Let The Sun Shine....

This was going through my head as I did my run and strength workout this morning. Such a catchy tune....

I headed out for my run this morning with the knowledge that I will be doing a 10 mile trail race in only a few short weeks. A lot is at stake here. For starters, my life. Secondly, my confidence. Third...let's just say I feel the need to do well, really really well.

I ran my neighborhood. Boring as usual but I have been trying to spice it up lately with my mailbox fartleks and whatnot.  Today I sprinted up the two hills I have then finished the 4 miles with a negative split. I know this isn't going to help me much with the terrain of the trail race but I at least need to be able to cover the distance. Actually, what I am saying is I need to get my conditioning back. I feel my spark returning, a renewed desire to run and race and hit the road. It feels good. It feels right. And now I have to put in the work to get my conditioning back.

I have also been trying some new kettlebell exercises that I found by googling Kettlebell workouts...imagine that! Some of these are no joke and have left my rear and thighs buring. All. Day. Long. So I plan to keep at it for at least 4 days a week.

Here I am, getting it done on my sunny back porch!

LAZY DOG!! 

Um yeah.....I need to work on these....

And Ketlebell Figure 8's...ouch.

Done and DONE.....

It always feels so good to start the day off after a good workout! Tomorrow will be another 4 mile run followed by some Kettlebell swings and some other crazy things.

Oh and how did I forget? If you have a few extra seconds I am up for another Circle of Moms Top 25 Blogs Award, Health and Wellness Blogs! If you can head over and give me a good ole thumbs up...HERE. I'm kinda getting beat big time this time around. Meh...you win some, you lose some.  

A Trail Race????

I'm going to go ahead and say my goodbyes...it's been nice knowing you all.

Ok, a bit dramatic I am sure but really, a trail race? Not just an easy short one but a 10 MILE one. What am I thinking? Well I'll tell you what I am thinking...pumpkin pie...Mmmmm....

I have been forced into registering for the Raven Rock Rumble on November 17. I have some time to train so maybe I wont die. But then again maybe I will. Who knows? I'm actually excited to do this race, but not so excited about the pain I know I will endure. My last trail run was a month or so ago with Liz. The trail was very compact and not very technical at all. Then over a year ago I did a trail run during a sprint triathlon at a distance of 5k. It was awesome,raining,  muddy, and fun. I was, however, super sore afterwards. Before that I did a 9 mile trail run with J-Ninja and fell twice within the first half mile. It was sandy and rough. And no, I am not clumsy at all....Ahem....

So needless to say this 10 mile trail race will be interesting and I hope I don't break my leg or my foot or my ankle or my neck...or end up in a body cast.

This trail is not exactly smooth, compact or gravel. It is stoney, up and down, and what I would call a technical trail. It is not quite as technical as the mountain trail I ran on Mt. Rainier one year, where I was either going to fall 50 feet to my death into a roaring river or get eaten by a bear staring at me from 3 feet away. That was a trail race....But this one is not going to be easy. Fun? Yes. Easy? No.

J-Ninja pointed out that this is very uncharacteristic of me, to play it safe and not jump on the opportunity to punish myself in a race I am not prepared for.  Since when am I not up for a challenge? I guess since Big Sur really. Injuring my knee was a wake up call and I didn't like it. And then in Virginia Beach where I was prepared for neither the distance nor the humidity and my confidence was shattered. For the first time in four years I am not walking around, at any given point, half-marathon ready. And I don't like it, not one bit. So what am I going to do about it? I am smart enough to know that if I don't like something it is up to me to change it. No one can do it for me...so I am ready to get back into shape. Into the condition where I was so that on any given weekend I can up and race Amanda Style again...you know, last minute registrations and races.

So LB, Lazy Dog and I actually hit up Raven Rock trail a few weeks ago for a hike.  After just the 5 mile loop I was done for...tired. Exhausted.

Here are some pictures of the trail...and other random shots:

LB, Lazy Dog and me...LB doesn't usually sit in the front.
Only when Lazy Dog takes up the entire back seat.

Bridges and rivers...Fun.

I am certain we will not be balancing across fallen trees...at least I hope not!

I may remember this tree so I can crawl in and cry.

Just walking along...

Oh boy.....

Don't do it!!!

So, True Story....

For the record all my stories here are true.....but this one I felt the need to preface with the fact that it is, indeed, true.

On Tuesday I went for a mailbox fartlek. You know, where you sprint between every other mailbox...fast fast fast....hit a mailbox then slow, next mailbox fast fast fast....next mailbox slow. And so on throughout the entire neighborhood. Next time I will be sure to count the mailboxes and let you know how many there are. Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, Mailbox Fartleking....the first notable incident was at the bus stop. Let me clarify, the High School bus stop. This bus stop is for the High School kids, about 12 or 13 all together. They were gaggling around the stop sign when I came loping by (that would be during my slow spell). I was suddenly aware of the fact that 26 eyeballs were on me...I felt weird. Insecure. Almost like I was in High School again. GAG! Shoot me now....I felt myself tighten up and my shoulders lift. I noticed my chin come up and suddenly I took a sharp left to avoid running past them. As I ran down the opposite way I found myself hoping the bus would come and get those brats before I had to run back by....and it did. Shew!

What's up with that??? Why was I suddenly so worried and self conscious about a bunch of pimply faced 15, 16 and a poor unfortunate, bus-riding 17 or 18 year old? Who cares anyway? They should be so lucky to be as awesome as me when they are 33.

Secondly, I ran up on a dead possum. It was just laying there. In the middle of the neighborhood road. At first I thought, "Yeah. Play dead you stupid possum. In the middle of the road. I'm on to you." And I expected it to jump up and run away....then I got closer and realized it was not going anywhere. Ewey gooooooooey. It was so gross I almost...almost called it quits and turned around and headed home. But I carried on and pretended I did not just see that.

Third, I was heading up the farthest back street in my neighborhood, not far from the bus stop. There is a part that is completely wooded, no houses, no nothing except for a small 2x4 that spans the deep ditch to allow easy access into the woods. There, in the woods was a teenager. A school-skipping, bus-missing, cigarette-smoking, emo teenager who stared at me. I couldn't help but laugh. What was he going to do all day? There in the woods by himself? Then I quickly realized I most likely did NOT want to know the answer to that....

Anyway, then... I finished my run and came in the house. I decided to do a quick plank. I've not really jumped on the whole plank bandwagon. First of all, I don't do bandwagons. Second what good could a plank possibly do? So there I was, in my room, doing a 20 second plank. I thought, "Yeah, this is a little tough." I came down to relax and thought, "Meh...I'll do another. See what all the hooplah is about." So I did a second 20 second plank.  I went about my morning, got ready and headed to work.  By mid day I noticed my upper middle back was sore. I didn't think much of it. Then come Wednesday it was still sore...I thought, "What the heck, what did I do to make my back sore?" Then it hit me! The planks!!! And today, three days later, my back is still sore! Whoa.

So, moral of the story is planks actually do DO something! Who'd a thunk it? I have a hoodlum teenager who likes to skip school and sit in the woods in my neighborhood. Teenagers at the bus stop make me self-conscious....and dead possums are disgusting.

So what have you seen on your run lately?

GET IT TOGETHER....

Just in time for the holidays! This time of year is always rough...Trick-or-Treating brings in buckets full of candy that I must use my super powers to resist. And who can say no to candy corn? Not me...Then we have pumpkin and pecan pies and all the other delicious Thanksgiving stuff. Once we survive that food coma we roll into Christmas with fudge and other baked goods. Then...then we step on the scale and pretend to be shocked at the 10 pounds that somehow just fell onto our backsides. Ok, ok. I shouldn't say "our" I really mean ME and MY. Maybe I am the only one who suffers from Fall-a-fat-a-gain-a-sisits?

So what is my plan? I have done really well up to this point keeping my Bridesmaid Challenge Loss off (10 pounds in all). I am determined to keep it off through the holidays.

After thinking about it....and thinking some more...

...and thinking so hard I gave myself a headache...I have devised a plan to help me keep it all in check and the damage to a minimum. I am leaving the country. Heading to a world where there is no sugar....

NOT!

I wish though. If I could just board a plane this weekend and head for the jungles of Thailand or even the beginning of the Appalachian Trail  and return on January 2, 2013 that would be awesome.  But it will never happen. So instead I must exercise self-control and say no to all the delicious chocolate and candy. I have to keep my portions reasonable. I have to make a decision with each temptation: Will this be worth it? My goal is to maintain my current body shape/size/weight until the end of the year. I think that is reasonable, realistic, and possible.

I also plan to keep running, or at least pick up the running. I have a number of fall races staring me in the face. Some are on the same day and I must decide which I will do. I also have a doctor's appointment in the morning for my knee. I'm hoping all is well and there will be no need for surgical intervention. I haven't been in much pain but I have cut my weekly milage by about 85%. With that being said, the one race that is no longer on my fall calendar is OBX 26.2. For the second year in a row I will not be toeing the line at the Outer Banks Marathon. I am only slightly bummed but really I am at peace knowing it is the right decision. I am not ready for this race and I don't want to end up in worse shape because my pride was too big.

So anyone else starting to devise their Holiday Damage Control Plan?  Who wants to leave the country with me??? And who knows of a place where sugar does not exist?

Autumn Fest 5k....

Wow, thank you all for all the comments, emails, texts and encouragement. I really didn't know what to expect when I posted my last post but you all did not disappoint and went above and beyond. So THANK YOU. I have been reminded how amazing the running community is and I am so proud and thankful to be a part of it.

Now, on to running....

I did a 5k yesterday. It was an ok race. Not a PR but not a PW either. I over dressed, wearing a long sleeved shirt. Isn't it fall??? By the end I was pouring sweat and it got into my eyes which also reminded me why I normally run in a hat or visor. Next time....I won't make that mistake again.

My friend Sarah came out to cheer me on (and to enjoy the Autumn Fest festivities). It was fun to have a cheering squad and she snapped this amazing picture of me not even trying to pass the two slow pokes in front of me. I've pretty much decided that pace and time just doesn't matter. I am running for the love and fun of it.

Oh yeah...right at the finish. =)

Our friend Andrea does original work on a 1902 letterpress making really awesome letterpress cards. She had a booth set up at the craft fair so we of course had to go support her. I got a few really cute cards. You can check out her stuff at chemistrycarddesigns.com.

Overall it was a really fun day filled with running, friends, and crafts. The worst part of the day was dropping my cell phone....Nothing like cracking your iPhone screen.

In all it was a fun-filled weekend that has left me ready to take on the week....hopefully it wont be another month before I update you all again! 

Total Revamp--Epic Fail-And a Confession...

First the revamp fail. Then the confession....

The Revamp of my OBX Marathon Training Plan is not going so well. I'm not ashamed to admit when things flop. In fact, I'm not even surprised when things flop these days. I am actually pleasantly surprised when things DON'T flop. My schedule has been whonky lately and my long runs have been suffering. I missed my 15 miler last weekend and don't see me doing much more than 8 this coming weekend. LB will be coming along on his bike and he hasn't ridden that far before so we will see how it goes.

I am seriously evaluating my ability to safely run OBX. The last thing I want is another two month set-back where I am unable to walk, run, swim, bike, or move. I know from experience that 26.2 is not a distance race that I can just cruise on up to the start line ill prepared for, and make it to the finish unscathed. That has disaster written all over it. I saw how well that went over at Big Sur and I was better prepared for that race than this one, but still not appropriately trained.

So what is going on in 5 Mile land? Lots. What is the confession? Really the last year, since my dad died, has been a whirlwind, an emotional roller-coaster. I have been in a tail-spin, a tornado, of confusion and frustration. But then again, it hasn't been ALL bad. I have had some really great moments and I use those to reconnect, to come back to reality, to realize that life is good, I have people. And my people have me. Sometimes when I step back and analyze the past year it is like a bad after school program on USA and I wonder, "Is this really my life? How did my life come to this? To be this topsy-turvy?How is it that I could seriously be on the Jerry Springer Show?" My dad died in October, it's hard to believe it's been almost a year. Then in March The Hubs moved out and is on the fast track to becoming X-Hubs. That's right. Going to the big D and don't mean Dallas.....It was difficult for me, difficult to process, to accept, to come to terms with. It's been difficult to hold it in, to not let you all know what has been going on and why I have been so absent or so off with my training, why I seemed to have lost my wit and humor.  I have felt like I was keeping a big dark secret from you all. But then again, it wasn't something I was able or ready to talk about and how do you just come out and say it? Many of you picked up on it a few months ago, sent me emails to check in, and have been in close contact regularly. It has helped so much, more than you can imagine. And I sit here today, just like yesterday and hopefully tomorrow, knowing that everything will be A-Okay. How do I know? Because I just do....I am strong, I ran a marathon or two or three and an a half, afterall. And I have already seen that God is good, my family is amazing, my friends are out of this world supportive, and I can, do and will have a smile on my face. So you see, exciting things and changes are happening here in 5 Mile Land! I am excited to see where life takes me and LB. Where we end up, the adventures we will have, and the stories I will tell. So there you have it. Will I have a few more bumps in the road? Of course. Will it keep me down? Absolutely not. 

Whew....

Total Revamp

So I have had to face reality and admit that my marathon "plan" is not really a plan at all. I have been winging it....that's not working out so well, as evidenced by my inability to run 13.1 miles without stopping. Yeah yeah, it was hot and humid....but still I could have slowed my pace and jogged the race. Either way, fact is that I needed to get my plan on paper, in front of me....

So I revamped it...

I feel better having a plan in front of me. I do much better knowing what is expected of me from day to day...I thought I'd be able to wing it, run here and there without a plan. But that just wasn't working for me.  I was certainly rethinking my OBX full marathon during Virginia Beach. I don't want to come into yet another marathon ill prepared. That was no fun at all. I'm also hoping to avoid surgery post marathon, but it's still on the table. 

This week's training hasn't been the best. Monday I rested, Tuesday had an easy 3.5 miles, Wednesday the stupid creepy stray dog was back and I didn't feel like getting bit so I opted for an evening run, I was hungry and tired so only did 3. I planned to run last night too but got sidelined by a huge thunderstorm. I can run in the rain, don't like it but I can do it....however I don't run in lightening. Something about getting stuck just doesn't sound fun to me. This evening I'll be getting in a few short miles and then some short miles Saturday. My Go-To Running Buddy, J-Ninja, will be away this weekend (booo!) so I get to run with my newest running buddy, Liz! It's so great to have options...even though J-Ninja is not happy about it....

It just went downhill from there.....

Anyone else have clingy, jealous running partners?? Just kidding, I kid, I kid....I feel so fortunate to have my running partners and miss them when we don't get our 2+ hours a week of chatting in. 

So I have to admit something, but I'll deny it if you ever try to bring it up again: I'm excited for fall. GASP! I know, the Lover of Summer just said that....well it's true, for now, I am excited about fall. There I said it. There is much to look forward to in the coming months and just like summer has sunshine and beaches, fall has it's own attractions, and I don't mean the Spiced Pumpkin Latte from Starbucks.... What are you most excited about with fall coming?

Virginia Beach 13.1 Recap...

I came, I ran. I ran slow.

But all that matters is that I finished, I got my medal, I didn't die, and my knee doesn't hurt. Some might be upset or disappointed in running a race about 20 minutes slower than their last, but not me. I know I did the best I could do on that particular day and it just so happens to be a Personal Worst (PW) half marathon finish time by about 50 seconds. Meh....what ever.

The day started early, but not stupid early. We were only 2 blocks from a shuttle pick-up so that helped.

Dark and early, heading to the start.

These feet....

Ready to Rock!

We got to the start at about 6:25, 35 minutes before the start. We headed straight to the porta-potty line and there we remained until about 3 minutes after the start. If there is one thing I have learned while racing larger races like the Rock n Roll series it is this: I'm not in it to win it, corral doesn't matter, and it's chip time anyway. The race started and a the first 5 waves were on their way when Rachel and I jumped in the back of corral 8.

For the first time in a year I ran with music. I haven't been doing this lately but for whatever reason I through on Pandora and headed out. This lasted until the uphill-or overpass rather, around mile three. Service was shotty and the music kept loading and skipping, so I turned it off and ran to the bands, the crowd, and my own hot, tired thoughts. The first 10k wasn't so bad actually. I was cruising right along to a good pace of 8:50 to 9:10 min/mile. But I was getting hotter every minute. It was that kind of hot where no matter what you just can't cool off. I noticed my clothes were soaking, like drenched. But it wasn't raining. I could wring my shirt and water/sweat would drip out. The humidity was so bad. The thing with humidity is that you get hot, you sweat. But the sweat doesn't evaporate, it's the evaporation that cools you off. In an attempt to cool myself I would pour water on my head and down my back, but this didn't really help either. It felt good, sure. But it was the same as sweat, it just made me wet, not cooler.

It was at the 10k mark I told myself that I didn't want to die. That wasn't in my plans for this day. I also didn't want to have a heat stroke or pass out. I had goose bumps, you know the ones you get when you are so hot and you can't cool? I had to bring my run to a brisk walk to try to cool off. My face felt like it was melting, it was burning from the heat. I kind of felt like I was boiling on the inside and melting on the outside.  So from this point forward, in an effort to not be like one of the 6,000 who either passed out, had a heat stroke, heat exhaust, or just plain quit, I decided I'd run/walk the remainder. Around mile 8 my hands and fingers were so swollen it felt like my fingers were going to explode. When I came up on the next aid station I grabbed three salt packs, for the first time ever in my racing history. I opened one and ate it like it was freaking candy. Weird....but it was good and it helped a little.

So many people were falling out and at least three that I saw were in really bad shape, laid out on the ground, unconscious, receiving IV's and an ambulance ride. One female was so bad I am certain she was ceasing. It was awful. At that moment I was reassured that my decision to run/walk was A-OK. It's just not worth the risk. I had not been training for a fast 13.1, in fact this was more of a training run to cover the distance. And it was for fun.

The course was decent, but I'll admit I don't remember too much of it. When we came back around toward the boardwalk and the finish the crow grew. Around mile 12 I decided I'd just run it on home. And I did. Once I hit the board walk the temperature felt like it rose a good 10 degrees at least. The heat from the sand and the crowd of people made me feel suffocated. I felt like I just wanted to get away, to get out of the crowd, so i kept going. Finally the finish line was there, right in front of me....it was not pretty but it was a finish, and it's a finish I am proud of.

Signature Pose

I received my medal and wandered through the line, got my picture snapped, grabbed some gatorade, water, and chocolate milk. I felt queasy and hot and gross. I wanted to take my clothes off and jump in the ocean....I shuffled through the sand to our designated meeting place, Letter Z. Andrea was there waiting. We exchanged our battle stories and decided to head off the sand and lay in the grass.  Slowly the rest of our crew made it in and we were all done and alive.

We all took our shoes off and headed to the water...

Mess of shoes, gatorade, socks...

We did it! 

I do it for the Bling!

When it was all said and done I checked the Weather.com app to see what we were dealing with, weather wise. It was a disgusting 94% humidity and 76 degree. I can handle the 76 degrees, but put that with 94% humidity and you've got a bad combo....

One more medal added to the collection!

In the end it was a fun race and a great girl's weekend! Next up---OBX 26.2...who's in?