Wednesday, September 5, 2012

No Speeding Ticket Today

I was excited last week because I was asked to present at a Girls on the Run conference in Beaver Creek, Colorado, in October. The conference is for women only and is put on by Girls on the Run of Western Colorado. I will be talking about tips for training for and completing a full or half marathon.

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I think most of you are familiar with GOTR – they are a nationwide program to help girls ages 8 to 13 train (emotionally and physically) for their first 5K. The primary goal is to encourage young girls build self-esteem and confidence through running. 

Even though I started running at a later age, I can attest to how much confidence and happiness running has given me. What a gift to pass onto a young girl. If you are interested in volunteering for this incredible organization – check out their website HERE. Or, if you’d like more info on attending this event because you like the mountains, getting away from your kids and being around like-minded runners (including me), go HERE for details.

Now, onto my morning. I may have a problem because as much as I like yoga and biking (and hate swimming), all I really want to do is run. But, after my tempo run yesterday, my knee was kind of sore again. I knew I had to be a SASA. I decided the next best thing to running would be to hop on my bike and do a challenging ride on this crappy morning in Colorado:

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Rabbit Mountain is just a 20 mile out and back from my house, but the first half has some climbing.

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This place used to be called “Rattlesnake Mountain,”  but I think they changed it because lots of people have ophidiophobia – the fear of snakes – and would not visit this place with a name like that. So they changed it to Rabbit Mountain because a far as I know the fear of rabbits – leporiphobia – is much more rare.

YES!! There is a phobia name dedicated to people who are afraid of rabbits! Who knew! And, I’m not talking the freaky dressed up Easter bunny kind of rabbits, but little adorable rabbits. (For those of you who are wondering, there is not a name for a fear of farts, but only a fear of fecal matter – coprophobia. The Internet is a powerful research tool).

Fact is, there are still as many snakes here, but people just don’t know it or they’re too busy hunting wabbits.

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There is some casual climbing in the beginning of the ride, then one last grunt to the top:

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It’s really pretty up here and I’d live here if I didn’t have leporiphobia.

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The ride down is an adrenaline rush. Speed limit = 35 mph. My speed = 41 mph. I love being a rebel, but I was secretly hoping to be handcuffed.

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Are you familiar with Girls o the Run? Have you or your girl ever been a part of it? We don’t have a chapter at Emma’s school and I did consider becoming a coach. Just haven’t done it yet. I think it is fantastic though!

Do you have any phobias? Mine is emetophobia – fear of vomit. Not me vomiting so much as other people.

What’s your next best favorite thing to do if you can’t run?

SUAR

43 comments:

  1. Definitely terrified of snakes and I have run into so many running this summer! I feel like they have been out on the trails all year, sunning themselves in this absurd heat. YUCK.

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  2. Girls on the Run is fantastic! My daughter's school participated last spring, and she was picked along with about 15 other 3rd to 5th graders. The teachers who volunteered to coach were wonderful and enthusiastic, plus the GOTR organization gave them very detailed objectives, activities, goals, and training curricula to follow.

    The way the program was structured to be a "safe haven" for the girls allowed them to open up and develop self esteem, speak out against bullying, build confidence, take risks that resulted in pride and achievement, cheer for/support each other...I can't express the amazing thoughts, ideas, and accomplishments I witnessed as a volunteer (cheering, encouraging, pacing, etc.).

    It's so much more than helping the girls develop the physical stamina to run a 5K. Every single girl grew as a result of this experience, no matter what their physical, developmental, or emotional status was at the beginning.

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  3. I'm still laughing about Nut Roll..... and i share your fear. God gave me non barfing boy children...THANK HEAVENS.

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  4. I worked as a GOTR coach this summer, at a few condensed summer camps they run in LA. The condensed version was a bit...well, compressed - and I don't think as effective as the program would be over a whole year. The kids didn't really bond with each other over 1 week, the way they could over 12 weeks. And while the emphasis is on being active - it's not a super-serious running program. [Not that 10 year olds need one of those.] In my view, it's a self-esteem building program that encourages activity. Which is fine; I just warn people not to go in (esp. into coaching) thinking that it's all about running.

    I am a fellow emetophobe. We have no children yet, but the time is approaching. I'm terrified of: morning sickness, and child vomit. Ick. This is particularly embarrassing, as I'm a biochemist, and will happily play with all things mold & bacterial all day. [And have no problem dealing with other types of bodily waste as 'byproducts of digestion'!]

    If I can't run, I like eating soft serve ice cream.
    Oh. Athletically? Used to be yoga. But after an intensive self-directed cycling immersion program this summer, I'd have to say...cycling.

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  5. I love Girl's on the Run! I have been a volunteer coach for two years now and we'll soon begin our fall season. We train twice a week for twelve weeks, with a 5K race as our season ending goal. In addition to running, we have discussions and activities, that encourage the girls to "think outside the box", when it comes to day-to-day challenges. It's such a joy to witness these young girls gain a new perspective of their individual uniqueness, in their schools, homes and communities. It's so easy to join in the program, and so rewarding too.

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  6. If I can't run or I'm taking a day off I love me some hot yoga, there's nothing like sweating off 5 lbs!

    I went 4 days last week to give my IT band a rest and a stretch and it was amazing!

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  7. Not familiar with GOTR :( Seems awesome.
    My MIL is terrified of rabbits. I cannot imagine. Now spiders, on the other hand...and rattlesnakes.
    My Go to after running is biking of course. Or ice hockey. Or ball hockey. Its not always winter here.

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  8. Congrats on giving a speech at GOTR!Definitely an inspiring organization. I used to love running up at Rabbit Mtn. Perfect for taking the dog with me. If I can't run, I bike-preferably mountain biking. I did a 10 miler on Tuesday and the whole time I was thinking, I wish I was mountain biking.

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  9. Thanks to this post and the power of the internet I now know that I am not alone. Telephobia (fear of making or receiving telephone calls) is experienced by 2.5 million people in Great Britain alone! Of course, I live in the US, so maybe I am alone. Someone will probably call and try to survey me about this tonight. I'd better go hide in my room...

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  10. I'm terrified of the ocean. I can tolerate a boat but getting in over my knees is way too much. It's a strange fear of the unknown. I mean, seriously, every time they do a deep dive they discover new critters. Jeez!

    If I can't run then I hop on my bike. My bike got me started back into fitness and running came later so it's an old friend.

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  11. I hate snakes and have came across more then I would like to have on the trails in the spring.

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  12. I definitely spin or ride if I can't run, but I'm happy on the elliptical, too. Also, lifting puts me in a good mood. Hate swimming, but I guess that's because I don't try it enough. I love Girls On the Run and what it's doing to get young women active!

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  13. I love your posts & wish I was in the States to hear you speak! Plus that I was aged 8-13...on days when I'm not running I go pole dancing. It's fab for upper body strength & for stretching out those legs after running.

    I have a question: how can you stop your shoes from smelling after a few wet trail runs? Is there a secret, or is it just a matter of hiding them in the garage??

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    1. I took a pole dancing class once. It was a good workout, but I looked ridiculous b/c my body is not built for the pole. Not sure how to get the smell out of shoes. Here's some good info, but I might post this one on blog = http://www.livestrong.com/article/331668-how-to-clean-running-shoes/

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  14. I literally just laughed out loud.

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  15. Congrats on the invite - I have been a coach for GOTR and am now currently a solemate for the organization, attempting to raise money for a local chapter. They are a wonderful organization and it is so powerful to see the transformation that these girls undergo as they progress through the program.

    And if anyone is interested in supporting GOTR you might check out my website :
    http://www.active.com/donate/gotrhbwphillymar/lreedy101

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  16. I've been reading your blog for about a month now and I absolutely LMAO at some point every post. Keep up the great posts and I too have emetophobia in the WORST way!!!! I guess it's a good thing I don't have any kiddos.

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  17. What about the rabbits from Monty Python and the Holy Grail?

    Smelly shoes - the Livestrong process seems like a lot of work. Wet shoes - pull out the insoles, stuff with balled up newspaper. Replace after 15-30 min. Then pull out the second round some time later when you get to it. Really speeds the drying process. I've been known to spray with Sport Febreeze too. The trick is to get them dry quickly.

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  18. Thanks for the tips!! My husband was about to burn them but maybe he'll be convinced to try these ideas first ;)

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    Replies
    1. I asked on my Shut up and Run Facebook page and there are lots of good ideas there too. So check that out.

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  19. I am signing up to be a volunteer and plan on being a couch next season!! Great organization!!

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  20. My 8 yr old started GOTR yesterday! She said she wants to be a runner like her mom! Awwwwwwwwwww :)

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  21. I love your blog & read it daily!!! I love that you spoke at a GOTR event! Coaching GOTR turned me into the runner I am today!!! You should definitely consider coaching & starting a program at your daughter's school!!! Coaching GOTR is the most rewarding thing you'll ever volunteer for!!!

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  22. I am a GOTR coach and LOVE it! I think the program is great and really respect the topics it addresses with girls and the manner in which it does it. It is not just a running program but it does use running (exercise) to help build self esteem and positive peer relationships.

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  23. I'm scared of flying. But there's a little thing called Valium which makes all the fear disappear.

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  24. I'm running the Twin Cities Marathon (first one ever) for GOTR. I thought it sounded like a great organization to fund raise for, especially when I have 5 daughters of my own.

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  25. I am going to see if this organization is in Canada too. It looks awesome.
    I have a fear of encountering things in unexpected places.
    I once had a python in my hotel room. NOT KIDDING.
    Google La Vista + python and you will find ME!
    Not usually afraid of snakes, but finding one on my toilet at 6am freaked me out!

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  26. Don't have time to cycle and swimming is fun if it's in a dam and to cool down after a run, I also like to paddle, but haven't done that for years.

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  27. I ran a marathon as part of their Soulmates fundraising team, and now I coah GOTR for a local school. What a great program!

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  28. A friend of mine actually did get pulled over by the police for speeding on his bike! He's a doctor, and was riding home from the hospital, got pulled over on a residential road where it's posted 25 mph. Not sure how fast he was going , but he got a ticket!

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  29. Girls on the Run sounds so fantastic. I'm glad someone came up with it and made it happen.
    I thought being scared of rabbits only existed on screen in Monty Python movies.

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  30. LOL! You crack me up!

    My next favorite thing to do if I can't run is to PIG OUT!

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

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  31. i have been a run buddy at the races. so fun.

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  32. I might have to look into getting GOTR set up here in small town WY.

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  33. My daughter participated in the girls on the run last year as a 3rd grader. it was fabulous! They did a great job of character building as well as helping her to complete her first 5K. had I trained her myself, I doubt she would have ever finished it as I probably would have pushed too hard. so proud of her and her accomplishments!

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  34. Next favorite thing to running is spinning. I am clausterphobic.

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  35. This is a good news but these people should not abuse it. Lol. Anyway, this can be really fun. Be careful though. Thanks for this by the way.

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