More news posts and an article

Quit Smoking for your resolution: an interview with my grandma

Metabolic Syndrome and Fitness

Make-up and Neurological Damage

Women and Heart Attacks

some news from the headlines

Sick of Your Coworkers, or Because of Them?

Teach Tots to Love their Veggies

Heart Attacks and the Holidays

Be Mindful of Food Frauds

Skip the Salt Shaker

A Mammogram Reminder

Woohoo! My first column!! **

Tired of slogging out endless miles on the treadmill? Feeling less than motivated by your weekly Pilates class? Fitness boredom can strike even the most enthusiastic athlete - and senior writer Alexandra Haller knows the feeling. After training for her first half-marathon, Alexandra is on the prowl for new adventures to rev up her active lifestyle. Join Alexandra in her new column, as she offers a first-hand account of the newest, most unusual exercise experiences. Curious about a particular workout? Email us, and we’ll get Alexandra out to give you the lowdown.

(I think we are still figuring out the best wording for the column's intro, but you get the idea!) Read my very first one here.

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Kids do dig healthy lunches

Clean hands = a healthy body

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Recent posts on Her Active Life

Deaths from heart disease still not declining


A few of Oprah's favorite things


Constipation? Nope---just facial yoga

Recent posts on Her Active Life

writing for HAL

It looks like in addition to writing regular articles, I will also have shorter pieces more often about news updates for pertinent topics. This is my first post and it's about a forthcoming regulation in NY that seeks to force restaurants into posting calories on their menus.

Banana muffin recipe

I was pretty busy last week and didn't have much time to come up with an article for Her Active Life. Instead, I posted a delicious heart-healthy recipe which you can find here.

Ran 10 miles last week!

Still don't really know where I am headed with this blog. After all, like the heading states it was originally a chronicle of my journey from my couch to the half marathon finish line. If I wasn't talking about my training or injury or fears of the race, then I included links to my articles on The Final Sprint and Her Active Life websites.

Where do I go from here? I'd like to say that eventually I will set a new goal for myself and I'm sure I will---it just won't be right now. I am pretty busy and that's okay. My life is fairly full but it's fulfilling. Maybe I'll buy a Bikram yoga pass or just try totally new kinds of exercises.

My writing for the websites will continue. In fact we are in talks to have me writing more content more often. I'm excited about that.

Until something better hits me, I'll just post to this sporadically. Don't be expecting any big updates or suspenseful stories.

Like, for instance, last week (well in about the span of 8 days) I went running 3 times---twice outside! That was for a total of 10 miles and I still squeezed in a yoga class (my last one, *sniff *sniff). I'm just happy to run for running's sake. To not be concerned with meeting mileage or timing expectations. I just want to get my body moving after sitting all day.

I truly believe (and I can't say it enough) if you don't treat your body well and use it like it was meant to be used, how can you expect it to treat you well in return. Now, get out and go for a walk! :)

Cheers.

Bikram Yoga (article)

I am trying to draw my forehead to my shins in Pade Hastasana, the forward bend posture, and I notice the tops of my feet are dotted with marbles of sweat. Actually, rivulets of sweat are cascading down from my knees. Class started less than five minutes ago and I’m already perspiring in copious amounts in the least expected of places. A refreshing swell of energy increases in me and I suck in my belly, pull it tight to my thighs, grip my hands under my feet and use the strength in my biceps to pull my head even farther down. I slowly try to straighten my legs and feel my hamstrings stretching to their most taut limits.

Keep reading

She lives!

That dry heat of wintering indoors sure gets to ya. I was finally ready for my first outside run yesterday. The air is cool but it's fresh and crisp and quite a lovely change from the dryness inside.
I only ran 2.5 miles but it still felt great to stretch my legs and breathe the calm autumn air.

Finally uploaded my post-race article

Our own Alexandra Haller completed her first half-marathon on October 21st, after sharing her months of challenging training, frustrating setbacks and mental preparation with Her Active Life readers. Here, Alexandra takes you along as she finally crosses that finish line.

Read the oh-so-suspenseful rest of the story here.

I know. I know. Haven't said more about the race

In the meantime, I give you Jim Gaffigan.

One of my favorite lines: "The vegetarian hot pocket. For those who don't like meat, but still like diarrhea."

I did it!

I know a lot of people have me in their thoughts. I appreciate that!
Sorry for being slow on the updates, but there's a lot of people to talk to.
Quick update:
I finished. Just under 3 hours. Feel plenty fine about that time. My knee hurt which caused me to walk a lot more than I had anticipated. Hell, it wasn't such a bad thing bc walking was much easier than running, but I still ran plenty ;)

More details (and pictures) to come soon!

My last article before my race.

The countdown is officially on. After months of training, hours in physical therapy and many road, treadmill and trail miles, I will finally stare down my goal this weekend. I’ll participate in the half marathon, 13.1 miles. This Sunday, before 7:00am, I’ll be lining up with over 10,000 runners for the 2007 Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon. It’s probably an understatement to say the energy from the crowd will be sizzling. Bring it on!

to read more (and OH, I know you want to) click here

The countdown is on.

I've definitely got a few fears but I'm excited as well.

Catch my thought in my latest article. Click here.

I feel it all....

Just can't get enough of my sweet singing lady Feist:
I feel it all I feel it all
I feel it all I feel it all
The wings are wide the wings are wide
Wild card inside wild card inside

I have this song on my Work Your Booty playlist. Running for 7 miles on Saturday, I sure had time to listen to a lot of songs. In particular, I love this song. It's not necessarily the most energetic beat but sometimes the words do more to motivate me then the tempo. When I listen to these lyrics, I just feel that there is something wonderful inside me. And, of course, a run is a great opportunity to see what I'm capable of.

Well I am still struggling with my knee. I'm trying to tweak a few factors and, by trial and error, see where I can make some positive adjustments. I wore my old shoes bc I thought it was possible the new ones weren't that broken in. Well, that didn't make much of a difference. I did buy a new heel lift. That can never hurt. I tried running real slow and I think that *might* have helped. Plus I think some more walking breaks will help as well.

As to my training for this last week. Well I won't be attempting anything adventurous or dramatic. This is no time for increasing my risk of injury. I'll probably do a couple of short runs or maybe hit a yoga class. After all, the coolest boyfriend ever gave me a certificate for an early birthday present. Ah.....

latest article

view it here

Mexico! Mexico!

Today is my last day before vacation. I am so excited, I can't sit still!!

update:
Went to the gym yesterday. No running, which was nice for a change. I concentrated on upper body weights and then did 300 crunches and called it a night. I am definitely sore today.

today:
Some walking, maybe some 'light' running, depending on what the knee has to say. Then another circuit of lower body weights---again, keeping the strength of the knee in mind before exerting myself too much.

SOOOOO SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO VERY EXCITED!!!!!!

My (just barely) ten mile run

I met Ed at Hines around 7am for the 10 mile beast. I was totally glad to have the obligation of meeting someone bc otherwise there is no way I would have woken up at 530 am on a Sunday for a run. And yes it was 530 because I needed time to eat something substantial and let it digest. Then to kill time I cleaned my kitchen and started some laundry. (Be careful of becoming a runner. You might engage in similar freakish behavior at ungodly hours!)

I actually felt pretty good. Ed said that we should run as slow as I wanted and we definitely did. It's amazing how having someone to talk to makes the time go by without feelings of dread or impatience. By about mile 5 or 6 my left knee started feeling uncomfortable and tight. I have never had a problem with my knee before so I thought it would go away or at least not become more aggravated. Wrong! I had to stop two different times bc it was becoming really painful. The funny guy that Ed is, he joked about a 3rd stop requiring a doctor's note. At this point, I was getting really scared. I mean my knee hurt. It really did. It was not in my head. I mean if I weren't trying to act all tough around another person, I probably would have sat on a rock and cried. So finally around the 9.5 mark, we pause for the awful 3rd time and I cannot restart. I can't. I am limping just while walking. Clearly, this condition was not lessening.

Ed kindly asks if he should go get a car and pick me up. I am shocked! Am I really going to have to wimp out like this? I ask Ed if that will make be seem like a really big loser. Oh so casually, he replies "Yeah, a loser. I mean you only did nine and a half.' Ha Ha. Thanks a lot, smart ass! But he said in terms of training, another half mile will not break my readiness. He also insisted that if something was wrong, there was no need to keep walking on it and irritate it further.

That's how my run ended. With me hunched over a rock massaging my annoying knee, waiting for a ride back to my car. If it weren't such a beautiful morning, I might have seriously suffered a major depressive episode.

Live and learn, right? That's all I can do. There's no point in getting anxious and freaking out about the race. It's still 3 weeks out. I'll just ice my knee and try not to be so rough with it. I will definitely lay off of a run until I feel more healthy.

Longer and taller

Yesterday my goals were to run to my gym, workout with weights and then get a ride back home. Well the run was fairly miserable. I've walked it and biked it before and I don't know why I figured that running it would improve anything. It's a bad route for a pedestrian. Then for some unknown and unexpected reason my stomach was hurting me so much. I think my 5 mile running goal was maybe 3.5 or 4 in reality. Although I had a grand time getting in a full circuit of weights. My abs are sore today. My arms and back are tight. I feel stronger and taller.

I really didn't want to beat myself up too much about that run bc I have the ten-mile beast awaiting me on Sunday. I am forcing myself to be optimistic about this. That's the only way, I'll walk out alive.

Think positive thoughts for me!

Going strong.

Last week I ran 18 miles, finishing off with an 8.5 mile run at Kensington on Friday night. That one was a tough one! Thankfully though I feel really good. I gave myself 3 days of rest before running 4 miles last night. My goals for this week are the 4 I did yesterday, 5 tomorrow and then 10 this weekend. Doing well so far. My hip hasn't complained recently! I finished off my time at the gym last night with some ab work and then a bunch of lower body weights. I am feeling tight today, but in a healthy, refreshing way.

Keepin' at it!

My 100th post!!

Well I don't have any grand or eloquent statements to make with this big benchmark of a milestone. So...I'll leave you with this clip of myself from when I jumped off the cliffs at the park where I went for the Reggae Fest in August. Enjoy!

The Glory of Goal Setting

Woohoo!

My next article and I am proud of it.

Check it out here.

(Shout out to my little brother with this one!)

Would you feed your dog a cup of coffee and a doughnut in the morning?

Check out this hoot-filled interview with Jack Lalanne, a 92-years-young exercise buff.

Although I have to differ with him---I think I may be the most important person on this Earth ;)

It's all found here.

Sorta makes you think about how you're taking care of your most priceless possession. Don't ya think?

Cue Chariots of Fire music

Tonight I am striving to run 8.5 miles. That will be the most miles I have ever run in one day of my life. I'm a bit scared but a bit excited. I am breaking it up into smaller segments for perspective. For example, I know I can run 5 miles. So I will do that. Then I will have to run 3.5 to be done and I know I can do that. So, hopefully my mind plays tricks in my favor. It's a bit hot out there but I'll dress appropriately, stash some water and be ready for it. Wish me luck!

Goal Accomplished: 6 miles on the trails!

Isn't this one exuberant little fella? Doesn't his perkiness just jump off the page? I found this picture on the internet and had to insert it into this post. The reason is because when I finished my run and (amazingly enough) even during my run this is how I felt. I'm sure I didn't look so luscious or smell so fragrant, but I was pleased with myself.

I think about the kind of people I admire. They are the ones who throw their bikes in the back of their car and head out "for the trails." The people who go kayaking on a Sunday afternoon. The ones who are thrilled by setting up a tent during the summer. We all have different ideas of "cool." I want to be someone who has a crazy day and goes running outside for the thrill of it---the sweet earthy cathartic release of energy. That was a goal for me.

Well yesterday I did it! I was determined to work my long day, guzzle copious amounts of water, eat well and psyche myself up. I went to Island Lake Recreation Area and ran on the yellow-marked 6 mile trail. It was incredibly challenging. It was 80 degrees yesterday. The mosquitoes were out. The downhills were steep. The uphills were steeper and the whole path was littered with ruts and roots and rocks and stumps. Did I mention the hills? It was brutal and i was gasping for breath but I was so happy with myself.

Around one curve, the route opened up to a large meadow on my right and I thought to myself that I wasn't dreaming. That I was really doing this. I didn't let my schedule, timing, the weather or other people become my excuses for backing out. I ran sans i-pod to be more cognizant of my surroundings. I felt this organic connection to the earth and the ground. I was so glad to have escaped the smog and congestions and sounds of car horns. I didn't worry about sidewalks dead-ending unexpectedly. Luckily, I mostly had the trail to myself and I relished in the experience.

The thought that really captured my attention was this exciting belief in myself that I could see an accomplishment through and be a better person for it. My heart burst a little bit for the experience. So whether you're toiling away with papers to finish a degree, playing the same chords to master a song, mustering the courage to quit smoking, or pushing yourself out of bed when you don't feel like it...every little step puts you one giant bit closer to seeing something through. Continuous improvement---it truly is a beautiful thing!

The (not so interesting) shoe conclusion

I felt that my experience at a certain local running store might have been a bit rushed since I came in so close to closing time. Also, I think I was guilty of not disclosing to the staff member all of my running issues.

Therefore, I decided to give it another go at a different store when the worker might have more time to spare. I lucked out by being the only customer in the store! The employee John was extremely patient and helpful and knowledgeable. I discussed my tendonitis, my training schedule, my goals and my heel lift. He never once made me feel like an inept runner not worthy of his time. He said he wasn't a marathon elitist and I appreciated that!

He thought that with the race being only a month out that I really shouldn't switch shoes. I kind of thought for a minute that I really don't do that much running to have it make that big of a difference but then I let that thought slide. After all, I am training for a real event and 13 miles is a serious accomplishment. Sometimes I need to remind myself of this fact!

His other suggestion was that I might be wearing a size too small. I gave in to his expertise and went with my same shoe model in an 8 (up from a 7.5, but still a narrow fit). This should fix my recurring problem of blisters.

So, hey, it's not the most stylish shoe but when you are a serious runner, you have to confront bigger issues.

Yes, you are beautiful.

Thoughts on running shoes

I realize that the most significant point of a running shoe is to keep you injury free. It's not to make you stylish. Although, I guess if you happen to luck out with that, well, then lucky you. Is it just senselessly superficial of me to even care about this point? I can stick with my Brooks which have been great, but the new model is no more appealing than the previous. I could also go with the Asics if I wanted but they pretty much look just like the Brooks. At Running Fit they offered me a 3rd choice in a New Balance style but unfortunately they didn't fit well with my heel insert. In the end, I'm sure I'll go with one of these two choices because I know my feet will be happy. Guess I'll just have to get a new running outfit, if I'm looking for style.

Sometimes you should just hit snooze

Check out my latest article for Her Active Life by clicking here

Just about a month to the race!

Last week's recap---

Monday: The worst run ever, probably not even 2 miles
Tuesday: Grrreat bike ride
Thursday: 4 treadmills miles that were harder than pulling an obese man off from a couch
Saturday: Pull off 7 miles without even stopping*

*Man alive! How does that happen? I don't know.

Goal for the week: New running shoes. Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

4 miles and the gym

I ran 4 miles at the gym yesterday and it seemed harder to stay focused than ever before. I mean I literally had to will myself to remain in motion. It was weird. I know that 4 is something I can easily do. It seems short. It seems enjoyable. Something was out of sync last night. I'm gonna blame it on poor food during the day, or rather not enough food. Yep, time to go to the grocery store tonight. How can I expect decent output if I am not dealing with proper input?

I did manage to slowly and brutally eek out the 4 miles. Then I did a satisfying circuit of all over weights and abs.

I've got a weird tightness in my right leg and I plan to soak in a hot bath at my first chance.

Then, depending on circumstances, I'll aim for 7 miles on Saturday.

Wheeeeeeee!

Jason and I went bike riding on the 6 mile trail at Island Lake on Tuesday night. Although, from where we parked to the trail and back, it was more like 11 miles altogether. It was an incredibly fun thing for 'working out', especially in light of my devastating blunder the previous night. I also enjoyed not having to worry about tweaking my hip. Although, I was worried about crashing, spinning out of control, rolling off a cliff into some deep wooded hole and flying off into a nasty black muddy pit. Man, that fear gets your blood racing! It was totally challenging for me and probably way harder than my current skill level...but, how else does one learn? Jason was super patient and helpful without being annoying or pedantic. Hopefully, I didn't drag him down too much! I would definitely do it again! I also have to get my butt out there for running on the trails! Good times.

The worst workout ever.

Yesterday my goal was to run 7 miles. I actually was in pretty good spirits. I figured the run would be tough, but it's something I could accomplish.

I decided that since the weather was alright that I should try and run outside. (First mistake. I should have gone to the gym. Experiments are not for long runs.) I'd been meaning to check out a couple of parks down 275S and figured this could be a fine time for that.

Well I left work at 500 and that's probably the worst time for traffic. I think that 94E will be sorely congested so I take a more circuitous route which really eats into my time. Then as I am quite close to the park, there is a massive detour that sends me practically back to Ann Arbor, winds me and 300 other cars through some dinky towns with 4 lights that only send about 4 cars through at each turn. The annoyance is only slight at this point. I am trying to tell myself to chill out. I knew it would take a while to find the park.

It's now about 615. I have been in the car for 75 minutes and there are still no signs for this park. WTF, for sure. I finally find it and realize that it could not be more poorly marked. It's not in my head.

Now it's 630, I enter the park and the one day I'd like there to be someone in the booth, there isn't! Okay, a map would have been nice at this point.

I drive around this rather unexciting park looking for the so-called paved trail. At one point, I think I find it but actually it's a long walkabout path for a playground. Annoyance is starting to morph into aggravation. I get back in my car and continue driving around.

I don't like that there really aren't many people at all. It's scary enough to be a female in unfamiliar territory, let alone rather empty territory. To top off my frustration, there is nothing redeeming about this park. It's vacant. There's a lot of black top. I am thoroughly unimpressed.

I finally make out what seems to be the path. I park and at this time it's about 645. My aggravation is climbing a steep crescendo at this late point. Since this drive took much longer than I figured, I wasn't prepared for the gnawing feelings of hunger. Aye aye aye!!! Now, I'm pissed off from sitting in my car, fed up with this park and starting to get hungry. Terrific. Just terrific.

So I start plodding along waiting for some swell of athleticism to dwarf my personal frustrations. I think that maybe I can channel this raging energy into the best workout of my life. I hold onto that hope for about a mile. Then I see the path and it has to cross a major road!! What nitwit planned that!!! I tell myself to just go with it, see it as a mere obstacle but nothing to overwhelm my determination. I keep trying to tell myself positive thoughts. . . but then. . . nothing. . . nothing.

Call it the wall. Call it the pms monster. Call it a bad mood on the wrong day in traffic.

I was done. I was hungry. I was swatting mosquitoes. I was in the middle of nowhere. I was thinking it would take me 45 minutes to return home and by then it'd be 8:00 and I had nothing productive to show for my day. The frustration turned annoyance turned aggravation was now a full rage. I pictured myself as a tea pot and then steam boiling over my head and the whistle is just blaring and shrieking.

That was it for me. I couldn't even run back to the car. I turned off my iPod and walked back like the sorriest sulking twit ever.

Better luck next time.

In honor of Newton's first law

A body in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted on by an outside force

I had fervently been itching for a serious workout. I have been a bit harried lately with different stressors and, unfortunately, probably taking out that frustration on the least deserving of my friends. While I could probably call them poor suckers and keep pouring on the pain, I decided that'd be a quick trip to the nobody-loves-me station. Therefore the best antidote seemed to me to get my booty in the gym and sweat out all my pent-up energies.

Working longer hours, getting up earlier than farmers and feeling restrained for fear of injury are all factors that can lead to a stifling of positivity and an increase in negativity. I guess I was being acted upon by outside forces (or maybe that was just my excuse).

That being that, I ended up at the gym yesterday after about a 10 hr work day but still feeling pretty energized for a vigorous workout. I ran 5 miles. Although, I did alternate those miles with weights and stretching and abs. I felt strong and invigorated after all my upper body exercises. I felt exhausted but in a totally refreshing way after my lower body circuit. My core was burning. The sweat was flying. It was marvelous!

Afterwards, I iced my hip area.

Today I still feel good. Only about a month until Mexico! This half marathon might actually happen! I'll see an old friend tonight!

A body in motion... I need to stay that way.

Where should I be?

Well for my huge group of 5 readers, you probably know that I've been fearing a recurrence of the dreaded hip problem. Subsequently, I think that maybe I only ran once during the past week. Then I followed that up with some weights. I just get so nervous.

Over the weekend I was at my cottage up north. I decided to go for an easy run on Saturday afternoon. I didn't map out any route ahead of time. I didn't take a watch. My goal was to just have a relaxing run and see how my hip was feeling.

It was a very nice run. I didn't cross paths with any cars. I only came into contact with 3 people on ATVs. There were no stray dogs. I had fun taking different wooded paths to a dead end and then turning around to take the arm of a different path. By the time I had returned to my cottage, about an hour had passed. My guess is that I covered about 4.5 miles, but I really have no way to be certain of that. I followed up the run with more strength training.

On Monday I walked across the Mackinaw Bridge with my family and maybe about 40,000+ other people. That's a 5 mile span. Then I tacked on another mile or so on each side to cover how far we parked from the starting line. I'm sure we all walked at least 7 miles that day. The weather was heaven sent. We were truly blessed to have such a brilliant sun coupled with an easy breeze off the water.I did draw issue with my tennis shoes. I was not keeping a rigid fast pace. I was never running, so why the blisters and soreness? Man, I desperately need a new pair.

This re-cap brings me to today. It's Wednesday morning and I have ambitions of working 10 hours, going to the gym and then, after all that, driving out to Troy to pick up a bridesmaid dress. I'm not sure if I should try and run 5 miles, keep to a tolerable 4? or longer? It's hard to say. And my week is so busy (with already getting up at 5) that I don't even know when I will get in another chance. I looked at the calendar and I only have about 6 weeks until the Marathon. Will I really be up to running for two+ hours at a time?

So much to think about. I'm very tired from not sleeping well. But if I pound too much coffee today then I'm just dehydrating myself for the later run. I really have too many things on my brain. Perhaps the run will be the cathartic outlet I need? Sometimes, I just don't know.

Motivation in teamwork.

You can read my new article here.

I personally think suitable adjectives were omitted in the editing process, and some new punctuation was oddly inserted. I think it contributes to subtle changes in meaning. That being said, read on.

Scared

After talking with some people yesterday I started to get scared about my hip going into remission. I'm just so afraid of ending up where I was before--standing on the sidelines instead of the starting line.

That's when Ed pointed out to me to take some of my own advice. He actually sent me (me!) part of the article that I wrote on hip tendonitis. What did I say in there? Overuse comes from increasing too fast and not resting enough. What did I suggest to alleviate that? Cross training and weight lifting.

Have I made a concerted effort for either? No.

Dang it all.

Is everyone this bad about taking their own advice. Geepers, I paid the bucks for my bike just for this reason--to ride it on off days from running. And the weights? Did I really think that a few weeks in PT was all I needed?

I need to re-evaluate my plans. So, last night I did the elliptical for 25 minutes and then a circuit of weights.

The marathon is still a good 7 weeks away. I can take days off and be in fine form. I need to reinforce that idea. Continually. Persistently!

Saturday. 4 miles. Now. A break

After running my 8 miles on Thursday I thought I felt a somewhat subtle tweaking of my hip flexor tendon. Now, I realize I can be hypersensitive to that area, but I was kind of apprehensive about going for another run. Since the 8 miles was considered my long run I figured that on Saturday, I would stick with a simple 4 miles and then also do some weights. I think I have slightly neglected my PT routine and that is bad bad bad of me.

Well my legs were quite sore after the 8 miles. Sore from my calves to my quads back to my hamstrings and throughout my butt. On Saturday I took a fairly slow pace for the 4 miles. I did a satisfying circuit on the weights. That wasn't the end of exercise for that day though. I was visiting my parents in Grand Rapids and we decided to drive out to Lake Michigan. We ended up at Rosey Mound, which is a great beach spot. However, one must walk quite a long ways and up and down a lot of stairs to get there. Suffice to say, my legs had a vigorous workout in these 48 hours.

Now this tendon is slightly tweaking and I really can't tell if it's the fact that a lot of my leg muscles are sore or if it's the dreaded tendonitis flaring up again. Please *hope* that it is not. That being the case, I am going to take it easy for a few days. Maybe I will get in a yoga class. We'll see. At $15 a session, it's not the most affordable class. Anyways, my goal is to run 9 miles this coming Saturday and I would like to do that on fresh legs.

New article

The touchy topic of childhood obesity

The article can be found here

8. Wonderful.

Last night I ran 8 miles. That is up there with the longest runs of my life. Twice before I have run 8 miles and that was while I was training for the half the first time around. So I feel pretty damn great about that accomplishment!

So you may be wondering how I did it. How did I wake up and think Okay, today's the day I will run 8 miles and then not freeze with trepidation?

My first tactic was to strategically break it up in my head. Instead of being overwhelmed by the idea of eight whole miles and probably 90 minutes of continual running, I decided to think of it as two 4-mile segments. That seemed like a challenge I could handle. Plus, there are two groups of treadmills at my gym. I thought I'd run one segment in one room and then move to another room for a change of scenery.

Maybe some of you think I am crazy for running on a conveyor belt like a hamster for that long. You know what? Booyah! The point is to get the miles in, whatever it takes. When I left work yesterday, the temp was over 90 degrees and the humidity was close to 100%. I decided to play to my advantages. I could have gone outside, but I would have been a disgusting, soaked, wasted sponge in about 30 minutes and I most likely wouldn't have accomplished my goal.

At least I was running, even if it was in a gym. I was pretty excited to start around 400 since Oprah was on. I really don't mind Oprah. I think it's some familiar sense of hanging out with my mom or my sisters. Anyways, her topic was "Happiness" and how to evaluate and strive for it, if you are missing the bar. It really kept me occupied. And it made me think how running makes me happy. It's nice to realize that inside of the run, instead of only after. So by the time the show was over, I had run my 4 miles and was flipping through the tv stations. I ended up on CMT and the video had jsut started for Brad Paisley's "The World" song. That sure fired me right up. I ran another .5. I thought that psychologically it would be good to move to the other treadmill having to do less than I already had done.

So Brad's song ended. I went to the bathroom and made my way to the next set of treadmills. At this point, knowing I only had 3.5 to accomplish, I felt pretty positive. I mean I know I can run for 3.5 miles. ( No point in dwelling on what I had done so far.) I turned my i-pod to my work that booty playlist and started running. 3.5 miles isn't that long so I just forwarded to all my my power songs and pushed the energy out of me until there was nothing left.

8 miles. Wonderful. I mean, really, just... wow!

That's alright, that's ok
When you don't feel important honey
All I've gotta say is

To the world
You may be just another girl
But to me
Baby, you are the world

In continued good fashion, another 5.

I had a great 5 mile run in Chicago on Saturday. Then because of traveling difficulties, I didn't do anymore running Sunday or Monday. I was antsy Tuesday morning. By some magical stroke of fate, I was up before my 615 alarm. I set out for a familiar 5 mile route around town, with some hills thrown in for craziness.

The miracle existed again---low humidity. I ran the 5 miles without stopping.

Whoo Diddly Whoo!

A swift 5 on Lakeshore Drive

Lakeshore Drive is truly a great path for running. I have nothing to compare it to where I run in Plymouth, MI. It's really overwhelming how many other people are out walking their dogs, running alone, running in teams, biking, all of it! It really was a great personal feeling to be a part of such a big community of athletes. I was so inspired! I was so excited!

I also figured out how much the humidity has really been holding me back. The last month or so I have struggled, especially where I didn't expect I would, like simple 3 mile familiar runs. These 5 miles were wonderful in comparison. I remembered why I enjoy running. Hell, at about 60 degrees and non-existent humidity, I think anyone could come to enjoy running. The five miles took me about an hour. I consider that to be a good time. I spent the rest of my lovely weekend in Chicago biking with my sister and doing a lot more walking.

I would encourage anyone visiting Chicago to hit the Lakeshore Drive. You don't have to wear spandex and a sweat band. You can just stroll along happily absorbing the sights, and you will fit right in!

I'm still standing

I figured that since I was still alive and able-bodied after the 7 miles at Maybury, I might as well squeeze another run in. I did my usual 3-mile route around my neighborhood at about 615pm. Wow. It was still hot and still very humid outside. Maybe I was tired from the previous night as well. Those 3 miles felt harder than they usually are. Oh well, I did it.

This weekend I will be in Chicago. I'll take my run along the famous Lakeshore Drive. I'm pretty excited about this. I'll be with my sister. The temps are dropping. And some new scenery as well. Whenever I drive into Chicago I always notice all the action along that road: bikers, roller bladers, dog walkers. In my head I always give 'em the thumbs up sign. Now, it's my turn!

My mentor. My motivation.

Sometimes motivation comes in the form of an inspirational quote, a story we read in a magazine or a movie about Prefontaine. Other times motivation is in the form of another person who believes in you.

Yesterday I ran 7 miles by doing the 3.5 mile loop at Maybury twice. Yes, you read that correctly. I ran 7 miles and it was brutal, but I did it. I did it because I ran with my mentor Ed and he is a running nut. Now, when I say that, I mean it in the fondest way. He's the type of guy who thinks there is such a thing as an easy 7 mile run. When I hear 7 miles, I think brutal, intense, insane. However, he threw out the idea while I was still in my morning stupor and I was too slow to analyze the idea and rebuff him. That just left me the rest of the day to acclimate myself to the idea that I could be a person who, when asked "Hey, want to run 7 miles?", I could respond and say "Well, sure mate, what a swell way to spend (for me) two hours."

Amazingly, there I was at Maybury finishing one 3.5 mile loop and pausing before the next. As Ed said though "Don't stand around too long. You'll talk yourself out of it." Damn! How did he know that's exactly what I was thinking? Then there I was finishing the second loop and, amazingly enough, still standing upright. Who knew?

I know that my pace is much much slower than his. Knowing that, I think it's incredibly great that he took time out of his tough schedule to schlep along with little turtle me. If he had not suggested the 7 mile idea, been willing to meet me, and then bear through my huffing and puffing, there is no way that I would have done that run, nor even considered it might be possible.

Thanks again, Ed. You made the impossible possible. I must say it is very exciting!!

Update on where I stand or sit or slouch

My last run was on Thursday (4 great miles at the gym) before I went away to the Midwest Reggae Fest in Ohio. (Which, by the way, was more fun that I could ever have expected!! Good people, good crowds, great live reggae, swimming, sun, jumping off cliffs. I absolutely want to go back.)

So, yeah, last run was on Thursday. That was followed by a great strenuous session of weights similar to my physical therapy time.

No runs since then. Although I could probably count some exercise in the form of swimming, lots of walking and, of course, dancing like a happy crazy hippie. But seriously, no running.

I should have got up today but I am just exhausted down the to the calcium deposits in my bones. I'll have to look over my ''Sole Sisters'' book and get psyched.

I'm not going to beat myself up though. I'll steal Ed's line where he says that a low mileage week is an integral part of any training plan ;)

New shorts. YeOWWWWWWW!

Finally got another pair of running shorts last night. For $18, the price was right. I wore them this morning and I liked them. Only one neanderthal honked at me and he's lucky that in my annoyance, I didn't hurl someone's garden rock right through his windshield. So it goes. Not the biggest problem in my life. I tell you that humidity is thick. Thick like a pack of swiss cheese and running through that is like trying to part the slices. Even my nose sweats. Really, I didn't know such a thing was possible. I think I am just going to do my runs in the gym for awhile now. With the heat index, it's asking a lot of this budding runner.

So, Jason thinks most of my posts are bitching and moaning. Never occurred to me. Sure I get frustrated with my gear or a blister or the weather, but I always recognize my achievements and feel proud of them. Maybe to a non-runner the act of running most days of the week is crazy and therefore non-runners assume that runners must love every minute of it to continue on. Admittedly, I don't relish every single step and I don't think most runners do. I love how I feel when my run is finished. I love how I feel leaving work at 530 knowing that my run is out of the way. I love how I feel better about my body. While there are annoyances to deal with, the advantages and the highs definitely outweigh them.

In the words of the immortal John "the penguin" Bingham,

The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.

At least I am trying. Some days are more challenging, but I still manage to go back out there.

5 (interval) miles this morning

I didn't know it was going to storm so heavy this morning but I did think the weather would be hot and humid so I decided last night that I would go to the gym for my 5 miles this morning. Of course, bc of the humidity and storms, I slept poorly and was lagging this morning. By the time I did make it to the gym, I realized I had forgotten my i-pod. I don't like to think I'm addicted to it, but for longer, less-enthusiastic runs, it's a real bonus. That forgetfulness broke my athletic determination. I decided instead that I would run one mile five times and alternate with upper body weights in between the miles. I also thought I'd try to up the pace in the hopes that a quicker run would keep me less bored. By the last mile, I was up to running 6.2 and that was incredibly tough. Okay, a 6.2 pace is barely under a ten-minute mile. I can't even imagine running a 6 minute mile. I was sweating like a bogged down water buffalo!! I did feel pretty good and it was great to do some weights again as well.

About ten miles this weekend

This weekend my long run goal was 8 miles. I was staying in the Canadian Lakes area with Jason at his cottage. I wanted him to drop me off about 8 miles from the house so that I could run back. It took some time driving around to finally figure out a route. It's just hard when you're not familiar with an area because you don't want to get lost. I finally had him drop me off at a distance about 7.3 miles away. With all the hills and the pressure to remember directions, that's about all I thought I could handle. It really was not my most exhilarating run. A band-aid on my toe kept bothering me. Then I had to stop and throw it off. Then I had a nail that kept jabbing into the side of my toe. Plus I hated the stupid shorts that I had on. Man, it was frustrating. It's just a bummer that I could really use some new stuff. My i-pod armband is worn out and part of it flaps annoyingly against me. I only have one decent pair of shorts. I need some new socks. blah blah. on and on. Instead of feeling powerful, I ended up just feeling miserable.

Well, life goes on.

On Sunday I decided to run a quick loop around the neighborhood. I think it was about 2.3 miles altogether. This means it's only Monday and I'm practically 10 miles into the week so far.

That's about it.

prepping for the weekend

I wussed out on my 3rd weekday run. Thursday should have been 4 miles, but getting up at 5am was distasteful and the heat was annoying. I think I did about 2.15 and then a chapter from the IWTB dvd. Although, on the upside, this means I ran 3 consecutive days and felt fine about that. That's a positive sign!

Now my thighs are groaning.

This weekend's long run: 8 miles.

New article: fiber and whole grains

The whole truth about whole grains!

If that title doesn't make you leap out of your seat with unbridled excitement to keep reading, well then...I suspect you're not alone.

Ah, read on. Here it is at Her Active Life.

the smell of dog poop in the humidity

It's crazy humid and hot here in Michigan right now. August has descended on us with the rage of the Sahara. Not that I mind the heat. Most people know that I do. However, it's best served with reggae music, cold beer and a boat ride. I see none of these things in my work week.

Anyways, the overnight lows are in the high 60s meaning there really is no comfortable time to go running. I was out the door at 630 am for a quick 3 miles and...ugh...the smell of dog poop seemed to permeate the streets of Plymouth. Really, it was revolting. I don't know if the humidity just brings out the scent or what? Sick. Gross.

Well did my run rather quickly. Returned home for another 30 minutes of other exercises, all before my 8am volunteering time slot.

I can't wait to jump in a big clean lake!

11.5 miles into the week

quick update for my 4 readers ;)

For Sunday my long run goal was 7 miles. I took it easy Saturday night, ate real healthy, pounded the water, stretched and got decent sleep. I was running by 8am hoping to escape some heat. I completed my out and back loop along Hines and 6 mile and felt decent.

Unfortunately, I looked at my route at map my run on Monday and I think it was actually only 6.5 miles. Kind of a let down. I mean, sure, sure, I am still pleased that I did more than the previous week but 7 sounded more powerful. I also did some upper body weights and my abs. Still trying for 1,000 crunches but I have a l-o-o-o-o-ng way to go.

Today I hit snooze for a pathetic while, but still managed to haul myself out of bed and into my running gear. I completed 5 miles, but at 8am it's still hot as the dog days. Yeow!

that's it.

Then there are the 3 mile slug runs

I know that I need to be adding in another day of running to get up to necessary mileage of real training. I think I will add in another day next week and see how that goes. Right now it's about taking it easy. So, since I'm trying to stay in shape without over doing it, I decided that my Thursday run would be 3.5 miles. After all I had the great 5 on Tuesday.

I went to work a bit early to get out to have quality time with my friend Rachel. This schedule pushed me to about an 830 pm run. Not so bad considering the temps cool down in the evening. Well, some how the systems were out of whack. My head wasn't in it and neither was my body. I'll spare you the details but a run after two bean tacos just doesn't bode well with the gut :) It was an ok run. Not great. Not memorable. Not a total waste of time. Just so so.

I think part of it was not realizing how sore my legs still were from weights on Tuesday. I am going to have a hearty stretching session tonight and work out the kinks.

This weekend's long run: 7 miles.

Soaring 5 miles on an eagle's back

What really is a performance-enhancing drug anyway?

I mean why is a steroid a bad drug but caffeine isn't? Don't we all somehow modify our habits, foods, sleep patterns, vitamins to maximize our level of effort?

For instance, yesterday, I slept in too long and missed my chance to get to the gym in the morning. This means I had to go after work which I dreaded, especially because I would be there a long time with the run and a PT-like session of weights. I staggered my snacks and meals so that I'd be adequately full (but not too full) when I entered the gym. I had a latte about 2 hours before because I was feeling sluggish and looking to perk up. I also downloaded a few new songs for my i-pod and changed up my playlist. However, I was so tired on my 30 minute drive to the gym that I didn't think anything would power me through 4 miles. I actually pulled into the parking lot, leaned back my driver's seat and snoozed for ten minutes before getting out of my car. I felt beat. I felt this would be one pathetic run.

I lazily stepped on the elliptical for a ten-minute warm up. I slowly went through the motions of a few stretches. Gosh, I even contemplated running a mile and then just leaving the gym. But somehow as I upped the pace on the treadmill, my legs began to rhythmically keep up. I was pumped for the new "Stand Back" Stevie Nicks remix. Those electronic dance beats are like a metronome for my stride. I was rockin to the Coconut Records' "Nighttiming." I wasn't churning out the boring minutes of lackluster songs that I heard 20 gazillion times previously. I felt so energized that I actually ran 5 miles (instead of the planned 4) in about 55 minutes. Holy Honkin' Hallelujah! I think I actually heard birds singing.

So, back to my original thought. Did I owe my success to performance-enhancing drugs? Was it the latte? What about the new songs---could I have been so enthusiastic without my i-pod? Or, really, what about that power nap?

I don't know what the secret yesterday was. I mean I ran for nearly an hour and then did another hour of weights. It was just one of those times when everything seems to fall into place, when my attitude and my body's willingness are connected in a euphoric sense. One thing is certain---with results like these, I'll be duplicating some of these things in the future.

6 miles

Not feeling very loquacious for this post.
I did run my 6 miles on Saturday. I decided to run about 6pm in the evening. Still very warm outside. Walked during a few uphills but felt pretty darn good about the whole thing.

So, last week
6 Saturday
3 Thursday
4 Tuesday
5 Sunday
---------
= 18 miles. That's great but I'm also cheating by including two long runs in my tally.

late night workout

On Thursday a couple of things came up that really threw off my usual routine. Nothing bad to speak of, just not a usual day. This means I didn't get home until after 8:00 and I still had to get a run in. I had lofty exercise goals but by the time evening rolled around, I was just hoping to do something decent. I did my boring 3 mile run to CVS and back. It's not an exciting or challenging route but I know the distance, so it's a good fall back for when I am not feeling too adventurous or energetic.

I'm also done with PT but I know I still need to work on leg strength. I did Chapter 1 of IWTB-buns. It's incredibly challenging but only 15 minutes. Anyone can endure bloody thigh screaming pain for 15 minutes. After that I topped off my day with more crunches. I'm still a long way from doing 1,000 but I'm determined to stick to the plan.

This weekend's long run: 6 miles.

sticking to the plan

Yesterday I ran 4 miles on the treadmill at the gym. I'm still at the 11-something minute mile pace. That's okay for now. I know that upping distance and speed at the same time is a recipe for disaster. I'll chip at it slowly.

So, after running 5 on Sunday, a grueling PT on Monday and 4 last night, well today I am taking a day of rest.

new article

This one appears at Her Active Life.

Children seem to grow taller overnight. Pants that fit well a month ago suddenly look like waders. Do they really grow that fast? During childhood (generally defined as the period of life from age 1 until puberty begins), a typical child will gain about 5lbs. and grow 2 to 3 inches in an average year. . .

Read the rest of the article here.

Indeed. All good things come to an end.

I was shocked at physical therapy yesterday to hear my therapist tell me this was my last week of PT according to what I was allowed by my insurance. I am not sad because I feel I need physical therapy to get back to a certain range of motion because my tendonitis has totally healed. Nor do I think I need physical therapy to stay active. I have signed up for the half marathon in October and I'll use that as my goal to stay committed to running.

Rather, I am disappointed that my time with the trainers has come to an end. I am so grateful for them, their patience and instruction. I learned some invaluable things during my time at PT. I fell in love with weights again. I feel that I have become so much stronger, and that I have become smart about how to approach training. Looking forward, I will always aim to incorporate weight training into my workouts. No longer will I think that cardio alone is enough to stay in shape or to stay injury free. Lifting weights is such an integral part of staying healthy. I can truthfully say that I feel better about my body now than when I was running 25 miles a week. It's amazing how much weight resistance has positively affected my body image. I only look forward to sticking with their program and combining that with a tough running schedule. Full steam ahead for the best that I can be.

Continuous improvement.

My lofty exercise goals hit a small snag on Friday afternoon when I bounded out for a run, only to feel that my back was not well. This happens every so often and is a good indicator that my heel lift is worn out and I need a new one Also, it's a sign that I am wearing lazy flip-flops too often and I need to wear my support shoes. This was hugely disappointing. I was already feeling frazzled and rushed for time and was so yearning for the opportunity to quickly work out my emotions. Well, I did the only thing I could do in that situation. I powered though a workout video that I had not done in a long time. Yikes! My thighs were screaming bloody loud! And on top of that, I later strapped on some high heels and went dancing at a wedding.

Now, it's Sunday and my legs are still recovering from Friday. However, I set my goal of running 5 miles and I was going to see it through. After all this half-marathon isn't going to have a moving sidewalk! However, I also had another (albeit, minor) goal of sleeping in. That wasn't such a good idea by the time I got to the park and it was already nearing 70 degrees. Ugh. I gave a very determined effort and stayed upright for the entire five miles but I definitely squeezed in some walking breaks. I really hadn't approached this as best as I might have, but I still met my goal. That was a wonderful feeling!

Now, it's nearly 1:00, I'm done running but it's very hot outside. What's the only thing I want to do? Yes, go swimming! I call up one of my friends to head out to Island Lake. We like to swim from one side of the lake to the other. I'm not sure the distance but we guess approximately a quarter of a mile. Whew. Buns of burning steel! Where's my life jacket? Sharon wanted to swim back again and I said she was on her own. I wasn't going to pull out the I-already-ran-5-miles card, but, seriously, I had already run for an hour today.

Then I got home and started thinking that with all this focus on PT and getting in more runs, I've been neglecting my upper body and core. So I decided to go with the day's current adrenaline and pump out another short workout video for my arms and shoulders. I've also been thinking about the main character in American Psycho who claims to do 1,000 crunches a day. I know full well I couldn't do 1,000 unless you plucked my intestines from out of my body, but I thought I'd give it a try and work up to bigger numbers. Well, I got up to 150 and called a day.

All these stats are marked on my calendar in a kaleidoscope of colored stars. Continuous improvement---that's the idea.

Feeling energetic!

I am surprised by how giddy I feel because of signing up for the Detroit Half Marathon. I'm really excited about it. I'm enthusiastic about having a goal and a purpose for training. Plus, I am going to approach this training a lot differently! No more tendonitis for this budding super star! I remember hearing someone say that you can finish a race untrained but you can't finish one injured. AYE!! That is so true, it hurts.

I plan to stick to a goal of running a few times during the week and focusing on upping weekend mileage. I don't think I'll be doing the back-to-back and 5 running days a week like I was doing with the TNT program. It was a great program but not for a neurotic novice like myself. I'll be in touch with my mentor Ed from my old TNT training group. In fact, he asked if I was available last Wednesday for a run out at Maybury and I was thrilled to have an open night! I had never done any type of trail running before and it was as much fun as Ed said it would be. It was a thrilling moment in my 'comeback' to finally be able to meet up with a buddy and be able to tough it out. It was 3.5 miles and I couldn't have done that 6 weeks ago. Yeah for signs of improvemen! and YEAH for Ed lighting a fire under my feet!

This weekend's goal is 5 miles. Sheeeeeit, I don't think I have run 5 miles in one stretch since...wowee...that long? Oh man. Yea that was back in April. Ouch!

and I close with a very white-girl moment as I quote LL Cool J

Don't call it a comeback
I been here for years
Rockin my peers and puttin suckas in fear
Makin the tears rain down like a MON-soon
Listen to the bass go BOOM
Explosion, overpowerin
Over the competition, I'm towerin
Wreckin shop, when I drop these lyrics that'll make you call the cops
Don't you dare stare, you betta move
Don't ever compare
Me to the rest that'll all get sliced and diced
Competition's payin the price

A great dad believes you can do anything

My Dad thought I could be the first person on Mars. He also believed I could be the first female president. He figured I was smart and talented; therefore, there was nothing of which I was not capable. Nothing. When I ran my first 5K and finished in about 33 minutes, he wondered aloud, as if were the most realistic thought in the world, why I wasn’t in the group of runners finishing sooner. Did that bother me? No. This is how my dad has always been, pushing me (and my siblings) because he thinks it’s the most natural fact that I would succeed.

Read the rest of the story here.

Registration Number: 445107

Alright, am I a runner now? I'm signed up for the half marathon.
The funny thing was that the form asks for your age on the actual race day and mine will be 31! The race is the day after my birthday. Guess I'll be saving my merry-making for Sunday night this year :)

The difference between a runner and a jogger...

As seen in a Pearl Izumi ad:

The difference between a runner and a jogger is an entry blank.

I love that. I think it's a George Sheehan quote. It moves me. I have GOT TO GOT TO GOT TO sign up for that Detroit Free Press Half Marathon in October.

I wonder how much the cost is right now.

4 MILES!!!

This weekend Jason and I drove to his cottage at Canadian Lakes where his mom currently lives. This was my first trip there during the full flush of summer and it was beautiful. Their house is right on the lake. What a great view for your morning coffee!

I am trying to slowly increase the length of my running distances. Since I miraculously pulled off 3 miles twice the previous weekend, it was only time to try for 4. Since I'm not familiar with the area, I wondered how I'd map out the distance to be sure. Jason and I drove around trying to measure different routes. It turns out the castle at Canadian Lakes was just about 4 miles from their cottage. Perfect. I wouldn't have to worry about a 2-mile out-and-back route with the same old scenery. Jason dropped me off and it was up to me to run back. What a lovely route. I came across two silent deer. I was flooded with the sights and sounds of life on the lake. My workout play list was revamped to include "Sea lion woman" and "You shook me all night long." Seems like everything was right in the universe and I pulled off the 4 miles successfully!

The rest of the weekend included good food, a visit with my brother, chillin' on the pontoon, cold beers under a temperamental sun, frisbee, swimming and numerous laughs. Quite a weekend. Enter July!

Check out my new article!

This one's posted at Her Active Life the sister site to The Final Sprint.

It's about emotionally dealing with an injury. Click here.

Also, give a look at the companion piece for what to say and not say to an injured friend.
That's here.

With a gym membership, I feel more complete.

Yeah! Finally scored an outstanding deal at Planet Fitness in Northville. The start-up fee was $20 and after that it's $10/month. There is no fee to opt out and no contract. I hope I like going to the gym as much as I like the prices. I was there at 6:30 this morning. Ran two miles. Attempted a PT-like routine with the leg press, squats, lunges, stretches and balance exercises. I'll see how I feel tomorrow!

What a fiasco!

I was prepared for the race on Saturday. I ate the requisite pasta the night before. I did not indulge in more than two beers. I tried to keep my plans for Friday night down to a level less than crazy. I set my alarm for 638 am, which was actually horrible for a weekend! Ugh.

My alarm went off. I stumbled out of bed, cursing my running self and wishing I could be content to be a lazy person who didn't care about the race or getting into the lottery for the Bridge Run. But all complaining aside, I ate half an English muffin, made my personal iced cafe au lait concoction and set off. I still had to pick up my t-shirt and get signed up and figure out where everyone was and so I was out the door shortly after 7am. Well, I got to the area where I thought I was supposed to be and I was the only person in the parking lot. What? That seemed odd. I sensed something was off. I drove around a bit, but it was a festival with blocked off streets and I felt that I should stay put. Except I didn't see any other runners, no signs, no life at all! Did I have the starting point wrong? Should I be somewhere else? I was starting to panic. It's getting closer to 8:00. Was I going to pay the entry fee and miss the race? Miss my opportunity to get into the lottery? Most importantly, could I have actually slept in? What do I do? Panic easily gave way to tears of frustration. Why does that happen to me? Why can't I "freak out" and remain calm and focused? Instead, I just shut down all rationality and lose it.

I call Jason knowing full well that I am waking him up before 8am on a Saturday morning. He says hello? and I immediately start bawling and babbling about how I'm gonna be late and I must be lost and I'm so mad at myself and I feel so stupid and I don't know what to do. Wah. Wah. The frustrated baby in me explodes into an emotional fury of helplessness.

I'm sure this is every guy's nightmare: being woken up at an unreasonable hour by a crying girl, totally confused as to what is really going on and then being expected to come up with some perfectly sound advice. Thankfully, Jason is always good for that. He logged on to the internet to see if maybe I was in the wrong location and then delivers the unexpected news Uh, Alex, the race is on Sunday.

As simple as that. I had the date wrong. I figured I was already awake and ready to run so I decided to drive out to Kensington like in the old days when I was training. I hadn't run 3 miles in about 3 months. Not even sure how long it's been but way before physical therapy, way before the tendonitis diagnosis. Part of the reason I wanted to run this race was to push myself a little bit further. I wanted to challenge myself and see if my hip could handle the slight increase in mileage. And so I drove out to Kensington and pulled off the 3 miles and felt a little bit better.

Conclusion: Yes, I still woke up before 7am on Sunday to run the real race. Everyone was there that morning. I ran the 3 miles in 30:38. I was thrilled with that time. I was also incredibly pleased to run 6 miles in one weekend and not feel any pain, discomfort or soreness in my hip. Looks like I am well on the way to a successful recovery!

I love my personal trainer...

too bad I really don't have one! It's just that physical therapy makes me see what it would be like. I love being pushed and encouraged to work harder and bring my body to the level it should be operating at. If I were rich, I'd be going to physical therapy 5 days a week. Alas, at $10 a session (my insurance copay) and 2 sessions a week, I've been shelling out $80 in the last month. I simply cannot afford to keep this up. Yes, it breaks my heart it really does. I mean there are so many lazy sloths out there who never exercise that you'd think the ones who want to could get a better deal to stick with it. Just one more problem with this country.

Looks like I am inching closer to snagging a gym membership for $10 a month. Now THAT is something I can live with. In the meantime, I think I will take my PT to only one visit a week.

Last night's PT was brutal. I had a 540 appt time instead of the early morning 730 visits. What a difference. First of all, it's a lot easier to push out a 30 minute run when it's 50 degrees as opposed to 80. Blech. I could feel the heat literally reverberating around my face. 10 minutes after I finished, I'm sitting in the office's a/c waiting to be called back and I'm still sweating!

I completed the usual circuit of brutality. I must really be getting stronger because I'm not sore at all this morning. That's sort of a bummer but yet I want to be able to run tomorrow so maybe I'll beg for the more fatigue-inducing exercises next week.

Saturday looks like a most exquisite day for an 8am run!

Signed up for the race!!

I just paid $21 for my race entry fee. I'll be running this Saturday at 8am in a non-competitive 3-mile run sponsored by/for the Livonia Spree. The most I've been running is two miles at a time and I think the increase will be a healthy challenge. Plus, this race happens to be a qualifying event to get entered into the lottery for the Mackinaw Bridge Run over Labor Day weekend. I still am in the 'healing' stages of recovering from tendonitis. I have no inclination to burst out of the starting gate or break any records. Not at all. I'll be happy to finish in 40 minutes and just get in a run for the weekend. Cheers!

More booty busting PT

Today I finally found the time to get in a two mile run before PT. They have been encouraging me to do this. They say they really want to fatigue my muscles in these sessions, so getting the run out of the way helps. Of course, I brought my i-pod armband and headphones but forget my i-pod. DOH! Then it started rainy and was quite windy. Grrrr... Well, it was just more motivation to grind it out and find some satisfaction in my outing and determination.

• 10-minute warm up on elliptical
• hamstring and calf stretches
• 3 x 20 calf raises
• 3 x 12 (each leg) single-leg squats
• 3 x 12 squats with bar + 30lbs
• 3 x 8 walking lunges with 8lb dumbbells
• 3 x 12 double leg press at 100lbs
• 3 x 12 (each leg) single leg press at 65 lbs
• 2 x 20 (each leg) balancing board passing a medicine ball
• 3 x 15 kick back machine
• *NEW* leg press single leg on different machine for FIVE minutes straight

YOWEE ZOWEE!!!
I feel I am gradually getting stronger but it's a slow painful process. On a positive note, I think I'll get a gym membership soon for an affordable price. Awesome!!

Physical Therapy: Grinding the Buns

Back at boot camp early this morning. I continued the moves from last week plus some additional ones. The routine took well over an hour and looked like this:

• warm-up: stationary bike for 10 minutes
• heel raises on platform (3 x 20)
  
• *new* one-legged squats (each leg, 3 x 10)
• squats on smith machine with 30 lbs added to the bar (3 x 15)
• leg press machine, 100 lbs for two legs (3 x 12)
• leg press machine, 70 lbs for single legs (3 x 12) *hard as hell*
• kickbacks on weighted machine (each leg, 3 x 15)
• walking lunges with 8lb dumbbells (3 x 8)
• one leg balancing on wobbly board while passing a weight (2 x 20)

Intense! Grunting and panting like a water buffalo in quick sand. I think that even when I was running 7+ miles, that I never hurt like I did today. It's fascinating the science behind getting strong as opposed to developing endurance---well, not opposed to, but rather, as a complement to. The PT instructor I was with today told me about a woman who did 21 mile training runs and yet she could not balance on one leg for more than 30 seconds. Wow. Guess one can deduce why she ended up in PT herself.

Just more proof for why so many components of your body need to be functioning optimally so that you can achieve your strength, endurance and racing goals. Now I need to do some arm weights and ab work so that I don't look like a stick figure perched atop tree trunk legs!!

Stronger everyday

My physical therapy is really proving to work. I feel that my legs are becoming strong, toned, healthy. They are becoming the sturdy solid base that will be my foundation for a new running program. Last Friday before leaving for my cottage, I had a PT session that was more like boot camp. I was doing

• squats with weights on the bar,
  
• walking lunges holding barbells,
  
• leg presses with both legs and single legs, and
  
• balancing moves on a wobbly board.
  

It was grueling, intense. I was sweating like a bull dog and, of course, I loved it.

I didn't get a chance to run while at my cottage but Jason and I did go on a 20 mile bike ride, which was fairly easy actually.

After work Wednesday was the prime opportunity for a detox run. I set up the ipod and ran for 22 minutes. It was still about 75 degrees at 7:00 and it was exhausting but I forced myself to push on through 6 songs. After that I did plenty of stretching and then my circuit of stretches/exercises for my at-home days of PT.

Today I feel refreshed. I am pumped for physical therapy Friday morning. It's a great way to start the weekend!

When everything clicks

Here I am back at the beginning of the line again. Those months of long runs are fresh in my mind but my body senses they were much longer ago. Was I a different person when I was running 25 miles a week? When 6 miles seemed effortless? I guess I can't pine for that person too much. After all, that was the runner who ran herself right into tendonitis. So, while the accomplishment of building up the miles was gratifying; it simply wasn't being done wisely. Now, I am starting over. I hope very much to run another half marathon. I have my sights set on The Detroit Free Press marathon in October. I do know it won't be real until I pay the money and sign up. That will seal my fate, so to speak.

Right now I just want to reacquaint myself with the joy of running. I don't want to feel tied to a training plan. I don't want to feel that my mile is slacking if it takes me 11 minutes. I just want to enjoy my body. I want to dwell in the harmony of my muscles and bones cooperating seamlessly, without pain. My tendonitis is on the mend. I am becoming stronger with my physical therapy. My heel lift provided the relief for my back once again.

All I ran yesterday was 15 minutes but it was wonderful. The sun was shining and pushing me on. The road was smooth beneath my shoes. My playlist was revamped. It was a glorious 15 minutes.

Prayin' that my feet don't fail me now.

I attempted to go for a run on Saturday and within the first 20 steps, I could tell that my back would not cooperate.
UGH!!
How severely frustrating.
I know the pain well. It's the same pain that I used to get before I realized one leg was millimeters longer than the other. A doctor at U of M's spine clinic fitted me with these $6 foam heel pads and ever since, I've been fine. I just need to get new ones every so often. I am prayin' that my back hurt because it was a sign my lift is worn out. Hopefully, a new lift will put me back on track. It's always something, isn't it?

So anyways, I'll continue doing what I have been doing. Plugging along. Readjusting my expectations. Healing myself. Figuring out new strategies. Taking it one day, one step, at a time.

Hubba hubba. Lovin' PT

Today I had my second session of PT. Basically, a physical therapist leads me through a routine of strengthening exercises. I like to think I am in pretty decent shape and I figured the exercises would just be pretty simple. I was wrong. Sure, anything is simple for 5 reps, but by the time you do 45, your muscles are shaking. Being the fitness freak that I am, I of course love it! Here's my routine of what I have done in the last two sessions.

Warm-up
---------
10-15 minutes on a stationary bike

Workout
--------
heel raises on bar 3 x 15
squats with 6lb medicine ball 3 x 20
leg press (both legs) 3 x 15
leg press (alternating single legs) 3 x 15
kickbacks with weights 3 x 15 (each leg)
leg abductor chair 3 x 15
leg adductor chair 3 x 15

Holy hurtin hammies!!! My calves were so raw after the first session and barely recovered for this one. My inner thighs were screamin like Halloween demons.

Ahhh, gotta love it :)

I did not run the race

That was a disappointment. However, I did raise close to $2,000 dollars and that contributed to the greater Team in Training total of $370,000 raised for this year's Bayshore Marathon. I was able to see a great friend of mine participate. I enjoyed cheering her on and seeing her complete her first marathon. Go Jenny!!!

The diagnosis on my hip is tendinitis. It's basically a repetitive use injury from over training. Now, I am attending physical therapy (PT). Two days a week I go through an aggressive weights program with an instructor. The other days I am expected to keep up with a stretching and strengthening regimen they have laid out for me. The man who gave me the evaluation believes part of my problem was due to not having strong enough hips to buffer me against the weight-bearing forces of running.

I am hopeful though. After all the waiting and wondering, I now have a diagnosis. I have a plan to get back to being strong. Best of all, the evaluator believes it's completely realistic for me to run the half marathon at this year's Detroit Free Press marathon.

Watch out world!

No stress fracture...but what now?

I do not have a stress fracture. The MRI confirmed that. So, good news!!
She wants to schedule me for a bone density scan of my femur but I can't get in until May 24th, which is 3 days before the Bayshore Marathon. I'll keep the appointment but I don't know what that means until then. My doctor left me a voice mail with all of this information. She said that in the meantime I could proceed with activity using pain as my guide. That's really pretty vague of a suggestion. Although I do feel better about walking. I was starting to think that each step was gonna cause more of problem. I still am terribly weary about running. This dull ache in my hip has not subsided. I think I'll plan to get in some good long walks this weekend and then go from there.
I still meet with her on Monday so I'll bring my long list of questions and hopefully obtain some better, specific suggestions on how to proceed.

rock on.

The frustration of waiting

Bear with me. As I write this post I am feeling slightly dejected. This is a result of what I found out during my appointment yesterday afternoon with the U of M Sports Medicine clinic. The doc asked me the usual litany of questions, manipulated my knee into odd angles, pressed on my hip bones and set me up for about 5 X-rays. She suspects a stress fracture possibly in the hip bones (since that's where the pain initially began) or maybe in my right femur. Apparently X-rays don't usually show this sort of thing and mine did not. Then I went in this morning for an MRI of my hip area. I will know the results of that when I meet again with the doctor next Monday afternoon.

As you may have guessed she advised me not to run. She thinks that I could feel I am getting better but if it really is a stress fracture and I do run, I could set myself up for some serious pain and a possible hip replacement. No thank you!

I am frustrated, annoyed, upset, depressed and flustered. I know it is not THAT bad. I know I have two legs. I am not paralyzed. People have setbacks. I am aware of ALL of this. However, it's incredibly frustrating to think I might not be able to run that race. I have put a lot of effort into training and fund raising. I've given up a lot of time. I've even enjoyed it. I loved thinking of myself and someone who can run 25 miles a week.

Now what? I become a couch potato like everyone else? I have no idea how people can sit on their butt at work all day and then go home and sit in front of the tv. I'm so restless.

So, I am trying not to envision the most bleak scenario just yet. Next week Monday I will know more of where I am going from here.

The helplessness of being injured---again.

The sad truth is that I cannot run right now. The pain that began in my groin or hip flexor hasn't fully abated and, in fact, it has transversed across my anterior right thigh ending in a painful, vice-like grip above the outside of my right knee. There is pain that you can run through and ice and there is pain that annoys you while you turn over in your sleep and walk up the stairs at work. Essentially, a discomfort that does not go away. This is not "normal". With enough training and patience and adherence to good form, one should be able to train for a marathon without feeling awful on a daily basis.

Sure, I can slow down, cut back on my mileage or take longer rest periods but that only alleviates the problem---it does not solve it. At this point I have not run since my 6 miles outside on Tuesday morning. It frightens the bejeezus out of me to take time off at this point in the game but I have no other choice. I met with my team mentor and some other folks last night and they all said that if I could run 9 and 10 miles (as I did the last two Saturdays) then I would be able to finish the half marathon, even with time off. They assured me that my training combined with the excitement of race day would carry me to the finish line. I have a hard time trusting in that but they are experienced runners.

Looking ahead, I have an appointment with a doctor at the University of Michigan's Sports Medicine clinic on Monday afternoon. Hopefully they can determine if my problem is a biomechanical issue or something else. I will not be running the scheduled 11 miles this Saturday morning. Hopefully I can still get to the gym and try something in the pool. The elliptical and the bike are both out as possible alternatives. I am trying to stay positive. There is no sense in assuming that I am on a path towards the most bleak diagnosis. I have come this far and I will make it to the finish line. Perhaps at a slower pace but I'll make it.

Drink water!

I clearly must have been overly confident, if I wrote in my previous post about 9 miles being a skip in the park! For Ryan Hall that could very well be true, but for little me, it was arduous. The weather on Saturday morning was, up to this point in training, absolutely gorgeous. The sky was an unwrinkled, unblemished canopy of brilliant blue. The winds were light. The promise of success was buzzing in everyone as I could tell by the huge numbers of cars in the parking lot. (Fair-weather athletes if you ask me!)

Unfortunately, I hadn't considered the correlation between higher temperatures and loss of hydration. I don't think I am a camel, but I have been able to run my distances without lots of water. Well those days of storing water as I rumble across the barren tundra are gone. My run started well enough However, with 4 miles still remaining, I downed a CarbBoom and some water (the last availability on my route) and continued on hoping for a fierce surge of energy. HA! Maybe the gel would work if my body weren't already struggling against dehydration. I felt like those tired dogs you see dragging their fat, bloated tongues against the pavement. (Hence the apt moniker, dog days of summer!) I struggled on but my earlier spritely tempo dwindled to a granny shuffle. It was disappointing. Although, it was a great and timely lesson. I only have so many long runs left on my training log and now is the time when I need to be experimenting with food, gels, water consumption, stretching and sleep to find out what combination of the elements will give me the strength that I can count on for race day.

Lesson learned: I might have to get up even earlier (groan) to more fully hydrate before my long weekend runs.

April come she will

The forecast for this weekend looks luscious. I am accepting the splendor of a clear, blue sky with alacrity. I hope the radiant sun just pours over me until I overflow with a golden hue of spring. After the ten miles of last weekend, tomorrow's nine seems like a skip in the park! Well, okay, not that easy but if I pump myself up with blithe optimism then maybe the energy in my legs will come along to match.

Could it be time to pack up the winter sweaters? Are my fleece running pants ready to retire for another season? Ah, the sweet joy of shedding layers and frolicking in the bursting blooms of spring. It's almost as if there's a hum to the earth and she's knocking at our doors beckoning for us to come out and play.

Yesterday I went to a free evaluation at the Great Lakes Institute of Manual Therapy offered by Running Fit. My hip flexor is still bothering me. It's not so debilitating that I can't run but I don't enjoy the stiffness during the day or the lack of flexibility in that leg. I had a one-on-one inspection by a physical therapist. He poked, prodded, investigated and finally concluded that some area-specific stretches would serve me best. He also suggested heat for the area (as opposed to the ice that I was using) telling me ice is usally for a sore muscle and this seems to be a ligament. It's so hard to straighten all of this out. Oh well. The weather is lovely.

Always Marry An April Girl

Praise the spells and bless the charms,
I found April in my arms.
April golden, April cloudy,
Gracious, cruel, tender, rowdy;
April soft in flowered languor,
April cold with sudden anger,
Ever changing, ever true --
I love April, I love you.

Ogden Nash

The surprise of kindness

When I committed to train for this half marathon with the Team in Training program, I was more apprehensive about raising the required $1,500 than I was about being able to actually run the 13 miles. Obviously, I had a right to be concerned. I signed a contract that would essentially allow TNT to make up the difference on my credit card, which I provided. I had to. It's part of the canon for how this program succeeds. Talk about lighting a fire under my bum!! I certainly didn't want to get stuck with some $500 payment simply because I hadn't worked the fund raising circuit all the way through.

My first step was to send letters to friends and relatives of my family. That gave me a comfortable starting cushion. Jason also encouraged me to send the letters to his relatives as well. I was nervous about that because I hate to seem greedy, especially to people I don't know very well. Again, I was thrilled with how they responded to my cause. It's wild for me to think that people chose to give their hard earned money to this worthy cause simply because I asked. It amazes me still. Well just yesterday I sent an email around at my work asking with help for the final $200. The outpouring of donations stunned me. I was given checks from people with whom I don't even interact. Most of them apologized for not being able to give more. I had no idea that most people would be so magnanimous in spirit. It really is a beautiful feeling to know of all the support out there. It makes me think that this year I have really done a good deed. I have made a small bit of difference for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. I feel almost spiritual about everyone's charitable sense. What a wonderful world.
---------------

On another positive note, I had quite the amusing interaction at the gym this morning during my four mile run. I have been noticing this older fella when I'm there. He's like a friendly little gnome, waving at the ladies, grinning a smile that stretches all the way to his ears and he's running all this time at a 6.0 pace on the treadmill.
Today I saddled up next to him and when I began running, he looked over with his kind eyes and nodded a polite good morning my way. I responded with a genuine smile. I was plugged into my i-pod and he was carrying on a conversation with another member on the opposite treadmill. At some point, I think we made eye contact again and I gave him a friendly cheer with the universal thumbs up sign. (This guy is clearly out pacing me!) When his conversation buddy left, he turned to me and started asking about how far I run. He told me about running the past Dexter-Ann Arbor race. He seemed to think I had a lot of gusto when he saw me running nonstop the other day (I assume this was my 6 miles on Tuesday). I curtsey'd to his kind words but said that I was the one to be impressed with his much faster pace. He simply chuckled and kept his smile stretched out. Then he took this bemusing tone like he's about to share a sweet secret and admitted that he would have usually stopped running when his friend left but since I was chugging away his machismo got the better of him and he was determined to stay on as long as I was still running.
What a hoot this little fella was! I only had about 1/4 mile left when he disclosed this bit of information and I was glad of that. I don't think I could have handled a dramatic neck and neck race with this deceptive sprinter!! When my 4 miles was up, I slowed down to a walking pace and he decided he was done. He turned to me and said Thanks for the good run. See ya around. I responded in kind. Aw, what a blissful start to the day.

The sky is the limit

I've often thought that while my 13.1 mile race will be an accomplishment of personally dramatic proportions, it will not be the singular accomplishment of this training period. On Saturday morning I was back out at Kensington for the usual chilly, extremely-early, 8am run. I ran 10 miles that morning. Okay, well, maybe it wasn't e-x-a-c-t-l-y 10 miles. I did slow down to a walk for two quick water breaks. Plus I walked maybe 1/4 of one mile when I was lagging at the 8-mile mark. So what?? I ran probably 95% of ten miles. THAT IS IMPRESSIVE! That is the farthest I have ever run in my life. That is farther than anyone in my immediate or extended family has ever run (well, maybe in the last 25 years). That is farther than all but 2 of my friends have ever run. This is no small, ordinary event.

The race isn't the only accomplishment. Waking up before 7am to run 6 miles before work is laudable as well. Running 25+ miles in a week is deserving of approbations. Staying committed to this program through four months of temperamental weather, injuries and self-doubt is a real testament to my ability to see something through to the finish. If I can do this, well, as they say, the sky's the limit. Perhaps digging deep to discover that resolve within myself is the best outcome I could hope for.