My Relationship with Running Lately

It has been a long time since I have hit the "Publish" button on this blog. I post a lot on my Instagram account and have stayed updated and in contact with people this way. To be 150% honest, running has been really rough for me since I ran the Revel Canyon City Marathon last November. I really didn't want to post a bunch of negative things here so I decided to lay low for a while.

 

I started working with a running coach and trained well for the Revel Canyon City Marathon. I was dealing with shins splints going into the race but I was able to get through those on race day. I felt good about the race and then things just really fell apart for me in ways that I never expected. I ran the first half of the race really strong and felt good (8:02 pace) and then when the hills hit in the second half. I had the worst cramps in my calves for the remainder of the race and I didn't really know what to do. I think I walked and stretched more during the second half then I actually ran. I had taken salt pills so I wasn't really sure what had gone wrong. I trained on the downhill portion of the course but not so much on the second half so maybe that is what I did wrong. I wanted to quit so badly but I didn't have it in me to do it. I ran the first half with a friend that I met on social media and I am so thankful I found her because she helped me out so much that day. She went ahead of me at some point and then I found her again during the last two miles of the race and we finished together.

 

I am not sure how I finished that race in under fours hours (3:58:16) but somehow I did.  It was pretty sad and it really affected me mentally. So many doubts about myself and my ability to run crept into my mind and it has been hard to get passed these thoughts.

I was kind of afraid to run because I wasn't really sure what to expect moving forward so I took it easy for the remainder of November and December.

Then my stepdad lost his battle with cancer right before Christmas and that made things even worse. My family was really affected by his death so it was hard to stay focused.

I even skipped my first race of the year in January because I just wasn't feeling it. I didn't have much desire to run so I started riding my bike. I hooked it up on my bike trainer and that is what I started to do. It has been a good thing. I am sticking with it and it is a great form of cross-training for me. My bike is set up in the loft now in front of the TV and I don't have any excuses not to do something because I can hop on my bike at any time. I actually enjoy it and I might even consider a triathlon in the future.

When I ran, I ran just to run. I kept all of my runs in the single digits and didn't put any pressure on myself. I didn't worry about pace or mileage and that might have started the healing process for me. Running is a very mental thing for me so when my mind is not in the right place it really affects me. I think I am still in "run without goals" mode but I am hoping that I start feeling like myself again really soon. 

I also started running with a group out of my local Fleet Feet running store. I have met a lot of new people and I also spent more time running with people that I already know. I was also able to put some faces with names of people that I just knew from social media. It has been a really good thing. Unfortunately we lost Rudy from our group during one of our runs which was very sad. Count your blessings. You never know when you will lose the ones your love.

Even though I skipped my first race of the year, things really did take a turn for the better in January. I went back to my running club and ran with them when I could. I was also invited to join a Ragnar So Cal team in April so that kind of gave me something to look forward to and stay in shape for. 

I finally started to get back into the longer runs in January but stayed away from signing up for any races. I am glad I did that because it kept the pressure off of me plus I don't like the feeling of not running a race that you paid for even if it is for a good reason.

So here I am in the beginning of a new month. I should be starting to train for my 9th marathon that I supposed to be running in May. I love this course but I am still doubting myself and what might happen to me during the race. I am still working on convincing myself that I am physically capable of running a marathon.

I guess you can say that through all of this, a lot of good things came out this for me. I am hoping that things continue to improve. I even ran a half marathon on Super Bowl Sunday and even though I didn't race it, I feel like I had a good run. I even set a small course PR without pushing myself. It was a step in the right direction for me. I kind of needed a sign that I can still do this running thing without failing.

I hope to be back soon and regain the love that I found for running five years ago. I know it will happen. I just have to believe in myself!

So there you have it. Other than this stuff, life is good. I can't really complain. I believe that good things always come out of something negative. Through this running slump, a lot of positive things have emerged and I am looking forward to making 2016 a comeback year for me! Thank you to everyone for all of your support!

QUESTION:

HOW DO YOU PULL YOURSELF OUT OF A RUNNING SLUMP AND BACK IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

Training Recap: Week Eight: (August 3-August 9)

The weather was so much better this week especially for my long run on Saturday. It was overcast the entire time and then the sun started to come out from behind the clouds right as we were finishing up. This week the heat will be back so I have to get my mind ready for it. 

I set a goal this year to run 1400 miles and I have just passed the halfway point with 782 miles. I am slightly behind my goal but I have 5 months let in the year to get there. I am also looking forward to getting my 1000 mile pin from my running club really soon. I know I can reach this goal since I am sooo close.

Here is a recap of Week Eight:

Monday: Strength Training: The gym is so crowded on Monday's so this is my least favorite workout of the week since it takes forever to get your workout done.

Tuesday:4.34 Miles

Wednesday:  Strength Training

Thursday: 7.33 Mile Speed Workout:  I got to the track rise as the sun was coming up and was it was empty. I felt really good after this track workout because it was the same workout I did 8 weeks ago but this time I was able to do it twice without feeling too beat up!

Friday: REST DAY: Unfortunately it wasn't such a great day because I had to attend my grandma's funeral on my step-dad's side.

Saturday: 14 Miles with the Running Club. I am glad that I ran with them because sometimes these long runs seem impossible to do alone. 

Sunday: Strength Training: I really didn't feel like going to the gym but I had no good reason not to so I went!  I think I overdid it because I have been sore for two days now.

TOTAL MILES: 25.67

My long run this week calls for 18 Miles. I think I am going to run 16 with my running club and then pick up an extra two miles before or after. It is supposed to be a hot one on Saturday too but those cool towels that my running club puts at the water stops is going to save me!

Progress and How February Went Down

Let me start by saying that things were a lot better this month even though my mileage was really low. I have been diligent about doing my hip exercises so I am feeling a lot better. The hip is not 100% so I am still taking it day by day and not pushing the pace too much. I have been able to get back in the 8:45-9:00 range without too much discomfort. I have been wanting to sign up for more races but I have been good about talking myself out of it because running races in pain is not fun especially when you know you really don't belong there. I am hopeful that I will be able to sign up for the OC Half Marathon but it will probably be at the very last minute when the race is close to selling out. I know my time will come but for now the focus is on getting back on track and keeping the faith.

My mileage for February was low but some miles is always better than ZERO miles, right? Not being able to run at all is rough so I am feeling very thankful for what I accomplished this month. I have to remind myself to always see the good in every situation.

I also ran with my running club this past Saturday and it was a good run. I felt like I needed to run with a group to keep the pace where it should be and I can always use the company.

Not to mention that they spoil us with all of the treats while we are on our runs. I haven't had a Nutter Butter cookie in ages but I had one that day! If you are not a member of a running club, you have to give it a try. It really is an awesome thing and not just because of the Nutter Butters and M&M's!

Do you actually eat these kinds of goodies during your runs?

I normally do not but when I run with the club I just can't help myself!

Are you member of a running club?

Lately

Lately I have been feeling kind of different about running. I guess you can say that I am kind of in a "running funk." My head has not been in it and my heart has not been in it for sure. I am still running but I guess my attitude towards running has been a little different. I feel like I have been in constant training mode without any real break. I am not burned out but I feel like I am getting there and need some change. Joining a running club has really brought the changes that I needed.

My running club has also changed my perspective on running and learning to run at an aerobic pace with them has been a huge change for me. Joining this club was one of the best decisions that I have made in a long time. The club is currently training for the LA Marathon and they run about 60-90 seconds under race pace. Running at an aerobic pace is tough but since we are running lots of hills it may not be such a bad idea for me right now. Slowing things down also has it's benefits such as lessening the chance of injury and improving your endurance. Running with the club is fun so I look forward to my runs with them. It definitely beats getting out there on your own especially when you are lacking motivation or want to skip a run!

I think the hip bursitis I was dealing with a few weeks ago kind of made me realize that I need to listen to my body and take things down a notch for a while. I learned a lot about myself and wanted to take those lessons and learn something from them. I was foam rolling, stretching and all of that good stuff but I guess the increase in mileage was not such a good idea. I ran 150 miles in July and I was well on my way to another 150 mile month for August. I normally run 25-30 miles a week. I am not a high mileage runner and 150 miles a month is pretty good for me. So I have decided that I am going to go back to running the lower mileage and make each run count. I also found that my runs are so much better when I run every other day versus consecutive days.

Having said that, I will be running Marathon #6 next Sunday. The only difference is that I will be running with a friend and hopefully pacing her to a new PR. I think it is going to be kind of nice since I will be running at her pace and without the pressure to break four hours or PR. I know that it is still going to be a challenge since marathons will always be difficult in my books! I want to enjoy this marathon and focus on my friend and not myself. This will be her second marathon and her first experience was not a good one so hopefully she will have a different perspective after this race. 

How do you get yourself out of a "running funk" and find the change you need?

Does your training include running at an aerobic pace?

Three Things Thursday

1. I am excited to have reached 1000 for 2014. My goal is to hit 1400 miles but my focus will be more on quality runs for the remainder of the year so come what may.

 2. I finally gave in a decided it was time for my son to get a cell phone. He is in 7th grade this year and swears that he is the only one who does not have a cell phone. I think the decision came when I started getting a bunch of calls from my son from other kids' cell phones when he forgot things for school. He is not the most responsible boy but I think this will be a good time to test him. Not only did he get a new phone but so did I. I took the iPhone 6 from the new line I added and gave him my 5S. Lucky me right?

3. I haven't been posting much on the Weekly Recaps because I really don't have anything exciting to tell you. I have been running with my running club on Saturdays for the past two weeks and that kinds of seems to be the highlight of running for me right now. Hopefully I will have some exciting news to share if I am able to run a race soon. I feel like I jinx myself when I talk about my races too much.

My First Run with IERC

Last week started out really well and things kind of went south at the end of the week because my son was not feeling well. I was on schedule for most of my runs and I even went for my first run with my running club. They are currently training for the LA Marathon which I have no plans to run whatsoever so I am kind of running with them for some short runs and then doing my longer runs on my own.

My plan was to run the 3 Miles they had on their schedule and then do a longer run on my own on Sunday. My long run didn't happen because I had to take care of my son. I haven't decided which pace group I am going to be running with yet since they run in an area which is much hillier than what I am used to.

I also had the opportunity to meet these two sweet girls that I know from Instagram. I guess you can say that I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to running with this group and hopefully becoming a stronger runner. I think it is going to be a nice change for me. I think I need that right now. 

Are you part of a running club?

What do you like best about it if you are?

Why I Joined a Running Club

I am not going to do my weekly recap as I normally do because I don't have anything to recap. I am sure you don't want to hear me talk about how I have not been running so I won't do that either. I think I  just will talk about the other exciting things in my life like my new running club. I have a lot to be thankful for so I am staying as positive as I can about this whole hip issue.

I was planning on going to my first meeting with the club on Saturday but I knew that I would have been tempted to run. I decided to wait until I can run again since it might be weird to show up at a running club if you can't run. Hopefully that will be really soon. I have been wanting to join a running club for a while but just haven't taken the time to do it.  I wanted to join a running club for a few reasons so here are just a few reasons why I decided to do it.

1) I am tired of running those long runs all by myself. Those 20 milers can be pretty brutal when you are out there by yourself.

2) Time flies when you run with a group or even with one other person. I used to run with my close friend but once her husband passed away her desire to run just kind of went away. I have been trying to get her back into running but I can see that right now she just isn't ready. I miss running with her so I figured that joining a running club would give me some company and give me an opportunity to meet some new people who also love running.

3) I like the idea of meeting other people who share the same passion as I do. I think that this like-mindedness (is that even a word) is great because it causes us to motivate each other, share training ideas, share our achievements and it is also a safer environment than just running alone.

4) I feel like I need to change things up. I sometimes feel like I am stuck in a typical routine and running the same old routes that I always train on. I think this will be a nice change of scenery for me. Running in new places always makes me feel refreshed and I kind of like the idea of not having to map out a 15 mile route or a 20 mile route for my long run.

These are just a few reasons why I joined a running club. I am sure there are a million benefits to being a member of a running club which I will soon find out.

Are you a member of a running club?

Tell me some of the benefits that you have discovered to being a member of a running club.