A Year of Rediscovery

After I published my race recap on the A1A 5k in February 2018, I went to the My Races page here at HtGR and opened the chapter on 2018. I titled it The Year of the Comeback.

I wrote that annotation with fingers crossed; my stubborn optimism in putting it out to the universe was intentional. I really felt if I kept that title in my sights, then surely 2018 wouldn't fail me as 2017 had.

It seems to have worked.

As of December 24, I've run 358 miles in 2018; in 2017, I ran 186.

This past year was truly a year of comebacks. It was a year of progress, growth, recovery, strength, and renewal. In many ways, it was a year of rediscovery. I felt like two people at times, both an experienced runner and a newbie, fresh to the sport. And overall, it was certainly a satisfying and gratifying year.

I took inspiration and motivation from my online running groups again, which I had shut out a little into 2017 because it hurt to see so much running success when I was injured. The Sub 30 Club, my fellow bloggers, and especially the Skirt Sports sisterhood have given me more than they can know.

To look at miles-run or paces-met would be silly. This year can't be quantified by data so easily. This was a year of feeling. Of getting back in tune with my body and mind. Of indulging in what felt good instead of what a plan or schedule dictated. It was a year of getting back to basics.

I tested my limits. I took risks and faced fears. I surprised myself.

How does one write a year in review for a year such as this?

Well, this one doesn't. But there are a few things I want to revisit/highlight for myself. Here are some of my milestones of 2018:

January: I started the year with a mindset to hit restart. I considered the end of 2017 to be the end of a Part I of my running "career"; 2018 began Part II.

My first run back after my second surgery, I was scared to run alone but neither did I want to run with someone. I remember how nervous I was, because I felt at the edge of a precipice. There was nothing else standing in my way at this point; I'd had both surgeries and was done with PT. I had nowhere to go but up, but I was terrified I'd fail.

Velociraptor'ing with joy!

Of course, the run ended up being one of pure, unadulterated joy.

February: February was a huge month for me. I felt very much how I did as a brand new runner, scared to run alone and unsure of how much my body could handle. I was finding my legs and my confidence again.

But this was the month I ran 3 miles for the first time since my surgeries, and of course my first race back. My goal was for A1A to be my comeback 5k, and I meeting that goal was surreal. It marked a strong start to the new year.

In December 2017 I told my PT my goal was to run/walk a 5k in February 2018. And I did.

March: I spent a lot of time this year reflecting on why I run and what running means to me now. Rereading that post is especially poignant nine months later. My mind has changed and grown even since writing it.

Another highlight from March was finally getting my second tattoo, and embracing growing stronger from setbacks and defeats.

April: I faced my fear and ran the bridge for the first time since I began noticing symptoms of compartment syndrome. I am so glad I had Elizabeth there to encourage me and push me out of my comfort zone.

May: I ran the Halifax 5k, which meant conquering another giant bridge, and placed 2nd in my age group. I still reread this post with a sense of disbelief. The rate of my recovery and bounce-back was unfathomable. After a full year of injury, I could hardly believe I was not only running, but running well.

Although it's something different, a personal favorite from May is an original poem. This year was truly about regeneration and transformation.

June: My highlight for June is a little different. I introduced Pudge and Elizabeth and I began running as a trio!

July: My entire vacation series of our trip to Seattle and Vancouver for Scott and Robby's wedding! I am a homebody and Matt and I rarely travel, but I used to love it. This trip reminded me how much I love traveling and getting outside my comfort zone...with a little encouragement, of course.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

August & September: In late summer and early fall, I began to feel conflicted about my progress. I was enjoying running for fun, but felt ready physically to get serious about training for something. Mentally, I wasn't sure I was there yet.

I came to the realization that my body was truly recovered and I was ready to start adding distance and training for a longer race if I chose, but wasn't ready to pull the trigger. And, on the tail end of that realization, I did my first monthly review in a year and was shocked to see I'd steadily been building mileage.

October: I got the best news ever and suddenly was no longer conflicted about starting a training plan! I signed up for my favorite race, my dream comeback half marathon, the A1A half!

November: In November, I officially started training for said race! It had been so long and training felt so good. I got to create my plan and bask in the motivation that comes with the early stages of a training cycle. And best of all, I got to run my first long runs in ages!

Running long gave my body the chance to remind my brain that it knows what it's doing. I fell into the habit easily. It was like being welcomed home.

December: The last month of the year was a month of coming up against some setbacks and overcoming them gracefully and with determination. I didn't let an extended cold and its interruption of my training throw me off. Likewise for a very busy volleyball season.

I had a few runs that truly felt magical. I realized that my mindset now is unlike any I've ever had when it comes to running.

View this post on Instagram

Six miles in my #watchmegotop. It was perfect in today’s 51F; I felt comfortable and on top of my paces the entire run! Second long run of training: done ✔️

A post shared by Ali (@abk_runs) on Nov 17, 2018 at 7:00am PST

In December, I also ran my first double-digit run since February 2017.

When I started running, most of my accomplishments were externally motivated. Even when running alone, I always knew there would be someone to tell me good job and offer praise. I even started this blog hoping a public forum like this would keep me moving. I needed the races and the medals to stay on track. I really think a year of injury broke that habit, and this year of recovery has changed me.

The symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for compartment syndrome in 2017 brought me face-to-face with how much this sport had changed me and become part of my identity (sometimes to a worrisome degree); 2018 has given me a chance to start over with a healthier mindset, more confidence, and a stronger body that I know can do hard things.

Running is all shiny and new again, and I am too.

ABK

Fingers Crossed

On Tuesday night, I ran for the first time since my second surgery.

I had wanted to run all weekend, but we were away for a wedding and timing just didn't work out. I was nervous to go alone Tuesday but I also didn't want to go with anyone. I just needed the chance to test the waters.

Matt came with me because when we run together we don't really run together. We walked the warmup together and I told him, "If this run goes well, I'm signing up for the A1A 5k when we get home."

And then I turned my watch on and started my first 3-minute interval, and Matt took off at his loping pace. He'd come back and loop around to meet up with me every few minutes throughout the run.

I ran in the circle neighborhood I stuck to after the first surgery; it's pretty and predictable...and quiet. I don't feel too self-conscious there.

For the first three minutes, I felt a little tight and stiff. I was doing 3:1 intervals, and at my first walk break I started to feel loosened up. The rest of the run was just...Amazing.

First walk break. Starting to feel good.

I had some hamstring tightness and I could feel a knot in my right calf, but it was definitely not tight or painful. I can't express the relief of being able to tell that a muscle ache is just a knot that needs some massaging.

By the middle of the run, I was grinning. I struggled a little in the chilly air and my legs felt tired and out-of-practice but I felt good. About 3/4 of the way done, I almost started crying. OAR's "City on Down" came on my playlist and for some reason everything just felt so perfect.

Matt caught me mid-joy. I couldn't contain my elation!

When we got home, I iced and used my TENS unit while I signed up for the race.

I also managed to convince my sister to run it with me - she usually meets me at the finish line of this race, so I am ecstatic - and even Matt and Oden (who we stay with for A1A every year) may run it! It'll be like a big celebratory party race! Obviously I will be using intervals and focusing on just finishing nice and easy, but I can't think of a better way to celebrate the end of this frustrating, depressing year of injury.

2 miles done and feeling GREAT!

I know I'm not fully "recovered"; Dr. G. said to expect it to take 3 months before I'm ready to pursue the kind of running I was doing pre-diagnosis. So, I will be patient and listen to my body. And maybe in the fall, I'll be ready to aim for a longer or faster race...

But honestly? I'm not even that impatient anymore, because now that there's forward progress, I am satisfied. I am ready to take the days as they come, because I have a lifetime of running ahead of me.

ABK

What the Heck are Flatties?

When I wrote about my friend Christine taking a flattie-Ali along for a half marathon, a couple people were unfamiliar with this practice. I forget sometimes that my virtual running community on Facebook does some weird things...even for runners.

The best pictures for flatties are running photos, of course. The more fun and festive the picture, the better.

Flatties first started (for me, at least) with the Runner's World Festival in 2014. Dozens of Sub-30 members were attending the event, and those of us who were sad to miss out were hoping to somehow still participate. Someone cam up with the idea to send a laminated photo of ourselves to someone who would be at the event. That way, we could "tag along" during the races and enjoy the festivities.

Jennifer's comment says it all! When I actually got to meet her at Gasparilla this year, it was like we'd already run a race together!

I'm sure you've heard of people writing names on their arms and "running for" someone else...this is just a more tangible way of doing that.

As you guys saw on the post with Christine, bringing flatties along can be a means of keeping injured runners "running" and emotionally supported. Sometimes runners bring the flatties with them during a hard race for their own motivation and mental strength. I remember one time, we sent flatties by the dozens to a friend who was having knee surgery, so he wouldn't be alone.

There are lots of good ways to carry flatties. They have caught on in our group and now it's not uncommon to see someone with half a dozen or more pinned on.

Running belts and Camelbaks are a great way to carry multiple flatties at once!

Flatties also get to join the post-race party. They travel to new places and indulge in post-race meals. It really does make you feel like you're part of the fun!

Buckling in for a flight, staying hydrated before the race, and enjoying sightseeing and post-race snacks.

I talk about the Sub-30 Club pretty frequently here, and this is just another part of what makes this running group so wonderful. I didn't even realize this might be a strange or unique practice because it's pretty usual for the kind of fun and love Sub-30 is all about.

ABK

Weekly Workouts: 5/8-5/14

Wow...it's the last month of the school-year! This year has flown by!

This is my last full week of workouts before the craziness that is the 8th grade Washington, DC trip, so I wanted to make it count.

The previous Saturday I experienced some of the worst pain I've had since resuming running. A friend in the Sub-30 Women's Club reached out:

This will be relevant later in this post.

Monday 5/8: 30 solid minutes on the max trainer. I didn't take any breathers and played with the intensity throughout the workout to get some good HIIT benefits. I'm finally catching up on Real Housewives because I finally had time to watch them! (I've been saving episodes for this workout.)

I accidentally deleted the original picture so here's a grainy screenshot from Instagram. 

Tuesday 5/9: We had our school's Art and Tech Expo night, which meant we were at work until after 7pm. Between 3:30 and 4:30 we fit in a solid circuit focused on upper-body.

As usual, complete each exercise for 30-60 seconds and rest for 60-120 seconds between sets.

Wednesday 5/10: Elizabeth met me for two miles before one of Matt's art nights. (His night went well but I was out much later than I wanted. I'm glad we were able to fit in the run.)

My calves were screaming by mile one, but we persevered. It was nice to run with Elizabeth again and she was a good distraction from my pain, but I realized I've really been enjoying the solitude of solo runs lately since all my other workouts throughout the week are done with my buddies. It felt good to be running together again, though.

Thursday 5/11: Rest. My body and head just did not feel like working out after my late night Wednesday.

Friday 5/12: Two Blogilates videos. One thing I really like about these videos is that Cassey looks strong and fit; she doesn't look underfed or so cut you know she's counting macros and diet-obsessed. I just feel like she's a really body-positive "trainer" to follow.

I was in the mood for squats, so we did a pretty easy ab video to warm up and then this plie challenge, which is no joke. I was trembling by the end of it.

Saturday: 30 minutes on the max trainer. I was feeling depressed Saturday as I saw friends' 5k posts coming across Facebook and Instagram. I'm just so jealous. I can barely run two miles these days, and a 5k used to be my favorite way to bust out some major speed.

This week on our episode of True Life: I'm a Blogger, I experiment with angsty photos to capture my injured-runner-feels.

Then I got this message from Christine and felt a little better:

Sunday: My flattie accompanied Christine during her half marathon, but the real me rested, had lunch with Matt and Carole,  and spent Mother's Day with my mom.

Christine gave me the full half marathon experience. It's a little weird how happy this made me!

Thank you so much, Christine! I love my Sub 30 family!

ABK

Gasparilla Distance Classic 15k

Like I posted this weekend, I signed up to run at Gasparilla without really thinking it through, but now that the race is over, I'm so glad I gave in to my FOMO!

Friday

I got permission to leave work a little early on Friday and I hoped that would mean I'd miss traffic. I did get caught in some near Sarasota (it always slows down there due to construction) but I made it to Tampa for the expo with plenty of time. (Last time I ran at Gasparilla, we literally had to run through the doors as they were closing!) This leg of the trip took about 3.5 hours but it should have taken 2.5.

Going to an expo alone isn't very fun. I signed the Dick's Sporting Goods wall and found my name on the other big wall - expos have a thing for giant walls lately, huh? - got my bib and shirt, and called it a day.

I drove another hour to Jenn's, where Tommy had made baked chicken and risotto. I would have gotten photos but I was enjoying catching up too much to get my phone out; and besides, I had pretty much cleaned my plate before I remembered to take a picture. It was the best pre-race dinner I've had in ages!

I didn't end up using any fuel during the race, maybe because I fueled so well at dinner!

We stayed up much too late, but I slept really well and was up easily at 4:20am and out the door by 4:45 to head back to Tampa for our 5:45 photo op!

Saturday

My plan had been to park in the convention center's garage, but all the streets were already closed. Instead, I parked over the bridge in a Walgreen's parking lot and hoped no one would tow my car. I sipped my UCAN while I walked, and ten minutes later I found my people!

Can you spot me?

Andy, Therese, Montana, me, and Will. 100% ProCompression and Skirt Sports. Too funny!

Meeting Laurie "Mama" Canning was a major highlight of this race!

Pre-race with Therese!

Now, although I've met a number of my Sub-30 friends in person and run races with some of them, I've never run with them in a race. This would be the first time I stuck with a pack, and the first time I'd be doing intervals. I literally had no time goal in mind for this race and just wanted to have fun and not exacerbate any aches left over from A1A, so this seemed like the perfect time to be introduced to the Galloway method.

At the start, just us and 30,000 of our closest friends.

Running with these people was the most fun I've had on a race course in a long time. Everyone was
joking around and our spirits were high. We were doing 3:1 intervals, and every time it was time to walk, Andy or Will would shout "WE'RE WALKING!" or "RUN, RUN! WE'RE RUNNING LET'S GO!" at the top of their lungs. I'm sure we were incredibly obnoxious to some, but we also adopted some other runners who liked our style. I adjusted my pace a few times to run with various people in our group and tried to talk to everyone and meet everyone. It was exactly what I had wanted!

Staying to the right; good walking etiquette is key!

#squadgoals and also #crazyfacegoals and #completelyfuzzypicturegoals 

Running together, flags up!

By the way, the weather was perfect. Mid-60s, overcast, and breezy! I was a little annoyed that it was so gorgeous when just last weekend it was so bad. I know that next time I drag Elizabeth into a half marathon, we'll travel north instead of south.

I got a little frustrated with the intervals around 3 miles; I felt like it was taking us forever to get anywhere and I was impatient. This feeling faded, and this experience led me to consider trying intervals for long runs, but I'd likely do a 5:1 or 6:1 ratio. Anyway, at mile 6.5, we paused by an inflatable dinosaur because his sign matched the back of our shirts.

My phone was all wet at this point so my pictures are a little blurry. Oops.

I've never paused in a race for pictures before, so this was another first. It's just a completely different experience to run a race with this mindset!

Here's the best thing about running with and belonging to this group: they truly are the most supportive people I've ever met. I watched as the "leaders" of our pack made sure no one was left behind. When we walked through water stations, they kept an eye out for stragglers before urging us to run again. They made sure to run with the group, not just ahead, to keep everyone in it together. I honestly felt so comfortable and accepted, even with those I had only just met; for me, that's really saying something because I tend to be really aloof and distant when I meet new people. Sub-30 is all about being together and working as a team to accomplish our goals.

Anyway, at mile 7, I began to pick up my pace a little and ended up running the rest of the race with Kim. She was battling a bad cold and had the 5k to run right after the 15k, but she was still out ahead of the group. By mile 8, the shouts of "AND WE'RE RUNNING!" were fading away, so we just followed her watch and ran the rest of the way together.

Walk break!

I crossed the finish line just before the 2:00 mark with a pace of 12:21; this may be the slowest I've ever run a race, but it was also the most fun. My feet and hips did hurt a little; I wore my Ravennas as a kind of test of my calves and in the end I think this particular pair is definitely ready to be retired, unfortunately.

Nearing the finish line!

Success!

After we finished, Kim and I got in line to meet Meb. I shook his hand, told him what an inspiration I find him to be and thanked him for being there, and we took a photo. Then we got our medals and met the rest of the group.

With Meb! He must have been taking these photos for hours; he was a trooper!

I was so grateful to finish the end of the race with Kim!

With Nicole! I was so excited to finally meet her.

A little while later, we all gathered again because someone had managed to convince Meb to take a picture with all of us.

The Sub-30 Club and Meb!

Afterward, I had to head out. I needed to get to Sarasota for Scott and Robby's engagement party. I wished I could have stayed longer, and I think maybe the Challenge will be in my future, but this race was just what I needed. It was wonderful to leave stress and ambition behind and actually just run for the joy of it.

Also, I got back to my car and it hadn't been towed, so really this was the perfect day!

The rest of the group went on to do some awesome things this weekend, including breaking 2:00 in the half marathon (that was Andy and Therese's goal and they killed it). I'm glad I got to be there to experience some of the fun, and I hope to do it again next year.

ABK

A Surprise Race

Did I tell you guys I'm running at Gasparilla this year?

Signing up for the 15k was definitely an impulsive choice at the time. I wasn't going to run it because I had seen that it was only a week after A1A. But then some time passed, and I forgot the specific date of the race, and I saw so many of my Sub-30 friends signing up, and I remembered how much I loved the 15k when I ran it in 2015...

The next thing I knew, I was signing up. This is the perfect example of a FOMO race registration!

The race is on a Saturday morning (so, today...if you're reading this when the post goes live). I was originally planning to actually race it, but my body hurt way more than I expected it to after A1A, so I'm adjusting my plan.

There's another reason to adjust, too. I'm staying with my little, Jenn, Friday night and want a chance to spend time with her and enjoy my visit, which means I'll be missing the Friday night Sub-30 dinner. Then, I have to leave pretty much immediately after the race so I can make it to Scott and Robby's engagement party Saturday afternoon. That means the only time I can really spend with my Sub-30 friends is during the race.
The Sub-30 Club is a running group focused around the goal of breaking 30 minutes in a 5k; many of our members are slower runners and proud of it. The plan for most of us during the 15k, especially considering that many of the runners are doing various Gasparilla Challenges and racing two or three times this weekend, is to run/walk the race at a comfortable pace and enjoy each other's company on the course.

I won't make it to the Friday dinner and I can't stay for Saturday's afternoon hijinks, so it looks like the best way to spend time with these inspiring, hilarious people is to run the 15k with them!

I just can't miss out on seeing these folks, and meeting some of my virtual friends IRL for the first time!

I think this is a solid decision. After all, I'm still recovering from the half six days before, and this race is more about socializing, camaraderie, and enjoying myself than anything else. I can't wait!

Do you ever get race FOMO?
Do you ever get JOMO? Constantly!
Do your friends or family think it's weird that you're friends with people you met online?

ABK

Runners' Acronyms

My friend and Sub-30 Club founder Ted Spiker wrote an article recently that I just had to participate in. Runners really have their own language, but this is something totally different!

Ted's instructions are to edit the answers to reflect your running life. My answers are below. (The links are references and various Runner's World articles for those who are interested in the acronyms' origins.)

DNS: Did Not Start—No; I've never skipped a race for any reason.
DNF: Did Not Finish—No.
DNRTAL: Did Not Remember To Apply Lube—Oy, yes. The chafing on my bra-line that lasted weeks is a testament to that.
DFL: Dead Freaking Last—Not that I know of!
FFF: Finished Freaking First—Never.
BQ: Boston Qualified—LOL...no.
DQ: Didn’t Quit—Every. Single. Day.

POPOPOP: Pancake on Pancake on Pancake on Pancake—More like WOWOW. Waffle on waffle on waffle...Or COCOCO (cupcake on cupcake on cupcake...)
LYORP: Liked Your Own Race Photo—Yes! I've been lucky enough to have a few good ones.

It's between this one (finishing my first marathon) and the one below (finishing with my marathon PR). How can you not love photos that show the joy and relief of accomplishing such a thing?!

WAMTD: Wore a Medal to Dinner—I've worn a medal to brunch/lunch after a race. But never to dinner.
BTW: Bemoaned the Weather—For sure; about 9 months out of the year, really.

SSP: Shared Shoe Photos—Oh yeah!
TBT: Threw-up By Track—Ha, luckily no!
PR: Personal Record—YES! I'm still basking in joy over my marathon PR last February and my 5k PR in October.
PB: Personal Bartie—Yes! I feel special!

With Bart before the Space Coast Marathon!

CRAP: Certifiably Ruined a Porta-Potty—Haven't we all?
LOL: Leaked On Leg—Although I've tried, I can't seem to pee while in the middle of a run.
OMG: Ordered Many GUs—I've definitely ordered a giant box of Caramel Macchiato Gu from Amazon in the past.

Here's an old picture of Archie guarding my Gu from poachers.

BFF: Blessed with Fast Feet—Some days are more blessed than others.
BRB: Blisters Rubbed Bloody—Luckily no!
WTF: Waddled Through Finish—Not quite.
IDK: Injured Damn Knee—Ugh. Yes. Strengthening my hips and glutes has really helped with that, though.
EAT: Eulogized a Toenail—Yep, and boy was I proud!

I don't think it ever fell off, but it was bruised and nasty until it grew out! Also, how great is the quality on this old photo?!

GPBAJ: Got Passed By a Joggler—Not that I know of!

I'm sure many of you can relate!

Do any of these acronyms apply to you?

ABK