No longer doing it JUST for the kids

That's right. The truth is out. I am no longer running Just for the kids. I am running for me. Selfish as it might be, it is the truth. The added benefit is that I hope to be around long enough to see my great-grandchildren, but in the meantime, I will be running and seeking the Truth for myself.

I am closing this blog as I have decided to chronicle my entire journey in one blog rather than two.

I hope you decide to visit!

Running Towards Him

Running in Soup

Another week of low mileage for this wanna-be ultra marathoner! A wonderful spasm in my neck presented itself on Monday morning and hung until until, well, it really hasn't left yet.

Thankfully, a few sessions using my pink rubber ball and some stretching seems to have it under control, so I felt like I could get a run in today.

Not sure what the problem was with my legs today. They felt dead. I've been off for a week. They should have felt rested, and yet, I couldn't pick them up. Cut two miles off the run just to get home.

Last weekend I felt very similar. Not sure what the problem is. Maybe it is running alone that is getting to me. I tend to push myself harder when I am running with others, but I am on a quest to learn how to run solo. That will be my most difficult challenge as a face my first 100 miler. Aside from the obvious physical demands.

I find that I am a bit frustrated with myself. Ever since my DNF at Hell's Hills, I've been in a slump. Thought I was ok with everything surrounding that event and I don't regret my decision to DNF, but I have noticed that the motivation is lacking, the excuses are getting more and more frequent to not run.

Not sure where this will lead me, but for now, I will just keep slugging through and try to come out of this funk.

Shoe Woes

It appears that my new "what a great deal" trail shoes may not be such a great deal after all.

A few months ago, I found a pair of Asics Trail Attacks for a steal. I purchased them online and was quite pleased with the fit upon delivery. I've worn them for a few shorter runs and this past weekend, wore them on their longest run yet of 12 miles.

I noticed a few weird "aches" on the run, but didn't give it much thought until the following day. I noticed that the balls of my feet were very sore and my knees, which I've never had trouble with, have both been sore. In fact, both knees feel quite inflamed and as a result, I've been reluctant to run on them.

I believe that the shoes are responsible for this as I did nothing else different. The shoes have a metal plate in the sole for added protection which I will need on the Cactus Rose course. I am now on the hunt for a new pair of shoes. Just what my husband wants to hear. Another pair of shoes!

It has been suggested that I try the Vasque Blur. And they make a pretty red color...

A New Day!

A nice little run through the woods can do so much for the soul! I love the dirt! Being able to come off the trail covered in dirt like this is a thrill that I suppose only other dirt lovers can appreciate!

Time for Reflection

I am beginning to notice that my evolution as a runner is similar to that of my spiritual life. Of course the two are tied deeply together, as they should be.

I am becoming more aware of the onion effect. As I move along the running trails of life, another layer of the onion peels away and a new skin is revealed. This skin is beautiful, shiny, and does not come to the surface without it's share of tears.

I am discovering that running, for me, is becoming less and less social, and more and more internal. Perhaps this has much to do with the distances that I am challenging myself with, perhaps I am just becoming a crotchety old lady...

I naturally crave the company of others, at times to a fault. I will choose to spend time with those I around me when I feel I could benefit more from spending time in the classroom of silence where the true-self is exposed.

I love running with others. I love the way that we can push one another, encourage one another, and inspire one another. This is a very important aspect to what we do. But I am discovering another layer which has begun to emerge. I need to be able to run alone. I need to become self-reliant and not look for validation from those around me. I need to truly reach my goals on my own, for my own reasons, and as a result of my own blood, sweat, and tears.

I love to glean information from others, especially those who have done that which I hope to do someday. However, in the end, it is just going to be me crossing that finish line. No one thing that any one else does will get my feet to move one after the other, in beautiful synchopy until the race is done. No one else will be able to pull the strength from the pit of my guts to press on when it is the last thing I want to do. There is only One who can do this with me; for me.

I must honor that blessing with the gift of my attention. Being ready and willing to listen to what He is trying to tell me, to teach me. And while I do believe that He works through others, sometimes, the best place to learn about what He wants us to know about ourselves, what He is calling us to, is in His classroom of silence.

As I look forward to more intense training for the upcoming fall season, my challenge will be to look inward instead of outward, yet not be afraid to ask for help if needed. I hope to realize my limitations, embrace them, and push myself through them. I intend to pray as though it all relies on God (which it does), yet work as though it only depends on me.

As a result, I may take this blog private. It has never been a place for me to boast or brag and I pray that it has not become that, but I have this nagging suspicion that perhaps the "validation card" which I need to learn to live without, may creep in through this forum. I may also decide to leave well enough alone and just post race reports from time to time.

Whatever may come, only He knows...

Pace? What's Pace?

I'll be trying to find my current pace tomorrow at RTW. Haven't run a hard 5K in quite sometime, so I am curious to see what I can do tomorrow.

Sending happy feet vibes to everyone running races this weekend, especially Adrienne in the Polish Pickle and Rick at Western States! Enjoy!

106 at 6

That was the heat index tonight as I readied myself for my first track workout in almost a year. Crazy. But I was happy to be going! Why? Because I noted that the humidity was at a mere 31%! That is unheard of around here, so though it was hot, it was a nice dry heat and I enjoyed the run.

I also ran last night in similar temps, but my bad attitude had the better of me and I never noticed how hot it was. I was too busy ruminating on the thoughts running through my mind. A fast run was exactly what I needed to reset my thinking.

I am trying to decide upon my fall race schedule. I am going to run just a few races this next year, so I'd like to pick some that will prove to be very memorable.

One that I would really like to be able to participate in is The Shadow of the Giants. It is only a 50K, but the beautiful scenery and the fact that my family could travel with me and enjoy a vacation at the same time makes the run very enticing.

I have been in recovery mode since my DNF at Rocky Hill. I feel good and I am ready to get into some consistent training. I've been pretty consistent with my cross-training (weights, ab work, cycling) which I've been doing in the garage. It is not very fancy, but it is perfect for what I am trying to accomplish.

I would really love to be able to feel comfortable in the pool. At this point, I do not have access to one, so that makes it a tad more challenging. I may look into the pools in the area to see what would best fit my schedule.

Looking forward to a summer full of healthy training!

Hell's Hills DNF Report

At the last minute, the decision was made to go ahead and make the trek back to Rocky Hill Ranch and try to take revenge on the newly dubbed, "Hell's Hills".

We decided to forgo a hotel and sleep at Buescher State Park. We figured we could throw the air mattress in the back of the Nerd Herder and grab a good night's sleep in the crisp cool air. Unfortunately, we did not think about the occurrence of mosquitoes. While it was quite comfortable temperature-wise, we did need to keep the windows down and this allowed the bugs in. They rather enjoyed buzzing in our ears most of the night. This went perfectly with the air mattress which refused to provide any real feeling of comfort. I ended up curling into the front seat and I was just about asleep, our neighbors decided it was time to PAR-TAY! Thanks. Zero sleep and still undecided upon which distance to run, either the 50K or the 50 miler.

At 4 am, I gave up, readied myself for the start line and headed over to Rocky Hill Ranch.

The 50 miler was slated to begin at 5:00 am. I was originally registered for it, but in my more sane moments, taking the heat into consideration and my lack of heat-training thanks to the wonderful cooler spring that we have enjoyed, I thought it would be best to drop down to the 50K, enjoy the day, and still have time left over to spend with Mark. I had fully intended to sign in and let Joe (the RD) know that I was going with the 50K distance instead.

As I was signed in, Joe said hello and as I went to mention that I was going to change my distance, we were interrupted by others signing in. Being half-asleep, and mostly insane, I just walked off and said to myself, Oh, well...

When I found Mark, he asked if I told Joe that I was going to change my distance, when I told him what happened, he just shook his head and then I heard "GO!" in classic Joe-style. Instead of just hanging back and letting him know my decision, I started running...dumb, I know, but it is what it is...

I began the first 16.7 mile loop feeling good, tired but good. I ran strong and probably went out too fast, though I tried to remind myself to conserve, conserve, conserve. I drank often and enough to stay well-hydrated. I also made sure to consume enough along the way as this race was mostly a water-only aid station race.

I came in at 3:25 on my first loop and told Mark that I anticipated coming in at about 4.5 hours the second loop, given the heat, fatigue, etc. It was already pretty warm and I was feeling very tired. The first 5 miles of the second loop felt like it was 10 miles long. The second 5 miles felt better. About 3 miles from the end of the second loop, I started to decline quickly. It was extremely hot, and it seemed as though I was spending a lot of time looking for shade to stay in, even in the woods. There were also extended periods of time out in the open field which, for me, was the worst part. I am not a "sun" person. I am very fair and burn easily, even with sunblock. This is probably why I enjoy trail running as much as I do as I do not enjoy doing runs in the direct sunlight. I know this is something I need to work on in my training and this race gave me the perfect opportunity to learn that lesson! The last 45 minutes or so of this loop I felt like there was no way I could do the loop again. I was exhausted, hot, dizzy, and beginning to see things.
As I came in from the second loop, I felt like I had been out for over 5 or 6 hours. As it turns out, I finished the second loop in 4 hours and 20 minutes. Not bad as far as time is concerned.
I was extremely over-heated and Mark informed me that I was sunburned. I tried cooling down with ice and water and even downed my Mexican Coke to see if I could regain some mojo. I set myself up to go out on the third loop and as I stood up to go, I felt very dizzy. I had no energy at all. I told Mark that I was not going to run the third loop. He agreed that I should stop. One lady even said to me...'Run smart." I've heard that phrase before, and thought I knew what it meant, but it's true meaning was yet to be comprehended by me. I walked to Joe (the RD) and told him that I was dropping. I told him I didn't have it in me to finish. He talked with me a bit and suggested that I try. I had 7.5 hours to finish the last loop and thought that I could finish it even if I walked the whole thing. I sat with that for a minute and then told Mark I was going to give it a go.
Stupid. I know. I can hear you say it. But in the end, I believe it was a good decision because I learned so much about who I am and what I am doing in the next hour.
As I headed out, the sun burning me even more, the fluids running dry quickly, I knew there was no way that I would be able to finish the final loop. I began to tell myself to just make it to the next aid station and then decide what to do next. About 2 miles into the loop, I was not able to run anymore. I couldn't lift my legs. The roots were beginning to transform into lizards. My left eye was going black, and I was talking to myself. My recently filled cold liquids were no longer cold. The ice was all melted, and my bandana that I had filled with ice and wrapped around my neck was completely dry...2 miles in. I thought about the fact that I might pass out and I wasn't sure anyone was behind me. I thought about laying out there until someone decided to look for me and I wasn't so sure that I would make it very long.
I stood in the woods and talked with a tree..."Should I go on or turn around?!" The tree refused to weigh in on the subject. I thought of my children and the fact that the next morning I was going to have to be ready to be mom again and if I was laying somewhere lost or in a hospital, or worse, because of a RUN?! Decision made. The "Run Smart" advice was taken to heart and with a whole new meaning. I turned around, walked back to the start line and am proud that I did.
I learned so much on this run. If I had had the sense to tell Joe that I wanted to drop down, I would have had a great 50K! Instead, I ran about 39 miles in 8 hours and experienced things that I can learn from that I might never have had the chance to learn any other time.
I did find out later that the temps went over 98 degrees. Final lesson learned...No long races in heat like that! At least not for awhile...

May Training...NOT!

In spite of running Hog's Hunt this month, training has been close to nil. With birthdays, holidays, volleyball games, First Communions, Confirmations, Prom, and Graduations happening, running took a back burner this month, as it should have.

I love running and the peace it brings me. When I feel myself becoming stressed because I can not find the time to run, I need to re-examine what I am doing. Believe it or not, I think I am finally beginning to find balance with running and the rest of life. Going into my third season of running, I am able to see that if I need to forgo a run here or there, it won't kill my training. In fact, several off weeks won't kill my training either. Mind you, I am not winning any races here, not even close, but I am gaining so much more!

How can I possibly complain about my family obligations taking up my running time? I am so blessed to have this family! What's more, they support my running, my quest for health and fitness, and put up with my madness. Everything from having to check out the new shoes reviews, to running in thunderstorms, to eating "interesting" new "healthy" recipes that don't involve any type of meat... etc. I have the very best crew behind me!!

So as with everything in my world, there is a season for all. This May has been a season of celebrations! And how fortunate am I that I can celebrate with the ones I love. The trails aren't going anywhere anytime soon, and I'll be back at it in no time, training hard for those fall races.

Enjoy the moment...it's really all we have.

Hog's Hunt 2009!

What a day, what a day! Today was my second running of the Hog's Hunt 50K and I had intended to attempt to PR, however with the heat I was expecting, this morning I made the decision to go out slow and relaxed and see how it went. If I could maintain the same time as last year, I would be happy with that.



The first loop started a few minutes late which was nice because I didn't need to carry my light with me. I tossed it back into my bag and realized that I didn't have my Garmin on. I looked and looked for it, but was not able to find it. Hopefully, I'll get some good news from Paul Stone, the RD, about one being turned in, but if not, all is well.

Coach Bill met Tiffany and I at the park and set up TWRC tent. It means so much to have a friendly, smiling face cheering us on. Pat, Sarah, Barbara, Susan, and others were there as well. Always great to see such wonderful folks enjoying the day in the same way.

We started on the 1st loop and for the first 2.5 miles, my calves felt as though they were cement. I've noticed on my last few runs, they have been especially tight and no amount of stretching seems to help. The only thing that loosens them up is a brisk walk/jog combination. Once they are warm, everything else seems to be working well. We settled into a nice run, walking the uphills and running the down and straight-aways. We ran into Norman along the way and he helped keep our minds off of the heat by talking to us as we traversed the trails. I noticed that Tiffany was struggling a bit, and we walked more to help her catch her breath. It was very hot, and getting hotter, not to mention the humidity. We would really have appreciated a little rain out there to things off.

We had the pleasure of seeing Adrienne sail past us on her way to claim 1st female, 3rd overall, AND PR her 25K time by 6 mins! This woman is amazing! Way to go Adrienne!

After the 3rd aid station (all of which were fantabulous!) I got too far ahead of Norman and Tiffany and finished the first loop in 3:10. I waited for them to come in because I wanted to be sure that Tiffany was ok. They came in and Tiffany told me to go on without her. I only agreed to do so because Norman said that he would stay with her. I NEVER want to leave anyone out there on their own. Thankfully, Norman stuck with Tiffany all the way through and they both finished a very tough race!

My second loop was interesting as I have never really run a race on my own. I felt horribly guilty for about 5 or 6 miles and then I saw Norman and Tiffany on the out and back and they looked good. From that point on, I ran the rest of my race, calling on the reserves that I had tucked away.

After the second aid station (7 Hills!!!) I felt a slump hitting me. I began walking all up hills again and slammed down a double dose of S-caps and Gu. It seemed to do the trick as I was able to make it to the 3rd aid station feeling good.

As I hit the Nature Center, the kind gentleman reminded me that I had only 9/10ths of a mile left. That 9/10ths felt like 10 miles! Again, I walked the uphills and then sprinted in for a strong finish. I came in at 6:34 which was a PR for me by 5 minutes!



As I cooled down, I had the pleasure of meeting Richard in person, talking with Robin K, and Coach Bill. I also visited a short while with the WF Trail folks. They were enjoying a well-deserved picnic after they finished their race.

It was a great day to be out there, albeit a bit warm. I truly believe I felt as good as I did because of a few factors.

1. I made sure I slept no less than 6 or 7 hours every night this week. For those of you who really know me, you know that this is a feat unto itself!

2. I ate well, especially yesterday. I find that I do well with a balanced protein/carb dinner the night before. Not too many carbs as that tends to make me feel sluggish.

3. Consistently taking in the Succeed caps every 30 mins. Not being afraid to double up when I could tell I needed it. I also Gu'd at about every 5 - 6 mile interval. Without the watch this was hard to really track, but I used the aid stations as a guide.

I had a great motivator for today's race. My friend Kelly who is still battling cancer. At every moment when I thought it was "too tough" I prayed for Kelly. I can't tell you how much this simple act of offering up my tiny struggle helps get me through the next mile, the next minute.

Up next is possibly Hell's Hills aka Revenge of the Trail Nerds. Then I'll be focusing on more intensive training to get ready for the fall season. Life is good!

Happy Mother's Day aka Running with the Skeeters!

What a great Mother's Day Weekend! Yesterday I was able to run 13 of my planned 20 miles. I had to cut it a bit short so that we could get to Lem's Volleyball game at 8:30. Kind of funny that getting up and out the door at 5 am isn't quite early enough...

Lem's opponents did not show, so it was a win in their column. It's been so exciting watching these girls evolve from beginner players to where they are now. Most had never played before 6 months ago and now they are a true force to be reckoned with. Lem is loving the game, and I love watching her play.

Next on tap for me was a wonderful brunch with my dear friend, J. She is an amazing woman and any time I can spend with her I am so grateful for.

We did a bit of shopping which is something I don't normally partake in, but since my clothes are not fitting anymore and my children are beginning to liken me to a bag lady...

Last night was a big deal in our home. We have been working up to this one for quite some time now. I purchased a night light a few days ago and we were just waiting for that "perfect" night to start. Boo is a wonderful little boy, but he has not put himself to sleep, ever. We love the snuggle time with him, so really, it is our own doing that some nights he is up at even 11:00! The time has come for him to get onto a normal sleep schedule beginning with him putting himself to sleep.

Mark read a story to him and then placed him into his bed. I'm sure that each of you could hear the screams that immediately ensued. We braced ourselves for a good 30 minutes to an hour of the unbearable parent call of the wild, but were blessed with only 15 - 20 minutes of it. Ahhhh.... let's see if this holds up tonight.

Mark then proceeded to begin making the lasagna for tonight's festivities. Not only is it Mother's Day, but it is also the celebration of Mark's birthday and Fish will be making his First Holy Communion! It smells heavenly. I did try to make it healthier with turkey instead of ground beef, whole wheat noodles, and organic sauces. The verdict will be in tonight after Mass.

This morning, I set out to finish the last of my 20 that I didn't get in yesterday. I ended up putting another 11 miles on the feet and though it was hot, humid and generally miserable out there, I enjoyed the run. I must be insane.

At one point I stopped at the water fountain and was immediately attacked by several skeeters. How quickly I was reminded that in Texas, you can't stop running, ever. Your own personal "coaches" will be on you quicker than you can say, "OFF!" They do tend to push one into a tempo run...

Only saw one snake today, and it had been brutally killed. Not pretty. Neither was the dog deposit that some wonderful soul left on the path for us all to see. Thanks for that. I place you right up there with the "runners" that drop their gel litter along the way. Your footprint has been made.

As I arrived home, my children were awake and preparing my favorite breakfast for me, French Toast! I also indulged in a few strips of bacon which I usually try to avoid. But hey, it's Mother's Day!

As we celebrate our Mother's today, I can't help but think of mine. Though she is no longer with us here on earth, knowing she is waiting at the feet of Jesus for me to come home leaves me with a peaceful, joyful spirit.

To those of you who have lost your beloved Moms, I know that feeling of our earthly sorrow. I pray that we can call on the wonderful memories of the ones who gave us the gift of life and then take the time to truly honor a special woman in your life.

Running in Place

I've been getting some consistent mileage in and with the addition of the boot camp class, the core work is coming along. I find myself getting out of bed earlier and craving the exercise sessions even after completing them for the day.

Today, I woke up and thought I had missed class, had students waiting at the door, and missed the washer repairman. Then I realized it wasn't Monday... thank goodness.

It seems as though the humidity has returned. Time to get back to business with the heat training.

Last night, we ate dinner at our church in celebration of Altar Server Appreciation. Attempting to run afterwards was probably not the smartest decision I made. I got about 2 miles in and realized that dinner was wanting to re-visit. I still put the miles in (6) but it was a slow and slower run/walk home.

I can't decide if I am running Hogs Hunt or not. I am certainly ready for it, but with hectic schedules at home, mid-May for this race is very poor timing.

Revenge of the Trail Nerds is planned for June 6th. I will hopefully be able to make that trip. If not, it looks like my next race could be in October.

That should give me a nice solid summer of training.

Earth Day

In honor of Earth Day, some of the Trail Nerds headed out for a run in the woods. Nice pace, nice conversation. We ran til we couldn't see anymore and since we were celebrating Earth Day, we didn't pack lights as to avoid light pollution.

As an extra treat, we were able to see a few fireflies! I think I even ate a few...

Rocky Hill Ranch

The first road-trip for the Tejas Trail Nerds was full of fun and good times, but unfortunately not a lot of trails...



Rocky Hill Ranch was canceled shortly after the start secondary to a dangerous storm cell that moved through the area. Smithville had been the recipient of about 12 inches of rain with a high amount of lightening strikes and even a few tornadoes.



An email from Joe Prusaitis explained that the roads had been washes away and he was still unable to get his equipment out from the trail. He has dubbed Rocky Hill with a new name... Hell's Hills.


This is the road leading to the trail head...washed away!

A rescheduled run has been set for June 6, 2009. Check the Tejas Trails website for details.


Doesn't he look happy!!?


Camp Awesome!
Regardless of how much we were able to run or not able to run, CAMP AWESOME was a great experience and set the precedence for many future adventures!




Good Times!


Good Eats!


Good Glutes? Good Grief!


A Tejas Trail Nerds Bib... No Parts


Before the start


At least we ran 11!


The New Superman, or Pete Rose...whatever your pleasure


Still smilin'...Trails are good!


Suffice it to say, if this has to be explained, you wouldn't understand...


Grumpy Cows Leave Evidence On the Trail!


Trail Nerd Love...May they live Muddily Ever After!

Running Reset

I just love how a good hard run can totally reset me from the inside out. It's such a blessing to have this outlet that helps me to regroup, refocus, and rejuvenate.

I've been trying to get between 25 - 30 miles in each week, though my average is about 28 right now. I'd like to have my base at 30 so that I can feel like I am ready for a bigger run without much notice. I set a schedule to run 5 days, but usually miss one for one reason or another.

I have been working the core, not as hard as I had planned, but I am still seeing some nice results. I feel stronger on my runs and I think that my pace is getting a bit faster as well.

I am planning to run Rocky Hill next weekend, then Hog's Hunt. After that, I am going into building mode until the fall. I hope to run the Huntsville Half, a distance I've yet to try. I'd like to see if I can carry a quicker pace for that.

As Spring begins, I find I am yearning to get out more often. I am setting a more definite schedule that hopefully will allow me to get the training in without much strife to the family life.

Next update will probably be after Rocky Hill!

Back pain

Not the kind that can cause a runner to sit side-lined, but more like the pain on the bones when you've done sit-ups on cement or wood floors.

I have been having this pain since last night, and Lord knows, it isn't from sit-ups! Haven't done much of those! I could not figure it out.

Then on this evening's run, I was adjusting my Amphipod and realized what had caused the soreness. My Camelbak! Yesterday was the first time I have worn it since Rocky and the area wear the Camelbak sits is exactly what is sore! Phew... glad it's that and nothing more.

I also started developing a chaffed area on my arms today. Weird. I think my shirts have gotten bigger on me so the extra fabric is rubbing the inside of my arm. Made for an unpleasant feeling about 1/2 way into the run, but nothing too unbearable.

I finally got to run the Nature Preserve Trail tonight. It's the first time since before Ike. I noticed some new pathways have been created. I'd like to spend some time exploring those. Anyone interested? I will not run the trails by myself. It was nice of Mark to ride his bike alongside me tonight. We had not done that in a long while either.

I am somewhat frustrated that it takes me a good 4 miles to feel warmed up and in a groove. To steal Holden's catch phrase..."What's up with that!?" Anyone else have this issue. Good thing I'm not trying to run 5Ks!!

It will be nice to get a bit of rain this week, as long as it doesn't interfere too much with my running!

More Trails

Went out for a planned 2 hour run, slogged through 91 mins and called it a day. I felt fine physically, aside from a funny stomach, but I just felt tired. Rather than push it like I had planned, I listened to my body and finished up 30 mins shy of my goal.

My plan this week isn't really about mileage. It's more about time and consistency. I seem to need to get back into the habit of running and not blowing it off as easily as I have been.

Plan for the week is an hour on Tues, Weds, and Thurs. If I can fit in 30 mins of Friday, great! Saturday I'd like to do the trails again for 90 mins and Sunday I'd like to do 2 hours.

Once the habit is established I'll readjust the plan to specific mileage goals.

99.999999%

Went out for a jaunt in the woods this morning. I wasn't trying to run for pace or distance, just to complete an hour and enjoy the beautiful weather. It seems everyone was feeling the same, as we stopped and took in the moment several times.

We got 5.3 miles in this morning. I felt great! Lungs are back where I want them to be and feel well enough to start pushing myself more. My appetite still isn't that great, so I've dropped another pound. I am sure that as my running increases, my appetite will pick up. Giving the red meat, pork, and sugar up for Lent has not been as difficult as I thought it would be this time. I'd like to go to a raw foods plan, but I have to do these things in baby steps.

Tomorrow I'll go for a true long run with more emphasis on pace, but I am not going to get crazy about it.

Vic has added me to his sidebar, and since I've been a secret follower of his over the last 18 months or so, I am adding him to mine! Thanks for stopping by, Vic!

I registered for Rocky Hill today! God-willing, this will be my second 50 miler!

85/90

Got a nice 6 miler in yesterday in the pouring rain. The rain did not bother me because I was just enjoying my legs moving forward! The lungs felt about 85%. I tackled a few hills on Flintridge, but kept the pace nice and easy so that I could be sure I was feeling well enough to run.

Tonight, Hannah and I headed out for a quick run before dinner. She pooped out rather quickly, so I dropped the poor puppy off at home and did a mile with some fartleks included. The lungs felt even better tonight, about 90% there.

My bout of flu/bronchitis has zapped my appetite. I've lost about 7 pounds which is a nice benefit, but I would rather have lost that weight while running!

My appetite seemed to pick up today probably as a result of my running.

Tonight's Run

Mile 1: 9:56
Mile 2: 10:12
Mile 3: 10:29 Hannah was really dragging
Mile 4: 8:32 3 Fartleks thrown in. Felt great to pick up the pace a bit.

Finished the night up with some core work. Badly needed core work!

75%

Short run tonight during Lem's Volleyball practice. First run in 15 days. These little "breaks" are becoming quite annoying.

I didn't want to push myself too much as my lungs still don't feel right. But the urge to run has returned, so I gave in to it and kept myself to my word on the time. I planned to run 30 mins, but because of a dog attack in my back yard, my run time came up a few minutes short at 23 mins.

If I had to assign a number to the lungs, I'd say that they are at about 70 - 75%.

I will try to monitor this over my slow return to training to be sure it's only getting better.

TIR Weekend

I was supposed to be running with The Battling Bloggers of the Texas Republic, but as fate would have it, I had to make the decision to sit out this time, and in hind site, I suppose it was a good decision, at least for the Team.

I've been down with the flu and bronchitis the last two weeks and just when I thought I might be returning to some semblance of myself, my lungs gave in again to another infection. I was embarrassed to be back in my doctor's office for the third time in less than 10 days. But he assured me that I was sick and I needed to go for another round of medication complete with steroids this time. Thankfully, I am feeling much better after only 24 hours on this course of treatment.

Usually when I am out of the game, I yearn for the opportunity to run. This time, however, I have had no desire to do anything of the sort. Today was the first time I thought that maybe, just maybe, I'd like to run a little. I am taking that as a good sign.

I think the worst part of the last two weeks is that I had to watch the kids fall to the flu as well. This thing was nasty. Very nasty. It lasted a good 7 - 8 days for most of them. Thankfully, they bounce back well.

One funny moment this week was when the doctor was checking Boo and found something blue up his nose. This came as a complete surprise to us! Upon further inspection, we discovered that our sweet youngest son had, at some point unbeknownst to us, placed a piece to a Bionicle up his nose.



After several attempts to remove it, our doctor suggested that we make an appointment with the ENT. Thankfully, we have a long-standing relationship with ours and they were able to see us the next morning. The piece was successfully removed with only minor insult to the ego of a three-year old.



Today, my sister-in-law invited us to go to a nearby arboretum. The fact that I actually wanted to go was another sign to me that I must be getting better. I haven't gone very far and where I have gone, I have done so very reluctantly.



It was a beautiful day. Breezy and warm and full of nice memories with the kids. I couldn't help but think about the TIR teams moving from Gonzales to the San Jacinto. I pray that they have a great time, stay safe, and finish the relay
uninjured.

Recovering from the Week After Recovery Week

After taking a week off and then starting out slow last week, Sunday night I was hit by the mack-daddy of viruses and a case of bronchitis.

So, it's antibiotics and bedrest until I get through this thing.

Fun.

The Week Following Recovery Week

I've had a wonderful week of grazing on whatever I've wanted, sleeping in late, and generally being lazy, lazy, lazy. However, now, it is time to get back to training.

I made a run on Sunday morning with the Trail Nerds at Jones Forest. My lungs are still not cooperating very well, but the legs felt great.

We only ran about 45 mins, but it was nice to get out there for a bit.

Tonight, I put in a gentle 4.2 miles at a 9:48 pace. At about mile 2, the coughing and wheezing began again. I know I need to get this checked out, but honestly, how do I complain that nothing is bothering me until I've been running for 2 miles? I hope I can get it this week to find out if there isn't something else I should do to get over this crud. We're going on 6 weeks now.

It's been a wonderful rest time, but I am eager to get back to work, and get stronger and healthier!

Rocky Racoon 50 Miler

Last week saw a lot of preparation and waiting in great anticipation for Saturday morning.

I packed, unpacked, repacked, unpacked, and again repacked my drop bag making sure to not miss a thing that I might need. I suppose it can become an obsession if one lets it, and I would say that I was borderline.

Friday, I took Foo up to Huntsville to pick up my race packet. It was a beautiful day, warm, but breezy with very low humidity. I said a prayer that Saturday would have weather just as nice.

I met up with Rick who introduced me to the Kansas City Trail Nerds. A very nice bunch of folks that I look forward to seeing again.

We discussed an award idea that Rick and Ben had come up with and I offered to come up with something special for them. It gave me something else to obsess about the night before the race. This is what it looked like when it was finished...



It was dubbed the PITA award and went to that Trail Nerd which was deemed to be the largest Pain in the A.. well, you know what I mean.

Saturday morning, I got up at about 3:30. Didn't really sleep much, but I never do before a race.

I had my usual race morning breakfast, and readied myself for the day. Pete picked me up at 5 and we headed north.

We were able to see the 100 milers off at 6 am, and then finished getting ourselves ready to run. At 7 am, we were off.

The first loop was difficult for me. I have been sick with respiratory junk for about 4 weeks and though I thought I was doing much better, the first loop proved that I wasn't as healthy as I had hoped I was (aka denial). I was really having trouble with my asthma and trying to figure out how I was going to finish the first loop, never mind the whole 50 miles! I few puffs on the inhaler (probably a few too many, but it did work), my lungs started cooperating and by the beginning of my 2nd loop, the constant coughing disappeared.

As we came into Dogwood at the end of the 1st loop, we refueled our bellies and I switched to my hand-held, and then made a quick call to Mark to let him know we had finished #1 and expected to finish #2 within 4 hours or so. Loop #1 was 3:45. Quicker than we thought and I was surprised because of how bad I felt out there.

Loop 2 started out much, much better. We had a quick 3 miles and hit the Nature Center aid station. I decided it was a good time to use the ladies room and as I began to exit, I felt that my legs were being restricted. As I looked down, I was in shock as I realized I had forgotten to pull up my running skirt! I had pulled up the compression shorts, but forgotten the skirt. Thankful that I hadn't opened the door yet, I chalked it up to early stage delirium and headed back out to run.

Not far from that aid station, I had a strange sensation in my right calf. I've never had a cramp with running, but I've seen other people go through that and there was no way I was interested in getting one of my own. I stopped and tried to stretch it out, but really the only thing that made it feel better was to walk on it. So I walked. Quickly, but walked. A few minutes later, I started trying to run again and felt fine until I hit any size incline. Then BOTH calves started to spasm. I had been taking my Succeed caps every 30 mins and the directions say only 2 per hour, but I took an extra to see if the extra electrolytes would help. Within 20 mins the cramps disappeared and I had no other issue with the calves for the remainder of the race.



Pete and I were doing great as far as time, not that this was really important to us, because I just wanted to have the experience, finish the race, and enjoy the day. We had a ballpark goal of finishing within 12-13 hours.

I don't remember exactly when, but Pete's foot started to give him some trouble. He has been dealing with plantar faciitis for some time now and we knew it would probably surface during Rocky.

By the end of the 2nd loop, Pete was really slowing, and at one point between the Dam Road and the Park Road Aid stations, I lost him. I waited at the Park Road until he showed up, probably about 10 mins later. He told me that he had taken a pretty bad fall and had really stretched his foot causing a great deal of pain. We re-fueled and headed out on a walk/run pattern for the rest of the loop.



Pete was very committed to finishing the race. So we decided to head back out on loop #3 and take it slow. We alternated between running and walking, walking as fast as we could when we did. We took our time through the aid stations, making sure that we ate well and had plenty of fluids to keep us going. At the Nature Center Aid station, we met Jon and Adrienne. It was so good to see them and know they were there to support the runners. Pete headed out ahead of me so that I could visit with them for a bit, knowing that I would catch up with him. I also ran into Misty at this point and we headed out towards Dam Road together. We had a good time talking and actually missed a turn. Thankfully, a very kind runner got our attention and got us back on track. I took off and started looking for Pete and was surprised how far ahead he had gone. We ran together the rest of the time and tried to enjoy it as much as possible.

Night was beginning to fall as we headed back towards the Park Road. Funny the things you see in the woods once the sun goes down! As we got to about mile 47, I saw a few folks standing in the dark. Jon, Bill, George, Debbie, and Russell were all there cheering us on and giving us a final dose of adrenaline to help us finish the thing. Pete and I crossed the finish line in 13:55 (unofficial). My Garmin died about 8 hours into the run, so I don't have that information. Our families and several friends were there to greet us and it brought tears to my eyes. Thank goodness it was dark.




This was a most amazing experience, from the natural beauty of the trails, to the beauty of the volunteers that took care of all of us. The other runners were so encouraging to one another. I've really never seen anything like it. I have met so many wonderful people while running, and yet, I still am in awe of the spirit of the running community.

I was able to see many people that I have met in the last two years. Joe, Missie, Tommy, Allen, and so many more. I also, after passing so many runners on the loops we ran, have in my memory many faces of runners that I may never meet again. Yet, they encouraged me to continue on. They had smiles in spite of their private pain. I saw walkers committed to walking the entire race. Incredible courage, incredible spirit.

Of course a more private component of running the race were the prayer intentions that I had for each mile of the run. Honestly, I had concerns that I would not be able to offer them all if I had to drop out for some reason. I prayed that I would be able to finish so that each of those intentions could be offered. The last mile was offered for my mother. I felt her every step of the way. I know she was with me the whole race as her spirit fills the state park through memories that we have there. She loved Huntsville.

I thank God for the opportunity to run. To run with a cause or a purpose. I am thankful for the support of my family and my friends who have taken care of me before and after this event. Their prayers carry me as well.

Recovery has been fairly easy. Saturday night I had to change my clothes 3 times during the night because of this freakish cold-sweating thing. Advil took care of my soreness. I have two small blisters on my heels that appeared after I took my gaiters off. I should have left them on. I have a few sore toes, but nothing too horrible. Overall, I feel great!

I loved this race and I can't wait to run Rocky again.

Things I learned at Rocky:

1. I didn't need half the stuff I brought, but I'm glad I brought it.
2. Garmin won't work for ultras
3. This won't be my last 50.
4. Volunteers are saints.
5. I can do almost anything I decide I want to.
6. I can never doubt the power of prayer.
7. Gaiters are a good thing.
8. I CAN use a port-a-potty.
9. I have the best friends in the world.
10. I love trail running more than ever before.

13:55!

A full report to follow, but wanted to let you all know that Pete and I finished Rocky 50 miler in 13:55.

A big thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers out there. Amazing doesn't begin to define these people.

Also a huge thank you to my family and friends that came to see us finish. You will never know how much it meant to me.


Now back to figuring out exactly how to get down the stairs...

Off to the Trails!

I am heading out this morning for the Rocky Raccoon 50 miler. I've got 29 hours to get it done!

My First Blogging Award!

Posting this on both blogs, since I'm not really sure which one this applies to...

I am the proud recipient of the highly coveted FOMUBA award! It's the first award I've ever received, and probably will be the last...

So take in the precious sight and yes, Envy me... go ahead... envy me!

Brief Update

I've been running as much as one can while dealing with the nasty cough/cold/cough/choke/etc thing that I've had for the past few weeks.

Somehow I was coerced into registering for Rocky Raccoon this coming weekend. Pete, Tiffany, and I will be making our attempt to complete a 50 miler on Saturday.

None of us are really ready for this, but we plan to have fun, walk when needed, and learn a lot about what we will do the next time we plan to run 50.

I have a list of a prayer intentions for each mile that I run. My only prayer for myself is that I can finish the race so that each prayer petition has a chance to be offered.

The running season that wasn't

There's something quite amiss in this year's running season. That thing would be the little detail of running!

I was looking over my accomplishments for 2008. It was only a year ago that I ran my first marathon, but in some ways it seems like more than that. I also was able to run in the TIR and Hog's Hunt 50K. Not bad for the first year of running.

I looked forward with great anticipation to this running season, and so far, have not run anything other than a 5 miler. TIR is on the schedule as is Rocky Raccoon, but admittedly, I am a bit concerned about being able to be worth a hoot on either of these.

It seems like I've been sidelined forever! Now I'm down with a bad case of the nasties. I was just feeling like I was getting my groove back, and feeling motivated. Today I feel like quitting it all and trying again in another lifetime.

I realize that I will probably feel different in a day or two, but for now, as I cough and medicate and pray that this all goes away, I am ignoring the running magazine articles, staying away from the exercise DVDs, and eating ice cream!

Woo Hoo Christy!!

Just turned the Marathon coverage on to see our sweet Christy being interviewed after finishing the Half!! Happy Birthday Christy!!

Text messages seem to be operational this year. It's neat to watch their times coming in. Just wish I could be there cheering them on in person.

Happy Marathon Day!

To all of you whom are running the Houston Marathon (1/2 or full) tomorrow, I wish you a very happy running day!

I wish I could be there to cheer you on, but it seems the bronchitis gods have other plans for me.

I'll catch you next year!

Great running weather!

Unfortunately, no running for me since Monday. I felt a little "rattle" in my chest at the end of the run that night, but didn't think much of it.

I've spent the past few days trying to fight it off, but it's hopeless. It seems I've got the odds against me. If I am registered for a race AND it is wonderful running weather, I am guaranteed to be sick or injured.

As Holden would so eloquently state, "What's up with that!?"

Prayers Please

A fellow runner slated to run this weekend at the marathon, just admitted her 15 year old daughter to Texas Children's Hospital with a diagnosis of Leukemia.

Natalia will be in the hospital for 6 - 8 months. She began receiving chemo today.

If you are running the Houston marathon this weekend, please remember Natalia and her family as you put one foot in front of the other.

It's a Marvelous Night for a Moondance!

What a night for a run! A crisp, clear evening with a full moon and a star-filled sky to light the way. The moon was a beautiful "harvest moon" as it began to rise into the night sky.

I had dropped Lem off at the Y for her volleyball practice and headed out for my run. When I returned to the Y to pick her up, one of the moms mentioned that they couldn't ever run when it was night time or when it was so cold.

First I thought of Laura...her dream run right now is at 40 degrees! Then I thought of how thankful I was able to take that beautiful scene in, which would have been missed had I decided to run on the dreadmill.

I started the run with the intention of running a warm-up mile, then a quick one, a recovery one, and another quick with a short cool down. I don't know what that is officially called, but it was definitely fun!! The 4th mile was much quicker than my legs have seen in quite some time. I saw my watch a few times and thought there was something wrong with it! What was even more bizarre was that mile was mostly up hill. Like I said, fun!

I had a good time reading the comments from my last post. The guys didn't quite know how the respond and the ladies knew exactly what I was talking about! Fashion, truly the female runner's dilemma. Sorry guys! Pat, no need to worry about the "outfit" matching...

Barbara, I hope you do Hogs Hunt. That was a fun race. I don't know why it was scheduled in May this year. It might be a bit warm...

Adrienne, I'll be looking for you at Rocky!

Christy, it all starts with a 50K...

Numbers from tonight's run...

Mile 1: 10:03
Mile 2: 9:46
Mile 3: 10:24
Mile 4: 8:25 !!
Mile .50: 9:37

Last Fit Run

Today was the last Fit run before the 2009 Houston Marathon. I was able to run to Luke's (3.5 miles) and then another 6 with the group. I planned to run the 3.5 home, but Lem had a volleyball game that any good mom would have herself at, so I took Pete up on his offer of a ride home, showered and made it to the game only a few minutes late!

I've been running pretty consistently, increasing distance a bit at a time. I have also seen my avg. pace begin to drop to where I was pre-hip fiasco.

Some of you may know that I did jump over the line and land smack dab into the dark side by registering for Rocky. I'll hopefully finish my first 50 miler. I figure the hip caused me to miss 2 marathons, so one 50 miler would cover that...(lame, I know.)

My first goal is to finish. They give us 29 hours, so unless my organs fall out or a leg falls off, I should be able to finish even if I walk it.

My next goal would be to finish in 13 hours. That gives me a 15:36 pace. I can walk a nice 14 min. pace! The 50K I did last year was at a 12:30 pace, so I think this is doable.

I'll have good company for the run. Several ladies from Fit are running and Tiffany and Pete have agreed to run with me as well. I pray for good weather as I am sure most other will be as well.

One of the nice things about Fit this year was that I was asked to be a pacer for the Yellow group. I enjoyed it very much, but felt like I let the group down when I got injured. I tried to stay motivated to get to the runs even while I was injured, but honestly, it just didn't happen much. I tried to ride my bike along with the group a few times, but I usually ended up feeling like I wasn't doing much anyway.

In spite of my lack luster efforts, Luke's was very generous and gave those who helped some nice things. One of those things was an awesome pair of Asics shorts. I love these things! They are so comfortable that I want to wear them on every run!!

The problem, they are a color that I normally wouldn't wear, kind of a sorbet color, and I have nothing to match them!! I have been on the hunt to a decent top to wear with these shorts, but as of yet, nothing. I need a white shirt, but as a girl, I realize that white isn't always the best choice as it tends to be see through. Sorbet is not an easy color to find either. So if there are any RDs out there that are wondering what color shirt a woman might want... check out my shorts and help a girl out...

Here is a link to the shorts.

Give me a break!

I truly wish Blagojevich would stop running. I know there are bad guys in this world who run, but most are great people.

His comments today about how his struggle is similar to that of the loneliness of the long run is ridiculous! (Although I find it quite humorous that he refers to this story which is that of a reform school student who enjoys his life of crime and runs to plan his eventual escape from his just punishment...)

Blagojevich was out jogging in his Chicago neighborhood when the vote came down.

Blagojevich refused to answer any specific questions about the vote, but upon returning from his jog, he likened his situation to long-distance running.

"Let me simply say I feel like the old Alan Sillitoe short story 'The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner.' ... And that's what this is by the way, a long-distance run," he said.

He is definitely not alone... He's got all of Illinois chasing him down!

Fit Run

This shot was taken just for Jamoosh. I wanted him to see that I am raisin' the youngest right! For those of you who are concerned...this is only a feature that my son discovered on his uncle's iphone.

I finally got a run in with Woodlands Fit. I haven't run with them for so long! It's hard to believe next week is the last run before the marathon.

I won't be running the marathon with the good folks at Fit, but I will be cheering them on. I have met some of the kindest, most dedicated people through Woodlands Fit. The group has always been very encouraging and supportive of each member, no matter how slow or fast, no matter the length of time one has been running.

I was able to run with a few friends that helped me through last year's training. Ruth, Richard, Richard, and a few new faces, ran 8 miles with me this morning in the summer-like humidity. It was a struggle to get through the mileage, but having good company made it doable.

I've been steadily re-building my base, though my pace is slower than before my injury. I am happy with where I am at in my training. I have been working the core much more and am diligent about incorporating consistent stretching into my workouts. I am also continuing to take my calcium supplements which helped me to heal from the stress fracture. Hopefully all of these things will help me to be a stronger runner and a more healthy person overall.