track fan

1:48:46 (55:49/52:56).  I was really lucky for the first 1/2 of my run -- it was hot (about 85F) but lots of cloud cover.  Unfortunately, the clouds burnt off and the last 40` were tough (92 - 96F now - depending on which thermometer you believe).  All and all, though I can't really complain, it wasn't a race, I could slow down as much as I needed, and I was sweating (which is good, because it means I am hydrated).  Ok, I was sort of a "bad" girl though.  You probably won't notice but my "out" split is almost 2 mins faster than what I normally run.  There is a reason for this.  I was being a competitive dummy.  There was a woman who was walking in front of me about 2 miles into my run.  When she saw me coming she waited until I was about 2 stride lengths in front of me, and then starts running again.  Well, I thought to myself "good for her, this is my run and I will run at the pace I need to finish feeling good).  Well, she was running all over the place (I think she was overheated and getting kind of loopy) and she kept looking back at me.  I wanted to ask her if she was ok (I was afraid she was going to get hit by a cyclist because seriously, she was all over the path), but since she seemed so concerned about where I was I thought she might take it wrong (e.g., she might think I was being condescending).  So, I decided for both of our sakes I would just speed up and pass her.   It wasn't really that hard to do (she was probably running about 8:40 pace or so).  But, what happens (to me) when I start running that fast that soon into my run it sort of gets "imprinted" in my mind and I just can't slow back down.  Which means that by the time the sun was out full blast (and it warmed up another 5 degrees) I was working a little harder than I normally like to be working.  It isn't necessarily a bad thing -- I can afford little tiny over-do-its when I am not really training for anything - truth be told it is a little invigorating.  

Back spasms only lasted about 10 mins this morning after I got out of bed and as long as I don't lay down I can breath almost normally today.  The new exercises I got Friday are helping. 

Great races yesterday everyone - congratulations! 

AM: (9+ miles, 1:20:09, 41:03/39:05). I woke up with severe back pain that diminished a little after I did some exercises/stretches. I had my second chiro appointment yesterday. We decided to continue the Egoscue exercises and try the chiro stuff for 3 weeks. If things don't improve then I will go for an MRI. I am hoping that things improve. I have been trying to only take anti-inflammatories at night (I am not supposed to take them at all because I have a disorder that is exacerbated by NSAIDS) ... and things are only horrible in the morning so this is somewhat of an improvement.

The run was wonderful today -- it was hot -- but it is always hot. I am "embracing" the heat and trying to be more Zen-like ;-). But my legs felt good and I enjoyed being out there!!

PM: (4.5 miles).Windy, hot, beautiful storms along the horizon ... did not end up helping me, though I was hoping for rain so badly on my run ... it was 100-103F depending on what  thermometer I believe ... but the sun was down -- and there were storm clouds (and lightening and a rainbow!  how cool is that?).

Have a wonderful Tuesday bloggers!

Entertaining (to me) link from Pete Magill's blog. 

whoops.  Forgot to look at my watch - but it was around 60`.  I rode my bike into work today, so I had to hurry out of the house after my run.  I was conflicted this morning ... I realized last night that I had left my helmet in the back of my car -- after all the planning with bringing an extra lunch into work for today, extra change of clothes, etc.  the one thing I forget is the helmet!  DRAT.  I decided to live on the edge and ride without it (I was a little more hesitant than usual especially on the "mountain bike" part of the ride - and was extra vigilant about looking for cars coming out of driveways and side streets).  But then ... on my run this morning I got STUNG ... I don't know if it was a spider, fire ant, or scorpion ... but it hurt like heck.  At first I thought it was just a "sticker" that had gotten stuck on the tongue of my running shoe ... but when I bent down to pull it out, there was nothing there, but there was a tiny blood prick on my foot/ankle.  Well, I finished my run and did not notice any neurologic symptomology ... so I think I am ok.  But it hurts like crazy and my ankle/foot is all red and swollen.  What a mess!  If I was not in a Zen-like embrace with the desert (over the heat and whatnot) I would be upset ... OOOOHHHMMM OOOOHHHMMM.

The weather was nice today, still very hot, but the monsoons are coming, the monsoons are coming ... it was overcast and that makes all the difference!   My run last night was into huge wind gusts like I have never seen before (even in Wyoming) -- dust devils everywhere ... today was lovely in comparison.  That is why I ended up riding my bike regardless of the non-helmet shod head, aching back, and throbbing ankle -- it was just too nice of a day not to!!

Yours in peace and harmony (oooommmm) bloggers!

AM: (9.5 + miles, 1:22:57). 27:14 warm-up 20 x :30 w/1` recovery and 25:43 cool-down. Great run, it was pretty humid (and hot, but what else is new, OHHHMMM). I enjoyed running fast and I enjoyed the morning!

I called poison control yesterday about my bite (to make sure it was nothing serious). It hurt SOOOO much all day and night. He said it sounded like either an Africanized bee or one of many of the horrid little stinging ants we have around here. On the off chance it was a spider he told me what to look for today. Last night the inflammed area was about 6 cm in diameter, pretty localized. It "sweated" all night, but I put some of my magical (perscription strength) steriod cream on it and today you can hardly see it!! YEA. AND -- best news of all -- I could breath this morning when I woke up! I was still sore and my back felt "tight" - but it was so much better. I feel like a million bucks! Maybe whatever stung me injected a toxin that is turning me into a running "Incredible Hulk" -- ahhh, to dream!

PM: (4 miles, 36:57). Going to my favorite park ...

Happy day bloggers!

Reminder everyone, the Tour de France starts on Saturday. Even if you don't have the VERSUS (old Outdoor Life Network, OLN) channel, their website is really nice for keeping track of what is going on. If there is any sport (besides swimming) that gets even less respect than running it is cycling. It is a very complicated team sport that I find facinating to watch, man these guys are tough endurance athletes. It helps if you know some cyclists who can describe the strategies, but even without understanding them it is pretty exciting (I think).

1:04:10 (32:37/31:32).   I have to be very careful, I feel really good on my runs (it is rare to get injured when you are struggling in your running, the thought is that when you feel good you have a tendency to push it more than you do when you are tired or training "close to the edge").  Anyway it was 87F and 45% humidity ... I haven't run in humid weather in a while ... but with such low temperatures it just feels SOOOO good!

Last night my car died on the way to "my favorite park".  It had rained just before my run, so it felt so cool (like this morning actually) there was NO WAY I was going to miss running in cooler weather ... so I went for my run from where I was parked ... It was sort of scary at the end (because it was dark and a very busy street) - but I was able to run on the dirt and felt so good.  I was surprised after my morning run I expected to be  a little tight ... but I felt great (I think it was the weather).

Happy Weekend bloggers!!
 

AM: (8 miles, 1:10:21 (36:16/33:56)). WOW, what a difference a night of rain makes ... temps 77.3-81.7 (depending on the weather stations - I run by two of them) 77% humidity. It felt SOOOO good. I had no idea how much the heat has been slowing me down. We went to Phoenix yesterday so that our ART/Chiro guy could look Dean over and see how his prolotherapy has been working. He worked over my hip/hamstring and ankle really good ... I could barely sit in the car it hurt so bad. It did wonders though on my quads which are still problematic.

 The monsoon rains are starting -- not in full glory yet, but the wash had water in it and plenty of roads were blocked off early this morning ... it is pretty exciting!  Though I love the rain, I hope for the kids (and adults who like fireworks) that it is clear tonight.
 

PM: (4.5 miles). My favorite park, hopefully I will make it there tonight with no car troubles!

Happy 4th of July bloggers!