under the knife

The dreaded foot surgery, a year in the making... almost literally -- original injury happened on Oct 20, 2012 (a week before Cori and Marcello's wedding in Punta Cana), and surgery was scheduled for Sep 25, 2013 (the day after returning home from Ragnar Relay in California).  I'm sick of this stupid injury and ready to be fixed already!  The procedure was scheduled for 7AM which meant arriving at the surgical outpatient center by 6AM.  It was close to midnight that we finally made it home from the airport (I wasn't kidding when I said it was the day after!) so we were both still pretty tired when we had to leave the house at 5:30 that morning.  I wasn't allowed to eat or drink anything, which was fine, I was looking forward to Chick Fil A breakfast after the operation. 

Lots of prep work, fitting my crutches, taking my vitals, hooking up the IV, making marks on my foot to ensure they operated on the correct one!  The next thing I knew, the nurse was asking me if I'd like something to drink - sprite please - and I kept staring at my foot trying to figure out if they'd already done the procedure.  I didn't remember being rolled into an operating room??  I guess they knocked me out before that part b/c indeed, they were finished and it was time to go home!  I didn't get Chick Fil A for breakfast (I don't really remember why?) but Jon did stop at Subway and got me a breakfast sandwich, and then it was to the couch to be hooked up to my ice therapy machine for the next 48 hours.

Day 1

My surgery was on a Wednesday and the plan was to take the rest of the week off, returning to work the following Monday.  As the weekend came, however, the pain had started (I was taking 2 percocets at a time) and I wasn't sure how that was going to work.  I couldn't even shower yet!!  I contemplated taking additional time, but the threat of a government shutdown gave me the desire to get to the office and see what was happening and get in some hours.  I lasted a whole 40 minutes.  Luckily Chad was around and nice enough to drive me right back home.  I did end up getting that extra time off, with the shutdown lasting over 2 weeks!

Normally, I'd give anything for a day or two on the couch, but I was bored out of my mind!  Joann and Cori were also furloughed and they took turns coming to get me for some day drinking, which I so appreciate!  In retrospect, I didn't take enough advantage of that time off, but I could not wait to get back to work.  Getting a paycheck again also contributed to that feeling...  The crutches sucked, as did not being able to drive, there is no question abut that.  I dropped down to using only one crutch, and eventually just hobbled around in my fancy medical shoe.  Traveling was the worst, though getting pushed around in a wheelchair through airport security does have its perks.

On the way to Boston!

The doctor gave me an initial assessment of 4-6 weeks and I was really hopeful and optimistic that it would be closer to the 4 week mark.  Not so much.  Six weeks is a long time to be completely dependent upon other people.... Jon was awesome though, and I definitely wouldn't have survived without him!  Finally, the doctor gave me the good word.  I still couldn't really exercise for another month at least, but I could walk and I could drive.  I will take it.  I spent that month looking at swim and bike races to focus on for next summer and I'll confess that I did go out on a couple walks (shh.. don't tell!).  After that month though, the doctor gave me the green light to increase my level of activity!  It still hurts to run the 30 second intervals I've attempted twice now, but I know it will get better.  Apparently the swelling and soreness will be the last to go away and it could take awhile.  At least I'm on the mend.

Ragnar Relay - Round 3

Haven't read round 2 yet? Go back!

Dan had only a short 2 mile run, so we went directly to the next exchange.  Ingrid was running Dan S' next leg and so we got to see Van #2 after missing them at the previous major exchange (thanks, exchange 18) but then had enough time to run to a coffee house before heading out to cheer on Ingrid and get Dan C ready for his 4th and final leg.  I still didn't eat anything since I knew my run was coming up and I still wasn't sure how my body was going to survive another 3+ miles.

Leg 28 - 3.3 Miles - Easy

Yeah, this probably would've been easy had it not started pouring rain again not too long after Dan C started out.  This was another short run for him so I knew it wouldn't be long until I was out on the course.  There's really just not much to say about this run.  Very wet, and up a slight incline but overall not so bad (well, except for that pouring rain part).  I stopped to take a picture of myself at the "one more mile" marker and couldn't believe I was almost done one of the hardest events I've done in my life.

You might not be able to tell but it is literally pouring rain!

Of course that last mile was the worst hill I had yet encountered, up and over a bridge... but then it was down that same incline, around a corner and up one last hill before I handed off the bracelet one last time.  I was D-U-N-Done!

Last few meters!!

Holy crap, I was done.  I decided against changing this time... I was wet, but not too sweaty... so I just wrapped my blanket around me and scarfed down the 2 PB&J sandwiches that Joann made for me -- I was starving by now, how come I didn't eat anything since before my 8 miler the night before?!  Just two exchanges to go as we cheered on Heidi's finish and then Misha who really cranked it out on her last leg.  Before we knew it, van #1 was done.  We said hello to van #2 at the exchange and then headed to our hotel for a quick shower (and beverage) before heading to the finish line.  I couldn't believe it, we were going to finish this thing!

Fastest leg yet, still 2:2 run to walk!

That stupid finish line... we were looking forward to wine tastings and relaxing except the only area with tables was in a 21 and over restricted area... and Paula had the baby, and they counted that... WHA????  Well, we weren't going to leave her alone so we settled for a spot outside the restricted area and had to sneak our drinks.  Knowing Rachael would be coming along also, we squashed our plans of hanging out at the finish line area and started making dinner plans.  Before we knew it, time to go cheer for Rachael and run across the finish line as a team.

Misha, Rachael, Dan C, Heidi, Deb, Cindy, Ingrid, Cori, Jen, Tommy, Nina, Dan S & Joann (not in pic)

11 runners (Heidi, Dan C, Jen, Misha, Cindy, Ingrid, Cori, Nina, Tommy, Rachael), 2 injured runners (Joann and Dan S were super sports for coming along for the ride anyway), and the support of our friends and family (Paula, Jon, Marcello, Vlad)... 197 miles.  Completed.

And don't worry.... we did get our wine tastings :-)

 

Ragnar Relay - Round 2

Haven't read round 1 yet? Go back!

We found a nice spot for lunch - I didn't give into the temptation to join Joann and Dan S in having a beverage - grabbed some ice for the coolers and headed up to exchange 12.  After a failed attempt to nap and a trip across the street to Burger King to change (and for a milkshake), it was time for our van to start thinking about getting ready... off to wait for Rachael (still feeling sick, but she did it!).  Nobody from our van was actually running yet - Nina had agreed to do an extra leg for our van and was going to be running next.  We cheered and then headed off to the next exchange to get Cindy ready for her leg.  We had a shortage of nighttime equipment, so we scrambled to get her set since we were approaching nighttime hours (6:30 PM), but were able to get everything set in time to greet Nina (hard leg for her) and send Cindy off.  Van #1 was officially at it again...

Misha, Cindy, Jen, Dan S, Joann, Dan C, Heidi (hiding)

Leg 16 - 7.9 Miles - Very Hard

It was starting to get dark as we greeted Cindy and Dan C set off.  I was next... the dreaded 8 miler... how in the world was I going to do this?!  I really had no idea.  Port-o-Potty in the dark, now *that* was fun (thank goodness for the headlamp), and then we only had to wait a few minutes for Dan who finished faster than expected.  Holy crap, it's my turn!  I ran across the street to grab the bracelet from Dan, which was a particular shade of nasty at this point from all the sweat, and I was off.

Can you tell how nervous I was?

This leg had one turn at the beginning and then was just about 8 miles of a straight shot down the road.  Up a long hill, which I would've complained about, but was nowhere near as steep as what Heidi and Cori encountered... down a hill, up a hill, wash, rinse repeat... I was in complete darkness and freaked out every time I heard something in the woods or the one time I almost stepped on a huge raccoon... I think it was dead?  Then it started raining.  Just a drizzle, so not so bad, but it steadily increased as I went on.  I saw my van crew twice again... it really helped break up the run.

OK, so now it's dark.. and raining.. and getting cold.. what had I gotten myself - and 12 of my friends - into?!  There were long stretches of road where I didn't see anyone, except the occasional oncoming car that I hoped wouldn't slip and veer into the shoulder of the road I was running on, given the slick conditions.  From time to time, a runner would pass me, and was always so encouraging.. but then they'd disappear into the darkness ahead.  Holy shit balls, was this ever going to end?  At one point, I was running through a town with random drunks walking around on the street, and I realized these were areas that I wouldn't feel comfortable walking alone in during the daytime hours!  Finally, the "one more mile" sign and I knew I'd be able to continue the intervals (which for me is a big deal.. the idea of walking the whole thing occurred to me more than once).  It was really pouring at this point so there weren't many people in the exchange.  Even though she was only one of 3 people, I didn't even see Heidi until she announced herself... I handed off the bracelet and watched her head out into the night.  I did it, the dreaded leg was over... so freaking relieved.

Managed to keep up with 2:2 run to walk ratio :-)

As I hobbled back to the van I noticed all kinds of things on my body were hurting.  I climbed into the back seat of the van (the requirement for the runner who just finished) and just sat there for awhile, cold and wet but happy that was over.  I changed en route as we stopped to cheer for Heidi, and I could barely climb out of the van when we arrived at the next exchange.  There was a pizza shop there that Joann and Dan S stopped in for a snack, but I just was not hungry at all and couldn't find an appetite.  We stood in the rain as Heidi ran in and sent Misha off... this was the last leg before a much-needed nap.  We were all exhausted.

It did clear up for a bit of Misha's leg, but was pouring again as we got to the next major exchange, so we didn't really see much of Van #2, and only got a quick glimpse of Ingrid as she ran out to meet Misha for the exchange.  We went looking for bathrooms which were closed for cleaning.  How convenient, no matter, we will just go to the next exchange for bathrooms and naps.  This brings us to Exchange 18.

Not much positive to say about exchange 18.  No bathrooms.  No insides.  Still raining.  Joann, Misha and I opted for a group of trees for our pee break versus walking a quarter mile down the path to hopefully find some port-o-potties.  Time to get some shut-eye... except it's real stuffy in the van and we can't keep the door open without keeping the light on.  Then the smell starts permeating the van.  We had a rule that as you finish a run, you change and put your sweaty, dirty clothes into a Ziploc bag to contain the smell, only someone (ahem.. Cindy - love you!) failed to adhere to this rule.  Neither Joann nor I got one wink of sleep (ok, maybe ONE wink), tried walking around a bit... my knee hurt pretty bad at this point (I think I was running odd b/c of my injured foot) and I wasn't sure how I was even going to do 3.3 miles the next morning?  Ugh, time could not pass quick enough to get away from exchange 18.  Finally it was daybreak (and it stopped raining) and time for Dan C to head to the exchange point (about half mile away!) and for me to start looking for Rachael (she looked much better this leg).  Van #1 was off for our final legs of the relay!

Rachael, Tommy, Deb, Cori, Cindy, Jen, Nina

Ragnar Relay - Round 1

[This is a long race report, divided into 3 sections... be sure not to miss the next 2 pages!]

What is a ragnar relay?  Well, it's when you get 12 people together to form a team and then you each take turns running legs of varying lengths for ~30 hours straight, right through the night, to end up at your destination.  You get 2 vans, one with runners 1-6 and the other with runners 7-12.  As each runner in your van goes, you provide support and cheer.  After you run, you hop in the van, change your clothes as you're supporting the next runner.  After the last runner in your van goes, you hand off to the next van and you have about 5-6 hours to rest before you start all over again.  Ideally, each person runs 3 times.

I say "ideally" because our team had some injuries and we had to shuffle some things around a bit.  On our team, 5 people had to run 4 legs and then Cindy jumped in to help out on the final stretch that was missing.  This means that 6 people were running over 20 miles (a couple had 20+ mile portions with only the 3 legs).  With my injured foot, I was not able to pitch in any extra, and my portion totaled 17.1 miles.  This was a bucket list race that required a ridiculous amount of planning and organizing, and I wasn't entirely sure we were going to pull it off.... but we did.

And this is just the stuff for the runs and the van...

Heidi and Dan C had been out west on vacation for a couple weeks prior and picked up van #1 and went grocery shopping for the team.  Paula and Tommy both made it out to San Francisco by Thursday afternoon and were able to pick up van #2.  Without these vans, it would've made the race impossible.  Most of us cut it really close, not arriving in SFO until after 9:00 PM the night before the race.  Collect baggage, taxi to hotel, distribute running items in proper bags, and try to sleep for a few hours before van #1's 3:30 AM wake up call.  We arrived at the start at 4:45 for check-in and it was dark, chilly and a little misty (great, our running shoes were already getting wet and we hadn't even started yet!).  Gear checks, safety briefing, flags, t-shirts, bathroom break... and with a few photos, Heidi was off for leg one for team Mamma's Fools!

Dan S, Joann, Dan C, Cindy, Heidi, Misha, Deb, Jen

Leg Four - 5.9 Miles - Moderate

Wait... it was all fun and games cheering for Heidi who was the 3rd finisher for that first leg, and Deb going up a super long hill and over the Golden Gate bridge, but you're telling me I actually have to run also?  I quickly get ready as Dan C runs.  We park van #1 and I walk over to the exchange with all my night gear on (7:30 is the cut off and we expected Dan around 7:28.. ugh).  Here goes nothing... about 25 yards into the leg, I tossed my night gear to Joann since the clock hit 7:30 and I set into my 2:2 intervals.  My van knew that I'd be awhile so they went off to find coffee while I meandered through neighborhoods and trails.  The 3 runners before me had very scenic routes... mine was OK, nothing to sing about, though there were some areas that were quite pretty when the trail veered away from the road. 

Finishing up leg #4!

My cheer squad stopped for me twice, gave me water and applesauce.  Seeing them was a much appreciated break.  There were some hills, but nothing too horrific.  On my way down the last mile, I noticed a stray dog that started following me.  Uh oh... I was not going to leave this dog here in danger.  My van would certainly understand :-)  Luckily though, after a couple minutes, the dog turned back and ran into a yard.  Phew.  Less than a mile to the next exchange... handed the slap bracelet to Heidi and I was done.  That wasn't so bad.. and even better, there were inside bathrooms to change in, and Joann had grabbed me a scone at their coffee stop.  Awesome.  Off to the next exchange!

Maintained 2:2 run to walk ratio the whole way.

We weren't technically supposed to see Van #2 until exchange 6, but since we had Deb (who filled in for Dan S's first leg thanks to his stress fracture), they had to pick her up and get to their check-in.  Poor Rachael is sick and feeling awful... will she be able to run?  We said our hellos, and I walked Misha up to the exchange point while the rest of the crew decorated the van.  Where is Heidi?  Dan C got a text from her that she was struggling... turns out the hills were far more than we anticipated.  Heidi finally made it in (her 2nd leg of the day since she did the first for Joann) and Misha was off.  We made our way to the next exchange, and after a brief visit to the medical tent after Cindy hit her head on the bleachers (please, no more injuries!!!), we collected Misha and saw Van #2 off for their first set of legs.... time for lunch!!

HarborFest Half IronSwim

I woke up to my alarm suddenly dreading the fact that I had post-race brunch plans, because that meant I *had* to actually get up and go and do this thing.  I was really tired.  I was tired from all of the nothing that this weekend had consisted of thus far.  But alas, I dragged myself out of bed, threw on my swimwear (same ensemble as Slam the Dam, no wetsuit for this event), grabbed some Belvita breakfast cookies and iced tea and headed out the door.

About 2 minutes into my drive, I realized I forgot my Garmin - DARNIT!!!  I had really wanted to test out how the GPS worked for an open water swim.  It was 7:15 already though and I didn't think I had time to turn around.  So, I was gonna have to do this swim without any time keeping.  Turns out, the drive to National Harbor was super easy (definitely had time to go back for the Garmin) and I spent about an hour people watching after checking in.  I was wishing my partner in tris, Deb, was with me (Deb, please come back to DC!!).

I really really had to pee and couldn't wait for them to call my wave down to the pier (don't be grossed out -- this is the Potomac, I'm sure I only improved conditions!).  I held my goggles and jumped in.  Finally, it was time to start and get this thing over with.

Nobody has ever said that swimming is a contact sport, but this event certainly was.  From feet grabbing and getting kicked and swam over, it was nonstop, especially with everyone doing loops.  It never really opened up (the 2.4 milers were doing 8 loops).  Waves were crashing and I got a few large mouthfuls of Potomac water that I tried not to think too much about.  At one point I ran into a small marker buoy which I'm pretty sure is where the serial killer marked his dump site so he could revisit the bodies.  Overall, it really probably wasn't as disgusting as we all assume the Potomac to be, but it still kind of creeped me out.

Due to high winds, the course was altered a bit from the website and we were now going to be swimming 4 loops.  Ugh.  I hate loops.  It's very mentally hard for me to do loops.  The first segment was ok, kind of protected from the openness of the river.  The second segment was the longest and somewhat against the current, definitely the hardest part.  After we turned around that 2nd buoy, we were with the .... wait .... we're still against the current?!  How'd that happen?  At least this part was the shortest segment and then the final turn back to the pier.  Times four.  Yuck.

Now, any seasoned endurance athlete will tell you not to experiment with new equipment on race day.  That's exactly what I did though with my new pair of AquaSphere goggles.  I've used the brand before, but this was a brand new pair.  I had loosened them too much before jumping in and they were constantly filling with water.  This was no fun and I stopped and treaded water several times to readjust.  I doubt I can blame these stops entirely for my hour long performance.  While I wouldn't see my official time of 1:02:30 until the next day, it was well after 10:00 when I climbed out of the harbor (we did start later than expected, but still... I knew it was long).  Humph.  I had gone into this hoping for a PR on this distance.  Granted, it *might* have been a PR for a non-wetsuit category, but over an hour?! Geez.  Need to practice more.  Open water is a completely different beast than the pool.

The day quickly went from decent to great, however, as Jon, Ed, Cindy and Ingrid met me for brunch at the Gaylord, day drinking at McLoone's Pier House on the deck and then paddle boating to burn off some of those calories (I ate double the calories I burned swimming... oops!).  Came home and passed out on the couch.  What a great day!

Blue Crab Bolt 10K

Note the title, "10K" - HA!  This course was about 6.5 miles long.  That is, 6.5 of the hardest trails I have ever run [err... shuffled] in my life!

I woke up and scarfed down some Belvita breakfast cookies and an iced tea while driving out to Seneca Creek Park in Maryland.  I got there and noticed not very many cars ... that's a bad sign considering my consistent goal of not being last.  I don't care if I am technically last to cross the finish line, but dread the day that I'm the only one out on the course and everyone has already packed up to head home.  There was a distinct possibility of this.  I walked through the wet grass to check in, went back to my car and saw Jessie, so walked through the wet grass with her to check in.  Bathroom break, meet up with Marcie, Lori and Shannon, put on some bug spray that we got from a nice woman, another bathroom break and more walking through the wet grass before it was time to start this little adventure.

I ran the first mile which was mostly on pavement, and stopped at the first water stop.  I was gonna walk a bit but the first trail section was mostly downhill, so why not keep on running.  At the bottom of the hill, I let myself walk a bit as we meandered along the side of the river or lake (I wasn't really paying attention).  This isn't so bad, I'm thinking ... uh, I should've waited on that thought cause the next thing you know, I turn a corner and there's a magnificent hill that reminds me of exactly why I don't mountain bike.  OK, got up the hill, meandered a little more and then what do you know, another super duper hill that was difficult to even walk up!  These were not the only 2 hills.  I hoped the trail would loop back to the parking area as I would've quit and taken the DNF.  It didn't.

I'm trudging along, knowing that I'm slow as heck and not caring, running when I can and walking any sign of an incline ... when BAM.  I jam my bad foot into a log or rock or something and there is all of a sudden a shooting pain going up my leg.  Awesome.  I was pretty much done running at this point.  I would try to force myself to run from time to time but really only got 20-30 feet before the pain was too much.  I went down another steep hill to the side of the lake and I could hear the announcer and music at the finish line.  Great, almost done ... wait ... where is that music coming from?  THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS FREAKING LAKE?!!!  I glanced at the water and seriously considered diving in and swimming across.  FCUK!!

Just keep going.  That's what I told myself, just keep going.  Little by little, I made my way around the lake and checking my garmin.  0.7 miles left ... 0.6 ... 0.4 ... 0.2 ... 0.1 ... uh, were the heck is the finish line???  For a 10K, I should be done ... 6.3 ... 6.4 ... 6.5 and I am FINALLY running through the finisher chute, high-fiving Jessie, Shannon and Lori and freaking glad to be done with this thing.  Grabbed some gatorade and nibbled on a few things (skipped the breakfast burritos ... D'oh!) and went with Lori to get her leg washed off from her fall. 

I was so tired, I literally sat down in the shower when I got home!  I took a quick nap and then went out for margaritas for Jessie's birthday.  This was one hell of a trail run.  If I do this again next year, I will be more prepared with what is in store for me.

Let Freedom Run 5K

I'm not sure how it's possible to be so exhausted from work when this is only my 2nd week and I was really only in the office for 3 days each of those weeks... First week, I had 2 days of orientations, and then this is a holiday week.  Nonetheless, I was exhausted and a little upset with myself for committing to an early wake up on the first day of a 4-day weekend. 

I did it though, woke up, made some iced tea and exited the house only to discover it was already disgustingly hot and humid.  I drove to Fairfax Corner and parked with about an hour to spare before the race start.  An HOUR, are you kidding me?!  I could have slept longer!!  I found a bench in the shade and people watched until it was time to line up at the start line.

I'm very familiar with the Fairfax Corner loop, and with all the hills that are associated with is.  As I started, I wondered if I would be able to run the whole thing without walking?  Uh, no.  Not sure where I got that idea since I can't remember the last time I've run more than a mile or so without stopping??  Such would be the deal today as well, one mile running.  I made it up most of the first long hill but than said eff-it.  I tried to keep my walk breaks to the minimum as we trudged along the pavement.  I finished off by running another half mile to the finish line. 

We'll file this in the "worst race photo ever" category.

I grabbed my water and walked around a little to cool down and then headed home, but not before stopping off at Panera for a breakfast sandwich... with BACON!!!  First bacon I've had since becoming pescatarian after the Ireland trip (no, I wasn't cheating -- I allow myself 1 meat day per week).  So yummy!  Then it was off to Gettysburg for the 150th reenactment and to visit with my cousins who were visiting from the midwest.  It turned into a VERY hot day with a lot of unexpected walking and I was exhausted by the time we got home, so no fireworks for me. 

a peachy month

They weren't all pretty.  They weren't all sober.  But I did it -- I ran at least one mile every single day of Lent, and even book-ended it with Mardi Gras and Easter Sunday to round out the streak!  Thanks to the healthy bitches (a super fun facebook group that my friend Jessie started just after the new year) for getting me involved and motivated!

76.35 miles completed during the Lent streak!

On my training logs at BeginnerTriathlete.com, a calendar day will turn a peach color if you've completed a tri-related workout (swim, bike, run) and a darker peach color if you've done any other sport.  For the first time in my life, I was able to turn the entire month a nice solid peach color.  Awesome.

And the best part?  I feel that my running has improved some, I mean, how could it not?!  Many of my runs were only 1 mile long, but as always, 1 mile > 0 miles.  I'm excited that I was able to set and meet this goal.

Backyard Burn 5 Miler

Here's the thing with early spring races, you just never know what the weather is going to be.  The forecast said it would be in the 60's which is perfect weather for me, so when I woke up, I put on some capris pants and a t-shirt, ready to go.... except when I opened the front door, I was met with frigid air.  Grabbed a jacket along with my banana and iced tea and headed out to Wakefield.  Parking was no problem and I grabbed my packet and sat with Joann in her car (with the heat running full blast) until the race start.  We found Jessie, Mindy and Lori in the starting corral just before we set up for the 5.5 mile trail run... yep, they added a *bonus* half mile!

We start out and quickly separate, which I like - don't like holding anyone up and don't like trying to keep up with people that are faster than me.  Soon I find myself at the back of the pack, but not last - I pass one girl who is already walking, get to the first water stop and pass another girl... awesome, I know there are 2 people behind me!  I actually walked a lot less than I thought I would during this race.  Both girls I had passed were right behind me and I didn't want to risk them gaining on me.  I let myself walk a minute or two here and there but I really ran the majority of this trail run.  I even ended up passing another girl just past the halfway mark.  

They said the course was flat, but yeah, not so much.  The last few miles were pretty hilly, but finally I was at the "half mile remaining" marker and knew it was just about over.  The weather did warm up and I actually found myself getting hot.  Getting hungry and glad to be done!  Being slow has it's perks as I had a large cheer squad waiting for me at the end.  My watch said 1:16 for the 5.5 trail miles which isn't awful, and it turns out there were more than just those 3 girls behind me so I was definitely not last.  I'm happy.  Then it was off to Kilroy's for a delicious brunch and home for a quick shower and the rest of the day on the couch.