Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Is this winter in Michigan?

Another 56 degree day in January-kind if hard to feel like I am training for Antarctica with the wimpy winter we have had so far, though I know the weather will change soon.

Walked 2 miles with Mark in the drizzle then had a great 5 mile nonstop run over to the cemetery for a couple rounds of hills. I needed that confidence boost after not running much while I was in Austin.

Of course I got passed going up the long hill by a woman who was really moving and that was a bit demoralizing, but aside from that I felt pretty good!

Monday, January 28, 2013

From 80 degrees to 30

Fun fun fun trip to Austin and nice flight home but disconcerting to go from 5 days of warm and sunny to cool and foggy.

Love the feeling at this point in training when my body says " you must run!" so I listened and after getting home at 8pm I jumped on the treadmill and cranked up my music for a couple of miles.

Looking forward to running more miles tomorrow, despite the forecast of rain and 50 degrees.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Texas

What a good excuse for not running this weekend - I am in Austin for my son's (ahem ) 40th birthday. I did get out for 3 miles in their neighborhood which is very hilly.

A fun downhill half mile then a grueling uphill half mile each lap around. Makes me realize again how hard it is to find hills in Lansing.

The weather has been amazing with unseasonably warm temps in the 70s every day and 80 today. Great weather for drinks on the patio and walking around downtown. I love Austin! And I love my cowboy boots that i have on in the photo- so comfortable and so Texas.

Back to reality now....

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

yes I am a wimp, part 2

Not only am I a wimp this week, I was actually a mall walker last night - eek! 

It wasn't as bad as I expected, of course going at 6pm on a Tuesday when the temperature is 5 degrees helps clear out the mall so we had fairly smooth walking. Mark and I walked and talked for 90 minutes at a decent pace, probably a 15 minute pace, so it was fun. We certainly couldn't have walked outside for that long in this weather and survived!

I am motivated to do weights almost every night - it helps having them right in the den so I see them every time I sit down. I do different things on different days, from free weights to weighted sand-filled balls to the Pilates ring. Also always stretching - I am unduly proud of being able to do the splits at my advanced age, so that motivates me to stretch every day.Plus stretching just feels good!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

yes, I am a wimp

Monday was chilly- no, change that to  cold. Temps in the teens and windy, and I confess that I wimped out and used my treadmill. If I had been meeting anyone to run I would of course have caved in to peer pressure but on my own I just couldn't get out the door.

My treadmill is set up so I can look outside at the yard and the river so I have a nice view, and I use my iPod which makes it tolerable, but those miles are  mentally harder on the treadmill-I can't ever find just the right pace so spend a lot of time speeding up and slowing down and constantly looking at the readout and thinking, " oh geez, is that all the farther I have gone?" and " is that all the faster I can run?"

Without peppy music to distract me I don't think I would last long! I have playlists for running and for walking, with everything from Goo Goo Dolls to Boston to All American Rejects and every other band in between that keeps me going. I am always glad I made the effort, even on the treadmill, but I would rather be outside. However, Tuesday looks worse for temperatures so maybe I will be inside again---

Sunday, January 20, 2013

15miles and 46 degrees

I think this was the last decent weather day for a while, which is why I ran on Saturday.

For 6 miles my foot was good and then the same old pain, numbness, tingling, and stabbing feeling started. Drat and darn it. Though that's not what I said when I was running!

I felt really tired, too, which makes for a long run when I am by myself. Lots of self-pity going on for a few miles. Then I stopped at the rock and got a second wind. My foot was just numb after that which was an improvement. The weather got nicer and nicer- in fact I saw Andy Marsh running in shorts and a tee shirt!

I was very glad this morning when I didn't have to get up and run in 18 degrees and strong wind!

Friday, January 18, 2013

windy but great run

Thursday was so windy, and when I walked 2 miles with my rehabbing Turtle we were really chilly and I was dreading the run, but also looking forward to running so I would warm up! Don and John took off one direction on the trail but I wanted to go a different way to see if it would be less windy and if the trail would be clearer so I went east from Potter Park to try the trail up to Mt. Hope.

 When I got to Mt. Hope I thought I should probably do some hills so I went to the cemetery. The great thing about my training is that hills don't bother me like they used to- I remember running in the cemetery this summer and hardly being able to make it up the hills and walking a lot but last night I barely noticed I was running up hills! What a great feeling, and a good indication that I am getting in shape.

The Turtles have spent countless miles discussing why some days you have a great run and other days are just so hard- we still don't have an answer to it, but it does make you realize that no matter how you feel if you get out there and run often it's not as bad as anticipated.  Last night was one of those great run times- I ran hard and felt like I could run forever!

Other good motivation is three dinner dates with friends this week, so I really need to run off the calories! Doing a short walk with a friend today and then trying for 15-18 miles tomorrow. Worried I might be too tired tomorrow for that many miles but my social life, and the weather, indicate tomorrow is the day. Next week looks really cold so tomorrow's 40 degrees will sound good.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

neuroma

A visit to my podiatrist today turned out differently than anticipated, but I think it will mean less/no pain for future long runs so that would be wonderful!

 I expected another tweak to the shoe inserts but instead he diagnosed a neuroma in my metatarsal, which would explain the tingling, numbness, and sharp pain in my foot. He is not one to give shots very often, but he felt that a cortisone shot was the only recourse right now, so I had what felt like a fairly big shot in the top of my foot. I am not really comfortable with anything to do with my feet, even touching them, so this was not fun! I am scheduled to go back for another one, if needed, right before I leave for Antarctica.

As always, I appreciate all the members of Team Cherry helping me stay "upright and moving forward" during my training.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Perfect. Day to Run

The photo shows "Larry's rock", a special quote from Larry inscribed in the rock. When I run past the rock (on the trail near Elm Street) I often stop and pat the rock and say, " you know what Larry, it is a perfect day to run."

Larry was a very popular runner in tbe Lansing area, and part of our Turtles running group. Larry died 10 years ago last July during a run with me. He was notorious for saying, no matter if it was 5 degrees, 95 degrees, raining, snowing or whatever the weather, " you know what, it's a perfect day to run!"

I try to keep that in mind during the hard runs, and also think about how much Larry would love the idea of running in Antarctica. And I wish he were still here to train with me.

Park Lake Road run

After 2 days of recovery I was feeling ready to run. Actually I felt ready yesterday but had too crazy a schedule.

I got my foot worked over and poked and prodded and manipulated, then my intrepid therapist Kelly taped it for my run. I ran on Park Lake road again, which is fun with good hills but the ice and brittle snow made it a very stop and go 4 miles. I wish people would do a better job of shoveling! Easy for me to say, since we don't have sidewalks on our street ...

It was a pretty nice day to run, which leads me toy next post and picture .

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Winter again

Hard to believe I was running in short sleeves yesterday and it is snowing now. That's Michigan, I guess, and the snow is beautiful.

Some Antarctica preparations this week that were not running- related included getting a flu shot, my first one, because I don't want to get sick at this point in my training or right before I get on the plane for an 11 hour flight; and a tetanus shot "just in case".

I also got a prescription for seasickness patches since I don't know if I will get seasick on the Drake Passage part of the crossing but I want to be prepared in case I do. The only time I ever felt affected by seasickness was crossing the English Channel to the lovely island of Guernsey and the boat just rocked and swayed all the way across. I felt queasy then, but on the way back to England I was fine. At any rate I want to be prepared.

My doctor, who has travelled quite a bit, also recommended taking antibiotics in case of any kind of infection so I have some to stash away. - and hope I don't need them!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

58 degrees!

Amazing January weather, but a very difficult run. I kept going mainly because the weather won't ever be better than this for a long run in the winter. Wearing Capri tights, short sleeved tech shirt, and a light jacket was perfect, and I took my jacket off for the last few miles.

My foot started hurting after 4 miles and hurt to varying degrees for the rest of the 20 mile run. Fortunately not much else hurt. I worked away on the miles-I did the 11 miles of the basic trail, then to Kellogg Center. then I was so tired and walking a bit so decided if I was going to walk some I would go to Mt. Hope cemetery and at least I could walk up the hills.

As I was slogging along I realized that this would be 51 miles in 7 days- no wonder I was tired! That made me feel a little better.

One fun thing was seeing a woman on the trail who yelled to me "hey you're the Jingle Belle lady! Great race!"

Some statistics from today's run:
Miles run 20
Miles my foot hurt: 16
People I knew on the trail today: 8
Gu energy gels consumed: 4
Times I said to myself it was a perfect day to run: 285

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Run and walk today

Walked 2.5 miles with my buddies Don and Mark. Mark is rehabbing a broken leg and is making great progress, walking farther and faster every time I see him.

Then I ran 3.5 and had a great run. What a difference a week- and a massage, physical therapy, 800 mg Ibuprofen- can make. On my 18 mile run almost 2 weeks ago I finished in tears because everything hurt and I couldn't imagine finishing a marathon. Today it felt so good to run that I feel like I will definitely finish the marathon!

Thanks , Turtle buddies, for the fun walk and talk today. I do so much running alone it was nice to have some company today.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

January weather?

So nice to run yesterday in 37 degree sunny weather. January has been good for outdoor activities- I have walked, run twice, and kayaked in the last 5 days! I ran down Park Lake Road yesterday and it reminded me of my days working in Haslett when I would run in that area. Forgot how many hills that road has, but I need hill work so it was perfect. So glad to have my GPS watch when I run in different places.

Physical therapy evaluation yesterday with the expected results of foot issues, creaky knees, and IT band problems. For the IT band I need to roll it regularly- it's so awkward to use a foam roller on the outside of my leg but a rolling pin was suggested, so I will try that. That will add to my collection of weights, foam rollers, big exercise ball, small exercise ball, Pilates circle, and hand weights all crammed in my den!

Today is even nicer outside, but I need a day off from activities- though kayaking may be too tempting to resist after work-

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

aaahhhh massage

And the treat for the many miles on Sunday, a massage last night!Before that I did walk 2 miles with my walking buddy Jill, and it was sunny but very windy, and the Sharp Park trail was slippery in several spots.

When Sarah massages my scalp I can feel my whole body relax. However I can't say the same thing about when she gets to some of the sore spots in my hips and feet! One bonus of my massage therapist also being a wonderful cook and baker- chocolate marshmallow cookies with sprinkles to take home!

Monday, January 7, 2013

19 miles on Sunday January 6

I slogged out 19 miles on Sunday, my longest run so far. The trail was pretty good but the bridges were snow covered and slushy and a few spots were icy. I saw a deer and a Great Blue heron, and tracks in the snow along Aurelius Road near the Zoo that were the biggest bird tracks I have ever seen- as big as my hand!

My husband asked me if my long run was fun, of course "fun" being a pretty relative term! After thinking about it I realized that last time I trained for a marathon it was in the late summer and fall when the trail was never slippery or snow covered, and I often had a friend running with me for part of the run, and a lot more people were on the trail. On my winter long runs I am alone and don't see too many other runners, and always have to watch my footing for ice or snow, so it seems like a lot more work. However, knowing what I am training for makes it worth every step!

I don't use my iPod when I run outside, and so sometimes I get terrible songs stuck in my head, which can get very tedious unless I am distracted by something else- "look! a fluffy cloud!" Oh yes, 4 hours alone outside can make clouds seem exciting...

My foot hurt a lot the last few miles, so I think I need more adjustment to my orthotics. It's always something, but my strained calf tendon and IT band issues didn't flare up as badly as sometimes, so I am glad about that.

training for a marathon in Antarctica

Living and running in Michigan winters for the past 20 years has made running in Antactica a bit less of a challenge than for those living in warm climates. I don't mind running in the winter and have the clothes, trail shoes, YaxTrax ice grippers for my shoes, etc. needed for winter. I used to say I wouldn't run in temperatures below zero degrees air temp, but I did, thanks to peer pressure from my running group The Turtles! Knowing they will show up and not wanting to be the only wimp I of course show up no matter what the weather. Hey, I didn't say we were smart, just dedicated to running.

I started ramping up my long run mileage in early December, adding a mile to each weekend long run. I have built in to the plan several weekends when I know that a long run will not be possible, and plan to do my last long run of 22 or 24 miles on the beach in Daytona mid-February. That is my carrot to keep me slogging away in the cold and slippery weather!

Each long run has brought a different ache or pain, and my physical therapist has been amazing at getting me back on the trail. I have "Team Cherry" as my husband calls it, with the wonderful group of Dr. Kovan for sports medicine, Kelly for therapy, Sarah for massage, and Dr. Johnson for my feet. I had knee surgery in 2008 and foot surgery in 2011 so am glad to be training for a marathon after those potentiallydebilitiating surgeries.

Antarctic trip background

I have always wanted to go to Antarctica. I have a decent collection of books on that subject, and have followed all the treks across the Whilte Continent with fascination. My favorite explorer is Robert Falcon Scott even though his expedition was doomed, and of course Shackleton is a hero and led one of the most amazing true life adventures ever recorded. I like snow and ice and extreme weather, and have alwasy been a traveller, so this is a dream trip for me.

I signed up for the trip originally in 1998 and then couldn't go. I signed up again in 2009 for this trip in 2013, so now it feels really close! I am going alone, since a trip to Antarctica is not most people's idea of a good time, and the cost and planning ahead is daunting. Fortunately I am going with Marathon Tours, the same company that I went to China with, so I know it will be a good trip and I like most runners. I am shy by nature so this will be a big adventure in more ways than one. My family is very supportive of the trip and excited that I am achieving a dream.

starting the Antarctica training blog

The marathon in Antarctica is March 7 this year, which by odd  coincidence happens to be my mother's birthday, and that makes this trip even more momentous in my life. This blog will be a diary of my training, planning, and experiences over the next two months. It will probably have a lot of runner geek stuff about the miles, injuries, trail conditions, etc so if you are not a runner you can skip over that part!