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!