I'm usually one of those people who isn't too tolerant of folks and their sports injuries. "Really", I would think to myself, "suck it up and train already".
That is, until I started running. First was the silly IT band thing which miraculously went away after 10 days of stretching, icing and rolling. I had a great long distance run on Saturday. Felt Great Sunday, went to yoga. Felt great Monday. Tuesday, "BAM!" woke up with a painful hamstring and limped around all day.
Was able to run 4 miles on Tuesday. Today it's excruciating. Got a sports massage on my lunch hour to knead it out, stretched like gumby and then tried to run. Got about 4 steps and had to stop.
I refuse to have even one negative or self doubting thought in my head about this. My plan is to cool it on the running the rest of the week, I'll cycle, stretch and hydrate, meditate and pray. Hopefully all those things are enough to make me feel strong at the starting line.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
"REWARD", a matter of perspective
It was 5pm when I stepped out of my warm jeep onto the cold wet pavement of Farimount Loop. I zipped my fleece jacket snug around my neck and pulled down my cap to ward against the 42 degree windy rain. "Okay, Jew-bert, let's see what you're made of", I muttered as I set out on my 10 mile run.
As I often do during my runs, my mind wanders to my sister and how blessed I feel to be on this adventure with her. When we first planned this little tour de force, we decided that after every 4 weeks of training we would enjoy a reward together. Very quickly the training schedule was pushed to the side of the table as we discussed the type of reward we would get.
"How about a massage?"
Yes, definitely!.....
"What do you think of pedicures?"
We will need them after our long runs....
"I'd like a new running outfit"
And you will certainly deserve it.....
And so it went. Today I wondered what we would do for our encore... a memory of a conversation I had with Troy several years ago came to mind. I was setting out on a new weight loss program and he was helping me set my schedule. "What do I get when I loose those 10 pounds?" I asked eagerly. ~ He just stared at me, incredulous. "What do you GET?!? (pause for dramatic effect) You GET to weigh 10 pounds less!"
One of the reasons I married this man; he will always tell it as it is.
Okay... Now, back to me. As I was running today, thinking of my sister and our upcoming reward it dawned on me that THIS IS the reward.
REWARD: Being healthy enough to run 10 miles comfortably.
REWARD: Filling my lungs with fresh air and oxygen for almost two hours (even if it was cold air)
REWARD: The 14 beats per minute my resting heart rate has dropped since I began training.
REWARD: The way my favorite jeans fit now, with room in the bum.
REWARD: Endorphins from running don't leave you hungover in the morning.
REWARD: I feel healthy, fit and focused. I think I might even be a nicer person.
Things we do along the way to stay motivated are small celebrations of milestones passed. This entire experience has been the best REWARD, I could think of.
Author's Post Script: But ABOUT that encore.....What do you think of Cirque's KOOZA or the Bare Naked Ladies concert???
As I often do during my runs, my mind wanders to my sister and how blessed I feel to be on this adventure with her. When we first planned this little tour de force, we decided that after every 4 weeks of training we would enjoy a reward together. Very quickly the training schedule was pushed to the side of the table as we discussed the type of reward we would get.
"How about a massage?"
Yes, definitely!.....
"What do you think of pedicures?"
We will need them after our long runs....
"I'd like a new running outfit"
And you will certainly deserve it.....
And so it went. Today I wondered what we would do for our encore... a memory of a conversation I had with Troy several years ago came to mind. I was setting out on a new weight loss program and he was helping me set my schedule. "What do I get when I loose those 10 pounds?" I asked eagerly. ~ He just stared at me, incredulous. "What do you GET?!? (pause for dramatic effect) You GET to weigh 10 pounds less!"
One of the reasons I married this man; he will always tell it as it is.
Okay... Now, back to me. As I was running today, thinking of my sister and our upcoming reward it dawned on me that THIS IS the reward.
REWARD: Being healthy enough to run 10 miles comfortably.
REWARD: Filling my lungs with fresh air and oxygen for almost two hours (even if it was cold air)
REWARD: The 14 beats per minute my resting heart rate has dropped since I began training.
REWARD: The way my favorite jeans fit now, with room in the bum.
REWARD: Endorphins from running don't leave you hungover in the morning.
REWARD: I feel healthy, fit and focused. I think I might even be a nicer person.
Things we do along the way to stay motivated are small celebrations of milestones passed. This entire experience has been the best REWARD, I could think of.
Author's Post Script: But ABOUT that encore.....What do you think of Cirque's KOOZA or the Bare Naked Ladies concert???
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Power of Ten
It was a dark and stormy morning when I pulled into the Nike World Campus. I knew I had ten miles ahead but I still had not decided how to accomplish such a challenge on a day such as this. My gym bag was packed with many layers of clothing so either way I was "covered". I didn't want to run outside in the rain mainly because I didn't want to ruin my running shoes -- which are cute and kind of space-age looking. Also, it wouldn't be a good idea to buy new running shoes one week before the big day. Its suggested by veteran runners to run one's event in the same shoes one trained in.
Well, this story could get longer but since I'm too tired to be creative I'll just tell you what happened.
I ran the first five miles on the treadmill inside the gym. It was so boring and I hated every minute of it -- but I pushed through each mile knowing that I'd be glad to have them behind me when I hit the pavement outside for the last five miles. When I got outside and the cool air hit my, now-beginning-to-be-sore legs, it felt great and reinvigorating. I ran around the campus twice to complete 5 miles (first the big loop then the small loop, for those who are paying attention). With each mile that ticked by I encouraged myself aloud. When the tenth mile was complete I lifted my arms in victory--Rocky Balboa style. I wanted to run back into the gym and announce to the whole world that "I JUST RAN TEN MILES!" But instead I warmed myself for a long time underneath the shower and then took myself out for a bowl of soup.
Hi, my name is Sally and I just ran ten miles.
Well, this story could get longer but since I'm too tired to be creative I'll just tell you what happened.
I ran the first five miles on the treadmill inside the gym. It was so boring and I hated every minute of it -- but I pushed through each mile knowing that I'd be glad to have them behind me when I hit the pavement outside for the last five miles. When I got outside and the cool air hit my, now-beginning-to-be-sore legs, it felt great and reinvigorating. I ran around the campus twice to complete 5 miles (first the big loop then the small loop, for those who are paying attention). With each mile that ticked by I encouraged myself aloud. When the tenth mile was complete I lifted my arms in victory--Rocky Balboa style. I wanted to run back into the gym and announce to the whole world that "I JUST RAN TEN MILES!" But instead I warmed myself for a long time underneath the shower and then took myself out for a bowl of soup.
Hi, my name is Sally and I just ran ten miles.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
I'm BACK!!
Today was my longest run AFK. 4 and 1/4 miles. It felt good...I could have done more but don't want to push myself into injury. I'm really looking forward to putting on the miles this week. I was a little nervous that I wouldn't be able to do it...but that was all mental b/c my body was ready and I had done all of the necessary things to recouperate my IT band.
Two weeks from this moment we will have completed our 1/2 Marathon!
Two weeks from this moment we will have completed our 1/2 Marathon!
Run, Sister, Run!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Best. Run. Ever.
I've decided that my training falls into two different categories. BFK and AFK.
BFK: Before Fifteen K, I had plenty of great runs. A few tough ones, and one where I had to negotiate with myself not to just stop and go for ice cream. All and all, I was following my training scheudle, doing what I needed to do to accomplish my goal.
AFK: After Fifteen K has been a struggle. My first run out I was a Clydesdale body on Daschund legs. My second run out winded me at mile 2; the third run got my IT to hurting so badly I had to cut it short and walk the rest of it in.
These are NOT the traits of a 1/2 marathoner. Indeed!
Today as I laced up my shoes I was anxious yet contemplative, wanting the result to match my expectation. ~ My feet hit the pavement with a rythmn I hadn't felt since BFK. I felt good! The stop-in-my-tracks pain of last week was no where on that
3.5M Fairmount Loop. When I finished I felt ready to go again.
As far as AFK runs go, this was my best run EVER!
BFK: Before Fifteen K, I had plenty of great runs. A few tough ones, and one where I had to negotiate with myself not to just stop and go for ice cream. All and all, I was following my training scheudle, doing what I needed to do to accomplish my goal.
AFK: After Fifteen K has been a struggle. My first run out I was a Clydesdale body on Daschund legs. My second run out winded me at mile 2; the third run got my IT to hurting so badly I had to cut it short and walk the rest of it in.
These are NOT the traits of a 1/2 marathoner. Indeed!
Today as I laced up my shoes I was anxious yet contemplative, wanting the result to match my expectation. ~ My feet hit the pavement with a rythmn I hadn't felt since BFK. I felt good! The stop-in-my-tracks pain of last week was no where on that
3.5M Fairmount Loop. When I finished I felt ready to go again.
As far as AFK runs go, this was my best run EVER!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
A Short Post
My foam roller has become my new best friend this week. I have been using it to stretch my I.T. Band, quads, hamstrings, calves and even my gluteas maximus. It is an amazing tool. Like Ava, I have had to find other methods of training this week while my muscles heal. I have been swimming, biking and just plain walking. Today I enjoy a great circuit training class.
I am looking forward to a small run on Friday. I haven't run in a week and I'm ready to get back to it.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Bike Sister, Bike!
That's my theme this week! Running isn't in the cards right now. I have to tell you, I miss it!
I miss the way my legs sear and my heart pounds as my feet hit the unforgiving pavement. I really do. I miss the way I feel at the end of a strong outdoor run, my lungs filled with fresh air, my face kissed by the sun.
So, what the frick am I doing on the stationery (or is it stationary?) bike inside a stark gym?
Healing.
Tonight at the gym was the first day since the run that I had gasoline in my tank. I tore the pedals up.
Healing.
So that I can be there, ready at the starting line, and strong at the finish line.
I miss the way my legs sear and my heart pounds as my feet hit the unforgiving pavement. I really do. I miss the way I feel at the end of a strong outdoor run, my lungs filled with fresh air, my face kissed by the sun.
So, what the frick am I doing on the stationery (or is it stationary?) bike inside a stark gym?
Healing.
Tonight at the gym was the first day since the run that I had gasoline in my tank. I tore the pedals up.
Healing.
So that I can be there, ready at the starting line, and strong at the finish line.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)