I thought it was a great idea when the knowledge of a swim class came along. 8 weeks and I would be a pro! I would be winning my age group in all the TRI's I participate in right? Haha ha ha. I grew up in a lake. No jokes here about my last name being Lake either haha. My parents shared a lot on Lake Oak Run with my dad's twin brother. We spent our weekends growing up in that lake. I was in swimming lessons before I could walk. I was obsessed with water asking my parents to wake me up on long trips every time we passed a lake, pool, water park, etc. Every chance I got I was swimming! You would think somewhere along the way I would have actually learned some technique, some speed, something. Nope. I learned how to dive in, swim underneath, do somersaults, and have fun! This class my friends, has been a challenge.
Ok so since I do not have enough space or time to try to tell you all that I have been taught, because if you did not know already swimming requires that you think of 200 things all at once and still stay alive, I will give you a list of what I know!
1. No matter if you think you have perfected the art of keeping your head down while swimming, it is not far enough. They tell you to look at the floor of the pool, that's wrong, you actually need to look under yourself at the wall you are swimming away from, at least that's what I think will be required for them to stop yelling at me to get my head down.
2. King Kong must be an excellent swimmer. I believe that is what you must look like while moving your arms in the water. At least that is what we practice before.
3. No matter what you think you look like while you are swimming, you are lying to yourself. Have someone video tape you. It is a real comedy!
4. I know there is a correct way to breathe. I have tried to perfect that many times and decided it is better to survive and not drink the entire pool.
5. It is impossible to try to think about moving your arms correctly, breathing, keeping your head down, moving your legs and feet correctly, and having your hands do that arch thingy all that the same time. There is a reason that they have the saying, "Don't walk and chew gum at the same time!"
6. When learning to do flip turns it is extremely important that you do 2 things, these things are much more important than hitting the wall with your body believe me! 1. Breath out of your nose when turning. DO IT! It really hurts if you do not. 2. Make sure your goggles are tight!
7. NEVER EVER and I mean this, water run before you swim. Your calves will cramp like you have never ever felt before and you will likely be in the deep end looking like a beached whale trying to get to the wall or shallow end.
8. It really does help to get the water out of your ears if you hop on the opposite foot of the ear you are shaking to get water out of! This I have been told only works poolside! So go ahead and look like a freak, your ears will thank you later!
so ok ok, yes I like to joke and in all seriousness this class has taught me one very valuable lesson: I will never perfect swimming! I am totally ok with this! I can go out, swim what I need to, how I want to do it, and have fun with it. I don't care if I look stupid, I don't care if I can go faster by doing things differently! I know I feel comfortable with the way I do it and that is all that matters! This was all for fun anyway right? Plus I have met some awesome people in the class and had a lot of fun, well, when I wasn't practicing drills haha!
Running is so easy. I know right about now people are like WTF Niki. What I mean by this is, I put on shoes, the necessary clothing, sometimes a watch and water bottle, and hit the door running. Yes if I am doing speed work or a long run it is painful and hard and some of my friends do some amazing races! What I mean is I can run without thinking too much, I can chat while I run. Swimming is a total monster when it comes to doing it right! Heck maybe there is a ton of awesome techniques to running I could perfect but if there is, shut up I don't want to know!
All I have to say for all the swimmers out there that have the patience and time to learn to do it correctly, I admire you! In the meantime I will be here in the lanes with you swimming funky, with my head too high, breathing wrong, and my technique will be off, but I will get to the same place all you are going...eventually, and I will LOVE IT!
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
That is the worst thing and the best thing that has ever happened to me! What?
Blog #2. Which means this should be easier right? Well this will be happier so at least there is that! To update you all from my last blog, I have had zero hip pain for almost 3 weeks now! 3 weeks! I have ran inside on the Y's trusty treadmills, swam, biked, attended core class and spin class (devil instructors) and managed to still be pain free! Ok I am thrilled but also can you believe this, I haven't ran outside in 3 weeks. Coincidence? Probably. We will find out tonight as I am taking it to the streets to see how it goes. Can I ask you all to cross your fingers, send a little prayer my way, chant, cheer, whatever you can to get me off that awful dreadmill that I am starting to like so I must be losing my mind. HELP! QUICK! Ok there's for the update. Happy - check! Hopeful - check!
So last year at this time I was honored to be the female to receive the runner of the year award. Me? Seriously, ask my grade school basketball coach, my high school cross country coach, my band teacher - to receive that kind of an award, they would have said "Not Niki Lake, there must be a mistake?" I just realized my last name rhymes with mistake, that can't be good! Anyway, I was beyond excited and appreciative that people would actually nominate me for that! I am not the fastest by far, I do great, especially in my own happy world, but seriously, there is always someone better than yourself. So I treated this like it was some antique vase. DON'T SCRATCH IT CORY! BE CAREFUL WITH IT! It was my baby, my pride and joy! Nothing could make me happier than it EVER, right? Wrong! I was wrong. Very wrong.
So everyone knows about my hip injury. I don't know who spilled the beans, I was really trying to keep it a secret geez... Just kidding we all know how much I like to talk! Anyway, who would have thought that something so bad would be so good. Yah that made sense right? Really! Ok before said hip injury came into my life I was obsessed. Seriously obsessed. Has anyone found that runner's addict anonymous group? I could have used it. That plaque was a constant reminder! I had to race every weekend. I had to win my age group. I had to PR. Every weekend was about doing whatever it took to be able to race the best, no matter who I hurt, what plans I broke, what non-running friends I blew off. So when you are faced with the opposite, you really get an eye opener. I was bored, I couldn't run every weekend, I couldn't worry about the upcoming race, I wasn't exhausted just thinking about the races! It was great! Seriously, I missed the running, my running friends, etc., but the constant worry and trying to push myself to be the best all the time, I needed a serious break and an eye opener. It was completely my fault, I let the thought of trying to be perfect take over me and who am I kidding, I was far from perfect and getting farther away with each obsessed filled race.
So I was happy. I was cheerful. I was odd. I mean I had a smile attending races I couldn't run, cheering on competition I couldn't compete with. I was happy, relieved, excited to cheer on my friends. It was refreshing. You know what is also refreshing? CHANGE! Which I learned would have to become a part of my workout schedule. Not that, "Hey Niki, for the next few months you must cross train, stretch, and strength train or you won't be able to run." It was, "Niki, you have to do this for the rest of your life." HUH? Yep, no more 30+ races a year with a speedwork and long run packed into every weekend. No more. I can run 3 days a week and you know what, that is ok with me! I have found I love cross training! I love swimming, biking, hell I love core class and the crazy spin instructors! I have no problem with mixing it up! Especially because my doctor didn't give me permission, but told me to do TRI's!!! So here we go with a new obsession. Just kidding! Mom, Cory, it is ok, breathe please! I won't let that happen again! Cory is right now mumbling, "YAH RIGHT!" haha!
But here comes the conclusion! I was honored this year with the Spirit Award. I feel like I cheated because I was happy! I cheered on my friends! I was supportive! But I feel like I was also relieved for myself. It was like I finally was able to just let go of the notion of trying to be perfect, the best. When that was finally taken away I just felt at peace and was able to give some of that peace back! The Spirit Award meant more to me than anything in the world. Julia Williams and I had talked about this last year. Andrea Stack could win this award every year and she should. She cares more about everyone than herself!! And Murelle Plotner was a pure example of keeping up the spirit when in life you are hit with something so difficult. She made it look easy didn't she. So the fact I received this award meant more to me than any other award, especially after all the feelings I just described to you! And who to honor me with this award, my best friend. Michele Marcus is a rare gem. She is quiet, talented, energetic, kind, supportive.... I could list much more but you would all think you should warn Lee that I may have a crush haha! Seriously, I would not have made it through this year without her, without my friends! I was honored and I do not think I will ever feel more proud of myself as I did when she gave her speech and handed me that award, even if I wanted to give it back to her for all she has done! She deserved it to.
Anyway, just remember, it may be the worst thing that has ever happened to you and the best thing that has ever happened to you..... All you need is friends! Haha and you thought I was about to quote The Beatles!
So last year at this time I was honored to be the female to receive the runner of the year award. Me? Seriously, ask my grade school basketball coach, my high school cross country coach, my band teacher - to receive that kind of an award, they would have said "Not Niki Lake, there must be a mistake?" I just realized my last name rhymes with mistake, that can't be good! Anyway, I was beyond excited and appreciative that people would actually nominate me for that! I am not the fastest by far, I do great, especially in my own happy world, but seriously, there is always someone better than yourself. So I treated this like it was some antique vase. DON'T SCRATCH IT CORY! BE CAREFUL WITH IT! It was my baby, my pride and joy! Nothing could make me happier than it EVER, right? Wrong! I was wrong. Very wrong.
So everyone knows about my hip injury. I don't know who spilled the beans, I was really trying to keep it a secret geez... Just kidding we all know how much I like to talk! Anyway, who would have thought that something so bad would be so good. Yah that made sense right? Really! Ok before said hip injury came into my life I was obsessed. Seriously obsessed. Has anyone found that runner's addict anonymous group? I could have used it. That plaque was a constant reminder! I had to race every weekend. I had to win my age group. I had to PR. Every weekend was about doing whatever it took to be able to race the best, no matter who I hurt, what plans I broke, what non-running friends I blew off. So when you are faced with the opposite, you really get an eye opener. I was bored, I couldn't run every weekend, I couldn't worry about the upcoming race, I wasn't exhausted just thinking about the races! It was great! Seriously, I missed the running, my running friends, etc., but the constant worry and trying to push myself to be the best all the time, I needed a serious break and an eye opener. It was completely my fault, I let the thought of trying to be perfect take over me and who am I kidding, I was far from perfect and getting farther away with each obsessed filled race.
So I was happy. I was cheerful. I was odd. I mean I had a smile attending races I couldn't run, cheering on competition I couldn't compete with. I was happy, relieved, excited to cheer on my friends. It was refreshing. You know what is also refreshing? CHANGE! Which I learned would have to become a part of my workout schedule. Not that, "Hey Niki, for the next few months you must cross train, stretch, and strength train or you won't be able to run." It was, "Niki, you have to do this for the rest of your life." HUH? Yep, no more 30+ races a year with a speedwork and long run packed into every weekend. No more. I can run 3 days a week and you know what, that is ok with me! I have found I love cross training! I love swimming, biking, hell I love core class and the crazy spin instructors! I have no problem with mixing it up! Especially because my doctor didn't give me permission, but told me to do TRI's!!! So here we go with a new obsession. Just kidding! Mom, Cory, it is ok, breathe please! I won't let that happen again! Cory is right now mumbling, "YAH RIGHT!" haha!
But here comes the conclusion! I was honored this year with the Spirit Award. I feel like I cheated because I was happy! I cheered on my friends! I was supportive! But I feel like I was also relieved for myself. It was like I finally was able to just let go of the notion of trying to be perfect, the best. When that was finally taken away I just felt at peace and was able to give some of that peace back! The Spirit Award meant more to me than anything in the world. Julia Williams and I had talked about this last year. Andrea Stack could win this award every year and she should. She cares more about everyone than herself!! And Murelle Plotner was a pure example of keeping up the spirit when in life you are hit with something so difficult. She made it look easy didn't she. So the fact I received this award meant more to me than any other award, especially after all the feelings I just described to you! And who to honor me with this award, my best friend. Michele Marcus is a rare gem. She is quiet, talented, energetic, kind, supportive.... I could list much more but you would all think you should warn Lee that I may have a crush haha! Seriously, I would not have made it through this year without her, without my friends! I was honored and I do not think I will ever feel more proud of myself as I did when she gave her speech and handed me that award, even if I wanted to give it back to her for all she has done! She deserved it to.
Anyway, just remember, it may be the worst thing that has ever happened to you and the best thing that has ever happened to you..... All you need is friends! Haha and you thought I was about to quote The Beatles!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Oh boy! I get to run again...
This is my first blog, so go easy on me. This will not be heart warming, which is why I started a blog instead of sending in another article to SWRC. This is not material that everyone will want to read.
I am getting over a stress fracture, as all of you that will take the time to read this already know. I spent three months dreaming about my first run back! I was so ready. I do not mean the run/walks I had to do to get ready for my first run, I mean my first 30 minutes of pure running joy. It was not joy. It did not make me feel whole again. It was definitely not the wonderful event I expected after 3 months of not running. Let me explain....
I am not sure what I was expected. I have made many stupid choices in my life but overall I tend to think of myself as a pretty intelligent person. So why I thought the pain would magically disappear and I would have a wonderful, tears of joy at the end of it run, is beyond me. It hurt. Bad. Enough to make me question whether I should be back to running at all. I saw my trusty doctor and he gave me the go ahead. He told me there would be pain, set backs, and I would always be prone to hip stress fractures. I wanted to punch him. You mean I followed every suggestion, spent all my race money on therapy, MRI and x-rays, and sat out for 3 months to still feel the same pain I was feeling before. So am I healed or not? Well we won't exactly know because an MRI will still show it is broke..... I stopped listening somewhere at this point. I was happy to be able to continue to run and believe me, I realize I am more fortunate than others, but it still stings...
That was a few weeks ago. I am up to running 37 minutes tonight. I have found that running on the DREADmill hurts less than running outside. Actually last week during one of my 33 minute runs I had no pain. YEAH! But my excitement is basically gone. This is the point I finally get sad. Believe me when I say this, I was even impressed how well I took everything the last 3 months! Before the stress fracture the idea of not running was as bad as death (seriously you can ask my boyfriend, mom, friends). So when I showed up at races to volunteer and cheer my friends on and had a REAL smile, yes I was actually ok with it, I was shocked! Now it is harder to put on that real smile. I can't do speed work, I can't race fast, I can't really participate in the Illinois marathon training because I can't run that far. When I run it is usually on the treadmill, on my own, boring and sad.
So my main point of this is, how do I forgive running. I mean, I look forward more to my swim and bike workouts, even core workouts (COME ON!) than I do running. When will I be able to stop looking for the pain every single time I run? Is it there or just in my head. Will I always be nervous before I run instead of being excited like I use to be. I am terrified I lost the love for it because it hurt me. You know, like running cheated on me and I am having a hard time forgiving it and letting it back in. I am only human. I guess I have to remind myself that it was once one of the most important things in my life and it will come back in time.
I know deep down I am a life long runner. It will come back and I will love it once again. It was too important to me to just throw it out after my first real obstacle with it. But until I get that feeling I once had for it, I will try to remember the good times I had with it! I mean the friends I made while running have been right by my side through this whole obstacle, that alone says enough to bring me back!
niki.lake@facebook.com
I am getting over a stress fracture, as all of you that will take the time to read this already know. I spent three months dreaming about my first run back! I was so ready. I do not mean the run/walks I had to do to get ready for my first run, I mean my first 30 minutes of pure running joy. It was not joy. It did not make me feel whole again. It was definitely not the wonderful event I expected after 3 months of not running. Let me explain....
I am not sure what I was expected. I have made many stupid choices in my life but overall I tend to think of myself as a pretty intelligent person. So why I thought the pain would magically disappear and I would have a wonderful, tears of joy at the end of it run, is beyond me. It hurt. Bad. Enough to make me question whether I should be back to running at all. I saw my trusty doctor and he gave me the go ahead. He told me there would be pain, set backs, and I would always be prone to hip stress fractures. I wanted to punch him. You mean I followed every suggestion, spent all my race money on therapy, MRI and x-rays, and sat out for 3 months to still feel the same pain I was feeling before. So am I healed or not? Well we won't exactly know because an MRI will still show it is broke..... I stopped listening somewhere at this point. I was happy to be able to continue to run and believe me, I realize I am more fortunate than others, but it still stings...
That was a few weeks ago. I am up to running 37 minutes tonight. I have found that running on the DREADmill hurts less than running outside. Actually last week during one of my 33 minute runs I had no pain. YEAH! But my excitement is basically gone. This is the point I finally get sad. Believe me when I say this, I was even impressed how well I took everything the last 3 months! Before the stress fracture the idea of not running was as bad as death (seriously you can ask my boyfriend, mom, friends). So when I showed up at races to volunteer and cheer my friends on and had a REAL smile, yes I was actually ok with it, I was shocked! Now it is harder to put on that real smile. I can't do speed work, I can't race fast, I can't really participate in the Illinois marathon training because I can't run that far. When I run it is usually on the treadmill, on my own, boring and sad.
So my main point of this is, how do I forgive running. I mean, I look forward more to my swim and bike workouts, even core workouts (COME ON!) than I do running. When will I be able to stop looking for the pain every single time I run? Is it there or just in my head. Will I always be nervous before I run instead of being excited like I use to be. I am terrified I lost the love for it because it hurt me. You know, like running cheated on me and I am having a hard time forgiving it and letting it back in. I am only human. I guess I have to remind myself that it was once one of the most important things in my life and it will come back in time.
I know deep down I am a life long runner. It will come back and I will love it once again. It was too important to me to just throw it out after my first real obstacle with it. But until I get that feeling I once had for it, I will try to remember the good times I had with it! I mean the friends I made while running have been right by my side through this whole obstacle, that alone says enough to bring me back!
niki.lake@facebook.com
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