Running 10(ish) Miles

Beginning of 10 mile run

Half-way through 10 mile run

I haven't been a very good blogger lately because the babysitter time I usually utilize to write on Mondays and Wednesdays has recently been consumed by training for my first half marathon. Growing up, running was never the main event for me. It's probably what kept me from getting the Presidential Physical Fitness Award in elementary school... (nah, just kidding, we all know that was the sit and reach.) Anyhow, near the end of high school and throughout college I began cross-training for rowing with running workouts. Somewhere along the way, I started occasionally running on my own, without being ordered to by a coach.

When I moved to New York City after college, I fell in love with jogs along the Hudson River, over the Brooklyn Bridge, and occasionally, through Central Park. They were never fast and usually not more than three or four miles, but it became a way for me to escape the crowds and let my mind wander. I'm convinced I come up with some my best ideas on long runs and swims... (or after a couple glasses of wine, but that's another post for another day.)

When I decided to start training for a half as part of my 31 Things I Want To Do While I'm 31 list, I knew I needed a race that wasn't so far out on the calendar that I would lose interest. I also decided a location with more oxygen and flatter land would be a big upgrade from my current training locale. Austin, Texas fit the bill perfectly (it also happens to be the home of my alma mater and one of my favorite places on the planet.) So back in October, I signed up for the race, booked my flight, and googled a training routine.

Since then, when I haven't been sick or traveling, I have been running just about every other day. These have generally been long and laborious crawls around our neighborhood, always in search of a stretch with no hills (non-existent) and usually slow enough to take well-focused photos along the way. As for the (ish) in the title - it is in reference to the fact that last week, when I tried to run ten miles for the very first time in my life, my phone died after mile seven and I was forced to estimate the last three miles. I was tired, and I probably cheated. No, I definitely cheated. So yesterday I charged that puppy up to 100% and made sure I went the full distance.

Selfie after finishing

It was the longest run I plan to do before the 3M Half Marathon on the 25th. I'm hoping the flatter land and extra oxygen will carry me the extra few miles. When I got home and started stretching I came up with ten things about my ten miles that I could share with you, because I love lists, and I miss blogging:

1) I hate the first mile more than any other mile, no matter how far I am going.

2) I rotate between these Pandora stations:
-Van Morrison Radio
-80s Cardio Radio
-Ben Rector Radio
-Dido Radio
-Jackson Browne Radio

3) I cannot skip this song fast enough:

(I had never even noticed the cowbell in this song until this run. It drove me crazy and I could only picture Gene Frankel exploring the space. Even that image was not enough to keep me from pressing the forward arrow.)

4) Around mile three I start thinking less about the pain in my legs and the burning in my throat. At that point, I will generally start wondering about things like whether the people at Panera would give me a lemonade if I promised to come back and pay later... what exactly it is that looks so different about Bradley Cooper lately... and when it stopped being cool to take a photo in front of your car. My favorite photo of my Grandpa is in front of a car and so is this awesome photo that I came across in the book I'm currently reading. 

Source: The Boys in the Boat

(After pondering this for a few minutes, I decided it is probably when we switched from black and white to colored photos, or maybe when people began driving the Honda Element.)

5) Anytime I run through a tunnel I imagine I am being chased by a masked murderer. He is generally a little tubby, so if I'm in my first few miles I can outrun him. If it is near the end I am forced to wrestle him to the ground and choke him with my headphone cords.

6) I draw inspiration from my shoelaces. They were a gift from the amazing babysitter that watches the boys while I run. She let Noah draw on them, so they're kind of like Angelina Jolie's wedding dress. Except they're shoe laces.

7) Audiobooks are my secret weapon. I am currently listening to Wild, but I cannot stand the voice of the woman reading it. She sounds much too old and dramatic for the part. She also makes me want to pull my hair out when she changes her voice for the supporting characters. However, audiobooks cost between $20 and $30, so I will put up with her for the remaining eight hours.

8) When I run up hills I envision that I'm collecting points, like in a video game, that I will be able to cash in later for a trip downhill.

9) My little sister will often call and talk to me while I run. I ask open ended questions and she gives long winded answers. She's chatty, and I miss her, so this works well for us.

10) I did the math before I left and figured I would burn at least 1,000 calories over the course of ten miles. First, I imagine how skinny I would be if I didn't replace those calories. Then I decide that's crazy and spend the rest of my run imagining what form I will eat my 1,000 calories in.

If you run marathons regularly or just finished "another" triathlon, please send helpful race day tips my way! If you have favorite running songs, I'd love it if you would share them in the comments. I hope to be writing more after the 25th, but I may need ideas for a new blog name because it's now been over "oneyearblogging".