Thursday, December 17, 2009
My Daniels
Last night we had a music rehearsal for a Christmas Eve service. My 3 children played in a back room with 2 older children. All 5 of these kids are well behaved and as trustworthy as 5-11 year olds are. Meaning leaving the ll year old in charge might have questionable results. What happened last night: My 6 year old stuck his head in a toilet and then loaded his hair with hand soap and tried to wash his head in the sink. Apparently he takes after his Dad and can't pass up a dare...Lord help us!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Guys are funny!
Since I injured my heel awhile back, I've been swimming instead of doing easy runs. I love swimming. Not as much as I love running, but it feels great to swim a couple of miles. My swimming routine is pretty easy. Just 65-70 non-stop freestyle laps at a comfy pace that still gets my heart rate up. Nothing hard, as it is an easy day and I've never been a competitive swimmer. BUT being I am a fit person, I am usually the fastest swimmer in the pool. I don't care about this. I am just there to get in a nice, enjoyable cardiovascular workout. Today there was a young guy in the lane next to me. When I got there, I noticed him swimming underwater laps. I didn't pay much attention. Just thought, "Oh how fun. I love swimming under water like that. Looking up through the water is so pretty..." and continued swimming. Around lap 20, I saw that this guy had switched to a freestyle swim and was swimming about half a body link behind me. After a couple laps, he was gone. Then at lap 26 he began swimming even with me. While I am use to guys racing me in the pool (on the treadmill, around the lake...) from time to time, I had never had one join me stroke for stroke. Being slightly intrigued (and competitive by nature) I sped up a bit. So did he. I sped up more. So did he. I gave it all I got and lost him on the wall flip. When I finished the next lap, I saw he was stopped on the pool edge. I was feeling a bit (just barely) guilty for having lost him like I had, so I stopped, pulled up my goggles, and asked, "You want to race?" Laughing and out of breath he said, "No. I was just trying to keep up."
"Are you sure?", I continued. "I like racing." The very fit young (20 something) man seemed to be thinking about it. "How long have you been swimming?" he asked.
"Well, I just swim for fun. Never competitively. So I guess all my life. Really I'm a runner. This is for cross-training. I'll swim around 70laps easy. But I'll race if you want."
"No," he assured me.
I put my goggles back on and continued swimming, doing my best to keep it comfortable. At the completion of lap 40, I saw the guy waving and bouncing around at me under water. When I stopped he said, "I want to race."
"Ok," I said. "One lap? There and back."
"Yah, now that I'm tiered, I want to race." He said with a laugh.
"Well, I'm sorta tired too." I told him. "I'm over half way done."
We both said Ready, set, go! And we were off. He was ahead right away. When I saw that, I just hoped he held on...I didn't want him to die at halfway. That would be embarrassing. But no fear! He held on and beat me by a good arms length. After the race, I congratulated him. He kept insisting that I had let him win. But I hadn't. I had given it my best. I normally just swim for a long time, I told him. I also offered to race him again anytime.
I am super glad this young guy took me up on the racing offer. It was fun. He now has bragging rights (being there where a few male witnesses to our race. Not sure where they came from, as none of those guys were in the pool area to swim...), and it gave me some insight into why guys will glance at the speed on my treadmill and feel the need to match it. They just want to keep up. :)
"Are you sure?", I continued. "I like racing." The very fit young (20 something) man seemed to be thinking about it. "How long have you been swimming?" he asked.
"Well, I just swim for fun. Never competitively. So I guess all my life. Really I'm a runner. This is for cross-training. I'll swim around 70laps easy. But I'll race if you want."
"No," he assured me.
I put my goggles back on and continued swimming, doing my best to keep it comfortable. At the completion of lap 40, I saw the guy waving and bouncing around at me under water. When I stopped he said, "I want to race."
"Ok," I said. "One lap? There and back."
"Yah, now that I'm tiered, I want to race." He said with a laugh.
"Well, I'm sorta tired too." I told him. "I'm over half way done."
We both said Ready, set, go! And we were off. He was ahead right away. When I saw that, I just hoped he held on...I didn't want him to die at halfway. That would be embarrassing. But no fear! He held on and beat me by a good arms length. After the race, I congratulated him. He kept insisting that I had let him win. But I hadn't. I had given it my best. I normally just swim for a long time, I told him. I also offered to race him again anytime.
I am super glad this young guy took me up on the racing offer. It was fun. He now has bragging rights (being there where a few male witnesses to our race. Not sure where they came from, as none of those guys were in the pool area to swim...), and it gave me some insight into why guys will glance at the speed on my treadmill and feel the need to match it. They just want to keep up. :)
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Retrocalcaneal Bursitis
I had an appointment yesterday afternoon with a sports doctor. My official diagnosis is retrocalcaneal bursitis- meaning the bursa sac around the tendon that connects that tendon to the calcaneal (heel) bone is inflamed. This was indeed caused by the New Balance 100s squeezing the life out of my calcaneal. HOWEVER, I would never go so far as to say my experience will be another runner's experience. Every body is different. That is way there are so many different shoes available (Though I have yet to find a trail shoe I would call ideal for me).
I would like to invite anyone who happens to read this blog and has had a good experience with the NB 100s to leave a comment telling about why you like them. I have, in the past enjoyed NB running shoes. And if NB makes another shoe in the future that looks like it might work for me, I won't be hesitant to try it. But I will never ever ever run more then 8 miles at one time in a new shoe...duh to this "experienced" runner. Somethings you just gotta learn the hard way.
I would like to invite anyone who happens to read this blog and has had a good experience with the NB 100s to leave a comment telling about why you like them. I have, in the past enjoyed NB running shoes. And if NB makes another shoe in the future that looks like it might work for me, I won't be hesitant to try it. But I will never ever ever run more then 8 miles at one time in a new shoe...duh to this "experienced" runner. Somethings you just gotta learn the hard way.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Cactus Rose 2009
Once again waiting at the airport. Another booked flight that I am hoping to get on. I want to see my husband and little treasures!!
This trip has been great. I had a great time at Cactus Rose and loved getting to spend a lot of time with my parents and little sister. Even the weather was quite lovely this weekend.
Unfortunately, Cactus Rose didn't go too well for me. About one month ago, in my quest to find the perfect true trail shoe for Cactus Rose, I made a mistake. I order the New Balance 100's- a great looking, minimal and yet hard core trail shoe. Straight out of the box the shoes felt great. So I decided to wear them for the first time the next day on my long run. I was planing to run 50 or so miles on trails that had sections similar to the Cactus Rose course. After running out for about 10.5 miles, my Achilles was feeling tender. I stopped and tried to double over the cuff of my socks to relive some of the pressure on my heel. I also decided to head back to my car and change shoes. At the time I thought it was just a friction thing. I didn't want bad blisters on my heels. But by the time I ran another hilly (climbs) 6 miles, I knew it was more then just a blister issue. My Achilles was seriously hurting. Running dilemma: do I bag the run "just in case", or do I change shoes and run on. Mentally, I HAD to run on. I had cut too many long runs short in the last few weeks to cut this one down to 22 miles. So I changed shoes and decided to run at least 35 miles- hopefully 40 or even more if I was doing OK. I ended up running 40 miles, which my left heel didn't like but my right heel was fine with. Two days later, Tempo Run day, my Achilles was still hurting and tight. I decided to skip my run in favor of resting my heels (I like the word heel better the the word Achilles). I also stopped running hills at this point because I could feel my Achilles acting up after running hills. And I only work my T5's because they were the only running shoe that left my heel pain free and feeling great. I knew that I needed to have this Achilles in top form to race on the Cactus Rose course- this course is TOUGH stuff. Not a typical trail by any means. I also knew I was walking a line by training this way. If I stopped running, I would feel like crap racing a 100 miler. If I kept training my heel might not heal 100% by race morning. For me, the choice was easy. As long as I could run pain free and feel great after running, I was going to run. The catch was that any time I pushed on my left Achilles, it hurt a little. Not bad, mind you, but I knew it wasn't 100%. Also, even walking around in my trail shoes irritated it. Still, I knew I had to play it safe in staying off the hills and in the T5's while still taking a chance and training on....
When race morning came I felt ready to run, but I knew my heel was still iffy. I started off as planed at a comfortable pace that didn't feel overly slow. I finished the first 25 miles in about 4:35. My pre-race plan was to start comfy for loop 1 (25 mile loops), run the hills for loop 2, push the flats for loop 3, and give it what ever I had left for loop 4. I started loop 2 feeling pretty good- my left hamstring was tight, but I was hoping it was more of a loosening up issue then pain. When I started into the first set of hills on loop 2, my ham got tighter. Grrr...but I wasn't ready to give in yet. I changed my plan. Keep the ups easy and run the "flats". No problem, b/c it felt great to stretch my legs on the occasional non-hills. The problem came when I began getting nausea on the up hills. At first I thought it was something I ate. But after a few hills I realized I was only nauseous when my heel was hurting...not good. I began taking a close physical inventory of my body. By mile 35 I realized my left leg was getting worse in a bad way. By mile 40 I knew I wasn't going to finish 100. I struggled with what to do. Should drop at the 50 or run until the limp I was developing became pronounced? I didn't want to quit! I don't want to give anyone the idea that I back out when the going gets tough...I love racing because it is tough! I love pushing into my physical limits and doing more then my brain or body wants me to. But I also want to take care of my body. Push it hard, yes. Damage it badly, no. And Achilles tendons aren't good to mess with. If I am injured then running on would be stupid, and I am injured...but I could probably make 60 miles before I HAD to drop out.
By the time I reached mile 45, I had settled on dropping at the 50. I was 100% positive I was out of the 100. And if I stopped at 50, I would take 1st place in the 50mile race for my team. In all honesty, I felt a little guilt winning the 50 miler. I know logical I won it. I was the first female to finish the 50 mile race. But I hadn't raced it...I was planing on racing the 100 and things just went bad. But I still finished first...Oh the internal battles I was having.
All told I had a great time. Joe (the race directer and my coach) is awesome. He puts on great races and this one is up on the top of the list of his races. A hard course that is totally honest and full of fun people to run with. And there were plenty of unofficial volunteers helping out the runners at the aid stations, too. Seeing so many runners in costume was a blast! I got to spend lots of time with my parents and sister. And I am hoping I had a great 50 miles training run for Bandera 100k in January.
Now I am home. I made it on the flights I needed to to get back last night. Time to do laundry, clean floors, and find a good sports doctor to visit so I can start training again!!
This trip has been great. I had a great time at Cactus Rose and loved getting to spend a lot of time with my parents and little sister. Even the weather was quite lovely this weekend.
Unfortunately, Cactus Rose didn't go too well for me. About one month ago, in my quest to find the perfect true trail shoe for Cactus Rose, I made a mistake. I order the New Balance 100's- a great looking, minimal and yet hard core trail shoe. Straight out of the box the shoes felt great. So I decided to wear them for the first time the next day on my long run. I was planing to run 50 or so miles on trails that had sections similar to the Cactus Rose course. After running out for about 10.5 miles, my Achilles was feeling tender. I stopped and tried to double over the cuff of my socks to relive some of the pressure on my heel. I also decided to head back to my car and change shoes. At the time I thought it was just a friction thing. I didn't want bad blisters on my heels. But by the time I ran another hilly (climbs) 6 miles, I knew it was more then just a blister issue. My Achilles was seriously hurting. Running dilemma: do I bag the run "just in case", or do I change shoes and run on. Mentally, I HAD to run on. I had cut too many long runs short in the last few weeks to cut this one down to 22 miles. So I changed shoes and decided to run at least 35 miles- hopefully 40 or even more if I was doing OK. I ended up running 40 miles, which my left heel didn't like but my right heel was fine with. Two days later, Tempo Run day, my Achilles was still hurting and tight. I decided to skip my run in favor of resting my heels (I like the word heel better the the word Achilles). I also stopped running hills at this point because I could feel my Achilles acting up after running hills. And I only work my T5's because they were the only running shoe that left my heel pain free and feeling great. I knew that I needed to have this Achilles in top form to race on the Cactus Rose course- this course is TOUGH stuff. Not a typical trail by any means. I also knew I was walking a line by training this way. If I stopped running, I would feel like crap racing a 100 miler. If I kept training my heel might not heal 100% by race morning. For me, the choice was easy. As long as I could run pain free and feel great after running, I was going to run. The catch was that any time I pushed on my left Achilles, it hurt a little. Not bad, mind you, but I knew it wasn't 100%. Also, even walking around in my trail shoes irritated it. Still, I knew I had to play it safe in staying off the hills and in the T5's while still taking a chance and training on....
When race morning came I felt ready to run, but I knew my heel was still iffy. I started off as planed at a comfortable pace that didn't feel overly slow. I finished the first 25 miles in about 4:35. My pre-race plan was to start comfy for loop 1 (25 mile loops), run the hills for loop 2, push the flats for loop 3, and give it what ever I had left for loop 4. I started loop 2 feeling pretty good- my left hamstring was tight, but I was hoping it was more of a loosening up issue then pain. When I started into the first set of hills on loop 2, my ham got tighter. Grrr...but I wasn't ready to give in yet. I changed my plan. Keep the ups easy and run the "flats". No problem, b/c it felt great to stretch my legs on the occasional non-hills. The problem came when I began getting nausea on the up hills. At first I thought it was something I ate. But after a few hills I realized I was only nauseous when my heel was hurting...not good. I began taking a close physical inventory of my body. By mile 35 I realized my left leg was getting worse in a bad way. By mile 40 I knew I wasn't going to finish 100. I struggled with what to do. Should drop at the 50 or run until the limp I was developing became pronounced? I didn't want to quit! I don't want to give anyone the idea that I back out when the going gets tough...I love racing because it is tough! I love pushing into my physical limits and doing more then my brain or body wants me to. But I also want to take care of my body. Push it hard, yes. Damage it badly, no. And Achilles tendons aren't good to mess with. If I am injured then running on would be stupid, and I am injured...but I could probably make 60 miles before I HAD to drop out.
By the time I reached mile 45, I had settled on dropping at the 50. I was 100% positive I was out of the 100. And if I stopped at 50, I would take 1st place in the 50mile race for my team. In all honesty, I felt a little guilt winning the 50 miler. I know logical I won it. I was the first female to finish the 50 mile race. But I hadn't raced it...I was planing on racing the 100 and things just went bad. But I still finished first...Oh the internal battles I was having.
All told I had a great time. Joe (the race directer and my coach) is awesome. He puts on great races and this one is up on the top of the list of his races. A hard course that is totally honest and full of fun people to run with. And there were plenty of unofficial volunteers helping out the runners at the aid stations, too. Seeing so many runners in costume was a blast! I got to spend lots of time with my parents and sister. And I am hoping I had a great 50 miles training run for Bandera 100k in January.
Now I am home. I made it on the flights I needed to to get back last night. Time to do laundry, clean floors, and find a good sports doctor to visit so I can start training again!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Will I make it??
What a day. The kids had a snow day today, October 29th. All schools in the district closed and about 2 feet of snow on the ground at home. Craziness, but fun. I was super excited to have them home with me b/c I am supposed to fly out to San Antonio today. I have 100 mile race in Bandera on Halloween that I am extra excited about. It will be hard, but I am feeling ready for this. That has only happened for me at 1 other ultra- Hells Hills in June.
I finished packing my drop-bags today. All four of them. And I packed what I'd need for tonight and tomorrow after, 'cause the not running part isn't too important. All I am missing are a few UD bottles (couldn't pick up because the store closed w/ all the snow) and boiled eggs which I will take care of in SA.
At about 1:30 this afternoon I picked up my giant suitcases, pried the snow sealed trunk up with my frozen hands, and load the kidos into the car. (One thing you should know: We live in a cul-de-sac and snowplows don't go down our street.) We were parked in the drive way b/c I couldn't get the car back into the garage after taking Dan to work this morning- too steep of a snow covered incline. I started the car, backed up, and could go no farther. So I tried turning forward. No luck.
Out of the car and into the garage for snow shovels we went. I instructed the kids to dig around the tires. When they struck ice, I broke it up and moved the ice over. Back in the car. Too bad for me, we didn't get much farther. The Taurus just isn't meant for this!! Time for dig out the car round two. Ugh to getting the same results!
This time, when we were out digging, Everett went and rang a neighbors door. Our neighbor Roger came out to help, thank you GOD and Roger!!!! Before much longer, we were on our way, driving a blazing 15miles an hour through the snowy hood. Once we hit the real streets, driving was much easier because of the snowplows.
All told, I arrived at the airport in plenty of time to check in for my delayed flight. Only I'm on stand by and the flight is full!!! Currently waiting.....please, someone stay in Denver! :)
I finished packing my drop-bags today. All four of them. And I packed what I'd need for tonight and tomorrow after, 'cause the not running part isn't too important. All I am missing are a few UD bottles (couldn't pick up because the store closed w/ all the snow) and boiled eggs which I will take care of in SA.
At about 1:30 this afternoon I picked up my giant suitcases, pried the snow sealed trunk up with my frozen hands, and load the kidos into the car. (One thing you should know: We live in a cul-de-sac and snowplows don't go down our street.) We were parked in the drive way b/c I couldn't get the car back into the garage after taking Dan to work this morning- too steep of a snow covered incline. I started the car, backed up, and could go no farther. So I tried turning forward. No luck.
Out of the car and into the garage for snow shovels we went. I instructed the kids to dig around the tires. When they struck ice, I broke it up and moved the ice over. Back in the car. Too bad for me, we didn't get much farther. The Taurus just isn't meant for this!! Time for dig out the car round two. Ugh to getting the same results!
This time, when we were out digging, Everett went and rang a neighbors door. Our neighbor Roger came out to help, thank you GOD and Roger!!!! Before much longer, we were on our way, driving a blazing 15miles an hour through the snowy hood. Once we hit the real streets, driving was much easier because of the snowplows.
All told, I arrived at the airport in plenty of time to check in for my delayed flight. Only I'm on stand by and the flight is full!!! Currently waiting.....please, someone stay in Denver! :)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I'm not tiered...I should be in bed, but no point yet. So why not blog??
Today was an OK day. Went for a nice easy 16mile run after dropping the kidos of at school, having a little nap and an early lunch. I am so in need of a massage right now. (But NO MONEY. What can I say? Moving up here drained our bank account below zero. Sooo worth it.) Being I live on a big hill surrounded by more giant hills, the only why to get in an "easy" run is to force myself to slow down or hop in a treadmill. I opted (as usual) to go slow. Not fun, but with the mountains to look at it was still quite a nice 16 miles. Only my legs are trashed!!! All the hills (mountains, actually!) I've been running have me in need of getting my legs torched by a sports therapist. I'm always a bit envious of the guys who can afford to get massages regularly, buy new running shes every 400miles, run in only non-stinky and hole free running gear, travel the world to races, drive nice cars, have an i-phone or Blackberry...but then I remind myself of why those things aren't in my life......I have 3 beautiful children who I know personally. I get to make homemade meals and bake cookies from scratch. When my house is "messy", I can still have it cleaned top to bottom in less then 3 hours. I get to run 90miles a week and still spend hours with my husband, who makes enough money to support this family of five at his 80 hours every 2 weeks, over-time free, job. Sure I drive a 2004 Torus with 3 torn up booster seats across the backseat. And ya, half my running socks have holes in them. And I promise you, you don't want sit next to me after a run. But all told, I'd pick the life I have. Who needs an i-phone when they have a man who cleans toilets and does dishes at 4 in the morning? No. I think I don't want that massage as bad as I thought I did. I'd rather have the life I have.
Today was an OK day. Went for a nice easy 16mile run after dropping the kidos of at school, having a little nap and an early lunch. I am so in need of a massage right now. (But NO MONEY. What can I say? Moving up here drained our bank account below zero. Sooo worth it.) Being I live on a big hill surrounded by more giant hills, the only why to get in an "easy" run is to force myself to slow down or hop in a treadmill. I opted (as usual) to go slow. Not fun, but with the mountains to look at it was still quite a nice 16 miles. Only my legs are trashed!!! All the hills (mountains, actually!) I've been running have me in need of getting my legs torched by a sports therapist. I'm always a bit envious of the guys who can afford to get massages regularly, buy new running shes every 400miles, run in only non-stinky and hole free running gear, travel the world to races, drive nice cars, have an i-phone or Blackberry...but then I remind myself of why those things aren't in my life......I have 3 beautiful children who I know personally. I get to make homemade meals and bake cookies from scratch. When my house is "messy", I can still have it cleaned top to bottom in less then 3 hours. I get to run 90miles a week and still spend hours with my husband, who makes enough money to support this family of five at his 80 hours every 2 weeks, over-time free, job. Sure I drive a 2004 Torus with 3 torn up booster seats across the backseat. And ya, half my running socks have holes in them. And I promise you, you don't want sit next to me after a run. But all told, I'd pick the life I have. Who needs an i-phone when they have a man who cleans toilets and does dishes at 4 in the morning? No. I think I don't want that massage as bad as I thought I did. I'd rather have the life I have.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Caedmon and a couple memories
Yesterday afternoon I was cleaning the floors while Caedmon (my youngest at 5) was working on his "All About Me" poster for school. He was on a bubble that said "draw your family in here". As he drew, he talked to himself out loud. "First Daddy....I need the brown.....there....He has a penis, so I'll draw that..." At that point I walked over to the table to help Caed out. But He had moved on. "And he has shorts over..." Checking the picture, all I saw was brown Dad in shorts, so I patted Caed's head and went back to mopping. Next came Everett (6 year old brother). When he voiced that he was drawing Everett's privet part, I said, "Caed, you don't need to draw what is under the cloths. Just draw us all in cloths." But he assured me that wasn't right, and he insisted he would cover us all in cloths AFTER drawing us. (!!!!)
This reminded me of two other things Caedmon did years back along these lines. At the age of 2, he made a "boy" angel out of play dough in Bible class. Luckily his teacher was a good friend of mine and fellow mom who got a kick out of it.
Less then a year latter (he was already 3), the Bible story was Adam and Eve. For the craft, they had the 3 year olds glue dye-cut Adam and Eve on a piece of paper. Then the teacher let them draw on faces and handed the kids yarn saying, "Glue the hair on" Caedmon's Adam and Eve were unclothed and post pubescent. I about died!!!!!
This reminded me of two other things Caedmon did years back along these lines. At the age of 2, he made a "boy" angel out of play dough in Bible class. Luckily his teacher was a good friend of mine and fellow mom who got a kick out of it.
Less then a year latter (he was already 3), the Bible story was Adam and Eve. For the craft, they had the 3 year olds glue dye-cut Adam and Eve on a piece of paper. Then the teacher let them draw on faces and handed the kids yarn saying, "Glue the hair on" Caedmon's Adam and Eve were unclothed and post pubescent. I about died!!!!!
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