TornTendonSchmornTendon - Let's Galloway this Trials!

Two weeks.

TWO WEEKS.

T  W  O    W  E  E  K  S  !  !

I can’t believe how fast the last seven weeks have zoomed by. In 13 short days I’ll be running the Olympic Trials Marathon in LA!! I mean, I blinked, and here I am. The torn tendon on my left heel is healing… just slowly (as expected) but with the blessing of my PT & coach, I was able to return to running with minor discomfort two weeks ago. Running again is a huge relief… even if it was to start only at 90 seconds at a time to start. I’ll take it. It wasn’t pain-free… but the niggle is tolerable for now and the doctor reassures me I won’t be doing any more harm by returning to running with the supervision of my PT and coach.

Yay to running again! 

Peppy Stepping Gym Rat

So far, January has proven to be a similar amount of time on feet as my ‘normal’ 85-100 mile running weeks. I’m fluctuating from 14-17 hours a week on my feet/in the gym. Although, I’m not running much during these times… I’m walking on an incline A LOT, cycling and doing more strength training and core than I’ve previously done. The progress I’ve made in my power walking (or PW as I like to call it!) is so tangible and exponential, it’s blowing my mind! When I started PW in late December, 6% incline was hard and bugged my foot. I was also going about 3.6 mph for 30-45 minutes. Now I’m a PW robot. A 10% incline is my baseline and I’m going 4.1-4.3 mph all the way up to 14%. Don’t forget this is for hours at a time (that’s like 11-12 miles straight up yo!). PW. PW. PW! I may have to add this to my regular training once I’m back to good... Ha! Probably not.

Get strong, look fly!

My home away from home.... the gym and t-mill! 

Hello Mt. Scott!

I’ve done a lot of treadmill training in the past, so the hamster wheel doesn’t bother me much. Usually when running, I crank some good tunes and just zone out while people watching at the gym. TV while running makes me a bit motion sick with all the bouncing…. But for my multi-hour PW workouts, TV is kinda necessary to pass the hours. I found HGTV to be quite addictive and my go-to channel. At some point I stumbled upon a Property Brothers marathon. Ummmmm…. Ladies, have you seen them? #twinning! They are like 6’ 5” …  quaffed hair, 5’oclock shadows, tight, very tight pants, tool belts, sledgehammers… ok what was I talking about? Oh yeah… back to training. I’ve also been spinning on my bike in Andy’s man-cave a little and have started Making of a Murder. Did he do it? Wait, don’t tell me!

#twinning!

Head Up, Wings Out – Lets Fly!

And here’s a big BONUS about the trials and this upcoming race season… I get to race wearing an Oiselle Elite Kit with 17 of my teammates. I’ve never been on a running team until this last summer when I joined Oiselle Volée. Being a part of this growing, encouraging, uplifting team has far exceeded my expectations. I love, love, love it! Although running is a very personal, individual sport, it is so much better when you have a group of women who embolden and inspire each other. I haven’t written much about Oiselle, but being a part of Haute Volée is also a dream come true for me and something I’ve aspired for a few years now. Every time I want to stop PW or quit the last rep of lunges, I think about lining up with my teammates in our matching (HOT!) uniforms. I want to be my best for this team and this company, so I’ve been working damn hard.

Every.

Single.

Day.

Flashback!

Sometimes racing and running still feels new to me. I didn’t race in high school or run in college. One time, I stole a Budweiser banner from the Silver Dollar bar downtown when I was probably 20 or 21 … I ran out their back gate and about seven blocks until I was sure the bartender wasn’t chasing me anymore. That concluded my collegiate running career. (And they keep that back gate locked now – ha!) I never intended to ignite my competitive spirit as an adult with distance running. And it certainly didn’t happen right away. I had to mature a lot before the fire began to really burn. I was a bit wild after college in my 20s. Running long and racing fast took a level of commitment I wasn’t ready to give until my late 20s /early 30s. I honestly think my biggest talents in running are what’s floating around in my skull. Relentless work ethic, stubbornness, independent and goal-oriented – this is what makes me good at enduring distance running. Sure, there’s some God-given good stuff too, but I was never fast or particularly gifted to start. I had to work my ass off to get there and here! And I love at least 90% of those steps in that journey (c’mon… they all aren’t great!). It's good for me to think about where I've started, and why I started and remember the reasons I push and push and push. So… here’s a real treat. Keep reading the rest of this blog and I’ll reward you with some awesome pictures of me throughout the years. Yikes!

Meet My Other Team! (These guys are working really hard to get me to that start line at the trials)

Coach Elliot! I’ve been working with Elliot since the fall of 2011. I can honestly say that Elliot’s approach to my training is spot on for someone like me who wants to compete at a high level but has a high-stress job and is often time crunched. Sometimes we are cautious with training and other times we throw caution to the wind. I never ever feel like he’s handing me someone else’s training plan or I the plan is something cookie cutter.  I never feel like I don’t have a say in the direction, duration or any other facet of the training. We meet once a week over coffee for me and tea for Elliot discussing the week’s agenda and training plan. We break the training down weekly and look at a more macro level too depending on my ‘A’ races. I think his recent PW, biking and short interval running program he’s concocted has pushed me without re-injury to the best possible place for the Trials.  Sometimes Elliot and I run long together on the weekends, never discussing my training, but rather gossiping and chatting about nothing in particular. There’ve has also been a handful of road trips and vacation races where he’s accompanied the Drobeck’s. Elliot never disappoints to entertain me. I’m happy he’s not only my coach but also my friend. Oh, I know he would also be sad if I didn’t mention he’s got righteous dance floor moves.

No it's not a mad scientist - it's Coach Elliot!
Well.... kind of a mad scientist.

Physical Therapist Matt! Andy starting working with Matt earlier this year to help out his swimming mobility and after my DNF at CIM, Andy suggested I see him to have my calf dry needled and get a rehab plan. (Personally, I think Andy just wanted me to get my crying ass off the couch.) After a few days of loathing, it was a good choice. Right after my first visit was when the ‘B’ standard changed for trials qualification. So for my second visit I told Matt, “I need to be able to run a marathon in 9 weeks. Can we do that?” Blank stare.  I’m sure in Matt’s head he was thinking, “This girl is crazy.” He politely told me that normal treatment of a torn tendon in this area of my foot is about 12 weeks before you even start running. We didn’t have that luxury of time. So let the healing begin! For the past seven weeks there’s been lots of dry needling, calf scraping, glute activation, mobility exercises, heel raises….. SERIOUSLY hours of PT exercises, daily! But I’m a good student and a diligent Type A… so I’m happy to report, Matt has been pleasantly surprised that I am back to running faster than he anticipated.

Let the healing begin! No scraping or needling in this pic. 

Elliot and Matt have put their heads together worked some magic the past few months to get me on the right path both writing plans & programs that compliment each other… teetering the line of overloading and healing, all the while trying to get me in some semblance of running shape, but not re-injuring the area. I can’t thank them both enough for going well above and beyond to help me start this race.

I also need to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who’s given me encouraging words, texts, emails, hi-fives, fb shout outs…. It’s so awesome and makes me work a little harder each day! I should have a Olympic Trials Recap after the race 😀  #LA2016

xoxo

RUNNING MEMORIES!

My first marathon - PDX 2002

Look at that tiny medal! 

My second marathon - PDX 2003
11 minutes faster!

First Boston! 2004 
86+ degrees, noon start

The inaugural Missoula Marathon 2007 with my folks

Another 10+ minute PR
Sub 3:10 in Ogden, UT 2008

After multiple attempts, my first sub 3 in big 2:54:00 fashion
Eugene 2011

My first big win - 2012 Rock N Roll AZ!
Smuggling raisins across the finish line

My PR - Twin Cities, MN 2013

CAT PICTURES!! 

Brothers

Beaver is obsessed with drinking out of the sink

I bought the cat bed for Harley... Steve likes it best

Feeding Time

Chester is very happy I visited him

Life after PUBIS

Come on now. You didn't think I’d give up that word that quickly did you? Although, people still hesitate when they see me… “How’s your… um… injury… your, um, pelvic bone?” You mean my pubis? Come on! Just say it. I promise, it doesn't disappoint.

Well, to answer this question is complicated.

Some days it’s great, non-existent. Other days … more annoying than anything.  I’m not in pain by any means… but I can still feel symptoms of inflammation: sore groin or stiffness in the lower abdomen. Just like having a hungry orange cat(s)... it just there bugging me. I have been a quick study on activities that aggravate it: fast running on loose dirt, sneezing, sitting in certain positions for long periods… but life MUST go on! And it has. So here’s a bit of an late summer recap mostly in photos, because I'm fairly certain only my mom actually reads this - Hi Mom!

MISSOULA MARATHON

Again this year, I was happy to pace the 3:20 group and help others meet their marathon goals. Love, love, love the second Sunday in July. You can read more about my affinity for the MM here at the end of the post.

Follow this leg!

Nearing the finish! Thanks to Wendy for this photo
(her husband Courtney, pointing and PR'd in 3:18 something!

WHISTLER

God has blessed me with an extremely LOUD (and to most people annoying) voice that carries far distances. (Give me a few drinks and I’ll show you how loud!) I should have majored in theater (or auctioneering). So when it comes to spectating, I excel. And when your husband is an Ironman, well, you quickly have to become an endurance spectator.This entails standing on your feet for hours, walking miles between transition and yelling and clapping for everyone, because let’s face it if you only cheer for the person you now you’re a total douche. Ironman Canada was pretty awesome. I also put in quite a few miles on trails in Canada. Just a hideous place really.

Alta Lake swim start. SUPers keep an eye on the swimmers.
No filter.

A girl's gotta have custom signs. 
Thanks to random dude for the photo bomb.

Aunt Pat and I have a little fun of our own in the village.
I take fake bobsledding very seriously.

Yelling at Andy to go faster. He loves that. 

You ready for cocktails? I've been out here all day.
 Solid 5th place finish for the man. 

Look at that poser! Trying to be a trail runner for the day. 
Fun fact: It took me 3 hours to run this trail. I'd like to say I 'power-hiked'
some of the sections, but I'm pretty sure I was just walking.

I have no idea why they call it Green Lake? 

Lost Lake. No filter necessary on this one too. 
See what I mean? UGLY 

I found a waterfall! Eh?!?!

WORK TRIP

I was fortunate to head to Salt Lake City, UT the first week of August for work. The town was booked because of the Outdoor Retailers show, so my boss and I decided to stay in Park City. My second winter Olympic village visit in 2 weeks, aren’t I spoiled? And a minor bit of elevation training for me (7,000’!) – I had done a few small runs with strides, but this was my first venture into 2 mile repeats, only 2 of them, with quite a scenic back drop. Kind of a turning point for me, some light at the end of the tunnel. 

They call it the Rail Trail. Clever. Park City, UT

Oh BABY!

My dear friend Molly is going to be a mommy. Her little boy is due in less than a month. I ventured to P-town for Mol’s baby shower. Can you believe it – Molly’s pubis is angry too! Molly’s pain began after a good kick-ball boot at 5 months prego (yah, she’s hard core like that). She thought she blew out her groin, but her doctor told her she shifted her pubis symphysis. She finds relief from a massage therapist, who adjusts some of the tendons that attached to her pubis and shifting that big baby she’s growing off the tender spots. Things to look forward to I suppose…  

Excited for the arrival of this little guy!

HOOD TO COAST

Last Best Pace is our team name… an no, it’s not a typo. (It’s a play on Last Best Place, coined by the state of MT). 200 miles, 12 fast women. We were second in the women’s open division, a whole hour+ faster than last year! Here are some highlights of what you can expect in HTC.

• No sleep
• Traffic Jams
• Using only hand sanitizer for 24 hours
• Using only port-o-pots for 24 hours
• STANK
• Sitting in a cramped, car right after racing a 10K
• Running in the pitch black with a headlamp & binky light
• STANK
• Delirium and uncontrolled fits of laughter
• Champagne at the finish
• It is seriously WAY to much fun.
• Did I mention, STANK?

Cheers! Here we go...

Mt Hood start

Action pass

Safety first! Ready to run on the dustiest & darkest road in OR

2 am Shenanigans 

Chillin' before the last leg

Destination: Pacific Ocean. Brrrr!

Mimosa's with a view

BACK IN THE GROOVE

So now that the pubis has been relatively calm since mid-July, the thought of a fall marathon seemed inevitable and required. I really wanted to go back to Chicago. I’d like to say it was because of all the things that make that city and ginormous race epic… but mainly I wanted to go back because it’s pancake flat. (I think I've discussed this before… me and hills are not really a match made in heaven.) I also felt an early October race was too soon… so that left me looking into November. I was asking another runner who was racing Missoula Marathon, and she mentioned the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. Nov 1, fairly flat, potential 2:43 pacer… seemed like a winner. So I’m signed up and the plane tickets have been purchased. And guess who’s coming with me? Andy. Another bonus of doing a late race, Andy’s done racing for the season. So now he can come yell practical statements at me while I run. Andy hasn't seen me race since Dec of 2012 during the hurricane at CIM, so I’m pumped he’ll be there.

It's official if it's on my calendar

2 x 4 miles @ MP in the middle of a long run
Thanks David for being my bike escort and paparazzi
... and for making sure the 'old lady' lived.

Training has crept back… Slow and steady. Speed was introduced cautiously in minor increments - keeping things easy on the pubis. I've had a handful of weeks in the 80+ range. No over-distance running, in fact, my longest long run has been 20 miles. I've found this training block to be especially difficult because I WANT to run fast, I know I can run fast (I have run fast!) but my body just won’t let me go yet. Turnover isn't there. 

A few weeks ago, running a 6 min mile I felt I more resembled a flailing chicken than the gazelle I hope to embody. Today, during that 6 min mile, I've left the spastic chicken behind and have been feeling more like galloping donkey during my speed sessions. An old women on a bike that I passed during an interval last Sunday, even said “Ha! I thought you were a horse!” Listen old lady, I will throw your pretty cruiser in the creek. Doesn't she know about my rage? Luckily (for her) I don’t stop my intervals for anything other than a bowel movement.

So, working on my gazelle skills is testing my patience. Is it odd that I feel like I’m learning to run all over again? Where did the turnover go? If you see it, please bring it back to me. I'm kidding (sort of). I'm hoping the transition from donkey to something more light-footed comes sooner than later ...

Spastic chicken? No touchdown chicken.

Run selfie! 

I went on a hike... it was beautiful! Trapper Peak

CATS

Of course, I wouldn't forget my furry friends.

Mr Beaver doing what he does best - chillin'!

I bought them two beds... of course thy want to cram onto one.

Wylie - every morning sleeps in the sink.

Beaver's butt makes a great pillow.
Orange is the new black.

Follow me on instagram  @trishaski

Meet the Pride

I recently took a Buzzfeed test "What kind of cat Are You?"   I immediately thought, duh!, Orange. (This is totally a type of cat, I swear, someone once told me 'Once you go orange you never go back!' - I did not make that up!) Ok, so if not orange, maybe some kind of fluffy, girl cat? 

Nope.

I got Hairless. Hairless! That's not a cat! I'm sorry, but it looks more like a bald rat or ferret. I'm disappointed buzzfeed... But I do have to say their description is a bit spot on:

You love the simple things in life and this can sometimes make you misunderstood. You’re actually really sweet, which can make it infuriating when people judge you right off the bat. You keep doing you!

That's right, I do. Haters gonna hate! (Only one person I know will think that's funny)

So back to the purpose of this rant. Meet my furry friends! As promised, all cat post. Boom.

HARLEY

Full Name: Harls B. Not-so-slim

Female / 14

Aliases: The Beast, Fatty, Garden City Turkey

Weight: 14 lbs (this is down from a previous 20+, then about 18 for a while - Fatty is getting old :()

Nemesis: Roscoe (RIP), Beaver

In her 14 years, Harley has lived in 9 different houses/apartments.

Her favorite food is anything wet or seafood and she does enjoy a bit of the weed, particularly licking and rolling in catnip. She will (surprisingly) fiercely defend her territory outside to intruding cats or dogs. HATES dogs. 

Motto: Big IS Beautiful or I Will Cut a Bitch (mainly if you take her shrimp)

Harley has been told she has a 'pretty face' .... And she's ok with that because she can claw your eyes out. 

 Harley is crazy smart. Probably smarter than the other three combined and doubled. If she had opposable thumbs and a work ethic, I would be scared.

STEVE

Full Name: Stephen Colbert

Male / 3

Aliases: Stinkles, Little Bear, Little Stinks, Monkey Man

Weight: 8 lbs (he's soooo little)

Friends: Harley, Beaver, Wylie, Alex, Natalie (Steve's been known to have a play date)

Enjoys: Chasing shadows and his tail, playing with shoe laces and licking Andy’s armpit. 

Like a 5’ 9” running back, Steve can bully his way into any room he’s not supposed to enter. He’s low to the ground and tough to catch.

Steve never fully learned to cry like a normal cat... then again, not much is normal about the little man.
 Failure. To. Thrive.
Medicine: Stinks is the only cat who takes daily 'roids to help with his autoimmune disease (yah, he's allergic to his own teeth or gingivitis on his teeth or something). He also is on prescription food because he has a calcified bladder (that stumped all the vets in town.) So it's about $3 extra a day to keep Steve around... We'd pay $100 if we had to. 

He's so little. 

I love this photo because it show his missing row of bottom teeth since the rotted out due to his autoimmune disease.

WYLIE

Full Name: Wylie E. Boots

Male / 3

Aliases: Bootsie, Boots, Floppsy

Weight:11 lbs

Enjoys: Laser pointers, belly rubs and laps. He will immediately zero in on anyone who hates cats and want to be their bestie.

Signature moves: Sprinting out of the litter box after doing his business, and when finding himself alone in an empty room, screaming until someone answers him.

Wylie has no concept of 'Stranger Danger' - he loves everyone!  

This cat loves to play. Thank goodness the automatic laser keeps him busy for minutes. 

Wylie sleeps in a sink (and a drawer too.)

Wylie has a 'thing' for Kory Burgess' shoes. Not sure why, but he can't get enough! If I could figure out how to post a video, it shows Wylie going circles with his head in the shoe.

BEAVER

Full Name: Mr. Beaver Las Vegas

Male / 4-ish?

Aliases: The Beav, Beavie, Jerk-face

Weight:17 lbs

Enjoys: Hunting/taunting Harley, looking out the window & eating French fries

Clearly Beaver sufferers from OCD, if you move or sit in ‘his’ chair, he can’t function until it’s in the right place or he’s sitting in it. He also has his ‘own’ counter that the other smaller and/or fatter cats can’t reach.

Although he can be frisky at times and enjoys showing off his hunting prowess, he won't play with any cat toys. He will only play with a twistie-tie like you would use on a garbage bag. 

Beaver enjoys fresh running water. Once we bought him a continuous fountain of fresh drinking water... he wouldn't use it.

I wanted a good pic of the Beav showing his size. He's a big boy. An athlete. 

Chillin' and airing out his man parts.

Hope you enjoyed meeting the pride!