See Nat Run

Don't it make you smile

Hypothermic Half Marathon, Ottawa, January 2009.

It got done. It was harsh. My lungs hated me. My hips hated me more... and there was a massive lower body rebellion that started around the 10 mile mark. But I finished. Slowly and surely. 

This story isn't about me really. It's about the Fabulous Ms. G who would not let me quit. She didn't. "Natalie, you know we are amazing. We dont' have to be out here. We will walk." Both of us were silently hoping for the cold snap to continue. We'd set the limit at -28C/-18F. It was much warmer than that. Alas. Together we would have to get through it. 

"Ok, now we will run until the next intersection." She would say when we were nearing the limit. 

And when it became clear that running was causing me pain, we walked. We've both done much faster half marathons. This one snuck up on us, and evidently the high carb, high fat, let-your-old-bod-go-to-hell-in-a-handbasket method of training is not exactly conducive to setting new PBs.  Who knew? (Well, I did.) 

But G. is the hero of this run.G is brilliant and funny. (And we cannot forget stunningly gorgeous.) Running has given me so much, but a getting to know G. was probably more than a girl could ask for. Today, she listened to my swearing, to me listing what hurt (everything except my hair.) And she have me the gentle kick in the ass when I need it. She's the hard core rock-star goddess of this run. On my own, they'd have found me sitting on a snowbank by the side of the road having a good cry. She got me through it. 

The novelty of running has worn off a bit. I take it for granted that I'll start and at some point I'll find my way to the finish. But this run was humbling. Evidently, you can't just call it in. I knew that. The pain was intense in parts. G. kept making sure it was runner-ending pain. "Nat. We will finish, so we can run again. If you think this is the kind of pain that means you're really hurt and not just sore then we should stop." See the voice of reason. Yes but... I don't quit. And I think I may just be whiny. I must admit that the sound of the man eating an apple was making crazy earlier in the weekend.

I must admit that at with less than 3 miles to go, I did decide that no matter what I was going to finish. I may not do the loop and get the medal but I was going to get that 13.1 -- even if I had to include the walk to the car. 

G. wouldn't hear of such nonsense. She wanted her medal -- as she saw it we deserved it. She's right. She got me through it. I'm glad I did. Because  Special K was just a few minutes behind me. She did it. She finished her first half marathon. (I actually hugged her at 19K.) She was beaming. Simply beaming. That kind of grin, I am sure she's still got plastered on her face right now. She's a woman in transition that one. I am so completely and totally proud of her. Watching her finish her first half, made the entire ordeal worthwhile, and reminded me why I run. I run because it's about pushing the limit. It's about going farther and faster, sometimes in less than ideal conditions. Seeing her... gotta love the runs like that. K., you need to wear your medal all day tomorrow. Shout it out to the world.  

So how cold was it? Well, it's called Hypothermic for a reason. It was about -13 with a windchill of -21C or so. (9/-5F). I didn't realize how cold I was. (I'm not entirely sure this is a good sign.) I got home to an intense burning sensation. (My first though was that I'd finally pushed it too hard and that the old bod was crapping out in a spectacular fashion. I mean if you're going to go, it should be spectacular. Right?) It took me a few moments to realize that it was in fact similar to the feeling you get in your toes when you're outside in boots that aren't properly insulated. Yup, I froze my ass. First time that's ever happened. (It seems fine now. I am dressed in polar fleece from head to toe.) 

Now, I need you all to go and give some love to Lilly. She had a rough go of it, and decided not to finish. Big hugs to you girl. I'm thinking of you.

Know thy self

The Hypothermic is this Sunday.

It'll be half marathon #10. 

Half Marathons

• January 2005: Hypothermic Half Marathon, Ottawa: 3:00+ (not chip timed)
• April 2005: Limestone Marathon Kingston: 2:47:48
• October 2006: Fall Colours Half Marathon: 2:48:41
• January 2007: Mardi Gras Half Marathon, New Orleans: 2:54:09
• May 2007: National Capital Half Marathon: 2:39:57
• Sept. 2007: Philadelphia Distance Run: 2:59:37
• January 2008: Hypothermic Half Maraton, Ottawa: 2:48:15
• May 2008: National Capital Half Marathon: 2:53
• September 2008: Army Run Half Marathon 2:49

  

Kilax asked me if I was excited. Not so much. It's four 5K loops around the Farm. The Farm is, well, a farm. I know the hills and valleys well. I also know that, being a farm, there are no trees. The wind comes whipping across there and it's cold. Even when it's warm it's cold. 

But the real issue I've been dealing with all week is that I really don't feel ready. Psychologically or physically. My training has been all over the map. This bus strike is cutting right into my training. I know a number of runners doing this one tomorrow. Lilly, Ms. G., and Special K -- K is running her first half. (And I think I heard that a few others are doing it too.) And as I suit up Sunday in my 47 layers -- I'll be running for them. It's easier if I let them carry me... if it weren't for them I just wouldn't have the strength. 

Wimpering wintery whine

This is the post in which I try not to descend into total and complete self-pity.   I hate it when I do that.

Inhale.
Smile.
This is wonderful moment.

Here we go. This weekend I cut my long run short. It was supposed to be a "quick 10k".  Quick in winter  is a relative term -- totally dependent on two forces completely and utterly beyond my control.

1. Mother Nature
2. City of Ottawa

All week, it's been stupidly cold. I reckon once they issue an extreme cold warning -- "exposed skin will freeze in less than 10 minutes." I don't run. End of story.  The gym I belong to is at work. Work, the stuff they pay me to do, was stupid busy. Kind of "oh shit it's 2 p.m. and I haven't eaten yet." The Man was in DC. (Actual quote: "I'm glad I brought my running tights. It was cold." Buddy, DC knows squat about cold.) It was -39 when I woke up that morning. The running and the working out was just not going to happen. As well, Friday, The Boy and I stayed home. He had a stomach virus, and I  felt woozy the entire day. It never developed to more than that. (Knock on wood.)

Still this is about Sunday's defeat. Saturday, I decided -24C with no wind was too cold. The forecast for Sunday looked better. Temperature wise, it was. The problem, as anyone who lives around here knows, is that when it's not stupid cold. It's snowing. Damned if I did, damned if I didn't. Sunday, it snowed.

Snow in Ottawa is not unusual, had I been driving somewhere, it would have been just fine. Except that now the sidewalks are covering with sandy slushy stuff. It was hard. Body-wise I alternated between too hot and too cold. The flu sapping more out of me than I cared to admit. Slowly the run turned into a long slow slog. The first few miles were fine. But around the 4 miles, I just really didn't want to be out there anymore.

Normally, I'd give myself the "suck it up princess" speech. This time, the body cold and tired, the spirit drained, and a mile from home. I found my way home.  I don't quit a run very often... this one sucked the life force right out o me.

Hypothermic Half is this weekend. Today it's snowing. (Fuck). My piriformis might be fucked (not sure I'll be able to run on it.) And I'm just looking for a few easy miles... and a bit of rest.

Inhale.
Smile.
This is a beautiful moment.

Housekeeping...

First of all, it's Delurking Day. This is for those of you, who like me from time to time, read blogs but don't usually leave comments. Say hello, I don't bite and I'd love to hear from you. I love love love the comments. 

Isn't this guy, just your running through the park nightmare? I suppose it depends what he looks like under that coat eh? 

Odds and ends:

I'd like to report that though I wore my lined running panties under my favourite Sugoi running tights (thanks mom for the extra pair.) My ass was still very cold. Damn it. Ms. G. suggest hand warmers (the kind you put in kids mittens. I just hesitate to put them on my ass... Oddest thing since my hands are always warm and I usually end up taking my gloves off. 

Ever look at your shoes and wonder what you do to them. My Brook's Ariels are nearing the end of their live span and will be nearing retirement soon. Alas, poor Ariel's I knew them well...  I did notice that on the inside they are both worn on the same spot inside behind the ankle. I guess they control motion but I still run like a weirdo. The shoes feel fine and I have no pain. (I reckon I'll actually have to go in for a fitting this time eh?)

I'm on the look out for new alternative type running music. So what are you listen to? 

The Runners Lounge is putting together a book for runners by runners. Ain't that the bomb? I'll be submitting a little something and I know a lot of other blogging runners are as well. It's a cool idea submission are to be a maximum of 600 words and due on February 15.

Happy Trails maybe I'll be able to put my thoughts coherently together for a more lucid post later in the week. (Insert joke about my lucidity here.)

Rules are meant to be broken.

The Fabulous Ms. G. and I got a second 10 miler yesterday. Actual temp. was -22C when I got up, but no wind. Oddly enough it felt less cold than the run last weekend. As I was walking her through one of the 2.5K loops we'll be doing for Hypothermic. 

We've pledged to do the Chicago Marathon in 2010. Seems far away. G. is serious about it.

This will be half marathon #10 for me, and I know myself well enough to know that I am clearly not ready for it. I've slacked off too much, I just hope sheer determination is enough to get me through. The goal this time is simple to finish. I'll stick to my little five and ones, and see what unfolds. Plug myself into my iPod and go back and forth, back and forth...  up the hill, then down ... up the hill... then down. Third times a charm maybe? Remind me not to sign up for this one next year ok?

2009 is a bit of an odd one. I don't know what I should be planning for. We're heading off to PA and DC to the American Odyssey Relay but that only bring us to the end of April. I'd love to do the Blue Nose Marathon in Halifax but it's three weeks after American Odyssey Relay, and financially it's another big hit to take. (And it's a bit far to drive.) I'll probably end up doing on of the events for National Capital Race Weekend but I'm not sure. It ends up being work since the funds raised go to the foundation of the hospital I work for. Meh... 

Things I am presently considering:

Around The Bay

Boilermaker in Utica

I need a fall race. I need to look up what's within driving distance that isn't Toronto -- maybe Montreal. Maybe Quebec City (I think that one is in August though.)

Then there is Charlottetown in October...

All to say, I'm not doing my homework but in my shoes, and on the couch. Suggestions are welcome.

The wagon ride...

As per my run on Saturday with Ms. G. proved, it was high time to get my voluminous (but not heat retaining) ass in gear. 

What I have come to realize is that from the wagon ride is a bit bumpy and from time to time you fall off. This week has been pretty good food. I am once again reminded that I do feel much much much better when I eat right and exercise. Gah! I know that... still... I had a number of calorie free French fries off The Boy's plate this evening. Overall I feel better. Tuesday's 5K was in fact rather fun. 

I'm pretty sure the bacon, the cheese or the buns were all that "hot" as choices... but after a two hour commute home, the diner up the street was the only sane option. However, I am pleased to say that I have eliminated the lunch time Diet Coke, increased the water consumption, and have avoided the muffins at work. (Replaced by a caffeine boost mid-afternoon.)

But clearly I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer. I forget these things. Still I need motivation to do my strength crap. I hate the strength stuff. I get little from it -- except pain. 

On Tuesday before work, I saw this thing about the 200 sit up challenge. Now back when I was kickboxing we used to do a minimum of 100 sit ups as core work. So 200 didn't strike me as all that daunting. I haven't done much core work in months and months. (because it's boring and it hurts. Deadly combination.) I wonder how many I can do. 

So before I hope in the shower I lay down on the carpet in The Boy's room and start to do sit ups. (I will not go into the logic that brings me to his room to do sit ups. But it involves carpets, barf, and vacuums.) And I start to do my crunches. Goal was  72. 

The Man walks in holding a towel. Looks at me funny. (Why are you doing sit ups there? Because it's closer to the shower than the basement.) I get to 51 and it's not so bad. But the I wonder about being lopsided. So I do 30 reps each side on the lats. Then I realize I am late for work. So I don't get the second set in. I am not feeling any effect. And in my mind, I declare myself too though for this 200 push up thing.

But me, I am, at times, not bright.

Fast forward Wednesday night, all day I feel like I've been hit by a truck.  It hurst to get out of bed, it, it hurts to walk to bathroom, it hurts when I sit to pee, it hurts to stand and it hurts to stand still and not move. It hurts to live. Do you know what it's called core strength? Because it's a the core of all your movements. 

In Ottawa on Wednesday, it snowed. It snowed a lot. Now, when it snows. The only way to clear a path for yourself is to shovel. This was a lovely happy snow. Light. Fluffy. Just a lot of it. And given we don't have much a driveway -- still our steps and driveway took me 45 minutes to shovel.

Do you know what takes a lot of core strength? Shoveling. Do you know why it hurts? Because I refused to believe that 200 sit ups was alot.

Totally had it coming.

He ain't heavy...

Ms. G. and I were on our 10-miler when the subject of pain came up. We'd gone from 10/1 to 5/1 to well... walking with running spurts. Although we'd both been loathe to admit it, we've both been in better shape. Honestly I haven't been doing any sort of serious training since the marathon, so the goal for 2009, is to find that groove again.

New year and an old friend

Hello.

It's been a while I admit. 

I've been neglecting my little running end of the blogosphere.

I could make excuses but I won't.

How are you all?

It's winter here. It's cold. And well, I've read many of your posts decrying the cold and the snow. Must admit that a few times, I thought that your weather sounded better than ours. But as Cheryl pointed out, I know what I'm getting into once winter hits. Many of you just don't know what to do with snow and cold weather.

One word of advice if I may. I was running with the fabulous and talented Ms. G. on New Year's Eve. She is wise. She summed up winter running like this: "You need to dress like an onion."  Code for layers, many many layers.

This, of course, led to a conversation about the physics of my ass. I've written about this before but it doesn't seem to make much difference what I wear, but my ass is always cold. (Really isn't that kind of blubber supposed to insulate and keep me warm?) I digress. G. is right. Layers are the way to go -- many layers. 

Today it was stupid cold on the farm when the wind kicked up. I'd actually unzipped my shell and my thicker sub-layer (exposing my long-sleeved tech-shirt.) However, we got a very good eight mile run in with a really bone chilling 2 mile walk at the end. We took off too strong. My issue right now is my ears. I need more of a hood to cover my head. Paid for it at the end. Oh well. We got to catch up. Sometimes the social aspect of a long run trumps the actual running.

We talked of running goals, of our health goals, and of all the things we'd like to do this year. I'm still not sure what those goals are. I do know that I need to up the ante on the health front. Drop of a inches/pounds etc. etc. I'm not sure resolutions work but if I'm going to make progress then I need to kick it up a notch. Alas. More to come on this I think. I also want to do a best of... but it just seems like a bit too much ATM. My ass is just starting to heat up.

I wish you all many many transformative happy miles in 2009.