(I’m hoping hiccup.)
When reviewing my workout logs for this update, I noticed a worrying trend. I completely skipped my strength and conditioning workout during week 10. Then almost missed it last week, only getting it in on the last day (7) of the week. Likewise, training runs happening only once a week and I’m falling short on the mileage I need. Particularly with the 50K and 40M races I signed up for yesterday. (Gisela, she of the consecutive weekend 50Ks for 100K training, is calling me crazy. 😜)
I think I’m realistic about my chances of finishing any of them, but I need to be pushing my boundaries if I’m going to build up to Western States for 2034 at age 71.
Okay, so some of the drop in mileage can be blamed on the hip pain that has been hindering my long runs. I could get that mileage through daily 3 mile runs, but I’m not. I should, at the least, be working on strengthening my glutes to counter the muscle imbalance causing the pain. But I’m not. Means I need to do some soul searching and figure out what mental block I’ve got around it.
Another issue: it feels like I’m in a different city every day. I’m not, although I am about every third or fourth day. I’m familiar with trails all the places I’m at, but the travel is still affecting my training. I know I’m dealing with a little “overwhelm,” which is one of my anxiety and depression patterns. It doesn’t feel significant enough to be the cause of this, however.
This past week I also realized I was under-eating—again.
On the 11th, I’d met Kathy at Cameron Park for a hike. I’d gotten in a little over two miles before she got there, then could only finish another two and a half. A decent effort , but nothing close to the 9.6 miles I’d been planning. Training plan says I should be up to an 11 mile workout. To make matters worse, that was my only training “run” of the week. Not good.
I knew something was going on with my body, but, as usual, I hadn’t been paying a lot of attention to details leading up to the workout. Then Monday morning, the light bulb lit up.
I weighed myself. Only then did I learn I’d lost a shocking 8 pounds the previous week. I’d been in Austin, so fending for myself—and I don’t like preparing meals. In combination with that, I was deliberately not eating out to save money to pay for upcoming physical therapy (hip). Lack of hunger, no external prompts like having lunch with friends, or sister arriving as Dad and my “meals on wheels” (when she cooks large meals, she delivers servings to us), and not allowing myself take out as a meal, I didn’t eat.
I called myself “trying,” in that I’d remind myself to take in some protein. Such as, downing a clear version of Ensure® I’d gotten as part of my colon prep last year (it’s been in the ‘fridge’), a cheese stick, a slice of ham, a serving of oatmeal, peanut butter w/honey smeared on crackers… My mind said I was snacking and eating a lot. The scales showed the truth of it. Thanks to the Mounjaro®, I was under eating again.
I’d been maintaining my weight for weeks at that point, without nausea and the other symptoms that kept me from eating in 2023. My goal had never been weight loss (although I enjoyed that side effect while it lasted), but rather to increase my insulin sensitivity and manage my appetite and sugar cravings, which it still does wonderfully. Since I’d been maintaining my weight, which is 30-40 pounds above a (for me) “normal” weight, I took it for granted I was fueling myself sufficiently to handle the rapid uptick in physical activity.
As I told my therapist this week, “I failed in crewing for myself.” (That’s some “ultrarunner” lingo we came up with when my depression was inhibiting my self-care, or ADLs—activities of daily living.)
It was a needed little “knock” upside my head that I HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION! My body isn’t as resilient and tolerate as it was in my 50s. Nutrition and hydration are going to be critical for supporting my goals. (I know. Duh!, you dumb ass.)
What I did do right last week. I finished a longish run/hike around Lady Bird Lake in Austin. Only fault with it was I didn’t pre-plan my route and came up 1.7 miles short of the 9 I’d intended. Oh, sure, I could have kept going for .85 miles and then walked back the same .85 to top off my 9. But the loaner truck was right there. And my low back was twinging. And I’d already covered that part of the route. 😢 Wah-wah-wah.
I did, however, thoroughly enjoy the 7.34 miles I did complete!
It’s been years since I’ve been on those portions of the trail on the west side of I-35. Under So. Congress (past the signs warning not to handle grounded bats) and So. First. Over the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge near So. Lamar. Past the Stevie Ray Vaughan statue in Auditorium Shores. On the boardwalk and seeing downtown from close up on the north side of the lake, and expansive views from the south. I was a tourist again!
My pace wasn’t too shabby, either. I was usually walking under a 17:00 min. mile. Frequently enough that despite running very little (my legs felt leaden and my feet landed hard), my average pace was 18:08/mi. I was very happy with it.
I should confess, however, the original workout plan had been to meet Gigi at Mount Lakeway Trail for 6-9 miles with more than 1000’ of elevation gain. We were to meet between 8:00 and 8:30. My alarm went off— You can probably guess what happened.
I did text her to let her know I wasn’t going to make it, but I don’t think she’s forgiven me yet. 😕
Bad Terry. I have to do better. At least be a person who always follows through—unless in need of hospitalization!
Sorry Gisela! I promise to be a more reliable (better!) friend. 💕
