Thursday, September 8, 2011
Marriage Marathon
Don't forget to sync your heart monitors, adjust your speed, match your timing and keep each other in sight. If one jets ahead or one lags behind, drop a leg and pick up a cheering arm.
Monday, August 22, 2011
RW Quote of the Day
"A comedian once claimed that all running does is allow you to die in good health. Okay, I'll buy that." - Hal Higdon, author and runner
Friday, July 1, 2011
My running element: Cadmium
Cadmium is a soft, malleable, ductile, bluish-white divalent metal. It is similar in many respects to zinc but forms complex compounds.[3] Unlike other metals, cadmium is resistant to corrosion and as a result it is used as a protective layer when deposited on other metals. As a bulk metal, cadmium is insoluble in water and is not flammable; however, in its powdered form it may burn and release toxic fumes.[4]
Malleable: Capable of being extended or shaped by hammering....
Ductile: A solid substances ability to deform under stress, often characterized by the material's ability to be stretched into a wire.
My running life, in which I had OCD goals and views about how it would go, has been one in which I've learned to adjust, find my malleable physical, emotional and mental being and been deformed from what I thought I was, reshaped under stress of recalculation and stretched into a very tight wire.
Corrosion: created from repeated beatings of the elements. Originally a Portland Oregon runner, subjected to winter wind, ice & rain. Resulted in thick interior mental state and outer wear to protect sensitive areas. Mental state said the elements would not hold me back and I will not be insoluble in water.
Corrosion: Injury. Resulted in wiping away the tears, not allowed to corrode the spirit and deposited a protective layer of cheering to others. Insoluble to water & salt in the wound.
Not flammable but may burn and release toxic fumes. The drive to succeed in my goal is not extinguishable but may lead to a slow burn of irritation if my time line is not met, which can at times leak out toxic fumes on my family. Easily cured by another run.
Cadmium
Malleable: Capable of being extended or shaped by hammering....
Ductile: A solid substances ability to deform under stress, often characterized by the material's ability to be stretched into a wire.
My running life, in which I had OCD goals and views about how it would go, has been one in which I've learned to adjust, find my malleable physical, emotional and mental being and been deformed from what I thought I was, reshaped under stress of recalculation and stretched into a very tight wire.
Corrosion: created from repeated beatings of the elements. Originally a Portland Oregon runner, subjected to winter wind, ice & rain. Resulted in thick interior mental state and outer wear to protect sensitive areas. Mental state said the elements would not hold me back and I will not be insoluble in water.
Corrosion: Injury. Resulted in wiping away the tears, not allowed to corrode the spirit and deposited a protective layer of cheering to others. Insoluble to water & salt in the wound.
Not flammable but may burn and release toxic fumes. The drive to succeed in my goal is not extinguishable but may lead to a slow burn of irritation if my time line is not met, which can at times leak out toxic fumes on my family. Easily cured by another run.
Cadmium
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Winning, not what you think
I hit submit. On my “artistic” application to NUUN’s Hood to Coast team of 12 runners. Immediately, anxiety nibbled. I felt nauseated. What had I done? I drove out to scout camp w/my teenagers Friday. All of a sudden, the nagging lack of confidence, that self doubt I felt through all 3 miles Thursday hit (struggling, after not eating all day… go figure, bad runner) – the doubt train ran over me outside Pt. Orchard, WA, on a rural road. Fear at letting someone else down, should they somehow find my application and my blog worth looking at. I silently found myself praying “God, don’t let me make it”, then immediately lamented my serious lack of faith in myself, which generally ends my unfinished goal, was once again running amuck.
I shut my internal mind off & went about the weekend. As I sat by Camp Lyle McLeod’s boat house, finished my provoking Ayn Rand book, opened my daypack & pulled out the other book. A title that got my interest at the library. “The Runners Guide to the Meaning of Life” by someone named Amby Burfoot. Well, okay. Running has been a healing adventure for me and I thought maybe someone else had the same experience. I was not disappointed as the first page, Acknowledgements, hooked me.
“As runners, we all go through many transitions that closely mimic the larger changes we experience in a lifetime. It’s not about how fast you go….how far you go. It’s a process. As we run, we become.” Yes indeed.
The first lesson “Why Run”. My answer, Because I can. I shook my head in agreement as she wrote “..running clarifies the thinking process..I think best, broadly, fully, when I am running.” Amen. That is where I am purified.
Second lesson “Starting Lines”. Having recently been to the San Diego race, I experienced the pure excitement found at the starting line as all the runners are eager to begin their race. When I looked for a spot to sign my family up to volunteer in Seattle, the starting line received my immediate attention. But this lesson is not about a running starting line, as it is about the various starting lines of life. “When I think back over my own life, with its full share of first days, I recall that they all terrified me. I didn’t always go willingly...yet I wouldn’t have given up those days. They were some of the best days of my life. Beginnings are like that – frightening & rewarding. The fear factor, too many people shy away...many of us get caught up in the bad stuff. We see mainly darkness, not light…frozen in place; we don’t get ourselves to the starting line.”
Tears stung my eyes on that boat dock as I realized, it was okay. My internal doubt, normal. My frustration at the setback, typical. And that I could recognize the fear in my mental board meeting, saying I wasn’t good enough to meet that starting line. Having been at 8 miles after hard work, only to be forced back, panicking at my stupidity at submitting this silly application, not recognizing my weakness as a runner, this told me to stop. She goes on to talk about her own derailments. This 1968 Boston Marathon WINNER(oh hail The Boston) offered acceptance to a runner that had no intention or anticipation of being able to run The Boston. And the Executive Editor of this little magazine I get every month, called “Runner’s World”. She might know something. She says “Whatever you’re imagining won’t turn out nearly so bad”. Can I bet on that?
Which brings me to the current lesson 4. “Winning” The lesson is worth repeating in almost it’s entirety. I edited some of it but I did not take liberties and submit it in this long winded blog entry.
Amby Burfoot:
In the Race to be your best, there is no losing.
The biggest road race I know, the San Francisco Bay to Breakers race, attracts about 75,000 runners every eyar. From that huge throng, one of them is first to cross the finish line. That one runner receives the first place check and the next day gets to read his name in the newspaper headlines. The undeniable.winner.
So what does that make the other 74,999 runners? Losers? Not in my mind. Not to all those runners.
One of the great benefits of running is that it teaches us to value the individual – or self. We may run a race..with others but we’re primarily concerned about our own outcome. In truth, we don’t care much about the winners effort. We care only about our own. Because we too want to win the race. And we can. We will. As long as we run a race that satisfies our souls.
George Sheehan may have been the most competitive runner I ever knew. Widely known for his books & more than 20 years of columns in Runners World mag, he was acknowledged to be runnings philosopher extraordinaire. His writings regularly quoted from the great thinkers – Voltair to Emerson to William James – attracted a wide audience.
But Sheehans philosophical leanings never fooled anyone who knew him. He was first & foremost an elite athlete who ran so hard he collapsed at the end of most road races. He constantly compared himself to other fast runners & records.
Until he got cancer. The disease slowed him, he had to learn a whole new way to live. A shock. It forced him to see his life in many new ways.
I kept trying to get him to come to my office for what I was calling “the last interview. Sheehan was an M.D. & he knew that he was dying. One summer day, his son drove him to our office. The so often triumphant runner was weak, pale, ravaged by cancer. He could walk only with his son’s assistance.
He started several answers slowly, almost gruffly. Then hit his stride & launched into a fascinating exploration. I had known where the interview would end. The biggest question last. “What’s the single most important thing running has taught you about life?”
He began - he had always been a very competitive racer, took great pride in his ability, ran to beat others. That all changed with cancer.
“The most important thing I learned is that there is only one runner in this race. That is me.”
(and this is where the tears stung) –
So too for the rest of us. We may enter races with 75,000 other runners. We may chart our times. We may line up our trophies, see our names in the newspaper...these are ultimately superficial. No one wins every race or forever. Everyone slows down. Everyone becomes reduced by the ravages of time, the side effects of a life fully lived.
Winning is not about headlines & hardware. It’s about attitude. A winner is a person who goes out today, every day & attempts to be the best runner, best person he can be. Winning has nothing to do with racing. Winning is about struggle, effort, optimism and NEVER giving up.
Wining isn’t about today, it’s about tomorrow. A winner never rests on his laurels. It’s not good enough to win one race or have one good season. The winner is the person who gets up tomorrow morning & starts all over again, concentrating again on doing his best, whatever that might be.
I was fortunate enough, at one time in my life, to win a lot of races. The Boston Race was one race many years ago. Few people remember that day. 1968 was one of the most tumultuous in the American century. Martin Luther King was assassinated. Bobby Kennedy assassinated. American cities burned in riots & protests. Against this backdrop the Boston Marathon & gawky 21 yr old who won it, don’t count for much.
This is fine with me. I’m more concerned with today & tomorrow. What can I do right now to make myself a better, happier, healthier person? What can I do to make a small difference in someone else’s life?
We will all answer these questions in different ways, but we must all share the same attitude: The winner’s attitude. We must realize that the quest NEVER ends. There is no finish line. If we are the best athlete and best person we can be, then we have assuredly won the race of life.”
(Grungerun)
Surely there is a running god. Because it speaks to me on the road. And the quandaries I war with on the pavement, are answered shortly after. Am I a runner? Yes I am. Even when my mileage and time feel like an embarrassment when the person standing next to me Boston qualified. Surely they are a true runner & I am a fraud. Yet the message is clear – I am one. And a better person, who’s joy soars when all I can do is stand aside and cheer on someone else to just keep running.
I shut my internal mind off & went about the weekend. As I sat by Camp Lyle McLeod’s boat house, finished my provoking Ayn Rand book, opened my daypack & pulled out the other book. A title that got my interest at the library. “The Runners Guide to the Meaning of Life” by someone named Amby Burfoot. Well, okay. Running has been a healing adventure for me and I thought maybe someone else had the same experience. I was not disappointed as the first page, Acknowledgements, hooked me.
“As runners, we all go through many transitions that closely mimic the larger changes we experience in a lifetime. It’s not about how fast you go….how far you go. It’s a process. As we run, we become.” Yes indeed.
The first lesson “Why Run”. My answer, Because I can. I shook my head in agreement as she wrote “..running clarifies the thinking process..I think best, broadly, fully, when I am running.” Amen. That is where I am purified.
Second lesson “Starting Lines”. Having recently been to the San Diego race, I experienced the pure excitement found at the starting line as all the runners are eager to begin their race. When I looked for a spot to sign my family up to volunteer in Seattle, the starting line received my immediate attention. But this lesson is not about a running starting line, as it is about the various starting lines of life. “When I think back over my own life, with its full share of first days, I recall that they all terrified me. I didn’t always go willingly...yet I wouldn’t have given up those days. They were some of the best days of my life. Beginnings are like that – frightening & rewarding. The fear factor, too many people shy away...many of us get caught up in the bad stuff. We see mainly darkness, not light…frozen in place; we don’t get ourselves to the starting line.”
Tears stung my eyes on that boat dock as I realized, it was okay. My internal doubt, normal. My frustration at the setback, typical. And that I could recognize the fear in my mental board meeting, saying I wasn’t good enough to meet that starting line. Having been at 8 miles after hard work, only to be forced back, panicking at my stupidity at submitting this silly application, not recognizing my weakness as a runner, this told me to stop. She goes on to talk about her own derailments. This 1968 Boston Marathon WINNER(oh hail The Boston) offered acceptance to a runner that had no intention or anticipation of being able to run The Boston. And the Executive Editor of this little magazine I get every month, called “Runner’s World”. She might know something. She says “Whatever you’re imagining won’t turn out nearly so bad”. Can I bet on that?
Which brings me to the current lesson 4. “Winning” The lesson is worth repeating in almost it’s entirety. I edited some of it but I did not take liberties and submit it in this long winded blog entry.
Amby Burfoot:
In the Race to be your best, there is no losing.
The biggest road race I know, the San Francisco Bay to Breakers race, attracts about 75,000 runners every eyar. From that huge throng, one of them is first to cross the finish line. That one runner receives the first place check and the next day gets to read his name in the newspaper headlines. The undeniable.winner.
So what does that make the other 74,999 runners? Losers? Not in my mind. Not to all those runners.
One of the great benefits of running is that it teaches us to value the individual – or self. We may run a race..with others but we’re primarily concerned about our own outcome. In truth, we don’t care much about the winners effort. We care only about our own. Because we too want to win the race. And we can. We will. As long as we run a race that satisfies our souls.
George Sheehan may have been the most competitive runner I ever knew. Widely known for his books & more than 20 years of columns in Runners World mag, he was acknowledged to be runnings philosopher extraordinaire. His writings regularly quoted from the great thinkers – Voltair to Emerson to William James – attracted a wide audience.
But Sheehans philosophical leanings never fooled anyone who knew him. He was first & foremost an elite athlete who ran so hard he collapsed at the end of most road races. He constantly compared himself to other fast runners & records.
Until he got cancer. The disease slowed him, he had to learn a whole new way to live. A shock. It forced him to see his life in many new ways.
I kept trying to get him to come to my office for what I was calling “the last interview. Sheehan was an M.D. & he knew that he was dying. One summer day, his son drove him to our office. The so often triumphant runner was weak, pale, ravaged by cancer. He could walk only with his son’s assistance.
He started several answers slowly, almost gruffly. Then hit his stride & launched into a fascinating exploration. I had known where the interview would end. The biggest question last. “What’s the single most important thing running has taught you about life?”
He began - he had always been a very competitive racer, took great pride in his ability, ran to beat others. That all changed with cancer.
“The most important thing I learned is that there is only one runner in this race. That is me.”
(and this is where the tears stung) –
So too for the rest of us. We may enter races with 75,000 other runners. We may chart our times. We may line up our trophies, see our names in the newspaper...these are ultimately superficial. No one wins every race or forever. Everyone slows down. Everyone becomes reduced by the ravages of time, the side effects of a life fully lived.
Winning is not about headlines & hardware. It’s about attitude. A winner is a person who goes out today, every day & attempts to be the best runner, best person he can be. Winning has nothing to do with racing. Winning is about struggle, effort, optimism and NEVER giving up.
Wining isn’t about today, it’s about tomorrow. A winner never rests on his laurels. It’s not good enough to win one race or have one good season. The winner is the person who gets up tomorrow morning & starts all over again, concentrating again on doing his best, whatever that might be.
I was fortunate enough, at one time in my life, to win a lot of races. The Boston Race was one race many years ago. Few people remember that day. 1968 was one of the most tumultuous in the American century. Martin Luther King was assassinated. Bobby Kennedy assassinated. American cities burned in riots & protests. Against this backdrop the Boston Marathon & gawky 21 yr old who won it, don’t count for much.
This is fine with me. I’m more concerned with today & tomorrow. What can I do right now to make myself a better, happier, healthier person? What can I do to make a small difference in someone else’s life?
We will all answer these questions in different ways, but we must all share the same attitude: The winner’s attitude. We must realize that the quest NEVER ends. There is no finish line. If we are the best athlete and best person we can be, then we have assuredly won the race of life.”
(Grungerun)
Surely there is a running god. Because it speaks to me on the road. And the quandaries I war with on the pavement, are answered shortly after. Am I a runner? Yes I am. Even when my mileage and time feel like an embarrassment when the person standing next to me Boston qualified. Surely they are a true runner & I am a fraud. Yet the message is clear – I am one. And a better person, who’s joy soars when all I can do is stand aside and cheer on someone else to just keep running.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Turn that injury into a blessing
My goal this year was to run the Seattle Rock N Roll on June 25, 2011. Yes, 2 weeks away. Instead, I flew to San Diego to cheer on and witness my best friend run her very first half at the SD Rock N Roll. It was awesome. We were up at 3:30 am, out the door by 4:30. Her husband, kept me rolling in laughter as we cheered her on through her race. We spent 90 minutes at the Starting line, watching as each corral was brought to the starting line & their horn blew in staggered starts. She was in corral 38. Corral 37 gets up, they count down, blow the horn, we tense.... ready for 38 to step up. Suddenly her husband says "they're telling everyone to just go!" NO! Where is she? Dang, we missed her. What? A hand waiving - "There she is!" Turn, aim, CLICK. The back of a woman in green in the midst of the crowd. I hope that's not the way the day goes!
We mosey on out to checkpoint Mile 6, decide we will try to find a closer point since we want to hustle out to the finish line. As we drive around, realizing neither one of us printed the route map.... we get stuck in a closed street trap. We turn around and I say "back to the bridge, where we just were?" Yes, progressing beautifully!
We get to checkpoint 6, "there she is!'... no, not unless she has grown a full beard. "There she is!" "yes?" "No." Waiting, hey look, the water station is empty! Now what do they do. Marathoners, now at their 10 mile mark, cry up to us "hey up there, show us some love!" CHEER, CLAP, RUN ON Rockers!
Finally, here she comes, hubby gets all the spectators to yell her name, she looks up surprised and big smile, waves - CLICK! Redeemed! :)
We head to the trolley, get to Mile 10, have a discussion on whether to run to the Starbucks, because surely we have about 15 minutes or so.... decide to just check it out, get over to the curb, I say to her hubby, maybe you should walk up, stand on the sign & let me know when you see her. Suddenly, my camera blinks "low battery" and I growl, flip off the camera. I say I'll need warning because my camera needs a head start to be ready. He says "Um, THERE SHE IS". Having been subject to his teasing all day, I say "yea right, funny". He says "NO REALLY!" I look up, crap - it is her and she's right there! He runs to the right to click photos on his phone, I run left to give my camera time and get in front of her. Turn, CLICK! YES! She's sweaty, she cut time off, blurts out "WHERE's the CAR?!" and moves on. We realize - no time for Starbucks and we better run to the finish line cuz she's bookin' the last 3.1!
1 mile to the finish line, turns to what I'm sure is close to 2. He turns to me and says "if I'm a spectator, why am I walking 13 miles today?"
She gets to the finish line, tears stream down my face and I am so proud, so glad to witness my best friend, who's been by my side for over 15 years, achieve her biggest goal (after raising twins, ha!). Those of us that struggle with ourselves and achieving our goals, after serving the world, know - this was a deep, emotional moment.
I will not be running the June 25th in Seattle because my foot has given me some time off. I'm slowly moving back into the road. But I took that disappointment (yes,it hurt to not be running today, there is an ache...) and put my sisters run first. I will take my teens and we will volunteer @ Seattle. The next best thing to running, is cheering others on to accomplish their goals. It's food for the Running God and someday, the god will repay me! ;)
Run On.
We mosey on out to checkpoint Mile 6, decide we will try to find a closer point since we want to hustle out to the finish line. As we drive around, realizing neither one of us printed the route map.... we get stuck in a closed street trap. We turn around and I say "back to the bridge, where we just were?" Yes, progressing beautifully!
We get to checkpoint 6, "there she is!'... no, not unless she has grown a full beard. "There she is!" "yes?" "No." Waiting, hey look, the water station is empty! Now what do they do. Marathoners, now at their 10 mile mark, cry up to us "hey up there, show us some love!" CHEER, CLAP, RUN ON Rockers!
Finally, here she comes, hubby gets all the spectators to yell her name, she looks up surprised and big smile, waves - CLICK! Redeemed! :)
We head to the trolley, get to Mile 10, have a discussion on whether to run to the Starbucks, because surely we have about 15 minutes or so.... decide to just check it out, get over to the curb, I say to her hubby, maybe you should walk up, stand on the sign & let me know when you see her. Suddenly, my camera blinks "low battery" and I growl, flip off the camera. I say I'll need warning because my camera needs a head start to be ready. He says "Um, THERE SHE IS". Having been subject to his teasing all day, I say "yea right, funny". He says "NO REALLY!" I look up, crap - it is her and she's right there! He runs to the right to click photos on his phone, I run left to give my camera time and get in front of her. Turn, CLICK! YES! She's sweaty, she cut time off, blurts out "WHERE's the CAR?!" and moves on. We realize - no time for Starbucks and we better run to the finish line cuz she's bookin' the last 3.1!
1 mile to the finish line, turns to what I'm sure is close to 2. He turns to me and says "if I'm a spectator, why am I walking 13 miles today?"
She gets to the finish line, tears stream down my face and I am so proud, so glad to witness my best friend, who's been by my side for over 15 years, achieve her biggest goal (after raising twins, ha!). Those of us that struggle with ourselves and achieving our goals, after serving the world, know - this was a deep, emotional moment.
I will not be running the June 25th in Seattle because my foot has given me some time off. I'm slowly moving back into the road. But I took that disappointment (yes,it hurt to not be running today, there is an ache...) and put my sisters run first. I will take my teens and we will volunteer @ Seattle. The next best thing to running, is cheering others on to accomplish their goals. It's food for the Running God and someday, the god will repay me! ;)
Run On.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The lessons of pain
The last 2 weeks heel & feet pain have allowed me time off to consider my goals. I've gained 40 lbs back, that I had almost killed myself to lose in 2008, by running and eating less. Since I love to eat and our family of 7 revolve around eating (oh the food, the food!), anything less, is a great sacrifice. So my near starvation diet for 5 months before our wedding, was the hardest I've ever worked on myself. I was literally in the best shape I'd EVER been in physically. I had achieved a total of 90 lbs lost since 2001. You would think....a person with any sense would think....one would never go back. Well, when the wedding & honeymoon were over..... I returned to some of my old and comfortable habits & gave myself a "break".
I've been berating myself since Christmas 2009, when I gained yet another 20 lbs between October and December 31. I know I can blame my family because when we went home for a holiday, all the merriment cost me 8 lbs in 4 days. Seriously Ridiculous. Because it takes me weeks, if not months to lose.
As I've become more serious about my running personality, mentally I've been connected weight loss with it. Only to find that really, the MORE I run, the MORE I have to eat. You can't run 6, 7, 8 miles and restrict yourself to 1500 calories (or less if I'm being honest). The physical and mental fall after a long run without energy or nutrition isn't worth the loss of lbs or water weight.
So when my feet started hurting after my first 8 miler 2 weeks ago, I ran another 2 days. And then they really hurt. I thought it would be wise to take a "few days" off to let the pain go away. A few days turned in to a week, which is now 2 weeks. Instead of allowing my weight conscious (OH MY Lord, I am going to gain weight!) take over and freak out because I can't run, I used a few moments to reflect. On my frustration at increasing my mileage, while the scale seemed to fluctuate around the same point. Yes, I've lost 10 lbs in a few months but it seems to have stopped with my increased mileage. So I decided, instead of worrying about logging the miles AND losing weight, knowing I want to be lighter when I run my first half in June and knowing the training for that doesn't have to begin until March, I'm going to concentrate on one thing - weight loss. 6 weeks should be enough time. With that in mind, I have changed my eating habits, even including breakfast but eating more fruits/vegies every day and working in a small amount of chocolate, one coffee. Wow! Even without aerobic activity, a little bit of upper body weights, I've seen loss. Nice!
So yesterday, I thought my feet felt much better & maybe I'd chance a run. Just a few miles. Then I decided I didn't have the time & since I was still feeling a little bit of discomfort (scale .5), I should wait. I hit the worst sore part of one foot on the stairs. And within a few hours, my foot was throbbing. I removed my shoe & sock to find my heel completely swollen. Self diagnosis? I think definitely Plantar Fasciitis. Which means? No running for a while. My husband was nice, helping me look at symptoms, skeletal diagrams of the foot (which he deemed weird and kind of gross, ha!!) and told me "um, no running". Damn.
He also told me Ibuprofin. Being a non medication oriented person, I was sitting in church tonight with my foot throbbing, telling myself "I'm not taking any drugs". I have never taken so much Ibuprofin in my life since starting running. And well, it's going to hurt. So get over it. But finally, after much under my breath whimpering, I asked him to get me some.
He asked me if I was okay. I said yes, just really disappointed. Because resources are scarce for new gear, new shoes (mine should be just fine), inserts, doctor visits, treatment and well, I want to do the June half marathon. And I don't want, don't need this running thing to be difficult. I want to do it. I want to be successful. But I don't want intrusion, distraction or set backs! (the truth be known, I'm kind of like that about everything, this is typical Grunge behavior). Running is the one thing for me right now. It makes me smile knowing I'm going to accomplish something I never thought I could. And he said "then you'll have to be good, rest now, so you can train & race later". Point made.
I had another injury last year to my lower back/hips/pelvic area and it was a great time of reflection for me. Contemplating how irritated I get when I CAN'T do what I want or what I set out to do. Sometimes that God in the sky, just knows when we are flying too fast and cuts one of our engines to slow us down enough to hear the message. Okay. I'm hearing. But can I have some M&M's while I'm listening?
I've been berating myself since Christmas 2009, when I gained yet another 20 lbs between October and December 31. I know I can blame my family because when we went home for a holiday, all the merriment cost me 8 lbs in 4 days. Seriously Ridiculous. Because it takes me weeks, if not months to lose.
As I've become more serious about my running personality, mentally I've been connected weight loss with it. Only to find that really, the MORE I run, the MORE I have to eat. You can't run 6, 7, 8 miles and restrict yourself to 1500 calories (or less if I'm being honest). The physical and mental fall after a long run without energy or nutrition isn't worth the loss of lbs or water weight.
So when my feet started hurting after my first 8 miler 2 weeks ago, I ran another 2 days. And then they really hurt. I thought it would be wise to take a "few days" off to let the pain go away. A few days turned in to a week, which is now 2 weeks. Instead of allowing my weight conscious (OH MY Lord, I am going to gain weight!) take over and freak out because I can't run, I used a few moments to reflect. On my frustration at increasing my mileage, while the scale seemed to fluctuate around the same point. Yes, I've lost 10 lbs in a few months but it seems to have stopped with my increased mileage. So I decided, instead of worrying about logging the miles AND losing weight, knowing I want to be lighter when I run my first half in June and knowing the training for that doesn't have to begin until March, I'm going to concentrate on one thing - weight loss. 6 weeks should be enough time. With that in mind, I have changed my eating habits, even including breakfast but eating more fruits/vegies every day and working in a small amount of chocolate, one coffee. Wow! Even without aerobic activity, a little bit of upper body weights, I've seen loss. Nice!
So yesterday, I thought my feet felt much better & maybe I'd chance a run. Just a few miles. Then I decided I didn't have the time & since I was still feeling a little bit of discomfort (scale .5), I should wait. I hit the worst sore part of one foot on the stairs. And within a few hours, my foot was throbbing. I removed my shoe & sock to find my heel completely swollen. Self diagnosis? I think definitely Plantar Fasciitis. Which means? No running for a while. My husband was nice, helping me look at symptoms, skeletal diagrams of the foot (which he deemed weird and kind of gross, ha!!) and told me "um, no running". Damn.
He also told me Ibuprofin. Being a non medication oriented person, I was sitting in church tonight with my foot throbbing, telling myself "I'm not taking any drugs". I have never taken so much Ibuprofin in my life since starting running. And well, it's going to hurt. So get over it. But finally, after much under my breath whimpering, I asked him to get me some.
He asked me if I was okay. I said yes, just really disappointed. Because resources are scarce for new gear, new shoes (mine should be just fine), inserts, doctor visits, treatment and well, I want to do the June half marathon. And I don't want, don't need this running thing to be difficult. I want to do it. I want to be successful. But I don't want intrusion, distraction or set backs! (the truth be known, I'm kind of like that about everything, this is typical Grunge behavior). Running is the one thing for me right now. It makes me smile knowing I'm going to accomplish something I never thought I could. And he said "then you'll have to be good, rest now, so you can train & race later". Point made.
I had another injury last year to my lower back/hips/pelvic area and it was a great time of reflection for me. Contemplating how irritated I get when I CAN'T do what I want or what I set out to do. Sometimes that God in the sky, just knows when we are flying too fast and cuts one of our engines to slow us down enough to hear the message. Okay. I'm hearing. But can I have some M&M's while I'm listening?
Thursday, January 6, 2011
RW: Fat Traps
By Nicole Falcone
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-304--13785-1-1-2,00.html
For the full article, go to the post above. The section below was the most eye opening for me. Especially those darn nutrition bars, which I notice make me hungry!
Stumbling Blocks
Common nutrition mistakes that trip up runners
EATING TOO CLOSE TO A RUN
Fifteen minutes after eating, insulin levels rise, says Deborah Shulman, Ph.D., leaving you feeling sluggish. So eat one and a half to two hours before a run. The exception? "Your body doesn't release insulin midexercise," says Shulman. A snack just before a run will keep you energized.
MAKING ENERGY BARS A MEAL
High in sugar and low in fiber, energy bars are perfect on long runs, but not ideal for weight loss, says Shulman. They won't keep you full long, making it likely you'll overeat at your next meal.
OVERDOING SPORTS DRINKS
Sports drinks are high in calories and meant to provide fuel for running an hour or longer, says Lisa Dorfman, M.S., R.D., or if you're working out at a high intensity for at least 45 minutes. Otherwise, water or a low-calorie sports drink is your best option.
NOT FUELING UP MIDRUN
"You have 90 minutes of carbs in your system," says Shulman. Run longer without midrun fuel and you'll bonk, which won't help you lose weight. Consume 30 to 60 grams of carbs (try a sports drink or dried fruit) for every hour you exercise to keep energy high.
OVEREATING POSTWORKOUT
Runners know they need recovery fuel after a workout, but they often overestimate how many calories they burn, which leads to overeating. "If you do an easy workout that's 45 minutes or less," says Dorfman, "100 calories is sufficient for recovery."
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-242-304--13785-1-1-2,00.html
For the full article, go to the post above. The section below was the most eye opening for me. Especially those darn nutrition bars, which I notice make me hungry!
Stumbling Blocks
Common nutrition mistakes that trip up runners
EATING TOO CLOSE TO A RUN
Fifteen minutes after eating, insulin levels rise, says Deborah Shulman, Ph.D., leaving you feeling sluggish. So eat one and a half to two hours before a run. The exception? "Your body doesn't release insulin midexercise," says Shulman. A snack just before a run will keep you energized.
MAKING ENERGY BARS A MEAL
High in sugar and low in fiber, energy bars are perfect on long runs, but not ideal for weight loss, says Shulman. They won't keep you full long, making it likely you'll overeat at your next meal.
OVERDOING SPORTS DRINKS
Sports drinks are high in calories and meant to provide fuel for running an hour or longer, says Lisa Dorfman, M.S., R.D., or if you're working out at a high intensity for at least 45 minutes. Otherwise, water or a low-calorie sports drink is your best option.
NOT FUELING UP MIDRUN
"You have 90 minutes of carbs in your system," says Shulman. Run longer without midrun fuel and you'll bonk, which won't help you lose weight. Consume 30 to 60 grams of carbs (try a sports drink or dried fruit) for every hour you exercise to keep energy high.
OVEREATING POSTWORKOUT
Runners know they need recovery fuel after a workout, but they often overestimate how many calories they burn, which leads to overeating. "If you do an easy workout that's 45 minutes or less," says Dorfman, "100 calories is sufficient for recovery."
A 2011 Running Challenge
Go To It! Fellow Runners!
http://www.tallmomontherun.com/2011/01/tall-mom-1000-club-2011.html
http://www.tallmomontherun.com/2011/01/tall-mom-1000-club-2011.html
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
3 sentences or less
Why I run:
Sanity. I give my soul to my family. On the road, my mind returns, problems are solved, my body feels GOOD, spirit refilled and I find – I CAN, when all else says I can’t.
Sanity. I give my soul to my family. On the road, my mind returns, problems are solved, my body feels GOOD, spirit refilled and I find – I CAN, when all else says I can’t.
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