dmd- I think my problem is that I have raced really hard for many, many years. Racing really hurts the way I do it, and I haven’t seemed to figure out how to back it off a little. I actually HAVE backed it off, but I think the anxiety is so ingrained… I have raced so much in past years where there was a lot at stake- other people depending on me for a team score (national championship level stuff), trying to break goal times (1:30 for I/2 marathon, 3:10 for marathon etc) and even trying to win, that it just stirs up HUGE anxiety. I wish it didn’t. I was even nervous running with my daughter for her first marathon in 2012 and it was going to be an easy pace for me! It’s just something about racing. I’m pretty OK once I get going and am thrilled once it’s over, so I seem to keep doing it. I’ve been on corporate teams (not this current one by any means) that approached the level of professional sports with the expectations and the pressure. I loved it at the time, but it did generate huge anxiety.
dmd- I remember you planning for the trail race for next year. I’m glad you can do a work-around and do another event so you can go to the wedding.
“BunsenBurner – am I remembering correctly that it was your house that had ten trees on the roof back in one of the windstorms? If so, I’m not surprised that your commute has become impossible. The last time I was up that way, it was awful even in the middle of the day. People complain about how much worse the Portland traffic has gotten now that we’re not in a recession, but it’s never been THAT bad! Good luck with the move!”
No, that was must have bee someone else. Not a single tree that can fall on our roof, thank goodness. Just a year ago, it was one hour (10 min drive and 45-50 min on the bus), but that is no longer the case. I typed up a long post explaining why it got so bad, but lost it. Anyway, not the topic of this thread!
hey niquii77 – I meant to post earlier – I like your mindset (making up the plan that works for you). If you’re seeing great results, it is the right plan for you!
@MOWC: Painful racing would make me anxious too! You make me feel fortunate that I’ve never felt the need to push myself like that as part of a team–I guess because I’ve always been the fifth member of a team–you know, the one that you get to join the team because the average of the first four people is used and you want to have a spare, just in case? Or because the entry requires five people? That’s been me, on many teams over the years. When I swam in college, I swam butterfly and breaststroke–but only if the other team had only one butterflyer or breaststroker (we were in class D competition), because I always finished last, but sometimes that meant I finished third, and that one point might matter. (I also dove, but there I was actually decent. Not great, but decent.) Twice in my three years of competitive college swimming, we did win by that one point, so that was okay. When I ran with the Greater Boston Track Club, I was always #5 (on teams that were pretty awesome, in retrospect, so that’s fine). On one memorable occasion, though, I ended up ranked tenth in New England in Cross-Country–because all of the runners after the first nine took a wrong course. I was so far behind (running on a stress fracture, just to finish as #5 on the team) that I didn’t follow the rest–which meant I was tenth, officially, despite having the worst time of all, including the 45 runners who finished ahead of me (even with the extra mile they ran).
Bunsen. Thinking of you while I do my home ultrasound and EMS unit on my knee tonight. I’m still having knee related issues and hoping I don’t have a stress fracture. Bunsen have you tried ultrasound and EMS as a home rehab solution? You can buy home units from a company called LGMedSupply.
Ohio- sorry your knee is still acting up. If it is a stress fracture, the good thing is that they tend to heal in a finite amount of time.
I am a very competitive person and I like to push myself as hard as I can. It just generates too much anxiety, even when I decide NOT to push that hard!
Ohio, sorry to hear that you are still having knee issues. My doc thinks my problem originates in a different system. My joints and bones look fine. My guts look fine. Made some more appointments. Meanwhile, it is PT. I hide the pain well, so very few folks realize I am not 100%. We had a scavenger hunt at work, and boy one of my teammates is a hard core runner. He was excited to have another runner on the team… except he had no idea I was a slug. Lol. I managed to keep up with the pace, but geez it hurt.
Happy Election Day everyone! I, for one, am just happy it will be over soon.
Headed out soon to play a fun round of Election Day Golf with the women at my club. Someone had the great idea that today, of all days, we needed FRESH air! It’s a gorgeous and sunny here, and should be fairly warm by the time we tee off.
3.1 miles this morning. I needed to clear my head. Social media has gotten ugly.
Went to the local running club’s annual meeting last night (small attendance on a Monday night) and heard my inspiring friend talk about his Vol State 500K (314 miles) races that he did in 2013 and 2015. It’s a bizarre event that takes 8 days or so and he does it completely unsupported- no personal support vehicle, although strangers can give you food and water. You can buy food and stay in motels. Anyway- he’s 76 now and has written 3 books about his adventures and his running. He’s a retired engineering professor. It was fun and fascinating. It felt like midnight after work on the way there, though. I really get tired at the end of my days.
It was beautiful here this morning but I went to the gym for some cross training - something I’ve slacked on recently. 65 minutes of elliptical intervals listening to happy music. Saw friends, a good morning.
I can’t imagine a 500k race - he must be a pretty incredible individual.
I am trying out some new recipes now that I don’t have to worry about my digestive system as much - tonight is going to be beef and broccoli prepared in the crockpot. I made it several months ago and it got a thumbs up from Mr. Sabaray, so will repeat it tonight. I got the “Run Fast, East Slow” cookbook and plan to try some recipes from there this week too. In my case it’s usually run slow, eat fast!
I ordered Lulu’s First Mile 1/2 zip - it has the same lining as the pants I got in store last week. I think it will be a nice intermediate layer.
It’s really easy. Chop up a pound and a half of flank steak (into two inch pieces) and put in your crockpot, add a cup of low sodium beef broth, 1/2 cup of liquid aminos, 2 tbsp of pure maple syrup, 1 tbsp of sesame oil, 1 tbsp of minced garlic and 1/4 tsp of crushed red pepper. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Whisk together 1/4 cup of cold water and 2 tbsp of arrowroot or tapioca flour, add to the crockpot and stir. Add four cups of broccoli (fresh florets), cover and steam for an additional 30 minutes. Serve over rice or other grain of your choosing. It’s good.
Last night I had a good 3.8 mile run. I was faster than I had planned to run but it felt pretty good. Tonight will be a slower run with the running club. Probably in the rain, though.
BB - I am so sorry about what has happened with your commute. My D currently has a commute similar to what your previous commute was - she drives 5-10 minutes and then a 45 min bus ride. They have had to move due to lease expiration a couple times and her main criteria each time they move is that she only wants to ride one bus, no transfers. I can’t imagine doing what you are putting up with. I hope you’re able to find the perfect place for you and Mr. B. And I sure hope you get to feeling better soon!
MOWC - it’s a shame that you suffer from the race anxiety so badly. I think you have a demanding career that you probably have to be always on your game for, so it’s probably just part of your nature to always be competitive and sweat over being and doing your best.
CBBBlinker - I hope you enjoy the golf today and I’m glad have a nice sunny day for it.
We waited an hour and 15 minutes to vote this morning (got there at 5:50 am and left at 7:05 am) and I was glad that the rain didn’t start until later. We were at least dry while we waited, but it was cold!
C3B- the odd thing is that I honestly don’t care about my times nearly as much these days, and I STILL freak out. I have a couple other friends who are the same way. It’s really frustrating. I think another problem is that if I run well I can usually win something in a local or regional race, and while that certainly should not be the top goal, it’s hard to back off and give up that shot at a plastic trophy or big medal! I almost think marathon training might help me, because I can set some specific pace goals, maybe.
Sabaray, thanks! I am going to try your beef recipe in the Instapot! I will cook the beef under pressure and then use the crockpot setting to finish the broccoli part. That should cut the cooking time significantly.
C3Baker, just to let you know - both Mr. and I voted FOR the trains and busses. Why pay for something I personally will never use? I feel that we owe it to the future generations.
Hot here in midtown. Glad the marathon wasn’t today!
C3B – good for you, getting out to do almost 4 miles so soon after your race!
Putting together a casual dinner for fiancé and his fellow marathon buddies. So far, the menu is chicken parm, pasta, garlic bread, brownies and ice cream. We’re carb loading for 2017.
Just a year ago, it was one hour (10 min drive and 45-50 min on the bus), but that is no longer the case. I typed up a long post explaining why it got so bad, but lost it. Anyway, not the topic of this thread!
My doc thinks my problem originates in a different system. My joints and bones look fine. My guts look fine. Made some more appointments. Meanwhile, it is PT. I hide the pain well, so very few folks realize I am not 100%.