Taking a Break

I was back and forth over whether or not I would write this post because I don’t want to come across as whiny, but I think it’s important to be totally real.  So whether or not you care (but you’re reading this so I think you might), here I go to dump my feelings on you.

It’s happened.  I’m an injured runner.

NO, this isn’t a serious injury and I’m sure I sound very dramatic even though this is probably  trivial compared to most running injuries, but it really sucks for me right now.  Here’s the story:

I ‘d been killing it with workouts over the past few months.  I had my schedule down:  Circuit class Monday, running speed work Tuesday, circuit class Wednesday, running hills on Thursday, rest Friday, long run Saturday, and short run Sunday.

This was my January workout schedule.

My legs were usually tired and occasionally I was sore, but in a good way.  I finally felt strong.  I don’t know exactly when it happened, but sometimes when I was running, I would experience slight hip discomfort on my right side.  It wasn’t so painful that I had to stop running so I just ignored it.  The times I noticed it most would be when I was racing or when it was sore after speed work.  SLOWLY I began to notice it more and more.  Then when I was running hills one day, the tenderness of it forced me to walk.  What the heck?  So I decided to bring my problem up to Trevor, my running coach/physical therapist/fastest uncle in the west.  I was embarrassed telling him then because I knew I should have brought it up to him when the discomfort first started.  After talking about the ache and going over my workout schedule, which during that month included two half marathons two weeks apart, he advised that after that weekend, I should take a month off from running.

WHAT.

I figured he’d have me take away speed work for a bit (which I would have been GLAD to do anyway) or cut back on mileage, or do several exercises everyday, but stop running altogether?!  Please, no.  He explained that I had been overtraining.  After racing, I didn’t give my body time to rest and recuperate.  For that first half marathon I ran in February, I was doing speed work two days later- big mistake.  I was also not getting as much sleep as I should have been because I was getting home late from fitting all my commitments in.  And what really became a point of concern (and this is totally TMI, but I feel the need to be as honest as possible here and I wish people would talk about this more so I wouldn't have been so in the dark about it) was that I skipped a period even though I am NOT pregnant, I promise.  I learned that when your body is under a lot of stress then the reproductive system is the first place that shuts down.  I didn't think this was something that could be happening to me, though, because there are plenty of women who run WAY more miles than I do and they must be getting their periods right?  This was a wake up call for sure.  As much as it killed me to hear, I knew I had to listen to Trevor’s advice to take a break.

Because I had already paid and made plans to run the second race in February and still had Trevor’s okay to run if I took it easy, I went.  However, I made the tough, but smart decision to downgrade (for the first time ever) my distance from the half marathon to the 10K.  I told myself over and over before the race to take it easy and ease up if the pain came in.  Of course once the race started, I went out fast and hard and kept it up until the end.

All happy and excited at the start thinking I'll take it easy.

Near the finish obviously going faster than I should be, but stoked on it.

Channeling my inner Rosie in my Pro Compression socks as this course was right by the Rosie the Riveter Memorial in Richmond, CA

I came in fourth in my age group and was several minutes off of my 10K PR, which I shouldn’t have done.  My hip is paying for it now.  I just convinced myself it was okay because it would be my last time running for a month anyways.  Dumb logic there.

The Mega Medal I earned from running two Brazen races in February!  The prospect of this medal also added to my stubbornness of wanting to run the second race even with my hip hurting.

Now, I wasn’t sure if I should stop going to my workout classes as well, but coach said I can be doing anything that doesn’t aggravate my hip.  Well, it’s been about a week of doing absolutely no working out and my hip still hurts so I haven’t been in to the gym at all.  I feel like such a lazy, flabby slug.  My self-confidence is down.  I worry all the time that I won’t be able to get back to where I was strength wise in the gym.  It is always SO hard for me to get back into the groove after taking a break.  All the months of lifting, and I will be right back where I started.  I fear the same with my mileage as well.  It was so easy for me to get out there and run six or so miles.  I was so in shape.  I'm going to have to work back up to it and it's going to take time, patience, and a lot more effort.  I'll have to miss some races I planned on running and was very excited about, but hopefully will be worth skipping for recovery.

Traded running for cycling once and WOW my butt hurt afterwards.

But what really bums me out the most right now is not running at all. So no running...now what do I do?  I know a month isn’t that long, but running isn’t just something I do for an hour or so several times a week.  I live it.  It's what I talk about, think about, read about, spend money on, write about, what structures my daily schedule, what gets me to go out of town more, encourages me to go outside of my comfort zone, is a way for me to hang out with friends, and meet new people.

Post race treats after Bay Breeze Half in San Leandro.

Some great friends I have made from running.

Running is part of my identity.  People daily come up to me and ask me about it.  Just on that first day of no running, 3 people brought up running in our conversations.  I know they mean well, but every time it’s like a dagger and I just want to wear a big sign around my neck that says, “I swear I am a runner, but just not right now.”  So this injury got me thinking about my identity as a runner, and I realized I don’t want running to be my whole identity.  Because when I lose running, then I will be lost.  I want running to be PART of what makes me me.  I AM a runner.  But I am also a friend.  A lover.  A teacher.  A reader.  A movie buff.  A writer.  A listener.  A doggy mom.  There are so many other beautiful parts of my identity aside from running, and I really want to take this step back to celebrate those parts.

It’s going to be a struggle.  It already is, and I need your encouragement.  Please be there to talk with me if I need to and listen to me whine.  Writing this has already helped me be more contented.  Show me all the other awesome things I can be doing.  Help me to feel good about rest and be okay with my body taking a break.  Because I just really don’t want to continue with beating myself up over not being as active as I was.  I need to listen to my body, and appreciate it love it no matter what.  I will try to remember to choose joy in this small section of my journey.  And when I do decide to run again, I will try to not let that be my everything, but one in a multitude of things that bring me happiness.

First up on the break agenda:  binge watching all of Fuller House in the Gibblers!  #doitgibblerstyle

Also, can we just revel in the fact that Andrea Barber (Gibbler herself) reposted my photo of the Gibblers playing Full House: the Board Game?!

Why I Love Six Rivers Running Club

This past weekend, our local running club held its annual end of the year/awards party to celebrate running in the year 2015.

Repping the #werunsocial movement and proudly showing off my first circuit certificate for....2010?  Slight typo on it.

I went to the party with my uncle/running coach Trevor, Syd, and my dad was in town so he got to come as well.  After grabbing some pizza and salad and mingling with other club members for a bit, the awards portion began.  We first heard from the club president and were introduced to the 2016 board.  Then, awards were given both to this year’s quality runner and a special Red Jacket volunteer award.  After those awards were given out and a few raffle winners announced, it was time for the circuit awards.

A circuit is like a division a runner is placed into based on gender and age.  For every race a member runs in addition to the placing they finish, they get a certain ranking in the circuit.  At the end of the year, whoever has the highest ranking in their circuit wins.  The circuit winner receives an engraved wine glass and those who complete a circuit receive a certificate.  A minimum of 6 races is required to complete a circuit, I believe.  For this being my first year running, I was so proud of how well I did in my circuit.  I was neck in neck with Rachel, a speedy girl in my circuit, for most of the year and we had never actually raced each other in the same race.  It came down to a December race as to who would take the circuit win.  We both ended up racing each other for the first time and she won.  Funny thing that Trevor told me afterwards:  if I hadn’t have raced her, then we would have tied and been co-champions of our circuit.  I realized though, that this year it was just more important for me to run as many races as I could, rather than sit out to win a circuit.  So I ended up behind Rachel for second place in the circuit, followed by my new runner friend, Robin.   I love that even though the circuit builds up a sense of competition, I have now met both girls I competed with in the circuit, and I think they are pretty great and am excited to build friendships with them!  I’m also looking forward to hopefully running some training runs with them, too, which was one of my new year’s goals (running with other people).

The lovely 25-29 ladies circuit!

Sitting at the party, surrounded by all the other members and their families, I realized how truly special Six Rivers Running Club is.  For such a small club, there are plenty of fun, challenging races to participate in with just a small annual fee of 20 dollars.  But what really sets this club apart is the sense of community.  This was my first year as a member and new runner and I felt instantly welcomed into the group.  Whether it was an invite to a group training run, a wave during a race, or a gracious volunteer’s hand extending a cup of water, my experiences in this club make me so thankful for all the wonderful, encouraging people who devote their time and energy to serving the running community in Humboldt County.  So thank you, Six Rivers Running Club members, board, and volunteers for all you do!  Joining this club was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Also on Saturday before the party, the club kicked off the first race of the year with the Patrick’s Point Run!  I raced the 10K, and I must say, it was a pretty tough one.  It was a wet, windy, soggy 6 miles, so certainly not a PR (my 10K record is around 48 minutes), but I managed to pull off a 50:34 finish time.

Must be the socks:  ProCompression WeRunSocial BOOM!

P.S. The woman finishing her race next to me on my right, Lynn, is over 80 years old and continues to race in many of the club runs...so cool.

This race got me pumped for the start to another fun year of racing with SRRC!

New friend I made in line thanks to Yoon, the club photographer, because he just had to get a pre-race photo of us lookin so fab.

Photobombed by Franklin :)

Getting all #runmatchy™ with my ProCompression socks and one of my new SparklySoul headbands from my New Year's Grab bag.

2016 Goals.

2015, you’ve been a GOOD one.

This year, I grew even more in love with this handsome fella.  Seriously, how do I even deserve him?!

I totally didn’t anticipate this year being as awesome as it was, and I attribute it to several reasons.  First of all, this was the year I really got into running.  It was my first year racing, and I truly fell in love with the sport and running community.  I joined the running club this year, ran many local races, 3 half marathons (my first one), and got outside of my comfort zone in trail running and a couple times tried running in groups with people I didn’t know beforehand, but got to know.

2015 race bling

Second, work has been going pretty well for me.  After I didn’t get into HSU’s teaching credential program, I contemplated teaching altogether.  I decided I needed to see if it was really something I wanted to pursue as a career so I went out on faith and applied to be a substitute teacher.  It felt uneasy not knowing if I would get calls to come in or if it would be a solid income.  I’m so glad to report that I get called in pretty much daily, and 90 percent of the time I know at least a day ahead of when I’m supposed to come in.  I love that I get experience managing a class on my own and with so many different age groups from kindergarten to high school.

Before photo of my first ever substitute teaching experience.  1st grade at Ridgewood and as nervous as I was before, I was relieved to find it was such a blast!

Third, this year included not one, but TWO visits to the Happiest Place on Earth.

Ran into my absolute favorite character from my favorite show, Schmidt from New Girl, at the Grand Californian!

Lastly, I have tried several new things this year.  I began volunteering at the library in October in the children’s section to gain library experience in case that is something I ever want to pursue (afer all, being a school librarian is my dream job).  I took an opportunity to help with an awesome catering company as needed.  I participated in Bible study. I started a blog. J  It really was a year of saying “yes” and I am so proud of all that was accomplished and how much I learned about myself this year.

Now that I know I can set and achieve goals for myself, it’s time to make new goals for 2016!

Running goals:

1.)    Run a full marathon.  Running a half marathon was something that I always wanted to do, believed I could, but never got around to doing.  A full marathon, on the other hand, is something that I really truly believed I may never get the opportunity to do.  It just seemed physically impossible and something only extreme badasses could do.  Well, I wanna be a badass so I am now training to run my first ever full marathon, the Humboldt Bay Marathon, in August.

2.)    New PR for half marathon/sub 1:55 half marathon.  The first half I ever ran my goal was sub 2 hours.  I finished in 1:59 something or other…yeah.  Close call.  Then, I smashed that time with my next half at 1:55:15!  I’m aiming for 1:50 this year J

Avenue of the Giants Half Marathon- May 2015.  My first ever half marathon finish photo courtesy of Yoon Kim

3.)    Run with people.  I really only run by myself.  I like my own pace, hide behind music, and I fear awkward silences or conversation when running with people, but with mileage increasing this year as well as boredom, I really need to step outside of the box and put myself out there to run with people/groups.

Christmas Eve morning run with some super awesome running club members I look forward to getting to run with more!

4.)    Complete the Rock n’ Roll Running Series Cali Combo.  To earn this medal, I would need to complete three Rock n’ Roll races in California.  If I can convince the hubby (pretty please?), I would like to run San Francisco in April, San Diego in June, and San Jose in October.  I’ve heard Rock n’ Roll races are a blast and I’d like to experience for myself.  Plus, who doesn’t love some extra bling with that Cali Combo medal?

5.)    Race out of state.  I have no idea what I’d like to do for this one; just wanted to make this list a bit more interesting :)

Personal goals:

1.)    Read through the entire Bible.  I half attempted this last year, but didn’t even keep up a month into the reading schedule I printed out.  I think I’ll ask Syd to do this with me to give me more accountability and so we can grow together in the Word and in our marriage.

2.)    Give blood.  I have never done this because I am so squeamish with needles and my own blood.  My mom always encourages me to do this because she would like to and can't so I think I’ll challenge myself to do this on behalf of her.

3.)    Lead a Bible Study/service project.  I’ve said yes to helping at so many church activities, but have yet to lead anything.

4.) Continue to attend group fitness classes twice a week.  These are sometimes SO hard to convince myself to go to because I'd rather just run and they make me sore for running, but I always end up feeling awesome that I went.

Post Star Wars circuit workout at Healthsport Eureka with Megan at 4:30!  Y'all should come join...look how much fun we have :)

I’d love to know what everyone else’s goals are for the new year!  Maybe I can even draw more inspiration from you.

P.S.  I know I left y’all hanging with the summer recap, and I’ll still get around to sharing about Disneyland racing.  It was just SO long ago and I have so much to cover from it so I wanted to save it for another time.

Summer Recap Part 2: Lemmon Cabin

When I married Syd, I also gained another family in the Lemmons.  They are fun, loving, crazy, generous, witty, and I absolutely love being a part of their family.  Syd's sister Abby was actually my roommate for a year in college in San Diego, and I am so thankful for our time spent there growing even closer as friends.  Unfortunately, Michigan withheld Abby from us yet again this summer so we didn't get quality time with her at the Lemmon family cabin this summer, but the rest of Syd's immediate family was all headed there, too- his parents, younger brother Carl and his girlfriend Carly, and younger foster brother Quayden.

Lemmon cabin

The Lemmon cabin in Twain Harte has been in Syd's family for years and years.  His dad can remember coming there since he was a kid so many generations have gotten to experience the beauty of the area.  It's about an eight hour drive from Eureka and is near Yosemite.  I am terrible with directions and geography so if you are curious then just take a look at the map below.  The star is where the town of Twain Harte is.

It is just the cutest LITTLE town with the nicest people, many who are just summer residents as well.  The highlight of the town is definitely Twain Harte Lake.  It is a private lake (only open to members, not the general public) and is just a couple minutes' drive away from the cabin.  Funny story.  Last summer during the cabin trip, Twain Harte Lake was closed because a huge cracked formed in the rock that is used to contain the lake, so it was unsafe for anyone to use the lack until the crack was repaired.  The had to drain the lake and everything.  It was so sad.  So that's why we were all the more excited to return to Twain Harte Lake this year with the refurbished rock and new lake water!

Bros playing keepaway

Boo thang and I cooling off in the shade

My man making an NFL worthy catch

The other side of the lake rock overlooking the valley

Twain Harte Lake on one side and land on the other

Of course we had to take a little walk down to the Snack Bar to grab some of their yummy curly fries and malts.  This was the first place I had ever tried and consequently fell in love with a chocolate malt.  I'm gonna be honest and say I look forward to that part too much every summer as well.

Another highlight of the town is the Twain Harte Miniature Golf course.  Much like the town, the course is simple with nothing too flashy.  I think the craziest it gets is one hole has a windmill that spins.  It's just so basic and a loveable course.  My goal every summer is just to do better than Syd :)

My mother-in-law's ball somehow got lost in the course..

Syd's dad Dal, who took his skills gained from being a golf coach at Ferndale High to mini golf, made the leaders board for the year for 4th place.

Dal, Syd, Barbi, me, Carly, Carl, and Quayden on the Twain Harte Miniature Golf Course

We took one day away from the lake and spent it in nearby Kennedy Meadows.  It was so pretty and tranquil there.  There wasn't a lake, but we ate lunch and lounged near a small river.  Afterwards, we went to the general store for some snacks and ice cream, and then explored some of the meadows near the creek.  This day was mostly a nostalgia day for Dal while the rest of us napped and walked around.  There weren't many other people around except for a few families who were fishing (and who were very successful!).

Doesn't that rock look like it belongs in Disney's California Adventure?

Soft serve from the Kennedy Meadows general store

Cutest couple alert!

Q being adventurous

Later that same evening, we drove to Pinecrest, where they show an outdoor movie along the Pinecrest Lake.  We ate dinner we had packed and then headed over to the seating area to watch Inside Out.  I was super glad that we came that night because I had really been wanting to see it, but just hadn't had a chance to get to the theater.  Well, it didn't disappoint.  Just like the movie is about emotions, I felt every. single. one.  I was happy, sad, scared, anxious, disgusted, and irritated.  It was great.  I even cried during the opening short with the volcanoes.

Pinecrest Lake

I love this girl so much! I'm SO glad our significant others are related so we could meet and be friends.  Who else would teach me to Snapchat and chat Disney with me?  She is seriously one of my favorite people in the entire world and I miss her oodles.

This was the background for the movie before the screen went up.

The next day, after we spent time at the lake, we drove back to the cabin to get ready to drive to Oakland for the Lecrae concert!  He is a Christian rapper and Syd's absolute FAVORITE artist.  He has been wanting to go to a Lecrae show for several years, so I was totally excited for him to get to see him live.  Not to mention, I was familiar with his music as well, and was looking forward to it.  Carl and Carly came with us, and we met up with our friends Jessica and Nathan who live not too far in Petaluma.  They recommended we grab dinner before the show at these food trucks nearby.  There were about ten or so food trucks lined up on the street next to the theater.  Syd and I chose the one that was all about the BACON.  Duh.

Line of food truck awesomeness.

I had a bacon cheeseburger with a fried egg inside.

Yep.  It tasted as good as it looks and sounds.

The concert venue was this cool old theater in downtown Oakland, and I was surprised as to how small it seemed for a concert.  There weren't that many people there, though.

Ceiling in the theatre

These two are the cutest BFFs

We made our way to the front area to secure spots before the opening act came on.  Nobody in our group knew who JohnnySwim was.  They weren't what I would have expected as an opening act to a rap concert, but they were cool and I made a mental note to look their music up after we got back home.

JohnnySwim

They even played one of my favorite songs of all time, "Jackson."  I love the version by Johnny Cash and June Carter, and I have fond memories singing that song with my Papa.

After JohnnySwim's set was over, we crowded ourselves closer to the stage before Lecrae came out.  His stage design was really cool with his DJs in separate boxed areas, and the lighting worked well with it.

He had recently released his Anomaly album so he and the DJs were reppin the A gear.

At one point, Lecrae started talking with the audience about how their city was the host to champions (the Oakland Warriors won the NBA title in the spring. The crowd obviously was stoked on that; just walking into the venue we saw numerous people repping with Warriors gear.  For some reason Lecrae repetitively was yelling something about champions when then it happened.........

Steph Curry walked out on stage!  The crowd went NUTS.  We went nuts.  Even if I'm not a Warriors fan, I'm a Steph Curry fan and we were SO close to him.  Crazy.  Apparently he and Lecrae are friends.  Curry is a Christian, as well.  Lecrae then started singing a remix to "I'm Turnt" as they both began dancing.  Curry actually had good moves. That surprise was definitely the highlight of the concert.

Concert group:  Nathan, Jessica, me, Syd, Carly, Carl

I also managed to get some running in on this vacation.  The high altitude sucks.

I saw over 10 deer during the two mornings I ran.

Leg strength.

It was a wonderful week spent making memories with family.

Can you feel the love?

This was all kinds of magical yumminess

Dal's famous sourdough waffles

Q rockin' the Lecrae gear

About the third time he had KFC this trip...he's obsessed

Styling lil bro's hair

He's happy

Until next year, Twain Harte!

Next up....Disneyland!