Talking to myself

Today I tried an easy run in the subdivision.  I gave up after a mile because my quad hurt.  I told myself I need to rest until it is completely better.  I am not good at not running.  I tell myself I am fine then I go run and strain it again.  This time I am going to listen to myself and really rest.

No speed for me

Tonight was speed work.  I did consider going but since I did speed the last two days at the Senior Olympics and my quad and hamstring are sore I decided I should rest and stretch.

Olympics Day 2

Today was day 2 of the  Senior Olympics.  I competed in the 50 meter dash, 100 meter dash, 400 meter run, 1500 meter run, shot put, running long jump and standing long jump.  I got gold in all.  It's all a matter of who shows up and there was not a lot of competition in my age group.

When I got up this morning my quad was sore.  I was not sure how the runs would go.  I spent a lot of time warming up and I brought my roller to roll out the muscles.  With the 50 yard dash I could feel my hamstring strained.  I was happy with my performance today.  I will see if I can walk in the  morning.

PRs for today: Shot Put, Running Long Jump, Standing Long Jump.

Things I learned:

When you do the jumping events you get sand in your shoes.
When you leave deodorant in a hot car it melts.
It's fun to try new things. (It was my first time doing Long Jump)

Senior Olympics Day 1

Today was the first day of Senior Olympics.  Here is my breakdown of the day:

First event - Race Walking.   Race walking is a very odd sport.  Your knee has to be straight when it heel hits the ground and stay straight until the body passes over the knee.  This takes a lot of concentration.  I came in second out of two in my age group.  The other person took lessons and practiced.

Second event - Running Long Jump.  This was new for me.  I like to try something new every year.  My goal was not to get hurt.  I jumped a whole 7' 2" which was not great but good enough for a gold medal.  My other competition was disqualified on all three of her attempts because she stepped over the line.

Third event - 200 Meter Run.  My goal in the runs was to not hurt myself.  I had not done any speed work since the marathon and had a sore quad.  My time was 41.1 seconds which was 3 seconds slower that last year.  I accomplished my goal of not hurting myself and nabbed a gold medal in the process.

Fourth event - Power Walking.  The only rule is that you cannot run.  At least one foot has to be on the ground at all times.  There are secondary rules like you can't knock anyone down or pull hair.  My time was better than last year.  I walked 1500 meters in 10:58 for another gold medal.   This time is only 12 seconds off the record for St. Louis Olympics.

Fifth event - 800 meter run.  Once again I was slower than last year but had a good run and won gold.
Final for the day 4 gold medals and 1 silver medal.  Plus running felt good and I did not hurt myself.

Jim was signed up but did not compete for a myriad of reasons - all of them good.

Why I Run

Here is why I run:

It makes me feel good.
I do some of my best thinking when I run.
To stay strong.
To get outside with nature.
To challenge myself.
To stay healthy.
Because I can.

Today was filled with family obligations.  I mentally needed a run but it did not fit in the schedule.

The perfect partner

I was reading an article about the importance of having a perfect partner.  In that category I hit the jackpot.

Jim is the perfect partner for me.  He has put up with me for 38 years.  He is kind, caring and supportive.  We share all life's moments.  He makes life fun.

Kathy is the perfect running partner.  She runs the same pace as me and is kind, caring and supportive.  She makes the miles roll by on a long run.  She makes running fun.

Today I went out for an easy run through the subdivision at lunch.  On a flat stretch I tried some semi-fast strides.  It was the first time since the marathon I tried anything faster than a slug pace.  It felt good.  I am not ready to run all out but I can pick up the speed a little bit.

Work, work,. work and stretching

I have been busy at work lately.  Today I spent some time throwing shot put.  I don't have a shot put so I use my shot put technique with a rock.  I spent a long time stretching also.  Senior Olympics are this weekend.  My runs will be slow I am okay with that.  I am happy I can run.

Blisters

Blisters are temporary . . . memories are forever

I almost forgot that I had a couple blisters as a result of the marathon.  They are healed and completely gone.  The ability of the body to heal itself is remarkable.

Today I went to Sherman Beach for an easy run.  The road to the parking lot was closed.  I ran there a couple of times last week so I'm not sure why it was closed.  I went to the Rock Hollow Trail.  I learned something about my aching quads.  Running down hill hurts.  Running uphill does not hurt.  I did a walk/run down the hill and ran up the hill.  When I got home I walked down the driveway to put the trash out.  Walking down hill does not hurt.  Weird.

More Rest

Today was the first official day of summer speed work.  I had my monthly quilt club meeting so I did not go.  I think it is good to rest my legs before trying speed work.  Jim thought about it but did not go either.  There is always next week.

Looking Forward

When I sign up for a big race I always get a feeling of, "What was I thinking?  This will be hard.  Oh, no"  That was me yesterday.

Today I am thinking "Yippee!  I can't wait to start the new training plan.  It will be so fun.  It will be fabulous.  It will be fantastic."

I am really looking forward to St. George even though there will not be any pigs.  I think we need a mascot like a roadrunner or a lizard or some other creature from Utah.

Today was a rest day even though I felt like running.  I practiced my shot put and did stretching.

A new plan

The plan is coming together.  Kathy and I are signed up for the St. George Marathon in October.  We went for a slow run today and it was great to get back on my feet and running.

I have some socks called feetures.  They have a right foot and a left foot.   Half the time I realize I had them on the wrong feet when I take them off.  I'm not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Running again

The last two weeks I have not run because I was recovering from the marathon.  I tried running twice in the last week but my quad on my right leg was hurting.  Today I tried again.  I was prepared to walk but running felt fine.  I was going to go alone so I would not feel bad if I failed in running.  Jim went with me.  We did a very slow walk/run but it felt good.  As a  matter of fact it was fabulous.  I'm not ready for sprints but I am running pain free.  Yippee!

Tomorrow will be a great day because Kathy and I are planning a "Church" run.  A church is a place of worship.  I can worship on the trails.

A new plan

I need a new plan.

Jim signed us up for the Green Rock Trail Challenge On June 3.  It is a hike which is not timed.  Wildwood sponsors it.  He liked it because it is free and includes lunch.

We are signing up for summer speed work and the Need for Speed 5K in July.  I am also signing us up for the Ballwin 5K and 1M races on June 11.

Now I have running events on my calendar.  I still need a long range plan.

My Plan

I miss having a plan to look at every day.  I don't like be plan-less.  Today I got my plan out to reminisce.  Oh the hill workouts, the aerobic runs, the tempo runs and Yassos.  The long runs with my slug sister.  I miss my plan.

I have concluded that we definitely use different muscles when we run that when we walk.  This thigh thing proves it.  I can walk fast, walk slow, walk up and down stairs, do squats and lunges and my legs feel perfect.  I did not try to run today but yesterday when I tried my quad did not feel right.  I will try to run again this weekend.

Sherman Beach

I know people who live near the beach.  I work with a man who is in Florida and goes to the beach often.  I also work with people in California who go to the beach regularly.  Well I go to the beach often also, that is Sherman Beach.  A couple of weeks ago Sherman Beach was under water due to the Meramec flooding.  Today I decided to go there.  The water was down and there was sand on the parking lot but there were good parking places.

My plan was to do an easy run.  After a few steps I felt that my quad muscle was not quite right.  It feels fine walking around the house, up and down stairs and my driveway but it doesn't feel quite right running.  It is not a major pain and I could run through it but in the wise words of my kid's pediatrician, "little hurts can become big hurts if you don't take care of them".  I tried a walk/run but then just walked the trail.  I feel rest will do it good.  I will also try to pop some Advil.

Trail update:  I put on my old shoes but the entire trail was dry.  There were places the gravel was washed away and places the gravel was very deep.  There were a few places where I had to crawl over or under trees that were down across the trail but beside that it was very usable.  I am getting frustrated with not running.  I can take my frustrations out on the shot  put.

Arm Strength

I am concentrating on developing arm strength so I can do the shot put.  I don't really enjoy push ups and weights but they help me build up my scrawny arms.  I don't like plank either but they help with core strength.  I like running.

Recovery continues

Today I talked to TJ who used to live in St. George.  I told her I was considering running the St. George Marathon.  The first thing she said was, "That's an easy course, it's downhill".  She did say it was a gradual down hill.

My right quad muscle was bother me before the race.  It felt fine during and after the race but as the days have gone by it has been more sore.  I have been resting it.  I get impatient with not running.  I have been walking every day and it feels fine walking.

Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day.  We spent the weekend with Jim's parents then stopped and saw my parents on the way home.  I feel lucky to have a wonderful mother and mother-in-law.

My girls gave me running themed gifts.  TJ  gave me some running earrings that match a necklace that she gave me a few years ago.  Jen gave me an entry to run the race of my choice with her.  She is busy now so I will probably pick a fall 5K.

Today I took a power walk on the Rock Hollow Trail.  Legs feel good but the quads are still a bit tights so I am resting them from running.  The power walk felt good.  On the way down the trail I saw Kathy and Jeff and my favorite dogs.  They saved me from some awful mosquito born illness by reminding me to spray. I went back to my car for bug spray.

dancing

Last weekend my feet took me through an entire marathon.  This weekend they danced at a wedding.  I am thankful for my feet.  I wore dressy sandals to the wedding.  I considered putting nail polish over my bruised toenail but didn't get around to it.  Got a short hike in today also.

St George

St. George was a Roman soldier who was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian beliefs.  He was known for his bravery.  St. George is also a city in southern Utah that happens to host a marathon.  The next marathon I plan to run with  my slug sister.  We are still ironing out the details.  It should be a fast one because it is downhill..

Race Photos

The marathon race photos are online.  How can Kathy look so happy at the end of the race when she is in pain, can barely stand up and feels like there is a knife sticking in her back?

Today I had to get out of the house after working all day.  I went to Sherman Beach but the road was still closed from the flooding.  I walked the zombie trail instead.  Note to self:  when walking in the evening wear bug spray.

Really felt like running today but am forcing myself to rest and recover.

Recovery

I continue to take a break from running so that I can recover.  My legs feel good but I can tell I put them through a tough workout this weekend.  I have been taking walks and stretching.

I was talking to a work friend who runs.  He is in New Jersey.  He told me that the Manhattan Marathon was this weekend also.  He had a friend that ran it but his leg started hurting and he wasn't able to finish.  Really?  Apparently his friends are not as tough as my friends.

Memories from Flying Pig Weekend:

Firemen throwing water balloons at us as we ran by.
The man we thought was the chef at the Italian Restaurant (because he was wearing an apron) who kept coming out to talk to us.  He wasn't talking to the other tables.
Water in red solo cups at the same restaurant.
Lots of dogs at the Expo.
Wondering where the big hills were on the course.

Blisters

I discovered that I have two blisters on my right foot.  Not a big deal but something to heal.  I am feeling great two days after the marathon.  Jim and I took a walk this evening and all felt good.  I told myself I would take some time off running but I am already itching to get out there.  I know recovery time will do me good.

Today I had conference calls all morning.  At noon I realized that I did not drink anything.
Note to self:  Keep a water bottle at your desk.  Hydrate!

Sisu

Sisu is a word from Finland that does not have a pure English translation.  The closest meaning is displaying courage and resoluteness in the face of adversity.  Kathy has Sisu.  Her ability to run through pain is amazing.  Her back was bothering her the last few weeks of marathon training.  She ran 26.2 miles with the last few in pain and finished with her second best marathon time.  Most people would not have started and many would not have finished, but Kathy has Sisu - she will not quit.

The Flying Pig Marathon was a good experience all around.  I feel good today.  I took a walk this evening and my legs felt good.  I could feel some tightness in my quads as I walking down my steep driveway, but besides that the walk felt great.  I am already thinking about running again but should probably take some time off.

I examined my Garmin data.  I ran a strong and consistent race and finished strong.  I ran 5 minutes faster than my last marathon which was 6 years ago.  My good performance would not have been possible without Kathy's guidance and training plan.   I am inspired to run another marathon and keep improving. The plan was perfect. Next time I am going to concentrate more on the stretch and strength days and be more specific on what I am going to do on those days.

I have Senior Olympics in three weeks.  My event are from 50 meters to 1500 meter runs.  I need to practice my shot put.

Success

The day finally came.  The nervous energy was transformed to race readiness.  We ran a smart race by holding back at the start.  I felt good the whole race and finished strong.  Kathy's back issue flared up at the end but she has an amazing ability to press through and finished with a good time.  The race atmosphere was fun and weather was perfect.  I will post more when I get home to my computer.

On the way to Cincinnati

Yesterday Kathy picked me up and we drove to Cincinnati.  There was traffic due to road construction and accidents which delayed us.  With the time zone change we arrived after 6.  We checked in to the hotel and had dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Today we  slept in and walked to First Watch for a late breakfast.  Then we went to the Expo and wandered aimlessly for 2 hours.  Bought a headband that can double as an ear warmer because it will be in the thirties in the morning.  Back to the hotel to rest and for showers.  We walked to Campanellas restaurant for dinner.  It was a small family owned business.  We had pasta.  The place was run by little old men who were very attentive.  We were in a back room with a drippy ceiling.

The perfect race

There are a lot of things that need to happen for a perfect race.  Some of them I can control and some of them I cannot:
1.  Legs have to be strong to carry me through.  I have followed the training plan and feel more prepared for this race than any race in the past.
2.  Lungs and heart.  The training plan has helped me build endurance.  I feel strong.
3.  Weather.  I have no control over this but it looks like Sunday will be perfect for running.
4.  Stomach and intestines.  I can watch what I eat but sometimes the GI system does not cooperate.
5.  The course.  I have trained on hills and am ready for Cincinnati hills.
6.  My mind.  I am positive I can do this and it will be fun.
What will happen on Sunday is a great unknown; however, I feel I have done all that I could do to be ready and will be happy with any outcome.

Today I packed my bag.  Tomorrow we leave.  There was an easy run on the plan but it was cold and rainy all day.  Kathy called and changed the plan to rest.  I felt good and felt like running but I rested.
We will be in Cincinnati for Cinco de Mayo.  It is not advised to drink margaritas and eat beans before running.  We will also be in Cincinnati for the running of the Kentucky Derby.  We will also abstain from mint juleps the day before the race.  We need a pasta holiday.

Psycho

I have run 500 miles over the last 4 month injury free.  The rest days and walk/run were key factors in keeping healthy.  Now that I have tapered I am starting to feel little aches and pains.  Jim said I'm psycho.  I think he meant psychosomatic.  First my quads hurt.  My quad have never bothered me.  Then it moved to my ankles then my knees.  When I ran my first half marathon, the day before I hurt all over and didn't think I would be able to walk the next day.  I was perfectly fine.  I'm sure I will be fine this time also.  Maybe I am psycho.

Today was a rest day.  I usually walk or hike on rest days but today I really rested.  I will do some stretching and foam rolling.

I am getting nervous but excited about the race.  I'm not sure why I get nervous.  I will be one body in a mass of thousands running somewhere in the middle of the pack.  I will also have my Slug Sister to keep me on track.  I am looking forward to it.  Maybe it is psycho to look forward to running 26.2 miles.

Waving to children on bicycles

The trails that I usually run on are flooded.  Jim wanted to go to Home Depot and asked me if I wanted to go.  I told him I would run the trails along Manchester while he was in Home Depot.  Today's workout was a warm up then 4 cruise half mile intervals with a half mile between.  My legs felt tired and I really didn't feel like I was cruising until the last interval.

Note to self:  When you pass a child on a bicycle do not wave.  If you wave then they will wave back and taking a hand off the handlebars they lose control and swerve toward you.  This could be dangerous.  Instead of waving just say "hi".

Six more days

Today I looked up what to do the week before a marathon.  Here is the advice I found:

• Avoid Taper Madness - try not to go crazy with the low mileage.
• Pack your Bags - I have not started packing but I do have my list of what to pack
• Examine the Course - I have looked at the map and read the reviews.  I will be ready for hills.
• Hydrate - I have been trying to sip water all day.
• Sleep Well - I will make sure to get to be early every day this week.
• Eat Well - Don't try new foods.  Stick with what works
• If you are wearing a costume get it ready - I will not be wearing a costume
• Plan your race day logistics - this is easy because we can walk to the race start from the hotel.
• Keep off your feet - I usually take a walk or hike on days I don't run.  I am resting my feet this week.
• Run 2-3 miles easy the day before.  We have this on the schedule.
• Plan your race strategy - my plan is to follow Kathy.

Yesterday's run put me above 500 training miles.  I will be ready.