Heart of a Marathoner

I'm absolutely fascinated by the stories my friend Glenda shares. She's so fun to get to know. Especially around mile 6 when she starts to really open up! Yesterday, she shared with me that her resting heart rate was 48. When the nurse said "I need to check that again," Glenda of course asked why? The nurse's response was that a resting heart rate that low indicated she had the heart of a marathoner. Glenda proudly told her, "well, I am in training for a marathon."

I am so proud that other people recognize the heart of a marathoner!

(p.s. I tested my resting heart rate and it's just over 60. I blame the caffeine that I am addicted to.)

On the medical side, a marathoner's heart has a slower resting heart rate because 1-- the arteries are less clogged so it doesn't have to pump as hard and fast to get blood flowing and 2-- the heart is stronger, pushing through a greater volume at each squeeze, making it more efficient at pushing oxygen fresh blood through the cardiovascular system, and thus, slower. The marathoner's heart is stronger and less stressed.

But in non-medical-technical terms, what does it mean to have the heart of a marathoner?

I know many of us crazy running chicks may not be marathoners.

But the truth is, we probably have hearts for endurance whether or not we acknowledge it.

We wake up running-- running kids to school, running errands, running the office, running the household, cooking, cleaning, listening, encouraging, giving, laundering, baking, more cleaning, chauferring, loving... We are in it, for the long haul, day after day.

And when the heart gets stronger it gets less stressed.

I don't know about you, but somedays I don't know about that "less stressed" part. In fact, some days I'm holding on with everything I've got looking forward to some down time. That's when it's time-- passed time-- to listen to my heart and SLOW DOWN.

I had the opportunity to go to Medora to cook for a retreat this weekend, a crafting retreat of about 20 ladies, plus myself and the director. On Sunday, as I was making brunch for 20, I was asked if I was going to relax after working so hard all weekend. I smiled and said that it was my long run day, so I was headed out for 13 miles, followed by a birthday party, followed by pancake supper at my church. The person just said "wow, you're busy."

Yes, I am. But you will never hear me complain  about it.

A few years ago, I was sitting with two other women on a planning committee. Admittedly, I wasn't fond of these other two women. And we had to spend the first 15 minutes of our meeting chatting about how overly busy and stressed they were, each seeking sympathy and empathy. And as I sat there listening to their kids' hockey schedules, dance schedules, swim team schedules, not to mention finding the time to pack for vacation-- all I could think of was how ungrateful they seemed.

Which is why I don't complain about being busy. If God has chosen to fill my life with abundance and opportunity and adventures, who am I to complain about it? I am grateful for every little thing that comes our way!

And do I still take time to go train for a marathon in the middle of it? Yep. Yes, I was exhausted this weekend after long hours in a hot kitchen. But God has given me a strong, healthy body to endure working in His ministries and still go run outside, enjoying the beautiful world around me! Ironically, the long run was my slow-down time.

I know it seems like life is too hectic sometimes. I know I would rather stay home than go to the grocery stores. I know my legs feel weak some days and I would rather veg out in front of the tv than lace up my shoes again. But my heart IS strong. And my heart IS trained for endurance. And I can push myself just a little more, just enough to open it up to love and abundance again. Just enough to strengthen it just a little more, so that it's less stressed when I'm resting.

I know you have a heart for endurance too. I know whatever piles up in your day, in your path, you can conquer it, one step at a time. I know, whether or not you admit it, you have the heart of a marathoner too.

Happy Heart, Happy Running! ~Jen

Out of Sync

I didn't get in my long run at all last week due to cooking for an 80-person seven course fundraiser dinner.

My running wife wants to go watch her actual husband play basketball this weekend instead of sitting around waiting for me to go running.

None of my music is inspiring me to move. In fact, as I did speed drills on the treadmill yesterday, I spent a frustrating amount of time searching for perfect run music and there was none to be found on my 48+ hours worth of music.

I can't seem to pick up my pace lately. I have been doing speed work and we've been running fast all winter, but lately, I seem to be slowing down.

My little girl's spring dance recital has been booked for when? The day of the Fargo Marathon! So it's breaking my heart to have to consider one over the other. I feel like a bad mom that it's even a toss-up, but I THINK as long as I finish in 4 hours I can make it back in time. Yeah, a 5 hour drive after a 4 hour run sounds like a good, safe, not-at-all-gonna-fall-asleep-at-the-wheel idea.

And now I'm headed back out to cook for a retreat for the weekend-- long hours on my feet and severe lack of sleep and my long run this Sunday is going to be even slower.

....

I'm in a funk.

I'm out of sync.

I think I want to give up running and just become a yogi instead. Or ballet dancer.

I'm not good at holding down long-term commitments unless I birth you or sleep with you.
....

And then I get notes from a friend whose doctor told her she could never run and she's running the Mickelson Trail half marathon.

And my mom just finished a 20 minute run this week. My mom is so NOT a runner but she did 20 minutes!!!

I feel so proud and so full of joy for these women.

And it reminds me that even in a funk, running itself is the reward. Pushing ourselves despite out setbacks is what strengthens us, in body, heart, and mind.

There are people who don't have the luxury of running shoes and iPods and great friends to stand by their sides. So help me to remember all that running gives me, all that I have, and all that you guys do for running, all the reasons why we run, all the people we run for, all the loves we share and have lost- those that can not be there at the finish line for us and those who are. Help me to remember that even when my running is slow, I am still out there, with the freedom and the health to run whenever I want.

Even if I am out of sync.

Happy Running! ~Jen

p.s. Note to my running wife: I miss you terribly! It's unnatural to go for two weeks without running together!

Running to Remember

Saturday February 11, 2012 I will be taking part in the Virtual Run for Sherry Arnold. It will be at 9:00 am MDT, and people all around the nation will be running in honor of this very special woman. Sherry was abducted while running and it has really created an uneasy feeling with everyone around our area. The Oil Boom is in full swing and there are thousands of new people in this area and no one really feels safe anymore.

A co-worker asked me why we would be running in honor of Sherry if that's how she died. I had to think about that for a little bit, and I guess I knew what he meant by it, but I think that running is the perfect way to honor her. Just because this tragic loss happened while she was running, doesn't mean that anyone needs to STOP running. Just 2 weeks before Sherry died, she was almost hit by a truck ..but that didn't make her hang her shoes up. I never knew Sherry, but hearing that story made me realize how important running was to her.

Running gives you freedom. Don't let this tragic accident take that away from you. I hear so often now about how we shouldn't run at this time or that time. I'm not allowed on certain roads, only run with a friend, etc. and YES we all need to be aware and cautious of our surroundings, but that doesn't mean we have to stop doing what we love. I hope that lots of people get out there and run Saturday. Enjoy that time and remember Sherry and all that she stood for. She was a wife, a mother, a teacher, and a runner...probably much like most of us.

Information can be found at shutupandrun.net for the Virtual Run in honor of Sherry

Happy Running  ~Becky

Fearless: running means you're going to change somethings about yourself

With our facebook fan base growing, I have more women coming up to me telling me they "wish they could be a runner too." I always tell them the same thing: Then start running.

No one starts running 5 miles, 7 min/mile pace their first day. (Hell, I don't even run that fast.) But you have to start somewhere. Put one foot in front of the other, and go a little faster and a little further each time.

But as soon as I encourage these women to start running if they so desire, you know what happens, right?

"Oh, I don't have time."
"Oh, I don't know anything about that."
"Oh, I should find someone to run with."
"Oh, I should get in shape first."

Is it me, or is this LIFE in general? There's always something, just out of reach, that you want, but you make so many more reasons to NOT go for it, afraid you won't reach it, afraid you'll fail, afraid you'll look silly. The sad thing is, no one else is holding you back. Only YOU are doing this to yourself.

So on the one hand, maybe these ladies are just making polite conversation with me? And I should just change the subject?

Or on the other hand, maybe some of us really do have fears about trying something that's not easy and way out of our comfort zone.

Well, I want to address a few of those fears, hopefully to encourage you to move past them already!

1-- You fear that it's going to hurt.

Well, it's not going to be comfortable at first. You're going to have to adjust your breathing, watch your posture, you might get side aches, your hamstrings might be tight the next day.... all of which you will be able to live through!!! And these things not only subside within a few moments, but will start to completely disappear as you get stronger. Because when you get stronger and stronger, there is no room for that weakness anymore.

2-- You don't know how to make time for it.

Look, the first thing I ask people is-- what are some of your favorite TV shows. (Then you try to tell me that you don't watch that much TV but I see your Facebook statuses when you're pulling for your favorite American Idol! I know the truth, people!) .... So, what are some of your favorite TV shows? If you're watching some of these reality shows where people are GOING FOR THEIR DREAMS..... I am going to ask you to turn off the TV and go for your dreams, too! Or at least find a treadmill in front of the TV if that's what it takes.... I mean, do you see American Idols or Dancing Stars sitting around watching TV or do you see them practicing, rehearsing, drilling.... if you really love watching a happy ending, then go out and create your own! Won't that feel even better????

Also, weekends. I know everyone gets busy on the weekends, but you and I know you sleep in a little bit, right? Well, while you're sleeping in on Sunday morning, that's when I'm out running. You can do it too. Make it a choice. Make it the choice that changes you for the better!

Josh, my husband, has an aunt who likes to tell me all the time that "she would be a runner too, if she had the time for it." Like somehow, being busy is being better? But for the record, as long as I've known her, she can tell you what happened on Dr Phil, Oprah, Dr. Oz, the Doctors.... so it's not a matter of having time, it's a matter of making a choice.

My friend Glenda takes lunch breaks to hit 3 miles. Let's say you have an hour break for lunch. Surely that's enough time to squeeze in 20-30 minutes of running, freshen up, and still grab a sandwich and yogurt....

This is the truth.

3-- I should get in shape first.

Yes, people actually tell me they need to lose a few pounds before they start running. Okay, if you are quite overweight, yes, carrying that extra weight while running will hurt your knees and your back. But most of you women are not severely obese and if you were, bear in mind that running can burn 10 calories a MINUTE. Start walking fast. Then Start jogging. As the pounds melt and your heart and lungs get stronger, you will be ready to run before you know it!

4-- I should find someone to run with.

Why? I mean, no one is going to carry you. Why would you invest your goals and your dreams in someone else's motivation? If you wanted a new car, would you wait for your friend to get a matching one? So if you want a race t-shirt, a status update that says "just finished my first 10K" or even a new, lean, runner's body... why would you depend on someone else? and if you really, REALLY need a running buddy, you can always post on our facebook page. There's almost always someone else wanting to schedule a run too.

5-- But I'm not that fast. I can't run that far.

You don't have to be fast, and your running goal is not the same as my running goal. You just have to go. Look, people are, for some reason, intimidated by me and Becky sometimes. They assume, for some reason, that we are, like SERIOUS athletes. Ha ha HA!!!! You guys, we always say we only run as fast as we can talk. Meaning, if we are huffing and puffing, it's time to slow it down. Yes, some days we have a light tail wind and can pull sub-9 min miles. Yes, on speed days we can run really really fast, but only for a little bit. Some days I've not eaten properly and slow us down to about 10 minute miles. Some days we run, walk, stop and pee, run, stretch, run a little more.... you get the picture. Yeah, we just keep running and keep running, but we started at mile one. EVERYONE starts at mile one. You are the ONLY person judging your run. And runners like me and Becky, yes we are proud and excited when we hit our goals, but we are genuinely amazed and proud when you hit yours too. Because we KNOW it's not an easy thing to do!! You don't have to be super fast, but you just have to go!! We are cheering for you!!

6-- I am afraid people will be watching me.

First of all, if they are watching you, that means that they are sitting/standing still. ahem.
Second of all, they ARE watching because runners are AWESOME!!!




you're doing awesome! Keep running!!

Finally, if you're still with me here.... we do recommend the Couch to 5K program. Not a paid endorsement here, but everyone who has used it has loved it. My MOM is on week 4 of this program!




mom is doing C25K for the second time!

 So ladies, if you really do want to see yourself as a runner... it's going to change you. You are going to start loving fresh air and long roads and sunrises and sunsets more than you love your favorite TV shows. It means you're going to create a new body, one that has better endurance and strength than you knew you had in you. It means somedays you're going to tell your friends "I'm going to have to leave your party early, I have a 5K in the morning." And you're going to smile when their jaws drop. It means that at some point, you're going to realize how far you've come, and you're going to be amazed by yourself! Get ready for it.

Happy Running. No really, get started!!! ~Jen