Both in running and life. Or maybe it’s mostly life but spilling over into running? Hmmm. Who knows.
I have a birthday coming up in a few days and I’m not sure how I feel about it. I keep joking that I’m going to wear all black and mope about it. I growl anytime someone brings it up. Which maybe isn’t so nice.
I just feel…. off. Not quite sure how to describe it.
My job is great, my coworkers awesome. My running may be measly and pathetic these days but I have 41 half marathons and 2 full marathons under my belt and not really all that many people can say that. Personal life may not be where I thought I would be at this point but is anyone’s really ever? And it’s not like it’s bad or anything, just quiet. And I like quiet. For the most part. I had some weird health concerns this year, so maybe that’s adding to it? Oh and the ultrasound came back clean so yay!
I started the week with a good run hoping that would set on the right path. Not that I know what that would be exactly. The week was as crazy busy as I thought it was going to be. I forgot what day it was half the time. Which can also be a good thing if it works in your favor. And I have another 3 day weekend to look forward to as I don’t work on Monday.
Not sure where I’m going with this maybe I just needed to vent? I’ll be back in a better mood next time, promise.
I keep writing this post in my head but once I sit down at the laptop, it all just disappears. Poof! Am I getting old or just super stressed??
Speaking of getting old… I have a birthday coming up and it’s a big one. Can’t say I am exactly pleased about it…I keep joking I am dress all in black with black balloons everywhere. Maybe. Maybe I’ll just go and get a little lost. Who knows?
This week I met my new boss and had numerous medical exams planned. I don’t I have ever spent so much time trying to determine what to wear. Probably more so for the medical appointments. Maybe could have used a heads up on how personal an ultrasound for a blood clot in your leg gets. Haha! I mean you remember basic anatomy but you still forget too, right? Or was it just me?
I started this post in June. It’s now July. Oops. Also, how is it July????
Concerts are coming back and somehow one of my favorite bands is coming to town to the outdoor amphitheater. What are the odds? Rise Against coming to wine territory? Who knew??
I am registered for 3 more half marathons this year. I have got to get my butt in gear. Why am I still feeling so lazy??? I seriously need early morning running partners. Harder to hit snooze if it would mean bailing on someone else. Plus 2 people is safer when there might be creatures out there in the morning. Eek.
I did get out for a slow, easy hike testing the leg. No complaints about the view.
Also someone needs to take my debit card away from me when I’m feeling moody. Especially since Altra and Lululemon know exactly what emails to send me.😂
I didn’t plan on radio silence but I think I was in denial.
If I didn’t recap the previous week’s runs, I wouldn’t have to think about the pain in my right leg.
The pain that had been there since we returned from the CDA Half. It would ease at times and then come back with a vengeance. There were times that it felt like there was a giant knot in the back of my leg on my calf. Sometimes it would radiate up past my knee. I could never see anything but it hurt to touch as well. I occasionally tried rolling it out but the pain was too much.
Then it eased up.
My trail run with my dad was fine and I was good for a couple of days. I headed out for a short run in the middle of week 2 (new training plan) and I mean short- it was 2 miles. That was due to a time crunch though and I felt fine. Or so I thought. The leg was little tight the next few days and didn’t really loosen until the weekend and I rested it on that Saturday.
My long run for that week was 6 miles according to my training plan. My leg was feeling looser so I figured I would give it a shot. I wanted something softer than pavement though so I headed to the beach. I really need to start checking the tide schedule- the tide was so damn high. I was dodging beachgoers as well as the tide. Also got stuck on some rocks but at least it was an adventure? Then I cooled off with nature’s ice bath- the Pacific Ocean. I felt pretty good.
Until the next morning, Monday, got out of bed and damn near fell over ripping of 4 letter words. I felt like I had the biggest know ever in my calf and could barely straighten my leg. Walking was super gimpy and painful. It was now also noticeable to everyone at work that I was having trouble walking. Between them and my mother being Dr’s of Google, they had all narrowed it down to a blood clot or I tore something. Thanks for the negativity. Also, I didn’t like either of those options. I finally broke down and made a dr’s appointment.
Then of course, that very same day, I moved in a way I still can’t recall but the constant pressure on my right calf suddenly eased. What??? But, why? I swear I hadn’t done anything different. I still limped a little for the next 2 days but nothing like before.
I’m not completely stupid so I took the all of last week off. And so far this week. The limp is 98% gone. My doctor’s appointment is tomorrow morning. Not that I am expecting much… I don’t usually have good results from my PCP… I usually just use him for referrals. So, fingers crossed?
The race might have been my slowest ever but I was still a little achy post race.
Actually I had some very angry toes to deal with and they had been angry since I laced up my Wave Rider’s on race morning. It’s odd because toe pain is never an issue I had with them before. I had not worn flip flops one time since we left town. I have been having PF issues, particularly with my left heel so I wore running shoes the entire trip leading up to the race. Primarily my old Ghosts and a little bit of time in my newest trail shoes. The Ghosts are not really old, less than 100ish miles on them but no longer work for me running so I retired them into travel shoes- maybe beach shoes- so I don’t know where the pinched toes came from. I finished the race with one bloody toe and one black toenail. Boo.
The real pain came from the 17+ hour drive on Monday. For some reason we decided to go from northern Washington to middle of California in one day. Dumb. Between short tempers and crappy food and a fiery pain in my right leg- one I remember from when I commuted- I don’t know how we did it.
I think that left me the most sore and tired for the next few days. So Tuesday through Friday were pretty lazy vacation days. There may have been a nap or two.
I did get out for some miles over the weekend. Some trail miles with the pops on Saturday. Where I hiked up and ran down like a lunatic. It’s been so long since I did that. I forgot how much I missed it.
Sunday, I headed out for a short run/walk. Figured I would do whatever felt good. Last week was kind of lazy but I needed a chill week. Work is about to get crazy and I am starting a new training plan for another half, so a laid back week was good.
Actually, I wish it could have been a little longer.
Disclaimer: I received an entry into CDA Half Marathon to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
It’s been over a year since my last in person race. When the chance to run Coeur D’Alene came up, I jumped at it. Things would be open by Memorial Day, right? I wasn’t picked in the first run and I was bummed but then I was hit with the melanoma diagnosis and my brain ran away so maybe it was a good thing. A month or so later, something changed and a spot opened up. Once I made sure I could switch to the virtual if things didn’t change or if I had more things to deal with on the skin front. But… I headed out of town on my first race trip since March 2020 last week. Yay!
Holy crap, that is a long drive from the middle of California. Coeur D’Alene is gorgeous. The lake and the park with the trails is like runner heaven- could that just be plopped down where I am, please?
The race was utilizing a rolling start from 5:30AM to 11:00AM. You had to register for your start time before race day. I am an idiot and chose 8:30. What? I then stressed about it right up until race morning. I showed up early on race morning as I was concerned about parking. The parking lot was huge but throw in lots of runners combined with a busy public park and who know what could happen. This turned out to be a good thing as I heard the announcer say you could jump in and start if you were there early. Pick me! So instead of 8:30, I started a little after 7:45. Yay!
The first 3 miles headed out into city streets along the lakeside before looping back to the park. Man, there are some nice houses out there. The next 10 miles were on a paved path called the North Idaho Centennial Trail. This thing is 23 miles long! Again, can I have it please?
Going into the race, I had a feeling it was going to be a rough go. I figured if I walked it all and kept a 15 minute pace, I would finish around 3:15. Any running could bring me down but not far… I really am that out of shape. So there was a good chance this was going to my new personal worst.
And it was.
But I don’t care. This was about enjoying racing, taking in the sights and being around other runners again. I missed it more than I thought. It was so good. The course was awesome, lake views for most of it, dream houses for the other part. Plus, I decided I really like rolling starts. I never felt like I was back of the pack even though I definitely was. I was very warm though so I was questioning the sanity of everyone who started later in the day. I’ve never taken in so much water during a race before in my life. I drank 4 bottles on course.
So yeah, I was slow but it was fun. Other than some odd toe pain. That said, I would definitely run this race again. But maybe fly in?
Also, my finish time of 3:05:54 makes me laugh- it is exactly one hour more than my PR. To the second. That makes me giggle for some reason.
Slacker Runner 