Open Mic Friday: Nancy

When we choose the theme of running blogs this week, it took us about two seconds to decide who to interview for Open Mic Friday.  We turned to one of the Queens of the Running Blogs - our friend Nancy.   In addition to offering tremendous support, she also shares great thoughts about running and life in her blog.  Being a fellow back-of-the-packer, I know that I immediately appreciated her blog when we stumbled upon her early in 2007.  We were also lucky to find that we lived in the same community and now know each other outside of our blogging.  So we salute blogs, for their ability to bring runners together, and Nancy who represents the heart and soul of running bloggers.

Why did you start blogging?
My husband and I decided about a year and half ago that we were going to do the Non- Runner's Marathon Trainer.  We were looking around on the internet for reviews or people that had done it when we ran onto a couple blogs.  I started reading and I was hooked.  Loved the creativity.  Loved the stories.  Loved the support.  My husband surprised me a few days later with the blog already started!  I was going to track my progress on that original plan but it soon became so much more for me.

Had you blogged before?
I had an idea what blogs were but I thought they were mostly political or techie stuff.  I hadn't been on them and I certainly had no idea they came in so many varieties! 

How has blogging helped your running?
Well, I've definitely stayed more consistent than ever before.  I love to blog and really feel like I should be running if I am going to write posts or offer comments to others.  I don't want to be a total imposter although I am pretty slow so sometimes I feel like one anyway.  I've gotten great advice from other bloggers and learned a lot; I've been inspired over and over; I've laughed and cried with a few blogger friends and mainly just stayed e xcited about running.  Blogging has brought me to some great running buddies that have kept me interested and moving as well. 

How did the virtual races start?
When I finished the first season of a couple races (10 mile and HM), I worried that I would start to slack off and lose my base if I didn't have a training plan in place or a race on the calendar.  I had become completely dedicated to a schedule rain or shine, but suddenly I was faced with no schedule.  I was on a friend's blog talking about this and commented, we could always start our own race. 

That first race, 8 on the 8th brought a lot of bloggers together to run 8 miles "together" over the same weekend.  I had so much fun with the creative side and was really humbled by everyone running with me simply because I needed something on the schedule.  I've done a few since then and they do keep me moving, plus I love to read everyone's crazy reports and see the pictures and funny things they come up with.

What is your favorite post?
Probably the one that comes to mind the most is the day I created Cavegirl.  I was trying to run a fast 3 to see what I could do and it was getting a little tough, although I was having a good run.  All these negative thoughts were coming one by one and I was countering with all sorts of postitives.  I started imagining beating off the negative thoughts with a club and soon had a post in mind.  I came home and searched for a cute little cavey girl picture and voila, Cavegirl was born.  I began offering my virtual club to anyone who needed it to beat back the "baddies".  The day I met the crew from Runner's Lounge I wore a new Cavegirl outfit complete with club! 

Has blogging and/or running impacted your personal life?
I've been used to being fairly decent at whatever I try, and that hasn't given me great skills when I fail or when things are difficult.  I've had to learn to be positive through the   realization that I am not really built for running and as a result, I may never run a marathon and I am usually waaaay at the back of the pack!  But I can still analyze what went wrong and learn something every time I go out, I can improve in small ways, I can perservere and I can certainly enjoy and make the most of what I can do.  I definitely have to use my club when I run!!  I've worked to translate those things to life skills and not just an attitude about running.  My husband and I have also created a personal blog for each other and for our marriage and it has helped us to express things and brought us closer.  I'm not sure this would have happened if I hadn't found the blogging through running in the first place!

Tell us about your cheering section.
Well my guys are really my life.  I have a devoted husband who I am certain I was brought to for a reason.  He has made me such a better person.  We have two great kids who are very active and sportsminded.  They often ask about my races and whether or not I got last -- they know mom is not leading the pack but that's okay.  They still see me out there.  Life is busy and racing and running and blogging have to be balanced with all of these wonderful blessings plus work (oh yeah, I work too and love my work in outcomes research and medical education!).  Rarely do I feel like I get to do enough blogging, enough running, enough mom time, enough wife time, etc.   I used to think of it as juggling but I find I do a lot better if my attitude is about balance.   

What advice would you give other back-of-the-packers?
Don't leave home with out your club!!  You will have negative thoughts, you will put yourself down, you will wish you were faster.  You will need to be strong.  You will need to make it fun.  Find a friend, enjoy the scenery, do it for a cause, think about those who cannot, de-stress, cherish the alone time, blog...it's not going to be about speed so do something to make it meaningful and worthwhile for you!!   I would also highly recommend The Courage to Start to find the right attitude to hang at the back of the pack. 

Comments

[David]

I love Nancy's blog! Glad to see her featured on here!

[kara]

Go Nancy!

[Betsy]

Fast or slow, you are an inspiration to runners everwhere. Long live Cavegirl!

P.S. Usain Bolt isn't built for sprinting, and you don't see that stopping him.

[Laurel aka Lily]

Oh how wonderful to see Nancy featured! She was one of the very first bloggers I "ran" across and from there found the Runners' Lounge, how great is that?

Nancy has become more than a 'virtual' friend, she is truly and inspriation! Nancy is an amazing wife, mother, runner and virtual race director....thanks Nancy, you always make me smile!

*hugs*

[William Carter]

Hi Nancy

There are so many reasons that everybody loves you that I won't even try to list them. A couple that come to mind right off the bat are devotion to family and getting the most out of life.

You've got a huge fan in Michigan and best of luck to you and your family.

[vivi]

Geez..to read her blog is to love her. Nancy is such a sweet relatble person. I am still hoping to run with her one day.