Ready In Their Own Time Not Ours

As a runner that has been fortunate enough to only experience an ITB issue, there was the physical pain but worst the mental anguish of not knowing when it was going to disappear, get better, vanish, something.  Additionally there was the mental exhaustion of having it worsen during two marathons with no idea how I could sustain it to make it to the finish line.  Quitting was not an option but running marathons for me is a hobby in my lifestyle - it's not my passion nor my job.  

Injuries have plagued the key go-to players for several NBA teams this season with the result of losses that diminished the hopes of very promising teams entering the finals.  The Lakers, without Kobe Bryant, really had no chance.  The Thunder and the Bulls put up a fabulous fight in their respective Conference semifinals without Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose. In fact, Kevin Durant just looked lonely without Westbrook. The Celtics just kept looking short-handed without Rajon Rondo.  And even though David Lee decided to come into one game to help his team, the Warriors are most definitely missing his presence. So what do they feel mentally?

Sitting on a bench or at home tweeting the game away with no real way to physically help the team.  Missing the camaraderie that comes with professional sports because of surgery and doctor restrictions.  Making the same quick moves before on the court and all of a sudden, this injury creeps up out of nowhere. And the return must be even scary or challenging?  These are high performers and they must be at least as good as before or better.  If not, the critics will nail them.

Clearly I can never measure up to their athleticism, but once I took the first step to run the next marathon I believed I could conquer it and I did - my best PR.  So while everyone was pressuring Derrick Rose to make a move and suit up in the playoffs, he and all the others will do that in their own time - when they are ready mentally and physically.  We, as fans, should just look forward to see how they overcome the challenge and maintain their greatness with some incredible comebacks.  For whatever reason, it is part of their course.

Getting Back to the Run of Things - Part 1

It is hard to return to running when other priorities have occupied your time. It is harder to even want to return to marathon-ing because it takes too much time that can be devoted to new initiatives and business ventures. No I don't train so I am talking about the travel and time associated to running two marathons a month. And with all the people running/walking marathons now, it just doesn't feel like an accomplishment anymore.  So this month, I will see if I have any renewed interest. 

This week I will wear my new Nike track shoes. Sprint workouts at the local track are better cardio and performance routines. If I can get in 8 1/4 miles and time them for less than 2 minutes each with a 2 minute break in between, I am good for 35 minutes. It's quick and I can focus on my core and arm strength and go to my boxing trainer or my choreographer. 

Check back next week to see how often this routine will be put to the test.

Brrr It's Too Cold to Run

My UnderArmour Beanie

I will be your friend to the end but I am a fair weather runner all day all year.  I don't have anything to prove to run a marathon (26.2 miles) in extremely hot weather, rain, or below freezing conditions. Call me a bit of a prima donna if you like but that does not matter to me because I have been delivered from other's opinions of me for years. I digress....Not knowing the weather this morning I stepped out of my hotel at 6am ready to get in a run and brrr.

I felt the chill that I felt in my bones in the first mile of the Suntrust marathon in D.C. two years ago in March where it was 26 degrees F at the start and 38 degrees F at my finish.  I ran with gloves the entire length and never warmed up and I promised I would not do that again. So I kept the promise to myself...I went back to the hotel after 6 miles and completed 6 miles on the treadmill followed by some weight training. 

Do I feel defeated or less accomplished?  No not at all, a lot wiser to know that it just isn't that deep for me to be cold in my extracurricular time. So next outdoor run in the winter - South Beach before 8am.  Oh because then I would be blogging that it would be too hot. 

TGIF

It's Friday and I am working remotely in the comfort of sunny Southern California.  Now I must determine how I can make it through a marathon, having only ever run 6 miles.  It is time to take it to the streets and see if I can do 6 miles with no ESPN Sports News.  An hour and some change later, done!

Back on the Internet, all the research indicates that it takes 4 months to train for a marathon.  I have 2 weeks!

No need to panic.  It only cost me a hundred bucks.  One source reveals that a long run for preparation for a half marathon is 10 miles and 18 miles for a marathon.   In my comprehension that means if I get to 10 and feel like I am going to pass out, cancel my entry in the San Diego Rock and Roll marathon and  find a half-marathon to run.

A phone call results in me having to head back to the East Coast - emergency in New York.  Now panic!  Where am I going to run in NY to test out my endurance?  I guess I will have to ride around and set the odometer and mark 5 miles to get this right.  There goes sunny training and swollen ankles for the flight to JFK.

What Can Be the Way Out?

It's 3:45AM.  Now this can not be a habit.  It kills my whole day to be up this early and work late.  Oh well can not work out with my trainer because he is on the West Coast and this schedule puts me home only on the weekends.  Not feeling this!  Guess I better run.

ESPN, let me know what is going on in a happy world.  The news is too close to home and too depressing.  Sports is motivational and recreational and I love it!  6 miles done.

I get back to the room and google marathons.  What a whirlwind of information on the Internet exists about marathon training.  Maybe I will run 6 miles three times/week, run a race for a sense of accomplishment, and relieve my stress from being on this assignment with this crazy chic all at the same time, and have some means of fitness in my life.  But how will I eat healthy here.  Do they know what that is here? This all sounds crazy.  It's much easier to find time to work out with my trainer on alternate weekends.

A New Goal to Survive

It's 3:30AM and I can't sleep.  The thought of having to see that crazy chic in meetings all day and deal with her abuse is just killing me. Why Lord, why have you put me here in the one of the most undesirable situations?  Of course, no answer!

I can't go back to sleep. Maybe I will run on that awful treadmill since there won't be any beach run or BH storefronts and fabulous houses to ease the boredom of a 5 mile run.  Okay I will get dressed and hit up the only treadmill that works.  Well the advantage - quiet, peace, privacy, and ESPN Sports News for an hour worked to my benefit because I did a whopping 6 miles - the most ever!  I am excited.

Head to the office and here comes the verbal lashing about a project plan that the UBCF created that is unreasonable even for the smartest and 90/hr work-week individuals.  She created the plan with unreasonable timeframes so why is she yelling at me - the person that told her the timeframes were off from the start.  Note to self: Look at her with a blank stare and ask her if she needs some help - not mental ward.
That worked for about an hour before she marched over for another verbal lashing.  I went to my laptop to add to my tithe.  I need credit with the Lord for my probable verbal slip-up with this chic.