Patience; the new endurance sport.

Trying to find something to replace running -- is exactly like trying to get over your last boyfriend (the one you dated for 10 years). To move forward, you go out with friends (the gym, swimming, biking) or people who are new (cross-fit, PX90) doing your best to be open minded and generous in trying to give others the chance to grow on you. But really, your eyes glaze over while they are talking and you look out the window, wondering what the weather is like on the trail you can vaguely trace with your eyes along the bench of the mountain--remembering what it feels like and sounds like to run strong.......I had dream last night about running the last .2 miles of the St. George Marathon.  I was running  (with beautiful, fluid, strength) down that  bit of road after you turn left on the corner to get to the finish.  There was the crowd, and I was getting closer and closer to the chute--but then I would close my eyes as I made my last effort to the finish, and when I opened them,  the finish line would be farther away, and I'd keep running until I'd wake up.  I did that a few times last night with the depressing realization that I'm single again (as far as this metaphor goes).

I didn't have the time to get to the gym before work so I thought I'd try a little "real" running (it's been about a week).  I so enjoy this weather, the clear calm pre-dawn sky, the manicured landscaped gardens around here. I am happy to report that cross fit and extreme elliptical work outs have vastly improved my cardio vascular health.   However--I'm pretty sure my piriformis is beyond repair.  It plagues me during the run, and for the remaining hours of the day as I sit at my desk.  The only place I can comfortably run at a decent pace is on the grass.  I may try a trail on Saturday to console myself that I am missing Catherine, and being in St. George.  But this '08 piriformis injury is not going away.  It really started to bother me again while training for the Utah Valley Marathon.  The injections and stretches Dr. Brady gave were a temporary fix.  The pain of running on it has now become equal in seriousness to my passing out at various intervals during the day (we'll find out what that's all about in the next 3 weeks I hope).  Doing cross fit, and going to the gym is growing on me.  I'm getting stronger in new and different places, my cardio threshold is higher/better, and performing highly challenging, high intensity work outs (that don't hurt my hip/butt/ham) are rebuilding my confidence.  It's nice to be working on other muscle groups.  And being in the gym reminds me of the years I spent working out with my father whilst he was doing his best to keep me (his adolescent daughter) from being as large as his 350 pound mother.  But working out-- just doesn't light my fire the way running does.  I'm watching the leaves turn color and enjoying the temperate weather while patiently biding my time until the snow comes, allowing me to lose myself on a mountain of powder.  

Got myself a personal trainer today.  I am kind of excited to learn new excercizes and how to use the free weights and machines at the gyn.  I've enjoyed feeling my the muscles on my back and rump get more firm.  My strenghthened hamstrings/glutes feel as if they are protecting the injury there. I've been 'running' on the ellpitical going at about 6.5+ MPH (it equals about 9 minute miles and I go at about a 15 level).  A hard work out on the ellpitical feels good when I'm done.  After an ellptical work out, my body doesn't hurt or feel arthritic the rest of the day or night. It leaves me feeling the way running used to feel when I was younger, and I did it just for fun or excersize (before marathoning).  The ellpitical allows me to breath much harder and push my self without hurting anthing.  I can close my eyes when it gets intense (or I want to ramp up the speed into the 7's) and unlike running, I can't run off the trail or into other runners (as I am wont to do).  I can go wild, and NOTHING HURTS --not during or after.  I just have to be sure I've eaten about 30 minutes before I work out, and have a few sips of juice right after to keep from getting light headed before the rest of the work out.  My Personal trainer was a pretty good body-builder once...Not my favorite personality type, but he'll push me.  I have a fitness evaluation on Monday. They are doing the whole fat caliburation, VO2 max/Threshold test, etc.  I'll set some goals and see if I can get fit again wihout my leg breaking off my torso.

Jos called yesterday to see if I wanted to go with her, Ericka and their friend to St. George to support everyone running today.  I might have gone if I had thought about it sooner and made arrangements.  But maybe it would just depress me.  I don't have a clear vision of ever running another marathon based on what my body is doing right now.  My new office accountant is running it today for the first time.  I think this is Catherine's 7th or 8th St. George?  Her husband Scott  is running too. I am sad to not be there drinking up the adrenaline in the atmosphere.  I wore some pretty killer stilettos tonight.  And I stayed out late.  One of the benefits of not running 50+ mile weeks, has been not feeling chronically arthritic or exhausted.... so I can wear prettier shoes and stay up a little later without feeling murderous or wrecking my sciatic nerve the next day.