Really? My last post was in May?!

Hello Dear Reader,

Fuggg...was my last post really in May...as in almost 5 months ago? Well, to be completely honest, I really haven't had that much running related info to share. That, however, doesn't mean that I've been doing nothing...life goes on. What was I doing during my blog hiatus, you ask? Let's do a run down:

• Wedding planning
• Working
• Traveling 
• Married my Ethiopian/Life Partner

A short list, but a helluva lot of work! True, virtually none of those things really prevent one from running...you just find time for it in the midst of every other task you juggle. The two real barriers for pavement pounding were my toe and a very bitter winter!

Adventures in minimalist running abruptly ended when I banged my big toe one too many times on the uneven Maseru pavement. My nail and toe were so black and blue that I regularly begged my guy to just cut it off before it eventually shriveled up and died on its own. Putting any pressure on i made me wince. Eventually, a fungal infection grew with some type of underlying infection that made it bleed a little. Ha! A few days before my beautiful wedding, all of the ladies (and Doc...remember him?) who made the journey to Ethiopia to support me in my nuptials, went to the spa for a massage, mani and pedi. I was way too embarrassed to let the nail ladies look at my (now) fugly feet. On my wedding day, I specifically instructed the photographer not to take any pictures of my shoes and feet (too bad cause the shoes were really cute). It's probably a good thing I pointed that out, cause at one point during the night, I looked down at my poor nub and saw it was bleeding a bit. I guess that it's a good thing that all of the drama unfolded during the winter months because, damn, it was ridiculously cold and dark in dem streets! It actually may have been the coldest winter I've experienced to date. That is pretty bad! The weather, itself, wasn't actually the barrier, per se, but rather the fact that it was still dark by 7:30 am and dark by 5:30 pm. There was just no way...I just...I just can't!

Alas, springtime is here. The flowers are blooming. It's light enough to run by 5:20 am. I discovered baking during my time off from running. My muscles have atrophied due to lack of use. I cook eat more cause I've got a hubby to feed which also means I have an extra nearly 4kg of winter blubber to work off.

Get off of my arse and run? YES I CAN!

Day 1 of running was a complete disaster. My seggzy pink iPod must have realized this was going to be an epic fail and quit while it was ahead. A few days after my first run...it deserted me I lost it. Now, it must be making new memories with someone else. RIP.

This past Saturday, I willed/threatened/cajoled/motivated/cried/screamed rolled myself our of bed and dug through my closet to find the well hidden running clothes I ignored for an entire winter. Sh*t, my running pants were are so freaking tight! Yeah, I know they're supposed to be snug, but they were nearly stretched beyond the normal limits of a size 2! Tight or not, I slipped those bad boys on, put my shoes on, threw on a hat, and strapped on my Ethiopian's loaner iPod. Oh...oh...wow. Umm...Lord, Jesus, help me! Is this really how a 5km run is supposed to feel after a three month break? There were so many stops and starts that I felt like I was participating in a Couch-to-5km running program...like I was a running virgin! My legs hurt. My breathing was out of control. Why, Lord? Why?!!!

If anything good came out of that horrendous run, it was the motivation to get back to where I once was while being equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience of just how to do it.

Because my whole body (and mind) were sore from that Saturday, I took Sunday and Monday off. I needed a freaking break to recover. Tuesday, however, I got my butt up at about 5 am and was on the road by about 5:15 am. Although still painful and shameful (with so many starts and stops...but not as many as Saturday), I was out there...and that's what counts. Wednesday was a break day. Thursday, I was out on the roads early. Again, while still a challenge, I ran 6 km with no stops. When I got home, I gave myself an internal High5! Soon enough, I'll get where I want to be...and I know how to get there!

This morning, I laid in bed, debating with myself if I should run or make this a break day. I wasn't sore (reality). Don't want to over do it (excuse). I ate a gazillion cupcakes last night (damn baking)...(reality). I can just do it tomorrow (excuse). The reality of my situation and the fact that, if I really want to get better, I need to put in the work to achieve my goal, was the motivation I needed to hit the streets. With an extra kilometer added to today's run (7km), I did it! I'm actually pretty proud of myself. There were several points during the run that tested my willpower. That, however, didn't stop me.

I can do this! I can do this! I can do this! I can do this! I can do this! I AM DOING THIS!

...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours in (willpower) training,

Dani

Interstate Busline Half Marathon

Dear Reader,

I achieved a new personal record for my half marathon- 2 hr 05 min! Whoa, I just had to say that first. Now to the business of jotting down my race experience:

I tried to prepare my Ethiopian for his new full time life with a runner: early mornings, long drives to random towns, waiting around for hours, and a sweaty/stinky girl. On Saturday, he got a small taste of what's to come, starting with our 3:50 am wake-up call. Surprisingly, my late morning sleeper was up and ready to go with no complaints. The car ride to Bloem was a straight shot with an arrival time of about 6:30 am at the race start. As you know by now, my normal race prep includes listening to music and people watching. This time, instead, my Ethiopian made jokes about me and my running. He asked me what my personal best time was and, without giving it any thought, he told me that his Ethiopian DNA would prevent him from running the same distance longer than 1hr 30 minutes. (blank stare). With the camera battery holding on for dear life, my sweet guy made me pose for pictures at the starting line.

Since I didn't have my watch and the time on my little iPod is waaaaay off, I'm not sure if we started on time, but minutes before the whistle, a fellow runner told me that this race prohibited the use of earphones.  WTF? Lawd Jesus, take the wheel! You know by now that I run with music. It calms me down. It takes me to another place. It keeps my pace. I started panicking. I've never run a race without music. The only times I think I've ever really run without music is if I'm running Ethiopian asked if I was planning to win the race. Clearly, my normal turtle's pace does not allow for 1st place. He said, "So if you're not planning to take the prize money home, I suggest you wear your headphones." I kept my iPod, just in case.

Read. Set. Go! And we were off. The first kilometer had us run around the block. My Ethiopian was standing on the sidelines waving and using what was surely the last bit of battery life to take a picture. From start to about 5 km, I kept asking myself why on earth I thought it was a good idea to do an intense cross-train the day before a race. My legs hurt and I was completely unfocused. Second thoughts went to my feet. Why on earth did I decide to run a race in these crappy minimalist shoes? My shins hurt! My third train of thought said, "How in hellz am I supposed to run 16 more kilometers without music? Oh crap! Runners were passing me left and right. I swore that I was at the back of the pack. Ugg.

Quickly, I had to come up with a strategy to preserve my mental health: spot a pace setter and stick with  him/her. The first person I saw slowly started to outpace me. My feelings started to hurt. I was losing focus. The second person I spotted also started to outpace me. Oh my!

Pushing myself, I sped up my pace and caught up with the second person- a guy wearing a yellow Bafana Bafana jersey. Never before have I been so bold, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I actually ran up next to the guy and ran with him, side by side. When he would move over to a water point, I'd move over. When he moved over to one side of the road for shade, yep, your girl was right next to him. Luckily, he didn't seem to mind (Thank God).

At some point in the race, the paved road turned into gravel. Almost at that point I had a huge cramp on my left side, which forced me to slow down. Seeing that I was losing step, he said, "Oh no, keep moving." This was really the first time since I started running next to him, that I realized he was paying attention to my presence. Not wanting to slow him down, I encouraged him to keep going. Like the angel that he was, sent straight from heaven to get me through this race, he said, "the point is not to win, but to finish. Let's go!" And so we went...

I tell ya, if I weren't already sold on the goodness of running partners, I was ready to put all my money down during that race. Running with my new buddy, Levi, was the best. The sound of his footsteps helped me to keep my own pace. I kept my head and eyes low so that I wouldn't lose focus and pay too much attention to the distance markers. Actually, if you were to ask me what the race course looked like, I'd have to make something up, because I didn't look at my surroundings at all.

At about the 13th kilometer, Levi said that his left leg was cramping. Luckily, we were near a water point and took the time to slow down. This is when Levi told me that this was his first half marathon. Wow! Up to this point, he'd only run 10 kms. When he suggested walking, I gave him a hard time and told him to "push through the pain." I informed him that, I too, was experiencing pain in my left shin, but that wasn't going to stop me!

The two of us kept on going, running side by side like we came to the race together. At about 17 km, my dear Levi was getting noticeably tired. I reminded him that we were almost there and that we couldn't stop now! At 18 km, he started to slow down and just as he looked like he was going to walk, I told him, "You wouldn't let me stop. We've come this far together and we're going to finish together!" Sure enough, the last few minutes of the race leading into the Agricultural College, into the stadium, and across the finish line...were done together! We did it!

After walking around to stretch it out, I asked Levi if we were close to the starting line. Usually, a race starts and finishes at the same place. Because I wasn't looking around at my surroundings during the course, I had no idea where we were exactly or how close we were to where we started- I was ready to go home! Levi suspected that a bus was there to take runners back to the start line. No buses were in sight. I asked a race official how we were supposed to get back to the start. With a really dumb look in her eyes, she said, "You can try catching a lift with someone." WTH?

If I didn't have such a runners high, complemented by achieving a personal best time, I would have been hella pissed off that no mention was made about this being a one way course! Who plans a one way course and doesn't make provisions for transporting participants back? Like I said, there were way too many good-feeling, inducing endorphins swimming in my veins for me to be upset. Luckily, once again, my running buddy Levi came through. A guy he knew, who was actually in the same position as us (stuck without transport), so graciously offered us a lift back when his wife came to fetch him.

My poor, sweet, confused, tired Ethiopian was waiting for me where I left him. With no way of contacting me and feeling super uncomfortable driving without a valid driver's license (his Ethio license isn't recognized in Southern Africa), he had to simply wait for me to make my way back to him. Shame, sorry about that, friend!

The rest of the day was awesome. Since we were already in the big city of Bloemfontein, and still in my running clothes, we hit up the mall for lunch and a bit of shopping. We even managed to find the Ethiopian section of town, where we stopped for takeaway injera and tibs! This detour surely seemed to make up for the frustration of my sweet guy having to wait around all day.  Ahh! I tell you, life is pretty good!

Today (Sunday), I woke up stiff as a plank. Not only did I start my race off sore from the cross training, but then ran my butt off in a 21 km. So as you can imagine, the soreness and stiffness was compounded. My Ethiopian asked me if I was planning to run today. Uhhh, yeah right! I thought that, after church and breakfast, I'd sit in a hot bath and relax. Surely, my brain was still in an endorphin-induced haze, because, instead of relaxing as planned, I shampooed my carpets. After that, of course I'd sit down and relax, being that my recent domestic chore as exercise in and of itself. Nope, not I! At about 4 o'clock, one of the amazing ultra marathon running girls gave me an unexpected call. She said, "Hey, do you want to go running? I need to go running now!" Ummm....she and my Ethiopian must have been on the same drug. "No", I said, "I'm still sore from the race." Being the hardcore girl that she is, she said, "Come on, Dani, push through the pain." After a little bit of humming and hawing, I uttered words that I certainly thought I'd regret: "Sure, come on over." Ummm, maybe I was the one on that fairy dust. Did I just commit to going running? As sore as I was?

My runner friend came a'knocking at 4:45pm. Well, she was here, so I must commit! We started off on my normal route. Very surprisingly, I wasn't sore at all. In fact, I felt pretty energized and refreshed. Because I felt like going a little more, I added two additional hills to make the entire run about 10 km. When we returned to my neighborhood, my friend said, "...and you run that regularly? You were going to kill me with all of those hills!" The smile spread across my face! Yes, there's hope for my running career just yet!

Dear Reader, this running-filled weekend did just the trick to cement my commitment to a renewed running career. I'm going to do this and I will go hard! Last year was a great way to get started. This year is dedicated to getting stronger, faster, better, more committed, more consistent. My runner girl friend and I have plans to hold each other accountable. We're going to run multiple days a week after work. My oxen-like friend is going to help me make a responsible eating plan (Yes, I'm putting you on blast, B Casey!). Also, he suggested that I work on running faster and slowly increasing the distance on my normal course to keep it challenging. Further, it was recommended that I keep a running journal to keep track of my weekly miles and corresponding times. At the end of each week, I plan to post my weekly stats on this here little running blog.

Bleh! Now that I've written enough about my weekend and can feel the excitement pulsing through this  blog post, I think I'll end it right here!

So until next time...put one foot in front of the other and...keep it movin'!

Yours in training,

Dani

Cross Training Is No Joke!

Hello Dear Reader,

I've been feeling really proud of myself lately- sticking to my goal of training for a marathon. Like clockwork, I'm up and out on the roads by 6 am, at least 4 times each week. Sure, it's cold, dark, and difficult to get out of my warm bed, but returning home from a good run makes it all worth while!

On Tuesday, I had my first consultative meeting with a new personal trainer- Cobra (don't you just love the name?). I left my appointment thinking, "Oh, this is going to be a breeze. I can run long distances. I'm in relatively good shape! I've got this!" This morning at 5 am was my first official day of training. First, I was put on the stationary bike to warm up. The second exercise had me sprinting two laps, followed by 15 jumping squats (repeat 12 times). By the first 4, I was sweating and out of breath. Why is it that I can seem to pick up and run a half marathon with comfort, and be doggedly tired before I can even finish this exercise?

Between exercises, Cobra had me doing ham string stretches. He must have thought my name was Gumby, the way he was pushing and pulling my legs. Might I add that, while setting up the next exercise, he was singing, "Please forgive me..." Whaaaaa?

Third exercise: He placed 6 4kg dumbbells on one wall. I had to squat to pick one up at a time. While holding onto said dumbbell, I had to run up and down a step twenty times. After finishing, I had to squat to place the dumbbell on another wall. Repeat 3 times.

Last exercise: 3 sets (20 reps) of jumping lunges. Just imagine doing a lunge. Got the picture. Try changing from one leg to the other by jumping into position. This was actually not bad. I just need to work on maintaining balance when I'm transitioning.

Oh...my...God. I'd rather run a half marathon! Wow, that was difficult. After I finished, he said, "Just wait, this is the easy part. I'll give you two weeks to adjust and it's on!"

Whew! Now that the torture is over, I can actually feel really good about all of the energy put in to get me out alive on the other side of my workout session! Since the gym is a mere 6 minute walk from my house, I was able to go home, take a bath, and get back in bed for a short snooze before I officially had to wake up. My sweet Ethiopian can hardly believe that I get so much done before he even wakes up!

Speaking of waking up (at crazy hours of the morning)- tomorrow, I'll be waking up bright and early to run the Interstate Busline Half Marathon in Bloemfontein (with my minimalist shoes). I'm super excited about this one, because it feels like ages since I've run a race (even though it was only about 2 months ago). Hopefully, I'll be able to get in a few races before they start tapering down for the winter season. Whew! I'm ready!

Well folks, that's all I've got for now. So until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours in (getting my grove back) training,

Dani

Marathon Training Revival

Hello Dear Reader,

With a pep in my step, courtesy of my new running shoes, the first week of marathon training (part deux) was a success! I made sure to get all of my requisite runs in for the week and that, alone, felt great! I really do believe that this time around, I'll manage to stick to the plan of 18 weeks worth of running and cross-fit training.

Last week, I didn't do any cross-training, but considered my options for how I'll fill that slot in my training schedule (earmarked for Tuesdays and Thursdays). Thus far, I've reached out to New (old) Trainer to see what his availability is for those days. I also have plans to go up to one of the local hotels to inquire about engaging a trainer for the duration of my training schedule in case New (old) Trainer is booked. If all else fails, I'm going to see if there are any swimming instructors at the gym. Just a moment on this point...I love being in and around water- I'm a Pisces after all. Unlike the dear fish, however, I actually hate swimming or being in the water for a purpose. To me, swimming should be for floating around (preferably with an adult beverage in hand and a comfortable flotation device nearby) like a piece of driftwood. Although I'd rather just do the dead man float, I do believe that swimming is one of the best aerobic exercises one can do. So like I said, if I can't do weight training like I'm hoping to do (and stick with), swimming will be the next best option.

To further ensure the sustainability of my morning runs (particularly considering the late sunrises and early sunsets), I put an ad out in the local expat email-newsletter to find a partner. Gasp! Yes, I am the same girl who scoffed at the idea of running partners. I've changed my ways. I'm growing. I'm desperate! This morning, I even got a call from a lady who runs with a partner in the mornings. She even said the magic words: "I'd like to eventually train for a marathon." Did the heavens just drop down to send me an angel? We shall see. We're supposed to meet up tomorrow for a run.

Last but not least, I just wanted to thank the Merrell Barefoot Running Shoe gods for inventing my shoes. They are awesome. Immediately when first trying the shoes out, I could tell that my running form was different. Also, post run, my calf muscles and feet were a bit more sore than normal. With the exception of one running outing, I have been relying on my minimalist shoes. Going back to my traditional sneakers, I experienced a noticeable shift in my running form and the level of effort I put in to complete the same course. I felt as if I worked harder and "got more out of" my runs whist wearing the minimalist shoes. Minimalist shoes it is! I have even been exploring running without socks, which is going well thus far.

So there you have it folks- a revival in my running spirit! I've found 2 half marathons I'm planning to enter: Interstate Busline (May 5th) and the South African Pork Kwai (May 13th). Unless something better comes up between now and August, I'll be running one of the first full marathons of the season (Wilge Spring Marathon- August 25th). My super cute Ethiopian is even considering joining the gym and is planning to get a physical before he joins me in some of my running adventures (as a participant)!

Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours in (finally...marathon) training,

Dani

Adventures in Minimalist Running

Hello Dear Reader,

Some people  dream of high heel shoes, and the others (even if they have been rather flaky with their running) have constant thoughts of minimalist running shoes (and sometimes eye glass boutiques, but that's another story). As I've mentioned in previous posts, I think it's time for some new running shoes, and have strongly been considering minimalist/barefoot running shoes. I found a running specialty shoe store in Joburg, but I'd have to wait until sometime in May to go up there and explore this sexy shoe store. After posting a status update on FB about my desire to try minimalist/barefoot running, a lady I know informed me that she found a well respected brand of minimalist shoes- Merrell- at the local mall. Doubting that I'd find such a shoe in Maseru, I resolved that I'd rather wait for my destined trip to Joburg.

This weekend, prior to catching a movie with my Ethiopian sweetie pie, I stopped into the aforementioned store to pay our DSTV account. My sweetie saw some shoes that he'd been eyeing this past weekend during a day trip to Bloemfontein. Next to said shoes were the Merrell minimalist shoes for men. Wow, unicorns really do exist! I asked the sales lady if they had the same shoes for ladies and she said no initially, but then consulted with another sales lady who said that, in fact, the women's version was available. My heart was racing as I speed-walked to the other side of the store. Yes, the Merrell women's "barefoot" shoes were there. Yes, they had several sizes that could fit. YES, I found a pair that fit my boats like a fresh coat of paint! YES!!! Adventures in minimalist running! Ain't nothin's gonna stop me now! Yes!

If I may take you back a few days: On Friday, after a great deal of consideration and motivation from my oxen-like friend, I decided to pull out an 18-week marathon training program that I'd printed out a while ago. I found a race (Wilge Spring Marathon on August 25th) that I'm committing to running, put dates to the 18 weeks of training, and vowed that Sunday was the day to start my training program.

Unexpectedly finding my minimalist running shoes was just the treat I needed to kick off my marathon training (part deux). As soon as church and Sunday morning grocery shopping were complete, I threw my running clothes on, along with my funky purple Merrell "Women's Barefoot Train Lithe Glove" shoes.  Out on my regular course, I went. Can I just say that "minimalist" running is a new ball game. Wow, I felt rather awkward, like I was, once again, a running virgin. It seems as if everything was slightly off than normal as my body adjusted to running in new form. Normally, I keep my arms pretty relaxed while running. With my new shoes, I had to constantly readjust my arms and remind myself to drop my shoulders. With my normal running shoes, I am used to having a noticeable heel strike that I work on correcting. With my new shoes, I felt almost as if I were leaping as my mid-foot (ball) struck first with a much softer heel strike. Certainly, there was more contact with the ground, which made me much more aware of the surfaces I'm running on. Overall, I do believe I worked a bit harder in the minimalist shoes, and as a result, felt tired (yet fulfilled) at the end of my run. I'd say that my first attempt at minimalist running was a giant success and a great way to change up the pace as I enter into my new training program. My hopes are that I'll experience fewer incidents of shin discomfort and improve my strength/form/endurance. Hopefully, consistent running, dedication and my purple miracles will be the answer (more like the first two, but cute shoes couldn't hurt!).

Do you have any experiences with minimalist and/or barefoot running? What were some tips to help you improve your form and foot strike? Any advice for this new minimalist runner (can I call myself that yet?)?

...Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep in movin'!

Yours in (minimalist) training,

Dani



Love & Weight Gain

Hello Dear Reader,

Lately, I've been noticing that my clothes are fitting a bit more snug...so snug, in fact, that I can barely feel my feet because my skinny jeans are cutting off circulation to nearly my entire lower half. Researching this phenomenon a little bit more, I noted that the snugness of my pants directly correlates to the number of days spent cohabitating with my beautiful Ethiopian. Because I know where your mind is going, I'll answer you before you ask: No, there is no injera-flavored bun in the oven.

Here's my rhetorical question to you, Dear Reader: Why does love "make" you fat? Ok..."fat" is a very strong word, because I'm not fat...just a bit out of shape and with a little more to love. When I asked my oxen-like friend, he said, "Because they get lazy and lazy breeds bad food decisions which leads to weight gain followed by a more sedentary lifestyle than they lived as singles." Sometimes I really hate his honesty...and when he's right. Ugg. Oxen-like friend: 1; Danielle: 0.

The truth is that, because my sweetie pie runs (no pun intended) on a different food schedule, and I'm the one cooking, I have been eating a lot more and more often than I would on my own. It's easier to stay in bed and be lazy in the mornings instead of braving the cold winter mornings for a run in the dark. Lastly, one day, when my sweet face and I were walking to the mall for lunch, I made the comment that my pants were getting a bit tight and I was feeling a bit pudgy. He said, "Isn't it interesting that some people have nothing to complain about so they start to make things up." In my mind, that translated to, "You look great so stop complaining." Which then translated to, "You don't have to work so hard to stay the same size." Which translated to, "Whew, I can take a break and be a bit lazy on the couch with you." Ugg...yes, my mind works in mysterious ways (read: likes to make up excuses for not doing the right thing).

The thing that is stressing me out (like an overdue bill) is that my wedding date is a short three months away and the dress I ordered was a size 2. Right now, I'm not so confident that it will fit as nicely as it did in the dress shop. Further, I know I'm not in the shape I want to be for my pictures...the same ones my great great great grandchildren will be posting on ancestry.com (if that site will still exist in 2080). As I've discovered through experience, there ain't nothin' to it but to do it, and all it takes is one step at a time (I've started to annoy myself with these blog posts, because they're nothing but excuses for a while now). So...I'll leave it at that until I have something more promising to post.

...so...ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER....KEEP IT MOVIN'....


YOURS IN (I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO CALL IT) TRAINING,

DANI....


...aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

...And we're back

Hello Dear Reader,

...and just like that...my leg is better! This morning, I got up in the early morning hours, waiting for there to be just enough light to be safe, and ran 5 miles. Ohhhhhhhh how sweet it is to be running. I felt so good. My heart was racing, my muscles were a'pumping, and the endorphens were freely flowing. I guess the good advice from my Ethiopian and oxen-like friend paid off after all.

Tomorrow, not to push my luck or anything, I'm going to do it again.

Yes, this is a tiny post, but hopefully just enough inspiration for you to get out there and get active!

What are you plans to get active this weekend?

...Until next time...put one foot in front of the other...and keep it movin'!

Yours in (I'mma doing it again tomorrow and the next day) training,

Dani