This week's inspiring runner is Jennifer. You may remember I did some running with Jennifer back here and here. I hear Jen's voice in my head sometimes, exactly when I need to. When we ran the Mini 10K through Central Park (which is a tough 10K course) Jen attacked the hills not only with physical force but with mental and verbal command...she'd shout out, "We got this!" That has stayed with me through my marathon training, as has Jen's one time question to me, "So what do you tell yourself for motivation?" It's great to have a friend who values the benefits of positive cognition and reminds me, the LCSW, to value it too! :)
I had a few questions for her and here's what Jen had to say...
At what age did you start running and what motivated you to get involved in the sport?
Not long after I learned to walk! I started dancing at the age of four and played tennis and softball growing up. Running has always been for the sake of conditioning and socializing and that is still true today. One of my goals is to spend more time doing physical activities than sitting down over meals with friends. Being conversant at a 9-10 minute pace around the 6 mile loop at Central Park motivates me today.
How has running changed your life?
Well, I get more refined cat calls from business men in midtown that sound like this, "Hey lady in stripes, great calves!" Not kidding! I'll take that. Seriously though, completing something that is good for me makes me feel really good about myself. Running improves my confidence and my shape.
What do you get out of running? Why do it?
I get one thing I know I can achieve every day. I did not realize I did this until recently, but every time I have signed up for a race I am going through some transition either at work, relationships or a big move. My first race was the 10 mile Cherry Blossom in Washington, DC in 2005...1 month after the race I left my job and 3 months later I moved across country. Even with 5Ks and and other events, my "knower" seeks out something concrete to accomplish that also allows me to manage stress.
What is your favorite race (distance) and what is your best Personal Record (PR)/ fastest time?
So far I have mostly done 5Ks and the 3 Day walk for the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the 10 mile Cherry Blossom Run. My hope is that after completing my first 10K at Central Park on Saturday that this distance will become my standard run and that I will improve it in multiple ways over time. Completing this race at a 10 minute pace will be a great achievement.
Where is your favorite place to train?
Central Park for distance
A treadmill near me for intervals
What is your proudest running moment? Do you have a favorite or most meaningful running experience (a race or a day when you pushed further than you thought you could go?)
When I crossed the finish line for the Cherry Blossom ten mile run at exactly 1 hour and 49 minutes. Considering that was my first run and we did it on a windy rainy day in DC, I felt really proud! The most challenging part of that race was the wind. I will never forget running across the Memorial Bridge towards the Arlington Cemetery bent almost to the point that my upper body was perpendicular to the road because we had to push forward into such abrasive winds. Of course, I think we made up our timing when we had to run back across.
Do you have a favorite song on your ipod to run to? Or if you don't listen to music, what do you think about when you run?
I always listen to music when I run, unless I'm with someone. I probably add one or two new songs a week from iTunes to my exercise play list so it changes a lot. The ones I'm listening to this week include Lady Gaga's "The Edge of Glory" and the Pointer Sister's "Jump". :)
What do you find most difficult about running and how do you overcome this difficulty?
I find the first mile difficult...it's finding that stride, warming up and setting myself into the zone that can be the most frustrating and mentally challenging. I overcome it by playing the most uplifting song possible, telling myself that the first part is the hardest part and the rest is cake, some kind of mental switch that helps me resolve that "this is nothing" is what works best.
Who is your favorite running hero?
Lindsay Parrish. She's one of my best friends. The woman can get up and run in a 10K in her pajamas with her eyes closed. She inspired me to run when I came up to NYC from DC with her several years ago for her first time in the NYC Marathon. We ran around the city with posters that said, "Lindsay Rocks!" I loved the inspiration of the runners and the community of people supporting them. I have to thank her for introducing me to this really.
Can you offer me any advice on how I can best train to get to the 2011 NYC marathon finish line?
I'd suggest integrating 1-2 Yoga classes a week to stay both flexible and mindful to your body. It's easy to let the business of life and the more aggressive training to take priority. It's important to get in all the stretching and the practices that keep you in tune with your body and what it is saying back to you.
What's your best advice for fighting negative thinking when faced with a challenge like running 26. 2 miles?
What I keep learning about "fighting negative thinking" is that if your energy is on resisting the negative thought or spending time trying to "unwind it" you just give it more fuel. I don't know if you ever eliminate a negative thought but you can deflate it's power. The only way that works for me is to replace it with another thought, belief or expectation that counters it and then state it out loud WITH EMOTION until I actually believe it.
So, if the negative though were, "I can do 13 miles but mile 14 or mile 22 is going to kill me." Then I would start telling myself while running, or just walking around the house, "When I hit mile 14 I will be accomplishing something I've never done before. This is easy for me and it doesn't surprise me at all that this is passing so quickly!" Whether the thought is about the race itself, self-confidence or comparing yourself to other runners, the biggest key is owning what is keeping you back and then deciding (over and over again) to declare the positive belief that you really want to invest your good energy and time into.
Anything else you want to say about running?
Well, I'm not the only one with good legs. Get your shoes on, go to the park and enjoy the view(s)! :)
Thank you, Jen! I appreciate your motivation, have enjoyed watching you go after the changes you wanted to see in your life and I cherish having run the Women's Mini with you! Let's do it again. Btw, Jen is a certified health coach...you can check out her website here.
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