Running and Races

{Big Sur Marathon, May 2011.}

I’m one of those ~~crazy~~ super awesome people who likes to roll out of bed at dawn on a Saturday to run 10 miles “for fun.” I’ve been this way since I started running back in 7th grade when I went out for the cross country team. That was the Summer of 1996. You do that math.

Running keeps me sane, strong, and slim. I use it as a stress reliever and to center myself. I had recently used running combined with healthier eating habits to lose 7 pounds in 3 months. Then I got injured a week before my first half marathon. As of today, January 24, I haven’t run in 4 months. I went from double-digit mileage to NOTHING, overnight. And to say it sucks is an understatement.

When I share my current setback with other runners (the walking cast on my foot is usually a good conversation starter), they usually respond with some form of, “Omigod, you must be going crazy!” And while I have allowed myself to have a ~~good~~ ~~cry~~ meltdown about it, for the most part I am amazed at how quickly the past 4 months have flown by. And that I have only gained 1 pound, even with the Christmas and New Year holidays!

As evidenced in my blog, much of my socializing revolves around food and drinks with friends and family. Back when I was running, I didn’t have to think as much about what or how much I was consuming. Now, not running has taught me to adopt healthier habits. I also found ways to stay active on my own, no thanks to a few disappointing talks with my doctor and some frustrating leads in online and print health and fitness publications.

Time and again, swimming is touted as the best cross training for those looking to stay active but can’t run. Well, I haven’t got the access, time, nor money to swim. I have a 40+ hour per week desk job in addition to a relationship and a social life (and a blog!) to maintain. When I wasn’t running 10 miles on my Saturdays, I was squeezing in 20 – 30 minute runs at very high intensities — 6:30 minute miles or 9 – 9.5 mph intervals on the treadmill. Now, I can’t even use the elliptical with a walking cast on! I am so proud that I found a way to stay active, engaged, and maintain my weight-loss with a lot of determination, a few at home exercises and 30 minutes on a bike. (Yes, I bike with my cast on!)

Links below lead to posts about running and recovery, including exercises you can do with a cam walking cast. Recipes can be found on the Homemade Eats N Treats page.

My current PRs: