Tuesday, September 25, 2012

10 Running Related Questions

I have found a blog and podcast that I really love. Another Mother Runner by Sarah and Dimity. http://anothermotherrunner.com/ Their blogs and podcast are so real and reminds me that I am so normal/in the norm.  These ladies and their running are just like me.  Now that is refreshing. I have also learned so much from them about hydration, recovery, better shoes etc...
So this week they posed the question of "10 Running Related Questions" about yourself.  I thought that it would be fun to try. Come along and play the game with us.

1. Best Run Ever:  Running my 1st half marathon.  I was aiming for 2:30 and when I came across the 9 mile mark where there was a time clock (cause I didn't wear a watch then) and saw that I was 10 minutes ahead of goal I was so pumped. Ended up finishing in 2:20. YAH

2.  Three words that describe running: challenging, exhilarating, enlightening.


3.  My go to running outfit:  Compression shorts and my Green bay half marathon shirt.  The compression shorts because after having 2 kids, gaining weight and loosing weight your thighs just never look the same and friction is a problem.  I just like the feel of my old half marathon shirt even though it is looking a little ragged. It's hard to part with an old friend.

4.  Quirky Habit: Strange hand movements especially when a great rhythmic song is on Iphone.

5.  Morning, Midday or Evening Runner: I do not do mornings!  No time in the midday.  So evening it is.

6.  I won't run outside if:   It is snowy and Icy.  I am just to old to risk falling on  my butt.

7.  Worst Injury:  dog bite to my right calf about 6 weeks before this years Chicago Marathon.  8 stitches, a lot of bruising and swelling.  But I am back to running and ready for Chicago.

8.  I feel most bada## when:  I cross the finish line running! I was glad to finish Chicago last year standing up.  Especially when the last .25 mile was going over a bridge. Who's great design was that!

9.  Next big race is:  Chicago Marathon October 7th 2012.  I did this race last year for the first time.  At first I thought that I would never do it again.  Then after my recovery I found that all I could think about was running it again.

10.  Potential Goal:  This really might not be a goal, but more of an item on my bucket list. 2013 Inaugural Nike Womens 1/2 Marathon in Washington D.C.  I have always wanted to visit DC and this will make my husband take me!  What could be better then running through our capital. But I have to hope and pray that I get into the lottery and when I do my name is chosen! (Plus, it is on my BIRTHDAY!)


On a side note, 11 days until Chicago Marathon.  I am so excited!
My fundraising with World Vision is going better then I could ever imagine.

Have a great week running!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Count Down

18 days and counting until the Chicago Marathon.  I am both nervous and excited.
My first 1/2 Marathon (since weight loss and getting back to running) was in 2010 in a town near and dear to me-Fort Wayne Indiana.  There I saw for the first time people who were running for World Vision and it inspired me.  I have sponsored two children through World Vision for about 10 years now.  I started out with one child sponsor because I was between church homes and need to tithe. So I thought this would be a good use of my tithe.  Then we started to attend our home church on a regular basis and I just couldn't give up the sponsorship, so I gave money to World Vision and money to church.
Well, it so happens that a few years later I got a new job and better money so I sponsored a second child.
When I saw the runners with World Vision I was inspired.  The next year at Fort Wayne 1/2 I saw this group again and more world vision runners two weeks later at the Chicago Marathon.
This winter our church did a program where everyone was encouraged to read the book "Hole in the Gospel" by Rick Sterns the president of World Vision.  Through this program each week we were encouraged to think about how others in the world live differently then we Americans do.  A lot of the differences have to do with food and water.
Coincidences that all these things keep poping up in my life. No- God is calling.
Now I have tried to talk myself out of raising funds and running with World Vision but it just won't  let me go.
I am not very good at asking people for funds or support.  You know the things that run through your head:
people will think that I am crazy, people will tell me all the negatives of World Vision, people will think I am jumping on the band wagon.....the list goes on and on.

So I have started to get out and let people know that I am running with World Vision to raise money for water and wells in Africa.  I let my friends know that:

"I love running and I love long distance running.  I am not a very fast runner but I am determined. I have run 3 1/2 Marathons and the Chicago Marathon once.  Those I ran for myself.  This time I want to go beyond myself and run for a need.  I have sponsored two children through World Vision for 8 years and have come to know how well this organization cares for others.
I am running the Chicago Marathon with Team World Vision to help change lives in Africa. The needs are great, but I believe there is something we can do!"

Suddenly I am finding that friends are donating money to my cause and everytime I see a donation amount I am over whelmed.  I can't believe what people are willing to invest.  But I am so glad and so thankful.  So THANK YOU to all those who are supporting my calling.

 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

Hope and pray that all goes well for you this week. 
support.worldvision.org/goto/RobyneSpillers


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Off and Running

Well, I did it.  I got back out and ran again after my stitches came out.  I was nervous and excited all at the same time.  Questions run through your head:  Should I be doing this?  Is it too soon?  Will it hurt and I will have to turn around?
So I talked the teenage daughter in to tagging along on  her bike (I bribed her with shopping in the big city).
Off we went to the big city where they have fabulous bike trails (and serious dog lease laws) that go on for miles and miles.  I started off with a good warm up and then headed into my running wearing my calf compression. 
All went so well that I ran 9.5 miles, I was striving for 10 but ran out of trail and daughter ran out of patients.
I felt just as good as I did two weeks ago when I first go injured.  SO SO EXCITED ( I just had to shout)
Daughter was great water carrier and support team.  Showered at Anytime (cause my membership is good in lots of places!) Took daughter for icecream and shopping.  Couldn't have asked for a better day.

Well what about the next morning you ask!  I felt fine. A little muscle soreness but nothing out of the ordinary.  Sunday:  went for a 4 mile easy run.  Did notice that my form is a little off, but I will focus on that this week. 
End of the trail


Then today, I got my electronic copy of Runner World and I read the editorial.  All about pitbulls biting runners.  Wow!  That's what happend to me!  I got only half way through the story before my heart was racing and I stressed out.  Have to read the rest of the story later.  A little at a time.
What a coincidence.  I did a shout out to the editor of RW.  Hope he gets the message.

Have a great week. Chicago here we come! 25 days and counting. 



Friday, September 7, 2012

On the Road Again

Well my leg is healing up nicely and the stitches are out. HOORAY!  I was so excited to be getting these stitches out.  If you have ever had stitches, you know how they get toward the end of the healing process.  They pull and itch. Plus, I love to wear capri pants and my calf had a Frankenstein effect going on. Ugh! After the stitches came out, the wound looks good but I am definitely going to have a scar. I am going to go to the Chicago Marathon next month telling everyone that I have a battle scar!  You know your a tough runner if you can make it though a marathon while healing from a dog bite.
Been getting on the elliptical and bike this week and am hoping to go for a trial run on Saturday.  Crossing my fingers that all goes well.
Wished I looked this good
I did invest in a compression calf sleeve and I like the feel of it.  I just hope that it helps the bruising on my leg.  It has felt good while I was on the elliptical and bike.  A lot of information out there about the pros and cons of compression gear. http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=13830 
Well, it feels good and hasn't caused any harm so why not!  How do you feel about compression gear?

 I rode the bike for 10 miles on Thursday evening. I couldn't have asked for better weather.  But the whole time I am riding, I was thinking that the bike was more of a work out then my runs.  Maybe I need to get out and cross train a little more.

On a side note, I spent the Labor day weekend sitting around our campsite with my leg elevated and keeping it iced to reduce the swelling (which I can proudly say is 95% gone).  I was frustrated with the swelling, was fighting some infection, and feeling sorry for myself that I couldn't get out and kayak.  So I read a book, "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Wind" by Wm Kamkwaba.
A story about a young man in Malawai Africa who uses his ingenuity and determination to make life better.
You stop feeling sorry for yourself after you read a book like this. 
Also a reminder that I am running with Team World Vision at the Chicago Marathon to raise money for better water in countries around the world.  To give go to: support.worldvision.org/goto/RobyneSpillers

Thanks and have a great weekend.  Hope that your run is as good as mine is going to be.  (I optimistically know that it is going to be great)