Winners forget they're in a race they just love to run.

That saying was in a friend's fortune cookie this week and I adopted it for my motto for today's race. 

Several years ago when I first started running I had a favorite fall trail race called Hidden Forest. It was through the woods and around the lake at Independence Oaks at the beginning of November.  Sadly they stopped holding that race a few years back and I had not found a replacement.  This left me feeling a bit incomplete as I usually bracket my race season with Trailfest in the spring and Hidden Forest in the fall.  I am excited to report that I have found another fall race that offered similar rolling hills and autumn trees surrounding beautiful still water. There was also lots of friends and bonfires and music at the end.  I really hope Running Fit holds this race again next year!
On to the report, in regards to the title.  One of the things I have a terrible time with is when I am feeling slowed down with my anemia, it's much harder to run and I am much more slow.  Being passed by runners I could normally keep up with is frustrating and sends me mentally to a bad place where I struggle not to beat myself up about not doing better. 
I was happy I didn't have a big time limit. With this race I could finish in time for festivities if I walked it. No pressure to go a certain speed to make me feel more frustrated with myself.  Every time I was leapfrogged or passed by another runner I distracted myself with the reminder of the motto; Winners forget they are in a race.... Instead I focused on why I was really there; 
 

 I was there to smell the wonderful scent of fall leaves, pine needles and frosty air.  I was there to see the beautiful fall colors and wonder at this lovely trail and world that I live in. 
I was there to laugh with friends and cheer others on as we pushed through 10.7 miles or more. I was there to laugh and sing and chase my husband through the woods, to feel like a kid again, to fall in love with running again.


 

I think I prevailed, in spite of fatigue, sore knees, and struggling with shortness of breath. I had a wonderful time and shared the day with many positive and encouraging souls. I was able to shout encouragement to others as they passed and sing and laugh my way through the woods.  It was the best of times and my smile at the finish shows the day was a success. I may not have won any awards but I feel like a winner!

Welcome Back Sun

It was wonderful starting an early morning (7 am) run without having a flashlight or headlamp.  The weather remains very cold, however the blush of day to start the run was a welcome sight!

You would think the low temperatures would mean fewer runners out early in the morning.  I am so excited to see so many out to prove themselves and stay active. Old Man Winter won't chase us back indoors!

Steve and I did a 10k out and back.  The advantage of which is we get to cheer on those who are at the back of the pack and those who are part of other running groups who have a later start.  It was great see friends from KPStrong and Running Fit.  Giving a "Woop Woop" of encouragement and collecting on the run high fives and hugs is one of my favorite parts of this game. 

Steve and I stopped on the bridge again to do the required "I came, I saw, I conquered this course" selfie.  I finally realized why my kids have such goofy looks half the time when I try to take their picture.  I seriously despair sometimes and wonder how so many family's get these wonderful photos, while I'm lucky if everyone is looking at the camera.  I present the photo sequence that made me laugh this morning and realize it's all Steve's genes.

Derp face

Eyes Closed

Maybe we should stop moving first...and why is Steve always so serious

Fourth try is a charm!

Last time I managed to drag Steve out to a morning run with a promise of breakfast after.  Sadly no one was going out after that run and Steve has not let me forget it.  Luckily this time was a great breakfast at the New Hudson Inn.  Hot breakfast, excellent company and good conversation are my favorite ways to conclude a good run.

I will conclude with some reading recommendations.  I most recently finished Scott and Jenny Jurek's "North".  This is the story of Scott's breaking the Fastest Known Time for completing the entire Appalachian Trail.  An amazing and inspiring journey which I listened to the audible version of and was not disappointing.  They really brought the trials, beauty, and scary parts of the trail to life.  Anyone interested in trail running or the Appalachian trail would enjoy this book.

Next on my reading list is "Run For Your Life" by Mark Cucuzzella M.D.

Be well my friends and find your happy pace!

Icy Run

"You know it's only 4 degrees out right? And that's not taking into account windchill."

This is from my husband still lying in the warm cozy bed as I struggle to shove myself into fleece running tights. 

"You don't have to come" I tell him. Yes it is a bit crazy. So are the multiple layers, foot warmers, hand warmers, flashlight and water bottle (which will probably freeze before I can drink half of it) that make me feel pretty bulky and awkward when running.  But I'm getting out there and getting my miles in and I hope to get Steve running with me again.

In the dark parking lot the Running Lab spring training group gather.  Many comments of "this is crazy"  "We're all nuts" can be heard in the dark as we try to figure out who is who and find our pace groups.  Funny we all look pretty similar when we bundle up!  I am proud to be a part of this dedicated group of crazies who came out in the cold to run anyway.

Those who know of my struggles with Raynaud's know that I have an especially hard time in the cold.  Breathing is more difficult and muscles don't want to work no matter how you force them when your capillaries are in spasm from cold. In hindsight I probably should have worn a wind breaking layer on my legs. The fleece tights weren't warm enough in -4 temps. My legs quickly went numb and I felt like I was trying to run with bags of ice strapped to them. I was grateful for Steve's presence and his willingness to keep to my slow pace. I focused on my steps ahead of me and trying to ignore my protesting legs.

I distracted myself with thoughts of blood restricted strength training, which I had been researching earlier this week. After all, if my capillaries are in spasm and my muscles are numb from cold I'm probably experiencing my own blood restricted training. Which will make me stronger faster right? I just need to push through and make my legs move when they are pretty sure they don't want to.

The seeping dawn light was a beautiful sight through the trees. I love this time of the morning when everything is still and the sky is slowly brightening. It always makes me feel hopeful and alive. It's a new day and who knows what adventures and joys there will be today.

I recently started using a new alarm clock app that has birdsong for the alarm and about halfway through the run I started hearing my alarm go off and couldn't get to my phone. Then was puzzled when the birdsong continued. That is until I saw the birds flying from tree to tree and realized it really was the birds waking up to greet the new day!  

One of the strange and beautiful side effects of running in the cold is the frosting of your moist hot breath on your face, clothes, and eyelashes. Everything gets covered in these beautiful frost crystals.  I am a bit jealous of the guys with their frosty beards. It's fun to see everyone's frosty photos  post run.

That's an impressive ice cycle on my eyelash!

I am grateful for my husband joining me in the run, and committing to train for his first half marathon in 2 years. I am grateful for friends old and new stumbling about in the cold and the dark and encouraging each other in the day's miles. I am grateful for blue skies and beautiful sunrises full of birdsong.

Life is good my friends!