Running is Dangerous.

So, y'all read about Bella's "hell"-induced hiatus. I am very thankful that despite the hardship of losing a loved one and being über sick, that Bella, her hubs, and their beautiful children (who also got sick!) got back to the island in one (slightly achy) piece. I always miss my runs with Bella because it is such a great one on one time when we share about life and all that entails. 

I took my own hiatus. No, I didn't decide that b/c Bella wasn't running that I would just take a break. In fact, I was going to do our long run by myself, our first 5-miler! I got past the first mile feeling on top of the world. Half a mile later my left knee got a sharp pain. I ran for a few minutes, but had to stop b/c this was not an ache or dull pain, it was acute. I walked for a few minutes and tried it out again. I actually ran for 1/2 a mile more before I HAD to quit. I was SO frustrated! So annoying. I thought I would get to be one of those runners who never had any of the typical runner's injuries, but it looks like I'm not Super Woman, after all! 

So....I took some time off. It wasn't hurting when I stood or walked but I could feel....something....so I stayed away from the running, no matter how frustrating that was. Not that I'm just dying to run every day. I don't enjoy it THAT much. But I know the longer I stay away the harder it will be to get back in the game. So, it just so happens that my knee started feeling better around the same time that Bella started feeling better! Now I realize that my knee pain couldn't have come at a more opportune time. Might as well have an injury while your partner is sick with the flu! 

Our first fun back was great. Our second run, 3.5 miles, was AMAZING. Our first 5-miler? We had to take it to the treadmills because it was at night and it started to rain and we did NOT want Bella to get sick again right after getting better! So, it was kind of cool because we could see each other in the mirrors and it was like talking face to face. But besides that, it was pretty harsh. The surface of the treadmills seemed a lot harder than pavement, and the air conditioning, even though refreshing, actually made me more thirsty than ever during a run. I bought new running shoes and because they weren't broken in yet my middle toe on my right foot was numb the entire run. What an annoying feeling! We did it, though! 

This week we're on a repeat of last week; so it will be 3.5, then 2, then 3.5, then 5 miles. Turns out that 5-miler on the treadmill pretty much WRECKED us. I am SO proud of Bella for speaking up and being honest that she needed an extra day to recover from that run. She felt like she was letting me down, but she is always such a champ, running when she doesn't feel like it, encouraging me when all I want to do is stop and lay down, that I am actually relieved when she admits that she needs a break because she is listening to her body and preventing injury. I probably should've rested as well. I got on my own treadmill at home and STRUGGLED through that 3.5 miler. It was the worst run of my entire life. I did it, but I can't really be proud of it. I bought some compression tights and some new ice packs, so I hope today I can really recover for our run tomorrow. 

And, because a post is always better with pictures, here's some highlights from my week:

I am REALLY excited about trying out these energy snacks these next few runs. I was so excited that Walmart actually carried some of these. Bella and I will try them out and I'll make sure to write a post about our opinions.

Lover and I ate at this cute little German restaurant last night that Bella had told me about. We LOVED it. We've been to Germany before and fell in love with the comforting food, and this place did not disappoint. First, they had my favorite type of beer, Hefeweizen, and it was delicious. I ordered the Jaeger Schnitzel and Lover had the Rouladen, both were superb. We will definitely go back!

This was my breakfast this morning. I found these Smart Bagels at the grocery store and think it's the best invention ever. I don't need a huge bagel. I just eat a bagel because it's a bagel and that's how big they are. But I'm perfectly fine with eating half as much, and that's the beauty of the Smart Bagel! It's about half the size of a normal bagel but just as tasty! It leaves room for some healthy supplementation such as fruit!

Have a great week, everyone!
~Chica~

Life Unexpected + Bad Cold = Running Hiatus

Its been a while since YOU and I have had a virtual chat, and by virtual chat I mean, me jotting down some thoughts in the form of a blog post and YOU hopefully reading.  A little one sided, yeah, I know... but that is why I always ask those little questions in bold at the end, I want to hear from YOU too!

So, if I were to open up a little "window" into my life, you would see the reasons for my running hiatus and consequently the lack of blog postings. Two weeks ago, my hubby's maternal (meaning, mother of hub's mom) grandmother passed away. It was a wednesday. I woke up at 5:30 am, as I usually do, and got myself ready to meet Chica for our mid-week run. This wednesday morning was different from all the others and had somewhat of a solemn start. When I turned off my alarm that morning I noticed I had a text from my MIL (mother in law), the fact that she texted me was not at all weird, she is after all becoming quite the techy mom, it was the time stamp that was really strange. It came in at midnight, and MIL never texts or calls late at night. It said "Please call when you can. It's about Grandma."  I instantly knew... hubby's grandma had passed.  I woke up the hubs and told him about the text but he was still half asleep, and I don't think he really even understood what I said. Running out of time, I decided that this could probably wait until after my run.  My heart felt heavy and I was so thankful for the release one gets when running, not to mention being able to vent to a fabulous running partner. It was a good and easy 2 mile run, and during that time, Chica and I talked, we talked about family, death and what happens after death, it felt like our conversation was just preparing me for what awaited me at home and as we said our goodbyes her eyes told me I had her sympathy. On the way home, I called the hubs and told him about the text and he said he wanted to wait until I came home to call his mom.  I was glad that he waited, since I already assumed he would be getting bad news, and I wanted to be there for him.  So, you know that moment when you see someone on the phone receive bad news?  Even though you don't know the words being heard you can literally see it all over their face.  Their face goes from normal or happy to just completely "fallen" and their voice drops to an almost whisper.  This is what I saw and heard this particular wednesday morning. I knew... After hugging it out for a bit, me holding back the tears and hubby telling me it was "all okay," (a bit backwards, I know, but those who know me know that I am a very emotional person) we took a deep breath and prepared ourselves for the task of revealing this sad news to our 8-year old son. It broke our hearts to see his face also "fall" at the news. We told him what we believe about the afterlife and he took solace in the fact that Grandma's spirit is now "free." The text and later phone call started a whirl wind week for us. Online searching. Buying. Cleaning. Planing. Packing. Double Checking. No Sleeping. Driving. Flying. All in less than 24 hours! We made it!  Phew!!! Luckily all of hub's siblings, spouses and offspring were able to make it too, and while the occasion was a sad and unfortunate one, it brought the whole family together under one roof.  There were a lot of tears, hugs and laughter as we remembered Grandma during that short week-long visit and talking about her just made me feel honored to have known her. It's amazing how someone becomes a permanent part of your heart when all you have is the time and years to connect you.  As my wonderful hubby said at the funeral service, "Grandma will always be a legend, artist and hero in our house." Yes, yes she will!

The hubs and I had the greatest of intentions in keeping loyal and true to our fitness regimen and we packed accordingly.  Our plan was for me to continue the running program and the hubs to join me in my runs.  Unfortunately, we got sick and the weather was not cooperating.  So, where did this impromptu trip take us to, you may ask?  Ohio! And friends, it was dang cold. Coming from wonderful warm Island "winter" weather to actual, real and true winter weather, did a number on our immune systems.  Icy roads, freezing weather plus the start of a very bad cold did not equal running.  It hardly equaled getting out of the house unless absolutely necessary. That is exactly what we did.  We stayed in, pumped our bodies full of Vitamin C, Echinacia and Sambucus and hoped that we could fight off whatever nastiness was trying to get us down.  Unfortunately, our immune systems failed us miserably and still today we are battling this hellish cold (if we believed there was a hell, I am certain this is where this cold originated from.) Some people lose their appetite when they get sick.  Well, not me. My appetite somehow increases and for some reason eat like I am trying to win an eating contest.  But, because "bikini" season is fast approaching (at least here on the "Island of Enchantment") and because I know eventually I will have to once again reveal my secret and sacred numbers to YOU, I got out there and ran. As sick as I was (and believe me, I still feel like absolute sh!t) I got out there and did a couple of short and easy runs (hoping the calories burned will cancel out the extra calories I ate.)  I am hoping on everything that makes wishes come true and fingers crossed, that I am better by this coming Tuesday, and Chica and I can get back to training hard for our 1/2 marathon.  Why am I crossing fingers and hoping...well, because it is:    

76 Days Until the PR 1/2 Marathon...Eeek!

At least I had this view...

It's happening, people.  The day is fast approaching! I know I must get back on my feet and running again and can't wait to do so, but these past couple of weeks have shown me that life happens, it does not stop and consider anything, much less the fact that you are in the midst of trying to achieve certain goals.  Sickness comes, situations arise and it is how one chooses to deal with those hiccups that really matter.  I know Chica and I will complete the 1/2 marathon in May, but we must also prepare ourselves for the unexpected and focus on making the best of all that life throws our way.  Since the start of all of this we have always said that we just want to finish, even if by the skin of of our teeth, we just want to finish. I know we will finish! 

As I finish this post, I humbly ask for YOU to send healing and positive vibes my way so I can get better soon and back at kicking some pavement ass!!!!

Love&Hugs,

Bella

P.S. Remember how I mention that I would love to hear from YOU, well, here is your chance. How do YOU deal with hiccups in your training schedule?