The top 10-ish things running things that were complete and utter failures in 2010.
Or, at least moments when I shouted "WHAT ON EARTH AM I DOING??!! WHY!!??"
.......In no particular order.............
That training log of mine has to come up again. I type up the most ridiculous stream of consciousness thoughts post run. Like these absurd statements:
-GAHD!!!! Sometimes I try to be fast and I'm so slow that I want to cut off both my feet and throw them down the bulkhead. It was hot but that's no excuse for my epic suckage.
Or this:
-This run was pure and horrible torment. I heaved thru the first MILE AND A HALF like a 300 pound walrus before my legs woke up. And even then, they felt like lead weights on the bottom of my body. At the 0.7 mile mark I wished for a bench to sit upon and to drink a beer.
**sigh** Regardless, I did it. I had a lot of excuses in my head as to why I sucked- "I am tired" "I hate my pink shorts" "I have been up since 4:30 for the past 2 days" Blah, blah, blah.
-The shin splint of Doom. That was really crappy, painful and I was disgusted by the way it stopped me altogether and messed up my plans. GRR.
-The number of times that I had to change my plans for racing (due to the shin splint) was a bummer, but I tried to roll with the punches. I was so looking forward to my first 10K in October but I was still on the DL up until the day before the race date. Too bad, but goals were made to be changed!
-My first couple of races were a challenge, not knowing how to eat or drink properly so as not to throw up. And of course, learning to pace myself and calm my competitive spirit was tedious!
-The thought that I could crack the 21 minute mark in a 5K. Seems much more challenging in reality than it does on paper. It's pretty darn hard to shave off seconds, let alone minutes in such a short race. (unless you start off running a 5K in over 30 minutes- then improving one's time significantly is more realistic!)
-All the persnickety weather conditions. Part of life, I know! But the summer was brutally hot and desperately humid and so far the winter has been frigid, windy and snowy. WAAAA, WAAAA, WAAAA.
-Trying to beat Abs. FAIL! I did once by pure chance and blind luck. Never again... She'd best be watching her back in 2011 cos I'll be gunning for her!!
-And finally:
Trying to maintain a look of demure ladylike fashion while running in all conditions.
Ha. HA HA. Yeah, that works well for me. NOT!
I'm hoping that some of my bloggy friends post top 10-ish lists too. It will be funny/sad to see everyone else's ups and downs from the past year.
Showing posts with label Shin Issue 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shin Issue 2010. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
No such thing as TGIF.... and other nonsense....
Most people look forward to the weekend, TGIF and all that jazz.
Me? I work like a fricking maniac on the weekends (and most days of the week too, because why be relaxing, seeing the Huz, eating, playing with the yellow dog when you can WORK!)
When Monday rolls around I'm typically quite relieved, especially now that school is back in session. During the summers my days are more typical- insanity rules Mon-Fri and then my weekends are a tad more laid back. As in, I might be coaching (or running a race, GO MEE) or spending 27 hours each day picking up the mess that the week has left behind and preparing for the mess that the next week is going to bring! This time of year brings madness on the weekends to the point where I don't have time to stop to eat (tragic) find my extra warm mittens (the horror!) or to go pee (not so awesome dudes.)
I had zero plans to run this weekend since I had zero time and was on my feet from the ass crack of dawn to the dead of night every day. After my death march of a run that you all heard about in my last blog I wasn't pleased- but managed a much improved 4 miles the next day.
Then?? My ankle started killing me. Which directly irritated my SHIN. What WHAT?? I had to reflect for a bit on my shenanigans and what I possibly could have done to myself that I had blocked out, forgotten, or just not noticed. My suspicion is that I must have given it a good twist when I fell in a hole.. Yes, I fell in a hole- so what? It could happen to anyone. Stop laughing. Yesterday I barely noticed it anymore but still could feel a twinge so I took all the doggies for a few miles of walking exercise, stretched that sucker out and crossed my fingers to get back in the running shoes today.
One thing I've learned this year: If something hurts in an abnormal way stay the EFF OFF IT for a few days (not taking into consideration the 1.2 million miles of moving around I do while working. That doesn't count.) I think it's better to miss 1 extra day then six weeks, DUH!
Counting down to the 10K on January 1st. Trying not to feel pressure/impending doom/flabby and unfit. In my epic "training plan" I listed "not getting sick or hurt" tops of the list as far as being prepared goes. Hopefully disaster has been averted.
Me? I work like a fricking maniac on the weekends (and most days of the week too, because why be relaxing, seeing the Huz, eating, playing with the yellow dog when you can WORK!)
When Monday rolls around I'm typically quite relieved, especially now that school is back in session. During the summers my days are more typical- insanity rules Mon-Fri and then my weekends are a tad more laid back. As in, I might be coaching (or running a race, GO MEE) or spending 27 hours each day picking up the mess that the week has left behind and preparing for the mess that the next week is going to bring! This time of year brings madness on the weekends to the point where I don't have time to stop to eat (tragic) find my extra warm mittens (the horror!) or to go pee (not so awesome dudes.)
I had zero plans to run this weekend since I had zero time and was on my feet from the ass crack of dawn to the dead of night every day. After my death march of a run that you all heard about in my last blog I wasn't pleased- but managed a much improved 4 miles the next day.
Then?? My ankle started killing me. Which directly irritated my SHIN. What WHAT?? I had to reflect for a bit on my shenanigans and what I possibly could have done to myself that I had blocked out, forgotten, or just not noticed. My suspicion is that I must have given it a good twist when I fell in a hole.. Yes, I fell in a hole- so what? It could happen to anyone. Stop laughing. Yesterday I barely noticed it anymore but still could feel a twinge so I took all the doggies for a few miles of walking exercise, stretched that sucker out and crossed my fingers to get back in the running shoes today.
One thing I've learned this year: If something hurts in an abnormal way stay the EFF OFF IT for a few days (not taking into consideration the 1.2 million miles of moving around I do while working. That doesn't count.) I think it's better to miss 1 extra day then six weeks, DUH!
Counting down to the 10K on January 1st. Trying not to feel pressure/impending doom/flabby and unfit. In my epic "training plan" I listed "not getting sick or hurt" tops of the list as far as being prepared goes. Hopefully disaster has been averted.
Monday, November 22, 2010
More moanings regarding the worthless weather...
It has been an interesting week around here in the running department.
When I was a kid I was somewhat outspoken regarding my likes and dislikes (in all areas.) Exhausted from the constant need to patrol my desire to vent my feelings, my Mom instructed me that the only acceptable thing to do was to say that something was "interesting" instead of the less PC horrendous, gag worthy, horrifying, appalling. You get the picture (not only of the kind of outspoken little bugger that I was but on the so called conditions here in the north East.)
I had several lovely runs around the (ahem) interesting weather last week including a 4.3 miler which was a snap. I headed out the next day for an easy run and the conditions were horrible- snow and ice on the road, people flying all over everywhere in their cars, complete chaos and bedlam. Not wishing to die I chose to head back in with barely 2 miles under my belt. But with my life and limbs fully intact... With better weather the following day I was thoroughly disgusted when I felt some distinct twinges from THE SHINNNN. Something about dodging, slipping and flailing on the ice the previous day had rattled some shiz loose in there and I know better than to go gallivanting around when there's trouble a-brewing. I'm back to feeling 100% now and the weather has taken (AGAIN) a tragic turn for the worse. It has not crept above 32 degrees in 3 days and it is alternating between schvitzing and schmucking out. Bad dark times....
I am looking around for a lightly used treadmill as I feel that my salvation from the impending winter depends on being able to run indoors. So far, no luck. I have found a couple in my general vicinity but from the looks of them they are from the early 80's and rather dilapidated despite being "lightly used." The search will continue as I try valiantly to squeak a few more runs out of mother nature/my local DOT.
I have a 4 miler on Turkey Day morning which I am looking forward too. I'm not looking to PR at this one and I'm genuinely fine with that (REALLY! really. Really??) It is a big race and the clusterfudge at the beginning really slows a gal down- and it's gun to finish, so the 20 minutes waiting to go thru the start do in fact count. It's a race that takes you on two loops of the downtown district of what we like to call our city- which is really a pretty place! I did this run with no practice last year with my sister and had a rip roaring good time, despite the fact that we were en route for close to 40 minutes (and I was sore as all hell for 3 days afterwards...) I know I'll do better than last year for sure, and I also know that I'm not as fit or as motivated as I was when I PR'd my 4 mile time back in July. Regardless people, running 4 miles gives anyone permission to pig out later on the day on the biggest eating Holiday known to man!
Hope that all of you out there in the interwebs have been lucking out with good weather and great runs- and a big thanks once more for the Birthday wishes!
When I was a kid I was somewhat outspoken regarding my likes and dislikes (in all areas.) Exhausted from the constant need to patrol my desire to vent my feelings, my Mom instructed me that the only acceptable thing to do was to say that something was "interesting" instead of the less PC horrendous, gag worthy, horrifying, appalling. You get the picture (not only of the kind of outspoken little bugger that I was but on the so called conditions here in the north East.)
I had several lovely runs around the (ahem) interesting weather last week including a 4.3 miler which was a snap. I headed out the next day for an easy run and the conditions were horrible- snow and ice on the road, people flying all over everywhere in their cars, complete chaos and bedlam. Not wishing to die I chose to head back in with barely 2 miles under my belt. But with my life and limbs fully intact... With better weather the following day I was thoroughly disgusted when I felt some distinct twinges from THE SHINNNN. Something about dodging, slipping and flailing on the ice the previous day had rattled some shiz loose in there and I know better than to go gallivanting around when there's trouble a-brewing. I'm back to feeling 100% now and the weather has taken (AGAIN) a tragic turn for the worse. It has not crept above 32 degrees in 3 days and it is alternating between schvitzing and schmucking out. Bad dark times....
I am looking around for a lightly used treadmill as I feel that my salvation from the impending winter depends on being able to run indoors. So far, no luck. I have found a couple in my general vicinity but from the looks of them they are from the early 80's and rather dilapidated despite being "lightly used." The search will continue as I try valiantly to squeak a few more runs out of mother nature/my local DOT.
I have a 4 miler on Turkey Day morning which I am looking forward too. I'm not looking to PR at this one and I'm genuinely fine with that (REALLY! really. Really??) It is a big race and the clusterfudge at the beginning really slows a gal down- and it's gun to finish, so the 20 minutes waiting to go thru the start do in fact count. It's a race that takes you on two loops of the downtown district of what we like to call our city- which is really a pretty place! I did this run with no practice last year with my sister and had a rip roaring good time, despite the fact that we were en route for close to 40 minutes (and I was sore as all hell for 3 days afterwards...) I know I'll do better than last year for sure, and I also know that I'm not as fit or as motivated as I was when I PR'd my 4 mile time back in July. Regardless people, running 4 miles gives anyone permission to pig out later on the day on the biggest eating Holiday known to man!
Hope that all of you out there in the interwebs have been lucking out with good weather and great runs- and a big thanks once more for the Birthday wishes!
Monday, November 1, 2010
My ponderings and reflections
I was tremendously pleased to have a great run yesterday after a fully craptastical week. .....and while my week was not really the best most glorious ever I'm actually referring to the fact that I had a BAD running week.... I gave some serious thought to why I was having lead legs and super slow feet. I am a fairly smart girl and came up with the following multi part conclusion:
1- I am exhausted as I have not slept well in weeks
2- It is freezing out so I am stiff and slow to warm up
3- It is freezing out so I forget to drink... Water...
4- I am over the euphoria of returning to running and have settled into the drudgery of improving my fitness
I was not particularly well rested yesterday but spent a few pre run minutes stretching and was sure to pound some high quality H2o. I felt considerably better and finally (and I mean, REALLY) was able to up my mileage without feeling like I was going to break my femur doing so.
I believe that I was the only runner in the world not to run a race this past weekend. In my perfectly well designed plan for 2010 I was scheduled to run a 5K trail race on Saturday. The 7ish weeks spent on the DL made me change my mind about that one which is a good show of unusual logic for me. Something about slamming down 5K over roots, stumps, wildlife and swampland on a just recovered and still not fully fit leg sounded nothing short of retarded. So I stayed home.
With 2 months left in the year I'm suspicious that my goal of running a 10K might go unfinished... Mostly due to my geography the race season is grinding to a halt because people are becoming hypothermic. I am toying with the idea of driving a couple hours south (which will tragically not improve the temps by more than 3 degrees) to run a 10K on January 1st. A good New Years resolution but it might be sub fricking arctic!! I'm having a tad bit of trouble wrapping my head around this one.
I am also fairly certain that I will not be cracking the 21 minute mark in any 5K's. It is painfully clear that shaving seconds off the time on a 5K is challenging. Knocking off another TWO minutes? It might as well be two hours!!
I will revise my goal by saying that if I can manage a 5K in under 23 minutes I'll be very happy. (I'm not giving up on my 21 minute 5K. No way, Jose. But I'm allowed to make changes to my ridiculous goals because I'm a grown ass woman, damnit!)
I'm a geek so I looked back at all my race results for the year so that I could mull over my VAST and DRAMATIC improvements...
This year's results:
-Day after Thanksgiving, 2009: 4 miler- 39:11 (the race that started the madness and introduced me to the fact that practice is important to ward off impossibly sore muscles.)
-June... 2nd?? 2010- Tri For a Cure 5K- 23:11 (ran a 6:14 first mile. enough said. and an over 10:00 last mile- so not enough said?) Placed 12th. Celebrated.
-June 25th or so- Ridge Run 5K- 23:19 (ran mile 1 in 6:03. I had not learned my lesson yet. spent the rest of the day wishing to die. lesson learned.) 1st place woman.
-July 4th- 4 on the 4th- 31:20- First time I ran smart enough to claim negative splits! In almost 90 degree weather!
-July 7th- Run by the lake 5K- 23:33- my slowest 5K time to date but ran negative splits in 94 degree temps. Won age division.
-July 17th- Old Home Days 5K- 23:14- another very smart race, neg splits and hot weather. Won age division.
-July 31st- Another "Old Home Days" 4 miler- 30:29- Ran the last mile the fastest- not a lot of gas left at the end but another smart run. Finished in top 100- big race.
.........Time off due to various shit in life plus insane shin splint............
-October 16th- Fall Foliage 5K- 23:00. Still a mystery as to how I managed this, but time off did not hurt evidently. 2nd place woman. by a hairrrrrr....
Upcoming events:
Me vs. the Thanksgiving day 4 miler. Rematch bitches.
and.... nothing else. I'm going to hunt around for some festive fun 5K's and continue to ponder the logic of a New Year's Day 10k.
1- I am exhausted as I have not slept well in weeks
2- It is freezing out so I am stiff and slow to warm up
3- It is freezing out so I forget to drink... Water...
4- I am over the euphoria of returning to running and have settled into the drudgery of improving my fitness
I was not particularly well rested yesterday but spent a few pre run minutes stretching and was sure to pound some high quality H2o. I felt considerably better and finally (and I mean, REALLY) was able to up my mileage without feeling like I was going to break my femur doing so.
I believe that I was the only runner in the world not to run a race this past weekend. In my perfectly well designed plan for 2010 I was scheduled to run a 5K trail race on Saturday. The 7ish weeks spent on the DL made me change my mind about that one which is a good show of unusual logic for me. Something about slamming down 5K over roots, stumps, wildlife and swampland on a just recovered and still not fully fit leg sounded nothing short of retarded. So I stayed home.
With 2 months left in the year I'm suspicious that my goal of running a 10K might go unfinished... Mostly due to my geography the race season is grinding to a halt because people are becoming hypothermic. I am toying with the idea of driving a couple hours south (which will tragically not improve the temps by more than 3 degrees) to run a 10K on January 1st. A good New Years resolution but it might be sub fricking arctic!! I'm having a tad bit of trouble wrapping my head around this one.
I am also fairly certain that I will not be cracking the 21 minute mark in any 5K's. It is painfully clear that shaving seconds off the time on a 5K is challenging. Knocking off another TWO minutes? It might as well be two hours!!
I will revise my goal by saying that if I can manage a 5K in under 23 minutes I'll be very happy. (I'm not giving up on my 21 minute 5K. No way, Jose. But I'm allowed to make changes to my ridiculous goals because I'm a grown ass woman, damnit!)
I'm a geek so I looked back at all my race results for the year so that I could mull over my VAST and DRAMATIC improvements...
This year's results:
-Day after Thanksgiving, 2009: 4 miler- 39:11 (the race that started the madness and introduced me to the fact that practice is important to ward off impossibly sore muscles.)
-June... 2nd?? 2010- Tri For a Cure 5K- 23:11 (ran a 6:14 first mile. enough said. and an over 10:00 last mile- so not enough said?) Placed 12th. Celebrated.
-June 25th or so- Ridge Run 5K- 23:19 (ran mile 1 in 6:03. I had not learned my lesson yet. spent the rest of the day wishing to die. lesson learned.) 1st place woman.
-July 4th- 4 on the 4th- 31:20- First time I ran smart enough to claim negative splits! In almost 90 degree weather!
-July 7th- Run by the lake 5K- 23:33- my slowest 5K time to date but ran negative splits in 94 degree temps. Won age division.
-July 17th- Old Home Days 5K- 23:14- another very smart race, neg splits and hot weather. Won age division.
-July 31st- Another "Old Home Days" 4 miler- 30:29- Ran the last mile the fastest- not a lot of gas left at the end but another smart run. Finished in top 100- big race.
.........Time off due to various shit in life plus insane shin splint............
-October 16th- Fall Foliage 5K- 23:00. Still a mystery as to how I managed this, but time off did not hurt evidently. 2nd place woman. by a hairrrrrr....
Upcoming events:
Me vs. the Thanksgiving day 4 miler. Rematch bitches.
and.... nothing else. I'm going to hunt around for some festive fun 5K's and continue to ponder the logic of a New Year's Day 10k.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Fall Foliage 5K update. OR: My Epic Comeback
I won't come right out and admit to it but I may have been toddling around my house for a few minutes on Saturday morning gloomily moaning about my upcoming race FAIL. Clearly tired of hearing my bellyaching my Huz said to me, with irritating and completely unreasonable logic "Really, if you think this is going to be such a mess why don't you just STAY HOME???" Looking at him in complete disgust I replied that that certainly did not make any sense, who would do such a thing?!, and that was not how I operated thank you very much!! (which he knows. but the man can only take so much of my agonizing before he can't take it any more.)
As is the norm around here my Huz and Dad accompanied me to the start of this (now infamous) race. They are a highly skilled, not to mention highly paid coaching team. The helpful words that come out of their mouths are priceless and without them I might not know to "Run fast because it's cold and we're going to leave without you..." Or "Hurry back so we can drink a beer." (wiser words were never spoken.)
Despite my dubious level of fitness and my firm conviction that the race was going to be pure embarrassment I felt better as soon as I took off my 145,000 layers and headed to the start. I lie, in reality I felt freezing, slightly horrified and concerned that my butt was going to sustain serious frostbite, or at the very least some serious muscular pain. I digress.....
I had a good start with none of the ipod or shoelace issues that I had been bothered with earlier in the year. A bunch of boys took off for the front and since I don't bother chasing people who run a 5 minute mile I trudged along and set a decent pace for my freezing self.
It was a fairly flat course, with a medium sized speed bump around mile 1.5 Since I regularly trained on the icy and oxygen deprived slopes of Mt Kanchenjunga this summer this hill was no big deal, even in my current flabster condition. It did get the best of quite a few runners though so at this point I was able to start passing people. Which I like. Since it was an out and back course I was able to see the competition heading back to the finish like as I heaved past the first 0.1 mile marker (noooo, it wasn't that bad.) This was the point that I discovered that I had passed all but one girl- but the lone lady in front of me was a solid 15-20 seconds ahead. Doooom!!
My breathing got a little heezy and wheezy around mile 2.5 which I blame fully on 3 things- my horrible out of shape cardiovascular system, the remnants of The Sick that I have had and the fact that the wind was whipping in my FACE at 60 MPH. No shit, I have never felt wind like that while attempting to run. It pretty much tried to shove me back along the race course, which was met with my frantic cries of agony as I did not want to run any farther then absolutely necessary.
As I sped wildly to the finish I could easily see girl #1 in front of me but didn't have enough gas left in the tank to even take a stab at chasing her down and kicking her ass. Oh well. Next time?
I did, however, have enough energy to showboat like a fool as I ran to the finish line- seeing that I was going to come in at no more than 23:00 got me excited! (what can I say, I'm a show off and not afraid to fist pump and shout WHOO HOO for myself. Yeahhhhh.) I probably need to stop carrying on like that if I am ever to be seen as a serious, highly competitive and feared runner. (pffft...)
The post race festivities were very cold. It's always fun to run in one's own town because you see your friends and neighbors and can catch up with them and all that good old fashioned small town nonsense that I'm so cornily fond of. Good times, good times. I was terrifically pleased to win a gigantic jug of maple syrup for my mind boggling achievements, and a medal as well which has been proudly hung in the best place imaginable (the bathroom. Yes, really.)
All in all a good day. I most definitely could feel a few sore muscles the next day- very unusual post 5K but this was an unusual race, so I'm not shocked. No big problems from the Shin Issue though which was my biggest concern.
I did run in a brand spanking new pair of shoes too- Mizuno wave precisions- which are the freaking bomb diggity thank you very much..
So. I'm back in the saddle so to speak and hope to continue forward with a good Fall of running. (please running Gods. please!)
As is the norm around here my Huz and Dad accompanied me to the start of this (now infamous) race. They are a highly skilled, not to mention highly paid coaching team. The helpful words that come out of their mouths are priceless and without them I might not know to "Run fast because it's cold and we're going to leave without you..." Or "Hurry back so we can drink a beer." (wiser words were never spoken.)
Despite my dubious level of fitness and my firm conviction that the race was going to be pure embarrassment I felt better as soon as I took off my 145,000 layers and headed to the start. I lie, in reality I felt freezing, slightly horrified and concerned that my butt was going to sustain serious frostbite, or at the very least some serious muscular pain. I digress.....
I had a good start with none of the ipod or shoelace issues that I had been bothered with earlier in the year. A bunch of boys took off for the front and since I don't bother chasing people who run a 5 minute mile I trudged along and set a decent pace for my freezing self.
It was a fairly flat course, with a medium sized speed bump around mile 1.5 Since I regularly trained on the icy and oxygen deprived slopes of Mt Kanchenjunga this summer this hill was no big deal, even in my current flabster condition. It did get the best of quite a few runners though so at this point I was able to start passing people. Which I like. Since it was an out and back course I was able to see the competition heading back to the finish like as I heaved past the first 0.1 mile marker (noooo, it wasn't that bad.) This was the point that I discovered that I had passed all but one girl- but the lone lady in front of me was a solid 15-20 seconds ahead. Doooom!!
My breathing got a little heezy and wheezy around mile 2.5 which I blame fully on 3 things- my horrible out of shape cardiovascular system, the remnants of The Sick that I have had and the fact that the wind was whipping in my FACE at 60 MPH. No shit, I have never felt wind like that while attempting to run. It pretty much tried to shove me back along the race course, which was met with my frantic cries of agony as I did not want to run any farther then absolutely necessary.
As I sped wildly to the finish I could easily see girl #1 in front of me but didn't have enough gas left in the tank to even take a stab at chasing her down and kicking her ass. Oh well. Next time?
I did, however, have enough energy to showboat like a fool as I ran to the finish line- seeing that I was going to come in at no more than 23:00 got me excited! (what can I say, I'm a show off and not afraid to fist pump and shout WHOO HOO for myself. Yeahhhhh.) I probably need to stop carrying on like that if I am ever to be seen as a serious, highly competitive and feared runner. (pffft...)
The post race festivities were very cold. It's always fun to run in one's own town because you see your friends and neighbors and can catch up with them and all that good old fashioned small town nonsense that I'm so cornily fond of. Good times, good times. I was terrifically pleased to win a gigantic jug of maple syrup for my mind boggling achievements, and a medal as well which has been proudly hung in the best place imaginable (the bathroom. Yes, really.)
All in all a good day. I most definitely could feel a few sore muscles the next day- very unusual post 5K but this was an unusual race, so I'm not shocked. No big problems from the Shin Issue though which was my biggest concern.
I did run in a brand spanking new pair of shoes too- Mizuno wave precisions- which are the freaking bomb diggity thank you very much..
So. I'm back in the saddle so to speak and hope to continue forward with a good Fall of running. (please running Gods. please!)
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Sometimes I am wrong. Rarely, but it happens....
I guess I just need to shut the heck up?
After my agony yesterday morning, my gloomy predictions of epic humiliating failure, and my repeated bashing of my head off my desk as I imagined my last place finish, this happened.
I SET A PR!!
Oh no you didn't!!
23:00. After 6 weeks off. 3 runs. A lot of moaning and groaning.
It WAS EPIC. 22nd place overall, and 2nd place female finisher. That really pissed me off but there was no catching the other girl in my current feeble and jiggly condition (13 seconds is insurmountable.)
It was freezing (very unusual for a race day...) 60+ MPH winds for the last mile made things oh so delightful and easy. Like running into cozy comforting arms (of an angry, bitchy nor'easter that is.) Pretty decent sized crowd all of whom looked taller, faster and fitter than myself.
I'll catch up on some details later- like the new shoes I wore, my profound thoughts and feelings (ha ha) and other juicy details. But after yesterdays pre race pity party I wanted to update with the shocking news of my re-entry into the racing world and subsequent success!
Go me. I'm cool.
After my agony yesterday morning, my gloomy predictions of epic humiliating failure, and my repeated bashing of my head off my desk as I imagined my last place finish, this happened.
I SET A PR!!
Oh no you didn't!!
23:00. After 6 weeks off. 3 runs. A lot of moaning and groaning.
It WAS EPIC. 22nd place overall, and 2nd place female finisher. That really pissed me off but there was no catching the other girl in my current feeble and jiggly condition (13 seconds is insurmountable.)
It was freezing (very unusual for a race day...) 60+ MPH winds for the last mile made things oh so delightful and easy. Like running into cozy comforting arms (of an angry, bitchy nor'easter that is.) Pretty decent sized crowd all of whom looked taller, faster and fitter than myself.
I'll catch up on some details later- like the new shoes I wore, my profound thoughts and feelings (ha ha) and other juicy details. But after yesterdays pre race pity party I wanted to update with the shocking news of my re-entry into the racing world and subsequent success!
Go me. I'm cool.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Positively pathetic pre race premable....
After just a handful of runs post DL it might seem reckless to run a 5K today.
But if you don't live on the edge you are taking up too much room suckah!!
I kid, I kid! This race is literally right around the corner and I'm looking at it (grumpily) as a training mission and not a place to PR.
In truth, I'll be quite delighted if I can drag my sweaty, heaving, hippo self across the finish line in under 30 minutes.
Goal: To finish with no pain. A realistic time is around 27-28 minutes unless I have to walk due to pain. I am sure to post my worst time ever today and I wish that I didn't care- but my competitive nature is in quite a tizzy today.
I hope to obtain a positive "have fun" mindset in the next 90 minutes, throw my stopwatch in the hopper and pop around my town slowly, forever to be remembered as the slowest runner ever. (**sobs quietly**)
OK. I guess I have some work to do on my "have fun" mindset!!
But if you don't live on the edge you are taking up too much room suckah!!
I kid, I kid! This race is literally right around the corner and I'm looking at it (grumpily) as a training mission and not a place to PR.
In truth, I'll be quite delighted if I can drag my sweaty, heaving, hippo self across the finish line in under 30 minutes.
Goal: To finish with no pain. A realistic time is around 27-28 minutes unless I have to walk due to pain. I am sure to post my worst time ever today and I wish that I didn't care- but my competitive nature is in quite a tizzy today.
I hope to obtain a positive "have fun" mindset in the next 90 minutes, throw my stopwatch in the hopper and pop around my town slowly, forever to be remembered as the slowest runner ever. (**sobs quietly**)
OK. I guess I have some work to do on my "have fun" mindset!!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
I'm BACK!! For real...
FINALLY.
I have been able to get my lardo butt off the couch and get back to the sensible business of running rampant about my town. (sadly, despite my lack of running the couch and I have actually had very little quality bonding time. bummah)
I'm being smart about my re-introduction into the world of pavement pounding. I have restricted myself to runs that log in at just over 3 miles, despite the fact that the weather is perfect, the foliage is freaking gorgeous and the effing road is literally calling my name... (people, I might sound crazy but if you run you totally get it. You look down the road and it screams "run on me fool!!" yeahhhh....)
I still have a little left over lung garbage from The Sick but other than that I FEEL GREAT.
Somehow I missed the transitional period that we have in this neck of the woods that takes us from: HOT, HUMID, TOURIST TRAFFIC EXTRORDINAIRE!!!! To: cold, cold, no traffic what-so-ev. Need I even bother to take note of the fact that I love this time of year times a million? Gone are the days of having to pre game with ten thousand gatorades! I have bid farewell to the constant need to run in the puckerbrush at the edge of the road to avoid getting hit by a reckless speeding out of town driver. And with great sorrow I have said goodbye to all my good friends (ahem) who drive by me and catcall, or holler "fun fatty, RUN!!" So sad...
I have noticed the undeniable need for new shoes. Already?? Already..
I also noticed that since the temps are now 50 degrees cooler I can't scoot out the door in zero clothing. WTF? So I got a kickass and attractive pair of CW-X tights. Attractive? I jest! But functional they most certainly are. I really love those little buggers- they are just warm enough and the totally contain the butt jiggle. It is eliminated fo' sho!!
So. That's where I'm at for right now. A middleaged runner back on the road to recovery and world domination. Yay!
I have been able to get my lardo butt off the couch and get back to the sensible business of running rampant about my town. (sadly, despite my lack of running the couch and I have actually had very little quality bonding time. bummah)
I'm being smart about my re-introduction into the world of pavement pounding. I have restricted myself to runs that log in at just over 3 miles, despite the fact that the weather is perfect, the foliage is freaking gorgeous and the effing road is literally calling my name... (people, I might sound crazy but if you run you totally get it. You look down the road and it screams "run on me fool!!" yeahhhh....)
I still have a little left over lung garbage from The Sick but other than that I FEEL GREAT.
Somehow I missed the transitional period that we have in this neck of the woods that takes us from: HOT, HUMID, TOURIST TRAFFIC EXTRORDINAIRE!!!! To: cold, cold, no traffic what-so-ev. Need I even bother to take note of the fact that I love this time of year times a million? Gone are the days of having to pre game with ten thousand gatorades! I have bid farewell to the constant need to run in the puckerbrush at the edge of the road to avoid getting hit by a reckless speeding out of town driver. And with great sorrow I have said goodbye to all my good friends (ahem) who drive by me and catcall, or holler "fun fatty, RUN!!" So sad...
I have noticed the undeniable need for new shoes. Already?? Already..
I also noticed that since the temps are now 50 degrees cooler I can't scoot out the door in zero clothing. WTF? So I got a kickass and attractive pair of CW-X tights. Attractive? I jest! But functional they most certainly are. I really love those little buggers- they are just warm enough and the totally contain the butt jiggle. It is eliminated fo' sho!!
So. That's where I'm at for right now. A middleaged runner back on the road to recovery and world domination. Yay!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Important lesson learned and a big long talk about my feelings...
I'm finally fully recovered from the Shin Splint of Doom, back from vacation, done with my competitive season in my other sport and ready to get back to it.
How do I feel?
-Honestly a little bummed. I wish that I had had the common sense to take a week off when my leg first started bugging me and had saved myself the 6 weeks of recovery time. A lesson learned, I suppose. The final feeling on the injury is that it was not sustained from the accident but rather trying to gimp/run around post trauma. A great big DUH to myself and my stupid over achieving head.
-I am extra disappointed because had I not been shin splinted I would be looking forward to my first 10K on October 11. I had signed up for it and was really feeling like my OH 10 running goal would have been met. I simply can not see that there is a logical reason for running that race unless I feel like being crippled for another long period of time. So I will not do it.
-The race season in my area seems to be winding down. There are a few fall races and Holiday events but it will be snowing in about 5 minutes and that effectively shuts down the running community.
-BUT. Amidst all my negativity there are some good things too. I clearly learned a valuable lesson about listening to my body a heck of a lot better. In the long run this setback won't make any difference because I'm certainly not training for the Olympic trials or similar.
However, I'm sure that other type A people can understand the frustration of a set back such as this!! RAWR!!
I'm going out for an easy walk/run this afternoon. I'm sure it won't be pretty but it will be a step in the right direction- of putting the left foot in front of the other- faster than I have been for quite a while.
How do I feel?
-Honestly a little bummed. I wish that I had had the common sense to take a week off when my leg first started bugging me and had saved myself the 6 weeks of recovery time. A lesson learned, I suppose. The final feeling on the injury is that it was not sustained from the accident but rather trying to gimp/run around post trauma. A great big DUH to myself and my stupid over achieving head.
-I am extra disappointed because had I not been shin splinted I would be looking forward to my first 10K on October 11. I had signed up for it and was really feeling like my OH 10 running goal would have been met. I simply can not see that there is a logical reason for running that race unless I feel like being crippled for another long period of time. So I will not do it.
-The race season in my area seems to be winding down. There are a few fall races and Holiday events but it will be snowing in about 5 minutes and that effectively shuts down the running community.
-BUT. Amidst all my negativity there are some good things too. I clearly learned a valuable lesson about listening to my body a heck of a lot better. In the long run this setback won't make any difference because I'm certainly not training for the Olympic trials or similar.
However, I'm sure that other type A people can understand the frustration of a set back such as this!! RAWR!!
I'm going out for an easy walk/run this afternoon. I'm sure it won't be pretty but it will be a step in the right direction- of putting the left foot in front of the other- faster than I have been for quite a while.
Friday, September 24, 2010
It's business time... Almost..
HAH! I'm still here.
After a diagnosis of an inflamed medial (hmm is that right? I think so) shin splint and a clear X-ray (yay!) I still had quite a bit of pain for a week or so.
Then, just as I was about to get out the old running shoes again I shipped off to a big Regional Final in my "real" sport. Which went quite well, thank you very much.
I managed to sneak in one nice, easy run while off at my competition and it was GREAT. No pain for the first time since mid August which was a nice and welcome change.
The Huz and I am embarking on a big vacation this weekend which will include zero running from this old lady. Unless I'm running towards something I want to do/eat/drink that is..
When I get back it's business time. I have my eye on a number of fall races and plan to get back into shape as quickly and painlessly as possible!
After a diagnosis of an inflamed medial (hmm is that right? I think so) shin splint and a clear X-ray (yay!) I still had quite a bit of pain for a week or so.
Then, just as I was about to get out the old running shoes again I shipped off to a big Regional Final in my "real" sport. Which went quite well, thank you very much.
I managed to sneak in one nice, easy run while off at my competition and it was GREAT. No pain for the first time since mid August which was a nice and welcome change.
The Huz and I am embarking on a big vacation this weekend which will include zero running from this old lady. Unless I'm running towards something I want to do/eat/drink that is..
When I get back it's business time. I have my eye on a number of fall races and plan to get back into shape as quickly and painlessly as possible!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
To the Doctor we go, we go....
My leg and I will be taking a trip to see my Doctor tomorrow, much to my dismay.
I was very patient (not so much) and gave the stupid shin FIVE days off. No running what so ever. I didn't even run inside for snacks/lunch/beer like I have been known to do. I walked around in a most sedate and VERY slow manner. Downright ladylike if you ask me.
I took the leg out again last night for a walk/run/tranter/hiphoppidy of doom.
Since the leg (I need to just give it a name, it has caused me enough annoyance to deserve a name of its own. Suggestions welcome.) Anyway, since the leg has been feeling mildly better I was downright offended when after an EPIC warmup a HALF MILE of walking- all this after lots of stretching- it still kicked up a big old fit when I started to run (run is so generous. it was pathetic.)
I sucked it up and ran close to a mile- it did relax a bit but not enough to make me happy.
My sister (world famous massage therapist) does not notice anything odd going on in the muscles.
Which brings up the question: What the HELL is going on??? 23 days and counting.... and only about 21 miles run in that time (awful!!)
Race plans for Sunday are OFF. BOOO.
I was very patient (not so much) and gave the stupid shin FIVE days off. No running what so ever. I didn't even run inside for snacks/lunch/beer like I have been known to do. I walked around in a most sedate and VERY slow manner. Downright ladylike if you ask me.
I took the leg out again last night for a walk/run/tranter/hiphoppidy of doom.
Since the leg (I need to just give it a name, it has caused me enough annoyance to deserve a name of its own. Suggestions welcome.) Anyway, since the leg has been feeling mildly better I was downright offended when after an EPIC warmup a HALF MILE of walking- all this after lots of stretching- it still kicked up a big old fit when I started to run (run is so generous. it was pathetic.)
I sucked it up and ran close to a mile- it did relax a bit but not enough to make me happy.
My sister (world famous massage therapist) does not notice anything odd going on in the muscles.
Which brings up the question: What the HELL is going on??? 23 days and counting.... and only about 21 miles run in that time (awful!!)
Race plans for Sunday are OFF. BOOO.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Shin S**T
I am rapidly growing weary of my shin issue. Can't quite put my finger on what the problem is because it is strange, to say the least.
In short:
-It is always much worse in the morning
-It is always worse the day after I DON'T run (like 48 hours)
-As I run, it gets better. But hurts at first.
-It does not feel like a shin splint in the least.
-It is located on the inside of my right shin-bone area. But there is no one place of "intense" pain. Seeming to rule out a hairline fracture.
-I can fully rotate my ankle and flex my foot up and down with zero pain. Further ruling out a hairline fracture.
-I am annoyed by this. Very much.
AND I have a 5K in 9 days. Which I had fully intended to set an epic personal record in. Hopefully I make a full recovery very soon.
In short:
-It is always much worse in the morning
-It is always worse the day after I DON'T run (like 48 hours)
-As I run, it gets better. But hurts at first.
-It does not feel like a shin splint in the least.
-It is located on the inside of my right shin-bone area. But there is no one place of "intense" pain. Seeming to rule out a hairline fracture.
-I can fully rotate my ankle and flex my foot up and down with zero pain. Further ruling out a hairline fracture.
-I am annoyed by this. Very much.
AND I have a 5K in 9 days. Which I had fully intended to set an epic personal record in. Hopefully I make a full recovery very soon.
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