No More Pavement Runs

After the ice storm earlier this week, I know the trails would be too wet to get out for a run this morning. So, I joined up with the Landrunner's marathon training group and did a loop around the lake. I don't like to run on pavement because it really hurts my gut. I know, that doesn't make sense, but my digestive system gets screwed up for the rest of the day. Today was no exception. I ran with Shay for most of it. Reconnected with an old friend, Sueanna, and ran a bit with Stephanie, and finished off the last 2 miles with Lisa and Laura. Thanks all of you for getting me around the lake. I don't plan to run on pavement again any time soon.

Sledding

Sledding - it's not just for kids!

My training schedule had me out for a 2 mile run today. Not worth it to drive up to the trails, so I put my spikes on and did a little run in the neighborhood. I ran on the slushy-icy streets down to Will Rogers Park where the kids were sledding. I've run down there before to do hill repeats. For such a short run I might was well hit the hills. After going up and down a couple times, I grabbed an abandoned piece of cardboard and put my fat ass on it. What a ride! OK, not quite as much fun as when I was 9, but I enjoyed it!

Peace!

Icicle Run

When it's cold, you gotta dress for the cold...

I had my appointment with Dr. Odor today. Basically he said that it was too late to do anything for my L5-S1 disk. It's pretty much gone. L4-L5 disk is dehydrated and I would an ideal candidate for a a disk replacement. When? He said to wait until I just can't stand the pain anymore. For the last month or so, the pain is decreased significantly. Dr Odor attributes that to the destruction to L5-S1 and it's innervation. OK. Right now, ibuprofen works. When that stops working I'll go see him again.

Since his office isn't that far from Bluff Creek, I thought I'd go for a little run after the appointment. It's been icy out for a few days with a layer of sleet on top. I knew if I got out there while it was still below 32, the trails should be in great shape. So, I packed my sports bra, nylon tights, fleece tights, dry fit shirt, thick socks, gloves, gaiters, Get-A-Grips, hat, glasses. By chance did you notice I didn't list running jacket? I wish I noticed. Once I got changed and saw no jacket, I thought about going home, but it was so pretty out with all the ice and sunshine.

I put on my heavy wool coat and ran about 10 minutes. Too hot. Headed back to the parking lot to meet Melissa and changed into the sweater I wore for my doctor appointment. Quite fashionable, and worked! Not too hot, not too cold. The air temp was pretty cold and sucked the breath out of me as we ran. We were both good with 3.5 miles. And, no slips or falls!

YOU CAN'T EXPECT ME TO DO MATH WHEN IT'S THIS COLD!

Scott just shook his head when I left the house this morning. Wind chill was in the single digits again. I tried to explain that once you start running and are tucked in the trees, it's really not that bad. He's not a runner and just doesn't get it. Anyway, I had to get out there and figure out courses for the Sooner State Games Trail Run. After planning 3 different courses for Bluff Creek, we were denied a permit because the city wants to do some construction out there. Armed with her GARMIN we hit the trails. We warmed up quickly and had an OK run. We were both a little tired but made it, stopping frequently to check and right down split distances.

I've been told that the garmin isn't always accurate in the trails due to the switchbacks, but we were pretty close to what the signs said, so I think we have got our courses. YAY! One less thing to worry about.

It's been a good week. 28 miles of running!

Peace!

Scavenger Hunt At Bluff Creek

You know you have good friends when they are willing to help you look for your keys after a 5 mile run, at dusk, in the cold.
Thank you to Melissa, Keith, Peggy and Beth! The 5 mile run went so quickly. We spent most of it discussing our options for the Sooner State Games Trail Run as it seems Bluff Creek won't be available to us. We made our decision to hold it at Draper, just before reaching the parking lot. As we approached our cars, I realized I wasn't holding my keys! I never run holding my keys! I used to stick them in the pocket of my water belt, but once that started irritating my back, I stopped using it. Keys were stashed in my secret hiding place. I realized I was carrying them as we entered the trail. OK, I'll hold them.

Yikes, after 5 miles, of twisting turning trails, this could be a problem. My good friends all headed out with me - in separate directions. I remembered that I wasn't holding them when I "high-fived" Peggy when she agreed with me to choose Draper over Arcadia. That was at the Extension Loop. Then I remembered putting down my bottle to tie my shoe when I cyclist passed. That was the big help. Peggy remembered that was pretty early in the run. And I knew that it was on the left side of the trail, near a tree at a short incline. We did it! we found them!

Thanks friends!

Another Beautiful Day

We have been blessed with great weather lately. Is winter gone?

With such great weather I had to get out and run. My legs were a little sore this morning. At first I thought it was from yesterday's hard run with Shay. Nope, my new cross-training work out is Wii Bowling. I didn't know why I was sore until I bowled a couple games this morning. It's the lunges! WOW!

So I headed out to Bluff Creek for an easy 3.5. With about 10 minutes left in the run, I ran into Peggy and Beth going the other way. Of course I had to join them. I only stuck with them for about 15 minutes because my training schedule only asked for 2 miles today and I was well passed that already. But, you gotta run with friends when they are right in front of you.

My back seems to be healing. Usually when I hit a root hard with my foot, the impact puts my back into a spasm. Today, well, it only hurt my foot! I guess that's a good thing. Wouldn't it be great to be a strong runner again?

Namaste'

Just Like The Good Old Days

It's amazing what your body can do if you just ask it nicely.

What a great day for a run! It was one of those days where we pushed it a little, went outside of our comfort zone. I've been going too easy for way too long. Shay and I met at Bluff Creek - cool, but sunny. Neither of us said anything until we were about halfway through - 'are we running faster than usual?" It reminded me of the times when I used to be fast. OK, I was never fast, but I used to be a lot faster than I am now. Not only did I stop once to pee, twice to fix a shoelace and once after a pretty hard fall, but we beat my fastest time out there by a full minute!

Thanks Shay for pushing me a little.

Namaste

My Solitude

Sometimes it's great to run with a group. Sometimes you just want to be alone. I couldn't figure out what I wanted today. It all just didn't feel right. Today OTRA met up at Draper for our monthly group run. I ran with Lisa, Chris and Laura for a while, and met up with Melissa a couple miles in. Peggy and Beth were somewhere behind. Maurice and Charlie were somewhere ahead. Not sure where Keith was... The pace was comfortable, but I was not. Stopped to stretch my back a few times, let the group get away from me and I was fine. Caught up with the group, but then realized I felt better on my own. Do you every get that way? Maybe I wasn't in the mood for conversation.

A Cold Winter Morning

You just have smile when you hear hundreds of birds singing at the same time!

You can't really tell in this picture, but there were hundreds of birds in these trees. We stopped to try to get a picture, and as soon as it 'clicked' the birds were silent then all took off in a flurry of wings!

I don't remember the actual temperature, but when I was leaving the house Scott told me that the wind chill was in the single digits! Dressed in layers and layers, Shay and I took off into Bluff Creek. The cold air hurt my teeth. My body warmed up after about 1.5 miles, but the fingers, nose and toes still haven't thawed.

The trail looks so different in the middle of winter. I'll take a picture from this same place later in the spring.

Chisholm's New Year Run

What perfect weather for a long run. Who could have thought we'd get a 70 degree day on January 3rd??? Who knows how many turned out, but Chisholm said it was the largest crowd ever. The distance was 50K, but I think only 5 people went the full distance. (CONGRATULATIONS CHARLIE - His First 50K!!!) Shay and I did the 25 K. Heading up to the water tower after the Project Office was a challenge. That's where we felt the wind! I think most people turned around at the Project office. Our goal was to run it in 4 hours... I know, pretty slow, but I'm injured and neither of us had been training much. Our actual time was 4:01. We're gonna blame that extra minute on Debbie, Chisholm's mom, as we chatted with her on our return past the Project Office.

All in all, I'm darn tired, but glad I did it!

First Run of the Year

Happy New Year!

I met up with Melissa and Shay this morning at Bluff Creek. My back still feels OK, but I don't want to overdo it. We did a very easy 90 minutes run, staying in the trees as it was so windy. It was nice just going slow and talking. We talked about our running goals for the year. Melissa has a few races picked out, leading to a 100 miler next year. Shay doesn't have a plan yet, but is doing DanMan and a relay for the OKCMM Me? I have some things in mind, but will wait to formalize a plan until I meet with Dr. Odor. Until then, just keep running.

May you surpass all your 2009 running goals! And, let me know if there is any way I can help you reach them!

Peace!