Transcending Borders & Boundaries

Recent Italian transplants, Carlo and Sofia, had a few of our RunMuskegon members over for a pasta dinner this weekend.  I first met Sofia and Carlo a year ago on a November run group night.  They quickly became regulars, and went on to take part in several West Michigan races.  Usually we’d talk and share race stories over a pint after a group run.  So when the invite came, I jumped at the chance to get to know my Italian friends better.  

Sofia and I at the 2014 Katty Shack 5K in Grand Haven.

The food was fabulous...authentic Italian in every way from a mouth-watering puff pastry filled with zucchini and ricotta, scrumptious orecchiette with broccoli, a spinach salad, right down to the post-dessert espresso with chocolate.  Every bite was as warm and inviting as Sofia and Carlo welcoming us into their home.  Conversations flowed with the red wine, laughter and stories filled the room.  Surrounded by my runner friends, I felt truly fortunate and thankful for these individuals in my life, and in awe of how we came together.

Sometime between the salad and dessert, Sofia brought out a photobook of her 100K trail race (Magraid Trail Race) she completed in Italy before moving to Michigan.  She was part of a two woman team that ran side by side over the course of three days.  Flipping through the photos, she described the experience, I discovered this petite Italian woman was definitely a force to be reckoned with.  

Sofia & Carlo (in the blue) at the Old Boys Oktoberfest Race series.

As I listened to Sofia describe her 100K experience, I marveled at how running transcends borders and boundaries. Much like music and mathematics, which are considered to be universal because you don’t need to understand the English, French, Spanish, or (in this case) Italian it is spoken with...you only need to open yourself up and the passion easily communicates the meaning.  Our need to run extends across the world.  

Runners just ‘get’ other runners.  Especially runners that have trained and raced long distances.  The determination, intention, the sheer pure grit to reach a goal of that scale...it is identifiable in others who have it too.

Perhaps that is one of the underlying chords that ties running groups together.  Despite being a hodge-podge collection of people from widely differing backgrounds and lives, we understand each others’ journey...because we are on that path too.  We speak the language of runners...through the rhythm of our pounding feet, the beep of GPS watches, smiles and grimaces, high-fives, and pats on the back.  

Whatever it is that allows us to overcome language barriers, I happy it exists...especially now that I have my sights set on an international marathon in a few years!  Viviamo. Amiamo. Corriamo.

Say It Isn't Snow!

The fluffy white stuff came a bit early this year...and stuck around.  I went for a quick run Monday afternoon thinking that I needed get as many warm, outdoor runs in before the ground was cloaked in white….little did I know that quick two mile run would be my last snow-free run of the year.  I ran the bike trail that skirts Muskegon Lake, taking in the changes I have seen it go through over the past year.  All the boats are out of the harbors now, snuggled and winterized in their warehouses.  The foot traffic on the bike trail has dramatically decreased with the dropping leaves and temperatures. Once winter comes, most of the sections of the bike trail nearest the water become too hazardous for runners and pedestrians.  The plants are now brown and dried up, no longer colorful or green, leaning haphazardly against each other and on the ground.  A far cry from the autumn wonderland I so enjoyed just a few weeks ago.

Weather for my run group’s Wednesday night session felt frigid, but it was truly nothing compared to what we survived last year.  Nonetheless, the temperatures and wind chill were unexpected this early in November and marked an abrupt end to fall running...even if the snow wasn’t swirling quite yet.  Lit up in our assortment of reflective gear (and sharing it with some of our newer members), we took off to the streets and sidewalks of downtown.   A few snowflakes licked us as we ran in the dark, now pounding the pavement of the downtown neighborhoods in Lakeside, but not enough to coat the ground.

Concerns about how the snow, cold, and ice will slow down my times down again floated through my mind as I debated which layers I was going to wear.  Summer was a struggle for me, seeing my times and paces affected by heat and humidity, autumn brought redemption and speed that I am counting on to keep me on track to meet my 2015 goals.  Another epic, frozen winter like last year...that will put any all-season runner to the test.  

By Friday, it had snowed enough for a few inches to stick.  I seized the chance to run outdoors after school, even though I was incredibly nervous about running on my own.  I didn’t know what to expect on the snow-covered bike path.  While the scenery hadn’t changed much, the terrain had.  It was difficult to see where the pavement’s edge was at first.  During the first 800m, my footprints were the only marks marring the freshly fallen snow.  Eventually my tracks joined those of a rabbit, zigzagging across the path.  Occasionally, bird track would dot the sides of the trail, near low, scrubby brush.  Further down, I joined the walk of a dog and his owner who had also decided to brave the snowy trail before me.  Rounding a bend and trekking closer to the bridges, I recognized the footprints of another runner.  Smiling because I was proud of myself for noticing the tracks were different from that of the dog-walker, I knew I was no longer ‘alone’ on the bike trail.  Even though there was not another soul to be seen for my five mile run, I knew that others had ventured before me, as would others after me.  

Funny how comforting that was.  Despite being alone, I took solace in the knowledge that others sought the trail; I had company of sorts...others who perhaps sought a physical release of energy, a jaunt with nature, or just an excuse to play in the snow.  For example, once I turned back toward my Jeep, I began to ‘play’ a bit in the snow...first running only in MY footsteps...then in the other runner’s, comparing my nature gait to his...then ‘skating’ along the path (quickly running, then sliding with both feet on the icy/slick spots)...and finally kicking up as much snow as I could when I came to the bridges that cradled a snow depth of four inches.  I am positively certain that anyone who would have come along while I was ‘funning’ (having fun while running) would have had every right to believe that I was crazy...or an over-sized kid.  But then again, maybe they also would have smiled and joined in the fun with me.  

  I settled for my Oiselle Moto Lesley Tights, Lux Funnel Neck, 

a Brooks Infiniti Half Zip, a hat and some gloves.  I’ve been 

breaking in my Brooks PureGrit trail shoes that I am 

intending to use while logging my outdoor winter miles.

That is what I am going to try to hold onto this winter...making running fun, even in the middle of Polar Vortex 2.0.  Those long runs, with seemingly endless miles across frozen roads and trails, could be so much more enjoyable if I seek the joy in my surrounds and have fun with it.  2015 holds two major goals for me:  a time goal for the Fifth Third Riverbank Run 25K and my first marathon.  Winter is just beginning.  Weather experts are saying its going to be a long one.  So here is to more ‘funning’ this winter!  Bring it!

By the way...so far the snow hasn’t slowed me down much. My average pace is still below 8:00 per mile.  #justsayin’

   

Running Through the Curves...and Overcoming Obstacles

Pulling on my tights for the first time in seven months, searching for my running mittens as I tried to pump myself up for my first really cold run of the fall.  It was below freezing and I hadn’t needed to bundle up for a run in a long time.  Good thing I had packed up my summer running gear, switching it out for my winter clothing.  Layering for cold runs has always been a concern for me, as I tend to warm up very quickly and dislike tying jackets around my waist or worrying about shedding layers and losing them.  

Yesterday was an amazing run.  There was some concern about the wind coming off Muskegon Lake and the windchill slowing me down.  But after the first half mile, my legs were warmed up, settling into the familiar cadence and rhythm of a long run.  Along the bike trail I chose to log my ten solo miles on, I was greeted by the cardinal who has been a constant presence this fall.  Leaves crunched and relented under my pounding feet.   I felt strong. I felt fast.  The first five miles sped by as I took in the solitude that enveloped me as I made my way out to Lake Michigan.  A brief pause along my favorite boardwalk, I finally felt at peace, free from the emotional hurricane that had been the driving force of my paces for the past few weeks.  

Earlier in October, my life took a major curve: a personal betrayal and the resulting fall-out sent me into a tailspin.  I was struggling to make sense of what had happened and sorting out the shattered pieces of my broken heart.  Running has long been one of the ways I process through stress, anxiety, anger, and grief.  I have pounded the pavement while seething vivid, red.  And while seeping deep, aching grey.  But for the past few weeks, the emotional rollercoaster I have been on has been a canvas of colored emotions: disbelief, betrayal, hurt, confusion, self-doubt.  

And I turned to it again, despite the sense of betrayal and distrust that had been clouding my runs.  I have actually had to force myself to get out and run.  I haven’t had the desire to and that was concerning.   Anyone who knows me well enough realizes the importance of running in my life and my need to ‘just run.’  

A lack of sleeping, eating, and desire to run did not stop my legs from churning:

5.3 miles 41:52 (7:53 pace)

3.3 miles 25:14 (7:38) pace

5.0 miles 38:04 (7:36 pace)

4.1 miles 29:55 (7:17 pace)

6.2 miles 46:04 (7:25 pace) GR marathon relay

4.0 miles 29:32 (7:23 pace)

6.2 miles 44:31 (7:10 pace)

9.2 miles 1:10:11 (7:37 pace)

3.0 miles 23:01 (7:40 pace)

5.0 miles 36:49 (7:21 pace)

10.0 miles 1:16:35 (7:39 pace)

There were even several sub 7:00 minute miles toward the end of each of those runs.  And every one was a negative split.  I would like to think that the cooler weather as a small part in my speedier, more consistent times...but I know myself better.  And even though each one of these runs was driven by a swirl of negative emotions, by the time I was done, I felt better.  Less hurt, less angry, more confident in my decisions and newly chosen path.  I am choosing to look back at what I had and cherish the love and the memories that I was fortunate enough to experience, rather than focusing on the end.  I was lucky to have love in my life again, even if it wasn’t meant to last.  As with most life-experiences...the beginning and endings are often rough and rocky...but the middle is the best part.  

Keeping this in mind, I continue to put one foot in front of the other, from looking forward to new running goals and new opportunities to become involved in my community to planning out my last year as a graduate student and spending quality time with my little one...who isn’t so little anymore.  This too shall pass and the future awaits, bold and bright, for those willing to work hard and be patient.