5 Miles Yesterday (Thursday)
Time: 56.14
Distance: 5.15
Pace: 10:54 (Still not where I want or need to be, but will work on speed post Austin)
Temp: 37 and extremely foggy...little windy, but perfect with the wind at our backs
It has been a while since my last post. Thought I might need to let some of you reel back in from the last one...whether you were surprised by the length or the content.
24 DAYS UNTIL THE AUSTIN MARATHON!!!!
I have heard several runners mention the 'tapering of miles'....well we are definitely tapering and I am mentally struggling with it. I feel like I am cheating by not running as many miles, especially during the week. It seems that I am letting it impact my drive. I haven't struggled with eating, feeling guilty, as the miles were building up...but I am struggling now and don't want to eat. It seems as if my body is rebelling and not changing it's physical appearance anymore. I do NOT want to physically go back to what I was before I picked running back up.
Week at a Glance:
Tuesday - Ran 4 miles, supposed to run 5 (misread my training plan). JB rode ahead of me and went to his parents house to drop off some golf balls. Their house is 8/10 of a mile away. By the time I reached their street, I had to make the usual pit stop. However, this was earlier in the run than normal. JB didn't realize I was there and went on ahead of me. His parents both made me laugh as I entered and left their home. She had read the lengthy descriptive blog, I am assuming she read to him also, and laughed as I walked through the door. As I was leaving the house, he was also surprised to see me (he was in the garage) and told me that JB had just left and wondering what I was doing. I told him that the body had called again... His response 'Did you use my backyard'? PRICELESS AND CRACKED ME UP!!!! JB had made it all the way to Wal-Mart before he turned around to come back and find me. Let me just tell you how HORRIBLE this run was... It was as if this was the first time I had ever run. Glad to be done with it.
Wednesday - Supposed to run 4 miles, ran 0 miles...it was one of the nastiest, cold, wet days during my training period. JB went to Starting Block and went against what I was told almost a week ago.... He got me some gels to try this weekend. I HAVE to figure my fueling out...Nothing like last minute right???? I have been trying to figure this food/fuel stuff out for close to 8 months... Ugh.
Thursday - Supposed to run 4 miles, ran 5 miles to try and make up for what I missed on Tuesday and Wednesday... Really? Run an extra mile to make up for the 5 that I missed? In my head, not running 5 miles seems minimal and will not impact my 'long' run, yet I complain and worry about not running and impacting my physical appearance. I am definitely having mental battles right now...physically, I am fine.
We tried to head out early and on 3 different occasions on Thursday. We could have had our very own AAA Service yesterday.
TB called and had run out of gas on ZZ
J called and needed us to follow him to the car shop
DBek2 woke up with a migraine, took some meds and slept in for a while. By the time we got back from taking J, he was ready to go to school, so JB took him to school.
When JB got back, it was almost 11:00. We got dressed for the cold/foggy air and ran for lunch. It was colder than it looked. I did something today that I haven't done since CW and I quit running together. I ran without music.
Christmas music has proven to be the BEST music for me. It paces me well and keeps me 'calm' and steady.... I have a running list with songs I love, but feel it has me all over the place on pace.
Can I just tell you how much I enjoyed it. It was 'different'... really hearing EVERYTHING around me.
The black crows screeching, crowing, hacking...whatever their creepy noise is... I know it is the sound given to them, but it is sooooo eerie. My breathing... wow it is amazing how much better I felt when I paid attention to my breathing and focused. The wind, the car tires on the wet pavement, the screeching of children coming to the playground for recess, dogs barking, leaves, branches, twigs breaking under my feet, the clicking of JB's bike when he isn't peddling, able to actually hear JB when we are talking without saying 'what? huh?'... I thoroughly enjoyed the no music.
Now, don't get me wrong, I am not going to Austin without music...I may turn on Pandora Christmas music and listen to it for 26.2 miles. :0)...
If you are reading this post, please comment and let me know what you listen to when you run? If you aren't a runner, what is your favorite song/artist.
If my in laws are reading this... you will now find out that we stopped at your house yesterday and used the indoors restroom again. And when I say 'we'... I mean 'me'.... So no surprises will be in your yard, shrubs... you know what I mean. :)
It was a much better run than Tuesday. I felt better, but I didn't run it nearly as fast on Thursday, as I had on Tuesday.
Looking forward to Saturday. Tyson and I are running in a 20K in Reeds Spring. Yeti, Set Run. I am so ready to run with several runners and start to get the 'excitement' back. Please dont' think I am not enjoying my running...I just want to have the hunger that I had prior to my IT Band issues.
If you are a runner, lace up and head out today....If you aren't, lace up and head out today... you will love it.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Now You Tree Me, Now You Don't
15 Miles Today
Time: 2:58:45
Distance: 15.02
Pace: 12:15 (YUCK)
Temp: 18 beginning / STILL COLD upon finish
Tysons Joke of the Day: As we are running by a cememtary...EVERY TIME.... 'People are just dying to get in there'... Bu-da Bump!!!!
I have really tried to avoid addressing my running problem directly (due to some of my crazy friends who think it is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S and like to crack jokes, or those strangers who may be reading this and don't know me, my new found running friends who don't know me that well or my friends/family that I haven't actually shared this with and then they are like 'OMGosh, really Dawn...and look at me like a weirdo'. So I am going to go out on a limb here to share some of my innermost thoughts, worries and stories.... Hopefully, I can get some suggestions on how to try and stop this or maybe I can help those, who also experience this, know it is a common problem for some runners.
Let me set the stage for you... I have mentioned that I have run off and on throughout my life. In 2004 I picked it back up because I missed it, needed to get back in shape and I had the most amazing running partner... Gaige, my yellow lab. (Best Pace Setter EVER).
Back then, I would most typically come home from work and we would head out to get our run in before dinner. As the days of summer continued to wear on, 5-6 PM was hotter and hotter each day. So, this particular evening, we headed out after dark... THANK GOODNESS. I did not realize I would need the cover of the dark to hide me tonight.
We were about a mile away from home and I felt a belly pain and sensation that I was not thrilled about... I am a mile away from the house. We are running in a neighborhood that is being built... I slow myself to a walk and Gaige is looking at me like 'hey, this isn't our normal pace'. As I start processing the situation, I think to myself, 'if I continue to walk, I am probably not going to make it home in time. But if I run, the sensation worsens'. WHAT TO DO WHAT TO DO?
I start looking around in a panic and felt like I needed to clench my cheeks, grab my cheeks and start shuffling home in the Tim Conway 'Old Man' character fashion. I knew I was not going to make it home. So, I did something I was mortified about, but had no choice.
I found a home that was under construction and hid myself between the piles of construction rubble, brick layers sand and drive way gravel and 'did my business'. The fear of walking home in 'dirty clothes' was gone, but another wave of panic hit me... what do I use for 'paper'. Oh Crap, LITERALLY. So I am looking around like a crazed drug addict trying to find something to use, but as I start thinking, would I really use something left at a construction site??? NO WAY!!! What did I do you ask???? YES, I did!!! I know, hard to believe, but YES, I used my under garments. I had no choice, I really didn't.
I was mortified as I left this construction site and was NEVER going to share this story with ANYONE!!!! However, a few weeks, months later, I did share with some of my closest friends, who shared with their closest friends, who shared...yeah, you get the picture.
Gaige and I continued our daily run for several months, before I had to leave it because of an injury, but never had that happen again.
Fast forward to May/June 2011... I start running with CW, and it starts happening to me again... REGULARLY. It is so frustrating to head out for a run, be in the zone and then get unfocused because you have to go to the bathroom. Luckily, we were running at 10:00 PM each night due to the heat and busy schedules. One thing I love about CW, is she is not judgmental and understood and was patient as this began interrupting our runs at about 2 miles in (seems to be the magic number).
The more I ran with CW, the more I realized I needed to 'learn' some things about running and needed advice from veteran runners. So I reached out to Dbek2's 8th grade basketball coach, Dustin Washam (I have previously referenced his blog washamrunning.blogspot.com). It initially was about fueling, run/walk thoughts, etc.
Again, the running community is such an awesome group of people, I was not embarrassed to ask him about this ongoing issue. He continued to give me ideas, thoughts, things to try... He did recommend laying off of the coffee and seeing if that would help. I did cut back from 3-4 cups a day to 1, sometimes 2. I do believe it helped some... for a while.
The longer the runs get, the more you have to think about and actually give your body fuel to keep going and get through some of the walls you will encounter. Once I started doing this, my body started acting up again. I am thankful that Tyson, Patty and JB are so patient with me during our long runs. We have to plan everything around where bathrooms are located and/or dense shrub/wooded areas.
I have run with my sister-in-law on a couple of occasions and she has also been patient and non-judgmental. She was the reason I ran my first Trail Run and my first longest 'organized' race last October.... 15K Trail Run. I was petrified and nervous about having to go to the bathroom during this run.
I was able to visit with Tyson's mom the night before the Trail Run and talking about this problem and come to find out...she USED to suffer from 'Runners Runs'. She told me that she would always have a chewable Immodium tablet and as soon as she even felt like she needed to go, she would break it in 1/2 and chew it up.
I have looked for the chewable Immodium, not able to find it, but tried the chewable Pepto. It worked for my trail run and my 1st 1/2 Marathon... No bathroom issues at all, but doesn’t seem to be working anymore.
I am praying that I can beat this during the Austin Marathon in less than a month.
Okay, so my apologies for the rambling, I will get to our run/ride yesterday.
It was my first 'long' run since the IT Band issues. I have had no pain this past week during my shorter runs of 5 miles.
Yesterday was supposed to be 23 miles, STILL trying to figure out where Tyson come up with this crazy number.
One thing I have been told by seasoned runners is... Do not try something new on race day, that you haven't tried during training. I have been trying to nail my long run fueling, but am wondering if that is what's causing my 3-4 pit stops per run. So, I am trying something different.
Went to the Starting Block to get Gels and see if my belly could handle those. The guy helping me thought they would be a little tough on me. Advised to try Honey Stinger gummy bites. I bought 2 packs.
I ate my usual Di Arpino's Cheese Tortellini for lunch on Friday and again at 10:00 PM that night.
Woke up and eliminated the peanut butter toast that I normally eat before a run (not sure that was a good idea either), but drank some Gatorade at home and then had a Gatorade Prime 15 minutes prior to running.
We got to Bass Pro at 7:30 and it was COLD!!! Both Tyson and JB were commenting on how cold it was and they wanted to head home.... but NO, I just had to run early and get it out of the way. IF we ran an 11 minute mile, we would finish around 12/Noon. I didn't want to be much later than that.
JB was bundled up like the little guy from 'Christmas Story' and Tyson and I in our normal running gear. We both had our fuel belts, his with water, mine with Gatorade G2 Endurance.
We chose to run the majority of the Bass Pro Marathon course (green arrows are still on the streets from November). We started out and my fingers were so cold they hurt...we weren't even 2/10 of a mile into the run. JB's eyelashes were getting icy because of his eyes watering. He is such a great supporter and trooper to ride his bike in these crazy temps. His body does not warm up like ours since he is riding... I am not sure how he does it, really. I am a wimp and don't know that I could do it. Another example of your mind being a powerful tool in ANY type of training you may be doing.
Physically, I felt like a feather in the wind... my feet weren't heavy, my knees were perfect, my stride was good.... it was going to be a good day of running.
Our first 5k of the run went by SUPER fast... we were warming up, JB... not so much. Toes and Fingers seem to be a problem for him when he is riding, whereas, our toes and fingers tend to sweat.
When Tyson said we had hit the 3 mile mark, I was ecstatic that my body was behaving... YES, it was going to be a good day. I went ahead and tried the Honey Stingers. I hadn’t eaten breakfast that morning and thought I would need to fuel earlier in my run.
4.2 miles in... I jinxed myself... The feeling started and we were nowhere near a bathroom. We were on Ingram Mill road, quite some distance from the Kum-n-Go at Sunshine and 65.
Tyson had lived over here during some of his childhood and knew of a nearby park that we could go to. He kept telling me... 1/2 a block, just right around the corner... well, I have learned while training with Tyson... he has NO SENSE OF DISTANCE!!! Or he likes to mess with me.
We made it to the park...and it is all fenced in.... What I am about to say may come across badly, and I do not mean to 'judge' or make anyone feel bad...but this neighborhood is not one of the best, the park (to me) looks like something you would see in a movie... and not in a good way. The gate is unlocked, so not real sure why it is 'fenced' in.
I walk in there and of course... NO BATHROOM that is open, and available. Unfortunately...my body is getting impatient with me. It is about to show me who is boss. The park was built first and the houses were built around it...so there are 3 sides of houses around the park, with the backs facing the park.
I start looking, frantically, for somewhere to go to the bathroom...I spot this gorgeous shaggy pine tree that the limbs come all the way to the ground. It would have been a perfect 'club house' as kids. I start towards it and notice that it is 1/2 in a yard and 1/2 in the park AND a gate to the yard is somewhat hidden by the branches. It was my only option...I had to crawl into the heart of the tree. I am definitely not proud of what I have to do, it is embarrassing, but I realize I can't control it...and I am hoping that someone who reads this has thoughts, suggestions...a cure all.
I felt bad for the guys...they had to wait on me… AGAIN. Their sweat had cooled them off...
When we started off, we were headed towards Southern Hills... where Tyson lives. Patty and the boys were waiting for us as we were passing their house. Their boys are the sweetest things.... they love their dad and love to cheer him on. I got there first, rode JB's bike, because I had to use the bathroom again... Go figure... The first thing they asked was 'How is my dad doing'?
I am starting to lose ‘my zone and focus’. I am getting panicked about having another place to go to the bathroom… I made a bad decision… I quit fueling with the Honey Stingers, with hope I wouldn’t have to go again. I was trying to fuel with my Gatorade, but it was slushy and frozen. So in order to ‘drink’ it, we would have to walk to unscrew the lid and try to get something.
We crossed over East Sunshine and came up on Dillons (mile 6). It was time to fuel again for Tyson. JB's bottle of Gatorade had turned into a slushy. JB was so cold that we split off from one another. Tyson and I continue to run the route and JB went to Starbucks at Dillons to warm up. He would later catch up with us around mile 8-9.
I have said it many times...I love running because I get to appreciate my surroundings and notice things that I typically don't see because I am driving. We went through so many types of neighborhoods... Wealthy neighborhoods, poor neighborhoods, old neighborhoods...BIZARRO neighborhoods... We saw a house that was the most hideous blue... Tyson called it 'pool bottom' blue. It's crazy how different we all are and how we live...
To all of our disappointment, the day was not warming up...it seemed as if it was getting colder. We were at mile 15 and decided to call the run. Tyson was struggling with his hip... and I had CRASHED… I didn’t have fuel to get me threw the next 8 miles. My stomach was ‘growling’… The sad thing… after I quit using the gummies, I didn’t go to the bathroom again. I may have to go against the recommendation of the Starting Block guy and try gels on my next run. If those don’t work, I may have to try something that is completely liquid. Another mistake I made…I didn’t put my usual flavored water in my fuel belt… Gatorade only… I think I became dehydrated. My head was starting to pound and continued throughout the night.
JB was our hero... he rode to Bass Pro, loaded the bike and came back to pick us up. I hate to admit that we didn't run our goal miles, but as I mentioned in a previous blog... I am going to listen to my body. I want to run and finish Austin...and if that means calling a run short...than that is what I am going to do.
Patty met all of us at Whole Hog Cafe and we had a great lunch. Started talking about our trip to Austin and how much fun we were going to have.
This run was supposed to be our longest during our training plan...we start dropping mileage this week. We are less than a month away from the marathon...
I am still not sure that I have found how to fuel my body without bathroom issues... I will continue to work on it... Next Saturday Tyson and I have a 20K in Reeds Spring... Hopefully I can get through it with no stops...
So, maybe this explains why I like to run in the dark and why I haven't joined the local Running Chics for a run yet...It is something that I have to think about and take into consideration anytime I run with someone new.
I appreciate all of my running buddies that have put up with this and continue to run with me.
Time: 2:58:45
Distance: 15.02
Pace: 12:15 (YUCK)
Temp: 18 beginning / STILL COLD upon finish
Tysons Joke of the Day: As we are running by a cememtary...EVERY TIME.... 'People are just dying to get in there'... Bu-da Bump!!!!
I have really tried to avoid addressing my running problem directly (due to some of my crazy friends who think it is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S and like to crack jokes, or those strangers who may be reading this and don't know me, my new found running friends who don't know me that well or my friends/family that I haven't actually shared this with and then they are like 'OMGosh, really Dawn...and look at me like a weirdo'. So I am going to go out on a limb here to share some of my innermost thoughts, worries and stories.... Hopefully, I can get some suggestions on how to try and stop this or maybe I can help those, who also experience this, know it is a common problem for some runners.
Let me set the stage for you... I have mentioned that I have run off and on throughout my life. In 2004 I picked it back up because I missed it, needed to get back in shape and I had the most amazing running partner... Gaige, my yellow lab. (Best Pace Setter EVER).
Back then, I would most typically come home from work and we would head out to get our run in before dinner. As the days of summer continued to wear on, 5-6 PM was hotter and hotter each day. So, this particular evening, we headed out after dark... THANK GOODNESS. I did not realize I would need the cover of the dark to hide me tonight.
We were about a mile away from home and I felt a belly pain and sensation that I was not thrilled about... I am a mile away from the house. We are running in a neighborhood that is being built... I slow myself to a walk and Gaige is looking at me like 'hey, this isn't our normal pace'. As I start processing the situation, I think to myself, 'if I continue to walk, I am probably not going to make it home in time. But if I run, the sensation worsens'. WHAT TO DO WHAT TO DO?
I start looking around in a panic and felt like I needed to clench my cheeks, grab my cheeks and start shuffling home in the Tim Conway 'Old Man' character fashion. I knew I was not going to make it home. So, I did something I was mortified about, but had no choice.
I found a home that was under construction and hid myself between the piles of construction rubble, brick layers sand and drive way gravel and 'did my business'. The fear of walking home in 'dirty clothes' was gone, but another wave of panic hit me... what do I use for 'paper'. Oh Crap, LITERALLY. So I am looking around like a crazed drug addict trying to find something to use, but as I start thinking, would I really use something left at a construction site??? NO WAY!!! What did I do you ask???? YES, I did!!! I know, hard to believe, but YES, I used my under garments. I had no choice, I really didn't.
I was mortified as I left this construction site and was NEVER going to share this story with ANYONE!!!! However, a few weeks, months later, I did share with some of my closest friends, who shared with their closest friends, who shared...yeah, you get the picture.
Gaige and I continued our daily run for several months, before I had to leave it because of an injury, but never had that happen again.
Fast forward to May/June 2011... I start running with CW, and it starts happening to me again... REGULARLY. It is so frustrating to head out for a run, be in the zone and then get unfocused because you have to go to the bathroom. Luckily, we were running at 10:00 PM each night due to the heat and busy schedules. One thing I love about CW, is she is not judgmental and understood and was patient as this began interrupting our runs at about 2 miles in (seems to be the magic number).
The more I ran with CW, the more I realized I needed to 'learn' some things about running and needed advice from veteran runners. So I reached out to Dbek2's 8th grade basketball coach, Dustin Washam (I have previously referenced his blog washamrunning.blogspot.com). It initially was about fueling, run/walk thoughts, etc.
Again, the running community is such an awesome group of people, I was not embarrassed to ask him about this ongoing issue. He continued to give me ideas, thoughts, things to try... He did recommend laying off of the coffee and seeing if that would help. I did cut back from 3-4 cups a day to 1, sometimes 2. I do believe it helped some... for a while.
The longer the runs get, the more you have to think about and actually give your body fuel to keep going and get through some of the walls you will encounter. Once I started doing this, my body started acting up again. I am thankful that Tyson, Patty and JB are so patient with me during our long runs. We have to plan everything around where bathrooms are located and/or dense shrub/wooded areas.
I have run with my sister-in-law on a couple of occasions and she has also been patient and non-judgmental. She was the reason I ran my first Trail Run and my first longest 'organized' race last October.... 15K Trail Run. I was petrified and nervous about having to go to the bathroom during this run.
I was able to visit with Tyson's mom the night before the Trail Run and talking about this problem and come to find out...she USED to suffer from 'Runners Runs'. She told me that she would always have a chewable Immodium tablet and as soon as she even felt like she needed to go, she would break it in 1/2 and chew it up.
I have looked for the chewable Immodium, not able to find it, but tried the chewable Pepto. It worked for my trail run and my 1st 1/2 Marathon... No bathroom issues at all, but doesn’t seem to be working anymore.
I am praying that I can beat this during the Austin Marathon in less than a month.
Okay, so my apologies for the rambling, I will get to our run/ride yesterday.
It was my first 'long' run since the IT Band issues. I have had no pain this past week during my shorter runs of 5 miles.
Yesterday was supposed to be 23 miles, STILL trying to figure out where Tyson come up with this crazy number.
One thing I have been told by seasoned runners is... Do not try something new on race day, that you haven't tried during training. I have been trying to nail my long run fueling, but am wondering if that is what's causing my 3-4 pit stops per run. So, I am trying something different.
Went to the Starting Block to get Gels and see if my belly could handle those. The guy helping me thought they would be a little tough on me. Advised to try Honey Stinger gummy bites. I bought 2 packs.
I ate my usual Di Arpino's Cheese Tortellini for lunch on Friday and again at 10:00 PM that night.
Woke up and eliminated the peanut butter toast that I normally eat before a run (not sure that was a good idea either), but drank some Gatorade at home and then had a Gatorade Prime 15 minutes prior to running.
We got to Bass Pro at 7:30 and it was COLD!!! Both Tyson and JB were commenting on how cold it was and they wanted to head home.... but NO, I just had to run early and get it out of the way. IF we ran an 11 minute mile, we would finish around 12/Noon. I didn't want to be much later than that.
JB was bundled up like the little guy from 'Christmas Story' and Tyson and I in our normal running gear. We both had our fuel belts, his with water, mine with Gatorade G2 Endurance.
We chose to run the majority of the Bass Pro Marathon course (green arrows are still on the streets from November). We started out and my fingers were so cold they hurt...we weren't even 2/10 of a mile into the run. JB's eyelashes were getting icy because of his eyes watering. He is such a great supporter and trooper to ride his bike in these crazy temps. His body does not warm up like ours since he is riding... I am not sure how he does it, really. I am a wimp and don't know that I could do it. Another example of your mind being a powerful tool in ANY type of training you may be doing.
Physically, I felt like a feather in the wind... my feet weren't heavy, my knees were perfect, my stride was good.... it was going to be a good day of running.
Our first 5k of the run went by SUPER fast... we were warming up, JB... not so much. Toes and Fingers seem to be a problem for him when he is riding, whereas, our toes and fingers tend to sweat.
When Tyson said we had hit the 3 mile mark, I was ecstatic that my body was behaving... YES, it was going to be a good day. I went ahead and tried the Honey Stingers. I hadn’t eaten breakfast that morning and thought I would need to fuel earlier in my run.
4.2 miles in... I jinxed myself... The feeling started and we were nowhere near a bathroom. We were on Ingram Mill road, quite some distance from the Kum-n-Go at Sunshine and 65.
Tyson had lived over here during some of his childhood and knew of a nearby park that we could go to. He kept telling me... 1/2 a block, just right around the corner... well, I have learned while training with Tyson... he has NO SENSE OF DISTANCE!!! Or he likes to mess with me.
We made it to the park...and it is all fenced in.... What I am about to say may come across badly, and I do not mean to 'judge' or make anyone feel bad...but this neighborhood is not one of the best, the park (to me) looks like something you would see in a movie... and not in a good way. The gate is unlocked, so not real sure why it is 'fenced' in.
I walk in there and of course... NO BATHROOM that is open, and available. Unfortunately...my body is getting impatient with me. It is about to show me who is boss. The park was built first and the houses were built around it...so there are 3 sides of houses around the park, with the backs facing the park.
I start looking, frantically, for somewhere to go to the bathroom...I spot this gorgeous shaggy pine tree that the limbs come all the way to the ground. It would have been a perfect 'club house' as kids. I start towards it and notice that it is 1/2 in a yard and 1/2 in the park AND a gate to the yard is somewhat hidden by the branches. It was my only option...I had to crawl into the heart of the tree. I am definitely not proud of what I have to do, it is embarrassing, but I realize I can't control it...and I am hoping that someone who reads this has thoughts, suggestions...a cure all.
I felt bad for the guys...they had to wait on me… AGAIN. Their sweat had cooled them off...
When we started off, we were headed towards Southern Hills... where Tyson lives. Patty and the boys were waiting for us as we were passing their house. Their boys are the sweetest things.... they love their dad and love to cheer him on. I got there first, rode JB's bike, because I had to use the bathroom again... Go figure... The first thing they asked was 'How is my dad doing'?
I am starting to lose ‘my zone and focus’. I am getting panicked about having another place to go to the bathroom… I made a bad decision… I quit fueling with the Honey Stingers, with hope I wouldn’t have to go again. I was trying to fuel with my Gatorade, but it was slushy and frozen. So in order to ‘drink’ it, we would have to walk to unscrew the lid and try to get something.
We crossed over East Sunshine and came up on Dillons (mile 6). It was time to fuel again for Tyson. JB's bottle of Gatorade had turned into a slushy. JB was so cold that we split off from one another. Tyson and I continue to run the route and JB went to Starbucks at Dillons to warm up. He would later catch up with us around mile 8-9.
I have said it many times...I love running because I get to appreciate my surroundings and notice things that I typically don't see because I am driving. We went through so many types of neighborhoods... Wealthy neighborhoods, poor neighborhoods, old neighborhoods...BIZARRO neighborhoods... We saw a house that was the most hideous blue... Tyson called it 'pool bottom' blue. It's crazy how different we all are and how we live...
To all of our disappointment, the day was not warming up...it seemed as if it was getting colder. We were at mile 15 and decided to call the run. Tyson was struggling with his hip... and I had CRASHED… I didn’t have fuel to get me threw the next 8 miles. My stomach was ‘growling’… The sad thing… after I quit using the gummies, I didn’t go to the bathroom again. I may have to go against the recommendation of the Starting Block guy and try gels on my next run. If those don’t work, I may have to try something that is completely liquid. Another mistake I made…I didn’t put my usual flavored water in my fuel belt… Gatorade only… I think I became dehydrated. My head was starting to pound and continued throughout the night.
JB was our hero... he rode to Bass Pro, loaded the bike and came back to pick us up. I hate to admit that we didn't run our goal miles, but as I mentioned in a previous blog... I am going to listen to my body. I want to run and finish Austin...and if that means calling a run short...than that is what I am going to do.
Patty met all of us at Whole Hog Cafe and we had a great lunch. Started talking about our trip to Austin and how much fun we were going to have.
This run was supposed to be our longest during our training plan...we start dropping mileage this week. We are less than a month away from the marathon...
I am still not sure that I have found how to fuel my body without bathroom issues... I will continue to work on it... Next Saturday Tyson and I have a 20K in Reeds Spring... Hopefully I can get through it with no stops...
So, maybe this explains why I like to run in the dark and why I haven't joined the local Running Chics for a run yet...It is something that I have to think about and take into consideration anytime I run with someone new.
I appreciate all of my running buddies that have put up with this and continue to run with me.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Runs...
5 Miles
11:19 Pace - taking it easy just in case
5:30 PM
Run/Ride w/ JB
It has been 11 days since my last run. It has been tough not lacing up and hitting the pavement... but I am so thankful for every one's encouragement and advice.
I had pretty much been pain free from Friday to Monday. Unfortunately, I did not do regular stretches, apply the magic juice...basically, I did nothing to help matters. My body wasn't giving me the signs to do so.
Monday AM, JB and I headed out the door and I cannot even explain how good it felt for my feet to be gliding across the pavement...natural, where I should have been for the past week. About 3 blocks in, my knee said 'I don't think so....' Tears welled up as I turned around and headed back. JB was supportive and turned around with me (even though he was on his new Trek Livestrong bike). I think he was ready to test it out and ride like the wind (which he got to do later that night by the way... Got up to 22 mph)
Today was the first day that I had started to doubt whether I could run in Austin or not. Not so much because of the IT Band, but because of my time off. Would my body be able to remember where we were and what it was capable of? Would it let me down as I felt that I was letting it down?
The amount of encouragement that I received on Monday was unbelievable. Text messages, FB Posts, FB messages, a phone call... To each of you that have given advice, support and encouragement...THANK YOU!!!!
One of my running friends sent a FB message and reminded me of a marathon he had trained for.... During his training time, he NEVER hit runs that were in the double digits. Race day arrived and he ran and finished the race.
I have to remember, what I want for my first marathon...I want to get to Austin, with my amazing husband, great friends, see my brother, catch up with family I have not seen in 20+ years, catch up with my childhood friend, that I have not seen in 20+ years, run the marathon with one of my best friends and finish together... I am not going to Austin to try and qualify for Boston, NYC or the Olympics (although I would LOVE to run NYC before my last day on earth, but that is for another day)... and then CELEBRATE. This marathon is about family, friends, fun and a sense of accomplishment...
I went to the therapist again on Tuesday and WOW did she work on it. It was a little more painful than the first time, but SO worth it. If you have not ever tried trigger point massage or don't believe in it... you're missing out. I would rather do this than have some type of foreign substance injected into my body.
Stretches, oh did she do some stretches that hurt, but I could feel the relief of the IT Band...as if it was saying 'Ahhhh, finally'.
She had some natural ointment that she had rubbed on it as the massage was coming to an end. It is a natural version of Icy Hot, Blue Goo, etc. At this point, I am willing to try ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. I am supposed to apply it prior to my runs.
So, my point of rambling.... Listen to your body and still pay attention when your body isn't saying anything. Stretch, massage, rest, ice, elevate, MAGIC JUICE (Thank you Washam, I have shared this with so many people)
I am not going to go on and on today... but I did lace up yesterday and headed out the door with JB. Here is how it went down..
11:19 Pace - taking it easy just in case
5:30 PM
Run/Ride w/ JB
It has been 11 days since my last run. It has been tough not lacing up and hitting the pavement... but I am so thankful for every one's encouragement and advice.
I had pretty much been pain free from Friday to Monday. Unfortunately, I did not do regular stretches, apply the magic juice...basically, I did nothing to help matters. My body wasn't giving me the signs to do so.
Monday AM, JB and I headed out the door and I cannot even explain how good it felt for my feet to be gliding across the pavement...natural, where I should have been for the past week. About 3 blocks in, my knee said 'I don't think so....' Tears welled up as I turned around and headed back. JB was supportive and turned around with me (even though he was on his new Trek Livestrong bike). I think he was ready to test it out and ride like the wind (which he got to do later that night by the way... Got up to 22 mph)
Today was the first day that I had started to doubt whether I could run in Austin or not. Not so much because of the IT Band, but because of my time off. Would my body be able to remember where we were and what it was capable of? Would it let me down as I felt that I was letting it down?
The amount of encouragement that I received on Monday was unbelievable. Text messages, FB Posts, FB messages, a phone call... To each of you that have given advice, support and encouragement...THANK YOU!!!!
One of my running friends sent a FB message and reminded me of a marathon he had trained for.... During his training time, he NEVER hit runs that were in the double digits. Race day arrived and he ran and finished the race.
I have to remember, what I want for my first marathon...I want to get to Austin, with my amazing husband, great friends, see my brother, catch up with family I have not seen in 20+ years, catch up with my childhood friend, that I have not seen in 20+ years, run the marathon with one of my best friends and finish together... I am not going to Austin to try and qualify for Boston, NYC or the Olympics (although I would LOVE to run NYC before my last day on earth, but that is for another day)... and then CELEBRATE. This marathon is about family, friends, fun and a sense of accomplishment...
I went to the therapist again on Tuesday and WOW did she work on it. It was a little more painful than the first time, but SO worth it. If you have not ever tried trigger point massage or don't believe in it... you're missing out. I would rather do this than have some type of foreign substance injected into my body.
Stretches, oh did she do some stretches that hurt, but I could feel the relief of the IT Band...as if it was saying 'Ahhhh, finally'.
She had some natural ointment that she had rubbed on it as the massage was coming to an end. It is a natural version of Icy Hot, Blue Goo, etc. At this point, I am willing to try ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. I am supposed to apply it prior to my runs.
So, my point of rambling.... Listen to your body and still pay attention when your body isn't saying anything. Stretch, massage, rest, ice, elevate, MAGIC JUICE (Thank you Washam, I have shared this with so many people)
I am not going to go on and on today... but I did lace up yesterday and headed out the door with JB. Here is how it went down..
- Magic Juice applied and wrapped last night
- Stretched throughout the day
- Natural Ointment applied prior to running clothes - I do believe in this, it worked
- JB helped stretch my IT Band
- Bundled up like we were in Alaska (a little difficult getting out in the cold after so much time off)
- Knuckle lights on hands and flashing light on my ear warmers (it's dark you know)
- OLD RUNNING SHOES ON MY FEET - I am not a believer in the new shoes and think I am headed in the direction of a minimalist shoe
- Feet hitting the pavement
- 3 blocks in, feeling good
- Body warming up and feeling great
- Lungs are not ticked off at me
- 5 mile run...finished and I could have kept going
As I close the post for today... The Austin Marathon is 1 month from today and I cannot even wait... I feel like I am wishing my already flying by life away to get to this day, but I just can't help it... The runs are my therapy and time to reflect on what a great life I have. I may not have millions of dollars, exotic cars a mansion on the hill... but I have the best husband on earth, two boys that think I am crazy, a family that loves me, some of the best friends a girl could ask for and new found running friends...
So... put your shoes on, lace up and hit the pavement... It's good for the soul.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
All Machines Need Maintenance and Oil
This is my first post since my 19 mile run last week. Unfortunately, the knee pain I felt towards the end of the run...never went away like it normally does.
I didn't sleep well on Saturday night, my knee was swollen and hurt each time I would turn over in bed or even move my leg a little bit. Sunday, when my feet hit the floor, I knew something still wasn't right.
We had a family lunch and dance performance to go to on Sunday. Sitting at the dance performance was physically painful. Crossing my right leg over my left hurt just as bad as crossing my left over the right. Keeping my knees uncrossed was painful... trying to stretch my leg was painful...
I had to travel to Detroit this week, which meant finish up the packing. I had several things downstairs that I needed for the trip. As I started to descend the stairs I felt a pain like I had NEVER experienced. Going up the stairs no problem.... I went ahead and packed all of my running gear for the week. I had 3 days of running and packed all 3 days worth.
Monday, headed out to the airport for Detroit. Sitting on a TINY regional jet was one of the most uncomfortable plane rides I have ever experienced.
We landed in Atlanta and I was 3 terminals away from my next flight. For those of you that are not familiar with the Atlanta airport, it is HUGE. There is a tram that can take you from one end of the airport to the other. I used to take the tram, but haven't taken it since approximately May. I will walk to my destination...and sometimes that is literally from the first terminal to the last. I love the freedom of walking, people watching and just knowing I am doing something good for my body.
The pain I was feeling was a lateral knee pain. It went from the outside of my knee and continued along the bottom of my knee cap.
As I was walking to my terminal, I began wondering am I doing harm in walking or should I take the the tram, should I just stand on the moving walkway? It is extremely hard for me to let a piece of 'machinery' get me from point a to point b when not necessary. I continued to walk.
When I arrived in Detroit, my plan was to go to the client site, get out of there by 5:00 and go get my 5 miles in. After the day 0f sitting on planes, trying to descend the stairs of the escalators, walking from terminal to terminal and sitting in the conference room, it became apparent I was NOT running today. Panic started setting in...
Tuesday, I was hoping to wake up and maybe get a mile or 2 run in before the day started....not happening. As I sat in the conference room my knee pain was still as bad as it was on Sunday and Monday.
After the work day was complete, I started researching what the symptoms were for IT band issues, short name for Iliotibial Band. Definition from Wikipedia: **The iliotibial band is a superficial thickening of tissue on the outside of the thigh, extending from the outside of the pelvis, over the hip and knee, and inserting just below the knee. The band is crucial to stabilizing the knee during running, moving from behind the femur to the front while walking. The continual rubbing of the band over the lateral femoral epicondyle, combined with the repeated flexion and extension of the knee during running may cause the area to become inflamed.**
Some non runners, new runners, may be asking how I knew to even research IT Band issues???? I truly believe all things happen for a reason. I typically don't talk to the person next to me on flights...headphones in and book/magazine open. On a flight home from Oregon, last September, I had just purchased the most recent Runners World magazine and had it on my lap and it became a conversation piece. The guy who sat next to me saw the magazine and said he had just read it and it was a great edition (he typically didn't read RW). As conversation continued, I realized...he is a CRAZY EXTREME runner. He was flying to Salt Lake City to run in some extreme ultra warrior mud run.
At that point, I couldn't relate to paying an airfare to go run in another city or state or run in these warrior dashes, mud runs...anything other than street runs. I knew that I had paid for the Austin Marathon, but in my head....I still wasn't convinced that I could complete it. I was still relatively new in my running and trying to soak up anything and everything I could. We talked for the entire flight about running.
He had asked if I had experienced any IT Band pain or 'stingers', I will talk about stingers in another post. I told him I had not and he started explaining the IT Band to me. He was actually recovering from some significant IT pain and this was his first run since it had presented. He pulled his jeans tight over his knee and you could see where the tissue had thickened...it was almost like a golf ball on the side of his knee. He is a person that I will always remember. His passion for running, his generosity with knowledge, his encouragement of me and moving towards my goal.... Runners are some of the most generous unselfish people that I have met. I am so glad to call myself a runner and be part of that community.
The more I researched, the more I knew, but didn't want to admit, I couldn't 'run through the pain and just deal with it'. If I wanted to run and finish the marathon in February, I was better to rest, stretch and address the pain.
I posted on Facebook and asked the advice of some fellow runners. All of them said REST and stretching. Not what I wanted to hear, but knew it deep in my heart. One of my running friends has a blog and posted a couple months back about Magic Juice and referenced me to that post to try out. Magic Juice is Castor Oil, Saran Wrap and an Ace Bandage.
If you want a good blog read...go to washamrunning.blogspot.com This was the first blog I started following and peaked my interest in blogging.
Tyson and I had been talking through the week and he has had some type of congestion, cold, respiratory issue this week. He was also not running. This made me sad for him, but comforted me knowing that when we meet up for our next long run, 23 miles by the way, that we would be at the same place...or so I hoped.
Wednesday, I called the massage therapist that I go to and she was able to get me in on Friday to work on the IT band.
Let me just tell you how hard it is to NOT run regularly, when you are used to it. I am worried about losing what I have built up to, I am worried that this will impact my training for the marathon....
Fast forward to Friday. Woke up excited to go to the massage therapist and have 30 minutes focused on my IT band. No other part of my body was going to be acknowledged...just this one little area. As she started at the top, towards my hip OUCHIE MAMA!!!! It hurt, but felt so good at the same time because I knew it was helping. Once she got to my knee, she would find the trigger point and massage. She described it as 'Ropey'...from hip to knee. I was sad when my 30 minutes of pain were up. I could tell a difference, instantly, upon my feet hitting the floor.
She advised me to come back in, TUESDAY...YES!!!! and to not run until after that day.
JB bought everything I needed for the Magic Juice... I couldn't wait to try it out. So.... here it goes.
**Excerpt from washamrunning.blogspot.com: Well, it's as simple as taking Castor Oil (weirdly a laxative) applying it to the injured area, wrapping with cling wrap, then an ace bandage, and sleeping in it overnight. Boom! In the morning healed!**
Now, I don't know if it was all in my head or what...but as I applied the Castor oil, it felt as if the pain was 'pulling' to the surface of the skin and leaving... Again, it may be in my head, but if that is the case and I feel better....great, I am now a MENTAL runner that is getting back on track. I wrapped it all up and headed off to bed.
It may all be a coincidence, but when I woke up on Saturday morning, my pain is virtually gone. Going down the stairs in our home, no problem. I was out and about all day on Saturday...no pain at all.
I am going to pick back up on my training plan this week...I can't wait.
Moral to this story, whether you are in a car, on a bike or using your body for the mode of transportation...all machines need some maintenance and oil... Pay attention to your body, listen to what it's telling you and take care of it along the way.
I didn't sleep well on Saturday night, my knee was swollen and hurt each time I would turn over in bed or even move my leg a little bit. Sunday, when my feet hit the floor, I knew something still wasn't right.
We had a family lunch and dance performance to go to on Sunday. Sitting at the dance performance was physically painful. Crossing my right leg over my left hurt just as bad as crossing my left over the right. Keeping my knees uncrossed was painful... trying to stretch my leg was painful...
I had to travel to Detroit this week, which meant finish up the packing. I had several things downstairs that I needed for the trip. As I started to descend the stairs I felt a pain like I had NEVER experienced. Going up the stairs no problem.... I went ahead and packed all of my running gear for the week. I had 3 days of running and packed all 3 days worth.
Monday, headed out to the airport for Detroit. Sitting on a TINY regional jet was one of the most uncomfortable plane rides I have ever experienced.
We landed in Atlanta and I was 3 terminals away from my next flight. For those of you that are not familiar with the Atlanta airport, it is HUGE. There is a tram that can take you from one end of the airport to the other. I used to take the tram, but haven't taken it since approximately May. I will walk to my destination...and sometimes that is literally from the first terminal to the last. I love the freedom of walking, people watching and just knowing I am doing something good for my body.
The pain I was feeling was a lateral knee pain. It went from the outside of my knee and continued along the bottom of my knee cap.
As I was walking to my terminal, I began wondering am I doing harm in walking or should I take the the tram, should I just stand on the moving walkway? It is extremely hard for me to let a piece of 'machinery' get me from point a to point b when not necessary. I continued to walk.
When I arrived in Detroit, my plan was to go to the client site, get out of there by 5:00 and go get my 5 miles in. After the day 0f sitting on planes, trying to descend the stairs of the escalators, walking from terminal to terminal and sitting in the conference room, it became apparent I was NOT running today. Panic started setting in...
Tuesday, I was hoping to wake up and maybe get a mile or 2 run in before the day started....not happening. As I sat in the conference room my knee pain was still as bad as it was on Sunday and Monday.
After the work day was complete, I started researching what the symptoms were for IT band issues, short name for Iliotibial Band. Definition from Wikipedia: **The iliotibial band is a superficial thickening of tissue on the outside of the thigh, extending from the outside of the pelvis, over the hip and knee, and inserting just below the knee. The band is crucial to stabilizing the knee during running, moving from behind the femur to the front while walking. The continual rubbing of the band over the lateral femoral epicondyle, combined with the repeated flexion and extension of the knee during running may cause the area to become inflamed.**
Some non runners, new runners, may be asking how I knew to even research IT Band issues???? I truly believe all things happen for a reason. I typically don't talk to the person next to me on flights...headphones in and book/magazine open. On a flight home from Oregon, last September, I had just purchased the most recent Runners World magazine and had it on my lap and it became a conversation piece. The guy who sat next to me saw the magazine and said he had just read it and it was a great edition (he typically didn't read RW). As conversation continued, I realized...he is a CRAZY EXTREME runner. He was flying to Salt Lake City to run in some extreme ultra warrior mud run.
At that point, I couldn't relate to paying an airfare to go run in another city or state or run in these warrior dashes, mud runs...anything other than street runs. I knew that I had paid for the Austin Marathon, but in my head....I still wasn't convinced that I could complete it. I was still relatively new in my running and trying to soak up anything and everything I could. We talked for the entire flight about running.
He had asked if I had experienced any IT Band pain or 'stingers', I will talk about stingers in another post. I told him I had not and he started explaining the IT Band to me. He was actually recovering from some significant IT pain and this was his first run since it had presented. He pulled his jeans tight over his knee and you could see where the tissue had thickened...it was almost like a golf ball on the side of his knee. He is a person that I will always remember. His passion for running, his generosity with knowledge, his encouragement of me and moving towards my goal.... Runners are some of the most generous unselfish people that I have met. I am so glad to call myself a runner and be part of that community.
The more I researched, the more I knew, but didn't want to admit, I couldn't 'run through the pain and just deal with it'. If I wanted to run and finish the marathon in February, I was better to rest, stretch and address the pain.
I posted on Facebook and asked the advice of some fellow runners. All of them said REST and stretching. Not what I wanted to hear, but knew it deep in my heart. One of my running friends has a blog and posted a couple months back about Magic Juice and referenced me to that post to try out. Magic Juice is Castor Oil, Saran Wrap and an Ace Bandage.
If you want a good blog read...go to washamrunning.blogspot.com This was the first blog I started following and peaked my interest in blogging.
Tyson and I had been talking through the week and he has had some type of congestion, cold, respiratory issue this week. He was also not running. This made me sad for him, but comforted me knowing that when we meet up for our next long run, 23 miles by the way, that we would be at the same place...or so I hoped.
Wednesday, I called the massage therapist that I go to and she was able to get me in on Friday to work on the IT band.
Let me just tell you how hard it is to NOT run regularly, when you are used to it. I am worried about losing what I have built up to, I am worried that this will impact my training for the marathon....
Fast forward to Friday. Woke up excited to go to the massage therapist and have 30 minutes focused on my IT band. No other part of my body was going to be acknowledged...just this one little area. As she started at the top, towards my hip OUCHIE MAMA!!!! It hurt, but felt so good at the same time because I knew it was helping. Once she got to my knee, she would find the trigger point and massage. She described it as 'Ropey'...from hip to knee. I was sad when my 30 minutes of pain were up. I could tell a difference, instantly, upon my feet hitting the floor.
She advised me to come back in, TUESDAY...YES!!!! and to not run until after that day.
JB bought everything I needed for the Magic Juice... I couldn't wait to try it out. So.... here it goes.
**Excerpt from washamrunning.blogspot.com: Well, it's as simple as taking Castor Oil (weirdly a laxative) applying it to the injured area, wrapping with cling wrap, then an ace bandage, and sleeping in it overnight. Boom! In the morning healed!**
Now, I don't know if it was all in my head or what...but as I applied the Castor oil, it felt as if the pain was 'pulling' to the surface of the skin and leaving... Again, it may be in my head, but if that is the case and I feel better....great, I am now a MENTAL runner that is getting back on track. I wrapped it all up and headed off to bed.
It may all be a coincidence, but when I woke up on Saturday morning, my pain is virtually gone. Going down the stairs in our home, no problem. I was out and about all day on Saturday...no pain at all.
I am going to pick back up on my training plan this week...I can't wait.
Moral to this story, whether you are in a car, on a bike or using your body for the mode of transportation...all machines need some maintenance and oil... Pay attention to your body, listen to what it's telling you and take care of it along the way.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Hooters
19 Miles Today
Time: 3:47:11
Distance: 19.18
Pace: 11:40
Temp: 34 beginning / 45 finish
Food Day Of/During: Gatorade, Gatorade Prime, Peanut Butter Toast, 1 1/2 Choc Chip CLIF bars and a few chocolate covered beans for some extra umpf.
Food Day Before: Bowl of Mac & Cheese, Tortellini w/ Red Sauce, Popcorn, Oatmeal, Gatorade and lots of water. Fueling seems to be challenging when I am home and not traveling.
We were up a little later than what we would be normally for a run/ride of this distance...but it was WORTH IT to see Dbek2 play basketball. The boys played in Macdonald County. I have to say, the hardest part of my job is missing some of his basketball/golf functions. I am extremely thankful for my job and enjoy the variety that I have, but it is hard to be away from him.
The alarm was set for 6:00 AM to prevent 'rushing around'. However, the snooze button continued to get pushed until the last minute. It's mornings like this that having all of your stuff together the night before ROCKS!!!!
I typically eat my peanut butter toast on the way to wherever the run starts. I read something about how some people can eat 15 minutes before running and others need to allow an hour or longer. So, after the run today, I am going to try the longer amount of time and see if it helps with my multiple stops during runs. If it does, I may need to look at different fueling methods, other than CLIF bars, and see if I pretty much have to eliminate food and depend upon Gels, Shot Bloks, Beans, etc. The longer the runs get, the more fuel we obviously need.
This fueling issue has me concerned as we are now 6 weeks out from the marathon. I don't want to still be trying to figure this out at time of race day. So, next weekends long run is a 15 miler and I am going to try the gels that Tyson (he said I can use his name instead of initials, he hates sounding like toilet paper) uses.
Today's run started at the South Creek Trail that ends or begins (whichever way you want to think of it) off of Battlefield and FF, with Tyson, JB and me. We started at 7:30 this morning. The weather was a bit deceiving at first, it looked warm and felt warm, in the garage, but when we got out at the trail...it was a weeeeee bit nipply (I love the movie Christmas Vacation)
My mind was strong this morning. I really did feel in my heart, my soul and body it was going to be a good run. Sometimes when you focus on the number...it GETS YOU!!! :)
So the 3 of us take off and right out of the gates, it was giggles.... First of all, the trails that early in the AM are absolutely gorgeous, even with no leaves on the trees, bushes, vines.... As always, it is pleasing to me to see fellow runners out on the trails... people who love to do what I love to do... BUT, I have also started paying attention to other runners gait, form, clothes, accessories... So please, as I share my stories of other runners today, understand that I am not being mean, making fun of them or anything in the negative, I am merely saying thank you for helping us get through our run today.
When you start off running sometimes there is a mental monster that can overtake your thoughts and as you get up in the miles....it becomes more of a monster...
About 4/10 of a mile in a young couple came running by us. They were enjoying themselves and smiling...they spoke out the usual 'morning' and raised their hand as we all passed by. But what I could not get over was the lack of control/support in her chest area. I have to double bind on days and know how painful it can be to not have 'control' of those things. I was in awe by how much those things were moving up and down...from her waist to her chin.... Yet, she was smiling and having a good ol' time... so of course, that got us through the first mile and my legs were starting to warm up and my mind was good...
The three of us are running/riding and all of a sudden Tyson stops and points out one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. A GORGEOUS owl sitting a top a branch. I have never seen an owl, in the wild, in my entire life. I could have stood there and watched him as long as he'd let us. I am sure he had to weigh more than he looked.... the branch was not even bent over as it held him. JB had his phone and pulled it out to get his picture. The closer we got, the more he 'puffed' up.... but he never did fly away. We were starting to walk away and then I remembered that their heads can turn all the way around...so I walked to where he would have to do it and HE DID IT!!! Creepy yet AMAZING!!! Can you even imagine what he gets to see sitting so high in a tree? Pretty much untouchable? I am sure some of you are thinking, really DB...it is an owl...but it is the little things like this that make me appreciate life and what God has given us. I have included the picture, but as you can see the sun hadn't reached down into the trails yet and the phone cameras still aren't perfect.
At about 5 miles, my body decided to throw me for a loop and luckily we were almost to Nathaniel Green Park, which has facilities.
We take the trail behind the MSU Horse stables and each time...Tyson looks at the horses and says 'Why the long face'...It is the joke that keeps on giving...and for some reason, we laugh at it (or him, not sure which), as we get through this difficult portion of the trail.
I have a difficult time on the trail starting at the horses, until about the last mile or so that gets us to National and Sunset. There is LOTS of trash in the waterway and it makes me sad. I want to organize something and get a group of people together to go clean it up. There was a Mallard Duck couple in some of the water...those water sources are their livlihood, but we some of us humans are so dirty and lazy that we feel the need to throw our trash out of the window as we drive along the streets, or not pick up the trash when our trash cans blow over.... If you are one of these people, I challenge you, in this New Year, to change your ways and help provide a better environment for our animal friends. They don't have a voice or say in their conditions.
As we came to the section of the Galloway Trail, there was Tyson's family waiting for us...well, mainly because Tyson did NOT have his stuff laid out and ready to go for the run today. He forgot his fuel belt!!! REALLY TYSON???? 19 miles and no fuel belt? Were you too busy worried about the next mani/pedi...getting your eyebrows waxed or what???? :0)
My body had thrown me another curve ball... All I can say is, I am glad that I am able to run in an area that is full of vegetation that provides cover. I have a friend who lives in Turkey Texas and I believe it is pretty flat and not much, if any vegetation to use. As I made my way out of the depths of the trees, bushes, vines, thorns, stickers....there was Tyson's youngest son...ringing the COWBELL for me... I just love him. He is a great supporter when they come to spots and cheer us on.
We continued on the trail and JB spoke with a man that was helping his son and wife train for a 1/2 marathon.
Lots of runners on the trail today...lots of happy dogs on the trail today...Several cyclist on the trail today...it was a busy day and I cannot even explain the feeling it gives me to be part of the running/outdoors community.
JB actually rode ahead of us today and ventured out on some trails. He took advantage of the nice day and enjoyed riding a little more instead of riding behind us.
We ran the trail to Galloway Station and turned around to repeat everything we had just accomplished. 9.5 miles in.... I shed layers at this turning point. The sun was out and it was warming quickly.
I drank more than the 4 bottles I had in my fuel belt. Thank you JB for sharing your gatorade.
My body decided to act up one last time as we approached the National & Sunset portion of the South Creek trail. UGH!!!!!!
My body and mind were starting to break. I was getting tired and noticed that landing my feet correctly was not happening. I was thirsty and panicked that all of my bottles were empty and we still had approximately 6 miles. I had no gum in my belt (guess I didn't prepare completely either. Gum helps me think that I am NOT thirsty.
We were hitting the depressing portion of the trail, no water and body pain...the Mental Monster was rearing its ugly head. I was struggling. Tyson was struggling with some ankle pain. We did a little walking. We had to dig deep to get through this last portion... and we did.
As a runner, you start to break these long runs down... we just finished a 5k, a 10k, a 1/2... we just have a 10k left, just a 5k left... THIS HELPS!!!!!
I have to comment on one other runner that we encountered on our last 3 miles of the run... She had a run that looked 100% painful to me. She ran heavy and had a belt/fanny pack on that sounded like she had the kitchen sink in it...it sounded heavy and was not strapped to her tight enough to not bounce around. ... her feet were landing so hard that her knees had to be hurting. BUT, she was running and I am not criticizing...
I admire anyone who gets out and runs. I read something before... If you get out and run a mile, you are a runner...if you run 5 miles, you are a runner, if you run crazy stupid distances, you are a runner. That is what is great about the running community...no judgement...
Tyson had to stop and walk a little and my knee hurt more when I was walking, instead of running... so I continued to run ahead. JB stayed back with him for a bit... I came to the bench at the end of the run and sat there to wait. Well, JB left Tyson to come check on me and had passed this lady as well...but he saw something about this lady that made absolutely ZERO sense to me... JB said she lit up a cigarette...she stopped running and was smoking a cigarette... I don't get it...
It was a great run and I truly am amazed each time that my body and mind allows me to achieve something that so many, including myself, think is impossible at times.
I want to give a shout out to CF who ran her first 10K today, in OKC, and her goal was to run it under 1:25...she ran it in 1:24:20... You are ROCKING IT CF!!!
A little story to share for those of you that say you can't run.... CF ran against a very competitive guy in her 10K.... This man was blind. If a blind man can run... so can you. Get out and try it... It's so much more than physical activity... it is a way of life that changes people for the positive...
Time: 3:47:11
Distance: 19.18
Pace: 11:40
Temp: 34 beginning / 45 finish
Food Day Of/During: Gatorade, Gatorade Prime, Peanut Butter Toast, 1 1/2 Choc Chip CLIF bars and a few chocolate covered beans for some extra umpf.
Food Day Before: Bowl of Mac & Cheese, Tortellini w/ Red Sauce, Popcorn, Oatmeal, Gatorade and lots of water. Fueling seems to be challenging when I am home and not traveling.
We were up a little later than what we would be normally for a run/ride of this distance...but it was WORTH IT to see Dbek2 play basketball. The boys played in Macdonald County. I have to say, the hardest part of my job is missing some of his basketball/golf functions. I am extremely thankful for my job and enjoy the variety that I have, but it is hard to be away from him.
The alarm was set for 6:00 AM to prevent 'rushing around'. However, the snooze button continued to get pushed until the last minute. It's mornings like this that having all of your stuff together the night before ROCKS!!!!
I typically eat my peanut butter toast on the way to wherever the run starts. I read something about how some people can eat 15 minutes before running and others need to allow an hour or longer. So, after the run today, I am going to try the longer amount of time and see if it helps with my multiple stops during runs. If it does, I may need to look at different fueling methods, other than CLIF bars, and see if I pretty much have to eliminate food and depend upon Gels, Shot Bloks, Beans, etc. The longer the runs get, the more fuel we obviously need.
This fueling issue has me concerned as we are now 6 weeks out from the marathon. I don't want to still be trying to figure this out at time of race day. So, next weekends long run is a 15 miler and I am going to try the gels that Tyson (he said I can use his name instead of initials, he hates sounding like toilet paper) uses.
Today's run started at the South Creek Trail that ends or begins (whichever way you want to think of it) off of Battlefield and FF, with Tyson, JB and me. We started at 7:30 this morning. The weather was a bit deceiving at first, it looked warm and felt warm, in the garage, but when we got out at the trail...it was a weeeeee bit nipply (I love the movie Christmas Vacation)
My mind was strong this morning. I really did feel in my heart, my soul and body it was going to be a good run. Sometimes when you focus on the number...it GETS YOU!!! :)
So the 3 of us take off and right out of the gates, it was giggles.... First of all, the trails that early in the AM are absolutely gorgeous, even with no leaves on the trees, bushes, vines.... As always, it is pleasing to me to see fellow runners out on the trails... people who love to do what I love to do... BUT, I have also started paying attention to other runners gait, form, clothes, accessories... So please, as I share my stories of other runners today, understand that I am not being mean, making fun of them or anything in the negative, I am merely saying thank you for helping us get through our run today.
When you start off running sometimes there is a mental monster that can overtake your thoughts and as you get up in the miles....it becomes more of a monster...
About 4/10 of a mile in a young couple came running by us. They were enjoying themselves and smiling...they spoke out the usual 'morning' and raised their hand as we all passed by. But what I could not get over was the lack of control/support in her chest area. I have to double bind on days and know how painful it can be to not have 'control' of those things. I was in awe by how much those things were moving up and down...from her waist to her chin.... Yet, she was smiling and having a good ol' time... so of course, that got us through the first mile and my legs were starting to warm up and my mind was good...
The three of us are running/riding and all of a sudden Tyson stops and points out one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. A GORGEOUS owl sitting a top a branch. I have never seen an owl, in the wild, in my entire life. I could have stood there and watched him as long as he'd let us. I am sure he had to weigh more than he looked.... the branch was not even bent over as it held him. JB had his phone and pulled it out to get his picture. The closer we got, the more he 'puffed' up.... but he never did fly away. We were starting to walk away and then I remembered that their heads can turn all the way around...so I walked to where he would have to do it and HE DID IT!!! Creepy yet AMAZING!!! Can you even imagine what he gets to see sitting so high in a tree? Pretty much untouchable? I am sure some of you are thinking, really DB...it is an owl...but it is the little things like this that make me appreciate life and what God has given us. I have included the picture, but as you can see the sun hadn't reached down into the trails yet and the phone cameras still aren't perfect.
As you can imagine, this gave us something to talk about for quite some time... my body and mind were ready to go and accomplish 19 miles.
At about 5 miles, my body decided to throw me for a loop and luckily we were almost to Nathaniel Green Park, which has facilities.
But, thankfully, two more runners cross our path and honestly, about take us all out because they are a little 'giddy' and not paying attention. They couldn't decide which way to go, we couldn't decide which way to go, so we did a little dance session during our run. More great conversation and something to take my mind off of my body needing facilities. :( This is one of the MOST frustrating things for me and running.
We take the trail behind the MSU Horse stables and each time...Tyson looks at the horses and says 'Why the long face'...It is the joke that keeps on giving...and for some reason, we laugh at it (or him, not sure which), as we get through this difficult portion of the trail.
I have a difficult time on the trail starting at the horses, until about the last mile or so that gets us to National and Sunset. There is LOTS of trash in the waterway and it makes me sad. I want to organize something and get a group of people together to go clean it up. There was a Mallard Duck couple in some of the water...those water sources are their livlihood, but we some of us humans are so dirty and lazy that we feel the need to throw our trash out of the window as we drive along the streets, or not pick up the trash when our trash cans blow over.... If you are one of these people, I challenge you, in this New Year, to change your ways and help provide a better environment for our animal friends. They don't have a voice or say in their conditions.
Our run continued through a portion of the Brentwood neighborhood. I LOVE this neighborhood and would love to someday live in a neighborhood like it. We came out of there at Lone Pine and crossed over to the Galloway trail and headed toward Galloway Station.
As we came to the section of the Galloway Trail, there was Tyson's family waiting for us...well, mainly because Tyson did NOT have his stuff laid out and ready to go for the run today. He forgot his fuel belt!!! REALLY TYSON???? 19 miles and no fuel belt? Were you too busy worried about the next mani/pedi...getting your eyebrows waxed or what???? :0)
My body had thrown me another curve ball... All I can say is, I am glad that I am able to run in an area that is full of vegetation that provides cover. I have a friend who lives in Turkey Texas and I believe it is pretty flat and not much, if any vegetation to use. As I made my way out of the depths of the trees, bushes, vines, thorns, stickers....there was Tyson's youngest son...ringing the COWBELL for me... I just love him. He is a great supporter when they come to spots and cheer us on.
We continued on the trail and JB spoke with a man that was helping his son and wife train for a 1/2 marathon.
When we approached the portion of the trail at Battlefield and Lone Pine, there was a 'walker' coming towards us... and what a nice surprise, it was SM, Tysons mom. She is an inspiration... 64 years old and runs distances that I am just now considering. For those of you that don't know, her husband passed away this past fall doing what they loved to do...they were out for their daily run. He had a heart attack at the Nature Center. So it is inspiring to me to see her out there still enjoying and participating in something that they did together.
Lots of runners on the trail today...lots of happy dogs on the trail today...Several cyclist on the trail today...it was a busy day and I cannot even explain the feeling it gives me to be part of the running/outdoors community.
JB actually rode ahead of us today and ventured out on some trails. He took advantage of the nice day and enjoyed riding a little more instead of riding behind us.
We ran the trail to Galloway Station and turned around to repeat everything we had just accomplished. 9.5 miles in.... I shed layers at this turning point. The sun was out and it was warming quickly.
I drank more than the 4 bottles I had in my fuel belt. Thank you JB for sharing your gatorade.
My body decided to act up one last time as we approached the National & Sunset portion of the South Creek trail. UGH!!!!!!
I had my gait analysis completed when I bought my new shoes at Christmas. I still pronate, but not nearly as bad as I did when I picked running back up. My heel strike was quite significant and leads to knee pain. So I have really been trying to pay attention to not striking my heel.
I did not experience any pain in my knee until after we crossed the National/Sunset intersection... about 13 miles into the run.
I did not experience any pain in my knee until after we crossed the National/Sunset intersection... about 13 miles into the run.
My body and mind were starting to break. I was getting tired and noticed that landing my feet correctly was not happening. I was thirsty and panicked that all of my bottles were empty and we still had approximately 6 miles. I had no gum in my belt (guess I didn't prepare completely either. Gum helps me think that I am NOT thirsty.
We were hitting the depressing portion of the trail, no water and body pain...the Mental Monster was rearing its ugly head. I was struggling. Tyson was struggling with some ankle pain. We did a little walking. We had to dig deep to get through this last portion... and we did.
As a runner, you start to break these long runs down... we just finished a 5k, a 10k, a 1/2... we just have a 10k left, just a 5k left... THIS HELPS!!!!!
I have to comment on one other runner that we encountered on our last 3 miles of the run... She had a run that looked 100% painful to me. She ran heavy and had a belt/fanny pack on that sounded like she had the kitchen sink in it...it sounded heavy and was not strapped to her tight enough to not bounce around. ... her feet were landing so hard that her knees had to be hurting. BUT, she was running and I am not criticizing...
I admire anyone who gets out and runs. I read something before... If you get out and run a mile, you are a runner...if you run 5 miles, you are a runner, if you run crazy stupid distances, you are a runner. That is what is great about the running community...no judgement...
Tyson had to stop and walk a little and my knee hurt more when I was walking, instead of running... so I continued to run ahead. JB stayed back with him for a bit... I came to the bench at the end of the run and sat there to wait. Well, JB left Tyson to come check on me and had passed this lady as well...but he saw something about this lady that made absolutely ZERO sense to me... JB said she lit up a cigarette...she stopped running and was smoking a cigarette... I don't get it...
It was a great run and I truly am amazed each time that my body and mind allows me to achieve something that so many, including myself, think is impossible at times.
I want to give a shout out to CF who ran her first 10K today, in OKC, and her goal was to run it under 1:25...she ran it in 1:24:20... You are ROCKING IT CF!!!
A little story to share for those of you that say you can't run.... CF ran against a very competitive guy in her 10K.... This man was blind. If a blind man can run... so can you. Get out and try it... It's so much more than physical activity... it is a way of life that changes people for the positive...
I think I could go on and on today, but will close this post with a picture of what we get to enjoy when we run.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
All Bark No Bite
5 Miles Today
Time: 57.36
Distance: 5.47
Pace: 10:32
Temp: 56
2 Cups of Coffee
Egg Sandwich
Bowl of mac & cheese
I have really enjoyed my time at home the past 2 weeks, but it is winding down. I have been planning my schedule for work the last two days and I am already booked out until May and probably June.
So, why haven't I been as motivated to run this week? I am home, I have JB to ride with me and I get to run outside and not on the treadmill. I will be SO glad for the time change so I can start running outside when I travel.
I have to give kudos's to JB for motivating me and getting me out the door. I love running, but just haven't been in the mind set...Once I get out there, I feel great and feel guilty for not motivating myself.
Gaige wanted to go again. And again, I promised him that I would walk him when we returned.
We ran the same route as we did last night, but backwards. It was more hilly than it was last night and I ran my PB. My new shoes are feeling great and I don't feel like my knees are hurting me near as much. I have eliminated the brace on my knee. It was another run that I felt as if I could keep going...
My food intake has not been great and know that I need to do better. This Saturday is 19 miles... Did I really just say 19????? Mentally, 19 miles seems crazy ridiculous, but know that it is physically positive.
Tomorrow is a rest day and I am going to fuel with tortellini which seems to be my secret weapon on long runs.
JB and I had another non-stop talk run/ride and I love it.
As we approached the house, there Gaige sat in the window...waiting patiently for us to take him on his walk. One of these days I think I am not going to 'PROMISE' and see if he still waits at the window.
When we were about a block from the house, during our walk with Gaige, a little 'yippy' dog came a charging and barking. Each time Gaige would turn to look at him, he would tuck tail and run...JB had me giggling as he was commentating the little dogs thoughts. It was priceless.
I want to give a shout out to my BFF, from middle school, CF as she heads to Oklahoma City to participate in her first 10k. She is a newer runner and has been rocking it!!! Wishing you the best my friend.
Another shout out to my little brother. He blew out his ACL a couple of years ago and has just recently felt comfortable with getting out, playing basketball and running. While he was here over Christmas, I challenged him to run 365 miles this year, 1 mile for each day (Thanks PM for the idea)... He said he would do 730 miles this year.... DEAL!!!! Well, as of today, he is at 5.7... He also sent me a text and said he was going to run the 5k at the Austin Marathon....
Sooooo excited for my BFF and my brother to come cheer me on and ALSO participate in the run.
My Aunt B sent a message to me yesterday and gave me some more exciting information.... Her and J are planning to come to Austin and cheer me on... I am amazed and taken back by the amount of support being shown to me!!!!
Run to Live, Live to Run....
Time: 57.36
Distance: 5.47
Pace: 10:32
Temp: 56
2 Cups of Coffee
Egg Sandwich
Bowl of mac & cheese
I have really enjoyed my time at home the past 2 weeks, but it is winding down. I have been planning my schedule for work the last two days and I am already booked out until May and probably June.
So, why haven't I been as motivated to run this week? I am home, I have JB to ride with me and I get to run outside and not on the treadmill. I will be SO glad for the time change so I can start running outside when I travel.
I have to give kudos's to JB for motivating me and getting me out the door. I love running, but just haven't been in the mind set...Once I get out there, I feel great and feel guilty for not motivating myself.
Gaige wanted to go again. And again, I promised him that I would walk him when we returned.
We ran the same route as we did last night, but backwards. It was more hilly than it was last night and I ran my PB. My new shoes are feeling great and I don't feel like my knees are hurting me near as much. I have eliminated the brace on my knee. It was another run that I felt as if I could keep going...
My food intake has not been great and know that I need to do better. This Saturday is 19 miles... Did I really just say 19????? Mentally, 19 miles seems crazy ridiculous, but know that it is physically positive.
Tomorrow is a rest day and I am going to fuel with tortellini which seems to be my secret weapon on long runs.
JB and I had another non-stop talk run/ride and I love it.
As we approached the house, there Gaige sat in the window...waiting patiently for us to take him on his walk. One of these days I think I am not going to 'PROMISE' and see if he still waits at the window.
When we were about a block from the house, during our walk with Gaige, a little 'yippy' dog came a charging and barking. Each time Gaige would turn to look at him, he would tuck tail and run...JB had me giggling as he was commentating the little dogs thoughts. It was priceless.
I want to give a shout out to my BFF, from middle school, CF as she heads to Oklahoma City to participate in her first 10k. She is a newer runner and has been rocking it!!! Wishing you the best my friend.
Another shout out to my little brother. He blew out his ACL a couple of years ago and has just recently felt comfortable with getting out, playing basketball and running. While he was here over Christmas, I challenged him to run 365 miles this year, 1 mile for each day (Thanks PM for the idea)... He said he would do 730 miles this year.... DEAL!!!! Well, as of today, he is at 5.7... He also sent me a text and said he was going to run the 5k at the Austin Marathon....
Sooooo excited for my BFF and my brother to come cheer me on and ALSO participate in the run.
My Aunt B sent a message to me yesterday and gave me some more exciting information.... Her and J are planning to come to Austin and cheer me on... I am amazed and taken back by the amount of support being shown to me!!!!
Run to Live, Live to Run....
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Lit Up
5 Miles...
Another great night of sleep... Didn't run this AM. Meetings at the office and TP was supposed to come to Republic to run tonight.
It was nice to get dressed and feel like a 'normal' person and drive into my office and work with people I actually know. I sometimes miss the routine of having a 'normal' job and doing the same thing each day...taking the same roads, stopping at the same Starbucks for a coffee, going to the same desk, driving home in rush hour traffic and complaining about it (because that is what we are supposed to do, right), going to ballgames, fixing dinner, going to home parties with and for friends, being a regular member of a running club or fitness class... BUT, I don't have that life and am extremely thankful for my job as so many others do not have a job and are struggling to get through each day.
Today, Dbek2 left for school and won't be home until close to 5:00 (basketball practice)... I really try to take my time to run when he is sleeping or busy with an activity of his. The closer we get to race day, the longer the runs become and the more time we are away from home. But Dbek2 is so good and understanding...never complains. Especially on the weekends.
However, tonight I was supposed to run with TP, but he text and said he wouldn't be able to run tonight. I am always a little sad when we don't run together, because I am not home that often and spend my time on the road, running on a treadmill and do enjoy hearing his feet on the pavement. It's comforting knowing there is someone who feels and knows what it's like to run distance.
My outlook for 2012 is to really try and find the positive in all situations. I think as humans, we tend to focus on the 'negative', no matter how big or small. So, the upside in TP not running was that I could get the run in, or most of it before Dbek2 gets home, can run some during the daylight and some in the dark. I enjoy running in the dark for several reasons...but do also enjoy getting some much needed Vitamin D, especially during this time of the year.
JB got home around 4:30 and he, AGAIN, was willing and ready to ride with me again. Sooo.... here we go again. Bundled up a little, not like yesterday morning, and started to hit the pavement... except it hit me... We were going to be coming back home in the DARK...why such a big deal???? KNUCKLE LIGHTS!!!!!!!! JB got me knuckle lights for Christmas and this was the first time I would get to use them.
If you are a runner and like to run in the dark...I highly recommend the knuckle lights. They fit any size hand and are no effort to hold while running. They light the path for you, but most importanly...they help motorists to see you.
So, I ran into the house and retrieved the blue knuckle lights and the little red 'flasher' light to put on my arm band. I couldn't wait for the sun to start setting so I could light myself up like a Christmas Tree... (I am still in the Christmas spirit... Christmas music still plays in my ears during my run). JB has flashing lights in his seat, strapped a light on the front of his bike... I am pretty sure we were visible and quite the sight to be seen.
It is so hard leaving the house and Gaige looking at me and wondering why he can no longer run with me. He was my first running partner and one of the best. He was the PERFECT pace setter and could go several miles. Fortunately he is in good health and really doesn't seem to have problems with his hips, legs, etc. and I definitely want to keep it that way. He would run if we would let him. As I was setting the alarm on the house, his big brown eyes were staring at me...so I PROMISED him I would take him for a walk when I got home. I truly believe he knows what a promise is.
When JB and I first got married, we would lie in bed and talk until all hours of the night. Those things happen when you are younger and don't need as much sleep. Those were some of the best talks of our early years together. It is funny how things change over the years.
We started off running and talking right away. We talked the ENTIRE run/ride. We talked about things going on in our little town of 10,000, some problems that friends are facing, our boys...just enjoying our time with one another.
Each run/ride with JB is so special to me. I am so thankful for his support and sacrifice for me as I train. He is such a selfless person. I only hope that I can help him as much (He is doing a mini-tri this coming summer) as he has helped me prepare for this marathon in February.
We took a different route, that wasn't planned and we both LOVED IT. We came across several kids out playing and laughing... and who also seemed to enjoy the nice weather we were having and the sunshine. We had many hills today, JB even mentioned his legs burning!!!! WHOOP!!!
The run was effortless today and ended up being 5.5 miles. I felt like the yellow lab on Crazy Farm, the one that could just run and run and run.
As we came up the street that intersects with ours, guess who was sitting at the window waiting for us? Yep, you guessed it...Gaige. Like I said, I think he knows what 'promise' means. I walked in the door and his behavior told me he knew we were heading out for a walk. I got the leash and the three of us headed out.
Dbek2 was home and of course eating his nacho crackers... yes, crackers spread out on a plate, covered with cheese and microwaved... He's always so good to ask 'How was your run?'
Tip of the day...hydrate, hydrate, hydrate... It isn't what you do the day before or the day of your run, but the week building up to it.
Another great night of sleep... Didn't run this AM. Meetings at the office and TP was supposed to come to Republic to run tonight.
It was nice to get dressed and feel like a 'normal' person and drive into my office and work with people I actually know. I sometimes miss the routine of having a 'normal' job and doing the same thing each day...taking the same roads, stopping at the same Starbucks for a coffee, going to the same desk, driving home in rush hour traffic and complaining about it (because that is what we are supposed to do, right), going to ballgames, fixing dinner, going to home parties with and for friends, being a regular member of a running club or fitness class... BUT, I don't have that life and am extremely thankful for my job as so many others do not have a job and are struggling to get through each day.
Today, Dbek2 left for school and won't be home until close to 5:00 (basketball practice)... I really try to take my time to run when he is sleeping or busy with an activity of his. The closer we get to race day, the longer the runs become and the more time we are away from home. But Dbek2 is so good and understanding...never complains. Especially on the weekends.
However, tonight I was supposed to run with TP, but he text and said he wouldn't be able to run tonight. I am always a little sad when we don't run together, because I am not home that often and spend my time on the road, running on a treadmill and do enjoy hearing his feet on the pavement. It's comforting knowing there is someone who feels and knows what it's like to run distance.
My outlook for 2012 is to really try and find the positive in all situations. I think as humans, we tend to focus on the 'negative', no matter how big or small. So, the upside in TP not running was that I could get the run in, or most of it before Dbek2 gets home, can run some during the daylight and some in the dark. I enjoy running in the dark for several reasons...but do also enjoy getting some much needed Vitamin D, especially during this time of the year.
JB got home around 4:30 and he, AGAIN, was willing and ready to ride with me again. Sooo.... here we go again. Bundled up a little, not like yesterday morning, and started to hit the pavement... except it hit me... We were going to be coming back home in the DARK...why such a big deal???? KNUCKLE LIGHTS!!!!!!!! JB got me knuckle lights for Christmas and this was the first time I would get to use them.
If you are a runner and like to run in the dark...I highly recommend the knuckle lights. They fit any size hand and are no effort to hold while running. They light the path for you, but most importanly...they help motorists to see you.
So, I ran into the house and retrieved the blue knuckle lights and the little red 'flasher' light to put on my arm band. I couldn't wait for the sun to start setting so I could light myself up like a Christmas Tree... (I am still in the Christmas spirit... Christmas music still plays in my ears during my run). JB has flashing lights in his seat, strapped a light on the front of his bike... I am pretty sure we were visible and quite the sight to be seen.
It is so hard leaving the house and Gaige looking at me and wondering why he can no longer run with me. He was my first running partner and one of the best. He was the PERFECT pace setter and could go several miles. Fortunately he is in good health and really doesn't seem to have problems with his hips, legs, etc. and I definitely want to keep it that way. He would run if we would let him. As I was setting the alarm on the house, his big brown eyes were staring at me...so I PROMISED him I would take him for a walk when I got home. I truly believe he knows what a promise is.
When JB and I first got married, we would lie in bed and talk until all hours of the night. Those things happen when you are younger and don't need as much sleep. Those were some of the best talks of our early years together. It is funny how things change over the years.
We started off running and talking right away. We talked the ENTIRE run/ride. We talked about things going on in our little town of 10,000, some problems that friends are facing, our boys...just enjoying our time with one another.
Each run/ride with JB is so special to me. I am so thankful for his support and sacrifice for me as I train. He is such a selfless person. I only hope that I can help him as much (He is doing a mini-tri this coming summer) as he has helped me prepare for this marathon in February.
We took a different route, that wasn't planned and we both LOVED IT. We came across several kids out playing and laughing... and who also seemed to enjoy the nice weather we were having and the sunshine. We had many hills today, JB even mentioned his legs burning!!!! WHOOP!!!
The run was effortless today and ended up being 5.5 miles. I felt like the yellow lab on Crazy Farm, the one that could just run and run and run.
As we came up the street that intersects with ours, guess who was sitting at the window waiting for us? Yep, you guessed it...Gaige. Like I said, I think he knows what 'promise' means. I walked in the door and his behavior told me he knew we were heading out for a walk. I got the leash and the three of us headed out.
Dbek2 was home and of course eating his nacho crackers... yes, crackers spread out on a plate, covered with cheese and microwaved... He's always so good to ask 'How was your run?'
Tip of the day...hydrate, hydrate, hydrate... It isn't what you do the day before or the day of your run, but the week building up to it.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Cheek to Cheek
5 Miles today.... I have to admit... I was a little nervous and scared to lace up and hit the pavement today, after my run on Sunday.
I slept amazing...so much so that Dbek2 came in and told me goodbye as he was headed out for school. It has been a LONG time since I have done that.
JB and I had talked about running/riding this AM, since Dbek2 had basketball tonight. So...I pulled myself out of bed and stumbled through the house, having a pretty good idea coffee was nowhere in my immediate future.
I asked JB if he was still up for riding with me while I ran...'Yep... have you been outside?' he asks me. He informed me that the sun was deceiving...and it was cold. 16 degrees and felt like 7????? Seriously?
Bread was in the toaster, waiting for it's blanket of peanut butter. Gaige was in the door of the kitchen, creating the oh so big puddle of slimy slobber....this is our routine. I butter the toast and he gets to lick the knife... Then the crazy cat steps in the slobber and starts batting his paw uncontrollably. It is quite comical to watch these two as we prepare for running/riding.
So we bundled, bundled a little more and then some more. I laced up the new Kayano 17 shoes that I got for Christmas and we headed out the door. As my feet hit the pavement, my legs felt so tight and not willing to loosen up. I am sure my muscles didn't want to be in the cold.
JB and I were quiet for the first 3 blocks and then he asks me 'Are your cheeks cold?' I turned to look at him....bundled like the little kid in Christmas Story. (I can't believe that he truly bundles up to ride with me and FREEZE. It is so much colder on the bike.) As my lips and face were already stiff from the cold, I asked 'The ones on my face or on my backside?'.... All laughs and smiles. That was the turning point of the run for me... I knew it was going to be good.
As we approached P HWY, it was apparent that Christmas vacation was over for the kids and most adults. The traffic was heavy. Crossing over 60 and approaching the railroad tracks, the cross arms lowered... I did not want to stop running and wait and I did not want to detour from the known 5 mile route...but we did anyway. So we ran the road by the old E1, E2 and middle school buildings. WOW, I do not miss the crazy traffic in there. BUT, I must say.... the drivers were very polite and courteous to the crazy runner and cyclist that were dodging cars and buses.
The upside about all of the traffic and change in route? It distracted me from the tight muscles and the cold and I was over 1/2 through the run already. By the time we turned onto Hines and headed to HWY 60, I realized my muscles were lose...legs were moving right along like clock work, no knee pain, no ankle pain...
We made a little detour to McDonalds. Again, JB is so awesome and supportive...I came out and couldn't find him at first... he was soaking up the sun like a teabag in a water jug on a summer day, except he just wanted to warm up.
As we were finishing up the last 8/10 of a mile, I decided to conquer the hill at Cully and Valley View.... It beat me so many times last summer, that I have avoided it every run. I beat it today... Looking at it now, it's like saying I beat a 7 year old at basketball...it is such a short hill... and not a big deal.
The last 6 blocks of the run/ride... One of the best talks with JB. I love our run/rides... great conversation with no interruption of phone, text, computers... Even though we were both freezing and eyes gushing water, to keep from drying out...I wouldn't trade today's run for anything.
I did not come close to running my personal best during today's run, but I did enjoy the run and thankful that my body allows me to get out and do this.
I think we tend to take walking, running, swinging a golf club, dribbling a basketball and any other physical activity for granted.
My sister, who is a runner and was training for a marathon, had a significant knee injury this last fall. That was all taken away from her, temporarily, and it has been difficult for her. I couldn't imagine running being taken away from me...it is in my blood. So, until my body decides to tell me that I can't run anymore, I run for my sister, I run for those who can't run. I know it is a gift and am thankful for it each time I lace up.
As I wrap today's run up...When JB and I came in.... both the cheeks on our face and on our backsides were COLD!!!! After a hot shower and hot cup of coffee, JB and I went into the lounge area to start our day... there he sat in his chair, bundled up with the little heater right on his feet to warm up.
I don't have any followers on this blog right now, but if there is someone out there that may read this.... try lacing up and hitting the pavement.... It is life changing... for the good!!!!
Here's to Cheeks!!!!
I slept amazing...so much so that Dbek2 came in and told me goodbye as he was headed out for school. It has been a LONG time since I have done that.
JB and I had talked about running/riding this AM, since Dbek2 had basketball tonight. So...I pulled myself out of bed and stumbled through the house, having a pretty good idea coffee was nowhere in my immediate future.
I asked JB if he was still up for riding with me while I ran...'Yep... have you been outside?' he asks me. He informed me that the sun was deceiving...and it was cold. 16 degrees and felt like 7????? Seriously?
Bread was in the toaster, waiting for it's blanket of peanut butter. Gaige was in the door of the kitchen, creating the oh so big puddle of slimy slobber....this is our routine. I butter the toast and he gets to lick the knife... Then the crazy cat steps in the slobber and starts batting his paw uncontrollably. It is quite comical to watch these two as we prepare for running/riding.
So we bundled, bundled a little more and then some more. I laced up the new Kayano 17 shoes that I got for Christmas and we headed out the door. As my feet hit the pavement, my legs felt so tight and not willing to loosen up. I am sure my muscles didn't want to be in the cold.
JB and I were quiet for the first 3 blocks and then he asks me 'Are your cheeks cold?' I turned to look at him....bundled like the little kid in Christmas Story. (I can't believe that he truly bundles up to ride with me and FREEZE. It is so much colder on the bike.) As my lips and face were already stiff from the cold, I asked 'The ones on my face or on my backside?'.... All laughs and smiles. That was the turning point of the run for me... I knew it was going to be good.
As we approached P HWY, it was apparent that Christmas vacation was over for the kids and most adults. The traffic was heavy. Crossing over 60 and approaching the railroad tracks, the cross arms lowered... I did not want to stop running and wait and I did not want to detour from the known 5 mile route...but we did anyway. So we ran the road by the old E1, E2 and middle school buildings. WOW, I do not miss the crazy traffic in there. BUT, I must say.... the drivers were very polite and courteous to the crazy runner and cyclist that were dodging cars and buses.
The upside about all of the traffic and change in route? It distracted me from the tight muscles and the cold and I was over 1/2 through the run already. By the time we turned onto Hines and headed to HWY 60, I realized my muscles were lose...legs were moving right along like clock work, no knee pain, no ankle pain...
We made a little detour to McDonalds. Again, JB is so awesome and supportive...I came out and couldn't find him at first... he was soaking up the sun like a teabag in a water jug on a summer day, except he just wanted to warm up.
As we were finishing up the last 8/10 of a mile, I decided to conquer the hill at Cully and Valley View.... It beat me so many times last summer, that I have avoided it every run. I beat it today... Looking at it now, it's like saying I beat a 7 year old at basketball...it is such a short hill... and not a big deal.
The last 6 blocks of the run/ride... One of the best talks with JB. I love our run/rides... great conversation with no interruption of phone, text, computers... Even though we were both freezing and eyes gushing water, to keep from drying out...I wouldn't trade today's run for anything.
I did not come close to running my personal best during today's run, but I did enjoy the run and thankful that my body allows me to get out and do this.
I think we tend to take walking, running, swinging a golf club, dribbling a basketball and any other physical activity for granted.
My sister, who is a runner and was training for a marathon, had a significant knee injury this last fall. That was all taken away from her, temporarily, and it has been difficult for her. I couldn't imagine running being taken away from me...it is in my blood. So, until my body decides to tell me that I can't run anymore, I run for my sister, I run for those who can't run. I know it is a gift and am thankful for it each time I lace up.
As I wrap today's run up...When JB and I came in.... both the cheeks on our face and on our backsides were COLD!!!! After a hot shower and hot cup of coffee, JB and I went into the lounge area to start our day... there he sat in his chair, bundled up with the little heater right on his feet to warm up.
I don't have any followers on this blog right now, but if there is someone out there that may read this.... try lacing up and hitting the pavement.... It is life changing... for the good!!!!
Here's to Cheeks!!!!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
A New Day, A New Year...A New Dawn
Well...Here is my first post... on my first blog... on the first day of 2012. I wanted to start blogging about this crazy thing we call life... Life on the run, figuratively and literally speaking...
7 Weeks from today I will run my first marathon with one of my best friends TP. So over the next 7 weeks, I am going to blog each run, the ups and downs, preparation, diet, my inner thoughts, etc...
Each day, I will post about my run and people who helped get me here... There are many people that I need/want to recognize and what they have done for me.
Up first... Miss CW
(I am going to abbreviate names as this is a public forum and don't know that they want to be published all over the web)... She is the one that sacrificed her own running goals to help get me going. We started running together in May/June. For those of you not familiar with Missouri weather... HOT & HUMID. I could barely make 2 miles without thinking I was dying. She encouraged and never made me feel like a burden to her and her running. It was so hot during our weeks/months of running, that we were sometimes running after 10 or 11 PM each night.
For those of you who REALLY know me, you know that things come up about 2 miles in...well, CW taught me something I never thought I would do. (To be shared in another blog) She taught me a lot about being true to yourself, being strong, being an example to her children and accepting who you are...
In late September, early October, I accomplished 8 miles with her, at that time, it was my farthest distance. I cried like a baby and hugged her neck.
We only ran together for a few months before schedules and families got a little hectic... But I will forever be grateful for her support and dedication to me...
1/1/2012 - Run Down of 10.5 Miles (supposed to be 14)
Due to the holidays, I have not shown much discipline in my eating habits... The last two weeks of Christmas food got the best of me. Last night JB and I went to some friends house to ring in the New Year 2012. I had 3 glasses of wine (I have pretty much eliminated wine or any alcoholic drink from my diet).
We got to bed about 1:00 AM and supposed to be up and in Springfield by 9:00. Woke up at 8:15. I text TP to see if he still wanted to go... I knew I needed to run, but deep down hoped TP would cancel for several reasons... 1) Diet was horrible this week 2) Lack of Sleep and 3) Not prepared and guess what...TP DID NOT CANCEL!!!
If you are a new runner and reading this, my first word of advice to you is.... ALWAYS prepare for the next days run, the night before. I did NOT do that and I was scrambling to get my things together. Fuel Belt w/ Fluids (my pink water was not mixed), Pink Medicine, Clothes laid out, CLIF bars were not purchased or my Gatorade Prime... ALWAYS be ready when you go to bed.
JB got his bike loaded and we were on our way to Springfield. It was sunny, SO WINDY today and a cold wind at that. We met at one of TP's friends and ran from there. JB is always so patient to ride behind us and take the beating of the cold wind...much colder for him. He carries all of my necessities... He is such a trooper.
We went down to the Galloway Trail and headed towards 60/65 and back, went through Southern Hills and back up to where we parked. Unfortunately, there were 3 stops during this run which didn't allow me to get in 'the zone'. We were barely a mile in, 4 miles in and about 8 miles in during these stops. UGH!!!! TP never complains...just laughs.
About 10 miles in, I was the quitter (first time in a long time) and had to call it. We were supposed to do 14 miles today and I just didn't have it. However, I still feel good about the run because it was very hilly and challenging. If you have time...go walk, run, bike and if you must...drive through Southern Hills. Great homes, great view and just relaxing.
Before I picked up running, I never realized the beauty that surrounds us. We just don't see it because we are always in a hurry to get where we are going. The beauty you see that is 'off the road' is unreal at times. When I run, I am not in a hurry and I soak up what God has put on this earth for us to enjoy. I love passing other runners... The running community is an amazing experience. Runners are some of the nicest, supportive, passionate and craziest people you will ever meet.
Tomorrow is a non-running day... I am hopeful for a better run on Tuesday evening.
7 Weeks from today I will run my first marathon with one of my best friends TP. So over the next 7 weeks, I am going to blog each run, the ups and downs, preparation, diet, my inner thoughts, etc...
Each day, I will post about my run and people who helped get me here... There are many people that I need/want to recognize and what they have done for me.
Up first... Miss CW
(I am going to abbreviate names as this is a public forum and don't know that they want to be published all over the web)... She is the one that sacrificed her own running goals to help get me going. We started running together in May/June. For those of you not familiar with Missouri weather... HOT & HUMID. I could barely make 2 miles without thinking I was dying. She encouraged and never made me feel like a burden to her and her running. It was so hot during our weeks/months of running, that we were sometimes running after 10 or 11 PM each night.
For those of you who REALLY know me, you know that things come up about 2 miles in...well, CW taught me something I never thought I would do. (To be shared in another blog) She taught me a lot about being true to yourself, being strong, being an example to her children and accepting who you are...
In late September, early October, I accomplished 8 miles with her, at that time, it was my farthest distance. I cried like a baby and hugged her neck.
We only ran together for a few months before schedules and families got a little hectic... But I will forever be grateful for her support and dedication to me...
1/1/2012 - Run Down of 10.5 Miles (supposed to be 14)
Due to the holidays, I have not shown much discipline in my eating habits... The last two weeks of Christmas food got the best of me. Last night JB and I went to some friends house to ring in the New Year 2012. I had 3 glasses of wine (I have pretty much eliminated wine or any alcoholic drink from my diet).
We got to bed about 1:00 AM and supposed to be up and in Springfield by 9:00. Woke up at 8:15. I text TP to see if he still wanted to go... I knew I needed to run, but deep down hoped TP would cancel for several reasons... 1) Diet was horrible this week 2) Lack of Sleep and 3) Not prepared and guess what...TP DID NOT CANCEL!!!
If you are a new runner and reading this, my first word of advice to you is.... ALWAYS prepare for the next days run, the night before. I did NOT do that and I was scrambling to get my things together. Fuel Belt w/ Fluids (my pink water was not mixed), Pink Medicine, Clothes laid out, CLIF bars were not purchased or my Gatorade Prime... ALWAYS be ready when you go to bed.
JB got his bike loaded and we were on our way to Springfield. It was sunny, SO WINDY today and a cold wind at that. We met at one of TP's friends and ran from there. JB is always so patient to ride behind us and take the beating of the cold wind...much colder for him. He carries all of my necessities... He is such a trooper.
We went down to the Galloway Trail and headed towards 60/65 and back, went through Southern Hills and back up to where we parked. Unfortunately, there were 3 stops during this run which didn't allow me to get in 'the zone'. We were barely a mile in, 4 miles in and about 8 miles in during these stops. UGH!!!! TP never complains...just laughs.
About 10 miles in, I was the quitter (first time in a long time) and had to call it. We were supposed to do 14 miles today and I just didn't have it. However, I still feel good about the run because it was very hilly and challenging. If you have time...go walk, run, bike and if you must...drive through Southern Hills. Great homes, great view and just relaxing.
Before I picked up running, I never realized the beauty that surrounds us. We just don't see it because we are always in a hurry to get where we are going. The beauty you see that is 'off the road' is unreal at times. When I run, I am not in a hurry and I soak up what God has put on this earth for us to enjoy. I love passing other runners... The running community is an amazing experience. Runners are some of the nicest, supportive, passionate and craziest people you will ever meet.
Tomorrow is a non-running day... I am hopeful for a better run on Tuesday evening.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)