My Sisyphus Goals...

...Or Really I've Been Under the Boulder, Instead of Pushing It...

I realize that I've abandoned this blog for nearly SIX (6!) months and many of you probably thought it was defunct, or I had given up my goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

Well, basically I had. I became completely discouraged after breaking my toe in December. I've been running, but I've been remiss about blogging about it and painfully remiss in participating in any kind of real training program. So far, this is what I've been doing since the beginning of the year:

Anderson Creek 5K, February 4: My first race after the toe break. It went surprisingly well despite the fact that I did ZERO cross-training while I was injured. I actually won my age group. Total surprise.

Pittsburgh Half Marathon, May 5: I didn't really train very hard for this race. I logged mileage, but did minimal (read: zero) speedwork. I ran a 1:56, which isn't a PR, but not horrible given the circumstances.

Fort Bragg Army Birthday 10-Miler: I did not train for this race. I basically just ran it based on what little training I did for the half in May. I ran 85 minutes. Not even close to a PR, but commendable.

And then there was nothing, with no race on the horizon and an uptick in the pace of my personal and professional life I let my running routine basically vanish. Also, I found myself again dealing with transition on all fronts and I let running fall off the plate.

I just became so disgusted with my performances and repeated failures that I took an unplanned sabbatical from running. I did enjoy having a lot of extra time on my hands. I chose to fill it by eating and watching television. Did I miss running?  Not exactly.  Did I miss feeling fit? Absolutely. I also missed fresh air, the time to myself and feeling strong. I also missed pushing myself toward something and my existence started to feel...numb.

So, I decided to hit the pavement again. It tried just running a bit to rebuild my base mileage.  This was only mildly successful and I really didn't get into any sort of running routine until my annual vacation in Italy. I slowly I logged some miles despite copious amounts of wine and jet-lag. I felt slightly better reintroducing the routine, but struggled upon my return to North Carolina. Between my jet-lag, work and oppressive NC humidity it was really difficult to find the motivation to get out there. I had only casually looked into some marathons. I began to realize without a goal, I just wasn't going to push myself back into a running routine. So I reignited my goal to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I after some research I decided it would be best stick closer to home.

So I've officially registered and have begun training for The City of Oaks Marathon in Raleigh, NC. November 4.

I'm working hard to not get discouraged as I've lost a great deal of speed and I'm a little intimidated by some of the mileage that is on the horizon. I am terrified of an over use injury. I figured that I have to look at City of Oaks as a spring board and work from there. I may not BQ but I hope to at least set a personal best.

I also hope to maintain this blog again. I'd like to get back into a weekly blog routine to help chart my progress, and hopefully get some tips and motivation from my fellow runners. So we will see!

In Summation: Running Sabbatical=Makes You Unfit; NC Humidity=Oppressive; Lack of Goals=No Essence of Life; Running=A Bit of a Struggle at the Moment; Faith in Mankind=Maybe at the End of the Tunnel

Back in the Saddle...

(Editors Note: This blog is published late because not only does the writer procrastinate running, she also procrastinates writing about running) 


Or... The Good News and the Bad News......

First, the good news... I can run again!

My quacky doctor ordered another X-ray and has said my toe is healed. He also said that I can go back to my normal activities, including running, but starting off easy.
I know it's not my doctor's fault that I broke my toe. But he certainly made me run the wickets of Army bureaucracy before letting me know that I was cleared to run. I will spare you the rants on the Army medical system and all of it's woes. The good news is that I can get back to running

Now, the bad news....I am so out of shape!

Despite my best intentions, I really fell off the fitness wagon. I gave up any extra exercise just before Christmas and haven't really regained any schedule. So, once again I find myself just beginning to be a resolutionary deep into February. I'm really frustrated, because my 2012 racing season seemed so promising and now I feel like I'm starting right back at square one. It seems like my goals for 2012 look mysteriously like my goals at the beginning of 2011.

• Drop 10 pounds
• Qualify for Boston
• Run 1200 miles for the year
• Eat like an athlete
• Keep weekly mileage at least 20 miles per week
• Take speed work seriously
• Keep better records
• Become more flexible
• Practice Yoga
• Become more athletically diverse
• Blog weekly 

 Even though I cracked last year's 1,000 mile goal  early, it still seems like a repeat of the last two years.

I'm trying not to become discouraged, but admittedly it's hard. So this weeks small goal is to rededicate myself to my fitness goals. I hope that by the end of the month fitness is a solid part of my life again.

In Summation: Goals=Unrealized; Blog=Dusty; Eating Habits=Grotesque; Yoga Practice=Non-Existent; Faith in Mankind=Hanging out on Heartbreak Hill

This One Cried Wee Wee Wee...Crunch!...

...Or Perhaps I'm Not Bionic After-All....

Cue the sad trombones because I've managed to break my left pinky-toe. I was in the gym, trying to get 'my swell on' and accidentally dropped a 35-pound plate on my foot, while trying to set up the Smith Machine for squats.

I knew that the maneuver was going to go wrong, but I couldn't move my foot from the way quickly enough and I crunched my toe. I was able to continue my work out, but by the time I got to work it was massively swollen and I could barely walk.

After hobbling around my office for most of the day, I was basically instructed to go and have an X-ray. The next at the doctors office it was revealed that had indeed 'fractured my fifth toe.' I was absolutely gutted. The Doc informed me that I would have to wear a 'post-surgery shoe' AKA Chinese Jump Boot and I would have to 'buddy-tape the toes.' This means taping the little pig that cried wee to the little pig that had none. As if things weren't bad enough, the Doc continued to inform me that I would have to wear the CJB for two weeks and I shouldn't run for 4-6 weeks! What a smack in the face after my recent victory. I was massively disappointed. No running for 4-6 weeks, this can't be possible!

Well... guess what? It is friggin' possible. I broke the toe on December 6, and much to most of my friend's surprise, I actually wore the CBJ the full two weeks, save one day. I have been a little flaky about taping the toes.

I did my first run on 22 December, four miles and everything seemed okay. So, I ran four miles again on the 23rd and 24th. Again, so far so good. I decided to increase the mileage on the 25th to 6 Miles and things didn't go so well. I felt kind of stiff through the run and around mile 3 my right knee started making a strange clicking sound and I could feel something wasn't quite right. When I got home I tried to stretch out and use my foam roller to take some tension out of my IT band. Nothing seemed to do the trick and the knee began to swell.

I suspect the knee is a reaction to the change in my gait because of the toe. I've also had some minor set-backs with the toe and had to go back to taping it up.

I have another appointment to see the doctor, but I have not been running and don't know if running is in my foreseeable future. This is making a drastic negative impact on my running goals for 2012. At this point, I can't even make any goals.

In Summation: Broken Pigs=Totally Suck; Wonky Knees=Also Suck; CJBs=Annoying; Faith in Mankind=Wasting Away Unfound on My Running Trail

A Bridesmaid No More....

....Or Double-Header 10k Weekend Part Two ... The Green Beret Jingle Jog...

Needless to say I was a little unimpressed that I had to get up early again on Sunday morning for another race. However, I promised Those Crazy Runners of Fayetteville (TCRF) and so I got myself out of bed and on my way.

This race was local, so I registered at the packet pick-up the day before. I double checked that I received a race number with a timing chip and the very ugly race t-shirt.

After the race the day before TCRF and I were having breakfast and there was a lot of discussion of how to improve your times and I revealed one of my biggest running flaws. I hate getting out of breath. Yeah...you read it right...I don't like to get out of my comfort zone and if I feel like I'm working to hard, my body will have a tendency to just naturally back off. Well the New Yorker in the group basically told me that this was stupid and that I need to get out of my comfort zone if I'm ever going to really improve and get myself a Boston Qualifier.

With his words in mind, I decided to really try to push it out for this race and see if I couldn't pull off another PR.

Race day was significantly warmer and I decided not to bundle up and overheat myself as I did the past two races. I decided on a blue running skirt (!) and a t-shirt. It was chilly at the start but I stuck it out. One of my girls in the TCRF let me use her tin-foil blanket and it was amazing!

I wiggled my way closer to the start and waited for the gun. Again, no gun, so I just started with everyone else.

With the New Yorkers advice in my head I decided to start off a little fast and maintain the pace. I must say that this was the polite-est race I've run in a while. I didn't get shoved, elbowed or kicked and I just kept running forward.
The good news is that the course was relatively flat. I really concentrated on the pace and was surprised at how hard it was mentally for me not to just let my mind wander and settle into a comfortable pace.
In mile two I was feeling the effects of the race the day before. My legs felt heavy and my lower back was a little stiff, but I was convinced to keep pressing forward.
I buzzed through the water stations and I was burning up at mile three and I stripped down to my tank top.
At mile four I was tired and annoyed. I wanted the race to be over and I was tired of concentrating on the pace, my body was tired and I was a little ticked that I still had two miles left.
I pushed through and tried not to lose the pace at the end.
My iPod battery died as I entered into mile 5 and I had to listen to myself breath through the finish. I came across the finish line at 47:58! This busted yesterdays PR by a few seconds! It was an average of 7:45 per mile. I was pretty happy!

The New Yorker was of course already at the finish and we waited for the rest of our crazy runners to come across the line. It was a great race day for the group because we had three people earn hardware. Especially our girl Teri who ran her first 10k and finished third in her age group!!!

I was pretty excited to get my age group medal, so I could mark something else off of my goal list. What was not exciting was the medal. In fact, it's disappointment rivaled that of the New River Marathon Woodle. It was a green dog tag, that said "Green Beret Jingle Jog 10k Winner." Talk about adding a little anti-climax to my success.
But, nonetheless, TCRF headed to Primos pizza for a post race lunch, which was half-price with your race number, and we all celebrated with a well-earned beer!

I was pretty excited with the results of this race and even happier that I set my mind to something and made it happen. I hope for similar successes in the future!

In Summation: Age Group Win=AWESOME; Age Group Win Medal=LAME; TCRF=Awesome!; Concentrating on Running While Running=More Challenging than Expected; Back to Back PR=Awesome; Running Skirts=Awesome; Faith in Mankind=On the shelf collecting dust next to the cool medals at the medal store.

10k Double Header Weekend....Part One 5th Annual Reindeer Run!...

...Or Cheated Out of a PR...

I joined a running group, called Those Crazy Runner's of Fayetteville. I read on their FaceBook page that quite a few people were going to two local 10ks back to back. While this sounded like fun, the idea of waking up early both days of the weekend did not sound appetizing to me at all. But, on a whim I decided to go for it. Mighty Mouse wouldn't be joining me, as he had to pull 24-hour duty. He's a good motivator and his extreme punctuality normally keeps me on my toes.
I decided to get on it with it and drug myself out of bed and made the effort to get myself to Aberdeen by 730 in time for registration. However, effort is the key word in that statement, because I really, really cut it close. I arrived 10 minutes before registration closed. I encountered a very, cranky race volunteer who took my registration form, shoved a t-shirt and a race number toward me and sent me on my way. I met up with four folks from the running group and we danced around trying to stay warm.

Again, I chose to wear capri pants and long-sleeved shirt. I was absolutely freezing at the start. I couldn't wait to start running.

I headed toward the starting point and wiggled my way into the crowd. I was a little confused as to whether or not I was at the start for the 10k or the 5k so I had to ask someone next to me. Even though two other runners assured me I was in the right place, I wasn't completely convinced. Either way, I took off whenever everyone else started moving.

There is a growing trend where I don't know really when the actual race starts and I'm considering trying to start closer to the front. This is a bit of a sticky wicket, because I also dislike getting passed and I figure quite a few people starting further back will actually end up wiping me out. I'm not sure if I want to make this change.

So, I ran past the Santa that started the race still not confident that I took off with the 10k crowd. I pushed forward anyway and hoped for the best.

I stayed frozen for the first two miles and was feeling slightly better when I noticed the pack I was running in hooked it right following the 10k path. I got caught up in my music on my iPod and plugged forward, it became slightly hilly around mile four and I hoped this wasn't a repeat performance of last week's hilly half.

I discovered that I really, really enjoy the little village of Aberdeen, NC. It's a little more country than it's neighbors Southern Pines and Pinehurst, but has a really quaint feel about it. Plus, it has a caboose in it's town center.

The run started to snake through an old cemetery and the sun really started to beam down. I was now way, way too hot. In fact I was uncomfortably hot and I couldn't wait for the race to be over.

I pushed through the last mile and found myself on the street that led me into town. I was excited to be nearly done and I tried to pick up the pace, thinking that maybe I would medal in such a small race.

It was a downhill finish and when I came across the finish line I inhaled some fake snow that they had blowing around, it was pretty disgusting. Also, the finish line clock seemed to be displaying the 5k finish times, which renewed my wrong start-point fears.

According to my GPS I ran a 48:34 averaging a 7:44 minute mile. This isn't too shabby for me, and it was closer to my goal time of 48 minutes so I was pretty pleased. I collected my water bottle and a bottle of water and headed toward the finish line hoping to find some others from the group.

Finally I caught up with some others near the race results postings and discovered that my official time was not recorded, because I didn't receive the right race number, the one I was given did not have a timing chip in it. WTF?! I also discovered I was not given a schwag bag at registration. Double WTF!?  I officially hate this race! Especially since according to my records, 48:34 would be a PR for me and now it hasn't even been officially recorded! Triple WTF?! I found this whole race to be completely annoying.

What was great is that my running group friends were completely supportive and commiserated with me. The other good news was that one of our members earned a medal so we stuck around for the ceremony. Here I discovered that even if my time was recorded it wasn't fast enough to earn me an age-group medal. So the only thing I really missed out on was having the race 'count.' I figured at least I had witnesses.

If it wasn't for the logistical errors that this race offered, I would have really enjoyed it. So, I guess the lesson learned here, is not to leave registration for the last minute. I will no longer do race site registration. The best thing was that this was my first race with 'Those Crazy Runners of Fayetteville" and it was a great experience! It was awesome to have others to commiserate with with at the end of a race and share the successes and the gripes. We all headed to The Cracker Barrel afterward for a fat girl's breakfast!

In Summation: The Town of Aberdeen=Quaint; Reindeer Run= Could Have Been Awesome; Frazzled Race Volunteers Who Make Mistakes=Annoying as Hell PR=Awesome; PRs that Aren't Officially Recorded=UNAwesome; Those Crazy Runners of Fayetteville=AWESOME; Faith in Mankind=Hanging Out with Unused Race Day Materials, Like My Chip-Timed Race Number

A Prelude to a Holiday....T-Day

...Or Pinehurst Turkey Trot...

I know, I know...It's a day before Christmas and I'm just now writing about my Turkey Trot race that happened a week before Thanksgiving! But I guess as the old saying goes 'better late than never!' On with the race.

Mighty Mouse (MM) and I had been planning to run this race for a couple of weeks. Apparently, he's been talking about it at work and some of his friends decided to run it too. Now because there are more of us, we decided to all meet up together on post and head to Pinehurst together. This really backed up the travel timeline and it meant another early morning wake up on Saturday, early as in 5 am.  After a quick breakfast I drove onto post to meet up with MM and his Merry Men. We were a total of six runners from Fort Bragg.

Again, it was freezing. I chose a long-sleeve top and a capri pants and I was a freezing in the beginning. After a long wait we had about a block walk to the start line, where the race directors informed us there would be an additional 10-minute delay to the start of the race. This was particularly annoying because despite the fact that it was a sunny day, I was absolutely freezing and we were all ready to start the race.

Finally, the race started and we all took off together. I was so cold, I couldn't wait to get warm. MM and I tried to take off at an 8-minute pace, but the start of the race was so crowded this was really difficult. MM and I picked our way through the crowd trying hard not to throw any elbows. Two of MM's co-workers fell behind and the rest of fought the crowd hoping it would thin out.

Our goal at the outset of the race was to run a 1:45 or better. I didn't accomplish our goal during the previous week's race, so I really wanted this one.
Around mile three things started to get a little better I was finally warm and and we started to get a good pace going. The other two of MM's friends drifted ahead, and we didn't see them again until the finish.

Things seemed to be on track as we rounded the 6 mile mark, I was tired, but MM was plugging along, not even out of breath. In fact, his effortlessness and bouncy little stride started to annoy those that we passed. MM was happy as he noted that our 10k time was faster than last week's race pace.

This news pushed me through miles 7 and 8 and I worked hard as some hills presented themselves starting at mile 9.  The uphill climbs slowed me down, but MM was able to push through with little to no problem. It was around this point I felt like I was starting to get too warm.

The hills continued through miles 10 and 11 and became increasingly annoying. MM was plugging through and we linked up with 'Pony-Tail Girl' who was struggling to keep up with us.
MM peeled off to use the bathroom and promised to keep catch up with us. Pony-Tail Girl and I  seized this opportunity to try to go a little faster so that MM would have to work extra-hard to catch us. Diabolical I know, but his effortless running was annoying us.

MM showed back up and the little bit of speed I put forth started to take it's toll. MM announced that we would have to go a little faster if we intended to make our 1:45 goal. Pony-Tail Girl took this seriously and pulled ahead. MM, ever loyal, stayed back to motivate me to the finish.

The hills continued and we pushed through, but the last mile had a at least a quarter-mile hill and pushing to the top we still had to round a long corner until we got to the end.

MM, still full of fire and vinegar performed some finish line dance moves for the crowd, while I just tried not to die.

I came in at 1:45:49 to which I announced goal accomplished, as it's 1:45 until it's 1:46! We averaged around an 8:04 minute-per-mile pace. I am pretty pleased with this time, but really, expected to go a bit faster. Also, I felt ok after the race, but I'm not sure if I could have done another 13 miles at that pace. I definitely need to choose a race and get a training program underway.

In Summation: Barely Accomplishing Goal Time=Better Than Just Missing Goal Time; MM=Really Good Runner; Hilly Race-Courses=Unpleasant; Wardrobe Choice=Poor; Faith in Mankind=Must Have Been Being Passed Out at the Water Station She Didn't Stop At

Sandhills...Sand Trap...

...Or...the First Loser Again...

The 15th Annual Joint Special Operations 10k Run
This race was held on Fortress Bragg. Because of my aversion to going on to post during the weekend and other things I was avoiding this race. But, at the last minute I decided to sign up.
I also convinced my anti-social running partner Mighty Mouse, to come along. We have already planned to run a 1/2 Marathon next weekend, so this was going to be our first racing experience together.

The race started at 8 am and we came up with a solid meeting plan and showed up out at McKellar's Lodge at 730 am. There were many more people there than we anticipated and we had a long walk to pick up our race packets and t-shirts. I was slightly concerned that we wouldn't have time to make it back to the start in time for the gun. So lesson learned, no matter how arbitrary it may seem to me, I have to show up to a race at least an hour early to feel comfortable.

Also, unless it's summer, I never feel like I'm dressed appropriately. Mostly, I'm too cold in the beginning and too hot mid-race. I have yet to find a happy medium. It's also confusing to me that sweating like a pig is okay in the summer, but in the other seasons I can't tolerate it. I settled on capri tights and a light-weight, long-sleeved top

On with the race!
From my previous time on Fortress Bragg, I vaguely remembered where the trail for this run was located, and remembered that the majority of it would be on a sandy path. I didn't really think too much about it as MM and I made our way toward the the front of the pack at the starting line. When it was time we set off at a pace which felt a little fast for me, but I decided to try to stick with it thinking I was just cold.

MM got out in front of me right away, claiming he was running our normal 8-minute pace. Although the beginning of the trail was packed sand, I had trouble keeping up, and was chasing the soles of MM shoes in the first mile.

MM stayed about 50 meters in front of me and I continued to try to close the gap, until we rounded the corner around mile two and I huge sandy hill loomed in front of us. The sand was really thick and loose and was bogging down my stride. MM was un-phased and powered up the hill. When I reached the top of the hill, MM was nearly 100 meters in front, and he turned around to retrieve me....
Not only was this unbelievable, it was mortifying to me.
MM, of course just thought he was being supportive and decided that it would be a bad idea to employ this tactic again.
I just could not keep up with him. No matter how hard I tried I just felt overly exhausted and the sand just kept bogging me down and making my legs heavy. The deep sand was killing me and I was struggling. I was passing some people who attempted to bring strollers on the course and I was really feeling sorry for them!
The original goal was to run an even 48 minutes, however, that is not what happened. I was lucky to push out an 8:07 pace and ended up running a 50:30. Not too bad, but still not the goal.
MM finished just ahead of me and we collected our finishers coin. We were both still freezing, so MM ushered me past the food and water and we headed straight for our vehicles.
Even though it was just a 10k, I felt pretty terrible after my shower and a massive headache had set in. All means of water, caffeine and even aspirin, didn't kick it and I ended up sleeping most of the day.

It wasn't even until later that evening when I logged onto my computer did I find out I won second place in my age category by reading my running group's facebook page. Thanks Brian Dolan!
I was pretty surprised because 50:30 wasn't even a PR for me!

The next day at work, I contacted the race director and he agreed to meet me to pass of my medal.

In Summation: Race wear=a Science; Racing with MM=a Little Strange; Sandy Trails=Unfavorable; Oddly Tired=Unpleasant; Winning Second Place=Nice!; Missing Medal Ceremony=No Fun; Headaches=No Fun; Running Group=Awesome! Faith in Mankind=Buried Under Some Fort Bragg Pine Straw