Jenny on the Run

Not sure I’ve ever had such a roller coaster of a day emotionally in my whole life. I eagerly got up yesterday morning, day off of work, to set up my computer to stream Marathon Monday live– to witness an epic battle between Americans and foreigners for that signature floral wreath and a spot on the podium. And I sat in my apartment, for 2+ hours, and certainly was not disappointed. I glanced back and forth from the live feed to my Twitter feed, noticing Boston filled nearly all the trending topics, recognizing really for the first time the full magnitude of the event– the Boston Marathon is the equivalent of a runner’s Super Bowl.

I left my computer, a little disappointed the Americans hadn’t placed higher, but after having watched the event unfold, knew they had given it absolutely all they had through those hills and to the finish.

I returned a few hours later in a Panera, where I was refueling and going to get some work done (doing a little soul searching with some career help books). I opened up my laptop just before 2 p.m.. and was glued to it in disbelief for the next hour and a half. Those top trending topics on Twitter were still Boston related, but this time, filled will words like tragedy and terror. I wanted to believe it was “just” a generator that had caught on fire, or a celebration cannon gone awry. But my optimism soon faded. I immediately begged the question WHY?! and then texted furiously to ensure those I knew running were safe. They fortunately were. Everyone else around me was sitting quietly, talking amongst each other, and in some cases, smiling and laughing. I felt like knives were being jabbed in to my stomach. Suddenly, that very same race I happily watched this morning, that was still going on for thousands of runners, changed running forevermore. And while it tugs at the heart of one of America’s greatest assets, our safety, I believe it can and will make us stronger and more united. Look at the reports that came pouring in, how many ran towards the blaze to help those affected rather than away from it.

Yesterday, we all found out about the horrible events at some point, and we all could picture ourselves crossing that finish line, or cheering on a loved one when it unfolded. And it cut deep for me, as it did for many other runners, knowing the simple sport I love will never again feel quite as safe. But, I think what we can all do now is forge ahead and remember the community that running represents–that while those evil perpetrators of the tragedy want nothing more than to divide us, that through this event, and through running, we are united. Deep down, aren’t we all runners anyway? Each one of us played tag or ran around the playground as a kid. Let’s remember the camaraderie, strength, hard work, and perseverance running brings out in people, and let it shine through in our daily lives. Spend more quality time with your loved ones, give a random act of kindness, help those less fortunate, even help motivate a friend or family member to get healthy.

Let’s mend our broken hearts by being united in all that running represents. Just as runners are spent yet elated crossing that finish line at the end of a race, isn’t that how you want to be as you cross that elusive finish line of your life? I know I sure will want to lived and given every last ounce I have in me.

I’m not usually one for great big resolutions, as I think the more grandiose the idea, the more likely you are to fall through on completing it. I am always one for setting both short and long-term goals, however– doing whatever you can to better yourself and to achieve a more balanced lifestyle.

That’s why I’m so excited for 2013. To move on from an up-and-down 2012: do everything in my power to learn from the mistakes I made, but also to build upon the many positive changes I made in my life.

In recapping my year in running, I’ll be honest, it got a little hard to find too much to smile about. I was unable to defend my win at the Disney half, I didn’t PR on the track, and I didn’t make much progress just running mileage over the summer.

What I did do, though, was take those negatives and do my best to make change happen. I moved to a brand new place, started a new job, and I found, in Kristy Popp, a coach that I click with–that is focused on progress, and patience– two things I fully believe in, but on my own, found it hard to practice what I preached. With her help, I finally had the strength and sense to take well over a month off from running and recharge my batteries.

I am fortunate enough to have already built up a great support crew from a great company called Activ8, from my own spectacular place of employment (shoutout to TC Running Co.!), and from several fun, inspiring women (and men!) I run with nearly every day. I enjoy meeting more and more runners from the area just about every day. The community here is so active; even on nearly sub zero days I see people out and about around the lakes. It’s impressive.

And it is this support and positivity in my life that makes me believe 2013 is going to be fresh, different, and full of fun.

My 2013 GOALS are:

• To be and stay healthy– physically and mentally. Be positive, be smart, and be confident about my body and my training. Strive for progress, not perfection.
• To be more present. I know occasionally you have to look back and you have to look ahead, but I want and need to be patient and appreciate who and where I am here and now plenty more. Yoga and meditation are great practices for this.
• Get back in to racing, and ENJOYING racing and competition. Some 5K-10K distance stuff this spring (USATF MN and MDRA both have great racing circuits!), and for sure the TC 10 Miler come fall (I will NOT just spectate that one again, even if it was a lot of fun!).
• To continue to get out of my comfort zone — enjoy meeting new people/making connections and creating valuable and lasting relationships
• To further inspire others to run and be active
• To say no when I need to, not overextend myself, and therefore never be late to anything. Oops, I’m supposed to be realistic here. Let’s say, be early or on time to meetings/get togethers more often than I’m late. Related to that non overextending thing, it can allow me to keep my apartment more organized/well-decorated and inviting, too.
• To explore different ways I can use my talents and interests in marketing/social media/writing to contribute to this world outside of just running.

There you have it, my NON exhaustive list of achievable goals for the brand new, shiny year.

Hope to have inspired you to set your own realistic goals. Please do share if you’ve thought them out! We can help each other stay on track.

Here’s to a healthy, present, PR-filled, risk-taking, inspirational, prompt, organized, positive, compassionate, better-balanced 2013!

~Jenny

“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives…not looking for flaws, but for potential.” -Ellen Goodman

“My coach finally put it out there: “You want to be different, yet you crave to be normal.” It’s true. I didn’t want to be like the other girls. I wanted to be better than them. But I wanted to be one of them.”

–Chrissie Wellington, multi-time Ironman Champ— describing how I similarly felt for quite some time as a female distance runner. It was… kind of a relief to see my feelings actually explained in words, and by one of the greatest endurance athletes ever, nonetheless.

It’s been an important step for me to not only realize, but to truly BELIEVE runners come in all shapes and sizes. It’s a process I’ll surely have to keep working at. Luckily I’ve had supportive people reminding me…

Accept the body you were given, be confident about it, and do the best you possibly can with what you have. What’s “normal” for one person isn’t for another. Don’t deprive yourself of anything because you think you should look a certain way. Be healthy, be happy…chances are you’ll find yourself running faster than ever before.

…And that’s what I’ll continue to work hard towards. Proud to say I’ve come a long way.

There’s been an awful lot of changes going on, but I like where I am (here in Minneapolis!), and I’m even more excited about where I’m headed. I was fortunate enough to do an interview with Salty Running, an awesome website whose “Manifesto” includes “Dream big. Then dream bigger. You’re capable of so much more than you think,” one of my very favorite sayings.

I’m very excited to invite you to read the fun interview HERE.

This morning, for the first time in a long time, I had trouble finishing my breakfast. Although I had already started to see the writing on the wall, it still hurt to sit down and meet and finally face reality. I have so much respect for Keith and Kevin Hanson, for my teammates, and for all that represents the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project. They respect my dedication, my passion for the sport, and the ways in which I’ve grown for the better over the past year and a half here in Michigan. But among all the positive, one fact remains: my running did not progress. My times did not get faster. And at the end of the day, a professional group rightfully demands professional/elite times and performances, as well as steady progress. That didn’t happen, and thus, it’s time for me to start a new chapter in my life.

I move forward with absolutely, positively no regrets. I had the opportunity to pursue a dream– I ran with some amazingly talented women, including an Olympian (Des- if I end up in Vegas, I’m putting my money on you for a medal in London!), who showed me what hard work was in the form of 100+ mile weeks, in the midst helped me wake up to recognize the huge importance of fueling your body properly, and most importantly, within that whole process, helped me discover and define myself beyond running.

The past year and a half has been a roller coaster of highs and lows, but just as at the end of the day I realize I’m truly not quite at the elite level required to be a part of this group, I also realize that my whole world is not going to come crashing down–because I am no longer simply defined by the splits on my stop watch. Running will always be a part of me, and I am by no means giving up on pursuing my post-collegiate running career. But I now look forward to meeting more people, discovering other ways I can make a difference in this world, and continuing to inch my way closer to the balance that’s proven vital to the long-term success of the elites in this great sport.

I want to thank everyone I’ve met here in Michigan – so many people have influenced my life in both big ways and small, and I am so grateful to have been a part of such a wonderful group of people (many like family!). I have also enjoyed disproving (okay, defending) many people’s stereotypical negative thoughts on the Detroit area.  It’s been a great place to live, work, and run.

I plan on heading to Eugene to watch the 10K of the U.S. Olympic Trials (after making it to Houston, did you really expect anything less from me? ), going on a much-needed vacation with my amazing 91 year old Grandma and my entire Mom’s side of the family to beautiful San Diego, and taking that time to think where I want to head from here. I’ll move to wherever I so choose in mid to late July.

I will gladly take any advice/suggestions on new areas of the country to move to and discover. I’d love to find a place with great running trails, a community of runners, ample grad school/job opportunities, and apartments that allow dogs . I know I’ll need a coach to keep me under wraps, too. And I also know figuring all this out will be quite a process, but part of being here has helped me come to better grips with the phrase, “good things take time.” I’m 23, I’ve made mistakes, and I know there’s plenty more in store for me. But at least, through my experience here in Michigan especially, I have been reminded life’s a journey, and you’ve just plain gotta do your best to enjoy the ride.

Thanks so much for your support. And while I may not update this blog as frequently as I used to, there is never a shortage of life updates via 140 characters over on Twitter. I will of course still be @knightrunner22 — lover of quotes, Disney, Wisconsin sports, and all things distance running & track and field.

I’m smiling because it happened. Here’s to beginning a brand new chapter…

~Jenny

the runner, the daughter, the sister, the granddaughter, the niece, the friend, the athlete, the planner, the dreamer, the worrier, the redhead, the lover, the overanalyzer, the listener, the nerd, and the perpetual optimist.

As I ran an “easy” 8 this morning around a loop at Stony Creek park, I also witnessed my teammates in their first workout of their segment prepping for the Olympic Marathon Trials in Houston, a little more than 10 weeks out from race day. I couldn’t help but feel a little bit strange/little bit nerdy excitement for each of them, finally officially starting up training for something all of us have been dreaming about really since we started running, and maybe if it wasn’t on our mind then, certainly since arriving to train under the Hansons in Michigan.

Having been here for almost 10 months (already!), I have seen how hard each and every one of my teammates works, day in and day out, and gotten a brand new appreciation of true long distance running. And, yes, I’ve made mistakes, I’ve gotten dropped on runs, I’ve pushed too hard, I’ve had tough workouts… but I’ve gained supportive teammates, coaches, and friends,  nailed some workouts I didn’t know I could, and been inspired more than ever before. It hasn’t been the smoothest transition in the world, but let’s face it, change is never easy. A lot has indeed changed in a year’s time. But I feel alive. I get up each morning and run with a group of women who are chasing the same dream that I am. Some are closer to it than others, but it doesn’t matter. For that one hour (or so!) every morning, we get to do what makes us feel alive. It’s tough, especially with someone as impatient as myself, because with distance running, it takes time to see results. Improvement comes from the “trial of miles; miles of trials.”

Back to that word. Trials. That nerdy excitement for each of my teammates prepping for the Olympic Trials is because I have seen how hard each one of them works, and I have no doubt that at least one among us will don the red, white, and blue in London next year.

At 23, I’m the second youngest member of the team. And a ways off the average age of the female U.S. Olympic marathon Trials qualifier– 31. (did some independent research on my own, slight margin of error, but I have all the data on Excel spreadsheets- 31.2 = average age out of 187 qualifiers as of 11/1; get at me if you’d like to see any of it!)

I’ve still got so much left to learn, but I’m so grateful for all the eye-openers I’ve already had since moving here. Grateful for the opportunity to renew, reassess, and redefine what makes me feel alive. I’ve got a lot to prove in the distance running world, but I can’t think of much better of a place and program to, as the famous quote says, continue working hard day after day, like a stonecutter; “hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it splits in two, and he knows it was not that blow that did it – but all that had gone before.”

I know I have seemingly touched a lot on passion in this blog. But isn’t that what life’s truly about anyways? “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is more people who are truly alive.”

“Passion, it lies in all of us, sleeping… waiting… and though unwanted… unbidden… it will stir… open its jaws and howl. It speaks to us… guides us… passion rules us all, and we obey. What other choice do we have? Passion is the source of our finest moments. The joy of love… the clarity of hatred… and the ecstasy of grief. It hurts sometimes more than we can bear. If we could live without passion maybe we’d know some kind of peace… but we would be hollow… Empty rooms shuttered and dank. Without passion we’d be truly dead.”

Can’t wait to be in Houston on January 14th to watch America’s finest long distance runners battle it out for the three slots in London. Sure to be a day that evokes plenty of passion for all involved.

Racing next sometime in mid-December for a short rust-buster and then back to Disney on January 8th to defend my 2010 half marathon title! Continuing to build strength.

For more info on the Olympic Trials, visit http://www.houston2012.com.

Wishing all my Hansons-Brooks teammates…Desi, Dot, Mel, Erin, Lavenna, Mike, Luke, Sage, Drew, Paul, Robert, Tim, & Chad… the best as the Olympic Trials build-up officially heats up!

(For a video intro of all the Hansons-Brooks OTQ’s, click here! (courtesy of Sage & Vo2 Max Productions!)

Do what you love, love what you do.

-Jenny

I’m about 12 days out from the Rock n’ Roll San Jose half marathon. Training has gone pretty well, gotten some consistent mileage (3+ weeks in the 90′s) and workouts in, and in that span of time have been very inspired by performances on the track and roads by my fellow Hansons-Brooks teammates and Team USA in Daegu as well as summer road races/U.S. Road Championship races.

This past weekend at the Rock n’ Roll Philly half marathon, Kim Smith re-set her own U.S. all-comers half marathon record. I was lucky enough to have a chance to meet and cool down with her following her previously set record in February at the Mardi Gras Half. She was incredibly down-to-earth and wasn’t too surprised she bounced back from her injury in Boston to cruise in Philly. She’ll certainly be a force to be reckoned with in London.

My teammates Dot and Melissa continue to run extremely well gearing up for the Trials, and Desi will be amongst a “ridiculous” field at the Lisbon Half in Portugal this coming weekend. ( Portugal Half start list ) I’ve enjoyed having the chance to run with all three of them.

It’s been fun having a new face around our house as I also have gained a new teammate/roommate from the University of Illinois, Elizabeth Boyle. Erin, Elizabeth, and myself have pushed each other through quite a few workouts in the past few weeks. It’s been fun. Tough, but fun!

Heading in to the race, I’m going to keep a simple mentality/outlook: to give it all I have. I’ve always been a fan of the quote, “Everything you’ve got, every chance you get.” I’m thankful to have stayed healthy over this segment of training and while it’s been more difficult than I anticipated coming back from injury, I’ve gotten consistent training in and know I’ll be ready to race hard on October 2nd. I’m looking forward to seeing a part of California I’ve never been to and am truly just grateful for another opportunity to put on the Hansons-Brooks red and yellow and give it another go at the 13.1 distance.

It’s also been great chatting with customers at the stores gearing up for fall marathons. (The Detroit Marathon is a BIG deal around here!) Makes me excited for the future. I get people asking me all the time when I’m going to “finally” run a marathon. I generally respond that I want to be fully committed to the distance, that I make the conscious decision to be ready to tackle the intense training that leads up to it, and to be ready to race, not run the distance just to be able to say I did. Two things I know for sure: I enjoy putting in miles, and the marathon isn’t going anywhere. Sure doesn’t hurt to keep working at lowering PR’s in the shorter distances first! (I know some pretty fantastic runners who managed to do just that )

Well, time to head off for a second run before work.

Thanks for reading…Always love to hear how your training is going. Drop me a tweet or a question/comment below if you would like, please!

Remember patience: “Good things come slow – especially in distance running.” –Bill Dellinger

Happy Running!

~Jenny

I’m back! That statement is true in several different forms! Back running injury/pain-free for a solid month or so now, and finally back here, to my blog, to share some more valuable information I’ve been lucky enough to collect since I last wrote!

Working my way back to running was… a challenge, as many of you who have faced injuries before surely already know. My heart and mind wanted to just go out and run 8 or 10 miles since it had been so long since I’d been able to do so, but my legs quickly told me NO! I cross trained a pretty good amount through my injury, but as I found out, nothing compared to running– with biking, ellipticalling, and aqua jogging, my legs weren’t used to impact, and so, I was forced to make it a very gradual transition back to running. Luckily we have a great system of trails here in Michigan, so for about 2-3 weeks, I walked and ran exclusively on those trails to sort of lessen the impact on my legs and again, work back in to things gradually. I have now been doing workouts for about 3 weeks and even did a very early “rust buster” 10K back in my college hometown of Green Bay – the Bellin Run. I was indeed very rusty, but it was a blast to get a chance to go back to my old “stomping grounds.” I reunited with a lot of very special people, as well as met some amazing runners– warmed up with Joan Benoit Samuelson, talked with Bill Rodgers & Frank Shorter, as well as chatted with Australian Olympian Benita Willis and several other former Bellin champs! (See some fun press I got for being back in Green Bay here (Fox News Interview), here (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel interview), & here (interview with Green Bay Press Gazette). For a full recap of the race, see this Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article.

I did my longest run since February (before my stress fracture) today. It’s funny how even a month ago I wasn’t sure how I’d ever feel good running long again. I love that every little progression means that much more to me now. I am really enjoying running right now, so inspired by the recent performances of my teammates Desi (PRing like crazy on the track now too!), Dot (PR’d by 4 minutes at Grandma’s Marathon with a 2:31!) & Melissa (near PR 2:33 at San Diego RnR marathon!)– just plain grateful to be where I’m at, here in Michigan, ready to turn the ripe old age of 23 in less than a month!

My target race has been set– the Philadelphia Rock n’ Roll Half on September 18th– one last shot at sub-1:15. My focus is simply on getting stronger each and every day.

How might I ensure I can continue to get stronger day by day? Well, one huge piece of the training puzzle is nutrition. I was fortunate enough to be put in contact with a nutritionist who has worked at the Olympic Training Centers in both Colorado Springs and Chula Vista, is one of the official nutritionists of  the 2012 London Olympic Games, and also just so happens to be head nutritionist for the Detroit Red Wings! She took time out of her crazy busy schedule to meet with me, point out my flaws in nutrition, and give me advice on improving to maximize my potential as a runner! It was certainly an eye-opening experience. I realized that through most of college, I was pretty clueless on fueling my body for optimum performance. I got by on the bare essentials, but I lacked anything that would ever give me extra benefits. I was so pleased to have the opportunity to meet with her, learn from her, and take away so much valuable information to continue my commitment to “renovating” my lifestyle a bit so I can stay a part of this sport for many, many years to come!

So now, I want to share a bit of what I learned with you. Even if you’re not really a runner, there’s still plenty of useful information to be absorbed!

- Protein is a MUST. A lot of distance runners think protein and think bulk. Wrong. Especially after hard efforts. Protein is the primary aid in repairing the broken down muscle tissues that running induces. Running 90-120 miles per week as I do, I’m recommended to eat 80 grams of protein a day. When I first took my nutrition logs in to the nutritionist to take a look at, I was eating around 20-40 a day! For runners, the best sources of protein are lean meats such as chicken, turkey, and fish, nuts/peanut butter, dairy (especially milk, eggs, and yogurt) and if you have trouble stomaching food right after a workout, get in liquid protein by mixing protein powder with water. (I now use GENUCAN , unfortunately remained oblivious to “protein shakes” all through college!) The other piece I neglected through college was getting a good source of protein in within 30 minutes of finishing an intense effort. Timing is crucial to replenish the glycogen stores.

- You really can’t ever OVER hydrate. Especially during the warm summer months.

- Long distance runners, marathoners in particular, need to have some fat to stay injury free/ sustain a high level of success. One thing the nutritionist emphasized is to learn to have perspective about being “lean.” Omega-3 fatty acids are the best source of fat and have been proven to aid in not only physical performance, but mental concentration, too! I have learned to have at least a handful of nuts every day- put them on top of my oatmeal or yogurt. I now use more olive oil when I’m cooking, and try to have salmon once a week. Avocadoes and hummus are great to add to any sandwich, and well, peanut butter is an always tasty additive to just about anything. Who honestly doesn’t like a good peanut butter and jelly sandwich?

- Caffeine is best for runners in moderation. The most advantageous use of caffeine is prior to a race or hard effort, but only if your body isn’t already accustomed to it. The nutritionist even recommended weaning yourself off of it prior to a big race if you really want to see the benefits of consuming it. I’m not sure I’ll be able to follow this piece of advice as I’ve truly become a coffee (& caffeine) addict!

- Most runners can benefit from taking vitamins/supplements. Dairy doesn’t exactly agree with my stomach, so I have to be creative on finding ways to get enough calcium and vitamin D. I now take a Vitamin D and Calcium supplement daily to ensure healthy bone density. The last thing I want is another stress fracture! I also take an Omega-3 supplement daily, along with Bone-Up, which provides iron, magnesium and zinc to support healthy bone/joint function.

- Load up on “super” foods, some of which I have already mentioned: beans/lentils (black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas to name a few), berries (especially blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries!), broccoli, dark chocolate (in moderation of course ), oats (gotta love whole grain oatmeal!),  nuts (especially walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pecans, and cashews), spinach (and other dark leafy greens!), oranges, and oily fish (salmon and trout). Several of these foods I neglected to even try all through college and have now found them to live up to their super name!

- Eat every 3 hours or so. Never allow yourself to feel “starved.” I’ve learned to develop “go to” snacks such as pretzels and hummus, a fruit smoothie, and homemade trail mix that keep me from getting “hangry” as some of my teammates have so cleverly phrased it– that awful time when you’re so overly hungry you take it out on every one else around you. Learn to avoid getting “hangry”!

- Do your best to eat “real” food. In the past, I would try TV dinners, live on energy bars, and just about anything I could find that seemed healthy but quick/convenient. Most of those “lean cuisine” type dinners and energy bars contained so many unnatural ingredients that just aren’t good to put in your body on a regular basis AND they never really leave you feeling satiated. Thanks to the reminding of the nutritionist, I have tried to cut down on the number of energy bars I eat, keeping a supply for when I’m short on time, but doing my best to prepare snacks/meals ahead of time and remember those “go-to” snacks I listed above.

- It all goes back to moderation. That strive for balance I’ve mentioned frequently applies to food and nutrition as it does in all other areas of a runner’s life. I had foods I used to completely avoid because in my mind they were deemed “unhealthy” and that was that. What I have come to learn is that depriving yourself of any one food is completely wrong. I’ve learned there’s no shame in allowing yourself treats like hamburgers, chocolate chip cookies, muffins, and chips once in a while. Especially when they’re home made.

One other piece of recovery I’m really going to focus on leading up to my goal race in September is SLEEP. The nutritionist I met with reminded me of all the studies done saying anything less than 8 hours for a runner ends up hindering performance. I am going to make it a huge point to try for 8 hours of sleep every single night. I think you should, too! Never forget as well that naps are highly under-rated!

Well, there you have it. Some tidbits of information I’ve gathered in the last few months that really opened my eyes to a whole new potential for success. The best of the best elite athletes find an equilibrium– that is, they know what foods work for them, they’re in tune with their body and know what it needs to keep them performing at a world-class level. I’m going to continue to work on getting in-tune with my body, and hope I can help others get there, too. It’s a process – but really what part of being a runner isn’t a process/progression? One thing I’ve learned, though, is that fun part of progression– being able to celebrate the little successes along the way!

I’d love to hear any other pieces of info you may have on nutrition– even recipe ideas! And please feel free to e-mail, tweet, or comment below if you have any other additional questions for me, or even for the wonderful Olympic Training Center nutritionist I am so lucky to have access to!

A link to the U.S. Olympic Committee Nutritionists’ Resources/Fact Sheets can be found here . I am so glad I finally decided to seek out information regarding nutrition, and hope that if you’re struggling with what to eat, when, or perhaps feeling sluggish and wondering why, that you’ll examine your own nutrition and read up, gain knowledge, and/or even go see a nutritionist near you. I’m already feeling stronger, both physically and mentally, and look forward to continuing to make PROGRESS in my quest to be the best I possibly can be!

Dream Big, Work Hard… Smile Often… and…Eat Well!

Till next time, Happy Running!

-Jenny (forever “KnightRunner”)

The following is a post I wrote in August of 2010. I’m not usually one to RE post things, but I thought it was appropriate as it’s officially National Running Day, and I think it’s important to get it out there why running means so much to me. I’d also really like to hear from YOU why running is continually a part of your life! The only thing I’d add to this post from last August is that running honestly means more to me now than it ever has, having just come off of a stress fracture injury that kept me away from it for well over 6 weeks! Spending countless hours on an elliptical and bike simply cannot even come close to even a 10 minute run in the great outdoors. And for me, it honestly took getting injured to recognize that the ability to run is a gift; and f you’re wise enough to strike a balance in all aspects of your life, running will reward you greatly. So there’s just one more reason why running is so great– it can help you discover more about yourself- give you a whole new perspective and even outlook on life.

Here’s a copy & paste of my post “Why” from August 2010. Would love to hear your comments/thoughts on it!

I was recently interviewed by Dave Tiefenthaler, the creator of a great running website, Tips4Running.com.

One question in particular really struck me, mostly because I hadn’t ever really stopped to think about it before: Why do you enjoy running so much?

I’m a big fan of asking why. I think understanding the reasoning behind what goes on in this crazy world of ours is crucial to developing as a human being – to gain knowledge and to be able to form your own views/ideas/opinions. I’ll never say no to a little kid who continues to ask, “why?” because I think that little kid represents an inquisitive way of life we all need to buy in to! One of my favorite quotes (yes, I know I have a lot of “favorites” ) is “it’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.” (John Wooden) The smartest people in this world simply never stop learning and acquiring new information… never stop asking “Why?”

So it is with this thought that I delve in to the question of WHY I love to run.

For the purpose of brevity, here’s what I told Dave in my interview: It’s the “runner’s high,” it’s the constant improvement and goal setting that can be made, it’s the connections made with other runners who share the same passion for the sport…. I think I could go on and on. Basically, I feel that running, along with God, family, and friends, fulfills me as a person!

However, never one to be short-winded, I couldn’t help but feel like my answer was incomplete.

With my passion for running, I can’t believe I’d never really thought about/addressed this question before. This was honestly the first time I’d straight up been asked that question! I can imagine with all the raised eyebrows and blank stares I’ve gotten from people (can’t count the number of times I’ve wanted to yell, “TAKE A PICTURE!”) just in my own hometown that many have wanted to pose this question to me long before this, but surprisingly it’s never really come up.

So… over the past couple of days as I’ve been out on my runs, I’ve taken some time to… really dig deep to get to the answer in its entirety!

I love and have loved a lot of things in and about my life. I love God, my family, my friends, my dog… and I have loved sports for a very long time. Prior to St. Norbert, throughout all of high school, I absolutely, positively loved the sport of basketball. I spent endless hours in a gym honing my jumpshot. But, there was always something about it that… ate at me. Like I was always searching for more. Never once did I feel content about where I was at in my basketball career. And that became especially true as I began as a collegiate basketball player at St. Norbert. Suddenly I was quite honestly in over my head. Sitting on that bench that season made me come to the realization that there had to be something more out there for me; something that could reward me better, put a smile back on my face more often, and give me a much greater feeling of contentment.

Running. It became my escape from the basketball court – it was a refreshing break from the screaming of coaches and the stresses of being in over my head. It got me through that disappointing season because, as I quickly began to realize, it brought me happiness! When I got out and ran, it didn’t matter that I had failed to step on to the court for even a single minute earlier. It was something only I, myself, could control. And I liked it. I really, really liked it.

By the end of basketball season, I was up to running for about an hour at a time. I never knew how far I’d run or even how fast — I’d simply go by feel. Looking back, it’s very refreshing to note this, to know that I fell in love with running in its purest form – not even a watch many days, just a t-shirt, shorts, and a pair of running shoes.

So why would I ultimately decide to put the sport I was in love with through all of high school on hold for– running ? Well, the next big reason is the success that would follow as a result of the hard work I put in — continually running, day after day. I medaled at our Indoor Conference track meet about 2 weeks after basketball season was over with. It was at this moment I knew I’d found a sport where I could finally get out of it what I put in to it. And I LOVED that feeling.

The other part is at that Conference meet, I realized I was with a group of people like me. I instantly found myself able to fit in to their conversations and relate to who they were as people. I finally felt like I belonged at St. Norbert! And I LOVED that feeling.

And now, looking back at the “beginnings” of my running — now nearly 4 years ago!! — makes me smile. I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs throughout my running career thus far, but remembering how that fire/passion for running was first lit makes me set aside all those troubles and simply recognize how much joy it’s brought in to my life.

And in 4 years, that like of running I found during basketball season, turned in to a love, and then a passion. I started meeting more runners like me via Twitter (shoutout to @steeplcreepr & @sastewart11 who I’ve formed an unbelievable connection with!), sharing experiences and feelings with them — and that became another reason why I love running. I truly believe runners have a connection with one another unlike any other athletes in any other sport!

How about that constant challenge running provides? As a goal-oriented person, I love that running is there everyday to present a challenge. Sometimes that challenge can just be to lace up those shoes and get out the door! But there’s always a better time or a longer distance you can look to build towards. Running is without limits! “Running is a big question mark that’s there each and every day. It asks you, ‘Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?’”

Then there’s that feeling, that only real runners know — that runner’s high. It’s that burst of energy you somehow get at the end of a long, long run… it’s that feeling you get in the middle of a race that helps you beat someone you never thought you were capable of beating. It’s that incredible feeling you have as you finish your run or race or workout — a feeling of euphoria that can’t even really be put in to words! It’s not something that happens all the time, but when it does, it’s the perfect reminder of WHY we run.

So, there’s a more complete answer as to WHY I love to run. I love the freedom, the simplicity, the high, the people, the challenges, the successes, the happiness, the contentment, the improvements, and the life lessons associated with running. And there are some others too — the cool gadgets (Garmin watch!), the ridiculously expansive and seemingly endless array of running shoe & gear choices available, the awesome flurry of websites devoted to fueling your passion for running that have popped up over the last couple of years (see this Running Times article!) and the obvious health benefits associated with running… but these, to me, are added bonuses. When you talk about the LOVE of running, it all goes back to those first few months I began running — when I ran because it felt good, and because it helped me meet people I could actually relate to. I love running because it has fulfilled me in a way I never knew possible. And it will continue to be a part of my life for as long as possible.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on WHY you love running. Leave me a comment below, shoot me an e-mail at knightrunner22@gmail.com or tweet me!

Till next time… Happy Running. Don’t ever forget what made you fall in love with this terrific sport.

~KnightRunner

This guy used to sit and wait for me to get home from school so we could go for our run. He helped jumpstart my love for running in high school! We still go for jogs whenever I get a chance to get home!

Some great quotes on why we run (you didn’t actually think I’d only provide only one or 2 quotes in a blog post, did you?? ):

“We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves…The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, ‘You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.’ The human spirit is indomitable.”
-Sir Roger Bannister, first runner to run a sub-4 minute mile

“Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it.”
-Oprah Winfrey

“You have to wonder at times what you’re doing out there. Over the years, I’ve given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement.” – Steve Prefontaine

“I always loved running…it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs.” – Jesse Owens

“I run because it’s so symbolic of life. You have to drive yourself to overcome the obstacles. You might feel that you can’t. But then you find your inner strength, and realize you’re capable of so much more than you thought.” –Arthur Blank

“Running is not, as it so often seems, only about what you did in your last race or about how many miles you ran last week. It is, in a much more important way, about community, about appreciating all the miles run by other runners, too.” –Richard O’Brien

I’d also love to hear your feedback on the interview I did with Tips4Running.com! View the interview in its entirety here. Thanks again to Dave, creat

or of Tips4Running, for asking to do the interview! It’s an honor to be featured on such a great website/resource for runners!

Injuries stink. There’s really no other way to put it. They force you away from something you love, something you have a passion for. We’ve all been there. For me, getting diagnosed with a calcaneous (heel bone) stress fracture about two weeks ago was… a first. I’ve been running consistent and serious miles for about five years and this injury marks the first time I’ve had to take completely off of running. I know I’m pretty darn lucky to be able to say that… and despite how awful it felt to hear the diagnosis, I’ve vowed to take this as a learning experience. So many runners and athletes have told me if you go about rehabbing the right way, you will learn a lot from being injured and will come back stronger. It’s about being patient, not trying to do too much too soon… that’s what I’ve been told. So there’s that p word yet again.

To start my rehab, I took ten days completely off of all physical activity except for yoga. I thought it would be incredibly difficult, but instead, it was quite refreshing. It became pretty obvious this injury was my body sending me a signal… that it’s craving rest/recovery. I had never done yoga prior to two weeks ago– so I was hesitant to give it a try, but I’m so very glad I did. It brought about a whole new perspective and challenge for me. It has helped me develop a new sense of calmness and relaxation. It’s stretched and toned my body in ways nothing else ever has. And for someone who doesn’t easily give up control, yoga has helped me to recognize the need to let go– because “the highest state of meditation in yoga requires a calm, serene, one-pointed mind, free from negative emotions and the distractions created by cravings, obsessions, and desires.” Class by class, I feel as though a little more self-imposed pressure/weight is lifted off of my shoulders.

So by now you’re probably thinking, “Wow… she sounds like she’s going to stop running and just start doing yoga 24/7!” Nah, I still miss running… a lot… and don’t have any plans to give it up for quite some time. But, I do think yoga has its own wonderful and significant place in the recovery process. I know it’s going to continue to help me become healthier — help me discover more about myself– and find more balance in my life, something I’ve come to realize will have to be achieved before I can consider this recovery process complete.

So, as I am starting back up with cross training (mostly pool running and biking!), I’m doing my best to take things one day at a time– to stay positive, and stay patient. I’m working on defining myself through other ways besides just running and exercise. I’m meeting new people and doing my best to go a bit outside of my comfort zone.

This injury has been a wake-up call for me– and as I said in my previous post, I know it’s going to take time and a lot of patience… but I am learning so much about myself and the people and world around me through this process… and I am confident I will come back a stronger runner and person than ever before.

I’ll continue to keep you posted on the road back to running. I appreciate all your kind words, support, and even advice as I deal with this really for the first time! Also, please continue to send me your thoughts on maintaining balance! I have also recently come to recognize how much I truly love to cook/bake and find myself just wishing I had a bit more time to do so… so if you runners/athletes have any “go-to” recipes for great sources of protein, iron, nutrients, etc.  please pass them along my way!

For anyone else out there battling an injury, please do your best to stay positive… use it as a learning experience, and if nothing else, make you appreciate running and all the blessings in your life that much more!

Till next time… Happy Running! Enjoy Spring… be smart with your training and listen to your body. It will thank you for it! (something I’ve recently FINALLY discovered!)

“Affliction and adversity comes to us, not to make us sad but sober; not to make us sorry but wise.”

“You’ll seldom experience regret for anything that you’ve done. It is what you haven’t done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear. Do it! Develop an appreciation for the present moment. Seize every second of your life and savor it. Value your present moments. Using them up in any self-defeating ways means you’ve lost them forever.”

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” -Winston Churchill

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Oh, and I recently did an interview with an awesome new site for aspiring post-collegiates, RunPro.com. In it I share my experience- the challenging transition (that I’m still very much in the midst of!) from a DIII athlete to the professional running scene. Check it out here.

One other side note… best of luck to teammates Desi, Zach, and Paul at Boston on Monday the 18th! It’s been awesome watching/observing them throughout training/workouts… they’re super fit and I only wish I could be there in person to cheer them on!