Live Love Run Together

Words, Mantras and Fxck Cancer Motivation Motivation doesn’t come easy when feeling rough at the end of a race. The last miles can be painful, both physically and mentally. The more tricks you have to combat fatigue with distraction, the better equipped you’ll be as you push toward the finish line. Key words, mantras and other motivations each play a valuable role. Here are a few of the things I’ll be thinking as I train and when I finally get to run my 50-mile race. Anyone can follow a training plan and line up at the start feeling good. However, race day isn’t always sunshine and roses. What if it’s pouring down rain, like it was during my first half marathon? Temps could be below freezing or, my personal nightmare, it’s a hilly course. You should have seen my face when the announcer said “welcome to the hilliest half marathon in Michigan” just before the race start. I didn’t know that key piece of information when I registered. Any number of things can go side...

Planning My 50 Mile Run How exactly does one plan for a 50-mile run? Though I have run many distance events, I’ll be on my feet for much longer than ever. I anticipate being on the course for about 11-12 hours, give or take. I’ve made a list of considerations and put a few details in writing. I don’t have it all together yet, but I know I’m on the right path. Here are some of my plans. Training plan: After studying many, many different training plans, I chose a plan from the Runners World book “ Run Less Run Faster ” by Bill Pierce, Scott Murr and Ray Moss. I’m using it as a guideline, not following it as written. This plan includes speed work for running and drills for biking over the course of 4 running days and 2 biking days per week. The cornerstone to this plan is back-to-back long run days. I also do core work, lift weights and continue PT exercises for my weak ankle. Gear: I have most of the gear that I want to have for this event, though I am actively looking fo...

Top 3 Reasons to Join A Run Club Even If You Don’t Run Joining a run club is a great way to improve your running ability and overall fitness. Search on social media or a call a running store to find out where and when they meet, then show up. Each run club is different, so be sure to visit multiple groups. You will find runners of all speeds and specialties, and many clubs cater to walkers. Some run clubs are off the books and others charge a membership fee. The membership fee might include race or store discounts, training plans or branded gear. Here are my top 3 reasons to join a run club even if you don’t run. 1. Accountability: Whether you are just getting started or an experienced runner, a group of like-minded people provides accountability. There will always be someone waiting for the group to arrive. You wouldn’t want to miss out or let anyone down. You’ll show up. 2. Friendship: Run club is a great social opportunity. Seeing the same faces week-after-week is re...

In It for The Long Run My first long run goal was 2 miles. That was about 20 years ago or so, but I remember how excited I felt when I reached that goal. My long run goals today hit double-digits and are increasing. Training for my first 50-miler requires some serious long runs and I love them all! I met my training partner and fearless friend this week for a long run. Having been thwarted by fluctuating Michigan weather before, I didn’t have any expectation of mileage or what we might achieve. She asked me for my goals for the day and I said anything between 15 and 30 miles. She didn’t share her goal for the day. We'd do what we can in the time allotted.  We met in Saugatuck and ran about 12 miles in town taking walk breaks at each mile. We both felt good when we got back to our cars so we did some math, actually she did the math. If we go out 6 miles on the trail and come back, we should be at 24 miles. If we felt good, we could tack on a little extra to make it 25 ...

My Quest for 50 Miles and My Why I had my first mammogram at age 29. I found a lump. Getting the appointment with the doctor, the mammogram, then waiting for results was the longest week of my life. So many thoughts raced through my head - just like it does for many other women during a time like this. I’m too young, I thought. Cancer doesn’t care about age. I worried about my husband and our two babies. Cancer doesn’t care about loved ones. I’m blessed that my lump was a cyst. It remains a constant reminder to continue annual mammogram screening. Early detection will give me the best opportunity to survive breast cancer should my day come. Here is a photo of my daughter, me, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother back in 1998. You see five generations of first-born women, strong women and the most important women in my life. In the moment captured by this photo, we were celebrating the birth of my daughter. At the same time, my grandmother was going through treatm...

Welcome to my running journey Whether you are a new runner or experienced, welcome! I love meeting other runners and I hope that we’ll each find some purpose, peace and happiness through running! My husband Mike and I on a trail in the Florida Keys Running has taught me that I’m capable of so much more than I ever would have thought. Over the years, my confidence has grown, I’ve never felt stronger and I’ve found profound happiness in running. Even with all that, with life’s changes, I have found myself searching for something more. This blog site will highlight parts of my running journey and my quest to find my purpose and peace. You’ll read about my personal experiences with running – the good and the bad.  I’m not an elite athlete or very fast. At best, I’m a middle-of-the-pack runner. I don’t run to win, I run to finish. I run to enjoy time with friends, the course and the wonderful feeling of finishing a great race.  This blog starts well past...