Alarm, Coffee, Run, Repeat

This may seem more about poor drivers than about running but without the ability to trust the people on the road who are wielding thousands of pounds of bone crushing metal, rubber, and plastic, running near the roadway will become more and more dangerous. Hence, I feel the need to send some thoughts out into the universe in hopes of keeping others safe as well as alerting those in charge of Karmic distribution to pay closer attention. And so, an open letter to drivers... Dear Drivers, When driving, I implore you to pay attention to stop lights. Stop lights are traffic control devices that allow cars to move through the intersection in an orderly manner and to minimize collisions. A lesser known reason for traffic control lights is for pedestrians. Perhaps you haven't noticed the pattern that connects the stop lights to the walk/don't walk signs; let me elaborate. When your light turns green, you can proceed through the intersection and pedestrians walking or running in the...

It seemed too cliche to begin a new, and more consistent, year of this blog on New Year's Day 2018 so, like all good procrastinators, I decided this morning, during my 6 mile 'wog', to begin a mostly-daily-reflection of the year as it unfolds. I will attempt to chronicle the daily struggles and the beautiful events as they happen but please understand that I abhor routine and intentionally have to schedule time for even the most automatic tasks. Bear with me. I will try. Moreover, I will attempt to write relate-able and relevant posts but if there is anything specific you'd ever like to read about, let me know and I will attempt to write about it ;-). Which brings me to today. But first, back to Sunday, the 31st of December 2017 when I resolved to run 4 miles because, frankly, I knew I wanted to sleep in the next morning and in my self satisfied noggin, I felt completely justified swapping the miles I did on the 31st with sleeping in on New Year's Day (but still f...

Along comes an event that just begs to be run again and just yesterday, August 5, 2017, was such an event. The Balboa Park 8 Miler  is a mixed course run that brings together people who love to challenge themselves and each other while supporting each other and having fun! This year marks the 63rd anniversary and I am forced to shout out loud, "HOW DID I NOT EVER HEAR OF THIS BEFORE?" The morning was warm but the humidity had finally subsided a bit after so many days of that 'breathing under water' feeling. When we arrived and parked at about 6 AM (for a 7 AM start) we were met with vendors and a start/finish area that was welcoming and wide open. We were greeted by a very upbeat and spirited MC who regaled us with his humor and funky music that just added to the positive vibes flowing everywhere. We joked about the port-a-potty lines narrowing into three lines snaking into the warm up area and wondered (not so silently) why there wasn't a line for each tiny o...

Somewhere around the end of 2016, I decided to set a goal to run 2017 miles in 2017. It is an ambitious goal, one that I am completely beholden to, and as I have collected nearly 1200 miles this year, so far, I am learning that I am stronger than I ever thought I could be, able to get stronger, faster, and more confident by going slower, running longer, walking the easy days, and pushing myself on the hard days. I've run more days and miles in 2017 than I ran, collectively, in the 5 years prior. And I feel incredible. I am grateful for my health and for the people in my life who respect this need to stretch my legs. My children are running by example, seeing in their mother the benefits of consistent exercise, and they are loving it! Now, to sign them up for some races 😀. And then something even greater happened this year. Amidst these 2017 miles, the thrill and challenge of multisport caught me off guard. Specifically, I am dabbling in triathlon and duathlon. Having completed o...

Not one to lament growing older, I have had to come to the stark realization that I am not 30 anymore. To quote the insert that came with my Native Deoderant purchase, "Take care of your body, it's the only place you have to live." Although I am not a doctor, I am pretty in tune with how my body feels; therefore, when something aches my motivation goes south quickly. Right now, my motivation is centered somewhere in Antarctica because my whole left hip, from lower back to knee, is aching like a tooth in need of a root canal. I would blame it on my dogs, but really it was just a freak moment when I jumped one direction as they jumped the other while playing in the driveway. A moment of fun has lead to roughly three months of on and off irritation. So, here I sit, looking up stretching and strength training exercises in order to address a pulled piriformus muscle that not only irritates me when I run but is putting a hitch in my get along when standing, sitting, or walki...

It's been a while since I last posted either before or after the alarm clock. I think I began to rebel against the very alarm clock that encouraged me to be up before dawn to listen to the sounds of the crickets and enjoy a cup of coffee that would bolster me into a run shortly after. I am not sure what happened but I believe that, even with all of the best of intentions, the structure of routine, while it can be liberating (because you always know when something will happen), it can also be stifling because there is no room for improvisation. Here's my thinking about why my routines fall apart. When I am not taking care of myself, I withdraw because I don't want to be judged for not sticking with my routines. I love to be around like minded people, who enjoy the same things I enjoy, but when I break from the routines (that I actually love and need for my own sanity) I don't want anyone to know and I retreat. I believe this is normal and I always come back around...

I am often confused when I see days that I take for granted listed as a 'National' day as if to be commemorated and then left for another year. I understand and even honored yesterday's National Running Day with my kiddos as we traveled our fairly quiet neighborhood by running shoe. It was a time for the three of us to see what has changed and grown and died in the course of time that has passed since they ran with me last. We took the opportunity to ask each other questions about our day, our respective school years, and about the myriad plans we have to both relax and avoid electronics this summer. I learned that they have become strong runners! But upon reflection, the kids and I have discussions like this everyday whether we run or not. I run almost daily, whether it's National Running Day or not. I want to ride my bike to work every day but can ill afford to get hit by a car driven by someone who is more interested in their cell phone than the road. In my humble ...

Sports bras, friends, family and runners all offer a slightly different level of support. In my most recent event, the Carlsbad Half Marathon, all if the above presented in droves to get me through my run. Sports Bra was there for me on the closest literal level. Supportive and comfortable, she neither chafes nor allows movement thus allowing me to focus on the pain in my knees and ankles so much better. However, I do not have to use the dreaded Body Glide because she knows me so well. Thanks Sports Bra for your daily attention and race ready attitude! Then friends are the next layer in the onion of my running life's suport. My friends wished me good luck all weekend and brought a smile to my face. They support my addiction even though they think I am a loon sometimes. Some of my friends run and some do not but they know how important running is to me and will always encourage me. They make me a better person for knowing them. Thank you friends!! My family has always considered...

I am addicted to running. Even on the days when I am taking a rest or I don’t want to get out of bed in the morning, running is still on my mind. I am constantly playing a game with myself to change it up; make it seem brand new. Like that new relationship feeling, or that new car smell, or the new shoe excitement. Running is the one relationship that I am not afraid to work on; we may take a break from each other for a spell but when we hook up again, it’s like we were never apart. Running will always leave me breathless with anticipation for the next fix. Endorphins are my friend. Keep running, Stacy

I am having so much fun training for my upcoming 1/2 marathon!! The Carlsbad Half is my favorite race because it’s on the coast, it’s flat and it’s fast!! I am running at all odd hours of the day to prepare but the weather is so amazing during the day that running at o’dark thirty is no longer necessary or agreeable! With the kids sound asleep at 4:45 AM, I was running on the hamster mill and grooving to my favorite Pandora station, when I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. I, of course, had a heart attack (because nothing moves in my house that early in the morning), until I realized it was my son. Apparently, the kids are now old enough that noise wakes them from their normally coma-like sleep. He said he had heard the treadmill and got up to see what I was doing. He didn’t know how early it was and so I sent him back to bed; however, my run was over, at least inside. I added some outer wear and cruised down the road but with it being really dark and a bit chilly, it wa...

There are a lot of reasons to keep running during the winter; even though it’s cold and dark and…yatta, yatta, yatta. Complaints aside, and really, what does complaining get you anyway; so what do you get if you run during the winter months? Improved mood from exercise. From personal experience, the cold and the dark sap me of all kinds of motivation and energy, seemingly wanting to sleep all the time…you would think I lived in Seattle! But running almost every day helps keep my mood even and gets me outside. In order to get this done, I use my lunchtime (40 minutes) or some time before the kids get home (30 minutes), or I get up in the morning and either jump on the treadmill or gear up and feel the morning chill on my face. Giving myself options for running time (or jogging, or walking or riding a bike) keeps me motivated and happy to exercise. In order to get warmed up in the morning, I do sun salutations (yoga) and then jump into a run, it gets my legs warmed up! I get to eat Tha...

Ok. This is easily the most fun you can have on two feet! The Color Run is a complete free for all of unabashed happiness and complete amazingness! My friend Jean and I ran with wave 1 of the 9:00 AM start for 3.1 miles of happy faces, color throwing, drumlines and lively music. I would seriously recommend this run to anyone who wants to simply enjoy a morning run with 15,000 of your closest friends. There is no sense of competitiveness; no time to worry about, frisbees and shwag flying about, and a rUnicorn waving the starting flag. The memories are going to be around for a long time and I am looking forward to talking a few more people into this run next year. The Silver Strand 5k next weekend will be another beautiful event. Hope to see you there, constant runner! Happiness on two feet, Stacy

As much as I love summer, this past season was warmer than I can recently recall (my age aside, Lakeside is hot in August…just August…and usually for a week, not a month and a half…ugh!). Now that fall seems to have finally arrived, I am loving that the nights are cooler and that the air in the morning is crisp and cool. My lungs love it, my feet love it, and I am sleeping so much better! If there is one detractor between now and the time change is that it’s just dark at 5:00 AM. The dark is different. You are not quite sure how far you have until the next cross street, your light is limited to a flashlight or headlamp, and sounds are much louder…coyotes, bunnies, birds in trees, footsteps of other walkers and runners all seem ominously louder in the dark. It’s good in a way because adrenaline is coursing through my veins due to my constant vigilance and hyper hearing and that makes my feet move ever so much faster . It makes me happy that my times are better but then I giggle at the...

Upcoming events in the life of a running, teaching, mom… The river this weekend for which I have limited time and no patience to clean, pack, shop or do laundry for; training for another half marathon in January that I have time for and the motivation but why does it have to start getting light later in the morning now that I am obliged to get up earlier; goal setting conferences at work with students and parents that are hugely beneficial and very productive but have monopolized any time I have to grade papers, cook dinner, do homework with my kids or BLOG! for several weeks; three weekend conferences for work that will occupy three weekends between now and the end of October; and, The Color Run, that I get to run with my friend Jean (who is going to be so happy I finally posted--she should be smiling now!), which is in November and we get to be doused in colorful powdery goodness—so excited for this one! Running is what gets me through the stress and tough schedule that would exhau...

Have you ever become so happily and mindlessly dependent on something and then had it go completely wrong and you have to revert to plan B really fast? Today was that kind of a day. I have so much work to finish and my laptop decided to lose it’s webcam, external microphones and my fingerprint reader that stores all of my passwords. It’s like, since Tuesday, the peripheral hardware on my 6 month old machine have flown the coop. AAAARRRRRGGGHHH. So, I am going for a run and am going to call HP support tomorrow and they will either tell me how to get them back or this pig is going in a box and I am getting it fixed. A run is definitely needed. Colin, my son is going with me. If you have any gnarly tech debacles to share, please do. I feel very alone in my angst right now. Computers are not as friendly as running shoes! Stacy

Yesterday was the America’s Finest City Half Marathon and I mentioned to several people--my husband, my kids, my dad, my best friends, and myself—that I was not going to be setting any land speed records and not to expect me at the finish line any sooner than two and a half hours or longer. There is a strict three hour time limit for the event and I knew I could beat that but was not expecting nor did I necessarily train for anything faster. The weather wasn’t going to make it any easier, either. At Cabrillo National Monument, where the race started, it was 70 degrees and 99% humidity with clear skies. We, all 8200 of us, were sitting on curbs, on benches, drinking tons of water and trying to stay cool. Training on our vacation to Lake Havasu in high temps and high humidity was a definite benefit! Standing around, waiting to start with over 8000 of my closest friends made it a slow start but I had lots of time to get my Garmin ready, my music ready, and get my legs moving…ten minutes...

When your parents encouraged you to do new things like play an instrument, ride your bicycle, play a sport, or simply dig a hole in the sand, sometimes you would take it to an extreme and they would say something along the lines of, “I have created a monster.” I am now guilty of such said act. My oldest has decided to take up running, with me. I am delighted but with trepidations. He is so excited about running that he wants to run all the time, in any heat, at any time of the day. He runs on the treadmill and then goes outside to do take laps around our 40 foot diameter driveway. I think it’s a phase but then he started talking about how fast he wants to run at school and when we get to go run together in the morning…outside! I am taking him for a run today, in a little bit, after I have already put in 6 miles because I am only two days from my half marathon. How far will he go? I know at some point he is going to say, “Why are we going so slow?” and my only response will be, “Becaus...

I decided to become a teacher out of necessity. I needed to graduate from college before I turned 30; however, my original goal of an engineering degree seemed too daunting a task for a naïve and frustrated 21 year old. So teaching became my plan B and I have not regretted a day of it since starting to teach in 1996. And then I had kids…I know, I know, I am going to sound a bit like an old housewife from the 50’s but the difference is, living where I do, what I am about to dream up as my perfect world makes sense, to me anyway! With summer coming to an end (not the temperature, just the days), I always reflect on what I would love too really be doing when Labor Day rolls around. So, in a perfect world, what I would like: I would like to get up with the sun and run. I would like to get my kids up for school, feed them breakfast in a non rushed manner and then walk them to their bus stop—or better yet, ride bikes to school with them. I would like to come home, clean my house and work in...

Ok, so I am not sure how fast your feet will be and I make no claim to have created a list that will have you finishing a 1/2 marathon in under 2 hours but the songs I am about to list help me get into a rhythm and stay there for awhile. I have arranged them in no particular order and I have them playing on shuffle on either my iPod or my mp3 player. And still, some days, I run to just the sound of my own two feet, that is, when I am lucky enough to get off the hamster mill and run outside. I hope you find at least a few of these tunes valuable investments for your running dollar. Burn it to the Ground—Nickelback Something in your Mouth—Nickelback If Today was Your Last Day—Nickelback Gotta Be Somebody—Nickelback Re Education (through labor)—Rise Against Satellite—Rise Against Collapse (Post Amerika)—Rise Against The Dirt Whispered—Rise Against Make It Stop (September’s chldren)—Rise Against Famous Last Words—My Chemical Romance Disenchanted—My Chemical Romance This is How I Disappear...