Sue Shaffer's Team In Training Page
Join Me in Making a Difference!!
Welcome to my Team In Training home page. This is about surpassing limitation and manifesting our own goals/dreams.
Thanks for your support, for making a difference in the lives of others and in your own life!
This is it, a week before the BIG Event. I ran/walked the easiest 8 miles of my life yesterday. But then later at home I twisted my ankle getting down from a ladder and fell to the ground. I think the ankle just gave out. I AM FINE! It gave me quite a scare but everything seems to be in working order. Rumor on Saturday was that we are not allowed Ipods at the race. I am not so sure and so I am crafting my marathon mix quite carefully. I am able to accept donations through November so please help support finding a cure for blood cancers! Thanks again for your ongoing support!!!! And it looks like I qualify for an early start race day so I can actually finish before the course closes. That is in case I do not finish in under 7 hours.
October 10, 2006
Two weeks ago, September 30th, I did it! I ran/walked 21 miles. And then for the rest of the night I could not move my legs. In order to get in and out of the car I had to lift my leg up with my hand and arm. The run itself was tough. I walked much more than I had expected to, and I felt a lot of pain and discomfort in my right hip. It started off fine, a new marathon mix of music, a zip in my stride, an I can do it attitude riding hide through miles 6-7. Then mile 14 came. When I was really walking, and that monkey mind started. Run Sue, Run, you have to run. But it hurts!!! And this is voluntary! AND I am NOT a masochist!! So I walked. I walked and I cried. And then I kept crying through the gatorade stop and beyond. Lisa's husband was very supportive..He said his dance instructor told him that we store emotion in our bodies and when we exert ourselves a great deal, the emotions can well up. They welled up.. and the monkey mind continued that voice in my head telling me I am a loser for walking. And Coach Pat was helpful telling me that walking 21 miles is nothing to feel bad about! Yikes. And at the end of the course Lisa reassured me. Sigh. I feel much better about all of this today. So last week I went to the Chiropractor and I had a disk out and my right leg was shorter than the other. I was cleared this week to run and started back up this morning-5 miles. I also need to report that I used new running shoes for the 21 miles. Hello Blisters!! Still healing but nothing new today. So the countdown begins. 11 days to the race!!! And boy do I need a vacation from work. Blisters and Burn Out!
Last minute fundraising efforts also begin!
September 19, 2006
Have you noticed that more time is going by between blog entries? I think that is because the excitement around the runs has lessened and become more mundane. Oh Yeah, I ran 17, 18 miles. And then there was the weekend when my knee and foot pain became too great and I got a ride back from the coach at just 14.5 miles. Didn't want to write about that. It also seems that I am doing more walking than running, and that feels a bit discouraging. This training has become a mental obstacle course. We went to the Telluride Blues Fest this weekend. Gorgeous!!! And so I did a solo long run yesterday. 19 miles. Almost to Lamy. I had to hide and stash a water bottle along the way and a cooler with Gatorade and spelt pretzels. I refilled my "fuel belt" and carried my gels. I was able to finish in 5 hrs. I know that is a big deal but I diminish it in my head knowing I walked a lot of it. As if it does not count if I walk the mileage. 5 hours/19 miles is a long haul either way! And then there is the fear that I will not be able to finish in California. I was pretty sore last night, my hip felt inflamed and swollen. Not sure if it was imagined or not. The soreness was real of course! I will just have to take this day by day, moment by moment, like I do the 19 miles. The experience changes with every step.
September 4, 2006
Saturday I ran/walked 17 miles! I was able to finish in 4 hrs 20 mins. Whew! I am quite amazed that I went that far. The support on the road makes quite a difference. TNT provides trainers and mentors to help us along. Saturday I was able to experiment with the various energy gels. Yuck! But they do seem to make a difference. I have not yet figured the whole nutritional prep diet out yet. I am going to spend some time with my Galloway book today to see what I can learn. I am still dollars away from my goal. I will be beefing up my fundraising this week. Thanks for your support!
August 22, 2006
Breece and I went camping this past weekend. No long run with the team for me! We camped at the Wild Rivers area North of Taos by Questa. Right along the rim of the Rio Grande Gorge. I was a bit stressed about missing the long run. I informed Breece early on that we would need to do a long hike to compensate for the 14 or so miles that I would miss with the group. I kept saying we need to do a 4 hr hike. She talked about hiking down the gorge to the river, a 750 feet elevation drop, 1.5 miles down, and then 1.5 miles to the Petroglyphs. I thought now that is just 6 miles round trip, I don't think she gets it, I should have brought my running shoes, I could run early on and then hike with her....Coyote medicine again. The joke was on me!!! that hike kicked my butt and Breece was just treking along way up ahead of me. It must have been the elevation, or the cross training, Something!!! because I could not keep up and whew was I winded! I still can't believe it!! I did run this morning adding a little extra mileage to make up for the weekend. 7 miles. I borrowed Breece's Ipod. What a difference music makes! Katie Curtis is my new fav! Check her out!
August 16, 2006
Wow, I have gotten behind with keeping y'all up to date. Last Saturday I completed the long run, only 10 miles as it was a stepback week. My plan was to alternate 2 min walk & 2 min run. After 4 minutes my Timex died, at first I panicked, what was I going to do?! Then all of my al-anon and meditation skills kicked in. The zen of it all. It could happen on marathon day and I will need to be prepared. I believe that I walked much more than I would have if my watch was a-ticking but I finished in 2.5 hrs, that is a 15 minute mile for those who care to know. Not shabby! Monday I completed a 5 mile run from 6 to 7:15 am and then met Breece at the gym for some upper body strength training. Cross training was today and 4 more miles in the morning ;) I still need to raise $2500.00 by race time. Let me know if your employers have matching donations or you have any creative fundraising ideas. I need 25 people to donate $100.00 each and I am there. Letter writing campaign will start next week!
August 5, 2006
I AM BACK IN THE GAME!! I have been training with the Galloway method, alternating walking and running every two minutes. Today I ran/walked 11.5 miles in 3 hrs and 10 minutes ( In the pouring rain). Coach Pat said that would get me to the marathon finish line! My training goal is to finish a marathon in less than 7 hrs!!! As I started my run in the rainat 6:00 am, with the arroyo gushing like I have never seen, two playful coyotes crossed my path running and jumping into the water, Those Tricksters!!
July 31, 2006
I received the go-ahead from my PT to alternate running/walking. Saturday I walked 7 miles with the half-marathon team. I was able to walk the 7 miles in the same time I had previously run it. I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing ;)
Most importantly, the knee feels fine. Sunday I staggered the running/walking for 2.5 miles and beat my previous time of just running. Thanks again for all of your support!!
July 24, 2006
I have been to 3 PT appointments so far and Ivan has not yet given the go ahead for running but I have been x-training. Breece and I joined a gym today and she is going to help me with strength-training. I am starting to embrace the idea that I may be looking at completing a half-marathon in October, and a marathon further on down the road. Even so, 13 miles is no small accomplishment. I am taking it day by day and will have to see what is realistic. As my father pointed out, I do not want to ruin my knees for skiing!!! Corporate logo designs are due in by July 31, 2006 to make it for the T-shirt printing. Contact me this week if you are interested!
July 19, 2006
Thanks to all of you providing lots of support and words of encouragement!!! My friend Aimee pointed out, based on her research regarding her own knee injuries of past, that it has been said knee pain represents a fear of moving forward. If that is true it makes sense to me. We both agreed that such interpretations are only part of the picture. My orthopedic Dr called it a muscle strain and prescribed physical therapy. YES!! Ivan, my PT, told me I have tight hamstrings and they are not as strong as my quads. As well my pelvis is out and tilted forward. He did some manipulations and massage and Heather showed me stretches and strengthening exercises. I am on my way! Still I was told not to run just yet. Thanks so much to DrLisa, a TNT participant ,who shared her own personal inspirational stories from her half marathon experience. I head back to the pool in the AM for more X-Training!
July, 17,2006
I made it to the pool Saturday and swam 72 laps in an hour (Thanks Sj!). Sj was the one who suggested that I swim for the full hour. Eldorado (where I live) has a wonderful outdoor pool with two lap lanes at all times. Usually it is teeming with children. There was only one family in the large pool and I had a lap lane to myself. Beautiful Santa Fe sky and soothing clean water...aaahh. Still there were more tears to come by evening. I called orthopedic specialists today and was able to get an appt for tomorrow!!! I have faith that whatever the problem I will be back training and ready by October. I have been using Gestalt techniques..there is a dragon in my knee, red, fiery, angry with big teeth...I just want to run...Running symbolizes freedom and the dragon is holding me back. I am deeply personally invested in running this marathon, any marathon. It symbolizes perseverence, surpassing limitations, going beyond what I thought possible. It is teaching me humility, patience and encouraging me to be strong. I am learning self-acceptance through the tears and I am feeling more confident. It involves faith..that I can raise the money and faith that I can cross the finish line. I am holding that fiery dragon in my lap, acknowledging the tension and anger and pain..unlived dreams and over riding self-doubt of past, giving my power away, letting others define me..separating that dragon from my knee, holding her close, acknowledging her presence. It is okay I tell her, Join me in this run to the finish line...at our own pace...This is Big Stuff and I see you!!
July 15, 2006
Well I have been crying for the last hour. My knee started to hurt again and even with the ibuprofen, stretching after an hour, and all the ice and homeopathics last night I could not risk injury and had to stop. I feel devastated.. The let down from the expectation, the excitement I had about being able to say I ran so many miles, the high of surpassing a previous record, the satisfaction of completion. This sucks... & it does not mean I will not do the marathon. I have plenty of time to recover and train. I will call an orthopedist Monday to check things out and help me figure out how to take care of myself. And still the tears keep coming. My friend SJ reminded me that when we get injured sometimes trauma or memories that have been stored in the body can surface. And then there is the preparation.. Last night's carbo loading, buying a carb gel for today's long run, my exciting new socks, getting up at 5:10 am, my camelback full of powerade...And still, life goes on. My mentor, Ranee, told me to cross train as long as it does not hurt. So now I am off to the pool, I have to burn those carb calories somehow. Sigh Sigh Sigh!!! Did I mention that I also feel incredibly frustrated and angry?!
July 13, 2006
I had a massage last night..I was sore all over! Even my jaw is sore..the muscles are all connected! Coach Pat checked in on me regarding my knee wanting to make sure I can handle Saturday's 12 mile run!! Last night I awoke at about 4:00 am thinking the other side of my knee was tight..freaking out about how I was going to be able to run 3 miles today and 12 Saturday. I started to give myself Reiki and fell back asleep. The run this morning was tough, it felt hotter outside, less pleasant, someone's dog pooped in the middle of the trail, there was no breeze, I used the walk/run approach and completed the 3 miles. Whew!
July 11, 2006
Was out on my run by 6:00 am. Decided to leave the dogs at home so I could focus on not injuring my knee. 3 miles and all good! My knee did great...all the icing and TLC paid off. Ran the whole way although Galloway recommends the run/walk from the start. This will be my first week of following the training schedule as regimented..I am on track!!
July 10,2006
I have decided to track my training efforts as a way to keep my supporters apprised of my progress. Saturday I returned to training after a two week hiatus. Not smart or recommended. It was a stepback week so Saturday was an 8 mile run. Less than a mile into it my knee started to ache, ilial-tibial band. I could not run more than 30 steps without it hurting enough to need to walk. I ended up walking a little over 6 miles. Coach Pat showed me some stretches and offered tips. I spent the rest of the day icing, taking ibuprofen, using homeopathic gel and tablets. Wasn't sure if I could or should do the 2 mile run Sunday but by afternoon it seemed better. I am now using the Galloway approach to marathon training where you alternate walking and running. So with that method, and more walking than running I was able to complete the two miles and stay on track with my training schedule. ( I was being kind of a slacker before and not doing all the small mid week runs, but now I am back in Gear!)
