The Pain Cave

During the interview with Shalane Flanagan the topic of cross training came up. While I love to hear all about the training of the athletes I admire, I found the next question to be even more interesting. A member of the media group asked about Shalane's tolerance for pain and how she can push herself through moments when her brain is screaming, "STOP!"

See for yourself!

I remember when I first started running and I would wonder, "Is that supposed to hurt?" There were aches in my shins, my calves, my knees, my hips and basically every part of my body. I vividly recall my first case of Illiotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) and not being able to walk up and down stairs after my first half marathon. I was truly worried that I'd damaged myself beyond repair and ended my running career before it ever got started.

I found Shalane's response truly comforting. She can get past it because she's been there in practice. I may not be busting out 15 400 meter repeats on the track once a week or tempo runs at a 5 minute mile but I do push myself. Sometimes my lungs start to burn, literally burn. My heart starts to beat so loud I wonder if it might just quit. My leg muscles throb and, when I finally stop, shake with the effort they've just put out. I've spent sleepless nights tossing and turning because I can't shake the cramps and pains that are wracking my body, especially after an ultra.

I think one of the reasons I was able to PR at Marshall was because I have wrecked myself beyond good sense at other points in my training and racing. I was able to pace it better because I know what each effort level feels like and how long I can sustain it. The same thing with the Baker 50 Mile. I didn't take 53 minutes off my time by running myself into the ground but by knowing my body inside and out.

Sometimes you have to push past what you think you can endure to find out where your limits really lie. And then you push those limits out a little further every time you train and have to find them all over again.

11 Random Things

Porcelina over at Run, Live, Laugh tagged me so now I have to let the world in on all my crazy secrets!

Here is how it works:

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section like “you are tagged if you are reading this”. You (the blogger) legitimately have to tag 11 (or so) people.

My random facts:

1. I have four tattoos. I want more.

2. I love adventure and despise routine. All I ask of life is a challenge.

3. I love to read almost more than I love to run. Deciding between a book or a run can be the hardest decision I make all day.

4. I wish I had stuck out my first round of college getting a degree in Biology. I always wanted to work in genetics.

5. My husband and I aren't good at event planning so we got married at the J.P. instead and then had a photographer friend take really awesome pictures in the park to make it look like we had a big wedding.



6. For some reason my dad was determined that I should have the middle name Altair. It is Arabic for 'bird' and ever since 9-11 I've been harassed by airport security every time I fly.

7. I work in Nondestructive Testing. If you actually know what that is without Googling I'll give you a cookie.

8. I'm naturally brunette, almost black, but my older daughter is blonde haired and blue eyed. Makes me really wish I had gone into genetics so I could figure that one out!

9. I have watched every episode of Richard Scarry's Busy Town at least three times. Thank you parenthood!

10. I only own 2 pairs of jeans. I spend all of my money on running gear.

11. I own the coolest weiner dog ever. She has one brown eye and one blue eye. Her name was supposed to be Lego but my husband changed it to Lily and my daughter gave her the middle name Eliza.



Porcelina's Questions to Me:

1. If you could run any race, anywhere, and money wasn’t an option, where would you go?

First stop, Australia! I want to see a platypus and a koala and a kiwi up close! And eat vegemite too!

2. If you had one million pounds to give away, who or what would you chose to donate too?
Well, we have dollars here. I would spread it amongst the charities I love, like the IAFF Burn Fund!

3. If you had the chance to relive one instance in your life, what moment would you chose? Would you change anything about it or just re-live it?
The last time I saw my dad before he got hurt maybe? I'd like to ask him more about himself and take a few more pictures of us together!

4. Cats or dogs?
Both! And fish too!

5. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Marriage and love are a choice you make every day.

6. What was the last book you read?
The Help. I loved it!

7. What is your favourite go-to dinner when you need cheering up?
My husband is the cook in our house. In the winter I love chili and in the summer I love grilling out!

8. What is your life\running mantra?
'As far as I can, As fast as I can'. It fits me to a tee! I'm always up to something and trying to see just how much I can accomplish in as little time as possible!

9. Sweet or Salted Popcorn?
Both please!

10. Have you had a ‘defining moment’ yet? If so, care to share?
Losing my father at the age of 11. It changed the whole course of my life and I'm sure I don't even realize half of it.

11. What would be your perfect Sunday afternoon?
Long run followed by an ice bath, hot shower, and massage. Then maybe going to dinner and a movie with my hubby. A kid-free day is definitely the best present I can get sometimes!

Eleven questions for whomever I tag:
1. Did you grow up in the city, the suburbs, or on a farm, etc? What was it like?

2. How many siblings do you have?

3. How many children would you have if your resources were unlimited?

4. What would your career choice be if you could have your pick tomorrow?

5. Describe your dream home.

6. What is your favorite nail polish color?

7. If you could have a chef or a maid which would you choose?

8. What is your favorite candy?

9. What is your favorite shoe brand?

10. Do you have a smart phone or a regular phone?

11. Coffee or tea?

I tag:
Heather at Run Faster, Mommy!
Hope at Team Epton
Mallery at Inspired Training
And I'm out of time right now!