Will run for wine: June 2011

Book club, knee pain and rude receptionists

So last night was the first meeting of our new "Marathon of Books" book club. And it's going to be awesome. We have a huge group, and I really like the way we decided to set it up. We drew names for the next 10 months, and each person gets to pick a book, and will decide the meeting location for their book. My head is spinning with the fun possibilities it holds for my choice, which isn't until March- but I can't wait!! It was at the cute little cafe called Nina's. They have the BEST cookies, and smoothies...and egg salad sandwiches...yum. The drive over there was long and annoying...but the cookie made it ALLLLL worth it.

Knee update: I can't run. Can't put all my weight on it. It's no fun. I am in pain, and cranky about it. So I called the PT that I have a referral on file for. And oh my gosh the receptionist was so rude. She said there was nothing on file, and that I would need to go back to my Doctor to get another referral, since "well- I clearly don't see anything here for you Krispen" (yes she said KRISPEN, in one of the nastiest tones of voice I ahve heard in a while) and then I said it's spelled K-R-I-S-T-I-N. Here is the deal with going back to my OB for a referral....she is an OB. duh. and is really hard to get in to see. (3 weeks and up usually) and the two clinics I called didn't have openings for about the same lenght of time, because I am new to those clinics (apparently there are doctors that only accept a certain number of new patients a month, and on certain days...sweet huh?). But-oh the receptionist had a wonderful idea- go to the ER...hmmm spend $1000 and probably about 8 hours in the ER, since this is a non-life threatening condition, sure...NOT. I literally laughed out loud... for about 10 seconds...belly laughed at the suggestion. I told her that was a stupid idea and hung up. Now maybe that was not the most appropriate reaction- but I am in pain, and when people are rude to me like that, and sass me for no good reason- I will give it right back and I am much better at it. And that is on a normal day- throw in pain, not being able to walk very well- let alone continue my training (super stressed about it) and that is a lethal combination of all kinds of b!tch.

Perhaps I need to head back over to Nina's for another cookie...it made everything better yesterday!!

Wildcard Wednesday- Etsy!

Check out the new Etsy site, and blog that I have opened to help me fundraise for Team in Training!

Cute headbands for sale!!

Motivation Monday- Rudy Garcia-Tolson, knee pain and newfound obsessions

Happy Monday!

On Friday the ING Miami Marathon FB page featured this great story about a young man names Rudy. You can learn more about Rudy, and his AMAZING courage, sense of self- and downright determination here. I think this kid is amazing. In the face of adversity- he stood up and fought for himself- and for what he wanted. He has never backed down because of his disability. I think he is an inspiration for ALL endurance athletes.

So the IT BS...is still BS. Couldn't run on Saturday, and it's getting to the point that I am missing trainings...and am getting behind. I am afraid that the Du and Nike may not happen. I know that I need ALL of the training that I had planned for this summer. So if after training on Wednesday I am unable to run... I believe it will be time to go to the PT...and see wtf is up with this pain.

So all of...well the vast majority of my friends are nutso about Glee. I love breaking into song as much as the next person...but I couldn't understand what it was such a big thing. And then I saw the first few episodes...it pulled at my early 90's childhood...with songs like "Push it" by Salt'n'Peppa, and "I wanna sex up up" by Coler me Bad. once I saw the tribute CMB...I KNEW this show was for me... I laughed so hard I almost peed. And now I am hooked.

I heart Kenyian out and backs

Why you ask?

Because they are pretty much amazing. I get to challenge myself and every set is different. I get to test out my speed and pace- and darn it...they are awesome. A truly great workout.

I am a bit sore yet- but I hope after this weekend that I can stretch through this a bit more and work it out.

That might be a weekly training session for me...since I can't stand the dreadmill.

I am super excited to go see The Green Lantern in 3D!! Ryan Renolds' abs in 3D are going to be amazing. I am going to have a GNO- and can't wait. First dinner at El Loro with Michelle, Kristine and Kate. Yay. Meanwhile the Amazing Jeff will be headed out to Rochester to grab Stu and hit Albert Lea to see the new baby! So I also am solo most of the weekend it looks like!

And my lunch was amazing...
An open faced Morningstar Chick patty & wholly Guacamole sandwich and some mixed fruit....yum.

Looking forward to getting out there and running tomorrow!!

T.G.I.F.E (Thank goodness it's Friday Eve) and lessons learned this week

It feels like it's been a ridiculously long week. But it is now Friday Eve and I could not be happier.

I have been struggling with this IT band BS for the better part of 2 weeks now; and I am really done with it. So I stubbornly went to training last night. For Kenyian out and backs.

But- it was actually really awesome. I'd had a crappy day and I needed to work it out. So I walked out for the first 10 minutes- and ran/ walked back in 7:14 (woot!) The only reason I had to walk was because my lungs could not keep up with my desire to keep running. When I started to run- it hurt. The first few strides were bad...but then it was Forest Gump like...ya know when he breaks the braces on his legs...that is what it felt like. And I could gooooo. For the second out and back I walked again for the 10 minutes, but faster because my legs were warmed up. So I made it farther in the 10 minutes than the first time, and made it back in 7:04 (WOOTY WOOT WOOT!!) Total milage was 2.57 miles in 34 minutes. That is a 13:21 minute mile....which might be a PR for me...um that might be my first EVER PR...heehee.

I felt so awesome after. I learned that I can run- and that I LOOOOVE it. <3 love.

So...then I thought I was on a roll...so I biked 4 miles this morning...and now I hurt. But it's not bad. Nothing a little rest and ice can't fix.

Another lesson learned- don't over do it.

Wildcard Wednesday – IT Band Syndrome & race calendar update!

One of the most annoying injuries a runner can sustain…IT band syndrome. I am suffering with this crap injury and cannot train. It is so frustrating because all I want to do is run. And I can barely walk. It will get better for a day or two…and then I am limping all over again. Boo.

The IT band begins in the hip and has attachments at three different muscles: the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, and vastus lateralis. The muscle becomes a fibrous band of tissue as it progresses down the thigh, then crosses the knee joint, and inserts along the outside portion of the knee cap and into the shin bone on a bump known as Gerdy’s Tubercle.

The classic symptoms of ITBS are pain along the outside aspect of the knee joint, sometimes accompanied by a clicking sensation. The click is a result of the ITB tightening and snapping across the joint during running…eww. The symptoms are often worse when running up or down hills.

ITBS is typically progressive, starting with tightness and often advancing to the point where the pain is debilitating. (Read: remember to STRETCH during your run!) The traditional view on the cause of this injury has focused on the tightness of the structure and overtraining. There is no doubt that the ITB will become tighter when it is injured. The tightness, however, is more than likely a result of the injury and not the actual cause. The cause of this injury actually lies in the function of the ITB.

The main functions of the ITB are to assist the hip muscles in outward movement of the thigh and to stabilize the lateral side of the knee. The ITB is not a strong structure, and if the surrounding muscles have any weakness that can lead to injury and ITB syndrome.

The Most Common Causes of ITBS

Leg length differences
Road camber - running on a slope for a long time
Foot structure
Excessive shoe breakdown - particularly on the outside of the heel
Training intensity errors - increasing mileage or intensity too fast
Muscle imbalances - particularly quads versus hamstrings
Run/gait style factors - e.g. bow-leggedness, knock knees, etc.

How to fix this…prevent it first off. Stretch during the runs, and after. Remember to use that stick, foam roller or Lacrosse ball to roll out that tissue to prevent the tightness. But if you are like me, and didn’t do enough of this- or ignored it all together- roll, roll, roll. And rest. Stretch and roll.

On a more positive note…

I have planned the next 16 months of races!! Woo.

On the schedule:

Minneapolis 13.1 series 5K Aug 21st 2011
Minneapolis Duathlon Aug 28th 2011
Nike Women's Half Marathon October 16th 2011 (With TNT)
ING Miami Half Marathon January 29th 2012 (With TNT)
Rock'N'Roll Pasadena Half Marathon February 19th 2012- I am doing this with my Coach Kristine, this also happens to be the 13th anniversary of her AML diagnosis!
Rock'N'Roll San Diego June 3rd 2012 (With TNT)
Minneapolis Duathlon Aug 2012 (With TNT)
Honolulu Century Ride September 2012 (With TNT)
Nike Women's Half Marathon October 2012 (With TNT)

Holy Crap...

Bundle of Joy Monday!!

In place of Motivation Monday- it’s Bundle of Joy Monday because my Niece Rhianna Lane was born yesterday at 2:42pm at 7 pounds 14oz and 20 inches long.

Lucky for my sister in law she was 3 weeks early!! And she had a quick labor.

Rhianna Lane & Big Bro Justin

Mommy and baby are doing great! Oddly enough…yesterday was their 1 year wedding anniversary. What an anniversary gift. The traditional wedding gift for the first year of marriage is paper, however in this case it’s a baby!!

I am an Auntie again!!

Wildcard Wednesday- Do you Du?

Do you Du?

So next week I will officially begin training for my very first Duathlon. I will be participating in the Minneapolis Duathlon on August 28th. And I could not be more psyched.

I got a bike...my parents got this for me:

I rode it around the parking lot for a few seconds...after not being on a bike for about 15 years...I was SURE I would fall on my face. But it is true what they say- you never forget. They did get me a helmet..but it's too small so I can't ride until I get a better fitting one.

Now- not only am I training to the Du- I am simultaneously training for the Nike Women's Half on October 16th. So this summer might just kill me...

But at least I will look amazing!! And not only will I be training, but fundraising as well. I have a few fun virtual events going on be sure to check em out and invite your FB friends to donate as well!!

Buy My Miles - Buy a mile or two in honor, or memory of a loved one who has fought cancer- and I will wear a ribbon on my race jersey with their name on it!

Dollar Donation Days - Donate just $1 on the 13th of every month between June and October...well...you can donate a dollar anytime!!! :)

So- here's to an AMAZING summer!!

Minneapolis half Marathon Race report!

Good afternoon blogosphere!

So yesterday was my first half marathon- and it rocked. The weekend started out with family arriving from Arizona on Friday afternoon. So we went out for ice cream at the Edina creamery. Jeff really enjoyed his blueberry cheese cake cone...

Saturday morning I got up and made my world famous pancakes, bacon and hashbrowns breakfast...super yummy.

Then it was time for packet pickup!!

The line was long and it was hot...

But once inside..the energy hit me!

The expo! It wasn't as big as I had expected, but it was still really fun to learn about other races, try on the Du bike jersey for this year, and shop a bit.

Me and my bib! It hit me at that moment that this was about to happen. All of my training...all of the blisters, and sore muscles...and this was it!!

Aww the race series medals....so pretty all together. I can't wait to get mine all together!!

After packet pick up it was time for Pizza at Pizza Luce' with some of my team mates...this place has the BEST pizza in the cities. I am tellin you...sooo good.

Then it was time to get the race gear all ready..bib and chip...Check!

Team in Training puts on a Inspiration Dinner (PASTA PARTY!) the night before the events, and since my parents were up, I took my Mom, since she is the ultimate inspiration. As a 4 time cancer survivor- there is no greater inspiration.

My Walking Coach- Kristine and my Mom- two of the coolest survivors I know!!

Me and the run Coach Val- amazing woman- I am not sure I would have gotten through training without her!

So after a stressful evening, and very little sleep- I was up at 3am, and ready to go. Got glided, and dressed. Ate breakfast on my kitchen floor, since every inch of my living room was covered in people who came to visit! I was out the door way earlier than I wanted to be...but my nerves were high so I wanted to be early. Arrived at the parking ramp at about 4:15 am and waited to get in to park...I sunscreened, hydrated and tried to relax. At 5:30 I hoofed it over to the TNT tent in the race village.

Checked in, got a fun new mission ribbon to pin on my jersey, took a team picture- and of course the team cheer- which by the way- sounded SO AMAZING echoing off the skyscrapers and the pavillion.

Then walked to the start line to line up. By this time, I was so excited to go...I was just jumping around, and full of nervous energy. I know next time to RELAX, and breath. And to save all of that energy for the race.

I crossed the start line at 7:03 am. I didn't have my walking buddy JDub with me from training. She was in San Diego doing her Rock & Roll event (she finished in 3:59!). But I was ok with walking alone for the most part. I had my tunes, and was ready to just take it all in. I thought I should have hit the potty one more time before we set out, but I figured I'd be ok, and that it was just nerves. About 10 minutes in, I really had to pee...but the first potties weren't until after the 1 mile...so I had to hold it for 10 more minutes. The way the course was set up was goofy- we got to see some of the ELITE runners hitting the 5 mile mark right after we crossed the 1 mile...holy cow they are fast. So I spotted the potty and had to fight the relay people (whose events had not yet started) for the potty. As I walked out I saw my team mate and cancer survivor Lauri walking, I didn't want her to walk alone, and I could see she was hurting...so I went back and walked her to the 2.5 mile TNT cheer station. Then I had to jet- I was very behind in my pace. So I ran across the Plmouth Ave bridge to the 3 mile mark, hoping to make up some time. I have never run 1/2 mile without stopping, but I was so full of adreneline that I just kept going. I walked for another 1/4 mile and then ran again for about a 1/4 of a mile. Once I got to main street the running not going to happen- I had never trained to run on cobblestone- and was not going to start on race day. A mile of cobblestone later I was at the Stone arch bridge...the view of the city was amazing...

I missed the 4 mile flag, and was freaking out, because it was already well after 8:30am and I should be at mile 6...in the distance I could see a mile marker flag, and I prayed that it was 5. Thank goodness it was. But here is where I get cranky...and have to rag on the race organizers a bit. They did not do a great job of keeping the course clear of spectators. See those people on the bridge- they are not in the race and were all in my way as I tried to run. As I rounded the corner off the bridge- I had no idea where the course went. No staff, no marker, no arrows...I had been pacing a group of walkers in aqua shirts...but they were lost- in the crowd of spectators that had taken over the course. The course had us cross the finishline backwards just after mile 5- but the finishline was consumed with finishers, staff, and spectators. I could not pass. So I ran over to the bike path to the left of the course and jumped up and down in front of a very unhelpful volunteer who wasted about 5 minutes of my time telling me she didn't want to waste my time by pulling out a map when I asked her if I was going the right way...I finally flagged down a finisher and asked him...thankfully he had his head out of his butt and told me yes. Down the bike path I sprinted yelling to the people to MOVE! RUNNER COMING THROUGH! For about a 1/4 of a mile I was not even on the course. Finally I got back on the course and pushed through to mile 6. I was off pace again. But after a few minutes of walking I ran again...down a hill. I decided then to run down the hills and not fight gravity, besides it would make the hills go by faster!! Then the back spasms started. They lasted the rest of the race, and took the wind right out of me at some points. But I smiled for the camara despite the pain at mile 7.5 where I had my own personal cheer station!!

By this time...it was HOT. We had never traind in the heat. This is MN afterall!! We trained in cold, and snow and rain, and sleet and hail...but never heat. I was doing my best to stay hydrated, and thank goodness for all of the wonderful water stops. Some even had sprinklers going!! By mile 8.5 I was really hurting, and seriously considered stopping at a medical tent. But I knew that I would be very mad at myself for quitting. So I just repeated: Right, in, left, out. (Focusing on walking and breathing at the same time). I am not sure where the next TNT water stop was, somewhere between miles 9 and 10. Some of my injured team mates had the BEST water stop in the entire course. They had water, bananas, salt- and many other awesome things. They were right where I needed it...a huge thank you to Michelle and Paul!!!! The turn around was at mile 9.5. After I crossed that point, I just kept teling myself I was just walking back to my car! It was Right, in, left, out- again for another mile or so- hit the TNT water stop again for some water, salt and a banana. Knowing that I had slowed down greatly due to the spasms...I ran a bit. From mile 10 to mile 11 I ran and walked, more running than walking. I knew that at mile 11.5 my awesome family and Jeff would be there to cheer me on and give me that boost to make it to the end. They fuled me mentally and I knew that they would be there at the finish line. And I only had about a mile and a half left...I totally had this!!

At mile 12 I met up with my coaches and they walked me to mile 13... cheering and pepping, and motivating me the entire mile. I was exhausted...and was ready to be done. I knew the finish line was close because I could hear people cheering and screaming! I saw the state flags and knew this was the home stretch! I fought tears that last mile, I was so pround of myself, and I couldn't wait to see my Mom at the finish line. A quick hug from coach Kristine at mile 13...and off I went to cross the finish line!! I had done it!! I got my medal, my snacks...and my family was there to see it. I was so overwhelmed I just sat on the curb and cried.

Then I saw my boyfriend taking pictures of me so- I had to smile. I got up and went over to them...and the tears started all over again...but they were happy tears. Tears of pride. I had accomplished something I never thought I would. I am an endurance athlete. Wow..that sounds amazing to say!!

Official time:

Thank you to everyone who put up with me during training, who donated to make sure I got to do this- and thank you to my coaches, and teammates for an AMAZING season and experience!!

Next up...Minneapolis Duathlon August 28th!

Happy hump day!

Well... it's just 4 days until the Minneapolis Half marathon...and I am bursting with excitement, and nervousness. I ~~think~~ know I am prepared. I have done my training and I can totally do this. Yesterday I was a little bored, so I compiled a colage of motivation marathon/running quotes...I think it's cool enough to go on the back of a t-shirt actually...

I see that I have been slacking my bloggin duties lately...but this girl's been busy! I have a 2 1/2 page pre-race to do list to prove it!

So I am oficially registered for the Minneapolis Duathlon on August 28th! Woohoo!

Do you du?

Pretty excited about that. AND, AND...I am getting a free bike thanks to my Mom, who doesn't use hers anymore. SWEET. I will just need to get a tune up, a helmet...and potentially a more comfortable seat. But all in all, that is not too bad.

Also, this week I merged my Nike half training schedule with my Du training schedule. And added my strength training. crap. It's going to be a busy summer. Or a cruel, cruel summer...depending on how you look at it.

Woweee. At least Ima be in shape this summer.
Well...back to my carbs.

Will run for wine

Book club, knee pain and rude receptionists

Wildcard Wednesday- Etsy!

Motivation Monday- Rudy Garcia-Tolson, knee pain and newfound obsessions

I heart Kenyian out and backs

T.G.I.F.E (Thank goodness it's Friday Eve) and lessons learned this week

Wildcard Wednesday – IT Band Syndrome & race calendar update!

Bundle of Joy Monday!!

Wildcard Wednesday- Do you Du?

Minneapolis half Marathon Race report!

Happy hump day!

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