I've started this blog to document my journey running while balancing motherhood, and eventually if I'm lucky enough, my next pregnancy.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Married (or at least engaged) to running

Today was my first run with my Garmin Forerunner 310XT. It was my Christmas present, but my husband gave it to me early, probably because I kept coming up with lists of reasons for why I should have it now rather than Christmas Day. After being with me for so long, my husband is almost immune to all my rhetorical strategies, but I am a firm believer in never giving up. So if my persuasive skills don't work, my perseverance will (although I have to admit that usually doesn't work either. My hubby has amazing willpower.)

My favorite attempt at persuading him (but I'm not sure this is what convinced him even though it was the last thing I said)... This Garmin is as special to me as my engagement ring. Not being able to use it is like getting engaged and not being able to tell anyone. And I'm sure he remembers me telling everyone the night he asked me to marry him. I told people walking past me on the street, our waiter, people sitting near us at a restaurant, I called and left messages with virtually all the people I knew. I might have even called people I didn't know... I couldn't stop talking about it.

So when hubby turned to me at 6:38 p.m. last night and said he wanted me to be able to use my Garmin, it was like him getting down on one knee all over again! And today, when I strapped my sweet 310XT to my wrist, I felt my heart begin to race. Too bad I didn't have the heart rate monitor on... I felt such excitement to start running.

And that's when I realized it. I have a whole new level of commitment to running now. After purchasing a 310XT, there's no turning back. This is the moment I have decided to spend my life with running (I mean when else would anyone spend this kind of money?). Running and I have been an item for 2 1/2 years. We certainly have made it through some tough times-- injuries, doubts, training setbacks. But those tough times are all made better by the truly good times-- crossing finish lines at races, setting a PR, making new friends, realizing my strengths. And through it all, we've stuck together. I know I can't live without running now; I'm a total crazed mess when I can't run.

On my first run today, I started to get completely overwhelmed. Oddly enough, just like when I got engaged to my husband, a moment of panic set in (it was a small moment with my hubby though). I was constantly looking at my pace, which was slower than I normally run. More panic (I wasn't taking the hills I was running or my little injuries that needed some time to warm up into consideration). But after a few miles (and a few deep breaths), I got into my groove and started to feel a bit more at ease.

After my first run, and the wealth of information about said run available to me know, I'm really looking forward to building a running life with my Garmin Forerunner 310XT.

I'm not totally set on her name yet (I definitely feel my 310XT is female. And besides, I think my hubby would feel less threatened with me spending my life with another woman (in addition to him, of course)). I was thinking along the lines of a pet name, something like Cupcake. Thoughts? Have you named your Garmin? If so, what's it's name and how'd you get it?

8 comments:

  1. Glad to see that true romance is still alive! I love the name Cupcake! Wouldn't you love saying you went running with Cupcake?

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  2. Ha! Love it! :) I think I just ran staring at my wrist for a good 2 months after I got my Garmin :) You will eventually get used to it. I haven't named mine but I do refer to it as Mr. Garmin sometimes, so I guess mine is male?!? Enjoy the early Christmas gift...it truly does take running to a new level :)

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  3. during my first run with GG (my garmin gadget named Gigit) i actually had some pretty serious remorse. i felt a little tied down. i was afraid that knowing exactly what i'm doing pace-wise would lower my running self esteem and i would end up putting myself into a box, living within my limits rather than surprising myself with speed at races. its true that while wearing my garmin i run more conservatively...i've also cut almost an hour off my marathon time and qualified for boston...so maybe informed running does (eventually) translate to improved running.

    hope that all made sense...

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  4. I have a very old Garmin (okay it's Hubbs because mine died of sweat induced drowning in TN) that I use when I need to distance a new route. I keep playing with the idea of getting a new one but I know that I would not wear it all the time or I would stop running for the enjoyment of it. Running would become 'all about the numbers.' I am bad enough with my mileage and time as it is. But I can understand the excitement of running with something new because I would feel the same way if I got a new one.
    As for a name, if you blog about it you have to name it! Think of what it does for you or how it makes you feel or maybe what it keeps you from becoming (i.e., lazy) and see if you can come up with an inspiring/encouraging name for her. Can't wait to hear what you come up with!

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  5. Congrats on your new girlfriend! Mine remains just "My Garmin" right now it's "My Garmin with the broken strap." Sad I know.

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  6. I have a nameless Garmin305 but I don't use it everytime because it is stressing to check often the pace. However it is a very nice toy.
    Anyway ... welcome to the Black Knight Army Lady "Runningwithababyonboard"

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  7. I love that you're going to name her!! how cute!

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  8. Respect the Garmin and you will avoid its might wrath!

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I'd love to hear from you. Nothing makes me happier (except chocolate and cupcakes... but really, who can compete with them?)