Week 7 of 18: Training for the Flint Hills 50 miler

 The week started out with much anticipated excitement.  The Chiefs had another play-off win meaning another super bowl appearance and the forecasters were saying we were going to get a major snow storm, well major for our area.  Our little town was right on the line of either 12 inches of snow or nothing.  All the schools canceled immediately and we were instantly doomed to get nothing but rain.  Hey, at least the kids got a free day off right? I know my little was SUPER excited to be able to sleep in one more day.  

Post a day full of grey rain (thank goodness it was a rest day), we finally got a few inches of snow that night.  The roads were a horrible mess the next morning, but lucky for us, we didn't have to worry about going to school because Andrew's tummy, which has been surprisingly good for quite some time now, decided to be off.  He woke up at 3 am burping sour burps and having horrible stomach cramps.  After a full day of sour burps, he finally started cleaning his system out via the back end thankfully.  I don't know about you but I would rather sit on the toilet any day versus puking.  Of course that meant we couldn't go to school for two more days since he had to be 24 hour poop free.  He was super excited to go back to school Friday after 3 days off and so was I :)

While I still had to work all the days he was out, at least we had a slower start to our mornings with lots of coffee, cuddles, and books.  I will take it over the mess that  most school mornings are with my slower than a sloth at getting ready child that totally does not mesh with my Type A GOT TO GET GOING AND GET TO SCHOOL personality.  

I had three weekly runs and thanks to the thaw/freeze cycle, two had to be done inside and one had to be done outside during the work day.  It's nice to have a boss that understands one more day on the treadmill at 8 miles will break you mentally and physically.  I had to play all sorts of mind games both on my 4 miler and my 6 miler on Satan's sidewalk.  I still did my 4:1 run walk ratio, but I tried to mix in some sort of speed work every run interval.  It's funny how I can run that same speed (5-6 mph) on the road and not even feel like I am working that hard, but on the treadmill I feel like I am running 10 mph and dying a slow death.  I really envy runners who can just hop on Satan's sidewalk and just run like it's no big deal.  I feel like a dying cow and have always felt that way and it's mentally defeating to feel that taxed at the same speed and incline as your normal running route.  The belt does all the work for you apparently, but not my belt???  I am going to look on the bright side, at least I got to wear my new Gypsy Runner shorts that otherwise would have languished till the spring/summer.  Aren't the multi colored paw prints on the black background cute????

As I said earlier, Thursday's run was outside and I mentally and physically needed that break and the dogs needed a run.  Since I have transitioned to running post work, my hubby has really had to start doing a lot of things he previously did not do.  He now has to get Andrew ready to wrestle including feeding him and getting him dressed, and get him dropped off with all of his accessories like head gear and cold water and shoe covers.  Plus, some nights if I am running big miles, he has to pick him up as well.  Yes, this isn't a big ask, we should be doing things 50:50 when it comes to our kid and our home, but that is not how we have traditionally broken up our duties.  He is trying to run a small business as well, and I just can't thank him enough for stepping up so I can get my runs done post work.  He even let me go a little earlier, so I could get the dogs fed and rested and me dressed to hit the road in daylight to avoid ice AND he met me at the shop so I could get an emergency potty break done not in a ditch.  I got most of my run done in the light, but had about 3 miles left in darkness.

I am a sucker for a good Kansas sunset.  Unfortunately due to the freeze thaw, the gravel was a huge mess meaning I had to stick to as much pavement as I could.  The industrial complex out where our office is located had mostly dry roads, so I did tons of loops and out and backs trying to stay off any potential ice.  I ended up finishing out at our rec complex path for about 2 loops, and then was able to head for home.  About the time I hit my 8 mile mark, we hit ice, so the end of the run was done at a penguin's shuffle.  

I don't think I have mentioned this on my blog, but I have memory issues when I am writing so maybe I have.  About the time I fell, I noticed weird what appeared to be bruising on my left leg.  I just assumed it was from the fall and would fade.  Kind of forgot about it till I noticed after a long run, my whole leg was splotchy and bruised looking.  

The "bruising" comes and goes and does not hurt, has no swelling or heat, and generally I don't even think about it because of that.  I can't really figure out a pattern because sometimes it looks like the above picture post run and sometimes it doesn't.  I brought it up to my chiro on my weekly visit and she was concerned.  We tried taping it for drainage, but the tape only lasted a few hours and I didn't see any improvement.  I have been rubbing CBD oil on it as well just in case that helps but again, not seeing any improvement.  We decided the best course of action was a visit to my MD, who happens to be a runner.  My Dr just looked at it and threw up his hands and said let's watch it, so I guess that is what we are going to do.  

We had a 10  miler and a 20 miler on tap for the weekend and not the greatest forecast predicted.  Saturday was suppose to be rain all day up to 2 inches!  Sunday was suppose to be clear but cold, which could mean ice.  We decided to switch runs around and do the 10 on Saturday in the rain and pray for no ice the next day.  Since we are in freeze thaw, the gravel was a muddy mess which left us all pavement if we wanted us and the dogs to stay somewhat clean.  We also decided to try to go out  little earlier to see if we could stay dry.  We met at the rec complex to do loops and always be close to our cars if we did get a downpour.  This run was brought to you by the letter P as in POOP.  I had to stop 2 times, both Stella and Ebby filled 3 poop bags each, and we made an emergency stop at the shop.  I woke up with an angry stomach and it just went south from there.  Despite my angry tummy, we got 10 in with many loops and backtracks, all on pavement AND missed all of the rain!

We woke up to cold and wind but no ice and no moisture Sunday.  Robin and I had decided to head to Tuttle Creek to run and watch Eagles and hopefully avoid mud. Instead of parking at the Rocky Ford area, we parked in the park by the bathrooms, so our car was centrally located and used it as an aid station.  We made a 5 mile loop that took us by the camp toilets as well as the car and got it done!  20 miles on pavement, not my favorite, but with robin there and ALL of the eagles living their best life, we got it done.  

The eagles were so far way that my camera couldn't get any good shots,  but Robin got this picture of two of them on a log out in the middle of the lake.  So majestic!  

I hate to end this blog on a sad note, but we lost our second family member to Covid this week.  If you are the praying kind, please pray for Clay's family including his wife and young daughter (who has downs), his two older kiddos and his brand new grandbaby.  Clay's story is so inspirational, basically he was about to loose his bait and tackle store, so he reinvented himself and started selling his amazing BBQ to his customers.  This turned into a world famous BBQ joint that people traveled from all over the world to eat at.  He is Tony's cousin and he fought hard, but in the end on Saturday Covid won.  He was only 49 and fought hard not to be put on the vent, but in the end, it was their only option. I am glad they got to see him before they put him under, but I hate that they didn't get to say goodbye.  Someone said on a FB post, he is probably upstairs cooking the best ever ribs for the big man and I think that is so true.  You are in our hearts Jinnie and family and the Kansas Colemans wish we could be there to say goodbye.  

Have a good week y'all.  My body tolerated a BIG mileage week and I can't wait for a nice cut back week next week.   

Week 6 of 18: Training for the Flint Hills 50

 

SO much good things this week!  Finally got to see the photos we took before Christmas of Andrew and his car.  We inaugurated very peaceful I might add our new President and Vice President.  While I was working and in meetings most of the day, I did see some of it via my phone on closed captions and then watched the replays of several of the key moments.  I also had a much needed adjustment to address the pelvic bone pain AND am trying a new brand of tumeric that my chiro insists is the best on the market.  

This was definitely the week for meetings.  I had pre work meetings, post work meetings, meetings out of town, meetings on zoom, and meetings for lunch.  I think i must have scheduled every meeting I needed for the month in this week.  

The sunrises and sunsets have been spectacular this winter along with the weather.  Whomever did a sacrifice to the winter weather gods, thank you.  I know we have a lot of winter to go, but by this time we usually have had multiple snow storms.  I have probably jinxed it by typing this.  

We had two night runs and one day time run thanks to a full day of meetings before and after work.  I can't get good night time photos yet of us and the pups, but I do get portrait pictures of them post run.  I had to get one of Deuce so he doesn't feel left out.   He might not go on runs anymore, but he is one sweet cuddle bug and at 12 years of age, still getting around pretty awesome.  

I did have a funny story to share that I totally had a big laugh at.  Others who don't run or don't have overactive bladders and stomachs might not appreciate this.  I run on rural gravel roads.  When the urge hits me, I usually have a ditch to jump into.  A lot of times on night runs if it is complete dark and there is no traffic AND I just have to pee, I will just squat on the side of the road.  I was doing just that when I lost my footing as I was squatting and my body already had started the process of letting go, so I ended up falling and pretty much peeing all over myself.  Thanks for black tights, black nights, and my running partner for laughing with me when I caught up to her.  

Saturday was long run day dependent on the weather. We had heard possibility of freezing rain and snow all weekend, plus my hubby was possibly working out of town Saturday as well.  We woke up to grey skies, but no ice or snow and my hubby still at home and or promising to take Andrew to the jobsite with him so I could get my longer run done.  While it was super cold, we got to see our Eagle friends multiple times, once even hunting!!!!  I looked up and one of the eagles was in a dead flying sprint trying to catch a smaller bird.  The dipped and rolled and zigged and zagged while we watched in awe.  We thought the smaller bird had gotten away when the eagle came flying up in front of us with it in her talons.  We then got to see her kill the bird and then pluck the feathers one mouthful at a time.  We couldn't get very good pictures because we were trying to stay far enough away to not concern her.  You can see the feathers flying in the picture though.  

Rockin Robin and I did one 10 mile out and back and then stopped by our houses and refueled, pottied, got the dogs to drink, and headed back out for another 8 mile loop.  We also ended in the park so we could get shots with Toto all masked up.

Stella always poses so nicely and Boom, well Boom has a lot to learn.  

Post run I tried a new thing that I have been wanting to do forever.  It's called put your feet up and rest and don't feel guilty about said rest.  My family pretty much laid around all day and watched screens and I also participated in watching the latest season of Cobra Kai from start to finish.  I did not once fret about all the chores I needed to be doing or how my family is spending too much time being lazy.  We all rested together and had fun in being lazy together.  My body was SO much happier for it and my mind finally gave in and enjoyed it as well.  Plus, my cat thought it was the greatest thing ever and kept my lap warm.  

I honestly was dreading my 10 miler on Sunday but I guess my plan of taking it easy on Saturday post run worked because I felt amazing.  I slept in, went out mid morning, and enjoyed the cold minus the wind.  No eagles out but I saw lots of snow geese.  Stella did not show interest in going on the run and I did not push it.  She is almost 10 and I respect her bowing out from any runs. I always ask consent for both dogs before each run and if they refuse, I do NOT make them go.  

It's so awesome to see them all take off in big swirls.  I guess that means snow is on the way?

Have a great week y'all!  Boom went 44 miles this week and isn't showing any signs of slowing down.  I am enjoying taking him for the most part, when he isn't trying to pull me sideways or stopping in front of me.  Maybe, just maybe he is going to make me an awesome replacement for Miss Stella ella someday.  

Week 5 of 18: Training for the Flint Hills 50

 I have to keep it real so here goes.  I am having some pelvic  pain down in my groin.  Not sure if it is bone or round ligament or what.  It started a few weeks ago, just some soreness and felt like it was getting better.  This week, it has actually hurt a few times when I ran off and on.  Of course my mind goes right to stress fracture, but it doesn't hurt all the time. I have another appointment next week with my chiro so hopefully we can figure this out and it's something muscular and not bone.  It's good to get my thoughts out because this is driving me nuts in my brain and I am hoping I don't have to sit out yet another 50 miler.  Now let's get to the good stuff.

Started out the week with a good report at the dentist.  We have battled bad teeth from the start, even with every 6 month dentals and cleanings, so it was good to finally hear that his teeth looked good.  He isn't the best at brushing, but I feel like he has been dealt a bad hand genetically with teeth from his daddy. I didn't have a cavity till I was much older and I was hoping he would be the same, but alas, he has already had two root canals and several cavities filled.  We celebrated with of course, sugar, but you can't beat Freddie's custard for a special day.

All three runs during the week were done in the dark with both dogs.  It's hard to get good pictures in the dark, but they always pose for me when we are done.  We flipped things around since we were suppose to have 60 mph wind gusts on Thursday (and we did).  Rockin Robin and I completed a 4, 6, and a 4 to round out our weekly mileage.  Very soon this is going to climb, EEEEK!

The sunrises have been spectacular lately. On Wednesdays I have an early morning zoom meeting and this sky greeted me when I headed into the office.  I wish I could have gotten a picture about 10 minutes later because it got even better.  

The weather has been very very mild lately (hopefully this won't jinx it) which means the boys can head to the track and get some track time.  The newest car is still in pieces, but the animal car is good to go and Andrew is driving the wheels off of it! Let's hope for a good year with lots of learning, some good finishes, and some travel if this virus lets up.

Little E or Elvis has grown up to be such a pretty kitty.  I wish he was a little more cuddly, but the cuddles I do get on the rare occasion are extra special.  

Saturday meant longer long run.  Rockin Robin needed to be done early and I wanted to sleep in so she did 8 before I got up and was ready and I caught the second 8 with her.  We each did two 8 mile loops out on our gravel and I was blessed to see the eagles on my way back on my second set of 8 miles.  I was once again so wiped out post run that I actually sat in the recliner for a while and did nothing.  If you know me, I never sit still even post long run, so that was a lot for me to not move for that long.  I got a ton of sleep, went to bed around 8:30 so not sure why I am was so wiped.  I had one glass of wine but followed that up with lots of water and other beverages which makes me think it wasn't that.  I was laughing because after the dropped Robin and the doodles off and headed back out, the red kids went from pulling like crazy dogs to running behind me and using me as a wind break.  What a bunch of free loaders LOL!

I had my shorter long run on Sunday by myself.  I went to bed fairly early again and slept in and got going around 10 am.  It wasn't cold but the wind was pretty blustery out of the North/North West.  I had to use my buff to keep my hat from blowing off.

I also saw both eagles again.  The first time through I just saw one but coming back they both were on their poles.  

I always slow down to a walk and am very quiet walking under them.  They just peer down at me with that grumpy look on their faces.  I am so glad they are still around and LOVE seeing them every run.

I also tried a timer photo run by and it just couldn't get it figured out.  This was the best I could get and I hope no one was watching as I tried 3 or 4 times to get a decent one.  

This crazy boy got 40 miles this week!  He seems to be fine since his paw boo boo, so we are going to keep going with training.  While he pulls me super hard when we run with the doodles, when it is just us three, he is the perfect gentleman.  

Have a great week y'all!!!!!  I think we bump up to 44 miles and may have to re arrange our schedule a bit since we both have events at night this week.  I have my very first board meeting with our track club, wish me luck!

Will the Real week 4 Please stand up: Week 4 of 18 Training for the Flint Hill's 50 miler

 Ah, finally the winter break time is over.  I have mixed feelings. Part of me LOVES winter break as it affords so much more flexibility in my schedule. I don't have to rush to get andrew to school and quit whatever I am doing to go pick him up.  I don't have worry so much about practices and lessons, we can just Netflix and chill.  BUT that part of my brain that needs those regimented schedules starts getting antsy and wants it back.  

Our first run of the week was Tuesday and both doggos got to come along.  My running partner (2 legger) was still on quarantine which meant it was a two dog night.  Boom's foot seems to be fine, once he left it alone.  Not sure what triggered the excessive licking to begin with, but hope we don't have a repeat of this because he needs to run and run often or his naught quotient goes WAY up.  

My new watch constantly surprises me with little messages like this one.  Thanks watch, I like sleep too!!!!!

Finally got the tree down on Epiphany.  Told my hubby it was bad luck to keep it up post January 6th so he drug it out and now it is sitting in our front flower bed.  SMH.  Only my hubby.  We also both watched in horror all afternoon the events that unfolded in DC.  I try to keep politics off of my social media feeds, but it is super hard mainly because of this right here.

When my candidate lost in the election I did not riot.  Most of my friends of like minded political leanings participated in peaceful protest marches in the name of ideals such as protecting science and promoting women.  I was emotional the next day and for many days and I was told that these feelings were inappropriate and that  I was a "snowflake".  Then all of this happened Wednesday.  There are no words for how sick I felt watching people rush the Capitol building.  I am amazed that more people weren't killed, weren't arrested, weren't dealt with as other groups had been dealt with.  I was proud as both the House and Senate reconvened later and got the electoral college votes counted and certified Joe Biden as our next president, giving these terrorists NO power.  My hubby and I listened to many impassioned speeches on both sides and had so much hope.  I have no clue what those protestors thought they were accomplishing other than terrorism and stupidity.  They un masked posed on camera, took pictures and posted on social media, did damage to federal properties, and just plain acted like idiots.  I hope each one is prosecuted to the fullest amount for their acts under their very own leader's new law as anyone should be for defacing federal property.  If anyone doesn't believe the damage that our current president has done to this country, this day was full evidence.  He has divided us sharply and continues to do so.  While I hope that he is removed from office before any more of this happens and is charged accordingly, I am sure he won't be.  If anything good has come of his presidency (still waiting to hear ONE good thing that has.....crickets chirping) it has made my husband and I more aware of politics and more aware of who represents us.  It has brought to our attention issues we didn't know about or issues we needed to be more involved in.  I am praying that change heals our great nation, but fear the worst honestly.  At lunch the very next day we overheard a couple talking about the "peaceful protests" and how the media made the storming of the Capitol building up, total fake news.  Sigh.  I write all of this here to get it off my chest and out of mind.  I am not going to unfriend anyone for their differences of opinion.  I am not going to change the minds of those who support him, but this is how I feel and I must put it out there.  

  

Thursday brought another 6 miler.  Since we had had a bunch of moisture and I did not want any muddy dogs, we tried to stick to pavement, my body's nemesis.  I had gotten some work done early in the day at my chiro and figured I would be pretty sore.  As I predicted, my body was SO out of whack from falling and it was causing other issues throughout the kinetic chain.  While my body held it together for all 6 hard road miles, my stomach revolted twice and I had to circle back by the house.    Also in a span of 6 miles my headlamp died and my nox gear harness that stella was wearing also died.  Because of the fact that I was road running and I was not as visible, I was highly nervous the whole run and almost ditched the run altogether when I made a pit stop at the house.  I need to look into the stuff you can spray on your skin and clothes so if this happens again, at least I will have increased visibility.  I can always use the flashlight on my phone, but I feel like both the harness and my very intense headlamp let's drivers know exactly what I am and what I am doing so they can avoid me.  

      

The weekends are all about long runs now, one long long and one short long.  We decided to avoid any potential mud and any out and backs by going to Tuttle Creek and doing some eagle watching.  There were quite a few loops and visits to the same trails, but we got almost all of it done inside the park which was our goal.  We saw many eagles, mostly in trees too far to really get a good picture, but we did have one fly right along at eye level as we were on a bluff and it was SUPER cool!  Pavement always beats me up but I will take a long run on pavement over super muddy dogs any day.  

Back to back long runs mean 8 miles post 14 miles on pavement.  Oh boy, I was so sore from so much hard pounding.  I seriously felt like the tin man when I got up and had to go down the stairs.  I was glad for Boom's pull to keep me going as I seriously did not want to run.  We saw both eagles and even got to see them on the ground for once and flying around on my running route.  They brought I huge smile to my face and keep me going as they swirled around my gravel roads.

When I got home my hubby made me biscuits and sausage and it seriously like manna to the gods.  

Have a great week!  We ran 34 miles this week and boy am I feeling it.  I really need to get back to strength training and lifting as I miss it SO much.  I did recently hear from my old lifting coach but we never got around to her helping me by giving me a lifting plan.  Next week we go to 5 days a week running and I am honestly kind of dreading it.  Oh well, only 14 more weeks till go time!

Week 3 of 18: Training for the Flint Hills 50 miler

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  By the time this goes live it will be 2021!  I have no prophetic words about last year or the coming year, other than I am ready for whatever challenges the new year brings and I hope you are too.

The week started out with my second podcast recorded!  I was on Ben and Barry's Running podcast, a local podcast that I just love.  We talked all things running with dogs and I could have talked all day.  Of course they cut me off at 50 minutes and we didn't get many stories in about the races we have done, but I feel like we got lots of great information out to the public about running with your dog.  I have also done a podcast on the Instinctive Australian Shepherd where we delve in to all things aussie and running with dogs.

Tuesday was met with ice and rain.  I don't mind snow now that I work so close to home, but I don't do ice at all.  For the week, I needed to do three runs, a 2, 4, and 6.  I decided to run 3 and 3 since the ice meant a treadmill run was inventible.  I was hoping my new watch would be a little more in sync with my treadmill, but alas, it was not meant to be.  I know there is a way to calibrate them where they are little closer, but I am still learning how to use my watch and I haven't come across that function yet.  I think when my treadmill hit 3 miles my watch still said 2.66. Sigh.  Also, my new watch didn't even last a week charged up.  I thought it was just a function of my old watch getting older, but nope, it's something I am doing.  I am wondering if it has something to do with the intervals.  The watch has to work super hard to call those intervals maybe?  I do have my new watch set up to alert me when certain things happen on my phone, so I will turn function off to see if that helps.  

Since they were predicting a major snow storm to hit towards new year's eve/new year's day we decided to get our 6 miler in on Wednesday night with hopes we could at least get three in on Thursday.  It was a beautiful night to get in 6.  Boom stayed at home as he has a hurt paw.   Not sure what is going on but post our run Sunday I noticed him chewing and licking one of his back feet.  There was no obvious injury, but as the week went on, he would not leave it alone.  

In looking at upcoming spring races I realized my training calendar didn't jive.  I was a week off when I tried to map out certain races and runs and I couldn't figure out why.  I had a paper copy at work and when I got to work to reference it against my spreadsheet, I figured out we started a week early.  Whoops.  No big deal, we are going to repeat the previous week (so this title will also be week 3, sorry for the confusion) instead of adding another week in at the end of taper.  

New Year's eve was a pretty informal and low key affair this year.  We had plans to celebrate with my running partner just like we did for Christmas Eve, but she got the call 30 minutes before we were to head down that a family member had tested positive, one that she had been around last weekend, and was contact traced back to being a direct contact.  Luckily, we had not really been around each other this week with one of my runs being on the mill and the other she was ahead of me the whole time as I was not feeling the run at all being all pavement.  Hubby went to the grocery store and got us some fun finger foods and we settled in watching Bridgerton (have you watched?  What did you think? I was not a fan but it wasn't horrible) while Andrew watched YouTube in the other room.  I think my hubby was out by 7:45 pm and Andrew and I were awake till at least 2 am.  I couldn't sleep even after I went to bed, so finally at 2:30 am I got up and took a melatonin.  I even slept in New Year's day till 10 am! I can't really ever remember the last time I had slept that late.  

New Years day was pretty low key too, lots of board games, all PJs, and our traditional Southern New Year's meal.  I don't eat greens or cabbage, so I guess no money for me?  I loved watching everyone's posts about running and biking and frolicking in the snow, but my main objective for the day was be as lazy as possible and I think I achieved it!

Saturday was long run day and i again slept in till 7:30.  Who am I lately?  Since rocking Robin was in quarantine, we had to get out and run separately which meant a late start for me thanks to oversleeping my alarm.  We had gotten a dusting of snow on New Year's day and it has mostly melted and disappeared from town.  Unfortunately, I do have some pavement and some shaded pavement on my way out to gravel that was a SOLID sheet of ice. I had not worn my screwed shoes since in town was fine.  I also had not put on my Yaktracks for snow, so when I hit the gravel and it was thin layer of snow that had turned into ice, I was in a mess.  At first I was in a real crappy mood, I didn't want to be out there running on ice and I didn't want to go home and run on Satan's sidewalk either.  Lucky for me, once I hit the turn around at the end of the gravel, the sun was starting to melt some of the snow which made going back a little easier.  I still felt like it was a slog fest and was really tempted to stop at mile 10 by my house and not finish 12.  In the end I took a loop through town and got it done and over with in time to see our sponsored cars race.  I also took Boom who has no concept of taking it easy on ice.  His foot seemed fine so he will be off of the DL next week as long as there is no more ice.

I have to pause a minute from running.  I can't say enough about these kids.  All three of them Hank, Micah, and Evan stepped out of their comfort zones to race on dirt in cars they barley had practice in at a HUGE race.  I loved watching them try their hardest and be brave.  The above driver is Hank and while he is older than Andrew, I truly love this kiddo to bits.  He has infinite patience with Andrew, is always there to give him advice and play with him, and shares his love of legos and Among Us.  He started in Novice with Andrew and I have loved watching him grow to be one amazing little driver.  He as well as Micah and Evan have a super bright future, and it's been a honor getting to know them over the past 2 years.  

Sunday meant short long run and since we were suppose to have freezing fog, I made the hard decision to not take Boom as well as go out later.  Stella is way better at taking it easy on ice as well as listening to me when I let her loose.  We did 7 miles together on the tacky mud that was my running route.  I had not slept much or well the night before, even with the help of melatonin so it was more of a slog than a run once again.  

Have a great week!  Hope you are safe and healthy!  I am ready to get back into a routine of some sorts as all of this late night/late mornings have been fun but have affected my running for sure.  

2020 Crunching the numbers

Honestly, this won't be the post I usually do.  With my two in person races canceled and all of the other fun races I do during the year canceled or turned virtual, I didn't do any racing.  I barely did training as I was out for a bit this winter/spring for an angry hammy and then 10 weeks into training for my next 50, the race got canceled :(  What i did do is run for fun, and while it was super hard for my type A brain to not have a plan and just run 3 days a week when I felt like it, I in the end super enjoyed it!  

How Many Races?

Entered or run?  I entered 3 races this year thanks to my angry hammy and Covid.  I was signed up for the Flint Hill's 50 (deferred to 2021) and the 10th anniversary running of the Hawk (gave entry back as donation).  I signed up for one virtual race, the Hive Hustle 10 miler solely based on the pretty swag (yes I am a sucker for beanies).  

Total Miles: 

As usual, Garmin and Strava don't agree.  I think the difference is I do log treadmill miles directly into Strava since my watch usually is completely off from Satan's Sidewalk.  Of course these numbers are super low but I am not into mileage goals as every time I set those, I get injured.  I like to just be pleasantly surprised by what I get.  

Garmin: 956.08

Strava: 1009

2020 Goals met?

1.  Stay Injury Free F -  I started out the year with an angry hammy.  While I ended the year much stronger and mostly injury free, I really did not think we were ever going to be able to get the hammy to stop hurting, as I think there was not only muscle pain but nerve issues as well. I am not entirely sure that I didn't tear it, but I know the strength training and rehab I did made me a stronger person overall.  I am still going to my new chiro every 2 or 3 weeks on the regular and may switch to going once a week when my mileage ramps up.  

2.  Train smarter F-  I started off the year being coached and then got ghosted once I got injured.  I am not sure why, I really, really liked my new coach and I really was looking forward to having someone that studied this kind of stuff and had certifications in all things running tell me what to do including strength training.  While it would have been kind of silly to pay someone to coach me when all the races canceled, I really wanted to work with this person so badly and was very hurt when she faded away and quit answering my emails and messages.    I know she was going through her own tough spot and was very generous in not charging me one month when I was basically in the thick of my injury , but I did not ask for that charity and it still hurts to be let go.  As a professional, part of your job is to be honest and tell your clients if it isn't a good fit and just be honest, not ghost a client.    I was very up front that I am injury prone and that I do regular chiro/massage and will stay on top of any and all injuries and will follow any rehab plans to a T.  Oh well, moving on.

3.  Get Nutrition Dialed in F-  Let's face it, i know lots of people who have gained weight, so I know I am not alone.  I am a huge stress eater, wish I was the opposite for sure.  This year was tough on our small business and I definitely ate my way through the stress of it all.  When you own your own business it quits being just about you and all about your entire work family and their families.  We all have kids we are supporting, we all have fears and concerns.  Plus, add in a lot of unknowns at the beginning about the virus and then a complete shut down of the supply chain with commercial work ramping up and we had stress upon stress.  Yes, it this is all a big excuse, but dang it,  I am playing that card.  I have gotten back on track some what with my herbalife shakes but am struggling again as we get though the holidays.

2021 Races

Flint Hill's 50

Possible:  Prairie Spirit 50K spring edition

Possible: Hell creek 20 miler

Honestly, until we get into 2021 and we see how the virus behaves and how vaccinations play out, I won't be entering more races than the Flint Hill's 50.  I would like to get a few more trail races in there and more trail time as always.  I am not training for more than a 50K for the fall because I don't want to have to invest the time in training when my son is racing.  We hope to be traveling more next year for races and I don't want the pressure of a serious training cycle or race on me if so.  I am not going to miss any of his races next year because I love watching him and his friends race.