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Me, defined. August 23, 2007

Posted by regivizz Marathon, Motivation, Run Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 5comments

While out for a jog this morning, I tried to make a list of things that keep me motivated.  One of those things is the marathon I ran.  I mean, come on, if I can run 26.2, I can finish out that next half mile, right? 

It’s funny though, how often people that I know through other people will come up to me and say “You’re a runner, right?” Nobody ever did this pre-marathon.  Now it happens all the time!  Realizing this makes me understand that even though I’ve been a runner at heart for a long time, and have spent countless hours through the years running, my friends and family did not take me seriously until the marathon.  I’m no longer introduced as “she’s a science person” or “she does microbiology stuff” but it’s now “meet my friend, she’s a runner.”

That motivates me.

What motivates you?

Workout:

Post-Marathon Burnout August 16, 2007

Posted by regivizz Run, Running, Trails Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 7comments

I’ll admit it.  I’m struggling. 

It’s been 3.5 months since my marathon and I’ve run a total of 4 times. 

I didn’t run for a while due to a back injury I got while trying to put up new fence panels.  Somehow I managed to hurt it so badly that for the first week I could hardly walk, could carry nothing for several weeks and there was no way I could get out and run.

Then there was the burn out.  Running didn’t even sound fun.  Not.  Interested.  I didn’t want to force myself to get out there, because I want it to be something I enjoy, and I kept using that as an excuse.   And now, when it’s 100 degrees out, I feel like running again!  (Go figure!)

The desire is back.  Now, I’m dealing several issues, starting with the oh-my-goodness-I-can’t-even-run-a-mile-without-stopping syndrome.  Where has it all gone?  Aack! 

During marathon training, and when running just for fun before that, I was an after work/Saturday morning runner.  Now because it’s so hot, I’ve started running before work (on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and then my normal Saturday morning.  Change of schedule is hard on me.  Is there anything I can do to make those mornings easier?

I’m back to my trail.  During training I’d run at the lake (pavement) because every mile and half mile was marked.  Now my distances are estimates (can’t afford that GPS watch yet!) since I’m on a dirt trail.  I like trail running much more than pavement, so that helps me get out there.

Any tips on beating the post-marathon burnout?

Workout:

I’d forgotten August 11, 2007

Posted by regivizz Run, Running, Trails Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 3comments

But I remember now…

How amazing it feels to get out and run at dawn’s first light.

The tautness of my muscles during the beginning of my pre-run stretch.

The smell of the dirt beneath my shoes and the water in the creek.

The crunch of decaying leaves scattered on the ground.

The sound of nature waking up under the canopy of trees.

The rays of the sun streaming through the branches and landing on the root-crossed trail.

The desire to beat the “I can’t go any farther” attitude one stride at a time.

The thrill of running right past the two “wimp-out” trail exits.

The gratification of arriving at the finish.

Workout:

Hiatus June 5, 2007

Posted by regivizz Injury, Marathon, Running Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 9comments

I’m taking a brief hiatus from running and pretty much all other physical activity due to a back injury.  Hopefully I’ll recover soon and be back out on the trails!  I must say, I’m going STIR CRAZY!  What do you do when you can’t run?  Any suggestions?  I do some weight lifting but (incredible as it is to comprehend) I don’t have a gym membership.

Plans (for now) are to run the St. Jude’s marathon in Memphis this December! 

Have any of my readers run that one before?  Any tips?  Any rants or raves about it?  (I’m sure hoping to hear some raves about it!)

Oklahoma Memorial Marathon April 30, 2007

Posted by regivizz Marathon, Running Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 14comments

Yesterday I ran my first marathon.

Wow.  An incredible experience. 

The weather couldn’t have been better.  It was cool in the morning as we arrived for our 6:30 start, and although it warmed up, it never got too hot.  The announcer said that they estimated 5,000 people downtown for the event, so needless to say, it was crowded!  We ended up parking about a mile away from the start, and as we hit more traffic than expected, RAN that mile.  Consider it a warm-up I guess!

As we got closer to the start line, we lost sight of each other, and I just about panicked!  There was no way we would be able to find each other again in the crowd!  Luckily we were directed away from the main crowd of spectators in order to get to the starting line faster, so we were able to find each other in the smaller crowd. 

You could feel the excitement in the air and after the starting gun went off, I was so eager to get started that I basically jumped up and down in place for the 3 minutes it took for us to finally get moving! 

For the first half, we were staying pretty close to the 4:15 - 4:30 finish pace, and we felt extremely confident! (more…)

Day of Remembrance April 19, 2007

Posted by regivizz Marathon, Motivation, Race, Running Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 2comments

April 19, 1995

If not for the events that happened between 9:01 AM and 9:03 AM, there would be no such thing as the Oklahoma City National Memorial Marathon.  I’d have probably run the Redbud Classic (which took place last week), or some other marathon.

An insignificant change in my life compared to the events of that day which changed and destroyed other lives forever.

I sit here today, one mile from the site and remember with sadness, the loss of 168 lives.  Today, there are not many people in Oklahoma City who won’t think back and remember exactly where they were when they heard what happened.  For some of us, exactly where we were when we heard the blast.  We remember what it felt like to look up at that building, gaping open with a wide wound.  There are no words to explain it.

mem

On April 29th we will run with joy.

 “This is what the Memorial Marathon is about: realizing the preciousness of time, valuing one another, taking life as it comes and making something magic from it. Celebrating Life.”

Hello stranger! April 11, 2007

Posted by regivizz Marathon, Marathon training, Running, Shoes Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 8comments

I know, I know…I’ve been a slacker when it comes to updating my blog recently.  In the past several weeks I’ve spent very few days at home.  A trip to Reno/Tahoe area to visit my sister, which included a lovely run at the Kirkwood ski resort as well as some good “working out” time spent on the treadmill and elliptical (I love those things!).  It’s always fun to run in new places, see some new scenery and die from the lack of oxygen in the air!  Who knew that running at 7,800 feet would be so hard!  Okay, well I knew it would be harder, but man, I was sore for DAYS after a little 6 mile run!

After that trip, I headed out to Washington DC to see the cherry blossom trees in full bloom.  The trees weren’t the only thing blooming, my new relationship was as well!  ;-)  Besides the miles and miles of walking to see the sights, Chris took me on a run along some of the trails there in DC. 

Next stop was central Texas, and my friend Mark came along with me on a 4 mile run in the dark (it was 6 AM), cold (40 degrees) and wet (it was drizzling). 

So although I haven’t been getting in my daily training runs, and even fewer long training runs, I’m still feeling fairly good about the upcoming marathon which takes place in 18 days.  Eeek.  Only 18 days?!? 

Luckily my new shoes (Saucony ProGrid Hurricane 9) are broken in and feeling quite fine and I’m not having any problems with the top of my left foot anymore. 

18 days and counting down!

Advice? March 19, 2007

Posted by regivizz Fitness, Injury, Other Runners, Running Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 5comments

Fellow runners; someone needs our help!  Connie left this message on my “Worth. Less.” post with the following question:

“Dear runners,

I get severe stomach cramps after my long runs. Today I ran in my first half marathon (it was GREAT!!!!); however, my stomach has cramped off and on ever since. I drink lots of water…I just do not know what causes this. I am training for the marathon, and I just hope that my stomach will not start hurting before I actually finish the race. Any suggestions would be very appreciated.

Many thanks!”

 My question for Connie is this: what are you drinking during your run, how much, and how often?  Also, are you “eating” Gu or any other type of performance food?  Hopefully with some more info we can answer the question better.  Do any of y’all experience anything like this?

Extensor tendonitis March 13, 2007

Posted by regivizz Injury, Running, Shoes Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 11comments

The 25K went well, but I think I may have laced my left shoe too tightly.  The result: extensor tendonitis?  Maybe?  I’m keeping ice on my foot all day, so we’ll see if that helps.

Yesterday after work, I changed into my running clothes and laced up my shoes…or tried to lace up my shoes.  With a not-so-dull pain on the top of my foot, I knew I wouldn’t be running far.  First though, I stopped at The Runner to see what they thought.  All prepared to buy some new shoes, they sent me away with nothing!  Instead he told me to try and run (I did 2 miles) to see if that would help.  He also said to ice it and take some ibuprofen, so that I did (and am doing). 

No run today, no run tomorrow and I’ll try a short run on Thursday.  Maybe the tongue of my shoe is too thin?  Seems like it might be much thinner than when I bought them. 

I’ve got about 250 miles on these, so maybe it’s time to start breaking in a new pair?  I think I may stop and buy some this afternoon…I mean…if I’m not running, I’ve got nothing better to do right?  :-)

Beacon on the Bay, 25K March 12, 2007

Posted by regivizz Marathon training, Race, Running Digg! this story! Digg! this story. , 7comments

copy-of-dsc00901.JPGLast Saturday was the race out at Lake Hefner, a 25 K (that’s 15.5 miles for you non-runners)!

Before the run, I figured that I’d come in at about the 2.5 hour mark.  Sure enough, actual time was 2:33:44, coming in 50th of 96 females with a 9:55/mile.   I was able to finish strong with a decent sprint, but I’m afraid I need to start breaking in a new pair of shoes!  My knees and hips are hurting a lot more than normal, so it’ll be off to The Runner some time this week for me!

Most of the run I was along side of Prabhu, whom I ran with out at Lake Overholser a couple of weeks ago.  We’re fairly evenly matched and ran side by side for almost the entire race.  He most likely helped me decrease my time, as we didn’t walk at all until after we passed the 20K mark.  In all actuality, the help was likely mutual, as I provided him with my extra Gu pack as well as incentive to outlast a girl!  -)

We started off at 9 AM, a beautiful day for running.  Not very windy (can you believe it!?!) and a bright clear sky.  A little chilly to begin the race, but that’s fine with me as it warmed up to a very comfortable 70 degrees or so.  Since the sun was shining, I got a 2.5 hour tan so my legs aren’t quite as pasty white as they show in this first picture (it’s amazing what 2.5 hours in the sun can do for your complextion)! 

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Since it’s been so very very dry here in Oklahoma, you’ll see red dirt instead of water as the background in the picture of Prabhu and me.  Under normal circumstances it’s a pretty place to run, but this photo doesn’t quite capture that!

And here I am at the finish, gulping water after inhaling a banana… (more…)