Monthly Archives: March 2009

Unable to Bear Foot

Posted on by Run DMT
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Lori yelled at me for not sharing this other weird pain I have been experiencing besides my shins.  Since my sister’s wedding, I have this terrible pain on the bumpy bone on the side of my foot, which I believe was caused by these ridiculously Steve Madden heels she made us wear.  I couldn’t even walk in them.  By the end of the night, my left foot was throbbing.

 

Weeks later, I still feel pain and I think I may have a bunion or a really bad bruise, but I’m not sure.  After my race on Saturday, the side of my foot was killing me.

 

I need to go back to The Running Center and have them look at my shoes.  Maybe they’re too tight?  The odd thing is that my shoes and my feet were fine before the wedding and those cursed 4.5 inch heels.

 

Cool Running has some suggestions for foot pain.

 

So what do you think?  Should I see a podiatrist?

Survived the Challenge

Posted on by Run DMT
9

A bit worried about my shins, I rested most of the week for Saturday’s Chasco Challenge/Rally to Remember.

 

Lori and arrived at Starkey Park around 7:20 with enough time to grab our chip, visit the restroom and stretch.  While waiting in line for our chips, we found our other running partner, Jackie, and also bumped into Becelisa and her friend, Beth.

 

We giggled and chatted in line until I realized the gentleman at the chip table waited patiently for me to finish my foolishness.  I apologized to the gentleman distributing chips for being rude and ignoring him. 

 

“This one always causes trouble”, he told the gentleman sitting next to him at the chip table. 

 

“Wow!  I have quite a reputation!” I replied.

 

“I’m just glad you’re sober this time,” he said jokingly.  This man knew me all too well. 

 

After a quick visit to the restroom, we headed to the start line to stretch.  Fortunately, the half mile walk from the parking to the start line gave us a good warm up.  I gobbled down a GU (which was tucked inside my Gracie’s Gear Power Pouch along with a ZipLoc bag full of Vaseline- Just in case!) and took a few swigs of water to wash it down before the race. 

 

While at stretching at the start line, I recognized a face in the crowd.  The Why Even Tri Girl stood a few feet in front of me.  I called her name to say hello and introduce her to my friends.  After all, I’ve known her for years and she is practically family.  We chatted for a bit until the cyclists for the race took off and the crowd moved forward.

 

Before we crossed the start line, I assured Jackie and Lori, “I am so kicking Why Even Tri Girl’s ass!”  Then, the fog horn blew and I found Holla Back Girl on my iPod for inspiration and motivation.

 

Uh huh, this is my shit
All the girls stomp your feet like this 

A few times I’ve been around that track
So it’s not just gonna happen like that
Because I ain’t no hollaback girl
I ain’t no hollaback girl

 

At the start of the race, I forced myself to keep my pace at 9:00, because my tendency, like every runner is to start hard and fast.  But even at a 9:00 pace, I still had to maneuver through a crowd.  I decided to run along the path in the grass to pass the other runners

 

For this event, all the races (1 mile, 5K, 10K and the half marathon) all start at the same time.  Signs at specific points told runners when to turn around for their distance.  To prepare for the race, I had studied the map and knew the turn around points and water stations.  I had all my rest stops strategically planned.  At mile 1.5, I passed first the water station.  I wanted to run at least 3 miles before I stopped.

 

Gray clouds covered the sky. Although at the start there was no sun, the humidity was thick and I felt the heat starting to smother me. At mile 3 (the 10K turn around), I stopped for my first water walk.

 

For miles after that, I paced with two other runners: Jim and Charity.  They helped me keep a 9:00 pace.  About an hour into the race, the sun began to blaze through the clouds and the temperature began to rise quickly.  Fortunately, strong winds brought some relief.

 

 

The trail at Starkey Park offers a beautiful view.  You get the whole trail run experience even though you are running a bike path.  We ran over river basins and tree canopies provided welcomed shade.

 

 

Another water station at Mile 5 was a joyful sight as the heat was beginning to get to many runners.  Just after the water stop, I spotted the first runners heading back to the finish line, who would finish the race just under an hour and a half.

 

The race path led us to the Suncoast Trail and at mile 6.6, Jim and I turned around to head home.  At my mile 7, I passed Why Even Tri Girl.  “You’re looking great she hollered out to me.”  I smiled and thought to myself, Girl, please!  Don’t I know it!  Don’t hate!

 

I stopped at the same water station on my return, which now made mile 8.  I also downed a Cliff Shot (tucked inside my Gracie’s Gear Power Pouch) to keep my energy levels high.

 

The second hour had to be the hardest.  The heat caused many runners to lose steam.  Although I never overheat, I felt my face become flush.  I needed more water.  My pace dropped down to 10:00-10:30.

 

Like an oasis in the desert, I spotted the next water station at about Mile 9, however, the volunteers ran out of water and their drink cooler was full of ice.  I grabbed a cup of ice and dumped it down the front and back of my top and rubbed some ice on my head.  I needed to cool down.  The volunteers managed to squeeze some water out of the drink cooler and I grabbed the cup like a hungry beggar.

 

Not knowing if there was any more water for the remainder of the race, I decided to keep my pace at 10:00 for a few miles.

 

Fortunately, more water was available at mile 10.5.  I gulped down two more cups of water and felt ready to finish.  The last few miles I pulled my pace back up to 9:00. 

 

With the finish line in my line of sight, a gust of wind hit me, like a bad flashback of Gasparilla.  I reminded my knees and shins to hold on a little bit longer and I finished strong with friends and my whole family cheering for me.

 

2:09:34

Overall: 69/121

Female Place: 27/63

Average Pace: 9:54

Female Age Group (35-39): 3/7


Not quite under two hours like I had hoped, but still a PB for me and I came in third place for my division.  Of course, Becelisa came in first.

 

Lori and Jackie did great, too.  Lori finished the 10K first in her division and Jackie finished second for her division.  Even Becelisa’s friend, Beth, placed first in her division for the half marathon.

 

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I would love to run the race again next year, provided they increase the water stations.  I intend to send an e-mail to Alzheimer’s Family Organization (who organized the race) to suggest adding more water stations for the half-marathon and offering Powerade or Gatorade at the end of the race.  I may even suggest they offer wet sponges at the 10 mile mark.

 

Despite an abundance of all-you-can-eat pancakes, this year’s event seemed to be lacking in volunteers and its usual support from the community.  Unfortunately, with the state of the economy, people and local businesses may not have the time or the money to give. 

 

When my parents heard AFO needed volunteers for their events, they jumped up to help for next year’s race.  My mom and dad are ready to rehydrate runners at next year’s Rally!

 

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***Pictures of J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park taken from BikingFlorida.com.***

Showing the Shins Some Love

Posted on by Run DMT
1

Since I needed to find some stretches and exercises to strengthen my shins, I thought it would make a great topic for this week’s Five Minutes for Fitness.

 

After my extensive Internet searching, I learned that ankle curls help strengthen your shins.  If you don’t have weights, you can also a bucket filled with sand for the same effect.  

 

 

(Don’t you just love the music? :-) )

 

Of course, yoga is always a wonderful way for runners to help strengthen and stretch their muscles. 

 

Surely My Shin Should Not Feel Like That!

Posted on by Run DMT
10

Tuesday morning, I set off for a easy 4 mile run.  After about 1 mile, my shin started to cramp.  It wasn’t a shin split, but a serious cramp.  I stopped and stretched my calves with a few lunges and calf dips on the curb.  The pain subsided a bit, but my left shin was still tender.

 

For this 4 mile run, I decided to not stop for water.  As I mentioned in my Sunday post, I am trying to build up my endurance by running farther before stopping for water.  It’s a good strategy to improve my time, right?  Unfortunately, I began salivating like Pavlov’s dogs when I passed my usually water stops.  How sad am I?

 

Despite my thirst and shin situation, I had a pretty decent time.

Distance: 4:36

Time: 42:00

Average Pace: 9:37


The past two days, my 3 y.o has been sick with strep.  Since my shins seem to be telling me they need a break, I elected to use this time as a little rest and squeeze in some core training.  Hopefully, the rest will allow me to score a PB at Saturday’s race.

Clang, Clang, Clang Went the Trolley

Posted on by Run DMT
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My sister arranged for everyone to ride the Tampa Trolley from the Marriott Waterside Hotel  to Ybor City for her rehearsal dinner at Bernini’s.  It was so much fun!  This is a snapshot of my sister, Simone, (left) and her friend, Ulla, (right) climbing aboard the trolley.

 

trolley-ride

No Luck with Leprechauns

Posted on by Run DMT
10

Allana’s teacher sent home a note encouraging the children to build leprechaun traps and bring them to school to try a catch a leprechaun.  The trap could be a design as simple as a pencil propping up a shoebox.

 

With my sister’s wedding the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day, there wasn’t enough time to get too creative.  Sunday evening, we used an empty strawberry container to create this masterpiece. 

 

school-trap

 

The bait (pasted chocolate gold coins) would lure the leprechaun to the top of the carton where the leprechaun would fall through the invisible trap door.  The Easter grass would soften his fall and of course, camouflage this ingenious, inexpensive, truly “green” trap.

 

Allana also wanted to build another trap for the house.  In the previous years, we’ve built traps out of old shoeboxes, but this year, Allana wanted to build something different since the others never seemed to catch a leprechaun.

 

Family Fun magazine featured some very creative leprechaun traps this month, which got Allana’s wheels spinning and she decided to build the rainbow model, of course.  We found some time after homework on Monday evening.  Even Dad got into the act because this high-tech triggered trap would require his assistance to construct it properly.  

 

daddy-helps

 

Once the leprechaun snatched the pot of gold (one egg cup from an egg carton painted black and filled with chocolate gold coins), the cloud (an applesauce pot covered in cotton balls) would drop and trap him underneath.

 

allanas-rainbow-trap

 

Alas, neither trap caught a leprechaun this year.  Her trap at school snatched the leprechaun’s pants (a small piece of green felt cut in the shape of pants) and one gold coin, which she thinks fell out of leprechaun’s pocket when the trap snagged his pants.

 

The rainbow trap at home failed to catch the leprechaun as well, however, this leprechaun decided to leave gold and green trinkets and goodies.  A can of green beans, emerald green jeweled Jibbitz, a sparkly green jump rope and two books are some of the items the leprechaun left.

 

leprechaun-goodies

 

The leprechaun also left a note tucked in the Easter grass of the trap.

 

Thought you could catch me!

Ha!  Ha!  Nice try!

But I was too clever and swift

For a trap from the sky! 

 

Allana is already designing and planning next year’s trap with the help of the book The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day.  Actually, she isplanning to build several traps next year!

 

 

Should I feed her obsession and buy the book  The Leprechaun Trap?

 

Sunday Running Log #19

Posted on by Run DMT
8

 

I set a goal for myself to run 12 miles in under two hours.  I also decided to run in the outfit I would wear for the half-marathon, which included my running skirt and my Gracie’s Gear top with a Cliff Shot stored in my trusty Power Pouch. 

 

As much as I wanted to run the Starkey Trail to prepare for the Rally to Remember, my running partners and I simply couldn’t coordinate a time that worked for everyone in our little running group.  So, we ran around the neighborhood like we always do for our Sunday runs.

 

My goal is to improve my time, which means stopping for fewer water breaks and reprogramming myself to run 6 miles without stopping.  For my long runs, I typically stop for my first water break at 3 miles, but I am trying to build up my endurance.  Running with Jackie has definitely helped with that because she never stops.

 

Before my run, I downed a vanilla bean GU to test it out before next week’s race.  I wanted to see how my bowels would handle this new gel. 

 

For most of the run, Jackie and I kept the pace at 8:00-8:30 mm, but there were times were I had to slow down to a 10:00 mm or even walk for a few seconds.  The first 6 miles were tough because Jackie just dragged me along. 

 

At about 6.7 miles, I stopped for a short water break and Cliff Shot. 

 

Since Jackie only planned to run 6 miles, we parted our ways and I ran the next 6 miles alone at a 9:00-9:30 mm pace.  Then, my legs started to chafe and I made a detour to Lori’s house for some first aid care Vaseline.  I realized if I wear my cute little running skirt for the race, I need to pack some Vaseline in my power pouch, too.

 

Just as I had planned, I finished the 12 miles under two hours: 1:55:13. 

 

Based on my training time, I am feeling confident about my performance at next week’s race.  I will place for my division, damn it!

Up and Running Again

Posted on by Run DMT
5

With my sister’s binge drinking wedding followed by another beer fest St. Patrick’s Day, my running routine really took a dive this week.  Then, my allergies got the best of me and I didn’t feel like moving.  On Thursday, I finally back into running again with over a week of rest.

 

I ran an easy 4 miles, but I was really impressed with my time: 37:13.  I guess the rest did me some good!  But then, I slacked off again on Friday.  I prefer to blame it on the All Pro Dad’s Breakfast at my daughter’s school.  This morning (Saturday), I ran 6 miles: 57:10.

 

One week left until the Rally to Remember.  Lori, Jackie and I are meeting at the park to train on the trail.  I actually broke down and bought a water belt since there are no water stations on the trail.  I am aiming to make the half-marathon in less than two hours.  I would love to beat last year’s stats and place for my division.  I think Becelisa will be there and Lord knows that girl is fast!  Since my training has taken such a hit this past week, I’ve got my work cut out for me.  Wish me luck!

 

Another note, my good friend Julie and I are forming a relay team for an International triathlon in our area.  We’ve joined forces with Allan (my neighbor, not my DH), who is an awesome swimmer.  Julie will bike and I will run.  The three of us will be training this summer to prepare for the International Relay at Longleaf.  I am so excited about our team and just thankful I don’t have to swim in that God awful lake again this year!

Rolling with Five Minutes for Fitness

Posted on by Run DMT
4

I’ve been slacking a bit, but it’s time to get things rolling again with Five Minues for Fitness.  

 

Obviously, there are numerous health benefits to dancing.  It’s a great cardio activity to burn calories, strengthen and tone, but no night clubs or dance studios or formal training required for this fun, simple work-out.  You can shimmy and shake it in the comfort of your own living room.   

 

Since I love to dance, I tore up the dance floor at my sister’s wedding.  I even rocked out my best Tina Turner dance moves when The Stick Martin Show played Proud Mary.  When I popped my Proud Mary, I used a variety of muscle groups trying to dance like Tina. 

 

So, for this week’s Five Minutes for Fitness, I encourage you to try the Tina Turner work-out.  Keep those legs moving!  Work those legs like your doing football drills through tires! Dance like no one is watching!  Keep on burning!