Nothing new, borrowed, or blue....

I have no Earth-shattering news to report on. It's been a pretty uneventful running week for me. About a week and a half ago, I had to go to the doctor for a routine check up. Felt great, no complaints (which the doctor found simply amazing....). What happens two days later? I get sick. For the second time this month.

Luckily, this was just an upper respiratory/sinus thing that lasted 3-4 days. But still, it flushed my running week right down the toilet. After my long run Sunday (my awesome, long run of 15 miles!) I couldn't bring myself to get further than 3 feet away from the tissue box, let alone 3 feet away from my running shoes.

But by Thursday I was feeling better, so hubby and I decided to try out the gym that's just down the street. After touring the place, trying it out, and sleeping on it for a few days.... we decided to join!

An athlete's heaven!!!

I haven't had access to a gym since college. And then, I didn't really get a choice whether or not I paid the gym membership- they automatically took a fee from every student's tuition. Sure, I used it a few times and once or twice got into a routine. But honestly, a graduate student does NOT have time for gym work. But now that that's behind me, I'm hoping to use this opportunity to do some cross-training and strength training... and in general give myself some sort of variety to my workouts! (I love running, but running alone get's monotonous after a while).

So to celebrate this new adventure in my life, I ran 3 miles on the treadmill today! Perhaps tomorrow I share (re)introduce myself to the stair-climber.

Guess I better get busy reading up on cross training, weight lifting, and treadmill work......

Running Within

I just started reading this book a few weeks ago (I'm currently in the middle of three books, so it's slow going) and just thought I'd share a few passages with you, the blogging world.

So far, I really like it. I've read a lot of "mind over matter" psychology books in regards to performing, taking auditions, and being a 'successful' musician, so nothing I've read has been mind blowing or Earth shattering, but it's been a good ride nonetheless.

From Chapter One......

"Most beginning distance runners start and stop an average of 13 times before becoming 'runners.' The initial phases of breaking into the running lifestyle are often filled with frustration, disillusionment, aches, and pains."

Well, helllllloooo reality! How many times have you (or did you) start and then stop running? While I never counted up the times I started and then quit, I'd be willing to bet it was quite close to 13 (if not, I'm hoping this recent flare up is my lucky #13). Every time I would put my running shoes on and keep up a regular weekly mileage, I always thought to myself, "how long will it last this time?" I guess I still do feel that way. I find comfort in knowing that I'm not the only person to go through the difficulties of becoming a 'runner.'

"It is crucial to be honest in evaluating your abilities as an athlete. You want to establish realist goals to avoid the crushing feelings of failure, frustration, and disappointment. Yet you don't want to sell yourself short in the process. There is often a wide gap between your real limits and what you believe to be your limits. You must examine what you think are your limits and go beyond them."

I find it interesting that they never mention which way the gap is- do we set goals that are too far out of reach in comparison to our abilities, or do we set goals that are too easy for our abilities? I know I tend to under-estimate what my body can do when setting my running goals. Partly because I'm a new runner, and partly because I'm afraid of not meeting those goals. That's why I hate setting 'time goals.' If you come in 30 seconds or a minute slower than your goal, have you really made less of an achievement? On the other hand, maybe the reason why I'm so slow is because I don't make time goals for myself. Perhaps, as Jerry Lynch and Warren Scott state, I need to 'examine what I think are my limits and then go beyond them.'

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Well, enough of that. I've logged three runs since the 25k last week. The first was on Thursday. I ran an easy-ish 3 miles around my neighborhood. I was a little nervous because I had to run after lunch (was fasting for bloodwork that morning). I was pleasantly surprised when my stomach behaved itself.

The second run was the following day, Friday morning. I revisited my old hill-workout stomping grounds to put in a somewhat disappointing 4.5 miles. I felt great, but it was so windy and cold, I really didn't see much sense in staying out any longer than necessary. Instead of doing a third loop which would have brought me to 6 miles, I called it quits.

And then this morning and got my first, really, really good long run in since December. I felt really good. Well, good is a relative term. The level of my feeling bad was low, so I consider that 'feeling good'! I sucked on a Clif Shot block every 45 minutes, ate a Clif Bar, and downed a bottle of Gatorade. Come to think of it, I really didn't feel achy or tired until mile 12-13. When I stopped to take walk breaks, my knee would hurt but only when I walked. I had no pain at all in my hip! Maybe I'm starting to build up some endurance to longer distances? It was a good self-esteem booster in any event. I did 15 miles in less than 3 hours.

Croom Zoom 25k Report

The Croom Zoom took place this past Sunday at Croom Park within the Withlacoochee State Park. There were three run options: 25k (jokingly referred to as the 'fun run'), 50k, and the 100k. I got myself talked into the 25k while my dad and his craziness ran the 100k (only 62.2 miles).

The 100k-ers began at 6am. When I woke up at 4:30, I had just enough time to mumble "good morning goodbye" to my dad as he left. After some coffee and toast with PB&H, I followed behind him.

Those running the 25k and 50k started together. By the time we started at 7am, the sun was finally starting to wake up. Thank goodness, because running on the trails in the dark is not something I have a lot of experience with!

I was surrounded by about 50 people on a dirt road, standing in front of a guy with a bullhorn in his hand, announcing when and where to turn (follow the orange trail here to the blue trail there and then make three right hand turns....oh Lord, I'm going to get lost!).

Mile 1: We're off! All 50 of us, running down a dirt road with the sun just beginning to shine in the horizon. It's awfully quiet and peaceful here, so far away from civilization. Everyone seems to be running at a fairly quick pace.

Mile 2: The 50kers have already taken their turn to run 30 miles, and now we're coming up on our turn. They marked our turn with a guy wearing aviators, sitting on the hood of his car, blasting out some awful 80s rock music, holding a beer bottle. It's.... 7:10 in the morning.

Mile 3: Dear God, it's all on sand! I feel like an overweight heifer tromping along in sand with ruts up to my knees! Who signed me up for this?

Mile 4: Ok, finally in the woods on a footpath. Except, is that smoke I smell? Yes, they just finished a controlled burn and hey, there's some fire over there! Splendid. *sneeze*

Mile 5: Man, I feel like junk. Am I wearing weights on my ankles? Because I feel like I weigh a ton and my legs just aren't working right. At this point, my internal dialogue started to kick in. I started listing off the reasons in my head as to why I felt so awful.

• I had little sleep last night or the night before.

• I had not eaten well the night before. Catered meals in the South are NOT vegetarian friendly.
  

• I didn't run last week because we were snowed in up in Charlotte.

• I didn't run the week before last because I was getting over the flu.

• I didn't run the week before last before the last because it was Christmas.

But then it dawned on me. Instead of thinking about all the reasons why I couldn't run well, why not think of the reason why I could run well?

• I've run these trails before.

• I had a very long and relaxing tapering week(s).

• My legs are strong.

• I had plenty of Gatorade (not really a reason, but I was pulling for things here.)

Mile 6: Wow- the pep talk worked! And there's this guy that keeps passing me who then stops to walk. Then I pass him. Then I walk. Then he passes me...

Mile 7: There's a lady who just passed me (passing me is a reoccurring theme in all my runs) who is carrying a radio in her hydration belt. I don't usually mind listening to other people's music, but if you're going to be so bold as to blast your jams out loud, at least make sure they're good jams. Rap from the 80's (Fresh Prince of Belair style) does NOT constitute good taste!

Mile 8: Oh great, she's slowing down. Do I push it and try to pass her to get away from this God-awful noise?

Mile 9: Um, did I take a wrong turn? I'm on the blue path now, and I kind of ran through a gully of brush and branches. And I don't see/hear the obnoxious 80's rap lady.

Mile 10: Oh good! There's an aid station! Oooh they have M&Ms, but do I dare stick my hand in that bowl, not knowing how clean the hands of others were who were here before me? Cannot. Turn. Away. Chocolate.



Mile 11: Eat a Clif Shot Block. Significantly less disgusting than Gu. Chewable is doable. Unfortunately, the Jackie-Chan of runners silently passed me, scaring me half to death and making me choke (and then swallow) my block in one piece. Fabulous.

Mile 12: Blue! Blue blue blue! Now on to Orange! Orange orange orange! So many turns! Hey, at least the colors of the trail get an A+....

Mile 13: What I'm assuming are the lead runners from the 100k are now lapping me. This is embarrassing.

Mile 14-15: My knee and hip are hurting something awful. Who signed me up for this stupid run? Why am I doing this? I wish I had my music. Guess I'll have to start singing on my own. Yes, I started singing, out loud. Honky tonk, Ba Donk a donk....

Finish: Praise the Lord! I can sit down and stop running now. How in the world are these 50kers doing twice this mileage? I was so glad to see my husband and mom there, with a folding chair and blanket waiting for me. Since I had been eating through out the run (ate 1 Clif Bar and 3 shot blocks, and drank two bottles of Gatorade) I wasn't really hungry when I finished. They were grilling veggie burgers and had cooked what they swore was vegetarian soup... but I just couldn't see risking it and making myself sick. I opted for the pretzels, a banana, and some potato chips. And some strawberry Gatorade (Eww, by the way).

All in all, the Croom Zoom was a fairly enjoyable run. Part of me wishes I could have run the 50k, but I think that is a little too ambitious for me right now. Maybe next year. I know I could have done better had I eaten and slept better leading up to Sunday, and I would have run stronger if I hadn't taken three weeks off. But the thing about trail running, I'm coming to understand, is that it's not about the time you run your race in. It's about the journey. It's about enjoying yourself in the woods. It's about seeing parts of Mother Nature that you just don't see in everyday life.

Final time? 2:51.

Coming through the "finish" line

Yeah, I'm so fast the camera can't even catch me!

Me at the finish. Dad still had a good 40 miles left. (Hence the reason I'm smiling and he's grimacing!)

I was able to enjoy a piece of guilt-free cookie cake for my Birthday. God bless Publix!

Max says, "Please to share some with the doggy?"

The view from my kitchen...

I shouldn't feel bad for taking the morning off, should I?

10 Miler

I was able to get in my first semi-decent run since my 15 miler trail run two weeks ago. The week of Christmas and then a week having the flu really kicked my butt. I'd been feeling a bit down on myself for not having had a good, long(ish) run in over two weeks. Knowing that I would be running the 25k Croom Zoom on January 16th was adding to my already heightened anxiety toward running. But the only good part about falling off the wagon is knowing that you can always jump back on again.

And so yesterday I pulled on my running tights (still have to wear shorts over them... guess I'm still too modest) and layered up. Hubby and I got Max all leashed up and we headed out to the Greenway where I informed D that I would be running 10 miles. No more, no less- see you in less than two hours!

After fiddling around with my headphones that weren't working right (pitching a fit might be a better way of putting it) I was off. The first 4 miles felt AMAZING! No coughing, no wheezing, no sniffing- just an easy, enjoyable and uplifting run.

And theeeeeen.... my stomach started in on the fun. This is the second time now that I've had stomach issues while running in the afternoon. I'm going to give it one more shot, but I think I might conclude that I'm a morning runner. I simply run better in the AM with only one meal inside of me. After about a mile of nausea, I came to the conclusion that this issue wasn't going to resolve itself on its own. I decided to eat half my Cliff Bar and take a long walk break (3-4 minutes). Even though I didn't feel like drinking, I still forced down a few big gulps of Gatorade.

The food seemed to help a bit (maybe my stomach just needs to be digesting something ... running on an empty stomach=bad?). But as I was finishing up the last 3 miles, the wind really kicked up and it started to get frigid. On a side note: I checked the temp when I got back- low 30s with 25 mph wind gusts. It was so windy I had to shield my face just so I could get a breath in.

I barely finished my 10 miles under 2 hours. What I had hoped would be my redeeming run turned into being more of a pathetic shuffle-like limp. But I'm going to say if it hadn't been for my brief bout with nausea and the breath-taking (literally) cold wind, I would have had a great run. Yep, I'm sticking with that story.

On a non running note, D and I tried out the P90X workout DVDs today. We did legs and back (yeah, that was a bad idea the day after my 10 mile run) and the ab buster X watcha-ma-callit. We didn't have a pull up bar or resistance bands, so we sat all the arm exercises out (ooooh darn!) but it still got my heart rate up and my muscles working. It's too early for me to say I'm going to make a goal out of these workouts, but I'm willing to try it for a few weeks to see what I think. Any advice for runners using P90X?

Tomorrow I probably wont get a run in- the forecast is calling for the end of the world here in Charlotte. They claim 100% chance of snow and freezing rain, lasting from daybreak Monday until Tuesday afternoon. And if you're wondering why I call it the end of the world- imagine a bunch of Southerners driving in the snow. So the run will probably have to wait until Tuesday afternoon/evening, but maybe I'll make D do some P90X with me...

2011 Goals

(because no one actually keeps Resolutions)

-run a half in under two hours
-run/hike the Grand Canyon, South Rim to North Rim, in one day
-continue to shave time off my 5k and 10k PRs
-bite the bullet and wear my super-cool, double water bottle, fanny-pack hydration belt on my longer runs (coolness < hydration)
-possibly, maybe... run a full marathon (???)


Well there it is. I think it's safe to say that after training and running my first half, I'm officially hooked on this masochistic sport we call running.

(Not) Built for Speed

Today, my training schedule said, " 7 x 400." Which in my amateur world, means "run 7 quarter mile sprints." I'm not sure if that's the correct terminology, or if that's even enough to be beneficial, but that's what I wrote down. And if it's on the schedule, I gotta follow it.

After my usual morning routine of coughing and gagging, I layered on my running clothes and headed out to the trail. I absolutely love this Greenway that I run on- every quarter mile is marked, a large portion of it is shaded, and it follows a few creeks so it's always scenic.

I digress.

I ran a half mile warm up and then started my "sprints." I don't know if they would be considered true sprints, but I did my best to open and lengthen my stride and run at a slightly uncomfortable pace. After sprinting for a quarter mile, I walked for a quarter mile. I repeated that 7 times and then did a half mile cool down. Is this the right type of work out to build speed? I don't know, but I figure what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.

Next time, I'll make sure to get a better warm up in. I sure didn't feel ready after only a half mile! I could also bump up the number of sprints, maybe 9 or 10? And I'll leave my water bottle at home- it was definitely a nuisance in trying to run faster. I'm sure that once I kick this cold I'll be able to run faster and harder, thus making these speed workouts more beneficial. But I can't honestly say I feel today's run helped me much. In fact, I think I might be doing myself more harm than good in running with this chest congestion. Guess I'll lay low until I feel better. (yippee...)

First run of 2011...

.....and it's a huge failure! Well, not exactly a failure, but it's not the kind of run I wanted my New Year to start off with.

Since I've felt like death-warmed-over for the past week, I've obviously not been doing a whole lot of running. The last time I ran was a week ago. Since then, I've been eating large amounts of fat-producing candies, chocolate and cookies, drinking ridiculous amounts of Gatorade and popping cold pills every 4 hours.

The past few days I've started to feel better. So this morning, I decided it was time to get my be-hind back in gear and get out there for a run. I tried out my new running tights ($15 on sale from Old Navy... score!) and a new running top (less than 5 bucks from Target... double score!). Both performed admirably in the 25 degree weather. This, my friends, was the only good part of my run.

I've determined that the only thing worse than running in the cold is running in the cold while you have a cold (or are getting over one). My legs felt really strong but my lungs/throat/nose just about destroyed me. I had to run so slow just to keep my breathing down enough so I would cough and gag. It was a slow shuffle... the shuffle of a sick, defeated runner... whose nose was full of frozen snot.

Half way through, I thought about calling it quits. But then I thought about how I'd feel if I called it quits and quickly decided whatever physical discomfort I felt at the time would be far less significant than the psychological turmoil of quitting early. (This isn't commitment, people, this is masochism).

In the end, I got roughly a 5k under my feet (in exchange for a lung. I'm pretty sure I coughed it up around mile 2). It took about 5 minutes longer than my normal 5k time, but I guess it's better than nothing.

I'm still mulling over resolutions and goals, and hope to post them soon. Possibly tomorrow, after I maim my recovering body from speed drills...