...after that cruddy run my foot and IT band really flared up. Stress, I know it was all stress related and so I decided that this girl needed to just chill for a week, or try anyway. Step one: Do not run. I love to run, but clearly the body was sending me warning signals. Step Two: Try to sleep!
Well, I did step one and you know what? Not running is always a recipe for disaster when it comes to the mood. So my mood spiraled. I do have lots of stuff going on , on the personal front, but not running in addition is just ...lets see...ARYSCAY!!!!!! (piglatin for those of you who do not have the blessing of living with a 13 year old!)
I decided that after a week I would run...and so Saturday I did an easy 4 miles. Right at 8:30/mile. By mile 3 I was almost asleep I was so relaxed. The body tolerated it nicely and my mood was much better. The run in conjunction with encouragement from a wonderful friend brought me back to life. I woke up today and just decided to take my time waking up. I woke at about 7 but then decided to just fall back asleep. By 9 it was time to get moving. gym clothes went on and off I went. I checked the weather as I debated getting out of bed. it was 19! I do not like 19. The sun was streaming into the room and thought for sure it was atleast 35. But after seeing the temp, and being the wimp I am, I decided to just run inside. Well as I walked from my car to the club entrance, I was nice and toasty!!!! I was very upset with my wimpy self for not just gearing up. I hit the mill anyway and it was a good run.
As I was running I got into a nice trance just staring at the weight bench infront of me. My mind just emptied. Now and then a decision about this or that would pop in and answers would emerge...and then I would drift out again and just be in the run. 6 miles and it felt like 5 minutes. I wish I could run 6 miles in 5 minutes!!!! It was very nice to just "be" in the run. It has been a long time since I have felt that.
I will be extra careful as I head into the week though. stressors are still high and the body just feels a tad comprimised. So maybe just 5-6 mile runs each AM would be just fine. I feel like such a slacker when I do that, and yet have to remember that it is still more than the average bear. I just dont want to be an average bear though!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Horton should learn to run....
...that should be the name of this silly blog. What a crap run tonight.
The goal was a solid tempo run. 2 mile warm up and then 2x2 miles at 7:00 min/mile with 1 minute recovery. I freakin flopped. I did the 2 mile warm up and then 1 mile in 7 and I just wanted to stop and cry. Walked with the coach while he gave me a pep talk... then I said I was ready to try again. Another mile right at 7 but lost it at the end again. What a loser I tell ya. The body seemed okay from a technical perspective. I was told the stride looked good and solid, but my mind and focus was not there as much as I tried. In the first tempo mile I held it for about 1/2 a mile at a solid effort and was able to clear the head but then lost it. The second tempo mile I manged to hold it until the last .2 and then again lost focus and it all fell apart.
So it was not my day. Hopefully next week will be better. I am completely aware that these tough sessions and times is what makes the good runs feel even better. It is that whole yin/yang thing. Good does not feel good without bad. You need the whole spectrum to even feel one end or the other. And so today we took the crap side of the spectrum and made it crappier, so that perhaps the good times to come will be better than I can imagine. I can only hope.
My running is the one thing in my life that has always kept me going. And go on I will.
Tomorrow is rest day...the most important part of training. A time to reflect, learn and think....and psych up to pick myself up and go at it again come Saturday. What a cycle...
The goal was a solid tempo run. 2 mile warm up and then 2x2 miles at 7:00 min/mile with 1 minute recovery. I freakin flopped. I did the 2 mile warm up and then 1 mile in 7 and I just wanted to stop and cry. Walked with the coach while he gave me a pep talk... then I said I was ready to try again. Another mile right at 7 but lost it at the end again. What a loser I tell ya. The body seemed okay from a technical perspective. I was told the stride looked good and solid, but my mind and focus was not there as much as I tried. In the first tempo mile I held it for about 1/2 a mile at a solid effort and was able to clear the head but then lost it. The second tempo mile I manged to hold it until the last .2 and then again lost focus and it all fell apart.
So it was not my day. Hopefully next week will be better. I am completely aware that these tough sessions and times is what makes the good runs feel even better. It is that whole yin/yang thing. Good does not feel good without bad. You need the whole spectrum to even feel one end or the other. And so today we took the crap side of the spectrum and made it crappier, so that perhaps the good times to come will be better than I can imagine. I can only hope.
My running is the one thing in my life that has always kept me going. And go on I will.
Tomorrow is rest day...the most important part of training. A time to reflect, learn and think....and psych up to pick myself up and go at it again come Saturday. What a cycle...
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Brrrrrrrr....
I really wanted to run outside today. And I know that several of my "real runner" friends did. But I just cannot muster up the energy to do that. Maybe I need better gear and I then I would not be so "afraid". I do get scared of getting too cold. I have gotten so cold before that it has taken me a hot bath and layers and mutliple layers of blankets to warm up. It is like I can feel ice on my bones. I remember when I was in college and I was so covered in blankets that my friends could hardly see me!!!!
Anyway, I did the wimpy 12 mile run today. 8 on the track and 4 on the mill. Then did a 30 minute swim. It was a fine run. The foot is buggin me. little tweak that comes and goes throughout the run. I hope it passes soon. Kept a comfortable pace just below 8 mins..probably around 7:55 or so.
I need focus though. If this foot thing can pass and I can get in a few good tempo runs I will do the New Bedford 1/2. Then gear up for spring/summer racing. I really really hope that injuries stay away. It gets so much harder it seems as I get older and as the stresses in life increase.
okay, this was a boring post..but post it is! Will head off now for some stretching and core stuff, maybe a little yoga and call it an early night. Recovery run in the AM............
Thank GOD for running....seriously...I am not sure where I would be right now without it.
Anyway, I did the wimpy 12 mile run today. 8 on the track and 4 on the mill. Then did a 30 minute swim. It was a fine run. The foot is buggin me. little tweak that comes and goes throughout the run. I hope it passes soon. Kept a comfortable pace just below 8 mins..probably around 7:55 or so.
I need focus though. If this foot thing can pass and I can get in a few good tempo runs I will do the New Bedford 1/2. Then gear up for spring/summer racing. I really really hope that injuries stay away. It gets so much harder it seems as I get older and as the stresses in life increase.
okay, this was a boring post..but post it is! Will head off now for some stretching and core stuff, maybe a little yoga and call it an early night. Recovery run in the AM............
Thank GOD for running....seriously...I am not sure where I would be right now without it.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Ready to hit the bike Path....
well, it has almost been 2 full months since I ran Tucson. Why does it seem like it was just yesterday...and yet on the other hand feels light years away. Since Tucson we have had Christmas, New Years, and just way way too much time away from Sister if you ask me.
...and way too far away from race plans. More importantly, marathon plans. I have not run a marathon since Boston 2010. That run was right after a friend of mine passed away. And was proceeded by a stress fracture that winter. The marathon remains so important to me, for reasons that are so so personal. And many marathoners would understand I am sure.
But to run a marathon again after 2 years...it will be like the "first" again. Firsts are always so sacred and special. And in many many ways this is truly my first. My first marathon knowing what I am capable of, what I have accomplished before me, lessons learned along the way, and so this will be my "first" marathon as a "real" runner. And readers, I do not mean to say that it is not real to have done what I have to date, but it is a mind thing. I have finally accepted and seen myself as a runner. Even in 2010, running 3:37 at Boston, I felt like I was "lucky" and that I was not "really" a runner. But today, and thanks to wonderful mentors, I feel like a runner now and run I will.
To even be able to get to the start line is such a prize. I recall many many years ago being told that I had ruined my body.....so anytime I get to the start line, and cross the finish of the 26.2 mile journey, it is a reminder that I am a figher and a survivor and that I can pretty much overcome any obstacle.
I have posted before about the 26.2 mile cycle. You start elated, and scared, but excited! Much like how one feels as a young adult. You hit a nice patch of mileage and just think, I am soooo cool. Then you hit another stretch where reality sets in, "Wait, I have to keep this up for another 16 miles?" Then you start to question, why did I do this? What am I doing? Can I keep this up? Then it kicks in again at mile 20 and you say and you recognize that you are stronger than you thought. and then 3 miles later you say, "oh , shit, I guess I am not so strong, " and as you hit the last water stop you tell yourself, "Tania, you have done this a million times, a 5K, this is easy.....and will only be harder now and later if you toss in the towel so throw it all out there." and then you do, and when you are .2 from the finish you hear crowds, you know the end and goal will be reached in seconds and you SPRINT!!!! A gifted energy. Totally amazing. Then you cross the finish and cry. And everytime I have said to myself "what a journey". The marathon has made me stronger in life. Life has made me stronger in the marathon.
And we have two stacked up this fall......and I am living for them both at the moment.
...and way too far away from race plans. More importantly, marathon plans. I have not run a marathon since Boston 2010. That run was right after a friend of mine passed away. And was proceeded by a stress fracture that winter. The marathon remains so important to me, for reasons that are so so personal. And many marathoners would understand I am sure.
But to run a marathon again after 2 years...it will be like the "first" again. Firsts are always so sacred and special. And in many many ways this is truly my first. My first marathon knowing what I am capable of, what I have accomplished before me, lessons learned along the way, and so this will be my "first" marathon as a "real" runner. And readers, I do not mean to say that it is not real to have done what I have to date, but it is a mind thing. I have finally accepted and seen myself as a runner. Even in 2010, running 3:37 at Boston, I felt like I was "lucky" and that I was not "really" a runner. But today, and thanks to wonderful mentors, I feel like a runner now and run I will.
To even be able to get to the start line is such a prize. I recall many many years ago being told that I had ruined my body.....so anytime I get to the start line, and cross the finish of the 26.2 mile journey, it is a reminder that I am a figher and a survivor and that I can pretty much overcome any obstacle.
I have posted before about the 26.2 mile cycle. You start elated, and scared, but excited! Much like how one feels as a young adult. You hit a nice patch of mileage and just think, I am soooo cool. Then you hit another stretch where reality sets in, "Wait, I have to keep this up for another 16 miles?" Then you start to question, why did I do this? What am I doing? Can I keep this up? Then it kicks in again at mile 20 and you say and you recognize that you are stronger than you thought. and then 3 miles later you say, "oh , shit, I guess I am not so strong, " and as you hit the last water stop you tell yourself, "Tania, you have done this a million times, a 5K, this is easy.....and will only be harder now and later if you toss in the towel so throw it all out there." and then you do, and when you are .2 from the finish you hear crowds, you know the end and goal will be reached in seconds and you SPRINT!!!! A gifted energy. Totally amazing. Then you cross the finish and cry. And everytime I have said to myself "what a journey". The marathon has made me stronger in life. Life has made me stronger in the marathon.
And we have two stacked up this fall......and I am living for them both at the moment.
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