Mile Measurements

Written by: Amy
19 Jul 2011
Personal Stuff

I’m working backwards on a few posts … Sunday, July 17, 2miles with Holly around her North Carolinian neighborhood

One of the first things friends ask me: “Where are you at in your 1,000 miles?”

So, it’s no surprise that in “mythousandmileyear.com” I’ve thought a lot about distance.  I’ve also been thinking about distance as it relates to growth – personal, professional & friendship – not as easily measured in miles.

As I enter the second half of my year, I’m grateful for all of those who have logged miles during the training that helped prepare me for the half marathon and the full marathon (shout outs to Bridget, Dana and the Mollys, as well as my sister to making a special trip to Madison for the marathon & running 11 miles!).

I’ve also spent time reflecting on those who have allowed me to grow personally and professionally.  I was able to spend the weekend with one of the people who have been the most influential in my growth, Holly.

Physical distance between our houses has ranged from 15 feet (last summer when we were roommates) to 5 miles (when we both lived in Boise, Idaho) to 4,500 miles (when we both lived abroad) to the current 280.  Our friendship has grown over the past six year from a once-a-month or once-a-quarter “keep you updated,” to a day-to-day friendship with a strong foundation, which includes honesty, trust with equal parts listening and sharing.

On our 2 mile run this weekend, I enjoyed the chance to share an important part of reaching one of my 2011 goals and listening to Holly share a recent realization in her life.  It wasn’t all about 10,360 steps on Sunday, rather it represented many more that brought us to the necessary level of trust to bring us together that day.

Holly, thank you for making me a better writer, friend and person. Love, Amy p.s. Neva, we missed you.

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Why I “get to” run a marathon

Written by: Amy
22 May 2011
Inspiration

Thursday, 3miles to the White House; Friday, rest; Saturday, 9.4miles on the Mall with Fred

The first time I put “run a marathon” on my to-do list it was the spring of 2003.  Coincidentally, I lived in Washington, DC at the time, as well.  I bought a new pair of shoes, mapped running routes and filled in the first few weeks of training runs on my schedule.  That was eight years ago and “run a marathon” is still on my bucket list.  I don’t think I ever got past mile six in the 2003 training runs.

I’ve taken a windy road over the years, but it’s led me back to DC and back to training for a marathon.  Only this time, I’m actually doing it.   I’ve done all the long runs (20 miles was the longest) and am (thankfully!) in taper mode now.  There are a few key differences as to why I think I’ve been successful this time around.

I’ve looked at this training as not “to-do” but “get-to.”  As can be expected, my perspective on life has changed and been influenced by my experiences over the years.  Here’s the highlight of the reasons why I get-to train for a marathon:

I have the luxury of time.

I do not have to work 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet, I have a flexible schedule, and I am not responsible for anyone but me.  I recognize this now and am not taking it for granted.  I am amazing and inspired by the people who do not have the same luxury of time, but somehow make training (or school and life in general) work.

I can nourish my body with the nutrients necessary to keep me healthy and strong.

I have resources that allow me to make choices with the food I eat including where, when, what type and in what quantities I buy it.

I have no injuries.

Everything from the top of my head down to my toes is in working order.  I don’t suffer from chronic pain or illness.  I have been lucky to not trip, slip or fall to cause injury during training or everyday movement.

I have a support network – from afar.

Dana and I text or call each other every day to check in with miles, weather, general impressions of our day and runs.  It’s encouraging to know that someone else is out there pounding the pavement away towards the same goal.  And, I am thankful for all the encouraging words from friends, family and mere acquaintances that have read the blog.  It does make a difference to know that there are others out there who have enjoyed reading along.

I have a support network – close to home.

I couldn’t have gotten this far without the support of my friends in DC.  Bridget has been there since day and mile 1.  She is eager to catch up with me on our standard route to the White House, and running with her is a highlight of my time in DC.  Michael, Fred, Gina and Molly M. have jumped onboard to help me chip away at the miles, too.

I could go on and on about all of the above reasons why I am lucky I get to train (and soon!) run a marathon, but I’ll stop here and just say I am very thankful to get to log another mile in this thousand mile journey.

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Silence: What does it have to do with friendship?

Written by: Amy
20 May 2011
Dedication Run

What was happening at the end of April, but I didn’t write about it until now …

Silence is sometimes more of an indicator of close friendship than talking.  There are few people who I can be with that I feel as comfortable in silence as I do when talking.  One of those people is Holly, and another is Molly M.

Holly lived with me last summer while her husband was in Afghanistan so she could gain additional experience in communications with a consulting firm in DC.  She and I filled our days with early morning runs, evening bike rides from one networking event to the next and late-night chats filled with giggling about present mishaps and dreaming about the future.  After about a month of nonstop chatter, we realized that we could be just as comfortable together in silence.

I had my first moments of silence with Molly M. recently, too.  It happened to be on our first run of 2011.  We logged 5 miles on a bright, beautiful spring day in DC, each listening to our own energizing playlist.  We sometimes shared what song was playing that added a little skip to our step, but we mostly bopped along zig-zagging through the groups of tourists.

Holly and Molly, Thank you for your constant support of my personal and professional growth.  You’ve helped me become more true to myself, which, in turn, helps me be a better friend to each of you.  I am lucky to have you as “every day” friends and share moments of laughter and silence with you.  Love,  Amy

In silence, there is room for thoughts to be worked out and lessons learned.  Sharing that silence with a trusted friend can bring you even closer.  Sometimes knowing that someone is there with you without having to say anything is just the comfort you need.

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Not the Jersey Shore I Expected

Written by: Amy
16 May 2011
Training Tips

Tuesday, 5 miles around White House to Washington Monument; Wednesday, 7 miles with Molly M.; Thursday and Friday, rest; Saturday, 9 miles with Molly M., Sea Isle City, New Jersey; Sunday, rest

This weekend I added another state to the list of places where I’ve run on my thousand mile year journey, and another run with Molly M.  We took a road trip to her family’s Jersey shore beach house and started our Saturday dodging fishing line along the waterfront.  It was my first run on the beach in many years and the first time I set out with a “finish in” time goal.  I usually focus on just finishing, but I wanted to push myself for staying a consistent pace for a longer run.

The crunch of the shells, salty air and water splashing up on my ankles made for the perfect setting for an early morning beach run.  I’ve mentioned that I’m an urban running many times before and there is some part of me that hangs on to that thought.  However, Molly helped me realize that we kept such a steady pace because we didn’t have to start and stop at every other block for traffic lights nor did we have to wrangle our way around large groups of people.  Silly perhaps, but I didn’t realize that my surroundings played a part in finding my running rhythm.

I’m going to see what I can do to find a new route that allows for more running and less starting and stopping on my urban runs in DC.

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Off & Running

Written by: Amy
10 May 2011
Training Programs

I’ve been off.  Offline & running.

In February and March, when I went on a hiatus from posting it was because I wasn’t running.  I became very good at “resting.”  Somehow I managed to sail (relatively) easily through the National Half Marathon in DC and Dana convinced me a marathon was in our sights.  So, instead of “resting” for the past few weeks, I’ve been logging a ton of miles with a lot of old friends and new running partners.  I’ve been overwhelmed with the amount of energy it takes to haul yourself 20 miles in one day and around 35 miles total each week.  I will not use the word “sail” or “easy” to describe the marathon, I assure you.

Highlights that I will write more about soon (a.k.a. this weekend when I hit the boardwalk for a weekend get away):

Running my longest distances ever, 4 out of the last 5 weekends (16, 17, 18, 20)

Started running with a new partner (in-crime), Molly M., who joined me for the key final miles of my longest marathon training run yet.

Adding an iShuffle to my routine (thanks Molly G for the playlist!)

Being scared and doing it anyway (thanks @SimplyLeap for the encouragement)

p.s. I’ll give a total miles update in the very near future, I’m curious, too!

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