Monday, January 10, 2011

8 Minutes to Boston

I like to call this the 8 to 230 Training Plan.

8 minutes = what I ran today

230 minutes = what I might run in Boston if I have a really, really freaking amazing day.

It could be more like 500. I am fine with that. I have to be.

Today is a big, big day. After exactly 3 months of being injured, I was granted the honor of going for a run. For 8 minutes. That was my ration.

Someone asked me recently why I spent three hours online the day of the Boston Marathon registration to make sure I got in. Why did I sit at my keyboard crying tears of frustration each time my application wouldn't go through?

I had to think about that for a minute. Really think. I had just learned of my stress fracture, and was feeling quite uncertain about my running future. What raced through my head was: I worked too hard to qualify and if I don’t get in today, I might not ever qualify again. This was it.

What else has to do with 8 minutes?

  • Light takes 8 minutes to reach the earth from the sun
  • It took Ada 8 (minus 2) minutes to take a dump on the Biggest Loser during her marathon
  • If you keep an 8 minute mile average pace, you will run a 3:30 marathon
  • Some men take 8 minutes. Doing what? You decide.

Today, mother nature was f*cking with me. I woke to snow and –2 degrees. Sure, it’s pretty around here, but it’s that colder than a witch's tit kind of cold.

View from my back porch this a.m. I live in a shit hole:

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Here’s the lake where I love to run. I really wanted to be out here today, but my feet can’t tolerate the cold. Wah, wah, I know. But, I’ve had frostbite and I have Raynaud’s Syndrome, so lay off (do not Google image it, it’s gross. did you just Google it? don’t you listen?):

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I begrudgingly got on the treadmill. The doctor said I could do my 8 minutes all at once, or spread them out. Wow, all 8 minutes at once would have made for a *very* short little midget workout, so I spread it out like this:

image

How did it go, you ask? I hoped it would be all euphoria, ecstasy and angels singing. But, in truth, I could have cried. It hurt. I’m stiff. My body feels off and wrong. Wonky. Is that even a word? That’s how I feel. 2.6 miles total. Please tell me it will get better.

Wonky: weird, whacked out, messed up, not working for no definable reason. synonym = pecker {source: Urban Dictionary}.

Pecker? Really? As in, “My body just feels pecker today?”

The good news is, I don’t think I’ve lost much fitness in the past three months. I have been dedicated to water running (because that Shut Up and Run Girl told me to) at least five times per week. I've been doing yoga and some swimming. Recently, I got on the bike trainer.

Last week I did this:

image

After my 8 minutes I went to the Starbucks’ drive-thru and my mood slightly improved when I saw this little snow man. Who knew the Starbuck’s baristas were so creative? Looks like he just pissed or has the runs.

P1080688

Do you think it really will get better?

Trying to stay positive,

SUAR

77 comments:

  1. That's wonderful that you are able to run again, even if it's just for 8 minutes. You can totally do this.

    I gave you the stylish blogger award on my blog. Check it out if you have time. You know, in between being awesome and all.

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  2. Hope you feel better soon! My best friend has Raynaud's Syndrome - it's the freakiest thing!

    Feel better soon! Hugs from Dallas

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  3. Congrats on being back at it. It WILL get better. I hope we can bump into each other in Boston.... I haven't had a detailed discussion of my bodily functions in ages and it seems as though a mile or 2 with you would hit the spot.... Also, my collar bone and right foot are "pecker" too.

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  4. 8 minutes in heaven! Wait, wasn't 7 minutes in heaven that old game where kids sit in the closet and do . . . ah, never mind. :-)

    Hey, you ran. Sure it was 8 minutes but 8 is greater than 0 (my awesome college education coming into play there woot woot).

    And seriously, could you live in a more uglier place!? :-) Man!

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  5. First of all, if you have Raynaud's, we NEED pictures of your feet. Seriously. NEED!

    And, yes it will get better! I can only imagine how off you must have felt! I took two weeks off after my marathon (completely off--no running, no cross training, NOTHING) and during my first run I felt horrible. I couldn't find my pace or my rhythm, my breathing was off. Everything was just... well, WONKY.

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  6. That's a sorry ass snowman is all I can say.

    Yes! It will get better and you'll be surprised by how quickly it will come back. Enjoy it, even if it's on the stupid treadmill.

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  7. Welcome back to running! I'm sure being on the treadmill had something to do with feeling so "off" also. If you had been able to hit the roads/paths, you would have surely felt like a gazelle striding along like it's the most natural thing in the world!

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  8. Okay, you said don't Google it and I did! Now you want me to tell you it will get better, okay. It's going to get better, trust me! HA, when was the last time you heard that from a guy?????????? LOL

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  9. your body isn't use to impact yet, it will get better! You have the mind of an Ox, you can sure as hell get through this. Think positive, stay positive!
    LC

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  10. It looks COLD but beautiful there :) You should come for a visit and run in our 67 degree winter temps. It's a little easier on the body and the nostrils.

    Today was only day 1. You can only go up from here!

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  11. Don't worry, it will definitely get better. And I'm not just saying that because you told me to. Or maybe I am. But you'll never know, so just trust me on this one.

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  12. Awesome! Congrats on the 8 minutes. It will get better. You know it will. You are in great shape and it will come back quickly. Just be patient and follow your heart.

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  13. ;) it will get better. Today was the first day, all that time in the pool was not a waste!

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  14. Raynaud's...me too....just diagnosed "officially" this year, but have known for about 5 what the problem was. Makes for fun runs and rides.... Keep up the rationing. You rock (and so does your blog).

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  15. It'll get better - a bit better every day. Yay for 8 minutes!

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  16. yay! most people would have called it quits after the stress fracture diagnosis. you're tough. you can do hard things!

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  17. Congratulations on the 8 minutes! As for if it will get better, I leave you with this quote:

    “Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that you’re young enough, old enough, strong enough and so on to accomplish everything you want to do. Don’t let worn out beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself.”

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  18. You are running. Stop your bitchin' and don't forget to do your exercises.

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  19. Hey, I didn't run 8 minutes today, and I am not even injured! Be proud! Be happy! IT WILL GET BETTER!

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  20. Oh Beth, without a doubt it will get better and quickly I promise. Your body just isn't used to the impact yet! Congrats on running!!!! I'm so happy for you! The treadmill feels different besides. You can't control nearly as much. Suffer through the first week or two , you'll break those legs back in and you'll be good to go! Keep your head up!!!

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  21. Running! :D It will totally get better - because you are a super tough, determined lady! You said it: you never give up. And 8 minutes of painful running is better than no running at all, right?
    I have Reynaud's too - guess we could be the pussy feet posse? I got my orthotics today, so hopefully soon I'll get to run again too!
    I love the Starbucks snowman - cute!
    Good luck!!

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  22. Some of the Raynaud's hands are kind of cool-looking. You have all the cool ailments.

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  23. It's already getting better, Beth. You got to do 8 minutes of something that you love. Tomorrow you'll be a little less stiff. You are even stronger than you think you are!

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  24. Just the first day of a beautiful comeback Beth! Baby steps. First times doing anything usually feels a little wonky.

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  25. It will get better! I had to take a month off once due to bronchitis that wouldn't go away. When I could finally run again, I felt like a beginner. It took a good two weeks before I felt like I was back to my old self. My legs hurt like hell the first week but after that, it was fine.

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  26. It's a step in the right direction! I'm sure it will get better - your body will get back on track. We're all pulling for you!

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  27. What's wrong with that view? Trees, mountains, some water. Only a little bit of snow, nothing to get excited about. Not cold at all, unless the wind is howling. Seems like a perfectly nice place to live.

    First time at anything is hard. It's almost worst if it's been a while, since you not only remember how it was, you glamorize it - faster, smoother, better, whatever. Then reality strikes. Trust yourself, it will get better.

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  28. Well, it's 8 more minutes than yesterday! You can do it!!

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  29. 1 minute at a time, 8 minutes is further than I ran today...

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  30. IT WILL GET BETTER.
    I AM PRAYING TOO HARD FOR YOU TO NOT!!!
    I am sorry it was so rough but it was EIGHT MINUTES AND THAT IS AWESOME!! Love the snowman:) You got this girl and we are all here to support you!!! When it is warm again I am driving to colorado to come run with you, that lake would be a great run!

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  31. Hang in there. It will get better (after some time). I also hate the waiting game.

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  32. It will get better. With hip and pelvic stress fractures, most people feel "something" for months to years after the injury has "healed." Though my fracture sites don't hurt, the muscles and tendons in the area seem to bitch and moan almost daily.

    I think patience and humility are key when returning from stress fractures of this magnitude.

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  33. YEA, game on!! Here's hoping you can get outside tomorrow. The snow may add a nice layer of cushion especially when on a dirt trail or road. (Did for me yesterday, very easy on the joints!)

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  34. Glad your run went great, you're just shaking the "running" cobwebs out. Once you've got a few under your belt, off you'll go! :)

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  35. BTW, that view is spectacular!

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  36. I take time-released Cardizem for my Raynaud's. Works great AND helps control my blood pressure!

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  37. Glad to see you're back running on solid ground. 8 minutes will be 8 miles, etc., etc., before you know it. It can only get better from here.

    Careful sharing those pictures of trees and mountains. Construction crews from NC will show up unexpectedly and remove them all. The world needs more drugstores and grocery stores. Oxygen is for the weak.

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  38. I came home from work needing good news. Seeing you back to running made me smile. I am still a newbie so I have no advice. I still and probably always will run much like you did today with walking breaks and that is ok for me. I know you have been running a while now (minus your time with the PP) but you didn't come out of the gate running marathons. Remember that and be kind to yourself!

    much love, jen

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  39. I found you yesterday, which got me to the treadmill today. Thanks for the hilarious inspiration. It will get better!

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  40. Yes, wonky is a word! It better be since it's in the title of my blog...

    Anyway, good use of the word!

    And good luck on your subsequent runs.

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  41. Yes I think it will get better. You need that thing that is not always easy to find...Oh yeah PATIENCE...and Faith...Believe.
    Baby steps you will get there.

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  42. Beth-

    I have one thing to say...Take your own advice and

    Shut Up and Run!

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  43. I love the word wonky.
    Get after it! You can definitely go 8 to 230.

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  44. sending you positive thoughts and feelings

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  45. Yes Andrea I obviously agree in the Shut Up and Run philosphy! But when it comes to injury, it changes things up a bit....

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  46. I really do think it will get better... it might take a bit, but it will get better. And luckily you haven't been sitting around feeling sorry for yourself and eating bon bons (at least not the whole time) so it will get better a lot faster for you than it would for the average person. Yes, I did just call you above average. Happy 8 minutes!

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  47. Running! Yay! 8 minutes is better than no minutes so you're already headed in the right direction! Don't worry about the wonky too much, keep an eye on it for sure, but it's to be expected coming back. Train smart my dear!

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  48. Beth, now you know the reason for only being allowed to run 8 minutes on your first day back. You know running is challenging, I'm sure if it wasn't, you'd find something to replace it. Simply put, you have a huge running challenge in front of you, to go from were you are today to the finish line in Boston. Enjoy the 3 month mini-adventure that is ahead of you. These are the experiences that you'll remember. It will prepare you in ways that are not possible from an uneventful training plan. You may not have an exceptional performance at Boston but undoubtedly it will contribute to an incredible performance in the future that WILL happen when everything falls into place. Part of what will be learned is to have even more patience and perseverance than you might have thought possible. If running accomplishments were easy, they just wouldn't have value.

    Dana

    PS. I went out in the -2 F temps this morning for a 7 mile run. I dressed warm and thoroughly enjoyed the quiet, solitude and spectacular beauty of the sunrise hitting the mountain peaks.

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  49. The anticipation has been building for this day and it wasn't what you expected, so of course it will get better. Hang in there while I go check out Raynaud's.

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  50. Stay positive Beth! You rock and your view from your back porch SUCKS! I would hate to wake to that everyday:). Can't wait to hear about the next 8 minutes.

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  51. I have Raynaud's too - pain in the ass...(or rather hands and feet!)

    Congrats on the 8 - of course it hurt, your body's got to get use to the impact right? Which also means it will get better. Just take it a day at a time ...or at least 8 minutes at a time, and don't expect miracles right away. They will come!

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  52. It'll get better then better. It'll get awesome! It might have sucked but you got it done because you wanted to.

    Its the first offical steps to Boston!

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  53. it absolutely will get better. just take it slow to ease back into it and try to stretch before and after to stay loose. keep your head up.

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  54. 8 minutes! WOO HOO! IT will get better. I run every week and sometimes 8 minutes hurts : ) Good luck and Boston will be great.

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  55. I predict that it will get way easier and fast. In fact you will probably start to want to come back too fast and will have to try hard not to do too much too fast. Keep your head up!

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  56. First off: congrats on the 8 minutes of running!! And I promise you it'll get better/easy/less achy and foreign. I was there a month or two ago. The fact that your fitness is still top notch is going to be a HUGE help (you've been bustin' ass in the pool, no doubt). Boston won't even know what hit it when you show up. And as for that feeling on Oct 18th when registration opened? I felt(/feel) the exact same way. I feel like, "I trained so hard to get there, what if it never happens again. I want to do everything I can to give Boston my all when I get there". Congrats again on your first run back!!

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  57. it will absolutely get better! After a couple runs you'll loosen up and feel like your old self again.....It doesn't take long to get back in the groove. Congrats on the Athleta campaign by the way!

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  58. This is peckerific!!

    Yes.
    It
    Will
    Get
    Better.

    Yay for 8!

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  59. I love your other "8 minutes to" things. It looks like you're still keeping up and I'm sure you'll be fine for Boston! Congrats! Love the white undies and congrats on the Athleta campaign. Does this mean you get free stuff because then I'm gonna be really jealous!

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  60. Jen - yeah, lotsa free stuff!!

    RawBodyGoddess - it was a joke. being very sarcastic. i am lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful spots in the country.

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  61. Congrats on your run, as frustrating as it may have been for you!

    It will get better - everything with you just gets better, right? I think that's why you have so many followers :)

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  62. Yes, yes, yes - it will get better. Run Boston as a long training run with 30,000 friends, if you have to. Just don't reinjure yourself if you can help it!

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  63. holy shit, i thought it was cold here!!! i know how that first pitifully short run is. youre so excited to be running, but scared to death it will be horrible, and mad at how far behind you are, but excited that you can start over again. its a HUGE roller coaster. but alas, i am injured again....thinking of doing what "that shut up and run girl" says to do and get my ass in the pool and aqua jog...ughhhh!!!!

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  64. Hey it is a start. It still AMAZES me that you did all those hours in the pool. I really know that I would NOT have been able to keep that up. I just wouldn't have been that dedicated. So proud of you - you are truely an inspiration.

    Keep up the hard work.

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  65. Yes, it'll definitely get better. Baby steps my dear...

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  66. I was toddling for a mile and a quarter when I started back to running in September. Doing it the way you are... run a little, walk a bit... I had been off of running for about 8 years and had not done ANY training like you have been while injured. You are super fit... now time to get those land legs back ;-) You are going to do great things!

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  67. You will be running like normal in no time. Baby steps! You will get there! Keep your chin up!

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  68. Try to withhold any judgement as to what will happen. Of course your first run back was shitty. Running is a pounding, unforgiving sport. I felt that exact way after being out with my achilles. Can only imagine what you're dealing with after a sfx. But as the cliche goes: Believe. Will yourself there. My money is still on you for Hopkinton and Boylston on April 18.

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  69. 8 minutes is better than no minutes! keep your head high sunshine... you will be back at it in no time!

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  70. Yay for actually running...even if it was only for 8 minutes! You haven't run in a long time, so of course it felt wonky (love that word by the way!)! IT WILL GET BETTER!!!

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  71. you can do it!! keep going :)

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  72. OF COURSE it will get better. And, in the meantime, there are 76 people (plus me) that are rooting for you and read your blog to make our own days and runs a bit better.

    Congratulations on running, and be patient so you don't get hurt again!!!

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  73. Yeah for your first 8 minutes - it will get better, and I think you may feel a little pecker for a while (I love using pecker as a descriptive, thank you for that) but it will get better each time. You rock.

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