9/29/11 Training Report, etc

Ran 2 miles Gold's Gym Treadmill

Good run. At this point in training I am running 3 minutes at 5.2 speed, walking 1 minute at 3.5 speed, no incline. I felt physically strong during the whole run and if there were more time and I was not racing Saturday I would have gone for 3. My left shin did start to pull and tug a bit just after into mile 1, which is not abnormal for me. I tend to have shin issues and make sure to stretch them well before my run. That is also my "weak" leg. I was in an accident at age 15 and broke my knee, there was never any physical therapy or anything like that and it has always been a bit weaker. I also have asthma, even with my inhaler I could tell my breathing was more labored in mile 2, getting slightly progressively worse as I went on. Mentally I was having to pep talk myself a lot, this is normally my biggest challenge. My damn brain, it betrays me sometimes! I am also entering a hormone cycle which began yesterday and starting to feel the effects of that. So a few challenges, but overall a good run.

So many people I know train outside, but I sort of tried that and like the treadmill better. On the treadmill I know what my speed is, otherwise I haven't a clue! I'm really a total novice at this despite all my reading and knowledge I've gained that way.

On another note, still no test results from the Dr, so just waiting. Hopefully at the latest I'll know something by the end of next week.

I'm trying to figure out how to starting incorporating pictures into my posts, as in what would be interesting? What do people want to see? I know a couple people are reading so I'm going to try to make it a little more interesting for you :) I'm just not sure yet what approach I'm going to take.

I have a ton of stuff going on this weekend and I need to try not to overdo it, I still need to get lots of rest and have down time. My body and mind need it. I have 2 different dog sits going on, staying in one home in Bridgewater with 2 dogs Fri - Sun and taking care of another dog in Dayton for those same days as well. I have the 5K, possible tailgating and game midafternoon, and Fear Forest with a bunch of fun peeps around 6:30 that evening. Of course dog duties off and in and in between! Sunday after dog duties there is going to be a lot of rest.

What's on tap for your weekend?

Running and Races

I really enjoy doing races, they are addictive, although they sort of scare the shit out of me. But that's typical, I like to do things that scare me. I have 3 coming up on consecutive Saturdays. THREE. Yes, my dumb ass signed up for a 5K this Saturday Oct 1st (and I hear it's hilly - eek!) for JMU's Homecoming, Real Girl's Run 6K in Charlottesville Saturday Oct 8th and Bridgewater College's Homecoming 5K on Saturday Oct 15th. I will finish easily, but it's possible I will be one of the last few and have to walk a good bit. I am mostly okay with that. Okay, well I really don't want to be last or even that near to last, but I have to be okay with where ever I finish. My training has been interrupted several times by other life events and I'm not where I'd like to be. And while I'm being really honest here, I'm slow. I am not a natural born athlete and I could stand to lose weight. However, it is the mental challenge that keeps me coming back as well as the way my body feels afterward. I have started and stopped running quite a few times over the last 4 years. And I keep coming back, this year with a vengeance. I do a lot of reading and I've discovered many running blogs that I can't get enough of. I've mentioned some here before: Beth at SUAR, Cely at Running Off The Reese's; some other favorites are Skinny Runner, Eat:Watch:Run and Liz at One Twenty Five. (Speaking of Liz, she just uprooted her whole life in Canada, did the Berlin marathon, going to climb Mt. Everest and then traveling around the world for a few months before settling in London.) So yeah, check these ladies out. They are badass. And they've taught me a lot. Running is more mental than physical. And that is why I keep coming back to it, because I crave that mental challenge, the competition with myself. There are times when running that I get that high, but it's few and far between. Mostly I just feel badass and really proud after I'm done. It doesn't hurt that my body feels tighter, stronger, better. I've met wonderful people and had acquaintances become closer friends through running. They are a supportive bunch! It's tough, sometimes I don't want to. I want to snuggle in my warm bed early in the morning and do it another day or go have drinks after work or lay on my lazy ass and watch trash tv. But that's not going to get me anywhere near my goals. So. I train the best I can. I run. And I race.

Come race and/or support me! JMU Dukes 5K , Real Girl's Run 6K , Bridgewater Homecoming 5K , Yuengling Townebank 8K


EDIT: I forgot to include one of my all time favorite blogs Ben Does Life. How could I forget Ben?! He has an awesome story, be sure to check out this short video of how he went from a fatty couch potato with depression to a marathoner, an Ironman!!! And is doing incredible things with his Do Life Tour. Which, I might add, is coming to Virginia April 5 - 8, 2012 and I plan to meet up and run with them. I am so freaking excited!!! Seriously, put it on your calendar and come with. Amazing stuff.

I'm alive!

Oh hai, to the 4 people that are possibly reading this blog. I had to hiatus again, it has not been pretty. But I'd like to think I'm on the mend. I sort of hit the wall, so to speak. After my last bout with hormone hell I also had a couple weeks of car trouble, which produces extreme money stress in my life. I was also battling a few weird episodes of near passing out/very dizzy/disoriented, etc etc etc. There's a lot more I could go into but it's really not necessary, let's just say there was a ton of physical stuff going on which culminated in wearing on my mental state in a big bad way. So I had to cut everything out other than my main full time job and just rest. I've had a couple dr's appointments, one for testing - 6 vials of blood and FINALLY got the hormone saliva testing done. Just waiting on the results. The other appointment was just regular because I've had major sinus issues and wanted to chop my head off. Sinus infection, antibiotics to the rescue. I am feeling better but not 100%. I'd say, maybe 75%? Yep.

I went to the gym for the first time in almost 2 weeks today. I did a mile in 12:39. Yes I'm slow as a turtle, but I did it and it felt okay. I have 3 upcoming races the next 3 consecutive Saturdays and I'm not where I'd like to be for them, but I'll be completing them regardless if I have to walk them or not. JMU Homecoming 5K this Saturday, Real Girl's Run 6K next Saturday and the Bridgewater Homecoming 5K on the 15th. Nothing major, just going to treat them like training runs on the treadmill and do what I can.

One of my blog friends, Cely, or should I say stalkees? I never comment on her posts, I just love reading (stalking?) her blog - anyway she signed up for an Ultra 50K. I mean, wow. Just WOW. I have trouble doing a 5K. Go Cely go.

Also I came across this little gem and I'd love to have one! Although I only have a shower in my bathroom, there is a tub in the townhouse I share with my roommate which we call "her" bathroom. I don't think she'd mind if I used it with my little caddy where I could put my glass of wine and a candle. And there's even room on there for the bottle of wine so I could refill my glass. Priorities.

So what's next? Another run, probably tomorrow, 2 miles would be good. BodyFlow on Thursday night with a friend because that class is a must and I can't wait to get back to it. I'll rest Friday, 5K Saturday and then begins the month of birthday celebrating! Yes, my birthday is in October and I like to celebrate the entire month culminating in Halloween, which is my favorite holiday. So I have to be well for it all. I'm starting off with a fun day of JMU tailgating with my friend Dee, later in the day, after the 5K. That night I'd like to go see a local band, SP511 who are playing my favorite local watering hole. It's close to home, cheap and friends will be there. The atmosphere needs some improvement but let's face it, all the other good stuff trumps that right now.

Can you ever imagine running 50K? What is your favorite local watering hole?

When Not In Hormone Hell...

I wake up feeling like this little girl every morning. I'm a totally different person when not being plagued by that phase of hormone imbalance. It's amazing, and not in a good way, the 2 different sides of me that I have going right now. Doctor's appointment next week to see if we can't get the hormonal testing going to see what has changed and then be able to modify the supplements I take. I cannot wait. In the meantime, remember you are full of awesome.

Radio Silence

Again, it's been a while since I last posted. Radio silence from me usually means 1 or both of 2 things...I'm busy and/or I'm in a hormone imbalance phase and battling that. Yes, I have been busy, that's pretty much the norm for me. If it's the other, the hormone bs, it takes all of my energy just to try to combat the batshit crazy going on inside me and try to have some sort of semblance of a life. I'm on the downside of this phase so will be catching up here soon. Mostly for my own sanity and for the 3 or 4 people that I can tell are reading this, whoever you are. Thank you for your interest!

Me time.

I'm one of those people that need a lot of "me time." And tonight I'm getting a little. Me time that is. Wink wink. A few hours, just me and 3 dogs I'm taking care of. It's lovely. In fact, I don't want it to end. Tomorrow brings a busy day. But for now I'm just going to lay here watching tv, reading and writing a little bit. I'm soaking up some rejuvenation so I can tackle tomorrow's day activities and then get my party on tomorrow night.

And then Sunday, more me time. :)

Vulnerability

I just watched the most amazing video about human connections. I think I'll have to watch it more than once; I WANT to watch it over and over again and let it sink in, deeply. It's a 20 minute video but you don't realize that, it goes quickly and is very engaging, drawing you in. You can find it here, where I did, on Rachel Machacek's blog.

If you find yourself into this sort of thing, you might want to check out Brené Brown's blog Ordinary Courage.