Kim versus the Half Marathon - The Hottest Half

Well...it was a personal worst, but I did it.

13.1 is far, y'all.  For reals.  13.54 is even further!  I don't know about you, but there is nothing that agitates me more than seeing the distance I truly traveled in a race you only get credited for 13.1.  Usually I can look back and see where I did some weaving (or...um...getting lost), but since I put myself at the very back and walked The Hottest Half, well...there wasn't much weaving at all.  =/

So, it would be VERY easy for me to tear myself apart with regard to this race.  I mean I hadn't trained for it except for a few longish walks and a couple of weekday jaunts - none of which ever attained my goal pace and none of which lasted more than 8 miles.  As I've mentioned before, I've gained some weight back and I just haven't been eating as well as I should and I haven't been moving as much as I should.  To bottom-line it, I'm out of shape.  I thought about opting out of the race altogether and/or knocking my registration down to the 10K (which also would have granted me a medal upon completion), BUT I decided I was to be punished for my wayward lifestyle as of late and that come hell or highwater (in Houston?  in Dallas?  in this drought?) I needed to complete this race and use the blood, sweat, tears, and pain to catapult me into getting back on the right track.

I will say that this was one of my most humbling experiences of all time.

After splitting a peanut butter and honey sandwich with That Pink Girl, we headed out to White Rock for our race.  On a side note, I think I liked the PB&H over oatmeal as a pre-race breakfast.  This was a smallish race in that there were 1375 finishers.  My goal was to not be last.  haha!  Well I had more goals - although I wanted to finish in legal time, I knew my lack of training would probably not allow it.  I was right.  So my other goals were to not dehydrate and just to finish.  Pretty simple, right?!

I had a hydration plan.  I was going to take water from all 6 hydration stations on the way out (it was an out and back course) and then drink from my Camelbak (filled with G2) on the way back.  It became clear pretty early on that this plan wasn't going to work for me.  It was hot y'all AND I'm one sweaty girl AND seeing as I was walking the course (not in the best shape), I knew early on to avoid cramping calves and other symptoms of dehydration, I needed a new plan.  I ended up grabbing a water from all 6 hydration stations on the way out while sipping on my Camelbak in the interim.  On the way back, I alternated between water and Powerade at the stations.  This all paid off - by 10.5 miles, I had drained my Camelbak.  By mile 11.5, the twinges started in my left calf.  Some volunteer had offered to let me re-fill my Camelbak around 9 miles, but silly me thought I still had plenty left.  =/

Mile 1 was pretty smooth sailing save for the bridge located around 0.5.  Now, I'm not one of those chickies afraid of a bridge, but I am a chickie with some equilibrium issues and many runners/walkers and bike riders trampling over a bridge makes for quite a bouncy experience.  Can you believe there was another bridge around 1.5 miles?  In my head there were two more, though I might be mistaken.  The one that was located right before mile 5 (and mile 8 on the way back) was by far the worst.  Coming off that cRaZy bridge was a hill.  We all know how much I love to hate hills.  My legs felt disoriented from the bridge and it was just a bad feeling all the way around.

I still felt strong Miles 2-5 as there was quite a bit of shade along the course.  During Miles 4-5 I practically had my own cheer squad.  As the runners on their way back passed me, many of them would high 5 me or clap or shout out encouragement.  It truly brought both a smile to my face and some tears to my eyes.  It was extremely heartwarming that people were so awesome to take the energy out of their own race to help motivate mine.

Miles 6-8 were okay.  At some point, I made a friend.  He was walking the race, as well, and we just chatted along for a couple of miles. 

Miles 9-11 were rough.  I wanted to quit half a dozen times, but I reminded myself that punishment isn't supposed to feel good.  I wasn't hurt, mind you, so there was really no reason to stop...I was just tired (well except for that stupid left calf that started acting up right past mile 11).

Miles 12-13 felt like they took an eternity.  The aid vehicles kept passing me and the girl in front of me.  She was struggling with a hurt leg, so they asked her a time or two if she needed help, but she declined.  We both just wanted to be done.

Around 12.9 miles, TPG came from around the corner and I swear to you that she was the best thing I'd seen all day.  She instantly put a huge smile on my face before she put her coach face on told me to start running to the finish line.  I tried for a few hundredths of a mile, but that lame calf was threatening me.  I started walking again and I was telling TPG about a dude who almost knocked me over around mile 4.  He was coming in the opposite direction of me and stopped to tie his shoe - without pulling to the side.  Some girl told him to get off the course and without looking, he scooted over onto my side of the course.  I girl-screamed in fear of falling over and somehow managed to avoid him and the ground.  TPG pointed out that if I had enough energy to tell a story, I had enough energy to run the rest of the course (I love when she goes all coach on me), so I started running and as I neared the finish line, the MC shouted my name and where I was from.  A fairly large group of spectators cheered for me as I crossed the finish line. 

The Hottest Half peeps handed me a medal and I thanked them for allowing me to finish and giving me the medal even though I didn't finish in legal time.  She laughed, congratulated me, and told me she was proud of me.

Nice people rock my world!

After some much needed water, TPG and I headed towards the car.  A nice aid guy stopped us and offered us a ride.  I didn't want to take him up on it because of pride issues, but then he said if we didn't let him take us, he was going to have to go back and become part of the clean-up crew.  We laughed and thanked him for the ride.

I will say that this was one of my favorite races as far as organization, staffing, and hydration stations go.  It was the absolute best race as far as my fellow racers go. AND if I could ever get my act together...despite the heat...I would consider doing it again (the right way).

I will leave you with a couple of pics and my stats.

This is a pic of my fingers after the race (no, they were not painful, but definitely uncomfortable)...

These were my fingers 24 hours later...

This was my post race AWFUL pic, but hey...it's me with my medal and TPG was kind enough to take it...

Time - 3:57:57
Calories Burned - 1989
Finishing Song - Lady Gaga's Paparazzi
Next Stop - Beach Palooza (5K obstacle course) in Galveston on September 24th.

Kim versus the Half Marathon: The OC Half

I flew into LAX on Saturday, 4/30.  My brother Eddie and I had a plan to go to the Expo after we ate lunch after he picked me up from the airport. We both have A.D.D.  At 3:45pm, Eddie reminded me I needed to pick up my packet. We had dinner reservations at Banderas with some friends at 5pm. Ooops. Eddie and April dropped me off at the area near the Expo and then I walked a really fast half mile to the actual packet pick-up. My little swag bag had a sample size Clif Bar, Barnie Butter, a fruit strip , bandaids, and coupons. I was pleased. I would have liked to walk around the Expo and maybe do some shopping (you know how I love to buy me some NUUN), but alas...there was no time.  After my speedy half mile back to the car, we took off to the restaurant...being 25 minutes late. :(

Since we all know I really like having a friend in the race with me (despite the fact that we only see each other at the start), this race was no exception.  My friend and co-worker Carie came cross-country with her husband (and also co-worker), Joe.  Their son and daughter-in-law live in Huntington Beach, the same city my brother and sister-in-law live in.  Though Carie eats 13 miles for breakfast every weekend, she had never actually ran a half marathon, so she was eager to jump on-board my crazy train.

My brother and I met Carie and Joe at Starbucks EARLY Sunday morning and then my brother took us all to the start.  Carie and I did the whole porta-potty thing and hung out until it was go-time and then we parted ways.

My legs felt like lead for mile 1. I was so stiff even though I had stretched. I just couldn't seem to pull the same speed I had in the earlier miles the previous week. Just after mile 1, there was a huge downhill. I decided to run it to gain some time. When I hit mile 2, I was pleasantly surprised to see I had regained my lost time from the first mile and that my legs felt better. This boosted my confidence. Mile 3 offered up another downhill opportunity,so I ran that one, too. I gained more time.

The course was absolutely beautiful.  It offered up a lot of scenic views of the ocean and the mountains.  We ran along some beautiful homes and fragrant flowers.  Shade was offered along the way, as well. 

The race was well organized with 9 water and/or Gatorade stations along the first 13 miles (the marathoners and half marathoners broke off from one another right around 12.25) and there were numerous porta-potty opportunities along the way.  Rarely would anyone actually have to wait in line for their use.  I know I didn't have to and that made me happy!  I was a bit put off when I did have to wait for a light to cross the street around mile 5, though.  I've never had that happen in a race before.

One of the reasons I chose The OC Half was because it offered a negative net elevation.  I think, in my head, I confused this with it being a flat course.  It was anything but flat.  I also know that about 2 months before the race, they changed the course for whatever reason, so perhaps that had something to do with the hills.  Regardless, I totally know why I never drive a course before I run/walk it.  I'm better off not knowing what I'm up against.

The course got kind of weird around mile 7.  I started feeling a little sick and I was moving really slowly.  I started feeling better around mile 8 and then right before I hit 9, it was a straight uphill.  Ugh.  The same thing happened right around mile 11.  Double Ugh.  I just kept marching along.

I told myself no charlie horses.  I carried (and drank from) my new handheld Amphipod 20 oz water bottle filled with water and a lemon-lime NUUN tablet and I stopped at every single drink station and had 1-2 drinks.  I'm proud to announce that I managed to complete this race charlie horse free (and without getting lost like I did the previous week).

Carie killed it with a time of 2:05:02.  She is awesome!  Now she is talking about going back to the OC to run The Surf City Half on Feb. 5th.  It's tempting, so we shall see!  This one truly is a flat course and that truly makes me happy.

Upon completion of our race, we were all handed a bottle of water, a bottle of Gatorade, and a little goodie bag with a banana and a Clif's Mojo sample size bar.

Time-  3:28:55
Finishing Song - Natasha Bedingfield's Touch
Next Stop- The Hottest Half on 8/14 in Dallas - I will be running this race in its entirety (save for walking thru the water stations) - I have a training plan in place - there will be a PR...just you wait and see!

official finisher's photo

Eddie's pic of me



Day 16: Music makes the people come together

Still marching along on the 30 Day Challenge...

Day 16 - Your views on mainstream music

This is a hot topic worthy of discussion?  Um...I like mainstream music.  Is that okay?  Not sure what direction I'm supposed to take this in...

I have a very eclectic taste in music.  Come to think of it, I pretty much have a very eclectic taste in all forms of entertainment - books, movies, plays, television shows, etc.  This either makes me well-rounded or non-committal.

I seem to get into certain modes.  My modes are dictated by my mood and/or by my life's circumstances.

When I'm all stressed out, I need mellow tunes to soothe my soul.

When I'm feeling like my world is spinning out of control, I need to dig deep and go spiritual with some Christian contemporary flare.

When I'm wanting to take on the world, I like pop/top 40.

When I'm feeling reminiscent/nostalgic, I go country.  That might not make any sense, but country just takes me there for some reason.

My point is that everything I listen to comes to me via my chosen XM stations, my chosen Pandora channels, or my iTune purchases and all happen to be mainstream music because that's what I'm exposed to...or how I roll.

This is kind of a boring post.  So sorry...

Fave singers include, but are not limited to:
Amy Winehouse
Adele
Jason Mraz
Brad Paisley
Carrie Underwood
Christina Aguilera
Michael Buble
Harry Connick Jr.
Ray LaMontagne


Who are some of your favorite crooners?

Kim versus the Half Marathon: Hippity Roc Half

I totally had a bad attitude about this race.  It's not like me to have a bad attitude about a race.  It started out with the fact that I have been sick for nearly 3 weeks and unable to run do to a bronchial cough and major congestion.  Then my bad attitude grew wings and took off from there.  I found out there were only 375 registrants.  Pretty sure this is the smallest race I've "run" yet - and it was a half marathon!  BUT then I found out it was capped at that amount and that there was a waiting list...that made me feel a little bit better.  I have to admit I thought it was awfully cute that there was an Expo.  I mean my two Rock 'n' Roll half marys had Expos, but The Houston Half (that hurt me) didn't have one and the RunGirl 13.1 I was signed up for but couldn't run (because of the pelvic stress fracture) didn't have one.

I'm a bad blogger.  I totally forgot to take a picture of the Expo.  =(  I was uber impressed.  There were a few local businesses pushing their products - kettle corn, I believe, and a massage place, amongst others.  The thing that turned my frown upside down was the packet pick-up.  In my head, I had decided this was a rinky-dink race that wasn't even going to have a tech t-shirt.  I knew they had gender specific shirts (which I appreciated), but I was wrong...it's the best tech shirt I've received yet!  Normally a packet pick-up comes in a paper envelope or a plastic bag.  This one came in a purple reuseable bag - something you could use for grocery shopping should a girl choose to go green.  There were all kinds of awesome swag goodies inside.  Check it out!  Yep, a reflector for night running, a water bottle with the race logo, sports beans, 2 Gu packs, and a Chomps pack.  Best swag bag to date!  So...total shift in attitude.

Race morning I made arrangements to meet up with my race buddy Melissa in the parking lot of the high school located across the street from The Bridgeland Community.  Once there, I completed gearing up (accidentally leaving my visor behind - MISTAKE #1) and we trekked over to the porta-potties.  It took us about 30 minutes or so to get through the line and then we stretched and grabbed a place at the start.  This was where I found Bobbi Jo!  Remember her?  We did the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago half together last year - my very first half!

Now I decided I was walking this whole race - something I've never done before - because I had not run in 3 weeks, I was still a bit congested, and I have another half marathon in 8 days.  I had a goal in mind of 15 minute miles, but secretly, I knew I could maintain a faster pace - at least for half the race.  Since I wasn't running, there would be no sloshing around of my system which meant I should be able to make it without a bathroom break AND I did just that.  I knew without a bathroom break I might just have a chance of PRing the race (sad, but true story since I'm THAT slow of a runner -ha!).

I started off incredibly strong.

Mile 1-  14:33

There was a water/Gatorade station around 1.5 miles.  I bypassed it.  MISTAKE #2.

Mile 2-  14:28

There was a water/Gatorade station just past mile 3.  I grabbed one DIXIE cup (yes, that small) filled with the most watered down Gatorade you could ever imagine.  MISTAKE #3.

Mile 3-  14:29

Mile 4-  14:22

Just past mile 5 there was another water/Gatorade station.  The Gatorade wasn't quite as watered down, I grabbed two Dixie cups.  At the start of Mile 4, I could tell I was developing a blister on the upper edge of my right heel.  Courtesy of wearing brand new socks, perhaps?  MISTAKE #4

By now the wind had picked up, but it was a weird wind.  Sometimes it was hitting us dead on.  Other times it was coming at us from the side.  Since there were so few people in this race, most were runners.  I was with a group of about 8-10 walkers.  There were 5-6 behind me.  As the mileage grew, so did the gaps.  Eventually I was alone.

Mile 5-  14:43

Around 5.5 miles or so, I passed Melissa and then Bobbi Jo as they had done the turn around and were headed back in the opposite direction.  It made me feel good that I wasn't TOO far behind them considering I was walking. I couldn't wait to get to the turn around - this was an out and back course as described in the information packet.  I figured with having the drink station at Mile 5 and the advertised drink stations every 1.5 miles, that the turn-around would surely have another drink station.  I WAS WRONG.

Mile 6-  15:04

Wind was still very much an issue.  It was HOT outside.  This course offered no shade at all and remember I left my visor in the car.  I could have cried when around 6.65 miles or whatever when we did the turn around and there was no drink station.  This meant I would have to wait until I go back to the one that was at Mile 5 - which would now be Mile 8 to have another drink.  I was dying.

Mile 7-  14:54

As soon as I saw the water station ahead, I got my Larabar out of my Spibelt and started eating it.  Now, I had made the executive decision to bring a Larabar instead of my usual Clif's Shot Bloks because my Larabar had 200 more grams of potassium in it and I was trying to avoid Charlie Horses - MISTAKE #5.  The only flavor I had was Chocolate Brownie.  I was overheated and despite the fact I was chewing gum, my mouth was dry.  Trying to eat the Larabar was like trying to eat dirt or mud - it was disgusting and so hard to digest. When I hit the drink station, I discovered they were out of Gatorade.  They handed me two Dixie cups of water.  I took them, gulped them down, then went behind them to the table and just started slamming Dixie cups like I had been in the desert for years without water.  I had to have taken another 6 to 8 of them.

Mile 8-  15:44

I was trying my best to ignore the blister.  My mouth still felt so dry.  I knew I just had to make it another 1.5 miles until the next drink station.  My pace was slowing.  I kept trying to will myself to go faster.

Mile 9-  16:43

I was getting hit pretty hard by the wind.  It was a weird feeling.  On one hand, it felt really good, but on the other, it was getting harder and harder to walk through it.  I started feeling dizzy.  I got to the drink station and they still had lots of VERY watered down Gatorade left, but they actually had some bigger cups.  Some kids handed me two Dixie cups.  I slammed them.  A woman handed me a larger cup.  I slammed it.  They could tell I was dehydrated.  Another woman filled up two more of the larger cups for me "for the road".  I slammed them both and kept going.  So many times I just wanted to pull over and just stand there, but I told myself to just keep going.

Mile 10-  18:06

I started feeling that all too familiar twinge in my left calf.  I didn't understand it.  I ate two small bananas with breakfast.  I had a banana every morning all week long.  I hydrated all week and even had 32 oz of water in the morning before the race.  I swapped out my usual plain oatmeal from the cannister that I make every morning for the pre-packaged crap (as recommended by some peeps on the internet because of the sodium content).  I tried to ignore it and kept going.  I felt so alone.  At this point I knew there were still 4 people behind me, but they were so far behind me that I couldn't see them anymore.  The two that had passed me were so far ahead of me that I couldn't see them anymore.  There were hardly any cops out at all - just a bunch of cones where we were supposed to make our turns (or so I thought).

I just kept telling myself I had to make it to 11.5 miles or so for the next drink station and then I would be okay.  My Garmin was showing 11 miles, but I never did see the mile marker.  I was confused.  I know I was walking a lot with my head down because of the sun, so maybe I missed it?  I just kept walking, but so slowly now.

Mile 11-  18:58

At some point, I crossed paths with another girl.  She was one of the people who had been behind me.  Yes, you read that correctly...we CROSSED paths.  She asked me which way to go.  I was confused.  We were passing each other.  Up ahead I saw a yellow-shirt wearing volunteer on a bike.  I called out to her and asked where we should be going and she pointed to the right up ahead - not the direction I was heading.  I then asked her where I was supposed to be coming from and she pointed in the direction the other girl came from. OH NO!  I had somehow gotten lost.  I trudged back up the road and turned right and saw a mile marker in the distance.  Imagine what it did to my head and heart when it read - Mile 11.

Mile 12-  21:41

My Garmin was reading 12 miles.  I had somehow managed to walk an extra mile!  At this point, I had gone 2 1/2 miles without a drink and the drink station was another 1/2 mile up the road.  My calves started seizing up.  First the left.  I would stretch it and try to walk again.  Then the right.  I would stretch it and try to walk again.  They asked me if I wanted a ride.  I said no.  I had to finish.  For the next half mile, I pulled over several times to stretch my tortured calves.  They must have radioed ahead to the drink station because as I approached it, one of the volunteers met me and asked me if I was okay.  She said she was a nurse and heard I was having trouble.  I explained that I got lost, it had been 3 miles since my last drink, and that my calves were in bad shape.  She hurried me over to the drink station and they put wet towels on my neck and started giving me cup after cup of ice cold water (they had also run out of Gatorade).  They asked me if I wanted a ride.  I told them that I needed to at least complete 13.1 according to my Garmin.  I said I would accept a ride after that.  The nurse, her name was Anita, said she would follow along in her car and I should just come to her when I had hit my 13.1.  My calves didn't seize up on my anymore once I had that water in me.  They were still so sore, but at least not seizing.  I finished up the 0.6 miles remaining and then let Anita take me to the finish line.  Once there, I briefly explained what happened to the race director and asked her if I could cross the finish line.  She said, "well you sure did do your half marathon, now didn't you!"  I said, "yes, ma'am"!  and then she crossed it with me and a little boy handed me the medal.

Mile 13-  23:52

Mile 0.1-  19:09

They explained to me they still had water left, but that they were out of cups.  I was desperate for more water.  A man had an empty water bottle.  I didn't care that it had his germs.  I filled it, slammed it, refilled it, and slammed it again.  Then I felt like I wanted to throw up.  I then hobbled to my car - pretty far away - and had to wait for my calves to stop screaming before I could drive home.

When I switched out my running shoes for my flip flops, this was the loveliness that awaited me:

I've never had a blister like this in my entire life.  The only other time I formed a blister while running was during my first 10K - HEB's Bayou City Classic - last year - when I didn't know about moisture wicking socks and just wore regular cotton socks.

So, yeah...this was a PW - personal worst.  I stopped my Garmin at 13.1 and my time was 3:39:27.  Whatever the official time is will be worse than that given the time it took to drive around avoiding the closures and my time explaining to the race director, etc.

Lessons learned:
#1 - remember the visor
#2 - get drinks from all drink stations
#3 - get the appropriate # of drinks based on the size offered
#4 - don't wear new socks
#5 - don't switch out products that have been tried and true
#6 - start carrying some type of Electrolyte drink on me
#7 - pick up the pieces / suck it up - many more races to come

Finishing Song:  Gnarles Barkley's Crazy

I think I've also determined that my issues with my Charlie horses come from dehydration after all.  I hydrate plenty the week before the race.  I just dehydrate during.  I usually don't drink the electrolyte drink offered during a race as I try not to drink my calories.  I made the exception during this race since I didn't have anyone passing me off drinks and I was trying to avoid Charlie horses.  Unfortunately, skipping the first drink station, the fact they didn't have a water station where they should have (at the turn around), and my getting lost amounted to three 3-milers without drinks, all leading to my demise.  During the Houston Half (that hurt me), I didn't experience Charlie horses at all.  I took water at all the drink stations and my siblings met me at various spots along the course with G2.  It was a hot/humid day that day, as well.

One of these days, I'm gonna get this whole fueling/hydration thing right.  One of these days...

Day 11 - Shuffle the iPod

If you are just tuning in, I'm participating in the 30 Day Challenge, only at a snail's pace.  I'm 1/3 of the way through....

Day 11 - Put your iPod on shuffle and write 10 songs that pop up.

1.  You Are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne

2.  Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor

3.  The Old Rugged Cross - Brad Paisley

4.  Poker Face - Lady Gaga

5.  Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
the song that provided me with the inspiration to name my dog Delilah

6.  Sexyback - Justin Timberlake

7.  She's Everything - Brad Paisley
the song I wake up to every morning - this is the kind of love I dream to have some day

8.  Low - Flo Rida (feat. T-Pain)
ironically this was my finishing song to both of my half marathons last year - weird.

9.  Bartender Song - Rehab

10.  Dust in the Wind - Kansas

I think you will note that I have a pretty eclectic taste of music.  Some of my favorites didn't even make an appearance - Jason Mraz, Adele, Amy Winehouse, Michael Buble, etc.

Music makes the people come together, yo.

What are some of your faves?

Kim Versus the Half Marathon: Dallas Rock 'n' Roll

I woke up at 4:30am, having only gone to bed 5 1/2 hours earlier.  ugh.  At least I was able to get in 8 hours the night before!  I had hydrated my heart out all week long and gave myself one last opportunity Sunday morning with a Nuun tablet in my water and some oatmeal as breakfast.  I left my friend Julie's house in Fort Worth at 5:40 to go pick up Melissa at her hotel.  At 6:30 and we were off to The Finish Line as we were instructed to park there.

The highway was jacked up, yo.  What should have taken us 30 minutes to achieve, took us well over an hour.  We weren't alone in this, so we weren't panicking about missing the race or anything, but it left a sour taste in our mouths prior to starting.  Rachel was ahead of us somewhere - we never were able to meet up with her.  Once we finally parked, I had to stop at the porta-potties - it was like a desperate situation as in there may or may not have been dancing going on to avoid an unfortunate incident.  We then finally made it onto the shuttle bus and arrived somewhat near the starting line around 8:15ish (for the 8:00 race).  We made one more pitstop at the porta-potties and then walked up to the 15th corral just as it was walking towards the start line.  Yes, it was like that.  I guess in a way it was a good thing we didn't have to do a whole lot of standing around as it was 51 degrees at the start.  Brrrrr....

I felt great from the get-go.  I had a huge smile on my face and I was just trying to absorb stuff - you know...trying to be a good blogger and whatnot!  I have to say the cool air was welcomed, especially after Saturday's beautiful but scorching upper 80s.  Around 1.7 miles, I was approaching the 2nd band and they started playing a new song - I felt like it was just for me as it was one of my all time favorites - Brown Eyed Girl.  I could just imagine my friend Laura and I squealing "We are brown-eyed girls" as we used to do in college.  another smile.  Shortly thereafter I hit mile 2 and got slapped in the face with a very steep hill.  I tried to run up it, but then realized halfway up it that I was killing my energy, so I got smart and walked the rest of it.  Once it was behind me, I began running again.  I saw some people (in tutus) dart across the road in front of me because they wanted to take a picture of some spectators.  I looked and sure enough - it was my caped crusader friend, That Pink Girl (only she was now Pink Gurl) and some of her super hero super star spectator friends!  I, too, darted across the road (only after looking both ways first since this was not a blocked street).  It was around 2.5 miles or so and I was so happy to see them.  I hugged TPG and got a picture with her and carried on.  another smile.  3 came pretty fast, then the 5K mark.  Started having some stomach issues and needed to find a bathroom STAT which brought mile 4 on pretty quickly.  There was a line and I knew I couldn't wait until the next set of bathrooms, so I was forced to wait in the line.  The entire process took me 6 minutes.  not smiling anymore.

I resumed running - more hills.  I started getting that all too familiar pang in my right side, then in my left.  The side stitches were returning.  When this happened during my training runs, I called it quits.  I couldn't do that here.  I made it to about mile 5 and then I decided to walk for a bit.  We were in an area called Highland Village.  If you are from Houston, I would liken it to River Oaks.  Beautiful older LARGE homes with amazing landscaping lining the streets.  Such a pretty picture, so serene.  I often joke that I run slower than most people walk.  Well during this time, I was walking faster than I run.  smiling resumed.  The winding through this area ended around 6.5 miles and I began running again.  Side stitches were very much still an issue.

I saw TPG (she took my pic as I approached) and her gang around mile 7.5 and they were such a welcomed sight.  I complained about my problem.  TPG said she would walk with me for a bit and explained to me that I'm breathing too shallow and need to take deeper breaths.  She also had me put my arms above my head to help with this.  We parted ways with a promise to see each other at the finish line and I resumed running.  My sides felt a bit better.  smiling and running.
I hit mile 8 and there was a female police officer that made me chuckle.  She was encouraging us to keep on going and telling us we were doing a great job.  She then added that what we were doing "is not considered normal behavior."  So funny.  smile returned.

I hit mile 9 and I started to feel the twinge of pain in my calves - charlie horses were coming to attack.  I tried to fight them off, but I was forced to return to walking as they were less painful that way.  Intermittently I tried to jog here and there.  By mile 10, my calves were screaming.  Whenever I tried to run, my toes curled and forced my feet to sort of buckle inward.  It was a very weird feeling.  At 10.5, I couldn't take it anymore, so I pulled over and stretched my calves using the curb.  I then tried running and made it about a quarter of a mile before they started screaming again, walking resumed.  so not smiling, like not in the slightest.

At mile 11, there was another band playing another favorite song of mine - Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" (Ahhh....Glee).  I wasn't going to give up on my PR - I had it, I knew I had it...I just had to keep trucking along no matter what!

At mile 12, I desperately wanted to finish out the race running.  I tried and failed.  About a quarter of a mile before the finish line, TPG jumped out from the sidelines and came to my rescue.  She said encouraging, beautiful words, and ran with me until we hit the 13 mile marker.  She sent me on my way to finish and I ran out the remainder with a big smile on my face.  I crossed the finish line with tears in my eyes.

I was emotional because I came back from an injury (pelvic stress fracture) and PRd - despite it being a tough race with lots of pain.  I was emotional because there was one amazing friend who ran with me and encouraged me and then when I crossed the finish line, there was another who had finished almost 45 minutes before me ready to give me a hug.  I was emotional because I hurt..

After getting my bottle of water and medal and hugging Melissa, we went to get a banana, a Snickers Marathon bar, and a bottle of Cytomax and then we went to go find TPG.  We got some pictures and then we headed out.  My calves were screaming so badly, I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to drive. Shockingly, once I got out of my shoes and into my flip-flops, they started being a little nicer to me.

Melissa and me:  Half Marathon finishers!

Pink Gurl and me (she's my fave super hero)

Melissa and I went back to her hotel to shower and change and then we went with her boyfriend, David, to eat at Chuy's (we were FAMISHED) before heading back in our respective cars to Houston.

Official Time:  3:18:03 (a PR of over 6 1/2 minutes)
Finishing Song:  "Rock Star" by Nickelback  (kinda fitting for a Rock 'n' Roll race, eh?)

Next stop:  Tomball's 5K Bunny Run on April 9th (totally feeling a PR for this race)

On a side note - I need to do some research on these charlies horses.  I used to think they were as a result of improper hydration, but that cannot be the case as I consumed mass quantities of water and Nuun all week long.  I wonder now if my issue is from losing too much salt.  I am a VERY sweaty girl when I run.  Perhaps I need to start carrying salt tablets or green olives?  ha!  Anyone else out there suffer from this?  Tips appreciated!

I love the 80s (well..parts of it)

You know what's really rad?  Being all decked out in your coolest 80s attire and having to stop at the gas station for some ice.  It's not uncomfortable AT ALL, oh no.  =/  haha!

Saturday marked my brother-in-law Craig's birthday and thus - a birthday bash was born.  It was a themed party - 80s, if you will, and Linda and Craig went all out with their decorum.

There were movie posters throughout the house representing some of the best movies - Goonies, Ferris Buehler, Gremlins, Back to the Future, etc...

There was an Alf cake.

There were slap bracelets.

There were famous quotes and other such era indicators printed and posted about.

The office was set-up with the original Nintendo gaming system with your choice of several games to play.  Of course, the favorite was Super Mario 3.

The dining room was set-up as a Karaoke room.  80s hits were belted out by many.

The wardrobes, however, stole the show.

2010 Race Review

I've decided to follow in the footsteps of my friends and fellow bloggers, Lauren and That Pink Girl and take a look at my year in races.

2010 marked my adventures in running.  Adventures...they were.  I ran four 5Ks, one 10K, and two half marathons.  I suffered through two injuries in the process - hip tendonitis for 4 months and then most recently my pelvic stress fracture.  I also started the tradition of blogging about my finishing song with each and every race!

Let's take a look, shall we?

On January 31st, I ran my very first 5K, The Rocket's Run (cuz Meliska made encouraged me).  This was an amazing experience!  I remember starting off the race (in the ridiculous cold, by the way) wondering what I had gotten myself into.  How was I going to run 3.1 miles???  I never saw the 2nd mile marker, so I was sure I was off track and I wanted to stop and cry a few times, but I didn't.  I kept on trucking a long.  As I entered into the Toyota Center for the last tenth of a mile, the cheer teams were lined up and I got all teary eyed with my accomplishment.  I knew then that I had come a long way.  I knew then that I was truly on the right path.  My heart was filled with such pride.  I ran across the Rocket's court - past the finish line and looked up into the stands for my friends, Meliska and Lauren.  I love this picture because I look dead.  ha!  I had a goal of 48 minutes (cuz I'm a special kind of turtle) and surprised myself by finishing in 44:15.  I then understood the term "runner's high".  Consequently, I think the hip tendonitis started with this race as a result of not knowing to alternate sides of the street to even out the wear and tear of the unevenness of the pavement on my body.  Ahhh...the things you learn AFTER you need the information!  Finishing Song:  Single Ladies (Beyonce)

On February 27th, I ran my 2nd 5K, The Rodeo Run.  This was NOT my favorite run.  I learned some important lessons with this race, however.  I learned it is best to not overdress for a race (I overheated).  I learned I need my music to run (left mine at home).  I learned not to start off too fast (ran my first mile in 12 minutes and I'm so not a 12 minute mile girl).  This race was not time chipped for the 5Kers - which, by the way, is lame, so I don't have an official time.  I do know that it was definitely higher than my Rocket's Run time.  I did enjoy racing with my friends Meliska (turned out to be her last race because she was preggers with Liam), Greggy-D, Lauren, Rodney, and Meliska's parents!  Finishing Song:  none  =(

On March 13th, I ran my first 10K, Bayou City Classic.  I loved this race.  I did this one with my younger sister, Linda, and our friend Melissa (not the preggers one).  Lauren and her sister also ran it, but I never did see them.  =(  It was very nicely organized race and perfect running weather.  I remained strong and steady during this race despite the tendonitis giving me a lot of trouble on the second leg of this race - I was proud of my 1:26:38 finish.  Here's a picture of Linda and I sporting our t-shirts later that day.  Finishing Song:  Pocketful of Sunshine (Natasha Bedingfield)

On April 10th, I ran the Tomball Bunny Run with Lauren and Rodney.  They had run this race the year before and loved it.  I have to admit it was so nice to participate in a local race for a change!  This was not time chipped, BUT I had received my Garmin for my birthday, so this was the first race I was able to run wearing it.  I also successfully incorporated 4/1s to my race (versus the 3/1s I had done previously) which lead me to a PR of 39:40.  What made this especially exciting was that I had set a goal to beat 40 minutes and I accomplished that goal with sheer determination and hard work!  I like my look in this picture - it's totally all retro 70s with my sweatband and 'fro!  Finishing Song:  I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)

I then took a race hiatus for a few months while I trained for my first half marathon - the Chicago Rock 'n' Roll Half which was on August 1st.  My friend Bobbi Jo came to Chicago and ran this race with me.  We stayed downtown with my grandmother the night before the race.  My two double cousins, Danielle and Nicole joined us, as did cousin Courtney from New Albany, Ohio.  My aunt, Danielle, Nicole, and Courtney were an awesome support crew chasing us around the race with drinks!  I did pretty well the first half of the race with my 4/1s, but then the charlie horses attacked me and I speed walked the second half of the race.  I ended up being a bit disappointed with my 3:24:39 finish since I knew I was capable of better.  My body and pride were sore, but I picked up the pieces and returned to Houston to begin marathon training with my running group.  Finishing Song:  Low (Flo Rida)

On September 11th, I ran the Bearkat Bash.  This was a great race of irony for me as I hated running the mile in high school - it was a source of embarrassment, frustration, and stress for me so many years ago and here I was willing to pay money to run 3 times that ON PURPOSE.  My how times had changed!  The thing was that my running group was scheduled to run 7 miles that day, so my coach had wanted us to run before the race, so I ran 3 miles - some at the park and then I ran to the race with just enough time to rush to the bathroom and then start the race.  I must have been slightly dehydrated because after the second mile, I had some issues with charlie horses AGAIN and this caused me to have to walk most of the 3rd mile.  This sucked because I had run the first 5 miles of my day.  My time was terrible at 47:40.  I felt horrible.  I would have rather run this 5K and then run another 3 or 4 miles afterwards to save face on my time than have performed how I did.  On the positive side, though, Lauren and her sister, Sarah, participated in this race, as well, so it was nice to familiar friendly faces when I was feeling LOW.  Finishing Song:  Mr. A-Z (Jason Mraz)

On October 24th, I ran the Houston Half with my friend Melissa (it was her first half marathon)  This race was a bit daunting for me as it had a 3 hour time limit and I knew I would be pushing it.  My goal was to run the entire distance outright (as I had long ago dropped my run/walk method) and just walk through the water stations and/or when my siblings passed me off G2.  Around mile 3, I started hurting.  I thought it was my hamstring.  Somewhere between mile 3 and mile 4, I saw my siblings and their spouses - they were awesome, by the way - and they passed me off a drink and I told them the "hills" (meaning entrance ramps) were killing me.  I proceeded to run the race, but something was wrong.  There was one turn-around in the race, but before I could get there, the police forced a whole bunch of us to turn early.  I was EXTREMELY UPSET.  At that point, I was 3 minutes behind where I needed to be to finish in the 3 hour time limit.  I felt they had taken my half marathon from me.  I almost gave up.  I almost quit the race.  It took everything in me to continue - and I do mean everything because I was tired and I was hurt and I was defeated, BUT I kept on.  My finish time doesn't really matter here because it's not legitimate.  I didn't actually complete this half marathon if we are being technical.  Finishing Song:  Low (Flo Rida).  Does anyone else think it's weird that both of my half marathons had the same finishing song?  I just now realized this!!!

I was supposed to do the RunGirl 13.1 on December 12th.  Remember how I previously discussed being hurt?  Turns out I somehow got a stress fracture in my pelvis during that half marathon.  I had to drop out of the RunGirl (BUT I really look forward to doing this race next year with my Meliska as it is an all girl half marathon).  I also had to defer my Houston Marathon 2011 registration to the Houston Marathon 2012.

It is very difficult not to feel like a failure looking back at the last few months of my running.  I know that isn't fair.  In some ways, writing this post made me kind of relive it all.  In other ways, it makes me want to come back with a vengeance!  2011 is going to be my year!  I'm going to run smarter and stronger!  I am already registered for 2 races with another 3 planned.  I honestly think cross-training is going to be the key to keeping me injury free.  I think proper hydration is going to keep those charlie horses at bay.  I think that for a first year runner with no previous running experience at all - well...I guess I didn't do half bad.

Cheers to 2011!

pocketful of randomness

So...December, we meet again.  It's like WHOA...where did the year go?  One minute 2010 began and then I blinked away a whole year....well 11 months.  I don't want to discount this month (not yet, anyway).

Injury update:  I'm not gonna lie...the first two days of my vacation in the Disney parks were ROUGH.  I wasn't sure how I was going to hold up for the remaining 6 with all the walking and standing and the jarring (some of those rides were no joke).  On day 3, my hip/leg decided to cooperate, for the most part.  It would only cause me grief when I stopped walking for a while (lunch or a show) and then tried to get back up again.  I forgot my anti-inflammatory pills at home, so Advil Liqui-gels and I became besties.  As soon as I returned home to Houston, my hip/leg just started aching something fierce.  Though I wanted to jump right back onto the elliptical, I know that rest is what I need to recover.  I'm still hanging onto the hope of being able to complete my RunGirl 13.1 on 12/12 - just as a walker instead of a runner.  I have a follow-up with my doctor next week and he will let me know YAY or NAY.  I realize I'm probably just setting myself up for further disappointment by hanging onto this hope, but...well...it's how I roll.

I *heart* Christmas music.  Did you know that about me?  I'm seriously torn right now about what to listen to while in the car - Christmas music on XM Holly 23 or my latest audio book?  Certain songs make me sad...lonely for some reason.  Other songs make me all kinds of nostalgic.  Have you ever heard of Elmo & Patsy?  They are the singers of "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer".  They have some really silly songs on their album like "Percy the Puny Poinsettia" and "Grandma's Killer Fruitcake", just to name a couple.  My mom loves their songs.  I love that - she's so funny/quirky!

I've been cooking all kinds of things this week.  On Monday night, I made my butternut squash soup.  Last year, someone gave me the tip of using light cream cheese in the soup instead of cream to get that creamy texture.  It cuts out tons of fat and calories and tastes great!  The ingredients are simple - butternut squash, apple, onion, salt, peppercorn, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cream cheese.  If you want the full recipe, just let me know!  On Tuesday, I made a macaroni and cheese casserole with cauliflower (vegetarian recipe - FYI).  I got the recipe from Carrots 'n' Cake, but modified it slightly using 2% cheese in lieu of full fat, skim milk in lieu of 1%, greek yogurt in lieu of lite sour cream, double fiber bread in lieu of bread crumbs or whole grain bread, and adding garlic salt.  Tonight, I made homemade applesauce.  I peeled and chopped up 5 granny smith apples and put them in a pot.  I then added some water - not a whole lot - just enough for the apples to simmer.  Next, I added a dash of salt, some cinnamon, some nutmeg, a bit of vanilla, and 1/3 of a cup of sugar substitute.  I let it cool on the stove until it was the chunky/saucy consistency I wanted.  The house smells FANTASTIC!  I am also planning on making a killer chicken soup this week with all sorts of veggies - mushrooms, onion, celery, cabbage, yellow squash, and zucchini.  I'm also going to add great northern beans and barley to my soup for substance!

Oh...I might have done a little happy dance today during my lunch break.  Why, you ask?  Well...I went to Kroger to buy me some of my Carb Master yogurts just to discover they added 6 new flavors to their line!  There are hardly any low carb / low sugar yogurts on the market.  I think Dannon makes one and it's ridiculously expensive, only 4 oz., and comes in 2 flavors.  The Carb Master yogurt is 6 oz and tastes delicious.  I think they already had 8 or 9 flavors, so adding 6 more is HUGE!  The new flavors are vanilla chai, spiced pear, tropical fruit, raspberry yumberry, strawberry colada, and carrot cake.  So far I've only tried the carrot cake and it was DELICIOUS!  Can't wait to try the others!  I bought two of each flavor!

Okay, well this was a pocketful of randomness kind of blog.  Happy December to you, my lovelies!

TAGGED!

So, this is a blog first for me and it is most exciting!  I got "tagged" to answer some questions.  My tagger was MsGigglepuss from Just a Bit Wicked.  I, in turn, shall "tag" some bloggers of my own with some new questions when my questions are answered. 

So here are my questions and answers:

1. What is your favorite holiday and why? Any special traditions?
I have to go with Thanksgiving because it's the one holiday that I have my entire immediate family together every year combined with a mini vacation.  The irony of the whole thing is that it is the furthest thing from a traditional Thanksgiving that you could possibly imagine.  For the past 14+ years, my family has gone to Las Vegas to celebrate.  We always meet for 2 meals a day, we go see movies, we shop, we gamble, we see shows...  We hit up a killah buffet for our Thanksgiving meal!  haha!  This coming Thanksgiving, we are changing it up a bit, however.  My parents have rented us a huge house in Orlando and we are doing Disney and Universal Studios instead - for a whole week!




2. What is your go-to kickass song in your workout playlist?
Just one?  Oye - there are so many that really kick me into gear when I hear them!  My younger sister Linda told me I had to put Miley Cyrus's "Can't Be Tamed" onto my iPod the other day.  Honestly, I didn't listen to it before uploading it (that's trust for you).  It came on while I was doing my 13.1 miles ON THE ELLIPTICAL on Sunday and it really put that pep in my step, so it just might one of my new faves!  Ya gotta keep it fresh, ya know?!


3. If you were forced to only watch one TV show or movie ever again until you die (can choose shows no longer on the air, and you can watch it again and again, but nothing else), what would it be and why? Defend your choice!
I will go with a tv show because there are many episodes to it (versus watching one 2-hour movie).  I could, for the record, defend a movie choice, though!  Okay, so my tv show is...LoSt!  Big shocker for those of you who know me IRL, right?!  I love(d) that show!  I was only disappointed in the ending because it ended.  I was intrigued with each and every episode and it kept me guessing.  There were so many literary reference weaved into the story line - so many great characterizations - it was so well cast!  Oh...just writing about it makes me miss it! 



4. Where is your favorite vacation destination?

Playa del Carmen!  I love me my European vacations, I really do, BUT they are working vacations.  You have to go, go, go...see, see, see and by the time you are done, you need a vacation to recover from your vacation.  Playa is soooo close - a 2 hour plane ride away to tropical paradise.  I just set myself up with one of those all-inclusives and prepare to be lazy for 5+ days.  It's heaven on earth with a fruity tropical drink on the side for good measure. (pic taken from my last trip there)


I am tagging...
Meliska-D
That Pink Girl
Lauren (Team Giles)
Tales from the Back of the Pack
The Incredible Shrinking Girl

Here are your questions:

1.  What is your favorite holiday and why?  Any special traditions?  Favorite holiday food item?  (had to steal this one - 'tis the season and all that jazz (but I tweaked it slightly))

2.  Have you read a great book lately that you would recommend?  Tell us about it!

3.  What is your dream vacation?  Money is not an issue.  Time off of work is not an issue.  Where do you go?  Why?

4.  Looking back at 2010 so far...what are you most proud of?


Get to answering!!!  Get to tagging!!!

survivor

So I'm notorious for hatin' this whole "dark by the time I get home from work" thang.  It messes with my head.  It doesn't take much to mess with my head, mind you, but still...

Okay...first things first.  I bet you are wondering if I was able to master the 13 miles on the elliptical.  Well...I didn't only master it, I overachieved it by 0.1 of a mile just to make it a half ellipticathalon.  You see 26.2 miles is a full ellipticathalon.  I don't ever want to go that far.  If I do, PLEASE have me committed.

My plan was to hit the gym bright eyed and bushy tailed, but that didn't happen because Runner's World was doing a live blog feed of the ING NY Marathon and I was drawn to it like bees to honey!  I was pulling for Shalane Flanagan to win it for the women, but I was quite proud of her 2nd place finish!  Imagine running your first marathon and finishing 2nd place?!  Bananas!  Then again, when she competed in her first half marathon here in Houston in January of this year, she won it!  She's amazing!

Okay, so once the winners were established, I geared up, grabbed my Powerade Zero and my iPod shuffle and headed to 24-Hour Fitness.  I picked my machine, tested the ol' iPod to make sure there were no technical difficulties and then I was off.  My quad/thigh was a bit achy at first, but I told it to "man-up" and I adjusted the intensity and the incline and eventually found my rhythm.  The machine only allowed me to set it up for 60 minute segments, so after the first 60 minutes, I reset it for another.  About half way through my second 60 minute segment, I had to briefly pop off the machine to refill my bottle - water was gonna have to do it for the rest of my jaunt.  I took that opportunity to stretch my legs.  I hopped back on the machine and finished up that 60 minutes.  I reset the machine for the final 60 minutes knowing full well it wasn't going to take me that long.  I worked on my arm swing during the entire work-out since I know that has been a weakness for me.  I would have killed for an audio book, FYI.  Half ellipticathalons are MEGA BORING!  33 minutes later, I was done.  13.1 miles completed.  I can honestly say I have never before spent 2 hours and 33 minutes in the gym in one segment before.  I would love to say that I will never do that again, but sadly this may not be the case depending on what's going on with my injury.

Good news is that my leg doesn't feel any worse for the wear today.  Honestly - my upper back and shoulders are a mess (from the arm swinging).  Weird, right?!

I was able to make an appointment with the sports medicine ortho at the practice I go to.  The ortho who did both of my ACL knee surgeries ('94 and '98) retired several years back and the ortho who helped me through my hip tendonitis (earlier this year) is a joint specialist, so I decided to go with the sports medicine expert.  This one lists running as his hobby, so he'll understand!

I took today off (as I would after a long run), but I'm hitting up my elliptical new BFF again tomorrow.  I'm planning on a 4 to 5 miler.

Where there is a will, there is a way!  Destiny Child's Survivor popped up on my shuffle while I was laboring away.  The lyrics inspired me.  Here are just a few:

I'm a survivor,
I'm not gonna give up,
I'm not gon' stop,
I'm gonna work harder,
I'm a survivor,
I'm gonna make it,
I will survive,
Keep on survivin'

Oh and I almost forgot to share with you that my blind beagle, Penelope, stole 2 packs of Clif's Shot Bloks, 5 Larabars, 2 Luna Bars, and 2 South Beach bars while I was at work today.  I had a bag full of my goodies on top of my desk in the kitchen and she must have been desperately seeking something/anything to satisfy her hunger?!  Hmmm...guess who is NOT getting dinner tonight.  

fighter

Let's talk about how much I *love* waking up at 5am on a Saturday.  Let's one-up the early birding with 38 degree weather, shall we?!

Since I am not eating bread carbs right now, I made myself a breakfast of 2 hard boiled eggs, 2 lite mini baby bell cheeses, and 2 TBSP of almond butter.  I washed it all down with water.

I geared up with Nike capris, a light weight long sleeve shirt, my shoes, my Spibelt, my Garmin, my iPod Shuffle, and my visor.  I stretched VERY thoroughly and then headed out the door at 6:45am.

I had a positive attitude.  I knew that I might not be able to do all 13, but I felt that surely I would be able to do the same 7 I had done the week before.  I promised myself I would stop if I hurt.

My team met up at the picnic table, discussed the plan of action, and headed out.  I had a bit of a struggle with my iPod.  It wasn't working and I panicked that I was going to have to run without it.  Just me and my thoughts?!  Yikes!  No worries...got it working.  I started jogging and BAM...pain in my thigh...all the way around it.  That is where the pain has moved to - from the hamstring to the glutes, back to the hamstring, then to the entire thigh/upper leg.  Do you see how this is the weirdest injury ever?!  It keeps moving.  I'm thinking at this rate, in two weeks, it's going to be in my ankle.  Sheesh!

I just stopped.  What was the point?  I could feel myself running with a limp.  I don't want to put myself out of commission, so I turned around and walked back to my car.  I almost cried.  I wanted to, but I stopped myself.  I am not giving up here.  I have done everything that I could on my own, so it's time to take it to a doctor (I will call my ortho on Monday and make an appointment).  What's my biggest fear here?  It's not really that he will tell me not to run, because I don't believe my injury is that serious.  He didn't tell me to stop running when I had the tendonitis in my hip, after all.  My biggest fear is losing my training.  I don't feel like I can go another week of nothing and then be expected to pick up where I left off.  I feel like if I don't pick up where I left off, I will be getting too far behind to catch up.  In other words...continuing to build distance is going to be a problem.

I have a plan.  I'm going to the gym tomorrow morning.  I want to try the elliptical first.  It's low impact and I control the intensity/tension of the machine.  I will know instantly as to whether or not it is aggravating my injury.  If it does, I get off and try the bike.  If it doesn't, I do 13 miles.  I know it isn't the same, but it's something.

I don't know if I've mentioned it on my blog before, but I consider my theme song to be Christina Aguilera's
"Fighter".  Most of the song applies to my life regarding a rather unfortunate experience I had (for several years), but that withstanding...isolating some select lyrics can be applied to this situation:

Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
Makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter

I am a fighter.  I'm going to fight my way through this injury.  You fight for what you believe in.  I believe in me.  I just have to fight smart.