Running Code 3

OMG!  This week started off soooooo wrong!  So wrong!  How can this be?  I had a good week last week, why?  Why?

I know that not all weeks are the same.  I know that some are good, some are bad, and some are downright U-G-L-Y!!!  I get that, but I want all good weeks from here on out!!!  (Said in best pouty, whiny voice ever!)  Here’s the thing … I understand … I get that sometimes in order to progress you have to take a step-back, you have to downshift … and I know that’s what’s happening.  I know that’s what my body has had to do in order for me to move forward.  So … here I sit … stuck in second gear, or almost in reverse kinda.  I’m just idling … yeah, that’s what it is … Idling.

My body doesn’t quite recover quite as quickly from working 12 hour night shifts anymore.  It’s sporadic … but most nights have been rough on me lately.  I know what it is … I’m just not getting good, quality sleep on some days and I’m running on an empty tank.  That makes a big difference.  I know that as long as I get a good nap in on that first day, I’ll be good to go for the upcoming night and nights.  But if I don’t sleep good, I’m toast!

All this week, all I have wanted to do is sleep!

Sunday:  I meant to do something in the morning after working all night.  Instead … I drove home and I crawled into bed with every intention of waking up early and doing something.  I did.  I got up and I planted myself on my spin bike and rode for 10 miles.  30 minutes.  Perfect.  I worked a little on my core, but other than that, that was it.

Monday:  I gots no data for you.  I can tell you that I was beat down exhausted after getting my behind kicked at work.  12 hours running around without a break … yeah … I was tired.  A little stretching, and massage, but that’s all.

Tuesday:  Again … NOTHING.  I know.  What’s happening here, Row.?  What the hell?!  It’s so unlike me to have nothing.  But like I said, I was exhausted.  What can I say?  I have no excuses. I did go get my hair done, then got my eyebrows threaded, then I did go to lunch with one of my good friends, Linda!  Life is good.  In case you’re wondering, I am feeling a little bit weirded out that I haven’t done anything strenuously physical, but I know that I physically can’t do it.  I’m so run down and feeling so out of it.

Wednesday:  Okay … It gets a little better here.  I went to Cross Fit!  OMG!  I loved it.  Too much fun for me.  I told Gabe, my trainer, that I was a little out of my element and that I was slightly intimidated.  He laughed at me.  He said, “I can tell just by looking at you that you look like a phenomenal athlete, and I don’t even know anything about you.” Let’s just say that I wanted to puke at least three times, but in typical Row. fashion, I gutted it out and finished the hour long workout.  Rowing, jump rope, dead lifts, then 12 minutes of 5 burpees, 5 flat hand push-ups, and incremental clean and press/jerks … Whooo whee!  Run one mile, then back to core – 50 x weighted Russian Twists, and 20 x weighted sit-ups … I did this 4 times!  Awesome!  I so needed this.  I talked to Gabe for a little bit, told him what my goals were, and he told me that in the month that I’m there, he would break me down to build me up!  I am so thankful that my friend Ly gave me her groupon, and that my friend, Gina, convinced me that I could do it.  I love my friends!  I can tell that it’s going to be a gnarly 30 days, and I’m sooooo looking forward to it!

Thursday:  Talk about D.O.M.S.  My body is TIGHT!  Holy crap!  Yeah, I’m a slacker.  All I did today was a lot of stretching and got a massage.  Whoa.  I’m sore.  Yeah, I told you, the nights have been kicking my butt big time!  I’m not gonna fret anymore about not getting a workout in.  It is what it is.

On another note, my friend Judy was going to run the SF Giants Half with me on Saturday, but at the very last minute – literally the very last minute, had to bow out of this half.  What the heck?!?  It was a mad dash to find a replacement, but not to worry, my friend and running buddy, Cory, was able to  find coverage for her shift and stepped up and agreed to run the Giants Half with me.  =)  Yea!!!  (**I’m really sorry, Judy, that you had to bow out.  You’re a great running buddy and you know that I love running with you!)

Friday:  Nothing.  Rest day ’cause tomorrow is a half marathon!

Saturday:  I have NO expectations for today.  I really just want to run and have fun.  I’m thankful that my friend, Cory, was able to get the time off and was able to run with me.  We started our day pretty early – 0500.  We ran to Manteca to pick up Cory’s bib, then headed for SF.  We got there on time, except parking was horrendous!  Lots of traffic!  But eventually we made it into Lot A and headed straight for the porta potties!

The start was somewhat chaotic as well with 15,000 people running the half marathon, 10K, or 5k.  I lost Cory for a second as we headed into the corral – there was a little bit of a panic.  Not to worry, I found her.  I did not find Shiloh or Mel though.   =[  It was decided that Chris would run the 10k since he had not been training.

Race day was perfect.  The weather at the start was about 55, cool, overcast.  Nice.  The race started on time, no delays.  Lots of happy people surrounded us as we ran down Embarcadero.  I found Endorphin Dude just as we hit mile 1.  I just about gave him a heart attack as I hugged him from behind.  Posed for a quick pic, then a hug and I was off!

The miles went by pretty quickly and were uneventful.  Cory and I just enjoyed the scenery and focused on the mileage.  Our training called for 11 miles today, and we were happy to not be running in Stockton.  At around Mile 6, we saw Brian Wilson, and hit Crissy Field at about Mile 6.5.  There was an abundance of aid stations and porta potties throughout this half.  Lots of great volunteers that provided much needed encouragement.  Miles 6.5 to 8 were run on sand which provided a little challenge for Cory.  We had fun, pushing each other every step of the way.  I am thankful for my ability to run backwards to encourage Cory every so often.

Mile 11 got hard for Cory, but she was never that far behind me.  I ran ahead and started to encourage the other runners.  I love doing that.  I know that they were thankful, too,  because a few of them found me at the end to thank me.  I really enjoy doing that for others.  Running into AT&T Park was amazing.  I loved it.  I like the Giants, although I don’t follow baseball much except for that of my boys.  This half was really nice and very organized.  Loved the course!

The after race Expo was a different story.  Talk about CHAOS!  Lots of walking and mazes.  But we eventually got our post race goodies – Race Shirt, Medal, and bobble head.  So much fun!  I loved that half, and I plan to run it again next year!

I know that this week lacked a lot of mileage and quality workouts.  The one workout and run that I did were awesome!  But in all honesty, I have been burning that candle at both ends and have just worn myself out this week and needed to rest.  I’ve got lots planned for the upcoming weeks though.  Not to worry … I’m gettin’ back on that bandwagon pretty quick here.

Week 9 brings much promise and a chance to start over again!  I have two halves coming up in September, starting with the Disneyland Half next Sunday!  Changing my mindset and mixing up my workouts is going to be awesome!  So thankful to be blessed with good friends, a body that works like a machine, and for the ability to do what I do and have what I have (work, travel and run local races, workout, be a mom, be a wife, etc.).  So even if this week was a bit of a minor disappointment in that I had to downshift and slow down to an almost complete stop, I know that it’s not permanent and that it’s not the end of the world.  My life is still awesome, and I am still one very blessed woman!

Have a great week everyone.  Train smart, train hard, and have fun while you’re at it!  =)