Race Week: prep time.

I realized this week how much work goes into staying healthy sometimes. Last week, I started having issues with my SI joint. Friday afternoon, in a slight panic, I called up a chiropractic friend of mine (Dr. Noah Edvalson @ http://www.boisespinecenter.com/) and asked him to see me. He agreed and although I was racing on Saturday, the numbness I was experiencing in my leg was enough for me to break my "no manipulation pre-race day" rule. The mild adjustments did the trick and the shift was enough to relieve some the numbness temporarily.

It was back in full force by Sunday evening as well as knee pain and hamstring spasms so I scheduled an appointment with my miracle worker (Mike Devitt @ http://www.focus-pt.com/) and went in to see him on Tuesday morning. Sure enough, my SI joint was all screwed up and my pelvis was shifted almost 3/4"- as Mike put it, "what makes you a good athlete is how unrestricted the movement in your body is, but that is also your worst enemy". He was able to shift things back into place and I left feeling totally fresh and mobile. Next, I went in to see my massage therapist, Laura, who works wonders with estem on my lower T-spine and worked out the rest of my unhappy muscles.

That evening, when I was doing my neuro-muscular session, I felt like I was gliding and it occurred to me how amazing the body is at compensating. Sometimes you just KNOW something is off, even when you cannot pinpoint what it is because your body is a compensating machine!

It has been a light week but not an off week. Pat (my coach) put it well when he was "reminding" me to lift light this week, "This week is about getting all your normal motions and routines in but going light with the weight and reps to keep your body fresh." My main focus this week has been hydrating, eating well and enough, ice bathing, stretching, and chilling out.

Knowing that I have done everything in my control to set myself up for a good race allows me to let go of all the things I CANNOT control. This gives me an opportunity to use my energy positively instead of the opposite. I can't wait to get on that line on Sunday and for me, the process of getting there makes it worth it.

The weekend, a condensed version.

A few Idaho gals

On Saturday morning I woke up ready to roll. After choking down a peanut butter and honey sandwich at 6 am, I went through my pre-race routine. This included, cuddling with my dog for 15 minutes, taking a "poor man's" ice bath for 20 minutes, rolling on tennis balls for 10 minutes and then taking a time-to-wake-up shower. I left the house with a cup of coffee in hand, ready.

True to past experience, the warm up was anything but comfortable as I chatted with myself out loud to let some of my nerves out and talk myself to calm. Sometimes reminding yourself out loud why you run and that, yes, you enjoy it (most of the time) helps to keep things in perspective. Or just makes you look a little crazy and that is fine too.

The Women's Fitness Celebration is the single largest race in Boise. Capitol Boulevard that morning was alive with estrogen and let-it-all-out dance moves. I smiled as I did my drills and strides, the energy was incredible. When the gun went off, my nerves went with it. That is the feeling I live for-the complete control and confidence that comes when you race off the line, perfectly prepared and engaged in YOUR race.

The past week of training had been intense, more mileage and intensity than I had ever done so I knew that I was relying on fitness and strength to get me through the race-not freshness. But I had both and it translated to a race that I was happy with. Not only with the result but most of all with the process of achieving the result. As with every race I have ever run, I over-evaluate the process and find things I could have and should have done differently but isn't that why we keep coming back for more? I believe that the day I stop doing that is the day I stop competing.

my ice bath creek-about 40 degrees

After finishing the race, cooling down and getting in a session of DST (dynamic strength training) I took off to the mountains for my ice bath. Okay, I did not go solely for that purpose but it was a good excuse to get away. Sunday morning's long run at 6700 feet was a perfect recovery and start to the morning-the view wasn't bad either. Another reminder why I love and will always be a runner.

Sawtooth moutains, long run view

More than a runner.

This summer has been a busy one, aren't they all? It seems as if the older I get the more quickly summer passes by which, leads me to wonder if that will always be the case. Will summer feel just days long when I am 70?

But this post is not about aging, it is about defining: Who are you aside from being a runner?

This summer I posed this question to two groups of athletes. Once at a high school co-ed cross-country camp and once more at my husband's women's team training camp. I have talked about balance in previous posts but I feel strongly about this question. Who are YOU aside from being a runner? What, aside from being an athlete, defines you? The answers and reactions surprised, saddened, and delighted me. There were clear answers, insightful comments and exploration, and even tears from some.

Too many times have I seen devastation over an injury or illness that side lines a runner.  I have also experienced this and been forced to reconcile with with the self-doubt and fear that comes from having my DEFINITION stripped out from underneath me. Then I realized, I am so much more than a runner.

Key set backs in my running:
Anorexia - lost 10 YEARS
Swine flu - lost 2-3 weeks
Fibular stress fracture - lost 10 weeks
Calf strain - lost 3-5 weeks
Hernia surgery #1 - lost 4 weeks
Hernia surgery #2 - lost 10 days

Who am I aside from being a runner?
Writer
Musician
Outdoorswoman
Dog lover
Sales rep
Companion & friend
Sister & daughter

This thought forces us, as runners, to walk a fine line. The line of complete dedication and balance. I am not suggesting that we don't put all we have and can into our athletic pursuits-lord knows I would be a hypocrite-I am merely suggesting keeping our minds in a balanced place. Running isn't EVERYTHING but it's SOMETHING right now. And that's okay-admirable even. But, I, for one, am more than a runner.

I  hope you are too.

Balance and PB & J: Part 2

So, to get back to my rediscovery of the greatness of PB & J...

Last Saturday I took off for a much needed head-clearing adventure with Drake, my 90+lb. Weimeraner. My destination...Crimson Lake in the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness. After stopping for some water and a pee-break (both of us needed it) in Stanley, Idaho I drove 13 miles Northeast on Hwy. 75 and turned off at Sunbeam. A few miles down the road, the pavement turns to packed dirt and gravel and about 8 miles further I reached the ghost town of Bonanza. Another mile on a narrow, bumpy, washed out road brought me to the West Fork trailhead where we were to start the journey. 

I had initially planned to backpack up to Crimson Lake (8.5 miles - one way) and stay the night but at the last second changed my mind and decided to make it a long, long day hike. I set off with Drake leading the way with the type of excitement and anticipation that can only be portrayed by a four-legged buddy. We winded through an old burn area where the previously untouched-by-the-sun soil was vibrant with new life. Painted, lush meadows were abundant and the West Fork of the Yankee Fork of the Salmon River flowed alongside the trail within easy reach. Across scree fields, through open meadows and chilly creek crossings the hours passed quickly and pleasantly. With 3 miles to go the going got extremely steep and kept getting steeper. My breathing turned heavy and Drake's pace slowed significantly as he stopped in shady spots to wait for me and rest himself. Time after time, I thought, "It HAS to be just over this ridge" but I knew it was not the case - sometimes I wonder at how easily I can trick my mind. When we finally arrived at the lake we were both exhausted and found a shady area where we could relax and recover.

The view was spectacular and at-once I regretted my decision to not stay the night. In fact, I considered just roughing it (no sleeping bag, no tent) but realized at almost 11,000 feet it would certainly get chilly and Drake does not have a lot of meat on him. In preparation for this trip, I had crafted four peanut butter and jam sandwiches which I consumed most of without a second thought. It has been literally years since I ate pb & j and I had not realized what I was missing. After about an hour I realized it was time to get rolling unless I wanted to finish in the dark - ummm....in bear country? No, thank you. 

Now, if you don't know me I will tell you this - I am a climber. I prefer to climb. Did I mention, I love climbing?? Equally as passionately, I hate descending. In the midst of an excruciating climb I always manage to convince myself that  I can't wait to go downhill for once and then, I am reminded. But, down we went and my feet hollered at me, “hey! Get us out of these boots!” And I hollered back, “I am moving as fast as you’ll let me!” Yes, I may have been slightly delirious from a combination of heat, slight dehydration, lack of calories, and 17 miles of hiking. Eight hours (7:45 to be exact) from when I began the hike, I finished it. Shaky legged and weary but satisfied, I made quick work of getting Drake fed and watered up after which he collapsed in the back seat with an extremely dramatic series of groans.

After chugging almost a full gallon of water, I drove about 7 miles down the road to set up camp at a site I had spotted on the way up – next to a creek, under a huge mass of fir trees. It was 8:45 pm and I was shutting down rapidly. I barely had the tent up before Drake was in it – passed out. I envied him.  The thought of skipping dinner momentarily crossed my mind as my sleeping bag unfurled but some semblance of sanity remained and I trudge up the hillside to gather firewood. As soon as hot coals began to form I opened a can of veggie chilly into them and waited for it to warm. Becoming impatient, I scarfed it down luke warm and spread the coals until a faint amber glow remained. A quick teeth brushing and wash in the creek and I was asleep next to Drake. We slept until 10:30 the next morning.

The next morning I took my time making breakfast and drinking my cowboy coffee. As I sat staring at the bubbling creek I felt refreshed – too soon to be sore – and balanced. Alone with my thoughts, my goals became more clear and I felt rejuvenated for the months ahead. In particular, my thoughts turned to my goals for running; first, regaining some specific fitness, next renewing my passion for racing, finally reaching my ultimate goal of qualifying for the Olympic Trials. The over-arching goal felt achievable and I anticipated the work with excitement. On the drive home I finished the remaining pb & j sandwich and thought, “what a perfect balance.”