Queen of the Hills

Running teaches you things you don't know about yourself. Last summer, running taught me that if I really put my mind to it, and gave something the effort it deserved and needed, that I could do anything. Well, at least it taught me that if I kept going out, putting one foot in front of the other, worked through the pain and occasional heartache, that I could indeed become a runner.* I also learned about some of the secrets of the running life: body glide is not something you buy at an "adult" store; even a bad run can be a good run; learning how to properly spit is a necessity; black toenails have nothing to do with nail polish; not all gels are created equal (flavor wise); and G.I. distress is a frightening thing.**

Running also taught me that if you don't follow the rules--and even if you do--running might punish you. I tried to take advantage of running last summer, and I got punished with two broken metatarsals, which meant months of not running and a walking "boot" that I hated. So, while I have been seriously running since late May of last year, I probably have less than a year of real running in my legs because of the injury.

In the last 3-4 weeks, I have really become serious about my Portland Training. Giving a lot of effort to my runs, listening to my body, suffering through ice baths, watching my nutrient intake, getting more sleep, consuming less alcohol and sugar, and really focusing on the specific goals of each training run. I am a noticeably stronger runner than I was last year at this time, even though my running had been more consistent for a longer period at that point. I am definitely in worse physical shape than I was last year, but I can run harder and faster, and, unexpectedly, I have fallen in love with hills.***

Every runner knows that hills are a challenge, both uphill and downhill. The uphill challenge really needs no discussion--even the non-runner can appreciate it--but downhills offer their own challenges.**** Still, I have really been pushing myself on hill training, and I have gone from a little bit of distaste to a bit of an obsession. Hills have become Benicio del Toro or Javier Bardem or Jonathan Rhys Meyers--each of these men has a decidedly unique look, one that would not be considered conventionally attractive, but I cannot tear myself away from them. Hills are mini-reminders of how much better your running is becoming. It's great for the ego to conquer a hill today that conquered you yesterday. The fact that hills whip you into shape quickly and are great for your glutes certainly doesn't hurt either.

*I previously wrote about what a runner is here: http://runnergrrl30.blogspot.com/2008/07/running-just-might-be-pearl-izumi-ad.html

**Last summer, running made me vomit and not figuratively. My stomach was extremely sensitive about what I ate before a long run. There was a particularly nasty huckleberry pancake incident that I wrote about in a post last August. I spent quite a bit of time figuring out what fuel works for me. That fuel is definitely not GU. I would compare the taste of the caffeinated berry flavor to sucking on a cherry-cough syrup coated penny. Fortunately, the apple-cinnamon Carb Boom reminds me of the filling in an apple donut and stays down.

***I consider the first half of 2009 to be six months of excess. Coming on the tail end of recovering from the broken foot, I was set back by a broken heart. In the past, I handled heartbreak by hours in the gym. Not this time...I solaced myself with sugar and libations; late nights out with friends; not a lot of sleep; and even less gym time. This is BAD for your fitness level. The flat stomach I was so pleased about making it through the holidays with was replaced with my "break up belly." That little belly...and a little more everywhere else...is hanging on still, but my new lover running is showing it who's boss, albeit slowly.

****I'll write about downhills in a later post.

Race Weekend Photos

A post on race weekend to follow, but to sum up: Don't run on a stress fracture. You won't be able to run a full half-marathon, and you will end up in a walking "boot" for 4-6 weeks minimum. This will cut into your running. Also, San Fran in the early morning in October is cold when you are wearing running shorts and a tank top.

This Is Not What I Expected (3 Days Until Race Day)

Well, I've made my fundraising goals, I've started packing for San Francisco, and I am trying to figure out the best way to tape my foot for my race. I am excited about my trip--San Francisco is a great city, I'll get to see some friends I haven't seen in a while, and Andrew is coming down to watch my race (and tape my foot, lucky him).*

However, I am frustrated and apprehensive. I spent months training, hoping to maintain a certain pace and get a certain finish time. Based on my training, I was on pace to do around 2:10 for my first half-marathon (just under 10 minutes a mile for the 13.1 miles). Not bad for a girl who could barely run two miles in May. Unfortunately a wrecked foot is going to really inhibit my time, and I may not even be able to run. I probably, really, should not run. I did an easy 3-miler on Friday night (October 10) that was decently uncomfortable. I need to run more than 4x the distance on Sunday.

But, I signed up for this race not for me but on behalf of Team in Training and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The race was always about more than me. It was about raising money for cancer research, being part of something bigger than myself, and being inspired by cancer survivors, including Jan Giesa, my Aunt Alice, my two sisters Jen and Wendy, and Kitty Janssen. It was also a tribute to my late aunt Shirley and my late grandmother Mary, both of whom lost their battles with cancer.

It's my understanding that race weekend for TNT participants is an emotional event. We have a pre-race pasta dinner (are you surprised?) where our fundraising efforts are lauded, and we learn what our dollars are doing to help battle cancers. Apparently, along the Nike course in San Fran, cancer patients and survivors are cheering on those of us wearing the TNT purple jerseys. I will be one of those people--no matter how long it takes me to cross that finish line.

*Andrew is getting his doctorate in physical therapy. He needs the practice.

Broken, But Not Finished

It's official. I am injured. I have a stress fracture in my left foot. My race is in 17 days. My prescribed treatment: rest, ice, taping, pain killers. My actual treatment until after the race: suck it up, ice, taping, pain killers. I have come too far to quit now, and I am not going to do it.

Certainly my pace won't be as I would like it to be. But, I have worked this hard, raised these funds, and I made a commitment to Team in Training, LLS, and myself that I am not going to break.

I ran my last really long run on Sunday, September 28. I managed to log 12 miles, only 3 of which were really painful. I only have to do 1.1 more miles on race day. Fortunately, I am in my "taper" phase, so I have fewer runs, and I've been doing cross training to reduce stress on my foot.