I've thought about and re-written several starts to a blog today. In the end, what I needed was to post this video. My mind has been all over the place and I needed to feel inspired.
I can't watch this video without crying, for so many reasons. I hope you all enjoy the video. Be inspired....
Dad, thank you for always picking me up. I love you.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Monday, March 26, 2012
3 weeks!
Oh boy oh boy oh boy....
Three weeks from now I will be through the finish line at Boston. Amazing!
This weekend was a big one a week of ups and downs. The long run loomed before me and after some serious conversations with myself, I was ready to tackle the long run.
I had the pleasure of running with a new running buddy and the miles flew by and suddenly there were 10 miles completed. We parted ways at that point for the start of the Holy half, which I wasn't running.
Instead of freaking out or feeling lonely (so to speak) I really enjoyed my alone time. I just ran. It felt great. I fell into a rhythm and just hung out.
Next thing I knew I was through 20 and a few miles from the car. The mind never failed me but the legs started to beg and bargain with me as I rounded the corner near the car and ticked off mile 23. I had really wanted to do the full 24.
Instead I stopped just beyond 23. But-- I went home and put a mile in with Cole! I'm pretty sure that move saved me from being ridiculously sore. The legs hurt when I got out of the sitting position and felt much better afterwards.
Victory!! Such a mental achievement. I really needed a solid long run and made it happen. Longest training run ever.
Nothing but smiles :)
P.S. Boston packet came in the mail today!! Stoked!
Three weeks from now I will be through the finish line at Boston. Amazing!
This weekend was a big one a week of ups and downs. The long run loomed before me and after some serious conversations with myself, I was ready to tackle the long run.
I had the pleasure of running with a new running buddy and the miles flew by and suddenly there were 10 miles completed. We parted ways at that point for the start of the Holy half, which I wasn't running.
Instead of freaking out or feeling lonely (so to speak) I really enjoyed my alone time. I just ran. It felt great. I fell into a rhythm and just hung out.
Next thing I knew I was through 20 and a few miles from the car. The mind never failed me but the legs started to beg and bargain with me as I rounded the corner near the car and ticked off mile 23. I had really wanted to do the full 24.
Instead I stopped just beyond 23. But-- I went home and put a mile in with Cole! I'm pretty sure that move saved me from being ridiculously sore. The legs hurt when I got out of the sitting position and felt much better afterwards.
Victory!! Such a mental achievement. I really needed a solid long run and made it happen. Longest training run ever.
Nothing but smiles :)
P.S. Boston packet came in the mail today!! Stoked!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Oh what a... WEEK
Let's be honest, this was a rough week.
Monday: started the week with my head on straight and excited for a big week. Had a 6 miler.
Tuesday: another day of incredible heat in South Bend. 10 miler. Drenched in sweat. Legs aching.
Wednesday: ROUGH recovery run. Pain in nearly every step. No rhythm. Tried to just make it through.
Thursday: epic FAIL. Wheezing on the warm-up. Not a good sign. 2 miles into a tempo run, collapsed on the sidewalk and cried. Literally. Sat there and sulked. Beat myself up. Got angry and ran home. Was stubborn and tried the workout again on the treadmill. FAIL. Cried. Felt broken. Felt like everything was going wrong and I had no way of stopping it from happening. Rode my bike home (don't ride a bike up Cleveland) and came home to see that one of my athlete's had donated to my cause. Cried. Happy tears.
Friday: determined to not end the week in my current condition. Ran early. Sweated out the 5.5. Nervous for tomorrow's run. Legs hurt still. Not sure why. Still running with a sock in my shoe to cushion my tendon. Anxious for tomorrow's run. Found a package on my front step. Made my week :)
Received a care package from two previous members of team crazy--some of my alumnae. Cried.
Monday: started the week with my head on straight and excited for a big week. Had a 6 miler.
Tuesday: another day of incredible heat in South Bend. 10 miler. Drenched in sweat. Legs aching.
Wednesday: ROUGH recovery run. Pain in nearly every step. No rhythm. Tried to just make it through.
Thursday: epic FAIL. Wheezing on the warm-up. Not a good sign. 2 miles into a tempo run, collapsed on the sidewalk and cried. Literally. Sat there and sulked. Beat myself up. Got angry and ran home. Was stubborn and tried the workout again on the treadmill. FAIL. Cried. Felt broken. Felt like everything was going wrong and I had no way of stopping it from happening. Rode my bike home (don't ride a bike up Cleveland) and came home to see that one of my athlete's had donated to my cause. Cried. Happy tears.
Friday: determined to not end the week in my current condition. Ran early. Sweated out the 5.5. Nervous for tomorrow's run. Legs hurt still. Not sure why. Still running with a sock in my shoe to cushion my tendon. Anxious for tomorrow's run. Found a package on my front step. Made my week :)
Received a care package from two previous members of team crazy--some of my alumnae. Cried.
 |
| Care package from Cait and Al :) |
Ladies, you'll never know how much your letters touched my heart.
I am so thankful to have you in my life.
My pre-Boston care package was filled with goodies, and booties (socks, shown here) that will be used en route to and during the race. And what I'm pulling most from all of it, is the words that have been repeatedly shared among us: I CAN, I WILL. Despite this week's setbacks, I have a renewed spirit as I head into tomorrow's run. Again, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Tomorrow: The big run. 20-24 miles. We'll see how this guy goes. No pressure... just really want it to go well and give the confidence booster that I need.
Thank you to everyone for listening, supporting and consoling me throughout this week especially. I know I'm emotionally drained which is not helping---and although I don't always say it, I really appreciate all you have done for me.
For myself I'll close with this....
"God wisely designed the human body so that we can neither
pat our own backs nor kick ourselves too easily."
-Unknown
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Early mornings are returning....
We had to take the car in which meant that I needed a lift to work this morning. Early. Well, not so early... but early enough when you're used to going to bed around 1:00 or so... I'm such a night owl.
I'm excited to be up and out early today though because it is supposed to be record high heat again and I don't think that will mix well with my tempo run planned for the day. So, here's to hoping that the legs will get out of their funk soon and I can enjoy the coolness of the morning!
Somehow I signed up for a 7:00 long run on Saturday too. Then the team AM practices start Monday... better inject myself with another shot of crazy, it's going to be a rough looking few days. But so worth it!
I'm excited to be up and out early today though because it is supposed to be record high heat again and I don't think that will mix well with my tempo run planned for the day. So, here's to hoping that the legs will get out of their funk soon and I can enjoy the coolness of the morning!
Somehow I signed up for a 7:00 long run on Saturday too. Then the team AM practices start Monday... better inject myself with another shot of crazy, it's going to be a rough looking few days. But so worth it!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Important Digits
It's official.
I'm bib #7150.
Starting in Wave 1 and Corral 8.
10:00 start time.
Want to get updates during the marathon of my whereabouts? Click Here for Directions
I'm bib #7150.
Starting in Wave 1 and Corral 8.
10:00 start time.
Want to get updates during the marathon of my whereabouts? Click Here for Directions
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Mid week 'medium' long run
10 miles.
82 degrees.
60 oz water.
Legs are going to hurt tomorrow. Butt/ham are still sore from the hills in Kansas. 'Recovery' run tomorrow will be a genuine recovery.
82 degrees.
60 oz water.
Legs are going to hurt tomorrow. Butt/ham are still sore from the hills in Kansas. 'Recovery' run tomorrow will be a genuine recovery.
emotions
Today, I'm....
a Sport Psychologist's dream... or nightmare.
I'm experiencing the whole gauntlet of negative emotions. I've been tracking my training against last year's training, which most people would say is a good thing---it's how you learn, how you evolve, get better, etc..
Instead though, what I've found is that my training is inadequate. I'm slower. I'm not hitting big runs.
As a result, today is a day filled with....
Anger...saddness...frustration... and fear.. of being an epic failure in 27 days. The 3:08 hangs above my desk, taunting me. Seeming so utterly out of reach that it is just a tease. Why, should a mediocre runner, with a desire for balance in life (and therefore not making running my be all), even dare to dream these dreams?
The trouble is when you want something so much and it no longer feels possible.... it HURTS. It hurts BAD.
a Sport Psychologist's dream... or nightmare.
I'm experiencing the whole gauntlet of negative emotions. I've been tracking my training against last year's training, which most people would say is a good thing---it's how you learn, how you evolve, get better, etc..
Instead though, what I've found is that my training is inadequate. I'm slower. I'm not hitting big runs.
As a result, today is a day filled with....
Anger...saddness...frustration... and fear.. of being an epic failure in 27 days. The 3:08 hangs above my desk, taunting me. Seeming so utterly out of reach that it is just a tease. Why, should a mediocre runner, with a desire for balance in life (and therefore not making running my be all), even dare to dream these dreams?
The trouble is when you want something so much and it no longer feels possible.... it HURTS. It hurts BAD.
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