put in the work. Sometimes, you have to make sacrifices in order to get up early for that long Saturday morning run.  Other times, you have to be disciplined enough to not run when injured or rehabbing.  Discipline paves the way for everything else that follows.  Without it, there’s no sport.  

Value Your Teammates

Some of the strongest relationships I’ve formed in life have been with fellow runners, in high school and college and beyond.  These are the individuals who have seen me at my worst- sweaty, frustrated, disappointed, overwhelmed by a sense of failure.  And, even after seeing me at my worst, these are the people that have stuck by me to celebrate me at my best.  We have shared seats on crowded buses, half-eaten food, and even used water bottles.  We have carried each other’s sweats without complaint.  We have given each other silent hugs when no words could provide comfort.  We have exchanged excited high fives and congratulatory sentiments after accomplishments.  We have picked each other up when we’ve (literally) fallen down.  We have had each other’s backs at all times.  Teammates are selfless, supportive, understanding, and sincere.  It’s a special bond not easily broken or forgotten.  

Porta Potty Selection Matters

It is perhaps the most undesirable part of road racing.  The porta potty. The honey bucket.  The rent-a-john.  Whatever term you use, portable toilets are disgusting.  Some more than others.  During Grandma’s Marathon in 2013, I needed to use the toilet during the race.  After much debate on whether I should stop or not (this is the race in which I was trying to improve my Boston qualifying time), I had decided I would and I came up with a great plan.  I would stop at the halfway point, where the half-marathon started.  There would be rows and rows of porta potties there, and I wouldn’t have to wait in line as many do along the racecourse where there are fewer options.  We neared the halfway point, and I started to make my way towards the toilets. Get in and get out, that was the plan. Spend as little time as necessary in there and get back on the course.  I opened the door to a toilet and saw something I never want to see again. Human waste piled up above the seat.  The only way that could have happened, well, I think you can figure that out.  I slammed the door and moved on to the next one.  In there, I found a man peeing and he apparently had elected to save a mere second by not locking the door.  I’m all for speediness, but come on.  My third choice was the charm.  Finally, the relief I needed to finish my race.  It’s a gross subject, I know.  But it’s one that has definitely taught me a lesson.  Open the door slowly and get a good look inside before rushing in.  You never know what you might encounter.  

Toenails Aren’t Necessary

I do my best to hide my feet.  I rarely wear sandals.  At any given time, I might have 1 or 2 normal toenails.  The rest are bruised, have blisters formed underneath them, or they are just plain missing.  I don’t like how gnarly my toes and feet are, but I choose to consider them my battle scars. And here’s the good news:  I’ve discovered you can live without a toenail or two.  And also, they grow back.  Just to fall off again.  

Respect for Coaches

I’ve been blessed to have trained under three legendary MN coaches, and coach with a fourth.  I am grateful to have had compassionate and dedicated leaders who helped me develop my love of and respect for the sport.  And, as I know firsthand, you don’t coach at the amatuer level for the money.  You’re in it to develop young people and share your love of the sport.  Some coaches endure a lot, from athletes and parents, even other coaches.  Though I might not have fully appreciated them at the time, I have an immense amount of admiration for the coaches I’ve encountered throughout my running career.  

Avoid the High Five

I love spectators.  Those who come out to support and cheer on road racers are great people.  There are some who are so into the race that they position themselves along the route with their hands raised awaiting high fives from the runners.  A wise coach once advised me to never give high fives while racing.  He had actually injured himself doing so during a race (while it sounds ridiculous, I tweaked my back once just waving to spectators).  I take a different perspective.  I tell the fans to not accept high fives.  Remember, we all used the previously mentioned porta potties before the race.  And, we don’t have water to wash our hands afterwards. Consider yourself warned.  

Family Meeting Areas Serve a Purpose

The very first time I competed in Grandma’s Half Marathon, my parents came up to watch me.  I made a rookie mistake; I didn’t give them a precise meeting spot to find me afterwards.  The Finish Line is not a good area to find your loved ones when running a race with 8,500 of your closest friends.  In fact, race organizers have brilliantly come up with a solution to this.  It’s called the Family Meeting Area.  Had I known enough to tell my parents to find me there, I wouldn’t have celebrated my achievement by spending the next two hours walking around the finish line area in desperate search for them (this was back before cell phones were widely used).  I don’t recall how we finally found each other, but I know I greeted them with tears of relief and joy.  Lesson learned the hard way, but lesson learned.

At last year’s Twin Cities Marathon, I was the victim of others who had made this rookie mistake.  I was trying to exit the finish line area, with my sights set on the Family Meeting Area on the capitol grounds.  I was tired, sweaty, sore, and my hands were full of post-race goodies.  As I was body-to-body with countless spectators, some with strollers and others with bicycles, I nearly had a panic-attack.  I thought I had survived the marathon only to die in a stampede at the finish line exit.  Finally, I made it out of there and walked easily up to the “H” sign.  Amazingly, I could spot my family a block away because there were so few people utilizing this area.  My plea is this:  use this area.  It serves a purpose.  Otherwise, fear getting smacked with a finisher medal the next time you crowd me at the finish line.

Running Can Solve Most Problems

It’s true.  There are few things that running cannot solve.  Had a stressful day at school?  Go for a run.  Had an unproductive day at work?  Go for a run.  Received some unpleasant news?  Go for a run.  Personally, I use the time spent running to sort things out in my mind, sweat out the stress, and produce some endorphins.  I have rarely finished a run and thought, “I wish I would have done something else”.  I have rarely finished a run and felt worse than before I started.  I have never finished a run and not felt somewhat better about whatever it was causing my displeasure that day.  Maybe it’s just the break from the daily grind.  Maybe it’s the reflection and meditation.  Maybe it’s a nice gesture from someone encountered along the way.  Oftentimes for me, it’s the sense of accomplishment when success elsewhere was hard to find that day.

Listen to Your Body

As runners, we’ve all heard this saying and we’ve all said it to a fellow runner.  When doling out advice, we utter these words with the utmost sincerity and authority.  We believe in this motto with every fiber of our being.  But, we rarely heed our own advice.  When it comes to ourselves, we push through the pain and try to walk it off.  Stretch a little more. Apply ice.  Take Advil if it’s really necessary.  Throw in some strength training.  Roll out our muscles.  But, we never stop running.  Certainly, the pain will go away on its own if ignored.  After going down this path more times than I’d like to admit, I finally gave in recently and I listened to my body. I stopped running.  I took three long weeks off.  I eased back into it. You’ll never guess what happened.  The pain was gone.  It had worked. Why, I asked myself, hadn’t I listened to my body before?  

Beware of Faster People & Pick a Side

Here’s the rule I live by when utilizing trails and sidewalks:  I always assume there’s someone faster than me and they can come up from behind out of nowhere.  I love living in a city with so many active people. Pedestrians.  Bikers.  Rollerbladers.  Dog walkers.  Runners.  And I love how many trail options there are for us all to utilize.  What I don’t understand are the people that position themselves smack in the middle of the trail.  Or the groups that take up the whole path.  Or the people that would rather I sacrifice myself into the river or oncoming traffic so they don’t have to interrupt their conversation to go single-file and make room for me.  I have been on trails when bikers come speeding along next to me without a warning.  Or a runner is passing me while I’m passing a walker. I always look back before passing for fear of getting trampled by someone faster.  I think this is a fair request, and it’s for everyone’s safety.

And oh ya, can we decide which way the traffic flows on the trail?  A discussion for another day?  Okay.

Summer might still be a week away, but the warm temperatures and high humidity mean it’s time to start paying careful attention to the weather and planning runs accordingly.  Generally, I do my long runs on Saturday morning.  When this past Saturday was forecasted for 90 degrees, I knew sleeping in wasn’t going to be an option.  I embrace the added challenge the weather presents, more so in the summer than the winter. It’s all part of the game and I spend lots of time strategizing to ensure that safety and enjoyment remain priorities.  

So, on Saturday morning, after a somewhat late night out with friends, I got up at 6:15am.  I know to many people that’s not early.  But, those who know me know that I love sleeping almost as much as I love running!  The sun was already shining brightly and heating things up, so I focused on getting out the door by 7am.  When it’s hot or otherwise inclement weather, I try to not venture too far away from home.  Often, this means heading out in one direction, circling back to home base, and then heading out another direction.  I also prefer this strategy when Dan is joining me for part of the run, which he did on Saturday.  We have our meeting spot, where he is good about greeting me with my favorite hydrating beverage. This was the plan we executed on Saturday morning and thankfully, it worked out pretty well.  We were far from alone on the trails, as many people were getting their workouts done before the extreme heat set in. In the end, I got my 8 mile run in before 8:30am!  Not a bad way to kick off the weekend!

Here’s to a great summer 2016.  Enjoy, and be safe out there!

I rarely go anywhere without my running shoes.  Whether it’s a weekend trip to visit family or a week-long getaway to a foreign destination, running remains one of my priorities.  I always leave room in my duffel bag or suitcase to pack my essential gear.  I find running one of the most exciting ways to view and experience a city, and I’m always very energized for my vacation workouts.  

Most recently, my husband and I were in Seattle where we ran along the Elliott Bay.  The first morning we ran was cloudy and slightly rainy so the views weren’t super spectacular, though we did get a glimpse of the Space Needle against the overcast skies.  However, the second morning we ventured out, the sun was shining brightly and we were able to take in the mountain views while logging our miles.  It was a breathtaking sight to watch the ferries crossing the bay with the mountains as the backdrop. On one of our outings, another runner recognized my Twin Cities Marathon shirt and gave a shoutout.  We finished each of our runs with a stop at Starbucks, which is necessary when visiting the city that launched the coffee giant.

There is nothing more satisfying than starting a vacation day with a run. Generally, we tend to indulge while on vacation, enjoying the local cuisine and our favorite adult beverages.  Starting with a run, no matter how short or long, always makes me feel a less guilty about my actions the rest of the day.