Week 9: Highest Highs and the Lowest Lows

Like clockwork, it seems that every 4 weeks something fails. On paper this week was pretty incredible. Ed and I had a mini getaway to Monterey where he finally had a super successful race, after a string of challenging ones. 

It was so bc wonderful to see him achieve his 50 miler goal, feeling strong and happy. And while he ran, so did I, hitting 10 miles of perhaps the most gorgeous string of coastline I’ve experienced. 

The week leading up to the race was good as well, I hit my run plan, had some nice sunsets, fit in a run AFTER a staff meeting without completely losing the daylight, and even enjoyed a walk with my mom. 

The day before Ed’s race, we did a gorgeous 4 mile run on his race course, soaking in the rolling green hills, hawks flying overhead and even a field of baby goats. 

Running together is a rare treat, and always brings me back to pre-kid days, though even then it was often limited by my chronic pain, though I didn’t understand that at the time. 

So much of the weekend had me feeling stronger and younger, as if we entered a portal back to our first year together, when Monterey trips were fairly common and special trips with this new boy I’d fallen in love with were a regular occurrence. 

We even had dinner together on the pier, the same pier where I met his mom for the very first time, where at barely 22, life stretched before me in endless possibilities. 

In short, the trip was full of so much loveliness, and if I was just sharing the social media version, I’d stop the story there. Because that version IS true -it was one of our best couple trips we’ve ever taken and I feel so thankful for the trip. 

But, the truth of the matter is that under everything was a steadily building pain in my foot that has, in truth, been growing for weeks. 

The problem with having chronic illnesses, and especially chronic pain that makes my daily baseline level of pain around a 5/10, is that it’s impossible to trust your body’s signals. So much of my pain is neuroplastic, a mistake of my nervous system that sends pain signals when it senses stress, whether it’s work, family, waking from sleep, or even changes in my body chemistry. 

That kind of pain can only be treated by reminding your mind that you are safe, that your body is physically okay, and by calming your nervous system. 

But, the problem arises when you have a new pain. Is it a new extension of neuroplastic pain, that should be soothed but not treated seriously, which would make it worse? Or is there a true problem? This is how I ended up running around for over a week on a broken kneecap last year. 

And how I ended up running 10 miles in Monterey on what has become an increasingly painful foot that was in agony by the end. I still loved the run and it felt worth the views, but it also made me wonder if perhaps this pain is from an actual injury that can’t be treated with mental exercises. 

Two days later, it’s still swollen and hurts to walk, and, whatever is wrong, it’s now fairly clear I shouldn’t continue to run through it. 

While I wait to get it checked, a lot has been going through my mind. About the unknown side effects on my body (and bones) following years of starvation and malnutrition from when I was so ill. I keep trying to prove to myself that until my stomach fails again, that I have a strong healthy body no different from other healthy bodies. But that’s just a lie I tell myself. 

The truth is that this body has been through the wringer and it will never be the body I had before I got sick. And there are limits I can’t will myself around. 

So, what does this mean for my summer dreams? We shall see. I have almost two months to make a final decision. But for now I need to be smart. To go to the gym, give my foot a break, and stop fighting myself. 

In the meantime, I can celebrate my own strength in navigating this broken body and never giving up. 

 

Week 8: Double Digits

Definitely celebrating a strong week and a strong month! Not only did I hit my first 100 mile month since June, but I also hit my first double digit run on Saturday. Even with getting sick and losing my long run last week, I still managed to get everything I wanted. 

The week definitely started rough, with a lingering cold, a tired body, and sore, exhausted legs. 

I did check out a new to me little trail this week that I’ve been curious about for a while, which was fun, and did some camping daydreaming, wandering through the local campsite. 

We’ve been having unseasonably gorgeous weather and, while I know we need the rain, I might as well enjoy these gorgeous evenings. 

I also did a new variation on one of my favorites going up canyon, which I loved. It was a little flatter than what I usually tackle, but still more climbing and trails than Spring Lake, so it was a great option. And the light coming back was so lovely. 

But the highlight was definitely Saturday. We did my favorite less intense 10 mile loop through Annadel and it was such a treat to get to share it with Ed. He has his 50 miler coming up next weekend so we definitely talked some about that, and just life plans in general. 

I love getting to do things like this again! 

I wrapped up the week with a lovely walk with my mom ❤️. 

 Next week, the build continues! I have a little nerve pain in a foot so I might actually take advantage of my rest day tomorrow, but I’m excited to tackle my 11 miler down in Monterey. Hard to believe it’s already been two months of good running! 

In race news I am about ready to sign up for the TS Half race at Lake Sonoma in April and just booked lodging for Tahoe. Lots of excitement! 

Week 7: Taking a Break

This week my body was definitely ready to take it easier. I wanted to spend more time soaking in nature without the stress of pushing myself and I mostly succeeded. 

Tuesday’s run took me to a new route close to work and became an accidental speed session. A stressful and overly long work meeting plus the anxiety of unknown roads meant adrenaline was pumping and I clocked some way too fast miles. While it’s nice to know I can go fast, I’m not sure it’s my favorite. I also didn’t love the route- it’s through vineyards and a few homes and my anxiety about stray dogs protecting property meant it was hard to enjoy. Probably won’t repeat this route. Wednesday was another accidental speed session- my heart rate has really improved and it was fun to see that, but probably overdid it again. So much for a break week! 

So, once I got to Thursday, I knew I really had to take it easier. I committed myself to a hilly 3 up canyon, where I knew I had to slow to a hike, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I ended up doing an extra 1/2 mile just because that upper section on Canyon is one of my favorites. 

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Friday was a running rest day but otherwise far from restful. After a very busy work day, I took Noah beach camping!

This was the perfect break from real life - walking on the beach, lots of reading, sitting by the fire, to the constant symphony of the crashing waves. 

The only downside was both of us were struggling with a cold that took a little away from the experience. But it was still immensely more fun than being sick at home. 

This week started in like a lion but definitely went out like a lamb- I’m feeling too rough today to do the planned 5 miles, so I’m leaning into the purpose of the week and taking a full rest day. 

Soaking in the sunrise this morning reminded me of how small we all are in this immensely beautiful world. And that it’s so much more about appreciating the gifts each day beings than putting on pressure for more and better all the time. I’m trusting that I did need today’s rest amidst the stress of life and the world at large, and coming back from camping feeling more purposeful about cultivating that rest and appreciation in my day to day life. 

All that said, the numbers definitely support this as a rest week - almost 4 hours less and almost 10 miles less than last week. 

I can only hope that today puts me in a good position to feel recovered this coming week and ready to reach some new training (while still trying to listen to what I need) 

 As long as I can recover from this sickness decently well I’m going to be attempting my first double digit run this next weekend. I’m nervous but excited. Here’s hoping my strength keeps growing! 

Week 6: Hitting My Stride

 

After six weeks of consistency, I can finally feel it paying off! As you can tell, I did decide to push the training one more week before taking a fallback week, and I’m so glad that I did. The biggest highlight was getting on some real (non Annadel) trails this weekend. I was so nervous making the move to trails with hills, but it truly reminded me how much more special it feels to have an adventure, instead of just getting in the miles. 

The highlight was definitely joining my friend for an 8 mile run in North Sonoma Mountain. I used to be too scared to run here (or even drive here) but the more I go there, the more I love it. 

I had such butterflies in my stomach headed to the run, especially when I realized that we were essentially starting at sunrise. But, once we began, my fears totally fell away and I was instead so grateful to see a trail sunrise- something I haven’t done in a very long time. 

The weather was surprisingly warm and we took it easy, which was wonderful since I was adding 2 more miles to my longest run AND almost 1,500 feet of climbing. 

The original plan was for me to turn around at mile 4, while Simmy would continue another 2-4 solo, but gratefully, she decided to turn back with me.  

And in what felt like no time at all, the 8 miles were done. I almost teared up driving home, I was just so overcome by how great it felt to get away from my “easy and safe” runs at spring lake, and do something that genuinely felt special. 

The next day was a special one too - Noah turned nine! And he wanted to celebrate in the best way, by going for a family hike. 

While we love getting out together, it’s generally quite the affair, and usually ends with one child or the other deciding they cannot possibly go. So today by all accounts was a resounding success. Noah chose Hood Mountain, for its bears and beavers (neither of which we saw) but even without the wildlife, it was the perfect choice. 

It was a solid 4 miles and 1,000 feet of climbing, and the kids were definitely worn out by the end, but we couldn’t have asked for a nicer day. I was a bit worried about my energy for more climbing but I actually felt pretty good. Good enough, in fact that I was able to go back out for a 2 mile run in the afternoon.

All in all it was a great week. I hit 3 more miles than last week, and lots more climbing. And the biggest part was just that I was back doing what I loved. 

One of my biggest training hack realizations is how easy it is to get “bonus” walking miles on the treadmill. It’s nice to just chill with a show while I walk, and it’s an easy way to add a bit of low impact mileage to my week. 

Next week is…drumroll…a fallback week! All the hard work I’ve been putting in has felt great but I’m definitely ready to take a week to recover. I think it’ll feel relatively normal until the weekend, but my longest run will be 4 miles. I might make a midweek run a walk too, depending how I feel. And I’m going to keep enjoying my epsom salt baths. 

Also, look at this fitness growth! It’s so encouraging to see my fitness back where it was in May. Every week I’m feeling better and better about the time I have to reach my goals. 

Here’s to week 6! Tahoe Rim Trail 100k is officially 6 months from today. 

Week 5: Back to Work

 

After such a solid week last week, I started week 5 both feeling strong but also a little anxious. Running while otherwise resting on a break is one thing. Running the first eeek back teaching after break is something completely different. It would also be my biggest mileage week and longest run (6 miles) since the summer, before I got hit with all my health issues in the fall. 

It started out on Tuesday, needing a lot of willpower to run after the first teaching day back AND after a staff meeting. But I tried out a new route from work and really enjoyed seeing a new part of the town. 

On Wednesday I joined some friends for a run. It was so nice to see them and catch up, but I’m definitely not ready for that pace group yet. Back to my slow pace next week. 

Thursday was the perfect balm for a beat up body from the previous day’s speed work- I took a friend hiking in Annadel. It was a gorgeous afternoon up to the lake and very fun to introduce someone new to this special place. 

After a much needed rest day Friday,  I tackled my longest in a very long time on Saturday - 6 miles! I let Strava set the route and it took me around Spring Lake and to Lake Ralphine, but using lots of new to me side trails. 

I ended up chatting on the phone with my mom for most of it, and the run really flew by. Almost to the point where I wished I had been able to take it in longer! 

I capped off the week with lots of fun - 3 miles with a friend, followed up by rock climbing for the first time and then a sunset walk to end the day.

I’m especially proud of myself for giving this a try. I have negligible upper body strength and this was definitely out of my comfort zone, so I was shocked that I enjoyed it so much. I couldn’t help but laugh when I got down every belay - it was SO hard for me to trust the rope and harness and I felt giddy every time it worked and I slowly fell to the ground, 

All told, and exhausting but very fun week. While I wish I had fit in cross training and strength training, I also gave myself a bit of a pass since I knew just fitting in consistent running on top of work would be a stretch. My fibro symptoms definitely started to show up towards the end of the week but I really think staying active helped. 

Here are the grand totals:

Next week is a fallback week, though the only real difference is I’m doing only 3 miles instead of a long run. That said, the following weekend is camping, so I might do one more heavy week instead? It’ll be a surprise for everyone, haha. I am definitely going to commit to fitting in more extras this week, though. 

Plan;

Monday- Cross training (gym - elliptical and stairs) + strength

Tuesday- 3 miles

Wednesday- 4 miles

Thursday- 3 miles (treadmill) + strength 

Friday - rest

Saturday- 3 miles (or 7)

Sunday - 2 miles + strength + XT

How will it go? We’ll see!

See you next week!