Go Gu Dog, Go!

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I met up this morning with people from my running group and we started our run about the same time as an elite group of runners beside us. One guy in the elite group runs with a Jack Russell Terrier and I found out today that dog is capable of running 20 miles at a stretch, and takes GU (energy paste) just like humans. It's in amazing shape. The owner hooks a retractable leash to the waist of his pants and the dog runs out ahead of him.

Even more amazing is a woman I barely passed who was hauling ass uphill while pushing a monstrous baby carriage, loaded down with diaper bag, toys, and baby. She must have been pushing 50 pounds. Someone told me there are some races that have special awards for runners who push strollers. I remember at the first 5k I ever ran, there was a dad beside me pushing one-year old twins in a stroller. The start gun went off and I never saw him again. He took off. Those stroller runners are FAST.

I'm excited to start training, although the gas money to get me to and from GSO 4 days a week might kill me. I've got several goals in mind which I'll share once training starts. For now, I think my goal should be twofold:

  1. Try to keep up with the dog.
  1. Don't get passed by the lady pushing the stroller.

The Little Treats In Life

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The perfect morning:

  • Up early for a 7-mile trail run with a friend
  • Spotting a deer bounding up a hill on the trail
  • Treating myself to a Starbucks mocha and glazed doughnut for the car ride home after the run
  • A clear sky with bright sunshine and cool temps
  • Early 80's Madonna blaring on the car radio
  • Knowing the whole day is mine to explore and to get work done.

Do I miss the corporate life? You know, not so much...

No Long Runs

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I'm at the Outer Banks this week and I'm ready to melt. One hundred plus degree temps the last two days and humidity so thick it feels like breathing through a mesh net. Fool that I am, I decided I was going to do a long run in this nonsense. I headed out the door aiming for 8 miles. Ten minutes in I decided six would be a more reasonable goal. I called it quits at 4 1/2, gasping for breath and ready to sell all my worldly possessions to anyone willing to offer me a sip of ice water.  This morning was a mere 89 degrees and it felt cool by comparison.

I'm hoping to get some writing done this week. I've brought a story with me I've been working on. I like my characters but I'm weak on plot. It helps if something actually happens in a story. Just a thought.

Meanwhile, I've got waves crashing outside my window, a boogie board waiting to be tested (pray for me), and gourmet goodies in the fridge.

Life is hot, but good.

Time to Work On the Quads

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I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. My right leg has been giving me grief. My right side has always been my more flexible side, but for the past year, the back of my right thigh has felt pinched in a way that I know isn't right. It's more than tight muscles. I've watched my flexibility steadily decline to the point where I can't even bend over and touch the floor without having to bend that knee to almost a 60 degree angle.

I've been hoping it's a phase that will pass, but recently I've developed a kind of twisty pinched feeling in the thigh that hits me when I'm sitting at my desk or driving a car. Plus, my leg has buckled a few times in yoga and, frankly, I'm frustrated at the lack of flexibility when I know it used to be there.

So I saw my doctor. I was mainly looking for advice. Do I need a chiropractor? Orthopedic doctor? Bruce is a runner as well, which is nice. He said the placement and complaints aren't typical of a standard running injury. He measured my legs and my right leg is almost a half-inch longer than my left, which may or may not be contributing to the problem. His recommendation is that I spend a month strengthening my gluts and hamstrings with weight training, in addition to being religious about stretching after my runs. (Something I'm not good about doing now.) If that doesn't help, then he'll refer me to a sports medicine specialist.

So my weight machine and I will do a little bonding this month. It would be lovely if this were just a case of imbalanced muscles.  Meanwhile, he also said I might want to do a little cross-training. He suggested biking, which I loath. I might to back to Tae-bo, although I wonder if I can do those leg kicks with this pinching.  If not that, there's always paddleboating. =)

Cheers,

Dena