I was so excited last night to set my alarm and charge my garmin. You see, I've been injured for the last six weeks. Not sure if I've whined about it on here or not. Shoot, you probably didn't even know about it. Just confirms that indeed the world does not revolve around me.

I took the last three weeks off to try and heal the little bugger. I had taken a couple of other weeks off in between trying to test it out here and there. But, that wasn't doing it and i needed to just rest it...the dreaded word...REST. The first week I did nothing. But the second week, I tried something new and biked, did the eliptical and lifted weights. This seemed to work wonderfully and aided in my sweat addiction.

I tested out my leg on Thursday night and ran a four miler with my training group (our half marathon is in three weeks) i was beyond thrilled to run it with no pain. This three weeks of rest thing really does work...imagine that!

So, I headed out this morning with a few of my runner girls + guy. Half of our group ran a different route and we stuck to our favorite. The miles were just like the title says...easy, breezy. Halfway through, it started raining and that only lead to the thought that I was even more hardcore than I thought.

I am so so thankful for a pain free run..in fact, I am really not even sore. We will see how long that lasts!

So what is the moral of the story? Three weeks off is a good thing, twelve miles in the rain is even better and bagels/lattes afterward are a great reward.

I know, I'm deep.

What was your weekend sweat session?

Hi blogwold! I hope you are having a nice week and surviving your hump day!

I wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to a man that inspired so many..including me. As most of you know this sad piece of news has riveted the running/ultrarunning world the last few days.

I was first introduced to him through the pages of Born to Run. This book is up there with one of my all time favorite books. I loved learning about the history of running and the mystery of the Tarahumara tribe. Reading this book only grew my love of running even more and motivated me to explore the world of barefoot and ultrarunning.

To read about the passing of this man was very shocking not only to me but an entire group of crazy runners. I won't write about him here but will refer you to an article below. Please take the time to read it. You will walk away with a better sense of what it means to live with passion, deep friendship and authentic lovew.


Micah True found dead in Gila National Fores

By Aaron West / awest@scsun-news.com

Micah True was found dead at about 6 p.m. Saturday in the Gila National Forest after four days of searching. True, a renowned 58-year-old ultra-marathon runner from Boulder, Colo., who was reported as missing in the Gila Wilderness when he failed to return from a run Tuesday morning, was found by searchers near Woody's Corral, just one mile southeast of the Gila Cliff Dwellings, according to Incident Commander Tom Bemis.

Bemis said that two of True's friends found his body and that the cause of death is unknown at this point.

"It's too early to say, there was nothing obvious," he said.

The details of how the searchers found the body are also unclear.

"They were just out on their own, whatever possessed them to walk up that canyon I don't know," Bemis said.

He said that at 7:40 p.m. the medical examiner was on his way to examine the body and that True's body would be removed on this morning.

The body's discovery concluded a four-day search effort that involved more than a dozen search and rescue teams --- including dog teams and teams on horseback --- as well as helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft support and about 20 of True's personal friends, many of whom flew across the country to help.

From the beginning of the search operation, search and rescue teams were fighting an uphill battle with little to no clues as to where True had gone when he set off from where he was staying at The Wilderness Lodge for a 12-mile run on Tuesday morning

Advertisementat about 10 a.m. "He left his car and dog here and he ran up the road to where the trailheads are," said Dean Brummer, co-owner of The Lodge. "So they don't know which trail he would have taken. He didn't tell anybody where he was going and it's a pretty big wilderness out there.

Throughout the search, a few clues turned up, including two sets of prints, a search dog alert and a pair of sunglasses and a hat, but nothing panned out, according to incident commanders.

"We pounded the area looking for him," Bemis said.

Search and rescue teams involved in Saturday's search included Organ Mountain Technical Rescue Squad, Cibola Search and Rescue, Socorro Search and Rescue, Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue, Sandia Search Dogs, New Mexico Mounted Search and Rescue, Grant County Search and Rescue, Doña Ana County Search and Rescue and N.M. State Police and Civil Air Patrol, which provided the aircraft.

True was the race director of The Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon, a 50-plus mile extreme race that took place in Urique, Mexico on March 4 and has been featured in the magazines Running Times and Outside. He is the central character --- known as "Caballo Blanco" --- in the New York Times best-selling non-fiction book "Born to Run," by Christopher McDougall that chronicles True's time in Copper Canyon with the Tarahumara Indians, an isolated tribe known for their long, grueling runs.

Michael Sandrock, a running columnist for the Boulder Daily Camera newspaper, said that the book turned True into a legend in Boulder running circles, but the fame never got to his head.

"He was truly authentic," Sandrock said. "He never wanted any publicity about himself. He just did it because he loved it. For runners, when you think of Boulder, you think of him."

Aaron West can be reached at (575) 538-5893 ext. 5803

Today was the annual, epic Shamrock race downtown. I have a special place in my heart for this race and not just because I get to paint my fingernails green. This was my first ever race that I did. I ran the race alone and I will never forget turning the corner and seeing the finish line. I couldn't believe I finished without stopping and tears rolled down my cheeks. Cue the Rocky music. Okay I may be melodramatic, but it was memorable indeed.

I ran the race last year with my BRP, Jenny. She pushed me and we raced an average of 9:40. It was a good race and we had fun. We added on three miles at the end for our long run of seven miles.

This year, we have a large group and we all journeyed downtown together. But first, we met up at Jenny's and had fun acting like school children getting ready. You call it mid-life crisis. We call it awesome.

Arriving at the race, we hung out for a little bit around the circle, debated about the start, then discovered we were all off and lined up. I heard start and before I knew it, we were off. I had planned on doing negative splits, but that really just went out the window. I decided to just run a race for myself. I didnt want it to be gauged by pace but by what felt good. I told myself to enjoy this race. I paid for it, it was a beautiful day and I've run too many races miserable.

I felt absolutely wonderful until mile 3.25. The heat was balmy and I suddenly felt chills run down my body and I had to slow it down not to throw up. I was giving myself major pep talks. Like, don't puke all over that guy next to you.

I was never so happy to see the finish line after that. I didn't really have it in me to pick it up, but I tried. When I crossed the line, I was toast and knew I gave it my all. The race this year was 30 degrees warmer than last year and the year before. Makes a difference.

At first, I didn't think I had reached my goal of PRing. I was bummed but just happy that my leg held up and wasn't injured. (more on that later) I asked a runner friend of mine to calculate it for me and turns out I had shaved 27 seconds per mile off of my time. Woo hoo, I will take it!! I was seriously happy with this. But most of all, I was thankful for all of my little green friends. And no I am not talking about leprechauns. My runner girls that I love so much. 5 am runs wouldn't be as much fun without them.

I knew we had to run five miles after this and honestly, that was brutal. We walked a mile back for a total of 10 miles. I felt pretty sick until I came home and stuffed my face. Good times.

My runner girls did awesome and a few of them smoked it in the 8's...the others rocked it out including Val, who ran her fastest race yet! I am so proud of them all!!

Did you run a race today? What are your St, Patrick day plans?

Today I felt tired and like crap. I mustered up the energy to go to spin class that happened to be super intense and BTW watch said burned 853 calories...now way right Then I climbed 63 flights on the stair master. I feel brand new.

This past week has been pretty normal. Monday night,spin alone. Tuesday mornings, boot camp with Summer and Sarah. Tuesday nights, runs with my girls. We mixed it up and Wednesday, Val and I ran a 5 miler. Thursday, I had boot camp, Vinyasa hot yoga and later we ran a 3 miler.

Friday is usually my only rest day but things came up for my runners and we didn't get our 8 miler out until Sunday night. But, they did it! I really could not believe that they did it or me for that matter. I am still coming back from injury. We even did speed drills! In August, they ran 1 mile, now they ran 8. Rock on!

And now the week of pics by my Droid! Seriously, someone buy me a camera!

Multimedia

So, what is your normal workout schedule?

PS I wonder if these random people know I am taking their pictures at the gym?

So meet Cathy! Cathy is not only a NEW woman but has quite a funny story about how I "tricked" her into running. I posted a link to her blog a while back but if you are interested scroll and find it on www.cathy.willman.com

Cathy started out with a lot of challenges. She is "well endowed" to say it politely and was wearing Keds to run. Let's just say she could break in down in some rap videos.

I told her right away we needed to get her a good sports bra and shoes. But, like me, she is a little stubborn like me and waited til week 6 to finally buy in. I totally did the same thing when I began this beautiful, hard journey of running. She finally lost a number of pounds that allowed herself a gift. So, we went to www.runnersforum.com to get her what she needed.

Cathy is on week 6 but she wants to repeat week 5 this week so we are with her. The other girls will probably go on or decide to stick it out with us. I am training a large group at different speeds, so I do a  lot of yelling. Shoulders down, back straight, slight bend forward, count your steps, picture a tropical vacation, etc etc.

They love me for it and I got my first new person asking to join our running group on Tuesday. As of right now I am doing this for  free but she asked me how much I charged fully expecting to pay. I guess there is a lot to think about.

So back to Cathy, I had so much fun going with her to the store, even after several frantic  phone calls from us both b/c apparently we are both directionally challenged. Hey, we all have strengths and weaknesses.

One of my favorite things about Cathy is that she is very "brainy" She majored in biology and talking to her is like talking to a walking scientific/spiritual/psychological encyclopedia.

So, cheer Cathy on! I am so proud of her. She also as major back issues and has overcome so much. She is a strong runner and is now going to train at least one friend if not two. I love how the love of life changing running spreads! And I love my strong, stubborn, independent superwoman Cathy.

So have you ever trained anyone? What was your favorite part?

So I am living it up here in good 'ol Rocky Top visiting the sister, Medical Mama and her kiddos. So far its been really busy and really fun! The first night we went to the Country Club, to have a birthday dinner with my sister's nephew. The food was amazing and the kids had a blast.

Well its that time again sweaters! I hope youve been throwing it down b/c we sure are. We really need a name? Any suggests? I have one for our Summer Ride girls.....Summer Ridge Gangstas, my original group is my OG's and Jenny is my BRP. (best running partner.) However, the group seems to be changing and I think we need a new name ......so help me out. It can't be cheesy like "running girls"

So, lets get on to the slide show. The bottom pics are of me running KILLER hills in good ol Rocky Top. Totally insane but I have a route and I might even have a friend joining me from Johnson City to attack the greenway. Can't wait!!

Oh and I almost forgot-I got a call from the YMCA which is so exciting!! They called and offered me to "try out" with a 3 day conference in October. Can't wait. It is connected to a beautiful hospital complex, with a Subway, lap pools, and tons for kids in the winter. Pray for favor please!!!

For our sweaters out there, keep it up! You know you feel better! We ran, rowed, stair climbed, cycled, weight lifted, bootcamps and walked. What did you do?

OH and here one of my bestie's sent me this and I just have to share: Rock on - girl power! (total 90's but you get the point)

"Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independently of logic." - Tim Noakes

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired. When you were younger the mind could make you dance all night, and the body was never tired..You've got to make the mind take over and keep going." - George S. Patton, U.S. Army General and 1912 Olympian

So  I woke up inspired this morning to really commit to my training for the Philly 1/2 in November.  Signed up for a meetup group and everything.  I felt more like a puppy than a baby elephant.  With my long run behind me I only had an easy 2.5 miles to nail.  No problem....


Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........the first few minutes felt great. This was the first run I had all week where my muscles felt good (after sitting in chairs for 12 hours a day, hunched over my keyboard, they were a little tight on my other runs to say the least).  


And then, about 4 minutes in, that 90% humidity hit me like a MAC truck.  Whoa.  I grew up in the South, so I'm no stranger to humidity (the kind where you walk out of your house and in moments are soaked from head to toe), but it amazes me every time the toll it takes on you when you are running.  I felt like I had an iron lung and the oxygen had been turned off.


It was the tale of two energy systems - my muscles felt great, but I could not get enough air.  And, I was sweating in places I forgot you could sweat. 


I made it through, but it was brutal and pretty ugly, humidity sheen style.  The old me would have been a little disappointed in my performance, but I've realized you have good and bad runs.  8 miles can feel great and 2 can feel like death.  The most important thing is that you keep going out there and you don't let it get you down.


Anybody out there have tips on battling humidity?  As always, feel free to comment, share a tale of woe or inspiration, or email me at freeingsisyphus@allpointswhole.com.


I hope everyone is having a great Labor Day and despite the weather are thankful for the time you are getting to train, rest or be with your family.  


I'm off to relish my post workout recovery beverage blended with frozen peaches.....Yum.  Happy Labor Day!

This baby elephant (aka Freeing Sisyphus, aka Melody) is a little afraid.  Full-on half marathon training starts for me this week.  Although I’ve been running all summer, my average distance has only been 3 miles, max distance about 4. 

Why afraid you ask?  I’m not quite sure.  The moment I crossed the finish line of the Monumental ½ Marathon last year, with my broken-hip sister cheering me on after getting a stress fracture on a 22 miler, was absolutely the happiest moment of my life (although I was sad my sis was not running the race with me).  I should be racing to get there again, right?  When I returned from my race, I had a glow for weeks.  People at work were in amazement at the bubbly girl who was usually so serious bouncing around the office.

I woke up the morning of the Monumental race fearful, like I had started so many mornings of my long runs – afraid I wouldn’t be able to do it.  To admit this is hard, because I really believe and say all the time that people can do anything they set their mind too, but I didn’t even realize I was afraid.  Standing there in the cold, dark, November morning waiting for the start of the race, tears welling in my eyes, my heart beating so fast, I couldn’t deny it anymore, I was scared.  Why?  Maybe I was scared of disappointing myself or my sister who was so proud of me.  I suddenly realized that the 12-year old chunky girl (not really chunky – just body-dysmorphically chunky) with childhood asthma who thought that she’d never be able to run and the mid-20s woman who always seemed to break something had set up camp in my head 13 weeks before that moment and had been wreaking havoc ever since.  When the horn blew, I told those two to bite it.  I don’t know what happened, but it was like the moment I realized I was afraid, I was able to let it go.  The first step I took I knew I was finishing that race and making my goal.  The miles were easy.

Training for that race had not been easy.  In case most of you haven’t guessed, I work very hard and very long hours.  I often would have to get up for long runs after 6 days of work and school with little sleep to try and pound out a long run.  There were times I just couldn’t make the mileage.  Work was crazy as usual and October (my heavy training month) is what we in Finance call quarter-end which is another word for hell – 12-14 hr days, weekends, non-stop requests and non-stop phone calls.  Keeping centered in the middle of that is/was hard.  Add on early onset of cold weather in Minnesota and the darkness in the mornings (when I have to run to make sure to get it in), and you get less than ideal circumstances.

But, I did it, so why now the anxiety?  Is it that ever since the summer solstice in late June I can feel the minutes of light in the morning are being taken away from me and that being new to the area I’m afraid I won’t find anyone to run with me so that I can get in my daily morning runs?  Is it that because work has become crazy again?  Is it that I really didn’t feel like I had a summer – MN had snow and ice on the ground in May (or at least it felt that way) -and, then we just got rain and chilly days until it turned to unbearable heat and humidity?  Is it because Labor Day is around the corner and my non-summer is almost over? 

This is just plain fear.  My little sister turned me on to a concept coined by Joyce Meyer that fear is just False Evidence Appearing Real.  As humans, most of us live the majority of our lives in fear without even knowing it – fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of death, fear of losing our jobs, fear of being alone, fear of disappointing others, fear of not living up to expectations, fear of being fat, fear of being rejected, fear of being abandoned, fear of monsters (not really J, but you get my drift).  The interesting part is that we create our own self-fulfilling narratives of fear without even knowing it.  When small events happen, we give them exaggerated meaning in the story of ourselves.  You know what I mean, times when you say things like, “I knew it was going to be a crappy day today because I spilled my coffee”.  Or after a hard run saying to yourself, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to do this race, or when you make one small mistake, I knew I was going to screw that up.  Or, have you ever taken an event like someone passing you without saying hi to convince yourself that the person hated you or was mad at you for doing or saying something to only find out later, they were just distracted.  Have you ever gone on a bad date and come home saying I knew I’d always be alone?  Have you ever stood on a scale and said I knew I wouldn’t be able to lose this weight?

We create realities and narratives by taking events and circumstances and giving them false meaning – we use them as evidence to convince us of a certain reality, or belief in ourselves or about others.  Why do we do this?  I think because we are human.  What do we do about it?  We acknowledge it….and sometimes, like the morning of my half marathon, acknowledging it is all it takes.

So, this morning, I’m facing it head on.  I am a little afraid of the next 9 weeks, but I’m not going to let that stop me from starting my journey and conquering my fear day by day, run by run.  Today as I set out on my distance run I’m not going to think of the obstacles that lie ahead.  Instead I’m going to think about that moment of joy I felt crossing the finish line, and I’m going to think about how thankful I am that I have this day and this run.


Do you ever get a little afraid before a long run or even before a workout?  Our readers and I would love to hear about how you conquer your fear because we all face it every day.


Gotta get going – Irene is bearing down upon us and there are some miles to put behind me before it’s time to batten down the hatches.  Good luck to all that are setting out today on their long runs or rides.  Rock on sweaters   I know you really can do anything.

 I absolutely love my c25ker's. They are not only accomplishing so much, but are becoming my great friends, I couldnt be more proud than to watch Valerie run the farthest she's ever gone or for 3 new girls to have the courage to start on day 1. Each morning and some nights, these girls make the choice to lace up their shoes and conquer their fears. I am so impressed and motivated by them! This was a big week with a lot of firsts so congrats girls! Don't ever sell yourself short.....or stop buying me delcious cupcakes, Stacia!


I also went with my OG's this week and they kicked my butt! I've never felt like such death after a run! But it was so good running with them. Amanda couldnt make it this week but I believe she will either be here Saturday or Sunday. Yep, thats 7 girls I am training all at different levels and I am one happy coach! I wanted to cry each and everytime someone hit their goals this week. Pricelss!


Keep at it girls.. I had a love/hate relationship with running for one year before I finally decided to love it. That was one year ago and even through all my injuries, Ive never looked  back.  I was beginning to lose my passion but these girts have definitely given that back to me!

 

Travel down the road and back again......literally! Ha!!  


Yes, I realize that its only 2:35 a.m. but smart 'ol me thought my blackberry said a lot later so I hopped up, staggered around to find my shoes. It was then that to my horror, that I noticed my husband's bedside clock. 

Weeeeelllllll, lets just say II was wrong...by an hour wrong. Yes, I am awake when all of the college students are stumbling in.

 I remember those days..... but instead of beer pong-today, I am lacing up my shoes to go run/walk 10 miles. Crazy right? And you thought it was for other reasons...don't try to deny it...I know you.

So today's post in Daily Sweat, is all about my girls...no not those girls. Ewwww
(okay I may or may not have used  that joke before) Its not so easy being a comedian

I am training 7 girls right now on the c25k program.  I have girls in various stages. Some are on week 1, some are on week 4, some are on week 7. What I really love about how life sucks sometimes, is when it works out for the better.

When I got injured, I didnt wake up magically thanking God for this.

But, now ...oh how I do thank Him. I am  thankful for these girls. This training has totally rebirthed in me a desire to help people make heallthy life style changes.  And not the kind of rebirth that you bury in your backyard.

They are all such different people and I love getting to know them all...like how Amanda has such a kind heart that she always brings me fruit and veggies and that Tiffany has the mouth of a sailor.  It's awesome.

These girls tell me thank you all the time, but I am thanking you. I am so grateful for each and every one of you. Even when I am yelling at you to pick it up, suck it up and quit crying like a baby. Or in Stacia's case, get out of the fetal position.

These girls go out three to four times a week. sweating and pushing their limits and their bodies to see how far they can. And I say rock on sisters!!

Hey,  maybe we should start a club or something and give ourself some bad girls name like I did for kickball in 3rd grade....the team name was "Hot Shots".   Yep, even back then, I was such an Amy/Tamar.

Definitely thinking t-shirts.