Running while juggling

I don't literally juggle while I run. But sometimes, in fact, most of the time just to get out on the trial or on the treadmill is a huge juggling act.

We are all so busy. To train for a race takes dedication.

For some reason I'm finding it harder this spring to find time to train. Maybe its the 3 kids playing soccer, the full time job, the new dog, the photography hobby, the trip to Disneyland or the gashed knee that's getting in the way.

But frankly, that is par for the course. I'm always busy. There is always something. There is always a reason not to run (or swim or bike.)

So I have to remember why I'm doing this. (Why AM I doing this?) Partly because I said I would. Partly because I love the training when I finally get going. And mostly because I love finishing a race. I loved doing my first triathlon.

I also have to give myself a break. Last time I followed my training schedule religiously. This time I've missed, or been half-hearted about some of my training, especially the time consuming biking. But that's ok. It's not all or nothing. I need to just take it one day at a time. One run at a time.

So I'm trying to be my own cheerleader. Go Jen Go. Run, run. You can do it!

Right after I fold this last load of laundry....

Ouch!

Those of you who survived the 80's probably remember the terms "feel the burn" and "work through the pain." Turns out that when you feel pain, your body is telling you it hurts and its time to give it a rest.

Any good trainer will tell you that in order to go faster, run longer and get better, you've not only got to work, but rest.

My training bible for my sprint triathlon is called "Your First Triathlon" by Joe Friel. For every six days of swimming, riding and running, there is one day of rest. He explains muscles and endurance builds during these times of rests.

And even though I've read this, and am even writing it here, that doesn't mean I live it. Because people aren't always smart. In this case the dumby is I.Here's what happened. While on vacation, racing with my kids at a highway rest stop, I fell and cut open my knee. I left urgent care with seven stitches, badly bruised knees and elbows, and one sore ego. I spent the next six days running around Disneyland and Southern California, ignoring my injury. When I returned home, I resumed my triathlon training. That is until my leg swelled up, the gash in my knee stopped healing and I collapsed in exhaustion and pain after work one day.

So this wasn't a training injury, it was an injury none the less. I just ignored my pain and exhaustion and ended up sidelined for almost a week.

Thankfully, I'm now on the mend, and my training is back on track.

The lesson to my painful tale (and tail) is: don't be like me. Give it a rest if you're in pain.

Your body will thank you.

Means to an end

People run for a lot of reasons: vanity, health, endorphins, camaraderie, thrill, status, energy. Or perhaps they're being chased.

Not literally chased.

Maybe, like me, they're chased by an aching desire to GO.

Do you remember as a kid, standing at the top of a hill and not being able to resist running full tilt down the slope, not thinking about the fact you could trip or slip or about how you'll feel on the way down. You just go. Weeeee!!! And its so much fun!

I'm eternally trying to recapture that feeling, that joyful reckless abandon. And frankly in my 30-something body, the careening trip down the steep hill doesn't feel all that breezy or youthful anymore. (Unless I'm on skies.) But it does feel good to move. To just go.

Last year I trained for and completed my first triathlon. A sprint (1/4 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 5k run,) which honestly seems way easier than running 13 or 26 miles. I'd never been a runner, or a swimmer, and my biking was limited to family jaunts along the Willamette. But I LOVED it. All three sports challenged and thrilled me.

So, no, this isn't the part of the post where I say I want a greater challenge so I'm going to do my first marathon.

I'm going to do another triathlon. As part of my training I'm going to run the 5K in the Eugene Marathon. Because frankly to me running is hard. And I bow down in awe to all you serious runners who put in hours pounding the pavement (or treadmill) to build up to a half or full marathon.

Do you hear that Laura Rillos. I bow down to you!

I think people run, and participate in the Eugene Marathon for a lot of different reasons. I plan to use it to help train for my triathlon. I also hope to squeeze some health, endorphins, camaraderie, thrill, and energy out of the deal.

Frankly, I'm nervous about doing another triathlon. Embarking on training for my "second" triathlon just isn't as inspiring as tackling the first.

That's why I need to make a commitment. So here I am at the top of the hill, looking down.

I'm going to do another triathlon. Issaquah, Washington. May 31st. Weeeee!!!!!!!!

Swim, Bike, Run. Go.

One year later.

Yikes. Forgot I had a blog for a second, ah, make that a year, there.

Time flies when your ... not blogging?

So it turns out when you spend a good part of your day writing for your career, you're not always that interested in writing at home. Actually I'm very interested, just unable to find or make the time.

But I'm started blogging at work, so I'm going to double post those here. And soon I hope to get my goal of writing about photography.

Getting started

Any journey must begin with a beginning, a step forward. And so I step. I supposed blogging could be considered some form of inertia, hundreds of voices multiplying into millions. And I will just ride that wave and see where it takes me.