Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Guest Post: Running... or Something Like It

Hi guys. I'm still on vacation, but I asked my good friend and fellow SOSer to write a blog post about her herculean effort to run her first half-marathon. Rachel is raising money to support Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, a cause that has special meaning for her. I'm so proud of her and the progress she's been making. You can find out more about it on Rachel's race page. Without further ado, here's Rachel:

Hello everyone! Calli invited me to write a guest post about running. That thought still seems completely hilarious to me. When I say that if I can run a half-marathon, anyone can; I sincerely mean it.

I was what you would call a non-runner. Sure, I did a little yoga, but I only did cardio occasionally and hadn’t run in around 10 years. It all started after a conversation from this gal, Karen.
Beware:  She can convince you to do
anything!
She should be a life coach. If there is anything you feel like you can’t do, she can make it seem possible. We were sipping coffee after yoga, and she mentioned she would be running in the Bupa Great North Run. It is a half-marathon in Newcastle. This would be here third half-marathon. I said that sounded fabulous, and she said with training, I could do it, too. In fact, we could try to get a small together. I could get on board with that idea. I had this vision of all of SOS running together. In this vision, we were all light on our feet and didn’t really even sweat. Oh, that sweet dream couldn’t be any farther from the truth.

Karen, Katie, and I committed to doing the run. Alisha and Nick decided to train with us, and Calli is our biggest cheerleader. It was time to put the words into action. I tried my first run at the gym with my husband. I ran a 5k without training and I was sore for about four days. I decided to ditch the training program and train at a slower pace that I could stick with. Then I did my first outdoor run with Alisha. I don’t know if I made it 100 yards before I was cussing and needing to walk. It was not a promising start to say the least. With the support of my spectacular friends, the training continued.

Like any race, there are hurdles. The first hurdle happened when I needed to sign up for the race.  All of the pay and run spots were taken. The only spots left required the entrant to raise between three and four hundred pounds for a charity in addition to the entry fee for the race. I was in a predicament. I didn’t think I would be able to do the fundraising. If Karen is good at getting someone to think they can do anything, Calli is good at getting someone to stick with it. The trick is that she won’t let you fall on insecurities and lies that you tell yourself. She made me realize that I was actually afraid of not being able to complete the run. She encouraged me to to stick with it and check out the charities. So I did. I found Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, which is a cause that is very close to my heart since my dad is a lymphoma survivor. The crazy thing is that people actually donated. This made me feel like my efforts were worth it. Also, knowing that I would be running for a charity made me feel like I was running for something bigger than myself. I doubled my efforts.

Me, running at the gym.  You can tell it is a staged photo because I am smiling.

The final hurdle happened as a result of me “doubling my efforts.” I got my first running related injuries. I got plantar fasciitis and a strained achilles tendon. Both injuries can easily happen to elite runners and could be caused by excessive training. The more likely cause was my previous sedentary lifestyle. My doctor gave me some stretches and strengthening exercises. She also told me that it was probably best to cross train and lay off the running while I recovered. I felt frustrated, and I am surprised to say it was difficult to be patient with my body and not run for a while. It was precious time lost, but I also learned an important lesson about listening to my body.

After clearing that final hurdle, I am happy to say that I am back on track so to speak. I feel like it is a massive achievement to have come as far as I have. I ran the better part of five miles just last week and am fully confident that I will be able to complete the half marathon. If it hadn’t been for my support group and my belief in my charity, I would have quit ages ago. So... here is my advice to you if you would like to start running.

  1. You can do it. Commit to a race to give yourself a concrete goal and start training.
  2. It takes a while to build endurance, so give yourself a few months before you decide if you hate running. It does get better. Find a training guide and try to stick with it. Here is a link to to guide I tried to use.
  3. Tell other people about your goals to make yourself accountable.  Running with other people makes the time pass more quickly. They also provide encouragement when there is something you feel you cannot do.
  4. Consider running for a charity. This made me feel like I was running for more than just my own personal health. When I have been out running in the rain and asking myself why I am doing it, knowing that I am running for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research keeps me moving. Here is a link to my fundraising page. Even if you aren't interested in donating, feel free to check it out. It is where I post information about my training progress.
  5. Listen to your body and be patient. It is not fair to compare yourself to people who have been running for decades. We all run our own race. No matter how discouraging that first workout feels, remember it. There is nothing better than seeing progress and discovering you can do more than you could last week.
Thanks Rachel for a great, inspiring post! We all wish you luck with your first half-marathon. Go get 'em!

10 comments:

  1. Rachel, I am so inspired by your post and so proud of you for overcoming these hurdles. We are going to have a great race day together in 4.5 weeks. When you cross the finish line and get your medal, you are going to feel like a superhero. And with the money raised for your charity and this life milestone, YOU ARE!

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    1. I can't believe I am about to type this next sentence. I am looking forward to race day with you in 4.5 weeks. I credit you for the idea to try a half-marathon. I would have never decided to do this on my own. I don't think I am a superhero, though. I need a cape and a kick- a** alter-ego. Seriously, I feel enriched by this experience and am glad we are running together.

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  2. Rachel you are doing such a great job! I couldn't do this without you ladies. You are awesome! Keep it up lady :)

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    1. I feel the same way about you. It is harder to back out of training if you are going with someone else.

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  3. Rachel,
    Thank you for taking the guest editor spot for Calli while she is away on another of her jonts thru Europe. If she were intown long enough she could have trained along with you. Her mom and dad (me)have raised money for the Leukemia and Lymphomia Society in memory of Calli's grandfather. We ran a marathon in Dublin a few years ago. There are very few things in life more satisfying than crossing the finish line. I applaude you for taking on the challenge and we will make a donation thru your web site. Good luck.
    Jeff Schiller (Calli's dad)

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    1. I am looking forward to that feeling when I cross the finish line. I feel the challenge of the half marathon, and at this point, I can't imagine doubling that distance to a marathon. Calli may not be running with us, but I probably wouldn't have stuck with the race without her. I am surprised by the number of people whose lives have been affected by Leukemia and Lymphoma. Running for this charity has opened up a dialog with a lot of people around me, and I feel really lucky that my dad is in remission. Thank you so much for the "good luck." I may need it.

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  4. Thanks for guest posting, Rachel! I am a friend of Calli and Dans and also a runner. Whenever my plantar fasciitis acts up, I roll my foot on a frozen plastic water bottle for ten minutes twice a day (or roll on a tennis ball for ten minutes followed by ten minutes of ice). Good luck!

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    1. My doctor gave me the tennis ball idea and said to ice it occasionally to reduce the inflammation. The frozen water bottle is an excellent idea that gets two birds with one stone. Thanks for the advice and the encouragement!

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  5. Good luck Rachel with the rest of your training and the race itself - completing your first big race, especially when a few months before such a feat didn't seem fathomable, is such an amazing feeling! And big kudos for doing the fundraising for such a great cause as well!

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    1. Thank you, Caroline! I am getting excited for the big day. I went running on the same trail as my first run the other day and felt so accomplished. I breezed right by the spot where I had stopped and was so upset before. I feel stronger and more determined than ever. Thanks for the kudos. I feel really proud to be running for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

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