Moving on

I've been trying to come up with a good way to report the half marathon to everyone (Hi Mike!) but I can't seem to put it into words. It was strange and surreal and amazing and to some extent disappointing.
I say disappointing because I got really tired with three miles remaining. With all that training, I should have known better than to start out so fast. I did finish well under my goal time of 2:30 and intend to run many more. Photos of the race before, after and during can viewed here.

Now, I must move onto the present. I've been avoiding writing because I can't seem to articulate the 3M experience. Well, then, I'll talk about the other things going on right now and hopefully the words will come.

Gratitude for the 3M

Its been a week since the 3M half and I can't stop thinking about everyone who made the race one of the most amazing things I have ever done. Thank you for nodding considerately as I obsessed about training and thinking of me during/after the race.

Some friday nights Sandeep actually laid out all my stuff for me so that I could go to bed on time before a long run. I definitely would not have done with this without some amazing people to run with. Running long runs is bad enough but if I had had to run them alone we all know that I would have just slept in. During the race, there were throngs of people out there to cheer the runners on. Volunteers frantically working to keep the water stops functioning but still taking the time to say an encouraging word. Some of the spectators were even nice enough to bring out bananas and tissues. Simply amazing!

Even our running group is amazing, they were so proud of us for racing. I can't help but be touched.

To some this might sound like an acceptance speech but I can't help but feel the need to give thanks all around. So, in conclusion, I would also like to thank my physical therapist for keeping me as strong as he could despite the issues that cropped up and then congratulating me and looking appropriately impressed with my time even though he also works with women like this: http://www.desireeficker.com/

I can has 3m photos?

If you said the photos would go up on the 30th, why aren't they up on the 30th?

Running is for fun!

Tomorrow is the race and I'm having trouble eating. I'm so nervous.
I really like races because of the sense of community they create and I feel really connected and a part of something bigger. The problem is that I'm afraid that my back is going to rebel. I want tomorrow's run to be more than just something I was glad I got through. I've done everything I can. It's time now to relax and thank nature for being kind to us. Its going to be cloudy/clear and amazing weather in the 50s during the race. Time to go to bed.

Two days remain

I had my first panic attack two days ago on Wednesday about the half marathon I am told I will be racing on Sunday. I think I need to be really good and blog about what is going on with me.

Wednesday was my last hard workout. 6 X 400s at Austin high. It was cold but almost all the familiar faces showed up. It felt really good to just talk to them and run. Minnie, Barb and I ran without timing ourselves. Alison, Sarah and Jessica ran ahead of us (and I think they did time themselves). I did some core work and PT yesterday but nothing strenuous.
Dinner at changos made my stomach so unhappy even today two days later I can feel it. That being said, you'll have to pry that al pastor taco from my cold dead hands.

Yesterday was bad in the sense that I didn't drink enough water at all. I maxed out at 7 cups if I'm lucky but I need to drinking close to 12.
I hope today will be better.

FYI, masoor (brown lentils) = tons of protein
chana (bengal gram/horse gram) = very little protein.

Today's dilemma: Eat dinner with some asha folks (catered Indian (?) food) or eat dinner at home (Rajma and rice a.k.a red beans and rice).

Ha!

This ad has been making the rounds and is quite funny.



But what is truly funny about this is ad is that the people I run with have used all these complaints/excuses at one time or another. While we run.

Infact, just yesterday, Alison thought her run was going to suck because she didn't have her Gu on her (with caffeine), I thought it was too cold and a bunch of us weren't feeling well because of allergies.
Yesterdays run was 900 meter repeats around the Zilker pool in alternating directions. Either way ends with either a steady climb or a steep climb. Favourite conversation during the run? Which direction do you hate more? The steady or the steep incline?

Running or jogging

Apparently, in order to be technically running your speed has to be 9min/mile or faster. Otherwise, you're jogging.
I disagree.
There has to be a definition of running that involves perceived effort because a raw running pace cutoff doesn't take into account weight and body builds. I don't know if I'll ever get to the point that I can sustain 9min miles for longer than a mile but that doesn't mean that I'm not going the fastest I can when I 'run'. Not to mention, even though I'm slow, I do have a running pace and a jogging pace. I think there needs to be a new definition for the two terms.
Or maybe we just need to get away from this need to feel better than all those slow people out there (they jog but I actually run).

Thoughts?

Running with all the 'real' runners out there

This is from four weeks ago:

Sometimes, things just work out. I was supposed to be working on a qualifying exam all weekend but my teacher decided to give us some extra time.

So, this weekend for the first time since the EAS 10miler, I got the chance to really run. These past few weeks I've been holding back. I've had to try to conserve energy to work for the rest of the day and also I haven't been eating well.

What I did:
breakfast: smoothie with fruit and protein powder. Waffle. Coffee. 16 oz of water.
three gu packets during the run
3 cones of water per water stop (got a bit much and ran the last few miles with a side stitch)

It was great, I got really sick of running with two miles to go and started speeding up. Something I've never quite done. I was feeling strong but I felt like I could sustain it.

Then....

with half a mile to go, I sprained my leg. But I was trying to make my goal so I tried to keep running on it. I finally stopped after cussing like a mad woman (a hold over from my VT days, when being injured warranted lots of @#$*s) and scaring the bejesus out of two women on the trail. I stopped, walked and tried not to kick myself with the leg that still could. Fortunately, It wasn't bad and I eventually ran the last quarter of a mile.

The ankle got lots of rest since the next week was spent frantically trying to finish the qualifying exam before the trip to portland. Trip was great. We got to run once in that entire 10 day period. Once. we did walk everywhere though. And I mean everywhere!

Sometimes you feel like a runner

and sometimes you don't.

Went for my long run Sunday instead of Saturday. It was supposed to be relatively short 7 miles and I was running by myself. I was looking forward to it but at the same time it didn't seem right to take time out to run while I'm struggling to finish this semester.
I still went to the trail.
Well, I got shin splints in the first mile. Not sure what caused this. I also had an odd pounding headache and fuzzy contacts.
This year as with the last, I lost the enjoyment I get from running around this time. I've been thinking about what might be causing this and I think it is the end of the semester stuff that just gets me down. I'm not getting good sleep. My allergies are starting to act up. I'm stressed because of qualifying exams. Essentially, school is interfering with my extracurricular activities.
Update: ran around the neighbourhood and got shin splints again. I think I need more arch support with the Sauconys I'm using.

Cats

Our neighbour's cat is trying to adopt us. He just sits in the back door and stares in. He's a cute one.
He was there when I left for a run yesterday and still there when I got back. It started one night when I cooked salmon...
Also, my cat will (without fail) want love when I stretch. For some reason he thinks it's perfectly acceptable for me to scratch his ears when I'm in downward dog or triangle.
And lastly, I really like chasing cats when I'm out running. It's really fun to watch them freeze initially when they see me 'charge' and then take off themselves.

good times...

Sugar!

ta ta ta ta ta
oh honey honey.
(I used to love that song)

I've been monitoring my sugar intake lately since it seems like I'm particularly drawn to it. My nutritionist noticed that I tend to eat a little bit of something sugary almost everyday. So for the past two weeks, I've been trying to avoid it and also pay attention to cravings.

Things were going quite well until yesterday.
I had to leave home in a hurry so I grabbed a third of a nature's path bar as a snack (these are fairly balanced bars so I thought it wouldn't be too bad on my sugar levels). Last night though, I was craving something sweet so badly that I ate 1.5 hermit cookies. That in and of itself isn't too bad (they were newman's own) BUT...
I ate the half first and then instead of eating the remaining half, I actually ate a whole other (or for those of you that prefer: a whole nother) cookie! Then I caught myself wanting that half that was left in there.

Today was similar. I had a kashi frozen meal for lunch (sweet and sour chicken). It didn't occur to me that the entree was so sugary I could hear my taste buds singing their special sugar song. So for a snack this afternoon, I had pistachio nuts (good job G!) and 2 nutter butters (aw, and you were doing so well... sad face)

Now I have what I think is a sugar headache. Woe is me.

So here are the pressing questions:
I am quite hyper after I come back from my long runs. Could that be because of the 1-3 gel packets I consume? 100 calories of various sugars per packet. Hmmm.

Also, I eat like a mad woman over the weekend. Sure, saturdays are going to be a food fest since I run for hours at a time but its not just food but food like cookies and white chocolate mochas that I want. Then I get one because, you know, I worked for it. Then I want more. So I get something else on sunday because, you know, I'll work it off.

But that's the problem. I will work it off. But what about the gigantic arse on me that I am still trying to work off in the first place?

Long run 12/1

13 miles at 6 am with Jessica. For some reason, the 7 year old impatient me was around and by mile 6 I was ready to be done. I had the hardest time keeping the motivation going. Having Jessica around made all the difference. On my own, I would have gone home after 7 (probably angry and disappointed in myself). Slept like a mad woman the rest of the day. Also in full on crunch mode for the next two weeks so the blog posts are going to be as incoherent as this one is.

Fun for me and fun for you.

Out of town long run

Long runs when away from home are always interesting. The last long run I did was in Michigan during Sandeep's cousins wedding, it was supposed to be 6 miles so I mapped my run out and went for it. I realized too late I didn't have any gu on me so I took some jelly beans with a little salt sprinkled on. Disgusting! But it worked and the run went off without a hitch.

This time, I planned for the gel, post run banana and the map of where to run. But this time, I wasn't alone. My brother-in-law needed to be back sooner than me so we tried to stick close to home. I figured, I would run with him, drop him off at home and get the rest of the remainder of the 7 miles on my own. But by the time we were done with the first part, I felt empty. So I stopped. I hate running in those subdivisions. It's all concrete on the roads.

Well it turns out, that may have been the way to go. Gilbert said, running on roads is really not good for you. Good thing I stopped at 4.5 miles even though I still feel so guilty about not getting my entire distance in.

But can it be cured?

I think I might have body dysmorphic disorder

While I was in physical therapy today my therapist had me do lunges for 12 minutes. It's a long time and your mind seems to wander. So I was thinking about how tiring this was the last time I did it and how much better I felt today.

So while I was in PT for for my weak hip and tender patella and weak hamstring and weak back and weak abs; I was congratulating myself on being strong!

That god, she is on my side today

Went to get a salad from chick-fil-a. Decided to get four nuggets as well (eat two today, two tomorrow). But they had only packets of 8 and 12, so didn't get any.

Went to the store to get some milk for tea. Saw what I thought was carrot cake w/ cream cheese frosting.
Crap, can't resist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.

But it was actually banana cake with cream cheese frosting.

Phew.

Crises averted.

p.s.
The salad is delicious with sunflower seeds on it. Cheese on salads is overrated unless it's something like feta or gorgonzola.

I'm just sayin'

Runtex 10Miler recap

Now that the week of hell that lasted 10 days is over. I can post about the EAS/Runtex run for the water 10miler benefitting the gazelle's foundation.

The day started off great. We took off on the race with me running with Carol and Staley but I realized quickly that I wouldn't be able to hang with these guys so I slowed down (that's a good thing since Carol finished at a 8:30 pace and Staley at 9 min). Jessica (who had started out with Sarah and Allison, who were running the 5k) met up with me and we ran together from the half mile point.

It was humid but we started off feeling pretty good. But things went a little downhill from that point. Jess realized that she had been on her feet the entire day before the race (volunteering for the race) and then ate badly because she waited too long. So around mile 2 or 3, it became a very real possibility that she might throw up. I was just trying not to push myself because I still had most of my presentation for a class to work on for the rest of the day (~75 pages in all). So we ran, trying to remember that this was supposed to be a training run and not pushing ourselves. We talked the entire way to try and keep each other entertained/distracted.

Miles 8-10 were probably the most painful. The hills were done. We had successfully avoided pushing ourselves or throwing up but we were just exhausted and wanted to be done. We even took a walk break around mile 9.5 but we seemed to just be sick of it. I think we just wanted to be done.

The volunteers were amazing. They cheered us, directed us and some that we knew even ran with us. I'm not sure if we would have made it if it hadn't been for the familiar faces and encouraging yells and hoots.

It felt good to be done but I'm not sure I felt happy to have run it, just happy to be finished.

So, it turns out Decker 20M will not be happening. I can't deal with these baby hills. Decker's hills would make me cry for my mama.

I think that a hilly race may not be the best way to motivate yourself to run a longer race. During the second half of the race a question kept popping up in my mind: If I'm not doing so well with this mileage, how am I going to keep going for three more miles? But I need to remember that the half I'm running is qualitatively different. It's flat. In fact, some people tell me it's downhill a large part of the way. Supposed to be among the fastest races around.

I'm still in training. I just need to get stronger around hills and not plan to race during hell weeks.

OMG

It's tomorrow. So much hard work and it doesn't really end tomorrow, it just begins. The first race of the season, the EAS 10miler is tomorrow.

After that there might be a very scary (read: hilly) 20K (~12 miles) in our near future called the decker 20K. We'll see, I'm not supposed to know about it since Jessica has only started thinking about it.
And to end it all, the 3M half at the end of december.

But for tonight, I working on my presentation for monday (which is sucky BTW, thanks for asking) and really excited about the race tomorrow. I think sometimes, my need for speed (and I use the term "speed" very loosely here) might be the only thing that keeps me going through 70 pages of dry, inane reading that I need to talk about for 2 hours.

It's tomorrow. I can't wait/I'm petrified of those hills on pecos and scenic drive. But I have a mango flavoured clif shot that deserves to be tried in the field.

Breathe

1st year research presentation in 1.5 hours. So pucky. Need to lay down. Or just throw up and get it over and done with.

Eight days a week...

I don't need a whole extra day, just an extra hour a day would be helpful. Although, I'd probably just use it for sleeping. Also, on a related note. Sandeep and I are having a really hard time adjusting to the daylight savings change. It seems that it takes the body up to six weeks to adjust to the fall change and up to four weeks to adjust to the spring daylight savings change.

JP's irish breakfast at 2 in the afternoon really does make things a little more bearable. It also helps when cute UPS men stop by. Ooh, caffeine and eye candy. Excellent!

The EAS 10Miler race is this sunday and for a brief period of time this morning I considered not running it so that I have more time to prepare for my presentation on Monday. Then I remembered just how much time I've put into training and that it's the only thing I'm looking forward to. Also, I think Ms. "I don't like road races" would kill me after I used what she called my puppy dog eyes to get her to run with me for the race.

Must post

But school demands attention. Will post on Friday.