You train for 3+ months. You live and breathe and eat and sleep on a tight schedule. You are laser focused on your goal. You are the most boring person on the planet. You run your half marathon. You achieve your goal. Then what?
I never thought about the after. No one told me I needed to. But I'm going through a period of adjustment I had not expected.
I didn't know how my body was going to react to running that far, nor how long it would take it to recover. I was stupid enough to run an 8K cross country race the weekend after and that was extremely stupid, don't do that folks. Cross country races are sprained ankles waiting to happen. It made my already sore left leg even worse, couldn't walk a normal gait until early this week, no joke.
My motivation has taken a nose dive. It's finally spring and the temps have been much nicer to run in, but I have trouble getting out the door. Then we had a few cold mornings and I didn't want to run because it was cold. What?!?!?!?!? I was running in single digit temps! In the snow!! What happened to my fortitude?! My badassness?! My mojo?!?!
I haven't ran over 5 miles since the half. My left leg still hurts when I run. I need to rest. I need to have a normal gait pattern again. It's early Saturday morning as I sit here writing this and it's the first Saturday morning since probably November that I haven't been out running. It feels weird. It feels wrong. It feels good.
But I'm justifying this break with the fact that I closed on my new condo yesterday!!!! Things need to be done!! I'm now up to my ass in crushing debt like most other Americans and I've got to get settled in!! Seriously, it's super exciting and bittersweet. I've loved where I've been renting the past 4 years, but glad to be an owner again and be in a place where I don't have to leave unless I want to. Transitions are hard, I'm such a creature of habit. New habits will have to be formed. I will keep you updated.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Run The Bluegrass Report
I DID IT!!!!!!!
Ok, didn't want to leave you hanging. I made it through my first half marathon and what a race it was. Got some time? Let me tell you about it......
After obsessively checking the weather app all week hoping for a miracle, it finally became quite clear that this race was going to happen in the rain. Ok, accept it and figure out what to wear.
Got my Buddy Fruit!!!! Big shout out to my friend Robin, who used her brain when mine was stressed and panicked and told me where to go get my damn applesauce...thank you friend.
I wonder if Buddy Fruit needs a spokesperson? Anyone out there got a connection? I'm available Buddy Fruit!! Call me!!! I have nothing but good things to say!!!!
It was so cold before the race started, but not raining yet. Finally caught up with my friend who was starting in my wave, and we just stood and hugged each other for warmth. I was getting ready to start asking strangers to stand closer to me, but thankfully didn't have to go that route.
Wave start was great, I've never been in a race big enough to need one. There were 6 waves, each started within 2 minutes of each. It helped to thin the herd.
We were so happy to just start running so we could get warmer. It started raining lightly, so all good at this point. My sweet friend stayed with me for the first 3 miles as we planned and then I told her to go on, I needed to slow down. She was outta sight within a minute. BYE BYE
The course is nothing but hills. Up and down, up and down. I wish I had pics for you, but didn't want to pull out my phone in the rain. I tried to only look a few feet ahead and not at the top of the hill on the worst ones and it worked pretty good as a denial strategy.
What drove me crazy were all the people that walked up every hill and then would blow by me on the downhill. Was very annoying, as I would creep past them on every hill and then, bamn, there you go by me again!!! Ugh!! The downhills killed my knees. It got to the point that I dreaded going downhill. It's so funny during a race how to start to get familiar with the runners around you, especially in something this long and if someone new runs by you, you start to panic :-) "Have I slowed down? Who is that person? Where did they come from?"
It started raining really hard around mile 9, just before the worst hill on the course. I swear I felt some small hail hitting my face. And it was so windy!! Just made the rain feel even colder. From mile 9 to the end was pretty miserable. Even though I was running, I was starting to feel colder, especially my hands. I started having to mentally motivate myself by thinking of certain people I knew that were having a hard time in their lives right now and dedicating a mile to that person. It helped.
The highlights of the race:
*Having someone with me the first 3 miles to help get me started
*Gear check!! Never had this option before, but it sure was nice to have that bag available after the race to put on dry shoes, socks, and shirt. And a big ole towel
*Seeing 3 deer come running from behind a barn between miles 4-5 and watching them sail up into the air to jump over the plank fence and keep running through the field
*The numerous aid stations along the route. 3 different drink options at each, some even had porta potties and music. I made a point of thanking these wonderful volunteers who were out in the horrible weather for us. Amazing
*Speaking of music, thank you drummers for getting us up the hill at mile 9. So cool
*Beer at mile 11!!!!!! Of course I went for the Bourbon Barrel Ale instead of the Michelob Ultra. And then I was scared to death my stomach would revolt, but all was well. I was just hoping it would warm me up
*Getting that medal around my neck at the end
Lowlights:
*I've never been so cold. I know it was because I was wet too, but it was misery. I really think I was a little hypothermic at the end, couldn't use my hands for about 45mins after and was shaking uncontrollably. Could not open the water I grabbed at the end, couldn't think clear enough to get myself inside, couldn't find my friend.
*It's a beautiful course, but a lonely one. The only crowd support is at aid stations and at the end
*Did I mention all the hills?
I'm sore, I'm stiff, I've been eating like a horse and I took the longest hot shower of my life yesterday. But I will do this race again. I will do another half in the fall. This distance is amazing. It challenges you, but it is unbelievable what your body can do. All the training in the cold and the snow and the early morning hours and going to bed with the chickens and people thinking you are crazy......
All worth it. Every minute.
Ok, didn't want to leave you hanging. I made it through my first half marathon and what a race it was. Got some time? Let me tell you about it......
After obsessively checking the weather app all week hoping for a miracle, it finally became quite clear that this race was going to happen in the rain. Ok, accept it and figure out what to wear.
Got my Buddy Fruit!!!! Big shout out to my friend Robin, who used her brain when mine was stressed and panicked and told me where to go get my damn applesauce...thank you friend.
I wonder if Buddy Fruit needs a spokesperson? Anyone out there got a connection? I'm available Buddy Fruit!! Call me!!! I have nothing but good things to say!!!!
It was so cold before the race started, but not raining yet. Finally caught up with my friend who was starting in my wave, and we just stood and hugged each other for warmth. I was getting ready to start asking strangers to stand closer to me, but thankfully didn't have to go that route.
Wave start was great, I've never been in a race big enough to need one. There were 6 waves, each started within 2 minutes of each. It helped to thin the herd.
We were so happy to just start running so we could get warmer. It started raining lightly, so all good at this point. My sweet friend stayed with me for the first 3 miles as we planned and then I told her to go on, I needed to slow down. She was outta sight within a minute. BYE BYE
The course is nothing but hills. Up and down, up and down. I wish I had pics for you, but didn't want to pull out my phone in the rain. I tried to only look a few feet ahead and not at the top of the hill on the worst ones and it worked pretty good as a denial strategy.
What drove me crazy were all the people that walked up every hill and then would blow by me on the downhill. Was very annoying, as I would creep past them on every hill and then, bamn, there you go by me again!!! Ugh!! The downhills killed my knees. It got to the point that I dreaded going downhill. It's so funny during a race how to start to get familiar with the runners around you, especially in something this long and if someone new runs by you, you start to panic :-) "Have I slowed down? Who is that person? Where did they come from?"
It started raining really hard around mile 9, just before the worst hill on the course. I swear I felt some small hail hitting my face. And it was so windy!! Just made the rain feel even colder. From mile 9 to the end was pretty miserable. Even though I was running, I was starting to feel colder, especially my hands. I started having to mentally motivate myself by thinking of certain people I knew that were having a hard time in their lives right now and dedicating a mile to that person. It helped.
The highlights of the race:
*Having someone with me the first 3 miles to help get me started
*Gear check!! Never had this option before, but it sure was nice to have that bag available after the race to put on dry shoes, socks, and shirt. And a big ole towel
*Seeing 3 deer come running from behind a barn between miles 4-5 and watching them sail up into the air to jump over the plank fence and keep running through the field
*The numerous aid stations along the route. 3 different drink options at each, some even had porta potties and music. I made a point of thanking these wonderful volunteers who were out in the horrible weather for us. Amazing
*Speaking of music, thank you drummers for getting us up the hill at mile 9. So cool
*Beer at mile 11!!!!!! Of course I went for the Bourbon Barrel Ale instead of the Michelob Ultra. And then I was scared to death my stomach would revolt, but all was well. I was just hoping it would warm me up
*Getting that medal around my neck at the end
Lowlights:
*I've never been so cold. I know it was because I was wet too, but it was misery. I really think I was a little hypothermic at the end, couldn't use my hands for about 45mins after and was shaking uncontrollably. Could not open the water I grabbed at the end, couldn't think clear enough to get myself inside, couldn't find my friend.
*It's a beautiful course, but a lonely one. The only crowd support is at aid stations and at the end
*Did I mention all the hills?
I'm sore, I'm stiff, I've been eating like a horse and I took the longest hot shower of my life yesterday. But I will do this race again. I will do another half in the fall. This distance is amazing. It challenges you, but it is unbelievable what your body can do. All the training in the cold and the snow and the early morning hours and going to bed with the chickens and people thinking you are crazy......
All worth it. Every minute.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Food for Thought
So I'm in a bit of a panic. Over applesauce. Yeah, applesauce.
I got this little thing called a half-marathon coming up, perhaps I've mentioned it??? Been training for months in the bitter cold of the most horrific winter in 20years. Very carefully followed my training plan. Finally figured out what I could eat during the run without vomiting. This wonderful little product here:
Yummy, portable applesauce with other fruits added. All natural. Didn't make me sick. Don't have to chew it. Tried 3 flavors, all good.
The problem? I can't find it anywhere!!!!!!! I'm having a brain fart remembering where I bought it, but I've tried all the grocery stores that I frequent and nobody has it!!!!!!!!!
You are probably thinking at this point: Good Lord! Just shut up and buy another brand. It's freaking applesauce! And maybe this is true. And I have bought another brand, because I had no choice. But everything I've read tells me that the cardinal rule of eating during a race is this: never, ever never, try anything new. You just don't know how your body will react to it. Could end up in the bushes. But now I have no choice but to use another brand. I have no other long runs to try anything different. I admit I feel kind of silly worrying about this, but I can't help it. Fingers crossed.
On a positive note, I can't tell you how abnormally happy I am to have earned this shirt to wear in the race!
I came to this running group a little late in my training, but logged enough training runs to get a free shirt. It's a great group, sponsored by a local craft brewery. I'll be so proud to wear this on race day.
Speaking of that; race day is 5 days away. Have a few easy runs this week, nothing major, but of course there is snow scheduled on one of those days. Of course. The forecast for Saturday keeps changing, hopefully will be nice.
Wish me luck.
I got this little thing called a half-marathon coming up, perhaps I've mentioned it??? Been training for months in the bitter cold of the most horrific winter in 20years. Very carefully followed my training plan. Finally figured out what I could eat during the run without vomiting. This wonderful little product here:
Yummy, portable applesauce with other fruits added. All natural. Didn't make me sick. Don't have to chew it. Tried 3 flavors, all good.
The problem? I can't find it anywhere!!!!!!! I'm having a brain fart remembering where I bought it, but I've tried all the grocery stores that I frequent and nobody has it!!!!!!!!!
You are probably thinking at this point: Good Lord! Just shut up and buy another brand. It's freaking applesauce! And maybe this is true. And I have bought another brand, because I had no choice. But everything I've read tells me that the cardinal rule of eating during a race is this: never, ever never, try anything new. You just don't know how your body will react to it. Could end up in the bushes. But now I have no choice but to use another brand. I have no other long runs to try anything different. I admit I feel kind of silly worrying about this, but I can't help it. Fingers crossed.
On a positive note, I can't tell you how abnormally happy I am to have earned this shirt to wear in the race!
I came to this running group a little late in my training, but logged enough training runs to get a free shirt. It's a great group, sponsored by a local craft brewery. I'll be so proud to wear this on race day.
Speaking of that; race day is 5 days away. Have a few easy runs this week, nothing major, but of course there is snow scheduled on one of those days. Of course. The forecast for Saturday keeps changing, hopefully will be nice.
Wish me luck.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Random Thoughts From a Long Run......
Today I went on the longest run to date. 11 miles.. I'm sorry, what?! Even when I tell people that I don't know what I'm talking about. The whole time I'm running it, I don't know what I'm talking about. But here are the random thoughts that run through a runner's head during that long period of time......
Miles 1-3:
*I'm cold
*Wish I'd worn some gloves
*My plantar fasciitis hurts
*I can't breathe
*Why am I doing this?
*I'm hungry
*It's so gross to wipe my snotty nose on my sleeve
*Those birds could carry me away!!!!!
Miles 4-6:
*That house is pretty
*Watch that sidewalk
*I hear the birds chirping!
*Everything is warm but my hands. Why didn't I wear gloves?????
*What street am I on?
*I think I feel the runner's high at times!!!
*Oooo, haven't heard this song in a while....
*I wonder what time it is?
*Man, this flavored applesauce tastes good
*I think I just aspirated some water. Cough twice.
*I hope the light stays green at that intersection
*My fingers are numb! I would turn up the volume on this song, but I can't
*"You make me feel like I been locked out of heaven......"
*This is a great shortcut
*What am I going to do about that condo.....
*It's so gross to wipe my snotty nose on my sleeve
*Ducks!!!!!!
Miles 7-11:
*Does that car see me?
*I hope that light changes so I have to stop at that intersection
*"Nope, you need to turn around sir, go down one block and turn left and the student center is on your right"
*Ugh, I'm burping up that flavored applesauce, think I might vomit
*Is that part of an animal?
*That guy is cute. Step up the pace, don't look like you're dying
*Jesus, what time is it?
*What street am I supposed to turn on???
*Wonder what my pace is?
*Well, don't wave back at me, bitch!
*I can feel my fingers!!!!
*I'm just mentally tired, suck it up buttercup
*Mercy, I'm sick of carrying this water bottle
*Are my shoelaces coming untied?
*I'm tired
* I need more music
*It's so gross to wipe my snotty nose on my sleeve (constant, on a loop)
*I see my building!!!!!!
These are the earth shattering, important thoughts that go through my head during a long run. Just thought you wanted to know.
Miles 1-3:
*I'm cold
*Wish I'd worn some gloves
*My plantar fasciitis hurts
*I can't breathe
*Why am I doing this?
*I'm hungry
*It's so gross to wipe my snotty nose on my sleeve
*Those birds could carry me away!!!!!
Miles 4-6:
*That house is pretty
*Watch that sidewalk
*I hear the birds chirping!
*Everything is warm but my hands. Why didn't I wear gloves?????
*What street am I on?
*I think I feel the runner's high at times!!!
*Oooo, haven't heard this song in a while....
*I wonder what time it is?
*Man, this flavored applesauce tastes good
*I think I just aspirated some water. Cough twice.
*I hope the light stays green at that intersection
*My fingers are numb! I would turn up the volume on this song, but I can't
*"You make me feel like I been locked out of heaven......"
*This is a great shortcut
*What am I going to do about that condo.....
*It's so gross to wipe my snotty nose on my sleeve
*Ducks!!!!!!
Miles 7-11:
*Does that car see me?
*I hope that light changes so I have to stop at that intersection
*"Nope, you need to turn around sir, go down one block and turn left and the student center is on your right"
*Ugh, I'm burping up that flavored applesauce, think I might vomit
*Is that part of an animal?
*That guy is cute. Step up the pace, don't look like you're dying
*Jesus, what time is it?
*What street am I supposed to turn on???
*Wonder what my pace is?
*Well, don't wave back at me, bitch!
*I can feel my fingers!!!!
*I'm just mentally tired, suck it up buttercup
*Mercy, I'm sick of carrying this water bottle
*Are my shoelaces coming untied?
*I'm tired
* I need more music
*It's so gross to wipe my snotty nose on my sleeve (constant, on a loop)
*I see my building!!!!!!
These are the earth shattering, important thoughts that go through my head during a long run. Just thought you wanted to know.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
11 Days Until Spring!!!!!!!!!
Where did February go? Oh wait, I know---- all I did was run, sleep and eat. And then there's the matter of that full time job thing. Anyway, sorry for the long break.
It's been the most brutal winter in about 20 years here and the half mary training has been rough to say the least. I believe the last time I was ranting on here, I had just ran 7 miles to my utter astonishment. Well, yesterday I hit an all time high of 10 miles. How does that even happen??? Even while I was doing it, I couldn't imagine how I was doing it. It took me 2 hours but at the same time it was over in an instant. I have been doing group runs with one of my local breweries (after trying many running groups) and I find this one to be the best one for me by far. Beer = friendly people??? Whatever the reason, I'm happy to be training with them and I'll even get a free t-shirt to wear on the big day labeling me as part of their group. This excites me to no end for some strange reason. I hope the blood, sweat and tears will wash out of it easily so I can wear it again.
I even found someone as slow as me to run with yesterday, and dare I say, he might have been a tiny bit slower. We paced each other the first 8 miles, then he made a detour to run by his house for water and snacks. Those last 2 miles alone were brutal. He gave me some great advice and information about this particular half since he ran it in 2012. He also promised that since he would be at the race I would not be last.
3 weeks until the race. One more long run of 11 miles. Then the taper begins. I feel stupid even saying that. I'm not ready for this, haven't done enough hill work, but it's going to happen. I'm still trying to figure out what to eat during the run and it's been hit and miss. Found a great blog, active-balanced-vegan, that listed some great vegan options for eating during endurance runs. This week I tried one of those squeezable flavored applesauce. It's a pretty good size to carry along, don't have to chew it. My tummy tolerated it pretty well. May try some gluten free pretzels and/or dates this week.
Strength training is going well, but I can't really tell any difference in my running yet. I'm sure that will take quite a while. I can say that I've never been so sore. How were these weak ass muscles carrying me down the street?! I can also say that the book I'm following is fantastic (Quick Strength for Runners by Jeff Horowitz) and I highly recommend it. It basically spoon feeds me what I need to do, when to do it and how many times. I have found this is what I need. I operate best with a clear plan.
My favorite running quote of the past week: "Running is a series of controlled falls". Ain't that the truth.
I'm getting so nervous. I'm even starting to stress out about the parking and how early I need to get there. There are going to be 5,000 runners!!!!!! That's crazy. I know it's going to be way harder than I am even imagining and I already know I'm going to cry. I just don't know if it will be during or after. Or both.
But the most stressful thing of all this past week? I made an offer on a condo and damn if they didn't accept it. So it was good in one way, took my mind off my other stressor, but this is stress of a whole other level, money and moving stress. I'm excited to hopefully have a place that is mine, where I can dig in and not move until I go to the assisted living facility. Inspection is this week, if that goes well, it's time to start signing some checks..... :-)
It's been the most brutal winter in about 20 years here and the half mary training has been rough to say the least. I believe the last time I was ranting on here, I had just ran 7 miles to my utter astonishment. Well, yesterday I hit an all time high of 10 miles. How does that even happen??? Even while I was doing it, I couldn't imagine how I was doing it. It took me 2 hours but at the same time it was over in an instant. I have been doing group runs with one of my local breweries (after trying many running groups) and I find this one to be the best one for me by far. Beer = friendly people??? Whatever the reason, I'm happy to be training with them and I'll even get a free t-shirt to wear on the big day labeling me as part of their group. This excites me to no end for some strange reason. I hope the blood, sweat and tears will wash out of it easily so I can wear it again.
I even found someone as slow as me to run with yesterday, and dare I say, he might have been a tiny bit slower. We paced each other the first 8 miles, then he made a detour to run by his house for water and snacks. Those last 2 miles alone were brutal. He gave me some great advice and information about this particular half since he ran it in 2012. He also promised that since he would be at the race I would not be last.
3 weeks until the race. One more long run of 11 miles. Then the taper begins. I feel stupid even saying that. I'm not ready for this, haven't done enough hill work, but it's going to happen. I'm still trying to figure out what to eat during the run and it's been hit and miss. Found a great blog, active-balanced-vegan, that listed some great vegan options for eating during endurance runs. This week I tried one of those squeezable flavored applesauce. It's a pretty good size to carry along, don't have to chew it. My tummy tolerated it pretty well. May try some gluten free pretzels and/or dates this week.
Strength training is going well, but I can't really tell any difference in my running yet. I'm sure that will take quite a while. I can say that I've never been so sore. How were these weak ass muscles carrying me down the street?! I can also say that the book I'm following is fantastic (Quick Strength for Runners by Jeff Horowitz) and I highly recommend it. It basically spoon feeds me what I need to do, when to do it and how many times. I have found this is what I need. I operate best with a clear plan.
My favorite running quote of the past week: "Running is a series of controlled falls". Ain't that the truth.
I'm getting so nervous. I'm even starting to stress out about the parking and how early I need to get there. There are going to be 5,000 runners!!!!!! That's crazy. I know it's going to be way harder than I am even imagining and I already know I'm going to cry. I just don't know if it will be during or after. Or both.
But the most stressful thing of all this past week? I made an offer on a condo and damn if they didn't accept it. So it was good in one way, took my mind off my other stressor, but this is stress of a whole other level, money and moving stress. I'm excited to hopefully have a place that is mine, where I can dig in and not move until I go to the assisted living facility. Inspection is this week, if that goes well, it's time to start signing some checks..... :-)
Saturday, February 8, 2014
To Run or Not to Run.....That is the Question??????
I've been muddling through this half-marathon training and it's been rough with all the crazy cold weather we've been having. The first winter I'm a serious runner and it's the coldest it's been in 20 years. Go figure.
Anyway, this week I had my first major running scare. There was a possibility that I had a stress fracture in my right foot. I developed an aching pain at the base of my 5th metatarsal after my run last Saturday. It stayed with me all day Saturday and Sunday. It didn't help that I stood on it for 3hours Saturday night, but I was at a beard contest with a burlesque show, so forgive me. I made the mistake of looking up my symptoms on Google and was then convinced I had a stress fx. I was more convinced after talking to a friend of mine who is a doctor. As soon as I described my symptoms, he says "stress fx".
So now I'm freaking out, knowing that I will not be able to run for at least 6 weeks if that is the case and will have to sell my bib for half marathon. I knew I was enjoying my new found activity of running, but I had no idea how much I loved it until I thought of not doing it for 6 weeks!!! I felt a little lost at the thought and wondered if I would be starting from scratch after such a layoff.
I skip my runs for Monday and Tuesday to give the foot a rest and to try and find out what is going on. I go to our wellness clinic at work, where the nurse practitioner has no clue about my foot, barely touches it, calls her attending doc, and then tells me my symptoms carry a presumption of it being a stress fx and that I should stop running. Ok--- I'm not going to quit 7 weeks away from my goal based on a "presumption". So I get an ortho appt for Wednesday. Tell me what I want to hear doc!!!!
This guy does great exam, x-rays, asks lots of questions pertaining to my running (he's a runner, thank goodness!) and tells me he's pretty positive that I don't have a stress fx!! Does tell me I need to cross train for strengthening due to my slender frame (thanks doc!) and my advancing age (thanks doc!). But I'm cleared to run.
I did a treadmill run on Thursday due to ice all over the streets and my foot ached. So I'm still worried. Today I had longest run of my life thus far scheduled, 7 miles, so I was very worried. But I thought it would probably tell me what I needed to know. And here's what I found: my plantar fasciitis in my left foot hurt more than my right foot did! You just never know. I know I will still have to see how the foot does with all the increasing mileage, but for now I'm going for it. And let the strength training begin........
7 miles was tough. But I kept reminding myself how lucky I was to be out there trying.
Anyway, this week I had my first major running scare. There was a possibility that I had a stress fracture in my right foot. I developed an aching pain at the base of my 5th metatarsal after my run last Saturday. It stayed with me all day Saturday and Sunday. It didn't help that I stood on it for 3hours Saturday night, but I was at a beard contest with a burlesque show, so forgive me. I made the mistake of looking up my symptoms on Google and was then convinced I had a stress fx. I was more convinced after talking to a friend of mine who is a doctor. As soon as I described my symptoms, he says "stress fx".
So now I'm freaking out, knowing that I will not be able to run for at least 6 weeks if that is the case and will have to sell my bib for half marathon. I knew I was enjoying my new found activity of running, but I had no idea how much I loved it until I thought of not doing it for 6 weeks!!! I felt a little lost at the thought and wondered if I would be starting from scratch after such a layoff.
I skip my runs for Monday and Tuesday to give the foot a rest and to try and find out what is going on. I go to our wellness clinic at work, where the nurse practitioner has no clue about my foot, barely touches it, calls her attending doc, and then tells me my symptoms carry a presumption of it being a stress fx and that I should stop running. Ok--- I'm not going to quit 7 weeks away from my goal based on a "presumption". So I get an ortho appt for Wednesday. Tell me what I want to hear doc!!!!
This guy does great exam, x-rays, asks lots of questions pertaining to my running (he's a runner, thank goodness!) and tells me he's pretty positive that I don't have a stress fx!! Does tell me I need to cross train for strengthening due to my slender frame (thanks doc!) and my advancing age (thanks doc!). But I'm cleared to run.
I did a treadmill run on Thursday due to ice all over the streets and my foot ached. So I'm still worried. Today I had longest run of my life thus far scheduled, 7 miles, so I was very worried. But I thought it would probably tell me what I needed to know. And here's what I found: my plantar fasciitis in my left foot hurt more than my right foot did! You just never know. I know I will still have to see how the foot does with all the increasing mileage, but for now I'm going for it. And let the strength training begin........
7 miles was tough. But I kept reminding myself how lucky I was to be out there trying.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Perspective
Several posts ago, I was whining about making the change to running in cold weather and how I just couldn't get my body out the door if the temp was less than 30 degrees. Oh, how times have changed!!
There is nothing like a little artic vortex (the weather person's phrase, not mine) to give a person a completely new perspective on what "cold" really is. And it's all relative folks, it really is.
Across much of the country, temps were in the single digits or below. In my little area of the world, there were several days of temps in negative degrees once the wind chill was factored in. And this happened, of course, the week that most people were starting the serious training for the local half that I've signed up for. So I made friends with the dreadmill again, and tried to be grateful that I had one in my building to use.
But the positive that has come out of such a cold spell? I can now run comfortably in 15 degree weather and even enjoy running in the snow, as long as ice isn't involved. Thank you artic vortex!!
I have also recently been experimenting with running without music. I've only tried it twice so far for an entire run and I have to say that it's not as bad as I imagined. I even did my long run today without music or my run app to track my pace. I knew the route I was running so I just didn't care. It was nice to not worry about how fast or how slow I was going. It was cloudy and a little rainy at the start, but the rain stopped and it was great to just enjoy the scenery of the horse farms, old trees, and barns on my route. So peaceful!!! I only wished I had my phone at the times I wanted to take some photos.
It was also the first week that I added an extra day to my running schedule, which now means getting up at 4:15 3x per week. It's was rough. I go to bed so early it's insane. But I just keep telling myself it's only until the end of March. It's only till the end March. March.
There is nothing like a little artic vortex (the weather person's phrase, not mine) to give a person a completely new perspective on what "cold" really is. And it's all relative folks, it really is.
Across much of the country, temps were in the single digits or below. In my little area of the world, there were several days of temps in negative degrees once the wind chill was factored in. And this happened, of course, the week that most people were starting the serious training for the local half that I've signed up for. So I made friends with the dreadmill again, and tried to be grateful that I had one in my building to use.
But the positive that has come out of such a cold spell? I can now run comfortably in 15 degree weather and even enjoy running in the snow, as long as ice isn't involved. Thank you artic vortex!!
I have also recently been experimenting with running without music. I've only tried it twice so far for an entire run and I have to say that it's not as bad as I imagined. I even did my long run today without music or my run app to track my pace. I knew the route I was running so I just didn't care. It was nice to not worry about how fast or how slow I was going. It was cloudy and a little rainy at the start, but the rain stopped and it was great to just enjoy the scenery of the horse farms, old trees, and barns on my route. So peaceful!!! I only wished I had my phone at the times I wanted to take some photos.
It was also the first week that I added an extra day to my running schedule, which now means getting up at 4:15 3x per week. It's was rough. I go to bed so early it's insane. But I just keep telling myself it's only until the end of March. It's only till the end March. March.
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