Monday, November 8, 2010

What's Up?

I know that I have blogged about this in the past, but I had to remind myself of this again: leave it at the last hole (leave the last run behind you).  I had a horrible, terrible, no good running week last week.  Everything was off.  My stomach was a mess, my legs felt like lead and when you added those two together, my head was filled with doubts and fears.  I couldn't get a good run in to save my life - not even a so-so one where I at least felt like I had accomplished something with all my craziness.  I slogged through every run, thinking that it had to get better...but in reality, it didn't and I felt even worse as the week went on.

I had my breaking point on Friday.  All week I felt like I was going to puke, nothing seemed to help.  After I put out the SOS on Thursday a few of you suggest ginger.  I ran to the store as quick as I saw that and started sucking on ginger candies.  They helped a bit but they didn't solve the problem.  So I gave up and made an appointment with my doctor for tomorrow.  Something is just off.  I can't put a on finger on it.  I just feel like garbage and I have tried most everything to no avail. 

Even though I felt like garbage, I still managed to get my runs in.  In hind-sight, probably not the best move on my part.  But I wanted to run, I needed to run and I put up with having to stop 10 times during my 10 miler on Friday.  Saturday, after talking with Jill on Friday afternoon, I decided to take a rest day.  She reminded me of my crazy hard half just that past Saturday and that my body was probably trying to just recover.  Hmmm...she might be on to something.  But it was hard to believe since I felt perfectly fine just the day after.  I listened to her wise words and stuck to some cross training.

Sunday when I woke up, I didn't feel great, but I wanted to run.  Unfortunately, it was pouring and windy here.  And, I've said it before, I'm a pansy with the wind and the rain.  So I did the unthinkable - I did my long run on the dreamdill.  Yes, I gathered my GU, my water and plopped the mill in front of the TV while I pounded out 16 miles.  It wasn't too awful, I watched the NYC Marathon on TV and some football.  I started out pretty slow and worked myself up to faster than MP for the final miles.  I felt awesome.  My legs were fresh, my tummy did not act up and by the time I hit 16 I could have kept going.  I have no explanation for it.  If you had asked me on Friday if I would tackle 16 on Sunday, I would have told you that you were crazy.  Surprisingly though, it went as well as I could have hoped for.  I really wanted to do 18 or 20, but let's be real here - 16 is FAR enough for the dreadmill and I was happy with what I got.

I'm a bit sore today, but I have a feeling that is from the fact that I ran flat for the whole 16 miles.  No change in elevation can really take it's toll.  I'm still going to the doctor tomorrow because I am sure that what ever was up with me all last week is probably still sticking around and I am sure it's probably not gone for good knowing my luck.  I have to leave last week's craptastic week behind me.  I have less than a month until CIM and I don't want to waste what precious training time I have left worrying about one bad week.  Mentally I was really beat up last week.  I couldn't see myself getting out of that funk.  Today though, I feel a ton better.  And that is a lesson to myself.  I've been talking on and on about how my head always gets the best of me, and I need to really start working on it.  I can't let one week ruin my game plan.  

Somehow I managed 55 miles last week.  They were just miles though, I don't think any of them were quality - except for maybe the 16.  I need to start listening to my body, too.  I am sure I didn't do myself any good by being stubborn and still attempting to pound out miles.  Lesson learned.  I have a pretty good mileage week ahead of me and I'm still going to see what the doctor has to say.  Crossing my fingers that it was just my body trying to recover from that fun half.

I have spent the morning attempting to register for the 2011 New York Marathon.  I think the server is just overloaded though because I get to the final page and hit submit and it times out before it goes through.  No worries, I think we still have some time.  I'm also contemplating running a half this weekend with my buddy Ron.  I would love to get that 1:37 half that I need to guarantee entry into NYC.  We'll see.  If having to have a crappy week after to recover is what will be in store, I don't know if it's worth it - CIM is ultimately my big goal.  Going to figure that out today ;)

I'll let you know what the doctor says after tomorrow - thanks again to all of you for your support ;)  I'm off to catch up with all of you busy peeps!
Happy Monday and Happy Running peeps!

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Every mile is a step.

Teamarcia said...

Really? The server's overloaded? Great I was just going to go over and put my name in the hat.
Nice 16 on the mill!

ShutUpandRun said...

Glad you got in the 16. Curious as to what the doc tells ya. Does seem like something isn't right...

J said...

Good luck at the doctors! Hopefully you can figure out what was wrong! glad you are feeling better!

Marlene said...

I don't know how you ran so far on the treadmill! Glad you got it done and felt good too. Good luck at the doc!!

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

You felt like crap and still ran 55 miles. Amazing. I just registered for the NYC lottery! really want to get in!

Anonymous said...

Ack- I hope you are feeling better soon!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

I hope the dr appt sheds some light on things because you are a hard girl to keep down! sick and 16 miles on the mill. You are dedicated! Please don't over do it. (yeah, I know who I'm talking to but try anyway.)

Jenn said...

Good luck with the doc! Nice work on the 16. I have been on the dreadmill a couple of times now and have NO idea how I managed 2 major long runs on the darn thing last training cycle! Good luck with your decisions. Here's to making the right one, whatever that might be for you!!! I hope NYC pans out for you!

Katie said...

I have been thinking about putting my name in that hat, but I know if I do I'll break my leg the day before or something ridiculous.

Really glad you had a great run - but also glad you are still going to the doctor. No puking!

teacherwoman said...

That's a lot of running for not feeling 100%. And 16 miles on the dreadmill is just pure insanity! lol. I hope you feel better soon!

LAPT said...

Good luck! I hope visiting the doctor helps!

ajh said...

Feel better. Good luck at the doctors!

Teamarcia said...

Yes I am in the lottery!

Page said...

Maybe you're preggers? JK, JK. ;)

MCM Mama said...

Good job getting the 16 in on the treadmill.

Hope it was all just your body recovering and that nothing else is wrong!

Heather said...

My running partner and I are just texting back and forth about whether to enter the lottery . . .

Hope you feel better soon, get out of the funk, and get some answers from the doctor! Take care of yourself.

Kristen said...

You amaze me with your treadmill mileage! Awesome job girlie.

I am so sorry you have been feeling off this last week. I hope the doc has some insight.

You know we STILL need to run together. ;)

Bethany + Ryan said...

hope everything is ok! jeesh, 55 miles during a week where you felt like crap! That's amazing. take it easy!

Ewa said...

You did 55miles on a crappy week. You did 16miles on a dreadmill? You doubt you will rock CIM? Well, I don't.
Have a great week and hope doc will help you find some answers.

Denise said...

i'm glad you made a doc appt and i hope they can help figure out what's going on. and how you run 55 miles on a crappy week...*shaking head*

Erika said...

Wow. that's a really long way on the treadmill. Hope you're feeling better soon!

Emz said...

Hi!!

Any person who KNOWS Jill AND Ron . . I need to be following. Love those two.

Go get that guaranteed entry NYC!!!