One helluve weekend, I'm glad its almost over

This weekend was one of the busiest weekends I've ever had. I'm exhausted. Combining my running with having house guests............I'm ready for the weekend to be over. LOL. On Friday, I ran an indoor 5k track meet at CNU. My time posted was 17:53. Not my best, and I thought it would be faster on an indoor track meet...........I think it was hard for me to get into the right groove. Several factors played into it....running alone, passing on the corners ( I hate doing this but it was inevitable) and I'm sure there were other factors. I did my best and I can live with that. The hardest part of indoor track is the instant dry mouth that occurs and then for me............I spend the next few days sneezing my head off and watery eyes. I don't know why this occurs but I was prepared for it. Tissues, halls and dayquil.
Then I had to go see a play at the Wells Theater. It was so much fun but I didn't get to bed until midnight and I had to be up early for the Distance Series 25k. (FYI...the musical was called Sckbstd {Sick Bastard} and it was comical and sweet)
I knew that I wanted to run 20 miles on Saturday so I had to stick to my guns and get up and run. Saturday at 0715 I was dragging. I parked at 64th street and ran into the park to the registration table for bib/chip pickup. I was a good 10 minutes late if not more b/c I was dragging but as soon as I started I got right into the groove. It was kind of fun starting a little late b/c I did spend the entire time trying to chase some people but it would have been nice to run with Steve Speirs. I ended up with a 1:40:10. I was happy with it b/c I knew I had ran a track meet about 12 hours ago and I do think I was a little tired. Not completely recovered. Anyway. I got in my entire 20 mile run and I felt great about it.
As always I love the support that everyone gave me yesterday while I was running. It really helps and it keeps me going. So I'm very appreciative. People were very funny, making joking comments about if I would catch them and how many times I passed them. I love hanging out with other people on the trails.
Also, watching coach almost run over another runner yesterday was priceless. I felt bad for the poor guy but poor coach didn't even see him and I don't think the runner was anticipating coach (the guy on the bike) turning his bike around. Hilarious.
Then I had to plan a dinner party for a small group of people (8). Once again it was beyond fun but I woke up this morning with a pounding headache and a slightly swollen knee. Body's message to me, you are taking a freaking break today, regardless what you think you are NOT a machine.
Non runners like to judge those of us who are faithful runners. But there's a reason I go to bed early and get lots of hours of sleep. Dear God I need it. With that being said. I'm going to finish icing my knee and go take a nap.

I'm a hard person to read

Let me begin by saying, I’m a very private person and I know that I am hard to get to know but it really is hard for me to put myself out there for others to see and to criticize.

Jenn Shelton came up to me once (this was probably around 2004 or 2005 and told me that I was much nicer than she had previously thought I was. I thought this comment was odd…….I’m a friendly person and people like me, right? I questioned her on this comment and apparently people had asked if her if I was nice and how come I didn’t smile more and wave while I was running on the trails. I thought, why would I, I’m here to work. This is serious to me. But after that I did make an effort to smile more and to be more approachable to others. And I do think it’s worked. More people come up to me and say hi now. I want people to talk to me!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Then………

A couple of years later Kelly Taylor told me someone similar. She had a hard time getting to know me and commented “You are a hard person to get to know but I’ve learned that with the amount of training that you do, it’s merely self preservation.” What she meant it that my whole life is dedicated to training.

When I go to a race, I’m serious about it. I spend the majority of my life training. I run twice a day and if I lift weights that means I’ve worked out 3 times that day. On days I work, I get up at 0430 to run before work and then when I leave work I might have to work out again. I sleep a lot b/c I’m tired. I also have a life to take care of just like everyone else (bills, dogs, errands, cleaning ect.). This doesn’t leave time for socializing. I rarely go to parties. I don’t go to clubs. I don’t drink. And I don’t stay out past 8 or 9pm b/c I’m tired and I have to run in the morning. So, wow don’t I sound like a lot of fun. LOL. This means I don’t have a lot of friends unless they are runners. I’ve isolated myself. Don’t get me wrong, for the most part I’m okay with this. I’ve chosen this life and I love it. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Occasionally, I wish I had more time to hang out with other people and make more friends but there’s only so much time in the day and I can only do what I can.

Point is……..I’m a hard person to get to know. I’m very private and I don’t give a lot at first. But I think once someone takes the time to get to know me……I end up making lasting friendships. Ones that are real and stand the test of time.

I love my running buddies!!

Inspiration for me.

Running will always be there for you. You just have to find your way back.

To answer your questions

Lately I've been asked some questions about compression socks........do I use them, why do I use them, do I think they work.

To answer, Yes I do use compression socks. I use them in a couple of different situations. I use them when I travel, especially if I've raced and then I have to travel. The idea is....that blood can pool in your lower extremities which can cause a lot of stress on your veins which will lead to other problems....using compression socks will help keep the blood circulating and prevent the pooling. This will prevent edema and will help circulate fresh blood which will decrease fatigue. I also wear compression socks to work. I'm on my feet alot at work and this helps prevent edema and fatigue on my poor legs. ( I will want to prevent varicose veins). These socks basically promote recovery and I'm a believer. In the end, it can't hurt anyway. And heck yeah, they keep you warm.

Also, I've been asked if I lift weights. I'm a firm believer in lifting weights also. I prefer free weights b/c I feel I get a better workout and also I can do lots of different exercises instead of doing the same ones every time. If you use the machines.......those are fine but the muscles will get use to the same exercises and then basically that exercise no longer works as well. You have to change it up in order for the muscles to keep responding. It's kind of like getting in a rut and not seeing results anymore.
I believe the core muscles are so important. These muscles need to stay strong b/c once these muscles are tired you are going to lose form and will become inefficient. Once the core muscles are tired that's when I believe it's all over. So yes, I do work out 2-3 times a week, doing different exercises but always working the muscles. We are runners......we don't want to get big but we do want to be strong. Also, it's good for us ladies to keep our bones strong.

Hope this helps.

Frosty Bite 15K

I got up this morning at 0515 and headed up to Richmond VA to run the Frosty Bite 15K. I was pretty excited b/c I hadn't raced in Richmond since the Richmond Marathon in 2005. The morning was beautiful but without a doubt the coldest race morning I've ever encountered. The race has an usual start. Everyone gets on the starting line and about 150 meters ahead is a stop light. When the light turns red that's the Go signal. After the first mile I had a girl come up beside me, that's pretty much where she stayed until the very end. At the end of the race, she took the initiative and out kicked me at the end. Looking back, I just want to kick myself.
Why wasn't I more aggressive? (There's that thin line b/w aggressive and running yourself into the ground

Could I have done better?

Am I weak? (Mentally, sometimes I fight with myself)

Damnit, I can't believe I let her get me in the end!! (What am I? A wimp?)

I ended up with a 56:20 (she out kicked me by 1 second) so averaged 6:03 pace not bad considering I felt I could have held that pace for a while and the course was very hilly. Also, not bad considering 1 week ago today I was struck with nausea/vomiting and on a clear liquid diet.

I had to admit.............. I hated taking 2nd place. I felt I let it go at the very end.

A weaker person might hang her head and just say "obviously this is the pace I was meant to run. " Not me, I want more and it only fuels my hunger and my need for speed.
BTW,
I strongly recommend this race. It was fun and it was small.

I am a Runner

This morning I had a thought...I am a runner. Many of you may be thinking, um duh we all know that but just let me explain and I think you might understand. As far back as I can remember I've been running. Running is some of my earliest memories. I remember running in 1st grade during the field events. Or running up and down my road............I grew up on a farm and it was a long gravel road..........after school playing or during the summer. In 5th grade I challenged a boy I liked to a race. I kicked his butt and then he didn't like me anymore. The true fun began when I met a man named Coach Leathers. I didn't realize on the first day of track how this day was going to define the rest of my life. This day I was on my way to finding my place in this crazy world and becoming comfortable with myself. I finally had found who I was. To most people track in high school is just a happy memory. I hear it all the time, "Oh I ran track back in high school" or "I ran track back in high school, I use to be pretty good at it. Those were the days". When people (teachers or relatives) would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up I never really had an answer. I knew what to say, "Oh, I'm going to be a history teacher" or I want to learn about psychology b/c I'm thinking that would be interesting." They always loved my answer. I picked a college b/c I was able to run there. I didn't really care how much it cost or what type of education they were going to offer me. I only knew I was going to be able to run and that's all I cared about.
Some of the darkest times in my life involved me not running. And involves me not being able to share my love of running with others. I love running. But I also love being able to share running. For me, the shared experience makes it more enjoyable and fun.
But I'm getting off track (haha.....pun was totally not intended). The point is, I've been searching for what I want to be when I grow up. There's this part of me that feels I grew up and became a nurse and that's not enough for me. That's not what I want out of life. Being a nurse doesn't fulfill me in the same way that running does. I'm not sure if there is anything else out there that will ever provide me with the feelings I associate with running.
So this morning as I was dragging my sleep deprived body out of bed (I worked the late shift at work and then didn't sleep at all during the night) and getting ready to go run it occurred to me........I am a Runner. No matter what else I do with my life...........I am a Runner

A hard week

So this week has presented itself with some challenges. The biggest and most major challenge would be my car breaking down. Now I knew it would happen eventually. My car is 10 years old. I got her when I was a senior and high school and we've had some great times together. Let's see, I can remember when I first got her I made people (mainly my cross country buddies) take off their shoes. Then I got hand towels and put them in the floor (b/c my cc buddies complained). We went off to college together. She went to Charleston SC when I lived there and up here to the beach when I moved here. She has been so good to me and I just couldn't imagine not having her in my life. On my way to work my car overheated. I made it to work (barely) before she turned herself off. Andy who has been so amazing to me this week took care of the situation b/c I was working. Tow truck called (and he waited for the tow truck guy) and off my car went to John (citgo off shore and west great neck). So, couple hundred dollars later (a new radiator) and Andy taking me to and from work..........I have my car back. I can't complain, my car has treated me very well and in return I try to treat her very well. She's 10 with only 132,000 miles on her. I'm hoping she makes it another couple of years. I'm not ready to part with her and a car with no payment is invaluable (and very green). So here's a huge thanks to Andy for being wonderful and taking care of me the past couple of days (me going to work is also beneficial to him as well) and here's to my wonderful green ford focus.......may we have years left together.

My boo

Let me start this by saying I ran 20 miles yesterday and hit the gym. Oh, and my glutes (my butt) hurts like hell. I called Andy from work today just to say hi, I mentioned him and I running together (on treadmills) when he got home (to encourage him to workout-having a buddy). But tonight, he was my running buddy. When he got home it was to find me on the couch (by this time I'd already eaten a bowl of cereal and oatmeal. (Yes, I'm a glutton). As I'm laying on the couch hoping he doesn't mention the dreaded word he comes out of his closet wearing.........running clothes. Ugh. He asks me if I'm ready to go to the gym. I can't say No, I'm the athlete, right? So I changed clothes and trudged downstairs to the gym. Got my butt on the treadmill and pounded out the miles. And now, I feel so much better.
I know that training even on days when I feel like crap are important. This is one of the reasons I miss my girl Kelley so much. And today Andy was my saving grace. Thanks babe.

Recipe

• 2 frozen bananas, in pieces
• 1 T Peanut Butter & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams
• 2 T Nestle semi-sweet morsels

In a food processor, whirl the bananas until chalky.
Add the peanut butter and morsels and whirl again until like ice cream consistency.

Amazing Recipes and Great Blogs

I found a couple of great blogs that I wanted to share with you guys. Food is one of my favorite hobbies (LOL) but I have to admit I'm not an amazing cook. I can follow recipes but I'm not very good at creating recipes so I have to look to other people for ideas. And I have found 2 great ones. One is called The Runner's Kitchen. And the other is Marci Gilbert's blog.
These recipes are from women who are active and who enjoy eating healthy foods. I hope you guys enjoy these recipes. Me, I can't wait to try the Banana Peanut Butter Ice Cream.