Author: Kristine Binder

Running is….

Kristine Binder

Running is so many things. Running is something different to each runner. Running is something that, unless you are a runner, few people understand. My 12 year old daughter really ‘gets it’. She is a runner like me. She wrote an essay on running that I think sums it all up….

“Running is a challenge. Running is when you step out of your comfort zone to achieve your goals. Running is an individual sport. Running is about pushing yourself to do well. It is a personal game. It doesn’t matter how fast you run…it matters that it is fun and challenging. Running is a way of life. Either you like it or you don’t. Running doesn’t make runners crazy…it makes us different and daring. That is what running is to me. In my dreams, I am a Kenyan!” Miss E

That little girl makes a momma proud! She is so very insightful. I can see the lessons of Girls on the Run sinking in. I can see that my actions speak louder than my words.

She understands the deeper meaning of running. She understands that it is more than just a workout. To her running is fun and exciting. To me running is my sanity. Running is my escape. Running is a way to clear my head and think things through. Running is a way to better myself and challenge myself. Running is a constant journey. Running just is….

Marathon Training Begins

Kristine Binder

So…this will be my second marathon. I trained for and ran Chicago last year alone. It was a trip. I knew others that were training and running and sought support from all kinds of sources but the bottom line was….I was on my own. I trained and finished and thought I did well…for my first attempt at a marathon.

My goal this year is not only to finish again but to do better than last time. This time I have enlisted the help of CARA (the Chicago Area Runners Association) Training team. We meet once during the week for midweek short runs and once on the weekend for the weekly long runs. We are following the same program I followed last year…the Hal Higdon plan.

Training began last week and last Saturday I had my first group run. What a riot! I have never run with others before….always just me, the dog and the iPod or me and the music. I headed straight towards the turtles in the back and what a time we had! I am not used to that much adult interaction and discussion. It was wonderful! At times I longed for the peace and quiet that comes with running alone but there is time for that during my weekly runs. I need to learn to run at a consistent pace.

Today was a 3 miler and had to be done on the DREADMILL! It was raining and stormy and while I do not mind the water…I do mind the lightening! I have made the treadmill my friend as we get together occasionally for runs. I have made peace with the machine as I need it as much as my running shoes! I would rather take to the DM than miss a run.

For crosstraining today I cleaned the ‘junk room’ and I think I must have gone up and down the stairs 50 times if I did it once! Time to relax and watch Jillian Michaels for some inspiration….

A New Start

Kristine Binder

This is a peace of my sole….part of me as I pound the pavement looking for some peace and sanity…..looking for my happy pace.

The blog will follow my training for a marathon while raising 5 kids, managing my house and working full time. It is a constant juggling act but everything always seems to work out in the end…for the best! It may not always be interesting or exciting but it is my life.

So…journey with me as I share a piece of me looking for peace, sanity and my happy pace…