SHORTIE, cold, scary, on-ice, run with Lucy at Oak Openings before yoga. --OMGosh! No matter how much I stretch at home, nothing beats the stretch I get during class. I feel amazingly pain free!!! I feel like I received a full body massage. (That will change as the day goes on...) ;) Tried some new moves & I rolled to my back as I lost my balance. Me announcing: "And I didn't even have a drink before I came to class!" Instructor & participants laughed...

Can we talk fashion? I am NOT a girlie-girl. I love jewelry, boots & dressing up... but my life doesn't give many opportunities for this anymore. I find myself wanting to dress up for running, now. My old "uniform" of black tights & black shirt have now been pushed aside for colorful, artistic designs. I'm also wanting to dress (in "costume") for races! This is a test because I have tried to fly under the radar of others for years. If I wear a tutu, or other non-running specific attire, I could be pegged as not "serious". I'm getting to the point that I don't care. If clothes "make the man" then I'm having fun wearing my Star Wars pride outfits! (I just bought & am making character outfits suitable for racing in!) -I'm LOVING my INKnBURN clothing & I'm loving a comfortable running skirt & a super hero T! -Running makes me feel great. The gear makes me feel light-hearted & happy!

Jim says, "If it doesn't make you happy or make you money... don't do it." I guess we're getting more stubborn, less apologetic, more care-free... as we get older. As we plan for the future, it's kind of open ended. I know it will include running in far away places in my eccentric Star Wars, INKnBURN costumed attire... I was told to live a life of "no regrets". I thought it was a rather selfish notion, years ago. Now I realize it's a nod to a life well-lived... Here's to all the people with enough guts to try something out of their comfort zone... even if it is a little "wacky".

The days that you don't "expect much" are often surprising. Today, I ran. I was a bit sad that it would be by myself, again... but, I would make the best of it. No one was going to MAKE me go out. Begrudgingly, my mind was prepared to go alone. I had no plan except "see how it goes." I wished for 8 miles so I could get back on schedule but my lack of performance & drive this past week made me realistically consider 5. I took Lucy & would "make the best of it." The weather was a chilly 8 degrees.  There was no wind & as usual, the scenery at Oak Openings was pleasant. There were deer at the entry and the humidity, freezing on the tall grass, in the savannah, made for an almost glittered, sparkling sight! I layered & was prepared to remove my outer jacket after I warmed up. Lucy & I took a slow but steady pace. Mile one came and went with no discomfort... mile two... mile three... I had alternate plans of mileage & routes depending on how Lucy and I responded to the environment. I figured since I was alone, I would make today a "long" run. How "long" could I really run with Lucy? I am happy to report we ran eight miles! I still had plenty "in the tank" so I drove home, dropped Lucy off & ran down my street one mile out and back. I LOVE running double digits! I feel very accomplished & use it to remind myself that "I can" when things are more difficult.




So what made today possible? I have a "plain Jane" palate when it comes to beverages. I love the affects of stimulants but don't like the syrupy taste of colas, the bland taste of teas, or the bitter taste of coffee. Hannah, having a sluggish morning start, made coffee before school, today. She likes her coffee strong with lots of flavored creamer. I dropped them off at school & came home to clean the kitchen before heading out. I opened her travel mug & took a sip. It was QUITE good! I took another drink... & before I knew it, I was GOING to go out! Armed with my "solo or death" attitude, I wasn't prepared for the ease of the run but I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth either. I was going to add those extra miles without Lucy.




Upon my return, Lucy was snoring. I chuckled. I got cleaned up & ready for work. I ate, ran errands & picked up the girls from school. I'm heading to work & I'm asking Hannah to make some coffee, tomorrow...

Today's run was just about getting out the door! Jim was heading out of town. The weather is cold, snowy & gusty. The drive to the metropark was dangerous... (I was sliding but my foot was to the floor on the brake... & I was driving QUITE slowly!) Once in the metropark, I had to gauge my pace. I was SO happy to be outside that I threw pace out  the window. I was taking pictures, waving to strangers... I even took a selfie with a couple of complete strangers!!! I was taking a photo of the trail when I saw something move in the distance- people; then I saw a camera flash. I took a picture of them, from afar ... They had taken a photo of me from afar... so I ran, caught up to them & took a picture of "us". They were hiking. ~I look like I have a long, horrible, lumpy neck... but I was turning my phone so I'd get the shy lady in the picture.

TOTALLY out of character for me to do this... but I'm changing. Running gives you a "confidence" that is hard to explain. When you do something you, personally, know you weren't able to, at one time... you have a strength that spills over to other aspects of life. It's a great feeling.

As for today, Dave's 10 Miler is going on, right now. I debated signing up for it. The weather... but more so my SI joint... is so unpredictable, I didn't sign up. Working physical labor on Saturdays & racing on Sundays makes for a less than optimal racing situation. I decided to wing it, today, on my own. ~Forget pace, distance... go until I was "uncomfortable". The weather isn't terrible if you dress well & can mentally bear it. I wore ski pants & triple cold weather gear on top. I stripped a layer to double layers after I warmed up after mile one. I looped my route past my van to toss it. I stuck to the paved but unplowed all purpose trails... then I got ambitious. I ventured to the Blue Trail but it was so uneven I chickened out & turned around. The last thing I needed was to fall or twist my ankle when Jim is out of town & the girls were home with no one able to rescue me... I DID go off the bike trail & onto the Brown loop. It was less dangerous but still extremely bumpy & treacherously ankle twisting at parts. I slowed my pace more as my SI joint was taking a beating, now. Ok-- now to just make it to the van. I wasn't cold despite the 29mph wind gusts. I was doubting my plans for a marathon, however... I pushed that idea out of my mind. As I finished mile 4, I figured I'd just head back to the van. The snow & terrain were giving me a work out. As I neared the main entrance I saw Mallard ducks & took pictures with my phone. It was SO COLD... my phone shut off- music, camera, display... And that's when I realized, I may not have raced 10, today... but I beat the weather & my own mindset. I outlasted my iPhone in the cold... I feel "good"... I will run again, tomorrow, I stepped out of my introverted "bubble"... & that is pretty awesome!

YAY!!! Rest, ibuprofen, TEMS unit, stretching... & as I sat at my desk, I popped! (Not pooped...) ;)

Sacrum back into place? I decided to gingerly try a run, today. Gingerly being the apt word... All good, Baby! Only one day "down"! Back on the road! Tomorrow is work & Sunday I'll go for my long run. ALL GOOD, YAY!!!

I think the "feel good" of racing is also knowing that some of your entry fee is going to support a charity. Most races have a group that has enlisted its help. How I pick a race is often directly related to a few things: location of the event, distance of the event in relation to my locality, "perk" a.k.a. bling or t-shirt... BUT ALSO... what charity strikes a chord in my heart. Charities that are tied to an event that empower kids, girls, women or autism... make me want to participate. By that point, I'm counting how fortunate I am & want to help...

Our local Glass City marathon has some charities that are tied to this event. As usual, there are some that strike a chord with me more than others... All have the hope to help.

OFFICIAL CHARITIES OF THE GLASS CITY MARATHON

Special, additional fundraising is usually optional.  Toledo Roadrunners Club awards partner status to programs or organizations who are aligned with the TRRC’s constitutional purpose which is “to educate Club members and the community about physical fitness and health through the sponsorship and promotion of running, physical fitness and other health related events.” ~I'm "in" for the kids & autism... (& some sweet bling for me.)

So racing isn't "JUST" about a race. It's about the community supporting you... & you supporting the community...

Sooo... I have been doing pretty well, physically. I've been getting more flexible in yoga & I was super optimistic about the race schedule, this year. Yoga has been strengthening my "girdle" muscles- the muscles all the way "around" my torso. The goal is to strengthen those muscles- front, sides & back/ not just "abs"- so when the doctor aligns the sacrum & hips, the muscles will KEEP them there. I avoided back bends in therapy & adjustments. I couldn't even sleep on my stomach without things rotating out of place, again. As time has progressed, I've been noticing improvements... I have been adding incremental backward motions... but, as usual... I may have "overdone" it. -I may have yogi-ed something into the wrong place, yesterday. We were doing deep back bends & arches. I felt something "pop". It didn't hurt at the time, but I knew it wasn't "normal". There was no "relief" of pressure. I waited... I am feeling PAIN, today. I tried to run & couldn't. I felt a horrible stabbing in my lower back/sacrum area. I tried to "float" run & land lightly. It didn't work. I walked. I tried to run, again. It REALLY hurt- every time I tried! I tried walking & running, hoping maybe something would "pop" & a rushing sense of relief would accompany it... -Wishful thinking... I came home to stretch & laid over the back of the couch as a homemade "traction". I'm heading to work (easy does it) & will try, again, tomorrow...

For years, I've logged miles, solo. Partly because I was embarrassed, partly because of my schedule, mostly because of my pendulum performance on any given day... I had become accustomed to it. Then... my hubby realized the weight of what I was doing when I crossed my 3rd full marathon finish line- in tears & in pain... Since then he has accompanied me on many miles. His pace & mileage are making quick improvements. I'm very happy & proud. More so, I'm truly appreciating the company...HIS company. We chit chat. Sometimes we don't talk at all... but it's nice knowing the experience is being shared & we will talk about it when we get home.

I've been called stubborn. I've been called competitive. I'm a bit of both -with a large amount of insecurity, doubt, fear & introversion. Today, it was my husband that got me out the door. It was my husband that got me past mile marker 2. Each step of snow clumping onto the bottom of my left Yaktrax- forming a GIANT ice packed snow ball that caused me to STOMP every 1/10th of a mile... I wanted to climb back into the truck & go home, wrap in a blanket & eat... I took off my Yaktrax & kept going because HE kept going. -I listened to his breathing. I listened to my music. I heard him speak of his quads on the inclines. As usual, my mood melted as my muscles warmed up & I got into a groove. Before I knew it, we were into mile 4 & turning around to come back. -Yay! Home stretch!

Appreciate the journey... appreciate the people who take the journey with you. It's more fun not going solo... Sometimes you motivate those people. Sometimes they motivate you...

 
Irritated at the get go this morning. Not doing my Star Wars race... Not getting all those fabulous INKnBURN sales... Jim wants to go to Sam's Club BEFORE a run... but it's open to the general public, now. I'm trying to get around selfish Americans blocking the aisles & salesmen that scoff that I "don't want to save money" switching to Direct TV... I'm losing my caffeine kick as the hours go by... I decided to dress in my running gear TO Sam's Club to save time. I wear my Boba Fett running shirt & celebrate Star Wars running in my own corner of the U.S. -Two young boys come out of the bathroom, stop... look at my shirt... look at me... I didn't get it. Then it dawned on me that they probably recognized "Boba Fett". I smiled. They looked at me & ran away. I laughed & told Jim. We're a bit of a clutzy pair as we're trying to navigate two flatbeds of supplies & groceries through the store, through checkout, through the parking lot. We get home, unload & Jim wants to run 5. I'm "sure" he will slow me down... but if I go solo, it may cause hurt feelings. I'm irritated but "trying". I have LUCY. We agree to a route that will take us over 5. We hang together. He doesn't "slow me down" but we have a slow, good, conversational pace. We pass couples; we pass people with dogs. We comment on the ice & depth of snow. Slowly, I admire his pace & his putting up with me. I've told him about the Star Wars race, the missed sales & the fellow runners we see on the route. Eventually... my mood finally melts & I'm proud of his efforts. I know I was a moody jerk & I apologize. He tells me what he was moody about, too. We come home with a soggy-moosey dog, clean up & then we eat! I sit to watch a movie & he offers to go back to the store to get the final items we couldn't buy in bulk at Sam's. I offer to come with him but he tells me no. (I suspect he wants a breather.) On my list is Gatorade prefuel/Prime. When he calls home to see if he's getting the right stuff... I realize how wonderful he is. I realize we're not perfect... but we're pretty darn formidable.

I posted a link to a video that I felt empowered women. I shared it on Facebook & on this blog. I had some old friends "unfriend" me. I was hurt... but I get it. It's not the first time this has happened. I talk a lot about exercise, running... taking care of yourself. I am NOT saying I don't believe in God. I am NOT saying "be selfish." I am NOT saying men "owe" us/pro-life/women's lib/politically active ANYTHING... I am simply saying: "Take care of yourself. You are WORTH it. You are full of potential that you may not even REALIZE..." I want people (mostly women because I AM one...) to understand that they are a VALUABLE asset in the family & community. "You have a BRAIN. You have FREE-WILL. You have a VOICE. You have preferences... & that is OK! It's not wrong to have an opinion!!!"

For years, I was taught to be "submissive". In the right setting, this can be a harmonious thing! I am NOT telling women to leave their God, their husbands or their families. I am just saying that it's okay to "want" things. -Alone time... creativity... music... good health...

I was told once that 'if it didn't hurt... I wasn't sacrificing enough.' So I hurt... a lot... often...  -I realize now there is balance. A happy God, like a happy parent, wants happy children... but we are often in unhappy surroundings. One needs to learn to protect their health: physically & emotionally not just spiritually... or one cannot concentrate.

Running & exercise (like drugs but SAFER) are mood enhancing activities. They make you PROUD of yourself & make you feel good about yourself... This is my ONLY reason for posting about exercise. It is my personal revelation that I want to use to empower women to stand on their own two feet. You CAN exist as a sole entity. You are not JUST "Tony's" wife, "Johnny's" mother, an employee of "Corporate X"... You can have a "preference."

I was called a feminist, this week. If wanting confident women raising confident kids, making confident families, making confident life choices makes me a feminist... then... I am confidently saying: "I'm a feminist."

 

WORD! Girl power!

What an AWESOME video! Empowering women to move! The raw beauty of a strong female despite age, size, color... JUST AWESOME!

Watch the video: Girl power! Get your freak on!!!

*Me & Lucy wearing matching outfits & no make-up*

 

3.5 miles with Lucy. I haven't done "just 3" for a training run in a LONG time... but today's trail run through the snow kicked my butt! WINTER RUNNING IS BACK, BABY! Yaktrax & toe warmers...

Follow the scenic weather changes & training runs at my album: https://www.facebook.com/sarah.o.speer/media_set?set=a.799207813466842.1073741963.100001328936573&type=3&uploaded=15

 
















Glass CIty Marathon Ambassador Page

I finally "pegged" myself as a competitor. I still have issues calling myself a "runner" because speed is elusive. No matter how much you improve... there will usually be someone faster or an "ideal" of speed in your own mind. Once I reach a new PR, all I personally think about is how I can BEAT that time, next time. I tell people I "try to run"... but I rarely call myself a runner. Jim called me competitive, recently. I balked; I said "no"... I remember another mom calling me competitive & I got upset. I felt she was calling me "unrestrained, uncontrolled, illogical." --But... upon further reflection, "competitor" feels "right". I'm not necessarily competing against a person... but sometimes... I am! I don't "mean" to... Other runners are motivation to kick it into a higher gear.

-I TRY to relax. -I also TRY to do my best. I'm NEVER relaxed until after the first few miles... & the final time is usually never my best. It may be the "best" I have in that moment, on "that" day... but in hindsight, I know I always could have given a bit more.

Tomorrow is a 5K. I have not run, all week. I tried running on Monday. I was tired, sore & more tired... This week, I slept (a LOT), rested my injuries & did yoga on this FRIGID week of January with days of cancelled school & opportunities for extra zzzz's...

I finished my work, today & I opted to run, tomorrow, close to home... but, my heart wants to race tomorrow's race. "I should just run 'long', close to home...", my logic tells me. "I haven't run all week, how can I RACE?! What if I fall on my face?" -That WOULD be embarrassing...

I used to hate 5K's. I didn't have speed. I'm GETTING speed... & I feel exhausted & happy when I sprint for 3 miles. *if possible*

I'm going to wear the title of "competitor", mentally, before my next race. As a test... I wonder how it will affect my nerves. Will it focus my anxiety into a purpose or just put more pressure on me & cause me to implode shortly after mile one? An experiment on head games...

I went to yoga & the chiropractor, this week for the first time in awhile. Owwie! I am grateful that I can get back on the road after being so limited...

 

I started training for my marathon in a VERY "broken" state. I didn't realize I was SO CROOKED! (Long story of "why"...) Being crooked resulted in sprains & strains down my "chain" in my knees, ankles & Achilles Tendon throughout the years. I presumed I was accident prone, clumsy or "just not a runner". -Tenacity is a two edge sword. While running made me want to prove myself in a race. Racing would push me to my physical breaking point. I had a crooked kinetic chain. Fortunately, after years of injuries, my biomechanics are being addressed. Along with straightening, there is now the long task of conditioning YEARS of muscle imbalances. I don't know if I will ever rid myself of my "duckie" run, but I'm trying... :)