OperationJack

Fright Nite 5K

Running through a cemetery on Halloween Night - My Idea of Fun! And it was! I shaved 8 minutes off my time for a new PR of 40:30

Running, running, walk

That's okay.. I hired a running coach to help me set a plan and to make sure I will not injure my back again. So My aim is to be healthy and running a 5K on Halloween night!

So if you hear some loud panting, footsteps and groaning Halloween, it's not ghosts it's me running a 5K!

Back in the sad... shoes again!

Little by little working runs back into morning workout...feels good to stretch the legs and to feel the rhythm again!

A Wonderful Person has Passed

Susan, fatcyclist's wife has passed. Our thoughts go out to he and his family http://www.fatcyclist.com/:

She is Gone

You can shed tears that she is gone

or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back

or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.

Your heart can be empty becuase you can’t see her

or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she’s gone

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on….

Anonymous

Back in the Game

I'm back at least 83% - walking, we'll be adding runs next week, but I can start exercising again. Doctor was impressed with my healing ability. 2 weeks ago I was in agonizing pain from a herniated disc, today I have no pain and full motion in back and legs!

Now to add Yoga to my daily workout!

Sidelined..

Herniated Disc - beginning treatment today; so I'll have to wait for DR.'s permission to either cross train/ walk/ run/ swim.. whatever it takes to get well and heal correctly. So far I've been on the inactive list!

AARRGGHH!

Fallen Heroes 5K tomorrow

I'm a bit nervous... I'm not sure why but I am. I am looking forward to the 5K. Should be mostly flat, unlike my neighborhood; many police officers and firefighters - I've worked with many over the years and I am lucky enough to call many my friends. I have a chance to race and promote Train4Autism and to honor those fallen in the line of duty. If it is not raining or not raining hard my family will be at the finish line. What more could a girl want on a race day?!!

Happy running to ya'll!!

New running partner

Saturday morning I woke up earlier than usual (husband had a bicycle class training class to attend), I got dressed, started stretching then heard my daughter (21 months) wake up. I went to ask my husband if he was getting up he said our 4yr old had a night terror last night and he had slept off/ on in his room so if he could grab an extra hour it would be great.

I had planned for a 4.5 mi run with our dog. But instead, took my daughter in her jogging stroller (1st time for going on a run). The dog was mad! After 1/2 mi of fiddling with the handle placement apparently, made for men 6'+ or women who are 5'3" (I'm 5'9") I gave up having my arms at a comfortable place and concentrated on showing Moira some of the wooded areas I run in.

Birds were everywhere, she loves birds.So for 2.5 mi. We enjoyed naming all the things we saw.We passed other runners - she waved at all of them. Most smiled and waved back. It was fun, I loved it! We'll have to do it again!

Don't worry Guinness we'll be back on the long trail next Saturday ...

Most important piece of Gear

..is my RoadI.D. (shoe ID). I run at 4:30-45AM and even though not many people are out I've a few near run ins with people headed home in a hurry. I feel better since I have severe medicinal allergies, it say right there on my ID.

My husband bike commutes to work and I worry about him headed to and from work, so I got him the wrist ID.

To see more go to their site: http://www.roadid.com/Common/default.aspx

Train4Autism Begins

I thought I was suppose to start 2 weeks ago, my body had a different calendar. So Thursday, I started my training for The Columbus 5K in August.

I turned to running for a few reasons awhile back - one was to lose weight and to get into shape. This is my third reason. My first reason is both my kids - I want to show them a healthy lifestyle and I want to be able to fully participate in theirs lives. An extension of this is my son, Duncan a high functioning Autistic - a child who lives with autism.

I grew up in a house with my brother who has cerebral palsy, I know what it is like as a sibling. Many time over my lifetime I marveled at my parents strength and love raising him in our home with 3 other kids - we were terrors all 4 of us in our own ways! Now, I am learning as parent what is autism how do I help my son be the best Duncan he can be.

Any parent who has children living with autism will tell you it has its good bad... as with any child. The first task after the diagnose is to get the resources in place for your child. As my mom told me, "Remember Duncan and Moira's needs are first, then you can deal with you." We are addressing their needs first. Next is me - "How do I prepare myself everyday to address their needs - I need to be centered, relaxed and fit - physically and emotionally.

My 4:45AM morning runs are my centering time. My "me" time. My body is shaping up, my mind is clear and some days I reach the epiphany that moves me forward. Sometimes it is my thoughts, sometimes it a podcast or a song that puts my life in perspective.

On my second Saturday 4 mile run (ever), I stopped for a moment and cried. Josh Groban sang in my ear - "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)"
I usually listen to ska, alternative, punk when I run for pace. How did Josh end up on my running playlist? Who cares! This is what I been trying to say to Duncan this is it! Duncan uses echolalia for communication - music, movie or what hears from others... I recently noticed that he associates songs with certain people. I began playing this to Moira and him on our rides to Daycare/ Preschool - I tell both of them - This is from me to you, I love you and will always be there for you.

So, I run for my children, myself, my husband, my health and now I run to raise awareness and funds for autism and autism research.

You can donate to help me train at http://train4autism.kintera.org/mgwolf13

Race for the Cure

Completed, but time was never a factor for this humbling experience. There were over 45,000 participants! I met a few survivors, walked with friends and marveled at the wave of hope for the people with breast cancer, their families, their friends and so on.
Hope

Race for the Cure

http://www.active.com/donate/columbusrftc09/JAFell

Saturday May 16th - Columbus, OH

First 5K - Done!

Well I did it! I completed it! All body organs intact and under my silent time. I felt really sore Saturday, but Yesterday and today I feel pretty good.

I know now what I am capable of and need to step up my training!

Did I say "I finished!"

First 5K - May 2nd

I think I am ready. My goal is to finish, I am trying not to put a time down as to what I finish in... I want to enjoy that I am running in my first 5K. The competitor in me will roar out for the next 5K.

Everyone asks me what made you begin running? - Me! I want to be healthier, I want to be with my kids and show them what it is to be healthier.

What keeps me running? - my family, me, knowledge that I am strong and I have guts!

Motivators? - Family, Train4Autism, family of running podcasts, To bring myself full-circle to myself (I can have a family, I can be successful at work, I can be an athlete, I can be ME!)

Happy Runnings,
Jenn

Been Sidelined

Strained my foot Thursday, feels much better so I guess I'll be running in the rain tonight - Yeah me.

Found My Running Muse

.. icy snow pelting me in my face! Shaved 2 minutes off each of my miles last night! I do not think my husband expected me back so fast.
Good news I can run faster than I have been... Means I need to challenge myself more!

My first 4 miler

So after many false starts, illness, weather and generally Murphy's Law I made my first four miler this morning.... To some of you that's your warm up to some of you that moment has recently passed ... but give me a moment to cheer my self on!! The bad of it is I bonked (crashed, ran out of steam) at 3.5 mile mark - The good news of that the dog bonked before me! I take what little joy I can of the moment! of course Guinness recovered much faster than me, I am now beginning to feel the full effects of the run.
I'll be running tomorrow night after the kids go to bed, not my favorite time to run, but I am adapting.

hope all is well with everyone!

1st post here

I started Running in January in Ohio - I'm not the brightest bulb sometimes. I have not run for exercise in over 15 years. I am a swimmer first and foremost, but I do not access to a pool like I use to - so running is about my only option.
In my youth I ran triathlons - and hated running! My peak swim years hated road work! - See the pattern emerging...

I have hated running, loathed it wanted to do anything but run.. but here I am running!

I eased into this time walking my routes, slowly adding jogs into it. I do not fully run my entire route yet - give me some time. I went to FrontRunners, here in Columbus, and they spent a large amount of time assisting me in choosing a shoe that is comfortable. Wow! In the past, foot discomfort really played into my not running. I found out I had long arches over pronated and my shoe size in running shoes is 101/2, not 11 as in my everyday shoe wear. My first run, not walk, was an eyeopener in those shoes... I did not loathe the next run!

My second piece of motivation came in the form of a running podcast. I run to music, but occassionally I want someone to run with me, push me from walk to run. With 2 small kids at home my husband and I cannot run together - so I audtioned podcasts (for 6 weeks). I found "Running from the Reaper"( http://runningfromthereaper.blogspot.com/). Running with Nigel in my ear is like having a friend with you. I also have found that Dan & Nik from 4 Feet Running (http://4feetrunning.blogspot.com/) are a lot of fun for short runs (when I'm not laughing so hard I tripped over my dog).

I am almost to the point of running 60% walking 40% - my goal for June is to do a 2.5 mi run (no walking)

I like running, I do, Sam I Am!