Friday, November 27, 2009

Dead Beaver

Praise the Lord, I was able to run for the first time in over nine weeks yesterday. I was on cloud nine. It felt amazing. There is just nothing like it. And believe me I have tried it all: cycling, ellipticaling, swimming, walking. Running's just my thing. This is what I have to say about cross training (with the help of the internet):
  • It will never be running
  • You should choose workouts that are closest to running in terms of muscles used and aerobic systems taxed. Good options include elliptical trainers, cross-country ski machines, stationary bikes, and water running
  • It helps reduce injury by forcing you to run less and by balancing your weaker muscles with your stronger ones. It will also lessen the stress on your joints, which are often a sore spot for runners.
  • It helps build different muscles than running does, hopefully making you a better runner
  • You'll avoid getting bored with running. Bored with running, what? Are you high? Supposedly, running day after day will eventually burn out even the most hard-core runner. Cross-training gives runners a much-needed mental break from their sport, which is especially important for those training for long-distance events such as marathons.

For me I cross train so I can run. Bottom line. Running gives me a much needed mental break from cross training.

The only bad part about my run was I can only do 20 minutes right now. At the 20 minute mark (2.1 miles) I was just getting my groove on. I SO didn't want to stop. But this little voice inside my head was saying (don't look back you can never look back...what song is that?) "don't overdue it, you'll risk injury and then you'll be screwed," so I stopped and walked the rest of the way home. Walking sucks. I hate it.

I came home and made this Caramel Apple Pie from Cooking Light.


I love pie and this recipe was a winner. I also made Grandma Ball's homemade stuffing. It does not have any balls in it. Although one year I might add some just to see if anyone notices.

Today Ken and I ventured out for a bike ride. Ken thinks he's all cool in his snazzy new outfit.



Actually this outfit is extremely meaningful - the brother of one of Ken's friends died in a flying accident over the Everglades last year. He used to own a place called Saxy's Cafe in Aspen and was the father of three. He was only 37. Ken's friend had these jerseys and shorts made in his memory.

I am wearing the same old biking crap I've worn my whole life. My jersey has no sentimental meaning. Those shorts have more butt miles on them than my 2003 Explorer.

It was about 60 degrees, so no threat of repeating last weekend's fiasco.

We went for 20 miles, averaging 17.2 mph. My lady parts now hurt. Those areas are tender and get quite beat up on the bike. Am I the only one? I guess if I biked more things would toughen up.


Speaking of, I saw a dead baby beaver along the side of the road. Really, I did.

Drinking: Candy Cane Lane tea

18 comments:

  1. Welcome back to running! It is so hard to be able to go for only a short run, but pretty soon that will change.
    About the bike...are you fitted properly? My longest ride was 25 miles, and I had a bit of lower back tension, but nothing on the private area....

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  2. I am sure that it was amazing to be back out there running.

    Biking hurts my girl bits too! 20 miles ouch!

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  3. Way to go on the run!!

    What song is that from?? It is driving me crazy!

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  4. so happy for you! you were sooo right to take it easy!... as far as the biking... i get sore too but it just takes a while to get use to it all :) I use to bike a LOT but Running is soooo my thing now.

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  5. glad you had a great run! you're not the only one re: pain on the bike. I find it 1000% worse when my bike is on the trainer as opposed to riding outdoors. Have a great weekend :)

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  6. i'm so happy for you! i bet you were just thrilled to get out there and run- even if it was for just 20 minutes!

    great job on the long bike ride! um my lady parts would be hurting too!!!!

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  7. Ok, I am old, I remember the song: Don Henley "The Boys of Summer."

    My wife avoids 'dead baby beaver' syndrome in three ways:
    1. A real high quality pair of shorts (they make a big difference).
    2. One of those 'made for women' saddles with a bit in the middle cut out. (Actually I use one of those too as it helps avoid numb nuts.)
    If 1. and 2. fail ...
    3. She stops riding. Effective, but not quite the same.

    Cheers, PB

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  8. Welcome back to running! There is nothing that compares, no matter what we try. I find everytime I cross train, I just want to be running instead, even though cross training is so good for the running. The pie looks devine - yum! If I made it, I'd eat the entire thing! Nice bike outfit of your husbands, very special!
    Another gorgeous day in Denver today :).

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  9. The song is Boys of Summer. :) So glad you're able to get back to running. And that's a pretty darn quick clip biking. I'm impressed if I can get my one speed beach cruiser to 12 mph. :p

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  10. So happy you got back out there, I can't even let my mind go to where you've been...kind of a dark place but you're a survivor and look at you now. The come back is the most inspiring part. Poor beaver.

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  11. That's awesome that you are back out there running, even if it's a short run. Great job to keep the run at 20 mins.

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  12. AMEN sister!! I have tried to explain it to people before but I just can't really get them to understand, running is what I do...everything else is so I can run better.

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  13. Yay, you are back running!! I can only imagine how hard it was to stop at 20 minutes...but you did and you'll be happy when you take it slow and can keep on running and running.

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  14. Dang! 17.2mph is speedy!

    Congrats on the running. It sucks to have to stop, but recovery is numero uno priority.

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  15. Twenty whole minutes!!! I'm sure it didn't feel like enough, but it was have been GLORIOUS nonetheless. Welcome back!!

    Mmm.... pie.

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  16. Great run, speedy bike ride and an awesome pie! You are amazing! And there is nothing like a great run! Have a great week lady! :)

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  17. Yay! Glad you were able to run!!

    That pie looks soooooo good!

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