Living life in moderation...one run at a time
Hi guys!
It’s been a hot minute… or 6-7 months (but who’s counting?)… but I’m still alive AND I’m about to train for Marathon #4.
Chicago again!
I’m also running for RHMC again (<–donate here!). How could I not after my last experience? I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer for one of the three houses in Orlando a month ago and they are just such a fantastic organization.
16 weeks of training starts this week. Here’s to healthy feet and hips — and many, many miles…
So… I’ve considered shutting this blog down for the past 4-5 months. I, obviously, haven’t posted anything – mostly because I don’t know that I’ve had much to say. Instead, I started to go in and delete posts. In some cases the links were broken or the images weren’t loading, but really – I felt like I didn’t need to share certain parts of my life anymore.
I do want to geek out about running though. I have some big plans for 2017 — some of them already in motion. More on that in a bit.
Where have I been (asked the one person who reads this blog!)? Well, I struggled with another flare up of Plantar Fasciitis (PF) for most of the summer and early fall, which sucked. It happened after I tripped on the sidewalk during a 2-mile run (ugh, how freaking stupid of me!). I ultimately discovered that my injury triggered some insanely tight calf muscles (specifically my soleus) and it was killing my foot. I did everything under the sun to help and in the end the simplest thing in the world — stretching my calves — is what led to my recovery (I wrote a little bit more about that here if you are struggling with similar issues!). I also switched shoes again – and I’m back full circle to wearing ASICS. It’s not even funny how fickle my feet are.
Unfortunately, because the recovery took so long, I really didn’t have a chance to train for any of my fall half marathons (Lighthouse Loop and Space Coast). I did run with my friend Kendra as she PR’d the shit out of her half at Space Coast. It was such an awesome day! Kendra actually introduced me to our running group and I am eternally grateful to her for introducing me to so many fantastic people.
In December, I practically walked a half marathon (still not my Personal Worst though!). It was great bonding time with a few of my friends who were recovering from running the Ragnar Trail Ultra (I have some badass friends) — and it was also really challenging. I almost DNF’d at Mile 3, but my friends wouldn’t let me. Damn them! In the end, I finished my 30th half marathon. And it sucked. Which, yet again, proves to me that no matter how many races and miles I run – it’s never easy.
And that leaves me to 2017.
I AM going to PR in something. I’m hopeful it’s a half marathon, but it could be a 5K, a 10K, or *gulp* a marathon.
I am currently in the middle of training for the BDR Orlando Half (Pssst — you can still use my code CRAZYRUN for $5 any race — for NOLA too) — and I’m hoping to smash my current PR (1:54:something – from BDR Orlando 3 years ago) (ok, so even a 1 second PR would be awesome!).
AND I am registered to run the Chicago Marathon in October, again. Truthfully, I’m in a little bit of denial about this race — and I don’t even know if I CARE about PRing, but deep down, I know I can, as long as my foot can stay healthy.
So that’s where I am right now. Big(ish) goals. More (?) blog posts forthcoming. Maybe even some pictures in them (not this one though, I’m too lazy tonight).
And with that…. peace, love, and palm trees my friend(s). Happy (or scary) 2017!
Hey there – remember me?? I’m still alive! Barely. Life has been insane — between endless events, the holidays, and being busy beyond belief at work, blogging has obviously taken a backseat. I thought about quitting this blog about 20 times, but then realized that I missed it and here I am.
Let’s get this out of the way… I survived the Bad Idea Marathon. Obviously. It wasn’t easy and I wanted to quit about 800 times, but I got it done — and I’m SO HAPPY IT’S OVER!
Worth it.
I also surpassed my goal (which was officially “Don’t quit/die.”) and I also beat my 1st marathon time, which I have to admit surprises me immensely. It really just goes to show that my conditioning/training for Chicago was so much more effective than it was for Savannah.
Looks like someone else is happy I’m done.
I finished in 4:20:07. The most impressive (to me) part is that I ran/walked the last 5 miles because my heel hurt SO badly. Kinda makes me wonder what I COULD have done if I wasn’t haven’t plantar fasciitis issues. Damn heel.
Looking entirely too happy – bonking at mile 21.
Pretty much the view the entire time. Not horrible.
I would do a full recap of this marathon, but to be honest, I have mentally blocked the misery out of my mind. I will say that I enjoyed the first half much more than the second half and that I will never do Space Coast as a marathon again (I haven’t ruled out the half though!). I’ve also decided that I DO want to run more marathons, but one a year is sufficient. Half marathons are more my thing.
Also, I am incredibly proud of both of my running buddies – Paula and Tyler.
Paula was in the same boat as me — she just did NOT want to be running this race and kicked ass anyway.
At one point we lost Tyler and took selfies.
As for Tyler — he was aiming for sub-4, which I KNEW he could do as long as he didn’t go out too fast. Not only did he sub-4, but he came in 3:54!!
Tyler just loooooves this picture.
I’m going to guess that he trained with someone even faster (not me!), that he would be able to many, many minutes off of that time. I’m not ready for him to quit me yet though. I have some serious spring half marathon PR goals and I need him to push me! #selfish
Oh, and another person I’m INCREDIBLY proud of? Victoria. She’s speedy.
As for what’s next — well, my heel is STILL bothering me, despite taking a month off from running. It’s definitely better than it was, but I need to get back into higher mileage (or any mileage) very slowly.
I AM running ZOOMA Florida (you should join me — use my code to save!) in January – probably the 12K (insta-PR!), and I have Best Damn Race Orlando February 28th where I have a major A+ goal — a 1:50 half. In order to hit that goal though I need my heel to be better AND I need to do some serious speedwork training. Ugh, I’m already dreading it.
I have zero intentions run a marathon in 2015, BUT it’s still early. I could be talked into it. Maybe.
I do need to find some more half marathons to run in the next few months. Taking this month off of running has been great for my mojo, I definitely MISS it.
So here’s to 2015 – a year of running and other fun challenges, little injury (*fingers crossed*), and lots of fun. And maybe a little blogging.
Also… From my family to yours… Happy Holidays!
I know, I’m just as shocked as you… I’m posting AND in a few days, I’m running a marathon. Again.
I just want to put it out there that I’ve coined this race the Bad Idea Marathon. It was a fantastic idea about 8 months ago – when my running mojo was going strong and I was high on PRs and sub-9 minute miles.
Those were the glory days.
A lot can happen in 8 months.
I knew this marathon was going to be tough to mentally get into when I thought at mile 22 of the Chicago Marathon (aka the Good Idea Marathon) – WHY DID I SIGN UP FOR SPACE COAST?
Seriously though. WHY?
These past 7 weeks have been fraught with burn out, negativity, and unfortunately… injury. I’ve self diagnosed myself with plantar fasciitis thanks to running in shoes that were slightly too big. My left heel is very tender after a shorter run — and about three weeks ago I had to stop at mile 16 (of 17 — my longest run since Chicago) because it just hurt too much to continue. I’ve been stretching, icing, rolling, and stretching again — AND I haven’t been running (instead I’ve been spinning and boot camping) — and it’s still sore. The only thing I haven’t really tried is taping, which I plan to do — as soon as I find my tape (for realz – where did I put it??). The irony is that I felt REALLY GREAT on that run. Of course.
So given all information, am I still doing Space Coast? Yes, because that’s what runners do. I will line up at the start one race day and give it my all. I will run as far as I can and push off any pain (that hopefully I won’t have) for as long as possible. Hopefully, until I cross the finish line.
I just want to put it out there that as nice, welcoming, and fun as runners are… we are also stupid and stubborn. I mean really, REALLY stubborn. So, it should come as no surprise to you when I say I am still running this thing.
What’s my goal? To finish. Deep down it’s to finish faster than my first full (4:33), but that’s pre-injury Michelle talking. I don’t expect to PR. I didn’t even sign up to PR. Why did I sign up? I WISH SOMEBODY WOULD TELL ME!
(OK, so the medal is pretty cool)
That’s the Challenger
(Plus, Tyler is running his first marathon that Paula and I convinced he should run with us)
Back in the day, when I was fast(er) and made poor decisions thanks to endorphins.
So, after I stuff my face and give thanks for everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) I have — I’m going to do some additional carb loading and I’m going to run this bad decision marathon. And I’m going to learn from it. Or realize I’m a bigger idiot than I ever imagined.
At this point, I think a (talking) tree might make better decisions.
Either way, I guess I’m learning. And torturing myself.
*Deep sigh*
So hey, did you know I’ll be running a God-awful amount of miles on Sunday? For fun? It’s actually blowing my mind that Sunday is October 12th. Yes, I am in complete denial.
When will it sink in? After?
After 15 weeks of training, where I maybe only skipped out on 3 runs (impressive for me!), I’m feeling as ready as possible. Maybe?
So let’s talk goals.
My A goal is a SERIOUS A goal — 4:15. Do I think I can hit this goal? Yes. Do I think I will actually hit this goal? Umm…sure? It’s so hard to say. My (slow) long run pace averaged between 10:00-10:40. Considering the miserable (MISERABLE) humidity, I consider that decent and within goal. The last 5 miles of my 22-miler a few weeks ago I was able to maintain a 9:30 pace — which might have been a fluke, but it makes me feel like 4:15 IS possible. I’m not counting myself out.
My B goal is less serious – but still legit — less than 4:30. I know that’s a 15 minute time gap, but if I can’t hit 4:15, I would truly be happy with a PR, especially under 4:30. 4:33:XX (<– I could look it up, but I’m lazy – which is kind of ironic) is my current PR, so let’s beat that – OK?
My C goal is to have fun. I know that sounds like a cop-out, but how can I NOT have fun?? I’m running for an amazing charity. 1.8 million people cheering. Quite possibly perfect race weather. Having my favorite people there cheering for me. The C goal is HAPPENING people.
Ack – I can’t believe I’m running a marathon in less than a week! I’ll be back (before Chicago) with one more post — all about my shoes… I’m getting my Sharpie out 🙂