Why Taking a Vacation from Running Hurts (literally)

After I discovered that sprinklers are the best thing about running at the beach...........I decided not to run at all the rest of my vacation. Each morning I got up and intended to run, but due to the groggy and foggy feelings I had after being up with my injured husband every few hours, I just didn't feel like it. It's been a long time since I used that excuse to not exercise, but I decided not to be too hard on myself. It was vacation, after all. Everyone deserves a break. I've worked hard all year for it....blah blah blah. I did fool myself for the rest of my glorious, indulgent week away from home. I found a shirt to wear that summed up my feelings for the week (see left!) When my six pack comes back I am going to wear this. Really!


The dreaded time arrives when it is time to pack up and leave the beach. Saddest day of the year next to the day after Christmas. We arrived home, and reality sets in. Finally it is Tuesday, and time to run. I just haven't been able to make myself get up early to run, so my running partner and I are having to suffer through in the late evening when it is pretty hot and humid. I felt like I was back to square one. I could barely run for 2 minutes and felt like I was gasping for air. Not a good feeling when you thought you made progress! My muscles felt like they were tearing away from the bone. I thought my feet would burn off. Pitfiul.

Thursday's run wasn't much better. It was a little better, but not much. I began to wish I had a tank of oxygen and a mask to help me. It seemed like nothing worked right, not even my fuel belt. I was beginning to think FAILURE.....you're never going to make this half in November.....everyone else will be rocking and you'll be rolling on the sag wagon. I decided it would take the rest of the summer for me to catch up from not running three times during vacation. My body was screaming out in pain like I had never run a day in my life. It was a very scary moment when I thought all I have worked and sacrificed for is over. (I tend to be a little on the melodramatic side. I'm sure you can't tell!)

Moral of this story:  NEVER EVER take a vacation from running unless you are injured and running will further damage your injury. I will NEVER EVER stop running, even for a few days,  just because I think I deserve a break. I don't. I do deserve to keep my body in a rhythm and a habit of exercise. My lungs and heart deserve to work harder so they can be more efficient. My joints and muscles deserve the familiarity of a regular run to stay in sync. I've learned this lesson the hard, painful way.

Note:  My Saturday run was excellent, and I feel much better about my half in November! I'm not giving up!

My Favorite Thing About Running at the Beach

Perfect Beach Reading--Getting ready for the half!!!!

Ahhh...vacation. I wait all year for it. This year's beach trip to Destin, Florida, was a little different, though. The week before our trip, my husband decided to race some friends on a dirt bike in the field behind our house, and he was involved in a wreck that caused him to break his collar bone. And bruise some ribs. Oh, and his knee....I didn't mention that. He also hurt his knee. Needless to say, the trip was a little more stressful than I expected.

Being the avid runner that I have become, I packed two sets of running clothes and my shoes, because I needed to run three times while away from home. Because of the hubs' injuries, we didn't get a lot of sleep at night. Every time he rolled over, he moaned. Then I had to help him sit up so he could get out of bed for several trips to the bathroom. Somehow that collar bone and his bladder are connected!!! Amazing miracle of science!  When I woke up each morning, I felt like I did when my boys were newborn babies and I had been up with them the night before. Groggy and foggy are words that come to mind. I didn't feel like running. I knew, however, that I had this half-marathon to train for, so on Sunday, our second morning at the beach, I tiptoed out of bed and put on my clothes, grabbed a water bottle, put on my armband with my phone, and headed out. It was around 6:15 ish and the sun was up, but it wasn't too hot. I started out, and was so happy to see many others running. I'm so used to not passing another soul way out in the sticks where I live, so this was a different experience for me. I was feeling adventurous because I had not mapped out a route, I just decided to Forest Gump it, and when I reached a dead end, I turned around and went the opposite direction. I really wanted to run on the beach, but in Destin the sand is way to soft, plus the strong waves had carved out a shelf between the beach and the water, which also happened to be slanted, and I didn't want to run on an uneven surface. I was surprised to find out that RunKeeper doesn't work any better in Destin than it does in the rural areas of Georgia. It continued to get "stuck" on the mileage so it wouldn't actually show the distance accurately. I would have to take a short walk break, pause the app, then resume it to get the numbers to catch up. Pain in the rear!!!!! Despite this challenge, I was able to run about 4 miles in 45 minutes, which is actually a personal record for me, because it usually takes me 45 minutes to run 3.1 miles. I supposed the lack of humidity helped me--you really can breathe better in Destin! Reason number 1,075 to move there!!!

The beach view is fabulous!!!!

When I arrived back at the condo, I thought about my run and tried to pinpoint my favorite thing about running at the beach--the community of runners all out doing the same thing at the same time, the view of the ocean from the sidewalk, the sidewalks and the safety of them (as opposed to the side of the road that I am used to), or the lack of humidity. I realized it was none of those things! My favorite things about running at the beach is............sprinkler systems!!! Several were on each part of my route, and it was so refreshing to run through them and get sprayed with a little water. These little gems kept me cool the entire run! What a luxury!

No, these are not sprinklers. But they will help me on my runs at home. Purchased on clearance!!!! Cha-Ching!

Run for Aimee Copeland 5K

On June 30, 2012, I ran in the Run for Aimee Copeland 5K. Many of you know that Aimee continues to make national news as she battles to survive necrotizing fasciitis as a result of a zip-line accident.I am not going to go into much detail about her accident and her health....please visit this link to read more:

http://aimeecopeland.com/

Her father writes a blog for the site, and you can get first hand information from him. Her story is very inspirational and she is a strong, remarkable woman! I know you will enjoy learning more about her!

When I first signed up for the race, only 90 people had registered. The organizers were hoping for 500, so they sent out emails to encourage everyone to participate.  There is also a Facebook page where you can learn more about the race:

https://www.facebook.com/RunForAimee5k


 It wasn't long before I received another email saying the run was FULL! 500 people registered to run the 5K! I was thrilled, because I knew the more people that were there would mean more money raised to help with prosthetic costs for Aimee and a portion of the money raised was going to benefit Life Skills for Women.Please visit their site for more information:

http://lifeskillsforwomen.org/

Finally, race day arrived! Although I knew the run was for a good cause and no real awards were being given (except to the top 3 finishers...not age group awards) I was very nervous! I think I will always have that feeling when I race! The venue was packed....500 people is a lot for the area we were running in!

Our before picture: 

Me and my cousin and neighbor, Jennifer

We settled ourselves in at the starting line....we didn't line up first, but we didn't line up last either! We heard the words "On your mark, get set, GO!" And we took off! It was very crowded, so I kind of bounced up and down until I was able to really run once the Seabiscuits flew on by! The dust was horrific, and I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to breathe since I as recovering from bronchitis. That's why I stuck my inhaler down in the front of my tank top.  I did have to take a few walk breaks so I could blow my nose.
Jennifer was way up ahead of me, but my other running buddy, Candye, was close to me during the entire run. At the turnaround point, I drank a few sips of water and threw the rest of it down my back because it was a very hot and humid day. The run towards the halfway point wasn't bad, but the run back was sheer torture. The sun was glaring down on me and there was no more shade. The temperature continued to rise! Finally, the finish line was in sight! I was so glad to cross it so I could stop running and get more water. I did not have a PR, but wasn't really concerned because I was just so proud that I could finish the race after not having ran at all the previous week due to being sick. 35:00 wasn't too shabby!  I've decided that summer isn't the time for PR's....all I can hope for is to increase mileage, no matter how slow it is. I'll worry about time when it gets cold.

AFTER!!! Me, Jennifer, and Candye

We survived the heat, humidity, and dust! We also got to see Ryan Bowers, who made a recent appearance on the TV show, The Bachelorette. I high-fived the Chick-Fil-A cow--that was pretty cool!!! After we finished, we drove immediately to the nearest Cracker Barrel for coffee, grits, and the works for breakfast.

Somehow I missed this, but Candye was telling us about a woman with prosthetic legs who was running the 5K, and I felt guilty because I had complained about the heat, and here was this woman running and so glad to be able to do so.....what an inspiration! Jean Law is amazing! Read more about her here:

http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/health/2012-06-30/run-raises-money-prosthetics-aimee-copeland

Here is also something else to make you know there is hope for young people today--the winner, Justin Weeger, donated his $100 prize money back to the cause! What a young man!!!

Besides getting to run a race, I'm so thankful to be associated with a group like this who came out to support Aimee and her family for no other reason than to give to someone who couldn't give anything back. If you have a chance to participate in a charity run, I encourage you to do it! There is no better feeling!

Guest Blog Post

Happy Weekend everyone! I am fortunate to have the opportunity to write a guest blog post at Running With Spatulas. I'm posting the link here so you  can read all about my search for the perfect running shoes. I've been through 4 pair and finally found my sole mates!!! Enjoy!

http://www.runningwithspatulas.com/2012/06/guest-post-lori-on-searching-for-your-sole-mate.html

8 Miles is a lot harder than it looks............

Today was LRD....Long Run Day. 8 miles according to my half-marathon training schedule. Did the first 4.31 with my running buddy. We made a big loop to get in the distance...and the route wasn't bad. Some of the hills were rough. Dogs made themselves scarce, but I carried a big stick just in case. The heat today was the worst thing. Felt like I was running with a blanket wrapped around my shoulders. My friend had somewhere to be so she didn't want to try to run another loop, and I had to go to the bathroom. I haven't quite gotten comfortable enough to get behind a tree, so I drove home and used the facilities there. I took a few sips of cold water--that is a recipe for vomit. When it hit my stomach I could feel the naseau coming, and that ringing sound in my ears. Not good. I took a few sips of Gatorade, and that took care of my problem thankfully. I didn't know how I would continue running while carrying a bucket.  Then I hit the road again for the last 4.05 miles. Whew! The temperature was even hotter. And that little hateful dog at the end of the road started with me again. I was ready for it--had me a big stick and used my mean voice. It finally went back home. I couldn't use my intervals for running/walking because my app works about half the time, so I just ran when I felt like it and when I needed a break I stopped and walked, and then started again. I think I like this better than anticipating when that lady in my phone is going to say "Next interval...." I may just trash the app and go back to my regular iPod and Timex Ironman watch, especially if I know how long the route is. Most of my run was in full sun, so thankfully I remembered my visor. It also serves as a sweat band. I was so tempted to sit down on the side of the road in the shade and call Steven or the boys to get me on the golf cart, but I didn't. I persevered and finished that 8 miles. I chanted "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me" over and over and over, especially the last mile. My total time--1 hour 47 minutes for 8 miles. I was also killing two birds with one stone by completing a Virtual 10K!  Not to shabby considering I really slowed my pace down. My average was 13.4 minutes/mile. When I made it to the porch after cooling down, I sat in a rocking chair under a ceiling fan. I drank 2 bottles of Gatorade...one of G2 and one regular diluted with water. I felt sloshy. I stretched, going through my routine like I always do...except I did it under the ceiling fan in my bedroom. I was STARVING! Next time I have to eat a little something before my long run besides Gatorade Energy gels. I tolerate them a lot better than the GU Gel...that stuff leaves an aftertaste like no other. And feels like a brick sitting in the bottom of my stomach. I ate grits for breakfast because that's really all I had.....and now I could eat a giant steak dinner complete w/ baked potato, salad and about 6 yeast rolls. Plus some sweet tea. And dessert. But, I won't! I'll try greek yogurt with an apple and see if that settles my stomach a little bit.  My legs are still jello-y but I've got to get up and move so I don't get "stove-up" as our Nanny used to call it! Next long run day I will either be on a treadmill in air conditioning or I will start earlier so the heat doesn't zap me. Now I am having a bad cough....feels like bronchitis coming on. Gotta get more Mucinex. My shower is calling....

First Week of Summer and the Living Ain't Easy

I registered for a virtual 5K....thanks to Running, Loving, Living: The road to my dreams........The lure of the prize gets me excited, like I found a BOGO free shoe sale.Toni has a lot of sponsors and prizes for this race, so I am hoping to get lucky. Since I was running without my partner tonight I decided this would be the night to beat my current 5K time. It wasn't. First of all, I ran a route that I love to hate....it is gravel with something poured over it to call it "paved". The road is graded diagonally for a good distance, and then there are a few tiny hills...to drive over them you wouldn't even notice, but when Moe and Joe are taking you over them, well, that is a different feeling entirely. You can feel it in your shins before you even get started. The incline burns, and it sort of lasts. Not to mention that incline gets you out of breath...which today isn't so hard because I haven't been taking my Allegra and I've had some sinus issues, and it's gone straight to my chest, which has been tight and stinging today. I started back with Allegra and have take Mucinex D to help. I have drank so much water I feel like a camel's hump. I am praying earnestly to ask that I not get bronchitis again. I have to remember never to be without allergy meds.

I started my run. My new Brooks Ghost shoes are like running on the best track known to man. I am able to keep my form better and my feet don't hurt thanks to these shoes. The first mile wasn't bad, the second mile was okay, and by the third mile I looked and felt as if I had just stepped out of a Turkish bath. Humid does not describe the weather, and hot doesn't do it justice.....I would say it was more like an inferno. And the gnats! There must have been a high birth rate for gnats this year. I am thankful that the horseflies and deer flies bothered some other living, breathing thing. As I reached my turn-a-round point, I spied a NEW dog in the driveway of a house.........and it looked like a pit bull. It was lying there not moving, which is what I wish I was doing at that moment, but my heart began to race faster than it already was. I just imagined as I turned around with my back to the dog that he would turn Kujo and attack. Thankfully, the scene that played out in my head didn't happen. I was trying to figure out how I would climb on top of the nearest mailbox, and THAT wasn't going to be pretty. I pressed on, thinking how great some of the prizes for this 5K would be, like the headband to keep sweat from dripping in my eyes, or the cute skirt I could run in. I did use my intervals to incorporate a few walk breaks, because I am still not at the point I can run an entire 3.1 miles. I'm not going to stress, however, because these few little walk breaks tremendously help my knees, hips, and back and keep me from being totally winded by the end of my run. Also, Runkeeper was acting up. It is disappointing when you pay money for something and it works half the time. SOMEONE needs to get those satellites straight so my GPS will log me on the map without manually having to start and stop the app to get it to update to the correct distance. I'm going to blame that on losing some precious seconds for this run.

The very best facet of a virtual 5K is the fact that you are not competing against anyone, except yourself. I'm my own worst enemy, and my toughest competitor.  I don't need to race against anyone, but it's kind of hard to have that mentality when you are in a crowd at the starting line and the adrenaline starts pumping, or you have some other runner breathing down your neck and you know it is their entire goal, no matter if they have a heart attack or what, to beat you. One of my coaches said a little "friendly" competition is good, and I agree, but only if it is really "friendly". I prefer the ME vs. ME race, and even though I didn't beat my current time, I can live with that. I have dropped another clothing size and can enjoy some of my favorite frocks that I haven't worn in years.  My husband was very impressed with me, and I know it's because 17 years ago when we married and tried to run and I couldn't even make it to the next mailbox, he had given up any hope of an ounce of athleticism from me.

Here's looking forward to a flat stretch of road and a cool morning...........

Virtual Running

Virtual races--I love them!!!! I signed up for my very first one through Running, Loving, and Living: the road to my dreams.  Find the site:  http://www.runninglovingliving.com/
You will also find a Facebook page by the same name. Please head on over for a visit and tell Toni I sent you!!!
You can still sign up until June 25. There is a great line up of prizes! It's not too late. What a great way to begin summer by starting it with a run!