Roller Coaster of Running Emotions

I have been a blog slacker!

It happens sometimes I guess.  All I can say is that life has been busy, and most of my online time is now work time, which is a good thing.  At least it's productive and I'm making a bit of money sharing a product I love with others!  Plus, it's World Cup and that has been a big distraction!

Speaking of here's a look at my current nail situation...

  So much fun!

Mostly though I was on a bit of a running emotions roller coaster with the knee situation, and just didn't feel like blogging.

I think goals are a good thing so don't take this wrong...but I'm realizing the problem with setting a goal for a specific race and pinning the whole year's running on that one big race.  It makes it really hard to let go and do what's right/smart vs pushing harder than you probably should and making things worse.  (Even though my goal is to pr all my distances hitting the pr I want for the half was the #1 focus for me).

I had a strong talk with myself and reminded myself that I registered for a back-up race for a reason, that my goal was just a random goal I set for the year in order to stay focused and motivated, and as such life does not depend on me hitting that goal, and that my long term running ability and health are more important than some stupid numbers on a clock at the finish line.

It sure does seem that when numbers are involved in life it's way easier to obsess...numbers on a scale, numbers on a watch, daily/weekly/monthly/yearly miles etc.  I had to remind myself that there is a reason I don't own a scale...I can't use it in a healthy way, and if I can't run for the joy of it and stop obsessing about pace, and how my 4 or 6 mile time may translate into my 13.1 time then I'm going to have to not own a Garmin as well.  

It's kind of funny to me that after having a strong convo with myself and letting go of what I thought this race was going to be, and focusing instead on running smart and just making it to the start line healthy, things came together on yesterdays run!

  Ran with the watch mostly to keep track of miles, not pace.  I kept it fairly flat and ran what felt good and only looked at the watch towards the end so I didn't go over 6.

This is the first nearly pain free run I've had since this whole knee thing popped up.  I would say it was 85% pain free, and the pain that did twinge here and there was way less intense than what it has been...progress! I have let go of pushing for a PR pace and am just focusing on an easy'ish, sustainable pace that feels good for my breathing, cadence, and my knee.

I'm also adding on miles slowly.  Two miles a week to the long run and the shorter runs during the week are about half of what the should be at this point.  Two miles may seem like a lot, but I'm only up to 6 miles and at this point in the training I should be at 11...way behind.  I should still hit 12 before race day, but my taper time is going to be way less than normal.

After I get my knee worked on this week I'll start adding miles onto the short runs as well, provided everything feels good.  My new goal is to make it to the start line period, and finishing.  It stressed me out for a bit, but I'm letting go of arbitrary goals and just focusing on running smart, doing what works for my knee, and having fun.  I really love the Tacoma Narrows course, and Dad is going to race chase again, so I have a lot to look forward to!

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How do you set your running goals?  Do you have a yearly goal, monthly, weekly, race by race?

I tend to set a goal for the year, but out of my 3 years of running I've only hit my goal once.  Last year when I qualified for Half Fanatics, the first year I missed it (run a race a month for the year) and this year isn't looking so great, but we will see.  Clearly I may need to change how I set my running goals.  

Weekend Fun, and No Knee Pain!

We had a lovely weekend away, like totally away with no phone or wifi service, and I kinda love that!  I also kinda love camping! 

 Sparkling White Sangria and a good book!

 PB doesn't last long around our place/camp!  Foil wrapped banana, and Sky claiming her spot in Bob and Michelle's new trailer! 

Let's talk about the foil wrapped banana for a moment.  I didn't actually get to try it, because I made myself sick eating cookie dough bites, but Mark said that it was really good and highly recommends it!  Leave the banana in the peel, cut it down the middle (length wise) add some marshmallows and whatever other yummy stuff you would like (chocolate, PB, crumbled gram crackers or nilla wafers etc), wrap the whole thing in tinfoil and heat/melt by the fire.  Once it's melted open up and enjoy right out of the peel. 

 

 She is such a snuggle bug when we camp!

 She knows how to enjoy some ice cream! 

This was pretty funny, because I was actually in the outhouse (one of the things we love about the property...flushing potty!)  Next thing I see is Sky's face smashed up against the mesh vent at the top...was not expecting that!

Thank you Bob for making your chocolate chip cookie dough bites...so good!

I think my knee needed the break this weekend.  I didn't run, didn't hike, didn't really do much of anything other than sit around drinking wine and reading my book.  It's a borrowed book, so I was doing my best to blaze through it and get it back to it's owner.  

By the time we got home yesterday I had zero pain and felt ready for a test run...and it feels 100% fine today.  Granted it was only a 2 mile run, and the pace was very easy, a few seconds shy of race day PR pace, which is slower than I've been pushing my runs as of late. 

I'm hopeful that all is going to be ok, but won't feel like I'm out of the woods until I get closer to 10 miles on it and it doesn't hurt.  I was considering running again today, but opted for pilates and trigger pointing instead. 

I may be a little more cautious than I truly need to be, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, and I have a lot of wiggle room in meeting my PR goal.  Technically to meet my running goal for the year (PR's at all my distances) I only need to be 1 second faster than my current PR.  I've been training for a much bigger PR than that, but while I'm training to shoot for the stars I know that I have a lot of room to allow for a more moderate pace if need be.  So we will see how it goes.    

Tomorrow I'll get out there again and see how it feels.  Fingers crossed! 

Sadly Mark and Sky came home from camping sick.  Sky is down right miserable and is cranky as all get out, yet wants to be cuddled and held all the time.  She finally started crying and asking for her bed, so I'm hopeful she wakes up feeling a bit better.  In the meantime I'm enjoying World Cup and blogging while I have the chance! 

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Any campfire treats (other than the normal smores) that we should try out? 



 

Knee Update!

My knee feels better!!! It's not 100%, but the ice, ibuprofen, rest, and finally being able to foam roll and use my roller stick on it have made a huge difference.  I'm pain free this morning!  It's still a bit stiff, but at least it doesn't hurt!

I'm going to focus on resting it this weekend, while camping, and will probably do a test run Sunday afternoon after we get home.  I'm really hoping that I can pick up next week with the training schedule and only miss one long run (I have missed the 8 mile long run 4 out of the 5 times I've gone through this training schedule...interesting).

Ultimately while I would be irritated about paying money for a race I don't run an injury isn't the end of the world.  I don't get paid to run, it's not how I feed my family, it's a hobby/sport/form of exercise that I love, but am not dependent on.  I was stressed (really more irritated at the inconvenience of it)  for about 2 seconds when my knee flared up.  But, then I put it all in perspective and decided to not worry about it.

I will live to run another day.  Yes, I hope that day is sooner rather than later, but regardless I'm not stressing about it.

A few fun pics from the last few days...

She asked to play in her room, with the door shut, that should have tipped me off!  After a few minutes she started yelling at me to take her picture, and this is what I found when I walked in.

She hardly ever falls asleep in my arms anymore....I was in heaven!

We love Rock n Roll!

I love that I can work, watch soccer, drink wine, keep an eye on Sky playing outside all at the same time.  Got lost of Jamberry work done while resting my knee yesterday!

Funny convo with Sky yesterday:

I got down on the floor to help her with something and forgot to be careful of my knee...

Me: "Ouch, that hurt"

Sky: "What happened Mommy, I kiss it"

Me: "I bent my knee too much and it hurts"

Sky: "You run too fast Mommy, it hurts"

Sadly she may be right.  

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Anyone running Seattle Rock n Roll this weekend? 

Tell me your favorite song or band to belt out in the car!

Me - Aerosmith, Sky - Bruno Mars

It's NOT an Injury...It Is Not an Injury

I'm so irritated right now.   

I had a most awesome run last night...a sub 9 pace (very fast for me) and I felt great doing it.  Nothing hurt or bothered me.  It felt hard, but any pace that starts with an 8 should feel hard, but nothing hurt at all.  

So, I was not happy to spend my day like this today.  

About two hours after the run last night my knee started hurting...I couldn't bend it, and it was swollen.  It didn't feel any better today.  I figured stroller running was a bad idea, so spent the day in magic compression pants, icing, taking ibuprofen and resting as much as possible.  

It feels slightly better tonight, and I'm optimistic it's not a "real" injury, just some strange tweak that I can work out on my own.  Fingers crossed.  

The upside is I had a legit excuse to watch soccer all day!  

Hopeful that I only miss a run or two and still have 6 weeks of training to get ready for Tacoma Narrows Half! 

 

Running, Life, Weekend Catch Up - 3 Posts In One

I  hope everyone had a lovely Fathers Day weekend!  Things have been busy around here, which is why there hasn't been a new post in a few days.

It seems no matter how early I get up, to have some blog time before Sky's awake, it's never early enough. She is making a habit of getting up about 5 to 10 minutes after I do, even if it's 5:00 am!!  I just don't set alarms that start with a number lower than 5.  Mickey Mouse Club House is helping me out this morning though.  

Plus, it's World Cup, so I find myself watching soccer all the time!  I'm trying to be responsible and get stuff done between matches, but let's be real...the house and everything else is sliding a bit.  Oh well, this could be the last World Cup I'm a SAHM, and therefor able to sit and watch, so I'm making the most of it!

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Anyway, we had a very nice weekend and an easy, laid back Fathers Day!

Saturday started with a visit to Tacoma's Relay For Life event to help celebrate 30 years of Relay!  It's been 5 years since I've been back at the Tacoma event, and you know it was really nice.  I got to re-connect with some people I have really missed, and that was nice.  It was also nice to be recognized, with the other past chairs, for the part we have played in Tacoma Relay history.

Chairing the Tacoma event was one of the hardest yet most rewarding things I have ever done...I'll admit I'm pretty proud of my involvement, and time spent on the leadership team!  I have to say though, it was fun to just be at the event, visiting with friends, and have zero responsibility!

   Those glasses!

Sky had a blast running around, dancing, and playing in the jump house for a few hours.  Great way to burn energy!  

Sunday was totally laid back.  Mark wanted to go to REI and get flip flops for Fathers Day (love how easy he is!), so we did that, grabbed lunch, and headed home to watch soccer, rest, and get a training run in.

PSA - Don't eat a 6 inch Subway Sandwich and then go run 6 miles (I actually only did 5.51 because that was what it was when I circled back to the car, and didn't really feel like trying to come up with .5 more given the subway in my tummy situation).  

While you can run with a tummy full of Subway Sandwich I just don't recommend it.  I mean I got my run done...it was 18 seconds faster and 1.5 miles longer than last weeks run...everything (except for my tummy) felt really good and strong...so it can be done, but it's probably not going to feel super awesome.  It's good training to run through discomfort though...I guess.  

I actually felt really good mentally after the run.  Training is headed in the right direction...adding miles and dropping the pace.  You would think that headed into my 6th 1/2 training cycle I would be calm, confident and trust the training process.  Yet, I always freak out a little bit the first few weeks, because it feels hard. I'm usually start over to some degree since I scale the running back a lot after race day, and don't pick it up again until training starts.  I'm finally feeling like I'm getting my race day legs back, so I'm feeling a lot more confident with the training!  

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Yesterday was play date day with Reagan.  Here's a tip...put parchment paper down on your table/counters when playing with play dough, so it's a quick easy clean up when done.  

    

Then it was time to come home and cheer on Team USA!  Let's just say I'm way more into soccer than Sky is.  

Thankfully she can watch movies/play games on her Nabi while I watch soccer, and we can still cuddle...which is all she want's to do lately.  Except for when I'm jumping and screaming for Team USA...it was an exciting match...Sky didn't think all the noise was needed though.  

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Tell Me: 

How much does your weekly mileage drop between races?  

How frequently do you have races on your schedule?

Worst pre-run/race meal ever?

  

    

Friday Fun!

Really I just have a bunch of fun'ish pictures to share from the week.  Today is being spent watching soccer, which is fun, but not really blog worthy fun. 

I did start my day with a most awesome run!  This training cycle I have felt off.  Things, not even sure which things, just haven't felt like they should.  I was starting to think that maybe this time around was going to be a complete disaster and I could kiss my PR attempt goodbye (a bit dramatic given I'm only 3 weeks in I know).

But, today was different.  I felt good.  The pace felt good and I felt like I could have kept going for as long as I wanted to.  Granted it was only a 4 mile run, but this weeks average pace was 20 seconds faster than last weeks 4 miles.  And, nothing hurt, nothing irritated me, and my mind felt like it was in the game!

  Goal pace race day is 9 even.  I'm getting there! 

Looking forward to Sunday's long run now for sure!  

Ok, on to some random, fun pics from the week!  

Looks like we may need to look into T-Ball for her!  She was really hitting it hard.  And, in cowgirl boots even! 

We had a very important book to pick up for her at the book store (Her very own copy of Princess Of The Potty) and we ran a Father's Day errand as well.  Her reward was a triple chocolate chip cookie bigger than her head!  

Giggles and snuggles...this is how she starts almost every day.  She wants cuddles and she is almost over the top happy every morning when she wakes up.  Love it! 

Really yummy summer beer!  It's going to be even better camping next weekend!  

Her absolute favorite thing to do in the whole world...swing on her swing.  It makes her feel like she's flying.  :)  

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend planned and Happy Father's Day to all the Father's out there! 

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful for:

-An unexpected play date with friends!

-That even though there is a weather change hanging over our heads it's still nice and sunny today.

-World Cup Soccer...and I get to watch it!

-Sky took a nap today!!!!  I got/am getting so much done! 

-That my legs feel so much better today.  The stroller run yesterday was tough...like I was a brand new runner running for the first time tough.  But, I got it done!

-For perspective...You dedicated trail runners out there are no joke!  I started out a trail runner, but only did 5K's, by the time I moved up to longer distances I was/am a full on road runner.  I have nothing against trail running, I really miss it actually (need more balance in my running life!), but because I was running 5K's and that is now a pretty easy distance for me I never had a full appreciation for how hard trail running is.  The entire time I was running the 10K I was thinking about my sis and her family and a few trail running bloggers I follow.  You guys do crazy dust, crazy hill climbs, crazy hard runs/races all the time and have a whole new appreciation for how hard you guys work!

-Super thankful for this pic and this experience at the race Sunday! 

After running out to meet me Sky ran me into, and across the finish!

Any other soccer fans out there?

What are you thankful for?

Run Like The Wind 10K

Well I did it!  I completed the Run Like The Wind 10K in 1:25:20 and feel really good about the effort! 

 Love the wood engraved medals and the beer was amazing!

I pushed when I could, and walked when there was no other option.  I didn't really look at my watch, because I cared more about running smart in the heat than about maintaining a particular pace.  Turns out the heat was hot, but a non issue really.  I managed it well and while I was hot and tired at the end I felt good. 

The hardest part of this race was the ankle breaking rocks on the trail.  Most of the route was baked potato sized rocks that rolled like crazy.  It made it difficult, and impossible in some spots, to run at all.  The only rock free portion of the route was the decent that went on forever.  My quads were burning for sure at the bottom, but it was a much welcome change from the crazy a$$ hill that started the race!  Nothing like a never ending downhill to make you thankful for a crazy a$$ hill back up to the finish! 

 This is what the view looked like for most of the run.

My quads feel like jello today, and my knees are pretty sore.  I worked on them last night with the roller stick, nice and easy, and while it hurt it felt good at the same time.  Not running today, but will take Sky for a walk at the park to get the blood flowing again, and drinking lots of water! 

I had an absolute blast running this race!  There is a stark beauty in the barren landscape, and the race is small.  Less than 40 runners for the 10K.  There were two start times and only about 25 people started in my heat.  The race organizers did a really good job of making the runners feel special, and like we were getting personal attention from them.  

The best part was after I started Mark said Sky took off running and made it to the first aid station (which was visible from the start line) and they gave her water and treats before she headed back to the start/finish line.  They then let her hand out the medals to the finishers.  One of the benefits of running a small event the organizers are able to let the tots be involved like that!  

I tell you there was nothing better than cresting the hill to the finish and seeing my baby standing at the finish with a medal for me.  I know I crossed that finish line with the biggest smile ever!  

Despite having fun, enjoying the race and loving the views I won't be doing this one again.  The biggest reason is my heart loves running through trees and seeing green when I'm trail running!  I just need that in my trail running life!  Plus, I had to concentrate on each and every step because of the rocks.  I was so scared I was going to break an ankle.  Trail running already takes more mental focus than road running (for me anyway) but this was at a whole new level and I just didn't care for it.  I was mentally exhausted by the time I finished. 

But, the #1 reason I won't do it again is THE WIND!  Duh, it's a wind farm, so it's going to be windy, but the entire weekend was constant non-stop wind.  I think Ellensburg has Chicago beat for the Windy City title hands down.  My hats off (literally since it blew off yesterday and Mark had to chase it) to those that live there and put up with the wind on the daily.  

A few random pics from our weekend of camping (KOA Ellensburg = really nice camp ground!) and running!  

 We were packed up and ready to leave, but Sky wasn't not on board with camping being over. 

 The only time Sky falls asleep in our arms now is when we are camping.  It's kinda the best thing ever!

 Post race recovery.  I waited to have wine until after I had a ton of water!  For some reason I just need pj's after a race, it makes my legs feel cared for.

 Texas style BBQ recovery lunch! 

 Hanging out in camp, watching the river and fly fisherman that floated past.

 Pool time!

Not scared of crickets at all!

Overall it was a lovely weekend away.  I'm thankful to Mark and Sky for hanging out at the wind facility for 1:25 while I ran.  Their support makes running so much more enjoyable, and doable!  Thank you to my Mom who had a jam packed weekend, but still made time to hang out with us and spend time with Sky!  

Now, I'm back to focusing on PR training!  Gotta get my quads back so I can work on my speed! 

 

Thankful Thursday

So busy, but that in turn provides extra things to be thankful for! 

Today I'm thankful for:

-Only 2 more sleeps until we are camping! 

-Only 3 more sleeps until my first trial run in a very long time! 

-That after a disappointing training run over the weekend I had a better one tonight.  It was slower (gotta save these almost 40 year old legs for race day Sunday!) but, nothing hurt!!!  I was starting to stress about all the pains I was having, but tonight, everything felt great! 

-Diligent stretching, foam rolling, trigger pointing, roller ball stick device is all paying off and = no pain while running!

-I get to enjoy this as my office!!! 

Made enough $$ to order my official business cards!  They are so pretty!

-Having an awesome watch dog in Bishop.  As soon as Sky rounds the corner and is out of my line of sight he visibly perks up and is way more alert and watchers her until he knows I can see her again.

-Bribery!  4 hours of grocery shopping/running errands and all it takes is a cake pop to keep it fit free with a 3 year old!

-Having the right gear to handle what is going to be a hotter than I would like run Sunday.  I have nothing to prove so will take it slow and be smart out on the trails.  ---  P.S. I am running on the shade free side of the state, so well wishes would be great!  Because, this is what happened last time I ran in the heat: See Jane Run Seattle

-Sky's love of books...

..."I just need to read".  It's one of my books, but she doesn't care, she recites lines from her Tinker Bell movies as she's turning the pages "reading to mommy". 

-Dunking in princess shoes.........

...it's next to impossible to get those shoes off her feet...which makes them a great incentive to do what she's being asked to do!  I've given up on the whole they are not outside shoes.  She loves them so much it's just not worth the fight.

-Being able to spend another summer home with Sky.  I don't take a second of it for granted!

What are you thankful for today?

National Running Day

It's National Running Day and Sky and I will be joining the stroller group to show T Town how the stroller ladies and tots get it done! 

Better yet, I missed last nights group run (which I don't love), so my legs are super fresh to push the stroller today!  Love having fresh legs on stroller day! 

National Running Day seems like a good time to answer the question: I run because_____________.

Why do I run? 
Because I can, because there are those that can't.  Even on my worst running day there are those that would give almost anything to be able to have a bad run...any kind of run at all.  When I run I think about all those, known and not, that can't run due to a temporary injury, due to a life changing disease or event, or those who have never been able to take a single step in the first place. 

It puts a new perspective on the phrase "I can't".  Very rarely is "I can't" a true statement when it comes to running, or life for that matter.  Like I tell Sky almost every day...there is a difference between I can't and I don't want to.  When I start to feel like I can't, I remind myself that there those that truly can't, that I'm running because I want to, because I can, and because I love it.

 More like Run This Life!

 So tell me what is your reason to run?  I run because_____________?

Happy National Running Day!  Now go out there and log some miles!


  

Family Run and Fun in the Sun

I was pretty excited to get some trail time in Friday with my two favorite running partners!   

Running in a tutu!

I have a trail 10K this weekend, my first trail race in probably two years, and I have run on trails exactly once in the last year, so felt like I needed to get some trail miles before race day.   

I don't mind the slower pace of pushing the stroller, and letting Sky run if it means we are running as a family.  I love that she was pretty much yelling at us the whole time, "I run, let me out, I run too"!  I was a little devious in that I put off letting her out until we were on the way back home and about to take on the uphill section that kinda sucks.  The less weight in the stroller the better!

She made it almost all the way up the hill for a total of about .6 or .7 of a mile, not bad for little legs!  I could tell she was getting tired and I asked her several times if she wanted in the stroller and she said no and worked her way up most of the hill!  So proud of her!

After our family run we decided to relax and enjoy the sun with a sushi picnic in the park, and spray park fun!

 I think she's yelling Sushi, or maybe cheese and sprinkles I forget now.

 Not a bad view!

If there's water she has to be in it!

 Always running! 

 

 She was freezing by this point, it was sunny, and warm'ish, but not hot and after 7pm, so cooling down.

Cargo nets are her playground challenge is seems.  She is drawn to them, but has a hard time with them.  Thankfully she's determined enough to keep trying until she climbs it...usually.  This one was curved and much bigger than she's used to, so in the end she didn't make it very far, but she tried and tried! 

I got a good 4 mile solo training run in yesterday.  Pace isn't what it needs to be (it's within striking distance though), but it's the first week of training, and it felt harder than I would like, but again it's the first week.  It was a really good reminder that I need to take training a bit more serious and pay attention to what I'm eating and drinking.  If I'm going to hit my goal with this next race I need to pull it together and not just log training miles!

I'm looking forward to the 10K this weekend, and it fits perfectly into the training schedule since my "long" run this week is 6 miles!  Just under 1,000 feet of elevation gain, never mind it's the last mile, gotta love an uphill finish :-/ but I'm looking forward to it all the same! 

Totally random question...

What is one "odd" running habit you have?
I can't run if I haven't brushed my teeth...my mouth has to feel clean and fresh for a run.  I have no idea why.  I have many more odd habit's but if I shared all of them no one would want to be my friend.  :)

Riding the Rails

We don't know what it is about trains and kiddos, but they all seem to love trains, no matter what.  Girl/boy, 1 or 3 (or more) kiddos just seem to love trains!  Sky is no acceptation, and She's smart enough now to know which routes home will take us past as many train tracks as possible, and asks/tells me which way to turn from almost anywhere in town, just to have a chance to see some trains. 

When we are lucky enough to time it right I pull over, if at all possible, so she can watch the train fly past. 

Being the cool parents we are we made sure we won a bid at an auction for tickets on the Snoqualmie Valley Railway.  We have had the tickets for months waiting for the perfect time, and this weekends sunny weather combined with us not having any plans gave us the perfect opportunity to surprise Sky!

 Our tickets to adventure!  

You can catch the train in Snoqualmie and ride to North Bend, or catch it in North Bend and ride to Snoqualmie.  It's a 70 minute round trip and you can get off the train at either station, spend time in town, and catch one of the return trains back.  It makes a trip up to Snoqualmie Falls, you can't leave the train, but there are some pretty great photo ops from the train.  

 She was so excited when she saw the train that she was dancing around and squealing!  

We decided to catch the train in Snoqualmie, and originally thought we would spend time in North Bend having lunch and catch a later train back, but the drive in through Snoqualmie was so lovely and the town so adorable, we decided to ride round trip, and spend time in Snoqualmie instead.  

Sky did awesome on the train.  Each car was set up with different decor, and seating arrangements, so we moved from car to car, one of them open air, as needed and she was all smiles the whole time!  

 We're on a train!!!

  Not the Hogwarts Express, but still a very cool old train!

For those local peeps I highly recommend a train ride!  We had so much fun, and Snoqualmie is a really cute little town.  Sky lost it as soon as we got off the train, to be expected I guess, so we didn't get to explore town like we wanted...darn I guess we'll have to go back!  :)  

I hope you all had a great weekend and got to spend it with people you love!