How long have you been running? That oh crap, time to wake up, moment
happened about 5 years ago, but in truth it never really stuck. I would run a few days and then quit for
months at a time. Then try to start
again and be frustrated because it was so hard.
A little over two years ago I started to get more serious about it. However, I really began considering myself
a runner on October 1st, 2010. That is the
day T and I started half marathon training.
I made a promise to myself that I was going to commit to: I was going
to become a runner, I was going to finish the race, I wasn't going to let T
down, and I wasn't going to let myself down.
Ever since then I haven't stopped.
Running is now truly a part of who I am.
Why BackAtSquareZero? I choose the name because I started this
running adventure from nothing. I was
the kid in middle & high school who prayed to God to just finish that
stupid timed mile run under 12 minutes so I wouldn't fail and get teased by the
others. I was awkward, clumsy, lacked
balance, depth perception, and generally just radiated an aura of hot mess. Okay, who are we kidding, I am still that
person. (When I did Cross Fit before I
got injured I couldn't do box jumps because I kept flying off.) I started off slowly just trying to run to
the mailbox. Then just one mailbox
further the next day. It took me weeks
just to make it to a mile or two. I
really was starting from nothing.
Post injury I felt like I was back at that
place again. I was back where I started,
not even able to run one mile. I wanted
a name that illustrated how I was right back to the beginning and I think, or I
hope, BackAtSquareZero does just that. However, instead of being sad about starting
over I decided to use it to motivate me.
I created this blog to keep me accountable and on track. I will become the best runner I can be, the
best I have ever been. At 30 I want to
be in the best shape of my life, better than I was at 25, or 21, or even
18. I'm starting over, but cannot wait
to see how far I'll go.
What is your favorite thing about running? That feeling you get when you PR a
race or meet your goal is absolutely amazing, but I also love nice chill long
runs on cool days when it's just you and your run.
What do you dislike about running? I am horrible about stretching. Stretching after every 5+ mile run was
actually my New Year's Resolution and I instantly broke it, so being sore is my least favorite thing, but also very common. I'm sure if I stretched more (I'm working on
it) it would help with the pain.
What
has been your favorite race? Running
a sub 2 hour half at the Charleston Marathon was amazing. I am usually a happy 10 min mile girl so to
run a whole 13.1 mile race at a 9 min mile pace was amazing. It showed me what I am capable of and how I
can push myself to get better. Disney, while
an abysmal finish, was actually a great race.
I got hurt part way through. At
first I moaned and whined, "Why does this have to happen on marathon day and
not a training run?" Then after
about 5 super slow, extremely painful miles I swore I was an idiot and would
never run a marathon again. However,
when I crossed the finish line I felt an incredible sense of
accomplishment. Yes, I was injured, yes, my time was horrid, but I had done it - I had run a marathon. Who would have ever guessed that about me
just a few years ago? I got off my pity
party wagon, found T, and we started planning our next race in the recovery
area of our first one.
I wish that I had run more races - so
far I've done some 10Ks, 2 half marathons, and am currently training for my 2nd
marathon. There are many others I'd love
to do (New Orleans, Chicago, etc.), but travel gets expensive. T and I plan on saving up and doing one
destination race a year plus digging around to find some smaller local ones. Hopefully I'll have more race recaps and new
favorite races for you all soon.
Run a 50+ mile week. Haven't done it in 2012 because of injury.
PR a 10K - sub 55:00
PR a Half - sub 1:58
Complete a full marathon in under
4:30
Run a Relay Race
Most embarrassing running moment? I learned the hard way not to hydrate
too quickly post long, hot runs. After a
run down the trail C and I stopped at East Bay Deli for lunch. I chugged a glass of unsweetened tea, because I
wanted something other than water, and filled up a second. I was almost done with cup number 2 when I
felt a wave of nausea hit. I looked for the
bathroom and knew I would never make it.
I pulled the lid off the cup and vomited all my iced tea directly back
into the cup, while still sitting at the table!
Sometimes it takes me more than once to learn a valuable lesson
though. After an 20 miler with T we
stopped at Atlanta Bread to refuel. I
once again got unsweetened tea. I thought
I'd learned my lesson. I drank way
slower, but boom! Suddenly there was the
puke monster again. I quickly skedaddled
to the bathroom and loudly projectile vomited my tea up into the toilet. The Sunday church group did not appreciate
me! I wanted to yell, "I'm not a hung
over sinner I just ran 20 miles. Stop
staring." Luckily I refrained and
we exited the premise pretty quickly.
Favorite run gear? Capris (I cannot find shorts that
don't give me chub rub), my Nike Dry Fit tops, Mizuno Wave Creations, and my
blinking green clip on light that prevents cars from running over me. I'd love to find some good running tank tops; so far they've all been too tight, too loose, or too short. I feel like Goldilocks and the three bears of
running tanks. Plus I would kill, well maybe
injure or maim, for a Garmin or MOTOACTV to keep my time and miles on.
What do you listen to when you run? Half the time I am running with
friends and we talk instead of listening to music. All my marathon training runs and races with
T are music free. When I am running on
my own I listen to everything from alternative music from my HS days (Third Eye
Blind, Everclear, etc) to pop (Lady
Gaga, Katy Perry, etc.) to rap and R&B (Jay Z, T.I., Usher, etc). If someone got a hold of my iPod shuffle they
would think I had multiple personality disorder.
Any running quotes that motivate you?
These quotes
work great for distance running!
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had
the courage to start." John Bingham
“I never said it would be easy, I only
said it would be worth it.” ― Mae West
Do you do anything besides run? I did cross fit for about 3 weeks
before I got injured and enjoyed it. I'd
like to return sometime. I play rugby - we have practice once a week and games a few times a month. I love spin classes especially when the music
is good. I also enjoy walking and biking
with friends.
However,
I do believe in treating yourself. What
is the point in being healthy and living until 90 if you never let yourself
enjoy it? That means that sometime I
splurge and go over my calorie count. I'd like to say I am 90/10, 90%
healthy 10% occasional splurge, but some weeks it is more like 80/20. I am okay with that though because denying
myself delicious foods sucks and I run my bottom off to be able to have that
occasional treat. Why not enjoy it?
Anything else you do to stay healthy? On top of all the exercise and trying to eat well
(usually) I believe in getting 7-8 hours of sleep at night and love naps on
weekends. I think being happy adds to
your health so I surround myself with positive people and try to spend lots of
time with them. I also am a poster child
for sunscreen, I wear it nonstop. Plus I
go to the doctor, dentist, OB/GYN, and dermatologist for regular preventative checkups.
just doing some Abby stalking (but backed it up with comment). I love this page I don't think I've seen any of your rugby shots before!
ReplyDeleteNote to self: no big cups of tea straight after a run. Got it.