Goodbye Comfort Zone

I am not usually an impulsive person. I wouldn't really say I'm Type-A, but I'm definitely borderline. Still, I've found that in my quest to become a better runner, I sometimes let my feet jump in before my head can get in the way.

(What can I say? Apparently I love trying new things and pushing my limits...who knew? I certainly didn't!)

That's exactly what happened Tuesday. I arrived at school at 7:30 and immediately received a text from my assistant principal:

Before I could stop myself, I was opening a new text and doing two things that absolutely terrify me: 1) conversing with an absolute stranger out of the blue, and 2) tentatively saying "yes" to joining her Ragnar team. I promised to be in touch after I'd done some research.

The only reason for being tentative was the price. Everything else in my body seemed to just have an immediate, visceral reaction to this opportunity. YES! the running part of my brain screamed, DO IT!

Easier said than done, of course. I had no time to look into it the rest of the day, and in the evening I looked up details and discussed the race with Matt. He was interested in joining as well, but as his decision vacillated, ST (the team founder) texted me again:

I responded immediately that I would join for sure, and I'd pay ASAP. (Matt decided that if they needed a 12th, he'd consider...Bless him for getting into running, but it's still not his top priority, love, and obsession.)

So here I am, joined up, paid up, and officially looking forward to my first relay race! ("Relay race" sounds so juvenile and simple, doesn't it? Oh, if only...)

Because my AP had sent the message to other "serious" runners at the school, two other ladies from work joined the team as well. I saw one the morning after the Big Decision, and we both simultaneously gave a little yelp and dance to the tune of "Oh my gosh are you signed up I'm so excited I paid today WHEEE!"

I'm so excited and terrified to do this, but it'll be a little easier to know at least two others on the team.

I'm quite proud, actually, of my chutzpah. I mean, getting in touch with a stranger to run an overnight relay race of 14+ miles with other strangers? Clearly running has either warped my brain, or turned me into one courageous lady. Maybe a little of both.

I think I like it.

(Once training gets underway, I'll post a bit more about Ragnar for those who are unfamiliar. For now, if you're interested, check out their website.) 

Tell me about a running experience that pushed your boundaries and was fantastic!

What do I need to know before we begin training?

What's the secret to a successful relay race team name?

ABK

Paris Marathon Goes Green

I started working on a post about being a gluten free runner - not because of paleo or the misconception that cutting out gluten will help me lose weight, but because I was diagnosed with Celiac when I was 11. Halfway into the post, I realized I had too much to say, not enough focus, and not nearly enough pictures. So, I've shelved it for now, to be dealt with another day.

Instead, I bring you fun/wacky/genius running news!

The Paris Marathon plans to use the energy from its runners to fuel batteries that run the display screens and other electronics along the race route.

To me, this is just astounding. People talk about "green" races and figuring out ways to cut down on the impact big races can have on the environment, but discussion usually stops at providing more garbage cans and encouraging runners to carry water with them. But harvesting the energy output of the runners themselves? That's just amazing!

I mean, we all know we expend energy on a run, but who would have thought that this same energy doesn't need to be "wasted" and left out on the route?

I'll be honest, I try to be environmentally friendly, but I rarely check to see how green my races are. I figure as long as the volunteers clean up the cups I drop (I try to aim for a garbage bag!), I'm not making a huge impact. But if thousands of runners feel that way, we could be overlooking the damage to which we're unintentionally contributing.

In 2008, Runner's World released a slew of articles about races being detrimental to the environment, and finding the greenest races available...but there hasn't been much lately. Is saving the environment out of vogue these days? Maybe the Paris Marathon's actions will spearhead another wave of environmental consciousness among race directors.

In other news, I'm toying with the idea of running the Key West Ragnar...Could be fun, or could be suicidal, especially if I still plan on doing my first full marathon in November this year.

But still, it would be an awesome experience.

200 miles...Sounds like cake. www.ragnarrelay.com

Have you ever done an overnight relay race?

Does the environmental impact of a race affect whether or not you want to participate?

ABK

Philharmonic 10k

Today's race was a really liberating experience. I went in to it after PR'ing last Saturday and not running even a smidgen all this week. I knew it would be a hard run because I haven't done six miles in a couple months, and I haven't done a 10k race since Thanksgiving. So I went into this race completely free of all expectations. I just wanted to enjoy the atmosphere, have a good workout, and support a good cause.

A fitted tech shirt?! Smalls still available at pick up?! Oh my gosh, day is MADE.

Matt (who recently told me he thought it was weird I refer to real-life people on my blog by their initials, and pointed out that in my last post I revealed his name via the photo of the iPod, so now he gets the full-name treatment) and I got to the Naples Philharmonic around 6:30. We got good parking, retrieved our bibs and race chips, and had time to use the facilities (80 times) and take a warmup jog before the race began.

I kind of went against my own advice and had tacos the night before the race. They were fish tacos, so I figured they'd be less spicy and tummy-upsetting, but I was wrong. I wasn't really sick, but my stomach is a lot easier to deal with on race days if I have a nice salad the night before.

They were irresistible!

I haven't run a race that used a chip separately from a bib since the Naples Half in 2011, and Matt never has, so I had to teach him how to use it. Quite the adventure.

Pre-race jitters. Our friend J is behind me, checking out the scene.

Holy crowd, Batman!

Anyway, the day was chilly but sunny, and pretty early into the run I was feeling warm. My hips began to hurt almost immediately (I think my new orthotics still need some gentle wearing-in), but they weren't so bad that I had to stop. My knees were totally pain-free, probably because I kept the pace as slow as I possibly could and still call it a run.

Musicians from the Philharmonic, including students, were set up in the median along the course (which is exactly the same as I've been running weekly on Tuesdays). It was fun to hear the music as we ran by.

Photo-on-the-run...blurry, but you get the idea.

Anyway, despite the great atmosphere and nice weather, I just didn't have it in me today. I took a .15-mile walk break around mile 4, and then took water at 5 before finally finding a second wind and running the rest of the race. I forgot that 10ks can be challenging if you haven't trained up for them. I mean, I could run a 5k after weeks off (which I did for Edison in February), but a 10k is a whole different animal.

Making my way to the finish.

So why, then, do I call this race liberating? Because seeing the time at the end didn't devastate me. I knew I was going to be slow, I enjoyed the run, it benefited a good cause, the tech-tee is awesome, and Carrabba's catered the free post-run meal. Plus, I got to see a slew of familiar faces.

I couldn't eat the pasta, but the chicken was divine.

I left the race feeling positive. I was happy to go in without a goal in mind, and not having a goal saved me from feeling upset over my less-than-satisfactory finishing time (1:08:59).

The Philharmonic has some cool statues on the grounds...

...And I am totally mature and this really happened. In public. And people saw.

Oh, and of course, we stopped off at Whole Foods and picked up GF pop tarts and chocolate milk (er, protein shakes) to finish the morning.

I hate the protein-powder taste of these shakes usually, but this one was very tasty!

How was your Sunday? Did you have a race in this weekend?

ABK

PS: Matt is really happy because he destroyed his last 10k time by 2 minutes, finishing in 55:38.

Consecutive numbers, ftw.