"When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race." Jay Foonberg



Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Great Run...Kinda!

Kent and I went to the Sportsplex yesterday to do our regular run. In training for my half marathon, I'm increasing my distance, stamina and endurance by adding an extra mile each week until I'm at my HM readiness. After viewing the weather forecast, realization hit that doing a longer run toward the end of the week was not looking good. So with that in mind, I decided to shoot for the extra mile yesterday. This week is to be my 9th mile.

I began my run and was doing well. Then I noticed that I was too fast initially...thank goodness for my new Garmin! So I "tried" to slow down keeping in mind that my goal is not speed but endurance. After running a few miles with a close watch on my pace it got better and better. As I entered my seventh mile, I was feeling real good. As a matter of fact, I felt great...I had experienced a burst of energy. (I think that has a name but don't remember what it's called.) It was then that I thought I will go ahead and add TWO extra miles instead of the planned one. Kent followed me around (he is wonderful!!) to offer me water when I needed it...but mostly because a couple of wild looking stray dogs came out of nowhere barking and charging at me. This happened in the 8th mile and caused me to stop running and walk until I could get past them safely. I was soooo angry! I am afraid of dogs and do not care for them at all!!! I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I was bitten by one when I was walking home from high school one day minding my own business!!

Now with the confidence that I had my "protector" with me and my water available when I needed it, I relaxed and began running again feeling safe. Even as I entered my 9th mile, I thought that I could still run the "extra" 10th mile. All was well and then it happened.........I crashed!! What was this?? I've never experienced this before and didn't know what to do. I was at the end of my run for the day and REFUSED to quit now. So I shuffled on to the finish. Still I'm not sure what happened. I slowly walked to the car, drank my water and did slow, easy stretches to prevent any cramping. (I have always been a "huge" cramper anyway.)

So my first thought now was let me get to my Apple Cider Vinegar, swig some down, change clothes and hit the couch for some much needed rest! As it turned out, when I got home, I was feeling fine again. Got out the vinegar, downloaded my Garmin, made our Smoothie (soooo good and refreshing), took my shower and felt rejuvenated again. I even cooked supper later on and wasn't sure initially whether we were going to have to go grab something or not. Thankfully, there's no soreness, aches or pains!! I'm still kinda new at this running thing and this has not happened to me before so I guess I'll just have to chalk it up to weird experience...dunno!

As I write this, the morning after, I still feel fine with no aches or pains nor any cramping last night. And when I made my daily coffee this morning I noticed that the vinegar was still sitting on the counter. I had not even taken any! For those of you that could use this acute cure...when experiencing leg and feet cramps, take a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar followed by a glass of hot tap water. If cramps do not subside within 5 mintes, repeat the ACV and water. This is the ONLY thing that has ever helped me and it is SUPER fast acting and cheap to boot!!

My plans are to do 3-4 miles today whether outside or on the treadmill. Rain is suppose to start this afternoon and I have errands to do this morning. I welcome any comments or e-mails if you have anything you could share regarding my run yesterday!

Happy Trails to You!!

1 comment:

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

Yay! 10 miler done. Congrats!
Hey, I need more info on the Apple Cider Vinegar. It funny you mention it, because I just bought some about 3-4 weeks ago with plans of adding it to my diet, but so far I have not. Maybe you can do a write about the benefits, how to use it, etc.

Along those lines, "the bonk" Do you use any type of gel, sports beans, etc. to supplement on your long runs? I use Gu brand gel, but there are many. This could help you with your cramping and the bonk at the end. It is recommended to use one after an hour of running and then around every 40 min after that. You will need to take the gel and drink water. The salt in the gel may help with your cramping and the sugar will help with the bonk. I mention this because you said you are new to this. Hope it helps. I have to take them. I just bought a bunch of Gu on the way home from Gulf Shores yesterday.

2019 Races

  • 05/11/19...9.38 mile Good Life Ride
  • 04/13/19...Raven 5k
  • Dec. 15 - Mar. 8 2019...175 Mile Challenge
  • 02/16/19...Sweetheart 5k
  • 01/19/19...Casio Bridge 5k...DND

2018 Races

12/09/18...MS Gulf Coast Half Marathon
12/01/18...Honeybee 5k (cancelled-weather)
11/17/18...Seville Quarter Turkey Trot 5k
11/11/18...Battleship 12k
10/20/18...Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
10/13/18...Shrimp Festival 5k
09/29/18...Don McCloskey 5k
09/01/18...Bloody Mary 5k
01/27/18...Casino Bridge 5k

Through December...200 Mile Fall Challenge
Through August...175 Mile Spring Challenge
Through June...150 Mile Spring Challenge

2018 Goals

Bike 500 miles.
Improve gear shifting.
Strength training 2 hours/week.
Run 600 miles.
Improve running without walking.
No processed sugar 75% of time.
Improve positive thinking.
NEVER give up!

2017 Races

  • 12/10/17...MS Coast Half
  • 12/09/17...MS Coast 5k
  • 11/25/17...Kaiser Half
  • 11/18/17...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/11/17...Rotary Oyster 5k
  • 10/14/17...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 02/18/17...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/04/17...Double Bridge 15k
  • 01/29/17...Big Beach Half

2017 Bike Rides

  • 10/01/17...Southern Magnolia Ride [25.85]
  • 05/13/17...Good Life Ride [26]

Series

  • MS Coast Double Down...5k & Half
  • Run The Beach...3 Half's

2017 Goals

  • Back-to-Back Races [Done]
  • 3 Half Marathons [Done +1]
  • 1,000 Miles-No
  • First Half Marathon Series [3 Done]
  • Work on core/strength 2-3 times a week-No
  • Lose 25 pounds-No
  • NEVER give up! YES!!
  • Control/Eliminate refined sugars-Good

2016 Races

  • 10/15/16...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/16...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 03/19/16...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/13/16...St. Pat's Leprechaun 5k
  • 03/05/16...Bay to Breakfast 12k...1st trail race
  • 02/20/16...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/13/16...Double Bridge 15k

2016 Goals

  • Run 1,000 miles-Done
  • Bike 300 miles
  • Half Marathon-Done
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Push through the hard times-Done
  • Cut back on refined sugar

2015 Races

  • 12/19/15...Make It To The Line 4 Miler
  • 11/21/15...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/14/15...Oyster 5k
  • 10/10/15...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/15...PHind a Cure-W/D
  • 05/02/15...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 04/18/15...Zydeco 5k - W/D
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Remember the Fallen 5k
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Boston Strong 5k
  • 04/11/15...Magnolia 5k
  • 03/28/15...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/07/15...Circle K 5k
  • 03/01/15...Gulf Coast Lulu's 10k
  • 02/28/15...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/07/15...Double Bridge 15k

2015 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Overlook past failures
  • Push through the hard times/things

2014 Races

  • 12/06/14...St. Jude's Half Marathon
  • 08/16/14...Pinky 5k Virtual
  • 08/15/14...Howl @ the Moon 10k Virtual
  • 02/15/14...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/01/14...Double Bridge 15k

2014 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • 700 Running Miles
  • Strengthen my Upper Body
  • Recuperate, Recover, Renew
  • Get active in WW
  • Eat Fruit Daily
  • Start Clean Eating
  • Begin Eliminating Sugar from Diet

2013 Races

11-30-13...Stennis 5k
11-23-13...Turkey Trot 5k
11-08-13...Run For The Kids Virtual Half [St. Jude's]
10-12-13...Shrimp Festival 5k
09-22-13...Talladega Half
07-04-13...Wesson 2 Miles
06-29-13...Emz Liverpalooza 5k
05-18-13...Pursuit of Fun 5k
04-20-13..Warrior Dash
04-07-13...Gulf Coast Half-Pensacola
03-23-13...Azalea Trail 10k
03-10-13...Leprechaun 5k
02-24-13...NOLA Marathon
02-02-13...Double Bridge 15k-Pensacola
01-13-13....Gulf Coast Half-Lulu's

2013 Goals

  • 3 Half Marathons-Done-Plus 1
  • 1 Marathon-Done
  • 1000 Running Miles-No, due to RC Tendonitis & Broken Shoulder
  • Eat fruit daily-A little aggressive but better
  • Maintain weight in 130's-Did NOT happen!

2012 Races

12-08-12...FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k
11-24-12...Jingle Bell 10k
11-17-12...Turkey Trot 5k
10-27-12...Jazz Half
10-20-12...OS Rotary 5k
10-13-12...Race for Grace 5k
09-29-12...5k For Katlyn
07-04-12...Wesson 2 Mile
04-15-12...Gulf Coast Half...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
04-14-12...Diversity Dash 5k
03-24-12...Azalea Trail 10k
03-03-12...MS50 20k...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
02-25-12...Kids Need Heroes 5k
02-11-12...Sweetheart 5k
02-04-12..Double Bridge 15k
01-14-12...Pensacola Half



2012 Goals

  • 1 Full Marathon-Marine Corp filled up
  • 3 Half Marathons-2 Down-Sick had to drop 2
  • 20 Miles-Wkly Mileage-Bronchitis kept me from this
  • Cross Training 2x Week-Poor Commitment
  • Weekly Weights W/O-Again Poor Commitment

2011 Races

  • 11-26-11...Kaiser Half
  • 11-19-11...Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11-11-11...Thumbs Up for Bill 5k
  • 11-05-11...Senior Bowl 10k
  • 10-22-11...Running the Streets 5k
  • 10-15-11...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 10-08-11...Mullet Run 5k
  • 09-24-11...Waiting for a Cure 8k
  • 09-05-11...Labor Your Legs 5k
  • 07-04-11...Wesson 2 Miles
  • 06-04-11...Bay Fest 5k
  • 05-14-11...Stargazer 5k
  • 04-30-11...Fiesta 5 Flags 5k
  • 04-16-11...St. Benedict's 5k
  • 04-10-11...Gulf Coast Half
  • 03-26-11...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03-19-11...St. Patrick's 5k
  • 03-05-11...Eco 5k
  • 02-13-11...Mardi Gras Marathon

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