Page 26 of 77

Posted on

My Scariest Race

I have been racing for years, and I can attach emotions and stories to many of them, but one stands out as the scariest.

I enjoy running in any form, but my favorite races are ultramarathons. I have always done better with distance running when endurance was more important than speed. It is also the race that has taught me the most about my body and the limits where I can take it. Even though I love ultras I always feel like a fraud, as if I don’t compare with the other ultrarunners because they are a pretty tough group of people. At each race I go to I’m sure the ultramarathoners will discover I am an imposter.

I had heard about the Yeti races from several friends. They said they were amazing experiences, and they were also tough. I signed up for my first Yeti and was typically nervous about what to expect. I had no idea that I was about to experience so much.

The morning of the race, we heard the meteorologist say there might be storms. My first mistake was not to have brought rain gear. The race information said space was limited for canopies, so I asked my husband if we could be at the park as soon as it opened. He told me he wanted to have breakfast first and he was sure we would be fine. This was also the moment he chose to tell me he forgot the top of the canopy. Mistake number two and three were waiting to set up because there wasn’t any more room, and it began to rain very hard, so a canopy would have been nice. We found a corner to put a small tent that later flooded.

The race started and off we went in the rain and the dark. The course was tough but beautiful. A group of us had walked up a steep hill and at the top there was a lake. Suddenly one of the men fell. He stood up and then one of the women fell. Another woman said, “Can we all agree that this lake is cursed?” Have you ever been in a spot where the energy felt negative? Let’s just say I was happy to leave that lake behind. I finished the four-mile loop told my husband about the course, and then headed back out. I had no idea that a thunder and lightning storm was about to hit.

A mile into the loop, the storm hit. There was very heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. I was by myself, but I could see two women ahead of me, so I ran to catch up to them. I asked them if they minded if I stayed with them for a while. My new friends Eva and Marie were as nervous as I was about the storm. I was going against all the storm rules my mom taught me when I was younger. I could hear her saying, “Don’t be in water, don’t be up high, or around trees.” I was in a lot of water, in the woods, walking up to a ridgeline. None of this added up to a good time.

Marie said, “As long as you can hear the birds, we are okay.” I’m not kidding you that 3 seconds after she said that it went dead quiet. I said, “Marie, I don’t hear the birds.” She said, “I know. We’re screwed.”

I have never been on a run before and I feared for my life. Lightning struck once not far from me, and I jumped off the trail. I kept thinking I didn’t want the headlines to say, “She died doing what she loved.”

We weren’t the only ones running out there. Every once in a while, someone would come running by because why would you let possibly being struck by lightning keep you from your mileage goal?

When I made it to the staging area I was soaked. I asked my husband if he knew when the storm would stop, and he said it was going to be off and on all day. I was still healing from a torn meniscus, so the slick conditions also were worrying me.

A friend of mine was there, and I said, “I think I’m going to stop.” He knew about my knee, and he said, “What if you slipped on those hills and hurt yourself again?” That helped me a little, but as we were leaving, my husband turned around just as my face was crumpling and the tears were about to come because I don’t like to quit. He said, “There is a difference between being a badass and a dumbass. You need to be able to run another day instead of being hurt.”

It bothered me to stop, but I will be back this year to try again. I will also be praying for no storms.

Posted on

Ten Things a Runner Should Not Do

Runners are rebels and rule breakers, and what works for one person might not work for someone else, so I offer this list knowing that some runners will agree with some and not others. I would love to hear what you would add to the list of what not to do as a runner.

Don’t scrimp on shoes.

I have seen runners running in all kinds of footwear, and I know everyone has different preferences, but a good pair of shoes can make a difference in keeping your feet safe. Shoes that are too small can cause black toe. Shoes that are too big can produce blisters, and shoes that don’t provide enough cushioning or support can lead to other injuries. There is usually someone knowledgeable at a local sports store who can help find the shoe that is good for you.

Don’t increase mileage too fast.

Trying to do too much too soon can cause an injury from overuse, and too much stress on the body can lower the immune system and make a runner more susceptible to illness. Runners should increase their mileage gradually and allow the body to adapt.

Don’t run in the dark without reflective clothing.

Drivers are distracted enough by everything around them and in the car. Don’t expect them to see a dark figure running on the side of the road. Runners shouldn’t let themselves be distracted either. Running at night might be a good time to run without music.

Don’t run alone at night.

There is always safety in numbers and running with friends will cut down on the risk of crime. It also ensures if you are injured someone will be there to help you.

Don’t think of a day off as a bad thing.

Everyone needs rest; a rest day can be vital to any training program. A day off from running is an opportunity to cross-train, but you also need a true rest day sometimes.

Don’t eat unusual or hard-to-digest food before a race.

Everyone’s system is different. I cannot eat chili the night before unless I want to be miserable during the entire race. It’s a better idea to stick to food that the stomach will manage easily.

Don’t run the same distance and the same route every day.

You can train your body to do almost anything, but if you do the same routine every day you might not see the same results that you will see if you do a combination of speed, strength, distance, and easy runs. It also makes your training more interesting.

Don’t skip the warm-up.

The warm-up can consist of what works for you. I do a nice easy slow run when I first start out to warm up all my muscles and work out the kinks. Adopt a routine that works; but, in any case, do not start running hard without warming up the muscles.

Don’t ignore an injury.

It is very hard for a passionate runner not to run, and often runners will try to ignore a small injury. The problem is that a small injury can become a serious injury-one that will take a person away from running much longer than if the small injury had been taken care of in the first place.

Don’t just run.

I remember when the soccer coach walked over to me before cross-country practice and said, “You have such an easy job. All you have to do is tell them to run.” I smiled and said, “Well, it’s a little more complicated than that.” The truth is if I thought I could get away with it I would choose only to run, but I know I will be a better runner if I strength train and cross-train.

Posted on

You Never Know

Life is so full of uncertainty and possibilities that you can never be sure of what is going to happen next. You can prepare and pray to the best of your ability, but you can never know for sure what adventure awaits you. Here are a few situations that fall under the category of you never know.

A new opportunity

I have a sign on my desk that says, “Always imagine that your next adventure is about to happen.” When you think that way, it feels as if every day is a gift, and the possibilities inside are endless. New doors open all the time when we least expect it. It helps to be open to the possibility of allowing change to enter your life.

When your words matter

Words are so powerful, and you never know when yours will make a difference. I always start my day with the same prayer that I will lift people up and not tear them down. You never know when simple words you offer someone might be exactly what she needs.

How kindness can make a difference

Everyone struggles with something in life, so kindness is always needed. I do my best to respond to hatefulness with kindness, but I admit that I have a limit where the ugly side of me comes out.

When transparency can save someone

So many people are afraid of being judged, but if we are honest about our junk, it can give relief to someone who is struggling.

What positivity can do

Positivity is a game changer, and you don’t have anything to lose by using it. It can change the outcome of a situation and make you feel better.

When new friends will enter

Wonderful people can come into your life at any moment, so be ready to receive them.

When a good attitude is needed

I had some health issues this year. I had an afib incident which meant I had every heart test in the book but did not find any answers. I also tore my meniscus which was rough for an avid runner, but I decided I was going to have a good attitude and it made a huge difference.

So, prepare yourself for a new year because you never know!

Posted on

Don’t Lose Yourself in a Relationship

I believe in love and its healing power, but I also know that people’s perceptions of love can be vastly different and sometimes twisted. Most relationships take at least a little work to make them the positive connections they can be. Still, there are also many situations where one of the people in the relationship becomes lost and overpowered by the other personality. It could be that one person is a controller and the other person becomes passive to avoid conflict. Another possibility is one person is a perfectionist who constantly critiques the other person until he feels less than others. No matter what the situation is if you are unhappy or feel you have lost your voice in a relationship then it is time for a change. Here are a few things you can do to avoid losing yourself.

Set boundaries

Every relationship needs to establish what is acceptable or not for each individual. Talk about what are the deal breakers, and what are those things that you expect. Expectations include being heard. Decisions should be a collaboration and not decided by only one person. There has to be some compromise about likes and dislikes.

Communicate

Talk about everything. What are your expectations? As husband and wife, you should discuss major decisions before acting on them. I heard a story recently of a husband who drained the couple’s savings account and bought a truck because he said he would need it for a business he wanted to start. The wife was blindsided. Have those uncomfortable conversations before a problem arises.

Know your worth

Being criticized constantly makes you question your self-worth. You might also ask if the conflict is your fault, but you need to know that your feelings and needs count as much as anyone else. You don’t have to be condemned to a toxic situation.

Know the difference between support and a need to change

As partners or friends, we want to be supportive in the bad times, but there are situations where change is the solution, and we cannot support destructive continued behavior.

In a good relationship, you should feel supported and as if someone always has your back. There should be trust and communication. When those elements are missing it’s time for some tough decisions.

Posted on

My Failure As a Business Owner And Why It Was An Amazing Experience

We hear the message all the time that we should follow our dreams, take a risk, and follow our passions. I believe 100% in those ideas, but I tend to be too practical to take the leap. I used to watch House Hunters International, and I was always in awe of the people who decided to leave the law practice behind to be a yoga teacher in Bora Bora. I look at those people with admiration that they have the courage to stop doing something they don’t enjoy and take a chance on something risky but spectacular. They realized that we are not condemned to do something that does not bring us joy and that life is too short to not try for the best we can do.

Now, I admire them for taking the leap, but I was still asking practical questions. How are they going to survive financially? Did they research the schools in Bora Bora? What if the yoga school doesn’t work? I have been raised to put the practicalities first, so what I did 33 years ago was out of character for me.

I had two children who were four and one, I taught French full-time at a boarding school, and I was traveling two hours once a week to work on my masters. Somehow I thought this would be a good time to start a business. Have you ever had an idea about something you want to do or should do that won’t leave your mind? That’s how it was with the idea of a bookstore.

Books saved me when I was growing up. I was socially awkward and couldn’t find where I fit in. Books gave me an escape. I have also loved writing since I can remember. If I was going to start a business I knew that a bookstore was perfect for me.

I had the conversation with my husband, and I’ll be honest I don’t remember his reaction but I’m going to guess it took some convincing before he thought it was a good idea. I then went to my headmaster and described my idea and asked if next fall could I have a schedule where I taught until 12:30. I also asked for a year where I did not have to coach. I will always be grateful that he said yes.

I then began going through the steps of finding a spot for the bookstore and researching what was involved. My town had a business mentoring program, so I was paired with a man who had been running a bed and breakfast-business for many years. His wisdom and guidance were invaluable.

I found a small space with reasonable rent behind a popular clothing store and across from the post office. My husband built me a beautiful counter and bookshelves, I ordered the books, and we opened in June shortly after school ended. I didn’t have daycare for the summer, so the kids came with me each day. It was a tiny space, so it was hard to keep them entertained and assist customers, but I loved it. I had made a fun space behind the counter where the children could play and take a nap. My daughter said she loved when we were there because I would read them stories and rub their backs to get them to take a nap.

There were some adventures in our tiny space. One day, we came in and Jess said she needed to use the bathroom. She opened the door and said, “Mommy, come here quick!!” Two large mice were floating in the toilet. I didn’t want to touch them, so I did the first thing that came to mind and flushed the toilet. My husband said, “I cannot believe that you did not end up with two dead mice and a clogged toilet.”

During the summer, we met several authors who lived in the area. They wanted to support a local bookstore and it was a treat for me to meet them. I partnered with the library once to do an author meet and greet.

When fall came and I had to go back to teach and to do graduate studies it became difficult to take care of the business. I hired someone who wasn’t very competent and I couldn’t put in the time that I would have liked. I was also exhausted. We had to read a book a week in French and do twenty-page papers, so my husband would find me asleep on the floor in the living room with a book tucked to my chest.

I finally had to realize that we were losing too much money to continue the bookstore. Our space was too small, I was competing with a large, well-established bookstore in the next town, and I didn’t have the time to devote to it, or the money to pay someone else to do that for me.

Having the bookstore was such a blessing to me and although it was not a success I learned so much from the experience. I have no regrets about taking that leap and giving it a try.

If you are considering starting a business I would suggest the following.

· Ask yourself why you want to start this business. When you have the rough days you will have to lean on the why.

· Do your homework. How can you make this work?

· Find a mentor and ask questions about everything.

· Don’t rush into anything. Take your time and do not put yourself in financial difficulty.

· Ask for help.

· Have a marketing plan

· Harness social media.

· Talk to everyone and steal the good ideas.

Good luck!

Posted on

Does Having a Running Nemesis Make Us Better Runners?

The definition of a nemesis is the cause of someone’s downfall, but there can be a positive aspect to that idea too. My running friends joke about who our running nemesis is. We are talking about that person who runs faster than us and is also in our age group potentially keeping us from winning a spot on the podium. Of course, we are often excited when the nemesis does not show up, but most of our glory moments involve the nemesis because that person can push us to be better. We want to train harder so we might be able to beat the nemesis this time. Here are a few examples of our interactions with our nemeses.

My friend Dan came back to running several years ago after being away from the sport for quite a while. He was finishing with a decent race time, but he noticed that a certain man in his age group was beating him at every race. At one race, I heard Dan say, “I’ll never be able to beat him.” Fortunately, though Dan started to change his mindset and train harder, Michael gave him a goal to shoot for, and Dan’s last finishing time was very close to what Michael’s time is usually. Even though Michael has beaten him consistently, Dan used that to become better and stronger.

My nemesis’ name is Monica. Monica is about a minute faster than I am when it comes to finishing time. She runs the race smarter than I do because I usually go out too fast, and then at mile two when I start to slow down, Monica runs by me and says hello. I have only beaten her several times, and one of them was glorious. We were doing an out-and-back 5k. Monica was running ahead of me and talking with a friend. My race strategy was different this time as I stayed close enough to be a threat at the end, but not close enough to be noticed. With a half-mile to go, I started sprinting. I passed Monica and her friend and crossed the line before them. I thought I was going to have a heart attack and it took me a minute to have enough breath to explain to my friend at the finish what happened, but I enjoyed the moment. Monica was probably thinking I had lost my mind.

Are you someone’s nemesis? Who can you push to be better by being a threat to his success?

Posted on

The Ebb and Flow of Writing

I have often seen the advice that writers should write every day. I see the strength of that advice because it makes sense that you should practice your craft to improve, but my creativity doesn’t work that way. My ideas for writing come to me in the following ways.

The tsunami

This is when everything has been quiet on the writing front for a while when suddenly I have 50 ideas at once. I write them on my whiteboard and work on them individually, but I cannot help feeling overwhelmed by so many ideas at once.

The ideas that come at the wrong time

Does anyone else have great ideas for a story when you are out for a long run, or grocery shopping, or at 3 in the morning? I have my most creative ideas when the chance of forgetting them is the greatest.

The thoughts that need to percolate a while longer

When I started my first fiction piece, I had a huge board with all the characters, their names, and personalities. The plot came out a piece at a time, and as much as I loved the ideas, I couldn’t make myself focus on it. I sent a query letter out when I had eight pages written. Two publishers replied that they would like to see the complete manuscript. When could I have it ready? That was the motivation I needed.

I can go in search of ideas for a piece, but for me, writing is best when it comes naturally. It might jump out of a conversation and slap me in the face like when I talked to my husband about how different a 5k was from a marathon when he said, “It’s an entirely different beast.” That led to a successful article with that title. Sometimes, it’s something I read in the paper or an experience, but I don’t write well when I have to force it.

Posted on

Peel Away The Layers

Have you ever been in a situation where you meet a stranger and your first impression and the one you leave with are very different? It’s because people have so many layers, and it takes some conversation to peel back the outer layers to see the real person underneath.

Most people want to share their stories if you take the time to listen. Asking some questions based on what the person says will begin to peel the layers away.

I went to our local running store with my husband because I needed running shoes, and I couldn’t find the right pair anywhere else. I run every day and I need at least two pairs that I can change in and out. When we entered the store there were three young clerks and one asked how he could help us. When I told him I needed shoes he asked, “For walking?”. I am 65 so I’m sure his first impression was not, “Oh, I bet she’s a distance runner.” I told him exactly what I needed, and we started to talk about running. My first impression of him was that he was super fit.

It didn’t take long for the layers to start to drop off. His favorite sport is soccer, and although he runs, he has issues because he sweats excessively which causes cramping. Nothing has helped. He told me about a marathon he ran when he started to cramp at mile 15, and mile 25 the cramping was so bad that he was hunched over and hobbling to the finish.

As we talked and laughed he revealed more about himself, and he made a connection with my husband and me. My husband said he would never go anywhere else for shoes now. We would not have made such a positive connection if we hadn’t peeled away the layers.

We often meet people for the first time with our armor on and our shields up. It can be difficult to be transparent at first, but letting who we are shine through can make it easier to relate to each other.

Take some time to listen, ask questions, and peel away the layers.

Posted on

Why My Husband is The Better Parent

My husband has made plenty of parenting mistakes like everyone else, but he has consistently done something that makes him a better parent and spouse than I am. When one of his brood is out and about he will wait up until everyone that lives in his house has returned home safely. He doesn’t only do this once in a while. He always does it regardless of how late someone is out.

I know you can probably figure out why this is special to us, but just in case you don’t understand let me tell you why we love that he does this. I have always been a morning person, so if you need my help from 6 a.m.-3 p.m., I’m the one for you. After that time, my energy starts to wane, and by 9 p.m. I’m fading on the couch. I couldn’t stay up late waiting for you to come home if my life depended on it, but I know that having someone waiting to make sure you come home safe makes you feel protected, safe, and loved.

My youngest told me that her boyfriend was surprised the first time she told him she had to go home because her dad was waiting for her. He said, “You have a curfew?”. She said, “No, but he’ll stay up until I’m home, so I don’t want to keep him waiting.” She likes the fact that her dad cares about her and wants to know she is home safe. She also likes having someone to share her adventure du jour. Dad is willing to stay up a little longer to hear a few stories before heading off to bed.

I often hear people say that giving your time is the best gift a parent can give, and I agree because what my husband does for his family has made a lasting impression on his family.

Posted on

Your Today Can Change Your Tomorrow

Do you ever find yourself putting off something and saying, “I’ll deal with it tomorrow.”? If you eat badly or skip exercising, you might say, “I’ll do better tomorrow.” We all have those moments when we need to take a break from what we know we should do, and instead do what we want to do even if it is not in our best interest. The problem is if we do that with too many of our todays, our tomorrow is eventually going to be negatively affected.

We have a family member who has just entered hospice. Caring for her during the last year has been an eye-opening experience for my family. All three children have committed to taking control of their health by eating better and exercising. Our family member was overweight and sedentary with no real interests or hobbies. My oldest was just with her to help with her care and she told me as soon as she returned home she was going to make some changes to improve her lifestyle to ensure better health.

When I had an issue with a rapid heartbeat the first question the doctor asked was about the quality of my sleep. When I told him I was awakened frequently during the night because of my husband’s snoring he told me that sleep affected my health and I needed to make sure I was sleeping well for eight hours. How many times do you stay up late working, watching television, or playing video games? You might tell yourself that you will be fine with limited sleep, but it eventually takes a toll on your body.

Another issue to take care of today is our stress levels. Stress can raise our blood pressure, wear down our immune system, and wreak havoc on our mental and physical health. Find some ways to decompress and disconnect.

Pushing off issues and problems until tomorrow can make the problems worse and raise our stress levels. Take care of problems as they arise and having resolutions will be one less thing to cause you worry.

Remember the wisdom of the saying “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” Start the journey toward your best self today.