Tuesday, January 31, 2012

3M in the books...next!

Can't wait to add this one Feb 19th!


This year was the 4th time I've run the 3M Half Marathon, and again I was reminded why it is the best race in Austin! This year I met about 6-7 members of my Austin Fit training group to run the race with them. I was so glad later that I did! The plan was to go out with them for the first 10K and then decide if I wanted to crank it up any. And just the opposite happened.

The start was COLD! around 38 I am guessing. I was glad I wore my Nike cold weather tights, at least at first. It did not take me long to shed my throw-away sweatshirt (they eventually get donated to Goodwill!) as I always warm up quickly. Not even 1/2 mile and off it came! I had some throw away gloves that lasted to the 1 mile marker. The start was really a letdown, since our group lined up WAY at the back. Could not hear the star-spangled banner, the announcer, the start, nothing! We just started running as the masses ahead of us took off. Smooth but in some ways I missed the excitement of starting in the middle of the pack. It did not take long for our group to split up. Two ladies we knew were running for time were the first to go, leaving 4 of us...Mark, our pace group leader from A.F., an older guy named Gary and myself with Tiffany. We all met Tiffany's fiancee before the start, really nice guy who it would turn out we'd see 3 more times! Tyron I believe his name was.

Not to quibble, but I was annoyed at our pacer. He was going out too fast, running faster than the 11 min/mile pace I thought he was going to lead....which is what we trained at. It proved to be too much for Tiffany, who was really having difficulty breathing. I decided at the 3 mile mark to stay with her for moral support. I felt so badly for her, she was tough though and stuck it out. Her fiancee met us along the course a couple more times and at the finish, which was cool. He had to do some real scrambling to get around the course with so many roads closed off!!

I felt really strong, but the slower pace did take a toll on my hamstrings, since I was not striding out the same. I adapted overall so it was cool, and I was glad to be able to help encourage Tiffany to finish. She was really grateful and that was nice. I've had runners do it for me - pace me in on a bad day - and I know how it can help. It was time to pay it forward. No regrets at all, it helped really make it a special race....

Great photo ops at the finish line, can't wait to see the pics with the Capital in the background! Super nice medal, best yet.

Helped Dennis put up some siding on his house later in the day. Megs helped with some painting, we ate some dinner and then I took her home.

Next up is the Austin Half Marathon, the last race in the Austin Distance Challenge! This one is flat the first 7 miles, then some killer hills come. I am ready, and excited!!! This will be a huge race, as it's run in conjunction with the Austin Marathon. I will add pics as I get them!!

Friday, January 27, 2012

3M is almost here and the hay is in the barn....

3M has the finest SWAG!



Went out last night for a 5 mile run at Brushy Creek Lake Park. Yup, the same 5 mile route that I had a disastrous run on not too far in the distant past. But that was then, this is now. The calf has healed completely and did not squawk once!

I did my trigger point rollout first and afterwards too, and as always it really makes a difference! I used to have such bad knee pain I would hurt for days. My recovery is getting faster and faster! My run was so, so cool. It was perfect, 65 deg outside so I worked up a good sweat, ran negative splits so I was finishing strong. I'm completely ready for 3M, can't wait to run this with my Austin Fit training group!

I can't wait to post my race report Sunday! :O)

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

January's "Shit that makes me happy"...

"This is going to be complicated" - Do you know which character said this?

  1. Spending time helping some friends on their house. 
  2. My calf is healed! Two long runs in my Austin Fit training group (11.2 and 12.3) with no strains!
  3. New running friends through Runner's World magazine forums...Paulette and Kristy rock!
  4. Learning that some high school friends are coming to Houston in March!
  5. Two playoff watching parties. 
  6. Bought "The Happiness Project" one sentence journal..happiness takes some effort!
  7. New music - "Cough Syrup"; "Nothing"; "Set Fire to the Rain"
  8. Movies - Top Gun (classic); Into Temptation; Pride and Prejudice (can't watch this too many times!)
  9. LifeTime fitness workouts - especially the elliptical and spin classes...and the weight is finally dropping!


Sunday, January 15, 2012

Last word on "The Calf"....I hope!

Soon there will be 4 pieces!! 


I ran a very hilly 12.2 miles with my Austin Fit group yesterday!! Woot!! What a great day to run, sunny, no wind and COLD! I got to wear my Nike running tights and I think they are the best purchase next to my shoes I ever made! Could have run in shorts but it would have taken longer to warm up!
We did a route down Scenic Drive, and in the area of the Run 4 the Water course where I injured the calf to begin with. What sweet revenge! I ran hard up all the hills, including the stairs at Congress Ave on the way back to TxDot where we meet. I felt strong at the end, and had a good sprint with another lady in the group. We were running 8:30 at the last 1/2 mile....:O)

I do have a nagging pain in my left achilles tendon, but hey it's always something right? Could be related to the calf...I'm increasing the Trigger Point exercises and we'll see how it is Weds. Dr Wagenblast has a free injury diagnosis clinic that I can always go to if I think I need it. For now, ice and ibuprofen really helps.

So two weeks until 3M and I think I'm right where I want to be pace wise. I've been running the long Saturday runs with the 11 min/mile group and I feel I'm really holding back, so that's good. I will start with them at 3M and evaluate at about 3-4 mile point. I'm guessing I will move it up to 10:30 at least....I know the pacer and she is excellent!

Megs and I went out to Dennis' place and I helped him get some more siding on, today I wimped and am taking care of this sore Achilles....later we will head out there to watch the Texans. Boring for her, but important to live my life and take her along I think. We can't shop as much as we usually do as I am buckling down some on my finances. We are eating only at home and so far, so good! Cooked Cindy's cheesy potatoes and baked Cod last night, yum!

Friday, January 13, 2012

I want to take a bite out of the Big Apple!

Ok, I am pumped up now!!!!

Perry Huntley,
We have received your application for the ING New York City Marathon 2012. Your entry number is 903482. Please include this number and your name in any correspondence pertaining to this race.
To check your status, or to update/change your personal information, you can log in to your NYRR online runner account.
After the non-guaranteed entry drawing for U.S. and international applicants is held shortly after the application closes on Monday, April 23, we will process the fees for those accepted and e-mail both accepted entrants and those whom we do not accept.
For more information about the ING New York City Marathon, please visit the NYRR website. Thank you for your interest in the ING New York City Marathon 2012.
Best of luck,
New York Road Runners

Saturday, January 7, 2012

There are good runs, and then there are GREAT runs!

Forgot to watch it this week! Runners, watch it!

Some days all the stars align, the God(s) looks down favorably on the running nerds of this world, and the weather cooperates. Today was one of those days that affirms why I am a runner.
After missing my long run last Saturday - they did 9 hilly miles - I was really eager to get back with my group today. The route was perfect - MOSTLY flat - and I had "bail-out" routes if the calf totally locked up and I got left behind. But the kicker? It was a scheduled 11 MILES!!!

Monday and Friday I saw Dr Wagenblast, and he did ART on The Calf. Monday I got in 4 good miles at Town Lake, very slow pace...even for me. Thursday I did a treadmill 5K and things were tight but overall encouraging. I did several long gym workouts with cross-training on the spin bike and elliptical. Friday morning I felt really good, with the only exception being a painful twinge in my right hammie that kept coming and going. I did my Trigger Point exercises daily, and skipped them on Friday. Did them this morning before I left the house...

The mental game this week was a tough one. Sure, I had a bad run on the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving day and 10 days later ran 13.1 in the Decker Challenge....but I was not sure I could repeat that comeback....and then one of my new "virtual running buddies", Paulette from Brooklyn, posted a terrific poster on her Facebook page, that said "The voice in your head that says you can't do this is a liar!". That became my mantra today! I was determined that short of seizing up completely, that damn calf was NOT going to stop me. I focused on a lot of positive self talk, every time any doubts popped up. In other words, I talked to myself almost the entire run. I have learned that it really helps to encourage the others in my group, that while telling them how good they look, how strong they are running, it psyches me up every time! Today it paid huge dividends. We were about 9 miles in, and the lead pacer fell back due to stomach issues. The backup pacer came forward and challenged 3-5 of us up front to pick up our pace on an uphill stretch!! This younger lady did just that, and I just stepped up into her slipstream and told myself I was not going to let up, no matter what! And I did not. I felt strong, and tough, mentally when it mattered most. It had nothing to do with anyone around me, really. I popped my ear buds in, and good old Sammy Hagar extorted me...."Right here, right NOW!". Gotta love it when music pushes you over that hill like it does not even exist. We all really felt super and waited to high five the group as they all streamed in. My watch died somewhere around mile 9 I think, and it really does not matter. It was a run I'll never forget.

Thanks again, Paulette!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

2012 starts off with a whimper...

The Calf, it bit me in the ass again. I was so excited last Wednesday to be back on the Brushy Creek trail for a short (planned) 5 mile run. The calf felt great and I was coming off a good Saturday long run of 7 miles. I had no cause for concern...until I got about 1 1/2 miles in and the familiar stiffening started again. I still did not panic, since this has been the norm for every run since it happened. Usually it has stretched out and I've been OK after that. I was running a bit faster than I had been, about 10 min/mile pace. Snail slow compared to....well fuck that comparison. It's not 2008 anymore.

So going across the dam at Brushy Creek Lake, it finally totally locked up just like it did on the Turkey Trot. Only faster. I was able to stretch it out and finally hobbled to the 2 /12 mile point, then headed back. I had to stop again and stretch it, and then I was able to jog it back to the car, VERY slowly. In a panic, I called Dr Wagenblast to see if I could get in the next day. No such luck, full and closed Friday.

Fast forward to Monday, saw the doc. Mild strain this time, and I finally had to admit I have not been doing my exercises, and that is not good! So I went to his free Trigger Point stretching class that night, and got it back on track. He was really patient with me as always, and helped me realize I may need to ALWAYS stretch with Trigger Point before and after runs, and ice the calf. It works, so I'm not going to mess around with what works. Twice a day as a minimum!

After my visit I did a slow 4 mile run at Town Lake and although a bit stiff, the calf held up OK. Monday night I hit the gym, as well as Tuesday. I need to get this extra weight off:

All I can say is this is going to motivate me to get that weight off!

This weekend I'm hoping to be back with Austin Fit for my long run. Praying even!

Discovered this gem on a movie (Fever Pitch) soundtrack....love it!