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?
13 comments:
Hi Sandy,
What's the prize for winning the 5K? Just kidding. That's an easy question to answer. Definitely escorting a friend to her first finish line is my preference. There was a day in my running career where I would have looked at winning a 5K more seriously. Running changes lives, so definitely changing a life of a friend is my choice.
I would absolutely run with a friend for her first race instead of winning a race. I think so many people don't understand why others run and to get some of my friends to just try it, would mean more to me that winning myself. I know that they would love it, or at least understand why others find enjoyment out of it!
I've done both. In 2005 I raced a local 5K and won first in my age group. In 2006 I ran the same local race with my 8 year old daughter and her friend, 2 of the girls in a local girls running club I had started. We had been training every week on our local high school track, building laps up to 12 in preparation. I promised I they could do the 5K, and I would run every step with them. They did it, and being with them and seeing their faces when they finished was the best running moment in my life, bar none. Running for yourself is great, and everyone should do it. But running for someone else is greater, and everyone should do that sometimes as well!
This was easy for me to answer. I have only been running for about 9 months now, and not very consistently. However, just a few weeks ago some friends convinced me to run with them in the More Half-Marathon in NYC. While I was able to run the first 6+ miles (a HUGE accomplishment for me since I'd never even run a 5K before!) and walk/jog the last 6+, I admit that crossing my very first finish line would have been much more enjoyable had I been crossing it with a friend and not alone. Success is always sweeter when shared with a friend!
Welcome to the blogging world! :)
In response to your question, I would rather run with my friend than be the winner. One of the main reasons I run is for the social aspect. I DID run with a friend in her first 5K this past fall and it was wonderful!
I would absoluteley run with my friend! Recently I ran the Disney marathon, my first ever marathon with my friend. She was not feeling well at about mile 21, and told me to go ahead, but I didn't see the point. We had trained for this together, logged so many miles, shared laughs and soreness, why stop now? We crossed that finish line together and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way!
You own your running time, whether it be for one mile or 26.2. It doesn't matter if you do it in a race or not. Running and all it's excitement mean so much more when you have someone to share it with, so I choose finishing with a friend any day!!
I think everyone has pretty much hit the nail on the head...we run to celebrate the fact that we can. When we have reason to celebrate with someone else, then it makes it all worthwhile. Running with people, especially those close to you gives you both a sense of admiration and accomplishment for eachother. This summer, my friend and I are joing a group of people we don't know for our first all-night relay through the Wasatch Back...I never would have signed up for it if she didn't agree to do it with me.
I will be running my first half marathon at the Drake Relays in two weeks right along with two of the greatest women I know, one of which is our very own blog leader Sandy! I feel so fortunate to have them with me in training and in the race. I greatly appreciate their enthusiasm and encouragement. They have brought back my passion for this empowering sport!
I agree, I've always enoyed running, but when a friend of mine agreed to run the Tufts 10K for Women together, it was a refreshing reminder of how much fun it is. We ran it together, and now she's hooked on running and runs more than me. :)
ok, i'm breaking the mold. i would like to finish first, then circle back and run with my friend. i am soooo slow, that most of my friends that i have convinced to run, actually run FASTER than me. i've run many runs and triathlons convincing first timers to run them. they appreciate the push, and appreciate that they don't feel that they are hold me back (ha!) and then appreciate that i come back and finish with them.
Hi Sandy
Your an inspiration to me! I've signed up to run 1/2 marathon in Chicago on Oct. 7th. I'll be meeting a friend to run it with. It's a great incentive to get back into shape after having baby Quinn. Any suggestions or tips for me? I hope to start training next week.
Jenny Flemming
Jenny,
First congratulations on the birth of Quinn! Babies are truly the miracle of life. Also a big “way to go” on deciding to run your first ½ marathon! So many of us marathoners started after having kids. Running is such great therapy for all the challenges and joys of life.
Of course I have lots of advice for you. We’ll start with running for time vs. distance. You have to work on building up your endurance by working on the amount of time you can run. So lets say that right now you can run for 20 minutes. So next weekend go for 30 minutes, the following weekend 45 minutes. Bring along your favorite running buddy or child (I strongly recommend a good baby jogger. Introduce them to running at an early age and it will be part of their life too!). Only count your running time. That is perfectly fine to take walk breaks just stop your watch. Build up to running 2 hours for your ½ marathon and this should be done 2-3 weeks before your race. One long run on the weekends is plenty and then try and run at least 3 times a week about 3-4 miles each time. Seem do able? You’re a mother-you can do anything!
Also very important to know is hydration, especially when training in the summer months. I recommend buying a Camelbak. There are backpacks and fanny packs. You will get use to wearing it and it eliminates the need to plant water and littering. It is so nice to drink when you want to.
Please write if you have any questions. More than happy to feed you advice.
Keep running,
Sandy
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