Perspective

Why is it people on the outside can see things clearer than we can?

I have been having issues with motivation and getting my runs in for training.  I tend to be lazy and trying to get my runs and then sit on my arse and then time gets away from me and then my runs get left behind.  I decided that with my packed schedule today that the only way I would run would be first thing in the morning.  I had to be at the park by 9:30 or it wouldn't happen.  I didn't quite get there when I wanted to, but with only a 4-6 mile run planned, I knew I had 90 minutes max.  10am gave me until 11:30 to finish, noon to get to my mom's house for a shower and then work by one pm. 

I was working both jobs today, so planning was important.  If I didn't meet my time goal, it would throw a major wrench in the works.  At two miles, I was right on pace, but I knew I had a problem.  At Thanksgiving, I had a new set of CUSTOM ORTHOTICS and I did my first official training run.  I ended it with my first official blister and had a week of recovery because I can't run with a blister on the arch of my foot and have the new orthotics hititng it and creating more of a problem.  Come to find out, they cut my orthotics too short and when I run, they move.  NOT BUENO!!!

I've done very little running with them, but body glide on my arches is my friend.  What did I forget today??  The body glide on my arches.  Bad news.  2 miles into my run, this time it is the right orthotic and not the left and I have a decent blister on the arch of my foot... SHIT!!

Okay, screw the previous orthotic plan of making do through the Princess and having the fixed.  They are getting fixed NOW!!! I'll make do without for the time being and get to the Princess.  Tomorrow I am running a 30 minute run with my semi-custom orthotics from last year and we'll go from there.  I need to get better about my training. 

So, for perspective.  Following my crappy 2 mile run which was far shorter than I had planned, I was in quite a foul mood.  I went to work with a sour mood about my run and when asked about it, I groused about he fact that I wasn't happy about the shortened run when I have an event I am training for and pretty much got a wake up call from one of the guys I work with.  He told me that 2 miles are better than no miles.  ...... DUH!! 

Why couldn't I think about that.  Maybe I just couldn't see the forest for the trees at that moment... I don't know.  I have family members that have issues with walking sometimes, I should know this.  I guess sometimes I take this for granted.  I really enjoy my running and I guess sometimes I need to see the trees and realize that I am in the forest and enjoy everything around me.  Smell the roses per se.

Is it really 65 days to Princess?

Holy Cow!!  I was reading another blog and saw a countdown that read 65 days to the Princess Half Marathon.. WHAT???

On another note.  We never know what the weather is going to be at Disney and we can't guarantee that it's going to be Disney perfect.  Now, The Plastic Potty's will be perfect because if you read my post from the race in February everyone at Disney poops rainbows, but as we all know from the last three Princess runs, the weather can vary wildly. 

Ice 3 yrs ago, sun and 70-80 degrees two years ago, last year was overcast with sprinkles towards the end of the run for us turtles.  But still, only RunDisney can pull off this race in the fashion they do. 

So, for grins and giggles, this is what I ran in tonight. At least there isn't any white or purple on the map, but is that enough green for you?  I ran 2 miles in 36 minutes.  It was kind of slow, but it is what it is.  I ran 2 miles in the rain and did it even though the rain was crappy.  By the time I finished, I was feeling it.  I loved it.  I was standing at the top of the driveway looking up at the sky and the rain, letting God wash over me. 

I needed that more than I ever thought. 

First official training run

So I did my first official training run for the Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World on February 24, 2013. 

I have done a couple of other runs in the past couple months since the official training plans were released, but with school and family stuff, it's hard to squeeze it in.  I have to start making it a priority in the coming weeks.  I have a month off from school and I can do it. 

Tonight I did a 1.76 mile run in 29.13 minutes.  I was trying to work out some kinks.  I have been having an orthotic issue and figured it out tonight.  I have to contact the PT tomorrow and have them remake them. 

I wear a 7 when I run, but typically wear a 6.5 for my regular shoes.  When they came in, we realized they were too short, but we decide to try them out and see if they would work, but no.  In my two runs, I've ended up with a blister on the arch of my left foot.  It is because the orthotic moves when I run because it is TOO SHORT for my shoe.  This is not good.  So tomorrow I call the PT and see if they will let me hang on to the pair I have so I can continue training until the new pair comes in, especially this close to Christmas.

Welcome back and more

Well, it has been a while.  I have been notoriously absent from the blog side and twitter for quite a while.  My first semester of college and some family issues have had me entirely too caught up in life. 

Between my daughter's activities, which include dance, swim team practice and meets, kidznpraize and dance recital.  Additionally, I did two amazing mission trips over the summer and lots of fun prior to returning to college for the first time in 20 years. 

In mid-August I returned to college to finally finish my Associates degree.  Actually, by the time I finish, I will have enough hours to complete two degrees.  My Associates in General Education and Associate in Pharmacy Technology.  Nothing like returning to college after a 20 year hiatus and double-majoring.  What was I thinking?

As if that weren't enough, a little over four weeks into the semester, following some concerns by my mom, sister and I, my dad was evaluated for what we thought were effects of a possible TIA or mild stroke.  WRONG!!! Early Alzheimer's or Cognitive Impairment.  WHAT?!?!?  I can't deal with this and a full course load.  Are you kidding me?  I guess not.  The good news is, I can at least have a sense of humor in all of it.  My mom has MS, my dad has Alzheimer's, which means I am essentially screwed in the Brain Department when I get older.  Thanks Mom and Dad. 

Going forward, not only will my blog be about my training for triathlon, 5k and half-marathons, it will be about my coping with my dad's degradation.  It's happening quicker than I'd like, even with the Aricept.  That's what is the most scary about this.  He is already on medication to slow the progression and I don't know that it is working. 

First ride of the season

So I did my first ride of the season today and I LOVED IT!! 

I had focused solely upon the Princess half marathon and did absolutely no cycling between October and today, but I hopped onto the bike tody with the hopes of a short one hour ride and just take it easy. 

I ended up changing my route about 4 miles in and was glad I did.  I ended up going just shy of 12 miles in 52 minutes.  I got slowed towards the end due to stop lights and traffic, but thats okay.  I had a great ride and I wouldn't trade it for anything.  Great first ride of the season.  WOOHOO, check it out.

Also, I did some of my climbs in my big ring.  I have gotten stronger with the half marathon training.  WOOT!!

5k PR or was it?

Hello all I had a 5k yesterday.  It was the first run since the Princess Half and I was looking forward to it.  I hadn't run since the half and was looking forward to a 3 mile versus 13. 

I arrived a little later than planned, it's hard to get a 7 yr old, 2 yr old and myself moving after a fitful night of sleep.  I dropped my niece off at my sister's house and then took my daughter over to the school.  She's been wanting to see her teacher's dog Bella and her teacher had said she would have Bella at the 5k yesterday.  I got there and picked up my number (custom number, make your own) and my daughter's number that she made in class.  Unfortunately for my daughter, she has a boot on her foot because she has sprained her ankle three times since Christmas.  She is in the boot until at least the end of March.  We'll find out more in the next 10 days.  I am hoping no surgery for my little seven year old and her ankle.  She couldn't run and we didn't want to put her out on the course for 1.5 miles with a boot either.  My dad came and picked her up and I headed to the start line. 

One of her classmates had told me friday that she wanted to run with me and I was okay with that.  I hadn't seen her until right before the start and suddenly there she is.  So, off we go for two loops of the course.  My previous best 5k time was a 44:50 (approximately.)  I hadn't really set a goal of trying to beat that, but I wanted to see what I could do after training for months for the half marathon.  I finished the first loop in around 18 minutes, with a 7 yr old in tow.  Not too shabby.  The second lap went a little slower while using the 7 yr old as weighted resistance (piggy back), more walking (her feet hurt) and she was also tired.  But all in all, we finished the 5k in 39:48.  A PR for me in a 5k by nearly 6 minutes.... or was it.  Come to find out the course was a tad shy of a full 5k.  Oh well, I still would have set a pr and it would have been a few minutes better than my previous best. 

Had I not been towing a 7 yr old, I could have been faster as well.  I am happy with what I did yesterday and don't regret anything.  I enjoyed my daughter's friend's company and she enjoyed the trip.  I even had a good finishing kick which I haven't had in ages, even in a 5k.  HOLY CRAP, training does wonders.

What derails me?

So like everyone else, I get derailed on training.  But why?

This morning it is my typical factor.  MIGRAINES!! AArrggghh, they suck. 

I got up this morning and couldn't open my eyes.. Literally the pain was over my eyelids and I grabbed the phone and called my parents to come pick up my daughter to take her to school.  The only way I am typing this currently is due to my narcotic migraine med.  Which means I'll soon be snoozing away a portion of my day.  It also means I can't drive my beautiful almost 7 yr old daughter to school. 

Motivation.  I've recently had people tell me how I'm such an inspiration and I know that I've posted this in the past, but I have a hard time believing that I could be inspirational to others.  But I'm starting to see it.  I am still 175 lbs and have had six, yes SIX knee surgeries, no acl's or anything like that, but as a former catcher, my knees are shot.  I have lost track of how many triathlons I've done, I've completed a half marathon, I cycle hundred of miles each summer, and run (slog) 5k's and still wonder how I can inspire people.  Maybe it's because I don't let those things stop me or keep me from trying to reach my goals. 

Work and Family Obligations.  Yes, I have a family.  I have already mentioned my beautiful almost 7 yr old daughter. (Her birthday is tomorrow.)  I have the most supportive husband there is.  I married a wonderful man 18 yrs ago and he supports me no matter what.  When I saw him at Mile 8 at the Princess half and figured out that my sister had been swept, i crashed mentally, he hugged me and told me to keep going.  It was time to go.  He will train with me, he goes with me to triathlons and takes pictures and watches our daughter so I can do this stuff and provide a healthy female role model for her.  There are times thought that the health of my parents, my nieces and nephew and their activities and my daughter's activities take precedence over mine.  I try to plan out my calendar accordingly so that doesn't happen, but it doesn't always work.  Do I miss out on training time, yes.  Do I let it bother me, sometimes.  I was working two jobs until last month that also made training difficult with family obligations, but it's about making it work.  There were nights I would get my daughter in bed and go out for a run at 10pm through the neighborhood.

Food.  I love to eat!!  I joked while volunteering at my last event that I run for two reasons beer and chocolate.  I love to drink Wheat Beers and I love my sweet snacks.  That may be half the reason I can't get below 175.  I eat to run and I run to eat.  Timing your meals and what you eat is important.  I'm still learning how to eat in order to run and train more effectively.  Maybe someday I'll break through 175, but even if I don't... I've run a half marathon.  I've done many triathlons, I've cycled 75 miles in one day.  I use my calories. 

The point I'm trying to make is this... IT ISN'T EASY!!  Sometimes you have to be selfish.  Not all husbands support the way mine does.  I only have one child,  it's easier to plan with one child than it is with 2, 3 or 4, plus all the activities and such that they have, but it can be done.  Multi-task.  I take my daughter along with niece and nephew to swim team 2-3 days a week, for one hour practices.  I either cross-train in the pool with swim training or I run while they swim.  I take advantage of that time.  Dance class for an hour, run for 30-45 minutes.  After bedtime.  Run or cycle or core condition and yoga.  It can be done if you put your mind and body into it. 

MAKE IT HAPPEN!!