Amy's "BUT I'M NOT A RUNNER" Journal

[ScoJo15]

WOW....um....Hi Amy!

Thanks for the pics...you look GREAT!!

It is so awesome that you are staying on plan while touring the parks!! That shows a tremendous amount of dedication and you should be very proud of yourself, I know I'm proud of you!! That has to be pretty awsome running around the resorts and stuff....any chance you are running on parts of the marathon route?? I know that the marathon will take us around the boardwalk. How exciting!!!

Glad to see that the hurricane..er...storm..er..depression...er...rain didn't cause you too much grief. And glad to see that the crowds are manageable...but I'm sure with your experience and uber stealth sneakiness that you find ways around the crowds anyway

Can't wait to hear more details when you return! Thanks a million for the update...we miss you around here

Have a great holiday weekend!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi Guys!!!

So it's my last night at WDW.....I'm actually ready to come home. I've eaten sooooo much stinkin' food I'm going to need to work double hard next week to make up for all the calories. I'm telling you...even with all the running and park touring I feel like I gained 5 pounds . I know I'll burn it all off with all the running in the upcoming months but right now I feel.... guilty.

Anyway, I did manage to stay completely on plan which I'm proud of . I did XT yesterday...just an easy 11 miles on the Lifecycle here at WL. Today I got up to run my 6 mile LR for the week. Unfortunately a series of unfortunate events prevented me from getting out there when I really wanted to...but I did manage to begin my run around 8:30 am. Sooo I ran the fitness trail from WL to FW....then ran my butt off around FW. OK...now I was running nice and quick for the first 3 miles (needed to get back so I could shower up and head over to MK for the day)...

mile 1: 8:45
mile 2: 9:28
mile 3: 9:23

SO yeah.....first three miles felt pretty good and clocked in 27:36 which is pretty rockin' for me on a LR. THEN...then.... then I hit the wall. Now I should NOT be hitting ANY walls...anywhere...at any time after 3 miles . But unfortunately I did...all of a sudden my right leg felt like it wasn't part of MY body .... it was hurting and heavy . And so I stopped at a restroom in FW and turned off my garmin (yes, I cheated lol). I really needed to splash my face as the temps had risen and the humidity was brutal. So I take a minute to catch my breath and turn on the garmin and head back out....

mile 4: 10:02(now I'm REALLY dying)
mile 5: 9:38 (add YET another stop at YET another restroom to splash my face and try to get my wits about me....and yes I DID turn off the garmin again)
mile 6 : I decide to just try to survive the last mile...had to do a switchback to finish the six and navigate around a bit....10:15

So I hate to say I finished in 57 something....b/c it's totally NOT legitimate since I turned off the garmin several times. I haven't even told you about the time after mile 3 that I called my buddy begging for some inspiration and hoping I'd get a good butt kicking to keep me going. Or the time I stopped when I saw a water fountain (THANK GOD for the water fountain)....b/c I was dying of thirst and hadn't brought any water. Anyway...you get the picture. Horrible run.....but it's done....just hope next weeks 7 miler isn't as brutal. The LRs test your endurance....and after today I'm not sure I have any LOL. BUT...I did shower up and head over to MK in the 100 degree temps, managing to walk around the park until 3 pm. Tonight the legs feel ok....just happy for that rest day tomorrow. Of course...the rest day consists of commando park touring of MGM and AK before catching that flight home at 7:30. Ummmm.....insanity? Yes!!!

So thanks for checking out my journals. I owe you guys some postings, I promise I'll get to your journals asap!!! Kim, Cam, Tracy, Scott....THANK YOU so much for sticking with my journal.

Here's a few more pics

OK...will post more when I get back.

 

[kimwim8]

GREAT pics, Amy!! Thanks so much for sharing!!

(so smart of you to do it while on vacation, because you know when you get home reality hits and life is crazy again!! )

I truly applaud you for keeping up with your marathon training while at WDW. I know how exhausting just vacationing there can be....and to add all of those workouts is just AWESOME!!

I'm sure that bad run was a result of pushing yourself all week long at WDW. You'll do GREAT on your 7 miler next week!

I'm SO glad you're back!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi there Amy!

So I'm assuming you are back since Sat was your last night in Disney...just wanna say thanks for the pics!! Great looking family you have there, I bet you guys had an awesome time!!

GREAT JOB!!! With running and staying on plan while park touring!! There is really something to be said for park hopping in 100 degree heat and still managing runs and workouts each morning...you should be very proud of yourself!! So what about that last run...the week was bound to catch up with you...brush ya' shoulder off and get back to it this week. I bet Monday's run was much, much better

So glad to have you back...now maybe we can look for more words of inspiration and finally seeing you around here more often!! We miss you around these parts

take care and have a great day!! (feel free to fill us in on any trip details too!)

 

[keenercam]

Amy -- Congratulations on keeping up your training when you could have blown it off. A non-athlete would have, you know! You are truly amazing and I am so impressed and inspired by you.

And look at those wonderful pictures! First of all, your family is just gorgeous, but beyond that -- you look so awesome! All tiny and toned and fit!

I hope you are really proud of all you have accomplished and where you are.

Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Wow, thanks Kim, Cam and Scott! I appreciate all the encouragement!

So we did return on Sunday night (late). Heck of a rest day lol .

But I did manage to get my 40 minute run in on Monday. It actually was a really good one and I finished 4.3 miles in 40 minutes...or something like that. I hit my 4 mile mark at 36:23...which is a personal best 4 mile time for me!!!

This is a crazy week...no rest for me until Monday of next week!!!

Here's what it looks like...

Mon: 40 minute run
Tues: KBX (am sore again from class, ugh)
Wed: 40 minute run (did exactly 4 miles)
Thurs: 40 minute run
Fri: KBX
Sat: 7 Mile Run
Sun: 9/11 Memorial 5K!!!! (trying for a pb)

Then I'll rest up on Monday and start all over again LOL! Third week of training and I can really feel it. My body is a bit sore this week and I'm hungry all the time AND I'm a bit more tired than normal. Otherwise...chugging right along!

Thanks for stopping by guys . I really do appreciate the support and will certainly need it as the weeks progress and the training ramps up. And did I mention I'm hungry all the time.....darn....let me finish this post so I can go find something to eat!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kimwim8]

GREAT job, Amy! And FEED that hunger, girl! Are you eating enough for all that you're burning? And keep up with that water!!

Take care, and as always....keep us posted!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Amy!!

Way to go on the personal best!! And look at you doing some uber-training this week! Good luck on that 5k and don't push too too hard....don't mess up the bigger picture Don't forget to drink water and keep stretching...your body will need it as we go through this process....

And I totally agree with you on the food deal!!! WOW I cannot stop eating! Glad to see you're going thru the same thing....MUST be related to the training....

Have a great day and weekend....GOOD LUCK in the 5k, a 9/11 one sounds very moving and good to be a part of....I'll be thinking about you Sunday morning

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Amy,

You are doing a great job! It sounds like marathon training is going quite well for you. Keep up the good work!

Your post in Scott's journal had me !!! You are an excellent writer, Amy!

Hope you have a great day today!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Amy!!

Good Luck in the race today!!!



Hope you kick some butt today!!!!


But of course, please be careful!! Need you to stay healthy and on plan for the marathon

I know you'll do great and the fact that you are even out there this morning is inspiring, considering all of the training you've done so far in addition to park touring for over a week! You go girl!

Have a great race and I can't wait to hear how it went!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Thanks so much for remembering my race Scott!!!

And thanks for stopping by Tracy, Scott and Kim. I needed that encouragement this week lol...(phew!) what a tough week of training but overall very rewarding!!!

KBX on Friday went well...it was a tough class and my body was still feeling the effects of all the running and xt this week. BUT...it was a great class and I managed to get through it with no problems .

Yesterday was my 7 Mile LR. It was really cool that one of my friends asked to run with me! She wasn't sure she'd make 7...but would stick with me for at least 4! Turns out she ran the entire 7 and we finished in a bit over 71 minutes. Our overall pace avg was 10:13 mpm. It was a nice comfortable run...legs felt pretty good despite the long week and my breathing was nice and easy. We were able to talk the entire time...so I know we weren't pushing too hard at all. Couldn't believe when the garmin beeped that the 7 mile mark had a been reached HAPPY DAY when you aren't watching the time for an entire run. I was just really pleased with the run despite the fact that it wasn't particularly fast.

Today was the "Fallen Heroes Memorial 5K" which was a 9/11 memorial run. It was really amazing to see all the firefighters and police officers lining the race route and cheering us on. I couldn't help but feel so proud to have them cheer for me and the other runners....and we in turn thanked and clapped for them as we ran by. It was just a cool experience. The weather up here this morning was perfect running temps....cool and sunny! The course itself was basically flat and fast, with a few minor hills but nothing in comparison to my normal route. I was able to run 3.21 miles in 27.15 which turns out to be a personal best time for me in an event. I don't know why my garmin clocked it at 3.21 when a 5K is typically 3.1..but the garmin is pretty darn accurate so I'm going with that distance assuming the course was marked as such. That gave me an 8:46 mpm which felt really good and I honestly didn't feel like I was killing myself out there!

Overall...getting week 3 of training under my belt was a huge personal accomplishment and something I'm proud of...from Monday's 4 mile run to today's race I am just happy to have been able to complete each day and so relieved to get a rest day AND an easy upcoming week!

With that said, I really want to take the time to mention in my journal that I wouldn't be here without an incredibly amazing man in my life . All of us here need support and encouragement to reach our goals...whether they are diet, exercise or lifestyle change. I know that for me anyway, my success and really when you strip it down, my ability to continue on with this goal, would not be possible without the one person who has loved me and supported me throughout this journey. I am so blessed to have a special person in my life who, on a daily basis, encourages me to reach my goals and become a better person. I know that someday I'll read back through these journals and I want to remind myself how I really needed my husband! In case you decide to stop by my journal and read this...."thanks!!!" And also....it is so SO cool to have all you guys, my WISH buddies, here supporting, encouraging, motivating and inspiring me on a daily and weekly basis. I don't think I ever realized how much confidence I obtain from the support of friends (like you guys) and those we love. THANKS!!!

OK...love fest is over....back to your lives .

 

[kimwim8]

Congrats, Amy on a great race! You continue to amaze the heck out of me. Not only with the 5K, but the 7 mile race, and you didn't even realize you were at 7 miles?!?!?!

And thanks for making me teary at the end of your post. I totally feel the same way about my DH (I'm assuming you're talking about yours ). If it weren't for my DH, I just would roll over and go back to sleep some mornings. I need a little reminder sometimes of how much I want to run!

Take care, and have a great week 4 of training!!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Thanks Kim! Actually...it's my personal trainer Sven!

TOTALLY kidding!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Amy!!



Um,

Thanks so much for the special shout out in your journal! You know I'm here for you, especially on those critical and fun race days Way to go on the personal best!!! And way to not accept 3.1 miles as an official 5k distance!! Leave it to you to rewrite the race books, stating that 3.1 just isn't enough for us uber-athletes and that we really need to go at least 3.2 I'm with you all the way

And let me just say what an accomplishment for you these past couple of weeks...kickboxing, long runs, 5k's, park touring, traveling and interval running...heck, you've exercised 18 out of the past 20 days!! WAY TO GO!! I'm soooo proud of you!

You are a huge inspiration for me and consistanly push me to new levels in my training and racing...and for that I cannot thank you enough. Keep up the great work!!

Have a great evening!

 

[toystoryduo]

Yeah, Amy!

I am so proud of you for all that you have accomplished! You are doing such a great job! Keep up the good work! The Disney Marathon is YOURS!

Have a good Monday!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hi Amy!!

I'm on my way to WDW tomorrow and wanted to stop by and say hello, and wish you a great week of training. I know you've been hurting this week...just take time to heal those aches and pains and don't push yourself. I'd even make sure to not push too much on Wednesday (your speed day)...you've got nothing to prove...no personal bests to beat...no fierce competitions with a disboard buddy

Anyway, have a great weekend and an even better week.

Here are two quotes for you....

"Pass the weak.....hurdle the dead"

"Mile 20 - I thought I was dead,
Mile 22 - I wished I was dead,
Mile 24 - I knew I was dead,
Mile 26.2 - I knew I had become too tough to kill"

See you later!!

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Amy. Hope all is going well with you. Take care of yourself and check in with us when you can!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi Guys!!!

Wow....I guess one could say this week was quite a roller-coaster for me LOL!

It started off wonderfully with the 5K on Sunday. And then....

Well....Monday became my rest day in lieu of Sunday due to the race. So I pretty much just rested up and took it VERY easy. My legs were sore but I didn't really think too much about it. But in the afternoon I stood up and realized my legs...particularly my right leg...was incredibly heavy and stiff. I rolled up my jeans and was completely alarmed by the sight of a swollen leg. From my knee down to my foot the entire leg was swollen and by over an inch compared to the left leg. There was no redness and really no pain aside from the normal training aches and pains that I live with. I began to panic and IM'd Speedy....who assured me that it was probably nothing major...just the effects of a brutal 3 weeks of training and a fast race on Sunday. So I iced and took advil and propped the old leg up and sure enough...over the course of the evening...the swelling went down considerably. By Tuesday morning it was pretty much back to normal so I decided to carry on with KBX that evening, albeit at a much reduced pace (read...I didn't break a sweat ). The right ankle and knee pretty much bothered me the entire class...but swelling didn't reoccur at any point that day which I was relieved about.

On Wednesday I decided to take yet another rest day , primarily b/c I had a lot of stiffness and mild pain in the right foot, ankle and calf. Swelling was still only slight if at all. Instead of running, I chose to visit a specialty running store (omg..runner's nirvana there) and get myself some new running shoes. Basically, my hope and desire is that my leg issues are related to sneakers that have over 400 miles on them and were worn during trail runs, snow runs, ice runs, rain runs, desert runs, pavement, treadmill, beach...you name it. These old Asics have seen their share of environs over the last 7 months and probably were worn down. So I ended up having the owner thoroughly evaluate me and offer a new shoe to see how I hold up with it....I've got the new Brooks Adrenaline. The shoe is very comfortable...and offers more stability around the ankle region. Here's hoping this is the simple fix to my problem.

So finally I get out there to run on Thursday. I felt pretty good...no swelling...no major aches and pains to speak of and I was armed..or should I say footed? with my new sneakers. I didn't set out to do anything special other than survive the run. But what happened was one of the best runs of my short-lived running career. Essentially I ran 4 miles in 34:54, which calculates to an 8:44/mi. I ran my normal neighborhood hilly run and my quick time can be attributed to my first mile split of 7:55. I felt good the entire time...really strong....AND dealt with no major pain or joint stiffness. Oh happy day!!!! I was on . And oh yeah...Scott...what was your time again on Wednesday? Hmmm...I can't recall. Please post it here when you get a chance.

Unfortunately on Friday..I was feeling horrible. Without getting into the details...lets just say KBX was not in the cards. I did manage 30 minutes of Yoga accompanied by 100 crunches and 35 pushups.

Which brings us now to today. Saturday is my weekly Long Run. As this is an off week...it was only supposed to be 6 Miles. I was quite confident that with all the time off this week and coming off a super run on Wednesday...that this would be a piece of cake. No problem. Sorry, allow me a minute to laugh at my naivety. Let's just say this run was gruesome. I started out my morning with stiff ankles. I was feeling discomfort from the moment I got out of bed. I should have taken advil or tylenol...but...didn't . I didn't have my morning coffee either which may have accounted, at least in part, for my lack of energy . I ran with a friend which was a VERY GOOD THING because otherwise I would never have completed the 6 miles. Normally I run my aches and pains out by mile 1...so the fact that every step hurt for the first mile was not surprising. What was surprising was that my aches and pains decided to tag along for the entire 6 miles . Sooo...I finished in 63:45 (avg. pace of 10:34)...my right ankle swelled up slightly....and remained stiff until I took my ice bath and swallowed a few advil. It's frustrating to deal with the on and off again pains...however....I guess that is just part of the journey and we are all going to experience challenges along the way. I'm trying hard to stay positive and focused on the long term goal. I do have several doctor appointments lined up this week to see what's going on and see if I can hold my body together for the next 3 plus months! I guess as we become addicted to running...there is this terrifying fear that the doctors are going to tell you that you must stop running. And quite frankly...that can't happen. Bottom line .

So that's it. The good, the bad and the ugly. Normally I like roller-coasters...but I'd really prefer just a nice easy ride next week.

 

[kimwim8]

Wow, Amy. What a roller coaster week! I hope the doctors can give you some advice on how to treat your aches/pains/swelling without slowing you down with your marathon training. I know that would be a hard thing to hear otherwise. Like you said, maybe it's the sneakers.

I gotta say, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the competitiveness between you and Scott. You guys crack me up! And i know it's really good for BOTH of you to be going through this "together" and how rewarding it's going to be in January!!

Thank you so much for your encouragement on my journal. I know I lag behind you guys, and sometimes that makes me extremely jealous that I'm not training for the marathon with you guys...but you never treat me like I'm not the runner you are. You guys are both awesome and you constantly inspire me!!

Please keep us posted on your doctor's visits and how you're doing this week! I'll be thinking about you!

 

[AmyBeth68]

I really struggled with the idea of posting on my journal today. I hate to come on here and be depressed or complaining, but it is my journal, and I guess all my emotions are valid. Today I am not in a good place at all. I have been in pain for several days, particularly my ankle and lower inside leg region around the bone. I have a doctor's appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning...thankfully. Unfortunately, I have investigated my symptoms pretty thoroughly and there are a few strong possibilities. The most likely scenario, based on my running and the persistent symptoms and the location of my pain, is a stress fracture. It could also be tendonitis or compartment syndrome. The tendonitis type injuries are manageable. The stress fracture would put an end to running anymore this year. My dream of the marathon would be crushed. Unfortunately, the marathon has become much more than just a race to me. It holds significance far beyond that of just completing the 26.2 distance. It literally was going to be a life-changing event and critical time in my life for a multitude of reasons. The idea of not having that goal and achieving that end result...well....quite frankly it is beyond my comprehension . I know this probably doesn't make a whole lot of sense to many people...because it's such a deeply personal journey for me and incredibly important on so many levels. And it almost seems silly to self-diagnose and predict this dire outcome. I know, rationally, that it might be something simple. But I also know, rationally, that it might not be. And even if it is only a tiny possibility of it ending my marathon aspirations, that is incredibly depressing to me.

Oh well, I'm done feeling sorry for myself for a little while . I know...I totally realize and understand....that there are people out there with far far far worse problems than this. I know I should be thankful to be as healthy as I am and thankful that my children are healthy. I am totally aware of that. It's just one of those days and I'm feeling really sorry for myself.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I appreciate it.