Mar 10 2010

A1A Marathon Photos and Hip Alignment Talk

Category: pictures, running — GeekGirl @ 11:08 pm

I really don’t want to post these images. These are the best of them that I could find. Every single picture I’m gritting my teeth. I find this weird since I would see the cameras and smile. I guess they already got me doing my little bitchface. Too bad, so sad.

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In other news, I think I found the perfect “rest” day workout. I’d been struggling to figure out how to get my 30 day shred workouts in without affecting my running. Today, I wanted to shred then go for a 4 mile run. Unfortunately, my legs were pretty damn dead after the workout so I only did 2 miles. FAST! This was perfect. So, on Shred days I’ll fire off a quick little 2-3 mile run afterwards. My mileage stays up, but I’m still working my run in.

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I’ve been seeing my chiro the past few weeks. I credit him with my triumph at the A1A Marathon. A quick adjustment from him and I was up and running. I’m still having a bit of pain in my ass, so I’ve been seeing him about once a week. He told me that my hips are still a bit out off whack, but he wants to drop down to as needed since I’m runnig well. He did note that though I’m FAR more flexible than most, my hips and stuff are ridiculously tight which is most likely throwing everything out of whack. I really need to do a lot of stretching. In searching for new interesting stretches I found this:

This stretch is awesome. If you dig around she has other ones for the hip which look pretty cool,too. I’m all over them.

With that, my ass is off to bed. I’m exhausted lately.

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Feb 22 2010

A1A Half Marathon Race Report – aka Best Sunday Ever!!!

Category: running — GeekGirl @ 8:28 am

If you follow me on Twitter I’m sure you already know that I pretty much had the best day ever out there on the course. Seriously. It was full of win.

Going into the race, I was worried about the status of my sore hip. I made it to the chiropractors office for an adjustment on Friday and that might have been the best thing in the world for me to do. I ran an easy couple of miles on Saturday and felt like absolute crap. My hip started hurting me the minute I started running. It sucked and left me really worried.

Sunday morning I was up by 4:13 am. (The 13 was to recognize the fact that I was going to run a half marathon.) My dad was going to pick me up and drop me off at the starting line around 5:15 or so. I did the usual stuff. Ate some oatmeal, had a cup of tea, took a shower, walked Gio. At this point, I felt indifferent.

I made it to the race with plenty of time to spare. Quick visit to the porta potties then it was time to line up. I honestly had no idea what pace I was going to run, so I stuck myself between the 2:00 and 2:15 pacers that I saw. If I was having a good day I’d try to go under 2:10 (I really want to go under 2:00, though). If not, well…I’d just run and see what happens. I figured either way I’d PR. I thought my PR was 2:17, but later found that it was 2:27.

We were off right at 6am. From the get go, I felt good. My hip didn’t hurt and my legs felt fresh. The complete opposite of how they felt on Saturdays run. The weather was cool and I was ready. My first mile was around 10:20ish. That’s what I wanted to run for the entire race. However, something happened. After that first mile I started clipping of miles just under 10:00. That terrified me. I ran a 10k about a month ago and averaged 9:59 per mile. There was no way I could run that for a half.

Boy was I wrong! The splits:

Interval 1 Mi 10:16.47
Interval 1 Mi 9:53.71
Interval 1 Mi 10:09.22
Interval 1 Mi 9:49.71
Interval 1 Mi 9:57.7
Interval 1 Mi 10:10.64
Interval 1 Mi 9:52.2
Interval 1 Mi 9:58.98
Interval 1 Mi 9:56.26
Interval 1 Mi 10:05.32
Interval 1 Mi 10:00.56
Interval 1 Mi 10:08.24
Interval 1 Mi 10:06.13
Interval 0.09 Mi 0:44.74

Official Time: 2:11:08 Pace: 10:01
A PR OF 16 MINUTES!!! Who knew? Further, I think I can run much faster. I ran with caution and made myself slow down those last few miles because I was afraid that I was running too hard.

Considering that my training was a bit soft due to the piriforms/hip issues I consider this run to be full of win. I’m pumped about what this year holds for me running wise. I haven’t been this excited about running in years. I finally feel that I am capable of getting faster. IF I stay healthy. I need to work on my diet too, because I’m still toting a couple of extra pounds. I’m toying with going vegan. We’ll see. It really isn’t that huge of a leap for me. I don’t do a lot of cheese or milk. (I hate milk, actually.)

Up Next: Who knows? My favorite 5 miler is coming up. In April, I want to do a trail run. Yeah. I have no idea how that will go, but whatever. It sounds fun and that’s all that matters. I think I’m just going to enjoy my running for the time being. I’d like to build slowly to 40 mpw and see what happens.

Onward, bitches!

Ohhhh…I also went on a date with a guy I didn’t hate. Interesting.

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Feb 20 2010

I’m Ready!

Category: running — GeekGirl @ 9:02 pm

I’m running the A1A Half Marathon tomorrow. I’ve got to be honest with you. I’ll be thrilled if I finish. My hip has been bothering me and I was diagnosed with hip bursitis on Friday. The chiro says that I can still run, but it’s pretty darn inflamed.

With that, I’ll see you on the flip side.

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Jan 25 2010

Weekend Roundup

Category: Life, running, school — GeekGirl @ 8:19 am

So, that super ambitious to-do list that I have? I bet you’re all wondering how much of it I accomplished. The sad, sad answer is not very much of it. However, I did get the most important things done. I got Gio over to the vet and got in my 10 miler. Woot!

Last week was rough for me running wise. I was having some crazy issues as well as my back hurting. I lost all confidence in my abilities. Fortunately, I stuck it out and did a lot of stretching and a little bit of resting. My back and pirformis feel much better now and I was able to salvage the week and finish it with a strong, comfortable 10 miler. Furthermore, I ran my highest weekly mileage in ages. Seriously! I don’t think I’ve seen this type of mileage since my PE.

I ran a total of 25.7 miles and my body feels good. I’m really proud of myself for working through the issues that I was having and not just folding and not running. That was my initial reaction, but I kept chugging along. I dropped the speedwork (again!) and walked up and down the bridges. By Friday, I was feeling really good.

This week is a rest week and I’m going to take it very seriously. I think I really need it. I’m going to skip the intervals and opt for an “easy” fartlek. I don’t want to push anything here. Sadly, I’ve done very little speedwork this time around but I’m ok with it. I’m supposed to run a 15k this weekend, but we don’t have any in the area. If I can find a 10k I’ll run it, but most likely I’ll just run easy that day. Since I’ve been toying with injury, I don’t want to push.

Other than that, school starts today. My Spanish teacher seems like she hates life. So much work. Of course my books aren’t here yet. My Arthurian Lit class already put me to sleep just reading the syllabus. Ha!

With that I’m out! Have an awesome week peeps!

Ohhhh….I also have a date tonight. All I have to say about that is “meh”.

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Jan 17 2010

5 Week Challenge

Category: running — GeekGirl @ 6:50 pm

My half marathon is 5 weeks out. I ran a 9 miler this morning that really made me question running a half. Everything hurt and I had to WORK to get back home. The last 3 miles were done by run/walking. My back has been hurting along with my hip this week and it started tightening up around 4.5 miles or so.

I got a new pair of shoes on Tuesday. Unfortunately, they seem to be causing me problems. I’m going to take them for a spin on Tuesday just to make sure they’re the problem. If so, I’ll stick to my Adidas. The odd thing is that this is just the new version of the shoe that I’ve been wearing. The Brooks Defyance. It seems like I clench my toe more in these. (I always clench me toes. Thus the weird blisters and black toenails. I’m just figuring this out!)

My weight is back up to 120. I’d really like to get it down to at least 116-117 before the half marathon. (I really wish I was at 112-114, but whatever.) I’ve reigned in my drinking, but I’m still eating lots of crap. I can easily drop some weight if I just don’t eat junk.

So…the next 5 weeks I get serious. No drinking (unless I happen to go out with someone – even then just 1 social drink), no junk food, do all my stretching and strengthening, and hit all my runs (unless I just really need some rest – not sure how this back/right side thing is going to go). This isn’t really that big of a deal, but I need it because I have 0 confidence going into this half marathon.

I’m going to monitor what’s going on with the right side of my body. If it doesn’t feel better around mid-week I’ll get a massage or see the chiropractor. I’m almost positive that everything that’s going on right now is due to my tilted pelvis. An adjustment should get me up and running again. This is mostly my fault since I haven’t been stretching or anything. Bad. I know.

I’ll be blogging my way through this, so wish me luck!

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Jan 04 2010

An Open Letter to My Left Knee

Category: running — GeekGirl @ 8:28 pm

Dear Left Knee,

I’m not writing this letter to berate you or anything. I’m just writing to make sure we are all on the same page. It seems that I finally got Right Ankle with the program after that nasty fall in New York. Sure, my shoes fit a little oddly on that foot and everything but there is no pain. It does appear that everyone is on board with this whole “Comeback in 2010″ thing that we’re doing. Even Lungs. As I’m sure you  know, Lungs had blood clots and took a long time to get with the program. But, now they’re ready to go.

Earlier in the year, I made a huge mistake and fell while hiking in Peru. I messed up your IT band badly and could barely walk on you for a while. I then spent over $1200 that I don’t really have  rehabilitating you and getting you ready to run. You did great and responded very well to the treatment! I was proud of yout. But now…

You’re hurting again. I’m pretty sure it’s my fault, too. I haven’t used the foam roller or stretched. I’ve done NO strength training. Thanks to the fit issues with Right Ankle and Foot, I’m kind of wearing questionable shoes. (They’ve got about 360 miles on them. Not horribly bad but more miles than you’re used to.) Also, since the weather has been nice and cool I’ve been running rather quickly. You probably don’t like that, either.

So, how about a compromise here? I’m going to ice, take ibuprofen, and use a  little heat before bed. I’ll also do all the stretches and strength training that needs to be done. I’ll drop the intensity this week for you, though the mileage will go as planned.(It’s already a rest week. Also, if I notice an increase in pain, no runnign will stop.) No speedwork, though. New shoes are on the way. We’ll rock the Adidas’ until the Brooks that you like so much get here.

All I need is for you to get better. Ok? We’ve all been working really hard and want to run A1A. We’ve got about 6 more weeks of traning to go. I know that you are up to this. We just all need to work together to keep everyone happy and healthy.

Lots o’ Love!

GeekGirl

PS – We’ll review next week!

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Jan 02 2010

Whoops…

Category: running — GeekGirl @ 11:53 am

200px-Little_Miss_Whoops

This week didn’t go as it should running wise. I accidentally cut a run short (I didn’t look at my schedule ) and then skipped my speed workout. Why? Because I just wasn’t feeling it. Yesterday I only got in 2 of my schedule 3 due to a hangover. So, this week in running = EPIC FAIL.

I’m not too worried about it. I got in my “Pace” run today. That didn’t go as quickly as I wanted it to, but it was a nice effort. I’ve got 8 on tap tomorrow morning. I should end the week with about 16.5 miles. Not where I wanted to be, but I’ll take it. One bad week is not going to ruin my otherwise PERFECT race prep.

Right? Right.

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Dec 06 2009

Half Marathon Training – Week #1

Category: running — GeekGirl @ 7:08 pm

I did it. I made it through the first week of half marathon training and everything seems to be fine. Honestly, the runs have been hard for me but I hope that next week I feel a bit more “settled” into my runs. There wasn’t a single run that was “easy”. I miss running easy. I’m not going to go into all of my doubts that are popping into my head right now. I want to just follow the training and see where I end up. I’ve got 11 more weeks to go and though that doesn’t sound like enough time, big improvements can happen in that amount of time. Particularly since I used to run better/harder/easier than this.

So, I ended up with 17.3 miles. Exactly what I was supposed to plus .3. It was difficult and my lungs hate me but I got through them.

To reward myself I’m having a glass or 2 of wine (I’ve not been drinking during the week or the night before runs) and bought myself a couple of really cute new pairs of shorts. I haven’t bought new gear in years. The stuff I have is starting to show it’s age. I need a few new bras and some shirts, too. I’ll grab those over the next few weeks.

Overall, I’m proud of myself. I’m far from where I was but I’m working hard and giving my best. That’s all I can really do, right?

Onward!

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Dec 02 2009

First Speed Workout

Category: Life — GeekGirl @ 11:12 pm

This morning I had my first speed workout on tap. It was 5 x 400m @ 5k pace. Yeah. I have no idea what that is either, so I just opted to do 5 x 2:00 @ around 9:30. This run was a disaster from the beginning. At 6:45 in the morning, it was almost 80 degrees with 75% humidity. In December. Ohhhh….and it was so windy that I couldn’t breathe while running into it. Five minutes into my warm-up I wanted to turn around and go home.

The first interval sucked ass, but I got down to a pace of 9:08. I then proceed to die/watch my lung land on the sidewalk. Interval #2 I only made it to about 1:45 and then I just gave up. I stopped caught my breath and continued jogging. Fortunately, I was able to turn around. From there I finished the other 3 intervals. They sucked ass and I almost threw up, but they were all @ 9:30 or faster except the last one which was around 10:00. Whatever.

By the time I got home I was exhausted/in tears/ nauseous. I gotta tell you. All I’m wondering is how the fuck am I going to run a half marathon in February. I’m fat (not really – I’ve lost weight) and out of shape. Can I get in shape in 12 weeks? I have no idea. (Yes I do have an idea. I KNOW that I can be in shape in 12 weeks.) My run yesterday was miserable, too. It was only 3 freaking miles.

All I can do is stick with it and give it my all. However, every single step will be filled with doubt and a healthy dose of self-loathing. I’m the slowest person out there. (Not really, but close enough.)  Sigh…

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