I knew I wouldn't PR today, but I never imagined the disappointment I would feel. Part of me is disappointed in myself, part is scared that I may repeat what happened. I started the Portland Run Like Hell, from the moment my feet hit the pavement I knew something was different. True, monsoon season came in overnight, but this was different. My body hurt, just not in an "I can push myself through this" pain. I was physically exhausted. It felt as though I couldn't get my feet to move and I was running through quicksand. For once it wasn't my head controlling the way I felt. At mile 3 I saw T and K at the aide station. Taking some gel and water I couldn't even get my body to run. I started walking to try and "reset" and even then my body kept telling me to stop.
E ran the 10k, and when I was getting to mile 5 I saw him run towards me. He gave me a hug and I sadly told him "I can't do it...I just can't do it." As the rain was hitting me in the eyes and beating down on me I walked to the sidewalk and off the course :( I hoped I never would not finish a race, but today I did. I just couldn't do it. Now my fears are that I will have this happen again, and during a big race, like Honolulu. I am tired, my body is just plain tired. This week will be a "resting" week. My coaches came up with a plan to keep me going, but at the same time give my body time to recover from last weekend and this week.
By the way, E did great in his 10k! I am so proud of him, and it was awesome to watch him cross the finish line!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Rain, Rain, Go Away
Living in the PNW you would think I would be accustomed to running in the rain. I am, but I still don't like it! Tomorrow I am signed up to do Run Like Hell in Downtown Portland. The TEAM signed up, and as a mentor, I "get" to do it! The weather forecast doesn't look promising and either does the wind. 13.1 miles in the wind and rain do not sound fun right now. E. decided to change from the half marathon to the 10k considering he hasn't run since the Disneyland Half. At least he will be waiting for me at the finish line!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Faith
"Courage to Start, Faith to Finish"
I saw this quote this weekend. It really hits home. Sometimes it has been difficulty to start the race, and I dig deep and realize I CAN do this. During the race when those pains hit, and the fatigue builds it takes the faith in myself to finish. Sometimes it is easier said (and thought) than done.
This weekend is the Run Like Hell race in Portland. I did it last year, and it was a 10k. This year I am doing the half. Looking for another Half PR....we will see. Terwilliger may be my downfall ;) But as long as I have faith, I know I can do it.
I saw this quote this weekend. It really hits home. Sometimes it has been difficulty to start the race, and I dig deep and realize I CAN do this. During the race when those pains hit, and the fatigue builds it takes the faith in myself to finish. Sometimes it is easier said (and thought) than done.
This weekend is the Run Like Hell race in Portland. I did it last year, and it was a 10k. This year I am doing the half. Looking for another Half PR....we will see. Terwilliger may be my downfall ;) But as long as I have faith, I know I can do it.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Girlfriend's Half Marathon Recap
What a great race! The support was amazing, and the finish celebration....can you say AMAZING?!?!?! The race started at 9 am, I got to the start at 8:59 am and the race was beginning the countdown. Hit the start line and was maintaining a 10 min/mile pace for the first 4 or so miles. So I was rocking it!
On the return from the out and back through Marine Park I saw an old high school friend, a former co-worker and a few other friends. My pace slowed to an 11 min/mile that I maintained the rest of the race. I have never seen so many men on the course, well in the male/female ratio. It was so great to see! My favorite signs along the course (except my munchkin's!) was a little boy that had a huge sign that said "GO ALL YOU HOTTIES!" The boy was no more than 6. (Interestingly enough, it didn't appear to be his handwriting ;) ) There was also an adorable little 3 year old holding a sign he did himself that had 3 drawn people. It brought tears to my eyes! I finished the race in 2 hours, 31 minutes, and 8 seconds. A new PR!!!
After I finished, my dad was there and Munchkin didn't see me go by, and she wanted to run across the finish line with me. So I had to go back around the block, and "finish again". Of course I didn't get another necklace or water bottle. And the excitement she had going with me was well worth it!
I am not sure if I should tell you the FANTASTIC finish celebration, I don't want to compete with even more entrants for next years race. But I will! When you cross the finish line, we got necklaces....from a Vancouver FireFighter (sigh!!!) and a pink water bottle filled with ice-cold water! Then there were snacks. But wait...it got better! A furniture store let the race use their facility to have a chocolate and massage therapy. We got HUGE chunks of fudge and a 10 minute massage. It was delightful! Definitely a race I look forward to doing again.
On the return from the out and back through Marine Park I saw an old high school friend, a former co-worker and a few other friends. My pace slowed to an 11 min/mile that I maintained the rest of the race. I have never seen so many men on the course, well in the male/female ratio. It was so great to see! My favorite signs along the course (except my munchkin's!) was a little boy that had a huge sign that said "GO ALL YOU HOTTIES!" The boy was no more than 6. (Interestingly enough, it didn't appear to be his handwriting ;) ) There was also an adorable little 3 year old holding a sign he did himself that had 3 drawn people. It brought tears to my eyes! I finished the race in 2 hours, 31 minutes, and 8 seconds. A new PR!!!
After I finished, my dad was there and Munchkin didn't see me go by, and she wanted to run across the finish line with me. So I had to go back around the block, and "finish again". Of course I didn't get another necklace or water bottle. And the excitement she had going with me was well worth it!
I am not sure if I should tell you the FANTASTIC finish celebration, I don't want to compete with even more entrants for next years race. But I will! When you cross the finish line, we got necklaces....from a Vancouver FireFighter (sigh!!!) and a pink water bottle filled with ice-cold water! Then there were snacks. But wait...it got better! A furniture store let the race use their facility to have a chocolate and massage therapy. We got HUGE chunks of fudge and a 10 minute massage. It was delightful! Definitely a race I look forward to doing again.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Good News
The toe is feeling SOOOO much better! I soaked my left foot in HOT salt water, cleaned with hydrogen peroxide and then put some antibiotic ointment on it. No pain since my little fit the other night :) I am hoping to run the half marathon in 2:30. We will see. I will be on my own, so I need to make sure the iPod is charged tonight. It is barely 8 pm, and I am already ready to head to bed. Maybe a nice bath to relax the muscles.
Sending some blogging love to Tall Mom whose father passed away this morning. Keeping you in my prayers Mel, as well as your family. Although I have only met you once, you are an amazing person who inspires everyone that is lucky enough to meet you!
Sending some blogging love to Tall Mom whose father passed away this morning. Keeping you in my prayers Mel, as well as your family. Although I have only met you once, you are an amazing person who inspires everyone that is lucky enough to meet you!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
It hurts so bad....
One of my worst fears....I think I have an infection in my second toe :( BOO. Half my toenail is gone and there is a remnant causing an ingrown toenail. And in addition I have another blood blister under the other part of the nail. Worst problem, I have the Girlfriend's Half Marathon on Sunday. 13.1 miles with a toe that hurts like ^$&# is going to suck. So tonight I soaked it in warm water with epsom salt. Then put some antibiotic ointment on it. We will see how it feels tomorrow morning, if it looks worse I may be hitting up the doctor to just rip the rest off and make sure it isn't infected.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Streeeetch It Out
Never really tried yoga....so the article in the latest issue of Runner's World with some hamstring "stretches" caught my interest. My piriformis has been acting up (again!) and so I have been doing my physical therapy exercises again. (You would think I would do these all the time, since they really do help!) Hmmm....maybe these yoga moves would do some good too? Out of the 6 exercises held at 30 seconds each side....I did 3, for 15 seconds. Yeah...I am tight, sore and uncoordinated!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Inagural Eugene Race for the Cure
Living in the PNW I have gotten used to activities in the rain. Today was the Inaugural Eugene Race for the Cure. A few weeks ago mom, CB, Tanya and I signed up for the race. Little did we know what today would bring! Yesterday we scoured the mall for some matching pink long sleeved shirts to go under our t-shirts. Then it was to the hotel for a girl's night! We were hit the swimming pool only to be disappointed that the hot tub was closed for maintenance. BOO!
Tanya was a great, she read two books as CB fought the sleep. CB fell asleep, T and I decided to get some brew from the mini mart. YUM! I love Pyramid Apricot Ale. I am not a big drinker, so I have most of it left in the fridge now. We painted our nails, pink of course! And chatted about T's upcoming wedding. I am so excited because after trying to "scare" me with the idea of pink and orange dresses.....she asked me if I would be one of her bridesmaids! OF COURSE I would. T really is like a sister to me. She then reassured me that it won't be a pink or orange dress that I would be wearing.
Sunday morning we were awoken by a little munchkin ready to race. We looked outside and sure enough, the sky was filled with liquid sunshine! After breakfast, some coffee and a mile trek to the race start (CB wanted to run to the start) it was RAINING! The course was not very well laid out (the runners crossed through the walkers at the start of the race to get to the finish). After we started CB wanted to go back to the car. So we gave her some piggy back rides and decided we were only going to the 1 mile walk.
So as we get closer to the finish line CB and I started running, and we were finishing with the runners. Needless to say, I was disappointed I didn't have the "fantastic finish" but it just wasn't in the cards. We were drenched...cotton is rotten! I did get my run in though after to get the car so munchkin wouldn't get much more wet.
6 days until the Girlfriend's Half Marathon! I can't wait :)
Tanya was a great, she read two books as CB fought the sleep. CB fell asleep, T and I decided to get some brew from the mini mart. YUM! I love Pyramid Apricot Ale. I am not a big drinker, so I have most of it left in the fridge now. We painted our nails, pink of course! And chatted about T's upcoming wedding. I am so excited because after trying to "scare" me with the idea of pink and orange dresses.....she asked me if I would be one of her bridesmaids! OF COURSE I would. T really is like a sister to me. She then reassured me that it won't be a pink or orange dress that I would be wearing.
Sunday morning we were awoken by a little munchkin ready to race. We looked outside and sure enough, the sky was filled with liquid sunshine! After breakfast, some coffee and a mile trek to the race start (CB wanted to run to the start) it was RAINING! The course was not very well laid out (the runners crossed through the walkers at the start of the race to get to the finish). After we started CB wanted to go back to the car. So we gave her some piggy back rides and decided we were only going to the 1 mile walk.
So as we get closer to the finish line CB and I started running, and we were finishing with the runners. Needless to say, I was disappointed I didn't have the "fantastic finish" but it just wasn't in the cards. We were drenched...cotton is rotten! I did get my run in though after to get the car so munchkin wouldn't get much more wet.
6 days until the Girlfriend's Half Marathon! I can't wait :)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
D is for....
Giving a shout out to my teammates T. and K. for being awesome running buddies today! We completely 15.45 miles (or 16.3 miles by K.'s watch) in 3 hours and 1 minute. We had our team run in my "neighborhood" or The Couv to those that know the area. It was beautiful most of the way, the course not the weather. The weather was PERFECT!! We ran along the Columbia River and through the Vancouver Barracks (as well as Downtown Vancouver).
Along the last 2 miles we hit the "lettered" streets and had to go to Z Street after being on C Street. So we began the "D is for...." through the alphabet. We got to J. The conversation was fun and K. did awesome! It was the farthest distance she has run, and she rocked it like a rockstar! I can't wait to run with these girls in Honolulu and enjoy a great big Mai Tai on the beach after the marathon.
Despite the ice bath, salt and ibuprofen I still feel like crap tonight. My body hurts and I am exhausted. Hoping to be better by tomorrow. I am thinking of a little yoga or pilates to loosening up the muscles.
Along the last 2 miles we hit the "lettered" streets and had to go to Z Street after being on C Street. So we began the "D is for...." through the alphabet. We got to J. The conversation was fun and K. did awesome! It was the farthest distance she has run, and she rocked it like a rockstar! I can't wait to run with these girls in Honolulu and enjoy a great big Mai Tai on the beach after the marathon.
Despite the ice bath, salt and ibuprofen I still feel like crap tonight. My body hurts and I am exhausted. Hoping to be better by tomorrow. I am thinking of a little yoga or pilates to loosening up the muscles.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Nervous
Tomorrow morning is going to be a little different for my team run. I am going to give a little "surprise" speech to a group, and I am NERVOUS!!! After the speech I get to do a 15 mile run. Yikers! It has been awhile since i have done this mileage. After the run I need to get over to CB's soccer game. Better pack up the torture devices (aka the "stick" and a tennis ball) to help the muscles while watching the game. Hmmm....maybe I can convince my mom to give me a back run during the game ;)
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