Thursday, July 31, 2008

Off to NY!

It's time to start our adventure in NY. We move tomorrow. Tonight was my last night of work and it was very heartwarming. My supervisor brought me a cake, goodies and gave me an amazing critical care resource, a coworker made a vegan berry crumble and brought soy ice cream, colleagues gave me chocolate and a really nice encouraging card. And many.... many hugs. What wonderful place this has been. I love being a nurse here. Thanks everyone!

The last two days I have been packing, cleaning and painting so the running took a break. I did have a wonderful 3 mile easy run in the Bay Area along Lake Merritt. Tomorrow I plan to get up really early and do a 10 mile on my favorite route before the drive to San Diego. Last week I did 13 out there and thought it was my last time there. I want to do it once more. I love that spot and hope to capture some pictures along my way.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Running again

The smoke is clearing but not yet gone. I am able to run outside and along my favorite route in the valley *hooray!* It's hard and I am not sure if I should attribute it to smoke I cannot smell or losing some of my base. Either way I am happy to be out again.

I ran a wonderful 11-miler on the coast in the redwoods again last week. Clear, cool air and spectacular views. My goal was 10 miles but I felt great and kept going. I could have gone further but James and the children finished and would have to wait longer for me.

Today's long run was difficult. I planeed to do 10-12 miles. I ran in the valley too late. It was 90 degrees. I started at 80-85 thinking it would be good to adapt as NY will be so humid. Afterall, I ran and biked last summer in 95 degrees regularly for the triathlon. The distances were shorter though. I learned that I need to slowly adapt to heat as I have grwon accustomed to running in cool temperatures. I bonked 4 miles in and let myself rest, hydrate and cool off. I was energized for 2 more miles, stopped to cool off and rehydrate and continued. I made it past the hills which didn't bother me. Then I bonked again and felt really weird. Not the same as previous runs. No leg pain, shortness of breath, just overall wierd. The sun felt worse and I was desperately looking for some shadows to run through. Any shade was good shade. I saw a car like ours and believed James somehow knew and was coming to get me. It wasn't. I cried and stopped. Only 2 more miles. I called him asking him to come and get me. hearing his voice helped. I decided I would continue running until I saw him. Maybe I could make it to the car before he got here. I stopped once and realized it was easier running as there was a breeze whenI ran and none when I stopped and stood in the beating sun. Wow. It was even hotter there. I saw the sheep and said hello and how I wished I could just lay out there with them under the tree. I saw the car. I knew it was him. I also realized I was starting to lose it. I couldn't run along the straight white line. I felt dizzy. The car was cool and I was happy he came. It hasn't hit me that I essentially gave up today. maybe I will rationalize it was simply too hot at this point.

My "official" training plan begins tomorrow. Funds are coming in and I am meeting my goal of raising 2/3 before I leave for NY. Only a few hundred shy of $2000. My heart fills with warmth from the genrosity of so many.

I am nervous. The NYC marathon is real now and honestly scares me. I have been reading the NY marathon and Team Hole in the Wall websites and everytime I start to well up. I also wonder if I can really do it? I have to.

This week's schedule (26 miles):

M: x-train (swim and weights)
T: easy 3 mi
W: tempo 6 mi
Th: easy 3 mi + weights
F: rest
Sa:easy 6 mi
Su: Long 8 mi