I had hip surgery.
I have been meaning to write this post for some time now but have kept putting it off. But here I am to tell you about what's been going on.
April of 2012 I ran my first marathon. It was a doozy but I managed a not too shabby finish. I knew around mile 17 that something in my hip just wasn't right but pressed on. Fast forward to the following weekend when I ran at beautiful Cades Cove (11 miles of fun hills). Something was still bad. So off to the dr I went. He sent me to a physical therapist who suspected a labral tear in my left hip. 4 weeks of PT then a visit to the ortho, an MRI/arthrogram to confirm with several more weeks of therapy.
I ran and ran and ran some more the next 3 years in and out of PT hoping to put off surgery for forever (or at least through a 3rd marathon), but definitely until I was 50. But alas, I started going backwards in PT. No fair. But that is life my friends.
I had lots of PT. I did lots of running. I even went to get a cortizone injection in my hip. It worked for a couple weeks or so then right back to big issues and lots of pain. I have a high tolerance for pain, which is good and bad. When my PT sent me back to my ortho the ortho asked if I wanted another shot but upon learning that I was no longer sleeping at night and the first shot only gave me a couple weeks of pain free life it was decided that surgery was now the answer. We had simply been dealing with this injury too long.
October 22nd was surgery day.
I hate needles, doctor offices, surgery... all of it. I am not a good patient but my hubby and my doctor along with his amazing surgical staff took such great care of me.
The surgery lasted maybe an hour, which was an hour less than the dr had told my hubby.
The procedure-
Basically they put me to sleep, the dr put my leg in traction and with his spiffy tools got down deep into my hip joint. Confirmed the labral tear and the impingement (CAM type). I had too much bone on my femoral head. He shaved off a significant amount of bone and cleaned up the labral tear and POP went my hip back into the socket. Fun stuff.
I have two very tiny scars that are pretty much invisible now that I am 3 months out.
Post op pain-
I was not in a great deal of pain when I came home. I took my meds as prescribed so that I wasn't faced with tons of pain if I missed one. I took a week off work as I was told to do and took it very easy. I was on crutches for 2 weeks and since I wasn't very graceful on just my own two feet before surgery I tried to stay off those pesky beasts as much as I could. Thankfully things weren't too bad when the dr got into my hip joint so my time on crutches was limited to the 2 weeks!
Physical Therapy -
I started PT after my 2 week follow up and I've been there since. That's all I have to say about that for now. It's going well. I'll post some weekly updates maybe. :)
Life in general is pretty good. I need to be better about posting these things rather than whining to friends and family all.the.time about how I feel about all of this.
That's all for now.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Fall Break Vacation
We don't usually take a fall break vacation but decided to this year to celebrate a dear friend's 40th birthday. For me this meant relaxation from everything... home, work, KIDS! And while I had every intention of working out daily while on vacation that just did not happen.
We left last Tuesday afternoon to travel to Orlando, FL where we would spend all day Wednesday at Magic Kingdom. So, if you count the 11-13 miles we walked around that park between 1:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. I guess I did work out that day. And it was a LOT of fun doing all the things we had set out to do, like seeing our favorite princess, Ariel.
The next day we headed to Port Canaveral to board a ship headed to Nassau, Bahamas! The goal aboard the ship was to workout both mornings when we had time. I made it out the door one day for 35 minutes on the elliptical and about 15 minutes of weights. And to my surprise when I walked out our cabin door my friend and I were dressed alike. Great minds!!!
We had an amazing time with our friends celebrating! We swam with stingrays, hung out on a private beach, went to a comedy club on the ship, lounged by the pool, ate and drank a lot and had great conversations. Despite the lack of working out and all the food/drink over the course of the 4 days I came back only up 3 pounds on the scale from what I was when we left. I can deal with that.
Now I am back to work and trying hard to get in the last few workouts and runs that I can before my surgery next week!
We left last Tuesday afternoon to travel to Orlando, FL where we would spend all day Wednesday at Magic Kingdom. So, if you count the 11-13 miles we walked around that park between 1:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. I guess I did work out that day. And it was a LOT of fun doing all the things we had set out to do, like seeing our favorite princess, Ariel.
The next day we headed to Port Canaveral to board a ship headed to Nassau, Bahamas! The goal aboard the ship was to workout both mornings when we had time. I made it out the door one day for 35 minutes on the elliptical and about 15 minutes of weights. And to my surprise when I walked out our cabin door my friend and I were dressed alike. Great minds!!!
We had an amazing time with our friends celebrating! We swam with stingrays, hung out on a private beach, went to a comedy club on the ship, lounged by the pool, ate and drank a lot and had great conversations. Despite the lack of working out and all the food/drink over the course of the 4 days I came back only up 3 pounds on the scale from what I was when we left. I can deal with that.
Now I am back to work and trying hard to get in the last few workouts and runs that I can before my surgery next week!
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Life Now
When I restarted (for the millionth and 7 time) my blog last week I initially was going to play catch up with race reports, weight loss (or gain or both) and general ramblings of what's been going on, but I guess instead I'm going to start with the now. I'll still touch briefly on the in between (Columbus and now) so the now part makes total sense.
3 years ago (March 2012) I ran my first marathon. Shortly after I took a brief hiatus and got very acquainted with physical therapy due to a hip labral tear and some impingement. Hiatus over, great racing season, PR.
Hip flared back up and the cycle repeated itself for most of 2014.
March 2015 was suppose to be my goal (SUB 2 hour) half marathon at Shamrock. Set back, the goal became to finish, which I DID within minutes of my PR (I should've pushed hard despite the pain, I shouldn't have stopped to pee since I really didn't need to). Anyway, another set back once that was over with months in PT, AlterG (anti-gravity treadmill) running, no speed work, more PT, no racing... you get the cycle.
And now.
August 17, 2015 was my last visit with my PT and the day I was advised to see my orthopedic doctor again. So, I went to see Dr. M on August 24. It was decided based on my history 3 years ago and my most recent (this year) x-rays to move forward with scheduling arthroscopic surgery on my hip since I had done PT, had a cortisone shot and nothing was working to really relieve my pain besides complete rest (NOT an option!!). We scheduled it for late in October (22nd) because we are going on a cruise to the Bahamas at the early part of the month and with the recovery time just did not feel it was best to schedule before. NO need to be hobbling around a cruise ship or the Bahamas on crutches.
So a timeline (more for me):
April 2012 - injured
May 2012- began PT
Between July 2012 and July 2015 - lots of PT, PR races and easy running.
August 2015 - Visit w/ Dr. M to schedule surgery
What exactly IS my condition?
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) -
a condition where the bones of the hip are abnormally shaped. Because they do not fit together perfectly, the hip bones rub against each other and cause damage to the joint. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint.
Labral tear - A hip labral tear involves the ring of cartilage, called the labrum, that follows the outside rim of the socket of your hip joint. The labrum acts like a rubber seal or gasket to help hold the ball at the top of your thighbone securely within your hip socket.
Basically Dr. M will go in arthroscopically and shave the defunct bone, clean up the labrum.
I am trying really hard in the time I have free between now and surgery to workout as much as possible and not think about the procedure itself. I know in the long run I need to do this to get back to running (and maybe a PR or two). I plan to document the process here to help cope with the whole not running/working out thing.
That is... life now. Well, life as far as running and my complete lack of blogging about it.
3 years ago (March 2012) I ran my first marathon. Shortly after I took a brief hiatus and got very acquainted with physical therapy due to a hip labral tear and some impingement. Hiatus over, great racing season, PR.
Hip flared back up and the cycle repeated itself for most of 2014.
March 2015 was suppose to be my goal (SUB 2 hour) half marathon at Shamrock. Set back, the goal became to finish, which I DID within minutes of my PR (I should've pushed hard despite the pain, I shouldn't have stopped to pee since I really didn't need to). Anyway, another set back once that was over with months in PT, AlterG (anti-gravity treadmill) running, no speed work, more PT, no racing... you get the cycle.
And now.
August 17, 2015 was my last visit with my PT and the day I was advised to see my orthopedic doctor again. So, I went to see Dr. M on August 24. It was decided based on my history 3 years ago and my most recent (this year) x-rays to move forward with scheduling arthroscopic surgery on my hip since I had done PT, had a cortisone shot and nothing was working to really relieve my pain besides complete rest (NOT an option!!). We scheduled it for late in October (22nd) because we are going on a cruise to the Bahamas at the early part of the month and with the recovery time just did not feel it was best to schedule before. NO need to be hobbling around a cruise ship or the Bahamas on crutches.
So a timeline (more for me):
April 2012 - injured
May 2012- began PT
Between July 2012 and July 2015 - lots of PT, PR races and easy running.
August 2015 - Visit w/ Dr. M to schedule surgery
What exactly IS my condition?
Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) -
a condition where the bones of the hip are abnormally shaped. Because they do not fit together perfectly, the hip bones rub against each other and cause damage to the joint. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint.
Labral tear - A hip labral tear involves the ring of cartilage, called the labrum, that follows the outside rim of the socket of your hip joint. The labrum acts like a rubber seal or gasket to help hold the ball at the top of your thighbone securely within your hip socket.
Basically Dr. M will go in arthroscopically and shave the defunct bone, clean up the labrum.
I am trying really hard in the time I have free between now and surgery to workout as much as possible and not think about the procedure itself. I know in the long run I need to do this to get back to running (and maybe a PR or two). I plan to document the process here to help cope with the whole not running/working out thing.
That is... life now. Well, life as far as running and my complete lack of blogging about it.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
When almost a year goes by....
Wow. So, I logged onto my blog because I mentioned to a friend that I blogged once...
Has it really been almost a year since I've been here? Duh. I know that answer to that.
Now is the perfect time to change that.
I never wrote my recap for what happened in October 2014 at the Columbus Half Marathon. It was an epic weekend for the most part. I traveled with great friends, met another friend there, worked the Expo booth for the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, ate some great food and PR'd my race. Crazy how almost a year later I can remember that.
The race was a charity for the Children's Hospital in Columbus. A very touching race. Each mile was lined with survivors, their parents, and supporters. The atmosphere was amazing. I would go back in a heartbeat.
Mile 11.. (or it could've been 12), I remember a slight hill that ate me up and spit me out. But I remember most that it was lined with white... in remembrance of those children who lost their lives. Touching as a mom. I fought hard to fight back tears of pain (my darn body) and for those aching hearts.
I started out slower than my goal pace. I settled into what would've been an easy pace. When my husband passed me I knew I wouldn't hit the goal of sub 2, so I coasted in. 2:02 and change.
It was a PR and with that I was happy... hey I rang that PR gong!!!
Other memories -
My dearest friend got her BQ!!!
My hubby ran a super fast half, PR and sub 2! PR gong for him as well.
The medals were not available at the finish but there was a great redemption by the team to get them to us. And it was worth the 15 minute wait.
And that, my friends, is a race recap almost a year later as well as a blogging comeback!
Has it really been almost a year since I've been here? Duh. I know that answer to that.
Now is the perfect time to change that.
I never wrote my recap for what happened in October 2014 at the Columbus Half Marathon. It was an epic weekend for the most part. I traveled with great friends, met another friend there, worked the Expo booth for the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, ate some great food and PR'd my race. Crazy how almost a year later I can remember that.
The race was a charity for the Children's Hospital in Columbus. A very touching race. Each mile was lined with survivors, their parents, and supporters. The atmosphere was amazing. I would go back in a heartbeat.
Mile 11.. (or it could've been 12), I remember a slight hill that ate me up and spit me out. But I remember most that it was lined with white... in remembrance of those children who lost their lives. Touching as a mom. I fought hard to fight back tears of pain (my darn body) and for those aching hearts.
I started out slower than my goal pace. I settled into what would've been an easy pace. When my husband passed me I knew I wouldn't hit the goal of sub 2, so I coasted in. 2:02 and change.
It was a PR and with that I was happy... hey I rang that PR gong!!!
Other memories -
My dearest friend got her BQ!!!
My hubby ran a super fast half, PR and sub 2! PR gong for him as well.
The medals were not available at the finish but there was a great redemption by the team to get them to us. And it was worth the 15 minute wait.
And that, my friends, is a race recap almost a year later as well as a blogging comeback!
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Track Tuesday
Yesterday was my last track workout before my goal race (Columbus Half marathon) this weekend. I always think I'm prepared for what will go down on the track but there are those days when I'm thrown off by what my coach tells me to do. This particular workout didn't have the pace goal listed on my schedule. TBA was there instead, which means Coach will give me my pace/splits at the track.
We start at a local gym, warm up a quarter mile in the parking lot and come in for drills (well, yesterday we came in since it was pouring rain). At that time coach goes around and talks to everyone to discuss their workouts. We all usually have different workouts based on what our training goal is at the time.
Here is convo between coach and I yesterday:
Coach - What's your workout today, Kim?
Me - 4x200, 1 mi, 4x200
Coach - Ok, aim for 50-52 on the 200s. For the mile, just pray.
Me -
I knew once I got to the track the mile was going to be an all out effort. I ran my 2 miles with the group, in the rain to the track. Got to the track, changed my shoes and hit all my 200s within range (actually a little fast). Then this conversation took place....
Coach - Kim, J and A are going for an 8 minute mile. I want you to start with them, in front of them. Guys, if she hits the 200 faster than you, let her go. Kim, all out.
Me - ok.
It was pouring, y'all! Pouring rain. The back light on my Garmin hasn't worked in a year. The track wasn't very well lit. The first lane of the track was basically one large puddle of water. Coach was calling out my splits as I came around to his side of the track. And somehow I was still ahead of my friends. 4 laps done.
7:44
and I finished my last 4 200s. We took a break in the dry for a minute to all talk, coach took a pic and we were on our way to cool down and get in a warm shower. With .25 left in the cool down I got into a bit of a fight with the sidewalk.
I have NO idea exactly how it happened. These falls while running seem to always happen so very fast! I felt sick immediately and took a few minutes to get up but I am grateful for all of my friends that I was running with. They stayed with me and made sure I was good. We walked back, I iced my elbow a little and showered. Once I got to work I decided to call the dr and have the elbow checked out just in case. It was still quite a bit swollen and throbbing 3 hours after the fall. Luckily there are no fractures, just a big ol' bruise. I'm still swollen and sore today but that won't stop me from kicking butt this weekend at my race!
I have to say that I think part of the reason I am not feeling worse post hard workout AND fall is because I took a nice dose of AdvoCare Nighttime Recovery at bedtime. This stuff makes a world of difference even after a hard workout with muscle soreness. So, I think it helped me to feel even less stiff upon waking up and getting out of bed this morning. If you are an athlete and haven't tried it - let me know! You will LOVE IT.
And the best part of all is that I kicked butt on the track. It's funny how sub 8 use to feel SO far away and now I'm hitting it more and it's not feeling as taxing. Hoping all my hard work pays off on Sunday!
We start at a local gym, warm up a quarter mile in the parking lot and come in for drills (well, yesterday we came in since it was pouring rain). At that time coach goes around and talks to everyone to discuss their workouts. We all usually have different workouts based on what our training goal is at the time.
Here is convo between coach and I yesterday:
Coach - What's your workout today, Kim?
Me - 4x200, 1 mi, 4x200
Coach - Ok, aim for 50-52 on the 200s. For the mile, just pray.
Me -
I knew once I got to the track the mile was going to be an all out effort. I ran my 2 miles with the group, in the rain to the track. Got to the track, changed my shoes and hit all my 200s within range (actually a little fast). Then this conversation took place....
Coach - Kim, J and A are going for an 8 minute mile. I want you to start with them, in front of them. Guys, if she hits the 200 faster than you, let her go. Kim, all out.
Me - ok.
It was pouring, y'all! Pouring rain. The back light on my Garmin hasn't worked in a year. The track wasn't very well lit. The first lane of the track was basically one large puddle of water. Coach was calling out my splits as I came around to his side of the track. And somehow I was still ahead of my friends. 4 laps done.
7:44
and I finished my last 4 200s. We took a break in the dry for a minute to all talk, coach took a pic and we were on our way to cool down and get in a warm shower. With .25 left in the cool down I got into a bit of a fight with the sidewalk.
I have NO idea exactly how it happened. These falls while running seem to always happen so very fast! I felt sick immediately and took a few minutes to get up but I am grateful for all of my friends that I was running with. They stayed with me and made sure I was good. We walked back, I iced my elbow a little and showered. Once I got to work I decided to call the dr and have the elbow checked out just in case. It was still quite a bit swollen and throbbing 3 hours after the fall. Luckily there are no fractures, just a big ol' bruise. I'm still swollen and sore today but that won't stop me from kicking butt this weekend at my race!
I have to say that I think part of the reason I am not feeling worse post hard workout AND fall is because I took a nice dose of AdvoCare Nighttime Recovery at bedtime. This stuff makes a world of difference even after a hard workout with muscle soreness. So, I think it helped me to feel even less stiff upon waking up and getting out of bed this morning. If you are an athlete and haven't tried it - let me know! You will LOVE IT.
And the best part of all is that I kicked butt on the track. It's funny how sub 8 use to feel SO far away and now I'm hitting it more and it's not feeling as taxing. Hoping all my hard work pays off on Sunday!
Monday, October 13, 2014
The Mile.
We've all ran or walked a mile before. Some of us have many under our belts. I've certainly done my fair share of mile repeats on the track but it was not until last month that I actually Raced the mile. Imagine my surprise on Thursday when I received an actual race plan from my coach.
A mile race and I received a very detailed race plan. I studied it a lot over the course of the days leading up until my race. I knew exactly what I was capable of (yet still doubted myself) and knew I'd have no issues at least doing my very best.
My very good friend is the race director for the Hal Canfield memorial Mile fest that takes place on Labor Day Monday in September every year. It is a USATF certified course and very fast out/back mile in one of our favorite areas to run - Cherokee Blvd in Knoxville, TN.
I got up that morning, did exactly as my coach told me to. Walked around the house, did a quick jaunt down the road and came back in to have my breakfast. The fist wave of runners started at 8:00am. The race was broken up into several heats. My heat wouldn't take off until after 8:30am. I had plenty of time to get in my 2-3 mile warm up and use the bathroom one more time.
sidenote- Here is my AdvoCare pre-race fuel routine-
Spark and Catalyst as soon as my feet hit the floor.
O2gold 60 minutes before race time.
We lined up and I was completely intimidated because I was literally ON.THE.LINE.. first with the fast girls. I joked that all my fast friends stayed home. I knew I'd place if I managed to stick to my race plan just based on looking at who was in the heat with me.
My plan had me going into this race not as a mile but broken down by 200 meters at a time. When I initially went over my plan I knew that the goal was sub 8, which I have only ever done once in a workout and that was well over a year ago. I had a friend run with me for about half a mile of this to give me a little boost, some pep talking. But I was running this for me.
I started fast and knew it so I slowed a little in order to be able to kick it up a notch in the last 200. Once I got near the finish line and could hear people cheering I heard my coaches voice and, "You can get sub 7:30 if you kick hard." Eh.. I did not have it in me but here is how I did finish....
7:39
I was stoked, out of breath completely, but STOKED!! PR and sub 8 and FAST!! I finished 3rd in my age group and took home a sweet $30 gc to a local health/food shop where I racked up $30 worth of GU.
Racing a mile is hard but I was happy to have done this race and really put myself out there. I gave everything I had that day and it showed how much my hard work has paid off. In June I was averaging around a 8:36-8:44/mi for repeats on the track. That's almost a minute faster in just a matter of months.
A mile race and I received a very detailed race plan. I studied it a lot over the course of the days leading up until my race. I knew exactly what I was capable of (yet still doubted myself) and knew I'd have no issues at least doing my very best.
My very good friend is the race director for the Hal Canfield memorial Mile fest that takes place on Labor Day Monday in September every year. It is a USATF certified course and very fast out/back mile in one of our favorite areas to run - Cherokee Blvd in Knoxville, TN.
I got up that morning, did exactly as my coach told me to. Walked around the house, did a quick jaunt down the road and came back in to have my breakfast. The fist wave of runners started at 8:00am. The race was broken up into several heats. My heat wouldn't take off until after 8:30am. I had plenty of time to get in my 2-3 mile warm up and use the bathroom one more time.
sidenote- Here is my AdvoCare pre-race fuel routine-
Spark and Catalyst as soon as my feet hit the floor.
O2gold 60 minutes before race time.
We lined up and I was completely intimidated because I was literally ON.THE.LINE.. first with the fast girls. I joked that all my fast friends stayed home. I knew I'd place if I managed to stick to my race plan just based on looking at who was in the heat with me.
My plan had me going into this race not as a mile but broken down by 200 meters at a time. When I initially went over my plan I knew that the goal was sub 8, which I have only ever done once in a workout and that was well over a year ago. I had a friend run with me for about half a mile of this to give me a little boost, some pep talking. But I was running this for me.
I started fast and knew it so I slowed a little in order to be able to kick it up a notch in the last 200. Once I got near the finish line and could hear people cheering I heard my coaches voice and, "You can get sub 7:30 if you kick hard." Eh.. I did not have it in me but here is how I did finish....
7:39
I was stoked, out of breath completely, but STOKED!! PR and sub 8 and FAST!! I finished 3rd in my age group and took home a sweet $30 gc to a local health/food shop where I racked up $30 worth of GU.
Racing a mile is hard but I was happy to have done this race and really put myself out there. I gave everything I had that day and it showed how much my hard work has paid off. In June I was averaging around a 8:36-8:44/mi for repeats on the track. That's almost a minute faster in just a matter of months.
Friday, October 10, 2014
She is back!
Whoa Mama!
Who has been away from this dusty ol' blog for far too long??
You guess it - this girl!
How many times in the last year have I even said that!? Too.darn.many.
One of my goals for the year was to blog regularly again and obviously I have failed. But let's look at what has been going down in my town (or really my life!haha) during my blog hiatus.
-- That lil AdvoCare 10 day cleanse and 24 Day Challenge thing brought both me and my hubs great results. Like really really fabulous results. Neither of us has ever felt better. I'm down roughly 17 lbs since June and my man is down an amazing 40 pounds!!! I will post some progress and updated pics soon.
And I love love love AdvoCare SO much that I'm working it a little on the side. That said, if you read here and wanna hear more - I would LOVE TO HELP YOU get back on track with your weight loss goals, gain more energy and feel more A.L.I.V.E and coach you up on how YOU can be the very best healthy version of you without some fad diet and weight loss quick fix.
-- Whew. Football season, y'all. It's like a year long thing at my house but we are in full swing. And it has been fun. The team my hubby coaches for is doing well so far this season and my lil guy (who is not so little at 8 yrs old anymore) is waterboy this year. So.much.fun!! I have loved watching the team when I make a game and loved the excitement in my son's face to be out there with the boys.
-- My son (the 8 yr old mentioned above) spent a lot of this year (well June until recently) sick. First it was a parasite, then it was "we don't know," and it was test after test after test, meds after meds after meds, until our final follow up appointment with the GI dr a week ago to find out the poor dude has stress/anxiety related IBS. No bueno and no fun. at all. What caused this? The parasite was likely the start of it, but he also expressed to us some concerns with school and repeating 2nd grade. All is well now or at least on the upswing. The kids have been out of school for fall break so we shall see what happens next week.
RUNNING!!!
Y'all my 10th half marathon is a week away!!! I've ran some races and had some amazing PRs since I last posted. I cannot wait to share all that. And if all goes well the next two weekends (goal half marathon AND Ragnar Relay) I will be taking a short base building break before training for marathon number tres!
Stay tuned and hey - I am back!!
Who has been away from this dusty ol' blog for far too long??
You guess it - this girl!
How many times in the last year have I even said that!? Too.darn.many.
One of my goals for the year was to blog regularly again and obviously I have failed. But let's look at what has been going down in my town (or really my life!haha) during my blog hiatus.
-- That lil AdvoCare 10 day cleanse and 24 Day Challenge thing brought both me and my hubs great results. Like really really fabulous results. Neither of us has ever felt better. I'm down roughly 17 lbs since June and my man is down an amazing 40 pounds!!! I will post some progress and updated pics soon.
And I love love love AdvoCare SO much that I'm working it a little on the side. That said, if you read here and wanna hear more - I would LOVE TO HELP YOU get back on track with your weight loss goals, gain more energy and feel more A.L.I.V.E and coach you up on how YOU can be the very best healthy version of you without some fad diet and weight loss quick fix.
-- Whew. Football season, y'all. It's like a year long thing at my house but we are in full swing. And it has been fun. The team my hubby coaches for is doing well so far this season and my lil guy (who is not so little at 8 yrs old anymore) is waterboy this year. So.much.fun!! I have loved watching the team when I make a game and loved the excitement in my son's face to be out there with the boys.
-- My son (the 8 yr old mentioned above) spent a lot of this year (well June until recently) sick. First it was a parasite, then it was "we don't know," and it was test after test after test, meds after meds after meds, until our final follow up appointment with the GI dr a week ago to find out the poor dude has stress/anxiety related IBS. No bueno and no fun. at all. What caused this? The parasite was likely the start of it, but he also expressed to us some concerns with school and repeating 2nd grade. All is well now or at least on the upswing. The kids have been out of school for fall break so we shall see what happens next week.
RUNNING!!!
Y'all my 10th half marathon is a week away!!! I've ran some races and had some amazing PRs since I last posted. I cannot wait to share all that. And if all goes well the next two weekends (goal half marathon AND Ragnar Relay) I will be taking a short base building break before training for marathon number tres!
Stay tuned and hey - I am back!!
Thursday, May 29, 2014
The difference 3 weeks can make.
They say it takes 21 days to make or break a habit. I'd like to think that in 24 days/3 weeks I did both of those. I broke bad habits and reformed new, good habits.
In 3 weeks or 24 days here is what I lost -
* addiction to coffee and lots and lots of junky creamer.
* addiction and undying need/want for all things sweet
* 7.6 pounds gone forever
* 9.75 inches gone from my body
In the same time frame I gained -
* energy!!! Energy to come home and not be a slug even on days I woke up to run the track at 4am!
* confidence - that I can. I can do what I am doing and not let nay sayers get me down about it.
* my old wardrobe back!
* motivation, determination - it's back and the fire is even bigger this time.
I had tried hard (after losing 90 lbs) the last year or so to get my body back on track with losing weight. It wasn't budging. I didn't have it in my mind to work the way it needed. I was eating well though (through the week) and the weekend would hit. I lost all control on weekends. I had told many people, NO I don't need this or that. But finally, I broke down and my simple yes turned into something bigger than I expected. Part of my success goes beyond just the weight loss and inches gone. What I am most eager about is how I FEEL!! I am not dragging by 2-3pm every day and that's even on my 4am days! I have energy to spend time with the kids, to clean my house and to just get extra stuff done outside of my workouts. I don't dread my workouts. I'm up and ready to go most days instead of hitting the snooze button until the very last minute. I'm sticking and staying.
And here is visual proof as to why....
In 3 weeks or 24 days here is what I lost -
* addiction to coffee and lots and lots of junky creamer.
* addiction and undying need/want for all things sweet
* 7.6 pounds gone forever
* 9.75 inches gone from my body
In the same time frame I gained -
* energy!!! Energy to come home and not be a slug even on days I woke up to run the track at 4am!
* confidence - that I can. I can do what I am doing and not let nay sayers get me down about it.
* my old wardrobe back!
* motivation, determination - it's back and the fire is even bigger this time.
I had tried hard (after losing 90 lbs) the last year or so to get my body back on track with losing weight. It wasn't budging. I didn't have it in my mind to work the way it needed. I was eating well though (through the week) and the weekend would hit. I lost all control on weekends. I had told many people, NO I don't need this or that. But finally, I broke down and my simple yes turned into something bigger than I expected. Part of my success goes beyond just the weight loss and inches gone. What I am most eager about is how I FEEL!! I am not dragging by 2-3pm every day and that's even on my 4am days! I have energy to spend time with the kids, to clean my house and to just get extra stuff done outside of my workouts. I don't dread my workouts. I'm up and ready to go most days instead of hitting the snooze button until the very last minute. I'm sticking and staying.
And here is visual proof as to why....
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
BICBands GIVEAWAY!!!
Oh hello lovelies!! You know what is better than a 4 day work week leading into a week of vacation???
A little giveaway for my favorite headbands of all time!!!
So, you know I told ya a while ago that I was selected to be an ambassador this year for BicBands?!? Well, yay for ME! But what's in it for YOU???
A giveaway of course.
Here are the details-
Up for grabs is $20 worth of credit at BicBands.
To enter:
Reply to this blog post telling me what BicBand is your favorite.
You may also Tweet or Instagram your best BIC Chick moment with #bicchick and tag us too @bicbands! (Can tweet/instagram 1x/day, each post is good for 2 entries).
Contest open 5-22-14 through 6-1-14. Winners will be announced 6-4-14
So, what are you waiting for??
This is me last summer racing in one of my favorite BicBands! And it also happened to be one of my best #Bicchick moments because not only did I PR, but I won 1st place in my division!
A little giveaway for my favorite headbands of all time!!!
So, you know I told ya a while ago that I was selected to be an ambassador this year for BicBands?!? Well, yay for ME! But what's in it for YOU???
A giveaway of course.
Here are the details-
Up for grabs is $20 worth of credit at BicBands.
To enter:
Reply to this blog post telling me what BicBand is your favorite.
You may also Tweet or Instagram your best BIC Chick moment with #bicchick and tag us too @bicbands! (Can tweet/instagram 1x/day, each post is good for 2 entries).
Contest open 5-22-14 through 6-1-14. Winners will be announced 6-4-14
So, what are you waiting for??
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
WW - a quickie
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Boring gets exciting!
I almost did my usual - 3 things Thursday post, but boring....
Instead let me tell you about some exciting stuff going on in my world.
This year seems to be the year of "running fun" for me.
First, I'm super excited to announce that I was selected to be an Ambassador for my favorite active headbands of all time.
BICBands
I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to receive the call from Sandy earlier this week. She totally made my day. I've been a HUGE fan since I found her little shop years ago on Etsy. I haven't found a single hair accessory or running headband that stands up to the test like BICbands. And of course her slogan, "because I can," really spoke to me. The best part - she gives a percentage of proceeds to a different charity every month. Simply amazing. You'll continue to hear me spread the BIClove here, on Twitter and Facebook and if you see me in real life you already know I can rarely be seen without a BICBand on my head. ;)
Secondly, I have stepped out of my comfort zone already this year but I took a huge leap recently. A position opened up with our local track club to direct one their races. Two friends immediately sent my name to the club exec dirextor and in turn emailed me to make sure I got in touch with him. So, I will now be directing a race during the summer. I am really excited about the opportunity and feel so blessed to be a part of such a great club. My friends are awesome in so many ways and I cannot begin to express how thankful I am for their support and encouragement.
Lastly, I have failed to blog about my successes and downfalls to a T this year. That's going to change. I am going to muster up the courage this weekend to lay everything on the line. I need encouragement and support and well, I know I can get it here! I did before and it was great. Sunday begins another new adventure in my journey. Well, I shouldn't say new. I should say a re-start. I have never been more ready to hit the big green light than I was when I first started this weight loss thing. I'm full on ready to do it again and move forward to my successful path. I can't wait to start re-sharing my journey with you.
Instead let me tell you about some exciting stuff going on in my world.
This year seems to be the year of "running fun" for me.
First, I'm super excited to announce that I was selected to be an Ambassador for my favorite active headbands of all time.
BICBands
I cannot begin to tell you how excited I was to receive the call from Sandy earlier this week. She totally made my day. I've been a HUGE fan since I found her little shop years ago on Etsy. I haven't found a single hair accessory or running headband that stands up to the test like BICbands. And of course her slogan, "because I can," really spoke to me. The best part - she gives a percentage of proceeds to a different charity every month. Simply amazing. You'll continue to hear me spread the BIClove here, on Twitter and Facebook and if you see me in real life you already know I can rarely be seen without a BICBand on my head. ;)
Secondly, I have stepped out of my comfort zone already this year but I took a huge leap recently. A position opened up with our local track club to direct one their races. Two friends immediately sent my name to the club exec dirextor and in turn emailed me to make sure I got in touch with him. So, I will now be directing a race during the summer. I am really excited about the opportunity and feel so blessed to be a part of such a great club. My friends are awesome in so many ways and I cannot begin to express how thankful I am for their support and encouragement.
Lastly, I have failed to blog about my successes and downfalls to a T this year. That's going to change. I am going to muster up the courage this weekend to lay everything on the line. I need encouragement and support and well, I know I can get it here! I did before and it was great. Sunday begins another new adventure in my journey. Well, I shouldn't say new. I should say a re-start. I have never been more ready to hit the big green light than I was when I first started this weight loss thing. I'm full on ready to do it again and move forward to my successful path. I can't wait to start re-sharing my journey with you.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Three Things Thursday
1. This blog still exists. I need to make an effort to make it exist more. ;)
The truth is I have avoided blogging because my running has been very "blah" lately and there's nothing fabulous to report. That has been quite depressing for me. I've been in Physical Therapy since late Jan/early Feb. Looking back it doesn't feel like it's been that long but seriously that is a LONG time. I've been running. Less than I like, but running. What I have not been doing is racing. I love racing. It's prime racing season and my poor Kinvaras aren't being used (on the track or on race days). I think they're beginning to feel neglected. It hurts. I registered and then had to DNS my first 5k of the season. Big, fat suckfest!
2. What exactly IS up with the PT thing?
Well, I may get released today. Like released from seeing him or at least on an "as needed" basis. I've been released to run the entire time because the goal has been to keep me running but making sure it's pain free. Obviously there had been some painful runs, which is why I said running wasn't bringing me anything fabulous to report. The hip has been mostly cooperative with the occasional impingement issue here and there. My glutes are weak but we are working on that. And my back, mercy it's tight and has been receiving a lot of work. I'm hopeful. Today I am hopeful. I'm on a run 2/off 1 day schedule and easy runs only. Next week I can add back those beloved striders after my easy runs and possibly get to some hills (they seem to give my hip some issues). So, be hopeful with me!
3. Other excitement.
PT has told me that I can pick up the kettle bells again. Swing 'em, lift 'em, get stronger. That is exciting news because honestly I KNOW that this extra 15 I've packed on the last yr+ isn't going anywhere with running (or lack of) alone. I NEED to lift weights to make the muscles burn baby! So, that is good news. The issue will be working that time back into my schedule and getting use to a running plus gym routine. The best part is that we are closing in on the end of the school year and my kiddos routines will change. That means they can stay up later and getting home by 6:30-7 won't be as much of an issue w/homework. So, yay summer because summer means more gym time!
The truth is I have avoided blogging because my running has been very "blah" lately and there's nothing fabulous to report. That has been quite depressing for me. I've been in Physical Therapy since late Jan/early Feb. Looking back it doesn't feel like it's been that long but seriously that is a LONG time. I've been running. Less than I like, but running. What I have not been doing is racing. I love racing. It's prime racing season and my poor Kinvaras aren't being used (on the track or on race days). I think they're beginning to feel neglected. It hurts. I registered and then had to DNS my first 5k of the season. Big, fat suckfest!
2. What exactly IS up with the PT thing?
Well, I may get released today. Like released from seeing him or at least on an "as needed" basis. I've been released to run the entire time because the goal has been to keep me running but making sure it's pain free. Obviously there had been some painful runs, which is why I said running wasn't bringing me anything fabulous to report. The hip has been mostly cooperative with the occasional impingement issue here and there. My glutes are weak but we are working on that. And my back, mercy it's tight and has been receiving a lot of work. I'm hopeful. Today I am hopeful. I'm on a run 2/off 1 day schedule and easy runs only. Next week I can add back those beloved striders after my easy runs and possibly get to some hills (they seem to give my hip some issues). So, be hopeful with me!
3. Other excitement.
PT has told me that I can pick up the kettle bells again. Swing 'em, lift 'em, get stronger. That is exciting news because honestly I KNOW that this extra 15 I've packed on the last yr+ isn't going anywhere with running (or lack of) alone. I NEED to lift weights to make the muscles burn baby! So, that is good news. The issue will be working that time back into my schedule and getting use to a running plus gym routine. The best part is that we are closing in on the end of the school year and my kiddos routines will change. That means they can stay up later and getting home by 6:30-7 won't be as much of an issue w/homework. So, yay summer because summer means more gym time!
Monday, April 7, 2014
Running in the woods!
A few weeks ago we went camping as a family. We drove a couple of hours to join friends at Fall Creek Falls State Park. It's chock full of great hiking and lots of fun. We did a few little hikes that day as a family and since I hadn't done my long run for the day I decided to run in the woods when I had a chance. It got me super pumped up.
I've been dealing with this nagging injury but it felt like running in the woods on the softer surface wasn't as painful as road running sometimes seems to be. So, when I got home from that trip I immediately registered to run my first trail race.
The Knoxville Track Club has a great trail race serious - Treadin' Troddin' Trails.
I chose one of the harder trail races on the schedule as my first trail race. I.C. King of Trails. When I told my PT I was running it he asked if I had ever ran there. I told him no and he told me that it was definitely legit. I was even more excited.
For $10 or 2 volunteer coupons I got to run a low stress, no pressure race in the woods with friends and got a t-shirt to boot! The weather on Sunday was perfect. I chose crops, a tank and a long sleeve to wear. I opted for a hat rather than one of my beloved BICbands for fear I'd have to deal with branches in the face and at least the hat could shield my eyes a little. My hubby bought me a new pair of trail shoes a couple of weeks ago so I also got to break those in. It was muddy too since we'd recently had rain. Fun!!
This race is stagger start based on age/gender. There were 4 women in my age group and we started roughly 10-12 minutes after the first person. We started on the paved road and headed up into the trail. The uphill start was tough but there was plenty of downhill (narrow downhill, I might add) to make up for the uphills. I stepped to the side as needed for the fast folks to pass me. I walked when I felt the need to walk and I ran fast when I could. My friend Lindsay and I piggy backed each other the whole race, talking and making sure we stayed on the very well marked course.
I'd check my Garmin once in a while just to see where we were. She'd check hers too and we would compare notes. I noticed mine was a bit short on distance but every time I stepped to the side for someone to pass or walked my Garmin would auto pause. Starting back up it took a while for it to restart. So, the whole time Lindsay was about .60 mi ahead.
There was a water stop at the half way point. Our buddies were working the stop so we took a break to chat with them for a minute or two before heading out to finish up the race. I had carried my own water but they had a sports drink and I opted to take a small sip of that.
The first half of this race is on the expert trails and we knew the last half would be easier. We were thankful for that. It seemed like we were able to run much faster and walk less on the last half. It went by much faster than the first half. The funniest part was when I hit a root, caught myself and hit another root. Thankfully I caught myself again!
We kept wondering based on the difference in our Garmins when we would hit the end. Then we saw vehicles and heard cheering. We'd reached the end!
6.93 miles
1:28:11
This race was so much fun. It felt so good to not worry about time or pace. It was fun to talk to a friend and just enjoy our surroundings without the normal race day pressure. I'm already planning my next trail race! I was amazed at how well I felt afterwards. I was sore but it was such a different sore compared to how I feel after road racing.
Have you ever ran a trail race? Do you prefer that over road racing?
I've been dealing with this nagging injury but it felt like running in the woods on the softer surface wasn't as painful as road running sometimes seems to be. So, when I got home from that trip I immediately registered to run my first trail race.
The Knoxville Track Club has a great trail race serious - Treadin' Troddin' Trails.
I chose one of the harder trail races on the schedule as my first trail race. I.C. King of Trails. When I told my PT I was running it he asked if I had ever ran there. I told him no and he told me that it was definitely legit. I was even more excited.
Booty shot my hubby got as we headed to the trail.
For $10 or 2 volunteer coupons I got to run a low stress, no pressure race in the woods with friends and got a t-shirt to boot! The weather on Sunday was perfect. I chose crops, a tank and a long sleeve to wear. I opted for a hat rather than one of my beloved BICbands for fear I'd have to deal with branches in the face and at least the hat could shield my eyes a little. My hubby bought me a new pair of trail shoes a couple of weeks ago so I also got to break those in. It was muddy too since we'd recently had rain. Fun!!
This race is stagger start based on age/gender. There were 4 women in my age group and we started roughly 10-12 minutes after the first person. We started on the paved road and headed up into the trail. The uphill start was tough but there was plenty of downhill (narrow downhill, I might add) to make up for the uphills. I stepped to the side as needed for the fast folks to pass me. I walked when I felt the need to walk and I ran fast when I could. My friend Lindsay and I piggy backed each other the whole race, talking and making sure we stayed on the very well marked course.
I'd check my Garmin once in a while just to see where we were. She'd check hers too and we would compare notes. I noticed mine was a bit short on distance but every time I stepped to the side for someone to pass or walked my Garmin would auto pause. Starting back up it took a while for it to restart. So, the whole time Lindsay was about .60 mi ahead.
There was a water stop at the half way point. Our buddies were working the stop so we took a break to chat with them for a minute or two before heading out to finish up the race. I had carried my own water but they had a sports drink and I opted to take a small sip of that.
The first half of this race is on the expert trails and we knew the last half would be easier. We were thankful for that. It seemed like we were able to run much faster and walk less on the last half. It went by much faster than the first half. The funniest part was when I hit a root, caught myself and hit another root. Thankfully I caught myself again!
We kept wondering based on the difference in our Garmins when we would hit the end. Then we saw vehicles and heard cheering. We'd reached the end!
6.93 miles
1:28:11
This race was so much fun. It felt so good to not worry about time or pace. It was fun to talk to a friend and just enjoy our surroundings without the normal race day pressure. I'm already planning my next trail race! I was amazed at how well I felt afterwards. I was sore but it was such a different sore compared to how I feel after road racing.
Have you ever ran a trail race? Do you prefer that over road racing?
Friday, April 4, 2014
Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon - Relay Recap
It all began this year with helping tag and label 8200 bibs on a Wednesday evening a couple of weeks ago with my friends. This is a little "event" that I have happily helped with for the last few years. I love it.
Volunteering for this event never stops there though. I missed goody bag stuffing this year because we were out of town camping, however I was happy to volunteer at the expo the day before the race. I was helping with checking in our wonderful volunteers. My little 4 hour shift turned into a much longer (all day!) affair. I arrived around 8am and left just shortly after 6pm. Volunteering is one of my favorite parts of this event.
Race day -
The best news is that we found out on Monday that we actually came in FIRST place in the female division. We'll be trading our lovely 2nd place plaques for first place plaques. YAY!
Volunteering for this event never stops there though. I missed goody bag stuffing this year because we were out of town camping, however I was happy to volunteer at the expo the day before the race. I was helping with checking in our wonderful volunteers. My little 4 hour shift turned into a much longer (all day!) affair. I arrived around 8am and left just shortly after 6pm. Volunteering is one of my favorite parts of this event.
Race day -
Knoxville Endurance Ladies 4 person relay team before the race.
I was so excited when my friends and training buddies invited me to join them for the relay this year.
I was given the last leg. It was the shortest at just around 6 miles (or less). I got my "race plan" earlier in the week. I was familiar with this leg of the course because it's also part of another race in town we run. The hardest part I thought would be waiting around for a couple or hours or so for my friends to finish their legs.
Waiting on relay runner 3 to hand off to me.
I waited at the first exchange with my friends while my hubby ran his leg of his relay. Then he dropped me by Panera for a bagel and coffee. Hey! My 5am breakfast was gone by this point.
We then headed over to my exchange. I warmed up a little and used the porta potty. Within a few minutes it was time for me to begin my run. My friend handed the slap bracelet off to me and down the hill I went.
I felt really good for the start of my run. Except I looked at my Garmin as I was coming down the hill into my first mile and was going way too fast. I hit my first mile 45 seconds faster than my goal. Given my current issues with a long time injury I have had I paid for this in my middle miles and the one hill I had to deal with.
It was great seeing my friends running the marathon and cheering them on as I passed them on their way out. I didn't take water or need to gel but did grab water at one stop since it had already began to warm up quite a bit. My only goal once I realized I was off pace was to run as fast as possible and finish the race with my friends. My leg was roughly 6 miles. I gave it absolutely all I had. I was excited once the stadium was within view and amped up my pace a bit despite that gross hill going into the stadium (hills are not my friend, yet).
I could hear lots of cheering and looked up to see my friends! We all ran into the stadium together. We were stoked. We weren't sure exactly where we placed in the female relay division but we knew we had placed. We hung around a bit after the race to chat with friends and wait for a few others to finish before heading out and over to the Beer Market. One of our friends showed up later with these....
We finished as a group in 3:36:40 for the full 26.2 miles.
We were stoked to have placed and find out we got 2nd. Receiving an award was a bonus.
The best news is that we found out on Monday that we actually came in FIRST place in the female division. We'll be trading our lovely 2nd place plaques for first place plaques. YAY!
Posing w/our plaques and proud coach!
It was a fabulous day. I am so glad to call these ladies my friends and teammates.
And I love this race every year. I have done a different part of the race each year for the last 4 years. I loved doing the 4 person relay this year so much that I am convinced it is my favorite way to run the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Tom King Half Marathon recap
Two things I love - races and road trips! The only thing that makes the two better is when my friends are along for the ride and run! March 7-9 my friends, hubby and I all packed our bags and headed to Nashville, TN for a half marathon and lots of fun.
The details -
20th Annual Tom King Half marathon (and 5k)
Saturday, March 8, 2014
7:30 AM (limited to 1500 registrants)
My morning started like all race mornings. Up about 2-3 hours before the race, walk around, and eat breakfast before getting dressed and heading out the door. We arrived in plenty of time for a stop at the bathrooms and to hang around. We even saw THE Tom King as we were headed back out to meet the rest of the group before our warm up.
The weather was perfect at the start. It was cool enough to not have to bundle up and warm enough that I could've have switched my crops for a skirt if I had packed better. My friends and I did a half mile warm up then a few striders and lined up, ready to go.
I've been having some hip and tailbone issues and in therapy twice a week for that for a while now. So, I knew going in that this was not necessarily going to be the PR race I had hoped for. However, my race plan was pretty much laid out that it could have been a PR if my body was cooperative. The goal was to start at 9:25 pace and progress down from there. I knew this goal was attainable given my endurance and speed workouts lately.
The course is really flat (compared to K'ville). There were some inclines but nothing I'd even come close to calling a hill despite the volunteers saying, "You're downhill now," and "it's all downhill from here." The start and finish is at LP field. Start is on the outside road by the stadium and the finish is inside. The course itself is ran on some road then a paved bike/running path in a wooded park. We crossed a few bridges, one of which was bouncy and totally weird!
I liked this course/race well enough but not sure I'd rush back to it next year. I like the out and back but there wasn't really a lot of scenery. The finish was ok except once you think you're close to the finish line and see the stadium you then have to run around to the back side of the stadium which is kind of a mental challenge that close to the end. And that isn't all, once inside the stadium you have to run the entire inside loop to the finish. Not really fun when it's the end of the race and the goal is to pickup the pace for the final sprint. It's grassy and I'm just not a fan of running on grass.
My splits -
9:26 9:35 9:35 9:29 9:27 9:17
9:36 9:30 9:22 9:34 9:33 9:41
9:01 1:29
Obviously, I did not hit my goal paces nor did I PR. However, as I stated before my hip has been giving me fits so I knew going in this would be tough physically. I can stand about 8-9 miles before the tightness begins. Rather than stop and stretch wasting precious time on the clock, I push forward continuing to move. The best thing with that is that I was at least consistent and for this race that was a plus. My schedule did not have this race set up as my goal race for the year, so I was happy to run/race and collect a medal.
The only thing I'd have really done differently was carry my own water. I debated doing so because I thought there were plenty of water stops. However, it was warmer than I expected and around mile 9-10 we were in an open area of the park where the sun was beating down quite hard. That would have been the perfect spot for an extra water stop. This was also the time in which I needed to take another gel but was difficult without fluids to wash it down. Next time, I'd have my smaller hand held just in case.
The great thing about the out and back was being able to cheer on all my friends as they were headed back. Everyone did such a great job and looked awesome out there. They all came home with PRs!!!
Post race pic w/my hubby.
Finish time - 2:05:04
Age 35/39 - 48/107
Overall - 695/1283
The details -
20th Annual Tom King Half marathon (and 5k)
Saturday, March 8, 2014
7:30 AM (limited to 1500 registrants)
My morning started like all race mornings. Up about 2-3 hours before the race, walk around, and eat breakfast before getting dressed and heading out the door. We arrived in plenty of time for a stop at the bathrooms and to hang around. We even saw THE Tom King as we were headed back out to meet the rest of the group before our warm up.
The weather was perfect at the start. It was cool enough to not have to bundle up and warm enough that I could've have switched my crops for a skirt if I had packed better. My friends and I did a half mile warm up then a few striders and lined up, ready to go.
I've been having some hip and tailbone issues and in therapy twice a week for that for a while now. So, I knew going in that this was not necessarily going to be the PR race I had hoped for. However, my race plan was pretty much laid out that it could have been a PR if my body was cooperative. The goal was to start at 9:25 pace and progress down from there. I knew this goal was attainable given my endurance and speed workouts lately.
The course is really flat (compared to K'ville). There were some inclines but nothing I'd even come close to calling a hill despite the volunteers saying, "You're downhill now," and "it's all downhill from here." The start and finish is at LP field. Start is on the outside road by the stadium and the finish is inside. The course itself is ran on some road then a paved bike/running path in a wooded park. We crossed a few bridges, one of which was bouncy and totally weird!
I liked this course/race well enough but not sure I'd rush back to it next year. I like the out and back but there wasn't really a lot of scenery. The finish was ok except once you think you're close to the finish line and see the stadium you then have to run around to the back side of the stadium which is kind of a mental challenge that close to the end. And that isn't all, once inside the stadium you have to run the entire inside loop to the finish. Not really fun when it's the end of the race and the goal is to pickup the pace for the final sprint. It's grassy and I'm just not a fan of running on grass.
My splits -
9:26 9:35 9:35 9:29 9:27 9:17
9:36 9:30 9:22 9:34 9:33 9:41
9:01 1:29
Obviously, I did not hit my goal paces nor did I PR. However, as I stated before my hip has been giving me fits so I knew going in this would be tough physically. I can stand about 8-9 miles before the tightness begins. Rather than stop and stretch wasting precious time on the clock, I push forward continuing to move. The best thing with that is that I was at least consistent and for this race that was a plus. My schedule did not have this race set up as my goal race for the year, so I was happy to run/race and collect a medal.
The only thing I'd have really done differently was carry my own water. I debated doing so because I thought there were plenty of water stops. However, it was warmer than I expected and around mile 9-10 we were in an open area of the park where the sun was beating down quite hard. That would have been the perfect spot for an extra water stop. This was also the time in which I needed to take another gel but was difficult without fluids to wash it down. Next time, I'd have my smaller hand held just in case.
The great thing about the out and back was being able to cheer on all my friends as they were headed back. Everyone did such a great job and looked awesome out there. They all came home with PRs!!!
Finish time - 2:05:04
Age 35/39 - 48/107
Overall - 695/1283
Thursday, March 6, 2014
The Best "What If" I ever heard.
You know we've all played that "what if" game before. What if you had a million dollars? What if you could have any car you want? What if you could take the trip of your dreams.
Well friends, here is an even better what if......
What IF Everybody Ran?
My friends over at Mizuno Running have come up with an awesome illustration and statics to show you what the world would be like if everyone ran. Less cigarettes smoked, better sleep, more smiles. The list goes on and on and on.
Here is my favorite -
Let me shed some light.
I've been criticized by others for my love of running (and the gym for that matter) especially in regards to my job as a mother. Some things have been said along the lines of time taken away from my kids. There was a time when it would bother me a little especially when my own kids have asked, "Do you have to run today?" But I've let any negativity with that go. Sure, there are times I feel guilt but let me explain as I have to my children.
If you've read here long enough you know where I was 6 years ago. For those that haven't let me share briefly. I was overweight, not just a little BUT A LOT! I weighed in at 248 lbs at my highest that I can recall even seeing on a scale. That number could very well have been higher. In 2008 a friend of mine knew I had desires to learn to run and at the same time lose weight. She signed us both up for a 5k. My friend was fit and in great shape. This was the kick in the butt I needed. I "ran" that race with her finishing in barely under 50 minutes. It was miserable but I was happy to have accomplished something.
Six years later I still run. My fastest 5k to date is 25:51 (summer 2013). I've completed the following:
13 - 5k
5- 10k
4- 8k
2- 15k
2- 10 miler
8 - 1/2 marathon
2 - marathon
Running has brought me a long way physically (losing 90 lbs!!). Running has also brought me a long way mentally. Running has also helped me find not just myself but a ton of life long friends! What does all that mean? It means this mama is smiling more. It means this mama is happy and healthy and ALIVE!
So, when others question "WHY" I run so much or when my kids ask "Do you have to?," I have an answer.
If I didn't run, I'd be unhealthy and obese. Being unhealthy and obese means I can't do all the amazing things I can do with my family/kids. It means being tired and grumpy and out of shape. It means not being around for very long because we know that being unhealthy and obese isn't just being tired and fat. There are SO many other related health issues that aren't just related to physical health.
Along with all the other little things in my life that make me happy - running is my smile.
So, I ask YOU... what IF everybody ran? What if YOU ran?
If you want to read more on this awesome project go
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Weekend Recap
What a busy weekend we had around here!
Friday was my birthday and you know how it started. 5am on the track with 10x200 repeats. I killed them!! I worked most of the day before heading to a torturous PT session. Instead of starting with my exercises and finishing with the tens machine we started with the tens and ended with the exercises and some other stuff. The torturous part? An elbow digging deep into my super tight muscles. I thought I was going to come off the table.
Because my son's birthday is so close to mine (me - Feb 28, him - March 3) we decided to have his birthday party on Friday night. I'm such a cool mom to share my actual birthday for his celebration. :) Anyway, we had 4 of his friends over which made for a houseful of smelly, rowdy 8 yr old boys! FUN! They spent the night. The fun ended Saturday morning. I lost my train of thought. Did you catch that? Haha My hubby made a birthday cake for ME and we celebrated my day on Thursday.
He did such an awesome job with my cake and thankfully didn't light 35 candles. It was a nice night with my family.
Saturday morning once all the boys left I met a couple of friends for my long run. I was suppose to run 12 miles but they were only going 9. We rode together to the park. They suggested leaving and heading to Starbucks for coffee while I finished my last 3 BUT since we'd ran a decent clip and the course was hillier than my usual I decided to call it done at 9 miles too.
I think I made a wise decision there since I'd been having some issues with my hip this week. I'm also going into a race week. I have a half marathon coming up this Saturday, March 8th that I want to be ready for. I am ready but what I mean is I need my hip/body to completely cooperate for the best possible race. Skipping 3 miles from long run this weekend didn't worry me at all. I know I have the endurance to complete 13.1.
Sunday was spent with family taking it easy and meal planning for the week. We made a menu and I spent the evening getting my food ready for tomorrow. I think pre-planning is the best and easiest way for me to stay on track. It always makes me feel good going into a new week with a plan.
Tell me about your weekend. Anything fun?
Do you meal plan/food prep ahead of time?
Friday was my birthday and you know how it started. 5am on the track with 10x200 repeats. I killed them!! I worked most of the day before heading to a torturous PT session. Instead of starting with my exercises and finishing with the tens machine we started with the tens and ended with the exercises and some other stuff. The torturous part? An elbow digging deep into my super tight muscles. I thought I was going to come off the table.
Because my son's birthday is so close to mine (me - Feb 28, him - March 3) we decided to have his birthday party on Friday night. I'm such a cool mom to share my actual birthday for his celebration. :) Anyway, we had 4 of his friends over which made for a houseful of smelly, rowdy 8 yr old boys! FUN! They spent the night. The fun ended Saturday morning. I lost my train of thought. Did you catch that? Haha My hubby made a birthday cake for ME and we celebrated my day on Thursday.
He did such an awesome job with my cake and thankfully didn't light 35 candles. It was a nice night with my family.
Saturday morning once all the boys left I met a couple of friends for my long run. I was suppose to run 12 miles but they were only going 9. We rode together to the park. They suggested leaving and heading to Starbucks for coffee while I finished my last 3 BUT since we'd ran a decent clip and the course was hillier than my usual I decided to call it done at 9 miles too.
I think I made a wise decision there since I'd been having some issues with my hip this week. I'm also going into a race week. I have a half marathon coming up this Saturday, March 8th that I want to be ready for. I am ready but what I mean is I need my hip/body to completely cooperate for the best possible race. Skipping 3 miles from long run this weekend didn't worry me at all. I know I have the endurance to complete 13.1.
Sunday was spent with family taking it easy and meal planning for the week. We made a menu and I spent the evening getting my food ready for tomorrow. I think pre-planning is the best and easiest way for me to stay on track. It always makes me feel good going into a new week with a plan.
Tell me about your weekend. Anything fun?
Do you meal plan/food prep ahead of time?
Friday, February 28, 2014
Believe you can!
It's been a while since I posted any kind of update. I had gotten a bit down on myself being back in physical therapy and not hitting my goals for workouts. BUT the negative thoughts didn't last long. This week has been awesome!
physical therapy
I tore the labrum in my left hip in April 2012. I spent 4 mos straight in PT then and "recovered" well. I was able to keep running. I trained well and ran a 23 min marathon PR in November, injury free/little pain. However, I took a tumble late December and seemed to have jarred things on the ol' left hip a little. I wasn't having a ton of pain/issues but my tailbone was really bothering me. I didn't fall directly onto my tailbone so I ignored it for a long time.
I went to the dr, had an x-ray and got good news. No broken/fractured or bruised tailbone. He put me on anti-inflammatory meds for a couple of weeks and said to call back if I still had trouble. I did. I was sent to a PT specializing in women's health therapy (more on that later). It's so weird how all our "parts" connect and one thing leads to another. The tailbone was overcompensating for the hip stuff. So, once things were resolved with the tailbone after 2 visits, the hip flared up reallly reallly bad.
I've been in PT for 3 weeks with great improvements. I'm trying hard to remain positive in that I won't require another visit to the orthopedic dr OR surgery for my hip just yet. I believe if I just be patient in listening to my body and do my PT exercises as told that I can continue to run well and prolong any kind of surgery talk.
easy runs
It's been repeated to me over and over how important it is to take it easy on the runs labeled "easy run." I know why an easy run day follows a track/speed day. Your body has to recover. Easy runs should be done at an easy pace (for me during marathon training this was 9:45ish, now I'm told to stay around 10:00). The competitor in me, I guess, wants to always work hard. I'm motivated most of the time and like to run with my friends (who typically are faster). Going a bit faster on easy runs wasn't always easy but I got use to it and that became an easy pace for me.
BUT then the marathon and blah blah. My body was tired, this happened and that. And guess what? Yep, that "easy" pace became much harder especially on my easy days following a speed workout. Why? Because I wasn't allowing my body the rest/recovery it needed! Guess what happens when we push hard back to back? More prone to injury! I am not saying that is why my hip is a little flared up BUT it gives me a good reason to listen to what is being told of me and my easy run pace.
So, that all said - I take my easy runs easy and I feel so much better doing so and not letting the pace control my mood of the run. I believe that if I listen to what I have been told and am patient with the easy runs I will see the improvement I want in all my runs - long, short, easy, speed, races!
the track
In the last month or so I have been having a terrible time hitting my paces for track/speed workouts. This may be partly because I have gone to the track dreading what was on the schedule. A bad attitude rarely results in anything positive! It could also be that this winter has been terrible. So much cold, rain, snow and just too much winter around here.
However, this week has been great. I lost the attitude of "I cannot hit that pace for that workout," and I said, "Screw you mother nature and your sub freezing temps." I went to practice, listened to my coach when he told me my paces and then I ran them. Boom, bam, bizzle.
My training right now is based on speed and getting faster for my upcoming races. Here is how this week looked. I do speed work at the track on Tues/Fri.
Tues - drills - 2mi warmup 12x400 2 mi cool down (goal 2:05-2:00 progress down, 1:00 rest btwn)
1:57 1:59 1:56 1:58 1:56 1:57 1:56 1:57 1:57 1:58 1:59 1:56
Fri- drills - 2 mi warmup 10x200 2 mi cool down (goal :53-:55, 200 m recovery jog btwn)
:53 :52 :53 :55 :52 :51 :51 :51 :50 :48
Coach ran the last one with me as a birthday 200!
I believe that if I go to practice with a positive attitude and tell myself, "I can," when I am given my paces then I WILL!
What I learned this week:
When coach says be patient - be patient.
Lose the negative thoughts - you will see positive results.
Keep the easy runs easy and allow the body to recover.
And for my biggest bit of advice (not that this is even an advice post, lol) ------
Believe you can and you're halfway there!
physical therapy
I tore the labrum in my left hip in April 2012. I spent 4 mos straight in PT then and "recovered" well. I was able to keep running. I trained well and ran a 23 min marathon PR in November, injury free/little pain. However, I took a tumble late December and seemed to have jarred things on the ol' left hip a little. I wasn't having a ton of pain/issues but my tailbone was really bothering me. I didn't fall directly onto my tailbone so I ignored it for a long time.
I went to the dr, had an x-ray and got good news. No broken/fractured or bruised tailbone. He put me on anti-inflammatory meds for a couple of weeks and said to call back if I still had trouble. I did. I was sent to a PT specializing in women's health therapy (more on that later). It's so weird how all our "parts" connect and one thing leads to another. The tailbone was overcompensating for the hip stuff. So, once things were resolved with the tailbone after 2 visits, the hip flared up reallly reallly bad.
I've been in PT for 3 weeks with great improvements. I'm trying hard to remain positive in that I won't require another visit to the orthopedic dr OR surgery for my hip just yet. I believe if I just be patient in listening to my body and do my PT exercises as told that I can continue to run well and prolong any kind of surgery talk.
easy runs
It's been repeated to me over and over how important it is to take it easy on the runs labeled "easy run." I know why an easy run day follows a track/speed day. Your body has to recover. Easy runs should be done at an easy pace (for me during marathon training this was 9:45ish, now I'm told to stay around 10:00). The competitor in me, I guess, wants to always work hard. I'm motivated most of the time and like to run with my friends (who typically are faster). Going a bit faster on easy runs wasn't always easy but I got use to it and that became an easy pace for me.
BUT then the marathon and blah blah. My body was tired, this happened and that. And guess what? Yep, that "easy" pace became much harder especially on my easy days following a speed workout. Why? Because I wasn't allowing my body the rest/recovery it needed! Guess what happens when we push hard back to back? More prone to injury! I am not saying that is why my hip is a little flared up BUT it gives me a good reason to listen to what is being told of me and my easy run pace.
So, that all said - I take my easy runs easy and I feel so much better doing so and not letting the pace control my mood of the run. I believe that if I listen to what I have been told and am patient with the easy runs I will see the improvement I want in all my runs - long, short, easy, speed, races!
the track
In the last month or so I have been having a terrible time hitting my paces for track/speed workouts. This may be partly because I have gone to the track dreading what was on the schedule. A bad attitude rarely results in anything positive! It could also be that this winter has been terrible. So much cold, rain, snow and just too much winter around here.
However, this week has been great. I lost the attitude of "I cannot hit that pace for that workout," and I said, "Screw you mother nature and your sub freezing temps." I went to practice, listened to my coach when he told me my paces and then I ran them. Boom, bam, bizzle.
My training right now is based on speed and getting faster for my upcoming races. Here is how this week looked. I do speed work at the track on Tues/Fri.
Tues - drills - 2mi warmup 12x400 2 mi cool down (goal 2:05-2:00 progress down, 1:00 rest btwn)
1:57 1:59 1:56 1:58 1:56 1:57 1:56 1:57 1:57 1:58 1:59 1:56
Fri- drills - 2 mi warmup 10x200 2 mi cool down (goal :53-:55, 200 m recovery jog btwn)
:53 :52 :53 :55 :52 :51 :51 :51 :50 :48
Coach ran the last one with me as a birthday 200!
I believe that if I go to practice with a positive attitude and tell myself, "I can," when I am given my paces then I WILL!
What I learned this week:
When coach says be patient - be patient.
Lose the negative thoughts - you will see positive results.
Keep the easy runs easy and allow the body to recover.
And for my biggest bit of advice (not that this is even an advice post, lol) ------
Believe you can and you're halfway there!
Monday, February 10, 2014
Strawberry Plains 10k - race recap
The details -
When - Saturday, February 9, 2014
Where - Strawberry Plains, TN
What - Strawberry Plains 10k/Half marathon
Weather - 38 degrees and cloudy
For the past few years I have not only ran this race but volunteered. Actually, my first time ever at this race I volunteered only. This race is one of my favorites. I typically would choose to run the half (and have in the past) but this time the 10k was on my schedule. I was thankful for that! Given my last race (10 miler a few wks ago) I wasn't overly thrilled to be racing at all but definitely was glad to be running the shorter of the 2 distances.
I had a very off week last week. I only got in 2 of my scheduled runs and one other workout due to my body not cooperating. I will get into that more, but let me just say that as a result I was totally unsure of how things would go on race day.
Since I was volunteering for food prep we had to be there by 6:30am. Worked out well for us. It gave me plenty of time to get up, dress and eat before we needed to leave. I usually struggle with pre-race morning breakfast but on this race day things were perfect. I should make myself a huge note of that and keep doing that for every race day. Note about food prep - I made a bazillion and 42 peanut butter sandwiches on race morning. I may never eat a pbj again.
About 20-30 minutes before the race start my running friends and I got ready to head outside for our warmup. I was pretty chilled when we started out but was happy after a mile in to be warm enough that I wouldn't freeze during the race. My lungs felt great and my body was doing well. 1.5+ warm up and we headed to potty one last time before lining up. Since I had eaten breakfast at 5am and race start was 9am I decided to take a gel before the start.
We are usually advised to line up close to the start so as to not have to dodge walkers. I knew what my start pace should be (9:00-9:10) and felt pretty good where we placed ourselves in line. Once the gun went off I was a bit faster going out than needed so I tried to slow up a little to save energy when I would need it. I felt good. Really good considering my week and the pain I'd been having.
The plan was 9:10-9 to start and then speed up, however here are the actual splits:
9:00
9:22 (dropped a glove, stopped to go back and pick up. DUMB!)
9:17
9:15
9:19
9:13
1:32
Overall, I am really pleased with my race. I didn't hit my paces according to the plan BUT I was consistent and felt good the entire time. Other than the one tiny walk break to pick up my glove that I had dropped I don't think I'd do much differently. This wasn't a 10k PR for me but since it's the first time running this course it is a course PR.
Where did I finish up?
Garmin time - 56:59
Gun time - 57:01
Chip time - 56:58
95/284 overall
and..... 1st place Athena! I'll take that since it wasn't close to being a PR race for me.I scored an awesome beanie, scarf, and gloves (to replace the ones I ditched, goodbye Nikes).
It was really great to run with my friends and team mates. We all celebrated our own victories on Saturday. Several of us placing in our age/divisions and setting new PRs.
Did you race this weekend or finish a long run? How'd it go?
When - Saturday, February 9, 2014
Where - Strawberry Plains, TN
What - Strawberry Plains 10k/Half marathon
Weather - 38 degrees and cloudy
For the past few years I have not only ran this race but volunteered. Actually, my first time ever at this race I volunteered only. This race is one of my favorites. I typically would choose to run the half (and have in the past) but this time the 10k was on my schedule. I was thankful for that! Given my last race (10 miler a few wks ago) I wasn't overly thrilled to be racing at all but definitely was glad to be running the shorter of the 2 distances.
I had a very off week last week. I only got in 2 of my scheduled runs and one other workout due to my body not cooperating. I will get into that more, but let me just say that as a result I was totally unsure of how things would go on race day.
Since I was volunteering for food prep we had to be there by 6:30am. Worked out well for us. It gave me plenty of time to get up, dress and eat before we needed to leave. I usually struggle with pre-race morning breakfast but on this race day things were perfect. I should make myself a huge note of that and keep doing that for every race day. Note about food prep - I made a bazillion and 42 peanut butter sandwiches on race morning. I may never eat a pbj again.
About 20-30 minutes before the race start my running friends and I got ready to head outside for our warmup. I was pretty chilled when we started out but was happy after a mile in to be warm enough that I wouldn't freeze during the race. My lungs felt great and my body was doing well. 1.5+ warm up and we headed to potty one last time before lining up. Since I had eaten breakfast at 5am and race start was 9am I decided to take a gel before the start.
We are usually advised to line up close to the start so as to not have to dodge walkers. I knew what my start pace should be (9:00-9:10) and felt pretty good where we placed ourselves in line. Once the gun went off I was a bit faster going out than needed so I tried to slow up a little to save energy when I would need it. I felt good. Really good considering my week and the pain I'd been having.
The plan was 9:10-9 to start and then speed up, however here are the actual splits:
9:00
9:22 (dropped a glove, stopped to go back and pick up. DUMB!)
9:17
9:15
9:19
9:13
1:32
Overall, I am really pleased with my race. I didn't hit my paces according to the plan BUT I was consistent and felt good the entire time. Other than the one tiny walk break to pick up my glove that I had dropped I don't think I'd do much differently. This wasn't a 10k PR for me but since it's the first time running this course it is a course PR.
Where did I finish up?
Garmin time - 56:59
Gun time - 57:01
Chip time - 56:58
95/284 overall
and..... 1st place Athena! I'll take that since it wasn't close to being a PR race for me.I scored an awesome beanie, scarf, and gloves (to replace the ones I ditched, goodbye Nikes).
It was really great to run with my friends and team mates. We all celebrated our own victories on Saturday. Several of us placing in our age/divisions and setting new PRs.
Did you race this weekend or finish a long run? How'd it go?
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
WW - hill repeats (and it's not wordless!)
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