Whoaaaaaaaa

Holy Batman! It's been FOREVER since I have blogged. I usually just use my DailyMile account to post about my running and Facebook. But, I think I will start using this more often. I forgot about you blog :(

So much has happened since I last made a blog. I have had surgery on my knee...I've ran several more half marathons...ANDDDDDDDDDDDDD a full marathon! I've also started practicing hot yoga now for about 10 months......aaaaaaaaaahhhh......another amazing experience that I definitely could write about!

Here is a pic from our most recent race. We did the Mercedes Half Marathon in Birmingham Alabama on February 12, 2012. This was the coldest weather we have EVER ran in....temps started out at 22 degrees with a wind chill of 13 -------------> Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!! We dressed in layers and embraced it with pride...and couple PR'd it at 1:57:47 :) I don't think there is much weather we won't/can't run in!! We are ROCKSTARS!! LOL

Today, we did a long run of 10 miles. Our run started at our front door and we went through 3 neighborhoods and even a tunnel under a major road in the city! Pretty Awesome!! The temps were very mild, and the wind was relentless...geesh, 15 mph head winds at times......RELENTLESS I SAY!! We have another half marathon in 2 weeks. We are running the Rock n Roll Half in New Orleans. Lots of friends are going as well, should be a fabulous time.

I vow to blog more....now, I must whip up a tasty protein shake for dinner!!! Yum Yum!!

A New ME!

Ok...so here goes. I love to run in the heat, the hotter, the better for me. I think I have said it a million and two times. Well, just so happens. That is not the smartest thing you can do. I guess, I was trying to prove to myself that if I can run in the extreme heat-----I can get in better shape, be more physically fit, and run faster--eventually. Turns out, the extreme heat can slowly dehydrate you to where your body's important electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Glucose, etc) are depleted and can cause major problems such as cardiac arrhythmia's, seizures and yes...DEATH. I had an episode at work the other day where I was walking down the hall to triage a patient, and I almost fell to the floor I became so dizzy and off balance. I finally collected myself, triaged the patient, and told our CRNP (who also runs on a regular basis) what happened. I asked if she could look in my ear, that I thought I may have some fluid in the inner ear causing my vertigo (dizziness). Well, the ER Physician came in and checked me out, and he lifted the skin on top of my hand and immediately asked.."Have you been running in this heat?" Of course I wanted to lie, but he has known me for many many years. I finally told him that I had been running in the heat of the day, BUT for only 45 minutes or so. He told me I had the skin of an 80 year old and that I was behind on my fluids, he went on to tell me what I mentioned above, although I already knew this from being a nurse. A hard headed, stubborn, foolish nurse/runner. I'm an IDIOT!!! What am I trying to prove? Why am I trying to kill myself slowly and painfully? The half marathon I am preparing for is October 2, 2010. I ran this race last year as well. And I remember the morning of my first HM very vividly. It was PERFECT weather. I could not have asked for better weather. And chances are, the weather will probably be the same this year. October in Montgomery, in the mornings are pretty mild. So, why am I trying to run in this heat, when my race will not be hot? Who knows? So needless to say, I ran 5 miles tonight at 7pm in 43 minutes. Felt good and ran at a pace I would like to do on 10/2/10 To me, running is not about how far you go, how fast you are, how you feel during the run, it's all about recovery to me. How good do you feel AFTER you run. I'm not aiming to run 7 min miles in my half marathon or any race at that matter. If I trained appropriately, and didn't work full time, didn't have a family to take care of and ONLY cared about myself. Yes, I could run 7 minute miles. I'm happy with myself just the way I am. I'm in better shape at 36 than I was at 16. I can run 13+ miles at one given time, when 8 out 10 people can barely WALK a mile. Now---take that!

Untitled by marsharn at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by marsharn at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by marsharn at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by marsharn at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by marsharn at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by marsharn at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by marsharn at Garmin Connect - Details

Untitled by marsharn at Garmin Connect - Details

100 degrees!

I love running in the heat. I love it love it love it. But, it's something I have to ease into. I just can't go outside and bust out a 4 mile run in 100 degree weather without doing short runs first. SO today, it was 101 on my car thermometer and I knew it was going to be tough, but it is something I have to tackle. So, I decided to superhydrate all day long at work to prep for this run outside. Had a pretty good day at work, left on time, came home to change and then drove over to the local park. I stretched out pretty good and off I went. The weather was tolerable. I was breathing great, no cramps , no knee pain and there was a hot breeze every now and then never. It took me longer to get home from work, get changed and to drive over to the local park than I expected. I completed 4 miles in 38 minutes which ended up being a good start for long runs in this massive heat! I wanted to do 5, but close to 4 miles, I started to develop a cramp in my lower right quadrant. Instead of fighting through the cramp as I normally do, I was not going to chance it. I had done 4 good solid miles in this heat, and I was happy. Not to mention, my chest is still sore from yesterday after doing chest/bi's on the weights. I think it was the cable crossovers that have me sore :)

Running with sore chest muscles is not alot of fun either. But, I am happy with today's 4 mile run in the heat!!