Dark Day of Winter

Our New England weather as been mild to say the least.  Until Friday that is.  We got about an inch on Friday, but it had stopped before my morning run leaving me a nice snow cushioned path.  Saturday, however we were hit with our first real snow storm of the season.  I believe it was around 5-7 inches by the time it finally stopped.  Unfortunately I got a late start for my run and it was just beginning to snow when I left.  By the time I got back the streets were covered and it was coming down at a furious rate.  If only I had gotten out the hour earlier I anticipated I would have all but missed it.  Either way I enjoyed the miles.  I have to say I’m very disappointed that my camera is not working, I would have loved to share photos! 

On a sad note, this week also marked a very dark day for me.  After 11 years of being clean of any medications whether prescribed or over the counter, I had to make the very difficult decision to follow my doctor’s recommendation.  All for 1 month I had to give up my 11 years of being being all natural of poison meds.  He promises me it will not leave me on medication, that we will find the cause of distress but for now as a diagnostic tool I must follow protocol.  For many, I know this is not a big deal.  So what, it’s only medication, right? 

Not for me.  Do I believe in a right time and place for certain medications?  Of course.  But I do not hold to the common principle of just pop a pill and cover up the symptoms.  We are so very lucky to have symptoms telling us that something is off in our normal balance.  If we just mask them, it is not correcting the problem it is merely taking away our warning sign.  And I especially do not hold to the idea that your body will get “use” to the side effects, so just keep taking it.  If I am having side affects it is harming my body and just because I get “use” to the side effects it doesn’t mean that it is still not harming my body.

With that said, I do trust my doctor.  I may not be happy with this short term medicated state, but I believe him when he says we will find the cause and then we can pursue the solution.  Now I must wait for the blood work to come back and if all is good there then we move onto further investigation.  Fingers crossed this is just a minor bump in the road and there will be an definitive answer which then I can search for a natural remedy.  Luckily, I have a great resource within my company’s Wellness Center in a Holistic Nurse Practitioner.  I have an appointment scheduled the first week in February which gives me time to get all the results back. 

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Keeping Pace: Boston Training

I am following the Hanson’s Less Is More Plan where speed, strength and tempo sessions combined with shorter long runs will help marathoners of all abilities run a better race. The ( ) shows what is on schedule for the day, however I am not out to run 6 days a week so I am a bit more flexible. My goal is to increase to 5 days per week half way through the schedule.

Week 6:

Monday: (4-6 miles)

After running 3 days, I took today as my off day.

Tuesday: (Speed)

A repeat of last week with rain and icy roadways.  I stayed in to work on the core.

Wednesday: (Off)

Speed work in a wind tunnel! Wow was it windy but I really shouldn’t complain because it 51 degrees! 5×800 with 400 jogs.

Thursday: MP 5-7

Not feeling well today and needed to listen to the body and rest. 

Friday: (4-6)

Was hoping to run Thursday’s MP, but the road conditions of snow left me slower than I wanted.  6 miles at 9:59 pace

Saturday: (8 at 45-60 seconds slower than MP)

Well I got the 8 miles in, but the snow slowed me down again.  I will have to chalk up this week to just getting the mileage in and back to pace setting next week, weather permitting.  8.35 miles at 9:26

Sunday: (8-10)

After our snow fall, I was uncertain of road conditions but went out to explore the city anyway.  It was a very unusual 10 miles.  Some roads were terrible where others were passable.  On the areas that were more passable I would loop or do out an backs then circle around and try again.  I had to be on my game the entire run.  Not only watching my step for ice, but slowing or stopping all together to allow cars to pass.  In the end, I tried to take in the beauty of the snow and how quiet it all seemed.  10 miles at 9:52

Total mileage:  29

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What is a girl to do after having a bad week?  Sign up for some races, of course! 

#1 Hyannis Half Marathon – February 26th

#2 New Bedford Half Marathon – March 18th

Nice training runs for the Boston Marathon – April 16