It has been a month since my last blog post. A month?!?!? I rarely go that long without an update, even a brief something. My twitter activity has slowed. My Facebook updates have almost completely stopped. My running... Sigh.
A few weeks ago I woke up dizzy. I was dizzy for the better part of the day. The next day I was planning on a long run. After five miles I stopped to refill my water bottle and I felt like I was going to black-out. You know how you can get a head rush if you stand up too fast sometimes? It was like that. It scared me enough to end my run then. The last thing I want to do is pass out while I'm on the treadmill.
I made it to the doctor on that Tuesday and she said I had some fluid in my middle ear. The dizziness lasted until the following Saturday.
The next week, I wanted to run, but I just couldn't bring myself to do get it done.
The whole week.
This past week wasn't much better. Four miles on Tuesday was all I had in me. Wednesday night I was asleep by 8:45 PM and on Friday I laid down at 7:50 PM.
Physically, other than being tired, I feel fine. I just haven't had the mental wherewithal to get it done.
I see people out for their runs and I want to run too. I'm jealous that people are out there and I'm not.
I'm worried about losing the fitness I have worked so hard to get back since November when things weren't going so smoothly on the running front.
Things piked up and were going well. I had great runs at Disney and was feeling especially confident after those races. No PRs there, but I felt like I was making leaps and bounds and it the last three weeks PPFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT. It's all gone.
My confidence is shaky but I know that I need to and that I can turn this around.
I had originally planned on the North Carolina Marathon, but due to a scheduling conflict, it was a no-go. My plans shifted to the Flying Pig, but now I'm not sure about that. The next week or two should determine if I can do it.
This week will be complicated by travel. But I'm ready to shake the doldrums and run away from this funk hanging over me.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Valentine 5K :: Race Report
Saturday morning I got up early and headed north to Silver River State Park near Ocala and Silver Springs. I decided to change things up and instead of running the Lady Track Shack 5K like have for several years, I would try a new race that is about an equal distance in the opposite direction. I first read about this race in Runner's World.
When The Crazy Runner said he was going to be there I decided to register. This race was really inexpensive. It was $15 (+$3 active.com fee) and the first 150 registered received a tech-tee. I registered early and got my tech-tee.
I missed my turn and ended up driving the scenic route through Ocala. I had left early enough in case I got lost and I was glad I had. I still arrived in plenty of time to meet up with The Crazy Runner and his friends. We chatted for a bit and found our way to the start line and after a few announcements we were off.
Speedy Sasquatch had given me pacing instructions of the first half mile at a 9:30 pace and the next two miles at a 9:10 pace and then FINISH IT!!! We started out in the parking lot and ran a loop. I was feeling good and was a little faster than 9:30, but it was manageable. After about a 1/3 of a mile we moved onto state park hiking trails that were primarily sugar sand.
I was still feeling pretty good but running on sugar sand takes a lot more effort than running on the road. It was starting to turn into work and I was slowing down a little bit.
I kept at it and tried to stay strong. I passed a few people and was passed by a few. As I turned a corner I saw a teenage girl walking and crying. She was having a rough race. We were already past the two mile mark. We were almost there. I tried to encourage her and I told her We were closer to the finish than we were to the start. I almost stopped to help run her in. Maybe I should have.
I was approaching an older gentleman who had stopped to walk. As I passed him he said I was doing a great job. He started running again and he passed me. He was walking again and as I passed him I said "You've totally got this!". He said "I hope it's over soon!" I told him there was about a 1/4 mile to go. He started running again.
I was pushing to get to the finish. The course crossed a road and we were right next to the area where packet pick-up was earlier in the morning. The finish line was segregated women to the left and men to the right. As we crossed the line ladies were handed a pink card and men a blue card. We needed to write our name age group and finish time on the card and turn them in.
After I had my card in hand, the older gentleman from the last 1/4 mile, who had also just finished, came up to me, shook my hand and thanked me for encouraging him to finish strong. That made my morning.
There was no chip or D-Tag timing. Old school write it down timing. Nothing wrong with that, I just haven't run a lot of races like that. I turned in my card, got a bottle of water. Right after that The Crazy Runner, who was pacing his friend found me. They had finished a little less than a minute behind me.
We chatted a bit and watched to award ceremony. Two of The Crazy Runner's friends (including the friend he paced) took 2nd place in their age groups. I fell just short of a trophy and finished 4th in my age group.
It was a lot of fun to try something new. The sugar sand was tough to run in and not a good choice for shooting for a PR. It really required a lot of effort to run on that.
It's been a long time since I've raced a 5K. It felt good to be out and I'm happy to have given it my best shot.
I finished in 29:56 a little slower than I was hoping for, but I wasn't counting on it being that tough.
I'm thinking about a half marathon next weekend in Gainesville. I suppose I might need to mention it to Mr. H.
When The Crazy Runner said he was going to be there I decided to register. This race was really inexpensive. It was $15 (+$3 active.com fee) and the first 150 registered received a tech-tee. I registered early and got my tech-tee.
I missed my turn and ended up driving the scenic route through Ocala. I had left early enough in case I got lost and I was glad I had. I still arrived in plenty of time to meet up with The Crazy Runner and his friends. We chatted for a bit and found our way to the start line and after a few announcements we were off.
Speedy Sasquatch had given me pacing instructions of the first half mile at a 9:30 pace and the next two miles at a 9:10 pace and then FINISH IT!!! We started out in the parking lot and ran a loop. I was feeling good and was a little faster than 9:30, but it was manageable. After about a 1/3 of a mile we moved onto state park hiking trails that were primarily sugar sand.
I was still feeling pretty good but running on sugar sand takes a lot more effort than running on the road. It was starting to turn into work and I was slowing down a little bit.
I kept at it and tried to stay strong. I passed a few people and was passed by a few. As I turned a corner I saw a teenage girl walking and crying. She was having a rough race. We were already past the two mile mark. We were almost there. I tried to encourage her and I told her We were closer to the finish than we were to the start. I almost stopped to help run her in. Maybe I should have.
I was approaching an older gentleman who had stopped to walk. As I passed him he said I was doing a great job. He started running again and he passed me. He was walking again and as I passed him I said "You've totally got this!". He said "I hope it's over soon!" I told him there was about a 1/4 mile to go. He started running again.
I was pushing to get to the finish. The course crossed a road and we were right next to the area where packet pick-up was earlier in the morning. The finish line was segregated women to the left and men to the right. As we crossed the line ladies were handed a pink card and men a blue card. We needed to write our name age group and finish time on the card and turn them in.
After I had my card in hand, the older gentleman from the last 1/4 mile, who had also just finished, came up to me, shook my hand and thanked me for encouraging him to finish strong. That made my morning.
There was no chip or D-Tag timing. Old school write it down timing. Nothing wrong with that, I just haven't run a lot of races like that. I turned in my card, got a bottle of water. Right after that The Crazy Runner, who was pacing his friend found me. They had finished a little less than a minute behind me.
We chatted a bit and watched to award ceremony. Two of The Crazy Runner's friends (including the friend he paced) took 2nd place in their age groups. I fell just short of a trophy and finished 4th in my age group.
It was a lot of fun to try something new. The sugar sand was tough to run in and not a good choice for shooting for a PR. It really required a lot of effort to run on that.
It's been a long time since I've raced a 5K. It felt good to be out and I'm happy to have given it my best shot.
I finished in 29:56 a little slower than I was hoping for, but I wasn't counting on it being that tough.
I'm thinking about a half marathon next weekend in Gainesville. I suppose I might need to mention it to Mr. H.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Sunrise and Upside Down Dog
My pictures for Thursday and Friday.
The sunrise is actually from Friday morning. I wasn't feeling well on Thursday and I went to bed early. Taking a picture was the farthest thing from my mind.
Friday morning, the pink in the sky caught my attention and I grabbed the camera and went outside to grab the amazing colors. Sadly, this picture doesn't do it justice.
The boxer dog likes to sleep and relax upside down. I thought the look on his face while he was totally relaxed was hilarious. I snapped a shot to share with you.
The sunrise is actually from Friday morning. I wasn't feeling well on Thursday and I went to bed early. Taking a picture was the farthest thing from my mind.
Friday morning, the pink in the sky caught my attention and I grabbed the camera and went outside to grab the amazing colors. Sadly, this picture doesn't do it justice.
The boxer dog likes to sleep and relax upside down. I thought the look on his face while he was totally relaxed was hilarious. I snapped a shot to share with you.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
New Shoes
My sulky 13 year old wanted no part of me documenting his first day at his new school today.
In preparation for the first day at the new school, I ordered Stone a pair of shoes from RunningWarehouse.com I knew they wouldn't be here in time for the first day, but it would be close.
The shoes arrived this afternoon. I asked Stone to try them on and we realized we had a problem. They were too small. I'm glad that RunningWarehouse.com has an excellent and easy return policy.
Now the debate is, do I order a half size up, or shop locally?
Do you know how bad I feel returning a shoe that says "Thanks for Picking Me!"?
In preparation for the first day at the new school, I ordered Stone a pair of shoes from RunningWarehouse.com I knew they wouldn't be here in time for the first day, but it would be close.
The shoes arrived this afternoon. I asked Stone to try them on and we realized we had a problem. They were too small. I'm glad that RunningWarehouse.com has an excellent and easy return policy.
Now the debate is, do I order a half size up, or shop locally?
Do you know how bad I feel returning a shoe that says "Thanks for Picking Me!"?
Music and Motivation
I received an email this morning asking me to share some information and get your feedback. The writer of the email is working alongside this year’s Virgin London Marathon and running music producer AudioFuel. They're trying to encourage runners to vote for their favorite running tracks which will make up this year’s ‘soundtrack’ for the London Marathon, which will be later available on iTunes.
What are your favorite running tracks? You can nominate your favorites until February 1st here. I know there is a headphone / no headphone debate out there. I fall into the headphone camp. And I believe that most runners love their music. How cool would it be to have a soundtrack chosen by athletes around the world? I think it'll be interesting to see what makes the cut. I can also use new music!
AudioFuel provided a free sampler you can download here
What are your favorite running tracks? You can nominate your favorites until February 1st here. I know there is a headphone / no headphone debate out there. I fall into the headphone camp. And I believe that most runners love their music. How cool would it be to have a soundtrack chosen by athletes around the world? I think it'll be interesting to see what makes the cut. I can also use new music!
AudioFuel provided a free sampler you can download here
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Isn't This a Running Blog?
It is a running blog! I promise.
I have been following Speedy Sasquatch's plan as best I can and have been focusing on recovering from Goofy. There has been some running, some biking and some resting.
We're getting back to it this week with some more running in preparation for the North Carolina Marathon
So while there has been some running, there is nothing major to report. No stories of fantastic long runs, or long runs gone bad, just some short runs that were pretty good. I can't complain.
I had toyed with the idea of running the Ocala 1/2 Marathon or the ING Miami 1/2 Marathon on Sunday, but I decided against it. I'm going to Miami anyway Sunday night and I considered extending the trip a day on the front end, but I decided I would be better off and less stressed staying home chilling with the fam as long as possible and just banging out my long run on the treadmill this week.
Next Saturday is a different story. I'm headed to Ocala for the Valentine 5K This race was mentioned in the February Edition of Runner's World. In the magazine it mentioned that there are monkeys in Silver River State Park I want to see the monkeys. How cool would that be? Do I bring my little video camera in hopes of seeing a monkey or do I just run like I stole something? I just don't know if I have a new PR (27:12) in me... It would be nice.
I have been following Speedy Sasquatch's plan as best I can and have been focusing on recovering from Goofy. There has been some running, some biking and some resting.
We're getting back to it this week with some more running in preparation for the North Carolina Marathon
So while there has been some running, there is nothing major to report. No stories of fantastic long runs, or long runs gone bad, just some short runs that were pretty good. I can't complain.
I had toyed with the idea of running the Ocala 1/2 Marathon or the ING Miami 1/2 Marathon on Sunday, but I decided against it. I'm going to Miami anyway Sunday night and I considered extending the trip a day on the front end, but I decided I would be better off and less stressed staying home chilling with the fam as long as possible and just banging out my long run on the treadmill this week.
Next Saturday is a different story. I'm headed to Ocala for the Valentine 5K This race was mentioned in the February Edition of Runner's World. In the magazine it mentioned that there are monkeys in Silver River State Park I want to see the monkeys. How cool would that be? Do I bring my little video camera in hopes of seeing a monkey or do I just run like I stole something? I just don't know if I have a new PR (27:12) in me... It would be nice.
Another Two-Fer
Yesterday the bed didn't get made. The big black dog didn't seem to mind.
Today was Cha Cha's first day at her new school. Just like any other first day of school, pictures were in order. Can you believe, it's her first "first day of school" that didn't require a uniform.
Sneak Preview: Because the computers were down at the middle school yesterday, Stone couldn't take the placement tests needed. He took his tests today and his first day will be tomorrow.
Today was Cha Cha's first day at her new school. Just like any other first day of school, pictures were in order. Can you believe, it's her first "first day of school" that didn't require a uniform.
Sneak Preview: Because the computers were down at the middle school yesterday, Stone couldn't take the placement tests needed. He took his tests today and his first day will be tomorrow.
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