Running paused but fundraising help still needed!!

 

Until the MRI on Friday there’s a pause button on my running schedule.

I don’t want to talk about it. 

Especially with a track workout out (remember how much fun) , a first time 16 miler & a fun Color Run on the agenda for this week.

But while I want to burst in to tears when I see a runner or the thought of  the words “4-6 weeks rest”  I’m going to try to remember the bigger picture….why I’m doing this .

 So while I start to prepare a plan B action of how to  strengthen for the marathon , I’m going to continue to spread my motto of finding the fun & confidence in health.

Would you please consider donating to  my fundraising efforts to not only support me (which is deeply felt) but the thousands of children it positively impacts?? 

For the price of a coffee (and that’s good stuff) you can show your support for finding happiness in health.

THANK YOU!!!!

 

14 Long, tough, slow miles

Last Saturday hit 14 miles, wrapping up the 11th week of training it hit the half way mark & provided as a turning point…and a reminder to check in on fueling and injuries…

 

Given that I skipped my runs during the week due to the shin splints, I wasn’t too sure how the long run was going to go. I was hoping that it would be like last weekend and my legs needed to just warm up.

My second concern was the new battle of needing fuel but bloodsugars saying no. I had HoneyStingers instead of chomps (more per serving = being able to mix up carb amounts more) and did 1/2 serving of Cytomax split between two bottles in my fuel belt (5 carbs each).

I was excited for this run because it was taking us across Queensborough bridge and around Roosevelt Island – something I always wanted to explore when I lived down in the 60s.

I knew Jackie wouldn’t be there this weekend but figured I would be able to stick around the beginners group that I’m usually with. I caught up with Erica before we started but I knew that even with her taking it easy I wouldn’t keep up …especially if I was taking it easy for my shins.

Already overly thirsty before our warm up and having chugged some Nuun on the bus down I hopped into the bathroom line after our jog which lead to missing the pre-stretching. When I returned to the group I followed the coaches directions to where everyone was ……only to quickly realize that it was either the advance or intermediate group …. none of the usuals. I quickly asked another coach where the beginners group was and ran down the block (essentially making a circle). Flashback to that fear of being left behind by the team when the bus stopped.

And we were off!

Garmin was being stupid and wouldn’t catch a satellite ….didn’t help that I didn’t reset it until we were already moving. After playing with it for the first half of the bridge I figured I would just start it from the bottom.

I didn’t feel awesome from the start but got into a discussion over compression sleeves/socks with some girls and Erica for the better part. As soon as we hit Queensborough Bridge Park I started to drop back (uh from 10:25 to 12:03?).

When we got over to Roosevelt Island they had a Gatorade stop set up (thank you TFKer Michael Ann!!) so I did a blood test check in – 233 …. no fuel for me! So I tried to ignore the 2 bottles of Cytomax and just drank the water. When we passed it again at about 6.5 I did another bloodtest – 155 ….still no fuel but then I started mixing in the Cytomax, spreading out the 11 carbs. I was hurting after this. I needed fuel but not going to happen. I was drinking water but not an insane amount and was feeling a mixture of thirst and water logged. At around mile 7 I thought I might actually throw up. It had nothing to do with bloodsugars. It was having nothing to go with the liquid. Around this time one of our coaches feel in step with us ( I was a few feet behind two others) and we started chatting fuel. He’s an ultramarathoner who usually runs with the advance group so I haven’t really ran with him since the open house fun run. He seemed to have a more natural approach to fueling and agreed with the less but more often / steady approach. When we reached the Gatorade stop for the final time I did another check in – 110 – finally! I could pop some chews. I took 6, I probably could have gotten away with 4 but I thought about how there was 5 miles left. At this point I got dizzy. Luckily we were waiting for more water and the gang to regroup (though I was one of the last to come in) so I was able to double over and catch my breath. It was not an awesome feeling.

Then we headed back across Roosevelt Island Bridge … by the time I hit the road again I was dragging! On Roosevelt Island I would catch up with some of the group along the water stops but this time they were far ahead. I caught up to two of the guys during the stop lights but on the way back over Queensborough bridge they were just in eye sight. I played music but barely paid attention. I did try to pay attention to my form, ignored the fact that there was no more water until the end and tried to just push forward. I finally made it to the end. I had completely given up any care about my pace or the fact that I was one of the last few. Did those facts suck ? Of course – but if I gave even a second to those thoughts it would have killed any remaining energy I had.

So while the legs weren’t it the best of shape it was more about the fueling that made it rough. It definitely helped to be in a totally new area

 

The splits don’t quite break it down but it’s approx 14 miles.

 

It’s Happening {#ingnycm training}

It’s happening

I’m a part of this

And this

(you can help my efforts in promoting healthy lives for youth here)

This isn’t really old news, in fact I made the decision the day of the marathon last year …and my friends have heard plenty about it since. But now training season is in full effect. Weeks are being counted and days are being counted down. It’s no longer a wide planning stage – it’s a happening stage.

I’m a part of a training season.

As I take steps further and further into the running community it’s easy for me want to try to fit right in. I know what Gu/Chomps/shot blocks are. I know what tempo runs and farleks and strides mean (sort of). I know about the power of protein & carbs, the importance of refueling and what glucosamine is. All stuff I paid no attention to or had never heard of two years ago (well except carbs & proteins).

That’s the thing – this is all new. There’s hype and excitement, especially as everyone has started training for the #ingnycm … as there should be!!

Everyone is sharing their goals, reflections, plans, schedules and lesson <– all things I learned from many in the blogsphere as they tackled it last year.

But let’s take a step back from all that for a minute.

I’m going to run a marathon! 26.2 miles.

Forget the Diabetes for a second. It’s easy.

Let’s see this from the perspective of a girl who spent more time on the bench then in games.

Who would hop off the surfboard when waves threatened a thrashing.

Or who got self-defeated at the lack of coordination during a pick up game of tennis.

That thought the only people running off the field were born for the track. { if I remember correctly, we had a good track team but they definitely didn’t get a wide range of love. While other sports cross pollinated during off-season, most track kids were running all year-long, further supporting my theory that track kids were the one that were made for running – lived it, breathed it, dreamed it}

That girl will be running a marathon in just over 4 months. Her first marathon. My first marathon.

Ok now let’s bring the Diabetes back into the concept.

I never thought I could not do something – it just was an understanding that it might come with a little more restriction/challenge/planning.

Last year I had been deep in my addiction of blog reading. It got me to become a morning runner, it got me to push my mileage, it got me to push me, while also discovering self-appreciation and strength – and the room to grow.

So when marathon training hit NYC last summer I was pushing myself in the heat, I was getting out there early, I was running on a Saturday morning. Hitting 6 miles, PDR-ing at 12 miles {of shuffle}, knocking out 3 miles like I was used to them. I caught the excitement of running. It wasn’t a new activity but it was new levels & boundaries. I followed along with the highs & lows. Observing & taking notes, inspired by people who were also exploring this crazy but welcoming world of fitness, health & running…many for the first time.

The 26.2 miles part? That was just something I was going to read recaps about. I began to get it, the idea seemed a little less crazy and a lot more fun but it didn’t seem a world I would ever fully enter.

But let’s be real, my control over my blood sugars is nowhere near the target. I think people think I have awesome “control” because I “handle it well”.  I’ve been trying all my life to get it at that target number. The do-gooder in me strives for it. My every movement is a reflection to this giant “goal” in which I continuously miss the mark. It’s part gamble, part calculation and part science experiment.

So throw in some serious running into the mix?? Yeah didn’t seem likely. One of those “if I get my blood sugars under control” moments.  (which is what I said about drinking … I’m 26) 

Oh but it is likely!  Because it’s happening. This year. November 4th to be exact.

And while I’ve given a lot of attention to the fact that I’m ready to take on the challenge of figuring this out with Diabetes – that is 100% do-able and I have no hesitation.

In a way the confidence and determination I have with the Diabetes can overshadow the fact that I’m still on the lower levels of  running – far from a racer … so  this is me acknowledging the complete crazy/exciting/awesome/big fact: I’m a newbie to this whole marathon training process and I have so much to learn!

Now that I’ve shouted it from the my blogging mountain top, get ready as I share all the first time experiences, learning tidbits and the good, bad & awesomeness of it all, sprinkled with some Diabetic perspective.

While I’ve been recording all my run recaps here, I have so much to expand upon & recap as I enter the 8th week of training with Team for Kids!!

Ahhh, whose excited??

Group Run: 6/2

                                     First Team for Kids group/long run! 

                                      

                                              There’s a lot of people! 

We had our first group/long run on Saturday – 5 miles was on the plan. 

Meet up time was at 8:30 on the west side …I’ve been spoiled in that my only other run group is a handful of blocks from my apartment and meets at 10am. I was booking it to get there on time – realizing it wasn’t too smart to get out of breath before even starting. 

It was misty out and I wondered if my first run with them would be also my first run in the rain. It ended up holding off and the sun was fully shining by the end (note to self: it is never too early/cloudy for sunscreen)

After the welcome speeches we all headed out for a quick warm up jog and then gathered to stretch. Calisthenics style. Um I can’t remember the last time I did high-knees, butt kickers & quick steps … high school sports?  It made me a little nervous of what was to come. But all of the coaches were awesome and getting everyone moving & laughing. I could see there were newbies, friends joining together and people reconnecting – it was pretty cool to have such a broad range. 

We broke off into beginner, intermediate & advance. 

I made sure to stop at every water fountain rest (anytime we passed one) plus I had a water bottle with me. I also hung out in the back of the pack (becoming a new trend) which I was ok with, I’m trying to keep it conservative while bouncing back from injuries and building my endurance up. We’re early to start training for the marathon as it is and I have plenty time to catch up. 

One coach even commented how 5 miles is a lot for the beginners for the first run and stressed that walking is good. That said, with all the water stops I’m a little surprised that I stayed under 12 min average pace. 

I was really impressed that the head coach remembered me from the open house fun run and the fact that I was Diabetic and took the time to check in with me. I didn’t get a chance to alert all of the coaches like I had done at the open house but I will be telling as many people as possible just so they’re aware. When the one of the beginner coaches did introduce himself to me at around mile 4 I put it right out there “hi, I’m Whitney, I’m Diabetic.” It’s a classy opening. I then proceeded to reassure  him  that I had 2 forms of ID (medical alert bracelet & roadID), a debit card (incase I need to buy sugar), my phone, chomps & my meter.

I do not travel lightly. 

Running Reflection – a rough 3 miles

Got my official training plan from Team for Kids for the New York Marathon.

Game on. {read about & support my involvement here: http://www.runwithtfk.org/Profile/PublicPage/7462}

Only, I went to the gym to knock out three miles and struggled. Like had to crank the pace down to walking struggle. Uh oh, that’s now a good sign. This rest for injuries really killed my endurance.

It’s comforting to know that I can knock out under 10 minute miles but it’s frustrating to realize I have to work my way back to it…and to be careful that it doesn’t come at the price of an injury.

{Weekend Recap}: Team Run & NJ

On Saturday Team For Kids had an open house  – including a fun run. I think I need a headband / arm band / t-shirt saying “I’m Diabetic” … it would save me a lot of time. Growing up in a small town where you knew most of your peers since pre-school, I forget that it’s not branded on my forehead for everyone to automatically know.

My approach : my body / my feelings / my disease/ my decisions / my responsibility. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t learn from others and it’s basic courtesy regarding liability for me to inform all of the coaches … plus it’s for my safety.  Not to mention it’s a pretty large part of why I’m doing this! My body & I have had some battles and we’re about to go up against a whole bunch more – training for this marathon (just as important as the marathon itself ) is for my body & mind to prove to each other that it can be done. Diabetes is just along for the ride.

That said, while I made a stupid move and ran my blood sugars high (I couldn’t go low on the first run – how lame would that be!) …it wasn’t the diabetes that dropped me to the last one to finish, it was my stupid hip. .::Sigh::. But moving my way to the back had me getting to know all three coaches. And now I’m even more psyched for training runs.

I ended up running in Central Park (score – a new route!), walking back through it from NYRR office to my apartment and then going back to meet a friend. Triple CP in one day.

That night I limped my way out to a girls night which took a slight detour to a girls slumber party in Hoboken when a friend had an allergic reaction.

That would mark my first stay in New Jersey. Sunday morning we laid out at the park (um Hoboken Park? I have no clue what it’s called) it was pretty looking into NYC and I saw lots of runners around the quad.

When I finally reached home (not to self: always carry extra needles & both insulins) I discovered I didn’t have my keys. After meeting the roomie in the East Village to grab hers I finally got back to the apartment at 6pm (and found my keys on my bookshelf…).

Headed to Target I decided to walk the trip … along the East River.  Definitely got my share of vitamin D and water views this weekend. Being Mother’s Day & summer weather, everyone was out to play and there were a ton of BBQs & block parties that had me smiling.

As I made my way back from Target I realized it was already 7:45pm how did that happen?!  I had one last workout due on my GymPact . My gym closes at 9pm – both locations. And I still had both set of keys. I quickly changed and booked it to the gym by 8:20  – perfect timing to get my 30 min in. The roomie made it back to the apartment at the 20m mark, so I had to hop off the elliptical to let her in. Instead of running back into the gym 10 min before they closed I decided to finish out the pact by running (jogging) a few blocks around the gym. Totally counts!

{image}

Moral of the story: sometimes those #short&sweaty workouts that you cram in between things are the best ones. Especially when you don’t have time to debate it and you go off pure adrenaline rush.

Friday Favorites: 12.16

Cafe Misto with Soy Milk & Nutmeg

(+ chipped manicure – it lasted a day)

My Team for Kids shirt came in the mail!

This is the first of many to come “this is real” moments.

Time to get serious.

 

Hand delivered clients out. A few mailings to go. Secret Santa gift under the tree. Heading to holiday party in T-minus 1 hour.

…..

I demonstrated some serious yoga deep breathing & patience in the holiday crowd.

One of my injuries is already hurting from all the obstacle running around the city I did today. I haven’t put on the heels to start the dance moves yet. I foresee a lot of icing in my near future.

…..

You never know what someone’s going through | Katy Widrick

I’m not sending out cards this year except for one: Send a Card to Max | PB Fingers

Life is full of decisions. Not all have to be difficult. Love this holiday interactive video from Madewell.