On The Other Side

Got up Saturday morning and got my 10.5 miles in on the trails at MO and then my husband, Mark and I headed up to CVNP to work at the covered bridge aid station for the Burning River 100. We were to work there through the night but decided to go up early to watch the runners, which some were my friends, go through some of the other aid stations. I had mixed feelings about being there and not running. I really wanted to run but my head was not into it and I don't think I would have been able to live through another DNF. What better way to give back to the running community that I so love, than to help others in their time of need! It was inspiring watching runners come to the aid station at mile 80. Some looked like they just ran 5 miles and others were struggling to continue. It has made me yearn to get back out there and try again, maybe this fall, hint, hint!! It was amazing to watch Jay Smithberger in the top group, Michael Patton, who was going for a PR, Star Blackford, who was pacing a group that wanted to run 24hrs and then she managed to run 22 hrs. Poor Stephen Zeidner, came into the aid station very sick, but managed to run 26 hrs and then, of course, you have Roy Hager and Ron Ross, who are two of the most amazing men I know, always stead fast and strong. Congrats, to all runners and thank you for giving me back the yearning to try again!!

Sunday - Finally a day of rest!!!

Monday - Boot camp, 7 mile run, 2 of those miles were at tempo pace, 1 mile swim with 10x25yd sprints and 300yd pull.

Today, Tuesday - 10 miles at MO, abs with NO lifting. I am going to take a week off of lifting and see if the boot camp will be enough without losing any strengh?

Wearing Down, Just a Little

The last couple of days, I have been tired, well, I guess I feel tired most of the time, but lately I'm feeling pretty wrung out! I think it is a combination of things. Not much sleep, adding boot camp to my workout, plus 70 miles weeks, weight lifting, swimming, and then of course life in general! I know I should eliminate something but my OCD kicks in and I start to panick. I talked to the boot camp instructor today, and he told me I should not be lifting, but I have worked to hard not to continue. I will however, trust him for a week or two and see if I lose any strength. That might help some. Usually my weeks have been looking like this.. Sunday-long run and lift, Monday-boot camp, run and swim, Tuesday-long run and lift, Wednesday-boot camp, run and swim, Thrusday-two runs, am and pm and lift, Friday-boot camp, run and swim and Saturday- long run. Do you think I'm over doing it??? I Don't but I probably am!! I just don't want to take anything out of my schedule.

Yesterday, Thrusday - I ran 6.5 miles in the morning, lifted weights and then met the Mansfield Y run club at MO for another 6 miles. It's always such a relaxed, fun time running with the group!

Today, Friday - Boot camp with alot of jumping rope, kicks and push-ups, 7 mile run and 1 and 1/4 mile swim with 300yd pull and 150yd kick.

Before I end, I just wanted to wish all the runners who will be running Burning River 100, Good Luck!! I will be working the other side this time, at mile 80, which is the covered bridge aid station! It should be a good day!!

All In An Instant

Alot of things happen in an instant. You can't remember how or why but it is done and over with before you know it. You can't take it back or change it, only live with the outcome. We have all had these instances, good or bad, in our lives. Last night, my youngest son, Keith got word that three of his classmates and their drill team coach/ English teacher were in a car accident. They were hit by another driver, who was killed. Keith's three friends are all ok, but have been bruised and battered. Their coach, who was driving the car, is in far worse shape. Internal injuries and broken bones, listed in critical but stable condition. It only took an instant for this all to happen and change everyone's lives forever. I'm so greatful that the three girls will be ok and am praying for their coach. I am also praying for the family of the young man who was killed. Life can be so cruel at times but I do believe lessons can be learned. I need to realize to be greatful for the things I have and the people I love because it can all be taken away in an instant!

Workout for the day - Boot camp, 7 mile run and 1 mile swim that included sprints of 1x25yd, 1x50yd, 1x75yd, 2x 100yds and 400yd pull.

Always Alittle More

Started my day later than I wanted, but that's ok, nothing really important going on. Keith was up at 6:30am for football conditioning but I just couldn't do it. I yelled good-bye and have a good one, laid my head back down until about 7:30am. I really wanted to hit the trails today, so that takes a little bit longer to get ready. Water bottle, extra water, snack, dirty trail shoes that need to be put on once I get to the trails, a towel for drying and cleaning off afterwards, garmin and of course the drive to the park. It probably takes an extra 20 minutes or more to get ready but it's all worth it once you are out there!! My goal today was to run no more than 10 miles maybe only 8 depending on how I was feeling. Of course you all know me, I ended up running 13 miles mainly because I miss calculated the route I was running, thinking I was only going to end up with 10-11 miles :) Got it done and actually felt pretty good doing it. Lifted weights when I got home and called it a day other than the usual chores around the house!!

Always Playing Catch-Up

For some reason, I can never keep up with things. Whether it's posting on my blog, the kids, house cleaning, grocery shopping, running or sleeping, time always slips by and I am behind once again!!I haven't posted anything since last Wednesday, July 21st, so I'll start with Thrusday July 22nd.

Thrusday 7-22-10 Ran 6.5 miles on the trails, lifted weights and 6 miles at Mo with the Mansfield Y run club. Both runs were very hot and humid! I really struggled with the second run. I don't know if I didn't eat enough or if it was the weather.

Friday 7-23-10 Boot camp, 8 miles on the road and 1 and 1/4 mile swim that included 450yds pull. It was another hot and humid run and it was starting to take a toll on my body!!

Saturday 7-24-10 15.5 miles on the trails at MO. VERY HOT and HUMID!!!! A great weekend because the whole family was home. Kyle even made spaghetti and meatballs for everyone and we invited my mom and dad over for supper!

Sunday 7-25-10 12.5 miles on the trails at MO. It was not only hot and humid but it also poured down rain the entire time :( Quite a miserable run but got through it and then lifted weights.

Monday 7-26-10 Boot camp inwhich we worked on core the entire hour, ran 8.6 miles on road, and swam 1 and 1/4 mile swim with 450yd pull. I had a great run since the humidy was down and I wasn't sweating to death!!!

So here I am, all caught up for the moment :)

This Old Body!!!!

Sometimes I wonder how much can one's body take?? When you are young, you don't think about all the aches and pains, you just go because you can. There is no stiffness or soreness and injuries are far and few. You can jump out of bed, put your running shoes on and go out the door in a matter of minutes. The start of your runs are just as fast as the end of your runs and then you are ready to go at the day hard without the thought of a nap to revive yourself!

As I get older, I feel the aches and pains and pray everyday I can make it without an injury. It now takes me about 45 mins. to get out the door for a run in the morning and believe me, I don't jump out of bed anymore!! Most days I live for a nap and that doesn't even revive this body at times!! But, I keep at it because I LOVE the sport, the competition and how it makes me look and feel!! Through all the aches and pains over the years, I have learned alot about myself and have met some really great people. I have learned how to be tough and endure pain that only a runner can imagine. The most painful losses and lessons have made me the runner I am today and I wouldn't trade it for anything. As I start to age and those aches and pains become more frequent, I ask myself why I keep at it, it's because I CAN!!!!!

Today's boot camp made me think of all this, as I'm stuggling to keep up with the youngins'. I constantly remind myself that I am strong and tough, even though I'm almost 50, I CAN stay up with those youngins' and be a role model to them. Hopefully, they look at me and keep pushing themselves. I want the younger generation to realize that with age things may change but it's all good and you can continue to make and reach goals you set for yourself. Yes, you do slow down with age, but I'm starting to realize that you can't fight it. Enjoy it, embrace it, and work with what you have. Believe me, I will continue to strive to be the best runner I can!!

As for today, boot camp that included 1 mile for time in the beginning and 1 mile for time in the end. Remember, this old body needs lots of warming up, so my first mile was only a 7:20 but the second mile was around a 6:50. In between the miles, we did alot of leg work, so I was pleased :) I then ran an easy 5 miles from the YMCA and then swam a mile with 8x50yd sprints. And, YES, I will be stiff and sore in the morning!!

Losing Makes You Stronger

This past Saturday was Loudonville's summer swim league championship. All three of my boys have swam on the team since they were 4 yrs. old until they graduated from HS. Keith is the only one left swimming and for some odd reason, didn't think he had to go to practice, only show up for the meets. That worked for the two meets he swam in but for the championship, he learned his lesson, as hard as it may be! All three of the boys are natural athletes. They could/can do any sport they choose and with alittle effort, they excel very well. For some odd reason, when it comes to swimming, they are all very good breaststrokers. Corey holds the league and pool breaststroke records and swam in the winter during HS. Kyle stopped swimming after JH and decided to come back for his last year and won the breast in the league champs after 5 yrs. of no swimming. And then we have Keith. He has always been trying to get Corey's records and seems to fall short by tenths of seconds. Last year, he won the breast in the champs, in his first year in the 15-18 age group. This year, he THOUGHT he would have no trouble repeating!! He was seeded first by 3 seconds, so from what I understand, his head got alittle big! I, of course, was running the BT 50k and missed the meet :( He raced to 7th in the 50m freestyle and 10th in the 50m butterfly, which was no surprise because the only thing he cared about was the breast!! Mark told me that Keith was very nervous before the start of the race. He had a good start and pull out but another swimmer from another team was right with him. At the turn, Keith had a slight lead but soon lost it and found himself neck and neck with the other swimmer. At the end, it looked like they touched at the same time but they gave first to the other swimmer. I think Keith was in total shock. I'm sure alot of emotions were running through his mind, shock, anger and disappointment. The things you learn about yourself coming in second!! He lost by less than a tenth of second but none the less, it was a loss. As we all have learned, losing only makes us stronger and wanting it more. Sure it hurts, but in the long run, we get over it and try harder. That's the lesson Keith has learned this summer! I'm positive, he will be back stronger than before and he probably will go to more practices :)

My week had started out fairly strong after taking Sunday off. Monday was boot camp, 6.5 mile run and 1 and 1/4 mile swim with a 450yd pull. My legs were tired from the 50k but not sore. Today, I was sore from boot camp but managed
8.5 miles on the trail and weights.