Black snakes and the wonder of life.

One of my best friends in the world had probably the scariest experience this Memorial Day weekend. Her husband had a stubborn GI hemorrhage that ~~~AGAIN~~~ puts life into perspective. I love Natalie and her husband dearly, and I am still amazed that a 34-year-old sweet father of one could be on the brink of mortality. I pray nothing but the best in his recovery, and it just goes to show one can never take anything for granted.

It brought lots of memories back of Danny (my first husband). He will be gone four years on June 12th.

Life is so precious.

We have been keeping Natalie's daughter through this ordeal, so Bob suggested we get to the gym this afternoon for some weight training. I am done; rather, my shoulder is done. I am putting my right shoulder on hiatus for two weeks. I know I have arthritis and tendonitis to boot.

SO, the focus du jour will be running. I will log in the miles, baby. But I reverted to recent habit Saturday morning--I ran my ten miles way too fast and found a good excuse to slow down at mile nine. SNAKES!!!!! A SLEW OF THEM!!!! Inches from my final step and when I jumped to safety, I jumped RIGHT in front of another one! Sickening "hiss" and a slither.

Maybe the snakes are tying to tell me something, lol!

I am getting my body fat measured again

I want to see if the S3 training has helped. No doubt I am fitting into a 5 or 6, but it isn't that. It's just that I am so much faster lately. If I can just remedy this pinched nerve in my right neck/shoulder area. It has become such a nuisance. I need to get this taken care of...never been to a chiropractor and I am seriously considering it.

I ran my sweet seven and a half this morning....damn how I love that loop. Total negative split with an easy 10 minute the first half and a solid eight minute mile the second. It doesn't get much better than that. But the pain and numbness from my right shoulder affect that arm, and I have to dangle it every mile or so. It is very awkward.

There is a local 5k this weekend I know I can do well in, but Friday I have my first triathlon ocean practice swim. So it is a no-go. PLEASE G-D, don't let me redline in the water. I can do this. I can do this. Then I need to seek medical attention about my neck and shoulder.

Damn it all

The problem with my shoulder is persistent. I don't want to give up the newly acquired definition I have obtained, but I think it is more than the shoulder itself. I think it is a pinched nerve coming down from the base of my neck and distally to the smaller three of my fingers of the right hand.

I can't afford a MRI right now. This sucks. I used to think it was Carpal Tunnel, but now I am not so sure. My mother underwent some nerve manipulation, and it worked wonders for her. Problem is, this is going to have to brushed aside until we enhance our insurance and the upcoming marathon season is over. Bob and I have already paid for the Goofy Challenge and the Miami marathon.

The nurse in me knows the symptoms aren't congruent with Carpal, and she also knows she needs an MRI.

Long run in the AM....long for me with my stupid schedule, seven and a half. I AM GOING TO PLOW THROUGH IT. I am stoked. I am blessed that Bob doesn't have to go in so early.

Johnny, miss you to pieces. I will email you.

Shoulders

Getting some. Pretty cool. I can definitely see the definition there and surprisingly, in my triceps. I make it a point to do weight training and core at least 4-5 days out of the week.

In other news, my husband missed a triathlon he has won (divisional) the last three years. In order to economize, and keep up with birthday parties, soccer games, etc...it was inevitable. Parenthood comes up and bites you in the ass. Take your whippings and move forward. I promised him no more races until the Tour De Pain (not counting my debut tri in June). Then I have settled on a new goal. Since we are doing the Goofy Challenge, that automatically knocks that opportunity of a PR...we are just racing to finish. So then I have the Miami marathon in January...if I can recover from the Goofy and keep my mileage up, I will attempt to shave 15 minutes off my marathon time. And I really think if I stay in the shape I am, and continue S3 training, that I may be able to pull it off.

BUT THE ULTIMATE GOAL? Now that I have conquered a new 5k time? Definitely the half marathon, and Thanksgiving Day may be the day. Love that distance to pieces.

Negative splits on my last three long distance runs, and I am keeping my fingers crossed. I feel great except for the pinched nerve in my right shoulder. I need to get a MRI, I just don't want to have to pay for it.

Bliss on River Road

Lately I have written of my quandry concerning speed versus the absolute pleasure of the run itself. I decided to run ten miles today with the explicit condition that I would not be "fast", and I would try and find my marathon pace again. LSD runners call it, "Long Slow Distance". I was successful, maintaining about a 9:50 pace with no suffering, no panic, and the disappointment of the final mile (meaning that was the end of my run, and I didn't want to stop). Bob made it easy for me by planting Gatorade and water at the three and six mile spots, and I put a nice playlist on my iPod. I went from Pink Floyd and Zeppelin, to the Killers, Night Ranger, Yes, The Kinks, and Muse made an appearance. I specifically loaded slower than usual songs, and I really enjoyed the sounds.

The St. John's river was still and stoic. Various daysailers were anchored out off River Road, and I could see their inhabitants perched on the bows of the boats, and watching the sunrise. I got on the road at about 5:50 AM, so I was pleased to be greeted with the light on the river. It was perfect timing. There was one other runner I encountered, she was obviously working very hard...and I had to maintain and tell myself, "This is for your HAPPINESS. ENJOY this LSD". Happiness it was. I obtained a runner's high at about mile 5, and that is when I increased my pace and hooked on to a negative split for my overall run--my fastest going back into my neighborhood at an 8:00 mile. There was a schweeeet headwind at times, and it helped to combat the humidity. I didn't mind the wind today.

I got home, and my 8-year-old was waiting with her Mother's Day gift and a hug. I promptly showered, and re-joined Bob in bed. I crashed for a few hours, and I ended up having a wonderful holiday. We went to the gym and I did some serious legs for about an fifty minutes, and then roughly 20 minutes of core. My 12-year-old baked me a cake, and I am wrapping up this beautiful day and counting my blessings.

Solution, Good Advice, Mother's Day

Again with the run in the morning turning out to be a speed race. I did 4.5 in a little less than 35 minutes. This is way too fast, and I was in a panic at the end. I understand it is all psychological, but the weather is getting warmer, and I can't afford to give up the tranquility of a long run pace for a quick couple of miles.
I posed the issue to Alison, and she said something so damn levelheaded and succinct. "Lee Ann, you aren't yet in training for your next marathon. Why don't you just go fast??? Don't try and analyze it, go fast and call it speedwork or fartlek!". DAMN IT if she isn't on target. Why am I so afraid of pushing it so much? My husband said it is a juggling game, especially in triathlon season. One is so afraid to put one of the disciplines on the back burner, because every little bit helps. My husband, Bob, has won ten out of the last ten triathlons he has competed in (division). He is good on the swim (sometimes first, mostly second), admirable on the bike (50/50), but always smokes the run. He advised me not to negate my running, since it is my strength for now. I have to work on the bike and swim. The swim I can hold my own. The bike? I think I could do well if I could get over the fear of being in close-knit packs of cyclists. My visual disability is a big part of this fear. In a spin class I kick some ass, but on my spanking brand new Specialized...I am a big wuss.
Mother's Day and I find myself being so grateful for the love of my sweet husband, my awesome kids and my dearest friends. One of these friends doing a custom paint job/mural in Marc and Shelby's room. Sunrise, sunset is the theme. With a sun rising, the moon, and owl sleepily in a tree against the nighttime sky...I can't wait for it to be done. They are the last of the brood, and I love that their room can look like a fairy tale. My husband apologizes for the the lack of things he could gift to me on Sunday, and I just look at him in admiration and thank my stars for him. He is my hero, my greatest admiration. Words can't express how he saved me in so many ways. He is a big reason why I am the mom that I am. My family is my gift. I am amazed every day how much I look forward to watching my kids grow. Secretely, I am looking forward to a life with just me and Bob. Please don't wake me up yet.

Oh yeah, problems

I embarked on a seven and a half today. Now I have a new problem--going too fast. I actually had to stop three times to try to "psych" myself into going slower. I am thinking I am getting major potential in local races. I ran a sub-9 minute 7 miler, and it is killing me. I have to pace and remind myself what I love the most-13.1 and 26.2. I am not a sub-9 13.1 and 26.2. My legs keep going when my head says to slow down. I am not elite, I am not going to Boston (well, maybe if I qualify when I am 50). WTF? HELP!

Hang with me here.