Only Nineteen Left

As would be the case in a marathon, that phrase is far from encouraging. These posts aren't nearly as painful or sweaty, though. Ooh! Maybe I'll give myself a medal upon completion, too?!

 

a small part of my collection. Definitely needs a Blogging Streak addition.

 

Today's Topic : My Six Worst Running Experiences (in no particular order)

 

•  The final run before my Stress Fracture diagnosis. Read all about it in this post. The worst part? Up until the point where I was fighting back embarassing tears of pain, it was one of the most successful Tempo Runs I'd had in months.

 

soooo not worth it

 

• The attempted Tempo Run just prior to the aforementioned Disaster Jaunt. I have no post to bore you with, as it was prior to my blogging. In retrospect, the looming Stress Fracture might have had almost everything the teensiest bit to do with the failed workout. I warmed up for a mile and could not. complete. a single tempo mile. I was a physical and mental mess. We have all had failed workouts. This one was bad enough to stick in my mind as one of the most demoralizing training runs I've ever had. It was particularly bad because it followed...

• The OTHER attempted Tempo Run just prior to the aforementioned Disaster Jaunt. Yes, it was Summer. Yes, it was disgustingly hot and humid. Yes, I had nagging pain which eventually turned into a full-blown injury. At that time, in my training, though, none of those factors were able to erase the defeat I felt when I was unable to complete this speedwork. They were workouts I'd done before. The pace was slower than my 5k pace, for goodness' sake! Those runs lead me to question everything about my running, for the first time, ever. I know how dramatic that sounds, but I had never before had to wonder "why am I even putting myself through this?" Up 'til that point, running had been fun. Even when it was competetive, it was still fun, for me. Now, with a goal of "Marathon", everything began to unravel. It was a very dark time, indeed.

"ooh, how artistic! See how she uses the photo to simulate the shadow falling on otherwise happy times!"

 

• This 10k was so awful for so many reasons.

ugh

I was so excited about this race. It was the first in a set of races appropriately named Tour De Pain Extreme. The 10k was held in the morning, followed by a 5k the same evening and a half-marathon the following morning.

 

I realize that concept doesn't seem tempting to any most people.

 

I love 10ks, though, I love the idea of running fast after a morning race (the 5k) and would have a perfect excuse for why I sucked it up in the 1/2 the next morning. (uh...I just ran 2 races, yesterday...). In my usual form, I failed to peek at that above course map, prior to the race. Apparently, the "Extreme" portion of the title wasn't a fluke. There were four bridge crossings. In 6.2 miles. It was hot, hideous and such a disappointing start to the fun weekend I'd built up, in my mind. For the first time, ever, I didn't even look at the posted results, after the race. It was that bad.

 

•  This 5k. Other than the quickie Genuine Mile race I'd done, it was my first post-injury race. I was so happy to be in racing shape, again, and had set my expectations way too high. I was simply not as ready as I'd hoped I was. It was so discouraging and, for the first time, made me question if I ever wanted to race a 5k, again. After some time, I was able to shake off the race, but it still haunts me, a bit, when I look at my upcoming race calendar.

somehow, the bands on the course had the oppostite effect of "motivating me"

• And, finally, my first 18-miler. Again, pre-blogging days, so there's no link to an overly-dramatic and blurry photo-filled post. It was supposed to be a "long, slow day". My furthest distance, to date, had been 16 miles, so I thought it would be totally do-able. Five miles in, I had the first inklings of panic, about the heat and the way my body was feeling. When, at seven miles, I realized that I would have to finish out fourteen miles, just to get back to my car, the full-blown nausea and defeat set in. (it was an out & back, paved trail). I remember hating the lucky people on bikes. I shot desperate looks at anyone who passed, hoping they'd offer me some sort of solution to this situation I'd gotten myself into. 

  I stumbled to my car, at mile 14 and ripped off my sweat socked socks & shoes. I literally had to wring them out. A frustrated, whiny phone call to The Husband somehow provided the kick in the butt I needed. I shoved my blistered, wrinkled feet back into my shoes, and set back out to finish out those four miles.

Luckily, the experience provided me with a comprehensive list of "What Not to do on Long Run Days".

Bottom line :

To acheive runs that leave you feeling like this:

 

 

 

...sometimes you have to go through ones that make you look like this:

 

 

In lieu of Today's link sharing, you get the above picture.

 

You're welcome! 



 

 





 

 



Keeping the Streak Alive on Day Five

Rain, rain...go away.
Come again another day
'Cause faced with a tempo run on a treadmill?
I'd probably rather lay down in an anthill

Adventrageous!!

 

Today's story:  yes I realize sometimes it's a "topic" and sometimes it's a "story". Other times it may be something even more random. My blog. My rules. (or lack thereof)

 

Yesterday was my first time hosting a Group Run, with the Running Club I joined over a year ago. Had someone told me, two years ago, that I'd someday be not only an active member of an RRCA Running Club, but also an officer/co-organizer, I really would not have believed them. I also would've wondered why they came back, from the future, to give me such mundane news.

 

When I started running I was all alone. It was completely random. I didn't do it to train for a race or event, nor was I joining a group of girlfriends for a new exercise routine. I put on my (then) crappy shoes, walked out my front door, and ran. I didn't know any other way. It wasn't until I showed up for my first race that I really saw that there were actually hundreds of people, in my community, that shared a similar interest.

 

Even after that, though, other than a handful of runs with my newly back-to-running dad and/or new-to-running sister, I generally set out alone. I wasn't (and am not) a running snob. It just made more sense, scheduling-wise, and was very much in my comfort zone.

 

Now, while I still end up setting out, alone, for most of my runs, I make it a point to schedule in one or two group runs each week. The benefits are ones I never could have imagined. Running with friends, both in and outside of the West Volusia Runners, has improved my overall training and given me a deeper love for the sport I was already totally infatuated with.

 

not pictured : me. They always seem to wait 'til I leave before taking a group photo

 

When asked to accept the newly vacated spot of Secretary, and take on the responsibilites associated with it, I immediately balked. And deleted the email.

 

Then, I took a couple days to try to, once again, wiggle a little more out of my cozy comfort zone. I love running. I love runners. I love my running group. Why would I not give a little extra bit of my time and energy to this "thing" that I love?

 

Fast-forward past an extremely awkward acceptance speech at our annual meeting to yesterday's run.

 

I brought my $4, styrofoam cooler full of cold waters and (bonus!) Capri Suns and ran with the group, that had rsvp'd, on a familiar paved trail. I didn't lose anyone, nor did I get myself lost. (double-win!)

 

There was only one Wild Boar sighting, but it didn't end with any trauma. All-around success that left everyone exercised, refreshed and in enjoyment of one another's company.

 

Step outside your comfort zone every once in a while. You'll be glad you did.

 

Today's Share: Find a local running group. Get a friend or family member to join you, if you're terrified of such things. You can even find groups to join, while you're on vacation and need a good, safe place to run. We've had out-of-towners do the same with our group. They're welcomed and treated like celebrities.

 

I actually went to far as to look up a running group in the area we travelled to, this past Summer. I saw they had a group track workout one of the days we'd be in town!

 

So, I ran, from our hotel, to the track...about 10 hours before they'd be showing up. Not quite ready for that sort of interactive craziness, yet... 

 

No need to venture TOO far out of the comfort zone, people

 

Have you survived any recent, new experiences?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Day 4 of Adventrageous

"Mom, seriously, what were you thinking trying to blog for 25 days straight?!"

Today's Topic: Blogstuffs. Although fairly new to blogging, I've already learned some valuable lessons about myself in this new venture.

1. When the kids are home and needing snacks, love and refereeing, I produce awful posts and it gives me cold sweats and headaches to even attempt it. Nighttime results in slightly more read-able babble, but I can't guarantee good results due to my tired brain. If ever you happen to read a post from me, that seems somewhat intelligent and/or humorous, be proud of your secret knowledge that it was typed in the morning.
2. While the novelty may someday wear off, I LOVE getting comments. If no one ever read my drivel, I think I'd (sadly) still keep cranking it out. Getting confirmation that people are, at the very least, taking the time to put my page on their browser, makes me feel giddy. Also, I've been lucky enough that the comments, thus far, have been nothing but kind, funny and awesome. I guess that's what I should expect, coming from the people who read this.
3. I should think decisions like "ooh! I should post for 25 days in a row through before impulsively launching into it. Pretty sure there's not actually that much subject matter in my brain. May need to start making up stories...
4. I love having the ability to go back and look at posts like this or this when I'm feeling grumpy about a recent run.

No one wanted to venture a guess regarding the boys' advent surprise, from yesterday. It's okay. It's very unlikely you would've guessed correctly. Had any of you typed "plastic fangs" as your answer, I probably would've been terrified, anyway.

Nothing evokes the Spirit of Christmas more than slobbery fangs

 

Noteworthy tangent: There's a weird sound, outside, that reminds me of someone riding a pogo stick. It's making me want to go out and buy one. I was a spectacular pogo-er, back in the day...when I was 7. Think that's one of those "riding a bike skills?"

 

Ha! Now you're totally confused about what time of day I typed this up. It quickly went from semi-intelligent to totally weird and random, eh?

 

Today's Share: Just because this lady  is very well-known in the running & blogging community, doesn't mean she doesn't deserve mention. Hers was the second blog I bookmarked, back when I first stumbled into the magical world of Reading About Other People's Lives and Training Instead of Doing Laundry. If that's what you're currently doing, stop. Go take the clothes out of the washer, put them in the dryer and then come sit back down. (preferably with a piece of candy or your fourth cup of coffee) It's all about balance, people.

 

Anyway, there are very few off-limit subjects on www.shutupandrun.net. Which is why we like her. Mixed with all the fart talk, though, are some actual knowledge and tools. Here are a couple of examples :

This one about preparing your mind

 

Another great read

 

Those are just a couple of the ones I pass onto friends and enjoy reading, myself. Even if you're familiar with her blog, go check out some entries you may have missed.

 

Next up : My newest Runventure that involved Capri Suns and Wild Boars (obviously)

 

 





 

 

Adventrageous Day 3...Wheeee!

It'll get REAL old if I link back to every post of this series. At this point, though, two links isn't excessive, right?

If you missed the excitement of days 1 and 2 of this Outrageous Advent Posting Marathon (Adventrageous), you can get caught up here and here.

Today's Topic: Shutting off the right part of your brain when running. I was reminded of this elusive (to me) skill during my 12-mile run, yesterday. The plan was to run the first 8 miles at my easy, long run pace and the final 4 at my goal marathon pace (gmp). It was a bit warmer than I would've liked and at an odd time of day, for me. Due to it being a Sunday afternoon, traffic was also heavier than I'm normally used to.

Stopping and waiting for cars is a big, giant pain in the butt, btw.

Despite my seemingly endless list of complaints, the run actually felt just fine.

After I hit the 8-mile mark, I sped up to what I hoped was a pace I could maintain for 26.2 miles. I wasn't wearing my watch, so I couldn't actually see what my pace was, at the time. I had my phone with me and was tracking it using this app. The phone was strapped to my arm, though, and I had my music on loud enough to drown out the split announcements. (on purpose)

lalala. Can't hear you, robot lady...

Approximately 15 seconds into the 9th mile, the previously dormant, and ever-so-nasty part of my brain jumped to life.

"Whoa-ho, there, pal. Lets slow it back down"

"Why are you attempting to run over a minute faster, per mile, when it's 80 degrees out and you've already run 8 miles?"

"This is JUST a training run! Did you think it was a race? You can slow down...SLOW DOWN!"

"Ohmigosh. Is that a blister? That's definitely a blister. You should stop immediately"

"Ok. I didn't want to have to resort to this but you don't seem to be paying attention : "

"you will never be able to run a marathon at this pace. why did you ever think you could do this?"
"you. are not. this fast."

Allow me to introduce all of you to JerkBrain. The part of my mentality that provides enough doubt and mental anguish to actually affect me, physically, during an intense portion of running and racing.

Sometimes I'm able to drown it out. Sometimes I'm not.

The problem comes in when I drown out the ugly thoughts with, basically, zero thoughts at all. It's known as "zoning out" and it's my achilles heel, in races. I end up shutting off my brain to the point that I'm no longer focused on my pace or goals. I settle into a feeling of comfort, which shuts off the JerkBrain, but also slows down my body.

It generally happens during the middle miles. Towards the last few miles of the race, I realize what's happened and desperately try to salvage the race. At that point, though, JerkBrain morphs into to PanicBrain when I attempt fuzzy math and learn the amount of time I'll have to make up is just simply not possible.

Bottom line : I need to figure out a way to keep my mind sharp, but positive.

The good news? I acheived that, yesterday. I'm happy to report I triumphed over JB and ran those last four miles about 5 seconds faster, per mile, than my goal marathon pace.

And I didn't even die from the aforementioned blister.

Today's recommendation: Amanda's blog is dear to me because it was the very first running blog I ever read. I'm pretty social networking inept so finding something like that, online, opened up a whole new world, to me. I lurked, there, forever. I eventually followed some of her links and starting lurking on those blogs, but hers was the one I read, regularly. (I'm recently a reformed lurker, btw)

She pours out her thoughts and insights about everything. I wish I had the ability to put my feelings and life into words, the way she does. The ability to run as fast as she does wouldn't hurt, either. Hers is a popular site, but if you haven't had the joy of visiting Runninghood, I encourage you to do so.

Just don't be a lurker...

Care to guess what was in my kids' Advent Calendar, today? I'll give you a hint : It wasn't chocolate.

Adventrageous, Day 2

If you're confused by the "word" in today's title, feel free to refer to this. If you hadn't read the previous post, but were NOT confused by the strange title, you may have been hanging around me and/or my blog for too long.

I'm sorry about that.

Today's Topic: Good Enough is, sometimes, just that. My running, this past week, has felt uninspired and unmotivated. It's left me feeling completely unsure of myself, my training and my upcoming marathon.



please go easy on me

 

I know this is probably right where I should be, actually. I'm coming off my last "hard" week, of the cycle. Things will start moving in a taper-ish direction and it will take some time to adjust. Still, it's not made me feel especially sunshine-y or rose-y.

 

Yesterday, though, I finally had a good run. It wasn't groundbreaking or any huge accomplishment. It was five, easy miles. I changed my route, ditched my watch and just simply ran. It didn't produce a spectacular "runner's high" or any good story fodder. As I was a marking down the details in my little running journal, though, I realized it had been Good Enough.

not pictured: the stickers decorating the front and back of the binder. Elementary School-style

 

For me, at this point in my training, Good Enough is...well...exactly that.

 

Today I'll be hippity skopping out for my last double-digit run before the marathon. While I'm shooting for a run in the Totally Rad category, Good Enough will certainly suffice.

 



Running blog share: I refer to this lady's words of wisdom enough to grant me SuperFan status. (If that were a thing, obviously) A lot of her posts are based on her personal experiences. In addition, though, she actually completed a Master's degree on the topic of enhancing bone recovery, in an effort to better understand Running injuries! I find her extremely knowledgable and inspirational. If you don't have time to read a ton of her blog entries, just pick a couple from this list.

 

You'll be hooked. 

Anything good happen to you, this weekend? Did you race? Tell me about it!!

check it this giveaway, quickly. Ends today!

Adventrageous!!

new word
new plan
new post every day from now 'til Dec 25th
All from me...just for you

our actual advent calendar

I'm not nearly creative enough to come up with interesting stories twenty-five days straight. I can likely scrounge up a few, but my main purpose was to give and share. Each day I will share a blog or site I frequent, in the hopes that I can give you all something better other than my nonsense, to read.

Sometimes.

You should totally still read my blog!

Feel free to show your appreciation to me, in the form of lavish gifts and/or money.

Today's Advice : Don't be lazy with your schoolwork and produce a horrific Progress Report. Instead of sleeping in and enjoying a relaxing Saturday, you will be dragged, pre-dawn, to volunteer at a local race.

our family's version of Community Service

 

Don't pity him too terribly much. He got a free, Krispy Kreme doughnut out of the deal. Plus, he got to spend quality time helping and hanging out with his dearest mommy.

 

"If I take your picture can I get another doughnut?"

 

The first blog I'd like to introduce you to is Tia's. She's a mom of four and a strong, fast runner. I chose her, for today, because she just ran her second marathon in four weeks, this morning!

 

I don't want to give too much away, so I'll just give you a hint. She accomplished a PR (personal record) in both.

 

Ridiculous, right?

 

What was the worst punishment you ever had to endure?



 



Whole Lotta Nothing

"Random" seems to be a trend in the BlogWorld, today. I have no desire to rock the boat. Random it shall be!

This excitement nearly overwhelmed me, yesterday. I know the photo shows I was in "drive". Rest assured, I was actually stopped, in my driveway, foot on brake, while using my camera.

Some people take and share pics of Paris. You get my odometer.

You're welcome.

 

I have these shoes, shiny new AND discounted, sitting in an online shopping cart. Every time I pull up the browser to drool, longingly, though, I'm reminded "Tis not the time of year to buy gifts for yourself!" (click for pouty face) 

 

Maybe I can buy them for someone else and they can just give them to me?!

 

My hideous, Tuesday morning run was inexplicably followed by six, glorious, effortless, negative-splitting miles, this morning. This further solidified my theory that runners who suffer through awful workouts are rewarded by a beautiful one very soon after. (lack of scientific evidence for support keeps this in wishful thinking "theory" rather than "fact" mode)

 

Dear Running Gods, Please make my run on Dec. 15th the worst one of my entire life. Amen.

 

This week I learned how important it is for Yoga instructors to word their instructions, accurately. Feel free to try this move, if you're unable to simply picture the impossibility of it.

 

What was said :

"Laying on your backs, on your mats, squeeze the block between your thighs. Now...raise your hips and keep them elevated...good. Next, lift your feet so that they're hovering over your mat."

 

go ahead. Try it. I know you're dying to!

 

If you haven't already figured it out, the hip elevation was not supposed to happen. What resulted were some pretty comical (myself included, so it's totally cool to laugh about this) tumbles, groans, maneuvers and twists from the class. My sissy and I giggled about it, at the time.

 

In case you're wondering what we look like when we laugh, together

 

The jokes ended when we both woke up with body parts that were not meant to be that sore after a yoga session.

 

Tomorrow's rough tedious lucky schedule will include a Rest Day and an hour-long massage. (Still haven't used this baby!) 

Here's hoping the masseuse is skilled in working out "impossible yoga move" and "running 50 miles in 5 days" sorts of kinks...

 

What random tidbits would you like to share?