Planning a wedding is stressful; planning a wedding in a weekend after pulling out of your original wedding venue 2 months before your wedding is REALLY stressful.
So, how did I deal with my stress? Did I admiringly lace up my trail shoes and hit the trails outside of Greenville, SC? Or, take my legs to the pavement to pound out my worries. No. I watched tv; I slept; I stared at the wall, and Saturday night, I drank wine and laughed.
Background: Saturday morning I woke up excited and ready for a run in western, NC. I packed my mother, my sister, my trail running shoes and my gear, and we headed north. When we arrived, our original wedding venue was clean and breezy (beautiful day in western NC). We sat down on a couch and waited for our anticipated meeting to finalize the details. Instead, we were met with awful news about the hotel's potential demise. We asked numerous questions, listened and eventually went into shock.
We left confused, distraught and without a wedding venue 2 months before the scheduled date. Anger was my first emotion. For my mother it was sadness and confusion. Fortunately, anger can be a powerful tool when you need to find a "game plan." After we found a viable alternative (although not preferred), we found a caterer and we went home to finalize the details that were supposed to be finished by 6pm on Saturday. We had a healthy dinner and then the wine started.
We drank wine and watched wedding videos of couples dancing (i assumed at their first choice of wedding venue) and we laughed. And, laughed, and I eventually fell asleep, exhausted.
Sometimes, a run is perfect; it is the perfect time to labor over details and clear the mind of excess thinking. Sometimes, it is dreaded (maybe I have been running too much...) This weekend, I skipped my beloved routine of a Sunday or Saturday long gaunt around the mountains for a weekend of rest. But - this week I feel better and ready to tie the laces and pound out the everyday anxieties.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Leave the desire for long runs in the mountains
My expectations were of no running last weekend at the beach. I assumed 3 days of sun, sitting and meditating on the waves as they rolled over and over.
But, on Saturday, my friend had rented a bike, so we packed up some water and rode off onto the paved trail. I, again, assumed that it would be short and quick with no adventure. But, when our "trail" ran into the beach, we thought - how wonderful that would be. Sand, the sound of the ocean and moving air!! We were deceived by our delusions. The beach part started off well; until we realized we were running (she was biking - remember) against the wind. We were being sprayed with sand and salt. Then, I tried to find some solid ground. Again, mistake, I allowed my goretex shoes to get wet, but due to the amount of saturation, they had become unbearably heavy. I felt as though I had attached heavy weights to each shoe. After this realization, I tried to speed up. The effort was futile. And, my friend was having an even harder time on her bike. We were both miserable; wet and stinging with sand, so as we smart and well conversed in beach activity decided to take a random "path" off the beach.
Then, we were in a massive condominium complex surrounded by large trees, and there was no breeze. To spare the reader too many details, before we had to ask for directions 3 times, before I had to stop and walk b/c I was exhausted; before we were out there for over 2 hours, we were attacked by mosquitoes. Large, unyielding mosquitoes. They came for us. Like an army hiding in the bush - the lunged at us; pulled on our limbs and left me bleeding and running and screaming "help me" (although I don't remember the scream - my friend had to inform me).
I may return to my original assumption - when I go to the beach, leave the desire for LONG runs in the mountains.
But, on Saturday, my friend had rented a bike, so we packed up some water and rode off onto the paved trail. I, again, assumed that it would be short and quick with no adventure. But, when our "trail" ran into the beach, we thought - how wonderful that would be. Sand, the sound of the ocean and moving air!! We were deceived by our delusions. The beach part started off well; until we realized we were running (she was biking - remember) against the wind. We were being sprayed with sand and salt. Then, I tried to find some solid ground. Again, mistake, I allowed my goretex shoes to get wet, but due to the amount of saturation, they had become unbearably heavy. I felt as though I had attached heavy weights to each shoe. After this realization, I tried to speed up. The effort was futile. And, my friend was having an even harder time on her bike. We were both miserable; wet and stinging with sand, so as we smart and well conversed in beach activity decided to take a random "path" off the beach.
Then, we were in a massive condominium complex surrounded by large trees, and there was no breeze. To spare the reader too many details, before we had to ask for directions 3 times, before I had to stop and walk b/c I was exhausted; before we were out there for over 2 hours, we were attacked by mosquitoes. Large, unyielding mosquitoes. They came for us. Like an army hiding in the bush - the lunged at us; pulled on our limbs and left me bleeding and running and screaming "help me" (although I don't remember the scream - my friend had to inform me).
I may return to my original assumption - when I go to the beach, leave the desire for LONG runs in the mountains.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Weekend of glory - hurrah 4th and my questionable sanity
Lately, there has been a new style of running on the weekend. Now, my rest day has become Saturday, and my day of miles has become Sunday (with (hopefully) a long run during the week in addition). These Sunday runs are cherished, and are comprised of: me, my dog, and a forest somewhere in the southeast with dramatic vistas.
This weekend was no exception. 4th of July! To celebrate, the fiance and I packed our car, loaded Grendel, and headed to North Carolina. I took advantage of the cool weather and lovely balds all above 5000 feet. Friday, Saturday and Sunday were some of the best days of running I have had in a while.
Sanity questioned at the house: When questioned about the amount of time I had been running up and down each surrounding peak, I found myself blaming the altitude for this apparent lack of judgment (as surmised by the non-runners)- how do you explain to someone that running several 6000 foot peaks is enjoyable?
Sanity questioned on the trail: We also faced answering the hikers' on the AT questions. Fortunately, I had my favorite human trail partner with me, and as we gabbed about our lives, we were able to (sometimes) avoid the strange looks from hikers and dodge questions about our sanity.
Ode to those who are cursed to love running up the sides of mountains!
This weekend was no exception. 4th of July! To celebrate, the fiance and I packed our car, loaded Grendel, and headed to North Carolina. I took advantage of the cool weather and lovely balds all above 5000 feet. Friday, Saturday and Sunday were some of the best days of running I have had in a while.
Sanity questioned at the house: When questioned about the amount of time I had been running up and down each surrounding peak, I found myself blaming the altitude for this apparent lack of judgment (as surmised by the non-runners)- how do you explain to someone that running several 6000 foot peaks is enjoyable?
Sanity questioned on the trail: We also faced answering the hikers' on the AT questions. Fortunately, I had my favorite human trail partner with me, and as we gabbed about our lives, we were able to (sometimes) avoid the strange looks from hikers and dodge questions about our sanity.
Ode to those who are cursed to love running up the sides of mountains!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Track, again
The Lanier Running Club meets at the track every tuesday night in June for some friendly competition. I have a difficult time with the competition part. The track is my newly discovered nemesis. Although when I was younger, I would use it for strength and speed, now I dread each step around the circle.
Notwithstanding the paragraph of complaint, my experience with a group of people laughing and trying to achieve a pace or PRs has been enjoyable.
The club has an event in each distance: 100, 200, 400, etc (not necessarily in that order). My goal, as a self-proclaimed distance runner, is to run all the events. So, what has resulted, is by the time the "distance" event (3000 meters) arrives, I am too tired to compete, so I run it as a quasi-cool down(if I feel better around the last lap or before, I will speed up). However, I know that this amount of running on the track must help my anaerobic threshold and will help me attack my favorite hills. Another alternative I explore while doing all the events is if I run 1 event quickly (for me), then I will try and pace the other events to remind my legs how to race in the longer races i enjoy.
I will, undoubtedly, miss the June weekly sessions...
Notwithstanding the paragraph of complaint, my experience with a group of people laughing and trying to achieve a pace or PRs has been enjoyable.
The club has an event in each distance: 100, 200, 400, etc (not necessarily in that order). My goal, as a self-proclaimed distance runner, is to run all the events. So, what has resulted, is by the time the "distance" event (3000 meters) arrives, I am too tired to compete, so I run it as a quasi-cool down(if I feel better around the last lap or before, I will speed up). However, I know that this amount of running on the track must help my anaerobic threshold and will help me attack my favorite hills. Another alternative I explore while doing all the events is if I run 1 event quickly (for me), then I will try and pace the other events to remind my legs how to race in the longer races i enjoy.
I will, undoubtedly, miss the June weekly sessions...
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Ten miles of therapy
Always, it seems, when I begin a long run, my arms are tight, my muscles are tight, and I often develop a minor stomachache. Today, was no exception.
Brief overview of week: after a grueling week at work, my runs in the afternoon were less than ideal. Tuesday's run, for example, was supposed to be over an hour with several long arduous climbs - an unwind from the grind. The first climb was solid; my legs locked in an admirable pace, and I put my head down, and I climbed. The next miles were solid; increasing my pace, I held onto the feeling of strength. However, my last climb was cut short by exhaustion and restlessness (the irony is i come to the woods to get rid of the sitting at a desk restlessness), and I turned off from the hills' crest to another trail, which gently led me down to the car.
Today, I was able to change this week's theme of tiredness. My run today started out slow with the usual stomachache and clenched fists. It took over 6 miles and some good climbing before I was able to relax. Is this an indication of the weeks I have had recently? I surmise - affirmatively. As the work has piled on and deadlines loom, my desire to run has decreased. This is unfortunate for me, who is dependent on several long runs for a restoration of sanity.
Reflection is good - this week ends on a high note with a 10+ run with Grendel in NGA. Hopefully, it is a sign that next week will be better than the last; however, with a mandated extra, extra early start tomorrow, my luck may not hold.
Brief overview of week: after a grueling week at work, my runs in the afternoon were less than ideal. Tuesday's run, for example, was supposed to be over an hour with several long arduous climbs - an unwind from the grind. The first climb was solid; my legs locked in an admirable pace, and I put my head down, and I climbed. The next miles were solid; increasing my pace, I held onto the feeling of strength. However, my last climb was cut short by exhaustion and restlessness (the irony is i come to the woods to get rid of the sitting at a desk restlessness), and I turned off from the hills' crest to another trail, which gently led me down to the car.
Today, I was able to change this week's theme of tiredness. My run today started out slow with the usual stomachache and clenched fists. It took over 6 miles and some good climbing before I was able to relax. Is this an indication of the weeks I have had recently? I surmise - affirmatively. As the work has piled on and deadlines loom, my desire to run has decreased. This is unfortunate for me, who is dependent on several long runs for a restoration of sanity.
Reflection is good - this week ends on a high note with a 10+ run with Grendel in NGA. Hopefully, it is a sign that next week will be better than the last; however, with a mandated extra, extra early start tomorrow, my luck may not hold.
Friday, June 19, 2009
More pavement
This past week, I have been adjusting to a new running schedule. We have moved south Highway 365, and I have added additional miles on pavement and have decreased the miles on the trails. It was inevitable to move: fiance needed year without commute; and isolation in a town with few people and fewer people who run.
Before moving, I enjoyed endless afternoons deep in the Chattahooche national forest with my dog, Grendel. He would run ahead (or behind at the end); I would rely on his senses to detect unwanted guests early, so, as a result, I spaced out with the chirping of the birds and the sound of the leaves rustling until his bark would wake me from my stupor. Now, I attach a leash and hold him close as we sprint (he pulls) on the sidewalk, and we become overheated easily as we pound each step without much shade.
Before moving, I enjoyed endless afternoons deep in the Chattahooche national forest with my dog, Grendel. He would run ahead (or behind at the end); I would rely on his senses to detect unwanted guests early, so, as a result, I spaced out with the chirping of the birds and the sound of the leaves rustling until his bark would wake me from my stupor. Now, I attach a leash and hold him close as we sprint (he pulls) on the sidewalk, and we become overheated easily as we pound each step without much shade.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Summer has arrived, so we went to the track
A local running club has started all comers track meets on Tuesday evenings. This was a surprisingly enjoyable evening considering...
Summer has officially begun in Georgia - last night was sweltering. A small group (mostly kids under eighteen) gathered at the track to "compete" or pace or whatever - (comradery was a factor). There were many events: from the 100 to the 3200. I tried to do all of them to maximize the detested track workout (I really avoid any type of track workout); however, last night it was enjoyable.
Because most of my running is on trails or up any type of hill, mtn, etc - this was a nice change. The distances were quick (although my times were nothing to brag about), and there were people cheering and fast children to watch and everyone was overheated and a little dizzy, but there were only smiles.
This is a weekly event and my attendance will be probably perfect.
Summer has officially begun in Georgia - last night was sweltering. A small group (mostly kids under eighteen) gathered at the track to "compete" or pace or whatever - (comradery was a factor). There were many events: from the 100 to the 3200. I tried to do all of them to maximize the detested track workout (I really avoid any type of track workout); however, last night it was enjoyable.
Because most of my running is on trails or up any type of hill, mtn, etc - this was a nice change. The distances were quick (although my times were nothing to brag about), and there were people cheering and fast children to watch and everyone was overheated and a little dizzy, but there were only smiles.
This is a weekly event and my attendance will be probably perfect.
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