Redeeming myself.

Today wasn't just the last day of 2007, it was the last day that I can get another race under my belt. This time around, I entered the Belle Isle 4 Mile Fun Run, a casual running race located on Belle Isle near Detroit. I had been looking forward to this run for some time, mainly because I knew I would see friends and Team in Training teammates. It's alwasy so much fun to see people I know at a race.

This race was also important to me because it gave me the chance to redeem myself after Saturday's pathetic run that I had. I had a bit of worry festering in the back of my mind since I hadn't tested my legs since that happened...but I was sporting new shoes! Perhaps the new shoes would make a difference both physically and mentally...like a golfer buying new golf clubs.

The weather was overcast (as it is on most Michigan winter days), but we got lucky in that it wasn't raining or snowing. There was a light breeze and the temperature hovered at around 31 degrees. Perfect. I started the race along side of friends Brian, Pete and Amelia. After a half mile, I heard Brian yell out asking how I was doing. "My legs are holding up", I responded. I was glad to give that response.

I ran focused on relaxing and keeping a good cadence to my stride. As I passed the first mile, I checked my watch. 9:41. Great! I was on pace at a sub 10 minute mile. Mile 2 approached. 19:41. Still good, though I was losing some speed, time to pick it up. I decided not to check my watch at mile 3, but just focus on my pace and be thankful that my legs weren't shutting down like they had on Saturday.

When I crossed the finish line, I looked down at my watch. 38:20! A new personal best! I was so excited, and thankful to have been able to put out one last good performance before the year closed out. And to be able to celebrate along side friends was just as special.

I am looking forward to an incredible 2008 with the opportunity to break new records and reach new goals.

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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

This morning, we had our group bike and run training. I was looking forward to the workout despite the cold, windy weather. The day started indoors at Fraser bike, where my team and I biked through a 60 minute spin workout. Coach Kevin worked us hard and I found myself quite winded more than once. By the time I was finished, I was invigorated having had what I considered the best bike spin practice yet this season.

After the bike practice was over, I was intending on running 4-6 miles outside. After I changed into some dry running clothes, I was on my way. Within a half mile, something unexplainable happened. My lower legs completely cramped up. I felt as if someone had transplanted someone else's legs onto my body. I experienced muscle cramps, shin splints, fatigue, all resulting in me having no choice to walk. For a time, I felt like I could barely do that. I was so frustrated and had no explaination.

With only a mile under my belt, I headed back to the bike shop, completely disgusted with my performance. I spoke with my coaches, who speculated a number of different reasons as to why this could have happened. Perhaps I spent too much time after biking before I started running. Perhaps I was dehydrated. Perhaps it was my shoes. Perhaps it just happened to be a bad day. All reasons were unacceptable to me, and I was ticked off at myself to say the least. But I was happy with one thing that I had done, which was to listen to my body when it shut down. I've learned that lesson the hard way before, only to find myself injured.

So what did I do after my pathetic performance? I drove straight to a running shop and purchased new shoes. I knew I was due, so I figured I could eliminate at least one variable.

Hopefully this was a freak thing and that this too, shall pass.

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Imagine...it's easy if I try.

I close my eyes...and I find myself on an ocean-side beach house. The last remnants of a big storm that had blown through earlier today are in the form of an overcast sky. It's 4:00pm, and the rains have finally passed. I look out through the back window, where the beach is calling my name, inviting me to run with the wind down the shoreline.

It doesn't take much to talk me into it. I strap on my shoes, get on my running gear, and head outdoors.

My feet hit the sand, and I start to stride along side the water. The sand feels soft under my feet, reminding me of a leaf-ladened trail run. The stiff wind blows against my face in a refreshing sort of way, occasionally blowing sand against my body. At times, I find it hard to get good footing in the areas where the sand is not packed down. Despite it all, the thought brings a smile to my face. I run on.

As I continue down the shoreline, I look for others like me. There is no one else, no other runner. However, I pass a number of adults and children frolicking in the sand, building sand castles, giant hills and more. Just hours before, the storm had kept everyone hostage in their dwelling. Now they are free to explore what the storm had left behind.

Only a half mile from the end of my run, something in the sky catches my eye. It's a splash of incredible color. I follow the hue along the horizon as the colors on the clouds intensify into one of the most amazing sunsets that I have ever seen. If there could ever be a rainbow held within a sunset, this is it. I momentarily stop and simply take it all in, as if I am transported into a beautiful painting. Thank you, storm, for leaving this exquisite leftover.

With joy in my heart and peace within my soul, I head back to my beach house, totally satified with this unforgettable journey...and then I open my eyes, and I find myself back in southern Michigan, where many of us are still digging out from the big storm that had blown through earlier today.




Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

-Taken from John Lennon's Imagine


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Join me in my mission to raise $4,000 in the fight against cancer!
Donate today at my Leukemia and Lymphoma Society web page:
http://www.active.com/donate/tntmi/andi

A Change of Scenery -- I'd Better Get Used To It

Hello from Santa Rosa, California!


I'm fortunate to have a change of scenery in my workouts this week. Instead of facing blustery snow, bone-chilling rain or both, I've awoken to the sunny, cool mountain air of Santa Rosa, California as my family and I visit my mother-in-law and family.

Maybe I should correct myself. Santa Rosa isn't necessarily tucked in the mountains, but compared to what we have in Michigan, it seems that way. The locals call the scenery "rolling hills" in these parts. Whatever you want to call them, I call them beautiful...and challenging.

I've approached my workouts with a "carpe diem" mentality on this trip. Though I haven't run every day, the days that I have run, I've made sure to challenge myself and enjoy every moment (or fake myself into thinking I'm enjoying it).

On one of my runs, I decided to go where the wind took me. For six miles, I followed a creek and found a narrow path that took me through a beautiful wooded area that grew along side the water's path. I really enjoyed that run, though I wasn't really sure where I was going. I saw egrets, gorgeous blue birds, and an array of interesting folliage and mosses. I even passed a transient, who was content with simply watching me as I ran by him.

I found myself honing in on my ability to downhill ski (a sport that I took on when I was five years old), as I weaved my way through the woods. I constantly had to make sure to look at least 4-5 steps ahead so as to avoid the rocks and branches, all while maneuvering my body back and forth as if I was strategically racing down a slalom course. Doing this put a smile on my face as I mentally transported myself back in time, imagining that I was dillegently practicing my skiing technique in preparation for a big race.

Another one of my runs (yesterday) involved a hill much bigger than I have ever tackled before. It wasn't what one may consider long, but I'd estimate that it was about a 1/3 mile incline. I don't know my grades, but it was steep enough for me to stop just shy from the peak. One nice thing about hills is that there is always a downside. I welcomed that side with open arms, and took a mental picture of the beautiful mountains that were around me. Today, I'm sore in muscles I didn't even know I had. I'd better find more hills in the next five months...the Wildflower race I'm registered for in May will have plenty like the one I tackeled yesterday.

Tomorrow is my last opportunity to get a workout in before heading back to Michigan. My internal debate is whether to tackle that hill once more, hit the trail that winds around the creek, or to find a new trail altogether. I'm not a big planner, so I'll probably decide when my foot hits the pavement. Whatever may come, I will enjoy every moment of it, since this may be the last time my shoe sees pavement (as opposed to snow) for a while.

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Join me in my mission to raise $4,000 in the fight against cancer!
Donate today at my Leukemia and Lymphoma Society web page:
http://www.active.com/donate/tntmi/andi