These last few months have been filled with a lot of activity, racing, and training. The off season is a time to have fun, race a little, and keep up my base for swimming, biking, and running.
October:
The week after Augusta, I walked 30 miles with family and friends in the Atlanta 2 -Day Walk for Breast Cancer. What an amazing journey! I also traveled to Nicaragua with my coworkers on a humanitarian trip. We spent a week breaking ground on a water system in a little village. These families will have water soon. Along the way, I scaled 3 volcanos! Each volcano was so different from the next, but they were all challenging in their own way. The end of October was rough. Running wasn't so great, swimming just hurt, and the one time I was on the spin bike was awful!
November:
I ran the Kids II Strong Legs run with a decent time, but a miserable run. I wasn't in shape to be racing, so I planned on a training run, where I donate to charity :) I also participated in my first ever trail run at Serenbe. The plan was to have fun and not injure myself. I ended up running the entire thing, which is the longest I have run without walking! I had so much fun and it was just the bump I needed to get some motivation back. I had a few great long runs through November, finishing with a nice 7 mile run on Thanksgiving morning. I tried to focus on swimming each week as well as good form while running and on the spin bike, but its tough.
December:
I started out with no motivation. I think I left it at Thanksgiving dinner! My only race of the month was the Reindeer Romp 5k. By feel, this was a terrible race, but I must be getting faster, because it was a PR! I am still shocked by the results. I struggled through the month with my shoes, so I purchased a pair of the Mizuno Wave Creation 14. I hated them from the first 2 miles! I tested them out over Christmas, and they were bad enough that I only did 1 mile, the entire week! Something needs to give, or this is going to be rough.
January:
I started the new year off looking for my motivation. I went back to my old shoes. These shoes are not good, but better than the new ones. I went to another store and purchased a pair of the Brooks Ghost. I immediately returned the Mizunos. I haven't had an amazing run in the shoes yet, but possibly because I am injured! First up is the Hot Chocolate 15k. Who wouldn't run a race where chocolate fondue is at the finish line?! I ran the entire thing, which turned out to be a bad thing. My inner ankle/leg started to hurt near the end, but I pushed through it anyway. This caused pain walking up and down the stairs. Since I had a race the next weekend, I took off the week from running. Next up - Hogpen Hill Climb. This race is not for the amateur runner (or the injured for that matter.) It is 11.5 miles of hell up Hogpen Gap in North Georgia. Take a look at the elevation below. Anyone who attempts this is some kind of crazy!
October:
The week after Augusta, I walked 30 miles with family and friends in the Atlanta 2 -Day Walk for Breast Cancer. What an amazing journey! I also traveled to Nicaragua with my coworkers on a humanitarian trip. We spent a week breaking ground on a water system in a little village. These families will have water soon. Along the way, I scaled 3 volcanos! Each volcano was so different from the next, but they were all challenging in their own way. The end of October was rough. Running wasn't so great, swimming just hurt, and the one time I was on the spin bike was awful!
 Volcan Cosiguena |  Volcan Maderas |  Volcan Cerro Negro |
November:
I ran the Kids II Strong Legs run with a decent time, but a miserable run. I wasn't in shape to be racing, so I planned on a training run, where I donate to charity :) I also participated in my first ever trail run at Serenbe. The plan was to have fun and not injure myself. I ended up running the entire thing, which is the longest I have run without walking! I had so much fun and it was just the bump I needed to get some motivation back. I had a few great long runs through November, finishing with a nice 7 mile run on Thanksgiving morning. I tried to focus on swimming each week as well as good form while running and on the spin bike, but its tough.
 Kids II Strong Legs 10k |  Hill Country 15k Trail Run at Serenbe |
I started out with no motivation. I think I left it at Thanksgiving dinner! My only race of the month was the Reindeer Romp 5k. By feel, this was a terrible race, but I must be getting faster, because it was a PR! I am still shocked by the results. I struggled through the month with my shoes, so I purchased a pair of the Mizuno Wave Creation 14. I hated them from the first 2 miles! I tested them out over Christmas, and they were bad enough that I only did 1 mile, the entire week! Something needs to give, or this is going to be rough.
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| She Moves Reindeer Romp 5k at Chastain Park |
I started the new year off looking for my motivation. I went back to my old shoes. These shoes are not good, but better than the new ones. I went to another store and purchased a pair of the Brooks Ghost. I immediately returned the Mizunos. I haven't had an amazing run in the shoes yet, but possibly because I am injured! First up is the Hot Chocolate 15k. Who wouldn't run a race where chocolate fondue is at the finish line?! I ran the entire thing, which turned out to be a bad thing. My inner ankle/leg started to hurt near the end, but I pushed through it anyway. This caused pain walking up and down the stairs. Since I had a race the next weekend, I took off the week from running. Next up - Hogpen Hill Climb. This race is not for the amateur runner (or the injured for that matter.) It is 11.5 miles of hell up Hogpen Gap in North Georgia. Take a look at the elevation below. Anyone who attempts this is some kind of crazy!
I shouldn't have done this race, but because of the large showing from ATC, I was stubborn. I was in pain from the beginning, and I walked/limped up a good bit of the climb. It was miserable! I am not running right now, and I had to sell a number for another trail run that I won't be able to participate in. I am spending my time in the spin lab and in the pool right now to get myself strong at those while I take a break from running. I hope to be able to complete a 2.5 mile run soon without pain! I am supposed to do the Publix Half Marathon in 6 weeks, but if I am not ready, I will certainly skip it. I have a much more important race on the books I need to be healthy for.
I am so excited for 2013 and everything the year has to offer so far!
Hot Chocolate 15k
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ATC @ Hogpen Hill Climb
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"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."
-Thomas Jefferson
I know it can be frustrating having to take time off, just as you are seeing huge gains, but is smart to listen to your body. It looks like you have established a strong cardio base with your other activities, so let the feet heal, and you'll pick up to where you were quickly.
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