What Happened to Racing?

Yesterday was a big day for Mr. Roadie.  He joined me on an afternoon run outside and completed his first three miles around the new neighborhood.  When I asked him if he wanted to join me outside he almost knocked me over and started carrying on because he was so excited!

(His enthusiasm is obvious.)

I could tell really did enjoy it.  He seemed to smile with his tongue drooping down the entire way, but wanted to keep his composure for the photo.  You know…  there were squirrels and other dogs walking around and didn’t want to ruin his street cred ’round here.

While running yesterday, I started thinking about races.  I thought about my friends and even family who have completed some recently in Orlando, and I started thinking about how much I miss that feeling.

Since we found out we were moving, my goals for racing seemed to have taken a turn.  Running has become something I do for exercise and an occasional mental release.  I have always enjoyed running, and I do not think that will ever change.  But what happened to racing?

Race Goals

Since starting to train for my first half marathon about a year ago, I made it a personal goal of mine to complete at least five of them.  After I finished my first half, I changed that goal into running two a year.

Sadly, it looks like I am not going to get to live out that goal this year.

A lot of races have come and gone since I finished my second one way back in March.  I have had so many intentions on running in more than a handful of them from then until now. 5Ks, 10Ks, 15Ks,  anything to keep me racing.

I am starting to get emails about the next Gasparilla Half coming up in March.  When we first moved up here, I had every intention of running the Turkey Trot 10K, and then I “turkeyed” out not knowing our Thanksgiving Day plans or how cold it would be.  In reality, I could have totally handled it.

I have seen a lot of friends recap their latest Orlando races, with the most recent being the OUC Half Marathon.  Ohhh how I wish that I could have been a part of that half!

My mother signed up for it right when I heard the news we were moving, and I was tempted to sign up for it anyways and make a trip back, just to race.  But then again, not knowing where we would be or what I would be doing held me back.

I am so incredibly proud of my mother for completing her second half marathon! She get a new PR and raced without knowing anyone else there.  I think that is so brave, and I hope she knows how awesome and inspirational it is for me.

GO Mom!

Shortly after, the Tough Mudder pictures started to pop up on Facebook.  I had this mud race on my calender for quite a while, then had to erase it once I found out we were moving.  I have had at least three mud races on the radar, and somehow, something has always conflicted in the schedule of completing one.  (Super sad face.)

Part of me wonders if any of you wonder what happened to the girl who loved to train and race.  That girl, I assure you, is still here!

What’s the Deal?

I am sure those of you who have followed this blog for a while can guess what the deal is.  The last year and a half has been full of crazy ups and downs.

Together, Scott and I have dealt with a lot of hard life changing decisions, and have ventured out to follow new chapters in our lives.  During the time of the unknown and transitioning, training for a race is what really what kept me sane and got me through.  I like to have goals to reach for, and milestones to hit.

A handful of your might remember a list I released last January of fun obstacle course type of races I wanted to complete.  Unfortunately… I still have yet to attempt one.

You see, racing is not only a commitment of time and hard work.  That is the no-brainer part of the decision to sign up for me.  The big – and fun – races usually cost a pretty penny to enter, and we have not been able to justify entering as a priority this year. (Super, super sad face).

To make this long explanation short, I am currently out of running resources.  I need new running shoes (like, months ago!), and I have had my eye on a Garmin Forerunner watch for almost a year now.  I almost got one on Black Friday, but then a little thing called winter tires took precedence.  These days, any extra funds are going towards our first “real” winter and I still feel like I need more coats, scarfs, ear muffs, gloves, etc. to get through.

I wanted to join a running club at our gym that runs outside every Tuesday night and Saturday morning, but I am scared to commit without having the proper winter running attire.  You know, the special touch sensitive gloves (to be able to control your music and GPS while running) Under Armour, and hood wear.  Am I being a complete baby here?

For the last few months, I have enjoyed running outside for me.

It is nice to not have to go off of a training schedule, but at the same time I really miss that type of discipline.  I have an icredible itch to get back into the racing mode again!

The itch is there, but now I am now a little scared of training and racing in the cold.  I have already gotten sick a few times since the move, and I am pretty sure it is from the climate changes.  I am hesitant to sign up for any races, because I have no clue how to handle training and running in extreme weather.  How will my body react?

My goal is to stay positive, get through the first winter, and go from there.  I would love to sign up for a 5K or 10K in March or April and see how I handle it.  From there, I will judge when my second half marathon will be.  Maybe it will be here, maybe it will be back in Florida.  Who knows!

For now, I am trying to keep up my mileage and am enjoying taking a variety of group fitness classes at the gym.  Thank goodness for the concept of exercising inside!

I have also kept myself extremely busy with dancing in halftime shows at the Detroit Pistons Games! More details on that to come later…

Questions of the Day

• Have you ever had anything besides the training and dedication factor hold you back from completing a race?

• For those of you who live up north or in the cold, how do you handle running, training and/or racing in it?