My Mom is Awesome

I'm highly biased, but if there was to be anybody biased in the other way, it would be me. However... I think my mom is awesome. Whereas too many empty-nesters I know of just kind of settle down, stay content with the lives they'd built while dealing with unruly teenagers, my mom did the COMPLETE OPPOSITE! She's kind of like me where she has some awesome friends who have challenged her to go outside her comfort box. Even without them, she's pretty fearless and independent. After joining the military at 18, she's lived in Germany, visited Egypt, and took me around London. On the less-exotic front, she bakes, cooks, sews, and sings nice and loud at church every Sunday. 

During the bike ride across Iowa in Pocahontas :)

One of her empty-nest endeavors was .... RUNNING! She's done a 4-mile race in my hometown for a few years. She interrupted her training to ride her bike across Iowa to do it this year to keep up her 4-mile run :) My mom's even done a half marathon. Quite a legacy to live up to! With that in mind, she sent me the following advice, which I have also passed on to KR. 

Here's to the next TV Timeout and take it away, Mom...

Syd

1. don't wear any new clothes - including sock. only wear stuff you have run in before and are comfortable in. you never know what might itch or bind. wear comfortable clothes - this is not a beauty contest!

 

1.5 be sure your shoelaces are tied - and tucked into the laces some way so they don't get loose. nothing worse than having to stop to tie your shoes.

 

2. go to the bathroom before the race - go at home, and at least once when you get there - even if you don't think you need to. be prepared for long lines.

 

3. only eat food that you have eaten before - this is not the time to try something new! be sure to stay hydrated, but water is much better than caffinated drinks. drink on the race if offered, and don't be afraid to pour the water over your head if you are getting warm. advice i got for drinking on the run was to smoosh the cup so it's just a narrow sliver and drink from that.

 

3.5 chapstick or something on your lips

 

4. dress for at least 10 degrees warmer than the temp - you KNOW you'll warm up.

 

4.3 stretch a little before the race, then stretch more afterwards - you will feel much better the day after.

 

4.5 check out the finish line - or the whole race course if possible. it helps to know if there are hills or turns, so you can be mentally prepared.

 

5. don't go out too fast - it will be very tempting, the adrenalin is going, everyone is passing you - but go at your own pace. You'll pass a lot of those people as they run out of steam.

 

5.5 sometimes, especially if you are running by yourself, it helps to pick out someone ahead of you and try to keep pace with them, or pass them if they are too slow then pick someone else in front.

 

6. RUN YOUR OWN RACE! You are not racing anyone else, you are just running for you.

 

7. Have fun, go at a comfortable pace, but don't be afraid to sprint at the end! You'll be amazed how much energy you really have left!

 

I'll be rooting for you!!

 

Love, Mom

 

p.s. - our buddy Toni would say to set a goal - do you want to run 12 minute miles? 12.5 minute miles? 40 minute race? Only walk for a total of 5 minutes? Choose something, and see how you do.