This week has been about two tapering runs: ONE and TWO.
I felt very good about them that I’m comfortable knowing that I just need to keep my head in the game and get it done Sunday morning.
Am I excited?
Yes.
Nervous??
Yes.
When I’m running and I look down and see my ROAD ID BRACELET, it reminds me that now?
NOW I AM AN ATHLETE.
Not gonna kid, that’s a lot of pressure.
But I am the stronger for it.
SO busy that even though I’ve tried to make time for running, I haven’t always had two minutes to rub together to blog about it.
Little bit by little bit, I’ve been trying to build up my MY STAMINA AND TIME.
I have been concerned that I just don’t have the distance for the GREAT RACE 2011 10k. But more than that, I’ve needed the running time to blow off the STRESS OF MOM HAVING BACK SURGERY on Sept. 17th. Everything was up in the air until we could get that taken care of and I’m pleased to say, it is a miracle that it’s done and she is on the other side of the healing.
Then suddenly, I went out slow and IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES to realize, that perhaps, I really DO have the distance I need.
7.01 miles?
Let’s just call it 6.2 miles with all the G*P*S blips and glitches.
I’ll take it.
Slow and steady wins the race.
… or start earlier?
With all the DAILY MEDICAL THINGS that are happening, I’ve found it difficult to get out and run.
When I have the time – it’s too hot. When it’s cooler – it’s too late.
Granted, I could go to the gym – but with Mom still needing someone around 24-7, it hasn’t been possible this week.
Tonight’s run BEGAN WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS and ended up in complete darkness by 7:53pm?
Yes. Really.
While I admit that it felt good to get out there and run – I’m bored with my route. I’m beginning to panic because I feel like I need to run a L-O-N-G-E-R distance on a more consistent basis to be ready for THE GREAT RACE!
Wait.
I seem to remember that same panicked feeling about wondering if I had the distance for my first 5k?
I just need to chill the heck out. ASAP.
My plan is to get one more long run in – hopefully over 5 miles. If I’m able to do that – then I will feel comfortable beginning the TAPERING RUNS next week.
NEXT WEEK?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!
Not just a little.
A. LOT.
As you know MOM WAS IN THE HOSPITAL, but was discharged the other day.
However, that doesn’t mean that she’s actually gotten any better. In fact – we’re just trying to hang on until we can see the surgeon on Monday.
Because she needs constant 24-7 care, I haven’t slept more than 3-4 hours at a time. I’ve also met with an entire visiting medical staff that’s going to be coming to our home to help with her care. Nurse, Aid, Occupational and Physical Therapists.
Don’t get me wrong, I will do all that I can to keep her comfortable until we can actually get the confirmation that surgery is the way to go. [All indications are pointed in that direction.]
However, it means that I’m not able to leave her alone. EVER.
Harry was off work for the weekend, so this morning after doing a back-log of errands – I was able to get myself together long enough to RUN FOR A BIT. Don’t bother trying to follow the route – the GPS is completely wonky and I’m not changing it. We’ll just chalk it up to getting out there and blowing off some stress.
You know what?
It worked.
Not exactly the mileage I feel I should be putting up for my first 10k coming up in 15 days – but for now??
I will totally take the victory I felt after my run.
… and my MY SECOND ATTEMPT at hill work this week.
It wasn’t horrible. I was a bit slower today – but I don’t mind. It was more about the work and not so much the speed for me. Whatever was feeling comfortable during the run. Sometimes it feels like I’m running much faster than I actually am and other times what feels very s-l-o-w turns out to be much quicker than I’d thought.
I also had to make a pit-stop after the first 1/2 mile at the house. I have mornings like that – what can I say?
Here’s something fun – I was tripling up on part of my route to do 3 hill repeats. My second time around the parking lot I ran past three retired old guys who were on the sidewalk/lawn outside the V*F*W and they were chipping a golf ball. I asked if they minded if I play through. They giggled like little school girls.
The other cool thing – since Mom’s in-patient, we’re expecting her to be discharged today. Just as I was approaching the 3rd hill repeat, my phone rang. I took the call and continued to run the hill.
What amazed me was that I was able to communicate while I was running.
Running and talking -- who knew it was possible?
Oh yes – I am a Superstar!
Today was a bit of hill work – 2 rounds – thank you.
MY TIME FOR THE DISTANCE was super fast.
Really.
It was a good workout in the rain and well worth it after 4 days off.
I need to keep working on increasing my distances. I just can’t rub two minutes together this week.
I also forgot to register on-line for the GREAT RACE – so I actually have to snail mail my registration in ASAP. [Done.] I had a brief moment of anxiety thinking that I’m doing all this training and I won’t be able to actually participate because I waited so long.
I’ll let you know if it comes to that – but I’m hoping that I’m well on my way to getting closer to the 10k Finish Line Jazz Hands…
*Mom was admitted to the hospital on Friday morning because of Spinal Sten0sis. As I type this, she’s still in-patient and we’re hoping that the Doctors can get her the pain relief she needs to be mobile.
Since I’m incorporating both my running and biking mileage, I’ve well exceeded my August mileage goal of adding another 30 miles.
In fact, I’ve doubled it.
Go ME!
227.76 miles in less than 5 months. WOW!
So September’s goal is to add 40 miles to the total.
Completely DOABLE.
Is it wrong of me to be disappointed that I can bike twice as fast as I can run, but walk NEARLY as fast as I can run?
I didn’t think so…
If I absolutely HAD to walk the entire 10k race, I could and finish with something close to what I could run.
Doesn’t matter. It was a good 1.57 MILE WALK, and I”ll take it.
