Monday, December 27, 2010
My plan for 2011
If you are receiving this it is because I trust your ability to help support me on a new path for my health. Some of you will be there to help me make wise choices and some I hope to be resources on this new adventure.
Most of you know that I have been a vegetarian for a number of years. For a time I have been eating more fish and eggs (blegch!) than I would normally like but believed I needed it to have the copious amounts of protein required to support my running endeavors. I recently read (and recommend that you read) a book titled The China Study by T Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II. I won’t go into details but suffice it to say that I will be making the switch to vegan. This is a health decision.
Over the years I have also toyed with the idea of Raw food. (Coleen this is where I need you!) I had actually purchased a Raw food recipe book in 2004. The pictures were pretty and the meals sounded interesting. However, that was the year I began running and never followed that path. I was searching for a raw food dessert and with the help of some of you, I was introduced to a website (http://www.kristensraw.com/index.php) This reinforced my decision and provided a plan to make the switch. Being a huge lifestyle change (yes even from vegetarian) I was not sure I would be successful.
So here’s my plan
Monday’s will be cleanse days (for those of you familiar – I will continue to use Isagenix as a nutritional base)
Tuesday’s will be all raw food
Wednesday to Sunday will be a mix of raw food, regular veggie fare and Isagenix (Shakes for breakfast and when I get home from school) with raw food spread throughout the day.
The intent of this is to slowly change my eating habits. As time progresses I will incorporate more raw foods. I have already discussed this with Koach Karl. I am hoping that each of you will be supportive and help hold me accountable. It is not my wish to impose my diet on you. We all make our own decisions about what is best for us. I will write about my progress on my blog (http://runningbatty.blogspot.com/) and hope that some of you may accompany me on this journey to improved health!
Thanks!
bat
Saturday, September 4, 2010
We Run as One
Running is the glue that binds….
I read that recently somewhere. I have 2 divergent thoughts on it. Let’s talk about them:
First:
The article itself was on how running is what holds us (as in the singular “me” but all individuals who run) together. It generally makes us physically fit i.e. muscles toned, increased endurance, benefits to the cardiovascular system. You get the idea. Of course, optimally we will be putting good nutrition “in” so we can get good results “out.” =)
The article also discussed the mental and spiritual aspects of running. We benefit from those too. When I run alone, I can solve all the world’s problems. Ok… maybe just my problems. But I have made some of my best decisions when out for a long run. My mind seems to clear of the constant chatter and I can focus on one thing or maybe nothing at all! But when focused, I can clearly see all the sides of my current dilemma and therefore, can see many more solutions.
Sometimes when running I have run until I cried… cried over lost relationships, lost opportunities, lost loved ones. I run until I cry then I simply turn around and come back. The weight of all that has been lost is now gone. My run back is light and airy… I can see clearly again. (Sometimes this takes more than one long run!)
Other times while running I have had “topics” come up out of the blue – hmmm… what should I do about? Or maybe more like… Ya’ know I’ve never thought about doing X wonder what that would be like? Mind you this is a conversation within myself. It’s just me… and the rain…or the snow… or the sunshine…
Quite a while back my running group was asked to the question “Why do you run?” My short answer was that it makes me a nicer person… and it still does. I’m a MUCH happier and positive person when I can run. Not running makes me grouchy! There is a definite mental benefit to running.
On the spiritual side...Once on a trail run, while heading up the side of a mountain in Arkansas, I made the comment to my fellow runner “Why do we do this?” It was steep and tough. We were doing more power walking than running. My friend said “because of this” while sweeping his hand wide to the left for my eyes to follow.
It was as if on cue, God had created an opening to the side of the trail. We were on the side of the mountain that had a fairly steep drop. The river was almost directly below and the valley gracefully climbed away on the opposite side. Although it was a misty day, the sun was just beginning to light up the area using the cloud cover the way a photographer uses a diffuser on his flash. It was beautiful… this had my mind going for a while. Running (especially trails) we get to see places so many never will.
Second:
When I think more about running being a glue that binds us I also think about how it binds us as a community. We run as one... I think about how when out running we are all one race. We are runners. We can be of different national origins, different religions, no religion, different occupations, different political beliefs, different family structures, different… different… different. But when we run together we are of one mind.
I think of a trail runner I know in our area. Coleen. She is an amazing runner! We are as opposite as can be on almost all those items in the list above. But when we run together (I use that loosely – she’s WAY faster than I) she is always so encouraging and complimentary of my efforts. For a period last year I was running a hill (not hills… the same one over and over) with a small group. She, as well as the others, would cheer me up the hill applauding my improvement and encourage me to continue with them. And this was not just for me. Those who made it to the top first would encourage each of the others as they were climbing too. It didn’t matter that I’m conservative and she’s liberal. None of those things mattered. We were all helping each other.
My point is that runner’s help each other to become better runners. It’s a selfish sport in many ways but a sport that gives so much, to so many. We run alone but we run as one…
Believe,
bat
I read that recently somewhere. I have 2 divergent thoughts on it. Let’s talk about them:
First:
The article itself was on how running is what holds us (as in the singular “me” but all individuals who run) together. It generally makes us physically fit i.e. muscles toned, increased endurance, benefits to the cardiovascular system. You get the idea. Of course, optimally we will be putting good nutrition “in” so we can get good results “out.” =)
The article also discussed the mental and spiritual aspects of running. We benefit from those too. When I run alone, I can solve all the world’s problems. Ok… maybe just my problems. But I have made some of my best decisions when out for a long run. My mind seems to clear of the constant chatter and I can focus on one thing or maybe nothing at all! But when focused, I can clearly see all the sides of my current dilemma and therefore, can see many more solutions.
Sometimes when running I have run until I cried… cried over lost relationships, lost opportunities, lost loved ones. I run until I cry then I simply turn around and come back. The weight of all that has been lost is now gone. My run back is light and airy… I can see clearly again. (Sometimes this takes more than one long run!)
Other times while running I have had “topics” come up out of the blue – hmmm… what should I do about? Or maybe more like… Ya’ know I’ve never thought about doing X wonder what that would be like? Mind you this is a conversation within myself. It’s just me… and the rain…or the snow… or the sunshine…
Quite a while back my running group was asked to the question “Why do you run?” My short answer was that it makes me a nicer person… and it still does. I’m a MUCH happier and positive person when I can run. Not running makes me grouchy! There is a definite mental benefit to running.
On the spiritual side...Once on a trail run, while heading up the side of a mountain in Arkansas, I made the comment to my fellow runner “Why do we do this?” It was steep and tough. We were doing more power walking than running. My friend said “because of this” while sweeping his hand wide to the left for my eyes to follow.
It was as if on cue, God had created an opening to the side of the trail. We were on the side of the mountain that had a fairly steep drop. The river was almost directly below and the valley gracefully climbed away on the opposite side. Although it was a misty day, the sun was just beginning to light up the area using the cloud cover the way a photographer uses a diffuser on his flash. It was beautiful… this had my mind going for a while. Running (especially trails) we get to see places so many never will.
Second:
When I think more about running being a glue that binds us I also think about how it binds us as a community. We run as one... I think about how when out running we are all one race. We are runners. We can be of different national origins, different religions, no religion, different occupations, different political beliefs, different family structures, different… different… different. But when we run together we are of one mind.
I think of a trail runner I know in our area. Coleen. She is an amazing runner! We are as opposite as can be on almost all those items in the list above. But when we run together (I use that loosely – she’s WAY faster than I) she is always so encouraging and complimentary of my efforts. For a period last year I was running a hill (not hills… the same one over and over) with a small group. She, as well as the others, would cheer me up the hill applauding my improvement and encourage me to continue with them. And this was not just for me. Those who made it to the top first would encourage each of the others as they were climbing too. It didn’t matter that I’m conservative and she’s liberal. None of those things mattered. We were all helping each other.
My point is that runner’s help each other to become better runners. It’s a selfish sport in many ways but a sport that gives so much, to so many. We run alone but we run as one…
Believe,
bat
Monday, August 2, 2010
I'm Released!
Follow up appt with Doc Horton was July 28. I went in hoping he'd say I could run by the end of September (remember they said this was a 4 to 5 month recovery process). He looks things over and says it looks good. I talk about the sharp pain I get occasionally and ask if this is just related to the work he did on the nerve. He says yes. So I said - then it will eventually go away, right? Again the answer is the affirmative. Now understand this... the pain is a sharp almost electric stab. It is momentary but feels like you've been stuck with a live wire. It's just a pin point but WOW it makes you stop for a moment. Then it's completely gone! So it's really just an inconvenience or annoyance might be the better word. He said it's just the nerves learning to "refire" and all will be well soon enough. He does write out a prescription for a nerve cream if I want to fill it. (I haven't yet..)
Then we talk about swimming. He had said I could but it wouldn't like it. And that is true! It hurts and seems to be the cause of some of the swelling I get. It swells up considerably more after I swim than when I do the eliptical. But that will slowly subside as well. I asked if I had to do physical therapy. He said he didn't think I needed it. I am WAY ahead of most people even after they've done 8 to 12 weeks of PT. He writes a 'script for that too - it's also still unused. He tells me PT is often really just for people who won't do their exercises on their own. Sooo.... on that thought I ask.... When can I run then? Today... Really??? Today??? He has them fit me with a special compression ankle brace. It has silicone pads that wrap under the ankle on both sides. I'm to wear it for the next 4 to 6 weeks while running to help with the swelling.
Koach was off doing his event (details on another day) so I decided I'd wait until he was back to run. I wanted to talk to him first about what doc had said. I was positive that if I ran a mile he would have said to run a half mile. If I had run a half mile he would have said a mile... Besides I wasn't expecting to run yet and my mind was prepared for a longer wait...I could wait a few more days.
Today I ran! One mile per Koach's instructions. It hurt!!! OMG did it ever hurt! That was the first quarter of a mile. Then it just slowly stopped hurting while I was running. It was a real learning experience. I haven't been in the heat or humidity at all this year (that's the good side of no running!) So I had NO acclamation to either. Today it's going to be 97 and it's not exactly a dry heat! But a mile was ok. I struggled with it. Although I have been swimming and using the eliptical there is nothing like carrying your own butt down the road! It was much harder than I was prepared for. But it was ok... Now I know what I need to work on. I get to be a new runner but with all the knowledge that I've aquired over the last few years and the guidance of a great Koach! How many people get that sort of chance? I'm feeling lucky about it all! =)
The brace is "crew" length and as I've said before "nothing sexier than a runner's tan in girl shoes" (insert sarcasm here) But I don't care what sort of tan line it leaves... I get to run!
Then we talk about swimming. He had said I could but it wouldn't like it. And that is true! It hurts and seems to be the cause of some of the swelling I get. It swells up considerably more after I swim than when I do the eliptical. But that will slowly subside as well. I asked if I had to do physical therapy. He said he didn't think I needed it. I am WAY ahead of most people even after they've done 8 to 12 weeks of PT. He writes a 'script for that too - it's also still unused. He tells me PT is often really just for people who won't do their exercises on their own. Sooo.... on that thought I ask.... When can I run then? Today... Really??? Today??? He has them fit me with a special compression ankle brace. It has silicone pads that wrap under the ankle on both sides. I'm to wear it for the next 4 to 6 weeks while running to help with the swelling.
Koach was off doing his event (details on another day) so I decided I'd wait until he was back to run. I wanted to talk to him first about what doc had said. I was positive that if I ran a mile he would have said to run a half mile. If I had run a half mile he would have said a mile... Besides I wasn't expecting to run yet and my mind was prepared for a longer wait...I could wait a few more days.
Today I ran! One mile per Koach's instructions. It hurt!!! OMG did it ever hurt! That was the first quarter of a mile. Then it just slowly stopped hurting while I was running. It was a real learning experience. I haven't been in the heat or humidity at all this year (that's the good side of no running!) So I had NO acclamation to either. Today it's going to be 97 and it's not exactly a dry heat! But a mile was ok. I struggled with it. Although I have been swimming and using the eliptical there is nothing like carrying your own butt down the road! It was much harder than I was prepared for. But it was ok... Now I know what I need to work on. I get to be a new runner but with all the knowledge that I've aquired over the last few years and the guidance of a great Koach! How many people get that sort of chance? I'm feeling lucky about it all! =)
The brace is "crew" length and as I've said before "nothing sexier than a runner's tan in girl shoes" (insert sarcasm here) But I don't care what sort of tan line it leaves... I get to run!
Friday, July 23, 2010
The Only Thing That Stays the Same Is Change
So it's been a while... sorry. Lots has changed. Running is on hold. I will not be able to do the race in November. If you followed along you know I saw an orthopedic surgeon late last year. I was sent to physical therapy and my ankle was taped. That seemed to be working. It was great! I was up to 6 miles pain free!!! How much better could it get?
At one visit, I joked with the PT about how long I would need to wear the tape. Spring was on us and a "runner's tan" is bad enough let alone having a "crew length" tan on one leg only! In the same appt he was working with my foot and the cuboid bone moved - he told me that was what happened. Anyway... my next run was horrible! I had to have Koach pick me up around 2.5 miles. I was crushed. I had another appt with the PT when I told him about it while he was working with my ankle he immediately stopped, looked at me and said "you're going back to the surgeon." Then my journey began...
My appt with the surgeon left me in tears. This surgeon is more like a diagnostician. He refers patients to the specialists or to other therapies such as PT. He told me if I was refered to Dr. Horton I would be told I couldn't run. And if I keep running on it eventually I won't be able to walk. I cried all the way home. Koach called to see how the appt went and I couldn't even talk to him. I didn't even answer. By the end of the night, however, I was pissed!
I made the appt with Doc Horton but it wouldn't happen until June 1. (Keep in mind this is mid-April) I also talked to a friend who referred me to her surgeon's office for a 2nd opinion. Ironically the 2nd opinion appt was before Doc Horton's! So the 2nd opinion doc tells me my problems are not because my ligaments are too loose but rather that my calves are too tight. He wants me to take an anti-inflammatory and stretch my calves several times a day. Oh and he says I can run! So I really, really want to believe him... I fill the 'script and start running. Some days are good some not so much. But it seems ok. At least I can run until the appt with Doc Horton.
I meet Horton on June 1. EVERYTHING he says makes sense! He actually pulls my foot almost a half inch from the leg bone! And I have problems with nerves in my foot and ankle. So it's surgery on June 16. Surgery went well and I'm supposed to return in 2 weeks for follow-up. Oops! I will be in New Orleans for meetings on June 28. I have to come back next week. When I make the follow-up appt I explain this to the nurse and I go back on June 24. Eight days after surgery!
They unwrap the wounds and it is gross! However, the doc says it looks great... then he says "wait. we just did this last week" I answer Yes. "that looks better than most that come in after 2 weeks! You must be really healthy." My thought was "Well yeah... I'm a runner and THANK YOU Isagenix!"
Believe,
bat
At one visit, I joked with the PT about how long I would need to wear the tape. Spring was on us and a "runner's tan" is bad enough let alone having a "crew length" tan on one leg only! In the same appt he was working with my foot and the cuboid bone moved - he told me that was what happened. Anyway... my next run was horrible! I had to have Koach pick me up around 2.5 miles. I was crushed. I had another appt with the PT when I told him about it while he was working with my ankle he immediately stopped, looked at me and said "you're going back to the surgeon." Then my journey began...
My appt with the surgeon left me in tears. This surgeon is more like a diagnostician. He refers patients to the specialists or to other therapies such as PT. He told me if I was refered to Dr. Horton I would be told I couldn't run. And if I keep running on it eventually I won't be able to walk. I cried all the way home. Koach called to see how the appt went and I couldn't even talk to him. I didn't even answer. By the end of the night, however, I was pissed!
I made the appt with Doc Horton but it wouldn't happen until June 1. (Keep in mind this is mid-April) I also talked to a friend who referred me to her surgeon's office for a 2nd opinion. Ironically the 2nd opinion appt was before Doc Horton's! So the 2nd opinion doc tells me my problems are not because my ligaments are too loose but rather that my calves are too tight. He wants me to take an anti-inflammatory and stretch my calves several times a day. Oh and he says I can run! So I really, really want to believe him... I fill the 'script and start running. Some days are good some not so much. But it seems ok. At least I can run until the appt with Doc Horton.
I meet Horton on June 1. EVERYTHING he says makes sense! He actually pulls my foot almost a half inch from the leg bone! And I have problems with nerves in my foot and ankle. So it's surgery on June 16. Surgery went well and I'm supposed to return in 2 weeks for follow-up. Oops! I will be in New Orleans for meetings on June 28. I have to come back next week. When I make the follow-up appt I explain this to the nurse and I go back on June 24. Eight days after surgery!
They unwrap the wounds and it is gross! However, the doc says it looks great... then he says "wait. we just did this last week" I answer Yes. "that looks better than most that come in after 2 weeks! You must be really healthy." My thought was "Well yeah... I'm a runner and THANK YOU Isagenix!"
Believe,
bat
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Increasing Distance (not speed)
So my distance is beginning to increase. I'm up to 6 miles. Went to the PT last week and he worked on my ankle quite a bit. I had run right before going intentionally so that I could remember what "happens" while I'm running. It had been a cold run along the river front from the River Market in Kansas City.
My PT said I "was a lot of work" - like I haven't heard that before! He also worked on my fibula. It seems that it gets stuck and that also causes me some trouble. He used e-stem on the area slightly behind the leg just above and below the knee. As it pulsed it would make my foot curl to the inside. It was WEIRD but apparently worked. I ran 6 miles on Friday with no issues! Then 3 more on Saturday.
Tuesday was another 6 miles around Kansas City with Koach. I do love running with him. He keeps me at a decent pace (for me) and pushes me when I need it. I also love running in urban areas and get to do so with him. We ran out of the River Market into the West Bottoms. After learning the road out that ran along side Kemper Arena no longer exists, we cut through the parking lot and then into a neighborhood on a hill. To get there we had to go up a relatively steep flight of stairs! It's an adventure to run with him - something I don't get to do in my surburban neighborhood. As a girl I probably wouldn't run those areas by myself and besides, it way more fun to explore with someone!
So the taping seems to be working and my endurance for distance is increasing. Now I just need to get some speed back!
Believe,
bat
My PT said I "was a lot of work" - like I haven't heard that before! He also worked on my fibula. It seems that it gets stuck and that also causes me some trouble. He used e-stem on the area slightly behind the leg just above and below the knee. As it pulsed it would make my foot curl to the inside. It was WEIRD but apparently worked. I ran 6 miles on Friday with no issues! Then 3 more on Saturday.
Tuesday was another 6 miles around Kansas City with Koach. I do love running with him. He keeps me at a decent pace (for me) and pushes me when I need it. I also love running in urban areas and get to do so with him. We ran out of the River Market into the West Bottoms. After learning the road out that ran along side Kemper Arena no longer exists, we cut through the parking lot and then into a neighborhood on a hill. To get there we had to go up a relatively steep flight of stairs! It's an adventure to run with him - something I don't get to do in my surburban neighborhood. As a girl I probably wouldn't run those areas by myself and besides, it way more fun to explore with someone!
So the taping seems to be working and my endurance for distance is increasing. Now I just need to get some speed back!
Believe,
bat
Friday, March 12, 2010
Still Running
So far so good... It's been a long slow progression but it IS a progression! My farthest run so far has been 5 miles. It was GREAT! It wasn't easy. I'm sucking wind but it was so good to really be running. I felt like I could have gone on forever. However, the best decision was to stop. I know that I don't ever want to be where I was in October/November again.
I ran in Washington, DC in February. It was the first time I'd run outside since November. It hasn't been worth the time it would take to get dressed for the weather here to run such short distances. The weather in DC was perfect...oh except the 40 mph winds! I ran with my friend Tony. He's the one in the Mt. Hood report. We are on a committee - it's how we met. I ran alone Thursday after my plane landed and was able to check into the hotel. Tony ran with me Friday and Saturday morning. Saturday was perfect. The wind had died and the grey sky had openned up. We ran to the Lincoln Memorial then over to the Korean Memorial. Tony says he wants to show me something there. The marble wall has faces of soldiers etched into it. He points one out and says "we have every reason to believe this is my dad." How cool is that??? From there we retraced our steps back to the hotel.
While I was there I was supposed to run 2 miles on Thursday and 3 on Saturday. As you read, I ran 3 times... oops! And they were ALL for longer distances. Tuesday I had intended to only run the 2 miles. I took my normal route out then over to the Mall around the Washington Monument. However, the Health Summit was being held at the White House and I needed to get through the lawns. This caused a deter that eventually added almost a mile. Friday we ran just over 3 miles and Saturday it was close to 4 miles. I was sore - almost icebath worthy! But I was sooo excited to have been running that the soreness was almost a badge of honor! It was mostly my thighs. I was glad to just be running.
I've done a few runs since I've been home. I'm doing ok at 3 miles. I am working on changing my foot strike. It is more of a forefoot strike like when I'm running barefoot (which I had to stop in November since it wasn't helping the situation get better - it wasn't worse either - just trying to get better) It is so much easier to run that way that my lungs can't seem to keep up with my legs just yet! But it will get there. The 3 miles yesterday and 5 miles today show me that things are improving. The breathing was easier for a bit but as the distance increased the lungs got tired. I know they will be fine soon too.
Believe,
bat
I ran in Washington, DC in February. It was the first time I'd run outside since November. It hasn't been worth the time it would take to get dressed for the weather here to run such short distances. The weather in DC was perfect...oh except the 40 mph winds! I ran with my friend Tony. He's the one in the Mt. Hood report. We are on a committee - it's how we met. I ran alone Thursday after my plane landed and was able to check into the hotel. Tony ran with me Friday and Saturday morning. Saturday was perfect. The wind had died and the grey sky had openned up. We ran to the Lincoln Memorial then over to the Korean Memorial. Tony says he wants to show me something there. The marble wall has faces of soldiers etched into it. He points one out and says "we have every reason to believe this is my dad." How cool is that??? From there we retraced our steps back to the hotel.
While I was there I was supposed to run 2 miles on Thursday and 3 on Saturday. As you read, I ran 3 times... oops! And they were ALL for longer distances. Tuesday I had intended to only run the 2 miles. I took my normal route out then over to the Mall around the Washington Monument. However, the Health Summit was being held at the White House and I needed to get through the lawns. This caused a deter that eventually added almost a mile. Friday we ran just over 3 miles and Saturday it was close to 4 miles. I was sore - almost icebath worthy! But I was sooo excited to have been running that the soreness was almost a badge of honor! It was mostly my thighs. I was glad to just be running.
I've done a few runs since I've been home. I'm doing ok at 3 miles. I am working on changing my foot strike. It is more of a forefoot strike like when I'm running barefoot (which I had to stop in November since it wasn't helping the situation get better - it wasn't worse either - just trying to get better) It is so much easier to run that way that my lungs can't seem to keep up with my legs just yet! But it will get there. The 3 miles yesterday and 5 miles today show me that things are improving. The breathing was easier for a bit but as the distance increased the lungs got tired. I know they will be fine soon too.
Believe,
bat
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Starting Again
Just an update... I have been on injured reserve since approximately mid-November. Two years ago I broke my foot. I was having an increasing amount of pain in the same area (the long metatarsal at the arch on my left foot.) It managed to get to a point that everything hurt - running, walking, the eliptical - even swimming. Three different doctors (my MD and two Orthopedic Surgeons later) it's still up in the air. I definitely have some arthritis in the joint and some rigidity or lack of range of motion. My ever-too-high arch has started to fall. Dr. Noland (the 2nd Ortho - whom I liked much more than the 1st) also thinks I have some nerve damage from spraining my ankle a few times too many.
So to be safe, Koach has started me on a very conservative training schedule. My first run was .25 miles. Yep - you read that correctly a quarter of a mile. There was definitely pain but part of this process is to learn that this pain will always be there and to distinguish it from the "hey-there's-something-wrong-here" pain. As long as I know that it's not doing any further damage, I can live...errr run... with that.
So what have I decided to do about it??? Run of course! I am taking the positive road and have signed up for 2 races. One in April and one in November. I'm sure there will be others but I LOVE Rockin K put on by the Kansas Ultra Runners. Phil and Stacy Sheridan are the nicest people! The race is November... Mother Road 100 - its the final time they will put on this race.
For as much as I love trails, I also like roads. They fill different needs for me. On trails you must be "in the moment" or present. You are part of nature and all that is around. You see things the average person will never see. At an event in Arkansas (3 Days of Syllamo) I offhandedly said to Koach "Why do we do this?" as we were heading up a long climb. It was almost like it was planned, he said "because of this" and waved his arm toward an opening in the tree line on the cliff. The view beyond was stunning! The creek, the mountain on the other side, the sunning peaking through... I was humbled by it. Only God could create something so breath taking!
As for roads, it's where I zone (I have the scars to prove it!) I can let my mind wander. It's when I solve problems, make plans. My most difficult decisions are often made on a long run. The long run is where I find peace. It allows me to catch up with me and my mind settles. So the Mother Road 100 will be my first attempt at 100 miles. It will also be my major fundraising event for the Touched by Cancer Foundation here in KC. I'll give you more info on donations later in the year!
That's all for now! Gotta get my .50 mile run in!
Believe,
bat
So to be safe, Koach has started me on a very conservative training schedule. My first run was .25 miles. Yep - you read that correctly a quarter of a mile. There was definitely pain but part of this process is to learn that this pain will always be there and to distinguish it from the "hey-there's-something-wrong-here" pain. As long as I know that it's not doing any further damage, I can live...errr run... with that.
So what have I decided to do about it??? Run of course! I am taking the positive road and have signed up for 2 races. One in April and one in November. I'm sure there will be others but I LOVE Rockin K put on by the Kansas Ultra Runners. Phil and Stacy Sheridan are the nicest people! The race is November... Mother Road 100 - its the final time they will put on this race.
For as much as I love trails, I also like roads. They fill different needs for me. On trails you must be "in the moment" or present. You are part of nature and all that is around. You see things the average person will never see. At an event in Arkansas (3 Days of Syllamo) I offhandedly said to Koach "Why do we do this?" as we were heading up a long climb. It was almost like it was planned, he said "because of this" and waved his arm toward an opening in the tree line on the cliff. The view beyond was stunning! The creek, the mountain on the other side, the sunning peaking through... I was humbled by it. Only God could create something so breath taking!
As for roads, it's where I zone (I have the scars to prove it!) I can let my mind wander. It's when I solve problems, make plans. My most difficult decisions are often made on a long run. The long run is where I find peace. It allows me to catch up with me and my mind settles. So the Mother Road 100 will be my first attempt at 100 miles. It will also be my major fundraising event for the Touched by Cancer Foundation here in KC. I'll give you more info on donations later in the year!
That's all for now! Gotta get my .50 mile run in!
Believe,
bat
Saturday, January 2, 2010
WOW - it's been awhile
Ok... so I haven't been not running - just not writing. Well... I did run until mid-November. I am starting on a new journey this year. I hope you will follow me.
I did couple great runs this past year and one not so good. The Patriot's Run on September 11 was great and I couldn't have done it without Bobbi Jo's help. Then I did the Portland Marathon 3 weeks later. Tony and his family were awesome. It was my 2nd fastest marathon and his absolute slowest!
Life is everchanging but like I said... a new journey come along for the fun!
I did couple great runs this past year and one not so good. The Patriot's Run on September 11 was great and I couldn't have done it without Bobbi Jo's help. Then I did the Portland Marathon 3 weeks later. Tony and his family were awesome. It was my 2nd fastest marathon and his absolute slowest!
Life is everchanging but like I said... a new journey come along for the fun!
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