20 very wet miles

I met Nancy at about 10:30 this morning. I felt stiff and sore, but pretty good for the most part. We stretched some and I felt my left hamstring scream! It really hurt in Yoga last night, but the stretching seemed to help a bit. I have been having problems with this leg for a while, so I am thinking about getting magnesium shots at my massage place. My acupuncturist said they help muscle strains a lot.

So anyways, it was drizzling but kind of warm - 50's, I think. We were running at Lunken airport, which also has a huge golfcourse that was underwater, and a 5 mile paved trail we planned to run 4 laps around. All flat except for one short hill and 1 kinna steep downhill. At mile 1 there was about a 4 inch puddle of water that was 10 feet long. No way to go around it, so we ran right through it 4x's! It stayed at just a drizzle for the first lap and the 2cd lap was half pouring rain and half drizzle, and the 3rd and 4th laps were a total drench out, and it sucked bad.

I had worn just a short sleeved running shirt with Dominic's Adidas rain jacket (supposed to be Climaproof - WHATEVER!) and a pair of sucky running tights that got soaked. I was drenched prety much the whole run. We'd go back to the car for water or gel or whatever, cooled down so fast, all of the sudden we were freezing until we started another lap. I don't like being cold. Or wet. But it sucks extra bad to be both cold and wet at the same time.

Nancy gets really bad charlie horses in her calves but today she did ok. My legs were achey but felt pretty good, and strong. I won't lie and say I felt wonderful, but I got through it and made myself suffer some. That's what it's all about anyways, right? We took it slow and steady.

Our 5 mile splits were:
1st lap 54 minutes
2cd lap 52 minutes
3rd lap 55 minutes
4th lap 54 minutes

Averaged 10.7 minute miles for 20 miles. They say you should run a marathon 2 minutes slower than normal pace. Ok, well, I know I can go a bit faster. I am glad Nancy and I ran together. It was fun to have some company for a change. Sometimes we talked but mostly we listen to our music.

Tonight I am sore, been taking Alieve. My left ankle is sore again and my left hamstring. Tomorrow is Dominic's dental surgery, so I probably won't work out at all and just stay home and take care of him.

P.S. Readers - Thanks for all the comments on my race yesterday, that was really cool and I appreciate them! If you are reading this , can I also ask that you think some good thoughts for Dominic tomorrow? He is having anaesthesia and you know that can be scary. Thank you!

Race Report - Mini-Heart 15K

I just need to explain something about me and running. I have NEVER tried to go real fast. I am a 10 minute miler thru and thru. Always have been - for the past 8 years I have been running. I almost always finish a 10K in 62 minutes or so. Hell, I've even finished a 10k in like, 65 minutes (in my 1st triathlon, after biking 30 miles on a mntn bike).

This past year I have been trying to do just a little better. I have been focusing more on how I feel during my run. Am I pushing myself enough? Can I try harder? My legs feel stronger now from the weight training. So I finished my last 10k on Thanksgiving in 59 minutes and change (average was 9.3 minute miles).

BUT TODAY I AM REALLY HAPPY!

I finished this 15K (9.3 miles) in 1:24 57 which is an average pace of 9:07 minute miles!!!!!
My best time ever.

5k split 27:53
10k split 56:36

I met my friend Nancy downtown and we picked up our packets, got our time chips and walked back to my car to put all our free stuff away. I then found out that I had locked my keys in the car - duh. I took my ignition key instead of the key that opens the doors (I have different keys, weird I know). Fuck. So we walked back and stuck all our junk in her car but we kept getting lost in the parking garage and we getting short on time. Race was starting in like 12 minutes and I still had to pee really bad. Finally we get a block from the starting line and we both stand in line to pee at the port-o-pottys.

Gun goes off and it takes us a good 4 minutes to get to the starting line. TONS of people. The 1st mile is down a hill, then a steady incline for a good .75 miles. I usually can't keep up with Nancy. She runs faster than me. But I was keeping up and our 1st mile split was 8:40. YES! We slapped hands and kept going. By the 2cd mile, I was feeling good and thinking maybe I'd try and stay with Nancy the whole race. Then she saw this guy she likes from her work. He was running slower. She slowed down to chat with him but I kept going. She caught up with me about a 1/2 mile later. We kept running. Lots of hills. We turned around at mile 4.5 and at that point were right on 9 minute miles. Then we turned right, straight up a hill. We run up that hill and lost some time, but I think we made it up on the downhill. Passed the 10K split. My watch showed we were right on time, and we kept running. I was trying to finish in 1:25. We headed up the last hill after mile 8 and ran down the next hill, past mile 9, and then finally crossed the finish like at 1:24 57!

After the race I called AAA to come and get my doors unlocked. They met me within about a 1/2 hour and then I went to Dominic's work to eat brunch again. Yum.

Tonight I am going to Hot Yoga. My legs are tired and sore and I need some stretching. Me and Nancy are meeting at 10am tomorrow for our 20 miler.

Last night

Dominic came over last night and was there when I got home from work which was cool. He was kinna fucked up on the pain pills they gave him. The dentist and tech said they couldn't believe he was walking around with this infection. It could have killed him if it had gone to his heart. They also gave him some strong antibiotics called Cipro which seemed to have helped ALOT because his pain is much better today.

So last night we're hanging out on the couch and Lucy is sitting next to me on my right, Dominic on my left with his laptop, and Ari standing in front of us. Lucy started her snarling, and I grabbed the camera. The video came out too dark but if you turn up your volume, it's kind of funny.

Friday's madness

It's easier getting up to run the dogs now that the weather is breaking. It was 39 degrees this morning and the rain had stopped. We ran 4.5 miles and it was a nice run even though it was ugly outside, no sun. My legs feel strong. So that's 40.5 miles for the week. Hell yea.

Dominic is insisting to be put under for his root canal. It was hard to find a dentist who would do it but I finally found one. At first he was all booked up, but when I mentioned we were paying cash, they fit him right in. So this morning he went in for pre-op stuff. I hope they can schedule the root canal for next week at the latest. The poor guy is in so much pain. And I am starting to jonz out on his painkillers.

This weekend is my first race of 2008. I am doing the Mini-Heart Marathon 15k. It's a 9.3 mile route from downtown, up Columbia Parkway, turn around and come back down the parkway, but then turn right onto Torrence which is a huge hill into Eden Park. Come back down the hill and finish back downtown. I am psyched.

UPDATE - Dominic just called. He is going to have 4K worth of dental surgery on Tuesday.

I am the Moon

What Tarot card are you?

You are The Moon
Hope, expectation, Bright promises.
The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.
The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

Can you do this?

Dominic used to do this stuff - what's it called? Freestyle, flatland on a BMX, or something. Back in his teens he was sponsored by a big bike company and he was one of the best on the east coast. Just thought I'd share....

Tooth drama and just call me the Dog Runner

More tooth drama - not me, but Dominic. I spent the better part of Valentine's day helping him after he had a wisdom tooth pulled and now he needs a root canal. This morning started out badly because he was in so much pain. He was up most of the night so I sent him home to take a nap and wait for his 2:15pm appt.

I went to Nancy's to run her dogs 4 miles. It sucked running her dogs. They were buck fucking wild. A total pain in the ass. She is a nice lady but her dogs are so intense and skittish. She did give me another referral though. A woman with an old English sheepdog ,in my neighborhood, looking for a dog walker.

After I finished Nancy's dogs, I went to see Dominic and decided to run Bruno a couple miles too. I didn't have much time so we did just 2 miles, plus the sun was getting hot. Bruno totally fixates on me until I take him somewhere too. He expects it now. But he is such a pleasure to run, he's a good boy.

The dentist took some x rays and confirmed that a nerve is exposed and Dominic has to have a root canal ASAP. I guess I will have more nursing duty soon.

Tuesday

Miles
Today I ran 7 miles with my dogs. I also ran Bruno about 3-4 miles. Not sure what the distance was for sure.

Weights
Me and Dominic worked out for an hour doing shoulders, chest, and biceps. Abs. We always have fun in the gym. There are so many freaks in there.

Massage
I took Dominic to my massage place and we both got 30 minute leg massages. Hell yea, it felt so good to me. Dominic needed it soo bad, after yesterday's drama on the bike ride.

Food
I am too lucky. Dominic made me Stuffed Mediterranean Chicken for dinner. It was the best chicken I think I have ever had. Stuffed with feta, spinich, and onions. I am totally full.

Bike shop update
The owner was kinna squirrelly about his books. It looked like he was losing big time - or he wasn't being honest. Dominic's Dad talked us out of this for now. We do want to own a shop, but it won't be for a couple years. The economy sucks so bad, it's just hard to make a move like that right now.

Oh yea, check it out. Dominic shaved.

I will pass you on the hill!

Climbing is what I am good at when it comes to cycling. That's about it though. I don't know where my confidence went. My new TT bike is a trip. I may not be a good enough cyclist to be riding it. My nerves are shot. We had a hell of a ride.

Downtown
Me and Dominic went riding today. It was the first real ride since the fall, since trail rides don't count. We rode in traffic all day, city riding for 40 miles. We started out in Cheviot, on the west side. We took Harrison downhill to the %$#@&! viaduct that I hate so much. Across that to downtown, through the ghetto, past Finley Market up towards the regular part of downtown where I used to work. This dumb bitch in a blue mustang just about cut Dominic off because she didn't know how to drive downtown on 1 way streets. She screamed "nice tights" at Dominic and he flipped her off and spit on her car. I kid you not. She was behind us for like 7 blocks and she was honking and yelling at us.

East Side
Then we got onto Eastern ave towards Fairfax, took that to Lunken airport. Rode to Fairfax and stopped for coffee. It was cold out. Not that cold, 38-40 degrees, but it was cold to me. So after the coffee, we went towards Erie ave and then into Hyde Park where there is a bicycle lane for like 1 mile. I got caught with my chain undone on this hill, and I couldn't fucking clip out, I had no chain and I was yelling, trying to clip out...I almost went down. I looked like such an idiot! Finally got clipped out and got my chain back on. Caught up to Dominic in Hyde Park sq. We went up Madison to Walnut Hills.

Hills
Stopped for Shotbloks. I suggested Eden park, this cute hilly park. Which is right next to Mt. Adams. I didn't think Dominic would be dumb enough to go to Mt. Adams. But he went there. Mt. Adams is like Twin Peaks in SanFran. Crazy weird hills. We did this one hill, and I passed him. Yes I did. I cranked it up that hill, and can I just tell you I LOVE LOVE LOVE my FSA carbon cranks. So smooth. Then at the top of the hill you could either go to the right which was another hill or go straight ahead to a deadend street. I went straight. Dominic turned right. So I turned around and we both headed up that hill and then wheeeeeeeee down another hill. Done. I was done, and my lungs were done.

Clifton/Northside
We left Mt. Adams back to Walnut Hills and went through Clifton to Northside. I couldn't get over in the left lane to turn and Dominic cut this car off. I ended up in the sidewalk waiting for the light while Dominic took a turn and was gone. I used to have more confidence. I would have been right there with him last summer.

Montana hill
So then we go back towards the west side via Montana hill. I was behind Dominic and we were about 1/3 of the way up when he stopped and pretty much fell over. His legs were cramped up, like charlie horses all over. He was screaming and yelling for me to get the car. DRAMA! He was ok within like 2 minutes. We were about 3 miles from his house. Finally home.

Riding in the city traffic is all about bike handling skills. I had so much more confidence on my old bike. We rode all last summer in the street and I was fine! I was a ball of nerves today. I need more time on this bike, more miles. Got too used to the trainer.

19.5

Somehow I got confused when I was mapping my run yesterday so my 18 turned into 19.5.

Pre run stuff
Dominic slept over and got up at 7am for work. They were having an Easter brunch at his restaurant and he was managing. I stayed in bed till around 8am and then got up and fed the dogs. It was cold out, just 25 degrees.

The run
I started out with the dogs going on a 6.2 mile loop. I don't really remember much about their run except I was really in a hurry to drop them off and get going. They slow me down. Nothing exciting happened but the sun was out so that was nice. We did Glenway hill which is about a mile. My hamstrings were tight. Once I dropped them off I had a banana and grabbed some Shotbloks and a water bottle full of plain water. I also had a Luna bar. I headed down Quebec to Westwood, towards the viaduct. But I turned left towards Harrison ave and geez that hill was insane. It kept going and going. Thank you Shotbloks - I didn't even stop once on the hill. I hadn't done it before so it seemed like it was never going to end. Turned left on Werk towards Dominic's house. Did a 4 mile loop around there wishing Bruno was with me. I was starting to get tired. My legs were sore. I slowed down to eat the Luna bar which was stale and gross (Chai tea) - I spit the last of it out, but managed to swallow 3/4's of it. Finally got back to Queen City and was able to give my hamstrings a break and work my quads going down a hill for a change. A couple miles left to go. Stopped and stretched at the lights. I was hot. It must have been 20 degrees warmer. Finally turned towards Sunset and up towards my house. One more hill. Finally I am home and I drop in the front yard and stretch.

Music that rocked this run
Ladies Night - Lil' Kim, Missy Elliot, etc.
Psychobilly Freakout - Reverend Horton Heat
The Runaways - Cherry Bomb

After
I got home and grabbed a shower and left to go eat at Dominic's work. He was already off, so we ate a huge brunch together - shrimp, eggs ben., cheesecake, bacon, ghetta, bacon, potatoes, bacon, danish, coffee, bacon. I know, I love bacon way too much. I don't eat it that often though.

My boss also called and said it was dead at work. She said I had 79.5 hours and if I wanted to take off tonight, I could, so I am. It's cool because Dominic and I don't usually have Sunday nights off together.

Dobe play
We came back to my house, and while Dominic took a nap, I brought the dogs out to the front yard with me. I did a bit of yard work but ended up playing with the dogs and videotaping them play.

Long run schedule

My friend Nancy, who's running the Pig this year too, asked me what my long run schedule was for the next 6 weeks. Race day is exactly 6 weeks from tomorrow. You know, I stopped paying attention to my mileage schedule weeks ago. I have been doing my own thing, making it up as I go. I have been doing 1 long run a week, increasing it by a mile each week. I have also been doing a 10, 8, or a 5 miler here and there. Mileage has been 30-35 miles a week, average.

Tomorrow I am set for 18. I have it mapped out again where I take the dogs 6 with me and drop them off at home and onto a 12 mile run throughout the west side of Cincinnati. Sheesh. No wonder I started trail running. I need new scenery.

Next week Nancy is off school so we are going to run 20 together and I am upping it by 2 miles. So far my muscles haven't been sore. I intend to keep doing long runs all summer and keep my muscles trained. It seems to help with injury.

To all my injured running friends - hope ya get better soon.

Friday's rant

Finally some sun. Two days in a row even! But I am at work. Of course.

Got up and took the dogs for a 5.5 mile run this morning before work. It felt really good. Ari keeps picking stuff up, ie: dirty diapers, fast food garbage...he is getting better at "drop it" though. The run was uneventful but fast (for a run with the dogs). This makes for 34.5 miles for the week but I hope to squeeze in 6 more tomorrow morning before work. We'll see.

I am trying to figure out my 18 miler for Sunday. Not sure where I'll go since I have to be at work at 4pm. This is the last Sunday I am going to volunteer for work though.

Speaking of work - I think my boss is out to get me. Even my supervisor thinks something is up. She emailed me yesterday asking why I have taken so many Wednesday night's off (it's a short 5 hour shift) and did I still want the hours. I use PTO time when I take that night off - is she going to dictate when I can and can't take my PTO time? I emailed her back a very sweet note apologizing for any inconvenience and asked if she'd like me to have the shift covered before requesting it off (really not my responsibility). I also reminded her that I volunteer to work all the available Sundays and holidays. No response.

One other exciting piece of news that I didn't want to mention yet:

Me and Dominic are looking at possibly purchasing an established bike shop. The owner wants to retire and he needs heart surgery, so he wants to sell. This guy sells everything from Merlin and Lightspeed, to Fuji and KHS. He's owned the shop since 1992. I don't know if it will happen, but I know I can't go on working for people I hate, and Dominic can't go on being a bartender. We're both miserable. Think good thoughts for us. Will keep ya updated.

Major Taylor

Dominic just bought this book on Tuesday and he's already almost finished with it. I get it next. It's about a very fast black cyclist in the early 1900's (1903??) He could do a ONE MINUTE MILE. Can you imagine? How many people can hold 60mph for a minute? And the bikes they rode were just insane.

Dominic's track racing clinic is in May at a velodrome in Indy, and the park is named after Major Taylor. He starts racing in June. I can't wait. He wants to do sprint racing. That's where he excels. I can't wait to see how he compares to the other racers.

I am so sore

My legs are trashed from yesterday. Me and Dominic went to the gym and did "legs" and "back".

Leg Extension (quads) 70lbs as many as I could do (I think it was around 20).
Squats with a bar - 40 reps with I don't even know how much weight. Dominic kept saying "10 more reps" when I thought I was done.
Leg press - get this: 190lbs!! for 8 reps
Plie squats with a 30lb dumbbell 30 reps
Lunges with no weight (10 per leg)

We did a light "back" workout and then he told me I should do some calf raises. I never ever do calf raises because my calves are huge from ballet. His are tiny but strong. So we bet a 30 minute massage that mine were stronger. He set the weight to 400lbs and did a set of 25. I got on and did 21 reps at the 400lb weight. I probably could have finished the set of 25 had he shut up! He kept telling me how many reps I had left and his count was off. Then we stretched some and left.

We had some soup across the street (I had french onion and he had chicken chili) and then we went back to his house. He took a shower and I dropped him off at the bike shop for a few hours so he could "work". He works there for free a couple days a week and we get good deals because of it. He doesn't even consider it work, because he loves being there.

Then my stupid ass went back to the gym to run. The rain had turned cold and it was starting to change over to snow.

I ran 6 miles on the treadmill but my stomach was SO tore up from that stupid soup! I kept having to stop and start, stop and start. It had been 2 hours since I ate too. Ugh. I got off the treadmill and ran 24 laps around the gym for a total of 8 miles.

I hope to hell that's the last fucking time I have to run inside. I hate it.

WET

Dobes don't potty in the rain so after 2 days of this shit, I took them to the golfcourse this morning. It's the only way to get them to go!

Lucy's bloodwork was normal too. Whew.

Rough day

It was raining hard this morning. I am so fucking over shitty weather, can I just see some fucking sun???? UGH!!!

Road the trainer this morning for an hour in the usual gears:
52x15 15 minutes
52x14 15 minutes
52x13 15 minutes

Alternated those gears for 5 minutes each for the last 15 minutes for a total of 60 minutes. Man I sweat so much on the trainer.

A woman came to buy my old road bike this morning. I felt so bad giving that bike up! It got me through my first triathlons last summer, and that bike also brought me and Dominic together. I am sentimental about it. I sold it to a fellow tri-sista though so that made me feel good.

This afternoon me and my best friend (since 7th grade) went to visit our friend from HS. He is an accomplished bass player who was in a car accident last fall. It's hard to write about this, not sure what all to write. He lost his girlfriend in the crash, and he can't feel anything from the chest down. Today's visit was our first since the accident. We were nervous, afraid of upsetting him, or making him feel uncomfortable. But the visit went well, and I am so glad we got to see and talk to him. He is such a special guy, I pray he stays focused and positive. Love ya Chris, stay strong buddy, we'll be back soon.

Article

I just read the most amazing article in Runner's World. It was called "Endurance Junkie". It was about an x-crackhead who ran across the Sahara Desert. 4500 miles in 3 months or something crazy. He said they ran 45 miles a day. He was a hard core crackhead and got clean, started running 100m races.

It seems there are so many x-junkies like me addicted to this endurance stuff. The more involved I get, the more I hear about them. So cool.

My Monday

Canceled bike ride

Me and Dominic had plans to ride this morning. I was totally ready to hammer out some miles with him. When he called me from work last night, he told me he had to go in early today because of St. Patty's day, and he had to go and buy a green t-shirt before work (bartender, poor guy). So that turned our 3 hour ride into a 1.5 hour ride. He should also take it easy before a 12 hour bar shift, not hammering his legs on a bike. So he asked if we could nix the ride. I was cool with that since it wasn't even 30 degrees when I woke up this morning. I was not in the mood to HTFU either.

We did go to the gym and we got in and out early. We got in a great arm workout and I even did a few sets of chest (which I never do). I love lifting with him, he makes me work hard. It hurts, and I grunt a lot. Sometimes I am too loud and people look. I always have headphones on so I don't care.

Vet visit

My girl Lucy has been losing some weight. I noticed her hips bones starting to stick out last month so I upped her meat portions 2 ozes per meal. She did gain a few pounds and started to look like her normal self again but I wanted to take both dogs in for a heartworm test anyways, and possibly do some bloodwork depending on what the scale said. I use a vet way on the other side of town because 1. They let me in the back with my dogs for tests. 2. They have state of the art equipment, even digital xrays. 3. Dr. Meekin, the owner, is cool about the way I raise my dogs with no chemicals even though he's not a holistic vet. We just had a tech appt and she did the HW tests (negative) but Lucy's weight was down (54lbs). Ari's was too (74lbs). I am thinking it's all the running. But Lucy is getting older and so I did a full bloodwork up on her, just to be sure her organs are all functioning ok. I'll have results tomorrow. Everything was going fine until we got to check out when I asked the receptionist for a 6 month supply of HW meds for the small dogs (11-25lbs). The conversation went like this:

Receptionist: Are these for Ari and Lucy?
Me: Yes
Receptionist: Cuz I see Ari is over 70lbs. Do you give them two pills?
Me: Nope, I give a small dose and it seems to working out just fine.
Receptionist: Well you should give them the full dose.
Me: Why? My dogs are HW negative every year, and I have been doing it this way for years.
Receptionist: Well, Interceptor wan't pay for HW treatment if you aren't giving the right dose.
Me: Well, thanks but no. I'll do it my way.

So, if the vet is ok with it, the tech was ok with it, why does the receptionist think she can tell me what dose to give? Sheesh. I really cannot stand when someone tells me I am doing something bad for my dogs when I know damn fucking well what I am doing is right. You can just look at my dogs and see plain as day they are the picture of health.
Just so ya know, my dogs don't get vaccines either. And they eat a diet of raw meat. No dog food. This is what they had tonight for dinner - ground beef (grass fed organic beef, got a good deal from a friend who buys a whole organic cow), sweet potatoes, green beans, apples, and cottage cheese.

Trail run

After the vet visit, we're only a few miles from some really nice trails and a big lake, called East Fork Lake. I always take them hiking there after the vet. Today we went for a run in the woods. I let the dogs off leash and I ran. I decided to run a trail for 30 minutes and turn around and run 30 minutes back, (no loop) thinking I'd get in 5 miles. It's slower running on a trail. I had to keep my eyes on what was in front of me so I didn't trip on a tree root or anything. And I swear I have never seen Ari run his ass off like this before. He did not stop the entire time. Sprinting and jumping and swirling around and barking and crying and play bowing at Lucy. I had to stop several times to calm him down and make him leave her alone, he was just too amped up.

So trail running is awesome. I am going to be doing a lot more of that this summer.

50K = 31 miles

Anything over 26.2 miles in considered an ultra. And I found this. I think I'll be adding this race to my 2008 race schedule, what the hell.

I guess I'll need to start trail running.

*** Update - The registration form is printed out and the check is being mailed in next week. Emailed with the race director who said mine is the 1st he will receive.

17

I feel so anxious before my long runs, I don't know why. It's the feeling I get right before a race too, just total anxiety. Once I get going I am fine.

I got up with the dogs and took them to the golfcourse for a run off leash. I walked the trail for 30 minutes while they ran around. The sun was out but it felt cold, 30's. We got home and I fed them, and then cooked some breakfast for me and Dominic. We had eggs (5 whites, 2 yolks), turkey bacon and toast. I didn't eat much because I was so anxious and I didn't want to make myself sick during my run.

Dominic left to get ready for work and I got the dogs ready to go with me on a 6 mile run. I wanted to get them good and tired because I had to work 6 hours tonight. So I took them on the 6 mile route, with scenery of the mexican ghetto. Note to self: It is so much easier to run the dogs when Ari's bladder is empty. He doesn't stop and pee on every damn tree/bush/wall/anything upright. So we got home about 65 minutes later. I dropped them off, peed, grabbed a Hammer Gel (espresso chocolate) and some water. I had mapped out a 5.5 mile route that took me past Dominic's house. I didn't think about the damn hills. The 6 miles I did with the dogs took me up a huge hill and then on my way to Dominic's there is also a huge hill, both are about 1.5 miles long. So I am just pumped, running up the hill, feeling good. The Hammer gels rock. Hammer Nutrition just totally keeps me going. I got to Dominic's, grabbed Bruno, and some LG Gatorade, and we took off. I ran Bruno to the turn around and ran him back to his house for about 4 miles. Dropped Bruno off, filled the water bottle up with water, and ran the rest of the way home - total mileage 17.

I felt good again, I feel strong with every long run. It doesn't hurt much, only my feet are sore (damn shoes on sale!!!). I keep thinking about going longer, farther. I want to be able to handle 20 miles with no issues. I keep thinking about an ultra. If I can find one around this time next year, I am going to go for it. A 50 mile race, can you imagine? 12 hours of running.......

Winter 1988-1989

This is me and my friend I went to HS with. I have known him since I was 13. He struggled with sobriety but today he has over 3 years clean. I think we were just pretty drunk in this picture. I was 18.

7 things you didn't know

I never officially got tagged, but I read this on Pieces of Me and TJ's blog, so here ya go.

Consider yourself tagged.

**********************************

1. I went to highschool at The School for Creative and Performing Arts with Carmen Electra (real name Tara Patrick). I took drama and ballet.

2. I wasted 9 years with a guy that was psychologically (and sometimes physically) abusive to me. I finally kicked him out 2 days after finishing my 1st marathon, almost a year ago. Now I have the coolest boyfriend in the world.

3. I got my first Doberman a year after getting clean. Cheeko gave me a reason to stay clean. I probably will never have human kids, my dogs are my kids.

4. I started smoking at age 12 and I was using heroin by age 17.

5. I have been off drugs for 8.5 years and quit smoking 2 years ago.

6. I used to be a size 13/14 and lost the weight when I started running 8 years ago.

7. I rode a mountain bike in my 1st triathlon, which was an Olympic distance - 30 miles - on the biggest hills I ever rode on. I finished DFL, cried at the finish line, and cussed out the race director. They comped my race entry the following month, and I finished an hour faster on a brand new road bike.

Here comes the rain again....

That Eurythmics song came on my MP3 this morning during a 6 mile run with my dogs. Perfectly appropriate as it was raining. I was contemplating doing just 4 miles because it had started to drizzle on us. Instead, we took the turn for the 6 mile route and I am glad we did. It wasn't raining all that hard.

So that makes for 36 miles for the week.

On a fun note, take this test and see your "real age". I am 37 with a life expectancy of 75. This test says I am really 21 with a life expectancy of 91. Pretty good! I like having a healthy lifestyle these days. So take the test and tell me your "real age".

And I will leave you with this crazy cycling video I found over on over on Cycling Phun.

RIP

So, I hear about this horrific cycling crash near SF. And my friend in SF send me this.

Totally fucking sucks.

Gear shopping

Nashbar sends me an email, with a sale, every single day of the week. I usually don't fall for it but today I was in the mood.

I love Adidas anything, so I thought this tank was cute. I like the back, especially. I hate regular jerseys, and usually ride in wife beater tanks when it's real hot.















I also bought a new pair of shorts. I like longer shorts, so I bought these. Louis Garneau makes good stuff.

Running dogs and a killer leg workout

We have had 3 beautiful sunny days in a row. All the snow we had just 5 days ago is 80% gone.

Yesterday I didn't do much as far as exercise goes. It was cheat day for me and Dominic so we ate all day and I ran 4 miles after a lunch of felafel's. Not recommended. For real.

Today I got up and ran Nancy's dogs 4 miles. I had to get it done, (my dog's freezer was nearing empty) and with my long runs on Sunday or Monday, it's getting harder to get over to her house. So I got up early and got her dogs out of the way today.

After that, I met Dominic back at his house and we went to the gym. I didn't get to Crossfit today so he put me through a Crossfit type of workout:

20 squats with 50lbs
20 plie squats with a 30lb dumbbell
20 leg press 90lbs

I crawled to the next two machines because there was no break in between those sets.

Hamstring press thingie - drop sets (no rest)
5 reps at 70lb
5 reps at 60lbs
15 reps at 30lbs

Leg Press (laying flat) - drop sets (no rest)
20 reps at 70lbs
20 reps at 60lbs
20 reps at 50lbs

Then we did BACK which doesn't hurt that bad.

So after an hour of weights, we hit the steam room and then back to Dominic's house. I ran Bruno 3 miles while Dominic cooked us some food. My legs felt fried. A lot of people say you shouldn't do cardio after a leg workout, but I do.

After we ate, Dominic was going to the bike shop, to build his new road bike and I went home to get ready for work. I had enough time to run my pups 3 miles too. I just have to be outside if the sun is shining, ya know?

That makes for 10 miles of running dogs today.

16

3 songs every runner should have in their MP3

1. Reputation - Joan Jett
2. Lose Yourself - Eminem - I know he is lame but this song just gets me moving fast!!
3. I see you baby, shaking that ass - Fat Boy Slim

Pre-Run

Ate breakfast at Dominic's. He made me a fried egg and cheese sandwich. Then we went to the gym to lift for an hour. I did more sets of heavy reps, which Dominic thinks is a waste of time, whatever. Then we did abs, sat in the steam room for a few, headed back to his house for a quick peanut butter sandwich and then home to run.

The run

The weather was good. Snow melting, tons of water everywhere, sun, 40's. I mapped out an 8 mile route down Cleve's Warsaw to a hick town called Addyston. Then turned around and ran home, for 16 miles. It was a good run. I felt strong, my ankle felt fine. Tons of cars splashing me. I ran towards traffic, in the street again. On the first 8 miles I ate a pack of ShotBlocks. I also brought a 16oz water bottle of Hammer Nutrition electrolyte mix. I like that stuff. I saved it for after the turnaround at mile 8. I started to get thirsty for just water on my way back, and I kept sipping on the Hammer stuff. I stopped at a Papa John's and finished my mix and asked them to fill up my bottle with water. The lady was cool but acted hesitant. She finally let me in the bathroom to fill it up and I peed too. I always have to pee during long runs - do any of you guys pee a lot too? The water tasted good. I got home in 2:56. Ahh well. My friend Nancy, who is running the same marathon, ran 18 in the exact same time as me.

After

Got home, and had a protein drink I bought at my Crossfit gym. It had a ton of protein (35g) and hardly any carbs (6). Not the smartest thing to have after a 16 mile run. But I had to hurry and exercise the dogs, so I took them for a walk in the park, felt like shit, for 30 minutes and came right home. Ordered a small pan pizza but Dominic gave me shit for eating it. So I was guilted into only eating half! I finished dinner and cleaned my house for 2 hours. Just in case we have any showings. Tonight was the only night to get it done.

Now I am exhausted and ready to sleep for a long time. I downloaded a bunch of new music tonight - symphony music, Mozart, and stuff from the Nutcracker (my favor ate ballet), Weezer, old TLC and more.

Sunday Crossfit

YEA! Took my best friend with me to Crossfit this morning. It was a rushed morning because of the time change but I was really looking forward to it.

It went something like this - taken off Crossfit Cincinnati's blog:

6 Points for: 60 Squats, 40 Push-ups, 20 Pull-ups, 10 Burpees
1 Extra Point for: 20 Anchored Sit-ups
3 Points for: 20 DB Presses, 20 KB High Pulls, 15 Walking Lunges (each leg)

Me and Kevin kicked everyone's ass with a total of 137 points.

I was camera ready this time, wearing all black. LOL.

Snow day - 15 inches total

Yesterday we just played all day. I shoveled, and later we took the dogs over to the golfcourse. There were a ton of kids sledding. I let the dogs loose in the parking lot and we walked for about 20 minutes. Ari ran and ran and ran. He loved it. Both dogs got caught up in a drift and both dogs were totally under the snow! It was so fun.

2 hours on the trainer = broken ass

This morning during our blizzard, I worked out.

Rode the trainer for 2 hours:

52x16 30 minutes

52x15 30 minutes

52x14 30 minutes

52x13 30 minutes

300 crunches on a yoga ball

3 sets of push ups (not the girl kind) - 15, 20, 15

4 sets of chest with 10lb dumbbells on a yoga ball

The snow continues so....

Tonight I left work at 7pm and had a huge pity party for myself in the car. I am trying to look on the bright side though: If I don't go in tomorrow, I'll be off for 5 days which would be a nice long weekend. As far as driving goes, the roads really weren't bad and the snow had stopped. It only took me 10 minutes longer than usual to get home.

I was pissed, and when I am pissed I think about doing drugs. Even after 8 years. When I am in that frame of mind, I have to have a sweat session. So when I got home I jumped on the trainer for an hour. Started out at 52x19 and ended up in 52x13 for the last 30 minutes.

My ankle is really sore so I think running may be of the picture for a minute. My marathon is less than 8 weeks away so this really is not cool. I am icing and taking Alieve.

So for now, a blizzard is in effect until 4pm tomorrow.

Sucks to be me today

It started snowing while I was out walking the dogs. That was about 8am. I came into work at 10am and have a 12 hour shift ahead of me. The snow is expected to continue, and leave us with around 8-12 inches, the most we have at had at once all winter.

My department is going to be busy, as it always is when there is bad weather anywhere in the US. I have mentioned I work as an after hours travel agent for corporate travelers. The 1st shift agents are here but they are leaving at 12:30. The rest of the after hours crew are all working from home. All but 5 of us are set up to work from home. So just me and one other guy had to come into the office today.

But now he just left, which leaves me all by my lonesome.

Upper management offered to put us up at the nasty hotel down the street. They said we could go home and pack up some stuff and come back. He says he is going to try and come back, but I don't think he will be able to. Cars are stacking up all over the city.

I am really trying to just get over it. I can't though. My supervisor says eventually they will have us all set up at home but our department is only a year old and, and it's still developing. She also said they don't have to be fair to anyone.

I am over being mad, now I just feel really, really bummed out. I am going to stay here until 10pm tonight and just hope the roads are plowed well enough for me to get home ok.

**** UPDATE - Dominic just called from my house. He went to let my dogs out for me and he said it took him 30 minutes to drive the 3 miles to my house AND that 3 cars are stuck on my street. :(

Oldest marathoner?

This is just too cool.

My Mom

Father of mine
Tell me where have you been
You know I just closed my eyes
My whole world disappeared

Father of mine
Tell me where did you go
You had the world inside your hand
But you did not seem to know
Father of mine
Tell me what do you see
When you look back at your wasted life
And you dont see me

So my Mom calls me this morning and she's having arrythmia, nausea, and she's dizzy. She asks me to come to her condo. She nevers gets dramatic like this and she's been having problems with her heart, and high blood pressure, for the last few months. She changed doctors and last week her new doctor gave her a heart moniter thing to wear for 30 days. So something is wrong. She scared the shit out of me today.

I called 911 and had an ambulance go over there because she was so distressed. They were there when I got there, and they had her all hooked up to some wires, which, of course, made me cry. I followed the squad to the hospital. My aunt and Dominic met us at the hospital where they did some tests. I guess they thought the dizzyness and arrythmia could have brought on a stroke. The cat scan was normal and so was her bloodwork. Whew.

I have to say the entire episode was scary.

I am the only sibling around to take care of my Mom. I am her power of attorney, and the executer of her will. She is my responsibility. She took care of me all those years as an addict and now I am taking care of her. I feel like this was a test run, like this is what I have to look forward to in the future.

And it sucks.

In other news, my ankle is F-U-B-A-R.

CROSSFIT!

Two words: Hell Yea

So I found a crossfit gym in Cincinnati. It's called Das Gym and the owner is a guy named Rainer. Rainer is a body builder from Austria and sounds just like Arnold Schwarzenegger. I was telling Dominic about it and he actually knows the guy from years ago when he worked out at Das Gym.

Crossfit is cool. It's like lactate threshold training. We started out with a warm up of one minute on all the cardio machines, run, ride, row, jump rope, a few crunches, upright rows, it got my blood going and it only took about 10 minutes. Then there's a message board and Rainer puts the WOD - workout of the day - on it.

We started out doing 45 squats, then immediately onto to 40 push ups (I did the girl kind because I can only do like 10 real push ups), then immediately onto 3 box jumps. You go as fast as you can and you do not stop. You keep going back to the board so you know how many to do of what bevause you have 5 sets. The squats and push ups got less and less and the box jumps got more and more. It took me the longest but I had the best form. Rainer posts a video on his blog every day.



That's the first time I have ever seen myself on video working out. I think I need to work harder. I can always be better, look better. Time to concentrate on that. No more eating past 7pm. No more sugar except one day a week. Work harder. Get leaner....

And I fucked up my ankle doing the box jumps. I tried to run with Bruno later and my ankle is really sore. I am icing and taking Alieve and hoping this is just a strain. I figure a couple of days off from running won't kill me.

New shoes

The temps have dropped like 40 degrees from this time yesterday. My computer weather icon says it's 36 now. Ah well, at least I had yesterday.

I needed new running shoes desperately. Me and Dominc went to Meters and Miles because this is where I usually go for shoes. I am always afraid to buy mine online. I have made some mistakes buying running shoes and it always costs me a lot of pain and many lost toenails. I was running in Asics last year and I loved them. When I was having IT band issues they switched me to Brooks. I loved them both. Today they had a pair of Asics 2120's on sale for 59.00 so I bought them.

The lady waiting on me was really cool. We were talking a while when she realized we knew each other. She was from Cincy Tri Express. I never did join their team but was emailing with them last year. She and I met at a tri last August. We talked about upcoming races too.

Dominic and I hit the gym and did shoulders, triceps, biceps, and I ran 3 on the treadmill in my new shoes. Amazing what new running shoes can do. They feel much better.

So with that, I leave you with a picture of Dominic (blogs without pictures are boring) fixing my bathroom sink, and he's not real happy. In fact he just found out he has to go to Home Depot. Ugh.

Hillary or Barack?

I am going to vote in the Democratic primary today. I can't wait to see the results.

A run in the sun

Another beautiful day, but they lied. They said it was going to be a "soaker" with rain turning to snow. I woke up to sun, 50's and it felt so good. I was so lucky to not have been at work today. Took the dogs for their walk on the golfcourse. It was so nice to see the grass again after all that fucking ice!!

I had 15 miles to run today so Dominic and I went to Lunken airport where there's a 5 mile trail. I planned 3 laps and Dominic rode his fixed gear. We drove seperately because he had to work later. It was so nice out, the sun was beating down, and the air was warm but it was windy. Really windy. There were all sorts of people out riding and running and walking. It's so funny to see all those white legs!

I did the first lap and went back to the car for Cliff Shot Bloks and water and a banana. It was getting warm. I took my arm warmers off and set out for my 2cd lap. I wasn't running fast at all. I wasn't even paying much attention to my splits. I was just running and running and it felt good. I was concentrating on my tight hamstring and making sure my IT bands didn't start having a conversation.

After the 2cd lap I went back to the car for more Shot Bloks and headed back out. I was feeling good but warm, and even thinking I might get a suntan on my face!! I tried to kick it up some and made the last two miles my fastest at 10 minute miles. This little kid, about 4 years old, on a bike, almost ran into me twice, coming very close. He scared me both times and both times I yelled out something not very nice. His Mom was running far behind me with a cell phone pinned to her ear. Stupid people, she should be watching her kid!

I finished 15 miles in 2:43, almost the same time as my 14 last week. After I left the parking lot, I saw a sign that said it was 73 degrees. What a treat for me! It's hard to believe what a little run in the sun can do for some people. And my IT bands didn't make a peep. My legs feel good.

In other news, my house will be up for sale tomorrow. We're just going to sit tight and see what happens. The bad news is that the house next door to Dominic got rented out.

Nice day for a change

Woke up to sun and 35 degrees just like they promised. Took the dogs for a 6 mile run, and OMG no ice for once. None. It was great. Got home and woke Dominic up. Fed the dogs and then we were out the door with our bikes. It was really nice out this morning.

Dominic doesn't have a bike with gears. All he has is his track bike and an ugly fixie so he can't really do big hills. All we have is hills in Cincinnati but there are some neighborhoods better than others if you are looking to avoid them. We stuck the bikes in the car and drove to Spring Grove Cemetery. The plan was to ride for 2 hours, from 10:30-12:30 and then Dominc had to go home and get ready for work. We got out, got the bikes tires on, I started putting on my shoes, when we realize Dominic's bag with his tools, spare tube and arm warmers are not in the car. He has a fit. Puts the bikes back in the car, slams the car doors shut and we head back to my house. It's only a 15 minute drive, so we really only lost a half hour but Dominic is pissed, and at this point, doesn't want to ride. I know he will feel better once he gets on his bike, but this little delay really pissed him off. And he never gets pissed.

We get back to the cemetery by 11am and finally get to ride out Spring Grove for an hour. It felt so, so, so good to be riding outside. All I wanted to do was crank out some miles and work my legs. The trainer just doesn't cut it, and all you cyclists know exactly what I am talking about. To ride a bike, outside, just feels so fucking good. I am not even a good enough writer to explain the way I feel when I am riding. Plus my new bike is just wicked. Sick. I love her.

We rode back to Northside where all the fixed gear kids hang out. We say hey to a few of them if we see them but we don't ride with them. They have a Monday night ride we may go on someday, but for now, I say hey to a couple of them on My Space and that's it. I don't think they think we're cool enough to hang, we're like 10 years older than them plus we wear Lycra. LOL.

I made Dominic do one short but big hill and I did a few sprints down a back street, and then we rode to get some coffee. It was time to go. I was sad. I wanted to keep riding so I just went to his house and rode home from there. It started raining on me, and I had to brake on the hills. Got in 20 miles.

On our next ride, Dominic will have a bike with gears. He just ordered a carbon Fuji frame - the guy is a bike nut.

Tomorrow's run should be 15 miles but they are predicting rain. I am still planning to run outside.

Icey Hike

Icey Hike
This morning I took the dogs to the woods for a 3 mile hike before work. I am just sick of taking them to the golfcourse. They need new smells anyways. Yesterday we had some rain which melted a lot of the ice and snow so I figured "what the heck, let's try the woods".

Once we got to the entrance of the trail, I saw the ice. FUCK! What was I thinking? I guess because the snow on my lawn was melted, I figured the woods would be too. Ari was already halfway down the hill and running around like a maniac, so happy to be back in the woods. So I figured WTF and decided to try and walk on the ice and hope I didn't fall.

It took me an hour to walk the 3 mile trail and I was sweating when I got back to the car. The dogs had a great time running a lot, and no one got hurt. I was almost late for work though.

Weather and Workouts
I think tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and warm so I might skip Crossfit for a ride. The weather is in charge of my workouts right now. I'll save Crossfit for Tuesday or Wednesday when it's supposed to rain. I am also changing the running schedule this week and doing 15 miles instead of the scheduled 10 mile run. I plan to get that done on Monday before the rain starts.

Today is beautiful, but I am at work.