My little lady killer had his Christmas program at school today. This was SUPER great for me since it was at 10am so I missed 2 hours of work which allowed me to start running 2 hours later this morning! Ahhh-what a treat!
I’ve learned to take the pictures before the kids leave the house. By the time I made it to the program Max looked like his tie was a hula hoop around his neck, he had a HUGE rooster tail on the back of his head from his winter hat and his shirt was hanging out.
I wanted to clarify something on my last post in regards to Boston. Someone asked why I wouldn’t register just because I didn’t think I could PR. I certainly don’t look down at people who run this race just to enjoy the experience if I came across that way! One day I hope that is me!!! Here’s my reasoning: I have 3 kids with a hockey habit that runs well over $10K per year. (I know, I should have gotten them interested in scrapbooking). Boston is just a tad spendy and I can really only justify running it at this point if it’s a big goal race. Also, I am EXTREMELY competitive with myself. I don’t run a lot of races because I have a hard time just running them for fun unless I’m running with someone and considering my lack of running friends, this doesn’t happen often. For me to run Boston again and not PR would probably not make it an overly enjoyable experience for me. Yes-I have issues...One more reason, I know I will be running it in 2012 for sure (Godwilling actually because I need to requalify and nothing is a given) My husband also qualified and is going to run it as well. I'm a tad jealous as he BQ'ed in his first marathon and his training consisted of an average of 17 mile weeks and only 2 long runs (13 and longest ever 17). Furthermore, he doesn't really LIKE running. Puke! Anyway, he says he will all out train for this one! We'll see. I am already super excited for this trip!!!!
I’ve been thinking a lot about my injury lately and what may have caused it. For you Boston runners, this is one thing to maybe take into consideration. Boston is a bit of a punishing course for some depending on where or how they train. I think it wears more on the body than one might think even if you don’t feel that much different than previous marathons. My first marathon was October 2009. I took 2 days off and then started running again up to full mileage the following week. (I hate recovery) I had Boston on the brain, and didn’t want to “lose” anything. Fortunately, I came out unscathed. I actually took 3 days off after Boston but ended up running 20 miles 2 weeks after and never really allowed myself to recover properly because my legs felt OK. I did reduce my mileage and kept it down the first 2 weeks but reintroduced speed and distance too soon I think. I'm not sure.... Mentally, I was REALLY struggling (be prepared for this also-big accomplishment and then a bit of a letdown) I attempted to run a PR half 4 weeks later which TOTALLY flopped as to why I don’t even list the race report on my sidebar! I’ve put it to the very far back corner of my brain just like THIS. Anyway, I ran 4 hard days in a row after this race out of frustration and then the hip. I really do think the hip stemmed from not properly recovering from Boston. Interestingly enough, a friend of mine also ran (3:02) and she ended up with a tibial stress fracture about a month out as well. (On a sidenote she bounced back to run a 1:25 half in September and took 2nd overall in the Twin Cities Marathon 10K in October (she is my hero!) I’m not trying to scare people away from the course as honestly it wasn’t as difficult as I anticipated, I just think it might wear on the body a little different than some races and one should pat themselves on the back for doing it and recover properly. OK-“know it all Doctor Jenn” is done with her speech now…..
Perhaps I should stop thinking out loud or on a computer screen rather...
Anyway, to bigger and better things. RACES this weekend!!!! EMZ in Tucson, Ginny at Rocket City, both of which are HARDCORE and are going to just going to ROCK these!! To all the other weekend warriors, Good Luck!
Check out a great giveaway at Middleaged runner. She is trying to buy friends and it's working!!
My kids are in 4 different cities this weekend for hockey. I'm getting up to run early tomorrow morning before I leave and then taking the weekend off until Sunday night! I'm not even PACKING workout clothes (I'm not saying I won't stop and buy some). Anyway, I am doing my best to keep up here. I constantly read blogs on my phone during work (SHHH) but I can't comment on that darn tiny screen. When life gets busy I can't sacrifice my family, I can't sacrifice the running (or I would have nothing to babble about) so sometimes I have to sacrifice my blog time...In a perfect world.....Have a great weekend all!
20 comments:
Your husband qualified his first time?! How awesome for you to do it together! Wow, that is so cool. YOur little man is adorable!! So glad you shared a pic. I really related to what you had to say about being very competitive with yourself and not just being able to run a race easy...I'm the same way for the most part. I really want to sign up for some races at the beginning of the year but I'm worried that I will be pushing myself too hard too soon. I was soooo stupid with this injury of mine and so many other things with running. I'm ready to start playing it smart! Maybe I'll meet you in Boston 2012. I keep believing that this injury didn't take too much away from me and I really hope to qualify again in 2011...Today I could feel a lot of pain in my hamstring and I just kept pushing it to the back of my brain (my little corner) in hopes it will go away and I'll run again like I want to run.
Have a great weekend Jenn! Your kids are lucky to have such a supportive mom! And a mom that is such a good example athlete!
I hear you on being competitive with yourself and always wanting to give it all. I think it's a great quality (of course I would!) for a runner!
BTW, your son is super cute! I bet it would have made a great picture to see his tie around his neck like a hula hoop :) That cracked me up!
Wow, 4 cities...what an athletic family you have! A BQ the first time he ran a marathon?! That is crazy, especially since the men's times are super competitive. You don't have to explain yourself about Boston...
Thanks a ton for the shout out!
And yes, I am only 5'2" (WITH shoes on.. which is how I ask to be measured at the DR's office and everything!)
Boston must be kind of a haul for you so between the $$ to run that race, the $$ to get there and your desire to PR (which I totally get with the price tag, travel and time commitment) it seems as though you're making a good choice.
From what I hear (Boston more or less being my neck of the woods) even though Boston is considered to be the Holy Grail of Marathoning it's no better or worse than a dozen other races... Not that I've even come CLOSE to running it- but that's the word on the street. :-)
Lady killer indeed! Fertile women will get pregnant just uttering his name!
I totally understand your reasoning for only running Boston if you can PR. Just one question, you have 3 kids, but they're going to be in 4 cities this weekend? That's impressive! I do not know how you do it all! have a great weekend!
Priorities. You have them in the right place for sure. Family first; however, 4 cities? ouch.
Good points on Boston. I think I may one of the few that hold no desire to run Boston. (Please don't remove my membership from the world of running). I would much rather run other venues.
Here's to a great weekend.
I get these! I am very similar. The problem with the stress fractures is that you don't get a warning. For me, I was fine until boom, severe pain. I think the more competitive, the higher the chance of injury. I was super careful after mine, but now, since I've been injury free for a few years, I feel I need to keep myself in check because I would LOVE to run hard all the time!
Cute little guy.
ok , first your hubby is really disgusting. I busted my butt for years to BQ, not fair. (sorry for whining)
Everyone races for different reasons and it sounds like you have it totally figured out. Boston is pricey for sure.
Great comments on the Boston course. I thought it was a tough course, and hope to make it back one day to try it again. But if I never make it back, I'm certainly ok with that too. I am thankful that I enjoy my breaks after my marathons. I see so many struggle with this, but I am looking forward to my 2 wks off from running. REST IS GOOD .. ME LIKE :)
Thank you, thank you, for the good vibes. Good Luck EMZ!
Have a GREAT WEEKEND!
YOu make some excellent points. I talked to my doc for about an hour yeterday about training errors and learned so much. And thank you for email, I've printed it out and will return to it often as I return to running. I think you and I are a lot alike in terms of pushing ourselves. I can look back and see how I didn't let my body recover too. We learn so much through this crappy injury process.
I am the exact same way, I can't race for fun I am way too competitive. So your hubby is running Boston....does that mean YOU will be there too.....does that mean I could meet you in REAL LIFE. I sure hope so because that would be a dream come true. THanks for the advice about the Boston course. Please remind me after the marathon too because once again just like you I try to get right back to high mileage right after a marathon. Your weekend sounds crazy busy and I agree, family first, running, then blogging and if you have time after that....work!
handsome little man you've got there
You don't need to justify your reasons for not running Boston - or any other race for that matter - these things are person (and expensive!!!!). How freaking cool will it be to run Boston with the hubby in 2012!! A precious memory for sure. Hope I'm there with you again, will see I guess.
Happy Weekend, girlie!! Have fun at those hockey games, and you know...those scrapbook supplies are pricey, too :).
First: what a cutie!
second: your husband is a SUPER DUPER ROCK STAR! 17 MPW? ha ha.
I really appreciate all you have to say about why you didn't register for Boston- makes a ton of sense to me! It will be almost a whole year since I raced when I do Boston- and you BET I will give it 110%. (I am dying to know what your goal for me is - ha!)
Thanks also for the reminder to take it easy after a race- to truly recover in every sense. So much to lose without it.
you boston reasons make complete sense, its NOT cheap and you race to race, don't need to explain that to anyone!
i dont think i like your husband ;)
recovery is so important. although i am feeling back to normal now i have been making myself wait. i have ants in my pants to get back out there but i know easyyy runs for a while, i definitely dont want to jeopardize boston training.
No justification needed! Run what you want and spend your money on what you want! Enjoy your busy weekend. Maybe you'll need to get workout clothes at a LULU.
Lady killer for sure:) Your little man is adorable Jenn! He cleans up nice:)
I am still behind on my blogging....Grr! Maybe on of these days I will catch up.
Happy weekend to you!
i knew exactly what you meant about not registering for boston and i completely support you. that race and all that goes into it is dang expensive. so if you're not able to truly focus on making it a good experience then there's no reason to go. granted, that's true for most marathons...i just can't understand people who undertrain and have a miserable time. (i mean, people who aren't bionic like your husband...) for me, i feel like i have more self respect than to attempt a race when i wouldn't be able to perform. not that every race is a pr attempt...but you know what i mean....
your weekend makes me want to take a nap. i can't believe that you work all week long and then give up your entire weekend...makes me want to rethink the whole children idea... :)
Love that picture of your cute little dude ;)
I don't think you need to justify it at all - Boston is awesome, but it is a race after all, and to want to run your best is only normal. I will def be aiming for PR there in 2012, I already had my joy run! LOL!
Have a great weekend!
ENJOY that long weekend and I'm glad you're taking some time off! Have lots of fun, I know how much you love your time with your kiddos!
Thanks for this post and for sharing your feelings and experiences with your injury. I am EXACTLY the same way about racing to be racing. I have to give it more than 100% and I expect it to happen.
I need to remember to recover intelligently. I'm kind of excited that this recovery has lasted longer than I'd intended, even though it's hard right now. If I hadn't had this heel problem, would I have rested as much? Definitely not. Something to think about!
HUGS and thanks again!
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