Trollin' for Lighter Shoes

Here's where it gets sticky. When I actually have options and I'm trying to figure out what I should do and what will help me get there.

So, I had the chance to go to Gazelles for 800's do I go? No. I met my friend A.T. earlier and cranked out 7 miles on the Exposition route. My explanation, I need more rolling hills training. I have a good 18 miles in for the week now before the long run. And, just in time before the cold snap. It was a decent run, although I'm fast getting tired of the route, but I have to learn to push hard on the hills when I'm tired.

Since I was finished early, I headed to the track to get my fix. Before I even get out of the car, I hear Gilbert screaming, RED! I trot over and give him a big hug. "You having a good new year Red?" he asks me like he knows something is wrong. He's already seen me since the New Year but he's got this way. I change the subject by admiring his new Falke jacket. Where'd you get that one, I like, I try to divert him. "Just for me, Red, coaches jacket."

I ask Gilbert if he thinks my foot will hold in a lighter shoe for the 3M. The Asics that I am wearing are pretty heavy. He looks at my feet and says nothing...that is not a good sign. He turns away to coach the group.

Troy from Sports Performance is there and, as always, he's wondering how things are coming along. How does the foot hold out on the long runs? How far have I gone? How far did I just run? How fast am I running? I tell him honestly that the foot will hold for the 1/2 marathon, but I'm not really sure how it will be beyond that. I'm worried. Come in, he says, let's keep working on it.

I hang for a while shootin' the breeze with some Gazelles. Kenny Hill is training for Austin. He's always such a huge inspiration to me. He's such an encouraging coach. He was one of the first people to tell me I HAD to do Boston. I ask him if he's going to Boston this year. He says, "No, but I'll see you there in 2011, Red."

Dude, I've got to get through 2010.

Oh, back to the shoes. I think the answer is probably not. Gilbert pointed out some shoes, told me a shoe to try which I already can't remember since I'm that aging athlete....the mind goes first.

2010 Journey to B-town

2010, it's hard to get my head around the fact that the 1990's are over, let alone a complete decade of the 2000's. My son, born in 1999, just turned 10; my daughter, just completed her 5th year! Yikes...that means that I have that many more wrinkles.

I want to try to return to regular blogging for 2010. Let's see how the resolution holds. I am on this journey to Boston and I'm hoping writing about it here will give me an outlet from all the "eye rollers" who think I'm crazy to train and to run so much. P.S., there are worse vices.

Let me just pat myself on the back for a minute for actually running during the holidays while in Jersey...it was cold, dim and tough. The naysayers were out in force but they motivated me all the more to do track workout and to run in 16 degree weather. Keep telling me I'm nuts -- it's helping me.

I've already met some great new folks in the Gazelle group training for Boston. Even another Jersey girl, which gives me great comfort! No worries about dropping the f-bomb there (sorry Gilbert) but it's part of the vernacular in Jersey!

My challenge with Gazelle's is my son's morning car pool to school. So, with schedule in hand, I can only participate in Gazelle's as often as the car pool works out, which isn't that much, since the other guy travels a great deal. This issue is driving me crazy. I like my routine, so I am constantly trying to sort out how to get the workouts in. And, I hate to run alone, which also makes it tough.

So far, the most I can plan on is the Saturday long run. I get my Gazelle fix and get to do some good running. Fortunately Lorenzo Blanco is always willing to meet at 5 AM should a workout require that extra early hour.

The other challenge is that I am so dog tired by 8/8:30. When you get up at 4:20, you are toast by that time. By the way, I get lots of eye rolls for that too...reminding people how early I rise.

Anyway, note to self, blog more, talk less; there are no eyeballs rolling.

San Antonio - post race report

Well, has anyone told you how humid it was? I actually thought it was about 71% humidity, until I learned later that it was more like 94% humidity.

I loved seeing all the Gazelle's before and during the race, especially, my crew, AW, CC, AT, Double D. I really loved seeing CR, Leslie, and CW at the start. I was excited for them and hopeful. They don't know it, but they helped relax me.

I started out ok, probably the wrong placement and too fast for the weather. But, I was unaware. I made the cardinal mistake and started too fast, feeling too pressed by my previous times. I ran with some guys from the National Guard...they were helpful and supportive. Tall Dan came up and ran with me for awhile and really cheered me on.

I ate the hill, that was good. Saw LB twice. Dan cheered more great thoughts my way. Karen S ran alongside me for a bit which really gave me a boost. Gilbert picked up my Hail Mary at the exact spot in the prayer where I was...this is now the second time he's done this and it freaks me out. But, I know I am fading. Too fast fades to too slow to hit the number. Slow gets slower, now I am hanging on to qualifying for New York. A marathon I won't even go too...I know this, but it gives me something to strive for. I try, I push, I kick what I can.

I cross the finish, congratulate the women that I worked with on the course, pick up my stuff, change, sit on the curb and start to cry. I'm alone, no one I know is nearby, no Gazelles, no family. A poor showing for me. I haven't trained well; I tossed out the plan. I pick myself up and head to watch for my friends.

Good news, my foot held out. It doesn't swell, I am walking. I watch the elite marathoners come in and wonder what that is like.

Running and Mothering: The Obstacles

Well, I've been absent from blogging. Honestly, I just had to let something go. I have to say, that it's a struggle sometimes to get it all done. And, I'm not the most organized.

The flu kicked my Jersey butt. My son got "it", and then I did. The first week that I felt sick, I ran anyway. My family hates when I do that. But, seriously, anything above the shoulders, you run. In the chest, depends. Below the belt, definitely not!

So, then, since my immune system was compromised, when my son fell ill, I, naturally, got it. I have to say, the pain was horrible. I've had shingles, which can be painful. But with this flu, I ached through to my hip bones. It hurt to lay down.

Running suffered as a result and I am so not where I wanted to be for the San Antonio 1/2 Marathon. Aside from that, I have a killer over committed weekend with a 1/2 marathon in it.

I'm disappointed. I'm admitting it. I had some hopes to see the old Red at SA. But, now, I have to let it go. I honestly feel so unprepared. It's like not studying enough for the test. I can't wing it, but I will have to.

It might be a good lesson for me. Letting go. Just doing it. The problem that I have is that I don't know when to push harder or if I am. I don't know how to gauge it yet.

I ran hard today along the Endfield. I was pissed. I was mad that I'm not as disciplined as I should be, that I didn't get up to run on Saturday, that I stopped going to the gym.

If I'm going to have a good race in Boston, I have got to hunker down.

Silicon Melting

Well, finally, Silicon...no, not the kind you stick in your chest wall, the Relay!

I signed up with LB and friends to do the Silicon Labs Marathon Relay. The last relay I did was Ragnar -- which was much harder and longer. But, I haven't raced since I my foot injury -- that is my unremarkable injury.

I have to admit I was horribly nervous. I used to get like this ages ago, but then one year I raced a ton and got over the jitters, but got hurt. I'd rather have the jitters.

I was the last...the caboose, they called it. I prefer clean up. I headed downtown with kids in tow as Rolph had a soccer game. The kids did fine. Although I did my OC thing and called LB a million times trying to find him, they were parked near the Gazelles. When we showed up Gilbert had just finished his leg and he came over to say hi to the kids. Yes, me, chopped liver!

Then Bernard came by and he was sweating. This scared me. I mean here is a dude who didn't break a sweat in August at night for a 10K. I said, Bernard, seriously, what's up, you are drenched? It's hot out there Red. Ok, got it. Now I want to puke.

I head to the corral to find the entrance and pester LB many more times about where I go in and when. How he puts up with me at races, I truly do not know. I kissed the kids and left them with LB with strict instructions to behave.

I waited behind a tall dude for the shade. I swished water and spit it out. I was nervous.

T came in and I headed out. My legs were like cement blocks. I had not warmed up enough at all. Trudge, trudge. Come on old girl I yell internally, get moving. I decide not to look at my watch at all. I start to pass people. LB gives me strict instructions not to let anyone pass me. I feel awful and want to quit. This also happens to me in every single race. I always want to quit.

I start to hit a groove and a guy starts to run with me. Good pace he says. We start to talk and I realize that while it's a good distraction, I'm slowing down. Still, I won't look. He eventually takes off without a word and I feel myself sink some more.

I turn down First. I think, If Gilbert sees me running this slow, he'll be yelling. But Gilbert is not there. I'm partially glad and partially disappointed, but I kick it in. I heard Evil call my team number and start digging, harder and harder. I see the time and I know what the team had hoped for...we are under.

I cross the line, relief, no puking...I head for the kids and show up at the tent quite like I just went to the loo and came back. Oh hey, you are back. Yeah, I'm done. My last little bit (.15) was fast, but I mistook that for my average pace. For a minute I was proud. Until I realized that I really had positive splits and just got slower and slower.

It was hot (10:15 am). But, I had so much fun being out there, seeing everyone and running. It was great to be back.

13.7 in the Pouring Rain

It's raining in Austin, but I'm not complaining, we need it desperately.

I actually do wake up during the storm and make the mistake of asking LB if we are still meeting to run. Of course, we are.

I head out to the designated meeting point and we load up and head to the start.

It is cold standing in the rain, so I decided to just go. I get frustrated waiting and, I have to admit, I'm slightly irritated and pensive at the same time. Yesterday marked 8 years since 9/11, I was in NY, and I always have a lot to think about. This year, I feel like I should have done more to help other people. I was very humbled to read about all the volunteers and what they did to help others. I think I was in shock, somewhat, but in any event, I want to think about that while running.

So, I don't wait for LB or DD, I just go. My foot hurts, in spite of a session with Pieter, and I am worried about it. I decided to stop thinking about my foot and try to remember some thinks about 9/11...so much of it is still a blur and memories come back in pieces.

It's raining very steadily. M Woo comes up with the group of guys and says, Hey Alicia. Hey. That's it. I am concentrating and move over for the guys to pass me. But, either they are not running super fast yet (warming up) or I am running pretty well. In any event, I decided to stay with them for as long as I can and I do. It feels great, but I know I can't hold it.

I stop at the water stop and wait for LB and DD. The rest of the run goes pretty well with many sub 8 min. miles. I bonk a little at the end, but I figure it's ok. My legs are sore and my foot is swelling, but I am less weighed down by the past, by the visions, by the nightmares...I let it go till next year.

B-side

Well, it's official, filled out the form and sent in the registration. Now, got to stay healthy, not mess up my foot by standing in high heeled shoes at concerts and not lose my keys for the millionth time.