Every Race is an Adventure!

4 mi @ 10:34/mi

I felt like I was pushing at 10K race effort to run 10:34/mi, but I'm thrilled to be able to run 4 miles with as little pain as I did this morning. My left ankle is still a little weak and sore but it held up well. It felt good enough that I decided to push my cardio and mental toughness this morning. I think I did okay.

I've been praying for healing for a long time. This morning I specifically prayed to not step on anything that would roll my ankles. God reminded me recently that I should not pray necessarily that my adversity be taken away, but for the strength and courage to endure well, work hard to overcome the adversity to the best of my ability, and learn all that I can from it.

4 miles @ 10:13/mi

I ran the first mile in 10:07 then stopped to drive the carpool to school. Immediately after, I ran the next three miles with splits of 9:53, 10:37, and 10:15. The last couple of miles had some stretches of moderate uphill. I maintained steady effort throughout. I'm quite satisfied with this run, and thrilled to be able to run again. 

As I've been trying to recover and get back into running I've mostly been running alone...going to short and too slow and too unpredictable to run with anyone else. I've been looking forward to a "normal" morning run with the gang. Wayne and Kevin were out of town this morning, but I did get to run 5 miles with Larry, Jolene, and Joe Judd...a grandma and 3 grandpas. At 52, I was the youngest one there.

I thought it would be enjoyable to get back into gang running, but...I completely underestimated how much I would enjoy it! It was like a hug and a home-cooked meal from Mom. I felt like I was home again.

The weather was a little chilly to begin with, but the sun was out and it warmed up. The conversation was good, intermixed with some huffing and puffing. We ran 5 miles @ 10:26/mi, which was pushing it a little at this point for all of us old fogies. It was just the right balance of gallop and gab.

With the kids out of school for spring break, I slept in this morning and ended up going out about 7:30am. The batteries in my Garmin were low so I just wore the Timex Ironman I wear around all day. I ran a known 4 mile course so I could calculate the pace after I finished. I ran it in 39:35, 9:54/mi.

I'm pleased. A sub-10:00 pace is fast for me these days. I was working pretty hard. With about a mile to go I was breathing so hard I started making noises like A, E, O every 3 steps with catch up breathing in between. It morphed into the following pattern that I repeated in my head, or maybe under my breath, for the last mile:

A-2-3  E-2-3  I-2-3  O-2-3  U-2-3  1-2-3  2-2-3  3-2-3

Throwing in a sometimes Y, and sometimes an extra 1-2-3, broke up the monotony and switched which foot I was starting on while still maintaining the rhythm. It was encouraging to feel the urge to work hard again, and be able to.

I should mention the weather. It was sunny and beautiful and about 50 degrees. Perfect. 

2 miles @ 10:39/mi. My ankle is still bothering me some. I know I can't do a full run everyday, but I want to take what my body will give me and do a little more at a time. Today was mostly a get out of bed, get dressed, and get out there running day. I gradually need to get my body adjusted back to my old routine. I really let myself go during this winter of my discontent. I've got a deep hole to climb out of. At least I'm headed in the right direction...knock on wood.

I met Larry after his walk with Kent and we went for an easy pace run, 4 miles @ 11:25/mi. I guess the upside of running so slowly is that we did it for a longer period of time.

It was great to run with Wayne, Larry, and Jolene this morning. I ran 6.15 miles @ 10:31/mi. Wayne and Jolene ran ahead and back a few times while Larry and I just tried to hang on.

Surprisingly, my back bothered me more than anything else this morning. My back used to sometimes hurt me in later miles on long runs, but not on a 6 mile run. My daughter asked me to help her serve at Habitat For Humanity this afternoon. I'm looking forward to it. I hope my back holds out.

I read again recently about the battle between Zerahemnah and Captain Moroni. Here are a few verses rewritten as I thought of them this morning while running (link to real verses is below):

 48 And it came to pass that when Paul saw the weakness and frailties of old age, he was about to shrink and flee from them. But when he perceived their intent, he inspired his heart with these thoughts—yea, the thoughts of his physical health, his mental well being, yea, his freedom from inactivity and poor health.

 49 And it came to pass that he determined to fight old age, and cried unto the Lord his God, for his fitness and his freedom from injury.

 50 And he began to stand against old age with power; and in that selfsame running season that he cried unto the Lord for his freedom, the effects of old age began to flee before him.

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/43.48-50?lang=eng#47

 Okay, it's a little contrived, but it encouraged me to continue to reverse the retreat and pursue the counter-attack with courage and determination. 

Went out with Larry. We only went 2.3 miles. My back is still hurting from Saturday's run. I've not really had back problems from running before. I hope this is temporary.

Walked 2.9 miles @ 16:35/mi with Karen.

4 miles @ 10:56. Back is still hurting, but seemed slightly better. Larry could only go a couple of miles with me because he had to get back, but I felt good enough to go on alone. Small victories. Very small.

Walked 2.6 miles @ 17:12/mi with Karen.

3.5 slow miles with Larry. My back is still bothering me, but at least I can still run.

Larry and me. 3.5 miles @ 11:26/mi. Still trying to get back running. Back is still bothering me.

Hope dawned gradually with the new day.

I ran with Wayne, Larry, and Jolene this morning. Larry and Jolene cut back a little earlier, and Wayne and I pushed the last few miles together. Well, I pushed and he stayed back with me. He's in much better condition than I am. I ended up running 6 miles @ 10:45/mi. Larry and I have been slogging along 3.5 miles @ 11:30 pace in our old out-of-shape bodies, so this is a step in the right direction for me.

I went to chiropractor Dr. Jerry Clark at the Alpine Spinal Rehab Center on Friday. They had an offer for a new patient exam for $17. They did a review of my health history, a bunch of range of motion and strength tests, electrical stimulation, and took x-rays. I go back on Monday to review the results of the tests and x-rays. It was a very positive experience. They treated me like a VIP. One of the reasons I pushed hard today despite some back pain is that I'm going back on Monday. If the engine is going to sputter, I want it sputtering when I visit the mechanic.

The best thing to come out of all my running impediments is that two weeks ago Karen and I started walking together on M,W,F after I drop my daughters off at school. It's a tight window to get it in and get to work on time, but I've been thoroughly enjoying it. We walk at a pretty good pace. I work up a sweat. I definitely believe it's helping with my overall fitness. I know it's helping my happiness and my relationship with Karen. With 6 children, 5 still at home, it's rare for us to find 45 minutes to just be alone and talk to each other. It's been great.

Walked 2.7 miles @ 17:04/mi with Karen.