My goal for today was 6 miles in my Vibrams. I'm slowing increasing my mileage in these fancy shoes. I want to run injury free and the last few weeks with these shoes have given that to me. I'm not saying I'm a convert, but it's hard to overlook the fact that I haven't had IT band pain since I started running in these gorilla feet shoes. I could be getting stronger. I could be losing weight. I could be running with better form. Or it could all just be in my head. Regardless, I think I'll ride out this experiment and see where it takes me.
Back to my 6 miles. I went out later than I wanted to (I was aiming to be putting foot to pavement no later than 9:30, I probably got out around 10:30) and it was warm! What happened my my lovely running weather. My impromptu 3 on Thursday were in nice high 60s. Cool, and comfortable... But I digress.
I went to Irvine, the closest place I can think of that has a nice flat running path, and ended up running into some friends who were just finishing their runs! Had a good chat with one, talked about running the Vibrams and my lack of pain (which I shouldn't have, jinxed!) and then I took off.
I barely made it through the first mile, my ankle felt weak, unstable, and pounded (what did I tell ya, I jinxed myself!) But did I give in? No, damn it! This is a bean free weekend. The time when I'm allowed to focus on myself in my long runs, not worry if my run is going to be cut short by loud fussing or other toddler distractions. So I stopped and stretched/worked it out, and went on my way.
Halfway through mile 2 I couldn't take it anymore, stopped stretched and set off. After both mile 2 and mile 3 I had to stop to work out my ankle, but as it wasn't so much pain but discomfort, I powered through. I was all prepared to rinse and repeat after miles 4 and 5, but I didn't happen. Miracle of miracles, I didn't need to stop.
Yes, you heard it right, I ran 6 miles, with negative splits, ending faster (better!) than I started. It felt awesome. I'm glad I didn't call off the run the first (or second or fifth) time my ankle bothered me enough to stop running. I'm glad that I listened to my ankle and stopped to work it out. I'm ecstatic that I kept running (pun intended) towards my goal.
My run today showed me more than the level of my endurance. It was an actual metaphor for my life right now. Yes it's painful and hard and it really SUCKS. But I'll work through it, and it'll end up alright. In fact, it'll probably end up better than alright. I might even end up with negative splits.
Showing posts with label Mental Breakthrough. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mental Breakthrough. Show all posts
3.05.2011
2.08.2011
Game Day: Surf City 1/2 Marathon 2011
So I finally get to the start line of the Surf City 1/2 Marathon and I'm racing under an assumed name. I waited too long to register for the race and had to get a bib from someone who wasn't able to run.
Not that I WAS able to run the whole 13.1, but you all know me. I'm not the smartest when it comes to whether or not to race injured.
I knew I wasn't going to "race" the race. I hadn't trained. I couldn't run the whole thing. I was just out there for a supported run, to push myself and see what distance I could pull out, and to think.
I've got a lot of things going on in my life. Having a baby, being a single parent, going back to school, trying to train, etc, etc. I know, I know, all of us have lots going on in our lives. Mine may be busier than some, but not as busy as others. (I'm lucky to be in the place I am now in regards to THAT particular situation.)
I didn't have the bean this weekend. It also happened to be a close friend's birthday and there were plans on both Friday AND Saturday. Crazy I know, but I wasn't racing (although Ali the Runner was. We had a great time and she PR'd!!!) so I decided to take part in all the festivities (Ali didn't. She was the smart one).
Anyway, back to my life. This is where I digress but then get back to the run report, because there wasn't a race. I want to go back to school to be a Prosthetist. To do this I need one more class, Anatomy & Physiology. I went to 2 schools in my area to petition for said class and finally got in! This was after I resigned myself to the idea that the universe was trying to tell me something. I let go of my strangle hold on the idea that I HAD to get into this class THIS semester. If I didn't my WHOLE plan was never going to happen. I would miss my milestones and not even be able to attempt being a Prosthetist.
I decided to embrace the fact that I was probably not going to get into this class. What did that mean? Yes it meant I'd be putting off my chance to get into the Prosthetics program, but more importantly, it meant I could stay at home and see the bean grow up for 6 more months. I chose to focus on the fact that I had this wonderful opportunity. To spend time with my child.
Then I got into the class. So I get to spend time with the bean AND move my plan forward. It was, for lack of a better term, a sign.
The thing about signs is once you experience one, actually experience it not just notice it on the side of the road and keep cruising on by, is that you are open to accepting other signs.
Back to my race. I decided on a run/walk strategy. First I ran 1 mile and walked 1 minute. When I wasn't able to recover sufficiently from that, I ran 1 mile and walked 2 minutes. When that stopped working, I ran 1/2 mile, walked 1 minute, then I ran 1/2 mile, walked 2 minutes, finally I ran 1/2 mile, walked 3 minutes. This all worked up to mile 9. After that I walked it in, well, until I got into the finishers chute. You HAVE to run when that many people are watching!
This was the best part of the race, I made a plan, stuck to it, and didn't beat myself up over the fact that I couldn't run the whole race or that I wasn't doing as well as I wanted.
As I was just running the course, not racing it, I was able to actually take it everything that was happening. The overcast weather, the racers, the music. The music was key. My shuffle spoke to me and I listened. The play list it generated gave clarity to a situation I'd been struggling with for a while. It gave me the clarity to realize I had a decision to make, the courage to make it and the resolve I needed to follow through on it.
It did almost take the whole 13.1 miles (and 3 hours, 11 minutes) to realize the universe was sending me another sign. But I got it. Thank you.
Not that I WAS able to run the whole 13.1, but you all know me. I'm not the smartest when it comes to whether or not to race injured.
I knew I wasn't going to "race" the race. I hadn't trained. I couldn't run the whole thing. I was just out there for a supported run, to push myself and see what distance I could pull out, and to think.
I've got a lot of things going on in my life. Having a baby, being a single parent, going back to school, trying to train, etc, etc. I know, I know, all of us have lots going on in our lives. Mine may be busier than some, but not as busy as others. (I'm lucky to be in the place I am now in regards to THAT particular situation.)
I didn't have the bean this weekend. It also happened to be a close friend's birthday and there were plans on both Friday AND Saturday. Crazy I know, but I wasn't racing (although Ali the Runner was. We had a great time and she PR'd!!!) so I decided to take part in all the festivities (Ali didn't. She was the smart one).
Anyway, back to my life. This is where I digress but then get back to the run report, because there wasn't a race. I want to go back to school to be a Prosthetist. To do this I need one more class, Anatomy & Physiology. I went to 2 schools in my area to petition for said class and finally got in! This was after I resigned myself to the idea that the universe was trying to tell me something. I let go of my strangle hold on the idea that I HAD to get into this class THIS semester. If I didn't my WHOLE plan was never going to happen. I would miss my milestones and not even be able to attempt being a Prosthetist.
I decided to embrace the fact that I was probably not going to get into this class. What did that mean? Yes it meant I'd be putting off my chance to get into the Prosthetics program, but more importantly, it meant I could stay at home and see the bean grow up for 6 more months. I chose to focus on the fact that I had this wonderful opportunity. To spend time with my child.
Then I got into the class. So I get to spend time with the bean AND move my plan forward. It was, for lack of a better term, a sign.
The thing about signs is once you experience one, actually experience it not just notice it on the side of the road and keep cruising on by, is that you are open to accepting other signs.
Back to my race. I decided on a run/walk strategy. First I ran 1 mile and walked 1 minute. When I wasn't able to recover sufficiently from that, I ran 1 mile and walked 2 minutes. When that stopped working, I ran 1/2 mile, walked 1 minute, then I ran 1/2 mile, walked 2 minutes, finally I ran 1/2 mile, walked 3 minutes. This all worked up to mile 9. After that I walked it in, well, until I got into the finishers chute. You HAVE to run when that many people are watching!
This was the best part of the race, I made a plan, stuck to it, and didn't beat myself up over the fact that I couldn't run the whole race or that I wasn't doing as well as I wanted.
As I was just running the course, not racing it, I was able to actually take it everything that was happening. The overcast weather, the racers, the music. The music was key. My shuffle spoke to me and I listened. The play list it generated gave clarity to a situation I'd been struggling with for a while. It gave me the clarity to realize I had a decision to make, the courage to make it and the resolve I needed to follow through on it.
It did almost take the whole 13.1 miles (and 3 hours, 11 minutes) to realize the universe was sending me another sign. But I got it. Thank you.
7.15.2010
I'm an Endurance Athlete
No really, I am. The proof? Tonight's run.
My trail running group canceled our Thursday night run due to thunderstorms. This really bummed me out for a few reasons.
1) I was really looking forward to seeing if I could run 6 miles.
2) I ate today thinking I was going to run 6 miles (read: ate my calories before I burned them off)
I set out to run around the lake, twice. One lap is ~5K. I ended up with negative splits! How you ask? We'll, this is what I believe happened
A) I was warmed up. (run/walking 2 miles will do that to you)
B) I got past the dreaded 20 min/2 mile mark. (I've always had this, have you?)
C) I embraced my slower pace.
I think C is the most important. I really don't like being at a 13+ min/mile. I really don't. It was where I was when I first started running. I was trying to run faster than I my body can. I'd get running craps and ankle/IT Band/hip issues. This run was different. Like the longer distance runs of old. On the back 5K, I was warmed up, mentally in the run and had no unplanned walk breaks. These 3 things were missing from the first 5K.
As to why I'm an endurance athlete, after the first 2 miles, I felt like I could go forever. Well, at least for 4 more miles, maybe 6. I got into a good groove, although I really need to change the music on my shuffle and make it more shuffley, and started loving the run.
I did help that 3 guys waved/said hi to me on my run. Encouragement is always welcome.
My trail running group canceled our Thursday night run due to thunderstorms. This really bummed me out for a few reasons.
1) I was really looking forward to seeing if I could run 6 miles.
2) I ate today thinking I was going to run 6 miles (read: ate my calories before I burned them off)
I set out to run around the lake, twice. One lap is ~5K. I ended up with negative splits! How you ask? We'll, this is what I believe happened
A) I was warmed up. (run/walking 2 miles will do that to you)
B) I got past the dreaded 20 min/2 mile mark. (I've always had this, have you?)
C) I embraced my slower pace.
I think C is the most important. I really don't like being at a 13+ min/mile. I really don't. It was where I was when I first started running. I was trying to run faster than I my body can. I'd get running craps and ankle/IT Band/hip issues. This run was different. Like the longer distance runs of old. On the back 5K, I was warmed up, mentally in the run and had no unplanned walk breaks. These 3 things were missing from the first 5K.
As to why I'm an endurance athlete, after the first 2 miles, I felt like I could go forever. Well, at least for 4 more miles, maybe 6. I got into a good groove, although I really need to change the music on my shuffle and make it more shuffley, and started loving the run.
I did help that 3 guys waved/said hi to me on my run. Encouragement is always welcome.
9.15.2008
Communing with my Inner Kenyan
AKA being stupid.
I know you haven't heard from me in a while. Maybe you thought the Super Collider was able to create a Yasmin-sized black hole at my exact location early Wednesday morning then figured out how to close it back up and launched a huge yet very covert, cover up about creating a black hole.
This is not what happened.
Life happened. Booking hotels and airfare for our vacation in October happened. September 11th remembrance, also know as "where the hell is my brother" remembrance day, the longest day of my life to date. Running 6 miles to work out why I'm rapidly disliking my job happened. Swimming and getting kicked out by rude aquacizers happened. Then riding 30 miles and locking my shoes in the car of a woman who rides faster than I do happened. More about this last one.
Sunday I decided to commune with my inner Kenyan by running without shoes. This isn't what I planned to do, but it's how things worked out.
Sunday morning I woke up and my body didn't want to ride. It didn't want to get out of bed, really, but I made it. Got dressed, ate breakfast, fed the dogs, got my gear together and set off to meet the rest of the Olympic Divas for our Santiago Canyon ride and 30 mile run. What a brick.
My body continued to not want to do anything, although I did average about 1.5 mph FASTER than the last time I rode Santiago Canyon? WTF? I think it was because I had Linda riding behind me (a triathlete I look up to, just ask how many Ironmans she's done, it's more than 1 or 2, that much I know.) She tried to make me feel better, as she hasn't ridden in a while, but I'm pretty sure I was holding her back. She was the sweep and I was the last rider this time.
Even with my kick ass pace, I didn't get back to the car before supah fast Jillian had already taken off for her run. She couldn't find my bag in her car to take out my shoes. When I got there, I didn't know how long she'd been gone, so after waiting a few (5-10) minutes, I decided to take off, in my socks.
Yes, I'm smart. Yes, I know I have ankle problems. I also knew I didn't want to drag on this training session any longer than it had to go. Remember, at this time, I didn't know that I was faster on the bike than before, I just knew my body didn't want to do anything anymore.
I actually was able to run for the first mile. I ran walked the next .6 miles, and walked the rest back. Even I know when to stop and let my inner Kenyan go.
Tonight I did my 1 hour swim. Usually I can mentally muscle through these with little effort, little mental effort that is. No thinking this is boring, just focusing on my stroke and siting. This time was different, but I made it. I found out that my anaerobic heart rate is probably around 125 for the swim. I'm aerobic and comfortable about 115-119. These were the things that kept me moving forward and letting me throw in the towel about 45 minutes into the swim. That and knowing that Martha would somehow find out that I hadn't completed my swim.
Coming tomorrow? Me getting beautified at the salon and coming back to blog about my new running shoes and lamenting the fact that the one triathlon (olympic) that I can ride my bike to, it's that close to my house, I'll be out of town doing another triathlon (sprint). Stay tuned.
I know you haven't heard from me in a while. Maybe you thought the Super Collider was able to create a Yasmin-sized black hole at my exact location early Wednesday morning then figured out how to close it back up and launched a huge yet very covert, cover up about creating a black hole.
This is not what happened.
Life happened. Booking hotels and airfare for our vacation in October happened. September 11th remembrance, also know as "where the hell is my brother" remembrance day, the longest day of my life to date. Running 6 miles to work out why I'm rapidly disliking my job happened. Swimming and getting kicked out by rude aquacizers happened. Then riding 30 miles and locking my shoes in the car of a woman who rides faster than I do happened. More about this last one.
Sunday I decided to commune with my inner Kenyan by running without shoes. This isn't what I planned to do, but it's how things worked out.
Sunday morning I woke up and my body didn't want to ride. It didn't want to get out of bed, really, but I made it. Got dressed, ate breakfast, fed the dogs, got my gear together and set off to meet the rest of the Olympic Divas for our Santiago Canyon ride and 30 mile run. What a brick.
My body continued to not want to do anything, although I did average about 1.5 mph FASTER than the last time I rode Santiago Canyon? WTF? I think it was because I had Linda riding behind me (a triathlete I look up to, just ask how many Ironmans she's done, it's more than 1 or 2, that much I know.) She tried to make me feel better, as she hasn't ridden in a while, but I'm pretty sure I was holding her back. She was the sweep and I was the last rider this time.
Even with my kick ass pace, I didn't get back to the car before supah fast Jillian had already taken off for her run. She couldn't find my bag in her car to take out my shoes. When I got there, I didn't know how long she'd been gone, so after waiting a few (5-10) minutes, I decided to take off, in my socks.
Yes, I'm smart. Yes, I know I have ankle problems. I also knew I didn't want to drag on this training session any longer than it had to go. Remember, at this time, I didn't know that I was faster on the bike than before, I just knew my body didn't want to do anything anymore.
I actually was able to run for the first mile. I ran walked the next .6 miles, and walked the rest back. Even I know when to stop and let my inner Kenyan go.
Tonight I did my 1 hour swim. Usually I can mentally muscle through these with little effort, little mental effort that is. No thinking this is boring, just focusing on my stroke and siting. This time was different, but I made it. I found out that my anaerobic heart rate is probably around 125 for the swim. I'm aerobic and comfortable about 115-119. These were the things that kept me moving forward and letting me throw in the towel about 45 minutes into the swim. That and knowing that Martha would somehow find out that I hadn't completed my swim.
Coming tomorrow? Me getting beautified at the salon and coming back to blog about my new running shoes and lamenting the fact that the one triathlon (olympic) that I can ride my bike to, it's that close to my house, I'll be out of town doing another triathlon (sprint). Stay tuned.
8.18.2008
Quitting Thoughts
This is a pseudo DOR for me. I did have a swim lesson this morning, but I'm not counting it as I usually call swimming days DORs. I do need to do my yoga DVD tonight, for more flexibility.
Sunday my quitting thoughts were no where to be found on Santiago Canyon. In fact, I think I made that ride my bitch, if you really want to know. Well, maybe I didn't, but it was tons better than the first time I rode it.
This got me thinking about quitting thoughts. Why do I have them and why do they have so much power over me? They change my mood from being happy to be out running/cycling/swimming to wanting to give up, go home, watch some more bad television and eating something salty, preferably fried.
I haven't solved this question. I've just started to get better at ignoring those thoughts. Maybe I'm enjoying the pain more. Which is another thing. The first time I rode Santiago I realized why I haven't been making huge strides in any of my training, I don't like to push myself.
I don't think I've ever REALLY liked to push myself, who does? Running so fast that you feel like you're going to puke. Swimming so hard that you're huffing and puffing at the end of a lap, riding to the point where your legs are on fire, then riding some more. Who does any of that for fun?
I do. Well, I will from now on. Coach Martha also mentioned it Wednesday at the beach. She said Divas had been telling her that they don't feel good after their training, but they've been doing better than they ever had. You know what she said? Good. So what if you feel bad (note this is feel bad not feel hurt like you pulled or tore or HURT anything) after training. That means you're working.
So all quitting thoughts will be banished from hence forth. Breathing (not wheezing) so hard I want to puke? Bring it. Legs or arms on fire? I love it.
Well I will, in the very near future. You see, my lovelies, this week is recovery week on my schedule. I got nothing but easy for 6 days.
Sunday my quitting thoughts were no where to be found on Santiago Canyon. In fact, I think I made that ride my bitch, if you really want to know. Well, maybe I didn't, but it was tons better than the first time I rode it.
This got me thinking about quitting thoughts. Why do I have them and why do they have so much power over me? They change my mood from being happy to be out running/cycling/swimming to wanting to give up, go home, watch some more bad television and eating something salty, preferably fried.
I haven't solved this question. I've just started to get better at ignoring those thoughts. Maybe I'm enjoying the pain more. Which is another thing. The first time I rode Santiago I realized why I haven't been making huge strides in any of my training, I don't like to push myself.
I don't think I've ever REALLY liked to push myself, who does? Running so fast that you feel like you're going to puke. Swimming so hard that you're huffing and puffing at the end of a lap, riding to the point where your legs are on fire, then riding some more. Who does any of that for fun?
I do. Well, I will from now on. Coach Martha also mentioned it Wednesday at the beach. She said Divas had been telling her that they don't feel good after their training, but they've been doing better than they ever had. You know what she said? Good. So what if you feel bad (note this is feel bad not feel hurt like you pulled or tore or HURT anything) after training. That means you're working.
So all quitting thoughts will be banished from hence forth. Breathing (not wheezing) so hard I want to puke? Bring it. Legs or arms on fire? I love it.
Well I will, in the very near future. You see, my lovelies, this week is recovery week on my schedule. I got nothing but easy for 6 days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)