Dear iRUN

Dear iRUNLIKEAGIRL:
I run because for the first time, I can! When I run, I feel as though I can conquer anything. I used to weigh almost 290 pounds. Now I run 5+ miles five days a week & just finished a quarter marathon (6.55 miles)! I am a 42 year-old single mom and have kept my weight off for over two years. I run because I am a fighter with an iron will. Running renews my sprit and reminds me that I can overcome anything and reach beyond what I thought was possible.
Here's my story:
Losing weight began as my secret. Feeling so ashamed of being fat & failing at so many "diets," I made the decision to lose weight and to not tell anyone in case I failed again. This time was going to be different. As badly as I wanted to succeed, I was so afraid of failing. A couple of days later, I told my secret to my 8 year-old daughter, Hannah. Even at her young age, my daughter would guard it safely. I informed my daughter that I had started a weight management & exercise program. She happily threw her arms around me to give me a big hug & kiss. I warned her that I was trying; yet, still not sure of the outcome. After two weeks into the program, I returned home to tell my daughter that I had lost weight. And yet again, she threw her arms around me to give me a big hug & kiss. You see, those were my two most inspiring moments and the moments that seem to have given me the motivation I needed for so long. Because my daughter had so much faith in me, I knew I needed to succeed. I wanted to succeed for my sake and my daughter's sake. I wanted to show her how to succeed at something and if I could do this, she would learn so much. Succeeding at what you want in life takes time & it takes on-going effort. Takes picking yourself up & starting over after a setback. Takes commitment. And it takes not expecting yourself to be perfect along the way. In my weight loss journey, I have had great weeks & not so great weeks. Yet, through it all, I move ahead with patience. Hannah has watched me all the way. My daughter & I have learned the valuable lesson that no matter what confronts us, we can do it without quitting.

Thanks for listening to my story!
Daria of Eastchester, NY


Dear Daria:
Thank you for sharing your iRUN story. iRUNLIKEAGIRL believes in celebrating Individual Victories. And as cliché as it may sound, we couldn't celebrate victory if we hadn't experienced failure. It would be great if one failure could sustain a lifetime, but life continues to throw us a never-ending cycle of both. And believe us, whether it's weight management for one of our iRUN gals, it's something different for another. iRUNLIKEAGIRL accepts life's pendulum of both. While you experienced weight battle as a set-back, you undoubtedly triumphed in many other ways as shown in your daughter's leaps & bounds of encouragement. While you were improving your diet & exercise, perhaps a more "physical fit" person was simultaneously attempting to find ways in connecting to their child. There is so much we can learn from one another by showing our humble sides from time to time. Remember that set-backs are only temporary. And as you have so clearly displayed, reaching out for the next victory is the iRUN way!

All the Best,
iRUNLIKEAGIRL

Move out of your comfort zone

“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” Brian Tracy

In the past few years I have found it very important to do things out of my comfort zone. One area that has always been difficult---public speaking. I just never had the confidence so I decided to join Toastmasters. Now I very much enjoy speaking to groups. Currently I have been on a Speakers’ Bureau for the Hy-Vee Triathlon. We talk to breakfast clubs, Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs… It has been a lot of fun promoting this huge event. Speaking of the Triathlon, which is only a few weeks away, I have another out-of-my-comfort-zone activity. About a month ago, a running partner at work decided to put a relay team together. Somehow I agreed to do the swim portion. What was I thinking? I’m a runner not a swimmer! Swimming is totally out of my comfort zone. So I now have a borrowed wet suit that lays next to my dresser just waiting for me to squeeze into it. We live on a lake, so every morning and night to and from work, I am reminded of this huge endeavor. I need to practice! So I’m setting some goals. This week I need to do two 30 minute workouts in the Lake. Next week—1 pool workout and one 45 minute Lake session. The week of the Triathlon, two 1 hour lake workouts. So girls, I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone. Is it time to do that first 5K, ½ marathon, full marathon or a triathlon? Be brave. Set that goal. Hold yourself to it. Doing something out of your comfort zone is very scary but I guarantee the results are worth it!

So girls, I have 2 questions. #1 Have you done something out of your comfort zone and how was the experience? #2 Does anyone have a solution for stinking? I am a stinker! After I workout the body odor is unreal! Help!

Drake Half Marathon

May 9, 2007

The past couple of days have just been fabulous here in Iowa. This is definitely my most favorite time of year. The running season is in full bloom. A couple weeks ago a few of us IRUN girls participated in the Drake Half Marathon. What a gorgeous morning we had to enjoy one of the girls' first half marathon. It's great to watch a friend accomplish a goal!

Amongst all the great events that have happened in the past month, the IRUN team has experienced tragedy. On March 30th one of the IRUN girls lost a baby during the 20th week of pregnancy. Our hearts went out to her and her family over the loss of Grace. We know that she is in heaven watching over her Mom and Dad. We used running to help us grieve but we also used it to boost our spirits. It helps us see that life prevails death. Then just this past week another IRUN member lost her mother to suicide. The IRUN team came together and supported the family. In the mornings, we ran because that is how we deal with our pain. We talk, we share, we cry, we pray. Running helps our bodies feel the physical pain to block some of the emotional pain. It is our therapy and sometimes our escape from reality. Though we will never understand why these tragedies happened, somehow we must find the strength to go on with life.

So girls, here’s the question…
Has there been a time in your life that running helped you through a difficult event?

Boston 2007

Hey Girls. Wow, what can I say. Boston was an adventure! I left Iowa late Friday afternoon on April 13th. Flew to Milwaukee. While in the Milwaukee airport I met 2 other Boston runners. Matt, who works for Trek (how cool!)and running his 4th Boston. Kara who was meeting her Dad in Boston and running her 1st Boston. Then on the flight to Boston I sat next to a fine young man from New Hampshire named Josh. Just returning from Spring Break in the Dominican Republic. Josh wants to be a doctor. Keep reaching for that dream, Josh!

Saturday and Sunday were spent working at the IRUN booth at the Expo and loving every minute of it! It was so much fun to be around so many runners and talking about the sport I love. On Sunday, a dear friend, Ellen, from Philly joined the team bringing a ray of sunshine. I was having a difficult time getting mentally prepared for the marathon. There was a lot of talk about the weather. Predictions of heavy rains and 50 mph headwinds scared me. I know I wasn't alone. It was hard to sleep Sunday night as we listened to the wind and rain. I worried about the race.

Monday morning, Ellen and I left for Government Center at 6am. The rain was still coming down and the winds were strong. Our plan was to have Ellen join me at mile 17 and finish the last 9 miles. Thank God for friends that help you through the tough things. Government Center was filled with thousands of runners wrapped in ponchos and garbage bags waiting to get on the busses that would take us out to Hopkinton. THIS was definitely the most adventurous marathon I'd run! I met some great people on the 1 1/2 hour bus ride out to Hopkinton. I love hearing running stories and sharing words of wisdom.

At the Start, by some higher power, the rain subsided. This wasn't so bad. The first 16 miles of the race went great. At the start of Heartbreak Hill I saw Janet, a lady I was a nanny for 18 years ago in Newton. I stopped to give her a hug and went on my way. Heartbreak Hill from miles 18-20 (where it peaks) was very tough. I thought about my husband and sons back home and how I wished they were there to cheer me on and hug me at the Finish. I thought about my running buddy that had just lost their baby during the 20th week of pregnancy. The back of my shirt read "This Ones for Grace." I prayed that the pain I was feeling was nothing compared to their pain of losing Grace. I thought about my running buddy, Connie who has done the last 7 marathons with me but was injured for Boston. I missed her terribly. Along with my thoughts, I tried to listen to the wonderful spectators that lined the streets of Boston. It was so great to see so many people. They helped me get through the last miles. I finished in 3:39 and that was fine with me. Ellen and I had missed each other at mile 17 but met up at the Finish.

I had to make a trip to the Med Tent-which was my first. I feared hypothermia because I couldn't stop shaking and my lips were blue (Ellen kept telling me). I sat on a cot with blankets and drank warm soup. Then something strange happened. The guy across from me poked his head up. It looked just like a guy I dated in college 18 years ago! I asked a nurse to find out his name. It was HIM! I asked if I could be moved next to him. The nurses were totally into this. I was able to spend a few minutes with John. Just a reminder of the small world we live in.

So there you go, Girls. My Boston adventure. So....here's the next question. What was your most adventurous run?

So many of us women are dedicated to our running as well as our friends. Sharing the first time race experience with a friend is something you both will treasure. Thank you for all the great replies. If any of you are running Boston, please stop by the IRUNLIKEAGIRL booth at the expo. Keep running ladies!

Sandy

iRUNLIKEAGIRL introduces "Going the Distance" with Sandy

Hey Girls,

My name is Sandy and I admit that I am addicted to running. Full admission and quite proud of it.

I run because I love the way it makes me feel.

In the mail today, I received Boston Marathon information. I’ll be running my 2nd Boston in April. On the cover of the official merchandise guide, it reads: Reason No: 2007 with numerous hand-written reasons such as “Impossible is Nothing,” “The farther I run, the harder it is to stop,” “Resume says I’m goal oriented,” “Sweating is cleansing,” and more. These motivating words inspire me to keep running.

I’ve been running for nearly 8 years. All that I have learned is from experience. I am not a professional nor do I have any sports degrees. Yet, I do have a deep passion for running and helping other runners and non-runners. My goal with this Blog is to help answer any questions regarding topics such as nutrition, injuries, how to start running, time constraints, where to lodge when traveling, and so much more. I will give you advice to the best of my ability. If I don’t know the answer, I will look to my own resources and to you. Women learn from women. This Blog is a collection of our stories.

We’re creating an iRUNLIKEAGIRL team and I hope you will take part. Not exactly knowing the direction we will take, we do have a definite starting line right here and now in my home state of Iowa.

So girls, here’s the question…

If you had a choice of being the first-place finisher in your favorite 5K or running along the side of a friend who is running her first 5K, which would you do?