Risat’s BodyBlog

This morning I ran a great race, didn’t hang around for the results, but my goal was to break 50:00 and I did, I ran a 48:45, kept my pace even, about 8 min miles, legs felt great, still struggling with the my endurance, but today was much better.  My 2d wind never kicked in, maybe next time. That was the good and now for the bad, I ran into the corner of my bed and I think I dislocated my little toe. Not bad, but I heard a distinctive crunch when I placed it back. It wasn’t so much painful as frustrating that I won’t be able to run for a few days.   I do not like setbacks, plus my leg workouts will be limited until I can put full weight on my foot. I’ll tape it and see if that will support the little guy, then I guess it will be elliptical/spinning for a while

Above all, I have to be healthy, next week is the Currahee Challenge (3 miles up 3 miles down and no I won’t be eating spaghetti before I run, lol)

OK, this may not be what you are thinking..I just received my new running shoes. What a difference new shoes make when you are running. I just had to take my new 2120’s (I am an Asics fan) out for a little jog - 4 miles and 31 minutes later I was back at home (running on the street here on the Southside of Atlanta is a little challenging, why don’t people slow down around runners?). Totally love my new trainers. I also bought some racers (Asics Speedstar - very lightweight, will work into this, but won’t race in them yet). I think my old ones still have a few more miles in them, besides they are autographed by Jenny Hendershot (GO JENNY H. at the "O"!) and I will have to wait until I can get my new ones autographed and then they will be my faves.  I also will try out the Brooks Mach 9 for the obstacle course, now I have never worn Brooks before, they are spikeless cross country shoes, very lightweight too. Asics does not make my model anymore, so I will have to see if I can find them online, but I am trying the Brooks (recently tried the Nike waffle racer - don’t like them at all, no support, you can feel every bump in the road, and they are not as light as the Asics - or even the Brooks, you have to realize that 1 oz really matters when you are pouring on the speed).

 So that’s my story, I love new running shoes, I think I have more of those than regular shoes and they can cost as much or more than my regular work shoes, but for practice every day I wear heels, since I tend to be somewhat of a klutz in them and my biggest fear is thar I will trip on stage, so far so good, no major trips, but a few minor bobbles.

Racing again on Saturday, the Buckhead Sizzler 10K, hope to better my time, looking for 8 min miles this time, nothing spectacular, but I still need more base miles and a few more tempo runs (and a course with less hills) to go for my best time last year, but I’ll be happy with breaking 50:00.

I have been running a little lately, well, actually I have been racing. I’ve completed a 10K & two 5Ks and have more planned in the future.  Chipping away at my 5K time and waiting for results from the last race, but in both cases I won my age group. I have more work to do, but am confident and I am only about 1 minute off my time from earlier this year, a little more mileage is all I need and I can bring back my endurance to try for another 10K. There is always the Atlanta Marathon or this year maybe I’ll try the half. It gives me a good excuse to eat pie, mashed potatoes and gravy after the race.

For those interested, Women’s Tri-Fitness is highlighted in the November issue of Oxygen magazine and if you look closely you just might see me. I posted the picture that is there in my photos (for a hint). This is a great competition, I am truly lucky to be a part of it, and best of all this is for everyone. I mean it, after one weekend, you’ll be hooked. At the Spring Challenge I had a PR on the course and in all of the skills (but, darn bench that press, it’s still my nemesis, but I will achieve the magical # of 50 and be a dual fitness champ!), it was a great day down in Tampa and I am honored to be shown with some incredible athletes.

Countdown begins to the Fall Classic, this one is a little harder, like Vegas, it is all 4 events and this time even though I will compete in Grace & Physique and the fitness routine, my main focus is going to be the course (first) and skills (especially the bench press!). 8 weeks and counting! Oh and if anyone has words of wisdom for the bench press, I can use all the help I can get. Right now my best weight is 65 lbs and I can press 36, I need 40+ to be competitive and if I completed 50, well, that would be awesome.

     After my last comp I was given (what I called) and ultimatum - choose muscles or endurance, well its hit me pretty hard, but as the days go by I realize that I don’t have to choose. I like my muscles and I can run. I may never be on the cover of runner’s world or Muscle & Fitness, but in my own world, surrounded by the people that care about me all of that doesn’t matter.  What’s great about a few weeks passing is that I have started to remember all the things that I like, weight lifting, sprints, a great 6-8 miler on Sunday morning, yogurt w/granola, bananas, chicken/tuna, cappucino’s, oh yeah and every once in a while tiramisu (as a treat). 

     So have I given up on bodybuilding? Crossed over to other sports? No, just taking a break from competing in bodybuilding.  I did not win my age group at the last WTF comp (I need to get that back, lol) so I am focusing on what I need to do for that, running in some races (great preparation), thinking about getting a bike (starting to get the triathlon fever), oh and still in the back of my head is training for an ultra…..It’s never reallybeen about the winning, just being accepted as an athlete, for the hard work and sweat of the training (yes trophies are nice too, but did you know you can donate them to groups that will give them to people who need the encourangment to get through medical treatment? what better way to know that I am helping someone in the world)

     It’s always been getting back in the gym, after a comp, that has been the best part of this process…so for now, I will "challenge stereotypes" see if I can maintain my muscles and continue to work on my racing…more to follow……

     Couple of things happened this weekend… First, I turned 43 (happy b-day to me) and 2d I ran in my first 10k in over a year - and it was tough!  The course was very hilly (I miss fast & flat races), but I managed a respectable 51:xx finish (I forgot to wear my watch, rats) and came in amongst the first 1000 (this was a huge $$ race, I just rac for a time to begin again).  I remembered why I like racing (it’s fun!). While bb and figure competitions are glamorous, there is nothing glamourous about dragging yourself up and down hills.  Seeing you kids running with you or folks in the 60s+ is very inspiring.  When I first challenged myself to competitions I kept saying that is what I want, to be the 3d place finished in the 70-74 y/o category….It means I still take fitness seriously and that staying in shape is important.

     So can a runnergrl still have muscles? I’d like to think so. Yes, I know, pictures would help and I am waiting on new ones to arrive (any day now - or so the photographer keeps promising - I have no luck with orders lately). So I will keep running for now, add a few races to my schedule (gotta find one that is a little flatter, lol, my PR is waiting), lift a little harder and work towards competing in the future….OK, gotta run!