Ever notice?

Running aint pretty. I know some of you may disagree with me. You're thinking of the smooth paced runner who looks like they're floating on the surface of the pavement. Or maybe you're thinking of the great bodies that grace the covers of running magazines. I am not that runner. I am the hair filled and dripping with sweat, knees knocking together, ankles scraping the opposite calf, gasping for oxygen, looks like they might trip themselves (oh wait, I've done that) kind of runner. My thighs don't look like I run. My calves might a little, maybe it just hasn't moved up the line yet. But that's not what I'm talking about.

I'm talking about the after effects of running. Not just the sweaty, stinky clothes that you have to peel off. (My husband asked me if I was going to have to cut my clothes off a couple of weeks ago...uh hum...I did not.) Not the limping around like you're a cripple or laying with ice on your knees either. I'm talking pure vanity here. Running has not been kind to me. And I have the tan lines to prove it. It's not just my shirt lines or my short lines that look ridiculous in a swimming suit (not that I've been brave enough to even put one on yet this "summer") but it's the shoe line that really gets me. I was in my cute skirt walking over to church in my cute little sandals when I look down to admire my toenails that are so cute and I get a glimpse of my lovely tan line. Not so cute. I might as well have been wearing my running shoes with my cute little skirt. I looked ridiculous. I know what you're thinking. Just sit out in the sun with your shoes off for a few hours and problem solved. O.k. maybe. But this is what really gets me. I have a tan mustache. Yep. I get it every year. For some dumb reason I tan right above my lip darker than anywhere else on my face. I even started this spring by putting sunscreen ONLY above my lip. Didn't help. I still got it. I try to use cover up under my make up on my upper lip. But it eventually wears off. I am totally aware of how vain this is and how unimportant it is in the scheme of the universe. But still. A tan mustache? Come on!

Now before you think that I've totally lost it...I haven't. You see I know I'm going to get these crazy tan lines and I still choose to run. Guess I don't care as much about my appearance as I thought. Truthfully, I am so grateful to be able to run. When you're injured you really get grateful and I'm trying to remember even though I'm not. The ability to run is something that should never be taken for granted. It might not always be fun. It might be hard. There might be setbacks and progress may not always be what we want it to be. But the simple motion of putting one foot in front of the other is a blessing. Running doesn't take any special talent. There's not too much coordination involved. Just one foot in front of the other. But what a blessing. So many are not able to do that simple motion. I'm so grateful for the chance to experience the exhilaration of feeling the pavement beneath my feet and the motion of moving forward. I really love to run.

Last week:

Tues. June 9th- 5 1/2 miles hills

Wed. June 10th- 6 1/2 miles fast

Fri. June 12th- 6 1/2 miles fast

Sat. June 13th- 8 1/3 miles

Taper time!

Mon. June 15th- 3 miles

Wed. June 17th- 2 miles

Marching on...

The race is coming up so quickly and I hope I'm ready.  This is the last week of real training and then the taper begins.  Then my marathon training begins!  I'm so glad my body has been able to hold it together.  (knock on wood!)  

Friday May 28th:  4.25 miles in the afternoon 82 degrees.  It was hard.  I was about a minute per mile slower than normal.  I was getting goosebumps and feeling nauseous by the time I got done.  I'm not used to the heat.  But I need to get used to it!  So... I'm acclimating!

Saturday May 29th:  10.5 miles late, late morning.  It FELT like 1000 degrees but the thermometer said it was only about 80 degrees.  My feet felt like they were on fire towards the end of the run.  I tried to make my pace be around 10:30-10:45 minutes per mile.  I reigned myself in early in the run because I threw in some big hills around mile 7.  It was a killer.  I still ended up doing a bit of walking up the last hill and then it was a struggle to even get home.  I was nauseous and dizzy and weak.  It was hard.  But I gotta get used to those hills in the middle of my long runs.  I'm sure the heat didn't help.  Hopefully it will get easier as the training goes along.  

Monday June 1st:  4.5 miles pushing the jogging stroller.  That should count for more.  I felt surprisingly great for how bad Saturday was.

Tuesday June 2nd:  25 minutes jumping rope.  I decided to count how many jumps I was doing.  (Am I bored or what?)  2000 jumps in 25 minutes.  I thought that was pretty cool.  Also did full body weights.  

Wednesday June 3rd:  5.5 miles with trail hills.

Thursday June 4th:  4 mile recovery run with full body weights.

Saturday June 6th:  morning run 3.75 miles fast.  7 miles in the afternoon.  5.25 miles at night.  I wore all my outfits that I plan on wearing in the race.  I also wrote a detailed description of this day on my family blog if you're interested.  Seriously one of the best days of running ever.  Especially the nighttime run.  Amazing.

Monday June 8th:  4.5 mile easy run.

You Tube to the rescue

One of the girls on our team suggested checking out You Tube for videos of the Wasatch Back.  There are quite a few of them that are really good.  They have been getting me pumped about this race and the teamwork that will be involved.  This particular one gave me a new favorite running song as well.  "The Distance" by Cake.  Give it a listen, I bet you'll love it too!

Only 3 more weeks!

The Wasatch Back is only 3 weeks away!  I'm a little freaked out and nervous and very excited!  Check out Tall Girl Running's blog for a great description of how I think we're all feeling.  My family drove the course on Monday so that I could check out my legs and get a feel for the course.  It was good to see exactly where I'd be running.  It is some of the most beautiful scenery I've seen.  But it really reinforced to me just how long it really is.  187 + miles is a long way!  What an adventure I've gotten myself into!  I am also really grateful to those 11 other amazing women that I will be joining for this experience.  I've never actually met any of them, but I'm sure after those 24 + hours together in a van we'll know each other maybe better than we would wish!  There are some really steep uphills on some rough terrain that are pretty intimidating.  I'm so glad there was someone willing to do those.  I really can't wait!  And it will give me a good base to start my marathon training for St. George.  I made it through the lottery this year with Heather (my friend that I ran my first marathon with) and Angi and Missy my two friends from high school.  I can't wait!  It's always better to suffer with friends than by yourself!

What I've been up to since the last report: 

These keep me accountable!

Monday:  Jumped rope for 25 minutes

Tuesday:  6.5 miles with trail hills.  

Wednesday:  5 miles

Thursday:  Ran the high school bleachers for 30 minutes.  Kicked my rear!

Friday:  4 miles easy

Saturday:  10 miles   kind of dreaded it.  I had a hard time getting out the door and an even harder time finishing it.  Just felt tired.

Tuesday:  5.5 miles with trail hills.  Full body weights.  

Wednesday:  4 miles

Thursday:  lower body weights

Friday: 5 miles

Saturday:  5.5 miles fast, ballet class, 6.5 miles fast at night in the pouring rain.

Monday:  4.5 miles slowly.  I was SO sore from Saturday's events I had to take it easy.  I don't remember being that sore even after the last marathon.  Of  course that could just be my memory playing tricks on me.

Wednesday:  jumped rope for 40 minutes.  Upper body weights

Thursday:  3 miles with hills.  My ankles and calves were still a little sore, but not too bad.

More miles without injury, yeah!

Thursday:  3.75 miles recovery, stretching, and 4 mile walk

Friday:  6 miles trail run, hard hills

Monday:  3.2 miles+ 5.5 miles in the afternoon

Wednesday:  5.3 miles

Thursday:  weights

Saturday:  6.6 miles in the pouring rain

Monday:  6 mile trail run, hard hills

Tuesday:  2.5 miles 

Wednesday:  5 miles 

Thursday:  3 miles

Saturday:  5 miles in the morning +  6 miles in the evening

It's getting closer to the Wasatch Back and nervous excitement is definitely here.  Our legs were assigned, then changed by the race directors, then switched around again.  I ended up with the best leg of them all.  I was kind of worried about the 2nd leg change.  The last one was pretty tough and I'm so worried about injuring myself.  I had decided not to complain and I would just tough it out and do it slow.  But it was changed and I think it worked out really well for me.  I can't wait to spend 24 hours with these amazing women and accomplish over 178 miles together!  It's gonna be awesome!  I've been pretty diligent keeping myself under control, resting when I need it, and going to bed earlier.  If I can just make it through this, I think I'll have a good base to start building my next marathon upon.  I signed up for the St. George Marathon with some friends.  We don't find out if we're in yet until Monday night, but the plan is if we don't make it in to that one to run Top of Utah.  That's the plan!  But I've very aware of how plans also change!

The view from up top and building back up!

This is the view from the trail that I ran on a few weeks ago.  It's simply gorgeous.  I've only done the lower part over again, I don't want to push it, but my family hiked up to the waterfall that's below it so I had to take some pictures while I was there.  Next Saturday is when I plan on running it again.  And I even found a crazy running partner who wants to do it with me!  Yeah!  

So to catch up the last couple of weeks:  
Saturday:  3 miles

Monday:  Stair stepper for 60 minutes Full body weights and stretching

Tuesday:  Run 2 miles Jumped rope for 15 minutes

Wednesday:  Ran 2-1/2 miles

Thursday:  Ran 3-1/2 miles

Saturday:  Ran 5 1/2 miles in the wind.  Yuck.  Still no pain. 

Monday:  Ran 3.25 miles hard, full body weights, stretching, hike in the afternoon

Tuesday:  Ran 3.25 miles easy with 3 small hills

Thursday:  Ran 3.25 miles full body weights

Friday:  Ballet, walked 2 miles

Saturday:  4.5 miles hard hills

Monday:  4 miles full body weights, stretching, hike in the evening

Tuesday:  35 minutes of jumping rope

Wednesday:  4.25 miles 

I'm actually really proud of myself that I've shown such great restraint.  And it's paid off.  I've only felt my IT bands a couple of times and it's only been the tightness.  I've really tried to build back up so that I don't stay injured for months.  The Wasatch Back is coming up fast and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.  More to come on that later!

Blogging slacker

I guess I've been a posting slacker.  I really wanted to take some pictures of a run I did recently, but it snowed and so you couldn't see the trail as well.  I keep waiting for it to melt, but it keeps snowing.  So here's the report without the picture.  

From 2 and 1/2 weeks ago:

Monday:  2 miles.  Still felt a little spent from being sick and didn't want to over do.  Full body weights and stretching.

Tuesday:  2 miles.  More stretching.  I was feeling much better by this day and was rearing to go.  

Wednesday:  5 of the toughest miles EVER!  I was feeling really great physically this day.  However I was really stressing over some other things so I took it out during the run.  I went back to the new trail I had found near my house.  It's almost 2 miles to the trail: the perfect warm up distance.  Then the hills start.  I was a little worried about my piraformis acting up, but it did great!  The trail looks really fun from down below it.  There's a newly developed part that leads to a higher one.  It looked like it followed the mountain back to my house so I decided I'd brave it.  It was such good weather!  Once I started on the LONG climb, I started wondering what I was thinking.  It was not a developed trail, more like a deer trail.  I was jumping over sagebrush, avoiding rocks and one dead deer.  I climbed over a big barbed wire fence and then over another fence.  Once at the top, it was beautiful.  I ran over (and through) a little stream and could see the whole valley from up there.  I just couldn't find the trail down.  I could see my house, but couldn't see how to get down.  I ended up having to run clear across the mountain and double back to get down.  Really hard.  Really fun.

Thursday:  Did full body weights and stretching.

Friday:  11 miles, the furthest I've been since August.  Felt great.  No pain at all.  Great weather.

Saturday:  Ran to ballet class.  3 1/2 miles.  LOVE this class.  I don't know what I'm doing, but it's SO much fun.

Sunday:  woke up with excruciating IT band pain.  It only got worse as the day went on.  I was pretty much limping by the end of the day.

Monday:  saw the chiropractor.  Yep, it's those rocky hills that he thinks did it to me.  I was instructed to ice it, not run for a week, and stretch.

Tuesday:  full body weights, dance video, and stretching.

Wednesday:  more stretching.

Thursday:  feeling much better, dance video, full body weights, and more stretching.

Saturday:  Ran 3 1/2 miles.  More ballet, more stretching.  No pain while running, although it felt a little tight at the end of the day.

Tuesday:  Did the stair stepper for 60 minutes, stretching.

Wednesday:  Full body weights, stretching.

Friday:  More stair stepping, 60 minutes, stretching.  

I guess I'll start up again next week slowly and avoid those rocky hills for a while.  I know I say this a lot, but when will I ever learn?  My body and my mind have different ideas of what they can do.

The Climb

I realized something this last week.  It's been a long time coming.  Like about a year.  And it took a silly song to do it.  I came across my training schedule from last year.  I had kept notes on how I had felt during the run and whether I had made it a negative split or not, which was one of my initial goals for last year.  Almost every run was good.  I wasn't dealing with any injuries.  My body felt strong and I was getting faster.  I was learning to start out slow and then push my body even at the end of the run when I was getting tired.  Every run leading up to the Salt Lake Marathon was great.  Then the marathon came.  It was disappointing to say the least.  Four weeks later I ran the Ogden Marathon and had an even worse experience.  It really messed with my  mind.  More than I'd like to admit.  I cried for days afterwards.  I cried for weeks afterwards just thinking about it.  My confidence was shot.  Running wasn't as fun anymore.  I felt like I had something to prove, if only to myself.  I started leaving the watch at home.  I just didn't want to know where I was.  I pushed myself when I shouldn't have.  And injury is what happens when you do that.  So, back to the point of this whole story.... Last week my daughter introduced me to one of her new favorite songs.  She's a preteen and I'm often forced into listening to her music.  I hate to admit that I like some of her stuff and it's been added to my playlists.  But this one caught my attention for the lyrics.  Since I have no pride I'll just admit that it's a Miley Cyrus song called The Climb.  

Here are the lyrics:

I can almost see it, that dream I'm dreaming.

But there's a voice inside my head says you'll never reach it.

Every step I'm taking, every move I make

Feels lost with no direction, my faith is shaken.

But I gotta keep trying, gotta keep my head held high.

There's always gonna be another mountain,

I'm Always gonna wanna make it move.

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

'Aint about how fast I get there

'Aint about what's waiting on the other side.

It's the climb.

The struggles I'm facing, the chances I'm taking

Sometimes might knock me down but no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it, but these are the moments 

That I'm gonna remember most, just gotta keep going

And I, I gotta be strong, just keep pushing on.

Why do I get so fixated on that marathon day?  It's really all the training leading up to it that is where I learn and grow.  It's the climb.  There will always be other big days, other goals to reach, but it's in the getting there that makes all the difference.  As I looked at that training schedule the happiness and success came flooding back.  That was a great time in my running life.  And I let one day (o.k. maybe two) ruin it.  For far too long.  I'm gonna try and remember this as I continue to train for the next mountain in my life.

Getting back into it

The last couple of weeks have been a blur.  I got sick.  My kids were sick.  There was not much sleep involved and even less running.  The first week I tried to keep it up, 3 miles one day, 2 miles the next.  But it just wasn't worth the coughing fit I'd have afterwards.  I still longed to run, but after things took a turn for the worse, (kids got ear infections and fevers and I got my sinus infection back) I gave up.  I didn't even want to run.  I managed to lift weights twice the first week and twice the second week, but even my pushup/crunch challenge got put on hold.  So last Saturday I finally got back out there.  I ran 5 1/2 miles with some challenging hills on the mountainside (new trails discovered! Hooray!)  It felt great to be out there again especially since the weather was so nice.  I even got a bit of a tan line.  The last mile seemed long.  But I desperately needed the break from the sick house.  I had a nice coughing fit when I got home, but I wasn't sore like I thought I'd be after a week and a half break.  Yesterday I ran 2 miles easy and got back to the challenge.  I moved up to the 30 push ups and 300 crunches.  The last few were tough, but that's how it's been each week I've moved up.  I'm going to try to get back into the swing of things this week.  

Weekly Report (It's pretty pathetic that I can't think of a new title)

I had a really sick child last week.  It makes it really hard to do exercise when your little one just wants you to sit and hold them and watch movies all day long.   Not that I'm complaining.  He rarely wants me to hold him anymore so it was a joy that I savored.  However, now that I have little one's barking cough and runny nose, there's not so much savoring anymore.  He's almost back to normal and little sis and I are now in the thick of things battling this croupy cough.  Yuck.  Good thing cold's don't last forever.

So, Monday:  full body weights, took out the lunges from last week.

Tuesday:  3 miles on the treadmill doing intervals.

Wednesday:  2 miles outside.  These were supposed to be recovery miles but I felt so good I pushed it the entire time.  Why do I do these stupid things?

Thursday:  4 miles on the treadmill doing 8 minutes of running and 2 minutes recovery.  Felt horrible during the first interval.  Second one was o.k.  Third one I thought I might die.  And the fourth one, well, I quit after 6 minutes.  I just couldn't do it.  Note to self.  Make recovery runs really recovery runs or you will pay for it the next day.  Even my push ups and sit ups were extra hard this day.

Friday: full body weights again.  This was the first day I could feel that darn cold coming on.  I was ignoring it.  It was not going to get me.

Saturday:  a little over 9 miles, slow, outside.  15 degrees when I left.  32 degrees when I got home.  My body felt so strong and good the entire time.  One of the best long runs I've had in a while.  Came home to a quick ice bath, hot shower, stretching, a quick meal, and then off to my next adventure.  

A new class.  A ballet class.  My girls both take ballet from a fabulous teacher.  I don't know how our little town got such an amazing and accomplished ballerina, but I'm glad we did.  We switched dance schools earlier in the fall and it's been a really good thing.  As I was watching the class on Thursday, I marveled at their flexibility and leg strength.  That's what I needed.  I remembered that she taught an adult ballet class so after the class I asked her about it.  I told her that I was thinking about taking it to improve my running.  I need flexibility.  She was really excited and told me that she taught the Wharton stretching technique that was developed for marathon runners and ballet dancers.  I had remembered reading about it before and was really excited.  Now I just needed to know if I had to wear tights and a leotard and if I had to perform in front of anyone.  Since the answer was "no" to both questions, I signed up.  Buying my ballet shoes was pretty fun.  I have to admit that I woke up pretty nervous and excited that morning.  The class was great!  It was an hour and a half of me trying to keep up.  My quads and calves are really sore and my hips were killing me during the workout from all the turn out.  It's working my legs in a whole new way.  I really hope this will be good for me.  It's only every other week so I'm going to have to do some homework.  But I think it will help balance out all those muscles that don't get used running.  And Miss Michelle says she may just join me for a run to work those muscles that she doesn't use during ballet.   

Now I just need to figure out how to not do a long run on the days that I have ballet.  I think it was a bit much.  I didn't refuel as much as I should have, I just didn't have the time.  And so I was hungry all day long and was even up at 2:30 in the morning eating yogurt because I was starving!  I definitely need to plan that better.  It was a good week.  Now if I can quit being sick, this week will shape up to be good as well!

Sinus Infections don't make you run faster

Last week was a bit of a bust due to a nasty sinus infection.  I was extremely sleep deprived from the pain in my jaw that that nasty infection was giving me.  And then the headaches just wouldn't end.  So this is what I ended up with:

Tuesday:  full body weights- added in lunges to lower body

Thursday:  4 1/2 mile run at steady state for 7 minutes and recovery for 2 minutes

Friday:  full body weights

Saturday:  9 mile run that probably included 3 miles of walking.  My body was not happy with me for any part of this run.  It just seemed hard on my lungs and my whole lower body was hurting.  My piriformis was throbbing and my hips just ached.  I was even with Jodi for part of the run and it wasn't enough of a distraction!  All I can figure is that the lunges must be working that muscle too much and I need to modify them, make them easier some how or just eliminate them.  Maybe it was just a bad day.  I hurt all the rest of the day and all night long.  But thanks to Janz and the rolling pin, (it dug in there deeper than my foam roller) by Monday I was doing very well.  I'm still continuing to stretch it, but during my run today it didn't hurt at all.  And in fact, I forgot to wear my knee bands and had no knee pain whatsoever!  Hooray!

Oh and I'm still continuing on with my abs and pushup program.  It's getting harder but it feels good to know that I'm getting stronger and by the end of the week, I'm ready to move on.  

And I am thankful for each step I am able to take.  Read Mike's 1/2 marathon adventure and be inspired.  

Again...weekly recap

Monday:  full body weights and stretching 

Tuesday:  3 miles of interval work on treadmill

Wednesday:  full body weights and stretching

Thursday:  4 miles of 6 minutes running and 2 minutes walking intervals.

Friday:  2 miles of recovery and full body weights and stretching

Saturday:  5 1/2 miles on treadmill.  Planned on 6, couldn't do it any longer.

I've continued with my abs and pushups.  I'm on week 3 now and my abs are killing me today.  On the up side- everything else is doing well.  I'm amazed at how well my piriformis is holding up and the IT band pain is pretty much completely gone.  I've just got to keep up the stretching and rolling and not slack off.  Hopefully by the time the hill training needs to start, I'll be ready to jump right in.  

If you get a second, pop over to Mike's blog and check out his last couple of posts.  There's a good laugh, an inspirational story, and his detailed countdown to his next half marathon.  It's worth checking out!

Weekly Report

Monday:  weights

Tuesday:  3 miles interval work- increase slightly from last month and added an extra repetition.

Wednesday:  weights

Thursday:  3 miles steady state- increased slightly from last month too.

Friday:  8 -1/2 miles slow running.  Felt so good to run "far" again.  I've really missed it.

I've also been doing this crazy beach ready workout with my sister.  This is week one for us!It consists of 100 crunches and 10 push up every day.

Week two 150 crunches, 15 push ups

Week three 200 crunches, 20 push ups

Week four 250 crunches, 25 push ups

Week five  300 crunches, 30 push ups

Week six  350 crunches, 35 push ups

Join in if want!  I need people to suffer with!

Equal Time, really?

It seems like the older I get, (and I'm not THAT old) the more time I'm spending on the pre and post part of the workout.  I know some of you know what I mean.  Anyone who says that they can just get up and go run is young.  My routine is getting painfully longer and I'm not enjoying it.  However, I think it is helping my body, so I guess I'll have to continue.  The stretching, the rolling my IT bands and piriformis, the icing, and then the post workout meal seems to be taking as long as the work out itself.  Last week, while doing some lower body exercises, I kinked my piriformis right back into full injury mode.  I'm learning what exercises I can and can't do.  The bridge pose with one leg extended is not one of them.  I've quit doing the stair stepper too.  However, I was SO diligent with the heating pad and my stretches and about 2 days later it was almost completely gone.  I really couldn't believe it.  While rolling my IT bands last week, I found a spot about midway up my leg that feels almost like a  knot.  I've been working on that slowly (as it hurts very badly) and I think it's working itself out too.  So, all in all, that time must be paying off.  I guess when you're injured and getting older it gets more important to take that longer warmup and stretch like crazy afterwards!  See... I'm learning!

For last week...  Monday- still felt tight after Saturday's run so I did yoga (this is where I kinked my butt again.)

Tuesday- 3 miles of interval work

Wednesday- 2 miles easy recovery and weights

Thursday- 3 miles of 9 minutes running, 2 minutes walking

Friday- yoga and weights

Saturday- 6 miles of slow running

An Old Friend

My five mile route.  During the last two years it was the five mile loop.  I used it for my long runs.  I'd run it twice if it was a 10 miler or 3 times if it was a 15.  And even 4 times for those 20 mile runs.  It was close to home if I needed anything and it was a good gauge as to where I was in the run.  A 1/2 or a 1/3 of the way done.  I know where every mile marker is and where the uphill ends and I look forward to the downhill part that's on the way home.  I love the creek that I run by that always shady and the school that means I'm less than a mile from home.  It's familiar and comfortable and last year I couldn't stand it.  I was sick of it.  I hated running any part of it.  I needed something new to look at.  Something where I didn't know what was around the corner.  Somewhere that I wasn't sure how many miles I'd gone.  

But Saturday it was like an old friend.  I ran my 5 mile route and loved every minute of it.  I've run it in every type of weather and memories flooded over me.  I could see my oldest riding his bike beside me, my best friend running along side me and then biking the next lap.  I could remember running in terrible wind, in snow, and in the heat where I'd detour slightly for the drinking fountains on Main Street.  I remembered the dog that tore after me and then looking for it the next time around.  It was familiar and wonderful and it felt like normalcy.  I'll take some  normalcy.  Saturday it was raining.  Well more like pouring and I couldn't have been happier.  I think running in the rain is my favorite weather.  It was really coming down and was cold and foggy, but still really great.  I was wringing out my gloves on the way home and was soaked clear through.  My shoes were soaked and the squishing was pretty bad, but to run again.... wow.  It was incredible.  

The rest of the week consisted of 45 minutes on the stepper and then running 3 miles two other times on the treadmill.  I also was able to lift twice.  Good week.