running: the dawn

This past weekend my husband and his rag-tag group that he refuses to call a band, drove to Chicago to do a concert Friday night.  In honor of the “gig” and the fact that he would spend some of the time playing drums rather than guitar (his usual instrument of choice) he decided to be creative with his facial hair and sculpt a fu-man-chu.  The concert was a huge success.  His buddy Fidi performed all of his own original songs which were quite catchy, I’ve basically had them stuck in my head since last Friday.

Here are some pics from the concert:

Mr. Dawn, Kevin, Fidi, Marco

My favorite picture of Mr. Dawn, Kasper and Fidi

You can't see Mr. Dawn because he's at the drums behind Fidi, but trust me he's totally rockin out

Saturday night Mr. Dawn and I, joined by my brother, his wife, and our friends Keith and Carissa headed to downtown Chi-town to enjoy one of my favorite vegetarian restaurants: Chicago Diner.  So tasty! We ended up hitting a lot of traffic on our way into town, but the six of entertained ourselves by playing the alphabet game.  Three times.  The first time through we looked for printed words that started with each letter.  Then it was objects that we saw that started with the letter.  The last time through we were so hungry that we decided to think of food that we wanted to eat that started with each letter…that’s when we lost all control of the game.  There was laughing.  Lots and lots of laughing.

We finally made it to the tiny diner, only to have to stand outside and wait for over an hour. That's what we get for being a party of 7...

I was so hungry, I actually went to the 7-eleven next door and got Sun Chips to snack on whilst waiting. Smart move because a hungry Dawn is a grumpy Dawn.

This is the vegetarian "Philly Cheese" Sandwich and in the background you can see Mr. Dawn's Dogwood Sandwich. Both are very tasty.

The bro, lovin his food, and Dustin digging into his "meat"-loaf. I got to try it and it was amazing!

We were celebrating Carissa's birthday. Or so we decided because that meant that we all got to have some dessert. This is me very excited about the selection of Vegan Cake options. Mr. Dawn, not-so-much.

This was the coconut lemon cake which Carissa got. I enjoyed one that was all chocolate. So just picture this cake, only darker.

Basically: a fun time was had by all.  It was a weekend of much eating and fun fellowship.  The other food highlight of the weekend was Mr. Dawn’s banana/nutella crepes he ordered for breakfast on Sunday.  I’m not sure how he does it, but no matter where we go or what I order, his food always ends up better than mine….

The new shoes are as smooth as they are beautiful.  It was warm enough today to kick off the long pants and wear shorts for the first time!  I couldn’t pass up that opportunity.  I doctored up my blister as best I could: drained some of the liquid out, applied neosporin, and affixed a blister specific band-aid.  But honestly, I’m not even sure I needed to do all of that.  I never once felt any pressure on my toe.  The shoes are lighter than air and there was no irritation at all!

The man at Metro Run/Walk had explained to me that not only do I overpronate (which I already knew), I also roll in towards my toes and push off from the edge of my right big toe.  That’s what caused the blister.  Well that and the fact that the shoes I was wearing wasn’t preventing that motion.  These shoes keep everything in line and there is no uncomfortable toe-pushing at all.  Actually, running this afternoon was the most comfortable that my blister was all day…

I set out to do two miles and promised myself I would keep it slow.  I ended up running three because it was such a glorious day.

I never thought I would be a “runner.”  I’ve always found my motivation to run by signing up for a race.  So, I consider myself a “trainer.”  I don’t run unless it has a purpose.  I have heard of people who when they go a day without running they miss it and I always thought they were crazy.  Today, when I was lacing up my new shoes, I felt like it had been forever since that last time I was running.  Less than 48 hours had passed, but somehow I missed running.  Does this mean it’s happened to me?  Have I crossed over from someone who trains for races into someone who runs?  I’ve caught myself saying, “I have a bad blister so I didn’t get to run yesterday.”  To which they immediately respond, “Didn’t you just run 18 miles?  Of course you shouldn’t run the day after that!”  I actually have to remind myself that a recovery day is not only allowed, but it’s beneficial.  In fact upon hearing that I went running today more than one person has said, “Aren’t you supposed to be taking it easy?” I am!  I didn’t run yesterday

So, maybe it’s finally happened to me.  I’ve become a runner.  I suppose its about time…

After a run like yesterday, I was so happy to wake up into a new day.  That’s one fabulous thing about time.  It moves on.  Giving us a new perspective and new energy.  I’m pretty sure that everyone in my day got the memo to go easy on me.  My students all worked diligently, my coworkers smiled politely, and my husband made me dinner (the best part of my whole day).  I got home, opened the door and was welcomed by a fully prepared meal and table already set.  Best. Present. Ever!

So now, a day later, I feel amazingly better than I did at this time yesterday.

I made it down to the running store to get my new shoes.  I love going to places where my obsession with running is normal.  The people understand my words, my pain, and everyone is sporting the latest running gear.  A nice man lead me through the process to find a new pair of running shoes.  Before my recent experiment with clearance shoes from an outlet, I was in a committed relationship with the Mizuno Nirvanas.  After watching me run around in those shoes he wanted to try something else.  I’d told him all about my blisters from yesterday’s long run (I spared him the long version of the adventure) and he noticed that while I run, not only do I overpronate, but I also roll to the inside of my right toe.  Hence the supersized blister there.  He wanted to see if there was another shoe that could correct that part of my stride.  Enter Brooks.  I have tried on Brooks shoes before but never ended up buying them.  These won my heart.  They were lighter than air and my feet literally felt free.  Like I wasn’t wearing shoes.

I did go back and forth a little bit.  It was hard because the Mizunos felt like an old dear friend.  When I put them on it felt right.  The way running has felt the past few years (excluding the last month).  So judging the new shoes beside that was strange.  It was like making a new friend and wondering if we are really going to get along.  I see potential, but there is so much still to learn about each other.  For a minute or two I was tempted to go with the familiar.  But I need to do everything possible to help my feet recover and then stay healthy.  So the Brooks won out in the end.

Once I got them home, I noticed the message printed on the box, “run happy.”  Little do the lovely people at Brooks know how much I needed to see/hear that today.  Running is happy.  I am happy that I can run.  I am happy because I run.  I am (usually) happy when I run.  Thank you Brooks for reminding me of the joy of running!

With all the problems that I’ve been having with blisters, I need to remember that it could be a whole lot worse.  During previous training seasons for a long distance race I’ve had much more serious conditions to deal with: knee pain, tendinitis in my achilles, ITB pain (the band that runs from your hip to the outside of your knee), pain in my arches.  This time: none of that.  I am so thankful that my legs are doing marvelously.  Today, the day after an 18 miler, no problem going up and down stairs.  No limping or anything.  Just some tenderness on my big toe from the blister.

I also decided that my feet have been ugly long enough.  I found a cute nail polish at Ulta that matches my new Brooks in the hopes that the extra pampering will make up for all the abuse that they’ve been experiencing lately.  So I took a picture of them in all their (attempted) cuteness.  Also, I tried to get a good one of the blister, so if anyone has an aversion to feet, it’s best to look away now.

After a wonderful weekend (more to follow on that, including pictures!) I had a somewhat traumatizing run today.

It took some coordinating, but KT and I finally figured out a way to do at least part of our runs together today.  I was not going to be back until about 3, and she needed to be done with her 14 miles in time to be at a 6pm meeting.  She decided to start running at 2:15.  The plan was that once I got home and ready to run, I would find her on the route and run whatever part of it that was left.

Everything worked like magic.  I found her about 5 miles into her run.  She had just passed the house where she had bought her beautiful Siberian husky Ty and suggested that I park my car there.  We set off and it was a glorious day.  The sun was out and the birds were singing.  It was beautiful.  Just before I hit mile 7 Mr. Dawn gave me a call on my cell phone to encourage me.  Earlier, during our drive back, I had been doubting myself.  Feeling like I wasn’t going to be able to do all of my miles today.  There’s something about 17 miles that feels so much longer.  Even though I did 15.5 last week.  Even though it’s only 1.5 miles longer.  Something psychological (perhaps emotional) makes me scared of that distance.  That number.  17.  Chilling.

He called to tell me I could do it.  He told me to “kill it”.   My husband believes in me and wanted me to believe in myself.  It brought a wonderful smile to my face and helped me to feel strong.

We got to KT’s parked car and she headed off with some well wishes and cheers.  It was feeling good.  I could tell that a new blister was forming on yet another toe, but nothing was going to stop me.

My phone started ringing, and I smiled when I saw it was Mr. Dawn.  Probably another pep talk.  Wrong.  He was calling because the police were at our house.  The house that I parked at had called the police!  He demanded ID and wanted to know why I would park in someone’s yard.  (Apparently the muddy side of the road with no grass is now considered “lawn”.)  I explained that KT knows the home owners.  At this point in time I was still 5 miles away from my car.  There was no one that could give Mr. Dawn a ride out to move my car.  All I could do was try to get there as soon as possible.

At 4 miles to go, I fell into an all out panic-attack/pitty-party.  I hate screwing up.  I hate it even more when I didn’t know I was doing something wrong.  I try very hard to keep the peace and care way too much about if people like me.  I couldn’t believe that someone actually called the police because of something that I did.  I felt so ashamed and alone.  It was the hardest time of running that I’ve ever had.  I was crying.  Breathing was in short gasps.  This lasted for 2 miles and then I had to pull it together and get it done.  I ran faster than I had during any of the previous 14 miles.

Finally I could see my car.  Because of my total embarrassment, I had been plotting out exactly how I was going unlock my car, hop in, and zoom away.  Hoping that all would be forgiven if I could just remove the object of their disdain.  It went smoothly.  I jumped in and was out of site of the house before I even knew what had happened.

When I got home, I took my shoes off to inspect the damage.  Not only were there new blister, but the strangest little red dots on the tip of my biggest toe.  Like little chigger bites.  I drew my ice bath, made my tea, and stepped in.  That’s when I broke down completely.  I’m pretty sure that a physically exhausted person is not equipped to deal with the emotional strain of my last 4 miles with the pain of my beat up feet.  As soon as I sat down my feet started hurting so bad.  I couldn’t help but scream out.  Apparently this caught Mr. Dawn’s attention and he came upstairs and made everything better.  He suggested that I take a few days off of running to heal (physically and emotionally).  No argument.  We also decided that its time for me to get fitted for new shoes.

The one redeeming factor?  I mapped out my run and it ended up being 18 miles rather than the planned 17.  Yay me!

Oh, and as a follow up to the whole police saga: KT has contacted the home owner and is working towards smoothing everything out.  I don’t know why it’s so important to me that these total strangers don’t stay mad at me.  Even though they don’t know me, and probably call me “that crazy person that parked in our lawn,” I don’t want them to be upset.  Now, on to bed.  My real reward for a hard day’s work.

This was the hardest week for me.  It started out on such a high note, but somehow the days seemed to go by faster than I expected.  Now here it is Friday.  Didn’t meet all of my goals, but that’s ok.

This week’s miles:

Sunday-15.5; LOVED the run.  Perfect route, perfect company, good fueling, good recovery.
Monday-Nada
Tuesday-Zero
Wednesday-14; 4 in the early morning and 10 on my own at night.  I’ve decided that nothing makes me more angry while running than headlights shining in my eyes.
Thursday-3; recovery miles.  I was feeling pretty sore still from my strength training that I did the same day I ran 14 miles (silly me)

Total Miles: 32.5

Even though my miles were less, I did all 3 hours of Jazzercise and 2 hours of core/strength training.

I actually feel pretty good about the week.  I still haven’t decided how far I’m going to run this Sunday.  We’re heading out of town today and I’m not sure what time we’ll be back on Sunday.  I have decided that I’m going to treat next week like a “taper” week.  At least a mini-taper.  Next week is the last one before I start my “serious” training and I don’t want to go into that exhausted.  My goal is to get between 25-27 miles along with my cross training.

I did not go running today.  Nor did I run yesterday.

However I know that I am still a runner.  Why?  Because there is evidence EVERY where around my house.  By the front door, there is a basket with my ear warmers, gloves, and neck gaiter.  I have a laundry basket full of running clothes needing desperately to be washed.  There is a bright red foam roller in my living room right next to “the stick” travel edition.  I have electrolyte drink in my cupboards and sport beans in the center console of my car.  My shoes…well, I’m not exactly sure where they are at the moment, but I’m sure that they are proudly displayed somewhere around here .

Since all of that was not near enough for me, I decided to add to my collection.  First, when I got home today, there was a package for me and I knew what was inside: Gu energy gels!  I’m so excited!  I should be set for at least a month’s worth of long runs and really, the whole display just dresses up the inside of my refrigerator.  Look:

I love opening my fridge now!  The Gu’s beckon to me to take them out for a long run.  Reminding me of how much I love to run.

I also finished putting together what I lovingly call “the draft”.  I found a 12-week marathon training plan that I’m going to test out this training season.  I still have two weeks before I hit the 12 week mark, but I want to be ready.   I’ve been looking around for something that will push me to improve and challenge me to take my training more seriously than ever before.  I think this plan will do just that.  Sometimes when I look at it I get pretty intimidated by the longer mid-week runs and some of the speed/tempo work.  But I’m excited to give the plan a go.  I call it a draft since I don’t plan on being super rigid.  I know that life happens and there will be times when I will not be able to do all that it calls for.  I’m giving myself permission to revise as necessary.  But I like how hard it is, that’s what drew me to it in the first place.  It makes me want to step up to the plate and crush it.  I want to not just strengthen my body, but strengthen my resolve.  And I know with each of these workouts I will be facing a worthy adversary and will have earned the feeling of victory that comes when I compete it successfully.

After saying all that….I have made a fridge hanging out of my new training plan.  It doesn’t start for two more weeks, but it is already hanging proudly where I will pass by it every day.

Isn’t she pretty?  I even color-coded it into the 4 cycles of training!  I’m such a teacher!  Oh, and if that isn’t enough, I’m planning on buying actual gold stars to put on the schedule for when I complete each training session.  I know, I know, it’s more exciting than any one person can handle, but I’ll try to contain my glee.

I have fun going through my day seeing little reminders of running.  Little reminders of my commitment.  Little reinforcers to my drive.  All this talk makes me so excited for tomorrow…I can’t wait to wake up in the morning and go running with KT!

I feel amazing!  It’s Monday morning after an amazing weekend and I feel resolute and peaceful.  Why? One might wonder.  Well, its a result of a fabulous weekend surrounded by good friends, an amazing long run of 15+ miles, and finally deciding what to do about my immediate running future.

As I have said before, I lost my San Diego Marathon running teammate.  We have devised a solution to this problem.  There is a marathon within driving distance that happens on May 16, which was one of our scheduled 20 mile runs.  KT has decided to train for that race, which means that she is right on track with her training and will only need to tweak a couple things in the schedule in order to be prepared for that race which is three weeks before the San Diego one.

I have decided to at least run 20 miles of that marathon with her.  That way she has someone to run with and I can still get my mileage in.  I may, between now and then, decide to sign up and run the entire way with her, it will just depend on my health and training level as we get closer to the day.  I feel really amazing about this new plan, mainly because I still get to walk with KT through the process.  We can train together and support each other all the way through to the races.

That leaves me with my new goals for San Diego.  I am definitely still running the race!  I was thinking before of just running whatever pace KT could maintain and not worry about time.  Now, however, I have decided that I’m going to shoot for a 4 hour marathon.  I have been very hesitant to say those words out loud or even let my self dwell on them internally.  But the truth is that’s what I want to do.  I will have to step up the speed work aspects of my training and make some serious improvements to my intensity, but I think that it might be just within reason.  I’ve been terrified to put this desire in writing because of the fear that I might not be capable and I don’t want to get to the end of the race and have a list of excuses why I wasn’t able to perform.  I want to set a goal that is challenging, but doesn’t break me.  So there it is.

Now, on to my amazing 15.5 mile run from yesterday!  I didn’t realize it when we first started, but now looking back, that was one of the best long runs I’ve ever had.  Even though it snowed (off and on) for about 75% of the time we were running, we ran on the hilly-est loop around (including the monster big bertha), and running through several slushy puddles, it was an amazing run.  I felt strong and relaxed through the entire course.  KT ran a 12 mile loop with me and then I headed home for the last 3.5 miles.  I stopped once at the top of the worst of the hills to stretch and wait, but other than that it was just a day to cruise.

One of my favorite moments was when KT and I jogged past two older women who were also out for a Sunday morning run.  They had a dog with them.  I love dogs.  I have had the desire to get a puppy for almost a year now.  But this wasn’t just any dog.  It was a black standard poodle.  Now, to most people that is just another dog…but to me…that is the EXACT dog that I have been longing after.  While I have talked to more people who do NOT like the idea of poodles, I just can’t see myself with any other breed of dog.  They are smart, athletic, energetic, loyal, big dog, and most importantly, they do no shed.  So it was fun to see a woman and her regal black poodle out for a run together.  Beautiful.

Here are some things that i think helped me to have a great run:

1. I ate at least 45 minutes before we started running.  I heard a suggestion recently about trying to keep the fiber intake low right before a long run, so I found a plain bagel frozen in our freezer and decided to eat it with peanut butter and jelly.  This, i think, gave me some good simple carbs to fuel me along the run
2. I took 3 advil when i ate breakfast.  I haven’t been struggling with any major aches or pains, but I do know the cruelty of miles over 12.  So just as a precaution, I decided to get anti-inflammatory in me early.  The first half of the run was really amazing.  I didn’t really feel the twinges in my hips or knees that I sometimes get.  The second half I would feel a place on my knee when we were running up a hill, but then it would go away on the flat or there would be a different place that felt loose on a downhill.
3. My handheld water-bottle + gu.  KT has bought one as well, so that way we don’t have to put water along the course.  This let us take our gu whilst running.  I took gu at 4, 8, and 12 miles.  I think that’s how i’m going to fuel for the race, so I’m going to do all my long runs with gu at the 4 miles.
4. Running with KT.  Both for the company as distraction and the pace.  Since i was running at a significantly slower pace with her it made the miles go by super easy.  Then, when she hit her 12 miles, I turned around and headed out on my own.  It’s funny that it was immediately less fun to run once I was alone…but physically I felt great.  I was able to run the 3.5 miles really strong and faster than the first miles.  Sure my knees felt loose and my achilles/calves felt tight, but it still felt so much better than I remember 15 milers feeling.
5. Zensah compression sleeve for my calves.  I’m still trying to figure out what is causing my blisters, so I didn’t wear my compression socks, but I do have compression sleeves, which is nice cause then I can wear them with whatever socks i want.  Still…LOVING the compression.  I think it makes a huge difference in preventing cramping and aiding in a quick recovery.

This morning: almost no soreness.  I feel great.  I’m so glad to be back in the midst of training for a marathon!  I can’t wait for my next long run…