August 31, 2012

I have only had one race since I last wrote, that was the Colby Smith 4 mile in Freeport, IL. This was held last Saturday. I did OK... My time was better than last year and I did run it 100%. So all that I felt good about. My time was 45.36 AN IMPROVEMENT OF 2.14 FROM LAST YEAR. This is a 5% IMPROVEMENT IN TIME IN ONE YEAR. My time in 2011 WAS 47.50. I did not place in my catagory. They had a lot more runners at the event this year. Many of them are with the bigger running clubs. But I held my own and did improve. So I think this is GREAT!!! I did have one "wierd" thing happen in this race. I was running along - now this route takes us through the "hood" in Freeport. Most of the homes are either boarded up or have bars on the windows. There is a police car and and officer at every intersection directing traffic. I came up toward one of these intersections, I see what appears to be a handgun on the street. Then about 5 yards (at the most) is a police officer directing traffic. There is also a couple of African-American ladies on lawn chairs out front of the housing complex with little kids running around. The ladies were cheering on the runners which was very nice. But it was out of place. They were the ONLY ones outside doing this ANYWHERE in that area. Plus, with what appeared to be a gun in the street. I just kept running. But after the race, a few of us were talking and one person mentioned seeing the gun in the street. I said that, I saw the same thing and the whole situation was odd with the people sitting in the lawn chairs and the police officer... So this is my second time doing this race... And the second time - the unusual has happened to me. It was also interesting, another racer that we connect with at the area races (Molly) was there. She is INCREDIBLE!!! She is in her 70's (I believe) run very fast and probably weights about 50 lbs. But at this race, I was ACTUALLY AHEAD of her for about 3 miles. Then she past me, then I was right behind her for awhile. Then she went into full gear and was out of sight. But that was an accomplishment for me - keeping up with Molly. We TOTALLY admire this women - if we could still be racing in races in our 70's that would be fantastic!!!!! I know that I will never be as thin as her - get real - a good Irish girl does not weight 50 to 100 lbs EVER!!!!! Now trying to prepare for the big 10K in Monroe WI on Sept. 15th. This is going to be challenging, not just the distance for a race but also Monroe had a lot of steep hills. I wanted to do some longer race once the weather starts turning cooler. We have had some days that have been cooler and other where the humidity goes crazy. So right now, it is that in between time. I did get in one 12 mile run on my path in Pecatonica a couple of weeks ago. It went pretty well. I did have to walk some of it especially once I got past about the 10 mile mark. The humidity was starting to climb and I did NOT have any water with me. So I was starting to die... Yes, I did go off and buy a hydration pak to wear around my waist. So on my next long run, I will take that and it should solve any issues. As my mileage has been getting bigger the wear on my shoes is getting greater and greater. (I am up to 655.76 miles since 2/14/2012.) I finally broke down and ordered new shoes. (I am one very frugal person.) I have found with running this is the biggest expense and also the most important. If you do not have proper shoes it affects everything - joints, feet, timing.... I got some new Ascics -- Kayano 18. I had the Kayano 17 - that is worn down to a numb... This morning,I finally broke out the new shoes. I ran 4.3 in 56 mins. This is my average. It was humid this morning so that is a huge factor for me. I have not ran very much this week. I know that I have been tired from the 4 mile race. It does take me a while to recoup. I did run on Sunday and Monday after the race and was fine. But did take 3 days off from running. That is very unusual for me. I have still been cross training. I have been going to exercise classes or riding my bike. So every night, I have been doing some activity. I also began a NEW activity - hula hooping. I bought a hula hoop at Farm and Fleet on sale for $1.88. The first few times, I could only get it going a few times around. (You have to remember - I have not used a hula hoop in DECADES. YES - I SAID -- DECADES!!!!) Now I am up to do it consistantly for about 10 mins. So I am improving. It is also WONDERFUL because it works the CORE. This week has also been hard since I started back into a 5 day work week. My lovely summer vacation of taking Thurs and Fri's off since June are done. All our students are back and the first couple of weeks at the University are ALWAYS crazy. So I know that has also been wearing on me. But that is OK. This weekend, I have an extra day for Labor Day this gives me 3 days and the new shoes I should be able to get in some nice longer runs. That is my goal! I am really excited about the 10K in Monroe. This is going to be a GREAT challenge! Not only the hills (very steep) but the distance. Now the way I see it - I am starting to prepare for the 10 mile in Stoughton. So I want to try to keep my distance longer. Not only am I praying that for Syttendi Mai it is not as hot. I REALLY want to run it 100%. I know I can do that. Let's get real - I run 12 miles in Pecatonica. And YES - that has some serious hills and grades. So overall in this journey not only am I improving with my running skills but my overall physical aspects. My chronic fatigue is not NEAR as bad (I do have issues sometimes but it is MUCH MORE manageable); my ADD issues are MUCH BETTER; my balance is GREATLY IMPROVED (I have not fallen hardly at all this whole season); my cognitive aspects is GREATLY IMPROVED; my neuropathy is there but quite a bit less; the drop foot issues still there but a lot less; and on and on... So yes - this journey has been very difficult but the outcomes have been amazing!!! I feel better and people say I look better. I am more active with other things and just feel more "normal". So do I encourage this activity, "YES"!!!! It has made a HUGE diffence. It took me over 6 years to get to this point and I have worked and worked every day to get here. I pray to stay at this point and keep making improvements. I know that I am going to give it my damnest to do just that. I WILL NOT ALLOW MS TO TAKE ANYMORE FROM ME!!!!!!!