After my summer cold went away, I was ready for training to pick up steam. A couple of weekends ago I was able to complete 12.04 miles with another 12.82 miles the following day. That was a first for me. I didn’t think I was going to hit 12 miles both days. Turns out, that week I saw local running store, A Runner’s Circle, post about their Hollywood Sign Run. I had already planned to hit the trails regardless and that was something I had always wanted to do! So I signed up.
The Saturday run went great. A few weeks prior I started to experiment with my pre-run meal consisting of a banana with peanut butter. That’s it. And it worked for me. I was surprised. But the first time I tried it, there was just something “off” about them together, and I couldn’t pin my finger on what it was. Was it the blended flavors? Was it the texture? I didn’t know. I decided to have them together again, so I slathered some peanut butter on a
banana and once again, they worked for me. I felt good throughout that whole run. I hydrated well. I took a SaltStick capsule about an hour into the run. My energy didn’t wane. And the weather was gorgeous!
banana and once again, they worked for me. I felt good throughout that whole run. I hydrated well. I took a SaltStick capsule about an hour into the run. My energy didn’t wane. And the weather was gorgeous!
Santa Monica sunshine.
After the run, I went with my go-to post-run beverage of a non-dairy smoothie from Jamba Juice since I wasn’t consuming coffee at this time. And then afterwards, ate at one of my other favorite vegan eateries, Flore Vegan Café, for a little brunch. It was so delicious!
B.L.T.A. (B = tempeh bacon) with potato salad.
When I was deciding on what group to join for the Hollywood Sign Run, I initially went with the running group. But then I got to thinking. I started to factor in recovery from the Saturday’s long run with the fact that I needed to get used to being on my feet for a longer period of time. At the last moment, I opted for joining the hiking group instead. I realize
it’s going to take me a while to complete 50 miles and I need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Not just for the physical aspect, but also for the mental. Switching over was the best choice I made.
it’s going to take me a while to complete 50 miles and I need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Not just for the physical aspect, but also for the mental. Switching over was the best choice I made.
When my alarm went off at 4:30AM the next day, I was starting to think maaaaybe
signing up for this thing wasn’t the best choice. Luckily I had my banana and peanut butter ready because I was still half asleep. The funny thing is, I noticed my legs felt absolutely great! No soreness. No achiness. They felt fresh! Did I even run 12 miles the day before?
signing up for this thing wasn’t the best choice. Luckily I had my banana and peanut butter ready because I was still half asleep. The funny thing is, I noticed my legs felt absolutely great! No soreness. No achiness. They felt fresh! Did I even run 12 miles the day before?
Normally after a double-digit run, I’d wake up the next morning feeling somewhat a little achy or just a tad sore. I anticipated feeling that way, but that particular morning, I didn’t. Was it the banana and peanut butter magic? Was it my post-run non-dairy smoothie? Or was it my delicious brunch at Flore Vegan Café? Maybe it had a little to do with all of those things.
That Sunday morning a group of about 15 people started the hike through Griffith Park. The weather was cool and slightly humid. And I didn’t think too much about it. That is, until shortly after we took off, the sprinkles started to come down, and then about a mile or so in, the rain really came down. I had never been on a trail when it rained so this was a first. The rain almost stopped just as quickly as it started, but it rained enough for me to scurry to cover up my phone and wash off my shoes before making them muddy again.
Come Rain or Come Shine.
The hike itself went well. I didn’t know anybody there but chatted with a few people. Once we got to the Hollywood Sign it was worth it. I’m definitely going to make this trek again and again.
Hooray for Hollywood!
I felt so good after completing this week that going into last weekend’s long run, I felt amazing! I had at least 12 miles scheduled for Saturday and a trail run on Sunday, but sometimes things just don’t happen the way you planned.
Last Saturday morning I joined my running friend, G, for a pre-dawn run where we started from Santa Monica and ran a course we refer to as “Reverse Temescal.” It’s hilly and challenging and at 5:30AM it’s quite dark. I made sure to take my headlamp. This was actually the first time I used my headlamp during a run! I purchased it early this year in case it took me longer than 24 hours to complete my 50K. I finished it well before that time so I never needed it.
Me and G – blinded by the light.
We put on our headlamps and set out through the dark neighborhood. When we reached Sunset Boulevard, we made a left turn and ran through a little patch of uneven trail. All was good. All was great. We took our turnaround photos, and even though I wanted to take photos with the quite handsome firemen, we kept running.
Once we got to the small patch of trail again all was still good, but in a brief flash, that good feeling stopped. In one quick move, I somehow rolled my “bad” ankle. The one I sprained back in June and I didn’t know how. There was no obvious obstruction in my way that would cause me to misstep. That small area of rocky terrain does have some obstacles such as trees, rocks, holes in the ground, but nothing immediately stuck out that would cause me to
roll it. That all too familiar feeling came over me and I knew I stretched out those ligaments again. Me and G stopped running and I slowed to a hobble but then I just had to stop while the jolt of dull pain surfaced in my right foot. I felt bad and I didn’t want to stop running — mostly because this was her training run, just as much as it was mine. She has the New York City Marathon coming up. I wanted to tell her to keep running, but I knew she wouldn’t have. So we walked.
roll it. That all too familiar feeling came over me and I knew I stretched out those ligaments again. Me and G stopped running and I slowed to a hobble but then I just had to stop while the jolt of dull pain surfaced in my right foot. I felt bad and I didn’t want to stop running — mostly because this was her training run, just as much as it was mine. She has the New York City Marathon coming up. I wanted to tell her to keep running, but I knew she wouldn’t have. So we walked.
When we reached Santa Monica again, G drove us back to the starting area where we were to meet our group. I wanted to run so badly but my ankle just wouldn’t allow me, so I sat this 5
miler out. I hate being sidelined. I’m sure most runners do. I assessed the ankle area and it wasn’t swollen or discolored so that was a good sign. Upon going to the doctor this past week, I was told no running for two weeks. It’s a bummer, and a minor setback, but in the grand scheme of life, no big deal. I’d rather hear two weeks, than two months. However, after two weeks I have to assess it again in case more time is needed for it to fully heal.
Training so far has been hit with highs and lows and I feel that these mental and physical challenges are all a test. Am I strong enough to persevere? Am I willing to get through these lows, keep going, and not take “no” for an answer? I am! No matter what, I’m
going to keep training and keep running! I will not let rolled ankles keep me off the trail…that is after they feel much better. From now on I will work harder on strengthening my ankles and everything else I need to strengthen, and be even more careful with where I land my feet. I’m ready for more highs!
Thanks for reading and Happy Running!
miler out. I hate being sidelined. I’m sure most runners do. I assessed the ankle area and it wasn’t swollen or discolored so that was a good sign. Upon going to the doctor this past week, I was told no running for two weeks. It’s a bummer, and a minor setback, but in the grand scheme of life, no big deal. I’d rather hear two weeks, than two months. However, after two weeks I have to assess it again in case more time is needed for it to fully heal.
Training so far has been hit with highs and lows and I feel that these mental and physical challenges are all a test. Am I strong enough to persevere? Am I willing to get through these lows, keep going, and not take “no” for an answer? I am! No matter what, I’m
going to keep training and keep running! I will not let rolled ankles keep me off the trail…that is after they feel much better. From now on I will work harder on strengthening my ankles and everything else I need to strengthen, and be even more careful with where I land my feet. I’m ready for more highs!
Thanks for reading and Happy Running!