A Friday Just For Me!

Oh, today is another day of vacation, and I had planned on working in the yard.  But I just don't feel like it, so I'm not going to.
Instead, I have a long list of things to do before C-Joy and I head off to Des Moines for the Half Marathon, some shopping, and a general good girl's weekend.  I can walk with a hangover :)


My hamstring continues to improve and I got the a-ok from my physical therapist to do the half-marathon.  I was going to do it anyway, but it's nice to have a confirmation.  I have to continue to build strength in my hamstring--according to him, it's been an issue with me for quite some time; the getting hurt was just the final straw.  So, I've been underutilizing my hamstring for probably a few years.  I'm amazed I didn't hurt myself sooner.  Of course, if I ran faster, it probably would have happened earlier this year.   After another session of hamstring separating (hurts like hell, let me tell you!), deep tissue massage (painful on the knot, too), and stretching out my hip,  my leg felt no pain and was warmed up and ready for my bike ride.  I hit the trail, and here are some scenes from my journey:

Me, my shadow, and the trail

An old Ford on a farm just off the trail 

The farmers have been working hard to get in the harvest

The day is gorgeous, and I was lucky to spend some time outside.  Now comes laundry, packing my bag, cleaning up the kitchen from the souffle incident last night, and finishing Wolf Hall.  By all that is holy, I will finish it before Tuesday's book club. It will not defeat me! Then I can read something else from my growing to be read pile.  Bud is busy tonight, but left me a song on my message machine to let me know he loves me!  We'll hopefully see each other again Sunday night.   I'm making a yummy chicken and spinach casserole with--it gets better--toasted bread croutons on top.  No cheese, tho.  Oh, I can't wait!  A movie tonight, a session of obsessing over what I may have forgotten to pack in my weekend bag, and then off to bed!  Have a great weekend everyone!  I'll have picts from the half-marathon after Sunday.

Weeds or wildflowers?  Who cares--they're pretty 

The 13 Miler That Became The 14 Miler

I probably shouldn't be sitting right now; I think I'll have problems getting out of my chair.  I finally completed my 13 miler this morning, although it turned out to be 14 miles.


My reason:  gut cramps.  Oh, so fun.  I started out great; having a Hammer Gel before I began to run.  It's beautiful out today, and was about 64 degrees when I started.  I ran the first 3 miles with a bottle of water, so I could drop it off and pick it up on the way back.  I made it five miles without any walking and that felt really good.  After hitting the five mile mark, I started to get my usual gut cramps.  I knew this would happen today; things didn't happen this morning before I ran, so I knew I was probably going to be in trouble on the trail.  Nothing like a little jogging to kick start your intestinal tract! Better than coffee!


My plan was to run to the 6.5 mile mark, then turn around.  But by then, my cramps were severe enough that I had to stop and walk.  I even considered going into the weeds to take care of business, it was that bad.  My friends know this is not my usual way of operating, and I was horrified that I was even contemplating this!  I knew there was an outhouse at mile 7, since I had taken advantage of it's delightful presence two years ago on my 20 mile long run for the marathon.  I made it to the outhouse, took care of business, and started back.  I had another Hammer Gel, and started to think about that water bottle back at mile 3.  On this particular trail, it always seems like miles 4-6 are way longer than a mile each.  I don't know why!  There was no one else biking or running on the trail until I hit mile 4 (mile 10) when I saw some other ladies running out.  By now my back was hurting, and my bit of energy was slowly dying.  I had to stop and walk a few times, which disappointed me, but I kept reminding myself that I was running an extra mile!  


Happily, my water bottle was still waiting for me.  I was pretty thirsty, running 8 miles without any water.  It tasted good!  At about mile 12 (mile marker 2), a doe jumped out of the woods onto the trail about 50 feet in front of me.  It looked at me, and bolted back into the woods.  I guess the smile on my face didn't make it feel very safe.  At least I thought it  was a smile--maybe a grimace?


So I made it!  I completely lost track of my time; I'm pretty sure it took me way longer than I had planned.  My potty stop and cramps probably added at least 10 minutes extra.  Just as I got back to my truck, the cramps returned with force, and I quickly stretched and drove home.  


My plan this last week before the half marathon is to eat a lot of bananas and drink a lot of water.  I seem to be noticing more cramping in my calves and hamstrings so I think it's just a lack of potassium.  A hill run is lined up for Monday, and a few short runs before I stop running on Friday to take a break before Sunday's half on Sept 5th!  

A Lousy Run to Close Out the Week

Yuck.  Bad.  Not happy.  I was supposed to run 6 miles today.  I got up too late to run before I  went to the farmer's market downtown with my sister and her family, and then went home.  It was cool and cloudy; looking good.  Then it rained.  Then I fell asleep on the couch.  When I woke up, it was around 1 pm and very sunny outside.  Cue the humidity.

I bought a hydration belt the other day and was so excited to try it out.  I mixed up some Heed from Hammer, and filled my bottle.  Drove to a new place to run which I was told was a two mile loop, but when I looked it up on the trail info website, it's really only 1.6 miles.  So, had to recalculate my running--should do four trips around to get to my 6 and a little over.

So, I started out, after calling Bud and letting him know where I was and that I would call him back after my run.  It was a new place, and I just wanted someone to know where I was, since it is not on my list of regular running places.  I ran about 20 feet before my hydration belt began to do a dance around my middle.  I tried to tighten it, but the only way it would stay in one spot was if I ran with one hand holding it down.  The sun was blazing, and I was really peeved and disappointed with my hydration belt.

 I made it around 3 times, stopping to walk and adjust the belt continuously.  It stays in place if you walk, so I may gift it to C-Joy for her to use in her half marathon.  It's great for walking, but not for running.  I'm not happy, since I had decided this would keep me from stopping at water stops during my races, and help me improve my time.  All it did was slow me way down and annoy me.  And it made me feel lopsided.

Back to square one.  I will have to just suck it up and grab water at the water stops like I always have done.  I really have no idea how to carry my drink with me comfortably.  I am also very unhappy that I didn't complete my 6 miles.  I just gave up, which I usually don't do, but I had just had it!  Maybe it's from running three days in a row, in the heat, and not when I wanted to, but when I could.  I can only hope that when it begins to cool down, my running will improve since my body has completely forgotten what it's like to run without major heat and humidity.  I'm glad I'm not training for a full marathon, cause I would have serious thoughts about dropping out.  What a summer for running.  I'm pretty sure many people across the country feel the same way I do.

After going to Target to get some things, I came home.  Bud called me.  I forgot to call him.  He was ready to drive over and find my car to make sure I was ok.  I feel like a crumb.  Oops.

Taking tomorrow off; it's supposed to be 90 degrees with the humidity climbing again this week.  Only had one day of lovely weather.
Ten mile run to accomplish; my goal is to do it on Tuesday, my other day off.  Going to get up and be out by 6 A.M. to accomplish it before it gets too uncomfortable.

On the bright side, the Sac and Fox Trail has been repaired from the 2008 flood, so  I am going to go there Sunday afternoon and ride my bike--get some cross training in for the week.

Less than a month away from the half marathon!  Getting a little nervous, although I am definitely better prepared than I was in May.