Let's Share: Robyn's Story

Robyn Whitworth shared her running story with us last season and it was a wonderful story.  Click here to see that one.  But I asked her to share with us again because she's taken her running to a new level and really honed in on a specific weight loss goal.  Every time she posts something about running or losing weight on facebook, I get inspired and so I knew she might inspire someone else who reads this blog.  So once again, ladies and gentlemen, I'm honored to share Robyn's story.

The other day I was talking with a group of people who are very close to me whom I recently challenged to run a 5K with me this summer. About 1/2 accepted the challenge and I was asking one of them how the training was going and asked, "So tomorrow you will probably go run 20 minutes or so?" And one of the friends who didn't accept the challenged piped up and exclaimed, "Run for 20 minutes?! That sounds so weird. Who would just get up and freakin run for TWENTY MINUTES and be excited about it?!! I can barely fathom running a mile let alone TWENTY MINUTES!!!"'
This exclamation startled me. Not only because my mind's eye took me immediately back to high school when I would have said, or probably did say, the exact same thing.... but because just the day before this conversation I had run for 40 minutes (4 miles) and loved every minute of it!
So many voices claiming this or that about heath and fitness and might I add stereo types that dominate this world of ours. But here is what matters- YOU and YOUR THOUGHTS ALONE. Do you secretly wish you could run 10, 20, 30, or holy cow, how about 40 minutes and love it? I am willing to bet that most women I know do. I know I did. There was a time I didn't ever think it was possible because of my self proclaimed inability to do such things because of my "genetics"..... PAHAHAHAHAAAA. Such naivety.
Let me make one thing clear to anyone who is reading this- runner or not-

You have a power inside you that only you can unleash. It is there. You can do, achieve, change, learn anything you want. But YOU have to choose to do it.

Our bodies are incredible. Ask any doctor, nutritionist, physical therapist, athletic/weight-loss trainer and they will agree. Just realize that it starts one step at a time. Next time you go out there and run or simply walk, just think, "Everyone has to start somewhere and I am starting today- and for the record, I am moving a lot faster than everyone else who is not out here too!"
I said that to myself for 2 years and here I am. I was recently described by a friend as "an avid runner." WHAT?! Me? The "chubby girl," the most un-athletic person in my family while I was at home? Wow. When did that happen? One step at a time. I have also been motivated to change my eating habits and shed some of that "baggage" or extra 40 lbs I have slowly gained and grown accustomed to over the last 15 years. I started with the same thought, "Everyone has to start somewhere, and I am starting today."
I did some research, talked to many doctors and friends who have had successes and I am proud to say that as of today I have lost 20 lbs and 29 inches of "baggage" in the last 4 months without a gym membership or special supplements just good eating and exercising right. It can be done people. YOU will make it happen.
Unleash your inner power and self-love that is there. Find the time- you know its there, get an iPod of some kind and load your favorite upbeat motivational songs for your workouts/runs/walks (I promise you music helps more than you think), buy some GOOD new shoes to save your knees and get going.

Thank you Robyn for your thoughts on running and on life.  The best line was "Everyone has to start somewhere and I am starting today."  Every time I've had to get back into running after a baby is born, it's hard.  It's hard because I have to condition my body again and it's hard because I'm tired and busy and unmotivated.  But like Robyn says, just take that first step, start today and get going.  Might I just add, once you get going, DON'T look back.  Keep your head up and look forward and leave everything else behind.  This is the new you and there is no end.  Just keep going.  I think Robyn's weight loss is amazing and shrinking 29 inches just blows my mind.  Wahoo, Robyn!!  I'm sure she is happy with her progress, but more than not, it seems as if she's happy to be running and that's the best part!  Thanks again, Robyn. 

If anyone out there wants to share, I'd love to hear from you.  Some of the people who I know read this better watch out, because if you don't offer up a story, I will hunt you down. 

Happy Running!

Running Stories

I had this feature going last year.  It went really well I think.  I asked other runners to share their stories with all of us.  Working together, I think we mutally inspired each other to give it our all.  So I'm starting that up again.  Here is what I'm after:  A story about how you got into running, why you stay at it and what motivates you.  A story about one particular run or a race story.  Or any other story about your journey as a runner.  Doesn't have to be long or worthy of a Pulitzer Prize, it just has to tell us your story. 

I'll go first.  I published this story last season as I got back into running after my twins were born.  But it's the story of how I got into running and what I've learned since. 

My first run....

What I felt like...

My first real run, and I mean a run that tortured my body for days, lasted a whole 15-20 minutes and went around the block. I was pushing two kids in a jogging stroller I'd purchased before my 2nd daughter was born and I was literally tortured for 15-20 minutes. I don't even know if this pathetic attempt was even a mile's worth. My feet and calves hurt so bad the next day, I amazed myself when I did it again. I guess my motivation was that I realized that this wasn't high school anymore and if I was going to get my body back after two kids, I'd better get my keester out there and do something and since I bought a $250 stroller with the word "jogging" in it's name, I'd better at least attempt another run. That was a long sentence, I know.
That first run turned into an addiction for me. The first run was at the beginning of May, perhaps the end of April, and by July I was able to run 6 miles without blinking. For those that can run a full marathon in your sleep, you may stop laughing now. This was huge for me. And before winter hit, I had started running 8 miles everytime I stepped out the door. During the winter, I continued to run indoors on a loathed treadmill. I don't know why I hate treadmills, but I do. Then as the weather hinted at spring, I got set to run outdoors again only to find out I was expecting.
I got sick right off the bat and the thought of running made my vomit voilently. Then as the sickness went away, 16 WEEKS LATER, I felt like I was too big and that running might rip loose one of the babies I had stashed in me (that's right, I was expecting twins). So I got bigger and the running just stopped. The twins were born in December and after birthing one naturally, meaning ripped out of my loins whilst I screamed, and having an emergency c-section with the other one, running once again made me want to vomit violently.
4 and 1/2 months after the twins arrived, I had run out of excuses. The weather had turned nice. Check. I was no longer suffering the pains of having the worst possible birth story in the history of birth stories. Check. I had stopped losing weight simply because I wasn't pregnant anymore, which meant I needed to work for those last 10lbs. Check. I had my new running mix on my iPod all picked out. Check. I had gained sufficient motivation from watching The Biggest Loser. Check. It was time.
So, it began again. My first run, this time, lasted 3.5 miles. It was blasted hot too. I think I possibly walked a mile of it, but I can't estimate to save my life. The point is, I was back, baby! Tonight I did it again, 3.5-4 miles and I only stopped once to walk to avoid antagonizing a rather mean St. Bernard. I'm, frankly, amazed that I didn't have to start from scratch. My body "remembered" what this was all about and it helped me through it. I'm far away from where I was before, but I'll get there again, you can count on that.

Update:  Since posting that, I ran in 5-6 races, one of the them a 10k.  I cut 10 minutes off my 5k time and got my body back to where I like it.  Now it's a new running/race season and I'm still at it.  Time works against me as raising 4 children and having a part-time job sometimes have to come before running.   I can still run a decent 10k and I'm getting fairly good at running hills.  This year I'll be racing again and my first race is a 5 mile leg of a 40 mile relay in the To Bone and Back race. 

So there is my story.  If you have one you'd like to share, email me at annadurfee@yahoo.com or message me on facebook.  I want pictures too!  Share with us!!!  Look back through my other posts to see stories from other runners from last season.

Who knows?  Maybe your story will inspire someone else!

Let the Music Lead You Home

I am and iPod runner.  I need to have my music when I run.  It draws my attention away from the physical exertion and I run harder and further.  That said, what's the best music to run to?  I've found that it doesn't really matter what you listen to as long as you feel something from it.  The stuff I listen to makes me feel either energized, inspired, or just bad a**.  All emotions have a place in my run.  I've shared my playlist before, but I've added some more tunes since then.  If you listen to the first 6 or 7 songs playing on the blog via my playlist tagged on the bottom of the page, you'll hear my newest acquistions. 

"Test Drive" by John Powell:  Recognize this one?  If you've seen "How to Train Your Dragon" you just might.  I like to finish my runs with this song.  It's an epic tune and if you don't feel epic while running to it, then there's something wrong with your psyche.  Wait until the very end to sprint.  It's very obvious the part I'm speaking of. 

"Breakin' Dishes" by Rhianna:  You won't hear this song on the blog as I couldn't find it.  I heard it at a Zumba class and immediately thought to add it to my playlist.  Good strong beat and it's just fun to listen to.

"Blow" by Ke$ha:  Not something I listen to unless I'm at Zumba or am running.  I like the beat and the high intensity of it.

"Stronger"  by Kelly Clarkson:  This is not my first Kelly Clarkson song to make the cut and when I heard this one, I immediately wanted to add it.  It talks about what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, so it's quite obvious to see why it might lend some inspiration to me as I make my ascent up Lincoln hill.

"Mr. Know-it-all" by Kelly Clarkson:  This one is good for the way it helps my pace and the lyrics are cool as well.

"Too Close" by Alex Clare:  I heard this one on a commercial once and loved it.  It's got this cool deep techno beat to it that I think is awesome.

"In the Sea" by Ingrid Michaelson:  This one is not fast or high energy at all, but it's got these heavy handed beats that work well when you're trying to focus on a steady pace.  Couldn't find this one as well to add to my blog's playlist, but it's easily found on iTunes.  It's from her latest album.

"Allow Me to Introduce Myself...Mr. Right" by White Tie Affair:  I don't remember how I found this one, but it's got a quick beat and it's rather run to listen to.  I use this to help me quicken my pace.

"The Middle"  by Jimmy Eat World:  This one has been in my collection since time in memorial, but I've never added it to the playlist, until now that is.

And those are my new additions.  I'd love to hear what everyone else listens to and why.  Share in the comments section!

Happy Running!!!

The Plan

The obvious plan is to run and to keep running.  Just like last year and the year before that.  But I did something different last year and I really liked what it did to my fitness level.  Each week I'd have at least one short run, one fast run, and one long run.  I felt like my body never had a chance to plateau because I was constantly changing it up.  On days I didn't run, I'd do yard work or go biking.  I think it was one of my most successful summers and I was able to shave 10 minutes off my 5k time.  This year, I think I'll keep doing that, but because of the kind of race I'll be doing in June, my long run will ALWAYS include lots of hills.  That is what I did on Saturday.  I ended up doing a 6.5 mile run and almost all of it was on hills.  I didn't know how far I was going, I just kept going and kept exploring the hills.  I was wicked tired by the time I got home.  6.5 miles on flat ground is REALLY different from 6.5 on hills.  My legs felt rather beat by the end, but it felt good as well.  Previous to Saturday's run, I had a good short run of about 3 miles and then I did another 3.2 miles but at a faster pace.


Another part of the plan is not to think too much.  This has always been a part of my plan.  If I wake up in the morning and start the mental debate of whether to run or not, I usually don't go.  So I decided a long time ago that when it comes to running, I don't think, I just do.  Never fails. 

And the last part of my plan: I now run with pepper spray.  This is mostly because of the mountain lion we had around here last year, but it's a good idea in general to have some protection when you go out and run.  Especially if you run in places where you might be vulnerable.

So that's the plan. I like having a plan. It means that I know what I'm meant to do each day to stay ahead of my body. 

Here's to a summer full of being outdoor either running or doing something else fun and exciting. 

Come back soon to check out my race schedule for the summer. 

Happy Running!

Reaching the This-Is-When-My-Body-Starts-To-Fall-Apart Age

Yup I turned 30.  About two days ago in fact.  Most of my twenties, I was told that 30 is right about when your body declares mutiny and things start going haywire.  I've heard that your metabolism drastically changes.  That your skin looses it's elasticity at an accelerated rate.  That you're at higher risk for pretty much any known and unknown aliment.  30, apparently, is like this giant bomb that goes off in your body and you have to hope you'll survive the proverbial nuclear winter that results.

30 may be this magical number in the eternites that marks the beginning of the end, but 30 has never met me before.  My body may start to act completely different then just two days ago, but I'll be danged (yes, I'm a molly mormon) if I'm going to let it get me down.  I think more and more these days, what with everyone being more aware of how to be healthy, that no one age gets to really define when all heck breaks loose.  Some say that 40 is the new 30 or that 50 is the new 30.  Meaning that the horrible effects of turning 30 aren't showing up until later.  I say, why should they show up at all?!

I may have been more energetic 10 or 15 years ago and had a metabolism that let me eat fast food everyday and actually lose weight, but nowadays, I'm more motivated to stay in shape and be healthy then I ever was back in high school or even college.  With age, does come a tidbit of wisdom and, hopefully, some maturity.  Those two things, I think, make me a better athlete and that, my friends, is what I'm counting on to help me sail through as many ages at the universe wants to throw at me.

My grandfather is in his mid-eighties.  The guy is an animal.  Only recently has his doctor pleaded with him to stop running his five miles a day so that he doesn't run his joints into the ground.  I'm not sure whether grandpa is obeying him or not.  If he has stopped running, he'll keep cycling and he'll keep eating that oh-so-crazy healthy diet he's concocted.  I'll think if the world ended and all that was left were berries and nuts, he wouldn't notice a change in the status-quo at all.  That's who I want to be.  I don't want to give up on my body simply because I'm getting older.  I can't control the fact that with every passing minute, I'm gaining in age, but I can control how I treat those years. 

I'd like to think that my best years are still to come.  I also like to think that if I can keep my committment to maintain my runner status, that I'll get to enjoy all the good stuff that's coming.  My husband works with a gal whose pushing 60.  Wanna know what she's up to right now?  She's training for the Boston Marathon.  That's the good stuff that's coming.

30 is young.  40 is young.  Heck, when should "young" ever stop?    I feel better right now then I did ten years ago. So how do you measure what "young" is?  My plan is just to keep running.  Let the years pile up, that's okay.    I think I'll probably start to feel old someday, maybe when my doctor tells me to stop running.  But maybe as long as I can move and be active, that day will never come. 

Here's to 30 and every age I'll meet in the years to come!

Shhh....do you hear that?

It's your running shoes calling you! 

I know how hard the winter may have been on some of us.  It usually involves running on treadmills (gross), supplementing with other forms of exercise, running outside in the cold and wind, or doing nothing at all.  Winter is hard for a lot of runners.  There are those few that seem to not even notice the change of seasons and run no matter what, but for the rest of us, Winter sucks.

But Spring is on her way!!!  The days are getting warmer.  The sun comes up at a decent hour.  The streets aren't covered in ice.  It's time to get out and run!

I got myself a treadmill during the winter and I've used it, but not as much as I should have.  I really hate treadmill running.  Doing just 3 miles on them nearly bores me to insanity.  That and I find it almost impossible to find my pace on those contraptions.  But, it's been good to have the option of running inside.  I did Zumba too and abs exercises, but nothing really takes the place of running outside. 

If you've been like me during the winter, running hasn't really been at the forefront of your mind.  School schedules, work schedules and holidays just mess stuff up.  And if you're like me, you may have been feeling unbelievably guilty about it all.  During the summer, I was running 4-5 days a week.  During the winter, maybe 2 days a week and some weeks not at all.  It made me mad to be honest. 
But all of that is behind us now, right?  Well, sort of.

The thing about winter is that we don't run like we do in the summer.  Whatever activity level we had in winter becomes our new normal.  When the warm weather shows up, it may prove rather difficult to get back into the higher level of activity and let that become our new norm. 

So I'm going to suggest, as I've done in the past, to sign up for a race!  There's no motivation like being responsible to a racing event.  You put the money down.  People are expecting to see you run.  It's gets you up.  My brother recently invited me to be on his team for the To Bone and Back Relay race.  So my first race is set!  It's June 23rd.  I have until then to get back to being able to run 5 miles in a decent time and do it all on rolling hills.  Am I motivated?  You bet I am!  Not only do I have to be responsible to the race but to my teammates as well.  People are counting on me to do my part and run a good leg. 

Now I can still run 5 miles, but I bet I'd be really slow.  And hills?  Forget about it!  So I've got me some training to do.  But running with a goal in mind is SO much better than running without one. 
I've also asked my mom to run a 5k with me toward the end of summer.  So I'm now responsible to her as well.  I'm excited!

So answer your running shoes.  Get up and go!  The running season is here and it wants you to partake once again in the thrill of running and competing.

Now that the school year is coming to a close and my own work schedule gets to slow down some, I can, once again, be that awesome blogger you all love so much.  You do love me, right?


Happy running!!!

Holy Bad Blogger, Batman!

It's been OVER a month since I last posted.  Almost every single thought I've had in the last 2 months has been about my ward's Christmas party that I was put in charge of.  Add tutoring an ever growing list of students to that, and you might not be too surprised at how often I've posted on this blog as of late.  With the Christmas party over and done, I'm back to this blog.  I don't really know what to write.  As far as running goes, I can count on one hand how many times I've been running in the last two months.  I have been exercising though.  I knew that running would be hard to do because of wicked time constraints, so I broke out my old Crunchless Abs videos, which I LOVE.  I've also been to a few Zumba classes, I sprint, literally, between errands to try and burn a few more when I can.  I'm on the hunt for a cheap treadmill too.  Although I hate treadmill running, I need to just realize that when it's not summer, this is what I have to do.  It's not about the winter, it's about how absolutely crazy my life becomes as soon as the first leaf falls.  I do have a spare 30 minutes every once in a while and that's just enough time to get a decent workout on a treadmill.  The hunt continues. 
I did go to a winter running seminar.  It was great and got me really pumped to go winter running.  However, I really don't have the time to run outside, so my pumped attitude rapidly declined.  But then I remembered something from the seminar that I could do.  They talked about winter being a time to maintain and to tone.  So that is what I'm doing.  I am maintaining the muscles I grew over the summer by doing things like my Crunchless Abs videos, which by the way do way more than just abs.  One workout with those videos and muscles you never knew you had are aching.  I'm maintaining my stamina and my cardio fitness by doing Zumba.  So as soon as I get my treadmill, I'm going to work on my pacing and my speed.  So it's all good. And somehow, I've even dropped a few inches and gone down a pant size. 
Winter is winter and being pressed for time is being pressed for time.  I can't change my circumstances, but I can work around them.  That is part of my running story.