Believe to Achieve

I decided to add this at the top before you fall asleep at the end.  You never know what good you can do in an early morning decision of which route to run.  I encountered two moments to help out a stranger and I thought if I chose a different route I wouldn't have helped out. Even though I didn't get a thanks I felt good I could be of service.  About five kids were biking to school at 745am and one got his back pack caught in his wheel pretty tightly.  He had no idea what to do and was standing in the middle of the road confounded.  I simply instructed to take off the back pack, lifted up the chain and removed the tightly woven strap and he sped off without much to say.  Then I met up with the same bikers crossing the road and one girl was crying due to an "injured" ankle from another rider.  "no blood"  I said.  "you just feel more pain due to the cold, you will feel good soon, and after my gentle reminder about "where are all your new helmets that were passed out to you last week at safety week to every kid at Manila Elementary? (my next door neighbor, mother of four, her helmet although crushed, saved her life as she was in ICU for three months last year)... but that young girl was off too (she said her new helmet caused her last accident... interesting).  Wow hadn't even got to the first mile mark and I was feeling like I saved  the world (or at least tried), not really but... it really does pay to be at the right place at the right time for both sides. 

Now back to my story...  I went back to the chiropracter due to my hip and knee acting up with this run which feels really great during the massage, ultrasound heat and stretching and realignment then whamo in the car the nerve is still acting up.  I am not sure what to think.  But really I want the nerve pain to migrate to an arm, I really don't need them too much in a marathon.  I felt great cardiovascularly (is that a word?) and my whole right side was like this is easy, but no the left hip was like "ry doing this for 23 more miles and I will show you"  I am now looking for a miracle to have this nerve pain transform out of my leg/hip/knee/foot within 60 hours.  My last mile felt very easy despite the pain as far as respiratory effort   (7:03) which I was happy with but a half hour after the run the nerve pain set in.  The same burning pain that I feel in my head neck and shoulder often.  I figure one of these days I get a correct diagnosis.  I have gone from multiple sclerosis, chiari malformation,  fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, multiple chemical sensitivity, lupus  to yeast overgrowth.  Some day answers will come.  In the meantime I choose to run.  I tried to stop running in the past because I got comments it was due to running, but low and behold the same pains even after taking off for a month.  Okay enough already.  Don't feel sorry for me if anything be stronger from reading my story.  The power  of the mind (over matter) is achievable.  I want everyone to remember that at mile 15, 20-26.2 etc....  This too shall pass if you are at that point in feeling... or say to yourself....  I can do this,  turn a frown upside down and smile those miles away.  It truly works.  I will be at the starting line no matter what.  See you all there sooner than later.  Get lots of sleep the next two nights.  I hope to make it by the blog party, but my husband will be in the hotel watching the BYU football game tuning out the kids so I may have to stay behind to entertain at the pool.  Another long post.  Thanks for hanging in there.  ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzss.

Okay that was a quick run even though it was run sloowwwwlllly. Ran with hubby. First mile 9:49 second mile 9:00. I was thinking hey this is nice. Do I even want to run fast? ..... of course I will try.

Here goes 24 hours later (really enjoyed the nice fall weather in St. George Sunday am, but I was told we were all a part of history, since it hadn't rained for the marathon in 25 years, a day to remember for sure):

1:  8:00  (sad to not find my friend Kim, lost each other with a potty break before race start).  Wore a plastic bag over my head, a Target one to be exact, bandana-style!

2:  7:38   No problem.

3-4:   Too dark and crowded to see mile marker three so cumulative time 14:57 (maybe even split of 7:29)

5-6:  Still dark and crowded: 14:36  (7:18s).  Too fast but felt easy so I thought maybe I can do this, should have eased back I guess for some steam at the finish.

7:  Oooops 7:06.  Was this way down hill?  ....cause I felt so good. 

8:  Bigger ooops.  Slowed on purpose on Veyo a bit too slow 9:01.

9: 8:09.  Finding it hard to get a pace here, but thinking I hope this is uphill still.  Just couldn't tell with the wind and rain.

10:  8:11.  Am I just running out of steam or what.   I really am thinking magic might happen at mile 15 like in the past.

11: 8:33.  Well the magic better happen quick cause I am not liking the effort not showing on the clock.

12: 8:05.  Okay better.

13: 7:56.  I'll take that. 

13.1 1:43:10.  Double that makes 3:26:20.  I am thinking this is good cause I always do better here on the second half.......wishful thinking.... here comes the headwinds even stronger...Dear Mother Nature:  Are you having fun today?

14:  7:19.  Where did that come from?  But feeling more positive now.

15-16:  14:31 (7:15s) Getting pretty hopeful cause I sure love mile 15.  Forgot to hit my watch this time as I cheered other runners to try to get them to chase the darn 3:20 balloons.  Wondering where my friend/training partner is?  Probably a mile ahead. 

17: 7:33  No big deal but beginning to feel tightness in the hip where my sciatica had been acting up.  Try to exercise my foot to change the way I was landing.  Foot very stiff and arch and toes are in pain.  But I forced them to move to help my stride.

18-19:  15:49  (7:55s, if even)  Losing energy quick.  Lactic acid coming on thick. Brain becoming more and more drained, like working three night shifts in a row kind of feeling.  Wish I could have slept the last few weeks.  Didn't see mile 18 going up that ridiculously placed hill, but glad it was behind me and not in front of me when wondering where it was.

20:  8:04.  Whatever!!!  Hello body we are going downhill.  YOU like downhill.  Body's response:  Save energy, must save energy, going to meltdown soon.  Post partum friend Melanie rubs shoulders with me.  Go chase the 3:20 balloon I told her.  Last year she ran 3:11 but this year she had a baby July 29th.  So she was in front of me why is she now coming up to me?  I must have missed  passing her.  I cheer her on as she wizzes by.  So long speedy friend.

21: 7:09.  That was the last of my strength.  It was my brains way of trying to get my body to act ALIVE already.  Body's response: bad move, now I am going to meltdown in 4, 3, 2, 1 miles (that equals the 25.2 mile marker). 

22: 8:24.  What am I a yo-yo?  I think I am coming in and out of consciousness or my songs all have different tempos.  Somehow "another one bites the dust" does not seem appropriate right now, because I am about to "bite the dust".  But I see another friend Dr. Scott Mumford.  He had time enough to tell me he hit a wall at 18 and was barely hanging on.  I told him it was pretty tough and away I went. 

23:  7:52.  Now that's better body, brain start working together already.

24:  8:04.  It is still downhill but I am beginning to feel like I am going in slow motion.  Liked all the spectators though.  They were good to still come out in the rain.

25:  8:39.  Diagnol street dragged on for me.  Knew I was going to lose it soon during that mile.  Hello brain.  Are you there?  I mean are we trying finish strong or not?   Brain's response.  Sorry, signing out.   Zero mental ability.  Smoke inhalation. Vision getting blurry.  See all the people passing us?  You are in a pathetic state.  Body:  if you say so. 

25.2:  1:20.  That has to be off looking at my watch now.  No way was I running that fast.  Perhaps mile 25 I pushed my split button too late.  I don't know if I really saw mile 25 now.

26.2:   9:21.  The finish looked like a great place to be it was just that I couldn't really pull out the strength to get there.  I was like running in place or something.  I think I will go back to not wearing my iPod.  I am not sure it helps my concentration in a race.  Crossing the finish line was bless-ed.  Two army guys held me up:  Am I in heaven?  (just kidding).  That's when my vision turned wavy and they walked me to the tent.  I was glad I didn't pass out.  I felt very cold, so the blanket felt great.  Oh, about 20 seconds after me at the finish I was in shock to see my friend Kim.  Like where were you?  We were running together the whole time practically.  The same half split etc..  I am sure way different in between.  But there she was.  Like a true training partner.  And guess what?  Good old chip timing placed her 8 seconds in front of me but we were #114 and #115 for women out of 2180.  We were happy together.  That was a cool way to enjoy the whole experience of SGMs history making day of rain.

Absolutely nothing.  But I failed to mention in my race report about my ankle skin tear.... major ouch after the affects of the cold and rain wore off.  Like a razor cut to the back of my ankle, in feel, shape and size.  Don't remember any razors along the race course.  And I didn't shave just before running.  So my guess is that having bought new socks I had failed to find that tiny plastic piece they hook socks with and you cut  or use your teeth to break apart so you can wear your socks not all connected.  Well that is all I can think of cause I don't know what else could have been rubbing me like that and causing such damage.  I couldn't even go in the pool afterwards due to the intense stinging from the water/chlorine.  It is keeping me at bay with my rest period too.  No way do I want to run.  The cut is placed at the back of my ankle where my ankle touches my shoes.  My other ankle showed no signs of rubbing that's why I figured something was in my sock.  It is a hard place to have a cut because as the scar is healing it hurts to flex or stretch my heal at all.  The cut was deep.  It didn't stop bleeding after the race for a few hours.  Like I would wipe away the blood and it would keep bleeding.  Just like a razor cut.   Man oh man does it burn.  On the bright side NO blisters whatsoever.  Very odd as I usually lose both my second toenails.  Soreness getting better.  Not running until Friday if my ankle allows. 

Went to Clear Creek Camp with my 10 year old daughter Courtney.  We hiked one mile up and then back down.  With 10 year olds and teachers we stopped four times going up so it was very low key.  It was absolutely gorgeous up there with the leaves changing and the cool mountain air.  Visualized myself running on the trails.  I am thinking of running a lot more trails since Hope to Hobble run that I loved.  I am actually going to do the Squaw Peak 50 miler next June 6th.  A nice day hike is how I will look at it.  I know it is 50 miles but I have always loved the mountain runs.  So I just have to do it.  So I will do Antelope Island Run (50K) as training next March and Ogden Marathon 3 weeks before at a nice and easy pace (9:30 to 10 minute miles).  But for now I am going to enjoy the Fall runs around my home (the canal and PG's canyon).  I love this time of year!!!!  P.S.  Ankle itching like crazy,  I guess a sign of healing. 

No soreness and am raring to go but this darn scab on my ankle is placed where it would rub off again while running.  So here I sit and wait...... for the healing to take place.  It still continues to itch and burn while healing so I definitely don't want to do anything to slow the process down.  Perhaps this is for a reason.   It may be that I should be taking it easy for my bones and muscles to heal as well. 

Same as Wednesday. The scab is forming more but still can't wear sneakers without feeling it rubbing.  Tick Tock Tick Tock. 

Colder now so not as excited about getting out there.  It feels like Winter.  Went to BYU women's soccer game last night with 11 of our 16 soccer players including my daughter.  The season ended a month ago but we thought we would take them since my friend's daughter is the captain and she had $1 tickets for us.  We had a great time.  Wanted to run cause the air was warmer last night.  Still waiting for the darn ankle to heal.  It will be a while. 

4.2 in 33:57. (8:03).  Ran with Troy.  Felt great. 

Nice and easy first mile just under 10 last mile 9:03.    Avg pace 9:30. Total minutes 47.

Got enough exercise going with the entire Kindergarten to Pumkinland (two bus loads full).  No running. Ankle scar healing quite well now.

Medium pace.  Ran up 1100 North to canal and up to Cedar Hills and down across to my 800 Meter/1/2 mile road and felt awesome!!!  The first mile being up hill for last half was 8:15 to the canal in my fastest time of 15:37 (very steep grade).  Ran slower on the canal for a few minutes then back up to pace.  Ran my 1/2 mile in 3:24.  Left leg trying to do the same old same old but heart felt like it could go faster.  I just wanted it to feel relaxed and it did.  Then ran  easy to my last mile mark and ran a 6:50.  Developed a muscle pain in the left mid-back region at about 3 miles that after two hours from running is quite painful with certain rotations.  Not sure why this happened.  Probably will ice it and see if I can reduce the inflammation.  Total time 57:10.   So average pace 8:10 for the 7 miles.  Probably longer run than 7.  Not shorter though.  I was training my legs to try shorter quicker strides and it worked better for my body for some reason.  Glad to have the endorphins back after taking all of last week off to heal my ankle laceration.  Felt like a Saturday due to UEA so can't believe I feel this good  so early after the marathon.  Wish I had the means to fly to NYC and run that marathon on November 8th.  I would just love to be in the spirit of that run at a nice and easy recovery pace.

No running, just intense pain and spasm in my upper left back behind my rib cage.  It continued all day yesterday even until the dreadful BYU game last night and is still happening today.  Nurse friend thinks it may be a heart attack but I have had this before but just not as intense.  It is all a part of toxin build up  I believe as I was exposed to many perfumes and fertilizers at Pumpkinland then ate popcorn when I was told I was sensitive to corn on an allergy test, my fault there.  I think they all (allergies)  just targeted one muscle in my back and brought an episode of nausea, burping and esophogeal spasm.  It took my breath away all day yesterday.  I tried pepcid and ibuprofen.  Then I talked with my mom who went to the ER  a while ago with a similar problem and they told her it was esophogeal spasm after checking her for a heart attack.  Since we get the same headaches etc... I figured I wasn't going to die.  The pain was ridiculous though.  Up there with labor pains no joke!!!  I purchased some generic Davascon and chewed up two of those tablets (they contain magnesium) and after several more hours of burping today the pain gradually subsided but my rib cage is still very sore, presumably from the spasms  Glad this is about over.  

Ran in the country in a town North of Summit thirty miles from Jordanelle reservoir.  We had the pleasure of staying in a  large nice cabin with all the modern day amenities!!  Got up waiting for the sun to rise so daylight and a reflection of sunshine so decided to get going at 8am so I could be back to make breakfast with my husband for everyone.  I ran a very hilly course much like You've Gotta Be Kidding in the Wasatch Back Relay.  At least 2.5 miles of steep terrain.  The downhill was tricky as my rib cage is still sore and some residual snow pack on the road making for some possible slipping.   The way up was great no snowpack as sun must get this area more during the day.  I did a loop.  Later in the day we drove to a place nearby where I ran so I clocked it on my car (the first half) and ran that steepness in 26 minutes and it was 2.25 miles.  I knew I started slow due to my guarding of possible spasm and joint pain everywhere ( my brother in law who invited us there had put on very strong cologne, he tried to wash it off for me but it was still hanging on his clothes- so my headache stayed on and joint pain progressed thru the night there).    Funny thing is he hates cologne but he put it on because he had a job interview. Why?  Do people get jobs based on smell?  I sufferered for that one.   I genuinely hope all of you readers never get this allergy but if you do you become way more concerned about your environment that you almost feel as an outcast.  Outdoor allergies that most people do get to pollens etc... have better medicines for them and removal techniques.  Researchers still don't know where the allergy for chemicals lie and therefore traditional antihistamines do not work on them.  Instead a strict diet and probiotics is prescribed after finding food allergens thru testing and pending help in the future by detoxifying.  Okay I went off on a tangent.  I came back a longer way to make it about 5.2 miles (58 minutes).    Was very joint tired.  The air probably has less oxygen too.  The elevation is greater here by a margin. 

Ran with Troy.  First mile 9:36.  Last mile 7:00.  Nice and easy the rest of miles for some conversation.  Ran into the woman who set Troy and I up.  Very worried for her because she thinks her ex husband put a device in her back that controls her.  Made for interesting running conversation with my husband.  She wanted him to write up something legal in for no one to touch her body after she is found by police and all evidence to be held secure.  Wow!!!!  They got divorced a few years back and have two kids.  Every time we see her she talks on and on about her ex doing this or that.  It is sad.  Her kids need her to hold it together.  Anyway, we slowed our pace a bit after this to absorb in the info.  We changed topics and began to enjoy our run more except my husband was kicked hard in a soccer game a week ago and his chest has been hurting him a great deal.  He groaned a lot during the run.  I think he may have a cracked rib.  But all you do for those is wait it out.  It is his right chest.  Got some difficult news today more than the above mentioned one.  Hope to make it through this trial a better person. 

Felt good and strong from the start so decided to keep the pace and do my mapped 5K.  Relaxed time trial except for picking it up the last 0.1 at a time of 22:09.  My warm up was also quick that I usually jog.  Just felt great.  Body responded well.  Pace 7:09.  First mile 7:16.  So last two quicker.  Brief cool down as I was needing to get to a job interview. Dealing with a lot of difficult stress in my life right now.  Feeling a little Job-like.  Thankful for my running.  Always thankful for running. 

Up 1300 west with husband.  Told him I was doing 5 miles but decided to go a different direction and ended up 7.   Started getting indigestion feeling again after 4 miles so couldn't go too fast.  Was aiming for 9:00 anyway to help me recover.  Very freezing!!  I wore my SGM shirt (black) and still didn't feel warm, even ear muffs.  The shirt was too thin for me and the breeze was too cool  Pace up hill strong 9:15 straight up.  Took the Cedar Ridge Elem. Parkway trail path back to Deerfield Elem.  Still cold writing this as I had to immediately go VT and came back made some oat and flax muffins before finally showering before VT again and froze with we hair.  Hope I am burning off some calories as an ice cube.  Husband hung on strong.  He is tough.  Sweating buckets though as my sweat froze in mid air.  Are many bloggers doing the Halloween runs this weekend?  Not sure about night running.  So may do the one in SLC.  Or nothing.  Just a nice and easy long run on the canal, perhaps. 

Ran to 200 South Pleasant Grove (High School rd.)  to canal and back to 1100 North on canal.  Used course tool.  Just realized it was available in this way.  Could have had a V8.  Sorry just having a trip into the past.  Was tired and cold again.  Managed 7:27 for last mile.  Otherwise pace 9:20.

Ran to meet with Kim at 640am then to meet Jane at Temple (Mt. Timp).  Ran to what we call Farm Rd. (silos) and up to mouth of AF canyon.  Cold wind and all up hill.  Turned around at Golf Course and ran on trail to Deerfield Elem then East and then south back to temple.  Kim nor I wanted to run the 1.8 back to our house so Jane was nice to give us a ride back to our homes.   My sweat froze up quickly so got in the shower and steamed the cold out of me.  Ran 9.3 (course tool, hoping it reads less than actual, considering the trail zig zags and I drew a straight line with the tool) so pace was decent for the mighty uphill for the first half (8:55 average).  First mile I know up hill was 9:15.  Not bad with tired legs, hills three days in a row and this was the farthest and longest of the hills.  Yay for rest day tomorrow.  Yes I know I said I was going to do only two today but Kim called last night and I didn't want to say no.  We all were within 35 seconds of each other at the SGM yet never saw one another except on the bus ride up we sat together.  Next year we hope to conquer the 3:15 mark, mother nature should be on our side next year based on history. 

Ran on and off around my ward passing out flyers with my husband about the Halloween Party we are having.  Yup on the activities committee.  We have some fun planned!! including a hayride and hot chocolate after a chili cookoff, cake walk, parade and other games for the kids.  After passing out the flyers we ran just two miles.  8 munutes and 7:15.  Cleaned all morning so had already worked up a sweat so glad to only do four.  Is anyone doing the Turkey Trot in Orem?  Also new this year is Fleet Feets Turkey Trot (5K) in American Fork.  Just wondering what some of you are doing? 

Same as October 16th (1100 North to Canal to Farm Rd to my 800 to last mile marker to home).   First mile ran with husband.  He wasn't intereted in a long fast run so he veered another way.  I zoomed up 1100 North the steep part to the canal (16:03, 26 seconds slower than the 16th but actually faster to that point after leaving hubby by 6 seconds because first mile was 35 seconds slower than two weeks ago).  The best part was no indigestion/chest pain this time and I felt strong so I made it into a speed workout.  Ran the rest in 7 minute and under pace.  My 800 road time was 3:25 on very tired legs but I was able to kick it in the last mile at 6:29 pace (it helps when a small  yapping dog chases you the last tenth).  I was happy with that and my total time was 53:20.  That is 3:50  faster than two weeks ago.  Yay!!!  My headaches have been a lot better lately.  Knock on Wood.  Not as many allergens this time of year I guess to add to my already chemically sensitive body.  So far I have found out I am low on an important liver enzyme that breaks down toxins.  I will see if the supplement works.  Apparently it needs to be manufactured by the body and taking it orally isn't as effective as researchers want it.  I will try anything.  The enzyme is called l-glutathione.  I can't wait to be free of these symptoms.  Prayer has helped too.  It sounds so basic but it is true. 

Well, another beautiful day.  Ran with Troy.  I am trying to have my easy pace be faster than the old easy pace so my body gets used to it so I can go longer faster someday.  We went 5.35 miles per course tool.  Average pace 8:28 (Goal 8:30, so glad with that).  First mile 8:50.  Last mile 8:03.  Good hill work out once again.  Can't get away from them here in Pleasant Grove.  Headache free, again.  I am currently knocking on wood.  Tonite is the big party.  Been running around here and there and feel slightly overwhelmed, but hey now have time to blog.  Amazing.  I must be doing okay on time then. 

Real Slow.  My legs are drained from "pumps" with my eighties outfit yesterday and running around all day getting the party set up.   It was a big success.   Actually had extra chili/Soup and rolls!!!  Last year we had to bee line to the store for rolls and not everyone got enough soup.  So we planned well and everyone came through on their sign-ups.  The hayride was the big hit.  My husband drove our SUV (glad gas prices have fallen) and pulled my father in laws trailer with one hay bail covering the bottom (way plenty of hay in one bail).  We had hot chocolate out at our pavillion too and some took it with them on the ride.  Many took several rides.  We also had face painting, fish pond, other games and cookie walk for the kids.  Oh and an adorable costume parade thru the eating area before breaking for all the activities.  We did it to some cool Halloween music.  Therefore,  my legs are on strike.  They are pulsating as I type this and are desperate for a massage and bath,  so off I go to try to beg my husband for a foot and leg massage. 

Someone want to tell me how 2.5 miles of Trick or Treating can take 3 hours?  Hello that is a marathon in itself.  My legs are wiped out and I am going out on a 12 miler this morning!!!  Oh the mountain of candy my kids have.  They were real troopers.  One wanted to keep going after we picked up her very active friend (they are 10) that saw all Courtney's candy after trick or treating at her house and was already out of her costume.  She quickly redressed and got out with us.   My legs are burning and constantly aching.  I took a naprosyn.  I hope it works.  Hey, and what is up with 7am being pitch black outside?  My kids had early day at school (8am) and they usually go at 9am.  I got them up in the dark.  Boy did their school create a little monster (or two) with that change on Halloween.  Grumpy, grumpy my littlest was in the morning.  I was amazed my five year old last three hours trick or treating.  At 1030 am today my middle daughter Brooke gets baptized!!  Oh yes.  The infamous scheduling of baptisms after a major sugar high and a 3 hour Halloween Marathon!!!  I hope we can maintain peace.  The Relief Society's President's daughter will also be getting baptized.  We are glad we didn't get the 9am spot that the other ward in our stake got.   Anyway,  nonetheless, we are excited for this wonderful day.  We have had at least three Family Home Evenings this month teaching our daughter more about baptism.  She is already telling her little sister "you know I am eight, so I can't color in Sacrament, I have got to listen".  Parenthood....the joys!!!!