I ran the Spring Lake Five on Saturday 55:52. I'm ok with that. I ran the entire race, no walking, but the funny thing is that I was beaten by Larry the Lighthouse. Yes, a man dressed as a 8' tall lighthouse beat me. Hey, what can I do? It was pretty funny to see someone dressed an a gigantic lighthouse.
I felt good for the entire race. I ran the whole thing, didn't even think once about walking. It was a little rainy, but I think that made for a better race. I don't think it would have been as nice of a race if it was hot and muggy.
Sunday, however, did not go as planned. I say this with great shame, but I did not swim the Navesink swim. I am not very happy about this, but it has been a very long week. Physically I probably could have gotten into the water & swam, but I knew that mentally I wasn't into it.
I did get up early to go down to Rumson & get my racing cap and shirt. I did think about going back home & getting into my wetsuit, but as I stared into the water I knew that I wasn't going to get in the water. It has been a hard few weeks and I have been drained emotionally.
This was really a big disappointment for me. I've never not competed in a race, especially swimming. Swimming has always been second nature to me. I could always get in the water & just go. But as I looked at the Navesink & watched people mill about, I knew it just wasn't my day. I really felt like a quitter. It is a terrible feeling too. But everyone assured me that it really wasn't a big deal.
I guess that they are right, it's one race & I suppose I can always sign up for another one later in the summer. I'm hoping that I can wrap my head around everything that has been going on lately & shake off my feelings of dread and turn my 50/50 feelings back into 100% focus.
Hope to see everyone at the beach today. Have a nice Memorial Day.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wind at My Back
Why is it when you start something & you think you know where it is going to take you, it ends up bringing you back to where you started? I've been pretty bad about working out lately. Last year, my schedule was pretty tight, I stuck to almost every workout & plan that I had. This year it's been a total crap shoot. & it's not from lack of motivation, or maybe it is.
Two years ago I started running. I could barely run a quarter of a mile before I had to stop, fearful that if I didn't, I would drop dead on the spot. I can see I have come a long way since then, but sometimes I feel like I am back on that cold night in April 2008 when I could barely run 1 mile on the Belmar boardwalk.
I've always been one to set my mind to something & do it. My mom always says - oh I'm not going to be the one to tell you you can't do something, because I know you'll go at it full force until you prove me wrong. Where is that force now when I need it the most? I just don't get it sometimes.
Last night I went out to Spring Lake & it was a decent run. It was around 90 degrees at home, but only about 75 on the beach. Going down to Pier Beach was a little tough, the wind was blowing & I felt like I was trudging through mud. My legs felt super heavy & just didn't want to move. At least I knew when I got to the end to turn around it wouldn't be so bad.
When I stopped at the end of Pier Beach, I looked around & noticed that the speed limit signs have changed, the first sign on summer on Ocean Avenue! & that all the showers and water fountains were back in place. It's almost like the first flowers of Spring. You know it's summer when the beach badge huts and showers magically reappear on the boardwalk. So in this time of change, I guess it was good to feel the wind at my back on the way back to Belmar. Maybe it will push me in a new direction.
Two years ago I started running. I could barely run a quarter of a mile before I had to stop, fearful that if I didn't, I would drop dead on the spot. I can see I have come a long way since then, but sometimes I feel like I am back on that cold night in April 2008 when I could barely run 1 mile on the Belmar boardwalk.
I've always been one to set my mind to something & do it. My mom always says - oh I'm not going to be the one to tell you you can't do something, because I know you'll go at it full force until you prove me wrong. Where is that force now when I need it the most? I just don't get it sometimes.
Last night I went out to Spring Lake & it was a decent run. It was around 90 degrees at home, but only about 75 on the beach. Going down to Pier Beach was a little tough, the wind was blowing & I felt like I was trudging through mud. My legs felt super heavy & just didn't want to move. At least I knew when I got to the end to turn around it wouldn't be so bad.
When I stopped at the end of Pier Beach, I looked around & noticed that the speed limit signs have changed, the first sign on summer on Ocean Avenue! & that all the showers and water fountains were back in place. It's almost like the first flowers of Spring. You know it's summer when the beach badge huts and showers magically reappear on the boardwalk. So in this time of change, I guess it was good to feel the wind at my back on the way back to Belmar. Maybe it will push me in a new direction.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Navesink or Swim
The Navesink swim is next Sunday. Right after the Spring Lake 5. Hope they have lifeguards. What was I thinking? 2 big races in 1 weekend. Yeah, not smart. Oh yeah, then I'm going to the Yankee game afterwards. Should make for a very tired Monday.
Today I did get in a quick 3 mile run after going to the track with my dad & losing all but about $5. Woo hoo. The big excitement of the day was my dad's crazy friend. Interesting to say the least. I'd discuss, but you really had to be there to believe the insanity of this wack job. What can I say though, he was a lawyer.
Tomorrow I have to bite the bullet and dig out the wetsuit & go to the open swim in Rumson in the Navesink. Ick ick ick. I did recently get a tetanus shot & a Hep A shot, so I should be covered. The only thing I have to remember is my ear plugs. I cannot have another nasty ear infection like last year. In addition, I am so not looking forward to 1. sticking my feet in that muck and 2. getting into the freezing cold water. I am sure I am going to freeze my ass off, even in a wetsuit.
This week I am going to buckle down & hope that I have enough in me to get through this crazy race schedule. Keeping busy is keeping me sane. Well, at least on the outside. Happy Memorial Day!
Today I did get in a quick 3 mile run after going to the track with my dad & losing all but about $5. Woo hoo. The big excitement of the day was my dad's crazy friend. Interesting to say the least. I'd discuss, but you really had to be there to believe the insanity of this wack job. What can I say though, he was a lawyer.
Tomorrow I have to bite the bullet and dig out the wetsuit & go to the open swim in Rumson in the Navesink. Ick ick ick. I did recently get a tetanus shot & a Hep A shot, so I should be covered. The only thing I have to remember is my ear plugs. I cannot have another nasty ear infection like last year. In addition, I am so not looking forward to 1. sticking my feet in that muck and 2. getting into the freezing cold water. I am sure I am going to freeze my ass off, even in a wetsuit.
This week I am going to buckle down & hope that I have enough in me to get through this crazy race schedule. Keeping busy is keeping me sane. Well, at least on the outside. Happy Memorial Day!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Spring Lake Almost Five
One week & two days until the Spring Lake Five. Am I ready? I guess so. I just ran 10 miles in Philly a few weeks ago, what's a measly five? On Sunday I went out for about five & felt pretty good. Not too sore after & not a lot of foot pain. Woo hoo! Can I finally have kicked the pain? Oh Lord I hope so!
I ran in the gym, yep on the treadmill the other day. I dragged my sorry sad ass out of bed & promised myself I would get some kind of run in. 40 minutes. Hey, it's better than lying under a pile of down pillows. Wait, is it? The jury is still out on that one. I actually heard someone say that they love to run on the treadmill yesterday. I can't remember who said it though. It may have been on some tv show because I am sure if someone had said it to my face I would have had some quick retort.
Tonight, instead of the beautiful run I had planned I went to watch a good friend play golf. Yes, I know what you're thinking - you must be suicidial. No, but watching golf is better than sitting home, right? OK well maybe.
I have to think back to this dumb swim team t-shirt that used to say something whitty like whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger & then some other team logo on it. It's days like this where I wish I still had those dumb t-shirts, so I could pile them up on top of my pile of down pillows. Just gotta keep focused.
I ran in the gym, yep on the treadmill the other day. I dragged my sorry sad ass out of bed & promised myself I would get some kind of run in. 40 minutes. Hey, it's better than lying under a pile of down pillows. Wait, is it? The jury is still out on that one. I actually heard someone say that they love to run on the treadmill yesterday. I can't remember who said it though. It may have been on some tv show because I am sure if someone had said it to my face I would have had some quick retort.
Tonight, instead of the beautiful run I had planned I went to watch a good friend play golf. Yes, I know what you're thinking - you must be suicidial. No, but watching golf is better than sitting home, right? OK well maybe.
I have to think back to this dumb swim team t-shirt that used to say something whitty like whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger & then some other team logo on it. It's days like this where I wish I still had those dumb t-shirts, so I could pile them up on top of my pile of down pillows. Just gotta keep focused.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Sore again
Running hasn't been easy since the big race. OK, I've only run 3 times. I think. Maybe 2. I did a quick run on Monday at Meadowridge - just 3 miles, but it was to get back into the groove. My feet and ankle were sooooo sore after the Broad Street Run, I was kinda surprised.
I did get to see my friend Suzanne this week who helped me stretch out my sore hamstring & worked on my foot a little. I think I am going to have to go back & visit her again this week, as I am really going to need to get into the swing of things.
Today I decided to go for my Sunday Spring Lake run. It is finally nice outside! Last week it was about 45 degrees on Sunday morning & the ocean breeze was toooo chilly for me. Whatever, I'm a wuss! It was great to be outside this morning. The only bad part of this morning's run in that the Garmin was not charged. Duh! So I am unsure of how far I went & how long it took me. I can measure it out on Google Earth, but I am pretty sure it was a little over 5 miles. Which is good practice because the Spring Lake 5 is in 2 weeks. Bring on summer!
I did get to see my friend Suzanne this week who helped me stretch out my sore hamstring & worked on my foot a little. I think I am going to have to go back & visit her again this week, as I am really going to need to get into the swing of things.
Today I decided to go for my Sunday Spring Lake run. It is finally nice outside! Last week it was about 45 degrees on Sunday morning & the ocean breeze was toooo chilly for me. Whatever, I'm a wuss! It was great to be outside this morning. The only bad part of this morning's run in that the Garmin was not charged. Duh! So I am unsure of how far I went & how long it took me. I can measure it out on Google Earth, but I am pretty sure it was a little over 5 miles. Which is good practice because the Spring Lake 5 is in 2 weeks. Bring on summer!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Soreness Day 3
Wow, who knew my feet would still hurt? I think I really did a number on myself. I can deal with the sore muscles in my legs, I've had that pain before after a really hard workout, but the foot pain is a totally new thing. It feels like the muscles are creaky! I can't really wear flat shoes. So I am pretty sure that means I injured whatever muscle runs along the bottom of my foot. Rest rest rest!
I did treat myself to a massage yesterday & it was totally worth it. I know it helped a lot. I can't imagine what I'd feel like if I didn't get one. I wanted to go for a swim this afternoon because there is no way I am going to even think about running until the end of the week. My feet need some big time rest from all that pounding. I'll see how I feel after work. I should really think about a yoga class as well. I have a feeling the stretching will really be a huge benefit!
I have to sit down this week & workout a really good plan for the next 4 months. The Spring Lake 5 is at the end of the month & I have the Navesink swim the very next day. Yeah, crazy!
& a big shout out to my friend Doug who participated in the 30th Annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon this past weekend. Great accomplishment!
I did treat myself to a massage yesterday & it was totally worth it. I know it helped a lot. I can't imagine what I'd feel like if I didn't get one. I wanted to go for a swim this afternoon because there is no way I am going to even think about running until the end of the week. My feet need some big time rest from all that pounding. I'll see how I feel after work. I should really think about a yoga class as well. I have a feeling the stretching will really be a huge benefit!
I have to sit down this week & workout a really good plan for the next 4 months. The Spring Lake 5 is at the end of the month & I have the Navesink swim the very next day. Yeah, crazy!
& a big shout out to my friend Doug who participated in the 30th Annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon this past weekend. Great accomplishment!
Monday, May 3, 2010
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia!
I finished! It was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done. To be honest, it was really a gross day to run. It was warm & muggy at 7 am. Not fun. Also, I have never been in a race with so many people. It took us 20 minutes to get to the starting line after the run started.
The night before the race I kept asking my friend Lisa to not leave me during the race, but after the race started I realized that you really have to run at your own pace so we got separated at about the 2 mile mark. As I always say, I am really not the best runner. I didn't know if I was going to be able to finish this race or not. It was the longest race I had ever committed to run.
At about the 2.5 mile mark I really started to think that running this race was a bad idea. It was so muggy! I got to the first water station & walked a bit, but then got my 2nd wind & started running again. I started to make deals with myself like - ok you just have to make it to mile 4 or the next water station & then you can walk some more. I didn't feel bad though, a lot of people were walking at this point, so I knew that it was probably due to the weather.
When I reached the 5 mile mark I knew that I would be able to finish. I ran for the most part after that even though my right knee was starting to burn. My left ankle, was really starting to freeze up. It doesn't really bend to begin with, so I had to lightly jog at this point. I did get to shake the Governor of Pennsylvania's hand at mile 6. He was just standing on the side of the road in a Pennsylvania t-shirt. Nice!
At mile 8, I knew that the race was almost over so I tried my hardest to just get to the end. I did try to run most of the last 2 miles, but at about 9.25 miles I had to start walking again. The burning in my knee was getting to be about too much, but right as I got to 9.50 miles the crowd was much longer & people were tailgaiting & cheering. I saw a bunch of people cooking hamburgers & I really wanted one! When I got to the gate at the Navy Yard I was so happy because I knew that the race was over!!! As I crossed the finish line (at the 10.12 mile mark) all I kept thinking was, I did it!!!!!
Thanks to all who encouraged me. There was a point where I didn't think I could do it, but I just kept thinking about all the nice words of support & that really kept me going!
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