Running With Jay

A friend I’ll call Jay, because that’s what I call her sometimes, even though it isn’t her real name (i gots a bad case of the quirks!), recently asked me to train her for a half marathon (13.1 miles).   I agreed, but only if she in turn agreed to let me write about it.

Writing slut!

Lucky for you guys, she agreed.  Out of that agreement, the Running with Jay series was born.  Look for new posts every Monday.

So you have an image to put with her words, here’s one of my favorite pics of Jay, in her barn:

Next week, we’ll get into her actual training, but let’s get to know Jay this week, shall we?  I sent her a round of questions, interview-style.

1) Seriously?  You want me to train you?  Do you even read my blog?! 
Girlfriend, please. Obviously, I need someone to train me as I am a complete Noob, and since I begged you to do it for FREE, you have backed yourself into a situation that you will most certainly regret. Meanwhile, I reap the benefits of your expertise and practical know-how. Plus, that thing you do with the icy vegetables is just so…. fascinating. (LINK!)

(She asked for the link, so HERE it is…watch at your own discretion, as this was one of my very first videos.  It’s a family embarrassment.)

2) What is your motivation to train/run for a half? 
I’m a mom of three little ones, ages 3, 5, and 7, so it’s to no one’s surprise that my specialty right now is wiping things. This goal that I have set for myself gives me something a little extra, something that is just for me. You wouldn’t believe how much I have already learned about running (well, actually you WOULD since you taught me 90% of it). The whole process of acquiring new knowledge, seeing the nearly instant results as I train, and the huge guilt trip I would face if I quit – all of these things keep me plodding on.

3) What do you think will be your biggest obstacle as you train? 
I’ve got some pretty limited time constraints because of my husband’s job and the three munchkins. I am not quite sure yet how I am going to fit in my long runs on the weekends. Fortunately, my husband is behind me 110% – as long as I don’t make HIM get off the couch.

4) What, if anything, are you looking forward to in your training?
The people who directly convinced me to sign up for this event are a full fifteen years younger than me (Patti: welcome to my club, sista!). I look forward to getting to know them a little bit better, even though I know I slow them down. I’m one of those people who talks when they are running. Or at least, tries to get YOU to talk so I can pant in peace.

You wouldn’t believe the number of friends I have that run. It’s like breaking into the secret treehouse. I’m thrilled to have something more in common with the true athletes out there. Really, I’m still a big poser.

5) What are you dreading?
I have this fear that I’m not actually going to be able to do it. I’m going to get there on Race Day and it will be too early. Too hot. Too cold. I won’t have eaten the right things. I won’t have slept the night before. I won’t have any energy. I will fall in epic fail fashion. What if I get to the day and I can’t make it across the finish line?

6) What is your favorite thing about running?
What’s really cool to me is that, as I train, my goals are easily accessible. It’s not hard to start small and work up slowly, especially when I have so many people keeping me accountable. A couple of months ago I would have been shocked that I can run 6 miles at a pretty good pace. And although I don’t think I know what the runner’s high is exactly, the high I get when I turn that corner and realize that I’m HOME and I DID it… that’s unmistakable. And it’s a pretty good feeling.

7) Your least?
Ugh. the first mile is KILLER for me. I don’t have the right pace, I haven’t settled down into things, I’m either going too fast or too slow… my breathing isn’t right and I haven’t got a whole lot of motivation… it’s better when I have the privilege of running with someone, but when I am by myself I keep asking, “WHAT AM I DOING AND WHY?!”

8) Secret cheat food.  TELL US!
As much as I would like to lie and proclaim that I am the queen of clean eating, it’s just not happening. I am not on a diet at all. In fact, I run so I can eat MORE. Bag of Twizzlers anyone? Oh wait, no, I mean, you have to bring your OWN bag because this is mine.

Actually, we don’t eat out more than once or twice a week and I cook most of our lunches and dinners at home from scratch. And along with the Twizzlers we eat plenty of fruits and veggies, backyard-fresh eggs, and garden foods. But don’t be getting between me and my Blue Bell.

9) Truth (if you accept):After you run a longer distance than you have ever run before, how many people do you brag to?
In a month, if I can break my current personal record, I will be bragging to ER’RBODY. Hundreds. On facebook. Yeah, I will be that person. Don’t be a hater!

10) Dare (if you accept):When will you start wearing runner shorts with the built-in liner?
Now, Patti. I ALREADY wear the runner shorts with the built-in liner. I might also wear a little additional “protection.” And you already know that I’m a bit of a rebel. Time will tell.

Oh, Jay, how you make me lol.  Your mission this week, should you accept, is to take off your underwear under there, and go commando in your zippy running shorts.  WAIT!  Only if they have a liner, otherwise you’re pegging the FREAK O’METER in the redzone.

Because I know this is a big mental hurtle for you, let me appeal to your competitive nature: that extra weight may be slowing you down.  I bet once you ditch the cottons that your time will be faster.  (whether or not what I just made up is fact remains to be seen.  ditch them and see….DO IT!)

To find out more about Jay’s first interval training session (and what happened when she refused my advice) and answers to her specific questions, come on back next Monday.

If you guys have any questions that you’d like to see answered, I’ll pick one each week to include in the post.  Email me at: thepattio@gmail.com