Back to basics

After some fits and starts over the past week, some decent miles, some days off, and hoping to heal the hitch in my hip, I make a renewed commitment to begin a training routine today.

Took the Spira's out for an easy 8, not quite as easy as I'd hoped, after about 5 miles, because of the hip. I would have to guess hip flexor? and after another mile or so, I could feel the soreness in both. I wonder if I strengthen my legs in general, with a few trips to the gym, if that wouldn't help. And the chiropractor, obviously.
But the 5ish miles up to that point were lovely, phenomenal. Out early enough to catch the coolishness, the sun-just-after-rising, the quiet on the side streets, the wierd, middle ground between dream and reality that was still swirling in my head.

The Spira's are my magic shoes. They take my steps and push me off the road in a rhythm that sometimes feels hard to control; I want to go faster, and I can. I am still recovering from deep fatigue, and getting off-schedule. And the somewhat roller coaster ride of extra social and family contact- something that, as much as it stirs the juices, can also create some havoc in my system. I am careful about that. I can tolerate only so much upsetting the apple cart.

I look forward to settling into routine, now that race season is behind me for now. There is a 10k in Miramar in March, but I'm not feeling terribly inspired to do it. I would rather build back to being able to handle a good, long weekend run, 10-15 milers for now, to get me out of my head, and into the wilds of Hollywood. And entrain my body back to my mind, heart and spirit.

Regrouping

Google lost "part 2" of my A1A story... sucked into cyberspace after inspirational flight, and preventing a round-out of the saga. Oh well....I am 4 days out from the race, now, and have kept to the mini-tramp every day except one in an attempt to allow my hip/leg to get a break from the road. I've been trying to keep up with the unusually heavy demands at work, and as a result of everything an increased need for sleep. My appetite appears to be coming back into balance, and my overall endurance to keep up with all of this seems pretty good. I have made an agreement with myself to set the stage for regular training again, beginning next week. My goal is to find a range of mileage to keep a gentle push on, from around 25-30 mpw on up, with enough cross-training, hills and drills and occasional trips to the gym to keep from chronic injury. I know now what the ultimate it like; and can safely assume what it will take to command the effort for another marathon, down the road. Meanwhile, I want to get into a zen-like mind-set of active engagement between my body and mind. With everything in play at once, I need the consistent routine to keep my strength at it's max. And now I know, this is the key to keeping me mentally strong as well.

In group on Tuesday, my ex-marine J. began the check-in as the ranking elder, and in his self-effacing manner pulled a Ft. Lauderdale A1A marathon medal out of his pocket!
He had been training, alone, on a treadmill, 11 milers, deciding at the last minute to try the race. This young man, who has been through so much in life, and knows something about pain, endurance and despair, learned about personal triumph; he ran a 4:13:11, in his first marathon since the age of 19. I held up my half marathon medal as well, and we shared a big grin. The entire group gave its applause, but it was for him that the honors were offered. He, too, now knows- anything is possible.

the A1A medal

Ft. Lauderdale A1A Half Marathon report part 1

I lost my original post.....so I will have to return to my story when I have more time.
Today, Monday, the rain that threatened us on the course during the last few miles has come in. On race day, it was clear, mild and beautiful. I had my new shoes, the Asics, and little gear; I wanted to run this for fun, and to be as light and free as possible. I didn't know what to expect or how to anticipate a half-marathon coming off the Miami full. But somehow, despite lack of sleep and little miles since then, I took off down Las Olas with a bounce in my step, eager to reach A1A and the long stretch north by the ocean. The sun rose as we were south of Sunrise; that beautiful break-through of colors swimming on the water. I was good until hitting what I thought should be Oakland and the turn-around, but it was more north, and my mental energy began to flag as I kept seeing the runners ahead on the southbound side. Where the hell is it?? On and on....I know I slowed considerably trying to regain my gait, until- there is was, the loop back around to take the road south. At that point I made up my mind to give it the gas; after all I have done this route in training many times, flying down A1A in the early Saturday mornings etc. So I imagined myself alone (mostly) and stretched my legs out, and took that stretch in one gulp. While ahead, the bend right was taking us into Hugh Birch State Park and a 2ish mile loop before coming back out to A1A. I can do the park blindfolded I'm sure; I know every nook of that road. On race day, dodging other runners, it took on a surreal feeling; and it just never ended....coming out of the park was exhilarating; I looked at my watch- it was just before 8....as I came onto A1A I knew it was just 2 or 3 more miles and I just gassed it. Winds were coming up in our faces, and grey clouds were gathering themselves up; but I wasn't having it. Somewhere down the road was that finish line, and I was going to cross it faster than last year; that was the goal, and I was going to meet it. I took the runners ahead of me, one at a time, picking them out. I put a charge on, passed them, then took up my gait, another charge, another pass. Pretty soon, it was 1 more, then the turn into the parking lot by the beach and yes! the finish up ahead! There was Tom! And the official time: 2:20:23

It was a pretty run, exhilarating, confirming. Cheryl and Phil were at the same IHOP and we all had breakfast. I couldn't have asked for a better race in every way.
The gods put wings, not only on my feet, but in my heart. And I am grateful to know they carry me.

New Race, New Shoes

After way too much mulling over, it was finally time to jump in to the decision for Ft. Lauderdale, and register- for the half marathon. Much as I'd like to test the fates and see myself running all the way up A1A for the marathon, I recognize it's probably asking for a very unpleasant ride. Instead, without too much more preparation, I can more than likely take on a 13+ miler as another long run, except with a whole lot more people along. And doing it by the ocean, with the crowds, and all the support that comes with it is a nice change from solo training. Plus I'll see more local folks, including my Miami buds, Cheryl and Phil. And with any luck, Tom will be able to make it as support team at the finish.

My new shoes, a pair of Asics Landreth are most awesome. The Nimbus I've been running in for 2 pairs now are the massive cushioned cousins, and it always feels like I have bags of sand on my feet. The Landreth are light, fitted, shining; I feel like Mercury with wings on my feet, shooting lightning and sparks as they hit the ground. What would Miami have been like in these?? What will A1A be like? So far, the weather's looking calm and warmish, which favors me. If it doesn't rain, and no weird cold spells spill in, I'll be comfortable. My new bed, another element in my quest for more complete and proper comfort will hopefully help release some of the tension and chronic pain I've accumulated. Maybe not all of it in time, but I'm working on the long haul.

Last night, on HBO's Real Sports, a segment was about a 77 year old nun who 'heard the call' to become an ironman tri-athlete. She has become a 'minister' to the athletes she's met, stating "I understand what it takes for all of them to get to this starting line." She runs each race for someone, alive or dead, in honor of their spirit. "If God can put all this effort into making us, I can put the effort into doing this."
The Hawaii ironman is a 17 hour event. There were many clips of her as she biked or ran along, coming into the finish looking spry and flushed and full of joy. I recognized those looks. Not everyone is a runner or an endurance athlete. But for some of us, we found the key to linking mind, body and soul through the beating of our hearts. And it keeps us focused on the miracle and mystery of our lives as nothing else quite does; immediate, concentrated and inspired by a great and beneficent energy.

Accomplishment is Sweet

Anything that we truly own, not what we borrow, like objects which rust and decay, or attach to, like people, but inherent abilities, capacities, talents, skills, anything that expresses us into the world, these are what create soulful satisfaction, happiness and joy.

I have rebelled against traditional forms of 'happiness' for my whole life; I fought against the mold of wife and mother, job-holder and home-owner, for the way I perform my job, and live in my home, is pretty unique, I think. My stamp is on what I do. You know it's me because it has a kind of wild life to it, it grows, thrives, strives, and shows its colors. It bursts, and bubbles, gurgles with fits and spurts, sometimes grumbling in between long silences....it is somewhere else besides a stream, a river, an ocean, soaking up some rays, it bends and coils around me, then it throws itself out to catch into the purpose of the day, and whether it accomplishes anything, it's not for me to say....

So I love this picture. I don't see that look often. It's sweet. Powerful. Pure. It's about one thing. Uncomplicated. It just took all my effort and focus to get from point A to point B, very very far away....but the journey, the adventure of getting there put the wonder behind that smile. It was all mine. I got to soak it up, bend it around my head and put it here among other places, to preserve the magic of a moment that transformed me, and can transform you, when you take a similar path to your finish line.

Tenacity is my middle name

"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”

-Lance Armstrong, American Cyclist, and now sub-3 hour marathoner

(thanks, Mike)

how far is far enough?

It's 12 days out from the Ft. Lauderdale race. Dave, in Texas, says, 'do the marathon'. "Are ya scared?" he asked me on the phone last night. "uh, Yea," doh! How do I get my mind around another 26.2 miles so soon?? Cheryl says, no do the half.
Originally I wasn't too committed to either one. Now suddenly I've got new shoes on order, and a serious desire to see myself out there on A1A; half? or whole??

This morning I did a 7ish with strength and energy. The hitch in my hip wasn't bad, and was able to work itself out- mostly. If there's anything I have concern about it's hitting the midpoint having this annoying pain creep into my stride that I can't get rid of, and making the race a struggle to survive to the finish- again. The A1A course is one long lovely adventure with the ocean. It would be a beautiful journey to take feeling on my game. I have very little wiggle room here, one weekend of a long loop to test out my endurance, then just one week to get rested enough, strong enough, ready enough.

I hope the shoes come soon. There's a possibility for magic in something completely new. Wings on my feet and smiles in my heart. It simply feels wonderful to be on the move.

Temptations

Paula Radcliff is on the cover of Runner's World for this month, and deservedly so, showing off the incredible accomplishment of what I think is the world's greatest, gutsiest female runner. She smiles at me with that wide easy grin that says, sure you can do it. Women are supposedly better long-distance runners than men over-all. Our evolutionary ability to endure pain and tolerate hormonal fluctuations, and in many indigenous cultures, handle the daily work, means core strength. Men may have the speed, the spurt. But look at Paula; she's one fluid motion coming at you, and whispering past before you know it.

So after my week of relative rest, with some short runs, I made my debut out for a first longish loop yesterday, somewhere around 9+? To 64th up to Stirling and back.
With all the overpasses, including this one at 95. My hip is still bothering me, and wearing the Mizunos, trying to keep my feet level, the last miles were tough. Today I went to the park for a few loops around and some hills. I feel like I'm starting over, with no energy or endurance; my legs are disconnected from the rest of my body and I have to concentrate on my feet. A1A in Ft. Lauderdale is the 17th, and it's sooo very tempting to do that half. But it is also so very close. I have been eating like a longshoreman, and need to get back to reality with food. I am no longer training for a marathon or recovering from one. If I even consider the half, I can still afford to cut back to 'normal' eating which means stop considering baked goods as part of my 'necessary' intake.

Temptations are everywhere. We live in a mass saturated culture, with too much of everything except peace. I see more and more each time I go out that I run for peace. Not just to support it, but to have it. There is no where, even in my apartment, where I can successfully shut out the world's noise and chaos. But out on the road, particularly if its early enough, the physical space melts into wonder and energy, and takes me with it into my stride....and then the peace is everywhere, and I am a part of it. We swing into the wide road with all the room in the world. And for a while, there is nothing between me and my good soul.