3/27/2009

My legs were ready to go by Monday, I was impressed! However, two toes on my left foot weren't feeling up to the challenge. ha My second and fourth toenails were really inflamed and painful. During the race, around mile 43 or so, I felt the toenail on my fourth toe lift up like the hood of a car in my shoe. I stopped, sat down in the middle of the trail, took off my shoe and nasty sock, and smashed it back down. I was able to keep running with no problem but man, have they been sore this week. As of yesterday they were finally feeling good enough to wear a shoe without pain. So my plan was to get out this morning and put in a short run, but I guess the wonderful weather of the Texas plains had other plans. It's been in the 70's and 80's this week but a cold front blew in last night and dropped the temp to 28 degrees and left a thin dusting of snow everywhere. Nuts! I did an interval workout on the elliptical yesterday and also did some strength training so I'm still on track, but I'm really itching to get out the door and put in a few miles. I'm off today but then work the next 5 nights so not much running then either. Damn!

3/22/2009 The Grasslands Race Report

I got home around 1145 this am, tired and ready to just sit. This weekend was really great! The race, for me, was kind of weird though. I got to the Bluebonnet Resort around noon on Friday and got checked in and got my tent set up. I was really close to the bathrooms, the showers, the pool, and the hot tub. So nice! After I got set up I headed to the hotel where they were having packet pickup. Teresa McCoul, the race director from Cross Timbers, was there handing out packets. It was really good to see her again. She would be running the half marathon. Laurie Underwood was also there. It's always nice to see her, she is so sweet! Anyway, after that I had an early supper at Chili's and then headed back to the resort. I relaxed in the hot tub and enjoyed the company of some of the other campers for a bit and then I headed to bed so I could make sure to get up early. I made it to the race start around 0615 so I had plenty of time to set up. I put my drop bag pretty close to the start and then found the coffee. They had Starbuck's!! A big plus! The race this year was headed up by a new RD, Kevin Boudreaux. He really did a fantastic job!! I got to meet up with Dave Elliott before we got started as well. Very nice to finally meet him in person! We started promptly at 0700. First things first, the 50 milers had to do a simple little out and back as a "distance corrector." It was about 4.8 miles and I finished it in about 47 minutes. I felt ok but my legs were just kind of fatigued. I picked up the pace to see if I could wake them up a little but it never really happened for me. Once back at the start we took off for Loop 1, the blue loop. About 13.5 miles, this loop was pretty uneventful. Several people got off course though! The course, I thought, was well marked but you did have to pay attention in a few areas, especially on that first loop. Two of my friends got a little off course at this point, Matt Crownover and Shanna Armstrong both. ha It did not, however, impede their race. Matt would go on to drop the hammer and take second overall! Fantastic race, Matt! Shanna would end up finishing about 22 minutes ahead of me. Anyway, my legs continued to feel fatigued and just didn't want to go. At the start of the second loop, the yellow one, which was 10.4 miles, I became very apathetic about the whole thing. Very strange for me. I absolutely could NOT force myself to run much. I just felt like crap and didn't want to do anything. I can only assume that since this was my third 50 miler in the last month and a half, it had finally taken somewhat of a toll on me. I guess that's understandable! So I continued to plod along and made it back around to the main headquarters again. I fueled up with an oatmeal creme pie and a chocolate Boost and headed out again. The third loop, or white one was the longest for me! It was 12.8 miles and it just seemed to drag on and on and on. Once I was about 5 miles from making it back around to the headquarters on the white loop Matt came up on me while running the last part of his last loop. I couldn't believe how far he had moved ahead of me! I finally started getting a little spring in my step thanks to some good music on my Ipod. I never listen to the damn thing but decided to later in the day because I was still so bummed out. I made it back to the start and again drank a Boost and ate an oatmeal creme pie. The last loop, the red one, was 8.9 miles. I was actually able to run most of this loop which helped make up a little lost time. I crossed the finish line at 10:37. Not a bad time, just not the best for me. Kevin was standing at the finish line with my buckle and a firm handshake. I really enjoyed watching him in action. He seemed to take a very active role in everything and made the race his own. I was really happy with everything.
So in summary........it was a really good race. I am still a little aggravated with the amount of apathy that I had but was glad to have forced myself to get it done. The last three races that I have done have been pretty technical and have kept my mind really engaged. This race, while beautiful and diverse scenery-wise, had no technical aspect to it at all. It was flat dirt trails and some areas with fairly deep sand. Each one of the loops had something different to offer though which was pretty cool. One loop boasted scrub trees and sand, while the next offered a gorgeous wooded area with cedar trees and fine dirt, then another was through some tall, waving, grassy fields. I was really surprised at the amount of soft, deep sand out there. I did not expect that. I think overall that the lack of any technical trails was what contributed to my lack of interest. I do, however, want people to know that the race was really, really well run though. The aid stations were top notch with friendly, helpful people and...........they had BROWNIES! Always one of my favorites! Kevin Boudreaux, again, did a really fantastic job running the whole thing! Thanks again to everyone that helped out!
And a big shout out to Dave who got his first 50 mile finish! Congrats, Dave on a job well done!
Matt, congrats on second place! Way to kick some trail!!
Ok, so 26 days until Rocky Hill Ranch! 4 down, 1 to go! Peace!

3/18/2009 Sorry, Guys......... A RANT!

It's not been too bad of a stretch at work over the last few days. It's been busy but nothing outrageous. Maybe with the warmer weather, people will actually do something with their time other than spending it in the freaking ER. After almost 13 years, it still amazes me every day what people come to the ER for. I mean, seriously, who the hell taught them to go to an ER if you have a sore throat, toothache, or you puked one time. Apparently, you're just never supposed to have to suffer in life. They want the "wonder pill" that fixes everything instantaneously. Many of the people we see are rude, crude, and hostile towards the nurses and the doctors. They check in to the ER at triage and we become "Enemy Number One." It makes no sense to me. They act like we're all stupid, nurses and doctors alike. If we're that stupid, why come to us in the first place??? If they don't get what they want or we tell them something they don't want to hear, ie "Everything looks ok on your labs" or "You just have a virus/cold", it pisses them off and they want another doctor. It's ridiculous! I mean, I DON'T CARE IF YOU READ ABOUT SOME STUPID DISEASE IN EFFING READER'S DIGEST! You DO NOT know more than we do about medicine and healthcare because you watched every episode of 20/20 with Barbara WaWa!! Obviously we see A LOT of low class, uninsured pieces of crap who think that the ER is free healthcare because due to governmental restraints we can't ask for a copay until after they are seen. We HAVE to see everything that comes in the door whether it's bull shit or not. Then once they are medically cleared, we are STILL unable to collect any money. If they would just make all non-urgent visits an automatic 35 bucks before they are treated, it would make all the difference in the world. That's what it costs to go to an Urgent Care Center! They have to pay up front at those clinics and that's why they don't go to them. It should be the same for the ER. If it's a true emergency then WELCOME! We'll settle the bill at a later time. If it's your cough/cold/puked once/my vagina hurts type of visit then pony up, brutha/sistah!! This shit ain't free!

Ok, like I said, Sorry about that! Be glad that it wasn't in all caps! Back to running! So, I've tapered down and I'm ready to run this weekend. More than anything I'm just ready to get out of town and spend some relaxing time on the trails. Peace!

3/13/2009 Shouldn't have Bragged!

Well, sometimes when we boast about things.........the opposite happens! I've been bragging about the great temperatures we've been having here lately and it's bitten me in the ass the last couple of days. It's only been in the 30-40 degree range with rain and snow mix yesterday and today. Not very good for a long run, that's for sure! Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 50's and clear so hopefully, if the wind doesn't pick up, I can get in a nice 10-15 miles before I head back to work tomorrow night. I'm off tonight and then on for 5 nights.
After that, it'll be time to head to Decatur for The Grasslands. I'm excited about this race, hoping to bring my PR down even more. If I could hit 9:30 or less I would be in hog heaven! Plus I am getting to stay at Bluebonnet, where they have the Bare As You Dare XC 5k! It's a beautiful, wooded, and serene resort with showers, two swimming pools, a sauna, and a huge hot tub. Oh, and it's au naturel! Total relaxation and comfort! Hell, yeah!

3/9/2009 Strength Training is doing it's job!

So yesterday brought a fantastic 6 miles out on 1585! It was a little gusty but my legs felt incredible! I have really been hitting the strength training and I can tell a difference big time. I just feel stronger, my legs more solid! My body is also starting to lean up which is a HUGE accomplishment for me! It seems that no matter how much I ran I always looked a little "soft" in the upper body and abs. Just a layer of fat that wouldn't go away, but with the strength training I can see it starting to come off! Very exciting! Also I've been really strict on my vegetarian diet which means I've lost about 6 lbs in the last couple of weeks. So I'm stoked! I guess if I did more speed work like wind sprints and intervals, it would make a difference too but I hate those more than strength training! ha Maybe in the future if I want to get faster. Right now I'm content to be a middle-of-the-pack'er!

3/7/2009 The Wind is Killing Me!

Man, the wind the last couple of days has been horrendous, gusting up to 30mph at times! I got in a nice 10 miler yesterday morning before it hit, thank goodness! I felt really good afterwards and was happy to be able to get back into some longer runs. I did strength training in the afternoon, including 90 body weight squats which kind of made my legs a little jello-like today. I love that feeling though, that you've done something! I had planned on putting in a shorter run this afternoon but with the wind blowing the way it is and no shelter of trees or anything, chances are I would end up in Oz! So I talked to Aubrey and we'll probably hit the road in the morning around 8:30 or so. If you wait too long then you'll get blown cross country! Stupid plains of Texas! ha

3/5/2009

In the last week or so I've only put in 10 miles. ha It took a little longer to fully recover from Cross Timbers than I anticipated. Again, it was just a tough course! I'm off for the next 4 days and I should be able to put in some good miles. I had applied for a job at the hospital that I thought would be a great way to get out of the hustle and bustle of the ER so I wouldn't be so damn tired all the time but it didn't pan out. Oh, well. I'll keep my eyes and ears open for something else. Anyway, The Grasslands is about 2 weeks away and I need to be focusing on that.
Zach's baseball season has started back up too and that always keeps us busy. Kenzie is planning on playing soccer this spring and summer too so that should be interesting. Does anyone have a cloning device that I could borrow?