It's been awhile since I've been on this blog posting a race report!
We've not run a race in a few months so it was good to get out there, pushing at race pace! Except, well, I didn't. I ran a good race. I had a decent time. A new PR for me. 2:17:27 was the official time and it's a vast improvement over the 2:38 half marathon I posted about 3 years ago at Garden Spot. They were similar courses, both hilly at spots and both with some decent flats and rolling hills. It was a fun day. My favorite part of the race was meeting up with a new friend I've met online and running about half of the half, lol, with her. I rarely get a chance during a race to chat at all, because nobody I know runs a similar pace so I'm all alone. This time was a treat. However, other than that, I am not sure what I was doing, because I felt a little complacent, bored even. What the heck? I'm out there, running and sweating up a storm, and I'm bored???? I'm never bored running. There's always something to look at, something to think through, something to keep me moving but this time I'm not sure what to think of my run.
I felt strong, I never walked, I kept moving at a good pace even though I *think* I could have pushed down to a 10 minute mile instead of staying at my comfortable 10:30. Maybe that was the problem? I was just letting myself coast. I've gone over and over the race in my head but just don't have a good answer for myself. I feel like running races is becoming the kryptonite of my love for running. I have come to enjoy the group runs we do and this is my first year for ever doing that. So, there is one part of me that thinks that I am just missing out on the give and take of those runs. You push yourself to keep up not because you're hitting a time but because you don't want to be left behind and lost! Okay, so I've never been lost but I do push myself super hard on these runs because I want to and it feels good. I still enjoy my solo runs and I push myself distance wise more than pace wise on those...just trying to hit a little farther down the road before turning around and once I've mastered a distance, finding a new road or a new turn around to add to it keeps me interested. Where does this leave me? I have no idea. I guess I'll just keep running and figure it out.
One of my least favorite races to run, Habitat for Humanity 5k is in two weeks. It's usually a hot, hilly run through a road with open fields on both sides of it type of out and back near our house. I have not been able to conquer it and feel really great about it yet even though it's a 5k. I am hoping that this is the year that the hills don't look like mountains and I can manage to pull out a sub 10 pace for the run. 9:30 would be an amazing pace for that course so here's hoping!
I guess in the end of it all, I don't care about my race paces...I really just want to always remember how good running makes me feel and hope that my love for getting out there and hitting the pavement (or trails!) never leaves me. Or if it does, it doesn't stay gone long :)
Monday, June 18, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Lost?
As one of my friends mentioned yesterday, I tend to be getting lost a lot lately. Yesterday, Troy and I were out for a run to test out a half marathon route we'll be running in a few weeks for our long run. Troy made me repeat the route changes several times to make sure I knew where I was going. We were both going to attempt race pace so he wouldn't be waiting at the intersections for me, and he was worried I'd get lost. After all, we'd decided to half of the course last week and I did get lost, turning right where I should have gone left. A mile later, I realized my mistake, and at that point, I should have turned around but thought I could "fix" my mistake and pick up the road a bit later.
Well, that would have worked if A. Troy had not been waiting about a 1/2 mile from where I'd made my mistake and was getting worried as heck and B. If the road had been a mile from where I was, not three up and down rolling hills that felt like mountains. If anyone is familiar with Harmony Grove Rd in Dover, PA, you know what I mean. So by the time I got to where I should have met Troy, he was meeting me with the car. Uh-oh. As relieved as I was to have met up with him finally, I knew he was NOT going to be happy. He had waited as long as he could and then ran back to the car as fast as he could because he didn't know where I was. I felt like a jerk. I'd ruined his run and I promised if I ever got turned around again, I would turn around and go right back to where I'd last known the right direction.
So, the next few days we did some trail running with friends, a 26 mile bike ride and a 6 mile hike with the dogs. All uneventful. Well, except the trail running, because I was having one of those nights that just suck the life out of your legs. I couldn't manage the hills at all. Disappointing, but I know it happens so I tried not to beat myself up too much. Fast forward to Sunday's Long Run...
As I said, I repeated, repeated and repeated one more time what the roads were that I need to turn on. North Salem to Schoolhouse to Clearview to Sky Top to Fish & Game to Deep Hollow to Oriole to Conewago and then back to Schoolhouse and North Salem. Sounds easy, right? Well, I did great until mile 9 or so. There was an intersection of Conewago and Colonial and the road sign was a bit turned. I wasn't sure which road was which. I took out my phone, looked at the map, and turned right because I thought that was the right way. Wrong. I'm running along, two miles down the road when I notice a mailbox...Colonial Rd...hmmm. That was NOT right. I stopped. I thought. What should I do? Turn around and head back to the intersection like I'd PROMISED I'd do? Troy wasn't waiting for me and it wasn't a mile, it was 2 and I could see I was coming up to a major road, so I opted to turn the corner and see where I was. I did call and leave a message for Troy so he knew I'd turned wrong and might need a rescue ride, lol.
When I got up to the road, my heart sank when I saw where I was. I was about 5 miles from the end of our run and I was 11 miles in. Wow....that was not a good feeling. I called Troy again, told him where I was and which way I'd be heading. By now, I was getting a little discouraged feeling. I was almost out of water, and the road I was on was nothing by more hills. I just kept on moving, not trying to focus on the miles ahead but I was pretty thankful when I heard my phone ring. I gave Troy my location and then settled back into my run knowing I would soon be done and headed home. So at mile 12, I saw his car crest the hill. Yay! I collapsed into the seat, thanked him for not being grumpy at me for being lost again, and apologized. He was pretty gracious about the whole situation, even though I didn't follow directions and double back. I still would have been 5 miles away at that point anyway so it didn't make much of a difference.
So, the bigger question....why do I keep getting lost!?! I am a little unsettled by all these rescue calls I've had to make lately. I hope that this isn't a trend that will be continuing...but if it does, I am thankful to have a hubby who doesn't tease me too unmercifully.
Well, that would have worked if A. Troy had not been waiting about a 1/2 mile from where I'd made my mistake and was getting worried as heck and B. If the road had been a mile from where I was, not three up and down rolling hills that felt like mountains. If anyone is familiar with Harmony Grove Rd in Dover, PA, you know what I mean. So by the time I got to where I should have met Troy, he was meeting me with the car. Uh-oh. As relieved as I was to have met up with him finally, I knew he was NOT going to be happy. He had waited as long as he could and then ran back to the car as fast as he could because he didn't know where I was. I felt like a jerk. I'd ruined his run and I promised if I ever got turned around again, I would turn around and go right back to where I'd last known the right direction.
So, the next few days we did some trail running with friends, a 26 mile bike ride and a 6 mile hike with the dogs. All uneventful. Well, except the trail running, because I was having one of those nights that just suck the life out of your legs. I couldn't manage the hills at all. Disappointing, but I know it happens so I tried not to beat myself up too much. Fast forward to Sunday's Long Run...
As I said, I repeated, repeated and repeated one more time what the roads were that I need to turn on. North Salem to Schoolhouse to Clearview to Sky Top to Fish & Game to Deep Hollow to Oriole to Conewago and then back to Schoolhouse and North Salem. Sounds easy, right? Well, I did great until mile 9 or so. There was an intersection of Conewago and Colonial and the road sign was a bit turned. I wasn't sure which road was which. I took out my phone, looked at the map, and turned right because I thought that was the right way. Wrong. I'm running along, two miles down the road when I notice a mailbox...Colonial Rd...hmmm. That was NOT right. I stopped. I thought. What should I do? Turn around and head back to the intersection like I'd PROMISED I'd do? Troy wasn't waiting for me and it wasn't a mile, it was 2 and I could see I was coming up to a major road, so I opted to turn the corner and see where I was. I did call and leave a message for Troy so he knew I'd turned wrong and might need a rescue ride, lol.
When I got up to the road, my heart sank when I saw where I was. I was about 5 miles from the end of our run and I was 11 miles in. Wow....that was not a good feeling. I called Troy again, told him where I was and which way I'd be heading. By now, I was getting a little discouraged feeling. I was almost out of water, and the road I was on was nothing by more hills. I just kept on moving, not trying to focus on the miles ahead but I was pretty thankful when I heard my phone ring. I gave Troy my location and then settled back into my run knowing I would soon be done and headed home. So at mile 12, I saw his car crest the hill. Yay! I collapsed into the seat, thanked him for not being grumpy at me for being lost again, and apologized. He was pretty gracious about the whole situation, even though I didn't follow directions and double back. I still would have been 5 miles away at that point anyway so it didn't make much of a difference.
So, the bigger question....why do I keep getting lost!?! I am a little unsettled by all these rescue calls I've had to make lately. I hope that this isn't a trend that will be continuing...but if it does, I am thankful to have a hubby who doesn't tease me too unmercifully.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Cap2Cap Century Ride Report
Yesterday I rode my bike 100 miles...well actually, it was about 105 miles but I'll get to that story later. For now, I am just excited to share that I was able to conquer my first century ride! I rode from Richmond, Virginia to Williamsburg, Virginia, and then turned around and rode back. It wasn't an out and back ride though, so mostly it was new roads the entire ride. What a beautiful day for it too! The sun was shining, and it didn't get overly hot until the end of the ride so moderate temps were on tap pretty much all day. The Cap2Cap started at 7:30 am for century riders, so we left our house around 3 am to get there on time and change and unload the bikes.
The bikes and us survived the early am ride down...with a pit stop around 6 am at a Starbucks. Had to get some of that caffeine in us! It was hard to wait until we found one open. Luckily it was close to 95 and we were in and out fairly quickly. We also had a chance to try the Starbucks breakfast sandwiches which actually were pretty good. Pre-ride fuel :)
The parking lot was almost full when we got there around 6:45...LOTS of bikes and people everywhere!
Once we got to the lot, Troy unloaded the bikes and I took a quick walk down to pick up our wristbands. From that point on, we'd be looking for green signs and paint on the roads which meant we'd be crazy and doing 100 miles. While getting our cue sheets, I grabbed a blue one (50-miler) just in case we just felt like 100 wasn't happening today and opted to do 50 instead. We'd been debating this pretty much for days and still weren't decided on what we'd do. I headed back to car, changed, and we got set to head down for the start. Luckily, we had people around us to help catch smiles before the 100 miles of torture started!
Once at the start, it was a little overwhelming how many people were there! It was a bit of madness. This was my second big event ride like this and the first one last year almost sent me to tears being a new rider and just freaking out a bit. This year, except for a touch of nerves and some begging to start at the back of the pack, I was feeling great. We started and the pack quickly became more thinned out as the miles passed and everyone settled in. Our first feed zone was only 13 miles in and barely seemed necessary. It was a nice chance to chat a bit and then head on for the next 14 miles to the next stop. Troy stayed with me for this 14 miles and it was a quicker one. We headed out onto a highway and it felt great to just pedal away, moving as fast as I could. He couldn't believe my pace difference, even commenting that we should ride on highways all of the time. By the time we hit the next stop at 27 miles, I was ready for a bit of walk around time. This was the stop that determined whether we changed and took the 50 mile loop or pressed on to the 100. It came down to some time calculations - if we continued on we'd likely miss the lunch cutoff and come in just barely at 4 pm when course support ceased. After deciding lunch wasn't all that important to us but going for the 100 was I found some ibuprofen from one of the volunteers, as was to become my m.o. for just about every stop from that point on, and we headed out again.
Troy and I started out again together but the road was rough and I was feeling it. I begged him to go around me and I'd meet up with him at the next stop, an old courthouse, at mile 39. I tend to be able to refocus better alone and I seriously needed some refocus at that moment! He grudgingly agreed to leave me and headed out. Once alone, I let myself whine in my head for a few minutes and then figured it was time to move on and get going. The road was a nice, smooth one again and I felt good. I pulled into the courthouse lawn and met up with Troy. I got a pb&j, ate a cookie and we headed out for the next feed zone. As we rounded the corner out of road from the feed zone, the volunteers were so enthusiastic, I had to smile. "Green?" they yelled. We shook our heads yes and they motioned to the right, "Head right...next stop Williamsburg!" It was so cool to think that we'd be riding all the way to Williamsburg.
I was excited but was starting to really be in pain. At about 45 miles, I had to stop. Troy was behind me, and stopped too. I just needed to get upset and try and find a way to get through it. I told him he'd have to go on to Williamsburg and let me go on alone, but he didn't want to because he was worried about me. But I knew that mentally, I needed to be alone again a bit to find that way through it. This was something that happened several times over the course of 100 miles. I love that guy, and I love that he wants to be there for me, and it's hard for me when I feel like I have to push him on to let me find my way. In the end, I think he gets it, but in the moment, it wasn't always fun. I think in that moment, he wished we'd gone for the 50 because I don't think he thought I could do the 100.
So, alone again, I was headed to Williamsburg. We encountered one of the rudest drivers I've ever seen biking during this stretch. We were on the road - lots of us - not blocking traffic, keeping to the shoulder but the Virginia Capital Trail was off the road to our right. Our cue sheets did not have this as an option even though several riders did use it in place of the road because they were familiar with it, I guess. I wasn't and didn't know where it went, so I followed the signs and stayed on the road. A man drove by blasting his horn at each rider motioning to the bike path, being as obnoxious as possible. I guess he didn't see the many signs, stating "Share the Road, Cap2Cap ride." It's a shame when people just have that mentality of cars only on the road. Even if the bike path was there, it's still my option to ride on the road.
Rude driver aside, one of the roughest road sections we encountered was yet to come. My hands, wrist and shoulders were screaming from the rough pavement. I can't put into words how thankful I was when the James River bridge and the next feed zone came into view. Thank you, Lord for getting me to 53 miles! Since the Cap2Cap started at either Richmond or Williamsburg, this was a pretty festive feed zone as it was the end of the line for many riders. I refilled my water bottle, grabbed a veggie wrap and collapsed on the ground beside Troy. All too quickly it was time to head back onto the road. We knew it was only 11 miles to the next feed zone but also knew it was back over the horrendous rutted up road we'd just come in on. We had our usual conversation about riding together or separate and Troy headed off.
Many times during this 11 miles I wished I asked him to stay instead of go. The course veered onto a back road that was a little eerie at times. Just a half mile from the feed zone, I slipped my chain downshifting. No other bikes in sight and I don't know how to put it on. Hmm. I pick up my phone to call Troy when another rider comes up. He stops, and tells me what to do and heads on his way. Thankful to be moving again, I get to the feed zone just about ready to give up. Even the feed zone is a bit depressing here. It's so quiet after the festivities of the last one and there are only about 15 riders total here. We're the stragglers. I feel bad that Troy's so much farther behind than if he'd been on his own the whole time. The SAG van is at the feed zone and it's tempting. At 63 miles in, there is still a lot of road to cover. My left knee is in so much pain, I'm climbing hills with mostly my right leg handling up and down, letting the left leg coast and relax. It's a difficult balance when there are so many hills. But, I decide I've come this far and I'm not quitting.
The next feed zone is 20 miles away and it's the longest I've been on the bike in a single stretch all day. I know that mentally I am just going to have to find a way and push through. Troy heads off and I start moving. I find him waiting for me at the 14 mile mark, near the courthouse feed zone from mile 39. The volunteer on that corner yells that we can head back up to that feed zone, or it's 6 miles to the next one going toward Richmond. We opt for Richmond and not adding a mile to go back. And we start moving. Troy stays with me for most of this stretch and only pushes ahead at the end. I find him at the feed zone and cry. 87 miles. I am just so ready for this all to be over. I know it's only 13 miles but it seems like it's forever. Again, the SAG van is there. Several riders get on, just done. Troy tells me that I can if I want, if I'm hurting too bad. Again, it's tempting. But I really, really want to finish. Not almost finish. I send a message to my facebook page, knowing I need some moral support. And as I'm starting out for the last 13 miles, I can feel my phone buzz in my back pocket with my friends texting and commenting that I can do it. So, we start out together and at 93 miles, I cut Troy loose to finish. My pace was excruciatingly slow for him and I wanted him to be able to go on ahead. At that point, I stopped on the side of the road and got a nice, long drink and did some praying, just asking for enough strength to finish.
Back on the bike, with 7 miles to go. Headed over some busy intersections and fell in line with another rider and we got talking. I even had the pleasure of a bird pooping on me at mile 97. We talked ourselves to mile 98 and found we were lost. The signs were gone, my garmin died and we didn't know how much farther we had to go. Course support ended at 4 pm and apparently, that meant "you're on your own for real" We looked for green arrows on the road but there came a point where there was an intersection and there was no arrow. We knew we'd missed something but what? We continued on, first on a busy 4 lane highway and then to the city streets. She saw a road she thought would go back to the finish but I wasn't sure. I decided to stay in town and figure it out.
After many blocks of riding, I gave up, pulled up on the sidewalk and called Troy. He came to get me and in the end we estimate I totaled about 105 miles. How did I do it? Who knows. I guess I was running on adrenaline because of being lost. One thing was a plus out of the whole situation - I rode my bike in downtown Richmond traffic. In and out of cars, lanes, etc. and was fine. City biking has been a huge fear for me, but I really wasn't stressed at all by the riding and for that, I'm grateful for being lost.
After all that, we checked into our hotel, took showers, ordered pizza in and I was asleep by 9. Nine hours of biking takes it's toll on a person. Today, I feel pretty good. Not really sore at all, except the knee. I have some odd sunburn lines that make me look striped - garmin and wristband lines on my wrist, farmer tan on the legs and arms. It's attractive! I'm glad to be home and relaxing and I feel so accomplished. It was a great feeling to be so low on those later miles, even getting lost, and not freaking out, not giving up but just pushing through it all. Things aren't always easy, but that doesn't mean they're not worth doing.
The bikes and us survived the early am ride down...with a pit stop around 6 am at a Starbucks. Had to get some of that caffeine in us! It was hard to wait until we found one open. Luckily it was close to 95 and we were in and out fairly quickly. We also had a chance to try the Starbucks breakfast sandwiches which actually were pretty good. Pre-ride fuel :)
 | |
| Our bikes ready to go! |
Once we got to the lot, Troy unloaded the bikes and I took a quick walk down to pick up our wristbands. From that point on, we'd be looking for green signs and paint on the roads which meant we'd be crazy and doing 100 miles. While getting our cue sheets, I grabbed a blue one (50-miler) just in case we just felt like 100 wasn't happening today and opted to do 50 instead. We'd been debating this pretty much for days and still weren't decided on what we'd do. I headed back to car, changed, and we got set to head down for the start. Luckily, we had people around us to help catch smiles before the 100 miles of torture started!
Once at the start, it was a little overwhelming how many people were there! It was a bit of madness. This was my second big event ride like this and the first one last year almost sent me to tears being a new rider and just freaking out a bit. This year, except for a touch of nerves and some begging to start at the back of the pack, I was feeling great. We started and the pack quickly became more thinned out as the miles passed and everyone settled in. Our first feed zone was only 13 miles in and barely seemed necessary. It was a nice chance to chat a bit and then head on for the next 14 miles to the next stop. Troy stayed with me for this 14 miles and it was a quicker one. We headed out onto a highway and it felt great to just pedal away, moving as fast as I could. He couldn't believe my pace difference, even commenting that we should ride on highways all of the time. By the time we hit the next stop at 27 miles, I was ready for a bit of walk around time. This was the stop that determined whether we changed and took the 50 mile loop or pressed on to the 100. It came down to some time calculations - if we continued on we'd likely miss the lunch cutoff and come in just barely at 4 pm when course support ceased. After deciding lunch wasn't all that important to us but going for the 100 was I found some ibuprofen from one of the volunteers, as was to become my m.o. for just about every stop from that point on, and we headed out again.
Troy and I started out again together but the road was rough and I was feeling it. I begged him to go around me and I'd meet up with him at the next stop, an old courthouse, at mile 39. I tend to be able to refocus better alone and I seriously needed some refocus at that moment! He grudgingly agreed to leave me and headed out. Once alone, I let myself whine in my head for a few minutes and then figured it was time to move on and get going. The road was a nice, smooth one again and I felt good. I pulled into the courthouse lawn and met up with Troy. I got a pb&j, ate a cookie and we headed out for the next feed zone. As we rounded the corner out of road from the feed zone, the volunteers were so enthusiastic, I had to smile. "Green?" they yelled. We shook our heads yes and they motioned to the right, "Head right...next stop Williamsburg!" It was so cool to think that we'd be riding all the way to Williamsburg.
I was excited but was starting to really be in pain. At about 45 miles, I had to stop. Troy was behind me, and stopped too. I just needed to get upset and try and find a way to get through it. I told him he'd have to go on to Williamsburg and let me go on alone, but he didn't want to because he was worried about me. But I knew that mentally, I needed to be alone again a bit to find that way through it. This was something that happened several times over the course of 100 miles. I love that guy, and I love that he wants to be there for me, and it's hard for me when I feel like I have to push him on to let me find my way. In the end, I think he gets it, but in the moment, it wasn't always fun. I think in that moment, he wished we'd gone for the 50 because I don't think he thought I could do the 100.
So, alone again, I was headed to Williamsburg. We encountered one of the rudest drivers I've ever seen biking during this stretch. We were on the road - lots of us - not blocking traffic, keeping to the shoulder but the Virginia Capital Trail was off the road to our right. Our cue sheets did not have this as an option even though several riders did use it in place of the road because they were familiar with it, I guess. I wasn't and didn't know where it went, so I followed the signs and stayed on the road. A man drove by blasting his horn at each rider motioning to the bike path, being as obnoxious as possible. I guess he didn't see the many signs, stating "Share the Road, Cap2Cap ride." It's a shame when people just have that mentality of cars only on the road. Even if the bike path was there, it's still my option to ride on the road.
Rude driver aside, one of the roughest road sections we encountered was yet to come. My hands, wrist and shoulders were screaming from the rough pavement. I can't put into words how thankful I was when the James River bridge and the next feed zone came into view. Thank you, Lord for getting me to 53 miles! Since the Cap2Cap started at either Richmond or Williamsburg, this was a pretty festive feed zone as it was the end of the line for many riders. I refilled my water bottle, grabbed a veggie wrap and collapsed on the ground beside Troy. All too quickly it was time to head back onto the road. We knew it was only 11 miles to the next feed zone but also knew it was back over the horrendous rutted up road we'd just come in on. We had our usual conversation about riding together or separate and Troy headed off.
Many times during this 11 miles I wished I asked him to stay instead of go. The course veered onto a back road that was a little eerie at times. Just a half mile from the feed zone, I slipped my chain downshifting. No other bikes in sight and I don't know how to put it on. Hmm. I pick up my phone to call Troy when another rider comes up. He stops, and tells me what to do and heads on his way. Thankful to be moving again, I get to the feed zone just about ready to give up. Even the feed zone is a bit depressing here. It's so quiet after the festivities of the last one and there are only about 15 riders total here. We're the stragglers. I feel bad that Troy's so much farther behind than if he'd been on his own the whole time. The SAG van is at the feed zone and it's tempting. At 63 miles in, there is still a lot of road to cover. My left knee is in so much pain, I'm climbing hills with mostly my right leg handling up and down, letting the left leg coast and relax. It's a difficult balance when there are so many hills. But, I decide I've come this far and I'm not quitting.
The next feed zone is 20 miles away and it's the longest I've been on the bike in a single stretch all day. I know that mentally I am just going to have to find a way and push through. Troy heads off and I start moving. I find him waiting for me at the 14 mile mark, near the courthouse feed zone from mile 39. The volunteer on that corner yells that we can head back up to that feed zone, or it's 6 miles to the next one going toward Richmond. We opt for Richmond and not adding a mile to go back. And we start moving. Troy stays with me for most of this stretch and only pushes ahead at the end. I find him at the feed zone and cry. 87 miles. I am just so ready for this all to be over. I know it's only 13 miles but it seems like it's forever. Again, the SAG van is there. Several riders get on, just done. Troy tells me that I can if I want, if I'm hurting too bad. Again, it's tempting. But I really, really want to finish. Not almost finish. I send a message to my facebook page, knowing I need some moral support. And as I'm starting out for the last 13 miles, I can feel my phone buzz in my back pocket with my friends texting and commenting that I can do it. So, we start out together and at 93 miles, I cut Troy loose to finish. My pace was excruciatingly slow for him and I wanted him to be able to go on ahead. At that point, I stopped on the side of the road and got a nice, long drink and did some praying, just asking for enough strength to finish.
Back on the bike, with 7 miles to go. Headed over some busy intersections and fell in line with another rider and we got talking. I even had the pleasure of a bird pooping on me at mile 97. We talked ourselves to mile 98 and found we were lost. The signs were gone, my garmin died and we didn't know how much farther we had to go. Course support ended at 4 pm and apparently, that meant "you're on your own for real" We looked for green arrows on the road but there came a point where there was an intersection and there was no arrow. We knew we'd missed something but what? We continued on, first on a busy 4 lane highway and then to the city streets. She saw a road she thought would go back to the finish but I wasn't sure. I decided to stay in town and figure it out.
After many blocks of riding, I gave up, pulled up on the sidewalk and called Troy. He came to get me and in the end we estimate I totaled about 105 miles. How did I do it? Who knows. I guess I was running on adrenaline because of being lost. One thing was a plus out of the whole situation - I rode my bike in downtown Richmond traffic. In and out of cars, lanes, etc. and was fine. City biking has been a huge fear for me, but I really wasn't stressed at all by the riding and for that, I'm grateful for being lost.
After all that, we checked into our hotel, took showers, ordered pizza in and I was asleep by 9. Nine hours of biking takes it's toll on a person. Today, I feel pretty good. Not really sore at all, except the knee. I have some odd sunburn lines that make me look striped - garmin and wristband lines on my wrist, farmer tan on the legs and arms. It's attractive! I'm glad to be home and relaxing and I feel so accomplished. It was a great feeling to be so low on those later miles, even getting lost, and not freaking out, not giving up but just pushing through it all. Things aren't always easy, but that doesn't mean they're not worth doing.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Less Running, More Healing
What a bad few weeks it turned out to be, but that just means it gets better from here, right? Not only did I not finish my marathon and instead hurt my heel, I got sick. The kind of sick I hate because it meant I had to go to the doctor. I dread that so much but forced myself anyway and it's a good thing I did! Turns out the massive headache I've been fighting for what seems like forever was because my sinuses were infected. And that it turn caused a bad throat infection. And it's probably been like that for awhile. I've been having the headaches for a month, and first had a throat issue over Easter when I lost my voice so now my sucky runs are making a bit more sense to me. I was running on empty. :( But on the bright side, I'm headed into a busy running season with meds and I am feeling so much better than I have in a long time! Can't change the past but I can look forward to the future, right?
So, these days off haven't been bad at all. I did a short run (4.5 miles) on Saturday on my favorite trails and the ankle/heel felt good but then by Monday I was feeling so stiff it was obviously still healing. I am thinking of running with the local trail running group run tomorrow evening, so wish me luck. I will take it easy and not push myself but I do want to keep out there. We've got our super long bike ride coming up this weekend and then it's back to the running. We've got several runs planned over the summer and I'm looking forward to all of them!! But the biking has been something I've been loving lately. Troy and I went out for a ride last week and it was wonderful. I felt so comfortable on my bike and I know he appreciates that change. I was a stressed out road crosser last year who was scared of most cars coming up behind me. Going out with the group ride has really helped me to find that comfort level. I even led our ride most of the time which was actually fun. Well, more fun that pedaling hard all the time trying to keep pace with the crazy hubby.
So, if running needs to take a back seat to biking for awhile, I'm okay with that! Sometimes goals just become a bigger part of our life than we realize, and we lose sight of why we're out there in the first place. I know that building up that marathon for all those cold months did some great things for me, like pushing me to get out there and run when it was so cold my water bottles froze but I had a great time, or sending me out in the ankle deep snow to run when the scenery was breathtaking and the air was crisp and clean, or even making sure I got out there to enjoy the warmth of a unseasonably high temp late winter day. Every moment like that makes me appreciate that I had a plan that kept me accountable and, most importantly, kept me running. I know I would have run through a lot of those times anyway but "the plan" was sometimes the one thing that pushed me to change, lace up the shoes and get the heck out there! Enjoying our holiday runs like the 12 miles of Christmas in the dark past all the glowing lights, or the 12 mile New Years Day run with friends to ring in 2012 all matched with our plan and I wouldn't have given up either of those runs for anything! Memories to carry forever. So, I'll forget someday that my name isn't on the marathon finishers from 4/28/12 but I know this...
I am still a runner. Through injuries, illnesses, bad weather, good weather, family stress, work stress, holidays, time changes...through everything I will find a way to run. And it doesn't matter to me if I run on single track trails, wide fire roads, dirt paths, paved roads, rocky roads, or anything and everything in between because no matter what, as long as my feet are moving, I'm happiest. And finish or not, those facts still remain. So, it's time to forgive myself this missed goal (for now!) and move on to the next thing on my list.
So, these days off haven't been bad at all. I did a short run (4.5 miles) on Saturday on my favorite trails and the ankle/heel felt good but then by Monday I was feeling so stiff it was obviously still healing. I am thinking of running with the local trail running group run tomorrow evening, so wish me luck. I will take it easy and not push myself but I do want to keep out there. We've got our super long bike ride coming up this weekend and then it's back to the running. We've got several runs planned over the summer and I'm looking forward to all of them!! But the biking has been something I've been loving lately. Troy and I went out for a ride last week and it was wonderful. I felt so comfortable on my bike and I know he appreciates that change. I was a stressed out road crosser last year who was scared of most cars coming up behind me. Going out with the group ride has really helped me to find that comfort level. I even led our ride most of the time which was actually fun. Well, more fun that pedaling hard all the time trying to keep pace with the crazy hubby.
So, if running needs to take a back seat to biking for awhile, I'm okay with that! Sometimes goals just become a bigger part of our life than we realize, and we lose sight of why we're out there in the first place. I know that building up that marathon for all those cold months did some great things for me, like pushing me to get out there and run when it was so cold my water bottles froze but I had a great time, or sending me out in the ankle deep snow to run when the scenery was breathtaking and the air was crisp and clean, or even making sure I got out there to enjoy the warmth of a unseasonably high temp late winter day. Every moment like that makes me appreciate that I had a plan that kept me accountable and, most importantly, kept me running. I know I would have run through a lot of those times anyway but "the plan" was sometimes the one thing that pushed me to change, lace up the shoes and get the heck out there! Enjoying our holiday runs like the 12 miles of Christmas in the dark past all the glowing lights, or the 12 mile New Years Day run with friends to ring in 2012 all matched with our plan and I wouldn't have given up either of those runs for anything! Memories to carry forever. So, I'll forget someday that my name isn't on the marathon finishers from 4/28/12 but I know this...
I am still a runner. Through injuries, illnesses, bad weather, good weather, family stress, work stress, holidays, time changes...through everything I will find a way to run. And it doesn't matter to me if I run on single track trails, wide fire roads, dirt paths, paved roads, rocky roads, or anything and everything in between because no matter what, as long as my feet are moving, I'm happiest. And finish or not, those facts still remain. So, it's time to forgive myself this missed goal (for now!) and move on to the next thing on my list.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wishing for Blisters
So, when returning home on Saturday I noticed that the blisters that had plagued my run had disappeared. Nowhere to be found. I was confused. I'd seen red, raw skin on my foot, felt the searing burn of a blister but yet, nothing was there. Hmmm. So, I went to bed that night and woke up the next morning to some stiffness and a bit of pain but nothing awful. I looked my foot over carefully, searching for any remnant of something that would explain the pain. Again, nothing.
Troy suggested a hike or a walk and I thought it sounded like a good idea. He'd been alternating heat and ice on his back and it was feeling looser and getting out of the house sounded good. That was, until we got out there. About a mile into our hike, the burning pain of the phantom blister returned. I was sure there was a blister this time. Got back to the car and I was in serious pain. Took off my shoe...nothing. Not even a blemish or hint of redness this time. So, I went home, rested it and called it a day. I started really wracking my brain, trying to figure out what was going on. I googled over and over using all kinds of different search phrases. Nothing. Then, I happened to remember that during a massage last week I had a bone that was a bit out of place which hurt pretty badly being popped back in. I sent my massage therapist a text, asking her to call me. After talking with her in depth, it became pretty obvious it sounded like plantar fasciitis. I went online, did a lot more research and yep, I have every symptom of it. So, now, it's time to rest it. And stretch it. And rest it some more. No running. Me? No running? Wow. That's going to be a tough deal around here. If the pain is still worsening by the end of the week, I know I'll be forced to go to the doctor for a more thorough examination but I know there's really nothing that can be done to speed my recovery along.
On the plus side, at least I am even more certain I made the right choice in not going out for loop #2 of the marathon. I would be in a lot more pain I'm sure. I have a lot of running plans for the summer and I want to be healed up and ready to take on the next challenge, and at least this is better than the stress fracture I was starting to panic and think was a possibility! Whoever would have thought I would have been wishing I had massive blisters!!
So, I'm not the ironclad runner I thought I was. Even though I get a sports massage monthly and roll regularly, I was getting sloppy. Lately I've been going to sleep and not rolling and stretching my feet as well as my back and legs because I've just been tired. So, I guess that's coming back to bite me. I know that I was cautious in my mileage progressions and didn't do too much too soon or anything like that but I still wasn't being as careful as I could be about switching terrains and I did way too much running on the left side of the road and it obviously took it's toll on my left foot. Today is the worst pain yet, and I am just so angry that it hurts. But I'll be more careful moving forward and remember that without my feet, I can't run so they deserve that time for stretching and rolling too. Just a good reminder for everyone!
To everyone in my life, I apologize in advance for the nasty, grumpy creature I am probably going to turn into despite my best efforts. I will do my best to keep my good mood up despite losing my favorite outlet for all the negative emotions but please bear with me. :) Let's just hope for a short recovery and that I'll be back out there pounding the trails and roads soon!
Troy suggested a hike or a walk and I thought it sounded like a good idea. He'd been alternating heat and ice on his back and it was feeling looser and getting out of the house sounded good. That was, until we got out there. About a mile into our hike, the burning pain of the phantom blister returned. I was sure there was a blister this time. Got back to the car and I was in serious pain. Took off my shoe...nothing. Not even a blemish or hint of redness this time. So, I went home, rested it and called it a day. I started really wracking my brain, trying to figure out what was going on. I googled over and over using all kinds of different search phrases. Nothing. Then, I happened to remember that during a massage last week I had a bone that was a bit out of place which hurt pretty badly being popped back in. I sent my massage therapist a text, asking her to call me. After talking with her in depth, it became pretty obvious it sounded like plantar fasciitis.
On the plus side, at least I am even more certain I made the right choice in not going out for loop #2 of the marathon. I would be in a lot more pain I'm sure. I have a lot of running plans for the summer and I want to be healed up and ready to take on the next challenge, and at least this is better than the stress fracture I was starting to panic and think was a possibility! Whoever would have thought I would have been wishing I had massive blisters!!
So, I'm not the ironclad runner I thought I was. Even though I get a sports massage monthly and roll regularly, I was getting sloppy. Lately I've been going to sleep and not rolling and stretching my feet as well as my back and legs because I've just been tired. So, I guess that's coming back to bite me. I know that I was cautious in my mileage progressions and didn't do too much too soon or anything like that but I still wasn't being as careful as I could be about switching terrains and I did way too much running on the left side of the road and it obviously took it's toll on my left foot. Today is the worst pain yet, and I am just so angry that it hurts. But I'll be more careful moving forward and remember that without my feet, I can't run so they deserve that time for stretching and rolling too. Just a good reminder for everyone!
To everyone in my life, I apologize in advance for the nasty, grumpy creature I am probably going to turn into despite my best efforts. I will do my best to keep my good mood up despite losing my favorite outlet for all the negative emotions but please bear with me. :) Let's just hope for a short recovery and that I'll be back out there pounding the trails and roads soon!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Letting Go of Expectations; Triple Crown RR
Yesterday didn't go as planned. Not at all. I was struggling last night to find words to describe my disappointment and I cried. Not because I was sad, but because I was so angry at myself for walking away and not completing my goal. I wanted to go run 26.2 miles RIGHT AT THAT MOMENT just because I wanted to prove that I could. But, yesterday just wasn't my day to do it. Going into the day I was worried about Troy. He's been battling some injuries over the past few weeks and I wasn't even sure he'd be joining me at the start line at all. So, when he said he was, I was happy that he'd be there and tried to let go of the stress of worrying. No place for stress out there running. Like my friend Kathleen, says "Purge and leave it on the trail!" Well, that's paraphrasing a bit but still, you know what I mean.
So, he was running a half marathon leg of his day first and started ten minutes before the marathon start. We kissed, said our good lucks to each other and he headed off. I was left with a group of running friends I run with the trails with occasionally and we were all doing the marathon which started ten minutes later. Pacing was easy in the beginning, I didn't push myself, didn't let myself lag, just kept it moving slow and steady right over the first big hill. Three miles in was the first water crossing and actually it wasn't as bad as I'd built it up to be in my mind. Cold? Yes. Intolerable? No. The creek somehow was wider than it had looked the last time we'd run there and my feet were a bit numb as I started to climb the muddy hill out of there but by the time we started the descent on the other side, all was okay. But a mile later, I started to realize all was not okay. Just a twinge here and there told me that I was developing a blister. I tried to not think about it and talked to the runners around me, changing my footfall to avoid the worst of the pain and it was tolerable. As I left one of the runner friends I'd started with I just tried to focus on anything but the blister. Ever try to do that? Somehow the more you try to refocus, the more you come back to it! Then, I was lucky enough to settle into a pace with another runner who was happy to chat and talk about most anything and we had a good few miles to get to know each other. We wound around some of the parts of the park Troy and I had run in January and I felt completely at ease and strong. Not really suffering and was feeling good. Back to the creek crossing again going the other way at mile 10 and my feet were thankful for the cold water. It made the blisters (yes, there were multiple ones now!) feel better. I ducked into the brush for a potty break and my new running friend headed to the turnaround point. I was on my own again and the 10-k runners from the second leg of Troy's race started heading toward me. I kept looking for him, sure I'd pass him. As more and more runners, and eventually walkers kept going by, I started really worrying about him. I realized at that point that he must have dropped out. As I climbed the big hill we'd started at, I was really stressing. Stress = sucky running. That's just how it is. I know he's an adult and I should have been focusing on me, but that's not how I'm wired.
By the time I got to the turnaround and headed to the car to swap out clean, dry socks for my sopping wet ones, I was getting worried. I'd still not seen him anywhere. The dry socks felt good but the skin on my left foot was pretty raw. I grabbed a new pack of energy chews, sent him a text telling him I didn't feel well but was heading back out and then I was heading to the water table to refill. As I did, I saw him. He was in pain - his sciatic nerve was acting up pretty badly and he looked like he was in so much pain I felt awful for him. So, I decided that with my left foot hurting plus his back pain that the best thing for me to do was not head back out. I know that each successive water crossing would have been harder and harder on my blisters and although I knew in my heart I could finish, I didn't know how long the next 13 mile loop would have taken. Worrying about him in pain while I was out there running would have affected my running and that wouldn't have been a good thing. Walking away was both the hardest and easiest decision I could have made. All in all, I know it was the right decision.
So, now, I'm looking for another marathon to do and I know that I will rock it! I am thinking of avoiding a trail one, instead looking for a fun road one (with real portapotties, thank you!) and really celebrating the day. I love running the trails and I still know that 13 miles of that terrain is a big deal, and knowing that I COULD do it really does help. The last time we ran there I did 20 miles and that was pretty early in our training plan. I'm looking forward to heading back down there and doing more running and maybe even some mountain biking. It's a great park with lots of fun trails - I only wish we lived a little closer!
I am starting today with a good mood, glad to have had the time I did yesterday and treasuring the good moments while letting go of the bad. My foot is tender today but not sore and I think some biking is on the schedule! Enjoy your day everyone!
So, he was running a half marathon leg of his day first and started ten minutes before the marathon start. We kissed, said our good lucks to each other and he headed off. I was left with a group of running friends I run with the trails with occasionally and we were all doing the marathon which started ten minutes later. Pacing was easy in the beginning, I didn't push myself, didn't let myself lag, just kept it moving slow and steady right over the first big hill. Three miles in was the first water crossing and actually it wasn't as bad as I'd built it up to be in my mind. Cold? Yes. Intolerable? No. The creek somehow was wider than it had looked the last time we'd run there and my feet were a bit numb as I started to climb the muddy hill out of there but by the time we started the descent on the other side, all was okay. But a mile later, I started to realize all was not okay. Just a twinge here and there told me that I was developing a blister. I tried to not think about it and talked to the runners around me, changing my footfall to avoid the worst of the pain and it was tolerable. As I left one of the runner friends I'd started with I just tried to focus on anything but the blister. Ever try to do that? Somehow the more you try to refocus, the more you come back to it! Then, I was lucky enough to settle into a pace with another runner who was happy to chat and talk about most anything and we had a good few miles to get to know each other. We wound around some of the parts of the park Troy and I had run in January and I felt completely at ease and strong. Not really suffering and was feeling good. Back to the creek crossing again going the other way at mile 10 and my feet were thankful for the cold water. It made the blisters (yes, there were multiple ones now!) feel better. I ducked into the brush for a potty break and my new running friend headed to the turnaround point. I was on my own again and the 10-k runners from the second leg of Troy's race started heading toward me. I kept looking for him, sure I'd pass him. As more and more runners, and eventually walkers kept going by, I started really worrying about him. I realized at that point that he must have dropped out. As I climbed the big hill we'd started at, I was really stressing. Stress = sucky running. That's just how it is. I know he's an adult and I should have been focusing on me, but that's not how I'm wired.
By the time I got to the turnaround and headed to the car to swap out clean, dry socks for my sopping wet ones, I was getting worried. I'd still not seen him anywhere. The dry socks felt good but the skin on my left foot was pretty raw. I grabbed a new pack of energy chews, sent him a text telling him I didn't feel well but was heading back out and then I was heading to the water table to refill. As I did, I saw him. He was in pain - his sciatic nerve was acting up pretty badly and he looked like he was in so much pain I felt awful for him. So, I decided that with my left foot hurting plus his back pain that the best thing for me to do was not head back out. I know that each successive water crossing would have been harder and harder on my blisters and although I knew in my heart I could finish, I didn't know how long the next 13 mile loop would have taken. Worrying about him in pain while I was out there running would have affected my running and that wouldn't have been a good thing. Walking away was both the hardest and easiest decision I could have made. All in all, I know it was the right decision.
So, now, I'm looking for another marathon to do and I know that I will rock it! I am thinking of avoiding a trail one, instead looking for a fun road one (with real portapotties, thank you!) and really celebrating the day. I love running the trails and I still know that 13 miles of that terrain is a big deal, and knowing that I COULD do it really does help. The last time we ran there I did 20 miles and that was pretty early in our training plan. I'm looking forward to heading back down there and doing more running and maybe even some mountain biking. It's a great park with lots of fun trails - I only wish we lived a little closer!
I am starting today with a good mood, glad to have had the time I did yesterday and treasuring the good moments while letting go of the bad. My foot is tender today but not sore and I think some biking is on the schedule! Enjoy your day everyone!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Running in the Rain
I ran tonight. I felt strong. Alive. I've missed running and feeling like that! I've been biking so much lately that I've been neglecting my running shoes. I hope that tonight's run restored their faith in my love for all of them. My only run before tonight in the past few days was a trail run over the weekend that was not a good one. I had one of those migraine auras the entire five miles and every step just hurt all over. I was thankful for the run but I know that it probably wasn't my best idea ever to ignore the warning signs and hope the run straightened things out for me.
I had a wonderful ride Monday night with my beginner road bike group. I actually rode to the meeting place and back on my bike and I was a bit surprised at how little fear I felt hanging with the cars on my own. Usually I'm with the hubby and I always feel like the whole "safety in numbers" thing really applies to bike riding. But, the flip side to that is that it's easy to follow the group and forget to be aware of your personal safety as well. All in all, I rode just under 27 miles, and arrived home just in time for a lecture about riding in the dusk without a tail light from the hubby. I promised that I wouldn't ever do it again and luckily, my new tail light came via UPS today so I don't have to break my promise! (Not that I would. I know he was right. I was just so excited to be out there on my own riding!) So after that, yesterday was a day to just get caught up on things and sort of hang out and I did some baking. Snickerdoodle cupcakes, anyone???
So, anyway, tonight was a scheduled group run at a park that's close to our house. We had been thinking of heading to the local rail trail and let me attempt clipless pedals again, but then I decided I really wanted to meet up and run with the trail runners instead. And then, we weren't sure if were going or not because the rain was picking up and this place is already notorious for nasty mud. In my mind, I think I was looking for any excuse to curl up and fall asleep on my honey's shoulder but it was not to be. And I'm so glad because it was a great run. Chilly and damp and the trail run leader is an expert at finding hills at one of the least hilly and technical places to run around here but still, a great one! We did about 6 and a half miles and called it a night. I was hungry but definitely could have done another few miles or so, that's just how good it was feeling. I love runs that remind me of how much love I have for the sport. Being out in the rain, stomping through muddy trails and soaking up every second is a great way to spend an evening.
One point of tonight's run was also special to me because it's a reminder of where I am and where I've come from. The first time I ever went to this park was about 5 or 6 years ago. We had come to hike the 9 mile trail around the lake and we were with our kids who were about 10 and 14 I think. Anyway, we took so many breaks in hiking that it took us all day to traverse 9 fairly flat miles. We got lost toward the end and ended up heading up this steep fire road and I couldn't walk up the whole thing - I had to take a break halfway up. And I cried. I'm shaking my head at myself wondering how I could not have known that I was out of shape and unhappy with myself at that point!?! Tonight, I ran with all my might up that hill and loved every labored breath and every twinge of my quads burning because I did it. I wanted to do a Rocky-esque arm raise at that top of that hill. Yes. I conquered this hill. I conquered my inactivity. I conquered being overweight. I am living the life I never thought I could and I'm loving every minute of it.
I just need to take that feeling with me to next weekend's marathon. I want to remember every moment of it. It's my first marathon, in a park I love running in, and I want to be able to remember how it felt for the rest of my life. I want to conquer that 26.2 and remind myself that I can do anything I put my mind to!
I had a wonderful ride Monday night with my beginner road bike group. I actually rode to the meeting place and back on my bike and I was a bit surprised at how little fear I felt hanging with the cars on my own. Usually I'm with the hubby and I always feel like the whole "safety in numbers" thing really applies to bike riding. But, the flip side to that is that it's easy to follow the group and forget to be aware of your personal safety as well. All in all, I rode just under 27 miles, and arrived home just in time for a lecture about riding in the dusk without a tail light from the hubby. I promised that I wouldn't ever do it again and luckily, my new tail light came via UPS today so I don't have to break my promise! (Not that I would. I know he was right. I was just so excited to be out there on my own riding!) So after that, yesterday was a day to just get caught up on things and sort of hang out and I did some baking. Snickerdoodle cupcakes, anyone???
So, anyway, tonight was a scheduled group run at a park that's close to our house. We had been thinking of heading to the local rail trail and let me attempt clipless pedals again, but then I decided I really wanted to meet up and run with the trail runners instead. And then, we weren't sure if were going or not because the rain was picking up and this place is already notorious for nasty mud. In my mind, I think I was looking for any excuse to curl up and fall asleep on my honey's shoulder but it was not to be. And I'm so glad because it was a great run. Chilly and damp and the trail run leader is an expert at finding hills at one of the least hilly and technical places to run around here but still, a great one! We did about 6 and a half miles and called it a night. I was hungry but definitely could have done another few miles or so, that's just how good it was feeling. I love runs that remind me of how much love I have for the sport. Being out in the rain, stomping through muddy trails and soaking up every second is a great way to spend an evening.
One point of tonight's run was also special to me because it's a reminder of where I am and where I've come from. The first time I ever went to this park was about 5 or 6 years ago. We had come to hike the 9 mile trail around the lake and we were with our kids who were about 10 and 14 I think. Anyway, we took so many breaks in hiking that it took us all day to traverse 9 fairly flat miles. We got lost toward the end and ended up heading up this steep fire road and I couldn't walk up the whole thing - I had to take a break halfway up. And I cried. I'm shaking my head at myself wondering how I could not have known that I was out of shape and unhappy with myself at that point!?! Tonight, I ran with all my might up that hill and loved every labored breath and every twinge of my quads burning because I did it. I wanted to do a Rocky-esque arm raise at that top of that hill. Yes. I conquered this hill. I conquered my inactivity. I conquered being overweight. I am living the life I never thought I could and I'm loving every minute of it.
I just need to take that feeling with me to next weekend's marathon. I want to remember every moment of it. It's my first marathon, in a park I love running in, and I want to be able to remember how it felt for the rest of my life. I want to conquer that 26.2 and remind myself that I can do anything I put my mind to!
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