16 Things Every Runner Knows is True

1. Waking up early enough to run before work to beat the heat is essential. Otherwise if you tan like me you look like a long lost Cosby sibling by July.

2. Not everyone likes to race, I love to race but there’s only one way to find out if you’re the kind of person who likes running races: sign up for one.

3. The smallest blister can ruin your whole run.

4. Colorful shoes don’t actually make you faster — but they sure as feel like they do.

5. You’re only going to want to talk about running. Better find runner friends before everyone else hates you.

6. Runger is real. Runger is vicious. Sometimes the only way to survive is to give in.

7. If you’re doing this to be model thin, you’re never going to get there. Doing this for muscles, however, is a nice side effect.

8. Nobody else cares how fast or slow you’re going.

9. Even if you’ve been running for years, every once in a while there’s just going to be a run that blows.

10. If you take a few weeks or even a few months off, getting back in the groove of things is going to feel like the toughest thing you've ever done. 

11. Winter running is possible. 

12. Where all the public restrooms are in any given vicinity. Someone can say let's run in this part of the city and I have to figure out where all the bathrooms are. 

13. How to deal with black toenails, muscle cramps, shin splints, thigh chafe, and everything else in between.

14. The magic union that is finding the right shoe for you — and the utter betrayal you feel when the manufacturer either discontinues it or changes its design.

15. How strangely, the fitter you get, the harder it is to find jeans that fit right. My legs get small and I can only find jeans in teenage stores.

16. And often, the hardest part of a run is lacing up and getting out of the door. Once you have your headphones in and your music on, everything else falls into place.

Why I Love to Run

I have always been a decent athlete. In high school, I swam competitively and loved it. 

After university, when sports became more of a hobby I stopped being physically active.

One day I realized that I didn't have to sit in a gym crowded gym with broken equipment and people I didn't really like so I took to the pavement. I can’t run the fastest or the farthest and I never will, but I love running, it frees me.

I love that it gives me a chance to be outside on a gorgeous day. After eight hours in the office sitting in a chair all day, I finally get to enjoy the sun and fresh air even if it is for less than an hour. It’s so much better than sitting and watching TV for hours until I go to bed.

I love strapping on my Nike Running watch putting my shoes on and hitting the pavement, it's therapeutic. I get to think about whatever I want. I work out solutions to my problems or just recap my day.

I love that it makes me feel good. Endorphin's are no joke. I always feel a little sad when a run is over but I do feel happier. I catch the runners high about once a week and I chase after that euphoric feeling again and again.

I love the sense of accomplishment after completing a run. Whether it’s after a lunch time jog or a marathon with people cheering you on at the finish line, you got out there and did it. Maybe it wasn't the longest or fastest or farthest you've ever run, but maybe next time will be.

I know I’ll never win a marathon, though it’s no secret I would love to, but who said you have to be the greatest at something to do it? Paint a crappy picture, sing off-key, or dance like a maniac. Don’t do it for the likes on Facebook or to be judged. Do it because it’s what you enjoy. Run because you love it, and because you’re running for yourself. Nobody else. At the end, it’ll always just be you, the road and a good pair of running shoes.

Running has Taught Me About Life

For anyone that knows me well, you know that running is my life and recently I've had a few set backs. I just found out that I have a bacterial infection in my body that I have been fighting for about 4 months and didn't know it!

I've always been the girl who loves to go out with her friends and still gets up for a run the next day, I've always been the girl with way too much energy! I've always been the girl you see on the running trail with a HUGE smile on my face as I run the miles.

These past few months I've been struggling to get my run in, I've been struggling to get through even a mile. After running for more than 30 minutes I feel tired and exhausted, I thought this was just my body telling me that I needed to push harder .. was I wrong. 

Over the past few months I've been battling the beast that is distance running, these past few months as I’ve had to push myself through miles and as I've had heartbreak over running I've learned valuable lessons about myself out on the trails, bike paths, and sidewalks something that I would never learn in a classroom – lessons that not only contribute to better and more successful running, but to everyday life as well. Here’s just a handful of the lessons I’ve learned over the past few months of pounding the pavement.

It's a great stress reliever

We all deal with stress differently, before I became a runner I would cry and yell and scream and cry some more and than fall asleep. Whatever works for you is great but this was not very effective. Then I found running. Discovering  your city can really cure a bad day. Even if you’re not a runner, this can be used for you as well: try a new coffee place, take a different route home. I promise, it’ll do wonders.

You are your strongest competitor and your most respected cheerleader

Nobody is going to tell you that you need to get out the door; you are going to be the only person that gets you out there. It doesn’t matter if you’re struggling through your longest run or you’re preparing yourself for that presentation that could possibly launch your career, your inner voice is going to be the one that yells at you to fight, to perform, to be your best. Because no matter what, other people are going to tell you it’s okay, you did your best. No one knows you better than yourself. You know if you’ve given your all, if you’ve completely given yourself to the challenge at hand. There have been times when I know I haven’t given my all but people will still tell me “Tiara, you did great!” you are the only person that knows better.

The right pair of shoes can change your life

This one’s pretty straight-forward from a running standpoint. If you don’t have the pair of running shoes that fit your feet and provide the much needed support, you’re basically begging for an injury, trust me I’ve been there! I’ve witnessed this in everyday life as well – as a woman, the right pair of shoes will carry you wherever it is you desire to go, a great example is Cinderella. It’s all about the confidence the shoe gives you. Slip into the right pair of running shoes and you can run a marathon; slip on the right pair of heels and you’re definitely going to nail that project.

Facing challenges is the most empowering experience out there.

Whether the challenge is your long run or not, take a second and think about the last time you felt truly empowered. Was it when your boyfriend told you that you looked good today? Was it when your roommate told you that the apartment needs cleaned? Was it when your friend complimented your shoes? I can guarantee it wasn’t. I would be willing to bet that the last time you felt empowered was when you overcame a challenge yourself and achieved something that you did not think possible. If it’s taking on an six mile run instead of five or finally asking your boss for a raise, only you can push yourself to face the challenges that come in the fine print of life

Reflection

As I take this week and I prepare myself to run my third marathon I have taken the time to reflect upon the past year and what it has brought me.

It’s true I went through some pretty rough times this past year, M moved out of our apartment and I for the first time ever I found myself living on my own and this was a very scary thought to me since I have always had a roommate. Much to my surprise I enjoy the freedom of living on my own.  

Though this year brought me hardships and heartbreak it also brought me amazing friends and new experiences.

I truly believe that I got through all the hardships that were thrown at me this past year because of running and the friends I have made through running. Running instilled in me the confidence and determination I needed to make it through this past year.  

There were so many days I found myself laying on my bathroom floor crying my eyes out in full backslide mode and then I would look at my running shoes and they would be screaming at me to put them on and I would go for a run and my head would be more clear and my heart would be less heavy. There were days I would run until no more tears could fall from my eyes. Running was my safe place, my haven.

Now as I set out on my third marathon I find my heart heavy again. Not because of sadness this time but because of joy, pure joy from the support I am getting from every one of you. It is because of your support, your love and your acceptance that I have been able to push forward through this year and come out on top.

I can’t wait to cross the finish line at Nike again. Not just because of the firefighters or because of the Tiffany’s necklace but because of that feeling of joy you can only get from accomplishing a task months in the making. It is true what they say, running is a lesson in life because you get out of it what you put in.

See you all on the start line.  

Coming Full Circle

This past year has been an astounding ride for me. This week marks exactly one year since I ran my very first marathon, The Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco.

In 11 days I will once again be standing on the start line of the NWM in SF. Nothing is going to be more amazing than to be there with my two wonderful running companions, Karen and Elizabeth.

Last year at this time we were arriving in San Fran ready for the excitement that Nike had waiting for us.

This will be my third marathon ever. I am experiencing extreme burnout. Somewhere along the road this year I lost that love and desire to run and in so many ways that makes me sad and it hurts me because running was my safe place, my haven, my place to go when the world didn't make sense.

Running is what saved me from myself, it is what gave me the courage to pull out of destructive behavior and it is what gave me the courage to be happy and be in love with who I am. The other day a friend said to me maybe you no longer have that same love and joy for running you once did because you no longer need running to survive.

I've made the tough decision to pull back from marathons for the time being. I have not given up on my dream to one day run in the Boston Marathon but at the moment I need a break. A lot has happened in my life in the past year and I believe that right now I need to devote less time to running and more time to other activities that are helping me in my recovery journey.

Lately I have been doing a lot of climbing. There is a rush I get from climbing the side of a mountain. When you get to the summit enjoying the majestic view you could never get from the ground. It’s been an incredible experience and much like running I have been able to learn new things about myself, about my determination, my strength and my love for having new experiences.

I’ll one day return to training for and running marathons and I’ll chase that Boston goal once again but for now I need to step back, reevaluate my goals, make new ones and once again find that love of running.

I am running Nike Women's in San Fran with Teams in Training, are you?

Friday June 14, 2013 marked the last day to enter the lotto for Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco but even if you missed the cut off date you still have the chance to run the Nike Women’s Marathon.

The Nike Women’s Marathon always stands out in my head is a spectacular experience, when I am asked what is one of your favorite memories I can’t wait to tell people about San Fran. Not only is it ran through the beautiful streets of San Francisco but when the course is completed  and you cross that finish line you are greeted with a beautiful necklace from Tiffany’s.

This year I decided that I would not be entering the lotto for Nike Women’s instead I would be joining Teams in Training to run. I did not want the stress of joining the lotto to overcome me and I knew that running Nike Women’s through TNT was a sure fire way for me to get to San Francisco and run the race that has stolen my heart. 

Last year when I was on course during Nike Women’s I was fascinated by all the TNT participants running, it was such a fantastic overwhelming experience to be among all these women in purple running  for one cause to help those people who are fighting cancer. As I watched these women in purple run the course together and help one another through those 26.2 miles I wanted to be part of it, I wanted to be one of these ladies in purple! Seeing coaches on course and having them encourage the runners made me want in.

A marathon can be lonely at times; you are out on the open road alone and to see that these people had people cheering for them every step of the way I wanted that for my marathon experience. As I learned more about TNT and how it supports those who are fighting cancer I realized that there was nothing I wanted more than to be a part of this beautiful organization and earlier this year I signed up to be a TNT participant, this year when I run San Fran I will be one of those ladies in purple running for those who cannot run and I hope you will also join me as I raise money and run miles to fight cancer.

If you are not a lucky lottery winner please don’t give up on running Nike Women’s contact your local TNT chapter and run Nike Women’s with me. 

Calgary Marathon Recap - I am a Sub 4 Marathoner

So May 26, 2013 came and went, the day I ran the Calgary Marathon.

The week leading up to my marathon I had all kinds of emotions floating around, what if I don’t hit my goal, what if I hit my goal, what if I totally flake out and have to take a DNF, what if I don’t even start! My mind was driving me insane!!

Tuesday I woke up and had a really bad sore throat and cough and I was like oh my gosh this can’t be happening to me right now I cannot be getting sick. I spent the week willing myself to be better.

Saturday I went to bed and I surprisingly slept through the night, well after I managed to fall asleep because I think I spent a good two hours having a coughing attack.

Sunday morning I woke and I was nervous as heck. I was having trouble getting food into me and I could hardly tie my shoe laces because my hands kept shacking and I couldn't stop coughing. I made my way down to the start line and all that was going through my head was one foot in front of the other. I found the 3:30 pace bunny and I decided that if I could keep pace with him I would be make my time goal no problem. As the starting gun went off I said to myself “Tiara focus, this is just a run”! As we passed the first km mark I looked down to see my pace and thought to myself oh my gosh this pace bunny is going wayyyy too fast we are running a 7’48” mile. Everything was going great for me on the run until I hit the very first BIG hill and then things started going terribly wrong my left hamstring started cramping up and I was kicking myself for skipping water stations and I was having trouble breathing through my coughing fits! So I made the decision to stop running through the water stations and walk through them to get Gatorade into me instead of all over me. 

Upon coming up on the 10km mark I looked down at my watch and saw that I had slowed down a great deal and was now running an 8’12” and was not on target to hit my Boston Qualifying time rather I was about 2 minutes off from my target time. Instead of beating myself up I told myself that I still had 32 km’s to make up this time and to keep pushing forward. At the halfway point I looked at my time and I realized that I was 6 minutes off my Boston pace and this caused me to have a little bit of a break down, or a 5 minute cry session. I started crying right there in the middle of the race and almost decided to pull out because I was not going to hit my goal and then somewhere deep down my own voice was yelling at me “Tiara you have this, you are still on pace to run a sub 4 marathon and even better you are still going to set a personal best for yourself” I forced myself to keep running. As my body started to fatigue and as it wanted to give up I told myself keep running you will hit a water station in 3 km’s and you can walk through it but you have to keep running to the next water station.

As I entered Memorial drive my common lunch time running area I had 10km’s left to go and I said to myself “Tiara this is your area, this is where you need to own the race” I knew my legs were sore and I knew I wanted to stop running so I started biting my lip to focus the pain elsewhere and I kept pushing myself. I made it through Memorial and had 3km’s left to go when a TNT coach came up to me grabbed me by the hand and told me I was doing great, I started crying and said “I needed to finish 5 minutes ago to hit my time goal” he said "I know you did but you know what keep running because you are going to PB and that is the most important thing, today wasn’t your day but maybe tomorrow is, there is always another run”. 

As I entered my last two km’s I so badly wanted to just walk the rest of the way and someone from behind me came put her hand on my back and said “I have been chasing you almost the entire way, you are my motivation and my inspiration keep running because you are going to sub 4 this” and all of a sudden I hit a second wind and my legs wanted to move. As I entered the finishing shoot I saw my mom standing there waving at me and cheering me on and I knew I had the drive in me to do a sub 4. As I crossed the finish line I looked at my time and it read 3:57:55 and I was disappointed in myself for not hitting my BQ but also so proud of myself for finishing a marathon in under 4 hours.

As the results rolled in yesterday I realized that I had finished in the top 10 in my division and was even more proud of myself. Top 10 finish in my division is incredible.

One aspect of the Calgary Marathon I loved was that our name was wrote on our bibs so as we were running through the communities and people were out on their lawns cheering us on you would hear a random “Go Tiara” “You got this Tiara” “Run Strong Tiara” and hearing my name it would push me to push harder and faster!! It was great community support and it made me love Calgary even more.

Now it is time to refocus my goals and push to Boston Qualify in Edmonton on August 25. It’ll be my last chance to qualify for Boston for 2014 and I am even more determined now to hit this goal. I have the endurance I know I can run the 26.2 miles now it is time to work on maintaining my speed!

Do you have any advice for me as I start training for Edmonton? Have you qualified for Boston, if so what advice can you give me for race day? Or even for training?

Hope you continue joining me on this wonderful journey to Boston.