Category: oops!

Fessing Up

Considering how badly I hurt after Ventura I was expecting to be in pain on Monday and Tuesday. Surprisingly, I felt fine. I only felt a couple of twinges here and there. Which was good as Monday was my first night back to volleyball. I had Monday and Tuesday as vacation days, so it was super nice to sleep in on Monday. I ran some errands and played on the computer, a nice relaxing day before volleyball in the evening. While we didn’t win, we played well. It was new team (sort of) and I hadn’t played in almost a year. I thought I was going to be more rusty but it felt very familiar.

The only downside was the niggling of headache that had been lingering for a few days. That niggling turned into a full blown migraine by Tuesday morning and I could barely walk, let alone get in my planned run. I spent Tuesday in bed in a dark room. Great vacation day right? That headache has hung around since, so I actually have not run since Ventura. I did make it to work the rest of the week though. I had to take a personality type assessment (similar to Myers Briggs) on Wednesday for a training seminar. Never take those when you have a headache. Your answers are just a little off. Oops! Oh well, at least I got a decent laugh out of it. And I think I figured out what triggered the headaches, so hopefully those will be easing. 🙂

My 6+ miles of walking in the Ventura half gave me plenty of time to think; plenty of time to fess up. Back in the beginning of June I posted my No Excuses Summer post. For the most part I stuck to it. But I shouldn’t have. My lovely GI issue flared up shortly after that and it’s now going on 3 months. Instead of stepping back and getting some rest, I turned in 2 of my highest mileage months ever. My body said one thing and my ~~head~~ ego said something else. Which led me to Ventura. I’m not even mad because honestly the writing was on the wall. My paces have gotten slower, walking breaks longer and I take a nap any chance I get- damn near everyday.

So, where am I going with this? Half marathons and I are taking a little break. I am dropping back to running 3x a week and capping my long runs around 9. I have run 4 half marathons this year, that is double any previous year so really I have nothing to complain about. But this means missing City to the Sea and that kind of pisses me off. This would have been my third year running it. I really like the course and the volunteers and this year the shirt is purple! I want that! But the race also falls 4 days after I go to USC so a smarter head must prevail. I’m not done racing though, I love races! I am just going to stick to 10K’s and under for a bit. I would love to run a half in November if I am healthy enough but I have accepted that Surf City (NikeC!) in February might be my next half.

At times I am ok with this scaled back plan and others I am irritated. But then I did it to myself. Now I have to stick to this plan and not let the lower monthly numbers play with my head. Which is what happened the last time I said I should scale back. I have the Avocado Margarita Festival this weekend so it’s going to be busy but hopefully my next post will have some actual running in it. I want to run 3 days a week not none!

Ever taken one of those fun assessment tests?

Ever run yourself into a hole or is it just my special talent?

What are you doing this weekend?

Anyone racing? (Good luck to Courtney at Don’t Blink Just Run!)

Told Me So

Is it Friday yet? I am actually counting the hours this week. I’ve been a little cranky this week, I think stress has gotten to me, I noticed yesterday that even my jaw aches. Ugh.

Need A Little Motivation? — Via Pinterest –link

Anywho, moving on! Yesterday, NikeC and I got back to the gym. I wasn’t feeling like running much, so we just walked a slow mile on the treadmills to warmup before heading to the circuit room. It’s only been 2 weeks since I was last there but I felt so weak! I felt like I was starting from scratch again. We managed to make it all the way around the room this time around. 4 people came in and used random machines and then left. One lady glared at us while I was using one of the leg machines. Hey, we were going in numerical order! My gym is pretty low-key and I have never seen anyone monitor the circuit room even though there is a sign on the wall. I also had the privilege of hearing my first gym grunter. I have seen all the stereotype memes, gifs, and commercials but didn’t think they actually existed. The free weights section of the gym has always seemed more like a coffee date than anything else, more talk than working out. This very buff guy comes into the circuit room and goes to one of the arm machines (I really have to figure out what they are called) and cranks the weight up. He then proceeds to do his reps, grunting and talking to himself. And he was grunting loudly. But who am I to talk? I can’t even use doors properly. As I was leaving the gym, the door only opened about 45 degrees. I wasn’t paying enough attention and slammed into it, loudly. Just call me grace.

photo 3 (2) — A post run mother- daughter selfie

Ever since my rough race a few weeks ago, I have been running a little differently. I’ve been starting out with no real goal in mind other than just to run. I have also been taking my time with my first mile, i.e my warmup. I have mentioned before that warming up is a weakness of mine. That just takes too much time for this Slacker, cue the eye rolling and head shaking. I also hated seeing that warmup bring down my overall pace. Ego much? Most of my last few runs, I have met up with my mother more often than usual. This usually meant that my first mile is slower while we walk and chat. A month ago, seeing that first mile in the high 12 to high 13 range would have irritated me to no end. The last couple of weeks I noticed something- my pace is consistently back under 10:00 a mile after that first slower mile. This was true even today when it was 93º at the beginning of my run and 91º when done; I also took a few walk breaks in the shady section. Well, don’t I feel ~~silly~~ stupid. Granted it’s only been a few weeks but I think it’s safe to say that I have learned my lesson. The Slacker can learn.

We have had a brief cool off, but the temps are going back to triple digits this weekend. My long run will probably not be that speedy, despite everything previously mentioned. 🙂 But that’s ok, too.

What does your weekend look like? Anyone racing?

Anyone else shortcut their warmup? Or is it just me?

Rock’n Around the Pier 13.1- Recap

The one where I went into damage control at mile 3. 😦

If 2013 was the year of the PR, then 2014 is shaping up to be the year of the bonk. At least as far as half marathons are concerned. But I have to say that this is first race I ever seriously considered quitting. Even when I ran out steam at mile 7.5 at SLO, I still knew I was going to finish, it was just going to be slow.

For once, I felt like I slept really well the night before this race. I woke up on time and made it to pick up NikeC by 5:30. My stomach was being its usual self, so I did not eat prior to the race. This is typical though, so I don’t think it affected me too much. Parking was easy but time-consuming, the race was smaller than last year, it had about 200 for the half marathon and just under 1000 for the 10K, but parking was limited. Once parked, we geared up, met up with NikeC’s friend and headed to the bathroom. Which was where we were when the starting gun went off. Last year I was still running to the chute when the gun went off, oops. Thank goodness for chip timing. We made our way to the chute and were off.

Slowly as there were 100 yards of softer sand to get through at the beginning. Once on the hard pack, it was easier to run. I lost both of them fairly quickly. One moment they were to my left and then they were gone. Last year’s race was overcast, this year the sun was shining and the ocean was gorgeous. Last years 10K went so well (easy) that I had minor hopes for a birthday PR but I knew my speed was iffy thanks to my month of stomach issues. Realistically, though, I was aiming for under 2:10. So all I had to do was stay under a 10 minute mile- I got that right? Ummm…

Mile 1- 9:45 -ok, slower than I’d like but there was soft sand
Mile 2-9:45– hmmm felt way faster than that, but consistent at least. If only this stomach cramp would go away.
Mile 3- 9:51 felt like I had already run the full 13, shifted to a run/ walk method
Mile 4– 10:02 I just choked on air, walk break, take a few pictures. Now the cramp is on the other side.
Mile 5– 10:09 Wheezing, need air, where’s my inhaler? Yes nice man in front of me I see the dolphins (which now I think was awesome but then, not so much.)
Mile 6- 9:47 I refuse to hit the turnaround (10K) past the hour mark, pick it up!
6.2 mark– Turn around 59:08-Man, I wish I was doing the 10K.
Mile 7-10:18 oh, my god, why is this so hard
Mile 8– 10:24– my run .9/ walk .1 is falling apart, walking more often and longer
Mile 9– 11:09 another sudden need for my inhaler. Man the water is so much closer now.
Mile 10– 11:25 oh hell, I could take my shoes and socks off and just walk leisurely back to the finish. I’m mostly walking anyways. Oh fisherman, please don’t cast your reel at me, that would hurt.
Mile 11– 12:15 Oh, what hell is this? To make 13.1, we had to go up through the dunes to run a mile on a paved path. I could have crawled faster through the sand. Is it hot? Why am I so hot?
Mile 12- 11:57 Made it to a 9:20 pace on the pavement, soft sand on the way back to the beach brought me back down.
Mile 13– 11:15 Why is this mile so long!! I feel like I have been staring at the finish line in the distance forever. Ugh, just keep running.

Finish- 2:20:21 Ouch. Literally and figuratively. My calves were on fire. Even with running in compression socks, I was so sore by the time I crossed the finish line. My chip was cut off as I was handed my medal. It’s freakin’ awesome! That helped alleviate some of my irritation. I drank some water and chatted with my family while waiting for NikeC to finish.

Running a race with a friend was awesome. It was great at the starting line, and we passed each other twice on the course which was a great little pick-me-up. The finish line was fun too. I am looking forward to our next race. 🙂

The race course itself was amazing. Blue skies and blue ocean, and the beach, come on. Seagulls and dolphins, too. Given how close the water was on the way back, I understood the early start time more. There was plenty of water stops. They had volunteers directing where to turn around and when to turn off the beach. My only 2 slight negatives were- no on course bathrooms, and I never saw a mile marker. Now I was pretty much head down in misery from mile 3 on but I still think I would have seen at least one. As for bathrooms, I realize that it was on the beach and I have never used a bathroom during a race but it’s nice to know they are there if you need one.

For the cost of this race, 50 bucks!, the swag was amazing and I think the medal may be my new favorite. Plus there was live music and an amazing breakfast buffet at the finish line, eggs, sausage, orange juice, etc. I only wish I felt like trying some of it.

We headed out shortly after that. I was having a little shindig that evening for my birthday that I had to get ready for. Yesterday I was oddly sore in weird places. My butt and my lower back hurt, guess I ran differently on the sand this time than previous races.

Overall, this race was part of a great day. Yes, I was seriously disappointed in my performance but hey, I didn’t quit! I need to figure out what is going with my stomach so I can get back to speed work. Right now I have no idea how ever ran a 2:05 let alone trying to fathom breaking 2:00. My next half is in 8 weeks, and it’s flat and paved, so fingers crossed, my time will start heading in the right direction.

Anyone else race this weekend?

Ever run on the beach?

Should Have Said No

Happy Wednesday!

I finally completed my larger paper and turned it in on Monday. I usually run on Mondays and rest on Tuesdays but I swapped that this week due to the paper deadline. On Tuesday morning I left for work with my gear, totally planning on running after work. By the end of the day though, I had absolutely no desire to run. I don’t know if it was because it was my usual rest day, if I was finally unwinding from the paper drama or what. I told myself to get over it and just go. I changed at work and headed to the lake for the 4 miles that were on my schedule.

You know that saying about how you never regret a workout? That’s a lie. A big, fat lie. I should have just gone home. I kept telling myself that I have a 10K race in a week and a half in 6 weeks. I had already had a hit and miss week (more miss than hit) last week due to my Slacker-ness, so I needed to get out there. And it was only 4 miles, I could do that, right?

My lack of eagerness had not improved by the time that I reached the lake park. I parked, put in my headphones and put on my belt then started my Garmin and headed out. I made it 30 feet before I noticed that nothing was coming from the headphones. I tried to fix them while walking, also trying to dodge the construction that was suddenly cutting across the path. Couple hundred yards later after crossing one of the little bridges, I came to a complete halt. I could not get the headphones out of the headphone jack. And all my attempts to correct the problem just turned my headphone cords into a giant knot. I finally ripped the headphones out of the extender but still could not get the extender out of the phone, it was completely jammed. I managed to snap the back cover off but still no luck. By now I had been standing there for almost 10 minutes. 2 guys had run past but either chivalry really is dead or I looked scary mad. 😦 I shoved the tangled headphones into my belt and started walking, I figured I might as well move while fighting with my phone. ¼ of a mile later, I gave up. I shoved my phone and the case pieces in the belt and started running. By now I was super cranky and irritated and just wanted to quit. I told myself 1 lap was sad (only 1.2 miles) and I should at least do 2. I was already frustrated about potentially breaking my phone so why not?

So I dodged the construction again and kept running. Half way through the second lap around I had to backtrack because my pepper spray decided to leap from my belt. It was like it hopped and skidded away from me in slow motion. I was done, so very very done. Normally, I try to stop on .5 or full miles but I hit 2.25 and shut everything off and walked to my car. I then did a girl move and went crying to my daddy about my phone. This run did nothing but tick me off. I don’t know what it is was, but it was not my night. It put me so off, that I decided not to do my speed work tonight. I brought my stuff to work again but this time I am going with the nope.

It wasn’t my running, nothing hurt, I just wasn’t feeling it. I wanted to post this last night but I held off since I was so stinkin’ cranky. I figured I needed to sit on it a bit. I didn’t want that irritation to spill over to my next run, so I headed home after work tonight. My gear can stay in my car for another day.

I submitted my final paper tonight, so life and running and blogging should return to it’s regular schedule. 🙂 Today wasn’t an exercise free day though. After submitting my paper, I randomly decided to do some late night yoga. Well, Jillian Michaels style yoga anyways. I only fell on my face a couple of times. 🙂

Has anyone else ever had one of those moments that led into a rough run?

How has your week been?

Who has a Memorial Day weekend Race?

Such a Slacker

I feel like I was just posting the Run or Dye recap then I blinked and now it’s Thursday. 4 days without a post, total Slacker! I really did mean to post but this week ran away from me, so here we are. On the upside, tomorrow is Friday!!!

On Sunday, I enjoyed an overly warm uncomfortable run. 4.5 miles in 48:08-ouch. I won’t say it was hot, because it was only mid 80’s. It actually nice outside, until you started running that is. 3/4 of a mile down the road, I realized I had misplaced my water bottle. How does a person do that? I pushed on to complete the 4.5 miles but took so many crawl breaks. I felt nasty sweaty at the end but I was done. I also found my water bottle. On top of the dryer in the garage. Oops.

Monday was a pretty good day at work. To keep things lively and stay upbeat on a busy day, a coworker and I had a little transaction battle. It was a close one but I lost. 😦 I don’t usually do that many anymore so it kept me moving. After work I met my mom and the puppy at the lake for a few miles. It was a nice little warm up, I walked a little over 1/2 a mile with them before running. The first mile was slower due to the walking but my legs felt pretty good so I decided to do a little speed work. I managed to pull in a decent progression run for the night.

I was a little sore on Tuesday so I kept it as my usual day. I knew Wednesday was going to be a busy day so I had thought of switching days but decided against it. I lucked out actually because since I work on Saturday I had the chance to leave early on Wednesday. I had a doctor’s appointment in the later afternoon but I thought I could squeeze in a run. I headed to the lake aiming for 3.5 easy miles. I wanted to run an average pace of 10:00-10:15. I also wanted to concentrate on my form.

I noticed awhile back that I relied heavily on my left leg. All of my issues are usually on my left side. I wanted to work on my form but didn’t want to try anything new before the SLO 1/2. I figured that would be a bad idea. 🙂 So after my first mile, which was a little fast, I focused on my right leg and its turnover. Apparently I can’t do two things at once. I couldn’t maintain my planned pace and focus on my form. I ended up being faster than planned. What was weird was that it felt easy. Too bad that doesn’t happen all the time. If that pace could become my easy run that would be sweet, but that’s likely farther out.

And I found this branch in my shoe... — And I found this branch in my shoe…

After my doctor’s appointment, I headed to a tennis meeting with my mother. She likes to drag me along when she can. She always ropes me into filling out the draw forms for her. Wow, 7 team coaches trying to get their players seeded? There were a few times I though there was going to be a throw down. I just kept my head down and kept writing, trying not to laugh out loud.

I’ve been feeling super run down and tired lately and that translated into a rough morning today. It took me a little longer to get going. I figured if I was so tired that I was texting my boss for an extra 45 minutes then I was not running tonight. Boo. Well, more time for an update then! Tomorrow’s a planned rest day, so fingers crossed, I can also avoid the temptation of cookie Friday. Especially since I ate a donut yesterday. Ok, 2 donuts. But they were so good. 🙂

How has your week been?

Any temptations you’ve avoided or embraced?

Happy Friday!!