A Knowing Friendship with the Body

 

Remember the movie Mean Girls?

You probably don't want to, but nonetheless, we have all experienced the sizzling stare pouring from the eyes of someone judging us from the tips of our bunion-blessed toes to our sunglasses-tanned faces and sweat-stained running caps. We already draw attention to ourselves as runners for...well... LOVING to run. Either we are really that good at pretending something is incessantly chasing us (which means we must be good at having imaginary friends too) or we are advanced kleptomaniacs, "RUN LIKE YA STOLE IT!!!" ... probably imaginary items too. 

My point is that as distance runners, we are already thought to be just a little crazy or a lot crazy.

What makes matters worse is when we run into periods I like to call Distance Running Doldrums where there are a plethora of aches and pains, runs just lack luster, and we are not our leanest, meanest racing machine-ist selves. We then get told we are over-trained, under-rested, and gaunt is not beautiful!

Yet we all go through it and what makes matters tough is when we declare we need to "lean up" or lose a few pounds to get down to a more stellar training and racing weight. 

SOUND THE ALARMS!!! Not only am I NUTS, I also most certainly definitely not-kind-of-maybe undeniably fanatically truthfully fully MUST have an IMAGE issue!!!...and the up and down Mean Girls glare, stare, gurrrrrrllllllll you's already barely there, ensues. 

However, this is not the point. So let me make it: 

1. As athletes, we must be very in tune with our bodies and listen to it, observe it, and be best friends with it. Our sport and our bodies are in a constant dance with one another and we strive to make it fluid, flawless, and rhythmic... and finding that blend that creates beauty on performance day does not always come without stepping on one or the other's toes causing some break in the bond every now and then.

2. We all go through periods of flux and like anything, it is all a process. It is a matter of preparation for these times, patience through and through, and persistence in making the adjustments needed to get back to letting the beast inside come out and succeed on race day. 

3. So, What do I do? No, I do not quit training. I do not quit targeting key races. I do not quit eating. I like my green eggs and ham, darn it! ...and bacon too. 

Instead, with a current ailments, I daily make time to stretch, ice (multiple times), massage, roll out the sore muscles and reassess my training and strength program to improve in the future. The key here is to listen to the body and know when to back off and when simple readjustments should be made. The BFF relationship is key so you do know when you are getting officially injured, but the goal is to prevent this in the first place by doing the above. You don't HAVE to get injured!!!

Secondly, on the touchy topic of losing weight or leaning up. There is NO way other than the right way which takes time.... and distance running is NOT a sport where dehydration or crash diets work, we need our nutrients and energy to perform. Lots of times it is the small adjustments that make the difference. So I increase sleep and rest time as I can, increase the vegetables, fruits, and lean meats, and replace the sugary snacks during the day with more wholesome snacks. I do not vary the training schedule by adding crazy weeks of intense workouts and exhausting distances. And most importantly, I keep my focus on the goal races ahead. The doldrums will be left behind!!!

Above all, like anything that is rewarding in life, it simply takes time and determination, moderation in modifications, and a love and passion for our sport - and even more so, our best friend, our bodies. 

Happy Running. 

Hallelujah! It's Spring!

 

                                                

Sound the trumpets!!!! SPRING IS HERE!!!!

Cold weather and I are not friends. We are not even fake friends. Frenemies.

The past Winter seemed to try its hardest to keep an icy, cold, death-hand grasp and not allow Spring (beautiful, wonderful, lovely Spring!) to step onto the stage! In fact, just two weeks ago, on a Thursday after a 60-something degree day...it SNOWED. It ICED. It SLEETED, SLUSHED, and ... I went home and got in bed, I did not move until the next morning.

Yes, I was pouting.

Regardless, we have some catching up to do!

1. Wrightsville Beach was a bust. The plan was to try and run 6:30's and by mile 10, I was thinking, "now how far do I still need to go?"...THIS is NOT good in a marathon!!! Regardless, I put my head down and decided to get to the finish. ... or crawl.

I knew it was bad when I was running down the main highway and one little girl who had been cheering the first two times around, was then saying "Mommy! Why is she running SO slow!"

Well, she won't ever be a motivational speaker! ... I consoled myself...

Finishing second in three hours, six minutes, and 44 seconds. I was just pleased to get to the finish.

Fortunately, my Aunt and Uncle were there for me - and that made my day. And....No matter what, I still had fun!!!

2.  Gate City Half Marathon

So, following Wrightsville Beach, my body rebelled against me. I should know better by now than to keep training the day/week after a marathon...and I have gotten better! (Shrug!)... but, well, you know...

I did listen some to my body and I did not put it through any hard workouts in the weeks after the marathon. It was evident that I needed to back off or it would be a very, long battle for the remainder of the year.

The Gate City Half-Marathon and 8k arrived and I was not originally planning to race. The 8k was to serve as our NC USATF State 8k Championship and I was to be there to help hand out the awards to our elite athletes. At the last minute, I emailed the race director to see if I could join in and run in the half.

Melissa Fourrier, the race director, replied to me quickly and enthusiastically said that I could run! What an honor... and in the back of my mind... I was wondering if I could even run 13 miles at that point. Thank goodness for base training! I survived.

It ended up being an absolutely wonderful experience and I absolutely cannot wait until next year!

3. USA 25k/Fifth-Third River Bank Run!

Having had to do some resetting in the last several weeks with my training, diet, rest & recovery habits, I am now starting the preparations for the USA 25k in May in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Fortunately, I have the honor of competing in this race as an elite athlete and have been selected as one of the athletes sponsored by USATF's Athlete Development Program. I am so very excited to compete in this race as it will always stand out in my memory as the first national championship that I ever placed in. It is very near and dear to my heart - and I am so grateful for the opportunity!

Ready or not, it's time to sharpen up! Happy Spring Running to All!!!! :)


          

13 For 2013

After the year that I do not speak of followed by the residual effects of the year that I do not speak of throughout 2012, I recently dubbed this current year "Lucky 2013."

We all go through very trying times and, at times, I think we develop a mindset that the way it is - is simply the way it must be.

WRONG!!!

On the flip side, once we pick ourselves back up and forge on towards our dreams with new fervor, we do not always realize it immediately but we are going at life stronger, wiser, and with more tenacity, passion, and love for life than ever before. In the past several months, I've talked about gratitude and the idea that the simplest lessons in life (albeit sometimes the hardest to learn), once learned, can lead to the absolute most priceless moments in life.

These are not all encompassing and can be interpreted as they may. Here are 13 for 2013 that I have learned to lead my life with:

1. To receive, give.
2. To trust, let go.
3. To love, also let go.
4. Most things in life are counter intuitive.
5. Every thing is icing on the cake when you wake up simply & deeply grateful for the day.
6. We are all human, after all.
7. It's the small things.
8. Dance; you will never feel more free.
9. Breathe in fresh air deeply no matter what the weather is.
10. Dream, always.
11. Believe in your dreams.
12. Know who you are and be true to yourself.

...and Finally,

13. Find wonder and adventure as many times of the day as possible!!! You will create most excellent memories and find yourself saying "I have way too much fun!!!"

HAPPY SPRING AND HAPPY RUNNING!!!! WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, HERE WE COME!!!

Bright Ideas!

We all have Bright Ideas occasionally....

Sometimes we are brave enough to lay them out there and other times we let them sink into the recesses of our minds.

Distance running has a myriad of benefits ... and one is simply, the time to think. Unfortunately, my brain can be just like the squirrel chugging espresso, but out of this pin-ball madness can sometimes come observations about the world around me and how to make it better. Another benefit of my sport is that it teaches resilience, tenacity, and an a relentless sense of dreaming desire.

Albeit, I am fully aware that some do not share this sentiment, I still fully believe in finding ways to encourage and empower each other to find healthier and well ways to live! I especially am passionate in helping women achieve their goals...and LOVE doing it. About a year ago, I met a friend and explained to him this overwhelming desire to change how we look at Wellness as women - AND create a way for women to connect, collaborate, and most importantly innovate. Life is truly short, and it is time to live!

My Mantra is Dare to Dream....What would your dream self be like?

And with that, I present to you: Bright Ideas

We are beginning with a Challenge to End Obesity. Bright Ideas is simply a place to connect with other women, share your ideas on Wellness, work with others, and BRING THE IDEAS TO LIFE!

2013 Winter Flight 8k

In 2008, I won the 25th Annual Winter Flight 8k and my first state championship title with a time of 29 minutes and 29 seconds. Little did I know that this race would become not only an annual event for me, but one that I look forward to each year as it is a kick off to a new racing season and an opportunity to see dear friends - which is one of the qualities of distance running that I am most thankful for!

The Winter Flight is the oldest 8k in the state and is a lovely, rolling course through Salisbury, NC. It has a unique feature which I quite love; it finishes with a turn onto a track and runners fly around a curve and straight down the back stretch of the track into the finish line. Spectators can stand in the stadium and cheer as the runners finish; a wonderful quality as true to its name, the race can involve some frigid conditions. The encouragement makes that much more of the difference in finishing strong!

Coming to a very busy end to the 2012 racing year, I took several weeks to build a solid base and had been averaging 70+ miles a week from December into January as I headed into the 30th Annual Winter Flight. Knowing that I was prepared to race, I was even more excited for the Race Director, David Freeze, the Salisbury Rowan Runners, and all of the volunteers to reach such a momentous milestone for the race! 

... And then we had an ice storm ... 

Here is where my deep admiration comes in for Race Directors and everyone that helps in putting events together; making the tough calls. With runners coming from all different places, postponing a race entirely must be a harrowing experience, but having an event in dangerous conditions can also be potentially highly disastrous. The Race Director and my dear friend, David, ultimately ended up deciding to delay the start of the race to high noon as he an volunteers worked tirelessly to salt and make the course safe for runners. 

Arriving that morning to pick up my number, I looked down and David had set aside the number "1" race bib for me. Immediately, my heart was filled with such deep happiness and gratitude to have the honor to wear the prized number - and albeit, this may sound silly - it represented much more to me. 

It was the idea that running not only connects us to a very special community of individuals, but something so much more. It's the hard work, the care that we have for our sport and for each other, and the difference that we can make in one or many lives year after year after year. 

Looking forward to next year and the 31st Annual Winter Flight 8k! And, Happy 2013 Racing to All!!

It's Lucky Number 2013!

I am a firm believer in constant forward movement. At the end of 2012, I looked back over the year, the lessons learned, the special moments to tuck away in my memory, and then proceeded to my lucky number '13! It is important to glean the vital aspects of the past and then toss the rest aside as we progress towards our goals and dreams.

Looking always backwards will leave you... always going backwards.

When I was determined to become Mia Hamm-like over a decade ago, my lucky soccer number was 13. Her number was 9. I tore my ACL in 2000, so I guess it was not so lucky. 

Well, Au Contraire! ...I DO run around in a Sports Bra all the time! So perchance, I picked the wrong Dream Teammate to become. I digress.

Regardless, I have a few initial running ideas and successes! Here they are:

1. Won Salem Lake Frosty 25k (Whoopee!) in 1:38:21; this was 6:19 pace and I am so happy!

2. Winter Flight 8k at the end of January. 1st Female and 2013 RRCA 8k Female Champion.

3. Wrightsville Beach Marathon in March.

4. Flying Pirate Half-Marathon in April.

5. USA 25k Championships in Grand Rapids in May.

6. Ultimate Runner in June.

7. Peachtree 10k in July.

8. USA 20k Championships in September.

9. Wineglass Marathon in October.

10. OBX Marathon with David, I hope! in November.

11. Mistletoe Half-Marathon in December.

12. There are several other races, but these are the highlights for now. :)

13. Have A BLAST!!!!

Cheers to Lucky 2013 and HAPPY RUNNING! :)

News-Record Article

http://www.news-record.com/blogs/408919-87/molly-nunn-the-experience-of

By Eddie Wooten

Molly Nunn’s outlook on life has changed within the past month.

But, no, it didn’t change because she coasted to two victories in half-marathons during a 10-day span, in Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day then on Saturday in her hometown of Winston-Salem.

It might’ve changed a bit amid the beauty of the Big Sur Half-Marathon on Monterey Bay, where the 13.1-mile course hugged the spectacular Pacific Ocean in a race just four days before the Atlanta victory.

In reality, The Change for this Winston-Salem runner started at the Outer Banks Marathon, a 26.2-mile race on Nov. 11 that the Olympics marathon trials hopeful needed six hours and 32 minutes to complete.

“I’ve never led a person with blindness before,” Nunn says of David Coburn, whom she escorted along a course from Kitty Hawk to Manteo, but on a journey that went much further.

“I didn’t know how long it was going to take. Honestly, it didn’t really matter.”

Nunn, 29, the women’s long-distance chairperson for USA Track & Field in North Carolina, attended the event and raced the 8K on Saturday, winning the women’s title in 31:01. But race director Jim Snyder had recruited Nunn to assist Coburn, who lives in the Harnett County town of Dunn, on Sunday morning as he ran the marathon.

“We had an incredible race together,” Nunn says. “The biggest thing I learned is we experienced the marathon together. Meaning, typically I’ll run alone or run with friends, but you don’t run bound to somebody. It was a complete trusting relationship. His shirt said, ‘Run by faith, not by sight.’

“Something so incredible was happening. I don’t remember half the course. I was singing, people were cheering for us. By the time we got to the finish line, I couldn’t have told you how long it took. It was just so much fun.”

While her weekend at the Outer Banks kicked off a successful three weeks competitively, Nunn encountered another opportunity for introspection in Atlanta, where she reconnected with the family of racing buddy Jerry Dubner. Never a smoker, Dubner is in treatment for lung cancer.

“I went to my family and said, ‘I need to go spend time with Jerry and Kate,’ ” Nunn says. “My family understood.

“I don’t think family means people you’re related to by blood. Family are your friends and the people that you’re grateful for.”

The run with Coburn, a reconnection with friends — all of it has prompted Nunn to reflect on the preceding months.

“I had a very difficult year with a lot of things happening,” Nunn says. “I realized life is really short. There’s no reason to be so stressed all the time and put so much pressure on ourselves. My mantra is life is short, and I live every day as the best day of my life.

“My outlook on life has completely shifted.”

As she showed in the last few days, Nunn will race you. But she says she’s a different person.

“I run for the enjoyment of running and the deep satisfaction that I gain from running and being outside and just being thankful to be here,” she says. “Yes, I still intend to qualify for the trials in 2016. Yes, I still intend to compete. But, no, am I going to put the level of pressure on myself that I did before? No, because I was miserable.”

And she can always look back, perhaps, to one of the longest runs of her career, on the Outer Banks with David Coburn, serving as her new starting line.

“That was the experience of a lifetime,” Nunn says. “It caught me off-guard. It’s not something I would ever think to do. But it was beautiful. To experience that journey together is incomprehensible.

“That really changed my life.”