His story and the book Born to Run really changed how I looked at running, and inspired me to run onto the path I’m on today. Sad to lose such an inspirational individual.
photo from Denver Westward Blogs via The Portland Press Herald
I went out a couple of weeks ago for a 12 mi run, and accidentally did this:
Don’t ask. The point is that when I hit the stop button and saw how far I had gone, the fact that I was in a crazy amount of pain, and had walked most of the last 20 min made a lot more sense. Such a dumb ass. I would have cried, but I was too tired, and needed more fluids. I was beating myself up during that last bit, pissed off and disappointed that I couldn’t even finish 12 stupid miles. How was I going to get through my half mary in April? How was I going to get through a full mary in November? Oops.
So I’ve spent the last couple of weeks trying to get over that. Well, my legs, anyway. They got pretty angry with me for not being able to do simple math (there’s a reason I rub nekkid people, y’all), and have refused to let me run far or fast ever since. I’ve tried the road and the treadmill. I have to say, as far as being injured goes, I do much better on the road than the treadmill. My problems are shortened and dysfunctional muscles in my right glutes and leg. On a treadmill, you can’t really work on certain things. You know, because the ground is moving. Heh. So the road is better for that.
Until yesterday, I had topped out at an 18 min, 1.62 mi run. Every time I tried to run and failed, I would get pissed. It was my own fault, and if I didn’t learn from this, there was no hope I’d ever meet all of my running goes (they extend well past a full marathon, I tell you).
Friday night, I went to my fitness center’s Last Chance Workout. Wow. I’m glad I went, and I honestly wish they did it every week. It was great, and so much fun. Mainly because I totally got picked on and singled out, which makes me work extra hard. While I was on the treadmill for the first round of cardio, I noticed it was a little easier, and my knee wasn’t tightening up. This was good. Gave me some optimism for my run the next day. I stayed away from leg machines for that workout, tho the super awesome and lovely Trainer Adam had me do stairs while everyone else got to do cardio machines. Ugh.
Yesterday, I headed out for a run of yet undetermined length. I knew I had to take it easy, start out slow, and pay attention to what I was doing. I usually listen to podcasts when I run, but opted for music since it meant I didn’t have to pay attention to what I was hearing. After 20 min, I wanted to quit. It was starting to hurt. I remembered what Ian Adamson of Newton Running said during a run clinic I went to last year. If you’re hurt or tired, it’s the perfect time to work on your form. That’s what I started doing. It still hurt, just not as much. I worked on relaxing, lowering my arms, and keeping my chin up. Then I noticed my strides were too long, so I shortened them which helped a lot. I ended up running 5.84 mi yesterday. They were slow, but I got them done. I was very happy with that when I finished.
So, I guess I’m learning from my mistakes. Good thing, too. I want this year to be a good one with some pretty big goals met. I can’t be screwing myself up!
Oh, and it’s always nice to know you’re not the only one out there who does stupid running things.
I agreed to do a photo-a-day challenge with my friend Alex this year. Sometimes the photos are pretty “meh” because maybe nothing photo-worthy happened that day. Except that sometimes it’s the mundane that really sparks a thought.
This is my photo from January 3rd:
A parking meter. Pretty boring, right? Until I started at MSU, I didn’t see these very often, but maybe to you, they’re something you see or use everyday.
When I was putting quarters in the meter at MSU today, I started thinking about the “quarters” I’m putting into myself trying to buy time. Time to spend with my kids (and hopefully grandkids (someday)), time to get a degree I’m beyond excited about, time to help the others in my life that mean so much to me. And time to continue growing into myself. I’m such a work in progress. I gotta keep feeding the meter.
I fill my meter by running and working out. It would help if I ate better, but I’m working on it. As always. 😉
What are you filling your meter for, and how do you do it?
Can you even believe how long it’s been since I put anything here?! Holy smokes. A lot has happened/changed since last April. But we won’t get into all that. I still like running. I still wear Newtons to run, and VFFs for every day. Oh, but now I have a pair of Toms. Nice. I like them. I still have a half-fro that I occasionally let loose while I’m running. I have more tattoos, and more metal in my face. My kids are still growing (what the hell is that about? they’re like huge!), and I’m still all married, and stuff. Did I miss anything? Okay, moving on…
I didn’t make any resolutions this year. Mainly because last year’s goals were woefully unmet. So instead, I came up with “things I want to do”. I think that will work out much better for me. Come on. You know me. Throw a shiny thing at me, and I’m veering off course before you can say, “Hey, Amy. Look at this shiny thing.” I am trying to minimize the disappointment at the end of the year (heh, or within the first few months) when I have to face the things left unaccomplished.
Don’t fret, though. I’m not going to let you surf away completely empty-handed. I can tell you what’s already on the calendar this year:
– The 4th Annual Frisco Railroad Run Half Marathon: I did the 10-miler last year, and fell in love with that trail, so decided it was time to do a half mary successfully. This is the one. Can’t wait. I like the medals. They are big, and have a train on them. Whoot whoooooot!
– Warrior Dash: I absolutely love this race. So fun. Who doesn’t want to conquer 3.1 miles worth of obstacles, jump over fire, and low-crawl under barbed-wire in a pit of mud?!?! I’m doing this race with my friend Kate this year, and we’ll also be cheering on another friend (who couldn’t make it into our wave… balls). Can’t wait! I will definitely make sure I wear pants I can cinch up tight. My shorts almost slid all the way down my hiney last year when I got out of the mud! Sheesh.
– All-Star Game Charity 5K & Fun Run: In December, my step mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Stupid cancer. Luckily, they found it through a routine mammogram, and were able to take care of it quickly. She had a double mastectomy in January, and is doing great now. She’s a helluva strong lady with a giant heart. I heard about this run right around the time she was diagnosed, and decided that I just had to do this run. If you click the link, you can donate. The proceeds go to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Stand Up to Cancer, and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Cool your jets. If you’re like me, you’ve had a huge problem with Komen in the last few weeks. But I was already signed up, and cancer is a bitch who doesn’t care about politics. So go donate, please. That will make us all feel so much better, don’t you think? I’m doing this run in honor of my great grandmother, grandmother in law, and my step mom. The grandmothers both lost their battle with cancer. Super glad my step mom hasn’t.
– Bass Pro Conservation Marathon: Well then. 26.2 miles. Twenty six point two. I guess it’s confirmed that I’m crazy. Why did I sign up for this? Well, you see, I decided at the end of 2011 that I would focus on running this year. I’ll still ride and swim, but I don’t actually have any tris on my radar as of yet. So why not go ahead and stare death in the eyes this year? Over-dramatic? Possibly. You don’t know. What if this year they decide to release wild, blood-thirsty animals onto the course to chase us down? Mmmm hmmm. Bet you’ll feel like a big, dumb, dummy when you find out I could not fully unleash my inner Kenyan, and was eaten by a freakin’ liger. You heartless jerk.
What were we talking about? Oh yeah. Running.
So, this year’s focus is running. I’ve heard a rumor of a new tri possibly happening locally that could get me to flex my SBR muscles, but otherwise, I’m just unsure right now about that.
Oh. Swimming. There’s a chance I could actually be half-way decent at this. Someday. Not in the near future, necessarily. But, you know, maybe by the time I’m 40? Yeah. That’s a good goal. I’ll be half-way decent at swimming by my 40th birthday. Which means maybe I’ll try my first OWS this year. Um, that’s “open water swim”, not “occupy wall street”. Heh, still get confused when I see OWS in the news. Can’t figure out why an open water swim is such a big damn deal.
Back to running: I did my first 5k race of the year yesterday. I use the term “race” sort of loose-like because I’m only racing myself. I am so competitive with me! Yesterday was a great race. I beat me. Pretty good. I finished in ((drum roll, please)) 27:39. I know. I know. Amazing, right? Yes, that is exactly how I felt when I saw that my Garmin was not playing a cruel joke on me, and I had totally blown myself out of the water. It was cold as hell out yesterday (yes, I see how that really doesn’t make sense seeing as how everyone claims hell has fire, but whatever shut up), so I don’t know how much of that was me just wanting to feel my toes again, but I’ll take it. Of course, this also means I had better start running faster regularly. That’s the downside of a PR. You see what you’re capable of, and realize you are one lazy mofo.
Well, there ya go. If you missed me, I think that’s a healthy dose of “Oh yeah, she’s just a weirdo” to hold you over. Will do my best to keep this up to date. My homework load has increased. Like, a LOT. So, I’m not promising you people a damn thing. I can only do what I can do.
A friend gave me this today, and made me smile.
Hey!! You crazy triathletes!!! Yeah, YOU!! My friend Lisa posted this on her blog. (Demons, be gone… – windymillar’s posterous.)
I was the only person in my lane so coach spent a bit of time with me, looking at my technique. I had mentioned about my kick and the fact that it doesn’t seem to give me very much propulsion (my 25m time with and without a pull buoy is roughly the same). The triathletes on Twitter say I don’t need to kick much. Coach disagrees (although she would, as she’s a swimmer). She had a look at my body position and my kick and said that both are good. She does want me to kick MORE though. Her view is that using my legs more in the pool will make me a better and faster swimmer as well as giving me better over all leg strength for the bike and the run. She seems to think that swimming develops leg muscles that help on the bike but that the converse isn’t true.
Sooooo….. what say you, crazy people?
I wore my sweat pants rolled up on Friday when I went to class. A female instructor came up behind me on my way into ICE and asked me if I thought it was summer or something. I laughed and told her that since it was above freezing, I was pretending it was Spring already. She laughed and told me I have nice legs. Yeah. I kinda do. 😀
That’s not really important. I’m just sharing one of the few things I’m vain about. 🙂
I expected to feel something in my calves yesterday. Some twinges, maybe even a little pain, from my new shoes. Nada! Aces. Today, tho, my legs felt alien and rubbery to me. I didn’t sleep well at all last night, and I think that has something to do with it. I woke up feeling like I was getting sick, but I only needed to run 2 miles today, so I did. OUTSIDE. I know. If you’re still in the frozen, arctic tundra, I’m sorry. Don’t hate me. It’s lovely out. The sun is shining and it’s in the 40’s. The wind is cold and felt great on my run!! Yay!!
Oh shut up! It sounded funny in my head! Hahahahaha!!
You don’t want to go in there….
I bought some new running shoes today. Ta-da!!!
This is my second pair of Newtons. I went from VFF’s, to Nike Frees, back to VFF’s to Newtons last year. I think I’ll just stick with these bad boys. I got a pretty good deal, too, thanks to a $50 Groupon, a $20 gift card and a 10% discount for being a member of the multi-sport club. Yay!!!
Took them out for a spin this evening. Sure pissed me off that I had to drive to the gym to run on the stupid, torturous, retardo dread mill because finally the tundra is melting but my neighborhood is covered in slush. Yuck. There is NO way I’m getting my shoes all gross on the first run. Pffftttt. But whatever. At least I got to try them out. Only did 2 miles, just to be safe. The guy at the store kept telling me, “Don’t just go out and run 5 miles in these. Ease into them. They’re different than your last pair.” Sighface I do know this. I swear I do. I learned my lessons last year. But I totally appreciate the reminder. That’s why I love that store.
I would like to point out that there is green glitter in that ‘n’. This is only acceptable because I know it can’t escape.
Love. These. Shoes. (But I still want some VFF Bikilas or Komodo Sports)
Okay. So here it is. My “this is what I hope I’m doing this year” post. I’ve set a goal to do at least one race of some kind every month. Really, this will just depend on my checkbook. So hey, if you read this and you come to me for massage, remember, you’re helping me meet a goal! 😉 I also want to get my 5K time under 30 min. That should be easy enough, right?
January = Starting Block Resolution Run 5K * This was co-o-o-o-o-o-o-old!! But fun. First race of 2011.
February = Why Not Tri * Indoor tri *
March = Isabel’s House/Pitter Pat * 10K *
April = Frisco Railroad Run * 10 miles
May = May Day 5K
June = Frisco Runaway Triathlon * Sprint
July = Dragon’s Breath 5K or Dash ‘n’ Dip 5K
Girls Just Wanna Run 5K
Concreteman Triathlon * Oly or Sprint (whether or not I do this one will depend on how confident I am in my swim)
August = Republic Tiger Tri * Sprint
November = Bass Pro Half Marathon
That’s what I’m looking at so far. I know, I don’t have anything down for September, October or December yet. I’m keeping my eye on the upcoming stuff and hopefully I’ll find something soon to fill in the blanks.
So, it’s time to shake off the blahs. This winter has been exceptionally hard on my psyche for some reason, and it shows in my lack of swim/bike/running. With a full-time load at school and, well, life, I’m really going to have to buckle down to get the work done.
Oh, and I’ll be traveling to the great state of Tex-ass in May to cheer on Phil, Jeremy and Brian while they crush Ironman Texas. Can’t wait!!! Yeehaw!! It will be my first time spectating an Ironman and I’m freaking STOKED!!
Time to do work, then.
This is what my street has looked like for the last week and a half. Blargh.
Okay, so I’m a few days late. Oh swells. I’ve been busy being lazy. Ish. 😉
I’m actually in the process of trying to figure out my goals/races for 2011, so stay tuned!! In the meantime, check out this baby!!
This is Frances. Frances can see into your soul. Frances is the future. The future looks sassy. 😉
In Search of Awesome 