Tag Archives: East Nasty

One Well Thought Out Step In Front of the Other

Posted in On the Run by

“Success does not come to the most righteous and rigorously disciplined but to those who continue running.” ~Amby Burfoot, Runner’s World Editor at Large

So much of being not just a successful but consistent runner is determined by what you do when you’re not running.  Three half marathons and (almost) one marathon later, I am finally learning that lesson.  

Yes, I was told all this before I took my first step and yes, I should have listened…but I didn’t.  

I was told to cross train.  
I was told to do weights.  
I was told to do a core workout.  

Did I do any of these when I was training for my first marathon?  No.  Did I pay for it?  Yes.  
Will I make that same stupid mistake again?  Not on your life.

So now that I have started running again, after being injured, I’m going to be a smart runner.  I really like Amby’s quote above because so many times during my long runs, I remember thinking, “all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other.”  I would play these games where I would just have to continue to the mailbox, or the next street or the fire hydrant.  Then I’d start all over again.  The goal was just to keep me going.  But now I see that although continuing is half the battle, you need more than simply continuing. You need discipline. 

I don’t want to get hurt again from something I could probably avoid if I ran smart.  I hated not running.  Although I know I will get through it, these grueling runs while I get back in shape…not the most fun thing to do in the world.  If I could avoid it…I most definitely would.  Hence why I have decided to run smart this time around, to be disciplined in what will make me a stronger and healthier runner.

I am starting to devise a race schedule for the fall and I’m thinking of doing the Women’s Half in Nashville September 25th.  I’m going to check my school cal for next year but hopefully it will be a fun time to come home to Nashville, see everybody and run with the ladies of East Nasty and Girls on the Run.  So…I would need to start training on a half marathon guide in July.  That gives me a month to get in shape and build a good strong base. 

Here is my plan for this June:
Monday: Core+Run
Tuesday: Core+Weights+cross (bike or swim)
Wednesday: Core+Run
Thursday: Core+Weights+cross (bike or swim)
Friday: Core+Run
Saturday: Core+walk/something low impact (recovery)
Sunday: Core+walk/something low impact (recovery)

This will be the goal with the core workout right? Motivation?

This past week I did my core workout everyday and my dad helped me figure out a good upper body workout.  Two things: 1- didn’t know I had all these muscles in my body till they started to hurt and 2- it is amazing how incredible I feel already.  After my first run, which turned out to be a walk/run, about 18 minutes of true running, my second run felt great.  Still out of shape, still slow (and still dreadfully hot) but I ran the whole 2.5 without stopping!  It’s the little things at this point :) I  could feel my arms and core muscles aching in the beginning but I felt so much stronger during the run. 

I guess what they said was right.  Go figure.  After that run, I have no doubt that my running and overall fitness will improve from doing core and weight workouts, not to mention adding cross training.  I have no idea why I thought I could train for a marathon without those things. 

The important thing to remember (especially for a stubborn person like me)…since I’m working at the law firm this summer which sometimes consists of coming in at 7:30 and not leaving till 7:30 that night, I need to leave some flex in my schedule.  Just like going out to run and setting an unattainable distance goal for yourself will discourage you,  so will not meeting your schedule.  It’s ok to miss a day.  It’s ok to save a run for the weekend if you get home and just want to take a walk after a long day.  The big thing to remember is its your schedule.  It has to fit your life. 

What do you think?  Are weights and cross training important for a runner?  What do you incorporate into your workouts?

Advice Well Lived (TPFL)

Posted in Life by

“I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I’ve written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part.”  ~Shirley MacLaine

Dear Class O’ 2K10,

I have to start out by apologizing. I have struggled with this blog. I really have.

I love to write and can often pull from my natural sarcasm to evoke some humor but for some reason I have not been able to start this one. That is part of the reason that it is 8:25 p.m. on the night before it will be posted and my sweet friend Jacklyn still hasn’t received it. I have been thinking about this for over a week and I am still not sure where to start. I have thought about several different directions to go with it…

White girl can jump. CBrown kickin' a$ at the high jump.

I thought about telling you about how much I loved my high school experience and somehow tying in how my Captain of the sports teams/Student Council/Most School Spirit/HC Queen coolness related to who I am today. But if I am honest, it really didn’t…

I thought about giving you some tips on how to figure out who you are. I think there are like 9.4 million books written on that topic but the reality is – you figure it out as you go.

I thought about copying and pasting the words from Dr. Seuss’s book, “Oh! The Places You’ll Go.” That, in fact, is true.

I thought about encouraging you to LIVE it up during these years….live every moment, take nothing for granted…you know, that kind of inspirational, overused, and 100% true stuff…

I thought about writing about what is cool. Because you are going to college and you are going to need to know. And because I am the obvious expert. No, seriously.

I thought about copying the entire famous Sunscreen Speech as my entry. It was read by our Valedictorian at our graduation ceremony, seemed like good advice and would be fast. (Plagairized, but fast nonetheless.)  Then I remembered that I never wear sunscreen so that just didn’t seem right.

I thought about telling you what to expect in the coming years and then telling you that these next few years are the best years of your life like everyone told me. But seriously, they aren’t. College was great, but each year of my life has gotten even better since then.

I thought about sharing my journey with you of the God that has pursued me relentlessly since my Sophmore year in high school when I met Him for the first time at a Young Life camp as a lost 15 year old. My story is really His story anyway.

But of all the things that I considered, I came to the conclusion that any stories that I could write, inspirational or humorous though they may be, would probably not be remembered by you in the long run.

So instead, I am going to leave you with a few bits of advice that I have come to live by.

This is YOUR journey…And I pray that you make it exactly what you want it to be.

Congratulations Class of 2010!

…

Don’t worry about being right, just about being kind.

Help people.

Hang out with funny people so you laugh often.

Work hard.

Fight for what you want and who you are.

Always give good hugs and good handshakes.

Believe in yourself.

Save money. Seriously. Seriously-Seriously.

Dance. Even if it’s just the Step-Touch-Snap…Dance.

You are worth it – don’t settle.

Try new things.

Be weird. Life is so much more enjoyable when you are weird.

Find God.

Love people. Love them well. All of them.

Be someone that you like.

Forgive.

High-Five people for no reason. It’s fun.

Be ballsy.

Always do what is right.

Call people by name.

Don’t ever give up.

Travel.

Find excuses to wear costumes.

Compliment people often.

Be thankful.

Play.

Learn a foreign language.

Say “Boo Yea” daily. It will make you feel better.

Push yourself to do things that you don’t think you can do.

Look for the good in everything and everyone.

Volunteer.

Chillax – things are never as bad as they seem.

Sing.

Wear jeans that make your butt look good.

And lastly, and most importantly…

Make life what you want it to be.

…

Congratulations Class of 2010!

***

Lovely Lady

I. Will. Miss. This. Lady. So. Much.

Well, I’ll miss our regular long runs together but I’ll be back.  Not only do I have a training partner but a friend for life.

I mean, read what this girl wrote…can you understand why we’re friends?!

This girl is a self-proclaimed intense friend.  She’s caring, selfless, adventurous, witty and insanely determined and talented.  If Rod is the welcome committee, Christy is the one who makes sure no one is left behind.

I’m honestly having a hard time with her bio because I just think what she wrote captures her so well.  With Christy, what you see is what you get and I love that about her.  Not many people live honestly you know.  Christy does and I love being a part of that.  Head over to Mermaids and Motorcycles and see for yourself.

About this series: This is one of  a series of guest posts in May that will run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Have I Mentioned Yet That I Love These People?

Posted in Life, On the Run by

“As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are.” ~Joan Benoit Samuelson

East Nasty Water Stop at Tom King

You probably know by now that I run with a fabulous group of people, the Nasties.  And you may also have gathered that these have become not just running partners but great friends.  This has proven to be the most difficult part about leaving. I will miss my city but it’s the people who I haven’t quite figured out how I’ll live without.  I keep saying, I’ll just be displaced for awhile!

I’ve gotten some unexpected practice with that since I haven’t been able to run for a month but I’ve still managed to get my Nasty fix.

This past weekend when I was inducted into the Ring of Honor at Flying Saucer (yes my parents were proud) some came out to celebrate and we were all talking when Rod announced, “Jack I know I have something to tell you. I think it had to do with writing…” Hmmm.  We all carried on and Rod later enthusiastically announced, “Oh, I remember.  You’re going to be East Nasty of the Week.”  He could hardle finish because of the screams of myself and Christy :)  I’m pretty sure we gave someone a heart attack.  It’s ok, it was worth it.

So check out the new ENOW…soon to be displaced but still will come back for runs and of course true to East Nasty style…other very important celebrations.  I love these people! Love love love them!

Come on back over tomorrow to read what my TPFL has to say to the Class of 2010.

Are you in a running group or have  a certain group of friends you always run with?  How has it affected you?  How has it affected your running?

Sail Away from the Safe Harbor. Catch the Trade Winds in Your Sails

Posted in Life by

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Faculty, Administrators, Friends and Family and, of course, the Hoover High School graduating Class of 2010, today I want to talk to you about something that has been ten or so years in the making. Just a little over a decade ago I myself sat in the same place as you do now. Looking around, it is surprising just how little they have updated the Canton Civic Center since then. In fact, if the person on the farthest seat to the left, 14 rows back finds gum under their chair, sorry about that.

Years ago on that particular May afternoon of my own graduation, I can remember the speaker of the day retelling Loren Eiseley’s famous “Star Thrower” story, you know the tale where one person stumbles upon another person saving the lives of as many starfish as possible before the sun dries them out. I guess the moral of the story, and often quoted line, “I made a difference to that one,” unfazed me at the time as my own imagination was busy day-dreaming just how far I myself could chuck a starfish. But in the time since leaving this auditorium, my own life has been a mixture of fascinating, exciting, and the occasional moments that are hard to understand. I even believe that I have come to understand the lesson that one person can in fact make a difference. I once either heard or read somewhere that in life “we should expect the unexpected,” and if you get no other pearl of wisdom from me today, just go with that one. Believe me it’s true.

Now, if you were to look up “10 Years” on Wikipedia, you would get one of two things. The first is an article about a metal band with that particular name that formed in Knoxville, TN and the second is a page that describes how the word “decade” derives from the ancient Greek word dekas, which means 10. Therefore, once again students, Wikipedia has failed you, so please do not use it as a guide for your future research papers. What is missing in that said search is how crucial the idea of “ten years” can be when understood in the right context.

For instance, did you know that most historians will only examine an event in modern history after 10 years has gone by. Now, before your eyes gloss over and you begin to yawn at just the very mention of history, I promise this idea is not as boring as it may seem. You see, a historian would argue to you that 10 years of time needs to elapse before we can truly have a grasp on all the aspects of a particular situation. I believe that this concept is true. Notice however that I am NOT telling you to never react to something, to not get passionate about the things you care about. In fact I believe it is vital for everyone to follow your passions, make decisions, and to learn from your own mistakes. 10 years from now you will be able to look back at this moment of graduation and see it for its true meaning, which by the way is not about you getting presents from your grandparents and other family members. What is it all about, well that is for you to decide.

Famed writer Malcolm Gladwell just recently published an entire book entitled The Outliers with his thoughts on the ten-year or 10,000 hour rule. He argues that it will take a person a good ten years or at least 10,000 hours of working hard at something before they become completely confident and exceptional in their endeavors. He sites The Beatles and their years of playing music in Hamburg as just one example of this principle. The point to his argument is that hard work does truly pay off. Of course there are those out there who have “made it,” merely out of good luck or who they know, but more often than not from the stars in Hollywood to the musicians on you ipod, and to every other success story out there, their path to accomplishment was paved by hard work and dedication.

When I reflect back to my own time of graduation 10 years ago, I still tend to reflect back to my friendships with my fellow classmates. There are those that I have lost touch with, and some who have unfortunately passed away far too early in life. But there have also been several memorable moments with my former classmates, such as the time Andrew Jackson Litz performed air guitar while riding on my shoulders during the 2006 Air Guitar New York City National Championship. A moment, by the way, that got us in the famous New York newspaper The Village Voice.

In closing, I want to wish all of you the best of luck out there in the world. And with all good closings to speeches, it is probably best to use a quotation by someone from the past to emphasize the point beyond my own musings and ideas, so in that regard I ask you to listen thoughtfully to the advice from Mr. Mark Twain:

“Years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

***

This is my favorite picture so far. Look at that guy in the middle.

Short bio- Rod Jones graduated high school in 1997, and had the gray hairs in his beard to prove it! Since graduation he has lived in 4 states, visited 8 countries, read over 400 books (give or take a few), figured out that his favorite food is Indian Chicken Curry.

Now here’s what I have to say about Rod.  I would consider Rod the East Nasty welcome committee.  I was nervous about a new running group and that didn’t last long before Rod came over, introduced himself and welcomed me.  When I was looking for someone to run with for the marathon, Rod introduced me to Christy.  Rod is the glue and makes sure no one comes to East Nasty without being welcomed, and that’s a big job.

Through that I am thrilled to have a new friend in Rod.  Rod keeps me laughing with his stories and is my go-to for a great book or writing. I am so thankful for my friends from EN like Rod that keep me running, reading and laughing.

Check out Rod’s Blog The Western Wind and DO NOT MISS his Retro Picture Fridays.  I look forward to it every week!  I mean come on, check out this jewel.  You want more of where that came from.

About this series: This is one of  a series of guest posts in May that will run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Take Every Opportunity to do Something You’ve Never Done

Posted in Life by

M Dub in high school. Yes, that is a coral necklace. Matt assures me they were very cool at the time.

I went to college in a new town, in a new state, and did not know anyone. It was a weird feeling being dropped off by my parents and having complete freedom to go where I wanted, however late I wanted, and not having to let anyone know where I was going. However, when you don’t know anyone, this freedom is not as great as it may seem.

An older friend of mine told me to get involved in everything I could during my first years of college. As everyone does, I was apprehensive about over-committing. After all, this was college…demanding professors, month-long group projects, and hours in the library. As it turns out, college wasn’t that hard to figure out. Professors at Belmont were very personable and always willing to help. Group projects were not that hard and usually came at the end of the semester. Truth be told, to this day I could not tell you how to check a book out of the Belmont Library. That was more a fault of mine and not recommended.

So what do you do with all this extra time? Get involved.

Colleges have a myriad of clubs, intramural teams, organizations, and other groups that do just about anything. Some are purely social, some are educational, some volunteer and some are pointless (Belmont had a Club Tex, for instance). Getting involved outside the classroom will not only force you to meet new people, but you’ll be surprised at how much you actually learn about “real life.”

You can find Matt at every BU basketball game just don't do the Grr cheer around him.

I do not remember one thing from my sophomore year marketing class other than my roommate and I were late to the very first class. However, I do remember the organizational leadership skills I picked up in SGA and as president of my fraternity. The only thing I remember from my junior year history class was that our professor sometimes spoke with a Russian accent and sometimes with his natural American accent (no explanation why). I do remember the job interview skills I learned while serving on a search committee for a new Student Affairs employee. My speech class had me stand up in front of 10 other people in a small classroom and give 5 minute speeches. It helped my public speaking skills, but not a lot. As VP of the SGA, I had to speak in front of 60-70 of my peers every other week. Trial by fire.

That being said, classes are important. At no other time in your life will you be given the opportunity to learn so much in a relatively short four year span. However, more than facts and figures, college teaches you how to learn. More than likely, whatever company you work for out of college will have their own way of doing things. This will probably be different than what you learned in school. You have to be able to adapt. College teaches you that, if you let it.

During your freshman year, you’ll think you are as busy as you’ll ever be. Trust me, it’s the opposite. You’ll be surprised at how much you can do with a little time management. So don’t be afraid to jump in and get involved. Take every opportunity you can to do something you’ve never done. It’ll pay off.

***

Matt sans coral necklace

Matt  should never have let me do his bio. Muah haha.  Here we go…what can I tell you about Matt? Matt went to high school in Alabama. Before I could make a snide remark about Alabama and education, Matt beat me to the punch saying, “Yes, we have those there.”

Matt graduated from Belmont University in 2006 with a degree in finance.  He wanted to be on Program Board with yours truly but had to settle for SGA. Despite being on SGA, Matt has become one of my best friends.  He’s the big brother I never had and teaches me all sorts of things…like what “gigging” is and how to change a headlight in the dark. Wednesday night you’ll find Matt running with the Nasties.  He is currently a project manager with Greystone Brokerage & Development, a medical real estate development firm in Franklin, TN.

You can find Matt with the Breaking Contain team writing about sports and all the opinions that come with it.  And trust me, Matt and the team are never short on opinions.

About this series: This is one of a series of guest posts in May that will run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Great Job All You Flying Pigs

Posted in On the Run by

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating. There’s really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”

Here's what I wish I was doing today...

I hated not being able to pound the pavement with the rest of the pigs today in Cincinnati for the 12th annual Flying Pig Marathon but that didn’t mean I wasn’t reloading facebook constantly this morning to see how the runners did.

Marathon winners:

Men: Brian List 2:31:56, Tilahun Abebe 2:34:39, Rob Morwood 2:36:05.  All three are members of Earth Drummers Running Club in Cincy.  Who do they think they are? East Nasty? ;)
Women: Cynthia (Lauren) Arnold 2:55:02, Marnie Staehly 2:58:26, Rachel Bea (Cincy native) 3:02:27

Here's what I was doing :) Thanks a lot Piriformis...I'll be back next year ya pigs

Half marathon winners:

Men: Ben Foley (Cincy native) 1:12:34
Women: Leslie Kraus (Cincy native) 1:24:20

I love how many Cincy natives ran today! Great job runners, and especially since you were running in the rain! I’ll be with you next year.

Speaking of rain…if you haven’t heard, Nashville is experiencing severe flooding.  Davidson county is in a state of emergency and roads in and around the city are shut down because of flooding.  The Boy and I decided to stay in Cincy for the night to be safe and make the wet trek home tomorrow morning…or at least try.  Schools are closed and even T Nels decided to close.  It’s odd being away from home while all this happens to your city.

After talking to my roommate, thankfully, our place is ok now.  I just hope my pup is doing ok.  That sucker doesn’t even like to go to the bathroom in the rain so I just hope he’s behaving himself at the kennel and not giving them too hard of a time!

To all of those in Nashville, stay safe and dry.  Keep me updated about this crazy weather!

Here’s a great link from a fantastic organization, Hands on Nashville, where you can sign up to get involved and help out in the flood relief effort.  Help here.

Change of Plans

Posted in On the Run by

“Once you are a runner, it’s always there in the back of your head.” ~Bill Rodgers

So proud of everyone! Photo by Ian White

I’m a planner, a goal setter, I set my mind to something and accomplish it.  I love trying new things and changing it up, but if it has to do for a goal I set for myself, I have a REALLY tough time.  All that said, I’ve had a really tough two weeks.

I hope I haven’t griped too much. Please know anything I’ve written here is to help people.  I have found  so many running blogs that deal with products, training and races, but not many when it comes to injuries, when your sidelined. Instead of going into it, you can see here, where it started to go  downhill and then the diagnosis that has be sidelined and doomed me to weeks of cross training, here.  It’s been tough and at times embarrassing because I feel I’m not meeting my goal.  I was ready for the full marathon. I felt good and I was excited, but life had different plans. There’s a time to be stubborn and run through it (which is my natural reaction) and a time to be smart and take the detour so that you can make it to the final destination unscathed.  I am learning to do the latter.

Yes, this man is juggling while running a MARATHON. Oh the people you see while watching.

Recently, I have been religious about doing my stretches, PT and strength training but getting to the gym to cross train by myself just wasn’t happening. These past two weeks, there was no way that I was going to do the elliptical for two hours.  I think I was throwing myself a little pity party. Well…the party is over.  Time to get down to business.

I hated not racing. I hate that I will not be participating in the Flying Pig  this weekend after training since December and that no matter how long I cycle, elipticize or swim, I will lose some fitness.  I hate that my plans to do speed work this summer are now derailed. But you know what, it is what it is and there’s not a thing I can do.  I’m going to do everything I can to get back into running and focus on having a great attitude about it.

I don’t want to sound cliche but you really do learn so much about life from running.  Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger right?  Well…pretty sure piriformis won’t kill me ;) Next marathon, I’ll be stronger and smarter.

The one great thing about not racing is that I could cheer on all the runners.  Being part of a running community means you cheer other on to do the best they can.  I felt lucky to be able to cheer on these amazing runners who I’ve not only put in miles with but learned so much from.  Even though I didn’t realize it then, these runners, even that day were teaching me to take a reroute and even a detour in stride.

Check out what the wall says in front of the church I went to watch at. Priceless.

For those of you who don’t know, Nashville was under a tornado watch the whole race.  At mile 22, marathoners were diverted to the half course and not allowed to finish the full 26.2.  Sure it was disappointing, especially for some in the group for whom this was their first one.  Sure it sucked, but you know what, it happens and I love that these runners are not looking back but looking forward to the next race, and I’m going to join them! We have a couple of options and in the next couple of days I’d love your advice and suggestions on what marathons you’ve liked running.  If I need to cross train for awhile, so be it.  This is merely a detour, a change of plans, a bump in the road.  Instead of stopping, I’m going to keep on running.

Since I don’t have a great post race report, here are some great ones from my friends. You all did an amazing job! I am so proud of you all! I’ll be with you for the next race!

  1. Rod- A fellow EN, Rod PR’ed at the Country Music 1/2.  Read his race report and how his training this year set him up for success.
  2. Miss Chatterbox- The requested title for this is To Stubborn to Stop. She is a runner after my own heart.  After perfect training she just didn’t have the race she wanted to…but she STILL PR’ed! She kept going and finished the race.
  3. Dear Abby Leigh- After fainting at the finish line last year, she came back with a vengeance this year, and some salt in her pocket. You’re welcome for being the drug mule.
  4. Knight- I can’t believe we still haven’t met but this lady is amazing and had a great race. I am so proud of her and love how her post race report was thanking those who watched her.  What if everyone cheered others on in life like they were running the half.  Congrats Knight! Once I can run, you and me are going to go for a run so pencil me in.
  5. Annie- Annie, Annie, Annie. The displaced East Nasty comes home. Look at that face. Who can look that cute after they run 13.1 miles.  I know I don’t! Congrats on your 9 minute PR! Even though we only met in passing, ha, I consider you a dear friend.
  6. I had to save this for last. Christy, my training partner, fellow EN and one of my biggest supporter and one voice of reason that said, I know how stubborn you are but take a step back, get better then go for it. She, like me, didn’t get to run the first marathon she trained for either. This year, her marathon was cut short but the attitude she had about it is exactly what I’m talking about here.  In her post race report she uses one of my favorite quotes, “I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.” We are already planning the next full.  The cool part is, this one we’ll be able to run together!

I also want to thank those of you who have encouraged me and helped me through this from the Boy, my training partner, Christy, all of the EN’s and you!  I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.

Have you ever been derailed, detoured or had to change plans mid-route?  How do you handle it?

Chasing Pavement

Posted in On the Run by

“Should I give up or should I just keep chasing pavement, even if it leads nowhere.” ~Adele

20 miler done. Now time to taper!

So much of my running playlist would never take up space on my itunes if not for the running i.e. Ke$ha, Miley Cyrus etc. Don’t judge, you know all your guilty pleasure songs are on your running playlist. Anyway, in the midst of all that music, is a real gem, Adele’s Chasing Pavement. It’s slow for a running song but something about the words and crescendo of the music give me a boost. Its like a friend patting you on the back and whispering, “You can do it.” The run seems more poetic and freeing than the death march my legs keep trying to tell me it is. Even though I haven’t gotten my ipod for the marathon yet, Adele’s song still kept me going this past Sunday for my 20 miler. 20 miles! I can’t believe the marathon is a mere 3 weeks away, my last big long run is behind me and now it’s time to taper. How did that happen?

This past Sunday was beautiful. I woke up early, laced up, grabbed my Luna bar and was out the door. After being sick for two weeks, I finally felt confident again and ready for my 20 miler thanks to a good 6 miler with the East Nasties last Wednesday.  I was ready to attack it. I stretched and set out around 7 to get 4 miles out of the way so I’d be ready to do the last 16 with the Nasties.  I took it slow, mentally told myself it was just a warmup and couldn’t believe how good it felt.

Sciatic Nerve

I met up with the Nasties for the Bongo to Bongo run which included the back half of the Country Music Half Marathon. I felt good for most of it but around mile 10 of the 16 I could tell something wasn’t right.

When I trained for the half marathon, I had problems with my IT band, a common ailment for newbie runners.  Because of that, I have stretched out my IT religiously. I didn’t think it was that but I had no idea. All I knew was that with every strike of my foot, pain shot up my back and down my leg. Thinking it was muscular, I kept pushing.

Luckily, my amazing running partner in crime and friend, Christy kept me going, as did another EN, Stacey and Chuck, the EN resident running whiz. I was able to shut my brain down and listen to Chuck’s advice on pre-marathon meals, ways to stretch, how to mentally prepare for a marathon, speed sessions. That way I wasn’t consumed with how badly the whole right side of my body hurt.

We made it back to Bongo and stopped to get some water and stretch (again, I still thought it was some form of IT band syndrome).  Christy went into coach mode and looked at me with those intense eyes and said, “We’re doing these next two miles. I don’t care how slow we go but we’re finishing it.” Yep, she was right. Her and I are cut out of the same mold and hearing her say that was exactly what I needed. I knew that although every single step would hurt, I was finishing. Stacey joined us and we were off.  I have no idea my pace for those last two miles but it was SLOW. Slow, but I finished! I’ve never experienced anything like it. My body was surging with pain but I was so happy! All the experts and all the training plans say that if you can do 20, you can do 26.2. Even though I had to drag my leg through 6 miles, I know I can do 26.2.

Don't worry- my toes did not turn black from the cold nor from a 20 mile long run. I did get some pretty kick a$ blisters though ;)

I said bye to Christy and Stacey and headed home with my Nestle chocolate milk (I should be sponsored by Nestle for how much I drink it post long run :) and huge bag of ice for my first ice bath.  Let me just tell you…they work wonders!

Post stretching, post ice bath, post meal, post nap and post Flying Saucer trip with the Boy, the pain on my right side only got worse. Apparently two things happened on my 20 miler that day:

1- Because of the pain I somehow aged prematurely and was walking like a 90 year old woman and 2- because I was out running for so long in the sun, my freckles decided to come out and play earlier than usual which conversely makes me look like a 12 year old.

I woke up Monday barely able to walk and decided to call the Dr. to make an appointment. I go in tomorrow to see what this is. From everything I can tell and in talking to fellow runners, I think it is my sciatic nerve which normally is cleared up by a cortisone shot. Although I have confidence that tomorrow my mind, and body will be able to rest easy after knowing what it is and having a game plan, I’m still nervous. I know it sounds crazy but I WANT to do this marathon. I can take comfort in the fact that for my first half, it was this exact same time, the last long run before the taper, that my IT Band syndrome flared. You’re body is tired and broken down from training, but with PT I ran it. I’m hoping the same for this…

Hopefully I’ll have good news tomorrow!  Have you had problems with your sciatic nerve? What have you done to help it?

UPDATE: Here’s what the Dr. ordered.

The Love of the Chase

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“It has been said that the love of the chase is an inherent delight in man- a relic of an instinctive passion.” Charles Darwin

One of my favorite race pictures.

There is something about running that I have missed. I’ve loved getting back into running but there has been a lingering feeling that it wasn’t quite complete. There was a hole in the midst of the daily runs, the cross training and the long runs. I could quite put my finger, er, foot on it.

I finally found it this past week. It was my good friend competition. I never thought I’d see her again. I ran track in high school where everything was competitive. I ran the 200m, 400m and 4x400m. I THRIVE on competition. I liked the hunt of sprinting those distances. You zone in and you hunt people. At least I did. I’d zero in and attack. There is NOTHING better than the thrill of the chase. I loved it and to be honest, I haven’t felt it since high school. I don’t think I’ve been in good enough shape too.

Two things this week seemed to point me in the direction of my lost friend. The first was when I ran a 5k this past week. Although it was at a god awful time in the morning and my legs felt like lead, I was competitive. I could kick at the end and I felt strong through the finish. I was high on the chase. I’ve never felt that before. Until recently, when I get to the end that’s reason enough to celebrate. I had never been to concerned with time.

The second thing was going to see the boy and his team in Johnson City (for the life of me I don’t understand why these meets can’t be somewhere warm) for their indoor conference meet. I love watching track. I love how you can watch the whole race unfold. Initially when I started going I thought I’d like watching the longer distances on the track but would tolerate them only to get to the shorter distances I was more familiar with. I mean that’s how it was when I ran. The distance events only got in the way of my 4x400m. Well, that’s all changed. I love watching the distance. I guess the 100, 200, 400 just don’t satisfy my craving anymore. I need the hard stuff, the mile, the 3k and the 5k. The boy is in great shape now too and more importantly, injury free so he’s experiencing the same thing, which I love to watch. He raced so well! I was so happy to be there and see that. During track season I now get to see what the Boy has dubbed, the Kick of Doom. It’s incredible to watch. I thought I liked to hunt. You should see my boy out there chasing down 1-2-3-4-5 runners. I thought I was going to go hoarse from screaming. It was then that it clicked. That is what I love about running.

Little brother Z at the Tomato 5k

All this has taught me that I really need to do more speedwork. That would not only satisfy this junkie’s cravings but help my running and overall performance. I’m think I’m going to throw in some more 5ks into the mix so I can remember why I’m training for this marathon. I’m sure I’ll do more marathons after this first one but I doubt it will be my sweet spot. I do however see myself keeping mileage up as if I was training for one so I can perform better for the shorter distances, 5ks, 10ks and halves. It’s on.I feel like now I can chase my times for these shorter distances.

Tonight is run with EN night. I can’t wait…for two reasons. One- I think the boy is going to come tonight which will be fun. He’s heard me talk about it so much so I can’t wait for him to come. Second- these tend to be the nights when I run hard and fast. I chase and I love it. I can kick it in with the group near the end and come in fast to the finish. Yeah it’s not a race but you have to work for those 2 for 1′s :) We’ll see if I can do this tonight. The EN run is 4.43 and then Christy and I are adding on more so we have 8. When is 8 a normally during the week run?! Well it is now, so we’ll see how my kick does tonight.

Speaking of EN, Check out some of my fellow Nasties’ blogs:

Christy-remember, she was my first blind date :) She is my new partner in crime when it comes to running. This girl keeps me going and keeps me smiling.

Rod- To me Rod typifies an EN. He’s fun, a great runner and is welcoming. I am still learning and meeting EN people since I am pretty new to the group and Rod is always there to introduce me to people. Thanks so much!

Annie and Cherie.- both are, what I like to call, The Displaced Nasties (how did they both end up in Colorado)? Annie I’ve never met before, I started running with the Nasties after she left for CO but I have so enjoyed getting to “meet” her through her blog and can’t wait till she comes to visit. Cherie has become a friend through Girls on the Run. She’s awesome. She is the one who encouraged me to go run with the Nasties. Thank you Cherie!

My Blind Date

Posted in On the Run by

“The woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.” – Robert Frost

I'm official! I signed up Friday!

13.5 miles. That’s the longest distance my legs have carried me and the the duration of my first blind “date.”

After two weeks of dreading my weekend long runs because I had to do the high mileage alone,East Nasty saved me again. I wrote a post a little bit ago about how sometimes you just can’t do it by yourself. This group has been great for my training! I love the people, the support, and how every time they run, it includes eating/beer or both. These are my people. I can’t wait for our Wednesday runs. It’s a highlight of the week. But after that, the dread of the Sunday long run would start. Most of my friends and those running with the Nasties were training for the half marathon so I was starting to experience what happens at mile 11 here in Nashville for the Country Music marathon. Come mile 11, there’s a huge split where the crowd goes left to complete the last two miles for the half and the few, who lack better judgement, go right to do it all over again to complete the marathon. My training runs were starting to get longer, and I found myself alone on the road. I know, I could pay to be part of a marathon training group but honestly, I have a hard time paying to be in a running group for someone else to set out water and map out a route. No thanks. I’ll save my money and squirrel it away for my next pair of running shoes. Why are those suckers so expensive anyway?

This past week after a great Wednesday run I knew I had to do something because my Sunday long run was going to be 13 miles. The longest I’ve ever run was a half marathon and I’ve only done that twice. This was going to be brutal. So in desperation I went to East Nasty’s blog and on the Sunday run post and asked if anyone in the group was doing the marathon and wanted to go longer. What did I think this was? The e-harmony of running? I hoped I didn’t sound to desperate but seriously people, I was terrified of doing it alone.

Enter Christy.

Within the hour she responded saying she was in training for a marathon too and would love a partner for the long runs. Perfect!

One of the many bridges I will see for my first marathon in Cincinnati...hoping I won't want to jump off of it.

In my excitement, I would be telling people how happy I was about my weekend plans and having a new running buddy, people were amazed at the fact that we would be running together having never met. “It’ll be like a blind date, aren’t you nervous?” Ha! I never thought about it that way. Now I’ve NEVER been on a blind date, and for good reason. I love getting to know people one on one but to be stuck for 2 hours with someone you’ve never met? No thanks. Wait…wasn’t that what I just signed myself up for? Guess they were right. I was going on my first blind date and I was a little nervous.

I got to Percy Warner at 8 (an hour before the Nasties got there so we’d have plenty of time for an easy 5-6) and anxiously waited. Normally you don’t meet new friends and run 13.5 miles but that’s exactly what we did. I had a blast. Not only was it so nice to have a partner to run with but she was great! For the first 5 she bestowed all her marathon knowledge upon me which I so appreciated! She gave me tips on things this marathon newbie wouldn’t even have thought of. Then we met up with the Nasties for a hellaciously hilly 5.8 through Percy Warner park where we kept each other trucking up the hills. After that we ran with two other friends of Christy’s who were equally as great for 2 miles.

Don’t get me wrong, the miles were hard, it’s the longest I’ve ever gone, but I felt great! Never being on a blind date, I’m not sure how people feel after a successful one but I know that after this long run with a new friend, I was thrilled.

It’s funny how many of my friends are ones I’ve met while running. Before I started running, I was in that weird place that a recent grad finds him or herself in after graduating where friends move away and you are stripped of that common language of experience. For the few friends I’ve lost in the shuffle after college, the ones I’ve kept are getting stronger and I’m meeting so many great new ones like Christy through running. More than running, I’ve learned that those who stick it out and do these distance together have so much more in common. As I was running with Christy, I realized that just like her and I, many runners I’ve met share a passion for life, a determination to make a difference and not become an onlooker but a participant in what’s going on around them. Runners work hard and play hard, always with a smile on their face and always cracking each other up and cheering you on during the tough times. It’s a community where you never stop learning, you always look out for each other and constantly share. What more could you ask for? I am so thankful for new friends like Christy that running has allowed me to meet.

So as for compatibility…we are a match! Ha. I mean come on, she also wants to do the Great Wall marathon!

The run was great and we are already scheduling out second “date.”

Have you ever had a running blind date?