17.25 miles - various greensboro trails (reedy fork + laurel bluff + nat greene + palmetto + greenway + piedmont)
In the world of running, there are certain vocabulary words one starts acquiring once different milestones are met. One such word is "epic." Anything above and beyond even the usual runner's call of duty is epic.
Today, along with Genisis, Kelly, and Danielle, I completed an epic run, though it's much more fun to say I crushed it. "Crushing" best describes the action of taking something, thrashing it against the wall, and then kicking it repeatedly. Many things can be crushed. Distances (" I crushed those 17.25 miles!"), people ("Watch out for so-and-so, they're a crusher!"), and eating ("Those pancakes got crushed!").
While I've yet to accomplish the middle description, and probably never will, the first and the last were taken care of. Check and check.
The epic run took place on many of my beloved Greensboro trails. I most likely will never get sick of saying how much I adore the trails. They are well kept, do-able distances, linked together, and technical enough to be interesting while not so hard that you feel like you'll get hurt if you fall. I carried plenty of water and gus, made sure that I didn't let the pace get quick, and tried to plug my brain directly into my ankle awareness.
I crushed it.
The epic eating took place (btw, any object or activity that gets crushed is usually epic) at IHOP, a place I haven't frequented since my ritual Monday Brunches with my friend Kate Cardalico in Wellington, FL. I had strawberry cheesecake pancakes, hash browns, scrambled egg whites, and 2 sausage links.
I crushed it.
There are reasons, though, above and beyond the sheer distance, that make this run a milestone. First, it's third time I've ever run this length. Second, it's the first time since Uwharrie that I'm back up to both my longest distance and my largest weekly mileage.
Third, and most importantly, it's the first true long distance I've run where I actually prepped for it eating and training wise before, after, and during.
The results? Well, muscle wise, I'm definitely drained. My legs felt the last 5 miles, not going to lie. Some of that I think was the transition from the trails to the paved greenway so late in the game. BUT!!! I definitely feel better than I ever have previously after such a distance. My attention to nutrition and proper training seems to be paying off. The ankle especially feels solid, though I'm still running in the brace, and may always wear it when I'm on the trails (why not?). We'll see tomorrow what the real damage may be, but as of now, all is more than well.
This week coming up is probably the most important one for me in my training schedule. Next week's goal? 20 or 21. My last long training run before the marathon, before I enter into the no-mans-land that is 20+ miles. The first time a person goes above that distance and into marathon zone, it's like entering a personal Bermuda triangle: you don't know where it might take you.
Right now, though, I'm still safely ensconced in do-able crushing distances. I may never be a crusher against other people, but at least I can give mile-age and eating some serious pain.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
So. Much. Fun.
8 miles - AT NIGHT nat greene/palmetto
One of the things I adore about Greensboro/Winston Salem (The Triad), is the people. For some weird reason, me, who could never seem to establish more than one solid friend at a time, who has lost touch with nearly everyone from past cities, jobs, and schools, has somehow managed to have a social life in Greensboro.
Last night was my first invite to a dinner+night run. It was the same group of people from Salem Lakes and last weekend's 15.5 at the reservoir. I provided the side dishes and the salad, our gracious host served blackfin tuna he himself caught at Hattaras (while being taunted by sharks, no less), and everyone else brought either wine, beer, chips/dip, bread, or in the case of one amazing person, cupcakes.
There was a lot of food, people.
But before the eating could commence, there was the running. The house where the dinner took place backed RIGHT OUT onto the trail system, one of the main selling points of the house. Off we went, headlamps and flashlights blazing, into the woods. The guys took off for a longer run, while the ladies still had a decent pace for a "shorter" 8 miler.
So what's the big brew haha about running in the woods at night? First off, it's gorgeous. It's a view of the trails and the lake that's so different (duh, it's night time). Still, it's more than that. It's as if you're going to a store after hours, getting to see everything "off the clock." The lake still reflects light, but it's sort of a milky color, and there are no birds, but lots of wrestling sounds coming from everywhere. Second, distances go by faster, since you can literally only see the next three feet ahead of you. Third, come on, you're RUNNING IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT. How cool is that?
I also realized how incredibly lucky I am to have landed, quite randomly, in a group of people who both condone and encourage this type of activity. Or activity in general. Dinner party? Sure, pretty everyday. Dinner party with a huge group run beforehand? Not so much. Even better, because we all share this love of activity, we are all pretty compatible, nice people in every other respect as well. Open to newcomers (like myself), welcoming, encouraging, warm, humorous, intelligent, and just plain fun as hell.
Which is really what I was thinking as we were all sitting at the table, epic-ly eating, talking, and laughing. I guess I have to keep running now, just to show appreciation for where it's led me.
One of the things I adore about Greensboro/Winston Salem (The Triad), is the people. For some weird reason, me, who could never seem to establish more than one solid friend at a time, who has lost touch with nearly everyone from past cities, jobs, and schools, has somehow managed to have a social life in Greensboro.
Last night was my first invite to a dinner+night run. It was the same group of people from Salem Lakes and last weekend's 15.5 at the reservoir. I provided the side dishes and the salad, our gracious host served blackfin tuna he himself caught at Hattaras (while being taunted by sharks, no less), and everyone else brought either wine, beer, chips/dip, bread, or in the case of one amazing person, cupcakes.
There was a lot of food, people.
But before the eating could commence, there was the running. The house where the dinner took place backed RIGHT OUT onto the trail system, one of the main selling points of the house. Off we went, headlamps and flashlights blazing, into the woods. The guys took off for a longer run, while the ladies still had a decent pace for a "shorter" 8 miler.
So what's the big brew haha about running in the woods at night? First off, it's gorgeous. It's a view of the trails and the lake that's so different (duh, it's night time). Still, it's more than that. It's as if you're going to a store after hours, getting to see everything "off the clock." The lake still reflects light, but it's sort of a milky color, and there are no birds, but lots of wrestling sounds coming from everywhere. Second, distances go by faster, since you can literally only see the next three feet ahead of you. Third, come on, you're RUNNING IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT. How cool is that?
I also realized how incredibly lucky I am to have landed, quite randomly, in a group of people who both condone and encourage this type of activity. Or activity in general. Dinner party? Sure, pretty everyday. Dinner party with a huge group run beforehand? Not so much. Even better, because we all share this love of activity, we are all pretty compatible, nice people in every other respect as well. Open to newcomers (like myself), welcoming, encouraging, warm, humorous, intelligent, and just plain fun as hell.
Which is really what I was thinking as we were all sitting at the table, epic-ly eating, talking, and laughing. I guess I have to keep running now, just to show appreciation for where it's led me.
Facts and Figures
yesterday - 8 miles AT NIGHT (later blog) nat greene/palmetto
today - 60 minutes elliptical
Yesterday I went and had a complete body work up. VO2 Max, Resting VO2 (for resting metabolic rate), and body composition.
We're fortunate at UNCG to have a lab that's open to the public to do all of these tests. Walking in, I have to admit, I was pretty excited. I knew I wasn't going to be a superwoman, but I like performing well on tests. All tests. Even tests that have a lot of drooling involved.
The pre-test portion involved a fast of 3-4 hours, which was difficult to accomplish given The Writing Center's current plethora of Samoas, Thin Mints, and Tagalongs.
Once I arrived a la lab, they gave me a heart rate monitor, and then echoed Genisis's advice that I too should purchase a heart rate moniter for my training. Then came the skin calipers. They pinched my hip, my lower shoulder blade, right under my armpit by my boob, my stomach, and my thigh. Then came height and weight. Then came the fun stuff.
They led me over to a treadmill with so many tubes and screens and machines around it that I thought I could be in Gattica. Except none of this looked futuristically cool and it there were florescent lights. A chair was placed on the treadmill belt, and I was given a big breathing tube I had to full stick into my mouth, and then I sat and breathed for 10 minutes or so.
Thing was, the actual open mouthed breathing was very hard through a tube with a big plastic thing and a nose clip. I definitely wasn't breathing "normally" so to speak. Who can? I also produced a lot of snot and drool, both of which I could do nothing about.
Next, they yoinked the chair, and began the VO2 Max. wow. Being maxed out is intense. I haven't been maxed out since middle school. And when I say maxed out, I say that if they hadn't stopped that treadmill I would have fallen over or barfed.
And the results??????
VO2Max: 49.2/ml/kg/min. - I BARELY squeeked into the "high" category with a score above 49. Yay lungs!
RMR: 1296 calories per day if I'm sitting on my bootie
Body Fat %: 16.98% - normal/good for endurance runners and only 1% below the 18% "Ideal" for my age group
Ta da! That's me boiled down to some numbers.
So with this information, they charted out AND explained WHY it's important to do some pacer workouts that will get my heart rate up to around 150/160. Want to know why? It's pretty cool.
So when I run at my normal pace, the one I can feel I can go forever on, I'm only using one set of muscles. Now, those muscles may FEEL like they can go forever, but in my marathon, if they run out of glycogen, they're OUT. Eating on a run keeps your blood sugar up, but it doesn't restore glycogen.
It's at this point in a marathon that a trained runner starts to recruit other muscle groups that maybe he/she didn't need before in order to keep going. Those muscle groups are the ones I would be working by pacing and sprinting; they are my fast muscle twitchers. While they don't normally fire when running long distances, in a pinch, they are willing to pitch in.
They are the relief players. They are on the sidelines, waiting to be put in "the game". Not the best players for the task at hand, but rarin' to go nonetheless.
Except that as of now, I haven't knocked on their door. So starting this week, I'm going to put in a pace run. If I'm going to do this marathon, I need all the help I can get.
today - 60 minutes elliptical
Yesterday I went and had a complete body work up. VO2 Max, Resting VO2 (for resting metabolic rate), and body composition.
We're fortunate at UNCG to have a lab that's open to the public to do all of these tests. Walking in, I have to admit, I was pretty excited. I knew I wasn't going to be a superwoman, but I like performing well on tests. All tests. Even tests that have a lot of drooling involved.
The pre-test portion involved a fast of 3-4 hours, which was difficult to accomplish given The Writing Center's current plethora of Samoas, Thin Mints, and Tagalongs.
Once I arrived a la lab, they gave me a heart rate monitor, and then echoed Genisis's advice that I too should purchase a heart rate moniter for my training. Then came the skin calipers. They pinched my hip, my lower shoulder blade, right under my armpit by my boob, my stomach, and my thigh. Then came height and weight. Then came the fun stuff.
They led me over to a treadmill with so many tubes and screens and machines around it that I thought I could be in Gattica. Except none of this looked futuristically cool and it there were florescent lights. A chair was placed on the treadmill belt, and I was given a big breathing tube I had to full stick into my mouth, and then I sat and breathed for 10 minutes or so.
Thing was, the actual open mouthed breathing was very hard through a tube with a big plastic thing and a nose clip. I definitely wasn't breathing "normally" so to speak. Who can? I also produced a lot of snot and drool, both of which I could do nothing about.
Next, they yoinked the chair, and began the VO2 Max. wow. Being maxed out is intense. I haven't been maxed out since middle school. And when I say maxed out, I say that if they hadn't stopped that treadmill I would have fallen over or barfed.
And the results??????
VO2Max: 49.2/ml/kg/min. - I BARELY squeeked into the "high" category with a score above 49. Yay lungs!
RMR: 1296 calories per day if I'm sitting on my bootie
Body Fat %: 16.98% - normal/good for endurance runners and only 1% below the 18% "Ideal" for my age group
Ta da! That's me boiled down to some numbers.
So with this information, they charted out AND explained WHY it's important to do some pacer workouts that will get my heart rate up to around 150/160. Want to know why? It's pretty cool.
So when I run at my normal pace, the one I can feel I can go forever on, I'm only using one set of muscles. Now, those muscles may FEEL like they can go forever, but in my marathon, if they run out of glycogen, they're OUT. Eating on a run keeps your blood sugar up, but it doesn't restore glycogen.
It's at this point in a marathon that a trained runner starts to recruit other muscle groups that maybe he/she didn't need before in order to keep going. Those muscle groups are the ones I would be working by pacing and sprinting; they are my fast muscle twitchers. While they don't normally fire when running long distances, in a pinch, they are willing to pitch in.
They are the relief players. They are on the sidelines, waiting to be put in "the game". Not the best players for the task at hand, but rarin' to go nonetheless.
Except that as of now, I haven't knocked on their door. So starting this week, I'm going to put in a pace run. If I'm going to do this marathon, I need all the help I can get.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Back in a New Saddle
1.5 miles treadmill + spin class
I promised myself that I wouldn't go off topic, but I feel like this is linked enough to go ahead and include.
How, you ask, since it involves running 0%?
It involves a concrete step towards a shift in lifestyle and priorities that deals with the integration of a great cross training/social expansion tool:
A road bike.
Some of you skeptics may remember my rails against biking, and the recent sale of my piece-O-crap Schwinn granny comfort bike that was supposed to tootle me to and from school each day.
Ok, that's all the time for remembering I'm going to give you.
Fast Forward to today! As soon as I became injured (when am I going to exhaust that theme?), all of my friends, who are avid bikers, espoused the benefits of riding. You can do it when injured from running, it's a wonderful way to cross train in general, it doesn't prevent you from running but adds to your fitness, it's a fantastic way to meet new people and have a fun time, etc.
Unfortunately, the month of January had a lot of little expenses that added up, not the least of which was the ankle itself. Thus, I am left with low flow for a bike start-up project.
Except that I have about 3000$ worth of horse equipment in my attic (ok, before anyone starts casing my attic, most of it is in custom leather goods that will fit nobody but me. Small niche market to say the least). Due to the last sentence's facts, most of it is unsell-able. Not that I would want to anyways. My half chaps/chaps/boots will always fit me, and I love them, and they are gorgeous.
But my saddle?
It's lovely, to be sure. And it's been with me for a long time, at a lot of different places. For a while, this is what my "office" looked like:
It was nice to carry around your stuff with you, freelance, like a carpet bagger, show up to a job knowing you have everything you need to get said job done.
That being said, selling the saddle doesn't mean I can't ever freelance again. If you want to get right down to it, I wound up riding in my boss's saddles most of the time anyways. It's purely a symbolic gesture.
Still, it's a huge symbol.
Selling my saddle means that I'm really letting go of my dream of being a hot shot professional rider. It's a dream born out of a time when I was more in love with the idea than the reality. Now, even if someone literally handed it to me and said, "Here! Your own barn! Your own millionaire clients! Your own bevy of warmbloods straight from Europe! And btw, you will never miss a distance ever again!" I would still say no thanks.
That doesn't mean I wouldn't wish I would say yes. There are some days I wish with all my heart that I could be a horse person and be happy doing it, that I could be one of those people in that world and be 100% ok with it, as many of my friends do and are. But I just can't. I need some stability in my life that horses just can't afford.
Greensboro and running, and hopefully biking, are all a part of that stability. Losing the saddle to gain a bike will be another shift in that direction. A wonderful shift.
But still, any shift makes you shake a little.
I promised myself that I wouldn't go off topic, but I feel like this is linked enough to go ahead and include.
How, you ask, since it involves running 0%?
It involves a concrete step towards a shift in lifestyle and priorities that deals with the integration of a great cross training/social expansion tool:
A road bike.
Some of you skeptics may remember my rails against biking, and the recent sale of my piece-O-crap Schwinn granny comfort bike that was supposed to tootle me to and from school each day.
Ok, that's all the time for remembering I'm going to give you.
Fast Forward to today! As soon as I became injured (when am I going to exhaust that theme?), all of my friends, who are avid bikers, espoused the benefits of riding. You can do it when injured from running, it's a wonderful way to cross train in general, it doesn't prevent you from running but adds to your fitness, it's a fantastic way to meet new people and have a fun time, etc.
Unfortunately, the month of January had a lot of little expenses that added up, not the least of which was the ankle itself. Thus, I am left with low flow for a bike start-up project.
Except that I have about 3000$ worth of horse equipment in my attic (ok, before anyone starts casing my attic, most of it is in custom leather goods that will fit nobody but me. Small niche market to say the least). Due to the last sentence's facts, most of it is unsell-able. Not that I would want to anyways. My half chaps/chaps/boots will always fit me, and I love them, and they are gorgeous.
But my saddle?
It's lovely, to be sure. And it's been with me for a long time, at a lot of different places. For a while, this is what my "office" looked like:
It was nice to carry around your stuff with you, freelance, like a carpet bagger, show up to a job knowing you have everything you need to get said job done.
That being said, selling the saddle doesn't mean I can't ever freelance again. If you want to get right down to it, I wound up riding in my boss's saddles most of the time anyways. It's purely a symbolic gesture.
Still, it's a huge symbol.
Selling my saddle means that I'm really letting go of my dream of being a hot shot professional rider. It's a dream born out of a time when I was more in love with the idea than the reality. Now, even if someone literally handed it to me and said, "Here! Your own barn! Your own millionaire clients! Your own bevy of warmbloods straight from Europe! And btw, you will never miss a distance ever again!" I would still say no thanks.
That doesn't mean I wouldn't wish I would say yes. There are some days I wish with all my heart that I could be a horse person and be happy doing it, that I could be one of those people in that world and be 100% ok with it, as many of my friends do and are. But I just can't. I need some stability in my life that horses just can't afford.
Greensboro and running, and hopefully biking, are all a part of that stability. Losing the saddle to gain a bike will be another shift in that direction. A wonderful shift.
But still, any shift makes you shake a little.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Eat it, it's goo for you
7.2 Greenway out-and-back
Rewind about a month ago. It's the turnaround spot for my epic 20 mile Uwharrie run. Everyone is breaking out the recovery packs. Powerbars, bananas, gatorade powders, it's all represented.
My fuel for the run back? A special K snack bar and some Hershey's kisses. And a bite size snickers I sheepishly ask one of the guys for.
Now nobody needs to be reminded of how this run ended for me. And yes, volunteering at a rest stop for the actual Uwharrie race was an eye opener. And yes, I know the terms "carb loading" and "glycogen" and all of the other endurance buzz words. But I really didn't know know.
During my ten miler on Saturday, my awesome friend Genisis, the same one who explained to me about the glycogen brain drain, said that I had to eat goo. I had to. I had to have a goo before I started a long run, and I needed to eat one goo pack every 40 minutes or so.
Why goo? The form makes it easily and quickly absorbed, instantly usable by the body. By the time the bars are digested, you may be too far gone.
Now besides sounding really gross, my sister had been done in by goo when she ate it during a half marathon. Granted, she had never eaten one before, and downed it in a moment of desperation. Still, not a ringing endorsement.
Yesterday while I was working at The Writing Center, my friend Andrew brought in a veritable newbie runner goodie bag: a book about nutrition, three old copies of Runner's Worls magazine, and.....a chocolate flavored caffeine enhanced goo.
I decided with my 14 miler coming up this weekend, to give it a shot. The consensus was to try it out today by downing it with water before my 7.2 Greenway run. If it didn't make my stomach tighten up, I would be good to go.
In the car, I stared at the packet with apprehension. Tearing open the top, I popped it in my mouth and started sucking, bracing myself for grossness. Which never came. It was actually sort of palatable. If you didn't look at it or think about what it was.
After several good sucks, I drank some water, jumped out of the car, and began.
The run? Glorious.
One could say that it was simply a placebo effect, but I felt stronger, better, and faster than normal. The most striking characteristic of the run, though, was how I wasn't thinking about the run. At all. The greenway is normally a slogger for me, both because of the pavement and because I've run it enough to memorize every bump and dip. Usually, I start obsessing over how much farther to go (a lot), how bored I am (very), and how much I wish it were over (immensely).
This time, I found myself zoning out, surprised at how much distance I had covered in the interim. I said, "oh! I'm here already?" I said it a lot. Even at the very very end, my muscles felt good, my brain felt sharp, and I felt ready for another goo and then another seven or so miles.
That being said, I know that I can't just embrace gels and be done with it. I really need to get on the ball, and it's clear that given my background and history with exercise and food, I'm going to need some human intervention to get my rear in gear.
So this week, I'm going to go into the Kinesiology Lab at UNCG and get: VO2 Max, Body Fat %, RBM, and sit down with a sports nutritionist who will give me specifics in regards to my body type, goals, and all the rest. I guess it's the same sort of thing with my ankle. If I tried to rehab on my own, and it hurt, I would have constantly second guessed myself and been overcome with anxiety. If I try to create my own eating plan, and gain weight, I think the results would be nothing but not good.
BUT. If a SPORTS NUTRITIONIST gives me a gameplan after having tested me and quizzed me and talked to me, and I gain weight, I may be a little freaked, but I'll also have a scientific guarauntee that it's in my best interests. Will that help? I think so.
And of course, I may not gain any weight at all, but still perform 100% better, which would be the best case scenario. I feel better having conquered the goo, though.
I mean, honestly, the pun potential alone is worth it.
Rewind about a month ago. It's the turnaround spot for my epic 20 mile Uwharrie run. Everyone is breaking out the recovery packs. Powerbars, bananas, gatorade powders, it's all represented.
My fuel for the run back? A special K snack bar and some Hershey's kisses. And a bite size snickers I sheepishly ask one of the guys for.
Now nobody needs to be reminded of how this run ended for me. And yes, volunteering at a rest stop for the actual Uwharrie race was an eye opener. And yes, I know the terms "carb loading" and "glycogen" and all of the other endurance buzz words. But I really didn't know know.
During my ten miler on Saturday, my awesome friend Genisis, the same one who explained to me about the glycogen brain drain, said that I had to eat goo. I had to. I had to have a goo before I started a long run, and I needed to eat one goo pack every 40 minutes or so.
Why goo? The form makes it easily and quickly absorbed, instantly usable by the body. By the time the bars are digested, you may be too far gone.
Now besides sounding really gross, my sister had been done in by goo when she ate it during a half marathon. Granted, she had never eaten one before, and downed it in a moment of desperation. Still, not a ringing endorsement.
Yesterday while I was working at The Writing Center, my friend Andrew brought in a veritable newbie runner goodie bag: a book about nutrition, three old copies of Runner's Worls magazine, and.....a chocolate flavored caffeine enhanced goo.
I decided with my 14 miler coming up this weekend, to give it a shot. The consensus was to try it out today by downing it with water before my 7.2 Greenway run. If it didn't make my stomach tighten up, I would be good to go.
In the car, I stared at the packet with apprehension. Tearing open the top, I popped it in my mouth and started sucking, bracing myself for grossness. Which never came. It was actually sort of palatable. If you didn't look at it or think about what it was.
After several good sucks, I drank some water, jumped out of the car, and began.
The run? Glorious.
One could say that it was simply a placebo effect, but I felt stronger, better, and faster than normal. The most striking characteristic of the run, though, was how I wasn't thinking about the run. At all. The greenway is normally a slogger for me, both because of the pavement and because I've run it enough to memorize every bump and dip. Usually, I start obsessing over how much farther to go (a lot), how bored I am (very), and how much I wish it were over (immensely).
This time, I found myself zoning out, surprised at how much distance I had covered in the interim. I said, "oh! I'm here already?" I said it a lot. Even at the very very end, my muscles felt good, my brain felt sharp, and I felt ready for another goo and then another seven or so miles.
That being said, I know that I can't just embrace gels and be done with it. I really need to get on the ball, and it's clear that given my background and history with exercise and food, I'm going to need some human intervention to get my rear in gear.
So this week, I'm going to go into the Kinesiology Lab at UNCG and get: VO2 Max, Body Fat %, RBM, and sit down with a sports nutritionist who will give me specifics in regards to my body type, goals, and all the rest. I guess it's the same sort of thing with my ankle. If I tried to rehab on my own, and it hurt, I would have constantly second guessed myself and been overcome with anxiety. If I try to create my own eating plan, and gain weight, I think the results would be nothing but not good.
BUT. If a SPORTS NUTRITIONIST gives me a gameplan after having tested me and quizzed me and talked to me, and I gain weight, I may be a little freaked, but I'll also have a scientific guarauntee that it's in my best interests. Will that help? I think so.
And of course, I may not gain any weight at all, but still perform 100% better, which would be the best case scenario. I feel better having conquered the goo, though.
I mean, honestly, the pun potential alone is worth it.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Run of My Dreams
Mon - 6 miles dreadmill
Today - 35 minutes elliptical
Literally.
I now know that running has taken its rightful place in my brain clutter, next to horseback riding and theater.
How?
I dreamt about it.
Running in my dream. How many people can say this occurs when not paired with the words "away" or "couldn't" or "in slow motion'?
The setting, oddly enough, was my old middle school, as were the cast of characters. I was cruising through my first marathon, and doing amazingly well. No fatigue, no wall. I was solid. I zipped through empty classrooms and all around the school grounds. I remember the doors getting in my way, and being anxious that people were going to catch up and pass me. This stood out because when I normally run, getting passed or passing are the two least important things I consider.
Then, my cat Chester fell off my hip (he likes to sleep on my hip when I'm lying on my side. He's a strange cat) and woke me up out of that dream. I promptly fell into another dream STILL set at my middle school (VERY strange, I usually never double up on location), only this time the dream was PRE race and I was anxious because I couldn't find my water bottle and I knew the marathon would be starting soon.
It's nice to have running dreams. It makes me think that running is more than a passing phase, and combined with my upcoming forray into cycling, it's the strongest driving force keeping me in Greensboro this summer, away from horse freelancing. My house can be rented (of course I would check in on it once or twice a month), and the cats would be under the care of my roommate (again, of course checked in on). But it's impossible to run or bike at a horse show, or a farm, and while I would stay fit, it wouldn't be in the same way.
Besides, so far, running dreams WAY beat out horse riding dreams, which usually center around some sort of horrible anxiety where I can't find my tack/equipment/ring/I'm entered in the Grand Prix/my horse is falling over/the trailer is gone/etc.
I would much rather not be able to find my water bottle.
Today - 35 minutes elliptical
Literally.
I now know that running has taken its rightful place in my brain clutter, next to horseback riding and theater.
How?
I dreamt about it.
Running in my dream. How many people can say this occurs when not paired with the words "away" or "couldn't" or "in slow motion'?
The setting, oddly enough, was my old middle school, as were the cast of characters. I was cruising through my first marathon, and doing amazingly well. No fatigue, no wall. I was solid. I zipped through empty classrooms and all around the school grounds. I remember the doors getting in my way, and being anxious that people were going to catch up and pass me. This stood out because when I normally run, getting passed or passing are the two least important things I consider.
Then, my cat Chester fell off my hip (he likes to sleep on my hip when I'm lying on my side. He's a strange cat) and woke me up out of that dream. I promptly fell into another dream STILL set at my middle school (VERY strange, I usually never double up on location), only this time the dream was PRE race and I was anxious because I couldn't find my water bottle and I knew the marathon would be starting soon.
It's nice to have running dreams. It makes me think that running is more than a passing phase, and combined with my upcoming forray into cycling, it's the strongest driving force keeping me in Greensboro this summer, away from horse freelancing. My house can be rented (of course I would check in on it once or twice a month), and the cats would be under the care of my roommate (again, of course checked in on). But it's impossible to run or bike at a horse show, or a farm, and while I would stay fit, it wouldn't be in the same way.
Besides, so far, running dreams WAY beat out horse riding dreams, which usually center around some sort of horrible anxiety where I can't find my tack/equipment/ring/I'm entered in the Grand Prix/my horse is falling over/the trailer is gone/etc.
I would much rather not be able to find my water bottle.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Running and Chewing Gum...
10 miles - Salem Lakes
.....at the same time. Probably not the best idea. Running and talking at the same time?
Brilliant.
Today I partook in a run organized by me but dreamed up by my friend Genisis, to gather up a group of people for a run around the Salem Lake paired with brunch at a local haunt called Mary's of Course. 8 people signed up, and even though it snowed yesterday and my ankle was talking back a little bit (sassy ankle), I decided to go.
SO GLAD I did. The wonderful thing about running with people is that it not only creates a lovely diversion, it creates bonding experiences. The activity shared amongst participants has already been established: running. And moving your feet automatically moves your brain, so the chit chat flows much faster than say, standing around noshing on chips at a party.
Try it. Assemble a group of people and have them all stand around trying to "get to know" one another. Awkward.
Take that same group of people, and have them all DO something together, and awkwardness lifts. I'm not talking about one of those team building ropes courses, I'm talking about all building birdhouses, or all painting pots.
Or all running.
My ten miles went off without a hitch. Physically this means the marathon is within my grasp. But it was more than the physical, it was the mental.
When you are running, the first thing that goes is brain power. Why? Because while your muscles can work on sugar, fat, and whatever else happens to be lying around the body, your brain is much pickier: Glycogen or bust. That bust creates a running monologue of "You can't do this, stop running, this isn't fun."
In the wild, this mechanism was meant to prevent us from running past our ability to safely get home to the tribe. It was a low fuel light.
When you're running with people, the chances of succumbing to this monologue decrease significantly. Running with people checks your pace, as it takes air to talk. Running with people pushes you past your old distance walls, as it's easy to let the group momentum overtake you. Running with people cures a whole host of challenges.
In fact, I didn't even start thinking of myself as a runner until I went out with my amazing group of gentlemen running friends, all of whom told me that I was a runner and encouraged me to go past my once thought to be set in stone limits.
Which is not to say that running solo doesn't have its merits. It can be centering, it can allow you to focus on increasing pace or honing your mental concentration, it can create its own sense of empowerment and freedom.
But running with people, for the most part, is just more fun.
Period.
Especially when it's paired with a lovely post run pig out involving breakfast burritos and french toast.
.....at the same time. Probably not the best idea. Running and talking at the same time?
Brilliant.
Today I partook in a run organized by me but dreamed up by my friend Genisis, to gather up a group of people for a run around the Salem Lake paired with brunch at a local haunt called Mary's of Course. 8 people signed up, and even though it snowed yesterday and my ankle was talking back a little bit (sassy ankle), I decided to go.
SO GLAD I did. The wonderful thing about running with people is that it not only creates a lovely diversion, it creates bonding experiences. The activity shared amongst participants has already been established: running. And moving your feet automatically moves your brain, so the chit chat flows much faster than say, standing around noshing on chips at a party.
Try it. Assemble a group of people and have them all stand around trying to "get to know" one another. Awkward.
Take that same group of people, and have them all DO something together, and awkwardness lifts. I'm not talking about one of those team building ropes courses, I'm talking about all building birdhouses, or all painting pots.
Or all running.
My ten miles went off without a hitch. Physically this means the marathon is within my grasp. But it was more than the physical, it was the mental.
When you are running, the first thing that goes is brain power. Why? Because while your muscles can work on sugar, fat, and whatever else happens to be lying around the body, your brain is much pickier: Glycogen or bust. That bust creates a running monologue of "You can't do this, stop running, this isn't fun."
In the wild, this mechanism was meant to prevent us from running past our ability to safely get home to the tribe. It was a low fuel light.
When you're running with people, the chances of succumbing to this monologue decrease significantly. Running with people checks your pace, as it takes air to talk. Running with people pushes you past your old distance walls, as it's easy to let the group momentum overtake you. Running with people cures a whole host of challenges.
In fact, I didn't even start thinking of myself as a runner until I went out with my amazing group of gentlemen running friends, all of whom told me that I was a runner and encouraged me to go past my once thought to be set in stone limits.
Which is not to say that running solo doesn't have its merits. It can be centering, it can allow you to focus on increasing pace or honing your mental concentration, it can create its own sense of empowerment and freedom.
But running with people, for the most part, is just more fun.
Period.
Especially when it's paired with a lovely post run pig out involving breakfast burritos and french toast.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Thoughts on Physical Therapy
Off Day
This morning I went to Physical Therapy. For the third time. I liked it. And yet, I couldn't really understand what was different about the exercises they had me doing there verses the ones I do at home.
I stretched. I did calf raises. I did my rubber band exercises. I bounced a ball against a trampoline while standing on one foot (always nerve wracking, as if I missed the ball it could go careening into the rest of the room and hit someone with a fake knee or broken leg). Then they strapped me into an ice boot for ten minutes. In terms of actual stuff, I couldn't see how it was worth the half-price-since-I-paid-by-check charge of 84$.
Other people were doing similar things. A room full of limping, hobbled people stretching and strengthening.
At the same time, though, people were talking. As did I. What about my future running plans? Why could I not get my ankle to go past a certain point in my stretches? Did I have to worry about my ankle hurting after standing on it at work while it did not hurt after my run? When can I start to run on trails again? How much running should I do during the week to prep for the marathon?
Answers:
1) I need to start running again and get my mileage up. Don't worry about soreness, it will be sore, just go through it.
2) My ankle was too weak to move past that point, it didn't have to do with range of motion, because it can be physically manipulated past the point where I could get it myself.
3) No, I didn't have to worry about my ankle getting sore at work even though it didn't hurt after my run. In an extension of #1, it's going to be sore, but I'm not going to reinjure it or do more damage. I just have to be sure to run in my brace for sure for the next week, and then play it by ear (though I think I'm going to be wearing that brace at least through the marathon for my own piece of mind).
4) I can start to run on the trails again next week.
5) I should do three 6-8 mile runs in addition to my long weekend run to get ready for the marathon.
That list above, to me, is more than worth $84. And I think that's a large part of what PT is for many people. Yes, there's the physical. But more importantly, there's the THERAPY. So many questions about our injuries, what they mean to our athletic and everyday life, what we can do to make things go smoother, what pain is pain to look out for and what pain is normal and to be expected. Just being around experts who make us feel like we have legitimate reasons to worry, and that our questions have answers, is worth the appointment.
Of all the people who I've talked to about my future training plans, these experts remain my most staunch supporters of getting back in the game. Tomorrow morning is my first back-to-normal route: The Greenway, 7.2 miles. See ya then!
This morning I went to Physical Therapy. For the third time. I liked it. And yet, I couldn't really understand what was different about the exercises they had me doing there verses the ones I do at home.
I stretched. I did calf raises. I did my rubber band exercises. I bounced a ball against a trampoline while standing on one foot (always nerve wracking, as if I missed the ball it could go careening into the rest of the room and hit someone with a fake knee or broken leg). Then they strapped me into an ice boot for ten minutes. In terms of actual stuff, I couldn't see how it was worth the half-price-since-I-paid-by-check charge of 84$.
Other people were doing similar things. A room full of limping, hobbled people stretching and strengthening.
At the same time, though, people were talking. As did I. What about my future running plans? Why could I not get my ankle to go past a certain point in my stretches? Did I have to worry about my ankle hurting after standing on it at work while it did not hurt after my run? When can I start to run on trails again? How much running should I do during the week to prep for the marathon?
Answers:
1) I need to start running again and get my mileage up. Don't worry about soreness, it will be sore, just go through it.
2) My ankle was too weak to move past that point, it didn't have to do with range of motion, because it can be physically manipulated past the point where I could get it myself.
3) No, I didn't have to worry about my ankle getting sore at work even though it didn't hurt after my run. In an extension of #1, it's going to be sore, but I'm not going to reinjure it or do more damage. I just have to be sure to run in my brace for sure for the next week, and then play it by ear (though I think I'm going to be wearing that brace at least through the marathon for my own piece of mind).
4) I can start to run on the trails again next week.
5) I should do three 6-8 mile runs in addition to my long weekend run to get ready for the marathon.
That list above, to me, is more than worth $84. And I think that's a large part of what PT is for many people. Yes, there's the physical. But more importantly, there's the THERAPY. So many questions about our injuries, what they mean to our athletic and everyday life, what we can do to make things go smoother, what pain is pain to look out for and what pain is normal and to be expected. Just being around experts who make us feel like we have legitimate reasons to worry, and that our questions have answers, is worth the appointment.
Of all the people who I've talked to about my future training plans, these experts remain my most staunch supporters of getting back in the game. Tomorrow morning is my first back-to-normal route: The Greenway, 7.2 miles. See ya then!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Hardcore Volunteering
6 miles!!! Treadmill!!!
Yesterday I volunteered at the Uwharrie National Forest Run. The same location that claimed the life of my left ankle three weeks ago. The purpose of volunteering, besides having something concrete and fun to do on my birthday, was so that next year my entry into the prestigious race would be affirmed. Those who volunteered automatically got first dibs, and since the race literally sells out seconds after registration opens on the web, it's a safe bet that unless you volunteer or ran before, you're not going to get in.
My rest stop was Mile 38. Yes, that's correct. For those of you who need the Red Bull version of masochism, there is a 40 mile race; it's the 20 mile version, only as an out-and-back. You run 20 miles out. And 20 miles back.
Our stock consisted of the following:
Orange slices and banana quarters
Peanut M&Ms
PB&J cut into quarters
Oatmeal Raisin cookies
Chocolate Chip cookies
Fig Newtons
Corn Chips
Potato Chips
Canned new potatoes and a dixie cup of salt (the potatoes are really just a vessel for the salt. A salt vessel)
Hot Chicken Noodle Soup
Hot Chocolate
Mountain Dew
Heed (like Gatorade, but not)
Pepsi
Water
Vaseline on popsicle sticks (for chaffing)
Coffee
Electrolyte tablets
We were tricked out. I had never seen anything like it. But when you're running 40 miles, I guess you need a lot of nutritional support. Or sugar incentive.
I had never volunteered before, and I have to say, I had a blast. I loved cheering on all the runners, who only had 2 miles to go. They were fantastic. All smiles (except for the guy who came through first, he looked pissed, but very hardcore) and jokes.
As the day progressed, these people, all of whom had been running for more than 6 hours, made me think about what I want to do once the ankle gets better. The marathon is within reach. To be honest, I'm really not worried about running the marathon. I'm probably being glib, but it's going to be a flat course. After all my training and running on the trails, a flat course is just a question of making my mind stay focused. It's a mental thing.
So where do I go from marathon? What's next? Ultra.
Next year, I'm thinking of setting a goal of the 40 miler. Of course it's going to depend on a lot of outside factors, but none of those people who came through the 38 mile station looked like they were going to collapse or spontaneously combust. They were smiling and joking, even the pair of middle aged ladies with authentic middle aged lady bodies. And I know that once they finished, they had a sense of unmatched accomplishment. Except for those who were running their 4th, 6th, and one was his 12th 40 mile Uwharrie.
If they can do it, why can't I?
To that end, I'm back and running. Tonight was 6 miles on a cushy treadmill. The ankle feels 100% fine, and if my legs feel strong enough tomorrow, I'm heading out to the Greenway for a slow 7.2.
There are things I'm still learning though. And part of the aid station helped me with that.
First thing, NUTRITION. Not something to mess around with. When I'm doing my long runs, I NEED to start getting used to gels and powerbars. After the first hour, if the run is longer than that, I need to EAT. No more hershey kisses and candy. We didn't have all that stuff laid out for decoration.
Second thing, CROSS TRAIN. This time around, I am going to have a mix of running, biking/spinning, and elliptical so that my joints don't get pounded. It's a resolution. Not letting myself get so wrapped up in what I did last week that I become rigid about what THIS week needs to be.
Third thing, STAY UP WITH MY PT. I need to make sure that I keep doing my ankle exercises TWICE a day EVERY day, maybe even with BOTH ankles so that I can get them strong again.
All that being said, my run today, yes, my RUN today, was fantastic. And I'm so looking forward to tomorrow.
Yesterday I volunteered at the Uwharrie National Forest Run. The same location that claimed the life of my left ankle three weeks ago. The purpose of volunteering, besides having something concrete and fun to do on my birthday, was so that next year my entry into the prestigious race would be affirmed. Those who volunteered automatically got first dibs, and since the race literally sells out seconds after registration opens on the web, it's a safe bet that unless you volunteer or ran before, you're not going to get in.
My rest stop was Mile 38. Yes, that's correct. For those of you who need the Red Bull version of masochism, there is a 40 mile race; it's the 20 mile version, only as an out-and-back. You run 20 miles out. And 20 miles back.
Our stock consisted of the following:
Orange slices and banana quarters
Peanut M&Ms
PB&J cut into quarters
Oatmeal Raisin cookies
Chocolate Chip cookies
Fig Newtons
Corn Chips
Potato Chips
Canned new potatoes and a dixie cup of salt (the potatoes are really just a vessel for the salt. A salt vessel)
Hot Chicken Noodle Soup
Hot Chocolate
Mountain Dew
Heed (like Gatorade, but not)
Pepsi
Water
Vaseline on popsicle sticks (for chaffing)
Coffee
Electrolyte tablets
We were tricked out. I had never seen anything like it. But when you're running 40 miles, I guess you need a lot of nutritional support. Or sugar incentive.
I had never volunteered before, and I have to say, I had a blast. I loved cheering on all the runners, who only had 2 miles to go. They were fantastic. All smiles (except for the guy who came through first, he looked pissed, but very hardcore) and jokes.
As the day progressed, these people, all of whom had been running for more than 6 hours, made me think about what I want to do once the ankle gets better. The marathon is within reach. To be honest, I'm really not worried about running the marathon. I'm probably being glib, but it's going to be a flat course. After all my training and running on the trails, a flat course is just a question of making my mind stay focused. It's a mental thing.
So where do I go from marathon? What's next? Ultra.
Next year, I'm thinking of setting a goal of the 40 miler. Of course it's going to depend on a lot of outside factors, but none of those people who came through the 38 mile station looked like they were going to collapse or spontaneously combust. They were smiling and joking, even the pair of middle aged ladies with authentic middle aged lady bodies. And I know that once they finished, they had a sense of unmatched accomplishment. Except for those who were running their 4th, 6th, and one was his 12th 40 mile Uwharrie.
If they can do it, why can't I?
To that end, I'm back and running. Tonight was 6 miles on a cushy treadmill. The ankle feels 100% fine, and if my legs feel strong enough tomorrow, I'm heading out to the Greenway for a slow 7.2.
There are things I'm still learning though. And part of the aid station helped me with that.
First thing, NUTRITION. Not something to mess around with. When I'm doing my long runs, I NEED to start getting used to gels and powerbars. After the first hour, if the run is longer than that, I need to EAT. No more hershey kisses and candy. We didn't have all that stuff laid out for decoration.
Second thing, CROSS TRAIN. This time around, I am going to have a mix of running, biking/spinning, and elliptical so that my joints don't get pounded. It's a resolution. Not letting myself get so wrapped up in what I did last week that I become rigid about what THIS week needs to be.
Third thing, STAY UP WITH MY PT. I need to make sure that I keep doing my ankle exercises TWICE a day EVERY day, maybe even with BOTH ankles so that I can get them strong again.
All that being said, my run today, yes, my RUN today, was fantastic. And I'm so looking forward to tomorrow.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Running Again!!!
2 miles treadmill; Spin class
Yesterday was an affirmation. Yes, I do love to run.
I arrived at the gym with my NEW road bike shoes AND cleats so I could look extremely hardcore for my first spin class. After changing and heading into the spin room, though, I noticed an absence of people. Considering the class was supposedly about to start in 5 minutes, I left the room to find a schedule.
Ah yes, I was an hour early.
I then starting eyeing the treadmills. I DID have my sneakers with me....and the spin class WAS only 45 minutes of my alloted 60 of cardio.
So.
Off went the pristine cleats, on went the running shoes, and off I went!
I tentatively started at 5.5 mph. That was fine, so I set it to my normal cruising speed of 6.0.
That was FANTASTIC. I'm RUNNING AGAIN. I never thought I would be so happy to be on the boring TREADMILL!!
I love the feeling of my body in motion in that way, I love that I don't get winded, I love that my muscles are so used to it. I just love it.
After twenty minutes, I decided that anymore might make spin class too hard on the first try, so I hopped off and did my exercises.
The weather today kills my plan of 35 minutes on the treadmill since school is closed. Tomorrow is an off day. But Sunday I want to do a solid 60 minutes.
But still, I'm off and running again!!
Yesterday was an affirmation. Yes, I do love to run.
I arrived at the gym with my NEW road bike shoes AND cleats so I could look extremely hardcore for my first spin class. After changing and heading into the spin room, though, I noticed an absence of people. Considering the class was supposedly about to start in 5 minutes, I left the room to find a schedule.
Ah yes, I was an hour early.
I then starting eyeing the treadmills. I DID have my sneakers with me....and the spin class WAS only 45 minutes of my alloted 60 of cardio.
So.
Off went the pristine cleats, on went the running shoes, and off I went!
I tentatively started at 5.5 mph. That was fine, so I set it to my normal cruising speed of 6.0.
That was FANTASTIC. I'm RUNNING AGAIN. I never thought I would be so happy to be on the boring TREADMILL!!
I love the feeling of my body in motion in that way, I love that I don't get winded, I love that my muscles are so used to it. I just love it.
After twenty minutes, I decided that anymore might make spin class too hard on the first try, so I hopped off and did my exercises.
The weather today kills my plan of 35 minutes on the treadmill since school is closed. Tomorrow is an off day. But Sunday I want to do a solid 60 minutes.
But still, I'm off and running again!!
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