crim 2011

Yesterday was the Crim. My favorite race of the year. Last year, I ran the race in just over 68 minutes and was on the right track of running a 65 this year. The last couple of weeks, I had a few setbacks to say the least, so the new goal was just to finish without walking.

My dad came into town from Colorado just to run the race! Afterward, we had a "Hamel Crim After Party" to celebrate all the Hamels who ran or walked. We had 17 participants just from our family! How cool is that?!

I started the race off with Camden. We stayed together til about the Bradley Hills. We had a few "too fast" miles & we talked just a little too much haha. I heard someone shouting for him @ the hills & realized it was Scott, who by the way is doing amazing this year! I ran with him for the hill part and then told him to take off. (he broke the 70 minute barrier this year for the first time!)

After the hill, I was alone for the rest of the race. I got to about mile 7 and almost started crying. Not because I wasn't performing like I wanted, but because I was completing it and not letting anything (or anyone, ahem) get in the way of that. I have never felt that way during a race, I'm not even a crier. Ever. I finished the race in 71 flat. Not my best time, but not too shabby, considering. Lots of my friends & family ran their first Crim (or race ever!) Lots of my friends pr'd. My dad ran his first 10mile in under a 10 minute pace. My sister ran her first 10miles ever & didn't think she was gonna make it the day before! My mom & cousin ran the 5k! (yes, my mom ran!) Marley ran the 10mile, then jumped into the 5k "just because". And lots of other family and friends completed events too. It made me so proud that everyone was there, doing something healthy for themselves and having fun.

THEN the mile! I ran with Isabel for her race (duh, I wasn't gonna leave my 5 year old alone in down town Flint!) She did SO awesome during the race. We stopped twice for water, and we passed lots of people! Even adults! Her final time? 9:45!!!! The fastest mile she ever ran before was 10:50. I cried when I looked at my watch. I was so proud of her little legs & her big willpower! I NEVER cry, I'm almost embarrassed to even admit it haha. But yesterday was just so... good. 

Next year's goal is of course, 65 minutes. I'm determined to be back there again. But for now, I have a marathon in a few short weeks that needs to be focused on.

I love running.

Your cheek bone's connected to your running bone.. :(

Ever try to run with a broken cheek bone? Yea, it's the most painful thing ever. I'm freaking out, the crim's next week. I can't even eat solid food because I can't chew. I'm a very angry person right now, I miiiiight need a straight jacket before this is over. Short post, yea, but I might just start swearing & that's just not very lady like.

Gettin Scared

The last few weeks have probably been the worst in my entire life. I'm really confused with myself why I didn't choose to run to help me feel better. I made sure I ate just in case I was ready to run. But my body hurt so bad from so much stress. I ran a little, but nothing important. That scares me. I have a lot of big things coming up. I don't want to let myself down. I don't do well with goals not met. I could readjust my goals, but I don't do well with that either ha.

On another note, I ran a half marathon TRAIL race without falling to my death! Or falling at all! I ran it really slow, but it's ok, it was way too fun.

This isn't really about running per se, but more about running club.. I'm very thankful for that small group of people. They were there for me without any hesitation last week, when I needed them most. People I would have never met if it wasn't for running! :)

Why do I run?

I remember when I was a little girl, probably in 1st grade, my dad ran a road race & I went to watch it with my Mammy. I don't know the distance, and for some reason I want to say it was in Davison? Either way, I thought it was the coolest damn thing that he got a banana for running. (this was of course, when I was 7, before my curse of being allergic to bananas). I also remember all throughout elementary, every Crim, waking up before the sun & being a water volunteer at Aid Station 9. I LOVED it. I loved how all the runners & walkers were so happy even though they had just traveled 9 miles by foot and still weren't done. And I loved how the streams of people just never ended. And I loved handing them water in those green gatorade cups.

I remember in 8th grade gym class we had to do a timed mile and Mr Hunjo told me I was quite the runner and should consider joining the middle school cross country team. I was so excited that someone thought I was good at some sort of sport because I never had any coordination or depth perception, and to actually be good at something meant the world to me! Sooo then it began.

Since that day in gym class, my life has changed permanently. Running has brought me to many new adventures and places.. going to places I never would have thought existed, let alone thought I'd travel across by just putting one foot in front of the other. I hated the majority of high school, but come cross country camp, cross country season, and track season, I was a happy camper. All of my friendships had evolved from running one way or another it seemed.

After having Isabel, I started running again mostly to lose weight. I never thought I'd be decent again, and I just ran to get in some exercise. 3 years ago, I ran the Crim and not one, but TWO walkers beat me! I didn't care though, I LOVED that day. It was my first Crim as a participant. My mom was so worried I wouldn't make the full ten miles. Now she doesn't even think twice about 26.2miles.

Running has released stress from work & school & relationship troubles. Nothing makes me feel as good as running as fast as I can until I want to puke just to get everything off of my mind. It's funny what negativity you forget when you're out on a run.

Running has gotten me through 2 different bouts of depression. I don't really feel comfortable dishing on this one, but lets just say, I don't know if I'd be here as happy and content with life, without running. I used to think "anti anxiety meds" were the answer. I am "drug" free now, and happier and more focused on life in my entire life. And all I do is pound the pavement.

Running has helped me grieve. I never had to face the loss of a loved one until a few years ago. It was very hard for me to grasp. And even though it was the middle of winter, I'd strap on my five fingers, let my toes freeze, and run miles and miles, just sorting out everything. Trying to find out answers on life & death.

Running has helped me come up with my best ideas! It's amazing what you think of after about 8 miles. Seriously, I get my best ideas at about mile 10. I'm a genius when I'm running. I swear I need to bring a tape recorder so I can recap my ideas haha.

Running has brought SO many friendships that I know will be lifelong. I have met some AMAZING people.. mostly in the last few years. All because we have that one thing in common.

Running makes me feel like I can accomplish a whole lot of things. I mean, just to comprehend that you can so far in X amount of time, is awesome.

But probably the best thing? Seeing Isabel love running as much as me! She's only 5 and it's brought so much joy to her little life that I just melt with excitement.

So I guess next time someone asks why I love running, I'll give them this blog page ;)