Yoga, Welcome Back into My Life. Please wipe your feet.

Over the past few weeks I've had a number of aches and pains. It started with whatever that muscle is under your butt cheek that connects to your hammie (on the left side). Which led to pain in my left hip. Then on Monday's hill workout, I started having pain in my left foot (on the outside of the foot in between the heel and that bone that sticks out).

Dear body,

What gives?!?!
Sincerely Sad,
Jerbear

I decided that in addition to getting new shoes, my old Nimbusi (my official plural to the word Nimbus) had over 400 miles on them now, I would also implement good ol' yoga back into my routine. Ever since the challenge that occurred in August and September, I've rarely done yoga. But it makes me feel sooooooo good. And so strong. Last week (while I was too cool to blog, sorry about that btw) I started waking up somewhere in the neighborhood of 6-6:45 to get in some yoga before work. It was sooooooo great. So far this week, I've only managed to get some in on Monday morning, and only some free flowing poses at that. But I am going to work on incorporating that into my routine again.

I've looked into some yoga studios in town. One of them does free classes on the first Friday of the month, which I missed as it was last Friday.  Another studio in town offers your first class for free, and their classes are considerably cheaper. I was thinking about asking for a yoga punchcard (assuming I like the studio) for a Xmas present. Yes, I'm always on the look out for great gift ideas for ME. Hehe.

After taking Tuesday off to appease the left side of my body, I had 5 easy miles to complete in addition to a volleyball game.  I ended up staying at work a half hour late, which meant that it was DARK when I got home.  :(  I still decided to use the bike trail for my run, even though there are some spots that are a little...umm...scary.  My left foot started hurting within the first mile and was hurting so bad at the halfway point that I just wanted to quit.  The unfortunate part about the out and back routes are that halfway through you are 2.5 miles from home.  :(  I sucked it up and kept going.  Every rustle of the leaves made me think that there was a crazy and/or deranged serial killer ready to jump out and chop me into bits.  Nope.  Just rabbits.  Lots and lots of rabbits.

I got home and scarfed some food and got ready for volleyball.  I switched into a different pair of shoes hoping that would help the foot pain.  No go.  We won 1 of the 3 matches, and let a huge lead go in the 3rd match which would've given us the W.  I wasn't super happy after the game, especially since I had played in pain.

After the game I came home and was a full on pout fest.  I had started throwing the word "stress fracture" out into my mind.  I did some research on the internet and it looks like it could either be that or tendonitis of some tendon that wraps from your ankle to the bottem of your foot.  I'm self diagnosing myself with the tendonitis one since it usually only takes a couple of weeks to heal vs. 4-6.  I am for sure taking the next week off from running, probably more like a week and a half.  If I need more, I'll take it.  I think I'm in good enough shape that I could still do the Dallas White Rock 1/2 in under 2 hours with training the 2-3 weeks prior.

I also think I might be breaking up with the volleyball team.  This pain came on shortly after my first game last week, and it makes sense that would be why it hurts.  Otherwise, I'm following almost an identical plan to the September 1/2 marathon, so it shouldn't be an overtraining injury.  The only variable that is here now that wasn't present then is volleyball.  Sad, because I do really enjoy playing volleyball, but if the girl can't run, poop will hit the fan!

I'm going to spend my time off rocking some bike workouts, some yoga, core exercises, and getting my push ups ON!  Anyone have any good stationary bike workouts you want to pass my way?  I'd love you forever!  :)

Minus the extra hour of sleep I hate you DLS

As I was patiently waiting for the clock to strike 5pm on Monday, signally time to go home, I noticed that the sun was disappearing farther and farther into the west. I checked weatherbug to see what time she would set for good, and was gobsmacked that it was 5:16pm. That's how long it takes me to get home! Instantly my motivation to run was -poof- gonzo. I sat on the couch, convincing myself that if I would just go for a run, I could go buy new shoes after. Yes, on occasion I do have to bribe myself to run....what? You don't... :s

After that did nothing I thought, well what makes you more excited about running than anything??? Running in new shoes! Heck, if I get the shoes first, there's no way I could turn down a run. I'm a GENIUS! My co-worker had a 20% off coupon for the local running store, and I was excited to use it. :) I had planned to get the Asics Nimbus 11, but wanted to try some others on just to be sure. I tried on some Nikes and Mizunos just for giggles, but I'm afraid my heart will always lie with the Nimbus. If it isn't broke, don't fix it, eh? Unfortunately, they only had purple left in stock in my size. Now, I'm not a purple hater, but during football season, I absolutely am, especially after Sunday's game. :( I texted a friend who's a big Vikes fan and confessed my purchase. His response, "I bet you look really good in purple. ;)" Well obviously! Just as long as everyone realizes I would've chosen green if given the choice. Hah.

After arriving home with my new shoes, I couldn't wait to go for a run. I grabbed my new running pants, my new (to me) white running jacket, and gloves and set out for a 6-7 mile run. This time I decided to hit up another ond 'hood: my old college! :) I knew it was going to be a hilly route, but felt like my legs could handle it. I spent the 6 miles reminiscing about my college memories, classes, friends, professors, co-workers..... I know some people hated college, but it will forever hold a big ol' chunk of my heart. It was cool to see new additions to campus and to some apartments surrounding campus. It was sad to see my two favorite party houses torn down. Sniffles.

It was especially awesome to run up the HUGE HILL I used to avoid at all costs when I first started running again the summer before my senior year. I remember whenever I would accidentally include it in my running route, I would ALWAYS have to walk up it. It was waaaaaaay too steep, and I just didn't have the strength or heart to tackle it. Not last night. I trucked right up the puppy, and was rewarded with the view of our new stadium. It was a great run, and even though it was technically supposed to be an easy run at an easy pace, I actually booked it, especially considering all the hills!

I did 6 miles in 52:51 for a pace of 8:49.

1. 9:41

2. 8:42

3. 8:38
4. 8:22

5. 8:19

6. 9:05

I just realized that this was basically a 4 mile hill tempo run.  Sweet.  :)
Sidenote:  I look like I have cankles in both of the pics of my new shoes.  Hahahha.  I just noticed that, oh well.  Gotta show off the shooooooosies.  :)

Halloweeeeeeeeeeeen + tempo run + psychology lesson

So the reason I was in such a hurry to get the 11 mile long run done was so that I could get on with HALLOWEEN! My old running buddy, Matty, and I had made plans to put the final touches on my costume and do some quick shopping to finish his costume. We had a tight schedule to follow, obviously. :)

Matt went as Bret Michaels (the singer). Some of you may know him better from the crappy show Rock of Love. Anyway, he actually kind of looks like Bret Michaels, so the costume was a HUGE hit. I will take full responsibility for his awesome make up application. In return, we both learned that he is somewhat of an expert at fake eyelash application. Who knew, right?

After spending a little time at one of his co-workers, we headed out to the bar, knowing we'd run in to the rest of my friends. And they were decked out as well. The newlyweds represented their own crappy reality tv show, by going as Jon & Kate Plus 8. Mel's wig is probably the sweetest thing I've ever seen. :)

I love that they look super pissed off and annoyed. Yes, Barry should've had an Ed Hardy shirt on, I already gave him crap for it.























One of my other good friends went as a toilet. Which was awesome. Especially because I got sick of walking all the way to the bathrooms to relieve myself. Don't mind if I do!

I have no idea who this guy is, but while standing at the bar I looked at him, and with sheer glee in my eyes whispered, "Oh my God...are you Dexter?!?!" He put his face mask down and was super excited that I got it, since most people didn't. Of course we had to take a picture. My grin proves how excited I was by his costume.

And finally, Mr. Taylor dressed up as a doctor. Of course I had to steal his stethoscope to check his vitals. Ahhh...just as I suspected....heartless.

:) My god I'm clever.

Any guesses as to what I am? Prior to going out, Matt and I had determined that 5 people would be able to guess my costume. The final result: 1. :( Oh well. Anytime I can rock the sexy but clever costume, I absolutely will.

**********************

The aforementioned festivities left a not so pleasant Sunday for Miss JerBear. We're talking mondo tummy pains. :( I still made myself get out the door for my 6 mile long run. However, because of the time change and the Packers game (oooooooh so sad, btw) I didn't get out to run until well after dark. Again probably a good thing because my stomach was still PISSED. I decided to run by my old stomping grounds, because I feel comfortable running in that neighborhood after dark. The only downfall is that there are some serious hills en route to the stomping grounds. Oh well, hills make you strong, right?

P.S. I would also like to point out that even though it was well after dark, I was WEARING SHORTS. Yes. November. I'm in shorts. Can I get a loud and proud, heck ya? Ok, enough of that.

The run felt really good and it was nice to hit up the old 'hood. It was even nicer letting the legs get some air. :) I did 6 miles in 52:51 for a pace of 8:49. My goal pace for the tempo miles was 8:23. Average tempo pace 8:30. Whoops

1. 9:41

2. 8:42

3. 8:38

4. 8:22
5. 8:19

6. 9:05

To be honest, my legs kind of felt like crap from wearing heels all night before, and my stomach could've emptied itself at any moment. Mental note, do not leave any tough runs for Saturdays/Sundays just in case you are inspired to go out on the weekend. Uff.

October in Review + Halloween long run

Halloween morning I woke up and dressed up in my first costume of the day: Cold weather runner. And set out to do 11 miles. In keeping consistent with my long run theme, I didn't eat anything before my run. Shocker. I have noticed that when I eat PB toast my stomach goes in to revolt almost immediately after, and I just didn't have time to deal with that.

Instead, I took my first Gu at mile 2, and it seemed to work just fine. I swear I am going to get some GUNS from toting around my handheld water bottle through the winter. Wowsers. My arms get tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiired. About 5 miles into my run I see a huge gathering of people....oh ya! There was a Halloween race that I was going to enter. This must be the start. :) I came running in the opposite direction minutes before the start. I ran another half mile up the trail and then turned back around to do the remaining 5.5 miles.

Another mile and a half to two miles in, I started to see some of the racers making their back route of the race. I cheered the front runner on, told 2nd place to go catch #1, and cheered like hell for chick #1 and #3 overall. Then it kind of got funny, as the leaders of the 10k started to pass me in the opposite direction...they started cheering for me! Thinking I was in dead last (by at least 2 miles....). The volunteers kept trying to hand me water and shaking their 5k & 10k turn around signs. I just had to laugh....I was keeping a really strong pace and WASN'T wearing a race bib, but apparently they didn't get it. Oh well, that's the most crowd support I've ever had for a long run. HAH.

I ended up running really strong, and having a really strong finish. It was also super fun to see all the costumes. I'm for sure going to do the race for fun next year in costume. One of my favorites: fourth place (when I saw him) in the 5k was the marlboro man. He was wearing a cowboy hat (that he was carrying in his hand), red flannel, jeans (OUCH!), and had a ciggarette dangling from his mouth. Too funny.

I did 11 miles in 1:38:51 for a pace of 9:00.

1. 9:07

2. 9:04

3. 9:08

4. 8:56

5. 9:04

6. 8:56

7. 9:01

8. 8:56

9. 9:04

10. 8:51
11. 8:39

And with that, my month of October came to a close.....which means.....OCTOBER IN REVIEW. I know you've been patiently waiting for it as always, I completely understand. :)

Total Miles: 115.1 up 14 from last month. Sadly should've been closer to 140-150, but being sicky sick took its toll.

Time spent: 17:41:15 Up almost 2 hours from September.

Total Runs: 20 which averages to 5.75 miles/run.

Highest weekly mileage: 10/12/2009 — 10/18/2009: 30.0 Mi/4:34:50

Favorite run: Um...any I didn't have to do indoors on the treadmill.... jk. Let me think. My easy 6 miler with awesome music. I got some serious clarity about life on this run, and it was just awesome.

Most hardcore run: My 4x800 m repeat workout in which I ran my first 800 at my 400 pace and couldn't figure out why I was dyyyyyyyyyying. :)

Favorite Race: USF Community 5k. Even though it was cold and a crappy course, it also wins by default because it was my only. Not sure how I went from racing every weekend in October, to just once. I'll chalk it up to, it's too damn cold! Anyway. :) I placed 1st in my AG, 5th for chicas, and 11th overall. Plus the clock time was 1 second faster than what I had, which is always a win! :)

Fall Photo Shoot

Monday I was dreading going for a run.  My legs were sore from racing then long runnin'.  But it was sooooo beautiful out.  I convinced myself that I should take my camera since it was just an easy paced run.  Then I had an even better idea.  Take out Miss Polly Sunshine, because who knows when the last bike rideable day is, right?  I went 9 miles in an undetermined amount of time.  I kept stopping and starting my garmin when I was stopping to take pictures, but at one point forgot to restart it and never started it again.  Oh well.

I love the colors of fall, I love fallen leaves, I love bridges, and I love Miss Polly, so they are my inspirations and subjects of the shoot.

This is my favorite of the group, and sadly it was taken while I was actually biking.  This is right before my favorite part of the trail.
I love the windiness of the trail, so I tried to capture that here.
Also, there are hundreds of pine trees planted in rows here, so every time I run through it, it smells like Christmas, and I love it even more.
A zoomed out version of the windy trail.
I love this bridge, but I've never actually run across it, it's off to the right of my regular route.  I think it's just a bridge to get access from the main roads to the trails actually.
Polly is just chilling while I attempt to be a photog.
I may complain about our bitterly cold/miserable weather, but it doesn't get much more beautiful than fall.
Love the crunchy fallen leaves.
Coming back over the bridge.
Peek a boo.
I thought these were beautiful with the bright orange tree peeking out in the background.
The sun is setting behind the river.  (P.S.  It's getting COLD and I'm still 4.5 miles from home.  WHOOPS!)
My second favorite shot of the bunch.  This is my favorite bridge on my route.  And I love how the sun is still just barely peeking out before setting for good.
The super calm river from the bridge.  It was mondo windy so I don't understand how it was so crazy still.
Got to have the reflection shot, no?
I was going for something more artistic here.  It didn't work that way, but I love how bright she is next to the dark colors of the bridge and river.

11 snot filled miles

Sunday I had an 11 mile long run to accomplish.  SOME idiot thought it would be a good idea to go out and celebrate her 5k on Saturday night.  And SOME idiot didn't feel so great all day.  Also, this SAME idiot thought it would be a-ok to do a long run the day after an all out race.  Perhaps that sickness affected my brain, hmmmmm....

After lounging around on the couch, I finally mustered up the energy for the run around 3pm.  As soon as I started out it felt like I was breathing through a straw/an elephant was sitting on my chest.  I'm guessing I felt the same for the 5k the day before, but the adrenaline was pumping so I didn't notice.  Holy poop though.  Ugh.  I also felt like there were bubbles of snot that were blocking off my airwaves, especially during the last half of the run.  I kept hacking and hacking up crap but it never really got any better.

Also it was much warmer out than I had dressed for whoops.  I'm not complaining please don't get me wrong, but I was a pretty sweaty version of myself.  Because of the over indulgence from Saturday night, I was positively parched.  I dried out my handheld at the 5.5 turn around point.  Uh oh.  One slight benefit is that it is MUCH easier running with an empty handheld than a full one.  Who would've thought that was an arm workout?

My last fail for the run is one that I'm beginning to see a trend in (so I'm guessing you readers will be able to pinpoint this one also) CRAPPY FUELING.  What makes me think that I can eat a protein bar for breakfast and pb&j toast for lunch and have it keep me going for 11 miles?  Please see above and then recite it with me, "SOME IDIOT."

Ok, all the poop aside, it really wasn't that horrible of a run, I just didn't feel that "strength" that I feel at the end of the run where I know I can kick it up another notch.  It just wasn't there.  Coincedentelly it wasn't there for the 5k either, so maybe we'll just chalk this run up to the sickness.  Stupid sickness.

I ended up putting in 11 miles in 1:40:52 for a pace of 9:11.

1. 9:19 
2. 9:04 
3. 9:08 
4. 9:06 
5. 9:10 
6. 9:17 
7. 9:14 
8. 9:09 
9. 9:12 
10. 9:05 
11. 9:02

After the run I stretched and took an AWESOME ice bath.  Since SOME IDIOT hadn't stretched at all post-5k, she had really really tight legs.  Shockingly running 11 miles still made them sore.  The ice bath helped 234982349872398x.  I then tried to eat, although pretty unsuccessfully.  It is definitely my goal for the rest of my long runs to consciously take in enough fuel and calories before my runs to make sure that I don't fizzle out at the end.  My poor stomach was a hurting unit most of the night.

To reward myself for completing my run, I enjoyed some retail therapy courtesy of my papa.  Would you like to see what I got?  I thought so.  :)  Have no fear, I will do a winter running gear fashion shoot upon arrival.  I'll even do my hair and everything!  Jk, you know that won't happen.  :)

New pants...on SALE (as far as nike is concerned I guess)

new hat to further the ninja look

new jacket (in green obvi). 

The reviews on the website were pretty swell for crazy cold temps such as those we have here in good ol SoDak.

I'm so stinkin' excited for them to arrive.  Also, I fully understand that since I actually bought them, it will hold off on being bitterly cold again for a while.  Can I let you in on a little secret??  That's okie dokily with me.  :)

USF Community 5k Race Report

I had been sick all week, staying home from work Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, but was determined to run the 5k on Saturday because I figured it would be the last of the season (unless I wanted to run with a snow s

hovel, that is). Friday night, I went out with one of my favorite people (and founder of Team Green) Melissa, for some italian style pizzas.  As always, when eating pizza, I was craving beer, so I decided to have a delicious Fat Tire also.  Carb up, right?  :) After dinner, I still had a bottomless pit for a stomach, so we decided to go to a fancy restaurant for some dessert.  We split a delicious tiramisu and a creme brulee.  YUM.  The dessert may or may not have been accompanied by Fat Tire #2.  And then it was off to bed, but not before laying out my race clothes (reminding me to charge my Garmin, that would've SUCKED!).

I woke up bright and early Saturday morning to eat some

 breakfast and check the weather report trying to decide what to wear.  When I got to the race, I saw my parents pull in right before me.  They are VERY punctual people.  I decided to wear my fleece because it was pretty darn cold out.  When I looked at the race route I realized it was some ridiculous criss crossing double loop style route.  I was already annoyed and hadn't even started running yet.  :p  My dad came to collect my layer of warmth right before the race started and my mom snapped a shot.  It looks like we're talking race strategy....

Dad:  Here's what you do.....you get out fast, pick up some speed in the middle, and finish with a STRONG KICK!

My dad was a sprinter back in the day too, so he's as clueless about distance/endurance racing as I am.  :)

We started the race on the track running a lap and a half.  I lined up on the inside, and stuck there the whole time.  I'm not running farther than 3.1!!  I got out to a pretty quick start, and from the beginning I was the 5th girl and around 10th overall.  The two gals that are in the left of this photo ended up winning the race taking 1st and 2nd overall.  They are a mother daughter duo (ya, I googled them post race).  The mom is 52 and still has Drake Relay records, that her daughter, 16, is trying to catch.  CRAZINESS.  (Sorry for the underline, my Mac won't let me un-underline....grr)

I really enjoyed running on the track, but the runners thinned out asap.  It did allow my madre to snap a bunch of pics though.  Score.  :)

This silly girl thought she could pass me.  Yes go ahead.... and do it while you're on the curve too, might as well run a little out of your way for your effort.  She decided not to....heehe.

After we left the track it thinned out BIG time.  It was a super confusing course through muddy/pot hole ridden parking lots of a football stadium.  Not impressed.  You didn't run more than 4 strides without making an awkward turn.

There were football players standing at every turn pointing which direction we were supposed to go in, oh hey!  another mud puddle, sweet race route.  Grr.

One point for the course was that my mom could stand in one spot and see me 12389237492837 times.  Also, my dad could sit in the truck staying warm (because the route was IN A PARKING LOT) and cheer me on.

About halfway through I realized that a PR was out of the question for the day, and set my sights on coming in under 25 minutes.  My ab started hurting pretty bad, but I was able to do some weird breathing pattern to lessen the pain.  I hope I can remember what that was.  That would be convenient.

This is the one and only person to pass me during the race.  I think being in such a small race field (and not being able to see ANYONE, other than the person directly in front of me) really made me not push as hard as I usually do.  I'm such a competitive person, and that usually pulls me through in a race, because I'm constantly trying to catch people.  I knew the girl in front of me was running exactly the same pace as me, and was too far in front to catch given how much of the race was left, so I just settled in at my pace instead of pushing it.  Crappy.

I actually heard my mom yell out after she took this pictures, "Oh my gosh, that was a good picture!"  After the race, she said she liked it because you could really see how I was gritting my teeth.  Umm...mom, close ups of my face are not really what I'm going for in race pictures.  I would much prefer you snap shots that are full body and make me look FAST!  :)

The crappy part of the double loop race, I totally lapped this guy.  :(

And the we finished with another couple laps on the track.  Somehow my usual kick never showed up.  My lungs hurt BAD, and I suppose being sick all week probably played a role in that.

My mom always seems to get a good shot of my butt during races.  :p

Here I am just shy of the finish line (I think....)

I finished in 24:41 for a pace of 7:58.  It was my 3rd fastest 5k time.  I was bummed because I had really wanted to PR one final time for the 2009 running season.  With all the factors of the day, being sick, cold cold weather, and crappy running route, I'm actually pretty proud of my time.  And this is the ONLY race I've run in 2009 that hasn't been a PR, so I should be really proud of all those that I've had throughout the year.

My splits for the race:

1.  7:52

2.  8:06

3.  8:08 (uh...ya not the usual Jeri finish)

.1  :34 (7:05 pace)

I came in 5th overall for women and 13th overall.  I'm not sure how I did for my age group, because I forgot to check that info after the race yesterday.  I know that 2 of the girls in front of me (mentioned above) weren't in my AG, and the 2 others were either in their 20's or early 30's.  So I'm anywhere from 1st to 3rd in my AG.

I pulled up my race results from the only other race I've done in similar conditions (actually it was warmer for this race back in March) and I totally beat THAT time by over a full minute, so that's totally a success in my book.  

After the race, while walking to my car, Melissa and I found a dumpster that was FULL of old cheer and dance trophies.  Of course I had to take some pictures to make it look like I won sweet trophies from the race.  Please enjoy.