Feeling Sick

Photo Credit: http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/money/sick.jpg

I have really hit a stride the last few weeks ... running all of my scheduled training runs, having great long runs, hitting yoga twice a week, and even losing a few pounds along the way.  I was feeling so great, and then BAM!  I get hit with a nasty cold/flu/virus/bacteria, whatever you want to call it.  And for the last week, I've been laid up at home, nursing my lungs back to health, feeling totally defeated in the exercise department.  I've always stood by the rule that if your sickness is below your throat, then you shouldn't run, and definitely held to that this week.

But man, it SUCKS not keeping up with your fitness. 

And as I'm trying to get ready for my half next Saturday, I'm feeling a little tentative not having run in a week.  Any tips?  

Thoughts on running...

Wanted to share a post by my friend Kristin Brown Marshall- I liked some of her thoughts/descriptions.

My post a little while ago about what I do all day got me thinking....

Is running all that I do? Is it who I am?

Well it is a major part or how I spend my individual free time, but I want to publicly state that

I am not a runner.

I run. I love to run. But I am not a runner. I am so much more than that. It's a hobby, a passion, an interest, an indulgence, but running does not define who I am. I've known people before, that let running (or some other sport or activity) define them. My life is not fulfilled only if I am running; setting new PR's, logging a certain number of miles, going a certain speed, beating certain people, getting a BQ (Boston Qualifying Time) etc. etc. I am not left forlorn and empty if people don't praise or acknowledge my running accomplishments. I don't rely on my running accomplishments to fuel my mood, or my opinions about myself.

Yes, I think everyone should run, but not because I think it will make them a more worthwhile person or in some way increase their individual worth. I just think that a person can learn immense amounts about themselves and life while running; and the parallels of running and life are endless. But, I get that not everyone likes it and it's not for everyone.....but I still think everyone should do it! Even just a little. A mile or two a few times a week? It can work wonders on the soul! But, I digress....

Running is a huge part of my life (some people in my life who don't understand running would say I'm obsessed - Why do people who don't run think that all runners are crazy or obsessed? I don't get it - But perhaps that is a different post altogether).

As I was saying, running is a part of my life (yes a big part), but it is not who I am. However, it IS something that has taught me about myself and helped me grow mentally. It has pushed my limits and made me stronger. Running is something that has given me more than normal amounts of serious introspection time, and contributed to my well-being. It has helped develop my character, tested and proved my work ethic, my dedication, my will, my resiliency. It brings peace to my life. It brings pain as well - but the pain brings appreciation and growth. It's principles can be applied and compared to other parts of my life, which help bring understanding to other things in my life as well. Yes, I am aware that running isn't the only activity in existence that can bring this to a person, but it has been a very effective source in my life, and I think it can be fore most people. In a nutshell, running is the conduit that helps me discover who I am.

And though I absolutely LOVE running, if I wasn't able to run ever again I would be ok.

Running was taken away form me once before in my life and I survived. If it were ever taken away from me again my life would go on, I would be ok, and I would still be me - because it is not who I am.

I think that there are people who think that all I do is run and that it is who I am and there isn't much more to me. I guess I just wanted to express the point that though it contributes a lot to my life, trust me; I am so much more than a runner.

Having got that off my chest....anyone wanna go for a run?

hills!

I'm set to run the Lake Tahoe Half Marathon in just under 7 weeks. I have been wanting to run this race for years and am so excited I'm actually doing it this year! Check out the description and profile below.

The Half Marathon starts south of Meeks Bay on Glen Street, halfway down the Marathon course. The course rolls downhill for the first 2 miles before starting a challenging climb of 520’ over 1.55 miles up the "Hill from Hell", then 1.3 miles of rolling terrain, then down 200’ over 0.9 miles crossing over Eagle Falls, and back up 200’ over 0.9 miles to the 20 mile mark at Inspiration Point. The spectacular 20 mile mark (or 7 mile Half Marathon mark) is the narrow spine of the ridge overlooking Emerald Bay, Cascade Lake, and Lake Tahoe itself. This may be the most beautiful run you ever do. The last 6.2 miles are all down hill and beautiful, picking up the bike trail for the last 3.5 miles to the finish, going over Taylor Creek Bridge and the spawning fire cracker red Kokanee salmon, through the Pope and Valhalla Historical Estates along the waters edge, by Camp Richardson, and finishing at Pope Beach where the cold waters of Tahoe await your tired feet.



The only thing I'm not looking forward to is the 6.2 miles of downhill! That is going to be brutal on my knees, hips, and back.

I'll definitely need to run at Rancho this weekend. Got to get those hills in.

Okay. Your turn. Let's hear about your upcoming races!