Fight Depression with Exercise

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If you ever experienced depression, you know how frustrating it can be.  It may make you tired you just don't want to get out of bed or you have major anxiety that it is hard to relax. Whatever symptoms you have, it can be challenging getting yourself out of that dark hole. Of course going to the Doctor would be a great idea but so is exercise.

Exercise is the one tool that holds me together.  I am not a depressed person but I haven't felt myself this week.  If you been reading my blogs or following me on Facebook. You probably know that I have been trying to rest and recover all week.  You may also know that exercise is a HUGE part of my life. 

When exercise is removed from my life I don't know what to do with myself.  This week I slept more, cried a lot and honestly felt very alone.  I realized last night that I was in fact having little signs of depression.  I normally love being around people...but I refused all week to be near people that care about me.  I blew off two dates, a kickball game and a Halloween party....That is not normal for someone like me. 

The thing about depression is that you can either do nothing about it or take complete control of it.  I plan on taking control of this mood that I have been in all week.  I am ready to sweat, to move and to remove this ugly thing that has been sitting in my head all week.  Exercise is what brightens my day, it makes me feel like I have a purpose in life.  This is why exercise is so easy for me...I just need it just like some people need their morning cup of joy. 

10 Ways That Exercise Can Help Fight Depression is from the Veggie Fitness Blog.

10 Ways That Exercise Can Help Fight Depression.
1- Exercising releases ‘Feel Good Chemicals’, neurotransmitters and endorphins may help to ease the depression a person feels. Ever hear of a ‘Runners High’?
2- Exercising increases your body temperature which may have calming effects to those who feel anxious or depressed.
3- Exercising boots your immune system which helps ward off any other chemicals that may worsen ones depression.
4- Exercising is proven to reduce stress which is one of depressions co-pilot.
5- Exercising makes you look better which boots your self-esteem and mood. Hard to be depressed when you look and feel so good
6- Exercise helps you gain confidence. Meeting your exercise ‘goals’ will help you feel a sense of accomplishment.
7- Exercise is a positive distraction from the worries and negative thoughts that feed ones depression.
8- It has been proven that exercise does indeed help mild to moderate cases of depression, it is effective and underused according to many doctors.
9- Exercise is fun, having fun will make you happier. So running is not for you. How about taking a dance class or joining a walking group. Make new friends and feel better about yourself.
10- Exercise helps you cope in a healthy way. Instead of heading to the bar for a drink go to the gym or take a walk. By feeding depression with things like food and alcohol you are only making it worse.

I need that 'Feel Good Chemicals' every single day.  Runners High is no joke and I am glad that it will be back in my life starting today.  One week off of that high wasn't much fun. 

Columbus Marathon

Friday, Oct 20th
Packet Pickup


Packet Pickup is one of my favorite pre-race day rituals.  I love being surrounded by people who are just as excited, nervous and worried as me.  As soon as I step into the expo the jitters show up.  Nothing will calm my those jitters until I am about 2 miles in my run on race day.  Jitters are normal and needed!  I believe it is your body getting ready to do something simply amazing and epic! That is what I intended to do.. BeAmazing and have an EPIC day!

This packet pickup was a little different for me.  Normally, I am all smiles but this year I got really emotionally.  When they handed me my BeAmazing bib I started to tear up.  I realized that this bib represents my race number but it also was a symbol of my 5 months of hard work and decication.  It just hit me that my big day was really here and now it was my time to shine.

I shopped a bit.  Got a sweet hoodie with Columbus Marathon on it, two 26.2 tees and a case for my phone to put on my fuel belt.  I understand that having my phone with me is silly but I didn't want to miss a signal photo opportunity.

After the expo my runner partners decided that pancakes were an absolute necessity.  Pumpkin pancakes, turkey sausage and egg whites sounded like the perfect pre-race lunch!

Here is a picture of us girls before we headed to breakfast! I am in a Lindsay sandwich. 

Many people think I have always loved running.  Fact is I use to HATE it.  I was forced to run cross country my freshman year of high school.  If I didn't run, I had to get a job.  When my coach gave us an hour to run at practice I would hide in the corn fields or run to my parents house to watch TV.  There was nothing about running that I liked.  I never enjoyed it, could never control my breathing and I would even pee my pants after every meet (that in it self is a whole different story).  I only ran cross country one year.


Never in my wildest dreams did I think one day I would actually run for pleasure.  I was bitten by the race bug when I ran my first 5K.  I have loved running and racing ever since. So when Lindsay said, "Kathy let's run the Columbus Marathon." I answered with a happy "Let's do it."

Sunday, Oct 21st
Columbus Marathon

I felt like a kid waiting to open my Christmas presents while waiting in our Corral.  I been excited about this day for a solid 5 months now.  I couldn't believe that it was finally here.  The jitters were extremely high but there was no time to doubt myself because I had 26.2 miles to complete.  I never once questioned myself on why I was there or if I trained enough.  I was READY to conquer this race, to finish with a smile and to prove to myself that I CAN DO ANYTHING.

There was 18,000 runners surrounding us at the start line.  My favorite thing about race day is the National Anthem.  As an high school athlete this was my time to really focus on the game.  As an adult I still focus on what is about to happen but I also think about all the men and women who have lost their lives for our wonderful country.  I always shed a tear when I hear this powerful song.

The race start at 7:30 a.m with fireworks and shots from a very loud canon.  We didn't make it to the start line till 7:45.  The moment I crossed the start line all my jitters had disappeared and my game face had shown up.  The first few miles were very cold and were all about getting my legs ready for a very long day. 

The first six miles flew by.  I don't even really remember what happened during that time.  Around, mile seven I started feeling a little tightness in my legs.  I was worried because it was far to early to be feeling pain, eventually that pain disappeared around mile 10.

My cousin Diana was my focus for the first 13 miles.  This was her first time ever running a half marathon, she walked the Pittsburgh half in May with me.  I was so focused on getting her to her turn off at mile 13 (she still had .1 to go alone) that I didn't once think about the other 13.1 miles I had to go.  She took off at mile 12 with a smile on her face and a very proud cousin behind her.

After Diana left us, it finally hit me I had 14 more miles to run.  We had already been running for 2 hours or so which meant I had at least 2 1/2 more hours to go.  The first half of the marathon was exciting! The crowd was loud, the music was awesome and the miracle children at each mile broke my heart...but they gave me the energy I needed to run harder.  Mile 12 was dedicated to the babies and children that lost their battle.  That was a very hard mile for me.  My emotions were all over the place on race day.

The second half of the marathon was not as enjoyable as the first half.  The crowd got smaller and there was less entertainment.  I knew that getting to the shoe (Ohio State University football field) would be my main focus from mile 14-18.

I was still feeling amazing at mile 17 and so were my running friends.  We were all very excited to run in the shoe...Honestly, I think I was a little in pain but my energy was so focused on the shoe I didn't think about my legs.  I wasn't impressed with the shoe after all....we were on the field for less than 2 minutes but we did get a sweet picture.  This picture is the only time I stopped running during the race.

After the shoe the pain really started to creep up.  My feet and quads were on fire but there wasn't enough time to worry I still had 8 more miles to go.  At mile 18.5 a group of guys were handing out shots of PBR and pretzels.  I was the only one out of the group that took the shot and a handful of pretzels.  I don't even like PBR but let me tell you that beer was the most amazing tasting beer ever at that moment!

I couldn't keep up with the girls around mile 19.  I tried my hardest to keep up the pace but I knew that if I would I would probably not make it to the finish line.  I wanted so badly to finish with the girls I trained with but I didn't want to hurt myself nor did I want to hold them back.  I told them to go ahead without me and that I would see them at the finish line.

I knew I had 6.5 lonely miles to run but I knew in my heart that I could do it.  I went into autopilot for at mile 19.5 till I saw my friend at mile 22.5.  I have never experience this feeling before but I am glad I had it.  I didn't feel anything, didn't think about anything...I was just running.  I don't remember a thing about those miles.  I just ran till I saw my friend Jill.

Being able to run with Jill for a few minutes was like having an angel running beside me.  She told me I looked strong and that I could do it.  I started to doubt myself before I saw Jill but her energy and encouragement allowed me to believe once again that in fact I was doing it.  Thanks Jill for being there for me...when I look back on this day you will be the one person I will remember the most because you were there when I needed you most!

I knew I had basically a 5k left...easier said than done right?  I believe I looked at my watch every single minute...it felt like I was moving but time and the rest of the world stopped.  This is when I started going crazy...I did in fact start talking to myself.  I felt like I was in a cartoon... I had the devil Kathy on one shoulder and coach Kathy on the other.  The devil Kathy wanted to walk...she kept telling me that the pain was so intense that the best thing would be to walk for a bit.  While coach Kathy screamed DON'T you dare walk..YOU KEEP YOUR ASS RUNNING.  That conversation continued till mile 25.

Mile 25 was when all the emotions came out.  I started to cry.  I started to cry because I knew I was going to finish.  I was crying because I was in so much pain and I crying because I finally realized that I had ran those last 7 miles completely alone.  It is a very weird state of mind when you lose control of your emotions...one minute I was crying and the next I was smiling.  I started to smile when I saw mile 26 for the first time and when the crowd yelled "Go Be Amazing" (YES that is what my race bib said).

I sprinted the last .2 miles into the finish.  I have no idea but I flexed my muscles at the finish line and gave the camera a big ass smile.  I ran my 2nd marathon in 4:46 minutes.

I did it! We all did it!

It felt so good. I had done it. The thing I had worked so hard for. I had gotten up before the sun for months. I had pushed myself to places I didn't think possible. I had endured the actual race. I had just ran my second marathon without walking! I hadn't done it alone. I prayed my way through training and even more so through that race.  Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible for me. Special thank you to my training partners, my cousin Diana, my parents and to my race angel Jill.

Mission accomplished.

Now its over I get asked, "will you do it again"? Yes. And to anyone out there who has the desire to do it, DO IT! If I can, I know you can. And it is all totally worth it. I am proud of myself. I worked at something hard and I did it again. Do something today to make you happy with yourself. Cut your hair, work out, eat some veggies, go to bed early..be happy with you! This marathon was one of the most challenging, painful, spiritual, amazing experiences of my life.

Believe in the Mission.  Believe in the Possibilities.  Believe in You and Be Amazing doing it! 

"I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible." -- John Hanc

Just gonna do it again

Source: flickr.com via Jenn on Pinterest

This blog is not my race recap rather to keep my mind focus and to tell all of you that I have lost my mind.  Yesterday, I spent the day on the coach in pain looking for my next adventure.  One would think that after completing 26.2 miles that would be more than enough adventure....but not for this girl.  So I decided to take the day and look at races that I been wanting to do.

The one race that came to my mind was the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington D.C.  I have heard so many amazing things about this race and it has been on my bucket list for some time.  So I did the  search on the race and realized that I just HAVE to do it.  This race normally sells out in two hours the day it opens up.  Getting into this race would be a small victory in itself. 

I have many friends who are considering the race as well.  To me it is the perfect place to take on a challenge as large as a Marathon.  This race is all about the men and women who serve our country.  They are at the expo, along the course and the ones that are at the finish line handing out all the goods.

So if you need the motivation to do something as hard as a Marathon.. I would believe that this race would give you just that.  After all, those men and women put their lives on the line for us to live a normal life.  Another perk is running around the beautiful monuments and downtown D.C.

The day after my first Marathon I didn't even want to think about running again.  This Marathon different! I can't wait to get my running shoes on and hit the road again.  I can't to run in Disney in 79 days.  Insane.. Maybe but that is the only way I know how to be.  Running just does something to me. It allows me to visualize my own ability to achieve amazing things on the road and in my daily life.

So I will keep doing what I do best.... I am going to keep running and believing in my possible mission.

Source: fromupnorth.com via Beatriz on Pinterest

Game Day

 

One word for how I am feeling at 4:30 AM on race day.. PROUD! 

Everyone thinks that running comes easy to me.  I can tell you that there is NOTHING easy about running...well maybe the stopping part.  I run because it allows me to take the world in one step at a time.  It allows me to take control of my future and mostly my health.  

Running is NOT easy the hardest part is even lacing up my shoes.  I rather sleep in on a Saturday than run 10 miles before the heat kicks in.  There are days I would do anything to not feel pain in my back from logging mile after mile.... But today (Marathon Day) is why I do those things.  Why I make myself get up, why I feel the pain...Just for that one moment when I can look around me and say WOW this is truly AMAZING.  

Today, I feel ready! I feel a little nervous!!! (someone told me last night nerves are a great thing!! It is telling the body that you are about to do something Epic) Mostly, I feel PROUD.  I feel proud that I have been training hard since June.  I am proud of my running partners who were with me when I wanted to quit..I am also proud that they didn't quit.  I am proud of my Dad who is chasing after his 2nd full marathon finish and hopefully with a new personal record.  I am proud of my cousin Diana who took this challenge on...she will be completing her 2nd half this time running it! 

Mostly, I am proud of myself! I am proud that I am a little crazy to do something as amazing as this.  Proud that I never give up on my dreams and proud that I don't allow people to shoot my dreams down.  

I can remember 8 years ago I had this dream to complete a Marathon some day.  I too believed that those runners were crazy, insane but I wanted to be part of that special club they had.  I wanted to be a Marathoner.  Today, I get to do it for the second time in my life! I get to feel the magic all over again and remember that anything is possible if you just believe! 

 

That is right today is NOT that day! Today I will BE AMAZING! 

Aquaphor

Source: stockpilingmoms.com via Barbara on Pinterest

I should buy some serious stock in the product Aquaphor.  I been using it for a few years now and it is the only thing that helps reduce chafing for me.  As a runner you have to worry about everything that is on your body.  Will those pants rub, will this fuel belt bounce up and down and hopefully this sport bar will stay put...all questions that run in my head before I put on my clothes. 

In fact I always have practice runs with the clothes I plan to run on race day.....if I have any signs of chafing I will never wear it running again.  Runners are known to chafe in between the thighs (that is why I don't wear short shorts), under the arms, nipples (men mostly), butt crack (believe me lube up the butt area) and even the toes.  I even chafe when my tags on my clothes rub to much.  Chafing is NO joke... it can cause a perfectly good day turn into the worse day ever. This is why lube is so important!!

I guess running is a little more than just lacing up your shoes.  It is all about the right clothing, right fuel and PERFECT weather.  To have a perfect run you have to have the perfect recipe.  I have all my ingredients together...now it is just time to mix them and blend them to have the perfect outcome!

Race day if 4 days away! :) 

I run because I can and because they can't :(

Source: google.ca via Kathy on Pinterest

Things I hear all the time from people...
1. You ran what? 20 miles CRAP I don't even like driving my car that long.
2. You will have knee surgery and hip surgery before you are 50.
3. That's just plane stupid.
4. Why run? You're not going to win the damn thing. Do you get prizes?
5. Don't you get bored?
6. You run for a shirt and a medal?
7. Run, Forrest, Run.
8. You Amaze me.
9. I can't run I smoke to much or I will be hungover.
10. Lastly, WHY?

I love hearing comments from my non-running friends.  All their wonderful comments always bring a smile to my face because they will never get WHY I do it.  A non-runner will never get it or understand WHY unless they lace up their own shoes. I always challenge my friends to give it a whirl but they always stop when the training gets hard.

When the training gets hard I think of the people who can't run.  I think of my students who are wheelchair bond, use a walker or could never run that far even if they wanted too.  They give me the motivation I need to run faster, harder, longer.

The Columbus Marathon added the Marathon miracle Mile this year to the race. Each mile there will be a child there who has an amazing story.  Those beautiful children have been fighting for their lives for a very long time.  Some have success stories, while some still continue to fight hard.

I love that they added this to the course this year.  Why? It is simple.... every time I see one of their beautiful faces I will probably cry a little but I am 100% sure I will run harder.  The pain I will feel on race day is NOTHING like those little miracles children feel or have felt.  So when I want to quit or want to tell myself I CAN'T DO THIS... I will remember the child in the wheel chair, the child that is blind, the one that has down syndrome, the one with a weak heart...the list can go on.

I will run for them and I will smile at the finish knowing that their strength has carried me till the end.

I will run my last mile for a special Angel in Heaven.  I had the pleasure to work with Hannah for 5 wonderful years.  She could light up the room with her amazing smile! This is my favorite picture of her!! We just finished a very cold swim and now I am holding her to keep her warm.  She warmed my heart and still does when I think of her.  The last mile is for you Hannah Banana...I miss you!

6 Days left.... Visualization

Marathon day is 6 days away! I am so excited, nervous and of course sick :( I will NOT allow anything to take away my moment on Sunday.  A little zicam, vitamin C, soup and of course some flatbread sea salt crackers will nip this sickness in the butt.  Maybe the crackers will not cure me but they certainly make me feel better :) After all I am carb loading right!

What is on my mind this week so far..... 

Visualizing the finish line! 
This has been a huge part of my training.

Before bed every night I allow my mind to relax and play what I want or think will happen on Sunday. My mind can actually see my feet crossing the finish line. I can see what I am wearing, think about how it will feel (in theory) and visualize my family and friends congratulating me at the end with a medal around my neck. I can see myself crying and hugging my running partners. I can feel the joy and excitement!

Over the course of a 26-mile race the mind has lots of time to think, and in my first marathon there was a point somewhere around mile 20 where my heart began to ask my body a lot of questions.

• What in the world are you doing?
• You have lost it Kathy.
• Don’t ever do this again.

It’s a good thing really. The questions a first-time marathoner has around mile 20 are a good mental distraction at the point where the body experiences total depletion and continues on with heart when the body has nothing left.

So you just keep running.

This is when the recording of my finish line will be so important.  I should be able to just close my eyes and see everything I visualized this week.  This will help me get to mile 25..or so I hope!

Miles 20 to 25 are the hardest miles for me...it is all about heart! The legs feel like rocks but the heart keeps beating and screaming DON'T YOU DARE GIVE UP!  I believe my first marathon I cried at mile 23 ... I didn't think I had anything in me to finish but I got over the wall and did what I do best...IGNORE the pain!

At mile 25 the pain normally fades away for a little while and the cheers from the crowd will give me the energy I need to finish......

Visualization is KEY this week!