Wednesday, February 2, 2011

She's Up and She's Down

I love to run with my iPod; there is nothing that will get my legs moving better than a really fast tempo'd, upbeat song.  I know music-infested runs aren't the choice by many of you, and that's fine - to each our own; but I need something to distract the task at had sometimes, not always but most times... and my iPod works. 

Most of the time.

My daughter is appalled that I download  individual songs I like and not the entire album which contains that favorite song.  Whatever.  My daughter also pretty much shakes her head at my wardrobe, too, amongst other embarrassing things I do around her....it's so nice to have a 20-year old live-in critic of all my life's failures.

Moving on....

So I download songs that move me and Katy P. and I have so much in common that I can't help but capture a few of her feisty songs...it's okay, you can laugh, but you know you really do love her and really, we're so similar it's scary:
She: Sings well
Me: Cannot sing.  At all
She: Has gorgeous sleek, black hair
Me: Has dirty blonde hair which usually hides in a ponytail
She: Has massive cleavage
Me: Not even close
She: Can be quite annoying
Me: Never!
Yep, we're pretty closely matched, her and I - I bet we'd even be great friends if she lived next door, but some of her songs just resonate emotionally with me, whether it's the lyrics or the beat, and on Sunday's "long run" she popped into my ears... right at the wrong time.

Where I was UP last week, flying high in an overdose of running endorphins post-podiatrist "ok to run", Sunday brought a HUGE down.  I had a horrible chest cold and where I probably should have stayed in bed and rested, I instead set out to tackle 16 miles.  A quarter mile in when I had to stop and cough up part of my throat, I should have taken that as a sign things were going to eventually go sour and turned around.  But no one said I am always rational, so on I went.  At mile 9, when I was about 3.5 miles from my car, my fatigued body gave up and to give my exploding throat pain a little company, my heel decided to start screaming. 

"You're hot and your cold.....You're up and your down....."

Grrrr!  Katy, I really despise you right now. 

I limped home the last 3ish miles and just felt totally down all day.

I took Monday off from everything - mostly because I felt like crap, and also because Denver was pelted with this Arctic blast of cold air and I just hate cold weather and didn't want to venture outdoors in -13 degrees to the germ-infested gym.  So Tuesday rolls around and I gotta run.  Except it's -16 when I wake, and that's real temperature, not that fake wind chill stuff - school was even called off and we got a "cold day" (and no school today either because it's just too dang cold for those little feet to walk to school!  It's ok, you can be jealous all you want....it's not like I'm sitting on the beach in Maui or anything, but at least I'm not encased in that cinder block school!) so it's the basement treadmill I go.

I truly believe sometimes the more I want something to work, the more it does not.  For instance, the more I obsess over my watch for a stellar race time, the more I crash and burn.  So I made the conscience decision I'd step on the treadmill with zero expectations other than it'd be really nice if I could somehow get in those 16 I missed on Sunday.  But if I only made 4, that's ok - it's not like I was feeling even close to 100% yet so I had no idea what the lungs and legs could do. 

I started off feeling blahish but set the treadmill to molasses pace and soon that feeling a fatigue and malice finally subsided.  I blared my iPod, watched some horrible crap tv (is there anything good on at 11:00 in the morning?) and ...



  ... 17.1 miles later I stopped.

I know!!!  What the heck!?!  I even progression ran the last 5 miles!
Honestly I think I could have pulled off that 50-miler off today - I felt amazing!  Really!!  Heel? A little annoying the last few miles but nothing paralyzing.  And you know what song just happened to be playing during the last mile???

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag,
drifting through the wind
wanting to start again?
  yes, Katy, I felt like that for the past 11 months!
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
like a house of cards,
one blow from caving in?
Um, not running for 11 months left me less than paper-thin, Katy, but I'm slowly chipping away at that

Do you ever feel already buried deep? Almost daily!
6 feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing  YES!
Do you know that there's still a chance for you There is?
'Cause there's a spark in you  Yes, I think I felt it today....17.1 miles will do that to you

You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine

I'm ready....bring it!

Ok, Katy, we are definitely friends again!
I have no doubt I'm going to have really bad down days ahead, but nothing can beat a 17.1 mile high right now.....I can feel the light and it feels warm; I'll remember this day when things are down and know that at the end of the light, there is always a way up!

I cannot close without saying a quick shout-out to my pal, Chris K., as he goes to Surf City this weekend and WILL walk away with his much sought after BQ.  I know I can give him an occasional much-deserved hard time but as I sit here and roll out my PF, as I do daily, with the Rubz ball he sent me a couple months ago, I can't help but be pretty emotional about his race Sunday. Chris, bring home the gold baby!! (and please feel free to send more gifts, anytime)

Week 4:
Miles run: 43.08
Total 2011 miles: 132.08

Monday: 10.5 miles on my basement TM
Tuesday: Swim 1000 yds
Wednesday:10.18 miles on the state park trails
Thursday:7.5 miles, 8x400Upper body weights
Friday:3 miles wu core and leg weights
Saturday: Off
Sunday: 12.3 miserabe miles

Run strong, Friends!

81 comments:

Evolving Through Running said...

Great post, and great job destroying the treadmill run.

I'm all about the iPod when I run, AND I really like Katy Perry. There, I'm out - and it feels so good.

bobbi said...

Amazing TM run!

I am a slave to my music - I have a tough time running without it. And Katy Perry? I'm a fan...

Kate Geisen said...

I'm amazed that you went out and did over 12 miles feeling that miserable. When I was sick a week or so ago, I was alllll about the bed. And 17.1 miles on a treadmill is AMAZING.

We, too, are off school today, so now I have to decide if I want to try and run some miles in the inch of snow on top of the 2-3 inches of ice and sleet we got yesterday or clean all that junk off my car so I can go to the gym. I'm thinking option 2 sounds less appealing, but I'm going to need the car cleaned off eventually.

Adrienne said...

What an amazing post. Sounds like you and Katy are alike the way me and Eminem are. It's those really really hard sucky runs that make the good ones feel that much better. Whenever I have a really hard run I try not to feel too bad cause I know that means I'm due for a good one. Way to go. 17 on the treadmill--pretty friggin awesome.

P.S. Don't freeze to death over there. sheesh.

RunToTheFinish said...

17 miles, ok I no longer believe you are in any way injured you are just messing with us :)

ajh said...

Wow! 17 miles on the treadmill! Can't begin to imagine. I hit the treadmill this morning for a whole 4 miles! Hope the heel behaves!

Anonymous said...

you two could be twins :)

and that song popped into my head as soon as i read the title of the post. gahhhh katy perry needs to stop being so damn catchy!

A Prelude To... said...

Woohoo!! 17 miles is awesome! ...and on the treadmill, too.
I like Katy, but I prefer her man. I flip flop back and forth between what I can't live without - music or humor. Both of these things make my world go round.

Melanie said...

What a great way to redeem Sunday's run. Nice job. But man, 17 miles on the t.m.....that is a long time!

Aimee said...

I'm sorry you had a blah run the other day, but WOW, what an awesome run on your treadmill!!
I really hope that chest cold goes away, because as you know, I've been battling it FOREVER!!
Your Katy Perry comments cracked me up through the entire post! I like her music too...it's great running music!

funderson said...

You are a running Goddess.. I can't even imagine 7 miles on the treadmill let alone 17! Amazing! Of course, my 17 miles would take 4 hours...
I'm cracking up over here that they cancelled school for cold. This morning I drove by a mom pulling her 2 or 3 year old girl down the street on a sled. The kid was bouncing up and down waving her arms and grinning her face off. I looked at my car's temp and it was minus 21. I guess it's all what you're used to...

Emz said...

SO. freaking. awesome.

"could have pulled 50-miler off today - I felt amazing"

there
is
nothing
better.

17.1 on the mill ---- you. freaking. rock.

Christi said...

You are a running god and I bow at your feet!

Go Chris K!

Karen said...

it is as if you and Katy were separated at birth! Iam addicted to running with tunes. Whenever I get to the gym only to realize my battery is dead, it changes my whole outlook. So sad..

ShutUpandRun said...

17.1 miles?? I need to listen to more Katy Perry. Amazing Jill!

Molly said...

17 miles...wha wha WHAT?!?!!? Awesome Girlie. I love Firework, but lately I feel like Katy is EVERYwhere.

Paul said...

Wonderful you got that run!

I left Chris K best wishes..didn't know about his blog..I'll be there too but way behind him 8).

Teamarcia said...

Oh Katy,I mean Jill that's a helluva week! What an awesome 17!! Crap I don't think I've run 17 since who know when? Maybe Chicago? But I'm sure I didn't even run 17 straight then. Nice work girl!

Whitney said...

I want to stab my eyes out after only 7 minutes on the treadmill.

Marlene said...

Nice 16 mile++ redemption! What gives with the bipolar heel?!

I LOVE KP... totally love. We're tight.

KovasP said...

Nice mill run, now if only S2S were all on moving walkways!

XLMIC said...

I am a music runner, too. But nothing could carry me for 17 miles on the treadmill! Way to go! You are amazing!

Jenn said...

17.1 on the mill. NICE job Jill! Better yet, you FELT fantastic! Those runs are what make it ALL worth while!!! I'm so happy for the feeling I know you have inside right now:)

Katy Perry has befriended me on many a run! I once did an entire 8 mile hill interval workout to "Firework" on repeat. I've since had to retire that song from my ipod but it does have just great words! I think I might have to start a little Jill/Katy photoshop project here.....Maybe I could put you in that pink number Lindsay posted awhile back, give you some cleavage....

Hope you have many more successful runs in the near future!

Jennifer said...

My lord, 17 mils on the DM, that's very impressive, sounds like you really got lost in your run with music. Love those times. Happy to see and I know your happy to, to be back at running, nearly pain free too. It's a wonderful life, ain't it!

Chris K said...

The world is round. The Running Goddess is BACK. Thanks for the well wishes too. Guess what? My leg felt pretty decent today. I just may get this thing.

Anonymous said...

Becareful with that cough! I ran a marathon with pneumonia and I wouldn't suggest running like that. Neck up you can run, sick from neck down get some rest!! Feel better! :)

Amanda@runninghood said...

Best post ever Jill! Loved every word of it. Yay for 17 miles. What you said about not having expectations and obsessing over this so bad really resonated with me. I think when I truly started running for myself and just because it made me happy and not because I was chasing some time or feeling pressure to perform the way my coach or teammates wanted me to, was when I truly starting running well. Sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves to make something happen...when we just let go and see where we end up, we surprise ourselves. yay for runner's high...I can tell you're feeling it...it is coming through your blog full force.

Anne said...

Wow, maybe I need to add Katy Perry to my iPod playlist. That's impressive treadmilling.

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

Hello Jill - I would take you up on your offer to move to CO, but instead I think I will take Chris K. up on his offer to move to CA to run with him and Meg. Not sure I can take the snow in CO. Yes, I'm a wimp....can't take the humidity and can't take the snow. CA sounds just about right for me. I think Jen (the running artist) is ready for the move. How about you? JOin us!

I LOVE the how the words of the song can be so motivating, fun, entertaining, etc. You already know....in addition to needing great weather, I NEED MY TUNES!

Ewa said...

OK, this is totally insane! 17 dreadmill miles? There is no TV show, no movie that could make me run that much on tm. 12 was my limit and I never attempted to run that much again. You are a hero in my eyes and judging from above comments not only mine.

DRog said...

Nice
that the last up and down was an UP! solid 17 TM run....was hoping after last weeks post there would be no more "downs" but maybe they are going to happen in a diminishing fashion? hooping ***


D

The Turtle said...

I run with Katy a lot, but even with her help I don't think I could ever run that far on a treadmill. Congrats on a job well done!

Caroline said...

I take Katie on my runs also...sometimes Iwonder why but I keep doing it..anyway..17 miles on the machine is insane...I want to be able to do 17 miles period. :)

Katie A. said...

Just getting caught up!
Funny, when I think of you, Katy Perry always is the first to pop in my head!
WHOO HOO for a good run! Take it, you earned it! Miss you bunches, shitty week, call me when you can, sometimes that is best ;) Love ya!

Bubble Boy said...

Katy P, live and learn. Now I will have to broaden my horizons and listen to new music. 17 on the TM, I am not worthy to post a comment! Thanks for reading my post, if it weren't for you and mom I wouldn't have any comments, wait, mom didn't comment, oh well. I too download 1 song at a time and not the whole album! I agree, Run Strong!

trailturtle said...

I love Katy P's music, too. Can't sing either....
You certainly didn't treat the TM like a "dreadmill"....
Stay UP...Ann

AM! said...

hi there!
okay,nice, nice and nice! I hear YOU!

and FIREWORK is swear to god my mantra theme for 2011;-) LUV!

AM! said...

I meant to so LUV IT!

Thomas Bussiere said...

That's a lot of miles on the dreadmill. I'm good for about 5.

Neil Zee said...

Sandbagger. Puhshaw- 17miles... You know thats only 27kms... so there's that.

Glad the heel is heeling.

Char said...

My goodness woman - how could you stay on that thing for that long? Impressive!

brian said...

Sorry I haven't stopped by in a while...but I do and read that you did 17 on the treadmill! That's awessome! (ur a freak :))
I may have to do that 12 on the TM today and have been looking for the razor blades all morning.
BTW-that's the best thing about an ipod, just buying the songs that you like!
Very glad your heel is getting better, it's been a long time for ya.

C2Iowa said...

17.1 - jealous here. 50k is chump change to you. Well done. Sending you a return email now.

Anonymous said...

love your blog!!

and congrats on your time! **awesome** i love my treadmill! oh, but yes!

termite.

One Little Jill said...

I thought I commented but it disapeared! Anyway, I basically said we are both firecrackers and I love ya!

Ewa said...

Treadmills, Stair Monsters are evil torture devices.
So when is your Whitney attempt? John Muir Trail ends on Whitney and we are probably going to be on top sometime between 6th -9th of August.

Lindsay said...

did you have fireworks shooting from your boobs?!?

umm. katy perry being able to sing is subject to one's opinion... have you not heard her live / on tv ? omg. haha.

a girl i went to hs with is now one of her backup singers. i'm so cool.

Raina said...

I am so impressed that you can run that long on the TM!!!
I can't get past 5 miles yet. Maybe if I had something besides the garage door or inviting outdoors to look at- or if I covered the panel on the TM.

Really REALLY glad you got a joyful LR in =D and that the PF is not screaming at ya.

Nice stats Jill.

The Boring Runner said...

Eeeek, I was hoping that I woudln't see a post like this. BUT THEN! You hop on the TM and crank out 17 miles.

BTW - 17?!?!! that would match my longest run on that damn thing ever. Bleh - not fun, but a blast I'm sure after all of your troubles!

misszippy said...

Look at you and your 17 miles! Awesome Jill. Can't imagine doing it on the treadmill, but can't imagine running in negative temps either. Yikes.

And is that the green shirt you are always rubbing Chris about? He's got his BQ in the bag, I think.

Katie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katie said...

What an awesome post and an awesome run!! No wonder you're famous :D
Firework was made to run too :)

Go ChrisK!

(had to repost, damn your/you're)

Petraruns said...

Girl I was just looking for some inspiration on how I am going to run 18M tomorrow on the treadmill and you've, as always, given it to me. The answer - surely - is Katy?

Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be Meiri said...

Happy weekend!

I'm lucky to be in a position where I *can* get that much sleep, and I know it won't last, because we want kids and stuff, so I'm trying to enjoy the luxury of being able to indulge in my needs.

Irene said...

Mile just fly when you're having fun, even on the treadmill!

Johann said...

17.1 on the treadmill is amazing! And the heel...? I'm really glad you are on your running way again. I'm not even sure I started reading your blog before you were injured. Really excited for you!

Caratunk Girl said...

I don't run with music, it drives me nuts. I swim with music though!

Holy crap. 17.1 on a treadmil!! You are my hero!

Unknown said...

Jill, what's with Chris and the lack of color? Thanks for trying to spruce up his look...isn't it true that more colorful people and the people with more clothes BQ for Boston?? He just wouldn't listen to me.
Don't hate Katy...she's got me through more than one long run. P Diddy too.
xoxo
I hope the runs went better this week.

The Green Girl said...

Wow, go Jill! You rocked that treadmill!

Jamie said...

Awesome job on the 17 miles and on the treadmill! It's so nice when you have no expectations and everything just falls into place.

Black Knight said...

If I run alone I use my i-pod with my favorite music (hard rock and gothic). Only a real runner can run all those miles on the dreadmill!
I learned to take a day off when I don't feel good but you are a superhero!

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

This is a great post. I loved how you brought Katy P. into your thought process! Btw, I love you header!! I'm sure the virtual snow isn't as pleasing to you in -13 degrees, but I love it!

17.1 in the books! Nice! I'm channeling you next we as I have that same amount! :)

See.Kate.Run said...

I am glad to hear Katy redeemed herself on the treadmill run. Also.. I am not too much older than your daughter and I also only download the songs I like from entire albums... so don't feel like it is a generational thing. ;)

17.1 miles!! You RoCk!!!

Keeley said...

Hahaha, I'm so glad I'm not the only one with a 20yo critic. When she's home she has to dress me. Apparently I'm incapable of correctly dressing myself. I put blue with black and green with brown. Do I want to look like a BRUISE?

Moving on.... =)

I'm so sorry about your chest cold....and your irrationality. =) I'm so sorry you felt down. 17 miles on the TM!!! That is, as my prickly teen would say, "BOSS!" =)

Amanda@runninghood said...

I saw your comment on Adam's post. I am so glad that I'm not the only one who didn't watch the super bowl. :) A girl after my own heart.

Kristin Bradfield said...

I need music and have a little Katy P myself! I'm the queen of the single song download since I don't listen to that stuff in regular life. Nice treadmill run, I recently did 16 and can't believe I survived it.

Ulyana said...

17.1 miles on the dreadmill??? We all can learn a thing or two from you about commitment!!!!!! You are made of rock!

Patrick Mahoney said...

I agree with your daughter - gotta buy the album. Unfortunately, music is so much less consistent these days and too many times out of 10 the rest of the album stinks.

elaine said...

Not-so-injured-one, GREAT JOB

racing dawn said...

Every once in awhile when firework comes on I get a little emotional...that darn kp...

And 17 on the treadmill = a Marathon...

Christina said...

I smell your treadmill burning! Awesome job on the treadmill run.

And well, there's NO good TV show at 11 a.m.
Once, I ran really fast just so I could get out of soap opera misery.

Anne said...

FAN-TAS-TIC!!! Great post and so true...the ups and downs. 17.1 on the treadmill is just amazing. You, my dear, are a rockstar :)

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I love that "conversation" between you and Katy! classic.

17.1 miles on the treadmill on the heel (hee hee heel) of being sick and down. Girl. Stop your whinning you are a running goddess! (I watch crap tv while running all the time this year. How else does one survive long runs on the tm?)

Velma said...

Holy comments Jill lady :) Nice work going back to the mill and getting it done. Next time try for the 50 :)

Terri said...

Amazing - you are a machine!

DRog said...

hey
you are such a tease:)
there is a post in my blogger dashboard but .... ..... .. . . nothing :(

hope ur well

D

Mark said...

Love your post, Jill!

Beth said...

So happy for you and your 17 miles! funny how one day can suck and I can't run more than 2 miles and the next I am flying high and don't want to stop after 15 miles (but my husband makes me because he thinks I will hurt myself or fall off the treadmill).

Oh and I LOVE Kay P. I don't care what anyone says!

2 Slow 4 Boston said...

I'm a hard rock kinda guy, but I'll admit to liking Katy Perry a bit.

BTW, I think I remember you were gonna run Pikes Peak this year. I'm going to try and get signed up myself come March.

Unknown said...

This post had me rolling. So glad Katy Perry was there when you needed her. And 17.1 on the treadmill? You are a mad woman! But I love it! You are kicking ass. Skyline to Sea is just around the corner... can you believe it?

Melanie said...

i just have to let you know, that because of this post, i am not addicted to the song firework!! :) love it! thanks for a new song for my running playlist!