My Driveway is my Canvas

I have blogged a time or two (actually several) about my love for art. I have come clean, and admitted to being an art geek (more than once). One such medium I enjoy is chalk art.

Celebrating the New Year!

This all started way back when I was a new blogger, and had a brand new Facebook page that was in need of its own unique nuance. I have always had a fascination with dragonflies, hence the name Running on the Fly. I even incorporated a dragon fly "logo" of sorts, that accompanies most of my chalk creations.

It's no secret that I love to run (and I love my pretty running shoes).


I wanted to be a gal whose running page encompassed all runners, not just the "fast" runners.

I have used my driveway as a temporary canvas for various holidays...

 Valentine's Day

St. Patrick's Day

The Fourth of July



I even have created Easter eggs.....with subtle hints as to what was to come....

 I had just committed to running my second marathon (IMT Des Moines Marathon 2014)!

 

Look closely, there's a "new" goal race in the works

 
Shortly after starting my blog and Facebook page, a bunch of fellow running buddies convinced me to register and train for my first marathon (Quad Cities Marathon, 2013)

This past summer I ran my first Ultra...and felt the need to psyche myself up for the experience

I have used my chalk art to document long training runs

The first time I ran farther than a half marathon was cause for celebrating

It's also no secret that I LOVE my RuNnEr FrIeNdS

I even traveled to the Windy City in 2014, and ran the Rock'n Roll Remix Challenge with one of my runner friends, Penny

My rendition of a couple Chicago landmarks

I live in Iowa, so I get to experience the change of seasons....

And I have used my chalk art to pay tribute to tragedy...

 Boston Marathon 2013

And, most recently, Paris

In summary, art serves many purposes. It encompasses beauty, serenity, and expressiveness. It can bring us happiness and it can help us cope with tragedy. I am so ever thankful to have it in my life.

Any other art geeks out there?

The weekend wrap-up....Edition-1

I'm not one to do a weekly recap, or a weekend summary. My life is very fascinating ( to me), but I respect others might not necessarily find it so intriguing.  I'm alright with that. I don't particularly want (or need) to know every detail in other peeps' lives either. 

None the less, this weekend had a lot of less-than-ordinary happenings, so that calls for a less-than-ordinary blog post.

So, where to start?

 Friday was an eagerly anticipated day of pampering...hair appointment! For all of you who LOVE your natural hair color, bravo to you!  Mine is not so attractive...kind of a muddy (medium) brown, a few natural highlights (that are getting more scarce), and dark roots that look like midnight. Granted, I am thankful to not have many grey hairs (my hairdresser says there's an itty-bitty clump, but it's somewhere in the back, and it's hidden underneath...so I have yet to find it on my own). Ignorance is bliss, huh! Every 8-10 weeks, I pay her a visit, she works her magic, and I leave feeling great.

Don't be jealous, not everyone can pull off this kind of look....

This time, though, I confessed to her that I had tried experimenting with a center part...and it was a major fail! Why I did that to myself, all those years ago, is beyond my comprehension. Yes, it may have been "in style" at the time, but that does not mean it looks good on everyone. She knows I'm always open to trying new things, so she offered to "play with a (near) center part" to see if she could make it work for me. Well, it looked great when I left her place, but in the 10 minutes it took me to drive back to work...another epic fail was staring back at me in the rear-view mirror of my car. A frantic search for my emergency hair clip, and all was well.

Ummmm, the 80's called and they want their hair back

Upon arriving home from work, I learned of the tragedy in Paris. All of my hair-style issues suddenly seemed pretty minimal. Another attack on innocent people, throwing all of us into a tail-spin in search of answers, peace, and hope. Truly, I have come to believe terrorism is a magnified version of bullying.....an arrogant attempt to show strength, power and intimidation, but in doing so, the perpetrator reveals their insecurity instead. It makes me wonder if they're trying to convince the world or themselves of their supposed prestige.

What's a runner (and art geek) to do? I did what I do best....I went for a short run early Saturday morning, and had Paris and all its people on my mind and in prayer. I had seen the symbolic logo of the peace sign with the Eiffel Tower, so I created a similar image on my driveway as a tribute. It got quite a bit of attention on both my personal and running pages on Facebook (as well as Instagram), and even had several shares and requests from followers to use it for their profile pic. Art is one of those mediums that enable us to express ourselves, not only in happy times, but also in times of sorrow. I'm thankful to have it in my life.

My tribute to the City of Love...

As is the season, we have a lot of leaves and pine needles in our yard. The husband, my father, and myself worked for several hours Saturday morning (after I returned from my run) to get the yard cleaned up. Several flower beds to rake, piles upon piles of leaves in the front, and a crap-load of pine needles in our back yard. Let's just say, I got some serious core and cardio work done with a rake in hand. Raking pine needles feels like an effort in futility. I think I went over the yard five times, and there are still numerous needles remaining.

Saturday afternoon, we traveled to Ames, IA to watch the Iowa State Cyclones host the Oklahoma State Cowboys. We've had some beautiful, unseasonably warm weather this month. Our oldest daughter is a senior at ISU, so this was the last home game she'd be attending (at least as an undergrad). Did I mention the husband and myself both are University of Iowa Hawkeyes? (yes, some would call that bad parenting)

Tailgating with our favorite Cyclone

Under the bright lights of Jack Trice Stadium

Later that evening, after rushing back home, we had dinner with some friends and watched our Iowa Hawkeyes defeat Minnesota, to extend their winning streak to 10-0! Go Hawks!!!

Sunday morning began with a 5:30AM wake-up,and a trail run with a few local running friends at a nearby nature preserve. The temps were mild (high 30's), the air crisp (and no wind), and the scenery was beautiful. We saw a few deer as we made out way through six miles of rolling hills, dew-frosted grass, numerous downed leaves (with a few hidden walnuts underneath) and plenty of sunshine.

It wasn't planned, but lime green seemed to be the color theme

I love running trails. I find the challenge of the hills and slippery grass (and constant uneven terrain) invigorating. It wasn't until I got home, and was taking off the mud-encrusted shoes, that I realized I had never put the insoles back in the shoes (after taking them out to dry after my last trail run). Oops. That might explain why the shoes felt kind of loose. I'll be curious how my legs and glutes feel as a result of these six miles with less-than-adequate support!

Helpful hint #37, always put the insoles back in the shoes before lacing up

Lastly, let's talk planking briefly. I have been doing the #plankingontheflyCHALLENGE this month. My goal is 200 total November planking minutes, and I'm happy to report that I'm on track for making (and probably surpassing) that goal. I have been planking every day, and continued planking through the weekend. In light of the Paris tragedy, I didn't feel it necessary to be posting about it. But, as of Sunday, November 15th, I am officially at 103 minutes! Although, I probably wouldn't see dramatic results after only one month, I wish I would have measured my waist prior to starting the challenge. I definitely can tell things are a bit firmer.

on the floor, cranking out another 4:30 (minute) forearm plank

So, my first-ever weekly wrap-up. What do you think? Do you like recapping your weekend, or just occasionally? Stay tuned...the jury is still out on this.

*****I'm linking my weekly wrap-up with Holly from HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippinPiddlin.
Go ahead, check out their blogs (great reads!!). ;-)

Don't knock the small races

Most of us love all the hoopla, glamour & glitz that go with a "big" event.

What's not to love? There's usually a fancy (tech) shirt, sometimes available in both men's and women's sizing. You're usually guaranteed a finisher medal. You will have your choice of not just water, but also Gatorade, at the aid stations. If it's a really big event, there may even be course support volunteers on bicycles, offering tissues, petroleum jelly or candy to the runners. There will usually be a larger-than-life expo to peruse, with lots of coveted running gear (some at discounted prices!) to add to your growing collection of race day necessities. Life is good!

But what about the "small" races? It's easy to snub the small races after one becomes a seasoned runner. Here are a few reasons to consider adding (or keeping) a few of them on your racing calendar:

--A lot of smaller races are 5K's, often benefiting a local charity or family. Typically, $25-$30 seems to be the going rate for registration (in Iowa). After the operating costs are paid, most of the proceeds from the participants' registrations go to the benefactors. Personally, I'm a believer in "keeping it local," so I try to pencil in a few of these each season (as my schedule allows)...even though I'm not a particularly big fan of the 5K distance.

The race shirt from a nearby 5K event

--As mentioned, the 5K distance is often the distance of choice for these small endeavors.  Why? It's very accommodating. For the fast runners, it offers a great challenge to maintain a fast pace for the entire 3.1 miles. For the "average" runners, it's a great distance to gauge your training or experiment with speed work. Also, for those who don't consider themselves runners, it's a distance that can be walked by most people in 60-90 minutes, including children.

--Small venues often offer a smaller field of competitors. In other words, it is less intimidating for newer runners because they may be one of only 100 participants rather than a mass of hundreds (or more).

--Something else to consider, small races also offer the potential for placing in your age division. Fewer runners increase your odds of bringing home a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place age group award or door prize (not that any of us EVER need an ego boost once in awhile).

A neat shirt (actually tech fabric) along with the 3rd place Age Group medal earned

--Many of these small events also offer a kids' 1-mile fun race (or a shorter distance). After all, how do we get kids interested in the sport of running? Start them young (or better yet, run with them)!

--The majority of races (big or small) offer a race shirt. For the smaller events, (usually) the shirts will be cotton, which is not typically an ideal fabric for breaking a sweat....but the race shirts will have graphics promoting the event (which will not only be a great keepsake for the participants, but it will generate interest in future events for the general public). Worst case scenario, if it's a cotton shirt with a cool logo (that you know you'll never wear "as is"), you can craft it into something a little more fun & funky.

The cotton shirt from a past Quad Cities Times Bix-7 that was buried in my closet, until it got a new life as a tank top

--Typically, the shirts will have the sponsors listed (usually on the back). This serves two purposes- a means of thanking the sponsors for their generosity, and also advertising for the sponsors, most of whom are local businesses and organizations.

A sample of a race shirt back...lots of sponsors get their name(s) and logos promoted

--A big advantage of smaller-venue events, you can usually pick up your race packet on race day. No need to make a separate trip to get your race bib (and swag), a HUGE bonus for out-of-towners.

--Some of the smaller events are now offering a 10K option (usually a second lap of the 5K course). Guess what? There will be even fewer people doing the longer distance, so your odds of capturing an award just increased!

What do you think? Most of us start out doing small races, why not keep a few of them on your roster? Have you done small events? Do you have a preference over small vs. large race events?

Keeping it Real

I believe in keeping it real, and (almost) full disclosure.

In doing so, I am not going to be a poser. Sure, we all love sunshine, butterflies (though I actually prefer dragonflies), and happy thoughts. But this blog post is going to be about struggle, and ultimately perseverance.

Barb and myself, on the bus, getting shuttled to the start line

My race on Saturday, the Hillbilly Hike, had all the makings of a "perfect race." The weather was beautiful, actually about as close to "perfect" as it can get in Iowa in early November, unlike last year when it was very windy and cold (you can read about that experience HERE).Temps were in the mid-high 30's at start time, and it was in the 50's when we finished.

Start line selfie..."stars" in my eyes???

The course was near "perfect" as well. Running 13.1 miles on a resurrected railroad path pretty much ensures a pretty flat running experience. 

My usual hamstring/glute stiffness was minimal, and gone within the first mile or so. I ran the first mile in 8:20 (which is borderline dangerous for me when there are 12.1 miles remaining), but I was able slow it down and kept a near "perfect" 9-minute pace for the next several miles. I had forgotten my GPS watch,but I did have my basic stop watch with me. It doesn't give me any GPS or current pacing information, but I know enough math to calculate my pace at the mile marks based on the elapsed time. That's what I have done forever, before the GPS watches were deemed "necessary." (Yes, I"m #oldschool).

All (indeed) seemed "perfect."

pic from Panfoto

Then, around mile 8, I noticed things changing. That 9-minute pace was beginning to feel not-so-easy anymore. I made it to the 9-mile mark, and my watch showed 1:22...so my pace had plummeted (it should have been around 1:21). I was really hoping for a sub-2-hour finish. If I could rally, and get my 9-minute pace back, I'd still be able to finish around 1:58. 

Well, that was my new "perfect" plan of action. I walked for a few seconds and finished off the last of my Tailwind (a powder that is mixed with water for fuel). 

Usually, a quick 5-10 seconds of walking recharges my mojo, and (usually) I can easily make up the "lost" time with renewed energy. Key word: usually. Not even 1/4 of the way into mile 10, I could tell the 9-minute pace was done for the day. 

 Now, I am not a fast runner, but it's really hard (and actually more exhausting, believe it or not) to run "slower" than what feels natural. I usually just run based on how I feel, but all of a sudden, my body just felt so tired .A couple of short walk intervals, and I made it to the 10-mile mark, 1:34 on my watch. If this was a brand new race (on a brand new day), I could do the remaining 5K in 26 minutes (or less)....but that new-day-strategy wasn't an option. And (#reality), the sub-2 hour would not be happening. 

I was disappointed with my situation, but even greater was the frustration with the sudden exhaustion that had just blindsided me. My legs were burning with the increased work of keeping my body in motion. My mantra (from mile 8) had been SAGF (Sustain And Go Forward), but that was progressively getting more difficult. I have never DNF'd  (Did Not Finish) a race, but for the first time ever, the fear of doing so crossed my mind.

I had noticed a guy and a gal doing run/walk intervals, I had chatted with the guy briefly at the start line. I remember him saying his goal time was 1:40ish...so he wasn't making his goal either, and instead was supporting and encouraging the gal. We had been leap-frogging for a couple miles, about the same time I had started noticing things going south with my pace and energy level. About halfway through the 10th mile, I caught up with them, and asked if I could join their party. There is strength in numbers, and I could tell they were struggling as well. Also, I knew I'd need some outside source of motivation to get me to the finish line because the temptation to walk was overwhelming.

We laughed about the situation, and commiserated on the fact that no matter the "perfect" race day circumstances, some times it's just not your day. Reality bites. We talked about other races each of us had done (he'd also run Grandma's Marathon, but a couple years prior). He shared a story of a fellow runner who had made it to mile 24, and wasn't happy with his projected finish time...so he pulled out and DNF'd because he didn't want his less-than-desired finish time published. Wow. How's that for perspective! I'd rather finish a race, even if it meant crawling across the finish line, than just giving up. All of us were in agreement on that notion.

We made it to the final mile, and (slowly and painfully) were able to run the majority of it. I have never, ever, been so happy to see a finish line. And I have never been more proud of myself for gritting it out and finishing what I had started.

Keeping it real. The numbers don't lie.

My finish time was 2:08:31, definitely one of my slower half marathons, and definitely one of the most challenging....both mentally and physically. The final 5K took me about 35 minutes, which is a good eight minutes slower than my slowest time for that distance as well. Let me emphasize there is nothing wrong, bad, or embarrassing about these finish times, whether it's myself or someone else achieving them.  Even though I know I am capable of a different outcome, I also know I did the absolute best I could muster to finish the Hillbilly Hike on Saturday. Our finish times are personal, as are our abilities and our goals. And that's the way it should be. What a boring world it would be if all of us were equally matched.

A highlight was seeing  my gal, Kris! She's the owner of the We Run store, and has been a savior to me!

Another nice piece of hardware for my efforts

So, what went wrong? I've never hit the proverbial "Wall" with such force before. I have a lot of thoughts on that matter, the first one being my fueling strategy. I still have a lot of tweaking to figure out. The Tailwind seems to work, but I don't like the fact that it's adding so much extra water to my running. I never drink that much water, in training or at a race, and my bladder is forced to work overtime. Not fun. I think I need more solid food in my body. My 5:45AM serving of oatmeal was probably long-since digested and gone by the time the race began (8:30AM). Maybe I need to carry a granola bar or Honey Stinger waffle with me? Ugh...I hate trying to eat while on the run (literally). Gels and chews/blocks are not an option either (hello? GI torture, anyone?) Again, I had the PlowOn gum (for energy), but I think the carb crash was so overwhelming, not even a second piece of gum would have helped replenish the lost energy. I love the gum, and I plan to keep using it, but it doesn't give me any calories.

The good news? I did finish the race, and vertical at that! Once again, I was reminded how lucky I am to have my endurance to carry me through, especially when (most) hope seems lost.  I am doing the responsible thing and taking a bit of an off-season recovery period. No, I'm not putting the running shoes in storage, but there are no long distance events on the calendar for a few months. I still plan to be running a few times each week, and doing some fun "short distance" events (with an occasional long run now and then). I also plan to refocus my fitness priorities, and shift more towards flexibility (yoga) and strength (P90X) while I lighten the cardio obligations. Heck, most professional athletes take an off-season ...why should non-professionals be any different?

Have you ever hit The Wall during a race? Have you ever struggled with finding the "right" fuel for you? Do you take an off-season?

(Almost) All About Me...a re-introduction of sorts

How about a re-introduction?

I wrote a blog post (when I first started this blogging gig) with some trivia about myself (you can read it HERE), but a lot has changed since way back then. I have run several more races, trained for three marathons (and ran them!), did my first duathlon, and even ran an Ultra! And, the best thing of all, I have made so many wonderful friends while doing all of the above.

My running journey started 10 years ago, and I have loved every minute of it. There have been some annoyances and injuries, but every setback has made me stronger and wiser. I have run everything from  5K's to marathons...and my first Ultra (back in July) was ever-so-tough, but ever-so-incredible. The half marathon is, hands-down, my favorite distance.

Care to learn more about me? Read on... 

I used to be an introvert. Key words, "used to be" (past tense). I am not afraid of the photographers on the race course, and have no shame in "posing" for the camera.

 I am a self-professed art geek. Drawing. Painting. Knitting. Sidewalk chalk. All of these make me happy.

I get inspiration from the non-traditional runners (who often struggle with calling themselves "runners"). I recently had this revelation at a marathon I was spectating (while waiting for the final runner on my relay team). I saw a lot of the fast runners coming through, and their speed was very impressive. But it was the ones who finished a couple hours later that had me in tears and  in awe. They were the ones (also in tears themselves), who were high-5'ing the spectators, laughing and totally taking in the experience of the finish line.

For as modern as I may appear, I am very old-school when it comes to technology. I like running in its most rare form....outside, with no gadgets dictating my speed or geographic location. I like to think my running is all of my own doing, without relying on pace/speed/distance prompts. I like music, though, so I do embrace the technology that enables me to have it with me.

Shoes. Oh, how I love my shoes (and not just my running shoes). As much as I adore my running shoes, you will seldom ever see me wearing them unless I'm headed out for a run or race. It's just not my thing to wear them with non-running clothing.....that's what my sparkly sandals, cheetah-print flats, and boots are for.

And, speaking of running shoes, I usually have to enhance my shoes with colorful laces and "Sharpie-work" on the soles. Blending in is SO over-rated, in my opinion. Here's another blog post, discussing this "shoe enhancing" obsession of mine HERE.

I LOVE bright colors (again, it's that not-blending-in thing). Like with my "non-running" clothing, I seldom ever wear the same outfit twice. No, I am not constantly buying new stuff...instead, I'm a huge believer in mixing & matching. One of my mantras is "Go bright or stay home." 

I change up my hair from time-to-time as well. No boring pony tails for me, I usually have a colorful visor, a funky head band, or a crazy "messy" up-do thing happening. You can read about my various hair options for running  HERE 

I run outside, almost always. And I live in Iowa, so I get to experience every kind of weather....wind, rain, snow, sub-freezing temps, and crazy heat & humidity (sometimes all on the same day). Running outside keeps me ready for almost any race day conditions, and that will not happen inside a inside a gym.

 I have a treadmill (whom I have non-affectionately named Duh-Mill), but I seldom ever climb on it and press "go." A lot of people love 'mill running, but I am not a fan. It's too repetitive, and always makes me feel like the 'mill is in control of the workout (and not me). Sure, I program the speed (and incline), but ultimately the 'mill is moving and I'm merely keeping up with it. Besides, I know for a fact, it smells much better outside....fresh air makes my hyper-sensitive sense of smell happy.

 I finish almost every race with my hands in the air. Truth. Every finish line is a victory, why not celebrate it?

I am a huge advocate for cross-training. Running is my first love, but it does a body good to be more than "just a runner." My second favorite fitness activity is stair-climbing. I have done the Fight for Air Climb four times (once in Chicago and three times in Des Moines). You can read about my climbing adventures here (Des Moines 2015 and Des Moines 2014 and Chicago 2014 and  Des Moines 2013 ).

I am very lucky to have a great support system, not just from friends but also from my family. My husband has been at a lot of my finish lines, and it means the world to me (even when he photo bombs me at mile 26).

Although I do not believe in daily running, on occasion I will partake in a running streak (usually for no longer than 30 days at a time). It's a good way to step out of my comfort zone, and it always reinforces the beauty of NOT streaking all the time.  Streaking works for some runners, but I'm not one of them. And I'm alright with that.

I am working on being more disciplined with yoga. Flexibility does not come naturally for me, so yoga is really an awesome challenge. My balance has dramatically improved!

I may or may not have a small obsession with sidewalk art appearing at random times in my driveway.

So there you have it! Anything else you'd like to know about me? Care to share a random fact about YOU?

***A big thank you to Kristy at Runaway Bridal Planner for hosting this awesome blog hop for myself and a bunch of fellow bloggers!!!

Get down and assume the position!

The Planking on the Fly CHALLENGE...get down and assume the position!

Are you a planker?  Do you want to become a planker? Do you want to become a better planker? If so, read on! It's time for the Planking on the Fly CHALLENGE!

Planking is a great way to work (and strengthen!) your core. Did you know your core serves a valuable purpose, not just for running, but also in your everyday life? Having a strong core helps you with your day-to-day activities by enhancing your balance and perfecting your posture (just to name a couple).

So, how does one "plank?" There is more than one way to do a plank, depending on your strength and fitness level. The main thing to remember when planking (no matter which position) is to focus on your form...abs held in, butt squeezed tight, back kept straight (not hunched or rounded), and try to keep your head level with your back (not up too high or bent way down). Flexing the leg muscles will help you to stay in position. Also, I recommend you wear shoes to protect your toes. Doing these on a yoga mat will protect your elbows and keep you from "sliding." And when you start to feel your form failing, it's time to stop. It will take time to build your strength and stamina, so be patient but persistent.

Here's the basic plank. You balance on your toes and hands for as long as you're able:

It also helps to have a dog to spot you....

This is basically the same plank, but a little more challenging...balancing on your forearms and toes:

Again, with the dog. His name is Max. 

Even more challenging is the Chaturanga position.....down in a push-up position, just inches from the floor:

This position will take some time to perfect....and you probably will not be able to hold it for as long as the other positions

You can plank on your side, balancing on your hands and feet:

You can also stack the top foot onto the bottom foot, but I prefer it this way. Be careful to hold your upper hip up (and don't let it sway downward) 

You can do a side plank while balanced on the forearm and feet. This position is more difficult and you will really feel your hip flexors working:

Again, keep the hips UP (and not swayed downward)

So, what is happening with the Planking on the Fly CHALLENGE? I'm challenging YOU to plank every day. Set a goal for a total number of #Novemberplankingminutes for the month of November, and work towards reaching (or surpassing) it.  Set the number high, and do a little each day. 

My goal? I'm shooting for 200 #Novemberplankingminutes in the #plankingontheflyCHALLENGE. Sounds like a lot, huh!  Breaking it down, I have to average just under 7 minutes of planking each day. Of course, that means I will need to get down on the floor more than once every day (hello? a 7-minute plank? not happening for me...yet). Every morning, I plank for 2:30 while my chai latte' is heating, so that's my starting point. Lately, I've been doing a longer plank in the evening as well...anywhere from 4-5 minutes in length. If I'm not feeling like doing that long plank in the evening, I can do a couple of shorter planks instead. Or, I can do a few random short planks during the day. All of the minutes add up.

So, my challenge to you is to give it a shot! I'll try to do a nightly post, sharing my stats on Facebook at Running on the Fly  and Instagram at @runningonthefly and I invite you to share/post your stats as well (and remember to use the hashtags #Novemberplankingminutes and #plankingontheflyCHALLENGE, so we all can support and encourage each other). If we all do this together, it will be that much easier to be accountable. And we'll all be stronger for the effort!

Are you ready to get down and assume the position? What is YOUR goal? Do you have a dog to monitor your progress?