Perfect Balance

Supposedly I was going to run a 10 mile race this coming weekend in preparation for the Go St. Louis half marathon. While I feel good now, I took almost a solid month off running to rehab an injury, & I am still not up to speed. This past weekend I ran 12 hilly miles for my long run. It went pretty well, but I still don't think I'm ready. I will probably wait until race day to register, if I do, so I guess we will all find out what I decided to do on Sunday, myself included. If I run the 10 miler, then I will run 13.1 for sure. I also got in a very good hilly 50 mile bike ride yesterday, which has been my main focus lately anyway, since I had the running injury, & I have that killer ride coming up in May.

It was a truly epic ride in that I maintained a steady effort level despite the hills & felt pretty good at the end of it all. Beautiful day for it, with temps in the mid 70's, & I was so happy to wear just shorts & a jersey! Pretty cool that I was out on the bike on a day of perfect balance. The spring equinox is the day that you can stand an egg on it's end & it will stay balanced. Don't believe me? Below is a YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89MO_21XpBo&feature=player_detailpage

I also got some bitchin new pink sunglasses that my husband will (probably) not borrow. Last season's are broken, so I got these in hopes that I can keep them to myself, but I can report that he has worn my pink goggles in the pool on a number of occasions. Maybe these should be bedazzled or something ;)

I'm sad about the running, but right now I'm just so happy to run without pain and I don't want to lose that because of a race. I'd rather have running on a regular basis if it means not racing for a while. So that's it... I will definitely maybe run the 10 miler this Sunday. :)

There are those of you that can just run... without many problems, injuries, etc. I am not one of those people. For whatever reason, no matter what I do, I am always injured. Not just those little calve cramp things that you can run through for a couple of weeks & it sorts itself out. I get the kind of annoying injuries that leave you limping & wondering if there is such a thing as pain-free running. I have no idea why I can't just do the thing that I really love to do, but I can't. This is why I'm really thankful to have triathlon. I was never a swimmer beyond just playing around in the pool... In fact, I learned the freestyle stroke after a running injury by reading about it on the internet. And the bike, well... (see my post "Evolution" for more on that). This was all my husband's idea, as a matter of fact. I thought he was crazy & that I would hate it. I'm really glad I listened to him for once in my life. He was right in so many ways. By doing all three sports I have a better chance of staying injury-free from running, & I also get to feel mega-awesome :) Each sport uses different muscles, & so really... it's the perfect balance. I'm really happy that spring is here. Longer, warmer days... & triathlon season... Bring it!!



Eye Heart Avery & Baby Bee

I knew that I would be adding 5K's to my race schedule throughout the year, I just wasn't sure which ones, but I just added one tonight. Run For Sight is a local race to benefit the Delta Gamma Center, which helps children with visual impairments, & is on May 1, 2011. Fair enough. I ran it last year for Team Avery, organized by Erin, who I met through the running community, for her daughter Avery Claire. Avery fought blindness & won with the help of the Delta Gamma Center here in St. Louis. Even though Erin & her family have moved out of the state, they are coming back to organize another team to help raise funds for this amazing cause.

NOW... Imagine going to the doctor for your 20 week ultrasound for your third baby. You expect nothing more than to find out the sex of your baby. That's what everyone thinks... No one expects to hear that your baby has a fatal birth defect, that you will have to deliver your baby promptly, & then your baby will die. Every mother's absolute hell on earth comes to mind every time I think about this scenario, & my heart just aches for this family. If you click the link below, you can read more about Erin's story. Even though they are going through this horrible tragedy, they still remember the Delta Gamma Center & the wonderful things they did for their oldest daughter. You can sign up to run/walk for Team Avery / Team Margaret (Avery's little friend) or you can just donate to the cause if you are able.








http://teamaveryclaire.blogspot.com/2011/02/grief-wont-stop-me.html






Did I mention that it's a great course? Downhill? Both ways? ;) But seriously... it really is a great course & is actually the course where I set my current 5K PR. Just do it :)

Frosty 5 Race Recap

Weather was absolutely perfect last Saturday for this race, which is one of my favorites for the year! I actually debated wearing shorts vs. tights, but ultimately went with tights because there was still snow on the ground, & that tends to make the air temp a little cooler. By mile 3 I was wishing that I had gone with shorts! The t-shirt has an awesome design on it (above), with no sponsors cluttering up the back. I love the rolling hills as it gives you something to shoot for, but the last mile is practically all downhill. It's pretty competitive for being such a smallish, neighborhood race, so I can never expect to win an award, which is fine. It's well-supported, & you have cookies & hot chocolate to look forward to at the finish line! Photos are courtesy of my friend Jon, who fell on the ice hurting his already bad knee, & was there to support his wife Caron. Maybe Jon would have been safer if he had just run that day!

Started the race with the same girl I ran most of the St. Louis Track Club Half Marathon with in November, but she was out of sight before the first mile. We both stated that we were nowhere near the shape we needed to be in, each running 15-20 miles a week for the time being. She actually went third in our (tough!) age group, as it went in 10 year increments. Unbelievable performance with the hills & her fitness level!

The above photo is at the start of the race. I had no expectations going in since I've been dealing with my piriformis issues (again) & haven't been able to run much. Mostly I've been riding the bike, & thanks to my friend Chris, I've been getting a 10 miler in every couple of weeks so I think that is what saved me for this race. Miles 2 & 3 have long uphills, so that's why they are slower, but I really love this course so am definitely not complaining!

My Garmin splits are as follows:

Mile 1 - 7:06
Mile 2 - 7:22
Mile 3 - 7:28
Mile 4 - 7:19
Mile 5 - 7:01

Total - 36:16/7:15 avg pace for exactly 5 miles (per the Garmin) & 36:21/7:16 avg pace - official time (not chip-timed) which makes a 41 second PR for me in the 5 mile on a hilly course. I'll take it!



Post-race & feeling really good! It's so nice to be able to train through the winter, & though I complain about the snow & ice some of the northern states do not have the option of running outdoors so I am very thankful for that!

With another race in the same area (University City) coming up next month, plus the entire spring racing season on the way, I had to make the decision to take some time off (again!) to let this piriformis issue settle down. Bought some new (firmer) shoes, which should help, as it seems that when my shoes start to break down I start to have the issue. We will see how this experiment goes, but so far I am loving the fit & feel of the New Balance 759's. AND they match my racing team singlet. Coooooool :) I would be fine if the pain would just stay in my lower back & rear, but when it travels down the hamstring, to the calf, to the arch of the foot I have to pull the plug. It hurts, & it's no fun running in pain. I have been riding the bike, & enjoying that, plus I even made it to the pool this week & may go again tonight.... I KNOW!!! Hopefully the bike will treat me well, & I can still do the U-City 10 mile in March, followed by the Go! STL 1/2 marathon in April. That is the plan, anyway... wish me luck!



Winter, Schminter

Winter always brings its challenges. It seems that animals aren't the only ones that want to pack their bodies with an extra layer of fat & hibernate. Those chilly mornings can be especially difficult to get out of bed & out the door for a run, & I really can't even think about getting in the pool (even though our gym keeps ours so hot you will sweat under your swim cap). I have taken to riding my new bike trainer nearly every day since I got it last week. My dad pretty much rocks & he surprised me with it. :) It makes winter training a LOT easier when you don't have to even get out in the snow & drive to the gym.

I wonder if Chrissy Wellington got her start like this? You know, in the basement next to an old broken washer & dryer. :) It's been going really well, & I actually like it a lot more than I thought I would. You get out what you put in, so I'm trying to remember that so I don't get too comfortable just doing an easy spin.

One thing I've found that is an absolute MUST is the Castelli cycling cap you see on my saddle. It keeps my hair out of my eyes, & I pretty much look totally awesome in it. I got it so I can look cool at rest stops & on the trainer. Good plan ;) All I need now to make my trainer-riding experience as fulfilling as possible is to get a couple of those vuvzuzela's for my kids so they can cheer me on as I sprint to the finish while watching the cycling DVD's.

I have an ongoing leg thing that is really making me crazy, & so I haven't been able to run much (again!) but I did get a great 10 miler in last night. It was about 20 degrees, but with the wind, snow, & ice on the ground it felt a LOT colder than that. I hope to do another one this weekend, plus a long bike ride on the trainer, & then I have a 5 mile race coming up the following weekend. I'm not sure what to expect, as I've only been able to run about 20 miles a week, but either way I will earn my hot chocolate at the end!

Spring will be here before we know it! I decided that in addition to 2011 being the year of 70.3, it will also be the year of the dreaded 10K!! If scroll down, you will see my PR's listed & you'll see that there isn't one for the 10K distance. I know, right?! I have some kind of mental block... Not sure, but I have this feeling that it will be really really hard for me. OK, I honestly don't know why, but if given the choice I always sign up for the 5K. Not this time! May 14th is the day after my birthday. I will run my first 10K & it will be EPIC!

Best of luck to all of you with your winter training! Keep up the good work & I hope the spring finds all of us well-trained & lean!

"To the Victor Go the Spoils"

A friend posted a link to the 1971 US National Championships 3 mile race the other day in observance of Steve Prefontaine's 60th birthday. For those of you who aren't running nerds, like me, Pre was a legendary runner from Oregon who boasted "A lot of people run a race to see who is fastest. I run it to see who has the most guts." Below is the you tube video of the 3 mile race, run in an astonishing 12:58.6, & won by the gutsiest guy of the bunch. (Watch it, it's awesome. It's also not the whole race so don't think you have to watch guys run in circles for almost 13 whole minutes).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRHExlAueIQ

Several things crossed my mind while watching that video clip:

     1) I would be thrilled to run the 2 mile in that time.

     2) My right arm moves in an almost identical way as Pre's when I run.

     3) How bad do I want it?

They said Pre was favored to win, but a lot of those guys were holding their own with him up until the final yards. You had that gutsy move by Stageberg, surging past Pre for just a moment, the guys playing off each other, & then ultimately Pre overtakes him for the win. You have a bunch of guys running out front, guys with similar ability, & yet there can only be one winner. Who determines that? I think it was already decided before the race began. A champion is a champion long before he ever sets foot on the track (my brilliant husband told me that, but it had something to do with wrestling). He who wants it the most will have the guts to do what it takes.

This can apply to a runner of any ability. I know that I can't compete at an Olympic level, but I can still compete against myself. I know all my numbers & I know what I need to do to improve them, but how bad do I want it? That's what it comes down to. Anyone can set a goal of, say "I want to run the Chicago Marathon this year," but do you really want it? Do you want it badly enough to train for 16 weeks, lay it all on the line, give it everything you've got... This is actually the question I've been faced with. Tuesday is the registration date for Chicago, & I keep thinking I should run it. Right now, however, marathon is not my best friend. Right now, I just can't imagine... But these races fill so quickly that I feel the need to sign up, even though I may not even want to run it when we get right down to it. I know myself, too. I'll think that because I've registered that I have to do it, & I will, but right now my heart just isn't in it. I have a lot of other big goals this year with triathlon, cycling... Not that I can't squeeze a marathon in, but 26.2 miles is a long way to run if you don't really want it.



When I go out to a race, I'm not there to wear a tutu & glitter & goof around. That stuff all has it's place, so no hate-mail please :) But I am usually there to accomplish a goal. I come well-trained & prepared, & though I may not be able to compete at that high level, I am still there to compete against myself & to run my best race possible. I know that isn't the goal of every runner on race day, & that's perfectly fine. No harm in having a little fun. No matter what your ability, we can all strive to be our very best as long as we really want it.

**See below: I'm about to beat the pants off an old man. That's what I'm talking about ;)

Running is a total mental game. Race day hurts. It's hard. Your brain tells you to stop. That you can't do it. That you'll get injured. I think what Pre was talking about when he referred to his "guts" was the ability to fight through the pain & the head games & go out there to do what he came to do: WIN. I wonder if that's something he learned to do, or something that was just in him. Sometimes I think I could run a lot faster if I wasn't such a head case myself. Each time I push through my own mental weaknesses, I have victory over myself, & gain confidence & fitness. The mind is a powerful thing... Maybe one day I will want the marathon badly enough to go after it again. To hunt it down & not let up, no matter what happens during that long 26.2 mile trek. When I want it, I'll know... & there will be no stopping me.

 



Combat Baby

After going to church this morning with the kids, making lunch, & getting a few things done around the house I realized that I would have to lug the laundry over to dad's house before going to the gym to get on the spin bike. I dreaded both of those things because, well, I would like the convenience of doing laundry here in my own home, & I would rather be out seeing the beautiful countryside on the saddle of my own bicycle than in a dark room at the gym going nowhere, fast. Happy to have these options, as opposed to a washboard & clothesline &/or no bike at all, I set off. It's dangerous, sometimes, for me to have this much alone time because I start to think... ... ... this was no exception. I went looking for a towel at dad's house & was sidetracked by my great-grandmother's beautifully handmade afghans: one of which I hijacked - don't tell my dad ;) I stumbled upon some old photos too.

Photos of me playing with my little brother & cousins, photos of me at the zoo, photos of me in pigtails eating a Popsicle in my underwear on the front porch, Halloween photos, picnics & birthdays & Sunday dinner at grandmas...



Young, carefree, & completely unaware of what it means to have responsibilities, deadlines, obligations, errands, bills, bills, & more bills. I also saw a lot of photos of my grandma, great-grandma, my mom... Strong, wonderful women that I looked up to & wanted to be like, one day. I was very reflective about all of these things as I clipped my shoes onto the spin bike & started riding. Started thinking about all the things that have been happening in our lives, all the added stress... & I felt extreme happiness. I have my health, a roof (well, um, sort of), & my family.



Here's a photo of me today on the spin bike. Grown up Kerrie, alone in a dark room, spinning on a bike for hours on end & headed nowhere. Cynical, jaded... But this isn't what my kids will see years from now when they look through family photos. They'll see photos of them running through the sprinklers, photos of them at the carnival, birthdays, picnics, barbeques, sparklers on the fourth of July... & photos of my mother, grandmother, & even ME. Strong women that they want to be like.

I realized today that I have a lot to be thankful for. One of the greatest things I have right now that I can reach for, when everything else seems to be falling apart, is running (or just endurance sport, in general). Even through all that has been facing us in these last few weeks, I still have running. For just a moment in time I can still be that little girl: carefree, unaware of responsibilities, deadlines, obligations, errands, bills, bills, & even more bills. I can achieve, I can get stronger, I can push myself, & I can just plain have fun. I'm so blessed & lucky to be able to do these things. So many of us are laden with obligation & responsibility, leaving little time for ourselves. It's not only fun, but necessary to step out of those roles for just a moment & just. be. you. Even though things seem to be crumbling around us, it's important to hold on to those mainstays so we don't lose sight of the big picture & what we are trying to ultimately accomplish.

One day, when I'm an old lady, I'll have all those race day photos. I'll think about how young, strong, & carefree I looked. I don't want to have any regrets, so I will try to always remember this advice to myself: whatever it is that's important to you in life, do those things regardless of what else may be going on. Things will eventually fall into place. You just have to fight through it. With that being said, even though my house is a complete disaster, I'm headed to make a pot of homemade soup with the kids, followed by a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

Props to Metric for giving me the idea for the title. Great album to listen to on the spin bike, by the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf6VxRENc1o&feature=player_detailpage

Life Ruins All of Our Best Plans



The New Year has brought many challenges to our household so far, beginning with our house being struck by a tornado on the morning of New Year's Eve. No one was hurt, so we really have nothing to complain about, but we were all home at the time & were very surprised to emerge from the basement to find that our porch, along with a nice portion of the roof, had been taken off. Trees were down all over the neighborhood, along with miscellaneous "stuff" strewn all over the yards. It was absolutely surreal. A lot of people, though not in my neighborhood, lost their entire house so we really have nothing to complain about: just a minor inconvenience. We still don't have a roof, & snow-melt has started to leak through the ceiling into my oldest daughter's room, but materials were delivered on Friday & I was told that they would start working on Monday or Tuesday. I can't wait!!!

Promptly on Monday, my son fell & hit his head requiring a staple, my younger daughter got a double ear infection that also infected her eyes, & my washing machine broke. Then it snowed. Currently I'm taking the laundry either to the laundromat across the street or to my dad's house... in the snow. Five people sure do create a lot of laundry! My husband is doing his best to trouble shoot & try to get the machine up & running again, but the poor guy is always at work. On top of all that we have had tragedy strike a close family member, & we are helping to deal with that.

Then this little fur ball showed up in my garage & I had quite a time finding his owners. He spent the day, & night, with us & was gone by the next morning, but it felt like he was with us for a week. Minor inconvenience. 



What does this have to do with running, you ask? Everything. We are all extremely stressed out & finding it hard to do all of the things we know we need to do to maintain our sanity in the midst of this most-inconvenient stretch of life we have been dealt. Things that were routine have now taken a backseat to things that are now facing us.



I had all these "plans" for January. Plans to strengthen & stretch, to spin, to swim, to run a little... My efforts have been sub-par, at best. But this is life. We have to deal with it as it comes at us, & even though training has not met my specifications, I'm still doing "something". Upon running with my much speedier friends at the social run, I discovered that I've lost some running fitness. It happens. One exciting thing is that I now have a brand new pair of running shoes!!! :) :) :) While my body & mind needed a few weeks to just chill, I am definitely ready to start ramping back up again. Very excited to put my new little shoes to the test. I switched from Nike Pegasus to the New Balance 759's, which are a firmer shoe, & so far they fit me very nicely. I can't wait to get out there & check them out. I've never run in New Balance before, so I'm pretty stoked.



I also got my hair cut. I don't exactly love it, but it needed to happen. Per usual, my hairstylist scolded me for not putting my hair up when I run (most of the time) & pointed out all the breakage, etc... yeah, yeah, yeah, get on with it... What can I say? It gives me a headache! This will at least be easier to deal with, & tri season is just around the corner. Needless to say, I need to get to the gym...