Flexibility: every now and then you get a reminder of why it's so necessary, in running as in everything else. That's what Thanksgiving Week was for me this year.
Leaving off where my 16-miler finished...we left for Virginia, where Dan's sister and her family live, the next day, which was the Saturday before the holiday. Ruthie, my little girl, had largely gotten over her stomach virus. We were excited for the week ahead, as over the course of the seven days we were going to see Dan's entire extended family. And I was looking forward to running in a new place, and at sea level, too. The travel day wasn't bad, and I had big plans for an exploratory 3-to-4 mile run the next morning.
It wasn't to be. I had felt sort of queasy all day on our journey, but figured it was motion sickness from a bumpy landing. I'm prone to motion sickness anyway. But it didn't go away, and sure enough I spent most of that first night throwing up and most of the next day sleeping. The preschool virus had gotten me!
On Monday, thanks to my running-reinforced immune system and all the sleep (bless my sister-in-law for her white noise machine), I felt nearly 100% and managed a slow but nice 8-mile run. Charlottesville is one hilly town! I got to see a lot of the University of Virginia campus that day and even found a windy trail up a mountain. Things shifted again the next day when my little 10-month old nephew came down with the Dreaded Virus. It lasted two days for him, poor guy.
I was supposed to do a track workout on Wednesday, but didn't want to bug anyone to drive me to a high school (they were all too far away to run to), so I found a nearby gym, paid the daily drop-in fee and for the first time since early June ran on a treadmill. I figure intervals are an OK thing to do on a treadmill, as tracks are flat anyway. I knocked out a good solid 6 800s.
Thanksgiving itself was a nice day. I took my friend Kathy's advice and threw out the scale, just enjoying my dinner and especially lots of pumpkin pie. My plan was to run 18 miles on Friday, the day before we were due to leave.
But that, too, wasn't to be. That night, Dan came down with the Dreaded Virus. As did his mom. As did his sister. And her husband. That left two adults standing: me and my mother-in-law's husband. That wonderful man let me out for a three-mile head-clearer, but other than that I was busy trying to keep the kids quiet or, if not quiet, out of the house so the invalids could sleep. No 18 miles in Charlottesville. (Just as a side note, I have no idea how my son Will avoided this virus. I'm even scared to type that, for fear I will jinx it.)
Dan felt much better by the time we flew out on Saturday. Happily, I had taken Sunday off work. So that afternoon, after we all returned from church, I shouldered my CamelBak stuffed with Shot Bloks and set out for what I was sure would be one sucky 18 miles of slog. After all, I had just been down at sea level for a week, was tired and dehydrated from flying and driving the day before and generally hate running in the afternoon.
The final twist to this story? I felt *great* on this run. I actually completed it more quickly than the 16 miles I'd done the week before.
Flexibility is a beautiful thing! Sometimes (not always, but sometimes) it even rewards you.
Weight check-in: Home scale today: 128.4; 21.7% body fat (maybe the stomach virus wasn't all bad); didn't go to weight training today due to a kindergarten tour, so no gym scale to compare it to
Weeks until the Houston Marathon: 6.5 (ahhhh!)
Have you entered my giveaway?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Giveaway: T-Shirts & Cards from Banana Blossom Press
The time has come at last for the giveaway I've been talking about for weeks.
Maria Millsap started Banana Blossom Press (to use her own words) "to honor those in the fitness and wellness community who support me in my athletic endeavors." In a short video on her Web site, Maria notes that she celebrated her first three-mile run by smoking a cigarette! She's been-there, done-that with all of the things we average athletes deal with as we journey toward achieving our goals. She's also pretty badass, having just run the Seattle Quadzilla (four half-marathons in four days!).
I was honored when Maria contacted me last summer to tell me she was thinking of using a quote from my "Why I Run" essay (which appeared on Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell's "another mother runner" blog) on her next T-shirt. Two weeks ago, she sent me the first version of that shirt, which reads "Every run is redemption," the last line of my essay. She also sent me two other great T-shirts and a sample of the understated and elegant cards she's created just for runners.
The T-shirts are by American Apparel and wonderfully soft. I'm so grateful to Maria not only for sending me this fun package (an early Christmas gift) but also for the Redemption T-shirt. Long after Boston is or isn't achieved, I will still be running and feeling like a new woman with every mile I add to my life total (sure wish I'd been keeping count!).
So what's the giveaway? I'm offering one lucky winner the T-shirt of your choice and one set of cards of your choice (and yes, Maria does offer guys' shirts, so you dudes should enter too!). Here's what you should do if you'd like to be that winner:
Required:
1. Follow my blog and leave a comment telling me you do.
2. Go to Banana Blossom Press, have a look around and leave a comment telling me which shirt and which set of cards you would choose if you win.
Optional:
1. Follow Banana Blossom Press on Facebook and let me know in a comment.
2. Follow Banana Blossom Press on Twitter and let me know in a comment.
3. Donate to my Houston Food Bank cause. This is good for TWO entries to the giveaway (and if you've already donated you automatically get two entries per donation; donating again will get you two more).
I'll choose a winner on Monday, December 5.
I hope everyone had a Thanksgiving brimming with blessings. Ours was a wonderful but crazy week. I'll tell you all about that, and today's 18-mile run, in my next post.
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| One of many wonderful "says-it-all" cards you can find at Banana Blossom Press. Perfect for a running partner, supportive spouse or coach! |
I was honored when Maria contacted me last summer to tell me she was thinking of using a quote from my "Why I Run" essay (which appeared on Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell's "another mother runner" blog) on her next T-shirt. Two weeks ago, she sent me the first version of that shirt, which reads "Every run is redemption," the last line of my essay. She also sent me two other great T-shirts and a sample of the understated and elegant cards she's created just for runners.
 |
| I wore this one on the plane to Virginia. It says "no run=cranky+moody". So true! |
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| This is the "Every run is redemption" shirt. Maria tells me she's going to lighten up the colors in the final version. |
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| This one says "running. it's family thing." Awesome for my fellow parent-runners. |
So what's the giveaway? I'm offering one lucky winner the T-shirt of your choice and one set of cards of your choice (and yes, Maria does offer guys' shirts, so you dudes should enter too!). Here's what you should do if you'd like to be that winner:
Required:
1. Follow my blog and leave a comment telling me you do.
2. Go to Banana Blossom Press, have a look around and leave a comment telling me which shirt and which set of cards you would choose if you win.
Optional:
1. Follow Banana Blossom Press on Facebook and let me know in a comment.
2. Follow Banana Blossom Press on Twitter and let me know in a comment.
3. Donate to my Houston Food Bank cause. This is good for TWO entries to the giveaway (and if you've already donated you automatically get two entries per donation; donating again will get you two more).
I'll choose a winner on Monday, December 5.
I hope everyone had a Thanksgiving brimming with blessings. Ours was a wonderful but crazy week. I'll tell you all about that, and today's 18-mile run, in my next post.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Got 'Er Done
I ran 16 miles this morning.
It wasn't easy. The crazy wind that dogged me during last weekend's 10K had returned. It felt like it was coming from all directions. And when the wind wasn't blowing, the sun was hot. It was a bit like a fever, where you get hot, then you get chilled, but you never feel good. I had been up two nights in a row with Ruthie, who was sick again, this time with a nasty, pukey stomach virus. Last night Dan took most of the Ruth duty, since I had had most of it on Wednesday night. But I still was tired, and also worried, because tomorrow we take off for our Thanksgiving trip to Virginia. I don't want any vomiting kids on the airplane, or at my sister-in-law's house with her 10-month-old.
Dan and I talked about whether I should put the run off until Sunday. I told him I was happy to do just three miles today to take the edge off, if it made the packing, the Ruthie watching (Will was at preschool) and him getting some rest easier. He decided that I should get the "Big Daddy" run out of the way. So I did.
In the end, despite the wind, the hot sun, the poor sleep and the worry, it was a good thing. I kept it within my McMillan pace range for this sort of run, and as always, when I was done, I felt the confidence boost that comes only with a long effort. Perhaps even better, I'll have plenty of time to enjoy the weekend with our extended family without worrying about my long run (I still plan to do that easy three, but I'll do them on Sunday!).
Because of all this, I haven't prepared the giveaway post I was planning to leave you all with. It's a great giveaway, from a wonderful company run by a creative runner. I will have it up next Sunday. This will be my last post until after the holiday week. I plan to check in with your blogs a little bit, but I'm giving my own a rest.
Meanwhile, I will leave you with this suggestion: head over to Jill's blog and sign up for her 2nd Annual bloggers' holiday gift exchange. If you don't know her yet, Jill is a great blogger, a wonderful source of running wisdom, and the gift exchange will be fun.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
It wasn't easy. The crazy wind that dogged me during last weekend's 10K had returned. It felt like it was coming from all directions. And when the wind wasn't blowing, the sun was hot. It was a bit like a fever, where you get hot, then you get chilled, but you never feel good. I had been up two nights in a row with Ruthie, who was sick again, this time with a nasty, pukey stomach virus. Last night Dan took most of the Ruth duty, since I had had most of it on Wednesday night. But I still was tired, and also worried, because tomorrow we take off for our Thanksgiving trip to Virginia. I don't want any vomiting kids on the airplane, or at my sister-in-law's house with her 10-month-old.
Dan and I talked about whether I should put the run off until Sunday. I told him I was happy to do just three miles today to take the edge off, if it made the packing, the Ruthie watching (Will was at preschool) and him getting some rest easier. He decided that I should get the "Big Daddy" run out of the way. So I did.
In the end, despite the wind, the hot sun, the poor sleep and the worry, it was a good thing. I kept it within my McMillan pace range for this sort of run, and as always, when I was done, I felt the confidence boost that comes only with a long effort. Perhaps even better, I'll have plenty of time to enjoy the weekend with our extended family without worrying about my long run (I still plan to do that easy three, but I'll do them on Sunday!).
Because of all this, I haven't prepared the giveaway post I was planning to leave you all with. It's a great giveaway, from a wonderful company run by a creative runner. I will have it up next Sunday. This will be my last post until after the holiday week. I plan to check in with your blogs a little bit, but I'm giving my own a rest.
Meanwhile, I will leave you with this suggestion: head over to Jill's blog and sign up for her 2nd Annual bloggers' holiday gift exchange. If you don't know her yet, Jill is a great blogger, a wonderful source of running wisdom, and the gift exchange will be fun.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Eating Check-In: Thanksgiving Strategies
Once again I forgot to weigh in on my home scale this week. I'm off-kilter because our whole family is headed to Virginia on Saturday for Thanksgiving week, and I've moved all my runs and other workouts up so I can get my long one done on Friday instead of Saturday (which will be its own kind of long run with two little kids on two planes across two time zones).
Yesterday at weight training I did weigh myself on the gym scale and came in at 130.8--better than last week. The work pants are feeling looser, too. With most of the kid illness behind us for now, we're back in a better groove at home with planned, healthy meals. The Halloween candy petered out quickly at work, which also helps. It may be the Calm before the Storm of Food next week, but I'll take it.
I'm on a team with four of my work-mates for a program sponsored by our employer called "Hold for the Holidays." (Yes, the city government in Boulder is health-focused too!) The object is for each team to collectively gain no more than 2 pounds per member (we were all weighed in private a week and a half ago) and to encourage each other in healthy habits throughout the holiday period. For our group that means we can collectively gain no more than 10 pounds. Each week we get mailings with strategies to help cope with the food deluge. For Thanksgiving, here are some of their suggestions and how successful I think I'll be at them:
Work activity in wherever possible. Walk the dog. Play football outside instead of watching it on TV. Take a family stroll after dinner.
I don't think this will be a problem. My sister-in-law (and Dan's family as a whole) are good at moderation and healthy habits. Plus, my running program is about to really ramp up the miles. I have an 18-miler scheduled for a week from this weekend. I'll run it in Virginia. Let's hear it for sea level!
Use a small plate for your meals.
Um, I can't say I expect I'll be really good about this.
Don't starve yourself ahead of the big holiday meal. Eat breakfast and lunch as usual.
I always eat breakfast. I am incapable of starving myself for any reason. This recommendation should be just fine.
Think about which "treat" foods you really really like and which you're OK passing on. Resolve to skip the passers in favor of the must-haves.
I will try to do this. I love pumpkin pie and cookies. I'm OK skipping anything meaty and anything creamy. That said, I don't know what tasty things will be served on Thanksgiving or Dan's birthday, which is the next day. Dan's family contains a number of excellent cooks. I may be doomed to stuffing myself on everything!
What about you? Will you adhere to that advice? Got any tips not mentioned here for managing the gravy train?
Yesterday at weight training I did weigh myself on the gym scale and came in at 130.8--better than last week. The work pants are feeling looser, too. With most of the kid illness behind us for now, we're back in a better groove at home with planned, healthy meals. The Halloween candy petered out quickly at work, which also helps. It may be the Calm before the Storm of Food next week, but I'll take it.
I'm on a team with four of my work-mates for a program sponsored by our employer called "Hold for the Holidays." (Yes, the city government in Boulder is health-focused too!) The object is for each team to collectively gain no more than 2 pounds per member (we were all weighed in private a week and a half ago) and to encourage each other in healthy habits throughout the holiday period. For our group that means we can collectively gain no more than 10 pounds. Each week we get mailings with strategies to help cope with the food deluge. For Thanksgiving, here are some of their suggestions and how successful I think I'll be at them:
Work activity in wherever possible. Walk the dog. Play football outside instead of watching it on TV. Take a family stroll after dinner.
I don't think this will be a problem. My sister-in-law (and Dan's family as a whole) are good at moderation and healthy habits. Plus, my running program is about to really ramp up the miles. I have an 18-miler scheduled for a week from this weekend. I'll run it in Virginia. Let's hear it for sea level!
Use a small plate for your meals.
Um, I can't say I expect I'll be really good about this.
Don't starve yourself ahead of the big holiday meal. Eat breakfast and lunch as usual.
I always eat breakfast. I am incapable of starving myself for any reason. This recommendation should be just fine.
Think about which "treat" foods you really really like and which you're OK passing on. Resolve to skip the passers in favor of the must-haves.
I will try to do this. I love pumpkin pie and cookies. I'm OK skipping anything meaty and anything creamy. That said, I don't know what tasty things will be served on Thanksgiving or Dan's birthday, which is the next day. Dan's family contains a number of excellent cooks. I may be doomed to stuffing myself on everything!
What about you? Will you adhere to that advice? Got any tips not mentioned here for managing the gravy train?
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