Get Over It

OK, You're a Runner. Get Over It.

Running a marathon is hard enough without also patting yourself on the back every step of the way.

The above is a link to an article written by Chad Stafko. I cannot even recall who originally shared this with me but my first reaction was...WTF? Is this guy trying to be funny or just a d-bag? In this little article, Mr. Stafko talks about runners and the stickers, tee shirts, etc. and equates that it is all done for show and attention. 

Really? Really?? *shaking head*

I drive a Big Rev3 Blue station wagon adorned with stickers. Distances.

13.1     26.2      70.3    140.6 

proudly displayed on the back of my ride.

I have a TRIATHLETE sticker. A Rev3 sticker. A RAGNAR 2013 sticker. I have a  pink SWIM BIKE RUN sticker. A runnergirl sticker.

Are these stickers there for YOU? 

No. They are there for me.

My little visual checklist of accomplishments. 

I am very well aware that more than 50% of the population of the area where I live does not even KNOW what any of these stickers symbolize. Or what they mean to ME. Or the obstacles that I have overcome to earn those silly little stickers. 

Or how these numbers have taught me that I am strong, I am determined and I have the ability to challenge myself push myself to reach goal after goal. 

A paragraph from the article reads: 

Why would someone want to get up at 5 a.m. and run 10 miles adorned with fluorescent tape to avoid being struck by someone who has the good sense to use a car for a 10-mile journey?

I have a theory. There is no more visible form of strenuous exercise than running. When runners are dashing down a street in the middle of town or through a subdivision, they know that every driver, every pedestrian, every leaf-raker and every person idly staring out a window can see them.

Let me assure you Mr. Stafko, I do not run for drivers, pedestrians, leaf-rakers or anyone watching out their window. I can also assure you that any of MY friends who run are not doing it for these reasons either. 

I run for me. I run for the way it makes me feel. I run because it literally saved my life.

I run for my family. I run for my daughter. I run for my mother-in-law (who cannot). 

I run for freedom. I run for therapy. 

I run because I can. 

Running has brought so much INTO my life, that I cannot imagine a life without running or moving. 

Perhaps that writer was trying to be funny, sarcastic or controversial. Who knows what his intent is here...but should he be dissing on people who are UP and MOVING in a country were the obesity epidemic is out of control?  Mr. Stafko, I encourage you to celebrate your support of the sedentary with that 0.0 sticker and rock on.

I will continue to adorn my ride with additional distances I conquer. 50k, 50 miles, 100 miles...you name it. I love seeing the stickers on cars out there. I love the camaraderie that is there in the running and triathlon community. 

If you don't like it, that's ok too. Because I don't do it for you.

What are you thoughts?

Do you "stickerize"?

Brag away, I want to hear from you!

Getting (half) Naked

There is a term often used to describe running without "gadgets"-
It's called Running Naked

NOT this kind of naked running


you know what gadgets I mean, the iPod or the Garmin 
running without one of these things is called running half naked

99.9% of the time, I am running with my ipod and my Garmin or Polar HRM
(I don't like my Garmin for running on the TM).
I find that music really compliments my running!

-if I am doing speedwork, I make sure the playlist is loaded with rock, some "angry" music or songs that really stoke up that internal fire
-for long, endurance runs I like to listen to a bit of softer music or pop stuff-Ke$ha and P!nk certainly have a way of bringing out my "dancy" side when I am out there a long time. I have been known to bust out some sic dance moves while running.
-podcasts are a relatively new addition to my iPod--there are so many quality programs to listen to and these are also great "company" on those long runs and even long rides on the trainer. Of course, most of my podcasts are about triathlon and there are several local triathletes that are on my subscribe list.

When I run road races, I do run with my iPod and create race pace playlists that are well thought out. I have my goal time in mind when I create the playlist and will put two power songs at the end. So cliche, but the Rocky Theme (Gonna Fly Now) is usually one of those last songs. Something about that song tells me it's GO TIME!
Or there is the even present Right Now by Van Halen or Lose Yourself by Eminem that are a guaranteed push for me.

Triathlon, enter stage left.

Hello Jen, welcome to the wonderful world of multisport. For your endurance pleasure, the USAT Rules do now allow for any kind of headphones, MP3 players or iPods on the race course.

I often wonder how this rule came into play and I am certain it is a safety issue.
I have no problems running 3.1 miles without music and have raced just fine without it.
Heck, even 6.2 miles should not be that much of a challenge for me to race sans music.
BUT
Now that I am going to tackle half-iron distance it's time for me to get half-naked with my running and start training my brain to run without my friends Eminem and Van Halen
and
still be able dig deep to push on thru and hit GO when need be.
Brain Training 101

Monday's afternoon run outside was just that-my first Brain Training run with no music. It was actually quite nice. I focused on my form. I thought about my breathing. I listened to the sounds of gravel crunching under my Fastwitches. I heard the strong winds blowing right through me.
But I was still able to run my run,  I was still able to hit those negative splits (8:31, 8:25, 8:21, 7:56, 7:13) with just the sounds of nature and my mind to guide me.
Granted, this was only a short run and the real tests will come later on in my training-those long runs and bricks but I am sure I will be just fine. I think I will also take advantage of finding more training partners to run and bike my days away.

I would love to hear from those of you who are logging the miles without music!
Tell me what keeps you company when you are out on the road all alone?

For those of you who prefer musical motivation, what's rockin' your playlist right now??

You entered my RoadID giveaway, right?
I'd rather be running totally naked than out running or biking without it!