by Kami | Sep 22, 2017 | All Essential, Running
R&R (Ragnar and Respite)
Respite “a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant”
Ragnar- 200ish mile running race with teams of 12 and 2 vans
Life is hard and I don’t want this blog to become a source of complaining or negativity, but the struggle of day to day life can be overwhelming at times, for any family. Years ago I started running. I needed an outlet and a way to shed some extra pounds. It was around the time that Jeffrey was 2, Meg was 5, and I was exhausted. Between my job as a nurse working night shift and two young children and all that came along with Jeffrey’s special needs (sometimes weekly doctor’s appointments) I had let myself go and I needed something to take care of me.
The story of my running is very typical for how I live my life and make decisions. I was doing a 12-week body challenge and as I progressed the elliptical wasn’t cutting it anymore so I took up running on the treadmill. One day in January, I was able to run two straight miles and I felt like I had completed a marathon… and in typical Kami fashion I decided that if I could run 2 miles then clearly the next step was a 1/2 marathon. So I went home that day and signed up! When Dan came home from work I informed him of my decision and just like any good husband he signed up as well! In all fairness he had been trying to get me to run since our college days and I couldn’t go 1/4 mile without feeling like I might die.
As my running journey continued, I came across a relay series called Ragnar Relay, and I KNEW I must put together a team. The general idea is that 12 runners, in two vans, run 200-ish miles in different areas of the US. My first thought was “who wouldn’t want to do this!”, Dan’s was “who would want to!” Luckily I have a wonderful girlfriend who is just as crazy, and we decided to go for it. Dan eventually agreed as well and last weekend we embarked on our 7th Ragnar in New Hampshire.
So, what does this have to do with respite? Dan and I just aren’t “drinking umbrella drinks by the beach” type people. We recharge best by being active and laughing A LOT. Ragnar gives us both and we have made so many wonderful friends along the way! They are our teammates and the only people who understand how awesome and terrible running is, and there is nothing like 30+ hours in a van together to really bond!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to my fellow Happy Pheet team members for giving Dan and I opportunities for respite!
by Dan | Dec 26, 2016 | All Essential, Running
Sixteen weeks. One-hundred twelve days. Sounds like a long time. And it is! Sixteen weeks from today is Monday, April 17th. Not a day that stands out to most people, but to me it’s the best day other than Christmas. It’s the day of the Boston Marathon. For those that don’t follow running or marathons, it is the ultimate goal for the serious marathoner. You can’t just sign up for this one. You have to qualify for Boston by running a marathon beforehand in a certain time.
Today marks the official start of my training for the Boston Marathon. From last May when I qualified at the Pocono Marathon until today, running for me was optional. I run because I love it, but if I woke up and didn’t feel like running, I could skip a workout and not feel guilty about it. I don’t worry about how many miles I’ve run or will be running. But as of today, running is more like a job. Runs and workouts are not optional. Even if i don’t feel like it, I have to run.
Now I don’t want anybody feeling sorry for me. I’m choosing to do this. You see, running in the Boston Marathon is like participating in the Super Bowl for runners. And to get to this place seemed almost unimaginable to me. I was an average athlete. I made the travel teams and all-star teams, but I was usually the last one to make it, and it was almost always because of my last name. My mom and dad were involved in all of the leagues so I guess they had to include me. In high school, I was varsity in soccer and wrestling, but never won any awards or made any teams. So now that I have earned this opportunity to participate in this event, I will not waste it.
This will be my fourth time running in Boston, and each training season I learn a little more. Last winter I think that I finally found the routine that is perfect for me. I don’t have a specific plan that I follow, it’s more of a blending of lots of plans with the guidance of a few friends. Six days a week, with Fridays off, for the next 13 weeks until the taper comes. But the biggest difference that I found last year was what I was doing besides running – I was actually taking care of myself. Sleeping better, eating better, and of course, implementing doTERRA products into my daily routine. Even with a huge increase in the amount of miles that I ran, for the first time in 6 marathon training cycles I didn’t miss a workout due to illness or injury.
So here we are, 16 weeks until I race again. My favorite 16 weeks of the year.
Please check back here or on our Facebook page for updates on my training.
