Ups and Downs

Literally…life has them, great things can happen one day and you can be on top of the world and the next day a crash…but of course those aren’t the ups and downs I’m really talking about right now. The ups and downs I’m referencing have to do with my run last night with my training group at Hyland Park (oh and in response to a few queries, no I’m not doing a TNT thing, no way I’d be able to raise that kind of money, I’m training with the Minnesota Distance Runner’s Association fall marathon program). The plan called for 10 miles, but last time we ran there we were short with only 7.5, so I decided since I get there early anyway, I’d run 2 miles to warm up before the others got there…I was done with that almost an hour before the rest of the group was there and we were going to run but oh well. I got a good stretch in so that helped too. Group showed up and we were off…over hills upon hills…ups and downs, although nice thing is this is trails and some of that just feels so good. Weather didn’t feel too bad, was a threat of rain, but unfortunately it didn’t come, and by the end we were all drenched because the humidity was up enough. The end of the main run is over the top of the ski hill (yes, MN does have some skiing) and that at the end does kind of suck…it’s an up, slight down, more up, slight down and more and more up. But nice views when you run across the top. We got to the start, saw that we were at 7.5 again (but I was at 9.5 remember) and everyone said hey, let’s do a cool down lap around the lake (same lake I had warmed up on) and off we went…so I ended with 11.5 miles. I think it was a good workout. I got home too exhausted to eve think about eating. Ended up having some grapes and Trader Joe’s brand honey nut o’s so I would have something in me and crashed…I couldn’t even stay up to watch the swimming. Ah well.

On another note, my order from Amazon showed up. I paid $26 for a book called “The Plantar Fasciitis 5 Minute Solution”. It’s larger, large print and about 100 pages…2 of which go over the stretch for the PF that is supposed to help in 5 minutes a day (you do it 3 times a day and holds for 10 seconds 10 times so it takes 5 minutes total). I wish I could’ve spent half that and gotten just the stretch…of course if it helps I’ll say it was well worth it, and it got good reviews. The rest of the book talks about what PF is and how it comes on, studies etc…we’ll see. I also ordered a night splint. I’m not sure this one is going to do enough or not, I slept part of the night in it, and it was fine to sleep in, just not sure it was holding my foot enough, but I’ll try it a bit more and see if it works or not. I did take it off halfway through the night when I was trying really hard to get back to sleep after having woken up…and was of course exhausted this morning, but got up and went to the gym, only managed 20 minutes of strength though and the 30 on the bike were tough. I’m not running tonight, Wednesday has become my day off, but I might need to take another day off this week and have it be totally off. It’s been over 3 weeks since I had a total rest day I’ve realized (I don’t consider the strength training as tough and the biking is light too) and I think my body is rebelling, even though it doesn’t seem like it’s been that much as I certainly haven’t dropped any weight…next week is a fall back week and I’ll definitely go for the rest then, just hope I can get through the rest of this week. I’m so exhausted feeling and I think it might be some lack of sleep…wish I kept better records on my past sleep habits. I’m still freaking over my training a bit.

I think I'm going to go to bed shortly tonight to let my body relax...and tomorrow I'm only doing my afternoon run too. Hopefully that gives me some recovery.

Attitude is Everything

Change your attitude. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one's condition.

I don’t know who said it, but it was part of a fable that was presented at a meeting I was in today, and it’s actually quite true. I could be moaning and crying everyday that I can’t run, that my foot hurts (speaking of that I better go get some ice and ice it, only done that once so far today) etc…but instead I’ve let it present an opportunity to improve on my biking (and prove that once and for all, biking is not as fun as running, but the bikes at the gym present an opportunity to read books on running and be ready to focus on the nutrition aspect and if it goes on much longer getting into another book I’ve heard good things about) and work on strength a bit more. I used to hate biking totally cause my legs got tired and now they feel strong even after an hour on the bike…so well, we’ll see how that equates to running. Today my heel is feeling less than it did on Monday (after running on Sunday) so everyday is improvement and it’s never real bad pain or anything so I think I can keep it easy one more week then put my running back into the focus. Maybe even get some speed work for my upcoming mile race.

Anyway, the book I’ve been reading, Performance Nutrition for Runners by Matt Fitgerald I believe to be quite excellent. Newer ideas and mix in of current nutrition information out there, presented somewhat technical, but still meaningful and definitely on level for all running types (recreational to hard core) to gain from it. I am hoping to incorporate a lot of the ideas and hopefully see an improvement on what I do. What’s great is this isn’t about diet, it’s about body composition and re-configuring your body to be better for running…namely changing fat to muscle etc…the other book, The Cutting Edge Runner is the one I’m about to start as well and it got good reviews.

And the final sure sign on spring. Last night I slept with my window open (just cracked in case it did get really cold, but open is open)!! And my thermostat in my house last night was at 73, and this morning, even with window open, still at 70 (normally during the day it’s 64 and 68 when I’m home).

Spring?

Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again. - Sarah Ban Breathnach

Maybe...dare I say? Spring may have just
FINALLY come to Minnesota...but I'm scared that now that I iterated that, that it may all go away!! Plenty of positive thinking though brought temps in the 60s and sun too!! So after work (I was exhausted this morning and slept past my date at the gym, sure hope I didn't miss hottie!) I drove to the gym, put on shorts and a short sleeved top (yes first run in both!!). I went for about 3 miles. I had mapped it ahead of time and still think it might have been a little short since my time frame for it would point to 8 minute or so miles and it didn't feel fast. Heel has a little soreness but not even to the degree I felt it Sunday after the run, so I think I'm on the mend. I'm planning to take two days off running again and do it again on Saturday, maybe for 4 miles. Then Monday or Tuesday of next week and we'll see about the rest of it since I'm out of town for part of next week.

Grandma is home today, on a restricted diet that she doesn't like (lower salt and cholesterol of course) and hopefully she'll be seeing the surgeon this week and we'll have more answers on what is going on and what they might need to do.

I met with a friend last night and had a nice chat and in a couple of weeks I'm excited to be going to the theater again. I haven't been in something like 10 years...yeah...must be, my ex (before L last summer that is) and I had tickets with others and he and I broke up and my cousin came instead. What's kind of interesting is I hadn't seen him in 8 years and talked to him in longer than that (he was at a couple of things I was at and we didn't say a word to each other at those events), anyway, I found him someplace and sent a hi...he responded back...he has a 5 and 3 year old now...that's just weird to think of, because technically, that might have been me. I had thought he and I might get married and probably would have had kids (it wouldn't have been right, but everyone else I knew was getting married at the time, figured he and I would do it too). It just gets weird how things turn out sometimes.

Heel Update

Other people may not have high expectations of me, but I have high expectations for myself.-- Shannon Miller

Today has been kind of a lazy day. Although in getting up and walking around, so far, I have not felt the bruising feel on my heel that has been indicating somethings wrong. I've iced and stretched it and been to the gym for a bike ride. My intents since I put myself on non-running rest, have been to run tomorrow, and I'm going to evaluate it and see how it feels. I might go just an easy 1 or 2, take Monday off and shoot for a little longer one on Tuesday...taking it easy for the next week or two and slowly build back up. It's bothered me, of course, to not run, but knowing this is best for me has allowed me to work through it and maintain a good attitude about it. Because seriously, what is a negative thought going to solve anyway?? Hopefully the positive thinking has kept me in good form, body and spirit. On a side note, based on the bike at the gym, I've gone about 100 miles biking this week.

Positive Thinking!!

I run because it's my passion, and not just a sport. Every time I walk out the door, I know why I'm going where I'm going and I'm already focused on that special place where I find my peace and solitude. Running, to me, is more than just a physical exercise... it's a consistent reward for victory! Sasha Azevedo

Happy Monday to all. We are having light snow showers (mixed with rain, it rained pretty much all day yesterday) but thankfully it’s not enough to accumulate and I don’t think it will.

The weekend was decent…even though I can’t run. I’m taking the advice of L (who I never did get around to seeing this weekend, with having been given Wolves tickets for last night and having a birthday party on Saturday night, it just wasn’t feasible to work out to see him) and taking the week off still. I haven’t run since Thursday morning and it bothers me, but I’m making the best of it. Saturday was gorgeous and instead of running, I got my bike out (it hadn’t been ridden in probably 2 years) and pumped up the extremely flat tires, put on my Garmin and took off for a ride to Target…yes, I turned my foot issue into a ride to run errands and save on gas for the trip too!! I even found a new little route I didn’t know about that made it a quick little jaunt up and across some quieter streets and then onto a bike path. And now that I know this route, it will make trips up to the lakes a little nicer this summer since I can bike it on the trails. I was also able to prove the theory that the scales are way off on distance and speed on the bikes at the gym. I’ve always trusted the t-mill since the time frame is equal to the distance usually, but how can the bikes be so off? Normally on a 30 minute gym ride I hit about 10.8 miles…so my ride to and from Target (and a little tacked on to make more distance and stay out longer) was about 1:03 and about 12.25 miles (I had to make a few guesses since I had forgotten to start my Garmin). Obviously something is off!! Neither place do I have cages or the pedals to clip in so I am only getting the push and not the pull…but still not sure why the difference. My bike is a mountain bike, so I realize more drag and will be slower, but still…

Anyway, foot…it’s still a bit sore, I’m stretching, icing, using a tennis ball and not running…hopefully all this shows some progress soon!! Saturday after the biking and all that I went out with friends for a friends birthday to a Jazz club. It was a fun evening and good music (not a big fan of Jazz but I can appreciate it and listen on occasion). Sunday I was just pretty much vegging, rested the food, cleaned some and then went to the Wolves game with a friend. A friend from the past…remember C? Well, yeah, he and I are talking again…I’m past all the stuff and you know, the past is the past and what’s the point in holding a grudge, we’re past it (of course I have to keep it secret from my sister)? Heck, I saw my sister on Friday and mentioned that I might see L over the weekend and all she could say was no, don’t do it (didn’t end up doing it anyway, but again with her thinking she knows best when it comes to me and boys) and I couldn’t get why. Seriously, I know it’s done, we both know it wasn’t going to work out between us, but why can’t we be friends? I mean L treated me a lot better than my sister’s current boyfriend treats her (let’s just say his attitude needs work and she makes constant excuse for him, which you know is NOT a good sign!!) and she has been with him more than two years and still puts up with it, even though concern has been expressed…if she’s happy, that’s what matters I guess. I’m at the point of realizing that you have to accept what others will do and we can’t decide what makes others happy and if it makes them unhappy, we can just be there for them when it comes to an end or end up alienating and losing relationships…I’ve seen it with numerous friends and life is for each person to decide right?

Saturday 60?

They say we might get close to 60 again today...and I can't get out in run in it. I've been told to take at least the week off, if I can, and right now I can, (I don't want to, but I can). It weighs heavily on me since I want to race a really hard mile in a month, but my big training goals revolve around Twin Cities of course, so it's better to take time off now, heal and be ready for training come June than push now and not be able to train and run this fall. I was reading an article in a local sports magazine about the women from MN competing at the Olympic Trials in Boston in two weeks yesterday as well. And one of them is training through and dealing with PF. I figure if she can do it, and get things together and be ready, so can I. I'll do what it requires to get there...even if it means to enjoy today I have to be content with pumping up the tires on my bike and riding it (part of me is contemplating a ride to a coffee shop and taking my computer with to work on something, or even taking the laptop and working outside on something...such a dream and the whole reason for a laptop right?).

Today's quote I pulled from my "Runner's Book of Daily Inspirations"...I bought this book a while ago and have never actually remembered to read it every day in a year but it's a good one, I like it and today really kind of fits:

"The only thing that's important in your training program is motivation. I've developed a set of motivational tricks that I'm constantly reviewing and refining. They haveonly one purpose: to keep me running" - Amby Burfoot, marathoner

TGIF – NKOTB

When people ask me why I run, I tell them, there's not really a reason, it's just the adrenalin when you start, and the feeling when you cross that finish line, and know that you are a winner no matter what place you got. Courtney Parsons

I found a great link with great running quotes, so those will probably continue most of this month!! I might post the link at the very end!!

Anyway, lots of positives for today. Of course it’s Friday (unfortunately no Hottie at gym) which is awesome in and of itself…but for those in the know…the other letters on my title…well…yes, I’m dating myself…I was a big New Kids on the Block fan (OK, not was, still am!!) and today they made an appearance on the Today show to announce that they are working on a new album, plan to tour this fall AND as a birthday present to me (OK, so it’s not quite just for that, hey, it’s Jordan’s birthday too!) they are going to be on the Today show performing on May 16!! (technically, not my birthday but if not for leap year this year it would’ve been). So this makes for a happy day of things for me.

This morning I only biked, and did strength. It’s supposed to hit 60 today and I’m forcing myself to not run today. In fact I contacted L, since he’s involved in sports massage, sports and all that and might have some ideas, and he thinks PF for my foot too…his suggestion was a week off. I can live with that so am doing a self imposed week off and re-evaluating in a week (OK, that’s just a week off of running, I will still bike or something unless I find out that is something I should stay away from too). He also offered to look at it for me this weekend if I wanted…I’m thinking it’s a generous offer and I should take him up on it…he’s cheaper than the doctor and probably knows just as much about this kind of thing as it is…we haven’t seen each other since we broke up though…so it makes me a little nervous though.

Now I ended the day at work with tickets for the Timberwolves...not a huge basketball fan, but free tickets...have to figure out who I'm taking...

Hottie Day

A marathon is like life with its ups and downs, but once you've done it you feel that you can do anything. unknown

I think this quote so fits. If only everyone could really experience it!!

Well, it had to come one day…unfortunately my days of dashing off a quick blog post during work hours is gone…they have finally figured it out and banned it. So while I’m trying to keep a positive…this did dampen my day. I used to take a few minutes here and there to read peoples blogs when I had some downtime…I mean seriously…what do they expect, me to work all day??? Ah well…

This morning I wanted to sleep in…it was so tempting to reset my alarm, but knowing I’m meeting with my financial advisor this afternoon, and might meet a friend for a quick bite or something after a quick stop at the mall, I knew it might not happen if I slept in…so I got up, got to the gym, started my laps (was planning 7 cruise intervals, 3 of the intervals, 4 slow miles, but added one more mile of faster pace for a total of 8) when I noticed guess who on a bike…and all he did was bike today…so I had blissful joy of seeing him every lap for the first 5 miles…And then he was stretching, right by the track…ah…happy day (so worth not sleeping that extra hour)!! I don’t know my times for each interval, unfortunately…I didn’t have a working watch…I was going to use the one for my HRM which was in my bag, but apparently the battery is going dead cause I couldn’t get it to do anything but show me the time…ah well. I had an idea of the time overall and it was about 20 seconds per mile slower than Tuesday, which is fine. I’ve got 24 miles in for the week so far, 34 miles of biking too and 2 days of strength. I’ll have to get two more in yet this week, which shouldn’t be a problem since I’m doing shorter sessions…tomorrow and Saturday maybe…

Positive Hump Day

People ask why I run. I say, "If you have to ask, you will never understand". It is something only those select few know. Those who put themselves through pain, but know, deep down, how good it really feels. - Erin Leonard

I like that quote. I even have it printed on my cube wall at work. For those of us that run, I think we have all been there. People who don’t run, just don’t get it. It’s beyond a need…it can be an obsession. Even for those of us that don’t race much (I rarely do) it’s about the run…even if you aren’t racing, you can always race yourself. Whether it’s getting further out in the time frame on an out and back…or beating your time over a set course…or going further in the same time. Like me last night. I did a tempo run (heel does still hurt, I’m noticing it’s a bit more noticeable on downhills than anywhere, if that means anything, but I’m icing, I’m stretching it, I’m using a tennis ball to massage it…hopefully it will fix itself). My plan was 7 miles, 4 at tempo of 8 minutes or so. Well, got out, was feeling decent and I thought, well, maybe I’ll do 8…and while I’m at it, why not keep the faster pace for one more mile. So a warmup of 8:47, then, I don’t have my Garmin with me but vaguely remembering splits of 7:35, 7:47, 7:31, 7:40 and 7:33 or something like that. I know it probably averaged about 7:40 for the 5. My first recovery mile was 7:54 and then an 8:19…I need to work on slowing that down a bit more I think!! Although the big overall of it, my typical, "easy run" if I were to go 7 miles is a 1:03 or so...so 1 more mile in that time frame (granted a speed work session, but still!!). Anyway, temps were close to 40 and I was out in just tights, long sleeved top and windbreaker. It’s nice to be able to dress lighter. Hopefully maybe shorts this weekend.

Oh, and that was preceded by a morning workout. 15 minutes on the elliptical to warmup, 15-20 minutes of weight training and then a 30 minute bike ride. Lighter bike ride since I wanted the legs fresh for the run. But I managed a double on Monday too and that felt good. This morning I decided I wasn't ready to get up though, so laid in bed for another hour and plan to either hit the gym for a light recovery run tonight or just do one outside. We'll see what happens.

Better Days??

Another weekend is coming to an end….I could use one more day. Hopefully I feel more in tune with things and productive tomorrow. I have a lot of things I need to focus on and I can’t seem to do that lately.

So Friday was horrible. I don’t know what was wrong. As I said, hottie was there, that should’ve cheered me up and made my day right?? Well wrong. Maybe it’s just looking at something I can’t have that added to the compounding of things or something but I just felt terrible all day. Very down. I talked to a few others though, and maybe something was in the air or something because a few others were feeling the same as me (men and women) so who knows. I went to a happy hour, sat alone for a time, contemplated my beer, was going to finish it and go home, and then ended up having another couple and eventually got to feeling OK. I might have lined up a “date” for the wedding I am going to in May too. The groom’s brother-in-law’s brother…OK, got that one?? Groom, S, his brother in law G (sister’s husband) has a brother that apparently is going to be invited to the wedding, but might come as my date instead…he lives in Canada…so not like anything will come of that one, but hey, if he looks like his brother (which I’ve been told he does, only a little taller and couple years older, which is fine since G is younger than me) he’ll be a nice attractive guy to hang with at the wedding.

Anyway…back to other things. I seemed to cheer up some on Saturday and got some stuff done. Went to the gym, iced my foot numerous times (took another day off running) and did some grocery shopping…Super Target is evil…they take a lot of my money (considering I was there again today and spent only a little less than yesterday). I didn’t go out or do anything last night, other than some cleaning up around my house. Today I went for a run…it was nice out…the run was feeling good (someone had set my irritation level off the charts and I had had too much coffee that really set me to shaking) but my heel was still having issues. I just don’t know anymore. I took 4 days off running this week. 2 days completely off any workouts. I only ran 17 miles (vs the 30 I had planned and the 40+ the lat 4 weeks) and still it’s bothering. I am icing, using a tennis ball to massage and doing some stretches (including the stick on my calves to loosen them up and the foam roller a bit on my hip to loosen it up more). My plan is to see my chiro tomorrow and see if she can do something too. I’ll take tomorrow off running. Just strength train and bike, but I really want to get back to normal stuff. It doesn’t bother that much when running, just feels kind of bruised, but I’ve had people freak me out with residual stuff around PF and if it is PF I don’t want to cause any long term effects. What to do….without running though, I feel like I’m also going to get fat. I can’t get nearly the workouts anywhere else…sigh…I put on one pound this week from the days off…not a good thing!! I’m not in control of the snacking that’s for sure!!

2 Years and Still Going Strong

That's right, two years ago today I started this blog. Wow...and other than maybe a week's time here and there, I've been pretty good about writing on it. I've NEVER been able to keep a journal that long. Through the time I've made a lot of good friends, some that I know personally, others that I just know through the blogosphere...but it's been a great time. It's nice to be able to just go post your perspective be it on a run (I'm still lacking on the reality friends that I can run with) or the hottie at the gym (who I haven't seen in over two weeks now...I have to admit I skipped a couple of morning workouts this week and last though so that's probably why I've missed him).

Anyway, I couldn't get up this morning because I was out watching Atonement last night with a friend...I do want to read the book even more now, so am on the list for the audio or real version of it at the library. Very good, but I think I'm questioning a few things about it that I hope maybe the book will give me insight into that I didn't pick up from the actors. Definitely worth watching though.

One thing I haven't posted about is some heel pain I've been suffering from. I have had a few people mention Plantar Fascititis (sp) to me but to me it more feels like a bruise than anything. It's never been a huge problem, kind of lightens up and/or goes away partway into a run and sometimes comes at the end in just some foot pain. When I get up and walk, not just in the morning (the way I've heard PF can be) it's a little sore but not terrible. I've been icing it, and I took Monday off running (but biked and used elliptical) and Tuesday I took it entirely off...today I planned for 4, ran 5 (at the gym while I tried my new shoes...I like them but I think Nike is doing away with some of the great cushioning that I have always loved about them) and and then biked for 30 minutes. I thought about going one more but want to try for an easy 7 tomorrow. We'll see what happens. But anyway...two years...here's to many, many more!!