Erin Go Bragh! J9 runs in Ireland!

Three glorious, sunny weeks vacationing in Ireland. A time to visit family in Dublin, sightsee in Kerry, relax on sandy beaches (yes, it's true), and run the Strawberry Festival Half Marathon in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford (pic taken along race route) .

I was fully trained for this event and ready to PR by 10 minutes or so. The half marathon was scheduled for a week and a half into my trip, allowing lots of time to recover from jetlag. We booked a room at The Old Bridge House B&B just a few blocks from the 10am race start. (Now a word about the B&B's link -- the picture of the Redmonds is probably 10-15 years old. They are much hipper in real life. The couple made our family of 4 feel so welcome, comfortable, and relaxed. We would go back in a heart-beat.)

So Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. The race sounds soooooo perfectly planned. Lots of build-up to the perfect drama filled race -- but there was none. This was the first race I have run where my family got to see me off at the start, AND watch me cross the finish line! There was just enough rain in the beginning which made a brick hill a little too slippery for my liking. Soon the sun broke out creating a rather warm and humid run. Generally speaking, the runners were fast and by mile 2, I was close to being a solitary runner. I did have my eye on one woman's back -- we all do it. Spot someone ahead and focus on that person's back. Don't lose 'em! If I could just catch up....and I did.


At mile 4, I met this lovely lady from Wexford and asked her if she wouldn't mind me running with her for a bit. She said sure, but that she may need to take a walk break here and there. That was fine with me. We ran...chatted...walked....chatted....ran...chatted about walk breaks....this was her first half marathon....her son was running ahead with a goal of 1:30......not in my life-time....ran.....chatted, and before I knew it, we had been running together for 8 miles with only one mile to go. I took off for the last mile, because my legs needed to. That's her on the right, as I took off for the last mile.I ignored my pace during those 8 miles. Those easy, conversational miles felt good and were fun. I took more walk breaks than necessary, but it was nice chatting with this lovely lady from Wexford whose name I have forgotten and can't even recall by looking at the race results. When at last I approached the finish line along the river Slaney, there was my family, cheering me on.

I didn't PR this race, and it didn't matter. I enjoyed the run, I enjoyed the company, I enjoyed the journey. The final post-race destination -- a cooling leg bath in the Slaney River.

"How windy? The puddles had white caps." - Robin Podesta

Santa Cruz Half Marathon
An unseasonable storm had been predicted for half marathon day, with rain and winds of up to 20 mph along the coast. And where was the run? Along the coast. Thankfully, the rain gods held tight to their clouds for my first 10-11 miles, and as I rounded the final descent toward the finish - they released their clentch. What a fantastic run -- yeah, there was wind and rain. But I felt great, I started at an easy pace then picked it up. For the first time in a long time, I ran a long distance full of joy. During the final 2 miles, I ran right along the coast -- at times with a head wind, at times the ocean mist spraying on my face, all the time the rain, and all the while a smile upon my face. I loved it. The sound of the rain, the wind, the ocean spray created a rhythm for running that felt easy. I probably could have pushed it more....I'll save that for the next one.

Yo...Spondylolisthesis. Kiss my Psoas!

Well…it took me a while to recover from the marathon -- physically and emotionally. I was physically and emotionally pissed off and fed-up about my (lack of) physical recovery.

Long story short – after being born with a lack of confidence in the chiropractic field, I figured it was time to give it a shot. Several running friends gave high accolades to one particular chiro who practices ART – active release therapy. I made an appointment, retold my year-long injury story and mentioned that I was leery of chiropractors. She recommended a back x-ray based on my medical history. When I was about 12, I was diagnosed with spondylolsis – small fracture in my vertebra which caused hip pain. I thought, yeah, I should get another back xray to at least see how things had changed since I was 12. The xray revealed something interesting...I am now diagnosed with isthmic spondylolisthesis– I may have had this for years. Now, I don't require surgery, but I’m still not sure how I feel about this. Check out this link for an animated explanation http://www.spine-health.com/video/spondylolisthesis-symptoms-causes-and-treatment-options-video

I will tell you what I’m doing about it. I am NOT resting. Through strength training, I am getting my core and upper body stronger than it ever was before. Dr. Carley is working out my piriformis, psoas, lower back and things are finally getting loose. My body works symmetrically now and I no longer run on my toes. This happened naturally, didn’t even have to think about it. Next on my list is to get into yoga.

In terms of running, I am registered for two half marathons – one in April, and one in June. I ran 12 glorious miles last weekend without pain before, during, or after the run. I’m running my fourth season with Team In Training – not sure if it will be a half or a full. I really feel in the game. In fact, I wrote a little poem...

an ode to a tale of woe
by runJ9run

Oh calf with pain!
To what do I attribute thee?
Shin splints, stress fracture I did not see.

One blamed the sacroiliac
To be out of place
I wore a funky belt, which caused some disgrace.

It took one who listened, to finally see.
A vertebra set ajar
Caused this leg pain…when I ran too far.

My muscles compensated
As I ran upon a right toe
I’d like to think, it’s why I ran slow.

Sooooooo many issues
Tight piriformis, psoas, IT
Caused Doc Carley to dig into me

All hail core! Strength training and more!
You may have kicked my ass.
But you indeed, improved my perform-ance.

And to whom do I thank?
Why ME!
For becoming an advocate of my medical his-tor-y!

ROYAL VICTORIA MARATHON - 10/11/09

Introduction
In the weeks leading up to marathon day, my training was SERIOUSLY restricted. The IT issue was related to misaligned sacroiliac (once again). Sacroiliac joint needed a break to maintain alignment which meant doing nothing that created motion with the hips or stress on the lower back. So....no running, no aqua-jogging, no elliptical, no swimming, no cycling, no spinning, no foam rolling, limited walking. Hmmm, this kinda interferes with that MARATHON I'm suppose to be running, eh? However, I could do strengening exercises prescribed by my PT. I became the master squatter, cruncher, therabander doing up to 35 reps of everything 3 times a day. However, in the end, it created a tight hip-flexor that killed me during the last 5 miles of the marathon. But I'm jumping ahead here.

Day 1
Thanks to the support of so many, I raised over $3000 for LLS through Team In Training for the opportunity to run the Royal Victoria Marathon. What a fantastic weekend with perfect weather shared with some amazing people. I arrived in Victoria with 3 fellow rungirls one day ahead of the rest of the team. While waiting in the customs line at the airport, a tall man with an accent started chatting us up. "Are you here for the marathon? Are you running for a charity" We mentioned we were with TNT and chatted for a while before going our separate ways. Fast forward 3 hours after enjoying high tea at the Empress... We got to the expo before it opened and soon the "opening ceremonies" began with that same tall gentleman cutting the ribbon to open the weekend's events. He pointed toward us and smiled down from the balcony saying, "There are my TNT runners!" As we ascended the staircase for the expo he gave each of us a high five. As it turned out, this was Rod Dixon: olympian, New York Marathon winner, and the first TNT coach. Good omen for race day.

Day 2 - The Eve of the Marathon
Toured the marathon course by bus -- knowledge is power dontcha know. Saw the hills and new what to expect. Learned landmarks I would look foward to seeing. Rested, relaxed, drank FANTASTIC coffee.

Attended a Night of Inspiration with fellow TNT athletes. Honoree (and team mate) Todd Moore told us his story and why we were there. His form of blood cancer is most likely to reoccur, the question is when. He thanked us not only for what we are doing now, but for what needs to be done for his future. He finished with something for us to think about during the inevitable hellacious moments of the marathon. He explained, in great detail, his experience of having a auger drilled into his hip with blood dripping down his leg to extract bone marrow. Needle-butt. Not a pretty sight - if he can endure that, surely we can endure a marathon. By the way, Todd finished the Victoria Marathon in 3:38:58.

Day 3 - The Marathon

Up at 4am to warm up the muscles, stretch the IT, hip flexor, and calves -- my problem spots. Hoping that would prevent the voodoo doll in my head from stabbing the points during my run. Eat. Dress. Walk to the starting line.

During the first few miles, my calves were TIGHT. Stopped 3 times to stretch with the encouragement of Jen. The calves were never an issue for the rest of the run. 15 miles flew by...yes they did.

With the sunrise and beautiful scenery, how could it not. Such a piece of cake, truly. Goal #2 could easily be achieved, I thought. We were on track. I was an ultra-conservative runner on that day -- sacro-ili-crap won't get the best of me! It was great seeing fellow TNTers run by...I knew I was not alone.

Jen and I stuck together during a lot of the run, at times playing a game of cat and mouse. At mile 19ish the oh-crap-what-the-hell-is-this happened. Hip flexor tooo tight - every time the left leg made forward motion I winced with pain that came and went in waves. Then the IT crunched near the near. Saw Coach Tim at mile 20ish which released endorphins masking the pain. Mile 22ish had to keep on running -- decreasing walk breaks significantly -- rubbed biofreeze on the hip-flexor and IT. The transition from walk to run was far too painful. At this point, my run pace slowed so the cardio wouldn't run out. I was running without Jen for quite a bit, but my body couldn't take the walking. Visions of "needle-in-the-butt" kept me going. Visions of baby Zach enduring chemo before he reached his first birthday kept me going. The sacroiliac belt with all my honorees names written on it kept me going. My three original marathon time goals were thrown out the window, but my 4th goal was still within reach - sub 6 hours. I had a 5th and 6th goal in place (just in case), but not finishing was not one of them.

The Finish

I hadn't run with Jen for quite some time, I had no idea where she was. I really wanted to finish with her, but I had to keep forward motion and be selfish at that point. 4 miles to go. I sped up my walk pace during those breaks, sped up my run pace. Could I have done this earlier. I don't know. Then OUT OF NOWHERE with roughly a mile to go, this perky (what the hell?) chick shows up by my side, "Janine, let's DO THIS THING!" It seriously took me a moment to snap out of my marathon coma and realize I wasn't hallucinating. It was Jen. I began looking for Arianna and James, they promised to be here somewhere. I needed them. Then they appeared. James began running with Jen.

Arianna began running with me - talking me through the turns and what to expect. I told her I couldn't speak. She knew this feeling from her Napa Marathon and she was low key. She knew what to say and what not to say. I began to run faster and faster. Faster. Honoree Jack and his wife were there near the finish. He was there -- I could see the Finish Line Banner. Closer. Nearly there. Arianna left me and James left Jen. Together, Jen and I sprinted. I saw Evie cheering our names from behind the fence. We sprinted through to the end releasing any pain that previously exisited. For about 2 minutes, that voodoo doll lost control and I ran, without pain, faster...I ran.

The Result

4th goal achieved...sub 6 hours

Marathon time: 5:57:29

15 Miles o' Walkin'

SO....back on the injury block. Thankfully it's not the sacroiliac which pulled me from the Napa Marathon last March. Now, it's the dreaded IT band that many runners, sooner or later, have issues with. Once diagnosed, I was relieved for a moment or two. I KNEW what I could do before my first physical therapy appt -- foam roll, roll, roll, and roll some more, AND get NEW shoes. I found spots in my glutes that I didn't know existed, and once the tightness was released -- my back pain disappeared. WARNING! I am NOT suggesting that if you have lower back pain you should foam roll your glutes -- I was diagnosed with an IT band issue and I knew rolling this region was good for me. Had I been diagnosed with a sacroiliac issue, hmm, well -- that would have been not so wise.

So I couldn't run the 18 miles as prescribed by my training program -- but I COULD walk. I walked 15 miles and it wasn't easy. I felt FANTASTIC for the first 12 miles, then the legs and glutes started feeling tired. YET, no pain. None. It would have been a very lonely walk had it not been for Wylea -- she really helped me get out of several funks, where I normally would have just given up. Not because I couldn't do it, but because -- well, truth be told, walking for 15 miles is kinda long and boring. We had great chats about our Team In Training experiences (she's done ELEVEN seasons) and we pulled through together.

So now, I've got my aqua-jogging plan in place, sports massage scheduled to knead the IT band, and physical therapy sessions lined up. Fingers crossed. As long as I exercise restraint and not run too soon, I'll be good to go for the Victoria Marathon come October.

TEN MILES!

Oh yes....Ten Miles.
Today I ran my first double-digit run since my winter season injury in January. Jen was on the fence regarding her day's mileage (she ran a half-marathon last weekend), and at last decided to stick with 8. We ran together for the first 4 miles...neither one of us was feeling "the groove". I wasn't looking forward to running the last 6 solo, but then things improved.

Solo, but Not Alone
At mile 6ish, I finally hit a groove. My pace leveled out, transitions between run and walk smoothed (ran 4:1 interval), and that little voice inside my head didn't rear its ugly head by whispering, "Just walk...why bother...what are you trying to prove".

Although I was running solo, I was not running alone. At the ten-mile turn-around, I started to see more TNT runners from other waves. We called out "Go Team!" to each other and had a few conversations with runners as we leap frogged between our run-walk intervals. At miles 6, 7, and 9, I realized I was feeling good. I quickly pushed that thought out of my mind for fear that I would jinx the run. When the finish was in view, I saw the group eating Victoria's Beakfast Burrito's --- I couldn't wait to eat the perfect post-run meal. I chatted, stretched, and just as I was about to eat, one of my mentees came in from her 12 mile run. This was the longest distance Cecile had ever run and she was grinning from ear to ear. She did it, and felt good.

Personal Accomplishments, Team Achievements
We started running as a team in June with a goal of 3-6 miles with zero dollars raised. Marathoners are now running up to 12 miles and, as a team, we have have raised over $115,000! Just imagine how much all Team in Training summer teams will raise nationwide. We are each making personal accomplishments in our running and fundraising goals, while making enormous team achievements for the greater good as a result.

Thank you, once again, to each individual who has donated toward my fundraising efforts. You are indeed making a difference in the lives of so many.
Donations are welcome until the date of my Marathon, October 11, 2009.

FANTASTIC FIVE!

The "D" Word has been resonating a little too much lately. The word? Defeated. But today, at last, I felt back in the game. And it was a realistic game of five miles at Rancho San Antonio. Love that place. Dirt trails, varied terrain, deer, bunnies, families of quail, and running with Jen.

Started off running intervals and walking (fast) hills -- keeping a reasonable check on the pace on the almighty Garmin 405. Hmm, I think I've heard that's a good idea from um...the coaches, Runner's World, Jack Galloway... Calves getting pretty tight and stopped to stretch at the turn-around.

Then the run back --- one and half miles of mostly downhill with occasional upward grade then the flats for the last mile. GREAT pace, feeling tall. Hit five miles, cool-down walk, stretched.

This was the run to replicate. Yeah, the first few miles of any run are suppose to suck until you get your groove on. Warm-up at a slower pace, then run the run. This is the routine to follow on next week's 8 mile run. Sidenote: Thanks Jen for snapping the pics!! Check out Jen's blog for her accurately detailed sequence of the run.