I haven't blogged much mostly becuase all I have felt like doing is whining. My foot hurts. My back hurts. My knee hurts. I got an MRI and have to pay $750 for it. Once able to run 13 miles, I now suffer through 6. I followed the greatest bike ride I can remember with the realization that my back was injured and I couldn't get off my bike. It's been one of those months.
Yesterday Cindy, my running partner needed me to fill in as the swimmer on her triathlon relay team. I enjoy swimming though am not great so said yes. Race day came along with 33 degree temperatures and I immediately regretted it. I didn't want to go, didn't want to swim, REALLY wanted to stay at home in bed. I felt ill prepared, nervous about the race and if I could do it. Of course it went well.
It was really cold. For those of you who have never seen a triathlon, you swim and then run to the transition area. For me that meant running outside (remember the 33 degrees?) in a wet bathing suit to watch Cindy get on her bike and go. That is the coldest I can remember being with major body parts a shade of blue that was not normal or healthy looking. Cindy had a great ride and Dawn, the runner had a fantastic run. We were happy we did it, cold and we left as soon as were finished, not even sticking around for the awards.
THAT, ended up being a mistake. WE CAME IN SECOND PLACE! I was floored! AND we were less than :40 seconds from first! It was such a great feeling I wanted to run aroudn and tell everyone!
So here's the thing...I know that with training I can do anything. I also know that I am ALWAYS glad after the workout/race/run. I just need to suck it up, continue to crawl out of the bed just as some people are crawling in, and show my body the proper respect by growing stronger and faster. Triathlon season has begun and I have one more relay and then the International Nations Tri in DC. So from now on, no more skipping workouts. I have checked myself before I wrecked myself and I am glad.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Decisions, Decisions
In December, fresh off my half marathon high, I registered for the Southpark Racefest half marathon. The course is hilly, far more challenging than the route I ran in November. There is a 3 hour time limit too...so not only is it harder, but I'd have to run faster. But it was December. I had 4 months to train so I wasn't worried.
Commence pain; knee, hip, back, overall. I took a month long hiatus from running and pretty much all activity. It became the norm to cancel my early morning workouts. I ran 2 miles once in about 3 weeks. The half marathon loomed.
Yesterday Cindy, Doreen and I ran the back 7 miles of the course. My back hurt: I wore my TENS unit on the way there and took a muscle relaxor before I started the run. It was not a good day and I lagged behind them. I cursed myself for getting out of the habit, eating poorly, gaining more weight. Seeing them sprint up a hill made me want to cry. Two miles later I literally did.
I am angry at myself for getting to a point where I could comfortably run 13.1 miles and letting it go. I am disappointed that I don't push myself harder. I am thinking of not doing the half and only doing the 10K instead. This makes me feel guilty and then upset that I feel that way. I told Cindy I was thinking of dropping down and immediately felt shame and a bit of competitive peer pressure. But here is the thing..I am not a professional athlete. I am doing this becuase I have fun doing it. I don't want this race to ruin that for me. I don't want to hate it. I don't want to cry during the race. I don't want to be the very last person to finish, so late that event organizers have packed up and are ready to go home. But will I feel good about only doing a 10K?
I want to be proud of myself again. I have a decision to make.
Commence pain; knee, hip, back, overall. I took a month long hiatus from running and pretty much all activity. It became the norm to cancel my early morning workouts. I ran 2 miles once in about 3 weeks. The half marathon loomed.
Yesterday Cindy, Doreen and I ran the back 7 miles of the course. My back hurt: I wore my TENS unit on the way there and took a muscle relaxor before I started the run. It was not a good day and I lagged behind them. I cursed myself for getting out of the habit, eating poorly, gaining more weight. Seeing them sprint up a hill made me want to cry. Two miles later I literally did.
I am angry at myself for getting to a point where I could comfortably run 13.1 miles and letting it go. I am disappointed that I don't push myself harder. I am thinking of not doing the half and only doing the 10K instead. This makes me feel guilty and then upset that I feel that way. I told Cindy I was thinking of dropping down and immediately felt shame and a bit of competitive peer pressure. But here is the thing..I am not a professional athlete. I am doing this becuase I have fun doing it. I don't want this race to ruin that for me. I don't want to hate it. I don't want to cry during the race. I don't want to be the very last person to finish, so late that event organizers have packed up and are ready to go home. But will I feel good about only doing a 10K?
I want to be proud of myself again. I have a decision to make.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Electric Stair Lifts Only Cost $2,000
Cindy, my running and accountability partner, told me on Monday that she envied me for being active so soon in life. (She is in her early 50s, I am in my late 30s.) I laughed outright at her. But she insisted that it will improve my agility, flexibility and overall health as I age. I came in from our run (cut short due to stomach issues) and pulled out the ice pack for my knee. As I was stretching I noticed that the cyst on my Achilles tendon has gotten much bigger. This odd, not-toes-but-not-pad part of my foot feels like it is bruised, almost like I have a knuckle that needs to be cracked. How exactly will this make me in better shape when I am older?
I am very, very lucky that I got through my half marathon training with no significant injuries. My heel bothered me a bit, but it would come and go, so I didn't really worry that much about it. I iced regularly. Then in December during a run my knee started hurting, and didn't stop. I was sidelined for a month. I slowly started back running, but the knee has remained an issue. Turns out my heel pain was actually a cyst on my Achilles tendon that is so large now it sticks out over my shoe. I went to my knee doc on Tuesday; he ordered the dreaded MRI. He is worried I have cartilage damage but we are hoping for the "good" diagnosis of arthritis. He essentially said it is my decision: keep running or be able to climb stairs without pain.
It's no secret running is horrible on your body. During a run the foot strikes the ground 70-100 times per minute and the force exerted is up to three and a half times body weight. Think a 700 pound person could walk around without significant pain? Me neither, and yet that is what I am expecting from my body. Rationally, I know this, and yet I still secretly hoped I could train and run a marathon pain free.
I still don't think I like running, but to have my doc tell me that I should stop is a different matter. I don't want to STOP running...I just don't want it to hurt. I can't explain WHY I want to complete an Ironman, but the thought of not being able to even try is absolutely crushing to my spirit. I know I am jumping ahead; I haven't even gotten the MRI, much less the results. But this is not fun.
Sure there are benefits of running. I don't have to worry about bone density because it's a weight bearing exercise so is good for my bones. Cardiovascularly, you can't beat running. My doc told me "I could take a nap between your heart beats" (that's a good thing). I am a big fan of stretching, and flexibility makes life easier. Running is also fantastic for stress relief and generally I attribute running for keeping me sane. But right now I don't feel that way. I am worried, frustrated and in pain. So Cindy may be right, but I think I might start saving money for the electric stair climbers just in case she's not.
I am very, very lucky that I got through my half marathon training with no significant injuries. My heel bothered me a bit, but it would come and go, so I didn't really worry that much about it. I iced regularly. Then in December during a run my knee started hurting, and didn't stop. I was sidelined for a month. I slowly started back running, but the knee has remained an issue. Turns out my heel pain was actually a cyst on my Achilles tendon that is so large now it sticks out over my shoe. I went to my knee doc on Tuesday; he ordered the dreaded MRI. He is worried I have cartilage damage but we are hoping for the "good" diagnosis of arthritis. He essentially said it is my decision: keep running or be able to climb stairs without pain.
It's no secret running is horrible on your body. During a run the foot strikes the ground 70-100 times per minute and the force exerted is up to three and a half times body weight. Think a 700 pound person could walk around without significant pain? Me neither, and yet that is what I am expecting from my body. Rationally, I know this, and yet I still secretly hoped I could train and run a marathon pain free.
I still don't think I like running, but to have my doc tell me that I should stop is a different matter. I don't want to STOP running...I just don't want it to hurt. I can't explain WHY I want to complete an Ironman, but the thought of not being able to even try is absolutely crushing to my spirit. I know I am jumping ahead; I haven't even gotten the MRI, much less the results. But this is not fun.
Sure there are benefits of running. I don't have to worry about bone density because it's a weight bearing exercise so is good for my bones. Cardiovascularly, you can't beat running. My doc told me "I could take a nap between your heart beats" (that's a good thing). I am a big fan of stretching, and flexibility makes life easier. Running is also fantastic for stress relief and generally I attribute running for keeping me sane. But right now I don't feel that way. I am worried, frustrated and in pain. So Cindy may be right, but I think I might start saving money for the electric stair climbers just in case she's not.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
February Music
Title - Artist
Not in Love by Crystal Castles featuring Robert Smith*
Jump Into Fog by The Wombats
Life Goes On by Noah and the Whale
Don't Shut Em Down by Flogging Molly
Helena Beat by Foster the People
The Roller by Beady Eyes
Under the Cover of Darkness by The Strokes*
Get Some by Lykke Li*
Second Chance by Peter Bjorn & John*
*Represent favorites for the month.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Movie Review: Unknown
Unknown- Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones - *
Liam Neeson and his wife, played by January Jones travel to Germany for a conference. Neeson is a famed scientist and is one of the major speakers. He inadvertently leaves his briefcase containing his passport at the airport and leaves his wife to check into the hotel while he goes back. His cab is in a wreck and when he wakes up from a coma, he finds that someone else has assumed his identity and his wife says she doesn't know him. Drama and action ensue.
I wish I could write more eloquently about this movie, but I just didn't care. I didn't care about him, I thought the story was absurd and there were so many holes in the story that detracted from it. (He crashes in a river and is found with no id, no wallet, no clothing. Yet somehow, he has money...lots of it. Who doesn't keep an eye out for their briefcase with money and their passport??? There are tons more examples.) I was SHOCKED at how packed the theater was and as we were walking out, there was a line waiting to get in and the next showing wasn't for another 30 minutes! I really wanted to yell..."Save your money...turn around...this movie is HORRIBLE."
Really, your life will be better if you never know Unknown.
Liam Neeson and his wife, played by January Jones travel to Germany for a conference. Neeson is a famed scientist and is one of the major speakers. He inadvertently leaves his briefcase containing his passport at the airport and leaves his wife to check into the hotel while he goes back. His cab is in a wreck and when he wakes up from a coma, he finds that someone else has assumed his identity and his wife says she doesn't know him. Drama and action ensue.
I wish I could write more eloquently about this movie, but I just didn't care. I didn't care about him, I thought the story was absurd and there were so many holes in the story that detracted from it. (He crashes in a river and is found with no id, no wallet, no clothing. Yet somehow, he has money...lots of it. Who doesn't keep an eye out for their briefcase with money and their passport??? There are tons more examples.) I was SHOCKED at how packed the theater was and as we were walking out, there was a line waiting to get in and the next showing wasn't for another 30 minutes! I really wanted to yell..."Save your money...turn around...this movie is HORRIBLE."
Really, your life will be better if you never know Unknown.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Movie Review: Just Go With It
Just Go With It - Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Brooklyn Decker - ***
Adam Sandler has a particular sense of humor that shines through in all his movies. From Happy Gilmore to Water Boy to You Don't Mess with Zohan, he straddles the line between funny and crude and somehow always makes me laugh. His characters are usually the same...guy with hard exterior has a sweet spot for a lady, child, penguin, etc. and usually triumphs at the end. That being said, I love Adam Sandler movies; 50 First Dates is one of my top 5 favorite movies.
Just Go With It is about a single plastic surgeon who pretends to be married to pick up women. He meets a hot young thing (played well by Charlottean Brooklyn Decker) and decides she is "the one" but since she thinks he is married-going through a divorce, he needs to introduce her to his soon to be ex-wife to get her permission to date him. He gets his office assistant/confidant (Aniston) and her two kids to play along and before you know it the whole clan is off to Hawaii for a spur of the moment weekend trip. I was rather surprised by the major twist in this movie. Just kidding...there are no twists. Exactly what you think is going to happen, does. That being said, Jennifer Aniston is gorgeous and exudes a fantastic personality. I want her to be real so I can be friends with her. The kids are well mannered and funny and Adam Sandler has some great one liners that made me laugh. In addition, Dave Matthews (yes, that Dave Matthews) has a small but hysterical part.
This is a silly, completely non believable movie, but if you are like me and are a Sandler fan, that won't matter at all and you will still enjoy it.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
24 Hours of Booty - Why I Ride
I am proud to be riding my second 24 Hours of Booty this July. We have an even bigger team this year with Joe, Mike, MaryBeth, Mike Aldridge, Chris Rohlfs, Peggy Barrett and Stacey Fano riding too. Bootyville should be fun! If you'd like to support me, please click here.
To kick off the year 24HOB asked for submissions on why people ride. Thought I'd share mine.
My brother Peter was four when he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma; brain cancer. My mom was seven months pregnant with me at the time. Over the next year my brother underwent chemo and various other procedures to try to fight the cancer growing inside of him. Despite the battle, my brother died from cancer at the age of five. In addition to the regular demands of life, my parents had to struggle with the grief of losing a child while dealing with me, not yet two.
I am now 36 and am lucky to have a four year old child in my life, a little boy with whom I am utterly, and completely in love. He makes me laugh with his stories, his imagination and his innocence. In the middle of coloring he will look up at me and randomly tell me he loves me and my day is perfect. Many nights after I tuck him into bed, after he asks for one more kiss goodnight, I think of my parents and Peter, who was this age when he was diagnosed. I cannot imagine the emotions my parents went through finding out that their sweet boy who was so full of life, was fighting a horrible disease. I think of how hard it would be to do anything else but love and care for the sick child, much less tend to the needs of a newborn. His death must have destroyed them in a way that I cannot fathom, and then they had to raise me, not to mention manage through their grief together and try to move forward and have another child. Somehow they did which makes me feel very lucky.
For me 24 Hours of Booty is a family affair. My younger brother comes up from south Florida and he, my husband and I ride. My parents and brother’s fiancee help us set up in Bootyville, have dinner with us and hang out until it is time for them to get some sleep, and for me to get some major miles in. I keep going because my parents had to keep going. My life’s challenges pale in comparison to what they had to face and I am forever in awe of them for their strength.
I ride in 24 Hours of Booty in memory of my brother, Peter James Mann. I ride in honor of my parents, Jim and Kathy Mann, who gave me a happy childhood and stayed married, even though the odds against them were high. But most of all, I ride in hopes that there will be a day where we don’t have children dying from cancer; that if you love a child you can know there will be a lifetime of I love yous and good night kisses.
To kick off the year 24HOB asked for submissions on why people ride. Thought I'd share mine.
My brother Peter was four when he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma; brain cancer. My mom was seven months pregnant with me at the time. Over the next year my brother underwent chemo and various other procedures to try to fight the cancer growing inside of him. Despite the battle, my brother died from cancer at the age of five. In addition to the regular demands of life, my parents had to struggle with the grief of losing a child while dealing with me, not yet two.
I am now 36 and am lucky to have a four year old child in my life, a little boy with whom I am utterly, and completely in love. He makes me laugh with his stories, his imagination and his innocence. In the middle of coloring he will look up at me and randomly tell me he loves me and my day is perfect. Many nights after I tuck him into bed, after he asks for one more kiss goodnight, I think of my parents and Peter, who was this age when he was diagnosed. I cannot imagine the emotions my parents went through finding out that their sweet boy who was so full of life, was fighting a horrible disease. I think of how hard it would be to do anything else but love and care for the sick child, much less tend to the needs of a newborn. His death must have destroyed them in a way that I cannot fathom, and then they had to raise me, not to mention manage through their grief together and try to move forward and have another child. Somehow they did which makes me feel very lucky.
For me 24 Hours of Booty is a family affair. My younger brother comes up from south Florida and he, my husband and I ride. My parents and brother’s fiancee help us set up in Bootyville, have dinner with us and hang out until it is time for them to get some sleep, and for me to get some major miles in. I keep going because my parents had to keep going. My life’s challenges pale in comparison to what they had to face and I am forever in awe of them for their strength.
I ride in 24 Hours of Booty in memory of my brother, Peter James Mann. I ride in honor of my parents, Jim and Kathy Mann, who gave me a happy childhood and stayed married, even though the odds against them were high. But most of all, I ride in hopes that there will be a day where we don’t have children dying from cancer; that if you love a child you can know there will be a lifetime of I love yous and good night kisses.
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