"Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go."
- Hermann Hesse
Friday, October 7, 2011
Broken
It's ironic that the title of my blog is the Broken Road. I have never felt as broken as I do tonight. I don't ever give up on anything. Ever. But I think that there comes a time when you really have to analyze your goals. If goals are unrealistic, sometimes it's more of a disservice to yourself to keep chasing them. Sometimes it's not. It takes a lot of reflection to be able to determine the difference. I am doing nothing tonight. I'm not running, I'm not going to the gym, and I'm not climbing. I'm going to sit in my bed and do nothing. Maybe just being will let me figure out where to go from here. If nothing else, at least I'll be well rested. As great as I am at being strong for everyone else, it's never been more apparent to me tonight that sometimes I need a shoulder to cry on too.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The Race
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." -Vince Lombardi
Lake Elsinore Survivor Mud Run
September 24, 2011
Race day was beautiful, sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky- though a little hot by my gun time (10:30am). The stadium was packed and there were already tons of people that had finished from earlier gun times. I was a little confused since most of the people that had run were wet, but not that muddy. The beginning of the race was rough, a lot of uneven off road terrain and no mud for the first mile and a half.
By a mile or so in there were noticable grumbles from other runners about the lack of mud. If only they knew what was around the corner... when they brought the mud, they brought the mud.
At the end of four long trenches filled with thick, sticky mud, I would have loved to step on a scale. I'm willing to bet I was at least 10 lbs heavier. We were all covered from nose to toes. The real trick was getting back into a running grove with the added weight and wet, soggy clothes. I managed to find a rhythm again and actually found that running helped the mud come off more easily.
The obstacles were not that difficult, although the 10 foot tall cargo net almost sent me into a panic attack since the last time I was on a cargo net I hurt my knee. The four foot tall solid walls were easier than I expected, giving me hope that one day I might actually make it over a six foot wall.
The run was one of the better mud runs I've done and definately pushed me. I came in just over an hour. I must admit, I was disappointed with my time when I finished- I really wanted to keep my time under an hour this run. If there is one thing that I have learned though, it is that comparing mud run to mud run is like comparing apples to oranges. Because of the difference in terrain, elevation, and obstacles, there simply isn't a way to compare.
Results were posted the following day and it was amazing for me to see how far I've come since my last run just two months ago. In the Irvine Lake Mud Run I was top 50% overall and top 35% in my brackets. At the Lake Elsinore Mud Run, I was top 25% overall (men and women) and top 13% in both my brackets.
I have been sore this week. I didn't realize how much I pushed myself until the adrenaline started wearing off. But I finally know exactly what they mean when they say, "Pain is temporary, pride is forever." I admit I have been starting to drag on my training recently. I am hoping that this boost will give me the confidence and the motivation to kick it up a notch.
This is really just the beginning of something amazing.
Lake Elsinore Survivor Mud Run
September 24, 2011
Race day was beautiful, sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky- though a little hot by my gun time (10:30am). The stadium was packed and there were already tons of people that had finished from earlier gun times. I was a little confused since most of the people that had run were wet, but not that muddy. The beginning of the race was rough, a lot of uneven off road terrain and no mud for the first mile and a half.
By a mile or so in there were noticable grumbles from other runners about the lack of mud. If only they knew what was around the corner... when they brought the mud, they brought the mud.
At the end of four long trenches filled with thick, sticky mud, I would have loved to step on a scale. I'm willing to bet I was at least 10 lbs heavier. We were all covered from nose to toes. The real trick was getting back into a running grove with the added weight and wet, soggy clothes. I managed to find a rhythm again and actually found that running helped the mud come off more easily.
The obstacles were not that difficult, although the 10 foot tall cargo net almost sent me into a panic attack since the last time I was on a cargo net I hurt my knee. The four foot tall solid walls were easier than I expected, giving me hope that one day I might actually make it over a six foot wall.
The run was one of the better mud runs I've done and definately pushed me. I came in just over an hour. I must admit, I was disappointed with my time when I finished- I really wanted to keep my time under an hour this run. If there is one thing that I have learned though, it is that comparing mud run to mud run is like comparing apples to oranges. Because of the difference in terrain, elevation, and obstacles, there simply isn't a way to compare.
Results were posted the following day and it was amazing for me to see how far I've come since my last run just two months ago. In the Irvine Lake Mud Run I was top 50% overall and top 35% in my brackets. At the Lake Elsinore Mud Run, I was top 25% overall (men and women) and top 13% in both my brackets.
I have been sore this week. I didn't realize how much I pushed myself until the adrenaline started wearing off. But I finally know exactly what they mean when they say, "Pain is temporary, pride is forever." I admit I have been starting to drag on my training recently. I am hoping that this boost will give me the confidence and the motivation to kick it up a notch.
This is really just the beginning of something amazing.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Month One
One month down. Feels like so much longer when I stop to think about it. Even when I am so sore I don't want to move, I still love the way my body feels. There's nothing in the world like feeling your body respond when you want to push your limits. The things I've accomplished in one month are both exciting and motivating.
Add to that the fact that I found today that the requirements for the academy have changed and no longer list a 1.5 mile run in the activities in the Physical Fitness Test. I am still shooting for an 8 minute mile as this will no doubt help me succeed in the academy. But knowing it's not looming over my head is a huge relief.
Tonight I PR'd. Almost made the full 1.5 miles like I had hoped but ran out of road before I finished. But it was over a mile and it was under 9 minutes a mile. Just for the sake of comparison:
On July 9, 2011 (before I started training), I ran 1.59 miles in 21:36 with a 13:36 min per mile.
On August 28, 2011, I ran 1.4 miles in 13:10 with a 9:25 min per mile.
On September 14, 2011, I ran 1.26 miles in 11:08 with an 8:48 min per mile.
I am floating on a cloud. I know it's not much and I know I still have a ton of work to do to get where I want to be, but it's a huge step in the right direction. I'm one happy girl tonight.
Without further ado... my totals for the month:
26.81 miles run
115.28 miles biked
Look at that! I ran a marathon. And it only took me a month. Lol. ;-)
Add to that the fact that I found today that the requirements for the academy have changed and no longer list a 1.5 mile run in the activities in the Physical Fitness Test. I am still shooting for an 8 minute mile as this will no doubt help me succeed in the academy. But knowing it's not looming over my head is a huge relief.
Tonight I PR'd. Almost made the full 1.5 miles like I had hoped but ran out of road before I finished. But it was over a mile and it was under 9 minutes a mile. Just for the sake of comparison:
On July 9, 2011 (before I started training), I ran 1.59 miles in 21:36 with a 13:36 min per mile.
On August 28, 2011, I ran 1.4 miles in 13:10 with a 9:25 min per mile.
On September 14, 2011, I ran 1.26 miles in 11:08 with an 8:48 min per mile.
I am floating on a cloud. I know it's not much and I know I still have a ton of work to do to get where I want to be, but it's a huge step in the right direction. I'm one happy girl tonight.
Without further ado... my totals for the month:
26.81 miles run
115.28 miles biked
Look at that! I ran a marathon. And it only took me a month. Lol. ;-)
Friday, September 9, 2011
Seeing Results
“There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.” –Bruce Lee
Great 24 mile bike ride today, random hill setting and all. Definitely feeling all these workouts this week. Yet, as much as I probably need a rest day, I'm too pumped up now to take one. Starting to see a lot of changes to my body and it's exciting now that the changes are starting to be physical and it all seems a little more tangible.
Working through my first of many plateaus now and thinking about how truly lucky I am to be able to chase my dreams. Each day I wake up and I remind myself how grateful I am to have this opportunity along with all the amazing people in my life I get to share it with. On the days that I forget to do it for myself, I remember to do it for them and, in a way, they own my victories as much as I do.
Great 24 mile bike ride today, random hill setting and all. Definitely feeling all these workouts this week. Yet, as much as I probably need a rest day, I'm too pumped up now to take one. Starting to see a lot of changes to my body and it's exciting now that the changes are starting to be physical and it all seems a little more tangible.
Working through my first of many plateaus now and thinking about how truly lucky I am to be able to chase my dreams. Each day I wake up and I remind myself how grateful I am to have this opportunity along with all the amazing people in my life I get to share it with. On the days that I forget to do it for myself, I remember to do it for them and, in a way, they own my victories as much as I do.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Now I'm Sore....
First day running distance runs back to back. Definitely slower than I had hoped but trying to cut myself a break since it was still 100 degrees out when I started and I ran over 4 miles yesterday too. My legs are feeling it, but I keep reminding myself of one of many Marine Corps mottos: Pain is weakness leaving the body. Simply reframing it seems to make it more bearable. Plus, I kind of feel like a rockstar when I think about the fact that I ran 8.5 miles in two days.
Will be taking my broken body to the gym tomorrow for a nice long bike ride. Hoping to ride for over an hour and get in the same ballpark as some of my previous distances. Who knows, maybe I'll throw a run in there too.
Been keeping up with my daily goal for sit ups and push ups. They get broken up a lot though so now I'm going to focus on getting more per set rather than fewer in more sets. Still haven't started my Beachbody program but I have been completely unconscious at 5:30 every morning after being up late the night before. Hopefully we'll get into a routine here soon so I can start adding that in too.
Big dreams for big goals. Still walking tall, even though I'm still very slow. Hahaha.
Will be taking my broken body to the gym tomorrow for a nice long bike ride. Hoping to ride for over an hour and get in the same ballpark as some of my previous distances. Who knows, maybe I'll throw a run in there too.
Been keeping up with my daily goal for sit ups and push ups. They get broken up a lot though so now I'm going to focus on getting more per set rather than fewer in more sets. Still haven't started my Beachbody program but I have been completely unconscious at 5:30 every morning after being up late the night before. Hopefully we'll get into a routine here soon so I can start adding that in too.
Big dreams for big goals. Still walking tall, even though I'm still very slow. Hahaha.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Working Hard
Great run tonight. Making the runs longer and longer as time permits and feeling good with the outcome. It's always a challenge since the last part of my run, no matter which route I take, is in sandy soil. Add that to the recent temps of mid 90's during my run and it's been a killer. I know it will help in the end- figuring out how to power through it and kick it up at the end of a run. Feeling great about my race on the 24th since many of my runs are near or over the 3.8 miles the race will be. The January race, well that's another story. One step at a time, one foot in front of the other. Like I keep telling myself- head up, heels down....
We will get there.
We will get there.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Wanted: Motivator
Can't shake this "blah" feeling. Need to just power through it, but I'm feeling so unmotivated. These are the times where I wish I had someone that would talk me up and keep me going. Someone that would get me out and hit the pavement with me. Or at least get me moving and out the door. I know that motivation should come from within. But sometimes it's okay to have a motivator in your life for those times when the self motivation is coming a little more slowly. Just have to keep reminding myself to keep my head up, my heels down, and my direction forward. Eventually I will make it. There's no choice but to be successful.
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