Pass Gas, Not Judgement....

Something fun I read in the January 2010 issue of Runners World Magazine. (page 78)
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*RUNNERS INGEST a fair amount of healthy foods, which produce gas in the GI tract, where it cannot stay forever. Especially when the GI tract is bounced and jostled. Passing Gas while running is excusable and inevitable, but…

*You may not mock another runner for having passed gas, unless he has previously mocked you for the same or unless he mocks himself.

*If a runner has taken pains to mask flatulence, pretend nothing happened.

*Its fun to pretend that gas you expelled is propelling you forward, like a little booster rocket. That isn’t really a guideline though, is it?
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Now get out there and propel yourself like a little booster rocket! ~Christal~

They Call Me The Floater...

Lets see, where to start. Since I last updated my blog, I ran the Kansas City Half Marathon an I PR’d! Which is really crazy because I think that was one of the hilliest races EVER! It was fun though. It was nice that my husband and parents were able to be there, as they always are. Cassy, Stacy, Paulina and Lyle were also there. Great job guys! (I know that more RW folks were there, so sorry if I left you out).

Then along came the Tulsa Run, again for some reason I PR’d! One of my favorite races. You can always count on they crazy’s from RunnersWorld to sport creative Halloween Costumes. This year Cassy, Paulina and I were Superheros. Hmmm….maybe that’s why I PR’d, gotta be the cape! Thanks mom for whipping together our costumes so quickly.

Something happened in my brain between these two races…I decided to hold off on longer races for a while and focus on my speed for 5k’s. So I went to the local track several times and did some speed work and also perfected my Fartlek. (I also had horrible flash backs from high school track workouts).

Well, now I’ve had another change of heart….my mom wants to run a half marathon and she asked me to run it with her, so I have decided to go ahead and run the Little Rock ½ with her in March 2010. So, the hotel room had been reserved and the training has once again begun.

This past weekend I joined the T-Tots at Turkey Mountain. Looks like its going to be a fun group!

So, for now, I think I’ll just be a floater, back and forth across the river each week. So, I’ll see some of then and then the others next time!

See you at the Race Into the New Year and then it’s time for the Polar Bear Plunge once again!

Tossing Around A Few Ideas...

It feels as though I have not seen most of you in a while. I've been running early in the morning or at the gym or on my treadmill at home. I must admit, even though I can watch TV, hang out with my dogs and go the the bathroom at anytime I want while running on the treadmill in our sunroom, it's not as fun without you. But, I sure do feel better. I commened all of you for running in the heat. ROCK ON!!! (guess that makes me a wuss).

I've been tossing around a few ideas....although I love running long distances, I think that I may have only one or two more 1/2 marathons in me for right now (the Kansas City and Route 66 Half), after that, I am going to really focus on becoming a faster runner. I'd like to really well with 5k's. So, I've been doing some research on just exactly what I need to do...I'm kind of excited.

I've also been running Turkey Moutain quite a bit. I really enjoy the terrain, I'm even thinking of becoming a TATUR. I think I just need a change for a little bit. I have been a runner most of my life and I really want to make my own little marks along the way, even if I am the only one who notices.

Okay, thanks for listening...how much do I owe you?

P.S. You should think about running the TATUR Mud Run-It's going to be a freaking blast. Dont want to run it? Ask me about what you can do to help!!

See you all somewhere on the trails.

Nothing Really....

I haven't posted anything lately.....

Things have been pretty great. I have been running regularly again. Its good to be with all of the group again. I must say that because I was out for 3 months, I haven't really gotten to know all the "new" people, who aren't really "new" anymore. Now, with the awesome turn out Sunday and Monday for sign up, I've got about 200 more names to learn! That's so great, makes me proud to be a part of the running community and Runners World Tulsa. Kathy and Brian are doing so many great things for runners and walkers of all levels.

I'm excited to be training for my first full. The half was so unbelievable and I just decided to go full throttle! Route 66 Full for sure and I'm trying to talk the family into going to Kansas City in October, that looks like a fun race. Other than that, I'm going to run shorted distance races between now and then and of course the Tulsa Run.

I've been going to the gym regularly and have also started running in the mornings with some gals from RW. Just trying to stay fit and active and I'm enjoying every bit of it!

See you "out there"!

Unofficially, Officially-The Beginning of a New Adventure!

I woke up yesterday morning and thought to myself, "Okay Christal, you survived a half marathon and you survived a stupid stress fracture that took you away from running for three months...what do you want to do now? I know, today, you are going to start training for a full marathon!" So that's what I did, I drove to the river to meet with the group (well, those that were not in OKC gearing up for the marathon) and I clocked my first training run for my new venture (with the help of Tatur Dave-thanks again for a great run). I met two great women, Sara and Sheryl. Good luck ladies, you are going to do really great with your training program.

After I was finished running, I had my first appointment with my personal trainer. It was such a great workout. He custom made my program for me, as a runner. I can't wait to add what he taught me to my daily workout at the gym. It will definitely make me a stronger runner. Oh, and he kicked my butt! Woke up this morning, felt like I got ran over by a Mac truck hauling a Mac truck! Ah, but it will only make me stronger.

Congrats to everyone who conquered the wind and hills today in OKC and those who traveled elsewhere for other runs this weekend. Also, to my dad. He and mom went to Kansas City this weekend for the Trolly Run (4 miles) and dad was the first race walker finisher! Not bad for a race with 7,000 participants! Each and every one of you are an inspiration to me and you all are what helps me crawl out of the bed some days and get in my car to make my way to the river! Thanks for that! I hope everyone begins recovering well and you have a really great week!

Patience, What's That?

Okay, so I have been running. I have been able to hang out with my Runners World buddies and I am glad that I can be active again. I love it! So what's my problem huh? I have good days and bad days. The good days are the ones that I can honestly say that I feel like I never fractured my femur. Then I have the days like yesterday that I'm like, "okay, should I still be using my crutches?"It's obvious anytime you have an injury, it's going to take time, even when you think you are healed. But I just dont have the patience! A part of me wants to just say, "screw it, I'm going to work out anyway". The other part of me knows better.

Okay, I feel better now, thanks for listening!

Watch Out World Here I Come Again!

It's official, I'm back in the game. I went in today for my final appointment with Dr. Sisler. Took some more x-rays and compared them to the first, I must say, I messed myself up pretty bad and I can really tell a difference. I have healed and am to base my running on pain. I can start walking 30 minutes 4 times this week and then next week, I can start adding some running. So, as soon as I get a break from work, (well another break from work) I am going to find this girl a 1/2 to run. I have so many ants in my pants right now I just want to get out there and go! But, I have to remember to pace myself so I dont have to dust the ol' crutches off again.

I'm looking forward to geting out there with everyone on Tuesday at the River. I'll be at the St. Patty's race on Brookside tomorrow, so if you are running, you will see me at the end of the finish line collecting the bottom of race tags, I'm on Glens Road Racing team tomorrow!

For those of you heading to Little Rock this weekend, as always, I know that you will make us proud. Can't wait for the race reports.

See you soon!

Back in the Saddle Again-Sort of!

For the last week, I have been doing some Yoga, Pilates and LOTS of crunches. I havent quite been told it's okay, but I'm fell really great! Honestly for the last week and a half, I dont even feel like I had an injury. It's pretty scary.

Not only have I started doing some "light" exercise, but I have put myself back on a pretty strict diet, it's called "The Abs Diet", I bought the book off of the Runners World magazine website. Pretty interesting stuff.

So with all of that said, hopefully I can start getting strong and lean again before I really start getting strong and lean again. I'll know a week from Friday exactly what type of running I can do again. I'm really excited. It's kind of like when I was a kid and I couldnt wait until Christmas.

Woohoo!

P.S. A big CONGRATULATIONS to all everyone who completed Cowtown this weekend, you guys are great!

See you real soon.

Good Luck Cowtown Participants!

I just wanted to wish everyone that is headed to Cowtown good luck! Go out there and make us proud!

I can't wait to hear of everyone's accomplishments.
You are all amazing!

Another Year Older & Another Doctors Update

On Friday the 13th, I went in for a doctors apointment. The cool thing is, she released me from my crutches this week. I am slowly taking myself off of them though, a little here and there. It's kind of weird going anywhere without them. I'm still a little scared to put too much weight on my leg and I'm also afraid to walk too fast. The doc told me that I can start the stationary bike this week, three times a week until I return for my next appointment on March 13 (another Friday the 13th!). She said at that point, we can "discuss" adding some "light jogging" back into my life. So, I'm going to be extra careful and do everything that she says so that I can get out there again!

Well, I turned the big 3-0 on Sunday and I must admit, I do feel like I'm 30 years old! It was a nice weekend. My family had a nice lunch for me and my husband took me out for dinner. I also got some really great birthday presents!

I don't know about you, but the weather today is giving me spring feaver and I'm ready to break out the mini pedi and buy some new flip flops!

For those of you training for Cowtown, I'm rooting for you and I know that you will do well. Get out there and make us proud. I can't wait to hear your stories!

I Hate To Complain.....

Okay, I hate a complainer, but this is my blog and I can do what I want right?! I feel like such a slob. I'm running vicariously through everyone, it's the only way to get through. I'm so ready to get out there again. Oh and get this...I ordered a book like a month ago, it's called "Running Injury-Free for Dummies", yeah, would have been nice to have that BEFORE I got injured. Bad thing is though, I don't think that it would have helped.



Thanks to my hubby, I am taking more vitamins and drinking more milk. (HE MAKES ME :) I used to hate it, but I must confess, I'm kind of falling in love with it. I keep telling myself it will help prevent injuries and such in the future.

So, 23 days down and 14 to go...Keep your fingers crossed that the Doc say's I can start running again shortly after I get rid of my iron legs!

I'm So Bored

It's been a while since my last post and I really have no excuse since I haven' t been able to do much. Let's see, I'm on crutches until February 24th and I hate it. My husband is wonderful and has been doing everything around the house like washing dishes, cleaning, doing laundry. I was told by my doctor not to do anything that involved standing up. When you have a fractured femoral neck, the fastest way to heal is to simply stay off of it. I always wanted to not have to do any house work, but come on, this is just not fair. I'm bored stiff.

I can't wait to go back to find out exactly when I can start running again. I have been going to aquarunning, which is wonderful because I am at least getting some kind of exercise, the only downfall is that I feel like a Mac truck ran over me the next day. Just trying to stay positive. I miss my Runners World buddies and the fresh air even though it's cold outside.

I hope that everyone is doing well. Take care.

R.I.C.E.

ARG! I can't figure out what exactly I pulled, but I did something! My groin or something.... It happend around a week and a half or so ago. This past Saturday's long run was not fun for me. So, I've been using the R.IC.E. Philosophy:

Rest
Ice
Compress
Elevate

This really sucks. It even hurts to do pilates.

As the famous Jerry Springer says: "Take care of yourself and eachother!"

Cassy, I Registered! I'm a Little Scared Too!

Okay, I did it too! I'm very excited about this race. It's time to start adding some more hills to my runs, I heard that the elevation in this race is crazy!
WooHoo!
I have some pictures from the Polar Bear Plunge as well. I'll update later. That was so much fun!
Have a good week!

Catching Up...

It's been quite busy lately, so let me see if I can fill you in on what's been going on...

The Jingle Bell Run was a couple of weeks ago and as you can see above, My friend Jessica (middle) and my friend Cassy decided to "cute it up" a little in our elf costumes. You think the top part of our outfit looks good? You should see our cool stockings!
The Jingle Bell Run was also a special day for my friend Jessica, this was her very first 5K, she did a great job and I'm so happy that she decided to run with us. She's planning on running her first half this March.

Have you ever run the Garden of Lights Run in Muskogee? WOW, there's a helluva hill. On top of that, it was about 29 degrees with a 15 or 20 mile an hour wind from the north! I did it in 29:24 and managed to place second in my age group. I was pretty proud of myself :)

Then, Christmas week began. On Christmas Eve, my husband and I spent the day at his family's house. They are from Rhode Island, so holiday's with them are a little different. Rather than ham or turkey and all the other fixin's, the have shellfish and fish and smoked sausage and all kinds of other great things. I'd name the rest, but you would probably have no idea what it is.

On Christmas day, I woke up and ran on the treadmill for a little while, then did some work with my free weights and cleaned the house. My hubby had to work that day, he works shift work at Sinclair Refinery, so I decided to make sure that the tree was taken down and the house was all cleaned up for him after a hard day at work.

Once he was home, we headed to my parents house for a more traditional meal .

That's my sister Jennifer and her husband John.

This is my mom and daddy, Terrie and Bill Isaac.

And, this is my husband Jimmy and I. We opened up our presents, ate a LOT of food and headed home rather early, so that we could go to bed since he had to be at work at 4:30 am the next morning.

Oh, and this is one of our MANY squirrels in the back yard. I"m sure you are asking why I posted this picture. Besides the new Forerunner my husband got me for Christmas, he also got me a new digital camera, so I've been trying it out. I've taken lots of really great pictures and lots of really crappy pictures. Apparently, there are some features I should become more familiar with...

This morning, I woke up to the sound of thunder and a light show. So, rather than lying in bed and cuddling up like I wanted to, I hopped out of bed and headed to Runners World and ran a little over 7 miles with my running buddies. It was a strange run. About 58 and raining when we started and 38, cold and windy when we finished up.

That's about it. Now I'm ready for bed! Hope everyone had a great holiday!

A PR & Some Hot Tamales!

This past Saturday, my dad Bill Isaac and I participated in the Hispanic Heritage Run. It was quite chilly I must say :) I wore this really cool "hat" that I can stick my ponytail through and it still keeps my head warm.

Before the race began, I hung out with some of my friends. That's my dad on the left in the dark blue jacket and that's Robert Maddy on the right in the green jacket Some of you may know him from Runners World and Glens Road Racing Service.

Then there is David Spenser in the red jacket and dont forget Don. You might know them from Glens Road Racing as well.

I also saw a group of my Runner's World friends, they were doing around 18-20 miles in Jenks. See them running so fast?! I couldn't even get a good picture. Bye Stefanie, bye Cassy, bye everyone......Oh and Tatur Dave came over to say hello. That was nice.

So, the course was great! I actually PR'd on Saturday. I never said I was fast, but I ran faster than ever in a 5k, I FINALLY broke 30:00. I ran it in 29:40! I'm so excited!! After the race, we had tamales and some really great doughnuts! YUMMY. After the race, I ran into our friend Bette from RW. It was nice to her.

Next week I plan on running the Jingle Bell Run. Rumor has it, there are going to be some really hot RW elves. If I were you, I'd try and make this one :)

Have a great week everyone.

I Think I Hooked Us Another One!

This is my friend Jessica, she works with me at Fintube. I didn't run with the group tonight because I'm trying to sucker her into running with all of us "cool" people at Runners World. We went for a little run at Reed Park. It's a quaint little track setting in West Tulsa with trees and lights. We were by ourselves so we felt a little safer there.

I ran on my soapbox today. I shared with her all of the wisdom that I have learned over the years and just recently with RW. I think I might have her hooked! If you are at the meeting after the run on Thursday, say hello and welcome her to the group. I know that she will fit in just fine :) I think that she might run the Little Rock half with me in March. Keep your fingers crossed!

She came over to the house after the run and had dinner with my husband and I. After a little Family Guy and a House episode, she was off. Now, I'm going to go and sit on the couch with my husband and RELAX!

Okay, So I'm New To This...

So, everyone else has a blog and I've wanted one for a while, so I' ve decided to give it a shot!I had an exciting weekend. Thursday morning I ran the Hog Jog in Owasso. I ran a 30:06. I was hoping to break 30, but I just couldn't bring myself to it. My dad, who had a knee replacement earlier this year took part as well. He is an awesome race walker now. He went from a fast awesome runner to a fast awesome race walker! Go dad, you are the best! Mom was there as usual, cheering dad and I on and working the race. It's so nice to have family there isn't it?Don't forget Runners World family Meg, Haley and Ruth. It's was Ruth's first 5K, she did an amazing job. Let's see, then I went to my in-laws for a really fab feast. I ate soo much. Later that night, my husband and I went to the casino and we actually won money :)Friday and Saturday we did some work on the house, oh and Saturday morning I ran with the group at Turkey Mountain, quite the chilly morning I must say. That evening, I took my husband out to McNellies for his birthday. We joined some friends of ours that we know from the zoo and watched to Pokes and Sooners. Poor Poor Pokes, we were really rooting for you!Sunday, I woke up early, went to the grocery store and then hung out at the in-laws for my husband Jimmy's birthday.Now, here we are, back at work. I hope it's a great week.