FU PF.

Yesterday, I started a half marathon training plan for a race that's in January.  I haven't run for a while, due to this lung crap, combined with my asthma - I was afraid of either 1) dying or 2) coughing so much that it would be a stumble, and not a run (and potentially gross anyone out in the vicinity, too).

This morning, I get out of bed...and feel the familiar pain in the (right) heel.  Presumably the beginning of plantar fasciitis, again.  The first (and only) time I had it was when training for the first Moab half marathon, in 2014.  I had to take a couple weeks off, no biggie - it was at the beginning of the training plan.  This time, however, time is of the essence, because the race is mid-January, and I've taken so much time off. I can't afford to jack with this plan. 

Part of the problem, I'm afraid, is a combination of my crappy work shoes (old Sketchers black suede shoes) and the standing desk.  I stand at the standing desk constantly, never sitting.  Today, I sit.  Sigh.  Hopefully this works - the only reason I worry about, is because it's a notoriously common and nagging issue. I like to think I'm tougher than that.

Challenge vs. Bummer

Clearly i need to re-work my reactions to things.  I ran The Other Half, and then ran only a few times in the 6 weeks following, and continued to gain weight.  I've been eating lazily (read: out, instead of cooking at home or eating simply/whole foods) and basically feeding my misery. The residual hacking cough isn't helping matters. I'm reading a book (Ultra Mindset) that is talking about positive psychology: "Seventy-five percent of job successes are predicted by yourb optimism levels, your social support, and your ability to see stress as a challenge instead of a threat."  What I'm taking away from that quote is that I need to put the brakes on the downward spiral, by seeing the way I feel as a challenge - to overcome/reverse that feeling.  Game on.  I'm signing up for a January half marathon on Friday.

Recovering from a Cold

After The Other Half, I took a few days off, ran 4 miles the Saturday following the half, rode 16 the next day, and ran another 4 that following Friday, and that's it, until today,when I ran 4 in the park. I managed to get the crappy cough that my 13 year old son had while we were in Moab.  For me, it apparently combined with some uncommon strain of strep, to boot.  So, I've had a super crappy month, mileage-wise. I'm aiming to fix that! I also realize that I've been a lot LESS active this summer/fall than I was the last two summer/falls.  I have to fix that, too. No wonder I've gained some weight back. I just ran four on my lunch hour, and didn't die from coughing. So, I think I'm on the road to recovery.

This summer, I felt pretty good, endurance-wise, which is really all I want.  My goal for fitness is to be able to do stuff - from a 100 mile bike ride on the weekend, to a 15 mile hike while we go wheeling, to a half marathon.  I totally felt that way this summer. I feel like even though I was lighter on the running, and a lot heavier on the biking this past summer, I was pretty good endurance-wise. I always just wanted to take off riding for a full day, alone.  Never actually DID it, but I knew I could if I could find the time.  Maybe in 2016 I'll do that... This winter, I really want to step up, though, and make sure I'm getting enough running in.  Having run two half marathons, I think I'm ready to have a full as a goal.  Also, I've been eyeballing the Transrockies Run, which is 120 miles over six days.  They have a smaller one, too (three day). I would LOVE to be able to have that as a feasible goal for 2018. I would also love to find a trail MTB ride that's similarly long, and supported - but not like the technical, scary stuff that I've seen. Something for a far more recreational rider. That would be a blast - for my whole family. Maybe I'll have to look out of state for something like that.

Goals:
SNOWSHOE this winter!
Run 4-5 times a week
Ride (weather permitting) 2-4 times per week (I probably won't do this much during the winter, but as Spring sets in, more as the season gets back on track)
Lift (or bodyweight stuff) 3-4 times per week

Events:
Platte River Half (maybe - I signed up for it this spring, and didn't run it because the transportation in an area I'm completely unfamiliar with sounded light a nightmare)
MS150 (last weekend of June)
Possibly the Missoula Half  (July - if we can get plane tickets and rent a Jeep)
Pedal the Plains (September)
The Other Half in Moab (October)

I'm also thinking some year, I'll have to skip The Other Half and run the Detroit Marathon (or the half, if one of my parents will run it with me).  Pretty much my whole family has run that one. I should be able to kick some but, with my "high altitude training" ha ha.

My minor goal is to get back into a size eight, due to my activity, not my eating (size 10 has been my "best" for 14 years now).

The Other Half: Moab, UT October 18, 2015

A second The Other Half is officially under my belt.  This year, we had a larger group, and went out for a bit longer.  We left Wednesday at 2:30. The group consisted of Dianna, Rick and Jana, Joey, Chris/I, Ryan, Deidre, and Lou.

The rest of the people traveled separately - Michael, Nick/Jen, and Robyn with her three ND friends, as well as Jessica/Troy, who were renting a condo in the same development as us.

This was our first time using VRBO. It was GREAT. The condo was wonderful, and very well appointed. The only thing I would've wished for were more bathrooms, but that wasn't even really a big issue. Lots of kokopellis in the decorating, which was extra cool.

We arrived Wednesday evening, and ate at the Moab Diner immediately. After that, we found the condo (pretty difficult in the dark; the setup of driveways/entrances/addresses is somewhat confusing) and got settled in.

On Thursday, we ran Hell's Revenge, and Chris, Joey, and Jessica actually did Hell's Gate. That was terrifying. The only one I could watch was the second one of Chris's, and Jessica's.

 

(Joey (who lost a bet) spotting Chris up Hell's Gate)

 

(Troy (with some help from Chris) spotting Jessica up Hell's Gate)

 

(Dianna emerging from one of the hot tubs on Hell's Revenge)

On Friday, we ran Kane Creek. It was great because they had new ribbons on the trees.  This allowed us to be much more efficient, and stay the trail much better.  It was surprisingly dry, though.

This trip was the "bitch point" trip, and we had stickers made that say "Bitch Point Moab 2015."

On both Friday and Saturday night, we played Cards Against Humanity.  It was raucous.  The people I hang out with have issues. :)

On Saturday, we started to run Poison Spyder, but the gate was closed about halfway in, for trail maintenance.  We did some playing around, and then went home. Some of the group continued on to Fins N' Things, but we went home.

Sunday was the half marathon.  I didn't have high hopes, since my training took a back seat to bike riding (got a bunch of new people for the team for next year) and I skipped all my short runs.  While I was a few minutes (five, I think) slower than last year, the run was better overall. I'm not sure why/how. I skipped the first and last aid stations, and alternated water/gatorade during the run.  Everything went wonderfully.  I also learned that even though I don't like beer, I can still get a free glass!! I got one for this year, and will endeavor to remember in years to come, to grab that glass.

When standing in line for the porta-potty, I overhead a guy selling someone on the Missoula half marathon. It's July 10, 2016.  I'm toying with the idea of signing up, depending on what I can find deal-wise on plane tickets. Chris is talking about renting Jeeps.

Photos from the race:

It's so gorgeous. The road winds along the river the whole way. There is no traffic, as they close the road for the race. I highly recommend this for a destination run - even for non-Jeepers - there's so much to do in Moab for people who love the outdoors!

MS150 Ride, 2015

Another MS150 Bike Ride under the belt.

This year, I more than doubled my fund raising compared to last year, and I doubled the size of the team. My goal for next year is to double again.

The weather was incredible, and the people were even better.

The ride was with Rick & Jana, and my high school buddy Geoff.  Rick and Jana trained a bit (plus they had done Ride the Rockies a few years before, so they're badasses anyway) but Geoff didn't really have the time, with two kids of differing ages in sports - and him coaching both.

We all met at our house, and Chris and Joey dropped us off at the FRCC parking lot in Rick's truck.

We didn't stay together long - Rick is super fast, and Jana is faster than Geoff.  Geoff and I stuck together, at the back at the pack.  At the last rest stop before the 66 mile/75 mile split, Geoff and Jana paired up, and Rick and I paired up.  Rick and I did the rest of the 75 mile (going up part of Horsetooth Reservoir) and Jana and Geoff did the rest of the 66 mile (they skipped Horsetooth). It was AMAZING.  We met at the end, Chris made dinner reservations, and we all grabbed showers, and Trish and the kids came up.  Joey, Chris, me, Rick, Jana, Geoff, Trish, Sam, and Max all ate meat at the Rodisio in Ft. Collins.

Day two, Chris and Joey took Geoff for the Waffle House special - after they dropped Rick and Jana and I off at the starting line, they took Geoff to get his bike and then to the Waffle House, and then dropped him off at the last rest stop before the finish line.  Geoff actually later said that he felt like he could've done more miles the second day. Good for him, though, to end on a really good note.  The three of us did the 66 mile route on the way back (which wound up being 60 miles), and Jana and I stuck together.  It was HOT. Jana almost overheated near the end, but was luckily OK.

I am very much looking forward to next year. Trish says she's in. Chris is going to do it. Hopefully Joey is. There is event talk that Jeff and Dianna might train for it, and if that's the case, Jon and his wife Veronica will come up from Texas to do it, too.

ETA:  I forgot to describe the stunt plane that Geoff and I were lucky enough to get to watch on our way through Gunbarrel. It was SO COOL - we were riding straight toward the stunts, and Geoff regaled me with stories about his grandfather and planes, and his grandparents in general.  What a special time.

Morning Ride & Pop & a Bit of Philosophy

This morning was gorgeous.  60* and clear sky.  I got up at 5:30, inhaled my two scrambled eggs and about 20 ounces of water, and hit the path on the bike by 5:50.  Notice the conspicuous lack of Dr. Pepper. I've decided to quit again. I've been trying to lose the 10 winter pounds for a couple months now, but the scale isn't budging, despite using MFP and being diligent.  So, I'm looking at you, sugar.  I just can't have a relationship with soda. It's no good for me.  I have to say - starting the day with a ride made it 1,000x easier to skip it. I totally haven't missed it (despite the fact I'm typing about it). [Update 6/30/15 - still haven't stuck to quiting. I will, though.]

Also...generally speaking I live my life being grateful daily.  I'm a very lucky person. I had a wonderful childhood.  I've had mostly wonderful people in my life, and those that I perceived as not-so-wonderful, I've been able to learn and grow from that interface.  My house isn't fancy - but we're paying less for it than people rent apartments for, because we bought at a good time and knew we didn't want to max out what the bank told us we could "afford" (get financing for) .  My job is stressful, but I work with wonderful people and I believe in what we do and the people who do it, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I am rich in my family and friends.  I feel also, that I'm lucky to be able to recognize and have gratitude for my life. There are many people who always want more, and who are perpetually miserable because they can't ever "achieve" happiness and contentment, despite always trying to reach it.  Luckily, over the years, I have learned how to feel happy and content NOW, no matter what, and to recognize that loneliness, sadness, frustration - are all a part of the experience, and don't have to override my overall gratitude. I'm very thankful for having the ability to learn that over the years, and embrace it.  Knock on wood, for all of it.

OCD/Habits/Excuses

While browsing FB, just saw one of those sponsored ads by RunHaven come up in my feed (which, incidentally, also pictured a decent-looking, lifted TJ with armor and a bumper/winch on it), titled "The Realities of Running."  It basically talked about habits, and "must haves" when it comes to running.

I have to say - I disagree with all of it, and this is why. (Disclaimer:  I'm SO not some hard core runner.  I'm a hack at best, but I'm fairly consistent and get out there regularly, knock on wood).

Running is the most natural, basic movement for humans.  Why do we need all this extraneous crap and habits? The article talked about ear buds, clothes, shoes...The only thing I take with me without fail is my phone (which I'm going to have with me anyway, all day, and I use MapMyRun as my diary), and my running shoes.  On the shoes, it's not even necessarily my most recent, newest pair - if I forget my "new" shoes at work, and want to run at home - I'll pull out my older pair, the ones I use for snow running that have screws in them - and go for a run.  I don't use music.  I don't care what I wear. Forgot my jog bra? Too bad.  Not an excuse. I've run (painfully and probably ridiculous-looking enough) in my regular bra more than once.  Forgot socks? Tough.  I've run without them.  Meal time is off, and I'm feeling either too full or too empty? Again, tough.  I believe it makes me a stronger and more versatile runner, to still go when everything isn't exactly right, or even when things are quite wrong.  I still push through it and get in my miles, and am invariably happy that I did.

Just the THOUGHT of needing everything to be JUST SO to go out and run stresses me out. Just. Go. Just RUN!