Get Moving Colorado!

I promised to continue updating the blog with lots of goodies once the workout challenge finished and I have been slacking.  I hope that this makes up for it and provides some of you with some new running goals to get you through the winter season.

Days 220-222: Half-Marathon, Full Joy

Day 220:  One hour walk around Washington Park and in Cherry Creek.

Day 221:  One hour of some home-made yoga flowing in my living room to help loosen me up for the half-marathon today.

Day 222:  Today I got up at 4:15 a.m. to make it to the starting line for the Colfax Half-Marathon at City Park.  It was only 43 degrees when I approached the starting line, but with so much going on around me I was able to quickly forget about the chilled air.

The race started at 6:00 a.m. and within three minutes of running my IT band started getting sore.  Luckily, it stayed only semi-sore the whole race and did not worsen as the miles added up.  The first six miles were on Colfax Avenue and to say that it was amusing is an understatement.  Awesome signs, great people watching, slightly scary abandoned buildings, odd smells and hilarious things being yelled by the spectators.   At mile seven the runners ran through a firehouse and the firemen were lined up to give us all high-fives.  A girls dream, right?  After that, I had a small epiphany that running is such a solitary sport, that it felt great to have some human contact along the way.  After the firemen, I decided to give every spectator with their hand out an overwhelming high-five.  Looking back, it might have added on a little time by zigzagging across the course to hit hands, but it was worth it for the amount excess energy it game me.

Throughout the race, I ran into a few different friends that were also running, which made me feel a sense of community and connection.  My favorite part of the race was at mile 12 when I turned a corner in City Park to see my fiance waiting with his camera.  It roused up the past bit of strength that I needed to finish the race.  I did not hit my goal time of under two hours, however, I am still proud that I finished with my knee feeling so weak.  I am already so excited to complete this race again next year with Mike, to train properly so that my knee feels better and to reach a new time goal.  Thanks to everyone who supported me throughout the racing season and I am sending you lots of running love as I am sure, you are about to head into your own summer running season.  May your knees stay strong and your body healthy!

Days 188 & 189: Does Anyone Love To Run?

Day 188:  For some reason I thought it was a good idea to sign-up for the 10 mile race at the Cherry Creek Sneak on April 29th.  My running skills have rapidly declined in the warmer months and now I am left dreading this race in 12 days and my half-marathon in five weeks.  Yesterday I decided to stop getting stuck in my “I’m such a bad runner” story and do something about it.

I ran two 9 minute miles to Washington Park to meet a friend.  We then walked five miles while gabbing about life and then I ran two more 9 minute miles back home.  I felt great afterwards and made myself more excited about running today.

Day 189:  This afternoon I ran to Washington Park, around the big loop and back home.  Six miles.  I didn’t love it, but I did it.   I have a very serious question to ask all you runners that are reading this, do you enjoy running?  Like, actually enjoy it every single time you do it?  Why do you do it?   What keeps you doing it everyday?  I’d really love to hear someone else’s romantic running story to help me fall back in love with the sport.

If you really are one of those people who love doing it every single day, then I’d love to invite you to do a guest blog on here to share with others about the relationship you have with your running shoes and local trails.  Shoot me an email at betsysalzler@moxie-coaching.com if you’re interested!