Saturday, October 11, 2008

Gluten for Punishment

I know I am pulling a Jeff by posting a link to a New York Times article right now. Well, the NY Times spotlighted Gluten Free athletes in this article from Thursday. I wish I could go back to my days of high school cross country cause I am convinced that my PRs were after nights of eating tacos and rice rather than my binges on gross Vinny Testa's pasta....

Favorite quote?

“It was like doping,” Winsberg, 42, said. “Suddenly I was running six-minute miles instead of nine-minute miles. Before I had placed in the bottom third in triathlons. Four weeks gluten free, and I placed second in a triathlon. It was like reverse aging. I went from feeling 38 to 28 to 18.”

So maybe gluten free diets truly are the new blood doping? If so, I will rightfully earn the chance to wear a running skirt and pink shirt during tomorrow's Half. Wish me luck :)

Monday, September 8, 2008

A Reunion.


Don't worry about the world ending today. It is already tomorrow in Australia.
-Charles Schultze

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Skirting the Issue Continued

Elle Woods gets ready for her run...

Saturday, August 16, 2008

An Uncanny Resemblance...

Jeff ran Falmouth in honor of Coach Jack Fultz. Thank you Brenda for posting a photo that scares the absolute hell out of me.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Career Running Quote

"The reason I run is that it makes everything easier for me, especially [in] the court."
-Richard Hamilton, Pistons

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Cause 2.72 is just as great as 26.2

For those of you who have been lucky enough to not hear me complain over the past two months, I've been injured. I developed Baker's Cyst (thank you to Jack Fultz for that diagnosis and to my PT for the confirmation, no thanks to my primary care who quickly vetoed it), and had a throbbing pain on the inside of my knee (likely a torn MCL but never got the MRI to confirm).

Today is only Wednesday, and I can safely say that this is a good week. On Monday, after I passed a few "tests", my PT gave me clearance to run again. Granted, I was only given the go-ahead for a run/walk, but just to hear that I will be totally back on my feet soon enough was...a relief. Yesterday after work, I headed out to the Esplanade for my first run in 40 days (I swear I haven't been counting or anything). I ran for two minutes, and then walked for two minutes, per my PT's suggestion. Whenever someone would pass me when I switched into walk mode, I knew what they were thinking: Look at that girl dressed in pink running gear who cannot even run for more than two minutes at a time. What a toolbox. I did not care. I was out there again...and I had a smile on my face for the entire half hour run of 2.72 miles.

Like Lauren, I don't like the act of running. I get tired, my breathing gets funny, my muscles ache in random places, and now, in this hot weather - my face gets awkwardly beat red. The past 40 days on running hiatus have been hell for me. I spent a lot of the marathon training season questioning why I like running, if I do actually like it, or if I just like having something to do...at all times. I realized during this hiatus that I've missed it. Incredibly.

No matter how much I hate running, I hate not running more...I hate being told that I cannot just go out for a run when the weather is perfect. I hate not being able to run off my anger or stress or crazies. I hate not being able to eat or drink whatever I want because I am not running a gazillion miles a week. I hate having to make alternative plans for Tuesday nights. Most of all, I hate being told that I am "normal Lindsey again" now that I am not obsessed with running (when in reality, I am just not allowed that daily run).

Well my friends, I was not proud of this alleged "Normal Lindsey" of the past 40+ days. I was moody. I was not happy. I did not sleep well. I did not eat well. I did not smile as much as I used to. I developed a muffin top (true story).

I understand this may not be the response that many of you want to hear given that running and training took up so much of my time. Well, I am not willing to give it up, yet. If anything, I hated that it was taken away from me for almost 6 full weeks. So, today I signed up for this October's BAA Half Marathon...the very race that got me on this running kick in the first place.

A wise law professor once said: "The law is a jealous mistress." Well, running is a jealous mistress, as well....and I am happy to give it the time that it rightfully deserves.

I AM BACK FOLKS!!! :)

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Last Sister Standing.

Look at this! Two blogs in less than 12 hrs! Shocking, I know...but I may have something to say.

Tonight was the reception for all DFMC 10k participants. My sister, Ashley, was my +1. As many of you may remember, Ashley, more so than many others, thought my marathon and fundraising obsession was a bit...excessive, if you will. Well, after tonight - I think she gets it. I introduced her to all of my running friends, and by that, I mean, the few running friends that she is not Facebook friends with quite yet. I included in my proud introduction that she will be: "Running with us next year." After a very nice reception, she and I headed to the car to drop things off before grabbing a drink. She said, kiddingly, "I guess I really have to run this now, huh?"

We get to Longhorns after the reception with the usual suspects for drinks, gossip, and who knows what. Ashley was there for it all. She had the chance to hear Lauren and I finish eachother's sentences, and said that we are the "same person even though we are so different." She watched how Tyler could pretend to listen to me and Lauren speaking our own language, then respond with some quick, random Tyler thought (which we somehow were able to connect into our conversation). Ashley received relationship advice from the one and only, Laurie. She witnessed the brainpower behind the forming of TNT, and even suggested that we host one of the weekend group runs out of Needham. Ashley heard how frequently I was called "Glutes" and joined in the fun. She wholeheartedly defended Matt when all the girls said he looked "stressed out." As we left the bar, she had Coach Jack tell her that he will help with a training plan soon to get her into long-distance running. My adorable and sarcastic sister fit in perfectly.

On our car ride home to BH, Ashley reviewed the entire evening, and placed particular emphasis on how my running friends are "so awesome." She then proceeded to talk about her past few runs, and how hard they have been for her. Ashley mentioned that on her 5 mile run, she knew that she had to "just keep running." ("Keep on Keeping On", perhaps?) She said she no longer gets tired on 3 mile runs, and believes she has it in her to run more, given that she was an endurance athlete in high school (my swimming little sister). In all honesty, I do not think anything but running related activities and people were discussed during our ride back from DFCI to Beacon Hill.

As I headed into my apartment after Ashley dropped me off, I smiled and realized what had just happened. She got it. She caught the beginnings of the running bug that had me hooked sometime after our first trip to Redbones.

Ashley - I love you so much and am glad you came with me tonight. Welcome to the club. Just make sure you Facebook everyone by the morning.

RW Quote of the Day

Life, and running, is not all about time but about our experiences along the way. -Jen Rhines

Friday, May 30, 2008

Thank You Carrie Bradshaw

For saying exactly what I needed to hear.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Tomorrow I am more than halfway to 50....

...and I realize the majority of my runner friends are already there. But for me, that blows. I am having a mid-20s crisis and for serious am going schizo-bonker crazy with it.

I have not been blogging much. Actually, I have not blogged at all since the marathon (and I owe all 10 of you loyal readers the "marathon update blog" - it's coming...after the thank you notes, that is). I do not see a purpose in blogging if you do not have something good to say. Blogs are a bit self-righteous, and I know I am guilty of it too, especially as I write this cynical entry. Bottom line - it is just your public diary, and google owns the rights to it.

Well, I do not have something good to say, but believe you me, I have something to say.

My blogs about how I started running, show that each time was because something not so great happened. I got cut from two high school teams...default, I joined cross-country. A tent dweller broke up with me...I trained for the half. My aunt passed away from cancer...I ran a marathon in her memory. All of these things were good ways to channel negative energy.

Two weeks ago today, I ran 10 miles because another guy blindsided me. I strained my hip flexor, and had Jack tell me to rest and ice it. I was pissed. Was the guy who I started dating for the sole purpose of a donation to cancer research worth the injury? I do not think so. (Sorry if you read this, but that donation is tax deductible). So, I dealt with the way most girls do - I called the guy and told him he was cold and heartless...and, I went on retail therapy rage insisting I needed a yellow dress, so I tried on seven. Normal I know, but that behavior is not me.

I know - I know...I am not an old maid, and if anyone dares call me that this weekend, I will kick you where it hurts. But, I don't need to be constantly reminded of my singledom. With wedding season in full swing, I am cursing my cognitive psychology professor for teaching me about bottom up processing because everywhere I look, I see a cute couple. They plan double dates, and this lovely fifth wheel is asked to join for a drink later if lucky. They have taken over my Esplanade loops now that the weather is warm. I think they would really learn what love is if they saw eachother's snot freeze on a winter run.

So maybe there is not much of a purpose to this blog, but to ask for an easy birthday present from everyone in the world around me. Please - for one weekend - do not behave in such a way that places so much emphasis on my "Single" status. I know there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, I am going to embrace it for all the free gluten-free drinks and cancer research donations it is worth.

So what will this cynic do to start her birthday weekend? Run four miles and see the Sex and the City movie at midnight.

And I'll be sporting the little yellow dress tomorrow thank you very much. Who knows? Maybe Johnny Depp will show up and buy me a Stoli-O and Soda...

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Although I like B!tchin', being Wicked will do

And so it begins...

So if you care to find me
Look to the Western Sky
As someone told me lately
Everyone deserves a chance to fly
And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who ground me, take a message back from me...

...Tell them how I'm defying gravity...

Saturday, May 10, 2008

She's Back Folks!

After an AWESOME morning run, I am safely able to say that my body wants me running again! Now that finals are over, I will be able to blog a bit as well. Stay tuned for the blog that is three weeks overdue...