This weekend was a brutal test of my body's endurance. Yesterday the NAC indoor track championships came bounding out of nowhere, catching me with a mild cold and chronically deprived of that very necessary thing called sleep. Add this to the fact that I was entered in multiple events for the first time this season and it turned out to be quite an exhausting experience.
I warmed up for the 5000 feeling a bit sick and anemic, having spent much of the day thus far in the bathroom. Nevertheless I managed to run a 16:54, only two seconds slower than my performance at River Falls two weeks ago. It definitely wasn't a terrible race, but I had hoped for something closer to 16:30 and a shot at scoring some points.
After the 5k I made a couple more trips to the restroom before cooling down just a few minutes and stretching in preparation for the mile. This second race, which started only an hour or so after the 5000, was not exactly a spectacular event. I felt my stomach twist in revolt as I jogged to the starting line with Ben, and after one failed starting attempt the officials managed to get us on our way. My legs began to go numb about 50 meters into the race and by the end of the first lap I couldn't feel much of anything, which turned out to be quite a blessing. Jon, Russ, Andy, and Twietmeyer cheered enthusiastically as I plodded along in last place, and it was their encouragement that prompted me to summon a sort of mini-monster in the final 400 meters and catch the two MSOE guys ahead of me. My final time of 5:06 was pathetic, yet not really that bad considering that I felt like I'd run 5:20. Ben managed to drop a 4:53 and take 7th, so we got a couple points out of the event. The rest of the team were all smiles as they greeted us at the finish line, but I made sure to tell them they'd enjoyed it much more than I did.
The rest of the day went by slowly as I alternated between bathroom breaks, cheering, and sitting in the corner holding my throbbing head. The meet culminated in an epic 4x400 showdown, as our women were locked in a virtual tie with two other teams for the overall championship. We ended up fading in the final stretch of the relay and lost the title by two points. The men's team had clinched first before the last two events even began. Revenge for losing in cross country last fall? Yes.
That pretty much sums up my weekend. Socks got into a highly entertaining dance-off with several of our opponents while we all waited for the awards ceremony, and I ended up going to bed at 10 pm. I haven't slept so well in ages.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
POP quiz!
Here is my question: when you are in the middle of running a HARD 800 for your HARD workout on the road and some old lady drives up beside you asking for directions? Do you....
A) Keep running and ignore her...because HEY! I have to get the time Russ wanted me to get on this 800! I can't stop now!
B) Try and give directions while you are still sprinting to your finish (shes in a car...she could drive along while you explain how to get to Concordia...)
C) Stop and help the old lady...come on...its a poor old lady!!!!
well...this happened on Tuesday to me...so what do you think I did? ahha. yeah your right. Im nice so I stopped...but, I ALMOST kept goin...I kind of pointed in the direction and kept running...then I realized how stupid I was being and I stopped and walked back to her car window and talked to her. haha. ahhhh. you never know who you will run into on your running adventures! But if an old lady ever stops you and asks for help, well, sorry Russ, but sometimes you need to earn your brownie points for the day!
:)
Monday, February 15, 2010
Weary Feet
Hello again, it's me. I haven't posted here in a while so I thought I'd squeeze in a few words before 2:10 class.
Things have been rough lately. I'm running about 4 miles a day and substituting large amounts of cross training (elliptical mostly) for the lack of high mileage. The results? I managed another PR in the 5000 this past weekend at "Iowa State" (otherwise known as UW River Falls). We were supposed to go to Iowa for a two-day meet but found out at the last minute that we weren't accepted there, so the coaches scrambled to get us into another meet. It turned out ok with a number of good performances, although not everyone was happy with their marks. I'm exhausted right now, however, due to lack of sleep and working too hard on school. A lot of things have been weighing down recently and I know my body is taking a beating from all the stress. Yet the only thing I can do is keep on truckin. No matter what happens in life (short of a crippling lower body injury, that is) there's always another run waiting at some point in the day, always another chance to put aside the world's problems for an hour. You can run through your issues, and running can make you live. At least that's how it works for me.
Sometimes you just need to survive. Not for yourself, but for the others who are watching you, knowing that if you can do it...maybe they can too.
Things have been rough lately. I'm running about 4 miles a day and substituting large amounts of cross training (elliptical mostly) for the lack of high mileage. The results? I managed another PR in the 5000 this past weekend at "Iowa State" (otherwise known as UW River Falls). We were supposed to go to Iowa for a two-day meet but found out at the last minute that we weren't accepted there, so the coaches scrambled to get us into another meet. It turned out ok with a number of good performances, although not everyone was happy with their marks. I'm exhausted right now, however, due to lack of sleep and working too hard on school. A lot of things have been weighing down recently and I know my body is taking a beating from all the stress. Yet the only thing I can do is keep on truckin. No matter what happens in life (short of a crippling lower body injury, that is) there's always another run waiting at some point in the day, always another chance to put aside the world's problems for an hour. You can run through your issues, and running can make you live. At least that's how it works for me.
Sometimes you just need to survive. Not for yourself, but for the others who are watching you, knowing that if you can do it...maybe they can too.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Through Snow and Ice
I groaned as my alarm went off. "Why must I get up?" I thought to myself. I then remembered. SNOW!!! I rushed out of bed and flung open the curtains hoping to see a substantial amount of glittering white snow on the ground. I was disappointed. While there was a fair accumulation on the ground, I wasn't seeing the amount of snow I hoped for. It was snowing fairly heavily, but there was not enough on the ground to constitute no school. My hopes for a snow day quickly faded into a simmering resentment that I had to go out and run in the extremely windy and snowy weather. I knew that it meant that I would be cold, and my skin would soon be stinging from the hundreds of tiny ice shards whipping through the air on their way to the ground.
I walked out of my room and found Twietmeyer sitting on the couch watching T.V. "I don't want to run!" I complained to him. He simply looked at me and said, "I don't want to hear it." He was right. Here he was injured, unable to run, and I, uninjured, was perfectly capable of running. I hate it when he's right. (Which is nearly all of the time.) I muttered some retort back to him and closed the door to my room to get changed. "This run can't be to bad," I thought to myself. I put on a couple of layers, laced up the shoes and walked out the door.
I walked into the field house hoping Lucas was still there. I was running five minutes late, and I was relieved to see his that his bags were not yet there. Not long after I arrived, I saw Lucas striding across the parking lot, bags and shoes in hand, fighting the strong winds that were coming off of the lake. He walked in the door, shaking the snow off of him. Kleinowski also happened to be returning from his run. He suggested to us that we run north, as the roads had just been plowed in that direction. I looked at Lucas. "Let's do this!" I exclaimed. We were out the door.
The first thing I noticed was the cold, then the wind, then the snow. I felt tiny knives digging into my face as hundreds of little snow flakes bombarded me furiously on their mad decent. We started off immediately. Our pace was slow, but that was OK. There was no way we were going to be able to run a decent fartlek workout in this weather. As we progressed along on our run, the roads continued to get worse and worse. The snow was quickly accumulating on the road, and mixing with the melted snow to create a treacherous slush. I started to slip and slide down the side of the road, and fought the wind several times to get back up to the road.
Our conversation began to dwell on robots and the possibilities of a future cyborg and human race. We spoke of genetic engineering and the possibilities of a real life Jurassic Park. The wind and tiny ice shards continued to buffet us as we ran along, but our exciting conversation drew our attention away from them. Before I knew it, we were already turning back into campus. It is amazing how fast a run can go by when you are having a good conversation. (As Lucas and I always do.)
We ran up to the field house, bringing to an end our epic run. Despite my complaining earlier that morning, I was extremely happy we went out. There is something about running in snow or rain that is refreshing, despite the unpleasant thought of it. Running always brings about a sense of refreshment. This particular morning, that refreshment was won, through snow and ice.
I walked out of my room and found Twietmeyer sitting on the couch watching T.V. "I don't want to run!" I complained to him. He simply looked at me and said, "I don't want to hear it." He was right. Here he was injured, unable to run, and I, uninjured, was perfectly capable of running. I hate it when he's right. (Which is nearly all of the time.) I muttered some retort back to him and closed the door to my room to get changed. "This run can't be to bad," I thought to myself. I put on a couple of layers, laced up the shoes and walked out the door.
I walked into the field house hoping Lucas was still there. I was running five minutes late, and I was relieved to see his that his bags were not yet there. Not long after I arrived, I saw Lucas striding across the parking lot, bags and shoes in hand, fighting the strong winds that were coming off of the lake. He walked in the door, shaking the snow off of him. Kleinowski also happened to be returning from his run. He suggested to us that we run north, as the roads had just been plowed in that direction. I looked at Lucas. "Let's do this!" I exclaimed. We were out the door.
The first thing I noticed was the cold, then the wind, then the snow. I felt tiny knives digging into my face as hundreds of little snow flakes bombarded me furiously on their mad decent. We started off immediately. Our pace was slow, but that was OK. There was no way we were going to be able to run a decent fartlek workout in this weather. As we progressed along on our run, the roads continued to get worse and worse. The snow was quickly accumulating on the road, and mixing with the melted snow to create a treacherous slush. I started to slip and slide down the side of the road, and fought the wind several times to get back up to the road.
Our conversation began to dwell on robots and the possibilities of a future cyborg and human race. We spoke of genetic engineering and the possibilities of a real life Jurassic Park. The wind and tiny ice shards continued to buffet us as we ran along, but our exciting conversation drew our attention away from them. Before I knew it, we were already turning back into campus. It is amazing how fast a run can go by when you are having a good conversation. (As Lucas and I always do.)
We ran up to the field house, bringing to an end our epic run. Despite my complaining earlier that morning, I was extremely happy we went out. There is something about running in snow or rain that is refreshing, despite the unpleasant thought of it. Running always brings about a sense of refreshment. This particular morning, that refreshment was won, through snow and ice.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Left Behind
Today the team was off to Stevens Point to run at a track meet there. While I must say that I don't envy the fact that they had to get up early to leave at 6 am, I did feel a certain emptiness not going with them. Things were pretty quiet around the school. I spent a large portion of my day playing the organ and doing homework. The other half of my day I just played computer games. The only human contact I had all day was when I bumped into Rachel S. in the hallway for about 2 minutes. Needless to say, I was happy to see Dave and Andy get back.
I put aside a portion of the afternoon to do some running myself. I went up to the fitness center and started up the good old human hamster wheel. It was far to windy outside to get in a decent mile time. I still could have done it outside, but once again laziness took hold of me. I came away with the decent time of 5:09. I figured that even if I didn't have anyone to push me along, I could still crank up the treadmill to a 5:10 pace and just leave it there to force my body to run that pace.
Today was just a weird day. I have had a lot on my mind recently and it all came to fruition today. Running really helped me work out some stress. The organ following that helped a little as well. Running is one of those ultimate cures to stress. I always find that if I am feeling cruddy, I can lace up the shoes and head out for a run and come away feeling at least a little better. My mind is so much clearer while I am grinding out the miles. Thank God for the gift of running!
Well, I must be getting up in a few hours to welcome the new day, so that does it for this log.
Live long and prosper.
I put aside a portion of the afternoon to do some running myself. I went up to the fitness center and started up the good old human hamster wheel. It was far to windy outside to get in a decent mile time. I still could have done it outside, but once again laziness took hold of me. I came away with the decent time of 5:09. I figured that even if I didn't have anyone to push me along, I could still crank up the treadmill to a 5:10 pace and just leave it there to force my body to run that pace.
Today was just a weird day. I have had a lot on my mind recently and it all came to fruition today. Running really helped me work out some stress. The organ following that helped a little as well. Running is one of those ultimate cures to stress. I always find that if I am feeling cruddy, I can lace up the shoes and head out for a run and come away feeling at least a little better. My mind is so much clearer while I am grinding out the miles. Thank God for the gift of running!
Well, I must be getting up in a few hours to welcome the new day, so that does it for this log.
Live long and prosper.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
girl POWER!
Oh yeah! lets get some female perspective on this MONSTER BLOG. (notice I made this purple***one of the top 10 colors in spring 2010 fashion) haha. ok enough about fashion. im here to express my love of running...and to prove that GIRLS have a monster too! here goes my first post!
Nothing too extreme has happened on my runs this week. Although I did talk to Rachel S. today who said that she was chased by a dog yesterday for about a half mile while she was running north...I had a similar experience going north earlier in the fall...but the doggie didnt follow me very far. He just kind of looked at me weird (just like all the people in the cars that drive past us).
I think being chased by a dog is something all great runners must go through...some kind of rite of passage. I guess to a dog, we are the next best thing than the mail man.
I would really like it if my dog at home would run with me! His name is Buddy. and he is an energetic soft coat wheaten terrier. Although he is very hyper and definitely has the energy to burn, he just won't stick with me when I try to get him to run with me. He will be excited at first and start prancing next to me...and then he will bound off ahead without me, but stop to sniff at EVERY tree. hmm. :( I think he is suited more for a sprinter than a distance person such as myself.
:) Happy Thursday!
Another Round in the Torture Chamber
Yesterday I had a date with Jenny in the athletic training room. She put me through my third session of the "Graston technique," which basically means she beat up my leg with a bunch of metal tools. The purpose of the procedure is to re-injure the tissue and destroy scar tissue so that it can heal properly. It's painful. The first time I had it done I was so sore I had trouble walking later in the night and had to skip running the next day. This time it didn't hurt as bad as the last two, but I've still got some bruises down my lower leg. I actually was able to go out and run a 4 mile fartlek workout only two hours afterwards without much trouble.
Despite all the persistent injuries however, I've somehow managed to keep improving my performances. I dropped a new PR in the 3000 last Friday with a time of 9:42. I'm not sure if it's all the cross training I've been doing or simply the fact that I'm still in shape from off-season training in November/December. Whatever it is though I'm not counting on slowing down anytime soon. We're heading to Stevens Point for a meet this Saturday and I want a 4:40 in the mile. We'll see what happens.
Despite all the persistent injuries however, I've somehow managed to keep improving my performances. I dropped a new PR in the 3000 last Friday with a time of 9:42. I'm not sure if it's all the cross training I've been doing or simply the fact that I'm still in shape from off-season training in November/December. Whatever it is though I'm not counting on slowing down anytime soon. We're heading to Stevens Point for a meet this Saturday and I want a 4:40 in the mile. We'll see what happens.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Human Hamster Wheel
As I find myself unable to sleep, I have decided to give this whole blogging thing a try, as Lucas has graciously added me as an author on his blog.
I have been getting back on track with my running, albeit slow, after regrettably taking a week and a half break while at home. Today I gave into the pressure i was feeling to stay inside and run. I begrudgingly stepped up to the dreaded treadmill to grind out my first 8 mile run in some time. It went better than expected, though I was sweating bullets and was bored. I was not alone, however. I was able to run with Jade next to me, and Lucas not to far away busting out a monster on the elliptical. While I despise running on a treadmill, it was nice to get out of the cold for once. However, like a McDonald's hamburger, one run on the treadmill is enough to motivate me to stay off of it for awhile.
It has been great to be back with the team. I inevitably fail at running daily while I am at home. Having the team to run with helps out greatly. I can't wait to get out and race with them again.
Live long and prosper.
I have been getting back on track with my running, albeit slow, after regrettably taking a week and a half break while at home. Today I gave into the pressure i was feeling to stay inside and run. I begrudgingly stepped up to the dreaded treadmill to grind out my first 8 mile run in some time. It went better than expected, though I was sweating bullets and was bored. I was not alone, however. I was able to run with Jade next to me, and Lucas not to far away busting out a monster on the elliptical. While I despise running on a treadmill, it was nice to get out of the cold for once. However, like a McDonald's hamburger, one run on the treadmill is enough to motivate me to stay off of it for awhile.
It has been great to be back with the team. I inevitably fail at running daily while I am at home. Having the team to run with helps out greatly. I can't wait to get out and race with them again.
Live long and prosper.
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