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May 28, 2006

I'm Sad

Another week has flown by and my IT band and Hamstring are not improving. I actually thought things were back on track on Friday so I mustered up the motivation to run on the treadmill. I started off feeling fresh and good, but at 2.5 miles, the area behind my knee got foggy and stiff, and my IT band - right around the bony area of the knee - started to lock up in pain. I forced the next .5 mile because I just couldn't stop at 2.5. I said a few swear words and then I jumped onto a spin bike and worked out all of my frustrations and anger for the next 30 minutes. Luckily, I do not need an instructor to push myself on the bike . . . but I pushed a little too hard. Yesterday I lifted for a pathetic 35 minutes and today I have done nothing. I am starting to settle into that funk that if I cannot run, then I mise well not do anything. I need to get myself to the gym at some point or I am going to really feel bad.

It's 90 degrees and humid in Chicago. B. and I do not have air conditioning this week so we are both sweating (it's 85 degrees in my room!!!). I need to get out of here! However, I feel worse for my dog, Ajax - he is short-haired, but he is breathing hard and he looks absolutely miserable (he has been eating ice cubes all day).

I am going to continue to ice and massage my IT and hamstring. I really hope this clears up soon . . . and if it remains stubborn, I need to at least get my ass to the gym! Except, no more crazy spin sessions :) I need to relax when I hit the bike pedals.

I'm so sad.

Posted by bridget at 3:37 PM | Comments (7)

May 23, 2006

Down For the Count . . .

But for how long? My blog has been suspiciously quiet the past few days for two reasons: 1. I was a little confused about how to re-login to the new Movable Type address (but Alison helped me figure it out!), and 2. I am injured. I didn't want to believe it either, but after wimping out at 3 miles today, the reality hit me like a speeding bullet. Both my IT band and my hamstring - right where it connects near the back of the knee - are inflamed. I am BEYOND bummed, pissed, sad, depressed. I am having a hard time seeing the bright side of this one. AND, I took 14 days off after the marathon and came back painfully slow. I actually think the injury is a lifting related injury but I am too bummed out to go there right now. If I am going to be sidelined, I at least want the injury to come from overtraining or running!

I clearly need to blow off some steam. The weather is gorgeous, I finally got my Mizunos back on, I am feeling peppy and motivated and BOOM, injury. I am being dramatic. But I think this is going to wipe me into oblivion for a few weeks but I need to keep the big picture in mind: CHICAGO. A few weeks off right now will not kill me, but a few weeks off in October will ruin me. I need to tape that to the mirror and repeat it several times a day. I guess I need to bike.

Other than NOT running, I have been busy in my other lives. Our third magazine issue is moving at a frantic pace, but I thrive on last minute email exchanges, edits, etc. It has been non-stop for a few days. I have also been busy hanging out with my niece. I swear, every parent needs to buy her child the Laurie Berkner Band DVD and Finding Nemo. I am not a proponent of propping kids in front of televisions, but when nap time is looming around the corner and the child needs to unwind, TV is a great option :) Plus, Laurie Berkner has taught my niece that she has a pig on her head, that dinasours march, that we sleep under shady trees, that Victor Vito likes spaghetti, and that the moon will take care of her at night.

Some good news: I will be teaching freshman college writing again in the Fall and the Spring! I got my teaching assistantship back :) AND, the best news of all is that my best friend, Carrie, and I might be able to co-teach a class. That would be delicious.

Posted by bridget at 3:39 PM | Comments (3)

May 16, 2006

Post-BOSTON Funk

Katie and Alison said it best: this is a post-Boston funk. It has been over 4 weeks, but I think it is going to take more than 4 weeks to feel my usual rhythm again. On Saturday I ran 7 miles and I ran the final 4 at sub 7 pace. BIG oops. I paid dearly for that on Sunday as I trudged through 5 miles - I prayed to the running goddesses that green lights would turn red by the time I reached them! And you know what? I didn't hit a red light the entire time . . . karma has a funny way of kicking us in the A** every now and then :) Yesterday I got up at 6AM and ran another 5 miles, and I *finally* felt good again. For the next two weeks or so, I think I am going to have a string of good days and bad days mixed together. I intended to run 5-6 miles this AM, but I cleaned the kitchen instead. But I think I am running with Carrie tonight so all should work out well!

My only concern coming back has been a bellyache-like pain in my knee caps. I switched shoes before the marathon due to my odd sense of loyalty to the team that I currently run for. We are a Reebok sponsored team, and even though I am NOT one of the Reebok sponsored athletes (and therefore, I am not obligated to wear the shoes), I felt that it was the right thing to do to chuck my Mizunos and wear the Reeboks for the race. I did come out of the race with some bloody results from the shoes, but I didn't realize the full impact the switch had on my knees. I have had bad luck every time I have switched out of my Mizunos - plantar fasssssiiiccitis (can't spell it) and two metatarsal stress fractures. Nothing in my training had changed but the shoes. The pain isn't anything to be concerned about - YET - so I am going to switch back to my Mizuno Wave Riders and see if that makes a difference.

Our second issue of For Her Information Chicago finally came out May 1! I am SUPER busy working on our August issue. I am extremely pleased with the improvement from our preview issue to our May 1st issue, and I am excited to see how the August issue turns out. We are still working out a lot of design and editing ticks, but we are getting there :)

Happy Running!

Posted by bridget at 7:36 AM | Comments (3)

May 12, 2006

Note To Self:

No more jellybeans before running! Actually, I FINALLY felt great tonight! I took it easy and only ran 4 miles @ 8:00 pace. I also watched MTV's Tiara Girls while running . . . what a disturbing show!

It's been a 13 hour work day for me - it's time to shut down the machine and catch some zzzzzz. I have a very cute sleeping dog at my feet (I live for moments like this!).

Posted by bridget at 10:40 PM | Comments (1)

Post-Marathon Funk

I am nearing the 4 week mark, and I can honestly say that I seem to be in some kind of funk. I don't want to run, but I cannot tolerate the idea of not running. A catch 22? My body is okay. My legs feel relatively fresh. But, for some reason, my mind is rusty and, like the tin man that used to give me nightmares as a kid, it needs some oil. Some motivation. Something!

Monday I took the day off and immediately regretted it because of Tuesday.

Tuesday is the day I ran 4 miles and wanted to walk!

Wednesday I ran 6 miles with B. and tried to progressively pick up the pace.

Thursday I got up at 6AM and willed myself outside for an easy 4 miles.

Friday: It's 9:00PM, I have a belly full of Starburst Jellybeans (BAD) and I am about to force myself on the treadmill for 22-32 minutes. I have to or I will go to sleep tonight with restless and jumpy legs.

The one thing I have been consistently doing is weight training for 2 hours/week. I have gained a lot of strength, but I almost wonder if my upper body is getting too bulky? Hmmm. I am the worst judge of my own body so I will try not to think about it unless my race times say otherwise. I have decided never to step on a scale again . . . I will let my race times and general feeling of well-being dictate whether or not I need to cut out the jellybeans :-)

Time to get those 4 miles in (thanks, Carrie, for motivating me!)

Posted by bridget at 8:51 PM | Comments (5)

May 10, 2006

Check Out This Blog!

I cannot write much because I am on my way to work, but I just wanted to direct my cyber friends to a new running blog . . . .the writer is my best friend, Caroline, and she has decided to chronicle her marathon journey (the goal is Chicago this fall). Carrie is a fantastically entertaining writer; she is super smart, and she is one of the most determined runners/athletes that I have ever met. Her most recent post definitely hit home with me (especially after my "barf" post yesterday!

Enjoy! You can read Carrie's blog here : kenyan feet

Posted by bridget at 10:21 AM | Comments (2)

May 9, 2006

BARF

That's pretty much how I felt on my run today - like a pile of vomit. Not to be graphic or too depressing - but I really felt like crap. I am usually jovial and happy and idealistic on my blog, but after today's run, I questioned my ability as a runner. I know such a thing is ridiculous, but I always forget that it is takes baby steps to get back to the level that I was at before the marathon. I almost wonder if I took too much down time, and if I am currently taking too many days off. I think I am. I am starting to feel anxious . . . and I am waiting for the motivational punch to hit. I literally sucked wind at 2.5 miles on a 4 mile run today. I even contemplated - GASP - walking!

It's going to be a long climb out of this ditch that I dug for myself. Maybe tomorrow's run will feel light and effortless, but on today's run I felt like a beached whale flubbering down the street. Not a pretty picture :)

But then there are the finer things in life to keep me grounded. Ignoring the fact that I felt like I was going to die on my run (I had major flashbacks to mile 23!), I had a fantastic day running around with my niece. She is very into chasing her pink ball, her "sisters" (her two English Bulldogs), and reading books.

Posted by bridget at 9:48 PM | Comments (6)

May 7, 2006

Beautiful Day!

B. and I woke up this morning, and before he could ask, "What do you want to do this morning?" I already had my running clothes on. I was ready to go. Luckily, B. had an 8-9 mile run on his marathon schedule so we headed out together. We used to run a lot together about 3.5 years ago (when we were dating), but the past few years, it has been more sporadic. B. had a stress fracture that took him out for a while and then he kind of lost interest in the running thing. But after standing on the sidelines in Boston, the competitive juices started firing again and he is back at it . . . with a vengeance!

We embarked on my favorite 11 mile route with the intention of stopping around 8, grabbing some fancy coffee drinks (a latte for me and one of those frapp things for B) and walking home. We ran together most of the way, but on the final mile, I asked him if I could run ahead. He was thrilled to get rid of me for a few minutes! I hit the 800m mark on 6:18 pace and then I lost interest in running hard and finished the final mile in 6:32. What an eye opener - 15 days off from running and I LOST A LOT. I was clicking off 6:30s with no problem before the marathon . . . but, wow, that final mile was HARD today:( I felt like I was going to puke at the end! I think that's kind of funny.

The most exciting news this week: my best friend, Caroline, signed up for the Chicago Marathon! Caroline was one of those crazy running prodigies when she was a kid . . . she clicked off sub 6 miles with ease :) She has taken a long running vacation, but she is BACK!!! Welcome home, Carrie. Chicago is going to be a BLAST this year.

By the way, it's amazing what sleeping can do for the heart and soul (and sole, if we are talking about running).

Posted by bridget at 7:26 PM | Comments (2)

May 6, 2006

It is 12:11 AM on Saturday Morning And . . .

My semester is *finally* over. I just emailed (9 minutes after our midnight deadline) my final project. I finished 2 twenty page papers and a final six page assignment in one week. That seems comparable to about a 120 mile running week . . . with much less sleep and much less happiness :) Someone commented on my last post that I should "just write." Boy do I wish I could just write! If someone could teach me how, I would be much obliged. I have always loved writing . . . from the first book of poetry my mom bought me one Christmas to my first attempt at writing my own novel at the age of 7. But writing - at least for me - does not come with the ease of a bubble floating gracefully in the air before it quietly combusts (what a terrible metaphor!). No, writing is difficult. Especially when I am writing from within that peculiar genre called "academic writing." I struggle to compose "academese" when I find it a little too opaque and boring for my aesthetic writing taste. I try to be more creative and so I invite the colloquial into my work. It doesn't always score me brownie points, but that is fine with me.

I guess now I need to turn my attention to running again. Running has been virtually nonexistent in my life since the marathon, but in about 8 hours, I plan to enjoy a nice, slow 10 mile run through Chicago. I am SO looking forward to it! I skipped another run today and lifted for an hour instead . . . my only cardio was a 2 mile walk and 3 x 500 meter sprints on the rowing machine session between sets on the leg press (splits: 2:02, 2:02, 2:01 - my goal is to get under 2:00).

I cannot wait to turn this computer off and go to sleep!

Posted by bridget at 12:10 AM | Comments (3)

May 4, 2006

When Will the Agony End?!

This is worse than a marathon! I am on page 13 and I am quickly eclipsing the generous amount of time that I really need to do a satisfactory job on this paper. Maybe somewhere in the unconscious buckets of my mind I have accepted that this paper will not meet my (excessively) high expectations. I am okay with that; at this point, I just want to finish (haven't we all said that before at mile 23). I keep uttering, "just one more page," but at the rate I am moving (1 page per hour), I wil finish around 3:00 PM. Eeeeks!

As I said to one of my friends, I need to release myself from the slowness of Faulknerian time, jump onto the buckboard and giddyup! I have to increase my production rate to at least 2 pages/hour.

I plan to run at some point this evening, but just an easy 6-8 miles. Our 5 mile run last night killed me. My fuel of choice - sleep deprivation - was rather thankless and tiresome. I could barely run a mile without feeling lightheaded and dizzy, but the sadistic athlete in me made me push through it. I am glad that I did - it cleared my mind and brought to life some of the paper ideas I have been kicking around in my head.

I am almost done!!!!!!! Let the race to the finish begin . . . (so corny, but I can't help myself!).

Posted by bridget at 7:59 AM | Comments (7)

May 3, 2006

4 miles

After a long break, I finally cracked yesterday and ran. I ran 4 miles with B. to support his marathon training. It felt incredibly easy and I think my legs actually hurt more than normal from the slow pace. I felt fresh and I don't think I have lost nearly as much training as I thought I had. Granted, my quads, hamstrings and glutes are too tight for my liking . . . but I never indulged in a post-race massage and I hope I don't regret that in a few weeks.

B. and I are going for a 5 mile run tonight - I haven't slept since Monday night so it will be interesting to see if I crash and burn. My body can't fail me yet. I am on page 8 of my second 20 page paper. It is due tomorrow at 5PM and I refuse to sleep until it is finished. Now, if only I could have had that determination at mile 25 of the Boston Marathon! I finally received my official results, and it looks like I hit mile 25 on pace for a 3:04. Just in case you miss my drift, that means my final 1.2 miles took me 12+ minutes. That's absolutely horrifying and embarrassing - I definitely need to work on my ability to close a race well ;)

Time to write about Mr. Flem Snopes, Ike "H-mope," and Ms. Eula Varner.

Posted by bridget at 6:01 PM | Comments (2)

May 2, 2006

STILL GOING

I finished my paper on Joe Christmas and gladly handed it in yesterday at 2:34PM. I breathed a brief sigh of relief, drove home, skipped my run, and fell asleep. (I finally have the green light to run again, but it has become extremely easy to rationalize, "Ah, one more day off won't kill me.") No more excuses on the running front after Thursday, but I might extend my running vacation until then. On a side note, my best friend, Caroline, sitting across from me as we diligently research and write at our favorite Chicago cafe, ran 6 miles this morning. Since we are spiritually connected (even though we look genetically connected - she could easily be my sister), I consider her brave act of running in the midst of frantic paper writing some kind of personal redemption for my current lack of miles. I don't think that sentence made any sense either, but so it goes!

Anyway, the highlight of my day appeared in my email inbox about 2 hours ago, and I cannot help but share it. Rosie has a special little friend that she now takes everywhere; it even sleeps on the floor near her crib. Priceless.

Posted by bridget at 3:40 PM | Comments (0)