Let's start with the biggest runfession ever. Well, besides that last post about my affair. Deep breath. I runfess that I've been totally downplaying my injuries here on the blog. Trying to stay positive is my mojo. But with Big Sur breathing down my neck, I'm kind of running out of time here, and I'm feeling a little panicked. I don't need sympathy. I don't need advice. With my coach, my doctor, and my expert friends, I'm in good hands. What I do need is good vibes. Just get me to that start line, ok, maybe I'm being greedy here, but get me to the finish line of Big Sur. Let me walk away without a limp. And then let me enjoy my week with my husband.
Along these lines, I've modified my training plan significantly. I went for a test run on Tuesday, and while the run was mostly pain-free, as the day went on, my foot started to hurt and the hip was "there". Not painful but "there". You know that sensation. What this tells me is that there will continue to be lots of cross training and not a whole lot of running. I'll have time on the road because that is important. But I came to the realization that morning that a long run is not going to happen in this training cycle. And there's the truth: I runfess that no long run doesn't make me sad. At all. If this race was about a finish time, I'd be more worried. But this isn't my first rodeo, and I
Maybe I need to change more than my training plan. All these bloggers are posting about healthy eating. Nicole's got all these yummy Paleo creations, Deborah's making vegetarian treats, and Julie posts gluten-free goodness. Meanwhile, I runfess that I'm over here eating pizza every Friday night, drinking wine with dinner, and eating chocolate all the time. No lie. But I've been trialing GreenBlender smoothies this week (next week I'll have a full review), and they've been delicious and healthy. I really need to turn it around. Some good incentive right there.
Finally, when I was in Florida with my parents, I runfess that I felt like a little kid. My mom and dad wouldn't let me drive myself to my race because they were worried about me driving by myself. To that hotbed of crime, Sarasota. Heck, I drive to Chicago all the time, and we all know what's going on there! At one point during my trip, I was sitting in the backseat of their car, listening to them bicker. The easy listening music was playing. I started texting my sister:
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Another month, another round of runfessions! You still love me don't you? What do you have to share? You can link up with Marcia or just head over there to read more runfessions! This is the most fun link up around!
I'm also linking up with the DC Trifecta aka Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia for the Friday Five!
Laying in bed with my kiddos this Friday morning and I laughed out loud at your post. You are a gifted blogger that always keeps me interested Wendy! Real life. Authentic. Honest! I'm sorry you are having trouble. Sending healing vibes as I type! I know about the parent thing..... My mom FORBID me to run a marathon because it would hurt my knees. 😩😂
ReplyDeleteThank you Gina! I'm trying to find humor in what has been a really difficult month for me! If I dwelled on all the bad crap that has happened, I'd DNS Big Sur. And we all know that isn't happening!
DeleteGlad you're like the green blender smoothies. I just could adjust to the taste of all those greens. I look forward to seeing what recipes you made!
ReplyDeleteThe kefir definitely "smoothes" out the flavor.
DeleteI'm so sorry you're hurting. Sending you tons if healing vibes. You WILL finish Big Sur and you will walk away not limp away. You got this!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a challenging month! But hey, now I know how to do pool running!
DeleteOne of the many things I love about you is your honesty. I try to keep it real on my blog and Fb page because people need to see the truth (and not just the sunshine & rainbows). As much as I love running, there are times when I, too, am a little bit "not sad" to be side-lined.....it feels great to not have to worry about keeping up with appearances, etc. (for lack of better words LOL) Thanks for another REAL post ;-)
ReplyDeleteThere hasn't been much sunshine and rainbows this month, so what else can you do but laugh? I did cry the one time, tho...
DeleteI wonder when we too will succumb to the easy listening music?? NEVER! That's when! Such a funny visual of you in the backseat! Many, many +++++healing vibes my friend. You're going to run and finish BS. It's what you do.xoxo
ReplyDeleteOMG, I felt like a little kid again. No kidding.
DeleteAw man, I will definitely send positive vibes your way for Big Sur!! You know what you're doing! And that really sucks about your phone....I was with Sprint for years, I was never a big fan of them. At least that matter was resolved. Sometimes you just gotta let it all out!
ReplyDeleteI seriously acted like a 2 year old. That was so bad!
DeleteMy runfessions will be up tomorrow and yes, one of them includes the f-bomb too. Under much less dire circumstances, I must add!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had your metabolism. Not that I don't ever indulge, ask Darlene, she's seen me in action a few times now, but I do have to be careful and watch what I eat pretty closely.
I am so sorry you've been struggling with so many injuries. I actually don't think you downplayed much, or maybe I'm just good at reading between the lines. Definitely sending good vibes and hoping that all these setbacks mean you'll have a fabulous race! I know you love to compete, but this one really ought to be about the experience.
My Dad has been allowed to drive, not allowed to drive, allowed to drive . . . the bottom line is he absolutely shouldn't be driving and I'd like to throttle the drs who tell him he can. He turned 90 today. And while he's pretty healthy for a 90 yr old, he is NOT a good driver and has multiple, multiple accidents and we really worry about him hurting someone.
We won't go with him if he drives. End of story. He doesn't understand, he explodes, but it just ain't happening.
The scariest thing for me is thinking about my parents driving from their home in Illinois to Florida!
DeleteSorry to hear about the injury. I'm kind of downplaying how my back feels right now, too. I'm having some ligament issues, and I'm taking the weekend pretty much off. Which sucks after making so much progress, oh and the fact that I start coaching next weekend. But fingers are so crossed for you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteAs are mine for you. It's been a tough winter, hasn't it?
DeleteI strongly believe that training is something that happens over a very extended period of time, not just a couple of weeks. So no worries on skipping the long run. It's definitely not going to make or break you. I would be happy to not do a long run, too!!!
ReplyDeleteI have thrown more temper tantrums than I care to admit. It is super frustrating that new phones are so darned expensive. =( I swear the phone companies jack the prices up on us purely because we are captive audiences.
Cheers to eating pizza and chocolate, and drinking wine! That sounds heavenly!!! And hey - chocolate and wine both have healthful properties, and pizza has lots of calcium from the cheese!!!
I need to hang out with you! Thanks for all the positivity! :)
DeleteSending good vibes your way! I'm definitely with you on the eating thing... hasn't been going so well lately. But I figure Spring is a good time to jump back on that wagon. And I always feel like a kid again when I'm with my parents too. I hope you have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteThere will be all those fresh fruits and veggies, right?
DeleteSending you all the good vibes! And sympathy on your phone. My daughter just smashed hers and had to pay full price plus via the AT&T installment plan.
ReplyDeleteI did get the rose gold version, so there's that, right?
DeleteYou know, of course, that you will be covered in good vibes from head to toe, surrounded on all sides with the great love and support of your family and friends, those close by, those far away, and those you've never even met (like me!). I've read of folks who've run marathons with little preparation at all. Though you are not able to complete your long runs, your years of experience coupled with your intense strength training, will see you through. All that, and great support and love.
ReplyDeleteTemper tantrum, who cares? You've been through the mill and you were entitled. It's not as though you behave like that all the time. At least on the outside. We can all swear and fuss and kick on the inside all we want, but once in a while letting it out is a healthy release. You had it coming. Good for you, f#$&*s and all.
Closing your runfessions with the scene in the back seat of your folks' car is priceless. All your posts are, but I runfess, I most look forward to your monthly baring of your soul.
Happy Easter, my friend. Breathe deeply. Enjoy the last few weeks. Think: Big Sur/Kristina. What a goal!
Thank you Connie! Your kind words of support always warm my heart. I hope some day to meet in person--just so I can feel the good vibes in person!
DeleteSometimes it feels nice to have my Dad step in :-)
ReplyDeleteI hope next week goes better for you. You've kind of had an epic week. And one night of pizza a week is not going to kill ya :-)
Yep, it's been something lately! Hopefully I'm getting all the bad stuff out of the way.
DeleteI can feel those frustrations Wendy.bbYou are one of the strongest, determined women I "know" and you will come across the Big Sur finish with happy tears. (Well if you are like me, you'll cry most of the race LOL). The dog and pizza are too funny. My diet is not the best right now. Good vibes, Sista. Good vibes.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm taking all of them!
DeleteSending buckets of good vibes your way! I know it's so hard to deal with injury but your experience and determination will get you through!! You have all of us cheering for you!
ReplyDeleteAnd please don't feel embarrassed about your temper tantrum. We all still have them. Adulting is hard and sometimes we just have to let it loose.
Hang in there, sister!
Haha, adulting is hard! Best line of the day. Thank you!
DeleteOh, the parents! My son and I were laughing at my mom when she told us her and my dad were going to send a letter to my aunts to invite them to visit FL with us in the summer. I joked and asked her if by "letter" she meant "email." But no. She meant a formally written letter because I got a cc. Good luck with the marathon, I know you can do it. I've done a marathon on a training cycle where my longest run was 16 due to injury and sickness and business travel. It wasn't fast but my goal was complete, not compete, and I used walk/run (it was a trail marathon). Enjoy that pizza! You have to live a little.
ReplyDeleteYep, my goal is definitely complete, not compete. We plan on stopping to get a lot of photos. I think it will be fine.
DeleteGood vibes are certainly coming your way! I am sorry to hear that your injuries are worse than you admitted to yourself. It's never easy! I am with my mom now and I feel like I am taking care of her! Driving to the airport w her and my dad was also interesting. Yes I do love to cook my healthy veggie eats but I also eat pizza sometimes and chocolate almost everyday. Wish you were close enough to come over for lunch! Hang in there girlfriend!
ReplyDeleteI need to get out to DC to visit all you ladies! I'd love lunch or dinner or wine...
DeleteWe are entitled to a good old fashioned temper tantrum every once in a while! I am sorry you are injured but I am sending you all the good vibes!
ReplyDeleteThank you! All good vibes accepted.
DeleteI guess water damage happens to a lot to phones. Short of switching out of the Apple environment and buying one of those new Samsung S7 water-proof phones, it's a constant danger we all live with! Do those phone insurance plans ever pay off for anyone? Anyway, You'll do fine in Big Sur. The longer it takes to run it, the longer you will have to view the breath-taking scenery. Either you run it fast for a win, or you run it slow for a win! You can't lose! :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the truth? I'm so glad I'm not doing this one for time. Of course, as I sit here on the couch for the second day in a row with the stomach flu, I'm really starting to wonder if the marathon gods are laughing at me...
DeleteI have pizza (almost) every Tuesday night. Maybe buying a used iPhone on eBay would be a better option.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have time for that. I need a phone for my job.
DeleteMy running's been put on hold for anything over 3 miles right now. Thankfully I'm training for a 10k, and I did get through my 4 miles. But hearing the talk of "no more building until we build your strength" wasn't what I wanted. I didn't lose it, but I did mope over a glass of wine.
ReplyDeleteI've been moping over lots of wine! LOL!
DeleteAhh girl we are in the same boat for our spring marathons. I'm also very undertrained but I refuse to run the London Marathon after working hard to get over my IT band injury. I can empathize completely with all you are going thrash. As for the phone, that story is hilarious. How can a store not have a good supply of phones on hand? Have a great weekend and smile!
ReplyDeleteWe are in this together, Pam! Finishing will be winning for both of us.
DeleteWendy, sending lots of good vibes your way!!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous of your parents driving you to a race... my mom saw me at a 5K once, and my dad laughs at me for paying to run. But my mom has been very supportive of me and is constantly asking her doctor about what else can I do to keep running!
And of course we still love you!
Oh, I know I'm so lucky to have them care. But it was just kind of funny. I mean, I am 53! LOL!
DeleteI feel like I've earned the right to joke with you so Put on your big girl panties and get to Big Sur! Do whatever it takes, which I know you will! And hey, after it's over, then you can cut your foot off or something....... Sending awesome vibs and hugs to you! It did make you smile right!?! :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, my friend! <3 I feel like the marathon gods are laughing at me or something! Oh, let's hurt her so she can't run! Oh wait, she's cross training? Let's give her the stomach flu! WTF!
DeleteThanks for the smile and the love!
So pizza and wine is frowned upon? That is why I drink my smoothie first :) I am sending you all the vibes I can! Please take of yourself! XXOO!
ReplyDeleteIt's got to get better, right? <3
DeleteHere's the deal with Big Sur: if there were ever a race to take your time on, this one is it. Being able to run on Highway 1, which is only shut down to traffic one day out of the year (FOR THIS RACE) is huge...you will have all the time in the world to take in the gorgeous views without having a traffic jam of vehicles around you. So hey, if you run, or walk, or however you do it, it's going to be great and it's going to be your race, your way. That said, I wish I understood how nice of an expo the Big Sur one was when I went to it...I was too much of a newbie runner to appreciate it back in 2011.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I totally get it when you said how your hip was "there" - that's the same feeling I get about my high hamstring/butt area after some runs...it's just "there" - and it's an omnimous feeling, ugh.
That's so good to hear about Big Sur! I plan on enjoying the whole experience. Guess now I have no choice!
DeleteI throw mega tantrums more often than I care to admit. But sometimes you just gotta!
ReplyDeleteSending so many healing vibes, lady. xxoo
Taking them all! Thank you!
DeleteDayum Guuurrrl,
ReplyDeleteYou'll be fine. I ABSOLUTELY hear you with the pain. just parta gettin older.
Suckit age. Do what you gotta do. I ran Big Sur 12 years ago....try to find flat land. I just remember somewhere past 13 miles, theres a slight incline where its harder on left knee and hip. You probably know this....run far right as you can. the asymmetry matters. It'a a gorgeous run. Stop on Bixby and take a pic. You got this!
Good to know, since my left foot is the one that bothers me!
DeleteWine and chocolate are a staple of my diet. I generally eat healthy but I also run so I can indulge a bit.
ReplyDeleteWith all your running experience I am sure you will do just fine at the marathon.
It won't be fast, but it will be fun!
DeleteI am reminded of my second marathon where my longest run for the final 6 weeks of training was 9 miles. I wasn't injured, my dad was hospitalized 400 miles away so my long runs just didn't matter when I needed to be with him. I wasn't fast, but I finished and had an amazing time running with other runners and taking the time to thank all the volunteers because I wasn't hurrying through the water stops.
ReplyDeleteThe dog with the pizza made me laugh out loud! And riding with your parents - that's what it's like with my in-laws. My father-in-law is deaf in one ear so the volume, oh the volume!
Oh, your marathon training story makes me feel better! Thank you!
DeletePizza all the way!
ReplyDeleteYes!!!
DeleteI'm having pizza tonight, and probably a beer too! :) I hope this just means you have gotten all the bad things out of the way for a while!
ReplyDeleteI hope so! Geez, enough already!
DeleteWell your memes and gifs had me rolling, Wendy!! If you need good vibes, consider it done. I know your readers are behind you 100% and we are cheering for you!!!
ReplyDeleteI do want to tell you a cute story. Two years ago I ran Boston in a knee brace. Well, I walk/ran Boston in a knee brace. I was in Wave 2. Let's just say, before the end, Wave 3 had caught up with me despite starting at least a 1/2 hour after me. Before Wave 3 caught up, there was a little boy cheering me on from the sidelines. I wasn't totally by myself but it was me and the last couple stragglers (including someone on crutches) of Wave 2. The little boy called to me, "Good job! Keep going, you can still win!" It was the sweetest thing ever. But seriously, I was at the freaking Boston marathon, it didn't matter what place I came in, I had already won!
That is the cutest! LOL! I bet you felt like you won when he said that, right?
DeleteI'm going to channel the Black Knight for the rest of my runs.
Sooo I have a shirt with that pizza saying on it. I wear it to CrossFit all the time. I'm also drinking wine right now. #noshame. Life is all about balance, right?!
ReplyDeleteI'm sending you all the good vibes I can vibe up that you injuries get better!
I'd love that shirt! LOL!
DeleteWow....sorry about the injuries...I just read something about not having to do anything longer than a 16 mile run....I runfess that other than yoga, I have not been cross training at all....getting my act together in Aprik
ReplyDeleteMy marathon training runs normally don't have anything longer than 18 miles, so I'm ok with that. But this time my longest run will be that half I ran 2 weeks ago. I'm going to keep cross training, and having that 45 mile bike ride under my belt makes me feel better.
DeleteSending good vibes your way!
ReplyDeleteAnd as for eating, I've been telling people I've been eating a lot of eggs, but not mentioning that they're peanut butter eggs, cream eggs, and chocolate eggs. That Hoppy Easter candy gets me every year!
Those are my kinds of eggs!
DeleteLOL, the jeep convo made me giggle. I sure hope you are pain free soon, but I totally empathize. I don't think I've ever ran a race completely "pain free."
ReplyDeleteWhat would we do without our sisters?
DeleteI love the car ride and can imagine. Drove with the parentals to O'Hare a few weeks ago. Lol. I find when I get rid of sugar I feel so much better - mood, energy, physically, etc. Unfortunately sugar is in so many things. Big Sur will be amazing! Excited for you.
ReplyDeleteYou know what's funny is that my dad is really into those bitmojis--he keeps sending them to me and Lisa! Crying! It's the funniest!
DeleteOh, I love these.
ReplyDeleteLet me tell you, I would have done the EXACT SAME THING had I had to pay FULL PRICE for an iPhone. Oof. Tears.
I hope you're able to manage those niggles well and make it to Big Sur and have an excellent time!
I'm struggling with the mental prep here...damn niggles!
DeleteYou parents are too cute!:) I've been having major phone issues this week as well. So frustrating! I eat chocolate every day, too. There is just no way around it for me. As long as it is quality dark chocolate I don't care, I love it too much!:) I have been incorporating a lot of green smoothies in my diet,feels so good! Can't wait for your review on the Green Blender Smoothies!:)
ReplyDeleteDark chocolate is supposed to be good for us, isn't it?
DeleteLOVE! Great post! Hope you're feeling better soon! By the way, my phone is driving me CRAZY!!!! Every now and then it says I don't have enough storage to take a picture. I have less than 100 photos on my phone, few apps, etc. It's driving me INSANE! I almost had a meltdown the other day when I went to take a picture for a post and it wouldn't let me! Ugh!!
ReplyDeleteDid you check your deleted photos file? Since photos sit there for 30 days before automatically deleting, that can take up a ton of space on your phone. You can delete the whole thing.
DeleteHope that you heal up and can really enjoy Big Sur.
ReplyDeleteAnd phone drama is the worst, been there done that, good luck.
And now it's all good again...
DeleteCongrats on the top 100 accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty.
Sorry about your phone :(
I am so sorry about your struggles, injuries and difficult with training.
omg..your text with your sister...priceless!
Yeah, I'm so ready for March to be done. It's been a pretty crappy month, except for my trip to Florida. Onward and upward!
DeleteCan I just tell you how much I adore you!?! I may only know you through blogging, but you quickly became a favorite! Thank you for you honesty and I wish I knew you in person because I have a feeling this was tamer than what a real reaction might be. ;)
ReplyDeleteYou know me well! There's been a lot of swearing this month. Hoping April brings a whole new outlook!
Delete