What a difference a week makes

A week ago I was sweating bullets during my run. Yesterday, I was still sweating bullets, but in a good way.

I reached the gate of my complex at 8am. For five minutes—I counted—I shivered waiting for a vehicle to come and allow me to exit.

It was 36 degrees.

Just as I turned to return home and add another layer of clothes, a car came and so I was off.

My family thought I was crazy for running in such a cold temperature. Why not wait until later in the day?

Well, I like running early. The roads are quieter which means less vehicle exhaust and I can actually listen to my Freakonomics podcast. Plus, morning is a great time to reflect. I can plan my day, my week or just be at one with my body. Besides, I like to do what I need to do and get it out of the way so the rest of my time is free.

Winter has always been my season. I love the briskness in air. People tend to dress nicer in winter—think cozy boots, funky tights, cool coats, trendy gloves and accessories.

In terms of running, I have a much better endurance and pace in cooler temps. I was kicking butt up until about mile five and then my right hip started to stiffen up. More breaks and stretches followed.

I knew if I doubled back that discomfort would get the best of me and I would fall short of my distance goal. So, I slowed my pace and literally took the long road home.

When MapMyRun called out seven miles, I threw my hands in the air like Rocky. Well, Mrs. Rocky … Only one more mile to go. I got this!

Sure enough, I did have it.

Eight miles. Check!

A super run

This morn I woke at 7am to run. The goal for today was six, but I really needed to do seven to stay on schedule. I was approaching my complex at six miles. Instead of heading home I took a detour for a mile or so and finished with seven miles and some change ... Ok, I'm ready to eat. Who's hosting the Super Bowl party?

No regrets

I had hoped to run on campus after work. However, my running partner was ill and Luke had a doctor’s appointment at 4pm. Before I knew it, it was 4:45pm and I was on I-75 heading home …

Since I arrived home earlier than usual, I could run in the neighborhood before sunset.

Not happening.

By the time I pulled into the garage, both of us were hungry.

We ate dinner and played with blocks. I gave Luke a bath and he immediately asked for “Muk, muk” (milk).

No reading. No rocking. Little man was tired and done for the night or so I thought …

It was well after 8:30pm when I headed out for a run.

A little later than usual and a little lighter … Sans stroller, cellie and podcast.

The great thing about my neighborhood is that it is small and everyone knows you. However, its ‘smallness’ can be frustrating when trying to log more than a mile or so. I had to run six boring loops to equal three miles.

Poor me.

So, what does one think about to make the loops go by faster?

Unfortunately, a lot of USF work related stuff. Sad, huh?

Once I got over work, I noticed all of the open windows in my community. They reminded me of pre-Luke days when I too would have every window, plus the slider open.

It really was a gorgeous night. Not sure what the temp was, but I was more than comfortable running in a sleeveless top.

The skies were almost clear. I insisted on gazing at the half moon and tried to find constellations. I am pretty sure I saw Orion and Cassiopeia before I had to look downward for fear of a crook in my neck or a misstep and fall.

It occurred to me that The Gasparilla Distance Classic is almost one month out.

Yikes, it is February and I didn’t use my January

Chick-fil-a cow calendar coupon. Shucks!

I also need to put my 2012 vehicle registration sticker on my license plate.

My original goal was three miles, but heading out I told myself I’ll do four loops and see how I feel. I felt good and pressed on for the last two loops with a final count of 3.6 miles. I was consistent with my walk breaks—one minute, every half mile. My pace and breathing were relaxed. In the end, I was happy I made myself run.

And, the first thing I did after returning home was to open a few windows (away from the nursery) and enjoy the cool breeze and moonlight.

* * *

I originally started this blog post at around 10pm last night.

My office is next door to the nursery. Even with both doors closed, I could hear Luke coughing. It was bad and pretty consistent.

I stopped typing to look at the video monitor and Luke had coughed himself awake. So much for sleeping through the night …

“Hi.” That’s what he said as I entered his room. Poor baby.

Between 10:30pm and 1:30am it was rough going for us.

He wet the bed and his clothes. Change of clothes for him and new linen on the bed. After that, he was really awake and wanted milk. We caved. He was on his way to sleep. Gave breathing treatment and passed off to hubby.

Wrong move.

Luke woke and was crunk. He wanted mommy, but mommy still had tasks to do and it was
getting late. In his crunkness, he fussed and fought. With his nasal congestion it wasn’t long before he spit up on the floor and me. Change of clothes for both of us.

“Muk,muk.” Luke wanted more milk.

I resisted for 30 minutes, but Luke can be stubborn. He continued to fuss and fight. No one got sleep. I caved. He went to sleep and so did I, right in the rocker.

The last time I looked at the clock it was 1:30am.

In hindsight, do I regret going for a run instead of turning in early?

Not a chance. Little did I know that the time I spent star-gazing, to-do listing and looping my neighborhood was the calm in the midst of a storm.

A PR and a few other tidbits

This morning I set out to run (jog is more like it) six miles. On the way out the door, I told my husband to be prepared to come and get Luke. The last time Luke accompanied me on a run it was for five miles and he grew restless near the end.

To my surprise, Luke finished what we started without a fuss (or a nap)! A personal record for both of us … We aren’t counting time, right?

After two potty breaks for me, a false poop alert and diaper change for Luke and several ‘pauses’ to replenish snacks the finish time was … Let’s just say we finished and leave it at that!

However, today’s outing brought a few issues to light that others might want to note.

Waste management

I have a week bladder. Always been like that. Always will be. As a result, before I start a run I scout out where my relief options are located.

Today was no different. I planned my route so that I could hit Lowe’s at two miles and Kohls at four. But, what happens on race day when there likely won’t be a Lowes or Kohls to run in to?

You definitely want to empty everything before leaving home. And, if you’re like me seek out a release option before the starting gun fires. The location of Gasparilla helps. Depending on the start time, participants can choose from the Publix or Walgreens on Platt Street. However, once you past them it’s just you, port-a-pottys and the great outdoors. Trust me, the latter is really not an option for Gasparilla. There are way too many participants, spectators and not enough bushes along Bayshore Blvd.

Either way, it’s wise to know your body, your options and plan ahead.

Little things can add up to a lot

Something didn’t feel right in my right shoe. Before leaving home I took off my shoe and readjusted my sock. That did the trick for about four miles. Then I felt the rub on my inside arch.

Not good.

I took my shoe off and tried to loosen the area along my arch. It didn’t work. Before long, my gait was different trying to overcompensate for the discomfort in my foot.

Really, not good.

Whether it’s toe, thigh, nipple, heal or arm rub—sooner or later you are bound to fall victim. The key is to identify the problem area ASAP and take action. There are lots of products on the market that can be applied to high friction areas to minimize pain from rubbing. Take it from me … ‘Tis better to apply often and be friction free than to go without and suffer from a burn.

Ouch!

A change must come

There comes a time in our training when we need a change to get us to the next level. I’m not saying some of us have hit a wall … we just need something different to get us over the hump.

Over the past week others have shared that they lost their running partner due to injury, lost their ‘mojo’, can’t get past 5/6 miles, can’t get off the treadmill and run outside or whatever.

Personally, I lost my running partner—Luke just isn’t down with the jogger once we hit the one hour mark. Can’t say I blame him.

On a recent road trip, I popped in one of my ‘driving’ CDs. You know the CD that will keep you alert when you’re behind the wheel. This time it was a compilation of my favorite alternative songs.

Man!

What a great flashback. I sang non-stop for 1 ½ hours across Alligator Alley. The air guitar and hand banging was in full swing. But, better than that I was reminded of my running days from yesterday …

My awesome alternamix also doubled as my half-marathon training music. Listening to Weezer, Green Day, Lit and Everclear immediately catapulted me to hill repeats on the Martin Luther King Bridge and dewy, Sunday morning runs along the Riverhills golf course.

So, as much as I love catching up on “This American Life” and “Freakonomics Radio” I have come to the realization that our running relationship must end.

I, Natalie D. Preston-Washington, need the high strung guitar and pulsating beats of AFI, My Chemical Romance and The Offspring to get me through 9.3 miles and on to the finish line.

What change do you need to claim victory on March 3rd?

Find your inspiration

Apparently, Mathdany isn’t the only person who suffered a bit of a set back over the holiday break. She asked for a video or inspirational story to motivate her. Well, here’s a clip from “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” featuring Rick and Dick Hoyt—they are my inspiration.

In 2008, I had the pleasure of running a half-marathon with Team Hoyt. It was amazing to
meet them and I was happy to support their fund-raising efforts.

I am not ashamed to admit that Dick leaves me in the dust. This is particularly impressive given that he was a few beats away from a heart attack, is several decades older than me and pushes his 100lb son on his runs.

So, when I am struggling to get out the door and run or feel like a weeble wobble and want to
stop or my mind is working against me with a defeatist attitude, I think of The Hoyts and refuse to quit.

Like them, I am an athlete.

I saw the full episode on HBO when it originally aired, but can’t find it online. YouTube has lots of clips about The Hoyts. This one is good too and I love the closing message—Don’t Run Alone.

Fueling during long runs (hour +)

Completed my first 15K distance on Saturday, however I still feel uneasy about race day. The second and last mile are always the toughest, no matter the distance. I still struggle in my mind to keep going, fighting the urge to quit. Nevertheless, the biggest challenge was fueling during the run. When is the best time to refuel? What do you refuel with, water, sport drinks, gels, etc and how much do you consume? How do you carry your fueling supplies and how do you get it to your mouth?

The ameature that I am, I held a 10 oz. bottle half filled with cranberry juice in my hand, waited until I completed an hour and then only managed to take 3 sips... I won't go into the details of how bad the experience was. Let's just say I need to spend more time finding options that will yield better results. If you haven't taken the time to consider what you will do, you may want to start thinking about what will work best for you. Refueling is not only for the professionals, we all need to fuel during long runs.

And while I am on the subject, anybody wants to share how you fuel pre- and post-run?

Just venting ...

Yesterday’s five-mile run was tough. Luke had a fever most of the weekend. And, when he doesn't sleep well, I don't sleep well. Plus, I was on my feet all day doing laundry, taking down Christmas decorations, cleaning, and more. Speaking of laundry, I’m not happy about the increase in my dirty clothes that running generates …

Nonetheless, 4:30pm came and I was determined to run. It was a gorgeous day and I'd been cooped up inside long enough. I usually can listen to my podcast without earplugs, but not today. The road traffic was high and it just wasn’t working. So, I begrudgingly cut off Freakonomics Radio and ran alone.

Wrong move.

The time clicked away ever so slowly with no stroller, no podcast, no nothing. Just me and car fumes. Yuk!

BTW—Is anyone else struggling with sore, tight muscles? I have never been good with stretching pre- or post-run, but walking stiffly is getting old. I remember some stretches from my running club days, but if others have found a good online resource then please share.

Finally, the past is the past. It’s a new week so forget about what didn’t happen last week or even last month and make it happen this week!

How to get back in the Groove?

Hi Everyone,

Before the break I was on a roll. I was religiously working out, but now I am having difficulties. I find myself making excuses for not running. I am not sure what I have to do to get my Mojo back.

Realization is Dawning

I ran my longest run so far last night - 4 miles.  I was surprised at how much longer it SEEMED than 3 miles.  Somewhere just under 3 miles I realized that I would be running at least an hour and a half for the 15K!  That's a long time!  But I remind myself to take heart and have faith in the training schedule (I'm using the Higgins 12 week one that Samantha sent out).  The training schedule WORKS and gradually gets you were you need to be without injury.  I remember worrying a lot about running so long when I trained for my 1st half marathon.  Sure enough, the training worked and I did just fine.  When in doubt, trust in your training!  :)