We hit the trail after a full day of scrapbooking together. I use the term scrapbooking in a very loose sense. What I actually did was write the stories for the pages in my running scrapbook which were scrapped over a year ago. It is hard to remember all of the details from these races. Since I had not yet begun to blog back then, I could not fall back on my writing for the reports.

I might have been able to keep busy by creating a few new pages however, given the fact that my blogging has taken over my scrapbooking time, I haven't even printed the photos which I needed to do this. As Cindy feverishly worked on a book for her parent's 50th wedding anniversary, I tried to remember back 4-5 years ago. I am happy to report that I did make progress in recounting even the briefest of stories for the scrapbook pages. I even added them to my collection of race reports.

By the end of the day, Cindy, YaYa, and I were tired of being indoors. We went back to the same trail which we ran on yesterday for an evening walk. Almost immediately, YaYa was begging me for a piggyback ride. There was NO WAY that I was going to say yes to that request. As we came to the first of the Par Course stations, I suggested that YaYa give the exercise a try. He completed the first exercise. Then he did another, and another. Soon, Cindy and I were also working the stations.

We had covered 3+ miles, did all the exercise stations, and had a great time. By the time we finished stretching, YaYa had found another activity to occupy him. He was busy with a lizard which he named "Liz" (if it was a girl) or "Richard" (if it was a boy). It was par for the course; I swear this boy makes friends where ever he goes. Sometimes, I forget how young he really is. He had a hard time leaving his new found friend to go home. With a promise to return another time, he wiped away his tears, and we finally left for home.

Posted by Juls at 8:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My mind is swimming in a wide range of thoughts. I propelled my body through the water for the purpose of touching the wall and turning back again. As the pool floor moves past, the thoughts move in and out. I lose track of my lap count. So much of it is a blur, and yet the feeling isn't anything new.

I suppose that it is more self protection than anything - this numbness that I so often feel. There is so much going on behind the scenes. Sometimes, I wonder if it would be easier to just leave the curtain up and let it all be exposed. But I swore that I wouldn't do that.

Instead of letting it all ooze out onto my blog, I have been sharing my secret life with my shrink. She enters it into her notes and, when I am least expecting it, one of my other doctors brings it up. "You have gone through so much", they say, and they are impressed at how well I have endured.

I really don't have any other choice. Do I?

I have really tried not to let myself get overwhelmed by the helpings of responsibility that I have loaded up on. It was all my doing, after all. Well the recent helpings were. There is a fine line between keeping busy and too busy. Tonight, I try to wash it all down with a little wine. Perhaps the wine will help me to digest it all.

Continue reading "Swimming" »

Posted by Juls at 9:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Tonight's evening commute traveled right into my gym.  For the first time, since I joined the gym, all of the treadmills were full.  *sigh*  That is what I get for arriving at 5:30 pm. 

Fortunately, I wasn't there for a run.  I was there to do some weights.  Running was just my preferred cardio activity.  It wasn't my only option.

I meandered over to the cycle section, climbed on, and stared at the screen.  It took me a minute to get it going.  Before long, I was pedaling away.

It didn't take long for me to feel my legs.  I began reading the machine.  It did say cycle, but it also said something about stairs.  I am not sure what it was.  I do know that it was never easy.  In fact, the harder I pedaled the harder it was.  I think this machine may have been programmed to do that.

Twenty minutes later, I was happy to get off the beast and lift some weights.  After a couple of sets, I could see and feel my muscles waking up. 

I love that. 

Posted by Juls at 8:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I couldn't remember the last time I ran.  Then, as I wiggled my foot against the bed linens, my ankle reminded me.  The last time that I ran, I'd twisted my ankle and fell down.  That put an end to any hope of finishing the Napa Marathon.  The ankle is still tenuous, but doing much better.

I haven't just been sitting on my butt though.  This week, I've been getting out at lunchtime to do some brisk walking.  It feels good to move and my ankle is handling it fairly well. 

I've also been taking out my aggressions on BoBo's punching bag.  After all, if 1/2 of my garage (slight exaggeration) is going to be taken over by the beastly object, it might as well be put to use.  So YaYa and I have been taking turns beating up on the thing.

It's not much, but the physical activity is doing a lot of good. 

Posted by Juls at 9:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Tom came home from spinning last night telling the tale of how the spin instructor informed the students that they would all be sporting tight buns within a short time if they stuck with her class. Since the New Year, he has to get to the gym early to grab a spinn cycle in the now packed classes. Like me, Tom has better luck getting to the gym during the workweek. For both of us, the routine is returning to familiar as each day passes.

Not being able to break away from my desk is also becoming more familiar. I wasn't able to pull away from my workload today. I considered going to the fitness center at lunch but just couldn't. Instead, I picked up a chicken sandwich with fries and headed back to my desk to continue working. My choice in food wasn't the best decision that I made today.

With the intentions of finishing up my contribution to the project, I was blasted with issues on another project. It turns out that it would have been a good day to sit and spinn my wheels at lunch after all.

I was set on cycling before allowing my head to hit the pillow. I helped YaYa with his homework, shortly after getting home from work. With the pork chops slowly cooking in the oven, and YaYa playing an online computer game with his cousin on the other coast, I escaped to the garage. I hoped on my petite Bianchi (hooked up to the bicycle trainer) and began my workout.

My legs immediately reminded me that I had done speed work yesterday. I kept glancing at the elapsed time to see my progress. Time had appeared to slow to a stop, and I was determined to complete 45 minutes of vigorous cycling.

Continue reading "Sit and Spinn" »

Posted by Juls at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I was sitting at my desk, torn on what to do for physical activity. The outdoors was calling to me. My workout bag sat in the nearby chair. I had options.

My tentative plan was to "try" to make the water running class this evening. I knew that in all likelihood, it would not happen. Not only is it not convenient to home, but the childcare is only open until 7 pm on Friday. The water running class goes until 7:25 pm. If YaYa's leg wasn't in a cast still, he could be in pool with BoBo for recreational swim. It is in the other part of the same pool as my class and has a lifeguard.

With the childcare issue, I was back in the boat of needing some sort of physical activity. Anything. But what? What's a girl to do?

As I mentioned yesterday, my transition back to running had a set back. There was a residual "twinge" that I was feeling whenever my foot flexed past a certain point. I had felt this same "twinge" when I would stretch my foot in the morning during the past couple of days. I had been doing well, so I was puzzled.

What was the change? I thought back on the week.

Continue reading "What's a girl to do?" »

Posted by Juls at 8:27 PM | Permalink

I stepped up on the starting blocks, a young girl ready to take the plunge against other girls my age. Be it free style, breaststroke, or butterfly, I was always nervous. I suppose we all were. Many times a body or two would land in the water before the gun actually went off. A false start. We all would regroup and wait again for the timing to be right. "Timers and judges ready, swimmers take your marks..."

I had my own false start this week. It was a plunge of sorts, but not into the pool. My false start was not in swimming, but rather in the sport of running. I found myself having to regroup today when the 'mill just didn't feel right. Cindy calls it a "niggle" - whatever it was the "tug" or "pull" or "owie" in my foot just didn't feel right.

I did some time on the recumbent bike, but was unhappy for the entire time. Later tonight I found my way to the pool at the not-so-close to home YMCA. The gun went off in my head. It was time to swim. So I did. The first many laps of swimming felt tiring. I could tell that it had been a long time since I did any serious time in the pool.

I shared the lane with two other swimmers, but the match up wasn't quite right. After a bit, one of the swimmers dropped off, leaving just two of us struggling to get the timing right. The other swimmer let me pass him at the wall just as the first guy was stopping. A couple of laps later and he was gone too. I found my groove and settled into it.

It was feeling pretty good. Forty laps done, and thirty-two to go. Suddenly I was sharing my lane with four kids. *sigh* It was time for the swim team to practice. My swim was re-routed to the indoor pool where I finished off the mile that I set out to do.

I must say that even though my running had a false start, I finally felt like I actually had a workout worth mentioning - ffor the first time in months.

Posted by Juls at 9:09 PM | Permalink

One look out the window was bound to do it. From the forth-floor window, the view of the hill was such a beautiful and inviting site. Longingly and daily, I have been watching it change from brown to a rich green color. It is our perfect little hill to start off, or end, a run with a little extra oomph. *sigh*

Yes, the hill was calling to me. It was inviting me to tackle the short climb, and head out into the bay lands for some fresh air. The day looked glorious outside, sunny with a nice breeze blowing the trees ever so slightly.

I thought better of it however, and spun on the spin cycle. Enjoyable? Not. It was torturous sitting there, watching the runners hit the hill on a lovely day for running, and hearing the people jogging on the 'mill behind me. I was strong. I didn't give in to my urge to run again. Even though myPod abandoned me (claiming she was exhausted - AGAIN), Garmina was there by my side for moral support. She even watched the clock for me, and she made me stay put for 30 minutes.

Posted by Juls at 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This post was for 21st Century Mom, who asked if I was sneaking foot freedom or if I had permission.

My appointment with Podiatry was made prior to my doctor returning from her emergency trip. Although I suspected that it should have been, the appointment was never cancelled.

I knew that the boot confinement date was nearly two weeks away. Since I had many questions, I thought that I could make good use of the time and $15 co-pay. I was also looking forward to an updated assessment.

My doctor walked into the room. I could tell that she feared my return was because the boot wasn't helping me. Her smile widened when I told her that I felt great, although I had not traveled more than a few steps without the boot. As far as I could tell my foot was getting better.

My doctor wasn't surprised that I wanted to do some transitioning; she seemed surprised that I was asking.

Cautiously, I asked, "Can I try water running again...or walking....or anything else?"
"Sure," she said, "I would."

Then she told me that she would also look into my current running shoe. She said to tell the running store that I had an overuse injury on the outside of my foot. She wanted me in a running shoe/orthotic combination that didn't restrict my foot from pronating. She stressed that this is opposite of what you would think, but insisted that it was the right recommendation. She then told me to walk in the new running shoes. "Wear the boot for most of the day, but begin transitioning out of it," she clarified.

I'll see her again on the 1st of December. She said to see what the foot would "allow" me to do between now and then.

"Maybe you just be walking. Maybe you'll have run one, two, or even three miles by then."
I may need custom orthotics if I can't get off my cuboid bone, but that will be the next step.

Until then...

Continue reading "Permission Granted" »

Posted by Juls at 8:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

One by one, the velcro straps ripped away from the boot sock. As the foot was released, it quietly thought yipee. It did not want to rejoice loadly, fearing that it would be sent back immediately. Instead, the foot quietly slid into the running shoe to go for a short walk.

It was happy, and yet it felt strange to be able to move freely. The foot wasn't sure if it remembered how to move correctly. One step at a time...slowly...it took the body for a walk around the block. It was happy for it's chance to prove to itself that it still worked. It was also happy to return to the safety of the boot a short time later.

Posted by Juls at 6:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

I am always amazed to hear the times of lead runners in any given half or full marathon. One look at the all-time records of marathon finish times for male and female will blow you away. If you go the next step and calculate the average pace, the accomplishment is unimaginable in yet another way. While I am not trying to achieve elite status, I think it would be amazing to be able to run just one mile at the same pace that the elites average over a full marathon.

It is probably that I will never be able to run, even just a mile, at elite marathon pace. I am not even trying for that. I am simply trying to run fast enough to earn my place at the starting line in Boston. That goal has proved to be huge.

Being on the injured list is challenging in a different way. Trying to keep positive and motivated as I let my body heal is possibly more challenging to me then any of my past training. Just as I have found ways to make running on the treadmill more tolerable, I am trying to do the same with cross training during the recovery phase. It takes a bit of imagination.

Today, while spinning on my cycle, I would sit upright for periods of time, pump my arms, and imagine that I was running. At the speed my cyclometer was reading, I was really moving. I was one of the elite runners, if only, for just this run. Not only did I hit the pace for 1 mile, I actually held it for 26.2 miles. Not too shabby for being injured. I even think I made it the the all-time record list.

Posted by Juls at 2:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

It is easy to wallow in self pity, to feel overwhelmed with "poor me", and let the feelings of helplessness creep into the other aspects of your life. For me, this past days since my injury at Rock 'n roll have been increasingly hard. I quit caring about my weight loss efforts, and could see images of me sitting out both Nike and CIM. But that is NOT what I am wanting to create from this.

The self pity lifestyle has left a bad taste in my mouth. Litterally, I have had a metalic taste that won't go away unless I am eating. So, I have eaten often (even when I didn't want to) and I have eaten stuff that I wouldn't say were worth the calories. I just didn't care.

The metalic taste is nauseating, but not to the point of throwing up - just so that you never feel quite right. Today, I didn't feel like eating. I didn't feel like being nauseated either. I went home from work and went to bed.

My doctor had responded at 10:30 pm (last night) to my message requesting an x-ray. She agreed that an x-ray was a good idea but she wanted more information. But since I didn't get her response until this morning, I called the advice line to leave the details - "right foot, lateral aspect, hurts on flexion like my bones are locking up (like a stick). Oh, and it's making me nauseated too."

Continue reading "Done Wallowing" »

Posted by Juls at 9:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Well I managed to get into SMI, but not with the sports therapist who I usually see. The massage was good, but not a cure all. At first she had me do a few movements of my foot. I explained what caused the pain, and where the pain was. Then she got to work right away.

She worked on my calf muscles - my peroneus, gastrocnemius, and soleus. She followed the muscles down to my foot and began to work the tendons. It hurt in some areas but, surprisingly, there was nothing really excruciating. She continued working on my shin, and the finished up around my ankle. Then she was done.

Continue reading "Time to cross train" »

Posted by Juls at 8:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

The concept of control and discipline for runners can be viewed differently by many of us. There are those of you who struggle with the task of disciplining yourself to run 4-5 days each week, or to run continuously (if that is your goal). For others, it may be to stick to the training plan. When you think of control you might think of the self-control that you need to leave the ice cream in the freezer, or at the store. My struggles with control and discipline are varied.

Hal Higdon stresses the importance of "control and discipline" in marathon training. More specifically, he stresses the importance of having the discipline to control the pace on the weekly pace runs. I have *not* been adhering to this part of the plan. I have been guilty of replacing my pace run with speed work. Probably worse yet, I have been guilty of pushing the pace towards the end of my long run so that my overall pace for the run is the equivalent to my marathon race pace. Is this wrong? Will I pay dearly for doing this? I certainly hope not.

Upon re-reading Hal's reminder, I examined my past couple of training weeks. There is a fine line between pushing hard and just going all out to really enjoy the run. This may be like a young teen in a fast car that is testing the limits. I'd like to think that my all-out runs are safer. That's my hope.

Continue reading "Control and Discipline" »

Posted by Juls at 3:12 PM | Permalink

Early today, I got a sneak peek into the blogosphere and discovered 21CM had written a post on swimming. It struck me as funny because I had purposely left my running and cycling clothes at home. I was planning an easy swim at the YMCA after work.

My chosen cross training sport for the day had a dual purpose; I would get some easy recovery exercise and also give YaYa some extra time in the pool. Later in the day, I discovered that Cindy had also posted on swimming. Hum? There must be something in the water.

Well, the homework, football practice, even the dog, and dinner seemed to be getting in the way of my plans. But I didn't fully let go of my plans to swim. I just went with the flow and finally, at 7:30 pm, I was on my way to the pool with not only YaYa but BoBo too.

I made my way to the lap swimming lane while the boys jumped in the open swim area. Just moments later however, they were both by my side. They wanted to work out with me.

Now the rule for the lap swim lane is that you must keep moving, but that wasn't a problem. We did kick-board races, and I came up with various drills to keep them in constant motion. We worked on freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke kicks, and dolphin kicks. I have no idea how much we swam but we were at it for a full hour.

YaYa is now sound asleep in his bed. BoBo and I are not far behind him.
Goodnight everyone; sweet dreams.

Posted by Juls at 7:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The trip to work this morning was frustrating. I am without either of my 2 carpool partners for the entire week. While enduring the "gapers" who insist on leaving no less than a 7-car gap between them and the car ahead of them, I looked on with envy at those in the "2 person lane." I know that it seems silly to get bent out shape that the car ahead of you doesn't close the gap at least a little bit. You ask, "Does it make that much difference?" The answer is YES, it *does* because car after car slips into the gap and the gaper slows down even more to maintain the required 7-car length gap.

While slipping into the gap only to come upon another gaper a couple minutes later, I thought of a 10 race that I did with BoBo and Cindy earlier this year. It was one of the more popular runs, so the runner traffic was heavy throughout. BoBo and I were racing each other and I lost the race to a doublewide jog stroller that was gapping on a paved path that was as wide as the stroller. BoBo squeaked past just ahead of me, leaving me behind the strolling stroller. I was not too happy when he called home to announce that he "whooped me" - by 10 seconds, but "whooped" none-the-less. He even did a littlle victory dance just to rub it in.

I've been awaiting my rematch since that race and might have an opportunity to redeem myself this Sunday if he agrees. I'd just do my long (16 mile) run on Saturday to accommodate it. That would probably even up the fact that he hasn't been training for a race this long. It's fair, right?

Continue reading "Getting around the gapers" »

Posted by Juls at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I spent a lot of time on Friday creating a diet plan for my upcoming week. My weight loss has halted, although it goes up and down a pound or two from morning to morning - it is essentially the same. With my training moving into the serious stage, I am concerned about getting enough calories in the upcoming weeks. I researched the amount of calories burned for 4, 7, and 14 mile runs as well as for 60 minutes of cycling. I input the information into the spreadsheet, added the baseline JC foods, and then began supplementing until I reached a reasonable caloric deficit. Then I brought my spreadsheet to my JC appointment. This week's order was pretty small since I have somehow gathered a stock of JC foods in my freezer.

I only ordered:
7 Strawberry Bars
2 boxes of (vitamin fortified) Peanut Butter Bars
7 Toffee Bites
1 Double Chocolate Cake
1 Lemon Cake
7 Balsamic Dressing Packets

Patti, my usual JC girl, was off this week. I was looking forward to seeing someone else. Patti pretty much lets me dictate what I want; I am sure that she realizes that she doesn't have the nutritional information level that I need. I have become more and more resistant to seeing her because she says, "AW" entirely too much. I feel like she is belittling me as she says it when I explain that the weight measurement at 1:45 pm is not accurate. If I've just run for 2-3 hours, then it is likely to be too light due to sweat loss. It takes a while for me to drink up the lost fluids. But as my appointments have been later in the day, the weight is then too heavy due to my drinking. She can write down any number that she wants, I just want her to quit saying, "aw." But, I could never *tell* her to stop, so who am I to complain. Instead, I am just changing centers - which is what I discussed with Patti's substitute consultant.

Continue reading "The inequality of salads" »

Posted by Juls at 1:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Last week, I got a gaget to tell me how far I would have gone on my bicycle - if I wasn't stuck to the trainer. This gaget, or "computer" as Cindy calls it, works off the back wheel, so it doesn't matter that my front wheel isn't spinning. It's wireless too. Cool, right?

Well, not exactly cool. Today, I began spinning only to find that I was going nowhere fast. I wasn't pleased. I began pressing buttons as I continued to pedal. Nothing. Then I unhooked the computer for a closer look, and as I did this I saw the wireless signal begin to work. Now, I don't have a big bike. I am only 5'2", so I have a very small bike. It would seem that such a device would have a transmitter strong enough to go from the back wheel to the handle-bars of my little bike.

Although I was annoyed, I decided to work with the defect. I looked around for a place to put the computer and could only find one obvious spot. Into my bra went the computer. After 30 minutes, I was happy to discover that I had gone 10 miles.

I don't want it to get ruined by sweat, but my problem was solved for today. I'll figure out a better spot to mount it on my bike by next Monday. Perhaps, I'll take it back to the cycling store for them to solve the issue.

Posted by Juls at 6:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)