9-Mile Nisene Marks Park Run (& week's recap) 3-11-06

Amazingly beautiful and freezing cold, is the perfect description for our 8 a.m. Saturday run at Nisene Marks Redwood Park in Aptos. The drive from Los Gatos had plenty of snow as we watched the temperature drop from 46 to 31 degrees Fahrenheit, it was a little warmer at the park 36. The Santa Cruz Mountains were covered in snow as was the ground around the freeway, it wasn't a lot, but it was enough to make for a memorable run. The ground was iced over at the beginning of the run, but the trees kept most of the trail ice/snow free. The bridges were a little more hazardous, covered in ice , which reminded me of a dangerous version of a slip-and-slide as I was a little worried about slipping when we ran across 2 of these bridges. I ran with Patrick, a mentor, and completed a 4:1 run-walk for 9-miles. The course was more difficult than previous courses with a continual incline, but taking a little slower pace to ease into a full run-walk worked very well as I felt great at the end of the run. Vince came looking for us, as we were the only group to go 9 miles (the cap was at 8) and he was worried about my foot. Patrick told Vince (my mentor) that it's their job as mentors to push us. Vince completely disagreed in my case, and rightfully so, as he knows that I'll push myself and don't need the encouragement, but more the reminders to take it easy. That's the great part about my friends and mentors, they're all on the same page - Jen take it easy. I do feel great and have kept the pace down, hopefully I'll be back to a 6-1 on Saturday and I am still being careful.

Thursday - Rain Rain Go Away - 3-9-06
Before the Saturday run was the storm from Thursday. It was a cold bitter night, thank the wind chill for that, and we were running the track. A light sprinkle was followed with what seemed like a torrential downpour, did I mention it was cold? Now, one of the great parts about running in the cold is that it's hard in the beginning, but once you've been running for awhile it generally feels better. And when it's that cold, you're ok unless you stop, which I did and though my muscles were warm my legs were icy to the touch. Add a lot of rain to that, and you now weight 5-10 pounds more and feel like a drowned rat. As the run ends, I've never been happier to be done, but wait there are announcements, it's still raining and cold--not the best weather to stretch. We ran 2-3 miles, no big deal, but changing into dry clothes has never been so comforting.

Tuesday Buddy Run - I think I overdid it... 3-7-06
I tried to do a 6-1 with Helen, my other mentor, but the tendons in my ankle kept cramping off and on so I ended up walking more than I wanted... let's say that this week's 6-1 might not happen. I met Joy, and she was having issues too, so Helen kept going and we turned around at the 2.5 mile mark. We were running in the dark, as neither of us had purchased a head-lamp yet. That was funny if nothing else, as it became harder and harder to see anything in the pitch black night. Thankfully, there weren't any holes or puddles in the trail, but I almost ran into a pole. That would make for a great headline email - Marathon Trainee vs. Pole - Pole wins with TKO! By the end of the run, my ankle felt mostly better, and icing it was a smart decision--after that I couldn't feel a thing.

I must be crazy trying to run 10 miles! March 4, 2006

The way the WAVE runs work is that the slower you are the earlier you start. Since I was on the injured list during the 5k I fall into WAVE 1, or the slowest group meaning that my group starts our 8-10 mile run at 7:30 a.m. and I have to get there by 7:15 to warm-up. John wraps my right foot, the left was wrapped at PT. For the those of us running the June 4 marathon we're supposed to run 10 miles today, those running the other marathon only have to do 8 as they have 2-3 weeks more of training. Before we take off, John asks which of us are running 10, I say maybe and am the only one. We're running a double back, which means that we run to a certain point and then turn around and go back and then run to another point turn around and come back, and the first turn-around is at the water stop for 8 miles, or the 3 mile mark for 10, and up the Lexington Dam. I felt great during our run, as I took it very easy at a little slower pace and ran with 2 other members of the team (ok so I walked part of it too). We got to the water stop and after a short break I somehow decided that 10 miles sounded great, also the second part of the run I convinced myself it would be ok to turn back early, even if I had to miss the hills. I managed to miscalculate the distance of the second part of the run as I thought I only had 2 miles left. I somehow missed the 2 miles each way catch and struggled up the hills with my calves cramping horrendously and walked half of it. The water stop at the top of the run was heaven sent. After a few minutes of rehydrating and nibbling, I started down the hill feeling refreshed and what must be described as the runners high or maybe I was just that low on electrolytes--the smile on my face and feeling happy beyond belief. My other mentor Vince (Helen's husband), caught up with me at the bottom of the hill and ran with me. (Ok, just to clarify Vince is in WAVE 5 and he started 30-40 minutes after I did.) His pace helped as it kept me going the last leg of the run, I only walked 10% of it and increased my pace.

After the run my feet were exhausted, as were the muscles in my legs, which felt like jello at one point. I went through all of our stretches, plus the ones from the podiatrist and was amazed at how much better my feet felt. Wanting to walk the next day, I went home and had an ice bath, which is just that cold and forces the lactic acid out of the muscles so that the muscles don't hurt as badly.

Feet status: I have pictures- be forewarned they are gross (at least to me) and will put them up as soon as they are sent to me. As I write this I have agreed to let a friend drain my blisters. The Blister Count is (1) seriously infected and (4) mini-blisters. Besides that my feet feel great.

The Podiatrists - Friday, Match 3,
I've always said that I have flat feet, I stand corrected I did when I was 12 maybe, but I pronate, so while the rest of the normal population walk on the outside of their feet I walk on the inside. This is most likely the reason for the tendonitis, coupled with the shoe insert which put the pressure on the outside of my foot too. Next Friday, I will have casts made of my feet and two weeks after that I will have new orthodics.

50-75% Running - Trying to Become Running Fit

Tonight we did five 2-lap runs with nice little breaks in between each 2-lap run. I averaged 5 1/2 minutes for the two laps, and the last one at just over 5 minutes, the last lap I walked 30% so a 70% run at a nice pace. It feels great to be feeling better, my feet are still constantly tired, but part of that might be physical therapy as we're aiming to increase the strength of the muscles in my feet. Tonight new exercises were introduced-the plank, side-planks, pushups, and sit-ups- in addition to our regular exercises post running. The highlight of my night, is that after icing my feet, with a short break in between, I sat in a spa for half hour and towards the end massaged my feet, it was amazing. Oh yes, and after icing my feet I discovered the wrapping had caused blisters above my ankle, another training pain (this one is much easier to take).

Skipping the Tuesday Run: AnnMarie and I went to Nola's to enjoy Mardi Gras with the agreement that we would run after a nice light dinner. Well, it didn't quite happen, my feet have been exhausted and a good night sleeping sounded like a better idea. One of the few times, I actually listened to my body and I think it paid off. Also, trying to stave off a potential blister above my heel, so this was another excuse.

Quick not about Saturday's run: Sophal and I took it easier, as we ran 25-30% of our 4-5 miles. We did the first 3.5 miles at the track and then walked over to a nearby park to walk the trail. The highlight of track practice was the advice we received from a male runner in white spandex that the easiest way to get up in the morning to run is to put on a jock-strap as soon as you wake up; he received this advice from a female friend and has been following it ever since. Ok, no thanks, I think I'll pass-falling out of bed works too as does having a running partner waiting for you.