The Adventures of Runner Girl: January 2014

Thursday, January 30, 2014

MT Advocacy: We Are...Precious Few

Sometimes you find a "sign" and it is literally a sign and it hits you when you least expect it. That was the case as I was running the 3M Half Marathon in Austin, Texas on my birthday. I just had a particularly frustrating week at work, one of those weeks where I felt as if I was constantly having to justify my job as a music therapist and its value. I let myself get negative and found myself questioning my career choice. How many people constantly have to defend and define their jobs, I wondered. I even had a few moments where I wished that I had chosen something a little more mainstream or common.

However, Friday came and my 3-day birthday weekend started and I put many of those thoughts in the back of my mind. A road trip to Austin on a beautiful day and the company of friends provided so much positive energy that it was impossible to be frustrated. Not to mention the excitement of a half marathon on a "fast" downhill course in near perfect running conditions -- a birthday gift indeed!

I am grateful for everyone who comes out to cheer for a race and I enjoy reading their signs along the way. Austin did not disappoint either and while the crowds were not huge, there were some very enthusiastic supporters along the way. Somewhere in the later miles I saw a lady standing alone holding a sign that simply read "Precious few are able to do what you are doing." The message resonated with me immediately as I always try to keep this type of outlook when it comes to running and training in general. I hang out with a ridiculous crowd of friends who run 100 miles, complete Ironman Triathlons, and ride 200 miles on their bike as a matter of routine. One has to keep a perspective like this or it would be quite easy to feel inadequate. I finished my race (report to come) and went on to enjoy a beautiful birthday surrounded by friends and drenched in sunshine.

However those words came back to me a few days later as I was running on a dark and chilly night. Precious few. I was having a much better week at work, such positive energy: a speech therapist asked me for help on a concept she was working on with a student, one of my students used her voice output device to verbally communicate with me for the first time in all the years I had been working with her, a teacher expressed that music really made a difference in her classroom. Precious few are able to do what we as music therapists do. Precious few are able to reach people through music and help them learn and grown and find a better version of themselves. Is it frustrating to constantly define my career? Yes. Is it worth it? A million times yes.

All of these thoughts were quite timely as January is Social Media Music Therapy Advocacy Month, take a second to check out all of the interesting posts from therapists all over the country. We may be precious few, but we are doing some incredible work! Music therapists are constantly explaining and defining our field...and that is a good thing! I dream of a day when I can say that I'm a music therapist and not be met with a blank stare or a questioning look. We have come so far during my years in the field, but there is much work left to do. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work, join me!

All because I found a "sign" that was literally a sign....and hit me exactly when I needed a message....

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Get Jiggle With It: Jiggle Butt 5K

A month or so ago That Pink Girl suggested that our little group of gals sign up for and run the Jiggle Butt 5K together on January 4. Jiggle Butt 5K? I was instantly *in* for so many reasons: perfect excuse to get together with friends, I need to run more 5Ks, female only race benefits SafeHaven of Tarrant County, and hello....who wouldn't want a race shirt that says "Jiggle Butt Run"?

The weather has been all over the place this winter and the temperature Saturday didn't appear to be especially cold (in the 40s) but the wind was gusting fiercely. The race was on the campus of University of Texas at Arlington and we were able to seek shelter indoors before the race. This is always one of my favorite race perks, especially during the winter.

It is no secret that I think 5Ks are from the devil himself and I would chose to run a dozen half marathons before I chose a 5K. The anticipation of how hard those 3.1 miles run at top speed will be always puts butterflies in my stomach. The very fact that I dread them so much tells me that I need to be running them more often. I never know what to expect, but was hoping that I could get close to my 5K PR.

Here we go!

The course was essentially a big square around one side of the UTA campus. I knew that the wind would likely be a factor, but hadn't studied the course enough to know if we would be running into it frequently. I was hoping for a super flat course, but found there to be a few small hills and false flats.

I decided not to look at my watch and quickly covered it once we were off and running. I tried not to go out too fast and focused on getting around slower runners while trying to run good tangents. My watch beeped one mile just before the one mile marker....two more to go!

Your favorite Rangers fans

I made it a goal not to get passed by anyone that I had previously passed and I did really well with that. There was an 8:00 pacer (pacer for a 5K -- that is a first!) just ahead of me and I worked hard to keep her within reach, with the goal of passing her at the end. Just before mile 2 a person on the sideline started hollering (that is what he does...hollers...in Cajun) -- it was Byron! What a terrific surprise! It gave me a momentarily boost...until he said "you are almost to mile 2!" I am convinced that mile 2 of a 5K has to be the worst feeling in the world. You have been working so hard to get there, but then realize you solidly in the middle. Not time for that final burst yet and too far from the start for the fresh legs.

Obligatory Shoe Pic

The final corner provided a perfect view of the finish line -- approximately .1 to go! I passed the pacer, gave it all I had, and crossed the finish line. I anxiously checked my watch and saw 24:58 -- my third fastest 5K. I missed my PR by thirty something seconds, but I was happy with my efforts. I was even more happy when I checked my watch to see that miles 2 and 3 were EXACTLY the same pace. Metronome strikes again! The official results have me at 7th out of 57 in my age group and 28 out of a reported 2200.

With our cheerleader, Byron

We all met up for a post race brunch at a little cafe. The running stuff is all well and fine, but nothing beats sitting around a round table laughing and talking with friends while dining on delicious food. I would run fifty 5Ks if they all ended just like this.

(All photos courtsey of Mama C -- thanks so much!)

Friday, January 3, 2014

Bringing in 2014 -- Donkey Style

Ever since we ran a half marathon on 1/1/11, Mr K and I have started New Year's Day on an active note: 2012 brought the second day of back-to-back half marathons at the New Year's Double and 2013 had us running the New Year's 5 Mile. This year we joined a group of Frunners on wheels and hit the open roads for a little spin on our Donkey Ride route.

Layers? We got 'em! (Photo: That Pink Girl)

I'll have to admit, I was quite apprehensive when I woke up and saw the weather on New Year's Day. Forty degrees with 15 mph (and gusting higher) winds -- not especially bad for a regular day, but it sounded downright frigid for a bike ride. I have done very little cold weather riding and I just didn't know what to expect. Thank goodness for peer pressure! We layered up, loaded up the bikes and headed out to meet our friends.

Mary, Erin and I are ready to roll (photo: TPG)

The first few miles on the bike were quite "refreshing!" My fingers and toes went numb fairly quickly, but it wasn't as bad as I had feared. We headed over to Celebration Park, cowbells in our pockets, to cheer for the runners at the New Year's Double. I felt like I was part of a gang as we rolled up to the race site. Runners and cyclists don't always see eye to eye, you know. We were able to spot Stude, Matt Flo, Matt H, Beth, and Teal before we headed off on our way. I love spectathleting!!

We didn't let a little grass stop our cheering spirit! (Photo: TPG)

My hands warmed up quickly once the sun was fully shining on my black gloves leaving only my toes feeling numb. We made our first stop at the home of some very friendly dogs, some alpacas, and the famous donkeys. Unfortunately the donkeys were being quite lazy (cue bad jokes) and wouldn't come to the fence, but the puppies were more than happy to visit.

Mr K greets the donkeys (Photo: TPG)

Onward we went in search of our camel friend (it was Hump Day after all!) only to find him missing in action. His donkey friends were available and spent some time visiting us before we turned around and headed back to our cars. I'm so glad that I didn't chicken out -- a whole new world of winter cycling has opened up to me! A pair of toe covers and I will be ready to rock!

Happy 2014!! (Photo: TPG)

After we loaded up our bikes we went for our traditional New Year's lunch of dim sum. Three years in a row makes it a tradition, right? It is one of my favorite meals of the year, I love having everyone gathered around the big table sharing some delicious and unique food.

Delicious dim sum lunch! (photo courtesy of Ninja)

They say that the way you spend New Years is the way you will spend the rest of the year. I hope this is true as I cannot think of a better way to spend my year: being active, enjoying the sunshine, surrounded by good friends, and feasting on delicious food.