A blog about ultrarunning, Ironman and hiking 4,000 footers
I saw a Loudon Swain bumper sticker yesterday and I thought of my favorite motivational movie – Vision Quest. I still run to many of the songs from the soundtrack including this one:
However, Loudon Swain is an indie band. But I loved the reminder of a movie that continues to inspire me – if you train and have single-minded focus on a goal – you can accomplish anything. It reminds me, too, that even at 49 I’m still on a vision quest – “to find my place in the circle”.
This is week 9.
There are 8 weeks of hard training left until race day. I’m so excited for training and racing, yet this week has been less than ideal. I’ve been goofing around during week 9. I wanted it to be a tough training week, capitalizing on the fitness from the marathon and getting in hard runs.
I did run my 15 mile mid-week run but I’m fighting a cold which rendered me speechless (laryngitis) for the last three days. So I didn’t run my plan on Thursday and today, Saturday, I slept until 7:00 (this is unheard of). I am trying to leave the house right now but I’m easily distracted……. by writing this blog, walking my dog and the list goes on and on.
And, I’m going to Ogunquit this afternoon. Every year (since I’ve been home) my mom takes me to a play at the Ogunquit Playhouse. Last year was Oklahoma and this year, 42nd Street. It is really the only cultural activity I do each year. The musicals are always so great. I know all the music from Oklahoma and am trying to get to know the music from 42nd street today.
So the Saturday plan is pretty much a bust. And to make matter worse, the weather is finally perfect today after several days of rain. After today’s diversion of musical theater, the next 8 weeks are all about trail running, night running, weights, stairs, swimming and biking. I have one minor race in Lake Placid in July and hopefully a few plans to run the Pemi Loop with Bob. But everything else is planned training, hard training. No distractions. Wish me luck.
This week so far, unfortunately has been all about knee pain. I had extreme left knee pain after a four mile run on Wednesday. I purposely took Monday and Tuesday off to give my knee a break but it still hurt to run 4 miles. Then, post-run my knee hurt when walking on even ground and gradual downhills. Climbing stairs and going uphill doesn’t cause any pain. I went to my doctor and she referred me to an ortho doc. Who knows when that appointment will happen. However, today, Thursday after 30 minutes on the elliptical, 750 stairs and weight training the knee seems better; not so much pain. The big test will be Friday, tomorrow.
Jaybird headphone review – I love the headphones and the wireless technology. I particularly liked them while on the stair master and walking around the weight room while listening to music.
Forerunner 35 – I have hooked it up with my phone and all my stats appear in the app. I know steps, heart rate all day long, how long I slept, average resting heart rate and the best thing – the watch vibrates with a message – MOVE – and forces me to get up and walk around when I’m still for an hour. I know it’s trendy to track steps and I’ve never been into it, but now see how addictive getting a lot of steps each day and reaching goals can be. I have a 50,000 step goal each day.
I’m hoping the next few days will be good training days. The weather has been cold and windy but at least no snow. Just hoping ice on the trails melts soon – I need vertical!
For my Saturday long run I always create a new playlist. This Saturday I added some new songs I haven’t heard in a long time from the Dixie Chicks to Trisha Yearwood.
The one song I added but didn’t really know was Born Free from Kid Rock. I have some of his songs on other playlists like Cowboy and Wasting Time but I added Born Free not really remembering what the song was about but curiously remembered when the new CD came out – oh so many years ago.
As I’m running up the big Carter Hill Born Free plays and now, a few days later, I remember every word as my heart is pounding and the wind is whipping in my face.
Calm facing danger
Lost, like an unknown stranger
Grateful for my time with no regrets.Close to my destination
Tired, frail and aching
Waitin’ patiently for the sun to setAnd when its done believe that
Kid Rock, Born Free
I will yell it from that mountain high
I think a lot about my life while I’m running for hours in my home state of New Hampshire. So many songs remind me of my time out west, chasing dreams and living the life west of the Continental Divide in the high peaks of Colorado and the deserts of Arizona. I lived out west for almost 15 years and it was my dream. Now, as I get older and I’m back east, I’m trying to find out new dreams and figuring out how to make my life extraordinary. Songs like this remind me to not give up, and make me feel so lucky that I can still go find my dreams because we are born free. We are free – don’t take it for granted. Seriously, there is still so much to do, achieve, dream and be. Songs like this remind me of that.
Heartbeat Song by Kelly Clarkson
Where the hell did you come from? You’re a different, different kind of fun.
So What by P!nk
So, so what? I’m still a rock star. I got my rock moves and I don’t need you.
Pacific Coast Highway by Hole
I’m on the Pacific Coast Highway, My God how did you fall so far?
Bella Donna by Stevie Nicks
No speed limit this is the fast lane. It’s just the way that it is here and you say I never thought it could.
Fix You by Coldplay
Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones.
Bring the Rain by MercyMe
I am Yours regardless of the dark clouds that may loom above because You are much greater than my pain. You who made a way for me.
The Scientist by Coldplay
Nobody said it was easy. No one ever said it would be this hard. Oh take me back to the start
4 Minutes by Madonna with Justin Timberlake
If you want it – You already got it. If you thought it – It better be what you want.
Fight Song by Rachel Platten
My power’s turned on. Starting right now I’ll be strong. I’ll play my fight song and I don’t really care if nobody else believes because I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.
Bobby Jean by Bruce Springsteen, E Street Band
We liked the same music, we liked the same bands. We liked the same clothes. We told each other that we were the wildest – the wildest things we’d ever seen.
Girl on Fire by Jessica Mears
Looks like a girl, but she’s a flame. So bright, she can burn your eyes, better look the other way.
8 Mile by Eminem
I’m a man, I’m gonna make a new plan. Time for me to just stand up, and travel new land. Time for me to just take matters into my own hands.
