Frustration

This past Saturday I planned on getting up early and making it to the park in time for the pre-run warm-up and stretching. Didn't happen. I had a bad nights sleep and ended up getting to the park late. Someone else was there late, too, so I at least had a running partner for the first four miles. But then she started tiring (she had given plasma earlier in the week and she still hadn't recovered) and she said not to wait for her anymore. I made it to the water stop at Waugh and Memorial, then headed over to Spotts Park for some hills and stairs, then I continued on up into the Heights.

I didn't see the water fountain after I got on the other side of I-10 and was thinking there would be another water stop at 11th where I would be turning around to retrace my steps back to the park.

But there wasn't one and I wasn't wearing my fuel belt and I was getting VERY thirsty!

I started looking for stores that might be open, water hoses or water fountains. I finally saw a hose on the other side of the road and made my way over to it. I then hoped it was attached to a business and not a home. And then I hoped that the hose was one you could drink out of. It must have been, because I am still here!

I finally get a drink, and get back on the path and less than half a block later I see the water fountain that I had missed the first time by! I drink some more water and then continue my way back to the park. But by now the lack of water is starting to wear on me.

On my way to the Heights I was sweating profusely. I could feel it dripping down my neck and back, and I could even see drops dripping off my visor. But by the time I found the hose the sweating had slowed considerably. My arms felt dry and the sweat was no longer dripping off me. Not good.

When I arrived back at the water stop on Memorial and Waugh I drank several cups of water and Gatorade and proceeded back to the park. 2.5 miles to go. I could do it!

Then I started looking at my watch trying to gauge my pace. We were scheduled to do 10 miles that morning, and according to my estimates I was going SLOW!! VERY SLOW!! Even with the water stops and being a little dehydrated I was going way slower than I have ever gone before. I finally got so frustrated I just stopped the clock and reset it to zero. The heck with this. I do not want to remember this time!

I eventually made it back to the park and met up with the rest of the group. Then I started thinking. I asked one of the coaches where I was supposed to turn around at. 8th Street was the response!! Uh Oh! I turned around at 11th! I went a total of 6 extra blocks! Then I found out the route was closer to 10.5 miles and not 10! Maybe I wasn't as slow as I thought. So after breakfast I went home, got on the Internet and mapped my distance.

11.7 miles!

Guess I wasn't as slow as I thought!

Late for work

This morning Beazer discovered he could get under the washing machine. But he then completely forgot how to get out!!

Earlier when I was taking some things out of the dryer I had heard him and thought he was behind the machine. No big deal, he will come out to play after a bit.

About 10 minutes before I was ready to leave I started calling for him.

Nothing.

I kept calling.

Nothing.

I then started searching. Cabinets, under the couch, under the bed, in the trash, etc.

Nothing.

I checked behind the washer and dryer. Still couldn't find him.

I then started over, thinking I missed him.

I then opened the doors again to the laundry and saw little feet scratching at the bottom of the washer! I waited for him to figure the way out himself.

It didn't happen.

I went to get a treat to coax him out.

He wanted the treat, but wouldn't get out the way he came.

I eventually tipped the washer back and he finally crawled his way out from under.

Silly ferret!!

Shin Splints

I finally bought some new shoes (Miss Tiggs would love them - they are orange and white!!), but I am thinking that they might not work. I pronate which results in posterior (or medial) shin splints. This is why I usually buy stability shoes and wear orthotics. But when I went into the store and told the sales guy my problems he recommended a neutral shoe thinking the orthotics would be enough to correct my pronation. I went for a run in them yesterday for 50 minutes and then went to the track that night for some speed work and stairs. Well, the morning run was okay. I did feel some twinges, though. But that night the twinges became very pronounced and a little painful. I am not sure if it was the sprinting, soft track or the shoes that were causing the problem. It might have been a combination of all three!

I will not do any running tonight, and try again tomorrow morning. If I have any problems the shoes are going back.

If you are wondering what "posterior/medial" shin splints are well...

The majority of people think of shin splints occurring on the front of the leg. This is true, but another type occurs on the inner part of the lower leg just above the ankle bone. And this type of shin splint is frequently caused by over pronation of the foot.

If you are interested here are a couple sites that go into greater detail and even have pictures!!

Shin Splints 1
Shin Splints 2
Pronation

This past Saturday I did 8+ miles along with some hills thrown in for good measure. I did much better than I did the week before. The temperature wasn't quite as high and I think the humidity was lower. Hopefully this weekend goes just as well!

On Sunday I met up with Debi and Dustin and we carpooled out to Katy for the Katy Flatlands. There we met up with Casey and MaryAnn. I wanted to do 62 miles and tried to convince D&D to go the distance but Dustin was having nothing to do with that, so 43 it was. Of the five of us, Casey was the only one to do 62.

The ride started out good, but wouldn't you know it - at mile 2.3 a couple riders crashed. Nothing too bad, but still it freaks you out a bit.

We took our time getting out of the crowds and eventually found our pace. Casey, MaryAnn and I took off and were staying around 19 to 21 mph. By the time it was time for Casey to turn off to do his extra 20 miles we had picked up an additional 3 people in our pace line. And of those 3, only one took the lead once. Wheel suckers really suck when all they do is suck and do not take the lead. Casey was our strongest rider and he led most of the way. Maybe that is why he is the strongest rider!!

After Casey left us, MaryAnn and I pulled over to wait for Debi and Dustin to catch up. They eventually did and we continued on our way usually between 16 and 18 mph.

We finally made it to the finish line and Dustin was bound and determined that I would not cross the finish line before him! So we raced the last couple miles and...

He won!! (shock)

After that it was time for some snow cones and other refreshments. Let me tell you - snow cones after a ride in the heat is absolutely wonderful!! So blissfully cold. Loved it!!

We then started back towards the car, and who shows up - Casey. Speedy little devil!! Maybe one of these days I will be that fast. Guess I will go for a bike ride tonight.

Comment

Some times you get an anonymous comment and it goes straight to the trash bin, but others you just gotta share (after you get up off the floor and stop laughing your ass off!!).

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Jill,

I'm sorry to hear that you are "plain tired". I've been there too, and I know its hard. But I want to give you a piece of advice.......Try Michelins.

Michelins are what's known as a 'fancy tire' so if you have them I guess you are fancy tired rather than plain tired. I've bought several sets and really like them.
Now I know what your going to say, and I can just hear you now (!).......

But Michelins are FRENCH, and the French suck.

Now that is true, and not just at soccer and war, but in a broad general sense as well. Maybe even on a country-wide basis. But still, they do make fancy tires and you will no longer be plain tired.

There is some consolation though, beyond just having fancy tires. Michelins are sold through Sam's Club, and as we all have heard, Walmart kicks the crap out of its suppliers and beats them down on price (kind of like Italy).

Sooo.......in the end, its ok. You get fancy tires and Sam Walton gets to kick the crap out of France. Its called a win-win in business circles.

T:O)M

Just plain tired

I have veered from my planned sleeping schedule and it is catching up with me! I want to be in bed no later than 10 pm so I can wake up fairly easily by 5 am. This way I can make it to Saturday practice with out problems and the added benefit is being able to do some training before work. Tonight – early to bed!

This past Saturday I met up with the TNT crew out at the park and we put in 10 miles. It wiped me out! I was so tired after (and during) it was pathetic! This Saturday it is back down to 8, so that will be nice! After the run several of us met up at Biba’s for some breakfast. I had planned on going home to take a shower and then go out shopping for new shoes and running bras. But, alas, I fell asleep instead! See, this is why I need to go to bed earlier!

Sunday morning I met up with some folks at my LBS and ended up doing 38 miles. I sure could tell I was tired, though. My legs just didn’t want to go 20+ mph. They were more in the mood for 16 – 18 mph. I eventually gave in and fell back with a less experienced rider. It turned out I made a good decision because as the group disappeared we heard a very strange noise and pulled over. The bolt holding the rear brakes to the other rider’s frame had come off!! She has only had the bike for a month! Crazy!

I attached the brakes to the saddle bag and advised the girl to take it easy on the front brakes so she wouldn’t go flying over the handle bars while trying to make a stop. I would have ridden her bike but she had different pedals and our shoe sizes weren’t very close. We took off and eventually one of the other riders came back looking for us. We made it back to the store without incidence and I rode back home.

As soon as I closed the door to my apartment I stripped and jumped into a cold shower – it was so HOT outside!! I then made some breakfast and waited for 12:00 so I could go shopping. But, guess what?!! I fell asleep! SHOCK!

Yesterday I had a meeting to attend. No shopping.

Tonight is track practice with TNT. No shopping.

Maybe tomorrow?! We’ll see.

TSA

What gives with airport security? They are not consistent at all. I fly out of IAH or Hobby with my pocket knife hanging on my keychain - it passes inspection. I fly out of Tulsa – it doesn’t. WTF!! The knife blade is maybe 1-3/4 inches long. But according to the TSA website I can carry-on 10 inch metal knitting needles and 4 inch metal scissors with pointed tips!! But there is no way that Tulsa is going to let me through security with my 1-3/4 inch pocket knife because that is dangerous!!

No pain

Last night I did squats and lunges again, but this time I didn't use weights. HUGE difference!! I can feel them a little in my butt and quads, but nothing like last week when I used 10 lb dumbbells. I should know by now - baby steps. I will do them again without weights and then start using 5 lb dumbbells in each hand. Should make a world of difference!!

I also did my 40 minutes of running. I went around the bayou instead of the golf course for a change of scenery. But it is not that big of a deal, because I ride it everyday to work. I will have to start heading the other way. That will be different.

The benefit of going along the bayou is that there are a couple places for a little hill training. Usually a good thing except for one small problem - when I went up the first hill I immediately felt it in my shins. I am thinking I need new shoes. Even though my current shoes (Gel Kayanos) are the same as my previous ones, they have not been nearly as good. Asics made some modifications to it that are not agreeing with my feet and legs. Maybe this weekend I will go to RunSport and see what they have to say.

I am also needing some new running attire - support in particular. But that is a whole other post!

Happy Belated 4th

Hope everybody had a wonderful 4th!! I went and visited my mom and step-dad for the weekend in Tulsa. Flew up Friday night and came back on Tuesday.

I had a good time. Saturday was a lazy day. My mom and I went for a walk around the neighborhood then did a little shopping. We then all went out to dinner at the Bass Pro Shop. Never would have thought they would have a restaurant there, but they did, and it was pretty good!

I thought about doing my long run on Saturday, but I slept in and it was just too hot by the time I was ready. Instead I woke up bright and early on Sunday and ran for 1 hour and 50 minutes. After that my mom and I checked out a couple walking/running paths that are close to the house. We walked them, and when all was said and done, I figure I did no less than 10 miles on Sunday when all I needed to do was 8. Probably not the wisest thing to do, but I survived!

After the run we showered and took off for the Gilcrease Museum where we had a wonderful brunch and then looked at some incredible western art. It is just amazing how artists could paint such realistic portrayals of the landscape from memory and sketches back then!

The rest of the weekend was pretty relaxing. Watched some movies, drank some margueritas, did some shopping, fed the local ducks, read a book. It was nice. I did get up early on Tuesday morning and run around the neighborhood for 40 minutes. Wanted to make sure I stayed on track with my running, at least. Because it is so easy for me to veer off course!!

I picked up Beazer last night, so tonight I can go straight home and put on my work out clothes. I am going to do some strength training (more squats and lunges!!) and then run around the golf course for 40 minutes. Sound like fun or what?!!