October & November: In Which I Don't Run and Gain Weight

Full Disclosure Time: The past couple of months have been a little rough. I took most of the last three months off due to my pulled calf muscle and lingering hamstring tendiopathy issues. I ran a total of 4 times in September and October. My calf was really sore - like at rest, limping, icing kind of sore and I didn't want to do more damage to it. After nearly 6 weeks of no running, I put in a couple short 3 milers towards the end of October. Those felt pretty good, at least in terms of my calf not hurting. Being out of shape pain was there in spades however.

But about the time my calf started to feel better, my hamstring upper tendon really started bothering me again. Not really sure why exactly but it's been hurting off and on since then. I got in 4 decent 3 milers in the month of November, but again, was not really feeling it. Overall malaise, weight gain from not running and being super out of shape really made those particular runs not very enjoyable. And after every one, I was sore for a full day - a combo of out of shape sore and injury pain. So running more than once a week just felt like too much. Man how far I've fallen. I miss long runs like nobody's business. I want to race again so badly.

All of this non-running has really put me in a funk. I am starting to feel like I'll never be 'normal' and injury free again. I just keep getting re-injured. I am not sure if it's because I am not being smart and working up slowly like I did in the beginning when I'd had very little running experience or if I am just dealing with chronic injuries that are exacerbated by my stubbornness. I went on a run for the first time in a couple weeks yesterday and I was really winded. Embarrassingly so. And it occurred to me that injury-wise, I probably should be working it like I was when I was in PT. I think I need to go back to the walk/run intervals for a while and build back up as well as doing my PT exercises regularly again. That is very likely the reason that my hamstring tendon is bothering me again. I stopped taking care of it properly.

So I am making my way back - slowly and with more smarts I hope. I've sadly gained over 10 lbs and I feel it in a big way. I have never been this big - with the exception of when I was pregnant. So Operation Starve the Beast is under way big time. I found a good food tracking app that I like so far called "Lose It" and I've started tracking my food - trying to be as honest as possible. That has always been my downfall in the past. I've half-assed it by not logging everything I stuff in my face, cheating a bit on how much I am eating, thus not recording the calories properly. I feel pretty disgusting so it's officially time to make some changes. Like when I quit smoking 5 years ago. All of sudden I was ready so I quit.

Along with cutting way back on unhealthy foods, portion control and in general just being a more cognizant eater, I'm going to really step up the cross training. Running may not be in the cards for me to be doing with any regularity this month, but I am going to be doing some yoga and strength training. Hello Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. Starting in January, our gym membership starts up again so I'll be incorporating some classes and the elliptical. I think for now, given how injury prone I seem to be, I need to start building back up my cardiovascular prowess in a non-stress inducing way so the elliptical will be a good way to get some mileage in without putting further stress on my hamstring tendon.

So there you have it. I got hurt, got depressed and then got fat. But I am going to try to shake it off - the depression that is and keep things positive. I can do this. I came back from worse so I just need to get to it and make it happen. And hopefully 2014 will lead me back to a better place.

I'll close with the highlight of my weekend. One of my friends did her first 50k this weekend and I went out to support her - for the record, she totally rocked it!

July: In Which I Ragnar'd Again.

Reusing this one. It's just so perfect.

So Ragnar happened again. Best time ever. I cannot wait to do it again. I want to do every single one....I guess I should start a Race Bucket List. There are many more to conquer so I'd better start saving my pennies. 

Pre - Relay....before we checked em all off.

61 Kills.....not too shabby.

I spent the rest of the month after doing Ragnar writing about Ragnar. You can read all about it here: Start, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and The Big Finish, among a few other posts. The other thing I did this month was join a gym. Which I am excited about. I've been several times already and have definitely have a new-found inspiration to really focus on my weak spots and get in shape. And prevent injury - that is the goal. So far so good. Can't wait until I am actually seeing some results! I still haven't lost all of the 40 lbs I gained when I quit smoking...and I finally ready to be rid of it. Forward motion- it's a good thing.

Ragnar Relay NW Passage - Picture Preview

I know. I know. I am alarmingly overdue for some Ragnar recap action. My sincere apologies for the tardiness. Better late than never, I guess....but just so expectations are adjusted, these recaps will not be nearly as thorough or awesome as last year. But I will do my best not to disappoint.

Just a little preview of the fun that was had. And there was a lot. 

First off, it was hot. H O T hot. We melted just a bit....

   Our van decorating was once again quite stellar. And with the 

Quackptain on board, we were sure to stay on course....
Photo credit: #meanjess

Buckle up kids and pull up your big girl panties**....

it's time to recap some Ragnar!!

**this was not our van. or our underwear. 

Joined a Gym....

So the Girl and I have been talking about joining a gym for a few months now. I needed to wait until I finished PT and Lexie cleared me for that....but now that summer is here, it was the perfect time to get started. There is one that is a few blocks from my work (only a short train ride from home) and they allow the Girl to also be a member and come and go as she pleases, even though she is still a minor.

My goals for this are to up my game in terms of cross and strength training. I plan to be there 3 days a week, mostly on my non-running days so I can do the elliptical and some circuit training. In the week since we joined, we've actually gone on running days so I've gotten to experience a treadmill for the first time.

Before now, I had only ever been on a treadmill for warm ups at PT and at the running store testing out shoes. So running a full 3 miles on one is a totally new experience. I totally get why people call it the 'dreadmill'. It's kind of awful. Like I can't stop staring at the screen to check how far I've gone. It's is also much harder. I had no idea. But running at the same exact pace, even when you are tired and would naturally slow down a little on the road, you just keep going. I am not sure I really like it.

And it's boring as hell. They have these little TV's but only get like 4 channels, so I am forced to watch CNN  (love news, just not that network) and get dizzy trying to read the subtitles in an attempt to trick my mind into staying busy. I am thinking I need to a) not go on the same one every time b/c it makes it worse that the view is exactly the same and b) perhaps try watching something on Netflix on my phone to distract myself and c) don't go on the treadmill.

I think the last choice is the winner. At least as long as it's prime outdoor running season in Seattle. I think it might not sound too bad once winter hits and every run is in the dark again. We shall see.

Part of the membership includes Personal Trainer sessions. Never really done that so it will be good I think. I had my first apt. with Zack, my trainer, yesterday and it went well. We have our first workout scheduled next week and he's going to set me up with a good circuit training routine that will cover arms, abs, back and legs.

Also part of this next phase - the Girl and I need to clean up our eating. Like a lot. It's gotten pretty bad and I've been really lazy lately. No more - there is absolutely no point to doing all this work physically if we eat crappy - the bad food will always show on your body and I'm tired of it. Big changes to come - watch out!

Mapping Some Runs in NYC

The Big Dream: Someday I'll do this sort of running in NYC....

I am headed to NY for a work trip next week. And I cannot wait. It'll be my second time visiting the city and this time, I plan to get in at least three runs. Last time I went, I had just started my running love affair and ended up walking so much around the city that I never ended up getting a run in. This time, that will not be the case. 

Central Park - here I come!

I plan to get two runs in early morning along the Hudson River Greenway, which is about 5 blocks from my hotel. I'll do one in either direction - one south towards lower Manhattan/Battery Park and the second one will be north headed towards the West Village. My final run in the city will be in Central Park. Can't run in NYC without visiting the park. It would be tragic not to.

I will be sure to post pictures from my travels next week. I really really wish I was able to get in a day early b/c the Brooklyn Half Marathon is happening Saturday. It might be fun to spectate that one, since their field grew from something like 7,000 last year to nearly 25K this year. I guess that is what happens when the two biggest marathons in the U.S. are impacted by terrorists and an act of mother nature in the same Marathon season.

Happy Running this weekend everyone!

2012 Goals: How'd I do?

My hardware for 2012

I had grand plans for 2012. I started the year off totally high from my first half marathon that ended up propelling me to over-ambitiously over-commit. To recap - my goals for last year were doable but a tad bit ambitious. I actually knocked out the big ones, with only a couple exceptions.

Train year round - for the entirety of the 2012: 
~ I was very consistent with my training right up until I was forced to deal with my injury....so half credit on this one.
Run 1 race per month- 12 races for 12 months:
 ~ Ditto for this one. I did a race a month until August, when I started treatment for my injury. The only months I did not race were August, September, November and December. Not bad for a gimp.
 
Run at least 3 half marathons: 
 ~ Done! I ran 4 half marathons in 2012
 
Run my first full marathon:
 ~Done! At least in as far as walking across the finish line goes. I walked it so it only half counts in my mind.....so there will be a 'rematch' on the 'first marathon' in 2013 I hope.
 
Become more social with my running- join a running club, go to Fleet Feet group runs, connect with other runners to train and race with:
 ~I made some really awesome running friends this year....I couldn't have survived this injury without their encouragement and support. 

My micro goals were hit and miss....I did knock about 17 minutes off my half marathon time in that span of time. But post injury, the pacing and speedwork took a backseat....I also wanted to learn to take better care of myself by eating better and getting in significant cross training. While I did do a better job of taking care of myself while training, I have learned a big lesson with this injury - taking care of yourself while injured is also extremely important. To that end, I am proud of how hard I've been working to get off of the 'injured list'.

Goals for 2013 to come....January has been pretty busy in my house and I just haven't had time for the kind of self reflection that has been necessary to write these 'Goal' posts. So forgive the fact that I've posted exactly twice this month. I'm getting back into the swing of things again...and now that I'm getting close to doing more running than walking, I'll be tracking and writing about my training again. March is right around the corner and that is the goal month to be back up and 'running' so to speak. 

 

Make Yourself Monday

Love it....

October: In Which I "Complete" My 1st FULL Marathon

I began October knowing that I was going to be on complete rest and that PT was on hold for the time being. Then I completed my first full marathon a few days later. I had been mentally preparing myself for about a month that I wouldn't be able to run it and was resigned to the idea of walking just part of it and not finishing. I was trying to get excited but wasn't really feeling it. But we had planned a whole weekend....so we went anyway.

I planned to only walk a few miles and then bow out. I ended up walking the entire thing. I am a finisher. Boo ya! Perhaps because I was walking in honor of this guy....

Army Command Sgt Major Kevin Griffin, KIA 8/8/12

 I packed with only walking a little bit in mind and didn't prepare for the day at all. I ended up incredibly hot, in the wrong clothes, ill prepared to fuel my body and sunburned. But I did it.

We did the whole 26.2 miles taking turns carrying the flag. Every step was worth it and I am so glad I ended up doing it. I also think not deciding till the last minute helped me actually complete it. It felt so surreal the whole time and I didn't ever really get a chance to freak out about walking that many miles with no training. Or preparation of any kind, really.

Overall, I loved the Portland Marathon and there's a very good chance I'll be back for a rematch next year....And this time I will run it, I'll knock hours off my time and I won't feel quite so horrible the whole week afterwards.

Total Miles for October: 26.2

Olympics Hilarity...

So, you may have seen it but....I find this absolutely hilarious - Like snort-laughing every time I check it for new additions. A few of my favorites:

Source

 Source

Source

There is also a bit of Ryan Lochte love which is so funny b/c he is such a total d-bag. But I happened upon this last week....

Source

I have to say, social media has greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the Olympics this year. Funny stuff on top of the all the spectacle of watching amazing athletes accomplish extraordinary things. Loved watching Kerri and Misty take their third straight gold, and the USA women's soccer team get their vindication against Japan. Loved watching Kara and Shalane run their hearts out last weekend and plan to get up early to cheer on Meb, Abdi and Ryan tomorrow in the men's marathon. Go USA!!

Is it too late for me.....

.....to be Kara Goucher when I grow up? I love that girl. And she and Shalane ran their hearts out today. So disappointing for them. They worked so hard and ran so well.....but a 10/11th place finish isn't bad at all. And then there was this...

Source

These girls train together and have become really good friends. And when Kara helped Shalane up at the end....I got a little choked up. Sisters. Teammates. And all around champions. Great runs ladies. See you in 4.

Ragnar Relay.....Plotting and Planning

So our shirts are done. And they look pretty rad. I present to you - the Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies! Jess scored some shirts for free (!) from her friend at Under Armour, so we just had to pay to get them printed. They turned out totally awesome I think. I loved hearing the stories of some of the nicknames...funny stuff. And no, the front of the shirt is not a different color than the back...think that is just a trick of lighting,

So we are T-Minus 2 weeks from the start of the relay. At this time in a couple weeks, we'll be in the middle of the madness. It seems crazy that it's almost here! We've been furiously plotting and planning...all over facebook on our group page. It seems to be working ok. Being the crazy organized, spreadsheet control freak that I am, I am trying to be ok with not having another meeting in person to nail out the details. Instead, I will just try not to worry too much about coming off as a nerdy bossypants....sigh.

We've got our vans reserved, are fine tuning our caravan-to-the-start plans and getting all our supplies in order. We're going to have walkie talkies in the vans so we'll be able to communicate in the event there is spotty cell service (likely) or our phones die (likelier). We are so gonna have fun with that.

We are planning to camp out the night before the start at my brother's house. He and his family have graciously agreed to let us overtake their yard for a night and keep their chickens company. Good times.

I am not gonna lie. I have no idea what to expect for this. I am pretty sure it's going to be awesome. And exhausting. And it's hard not to be a tiny bit nervous. But I'm going to try not to over think too much and enjoy every minute of it. 

Make Yourself Monday

All of the above....

Happy National Running Day!

Why do you run?

Mid Year Check In - 2012 Goals

It's June. You know what that means, folks. It's time for a mid-year check in. You know, like they do at work....In January of this year, I wrote a post detailing my 2012 goals. Unrelated: Mileage for the year, as of 6/5/12 is 482. Not too shabby. Without further ado--here are my goals for the year and how I'm doing, score included. First, the big goals:

*Train year round-for the entirety of 2012
....Killing it. I've trained like clockwork all 6 months of the year so far. And I just finished my training  schedule through October so I'm definitely on track to meet that goal! 4/5 Exceeds Expectations.

*Run 1 race per month - 12 races for 12 months
....Done and done! Jan and Feb were 5k's, Mar, April and May were half marathons. I also have my race schedule all mapped out till the end of the year so that one is in the bag as well, if all goes according to plan. 5/5 Outstanding


*Run at least 3 half marathons
....Already done and planning on two more at least before the year's end. 5/5 Outstanding.

*Run my first full marathon
.....Planning to run the Portland Marathon on October 7th. 26.2 - bring it! 3/5 - Meets Expectations, but only b/c I haven't started training for it and it's still a few months out.

*Become more social with my running
.....Getting there. I joined a Ragnar Relay team for NW Passages in July so there is 11 other running obsessed people I've brought into my life so far...Meeting more runners to race with -- but I need to make more plans to run with folks when I'm not racing. Will keep me from getting too complacent in my routine. 3/5 Meets Expectations.

So far so good. Tracking to meet these goals, without question. I love it when I actually accomplish stuff!

Now, on to the mirco-goals:

*PR's throughout the year
.....So far so good. Every half marathon brings me a better time. Went from a 2:22 my first half to 2:05 in the last one....aiming to hit a sub 2 hour half by years end. Totally gonna nail it. 5/5 Outstanding.

*Pacing--staying consistent and pushing it down to the 8-9 min range
.....Getting there. See above....last half pace averaged 9:36 -- down from 11:08 in my first half. Speed work helps, even though it's a major bitch. 3/5 Meets Expectations

*Doing more consistent speed work
.....Haven't done as many of these workouts as I'd hoped, see above. But I am definitely seeing the benefits so will continue to try to get these in done every other week as planned. 3/5 Meets Expectations

*Cross Training- I wanted to incorporate it into my training
.....Really didn't do much until the last month or so. I really wanted to do yoga and strength training more often but it just hasn't happened. In the last month though, I've been really consistent about getting in some arm/ab work in at least 5 days a week. Can already tell the difference in muscle tone and overall feeling of strength. Will definitely keep at it, as that will only help me bring that pace down further. 2/5 Needs Improvement.

*Blogging-Wanted to figure out not suck at it
.....Getting there! Learning as I go. Did some updates last weekend and love the new look. Going to keep trying new things and teaching myself as much as I can.3/5 Meets expectations.

*Eating Better
......Still continuing to lose the weight I gained after quitting smoking....down about 30 lbs and working on fitting into all my old clothes. Doing better but still not where I'd like to be. Can't be good at everything, right? 2/5 Needs Improvement.

*Taking better care of my body-enough sleep, vitamins, learning how to use the dreaded foam roller, get regular massages
......Working on it. Figured out the foam roller and it's my new BFF. Wish I could afford a massage every month, but I'll have to settle for paying/bribing my daughter to rub my shoulders every now and then. 3/5 Meets Expectations

So there it is. On track to meet many of these goals and I think I will definitely make some serious gains in my running this year.

That's a Wrap...

Man Up Month has concluded. I am proud to say that I celebrated Mother's Day in PR City! 2:05:44 was my official time. A PR of over 5 minutes. Boo Ya! Full recap to come. But first, a nap.

Long Run Saturday

12 Miles....Here we go!

Ragnar Relay: NW Passages....It's ON!

I just joined a team and I am beyond excited. I love it when things just come together....I've had my eye on this one for a while and thought it would be a really great way to meet some other runners.  Got a little more inspired reading all about So Much Cooler Online's Ultra Ragnar Relay experience. Well......in the post race high I'm still riding, I joined a team today. Woot woot!

NW Passages  is "190 miles of stunning Washington scenery" and 12 people in two (probably) smelly vans running like a bunch of crazy people. What could be more fun?

It's going to rock....Thanks to the super cool girl I met at yesterdays' race for inviting me! I even got to recruit a member to make the team complete! More details to come after I find out which leg I'll be doing...there is one that is pretty scary looking...a little over 24 miles in all. But it could be done. Possibly by me. I volunteered so I just might end up doing it if no one else wants to!

Bring it. 

Heroes Half -- 4.29.12 -- Running in Honor of

Air Force Master Sgt Tara R. Brown, who died April 27, 2011 serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. She was 33 years old and on her second deployment to Afghanistan when she died after an Afghan air force officer stormed a training meeting in Kabul and opened fire, killing nine Americans. It was the deadliest attack on U.S. forces in Afghanistan since 2005. She was awarded several medals, including a Purple Heart and Bronz Star, as well as being promoted to the rank of Master Sgt posthumously.

 

Source

One of the things that is an important part of the weekly Wear Blue group runs is when they spend time calling out the names of the fallen soldiers who died during that week. They post this list online, so if you aren't able to make it to the Saturday run, you can choose someone from the list to honor during your own run. Tara was chosen from this list, for the week of April 27-28, 2001--2011. I chose to honor her, the only female soldier on this particular list.

I have never met this brave woman. But in reading about her, I was struck by how proud her father was of her and her service. She had two brothers who loved her very much. I am grateful for the opportunity to run in her honor and Wear Blue to remember her.

Man Up Month

It’s here.  This is the month I run two half marathons. I’m a little nervous about how my body is going to hold up. Especially since my weekly and monthly mileage has been the highest it’s ever been and I ran a race 3 weeks ago. I am feeling good right now so I think this is going to be a good experience. Listening to my body is going to be key – and getting enough rest, hydration and good nutrition over the course of the next month will be my focus.

Man up month, was somewhat inspired by this girl…..She’s been doing her own, much more hardcore Man Up Week and I am seriously in awe.

Check it out: She ran the Gansett Marathon in RI on Sat 4/14. Followed by a kick a$$ performance at Boston on Mon 4/16. She’s back in her home state on the West Coast now and is starting the Ragnar SoCal Ultra Relay today, continuing on into tomorrow. All of this is going to be capped off with the San Luis Obispo Marathon on Sun 4/22. [Note-she’ll be doing her encore performance next Sun 4/29 at the Eugene Marathon.]

If that is not super insane, I don’t know what is! I can’t compare myself to people like that. This girl is, I am convinced, a genetically blessed anomaly. Either that or she’s a robot. I say that with a huge amount of respect—especially considering that this isn’t even that out of the norm for her. She regularly runs back to back marathons and her daily runs are typically in the double digits. See? She’s a robot.

She’s also incredibly funny and self-depreciating for such a talented runner. I enjoy following along….and find inspiration in her dedication. All of which sort of possessed me to sign up for 4 half marathons in 4 months, after only completing one prior to that. And two of them will be in the next 4 weeks. 

So it’s here—my Man Up Month! Here’s to staying healthy, running strong and having a really good time.

Today it's.....

 

.....beautiful spring weather and the idea that maybe if I keep running, I'll get an a$$ like that someday.

Love Long Run Saturdays!