The evolution of a runner.

Since moving to New York, running has reached a whole new level for me.  Let me give you some background first in case you don't know me outside of blogland...

I began running for weight loss purposes in March of 2011.  When I started, I could not run a half mile without stopping to walk.  I set a goal for myself to be able to run for 30 minutes without stopping.  In a few weeks, I was running for 30 minutes without stopping ~3 times per week. 

Shortly after I achieved that goal I decided to train for a marathon...I know...this girl is crazy and obviously doesn't have any concept of gradual short-term goal setting.  I decided that the first step in marathon training would be to pick a marathon and then tell everyone I knew that I was training for it.  So...I picked the Disney Marathon and then proceeded to tell my entire family.  They were very supportive, but I could tell by the tone in their voices that none of them actually thought that I would do it.  I DID do it.  And, along the way, I ran two half marathons on two consecutive weekends.

So, January of this year marked my marathon completion date.  I ran it with my step-mom-in-law, Marcia.  She was incredibly encouraging the entire time I was training and is one of the many reasons I was able to make it through.  After the marathon was over, I went through a major slump.  It took me a long time to recover from the marathon and by the time I actually felt like running again, I had gained a few pounds and felt like I was starting over from scratch again.

Since moving to New York, I joined a running club that has been so supportive, encouraging, and challenging.  I've regained my fitness and am starting to hone my sport.  I've become faster, leaner, and I feel more in shape now than when I left Georgia (still not where I was at the end of marathon training, but getting there.)

After breakfast this morning, Andrew and I were discussing fitness and nutrition (a common morning conversation for us...I don't know why) and I realized that my running has gone through many stages and I realized that all runners evolve in some way over time.

For me, I started running as a weight loss effort.  I then transitioned to marathon training.  After training, I was running more for leisure than anything else, and now I've evolved into running more as an athletic endeavor.  When I started, I never thought of doing speed workouts or hill repeats, but now I do these things at least once per week in addition to my regular running. 

Running with other people has been very beneficial for me.  Have you ever heard of "Cat Runners" and "Dog Runners?"  Well, cat runners are runners who like to run by themselves, in their own head, with no noise around them.  Dog runners like to run with other people around.  I used to think I was a cat runner, but since moving to NY I realized that I am definitely a dog runner.  Having the encouragement of others will keep you running when you REALLY want to stop.  It will also make you run faster to keep up with people who know where they're going so you don't get lost in the city you just moved to.  :)

Anyway, I know this was just a rambling post.  I hope it encouraged someone to go out for a run today...I promise you won't regret it!

~Angela

I'm Back!

Wow!  I know it's been a long time since I've posted, but my life has been crazy!  Since the last time I posted, Andrew and I have packed up our life in Georgia and moved 947 miles north to upstate New York.  We've lived here for about 20 days now and we love it!  The weather is great (for now), and there are a ton of outdoor activities to do.  We've made a few friends from the running club, bought Andrew's books, and visited his campus.  We are in the process of making a video of our life in Albany so all of you can see where we live, but for now I thought I'd just update you on how we're doing.  Right now, Andrew is just gearing up for the start of his classes and research job next week.  I've been working on getting a job for this year.  I have secured my name on 19 different substitute lists, so I'm sure I'll have no shortage of work!  Also, I'm busy training for a half marathon that I am running in October.  We've purchased plane tickets to visit Georgia in December for the holidays.  The funny thing is, we only bought one way tickets because the particular day we wanted to fly to Atlanta was on sale, but the day we wanted to return was not.  We're waiting for the departing day to go on sale to buy the other tickets.  Anyway, I'll have a post coming up about DIY Mercury Glass.  Stay tuned!

~Angela

Book Review: Eat & Run

For a long while now, I have been looking for a good book about runner nutrition.  Nutrition is very important to me, and it is also a very difficult road to navigate.  I stumbled upon this book by the famous Scott Jurek last week.  While it didn't really teach me anything I didn't already know about nutrition, it did inspire me as a runner on a different level than any other running book I've read in the past. 

Scott Jurek runs distances that I don't even dream of running.  I can't imagine running more than the 26.2 miles I ran at the beginning of this year, but Scott Jurek races in ultramarathons (any race of more than 26.2 miles).  In the book, he details his experiences training for these outrageous distances (some 135 miles) as well as racing (and many times winning) these ultramarathons.  He doesn't only write about running.  This book is largely about life.

If you're looking for an inspiring book and have a love of running, this book is for you!

 

It's Been Awhile

Goodness gracious it's been a long time since my last post!!  So much has been going on outside of blogland.  The end of the school year is actually here which brings lots of things like field day, talent show, and report cards.  It also means that summer is upon us so my weekends are taken up with traveling around to different trail runs.  I'm posting a few photos of me and a few of my teammates from field day.  I think they really show who we are as teachers...I'm going to miss these girls!

Mrs. Gibson, Ms. Leverett, and Ms. Meyer competing in the sack race.

Mrs. Gibson and one of her students competing in the 3-legged race.

Mother's Day weekend was fabulous.  I competed in a duathlon with my father-in-law.  We have competed in all 3 in the series as a team.  He bikes, I run...until this last race.  I ran the first leg and sprained my ankle right at mile 1.  I finished the final 1.8 miles of that leg and thought for sure I would be able to run the 2.8 again for the 3rd leg after my FIL biked his 8 mile leg.  I'm going to give that idea a big fat NOPE.  As soon as I stopped, I absolutely could not walk on it without pain.  I've sprained my ankle before, but this time was different.  I didn't think much of it, I just thought it was a bad sprain.  The pain had not lessened by Sunday night so I decided to go see my doctor on Monday morning.  What'ya know?  I fractured my 5th metatarsal.  No running for 3 weeks.  Good thing it is hotter than Hades here in Athens, so swimming is a perfectly viable option to keep up my cardiovascular fitness.  Anyhoo...back to my duathlon story.  Since my FIL so AWESOMELY ran the last 2.8 for me, we finished 2nd in series points!  Here's a photo to prove it!

My FIL and I took home 2nd.  My stepMIL and BIL took home 3rd! 

My ankle right after I finished the first leg.

 

On the way home from the race...pretty soon my entire foot was swollen.  Pretty huh?

 Saturday night we took my mom and stepdad out for dinner and we had a nice quiet night at home watching the Braves.

Life is about to get pretty hectic around here with our upcoming move, so I am enjoying these quiet moments every once in awhile when they come around.  Next weekend we are off to Cartersville to catch up with some extended family members.  Can't wait!