I haven't posted since last year, wow. Well, a lot has transpired since my last post. My training, well. 2012 was a disappointing year with training, Storm Sandy and then the cancellation of the NYC Marathon. It was bittersweet. It was stressful to train in the aftermath, while cursing NYRR for not canceling, I still went to the Expo to pick up my bib, etc. While I was there, there was a rumor that it had been cancelled, I didn't believe it. But alas, that was true, cancelled. What a drag, now what? So I signed up for the Death Valley Marathon in Feb. and continued training. Of course, three weeks before leaving for Vegas, I strained my calf and had to drop out but decided the week prior to switch to the Half instead.
Death Valley. AMAZING, awesome, the best race and place that I have visited!! I didn't feel the normal pressure to run fast, etc. I took it easy, i felt my calf pop a quarter of a mile out. It was reported to be a flat course, it was not. Headphones were not permitted so the silence was like nothing I have experienced before. Silence. The desert is silent, unbelievable. The scenery, amazing, silent. 300 runners in total including the marathoners, 10K and 5K runners. Silent. My time was not the best since I had to walk part and chat with a local man who runs this annually but was having issues. I felt fine afterwards and would like to travel there again to run but there are other places to see and visit but no place on earth like Death Valley.
Running got to be hard, painful and not fun. I took a month off, doing other things instead. Now I have lost the endurance but it's coming back. I did the Brooklyn Half in May...not the best time but not terrible. Skipped the Oakley Mini 10K because of food poisoning, which was a drag. I can't seem to run fast as earlier but i'm out there. Next is the ING Marathon again. Am looking for a 20 week plan which would start tomorrow. LOL, whatever..i need to lose another 5 pounds....gotta stop eating. no dairy, no red meat from my acupuncturist.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Friday, February 24, 2012
Sniffle, sniffle, Cough Cough
Will it ever end? Felt sick one week, great the next, now? Coughing endlessly, feeling like crap. Still going to physical therapy, really tough. This whole metronome running, wow, not an easy feat. Been doing it on the treadmill, wow, 30 mins is a tough. The planters fasciitis is getting better but the tingling is really lingering regardless. I go to the specialists in two weeks. I hope it's nothing serious.
Started yoga last week. Love it. I have tried to get into last year, hated it. I realize now that it's the school/style. None of that ommm stuff. Just get right into it. Not easy but challenging, fun.
I hope that next week I can run a 5K. Two races wasted so I hope that this one I will be able to run it. I have five following. Debating if I should sign up for two more. Not sure.
Root canal today. Quick but dreading the antibiotics.
More later.
Started yoga last week. Love it. I have tried to get into last year, hated it. I realize now that it's the school/style. None of that ommm stuff. Just get right into it. Not easy but challenging, fun.
I hope that next week I can run a 5K. Two races wasted so I hope that this one I will be able to run it. I have five following. Debating if I should sign up for two more. Not sure.
Root canal today. Quick but dreading the antibiotics.
More later.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Born to be Injured
Here it is February 2012 and what kind of training have I been doing? Decided that it was time to address my foot discomfort. I managed through all the marathon training and marathon with little complaint. High tolerance for discomfort, I guess but also living in the world of denial, which can be a bad thing, of course. So on December 26, 2012 I confessed to my mothers podiatrist that my feet were in constant pain. That started the journey. I was trying to keep up my distance running after the marathon, I didn't want to lose the ability to run 13 miles with little thought of distance. Well, after going to get my feet x-rayed and back to the podiatrist, I found out that I have a heel spur on my left heel, arthritis in my left ankle and plantar's facsitiis that would take physical therapy to fix.
Six weeks in, still going to physical therapy. The PT dude says I don't run. The marathon finishing time, my form do not define a runner. I just go out to run but cannot claim that I am runner. I don't run. I was not pleased with the small revelation because it meant that no running outside until I change my form. So now I am trying to finish Born to Run, running with a metronome in my ear and lifting my leg to more than 90 degrees, working my calves and hamstrings more than ever. 5 minutes t 5.5 with the cadence of 160, 1 minute rest x 3. Seems so simple, not. It's not easy to go 15 minutes and end my relationship with the treadmill there. On to the elliptical or bike, no stair mill. That's just more difficult than I care to acknowledge. The sunny crisp weather is depressing me so I am taking Vitamin D before I cry eery weekend stuck in gym. So this week was 15 mins. at 6.0 to 165 twice. Oh piece of cake, NOT. Calves howling, harder now to keep the beat...one two one two...I couldn't make it 30 minutes. 27 at most. Depressing.
At work we are doing The Biggest Loser which I should not be at the top of the losing list, but I am one of the biggest losers while these 200+ women are at 5 pounds in 5 weeks. I am on weight watchers and at the weight of my 30s now, but if I keep losing I will be down to my weight in my 20s. Lifting weight more regularly, every other day, running every other day, cross training all other days, so the weight is melting off. When will I have the confidence to run outside? I don't think it will be any time soon. I now notice the cadence of the real runners outside and realize that I really am not a runner. I am a plodder who just runs in the most dangerous way, just out there. While it may be brave to most, it's dangerous. As I get through Born to Run, I realize now how reckless I have been and how lucky I am not being injured more seriously. I have a new attitude but will I have the confidence to go out there even tho I do plan to do the marathon one last time.
More later
Monday, January 2, 2012
2012 HNY
OMG LOL LMAO ROFLMAO BRB BTW TTYL and now HNY? WTF! An acronym for every expression due to the texting and the new fast and furious way we communicate now? FYIHUBT...can you figure that one out? I can't even remember what it means!
So I haven't journaled anything since October at the tail end of my training for the marathon. I think mostly I was disappointed, depressed, and just plain ole sick of running. Wow, they aren't wrong saying that the marathon blues hit you as soon as you cross that finish line. Just could careless about even the marathon itself. Overcrowded and one day after weeks of training, and no goals for the day after.
The marathon and the days prior. Let me reflect in a positive light. I was all nerves, couldn't sleep, felt like I was getting sick, skipped the flu shot. Tapering was hard but welcomed. I was tired. I have realized now that feeling exhausted is normal. I was averaging more miles than ever. Now I am struggling to up my mileage but just have no motivation. Back to the days prior. I joined a friend and her racewalking team on a drive following the "blue line." To Staten Island we headed to the start, then through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, into the Bronx for a second and then back down. I got out before the finish but it was fun, and nice to have a few people to hang with and meet up with Sunday morning at the ferry.
Long story short, Sunday was the marathon. Overcrowded, lines and delays everywhere but start was exciting...gorgeous warm day. Brooklyn was exciting, the crowd support was amazing. Stopped in and visited with a friend for 15 minutes. BIG BOO BOO...I shouldn't have stopped when the momentum was good! But in my head I kept saying "enjoy the experience, just enjoy it" by mile 23 I didn't have that in my head....it was "just finish, a few more"..and finish I did, a disappointing 5:45:11 but I finished. I was tired, my legs had enough and my head was done but I finished. I felt okay, disappointed but I finished.
Now that it's two months behind me, I am still trying to run longer with not much luck but stamina is much better. I don't feel compelled to stop, keep going and it feels great. The marathon has gone up in fees this year. I have decided to run 4 out of 5 of the half marathons to qualify for the New York City half in 2013. I will do the NYC Marathon the last time for 2012 since I will be 50 and want to improve upon 2011's time. Time isn't everything, that's for sure but I know in my head that I didn't do my best, I didn't train efficiently enough, especially nutrition-wise. I put on some weight and I plan to take it off, do more strength training and continue the higher mileage so the marathon training won't take such a physical toll on my body. Fixing my feet for 2012 is a priority and perhaps I will find time to start yoga, once and for all.
Now that I have some definite goals in mind, I feel better about everything. I am going to be 50 this year so my goal is to enjoy running from now on and not to do strictly NYRR races, they are overpriced and so not worth the effort. Did their MidNight Run for the New Year again this year. $45 and they ran out of shirts. We got a shirt from a different race, which is bullshit...BS, if you ask me. No one is asking.
I am going to journal more to be accountable for my training or lack of...my weight loss, or packing of pounds. Off I go to the gym for the first time this year or maybe I will run to see my mother instead. Baby, it's cold outside!
So I haven't journaled anything since October at the tail end of my training for the marathon. I think mostly I was disappointed, depressed, and just plain ole sick of running. Wow, they aren't wrong saying that the marathon blues hit you as soon as you cross that finish line. Just could careless about even the marathon itself. Overcrowded and one day after weeks of training, and no goals for the day after.
The marathon and the days prior. Let me reflect in a positive light. I was all nerves, couldn't sleep, felt like I was getting sick, skipped the flu shot. Tapering was hard but welcomed. I was tired. I have realized now that feeling exhausted is normal. I was averaging more miles than ever. Now I am struggling to up my mileage but just have no motivation. Back to the days prior. I joined a friend and her racewalking team on a drive following the "blue line." To Staten Island we headed to the start, then through Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, into the Bronx for a second and then back down. I got out before the finish but it was fun, and nice to have a few people to hang with and meet up with Sunday morning at the ferry.
Long story short, Sunday was the marathon. Overcrowded, lines and delays everywhere but start was exciting...gorgeous warm day. Brooklyn was exciting, the crowd support was amazing. Stopped in and visited with a friend for 15 minutes. BIG BOO BOO...I shouldn't have stopped when the momentum was good! But in my head I kept saying "enjoy the experience, just enjoy it" by mile 23 I didn't have that in my head....it was "just finish, a few more"..and finish I did, a disappointing 5:45:11 but I finished. I was tired, my legs had enough and my head was done but I finished. I felt okay, disappointed but I finished.
Now that it's two months behind me, I am still trying to run longer with not much luck but stamina is much better. I don't feel compelled to stop, keep going and it feels great. The marathon has gone up in fees this year. I have decided to run 4 out of 5 of the half marathons to qualify for the New York City half in 2013. I will do the NYC Marathon the last time for 2012 since I will be 50 and want to improve upon 2011's time. Time isn't everything, that's for sure but I know in my head that I didn't do my best, I didn't train efficiently enough, especially nutrition-wise. I put on some weight and I plan to take it off, do more strength training and continue the higher mileage so the marathon training won't take such a physical toll on my body. Fixing my feet for 2012 is a priority and perhaps I will find time to start yoga, once and for all.
Now that I have some definite goals in mind, I feel better about everything. I am going to be 50 this year so my goal is to enjoy running from now on and not to do strictly NYRR races, they are overpriced and so not worth the effort. Did their MidNight Run for the New Year again this year. $45 and they ran out of shirts. We got a shirt from a different race, which is bullshit...BS, if you ask me. No one is asking.
I am going to journal more to be accountable for my training or lack of...my weight loss, or packing of pounds. Off I go to the gym for the first time this year or maybe I will run to see my mother instead. Baby, it's cold outside!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Post Marathon Blues
Well the marathon is over, done. All that training, so many weeks, months, all for one day. November 6, 2011, New York City. Over, what an accomplishment, really? I don't know. I guess I need to post the details about the experience to appreciate the process and not feel so blah right now. I just read an interesting post on the runners world website about the the depression people feel after a marathon. Disappointment of not doing the time, hoped for...not completing...not having something else to work towards. Seems so crazy, but I have to admit that I have the feelings of depression, disappointment, etc.
I will review the day/week prior to and of the marathon. I was so crazy nervous by Friday, I left early from work to go to the expo to pick up my bib number, etc. Met up with two friends there, just chatting, didn't shop, which I really really wanted to do, but am glad that I abstained. I was worried about not hydrating or eating properly prior to but the two weeks prior I was eating really clean and trying to follow the taper schedule. I ran in the snow/rain 10 miles. Across the bridges, it was cold but I got it in although the week of I felt that I was fighting a cold. So more paranoia set in, to get the flu shot or not, what supplements should I be taking to boost my immune system. I opted not to take the flu shot and started taking a list of supplement given to me by my friend who was racewalking the marathon.
My friend also had planned to do a drive of the course on Saturday morning with two other racewalkers. Some thought that was crazy because to see 26.2 miles could freak one out but I was so crazy, couldn't sleep so I decided to join in for the fun. Fun it was, and I am glad that I went along because I could see where the halfway point is/was, etc. The hills, the whole visualization is so helpful. But nothing prepared me for the actual day.
I will review the day/week prior to and of the marathon. I was so crazy nervous by Friday, I left early from work to go to the expo to pick up my bib number, etc. Met up with two friends there, just chatting, didn't shop, which I really really wanted to do, but am glad that I abstained. I was worried about not hydrating or eating properly prior to but the two weeks prior I was eating really clean and trying to follow the taper schedule. I ran in the snow/rain 10 miles. Across the bridges, it was cold but I got it in although the week of I felt that I was fighting a cold. So more paranoia set in, to get the flu shot or not, what supplements should I be taking to boost my immune system. I opted not to take the flu shot and started taking a list of supplement given to me by my friend who was racewalking the marathon.
My friend also had planned to do a drive of the course on Saturday morning with two other racewalkers. Some thought that was crazy because to see 26.2 miles could freak one out but I was so crazy, couldn't sleep so I decided to join in for the fun. Fun it was, and I am glad that I went along because I could see where the halfway point is/was, etc. The hills, the whole visualization is so helpful. But nothing prepared me for the actual day.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Restful, not really, Day
I have definitely slacked off of posting, and I don't want to be like that. That's the issue, I can't finish anything so I worry. I worry that since I don't finish things well, that this will collide with the marathon. You think? I am eating whatever, not much thought about my GI issues...I am not training as diligently, missing a mile here and there. Like today, altho it's a "rest" day, I had all good intentions to go to the gym and do some strength training and warm up for my long 20 miler tomorrow. Did I? Nah, why bother, I'm tired. I can tell that my right calf is straining again, will I have another blow out right before? Maybe. Am I stretching and trying to correct this? Nah, why bother.
So all in all, it's not a very restful day for this rest day.
Work hasn't been so restful. Rumors and crap are sweeping the floors, why this, this is why, sketchy...when all in all, it doesn't really effect me. It does indirectly because my coworker sits next to me, no more. I am alone again here, which I probably a good thing since I am backed up with work to do and it's always better to get ahead of the game. I realize now that I hate most of the people around me so her leaving doesn't make my mind very restful.
I saw my neighbor last night who is planning on the marathon too. Injured. Great. So who knows what she plans to do. I can only worry about myself now or not worry, but do this alone. No one to talk to once again. My one friend is too intense. LOL
So all in all, it's not a very restful day for this rest day.
Work hasn't been so restful. Rumors and crap are sweeping the floors, why this, this is why, sketchy...when all in all, it doesn't really effect me. It does indirectly because my coworker sits next to me, no more. I am alone again here, which I probably a good thing since I am backed up with work to do and it's always better to get ahead of the game. I realize now that I hate most of the people around me so her leaving doesn't make my mind very restful.
I saw my neighbor last night who is planning on the marathon too. Injured. Great. So who knows what she plans to do. I can only worry about myself now or not worry, but do this alone. No one to talk to once again. My one friend is too intense. LOL
Summer Daze in October
I love it. The 80F degree weather is back the first full week of October. Am up in Provincetown, again. It's Women's Week but makes no difference to me or my partner. We are here in the picture perfect weather with our two dogs, the last time in our favorite condo on Court Street. We drove over to Truro, that's our new place to vacation, hopefully, it will all be as nice as this place.
There are less than a month for the NYC Marathon now. I got my welcome pamphlet in the mail last week and reading it was probably the wrong thing to do. Take fast food salt before during and after the marathon. Really? Do this, don't do that...what? I didn't even think of any of those possibilities. What's no one can meet me at the finish? Really? That's not fun. And the course map, what was I thinking? 26.2 miles is far when you look at the map. I'm too old for this. hot flashes are worse than ever, my feet hurt more than ever, I am just tired. Figured out my GI issues so that's a beginning but we are almost at the end.
18 miles yesterday. Never ending. Maybe 5 hours or so with the stopping to text, etc. See, there is no signal here, in and out, in and out so when I find it, I have to take advantage of it. Don't feel as disconnected at I have in the past but still to let Maria know where I was and if she should meet me, was tough. Needless to say, the heat on top of it. Over 80. that was hot. Not that I haven't been training in the heat, but after all the cool temps, it was a rude awakening..plus hot flashes. I am flashing now I as write this.
I haven't posted in so long. Won't post from work if I blog in "private" so it's been a lot of wasted thoughts deleted. the hot flashes are so bad when the weather warms up. It's like having a high fever, a hit of achey feeling then sweat pouring out of my body. Oh it's miserable. whatever.
Tomorrow is 7 miles and who knows what follows. I better check. Saturday is my last 20 miles before the taper. Three weeks to taper, fix my diet and then get this thing over with! I cannot wait. oh I volunteer soon and then am qualified for 2012. Let's see if I actually can do it again with the training etc. Not sure if I want to do it again until after I do it now.
I have discovered a way to get through the long runs now. I downloaded an audio book! What a brillant idea, I'm so late at it but gosh, it made the 18 miles feel like 7 and I am hoping that it will just continue to help me push through my training. The Help, so good. I love it!
There are less than a month for the NYC Marathon now. I got my welcome pamphlet in the mail last week and reading it was probably the wrong thing to do. Take fast food salt before during and after the marathon. Really? Do this, don't do that...what? I didn't even think of any of those possibilities. What's no one can meet me at the finish? Really? That's not fun. And the course map, what was I thinking? 26.2 miles is far when you look at the map. I'm too old for this. hot flashes are worse than ever, my feet hurt more than ever, I am just tired. Figured out my GI issues so that's a beginning but we are almost at the end.
18 miles yesterday. Never ending. Maybe 5 hours or so with the stopping to text, etc. See, there is no signal here, in and out, in and out so when I find it, I have to take advantage of it. Don't feel as disconnected at I have in the past but still to let Maria know where I was and if she should meet me, was tough. Needless to say, the heat on top of it. Over 80. that was hot. Not that I haven't been training in the heat, but after all the cool temps, it was a rude awakening..plus hot flashes. I am flashing now I as write this.
I haven't posted in so long. Won't post from work if I blog in "private" so it's been a lot of wasted thoughts deleted. the hot flashes are so bad when the weather warms up. It's like having a high fever, a hit of achey feeling then sweat pouring out of my body. Oh it's miserable. whatever.
Tomorrow is 7 miles and who knows what follows. I better check. Saturday is my last 20 miles before the taper. Three weeks to taper, fix my diet and then get this thing over with! I cannot wait. oh I volunteer soon and then am qualified for 2012. Let's see if I actually can do it again with the training etc. Not sure if I want to do it again until after I do it now.
I have discovered a way to get through the long runs now. I downloaded an audio book! What a brillant idea, I'm so late at it but gosh, it made the 18 miles feel like 7 and I am hoping that it will just continue to help me push through my training. The Help, so good. I love it!
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