08.23.08

Popsiclicious

Posted in Uncategorized at 3:42 pm by Tori

Popsicles - all kinds, flavors and types. However, when I refer to this amazing frozen treat I’m talking the kid kind, real deal!

Joan unknowingly knows my favorite summer time treat and weakness - Popsicles. I regularly eat and indulge in these each day for lunch. Yes, Eddy’s Whole Fruit Strawberry, Wholefoods Caribbean Punch, Kroger soda flavors, melon flavors, banana popsicles, old skool Flavor-ice…mmmm…

So, for my last official CAC workout in NC, popsicles was the perfect grape-y way to say goodbye.

And for that I want to say thank you.

Thank you fellow CAC-ers for all the good times, memories, encouragement, withstanding of outrage, and camaraderie. Thank you for sweating it out in August on the early portion of the hills series, for letting me go ahead on my fast cool downs, and warm-ups, for letting me be one of the guys. Thank you for an open forum where I can cry and rave and race and laugh. The opportunities and support and experience that CAC has been for me is not able to be captured with mere words.

To end I wish to post a memory/comment for those I ran with:

Hombres:

Tyler - Umstead long run entertainment. Thanks for being willing to let me tag along.

Devin - Sheer speed. I’m always amazed at the runner you are.

John - Such a secret treasure trove. There are so many layers to your personality and I only begun to scratch the surface on our XC Championships road trip.

Brock - Hilarious! Such a sense of humor and amusement.

Rob - quiet and smart. Clickity-clack man and crazy legs. Two terms that are now permanent parts of my vocabulary.

Jason - a huge heart. Thank you for making me feel at home right from the beginning and always saying hello at practice. Oh and your stories - classic!

Victor - the Fleet Feet man. I’ve enjoyed our random chats at the store, on warm-up, and about PT.

Ben - One of the first people I met (outside of CAC). It has been great to run with you in both settings, you are so easy going.

Brent - the tech-y. You have such a lively demeanor, but when it comes to business, punch it out.

Marc - I’ve loved reading your posts from afar and seeing your different approach to training. I like to think one day I’ll again achieve that machine quality you display in your distance running.

Dave - handsock gloves and websites. Thank you.

Ladies:

Joan - challenger, coach, sister friend. Always so enthusiastic, but raw-ly yourself, unabashed - LOVE IT!

Trish - cheetah fighter. Joan first described you as a cheetah to me and when running XC country with you I saw what she meant. But, you’re so funny and “out of the box,” kind, and happy. An amazing person, runner and mother.

Caroline - smiley. You always have a great smile and listening ear. I love that you have a blue beetle for a car and I thank you for your advice and always listening to me and just letting me be me.

Diana - Fellow outdoor pool runner. That was great even though I was waaay late. You are such  an encourager. You are so straight forward in the perfect way and I love that, but I really can’t thank you enough for encouraging me to look at my life and be unashamed of what I want and go for it.

Sarah - Racer. You are so welcoming, team orientated, and understanding. I feel so comforted and calm when with you. You always make me feel included and I’ve loved talking academia with you.

Kim - advice giver. You are so grounded and great at offering advice and the other perspective. I’ve enjoyed our bit-runs together and doing those 100s with you every week. Couldn’t have done it without you.

Rebecca - such an awesome first workout partner.

There is so much more that could be said and so much that applies to various team members. So just THANK YOU!

I’ll be seeing you on the roads and keeping in touch from afar. Best to all on this coming year. I can’t wait to see the next phase of CAC and what the new drum circle rhythm may be.

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06.29.08

New Shoes :D

Posted in Uncategorized at 9:15 am by Tori

So, I finally found time and broke down (my body has been breaking down waaayyy before this!) and got NEW SHOES!!! the glory of a new pair of running shoes.

I find this is a significant purchase each and every single time.  It’s always new when you get there because the company’s are coming out with new and different styles and it’s always a wonderful experience.

I went with the newest version of the Asics Gel-Cumulus with the new lace-up, in hopes that this will help my too big toe-box issue I constantly run into with shoes [after about two weeks i'm having to pull the toe-box so tight to keep my foot from moving around that there is folding - it's just too wide].

The past two weeks my body has been aching and hating me - sure signs of needed new shoes.  I had intentions to get them last week and failed with late work hours never making it up to Chapel Hill. In a weird way, I was thankfully a little ill this past week and so did not run much, but Friday - ugh for the shoes and the run.

HOwever, as I write this post late out the door for church, I have my new running shoes on (I thought to just break them in a bit) and now am DYING to just get out and hit some ground.  I love the springy and cushion-y inspiring new feeling of brand new running shoes and just had to post about it.

Anyone else get this feeling?

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03.15.08

How did your race go?….

Posted in Uncategorized at 3:15 pm by Tori

This seems to be a typical question asked amongst teammates during a cool down after a race. And Rob posed this question to me when I was running with them after the Run for the Oaks 5k in Raleigh that the team sweeped in today. Now, normally I during my cool downs take this time to think about the race and everything that had happened and I contemplate and digest and take it in and then okay it’s processed and I have some sort of opinion formed….so when Rob asked me this in the middle of our cool down I answered:

“I don’t know how I feel about it yet,” and followed with the above explanation, “but I think it was probably one of the worst races I’ve done.”

Read the rest of this entry »

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02.27.08

SCCRRAAAttchh…

Posted in Uncategorized at 11:09 pm by Tori

Commonly a sound heard in the entertainment industry when an event rudely interrupts often fun being had causing the interrupting entity to become a spectacle.

Or also found in the world of running possibly referring to the scratching of the pencil when eliminating someone’s name from the entrants list at the last minute.

This could even be synomous with the idea of failure, ruin, marring, and pain.

Even though the second definition goes more with my choices this past weekend, I think all definitions could connect.

After a very stressful week at work, continued lack of confidence in my ability to actually run a 20K with sub 6:20 miles, fitful/no sleep Friday night, and much contemplation, I at the last minute this past weekend decided to “scratch” my planned 20K race on Saturday morning. Even though, I worked on and syked myself up for it…when it came down to it, I guess I didn’t syke myself up enough.

Whatever a runner’s reasons for scratching a race whether it be accidental, injury prevention, mentally out of it, just not ready….the excuses are endless….it always is a contemplated decision and some may see it as “giving up” or failure.

I guess in certain instances I could see it that way, but I don’t normally think of like that. So, I guess I bring up this topic and in order to see what other people have to say about scratching races. What are your thoughts? Your definition? For or against? Possibly a story???

[Hopefully this post won't end up like an entertainment scratch wiyh crickets chirping in the silence.]

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02.04.08

There’s no crying in running!….!…!

Posted in Uncategorized at 11:46 pm by Tori

To slightly quote Tom Hanks from A League of Our Own…

This was my outlook and complete belief when I first arrived in North Carolina. There is no crying in running - running is, as being discussed, a “do or do not” type of deal. Joining a collegiate team my junior year of college, I never questioned my coach, his workouts, or his wisdom. He and I worked well together and I figured he was the coach, he must know what he is doing and he worked with how I wanted to train and my response to his training (it was unique), but fit well for me and my introduction to running. Never was there crying, never was there doubt. I would show up, he would tell me what to do and i would do it (or more). The only crying that occurred for me was when running did not occur.

So, arriving here and joining up with CAC, I was surprised when one of the first things I remember out of Trish’s (to Joan’s agreement) mouth was - let the crying and yelling commence - in reference to our fall hills sessions. ‘Crying and yelling?’ I thought, ‘Really is it that bad, there is no crying in running.’ I asked Trish about this after finishing one of our hills sessions and she explained that sometimes you’re crying because you aren’t living up to yours or Joan’s expectations and she is yelling at you to do better because she knows you can. Oh! This explained it a bit more - but again I thought, there is no crying in running.

WELL…I have proven myself wrong. In the fall, there was a particular track workout that I was ready for, but my ankle was not and yelling with expletives, a few tears, and a fence kicking session were all involved. Then, there was a slightly choked up phone call with Joan discussing my training (or lack there of); and finally (well so far anyways) there was my total, sobbing breakdown two weeks ago on the track due to outside life circumstances that needed a release (sorry about that everyone).

SO apparently there is crying in running! I guess there is just something with running - and the emotion and passion it evokes. I’m just hoping my next tear-fest will be from joy when I set a record and have a mind-boggling amazing race.

What are everyone else’s thoughts on this and any great crying stories or moments?

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01.19.08

Teammates!

Posted in Uncategorized at 10:15 pm by Tori

Well, I must say after this week…I just want to give a tribute and THANK YOU!!! to my teammates.  The word is really beginning to mean something and that is one of the things I love about running - your teammates.

This past week, I truly realized how fortunate and blessed I am to have my teammates - and I realize what a gift from God they are and praise Him for that because a couple months ago I was really feeling lonely here in NC, regardless of my team and friends.

However, this past Wednesday when my day of horror came to a climax with getting my clothes and car keys locked in the fieldhouse - my awesome teammates were right there to help me - reminding me to take deep breathes and immediatly brainstorming of plans to get the keys.  Diana ran over to the gym and searched out the campus security with me and everyone was so supportive and stuck around till we were sure I had my stuff.  That support and commaderie and help just meant so much on that particular day.  Thank you guys!!

And then, today at my first indoor track meet in NC and in a while period.  Kim stayed and helped me feel “at home” and get ready and be prepared for my race.  She stuck around to see me race, yelled out split times, and encouraged me during my laps.  She even introduced me to key racing personnel (which got me a free bid into a 10K this April! sweet!! - BTW Joan could you post/comment on that - so that our readers know about this 10K and can sign up for it if they want?). It was a great afternoon of indoor racing and snow outside, which reminds me so much of my time in Boston, but it meant so much to me that Kim stuck around to support and help me out. Thank you Kim!!

I really realized supportive and positive team work this week - through my CACers and even through my work (it was grant week which equaled long hours and stress). God has truly blessed me with my coworkers and especially my team.  I couldn’t be more thankful. I just wanted everyone to know how awesome my fellow CAC-ers are.  I can’t wait to see what this Spring season will bring and to continually see you guys out there on Wednesdays

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12.13.07

Season Wrap-up

Posted in Uncategorized at 10:49 pm by Tori

Well, now that the season is officially “over,” I was thinking on my run this morning of it in its entirety (this thought process was also helping me not notice the still lingering pain and stiffness from Saturday’s race - yes, running was still at a jog pace - which if you know me is a significant statement). - I wrote this originally on Tuesday..

So, what about this season…well, I have learned a lot and grown a lot.

First, of all cross country spikes and serious mud gripping teeth are cooL! I have never had a pair of XC spikes and those fangs were an enormous confidence booster.

Second, hills = no longer a fear. In fact, Joan, I now secretly am starting to love them. There is nothing like powering up those hills and knowing that any sort of hill thrown at me is no contest. In my self-delusion, I can now think of myself as a hill eating monster. Arggg….

3. Long car rides are do-able. Still not an avid fan, but I must say it was fun and a long time since I’ve had to do one.

4. Everything must be taken in stride. I’ve never had such a “long season” before and I’ve never had a season where I actually overcame injury to finish it out. So, that was a new and frustrating experience.

5. Lastly, I have realized how much of a runner I am, how much I love being challenged and part of a team, how good it feels to run fast, and again how much of a runner I am and that is OKAY! [still working on the running/life balance - self definition thing though].  I can’t deny that I feel most comfortable when with you all and hearing your stories and life things because I can relate and I realize that many others cannot.

I look forward to the new lessons and challenges and PRs this next season will bring…oh and I love the nicknames the men are working on giving each other…such commaderie.

What are everyone else’s favorite season moments?

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12.05.07

Race Rituals

Posted in Uncategorized at 4:23 pm by Tori

So, with the time drawing near, I must ask what crazy race rituals does everyone have?

Mine are pretty interesting.  The night before I like to eat my favorite Peanut Butter (which thank Trader Joe’s is now only 3.50 a jar) and the large generic type of jellybeans.  Tomatos always seem to often come into play too.  - but night before is not as essential as day of…
Race morning - I relax and prepare mentally with music and internal mental imaging while doing my ab/hips circuit on my ball. Breakfast consists of a little bit of coffee if time allows for proper consumption before the race, normally 1/2 caf.  preferrably a toasted English muffin with one jam packet on each side and one honey packet on each side. Three extra jam packets and two honey packets to be consumed on the side or on a piece of light toast. Water of course.

Race warm-up =  20 mins with 4 strides, two to three bathroom trips, and stretching.  On the line pump up jumps and the gun goes off.

Granted this is not always the way it goes (there has been a “wait isn’t that my race lining up!?” mad dash to the starting line with chucking CD player and shoes aside to lace up huffing and puffing at the starting line), but this has proven to work in the past! I’ll stick to my jam and honey even if it is straight out of the plastic.

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11.06.07

Yee-haw!

Posted in Uncategorized at 10:31 pm by Tori

I LOVE post-race photos and so (I hope it is okay), but upon searching for a video of the Olympic Trials I came upon these and couldn’t resist:

oooh, cold and early!!

YAY!! Way to represent!

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Future Job: A Postal Worker

Posted in Uncategorized at 10:23 pm by Tori

Okay so this post was suppose to be put up last week, but it was crazy as the first sentence states - so didn’t have time till now to finish my photo search - please forgive the tardiness

Wow what a crazy week. First, let us document the torrential downpour of a workout this past Wednesday. I still am continually amazed by the people I actually have met through CAC and have “run with.”

I love Marc’s new hair-do. It brings back memories of High School Swim final meet days where the boys would all shave their head along with the rest of their body hair - hopefully the shaved head will bring Marc more speed as it always tended to do for the swimmers

But, I must say that I did not expect a monsoon to erupt out of the sky in the middle of the workout pyramid. Talk about instantly soaked! I cannot even count how many times I rung out my shirt in a span of five minutes. I had to take my glasses off in the middle of the interval because they instantly fogged up - i could still see without them fine to run (well relatively), but the only thing was the rain was coming down so hard that I couldn’t blink fast enough to see regardless of it was a bit blurry. My shoes have never felt so heavy! - My hip flexors were tugging and groaning on the way back to the car. But, I think the huge leaf blown into the side of my face was the clincher - I just thought “This is crazy, what am I doing. I can’t even imagine running a race in this, good thing I’m not.” and then Joan’s long ago statement at the beginning of the season before NC hit it’s dry spell came back to me:

“We run rain, shine, sleet, snow, mud…we run!” and so we ran. What an experience! But, the bonding team moments that occurred that Wednesday - drenched “wet rat” syndrom, Trish running by on that second loop sans :), and celebrating Marc’s up-coming Olympic trials with a little bubbly and pink to boot! Bobby ended the evening perfectly when he pulled into the parking lot on his mountain bike decked out in his now wet CAC/Fleet feet gear, sliver clip shoes on, helmet on with headlamp attached and on, “honking and beeping” a tune. I love being part of a team, I love the craziness of that workout, I love the goofy, quirkiness of runners.

And Joan really is serious about us rivaling the postmen in workout weather. - Heck, I think due to the runner’s mentality any one us would make an awesome postal worker - maybe that will be my next job - rainstorm (check); blizzard (check); intense heat (check), unbearable, relentless humity (check), monsoon (check) - carolina’s got us on a roll.

*including all those darned unleashed dogs we tend to encounter in our cross country fields.

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