Sunday, December 20, 2009

Weeks 50,51/Gratitude/random junk

No, not my tree (mine is below). Abbey standing by the tree in the Tucson hotel. It was gorgeous!

This is MY tree - left to the devices of a 14-year old male! At least we have lights (yes, those are pink lights at the top), I was starting to wonder if Santa would come down the chimney to a blank tree. I'm pretty sure he's going to stop and ponder this little contraption as it is for awhile.

Week 50 (Tucson):
Week's running totals: 38.2
2009 running totals:1774.19
Weight/core training: 1 (light due to taper)

Week 51: (post-Tucson recovery week)
Week's running totals: 6
2009 Running totals: 1780.19
Weight/core: 1/2. Did a bunch of core and arm stuff, Saturday
Cycling: 20 minutes, Saturday
Swimming: 1 miles, Saturday
Gratitude (I'll do 10 since I have two weeks of mileage):
- Tucson marathon PR
- I am done with marathons for the year!
- My son put up the Christmas lights this year - and it shows (above)
- Diet Coke
- A clean house (the main level anyway)
- 55 degrees and sunny days in December
- A working washing machine and dryer (I've done 4 loads of laundry today)
- My weight has not increased in all this post-marathon sugar madness. Huh?
- Two weeks off from school
- iPods

I always take a mandatory week off from running after a marathon. I really should take two weeks but I struggle mentally just to take one so this is a compromise. Within myself. I've learned through the years and through my course work that you just recover so much better and less chance of injury the more you let your body rebuild itself from the abuse you just gave it. Each body reacts differently, of course, but we put our bodies through some pretty serious physical abuse and they just need time to rebuild their strength. Usually I am chomping at the bit, post marathon week, to land back out there ... but not so much this week; that race just did a huge number on me. Yesterday was my first day back: an easy 6 over at the state park in my backyard. It was certainly at a snail's pace (9:23) but I couldn't pushed it even if I wanted to. My legs are not fully recovered yet and a bit achy.

Saturday was my first official day back to exercise, though not running. I went to the gym and did 20 minutes on the exercise bike, 10 minutes of much-needed stretching (I wish I would be dedicated enough to do that daily), 15 minutes of core work, and 1 mile swimming laps. That was a long workout, but I did those things as a way to loosen up the really tight muscles in preps to get ready to run again. Felt very good!

One thing that was an "issue" in Tucson is that I thought I tied my right shoe too tight; by mile 2, it was really bothering me and by mile 10 the top of my right foot hurt so bad I seriously considered stopping and re-tieing the dang thing. But who wants to stop and waste time for that nonsense!! I decided it was a good determent to the winds; you know, have some other ailment to fixate on. Two problems are better than one! But anyway, when I went to put my running shoes on yesterday, yikes!!! the top of my foot really hurts! I had to move the tongue waaaaaay over to the right side of my foot because to have my shoe "normal" hurt too much. I don't think it's a matter of my shoe being too tight in the race anymore, I think it's something with the tongue because the spot isn't where the knot was but rather off to the side slightly. I swear I just read someone's blog where the tongue of their shoe was really bothering them. I thought at the time: hum, never had that happen before. Yep, that jinked it right there. Not sure what to do about that other than keep moving the tongue over until that spot isn't so tender....or find a piece of small foam I can insert in my sock. Or maybe a couple bandaids.
The UPS man just rang my doorbell. Ah...love him!

Here's an A.D.D moment for all my fellow self-diagnosed A.D.D. members: yesterday I was multitasking 6 things at once (you'd be proud, Meg) and while in a hurry to get out the door and run, I somehow managed to land my cell phone in the laundry and washed it. I had it in my hand as I was heading out the door when I last minute decided to throw some laundry in while I was gone. Phone went in right along with the towels! It's sparkly clean right now. Also dead. Imagine. I have learned 3 things this morning dealing with cell phone companies: 1) they're a total rip-off 2) never ever ever buy insurance cuz the deductible ($100) isn't worth it, and 3) when you wash your cell phone, just expect to spend a great deal of time trying to get the issue resolved and plan to explain to 6 different people what the "problem" is before you actually get to the right person. Always plan to repeat your phone # to multiple people, despite also entering it manually into the phone. Also memorize your 6 digit security code # cuz you'll need to repeat that countless times also. I just bought a different phone on ebay - I pray to all the heaven above that isn't not a phone someone swiped and I'm screwed. Merry Christmas to me.

So I was off to the gym today to do some weight training but had to deal with the cell phone issue instead so going to have to blow it off (eeks!!). Unless I can manage to squeeze it in tonight. I'm going to spend the rest of the day organizing presents and seeing who is deficient in quantity and rush out to get someone, whichever that child is, one last gift. HATE last minute shopping!

One last random comment, but running related non-the-less: I was approached by a friend if I would be interested in being a teammate on their Hood To Coast relay team. Not sure if any are familiar with this relay but it's almost 200 miles starting from Mt. Hood and running to the Oregon coast. I think 1500 teams; the most popular running relay team out there. I would LOVE to do it, have wanted to for years. So I'm thrilled! But the considerations are: cost, it's 2 weeks before I do the CO Outward Bound relay here (you're dog tired for these things as you sleep very little in a 35 hour period, if at all), and I start back to school that week and would have to take 2 days off work (followed by a day two weeks later for CO relay). ugh. I hate these sort of decisions. The sleep thing concerns me as I may not recover very well going into the CO relay. But wow...what a total honor to be able to do this. I'm mulling over the pros and cons. Any insights or thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Okay, long enough blog.... signing off. Will close with a pic of my friend, Matt, and I at the start of Tucson. Matt had some bad stomach problems and DNF, dropped out a mile 20. I felt sooo incredibly bad for him. He was trying to get to Boston and run a sub 3-hour. :( It's in ya' Matt - please don't give up!!!



27 comments:

Jen Feeny said...

A tree is a tree! Santa don't discriminate!!!

Good for you taking at least one week off!

Sorry to your friend Matt. :( That is a major bummer!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

How did you get your son to decorate the Christmas tree? I'm impressed!

Sorry about your shoe. I hope you can figure out a way to make it work. I had to fold the shoe tongue up under the laces when I had a cut on the front of my lower ankle. For me, bandaids just fell off - too sweaty!

Christina said...

I may have an opportunity to run Hood to Coast too. My boyfriends sister is from Portland and knows lots of people so if I want to run it, I just need to ask her to find me a team. I've run a relay 3 times and at 2am I'm always wondering what was I thinking when I considered a relay would be fun. I'm tired, cranky, hungry, grumpy and yet at the end, I always want to do another. I've learned a couple things. One, have pepto bismal tablets with me. Undoubtly I use them and others benefit too. Two, bring earplugs because you can catch a couple z's. Three, try and get some naps along the way. It helps.

I think you should do it.

Anonymous said...

diggin' the 'teenage boy did it' theory these days.

also, our friend andy missed boston by 3 minutes. we should introduce him to matt. so disappointing!

Rookie on the Run said...

Love the tree! Ours is pretty similar this year... no lights tho. Our kitten is very destructive.

That relay sounds like fun!

That's too bad for Matt's DNF. I'm sure he'll make it another time!

Unknown said...

Ha, ha...LOVE the pink lights at the top of your tree. Very Miley Cyrus!! Sorry to hear about your phone but I've dropped mine in our toilet and like I said in my blog, sunglasses in the porta potty so...not a lot of sympathy, just a little "ata girl!" That relay sounds like SOOOO much fun! A group of friends did it two years ago and dressed up their support van, themselves and had a ball. I had the same dilemma as you...too close to school!! Good luck with your decision!

KK said...

Congrats on your PR in Tuscon! Sorry about the phone. I have heard great things about Hood to Coast but maybe it's too much if you're doing the Colorado Realy, too? Those relays are soooo fun though, so I hear ya on the temptation to do them both...

saundra said...

9:23 equals snail pace...I want to be you when I grow up! Enjoy your taper, Speedy Woman and Happy Holiday!

Anonymous said...

You washed your cell phone! That sounds like something I would totally do!

Mikey B said...

1. Cell phones + washing machine = sucks
2. Happiness is the perfect pair of running shoes
3. Sanat doesn't give a hoot about the lights on a tree.

Enjoy the post-race recovery period and don't push it.

Mikey B

Running Through Life said...

Thanks for the words of encouragement and checking out my blog.

Congratulations on the Tuscon PR!!!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I love the tree and Santa is nondiscriminating. He loves all color...lights!

That is so funny. You washed your phone. I have so thrown things in the toilet because someone left the lid up (my pet-peeve- one of many!) and I threw it down while doing something else. Grrrrr! remotes, hand towels, hair and tooth brushes, yeah happens more than you'd think.

Wow. That race sound like an experince. It would be hard to pass up. Good Luck on that decision.

Great photos!

Aron said...

i agree about recovery, especially when i race hard, its good to take some time off! i made it 10 days this time, but still havent run a ton. its nice mentally to take a break too :)

Anonymous said...

Hood to Coast always seemed like it would be so much fun-- go for it! Definitely recover-- I ran too much too soon and I'm totally paying for it!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

You are funny!!

GReatful for a working washer and dryer, and yet in doing laundry you lost your phone.. LOL!!

GREAT PHOTO

Hmmmmm that relay sounds awesome!! I wonder if I could do something like that. As someone who goes to bed at 9pm I am sorta doubtful..

Running and living said...

Love the tree, it's got personality.
I, too, take one week off of running post marathon. It's been enough rest for me.
I've never put my cell phone in the washing machine, but I did run my Garmin through a sports wash cycle. Happy to report I am still using it!

Tara said...

I love that tree! Isn't it the thought that counts? Your son did a great job.

Err...can I have your snails pace pace?

Felice Devine said...

I have always thought the Hood to Coast sounded cool. You should go for it!

Glenn Jones said...

Wow. This is a *great* blog. Definitely added to my reading list. Not to mention - I love the GRE word of the day!

Thanks for stopping by my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. It always blows me away when someone else finds my drivel interesting enough to read.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Jennifer said...

Happy Christmas! Have a great holiday, enjoy your break and see you in the new year!

Anonymous said...

Nice pictures Jill.. I think the kids did a good job on the tree :). I feel your pain on the cellphone lol.. we dropped one off the boat in the river last year. Dealing with cellphone companies and contracts is not fun. Glad to hear your recovery is going well. Have an AWESOME Christmas :)! Running Chick

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