Monday, December 27, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Hibernation
So it has been nearly two months since I've posted. One reason is that my hard drive crashed, again, and I had to get a new one. It was under warranty though, so all it cost me was postage. And, for the past couple of weeks (or so?) I have not been running at all. It started with the snow.
In the past I have continued running in the snow, but this year I have been much more focused on my wellness in general, and not trying to continue to push myself regardless of the weather. This has a lot to do with my anemia. It took me a long time to start feeling better, then when I finally was, I stopped taking my iron supplement. It is really expensive, and I thought that if I was feeling better, I didn't need it anymore. But I was wrong.
I started feeling all the symptoms of anemia again recently and so started on the iron supplement again. I have barely felt like walking, much less running. Part of me misses running, and another part really doesn't care. Mostly I just want to sleep.
I think it is natural for people who live in cold climates to want to hibernate in the winter. It is dark, it is cold. We just want to eat and sleep and cuddle up under heavy blankets until the sun comes out again. I'm just going with it. Hopefully I will start feeling well again and will begin training, and do the "Snowjoke" 1/2 marathon in the end of February. For now, I'll put another log on the fire and wait.
In the past I have continued running in the snow, but this year I have been much more focused on my wellness in general, and not trying to continue to push myself regardless of the weather. This has a lot to do with my anemia. It took me a long time to start feeling better, then when I finally was, I stopped taking my iron supplement. It is really expensive, and I thought that if I was feeling better, I didn't need it anymore. But I was wrong.
I started feeling all the symptoms of anemia again recently and so started on the iron supplement again. I have barely felt like walking, much less running. Part of me misses running, and another part really doesn't care. Mostly I just want to sleep.
I think it is natural for people who live in cold climates to want to hibernate in the winter. It is dark, it is cold. We just want to eat and sleep and cuddle up under heavy blankets until the sun comes out again. I'm just going with it. Hopefully I will start feeling well again and will begin training, and do the "Snowjoke" 1/2 marathon in the end of February. For now, I'll put another log on the fire and wait.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Spent a little time on the mountain...
Jim got back last Saturday night from his 50-mile race none the worse for wear (he did it in 8 hours, 35 minutes). He was "a little stiff" the next morning, but by Tuesday, he was ready to go for a little run with me. We ended up doing more than either of us meant to, I think, just because it was a convenient place to run. We ran up Mount Jumbo, past the "L," to a great view of the Missoula valley. It was steep and challenging enough that we had to walk parts of it. Then, on the way down, we realized we only had five minutes to make it down (had to meet up with someone) and it was at least a mile. But, it was DOWN. So I thought I would run it as fast as I could, which was exhilarating. I knew though, as my legs started feeling jelly-like, that I would be sore afterwards.
Jim, on the other hand, never complained of any soreness at all. When asked, however, he did say that his quads ached a little. I was surprised that this time he didn't even seem as ravenous as he has in the past after 50-milers. Maybe that was because I anticipated it this time, and kept putting all this delicious homemade food in front of him before he even had time to think that he was hungry again.
Here is a man who was clearly born to run. I am inspired by him and wish that I could do what he does, but, well, we can't all be Jim. For now I've just got to be thankful that I'm no longer having dizzy spells just driving my car, and that I can run at all.
Jim, on the other hand, never complained of any soreness at all. When asked, however, he did say that his quads ached a little. I was surprised that this time he didn't even seem as ravenous as he has in the past after 50-milers. Maybe that was because I anticipated it this time, and kept putting all this delicious homemade food in front of him before he even had time to think that he was hungry again.
Here is a man who was clearly born to run. I am inspired by him and wish that I could do what he does, but, well, we can't all be Jim. For now I've just got to be thankful that I'm no longer having dizzy spells just driving my car, and that I can run at all.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The road to recovery
After two and a half weeks of iron supplementation, I am really starting to feel better. The weird dizzy, weak spells have all but completely gone away. I've even woken up the last couple of days feeling well-rested. My diet is still not as good as it should be, but I'm working on it. It is really difficult to eat as much food as I am supposed to. And it is hard to remember to take my vitamin supplements, iron, calcium, and fish oil. Geesh.
I've been trying not to think about running in any kind of organized way, that is, not training for anything. But I have been running every other day for at least a week now, and feeling okay, but not great. One of the hardest things is training my mind. As an athlete, I've pushed myself, tried to ignore my body so that I could push harder and improve my fitness. The thing is, people always say to listen to your body, but they never tell you which part of your body to listen to. My brain is the most outspoken part of my body and it can really confuse me sometimes.
Last weekend Jim went to get some new shoes for his big race (Le Grizz 50-mile) this weekend. At the running store, we ran into an old friend of ours, Fran Zelenitz, who had just finished the Blue Mountain 30k - the race I was supposed to do. I don't know why, but for some reason the fact that the race was over made me feel like it's time for me to be done resting. Time to start training again. But for what?
The truth is I don't think I will be training for any organized race for a while, what with winter coming on and all. I've just got to focus on getting and staying healthy and strong, and set my sights on next year.
I've been trying not to think about running in any kind of organized way, that is, not training for anything. But I have been running every other day for at least a week now, and feeling okay, but not great. One of the hardest things is training my mind. As an athlete, I've pushed myself, tried to ignore my body so that I could push harder and improve my fitness. The thing is, people always say to listen to your body, but they never tell you which part of your body to listen to. My brain is the most outspoken part of my body and it can really confuse me sometimes.
Last weekend Jim went to get some new shoes for his big race (Le Grizz 50-mile) this weekend. At the running store, we ran into an old friend of ours, Fran Zelenitz, who had just finished the Blue Mountain 30k - the race I was supposed to do. I don't know why, but for some reason the fact that the race was over made me feel like it's time for me to be done resting. Time to start training again. But for what?
The truth is I don't think I will be training for any organized race for a while, what with winter coming on and all. I've just got to focus on getting and staying healthy and strong, and set my sights on next year.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Running makes me feel good. Or at least better
It has been nearly two weeks now since I went to the doctor and found out that I am anemic. I've been working on eating more food, and of better quality, and I'm sure that is making me feel better. I am also taking vitamin and iron supplements. I've had a couple of "good" days, where I don't feel like total crap, but for the most part, I still feel pretty wonky.
One thing that has helped - *surprise surprise* - is running. The doctor suggested I cut back on the long runs and that was not a problem since I was completely exhausted, but each time that I have gone for a run, it has made me feel infinitely better.
While having both of the kids in school all day has been nice, it hasn't turned out to be the vacation I'd dreamed of all those years. There is still lots to do all day, and the time just flies by. Before I know it, it is time to go pick them up again. However, it has miraculously worked out that the past two Wednesdays (today and last), Jim and I have been able to go for a run together.
Running with Jim is so fantastic because we get to have time together, to have an uninterrupted conversation, and we really hash things out, the way I do in my own mind when I'm by myself. And I run faster and further than I would have if I was on my own (he runs slower and shorter, I'm sure). Jim is currently tapering his training for the Le Grizz, a 50 mile run that he is doing in about a week and a half.
So there we are, running along, and I start to feel like shit. He says, go ahead and turn back if you want to, I'll meet you at home. But I push myself to stay with him. I wonder if this is out of some insane desire to compete or at least keep up with Jim, one which I seem to have been doing, unsuccessfully, for about 15 years now (rock climbing, hiking, judo, kickboxing...), or am I just afraid of running into a bear all by myself? In any case, I feel much better when we are done, and I guess that's what really matters.
One thing that has helped - *surprise surprise* - is running. The doctor suggested I cut back on the long runs and that was not a problem since I was completely exhausted, but each time that I have gone for a run, it has made me feel infinitely better.
While having both of the kids in school all day has been nice, it hasn't turned out to be the vacation I'd dreamed of all those years. There is still lots to do all day, and the time just flies by. Before I know it, it is time to go pick them up again. However, it has miraculously worked out that the past two Wednesdays (today and last), Jim and I have been able to go for a run together.
Running with Jim is so fantastic because we get to have time together, to have an uninterrupted conversation, and we really hash things out, the way I do in my own mind when I'm by myself. And I run faster and further than I would have if I was on my own (he runs slower and shorter, I'm sure). Jim is currently tapering his training for the Le Grizz, a 50 mile run that he is doing in about a week and a half.
So there we are, running along, and I start to feel like shit. He says, go ahead and turn back if you want to, I'll meet you at home. But I push myself to stay with him. I wonder if this is out of some insane desire to compete or at least keep up with Jim, one which I seem to have been doing, unsuccessfully, for about 15 years now (rock climbing, hiking, judo, kickboxing...), or am I just afraid of running into a bear all by myself? In any case, I feel much better when we are done, and I guess that's what really matters.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Good news! I'm anemic!
Why, you may ask, is this GOOD news? Because it is a lot easier to deal with than some of the other things that could have been wrong with me. Anemia explains it all. And all I have to do is eat better (which I have been working on anyway) and take an iron supplement. Plus I still need to get more sleep.
I was also advised to cut back on my running mileage until I can get my iron levels back up to a normal level. Which is fine with me. It was so hard to run with all-over body fatigue, feeling like I was about to pass out. It is not surprising to me that I am anemic, since I don't eat red meat and I have already admitted to not eating nearly enough of the right things.
While reading Racing Weight, I've realized that by not eating enough, I have been actually sabotaging myself. I don't have enough energy, and lack of the right foods at the right times has caused my metabolism to slow down, making it even harder to reach my goals.
So I'm pretty excited. I like knowing what the problem is and what I can do about it - I like that there is something I can do about it. I am excited about the future, being stronger and healthier than ever.
I was also advised to cut back on my running mileage until I can get my iron levels back up to a normal level. Which is fine with me. It was so hard to run with all-over body fatigue, feeling like I was about to pass out. It is not surprising to me that I am anemic, since I don't eat red meat and I have already admitted to not eating nearly enough of the right things.
While reading Racing Weight, I've realized that by not eating enough, I have been actually sabotaging myself. I don't have enough energy, and lack of the right foods at the right times has caused my metabolism to slow down, making it even harder to reach my goals.
So I'm pretty excited. I like knowing what the problem is and what I can do about it - I like that there is something I can do about it. I am excited about the future, being stronger and healthier than ever.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Running on Empty
With a combination of disappointment and relief, I canceled my registration for the Blue Mountain 30k today. I said it was because of my hip injury, but that is not the entire truth.
The other day I forced myself to go out and run the first part of the course, even though my hip still didn't feel great. I felt so much fatigue throughout my entire body, it was ridiculous. However, it was a fantastically beautiful course and when I was finished with the approximately 10 miles that I ran, I felt better than I have for a long time. But it didn't last.
Lately, I have been experiencing these strange and terrible symptoms, that may be related to my under-active thyroid, or may be part of a sleep disorder, the worst of these being that I can't sleep through the night, and I feel like passing out at random intervals throughout the day. The truth is, I haven't had a good night's sleep in over 7 years, since I had my first child. Well, maybe I've had a couple. But that's not enough.
So I went to the doctor the other day and I am awaiting some test results. Meanwhile, I barely have enough energy to drive my car, much less train for a long run. I got into my car to leave the doctor's office and the empty gas tank light came on. It was like a light bulb over my head. For years now, I have been running on empty. Now I am literally beginning to stall out.
I've also been reading this great non-fiction book, "Racing Weight," by Matt Fitzgerald. It's about getting in the best condition you can for competing. For years I've wished for a book like this. Because when (if) I ever mention to anyone that I am interested in changing my diet to lose a couple of pounds, people invariably say, "you don't need to lose any weight," even if they haven't seen me in 20 years. They just assume that I must be super fit because I run so much. And I am very strong. But a lot of the time I don't feel so good, and I do have a spare tire, albeit a small one, that I would like to get rid of.
So the other day I had another big "aha" moment. I never count calories, but I was checking out the nutritional content of what I eat and the caloric information was there too, so I took a lot at it. I realized that I am not consuming nearly enough calories, even if all I did was sit at a desk all day. Furthermore, I've been starving for years. It's a wonder my body has been able to perform at all, much less run 1/2 and full marathons.
And so I have come to the conclusion that I have been starving and sleep-deprived for years, and I desperately need to put an effort into recovering before I can train for any long runs. Running is still my exercise of choice. But I need to cut back on my training for now, and focus on some other things like strength training, yoga, etc.
In a way it is a big disappointment. The Blue Mountain 30k is a beautiful and challenging course and I hope to run it someday, maybe with Jim. But in another way, it is exciting to think about the future. If I have been able to do so much with so little sleep and food, just imagine what I can do fully restored!
The other day I forced myself to go out and run the first part of the course, even though my hip still didn't feel great. I felt so much fatigue throughout my entire body, it was ridiculous. However, it was a fantastically beautiful course and when I was finished with the approximately 10 miles that I ran, I felt better than I have for a long time. But it didn't last.
Lately, I have been experiencing these strange and terrible symptoms, that may be related to my under-active thyroid, or may be part of a sleep disorder, the worst of these being that I can't sleep through the night, and I feel like passing out at random intervals throughout the day. The truth is, I haven't had a good night's sleep in over 7 years, since I had my first child. Well, maybe I've had a couple. But that's not enough.
So I went to the doctor the other day and I am awaiting some test results. Meanwhile, I barely have enough energy to drive my car, much less train for a long run. I got into my car to leave the doctor's office and the empty gas tank light came on. It was like a light bulb over my head. For years now, I have been running on empty. Now I am literally beginning to stall out.
I've also been reading this great non-fiction book, "Racing Weight," by Matt Fitzgerald. It's about getting in the best condition you can for competing. For years I've wished for a book like this. Because when (if) I ever mention to anyone that I am interested in changing my diet to lose a couple of pounds, people invariably say, "you don't need to lose any weight," even if they haven't seen me in 20 years. They just assume that I must be super fit because I run so much. And I am very strong. But a lot of the time I don't feel so good, and I do have a spare tire, albeit a small one, that I would like to get rid of.
So the other day I had another big "aha" moment. I never count calories, but I was checking out the nutritional content of what I eat and the caloric information was there too, so I took a lot at it. I realized that I am not consuming nearly enough calories, even if all I did was sit at a desk all day. Furthermore, I've been starving for years. It's a wonder my body has been able to perform at all, much less run 1/2 and full marathons.
And so I have come to the conclusion that I have been starving and sleep-deprived for years, and I desperately need to put an effort into recovering before I can train for any long runs. Running is still my exercise of choice. But I need to cut back on my training for now, and focus on some other things like strength training, yoga, etc.
In a way it is a big disappointment. The Blue Mountain 30k is a beautiful and challenging course and I hope to run it someday, maybe with Jim. But in another way, it is exciting to think about the future. If I have been able to do so much with so little sleep and food, just imagine what I can do fully restored!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
The hip strikes again
What is it about signing up for a big race that makes me get injured? I only signed up for it because I was feeling sooo good, then I went for that long road run the other day (not even that long), and I've been suffering ever since. I hate road running! So yesterday I was supposed to run but I was really busy then I took the puppy out for a walk and realized that I could still run if I wanted to, I just didn't want to. I've been feeling really really ridiculously tired, like there's not enough coffee in the world. And my hip has been aching.
I thought maybe I just needed another day off but since Jim has to work all weekend, I won't be able to run again until Monday. Turns out that's probably ok because I think my hip might be messed up again. I am thankful that I had the sense to listen to my body this time and rest yesterday, instead of running. But I can still hear it today and it is saying there is something wrong.
This race (Blue Mt. 30k) was to be my last hoorah before I took two months off from running. I had decided that I would take off November and December from any kind of training, just run whenever I really felt like it. I am looking forward to doing some other kind of exercise and giving my running muscles a break. This hip thing has been a problem for me all year, and I wonder if it will be my running downfall. I will rest for the weekend and see how I feel on Monday.
I thought maybe I just needed another day off but since Jim has to work all weekend, I won't be able to run again until Monday. Turns out that's probably ok because I think my hip might be messed up again. I am thankful that I had the sense to listen to my body this time and rest yesterday, instead of running. But I can still hear it today and it is saying there is something wrong.
This race (Blue Mt. 30k) was to be my last hoorah before I took two months off from running. I had decided that I would take off November and December from any kind of training, just run whenever I really felt like it. I am looking forward to doing some other kind of exercise and giving my running muscles a break. This hip thing has been a problem for me all year, and I wonder if it will be my running downfall. I will rest for the weekend and see how I feel on Monday.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
First day of school
Because yesterday was my first day of freedom - the kids both in school - of course I went for a long run. I went on the road because I wanted to go down to the school and visit my kindergartener for his lunch. I haven't done a long run on the road in a long time, and now I remember why.
Road running hurts. It is so jarring, pounding your feet into pavement for mile upon mile. When I left the house I realized I had just enough time to get there, running at my usual slow pace. No messing around. So I pushed myself just a little bit harder than I otherwise would have, not letting myself slack off when I felt like being lazy. Instead of being a few minutes late, as I thought I might, I was five minutes early. Wow. Either my math is really bad, or I ran pretty fast (for me).
I felt good. But after visiting my sons at school for lunch for an hour, it was time to run 7 miles home. My hip had started to ache. I forgot to stretch before leaving the house then pushed myself. So I stretched more, rested and drank more water, on the way back, and was quite a bit slower. But still a good pace for me.
I don't think that is a run I'm going to continue to do on a regular basis. It was pretty painful by the end, especially my right foot. I mistakenly wore my "seven mile shoes." I really like these Cascadia trail shoes, but after about 7 miles, they always make my foot hurt. I'm not sure if I can really blame the shoes though. I think it is my toe. I have this one toe that is permanently curled and it can be painful to run on...I've seriously thought about getting it intentionally broken so that it will heal back straight.
I fell asleep soon after the exhausted kindergartener last night, my right side aching. I'm much better today, a little stiff, but I'm going to go walk it off with the puppy on this lovely rainy September day.
Oh yeah, with all the excitement about the kids going to school, I almost forgot to mention that I signed up for the Blue Mountain 30k, (18.6 miles) a trail run on October 3rd. I'm pretty excited about it because it sounds like a great race on challenging terrain, and I've been feeling pretty good. AND I have time to really train. I can run anytime that I want while the kids are in school. Whoo hoo! That said, I'll be taking a rest day from running today.
Road running hurts. It is so jarring, pounding your feet into pavement for mile upon mile. When I left the house I realized I had just enough time to get there, running at my usual slow pace. No messing around. So I pushed myself just a little bit harder than I otherwise would have, not letting myself slack off when I felt like being lazy. Instead of being a few minutes late, as I thought I might, I was five minutes early. Wow. Either my math is really bad, or I ran pretty fast (for me).
I felt good. But after visiting my sons at school for lunch for an hour, it was time to run 7 miles home. My hip had started to ache. I forgot to stretch before leaving the house then pushed myself. So I stretched more, rested and drank more water, on the way back, and was quite a bit slower. But still a good pace for me.
I don't think that is a run I'm going to continue to do on a regular basis. It was pretty painful by the end, especially my right foot. I mistakenly wore my "seven mile shoes." I really like these Cascadia trail shoes, but after about 7 miles, they always make my foot hurt. I'm not sure if I can really blame the shoes though. I think it is my toe. I have this one toe that is permanently curled and it can be painful to run on...I've seriously thought about getting it intentionally broken so that it will heal back straight.
I fell asleep soon after the exhausted kindergartener last night, my right side aching. I'm much better today, a little stiff, but I'm going to go walk it off with the puppy on this lovely rainy September day.
Oh yeah, with all the excitement about the kids going to school, I almost forgot to mention that I signed up for the Blue Mountain 30k, (18.6 miles) a trail run on October 3rd. I'm pretty excited about it because it sounds like a great race on challenging terrain, and I've been feeling pretty good. AND I have time to really train. I can run anytime that I want while the kids are in school. Whoo hoo! That said, I'll be taking a rest day from running today.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
running with it
OK so I get back to Montana, and I'm really psyched to run in this fantastic place that I call home. The weather is great. But I go out for my first run and I'm totally lethargic and made of lead. Then I try it again in a couple of days and I am flying, light as air, feet barely touching the ground.
It is just amazing to me that, after all this time I've lived in this body, it is still unpredictable to me how I'm going to feel on a run. But I am so thankful for those moments that catch me by surprise and remind me why I keep on running, even if I have a bad day now and then. It's because the good days are SO GOOD, they make it all worthwhile. Kind of like parenting, and life in general.
I've been very non-committed to running lately, waiting until both the kids are in school before I make any kind of training plan or even bother to set any goals. And so far, I like it that way.
It is just amazing to me that, after all this time I've lived in this body, it is still unpredictable to me how I'm going to feel on a run. But I am so thankful for those moments that catch me by surprise and remind me why I keep on running, even if I have a bad day now and then. It's because the good days are SO GOOD, they make it all worthwhile. Kind of like parenting, and life in general.
I've been very non-committed to running lately, waiting until both the kids are in school before I make any kind of training plan or even bother to set any goals. And so far, I like it that way.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Getting Grounded
I love Montana so much, whenever I fly back home, tears come to my eyes when I look down and see the mountains surrounding Missoula. But it still takes a while to re-acclimate myself after being back east. The cool, dry mountain air is so refreshing after the heat and humidity of NY and Ohio. Still, my first run after we got back I didn't feel so good. Then the next day I went for a very nice short run. I feel like I am finally back.
I have missed the feel of the earth beneath my feet. Even when we ran on "trails" in Ohio, they were paved. Knowing this would be the case, I brought my road-running shoes with me on the trip. I really missed my next-to-nothing New Balance trail shoes. Running with them on trails is about as close as I can get to running barefoot. My feet had begun to hurt from running on pavement. While it may be that people are meant to run barefoot, we are certainly not meant to run on pavement.
I missed the tall Ponderosa pine, the cool alpine desert/forest terrain. I missed that quiet alone time when I run for an hour and see no other humans, just maybe a deer or two. I do look forward to the day that the new puppy, Arrow, will be able to go for these runs with me though.
Arrow has surprising bursts of energy between naps. The other day we took advantage of one of these bursts to see how he would do on a walk to the creek (1/4 mile?). It was awesome! We have since gone on several walks of about the same distance, and he shows no sign of tiring. He is very smart and agile and stays right with us. Except, the other day when we got distracted by a snake and he decided to keep on going home without us. We were looking for him for a while before we thought to go all the way back to the house, where he sat calmly in the yard, waiting for us. Yup, he's a keeper.
I have missed the feel of the earth beneath my feet. Even when we ran on "trails" in Ohio, they were paved. Knowing this would be the case, I brought my road-running shoes with me on the trip. I really missed my next-to-nothing New Balance trail shoes. Running with them on trails is about as close as I can get to running barefoot. My feet had begun to hurt from running on pavement. While it may be that people are meant to run barefoot, we are certainly not meant to run on pavement.
I missed the tall Ponderosa pine, the cool alpine desert/forest terrain. I missed that quiet alone time when I run for an hour and see no other humans, just maybe a deer or two. I do look forward to the day that the new puppy, Arrow, will be able to go for these runs with me though.
Arrow has surprising bursts of energy between naps. The other day we took advantage of one of these bursts to see how he would do on a walk to the creek (1/4 mile?). It was awesome! We have since gone on several walks of about the same distance, and he shows no sign of tiring. He is very smart and agile and stays right with us. Except, the other day when we got distracted by a snake and he decided to keep on going home without us. We were looking for him for a while before we thought to go all the way back to the house, where he sat calmly in the yard, waiting for us. Yup, he's a keeper.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Home Sweet Montana
After some travel delays, we finally arrived home on Tuesday evening. After leaving my father's, we met up with Jim at his mom's in Cleveland. While there, I went for a run every other day, and one day played Ultimate Frisbee with the family. We played kids vs. adults and the kids kicked our butts. Of course they had two superstar runners on their team, young miss Riley who can do a 20 min 5K and Joey who no one can beat - he'll be a freshman this year and may be on Varsity track.
One day Jim and I went for a long run, but I ended up walking the last part back to the house because the humidity was killing me. Another day I got to run with one of Jim's sisters, Becky, who does triathlons. The hardest part for me was all the sidewalk and pavement running. I missed the trails! But I resigned myself to maintenance running and was just happy to have survived the vacation without too much laziness and gluttony.
One of the best parts about coming home is that we finally got to get a puppy. The kids have been asking for a puppy since before Wesley died, and we told them we had to wait until one of our dogs passed away (thinking that Josie, who is old and has some health issues, would be the first to go). But we have learned that life doesn't always work out the way you expect it to, and we lost Wesley first. Since then we have talked a lot about the next dog we want to get.
We really wanted a dog that would be a nice, friendly family dog, who wouldn't scare people the way Wesley sometimes did. We wanted a smart dog with lots of energy to go for runs with us, and play with the boys. We talked a lot about different breeds that would be good for us. As much as I love the idea of rescuing a shelter dog, we really wanted to get a puppy that we could train ourselves, and because kids just love puppies. The week before we left for our trip, we found the perfect situation/dog for us. The day before we left, we went and picked out our puppy, Arrow.
Arrow's mom was rescued from a shelter in Idaho, very pregnant with him and his 8 siblings. (See story and pictures HERE.) No one knows who his father is, but he is a smart and good looking pup. We picked him up the day after we got home.
Arrow's first night here was a little rough. He was crying, alone in an unfamiliar place, so I went downstairs and cuddled with him on the couch. By the second night, he was comfortable in his bed underneath my desk, his own private little cubby. He has been exploring the yard a little bit at a time and has ventured as far as the chicken coop. He is particularly interested in the chickens, who make lots of noise and run when they see him. Josie growls at him, and yet seems happier now that he is here, so I think that she will eventually accept him. The cat, Fernando, has been sneaking past him, so that she knows that he is here, but he didn't know that she was here until this morning when they met up on the stairs. It will take a while, but I think they will eventually be friends too, like she was with Cody and Wesley.
It will be a while before he can be a running, or even walking partner, for me, but I think he's going to be a good one and I'm willing to wait. He has quickly become a part of the family and we look forward to many years with our new friend.
One day Jim and I went for a long run, but I ended up walking the last part back to the house because the humidity was killing me. Another day I got to run with one of Jim's sisters, Becky, who does triathlons. The hardest part for me was all the sidewalk and pavement running. I missed the trails! But I resigned myself to maintenance running and was just happy to have survived the vacation without too much laziness and gluttony.
One of the best parts about coming home is that we finally got to get a puppy. The kids have been asking for a puppy since before Wesley died, and we told them we had to wait until one of our dogs passed away (thinking that Josie, who is old and has some health issues, would be the first to go). But we have learned that life doesn't always work out the way you expect it to, and we lost Wesley first. Since then we have talked a lot about the next dog we want to get.
We really wanted a dog that would be a nice, friendly family dog, who wouldn't scare people the way Wesley sometimes did. We wanted a smart dog with lots of energy to go for runs with us, and play with the boys. We talked a lot about different breeds that would be good for us. As much as I love the idea of rescuing a shelter dog, we really wanted to get a puppy that we could train ourselves, and because kids just love puppies. The week before we left for our trip, we found the perfect situation/dog for us. The day before we left, we went and picked out our puppy, Arrow.
Arrow's mom was rescued from a shelter in Idaho, very pregnant with him and his 8 siblings. (See story and pictures HERE.) No one knows who his father is, but he is a smart and good looking pup. We picked him up the day after we got home.
Arrow's first night here was a little rough. He was crying, alone in an unfamiliar place, so I went downstairs and cuddled with him on the couch. By the second night, he was comfortable in his bed underneath my desk, his own private little cubby. He has been exploring the yard a little bit at a time and has ventured as far as the chicken coop. He is particularly interested in the chickens, who make lots of noise and run when they see him. Josie growls at him, and yet seems happier now that he is here, so I think that she will eventually accept him. The cat, Fernando, has been sneaking past him, so that she knows that he is here, but he didn't know that she was here until this morning when they met up on the stairs. It will take a while, but I think they will eventually be friends too, like she was with Cody and Wesley.
It will be a while before he can be a running, or even walking partner, for me, but I think he's going to be a good one and I'm willing to wait. He has quickly become a part of the family and we look forward to many years with our new friend.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Concrete Jungle
While visiting my father in Rochester, NY, I have gone for a couple of little runs. The first was a very short one on my first morning here, then yesterday I went for a bit longer. Even longer than I'd meant to.
I do prefer to run on trails and in parks, etc., and am used to running in the woods where dangerous wildlife life and can be seen, but most of them prefer not to be seen, and will hide when they sense my approach. The city is a much different experience. My father lives in the suburb of Irondequoit, an area of manicured lawns and lush flora. However, only blocks away the scenery changes dramatically.
I chose to run from the house instead of driving to a park, in order to save time. My father showed me a route on the map that would be about 5 miles. I thought I knew where I was going, but I didn't realize that Clifford turns into Empire. Because I was looking for Empire, I missed my turn and just kept running, right into the city.
The neighborhoods were quickly going downhill (boarded up windows, lack of lawns, etc.) but I kept expecting to run into Empire, continuing on, thinking it would be the next light or the next...I saw some young black men standing on the street corner and figured the best thing to do would be to confidently run right by them, but I startled one of them so badly when I came up behind him he said "whoa girl, I almost started running myself."
Soon I saw signs for "Marketview" and "Beechwood," neighborhoods I'd read about in the paper before, usually in some story about a shooting or something equally unpleasant, and I knew I was definitely in the wrong place. So I asked a young woman who was walking down the street if she knew where Empire was, and she had no clue. It was time to turn around. Finally, I saw some white people out on a corner, selling the Sunday paper. I asked them for directions and they sent me on my way.
It is an unsettling feeling being the minority in another culture. The people I saw were not used to seeing a little white woman jogging through their neighborhood. It was a good thing it was Sunday morning, I suppose. As I ran back to my father's house, I noticed the neat, mowed lawns, then realized I was noticing lawns, not just mowed. It was really strange to me to see how much the neighborhoods changed in such a short distance. There is a line there, between cultures, and I had crossed it, but most people here usually don't.
So everything turned out fine, and I ended up going for a 6-7 mile run instead of the 5 miler I'd intended, but I am still bothered by the contrast that I saw, the disparity between these two cultures that exist side by side but never mix, the wealth next to the poverty, and the huge difference between this place and where I live.
I do prefer to run on trails and in parks, etc., and am used to running in the woods where dangerous wildlife life and can be seen, but most of them prefer not to be seen, and will hide when they sense my approach. The city is a much different experience. My father lives in the suburb of Irondequoit, an area of manicured lawns and lush flora. However, only blocks away the scenery changes dramatically.
I chose to run from the house instead of driving to a park, in order to save time. My father showed me a route on the map that would be about 5 miles. I thought I knew where I was going, but I didn't realize that Clifford turns into Empire. Because I was looking for Empire, I missed my turn and just kept running, right into the city.
The neighborhoods were quickly going downhill (boarded up windows, lack of lawns, etc.) but I kept expecting to run into Empire, continuing on, thinking it would be the next light or the next...I saw some young black men standing on the street corner and figured the best thing to do would be to confidently run right by them, but I startled one of them so badly when I came up behind him he said "whoa girl, I almost started running myself."
Soon I saw signs for "Marketview" and "Beechwood," neighborhoods I'd read about in the paper before, usually in some story about a shooting or something equally unpleasant, and I knew I was definitely in the wrong place. So I asked a young woman who was walking down the street if she knew where Empire was, and she had no clue. It was time to turn around. Finally, I saw some white people out on a corner, selling the Sunday paper. I asked them for directions and they sent me on my way.
It is an unsettling feeling being the minority in another culture. The people I saw were not used to seeing a little white woman jogging through their neighborhood. It was a good thing it was Sunday morning, I suppose. As I ran back to my father's house, I noticed the neat, mowed lawns, then realized I was noticing lawns, not just mowed. It was really strange to me to see how much the neighborhoods changed in such a short distance. There is a line there, between cultures, and I had crossed it, but most people here usually don't.
So everything turned out fine, and I ended up going for a 6-7 mile run instead of the 5 miler I'd intended, but I am still bothered by the contrast that I saw, the disparity between these two cultures that exist side by side but never mix, the wealth next to the poverty, and the huge difference between this place and where I live.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Effortless!
Today was just about the opposite of Saturday's grueling run. I got up before the sun so I could get a run in before Jim went to work. Conditions were perfect, a nice cool morning, and I felt great. I saw several deer, including a nice looking young buck and a doe with twins. I felt so good, I wished that I could just keep going and going. It's days like this that I remember why I love to run. Hill? What hill? I just flew right up it.
Was it the weather? The terrain? The rest? The shoes? Who knows. A combination of all of the above. Sometimes its hard to predict when you will have a good run or a bad one, but when you're having it you know for sure. I am so thankful for days like these.
Was it the weather? The terrain? The rest? The shoes? Who knows. A combination of all of the above. Sometimes its hard to predict when you will have a good run or a bad one, but when you're having it you know for sure. I am so thankful for days like these.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
What can you learn from a bad running day?
Two days after my strenuous run/hike with John, Jim was ready to test his legs out again, and John offered to watch the kids for us as we went out for a run together. Although I was still sore (like, barely able to walk down the stairs my quads hurt kind of sore) from Friday, I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to run with my own personal ultramarathon man, Jim.
We ran out in the woods behind our house here, along a route both of us have done many times. It was a great day, early, not too hot, and just a super run. We figured we went about 11 miles. I was feeling pretty good. Better, in fact, than when we'd started. So we planned another, longer run, for the next weekend. This time we actually had to pay someone to babysit the kids, but it was well worth it (they hung out with our friends Adam and Aubrey - an experienced outdoorsman and a nurse - so we felt comfortable leaving the boys with them!).
Well, that run didn't turn out to be as glorious an experience for me as the previous one. For one, I felt like shit. I'm not sure why. Maybe still recovering from the previous weekend. Also, we started too late on a hot, sunny day (8 am) and I forgot my sunglasses and didn't bring a hat. I didn't eat breakfast, and didn't bring my preferred trail food (cliff bars). I was soon standing at the side of the trail feeling like I might pass out. I had a Montana Huckleberry Hammer gel for breakfast, and was able to go on, but never really very well.
We did get to run somewhere we've never run before - up in the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area. We went to the Franklin Bridge - 16 miles round trip. I can't say that I actually ran the whole way. I was feeling pretty poorly and the sun was blasting down on us. I was struggling. I was suffering. Then, on the way back, I realized that we had been running gradually uphill the whole way. It was so gradual, I couldn't even tell. I just knew I was floundering. So, I felt a little better on the way back.
I had a bad running day. It happens. But, it helped me to realize something. I have been pushing myself, trying to get to the point where I can run a marathon, and giving myself a hard time because I'm not there yet. And I've finally accepted that maybe its just not going to happen this year. And I'm not sure I even want it to. Races stress me out. I get so worked up the night/morning before racing, then I get down on myself for not performing better...when really I just want to run to stay fit and healthy and have a good time. Why stress myself out?
One problem for me is that I compare myself with Jim. This is completely unrealistic. Jim, obviously, is not like everyone else. He finds great joy in just running for miles and miles. I'm not sure if it is the same for me. It is a different thing. And that is ok.
So, I've kind of let my marathon goal go for this year. Because in order to get to the point where I can do the one in September well, I need to be doing long runs (like 20+ miles) while on my trip back east to NY and OH. It may be better to just take it easy and enjoy myself.
We ran out in the woods behind our house here, along a route both of us have done many times. It was a great day, early, not too hot, and just a super run. We figured we went about 11 miles. I was feeling pretty good. Better, in fact, than when we'd started. So we planned another, longer run, for the next weekend. This time we actually had to pay someone to babysit the kids, but it was well worth it (they hung out with our friends Adam and Aubrey - an experienced outdoorsman and a nurse - so we felt comfortable leaving the boys with them!).
Well, that run didn't turn out to be as glorious an experience for me as the previous one. For one, I felt like shit. I'm not sure why. Maybe still recovering from the previous weekend. Also, we started too late on a hot, sunny day (8 am) and I forgot my sunglasses and didn't bring a hat. I didn't eat breakfast, and didn't bring my preferred trail food (cliff bars). I was soon standing at the side of the trail feeling like I might pass out. I had a Montana Huckleberry Hammer gel for breakfast, and was able to go on, but never really very well.
We did get to run somewhere we've never run before - up in the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area. We went to the Franklin Bridge - 16 miles round trip. I can't say that I actually ran the whole way. I was feeling pretty poorly and the sun was blasting down on us. I was struggling. I was suffering. Then, on the way back, I realized that we had been running gradually uphill the whole way. It was so gradual, I couldn't even tell. I just knew I was floundering. So, I felt a little better on the way back.
I had a bad running day. It happens. But, it helped me to realize something. I have been pushing myself, trying to get to the point where I can run a marathon, and giving myself a hard time because I'm not there yet. And I've finally accepted that maybe its just not going to happen this year. And I'm not sure I even want it to. Races stress me out. I get so worked up the night/morning before racing, then I get down on myself for not performing better...when really I just want to run to stay fit and healthy and have a good time. Why stress myself out?
One problem for me is that I compare myself with Jim. This is completely unrealistic. Jim, obviously, is not like everyone else. He finds great joy in just running for miles and miles. I'm not sure if it is the same for me. It is a different thing. And that is ok.
So, I've kind of let my marathon goal go for this year. Because in order to get to the point where I can do the one in September well, I need to be doing long runs (like 20+ miles) while on my trip back east to NY and OH. It may be better to just take it easy and enjoy myself.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Trail running and talus surfing
Two things: I got myself a new hydration system and tried it out yesterday. I also got to run with someone, in a place I'd never been before.
Our friend John is visiting from Idaho (Roz's husband) and since Jim is still resting from his 50 mile race last week, John went for a run with me. He was also talking about maybe doing the Two Bear marathon, at least, he was before our run yesterday.
We went for a short drive and a long run up in Petty Creek Canyon - just up the highway from here. First though, we couldn't find the trail, so we tried a different one. It was ridiculous. We spent about an hour (and spent our legs in the process) running and climbing, then surfing down some treacherous talus. It was an adventure anyway. So then we're driving out, and we see the trail. So we got out and ran it. Well, we started out running anyway. Until our legs would run no more. It was up up up and it was actually faster and more efficient to walk most of the way up.
We reached the top of this awesome ridge with fantastic views all around, then ran the whole way down. All told, we were running and/or power hiking for about 4 1/2 hours. I'm not sure how many miles we actually covered (we had planned to do 15-16), but I'd say we got a pretty good workout in regardless.
As for my new hydration system, it is a Nathan pack with a bladder in it (like a camelback) made specifically for running (and even more specifically, for women). It holds 2 liters of fluid, and all the little things I need. I also tried out some new electrolyte tablets called nuuns and they are really tasty. One problem was that I didn't know how much liquid I had left, and I drank it all by the time we got to the top. That's ok, I didn't really need it going down. But, in the future, I will keep better track or bring additional water. It also took some getting used to, being able to suck the water out of the tube and breathe properly at the same time, especially when I was out of breath.
I think that John and I were each a little bit disappointed in ourselves that we walked so much on the way up, especially after Jim told us he had run the whole thing. But, this is JIM we're talking about, Mr. Fifty-Miler. I really wish that I had more of whatever it takes to push myself harder and to keep going strong. It is something I need to work on.
Our friend John is visiting from Idaho (Roz's husband) and since Jim is still resting from his 50 mile race last week, John went for a run with me. He was also talking about maybe doing the Two Bear marathon, at least, he was before our run yesterday.
We went for a short drive and a long run up in Petty Creek Canyon - just up the highway from here. First though, we couldn't find the trail, so we tried a different one. It was ridiculous. We spent about an hour (and spent our legs in the process) running and climbing, then surfing down some treacherous talus. It was an adventure anyway. So then we're driving out, and we see the trail. So we got out and ran it. Well, we started out running anyway. Until our legs would run no more. It was up up up and it was actually faster and more efficient to walk most of the way up.
We reached the top of this awesome ridge with fantastic views all around, then ran the whole way down. All told, we were running and/or power hiking for about 4 1/2 hours. I'm not sure how many miles we actually covered (we had planned to do 15-16), but I'd say we got a pretty good workout in regardless.
As for my new hydration system, it is a Nathan pack with a bladder in it (like a camelback) made specifically for running (and even more specifically, for women). It holds 2 liters of fluid, and all the little things I need. I also tried out some new electrolyte tablets called nuuns and they are really tasty. One problem was that I didn't know how much liquid I had left, and I drank it all by the time we got to the top. That's ok, I didn't really need it going down. But, in the future, I will keep better track or bring additional water. It also took some getting used to, being able to suck the water out of the tube and breathe properly at the same time, especially when I was out of breath.
I think that John and I were each a little bit disappointed in ourselves that we walked so much on the way up, especially after Jim told us he had run the whole thing. But, this is JIM we're talking about, Mr. Fifty-Miler. I really wish that I had more of whatever it takes to push myself harder and to keep going strong. It is something I need to work on.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Devil's Backbone race report
OK, well, I wasn't actually there. But I did drive over to Bozeman with Jim, then he went on to run the Devil's Backbone 50 mile trail race while the boys and I visited our friend Kevin. Then Jim joined us after the race on Saturday.
Jim ran the course in 12 hours, 45 minutes. He came in 9th place overall, out of 26 people who started the race. Six people didn't finish. Jim saw a couple of these people along the trail; one woman had stomach problems, one guy twisted an ankle...things that could happen to anyone. Jim had some stomach problems, his stomach hurt and it was difficult to eat. What happens is, (I think), that your body gets so tired that even though you know you need to eat something to get you through the race, it is really hard to put any food into your mouth and swallow it. After a while, all you can stand is water. But you MUST have more in order to go on. Well, somehow he made it through. He said the course was incredibly beautiful, high up on this ridge line. At times it was very windy.
For the next two days Jim rested, then he got up early and went to work today. I'm sure he is thinking about his next 50 miler. The back of his legs were sunburned and his legs were somewhat swollen, but he reported feeling pretty good. I think I was more sore after my last 1/2 marathon than he was from a 50 miler.
Jim ran the course in 12 hours, 45 minutes. He came in 9th place overall, out of 26 people who started the race. Six people didn't finish. Jim saw a couple of these people along the trail; one woman had stomach problems, one guy twisted an ankle...things that could happen to anyone. Jim had some stomach problems, his stomach hurt and it was difficult to eat. What happens is, (I think), that your body gets so tired that even though you know you need to eat something to get you through the race, it is really hard to put any food into your mouth and swallow it. After a while, all you can stand is water. But you MUST have more in order to go on. Well, somehow he made it through. He said the course was incredibly beautiful, high up on this ridge line. At times it was very windy.
For the next two days Jim rested, then he got up early and went to work today. I'm sure he is thinking about his next 50 miler. The back of his legs were sunburned and his legs were somewhat swollen, but he reported feeling pretty good. I think I was more sore after my last 1/2 marathon than he was from a 50 miler.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Run for fun
Yesterday the boys and I (and Jim too) bagged our second letter. That is, we hiked up to the "L" on Mount Jumbo. This is right across Hellgate Canyon from our last hike to the "M" on Mount Sentinel. I was surprised last time that the "M" was so easy for them (maybe it was the candy corn I gave them at each switchback), but this time I expected them to send it.
We only had an hour before they had to be at their annual doctor appointment, so we had to hurry to make it all the way up and down and across town in time. So, we pretty much ran it, with occasional stops for gummy treats. The best part was the run down. I actually had to run to keep up with Isaac. It was so much fun it made me realize something really important that is missing from my running: fun.
I do the same couple of routes every time I go out running. It's just easier that way. Unless I drive somewhere to run (which seems silly to me), I only have a few options, all involving the same first couple of miles. This has been going on for YEARS now. I go to the same places, I go at the same pace, I go by myself. Then every once in a while I go with someone else or in a different place or mix up the pace a bit and I think, wow, this is FUN.
I have been thinking, and talking, about training for a marathon in September, which I pretty much have to get started on right this second, but it has been difficult for me to motivate to actually start doing it. The weather has been great. Physically, I feel really good. So all that's missing is the psychological motivation. I need some running partners. I need some new routes. I need some new challenges.
Well that's just my whining about where I'm at. Maybe I'll go look up the Two Bear Marathon and see if that helps.
We only had an hour before they had to be at their annual doctor appointment, so we had to hurry to make it all the way up and down and across town in time. So, we pretty much ran it, with occasional stops for gummy treats. The best part was the run down. I actually had to run to keep up with Isaac. It was so much fun it made me realize something really important that is missing from my running: fun.
I do the same couple of routes every time I go out running. It's just easier that way. Unless I drive somewhere to run (which seems silly to me), I only have a few options, all involving the same first couple of miles. This has been going on for YEARS now. I go to the same places, I go at the same pace, I go by myself. Then every once in a while I go with someone else or in a different place or mix up the pace a bit and I think, wow, this is FUN.
I have been thinking, and talking, about training for a marathon in September, which I pretty much have to get started on right this second, but it has been difficult for me to motivate to actually start doing it. The weather has been great. Physically, I feel really good. So all that's missing is the psychological motivation. I need some running partners. I need some new routes. I need some new challenges.
Well that's just my whining about where I'm at. Maybe I'll go look up the Two Bear Marathon and see if that helps.
Volunteering at the Missoula Marathon
Since neither Jim nor I were participating in the marathon this year, but we wanted to be part of the event, we decided to volunteer our entire family at an aid station. So we got the boys up out of bed at 6 am and drove to town. We were able to choose the aid station in front of Cafe Dolce, which is at around mile 10 of the 1/2 marathon, mile 23 of the full. Jim handed out water, I poured water and gatorade, and the boys handed out gummy bears.
I was really hoping to see more of the people who came through, but most of the time my head was down, focusing on pouring liquid into cups to keep the tables full. The boys did a fantastic job for about two hours (I even saw Ike down there doing a little "gummy bear dance" for folks). When they started getting bored, we walked down the street to our friends' house (and trampoline) where we had lunch and a really nice afternoon.
I did get to see the winner of the full marathon come through (Keifer Hahn finished in 2:30:37) and that was pretty awesome. He was cruising. It is so amazing to see people like that run, especially for me since I am usually in the middle of the pack and tend to just see others like myself plodding along. He just looked so strong and solid. The next full marathon runner didn't come by for another 15 minutes, he was that far ahead.
This was the first time volunteering at an aid station (we have helped out in other parts of the race process) for any of us Chases, and I think we all got something out of it. On an intellectual level, we know that volunteering is a good thing, as we have so much appreciated volunteers who have helped us out at other races, and we foresee more in the future. What we didn't realize was how good it FEELS to volunteer. I'm still not sure how the boys processed the experience, or what they will remember about the day (maybe just the trampoline?) but I hope that in some way they learned something...well, even if they just had a good time, it was well worth it.
I was really hoping to see more of the people who came through, but most of the time my head was down, focusing on pouring liquid into cups to keep the tables full. The boys did a fantastic job for about two hours (I even saw Ike down there doing a little "gummy bear dance" for folks). When they started getting bored, we walked down the street to our friends' house (and trampoline) where we had lunch and a really nice afternoon.
I did get to see the winner of the full marathon come through (Keifer Hahn finished in 2:30:37) and that was pretty awesome. He was cruising. It is so amazing to see people like that run, especially for me since I am usually in the middle of the pack and tend to just see others like myself plodding along. He just looked so strong and solid. The next full marathon runner didn't come by for another 15 minutes, he was that far ahead.
This was the first time volunteering at an aid station (we have helped out in other parts of the race process) for any of us Chases, and I think we all got something out of it. On an intellectual level, we know that volunteering is a good thing, as we have so much appreciated volunteers who have helped us out at other races, and we foresee more in the future. What we didn't realize was how good it FEELS to volunteer. I'm still not sure how the boys processed the experience, or what they will remember about the day (maybe just the trampoline?) but I hope that in some way they learned something...well, even if they just had a good time, it was well worth it.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Mountain to Meadow and more
I have not posted here for some time due to my hard drive crashing. I just got my computer back last weekend and I'm trying to catch up. Here's what's been going on.
I took a few days off after the Pengelly Double Dip, then went for a short run. I felt ok. Then we went to visit friends in Idaho and went for a nice 5-6 miler with Roz. Although we only see each other maybe once a year, she is the person I've run with the most. I felt pretty good, so I decided to run another half marathon the next week, the "Mountain to Meadow," actually a 13.7 mile run on Lolo Pass.
The MtM took place on the same day as the Great Strides Walk, a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Ike's Team (ie: me) raised over $1,000, but I decided I'd rather run 13 miles than walk one. It was a cold morning (as they all have been here lately!) and really perfect weather for the run. It got sunny pretty quickly, but never too hot.
The race goes up, up, up, relentlessly, but not nearly as steep as the PDD. I made the mistake of not eating enough the night before AND not eating breakfast, so about 3/4 of the way up the first hill (about 3-4 miles into the race) I had to stop for a snack of water and hammer gel. I had started getting light-headed and actually saw stars a little, thought I might pass out. That has never happened to me while running before. So it was a little bit scary, but the hammer gel did the trick. So glad I packed it in my fuel belt, as a last minute thought.
Jim ran the MtM a couple of years ago, and said that it would be easier than the PDD. I don't know if "easier" is really appropriate. Maybe just not as relentlessly impossible. It was still a challenging course and I could never really seem to get going. Still, it was a beautiful course and I finished in a fairly respectable time (2:26), and when I was done, I started thinking about running the Missoula 1/2 marathon (July 11th)...
Since then, however, I have come to my senses and decided to take a little break from running, then start training for a marathon (the Two Bear, in Whitefish) in September. This coming weekend is the Missoula Marathon and it promises to be a huge event. Jim and I and the boys have decided to volunteer at an aid station.
I took a few days off after the Pengelly Double Dip, then went for a short run. I felt ok. Then we went to visit friends in Idaho and went for a nice 5-6 miler with Roz. Although we only see each other maybe once a year, she is the person I've run with the most. I felt pretty good, so I decided to run another half marathon the next week, the "Mountain to Meadow," actually a 13.7 mile run on Lolo Pass.
The MtM took place on the same day as the Great Strides Walk, a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Ike's Team (ie: me) raised over $1,000, but I decided I'd rather run 13 miles than walk one. It was a cold morning (as they all have been here lately!) and really perfect weather for the run. It got sunny pretty quickly, but never too hot.
The race goes up, up, up, relentlessly, but not nearly as steep as the PDD. I made the mistake of not eating enough the night before AND not eating breakfast, so about 3/4 of the way up the first hill (about 3-4 miles into the race) I had to stop for a snack of water and hammer gel. I had started getting light-headed and actually saw stars a little, thought I might pass out. That has never happened to me while running before. So it was a little bit scary, but the hammer gel did the trick. So glad I packed it in my fuel belt, as a last minute thought.
Jim ran the MtM a couple of years ago, and said that it would be easier than the PDD. I don't know if "easier" is really appropriate. Maybe just not as relentlessly impossible. It was still a challenging course and I could never really seem to get going. Still, it was a beautiful course and I finished in a fairly respectable time (2:26), and when I was done, I started thinking about running the Missoula 1/2 marathon (July 11th)...
Since then, however, I have come to my senses and decided to take a little break from running, then start training for a marathon (the Two Bear, in Whitefish) in September. This coming weekend is the Missoula Marathon and it promises to be a huge event. Jim and I and the boys have decided to volunteer at an aid station.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Race Report
After weeks of preparation, the day of the Pengelly Double Dip finally arrived. It's been raining here for weeks, but the sky cleared and it was a beautiful, sunny day. I awoke with the sun, too excited to sleep anymore. I headed into town and decided to do the early start at 8 am, instead of starting at 9 am with everyone else. Because it had taken me so long to do on my practice run, I was concerned that it might take me that long again and I would be the last to finish. Plus I didn't want to wait around anymore!
A handful of other people also did the early start. One woman was just ahead of me for the first hour.The course was really beautiful - great views, green and tons of wildflowers. When it started to get steep enough to warrant walking, I finally caught up to Mary Ann, and we walked together. Turns out that she is a mom too (5 & 7 year old girls). It was great to have someone to talk to and commisserate with. It was so nice (and different for me, being typically a middle of the pack runner) to be the first ones at each aid station, and at the peaks.
It wasn't until we were on our way back down from the most relentlessly steep climb up to the radio towers that we finally started seeing other people. At first they were surprised to see us, but soon realized that we were not faster than them, we'd just started early. Still, it was really cool to be up there running in the front with the fastest guys. Mary Ann and I reached the summit first, where I called my guys (Jim and the boys had been volunteering at the race and I wanted to let them know when I'd be coming down) and Mary Ann went flying down the mountain.
Soon I started getting passed by the fastest men (7 in all passed me before I finished). The last part of the race is miles of treacherous downhill, followed by a short flat section. I got a blister on one foot and a black toenail on the other from the downhill pounding.
Then I came into the finish chute with all of these people watching (expecting the winners) and my boys came out to join me for part of my final steps. It was really an amazing feeling being one of the first to finish, even though I was an imposter of sorts.
Afterwards Mary Ann found me in the crowd and she was all scraped up. She'd taken a spill on the way down, but didn't seem fazed by it. She'd still managed to beat me to the finish!
What a great race, but I was glad it was over. Then Jim left the boys with me so that he could run the course, twice in a row, as part of his training for the "Devil's Backbone" 50-miler in July. I continued my endurance event by spending the day in town with the boys, first going to the pool, then to China Buffet, then to a kid's birthday party (I did not go in the bouncy house).
I was exhausted, and so was Jim. It took him 6 hours to run the whole thing twice (the equivalent of a marathon). I did my 1/2 in 3 hours. I woke up with aching muscles but Jim was already gone - out for another long run.
A handful of other people also did the early start. One woman was just ahead of me for the first hour.The course was really beautiful - great views, green and tons of wildflowers. When it started to get steep enough to warrant walking, I finally caught up to Mary Ann, and we walked together. Turns out that she is a mom too (5 & 7 year old girls). It was great to have someone to talk to and commisserate with. It was so nice (and different for me, being typically a middle of the pack runner) to be the first ones at each aid station, and at the peaks.
It wasn't until we were on our way back down from the most relentlessly steep climb up to the radio towers that we finally started seeing other people. At first they were surprised to see us, but soon realized that we were not faster than them, we'd just started early. Still, it was really cool to be up there running in the front with the fastest guys. Mary Ann and I reached the summit first, where I called my guys (Jim and the boys had been volunteering at the race and I wanted to let them know when I'd be coming down) and Mary Ann went flying down the mountain.
Soon I started getting passed by the fastest men (7 in all passed me before I finished). The last part of the race is miles of treacherous downhill, followed by a short flat section. I got a blister on one foot and a black toenail on the other from the downhill pounding.
Then I came into the finish chute with all of these people watching (expecting the winners) and my boys came out to join me for part of my final steps. It was really an amazing feeling being one of the first to finish, even though I was an imposter of sorts.
Afterwards Mary Ann found me in the crowd and she was all scraped up. She'd taken a spill on the way down, but didn't seem fazed by it. She'd still managed to beat me to the finish!
What a great race, but I was glad it was over. Then Jim left the boys with me so that he could run the course, twice in a row, as part of his training for the "Devil's Backbone" 50-miler in July. I continued my endurance event by spending the day in town with the boys, first going to the pool, then to China Buffet, then to a kid's birthday party (I did not go in the bouncy house).
I was exhausted, and so was Jim. It took him 6 hours to run the whole thing twice (the equivalent of a marathon). I did my 1/2 in 3 hours. I woke up with aching muscles but Jim was already gone - out for another long run.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
The Wacky Hip Strikes Again
I love Frenchtown Physical Therapy.
Last week I was feeling pretty darn good, even after running the Pengelly Double Dip course (with scenic route detour) and then doing 9 miles with Jim two days later. Then I went for an easy 4 mile run and felt like total crap. The worst part was that my hip had started to hurt again. I stretched, I massaged with an ice bottle, I rested, but it still ached. With the race less than a week away, I wondered if I would be able to run it.
FPT to the rescue. This time I brought Jim in with me so that he could learn how to fix me. It turns out that I did indeed get my hip out of place again. The good news is that I figured out how I did it, and Jim now knows how to fix it. Apparently, when you have hip problems like mine, it is not a good idea to get all loosened up with yoga before a run, which is exactly what I did. It makes it too easy for the hip to slip out of place, and then comes the pain.
So now all that's left to do is rest, fuel up, and think positive - then race on Saturday!
Last week I was feeling pretty darn good, even after running the Pengelly Double Dip course (with scenic route detour) and then doing 9 miles with Jim two days later. Then I went for an easy 4 mile run and felt like total crap. The worst part was that my hip had started to hurt again. I stretched, I massaged with an ice bottle, I rested, but it still ached. With the race less than a week away, I wondered if I would be able to run it.
FPT to the rescue. This time I brought Jim in with me so that he could learn how to fix me. It turns out that I did indeed get my hip out of place again. The good news is that I figured out how I did it, and Jim now knows how to fix it. Apparently, when you have hip problems like mine, it is not a good idea to get all loosened up with yoga before a run, which is exactly what I did. It makes it too easy for the hip to slip out of place, and then comes the pain.
So now all that's left to do is rest, fuel up, and think positive - then race on Saturday!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Trail Running Shoes
Yikes! I have been super busy. Now I look at the calandar and I see that the Pengelly Double Dip is only a week away. I do think that I am ready, and I am so pleased with how my training has gone.
A week ago I attempted the run the course. However, never having been there before, and only armed with a vague map, I got quite a bit off course. In any case, it was really incredibly beautiful...and steep. It was extremely challenging. I walked a bunch. It was a cool, rainy day (as most of our days here have been lately) and I didn't have enough to eat ahead of time so by the end I was wasted. I went right to Vietnam Noodle Express and got the curry chicken noodle soup - yum!!
Because it was a wet day, I wore my gortex "mountain running shoes," the super heavy duty trail shoes I got for running in the winter. While my feet stayed warm and dry, I felt like I was trying to run with concrete blocks on the bottom of my feet. It reinforced my idea that I needed a pair of lightweight summer trail running shoes. So, on Sunday I stopped by The Runners' Edge to see what they had.
I walked out of there with the opposite extreme of what I already had - the most lightweight trail running shoe I could find. In fact, they are so lightweight it's almost like not wearing shoes at all. I probably should have tried them out with a short little run, but instead I took them out the next day for a nine mile trail run with Jim. This is only the second time Jim and I have been able to run together and it was fantastic. It was a beautiful day and I felt like I was floating compared with the other shoes.
The shoes performed wonderfully - in fact, I didn't really notice them. I was concerned that my feet might get sore because of not enough cushioning, but it wasn't an issue.
So now with just a week until the race all I have to do is rest up and stay limber. I am so happy to not be injured, to be feeling strong and ready to go.
A week ago I attempted the run the course. However, never having been there before, and only armed with a vague map, I got quite a bit off course. In any case, it was really incredibly beautiful...and steep. It was extremely challenging. I walked a bunch. It was a cool, rainy day (as most of our days here have been lately) and I didn't have enough to eat ahead of time so by the end I was wasted. I went right to Vietnam Noodle Express and got the curry chicken noodle soup - yum!!
Because it was a wet day, I wore my gortex "mountain running shoes," the super heavy duty trail shoes I got for running in the winter. While my feet stayed warm and dry, I felt like I was trying to run with concrete blocks on the bottom of my feet. It reinforced my idea that I needed a pair of lightweight summer trail running shoes. So, on Sunday I stopped by The Runners' Edge to see what they had.
I walked out of there with the opposite extreme of what I already had - the most lightweight trail running shoe I could find. In fact, they are so lightweight it's almost like not wearing shoes at all. I probably should have tried them out with a short little run, but instead I took them out the next day for a nine mile trail run with Jim. This is only the second time Jim and I have been able to run together and it was fantastic. It was a beautiful day and I felt like I was floating compared with the other shoes.
The shoes performed wonderfully - in fact, I didn't really notice them. I was concerned that my feet might get sore because of not enough cushioning, but it wasn't an issue.
So now with just a week until the race all I have to do is rest up and stay limber. I am so happy to not be injured, to be feeling strong and ready to go.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
The "M"
Thanks to Kate Skinner down at Frenchtown Physical Therapy, I am happy to say that I am back running again and better than ever. Still, with less than two months until the Missoula Marathon, I will not have time to get my mileage up enough to do it. So I had to find another goal for myself. It was not enough for me to just be supportive of my man while he runs his 50-miler (the Devils Backbone). So I went and signed myself up for the Pengelly Double Dip, a steep 1/2 marathon that I volunteered at last year.
I had a great week last week, in terms of running. On Sunday I went out and did 9 miles, the longest since the 1/2 marathon in February, and felt so good that I did it again on Wednesday. On Friday, I decided to try out the "M" Trail in Missoula, since that is where the race starts. In the immortal words of Lance Armstrong after completing his first marathon: "ouch." The trail to the M is less than a mile long, but so super steep that by the third switchback, I was walking every other one. It is a steep hike. It is a ridiculous run. But at least it was over fairly quickly. Then I figured it would take half the time to get back down, but no. It took the same amount of time for me to get down as it did to get up. I was trying to run, but it turned out to be this odd shuffle. Did I mention that it's really steep?
Anyway, so here it is Sunday and I'm supposed to be doing my long run today, but I'm still sore from Friday. Jim, on the other hand, worked a full day yesterday, then ran for over 4 hours, slept, got up and is gone again on another two or so hour run, showing no signs of being tired or sore. He left while I was still in bed, trying to get myself up. Maybe he's right, taking care of the kids is WAY more exhausting than work or running.
I had a great week last week, in terms of running. On Sunday I went out and did 9 miles, the longest since the 1/2 marathon in February, and felt so good that I did it again on Wednesday. On Friday, I decided to try out the "M" Trail in Missoula, since that is where the race starts. In the immortal words of Lance Armstrong after completing his first marathon: "ouch." The trail to the M is less than a mile long, but so super steep that by the third switchback, I was walking every other one. It is a steep hike. It is a ridiculous run. But at least it was over fairly quickly. Then I figured it would take half the time to get back down, but no. It took the same amount of time for me to get down as it did to get up. I was trying to run, but it turned out to be this odd shuffle. Did I mention that it's really steep?
Anyway, so here it is Sunday and I'm supposed to be doing my long run today, but I'm still sore from Friday. Jim, on the other hand, worked a full day yesterday, then ran for over 4 hours, slept, got up and is gone again on another two or so hour run, showing no signs of being tired or sore. He left while I was still in bed, trying to get myself up. Maybe he's right, taking care of the kids is WAY more exhausting than work or running.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
The Bright Side
The other day I was feeling sad about Wesley, and Tom said to me, "Well, look on the bright side. It is a sunny day." Good old Tom. Always looking on the bright side. So, I've been trying.
Now that one of my dogs has passed away, I only have half the dog hair to clean up around the house. That is actually a big deal. We only have to buy half the amount of dog food. We no longer have to worry about leaving food out on the table. If we take a vacation, it will be easier to take just one dog with us, or to get someone to watch her. I no longer have to worry about what kind of trouble Wesley is getting into. Of course, none of that makes up for the loss of my best friend and running partner.
So when I was out running in the woods the other day without Wesley, I tried to look at the bright side. Well, I get to see more wildlife this way. I get much closer to deer and birds and the little critters than I would have with my dog sniffing around, scaring them away. Then again, I also, in theory, will get closer to the big critters than I would have. And that is what really bothers me. Of course I still have my can of bear spray, although Jim has pointed out that if a bear got close enough to spray, you'd have teeth marks. I have started carrying my cell phone with me in my running pack, in case I get into some kind of trouble. It is not as reassuring as having a friend with big sharp scary teeth at my side, but it's something.
The cell phone has already been really convenient to have around. I've been able to take care of household business while out on my morning run. It gives me an excuse to stop and walk a little bit, and makes things more efficient. But please don't call me just to chat while I am out on my morning run. I just won't do it.
I am really not that concerned about wild animals where I run, regardless of Jim's experience running into the bear and two cubs a couple of years ago, and the dead mountain lion me and the boys found last year, and the reports of wolf packs in the 9 Mile and Evaro areas (to the West and East of us, respectively). I think that after three years of running back there, they are fairly used to having us around. But I do miss Wesley.
Maybe having him around gave me a false sense of security, but it was comforting nonetheless. Even when Wesley was still alive, there were numerous times that I went for long runs back there without him. Like the time he broke a toenail on the ice and refused to go under certain weather conditions. Or the time that we ran into a man with two dogs out there and Wesley turned tail and ran all the way home. Yeah, there were plenty of times when he was just too tired or too interested in the chickens' compost scraps to be bothered with a long run.
The logging road that I most enjoy running along is on public land, but it runs along the perimeter of private properties. I have met some of our nicest neighbors back there. Well, sort of neighbors. Wesley never fought with any of the dogs that we ran into out there, and people even complimented me on what a sweet dog he was, so well-behaved. Well, that was Wesley for sure. He could be super-sweet, and he could also be a total punk.
So we're going to pick up Wesley's ashes today, then we're going to the International Wildlife Film Festival's "Wild Fest" in Missoula.
Now that one of my dogs has passed away, I only have half the dog hair to clean up around the house. That is actually a big deal. We only have to buy half the amount of dog food. We no longer have to worry about leaving food out on the table. If we take a vacation, it will be easier to take just one dog with us, or to get someone to watch her. I no longer have to worry about what kind of trouble Wesley is getting into. Of course, none of that makes up for the loss of my best friend and running partner.
So when I was out running in the woods the other day without Wesley, I tried to look at the bright side. Well, I get to see more wildlife this way. I get much closer to deer and birds and the little critters than I would have with my dog sniffing around, scaring them away. Then again, I also, in theory, will get closer to the big critters than I would have. And that is what really bothers me. Of course I still have my can of bear spray, although Jim has pointed out that if a bear got close enough to spray, you'd have teeth marks. I have started carrying my cell phone with me in my running pack, in case I get into some kind of trouble. It is not as reassuring as having a friend with big sharp scary teeth at my side, but it's something.
The cell phone has already been really convenient to have around. I've been able to take care of household business while out on my morning run. It gives me an excuse to stop and walk a little bit, and makes things more efficient. But please don't call me just to chat while I am out on my morning run. I just won't do it.
I am really not that concerned about wild animals where I run, regardless of Jim's experience running into the bear and two cubs a couple of years ago, and the dead mountain lion me and the boys found last year, and the reports of wolf packs in the 9 Mile and Evaro areas (to the West and East of us, respectively). I think that after three years of running back there, they are fairly used to having us around. But I do miss Wesley.
Maybe having him around gave me a false sense of security, but it was comforting nonetheless. Even when Wesley was still alive, there were numerous times that I went for long runs back there without him. Like the time he broke a toenail on the ice and refused to go under certain weather conditions. Or the time that we ran into a man with two dogs out there and Wesley turned tail and ran all the way home. Yeah, there were plenty of times when he was just too tired or too interested in the chickens' compost scraps to be bothered with a long run.
The logging road that I most enjoy running along is on public land, but it runs along the perimeter of private properties. I have met some of our nicest neighbors back there. Well, sort of neighbors. Wesley never fought with any of the dogs that we ran into out there, and people even complimented me on what a sweet dog he was, so well-behaved. Well, that was Wesley for sure. He could be super-sweet, and he could also be a total punk.
So we're going to pick up Wesley's ashes today, then we're going to the International Wildlife Film Festival's "Wild Fest" in Missoula.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Running with guns
I was reading an article (in Runner's World online) yesterday about the governor of Texas shooting a coyote while out running. I no longer have the link and its not that important anyway. Of course there were tons of comments on this site as well as on facebook, from anti-gun people to anti-coyote people to anti-politician people, etc., etc. While it seems perfectly reasonable to me for the governor of Texas to run with a gun for his own protection (there might be people out there who want to shoot him!), and coyotes don't have a very good reputation, I am feeling especially sensitive lately about people shooting and killing animals. Just because you have access to a loaded gun, it doesn't mean you have to kill something!
Maybe the coyotes out here in Montana are nicer than the ones in Texas, but we've never had any problem with them even though we've seen them plenty. They've never even come after our chickens. Several times Wesley and I saw coyotes in the woods, and one time a coyote even stopped and looked at us for a while before running away. I never felt threatened, maybe because Wesley was so big and could be scary looking. Even if I had a gun, it never would have occurred to me to shoot them.
Now, if I had run into a bear or a mountain lion and I had a gun, the thought of shooting them would certainly cross my mind. However, the real reason for carrying a gun out there in the woods is in the rare occasion that you might run into a scary wild animal, you could shoot it to make a loud noise to scare it away. And if they are actually attacking you, it's probably too late anyway. The point is, I don't want to kill anything, especially just because I happened to roam into their territory and surprise them.
The one time that Jim ran into a bear out in the woods behind our house (with her two cubs!) he didn't have a dog, a gun, or bearspray. When she chuffed and started coming at him, he did the first thing that came to mind (after the thought to run - he had the sense not to do that) - he screamed at the top of his lungs. I don't think it really scared her but it surprised her enough that he was able to slowly back away, and after he got a safe distance around a bend, ran home. He hasn't seen her since.
Maybe the coyotes out here in Montana are nicer than the ones in Texas, but we've never had any problem with them even though we've seen them plenty. They've never even come after our chickens. Several times Wesley and I saw coyotes in the woods, and one time a coyote even stopped and looked at us for a while before running away. I never felt threatened, maybe because Wesley was so big and could be scary looking. Even if I had a gun, it never would have occurred to me to shoot them.
Now, if I had run into a bear or a mountain lion and I had a gun, the thought of shooting them would certainly cross my mind. However, the real reason for carrying a gun out there in the woods is in the rare occasion that you might run into a scary wild animal, you could shoot it to make a loud noise to scare it away. And if they are actually attacking you, it's probably too late anyway. The point is, I don't want to kill anything, especially just because I happened to roam into their territory and surprise them.
The one time that Jim ran into a bear out in the woods behind our house (with her two cubs!) he didn't have a dog, a gun, or bearspray. When she chuffed and started coming at him, he did the first thing that came to mind (after the thought to run - he had the sense not to do that) - he screamed at the top of his lungs. I don't think it really scared her but it surprised her enough that he was able to slowly back away, and after he got a safe distance around a bend, ran home. He hasn't seen her since.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Wesley
Yesterday I lost one of my best friends, and my only running partner, my 8 year old dog, Wesley. He was also a great body guard and security system, even though he was actually a big sweetheart. I always felt safe running out in the woods with him, because he had a ferocious look about him when he was being defensive. However, in reality, he was afraid of roosters and would usually run away if we ran into other dogs out there.We got Wesley from the Humane Society animal shelter when he was three months old, several months after our 16 year old dog, Cody, died. Wesley had already had a rough life, living on the streets, and there was something wild and weird in his character that we were never able to extricate, no matter how much love and security we gave him. He was especially weird about food. In fact, just last week while we were out, he ate an entire extra large bag of English muffins off the counter. He had a great weakness for baked goods.
We never knew what kind of dog Wesley was, but he got many compliments on how beautiful he was. I have often thought that he must be part pitt bull, because of his personality and massive jaw. If you have ever loved a pitt bull you know that they can be the sweetest most lovable creatures, and then turn into terrifying monsters if provoked. But of all the animals/dogs we looked at to try to figure out what Wesley was, the one he most resembled was a dingo:
Which of course brings to mind the line "maybe the dingo ate your baby." (These last two pictures are of actual dingos, not Wesley, although it is hard to tell the difference.)
Of course the animal shelter called him a "husky cross." They couldn't very well advertise that they were giving away dingos, I suppose.
Wesley will be missed by all who loved him, most of all me.
Wesley will be missed by all who loved him, most of all me.
Friday, April 23, 2010
CF Fundraising
Just thought I'd throw this out there: I'm doing the Great Strides Walk again this year to raise money for the CF Foundation. Please check out my home page and share with anyone else who might be interested in participating or donating.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
With an audible CRACK!
I left the physical therapist on Monday still not feeling quite right, and went immediately out to run 4 sucky miles. At the time I figured I just needed more rest. But then the next couple of days I found that my right leg was "wiggly" again. I could feel that my hips were out of balance even just walking. So I went back down for a quick fix. It's beginning to sound like I'm a PT junkie.
They say it takes 2 weeks, at least, for the hips to get used to their new position, and you've got to keep them that way or start over again each time you get re-adjusted. Consider me back at square one. I am taking it very seriously, because the more I am unable to run, the more I realize that I really love running. Of course the PT was right too when she said that running is just hard on your body and you need to do other things to cross-train. That's why this summer I plan on really learning how to swim, and getting a road bike. Which fits in nicely with my goal to do triathlons someday.
So anyway, Jim was still at work so I brought the kids with me to the PT for a quick adjustment. They were out of control wild and we could barely talk with all of their noise, but that's how they are. That's why it was all the more surprising when Kate (the PT) asked me to push one way while she pushed the other and we both heard a loud "CRACK!" in my pelvis. It was shocking, but not painful. And after that, I knew things were level again. I could totally feel the difference and it was amazing.
They say it takes 2 weeks, at least, for the hips to get used to their new position, and you've got to keep them that way or start over again each time you get re-adjusted. Consider me back at square one. I am taking it very seriously, because the more I am unable to run, the more I realize that I really love running. Of course the PT was right too when she said that running is just hard on your body and you need to do other things to cross-train. That's why this summer I plan on really learning how to swim, and getting a road bike. Which fits in nicely with my goal to do triathlons someday.
So anyway, Jim was still at work so I brought the kids with me to the PT for a quick adjustment. They were out of control wild and we could barely talk with all of their noise, but that's how they are. That's why it was all the more surprising when Kate (the PT) asked me to push one way while she pushed the other and we both heard a loud "CRACK!" in my pelvis. It was shocking, but not painful. And after that, I knew things were level again. I could totally feel the difference and it was amazing.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Hopes Dashed! Must make new goals
Well I was so excited after my visit with the physical therapist last week that I went out and ran a bunch. The weather has been fantastic and I felt great everytime, until about mile 6. Then my hip started hurting again. So I went back to the PT and she recommended cutting back on mileage, on building up very slowly, even more slowly than the typically recommended 10% per week rule. I'm pretty bad at math but I was able to fairly quickly figure out that I wouldn't have enough time to build up to the Missoula Marathon in July.
Now I've done most of the route of the MM a couple of times (and the whole route once), and while it is nice as far as a road run goes, it's not that great compared to other fantastic runs (ie. on trails) that can be done around here. The main reasons I wanted to do it were to be a part of this great running wave that is sweeping Missoula (especially with Runner's World magazine having bestowed upon the MM the title of Best Marathon this year), and because I wanted to do it better than last year (faster and with less pain afterwards). Alas, that goal will not be acheived this year.
However, if all goes well and my hip heals up and I keep increasing my mileage by painfully slow increments, I should be able to do a marathon in September, and I've had my eye on the Two Bear Marathon in Whitefish ever since Jim ran it two years ago. At least half of this marathon is on trails. And the more I run, the more I realize that this is the kind of running that I am most interested in.
Another advantage of figuring out this hip problem of mine is that once I do get it all worked out, I should be able to run longer AND faster, since I will be running more efficiently than ever before. So, I am excited about the future.
And as for the Missoula Marathon, I think I will volunteer and cheer everyone else on.
Now I've done most of the route of the MM a couple of times (and the whole route once), and while it is nice as far as a road run goes, it's not that great compared to other fantastic runs (ie. on trails) that can be done around here. The main reasons I wanted to do it were to be a part of this great running wave that is sweeping Missoula (especially with Runner's World magazine having bestowed upon the MM the title of Best Marathon this year), and because I wanted to do it better than last year (faster and with less pain afterwards). Alas, that goal will not be acheived this year.
However, if all goes well and my hip heals up and I keep increasing my mileage by painfully slow increments, I should be able to do a marathon in September, and I've had my eye on the Two Bear Marathon in Whitefish ever since Jim ran it two years ago. At least half of this marathon is on trails. And the more I run, the more I realize that this is the kind of running that I am most interested in.
Another advantage of figuring out this hip problem of mine is that once I do get it all worked out, I should be able to run longer AND faster, since I will be running more efficiently than ever before. So, I am excited about the future.
And as for the Missoula Marathon, I think I will volunteer and cheer everyone else on.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Looking Back
I've been doing a lot of looking back this week. Dug out the old journals and pictures for a story I want to write, and of course got sucked into "The Box." I had been trying to remember exactly when it was that I started running, and I just happened to stumble upon it in an old journal.
I was 26 the year I started running. That was also the year that I traversed the country six times (by planes, trains, buses, and automobiles), and got Lyme’s Disease. When I started running, I was still a smoker. But these are not compatible activities, and eventually running won out. This was also the year that I ended up back in Montana again, and have been here ever since. At the time, however, I was living with my father in upstate NY.
The journal entry states that I went out and bought some trail running shoes. I'd been working out at a gym in the mornings before work but the weather was finally getting nicer (spring!!) and I planned to let my gym membership expire and start running outside. So I guess I've always been a trail runner. When I moved to Missoula, I started running in Pattee Canyon.
I ran to stay fit, and to be outside. I didn't train for anything, and rarely even knew how far I had run. It wasn't until after I had two kids, and needed to get back into shape, that I decided to train for anything. My first race ever was the Missoula 1/2 marathon in 2008.
It is fun, looking back, and seeing how far I've come.
I was 26 the year I started running. That was also the year that I traversed the country six times (by planes, trains, buses, and automobiles), and got Lyme’s Disease. When I started running, I was still a smoker. But these are not compatible activities, and eventually running won out. This was also the year that I ended up back in Montana again, and have been here ever since. At the time, however, I was living with my father in upstate NY.
The journal entry states that I went out and bought some trail running shoes. I'd been working out at a gym in the mornings before work but the weather was finally getting nicer (spring!!) and I planned to let my gym membership expire and start running outside. So I guess I've always been a trail runner. When I moved to Missoula, I started running in Pattee Canyon.
I ran to stay fit, and to be outside. I didn't train for anything, and rarely even knew how far I had run. It wasn't until after I had two kids, and needed to get back into shape, that I decided to train for anything. My first race ever was the Missoula 1/2 marathon in 2008.
It is fun, looking back, and seeing how far I've come.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Thoughts on the book I just read
This is not really a book review, but just thoughts I had after reading a book about running.
“An Honorable Run,” by Matt McCue, is a nice little story about a coach who influenced a young man to succeed, not only in running, but in life in general. And even if at first I didn’t quite relate to his story personally, by the end I loved Coach Brown as much as everybody else. And I certainly got the message: you don’t have to win to succeed. And other great sayings that can help get you through like, “do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
I finished reading the book the other day and I’ve had it in the back of my mind, thinking about what I would like to say about it. I would like Jim to read it too, so we can talk about it, because I’m sure he can relate much more to McCue’s experience of competing in high school and college and having a great coach. When I look back on my high school experience, this is something that I find was definitely lacking. I didn’t really have any great role models or mentors. I had to figure out a lot of shit on my own.
Makes me think of Paul Simon: “When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school, it’s a wonder I can think at all…my lack of education hasn’t hurt me none, I can read the writing on the wall.” The only running advice I ever got in high school was wrong. I remember the little red-headed dyke who was our field hockey coach (but can’t for the life of me remember her name) specifically telling us to run “heel to toe” and I repeated the mantra to myself as I ran, trying to force my body to run in a weirdly unnatural way. Since then I have taught myself how to run with good form (with the help of lots of good books and articles).
And I didn’t have a whole lot of natural athletic talent, that I know of. In fact, I always thought that my body was not built to run, that I didn’t have the right frame for it or something. So it was funny to me the other day at my appointment with the Physical Therapist when she analyzed my running form and said she couldn’t find anything wrong with it, that I had great running form and it looked like I had one of those rare bodies that was made for running. Ha! I always thought I was too short and stout and busty.
Anyway, yeah, this is about the book. But it’s also about me and how I relate to it, so bear with me. So I walked out of a store yesterday and I saw this guy sitting on the sidewalk with a sign asking for money. And I thought, how does someone end up there, on the sidewalk. It’s all about the choices we make. Life is a series of choices and sometimes you can look back and clearly see how some have taken you down drastically different roads than you otherwise might have gone on. Other times the choices are not that clear. And it all starts with one choice: choosing your parents wisely.
This is a joke, of course. Because it’s not only the choices that we make, but the options that we are given and what we do with those options. McCue had a great coach. He also obviously had a really supportive family, and grew up in a nice community. The guy had opportunities. Plus he made good choices. That guy all bundled up on the sidewalk next to his pack, who knows what opportunities or choices he had?
“An Honorable Run,” by Matt McCue, is a nice little story about a coach who influenced a young man to succeed, not only in running, but in life in general. And even if at first I didn’t quite relate to his story personally, by the end I loved Coach Brown as much as everybody else. And I certainly got the message: you don’t have to win to succeed. And other great sayings that can help get you through like, “do the right thing, even when no one is watching.”
I finished reading the book the other day and I’ve had it in the back of my mind, thinking about what I would like to say about it. I would like Jim to read it too, so we can talk about it, because I’m sure he can relate much more to McCue’s experience of competing in high school and college and having a great coach. When I look back on my high school experience, this is something that I find was definitely lacking. I didn’t really have any great role models or mentors. I had to figure out a lot of shit on my own.
Makes me think of Paul Simon: “When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school, it’s a wonder I can think at all…my lack of education hasn’t hurt me none, I can read the writing on the wall.” The only running advice I ever got in high school was wrong. I remember the little red-headed dyke who was our field hockey coach (but can’t for the life of me remember her name) specifically telling us to run “heel to toe” and I repeated the mantra to myself as I ran, trying to force my body to run in a weirdly unnatural way. Since then I have taught myself how to run with good form (with the help of lots of good books and articles).
And I didn’t have a whole lot of natural athletic talent, that I know of. In fact, I always thought that my body was not built to run, that I didn’t have the right frame for it or something. So it was funny to me the other day at my appointment with the Physical Therapist when she analyzed my running form and said she couldn’t find anything wrong with it, that I had great running form and it looked like I had one of those rare bodies that was made for running. Ha! I always thought I was too short and stout and busty.
Anyway, yeah, this is about the book. But it’s also about me and how I relate to it, so bear with me. So I walked out of a store yesterday and I saw this guy sitting on the sidewalk with a sign asking for money. And I thought, how does someone end up there, on the sidewalk. It’s all about the choices we make. Life is a series of choices and sometimes you can look back and clearly see how some have taken you down drastically different roads than you otherwise might have gone on. Other times the choices are not that clear. And it all starts with one choice: choosing your parents wisely.
This is a joke, of course. Because it’s not only the choices that we make, but the options that we are given and what we do with those options. McCue had a great coach. He also obviously had a really supportive family, and grew up in a nice community. The guy had opportunities. Plus he made good choices. That guy all bundled up on the sidewalk next to his pack, who knows what opportunities or choices he had?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Sacroiliac Hypermobility
According to the information sheet I got from Frenchtown Physical Therapy yesterday, I should "attempt symmetry in all actions and postures." Apparently seven years of carrying children around on one hip can seriously put one out of alignment. But putting it back in place seemed to be a deceptively simple thing to do for those wonderful folks. Suddenly, my life is more in balance. In trying to do things equally on both sides, I am becoming much more aware of the way that I hold myself, as well as how I carry things, get up and down, etc. Now that my hips have been leveled, so to speak, I feel more balanced and grounded, even just walking around. I am so thankful that I took the time and spent the money to go down to FPT and have them take a look at my sore hip. It is really amazing to me what a difference it has already made, and I haven't even gone for a run yet. That will be the real test.
It is so easy for us to develop habits that put us out of balance. I have noticed that not only was I carrying children on my left hip, but also almost always carrying the heavier load there, whether it was laundry or groceries or library books. I would stand with most of my weight on my left leg while working in the kitchen. I sleep on my left side. And all of these things messed up my right hip!
It is so easy for us to develop habits that put us out of balance. I have noticed that not only was I carrying children on my left hip, but also almost always carrying the heavier load there, whether it was laundry or groceries or library books. I would stand with most of my weight on my left leg while working in the kitchen. I sleep on my left side. And all of these things messed up my right hip!
Friday, April 9, 2010
An Honorable Run
I've started reading a new book about running, "An Honorable Run," by Matt McCue, a recommendation from the Run Wild Missoula / Runners' Edge people, who are starting a book club, that I might go to if I can get myself to drive into town next Monday night. So far, I can't really relate. He's talking about running competitively in high school and college (in fact I think the whole thing is about a great coach he had) and I've never run competitively or had a coach for my running (unlike Jim who was a champion in cross-country).
My high school didn't have a track or cross-country team. No, when I was in high school girls had five choices for "athletics." We could play field hockey, basketball, volleyball, softball, or be a cheerleader. I played field hockey and basketball and softball. The only running I remember was before field hockey practice, doing laps around the ball fields. I seem to remember being one of the slower ones. I've always been more defensive than offensive, and I ended up playing goalie. Goalies also had to do hill-running drills at the end of practice, with all of our heavy gear on. Maybe that's why running hills in the woods doesn't bother me too much, but I'm still not very fast.
Or maybe I was so slow because it was before the invention of the sportsbra. While I was running slow laps around the ball fields in order to minimize the bounce (which did not go unnoticed by the boys' soccer teams), a small group of women in the next state over (Vermont) were just putting two jockstraps together to come up with the first "jogbra" (see history in link above!). I believe that this invention, more than any other, has liberated women to be able to participate more fully in athletic activities.
I don't know if I would have been interested in running in high school even if there was a track team, or jogbras. It is interesting to read about someone else experience though, and maybe learn a little bit more about my running now from it. (More about this book later as I read more of it!)
My high school didn't have a track or cross-country team. No, when I was in high school girls had five choices for "athletics." We could play field hockey, basketball, volleyball, softball, or be a cheerleader. I played field hockey and basketball and softball. The only running I remember was before field hockey practice, doing laps around the ball fields. I seem to remember being one of the slower ones. I've always been more defensive than offensive, and I ended up playing goalie. Goalies also had to do hill-running drills at the end of practice, with all of our heavy gear on. Maybe that's why running hills in the woods doesn't bother me too much, but I'm still not very fast.
Or maybe I was so slow because it was before the invention of the sportsbra. While I was running slow laps around the ball fields in order to minimize the bounce (which did not go unnoticed by the boys' soccer teams), a small group of women in the next state over (Vermont) were just putting two jockstraps together to come up with the first "jogbra" (see history in link above!). I believe that this invention, more than any other, has liberated women to be able to participate more fully in athletic activities.
I don't know if I would have been interested in running in high school even if there was a track team, or jogbras. It is interesting to read about someone else experience though, and maybe learn a little bit more about my running now from it. (More about this book later as I read more of it!)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Badass Shoes
I went running today, bear spray in one hand (it's that time of year), hanky in the other, for the first time in a week. It feels like longer. Last Monday's run didn't really count since I had to stop every few steps to cough or blow. But today felt pretty good. I also set up an appointment at Frenchtown Physical Therapy to get my hip looked at, and yesterday I went to see the good folks down at The Runners' Edge about my badass mountain running shoes.
Now I'm no badass mountain runner, at least not yet, but I would like to be. I actually got these awesome shoes, back in February. Because I suffer from chilblains, I wanted some trail shoes that would keep my feet warm and dry in the winter when I run. Anyway, I wore them a couple of times but they felt too wiggly, a little too loose, and I was afraid they were actually starting to hurt my feet, and may have even been the cause of my hip injury.
So as part of my re-commitment to running, I went down to the Runners Edge to see what we could do about the shoes. They are so great down there. They gave me some insoles to try out and I took em for a test drive today. I am happy to say, they worked great. Hopefully that has solved the problem. Of course, the real test will be the long run, which hopefully I'll work my way back up to soon.
Now I'm no badass mountain runner, at least not yet, but I would like to be. I actually got these awesome shoes, back in February. Because I suffer from chilblains, I wanted some trail shoes that would keep my feet warm and dry in the winter when I run. Anyway, I wore them a couple of times but they felt too wiggly, a little too loose, and I was afraid they were actually starting to hurt my feet, and may have even been the cause of my hip injury.
So as part of my re-commitment to running, I went down to the Runners Edge to see what we could do about the shoes. They are so great down there. They gave me some insoles to try out and I took em for a test drive today. I am happy to say, they worked great. Hopefully that has solved the problem. Of course, the real test will be the long run, which hopefully I'll work my way back up to soon.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Back at it
A while ago I bailed on this blog without warning. I thought I was done with it, that it had served its purpose. But as the days passed I started missing it. The blog had become a way for me to ground myself - writing about running kept me focussed on writing, and running. Without it, I started to feel a bit adrift. And that's when I realized that it was really just all about me and that's ok. I want to share my thoughts/experiences that I have while running because it helps me to feel more connected - with other people as well as just with myself. So here I am, back at it again.
I actually haven't been running much lately. After the "Snowjoke" 1/2 marathon in February, I decided to take some time off to let my hip heal. The week before the 1/2 marathon it had started to hurt a lot on a long icy run in the woods, and at the end of the race it was pretty painful. I finished the race about ten minutes slower this year than last year because of it, but really I was just happy to be able to have finished, considering my injuries last year.
I started running again mid-March with plans to make a plan as soon as I figured out where my hip was at. After a couple of weeks of every-other-day mellow runs, I was about to set up my training plan for my next marathon when I got hit with the nastiest cold/virus/flu/whatever-you-want-to-call-it I've ever had. I've been sick for two weeks now! The first week I actually continued running, but it was ridiculous and miserable.
So I've just been watching Jim train. Last weekend he did a ten-miler on Saturday, then 20 miles on Sunday. He's out there right now, actually, taking his bear spray for a run in the woods on this sunny Easter Sunday, while I am inside blowing and blowing and blowing my nose. LAST YEAR on Easter Sunday I ran the longest I had ever run at that point - 19 miles - almost all the way from my house to our friends' where we went for an easter egg hunt and brunch that lasted all day. I am concerned that I might not have enough time to build up my mileage slowly enough and be ready for the Missoula Marathon in July.
But as they say in AA, "one day at a time." Today, I can barely walk across the kitchen without getting off-balance because of all the snot in my head. Maybe tomorrow? I don't know. Sometimes I wonder how long I will be able to be a runner, because it seems there is always some injury. And sometimes I'm pretty sure I'll keep doing it for the rest of my life. It's just part of who I am now.
I actually haven't been running much lately. After the "Snowjoke" 1/2 marathon in February, I decided to take some time off to let my hip heal. The week before the 1/2 marathon it had started to hurt a lot on a long icy run in the woods, and at the end of the race it was pretty painful. I finished the race about ten minutes slower this year than last year because of it, but really I was just happy to be able to have finished, considering my injuries last year.
I started running again mid-March with plans to make a plan as soon as I figured out where my hip was at. After a couple of weeks of every-other-day mellow runs, I was about to set up my training plan for my next marathon when I got hit with the nastiest cold/virus/flu/whatever-you-want-to-call-it I've ever had. I've been sick for two weeks now! The first week I actually continued running, but it was ridiculous and miserable.
So I've just been watching Jim train. Last weekend he did a ten-miler on Saturday, then 20 miles on Sunday. He's out there right now, actually, taking his bear spray for a run in the woods on this sunny Easter Sunday, while I am inside blowing and blowing and blowing my nose. LAST YEAR on Easter Sunday I ran the longest I had ever run at that point - 19 miles - almost all the way from my house to our friends' where we went for an easter egg hunt and brunch that lasted all day. I am concerned that I might not have enough time to build up my mileage slowly enough and be ready for the Missoula Marathon in July.
But as they say in AA, "one day at a time." Today, I can barely walk across the kitchen without getting off-balance because of all the snot in my head. Maybe tomorrow? I don't know. Sometimes I wonder how long I will be able to be a runner, because it seems there is always some injury. And sometimes I'm pretty sure I'll keep doing it for the rest of my life. It's just part of who I am now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
