Slow but Moving

My best friend (and co-author of this blog) sent me this pic after a discussion we had about running. I constantly complain about what a slow runner I am and feel ashamed by it. Pretty much, there's no difference between my "fast walk" and my "run," other than that fact that I'm bouncing in the latter. It's embarrassing when my husband, the BFF, and most runner friends I have are out running half marathons while I'm still trying to master the 5k. I'm heavier, slower, and more out of shape than pretty much every runner I know.

I often envision "real runners" (as opposed to fake runners like myself? :-/ ) judging me about everything from my speed to my form to the tiny water bottle that I sometimes carry in the pocket of my hoodie. "Real runners" are fast and run with grace and never need an occasional sip so not to choke on their spit. I guess the truth is that there are some of those Judgy McJudgersons out there. They are the ones who have created 90% of the condescending fitness images on Pinterest. But in truth, most runners are out there running for themselves. They're not judging me or belittling me. Most likely, the only thought they're sending my way is whether or not they can pass me (in a good, competitive way!). The majority of runners are supportive of one another and want to recruit as many people as possible to join this unspoken club of which we are all a part. Many of them have probably been in my shoes--slow, overweight, out-of-shape... but determined.

Though my times are slow and my collective miles are few, I'm moving. I go out 3x a week (when there's sun and I'm not freezing!) and try to get a little better. I imagine zombies chasing me while I pad away to Miranda Lambert and System of a Down. I wipe snot on my sleeve, turn as red as a beet, and breathe like a sleeping bulldog. It ain't pretty, but it's real. I am a turtle stampeding her way through a bog of peanut butter, but damn it if I'm not a real runner too.

~Raye

Running From Something?

It has occurred to me that I may be spending a lot of my time running from myself. I look in the mirror, draw back my now dark hair, and stare intently at my mom-eyes. The workout gear is old and stained most days, but I throw it on anyway. I put foot to path, do my stretches like I have been warned by others..you are getting older, you don't want to injure yourself. It's not the same as it once was, Candice. Ugh. I run from my age. The first mile hurts the most. In that time it crosses my mind to stop about thirteen times. This was much more of an issue in the beginning, but now, I don't want to let my running app down, so I drive forward. I choose music that I fear I will one day be "too old" to listen to and my children will soon frown when I start to play it in the living room. I am definitely running from my age. Age wasn't a factor ten years ago when I lost the weight. I just passed my tenth anniversary of the 55 pounds and I built my goals to reflect the stamina I had to have in those early days when I decided to change my path. I remember my eagerness and my determination to see my redefined figure staring back at me, approving and beautiful. And thin. My goals have nothing to do with my waist anymore. They have been designed to construct health from the inside out; teach my children what good decisions look like. And push myself to the point of breaking so I know I am still trying. I am running from death in so many ways. With cancer and Alzheimer's disease in my parents, I know I can't change genetics, but I can run with the body I have now. And if I have to one day face those demons, maybe my body will be ready. 2013 Goals (these are framed on my desk at work): -Drink 40 ounces of water every day (even on weekends!) -Exercise with the girls at home or at the Y two days each week -Prepare two vegetarian meals each week -Run 650 miles in 2013 -Complete the half-marathon in April -Complete the Health Champion level of the employee wellness program at work None of these have to do with people envying me or my ability to wear a bikini before I get laughed at because I am, once again, "too old for that." My health goals are for longevity and to set an unwavering example for my children who inevitably mirror ever little action I take. I would rather Noel lace up her running shoes and run with me than sit on a couch all day. In the end, I want to know I took care of the body I have been lucky enough to inhabit. Running forces air in and out of my lungs and frees my mind so I can reach for more. I really am running for my life.

The Journey Begins

About six months ago, my best friend and I had this brilliant idea to run a half marathon with each other, and we would use this blog to motivate us. Fast forward through lots of excuses (for the working out on my part, for the writing on hers), and here we are--the first day of 2013 with promises of a great year and lists of resolutions before us. So here's the premise...

It is 2,039 miles from my house in Yelm, WA to my friends' house in Oklahoma City, OK. If we were to run and meet each other half way (which ends up being somewhere around Rock Springs, WY) each of us will have traveled 1,019.5 miles.

Now, stay with me here while I do the math... If we run 3 days a week, that would add up to 156 days a year. In turn, if we were to commit to accomplishing this goal within a year, that would require us to run 6.5 miles during each session. Given my beginner status and the amount of time that it takes to run 6.5 miles (which, for my in-shape-daily-running husband would be around an hour, so much longer for me!), it's doubtful that we can accomplish this in a year. But no one said it has to be done in a year. And who knows, maybe we can get there sooner than we think!

So today, I downloaded the "Zombies, Run!" 5k app, dusted off the blog I set up but never started, and committed to beginning this journey. Follow us and see how two thirty-somethings take on a virtual mega-trek to have an imaginary meet-up in a town neither of them had ever heard of before today!