Saturday, May 05, 2007

Ups and downs

The "Up" part

I was going to give this post the title of "More than a perfect 10", since I'm thrilled that today I ran more than 10 miles for the first time since I started on this training journey.

10.22 miles, to be exact.

Or, for my fellow Canucks: 16.45 km.

It took me two hours, but that's OK with me. Thanks to my handy dandy Garmin, I noted that my average running pace was 5.7 mph. Usually I run 5.0 to 5.1 mph on longer runs, so I'm not sure where the burst of energy came from today (but probably from the fact that I had set a mental goal of running 10 miles, and when I set goals - watch out!)

At the end, my right hip flexor was quite cranky, but I stretched and had a nice hot shower when I got home and it's happy again. Happy knees, too.

Still have a yucky gut, but I do appreciate all the comments from the last post. I will continue to experiment. I suspect some of it may have to do with stress from this candidacy exam paper I'm writing.

I am working like a demon on it -- reading, taking notes and writing about 6 hours a day -- and, bizarre though this may sound, I'm enjoying it.... Kind of in the way that when I say I enjoyed today's 10-mile run, other runners get it. The rest of the world thinks you're a freak of nature. It's kinda like that. The experience has elements of being gruelling, insane, and masochistic... But some people like that sort of thing. :-)

The "Down" part

I got word yesterday that a good friend had a stroke. She's just a couple of years older than me. She has some health concerns, but this is a first.

Before my run today I went by the hospital to see her. She was, for the first time since she'd been admitted, sitting up. She was finishing off lunch when I went in, which I took as a good sign. She was in really good spirits and had already begun to recover a bit from the paralysis on her left side. The fact that she was her usual feisty self and talking up a storm were good signs, I figure.

It sucks when your friends are hit with crappiness and you wish you could make it all go away for them, but you can't. So I just tried to make her laugh instead.

Well, with that, I must return to my books... Mmmm..... books.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW - 1o miles!!!!!!!

and so sorry to hear about your friend.

Anvilcloud said...

Laughter is the best medicine.

Sarah said...

I'm sorry about your friend. Nice that you are there for her. Your 10.22 is very awesome! : )

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about your friend, but I am glad she is recovering.

When's the marathon? After the exams? You don't have to answer that...Yet.

Jenniferlyn said...

So sorry to hear about your friend.

But I do say - 10.22 miles.. way to go girl!!!! Now that is surely something to be proud about!!! *clapping*

Backofpack said...

It is the pits when someone you care about has problems that you can't help them with. I feel that way about my kids too - I hate when they feel bad.

Wow - the 10 mile mark! You are officially recovered. O-F-F-I-C-I-A-L-L-Y! Yippee!

Anonymous said...

Seems like you are becoming a Michelle clone with the running success. Congratulations. Hope your friend continues to recover and that the compostion goes smoothly.

ipodmomma said...

love the blonde! very striking... and sorry about your friend. but yeah for the running! and thanks for giving the miles... :)))

~concrete angel~ said...

Great job...over 10 miles even!!

Best wishes to your friend.

btw I like your description - hard ass friend with a gentle soul. I can definitely relate.

take care

Olga said...

Sorry for the friend...but 10 miles, wow!!!! That's BIG steps in progress, I remember how you couldn't run and was stuck in a gym:)

Turtle Guy said...

"...other runners get it. The rest of the world thinks you're a freak of nature."

Kind of like... getting clay under your fingernails, up your arms and all over the place. Oh, and singing really badly in your car when no one around you can hear what you're singing to... or getting lost in the words of a good poem.

You made your friend laugh; you're a good friend.