My 60 X 60 - Part 3

Eugene Women’s Half Marathon

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Betsm51

This past August was the second time I ran the Eugene Women Half Marathon. And it is becoming one of my favorite races.

But as Cindy Bingham and I stood in the corral waiting for the race to begin there just didn’t seem to be as many runners as the year before. We heard people talking about the Hood to Coast Relay race and wondered if that might be the reason.

The Eugene Women’s Half Marathon is a fairly flat race, at most a 100 feet elevation climb overall. The course meanders through a park by the Willamette River making it a very pictureous run. And even though it rained during most of this year’s run, it was still gorgeous.

Even as gorgeous as it was, I’m concerned that this race may eventually not be profitable enough to continue. And please note, I don’t have any connection with this half except I like this venue.

So I did a little bit of research on this race to try to figure out why attendance seemed down. This event started in 2010. Attendance at that time was around 1500 but it was held in September. The following year, the race was also held in September but attendance slipped.

Starting in 2012, the Eugene Women Half was moved from September to August. During this time, the attendance has dropped considerably with this year being half of what it was in 2010.

So with the talk in the corral about the Hood to Coast Relay, we wondered if that race was held the weekend before. And maybe that was the reason why runners stayed away. Instead I found out that the relay race was held on this same weekend-not only for this year but for the previous year.

Now I admit, August is probably a better month for me to do this half than September. But this race is fun to do so I would try to plan to do this again even if it was held in September.

Eugene is a small town. Their main focus and probably main employer is Oregon University. But I find small towns fascinating besides the fact Cindy went to college here. It is fun and interesting as she points out the different college buildings where she went to class and the different dorms she lived at plus we visit and wander around the main Oregon University store.

Cindy and I normally arrive early afternoon the day before. After checking into our hotel, we walk to pick up our bibs. The expo is practically non-existent but that is fine. The support personnel are nice, making sure your timing chip has been scanned into their computer and answering any questions you may have.

Once we have our bibs and tech shirts, we wander over to the Farmer’s Market to people watch and, if we are early enough, enjoy some very delicious ice cream.

We aren’t big partiers. We tend to eat dinner and get to bed early so we are well rested for our run in the morning.

The walk from our hotel to the start line is a mere 3 blocks. And since this is a smaller event, you don’t feel so overwhelmed as you do at a Rock n Roll event.

You also don’t have the crowds along the course that you do at a Rock n Roll though the people who are cheering and volunteering are nice and genuinely kind. And let’s not forget about those gorgeous views.

Williamette River meanders throughout the course

So not being in marketing or event promoter, what would you suggest to Eugene Women Half Marathon’s committee to ensure this event can continue and re-grow their attendance? Maybe move the event back to September?

If you have done this event, what would you say to another runner to pique their interest to do this one? If you haven’t done this half, have you considered it? Would you do it?

Is August a better month for you than September?

And more importantly, have you even heard about this half marathon?

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Female, trail running alone, and being safe

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Betsm51

I have always wanted to run trails but I am not the fearless type to do so by myself. I normally run only during daylight hours, in areas where there are other people around, or with other people. If I do happen to run alone on streets when it is

PAL-101CL Mini Personal Alarm with Clip

dark, I carry an alarm as well as text my daughter so she knows when I leave and when to expect my finishing text.

But being this way limits when and where I can run. So I decided that I would put my big girl panties on and run the trails at the Schabarum Regional Park. This park has some beautiful scenery of the San Gabriel Valley as well as the San Bernardino Mountains.

The reason I wanted to run this particular trail is to check out their elevation gains. You see, I raised my hand to do the third leg of the Big Sur Marathon Relay Race next year. And though it is over 8 months away, that leg has an elevation gain of 700 feet for the first 2 miles with the rest being rolling hills and a decent descent for a total of 6.8 miles. And yes, I’m nervous and excited about this challenge.

Schabarum Park has several trails that link together that extend from 3 miles to over 11 miles with elevation gains of over 1100 feet. Definitely, a good place to do some training for the Big Sur Marathon Relay Race.

This park is well used everyday within its walking paths but the trails border the park. Some of the times, you can see the park’s path and the people walking. But other times, you are behind a curve in the mountain and no one can see you. Also in reading about this park, there are some alarming looking people who sleep in and around the park and just appear on the trail. So I wasn’t exactly feeling that this park was really “safe” safe.

With a lot of timidness, I decided to brave it. I found my alarm and attached it to my sports bra. The alarm emits a loud noise. At least with the noise if I did run into trouble, someone would hear.

I started out at the bottom of the trail and didn’t see anyone on the trail for about 1/2 mile. Then I started to see some people walking in ones and twos every 1/4 to 1/2 mile. Most were carrying a hiking stick or a golf iron. While I was glad there were people around, I wondered if I should have somehow figured out how to carry a stick or an golf iron with me.

As my wariness waned, I started to enjoy my run, if you could call trying to run up trails enjoyable. That is until I started to seeing these signs!

Rattlesnakes

Mountain Lions

Now I not only I had to be careful not to twist an ankle on the trail or run into an objectionable person, but I had to watch for rattlesnakes on the trail ready to strike at me and mountain lions laying in wait for me in the brownish blonde bush!

I wasn’t really surprised to see the rattlesnake signs as those snakes do like to warm their bodies on the trails. Rattlers normally don’t attack unless you provoke them as in step on them. Since I was paying attention to where I was stepping, I wasn’t too concerned about the snakes. Please don’t think I wouldn’t have been freaked out if I saw one. They just don’t scare me.

But mountain lions do. They can run so much faster than I could ever dream about especially if they are hungry. And it was the hungry part that worried me. This area is both densely populated as well as under-populated. I couldn’t imagine that there would be enough food unless it was someone’s pet to keep a mountain lion full. So they do scare me a lot.

To me, the only reason a mountain lion would be lurking in the bush is that it is definitely looking for a meal. I just didn’t want to be that female that gets plastered all over the news and internet. “An unknown female was attacked and eaten by a mountain lion while running this morning.”

Yes, even with all my fears, I would run it again. It is perfect spot to do some training for that uphill elevation climb come next April. And no, I won’t be carry a hiking stick or golf iron with me. But I will continue to wear my alarm. Hopefully, it will be enough to scare that mountain lion away if it does decides I look like a tasty meal.

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Ragnar

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Betsm51

“12 Friends, 2 Vans,

2 Days, 1 Night,

200 Mile Relay,

Unforgettable Stories”

That is what Ragnar is all about. And as much as I heard and talked to others about Ragnar, nothing prepared me for the wonderful experience of being a part of a Ragnar Relay Race Team!

To be truthful, I was very hesitant to throw my running shoes into this ring. The thought of being in a van with 5 other people for over 36 hours who I know but wouldn’t call my very best and oldest friends, running 3 legs over that time, showering in gyms with hot, cold, or both hot and cold water, nourishment consisting of what basically could be stored in a cooler shared by 5 others, getting very little sleep and what sleep you can get on a gym floor, and the worry of can I run fast enough to not slow down the team was not something I was sure I would want to do, could do or even like to do.

But now that I have done Ragnar, I wouldn’t trade the memories or the experience for the world.

Van 1

We had the best team. Team Pipulsion was captained by Susan Howard Wade. Susan was the one who organized our team, decided on what number runner we would be based on our preferences, and established the overall mood for our team.

Corey Hooper

I was in Van 1 with the best co-captain, Corey Hooper. She set the tone of our van from the very beginning.

Roger running to the top of a hill as we waited with his water bottle.

We were a team in all ways. We filled water bottles, gave out ice cold sponges, held our runner’s water bottle, run after our runners with water bottles, made sure our runner had whatever food they needed on their run, and most important, cheered our runner along as much as we were able to do so on the roads.

But it didn’t stop there. We made sure that runner was taken care of even to the point of having what they needed as they handed off the baton to our next runner.

Aleca in much needed care after her first leg. It was hot and her foot was hurting her.

And as we drove from one exchange to another, we laughed, shared our lives, and always made sure our runner was supported. The tiredness, the poor nourishment, the aches and pains all become distant feelings over those 36+ hours.

My very best memory and one I shall always cherish is when I was running my last leg. It was a short one, only 3 miles with a couple of big hills first thing the second morning. It was cold, foggy, and my bones ached. I didn’t need the van’s support during this final leg. I needed to just be within myself. Since they would be driving right to the exchange point, I asked if they saw a Starbucks along the way, could they stop and pick me up a latte? Much to my surprise, as I was about 2 miles into my run, I hear this honk and my name being shouted out. There was Aleca Murphy with her head and hand out the window with my latte in hand. What a great motivator to forgot about the heaviness in my legs, run a bit faster and a super way to end my last leg. Thanks, Van 1! You all are truly awesome!!!!

Our bling!

Of course, we must not forgot about the bling.

Susan, our captain, heading out our medals.

And yes, I would do another Ragnar in a heartbeat!

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Counting Down to Ragnar PNW

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Betsm51

And my nerves are in high gear!

Training for Ragnar is now done. And as always, there is this little voice in my head that keeps asking…”Did you do enough? Did you train hard enough? Did you give it your all?”

Ragnar training is different than training for a half. Though you most likely won’t be doing 13.1 miles in one leg, you will most likely be running that many miles plus over your 3 legs and over 36 hours period with very little sleep, food, and overall rest.

I will be in van 1 running legs 2, 14, and 26. My legs will be 6.8 miles, 3.8 miles and 3.0 miles respectively. And though my legs aren’t that long, there will be hills involved.

My training runs involved lots of steep and rolling hills incorporated into 3 runs over 36 hours done once a week over the last 6 weeks. This was besides my normal training for the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Half this past June and my continued training for the Eugene’s Women’s Half in August.

I must admit these 3 training runs over 36 hours stretched my body beyond its limits. The first run was always the easiest as long as I beat the heat and humidity. After that, it was all downhill. Run 2, my legs felt heavy and my body felt the remaining day’s heat and humidity more. Prior to run 3, sleep was never easy. I tossed and turned all night as my legs twitched most of the night. By the time run 3 rolled around, I was seriously questioning my sanity.

This video may explain some of our “insanity” http://youtu.be/EL1hLU_LBvs. (thanks, Kelly Howard for posting this)

And even after seeing this video, I am still beyond ecstatic to be involved with Team Pipulsion’s Ragnar PNW. I am also extremely grateful to be part of this team. I am their slowest runner. But then someone has to be. It just so happens to be me.

Donna Canterna, one of my best friends, sent this to me to help keep me focused:

“We’re all slower than somebody. There’s nothing to be gained from belittling yourself over how fast you can run; banish all thoughts of ‘Oh, I’m so slow, what’s the point?’ People get tapped even in world-class 10Ks on the track. There will always be lots of people faster than you. That fact detracts not a whit from your efforts to get faster and the meaning you can find in that pursuit. Any thoughtful runner who has set performance goals and worked hard to reach them will respect any other runner’s quest to do the same. Your effort, not your pace at that effort, is what really matters.”
–Scott Douglas, The Little Red Book of Running

And I might add that though running is basically a solitary sport, it is also so much a team sport. There has never been a sport more supportive of each other than runners. In fact, a whole network of runners giving and supporting each other.

We cheer each other on. We support each other even if it means we won’t PR in a race. We share our stories of injuries, what works and doesn’t work for us, and our triumphs with each other freely. Every runner experiences this and more.

And now, I will be able to experience what it is like to be one of twelve runners running 200 miles in a relay race!

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Conquered My Nemesis – Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Betsm51

The day dawned with clear skies which meant no rain or mist. It was one of those perfect summer days with the temperature settling around 70 degrees. No one could have asked for a better day in Seattle to run the Rock ‘n’ Roll. And I was thrilled to be trying again to conquer this event.

Several days prior to the race, I spent a lot of time imagining my run, feeling the spring in my legs, and seeing myself cross the finish line. I had done this for the Portland Rock ‘n’ Roll so I figured it couldn’t hurt this time.

As always, we ladies who have trained on and off together over the years met up by the Space Needle. We laughed, hugged, and decided on what corral we would actually start in.

I decided to stay in my assigned corral along with Danielle Rosenow, Erica Hirschman Rintoul, and Selena Palamides MacLennan. The four of us started together but eventually Danielle and I settled into a comfortable pace.

This year was the first year that I run with someone almost the whole distance. Because of my injuries in the past, I had convinced my girlfriends to run on ahead as I didn’t want to be the downer on their run.

Besides running at the same pace, Danielle and I do a 9 minute run/1 minute walk. We managed to keep to this routine the majority of the run which allowed us to eat and drink during the 1 minute walk.

Nothing says more than this about what was going on inside of my brain than this:

              “Running is nothing more than a series of arguments
                          between the part of your brain that wants to stop
                                                       and the part that wants to keep going.”
                                                                                                                           1<3 to run

The only difference was Danielle and I were able to verbalize this as both of us wanted to walk longer and longer than our 1 minute. We kept each other focused on our goals, reminding each other of our own goals, and urging each other on to meet that goal. Danielle’s goal was beat 2:55:00 and mine was under 3:00:00 with no injuries or mishaps.

As I was nearing the finish line at the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll, all that was going through my head was “I did it! I did it! I did it!” I started to get very emotionally (read that as tears gathering and trying to catch my breath). Then I realized that I had better concentrate or I’d be sobbing before I got to the finish line!

Danielle was able to shave off 7 minutes from her last half marathon and came in at 2:48:56. I run this one with a time of 2:48:11. Not a PR but I am well pleased with my time and running without any pains, aches, and more importantly, not injured.

I can now say I have conquered the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll!

And no, I haven’t signed up for next year. My heart is set on San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Half, June 1, 2014!

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My Running Nemesis – Seattle Rock n Roll

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Betsm51

It’s that time again. The Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon is this Saturday, June 22nd.

Since the first Rock ‘n’ Roll in Seattle five years ago, I have had a love/hate relationship with this particular race. This was my first ever half and not once has this been a terrific race for me.

The first year, the Inaugural, I ran the race without knowing I had a stress fracture on the bottom of my right foot. I finished it in over 3:30. I could barely walk by the time I got done with it. By the following Monday, I was in a boot for over 8 weeks and my running was put on hold.

With that type of experience, you would think I was crazy when I signed up immediately for the following year. But I was sure this was just a blimp in my desire to run a half.

I rehabilitated my foot and was back to running by the end of that year. Training went fairly well except I had an occasional IT Band and shin splints issues.

By the time the second Rock ‘n’ Roll arrived, I felt I was ready. What I didn’t know was my body wasn’t. Halfway through the half, intestinal problems and IT Band issues plagued me. With several stops at the port-a-potties and limping to the finish line, I was able to beat my time from my first half by about 10 minutes but not break the 3 hour mark.

I was extremely disappointed and down. But I signed up right away for the next year’s Rock ‘n’ Roll. Somewhere in my heart, I knew I could conquer this race even though I, again, could barely walk, much less manage the stairs in my house.

Again, I took some time off to get my body healed and was back training by the end of the year. Training went well except I started to have shin splints issues. Frustrated, I went to the sports doctor. He checked my orthotics and my running shoes. He did some adjusting to my orthotics, not once but several times as I kept having shin splint issues.

Three days prior to the Rock ‘n’ Roll half, he told me I had a choice. Run with a very good chance of getting a stress fracture in my tibia or try again next year! I wisely decided not to run. But I did immediately signed up for next year’s race.

When I started training for last year’s half, I added strength training to my mix. My running started out well then the shin splints came back. Frustration set in. I added Laura Houston, a ChiRunning Coach, to my coaching team. She corrected my form which eliminated the shin splints.

For a trial run, I did the Portland Rock ‘n’ Roll Half . For the first time, I felt deep down that I could do this. I ran that in under 3 hours with just minor IT Band issues and no shin splint issues. I was now ready for the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Half.

The day of that half, I was definitely pumped to be slowly walking as my assigned corral neared the start line. I was sure I could beat my Portland Half time.

Unfortunately by mile 8, I started to have IT Band issues. Somewhere along the way, all of my ChiRunning training exited my mind. I finished but just over 3 hours. I thought long and hard about signing up for this half again.

But I did. And in fact, just a few days afterwards. Call me crazy!

In between the last year’s Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll half and this one coming up, I trained and ran the Eugene Women’s Half (I PR-ed), Los Angeles Rock ‘n’ Roll (just over 3 hours due to the heat), and Pasadena Rock ‘n’ Roll Half (I PR-ed).

As the days and hours count down to this Seattle Rock ‘n’ Rock, I wonder will I be able to conquer my nemesis? Or will I be signing up right away for next year’s to try again?

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Adjusting

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Betsm51

Adjusting to new situations can sometimes be hard. Admittedly, I’m not always able to adjust to a new situation on the spot. But lately, it seems to be taking longer than normal. And I know, it has to do with being comfortable with the way things or places are. Yet in the last few weeks, I’ve often wondered if it’s because I’m getting older thereby making it harder to adjust.

Let’s take running in familiar places as an example. I have been doing 99% of my training in Seattle, WA. Though I do have to admit, I enjoy doing the occasional run or racing events in other cities. But doing more than the occasional run or two in other cities is the adjusting problem.

Seattle’s weather isn’t always nice. In fact, more often than not, it is raining, drizzling, or just plain cold. The few really nice days are still somewhat on the cool side. Running in that type of weather means you don’t overheat as much. Though I have been known to curse when the temperature is down in the 30s, it’s raining, and the wind is blowing. But to compensate for the rain, the cold, and the wind, you have the beautiful Seattle parks, lakes, and views.

And those views are spectacular. Eagles sit high atop of trees, ducks and geese waddle across the paths, and the snow topped mountains glisten in the morning sunlight. On the lakes, there are houseboats to look at and kayakers and rowing teams are plowing through the cold water. In the neighborhood, there are other runners trying to get their morning run in, nodding, and greeting you with the slight lift of their fingers.

But lately I’ve been down in California. And since I’m committed to several races in the near future, I still need to get my training in.

Here the weather is warmer. In fact, a couple of days, the temperatures hit over 90. And where I am, there are few parks and lakes similar to Seattle to run around. My training runs have been on sidewalks as lanes of cars and buses rush by expelling their exhaust fumes and causing the dust to whirl around me. California does have its beaches but it is not always feasible to drive there due to traffic for a short run.

Finding that nice, almost scenic route to run has taken some time to find. And I must admit, I had to GPS myself back to my starting place as I did get lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood.

One route I finally found is uphill for about two miles (just over 400 feet in an elevation climb) before finally coming to a place where you can see a good portion of the San Gabriel Valley, then it is downhill. I can extend my run by zigzagging through a nice, quiet neighborhood, go up more hills, and nod at the one or two runners who pass me by.

I also have found a park nearby which is a great place for a short run with old, shady trees, a creek, and playgrounds for kids. Here there are more people walking, doing tai-chi, or just communing with nature. Around and above the park are dirt paths for trail running and horse-back riding. The trails have a nice view of the San Gabriel Valley though you do have to step around horse dung, watch for that rattle snake or two, and wonder if that “not-too-savory” guy who just came out from behind the sun-baked shrubbery is really okay.

For my longer runs, I do try to drive to the beach since it is cooler there. I love running down there. I love looking at the houses that line the beach, looking out over the sandy beach to the ocean, and trying to make it to the Queen Mary. I haven’t quite gotten there yet. That is a 15 mile round trip to the Queen Mary then back to my car. Here, there are also more people running and walking along the beach path, smiling and lifting their fingers in a silent salute.

Unfortunately, there is a major drawback to running down by the beach. It is mostly flat and most half marathon routes that I am training for aren’t flat. So I do keep challenging myself to run up that steep hill with the nice view of San Gabriel Valley. I will, one day soon, be able to conquer running the whole 2 miles without walking for a couple of minutes and cursing under my breath.

Slowly, I am finding, adjusting, and enjoying these new routes. And I have decided that though it may have seemed longer to adjust, it isn’t because I’m getting older. I just love the Seattle views.

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My son-in-law, Gunnery Sgt William Hess

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Betsm51

This past week, my son-in-law (we call him BJ) shipped out to Afghanistan. When BJ called to tell me that he was volunteering to go, I wanted to hit him over his head. I understand getting orders to go but to volunteer? But then I remembered what one of my cousin told me. “It’s like being a surgeon and never doing one surgery.”

This is what these young men and women train for…to go to war, if necessary, to protect our freedoms and the freedoms of others. And I’m proud and honored to have them serving our country.

BJ is doing his third tour in that region of the world. As his mother-in-law, I’m proud of him and as a mother, I’m proud of my daughter and their family. I’m also sadden to see him leave behind my daughter and their three children. And I worry about his safety.

I was brought up in a military/state department household but it is never easy on a military family when one spouse goes into a war zone. Besides the obvious safety concerns, the spouse leaving misses out on all of the family’s daily life. The spouse staying behind must handle everything. Children change so fast during this relatively short period of time.

My daughter, Niki, was never brought up in the military but she has embraced the military way of life, moving across country to different bases, giving up her career so that BJ can have his, and making sure the schools understand the needs of her children.

Their kids have done well with this way of life. I think a lot of it has to do with Niki’s attitude which reminds me so much of my mother’s. She

BJ, Will, Joshua, Sophie and Niki

treats it like it’s a very normal occurrence. Therefore, there is nothing to be alarmed about. At least that is the way it looks from the outside. Inside, I know it is a very different story.

I’m glad to say this will be BJ’s last tour as he is nearing the end of a 20 year career in the Marine Corps. He has risen from being a young recruit to a Gunnery Sergeant in that time and is well respected by his peers.

What I’m most proud about BJ is how he has matured over the 17 years we have known him. At first I wasn’t too sure he was right for our daughter or what type of father he would be. But BJ has grown in his chosen role of husband, father, and provider. He treats our daughter with love and respect. And you only have to look at his kids to know that he loves them dearly.

As their family deals with this separation, I’m glad there is Facebook, Skype, Face Time, text, and email. This new technology makes it much easier for them to stay in touch and interact as a family on a daily basis instead of waiting weeks for that letter or two to arrive.

In the meantime, we pray for his and his unit’s safe return in the near future.

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Ragnar – Northwest Passage

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Betsm51

Running and Ragnar just seem to go hand in hand or rather, one foot in front of the other.

When I put #11 – Ragnar on my list at the beginning of this year, I never dreamt I would have the opportunity to participate in this event so soon.

For those of you who have never heard of Ragnar, it is a 196 mile relay race. There are 12 Ragnar races held around the country during the year. The one I will be a part of is the Northwest Passage–Blaine to Langley, WA, July 19-20, 2013.

Blain to Langley, WA (click to see whole map)

Why do this you may ask? Besides being part of a great team of women and maybe a male or two, Team Pipulsion led by Susan Howard Wade gives me a great opportunity to push myself.

Running for me has always been about competing against what I have done and how can I do it better or faster. I completed a 15 mile run during my training for the Pasadena Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon in February. Now it is, can I run 15+ miles broken up over a 36+ hour time frame with little or no sleep?

So I’ve changed my training schedule around a bit. The Seattle Rock’n’Roll Half Marathon, June 23rd, will “just” be one of my long runs. It has been incorporate into my overall training for Ragnar over the next 3+ plus months. My new training will consist of doing several 3 runs a day, morning, noon and night, besides kicking up my weekly mileage. What that means is my weekday 3 – 4 mile runs will be longer and my Saturday’s long runs will have several more miles added to them. I will also have to be sure to do my strength training, not once or twice a week but several times a week.

Yes, this is crazy. But that feeling when we all are at the finish line can only be one of awesomeness. And “WOW…did we just do that?!?!?!”

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March—It was a Matter of the Lids

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Betsm51

My droopy eyelids!

Before Surgery

What had originally started out as “Doctor, I think something is in my right eyeball” turned out to be the skin on my eyelid interfering with my eye sight especially in the afternoon/evening.

I basically had two choices to fix this problem:

1. Candice Busch, my best girlfriend, suggested I could super-glue my eyelid up.

2. My doctor suggested I could get the droopy skin removed. He also kindly suggested that my lower lid could use some work while he was there.

After a lot of indecision and yes, figuring out my training schedule for running, I finally made the surgery appointment for the first part of March.

Day after Surgery

The first couple of days after surgery were rough as instructions were “rest your eyes.” That meant no reading, writing, or watching tv plus sleeping with my head elevated. I spent my days with ice packs on my eyes listening to re-runs of NCIS and Castle episodes. I think I have now watched every season 5 times over. My nights were spent with lovely shiny eye guards taped on my face so that I didn’t accidently rub my eyes in my sleep.

My eye guards looked like some shiny bug eyes.

Hollywood Style

Once I was feeling a bit better, I did start venturing out around my neighborhood, Hollywood style.

I really thought the worst was over until the stitches started to heal. Healing meant itching. I couldn’t rub my eyes. Every blink meant the underside of my swollen lids grated against my eyeballs. Some relief was had by putting ointment in my eyes which resulted in blurry vision. So again, I was left with no reading or watching tv.

When the itching got so bad that I was ready to do anything to get it to stop, the doctor suggested I start taking Benedryl. The Benedryl gave me instant relief. That was the good news. The bad news was regardless whether it was the non-drowsy Benedryl or not, it made me extremely tired. I was back to sleeping most of my days away.

Two weeks out of surgery

By the end of two weeks, I was feeling more myself. I had started walking and slowly started back to doing short mileage runs. The swelling was still there but the majority of the brusing was gone. The itching and scratchiness were down to a miniumun so I was able to start focusing for short periods of time.

Week three of my recovery brought more relief in that I was only taking the Benedryl twice a day for the first couple of days. I was beginning to focus more often than not without the constant itching. The swelling was almost gone as well as most of the bruising. Some of the stitching was still visible and red but not as bad as it was in the beginning.

During the three full weeks I was recovering, I had high hopes of getting a lot of reading done which didn’t happen. I did watch an enormous amount of TV. I can say that was really mind-numbing but had it’s benefits as it mostly put me to sleep. My running pace hasn’t been affected by basically being off for two weeks. I do think that walking in week two helped keep my running where it was as well as gave my body some good old recovery time which all runners need from time to time.

Droopy eyelids gone

And though I still have some slight bruising, redness and swelling, I am quite pleased with my now non-droopy eyelids.