Janette vs. The Storm Cloud

I went out for a nice easy run tonight. I was really questioning going out. I had this urge in the pit of my stomach that said, "man, I really don't want to go tonight. Couldn't I just skip this one?" I just had a bad feeling, but I knew there was a reason this was planned, a reason why I should do it. After all, I believe everything happens for a reason and that we are always where we should be. I reminded myself that this is the plan and if I had no really legitimate reason for missing it, then I would just have to get out there and do it.

I left around 4:30pm and all was going smoothly until about 35 minutes in. I had actually been thinking about a post for my blog when at that moment, I turned around and saw this gigantic navy blue storm cloud! That's right, it wasn't black, it was navy blue and that's how I knew it was bad. I could even see the layers in the clouds. It was unbelievable. So for the remainder of my run, I went at more of a get-me-away-from-this-freakin'-storm-cloud-and-back-into-my-apartment-safely pace than an easy pace.

I somehow managed again to finish my run again before the rain (I did this Friday night too). Except this time I missed a lot more than rain. According to News Channel 5, I missed 60 mile an hour wind gusts, hail and torrential downpours. Here's the picture of the Doppler I took when I flipped the news on when I got home - my house is somewhere in that red. Following the Doppler are two pictures of the clouds that were over my head as I finished my run.



I made my dinner while I watched this storm pass by. It was pretty incredible. There was one particular crack of thunder/lightning that I was pretty sure killed my building because it triggered the alarm to go off. I was pretty freaked out, but of course taking my deep, relaxing yoga breaths. Within 20 minutes the temperature had dropped from 77 degrees to just 66. I spent quite a few moments here thanking whatever power it was that I went for my run when I did and made it back when I did. If I hadn't, I probably would have been either stuck under a tree somewhere or holed up in a gas station awaiting the end of the storm.

The sun was already coming back out on my way to teach gentle hatha yoga. How poetic is that? A big storm to end a run and then sunshine for yoga. I love it! (Please note the photo below - I do not typically take pictures while driving.)

And then as if the weather couldn't get any more interesting (yes, I'm a nut about the weather, big deal. I love it. If Dave is reading this he has been laughing and calling crazy the entire time.) the sunset out my apartment window was gorgeous!

Tonight at my yoga class, I left my students with this thought: "you are just where you should be." For me, that meant I went for my run just when I should have, I did the route I did and the amount of time & distance because I should have. I didn't know at the time why I was doing all this, but looking back I realize it was so I could stay safe and out of the mess of the storm we had tonight. So the next time you're wondering why you're doing something you shouldn't be or you're having the time of your life or you're just wrapped up in your loved ones arms, just remember, you are always where you should be.

[A lot of people tend to disagree with me on this "everything happens for a reason" and "you are just where you should be" idea. I welcome all your comments whether you agree or not, but please no this is just my opinion and keep an open mind about it as I will keep an open mind free of judgement on any comments you may post.]

Training Update: Week of 6.18.2008

Training this week went well for the most part. I'm still injury free and actually learned a valuable lesson this week. That lesson? Do not consume dairy products prior to a run - even an easy run. Another lesson learned? I really need to get in more core workouts and another upper body workout, but to be honest I'm just being lazy with that. I always have been lazy with strength workouts, but it's time to change that.

Monday
Upper body & core workout.

Tuesday
45 minute easy run, lower body workout
Here is where the dairy came into play. Dairy consumed one hour prior to workout = Janette puking for 15 minutes and hoping she'll be done in time to teach her yoga class that night. I was done in time, but still not feeling totally up to class, but still taught a great gentle yoga class.

Wednesday
Hill workout
Now this was fun! I already blogged about it here.

Thursday
Off! :)

Friday
Intervals
I watched the storm clouds coming in on another humid evening. It started raining exactly as I was finishing my last .2 miles. I loved the timing of that! I've never been so lucky!

Saturday
Lower body workout

Sunday
14 miles easy
Longest run in this training phase. It was another humid day - about 80 degrees when I went out at 9am. I was already dripping sweat after my 6 minute warm up. I used my new sports drink today and really liked it. It's not as sweet as Gatorade and it still gave me the refreshed feeling. It was pretty nasty tasting warm though, but then again so is Gatorade. At mile 7 I was feeling that I could run all day, but then at mile 10 I thought "oh please... I just want to go home" and that I did. Four miles later I was home, dripping with sweat, sticky with salt and ready for a shower. Now that's a great morning!

Total Miles: 34.2

Sleep, Pain & Hills

I'm blaming the full moon - and not my terrible diet as of late or my silly little schedule because of course those have been perfect [insert sarcasm here] - on the fact that my sleep the past two nights has just been terrible. On Monday night, I woke up almost every hour tossing and turning and dreaming crazy weird things. Tuesday night I decided to stay up late watching the Celtics beat LA in the NBA finals (haha Kobe!) and then my body was awake at 4am. And to top it all off the other night I watched this sleep study that in a nutshell said decreased sleep can lead to reduced intelligence and not to mention type 2 (I believe it was type 2) diabetes when extremely sleep deprived. Here is the article from 60 Minutes. Check it out... it'll motivate you to go to bed and stay there for at least your 8 hours. And if you love sleep as much as I like to, you might even be there for 12!

I did a 7 mile hill workout tonight and I have to tell you I was scared. Why? Well because hills hurt. I had to keep reminding myself that pain is pleasure (please read that as pain is pain and you should stop the activity, but discomfort or a new sensation is not pain and you may continue the activity, but most importantly listen to your body). All I had to do was take it one hill at a time and push through each one nice and steady one step at a time. And that's what I did. I have to admit that I did get a little motivation from these two quotes:

It's at the borders of pain and suffering that the men are separated from the boys.
-- Emil Zapotek

To keep from decaying, to be a winner, the athlete must accept pain - not only accept it, but look for it, live with it, and learn to accept it.
-- Dr. George Sheehan

I felt good during the workout, but I definitely needed this motivation to push me through. I feel like I've been recovering very well lately, but with my increased mileage this week we'll see how that turns out. I'll be certain to get my sleep for the next couple runs I have planned this week.

Training Update: Week of 6.9.2008

Training this week went pretty well. The humidity finally left for the second half of the week and I was very happy to say goodbye to it.

In addition to training this week, I added this picture of Kara Goucher at the right as my wallpaper for my blackberry. It has been really motivational. It reminds me of the goals I have and each time I look at it I think of the hard work that needs to be put in so I can accomplish those goals.

So here's the training breakdown for last week:

Monday
Lower body workout

Tuesday
4 easy miles with strides & upper body workout. I took a walk break on this run because the humidity hadn't totally left yet - Mile one was good, but 2-4 I thought I was going to puke. Sorry for that mental picture.

Wednesday
Hill work

Thursday
Off day. Time for some R&R. Although R&R meant getting laundry and dishes done. Fun stuff.

Friday
7 easy miles with a stretch stop at mile one and a few running drills

Saturday
Lower body workout and stretching

Sunday
12 mile long run with some speed mixed in. This was a great run. It was only 63 degress and very cloudy when I went out. I was so happy to be out there and just enjoying the perfect running weather. I have to say when the weather is that great it really makes running easy. I had a great run and even ran into a triathlete friend of mine. No, I didn't actually run into him, but saw him and waved. I actually got out of his way - he was biking.
Oh and I almost forgot the best part of this run... be prepared this is not very yogic of me, but I am acknowledging that and will work on it. So I'm at mile 2.2 and this guy in a forest green Toyota Forerunner drives by me. What's the problem with that you ask? Well it poured all morning so there were some puddles. Needless to say this guy drives right through a puddle that is right next to me and splashes me all over my legs. Well take this forest green Toyota Forerunner man... I never broke stride. That's right, you can splash me and it won't phase me. I will not break stride. Splash me again - I dare you.

This next week I'll be increasing mileage for my long run and doing some more hill work.

Total miles: 27.7

As a side note... I am looking for a 5 mile or 10K in the beginning of July somewhere in New England. I have a few ideas, but would welcome any races you know of. Comment away and thanks!

Quotes

I am sitting here waiting for a load of laundry as I watch game 4 of the Celtics versus Lakers NBA Championship series. I was just thinking about how motivational it can be to watch someone you look up to do what the do best.

In the case of the Celtics, my boyfriend watches Keven Garnett with a fierce intensity and I can see in his eyes the desire to get out and play the game with the same intensity and heart as Garnett. I do the same when watching track and field and seeing Kara Goucher, Deena Kastor, and Shalane Flanagan. I love to watch them, but at the same time seeing them run makes me want to get out and run.

So in this spirit of watching our favorite athletes to gain motivation, I'm giving you a few quotes I've gotten from my daily Runner's World quotes. I hope you find them motivational, inspirational or some other kind of 'ational.

I think some of the most celebrated moments in human achievement should be those times when everything is going against a person and they are down in the dumps but they simply choose to get up. That's real greatness! --Ryan Hall

Life (and running) is not all about time but about our experiences along the way. --Jen Rhines

Racing is the fun part; it's the reward of all the hard work. --Kara Goucher

Enjoy! And be sure to leave some of your favorite motivational quotes.

Triple H

We had an official heat wave here. I believe it takes three or more days of 90 degree heat to be an official heat wave. I believe it was 90 degrees or higher Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. It was hazy, hot and humid - the Triple H - but that does not mean training could come to a stop. It did however mean that my training paces would slow significantly.

Saturday was my last day of good weather running. I ran at 7:00am when it was 62 degrees outside. By 10:00am saturday it was 80 and it was just going up from there.

On Sunday I had a 10-12 miler scheduled, my parents were coming into town, I had to work and I had a bridal shower to go to. I woke up and started working at 6:00am (I'm in Information Technology and we had a nightmare of a day on Saturday pretty much taking my time from 9:00am to 10:30pm) and finished my work. I was out the door by 8:00am so I could get back in time for my parents who were arriving between 9:30am and 10:00am. The only part I didn't plan was that by 8:00am it was already 85 degrees. I had on my ultra lightweight moisture wicking dri-fit Nike tank, my new Nike spandex shorts, my new UnderArmour running bra and my trusty fuel belt. I didn't have an sports drinks so my belt was full of just plain water and two GU packets. I took it nice and easy through the whole run. I ended up doing an out and back and turning around at 5 because it was just so hot. I stopped a lot to stretch and drink. I felt stupid when I passed the 7/11 and realized I could have just put a couple bucks in my pocket so I'd be able to get a sports drink (doh!). I cannot even describe how much I was sweating on this run. It was literally pouring off of me. When I stopped to drink there was a puddle under me because of my sweat. I stopped around mile 8.5 and took the tank off. This was my first experience running in just a sports bra, but I didn't care what anyone driving by thought - after all were they running 10-miles? I don't think so - I was so hot that I just needed to do something. I tied the tank onto my fuel belt and for the remaining 1.5 miles felt the cold wet tank hitting my leg - so refreshing! When I finished the run, I felt good. My parents were at my place, but needless to say, they didn't really want a hug until I showered first.

Monday was a strength training day for me. So I was back on the road Tuesday. I swear my 4 miler on Tuesday was worse than the 10-miler. I ran the first mile, stopped to stretch and catch my breath. The air was so think and heavy that I just could not breathe. It was actually pretty scary. My legs felt great and wanted to run, but my lungs just couldn't keep up. I felt like I was going to puke for the remaining 3 miles and was so happy to have this run marked off my training. I felt OK when it was all done and over with.

The heat has just tired me out so much. If I had my way, I'd be in bed by 9:00pm every night, but unfortunately I have other things to do like dishes, laundry, work and all that adult responsibility stuff.

Tonight's run was a hill workout and much cooler. It was about 80 with a nice breeze when I went out at 6:00pm tonight. The humidity finally broke, my legs felt great and my lungs were working well. It was nice to have it all come together tonight.

How did you make it through all the hot weather running?

Yoga Terms

Ever wonder what your yoga teacher is saying in class? Sometimes teachers, myself included, speak Sanskrit, an ancient Indic language. Most believe that yoga originated in India and was taught in Sanskrit. Therefore, many teachers believe they should speak Sanskrit when teaching their students.

You may hear your teacher begin class with an "Om", he/she may tell you that your "chakras" are blocked, or they may tell you to inhale "prana."

What does all this mean? There are many websites out that to help you define these terms, but here are a couple to get you started.

• The Runner's Guide to Yoga Terms (Runner's World 1/8/2008) - This article is a great reference for a short list of the most common terms you may here in a yoga class.
• 200 Key Sanskrit Yoga Terms (Yoga Journal) - This is a much longer glossary of terms. It is more extensive, but a very easy to use source.

Many other websites can be found by typing in "Sanksrit Glossary" into your Google search.

Marathon History and Motivation

Every day I receive an e-mail from Runner's World with a motivational quote. Some of them really hit home, while others I delete and never think of again. This morning was one of the quotes that I delete and never think of again. That is until my little sister reminded me of it.

It's horrible, yet fascinating, this struggle between a set purpose and an utterly exhausted frame. -- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

So Heather, my little sister, starts a gchat with me to tell me how cool today's quote was. And I said, "what? I don't remember it. What was it?" She reminds me what it was and I say, "hm... I wonder what it means."

Within five minutes my research guru little sister sends me an e-mail with subject line "the background" and in it is a link to an article called, The Great Marathon Boom of 100 Years Ago, written by Don Allison. Well good thanks, Heather. What the heck is this? Why did you send it? At least I have reading now at lunch.

So I'm reading the article at lunch (a great article by the way) and all of a sudden - there's the quote. As Allison states in his article,

As he [Dorando] entered the stadium for the final laps to the finish line, he staggered and turned in the wrong direction. With assistance from two race officials, the diminutive Italian was helped and turned in the proper direction toward the finish. He fell three times and arose each time, but not without help from two officials. Crossing the finish line first in 2:54:46, it had taken Dorando nearly 10 minutes to cover the final quarter-mile. A fresh Johnny Hayes arrived at the finish just 30 seconds later.

Later on, Allison quotes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (yes, the author of my RW Daily Quote as well as Sherlock Holmes) from his report in the Daily Mail describing Dorando at the finish.

. . .Then again he collapsed, kind hands saving him from a heavy fall. He was within a few yards of my seat. Amid stooping figures and grasping bands I caught a glimpse of the haggard, yellow face, the glazed, expressionless eyes, the lank black hair streaked across the brow…It is horrible, and yet fascinating, this struggle between a set purpose and an utterly exhausted frame.

Needless to say this quote has a lot more meaning to me now than it did before. I hope you enjoy the article and the quote. I know I appreciate it much more now.

Hartford Marathon

I am officially registered for the Hartford Marathon on October 11, 2008. Gasp!

My Coach: Boston Running Center

I've officially decided to register for and run the Hartford Marathon on October 11, 2008. Here we go again with the Marathon. This time I'm doing it safely and under the guidance of the head coach at Boston Running Center.

Having a coach might seem kind of silly. I mean, I'm a middle of the pack runner, why do I need a coach? The thing is, I'm a bit too competitive and a bit too hard on myself and I've always been this way. Hence I overtrain and injure myself. I also do much better when I feel that I'm held accountable for my actions. Still... why not just feel accountable to myself? Well, I'm good at letting myself down - it's a low self esteem thing that I'm constantly working on. The thing is I cannot let anyone else down.

So I decided to go with coaching for a few reasons. The first is that I don't want the responsibility of planning my training schedule. I tend to get really caught up in the planning and do more of that than actually running. Secondly, I want to be held accountable. I want someone there to say, "Janette, you skipped your run on Tuesday. Why?" If I know someone is going to ask that, then I know that I better have a damn good reason. I know that, "Because I wanted to go out for ice cream instead" won't work. Another reason I decided to go with a coach, is because I want to learn more about my body, how it works and how runners train. Since my yoga training I've become really interested in the human body and I want to expand my knowledge.

So far things have been going really well. I have this cool online training log that I fill out and submit to Coach each Sunday and then he sends me a new schedule for the following week either Sunday night or Monday morning. I met with him a few days ago to go over some strength training and running drills and he has me starting with those this week. The working isn't easy this week, but I really like a challenge so I'm excited to see how things turn out.