I waited a week to hit the trail again. During the week, I have gone to the gym and rode the bike or walked on the treadmill since my hip was hurting. It hurt worse after walking the treadmill, so I am going to do long runs on the weekend, and ride the bike during the week for the time being. Luckily I have been working a lot with an orthopedic doc who runs, so I am going to ask him about this injury and what I should do about it.
Yesterday my wonderful husband went trail running with me. He didn't really want to, and he especially didn't want to run for 2 hours. But that is what we did. The trail running is not 2 solid hours of running though- it's running when you can and walking when you can't run. The course we took was different than the run course, but was probably about the same distance. We had a great time, and both agreed that it was much more fun than having a "date night" and going out to dinner.
Luc was very jealous that we got to go out on the trails, so today I took him there. He wanted to do the hard trails, so we ended up doing the sulphur springs loop which was the hardest part of last Saturday's race. He had a hard time, but he kept on going. I was quite proud of him!
Luc has been watching a lot of "Survivorman" and "Man vs. Wild" lately, so he packed a good bag, if a bit overkill. Of course, I ended up carrying his backpack and my fanny pack for most of the hike, which I knew I would end up doing. I was just glad to have him out "doing" instead of just "watching". And I was especially glad that he had packed a roll of TP. I tried out the new accelerade endurance formula, and it didn't sit with me very well... so I did get to teach Luc how to go to the bathroom in the woods without messing yourself!
Training is taking it's toll on me. I have been limping around from the hip problem. I am having a tough time getting out of bed to get to the gym at five in the morning before work, and I am really tired by 8 PM. Luckily my family is very understanding. And very loving! Several years ago, the word simplify was a very important word to me. Now, I feel like "endure" is the word for this season in my life.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
7 miles in Hell
Yesterday I participated in the Paris Mountain 11K Trail Run. I had never run a trail before, but it sounded like fun. My husband signed up, my BFF, and several people from the gym I go to. I have thought trail running sounded like a nice change from pounding pavement, so I wanted to give it a try.
The race started out running the first half mile on pavement, to sort of "thin out" the pack. I started close to the back, because I know I am slow. It was hard right away, what with my coming out of an injury, and it being held on a mountain and all. The start of the trail was not bad, pretty soft from a bit of mulch and not too many stumps or rocks. I was only getting aggravated by the threesome behind me who were holding a full blast loud conversation. I stopped to let them pass, eating a couple of sport beans. I then settled into a rhythm, sort of. On the road, you just sort of settle in. On the trail, you may shorten or lengthen your steps depending on the terrain, or need to hop over things. But I stuck with a couple of other women who were doing the same as I was, making slow but steady progress.
We ran up and down hills, around trees, over rocks and little streams. We came to a spot where we crossed the road and on of the other girls asked the course marshal how far we had gone- only a mile! Trail running is much more brutal than running on the road! Anyway, we continued to trudge on.
I was feeling pretty worn out as we continued to climb....then what do I see before me but a stone stairway! We walked up this forever long stone stairway that was a straight drop down on one side- it made me very nervous! Once we got off that stairway, it flattened out a tiny bit before continuing to climb forever upward. We stopped at one point to sit on a rock for a minute and catch out breath. That helped out a lot, and at this point we were about 2 miles into the race. We started chugging along pretty well, but then I had to stop and vomit. I really did feel much better at that point but I was feeling so dehydrated. I caught back up with the girls and jogged along with them for a while, and we caught up with Melissa. I walked with Melissa until we got to the water station. We were both probably dehydrated and not feeling great. The water was a lifesaver, and we were back into the woods. By this time, we were running back down the mountain. This was somewhat easier on the muscles, but harder on the joints. It was also tough because there were so many tree roots that just wanted to reach out and grab you! But it was definitely more fun. We alternated running and walking, and it felt so great when we knew we were getting to the finish. We could hear microphones and clapping- they were already holding their awards ceremony! I finished just in time to hear them announce Phil had won third place for his age group! (My husband is a stud!)
Melissa and I finished in 2:09. That was about what I was expecting, and we were told by several people that that was great for our first trail run, and that the Paris Mountain Trail Run is one of the hardest around. This was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done. I can't wait to get back out on a trail!!
The race started out running the first half mile on pavement, to sort of "thin out" the pack. I started close to the back, because I know I am slow. It was hard right away, what with my coming out of an injury, and it being held on a mountain and all. The start of the trail was not bad, pretty soft from a bit of mulch and not too many stumps or rocks. I was only getting aggravated by the threesome behind me who were holding a full blast loud conversation. I stopped to let them pass, eating a couple of sport beans. I then settled into a rhythm, sort of. On the road, you just sort of settle in. On the trail, you may shorten or lengthen your steps depending on the terrain, or need to hop over things. But I stuck with a couple of other women who were doing the same as I was, making slow but steady progress.
We ran up and down hills, around trees, over rocks and little streams. We came to a spot where we crossed the road and on of the other girls asked the course marshal how far we had gone- only a mile! Trail running is much more brutal than running on the road! Anyway, we continued to trudge on.
I was feeling pretty worn out as we continued to climb....then what do I see before me but a stone stairway! We walked up this forever long stone stairway that was a straight drop down on one side- it made me very nervous! Once we got off that stairway, it flattened out a tiny bit before continuing to climb forever upward. We stopped at one point to sit on a rock for a minute and catch out breath. That helped out a lot, and at this point we were about 2 miles into the race. We started chugging along pretty well, but then I had to stop and vomit. I really did feel much better at that point but I was feeling so dehydrated. I caught back up with the girls and jogged along with them for a while, and we caught up with Melissa. I walked with Melissa until we got to the water station. We were both probably dehydrated and not feeling great. The water was a lifesaver, and we were back into the woods. By this time, we were running back down the mountain. This was somewhat easier on the muscles, but harder on the joints. It was also tough because there were so many tree roots that just wanted to reach out and grab you! But it was definitely more fun. We alternated running and walking, and it felt so great when we knew we were getting to the finish. We could hear microphones and clapping- they were already holding their awards ceremony! I finished just in time to hear them announce Phil had won third place for his age group! (My husband is a stud!)
Melissa and I finished in 2:09. That was about what I was expecting, and we were told by several people that that was great for our first trail run, and that the Paris Mountain Trail Run is one of the hardest around. This was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done. I can't wait to get back out on a trail!!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Ouch!
Oh yes...I do have a running blog.
Where did I go? Well, after the lovely run I last posted about, I started having a lot of pain in my left hip. I have been resting it, and riding the bike. I thought it was better, so last night after the bike ride I did a test half mile on the treadmill, at a slow speed. It felt OK, the hip didn't hurt.
Today, when I got out of bed....it's hurting again. Not real bad. I am going to ride the bike the rest of the week, then on Saturday I have an 11K trail race. I think I should be OK because I am just going to take my time, and walk as much as I need to. I am hoping this hip thing goes away because I am getting frustrated with it!!
Where did I go? Well, after the lovely run I last posted about, I started having a lot of pain in my left hip. I have been resting it, and riding the bike. I thought it was better, so last night after the bike ride I did a test half mile on the treadmill, at a slow speed. It felt OK, the hip didn't hurt.
Today, when I got out of bed....it's hurting again. Not real bad. I am going to ride the bike the rest of the week, then on Saturday I have an 11K trail race. I think I should be OK because I am just going to take my time, and walk as much as I need to. I am hoping this hip thing goes away because I am getting frustrated with it!!
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Burning Heart
Today was scheduled for 6 miles. I was feeling so tired yesterday that I decided not to join the TNT group for my run. Phil asked me why, since I had to run six miles? Well, I usually end up on my own anyways, so I figured I might as well sleep as long as I could, and then run from my home.
About 15 minutes before the Tour De France coverage ended, I started off. This way, Phil was going to meet me and feed me gatorade. I always have the hardest time with the first couple of miles, so I didn't want him to get up with me until I got through those. (Yes, I have the greatest husband on earth!!!) First mile was out of my neighborhood and down to the high school. This is about as flat as Greenville gets....second mile, there was a gradual downhill, followed by a nice twisty uphill, downhill, and then back uphill. Mile three was a gradual uphill, into a headwind. By now I was getting a little tired. By tired I don't really mean physically tired. The physical part of running is definitely not as hard as the mental part for me. I find it so easy to have self defeating thoughts when I run. I will never be a speed demon, but I think I am doing OK. But when I am running, I think that I am horribly slow, that I don't have good form, I think my sciatica is coming back, etc. This is where music helps. It distracts me from my greatest opponent- myself.
Today I really listened to the words from one of the Rocky songs "Burning Heart." It is from Rocky 4 I think, when he fights Ivan Drago. He is out training on the tundra while Drago is in A USSR sponsored state of the art training facility. At first, I was glad that song was on because it made me think of snow and cold (instead of the heat). But then I really listened to the words.
In the burning heart, just about to burst
There's a quest for answers, an unquenchable thirst
In the darkest night, rising like a spire
In the burning heart, the unmistakable fire, in the burningheart
In the warrior's code, there's no surrender
Though his body says stop, his spirit cries never
Deep in our soul a quiet ember
Knows it's you against you
It’s the paradox that drives us on
It's a battle of wills, in the heat of attack
It's the passion that kills
The victory is yours alone
So was this written for me? Or is it just that we are so often fighting against ourselves? I forget who it was that said this, but I think it's right on target:
Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right.
I CAN finish my marathon. I CAN rock my training! But I can't look as cool as Ivan Drago.
Monday, July 16, 2007
8 mile
Eminem's movie was titled "8 Mile." But this is a post from a whole other world. A world where people are actually happy and love each other and do nice things, just to be nice.
This past Saturday, my schedule had 8 miles on it. I brought sport beans and a bottle of water with me. I should have brought Gatorade, I don't know why I didn't think of that. Anyway, we met at the designated time, and decided that the 8 milers would do our usual 5 mile course, then do the 5K course on Furman. That sounded OK to me. It was cooler out than it has been, so I was able to make it farther than usual before having to take a walk break. I got out the back gate of Furman and was upset that I had not brought my ipod with me. I had been getting so bored with it lately that I didn't think I would want it. But I did. I needed distraction that day, because my thighs felt like lead. I just kept concentrating on taking another step. I had a Christian pop song in my head that I had heard in the car on the way over. At about 2.5 or 3 miles, the legs started feeling a little lighter, so I was a bit faster. When I got to the end of the 5 mile course, I decided that instead of doing the 5k course, I was just going to do 3 malls. The mall goes from one end of campus to the other, around fountains and gardens, and is exactly 1 mile. I was feeling pretty tired when I started the first mile. I ate a few more of my sport beans and chugged on. On mile seven, I started thinking about some of the things that people have written to me about TNT. Things like "Your Dad is a great guy and a great friend. The world needs more people like the two of you." and "I started racing again when my friend Dina died from lymphoma. It made me feel better. I know it will help you too." or "We pray for your family all the time." The things people have written to me have made such an impact. I just about welled up with tears thinking of it- not because I was hurting (which I was) but just because there are so many wonderful people in this world. People who haven't met you in person,l but maybe know you through the internet. They genuinely wish you well. Or people who know my dad but not me and have written me nice letters. It reminds me that, no matter how much bad there is in this world, there is more good.
Well that did get me through mile 7.
Mile 8, I was really hurting- my calves and thighs were starting to cramp. I started praying to my guardian angel, Michael the Archangel. I thought this was appropriate because Michael is a warrior, and I am waging war on cancer. Of course, my dad has a bigger fight, but I know I am helping him. Whether it is just emotional support, or motivation, or raising money to find a cure, I am helping him. And that is the best that I can do.
This past Saturday, my schedule had 8 miles on it. I brought sport beans and a bottle of water with me. I should have brought Gatorade, I don't know why I didn't think of that. Anyway, we met at the designated time, and decided that the 8 milers would do our usual 5 mile course, then do the 5K course on Furman. That sounded OK to me. It was cooler out than it has been, so I was able to make it farther than usual before having to take a walk break. I got out the back gate of Furman and was upset that I had not brought my ipod with me. I had been getting so bored with it lately that I didn't think I would want it. But I did. I needed distraction that day, because my thighs felt like lead. I just kept concentrating on taking another step. I had a Christian pop song in my head that I had heard in the car on the way over. At about 2.5 or 3 miles, the legs started feeling a little lighter, so I was a bit faster. When I got to the end of the 5 mile course, I decided that instead of doing the 5k course, I was just going to do 3 malls. The mall goes from one end of campus to the other, around fountains and gardens, and is exactly 1 mile. I was feeling pretty tired when I started the first mile. I ate a few more of my sport beans and chugged on. On mile seven, I started thinking about some of the things that people have written to me about TNT. Things like "Your Dad is a great guy and a great friend. The world needs more people like the two of you." and "I started racing again when my friend Dina died from lymphoma. It made me feel better. I know it will help you too." or "We pray for your family all the time." The things people have written to me have made such an impact. I just about welled up with tears thinking of it- not because I was hurting (which I was) but just because there are so many wonderful people in this world. People who haven't met you in person,l but maybe know you through the internet. They genuinely wish you well. Or people who know my dad but not me and have written me nice letters. It reminds me that, no matter how much bad there is in this world, there is more good.
Well that did get me through mile 7.
Mile 8, I was really hurting- my calves and thighs were starting to cramp. I started praying to my guardian angel, Michael the Archangel. I thought this was appropriate because Michael is a warrior, and I am waging war on cancer. Of course, my dad has a bigger fight, but I know I am helping him. Whether it is just emotional support, or motivation, or raising money to find a cure, I am helping him. And that is the best that I can do.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Running and Kickboxing
Just not at the same time! Yesterday I worked out with a different trainer at the gym since the wonderful Stephanie is away at a conference. I started out on the treadmill and ran 4.5 miles. A pretty good run, it is feeling so much easier to complete more than 2 miles! My speed is also picking up now which I am very happy about. I am even getting better at reading on the treadmill!
After my cardio, I worked out with Mike and we did kickboxing. It was fun! That is not to say it wasn't hard- I almost puked which means my heart rate was near 160's- but it is always fun to change around your routine a bit. I worked on beating down those cancer cells- my daddy's and Jenny's, a girl I know who has Hodgkin's disease. It felt so great to just kick and punch those bags- great way to work out your frustrations!
Daddy is having his third chemo treatment right now. It seems like they are coming so fast- like his last treatment was just last week. I guess we just need to be happy that he is getting the treatments behind him!
After my cardio, I worked out with Mike and we did kickboxing. It was fun! That is not to say it wasn't hard- I almost puked which means my heart rate was near 160's- but it is always fun to change around your routine a bit. I worked on beating down those cancer cells- my daddy's and Jenny's, a girl I know who has Hodgkin's disease. It felt so great to just kick and punch those bags- great way to work out your frustrations!
Daddy is having his third chemo treatment right now. It seems like they are coming so fast- like his last treatment was just last week. I guess we just need to be happy that he is getting the treatments behind him!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Nose to Grindstone
Saturday our TNT team met as usual at Furman for our run- this week's was scheduled for 7 miles. Now the longest I had run prior to that was 6, so now with each of our longer runs I will be hitting a new record! It was a warm day, and unfortunately, quite humid.
We started by running the mall- the mall loops around the front of the university, goes around a pretty fountain, and back tot he activities center where we meet- exactly one mile around. Perfect for adding the odd mile here and there to our run. So we did the mall, then headed out the back gate and ran the course we have run the past two weekends- country roads, past fields, and old railroad track, farms....great scenery. It is also very hilly. This week I was running by myself mostly. I really started out not feeling so hot- the first two miles are hardest for me. I never seem to feel good until I get past those first couple miles. Then it just seems to get better each mile. I went back and forth between wearing the ipod or not- frankly it is getting a bit boring. I did enjoy "{Killing in the Name of" by Rage Against the Machine, though. I thought a lot about my dad, like I always do. I was also thinking a lot about my cousin Tommy, who is over in Afghanistan right now. I figure if all those guys (and gals) are over there, away from their families, putting up with the weather, I could take a little Carolina humidity.
I felt like I was running out of gas so I ate my first ever Powergel. It will be my last. It is the consistency of snot, and it was a green apple flavor. Yuck! My coach caught up with me just as I finished it- and I almost puked in front of him! He gave me much encouragement and headed off to meet up with other runners and encourage them (he is so nice! and helpful, too). Anyway, I think I am going to have to stick with sport beans of shot blocks- I really don't think I can stomach gel again!
I got back to the activity center and did 1 more mall- it felt pretty good! 7 miles was a lot harder than six. Six was not a lot harder than 5. It might have been the humidity too. I know I could have run more, if I had to. Which is good to know. But it ended up being a very good run. And even better- the blue powerade that I guzzled afterward!!
We started by running the mall- the mall loops around the front of the university, goes around a pretty fountain, and back tot he activities center where we meet- exactly one mile around. Perfect for adding the odd mile here and there to our run. So we did the mall, then headed out the back gate and ran the course we have run the past two weekends- country roads, past fields, and old railroad track, farms....great scenery. It is also very hilly. This week I was running by myself mostly. I really started out not feeling so hot- the first two miles are hardest for me. I never seem to feel good until I get past those first couple miles. Then it just seems to get better each mile. I went back and forth between wearing the ipod or not- frankly it is getting a bit boring. I did enjoy "{Killing in the Name of" by Rage Against the Machine, though. I thought a lot about my dad, like I always do. I was also thinking a lot about my cousin Tommy, who is over in Afghanistan right now. I figure if all those guys (and gals) are over there, away from their families, putting up with the weather, I could take a little Carolina humidity.
I felt like I was running out of gas so I ate my first ever Powergel. It will be my last. It is the consistency of snot, and it was a green apple flavor. Yuck! My coach caught up with me just as I finished it- and I almost puked in front of him! He gave me much encouragement and headed off to meet up with other runners and encourage them (he is so nice! and helpful, too). Anyway, I think I am going to have to stick with sport beans of shot blocks- I really don't think I can stomach gel again!
I got back to the activity center and did 1 more mall- it felt pretty good! 7 miles was a lot harder than six. Six was not a lot harder than 5. It might have been the humidity too. I know I could have run more, if I had to. Which is good to know. But it ended up being a very good run. And even better- the blue powerade that I guzzled afterward!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)