Wanted: Pep in Step

I have two days to get some pep in my step. Here we are, on the countdown to Yakima, and I have a cold. I was just beginning to feel like I was getting my energy back after the 50 mile run, and whammo! All energy is gone. But you know me...stubborn, no wait, let's not call it stubborn. Let's call it "committed to my goals". Sounds so much better - like a personality strength. Okay, so I am committed to my goals, and the next goal in sight is running the Yakima Canyon Marathon. Now here is where my health history pays off. I know I can do this. It might be a slog, I might go over six hours, but I know, absolutely know, that I can finish a marathon no matter how I feel. So, finish it I will!

In another sign of my commitment to my goals, I've put in 18 miles so far this week, cold and all. Because, one of my goals is to run on running days. And rather than picking mileages, I pick the route that feels right that morning, and sometimes that means I run a bit farther than what one might consider smart. But, remember, it's not stupidity, it's commitment. One of my running commitments is to enjoy my runs, and enjoying them means running where I want to run. See - goal oriented, that's me.

I was reading blogs before work this morning, and once again found myself amazed at the variety of runners out there. It started a bit of a post rolling around in my head. Then I walked in the door at work and there was a friend from work - the only other person I know at the college who runs marathons. She has been trying to qualify for Boston and was training hard through summer and fall, only to develop knee problems. She's rested and iced and MRI'd and the diagnosis is officially "runners knee". She's been told to cross-train and work on some specific exercises and to start back slowly with a run/walk. She is bummed. Her running partner qualified and is on her way to Boston and my friend feels like she is starting all over. The question sits there between us: 50 year old woman, runs marathon after marathon, 50K and 50 miles, with no discernible training plan and no long rests between. 30-something trains to the letter, runs one or two marathons a year and gets injured. How does that work?

It must be speed. It must be the push to go faster. Or, alternatively, it must be the walk breaks. It must be the commitment to run according to feeling. It must be the consistent week-in, week-out running of 14 years. Could it be running for the joy of movement and being outside? Is it the difference between pushing for speed and pushing for endurance? Is it a relaxed, que sera sera approach versus a focused approach? Or is it simple anatomy - that build and musculature varies between us, and that structural issues can lead to injury?

I don't know the answer. I only know what works for me. As you well know, I am the "run according to feeling, consistent week-in, week-out, running for the joy of movement and to be outside, pushing for endurance, relaxed, que sera sera" runner who is committed to her goals, whatever they may be. For this week, that means finding my energy again, and finishing a marathon.

And finally, go on over and give Jessica some cheers. She was our lone couch-to-5K runner at this time last year, and now, one short year later, is running her first marathon in Yakima on Saturday! And you know Steve (runs with us and drives the infamous Yeti) and Lorri (good friend and fellow Pilates instructor)? Their daughter Sydnee will also be running her first marathon (with me) at Yakima, so give her some cheers too, and I'll pass them on!