Oktoberfest!

After having the second crazy weekend in a row I finally have walked away with some decisions made...I'm out on the upcoming race...which actually is ok...I don't have the stress of fitting runs in anymore or the guilt when I can't do what I'm should be doing.

For the busy weekend, it started off with the Oktoberfest 5K...the first year I've done the race. It was fun to do the shorter race especially after running 8-10 miles all the time it made 3 seem like a walk in the park...I went to the race with Lori and some girls from the club so we did a true warm up with dynamic stretching...I started to get my ipod all set so I could tell times and stuff...however it locked up. I tried to turn it off and then it wouldn't turn back on...so there we go...no music...no watch just run...instead of getting irritated I just ran, enjoyed being downtown and really had time to notice the hills...and the last hill was a long annoying hill...At that point I was thanking God for doing all those repeat hill workouts. The final turn, you run through the tents and tables that are set up for the VIP Oktoberfest people...not exactly the ideal situation for speeding up to finish strong...However, when I crossed the finish line the clock said 24:35. I was super excited with that, but then I started thinking I was seeing things. So then I spent much of the afternoon waiting for them to post results...The official results finally said 25:15 which I question...but I'm still happy with it. Louis ran Brooke to dance in Broomfield and then I ran Tyler to soccer...

After the exciting day I thought the run on Sunday would be great...no knee pain...feeling great etc etc...I was rather disappointed when at mile 5 my knee locked up, I tried to walk and it loosend up a little so I ran another mile...only to have it hurt immensly and had to walk the last two miles...After that expierence I have decided that I'm out for the 1/2. It's ok...heal the knee and look forward to a different race. That will be the best for me right now both mentally and physically...

I have to mention...Tyler has been so cute...with his overly obvious observations...I don't really have any specifics but I love it!

Big Decisison...

Since the last post I've been floundering (I guess would maybe be the right term) because of a nagging knee issue. I've had to 'rest' my knee by not running, originally for 2-3 days...So I did, it still hurt and I ended up resting my knee for an entire week missing an important 12 mile run along with several hill workouts and other various runs and workouts. I kept telling myself that I'm in good enough shape that it will be fine. So I changed the run schedule a little (made this weeks run a little longer) and said that if I could handle that then I would go full steam ahead with the 1/2 marathon. Otherwise I'll go into full support team mode. Well I'm still torn...I ran the 10 miles today, my knee was sore for the first 3ish miles. I picked up the pace and it felt better...At mile 9 I joined someone running and slowed down and could feel the pain again so I sped back up and it was a little better. I then decided to take it easy for the rest of the day, but I guess the bottom line is that I still don't know if I should run the race or just wait and let my knee heal. I don't want to be in pain for the whole time I'm running.  Am I stressing myself out because I missed some important runs and therefore psyching myself out? Is 2 serious 1/2 marathons in 6 months more than my body can handle? Do I just feel too much pressure with the rest of my life to add this on also? I guess all I've decided is that I'll wait and see how I feel this week and then sign up...This coming weekend I'm running a 5k and then supposed to do 14 miles on Sunday...I guess if I can make it through that, I'll bite the bullet. I'm currently reading about Marshall Ulrich...this amazing ultra marathon runner and I sometimes figure that if he can run with all the pain and agony then why can't I keep running with simple knee issue? I guess I must just be a giant wimp.

In other news...Tyler is back to playing soccer and played very well in his first game yesterday...I love to see him involved in the game and making plays and actually knowing what he is supposed to be doing. Brooke danced in the Harvest festival parade as well yesterday...She did well for as far as she had to go, but it was an enlightening experience for her.

weekly updates...

I'm trying to be better about writing...Not too sure how to go about that with the time schedule I have...Or there are many days that I just don't have anything to say...How sad is that?

Anyway, I did the hike on Saturday...it was good...took my mom and sister...I think they were surprised by the effort it took...We went to Mt. Democrat, and on that same range there is 3/4 other peaks that you could have hiked. I probably was up for it, but my mom was not so we did Democrat and then left. I was a little disappointed but it was for the better I've since found out...I ran 8 miles on Sunday and was fine...Started out running pretty fast for me but it felt good, then after mile 4 I slowed down. My legs were tired and the hills were hard on my tired legs. At the end I had crazy knee pain so I stayed off it for awhile (2 ish days). I ran at track last night...and the times were pretty good (7:51, 7:56 and 8:02 miles) but the knee was still sore...looks like I'm off the exercise wagon for a few days. You have no idea what that does for my mood!

On to more positive things...I picked the kids up for school yesterday and had to take Brooke to dance. She is relatively in her routine so there is no big deal there...Tyler gets in the car after we drop her off to go run some errands and the boy is exhausted...He slept forever...I only vaguely remember when Brooke started school how tired she was. Anyway he could have been down for the night but Lou decided he needed to wake him up to eat, which just means that it took awhile for him to go back to sleep. He is doing so good at school...and it made me feel good, the teacher stopped Louis in the hall to tell him how good Tyler has been, what a great helper he is etc etc. I love it when teachers appreciate parents efforts. And I love when you have fabulous teachers who care about the kids! 

So many things to blog about...

I've tried, I think, to use my blog as my journal...except a journal that I would be ok with anyone reading. However, I've discovered through the past couple of weeks I don't always have time for this...I love to go back and read stuff that I wrote a year ago and remember all that stuff...So I guess with my one post here I'll try to remember everything that has happened recently...

After running Georgetown and getting over my disappointing finish (I've finally decided that I was waiting for a miracle and in running miracles don't happen unless you train for them to happen) I took off the Tuesday track workout...ran on Wednesday but cut it short because of the nagging calf issue...did the gym thing on Tuesday and Wednesday and then I ran 4 miles on Saturday in the heat, which almost killed me. I hiked Mt. Bierstadt with some friends on Sunday (more on that later). I then did a repeat hill work out (Ward Road 4 times) on Monday, I did the gym thing Tuesday morning and then track work out (5 800's) Tuesday night and a short walk Wednesday morning...After all of that and no calf issue I feel like I'm back to really get down to business so that the Rock - n - Roll 1/2 is a positive outcome! I feel like the workouts are making me stronger and all the strain I've put on my body in the past week has not killed me. Looking ahead, I have the gym in the morning, hiking Mt. Lincoln on Saturday and 8 miles Sunday...With 6 weeks to go until Rock - n - Roll I have some ground to cover but I think I can do it...NO...I know I can do it...I'm thinking for a positive outcome I want to finish in a 2:00 - 2:05. It's not too far out of reach...and at Georgetown I ran with the 2:05 pace group until I hit the wall.

Hiking...I had it in my head that I wanted to hike a 14er last weekend and as it turned out some friends also had time...so after looking at all the 54 options of mountains we could do Mt. Bierstandt it was decided...mainly because it was close and not rated difficult (it is only the 2nd one I've hiked and the other 2 are newbies also). Anyway, we decided to meet at 6:00 at the parking lot and all drive to Georgetown together...I can't believe how full the parking lots were at 6 on a Sunday morning. Apparently we aren't the only demented ones out there. So we found the trail fairly easily...do the whole bathroom thing and I'm estimating that we were on the trail head at 8 ish... Anyway, off we go and the trail was groomed, quite well I will say...We are seeing a lot of people and I guess it didn't dawn on me that all of these people are headed to the same spot we are. We did take some 'catch your breath' type breaks and one that we had a snack...all in all we kept going. When we got to the steep part we did have to go from trail marker to trail marker to catch our breath but not bad. We get to where the trail flattens out, take a few pictures and look at the last 250ft up...Actually that was the most fun, figuring out your own path and jumping from rock to rock. The top, was amazing...where you can see the whole world (at least it feels like that). The bummer, there was all the people up there plus many more that were going to the same place I was...At the top we saw this guy who was carrying a toddler on his back...He started heading down the same time we did...so we thought we should be able to keep up with him...Wow...you could tell this was not his first rodeo...I'm figuring 3 hours up a little over an hour down. Amazing how much easier going down is! The hike was great, the conversation and company was great...I just wish now I had more time to fit these in!

Next...The kids started school...And actually I have to start with Back to School night...I had been positive about this for weeks...The kids are going to meet their teachers, life is going to be great. I knew Tyler was very nervous about starting Kindergarten and having to be there ALL day, but I was hoping my positive vibes would out weigh his nervous attitude. Well that worked. We got to school, got his teaching assignment, that we already knew and life was great. Brooke, however, she was excited until she got her teaching assignment. Mr....I think her hearing stopped working after that. She looked at the paper dumb founded. We got to her class, she robotically (is that a word?)2 did her assigned tasks, we left to go to Tyler's class and immediate tears formed. I had to stop that because I had to get Tyler all settled in to his assigned tasks...Anyway, many tears and conversations later Brooke decides she can give it a try. Now, 3 days into school the kids are both so happy, they can't stop talking about things they did or how the teacher sets traps for them to fall into or how they meet new friends. Brooke loves the new teacher so far...the funny thing "Mom did you know in 3rd grade it is really hard to get SOAR slips but really easy to get warning cards?" That is the biggest of your worries? Tyler loves his teacher, Kindergarten etc etc...except "Mom, do you think next year you can sign me up for 1/2 days?" No buddy, I think your going to be stuck with the long days for awhile.

Brooke's other big dilemma...Girls are finding their 'sassy' attitudes. I'm not too sure I'm excited about this but knew it would happen sooner or later.

The first day of school she comes home and says "Mom, (friends name) was really sassy to me today, with her hand on her hip and sassy voice."

Me "So what did you do?"

Brooke: "Well you told me it's not nice to be sassy so I just walked away and found a different friend."
Thank God she is listening...Maybe I have another few months before she finds her sassiness. But I sure was hoping that these girls could all just stick together and be friendly to each other a little longer than now...but it will all work out...I just remember being a girl and mean and stuff...some things never change! Hopefully tomorrow they can all be friends!

I think that is all of my updates...It would be sad if only a week later I can't remember things that happened...

Running Georgetown!

I had the 'privledge' (I use that term loosely) of running and finishing the Georgetown to Idaho Springs 1/2 marathon this past weekend. The reason that I use the term privilege is because I finished under my own power...no EMT assistance needed. Unfortunately I can't say that for all of us runners. It was a hot, long, hilly run but in the end I finished with a smile on my face and able to run (hobble) another day and sometimes we have to use that as our goal. My new friend and author, John Bingham, told me through his article "Managing Great Expectations" that we need to remember the following. "What's clear is that preparation is the price of admission to the start line. You set a goal, you make a plan, you do your best. Through commitment, you earn your right to start. Every finish line is a gift. Every time you cross that finish line you can take pride in what you've accomplished. Every time. Not just the PR finishes. Every finish." You see I had to read this from a guy I have never met for it to finally hit home...My very supportive husband, my mom and friends all told me that I was doing great things. They aren't runners though, do they 'really' understand or are they just trying to be nice?  My runner friends understand my side as well...We set out at every race, sub consciously to set a PR. Unfortunately my average 10.40 min miles and 2.20 finish time did not set a PR. So I'll have to come back, try again! I also understand that we all have great runs and we all have hard runs. And sometimes what is supposed to be easy is murder and what is supposed to be hard is easy and we wonder if we did enough. That is the joy of running and many of the reasons that we keep going back!

On the positive side, Georgetown was a beautiful race, aside from the hills and the sun it was great. I would sign up again...I would train differently also! For the most part it was a very well organized race...

I can also tell my strength as an athlete is improving. It used to be after a long run, anything over 10 miles I would be spent for the day...But I had a full weekend in front of me...Sore muscles yes, nap wanted yes...However, I was able to run errands and attend parties well into the night.

Missing Brooke

This week I've been without Brooke...she went on a vacation with her Grammie and Papa! And I could totally be the mom that says that it was nice to have a little time to myself, nice to give Tyler some extra attention, nice to not have activities to run to...And although all of that was true it finally hit us (by us I mean Lou, Tyler and myself) last night that we miss Brooke, her fun, silly sometimes bold and brash behavior. We missed her crazy ideas, we missed her keeping Tyler busy, we missed the silly stories, the cuddles and maybe just the 'business' of the house. We missed the good night book reading and tucking her in and yes, making her bed. We missed taking her to dance and work and her music. I missed her demands and maybe even her lectures on how I need to be a better mom...

So come home Brooke...Don't worry, I'll let you go again, just next time you must take your brother, because he sure is lonely without you!

It is amazing how you can be busy, like really busy but then you still realize you would have lost that much more sleep just to have the kids around...not sure how I'll handle college...good thing I still have some years before dealing with that!

Running...

I'm asked...on a daily basis almost, why I'm so addicted to running, why I run, why do I 'hate' my body so much. I don't typically have a great answer...usually something to the effect that it gives me quiet time or it is much like therapy or I just need to keep moving. I read an article today that I totally identified with...ok, not all of it, but it explains a lot about my running addiction...

"I’ve learned that I associate running with my best self. When I go through a dry spell, not training, it indicates that the rest of my life is a little messy or worn down. Running strips away something like what Virginia Woolf called “the cotton wool of everyday life” so that there is nothing between my intimate insides and the air and light and landscape unfurling under my sneaker treads. It’s release through motion."

Basically saying that I'm truly myself when I'm running. Even when I struggle with a workout or have unknown pain I still am the best version of me and I strive to be that person more and more often. I want to be the best version of myself more that I want to be identified otherwise. I encourage people to come run with me...not sure if I want them to see the best version of themselves, or if I want them to witness the best version of me; it is probably a combination of both. So there it is...that is why I run!

"My husband teases me about my obsession with running: the blogs, the books, the GPS watch, the shoes, the fartleks, the ice bath, and the tapers. These are the trappings of a cultish devotion, a way to burrow deeper into an identity that I am breathlessly gleeful and grateful to claim: that of a runner."

I'm not sure I could have said this any better myself...People shake their heads at me when I say I'll just go for a run or I need a hill workout etc...or they joke that they will join me. They don't yet understand the 'cultish devotion' that keeps me coming back! They don't understand that the sore muscles and tight ligaments are a sort of badge of honor that I wear proudly. And that is why I keep going back...week after week, day after day.

So, yes, I could say it is the therapy and the quiet time away from everything and the hope and the challenge of running further and faster. And, yes, there is gratification and emotion when you finish a race for a few seconds the world is a fabulous place and meeting goals has its perks.

There you have it...that is why I run!