Two weeks of sun, fun, family and food

As far as two-week trips go, this rated a 10+! What a great time.

We started with a conference for me in Desert Hot Springs (close to Palm Springs, CA). Conference wasn't what I expected. Most of the speakers didn't even talk to the topic in the program. Oh well, it got me to California in November. I'm not complaining.

After the conference, we headed to Huntington Beach to my brother-in-law's for a week and Thanksgiving. All of my husband's nephews were in town for most of the week (his niece arrived Thanksgiving). One night during the week was spent at a FABULOUS party at my nephew's in Newport Coast. Unbelievable food, wine (I don't drink it but he's a wine investor and has some of the best) and just tremendous company, conversation and hilarious karaoke. We've had some good parties out there, but this ranks in the top 5 of any party we've ever been to!

I got incredibly lucky when I married my husband. Not only did I find the perfect man for me, but his family is so awesome. We have a great time together. What a blessing.

Oh, and along the way there was some running. I got 3 runs in the desert. It was still hot and a lot hillier than home, but great workouts. I got 3 runs in HB but woke up one morning and could hardly get out of bed. Don't know what I did to my back. It improved enough to go on a run with a friend two days later, but that just aggravated it even more. It's been five days now and I'm just waiting for the weekend to end so I can call the doctor. I still have a lot of trouble bending over without putting my hands on my thighs for support. The pain is bad enough, but I haven't run since Wednesday, and that's the worst part. Fortunately, it was great run along the beach with my friend, which made making my back worse worth it.

We're home now. I have yet to get on the scale. It won't be pretty. I bascially overate at every single meal.

I miss the beach, the warm temps and the walks to downtown HB (only 4 blocks). All I have to do now is figure out how to convince my boss to let me telecommute from California during the 3 busiest months of the year. Hmmm...any ideas?

8 days a week

Finally, the neck is almost better. I've missed my runs for a week now. Actually 8 days -- and it's making me crazy. Thankfully, tomorrow looks promising. One more visit to the chiropractor tonight, and if all goes well, I can put in a few miles tomorrow.

I am soooo ready.

A real pain in the neck

My runs lately have been going great and I was really looking forward to a short run on Friday followed by a longer run on Sunday. Until I woke up on Friday morning. I couldn't turn my head to the right. It felt like I had a giant knot in the right side and someone was stabbing me with a knife. The pain then radiates dhown into my shoulder and back.

I've seen the chiropractor and the massage therapist and still I can only turn my neck about 25 percent before the pain comes firing back. It hurts to write this post.

And why is it when I don't run -- or when I know I'm not going to run -- I eat so much worse? So on top of not getting my endorphin fix, I'm feeling hyped up on homemade choc chip cookies and Diet Coke. Not good.

Back to the chiropractor tomorrow.

Sick and not too tired

I wanted to run yesterday because of the amazing Indian Summer weather we've been having (low 70s and sunny when in November it can be 45 degrees with a bone-chilling rain), but I started to feel nauseous during the work day and it didn't let up when I got home. I tried lying down for 30 minutes, but the half-hour turned into almost 3 hours of sound sleep.

I got myself to the office this morning, but 90 minutes later, I was heading home with more nausea. Slept 2 more hours before heading back to an important work event. I almost turned around a couple of times but pressed on.

Started to feel slightly better during the event and when I got home, I thought I'd try to run. I stayed close to home in case I needed to turn back. But the run went great. I was a little slower but I figure that was just left over sluggishness from the bug I'm fighting.

Because the event went later than my normal work day, it was getting dark by the time I went out to run. I don't usually run in the dark anymore; now I know why. Too many streets don't have lights. Started really slowly just to see how my stomach would react and then opened it up a little bit. A little slower than usual, but I was glad to finish without tossing my cookies.

Mile 1 (12:02)
Mile 2 (10:57)
Mile 3 (10:46)
Mile 4 (10:44)

My knees need a lube job

Before I get into today's run, let's talk election day. My husband and I hit the polls 15 minutes before they opened at 6:30 a.m. and we were still 50th in line. After a 15-minute delay (because the election official had car trouble), the line started moving. In only 30 minutes we were through the line. So beginning to end = 1 hour.

I have never had to stand in line before. And you know what? It felt good. I was glad to be there in line with my neighbors. It was great to see such a great turnout. I was thrilled to see so many people exercising their right to vote. No matter who wins the presidency, we all win because democracy wins when we all vote.

On to my run...
My sister, who has a couple of marathons under her belt, says that water is like an oil/lube job for her joints. Without it, she feels her knees a lot. Apparently, me too.

I usually drink 60 to 80 oz of water per day. Since last Thursday, I've been averaging 20 to 40 and my knees were talking to me at the beginning of the run. They calmed down about a mile into it but my body told me over and over in other ways that it was pissed I hadn't been drinking enough H-2-0.

Here's a little of that "conversation."

Only a quarter mile into the run.
"Uh-oh, I am really thirsty. Maybe I should turn around and get a bottle of water."
"No, I don't run with water bottles anymore. I can stop at mile 3 at the store and buy a bottle."
"OK, but I'm really thirsty."
"Stop thinking about it. Look at the beautiful foliage -- the reds, the vivid yellows, bright oranges...wow I'm thirsty. I haven't even hit a mile yet."
"Come on focus on the beautiful day. It's November and 70 degrees and sunny. Who cares about water. This is awesome."
"I care about water. My mouth feels like a desert. Isn't there a park somewhere close with a drinking fountain?"
"Focus on your chirunning form. Yes, that's it. Relax your ankles, relax your lower legs...hey is anyone watering their lawn or flowers. Maybe I can get a drink off their hose."

And on it went for 3+ miles before I reached a store to buy a water. I felt better once I got water but my knees were whispering -- loudly -- by the end of the run.

I was sure my numbers would be slower than I even planned. I wanted to do a warm-up mile at 12 minutes with the rest at 11 or 11:30. The first mile was 11:31 and the rest were around 10:35.

I feel great 6 hours later, although there's a really slight tightness in my right knee. We'll see how it is in the morning.

Holy Global Climate Change

Another beautiful day -- mid-60s, sunny and it's Nov. 2! OK, I'm all about the environment and making things better, but as someone who is really not into either cold or snow, there are some positives of global climate change here in Ohio.

Headed to the track today to try some form intervals. I haven't done anything but put in road miles for maybe the last year. I decided to use a friend's training program for a half-marathon.

15-minute slow, warmup
8 by 200m with 100m jog in between
15-minute warm down

4 miles total. Felt good. Don't know if it was the workout or just the euphoria of running in shorts and T-shirt in November. Best of all, it's supposed to be like this for at least another 5 days.

Happy trails to me

Yesterday was such a beautiful day -- 68 and sunny! On the last day of October! In Ohio!

I have only run trails once in my life, so yesterday was my second try. My boss asked me to go run by a local dam -- for business reasons I won't bore you with -- and then we headed to a nearby trail in the woods. I'd never been there before but the fall foliage is gorgeous and I figured it'd be fun.

I've said before I'm not very good at paying attention to what's around me when I run but when you are surrounded by foliage of gold and orange and yellows and reds, you can't help but notice. Fortunately, they were all at my feet. I didn't dare take my eyes off the trail, especially not after climbing our first steep hill and a tree root rose up and tripped me. The tree roots and rocks were lethal, and these trails never saw a flat area -- just steep uphill and then steep downhill.

We enjoyed the run, but we'd probably have enjoyed it a lot more if we hadn't thought we got lost along the way. It's hard enough to run vertically up or down with slippery fallen leaves at your feet, tree roots and rocks doing their darndest to see you do a face plant but it's worse when you fear you missed the cut off for your trail and took up the trail that's 5 times longer. And in another hour the sun will start to go down. I thought the trail was 1.06 miles, so when we had hit 1.3 miles I got a little concerned.

Luckily, we were on the right trail (it was actually 1.6 milesand made it back to the car long before the sunset. As we stretched out afterward, I lay on my back and looked up to see the most beautiful blue sky framed by awesome golden leaves. Ohio may not have the mountains or the beach but wow, fall and spring rock.