I'm a writer in my 20s who also happens to run.  I've been having trouble doing both lately. My first novel was published and quickly forgotten when I was 24. I ran in high school for a while, and then again in college for a while, and then I had a great stretch during 2006 when I ran every day, nearly building to marathon-length treks.

My agent has been shopping my new novel since January, and I've been trying to get back into running while also trying to get another novel rolling.  Several novels have crashed and burned this year.   I've had a handful of good months running (50+ miles) and a handful of terrible months (less than 25 miles), but nothing like 2006.  This blog is my attempt to get back into the swing of things on both fronts by reporting on my efforts to any strangers who happen to wander by.  My goal is to write every day again and to start a running program.

Will this work?  Will I feel a surge of motivation from posting daily updates anonymously for anonymous strangers to read?  Who knows.

More importantly, will I have fun?  I sure hope so.   What's the point of life if you're not enjoying what you're doing?

Full Results:

1 Mike Anderson 1:15:01
2 Randy Plett 1:15:55
3 Herb Gayle 1:20:08
4 Chad Weisgram 1:20:09
5 Conny Strub 1:20:13
6 Susan Welch 1:20:13
7 Bryan Sampson 1:20:13
8 Terry Holm 1:20:13
9 Curtis Tesch 1:20:13
10 David Swan 1:20:14
11 Barend Tollenaar 1:20:14
12 Tim Turner 1:20:15
13 Keith Svir 1:20:15
14 Gary Olson 1:20:15
15 David Lawler 1:20:16
16 Andrew Uttke 1:20:16
17 Rebecca Maus 1:20:22
18 Greg Carrigan 1:20:43
19 William Field 1:28:11
20 Floyd Reichel 1:28:19

'The field sprint for the finish with Conny Strub in front, Sue Welch close behind.    Herb Gayle  won the field sprint to claim 3rd place, Chad Weisgram from Fargo was fourth, followed by Conny Strub and Sue Welch.'- photo and caption from InlineSkateMpls

I have been fitting workouts into the mornings before getting ready for work. But they are just maintenance workouts. Enough to keep my calorie count and weight in check but not enough to actually cause a calorie deficit which would mean a loss. But hey its better than nothing. I haven't started the PX90 series because I'm DVD challenged. I know I've used the DVD player hooked up the way it is in the gym. But not recently and I'm not sure if the universal remote I got for the used Craigslist TV is the problem. I may move the bedroom TV into the gym and forgo having one in the bedroom since I all really watch there is the news in the morning and who knows maybe I'll get my butt out of bed earlier if I didn't have a remote to reach for.

The more I think about it the more I'm sure I'll do that. Chari is here for a week, maybe I'll have her help me hook it up since she is better at those things then me.

I feel like a cliche, I can build a deck, grow a garden, paint a house, surface the driveway but cant figure out how to hook up the damn DVD player.

I haven't gained any weight this last month so that is a good thing. I also registered for the half marathon but in the walking option. If I feel up to running part of it I will but I am glad to be walking the 13 miles in November.

Beth at work keeps giving me great exercise ideas from her trainers but they are always in a IM sort of format so thats as far as I get with them. I am going to start writing some of them down when she IM's me. Beth has so much variety in her workouts. She rows a couple times a week, has a personal trainer or two who trade off, takes a fitball class and rows and paddle-boats around for fun.

I have been swimming alot this August and went on a nice long hike that just made me want to go on more.

Sharp, stabbing pain in my side.

Breathe out.

Sharp, stabbing pain in my side.

Breathe in.

Still there...

Attempt stupidly to "run through the pain." and then capitulate after 5 miles.

Still there..

24 hours later.

Still there...

Jab fist under ribcage, lift up to temporarily relieve sharp, stabbing pain - attempt to remain calm. While one fist is buried under the ribcage, use other hand to dial massage therapist and doctor's office for appointments.

You can tell me all you want that missing a day or three of running is no big deal. You can tell me until you're blue in the face that the best thing I can do is rest. Go ahead, tell me not to freak out. Tell me it's probably nothing. I'll nod. I will agree with you. But I can't do it. I am FREAKING out - and not in a small way.

The pain can only be described as a severe side stitch that refuses to budge. This was supposed to be hard training week, but I can't seem to do so much as laugh without feeling like someone is jabbing a skewer between my ribs. I'd love to have some smart, witty comments to make about this pain. I'd like to write something inspiring about how minor physical setbacks make me appreciate my mobility and fitness. But no, I'm sorry. I can do little more than freak out on my blog, see the massage therapist (she is amazing!) and worry out loud to my co-workers.

But the run.  Whose idea was it anyway to run this marathon?  I did not want to.  I wanted to go home, eat some food that I didn't cook, have  a glass of wine and go to bed (before my husband so I fall asleep before he starts snoring).  But the run. I had to do that damn run.  I got home around 7:00.  I went to the gym.  I got up on the treadmill and at a mile 1.01 I was ready to call it a day.  I miss way back when I only had to run a couple of miles.  Nonetheless, I carried on and stopped at four.  I justified it by saying I'll run 6 on Friday.

Today is Friday.  I finished day two in a classroom of energetic middle schoolers.  Do you think I feel like runnning six today?

Op 26 april 2009 doe ik mee aan de marathon van Antwerpen!

In elk geval zijn er wel een aantal dingen die ik zal moeten overwinnen om die marathon te kunnen lopen:

• Ik zou toch nog 15kg willen vermageren (minder kans op blessures + hoe minder gewicht je moet meepakken, hoe beter ;-) )
• De trainingen leren combineren met mijn jobs. Ik heb een zeer onregelmatige agenda en soms vrij lange dagen te werken. Dus, dat maakt het wel wat ingewikkelder... (moest je willen weten wat ik doe van job, deze maand sta ik in goedgoevoel ;-) )
• Binnenkort zal ik papa worden, dus... ons gezinnetje zal er binnenkort helemaal anders uit zien, ook nieuwe verantwoordelijkheden, nieuwe taken, ... dus ook die combinatie is een hele uitdaging
• Ik zou graag de motivatie, de goesting willen blijven vasthouden die ik nu ervaar, ook in moeilijker momenten. Dat zal niet gemakkelijk zijn...

Die dingen houden me momenteel dus wat bezig, maar ik bekijk het positief: aangezien ik nu al kan inschatten wat mijn "moeilijkheden", dus uitdagingen zijn, kan ik er nu ook al iets aan doen. Er komen natuurlijk wel nog onvoorziene struikelblokken ook!

"Hoe" ik die zaken ga aanpakken, daar ben ik nog niet helemaal uit. Ik zet het in de komende dagen wel op deze blog. Als jij tips hebt, zijn ze zeker welkom!

Ohja, vandaag een rustdag en morgen vliegen we er in! Straks lekkere mosseltjes gaan eten :-)

Life is not the 100m dash. I enjoyed seeing my Jamaican brother Usain Bolt take the gold and make a new world record. Imagine if he had run the 100m the way he ran his leg of the relay in 8.9seconds. I think there would be a whole lot more drama and frustration about how he could possibly do it without enhancement. But don't worry it will soon be done in under 9 seconds and we won't think anything of it.

But life is not a fast race. In fact, it looks more like the slow, methodically rhythm of the marathon. It makes no sense to start out at the head of the pack at break neck pace. We won't be able to keep up the pace. Ever so often there are markers along the road to tell you that you are heading in the right direction. Those are especially helpful when you seem to have pulled away from the other runners and alone with miles of road ahead. What do you do when the finish line is not in sight? You know it is still ahead of you and its been a while since you've seen a marker? How many more miles await? Fancy runners today have watches that keep the time and tell you the miles completed. What do you do in life when there are no markers. You set out on the race, knowing the intended finish line but where you are in the race, there seem to be no sign posts marking how far you have come or how much more there is ahead?

The words of Paul become relevant to me at these stages. Philippians 3:14 We are encouraged to press forward to the finish line ahead. You know it is there. You know that when you started there was Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God cheering you on. They have not left and they won't. Jesus has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Joshua 1:5). Another scripture to remember at this time is to remember that when you have done all you can to stand, then just stand (Ephesians 6:12-14).

I think I'll let Donnie tell you the same thing in a song. Here is the  You Tube link to "Stand."

Photo from rik3130

Photo from rik3130

Photo from rik3130

Photo from rik3130

Det här är ju första loppet för både mig och Julle. Ska man ha någon speciell taktik? Måste nog googla på det. Det gäller att förbereda sig på bästa sätt och jag vet att min lördag kommer bli långt ifrån bra eftersom jag har fullt upp.

Ibland börjar jag tänka på varför man gör det. Hur man får idéen att springa ett marathon. Ja det kan man fasen fråga sig. Jag har ju min jäkla lista på saker som måste göras och sen så älskar jag ha gjort saker. Jag "upplever" nästan aldrig saker direkt, inte på det sättet som man borde. Det är först när det har blivit minnen som det räknas. Ungefär som när jag och tjejen åkte transsibiriska. Då åker man ett tåg i 9-10 dagar och man gör absolut inget. Då satt/låg jag och planerade nästa resa. Höll på att missa kamelerna i Gobiöknen för att jag satt och tänkte på Påskön. När jag väl kommer till Påskön så kommer jag säkert tänka på något safari i Afrika.

Så där har det alltid varit. När jag gick i gymnasiet så hade jag en lapp över sängen där det stod Carpe Diem och vaknade till "det här ska bli den bästa dan i mitt liv", men det enda jag gjorde var att räkna ner till något så man skulle få ett till minne.

Nice easy run. Ran this one in a light drizzle. Made things nice and cool.

I don't know what I'm going to do when work gets back to normal. It's feels good to get a run in without having to fight the heat and humidity to do it. Maybe I'll still try to sneak morning runs in sometimes.

As someone much older and much more out of shape than the rest of the team, I'm definitely always trailing last.  But I did finish the Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon and it's been two months since my shoulder surgery and I'm feeling stronger and faster every day.

Here it is:

1.  Replace treadmill workouts with the indoor track at the new 24 Hour Fitness Super Sport.  This will be on Mondays and Wednesdays.

2.  In addition to the long Saturday runs with the team, complete 7-8 mile runs on Mondays and Wednesdays.  Do it as interval heartrate training or fartleks.  That's where you vary with one, two, or three laps sprints.  It strengthens your heart muscle so you can endure longer runs at the lower speeds.

3.  Vastly increase the post-run stretching time.  This is easy because of the stretching equipment at the new 24 Hour Fitness.  Plus, I should be getting the new Dara Torres resistance stretching DVD in the mail after 9/5.  My trainer and I will have one month to figure it out and apply the techniques.

4.  Personal training on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Focus on legs and pliometrics on Tuesdays, Thursdays needs to be light to head into long-run Saturdays.  Thursdays can be upper body and stretching.

5.  Change my morning protein shake to heavy carbs.  I like all of the Peanut Butter meal replacement shakes at nrgize, a smoothie-type place at the gym.  42 grams of protein, 38 grams of carbs, bananas and oatmeal. 

6.  Really try to boost good calories and carb-loading.  I don't eat a lot, can usually only eat half a sandwich or half a spaghetti in one sitting.  This is starting to be a disadvantage with the long runs.  Trying to eat the full thing, or at least, eat it within the hour instead of saving it for the evening or next day.  I might try some bromelaine capsules or fresh pineapple to help speed digestion because I'm always full.  Doctor suggested OTC Zantac a while back, ready to try that.

7.  Continue with one day per week double-appointment (30 minutes) at the chiropractor.  We pay attention to shoulder rehab, hips and lower back, knees, and ankles.  Schedule on the rest day before the long run so the kinesiotape is fresh.

8.  Add massage early in the week AFTER the long run. 

9.  Add pliometrics to my workouts.  Those are all kinds of jumps to strengthen fast twitch muscles.

10.  Personal goal is to run the entire first two miles at a slow, comfortable, pace so I don't slow down to walk in the middle of 10,000 runners with all those onlookers watching! 

11.  Really shoot for eight hours of sleep per night every night of the week.  I've really noticed how much being well rested helps me run strong.

12.  Carry a large water bottle and be sure to get 64 ounces per day.  You have to hydrate all during the week to get the full benefit on the long runs.

13.  Start carrying asthma inhaler on long runs, I find that I need it halfway through.

14.  Carry a pill box so I won't forget my three-times-a-day iron.  Doctor said that would really help with the oxygen that a distance runner needs.

15.  Buy a pair of those super compression running tights from CW-X.   They're supposed to really help you run faster and longer because they massage and support key muscle groups.  Plus, they keep you warm in 40-degree weather!

16.  Buy a few cases of MonaVie gel packs -- I use them on the long runs -- but also buy a case of the bottled MonaVie Active.  It helped with strength so much after my surgery, I have to believe it would help with energy and stamina for running. 

Running schedule

This is the official schedule but there is no way I'm going to try to add eight extra miles on the day of the marathon.  My body can barely add one or two extra per week.  So I'm going to go a little bit beyond the schedule.  I personally want to get up to 24 miles at least once, even if I only do 14 with the group and go to the gym for the remaining miles later in the day.  Don't worry, I'll be careful and stop if it's too hard!

Weekdays

Only calls for 45 minutes per day on non-rest and non-cross-training days, with no more than one hour and ten minutes on a few weeks in September.  I know you have to slow down in October so as not to fatigue but I'm going to try for one two-hour indoor track workout on Mondays, when I'm rested.  It's far enough in advance of Saturdays that I can rest for a good Saturday long run.

Saturdays

8/30 16 miles

9/6 16 miles

9/13 18 miles

9/20 14 miles

9/27 18 miles

10/4 10 miles

10/11 7 miles

10/18 - STAY OFF FEET This is the day before the marathon

9/23/2008 - Mail Final Batch of Donations to Paycor to Guarantee that they will post by the Oct. 7th Final Fundraising Deadline.
9/26/2008 - Marathon Strategy Clinic and Team Pasta Dinner 
9/27/2008 - Mission Day
10/1/2008 - Nike VIP Part Fundraising Due
10/7/2008 - Final Fundraising Due Date
10/8/2008 - Travel Receipts Due to the TNT Office
10/13/2008 - Send-off Party - The LLS Office - 5353 W. Dartmouth Ave., Suite 400
10/17/2008 - 10/20/2008 - Nike Women's Marathon Event Weekend
10/18/2008 - 10/19/2008 - Denver Marathon Event Weekend
10/19/2008 - RACE DAY!!! 
 

Give Life is a publicly owned and publicly audited charity. Holistic education and development of the underprivileged children is the core focus of the organization.

Just got to see this quote on running,

Its really true, running is a special experience for the thirsty minds. Just remember the movie "Forrest Gump" of Thom hanks.Thanks for Athletic Federation of India for approving this mega event and great thanks for all the supporters, celebrities and sponsors. My hearty wishes for the success of the grand event - Chennai Marathon 2008.

Links related to Chennai Marathon:

Chennai Marathon , Give Life, Tamil Maiyam , Chennai Marathon

Miles to go: 1536

OK...  I'm pooped.  Three good solid runs this week left me pretty tired for this morning's run.  It was a new route for me, which took some of the sting out of it because I had to pay more attention to where I was going.  But I could definitely feel that "leg weary" tiredness.  I guess in some ways it's a good thing because it was really the only feeling I had.  No other pain or woe.  And I still ran 8:37s so it wasn't all bad.

I also picked up something very important this morning after the run.  A registration form for a 5K.  This will be my first "race" this year...  I'm so excited!!!  And worried I won't be anywhere near a time I will be satisfied with.  But I don't care.  I can't wait to run with a number pinned on me again!

I had to giggle at my running buddies this morning.  I heard them whining about being tired and eating all the time and long runs and no sleep and and and...  I was there...  I remember that feeling.  The last 6 weeks before your marathon...  The douldrums...  When it seems like you are always running or eating or washing your running clothes.  And you begin to wonder what the hell you are doing...  I gotta tell ya... Of all the things I miss about marathon training, that ain't one of them.  I hated that feeling.  It was almost depressing.  I recovered my composure and tried to get them fired up by reminding them how far they had come and that they were all going for a BQ and this was the hard work that would make the actual marathon easy.  I don't know if it worked, but at least they perked up a bit.

Our local marathon is Monday.  It is called the Heart of America marathon and has been going on now for 49 years.  It's a small, community supported run but it is one of the toughest, non-mountain marathons in the nation.  And most of the hills are in the last half when it is hot and you are already miserable anyway.  Still, a lot of the 250 or so intrepid souls who show up for this event are from out of state and it has a reputation for a marathon that will really challenge you.  I volunteered last year but I think I'm going to just stay out of this year altogether, mostly because I don't want to get any stupid ideas.  I'm just now feeling good again after breaking myself running my last marathon.  But if things go well for me with running over the next year, this may just be my next marathon...  hmm...

If I went down to the half, I’d feel so stupid and worthless every time for the next two months someone asks me about my marathon, and I have to tell them I changed it to the half.  It’s embarassing.  I would be such a let down.  Even if other people don’t care, I know what it sounds like.  It’ll show I was wrong about my abilities, and that I wasn’t cut out to do what many other people accomplish.  I’ll just be so mad and upset with myself.  I already am, just for thinking about changing to the half.  But I don’t know what to do.  Since I had three bad weeks due to my ankle, it’s at the point now where I cannot miss or change a single other long run if I want to complete the marathon.  I can’t take even a week off if I want to complete it.  And what’s worse is that the half was my original intention, and I changed it to the whole believing I could do it, because I’ve always been able to do more than what was expected of me.  And I wasn’t wrong!  My heart/lungs/cardio ability are all perfect, my muscles are fine and ready to go, but I have this stupid leg pain!  Without it, I KNOW I could do it.  I KNOW I could finish it.  But the problem isn’t even really the marathon itself, it’s the mileage next several weeks of preparation.  If I keep going and my leg gets worse, I’ll be even more upset.  If I take a week off, though, I’ll almost certainly have to drop down to the half.  And then I won’t want to show my face around anyone who knew/heard I was doing the marathon.  People at work, my parents, family, friends, even Nick’s friends.  And it wouldn’t stop for months, because people will keep asking me how it went, and I’ll have to tell THEM too that I could only do the half!  I’m ashamed of it.  It almost makes it useless to even do the half, because I’m not going to consider it an accomplishment, it’ll be a cop-out.  Anyone else will think the same thing.

Basically, I have until Saturday morning to figure it out.  If my leg feels better by then (and there IS a chance that could happen, because I’m taking the day off tomorrow, and I haven’t taken a day off this week, so maybe a day of rest and ice could make the difference, but I can’t count on it), I’m going on with my 10 mile run.  If it doesn’t, it’s a bust.  If I do the 10 mile run and then it feels WORSE, it’s a bust then too.  I’m honestly scared.  That’s the most accurate word I can use to describe how I feel about all this.  I want the marathon so, so bad.

All in all, I hope I’m just overreacting.  I really, really hope.

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But YESTERDAY I wowed myself. 11 Miles. I forgot to change into my sportsbra and ended up with backache and I had stomach cramps much of the way round (disagreeable sandwich at lunch) and had to stop for an emergency loo break at a garage at 10 miles but I still did it. Sorry for the details but I'm so proud I did it at all let alone when I wasn't feeling on top form.

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However, following that major physical exertion and after being woken every 3 hours by the baby (I KNOW he can go 8 hours but has decided not to) today I have felt utterly pathetic ALL day. Just about recovering now.

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Now all I have to do is prep two hearings for tomorrow before bed...