Milking the Moping

Earlier this week I had given Phil a hard time for milking the moping.  IE talking about how worried he is about his knee and going down the ‘what if’ trail.  All the ‘what ifs’ were negative.  I thought he was just trying to get my sympathy or get out of workouts.  Today I realized I was wrong.

His knee pain has been starting around mile 15.  We were going to do 18-20 today but decided last night that I would split it up into two runs and he would just do the later with me.  I was ok with that.  I headed out this morning and knew from the start it was going to be bad.  I was dehydrated despite waking up twice last night to drink.  I got extremely dizzy and called it at mile 6.  It just wasn’t worth it.  My legs were pooped but that didn’t bother me I was still able to move them.  I just didn't like being alone when I felt weird.  I walked for 3 miles and then was able to run the last 3 home.  I wasn’t discouraged because I knew the problem. 

 

I ate and drank tons and headed off to church and then had a quick swim.  My swim was excellent.  Although I only did 30 laps they had some pace to them.  Quickly got home and met up with Phil for another try at 10 miles.  We made it one mile and he needed to turn around.  He was already limping.  We grabbed my bike and he road next to me the last 8.  I am very thankful for him as I know that must have been discouraging.  It didn’t help to hear comments like “Who has the better deal in this case” and “There’s something wrong with that situation.”  I think it showed his compassion and not his weakness.  I finished up the run feeling good.  It was slow…real slow but I was able to do it on tired legs and could have kept going.  

A first happened today: my car was broken into.  I'm not sure how as nothing was broken but when I got in my car to head to church all three off my compartments had been opened and stuff was pulled out on all over the floor and on the seats.  As far as I can tell nothing was taken.  Strange.  Maybe they just wanted money.  Hopefully I'll get to look at the security video tomorrow since it was the spot directly in front of the building and see who it was.  I had already cleaned a lot up before taking the picture.

Refueling!

Guana River Round Two

Yesterday was perfect.  I started the morning with a quick 1 hour trainer ride while watching the Gate River Run on the television.  I had a decent cadence and was enjoying pushing.  Watching running races can be fun and this one was good motivation.  I really wanted to go further but got off as I only had about 45 min before Phil was picking me up to go run 26.5 miles.  

Sticking with tradition (ie done once the time before) I had Phil stop at Chick-fil-a for a biscuit.  We arrive 2 min after breakfast hours ended but they still had some remaining.  Score.  It’s the secret weapon.   I am still in shock that Phil has never had one of these.

  

We didn’t have much of plan starting off: it was my second time at Guana and Phil’s first.  The rough plan was to do an out and back and refuel at the car at mile 18.  The was because we (1) wanted to try to get to the other parking lot to see if there was water, (2) mile 18 is a little after where Phil’s knee has been acting up this week, and (3) we couldn’t carry any more water.  I had my backpack and Phil at my waist pack and two hand helds. 

At mile two I had to stop and take a lifesaving 800mg motrin.  My left knee and hip were acting up and I wasn’t going to deal with it.  The first 1.5 is the only soft sand and soft sand and I don’t get along.  Luckily it didn’t bother me at all after that point.  Soon after we passed where the wild hogs were last time and didn’t see them.  You could however see where they tear up the trail.  Phil was pushing me at this point as he was feeling really strong.

Near the top of the park we ran into two men who were lost looking for their wives on horseback.  We hadn’t seen them.  They were trying to just get back to the parking lot.  After asking, they said there was water where they parked.  Perfect.  We were at the point where we needed to turn around or if we explored we would HAVE to find the water.  We’ll we did neither.  Uh Oh.  The trail/road splits into three sections.  We ran to the dead in of two of them.  No luck.  The third…well it was muddy.  We made it about a mile in and I was annoyed but Phil was frustrated.  It was getting worse and worse.  We called it.  I knew it would be tough getting back.  

Heading back I wanted to do the trails and not the road.  Same distance just parallel.  The problem is I didn’t know how far we had to go.  What I thought would be a little more than 5 was 7 miles.  We should have gotten to the car a little after 20 but instead it was 23.  

Phil was doing great until mile 15 when his IT band started acting up.  Thankfully he hasn’t experienced any injuries before but unfortunately that means he doesn’t have the past to help him determine how much he can push through before pain turns into true pain and worsening the injury.  By mile 18 he was limping pretty bad and he called it by mile 20.  Although I felt great I didn’t feel comfortable leaving him with neither of us being familiar with the surroundings.  Plus walking is beneficial and we both needed fluids. 

While running I had very little stomach issues (success!).  Three separate occasions I had slight pains but they went away in a few min.  The most painful part was walking.  We refilled at 23 and continued walking to get our total 26.5.  The last two miles Phil wanted to try to run and I just couldn’t get started.  I was soooo salty and hadn’t really eaten since we started walking.  My body wouldn’t go. 

We finished of the run with some sit ups.  We started this earlier in the week and have kept it going after each run.  Hopefully it will pay off because I have lost all of my core strength since I’m not biking outdoors any more.  

Thankfully last night I had no pains and wasn’t sore at all.  I love that feeling!  No if I just didn’t have a bruised nail that I would bet I will loose it would have been the perfect day. Wild life spotted: armadillos, baby alligator, big alligators, bald eagle, and deer!

Thursday

My first swim over 45 min since Oct. 24.  It was about time.  It actually felt good to be in the pool for an hour.  Huge bonus that I didn't get bored. 

No Go

5:30 am and it was freezing.  41 with 20mph wind.  We were going to run 13 but within 5 min of Phil arriving he was back out the door.  So much for us holding each other accountable.  I hate the cold.  We will try again tonight.

Back To The Grind

First day running in 5 days due to the trip with Malissa.  The break was purposeful and the trip was scheduled to give myself much needed rest after a heaving training block.  It worked.  I was a little nervous heading out for a 16 mile on Monday but the legs felt great.  Negative slit and held the last 6 miles around an 8:15 pace.  The only downside to the run was my four pee stops – I’m not sure what was up with my bladder.  My new nutrition plan seems to be working better.  1 shot block alternating with 2 shot blocks every 2 miles rather than always two.  We will see how this does on a long run.  Overall I’m ready to start this week: 80+ miles ahead of me.  

Happy post run. 

Unhappy post run.

 

Phil's first experience with IT band troubles.  

 

To punctuate the first day back I biked, swam, and went to a body sculpting class with Bre at the YMCA.  I almost died by class time.  I needed food and was really tired.  It doesn’t help that I have zero muscle and was having a hard time doing the reps with only 10lbs on the bar.  One more thing to make me realize I really do need to start doing strength training.  

Last night (Tuesday) we cancelled intervals again but for a good reason.  Phil's knee is giving him a lot of trouble.  Instead of doing 8 miles of intervals we did 8 miles walking.   It was slow but steady and probably just as beneficial to me in terms of long term training.

Orlando

I had a great weekend spending time with my dear college friend in Orlando.  She arrived in Jacksonville Thursday night and we went to watch the musical Billy Elliot.  We woke up Friday and heading down to Orlando and stayed until Monday.  We went to a Braves spring training game against the Nationals and all four Disney theme parks.  It wiped me out!

Double

Yesterday was a blast and the first double run of the training season.  It was completely unplanned.  We started off with 16 miles in the early morning.  The first 5 were incredibly slow: partly because it took me awhile to warm up and partly because it was very dark.  We picked it up no problem and the last three were very solid.  I even surprised Phil when on the last mile I ran up beside him.  Normally he leaves me behind (I tell him to) because he is faster but today I had it in me to comfortably run the last mile at 7:15.  He looked over and smirked and gave me a ‘what are you doing here’ look.  It made it want to keep running on pace.  

Happy to be able to run before heading into work. 

On the run we were almost attacked by a giant black bear or dog.  I’m not sure which.  It came running out from behind a house into the yard barking but thankfully stopped before the street.  I jumped behind Phil like a scary cat and Phil remained calm.  I was slightly surprised that he didn’t scream and run away.  I now feel more safe and protected.  Thanks Phil.  He did however jump later in the run when little dogs barked in the day light.  I think he has things backwards. 

Even though it was cool we still needed a lot of fluids.  Phil stopped at a sprinkler head which took me right back to my Panama City days.  I used to only drink from sprinklers and not even carry water.  At some point on the run we had about a 2 min conversation on how our lives affect those around us.  Phil jokingly said “Look what I sacrifice for you” in reference to sleep and getting up early to meet me.  It got me thinking…I am truly thankful for friends, family, past roommates who have all been apart of my crazy lifestyle. 

I got off work relatively early and threw out the idea of doing intervals last night rather than this morning.  I was concerned that the intervals wouldn’t be as strong at 5am in the dark and on tired legs.  We decided to go for it and I’m so glad.  20 min warm up followed by ½ mile intervals with 3min rest in between then a cool down - a little over 10 miles total.   The first 6 were relatively comfortable and I was able to negative split.  By number 6 I was pushing.  8 was solid.  I was shocked when I saw 6:42 pace for number 9 and was determined to get under 6:30 for the last one.  I did 6:28 but only because Phil hung back and pushed me through it.  I thought I was going to die.  The calves are soo tight and the quads felt like jello.  Success! 

Bam - solid intervals on the second run of the day.

Double run - what - we ran a marathon today - no biggie.

The secret pre-run food: a first and might be used again.

Treadmill Tuesday

Tuesday was the first day in over a year I stepped on a treadmill.  The weather has been horrible and I didn’t feel like running in lightening and tornado warnings.  I’ve been saying for weeks I need to practice walking and after having a hard time with it on Saturday today was the day to practice.  Thankfully Phil agreed and we did two hours before work.  It really wasn’t that boring and I survived without a working TV.  Phil and I were discussing SS100 and how we both ended up registering.  He asked if I was worried he would not do it after he already committed.  I said nope “the cool factor is too great to back out.”  I keep telling myself the same thing.

I was able to get in a short swim in the evening in between the sky falling.  It was my best swim in awhile because the heater had gone out.  The normally hot 82-83 water was a perfect 79.  

My shot blocks came in the other day.  I found a great deal online and just couldn’t pass up buying several boxes.  I know these will all be gone well before off season starts.  They just look a little funny stacked up in my pantry.  Hmmm fuel. 
 

 

I’ve been trying to start weight training and core strengthening.  And by trying I mean thinking about and not actually doing anything.  I was determined this past weekend to change that and broke out my free weights and the stretch cord.  Well in less than 10 min the cord snapped and whipped me in the neck.  So much for trying to get in a routine.  I will not be attempting that any time soon. 

Excuse Me Sir...No Cheating

I was determined to make Sunday’s run a good run.  I had so much doubt after Saturdays run that I needed a successful run.  It turned out great!  The plan called for 16 miles but I decided we were going to do 18-20 in the morning.  Well when I reveled that to Phil he wasn’t as onboard as I was.  I can’t blame him though extra miles aren’t always fun.  I don’t think he initially believed me because I could stop laughing while telling him.

Happy.  I could have cared less we were slow.

We started out much slower than yesterday and that was the plan.  I didn’t care about pace: I just wanted no pain and to finish feeling like I could keep going.  All things were good about the run: I didn’t chaff, I had enough fluids, I ate less (1 shot blok every 2 miles with 2 at mile 8 and 14 along with a cliff bar), and I only pooped ONCE!  I even went without my calf sleeves for the first time in months, wore new shorts, and drank water and not gatoraid – all this was done to convince myself today was a new fresh day of running and it was going to be good.

The 'yup we did it' post run pic.

The best part of the run was at the water stop at mile 8.  It was in a local park where three young kids were playing football.  The oldest looked at Phil and said “Excuse me sir do you want to play football.”  He responded with something to the effect of “I don’t play football” but he thinks he said “I can’t play right now.”   Well I can never turn down a football so I got him to throw it to me and threw it back a few times.  Nothing impressive but I loved that the kids had the guts (and manners) to ask so politely.  I knew it was time to go when he under threw it and I had to lean down to get the ball: hello quads: nice of you to remind me you are sore.

Sorta icing while cooling down.

The whole run Phil said he was hurting but he looked fine and was talking without difficulty so I knew I could get him to do the full run with me.  Towards the end of the run Phil was talking about taking off and picking up the pace.  I was all for him doing it but I knew I wouldn’t keep up.  I really wanted to tell him to go to 20 since he felt good enough he could pick up the pace but didn’t want to push my limits: I already had gotten two extra miles from him.   As we were running up the huge hill (ie ramp) I was using my left hand to push myself off the cement blocker.  I heard “No cheating” from behind but I didn’t’ care:  It was helping me get up the hill.  At the top he took off and I just picked up the pace slightly.  So happy to have had a solid run! 

Post run hour long bike.  Nothing special just free spinning to loosen the legs.

Run and bike mostly pain free.  Only mild inner left groin pain.

Smooth Rocks - Saturday Run

“I prefer to use smooth rocks over leaves.”  That was my response to Phil asking me about what I do after I go to the bathroom on a run.  It isn’t ideal but it is my reality.  I was waiting for the run where my GI issues would reappear and well Saturday it was.  Phil and I headed off for a 26.5 mile run after I got off of work.  I was pumped and was feeling pretty good!  It was pretty hot (78) with only a little breeze.  I packed lots of food and wore my backpack for the second time so I could carry enough fluids.  

All the fluids and food pre run.

Excited for my first marathon of this training block.

We stopped at mile 14 to refill fluids and I still felt strong.  That was until mile 18.  The stomach hit hard and I had to find my first bush.  I’m not sure if it was the heat, what I ate prior, too many sugary shot blocks, or not enough liquids.  It was hard to recover and although I wanted to push through Phil was fading also.  I told him we had to push through our walls and could stop at mile 21.  He started doing his walk/run which although I know is really beneficial and can be even faster it still mentally defeats me.  It just hurts too bad to start running after walking.  We made it to mile 21 and walked around a little bit looking for a water spout.  I thought for sure I would finish the remainder of the miles running: wrong.  I called it at mile 22.5 and said lets just walk.  The next 4 miles sucked flat out.  Made it 1.5 ‘walking fast’ and then ended up just walking and by the end was doing a walk/stop/stretch/poop/complain rotation over and over.   Looking back I wasn’t fading as much as I thought based on time.  Average at the ‘why did I give in and give up point’ was 9.18/mile.  Overall finished was a little over 10min/mile pace.

Went old school (MS 50 days) and made a sign before the run to make sure I finished. 

 Death afterwards.  GI troubles all afternoon/evening.

 Lesson learned: Will not wear the backpack again without wearing a shirt.  

 It burned so bad when I got in the shower. 

The Last Few Days

Monday was uneventful as it was an off day for training since Aaron was still in town and I had to go to work.  When I came home I found a scrubbed tub that was sparkling and hamburgers ready to be cooked.  They were delicious.  I'm thankful he was able to come visit all the way from California even if it was just for a few days. 

The clean tub!

Delious, melt in my mouth, yummy burger.

Tuesday night we broke our stretch of intervals: just couldn’t make it 6 Tuesdays in a row.  I was feeling ok minus left IT troubles but Phil was recovering from his Austin marathon on Sunday.  When he mentioned just running steady I didn’t complain.  I’m glad we did because my left knee KILLED until mile 4 – not good - all the result from the hip pain at mile 17 on Saturday I think. 

Stupid IT ban problems.  Left knee and hip are not on my favorites list.

Wednesday was wonderful.  I love that Phil has a job where he can take off at lunch to run with me on my days off.  13 in perfect sunny and 60 weather.  The first seven we kept laughing that all the cars were being really nice – I even started counting how many completely stopped or passed us by going across the yellow line.  Normally this does not happen when we run this oneish mile stretch without sidewalks.  It became pretty humorous watching the drivers.  The last 6 were fun.  At our turn around we ended up not stopping to fill up our water bottles.  Probably a mistake but made it work.  At the start of mile 8 I realized my HR was averaging  145 and thought ok I can push.  Without much effort I dropped to 8:30 so I decided to pick it up even more.  So much for the first 7 being at 9s.  I dropped to 7:30-7:45 and kept it there for mile 9,10, 11.  The last two were at 7:20.  I have never done that before.  Very stoked.  Only negative was my left knee had significant pain until mile 3.5 and even though it became manageable it never went away. 

Post run picture.

The rest of Wednesday I was on a high and starting getting a lot of errands marked off my list.  I cleaned, vaccumed, and finished putting up my blinds.  They look so much better than the pull down shades.

Changing out blinds/shades in the bedrooms.

Early evening meal.