Friday, April 27, 2012

A Running Dream

Call me paranoid, crazy, whatever you want; as they say I've been called worse. I highly doubt that the fact I just signed up for a FULL 26.2 mile marathon for the first time ever, is merely coincidental as to why I'm suddenly having dreams about running.  I've been running off and on for five years, though the neighborhoods, treadmills, 5k's, 10k's, 15k's, half marathons without ever remembering running instigating such a vivid dream. 


As we are told, everyone dreams probably every night. We just don't remember the majority of them. So, why did this particular dream burn itself into my eternal memory?  Hmmm......someone trying to scare the sh**, I mean crap out me?  No need for that, I just need to run for 3 or miles and that's literally taken care of, so No Thank You, dream fairies! 


I'm sure I've forgotten a few details of my wacky dream, but I'll give a summary to clue you in.  I'm running, of course, but this is no ordinary run and this is obvious from the very beginning.  My first water stop is no normal scenario.  Instead of water, the volunteers are offering some "New" hydrating beverage and are attempting to utilize the situation as an advertising opportunity.  The majority of the runners are in an uproar as they inform us this is the only product available throughout the run for hydration, take it or leave it. I leave it, knowing that any pink liquid usually contains high contents of sugar and I don't need any unnecessary reason to run faster.  


As I continue my race, I eventually notice I am not wearing shoes. Me not wearing running shoes in a race?  The last and probably only time I failed to wear running shoes while running was when I needed to catch up with the ice cream truck and felt as though I couldn't spare the extra seconds to find them and put them on. Seriously! Don't laugh! You know you've thought about doing the same thing.....half naked.  The ice cream would have been worth your neighborhood banning you from all future block parties.  Who needs neighbors anyway? You have your running buddies!


Once I discovered my shoeless feet strangely enough were not affecting my running, I remembered I hadn't utilized my Albuterol inhaler prior to commencing my run. Normally, any attempt at any running without the use of my asthma inhaler would have left me breathless and ultimately unable to run without extreme discomfort and eventually walking.  Just as my shoes didn't inhibit my running, I realized my lack of drug usage was in no way affecting my running abilities. 


My next realization was that the course was no ordinary course.  Instead of a road race or wooded trail run, it appeared as if I were in some botanical garden with frog infested water features and wooded bridges.  After my pleasant run though the garden, my surroundings suddenly changed and I was running down the stairs of an unidentifiable building. 


 As the runners came out of the building, we came out on a road where I noticed the finish line was not too far off.   The mood of the runners suddenly changed.  They started getting violent by pushing and tripping each other out of the way in an attempt to get to the finish line first.  That was the last of any of the dream that I remembered. 


I had mentioned the fear this dream had brought up and the coincidence someone might suggest considering I just recently committed myself to training and running a full marathon for the first time ever after years of only running the half marathons. I highly doubt the coincidence aspect and suggest real concerns that my sleep state are pulling to the surface. In my dream, my issues had no adverse effects on my running. 


 My real fears surrounding these issues are just that, real issues that can seriously affect my training and running in real life.  I have failed to remember to use my inhaler prior to a race or another event. Thankfully, it was not a long race, and I was able to finish; just not as quickly or comfortably as I would prefer. If this were a half or full marathon, I would be highly disappointed as I would end up walking the majority of it.  


NO
YES
As for the lack of water at the race tables, this is a very serious issue for me personally, especially in the longer runs.  I accidentally grabbed a Gatorade cup once during a race and quickly consumed it prior to noticing it wasn't water. Those few ounces of sugar water was enough to cause debilitating cramps almost immediately.  Thankfully, it was towards the end of the race and I was able to finish but at a much slower and  painful pace while still making it to a port o let in a timely manner.


What about you? Do you have crazy dreams about your running or cycling? Feel free to bring                         out your "Sigmund Freud" psychoanalysis!


Thanks to those who have endured reading my long, sometimes rambling blog entries, liked me on Facebook and/or have followed me on Twitter. If you have yet to do so and are a glutton for punishment, you may find me here on Facebook and/or follow me on Twitter and Daily Mile
                                                                                                                                                             

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Drum roll Please.........



Remember this post "I Need Goals!"?  Well today is the day! I figured out what my new goal will be.  Well, I didn't necessarily figure it out. Someone else did that for me.  I won't mention any particular "female runner cousin's" name.  Just say, I'm not sure how a conversation that starts out "Are you doing the Air Force half marathon?" turns into this "Screw it, let's do a marathon."  


Long story short, I am now registered for my first ever, official full marathon.  You know, the one that is twice the distance of the longest distance I've ever ran in my life, 26.2 miles.  I commenced harassment about her training efforts just a few short hours after we registered. Via text, I told her "Yes, I'm starting the harassment already.  You got me into this, I'm going to hopefully get us out of this alive."  


Thankfully, I've got a decent (please note I said decent, not fast) running base under my belt from my recent efforts.  No, you can't prove this by my Daily Mile log.  I'm almost, but not as bad, of neglecting my Daily Mile account as I am about my blogging efforts.  Seriously though, I promise I've ran more than I've logged. I swear!


With that being said, I'm seriously considering using Train Like A Mother's The Marathon: Own It training plan.  It's a tad more ambitious than their The Marathon: Finish it training plan, but I figure if I have higher goals initially, I could always adjust accordingly if I've discovered I've gotten myself in over my head.  There is absolutely no need to hurt myself unnecessarily.  I like me! That and my children prefer me alive.....I think.  They always need money and food.


Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I need to incorporate/modify some serious cycling into any training plan I finally decide to use. I've got the R.A.I.N. Ride, a 160 mile, 1 day ride in July and possibly the Hilly Hundred a 100 mile, 2 day, excessively hilly ride in October.  Any tips on modifying a running training plan for cycling is extremely appreciated. Any tips, period, on how to survive training for 26.2 miles and not dream of seriously harming any unmentioned "female runner cousin" is absolutely welcome.