The ramp up to a half marathon was taking a toll on my body. The fact that I was working on healing many injured parts did not help my add more stress to the body. Likewise, Ryan’s full-time work and full-time school schedule wasn’t allowing him time to properly prepare either. We could have pushed through, but I didn’t think that would bode well for my body. Therefore, I won’t be running a half marathon on April. Perhaps later this year. In the meantime, just running and enjoying the runs (however long or short) is what I plan to do.
When you need a little nudge to get going
Have all of you been seeing these adds saying “Anyone can run a half marathon”? Maybe it’s just me, but they are received as a bit of a mockery at my current struggle. I mean, I KNOW that I can do it; it’s just not as easy as the tone of these infomercials would suggest. Am I wrong?
Once again, Ryan (aka YaYa) and I are planning to run another half marathon. This next one is in April. It’s near home but not the one that had me running circles around downtown feeling like a I was stuck in some sort of a maze. Officially, my 12 week training plan started this week. And although I ran 6 miles a week ago, today I lacked the inspiration to get out the door.
I found it a little strange since last week’s run was in less than optimal conditions (cold and drizzly weather). Yet, today’s running conditions were optimal. I was dressed, fueled, hydrated, had done my pre-run drills. But I just couldn’t get myself out the door. I felt like I needed a little nudge (virtual or other) to get going.
My initial self-examination reveals that the main difference appears to be Ryan’s training. Don’t judge; it is what it is. Although I do not envision us running this race together (side-by-side), I somehow find that I am more accountable if he is hitting his scheduled runs. Yet, when his competing priorities prevent his training from going well, I have a harder time pushing myself out the door. If I thought I was doing the same for him, I’d probably have an easier time of it. But our means of motivation/inspiration are different.
It should be noted that I have not missed a single training run; it’s just been harder to begin each one of them.
I’ve enlisted the help of others for complimentary activities such as Strength & Mobility Training, and Nutritional Coaching. It is my hope that these measures will help me successfully train for and run the race without injury or compromising my wellness level (including body composition, bone health, joint stability, overall health, etc.).
The support ends there, however. My training runs are done alone. It’s up to me to do my drills, properly fuel, and get each of the training runs done. During today’s run, I thought about how the members of the Running Blog Family (RBF) supported each other in my years of marathon training. Back then, even though many of my long runs were also run alone, I always felt like we were connected as we all shared our training plans, trials & tribulations, and other aspects of the training experience on our blogs.
Although nowadays, I often feel a bit isolated, I find connections with the people I pass.
Today, I saw a man up in his tree trimming back its branches, several people walking their dogs (big and small), and a few others being walked by their dogs. There was a man pushing a walker with his cheering squad at his side, a few cyclists, and another man under the hood of his truck trying to convince it to GO. I smiled as I passed these people and somehow felt each of us supporting one another simply by our solo effort. For each of us are working towards something better. It won’t happen by itself; we have to make it happen.
What are YOU working to make happen?
I’d love to hear about what you’re working to make happen this year. Please leave a comment to share with me — and anyone else who may be reading.
Yosemite Half Marathon
If you couldn’t tell, I was quite uneasy going into the half marathon. It wasn’t that I hadn’t covered the training mileage; it was the fact that the quality of my training felt piss-poor. When the weather forecast changed from cloudy to rainy and cold, I wished I hadn’t been such a Fair-Weather Friend to running outdoors in the early months of my training. Thank God, the rain broke during the night and we enjoyed only as much a few sprinkles along the way. But, I’m getting ahead of myself.
Let’s start at the beginning
The alarm went off at 3:30am. This allowed YaYa and me about 30ish minutes to get dressed and out the door to catch the shuttle bus from the high school to the starting line. We’d prepared everything the night before. Race prep felt familiar – like my old marathon racing days. We laid out our clothes, filled our packs, and lined up our morning fuel and supplements. I even slept under my lucky race blanket which was created in a creative running-themed round-robin with a few of my RBF friends.
At the school, a long line of busses waited for the runners. I headed towards the second in the line but it seemed that they were filling the first, then opening the doors for the next. So, we got on a nearly packed bus and sat apart from each other. I began getting to know Sara from Vancouver, Washington as the bus began moving. The driver greeted us. Then he started telling us, flight attendant style, about how each of our windows would serve as an emergency exit as needed. I wondered how treacherous the journey to the starting line was going to be. Did I need a barf bag? Finally, he told us that this was his first trip and that he was using GPS — cautioning us that GPS sometimes misdirects. Hmm. Well, at least we have nearly 2 hours until race start. Maybe that’s why they pick us up so early.
A short while later, I saw a sign that said The Pines Resort and felt the bus come to a stop. But there was no instruction to get off. And while it seemed like we were parked, in reality, the bus was stuck mid-turnabout (sandwiched between the trees). After a bit of maneuvering, a call for a rescue bus, a handful of us got off and started walking (0.8 miles) to the starting line. We had just enough time to hit the port-a-potties and check our bag of post race clothes.
Toeing the line
Although YaYa could’ve moved up in the race corral, he opted to toe the line with me at his side. Had we not warmed up with the walk to the starting line, he might have stayed with me a little longer. Feeling good, he decided to go on ahead. Even with as little training as he did, I would pay dearly for it if I tried to run his pace.
In the first few miles, my left knee twinged a bit. It worried me but I kept running (albeit slowly). I tried to stay on the crown of the road but not be right on the line in case it was slippery due to being wet from the rain. By the time we turned towards the south side of Bass Lake, the pain seemed to have subsided. I was cautiously relieved.
The views were picturesque indeed. I snapped a photo here and there, and sent it to my mom by text. But I wasn’t all smiley and chatty, as I was in the last half marathon. I had a job to do and it took all my energy to just keep running.
The Hill
Now the original race course was supposed to be a nice net-downhill course. The re-routed course had a hill, which the race organizers warned us about. Around mile 4 there was to be a “short climb.” Taking them at their word, I tried to run it. That didn’t last long at all. I soon joined the rest of the crowd — walking the hill that didn’t feel short at all. About ¾ the way up the hill, the course turned onto the dirt section. I smiled when I saw it ahead of us; I was looking forward to a more gentle feel under my feet.
Muddy, Muddy, Muddy
I started running again when I hit the dirt, or mud that is. But, the mud was so slippery across the entire width of the trail that everyone came to a halt. And we walked nearly every step of that 3 mile stretch. It seems that, in an effort to level out the road for us, the US Forest Service graded this section of the course. Then it rained, and rained, and RAINED.
By the time we hit pavement again, my hip flexors were shot from tensing up in an effort not the fall on my arse. Emptying my bladder seemed like a good idea to allow me to relax a little. Although there wasn’t much to empty, the release did help a little.
About a mile later, we were back at the lake. Runners were headed towards the finish on the other side of the cones. However, we still had to journey 1 ½ miles in the opposite direction before getting to make that u-turn. Quite frankly, it was a bit of a head game. But that view made it a little easier.
Halfway
I watched as the runners passed me, wishing I was in their shoes so-to-speak. I kept watch for YaYa to past me on his way back towards the finish. But after a while, I figured I’d missed him and gave up. I was feeling those rolling hills and was not enjoying them. I’d walk a little on the little ups and start back running on the little downs. As far ahead as I could see, runners seemed to keep on going and going around the lake edge. My mind was going a little crazy.
Ugh! Where was this turn? How much farther?
Then I saw a familiar face. YaYa was waving at me from the other side. Like me, he was feeling the road and it didn’t feel pleasant. We HURT. We snapped a photo and went off in different directions. The turn was still out of sight and I kept wondering (or whining) How much longer until I would hit the darn turn? [Read more…]
T minus 21d
I dug out my official 2011 Boston Marathon shirt this morning and tried it on just to feel something. I can’t say exactly what I needed to feel. Connection, maybe. It’s marathon weekend in Boston with Marathon Monday just a few days away. Every year, a part of me remembers that amazing experience of being able to run that incredible race. It’s a little bitter sweet; pride coupled with a feeling of missing out. This morning, as I prepared to go out for my weekend run, I eyed myself in the mirror wearing that shirt. It still fits nicely, in spite of the weight gain. But I don’t feel like much of a runner these days. I thought be now I’d find a new groove but it’s still not so easy.
I’ve been continuing my regular yoga practice, stepping up my strength training effort, added supplements for arthritis relief, and even have been working with a nutrition coach. And, I *have* been training, although my training has not been the best. In spite of logging the distances of my planned long runs, I have had to walk-jog most of these miles in the past few weeks. I have a number of “excuses” that I have been blaming: everything from cold weather, arthritis flareups, hip and knee strain, trail closure due to flooding, and even a period of separation-anxiety with my treadmill. Seriously! I guess I am finally over my PTSD from the treadmill fall (concussion + treadmill burn turned to leg cellulitis, infection, and ugly dark scarring) incident of 2009. To be honest, it’s just convenient. If I have to stop to go to the bathroom, it’s right there. No trail closures. No giant sections of slippery mud. And, I get to see and learn about places all over the world thanks to iFit.
But treadmill running and propelling myself on dirt and pavement are not the same even with added incline. I had to break away from the ‘mill and get outside to walk, jog and run. The long awaited Yosemite Half Marathon is sneaking up on us rather quickly. TOO QUICK, if you ask me. Of course, I don’t feel a prepared as I had wanted to. In fact, I hardly feel like I can call myself a runner. Nonetheless, I do plan to toe the line, albeit reluctantly. YaYa’s training has had some hiccups as well. A hard takedown in his judo class coupled with the time and energy limitations of juggling a full college load and his role as Fitness Manager at the gym make training hard for him to get in. Although he blew me away with his half marathon time last year (also with limited training), I’m not sure how it will go this time. He may be hanging back with me. He may blow past me. I guess we’ll see.
Due to the crazy weather that California has been experiencing, the race course had to be re-routed to a completely new course. Although the new course won’t be the downhill race profile that racers had planned on, I does appear to be a mild course with very lovely views of the lake along the way. I am excited and nervous. Oh yeah, the race starts at sunrise (6am) with shuttle buses taking us to the starting line at 4am. *yawn* Although I am not excited to read this, YaYa (being a night owl) will have a harder time dealing with this than I will.
Well, I have my longest training run next weekend with 10 miles on tap. I have a 2-week taper after that in preparation for the race. If anyone is reading this, please send good luck vibes to YaYa and me.
Change of Plans
It’s hard to believe that nearly a month has passed since I got stung by the wasp. The puncture site did get infected and, as a result, my leg endured a mild celulitus. Thankfully, my doctor prescribed a course of antibotics right away.
My leg is now back to normal with only a pinpoint area of hard tissue where the stinger entered the skin. I took about a week break from my training. Shortly after I resumed my training runs, YaYa and I decided that the timing of the Joshua Tree Half Marathon was far from ideal. So, we changed races to another VR race in May 2023.
In the meantime, I am enjoying a more reasonable mileage build coupled with powerzone rides on my Peloton bike.