Hooray...a decent Towers Accent

My parents were nice enough to watch the kiddos last night, so I was finally able to attend Towers Time Trial Thursday.  I've been running a LOT of flat road lately.  Mostly because poor Chris has been traveling like a mad man this summer.  He's almost at Silver on his frequent flier miles.  Back to Towers...since I wasn't feeling to speedy on hills decided to go with the 45 min group.  Even in bad shape I could pull that off.  The 45 min group ended up being Mary and myself.  We took it easy on Swan Johnson.  Mary started falling behind somewhere around Stout (though she still ran in the low 41's...if she'd quit cursing out loud she'd be under 40 for sure:)).  It didn't feel like I was pushing myself too too hard so I was pleasantly surprised to touch the building in 39:14.  My first time under 40 in (I had to look it up)  2 and half years.  No where near my PR, but I'm really happy.  Maybe I would have been under 39 if I hadn't stopped to slap Tony in the head for not wearing his helmet.  Now off to Booty Camp:)

Crappy Blogger

As I have said before....I'm a crappy blogger.  Sometimes I forget that I even have a blog.  Not that I mind sharing my insight and intellect (as thin as they might be) with folks, but I've never been the greatest writer.

News in my life...I ran the Colorado Marathon a week and a half ago.  It wasn't my most stellar performance, but I still finished in 3:15:xx.  I definitely went out too fast, and both my calves were tugging after mile 2.  I hit the 10kish mark in 38:30ish.  There wasn't a actual 10K mark...so it's a guesstimate.  I led for the first 10 miles...don't ask me what I was thinking...I couldn't tell you.  At the end,  my calves had blown up.  Besides that I felt great cardio wise.  We headed over to our friends' house for brunch.  My stomach felt iffy, but I decided that I needed calories.  I had two pieces of bread and a mimosa, when it HIT me.  I had to leave!  I went home, and stayed there in bed for around 30 hours.  I ate my first FULL meal on Tuesday afternoon.  Lovely. 

I was sore.  On Wednesday, I decide to go for a recovery jog.  Made it 1/4 of a mile or so.  I had a shooting pain up both my calves.  On Thursday, I tried again, made it across the street.  Quadrock was not looking so good.  I wen to Terry's office and met with David.  After doing some diagnostic work with an ASTEM(sp?) toolio, he said my soleus on both calves had been torn.  Quadrock was out, but I was able to volunteer.  At least I felt useful,  since I worked most of the day and evening. 

I was a good chica and took the time off.  I ran up Horsetooth yesterday, and another 7 on the road today.  Systems seem to be a go.

I will try to be a better blogger...but in all honesty...I like to talk on the phone more.

2012 is going to be a great running year!!!

I finished my first week of training, and I must say that it went quite well. I finished just under 71 miles for the week, and it felt like 40. That must be a sign from mother earth right?

After my long run with Sarah this weekend, I feel like a trail queen. We ran 18 on the trail at a good speed, and I was still able to knock out 6 at recovery (8:35 pace) like Saturday had not happened! It's a sign right?!

I guess I'll believe what I want to!

M: 5.55
T: 8 w/ 4 in intervals 4/ pm
W: 7.42
Th: 7 (Towers) / 5.55 pm
F: 9.41 (got lost)
Sat: 18 on Blue Sky
Sun: 6 recovery

Total: 70.93

Please make NO assumptions about me

Controversy is fluttering about! A recent blog post recently criticized a group fun run known as 24HoT (24 Hours of Towers). I was a participant in this group, and had a fabulous time with some of my favorite friends. The blogger is an ultra runner as well, and commented on our running in the heat...specifically one runner...me...saying that they wanted to suck on some ice. The blogger eluded to the assumption that myself and my friend must be inexperience. Nothing could be farther from the truth! I have been at long distance running a long time (my first 24hr was in 1994), and my friend has had finishes in 3 100 milers in the past 12 months, top finishes in 50 milers and 50K's.

The fact of the matter is that we were on our last lap for a while, and we always bitch back and forth to each other when doing our runs. We love to dream of that Big City Burrito while we run. It doesn't mean we're not enjoying ourselves...we just find the banter funny. In fact after my hot lap I sat down, ate huge burger and mozz sticks, jumped in the rez, and downed two beers before heading up for my final and best lap. No ice bandana or hat needed. I did learn from my previous lap and took a full pack of water though I barely used it. I know my limitations, and my strengths.

I hope this clears up any confusion of what we were doing, and what qualifications have.

Ghost Town 38.5 2011

Well....I have to say that my running is off to a much better start this year than last year. Last year began with me dropping from the entrants at GT due to a lack of babysitter. Than medical issues, and injuries...BOOOOOOOO! I was determined to not repeat a bad start.

All of that said....I went to Hillsboro 15 pounds over my race weight...crap...I weighed more that Nick Pedatella. I was also SEVERELY undertrained. Since I can't run by myself, I decided to make it a fun run with my friend Kristel....which it turned out to be till mile 32ish. We still finished in great shape and tied for 2nd woman OA.

This was awesome, due to the fun time I had with great freinds, but little did I know the best was yet to come. The best was that I was totally recovered by Tuesday, and I had my best week of running in over a year! My hammy is feeling 98%, and more importantly I feel mentally there! I'm ready to wupp some ass, in a nice way of course!

Ghost Town started off the year in best way possible! Thanks to Kristel, Pete, Nick, Nick's sister, Mary, Jen, Jim, Chris G., Kari, Susan, Matt, and everyone else. A SUPER GRACIAS to my Chris my hubby for heading up the home front! Te amo!

It's been a while

Well I've started PT for what turns out to be my hammy's tendon. It has too much scar tissue. So Terry is sticking needles in my hamstring and working the tendon. It is feeling slightly better, but I want results now! I know I should be patient, and let it work itself out. Still it is hard to do that.

I'm following Pete's schedule for Big Horn, and I hope that I'm up for it in about a month and a week. The good thing is that I'm finally on the entrants list. I was getting really worried.

So the next 5-6 weeks will be filled with running , stretching, and needles:)

update

Well....It turns out that I have a hole in my heart. Good news is that they won't close it up. It was most likely the cause of my episode, but they can't say that for sure.

Personally...the year has not gone well. I'm lacking my running mojo. Not that I'm not wanting to run, but I've been sucking balls at it recently. Maybe there is a Viagra for running. I know it is just a phase, and will cycle itself through. Maybe when spring comes all will be anew. Either that or I'll be stepping on a bunch of rattlesnakes with my luck!

What's up with January?!

Well things haven't gone well this month. First my aching ass, then missing Ghost Town, and then the scary week.

Last Wednesday I was talking to another mom at preschool when all of a sudden I developed tunnel vision, and my head went blank and I couldn't get any words to come out of my mouth. This last for all of 3-4 minutes. I went to the doctor and they sent me for an immediate MRI. Luckily that came back clear. My GP told me I shouldn't drive until the diagnosis was in or 6 months, whichever came first. I went to a neurologist on Monday, and he was pretty sure that it was a migrain, but wanted more tests to be sure. Luckily the neurologist said that he didn't see why I shouldn't be able to drive. Not that I drive a ton, but with Chris working so much driving can be at time extremely convenient. Thank goodness the month is almost over!

Yeah my butt feels better!

So for the past two to three months I've had issues with my piriformis. It has been irritating. It feels like a sore muscle. I could still run on it, but I was not setting any records to say the least. So per my friend Pete's suggestion, I started sitting on tennis balls, and per my friend Dana's suggestion, I've been stretching it religiously every night. I wouldn't say it is a 100%, but it is 80% better. At least Chris won't come home from Trinidad to hear me whine about my aching ass.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to test this breakthrough at Ghost Town this weekend. I am slightly bummed, because I think I could have given it a good go. I do hope Marie kicks some major piriformis, and takes the thing. She's a much more talented runner than she gives herself credit for.

Technically, I've started training for the Colorado marathon, but my first week was a wash, though this week has gone much better. Maybe because my butt feels better. As of right now, I'm worried that sub 3 might not be an option this May. I'm sticking with the plan, and going to go day by day.

5 months later!

I guess I should blog again.

Well. I'm running with out a plan right now. I've had several great run this week where I was running comfortablely in the mid 7's for mid long runs. I guess it is time to set up a goal race. Not that I'm not going to have a good time at Blue Sky;), but I'm obviously not in top form at this moment. My training has been erratic since the Colorado marathon, but I think I've maintained my fitness well enough that it is time to base build.

I've set my goal race for next year....Big Horn 100!!! Now I have my goal on base building for the next 3 months. I hope to have a massive mileage month in November of 450+. Let's hope all goes well. I'm still in the midst of developing a plan, but I'm sure I can inlist the help of my friends Pete, Ray K, Jason?! I think the race is awesome ....I know the course, and can try to maintain similar terrain (I hope) in training, and all will be well.

First Blog

I have no idea what I'm doing. I was looking for pictures of the 2009 Horsetooth Half, but instead decided that I needed a blog. Oh well!

I'm getting nervous about my full on Sunday. My legs feel rather dead. I hope I'll be able to feel fresh and recovered in the next couple of days.