Decision...It's time for some Big Confessions

I've decided that since this is MY blog (and I don't think that many people really read it anyway ;), which, quite frankly is the way I like it! ;))....I should:
1) write about anything and everything that I want to
2) be completely honest and not hold anything back
3) write about the really funny, really disgusting things that happen to me because: a) I CAN'T possibly be the only "runner" who has had such mishaps (can I?!) and b) because I crack myself up...and what's better than that?! ;) (I am a loser. Really. My husband should've been warned before tying the knot...)

For these reasons, I bring you: Rachel's Running-Related Bowel Mishaps, Vol. 1

I think it would be fair to take this time to give you some background information on my, err, bowel issues. Since approximately 2002 I have been plagued with some odd (??) GI issues that really run the gamut from one end of the spectrum to the other (let me spell this out for you....either I was all backed up and so bloated that my stomach actually looked as if it was gestating life inside....OR I had to run to the bathroom seconds after eating to unleash some terrible, terrible things). Long story short, last year it was determined that I have some form of gluten intolerance (whether it is actually Celiac Disease or something else is really up in the air, and at this point I'm fine with the limbo stage I'm in because, quite frankly, I feel great sans gluten and don't really have time to think about getting further tests, etc.) and have been officially GLUTEN FREE since October 18, 2008....check out my silly GF blog if you are interested in learning more about my adventures or the GF diet in general (I did my best not to plagiarize like Elizabeth Hasselbeck and cite sources to give credit where credit is due, etc. ;)).

Ok, so all of that being said...the point is, I do not have a "normal" digestive system. So, my "problems" are not my fault. Except for maybe the fact that I have been known to eat a Taco Bell Bean Burrito before running 5 miles on a hot afternoon. Maybe I was asking for it then. But that's neither here, nor now.

Ok, I bring you Exibit 1:

Last summer my husband and I were "training" for the Bix 7, a 7-mile race (hence the name!) in the Quad Cities that is held the last weekend in July each summer. It was to be my 5th Bix and his 4th. I am, in general, a stronger runner than my husband (I run year-round while he tends to just run February or March through October or so; he chooses to do primarily weight training in the colder months....but he's starting to get better at doing some indoor cardio during those colder months).

It was a Friday in the summer, and I was working in Peoria. Fridays tended to be busy days for me; I liked working through my lunch break in order to leave for home an hour or so earlier and thus getting back to Bloomington (where we live) earlier and starting my weekend ASAP. So, I tended to skip eating lunch if I was too rushed in the morning and didn't take time to pack a lunch. Clearly not a good idea. SO, on this particular Friday I decided to stop at Taco Bell (uh...) and pick up a Bean Burrito on my way home, since I was STARVING...and they were "on special" for like 79 cents on Fridays at this certain Taco Bell by my workplace. I devoured said burrito while driving and then when I got home, embarked on a 6-or-so mile run with Jer (this was over an hour after eating the burrito...so I didn't imagine that there would be any issues. I was wrong.). Well, about 1.5 miles from home, I began to feel some rumblings in my stomach. I chose to ignore them, and pressed on. A half a mile or so after that, there was no denying what was going on. I had to go...and I had to go IMMEDIATELY. I informed Jeremy of this and he suggested that I turn around and run back toward home, as there was a Porta Potty in a park on the way home. This sounded like a swell idea, so I turned around and began running 2 or so miles back home by myself...about .25 of a mile later, IT happened. I crapped my pants. And it didn't stop. Seriously. So, here I was...nearly 2 miles from home and about a half a mile from the Porta Potty and I was running with a serious load in my pants (I was wearing black loose-fitting capri-length pants, so at least I had that working in my favor)....

To be Continued...

Thoughts...

So while I was running today I thought about the half marathon that I ran last Saturday....and about all of the surprising things about the whole experience. I mean, I guess the whole thing was really just one big surprising adventure, because it was something I had never done before! But, anyway, there were many things I felt like recording for myself...I bet someday down the road after I have run like 20 half marathons (or even marathons!), I will laugh at these things...so here we go!

1) I got emotional! When I saw the 11 mile marker and began running the 12th mile of the race, I teared up a bit. This completely caught me off guard and of course I kept myself in check and got rid of those almost-tears quickly ;). 11 miles is the most I'd ever run at one time prior to the half marathon last Saturday....so it was embarking on some uncharted territory at that point. It was pretty amazing, really....I was SO excited to be doing something that I had never done before. I didn't really get emotional at the end...just excited! Oh, and tired ;)

2) The bottoms of my feet didn't hurt. I had heard from more than one person that after completing races of that distance the bottoms of your feet typically hurt from the pounding. The right side (outside) of my right foot hurt a bit because I got a small blister, but other than that my feet were in really good shape. In fact, the pedicure that I got in early March before we went to AZ was actually still largely intact, believe it or not! Later that day when I went over to a friend's house for a party someone asked me, "Did you get a pedicure after the race today?" because apparently my toes looked more than decent. WEIRD! I think the whole thing was affected by the fact that I had gotten new shoes (Adidas Boost) the previous weekend and had just been running on them for one week. So, basically, they were perfectly broken in by the end of the race!

3) People throw away their clothes. I had talked to my sister a few days before the race about the weather (it was forcasted to be cold) and what to wear. Megan had done a half marathon in St. Louis a few years prior so I thought she would at least know what to do. She said that during that event, people wore layers and shed their layers as they ran. Basically, they must have worn things on the top layer(s) that they didn't really care about losing as much and just threw them off onto the road when they got a bit hot or uncomfortable. I didn't really believe this til I saw it with my own eyes. Indeed, during the race people were shedding long-sleeved shirts, jackets, gloves (even expensive-looking Nike gloves!), etc. WEIRD! I did wear a pair of inexpensive (maybe $3 at the very most) thin gloves that I did cast aside after the 3rd mile or so...and felt wasteful doing just that. I couldn't imagine throwing away a shirt or anything like that! As we passed many churches along the route I thought to myself that the churches should go around after the race and collect all of the cast-aside clothing items to donate to charities.

4) It was fun! Ok, I had a feeling I would have a great time and would think the experience was fun...or I wouldn't have signed up! However, I wasn't aware of just how much fun it would be! It was sooo festive, and just so exciting! I really can't wait til my next half marathon, or running event in general. I have definitely caught the running bug, if there is such a thing ;). The running community is fun...but of course it has its share of odd-balls as well! ;)

5) I CAN DO IT! I ran the ENTIRE 13.1 mile race WITHOUT stopping...no potty breaks (wow, pre-Celiac diagnosis I couldn't imagine such a luxury!!!), no walking...no giving up! I DID IT! It was really one of the proudest moments of my life. Ok, ok...I know it wasn't really THAT big of a deal. After all, lots of people run half marathons all of the time...heck, lots of people run marathons or even those crazy 200 mile super marathons. But, to me...this was a big deal.

Ok, that's all for now...I need to go to bed. I am TIRED!! I am sure I might have more to add to this later.

I am not sure how long I should let myself "rest" after a half marathon. The 25th we are running a 5k, the Race to Wrigley...so not a huge deal, but I don't want to be completely dead and not do at least decently at that event! On Sunday (the day after the half), I took it pretty easy...I just did 22 minutes on a recumbant bike at Jeremy's parents' house after Easter dinner. Monday I did 65 minutes on the eliptical, I took Tuesday (yesterday) off, and today I ran 4.5-5 miles outside (it was a BEAUTIFUL day!!!)....so I have stayed active for sure, but I haven't been working too hard. I am not really sure what the best thing to do is.

Anyway, bedtime for real now!

Bring on the 26.2! ;)

Gettin' down to the wire!

We've been in AZ....even so, I've tried not to completely slack ;)
Fri: 3.9 miles (outside in Mesa)
Sat: 3.9 miles (outside in Mesa)
Sun: 3.1 miles (outside in Mesa)
Mon: 3.1 miles (outside in Mesa)
Tues: 5 miles (outside in Bloomington...unfortunately not as wonderful as Mesa; but still a very nice, warm day!)

Half marathon countdown....23 days to train left!!!

{eek!!!}

58 degrees in Central IL today!

We had another lovely run outside today...Jeremy sent me a text today saying that it was 58 degrees so I should get home as soon as possible so we could go for a run! My 5-6pm appointment canceled for the day due to having the flu, so I got home around 5:30, which was nice! Of course I felt bad for the family (sounds like they all have the flu; their original appointment was actually Monday night, which they had canceled and rescheduled for tonight...and then had to cancel again :( yucky for them!!)...but it was nice to get home a bit earlier, too.
We had a lovely run together...I am so glad he runs with me! We had a great talk, too...nights like this make me feel so close to him. I am glad we had that chance to unwind together after a long day.

February!

Well, it's February already! One month down in 2009! Just two months until April...with our two fun events planned :).
I am sore from a long run (61 minutes) on the treadmill on some fun inclines last night (at the gym)...but honestly overall we've really been slacking again. I HATE winter...I HATE not being able to run/cycle outside...and I HATE leaving my house to go to the gym when it is soooo cold outside! Honestly, it's not so much about being lazy as it is just about HATING being cold! I am such a baby, I know ;).
It is supposed to be warmer here tomorrow...and Jeremy suggested a nice run outside! Sounds wonderful :). I hope it really is warmer! :) That would be a welcome blessing.
We are going to AZ in a month (March 12th) for the Cub's spring training. I would like to not look absolutely disgusting in a bathing suit (I would assume we'd hit a pool somewhere...I think Jeremy's parents' friends down there have a pool). It will be SO nice to take a brief hiatus to somewhere WARM!!
I realized today that I have been the same weight (138, give or take a few ounces) for months...no matter what, really. I work out a fair amount (not nearly as much as I used to, though!) and eat decently (but I still LOVE my chocolate)...but there is definitely a lot of room for improvement in both areas. I am not necessarily concerned with dropping a ton of weight (at 5'9", I am at a healthy weight...and moderately thin), but I would definitely like to tone up. I want to hire a trainer or something (ha, Jeremy would just LOVE that idea ;). Waste some more money ;))....I need to stay motivated during these silly winter months!
{sigh}