Run Lola Run

Back to posting…
Wow, a lot to write about today. Or, more accurately, think out loud about.

First things first: running. Still injured. I ran on Monday night with my run club, and did fine. We did 20 minutes of 6:1s, and I had no problems. I went out on Tuesday, hoping to run 3 easy miles, willing myself to slow down to a 10:30 pace. I made it to 2 miles and then felt the pain kick in. I tried to run through it for about 1 minute, and then realized that it was no good. Burst into tears and started walking home. I had myself a fine little pity party on Tuesday night. Rather than coming home, stretching out, icing my knee and taking Aleve, I took a shower and crawled into bed. I was so upset. To non-runners (or even some runners) maybe it seems silly. It even seemed a little silly to me, when I could step outside my disappointment. But I just couldn’t stop feeling sorry for myself. I knew that night that the marathon was out (maybe…I now have a crazy idea), but I also knew that that wasn’t what was upsetting me the most. It took a bit, but I realized that what upsets me the most is how long it’s going to take to work back to the level of running fitness that I was at. I worked so hard to be so fit and now I have to do it all over again. It’s just so frustrating and disappointing. I know that I have a 4:30 marathon in me, and I really think I have a 3:40 (Boston qualifying time or “BQ”) in me. It’s going to take a lot of hard work, because I’ll be essentially starting over.

Anyway, I tried running on the treadmill on Thursday, thinking that maybe that would be easier on my legs. Wrong. Pain kicked in at exactly two miles. So, I hopped off and did my yoga.

I’d officially given up on TCM until last night when I was talking with some friends and a crazy idea struck me—what if I stopped running completely until the marathon, and then just tried running the marathon? Or maybe run the week before, just to make sure I can run more than 2 miles? Hmmm. It’s a thought. My gal pal Val is running the marathon (we’ve run Grandma’s together twice), and it’d be fun to run with her. Anyway, it’s an idea.

The good thing about my ITBS is that I’m re-discovering how much I love my bike. Even considering doing the Iron Girl again after all this year.

And speaking of biking, it’s been fun to have this week off and watch the Tour. I’ve been pulling for Team Garmin Chipotle, and it looks like Christian VandeVelde will finish fourth this year; go Christian!

Next topic: vacation. Abe and I got back from our Western adventure in Yellowstone just a week ago. It was a great vacation, but I was glad to be home. It wasn’t the most relaxing vacation, which I guess I knew going into it. I just didn’t realize how much we’d be in the car during the actual vacation. Yellowstone is HUGE. Absolutely huge, and you have to drive at least 50 miles one way to get to any “attractions.” We never did see Old Faithful, because we couldn’t find parking!! One day, we drove down to Grand Teton National Park, and that was definitely my favorite day (despite the sulking I did hiking around Jenny Lake. I don’t even remember why I was being such a pissant.). Coming back on the boat shuttle across Jenny Lake, I got out the binoculars and saw climbers crossing a lower snowfield on Grand Teton and that was awesome. Much to Abe’s chagrin, I want to climb Grand Teton. ☺

In fact, I wouldn’t mind using this running injury to actually try a climbing class, but I’m a little apprehensive about going to Vertical Endeavors, b/c I really don’t want to run into Aaron (my ex). But Midwest Mountaineering really only has a bouldering cave. I guess if I really do want to climb, I’ll have to deal. We’ll see.

Final topic: what am I going to do with my life? So, I start back at Target on Monday. I’m excited, and a little nervous. I’m anxious to know what area I’ll be training in, and I’m a little nervous about the Merchandising world. I figure I’ll either love it or hate it. Actually, I probably shouldn’t let myself think that! It’ll be different than TSS, I know. I think it’ll be good. I’m excited.

Also, curiousity got the best of me last week. I still never received a decision letter from St. Kate’s, regarding the post-baccalaureate nursing program, so I decided to call. Turns out, I’m “rather high up” on the alternate list (to quote the admissions director); I could get a spot in the program for this fall or next January, and still start in the January 2010 nursing courses. I was pretty surprised. Mostly because I forgot that being an alternate was even an option! The admissions director did also say that they are considering giving each alternate a guaranteed spot in the Fall 2009 program. It sounded like a done deal, but I’m not sure if it was. So it seems that I have a spot, eventually, if I want it.

Of course, I had already decided that I wasn’t going to nursing school, but equally of course, I’m second-guessing my second-guessing. Will I ever learn? Anyway, both Abe and my friend Kate have encouraged me to not make a decision until I have to make a decision. What’s the harm in taking a little microbiology?

I had my reasons for deciding not to do it, and they are definitely still factors. But I wonder if I still just want to do it. Or if I know that I’ll just always wonder…it’ll always be that thing that I keep coming back to. I don’t know. Not making a decision. Keeping my spot on the list, I guess. One good thing is that it’ll give me some time off from school, and that is good.

Anyway, that’s my life up until this point, sitting on the futon, watching the final stage of the Tour de France, still recovering my from Chipotle last night. Abe won free Chipotle for 10 people so we had a burrito party last night. In honor of Team Garmin Chipotle, I had the chicken burrito. Yum, such a treat. I biked for 2 hours yesterday afternoon, too, to justify it.

It’s hard to feel like I can eat like I used to, when I’m not working out as hard. I biked 25 miles yesterday and only burned about 700 calories (according to my Garmin). I was like, dang! If I had ran 25 miles, I would’ve burned like 3,000 calories.

Ok, time for more coffee.

posted by Lola @ 11:48 AM 0 comments

I'm injured. Again. It's my IT Band. Again. But this time, it's actually the left one, not the right one like last year.

I'm not exactly sure why it's injured, but it is. I set out for my 17 mile long run this past weekend, and shortly after turning around (about 8.5 miles), I started feeling the twinge. I ran for about another 2 miles, hoping it would work itself out, but it didn't. I tried walking for an extended time, and then running, but that didn't work either. Eventually, I had to resign myself to the fact that I'd be walking the last 5 miles back. GREAT. (But at least I kept my walking speed up, and my average pace for the run turned out to be 11:15.)

I iced it, took some Aleve, did some diligent stretching, all of the good stuff. I fully expected to be able to complete my speedwork last night. The workout was 5 x 1K with 400 meter rest intervals. No problem, right? Wrong. I got through the warm-up and two intervals, and then the pain kicked in. Finally, in the middle of the third interval, I gave up. I was just too frustrated and it hurt too much. I walked the last 2.5 miles home.

That 2.5 miles gave me plenty of time to feel sorry for myself and whine (internally) and eventually, try to come up with a plan. I'm not happy about it, but here's my plan:
1) Take the rest of this week off. No running. None, Sara, none.
2) Run easy 3-4 mile runs 3 times next week and lots of biking
3) No running while in Yellowstone; but walking and hiking are ok.
4) Start up again on 7/21 and adjust long runs so that they go 13, 15, 18, 20, then pick up the schedule again; take it easy on speedwork
5) Buy new shoes
6) LOTS of yoga, Aleve and icing

So, that's my plan. I already ordered the new shoes. I got a pair of Kayanos from Road Runner Sports online. I've always thought that my latest pair of 2130s was kind of off...it often feels like there is no cushioning. It could be that I got a bum pair, or it could be the design, too. But I know a lot of marathon runners who train in Kayanos, and at this point, I'll pay extra for extra cushioning.

Also, the wear pattern on the bottom of my 2130s is kind of odd. It looks like I'm striking the heel on the outside and then rolling inward. I might need to work on some form drills. Perhaps running faster has messed with my form a bit?

It'll be really hard to start up again on 7/21, but I think that it's the best course of action. I really wish that this could've happened about a week later...like right before Yellowstone. That way, I would have no second thoughts about taking a week off. Essentially, I'll be taking 3 weeks off. That's going to be hard to bounce back from. I'll see how next week goes. If things feel ok on the short, easy runs next week, I'll take my gear to Yellowstone and do some short, easy runs there, too. But I am definitely taking the rest of this week off. I'll get in more yoga tonight and tomorrow, too.

So, that's the scoop. It's so frustrating, but I know I need to think long term. And I know that if I can't finish TCM in 4:30 this year that it means that it's impossible. I just need to stay positive and keep the big picture in mind. Big picture. Send happy vibes to that IT band...

Oh yeah, and Abe and I set a date for our wedding. June 6, 2009! Woohoo!

posted by Lola @ 9:13 AM 0 comments