Adrienne Langelier Racing

It's been one year since I first became a 'Blogger. One year since I got up at 2:30 AM on a Sat. after managing to complete a 12-page take home psychopathology (nice subject, huh?!) midterm that was supposed to last all weekend. A year since I learned that I can not only stay up all night, but run at all hours. I had no idea what to expect-but what unfolded left me exhausted and a bit delirious, but ready to do it again!... And I got an A on that one exam, by the way! More importantly, the experience got me connected with some great individuals and first introduced me to the Houston running community.

This year will bring new faces, bigger vans, and likely plenty more additions to the running "TIR story mill", as I have come to call it. My own running has to be somewhat toned-down since I am coming off of an injury. That is disappointing because I would love to get out there and gun it, but just being able to participate is a little win in itself. But....I do think I can manage to get some time up over the Road Warriors and enjoy some friendly competition :-). Hopefully at this time they were able to get all the runners they needed.

As for the first week back, I've stuck to the track and treadmill mostly, with a little 2.5-mile jaunt on the only flatish ground I could find. Mileage has been low, it has not felt 100%, but it's a start.

Monday: 30 minutes cylcing, 25 minutes elliptical, upper body and core strength.
Tuesday: 5 miles easy on track
Wednesday: 3.1 mi treadmill-easy-8:00-8:15 pace
Th: 6 miles: 2 on treadmill, 2.5 on roads, 1.5 on treadmill; avg pace: 7:47.
Fri.: 4 on treadmill, weights.

One run is on the radar for the weekend, as well as one day rest.

...now I guess I need to get a supply list together!

Today was my "test drive" on my mending leg. I had it all planned out (and probably went a bit overboard) -pack gym sack with 'essentials': backup swimsuit and goggles if things turn south, tube of arnica gel, brand new Garmin, massage pole, and fluids. I was excessively paranoid early on, but I managed to pull myself up by my bracestraps. Goal today was just to get some flat easy laps in on the local track, I had a target of at least 3 and would not allow myself to exceed 6 miles.

After a prolonged stretch/warmup/GPS configuration session, I took off on the first painless lap-yay! Soon enough, after stopping a couple times to stretch my calves and check for damage, I had completed over 5. After being relatively psyched out (hence first paragraph) about running today, so far things look ok. My gait was probably initially really funny looking as I tried to get in rhythm after a 3-week layoff and a clunky ankle brace. Soon enough, I was able to tick off comfortable miles, some in the sub-8 range with no real problem. I even threw in some 20-second fartleks in periodically. I felt like I could have gone faster and farther, but held off; something I likely won't regret. I am curious now to how everything will feel tomorrow. Hopefully the only thing I will have to contend with is sore calves and hamstrings. As silly as it may sound, I needed this today. Let's keep the fingers crossed- the withdrawls were brutal!

I also had a pleasant surprise from the HM Committee in the mailbox for me yesterday. It turns out the Houston Marathon was my biggest "paycheck"- and I use that term very loosely-to date. I was not expecting to receive the $350 for Second Local Female. I was not completely aware of where I had finished within Houston's finest! Needless to say, that pumped me up a bit. Hopefully, it's all downhill from here as the Spring season nears.

While I am still waiting on the certain day I plan on "test running" the achilles (with brace), I put in some more meters bright and early this morning at Nautilus. I have to say while the club is nothing special, it caters to crazy morning people like myself and the people there seem really nice.

Wednesday has typically been my speedwork day, so I did some more intervals in the pool:

Warmup: 15 mins elliptical
200m easy
5 x 80 w/ :20 sec rest in between-Free
200m Backstroke
10 min easy swim

I lost count towards the end but likely ended up at around 1000 or more meters. I had to leave early to drop my car off at the shop and buy my ride home a sympathy coffee (she is not a crazy morning person and it was only 8 am). My friends are awesome.

This evening I followed up with an 8-mile stationary bike ride at 90+ RPM and I imagined that I was riding along the beach somewhat unsuccessfully! I've been in a beachy mood lately because it sounds like I will be receiving 4 nights in Playa del Carmen this summer after right getting my Master's...since finding this out, my thoughts seem to drift 'south of the border' quite often!! Still a way's off, but it keeps me going!

A short while ago, I had my first truly enjoyable workout since my little you-know-what. While the gym is nice, it is definitely not my regular cup of tea. As I heal, I feel more positive every day. Maybe it's all the anti-inflammatory protocols I've been meticulously following! At any rate, I find myself reflecting on the positives this Friday the 13th. Here are some of my little highlights, in no particular order, from the week:

1. Wednesday sport massage from Julie; concurrently discovering Arnica gel and Sombra Capsasin cream...yeeeaa
2. Even my modest dietary changes seem to make me feel energized, I'm sure some of this can also be attributed to my extra recovery time-but everything helps, right?
3. Gym-bashing aside, I am getting some little muscles I didn't use to have.
4. Sleeping in, (finally) this morning.
5. Girls night at my apartment last night-Grey's Anatomy was not great, but entertaining.
6. My mother's successful surgery yesterday, hopefully the recovery will be just as easy.

For today's workout, after having enough of the stationary bike for a while, I headed to Nautilus for some pool work. I started out with 40 minutes on the elliptical before hitting the pool. 20 minutes into it and getting bored, a couple swimmers, Marvin (I think he may be a 7hiller) and Micah, invited me to do some intervals with them. I happily obliged and completed 5 x 80 meters at a relatively hard pace (are there paces in swimming?) with 20 seconds rest. This was just enough to satisfy my competitive side-I had a couple body lengths on them the whole time! After conversing about triathlons (intriguing XT idea for the summer...) I finished up with about 200 more meters and called it a day. Total time in today: 80 mins, and it was actually fun.

All together, I have put in 3 strength routines, 100 min. on the bike, 40 min. in the pool, and about 160 on the elliptical this week. In between, I have consumed countless cups of green tea and flaxseed oil tablets!

I am hoping to be ready to run again by next week, but am not rushing. But when I do, I have this and these to look forward to!

Also, good luck to all those this weekend at Austin and Surfside (tell the beach hello for me!)!

If I can't run, I might as well cheer! Yesterday brought a long but fun day at the races. Bright and early I met up with Bill to head downtown for the Buffalo Wallow 6k. A few Woodlands runners participated and I cheered them on from a nice little vantage point on a hill. I also had the opportunity to mingle quite a bit with some old and new friends and acquaintances in the Houston running scene. I also received my prize for Runner of the Season's runner-up-too cool! From what I heard, this was a challenging triple-loop course, it was also a different setting in a grassy rolling area along Buffalo Bayou.

Then it was on to the 7Hills aid station at Rocky Raccoon. These runners were amazing out there, running in one day what I run in a week. I was happy to see Karen, Misty, and Pete out there- looking great, by the way in my last hour at the station I'm confident they all kicked some 50-mile arse. Niki was also looking good when she passed by mid-afternoon. And, who knew it could be so enjoyable cutting PB and J's and refilling sports drinks? From my short time out there, I was able to get in some good conversation (some TIR talk with Jon got me excited and ready to be completely healed) and inspiration from the efforts I witnessed. The ultra world is quite a different animal from the road racing I am used to; I could not help but feel a little soft as I watched people's miles rack up! (but no TOO soft Lol!)

In other news, my frustrating little injury is beginning to clear and it is now a month from the "running sleepover for grownups"!

The 'different' I hope won't last too much longer, but c'est la vie. I am still working out ALL the kinks with my achilles before resuming my regular routine. This week I have found some patience in knowing that taking care of it is best if I want to keep performing at a high level. After some experimentation, I found swimming, biking, and even the elliptical (probably the most like running) to be satisfactory. I have also upped my strength routine this past week. Also, just to make sure I do everything as right as possible, I have paid even more attention to an anti-imflammatory diet (one I basically ascribe to already), just for good measure. Maybe a little extreme, but hey, that's me!

Workouts are not as exciting, but beggars can't be choosers:

M: 3-mile treadmill run, 30 minute swim in the PM; core exercises
T: 30 min. elliptical, 20 minutes stationary cycling; full-body strength routine
W: Off
TH: 30 min. elliptical, 20 mins cycling; core exercises
F: 30 min. elliptical, 30 min. cycling; full-body strength workout (had lots of time this morning, which is a rarity)
Sat. Off to watch/attend HARRA ceremony at Buffalo Wallow 6k and later volunteer at Rocky Raccoon.
Sun: ???

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend and hope to see some of you guys on the trails!