ZENSAH COMPRESSION CALF SLEEVES AND INJINJI SOCKS.
So there was a running tweet up last night. Wait WHAT you ask? Twitter? You know that place where you go and write 140 words or less and somehow connect with other folks doing the exact same thing. It’s a big and small community over there. You can spend entire days twittering or you can catch up with your buddies with a big HELLO and how ya doing! Because of twitter and blogging and facebook I have met lots of runner folks. Just like you and just like me.
So last night a group of us met up in Central Park for a run. It was awesome really. I was quickly recognized because of my curls. I like that. Hey Michelle nice to meet you I recognize you from your curly hair!!!
There was a Boston qualifier in the group, there was a cool lady who just a few weeks ago ran the Knickerbocker 60k. That’s 37.2 miles all run in Central Park. Yep she was there. There was Ari over at Run Ansky Run ~ a cool friend who is celebrating a birthday today!! There was a cool guy from Boston who was in NYC on business and wanted to run in Central Park but didn’t want to run alone. So, he did a search on twitter for Central Park runs and found our Tweet up!! How cool is that? A perfect stranger found us on twitter! Scott over at 4.30 or bust ran too. He is a great dude that I met on Daily Mile and he ran with me. We had a good conversation and an equally good run. Admittedly, I was the slowest of the bunch and while it did frustrate me at the time, I now realize I am just as much a runner as the next guy. Just slower is all.
The organizer of the Tweet up is my good buddy Pigtailsflying also known as TK AKA Mama Bear. She had a great idea and ran with it. (Pun intended)
So, needless to say I am loving running right now. The weather has been spectacular and even though I am not nearly as fast as I’d like to be, I will accept that fact and just keep moving forward.
I ran 100 miles for the month of November culminating with a 9 miler this past Sunday that was every bit as hard as any of my half marathon races. I was alone and the only thing keeping me moving was my own mind saying DON’T SLOW DOWN, JUST DO IT, KEEP ON MOVING….RUN LIKE YOU MEAN IT!!! And I did.
Here are the stats:
Running: For November
Total Mileage: 101.16
Total Number of Runs: 34
Time spent running: 19.26.01 hrs
Cycling: November
Total Mileage: 47.89
Number of Rides: 4
Time spent riding: 4.38.58
Total distance run for the year so far: 877.28
Total number of runs: 241
Time spent running: 164.11.08
So my immediate goal is to hit 1000 miles, but I really don’t see that happening because that means I need to run 113 miles between now and the end of the year. I will really give it my best shot, but I am wondering if it’s doable and worth it.
I have a lot to look back on and reflect on and I have much more to look forward to. Many races to come. Lot’s of PR’s and speed and more friends to meet. Tweet ups and food and cupcakes and a beer or two will be a part of the end of year festivities.
I wonder how 2010 will start? Well, definitely with a run. Like you had to ask!!
Usually, Michelle, the wiser you are, the easier life gets.
But then, the happier you are, the less you need easy, the faster you can run, and the higher you can jump.
GO CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR DREAMS. Henry David Thoreau
GO NOW!!!
Go for happy,
The Universe
A Dream Deferred, By Langston Hughes
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Because not many people really take the time to listen, ya know? So thank you!!
Thanksgiving, this year at my home was really beautiful. It was just myself, my sister and my mom. And really, that is all I needed this year to make it extra special. Without going into much detail, I am just ecstatic that we were all together. My sister was kind enough to cook the sides and I made a beauty of a roast chicken, nice and juicy and a delicious pumpkin pie with cinnamon whipped cream, for dessert! So, all was right with the world.
I chose not to participate in the ritual that is known as Black Friday. Just not my thang. Not that there’s anything wrong with wanting to shop till you drop and get some good bargains. Hey, saving money is crucial this time of year for sure. I don’t dig the crowds though. It makes me really nervous and I’d rather not feel panic while trying to snag a cheap sweater or perhaps a new tech gadget. I’d love to hear about some of the Black Friday adventures any of you had though, if you care to share in the comments!!!
So, what am I thankful for this year? Shall I go the typical and say I am thankful for my health and running and love and my family and blah blah blah?? Nah!
Do you hear me? I’m talking to you
Across the water across the deep blue ocean
Under the open sky, oh my, baby I’m trying
Boy I hear you in my dreams
I feel your whisper across the sea
I keep you with me in my heart
You make it easier when life gets hard
I hope the Eulogy goes:
She lived poetically,
She loved romantically,
She ran free,
She laughed authentically,
And she cried unapologetically.
I am thankful to everyone for the enormous gifts you’ve given me.
You give me my life.
I am that I am and I run like I mean it every single day of my life.
It’s gonna be legend-… wait for it… and I hope you’re not lactose intolerant because the second half of that word is DAIRY!
And it was. Well, its not over yet. The year of 2009. There are 39 days left until we hit 2010 so I guess this is as good a time as any to indulge in reminiscence. Come with me, won’t you please?
My main goal for 2009 was to run 1000 miles. Being that I broke my right big toe on January 21, 2009 that particular goal was going to be difficult. Just 4 days earlier, I had completed my 1st 10 miler. I was on cloud 9 after that run, and then I go and break my toe. So, dreams were dashed and I became what I was afraid of. A big ole couch potato.
But, thats so far in the past that that I hardly ever think about my broken toe, except when I hit it on the coffee table ~ then I am reminded ever so slightly that there was a bone that was broken and has now healed. Almost!
Goals ~ schmoals. It’s just thoughts in my own head. Things I think I can accomplish and sometimes I do. Sometimes, I don’t. But, I sure as heck always try. I am not a quitter. I take pride in that.
I did run 2 half marathons this year. Didn’t reach my goals in those, but I did finish.
There is really so much in my head, that I am not sure if I am indulging in reminiscence to the best of my ability. I guess I just like to think back. But, mainly, I want to look forward to what’s to come because you cannot change the past, but you sure as fuck can control what happens going forward.
So, onto the past couple of workouts.
I did my very first brick workout on Saturday and I really enjoyed it. I decided on a 1 hour bike ride, followed by a 2 mile run. It went well. The “transition” was slow because I had to take my bike up to my apartment, then change into my running kicks/VFF’s and then get back outside. That took about 9 minutes. So I rode about 12 miles in 1 hour and then ran 2 miles in 19.49.
My running speed is very slowly coming back. I’ve done a few sub 30 minute 5k’s now, my fastest being 29.33 post-flu. That flu made me breathe harder than I wanted to and enabled me my first snot rocket of the season. Nothing like getting rid of the crud in your lungs.
Today, was an awesome longer run. 7.10 miles in 1.11.39 with an average pace of 10.05 min/mile. I loved this run for a couple of reasons. Great company and a good route that was different than my normal boardwalk running. Not that there’s anything wrong with running on the boardwalk that I love so much, but sometimes change is good.
So, this indulge in reminiscence wasn’t really that much was it? I thought perhaps I would just give a hint. There is more, so much more.
Like that fact that I am currently at 841 running miles and 423 cycling miles for 2009. Like the fact that I am falling in love with running all over again and again. Really, every single day. Like the fact that I met so many incredible folks this year. Like the fact that I am now a proud member of the Brooks Inspire Daily Program. Like the fact that the year is not even over yet and I think some good stuff is yet to come.
So, the pictures I took in my mind will forever linger there. It will let me remember all the good times and even some of the bad stuff. There is so much more to do. In fact, I will never be done. I will always be striving for more. For bigger and better and awesomeness. My running mojo is here , hopefully to stay a while.
The only way to be who you want to be is by being what you haven’t yet been.
When my buddy Ted asked me to run the Hashathon 6 mile trail race, I answered with an emphatic YES!! Then, in the very back recesses of my mind, I was wondering if this was a smart idea for me. You see, I am a city gal and running on trails was as foreign to me as eating a food I’ve never tried or well, meeting a foreigner. Foreign. Something so very alien to me, but I am not the sort of person to not take on a challenge. Within reason of course, but I love to expand my horizons and stay active and this was the perfect way to do it.
I asked Ted if there was any chance I could get lost and he said “NO WAY”. So, with that in my head, I felt secure and ready to go. Now mind you, this was a trail race in NJ and not deep into the woods of some deserted and very far away land. It was NJ for goodness sakes. Cheesequake State Park, to be exact.
This year was the 30th running of the HAsHaTHon and a lot of folks were dressed “retro” with high knee socks and tie dyed tee shirts. So much fun just to scan my eyes around to view all the outfits. There was beer too. Well, I noticed one fine gentleman with a fuel belt, that held not one or even two, but six beers. I giggled at that.
So, off we went.
There’s Ted (far left in black shirt) who was running this for the 3rd year in a row. We immediately entered the forest to a single lane so it was hard to keep any momentum. Not that I had momentum, it was just hard to find. There was an over abundance of leaves, which this time of year is not unusual. I thought that leaves were slippery to run on, but not so much. Here is what I remember:
- Steep hills
- Leaves
- Steps and lots of them
- Foot bridges
- Rocks ~ sticks ~ branches
- Leaves
- Boulders
- Hearing people saying “on your left”
- Steep up and down hills
- Big trees
- Some mud which made my Saucony’s somewhat dirty
At about 4 miles into the race, the inevitable happened. I GOT LOST! But this city gal made sure not to get lost in the forest, this city gal left the park and got lost in the streets! Yes. Somehow, I took a wrong turn, and didn’t see the red markers anymore. And the markers were there, believe me. So, I flagged down a man on a motorcycle who fortunately for me, wasn’t going motorcycle fast and I very seriously asked him where the trail race was? He scratched his head in disbelieve and kindly pointed me back in the direction of the park. Saying something like “you need to be IN THE PARK where the runners are” So, I ran back the way I came ~ into the park and lo and behold I come to the last leg of the race. I crossed over the finish line and looked at Seth and he only said 5 miles! WHAT?
Now anybody who knows me, knows I could not stop at 5 miles if this was a 6 mile race. It didn’t feel right or complete. So, I found Ted and told him I need to finish up. He said go for it, so I ran the last mile of the course which took me back into the forest. For a split second and only for that one second did I think why did I go back into the forest, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
So my very first trail race is in the books. 6.01 miles in 1.25.07 ~ 14.10 min/mile.
I definitely want to run more trail races because it is quite an exhilarating feeling for me, you know being a city gal and all.
Today’s run went well:
6 miles ~ 1.02.22 10.25 min/mile
I’ve had some amazing runs too. After my 29.46 5k run ~ I then went on to run another 5k in 29.34! Felt incredible. So, I have a lot of work to do. I want to start running longer distances, something I have not done lately, plus speed workouts and lots of group runs thrown in for good measure.
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The greatest trick and most subtle secret to doing anything really, really well, Michelle, is loving that you get to do it at all.
And I’m pleased to say, you get to - |
I can’t help it. I love to run.
Wherever you are, be there totally. If you find your here and now intolerable and it makes you unhappy, you have three options: remove yourself from the situation, change it, or accept it totally.
Nike LunarGlide + RoadID ~ Do not leave home without it. Trust me.
I had a bit of weakness and bought myself a late birthday present in the form of new running kicks. I am so not a Nike gal, well haven’t been for a long time, but these called to me. So far so good, but I haven’t run enough miles in them to give them a proper assessment yet. Believe me, I am not the type to fall into the “all the cool kids have it” syndrome, but like I said they called to me. Plus, I was at the NYCM Expo and there was all the newest and greatest running stuff and I just saw Grete Waitz and told her how awesome I think she is, so I was kinda pumped up.
Then, that very evening I had a ticket to attend the NYT TimesTalks and on the panel were Grete Waitz, Joan Benoit Samuelson and Deena Kastor. With Lance Armstrong! I bought a ticket pretty much the day of the event, I mean how could I NOT attend this once in a lifetime talk? I wasn’t sure how I would react to seeing and hearing these woman ~ running legends but I have got to say, I was really choked up and shed a tear or two as they each told their story, stories that I knew already but was hungry to hear it in their own words, from their viewpoint. It really made my evening to hear how each of them thought the word PLODDER was not cool when talking about marathoners. Lance Armstrong was actually kinda cool ~ funny and he said that the marathon is HARD! I am referring to this article in case any of you have not read it yet Plodders have a place, but is it in a marathon?
The majority of the folks running marathons are slow! Majority RULES says Lance. In a marathon, the first 20 miles is transportation, then start running, say’s Grete.
I was motivated and inspired as much as one person can be motivated and inspired. TO JUST RUN because I love it. Always have and always will. Running is special. Running is awesome. Running just is.
On the day of my birthday Oct 27 ~ I thought to myself “today is the day I will run a sub 30 5K. It just is. I got out there all gung ho and set Seth ~ stood there a few moments just visualizing it and off I went. I knew pretty much immediately, it wasn’t going to happen. I felt sluggish and my legs were heavy. Instead of the gliding feeling I feel when a run is going well, I felt as if I was trudging through mud. Yeah, it wasn’t happening. Baby Bear ran 5k in 30.32 A 9.49 min/mile and it just wasn’t good enough.
You know I went over it in my mind, but all I could come up with is “I have no idea”. Then, a lot of my running buddies told me to move on and don’t think about it so much. My sister said the same thing. Some days are good and some days aren’t. So, I took the advice of my sister and friends and let it go.
Today, the very last day of October ~ Halloween ~ I awoke and decided to get out and go for a run. That’s it. Just run. Yes, I had Seth going but I didn’t glance at him so I really had no idea of where my pacing was. At about 2 miles in, I glanced. Yeah, I did. I saw 19.48. Hmm, pushing it, I thought, so I just kept at it. Pushing, but it didn’t feel hard today. You remember that gliding feeling I mentioned, well I was feeling that today. I knew I was nearing 3 miles and I glanced again. I saw 28.49 for 3 miles. Yikes. Run Michelle Run was all I heard in my mind. Nearing 5k ~ BOOM Baby Bear ran 5K in 29.46. 9.34 min/mile. Finally!
Ever since I broke my big toe on January 21st I have been struggling. My running really suffered as did my emotions right along with it. Sure, outwardly I was smiling and all happy, but inwardly I was really upset and hurting. It was as if the thing I loved to do was just ripped away from me. Worse than when you rip a bandaid off of a boo-boo. It hurt. And once I got the go ahead to run again, I worked my butt off and got nowhere FAST. And that hurt even more.
So, today is really bitter sweet for me. It is tinged with sadness, but oh is it special. Today really marks my comeback. Just knowing I can do it, is so huge. It is just a 5k but to me it may as well have been a marathon, and on the eve of the NYCM I am honored to have met a goal that I have been working on, almost all year long.
Ordinary people believe only in the possible. Extraordinary people visualize not what is possible or probable, but rather what is impossible. And by visualizing the impossible, they begin to see it as possible. Cherie Carter-Scott
So, here are the final details:
Who: Newton Founders, Danny Abshire and Jerry Lee and the Newton Running crew
What: Free Newton Running clinic and group run. Free Newton Running hat to all who attend! (someone will be there to watch bags and such)
When: Friday, October 30, 2009 7 AM EST
Where: The Boathouse in Central Park, New York, NY (click the link)
Newton wearer/runner or not, this is a great experience and we hope to see TONS of you there!
PLEASE TWEET THIS AND PASS THIS ALONG!
I am SOOOO excited! Once again, the Newton Running team will be heading to the Big Apple! They’re going to be here for the New York City Marathon which is being run next Sunday, November 1, 2009.
While they’re here, they wanted to spread the love to all of those who are die hard members of the Newton tribe and to all those who are curious to see what the Newton running philosophy and shoes are all about! If you wear other brands of shoes (or none at all!) come! For that matter, even if you’ve never heard of Newton, come on by!
Danny Abshire, co-founder of Newton, will be heading up a clinic in Central Park on Friday morning, October 30 7am EST. Danny will go over the Newton philosophy and technique and then we will all go on a group run in Central Park, where he and other members of the Newton team will give pointers and tips for improving your technique and form.
As an added bonus, they’re going to come bearing gifts! Each participant in the free clinic will be given a Newton Running hat!
SEE YOU THERE!!!
If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Brandon at Brandon’s Marathon .
Hope to see all those running the NYCM at the Boathouse on Friday morning and even those who are not running it, like me.
Try to be like the turtle, at ease in your own shell.
Every time I race, I go to bed reliving the race in my head. And, sometimes I shed a tear or two. Yeah, it sucks to be me, sometimes. My confidence waivers, flapping back and forth in the wind. I think about how all around me, PR’s were being made and how all around me folks were running easy and how I was struggling. I can’t and won’t look for excuses, to excuse myself of the horrid performance in yesterday’s Nike Human Race. It is what it is. It is really inexcusable.
I ran a 10k in 1.11.14 ~ actually Seth said 6.30 miles. I felt like crud when I finished the race. Why you ask? It is really really hard to put into words the way I felt after the race. You know how you know you can do something, you have the ability and stamina yet you can’t seem to make it happen, time after time? Well, that is a bit of the way I felt.
Am I so weak mentally that I can’t push though the sod and the way I feel and the crowds and really push though whatever is in my own head? Because, that is unacceptable to me. I don’t dig weakness. Positivity breeds positivity! So, if I ran a good race, I would be so much more inclined to run my next race even better and faster. OR, since I ran such a suck ass race, my next race has no where to go but up?? Either way, my next race is going to be a good one.
Don’t get me wrong, I had fun yesterday, regardless. A cool friend of mine, decided to stick with me and run it with me and she is a way faster runner than I am. So, thank you Juliette!! What you did was greatly appreciated. The sea of red runners was a sight to see. It was kind of ironic actually. Nike, being this cool company made us all conform and wear the exact same outfits, putting the bib # on the tee shirt so you really had no choice.
Unfortunately, some of my friends had problems with the baggage check, waiting up to 1 hour to collect their bags at the end of the race, making them miss the post race festivities. Ah, Nike ~ get your act together and JUST DO IT!!
There was the post-race brunch, of course, which soothed my bruised ego for a while. Food can do that to a person, ya know? Comforting, I suppose. Then, I had the rest of the day to think.
Notice how you can barely see my eyes, hidden behind that Brooks Run Happy hat.
Today, the sun was blazing in the sky and it was Autumn at its’ best. Mother Nature roused me from my troubled sleep and kicked my butt out of bed. I stumbled around and decided on a 2 mile VFF run. With no goal and Seth on, I didn’t look and I ran hard. And fast. And ran 2 miles in 18.38 with mile 1 at 9.12 and mile 2 at 9.25. I think I can, I think I can. I know I CAN!!
You know that old saying, when life hands you lemons ~ make lemonade ~ for me its when life hands you a shitty race, get up the next day to prove to yourself you can do it. So, I did.
I have 3 races left on my schedule for 2009. Possibly a 4th, which would be a cool 6 mile trail race with my best running buddy. I know the goals I have set in my mind. I am going to work my ass off to achieve these goals, not for anybody else. ONLY for me. I have nothing to prove to the world, nor do I care what the world thinks. I only care what I think.
I don’t know what 2010 has in store for me, and I am not the type for long range planning, but I do have some race thoughts in my head, that again my best running buddy gave me the extra added confidence to think about tackling. Now I just have to believe. Be confident, in my own shell.
The mojo is there, the ability is there, the will to do it is there. So, what is left to do?
“Having a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of. You know whatever you do, they’ll still be there.”
It was planned for a while. The run with my friends, I mean. October 21st. That date was stuck in my head and as the day came closer ~ I got a bit nervous. You see, the friends I was going to run with, well lets just say they are better, faster runners than I am. And I am cool with that. I got anxious thinking that the pace would be too slow for both TK and BW, but TK lovingly emailed me and said “We will find a pace that works for us all! xo That put a grin on my face.
Now let me just give you a bit of background. TK ~ what an awesome chica she is. Full of life and enthusiasm and love of the run. Her blog Pigtailsflying is always an awesome read. She ran the - Fifth Avenue Mile 9/21/08 – 6:36. Did you read that right?? Yes, you did!! Then there is BW of BrandonMarathon‘ fame. Check him out. He is IRONMAN. He is an Opera Singer and he is an all-around awesome dude.
So, we met up at 72nd Street and 5th Avenue and we each made sure our Garmin’s were set to go, and we went. Into the park, in the dark, which I have never done before. I was a newbie venturing into unknown territory. All I kept thinking was keep up Michelle, keep up. It was dark and then all of a sudden we were climbing up the mountain. Errr, the hill. Cat hill. That dreaded hill that a lot of peeps do their hill repeats on. Yeah, that one. So, on we went. Then there were steps. UP! To the unbelievably awesome reservoir. I have never run there before so this was a treat! It offered really sensational views of the city. Just twinkling lights and the crunch of runners feet blazing by me. It was awesome and I was sweating and breathing hard.
BUT, TK and BW never left me. They never said “later for you Michelle” Nope. They stayed with me. Always making sure I was with them. Never made me feel inferior. In fact, just the opposite. I dig that in people. They gave me good tips on running form that I am going to work on. Good tips on running up hills, that I am going to work on.
I read TK’s blog post today and it made me giggle:
The three of us running together truly is a case of Goldilocks–Brandon is Papa Bear, I am Mama Bear, and Michelle is Baby Bear. We range the gamut in height and speed, but managed to sort it out and find a Just Right pace.
So, I dub myself Baby Bear Learning. And, in learning about running and in running with TK and BW, I learned that there are indeed good people out there. People who do what they say they will do. People who make plans weeks in advance, and make it happen. People, whom I am quite honestly, very happy to have met. It was a Just Right run.
I ended up with 5.76 miles in 1.00.10. With a 1842 elevation gain. My hamstring, while not at 100% gave me zero arguments and let me do my thang!!!
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you’ve said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Yep, that is how I am feeling these days. The dreams I’ve had have been perilously teetering on the brink of reality. And then to think I can run down that dream, what the fuck?
All I do is try to run down and catch up. I am given a few months of glorious running and then it is snatched away, like Hobbs telling Calvin that he is not real. Or did he? I don’t remember.
“Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won’t help.” And, believe me I wear those lucky rocketship underpants a lot. Mostly when I run. Get the picture.
So, no whining from me. Just the facts ma’am. The left hamstring is taking a bit longer to heal than I had hoped for. I ran today and loved/hated every second of it. SLOW run. Just a 2 miler. No need to push now. Just need to be out there and moving. I can’t let my legs get used to, you know ~ not moving. That won’t do. Plus, I’ve been cycling. In the last 4 days I have ridden a total of 68 miles. I really dig cycling a lot. And I know I can be really good at it, except for the very small fact that my bike is just not meant for speed. And I am. Meant for speed, that is.
I adore the feeling of moving fast. On a bike and most especially when running. It is not really a feeling I can put into words, so I won’t even try.
So, WHO SAYS?
Who says I can’t get stoned
Turn off the lights and the telephone
Me in my house alone
Who says I can’t get stoned
Who says I can’t be free
From all of the things that I used to be
Rewrite my history
Who says I can’t be free
It’s been a long night in New York City
It’s been a long night in Baton Rouge
I don’t remember you looking any better
But then again I don’t remember you
Who says I can’t get stoned
Call up a girl that I used to know
Fake love for an hour or so
Who says I can’t get stoned
Who says I can’t take time
Meet all the girls in the county line
Wait on fate to send a sign
Who says I can’t take time
It’s been a long night in New York City
It’s been a long night in Austin too
I don’t remember you looking any better
But then again I don’t remember you
It is OCTOBER. The month of my birth and my most favorite month of the year. Not so much because it is my birthday month, but more because it is a new season and a change from the never ending humid hotness of summer when everyday is the same day. Autumn brings with it beautiful sunrises and an explosion of colors.
I am a fall junky. I love sweaters, rain, changing leaves, soup and pumpkin bread. Normally, the prospect of fall is dimmed by winter’s promise of cold, dark days, but after the summer we’ve had, I’m not intimidated. I love the crisp cool days where running is not only a pleasure but I crave it more now then ever.
Utter joy. Octoberfest and pumpkin ales, leaves changing colors and then slowly falling down for us to jump into and play. The crispness in the air, the first frost that kills the bugs …. Plus the thought of Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season is always anticipatory.
I found an awesome recipe today for Impossible Pumpkin Pie Cupcakes, that are really not impossible at all, at Baking Bites. GO THERE. I shall be baking these.
And so it goes. On October 24th I am running a 10k. The Nike Human Race. The lofty goal has been reduced just a bit to let me run the thing and have fun while doing so. Let my hamstring, the left one, be cool.
Then November 1st is a great day in NYC running. You know, the day they close the city to allow 35,000 people to run through the streets without worrying about cars or buses or traffic of any kind. I intend to be out there rooting for all my running buddies.
So, I will end by saying that if any of you feel the need to to fart, go into my office. Ok, so I am watching “The Office”.
I was told I should smile more. What do you think?
I am rockin the push ups. Dude I am so there. And by there, I mean I am nearing the end of week 6 and my last test.
I thought the fight was over
All battles won
I thought you lit your blind folds
And watched them burn
I thought that I could show you
All that I’ve found
But these barriers dictate all sight and all sound
So here I was getting my running on. Day after day. Monday I had an awesome run. I met my goal of running 6 miles in under 1 hour. Here are the stats for you number hungry peeps.
6 Miles 58.52
9.49 min/mile
Mile 1 10.17 2 10.15 3 10.21 4 9.49 5 8.55 6 9.14
It was at the mega fast mile #5 that I felt it. My left hamstring sort of gave a pop. Not a maddening intense pain that had me stopping or anything, but a pain that was noticeable and annoying. Yet, I kept on running. I had to right? I was running my best and was on track to meet my goal. I couldn’t stop. So, when I hit Seth at 58.52 I still had a smile on my face. And I could have kept going, at that fast pace. I was so in the zone ~ the mojo was flowing and my legs (minus left hamstring) had more to give to me.
BARRIER BROKEN!
Now, I have to deal with the pain. So, I ice ~ stretch and curse. I will not run until I am pain free or able to run so that the pain does not get worse.
BARRIER BACK UP!
This is typical for me. I do great for a while, then TICK TICK BOOM. So what is a girl to do? Wallow in self pity? Become depressed while shoving HOHO’s in my mouth faster than I can chew and swallow? Not sure why I picked HoHo’s as the thing to shove into my mouth, but Whateva! Become the ultimate couch potato or home fry as I like to call it? Nah, none of the above dude!!
BARRIERS SLOWLY GOING DOWN:
Cycling has become this thing I do. This fun activity that makes me move and honestly, I have come to enjoy it A LOT! Sure, it takes a lot longer than going for a 5 mile run. Sure, I would rather be riding a Specialized AMIRA or Cannondale Synapse but for right now, I am lugging around a heavy ass mountain bike that does the job but not quite. I can go fast, but not fast enough. I am on the precipice of being a good cyclist or being a very good cyclist. Just hanging on the edge. Cycling is freedom and fun and speed. It is the air blowing in my face. It is freedom. Those bikes up there, though ~ they give me a sweet ass bikegasm.
Not to worry though, running is my first love. But, if I cannot do it, then I need to do something else that I can do just as good.
Barriers Barriers Barriers.
I read, with admiration, everybody’s training and racing and the barriers that those peeps overcome. It gives me a sense of pride to know that there are folks out there who move their ass and choose between being a couch potato or being an active member of society. I don’t see it any other way, really. Sure, sitting on one’s butt viewing a film and drinking a pumpkin ale is awesome and I do it. A LOT! But I also move A LOT!
BARRIERS BREAKING DOWN.
With my left hamstring feeling tight and painful, I have no other choice but to cycle. And cycle hard. I plan a 50 miler this weekend, weather permitting. I wish I had some company to enjoy the day with, but most of my friends are running this weekend in races. I support them all and as they run, I will cycle to freedom.
I have also recently signed up for two Turkey Trots. A 5k and a 5 miler. Plus I have this Nike Human Race ~ because I am human, after all. I’ve got lofty goals for these races. And, why shouldn’t I have these lofty goals? Gotta think big right?
I admit, sometimes I can’t fight the power, and I get discouraged. But, only for a moment. Or two. Then I totally snap out of that shit.
Have you noticed, that the more you hurry, the slower you go?
The more you wait, the longer it takes?
The more you worry, the less you dream?
But the more you live, love, and laugh, Michelle, the more you live, love, and laugh.
Weird?
The Universe
Yeah, weird.
BARRIER’S GONE!!
“How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live” – Henry David Thoreau (THANK YOU PUNKROCKRUNNER)
There is nothing quite so gentle, deep, and irrational as our running—and nothing quite so savage, and so wild.
Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. -Albert Einstein
Keep it moving folks. Nothing to see here!!
