I just don't want to...Fall running, goals and the madness!

Just a month ago there were people running everywhere. We were out in droves enjoying the last sunny warm days of Indian Summer before the inevitable. They're all gone! I've been out less, partly because I was having trouble with my legs tightening up after the marathon, and partly because of the rain and cold.

Time to set some goals. I've got mud race coming up, like this one and it's time to start getting ready for it.

The great thing about these races is that I need to do something in addition to running. I think part of the problem with my legs tightening during and after the marathon was that I didn't cross train. Now's the time.

Look, only a select few really want to be out running when it's rainy and cold. The race above was in hot sunny July and my next one is in cold dismal November. The point of the race for me is too get me back outside training. Not only that but I'm signed up with 6 or 7 other people. I don't have a huge dose of macho in me, but I've got enough to want to make sure I'm not crapping out in the middle of the pack. One of the most gratifying things about the marathon was that I was still jumping, laughing and whooping up the crowd at the end of it.

I plan on the same in November and in order to do so I'm going to have to be in fighting shape. I'm a notorious weather whiner and I have to do some work to get myself out there and motivated to train in the rain.




Number one motivator forever: GOALS!
Having a time and place set, having paid for it, having told other people, having signed other people up commits  you to be ready for the event. I signed up for a late season event for exactly this reason. I need outside pressure to get me out there.

Number two helpful motivator: VARIETY
I love running. That being said it's nice to mix it up with something like jumping into green ice water in the middle of November. I feed on insanity and this is really going to be great. The last scene before the finish in the above video is us running through a field of live electrical wires. If you're having trouble getting out to run it may be that the season's races are over, the other runners have packed it in for the year and you're out there alone. Time to switch it up and train for another goal. Example: I want to be able to lift my car over my head by Spring!




Number three point to keep in mind: KNOW THYSELF!
I'm always coming back to this, but you have to know what will get you going. Getting covered with mud, frozen and electrocuted might not do it for you. Is there something wrong with you or with me?! You need to figure out what will get you out there and do it. DO IT!

If you want to join us in November in Indiana for this lovely number we'd love to have you. Either way, keep moving, keep motivated, keep the gleam in your eye and the madness in your heart...oh and did I mention the free beer at the end of the race:)

Good running and good living!

Quote of the Day

I just watched Jason Robillard's YouTube videos about his under-24 hour 100 mile run at Western States. At the end of the video these words appear:

"There may be something to this whole "run for fun" thing..."

Truer words have not been spoken.

Post by Zap - Let's Kick This Thing Off!

Barefoot jumps with style! Who needs a bike?

Here's a recent post of mine that I thought I would share in the spirit of beginning the Run Smiley campaign...
 


Originally posted by Zap, April 10th, 2011
Running Naked on Sharp Pointy Stuff
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Got my barefoot trail running fiyah fix on today! My husband and I dropped off the kids at our local KidsPark and went for a barefoot trail run. I laughed so hard on this run. This was a chill run. No pushing it. Just having fun. We explored and goofed off. I had the best time ever.

We've had an unusual amount of rain lately. It left these trails washed out and obscenely muddy in some places. So in addition to the regular horse poop hazards and poison oak, there were also post holes, decomposed granite washouts, and water ponds. Yeah. Lots of water ponds. I probably should have wore my swimsuit. There were lots of fun muddy spots to squish through as well. And the best part? The secret jumps the fringe mountain bikers left behind. I couldn't resist. I had to run a woop. Oh yeah. BMXers watch out. This girl's got some serious style!

Did I mention we had fun? We totally did.

We weren't even a half a mile into our run when the trail turned into this:

After conquering the pond I practiced my ninja moves on some unsuspecting poison oak...

Karate chop the poison oak!

And so began our morning run. My favorite bit? The sand. Like ecstacy. So soft and lovely.

Granite

Sand

postholes

poop

So my husband was a serious trooper for this run. Dude bucked up and ran barefoot again. It was harder on his feet this time. The decomposed granite was painful in spots and then this happened...

I know I should have been a little more empathetic. Milkweed is some serious thornage, but I'm a total sucker for slapstick and that was just funny! I nearly peed my pants laughing. He was a really good sport about it.