Saturday, July 8, 2023

A Bundle of Nerves

It's been a long time since I've had pre-race jitters like I've had this week. I think it's because Leadville is the first destination race I've gone to in a long time. There's so much more to a destination race than just showing up at the start line, which is why I don't do them very often. There's all the travel, the logistics of getting from point A to point B, and wrangling the 4 young adults who have accompanied me on this trip. Not to mention that one of my niggles, toe pain that I didn't mention a few weeks ago, decided to get really angry (see below). As the week went on, the pain lessened, but it didn't completely resolve.

My goal was to finish and I did that! I'll share more in a full recap soon. For most of the race, my foot behaved. As expected, the altitude was my nemesis, but I did better than I hoped. My son crushed his race and made me cry when he met me at the finish line. I was able to celebrate with my Trail Sisters. This was just such a great experience! If you want a sneak peek before I post the recap, check out my IG post, 

Weekly Rundown
Sunday: volunteered at local race
Monday: CrossFit with 1850m running
Tuesday: trail run 5.75 miles
Wednesday: Pool running
Thursday: strength training
Friday: travel to Colorado
Saturday: Leadville Silver 15 miler (actually 15.78) 

Running

I had hoped to get some miles on Sunday after my volunteer stint at the Stampede, but it rained and it rained and it rained--in fact, it rained so much that some places around us set a record for rainfall. On Wednesday, I took a nice leisurely run around the forest preserve. It was humid and it warmed up very quickly, so leisurely was the only option. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was having some niggles and one of those, my 2d left toe, got very angry when I landed on it. It calmed down in a hurry and I don't think it's a stress fracture. It's not right, though, and I definitely will have it checked when I return from Leadville.  


As I shared above, Leadville exceeded my expectations. It was also one of the hardest things I've ever done. No regrets. I'm so glad my body let me do this!


CrossFit/Strength

After spending the very rainy Sunday on the couch, I woke up Monday eager to head to CrossFit.  The strength/skill portion was a 14 minute on the clock of 2 laps heavy bear hug carry (I did 70#),  20 flutter kick plate presses (I did 15#), and 3-5 ring swings (I did 5). I completed 4 rounds of this. The MetCon was a 16 minute AMRAP of 400m run, 15 thrusters (I did empty BB), and 15 Ab Mat situps. I completed 4 rounds of the run and 3 rounds of everything else. The warm temperatures made this one a challenge. 


After taking time to recover, I completed this week's Summer Challenge, which was a 1000m Farmer's Carry. I did 10 laps of 100m carrying a 35# KB in each hand. It was a lot but I am glad to have gotten that out of the way!

Because of my upcoming race, SJ had already programmed mostly upper body work for Thursday's strength session. I was so glad about that, especially in light of my foot injury. She started me off with 20 banded pull apart alternating. I did 3 sets of those alternating with 3 assisted strict pull-ups with 5 second descend and toes-to-rings. The pull-ups were HARD and initially, so were the toes-to-rings. I hadn't done them for a while, but on the second set, I found my groove and on the third set, I was flying. So fun. After that, she had me do 3 sets of 8 per leg single leg glute bridges and 3 sets of Turkish sit-ups, holding 15# DB in each hand. She stood on my toes which helped a ton! Those are HARD!


How was your week? Since we are still in Colorado, I'm going to cut this rundown short and will share more in a week or so. What challenges have you taken on lately?

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown. 



39 comments :

  1. Kudos on your race. I can relate--I have pain in my 2nd left toe and turns out I have a torn tendon which i'm trying to avoid surgery for. Hope yours is nothing serious. Look forward to your race recap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm thinking it's an RA thing. I have my annual joint ultrasound in a couple of weeks, so hopefully I'll find out what it is!

      Delete
  2. Congrats on Leadville!! Despite it all, you had a very active week. Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I'm glad it's done--those pre-race nerves are a lot!

      Delete
  3. Way to go on Leadville! That's a major accomplishment ! Bummer on the rogue toe; hopefully it's nothing too serious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was a tough race, for sure! I'm still processing it and will have a recap up in a week or so.

      Delete
  4. Congrats... so happy that the race went well. So special to share it with your son.

    Doing hard things make us stronger so I keep reminding myself when I sign up for a marathon.

    My 2nd left toe is bothering me too but I think's due to my neuroma.

    ReplyDelete
  5. CONGRATULATIONS! I can't wait to hear all about it (and I do mean ALL about it!) It sounds like it was an incredible experience.
    What is it with these taper niggles? The week before my race in April, my foot hurt so bad I thought it was broken. Then it just went away and I didn't feel it at all during the race. I hope your toe is okay- but the important thing is it didn't keep you from running the race. Enjoy your time in CO!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so grateful the toe behaved! It talked to me a few times, but for the most part, it was quiet. I think my trail shoes helped with that--the sole is fairly stiff. It's so beautiful here!

      Delete
  6. Finishing is indeed winning! I can't imagine starting that high and going UP! Great job!

    I'm sorry you had problems with the toe.

    My hard things are not related to fitness right now, but that definitely doesn't make them any less hard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was definitely challenging, but as you know, conquering those hard things helps you deal with hard things off the road too.

      Delete
  7. Great job on Leadville! I saw it on Strava and now I'm looking forward to hearing all the details. Running a tough race with your son must have been special.
    I've never done toes-to-rings! Are they easier than toes-to bar? (I finally managed ONE toes-to-bar today but with kicking off from the ground, not hanging from the bar).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel like toes to rings are much easier than toes to bars, because I can do them, lol

      Delete
  8. Oh I loved reading about Leadville. I am so excited and hopeful to do it next year (since I had to withdraw due to my foot injury), but my dear friend (who I was supposed to run it with) did it and said the same thing-- hardest thing she has ever done. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Will you do the 50 miler? Or the 15? I have to say that 15 was plenty for me!

      Delete
  9. I did see your IG and I'm so thrilled for you! Well done!

    ReplyDelete
  10. So glad your race went well - looking forward to reading your recap!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Huge congrats on Leadville! And to your son! Looking forward to reading your recap. I hope your toe is nothing serious and calms down quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  12. huge congrats Wendy! Can't wait to read your recap!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've got it written, but will publish it next week once i get through all the photos!

      Delete
  13. Congrats on your race.
    I love your shoes. Are those Brooks?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are Brooks Cascadias--they were designed by a Native American artist. I love them too!

      Delete
  14. Congrats on your race: 15 miles are a challenging distance. And finishing is always a winning; indeed now this is my main goal, the second goal is running faster than 9:30 per mile: time change..... and I'm getting always older.
    Glad you could race with your son. The last race with my son was in 2021; I cannot wait for racing again with him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was hoping to finish under 4 hours--which would have been reasonable for this race. My legs just weren't having it at the end!

      Delete
  15. I am so proud of you and I can't wait to read the full rundown! And that your son was able to join you! Core memory for sure! Have a great rest of trip and take care of that toe!

    ReplyDelete
  16. So happy and so proud of you Wendy!! I knew you would make it but totally understand the pre-race jitters!! So awesome that you could also experience this with your son. What an amazing thing to do together!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Lovely - So Flipping Lovely - My Heart Smiles Because Of You - Thank You

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  18. Amazing work Wendy! What a fun experience. Destination races definitely are more work, but they are worth it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I think about all the races I've run, this really tops my list! What a challenging but beautiful race!

      Delete
  19. Congratulations!!! Sounds like a challenging race.

    ReplyDelete