13 Races in 2013

     I have never been considered a runner, but this year I set out to change that. 13 races in 2013!  What I really love is that though there were many races, I can still remember something special about every one. It is like a snapshot of what was going on in my life every month.  Here is a recap of how Rani became a runner.

Resolution Run 5k

     There are not many 5k options in January.  I understand why now- it is cold!  Still is was a beautiful morning and the course was along the Sacramento River. This was my first 5k in a loooong time and my only goal was to run it- no walking.  I did it! I bought those socks, just so my outfit would be complete :)

Davis Stampede 5k

     I really liked the race course through downtown Davis.  About 10 minutes into the race, I regretted all my bad nutrition decisions- I felt it! Still my deal with myself was running, no walking. So I ran as best as I could. Though I knew I was struggling, I thought I was keeping it inside, but the picture tells the truth...this is work/toruture. I will never eat bad again before a race (fingers-crossed).

Lucky Run 7k

     This is a popular race. So popular, I had to park a mile away, run to the start line and still did not make it on time.  Then I spent 15 minutes trying to get past all the walkers. I was not feeling lucky, but I did eventually settle into my pace and found that 7k (4 miles) is a nice distance to run. I will probably never do this race again though because of all the hassle.  But I did get to rock the crazy socks again!

Running of the Elk 5k

     This race was a party!  It had big sponsors (Kaiser, McDonald's and IHop, etc).  There was music, pancakes and a fitness person who did a pre-race warm-up!  You even got a tech shirt upgrade as part of the regular registration.  The swag and race atmosphere were so good, I don't even really remember the running part?  I did get a picture with an Elk- see how cool  this race was!

Capital City Run 5k

     What I will always remember about this race is that it happened a week after the Boston Marathon attack. Instead of wishing me luck, people told me to "be safe."  Race crowds are usually pretty friendly, but there was definitely and extra sense of comadaire in the air. For some reason, this was a tough race for me. I struggled a  lot? Then towards the end of the course, there was a stretch through Old Sac on cobber stone. I had visions of breaking my ankle.  I made it injury free, but a little beat up mentally. Some days are just like that and you push through them.  I ran the whole thing- that was an accomplishment.

Run with Nature 10k Trail Run

     After 5 successful 5k, I thought I am ready for a 10k.  Then I saw it was a trail run and thought- I love trail runs! The race started late, because the trail was on fire- that was exciting! I completely underestimate this race. The first 3 miles were amazing and I enjoyed the trail run. Around mile 4, I started to struggle and by mile 5 it was a hike not a run.  I spent the last mile eating humble pie. I have never been so happy to see the word FINISH. I do love trial runs though and will totally do this again next year, but maybe as a 5k.

Run 4 Independence 5k

     This race happened two weeks post my box jump injury, so there would be no running for me.  Still, I did the best I could and walked it. My gracious sister joined me to keep me company and tame the competitive Rani, who wanted so badly to run! It was a nice community race event and a man in a bunny/tortoise costume lapped me while doing the 10k- hey I was injured :)!

Davis MOOlighting Run 5k

     I tapped up my shin, but I still couldn't run. Fortunately, I had a support team- my sister and my 2 pals from CrossFit Abbey and Gideon.  It was nice to have company and conversation  We grabbed some dinner from Sophia's Thai kitchen and then walked it off.  Walking is just not as fun as running, but I committed to 13 races, so I did what I could.  I also got my Tour de Fit Part 1 finishers medal :)

Davis Labor Day Races 5k

     This was my return to running after my infamous box jump injury.   I woke up to rain in September? So I got out a hat and jacket and prepared to run in the rain. It did sprinkle a little, but that just made me run  faster. This was in  my old stomping grounds of Davis, so I met up with my friend Monica.   The race shirts were a fabulous color and it felt good to run again!

Rock the 80's 5k

     Neon, headbands, wrist bands and side ponytails- oh yeah this was a 1980's celebration!  The day before it poured rain, but race day was just overcast.  I felt very good and found the first 1.5 miles actually enjoyable. The next 1.5 were work, but it got done.  I did spend most of the race thinking about an outfit for the Octobrewfest race though.

Oktobrewfest 5k

     I can now say I've run in a tutu.  I had extra tulle and creativity from my DIY Halloween costume, so I got into character for this race. Honestly, I did not feel like running this race, but I did it. I think I've finally come to terms with running. I can do it, but I don't like to run.  Still I am going to finish- only 2 more to go!

Clarksburg County Run 5k

     Is it over yet?  Sorry, but by now I am sure I don't like to run. Thankfully my friend Lauren joined me on this run through vineyards and country roads.  I focused on breathing and not giving up and 34 minutes later I was done!  I realize that every run- I think about the next run. I wonder what I will think about on the last run?

Davis Turkey Trot 5k

     It is fitting that the last race is the first 5k I ever did, way back when.  It was a cold but beautiful morning and I ran without much struggle.  As I spotted the finish line, I thought "this is not so bad."  I almost allowed myself to think about doing more runs- almost. I crossed the finish line and collected by Part II finisher's medal feeling accomplished.

     Someone asked me if I will be doing 14 in 2014- no thank you!  Racing is fun, but it takes time and money. I am glad I did the Nor Cal Tour de Fit series because it exposed me to races, I probably would not have chosen to run.  Overall, my times were consistent, between 30-35 minutes. What really improved was my mental game!  I used to say "Rani doesn't run."  Now in all honesty, I can say "Rani doesn't like to run, but she can and she did."  I am officially in running retirement.

Upcoming Athletic Endeavors

    2013 has been an athletic journey for me. It has been two months since the box jump injury.  I took two weeks off of CrossFit and came back at a very modified pace. By modified, I mean no running, jumping or lunging and very light weights.  I also had to walk two 5ks.  It provided a good reset and gave me a chance to really concentrate on form.  Fortunately, I am now almost 100%!  Good thing because, I have five 5ks and a CrossFit competition from September to November.  It is time to start training and setting some goals.

     For the 5ks, I would like to get below a 30 minute time. I keep missing it by a minute or two.  Of course, I am off my game since I walked the last 2 races. But five more races is plenty of time to get going again.  I just need to get back on track and hustle just a tad bit more- like 30 seconds less per mile.

   The CrossFit competition, I will be doing as scaled (because I still can't do a pull-up!!!).  So the first goal is to be able to do 10 pull-ups consecutively using a blue band.  Right now I can do 2 and then need a break.  My second goal is to up my mental game. My energy is being used up by emotion and I lose focus.  I need to control my thought and figure out how to get in the "zone".   One great resource I found was Mindset by John Kim.

     My third goal is to keep myself in check. Sometimes all that I want to do, overshadows all that I have accomplished.  Improvement and progress are key, but you also have to celebrate.  I also need to schedule in rest and recovery.  This is a lot of competitive activity for a three month period.

     I'll end with my praise for Salonpas Pads. They are like icy/hot stick-on pads that help relieve pain.  They are amazing! I used them for my back aches and box jump injury.  I was not born an athletic, but I am learning :)

My First (and Last) 10k

     Having done five 5k runs this year and felt ready for a new challenge.  So I signed up for a 10k and was excited it was also a trail run.  Boy was I not thinking this through.  A 10k is 6 miles!  And this was a legitimate trail run with dirt, trees, steep uphills and paths that zig and zagged.  I've hiked 6 miles with a 30 lb pack, but running a trail is not the same.

     The first half of the race went well. I love trail runs and this one had amazing a beautiful view of Folsom Lake. I used my 5k strategies: 1) run, no walking and 2) pick someone and chase them.  This worked, until it didn't.  The first mile was all down hill. I've been on enough hikes to know that down hill means uphill is next and the uphill was steep. But I soldiered on running, no walking.  I finished the first 3 miles in 35 minutes, which is on par with my 5k times.

     The uphills just kept on coming and eventually I had to walk.  A couple of times I had to actually pause.  I half hoped the race was a 5k loop that you ran twice, so I could stop after the first loop.  Sometime after mile 4 it stopped being fun and even ego deserted me.  I walked as fast as I could, but my body and mind were kinda done.  I mustered up my remaining determination to run the last mile.  I really tried to run it but the terrain was ankle-breaking and I no longer trusted my physical or mental state.  I zombied through it as best as I could.  The second 3 miles took me an hour to complete.

     The last 200m of the race were on pavement and I had to summon everything I had left to run across the finish line. I have never been so happy to see a "Finish" banner in my life. Trail runs are fun, but hard. I wish I had done this run as a 5k. I think I would have enjoyed it more.  So I ran my first and maybe last 10k.  It is back to 5ks for me. They offer the perfect balance of challenge and fun. 10k trail runs are no joke!

We Come Running

     I ran a 5k yesterday.  It should have been unremarkable, but the terror attacks on Boston last week transformed a standard race into an act of patriotism.  We had a moment of silence, wore yellow & blue ribbons and there was definately a coming-together vibe in the air.

     Thirteen races in 2013 is my running goal.  So far, I have completed 5 races and people have begun to think I like to run. Ha! I run to get better at running.  For the first few races, my goal was simple- run, no walking.  Simple to say, but not simple to do (especially once others start walking- so tempting).  But I stuck it out and ran every race through.

     By the fourth race, I had enough confidence to know I could run a 5k, so I started thinking about how to run faster.  My strategy involved "chasing" someone.  I used the first mile to find my running rhythm, then  I pick someone running ahead of me and try to catch up with them.  Instead of thinking about being tired or hurting, I am focused and moving.  When I catch up with that person, I pick a new person to chase.

     My mental game is definitely improving.  My physical ability remains the sames- right around 32 minutes.  I mentioned this to a friend and she said "what is hurting-your lungs or your legs?"  I said neither and she replied that I am not pushing myself hard enough.  Really running is suppose to hurt? I thought I was going to really push myself in Race 5, but honestly I was just not on my A-game (I blame allergies). So I worked with where I was at and just ran the best I could.

     This should have been a standard 5k, but there was a little something extra- people ran with more purpose.  It was strange that instead of wishing me good luck, people said "Be Safe."  Americans disagree on many things, but we all agree that terrorists are assholes. And just like we haven't stopped flying on planes, we aren't going to stop running. In fact, more of us are probably going to start running.

Intentional Athlete

Currently, my fitness includes CrossFit, yoga and running a monthly 5k.  I’m not especially hardcore at any of those.  I do these things because I enjoy them.  Recently, someone referred to me as an “athlete” and that proved to be a game changer.  I’ve always admired athletes, but never thought of myself as one.  So, I looked up the definition, in case they changed it.

Athlete:  A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts.*

In sum, athletes have skills and apply them to physical activity and competitive events.  The definition doesn’t say anything about being hardcore or winning, which I guess I have subconsciously assumed. Interesting- I do meet the definition of an athlete!?!?!  Still, I don’t feel like an athlete, because my participation in multiple physical activities was not intentional.  However, with my new mindset of what an athlete is, I have plans of athletic intent:

•  I signed up for the NorCal Tour de FIT Series, which is a series of 10 races.  After you complete the first 5 you get half and medal. When you complete the remaining 5, you get the other interlocking half of the medal.  Race bling!  The Tour de Fit is part of my overall goal to do 13 races in 2013.

• I am a registered competitor in the 2013 Reebok CrossFit Games Open.  The Open is 5 workouts, over 5 weeks.  The workouts are announced weekly on Wednesdays and you have til that Sunday to complete them.

     I feel very comfortable and confident with the running goals.  With the Tour de FIT, the races and dates are laid out and I get to pick the length (5k for now, maybe 10k later in the year).  With the CrossFit Open, I have no idea what I am agreeing to do and I am not even sure if I can do them.  The unknown is quite scary, but I am determined to complete all 5 workouts to the best of my current abilities (fingers-crossed there are no pull-ups).

Athletes participate in events that test their skills and themselves.  It is a combination of courage and intent that transforms a person interested in fitness into an “athlete.”  My personal challenge is to endeavor in these competitive events without attachment to outcome.  Defining success as completion rather than “winning”.  Then I can say without hesitation, “I am an athlete.”

NorCal Tour de FIT Series:  http://changeofpace.com/tour-de-fit/

2013 Reebok CrossFit Games Open:  http://games.crossfit.com/article/welcome-2013-season

*http://www.thefreedictionary.com

***This post is dedicated to Nikki M. for calling me the A-word!***