Winds from the east

...not fit for man nor beast.

Yeah, it was another one of those resistance-training runs today.  Gusts up to 26 mph was brutal going east and south.  I think they got stronger the longer we were out there.  It wasn't a fast run by any means, but it was faster than walking.

This has been the longest run since the Des Moines Half last fall.  It felt good to get out and do a "long run" again.  My 3 left middle toes went numb and it felt like someone was putting a needle into my index toe.  YOUCH!  I need to get to the chiropractor and get straightened up again.

On a lighter note, I'm hoping to get some good news this week so hopefully my therapy running can turn into fun running again and I'll be able to get back to some real training.


Temperature: 39 degrees
Weather:  sunny, light overcast, SSE 15 mph winds gusting to 28 mph
Motivation level: 8
Energy level: 9
Today's Quote: Running: It's a lot like walking, only faster.

today's mileage: 9 mile running

weekly mileage: 14 miles running

monthly mileage: 19 miles running; 20/28

annual mileage: 57 miles running; 51 miles walking; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 108 miles

Operator, I Need an Exit

I am a little embarrassed that this is the middle of the month and I am only on my second run.  Marathon training isn't going so well.  On the flip side, a therapy session was definitely needed.  I have been feeling quite stressed lately, as if I was in the Matrix with my specially-issued cell phone talking to the operator, running from agents, looking for an exit.  Running is my exit.

As I mentioned in my last post, running has become a therapy session to air my emotional baggage.  I leave the house stressed and feeling like I can't go on, but return home cleansed and with a little more room to continue moving forward.  I need that.  I know this will all pass it will be better in the end.  Hindsight I look back and say, that wasn't so bad.  Day-by-day it is getting a lot to handle.  Running helps to alleviate some of that.

Today was a beautiful run.  Bill has been a steadfast support for me and keeps me going.  While I have not been super motivated, I enjoyed getting outside today in the beautiful weather.  I felt strong and like I could have easily gone a few more miles when we finished.  We had a strong run, mostly all under 10:00.  We even had a couple miles under 9:40.  Yeah us!

Temperature: 41 degrees
Weather: beautiful, light breeze, sunny
Motivation level: 5
Energy level: 8
Today's Quote: Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you nothing about.

today's mileage: 5 mile running

weekly mileage: 5 miles running

monthly mileage: 10 miles running; 3/28

annual mileage: 48 miles running; 34 miles walking; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 82 miles

New year - New purpose

Four years ago I started running after nearly 30 years away from it.  My purposes for starting back up were good, solid, strong reasons.  I still hold to those purposes, however the motivation that gets me out the door is very different this year.  Pretty much all the variables have changed from four years ago.

I had been gone all weekend, sometimes physically, sometimes mentally.  I left a meeting in Des Moines this afternoon and the sun shone down on me, the sky opened up, and it was beautiful!  I couldn't wait to get home.  All the way home I couldn't help but think how awful the dreadmill was earlier this week.  Will it be that bad outside?  I had to try.  I called Bill to get ready when I walked in the house.

We both have been fighting a cold, stress, and other external excuses.  I just couldn't let this day go by however.  As much as I really didn't want to go out, a part of me from my past wanted me to get there.  I had to do it for me!  It was another good therapy session on the road.  Yeah I need a superhero.

I used to be motivated by PRs, speed, and the usual competitive sorts.  I was like a drug addict that needed that high at the end of a run.  This year I feel like running has become therapy.  I think this shift has had contributed to other variables I am experiencing too.  The dedication to every run isn't there.

On the last run, I had some weird sweating issues that I've had off and on before.  When I wipe my brow, it feels like acidic sand paper scrubbing against my skin; it's very painful.  Ideas??



Temperature: 30 degrees
Weather: beautiful, light breeze, overcast
Motivation level: 5
Energy level: 6
Today's Quote: "That's why the first step out the door is always so hard. That's when we choose between settling for average and being a superhero version of ourselves."

today's mileage: 5 mile running

weekly mileage: 10 miles running

monthly mileage: 5 miles running; 3/28

annual mileage: 43 miles running; 34 miles walking; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 77 miles

Reality Check

I don't know why, but when I miss a run it's easier to write off the next run.  The longer I wait to get back out there, the more I fear it.  It will hurt.  I will not be able to meet my goal.  I will second guess myself.

The weather has been so nasty lately and I have had so much mental baggage that I can't get myself going.  Last night I told myself that if we have a snowday I will run on the dreadmill.  I really wanted to at least get a long run in.  I got on, started running, and I was pooped.  Ok, reality: I haven't been taking care of myself either.  I started drinking, thinking that would help.  nope.  I ended up doing the run-walk method.  I ran a mile, walked 1/10.  I realized when we redid the basement, we put up a mirror.  Reality: I'm not getting into shape like I want. WOW, I'm. not. getting. into. shape.  ick.



Temperature: 19 degrees
Weather: blizzard, -14 windchill, winds 34mph gusts NNE
Motivation level: 8
Energy level: 2
Today's Quote: We find our answers on the roads, trails, and in races as we are given mental space to reflect, learn, and grow. In pursuing our passion with a purposeful mind, we uncover secrets others spend a lifetime searching for.

today's mileage: 5 mile running

weekly mileage: 5 miles running

monthly mileage: 38 miles running; 30/31

annual mileage: 38 miles running; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 68 miles

The Postman

"Not rain, nor sleet, nor driving winds will keep these runners from finishing their run."  That's my postal quote for today.  Yes, we ran in 38mph gusting winds today.  Looking at the forecast and comparing it to our crazy schedule this weekend we chose the forging winds.  This was a great test of endurance, determination, and dedication today.  

The first few miles were nasty!  I had such problems starting with my watch.  I had a feeling there would be issues when it couldn't "find satellites".  The bar would almost get to the end and then back up about 1/2 way and start again.  I tried to restart the watch, but it was going to clear all history.  It finally took off and starting counting mileage.  Yeah, the watch was about 1/2 mile behind us, but kept time and mileage all the way through the run.

Once we got the watch going about 1/2 mile into it, we were about out of town headed around the Ethanol Loop.  The winds really started blowing, almost stopping us in our tracks.  We put our head down and forged onward.  At the turn I thought Bill was going to stop and turn back to town.  I stopped to walk a bit, catch my breath, and encourage him to keep going.  "We're still moving forward!"  Rachael was having an awesome run.  Her shoe came untied about 1/4 mile later and Bill #winkwink graciously encouraged her to stop and tie it.  

Well, we made it to the end of the 8 mile run today and about 3-4 miles into it I really starting to feel good.  While I don't think a full marathon would have worked today, I think I could have done a half easily.  This will be one we will reference for awhile into the future.  Remember that day with the 38mph winds...?


Temperature: 48 degrees
Weather: 24mph NW winds, gusting to 38mph
Motivation level: 5
Energy level: 6
Today's Quote: Not rain, nor sleet, nor driving winds will keep these runners from finishing their run.

today's mileage: 8 mile running

weekly mileage: 20 miles running

monthly mileage: 33 miles running; 19/31

annual mileage: 33 miles running; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 51 miles

My Christmas Brooks

Santa was going to deliver new running shoes to Rachael and Mommy this Christmas, but apparently the workshop was working overtime and that didn't happen.  He left a note in our stockings that when they got done with them, he'd deliver them.  Well, the FedEx man delivered today!

While I love a new pair of shoes, it does take a few runs to break them in right.  These are weird shoes. It's the same shoe I wore for my first marathon so I am quite partial to them.  This specific pair is just not the same.  The tongue has a weird fold in them that bunches up when the laces are tied.  It puts pressure on the top of my foot on the toe bones.  It hurts to run.  I think I need to get a chiropractor appointment before I can accurately blame the shoes.

The quote today is quite fitting.  In the past couple months I have gained nearly 10 pounds and can't seem to shake them.  I've had a few too many pity parties for myself and stress at work continues to pile.  I know I can cut the 10 pounds easily, but for some reason they just aren't melting away.  I have finished the chocolate covered peanuts in my drawer at school so I am ready to cut back now.  Yeah, I'll blame the chocolates.  :)


Temperature: 46 degrees
Weather: overcast, cooler than expected
Motivation level: 3
Energy level: 6
Today's Quote: I plan on losing 15 pounds and I expect to see results in the morning.

today's mileage: 5 mile running

weekly mileage: 12 miles running

monthly mileage: 25 miles running; 18/31

annual mileage: 25 miles running; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 43 miles

Norwegian clogging

The bitter cold prohibited running this past weekend.  The temps were in single digits and the wind chills were below zero!  That's my limit.  Therefore, we did our long run tonight.

As we started, I really felt like I was clogging along as if I was wearing wooden shoes.  It was a tough run for my partners, but overall we finished and encouraged each other to keep going.  Rachael even said at one point, "We're still moving!"  I love that girl!  :)

Bill has been going quite fast lately.  Today at the end of the run we had about 1/2 mile left.  He was wanting to be done so he sped up.  A lot.  We finished with a 6:28 pace!

Today's quote: Find a beautiful place and run it.  Yes, it was a beautiful run tonight.  The temps were perfect, the company was better, the scenery great.

Temperature: 28 degrees
Weather: overcast, wind chill 20 degrees
Motivation level: 7
Energy level: 8
Today's Quote: Find a beautiful place and run it.

today's mileage: 7 mile running

weekly mileage: 7 miles running

monthly mileage: 20 miles running; 14/31

annual mileage: 20 miles running; 0 miles riding; 0 miles swimming

TOTAL mileage: 34 miles