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!