10 Reasons I'm happy I run

Running, which was kind of a strange challenge I gave myself, early on - has gradually gone from something I dreamt impossible, to something I was struggling through and now to something I actually have found a passion for.

Explaining how you could love running to a non-runner is nearly impossible. I can't say I wasn't once in those "non-runner" shoes of disbelief over how one could love this... it's taken time, remember this entry?

Anyway, rather than 'splaining anything, I thought I'd do a good ol' fashioned, "top ten" list of reasons running makes me happy:

10. Sweat. You burn more calories in less time. Twenty minutes of running kicks twenty minutes of walking's ass when it comes to getting your burn on.

9.  iPod time. I get time to listen to good music. When I'm in the car, I'm usually with my 3 year old - which means endless songs from the Wiggles or some other hideous kiddie CD. When I'm running it's just me and Madonna, Cher, Eminem, Pink and whomever else is referred to as only one name that I choose.

8.  Weight loss - hello smaller clothes, good bye fat pants. Seriously.  Last year I lost 7 pounds all year, since beginning to run in February I've lost 22 pounds. Thank you #10 and #9 on the list for your support.

7.  Stuff. Races = cool crap. I've gotten everything from medals, to hats, to t-shirts and even free vitamins - an elliptical machine has never given me a damn thing.

6.  Runners High. Running, still better than meds. Seriously, more bad moods and cranky feelings have been broken by running than anything else. I used to reach for a cigarette, alcohol or food (OK, sometimes I still reach for the occasional martini) but running has definitely helped me sort out more than one crabby moment or two.

5.  Health. Oh yeah - I'm healthier. Well who the hell woulda thunk it? Eat better and exercise = excellent blood pressure, low blood sugar and good cholesterol. I'll be damned. Next they'll tell me it'll help me prevent stroke, heart attack, cancer and improve my sex life. What!? It does? What am I waiting for? Better get something sexy to wear - wake my non-running hubby up!

4.  Swagger. That's right. I walk taller, feel more positive, even feel like there's a little more confidence to my step. I've run 13 miles... twice... biatch - I can do anything.

3.  Other cool stuff - remember how excited I was when I got these socks? Or these new sneakers? I can't wait for my Nike + to hit Jersey (scheduled for tomorrow). Buying fun running stuff is always motivating.

2.  Blogging. I have loved this blog, it's really made me figure out a lot of stuff, like working out of your comfort zone probably won't kill you and that eating a greasy cheeseburger the night before a marathon could be a bad idea. Running and this blog has gone hand and hand - if I wasn't running I'd have nothing to say. Kind of. I would say something - perhaps it would be far less motivational and far more cynical...

Me and Ang - Jersey Shore May 2010

1.  Friends. Perhaps one of the best reasons for all of this is the love and support I've found from new friends, fellow bloggers, family members and old friends. There's Nicole C. who has become truly one of my best friends when it comes to running & life stuff (she may be more excited about my NIKE + than  I!) - Nicole R. My long lost cousin who has reconnected with me thru this, Frannie who ran along side me (until she left me in her dust the last few miles! ;) of my second half, Leslie & Julie - fellow running bloggers and finally - Angela Lee - my biz partner and friend who's taught me sooooo much about running, life and everything in between. She showed me what friendship meant when she flew across the country to run with me on my first race, slowing her pace the whole way to be hip to hip and crossing the finish line together. They say running is a solitary sport? I beg to differ... it's taken a village to raise this runner.

XO
Jen

PS: Karen, Sara, and everyone else who's followed this journey - thank you xoxoxo

DAY 1: The REST OF MY LIFE AS A WINNER! VICTORY!

I DID IT!!  I DID IT!!  I DID IT!!  I ran 13.1 miles!!  YAY!!!!  AND the universe really tested to see if  I was for real about this journey or just messing around.  Oh yes, it did.

After my burger and fries last night, I couldn't sleep.  I kind of tossed and turned until 3:30 AM until I got up and was sick to my stomach.  REALLY?  One cheese burger and I'm up all night with nausea and heartburn.  UGH!  No sleep and tummy ache.  BOO.  Luckily, after being sick, I was able to get a good solid two hours of sleep in which was more than I thought I'd get.

No sweat.

Then we get up and the rumors are true.  Record breaking heat and humidity.  Honestly?  Come on, now.  Mother nature, work with me here!!

"PAIN IS TEMPORARY

PRIDE IS FOREVER"

That was a quote that someone had posted and it was my mantra that got me through this run -- 

the locals were fantastic, hosing us down with water:

Putting out signs for us:

Little kids high fived, boy scouts gave water, old and young hooted, hollered and cheered us on and without that - it really could've been miserable.

My running partner, coach and the greatest friend ever, Angela pulled me through the WHOLE TIME.  She took pictures, motivated me and really has no idea what she did for me.  Not sure I can even put it in words.  THANK GOD that she was with me.  It was the most special experience of my life.  My gratitude is unexplainable.

I ran some of the run with this guy - he's done a marathon in every single state in the country TWICE.  And his total marathons (FULL MARATHONS) are 160!  He was running the full today.

So here I am at the Finish Line.  A day about 3 months ago, this journey started - and here are Angela and I crossing & with our medals.  I'm overwhelmed. 

Thank you for giving me a reason to keep writing, for reading this and for encouraging me to never give up.

PAIN IS TEMPORARY

PRIDE IS FOREVER

Truer words never uttered.  This is just the beginning.

XO

Jen

PS:  I almost forgot!  I did it in time -- under 3:30 - official time not available yet but we came across around 3:20 something!!  

Day 72 - 11 days to go - So you wanna be a runner...

A funny thing is happening.

People are asking me for running advice!  Friends are calling and e-mailing.  At the end of my Weight Watchers meeting, people wait to talk to me.  It's very interesting and flattering.  While I don't know all the answers, this is what I've learned so far...

1.  Running is cool because it's the quickest thing that you can work out and see results with.  Each day being able to run just a little further, maybe even a little faster - and that's tremendously rewarding.

2.  Don't go into running thinking it's a good "cheap" form of exercising.  Cheap is sit-ups and push-ups.  Expensive might be snowboarding or skiing.  Running isn't either of those.  Running can be affordable but you're going to have to do some investing in stuff to do it right.  Good sneakers, good socks, even a decent MP3 player - all necessities.  Also, if you are interested in racing, they all come with fees.  Add to the mix some good running bras, athletic gear and possibly a gym membership if you live in a place with bad weather a lot of the year - and well, it's not the cheapest thing on the block - but it's also been worth every penny spent in my opinion.

3.  Pushing yourself slightly beyond your comfort level will not kill you but will make you stronger.

4.  Pushing yourself too much beyond your comfort level will not make you stronger and might kill you.  (or at very least, cause you to injure yourself and thwart all your good intentions.)

5.  Don't sign up for a big race (like a marathon) with the goal of "just" losing weight.  While you may shed pounds and all - this journey is not easy and it's going to take a helluva lot more personal reasons than just a smaller size to keep you motivated.

6.  There will be blood, sweat and tears.  Well  maybe not blood (at least not yet for me) but there's been plenty of sweat and even a few tears.  These long runs are HARD.  When you are on a treadmill for two + hours for 8, 9, 10 mile runs - there's pain involved.  And stretching, and heat, and ice and advil and with-in a day or two you begin feeling better again but with running, (at least for me) my body is always "just" healing and then I'm pushing myself again and it's getting re-fatigued.  I never get used to anything because there's always a new challenge.

7.  Long run days will kick your ass.  Do not plan to do anything but rest after them.  I've literally iced, showered and then slept for hours.

8.  Don't look sideways.  (Sooo hard!)  Work at your own pace.  Do not worry about what your neighbor, friend, guy on the treadmill next to you is doing.  Sure, look for encouragement and inspiration but don't beat yourself up if you're not at the same level.  You'll get there.

9.  On the flip side, totally OK to secretly smile when you're besting the guy next to you! ;)

10. Running is exciting, interesting and more fun than you've ever thought it could be if you give it a good shot.  Besides physical fitness, running is rich with lessons about life, accomplishment and goal setting.  It provides confidence like nothing else does.  Other runners are always happy to welcome you to the club and it's been a really great club to be earning membership with!!

XO
Jen