So it turns out that all of my pain is related to increased thinning of the cartilage around my knee due to the marathon...
So... 6 weeks of no impact sports (running, etc) and physical therapy...
Its not looking like I'm going to be able to do any intense running again... but only time will tell...
The important thing is that I'm careful because I don't want to mess around and cause early onset arthritis in my knee...
But the good thing is I shouldn't have to worry about surgery or anything like that...
Thanks so much for all of your concern and positive energy :-)
peace.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Finishing the Chicago Marathon Pt. 2
So a week and a half after the Chicago Marathon I'm still not entirely sure whats going on with my knee... the doctor suspects a torn muscle (specifically a sprained IT band)... but she had me get an MRI this morning to make sure I hadn't torn a ligament...
Turns out there are no torn ligaments which is GREAT.... but the MRI showed thinned cartilage. Now weak cartilage has always been an issue for me... it is the reason I stopped running in high school... so now I have a nagging fear that maybe I just pushed myself to far this time... but... all I can do is think positive thoughts and hope for the best...
Anyway, onto the second half of lessons learned from the Chicago Marathon...
Over the course of the six months I trained for this race, I had opportunities to run 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, and 20 miles... some of these distances I only ran once, some I ran repeatedly...
The benefit of participating in these runs (besides the obvious need to increase endurance), is that you begin to know what to expect from your body while running long distances...
You start to understand that at certain points in the run your energy is going to run low... there are going to be points where physically and mentally you are feeling completed depleted... you start to question why the hell you are out there running all these miles, early in the morning, in this blistering heat when you could EASILY be at home laying in your bed.... you get annoyed and frustrated and every single inch of you is BEGGING you to stop...
but the experienced runner knows that it is at this point that you have to provide your body with some nourishment. that this almost sick like feeling your experiencing, isn't a sign of your body's inability to finish... rather, it is a sign that your body needs to be fed because it is currently running on fumes... so... depending on the runner... you'll eat some power gels, power bars, pretzals, or whatever else experience has shown to work for you...
over the course of the training season you'll experiment with a lot of different nourishment... some will end up being sickeningly disgusting, some will literally make you sick and throw up, some just don't do anything for you, but eventually... every succesful marathoner finds some nourishment that works for them.... and it is this understanding of the necessity of finding that nourishment... that motivates runners to keep trying every weekend until they find something that works for them...
so what is the life lesson in all of this?
well first... i'm starting to understand that my life is a lot like the long distance runs... there are going to be points where everything is just smooth and I am just looking around enjoying the scenary... but I can also understand... and expect... that there are going to be low periods...
and it is the expectation of those low periods that helps me to not be taken out by them... when i experience them, i can just acknowledge them as temporary... and nourish my spirit in order to move past the low time...
so what does that nourishment look like? well unlike running there isn't one "fix-all" everytime i get tired... but it can look like anything from prayer and meditation, to just swinging on the swings outside or talking over things with elders and mentors... one thing i'm working on now is finding out what type of activities i really enjoy... its amazing how as you move out of childhood... you start to forget what makes you happy (other than having a boo! LOL)...
the point here is... that like the marathoner, we have to be dedicated to taking time out to nourish our minds and spirits when we feel depleted... we have to experiment and find what works for us... without that nourishment we can't possibly hope to be able to function and be healthy...
so... this is the end of my marathon journey... its been a phenomenal experience and I thank you all for sharing it with me...
peace and blessings.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Finishing the Chicago Marathon
This is one of a couple of posts I plan on writing about my experience running the chicago marathon... the experience is so huge I can't really condense it into one post...
So first and foremost... I finished the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
It was a phenomenal experience, and I am beyond proud of myself that I was able to commit to the six months of training and accomplish my goal.
At mile 10 I started to feel some pretty intense pain in my knee. But at mile 12 my teammate generously gave me some ibuprofen and it made a huge difference. But at mile 17 the ibuprofen wore off and I'm pretty sure thats where I actually tore the muscle in my knee. By mile 23 I was literally limping with pain, hopping as I jogged. But all I could think was.... "I will not fail another thing this week... I don't care what happens to me after this race... I am crossing that damn finish line"...
I decided that I was going to accomplish my goal... and I did...
It was another important lesson that I learned during this process...
It was at mile 17 that I understood what my mentor meant when he says that success and failure are both impostors...
Success doesn't mean "winning" or finishing when you planned to... it means sticking it out... no matter what and accomplishing your goal no matter how many obstacles you can face...
Success and failure are impostors because they don't actually exist... they are fabricated titles that cover up the value and meaning of the struggle, and create a false hierarchy based on artifice...
Ultimately... what matters most is what you learn during the process and the strength of character that is built during adversity... everything else just misses the point of the journey...
So here I am, a God/Spirit loving, daughter, sister, friend, activist, black woman, graduate student and marathon runner :-)...
More thoughts and pictures to come soon..
peace.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
The Night Before the Marathon
So tonight is the night before the marathon...
for the first time... i feel myself getting somewhat nervous about the marathon...
throughout the day i felt myself getting emotional and anxious... i started worrying about failing and all of the people who donated on my behalf with the expectation that i would finish...
i started feeling paranoid about my hamstrings, knees and ankles hurting...
basically i was just being crazy... lol
at the end of the day... i trained for 6 months... and i have to trust in that... i will pray for my safety and the safety for all of the other runners out there and hope for the best...
so today i went to the chicago marathon runners health and fitness expo to pick up my bib and timing chip...
the bib allows the crowd to identify you and the timing chip records your start and finish time...
the health and fitness expo had a ton of different vendors selling everything and anything even remotely related to running... there were a lot of booths providing information on how to get to the race, what to expect at the race, as well as rules and regulations...
one of the most unnerving moments while i was walking through the expo happened as i was going past the American Red Cross booth...
the woman asked me if i was running in the marathon and i said yes... and she took a card off of her table and handed it to me... she told me to take the card and to give it to someone close to me in chicago so that if something happens to me they will know what hospital i was taken to...
my face registered such horror that she immediately rushed to tell me that she was sure nothing would happen to me and that it was simply a precaution...
but it was to late! fear had already completely gripped me... lol...
i know that its absolutely necessary to have those type of precautions in place... especially after the disaster that was the 2007 chicago marathon... but the way she went about advising me was completely unnerving!
but at the end of the day, what can you do?... so i handed the card to my friend... and frantically checked the weather as soon as i got home... lol...
so here i am... a little over 10hrs away from the start time.... wish me luck!
see you at the finish line...
for the first time... i feel myself getting somewhat nervous about the marathon...
throughout the day i felt myself getting emotional and anxious... i started worrying about failing and all of the people who donated on my behalf with the expectation that i would finish...
i started feeling paranoid about my hamstrings, knees and ankles hurting...
basically i was just being crazy... lol
at the end of the day... i trained for 6 months... and i have to trust in that... i will pray for my safety and the safety for all of the other runners out there and hope for the best...
so today i went to the chicago marathon runners health and fitness expo to pick up my bib and timing chip...
the bib allows the crowd to identify you and the timing chip records your start and finish time...
the health and fitness expo had a ton of different vendors selling everything and anything even remotely related to running... there were a lot of booths providing information on how to get to the race, what to expect at the race, as well as rules and regulations...
one of the most unnerving moments while i was walking through the expo happened as i was going past the American Red Cross booth...
the woman asked me if i was running in the marathon and i said yes... and she took a card off of her table and handed it to me... she told me to take the card and to give it to someone close to me in chicago so that if something happens to me they will know what hospital i was taken to...
my face registered such horror that she immediately rushed to tell me that she was sure nothing would happen to me and that it was simply a precaution...
but it was to late! fear had already completely gripped me... lol...
i know that its absolutely necessary to have those type of precautions in place... especially after the disaster that was the 2007 chicago marathon... but the way she went about advising me was completely unnerving!
but at the end of the day, what can you do?... so i handed the card to my friend... and frantically checked the weather as soon as i got home... lol...
so here i am... a little over 10hrs away from the start time.... wish me luck!
see you at the finish line...
Saturday, October 4, 2008
7 Days Until the Chicago Marathon
Wow, the marathon is almost here...
After 6 months of weekly long runs and maintenance runs during the week... I can honestly say that I know I will finish the marathon next Sunday (God-willing).
Its just crazy to finally be at this moment.
My marathon adventure has been full of ups and downs. From fears about whether or not I would be able to raise the money, to underestimating just how much of a commitment accomplishing this goal required, to feeling the sweet success of running 18 miles and then 20 miles two weeks later.
This marathon training experience has taught me a lot about humility, resilience and commitment. Lessons that I know I will continue to carry with me throughout my graduate school years.
Interestingly, a lot of academics compare the dissertation process to running a marathon. They point to some of the lessons that I have learned this season, like learning from setbacks, being positive and the necessity of really dedicating yourself.
So here I am, seven days from the Chicago Marathon, excited, nervous and to be busy with all of my work to really think about it to much, all at the same time.
Much to the disgruntlement of a lot of my friends and family, I haven't really invited anyone to come out and watch me accomplish this goal. Although I will appreciate anyone who decides to come out anyway :-), ultimately, running this marathon is something I am doing for myself and no one else.
I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone, I'm not trying to have bragging rights and I'm not really trying to earn the praise and admiration of those around me.
At the end of the day... deciding to run this marathon was about the first step in my decision to fundamentally change my life.
In April of 2008 I decided that I was going to commit to living a better life physically, mentally and spiritually... the marathon was the first change in a series of changes I have made over the summer and fall around how I think about my life, my daily spiritual practice and how I take care of myself.
So at the end of the day... when I cross that finish line next Sunday, it won't matter (although I can't stress enough that it will be appreciated... I love you all!) whether or not anyone is there to give me a victory hug... because ultimately... it will signify the accomplishment of one of many commitments I made to myself to better myself... and when its all said and done... that is more affirmation than anyone could ask for...
peace.
After 6 months of weekly long runs and maintenance runs during the week... I can honestly say that I know I will finish the marathon next Sunday (God-willing).
Its just crazy to finally be at this moment.
My marathon adventure has been full of ups and downs. From fears about whether or not I would be able to raise the money, to underestimating just how much of a commitment accomplishing this goal required, to feeling the sweet success of running 18 miles and then 20 miles two weeks later.
This marathon training experience has taught me a lot about humility, resilience and commitment. Lessons that I know I will continue to carry with me throughout my graduate school years.
Interestingly, a lot of academics compare the dissertation process to running a marathon. They point to some of the lessons that I have learned this season, like learning from setbacks, being positive and the necessity of really dedicating yourself.
So here I am, seven days from the Chicago Marathon, excited, nervous and to be busy with all of my work to really think about it to much, all at the same time.
Much to the disgruntlement of a lot of my friends and family, I haven't really invited anyone to come out and watch me accomplish this goal. Although I will appreciate anyone who decides to come out anyway :-), ultimately, running this marathon is something I am doing for myself and no one else.
I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone, I'm not trying to have bragging rights and I'm not really trying to earn the praise and admiration of those around me.
At the end of the day... deciding to run this marathon was about the first step in my decision to fundamentally change my life.
In April of 2008 I decided that I was going to commit to living a better life physically, mentally and spiritually... the marathon was the first change in a series of changes I have made over the summer and fall around how I think about my life, my daily spiritual practice and how I take care of myself.
So at the end of the day... when I cross that finish line next Sunday, it won't matter (although I can't stress enough that it will be appreciated... I love you all!) whether or not anyone is there to give me a victory hug... because ultimately... it will signify the accomplishment of one of many commitments I made to myself to better myself... and when its all said and done... that is more affirmation than anyone could ask for...
peace.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
I'll Be Back After September 20th
Hey folks,
I'm going to be taking a temporary hiatus from blogging until after September 20th...
On September 13 I will be running my last major long run (23 miles) before the marathon (October 12).
On September 20th I will be running in the AIDS Foundation of Chicago AIDS Run & Walk, so if you want, come cheer me on!
Check back after September 20th for a full update on how things are going and how I'm feeling with less than a month until the Chicago Marathon!
peace.
I'm going to be taking a temporary hiatus from blogging until after September 20th...
On September 13 I will be running my last major long run (23 miles) before the marathon (October 12).
On September 20th I will be running in the AIDS Foundation of Chicago AIDS Run & Walk, so if you want, come cheer me on!
Check back after September 20th for a full update on how things are going and how I'm feeling with less than a month until the Chicago Marathon!
peace.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
20 miles in the heat
wow today was intense on so many levels!
most obviously... i ran 20 miles for the first time ever in life...
i also debuted my brand new "cutesy" running outfit...
now i know you are wondering.... why is that intense?
but for those of you that know me.... you know that "cute" is a very recent phenomenon in my life... so it took a good a 2hrs of running before i got comfortable with the fact that people were actually looking at me (in a good way)... as i ran past....
... i'm shy to put it mildly...
it was also 87 FREAKING DEGREES OUTSIDE and the humidity made it feel like 92!!!!!
never has being hydrated been so necessary to my life... i swear i sweated off 5lbs (and clearly i can't afford to lose any weight)
nevertheless.... i am so thankful that i decided to run... or more accurately... decided to finish...
the last two days i've been in a pretty heavy funk... ... i haven't really wanted to go anywhere, do anything or talk to anybody... sometimes sadness just hits you like that you know?
i wasn't even going to go run this morning... until yesterday morning when i looked at the list i made for myself on on 43things.com a month ago...
one of the things i promised myself is that i'd be healthier... and with that i said i would make sure i completed every remaining workout for the marathon unless there were extenuating circumstances...
... so... i decided to go...
but after the first 8 miles... i just couldn't shake how i was feeling... and i really felt like i should just go home and call it a day.... and its crazy... when your mind is feeling sad/tired like that... it definetly makes it harder on your body...
but i knew that if i stopped running i would just feel worse when i got home...
so i decided to keep pushing... and it was such a blessing because by the time we hit 57th... i was so freaking hot i couldn't even focus on being sad anymore... all i could think about was pushing my body, finishing the run and cooling down!
i ended up having a GREAT time! the run was really succesful and i was even able to sprint the last .5 miles with one of my running partners...
this marathon training has saved me from myself so many times this summer... its amazing how good running can make your mind and your body feel... and the discipline it requires has definetly translated into other areas of my life... namely... my qualifying exam studying...
so here i am... 50 days away from the chicago marathon...
peace.
most obviously... i ran 20 miles for the first time ever in life...
i also debuted my brand new "cutesy" running outfit...
now i know you are wondering.... why is that intense?
but for those of you that know me.... you know that "cute" is a very recent phenomenon in my life... so it took a good a 2hrs of running before i got comfortable with the fact that people were actually looking at me (in a good way)... as i ran past....
... i'm shy to put it mildly...
it was also 87 FREAKING DEGREES OUTSIDE and the humidity made it feel like 92!!!!!
never has being hydrated been so necessary to my life... i swear i sweated off 5lbs (and clearly i can't afford to lose any weight)
nevertheless.... i am so thankful that i decided to run... or more accurately... decided to finish...
the last two days i've been in a pretty heavy funk... ... i haven't really wanted to go anywhere, do anything or talk to anybody... sometimes sadness just hits you like that you know?
i wasn't even going to go run this morning... until yesterday morning when i looked at the list i made for myself on on 43things.com a month ago...
one of the things i promised myself is that i'd be healthier... and with that i said i would make sure i completed every remaining workout for the marathon unless there were extenuating circumstances...
... so... i decided to go...
but after the first 8 miles... i just couldn't shake how i was feeling... and i really felt like i should just go home and call it a day.... and its crazy... when your mind is feeling sad/tired like that... it definetly makes it harder on your body...
but i knew that if i stopped running i would just feel worse when i got home...
so i decided to keep pushing... and it was such a blessing because by the time we hit 57th... i was so freaking hot i couldn't even focus on being sad anymore... all i could think about was pushing my body, finishing the run and cooling down!
i ended up having a GREAT time! the run was really succesful and i was even able to sprint the last .5 miles with one of my running partners...
this marathon training has saved me from myself so many times this summer... its amazing how good running can make your mind and your body feel... and the discipline it requires has definetly translated into other areas of my life... namely... my qualifying exam studying...
so here i am... 50 days away from the chicago marathon...
peace.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
This Week
I didn't do the 10 mile maintenance run this weekend because I was out of town for a wedding.
I could potentially decide to go to the north side and run with the groups there tomorrow, but I haven't made a decision yet because I kind of think my knees need a good rest before the 20 mile run on Saturday.
With a 20 mile run next week and a 23 mile run 2 weeks after that, I feel like I need to be very careful about how much strain I put on my knees. At the same time, the recovery runs are important both mentally and physically... so we will see. My knees were really hurting me when I ran my maintenance run two days in row this week. So if nothing else I really have to schedule my runs better.
Today I went to Fleet Feet and replaced my running shoes. Although my current training shoes are in pretty good shape, they would definetly be shot by the time I got to the marathon, and it is never a good thing to try and run 26.2 miles in new shoes. So instead, you buy new running shoes now so that you can start to break them in, but they are still relatively fresh for the marathon.
They were having a sale for a triatholon that is coming up in Chicago next week. So I finally got the opportunity to buy some new running shorts, running panties and body glide to address the chafing and riding up issues I've been having of late.
I also bought some cute workout pants that were on sale. As I'm getting older I'm realizing how important looking good is to how I feel about myself. I've always adopted this whole, "I'm going to be a bum" type attitude. But until recently I've never realized how much it has wrecked havoc on my confidence.
Although I will never be a fashion diva. Being more conscious of my appearance at school, at home and in the gym, has a way of making me feel really good and really confidant. So, it was nice to get some cute things that I can run and go to the gym in, instead of the big, wrinkly things I usually wear.
20 miles... here I come!
peace.
I could potentially decide to go to the north side and run with the groups there tomorrow, but I haven't made a decision yet because I kind of think my knees need a good rest before the 20 mile run on Saturday.
With a 20 mile run next week and a 23 mile run 2 weeks after that, I feel like I need to be very careful about how much strain I put on my knees. At the same time, the recovery runs are important both mentally and physically... so we will see. My knees were really hurting me when I ran my maintenance run two days in row this week. So if nothing else I really have to schedule my runs better.
Today I went to Fleet Feet and replaced my running shoes. Although my current training shoes are in pretty good shape, they would definetly be shot by the time I got to the marathon, and it is never a good thing to try and run 26.2 miles in new shoes. So instead, you buy new running shoes now so that you can start to break them in, but they are still relatively fresh for the marathon.
They were having a sale for a triatholon that is coming up in Chicago next week. So I finally got the opportunity to buy some new running shorts, running panties and body glide to address the chafing and riding up issues I've been having of late.
I also bought some cute workout pants that were on sale. As I'm getting older I'm realizing how important looking good is to how I feel about myself. I've always adopted this whole, "I'm going to be a bum" type attitude. But until recently I've never realized how much it has wrecked havoc on my confidence.
Although I will never be a fashion diva. Being more conscious of my appearance at school, at home and in the gym, has a way of making me feel really good and really confidant. So, it was nice to get some cute things that I can run and go to the gym in, instead of the big, wrinkly things I usually wear.
20 miles... here I come!
peace.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
The Next Day
They say if you can complete 18 miles you can complete 26.2
I would definetly say that completing yesterdays run did miracles for my confidence... I am completely assured that I will be able to complete the marathon on October 12.
However as much as this run was a preview for my ability to complete the race...
... it was just as much a preview for how much pain is to come...
I woke up this morning with my ankles still hurting, my legs exceptionally stiff and an aching back...
as the day has gone on my ankles have really improved... but my back and my right knee are still causing me a lot of pain...
the lesson in all of this?
ignoring everyone's advice and not icing was a huge mistake...
for the upcoming 20 mile, 23 mile and the 26.2 mile (the marathon) runs... I will be sure to set aside hours afterwards that will be completely dedicated to icing and resting my body.... attempting to schedule other things in the day is just not going to work....
I will probably rest for one more day and then get back in the gym on Tuesday...
peace.
I would definetly say that completing yesterdays run did miracles for my confidence... I am completely assured that I will be able to complete the marathon on October 12.
However as much as this run was a preview for my ability to complete the race...
... it was just as much a preview for how much pain is to come...
I woke up this morning with my ankles still hurting, my legs exceptionally stiff and an aching back...
as the day has gone on my ankles have really improved... but my back and my right knee are still causing me a lot of pain...
the lesson in all of this?
ignoring everyone's advice and not icing was a huge mistake...
for the upcoming 20 mile, 23 mile and the 26.2 mile (the marathon) runs... I will be sure to set aside hours afterwards that will be completely dedicated to icing and resting my body.... attempting to schedule other things in the day is just not going to work....
I will probably rest for one more day and then get back in the gym on Tuesday...
peace.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
My Knees are Killing Me!
I started to write this blog right after my run this morning.... but my knees, ankles and feet were so freaking swollen i had to shower, take some motrin and take a recovery nap :-)
What one line can characterize today's run?
Lord, when will this be over?
LOL...
but let me start from the beginning...
I was nervous about today's long run after the disaster that was my last long run 2 weeks ago...
Because I had only completed 12 out of the 16 miles from 2 weeks ago... technically I was supposed to only run 15 miles today because we are only supposed to make 2-3 mile jumps. But I planned to do 16 miles, 1. to make it a nice round number :-) and 2. so that I could justify another four mile jump 2 weeks from today in order to participate in the 20 mile run...
Either way... I was not going to do the full 18 miles... I had sufficiently learned my lesson from last time and was going to stick to the game plan...
This run was TOTALLY different.... I felt GREAT... the entire run...
Three weeks of showing up on Saturday mornings, getting my runs in during the week, cutting out [most of] the junk food and making sure I ate at least twice a day made all of the difference.
I also finally got it together and went to Target yesterday and bought "runners snacks" (power gels that give you a boost in energy with a combination of carbs, sodium, potassium, sugar and caffeine and gummy fish with the same ingredients). Eating those things throughout the run instead of those do nothing soy bars that I've been eating during training was WONDERFUL. When I could feel my energy/sugar dropping... they provided that boost I needed to keep pushing through.
This week we ran further north then we've ever run, its beautiful over there! Its crazy how completely different it is from the south side. The thing about the north side is, there are no mile markers once you get to the beach!
So instead of being able to turn around a mile early at Diversey for my altered route, I ended up running all the way to Addison with my group!
I wasn't especially concerned about it though because at the 9 mile turn around I still felt really good. Truthfully (like our coach had warned us before the run)... the last 2 miles were really the roughest. Which was strange, because I really should have started feeling it at mile 14-16.
But my body held up the whole way through, and I didn't start wishing for it to be over (lol) until miles 16-18... and even then... I didn't feel ANYWHERE near as bad as I did two weeks ago... Isn't that crazy?
All in all, I finished up strong, fully enjoyed my run and besides some swollen feet, ankles and knees.... my body was in great shape! I didn't feel exhausted at all!
I'm really proud of myself... running 18 miles successfully is a great feeling :-)
peace.
What one line can characterize today's run?
Lord, when will this be over?
LOL...
but let me start from the beginning...
I was nervous about today's long run after the disaster that was my last long run 2 weeks ago...
Because I had only completed 12 out of the 16 miles from 2 weeks ago... technically I was supposed to only run 15 miles today because we are only supposed to make 2-3 mile jumps. But I planned to do 16 miles, 1. to make it a nice round number :-) and 2. so that I could justify another four mile jump 2 weeks from today in order to participate in the 20 mile run...
Either way... I was not going to do the full 18 miles... I had sufficiently learned my lesson from last time and was going to stick to the game plan...
This run was TOTALLY different.... I felt GREAT... the entire run...
Three weeks of showing up on Saturday mornings, getting my runs in during the week, cutting out [most of] the junk food and making sure I ate at least twice a day made all of the difference.
I also finally got it together and went to Target yesterday and bought "runners snacks" (power gels that give you a boost in energy with a combination of carbs, sodium, potassium, sugar and caffeine and gummy fish with the same ingredients). Eating those things throughout the run instead of those do nothing soy bars that I've been eating during training was WONDERFUL. When I could feel my energy/sugar dropping... they provided that boost I needed to keep pushing through.
This week we ran further north then we've ever run, its beautiful over there! Its crazy how completely different it is from the south side. The thing about the north side is, there are no mile markers once you get to the beach!
So instead of being able to turn around a mile early at Diversey for my altered route, I ended up running all the way to Addison with my group!
I wasn't especially concerned about it though because at the 9 mile turn around I still felt really good. Truthfully (like our coach had warned us before the run)... the last 2 miles were really the roughest. Which was strange, because I really should have started feeling it at mile 14-16.
But my body held up the whole way through, and I didn't start wishing for it to be over (lol) until miles 16-18... and even then... I didn't feel ANYWHERE near as bad as I did two weeks ago... Isn't that crazy?
All in all, I finished up strong, fully enjoyed my run and besides some swollen feet, ankles and knees.... my body was in great shape! I didn't feel exhausted at all!
I'm really proud of myself... running 18 miles successfully is a great feeling :-)
peace.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Recovery Run, Yoga and the Evils of McDonalds and Dairy
This week we ran an 8 mile recovery run.
The recovery runs in combination with the 30min maintenance runs during the week function to help build your endurance and to keep you from straining your body.
A lot of folks at my running site are currently injured, so I've been really blessed to still be injury free.
I went to yoga again on Thursday and really enjoyed it. But since I live in the food desert that is the south side of Chicago I could not find any good breakfast food to eat (of course this made me miss Ann Arbor where there is a cheap, delicious breakfast place on practically every corner *sigh*).
So I convinced myself that an egg mcgridle would be a good substitute for pancakes.
It was clearly the worst idea I've ever had.
Its strange.... the more I workout, the more sensitive my body is to junk food and to other foods like dairy. I'm pretty much forced into eating healthier just so that I don't end up completely miserable...
The trick is going to be.... how does one go about eating in a healthy manner when you live in a food desert and don't know how to cook?
.... things that make you say *hhhhhhmmmm*
peace :-).
The recovery runs in combination with the 30min maintenance runs during the week function to help build your endurance and to keep you from straining your body.
A lot of folks at my running site are currently injured, so I've been really blessed to still be injury free.
I went to yoga again on Thursday and really enjoyed it. But since I live in the food desert that is the south side of Chicago I could not find any good breakfast food to eat (of course this made me miss Ann Arbor where there is a cheap, delicious breakfast place on practically every corner *sigh*).
So I convinced myself that an egg mcgridle would be a good substitute for pancakes.
It was clearly the worst idea I've ever had.
Its strange.... the more I workout, the more sensitive my body is to junk food and to other foods like dairy. I'm pretty much forced into eating healthier just so that I don't end up completely miserable...
The trick is going to be.... how does one go about eating in a healthy manner when you live in a food desert and don't know how to cook?
.... things that make you say *hhhhhhmmmm*
peace :-).
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Trying Something New
So after three months of procrastinating... i finally got up this morning and went to my gym's hatha yoga class
a lot of folks have been recommending it to me pretty enthusiastically... they said that it would help a lot with my stress and that its great for strength and flexibility.
but i had a lot of doubts....
the few yoga poses i had tried in the past were generally painful and uncomfortable... and i could not understand how that would translate into relaxing stress relief... lol
nevertheless... this morning i finally got myself out of bed and went to the class...
and fortunately i was pleasantly surprised... it was wonderful!
my instructor was this black woman named janee... she was really nice and very knowledgable...
i throughly enjoyed my class and it ended up being great for stretching out all the soreness in my body from yesterday... and surprisingly it was very relaxing...
looks like this may become a new part of my weekly exercise regimen :-)
peace.
a lot of folks have been recommending it to me pretty enthusiastically... they said that it would help a lot with my stress and that its great for strength and flexibility.
but i had a lot of doubts....
the few yoga poses i had tried in the past were generally painful and uncomfortable... and i could not understand how that would translate into relaxing stress relief... lol
nevertheless... this morning i finally got myself out of bed and went to the class...
and fortunately i was pleasantly surprised... it was wonderful!
my instructor was this black woman named janee... she was really nice and very knowledgable...
i throughly enjoyed my class and it ended up being great for stretching out all the soreness in my body from yesterday... and surprisingly it was very relaxing...
looks like this may become a new part of my weekly exercise regimen :-)
peace.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Ego's and Marathon's Don't Mix....
today i attempted to run 16 miles at our weekly long run...
let me clarify...
today... after only working out in the gym (and even that was sporadic)...
when the last time i did a long run was at 8 miles (and that was pretty rough)
when even by 9am it was 80 degrees plus outside with killer humidity (keep in mind for the last 2 months i've been running in air conditioning)...
not only did i think i could complete the 16 mile long run...
i thought i could do it at 13min per mile instead of our normal 14:30 min per mile training pace... and at a 4:2 run:walk ratio (you run for 4 minutes and then you walk 2 minutes) instead of the 3:2 run:walk ratio we were supposed to run today (usually we run 3 minutes and walk 1 minute but since this was our first major long run we were supposed to extend the walk to 2 minutes)
apparently i forgot that oh so crucial lesson i learned the day we did our initial 3 mile timed run...
theres no room for ego when your training for a marathon... and there is certaintly no room for not preparing your body for the major shock to your system that 10+ mile run's cause to it...
you see... i figured that since my body is still relatively young and vibrant.... and since my endurance was still relatively high... i could just make that 8 mile leap in distance and it would be all good!
oh... how wrong i was...
but even after mile 4 i knew i was in trouble.... i was having a hard time breathing and my body was hurting... but so much of all of this is a mental battle... so i just convinced myself that in another couple of miles the pain would leaven out and i'd be fine...
not quite...
by mile 5-6 i was dying... i knew there was no way i physically could run the 3-4 more miles to the end of the southside lakeshore running path... and then actually be able to make it back to the running site (another 6 miles)....
but i kept pushing myself... i didn't want the people in the other groups to see me fail... my pride didn't want to admit that the other two in my running group were in much better shape than i was... so i kept mentally harassing myself like... you have to finish, you have to finish, you have to finish...
it was all ego....
so finally... at mile 8... i admitted to myself and to my group that i needed to turn back... and today i completed 12 miles...
and actually... i'm really proud of myself..
first i'm proud that i actually made it back to the run site... my whole body was in so much pain i thought i was going to collapse... i was so out of breath and out of sorts... it was clearly a miracle that i got back safely... lol...
second... i'm proud that i was finally able to get over my ego and stop.... i'm infamous for pushing myself until i collapse... and as much as others may view this quality as "strength" or "dedication" its really just foolishness and ego in disguise... i wasn't out there pushing myself because i had put in the necessary work beforehand and knew i could do it if i tried hard enough... i was out there because i wanted to prove to everybody else that i could...
but this last year has been a life altering one... and i've learned that only by having enough humility to know your limits can you actually succeed in a way that is both healthy and sustainable...
third...i'm proud that i was humble enough to go to the running coach and ask for help. they had asked over and over again if those of us that had been missing long runs wanted to adjust our training schedule to something that was more manageable... and i kept brushing them off.
today i was able to let it go and admit to him that not only had i struggled on the run... but i hadn't been handling my business as far as training goes in general... not only was he understanding... but he was kind... and put together a training schedule for me that will get me back on track in no time at all...
and don't get me wrong... there is a way in which ego can be necessary in [very] small doses. because after all... your ego has to be pretty healthy to actually believe that you can run 26.2 miles in the first place LOL... and when your hitting mile 18 and you can't possibly imagine making it to mile 26... its definetly going to be your ego's need to finish after 5 months of training that will get you to the finish... ultimately... everything [in life] seems to be about balance...
so even though my body is suffering... i'm happy, motivated and excited about the runs to come... not only am i getting stronger but my spirit is getting healthier to!
peace.
let me clarify...
today... after only working out in the gym (and even that was sporadic)...
when the last time i did a long run was at 8 miles (and that was pretty rough)
when even by 9am it was 80 degrees plus outside with killer humidity (keep in mind for the last 2 months i've been running in air conditioning)...
not only did i think i could complete the 16 mile long run...
i thought i could do it at 13min per mile instead of our normal 14:30 min per mile training pace... and at a 4:2 run:walk ratio (you run for 4 minutes and then you walk 2 minutes) instead of the 3:2 run:walk ratio we were supposed to run today (usually we run 3 minutes and walk 1 minute but since this was our first major long run we were supposed to extend the walk to 2 minutes)
apparently i forgot that oh so crucial lesson i learned the day we did our initial 3 mile timed run...
theres no room for ego when your training for a marathon... and there is certaintly no room for not preparing your body for the major shock to your system that 10+ mile run's cause to it...
you see... i figured that since my body is still relatively young and vibrant.... and since my endurance was still relatively high... i could just make that 8 mile leap in distance and it would be all good!
oh... how wrong i was...
but even after mile 4 i knew i was in trouble.... i was having a hard time breathing and my body was hurting... but so much of all of this is a mental battle... so i just convinced myself that in another couple of miles the pain would leaven out and i'd be fine...
not quite...
by mile 5-6 i was dying... i knew there was no way i physically could run the 3-4 more miles to the end of the southside lakeshore running path... and then actually be able to make it back to the running site (another 6 miles)....
but i kept pushing myself... i didn't want the people in the other groups to see me fail... my pride didn't want to admit that the other two in my running group were in much better shape than i was... so i kept mentally harassing myself like... you have to finish, you have to finish, you have to finish...
it was all ego....
so finally... at mile 8... i admitted to myself and to my group that i needed to turn back... and today i completed 12 miles...
and actually... i'm really proud of myself..
first i'm proud that i actually made it back to the run site... my whole body was in so much pain i thought i was going to collapse... i was so out of breath and out of sorts... it was clearly a miracle that i got back safely... lol...
second... i'm proud that i was finally able to get over my ego and stop.... i'm infamous for pushing myself until i collapse... and as much as others may view this quality as "strength" or "dedication" its really just foolishness and ego in disguise... i wasn't out there pushing myself because i had put in the necessary work beforehand and knew i could do it if i tried hard enough... i was out there because i wanted to prove to everybody else that i could...
but this last year has been a life altering one... and i've learned that only by having enough humility to know your limits can you actually succeed in a way that is both healthy and sustainable...
third...i'm proud that i was humble enough to go to the running coach and ask for help. they had asked over and over again if those of us that had been missing long runs wanted to adjust our training schedule to something that was more manageable... and i kept brushing them off.
today i was able to let it go and admit to him that not only had i struggled on the run... but i hadn't been handling my business as far as training goes in general... not only was he understanding... but he was kind... and put together a training schedule for me that will get me back on track in no time at all...
and don't get me wrong... there is a way in which ego can be necessary in [very] small doses. because after all... your ego has to be pretty healthy to actually believe that you can run 26.2 miles in the first place LOL... and when your hitting mile 18 and you can't possibly imagine making it to mile 26... its definetly going to be your ego's need to finish after 5 months of training that will get you to the finish... ultimately... everything [in life] seems to be about balance...
so even though my body is suffering... i'm happy, motivated and excited about the runs to come... not only am i getting stronger but my spirit is getting healthier to!
peace.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Finally Reached the Goal
Sorry for the delay in posting... i was in Detroit last week...
As of last Tuesday I officially reached my Chicago AIDS Foundation Marathon Training fundraising goal.
So I will definetly be running in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday October 12, 2008.
I promise I will get back to my run descriptions this week! Our 14 mile run got canceled two weeks ago... but this Saturday we will be running 16 miles....
Thank you so much for all of your help, support and love
A big thank you to those of you that gave me the final push...
Mimose Julian
Sydney Duncan
Nicole Stallings
Alexxiss Jackson
peace.
As of last Tuesday I officially reached my Chicago AIDS Foundation Marathon Training fundraising goal.
So I will definetly be running in the Chicago Marathon on Sunday October 12, 2008.
I promise I will get back to my run descriptions this week! Our 14 mile run got canceled two weeks ago... but this Saturday we will be running 16 miles....
Thank you so much for all of your help, support and love
A big thank you to those of you that gave me the final push...
Mimose Julian
Sydney Duncan
Nicole Stallings
Alexxiss Jackson
peace.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Two Weeks Ago
Hey all,
generally i try to do one interesting post about my running/commitment to HIV/AIDS and one donation post every week...
but i'm a bit under the weather this week so this weeks second post is going to be pretty basic
i'm running 14 miles on saturday and i'm nervous... but my workouts in the gym have been pretty good so i will let you all know how it goes.
anyway... i really just wanted to use this time to thank the people who have donated this week.
its crazy... two weeks ago i had only raised $200... and in two weeks you all have generously donated $1166 so i could complete my goal.
i am only $136 away from running in the chicago marathon!
your generosity, kindness and selflessness is deeply appreciated...
so with that said....
thank you to this weeks donors:
Shakira Smiler
Danielle Busby
John Andrews
Larissa Bell
peace.
generally i try to do one interesting post about my running/commitment to HIV/AIDS and one donation post every week...
but i'm a bit under the weather this week so this weeks second post is going to be pretty basic
i'm running 14 miles on saturday and i'm nervous... but my workouts in the gym have been pretty good so i will let you all know how it goes.
anyway... i really just wanted to use this time to thank the people who have donated this week.
its crazy... two weeks ago i had only raised $200... and in two weeks you all have generously donated $1166 so i could complete my goal.
i am only $136 away from running in the chicago marathon!
your generosity, kindness and selflessness is deeply appreciated...
so with that said....
thank you to this weeks donors:
Shakira Smiler
Danielle Busby
John Andrews
Larissa Bell
peace.
Monday, July 7, 2008
One Week Left
A week from Tuesday is the final deadline for my marathon training program fundraising.
As of 10:45am today I have raised 1,206.00, so I am $300 away from my goal!
To those of you who plan on donating and have not been able to yet... there is still time left!
So please donate to this great cause and help me accomplish my goal!
Also... I'd like to thank those who generously donated over the weekend:
R. L'Heureux Lewis
Ketly Bateau-Walker
Shelby Moffett
peace.
As of 10:45am today I have raised 1,206.00, so I am $300 away from my goal!
To those of you who plan on donating and have not been able to yet... there is still time left!
So please donate to this great cause and help me accomplish my goal!
Also... I'd like to thank those who generously donated over the weekend:
R. L'Heureux Lewis
Ketly Bateau-Walker
Shelby Moffett
peace.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
My Run Dedication
This goes out...
to all of the folks in Detroit with HIV/AIDS that don't have marathons run in their honor
those folks who aren't wealthy and don't have wealthy friends to run and raise money for their meds
those folks who live in areas that altruistic college students are to scared to "study abroad" in
those folks that live in the third world neighborhoods that aren't sexy enough to get their starving kids adopted by hollywood movie stars
those same folks that aren't covered by those MTV sponsored global AIDS organizations and instead whose children are being left behind by the government...
this goes out...
to all the regular, around the way folks, who grow up in our neighborhoods that we ignore and avoid, those hurricane katrina victims infected with HIV/AIDS that weren't able to get food and water, let alone medication... for days, that receive no media, care or attention by an American public that is supposed to be dedicated to uplifting and caring for the worlds sick and poor.
those neighborhoods that don't have peace corp volunteers building schools for their illiterate children
those pregnant mothers that can't get HIV/AIDS medication because they have no health care
this goes out to...
those folks we turn away from when we walk down the river walk...
those folks we shoo away when they come up to our cars asking for change...
those folks whose homes we pretend weren't bulldozed by gentrifications imminent domain...
this goes out to...
the folks who live in our peripheral vision, on the edges of our neighborhoods and on the fringes of our hearts...
peace.
p.s. I would like to thank Gail Day and Nicole Taylor for donating this week. Please continue to donate to this GREAT cause!
to all of the folks in Detroit with HIV/AIDS that don't have marathons run in their honor
those folks who aren't wealthy and don't have wealthy friends to run and raise money for their meds
those folks who live in areas that altruistic college students are to scared to "study abroad" in
those folks that live in the third world neighborhoods that aren't sexy enough to get their starving kids adopted by hollywood movie stars
those same folks that aren't covered by those MTV sponsored global AIDS organizations and instead whose children are being left behind by the government...
this goes out...
to all the regular, around the way folks, who grow up in our neighborhoods that we ignore and avoid, those hurricane katrina victims infected with HIV/AIDS that weren't able to get food and water, let alone medication... for days, that receive no media, care or attention by an American public that is supposed to be dedicated to uplifting and caring for the worlds sick and poor.
those neighborhoods that don't have peace corp volunteers building schools for their illiterate children
those pregnant mothers that can't get HIV/AIDS medication because they have no health care
this goes out to...
those folks we turn away from when we walk down the river walk...
those folks we shoo away when they come up to our cars asking for change...
those folks whose homes we pretend weren't bulldozed by gentrifications imminent domain...
this goes out to...
the folks who live in our peripheral vision, on the edges of our neighborhoods and on the fringes of our hearts...
peace.
p.s. I would like to thank Gail Day and Nicole Taylor for donating this week. Please continue to donate to this GREAT cause!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thank You
so this week i'm going to be writing a post about who i am dedicating my marathon run to... so stay on the look out for that...
in the meantime i want to say thank you to the folks who generously donated over the weekend:
Wynter McGruder
Sonya Delley
Marci Ybarra
Kyla Johnson
peace.
in the meantime i want to say thank you to the folks who generously donated over the weekend:
Wynter McGruder
Sonya Delley
Marci Ybarra
Kyla Johnson
peace.
Friday, June 27, 2008
WOW.... thank you, thank you, thank you!
Man...
I'm really getting all teary!!! lol...
the people in my life are so AMAZING....
yesterday morning (Thursday June 26, 2008) @ 9:44am, I sent out an email letting my friends, family and colleagues know that i was in jeopardy of having to drop out of the marathon training program because i was nowhere near my fundraising goal...
I was $1220 short to be exact...
honestly... i had pretty much given up.... i really didn't see myself raising that much money by july 15....
but something inside told me to keep on pushing... and thats what i did...
and ya'll are so AMAZING....
because when i woke up this morning I had reached a fundraising total of $1000!!!!!!!!
wwwooowwwwww
So i just want to take this moment to thank those of you that donated yesterday:
Zakiyah Sayyed
Laurence Ralph
Ainsley Lesure
Anastasie Senat
Whitney Weathersby
Jacquelynn Moffett
Julio Bateau
Joseph Rochester
Oswald Cameron
Briana Maclin
Claire McKinney
Claudette Gay
I appreciate you all SO much.... I don't have words to express my gratitude for your commitment to this cause.
$500 more to go!
peace.
I'm really getting all teary!!! lol...
the people in my life are so AMAZING....
yesterday morning (Thursday June 26, 2008) @ 9:44am, I sent out an email letting my friends, family and colleagues know that i was in jeopardy of having to drop out of the marathon training program because i was nowhere near my fundraising goal...
I was $1220 short to be exact...
honestly... i had pretty much given up.... i really didn't see myself raising that much money by july 15....
but something inside told me to keep on pushing... and thats what i did...
and ya'll are so AMAZING....
because when i woke up this morning I had reached a fundraising total of $1000!!!!!!!!
wwwooowwwwww
So i just want to take this moment to thank those of you that donated yesterday:
Zakiyah Sayyed
Laurence Ralph
Ainsley Lesure
Anastasie Senat
Whitney Weathersby
Jacquelynn Moffett
Julio Bateau
Joseph Rochester
Oswald Cameron
Briana Maclin
Claire McKinney
Claudette Gay
I appreciate you all SO much.... I don't have words to express my gratitude for your commitment to this cause.
$500 more to go!
peace.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
My Experience Teaching HIV/AIDS in Jamaica and South Africa
As promised, here is a blog about my commitment to HIV/AIDS.
During my sophomore year at the University of Michigan, I was awarded an internship for the summer with the Canadian Parliament. It was an amazing opportunity that would provide an experience that would look great on my law-school application. Although I wasn't so excited about the prospect of living in Canada for the summer, I thought it would definetly be worth it.
The spring after my freshman year I had taken a class with Dr. Nesha Haniff on affirmative action at the University of Michigan. It was an intense, and ultimately life-changing class. It was the only class I ever took where white and black students actively confronted and engaged the racism present around them everyday. Students argued and cried regularly... but at the end we all walked away better people. It was there that I first learned how to articulate myself in a coherent (and dignified) way about social justice issues.
So when I learned about Dr. Haniff's study abroad trip to Jamaica, I knew I had to go (and leave Canada behind *smile*).
Dr. Haniff led a group of approximately 10 students to the island of Jamaica to teach HIV/AIDS to middle school students, adults, resort and sex workers. We used the module she developed that allowed us to teach community members how to teach others about HIV/AIDS prevention without being literate.
The trip changed my life.
It was there that I learned that true community engagement did not just mean "leaders" educating the people around them. It meant valuing the ways in which the community within which you work teaches, guides and transforms you.
I learned more from the young girls I taught in Kingston, Jamaica, then I have learned from anyone else in my 23 years of life. One young woman had found her aunt in a bush outside of her house after she had been brutally raped, stabbed and sexually mutilated. Another had almost been a victim of rape as she walked home from school and was pulled into a taxi cab by 4 middle aged men. She was only saved by her mother who started screaming and scared the men away. Both young women had multiple family members and friends who were HIV/AIDS positive. They had both also witnessed incredible violence that could have easily scarred any child.
But what was so amazing about both was the way in which neither had been jaded by their experiences. They both carried themselves with such pride and dignity, and even more amazing, they maintained their childish innocence, manifest in dreams to be superstar singers in the United States and hollywood actors.
It was from these young women that I learned what it meant to be resilient.
And I continued to learn powerful lessons throughout my trip across the island. And it was my next trip to South Africa to continue my HIV/AIDS education work with Dr. Haniff, that ultimately made me realize that law school would not be in my future.
I realized that teaching was something I was passionate about. But more than that, that mentorship and scholarship, were going to be central parts of my future, because of the way in which all three of these things had the power to both inform and transform the space in which we live.
I can honestly say, that my experience teaching HIV/AIDS in the United States, Jamaica and South Africa, played a critical part in shaping the person I am today.
And it is for that reason that I am so committed to raising money for HIV/AIDS positive folks in Chicago. Please DONATE, and help me continue the fight I am so passionate about.
This picture is from one of the schools my group (from the University of Michigan) taught at in Kingston, Jamaica in summer 2005.
This picture is of our students in a township just outside of Durban, South Africa called Cato Manor in summer 2006
peace.
During my sophomore year at the University of Michigan, I was awarded an internship for the summer with the Canadian Parliament. It was an amazing opportunity that would provide an experience that would look great on my law-school application. Although I wasn't so excited about the prospect of living in Canada for the summer, I thought it would definetly be worth it.
The spring after my freshman year I had taken a class with Dr. Nesha Haniff on affirmative action at the University of Michigan. It was an intense, and ultimately life-changing class. It was the only class I ever took where white and black students actively confronted and engaged the racism present around them everyday. Students argued and cried regularly... but at the end we all walked away better people. It was there that I first learned how to articulate myself in a coherent (and dignified) way about social justice issues.
So when I learned about Dr. Haniff's study abroad trip to Jamaica, I knew I had to go (and leave Canada behind *smile*).
Dr. Haniff led a group of approximately 10 students to the island of Jamaica to teach HIV/AIDS to middle school students, adults, resort and sex workers. We used the module she developed that allowed us to teach community members how to teach others about HIV/AIDS prevention without being literate.
The trip changed my life.
It was there that I learned that true community engagement did not just mean "leaders" educating the people around them. It meant valuing the ways in which the community within which you work teaches, guides and transforms you.
I learned more from the young girls I taught in Kingston, Jamaica, then I have learned from anyone else in my 23 years of life. One young woman had found her aunt in a bush outside of her house after she had been brutally raped, stabbed and sexually mutilated. Another had almost been a victim of rape as she walked home from school and was pulled into a taxi cab by 4 middle aged men. She was only saved by her mother who started screaming and scared the men away. Both young women had multiple family members and friends who were HIV/AIDS positive. They had both also witnessed incredible violence that could have easily scarred any child.
But what was so amazing about both was the way in which neither had been jaded by their experiences. They both carried themselves with such pride and dignity, and even more amazing, they maintained their childish innocence, manifest in dreams to be superstar singers in the United States and hollywood actors.
It was from these young women that I learned what it meant to be resilient.
And I continued to learn powerful lessons throughout my trip across the island. And it was my next trip to South Africa to continue my HIV/AIDS education work with Dr. Haniff, that ultimately made me realize that law school would not be in my future.
I realized that teaching was something I was passionate about. But more than that, that mentorship and scholarship, were going to be central parts of my future, because of the way in which all three of these things had the power to both inform and transform the space in which we live.
I can honestly say, that my experience teaching HIV/AIDS in the United States, Jamaica and South Africa, played a critical part in shaping the person I am today.
And it is for that reason that I am so committed to raising money for HIV/AIDS positive folks in Chicago. Please DONATE, and help me continue the fight I am so passionate about.
This picture is from one of the schools my group (from the University of Michigan) taught at in Kingston, Jamaica in summer 2005.
This picture is of our students in a township just outside of Durban, South Africa called Cato Manor in summer 2006
peace.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
THANK YOU!!!!
In less than 24hrs an additional $75 was donated! I am now at $250!!!
A big thank you to Danielle Tillman, Alma Davila-Toro and Alana Gunn!
$1250 to go!!
peace.
A big thank you to Danielle Tillman, Alma Davila-Toro and Alana Gunn!
$1250 to go!!
peace.
Monday, June 23, 2008
I'm Back :-)... but it might not be for very long... :-(
so after a LONG hiatus... i am finally back!!
things have been crazy lately....
i had 60pgs of writing to do in 5 days for my finals..... then i had to recover from that trauma
then i was in atlanta
and i started my new job
and i'll be starting some new projects soon....
so a lot has been on my plate lately.
however now that things have died down... i will be back to regularly updating you on my marathon training progress!
next week i will be running 12 miles... i'm nervous and thinking its going to be more than a little intense!
however unfortunately to date i have only raised $175 out of my required $1500... with the july 15 deadline looming... theres a strong possibility that i may not be able to continue training!
please help!
raising money for hiv/aids as well as running this marathon are something i am really committed to... and i need all of the help i can get! even a small donation or two would be so great.
i will keep you updated!
peace.
things have been crazy lately....
i had 60pgs of writing to do in 5 days for my finals..... then i had to recover from that trauma
then i was in atlanta
and i started my new job
and i'll be starting some new projects soon....
so a lot has been on my plate lately.
however now that things have died down... i will be back to regularly updating you on my marathon training progress!
next week i will be running 12 miles... i'm nervous and thinking its going to be more than a little intense!
however unfortunately to date i have only raised $175 out of my required $1500... with the july 15 deadline looming... theres a strong possibility that i may not be able to continue training!
please help!
raising money for hiv/aids as well as running this marathon are something i am really committed to... and i need all of the help i can get! even a small donation or two would be so great.
i will keep you updated!
peace.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
7 mile run....
today i ran all the way from the south side to millennium park... back to the southside... it was an amazing feeling.
at least a couple of days a week i make that drive downtown.... so i really enjoyed that feeling of accomplishment when i made it there and back on my own two feet! lol :-)
i should have been nervous going into this run since i haven't done a long run in two weeks (the last long run i did was the 4 mile run... i missed the 5 and 6 mile run because i was traveling and then last saturday was my birthday). but i wasn't because of the success i've been having in the gym the last two weeks...
being confidant definetly made a difference because i was fully able to enjoy my run. by the time we started running it was about 65 degrees... by the time we were done it was 70+. the sun was out, the lake was beautiful.... although the heat became a little brutal by the end.... it was a GREAT experience overall :-).
after the run i went to ballys for an hr... and now i'm back home getting ready to start the rest of my day.
please please donate! i haven't gotten any new donations! :-(
the link to my donation page is to the right.... please check it out! :-)
peace.
p.s. i apologize for the less than thrilling posts lately... its the end of the quarter and i'm trying to finish up my finals.... after june 16 i will be writing some additional posts on my activist work around HIV/AIDS, as well as some other interesting stuff ;-)... so stay on the look out!
at least a couple of days a week i make that drive downtown.... so i really enjoyed that feeling of accomplishment when i made it there and back on my own two feet! lol :-)
i should have been nervous going into this run since i haven't done a long run in two weeks (the last long run i did was the 4 mile run... i missed the 5 and 6 mile run because i was traveling and then last saturday was my birthday). but i wasn't because of the success i've been having in the gym the last two weeks...
being confidant definetly made a difference because i was fully able to enjoy my run. by the time we started running it was about 65 degrees... by the time we were done it was 70+. the sun was out, the lake was beautiful.... although the heat became a little brutal by the end.... it was a GREAT experience overall :-).
after the run i went to ballys for an hr... and now i'm back home getting ready to start the rest of my day.
please please donate! i haven't gotten any new donations! :-(
the link to my donation page is to the right.... please check it out! :-)
peace.
p.s. i apologize for the less than thrilling posts lately... its the end of the quarter and i'm trying to finish up my finals.... after june 16 i will be writing some additional posts on my activist work around HIV/AIDS, as well as some other interesting stuff ;-)... so stay on the look out!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Progress
Last week was a TOTAL disaster... lol....
the few workouts i actually did were terrible, which left me further motivated to use my trip to california and minor allergies as an excuse for not doing anything for the rest of the week... LOL
so i ate horribly and nursed my broken ego all week long... ha...
needless to say.... i was a little bit worried when i finally dragged myself back to the gym today...
but it had to be done... after all... i did kind of tell all my friends (and my family this weekend) that i would be running a marathon... LOL...
so i told myself to be prepared for the worst.... and to the gym i went....
but surprisingly... my flexibility workout went great... i actually improved (how i dont know lol)... i do flexibility workouts every week in order to prevent injury... particularly to my knees and hamstrings.... all the pounding on the concrete really causes my muscles to tighten up.... so doing these workouts every week (in addition to strength training on one of my cross training days) keeps my muscles strong and flexible...
BUT... the biggest surprise of the evening was my short run!... it was GREAT!!!....
in running they have something called "the wall".... its basically a point during your run where your endurance runs out and you feel like your going to die... lol... because i've been slacking on my cardio all winter long... my endurance wall has been hitting me really early and really hard ever since i started training for the marathon and its been KILLING me...
but finally today.... i hit 10min... no wall.... i hit 20min... no wall... 30min... no wall?.... i ended up extending my short run (that i do twice a week) from 2 miles to 3 miles... and not only that... i shaved off a solid 5 minutes from my 3 mile run time on may 3....
i have no idea what happened... maybe it was the rest.... but whatever it was.... im really excited about it... lol.... because those short runs were slow and painful torture.... and i actually ENJOYED this one...
anyway... plleaasseeee DONATE DONATE DONATE :-)
peace.
the few workouts i actually did were terrible, which left me further motivated to use my trip to california and minor allergies as an excuse for not doing anything for the rest of the week... LOL
so i ate horribly and nursed my broken ego all week long... ha...
needless to say.... i was a little bit worried when i finally dragged myself back to the gym today...
but it had to be done... after all... i did kind of tell all my friends (and my family this weekend) that i would be running a marathon... LOL...
so i told myself to be prepared for the worst.... and to the gym i went....
but surprisingly... my flexibility workout went great... i actually improved (how i dont know lol)... i do flexibility workouts every week in order to prevent injury... particularly to my knees and hamstrings.... all the pounding on the concrete really causes my muscles to tighten up.... so doing these workouts every week (in addition to strength training on one of my cross training days) keeps my muscles strong and flexible...
BUT... the biggest surprise of the evening was my short run!... it was GREAT!!!....
in running they have something called "the wall".... its basically a point during your run where your endurance runs out and you feel like your going to die... lol... because i've been slacking on my cardio all winter long... my endurance wall has been hitting me really early and really hard ever since i started training for the marathon and its been KILLING me...
but finally today.... i hit 10min... no wall.... i hit 20min... no wall... 30min... no wall?.... i ended up extending my short run (that i do twice a week) from 2 miles to 3 miles... and not only that... i shaved off a solid 5 minutes from my 3 mile run time on may 3....
i have no idea what happened... maybe it was the rest.... but whatever it was.... im really excited about it... lol.... because those short runs were slow and painful torture.... and i actually ENJOYED this one...
anyway... plleaasseeee DONATE DONATE DONATE :-)
peace.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Moving Ahead and a BIG THANK YOU!!!!
nothing to much to report... i've been feeling a little under the weather this week so my runs in the gym have been somewhat lackluster... but i'm pushing ahead for my 5 mile run this weekend...
I just want to give a BIG THANK YOU to Amir, Stuart and Jamila, my very first donors!!!
in order to continue with the marathon training program I have to raise $1500 by July 15th, so please please plleaaasseee donate!!! (the link to the donation page is on the right).
also... for those of you who are interested in running in the marathon... its not to late to start training! so send me a msg/leave a comment if you have questions.
peace.
I just want to give a BIG THANK YOU to Amir, Stuart and Jamila, my very first donors!!!
in order to continue with the marathon training program I have to raise $1500 by July 15th, so please please plleaaasseee donate!!! (the link to the donation page is on the right).
also... for those of you who are interested in running in the marathon... its not to late to start training! so send me a msg/leave a comment if you have questions.
peace.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Second Saturday Morning Long Run
At 7am this morning I went out for my second saturday morning long group run.
I was really nervous because of how much i suffered with the 3 mile run last week... lol. So i wasn't particularly enthusiastic when I woke up at 6am this morning.
I experimented with my pre-run food again... I needed to switch from the oatmeal.... after talking to a couple of more experienced runners.... apparently after you've been running for 2-3hrs... the fiber can start to get to you... LOL
this time i tried a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel with butter. i ended up burning it horribly (yes i can't cook... laugh it up... lol).... however.... i ate it anyway and it worked out well...
we ran 4 miles today.... and it went GREAT....
i could really tell that my maintenance runs and cross/strength training during the week had helped build/maintained my endurance...
my pace group finished ahead of time and i didn't feel fatigued at all.... it was a great feeling and i'm feeling much more confidant going into my 5, 6, and 7 mile runs in the next 3 weeks.
the one thing i am going to watch is the pounding my legs/knees are getting on that concrete... so strength training is going to be really important.
outside of that... i'm definetly the youngest person in my pace group.... and i'm probably one of the younger people in the training program (at least on the southside). its interesting... a lot of the participants (at my site) are older black women (30's and 40's) who have decided for whatever reason to make a life change. its really inspiring.
it does make me wonder though.... why don't more young black women in their 20's try and actively improve their health? its not like we all aren't aware of the many health problems that our mothers, aunts, friends, sisters, and grandmothers suffer from being overweight, unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise. trying to be healthy now.... in an attempt to be preventative... will definetly save you from a lot of heart ache later.... regardless of how small you may be right now.
*stepping off my soap box* LOL
anyway... don't forget to DONATE, DONATE, DONATE! :-)
peace.
I was really nervous because of how much i suffered with the 3 mile run last week... lol. So i wasn't particularly enthusiastic when I woke up at 6am this morning.
I experimented with my pre-run food again... I needed to switch from the oatmeal.... after talking to a couple of more experienced runners.... apparently after you've been running for 2-3hrs... the fiber can start to get to you... LOL
this time i tried a toasted cinnamon raisin bagel with butter. i ended up burning it horribly (yes i can't cook... laugh it up... lol).... however.... i ate it anyway and it worked out well...
we ran 4 miles today.... and it went GREAT....
i could really tell that my maintenance runs and cross/strength training during the week had helped build/maintained my endurance...
my pace group finished ahead of time and i didn't feel fatigued at all.... it was a great feeling and i'm feeling much more confidant going into my 5, 6, and 7 mile runs in the next 3 weeks.
the one thing i am going to watch is the pounding my legs/knees are getting on that concrete... so strength training is going to be really important.
outside of that... i'm definetly the youngest person in my pace group.... and i'm probably one of the younger people in the training program (at least on the southside). its interesting... a lot of the participants (at my site) are older black women (30's and 40's) who have decided for whatever reason to make a life change. its really inspiring.
it does make me wonder though.... why don't more young black women in their 20's try and actively improve their health? its not like we all aren't aware of the many health problems that our mothers, aunts, friends, sisters, and grandmothers suffer from being overweight, unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise. trying to be healthy now.... in an attempt to be preventative... will definetly save you from a lot of heart ache later.... regardless of how small you may be right now.
*stepping off my soap box* LOL
anyway... don't forget to DONATE, DONATE, DONATE! :-)
peace.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Experimentation?
So the training program told us that we should experiment with different things in order to get an idea about whats going to work for us on marathon day. shoes, socks, water/gatoraide, snacks and FOOD.
up until today... my experimenting has been going pretty well. sandwiches before a run... good. oatmeal before a run... good. soy joy bar before a run good. heavy indian meal of spicy rice and chicken before a 2 mile run?
alll bad... LOL
honestly... i figured it was like swimming... you know how they say if you wait an hour after you eat you'll be fine?... yeah... not so much.
i had this huge (delicious lunch) 1.5hrs before i got on the treadmill... and i thought i was going to DIE. my stomach hurt so bad i couldnt even pay attention to the fact that i couldnt breathe! LOL....
so yeah... heavy food is a no go...
my weekly training schedule is as follows: monday: 2 mile run, tuesday: 40min cross training, wednesday: 2 mile run, thursday: 40min cross training/1hr strength training. friday: rest. saturday: long run.
our long run increases by a mile a week. so this week i will run 4 miles on the lake!...
i'll let you know how it goes :-)
peace.
up until today... my experimenting has been going pretty well. sandwiches before a run... good. oatmeal before a run... good. soy joy bar before a run good. heavy indian meal of spicy rice and chicken before a 2 mile run?
alll bad... LOL
honestly... i figured it was like swimming... you know how they say if you wait an hour after you eat you'll be fine?... yeah... not so much.
i had this huge (delicious lunch) 1.5hrs before i got on the treadmill... and i thought i was going to DIE. my stomach hurt so bad i couldnt even pay attention to the fact that i couldnt breathe! LOL....
so yeah... heavy food is a no go...
my weekly training schedule is as follows: monday: 2 mile run, tuesday: 40min cross training, wednesday: 2 mile run, thursday: 40min cross training/1hr strength training. friday: rest. saturday: long run.
our long run increases by a mile a week. so this week i will run 4 miles on the lake!...
i'll let you know how it goes :-)
peace.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
My Donation Page is Up!
My Chicago AIDS Foundation donation page is finally up! So check it out and DONATE! Even if your donation is as small as $5 it will be GREATLY appreciated!
In the upcoming weeks there will be more posts abut why I'm so committed to this cause, in the meantime leave a comment and let me know if you have any questions!
peace.
In the upcoming weeks there will be more posts abut why I'm so committed to this cause, in the meantime leave a comment and let me know if you have any questions!
peace.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
My First Day of Training
So today was the official start of the Chicago AIDS Marathon Training Program for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
I actually wasn't planning on going. I figured since it was just an initial timed run, and I had already made plans with my soror to go out the night before, I would just skip the first meeting and time myself running three miles later.
But, ultimately I woke up Saturday morning at 5:30am, saw how beautiful it was, despite predictions of severe thunderstorms all weekend, and (eventually... lol) convinced myself to go.
I grabbed some oatmeal quickly and rushed out the door so that I could grab some water on the way to lake front where the group was meeting. Of course living on the South Side of Chicago, it was nearly impossible to find a simple bottle of water from the gas stations (but that is a whole other conversation about the lack of availability of healthy foods to impoverished communities), but I ended up getting to the beach on time.
There were about 50 people there, most training for the Banco Chicago Half Marathon (a 10 mile race), as well as the Amsterdam, Honolulu and Chicago Marathons. The coaches and program reps gathered us around and talked to us about fundraising and the training program and then off on the run we went!
The instructed us to take it nice and easy and to not huff and puff at all. I definetly overestimated how easy that would be!
I made it about a half a mile before I started getting out of breath and had to start walking. From that point on I ran/walked it the whole way through, trying to fight off my lack of breath! I was definetly having a mental battle with myself, my ego was hurt at all the people passing me, and I wanted to just push ahead and run through my fatigue so I could finish with a faster time.
But to do that would of defeated the purpose of the exercise. They want to know what you are capable of doing comfortably so that they can put you with a pace group with whom you will increase your mileage weekly. So week 1 we ran 3 miles, next week we run 4 miles and by the end of the month we'll be running 7 miles. The only way that you can extend your endurance that quickly is not by sprinting through it, but by taking it slowly.
Like they told us, your endurance gets better whether you go fast or slow, the only thing going to fast to early will accomplish is injury and an inability to finish.
So it was a physical battle to push my body to finish, but it was also a mental battle against my own ego.... I think I spent to much time this morning being disappointed in my inability to run the whole 3 miles, instead of enjoying how beautiful the lake looked in the morning.
In the end though I was surprised, I finished the 3 miles in 39 minutes, averaging a 13 minute mile, which is exactly what I do on the treadmill in the gym. so all that time I was beating myself up thinking I was doing horribly, and I was right on target!
It was really symbolic. In my life I generally spend so much time worrying about what other people are doing and putting undue pressure on myself, and in the end it usually turns out that I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing, if not better!
I think this marathon is going to teach me a lot about not being so hard on myself and being more confidant. I'm really excited and proud of myself for making this amazing decision to do something so good for myself.
My pace group seems cool. We received our marathon training manuals, and I was back home by 9am.
When I got home my muscles were so tight and so sore. I could barely move! I was also starving out of my mind and exhausted. Nutrition is going to be a big issue for me, I've got to start eating a lot more.... particularly a lot more carbs and protein. Eating a good sized breakfast (i.e. something substantially bigger than just oatmeal) before a long run is going to be key. I will also NEVER schedule a training workout (especially an intense one like I had on Friday) the day before a long run. Who knows.... I may have done a lot better if my body had been 1. better rested (in addition I only slept for 5.5hrs) and 2. better nourished.
So thats the story of my first day of marathon training. 1 long run down 26 more long runs to go!
peace.
I actually wasn't planning on going. I figured since it was just an initial timed run, and I had already made plans with my soror to go out the night before, I would just skip the first meeting and time myself running three miles later.
But, ultimately I woke up Saturday morning at 5:30am, saw how beautiful it was, despite predictions of severe thunderstorms all weekend, and (eventually... lol) convinced myself to go.
I grabbed some oatmeal quickly and rushed out the door so that I could grab some water on the way to lake front where the group was meeting. Of course living on the South Side of Chicago, it was nearly impossible to find a simple bottle of water from the gas stations (but that is a whole other conversation about the lack of availability of healthy foods to impoverished communities), but I ended up getting to the beach on time.
There were about 50 people there, most training for the Banco Chicago Half Marathon (a 10 mile race), as well as the Amsterdam, Honolulu and Chicago Marathons. The coaches and program reps gathered us around and talked to us about fundraising and the training program and then off on the run we went!
The instructed us to take it nice and easy and to not huff and puff at all. I definetly overestimated how easy that would be!
I made it about a half a mile before I started getting out of breath and had to start walking. From that point on I ran/walked it the whole way through, trying to fight off my lack of breath! I was definetly having a mental battle with myself, my ego was hurt at all the people passing me, and I wanted to just push ahead and run through my fatigue so I could finish with a faster time.
But to do that would of defeated the purpose of the exercise. They want to know what you are capable of doing comfortably so that they can put you with a pace group with whom you will increase your mileage weekly. So week 1 we ran 3 miles, next week we run 4 miles and by the end of the month we'll be running 7 miles. The only way that you can extend your endurance that quickly is not by sprinting through it, but by taking it slowly.
Like they told us, your endurance gets better whether you go fast or slow, the only thing going to fast to early will accomplish is injury and an inability to finish.
So it was a physical battle to push my body to finish, but it was also a mental battle against my own ego.... I think I spent to much time this morning being disappointed in my inability to run the whole 3 miles, instead of enjoying how beautiful the lake looked in the morning.
In the end though I was surprised, I finished the 3 miles in 39 minutes, averaging a 13 minute mile, which is exactly what I do on the treadmill in the gym. so all that time I was beating myself up thinking I was doing horribly, and I was right on target!
It was really symbolic. In my life I generally spend so much time worrying about what other people are doing and putting undue pressure on myself, and in the end it usually turns out that I'm doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing, if not better!
I think this marathon is going to teach me a lot about not being so hard on myself and being more confidant. I'm really excited and proud of myself for making this amazing decision to do something so good for myself.
My pace group seems cool. We received our marathon training manuals, and I was back home by 9am.
When I got home my muscles were so tight and so sore. I could barely move! I was also starving out of my mind and exhausted. Nutrition is going to be a big issue for me, I've got to start eating a lot more.... particularly a lot more carbs and protein. Eating a good sized breakfast (i.e. something substantially bigger than just oatmeal) before a long run is going to be key. I will also NEVER schedule a training workout (especially an intense one like I had on Friday) the day before a long run. Who knows.... I may have done a lot better if my body had been 1. better rested (in addition I only slept for 5.5hrs) and 2. better nourished.
So thats the story of my first day of marathon training. 1 long run down 26 more long runs to go!
peace.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Chicago AIDS Marathon Training Program
For the last couple of years I've wanted to run a marathon. Something about being able to push your body that hard, the competition that you have to wage within yourself and the accomplishment of winning that inner struggle... has always been really appealing to me.
I would look jealously at the medals my aunt has accumulated over the years from her many marathon runs. And I would always tell myself, "one day" as I looked at pictures of my soror completing a marathon.
But for one reason or another, I put it off in my mind as something I would do sometime in the future.
I first saw a flyer for the Chicago AIDS Marathon Training Program in October 2007. It jumped out at me and I was immediately interested, but, like a lot of things.... it quickly got pushed to the back of my mind as I got distracted by class work and life.
In the last month, advertisements kept popping up at me for the Chicago AIDS Marathon Training Program, I began to wonder if it was some kind of sign. Should I do it? Can I do it?
I had a lot of doubts...
I didn't want to join the training program and then drop out halfway through. I didn't want to not be able to make the $1500 fundraising requirement that the Chicago AIDS Foundation asks from all the runners running in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. And most of all, I didn't want to get to the race and not be able to make it to the finish line.
I've been through a lot since I've moved out here to Chicago.... and because of all the struggle... I had... and have a lot of doubts about what the future holds in store of me....
but at the end of the day i have to believe....
i am the master of my fate... i am the captain of my soul...
and with that i made the decision.... if the internet registration would take one of my credit cards (which seem to stay in a state of perpetual unavailable balance... lol)... then it truly must be meant to be...
first credit card.... denied
second credit card.... successful registration?....
and with that.... i'm a marathon runner (to be...)
i've decided that the only thing that can keep me from accomplishing my goals is me... i can't live my life in fear of failure.... only with big risks can you have a big reward.... right?
ultimately.... running this race is about doing something healthy for both my mind and body.... and more than that... its about recommitting myself to something i care deeply about... HIV/AIDS....
i started this blog to both share my experiences.... as well as to hold myself accountable to myself and those of you that will (hopefully) support me emotionally and financially (by donating to the Chicago AIDS Foundation on my behalf).
so here I go....
my first task? time myself running three miles....
i'll let you know how it goes!
peace.
p.s. keep checking back for regular updates on my progress... as well as information about how you can donate to the Chicago AIDS foundation
I would look jealously at the medals my aunt has accumulated over the years from her many marathon runs. And I would always tell myself, "one day" as I looked at pictures of my soror completing a marathon.
But for one reason or another, I put it off in my mind as something I would do sometime in the future.
I first saw a flyer for the Chicago AIDS Marathon Training Program in October 2007. It jumped out at me and I was immediately interested, but, like a lot of things.... it quickly got pushed to the back of my mind as I got distracted by class work and life.
In the last month, advertisements kept popping up at me for the Chicago AIDS Marathon Training Program, I began to wonder if it was some kind of sign. Should I do it? Can I do it?
I had a lot of doubts...
I didn't want to join the training program and then drop out halfway through. I didn't want to not be able to make the $1500 fundraising requirement that the Chicago AIDS Foundation asks from all the runners running in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. And most of all, I didn't want to get to the race and not be able to make it to the finish line.
I've been through a lot since I've moved out here to Chicago.... and because of all the struggle... I had... and have a lot of doubts about what the future holds in store of me....
but at the end of the day i have to believe....
i am the master of my fate... i am the captain of my soul...
and with that i made the decision.... if the internet registration would take one of my credit cards (which seem to stay in a state of perpetual unavailable balance... lol)... then it truly must be meant to be...
first credit card.... denied
second credit card.... successful registration?....
and with that.... i'm a marathon runner (to be...)
i've decided that the only thing that can keep me from accomplishing my goals is me... i can't live my life in fear of failure.... only with big risks can you have a big reward.... right?
ultimately.... running this race is about doing something healthy for both my mind and body.... and more than that... its about recommitting myself to something i care deeply about... HIV/AIDS....
i started this blog to both share my experiences.... as well as to hold myself accountable to myself and those of you that will (hopefully) support me emotionally and financially (by donating to the Chicago AIDS Foundation on my behalf).
so here I go....
my first task? time myself running three miles....
i'll let you know how it goes!
peace.
p.s. keep checking back for regular updates on my progress... as well as information about how you can donate to the Chicago AIDS foundation
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