It's summer, and that means it's time to start updating Calluses again.
It's going to be difficult, seeing as how I'm finally scraping off the calluses I have, literally and figuratively. (Reading back over that, it sounds a little grosser than it did in my head.)
For eight years I have competed on the cross country and track teams at Warrior Run High School and Bloomsburg University, and on Saturday, May 9, I ran my last scholastic race. It was a depressing race, and a disappointing end to a disappointing career. As you can see, I changed my banner subheading from "seven years worth and counting" to "eights year worth. Could this be the end?" Since May 9, I have run once, and it was a mile long.
I like not running. Right now, I like not running. I do hope it is just for now.
I'm waiting to start missing it, and I think I do a little bit, but if I start running again, it has to mean something different to me than it has these past eight years.
Not that running hasn't been evolving for me all along. As a young high school runner, I was bent on being the best. I showed a lot of promise at that age, qualifying for the state cross country meet my freshman year, and I felt I wouldn't be a truly successful runner until I was "the best." What that meant at that time was becoming state champ by my senior year.
If you know me, you know I always fell depressingly short of that goal. By my senior year of track, I was a bit more mature, and success for me was defined a little differently. It had to be, seeing as how I broke my ankle at the beginning of the season, and by the end of the season, I was just lucky to be running. Making podium at districts that year, in a time that was probably a good two minutes from even qualifying for states, was success.
My definition of success evolved even more in college. Again, it had to if I was going to find a reason to stick with the sport. I was injured, sick, and ill-trained most of the time, and although I started at Bloom knowing I had a sub-18 minute 5K, all-American status, and a national qualification in me, I began to feel victorious when I simply finished a race, was on the varsity team, or came close to all-Region.
I wrote about my "must-be-the-best" complex in The Runner's Gazette last summer, and the process of growing out of that phase. I wrote:
"It's cliche, but it's absolutely right that the truest form of success in running is to know that we've done our best, even when our best seems insignificant because some else's 'best' was better. We all have limits that are out of our own control. These limits are different from person to person, which means comparing ourselves against them is an unfair measure of success."
I wrote this going into my senior year of college. Looking back, I think I wrote these words to excuse what was basically seven years of never reaching my goals, and maybe to deceive myself about how important this last year of running was to me - my last year to achieve those goals.
That's probably it. If I achieved just one, magnificent goal in my final year, then those seven years of disappointment wouldn't be for nothing, and I probably knew that last summer.
I was creating my emotional cushion. The emotional calluses were already falling off.
Last night, I took a pumice stone to my calluses. In eight years, I haven't had feeling in my big toe. It's nice to have it now.
I hope I run again, but I need it to be different. Although I wrote those words last summer, I knew I still wanted redemption. I have to not care anymore about those lost goals and missed opportunities, and then I can run again.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Monday, October 27, 2008
"Runner's Gazette" - Read My Opinion Piece
Comparisons-We all make them, and when it comes to us runners they usually have something to do with speed, weight, or flat stomachs. When I report back to my college cross-country team in a month, I’ll undoubtedly catch myself watching my own teammates whom I love dearly, and become bitter because I wish I was more like them in one of these ways.
Making these comparisons seems an impossible habit to break. As runners, when we start gauging success by how we measure up against others, it becomes a losing battle because someone is always faster, lighter, or less flabby.
I want to tell you about the epiphany I had about comparing myself against other runners.
READ THE REST AT "Runner's Gazette"
http://www.runnersgazette.com/features/
Making these comparisons seems an impossible habit to break. As runners, when we start gauging success by how we measure up against others, it becomes a losing battle because someone is always faster, lighter, or less flabby.
I want to tell you about the epiphany I had about comparing myself against other runners.
READ THE REST AT "Runner's Gazette"
http://www.runnersgazette.com/features/
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Olympic Series --- Sold on Sell - Brian Sell
"I don't like to be a fair-weather fan," told Brian Sell to Amby Burfoot in a 2006 Runner's World interview. He's referring to his undying loyalty to the Pittsburgh Pirates, a baseball team who has had far from a glitzy history (or present, for that matter).
If the world was full of fair-weather fans, Brian Sell would not have developed the cult following that he has. For he, too, does not have as glitzy a past as his competitors.
His plan if he would not have qualified for this Olympic marathon was to go to dentistry school. This is all it took to sell me on Sell. He's a man who's not afraid of failure, and admits (publicly) that he has plans if he doesn't get exactly what he wants.
In the face of looming failure, though, he is not afraid to dedicate himself to his goals. Logging 160 miles a week, and tackling Hanson-Brooks workouts like 2x6 miles in under 4:50 pace, it is undeniable Sell's all-in attitude.
This willingness to commit, while recognizing that he is only human, is also evident in his 2004 Olympic Trials effort. A virtual nobody before that race, he took the lead at mile seven and held it until mile 22.
Sell committed that day, but where did it land him? He finished in 12th. He was willing to take a risk, but perhaps because up until that point, he had nothing to lose but his previous obscurity.
Before the 2004 trials, he was an unknown, establishing a personal best of 10:06 in the two mile in high school. To get an idea of where that would place him in the state meet by today's standards - Well, it wouldn't . Sell went on to compete at St. Francis University, a small division one program.
Compare these credentials with the likes of Dathan Ritzenhein, Sell's fellow US qualifier, who achieved in 2000 and still holds the national record for the 3200 for high school runners (8:41).
For Sell, he sees a line drawn between those like himself and those like Ritzenhein - Those who shine only after heavy mileage, and those with a sickening amount of natural talent. In April 2006, he told Men's Racing, "I’m training as hard as I can, and it’s tough when you see what some guys can do. Guys like [Dathan] Ritzenhein, it seems like they’re injured half the year, and then they come off that and run great."
Sell accepts that some other runners may have more talent than him, but he feels that his high mileage may help level the playing field (Elite Running). This man recognizes his mortal state, as well as the slightly less mortal-state of his competitors...and deals with it gracefully.
This man exudes humility and realist-qualities, but confidence and the ability to dream big, all at the same time. I'm sold.
Sell's Stats (as provided by USA T&F):
Personal Records ~
10 km: 28:36 (2002)
Half-Marathon: 1:02:39 (2006)
Marathon: 2:10:47 (2006 - Boston Marathon)
3rd at 2008 Olympic Trials – Men’s marathon
2007 U.S. 25 km champ
2006 USA Half-Marathon champ
2005 USA 25 km champion
2-time LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle champ
http://www.mensracing.com/athletes/interviews/2006/briansell040506.htm
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-292--10577-0,00.html
http://www.eliterunning.com/features/24/
http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/sell_brian.asp
If the world was full of fair-weather fans, Brian Sell would not have developed the cult following that he has. For he, too, does not have as glitzy a past as his competitors.
His plan if he would not have qualified for this Olympic marathon was to go to dentistry school. This is all it took to sell me on Sell. He's a man who's not afraid of failure, and admits (publicly) that he has plans if he doesn't get exactly what he wants.
In the face of looming failure, though, he is not afraid to dedicate himself to his goals. Logging 160 miles a week, and tackling Hanson-Brooks workouts like 2x6 miles in under 4:50 pace, it is undeniable Sell's all-in attitude.
This willingness to commit, while recognizing that he is only human, is also evident in his 2004 Olympic Trials effort. A virtual nobody before that race, he took the lead at mile seven and held it until mile 22.
Sell committed that day, but where did it land him? He finished in 12th. He was willing to take a risk, but perhaps because up until that point, he had nothing to lose but his previous obscurity.
Before the 2004 trials, he was an unknown, establishing a personal best of 10:06 in the two mile in high school. To get an idea of where that would place him in the state meet by today's standards - Well, it wouldn't . Sell went on to compete at St. Francis University, a small division one program.
Compare these credentials with the likes of Dathan Ritzenhein, Sell's fellow US qualifier, who achieved in 2000 and still holds the national record for the 3200 for high school runners (8:41).
For Sell, he sees a line drawn between those like himself and those like Ritzenhein - Those who shine only after heavy mileage, and those with a sickening amount of natural talent. In April 2006, he told Men's Racing, "I’m training as hard as I can, and it’s tough when you see what some guys can do. Guys like [Dathan] Ritzenhein, it seems like they’re injured half the year, and then they come off that and run great."
Sell accepts that some other runners may have more talent than him, but he feels that his high mileage may help level the playing field (Elite Running). This man recognizes his mortal state, as well as the slightly less mortal-state of his competitors...and deals with it gracefully.
This man exudes humility and realist-qualities, but confidence and the ability to dream big, all at the same time. I'm sold.
Sell's Stats (as provided by USA T&F):
Personal Records ~
10 km: 28:36 (2002)
Half-Marathon: 1:02:39 (2006)
Marathon: 2:10:47 (2006 - Boston Marathon)
3rd at 2008 Olympic Trials – Men’s marathon
2007 U.S. 25 km champ
2006 USA Half-Marathon champ
2005 USA 25 km champion
2-time LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle champ
http://www.mensracing.com/athletes/interviews/2006/briansell040506.htm
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-292--10577-0,00.html
http://www.eliterunning.com/features/24/
http://www.usatf.org/athletes/bios/sell_brian.asp
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Olympic Series ---Trading Culture, and Horticulture - Bernard Lagat
Right now, the only team trade we hear about in the news is Brett Favre to the NY Jets.
I'm not even a football fan, and I know about that. But with the Olympics going on, I've been thinking about a different kind of team exchange.
When I was reading the most recent Runner's World issue with tons of Olympic features, I came across an article stating that this summer is the US of A's best chance at our first ever gold medal in the men's 1500. The last medal that we won in the event was in 1968 when Jim Ryun earned silver. The man who hopes to do better is Bernard Lagat, Kenyan-born and raised, I couldn't help but ponder where the honor truly was in this golden opportunity.
World Athletics Championships 2007 in Osaka - Men's 1500 metres winner Bernard Lagat celebrating.
Wikipidia, Eckhard Pecher
Lagat, a native of Kenya, has lived in the US for the last 12 years attending school and running at Washington State University. His potential was evident 1999 when he was NCAA Champ in the outdoor 5000 and in the indoor 1500 and 3000. His career was marked by many other highlights, including World Championships, but he just missed the Olympic Gold medal in 2004 in the 1500 by 12 one-hundredths of a second. Four years earlier in Syndey, Austrailia, he earned Bronze.
Both years, he was representing Kenya.
My initial feeling about the US's best chance for gold - it was a gift that we didn't quite deserve. After years of a hardware drought in this event, our best chance is in the form of a Kenyan super-athlete who happened to make his way to the US.
I hope this does not come off as racially charged. It isn't, at all. Allow me to use a cheesy metaphor to explain:
You grow tomatoes. I grow tomatoes. For years, I've been entering my produce at the county fair, but lose every time. As a gift, you give me your largest one, and I take it to the fair and win the award for the Largest Tomato. I accept the title of Master Gardener; I get to hang up the winning banner on my front porch; I get the WINNER OF THE LARGEST TOMATO bumper sticker to put on my car.
Something doesn't settle quite right, does it?
The further I read the article though, the more I warmed up to the idea. In May, 2004 he achieved his US Citizenship (despite representing Kenya in the '04 Olympics; the duel citizenship almost cost him his silver medal). In the article he was quoted: "The Kenyans will be running for Kenya, and I'll be running for America. It's my one and only country now." Of the US's failure for a gold medal in the 1500 up until this point, he not only takes a stand but affirms his loyalty: "It's our time now."
I was talking about this switch-a-roo with a pretty smart guy, and his feelings are that America welcomes every nationality to our turf, offering the opportunity to achieve citizenship to anyone who wants it. Should our Olympic team not represent this, too?
Interestingly, all three qualifiers to represent the US in the men's 1500 are foreign-born American Citizens. Leo Manzano is from Mexico, runs for the Texas Longhorns, and gained citizenship to the US in 2004.
Lopez Lomong was born in Sudan and was a Darfur refugee. China, an investor in Sudan's economy and supporter of the war in Darfur, has close ties to the country. As a clear political statement, the US asked Lomong to lead the US athletes and carry the flag into the Olympic ceremony.
What I've read of Manzano and Lomong so far, it seems that they are proud to run for our country because of the opportunity we provided them with here - opportunity that is not available in their own countries - and representing the US is their way of giving back.
Lagat's been here 12 years. Perhaps this 'mato was not just a 'mato, but a plant. You gave me your tomato plant, and I nurtured him and fed him and finished what you began. He is proud to represent my garden now.
And we're proud to have him. Where is the honor, exactly? That Athletes such as Lagat want to be here.
Interesting Article on the Topic:
In an article in YAHOO sports, Jill Geer of USA Track and Field was quoted: “I don’t think of any of our foreign-born athletes as foreign. In USATF, no one considers them anything but American, and I’m not saying that just because it’s the right thing to say." The article continues discussing the message sent when supporting foreign-born athletes on our Olympic US team about immigration. That article can be found at http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-immigrantolympians&prov=ap&type=lgns.
I'm not even a football fan, and I know about that. But with the Olympics going on, I've been thinking about a different kind of team exchange.
When I was reading the most recent Runner's World issue with tons of Olympic features, I came across an article stating that this summer is the US of A's best chance at our first ever gold medal in the men's 1500. The last medal that we won in the event was in 1968 when Jim Ryun earned silver. The man who hopes to do better is Bernard Lagat, Kenyan-born and raised, I couldn't help but ponder where the honor truly was in this golden opportunity.
World Athletics Championships 2007 in Osaka - Men's 1500 metres winner Bernard Lagat celebrating.
Wikipidia, Eckhard Pecher
Lagat, a native of Kenya, has lived in the US for the last 12 years attending school and running at Washington State University. His potential was evident 1999 when he was NCAA Champ in the outdoor 5000 and in the indoor 1500 and 3000. His career was marked by many other highlights, including World Championships, but he just missed the Olympic Gold medal in 2004 in the 1500 by 12 one-hundredths of a second. Four years earlier in Syndey, Austrailia, he earned Bronze.
Both years, he was representing Kenya.
My initial feeling about the US's best chance for gold - it was a gift that we didn't quite deserve. After years of a hardware drought in this event, our best chance is in the form of a Kenyan super-athlete who happened to make his way to the US.
I hope this does not come off as racially charged. It isn't, at all. Allow me to use a cheesy metaphor to explain:
You grow tomatoes. I grow tomatoes. For years, I've been entering my produce at the county fair, but lose every time. As a gift, you give me your largest one, and I take it to the fair and win the award for the Largest Tomato. I accept the title of Master Gardener; I get to hang up the winning banner on my front porch; I get the WINNER OF THE LARGEST TOMATO bumper sticker to put on my car.
Something doesn't settle quite right, does it?
The further I read the article though, the more I warmed up to the idea. In May, 2004 he achieved his US Citizenship (despite representing Kenya in the '04 Olympics; the duel citizenship almost cost him his silver medal). In the article he was quoted: "The Kenyans will be running for Kenya, and I'll be running for America. It's my one and only country now." Of the US's failure for a gold medal in the 1500 up until this point, he not only takes a stand but affirms his loyalty: "It's our time now."
I was talking about this switch-a-roo with a pretty smart guy, and his feelings are that America welcomes every nationality to our turf, offering the opportunity to achieve citizenship to anyone who wants it. Should our Olympic team not represent this, too?
Interestingly, all three qualifiers to represent the US in the men's 1500 are foreign-born American Citizens. Leo Manzano is from Mexico, runs for the Texas Longhorns, and gained citizenship to the US in 2004.
Lopez Lomong was born in Sudan and was a Darfur refugee. China, an investor in Sudan's economy and supporter of the war in Darfur, has close ties to the country. As a clear political statement, the US asked Lomong to lead the US athletes and carry the flag into the Olympic ceremony.
What I've read of Manzano and Lomong so far, it seems that they are proud to run for our country because of the opportunity we provided them with here - opportunity that is not available in their own countries - and representing the US is their way of giving back.
Lagat's been here 12 years. Perhaps this 'mato was not just a 'mato, but a plant. You gave me your tomato plant, and I nurtured him and fed him and finished what you began. He is proud to represent my garden now.
And we're proud to have him. Where is the honor, exactly? That Athletes such as Lagat want to be here.
Interesting Article on the Topic:
In an article in YAHOO sports, Jill Geer of USA Track and Field was quoted: “I don’t think of any of our foreign-born athletes as foreign. In USATF, no one considers them anything but American, and I’m not saying that just because it’s the right thing to say." The article continues discussing the message sent when supporting foreign-born athletes on our Olympic US team about immigration. That article can be found at http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-immigrantolympians&prov=ap&type=lgns.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Brooks Adrenaline GTS8 Review - Runs #4, #5, and #6
Thursday: 6ish miles with Ashley; all roads or sidewalks; lots of steep hills.
Friday: 7 miles on roads; some hills. A GLORIOUS RUN IN THE RAIN!
Saturday: 8 miles on roads; some hills.
A Success Story:
It's amazing how much quicker my runs seem to go by when I am wearing good shoes. I don't know if I'm actually running quicker - I haven't been running with a watch - but mentally I can break down the runs but more coolly. Take yesterday's run for example. When I think about starting that seven mile loop, I think that I must be coming close to East Jibip; early this summer, the run seemed intimidatingly long. Now, when I run in the Brooks Adrenaline, I feel so smooth. Every movement is not labored to a ridiculous degree.
(No, Brooks is not paying me to say these cheesy things. This is fo rel.)
The Conclusion of this Shoe Review:
Lightness. Smoothness. That's the two best features that these shoes have to offer. I am confident now that if anytime soon I feel beat during a run, it will be because of a tough week of training, and not because I'm wearing the wrong shoes.
The cusioning isn't so bad either. I won't lie though - There are some strange sensations I've been having in my feet this week. In my left, I still have that odd feeling in my middle metatarsal, and today the ball of my right foot was rather tender.
Then again, my feet are probably just confused. What? We're being nurtured now? We were starting to accept that we'd be living in Nikes forever. It's about time you smartened up, old gal.
My Left Foot give the shoes an A+. He's smart enough to know that this familiar metatarsal pain is nothing serious and was probably not caused by the Brooks because he was only living in them for two days before the strange sensation began. He has high expectations that the Brooks Adrenaline will only help the sensation dissipate.
My Right Foot gives the shoes a B+. Until the sensitivity in her ball-area began today, she would have been ready to give the Adrenalines an A, too, but now she's slightly suspicious. What about this MoGo? And this new and improved forefoot cushioning she's heard so much about? To be honest, she says, she expects today's new achiness to subside soon, and she is most bitter about the blister on her backside (heel) and on her inner arch. The Right Foot usually takes a beating when it's time to break in shoes. (Not that she would admit it, but she is slightly wider and pronates more than The Left Foot.)
Friday: 7 miles on roads; some hills. A GLORIOUS RUN IN THE RAIN!
Saturday: 8 miles on roads; some hills.
A Success Story:
It's amazing how much quicker my runs seem to go by when I am wearing good shoes. I don't know if I'm actually running quicker - I haven't been running with a watch - but mentally I can break down the runs but more coolly. Take yesterday's run for example. When I think about starting that seven mile loop, I think that I must be coming close to East Jibip; early this summer, the run seemed intimidatingly long. Now, when I run in the Brooks Adrenaline, I feel so smooth. Every movement is not labored to a ridiculous degree.
(No, Brooks is not paying me to say these cheesy things. This is fo rel.)
The Conclusion of this Shoe Review:
Lightness. Smoothness. That's the two best features that these shoes have to offer. I am confident now that if anytime soon I feel beat during a run, it will be because of a tough week of training, and not because I'm wearing the wrong shoes.
The cusioning isn't so bad either. I won't lie though - There are some strange sensations I've been having in my feet this week. In my left, I still have that odd feeling in my middle metatarsal, and today the ball of my right foot was rather tender.
Then again, my feet are probably just confused. What? We're being nurtured now? We were starting to accept that we'd be living in Nikes forever. It's about time you smartened up, old gal.
My Left Foot give the shoes an A+. He's smart enough to know that this familiar metatarsal pain is nothing serious and was probably not caused by the Brooks because he was only living in them for two days before the strange sensation began. He has high expectations that the Brooks Adrenaline will only help the sensation dissipate.
My Right Foot gives the shoes a B+. Until the sensitivity in her ball-area began today, she would have been ready to give the Adrenalines an A, too, but now she's slightly suspicious. What about this MoGo? And this new and improved forefoot cushioning she's heard so much about? To be honest, she says, she expects today's new achiness to subside soon, and she is most bitter about the blister on her backside (heel) and on her inner arch. The Right Foot usually takes a beating when it's time to break in shoes. (Not that she would admit it, but she is slightly wider and pronates more than The Left Foot.)
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Brooks Adrenaline GTS8 Review - RUNS #2 AND #3
Runs: This morning, I met Erin for a run that was almost 6 miles of constant rolling hills; all paved or gravel roads. This evening, I ran 3 miles (the JesVic 5K course - http://myweb.bloomu.edu/smhoffma/Index.htm) on paved roads and sidewalks with one major uphill and downhill.
Morning Run Reaction: My legs were beat. I don't think I can blame this on the shoes though; last night was my longest run yet this summer, and the hills on this morning's jaunt were relentless.
Evening Run Reaction: I felt tired as expected, but it was also FUN for no good reason at all. It's a special shoe that can cradle my exhausted feet and legs enough to help make a run when I'm this tired fun.
Other Reactions: What impressed me most today was the way my legs felt after my two runs. For as worn out as I felt during the workouts, my legs felt relatively refreshed when I was finished.
Other Concerns: After my evening run, during my bare-foot form drills, I noticed a funny feeling in my left foot in the area of one of my center metatarsals. I would be surprised if this is from the shoes, though, since I've only been wearing them for two days. Also, the Adrenalines have major forefront cushioning, so I'd imagine my metatarsals should be in safe hands (if shoes had hands).
Morning Run Reaction: My legs were beat. I don't think I can blame this on the shoes though; last night was my longest run yet this summer, and the hills on this morning's jaunt were relentless.
Evening Run Reaction: I felt tired as expected, but it was also FUN for no good reason at all. It's a special shoe that can cradle my exhausted feet and legs enough to help make a run when I'm this tired fun.
Other Reactions: What impressed me most today was the way my legs felt after my two runs. For as worn out as I felt during the workouts, my legs felt relatively refreshed when I was finished.
Other Concerns: After my evening run, during my bare-foot form drills, I noticed a funny feeling in my left foot in the area of one of my center metatarsals. I would be surprised if this is from the shoes, though, since I've only been wearing them for two days. Also, the Adrenalines have major forefront cushioning, so I'd imagine my metatarsals should be in safe hands (if shoes had hands).
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Brooks Adrenaline GTS8 Review - RUN #1
Tonight I went out the door not really knowing how far I'd run.
I just banged out 10.11 miles.
It's these shoes. They're just what the doc ordered.
Run: 10.11 miles; mostly flat with just a few hills; paved roads or sidewalks the whole way.
Initial Reaction: The first few steps felt a bit heavy, but the Adrenalines have more control than I have used this summer. Even the Nike Trail Pegasus hasn't been that great of a stability shoe, considering the quick rate it broke down at.
400 Meters In: It didn't take long to find a rhythm, and to truly appreciate the lightness of this shoe.
Overall Run Experience: This is the best I've felt all summer. Even my "good" runs this summer could not compare to tonight's run. I did start to feel a bit tired at about a mile and a half, but I felt no worse at nine and a half. The shoes created a smooth ride the whole way. I easily convinced myself to add a loop with a nice hill to my typical eight mile run because I felt that darn good. The slight pain I normally start feeling on the inside of my right foot/ankle, especially in the Oberons, did not occur tonight. Well, I did start to feel a bit of a strain on the inside of my right ankle, but that was because my sock fell down in the last two miles and was rubbing the back of my heel and I started running funny. (There was blood...saweet!) I had a fair amount of get-up-and-go, even after sharp turns and hills, and at the end of my run I felt smooth and powerful, not clumsy and desperate like I have been lately.
Post-Run Feelings: My feet feel relatively good, though I do feel a little bit of tightness in my right heel (remnants of a bout with plantar fasciitis (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/plantar-fasciitis/DS00508). The real test will be tomorrow morning when I wake up. It's been typical for me to not be able to walk normally when I first wake up, or after sitting for a long period of time, not just because of heel pain, but due to achiness in my entire feet. My legs feel refreshed and like I could go out for another five.
What May Have Made the Shoes Seem Too Good to Be True:
1. Self-fulfilling prophecy - I expected these shoes to work magic.
2. I always feel my best running at night.
3. I took the past two days off.
What May Have Tainted Tonight's Running Experience:
1. I cross-trained late this afternoon and did some light leg lifting.
2. The venison burger I ate but an hour and a half earler
They already have lost that New Shoe Smell. (I apparently have powerful foot odor.)
I just banged out 10.11 miles.
It's these shoes. They're just what the doc ordered.
Run: 10.11 miles; mostly flat with just a few hills; paved roads or sidewalks the whole way.
Initial Reaction: The first few steps felt a bit heavy, but the Adrenalines have more control than I have used this summer. Even the Nike Trail Pegasus hasn't been that great of a stability shoe, considering the quick rate it broke down at.
400 Meters In: It didn't take long to find a rhythm, and to truly appreciate the lightness of this shoe.
Overall Run Experience: This is the best I've felt all summer. Even my "good" runs this summer could not compare to tonight's run. I did start to feel a bit tired at about a mile and a half, but I felt no worse at nine and a half. The shoes created a smooth ride the whole way. I easily convinced myself to add a loop with a nice hill to my typical eight mile run because I felt that darn good. The slight pain I normally start feeling on the inside of my right foot/ankle, especially in the Oberons, did not occur tonight. Well, I did start to feel a bit of a strain on the inside of my right ankle, but that was because my sock fell down in the last two miles and was rubbing the back of my heel and I started running funny. (There was blood...saweet!) I had a fair amount of get-up-and-go, even after sharp turns and hills, and at the end of my run I felt smooth and powerful, not clumsy and desperate like I have been lately.
Post-Run Feelings: My feet feel relatively good, though I do feel a little bit of tightness in my right heel (remnants of a bout with plantar fasciitis (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/plantar-fasciitis/DS00508). The real test will be tomorrow morning when I wake up. It's been typical for me to not be able to walk normally when I first wake up, or after sitting for a long period of time, not just because of heel pain, but due to achiness in my entire feet. My legs feel refreshed and like I could go out for another five.
What May Have Made the Shoes Seem Too Good to Be True:
1. Self-fulfilling prophecy - I expected these shoes to work magic.
2. I always feel my best running at night.
3. I took the past two days off.
What May Have Tainted Tonight's Running Experience:
1. I cross-trained late this afternoon and did some light leg lifting.
2. The venison burger I ate but an hour and a half earler
They already have lost that New Shoe Smell. (I apparently have powerful foot odor.)
Brooks Adrenaline GTS8
Smell that New Shoe Smell.
Shoes feel good so far (pre-run). The toe-box is a bit too big I think. Do I need a half size smaller?
Venturing out...
Monday, August 4, 2008
Brooks. And Me. Re-united. (And a Running Star and Her High School Sweetie, United)
My shoes are coming tomorrow! MY NEW RUNNING SHOES ARE COMING TOMORROW! Tonight, I dream of MoGo, midsole and forefront cushioning, moderate stability, and a shoe so light that I barely know it's even there.
Here they are...
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8
I wrote a post a while back about the Asics Oberon (http://calluses.blogspot.com/2008/02/self-diagnosis.html). A quick re-cap: I was in love with those shoes when I was training this winter. They felt fantastic and were relieving to my body because for years I had been training with too much stability on my feet. Since part way through my freshman year at Bloom, I had been wearing shoes with a lot of control as well as some rigid orthotics. After deciding that the ZAPPED-DEAD feeling in my legs was not normal, and the strong desire to turn back after a mile not normal for me either, I took a risk. I got rid of the controlled shoes and the orthotics. The Oberon had major cushioning and was relief to my legs and feet. I felt like I hadn't felt since high school.
Asics Oberon
It was a step in the right direction, but eventually I developed hip problems and I wasn't able to compete at PSACs for indoor. Sources told me it was because I was now running with not enough control. I realize that I don't have the greatest bio-mechanics, but I felt too good in Oberons for it to have been a totally bad move.
Since then, I've been trading between those shoes on trails, and the Nike Trail Pegasus on roads. I haven't been absolutely thrilled with the Pegasus, but hey, I can only spend so much money on shoes. Despite the name, they were too clunky for me to wear on trails. When I first got them, I didn't even like wearing them for road runs, but they broke down fairly quickly. That's not necessarily a good thing, but it gave me the movement I desired.
Nike Trail Pegasus
While in Florida, I went to a real nice running store that actually hosted the 5K I ran in - 1st Place Sports (http://www.1stplacesports.com/). They had Brooks Adrenaline - a shoe I used to wear in high school, and I NEVER got injured in them (except for the time I slipped in the mud during a run and broke my ankle). When Adrenaline was the pair I swore by, they were the GTS5 model. Then they upgraded to six, the toe-box was adjusted enough that it tore up my toes and blistered them like woah. I couldn't handle them.
Brooks Adrenaline 6
For one reason or another, I did not inspect GTS7 when they came out. It may be because not enough shoe stores carry Brooks around here.
At 1st Place Sports, I tried on the GTS8 and fell in Love. To have them on again it was just short of Magical. Unfortunately, I did not have the funds at the time to make the purchase, but this last paycheck took care of that.
The GTS8's seem to have the same stability I remember, but reviews that I've read online say the 8's have more forefoot cushioning than previous models. What has me really excited though is the weight. I don't remember the 5's feeling so light!
And I was right. After some investigation, I found that the 8's are 9.5oz., as compared to the 5's 1lb. 4oz. The 8's have also been named Runner's World's Best Buy for stability shoes.
I'll provide my own full review after a few days to a week of wearing them, but my hopes are so high right now that I'm afraid my pre-test expectations may be impossible to reach.
In conclusion, I'd like to announce that this weekend, one of the best runners in my area tied the knot. Amber Hackenberg, high school state PA Medalist (4th place, 2003), and All-American in cross-country this past fall, my roommate, teammate, and a former competitor of mine in high school, married a stellar guy, Heath, Ferocious-Brosius. Here they are entering the reception:
And here's me and Pat. (Sorry - couldn't resist):
Some reviews, descriptions and comments about some the shoes above:
* Brooks Adrenaline GTS8
http://www.brooksrunning.com/prod.php?p=42224
* Asics Oberon
"Stability and cushioning combine nicely in this shoe designed for beginning and intermediate runners."
http://http://www.asicsamerica.com/products/product.aspx?PRODUCT_ID=240010110&TITLE_CATEGORY_ID=250001550
* Nike Trail Pegasus
"The lightweight and very resilient Phylon midsole utilizes the next generation of Natural Motion Technology principles which result in increased stride efficiency, something everyone can benefit from."
http://insidenikerunning.nike.com/2008/07/10/twenty-five-years-of-evolution/
Here they are...
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 8
I wrote a post a while back about the Asics Oberon (http://calluses.blogspot.com/2008/02/self-diagnosis.html). A quick re-cap: I was in love with those shoes when I was training this winter. They felt fantastic and were relieving to my body because for years I had been training with too much stability on my feet. Since part way through my freshman year at Bloom, I had been wearing shoes with a lot of control as well as some rigid orthotics. After deciding that the ZAPPED-DEAD feeling in my legs was not normal, and the strong desire to turn back after a mile not normal for me either, I took a risk. I got rid of the controlled shoes and the orthotics. The Oberon had major cushioning and was relief to my legs and feet. I felt like I hadn't felt since high school.
Asics Oberon
It was a step in the right direction, but eventually I developed hip problems and I wasn't able to compete at PSACs for indoor. Sources told me it was because I was now running with not enough control. I realize that I don't have the greatest bio-mechanics, but I felt too good in Oberons for it to have been a totally bad move.
Since then, I've been trading between those shoes on trails, and the Nike Trail Pegasus on roads. I haven't been absolutely thrilled with the Pegasus, but hey, I can only spend so much money on shoes. Despite the name, they were too clunky for me to wear on trails. When I first got them, I didn't even like wearing them for road runs, but they broke down fairly quickly. That's not necessarily a good thing, but it gave me the movement I desired.
Nike Trail Pegasus
While in Florida, I went to a real nice running store that actually hosted the 5K I ran in - 1st Place Sports (http://www.1stplacesports.com/). They had Brooks Adrenaline - a shoe I used to wear in high school, and I NEVER got injured in them (except for the time I slipped in the mud during a run and broke my ankle). When Adrenaline was the pair I swore by, they were the GTS5 model. Then they upgraded to six, the toe-box was adjusted enough that it tore up my toes and blistered them like woah. I couldn't handle them.
Brooks Adrenaline 6
For one reason or another, I did not inspect GTS7 when they came out. It may be because not enough shoe stores carry Brooks around here.
At 1st Place Sports, I tried on the GTS8 and fell in Love. To have them on again it was just short of Magical. Unfortunately, I did not have the funds at the time to make the purchase, but this last paycheck took care of that.
The GTS8's seem to have the same stability I remember, but reviews that I've read online say the 8's have more forefoot cushioning than previous models. What has me really excited though is the weight. I don't remember the 5's feeling so light!
And I was right. After some investigation, I found that the 8's are 9.5oz., as compared to the 5's 1lb. 4oz. The 8's have also been named Runner's World's Best Buy for stability shoes.
I'll provide my own full review after a few days to a week of wearing them, but my hopes are so high right now that I'm afraid my pre-test expectations may be impossible to reach.
In conclusion, I'd like to announce that this weekend, one of the best runners in my area tied the knot. Amber Hackenberg, high school state PA Medalist (4th place, 2003), and All-American in cross-country this past fall, my roommate, teammate, and a former competitor of mine in high school, married a stellar guy, Heath, Ferocious-Brosius. Here they are entering the reception:
And here's me and Pat. (Sorry - couldn't resist):
Some reviews, descriptions and comments about some the shoes above:
* Brooks Adrenaline GTS8
http://www.brooksrunning.com/prod.php?p=42224
"Many a runner relies on this trusted road warrior. The shoe is loved for its tried-and-true fit and feel, sought after for its signature smoothness from heel to toe, and depended upon for the graceful, graduated support of its PDRB®. The Adrenaline™ GTS 8 maintains all of the above while enhancing the ride with the long-lasting cushioning and resiliency of MoGo."
* Asics Oberon
"Stability and cushioning combine nicely in this shoe designed for beginning and intermediate runners."
http://http://www.asicsamerica.com/products/product.aspx?PRODUCT_ID=240010110&TITLE_CATEGORY_ID=250001550
* Nike Trail Pegasus
"The lightweight and very resilient Phylon midsole utilizes the next generation of Natural Motion Technology principles which result in increased stride efficiency, something everyone can benefit from."
http://insidenikerunning.nike.com/2008/07/10/twenty-five-years-of-evolution/
Monday, July 28, 2008
Purest Sport? My Ass...
Running.
Run.
Motion.
Moving forward. The sway of your arms back and forth; the gentle pound of your feet.
Breath. Breath. Breath.
Sweat.
That's all it is.
Can I make it any simpler? Absolutely not.
Can it be made more complicated. Yes. Watch and see...
Running
Put on a show.
Gadgets.
Gadgets and style.
Juggling. Running while juggling these wires and gizmos.
Must look good. Must look good. Do I look like a runner?
This is the most expensive outfit. I have to look like a runner...
Running is the simplest, most pure sport. Well, once upon a time, it was. The Running Boom in the '70s was a fantastic thing in that the number of people who were discovering the beauty of running reached a crazy rate.
The Running Culture found the spotlight, and I suspect that this is when runners became majorly targeted as consumers.
It's a wonder I've been running in anything but this latest running tanktop, priced at a modest $35. I could get the matching shorts - there's another $20. The tanktop does not have a built in bra - Look at this nice one for $33. Blister prevention socks, three pairs for $12. That should do, right?
This sport is so basic that it was actually a way of life so many years ago. It was necessary to survive as our ancestors ran to catch food, to escape enemies, to carry a message, and has transformed these days into a consumer driven sport. I feel a fool as I walk through Foot Locker or Dick's and realize that I can't afford my sport.
But I just can't afford to be a part of today's Running Culture.
We don't need to run to catch food anymore, and we all give into the temptation to get trendy new running gear. Heck, I'd do anything short of killing a person to get some more comfortable jog bras, and when I can afford to spend $33 on one, I will get one. Or many. I hope for many.
Recognize, however, that the consumer driven aspect of running is not all bad. During the '70s Running and Baby Boom, running technology was advanced in some very necessary ways. Polly Smith, Lisa Lindahl, and Royall Tyler are credited for the invention of the jogbra in 1977. Their goal was to invent a "jockstrap for women." Amen, sista. (http://www.uvm.edu/theview/article.php; http://bellisse.com/pdf/jstory.pdf)
As the merchandise industry has begun catering more to the running community, technological advances have been made, and they are not all bad. But I fear we are losing sight of the beauty of running. We forget the simplicity of it, and the fact that all we really need are a pair of shoes (for some people, not even that!) to go out for a run.
Oh! The shoes!
Look at these... Well don't these look cool? Those bubbles, they're pretty neat. Oh... But these ones have those shocks that everyone talks about. These would be sure to turn some heads. Not great running shoes, you say? Well, they're in the running section, aren't they? And they're some of the most steeply priced - They have to be good.
Now this is what really irks me. If you are a serious runner, and you like those shocks and bubbles in your shoes... If you have never experienced pain or injury with those shoes, and if those shoes have lasted a solid 500 miles on your feet, I would love to hear from you. Until I do, I will hold to my opinion that many of the running shoes on the market are crap. Companies are taking advantage of this must-look-good-while-doing-it frame of mind of the running culturists and designing shoes based on what looks good more-so than what works best. Take it from me - Many times, the best shoes that I have worn, are the ugliest on the shelf.
So have your expensive running outfits. Buy those running shades. (Even though you look like a tool when you wear them, you somehow manage to look cool at the same time...when it's sunny.) Splurge on the New Age technologically-advanced socks with compartments for each individual toe. Hell, when I have the money, I'll be splurging on those bras.
But do yourself a favor. Every so often, put away the i-pod, run watch-less. Perhaps put on a ratty T-shirt and shorts, and just Feel The Run.
Run.
Motion.
Moving forward. The sway of your arms back and forth; the gentle pound of your feet.
Breath. Breath. Breath.
Sweat.
That's all it is.
Can I make it any simpler? Absolutely not.
Can it be made more complicated. Yes. Watch and see...
Running
Put on a show.
Gadgets.
Gadgets and style.
Juggling. Running while juggling these wires and gizmos.
Must look good. Must look good. Do I look like a runner?
This is the most expensive outfit. I have to look like a runner...
Running is the simplest, most pure sport. Well, once upon a time, it was. The Running Boom in the '70s was a fantastic thing in that the number of people who were discovering the beauty of running reached a crazy rate.
The Running Culture found the spotlight, and I suspect that this is when runners became majorly targeted as consumers.
It's a wonder I've been running in anything but this latest running tanktop, priced at a modest $35. I could get the matching shorts - there's another $20. The tanktop does not have a built in bra - Look at this nice one for $33. Blister prevention socks, three pairs for $12. That should do, right?
This sport is so basic that it was actually a way of life so many years ago. It was necessary to survive as our ancestors ran to catch food, to escape enemies, to carry a message, and has transformed these days into a consumer driven sport. I feel a fool as I walk through Foot Locker or Dick's and realize that I can't afford my sport.
But I just can't afford to be a part of today's Running Culture.
We don't need to run to catch food anymore, and we all give into the temptation to get trendy new running gear. Heck, I'd do anything short of killing a person to get some more comfortable jog bras, and when I can afford to spend $33 on one, I will get one. Or many. I hope for many.
Recognize, however, that the consumer driven aspect of running is not all bad. During the '70s Running and Baby Boom, running technology was advanced in some very necessary ways. Polly Smith, Lisa Lindahl, and Royall Tyler are credited for the invention of the jogbra in 1977. Their goal was to invent a "jockstrap for women." Amen, sista. (http://www.uvm.edu/theview/article.php; http://bellisse.com/pdf/jstory.pdf)
As the merchandise industry has begun catering more to the running community, technological advances have been made, and they are not all bad. But I fear we are losing sight of the beauty of running. We forget the simplicity of it, and the fact that all we really need are a pair of shoes (for some people, not even that!) to go out for a run.
Oh! The shoes!
Look at these... Well don't these look cool? Those bubbles, they're pretty neat. Oh... But these ones have those shocks that everyone talks about. These would be sure to turn some heads. Not great running shoes, you say? Well, they're in the running section, aren't they? And they're some of the most steeply priced - They have to be good.
Now this is what really irks me. If you are a serious runner, and you like those shocks and bubbles in your shoes... If you have never experienced pain or injury with those shoes, and if those shoes have lasted a solid 500 miles on your feet, I would love to hear from you. Until I do, I will hold to my opinion that many of the running shoes on the market are crap. Companies are taking advantage of this must-look-good-while-doing-it frame of mind of the running culturists and designing shoes based on what looks good more-so than what works best. Take it from me - Many times, the best shoes that I have worn, are the ugliest on the shelf.
So have your expensive running outfits. Buy those running shades. (Even though you look like a tool when you wear them, you somehow manage to look cool at the same time...when it's sunny.) Splurge on the New Age technologically-advanced socks with compartments for each individual toe. Hell, when I have the money, I'll be splurging on those bras.
But do yourself a favor. Every so often, put away the i-pod, run watch-less. Perhaps put on a ratty T-shirt and shorts, and just Feel The Run.
Melt Away the Muffin Topper
Toppers, that is. There are two, even if you only see one in this picture. Trust me, there is one equally as flubbery on the other side, and these shorts do a phenomenal job at squeezing out the handles.
So why wear the shorts, you may ask. Because I love them. There aren't too many colors that can say, "Hello, I'm fast" like shiny royal blue. When I run in them though, I have to wear a shirt even if it's super hot out.
For those of you who still are not sure what I mean by Muffin Toppers, despite the picture, here is the Wikipedia definition: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muffin_top)
'Muffin-top' is a generally pejorative slang term used to describe the phenomenon of overhanging flesh when it spills over the waistline of trousers or skirt in a manner that resembles the top of a muffin spilling over its paper casing. This generally occurs when an individual wears low-rise, hip-hugger pants, or midriff-baring tops that are too small.
My condolences to the photo example given on Wiki - who appears to be a child!?!
Now, not too much rubs me the the wrong way so much as teeny tiny girls who don't think they're skinny enough. I am not teeny tiny, but I know that I have a somewhat athletic body; I've been a runner for seven years - That's bound to happen. I hope that me, poking fun at my Muffin Toppers (and occassionally just poking them) does not come off this same way to you.
Allow me to walk you through my weight/body change experience that I've undergone these last few years. In high school, I was the gangly, scrawny gal. No butt or boobs, but rather two less attractive B's - Bangs and Braces. Take a gander:
(This is me, my freshman year, at the state meet in Hershey, Pa. with my brother, Kip, who was also my coach.)
I'm not sure what I weighed in this picture, but by the time I graduated I was about 132 pounds and Muffin Topper-less. Throughout high school, I was paranoid about my size. I looked awkward, and I knew it. I would have killed for a curvacious body.
Go to college, and wishes are granted. Or is it, go to college, and gain 15 pounds? Either way, both occured for me. Instead of curvacious though, I became curvlubbery.
You already know that over these past three years in college, I have had several injuries during which I only cross trained. Biking, swimming, and ellipticizing does not keep the weight off for me like running does. I also gained boobs and a butt, and in the thick of my longest running hiatus, I weighed about 148 pounds. This is not a bad weight for my height, but it took a lot of getting used to since I spent my time in high school as Ms. Gangly. It also took some getting used to because on a college cross-country team, there aren't many girls who are pushing 150 pounds.
I've been running consistently since May, and I've also been doing lots of cross training, lifting, and ab work. While Pat insists that my body really hasn't changed much over the past few months (He's not being an ass hole - He just insists that I wasn't flubbery before), I feel that I have become much more toned in the stomach. My weight stays between 142 and 145, and my little sister, Kristen, says that the Toppers are getting smaller.
But they are still there, and they are the subject of my next major GOAL: I want to get to the point where I can wear these shorts, and feel comfortable not wearing a shirt with them when I run.
I'm not sure the best way to go about this yet. I can't diet much because I'm running over 40 miles a week now, and that will only increase when I go back to school. I don't think I can exactly tone that area with lifting and ab workouts. Suggestions are welcome!
And I will post my Shrink-the-Toppers-With-the-Blue-Shorts-On progress regularly through photo analysis and circumfrence logging. The current perimeter of the Topper area while wearing the blue shorts: 35".
Or maybe I'll have my mom put in longer elastic.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Press the Refresh Button; Train on Vacation
So I've been home from Florida for a few weeks now, and boy do I have a lot to say about the beautiful combination that vacationing and running can make.
I had been concerned about how my training would actually go while in Florida. It was going to be hot, vacations are all about relaxation, and there were so many other fun things to be doing! Good thing I pre-registered for that Fourth of July 5K to keep me moving.
Training in Florida was actually made easier because Pat decided he was going to run with me. I was really impressed that we both crawled out of bed early in the morning to run a few miles. We would ALMOST get up early enough to avoid the heat and humidity - We never quite made it though. Pat would turn back sooner than I did, but it was easier to get out the door, as it always is, with someone doing it with me. Running in Florida was truly a positive experience. I was concerned that it was going to be a hassle to work it into a vacation schedule, or a drag to interrupt my relaxation time, but it wasn't that at all. It actaully added happy memories to my vacation, because running on vacation is so different than running at home.
Running on vacation, away from the norm, was like pressing the refresh button on my hobby. It was exhilirating to take my routine somewhere else, and at the same time, break a routine.
This summer, while I'm running at home, I never quite escape the knowledge that I'm not just running but training, and that part of the reason I'm running is to be ready for the grueling camp week I will endure when I go back to Bloom. I can never quite put it out of my mind that, despite working hard this summer, it may not be hard enough to make the varsity team. It creates this feeling that I'm not running for me, but for others, which is true to an extent. I have a team and coaches to think about, as well as my own my expectations.
Running in Florida, it felt more like I was venturing out in the early morning to get miles in because I wanted to. No team, no coaches, no expectations were weighing in on my decision to run. And it was great.
I have a friend who is contemplating skipping out on his family vacation to the beach because it is his critical week of training. (I think he says that about every week of training!) This has me baffled. Running is not supposed to take away from life, but add to it. We do not compensate other parts of our life for running, especially not family time, but if the hobby means enough to us we will find time to run through anything.
Let's be honest, most of us have a love/hate relationship with running. I feel if we learn to run without compensating other valuable facets of our lives - but rather use it to supplement the life we already have - we will resent our sport less often.
Running made my vacation better. My vacation made my running better. I want you to understand this, so here are my tips for getting out the door on vacation:
1. Use Mapmyrun.com. This site is fantastic. For those who have never used it, please do and it will change your running life. No longer will you have to waste gas by measuring runs with your car. It's easy to start up an account, and once you do you can measure out new runs from any location and find runs in the area that others have posted.
2. Get a buddy (or a boyfriend) to run with you. This may be easier than you think. Although Pat ran in high school, he bikes now instead. I have a tough time getting him to run with me when we're home, but in Florida he ran with me most days. Because being in Florida was out of the ordinary for us, I think that it was easier to get him to do something out of the ordinary. Encourage your buddy to get out the door for even a mile or two - They won't regret it.
3. Use the pool as motivation. If you're vacationing somewhere warm, hopefully you have access to a pool. One of the most refreshing things you can do is jump straight into the pool from your run - Don't even take the time to change into a swim suit. When I vacationed at Myrtle Beach a few years ago, some days I would finish my run on the beach and jump right into the ocean. This always kept me going during my runs, even when it was increadibly hot and humid. I can't express to you how great it feels. PLEASE, don't do this everyday though, because jumping into cool water immediately after a run isn't exactly the best thing for your muscles. If you can hold off on the pool, stretch first. If you jump in the pool right away (as I usually did...) make sure you stretch often during the day.
4. Search online for a race in the area that you can pre-register for. I used Runnersworld.com and clicked on the button "Races & Places" to find the one in Jacksonville. Try to get someone else to race it with you. Pat agreed to, and even though his dad did not race, he came out to cheer and take pictures. If you're on vacation with friends and family, you could easily turn the race into a group outting. In addition, there's a lot less pressure racing against people you've never met.
Pat and me after the Celebration 5K. Do we look worn out or what?
Pat and me at the beach.
This is Pat's dad's dog, Charlie. I love this dog sooo much.
Charlie in Action
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Lovin' the Lead-Like Legs
Training is going pretty great right now. I'm gradually working my way back up to higher mileage, and I am doing some extra hours of cross training each week. Last week I completed 30 miles, and this week I'll have 32 miles. I can actually hit that 32 within 5 days, but I'm doing so within 6 days. That happened by mistake though... My weeks start Monday and end on Sunday. I like taking my Sundays off, but Monday I worked all day long at my two jobs. Had time for some lifting, but no time for running so I took the day off.
To make up for the missed day, I am doing two two-a-days this week. Yesterday I did three in the morning, and then I meant to do a 6 miler in the evening. I didn't measure the run ahead of time, and I had no watch, so my evening run ended up being 7.5 miles! I had a 10.5 mile day! I haven't done that since... I dunno when! It wasn't the smartest thing to do, and definitely doesn't help me to prevent injuries, but what's done is done. And boy, were my legs beat today. I only did a four miler, and I am doing another four tomorrow. I figure since my longest run so far this summer - and my longest day - was seven miles (from last week), I had better take it real easy these next few days.
I know that was about the most boring two paragraphs of your life. But thanks for making it through. I am just very excited these days that my running is finally going in the right direction.
Good news! Pat and I decided today that we're going to go visit his dad next week in Florida. I've never been on a plane before, and I've never been to Florida. I can't even wait. I could just go to the beach everyday and be happy. While I'm down there, I plan on running in a race on the 4th of July (my birthday!) and covering it for the Runner's Gazette. Hopefully I can keep my head on and just have fun with it. I am not quite in racing shape - I just want to enjoy the opportunity to race in Florida (hot, sticky, humid Florida - Ideal racing weather!)
To make up for the missed day, I am doing two two-a-days this week. Yesterday I did three in the morning, and then I meant to do a 6 miler in the evening. I didn't measure the run ahead of time, and I had no watch, so my evening run ended up being 7.5 miles! I had a 10.5 mile day! I haven't done that since... I dunno when! It wasn't the smartest thing to do, and definitely doesn't help me to prevent injuries, but what's done is done. And boy, were my legs beat today. I only did a four miler, and I am doing another four tomorrow. I figure since my longest run so far this summer - and my longest day - was seven miles (from last week), I had better take it real easy these next few days.
I know that was about the most boring two paragraphs of your life. But thanks for making it through. I am just very excited these days that my running is finally going in the right direction.
Good news! Pat and I decided today that we're going to go visit his dad next week in Florida. I've never been on a plane before, and I've never been to Florida. I can't even wait. I could just go to the beach everyday and be happy. While I'm down there, I plan on running in a race on the 4th of July (my birthday!) and covering it for the Runner's Gazette. Hopefully I can keep my head on and just have fun with it. I am not quite in racing shape - I just want to enjoy the opportunity to race in Florida (hot, sticky, humid Florida - Ideal racing weather!)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Oh, hello
I took a hiatus from running. I long hiatus.
The hip/groin problem I described in my last post prevented me from competing at the PSAC championships. It was so ironic... It has been so long since I qualified for a PSAC championship by time because of injuries; it had been so long since I felt like I was actually a successful racer. Finally I am racing well again, I am excited because I qualified, and I end up not competing anyway.
Jim was convinced that it was the shoes I was wearing. I believe a few posts back I wrote about the Asic shoes I was in love with and literally put the spring back in my step again. Jim was convinced that my hip problem was stemming from those shoe since there is no motion control in them. Whether he is right or wrong about that I have no idea. I know that my biomechanics are not the best, but this winter when I trained with those shoes I felt phenomenal... a million times better than I had in the past two years - no exaggeration. Still, I let him take me to the shoe store and pick out my next pairs of shoes. I got a pair of Nikes - the pegasis - and a pair of something else. I don't remember what the second pair was because I wore them two or three times then ditched them. They had way too much control. The Nike's however worked out alright. They break down much quicker than I think that Jim realized, and I feel they let me move a bit more freely.
At this time, I also told Jim that I am no longer wearing the orthotix, and that I haven't been since the end of cross country, and that I have felt great since I've ditched them. He took it better than I thought. In fact, he was very understanding.
So I tried training on the Nike's once my hip pain calmed down. I still didn't feel totally confident that these were the shoes for me. I felt semi-zapped when I wore them. I got to race once at the beginning of the outdoor season in North Carolina, and that went alright considering I had only just started running again. Right after that, I found out that I had mono, and my season was over.
Thus concludes my first three years as a collegiate runner.
By the end of the semester, I began to run again. I jumped too quickly into it though, I think. I felt really good after the mono symptoms subsided, except when I ran. I was DEAD. I was trying to run 28 to 40 minutes at a time almost immediately, which was a big mistake. Once I was home for summer, I decided to start focusing on consistency rather than the length of my runs. That was the key. That first week, I ran no more than 3 miles at a time, but I ran everyday. In fact, I ran 8 days in a row, which was probably not smart.
Yesterday I ran the longest run that I've done in a while, and I felt like a runner again. I did 6 miles in Bloomsburg, finishing on a gradual uphill for the last 1.5-2 miles. I got that throw-uppy feeling in my stomach. I felt bad, but a good bad. Not a "I am just getting over mono" bad or a "I'm wearing the wrong shoes" bad. It was a "this is my longest run in a while and I'm feeling it but I'll make it" bad. It was great. No stopwatch, just me and the pavement.
Maybe this last year, the stars will align for me.
JesVic happened last Saturday. It was phenomenal. For those of you who don't know (who ARE you? Does anybody read this?), JesVic is a 5K race that my friend Suzie and I started up last year to honor two women of our community who died from cancer. This year we attracted 362 runners and walkers! Check out the site here:
http://myweb.bloomu.edu/smhoffma/index.htm
The hip/groin problem I described in my last post prevented me from competing at the PSAC championships. It was so ironic... It has been so long since I qualified for a PSAC championship by time because of injuries; it had been so long since I felt like I was actually a successful racer. Finally I am racing well again, I am excited because I qualified, and I end up not competing anyway.
Jim was convinced that it was the shoes I was wearing. I believe a few posts back I wrote about the Asic shoes I was in love with and literally put the spring back in my step again. Jim was convinced that my hip problem was stemming from those shoe since there is no motion control in them. Whether he is right or wrong about that I have no idea. I know that my biomechanics are not the best, but this winter when I trained with those shoes I felt phenomenal... a million times better than I had in the past two years - no exaggeration. Still, I let him take me to the shoe store and pick out my next pairs of shoes. I got a pair of Nikes - the pegasis - and a pair of something else. I don't remember what the second pair was because I wore them two or three times then ditched them. They had way too much control. The Nike's however worked out alright. They break down much quicker than I think that Jim realized, and I feel they let me move a bit more freely.
At this time, I also told Jim that I am no longer wearing the orthotix, and that I haven't been since the end of cross country, and that I have felt great since I've ditched them. He took it better than I thought. In fact, he was very understanding.
So I tried training on the Nike's once my hip pain calmed down. I still didn't feel totally confident that these were the shoes for me. I felt semi-zapped when I wore them. I got to race once at the beginning of the outdoor season in North Carolina, and that went alright considering I had only just started running again. Right after that, I found out that I had mono, and my season was over.
Thus concludes my first three years as a collegiate runner.
By the end of the semester, I began to run again. I jumped too quickly into it though, I think. I felt really good after the mono symptoms subsided, except when I ran. I was DEAD. I was trying to run 28 to 40 minutes at a time almost immediately, which was a big mistake. Once I was home for summer, I decided to start focusing on consistency rather than the length of my runs. That was the key. That first week, I ran no more than 3 miles at a time, but I ran everyday. In fact, I ran 8 days in a row, which was probably not smart.
Yesterday I ran the longest run that I've done in a while, and I felt like a runner again. I did 6 miles in Bloomsburg, finishing on a gradual uphill for the last 1.5-2 miles. I got that throw-uppy feeling in my stomach. I felt bad, but a good bad. Not a "I am just getting over mono" bad or a "I'm wearing the wrong shoes" bad. It was a "this is my longest run in a while and I'm feeling it but I'll make it" bad. It was great. No stopwatch, just me and the pavement.
Maybe this last year, the stars will align for me.
JesVic happened last Saturday. It was phenomenal. For those of you who don't know (who ARE you? Does anybody read this?), JesVic is a 5K race that my friend Suzie and I started up last year to honor two women of our community who died from cancer. This year we attracted 362 runners and walkers! Check out the site here:
http://myweb.bloomu.edu/smhoffma/index.htm
Monday, February 18, 2008
The Flu, and Hip Pain
It's been a pretty rotten weekend. On Saturday, we travelled to Cornell and I was to race the 3000. I was really hoping to hit the PSAC qualifier in that, but I ended up not racing due to pain in my hip.
The pain started about 2 weeks ago. The majority of it has been in the upper inside of my right thigh, and some pain (not quite pain, or tightness, but maybe weakness accompanied by a little pain) in the front of my groin. I kept training through it, thinking it was just a hip flexer problem. I even raced through it at Bucknell, where I felt the pain during the warm up and cool down, but not during the race at all. It's gotten worse since though.
I've even backed off of training since Wednesday and have barely done any running since. Taking it easy hasn't made much of a difference. When I walk, the pain level still gets up to about a 3 sometimes, which is ridiculous because I'm not even running.
I've been going to the trainers and doing stim and heating, but nothing has helped. Today, I was to go in and start deep tissue massage (which I hear hurts like hell), but I now have the flu and won't be leaving the apartment for probably another day.
I am really starting to wonder if this is a stress fracture of the femur. Gosh, do I really have to start this again...
The pain started about 2 weeks ago. The majority of it has been in the upper inside of my right thigh, and some pain (not quite pain, or tightness, but maybe weakness accompanied by a little pain) in the front of my groin. I kept training through it, thinking it was just a hip flexer problem. I even raced through it at Bucknell, where I felt the pain during the warm up and cool down, but not during the race at all. It's gotten worse since though.
I've even backed off of training since Wednesday and have barely done any running since. Taking it easy hasn't made much of a difference. When I walk, the pain level still gets up to about a 3 sometimes, which is ridiculous because I'm not even running.
I've been going to the trainers and doing stim and heating, but nothing has helped. Today, I was to go in and start deep tissue massage (which I hear hurts like hell), but I now have the flu and won't be leaving the apartment for probably another day.
I am really starting to wonder if this is a stress fracture of the femur. Gosh, do I really have to start this again...
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
JesVic underway
Planning for the second annual Watsontown JesVic 5K is underway. Just wanted to post the course. It's the same as last year, only run in the opposite direction. Right now I am busy with putting together the registration form, so I will post later with all the fun details about this year's race. There are some new, exciting things Suzie and I are planning!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Frickin Frigid
This has been the most terrible day in the history of Bloomsburg. For me. Well, kind of. It's been pretty terrible.
The power at my apartment has been down all day, and it's still down. We were advised to evacuate for the night, so I'm staying at Mike and Dan's place for the night.
It is sooo cold. Beyond cold in fact. Tomorrow morning it is going to feel liken negative 21 degrees with the wind chill, and we have morning practice at 6:30am. I called coach Karen to convince her to move practice to the rec. This is not something unusual... She's done that in the past for weather milder than this. But for some reason, she's not agreeing with me. We have to show up at the usual practice location tomorrow first, and then she'll decide where we go. Pointless. We'll end up wasting time and not having enough cars to get to the rec then. I'm fuming. Negative 21 degrees! And ice all over the sidewalks. Windy. FUMING.
That was the horrific day, now onto the terrific day... (Cheasy, yes.) Saturday I raced the 5K at Bucknell and finally qualified for PSACs with a time of 19:02. It was a GREAT feeling. I have not felt so elated after a race since freshman year. That time is even faster than any 5K time I ran in high school - granted any 5K in high school was on a cross country course and not on a track. Regardless, I think this means I'm finally back to where I was.
If you would have asked me three years ago where I thought I'd be by my junior year of college, I would have said running under 18 minutes, but I guess this just goes to show how we have NO IDEA the bumps in the road we'll encounter, and we must be flexible and adjust goals. The best part is, now with a more relaxed perspective on running and racing, I'm enjoying it even more than I did in high school I think. I don't know for sure... That was a long time ago.
I ran even splits for the first two miles - 45 points every 200, which was perfect. Then I started to slip. 46, 46, 47, 48... I started to think in my mind, "Gosh, I was under for the first two. I'm gonna lose it in the last mile," and I knew how painful that would be. I almost dropped out. I was so close to walking off the track. This is something that I battled in high school. There were hardly any races that went by that I did not think about dropping out of. Finally, in my junior year of high school, I dropped out of the mile at an invitational. I had been struggling with the emotional pressures I was putting on myself all season, and I just cracked. I was so determined to be THE BEST that once I began to realize I wasn't, I felt it wasn't worth it anymore. I worked so hard - I knew I deserved to be the best, and the fact that I just wasn't going to be was too much to bare.
After I dropped out of that first race, the mental struggles only worsened, and again I dropped out of the two mile at leagues. This season ended as a great disappointment, especially following that sophomore track season in which I P.R.ed in the mile at states with a 5:16, and in cross that fall my junior year I medaled at states at 12th place. The pressure just got to be too much.
Since I came to Bloom, I've definitely had races in which I seriously contemplated dropping out, but I was never doing well in those races. I wouldn't say I had a great race all throughout my college career until this past Saturday. The desire to drop out this Saturday was stronger than I remember feeling it for the past two and a half years. It was like I was back in high school again. My gosh - If I would have dropped out, to think how miserable I would have been! I mean, I ran a 19 minute 5K! I knew I was on that pace, and I knew if I held that pace I'd be elated, but I almost caved. I was an impulse away from giving in. An impulse away from accomplishing this time which will undoubtedly be an important stepping stone to greater performances. I just need to keep my head...
It was a great race, even aside from times. I had a good pack to work with for the first 13 laps. My original plan was to make a big move with 10 to go, but I made the move around 12 to go, and then I think that's why I started to hurt in that last mile. I have to take another look at my splits, but perhaps I got too eager.
I really do hope to qualify in the 3000 next week though at Cornell. I'd rather race that at PSACs.
The original plan was to run the 3000 at Bucknell this past weekend, but yet, another example of why flexibility is important. My grandmother passed away last week, and her memorial service was on Saturday at 11, which meant #1 I'd miss the 3000, and #2 I'd have to go to my Gram's service, and then try to race afterwards. I'm not going to pretend I was particularly close with her, but it was very emotionally draining nonetheless. Not only did I have to see my dad go through the loss of his second parent only 9 months after the loss of his father, but I also realized at the memorial service that, although my gram wasn't perfect and I didn't have much of a relationship with her, she did care more about me and the rest of my siblings and cousins than I realized before.
So, I was definitely feeling in a bit of a funk for the rest of the day. Glad I was able to shake it enough to race.
On to injuries....The tendinitis is no more, but as it is with me, when one thing stops hurting, something else starts. I tweaked my hip flexer badly somehow last week, perhaps when I slipped and fell on the ice on Monday morning's run. It feels AWFUL when I wake up in the morning, then it gets better as I go through my day. If I sit for more than 5 minutes, it hurts for my first few steps, then it's gone. But when it hurts, it hurts bad. I'm a little worried about this one. Stretch, heat, stretch, ice, stretch, stretch stretch.
The power at my apartment has been down all day, and it's still down. We were advised to evacuate for the night, so I'm staying at Mike and Dan's place for the night.
It is sooo cold. Beyond cold in fact. Tomorrow morning it is going to feel liken negative 21 degrees with the wind chill, and we have morning practice at 6:30am. I called coach Karen to convince her to move practice to the rec. This is not something unusual... She's done that in the past for weather milder than this. But for some reason, she's not agreeing with me. We have to show up at the usual practice location tomorrow first, and then she'll decide where we go. Pointless. We'll end up wasting time and not having enough cars to get to the rec then. I'm fuming. Negative 21 degrees! And ice all over the sidewalks. Windy. FUMING.
That was the horrific day, now onto the terrific day... (Cheasy, yes.) Saturday I raced the 5K at Bucknell and finally qualified for PSACs with a time of 19:02. It was a GREAT feeling. I have not felt so elated after a race since freshman year. That time is even faster than any 5K time I ran in high school - granted any 5K in high school was on a cross country course and not on a track. Regardless, I think this means I'm finally back to where I was.
If you would have asked me three years ago where I thought I'd be by my junior year of college, I would have said running under 18 minutes, but I guess this just goes to show how we have NO IDEA the bumps in the road we'll encounter, and we must be flexible and adjust goals. The best part is, now with a more relaxed perspective on running and racing, I'm enjoying it even more than I did in high school I think. I don't know for sure... That was a long time ago.
I ran even splits for the first two miles - 45 points every 200, which was perfect. Then I started to slip. 46, 46, 47, 48... I started to think in my mind, "Gosh, I was under for the first two. I'm gonna lose it in the last mile," and I knew how painful that would be. I almost dropped out. I was so close to walking off the track. This is something that I battled in high school. There were hardly any races that went by that I did not think about dropping out of. Finally, in my junior year of high school, I dropped out of the mile at an invitational. I had been struggling with the emotional pressures I was putting on myself all season, and I just cracked. I was so determined to be THE BEST that once I began to realize I wasn't, I felt it wasn't worth it anymore. I worked so hard - I knew I deserved to be the best, and the fact that I just wasn't going to be was too much to bare.
After I dropped out of that first race, the mental struggles only worsened, and again I dropped out of the two mile at leagues. This season ended as a great disappointment, especially following that sophomore track season in which I P.R.ed in the mile at states with a 5:16, and in cross that fall my junior year I medaled at states at 12th place. The pressure just got to be too much.
Since I came to Bloom, I've definitely had races in which I seriously contemplated dropping out, but I was never doing well in those races. I wouldn't say I had a great race all throughout my college career until this past Saturday. The desire to drop out this Saturday was stronger than I remember feeling it for the past two and a half years. It was like I was back in high school again. My gosh - If I would have dropped out, to think how miserable I would have been! I mean, I ran a 19 minute 5K! I knew I was on that pace, and I knew if I held that pace I'd be elated, but I almost caved. I was an impulse away from giving in. An impulse away from accomplishing this time which will undoubtedly be an important stepping stone to greater performances. I just need to keep my head...
It was a great race, even aside from times. I had a good pack to work with for the first 13 laps. My original plan was to make a big move with 10 to go, but I made the move around 12 to go, and then I think that's why I started to hurt in that last mile. I have to take another look at my splits, but perhaps I got too eager.
I really do hope to qualify in the 3000 next week though at Cornell. I'd rather race that at PSACs.
The original plan was to run the 3000 at Bucknell this past weekend, but yet, another example of why flexibility is important. My grandmother passed away last week, and her memorial service was on Saturday at 11, which meant #1 I'd miss the 3000, and #2 I'd have to go to my Gram's service, and then try to race afterwards. I'm not going to pretend I was particularly close with her, but it was very emotionally draining nonetheless. Not only did I have to see my dad go through the loss of his second parent only 9 months after the loss of his father, but I also realized at the memorial service that, although my gram wasn't perfect and I didn't have much of a relationship with her, she did care more about me and the rest of my siblings and cousins than I realized before.
So, I was definitely feeling in a bit of a funk for the rest of the day. Glad I was able to shake it enough to race.
On to injuries....The tendinitis is no more, but as it is with me, when one thing stops hurting, something else starts. I tweaked my hip flexer badly somehow last week, perhaps when I slipped and fell on the ice on Monday morning's run. It feels AWFUL when I wake up in the morning, then it gets better as I go through my day. If I sit for more than 5 minutes, it hurts for my first few steps, then it's gone. But when it hurts, it hurts bad. I'm a little worried about this one. Stretch, heat, stretch, ice, stretch, stretch stretch.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Self-Diagnosis
Tomorrow we have a meet a East Stroudsburg, and most Huskies are under-racing. I will be doing the mile and 800, which is cool because I don't get to race those distances often, and the mile was my first love on the track anyway.
Unfortunately, I haven't been feeling well. It started Monday when I felt sluggish during my run, and then all week long the feeling stuck. My intervals on Wednesday were bad, but not that great either. During cross, I had had breathing problems that I had a ton of appointments for, and never got anything correctly diagnosed. It mysteriously went away, but I think I know what the problem was... I 'll get to that later. Anyway, Wednesday, it was the same old feeling of not being able to fill my lungs, and then it persisted yesterday, even though the run was slow. Yesterday I woke up with a scratchy throat, and it's still here today, along with a slight headache and grogginess. A full night's rest would have helped, but my neighber here on campus and a stupid ass hole who decides to talk on her phone past 2 in the morning right on the other side of my wall.
K, that's the end of my rant, but the point is this grogginess better go away for tomorrow. I really want to break 5:30 in the mile.
So yea, back in cross country I had three phases of a bad cough. For some reason, no doctor I saw thought it was bronchitis, despite the really deep barky sound of the coughs. I had some sinusy fluid running down my throat, but I'm pretty sure that has something to do with it. And to tell you the truth, that sinusy crap always seems to be there, barking cough or no cough. I think that could be one culprit for the breathing problems.
My second thought is a little more far-fetched. For two years, I've been wearing motion control shoes WITH orthotix, because that's what my coaches have been telling me to do. I've always had a bit of a pronation problem, and I had been wearing motion control shoes since high school, but after my stress fracture my freshman year in college, they suggested I get orthotix. That was two years ago, and immediately after I got the orthotix, that summer I developed plantar fasscitis which lasted for about 7 months and inlcluded a 4 1/2 month hiatus from running altogether. I still feel it some mornings, but it's not a factor keeping me from running anymore. Even after the PF was under control, there were always little aches and pains... ALWAYS. This inlcuded ITB problems. More than that, my legs never felt fresh. Every run I did, I just couldn't wait until the end of it because my legs just felt zapped. For example, in cross country, I can really only remember one run that I would have called a "good" workout for me, and one race that was a "good" race. Everything else was crap, and every summer run was torture. Running 8 miles was a tough thing, and anything more was unthinkable to me. I could remember times in high school, runs in high school when I would go for 11 miles then feel like I could go for another 5. I never felt that anymore.
This will get back around to the breathing problems, I promise. With one week to go before PSACs, I decided to take the orthotix out of my shoes and I bought new shoes with no motion control. I only inserted some cushioned arch supported insoles to replace those disgustingly rigid orthotix. I felt an instant change. INSTANT. Running is actually enjoyable again. I think that for those two years, I was running with far too much support under my feet. Looking back on how terrible running was for those two years, I can't believe I kept doing it. More than that, I should have been moving forward and recovering from my injuries much quicker than I was. When I'd have a bad time in a race, I just told myself, "Oh, you're still just coming back." I had started running again way back in Febrary! I should not have been in recovery mode anymore. I don't know what made me think there was a chance that it wouldn't always be like that. But I'm sure glad I stuck with it.
Now, I know this doesn't seem to make a lot of sense, but I'm wondering if my breathing problems resulted from wearing the wrong pair of shoes. Motion control + orthotics = too much stability = breaking my natural running form too drastically = actually making me less efficient = having to work harder to move forward. Running wasn't so hard after I switched shoes. Does this seem logical to anyone else out there? (Comment on my post, damnit...)
My shoes :) Asics, Oberon.
Unfortunately, I haven't been feeling well. It started Monday when I felt sluggish during my run, and then all week long the feeling stuck. My intervals on Wednesday were bad, but not that great either. During cross, I had had breathing problems that I had a ton of appointments for, and never got anything correctly diagnosed. It mysteriously went away, but I think I know what the problem was... I 'll get to that later. Anyway, Wednesday, it was the same old feeling of not being able to fill my lungs, and then it persisted yesterday, even though the run was slow. Yesterday I woke up with a scratchy throat, and it's still here today, along with a slight headache and grogginess. A full night's rest would have helped, but my neighber here on campus and a stupid ass hole who decides to talk on her phone past 2 in the morning right on the other side of my wall.
K, that's the end of my rant, but the point is this grogginess better go away for tomorrow. I really want to break 5:30 in the mile.
So yea, back in cross country I had three phases of a bad cough. For some reason, no doctor I saw thought it was bronchitis, despite the really deep barky sound of the coughs. I had some sinusy fluid running down my throat, but I'm pretty sure that has something to do with it. And to tell you the truth, that sinusy crap always seems to be there, barking cough or no cough. I think that could be one culprit for the breathing problems.
My second thought is a little more far-fetched. For two years, I've been wearing motion control shoes WITH orthotix, because that's what my coaches have been telling me to do. I've always had a bit of a pronation problem, and I had been wearing motion control shoes since high school, but after my stress fracture my freshman year in college, they suggested I get orthotix. That was two years ago, and immediately after I got the orthotix, that summer I developed plantar fasscitis which lasted for about 7 months and inlcluded a 4 1/2 month hiatus from running altogether. I still feel it some mornings, but it's not a factor keeping me from running anymore. Even after the PF was under control, there were always little aches and pains... ALWAYS. This inlcuded ITB problems. More than that, my legs never felt fresh. Every run I did, I just couldn't wait until the end of it because my legs just felt zapped. For example, in cross country, I can really only remember one run that I would have called a "good" workout for me, and one race that was a "good" race. Everything else was crap, and every summer run was torture. Running 8 miles was a tough thing, and anything more was unthinkable to me. I could remember times in high school, runs in high school when I would go for 11 miles then feel like I could go for another 5. I never felt that anymore.
This will get back around to the breathing problems, I promise. With one week to go before PSACs, I decided to take the orthotix out of my shoes and I bought new shoes with no motion control. I only inserted some cushioned arch supported insoles to replace those disgustingly rigid orthotix. I felt an instant change. INSTANT. Running is actually enjoyable again. I think that for those two years, I was running with far too much support under my feet. Looking back on how terrible running was for those two years, I can't believe I kept doing it. More than that, I should have been moving forward and recovering from my injuries much quicker than I was. When I'd have a bad time in a race, I just told myself, "Oh, you're still just coming back." I had started running again way back in Febrary! I should not have been in recovery mode anymore. I don't know what made me think there was a chance that it wouldn't always be like that. But I'm sure glad I stuck with it.
Now, I know this doesn't seem to make a lot of sense, but I'm wondering if my breathing problems resulted from wearing the wrong pair of shoes. Motion control + orthotics = too much stability = breaking my natural running form too drastically = actually making me less efficient = having to work harder to move forward. Running wasn't so hard after I switched shoes. Does this seem logical to anyone else out there? (Comment on my post, damnit...)
My shoes :) Asics, Oberon.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Getting There
So I think I can call this past weekend's race a success. I ran 11:05, so I did not quite get what I wanted. I really wanted to break 11 minutes for the 3, but I guess in good time. Hell I did take 22 seconds off of my time from two weeks ago, so I should be thrilled. I'll be happy when I hit that qualifier, and then I'll be thrilled if I happen to medal at PSACs this indoor season. That'd be flippin sweet, but my main focus is still outdoor.
Holy crap though! Andrea won the race! I had nooo idea until hours later that she even won. I thought she had gotten second with a 10:14, but no, apparently she kicked down the other girl with 30 meters to go. Jeesaloo that girl is full of surprises. The night before she ran a 5:04 in the DMR!
The entire DMR in fact did amazingly. Their time was 12:19 I think... Beth ran a 3:45 400, Sandy ran a 1:01 400, Ang ran a 2:27 800 and then there was Andie. Their time ranks them third in the nation so far, which is surprising. It's also a national "B" level qualifier, which means that they are not automatically qualified, but if there is a real lack of DMR qualifiers, Bloom would be in. I know they hope to lower their time though.
Next weekend we're racing at East Stroudsburg, and I am pretty sure I will be doing some short speedier stuff - the mile and the 800. That should be fun. Those are the races I focused on in high school, so it'll be nice to go for fast times in those. Then the next weekend, I'll be at Bucknell probably shooting for that 3000 qualifier again.
We had a long run today, and boy did I feel tired and sluggish. Lately I've been eating up those long runs for dinner, but today was tough. A 12.5 miler. (Course is attached.) Most Sundays I get to the rec center and do some cross training, and I think that keeps me loose for Monday long runs, but yesterday I did not get there. I wonder if that was a factor in today's run.
Another thing I've noticed is that my body generally feels stronger when I'm running - more under control I guess. I attribute a lot of that to the ab work I've been doing a lot of. When I first started my ab routine, I didn't really expect much to come of it running-wise. I just wanted to get rid of a bit of flabbiness, but I really do feel stronger in my core while I'm running.
I had been experiencing a bit of tendinitis on the inside of my right leg lately, but I assumed that had to do with my old shoes. I've had new shoes for a week now, and today I felt it again. Not only that, but there was a weird pain in the top of my right foot, in the inside metatarsal. I am usually one to get overly nervous about every little ache and pain (I mean, I have had quite the history of injuries) so hopefully this will turn out to be nothing. I'll just have to keep doing my exercises for my lower legs and feet.
Holy crap though! Andrea won the race! I had nooo idea until hours later that she even won. I thought she had gotten second with a 10:14, but no, apparently she kicked down the other girl with 30 meters to go. Jeesaloo that girl is full of surprises. The night before she ran a 5:04 in the DMR!
The entire DMR in fact did amazingly. Their time was 12:19 I think... Beth ran a 3:45 400, Sandy ran a 1:01 400, Ang ran a 2:27 800 and then there was Andie. Their time ranks them third in the nation so far, which is surprising. It's also a national "B" level qualifier, which means that they are not automatically qualified, but if there is a real lack of DMR qualifiers, Bloom would be in. I know they hope to lower their time though.
Next weekend we're racing at East Stroudsburg, and I am pretty sure I will be doing some short speedier stuff - the mile and the 800. That should be fun. Those are the races I focused on in high school, so it'll be nice to go for fast times in those. Then the next weekend, I'll be at Bucknell probably shooting for that 3000 qualifier again.
We had a long run today, and boy did I feel tired and sluggish. Lately I've been eating up those long runs for dinner, but today was tough. A 12.5 miler. (Course is attached.) Most Sundays I get to the rec center and do some cross training, and I think that keeps me loose for Monday long runs, but yesterday I did not get there. I wonder if that was a factor in today's run.
Another thing I've noticed is that my body generally feels stronger when I'm running - more under control I guess. I attribute a lot of that to the ab work I've been doing a lot of. When I first started my ab routine, I didn't really expect much to come of it running-wise. I just wanted to get rid of a bit of flabbiness, but I really do feel stronger in my core while I'm running.
I had been experiencing a bit of tendinitis on the inside of my right leg lately, but I assumed that had to do with my old shoes. I've had new shoes for a week now, and today I felt it again. Not only that, but there was a weird pain in the top of my right foot, in the inside metatarsal. I am usually one to get overly nervous about every little ache and pain (I mean, I have had quite the history of injuries) so hopefully this will turn out to be nothing. I'll just have to keep doing my exercises for my lower legs and feet.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Another Shot
Tomorrow I'm heading to Bucknell to race the 3000 again. My number one goal is to stay chill beforehand. Workouts have been going splendidly for weeks now, and I know I'm in some decent shape. It's my head that holds me back. Once I can control the pre-race jitters a bit better, I'll be set.
I'd be lying if I said it was not longer my goal to hit the PSAC qualifying mark (10:48.10), but ultimately I'd like to be able to break 11 minutes tomorrow. Baby steps. I'll get there in good time. I think.
The first part of the meet was today and some teammates and I drove out to watch. The girls' DMR ran fantastically, hitting a provisional national qualifier in 12:18. My roomies, Amber and Ashley also both ran tonight in the 5000, and they both hit the PSAC qualifier. Amber was under 18 and Ash was under 19 - awesommmmmmme.
It's probably time to head to bed now. Fortunatly, it's not that early of a leave tomorrow morning, but early enough - 8:15.
I'd be lying if I said it was not longer my goal to hit the PSAC qualifying mark (10:48.10), but ultimately I'd like to be able to break 11 minutes tomorrow. Baby steps. I'll get there in good time. I think.
The first part of the meet was today and some teammates and I drove out to watch. The girls' DMR ran fantastically, hitting a provisional national qualifier in 12:18. My roomies, Amber and Ashley also both ran tonight in the 5000, and they both hit the PSAC qualifier. Amber was under 18 and Ash was under 19 - awesommmmmmme.
It's probably time to head to bed now. Fortunatly, it's not that early of a leave tomorrow morning, but early enough - 8:15.
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