Marathon Running

Over a decade ago, cross country introduced me to long distance running. Over the years the definition of a runner has morphed into different pictures of what running has lead me to accomplish. It teaches me patience, respect for working hard, inspiration to attack life, confidence, determination and perseverance. I, Jessica Higgins-Magaña, am a runner, and this is my story...

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Ready set go

I'm almost 8 months postpartum and have set a new goal. But let me back up. About a month ago, I had been mixing speed walking with running and got up to being able to run 2.5 miles, without stopping, comfortably. However, the next day or two, I would have intense pain in the area I had my c-section. This went on for months, and was discouraging. Would my body ever get back to what it was strength wise? Or would this be my new normal, my new "mom bod". I began to think that I would be living with this pain forever. My husband has been doing crossfit for about a year now. My sister was a crossfiter and I had even tried it 3.5 years ago before I got married. I had loved it, but wasn't able to afford it after getting married (we were both in grad school at the time).Two weeks ago I decided if I didn't do something different, nothing would change-strength wise-in my body. I needed something more than just walking and running. I definitely wasn't strong, definitely wasn't ready, but I decided to go. It's been two weeks and I already feel better, more balanced, and stronger. Thanks to a great coach who pays attention to form, I've been able to target my weak muscles without damaging them. Now a word on the mental strength. Not being able to rely on or use my body how I used to was not only discouraging, but began to chip away at my sense of self worth. This, in turn, soured my mood and negatively affected my way of interacting with the world. The worst part was watching it happen and not knowing how to change it. Now, in addition to all the hats I wear, I am also a mom. I've become a new me, but haven't quite figured out what that new me looks like and how it functions with self confidence and satisfaction-while tackling all the responsibilities. So, ready or not, I signed up for a 10k in March and have committed to 4 days a week doing crossfit and 1 day running long. I haven't figured everything out, or even sorted through all my thoughts and emotions, but I do know it feels good to be committed to a workout routine and to have a goal. It feels good to start etching out the new me--csection scars and all!

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It's all about perspective, right?

It has been ten months since I have last ran. Prior to those ten months, running had been a sure part of my life for a decade. And if you’ve read my previous posts, you would have an understanding of what running is to me. It is a part of who I am.

Eleven months ago I got pregnant and a little over a month ago I gave birth to the most precious baby boy. About a month into my pregnancy, I was unable to run due to feeling like crap 24/7. By the time I began to feel better, I was huge and running felt wrong.

The only other time in my life when running felt wrong was when I ran my first two mile course back in high school. It was similar weather to today…HOT. And the course was similar as well…sidewalks. No scenery, no water, no endurance physically. What I did have then, and what I still had today, was mental endurance–and that was all!

About an hour ago, as I walked swiftly down the street towards my virtual starting line, I felt the anticipation build. I quickened my steps, gripped my phone, and pressed start on my Nike plus app. Finally!! Finally I could run again. And it didn’t matter how wrong it felt, how my body jiggled in places it never had before, how I no longer had a six pack, how my lungs burned, how my feet awkwardly attempted to find their rhythm once more. All that mattered was that I was running again–that my body had made it through pregnancy, an emergency c section, and postpartum recovery.

I ran a total of 1.5 miles, broken up by 1.5 miles of speed walking. It was one of the most glorious accomplishments of my running experience. I had complications throughout my pregnancy and postpartum, such as preeclampsia. To be able to breathe deeply, feel my heart pounding, and know that it is a good thing, is reassuring.

I’ve been reunited with one of the things I love. Going from running marathons, to not being able to run, to running 1.5 miles–it’s all a part of my story, and it’s all about perspective!

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Hiked El Morro trail in Newport Beach. 7.5 miles, rattlesnakes, the beach, and a beautiful view!

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Ran the Avenue of the Vines half marathon in Lodi CA. Fast, flat course, close parking, starts and ends at a winery, where you get an Avenue of the Vines wine glass with a free sample of wine. Can also win your weight in wine if you win overall. And of course about half way through, you pass a dairy where cows are mooing you on!

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Ran the Avenue of the Giants marathon two weekends ago. It was beautiful! Aid stations every couple miles, easy parking and the most friendly people. My husband and I had an awesome experience. Highly recommend!

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Coach Sparty waiting for the runners to hit the turn around point.

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"Light a fire in my soul"

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Here I am

The world gives us a multitude of excuses to say no to something that will ultimately refine us. Fear, anxiety, doubt, people...wind, rain, scorching heat, icy air. And I guess it's our responsibility to overcome these excuses in our own way. Like pursing a dream when all you can hear are the haters. Like finding inspiration when you're surrounded by desolation. Like going out to run when the weather begs you to stay inside. Like adding one more mile when your mind and body tell you to stop. Here I am: unmotivated, drained, and uninspired. So, I run.

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Marathon Running turned 3 today!

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7 miles conquered. 19 to go! Every mile counts. Finished off my training with some hydration and electrolyte replacement in the form of a Nuun tablet--lemon lime flavor.

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One of Four, That Could Have Been Three

For those who prefer running distances that are considered long, one mile has significance that differs depending on the situation. That last mile of the marathon can seem forever long--especially if the finish line is in sight--whereas a mile in the middle of a training run can come and go without much thought. 

1 mile is usually the first measured distance we ever run. It's the first distance we care about how fast we are and what time the P.E. teacher is writing down on their clip board. In some cases it is the first time we attach numbers to movements and find out that we can overcome mental and physical pain. 

Today, for me, the mile was one of four that could have been three. Even though it's just a mile...I realized, though just a mile, it could mean the difference between a 4:30 hr marathon and a sub 4:00 hr marathon. 

The little choices we make every day exponentially affect the outcome that is our future. 

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The Avenue of the Giants

Daniel and I have been on the hunt for our next big race, and have finally committed to what will be our third marathon. We've been dormant for a while and have decided that it's time to once again get serious about our training and set our eyes on a very familiar challenge--but with a different scenery. 

The Avenue of the Giants comes highly recommended by one of our fellow training coaches, and by some of our fellow runners. The race is located in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Northern Cali and the course is lined with giant redwoods. 

Though healthily hesitant (and secretly questioning our sanity), we are excited to get serious about running again.

http://www.theave.org

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Blown away by our training team's PRs this morning. So proud to have helped them along their journey to the finish line! While cheering for all the runners, I noticed how much a smile changes someone's face! The tired runners were about a half mile from the finish and were visibly drained. Daniel and I started cheering and their faces took a 180. Their smiles were so inspiring. It's inspiring because they manage to smile while they are in pain. And isn't that an aspect of long distance running and life in general? Learning to smile despite the pain?

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Workout of the day

MY workout of the day included 30 back squats, the stair climber, the rope, hip abductors, gluteus machine, rowing and then finishing it off with a 2.5 mile tempo run around the neighborhood. This week starts the beginning of serious Tahoe training time!! The Tahoe relay is a little over a month away. Those hills and altitude haunt my thoughts as I workout, finally giving me the extra motivation I need to get my butt into shape...literally. Today as I ran through the neighborhood, it seemed like there were more overgrown tree branches just waiting to slap me in the face. At one point, my body decided it was too tired to continue dodging. So, I decided to reframe my thinking and picture the branches as giving me a high five (in the face) as I forged the way to my finish! It's all about perspective. :)

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One of the mile markers on the run today for the fleet feet half marathon training group--of which Daniel and I get the honor of coaching! People are inspirational when you watch them push past fatigue and pain to get one step closer to their goal.

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Creating a positive addiction (picture taken from the Encyclopedia of Counseling by Howard Rosenthal)

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Unhealthy snack #heyimnotperfectandburntpoptartsaremyweakness