I'm calm, cool and collected......so far!

This weeks workouts:

Sunday: 45 minute trail run, 45 minute bike ride
This was a good workout, new shoes felt fine. My glutes got a real workout, I've notice a mild soreness all week......I like it!

Wednesday: 4 miles in 40 minutes w/hills on treadmill
This was tougher than it sounds, I do hills on my runs in the neighborhood so I was prepared.

Friday: 3 miles in 28 minutes w/varied speeds on treadmill
This is the fastest I've run since bonking my toe, my singlet was soaked.

Current Reading:
The Competitivel Runner's Handbook, blogs, and Runner's world and the Lance Armstrong interview w/Oprah

Food Intake:
Eating has been not great just ok. I'm reading a chapter in my book on nutrition for runners. I tried a Gu for Sundays trail run, I had energy for the climb to Lake Anza but I was tired!!

Sleep:
So so....not great either though last night I slept very well.

Today Miranda and I will head into the city and try to scope out the race site.....the course is undisclosed and I've been hesitant to ask the event director for details, less I draw too much attention to myself (like he's gonna remember me!)

Things to pay attention to:
Start a bit slower than last time, but not too much slower
5ks are tricky like that too short to start slow too long to start fast

My book recommends segmenting the race into 4 parts:
Mile One
Mile Two
Mile Three
The final kick

So, it's not much of a strategy, but it's certainly more thought than I put into my last race. I could really use more practice on pacing I have no internal sense of it yet, I rely on the treadmill for tracking, at this stage i'll be too focused on just running and trying to avoid spraining my ankles on the trail to read info from a gadget.

Is it a coincidence.........

that a bad day coincides with a non-running day. Phone ringing again!!!! Damn those telemarketers.....thank god for caller ID!!!!
Thursday's usually suck for me at work, I'm the only full time OT staff and I usually have to double up on treatments..........Which is fine when (sick/old/confused) people are cooperative! Catch my drift?
The trouble starts when you have a group and one starts belly aching that their too tired, don't feel like doing there therapy, whatever the f...And than they ALL start complaining and there I am having to "educate" them on the role of therapy in their recovery and that a little something is better than nothing. blah blah blah. Today I was less than convincing.
Don't get me wrong, I like my work most of the time, I like the staff I work with, were a pretty cohesive bunch......But anyone who provides occupational therapy services in a skilled nursing setting can tell you, burn out is high. I like helping people help themselves, I believe that irregardless of age they can benefit from services that will help them be stronger and more independent. At times it is very rewarding. Today however, it was very draining.
I need a vacation.
So, I've been reading a book "the competitive runner's handbook" by bob and shelly glover. I went straight to chapter 27 "Mental Training" the part on fear of failure and fear of success were of equal interest to me........I tend to "choke' when the pressure is on.
I've never done well on tests or drills of any kind. I always choked during typing class drills. I failed getting my drivers license 3 times before I eventually passed. For awhile I was a seasonal fire fighter for CDF in Butte county, I didn't pass the basic training the first time. I did the second time around and while I kicked ass and worked as hard as any guy on my unit, I sucked at timed drills especially knot tying. I did eventually get my oxygen tank on in under minute, my unit buddy practiced with me every night. I didn't pass the math portion of my entrance exam into OT school, but managed to get another chance and with some tutoring pass on the 2nd try. I did manage to pass my state boards on the first try, you could hear my shriek of disbelief for miles around!!!!!
So, how helpful is it to recap past failures a few days before the race? I guess it's good to get it out in writing and to reflect that despite my failures I'm not a quitter. I've got heart. What I lack in natural talent or ability is made up for with hardwork. I'm not afraid of hard work.
And that friends has gotten me this far.

Sweeeeeeeeet!

The folks at Title 9 Rock! Back in June I got a pair of trail shoes, unfortunately a size too small. I tried them out a handful times with the same result: Jammed toes. At first I thought my toenails were too long or my laces weren't tight enough, or I wasn't wearing the right sock.......but the sad point was I spent a good chunk of change on the wrong shoes. Instead of returning them immediately I kept thinking they would "break in". They didn't and after awhile I bought another pair of road shoes and stayed off trails.

Next weeks event is a trail race and I wasn't even thinking about what shoes to wear since being so preoccupied with my sore toe, it finally occured to me that I needed trail shoes.....hang in there Title 9 to the rescue!!

I walked in explain my plight and also that I had no receipt! The clerk totally accomodated me, hooked me up with a better pair... Montrail Serendipity and me and my new shoes had a great run at Tilden this am.
In addition to the 3 mile loop I added a trip around Lake Anza ( excellent for narly roots and rocks galore!!) approx another mile. A few times I had to walk cuz it was steep and rocky in parts but I felt GREAT!!!!!! Total Time:45mins

I cooled down a bit wandered over to the Littel Farm and jogged back up the hill to the parking lot near the loop and stretched in sunshine. A perfect morning!

An added bonus Tom and Miranda have agreed to go on bike ride, yay!

Not Bad

Instead of punching in my usual 3.0 on the treadmill I entered 4.0 resulting in
4.0 miles in 40:53, not bad considering I walked most of the first mile. Two weeks till race day, I'm still excited. Read some good blog entries regarding times and how gadgets can really take the fun out of running. It's true, a well intended family member gave me a ped-o-meter and well let's just say I don't use it that much.
Don't get me wrong am Curious about my times and speed but perhaps not to the extent a "real runner" would be. I'm often inspired by the blogs but also a little put off at times......when reports get too technical it makes this thing (running) I love seem less accessible. I'm sure this has something to do with my hang-ups about competition......it's wack I know.
I'm considering my upcoming event my official debut since the first 5k wasn't planned. This is a trail race and I haven't run on trails since hurting my toe, this weekend will have to make room for a trip to Tilden or someplace with trails.....the foot is fine when I'm running on flat surfaces but it is still sore when I squat or roll onto my toes.......foot fall/cadence is different with trail running for sure.
I'm not going to lie and say I don't care about my time for this race, but I want to enjoy this event, be present and not have the thought "oh god just get me through this" so if it means a slower time so be it.
Have a good one!

Testing the waters

I appear to be making a come back......slow but sure. I ran 3 miles in 30 mins yesterday on treadmill.......no sign of shin splints. The toe is still swollen and I'm avoiding cute shoes (wearing my ugly ass but oh-so comfy Birkenstocks) but for the most part it's on the mend.
The computer was in the shop for few days........and there I was left with no running and no blogs.....so what do I go and do? Bought a Kitchenaide standing mixer and baked bread! With yeast and everything.......... and it was edible! Today I volunteered to bake a cake for a co-workers birthday.....I'm outta control!
So with my 5k just around the corner I'm feeling excited (at this point) vs the dread I tend to feel with competition, maybe hurting my foot helped me realize how lucky I am to be able to run at all. The true test will be on race day (11/20). Will excitement give way to dread? I need to remember how I feel right now, just happy to be Up and Running.

WHAAAAAAAA!!!!

The run on tuesday had some ill effects later. I tend to over pronate anyways so with the sore right little toe I think I was even more so, cause I had a hell of a shin splint the next day. I thought maybe it had something to do with the 5% incline, but only my right leg was sore.

My friend who is a PT suggested I lay off running until it stops hurting. She said to do other things to maintain endurance and strength.

Okay fine, BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME!!!

Shit! Shit! Shit!

I'm signed up for a 5k 11/20. There is time to heal. This will be ok. Right?

I haven't run since tueday and while it's not as sore it's not healed. If it feels right I may go out sunday. Screw that, I am running on sunday.

Miranda, my daughter actually turn's 10 tomorrow and were having a house party with 9 other little friends. If I don't get to run this weekend I may have to be commited.

A slow return

Today was my first run since the painful toe incident. It hurt to put on running shoes and I skipped/limped to neighborhood gym. The first ten mins on the treadmill hurt. On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate it a 7.......Shortly after though it tapered off to a 4-5.
At a 4.5 -5.0 pace I started to feel confident that my running wasn't too impaired, got up to 5.3 for the final 5min stretch and the pain shot back up to 7-8. 2.25 miles in 30 minutes.
The living room is now off limits to Brandy and while inconvinient a, psuedo- permanent barricade is up so we have a clean place to stretch. My dtr. did not appreciate my vacuuming at 9 pm but it had to be done.
Have a great day