Ran today

I gave running a try today. I went 4.84 miles with Jill. My foot seemed to hold up okay, but I don't think 14 miles was possible. The real test will be how it feels the rest of the day. Fingers crossed.

Trial

Yesterday I tested my foot with about a mile run and it seemed to do okay. It didn't seem to get worse anyway.

Today I decided to run in the morning, but shorten the route. So I ran 3.5 miles. I am not sure I should have since I was limping around the house before I left. The run was okay. My foot hurt, but it didn't seem to get worse and I didn't get any sharp pains, but I don't know if I could go the full 6 miles or not.

So now the foot is in an ice bath and I am waiting to see how the day goes. I probably will not run tomorrow though.

@#$$#%^&^%$%^

$%$#@@#$!!##@$%#$%$%$#@@#$!!##@$%#$

Let me say that again....

$@$$%%$#@$%%$#$@$$%%$#@$%%$$@$$%%$

Dang it all any way! My 3:15 hour run got cutoff at 1:36. My left foot started to hurt little beyond half way and got progressively worse. At the end I would get occassional sharp stabbing pains. I was having a great run too! ($%%$#!$#@%">$%%$#!$#@%) I opted to cut the run short rather than risk causing more, long term injury. Plus the thought of running another 1:45 with this pain wasn't appealing either. I had already decided to take a phone with so I could call Jim to come and get me. Not a good sign.

Dang! Dang! Dang! It is the same foot that I had the plantar fasciitis issues, but this is different although I do think it the problem is with one of those tendons (or whatever they are called). I don't think this is one of those runner paranoia moments. You know - those ones where you knee twinges going up a stair - and you think "Oh No! Something is wrong with my knee! I might not be able to run anymore!" and two steps later the pain is gone and doesn't return. Nope, this is different. This is not good. My only hope is that with a little TLC it will be just a small pothole that I stumble over on the road to completing the Twin Cities Marathon and not one that I fall in, twist and break my ankle while at the same time giving my face a nice case of road rash.

So, I have the guilty party in an ice bath right now. Next, I will be on-line ordering new shoes. Keep your fingers crossed!

Obligations

I sensed this morning that Bryan was a bit disappointed that I didn't blog yesterday being that he was the only one running with me. Apparently in his mind this was enough to warrant a blog entry. It appears he is being influenced by He Who Shall Not Be Named. Fortunately, despite it being 6:00 (I know I don't get any sympathy from the 5:00 group) I was able to think quickly on my feet (despite not actually being quick on my feet) and come up with a good and plausible reason why I did not blog.

I tried to find a funny video in order to demonstrate in some small way the amount of laughter Bryan has given me since joining me on runs at 6:00. Sadly, the website I usually find good videos on is slow today.... not sure what the significance/symbolism of that is.... I will let you decide.

Quite a change

Quite a change today.. had to run on a treadmill. It was a good work out beyond the fact that they needed some fans and the women next to me had immovable boobs, snapped her gum and her workout was taking big strides at a steep incline going both forwards and then backwards. I guess in my mind she is summed up by her snapping gum. I will have to add that to my list of treadmill/gym pet peeves.

It is always interesting to be in a gym where there is not a regular clientele - such as a hotel fitness room. Beyond the snapping gum lady, there was also the guy who came in with his black "non running" tennis shoes, got on the treadmill and promptly put it up at full speed and then tried to push the button to slow down without falling off the back. I am always curious why these people chose this moment to try running. It is not something I would think about doing while on vacation. Hmmmm.... I think I will go down to the hotel fitness room and try running. NO, my thought process is.... I wonder how long the kids will sleep so I can sleep late.

Memories

Today was I had another beautiful run in Devil’s Lake. I ran along north shore, down Tumbled Rocks Trail and along south shore to the picnic area. It was a less strenuous run both physically and mentally and I found myself reminiscing quite a bit. I was amazed at how many memories I have of this beautiful and sacred place.

Starting (I think) with camping at the South Shore in a shared air stream camper – quite a step up from our canvas army tent! My strongest memory of that trip was driving up ‘Snake Hill” while pulling the air stream. To my little wide eyed self it was the same as driving up some mountain pass. I still think of it every time I drive that twisty turny road.

I remember hiking up the East Bluff with my Mom, Kris K and Julie L (or was it Kris H?) One of my many, many climbs up that bluff including a time much later on in life when I and a new boyfriend were hiking along that trail and ran into my mom. No neither of us knew the other was there. It was a surprise introduction for both of them.

There was the time that Dad has his sailboat out and the Ranger came and checked to make sure there wasn’t a gas motor (not allowed) underneath. This was the same time that Dad took an interested female bystander on a ride with assurances that he wouldn’t let it tip….. of course they did.

As I ran along Tumbled Rocks I remembered Ranger Bill Otto – probably one of the best and definitely the longest summer Rangers. He helped me fish my work keys out of the boulders after they had come off and fell in between two boulders. We were both amazed we got them out. I ran by Rock 8 and remember skinny dipping of it with Sue R. (The statute of limitations is up – right?) I have no idea why someone spray painted an 8 on it.

Running along the north shore there were memories of “sun bathing” with Kris K and Julie L. I put “sun bathing” in quotes because I was always the whitest and the only one putting sun SCREEN and not sun OIL on. I remember the awe I felt when we ran into Bradley T, Rich S and Kim S after they had BIKED from Sauk to the North Shore which means UP the Baraboo Bluffs.

And of course there were loads of memories of the people I worked with during my 4 summers there and the many campers (good and bad) that I encountered. Many, many funny stories all of which I can’t remember anymore, but which all of which will always make Devil’s Lake a very special place for me.

Favorite Places

Today I got to run in one of my favorite places.... Devil's Lake State Park (WI). I didn't even mind all the hills. Just a glorious way to start the morning... by running through one of the most beautiful places that Wisconsin has to offer and at a time where it is quiet and peaceful. It makes you appreciate life in so many different ways!

Brutal

A brutal long run this morning. Hot (for 5 am) and humid. Dripping with sweat was an understatement. If you had asked me during the run, I would have said I was miserable. Although I became considerably happier when I convinced Jenny and Judy to stop at the depot and get a Diet Dew. We were only 25 minutes from ending but I NEEDED MY DIET DEW! The magic elixir worked and for the last 25 minutes I was in a much better mindset. I think we would make a good commercial for them, especially since a number of non Dew drinkers have said that it really hits the spot on a long run. Judy commented that she can't even chug her beer as fast as Jenny and I chugged that Dew!

So, we were 5 minutes short, but I don't keep track of stopped time, so we are sure we had more than 3 hours "on our feet" even if it was not all running. Given how hot it was, 2:55 was damn good. Plus we had a good pace considering... 9:16 for 18.88 miles. Now it is time to enjoy the weekend!

Surprises

I got quite a few pleasant surprises yesterday or maybe it was luck.

I was going to run at 5:00 since Jenny wasn't able to run at 6:00. I realized I had better check the poll to make sure someone was running at 5:00. Luckily, I realized there was comment on the poll which was from Sandy saying she was going to the track for a speed work out. I wasn't really up for a speed work since Jenny and I are doing one on Wed. I reached Jill who was also running at 5:00 and she confirmed it was indeed a track work out. BUT she said that Christy was coming too and I probably could easily convince her to do a regular run. I thought so too since Christy is one of the biggest complainers about speed work.

That is surprise one... Christy called and said she DID WANT to do a speed work out! If I wasn't already in a prone position, I would have been floored. Then she said that Bryan would run with me at 6:00 (Surprise 2) YEAH. It felt so GOOD to move the alarm back an hour!

Swimming through water?

Today I felt like I was swimming through water because it felt like I was barely moving. But once again I saw the benefits of speed work because even though I felt like I was running a 10:00 minute pace, we actually ran a 8:38 average! It makes the horrible feeling worth it.

If you are up for a challenge you should check out this video (45 minutes) of the Marathon of the Sands. It takes place in the Sahara Desert.

I almost forgot to blog today! Jenny and I got right back into things by doing a track work out this morning. Of course, Bryan and Tom wimped out on us. What would this world be like with our brave, strong women like ourselves? Considering my low energy level I was doubly happy that I got under (just) 8:00 for the mile sprint and my last 400 was faster than my first. For those who don't know we do a ladder workout. 400, rest, 800, rest, 1200, rest, 1600, rest and then back down again. It does seem to go faster as compared to the first time we did it, but it doesn't get easier!

It was a cool, cool morning! It was nice to run in, but we were wishing we had this weather on Saturday when we are doing our 3:00 run! It is supposed to get HOT - of course!

Christy, I know it has been a long time since I have run with you, but MY how you have changed!

I was expecting Christy this morning, but I was surprised when Bryan got out of the car. Bella hasn't changed a bit though ;-) So, the run was relaxing and went quick. A lot of new topics... fishing in Canada and lending techniques just to name a few! Nice to have you back Bryan!

A little humid this morning and my body felt a little worn out from the triathlon and landscaping. But I do find that it feels good to be just focused on running and not swimming and biking too. Even though I have the lion's share of marathon training to go yet, I feel like a weight has been lifted... that is until the 3 hour run this weekend!

Triathlon Done!

Jill and fellow Spartan, Jeff S. completed their first spring triathlon on Saturday! I completed my fourth (over about 12 years!) It was not an easy one! Someone told me that it is the hilliest tri in the Midwest. Big rolling hill after big rolling hill on the bike portion. Plus we had a strong - stop you in your tracks - wind, it wasn't too bad on the bike, but was nasty on the run.

Once again I got KILLED on the bike portion. I was one of the fastest times in the swim and run and one of the slowest on the bike. How hard can biking be? Of course when I bike about 3 times a year all the month before the tri, I shouldn't expect much. My over all time was 1:48:10. My last tri I did in 1:47:39. I am pretty consistent, just like my marathons.

It was fun to do, but I don't find the training as "fun" (not quite the right word) as half/full marathon training. Maybe that is because I don't have a group of people to do it with. Don't get any ideas Larry! It does make me miss swimming... just a little bit.

I felt good after the race. Today my knees are bothering me a little bit - probably from all the hills. It was well run, great shirt and had cheerful volunteers, but due to the hilly bike route I don't think I will do that tri again.

Ouch

I had to return to the 5:00 run time this morning so I had someone to run with. Ouch! It is hard to get up at that time after not doing so for so long. My body has happily gotten used to sleeping an hour later! Despite that it was a nice fast run with Katie and Kwik Trip Gal.

Kwik Trip Gal and I are leaving today for our sprint (1/4 mile swim, 17 mile bike and 3.1 mile run) triathlon in Wausau this Saturday. It will be my 4th (over a 12 year span ;-)) and her first. It will fun to do one again, although the weather is looking rainy which reminds me that I need to pack another garbage bag! Here is what they are forecasting: Mostly cloudy, rain and storms possible early morning through early afternoon, clearing some through end of day. High 67-72. Winds west 10-15. Ugh, no make that DOUBLE UGH!