MY NEW MAN...NEWTON!

It is so important to have the right pair of sole sistas for running.  They literally can make or break your run...leg, shin, knee, hips.  You get the point.  When I was in my teens, I ran in Nike's.  Not only were they pretty much the only pair out there, but they were the popular shoes worn by my hero, Steve Prefontaine.  If he wore them, so did I.  Shoe design has come so far since then.  And so has my feet. I'm not much into fads or the latest techno shoe, but recently I had an injury during a training run and decided, after 35 years of running, an analysis was needed.  I had a, "you can't tell me how to run just by stepping on that pad" attitude.  Yes, I know..I was a bit cocky.  I was young.  But, I hope I'm a bit wiser and somewhat humble now.  A bit. 

Most running stores have the "pad."  Sure, sure, it can give you an idea of what foot type you are; neutral or stability.   However,  there are more variations of just foot type.  There is foot strike.  Do you pronate, over pronate, run on the inside? Outside?   Myself, I am a neutral runner that runs on the outside.  Which led to my hip ailment.  Foot strike is a common controversy amongst runners.  The best thing to do, is just get your analysis done and try on several shoes to see what works for you.  My analysis was done on a treadmill with a movie cam by the intelligent Zach at the Salt Lake Running Company.  It was done within a matter of a few minutes.  I reviewed the 30 second independent film and found out,  I'm what they call, a supinator.  I actually like the sound of that.  I feel I should be wearing a cape with "Sup-A-nator" spelled out on it. 

So, in search of a new shoe I went.  Cape in tow.  Due to the bright color, I was immediately drawn to the Newton like a moth to a flame.  The price..a bit higher than I would normally pay.  So, before buying them,  I thought I'd do a little research.  This is what I found:  This shoe allows you to run naturally.  When running barefoot, you're not landing on your heels.  Landing on your midfoot/forefront is the most natural way to run.  It is also the fastest and more efficient way to run.  They have a lug design on the bottom that propel you forward.  It is the action/reaction technology.  The technology absorbs and then returns energy back to you.  It is based on Sir Isaac Newton's Third Law of Motion: "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."  Okay.  I'm not a scientist, but I think that's pretty cool!  Of course, I am certainly in favor of being pushed forward.  I wonder what Steve would think.

Discussing shoe possibilities with Zach again,  I tried the Newton's on and it was love at first flight!   I bought a pair.  $175.  Ouch, you might say.  But, "ouch" is what I was saying before I bought these.  Really, hip surgery would have been a bit more.  Quite a bit.  With any new shoe there is a period of adjustment.  I am a fan of inserts.  I found the insert that worked for me.  In my humble opinion, find out what Newton's would be best for you.  There are a variety styles and colors.  They also have a 125-175 dollar range.  I advise warming up to them.  Give it time.  Let the healing begin.  Run a few short runs before your long one.  After my 20-miler, I had virtually no pain what-so-ever.  What a relief.  Worth the money right there!  Another few short runs, one 12-miler, and my feet are now one with the shoes.  They are lightweight, comfortable and breathable.  The best part,  I definitely feel that I am running a bit faster.   My  marathon is just days away, and I have to say, I'm pretty darn excited about "running a bit faster."

Sure, some girls love diamonds.  Me, I prefer running shoes.  My third pair this year.  This pair ..the perfect cut and color.  And what girl doesn't love running with a mad scientist.  Yep, it's Newton and me.  Sir Isaac Newton!  My "reaction"...pure love.

I'VE DECIDED! HARD WORK IT IS.

Big dreams.  We all have them. You've heard it before.  "I want to be a fireman, a princess, a lawyer, a football star, a musician, a costume designer,  an American Idol."  My dream..to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  Not really a shocker to us runners, but a dream non-the-less.  It's a dream for a lot of runners.  It's hard work.  Lucky for me, I've never been afraid of hard work.  I've wanted it for as long as I can dream.  I'd watch the Boston Race every year with rapid heart beats.  I would sit at the edge of the couch cheering loudly.  No.  Screaming.  It's my super bowl.  So, in true "Cynthia fashion" I decided this was the year.  When I set my mind to something, there's just no stopping me.  Just do it!  It may seem like it was a whim, but I've been thinking about it most of my life.  This was the day.  I mean I'm 50, why not.  Oh my gosh, what am I thinking.  Me?  Of course. 

So, first step; find someone to help me get started.  I Googled coaches.  Called the local running store for help.  Got a few numbers and some emails.  This one looks good.  This one, hmmm okay.  Don't like her.  We'll try these few.  Called and emailed them.  Left messages.  No reply.  What a shocker!  What is it with people these days?!  GRRRR!  Do you want a job or not?  Just reply.  A day later, "Hello?"   WE HAVE A WINNER!  Dave.  I gave him answers to his questions.  "Just put it all on paper Dave," I said.  "Speed work, tempo runs, long runs...if it's on paper, I WILL DO IT!"  I knew I had to do the work but just didn't know quite how to put it together.

I've been working hard for a month now.  Speed work on Wednesdays, boot camp on Tuesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays.  Light workout on Saturdays.  Biking or swimming.  Long runs on Sunday.
18 miles has been my longest thus far.  Glorious Mondays, as I call them, are rest days.  I live for Mondays.  But,  I'm tired.  Hungry.  And always, always sore.  Aspercream and Aleeve are my closest friends.

So here we are.  I've signed up.  Marathon date, September 17, 2011.  "Top of Utah."  I've done this one before.  It's beautiful and a fast course.  Oh lucky me.   I'm so excited at times, I can't sleep.  Other days...mostly at 4:30 am before a long run..I think, "Why am I doing this?"  The voice inside says, "get up and go."  I want to hit that voice.  Of course, I get up.  And go.

I wasn't going to tell the world about my Boston attempt.   What if I don't make it?  I'd have to share that with the world too.  Humiliating?  No.  I chalk it up to a "runner's ego."  Or, as I like to call it, competitiveness.  We so much want to do our very best and shine.  Post some great event of ours on FaceBook.   I sometimes think about not qualifying and I am moved to tears.  Then I think of  Scarlett O'Hara and what she would say, "I can't think about that.  I'll think about that tomorrow."  She's right.  I envision myself crossing the finish line and qualifying.  That moves me to tears as well.  But I can't think about that either.   I can only think about the work.  The work that's ahead of me.  The hard, hard work.   I AM willing to do it.  So, whatever the outcome is, I know that I've worked hard.  Physically hard.  That whatever happens, I know that I haven't given up on the dream.  A little girl's dream.  My dream.  I'm taking a chance.  I promise to do my very, very best!
I'll let you know how it goes.

40 DAYS OF MY LENTEN RUNNING!

76 days, 8 hours, two minutes, and some odd seconds after double bunion surgery, it was bound to happen; she woke up, laced up her shoes -as she had countless times before -walked out the front door, took a deep breath and....SHE RAN!! Oh yes, baby, I'm back! What a great way to begin the Lenten Season.

I've decided, with a little help from the wonderful Dr. Walker, that this would be one of my Lenten sacrifices.  Running for 40 days straight.  To hurt. To heal. To progress. To endure. To improve. Repeat. Every step I take with a bit of pain reminds me of His suffering He made for me.

I'm ready.  Here I go.  What to wear?  I look in my running drawer.  Black running pants.  That'll do.  I'm scrabbling now looking for a top.  Black? Pink? Something I'm selling? Perhaps my Moab Half shirt?  I was so excited.  I had tadpoles doing jumps in my hungry belly.  Like a 7th-grade school girl getting ready to see her new crush of the week.   I remember him.  Mark Braitlin.  It was a long affair... I think four days.  But I digress.  I settled on my pink top with the pocket in the back.  An all time favorite and so loyal.  A yellow cover top completed my ensemble.  The next step to this beautifully-choreographed dance; I pull my hair back in the familiar pony tail, took a puff of my Advair, brushed my teeth for the second time that morning, got my mittens, ear warmers, and...my shoes.  My shoes.  Sitting there in my closet. Waiting. Patiently.  For 76 days.  We said hello.  I carefully unlaced them.  Would they fit?  Oh yes.  Perfectly.  With room to spare.  I Laced them back up never forgetting the runner's knot.  They felt strange.  I introduced them.  Wiggled my toes a little, grabbed my hat and glasses and stepped outside. I took a glance at the sun and the big beautiful Utah mountains.  Which way to go?  Up hill -or- up hill? I headed straight up, my IPOD tucked in my back pocket blarring Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream." Of course.

I walked a few steps smiling widely.  The passion of my love was stirring.  Will the roads love me back?  Will they recognize me?  Did they miss me as much as I missed them? Still walking but my pace is quickening, yep getting faster, my heart thumping waiting for my first kiss.  There's nothing to do but RUN.  Go!  I'm running.  Oh my gosh  I'M RUNNING.  Yes, that's me.  It's a bit tough on the legs. But I forge on.  Breathing deep.  Fresh air is a comfort to my obvious discomfort.  I am filled with complete joy.  So much joy, cold tears are streaming down my face.  Still a wide smile upon my face.  No one can take this away from me.  Not an unkind word, not a disdained look, past regrets, nor the normal day to day routine.  I was blissfully happy.  And what was this? Discomfort. But not in my feet. This was familiar pain.  In my calves, legs.  I could handle this.  And now, a decent.  I picked up the pace.  Like a creaky bike.  I was working the kinks out.  The Tin man had his oil. It was all coming back to me.  I'm feeling  a sweat coming on.  A lovely, lovely sweat.  A slight uphill.  No worries.  And another decent heading back home.  Now it's PitBull, "Oh baby, baby." helping with a stronger pace.  Okay, not as strong as before the surgery.  But I'll get there.  Slowly.  I finish my canter into my driveway.  I finished.  Nothing really to rave about.  It was only a mile. I mean, I have 40 days.  But, I was a sticky sweet mess and so, so content. 

Hello old friend.  I'm back!