Finding My Chi

Last week: 19 miles

Saturday: 5 miles, easy

Weather: Perfect!

Saturday morning met with a new doctor. We talked about different things that may be causing an irregular heart beat. The cause can be as simple as the multi vitamin I'm taking - I checked out very healthy for my age, but nonetheless, I'm getting a CBC and wearing a heart monitor for a week. So we will see.

I spent the afternoon with my family - our town's annual Pet Parade…Look at those wacky photo-bombers!

Around 6:30, I had the house to myself, which hasn't happened in as-far-as-I-can-remember.

I went for an easy, peaceful run around 7 pm. It was cool, sunny and gorgeous. Read and relaxed the rest of the night in a quiet house. Ahhh, I needed that. 

My husband lovingly says I don't know how to "do nothing" because it's "not productive". But, as much as running is an active form of meditation for me, relaxing should be as well. I need to do a little more sitting on the patio, chilling.

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend.

Dialing Back

Coming off a disappointing run at the Boston Marathon, sick with a horrible cough, my first thoughts were that maybe I didn't train hard enough. So when I recovered, I was all set to kick it up a notch, until my high hamstring decided to do the same thing.

(So that's three things on Danny Dreyer's blog Eight Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Run list:
1. Not warming up and starting off too fast
2. Thinking you have to go faster than you should
3. Running too many days in a row
4. Running too far on new terrain
5. Running through non-productive pain or injury
6. Incorrect fueling and/or dehydration
7. Wrong shoes
8. Being too serious)

I had to see my chiropractor, who I love - a runner herself - so she could fix me up lickity-split. Thought I would go in, get taped, get some stretches, etc. 

But wouldn't you know it. She detected an irregular heart beat.

I have to say, I'm not messing around with this heart stuff. Especially after doing lots of reading on how marathon training/running can stress your heart (googling md stuff can scare the bejezus out of you). 

And as my mom lovingly reminds me, I'm no spring chicken.

On a positive note, I did have an EKG last November and everything was fine. I, myself, was feeling this irregular beat before I would fall asleep. My doctor said it was mostly likely stress, dehydration, too much coffee. Ok, fine, that's manageable.

But until I get a second opinion, I've dialed it way back. Walking Dexter and running slow and low miles. I'm keeping a positive outlook that everything is normal, nothing to worry about.

We had a long, restful weekend, got out early one morning and went to my "happy trail" to walk the dog.

Finding the Simple Joy of Running

[source]

It is surprising the affect the weather has had on me — this winter and now this thing they call "spring" — 45° and rainy (they are predicting another week of rain = 2 weeks+ without sun). Chicago has its good points, but these gray, wet skies and (flat) wet roads have me questioning why we ever moved from sunny, beautiful California. Plus, I've been sick.

All that has been zapping my running mojo. I've got to shake it, because I really, really like running. But now, don't feel like it AT ALL.

Hence the purchase of the above book.

I've heard so many good things about Chi Running and can't believe I haven't owned it until now.

I was sold when I read on Danny Dreyer's blog Eight Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Run.

1. Not warming up and starting off too fast
2. Thinking you have to go faster than you should
3. Running too many days in a row
4. Running too far on new terrain
5. Running through non-productive pain or injury
6. Incorrect fueling and/or dehydration
7. Wrong shoes

8. Being too serious
Nothing creates a buzz-kill around your running more than taking your self too seriously. Enjoy yourself, and laugh at, and learn from your foibles. Becoming a good runner is a process that takes practice. Getting caught up in results and split times can pull the plug on  the joy you could have from simply running. . .

I just want to run, get in the zone and enjoy it without other things tugging at my thoughts. I want to find the JOY in running again.

< I have added the link to Chi Running to Favorite Links :)

Happy running and reading.