Posts Tagged ‘running coaching’

Trees don’t get scared…

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Perhaps I should remember certain facts more often… One thing that I know but don’t bother to think about very often is that trees don’t get scared. Not even if you ride directly at them on a mountain bike. Not even if you yell at them. At least, they don’t get scared enough to move out of the way.

Trees probably don’t get scared because they KNOW that you won’t really damage them if you do hit them. In fact, they’re pretty sure that you’ll walk away the loser. And, you know something, THEY’RE RIGHT! Running into a tree hurts!

How did this come to mind this week? Well, you see, it all started when I couldn’t find my biking gloves – something which actually happened months ago, and I stopped riding with hand protection. But, yesterday, out riding with a friend, I managed to get a briar vine running through my fingers (ring and middle) as I was riding. And it was doing a pretty painful thing to my hand. So, my attention was pretty well diverted.

And so was my direction. To the other side of the trail and a bit beyond… and there was the tree.

It didn’t move.

My brakes didn’t stop me fast.

I screamed at the tree.

It still didn’t move.

My brakes still didn’t slow me fast enough.

Lessons learned?

1. Protect yourself. My head was fine. I had a helmet (never ride without one, road or trail!). But my arm is scraped, my wrist is jammed, and of course, there’s a nasty tear between 2 fingers. If I’d had gloves, or even mentioned it to my friend and she’d lent me a pair, this wouldn’t have happened.

2. Pay attention. Don’t be distracted by small discomforts. Especially when bigger, nastier dangers lurk.

3. Trees don’t move. Rocks are gonna be there. The planet doesn’t care. Adventure sports can be a blast. But sometimes, you come out on the short end. Be ready for it. Anticipate it, but don’t fear it. Minimize the damage and move on. I rode for another half hour, then went running on those same trails for another hour. Had a blast. Feel a bit stiff and sore this morning, so I’m going golfing.

Stay safe out there!

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Posted in Adventure Racing, Adventures in Living, Courage, Mountain Biking | 3 Comments »

Learning to run…

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

I was talking about running with my friend, Thad, the other day. And I thought about why I teach running to women who are thinking about running. You see, Thad is a typical runner… “Just Do It.” Grab a pair of shoes, hit the road and run a triathlon. Easy, right? Fun? Of course! Go ahead, get out there…

Well, for lots of us, not so much…

When I started running at age 48, it was a deliberate decision on my part that I would MAKE it work. I had a lot of weight to lose and not a lot of time for exercise and walking wasn’t going to do it. I needed something with a higher calorie burn, and I figured I’d try one more time to become a runner.

You see, I’d tried many times before, always with the same results – try it 2 or 3 times and fail. This time it was different. I was in Wetumpka for the weekend to buy a house (the one I live in now), and it was the day to try. The odd thing was, it was also the day to figure out the secret. I did it. Stayed the course. Kept running.

Five years later, I’m still running. Running 5k’s, 10k’s, half marathons, and now I’m signed up for a marathon. What’s more, I’ve become a running coach, sharing what I learned the hard way with Wetumpka (and Montgomery, Prattville, Millbrook and Elmore) women who want to run.

Lots of women talk to me about running. And a lot of them say “I can’t run.” And then add:

“I don’t enjoy it.” Usually from women who’ve tried keeping up with a spouse or running friend who thinks it’s “just do it.” Try running with a group of NON-runners and succeeding together. And laughing together. And talking your way through till you CAN run a 5k.

“It hurts my (pick one) feet, knees, hips, low back.” Uh huh – it can, if you don’t know the secrets to running pain- and injury-free. Most of you just need someone to show you how (yes, there are real problems. Most people don’t have one that prevents them from learning to run).

“I can’t even run a mile.” Yep. And you’re not a teenage boy who can just pick up any old sport and do it. There’s a right way and a wrong way to start. And to try and run a mile on the first day is definitely a wrong way!

“I can’t breathe when I run.” I know what you’re doing. Been there, done that. Now, I know a better way to start running and keep breathing.

“I (bike, do the elliptical machine, swim), but I just can’t run.” Did you try and swim ¼ mile the first day you jumped in the water? Of course not! Lance Armstrong called his first marathon “the hardest physical thing I’ve ever done.” He learned that you can’t just transfer from one sport to another and expect to perform at the same level.

“I don’t know how.” Well, yes, and that’s why I’m teaching running. Most of us don’t know how to start.

I’m starting another class next week. Monday, 6:30 PM. Rumbling Waters Health Club. Downtown Wetumpka. Come LEARN to run with me! You won’t regret it.
Jeanne
Ignite! LLC
..Life Adventures for Women

* More details can be found on my website.

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Posted in Adventures in Living, Support, running | No Comments »

National Running Day – Get out and Run

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

I just found out that next Wednesday is National Running Day. It’s a day to celebrate our ability to run. Just run, no races, no pressure, just run!

Friday is my 5th anniversary of being a runner (and my son’s 29th birthday, coincidentally). 6 years ago, I couldn’t run. Five years ago, I decided to run. My first “run” was a grand total of 3 minutes. Each minute was separated by a 5 minute walk. BUT, I became a runner that day. I began running and never stopped.

Now, I’m passing it forward, by training new runners and runners who want to run better. I’m a running coach and I race for fun. So, Wednesday, June 3rd, I’ll be getting out and running. Who’s joining me?

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Posted in Support, running | No Comments »

Run forever!

Friday, April 10th, 2009

I teach new runners to run. I know people think “What’s the big deal about that?” Well, when you’ve never been able to make a running program work for you, and you have walker’s envy of the runners or you can’t figure out how to start, running programs are great! The groups are highly motivating, and there’s a lot of knowledge that I had to learn on my own that I can pass on.

It works. In 4 weeks, these women increase their running distance 500%. In 4 more weeks, another 500%. Twelve weeks in, women who never believed they could do it are running a 5k race and doing well!  Part of it is that we run in a group twice a week. There’s a lot of time for talking in these runs.Often, one of the group will ask me questions like “When does it get really easy?” or “This isn’t very tough for you, is it?”

Well, no, it isn’t very tough. When I go out for a run with my groups, it’s rare that I struggle. After almost 5 years as a runner, a two or two and a half mile run with people who are just starting aren’t likely to be that tough for me. And there are lots of days that running is a pure joy for me. In fact, most runs have wonderful periods in them, whether with the group or by myself.

Not all runs are perfect. Not all of every run is great. The runner’s high doesn’t happen every time or for all of a long run (often)… But, OH, when it does! When it all comes together, the sweat doesn’t matter, the road doesn’t matter, the cars going by don’t even come into your consciousness. Your beat is strong, the songs in your head are in tune with your stride. Aches and pains go away and the world is a good place. Your body is healthy and alive and it does anything you ask of it. It’s magic!

So, when does it happen? When you least expect it! When everything looks like it’s not working. Keep running, you’ll find it!

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Posted in Adventures in Living | No Comments »