Saturday, April 14, 2012

#TwitterCharityRun and Training Run

#TwitterCharityRun - complete!  I only signed up to run 10 miles, but I also wanted to test myself and see if I have the capability to run those 1/2 Marys in May and June... as you can see, I'm not running the pace I need to make my 2 hour goal - so it looks like I will need to change corals at the start line... but I also think that I have the capability to complete the courses without stopping - and I'm happy about that!  Next phase - stay healthy and pick up the pace.

Training Run by amzpnc at Garmin Connect - Details

I ran for 'Compassion International' today, and specifically for Mutesi, the great young woman who I am sponsoring.  Hopefully I can send some pictures of the run to her with my next letter :)

This 'running as a hobby' thing takes more work than some people might imagine.  Every day, there are the questions; are you getting in your miles and enduarnce training you need, are you eating not only properly - but enough?  There's the discipline of physical therapy - if something isn't hurting, it's not on my mind to get to PT right away.  However, with this latest muscle challenge - it has definitely helped me to plan ahead with the PT just like I plan ahead with other aspects of my life.

See?  Running IS an analogy to life - people say it all the time - and I'm slowly learning more and more by what they mean exactly.

So planning ahead - it can get to you.  First weekend in June I need to be able to run a 1/2 Mary in [hopefully] 02:01:13 or less (that was my course time for last year).  The first weekend in May, I'll be running the 1/2 Mary in the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, OH!  (My birth state).  Next weekend, I'm running in the TarHeel 10-Miler race in Chapel Hill, NC.  So, in between those the training runs need to be calculated and scheduled carefully in the work calendar.

Yes, work calendar - there's the 10+ hour/day job to weave into the mix.  Next weekend, 10 miles, following weekend (weekend before 1/2 Mary in Ohio) I should run an 8-10 mile route.  Then there are three weekends before the next 1/2 Mary in California (I take my vacations around my races, what - everyone does that, yes?)  Those 3 weekends will need to include one long run (12+) and two 8-10 milers.  Plus physical therapy appointments, and grocery shopping, house work, gardening, reading up on my new nutrition plan, finances, the list goes on.

Just like everyone elses list.  Yeah?

Left hammie, right piriformis and peroneus, DDD, work stress, blah blah blah.  We all have something we fight with on a constant basis... but I love to run and it keeps me moving.  Sure, pun intended, why not.  It's true though, the planning, the preparations, the training - it all leads up to those moments.  Like the blissful moments of zen I felt on today's run as the sun was rising, the breeze was flowing, I was pain-free, and my mind and soul were content.  Yeah, I live for those moments.

Until next time, just keep on training, keep on dreaming, keep on testing your limits.

Just keep on running,
Ta,
@am3er

Monday, April 2, 2012

I am a rain runner, or perhaps I just like challenging environments.  That sounds like a theory that is likely to be tested with fervor in the near future...

I'm happy to report that not only was I able to run on Saturday for the Human Race 5K (our team raised $540 USD for our charity, go team!), but that I also did not stop!  I even had a better pace than just 2 short weeks ago!  Grant it, I'm not at the pace I want for my April through June 'races'... that just simply means my goals are outlined that much more clearly and there is room to improve.

'Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.' ~ William Channing

...which is also why I went out for a training run yesterday - I felt this urge to test myself.  It's been way too long since I've run two days back to back.  Very disheartening for a runner's spirit.  So I said to heck with the laundry and housework, it can wait!  Hey, happy wife - happy life, and I didn't get any resistance on this choice.  The pace is staying steady, and I want to shave a good 10-20 seconds off each mile (this will be challenging with the pesky piriformis syndromie thingie).  BUT.  Yes, a big BUT - I went for a run and there were a good 3 instances during the run that I felt my zone come back.  They were fleeting, no more than a minute each time, but the frequency was up and that gave me the much needed encouragement I need right now.  Okay, so out of the 1:00:05 duration, that's not much, but when you have been missing that feeling, every little bit is like an ounce of gold.  Rocks to gold; heat/stress to refine/test.

The zone?  For me, it's that realization that the hips are aligned and happy, the cadence is close to perfect, the shoulders are back, down and relaxed, the breathing is calm, and you feel like you could run forever.  It is an awesome feeling, it's not the enkephalin-induce nirvana state, it's a state of empowerment, you sense that you are in control - but you know you are not - and you're okay with this higher power.

Am I pain free?  Sadly no, the right leg was tingling and I found myself automatically kneading the right glute (yes, while I was running...).  I didn't hesitate to stretch when I finished - and the heating blanket came out of storage last night too.  Although, I'm 2 days without any NSAIDs and I'm personally ecstatic with that progress.

Right, off to foam roll, stretch and do some paycheck-earning work.  Tonight, another test, tomorrow, another.  I will keep testing my limits, because to me that is how I learn about myself and life (and what I should be doing with it).  Doubt?  Oh, she's still there and giving me the Cheshire cat of a smile - but I smile back with a maniacal chuckle.  She looks a bit concerned at the moment.  It's game time sister, and I don't like to lose.

Just keep working at it my friends - if it was easy, it wouldn't be called a workout but rather an easy out.  Give your pride something to shout about.  Make today count!

Dominate YOUR Journey,
-am3er