Seattle Rock N Roll...#3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where do I begin? Whirlwind weekend full of highs and lows. Let's see...no training, running solo, plans fell through and foot still tender night before race...CHECK back to find out how it all turned out! I am hoping to get a MINUTE or two to share a recap very soon!!

Have a great day!!

In the HOOD Baby!!

Expect the Unexpected!!

Looks like I am heading to the HOOD!!

So excited...so much to process and figure out. I didn't think this was going to become a REALITY!!

WOW!! I feel very blessed but mind in going in a million directions! Need more time in the day!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

10 Miles

Just have a few minutes but wanted to share some GOOD NEWS! Last week it was confirmed that I DO NOT have a stress fracture. YIPPEE!! Just prescribed more REST and run as my body allows. This was just from my "family" doc so I am still wanting to find an actual running specialist or SOMEONE who knows more about running.

So since the marathon (5 weeks ago) I have ran a 3 mile run, 5 mile, 2 mile and TODAY a 10 mile run (1:30). With Seattle Rock N Roll half only a week away...I set out knowing that I needed to try to run a long run to see what my foot would do. In my mind I was thinking 7 miles but I was feeling OK.

Mild pain on the top of my foot at the start but completely gone by mile 4.(YES!) All was well (other than huffing and puffing...and being out of shape) until about mile 7, my achiles tendon (I think) was feeling super tight. So I stopped and stretched and that helped. I then just took it slow the rest of the way home.

Ice bath, advil, recovery socks, and rest...and I will see how my body recovers tomorrow. I am going to wait and see how my body feels in a few days to make a final decision about running next Sat.

I am feeling thankful that I am healing and recovering. Running today was peaceful and challenging and I loved every minute of it!!

I also wanted to send a HUGE SHOUT OUT to my friend MEREDITH at Therapeutic Runnings of a Mom. She is going to being RUNNING her first MARATHON tomorrow at 7:00 a.m.! She is an inspiration to me and I love how she loves God, her family and lacing up her shoes~! Good luck Mere! I will be praying for you!

Also SHOUT OUT to my friend QUADS who went out and got her SUB 2 today!! HUGS!

We're tight right?

First of all welcome new friends in the support crew and a big thank you to the comments of support for my NUUN/Hood to Coast application. Hopefully you will still come back and check out my blog despite my dance moves.

I have been thinking about my post today and all the ways I could try to explain what I have been feeling with this FOOT thing I have dealing with. Amanda at 5 Miles Past Empty just shared a post about running buddies and how life events bring people together. Blogging is one way to share the joys and challenges of running, but ultimately it become much more. Running has been a real gift and has connected to me to other unique, strong women who have made an impact on my life.

So even though I love posts about gear, miles, & running I grow the most from those posts that follow those. The ones about friendship, challenges, growth, and understanding. The ones where someone takes a risk, shares a fear, calls out for suppoprt or prayers.

No one gets a runner like a runner...we are here to be each other's biggest CHEERLEADERS, supporters and give each other the extra push to dig deeper and dream bigger. Running buddies are great, when Blonde Pony entered my life I was so excited! Running has connected me with so many great people and OPENED the door to friendships that go beyond running. Running is as Amanda says "the tie that binds us".

This is part of the reason forced REST leaves me a bit lonley. I want to run when my friends run. I love running in silence next to a friend or chatting it up as we hit mile 7 and you wonder where the time has gone. I love being in God's creation and how he reveals himself to me during those times. It doesn't matter if I am with or without a running buddy...the follow up text saying, "How did it go?" is sweet enough! Those texts, call,and emails is one way that friends show they care. When you aren't able to RUN you fear the "tie that binds" will loosen or fade. This is the root on my stress...it's my insecurities saying don't forget me.

I know this is silly and "this too shall pass" but days can be tough while I rest and wait. I ran 4 miles today with minimal pain (but there was some pain). I am not pain free....YET. I have finally decided after week 5 of rest that I am going to go ahead and get that CAT SCAN of my foot. I am HOPING that they tell me just what the XRAY said...NOTHING. But I need to know either way. If there is a fracture I need to see it. My brain is stronger than my foot and...I mentally want to RUN!!

Seattle Rock N Roll is 2 weeks away...and I am not sure what that will look like for me. The thought of NOT RUNNING and hanging with RUNNERS sounds painful. BUT one of my wise running friends made a point that it may be my turn to cheer, and support them on and completely put my DESIRES and WANTS to the side. Really? Man that is a tough pill to swallow. When those friends leave me at the start and run their 13.1 or 26.2...I will not be on that journey. I will be on my own journey...a much bigger one that I HOPE will make me a stronger friend and running buddy!

Amanda had a great idea and proposed June 25th as being RUNNING BUDDY DAY! I am crossiong my fingers I will be able to run on the 25th and if not someone better be giving me a piggy back ride!So please say a prayer for Tuesday morning! I am trying to give this FOOT thing to GOD. I don't want my FOOT to consume my thoughts. The only thing I ever want to CONSUME me....is God's LOVE and my relationship with him.

So thanks for listening, encouraging and going through this struggle with me!

Huge SHOUT OUT to the running buddies in my life!! If you haven't had a chance to watch my video application check it out HERE. Then be sure to go to NUUN FB page and let them know they need to pick H LOVE for their team! THANKS!!

Hood to Coast /Team NUUN Application

Application: Hood to Coast!

I had so much fun making this video with the help of my sister and rock star hubby! I know that running Hood to Coast would be epic!

Check it out and LIKE NUUN and let them know they need H LOVE on their team!!

If you give me a shout out on NUUN FB page, let me know. I will be chosing one of those comments for a surprise goody bag!

Not ready to sing the Blues...yet!

How can I go from a great 5 mile run...almost pain free to TODAY...
Doc not sure why my foot is still tender and wants me get a CAT SCAN even thought the X-RAYS looked good. I am irritated because he did nothing he just touched my foot in a few places and that was it. CAT SCANS are expensive but I do want to know what the heck I am dealing with. After the doc I had a meeting and then my class that I teach on Monday nights. I had a hard time not being grumpy and found myself "teaching" and rotating my foot, stretching my foot, standing on my toes, bending my foot....and came to the conclusion that I am fine. Most of those stretches felt fine. I am confused, frustrated and not sure what to do. I know I will get through this but the thought of SUNSHINE, SUMMER and NO RUNNING makes me want to cry!!(and I have cried today!!)

So what do you think? Anyone have a stress fracture that didn't show up on a X-RAY?
Everything I can find says that you can usually see a stress fracture on and X-RAY and occasionally need a CAT SCAN or MRI.

Blues

I have been avoiding blogging and feeling a bit BLAH! I think I have a touch of the BLUES! I am not a fan on doing nothing. I have been feeling heavy (AKA fat)and unmotivated. It has been 3 weeks since the marathon with minimal running and 10 days straight of REST! UGH!! The top of my foot is still tender and seems to hurt the most when I am sleeping and in the early morning.

Today I tried RUNNING. My girls woke me up at 6:30 and the sun was SHINING. So I decided to head out and give it a try. The first mile was mildly painful. I could feel the pain but it wasn't too bad. I was hoping it would be GONE...but by mile 2 it was feeling better (still there) and seemed to come and go. I went slow partly just because I didn't really want it to end. I knew I should not push it and pretty sure I went further (5 miles) than I was "suppose" to but it was such a BEAUTIFUL morning. 7:00 a.m. and I was wearing a tank, shorts and SWEATING!! The best!

I still have this lump on the top of my foot. It's like soft tissue, so I know I am not out of the woods yet? Seems crazy that it is still inflamed...so I will reluctantly go to doc tomorrow and see what they say.

I am bummed that I keep missing things. Last weekend I missed on an opportunity to run with my coach while she was in the area. I am missing out on the strong training I had hoped for Rock N Roll Seattle. With only 3 weeks to train to get ready for Rock N Roll I am feeling a little bummed. I feel like I am just not in the LOOP lately. Crossing my fingers I will get some good feedback at doc and can pick up the pace and get back on track. Or maybe I will write a BLUES song?

WINNER
Random Number Generator chose QUADS!! You are a lucky lady and definitely entered the right giveaway! Email me for details.

Races to Remember (GIVEAWAY)

One of the things I love about running is being able to talk about running. Rehashing training runs and the RACE day can be so much fun! It can also be fun to save those momentos that will help you remember the day...years from now. The folks at Races 2 Remember sent me this name tag to try out on my special race day! H Love is the same as my Papa's name (Henry Love). I wasn't a big fan of having a name that started with H...seemed a little boyish. But because my Papa rocked the H...I rocked the H.
(random side note...I love a pretty cursive J or L)

I did LOVE my name because I shared the same initial and name with my Papa. All his T-shirts had H Love written on the tag. I even have one of his favorite Georgia Bulldog T-shirts with H Love in it. (He played footbal at UGA back in the day when they won SEC champs. MY FAV!

If you haven't ever heard me talk about my Papa just know he was an amazing man and the inspiration for my blog. His favorite saying was Keep On Keeping On....nuff said!

Having a bib like this and a fun sign for family to hold was great! I think a larger race it would have been a great way to hear people cheering my name..and give me a kick in the pants!

I didn't even notice my name tag while running and it held up great! So you know you want one or maybe you would choose a sign, either way.... here's your chance.

Here is what you need to do.
1. Go HERE and like Races 2 Remember on FB. (mandatory)

2. Become a follower of my blog or let me know if you are already. (mandatory)

3. If you win..what would have your name tag or signs say??

4. Share this giveaway on your blog, facebook, twitter, etc. and let me know.
Winner will be drawn Sunday June 5th!


Here I am running through a neighborhood. It was pretty depressing at around mile 18and not a spectator in sight. I mean come on people there is marathon passing by your front door! I guess I am just spoiled from the Seattle neighborhoods in the Rock N Roll race! They bring it!

Trying to pose...and show my H LOVE sign.