April 2007 Archives

cause Susan made me!

I got the rise but definitely no shine today

It will all be better in a few hours ... hair appointment at 1.30 today!

My body reminded me yesterday what little control I have over it and actually running a marathon. I can put in the miles, eat the right food, strenghten my core and spend thousands of dollars and cute outfilts and the right shoes. But ultimately my body and mind must somehow align to make it all possible.

My body performed a little test on Wednesday ... just to remind me who's in charge. After missing the mile repeats on Tuesday, I did my own version to and from the gym. It turned out to be a great run and workout. So great I felt a bit cocky about how well it went.

I might even have strutted a bit.

My body, decided to have a reality check. Just as I stepped through the front door, a shooting pain screamed from the bottom of my left heel. I didn't step on anything, it came completely out of no where. No twisting, falling or anything. Just a sudden unexplainable pain.

Do not panic.

I started to panic. What the hell is this? Whywhywhywhywhy!

So I iced it, rested it, massaged it, talked to it in a calm soothing voice. It remained sore all night, even when elevated on the sofa (it's favourite of all positions). I let it watch Lost and didn't make it do any work on the commercial breaks. Forgiveness would soon be mine. As I fell asleep, I hoped and prayed it would all be okay by morning.

It wasn't. It hurt like hell.

It hurt all day, occasionally disappearing to remind me what painfree felt like, but returned quickly. I had big doubts about last nights run. Unable to make a decison myself, I left it up to the fate gods. I went to the run, if P showed up, it was a sign, I was meant to run. If she didn't, then I would take heel home to rest.

P showed up, my heel spasmed at the sight. We decided to do 4 miles. The first 5 minutes were a little tender, but after I warmed up, so did my heel and the pain left.

Shhhh ... it has stayed away. Nothing after the run, or this morning. Don't tell anyone, I don't want to jinx it.

So in response to ...

Will you teach me how to say no to the person I need to say no to? Or teach me to distance myself because no matter how far or how fast I run, I'm like a rubberband...

I really wish I could bottle it and put a cap on it, then sell it to all those in need of uttering that little word.

Truth be told, it was one of the hardest things I have had to do. It is still early days, so I am aware that my want for everything and everyone to be happy could piss all over that NO and turn it into a big YES with extra cream, sprinkles and chocolate sauce.

It is something I should of said ages ago, but didn't. For many reasons, I really like the person, they have many good qualities, but unfortunately they also have some not so good qualities. I have tried numerous times in the past to distance myself, not get involved. But they have a secret weapon, charm and helplessness. Seriously I am a women, how can I fight off powers such as these!

The turning point came a few weeks ago, when they asked me to do something I wasn't okay with. I did. With a L firmly implanted on my forehead I knew it was a mistake, but hoped desperately they would prove me wrong. They didn't. The worse part wasn't what I had done, or what they didn't do. It was they showed no remorse for it. That hurt.

These type of relationships are self fueling. I know it's going to go wrong, so when it does I'm right. Everyone like to be right. Then when, by some miracle, it doesn't go wrong, I'm rewarded again. I'm right or things are good, seems positive. Yet, you never really get anything good out of it.

Now just because there was a turning point doesn't mean I was able to say NO. It took another 5 situations to push me to the breaking point. Finally, I did it. It was over something small that both of us would normally take for granted, but I said it. So far it has worked. I haven't needed to use it again. They haven't asked for anything since. Which of course makes me feel guilty. That guilt makes me want overcompensate with niceness. That f&@$ing niceness is what got me in this situation in the first place.

As for right now I'm sticking to my NO, I know the guilt will fade. Already I feel better, I only have my problems to worry about.

The last big run is done before marathon number 4. We did our practice marathon on Sunday. The weather was perfect and my new cute little running skirt worked out wonderfully.

I had my doubts about running the marathon course ... well part of it ... twice before the actual day. Of all the positive things I can list about doing my local marathon, the course is always top of the con list.

Well not na more!

There was method in our coachs madness! Dare I say it, should I, why not ... I like the course. The first half is tough, hilly with 4587 turns, but the second half, the half I used to think was the worst isn't so bad.

After finishimng we hung out at the finish line in the park and cheered everyone in. The ice cold beer never tasted so good.

As for the after effects. I feel great. Almost to the point that I am worried at how good I feel. Shouldn't I be aching, sore, unable to walk? Then J pointed out it could be linked to my evil personal trainer. If I'm stronger then my muscles can take more and repair faster. That makes me sound bionic, I like that. Bionic is also what I would call my appetite. I normally lose it after a really long run for a few days. Not this time. I can't get enough to eat. I am hungry all day.

We have mile repeats scheduled for tonight, which I had every intention of doing. That was until the phone rang. I now have a dinner invitation. We are trying a new place downtown, this could be embrassing the amount of food I am going to consume.

hmmmmm ........

when I posted about afternoon sex ... only males commented

when I posted about the skirt .. only females commented

the weather was gorgeous this morning, so I took my new SUGOI running skirt out for a test run. If I liked it I plan to wear it for the marathon in a few weeks.

The running skirt gets two thumbs up! I love it. It is really comfortable and totally cute. What more can you ask for. It's black and white so goes with everything I own. Transitions beautifully from run to apre run wear. I'm prepared for anything.

After our run we headed over to J's for coffee and a meeting about our up coming Shore to Shore relay race at the end of May. Still wearing the skirt, I felt at ease in all environments! (Okay Sugoi, send me the free stuff). I never done a relay so this is going to be alot of fun.

So far today has been pretty awesome. Except a few minutes I didn't enjoy. I have someone I need to distance myself from. They are a great person, I care about them, but they aren't a positive element in my life, some how no matter the situation, I always end up feeling bad/guilty/sad. Today, I said no to them. It was the hardest thing I've done in a long time, give me a marathon any day.

I had to buy a lamp this morning for my newly painted office. Due to my colour choices, the room is really dark. So I found a cool funky lamp. This nice salesman tried to up sell me with two replacement lightbulbs. Nope, won't be needing those, there is one included. So I took my new lamp and headed back to the office.

Unwrap, assemble, position, plug in, switch on.

A flicker of light then darkness.

Switch off. Switch on ... again.

Nothing.

Unplug. Plug in. Switch on. Nothing.

Switchoffswitchonswitchoffswitchonswitchoffswitchonswitchoffswitchons.

The one included bulb has blown.

I need a replacement bulb.

No time to stress about it now, have to leave for a very important off site meeting ... meeting J for hot yoga session. It was a great class today, but super hot, and I am super sweaty. Quick shower. Feel totally refreshed and stretched.

Arrive back at work after this very important off site meeting that took just over 2 hours. Hair is now wavey and pulled back, compared to straight and down this morning. Also looking rather flushed but happy.

The first question I get as I walk in ... did you have sex at lunch?

Yesterday was our first long run using the actually marathon course. We get to do it three times. Part of why I like going away to do a marathon is the course is new, you don't know what's around courner number 2. But when you sign up for a marathon in your home town, where you train, you have obviously a certain familiarity with the course. And just incase you don't, somehow you managed to escape clocking 40 + miles a week in this area. Over the next 4 weeks we get to run the route 3 times.

There are advantages to knowing the course. The first I found out yesterday. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I've seen the map and didn't have high hopes for the enjoyability factor. But the route proved me wrong yesterday.

We did just over 21 miles and it was good. In fact better than good. I was able to pick up the pace just after the half was mark and hold it until the last couple of miles. At that point I died.

The best part is I don't ache at all. Nothing .. nada ... I must have super human muscles!

After much relaxation post-run yesterday, we went to see Mr Harry Connick Jr. He was in town last night playing his New Orleans music, shaking his cute butt and causing women (and a few men) to melt with his southern charm.

In preparation for my office being transformed to it's new inspirational status, I had to move everything out yesterday. I have a lot of crap. Crap I didn't even know I had, or what it was for. You know something is crap when you have no idea what it is used for. So I purged 80% of my office. It was liberating. Although, in a week I will probably desperately need all that crap.

My nails are a total disaster, they are in need of some TLC in the form of a manicure. Might just have to escape the office this afternoon and pamper my ten abused friends.

My local running store had my shoes on special this week. I don't really need a new pair, but they are on sale, so who am I to say no, plus, I'm going to need them sooner or later. They changed the colour ... boo ... I loved the pink. The lastest models are blue. It was pointed out to me that I shouldn't buy shoes based on colour and how cute they look. It's about how they feel and fit my feet. Hmmm ... sure

I got just over 6 miles in last night. When I got to the run, P wasn't there (if you are reading this P, you are in big trouble). I ran with a couple people faster than me, not by much, but enough to notice. I kept thinking this is too fast. I'm going to crash soon. At the turnaround I'm going to have to walk. I should slow down. But I didn't and I stayed with them. All the way. I didn't crash. I didn't walk. I never slowed down.

I am kick ass!

Wooo Hooo! It's Friday, drinking with the boys tonight.

than Sunday's run, my faith has been restored.

We did speedwork - mile repeats in the park last night. After Sunday's horrible, exhausting run I really wasn't looking forward to lacing up my shoes. But the weather was sunny, just a little wind and about zero temperatures. I opted for shorts, that made for a rather chilly start and a numb finish.

P and I did our repeats together, we were aiming for 30 seconds faster than marathon pace, so around 9.45 / mi. We averaged around 9.20 per repeat, all of them I felt comfortable, so next week we will have to kick it up a notch.

I am very happy with last nights run, I felt good, nothing hurt and most of all I didn't hate running.

We are redecorating my office at work to inspire creativity. So I get to pick new furniture, monitor and paint for my walls. M and I went out at lunch to order the monitor and look at paint chips. I did a little personal retail therapy, I bought 4 pictures for my house. On the way back we stopped at the market and got some Thai Sweet Potato soup for lunch ... I've put that in caps for no other reason than it tasted so good it deserves a big T S and P!

Have a session with the evil trainer tonight ... I think I am going to ask for extra evil.

Today on Fantasy Island .... the big announcement was made

Larry Birkhead is the father.

Please ... please ... please let this be the end of this.

Sunday's long run was a struggle this week. I was planning on doing 18 miles, but I cracked around mile 10. My foot ached, I was tired and really didn't want anymore to do with running. I turned around and headed back.

The last 3 miles were pathetic. I just wanted to whole thing over with. But it's less than 5 weeks til marathon number 4, I need a good slap to refocus. This is why I registered for marathon number 4 in January, because if I left it til now there is no chance in hell I would be doing it.

I registered, so I am going to do it! Damn it.

After disastrous run, I went to my parents for dinner, yum yum. Have a session tonight with evil pt, this should help workoff all the delicious easter treats I over indulged in!

I've decided to cheer, with a very large starbucks in hand, at today's 5k race rather than run. There are numerous reason why this is a brillant decision on my part, here are a few.

1. I totally believe this race is jinxed. I've done it twice. Both times I end up injuried.

2. Mother Nature's mean, it's snowing, there's ice and it's bloody cold.

3. I've been sick, so obviously standing in the cold makes much more sense than running in it

4. Runners needs people to cheer

It's been a busy week, I was sick, I'm almost back to normal. My dad had surgery and is now doing really well. A session with the hot massage guru ... oh yeah. A session with the evil trainer ... ouch.