So two weeks ago I declared my goals for the NJ Half Marathon and then last week I declared I was chickening out. I’m so happy I took the pressure off because now I’m dealing with a different set of circumstances.
So the perfect weather forecast for Sunday’s NJ Half Marathon just changed to the not-so-perfect-weather forecast! I swear when I checked yesterday it said partly cloudy and 49 low with 61 high. No wind and no precipitation. And now…
But the 100% chance of rain is only part of my concern because as i type this I’m alternating between sitting on a heating pad and then an ice pack to try and calm down my sciatic nerve.
I’m just going to have to wait until Sunday morning to see how this all plays out. One thing’s for certain…I’ll be crawling across crossing the finish line with a smile.
What do you do when things start to go haywire the days leading up to a big race?
Another week has begun. Yesterday was the busiest Monday I’ve had in a while with two freelance deadlines. I also wasn’t feeling so hot. Not really sure what the deal was….just felt weak and fatigued with a queasy stomach too.
keeping me company while i rest up
I didn’t get as much work done over the weekend as I had anticipated either. Mr. SOTSS and I (and the pooches) drove out to Long Island to spend some time with his family. I thought I’d work in the car but someone jumped in my lap and I didn’t have the heart to move him so no room for a laptop.
no room for the laptop on my lap because of my “LAP-radoodle”
While I was out in Long Island I got my last long run in before next Sunday’s NJ Half Marathon. I ran 8 very flat miles with ease. It was just the kind of long run you hope for. I enjoyed the new scenery and the miles seemed to go fairly quickly.
And there was a little walk on the beach too.
Beach Boys!
So the reason I started this blog was because I’m ALWAYS talking about running and I needed a place to share it where it made sense. Not all my family and friends are runners or interested in my running life so Sweat Out The Small Stuff really came to fit the bill. Last week, Denny Kahe, a runner and coach who blogs over at DizRuns asked if I’d be interested in being on his podcast show to talk about running. It was a no-brainer…..I love talking about running….especially with fellow runners. The podcast and post are now live and you can read/hear them here.
Denny has lots of great resources on his site. Check out some of his other podcast episodes if you get a chance. In addition to interviews with other runners, there are some quick tip episodes too. Plus on his blog, there are some great debate style conversations like wearing sneakers or going barefoot.
I’m going to take another rest day today just to be sure I’m in the clear. The New Jersey Half is just 5 days away!
Do you love chatting about running (or any other passion)? YES!
Are you a podcast person? I’m thinking of listening to podcasts more often especially while running
Happy Chicken: I ran 4 miles Wednesday and was so happy about my decision to chicken out of my NJ Marathon goals because I was struggling so much that I most definitely would have been grouchy had I been trying to keep a certain pace. I think I ran too soon after a big meal and after today’s run I also think the seasonal allergies are getting to me.
Capris: Yep, I ran again yesterday.
Testing out the Saucony Bullet capris
The sole purpose was to give my new running capris a test. I went ahead with the Saucony Bullet capri recco (Thanks Steph!) and they fit great! They didn’t budge one bit. And I LOVE the side mesh pockets that are big enough to hold my iPhone 6 and fuel. I might be able to lose the spi-belt for races if I wear these. The only issue is that I sweat so much. I’ll have to get a waterproof case for my phone. In the 3 miles I ran with it the camera lens got all wet since it’s the only part of the side of the phone facing my thigh that isn’t protected by the case. But the phone stayed put and I didn’t even feel it. I picked the pattern over solid because I saw a review that said if you sweat a lot it will look like you peed yourself. LOL. I have to say the pattern does a great job of masking that.
This big iPhone 6 fits in the pocket.
Ta-dah!
Freshly Groomed: Duncan went to the groomer and upon returning home exhausted he grabbed his corn on the cob toy and proceeded to take it to bed for an afternoon siesta. I love how he picked a color coordinating toy.
sleeps with yellow things
Seeing Duncan’s Pal: Before the groomer we walked at the park and bumped into Chance, the boxer, Duncan’s pal. We haven’t seen Chance in at least 6 months and I think his tongue grew a few inches.
This is Chance and his ridiculous tongue
Talking About Running: I was interviewed for a podcast series this week and it should be out next week. I’ll share all the details as soon as I get them. Stay tuned! Spoiler alert: I admit to wanting to run another 5 half marathons in 5 days in 5 states like I did at the Center of the Nation Series.
Honeysuckles: They’re starting to come out—earlier than usual—but I’m not complaining.
Sunsets: Especially when the create a glowing doodle tail.
Today is April 19th. On this day 17 years ago, a 25-year-old me was holding my 29-year-old husband’s hand as he took his last breath. I still feel my heart skip a beat when I say (or type) that statement. (For those of you who don’t know the story, he was diagnosed with stage 3 Melanoma in 1998 and 10 months later, it took his life).
I’m wearing his favorite sweatshirt today. The photos on the right are from a trip we took to the Grand Canyon in 1997
I had 2 choices in the aftermath—stay frozen with grief or fight my way through it. I definitely had some frozen days but I fought each day for small accomplishments—getting out of the house for a bit, showering, even cooking myself a meal. Never did I think I’d accomplish feats as big as completing a marathon. I won’t forget for one second the tough days, the sadness, the emptiness or the pain I felt for so many years (yes, years!). But I also won’t forget the feeling of pride, completion and happiness as I made strides in getting back to living…..especially culminating in one of my biggest accomplishments of crossing the finish line of my first marathon which might have never happened if I didn’t have that grief to fight through. The best way to honor those we’ve lost is to live a life as full and authentic as we can. I’m grateful for Lisa who peaked my interest in running and encouraged me through those early miles as I found my new identity. And now I’m a “master” and I find myself sharing my story to help and inspire others who might feel that hopelessness.
I ran 4.19 miles last night in his memory. Ironically he hated running. I remember one evening I suggested we go to the park and run because I was trying to lose weight and his friend Stuart who was with us that evening wanted to do the same. Dickey didn’t want any part of it. His stance was unless someone was chasing you there was no reason to run. But he went with us anyway and ended up becoming our drill sergeant keeping us motivated. Running was effortless for him. Figures. He didn’t even want to run and he was good at it.
Run done
Rest in Peace Mr. Stilwell
Normally I like to round up my mileage and I would have stopped at 4.25 but I stayed at 4.19 for April 19th. 🙂 I decided to try for a 9:45 pace in preparation of my goal pace for the NJ Half Marathon in 12 days. The first 2 miles were fairly close at 9:43 and 9:49 but then, as hard as I tried, my next 2 miles were 10:03. Unfortunately this run made me angry and frustrated. I remembered why I hate to make time goals for races. I wanted to kick myself for declaring to the world that I wanted to finish sub 2:10. So I’m officially chickening out. I’m taking the pressure off before it really gets put on. Maybe I’m just being a coward but the last thing I want to do is make the next 2 weeks stressful. I want to enjoy my running days and not beat myself up when I don’t hit those paces.
Duncan is shooting for goals himself. Getting lazier and cuter before the end of the week. #NailedIT!
Lazier by May
Cuter by May
Have you lost anyone close? Spouse? Parent? Friend? Would love for you to share a memory about them in the comments
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