Off The Wagon

I fell off the wagon and I hit the ground hard.

Hard.

Marathon is officially not going to happen. 

Last week I was just stupid and only drank a cup of hot tea a day several days in a row (that's not even 8 ounces of liquid)!!  How could someone forget to drink?  Honestly, I'm not sure.  I have dehydrated myself twice this year.  Neither time on purpose!  I believe I'm part camel.  I am rarely "thirsty" and typically have to remind myself to drink.

These were some symptoms I had (others I won't list because you really don't want to know):

• Lethargic
• Weak
• Moody
• Severe headaches
• Overall tired
• Sleepy
• Depressed

Hank was the one that figured out I might be dehydrated.  It really hit over the weekend and I just felt miserable.  I honestly didn't want to care for Rollins when he was awake.  His crying made my headache worse.

I need to formulate a new plan.  I have been two weeks without exercise and that is the reason for feeling depressed.

I really need to focus.  I've been such a flake and it's not my personality.  It is really making me crazy!

I'll hopefully return.  I WILL return with an action plan.

Quotes

"No doubt a brain and some shoes are essential for marathon success,

although if it comes down to a choice, pick the shoes.

More people finish marathons with no brains than with no shoes."

- Don Kardong

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"It's very hard in the beginning to understand
that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners.

Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice
inside you that wants you to quit."

- George Sheehan

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves.
It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go.
It helps us to find out what we are made of.
This is what we do. This is what it's all about."

- PattiSue Plummer, U.S. Olympian

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"You need to look back, not just at the people who are running behind you
but especially at those who don't run and never will...
those who run but don't race...
those who started training for a race but didn't carry through...
those who got to the starting line but didn't get to the finish line...
those who once raced better than you but no longer run at all.
You're still here.
Take pride in wherever you finish.
Look at all the people you've outlasted."

- Joe Henderson

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"The task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you."

- Unknown

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Click here to see more quotes from my other blog: Born Into The Light

Vulcan Run 2010

Last night was terrible.  I didn't go to bed until 2 am.  Rollins decided that he did not want to be in his crib.  I tried many times to lay him down and the second he felt me let go of him he started crying.  On any other night I would have let him cried it out.  But this weekend we have company and that's just not right.  So, I let him sleep on my chest for the first time until I finally couldn't do it anymore.  Around 2 am I tried again and he didn't notice.  Sadly I was so wound up from trying not to roll over and stay half awake that I couldn't go to sleep.  I was also anticipating Hank's arrival from a gig.  I think I fell asleep around 2:30.  At that point there was no hope in me racing.  I was exhausted and it just wasn't going to happen.

But it did.  And I'm oh so glad!  I ran the first mile slow and steady.  That was not my plan but pride got the best of me.  I felt great until around mile 4.  Mile 5 I started feeling really good and that gave me my best mile as far as splits and pace.  Overall I'm pleased with the race.  I remember when I look at that time that I am running on a bummed leg and not to get sad about it.  I was just so grateful to be running.

Vulcan Run 2010
Weather: 34 degrees, seriously awesome!
Distance: 6.2
Average Pace: 11:01
Total Time: 1:07
Calories Burned: 582
On iTunes: Wolf Like Me by TV On The Radio

I hope to race and beat my time in a couple more weeks for a Thanksgiving 10K!  Hopefully my injury will no longer be an issue and I'll be back at full speed.

Nice.

I've been working real hard at home to stretch out my IT Band and tonight it paid off.  The pain hasn't gone away completely but it isn't hurting as bad.  I'm not out of the woodwork just yet!  I honestly don't think this will just disappear.  I'm prepared for good runs and bad runs.  I have forgotten what an emotion roller coaster training can be.  One minute I feel confident and the next I feel I'm going to lose it.  One minute I feel like dropping out and the next I'm in it 100%. 

Monday's Run:
Weather: 70 degrees, perfect!
Distance 4.23
Average Pace: 12:44
Total Time: 53:53
Calories Burned: 374
On iTunes: Addicted To Love by Florence + The Machines {LOVE LOVE this song}

Thursday MORNING'S run:
Weather: 47 degrees, dark, gloomy, sprinkles... loved it!
Distance: 2.65
Average Pace: 12.20
Total Time: 32:43
Calories Burned: 230
On iTunes: Washed By The Water by Needtobreathe

Next is Race Day on Saturday!!  So excited and scared.  Still working on the IT Band and I have a fear that it will give in on me half way through the race.  It's only a 10K but I'm still nervous!

I plan on placing myself in the back of the pack.  I will start off walking to warm up my legs and then get going on my run / walk method.  Praying I cross that finish line whether I run, walk or crawl!

Meb, Meb, Meb

NYC Marathon is this weekend.  I LOVE watching marathons on TV.  I watched the Olympics, NYC last year, and any others that come on TV.  I remember tearing up when Meb crossed the finish line last year.  Put politics and college football aside.  It was a moment where we were all cheering for the same team... USA!!  It was a moment where I felt proud to be an American!  He was the 1st American since 1982 to win the largest marathon in the world. 

I dream of being at the back of pack of a big marathon like this.  What a feeling to know elite runners and olympic athletes are leading you!

"Like the marathon, life can sometimes be difficult, challenging and present obstacles, however if you believe in your dreams and never ever give up, things will turn out for the best.”
- Meb

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!" - Phil 4:13

Move With A Purpose

When I have time I love watching The Biggest Loser.  I had to watch Tuesday's episode.  The contestants spent a week training like Marines do.  I'm so glad I did.  It was a very motivating episode!

Here are some things that were said on the episode by contestants and Marines.

• You have 3 minutes to get your gear on.  Do you understand?  No, do you really understand?
• There are thousands of Marines that to go into a combat zone.  These contestants are training to save their own lives.
• You're only as strong as your weakest link
• Let's go!  Turn it up! March!
• I know you are trying but I need you to try harder!
• I'm not quiting!!
• You never leave anybody behind. We are all one team.
• Think about what you just accomplished.  Tell me you can't accomplish anything else from this day forward.  Tell me you can't!  You can do anything you freakin' put your heart to.  Do not quit. Do not give up.  It's just that simple.  Don't quit.  Don't give up. -Marine
• Move with a purpose!
• 5am Get up!  Get in line right now!  Right now!  You have 2 minutes to get outside.
• You're on my time now.  This is the pace.
• You have 30 seconds to go to the bathroom.
• I will tell you when your done!

Will It Happen?

I overslept Thursday morning and crammed a 1.5 mile workout in.  Does that counts as a workout.  I walked a good bit just to warm my legs up a bit.  I felt fine but had to get home and get the day going.

I ran 3 miles on Saturday (running for 4 minutes / walking for 1).  IT Band started hurting so I walked the last mile home.  I had a 90 minute massage planned (thanks Hank).  The massage therapist had an emergency and it was cancelled.  I ended up going to Fleet Feet Sports and talked to someone about my IT Band issue.  I ended up buying another tool to help me.  The Foam Roller.  These tools are helping me, however, everyone I talk to says I'll end up in physical therapy.  This saddens me and makes me now think that the marathon is just no longer attainable.  I'm barely getting in enough time to run; how in the world will I have time for therapy?

Unfortunately the 14 mile I planned has been moved back.  I'm reevaluating my training plan.  I'm basically seeing how far this wimpy leg will carry me.  I'm also going to look into physical therapist (just in case).  I don't want this to really interfere with the marathon (if it happens).

I'm left with the feelings of disappointment, sadness, failure, and just mad. 

This training feels different.  I'm not as connected as I was before.  I don't feel I'm running enough.  I don't feel my mind is in the game!  I don't feel I'm eating right, drinking enough water, stretching enough, or doing enough cross training.  Never mind.  I'm not doing ANY cross training!  I have no where to cross train!  I'm really on the down and out about the whole thing.  I'm discouraged.

Ugh.

I'm so frustrated.

Goal this week is three 4 mile runs and [God willing] a 10K race this weekend.  If I'm physically able to run this race it will be the most humbling race.  I'm prepared for a time over an hour :)  I usually run 10K between 50 - 60 minutes.  I think my fastest was right under 50 minutes.

I think I'll go for a run to clear my thoughts...

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