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July 4, 2007
My Good Run
I'm so whiny. There I was just yesterday, bemoaning the sorry state of my running. Turns out, I had a good run today. Guess I should keep my mouth shut.
It was a sweltering-no-wind-horse-fly-circling-cicada-buzzing summer afternoon. I loved it. It is impossible for it to get too hot in Yellowstone for me. I could leave the horse flies (Especially since my right hand is still swollen from one biting me on the sensitive, fleshy bit between my thumb and index finger a few days ago.), but I'll take everything else.
I ran 4 sets of 5 x 1 minute uphill repeats on a switchbacking trail near my house. Between each repeat I stood still for 25 to 30 seconds. Between each set, I ran a 4:15 to 4:30 downhill recovery, back to my starting point. The goal was to push the effort to near my limit in each repeat.
I felt rough around the edges during the first set of uphill repeats. Mostly, I felt like I was flailing about kind of strangely, as I was pushing harder than I have in a while. Then, I settled into a groove and dug in. I was generating good power in my legs and feeling quite strong. My stomach felt off at first, but then that feeling dissipated completely.
I had some cheerleaders, other hikers out on the trail. People were genuinely cheering for me as I climbed the hill, which was entirely motivating.
In all, it was a great run.
Posted by Meghan at July 4, 2007 3:14 AM
Comments
So glad you had a good run, and that you are not pregnant! I hated to even mention it, but had a friend go through the same thing a few years ago. Her little girl is three now!
Posted by: backofpack at July 4, 2007 7:37 AM
Pregnant! Have you thought about names yet? Wow, Meghan!
Sorry - you know me - can't resist.
Well maybe you have Rocky-Mtn-West-Ebola-Lymes disease-cancer-syndrome? I think I had a 24-hr case of that.
But seriously - yes I can get serious - I only get nauseous when my electrolytes and hydration are off. Just about any imbalance can cause it, though.
Since digestion requires more energy than most of us know, when our body feels threatened or weak, it tries to empty the stomach to preserve energy. So if there are no imbalances, if you over-exert yourself too far and too fast, it can cause nausea.
Good luck figuring it out and glad to hear you're running again.
Posted by: JeffO at July 4, 2007 5:15 PM
Yeah Meghan! So glad you had a better run (and a tough workout no less!). It will only get better from here!
Posted by: Beth at July 5, 2007 4:42 AM
A very interesting set, I should use it at some point. And hey, pregnant is not all that bad, but no is no:) Feel better. May be it's the heat wave and a push.
Posted by: olga at July 5, 2007 1:44 PM
Let’s see, spiritually moving elk sighting? Check. Recent qualms about giardia with respect to drinking untreated water from mountain streams? Check. Recent lack of enthusiasm about reportage of running due to self doubt and lack of strong workouts? Checkity check check! I’m in touch with your world…! (PS, yes, it’s too bad both Devil’s Backbone and the Bridger Ridge Run are sandwiched tightly around Elkhorn. Of course, Devil’s Backbone is full so I couldn’t have run it anyway. Damn popular Bozeman runs, grumble grumble.) Uncanny! Just checked your last entry. I had a redeeming run yesterday as well, only not anywhere close to the intensity you did. Glad you’re feeling the joie de vivre of running again!
Posted by: Kendra Borgburp at July 5, 2007 4:36 PM
So are you now the elk whisperer? Lure them in with an inviting sprinkler then acclimate them to humans so more park visitors can see the big beasts?
It’s a good thing you didn’t leave your bathroom door open or that cow elk probably would have been drinking from your toilet.
Wow, the only pushups I’ve done lately was when I was picking myself up off the trail yesterday after a mild crash. Sounds like your hill repeats were a good confidence builder. As with everything else in life some days are diamonds, some days are stone, when it comes to running. Yesterday I had a great 34 mile run. Today I was barely able to drag my butt 5 miles. Tuesday will be better after a day off on Monday.
Stay strong!
Posted by: Eric at July 8, 2007 9:51 PM
Sounds Like a great Workout Meghan...Good Job!! ummm if U want I can send more heat up ur way from FL...nice and HOTTTTTT HERE...ahhhhh I did the ICE Wrapped in a Bandana yesterday about an hour into my run, felt awesome!
Posted by: Bob Gentile at July 9, 2007 11:02 AM