I want to write up a full recap of yesterday's "race"...but I don't have time right now so I'll give the short version (yes, that is possible for me to do!).
It was cold and windy. I seriously almost backed out of doing this race a thousand times, right up to the time we took off. I secretly told myself if I made it to the big hill and quit there I'd be okay (embarrassed but okay).
Let me back up to Friday for a second...I drove the whole course
once and the hard hill TWO MORE TIMES!! I played a couple of songs and
even took a video of the last few miles with those songs playing. I
watched it no less than five times. Let me tell you...there's nothing
like having theme music for a hill climb!! ((I added one of the songs to
my playlist--"The Saints Are Coming".))
Back to the race...It's funny because all the hills that would normally completely FREAK ME OUT before really didn't yesterday because I had already been on the first part of the course on my bike. That was my saving grace. I kept thinking, and saying outloud, "I've done this before...I've been here...I've already survived this and it wasn't bad." When I got to the section I had videoed I had the songs running through my head and in my mind I was just watching the screen. I knew how long each climb would be even when I came to a spot where I couldn't see the top. I had picked out some landmarks to mark easier sections and knew when the hard climb was coming so I could mentally prepare (or quit...just being honest).
In a nutshell...I did it!! I didn't stop. I didn't get out of the saddle (not sure if that's a good thing or not, but I think it's good). And...I came in THIRD PLACE!!! It sounds really good until you find out there were only three of us there!!! The first place girl was a 15 year old who's 17 year old sister had just done the B race (2 loops) and then rode with her sister for a third loop...they are both AMAZING and were way in front of us after about 5 or so miles. Second place was a Tribe-mate of mine who is an Ironman. We rode together the whole time (with her leading...but I refused to draft off her after it became apparent I wasn't going to be able to pull her for more than a couple of minutes...it just wouldn't have been fair). We finished pretty much side-by-side with her out in front about 10".
I promise I'm not trying to over-exaggerate here...but yesterday was truly life-changing for me. I told my husband later, I remember the day I held a mouse and I remember the day I sat on my roof...and I will forever remember the day I rode up that monster-sized BEAST hill!! (If that didn't make sense, read my previous post...)
More later...
Thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
Showing posts with label hills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hills. Show all posts
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Monday, September 13, 2010
Relative...
(written Friday 9/11)
I was really surprised by today's long run. Other than the fact I took Daisy on a terrible detour from our usual route that caused us to walk up a steep, rocky, rooty incline...until we hit mile five, I was feeling remarkably well.
It's funny because we usually take a route that is different than the one I've always taken when I run solo. Today I convinced her we needed to take my route because we had planned on running eight miles and my way would loop us around to the very start of the trail, allowing us to never leave the road. (Whereas the route we usually take would put us on the road, then back on trail....which seemed harder to me.)
Naturally, since I was trying to get out of the harder route, we ended up cutting some off the trail, making us have to add on more at the end....and making us have to navigate the worst part of the trail.
On the section of trail that I usually just hate, the first time around I was "fine". I kept thinking that I still had like five miles to go so I couldn't mentally give in to trail-hate at that point. When we got to the trail head, I stopped us long enough to take a gel (that I probably didn't need, but did it anyway)...and then we were off again.
At about mile five, I started struggling. "That" section of trail was coming up and I was already dreading the extra we were going to tack on to get in a full eight. So I walked a little bit....BIG MISTAKE. From then on out it was tough. What was so bad was that I knew every time I walked I was making it that much harder on myself. And yet, I couldn't make myself just keep running.
We were headed to a certain point and planned to turn around and run the "six minute" stretch back to the cars to finish up our eight....I was walking, Daisy was running up ahead of me. I had decided in my mind that I would let her turn around and then when she got back to where I was (only a very short distance behind her), I would turn around (short) to head back with her. Ah, but she knows me too well...she stopped at the turn around point to wait on me! RATS. But, from that point I didn't walk again.
The thing is, our average pace was 11:47--even with all the walking I did at the end. What felt like (at the end) dragging butt, was really not bad at all. I'm getting faster. That's the only explanation for how it felt. I think that's why my favorite part of the trail comes just after that horrid incline--because it's downhill from there. Relatively speaking, going through the hard parts make the other parts "easy"...but if I were to stick with "easy" all the time, that would be the baseline. That's why speed work and hills are such great work outs.
Well...thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
I was really surprised by today's long run. Other than the fact I took Daisy on a terrible detour from our usual route that caused us to walk up a steep, rocky, rooty incline...until we hit mile five, I was feeling remarkably well.
It's funny because we usually take a route that is different than the one I've always taken when I run solo. Today I convinced her we needed to take my route because we had planned on running eight miles and my way would loop us around to the very start of the trail, allowing us to never leave the road. (Whereas the route we usually take would put us on the road, then back on trail....which seemed harder to me.)
Naturally, since I was trying to get out of the harder route, we ended up cutting some off the trail, making us have to add on more at the end....and making us have to navigate the worst part of the trail.
On the section of trail that I usually just hate, the first time around I was "fine". I kept thinking that I still had like five miles to go so I couldn't mentally give in to trail-hate at that point. When we got to the trail head, I stopped us long enough to take a gel (that I probably didn't need, but did it anyway)...and then we were off again.
At about mile five, I started struggling. "That" section of trail was coming up and I was already dreading the extra we were going to tack on to get in a full eight. So I walked a little bit....BIG MISTAKE. From then on out it was tough. What was so bad was that I knew every time I walked I was making it that much harder on myself. And yet, I couldn't make myself just keep running.
We were headed to a certain point and planned to turn around and run the "six minute" stretch back to the cars to finish up our eight....I was walking, Daisy was running up ahead of me. I had decided in my mind that I would let her turn around and then when she got back to where I was (only a very short distance behind her), I would turn around (short) to head back with her. Ah, but she knows me too well...she stopped at the turn around point to wait on me! RATS. But, from that point I didn't walk again.
The thing is, our average pace was 11:47--even with all the walking I did at the end. What felt like (at the end) dragging butt, was really not bad at all. I'm getting faster. That's the only explanation for how it felt. I think that's why my favorite part of the trail comes just after that horrid incline--because it's downhill from there. Relatively speaking, going through the hard parts make the other parts "easy"...but if I were to stick with "easy" all the time, that would be the baseline. That's why speed work and hills are such great work outs.
Well...thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Cotton Row 10K--Yo!! I did it!!
Thankfully before sitting down to write this post...I read THIS BLOG. Reading that post changes what I was going to say about the 10K race I ran yesterday. Well...I should say what I was going to say about the effort I gave running.
Let me start with saying what I'm about to write will be a little like writing in a foreign language for me. I'm going to attempt to write in a way I'm not used to. Instead of telling all the things I should have done, the things I didn't do, the things I want to do for next time...I want to focus on what I did RIGHT. It's going to be hard for me. Although I believe I'm a pretty optimistic person...I am that way when it comes to other people, not myself. I can tell anyone they did a GREAT JOB, except myself. That changes today.
I did a GREAT JOB!!
I set out 12 weeks ago to finish a 10K, and I did it. There were some goals I had to let go of along the way, but I finished the race. There was a point in there that I wasn't so sure I would, but I kept going and I did it.
PRE-RACE
I resisted the urge to blog about how nervous I was. Instead, I had a party for my training group the Saturday before the race. I thought focusing on a party instead of the run would help, and it did! I cooked some pasta and some sauce, and the people who came brought salad and bread and dessert. It was a lot of fun.
The day before the race I worked the packet pick up. Man, let me just say...THANK YOU to all the volunteers who help to put this race on. WOW. I'm amazed at the number of people it took. I had no idea just how big this race was going to be. The Races for the Cure I've done in the past were big...but I never really stopped to think about the people who put the event together. I just took it all for granted. I paid my entry fee, showed up, and had a great time. But, the man-power it takes and the countless hours the race director has to put in to bring it all together blow me away. "Thank you" just doesn't seem enough to cut it. (This picture is only 1/3 of the expo room--all those people behind the tables-volunteers!)
Anyway, having not run for 10 days, and the fact the last two times I tried to run were so painful, filled me with more than just a little trepidation. I considered switching from the 10K to the 5K, but I figured I'd come this far, I might as well go all the way and stick with the original plan. I got a decent night's sleep...I drank a protein shake for breakfast...took some drugs (anti-inflammatories and Tylenol)...got all my stuff together...and set out for the race.
RACE
I pretty much held my breath until I took the first step of my warm up. I had no idea what to expect....and I got something I would have never guessed. My left leg, the one that's been hurting all along, was PERFECTLY FINE!!!! But...(isn't there always a "but"?), my right leg was hurting. I think it was just tight from not running so long. It didn't kill me, but it didn't feel good. I joked with my coach that I hadn't learned how to limp the other way so I should be fine! After a slow and easy 1/2 mile warm up, the gun sounded and we were off.
I had planned on trying to stay with a pacer who was running 12:00, but I was going to be fine going slower. (After getting the MRI results, my goal had dwindled down from "run the whole way no matter how fast/slow" to "FINISH".) I was so excited to be running again, I had to pull out my phone and snap a picture!! It's not very good, because I was trying to maintain my pace and not let myself get run over!! You might not be able to tell, but there were about 1500 people in front of me and maybe 600 behind!!
My husband told me he was going to be around the 1 mile mark, so I was searching for him pretty hard, but he wasn't there. He found a way to get to the end of mile two--which was MUCH better! This starts the hardest part of this course for me. There's a little hill, and then about a mile long incline to the "real" hill at the very end of mile three. His smiling face, and words of encouragement kept me going at that point, although I took a little walk break going up the little hill and then again at the water station.
I walked the hill to the sound of the theme from Rocky, "Gonna Fly Now", thanks to a gracious home-owner who apparently plays it every year!! (That's AWESOME, I loved it!! It kept me moving, albeit slowly, unlike some people I saw stopping on the way up.) When I got to the top I really did want to quit. I'd like to say my leg hurt, but it didn't at that point, I was just over the excitement. I knew I wasn't going to do well by my standards. I had already walked before the hill...I didn't feel like I could keep going. And then I remembered---it's "all" down hill from there. That worked, and gave me the best running of the day (average pace of 11:30, best 7:57).
Even after that great mile, when I got to the end of mile five, I seriously considered trying to find a side street to slink down. But....as if he could read my mind...just as I was about to cry, my darling husband showed up again.
I had fallen a little behind my running partners for the day and one of them called my name. I managed to say "I'm here" as I was looking around for my escape route. She said, "no, LOOK!"...and there he was, smiling ear to ear. He told me I was doing great and that he was so proud of me. He told me there was just a little more than one mile to go. Just when I didn't think I could do it, he told me I could!!
That infusion of love and support carried me through to mile 6....when the finish line was in sight, sort of. There were 2 banners--the first was just a little tease. I had decided before the race that I would sprint from the first to the second (the real finish line)...but when the first one was in sight, the second wasn't. Drained and done, I attempted to renegotiate my goal with myself. And...then I saw him AGAIN!!! My loving husband decided to show up short of the finish to cheer me in!! And, it worked!! I started sprinting at the first banner. I gave it all I had. There was a "photo line" that was just shy of the finish...and I made it there full on (my picture probably looks horrid because I was about to lose my protein shake at that point....) I pulled up on the pace and heard what I later found out was my daughter yell, "FINISH STRONG!!!" enabling me to take the final two or three steps to the finish mat for a final time of 1:18:23. ((My final sprint pace?? 5:37!!!))
Thankfully I remembered to keep moving through the chute, turned the corner, and .... surprisingly enough did NOT toss my cookies. I did, however, forget to stop my Garmin so my numbers were just a little off.
POST RACE
I was feeling like poo, beating myself up, thinking of all the things I didn't do...until I read THIS BLOG. Honestly, it made me stop and think about what I do. I'm never happy with myself. I could tell everyone out there how great they did--and cheer in the final "runner" (who finished with a time of 1:56:50)...and tell every single one of them how GREAT they did---EXCEPT myself. I won't go into all the thoughts I had against my accomplishment, they are not only unproductive...they are COUNTER productive. I like to think the whole "this-is-what-you-did-wrong" approach helps...but it doesn't. I'm not saying it's wrong to look at ways to improve...but not at the price of waiving off what I did right.
I did it!! I finished a 10K-my first 10K ever-with an official time of 1:18:23. I finished 86/100 in my age group and 1920/2048 over all. I refuse to allow myself to think there's anything at all wrong with that. I'm NOT lazy. I'm not pathetic. I gave all I thought I had to give at the time. Recognizing the fact that I might have had "more" isn't wrong, it's a tool I will use next time. It's the same thing I found out at the Cookie Dash when I managed to pull out a sprint at the end when I thought I was giving all I had. It's the same tool I used at the end of this race when I sprinted in. I didn't think I had it in me, but (with help from some well-placed "cheerleaders") I found just a little more.
I'm proud of what I did. Yes, I want to run faster next time...I want to run the whole way next time...I want to be able to run further. But, I am really happy with yesterday's results.
Yo, Self, I did it!!!
WHAT'S NEXT
Okay, I'm taking the required six weeks off. My left leg is SCREAMING at me today. It's definitely bone. My muscles speak a decidedly different dialect than the bones do. I'm listening. Even after getting a trail run invite from a precious person I never thought I'd have the chance to run with...I'm sticking with the recovery plan. I can think of thousands of reasons to keep going, but the one reason to stop outweighs all of them--I want to heal.
Thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
Let me start with saying what I'm about to write will be a little like writing in a foreign language for me. I'm going to attempt to write in a way I'm not used to. Instead of telling all the things I should have done, the things I didn't do, the things I want to do for next time...I want to focus on what I did RIGHT. It's going to be hard for me. Although I believe I'm a pretty optimistic person...I am that way when it comes to other people, not myself. I can tell anyone they did a GREAT JOB, except myself. That changes today.
I did a GREAT JOB!!
I set out 12 weeks ago to finish a 10K, and I did it. There were some goals I had to let go of along the way, but I finished the race. There was a point in there that I wasn't so sure I would, but I kept going and I did it.
PRE-RACE
I resisted the urge to blog about how nervous I was. Instead, I had a party for my training group the Saturday before the race. I thought focusing on a party instead of the run would help, and it did! I cooked some pasta and some sauce, and the people who came brought salad and bread and dessert. It was a lot of fun.
Anyway, having not run for 10 days, and the fact the last two times I tried to run were so painful, filled me with more than just a little trepidation. I considered switching from the 10K to the 5K, but I figured I'd come this far, I might as well go all the way and stick with the original plan. I got a decent night's sleep...I drank a protein shake for breakfast...took some drugs (anti-inflammatories and Tylenol)...got all my stuff together...and set out for the race.
RACE
I pretty much held my breath until I took the first step of my warm up. I had no idea what to expect....and I got something I would have never guessed. My left leg, the one that's been hurting all along, was PERFECTLY FINE!!!! But...(isn't there always a "but"?), my right leg was hurting. I think it was just tight from not running so long. It didn't kill me, but it didn't feel good. I joked with my coach that I hadn't learned how to limp the other way so I should be fine! After a slow and easy 1/2 mile warm up, the gun sounded and we were off.
I had planned on trying to stay with a pacer who was running 12:00, but I was going to be fine going slower. (After getting the MRI results, my goal had dwindled down from "run the whole way no matter how fast/slow" to "FINISH".) I was so excited to be running again, I had to pull out my phone and snap a picture!! It's not very good, because I was trying to maintain my pace and not let myself get run over!! You might not be able to tell, but there were about 1500 people in front of me and maybe 600 behind!!My husband told me he was going to be around the 1 mile mark, so I was searching for him pretty hard, but he wasn't there. He found a way to get to the end of mile two--which was MUCH better! This starts the hardest part of this course for me. There's a little hill, and then about a mile long incline to the "real" hill at the very end of mile three. His smiling face, and words of encouragement kept me going at that point, although I took a little walk break going up the little hill and then again at the water station.
I walked the hill to the sound of the theme from Rocky, "Gonna Fly Now", thanks to a gracious home-owner who apparently plays it every year!! (That's AWESOME, I loved it!! It kept me moving, albeit slowly, unlike some people I saw stopping on the way up.) When I got to the top I really did want to quit. I'd like to say my leg hurt, but it didn't at that point, I was just over the excitement. I knew I wasn't going to do well by my standards. I had already walked before the hill...I didn't feel like I could keep going. And then I remembered---it's "all" down hill from there. That worked, and gave me the best running of the day (average pace of 11:30, best 7:57).
Even after that great mile, when I got to the end of mile five, I seriously considered trying to find a side street to slink down. But....as if he could read my mind...just as I was about to cry, my darling husband showed up again.
I had fallen a little behind my running partners for the day and one of them called my name. I managed to say "I'm here" as I was looking around for my escape route. She said, "no, LOOK!"...and there he was, smiling ear to ear. He told me I was doing great and that he was so proud of me. He told me there was just a little more than one mile to go. Just when I didn't think I could do it, he told me I could!!
That infusion of love and support carried me through to mile 6....when the finish line was in sight, sort of. There were 2 banners--the first was just a little tease. I had decided before the race that I would sprint from the first to the second (the real finish line)...but when the first one was in sight, the second wasn't. Drained and done, I attempted to renegotiate my goal with myself. And...then I saw him AGAIN!!! My loving husband decided to show up short of the finish to cheer me in!! And, it worked!! I started sprinting at the first banner. I gave it all I had. There was a "photo line" that was just shy of the finish...and I made it there full on (my picture probably looks horrid because I was about to lose my protein shake at that point....) I pulled up on the pace and heard what I later found out was my daughter yell, "FINISH STRONG!!!" enabling me to take the final two or three steps to the finish mat for a final time of 1:18:23. ((My final sprint pace?? 5:37!!!))
Thankfully I remembered to keep moving through the chute, turned the corner, and .... surprisingly enough did NOT toss my cookies. I did, however, forget to stop my Garmin so my numbers were just a little off.
POST RACE
I was feeling like poo, beating myself up, thinking of all the things I didn't do...until I read THIS BLOG. Honestly, it made me stop and think about what I do. I'm never happy with myself. I could tell everyone out there how great they did--and cheer in the final "runner" (who finished with a time of 1:56:50)...and tell every single one of them how GREAT they did---EXCEPT myself. I won't go into all the thoughts I had against my accomplishment, they are not only unproductive...they are COUNTER productive. I like to think the whole "this-is-what-you-did-wrong" approach helps...but it doesn't. I'm not saying it's wrong to look at ways to improve...but not at the price of waiving off what I did right.
I did it!! I finished a 10K-my first 10K ever-with an official time of 1:18:23. I finished 86/100 in my age group and 1920/2048 over all. I refuse to allow myself to think there's anything at all wrong with that. I'm NOT lazy. I'm not pathetic. I gave all I thought I had to give at the time. Recognizing the fact that I might have had "more" isn't wrong, it's a tool I will use next time. It's the same thing I found out at the Cookie Dash when I managed to pull out a sprint at the end when I thought I was giving all I had. It's the same tool I used at the end of this race when I sprinted in. I didn't think I had it in me, but (with help from some well-placed "cheerleaders") I found just a little more.
I'm proud of what I did. Yes, I want to run faster next time...I want to run the whole way next time...I want to be able to run further. But, I am really happy with yesterday's results.
Yo, Self, I did it!!!
WHAT'S NEXT
Okay, I'm taking the required six weeks off. My left leg is SCREAMING at me today. It's definitely bone. My muscles speak a decidedly different dialect than the bones do. I'm listening. Even after getting a trail run invite from a precious person I never thought I'd have the chance to run with...I'm sticking with the recovery plan. I can think of thousands of reasons to keep going, but the one reason to stop outweighs all of them--I want to heal.
Thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Yes, I AM a Runner...(but today I'm a whining runner!!)
I had a follow up visit to the orthopaedic doctor scheduled for the second week in May. I called to postpone it because I'm signed up to run a 10k on Memorial Day (Cotton Row) and I'm worried the doctor is going to tell me not to run for a while! My husband said that decision most certainly "earned" me the label "runner". Then I read this:
I signed up for an 8k that will be held this weekend just a few days before my calf pain ramped up to an all-time high (when I was worried I might have a stress fracture). (That was the same day I signed up for the recent 5k I ran as well as the Cotton Row 10k--I was on a roll with registration that day!)
I had decided then I wouldn't do the 10k in question, because I didn't think I'd be ready for it...but as it turns out, my running group's plan calls for 6.5 miles that day anyway....not only that, the course is almost COMPLETELY flat. And, "everyone" says they are going to take it slow and easy. To make it even harder to resist...the race route will be loaded with bands playing live music!! (It's called Music Moves Me.) The down side--it's $25 (which I hear isn't much for a 10k in most cities, but it seems to be more than most races in this area)....AND, I'm just not sure my leg is up for it.
I ran 5 miles the other day with a couple of the girls from my group, and my neighbor (who, by the way, just donated one of her kidneys, to a non-relative, less than 5 months ago!!) and I could barely walk the next day. (Well, I guess I could walk since I went and did Body Pump and upped my weights...) We're set to do hills tonight and I'm scared to death!
Okay, okay....enough whining. Yes, "reachdown", I can hear you saying, "Suck it up, Buttercup!!" (Thanks for putting that in my head!! You should totally be a coach, your words seems to stick with me for some reason!) For you long time readers, he's also the one who said, "It's all in your head, until you pass out..then it's in your body!"
Interestingly enough, my kidney-donating neighbor told me she had read about a study where they had people read words like "slow" and "sick" or "fast" and "speedy".....then they did timed walks. The ones who read the "slow" words walked slower. So maybe the idea that I can't hack it really is all (or mostly) all in my head. I hope that's the case because I'm certainly trying to convince my body that's the truth!!
Look out HILLS, here I come!!!
((By the way, if the good doctor's wife happens to read this...I'd appreciate it if you'd just keep my secret safe until after Cotton Row is over. I'll confess at my appointment...IF it's even still needed by then-how's that for positive thinking??!!))
Thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
"If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." --John BinghamOkay...I AM a runner....At the same time, I'm currently debating whether or not to run a 10k all my running buddies have signed up for in a couple of weeks.
I signed up for an 8k that will be held this weekend just a few days before my calf pain ramped up to an all-time high (when I was worried I might have a stress fracture). (That was the same day I signed up for the recent 5k I ran as well as the Cotton Row 10k--I was on a roll with registration that day!)
I had decided then I wouldn't do the 10k in question, because I didn't think I'd be ready for it...but as it turns out, my running group's plan calls for 6.5 miles that day anyway....not only that, the course is almost COMPLETELY flat. And, "everyone" says they are going to take it slow and easy. To make it even harder to resist...the race route will be loaded with bands playing live music!! (It's called Music Moves Me.) The down side--it's $25 (which I hear isn't much for a 10k in most cities, but it seems to be more than most races in this area)....AND, I'm just not sure my leg is up for it.
I ran 5 miles the other day with a couple of the girls from my group, and my neighbor (who, by the way, just donated one of her kidneys, to a non-relative, less than 5 months ago!!) and I could barely walk the next day. (Well, I guess I could walk since I went and did Body Pump and upped my weights...) We're set to do hills tonight and I'm scared to death!
Okay, okay....enough whining. Yes, "reachdown", I can hear you saying, "Suck it up, Buttercup!!" (Thanks for putting that in my head!! You should totally be a coach, your words seems to stick with me for some reason!) For you long time readers, he's also the one who said, "It's all in your head, until you pass out..then it's in your body!"
Interestingly enough, my kidney-donating neighbor told me she had read about a study where they had people read words like "slow" and "sick" or "fast" and "speedy".....then they did timed walks. The ones who read the "slow" words walked slower. So maybe the idea that I can't hack it really is all (or mostly) all in my head. I hope that's the case because I'm certainly trying to convince my body that's the truth!!
Look out HILLS, here I come!!!
((By the way, if the good doctor's wife happens to read this...I'd appreciate it if you'd just keep my secret safe until after Cotton Row is over. I'll confess at my appointment...IF it's even still needed by then-how's that for positive thinking??!!))
Thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
Monday, April 26, 2010
Finding Out What I'm Made Of
Did you know salt and straw look the same under a microscope?? (No, not really....)
Yes, it's true!! (Just an analogy, or hyperbole, or metaphor...hhmmm, maybe a combination??.)
See, I've been trying to figure out what it is I'm made of....and it's come down to these two things-salt and straw-but I can't quite make out which it is. I used to believe it was certainly straw ("who's afraid of the big, bad wolf...."). I took the easy way. I would quit long before I made good on goals; I couldn't seem to stay married; I wouldn't exercise (for any real extended period of time-not in a "session", but as in longevity); I whined; I complained about every single little ache and pain or discomfort; hard work required some kind of external payment that made all the hard work "worth it". In order for me to work hard, there had to be something outside of myself to show for the hard work, something I could point to and proclaim, "THAT'S why I'm doing/did what I'm doing/did." (ie: weight loss/good looking body for -short term- exercise, cash money or something to show for my efforts for physical labor, at-a-girls for long hours on the job...something other people would agree make hard work mean something)
At some point along the way (probably about the time I realized I could actually stay married when I finally made the right choice in husbands to fit with who I am as a person), I started thinking maybe there's something more to me than just straw. Maybe there is some "salt" in there after all, I just have to find it. That's when I made theCRAZY bold decision to run a marathon. Yes, I'm sure there were other, much easier, ways to determine what I'm made of, but that's the way I chose, for better or worse, through sickness and health (hopefully NOT until death do us part).
Now, I'm sure some people might argue that running a marathon really does have an external payment-crossing over a finish line. I think those people must not have run a marathon before--or if they have, they didn't have as hard of a time with training as I'm having. I believe (please correct me if I'm wrong) marathoners would say the "payoff" is completely (or at the very least, mostly) internal.
I'm not gaining any external pay off for this goal I'm trying to get to that I can see right now. I have friends who keep asking me WHY??, I have such undeniable pain I basically limp a good bit of time from one run all the way to about the quarter or half mile marker of the next one. I'm certainly NOT losing any weight. I don't feel like I'm getting any faster.
****funny story break****
I was out at the cross-country running park the other dayenduring enjoying a painful nice run in the "safe woods"*, when I spotted a strange looking fellow out on the trail. I'm sure he was just out for a stroll, but the thought crossed my mind that if that man suddenly started chasing me for nefarious purposes, I would surely not be able to out-run him (especially after going down, then back up that ridiculously steep hill). I almost cried out of the sadness of it all. Oh, wait, this was supposed to be a funny story, wasn't it?? Well, I guess you could say I lied. But, I'm not going to edit it because since the poor guy obviously didn't chase me for nefarious purposes, it is a funny story. I have to laugh at the thought or never run alone again.
****I digress....****
Other runners understand it, even if no one else gets why it is I keep on trying....why it is I don't want to give up....why it is I'm desperately seeking an answer for this pain in my calf that doesn't include NOT running....why it is I believe running "proves" I'm worth my salt.
Thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
Yes, it's true!! (Just an analogy, or hyperbole, or metaphor...hhmmm, maybe a combination??.)
See, I've been trying to figure out what it is I'm made of....and it's come down to these two things-salt and straw-but I can't quite make out which it is. I used to believe it was certainly straw ("who's afraid of the big, bad wolf...."). I took the easy way. I would quit long before I made good on goals; I couldn't seem to stay married; I wouldn't exercise (for any real extended period of time-not in a "session", but as in longevity); I whined; I complained about every single little ache and pain or discomfort; hard work required some kind of external payment that made all the hard work "worth it". In order for me to work hard, there had to be something outside of myself to show for the hard work, something I could point to and proclaim, "THAT'S why I'm doing/did what I'm doing/did." (ie: weight loss/good looking body for -short term- exercise, cash money or something to show for my efforts for physical labor, at-a-girls for long hours on the job...something other people would agree make hard work mean something)
At some point along the way (probably about the time I realized I could actually stay married when I finally made the right choice in husbands to fit with who I am as a person), I started thinking maybe there's something more to me than just straw. Maybe there is some "salt" in there after all, I just have to find it. That's when I made the
Now, I'm sure some people might argue that running a marathon really does have an external payment-crossing over a finish line. I think those people must not have run a marathon before--or if they have, they didn't have as hard of a time with training as I'm having. I believe (please correct me if I'm wrong) marathoners would say the "payoff" is completely (or at the very least, mostly) internal.
I'm not gaining any external pay off for this goal I'm trying to get to that I can see right now. I have friends who keep asking me WHY??, I have such undeniable pain I basically limp a good bit of time from one run all the way to about the quarter or half mile marker of the next one. I'm certainly NOT losing any weight. I don't feel like I'm getting any faster.
****funny story break****
I was out at the cross-country running park the other day
****I digress....****
Other runners understand it, even if no one else gets why it is I keep on trying....why it is I don't want to give up....why it is I'm desperately seeking an answer for this pain in my calf that doesn't include NOT running....why it is I believe running "proves" I'm worth my salt.
Thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Cookie Dash 5K
I went into today's race having NO IDEA how I would do or even what I wanted to do.
I've been really worried about my calf (but that's another story that I don't have time to tell right now).
A coach from my running group offered to pace anyone in the group who wanted it. I didn't want to jump at the offer at first because I felt like there are a lot of people in the group who run much faster than I do who would be able to take better advantage of his mad running skills. I felt like asking him to run with me would be like taking a race car out for a slow Sunday drive. So I told him if no one else snatched him up, I wanted him to pace me. Guess what??---no other group participants were "selfish" enough to take him up on his offer---so I got him!!!!!! Woo Hoo!! (I'll call him "Pacer".)
Then came the million dollar question....."What time would you like to run??"
Another one of the coaches told me the other day not to go into a race trying to hit a moving target. He said it's "always" better to know what you're training for and what your race goal is. So, I told Pacer the fastest I've gone in training has been 11:51, but I usually am running at 12ish. One goal I wanted to keep was to run the whole thing, so I told him I wanted to shoot for 12 so I didn't have to walk any of it. He laughed and said he'd push me to 11.
Guess what???? I did it with an average pace of 10:47!!!!!!!!!!!!! My final time was about 33:28!!!
The course has a couple of very little hills, and some slow gradual inclines that are very deceptive. I ran up the main hill and kept going until after we hit a mile. I told Pacer I needed to slow down just a bit, which we did. I made it to the half-way point without walking..but when I got there I got some water and walked about 15 seconds or so.
There were some people from my group who were behind me, one of whom "should have" been in front of me from the start. She's faster than I am...period. But, I got lucky because she had another event to go to (a March of Dimes walk) immediately after the race. She intentionally slowed her pace down so she could conserve her energy. I'll call her Speedy from now on so I don't have to keep saying "that girl"
We got to a little hill and I seriously felt like I was about to keel over; I incoherently gasped out that I was going to walk up the hill 30 seconds...which I did...and then we started up again. By that point Speedy had made some time and was very close behind me. I told Pacer she was about to pass us. He told me she was not because we were going to stay up ahead of her. I decided he must be on crack at that point!!
Anyway...just before the home stretch there's another tiny little hill. By that point my heart rate had climbed and wasn't coming down, and I wasn't being able to suck air in fast enough to suit my lungs. For the second time in the race I had to walk to catch my breath. I knew that once we got to the top of that little incline, we'd turn the corner and it would be all downhill from there. I wanted to have my heart rate below 185, or at least be able to breathe, at the top of that hill so I could take full advantage of it and sprint in to the finish.
Pacer tried to discourage that little 15 second walk, but since I knew he had been smoking crack before the race (obviously ...since he was so sure Speedy wasn't going to pass us) I decided I shouldn't listen to him and went ahead and took that little breather.
We rounded the corner and I started speeding up. I was sucking in air and making this hideous wheezing sound-sure that I was going to need an ambulance at the finish line. That is IF I could make it there. I don't know how they did it, but as I got closer to it, they kept moving it further and further away!! I was sure I would never make it there.......when.......Speedy's friend flew past me at top speed. She yelled back, "Come on 'Speedy'!!"....
I had temporary Tourette's syndrome, causing a cuss word to uncontrollably burst out of my mouth. I think somehow it helped me to find a higher gear....well, I don't want to say that or I'll start cussing when I run on purpose trying to recreate the effect--and I don't like it when I cuss (AT ALL)....Anyway (I digress).....knowing Speedy was hot on my heals, I kicked it in overdrive and managed to hold that unGodly pace until the finish line.....and beat Speedy by a couple of seconds!!!!!!
Now, I know it will never happen again because she won't have a two-in-one race day again...but the thing that surprised me was being able to find that higher gear.
Where did that come from???? As we were coming down the hill, I thought I had completely messed up, taking that 15 second pansy break, because I knew any second Speedy was going to go flying past me. I was telling myself, "I'm giving it all she's got captain" (if you aren't a Star Trek fan, that won't be funny....) But, just like Scotty always seemed to be able to make the Enterprise go faster...I somehow managed to make my legs pump it out---the whole time thinking "you can't do this, she's going to beat you...and you're going to look like a fool trying so hard......just let her move ahead and then at least you can save some face-----just admit defeat and move on." But, something in me didn't want to listen to that HAG in my head this time...
What's really funny is that if Speedy's friend hadn't warned me she was coming up, she would have been past me before I even knew she was there. I would NOT have been able to push past her if that had happened.
Thanks to Pacer, thanks to Speedy's friend.....
Yea me. Way to go!!!!!
By the way, I guess Pacer really hadn't been smoking crack after all??!! :D
I've been really worried about my calf (but that's another story that I don't have time to tell right now).
A coach from my running group offered to pace anyone in the group who wanted it. I didn't want to jump at the offer at first because I felt like there are a lot of people in the group who run much faster than I do who would be able to take better advantage of his mad running skills. I felt like asking him to run with me would be like taking a race car out for a slow Sunday drive. So I told him if no one else snatched him up, I wanted him to pace me. Guess what??---no other group participants were "selfish" enough to take him up on his offer---so I got him!!!!!! Woo Hoo!! (I'll call him "Pacer".)
Then came the million dollar question....."What time would you like to run??"
Another one of the coaches told me the other day not to go into a race trying to hit a moving target. He said it's "always" better to know what you're training for and what your race goal is. So, I told Pacer the fastest I've gone in training has been 11:51, but I usually am running at 12ish. One goal I wanted to keep was to run the whole thing, so I told him I wanted to shoot for 12 so I didn't have to walk any of it. He laughed and said he'd push me to 11.
Guess what???? I did it with an average pace of 10:47!!!!!!!!!!!!! My final time was about 33:28!!!
The course has a couple of very little hills, and some slow gradual inclines that are very deceptive. I ran up the main hill and kept going until after we hit a mile. I told Pacer I needed to slow down just a bit, which we did. I made it to the half-way point without walking..but when I got there I got some water and walked about 15 seconds or so.
There were some people from my group who were behind me, one of whom "should have" been in front of me from the start. She's faster than I am...period. But, I got lucky because she had another event to go to (a March of Dimes walk) immediately after the race. She intentionally slowed her pace down so she could conserve her energy. I'll call her Speedy from now on so I don't have to keep saying "that girl"
We got to a little hill and I seriously felt like I was about to keel over; I incoherently gasped out that I was going to walk up the hill 30 seconds...which I did...and then we started up again. By that point Speedy had made some time and was very close behind me. I told Pacer she was about to pass us. He told me she was not because we were going to stay up ahead of her. I decided he must be on crack at that point!!
Anyway...just before the home stretch there's another tiny little hill. By that point my heart rate had climbed and wasn't coming down, and I wasn't being able to suck air in fast enough to suit my lungs. For the second time in the race I had to walk to catch my breath. I knew that once we got to the top of that little incline, we'd turn the corner and it would be all downhill from there. I wanted to have my heart rate below 185, or at least be able to breathe, at the top of that hill so I could take full advantage of it and sprint in to the finish.
Pacer tried to discourage that little 15 second walk, but since I knew he had been smoking crack before the race (obviously ...since he was so sure Speedy wasn't going to pass us) I decided I shouldn't listen to him and went ahead and took that little breather.
We rounded the corner and I started speeding up. I was sucking in air and making this hideous wheezing sound-sure that I was going to need an ambulance at the finish line. That is IF I could make it there. I don't know how they did it, but as I got closer to it, they kept moving it further and further away!! I was sure I would never make it there.......when.......Speedy's friend flew past me at top speed. She yelled back, "Come on 'Speedy'!!"....
I had temporary Tourette's syndrome, causing a cuss word to uncontrollably burst out of my mouth. I think somehow it helped me to find a higher gear....well, I don't want to say that or I'll start cussing when I run on purpose trying to recreate the effect--and I don't like it when I cuss (AT ALL)....Anyway (I digress).....knowing Speedy was hot on my heals, I kicked it in overdrive and managed to hold that unGodly pace until the finish line.....and beat Speedy by a couple of seconds!!!!!!
Now, I know it will never happen again because she won't have a two-in-one race day again...but the thing that surprised me was being able to find that higher gear.
Where did that come from???? As we were coming down the hill, I thought I had completely messed up, taking that 15 second pansy break, because I knew any second Speedy was going to go flying past me. I was telling myself, "I'm giving it all she's got captain" (if you aren't a Star Trek fan, that won't be funny....) But, just like Scotty always seemed to be able to make the Enterprise go faster...I somehow managed to make my legs pump it out---the whole time thinking "you can't do this, she's going to beat you...and you're going to look like a fool trying so hard......just let her move ahead and then at least you can save some face-----just admit defeat and move on." But, something in me didn't want to listen to that HAG in my head this time...
What's really funny is that if Speedy's friend hadn't warned me she was coming up, she would have been past me before I even knew she was there. I would NOT have been able to push past her if that had happened.
Thanks to Pacer, thanks to Speedy's friend.....
Yea me. Way to go!!!!!
By the way, I guess Pacer really hadn't been smoking crack after all??!! :D
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Week 6 Recap
WHAT I DID
Monday was the first day running for me in a week. My calf had finally stopped hurting so I was more than a little nervous to get back on it....but at the same time, I was ready to roll. I didn't get far (just 1.35 miles), but my average pace was 11:48. After I quit I felt like I should have kept going, but it really did hurt and I did NOT want to push it too hard knowing I would be running HILLS with my running group the next night. (I ran about 12 minutes and walked 4, with the longest running interval being the first at 6 minutes.)
Tuesday HILLS were actually fun! Yes, I think I'm sick-with runneritis! We did a little warm up and then tackled this big boy...
View Larger Map
Yes, I'm aware it doesn't look like much there....exactly what I was thinking....and then they said, "well, that's not really it..." So, we ran up the part of the map they don't have on street view...and then got to THIS:
View Larger Map
Just keep clicking up Corlett until you get to Baylor...then we took a left on Baylor, went down to Jones Valley...took a left back to Corlett--and did it AGAIN!
I thought my calf would be screaming at me, but surprisingly enough, it felt better than my heart that was about to beat out of my chest. To be completely honest, I "ran" up the first little part, and mostly walked the rest of the way up both times. But, when I got to the top, I ran like the wind down. In fact, I had my longest running interval ever (except the "race"), 9:15. Over all we did about 3.5 miles and my average pace over the whole thing was about 12:30! I've got to say I'm REALLY PSYCHED about that pace given the elevation change and the bum calf.
Thursday I met up with one of my group coaches and did an "easy" two miles. It was supposed to be 3.5, but I decided to cut it short and have a reserve for Saturday's 5 miler.
Yes, Saturday I did 5 miles with the group. My usual partner wasn't there. I was really nervous about how my calf would feel....and I DID IT!! The walk/run group was supposed to do 8 minutes running and 1 minute walking. There was even a good sized hill thrown in there for good measure. ...And, guess what?? I walked only SIX minutes out of 61!! Even with the hill, I ran a 12:24 pace for five miles!! I might have to devote a whole post that that run because it felt truly awesome!!
I thought my calf would be screaming at me, but surprisingly enough, it felt better than my heart that was about to beat out of my chest. To be completely honest, I "ran" up the first little part, and mostly walked the rest of the way up both times. But, when I got to the top, I ran like the wind down. In fact, I had my longest running interval ever (except the "race"), 9:15. Over all we did about 3.5 miles and my average pace over the whole thing was about 12:30! I've got to say I'm REALLY PSYCHED about that pace given the elevation change and the bum calf.
Thursday I met up with one of my group coaches and did an "easy" two miles. It was supposed to be 3.5, but I decided to cut it short and have a reserve for Saturday's 5 miler.
Yes, Saturday I did 5 miles with the group. My usual partner wasn't there. I was really nervous about how my calf would feel....and I DID IT!! The walk/run group was supposed to do 8 minutes running and 1 minute walking. There was even a good sized hill thrown in there for good measure. ...And, guess what?? I walked only SIX minutes out of 61!! Even with the hill, I ran a 12:24 pace for five miles!! I might have to devote a whole post that that run because it felt truly awesome!!
WHAT I LEARNED
I keep being reminded I CAN DO IT. My mind wants to say I can't sometimes. And, my left calf is making a good argument for my limitations as well...but once it gets warmed up it seems to join the party the rest of my body is having.
I learned that tendons take a very long time to strengthen and to heal. The PT said USUALLY the heart gets with the program first, then the muscles, then the tendons and ligaments. She said that's probably why my legs feel pretty good when they get warmed up-the muscles are ready to go. She said it's very important to take it slow and not over do it so as not to hurt the tendons/ligaments.
Hills are actually very fun!!
I CAN RUN!!! Saturday, my longest running interval was...are you ready??...THIRTY MINUTES!!!
I CAN RUN!!! Saturday, my longest running interval was...are you ready??...THIRTY MINUTES!!!
WHAT I'M GOING TO DO
Cross train/stretch/strengthen.
Incorporate more hills into my training.
Stick with the plan!!!
ZONE UPDATE
I'm sad to report.... I've been watching what I eat with a magnifying glass, writing down every single bite of food. I've mostly followed the plan. ...Still no weight loss! Yes, I'm serious. I was getting very discouraged until I found a book that I've ordered but haven't gotten yet...It's very appropriately called "Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests Are Normal?" by Datis Kharrazian. I'm really hoping there will be some answers there. I've never had this much trouble losing weight.
Well, thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
Well, thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
HILLS
I had my "first" experience with hill training last night.
I say "first", but really what I mean is my first experience with voluntarily running up a hill. (Attempting to run up a hill is more truthful.)
Back in "the day" I had to run up something called "AG Hill". I was in the Army Guard, in Officer Candidate training. The AG (basically the man over the whole Arkansas Army National Guard) had his office on this massive hill (the tallest spot on the camp, naturally). It was almost a rite of passage to run up that thing. I remember thinking at the time, "WHY would anyone ever choose to run up a hill unless they were being chased by a pack of wild dogs, or maybe a chainsaw killer!" (See, the person chasing me would have to be carrying a chainsaw for me to even consider I could outrun him.)
Last night, in my desire to continue closer to 26.2, I found out why. The after effect was nothing short of amazing. I also became intimately acquainted with the phrase, "it's all down hill from here."
It's funny because my husband and I were just talking about that concept the other day when we where hiking. He prefers to go up the steepest part of the mountain we hike, pretty much as fast as he can...so he can get to the ridge and enjoy the "stroll" on top. I've always said I'd just prefer the stroll! I whine and complain all the way up. "It's so hard. My leg hurts. My heart is going to beat out of my chest. Why'd we have to choose this path? Is it really worth it???" (Bless his heart...HOW does he put up with me?? I'm surprised he even allows me to go hiking with him. He knows what it's going to be like with me, and yet, he still wants me with him.)
The thing is...first of all he LOVES me and KNOWS as soon as we get to the top I'm going to forget what that hill was like and completely enjoy the time on the ridge. Second of all, he was a runner and knows all too well what it's like to push past the pain. In the middle of pain, all I think about is pain. He, on the other hand, thinks about the reward--the PAY OFF.
Last night I think I got it....way more than with the hike. When I got to the top of the hill, both times (yes, we ran it twice as if once wasn't enough!)..."it was all down hill from there." It felt like I was flying! I ran easily. My heart rate just kept dropping even though I was running faster than I have in a long time. It dropped well below what it usually is when I run. I felt like I could go on for hours!! Nothing hurt at that point. (Yes, I'm serious...I don't know why, but I felt much better at the top of that hill....unless I've blocked out the real experience from my mind???)
The second time up the hill was harder than the first for me. Even after that great feeling coming down....I still didn't want to go up again. My logical thinking, knows-me-better-than-I know-myself husband would tell me there's two main reasons for that...
First, my body was more fatigued the second time. Physiologically it really was harder to go up that hill the second time.
Second, I am an IN THE MOMENT kind of gal. I don't seem to think about what will come next. I think what ever emotion/physical sensation I'm having RIGHT NOW will continue on forever. "It" will always feel/be exactly the way it is right now. That's the main reason I'm writing this entry--because I think I'm going to forget what I felt like on the down side of that hill. The next time Itry run with wild abandon up a hill, I want to remember what the pay off was the last time. I'm hoping writing about it will solidify it in my Swiss-cheese brain.
I want to remember the pain, and remember the fact that the pain was over at the top. I ran faster and further than I ever have on that down side. (That's the advantage of being an in-the-moment kind of gal, I didn't dwell on what happened going up, I was completely focused on how great it felt running over 9 minutes at the fastest pace I've run to date and not feeling like I was going to die!)
I was lucky enough to end up running alongside an amazing ultra runner (blogger "Sirius Ultra Runner") who so graciously slowed his rabbit pace down to give me some great tips. He said he believes hills are where he wins races. His personal preference is to go slower up the hill, conserve energy and then utilize that energy on the down side to run much faster. He said the mistake some people make is to walk up the hill and then never go any faster than they have before-wasting the "extra". He also said the key to training is to go further each time than you did before.
The hill we ran is broken up into two parts (basically). I ran up the first part, and walked pretty much the rest. I did shuffle at times, but not for long. My goal, by the marathon in December, is to run up the whole thing!! (The hill....hopefully the marathon, too, but, to be clear, I was just talking about the hill.)
Thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
I say "first", but really what I mean is my first experience with voluntarily running up a hill. (Attempting to run up a hill is more truthful.)
Back in "the day" I had to run up something called "AG Hill". I was in the Army Guard, in Officer Candidate training. The AG (basically the man over the whole Arkansas Army National Guard) had his office on this massive hill (the tallest spot on the camp, naturally). It was almost a rite of passage to run up that thing. I remember thinking at the time, "WHY would anyone ever choose to run up a hill unless they were being chased by a pack of wild dogs, or maybe a chainsaw killer!" (See, the person chasing me would have to be carrying a chainsaw for me to even consider I could outrun him.)
Last night, in my desire to continue closer to 26.2, I found out why. The after effect was nothing short of amazing. I also became intimately acquainted with the phrase, "it's all down hill from here."
It's funny because my husband and I were just talking about that concept the other day when we where hiking. He prefers to go up the steepest part of the mountain we hike, pretty much as fast as he can...so he can get to the ridge and enjoy the "stroll" on top. I've always said I'd just prefer the stroll! I whine and complain all the way up. "It's so hard. My leg hurts. My heart is going to beat out of my chest. Why'd we have to choose this path? Is it really worth it???" (Bless his heart...HOW does he put up with me?? I'm surprised he even allows me to go hiking with him. He knows what it's going to be like with me, and yet, he still wants me with him.)
The thing is...first of all he LOVES me and KNOWS as soon as we get to the top I'm going to forget what that hill was like and completely enjoy the time on the ridge. Second of all, he was a runner and knows all too well what it's like to push past the pain. In the middle of pain, all I think about is pain. He, on the other hand, thinks about the reward--the PAY OFF.
Last night I think I got it....way more than with the hike. When I got to the top of the hill, both times (yes, we ran it twice as if once wasn't enough!)..."it was all down hill from there." It felt like I was flying! I ran easily. My heart rate just kept dropping even though I was running faster than I have in a long time. It dropped well below what it usually is when I run. I felt like I could go on for hours!! Nothing hurt at that point. (Yes, I'm serious...I don't know why, but I felt much better at the top of that hill....unless I've blocked out the real experience from my mind???)
The second time up the hill was harder than the first for me. Even after that great feeling coming down....I still didn't want to go up again. My logical thinking, knows-me-better-than-I know-myself husband would tell me there's two main reasons for that...
First, my body was more fatigued the second time. Physiologically it really was harder to go up that hill the second time.
Second, I am an IN THE MOMENT kind of gal. I don't seem to think about what will come next. I think what ever emotion/physical sensation I'm having RIGHT NOW will continue on forever. "It" will always feel/be exactly the way it is right now. That's the main reason I'm writing this entry--because I think I'm going to forget what I felt like on the down side of that hill. The next time I
I want to remember the pain, and remember the fact that the pain was over at the top. I ran faster and further than I ever have on that down side. (That's the advantage of being an in-the-moment kind of gal, I didn't dwell on what happened going up, I was completely focused on how great it felt running over 9 minutes at the fastest pace I've run to date and not feeling like I was going to die!)
I was lucky enough to end up running alongside an amazing ultra runner (blogger "Sirius Ultra Runner") who so graciously slowed his rabbit pace down to give me some great tips. He said he believes hills are where he wins races. His personal preference is to go slower up the hill, conserve energy and then utilize that energy on the down side to run much faster. He said the mistake some people make is to walk up the hill and then never go any faster than they have before-wasting the "extra". He also said the key to training is to go further each time than you did before.
The hill we ran is broken up into two parts (basically). I ran up the first part, and walked pretty much the rest. I did shuffle at times, but not for long. My goal, by the marathon in December, is to run up the whole thing!! (The hill....hopefully the marathon, too, but, to be clear, I was just talking about the hill.)
Thanks for stopping in, come again soon!
:D
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