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You can just go out and run without any real equipment and anywhere. Running has brought me some new friendships when training for my two marathons with Team in Training. Running these two marathons taught me a lot about myself – I don’t give up, I give it my all, I can get through just about anything and there is always time for a run. Running the Boston Marathon in April in memory of my mom and fundraising over $56,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in her name was cathartic and emotional and amazing, and I couldn’t have ever done it without the love and support of my family and friends. I still can’t believe that I finished two marathons, I never would have thought I would ever have considered one in my lifetime!
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And it keeps me in/gets me in shape and I look forward to that euphoric feeling right after the run – I guess that’s the runner’s high! I never listen to music on my runs, for safety reasons but also because I either do some good thinking or just get lost in my thoughts and sort of veg out. I make sure that I am signed up for a half marathon each Spring and Fall to put together a training plan to follow. I really like having the set plan and goals and it makes me keep to it. I keep track of my times and paces in hopes of seeing improvement.
And around Castle Island. South Boston is so close to the city yet right on the water, but it is pretty flat so I find myself taking Broadway, which is the main street though Southie and has some good hills past tons of restaurants and bars and boutiques. I have seen some amazing sunrises and sunsets over the ocean or city!
And a sweatband in the summer. I don’t want the sun in my eyes (my Boston Marathon Coach said that squinting your eyes uses extra muscles to make you more tired when running), sunburn, or sweat running down my face and getting in my eyes. I only run in Lululemon bottoms. They are slimming, sweat-wicking and comfy, have great pockets, and don’t chafe on my long runs! My favorite are the Pace Rival Crop Capris that I can wear in 3 of the 4 seasons (not dead of winter).
I am competitive with myself and try to get a PR each time. I’m hoping to one day be able to complete it in under 2 hours. I am also trying to work on my 5K pace to consistently run it in under 30 minutes! Finally, I am trying to fall in love with hills…I started to after training for the Boston Marathon because I felt so much stronger but I think I would still classify it as a love/hate relationship.
However, it is much easier in the summer when it is so hot out that I have an incentive to try to get out by 7am to beat some of the heat.