Race Report - 2010 KDF Mini Marathon!

Muscles < Lungs, 1 wall < 2 walls

Today has been fantastic!! This morning was perfect weather for me (okay not perfect, but close.) Got started just before 7:30 on Scenic Loop at Cherokee Park. I planned on doing the full loop once to start and then take off to Seneca park. But I saw a trailhead in a place I've NEVER seen before, so I took it! I ended up on that trail 3 times before the morning ended! Lots of fun!

What I saw today:

More trailheads than I've ever noticed!
A pretty orange tabby cat, who stared at me lovingly as I ran by on a trail.
More runners on Beargrass Road than I've ever before seen...
A woman who looked at me with a puzzled face when I didn't move because SHE was going the wrong way. (I know I'm mean!)
A cyclist who said "Thanks" when I didn't move out of his way because pedestrians have the right of way.
That same cyclists partner who rode behind him, saying, "Sorry." LOL
A dead mouse. It looked flat as a pancake but was totally intact.
Lots of people asking for directions!
My legs screaming, if I could see that.

My legs did NOT have enough stamina today. My breathing was perfect...I only felt out of breath a few times during tough trail conditions or a big uphill but it never lasted long. But my poor legs...they felt like so heavy and achy by mile 7, which is WAY too early for that. I'm going to assume it was the heavy trail running I did to start the run. The first 6 miles were mostly on trails and I guess they just aren't ready for that right now. It sure was more fun though! Trail running is a dream for me!

Running to Seneca took some work because I was already exhausted--actually ready to turn back to the car and call it a day. But when I got there, I stopped, ate half of a Luna bar, hydrated and stretched my tired legs out. I felt fresh and ready to go again for another 3 -4 miles. Then I hit the second wall. OUCH! The last 2 miles were GRUELING. My legs would not move. I finished the 13.1 miles in 3:06. The thing I'm proud of is that I have consistently stuck to the RWR intervals. It's difficult but I do it!

I didn't mention that today, I ran/walked at a 2:00/1:40 ratio, just to test it out. I actually don't blame that change for my poor last half performance, I really think it was the trails. But I do think I'll go back to the 2:2 ratio for the race.

Getting close...and I'm getting excited!

Happy Running!

Feeling Stronger...finally!

After 8 months of not being able to run, I was well aware that getting back into it would be tough. But there was a part of me (that I never shared with anyone, it was my deep, dark secret) that thought I would be able to run 10 miles in a week or two without looking back. I realize that if any of you ever thought of me as rational, you are now reconsidering that opinion of me...

It's just that I reached my running peak a week or two before the KDF Mini last year and just like we think we're 21 forever, I thought I could run and run strong forever--even when I haven't been running for 8 months. *sigh*

So anyway, it's been a tough struggle. I started getting back into it by running as long as I could and that was just a complete slap in the face--YOU MEAN I CAN ONLY RUN ONE-HALF MILE? YOU'RE KIDDING! Eventually, I realized that the only was I was going to progress was to "break down" and walk during my runs, just to get that mileage in. So after some time it got easier. I could run a mile again!

Then came Galloway. I thought, "Hey, I'm doing the Mini in a few months, and I remember reading something about the Run-Walk-Run method and its success for injury-free marathon running. I should check into it for my Half!" So I did. And that's where I really started seeing the progress.

I finished 12 miles today and while I was running, the thing that I noticed most was my strength on hills. I owe that entirely to Iroquois Park. It just feels good to see that I am capable again, even if I'm run/walking. And also, today it was hard for me NOT to run. I wanted to run so much more than I did! That was a fantastic feeling, knowing that I COULD do it, but being patient and wise enough to not push it! I just feel happy knowing that I'm on my way back, and I totally stand behind the Galloway RWR method--I'm seeing the times I put up and I'm impressed!

After the Mini, my goal is to do a 5K and feel strong and fast!!!!! Can't wait to get to work on that!!!

My favorite workout, hands down

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1243489102?bclid=1497991481&bctid=1368763974

Random Thoughts from the Weekend

This weekend was the second leg of the Louisville Triple Crown of Running, the Rodes City Run 10K! I am not running the TC but I did want to go out and support my friends! So I got up early on Saturday and drove down to the Highlands with my signs to cheer early in the morning. What I learned was that it's NOT EASY to find people that you know when they are running by you. I saw thousands of faces, and a few people I knew but only one of the people I was actually looking for!!! Go figure!

I did have fun running a 2 miler down there through some of the neighborhoods I've never been to, so that was a plus!

Yesterday morning, before the sun came up, I started on the last day of the first week of my HM training program. Because I've been injured, I am trying to slowly come back into the game and get my mileage up in a safer way, so I've been using the Galloway method. For my long run yesterday, I used a 2:2 ratio and finished the 10 miles up in 2:14, including my stops for fuel and bathroom breaks. I was hoping to finish in under 2 hours but as long as I stay healthy, I'll get closer to that mark when the Mini gets here. I'm getting SO excited and it's really exciting to use a new training method. I just feel like I'm experimenting and I can't wait to see the results!

Today, I'm going to do a slow walk with the dog to loosen up the legs and get ready for my run tomorrow!! Happy Running everyone!

Help!!!

So I'm getting better...but I'm not even close to 100%. Bronchitis is no good for someone who WANTS to exercise--my lungs just can't handle it yet. I tried yesterday and it didn't go so well. I felt fine during it but after I was done, I was in some discomfort!

I'm excited! I (and RuntheVille.com) am raising money for Kosair Children's Hospital again this year and I really want us to do well! We set a pretty high bar for ourselves last year so I'm hoping we can meet last year's achievement, at a minimum! I know you guys probably have your own charities and other things that you'd like to spend your money on but if you have even an extra $5 that you can donate to help the hospital--which does so very much for community's kids--please do it! It would be soooo greatly appreciated! Think about it!

Just for Kids Fundraising Page!

Can't wait to get out there and WALK! See you out there soon I hope. :)

Hi there guys and gals...

Yes, it's been awhile. I hate to say it but I just haven't been running. Or walking--at least not for exercise. This hamstring injury has been the death of my relationship with anything physical. And it's left me broken-hearted. I'm also sick right now but I'm getting better, I think. I started on my multivitamin two weeks ago and went out for a walk with the dog early one morning, enjoyed Christmas and next thing I know, I'm sick. Go figure.

Just took my weight, waist and hip measurements and apparently, my waist measured at 35 inches exactly--which apparently is the lowest zone of "she's fat and her health is in danger." So that was a wake up call today. Time to get healthy, start walking to get back on track and see some progress.

I won't stop eating what I love though...no way. :)

By the way, I've really missed you guys! Hang in there with me, if you can! I've got some catching up to do with you all!

I'm wondering how...

I can look like Debbie Dunn. WOW!

I am not being lazy right now...

It's been far too long, yes, I know! Just been healing up from my injury and slowly adding mileage. Funny how quickly your body LOSES fitness, and at the same time, how quickly it can regain it. I am not pushing myself at all--I refuse to push so hard that I don't allow myself healing time and I definitely don't want to be down for so long again. It's been torture. Since I began running a few miles a week, I have been much happier. Nothing, not even P90X gave me the same feeling as a good run did. Totally different beast, it is.

So I'm coming back--slow as molasses. But I AM returning and loving it. I went out on Tuesday and had the most horrendous run. Before leaving the house, I vowed to do 4 miles. No problem, I thought. I get out there and my elbow started sweating. Yes, my ELBOW! So I said, "Hey, do 3, that's a respectable number." Everything was dripping and drenched and I felt horrible. I knocked out 2 miles. I felt like a chump. No typo there. CHUMP.

Everything is great, FYI. Wedding planning, happy with running again, just living life and hoping for the best every day! How are YOU doing?

Downdate (as opposed to an update)...

I have been a little quiet recently, I realize that. It's not that I don't WANT to update you guys, it's just that I don't really have anything exciting or special to report. In fact, I've been pretty bummed and down since the KDF Mini-Marathon.

I know what you're thinking--I've got those Post-Race Blues. You know, the Blues when you finish your BIG RACE and you look around and say, "Now what?" And you get all anxious because nothing will ever compare to that feeling of accomplishment you just experienced. Or something like that.

Well, if that's what you were thinking, you're wrong. The night before the Mini, I hurt myself. I have been calling it a hamstring tear. I have not had it professionally evaluated but I gave it my best guess. I don't need to hear about how I should go see the doctor. I've heard it before.

So I ran with that injury during the Half Marathon. I was in severe pain for the last 4 miles or so, but I pushed through. I stayed off of it for about two weeks after--no running. I was okay with that because I had planned a pretty substantial rest period after the race anyway. But I got the bug to start running again and I felt no pain so I went for it. 2.5 miles in, I was in pain again. So now, I'm going on one month of *pretty much* no running and I'm SO frustrated. I WANT to run.

I was supposed to be training for my 10K in June but I haven't even been able to start because of this injury. I'm just bummed.

I've been cycling and doing P90X, plus a lot of strength training and plyometrics but those activities don't make me feel the way (the GREAT way) I feel when I run. I MISS IT.

I figured that I better start planning something for myself so that I don't get stuck in a RUT and do myself a huge injustice. This is hard for me because THIS round of planning requires wisdom, patience, determination and honesty.

1. Wisdom--to know the difference between the things I can do and the things I cannot do. (Sounds sort of like the Serenity Prayer, huh?)

2. Patience--in allowing my body to heal and in training when I DO start running again.

3. Determination--to fight through the laziness and stay focused on a target goal since I don't have a race urgently waiting for me around the corner.

4. Honesty--with myself. I can't conquer the world. I HAVE to heal. I WON'T be as good when I start running again as I was when I stopped. I WILL have to work hard. I WON'T be able to keep up with my running buddies. I MIGHT get down on myself. I will probably feel alone for awhile. I WILL get better. Everything WILL be great, in time.

So now, I have to create some goals and make a plan. That'll be the next entry--just wait!