My Wednesday night...

wasn't great. In fact, all of Wednesday wasn't great. I was hoping the workout would perk things up for me.

I went to the Y after my hubby got home. I found an upright bike and got it adjusted for me. I am new to these, so I wasn't sure exactly what I needed to do with it. I got on and started pedaling. DING DING! We have a winner. HAHA! I wasn't sure what kind of ride I was looking for, so i programmed it to throw random hills at me. I think they are all programmed for 30 minutes at the Y as well. So there we have my workout. I had tension ranging from 5 to 14 at the highest. I tell you, I felt GREAT while I was pedaling! I felt amazing, like i could go forever! I even stood for a bit at the 13 and 14 levels, and my heel/ankle didn't feel what I did the day before. It was amazing. I rode the random tensions for a full 30 minutes and made it 8.53 miles with an average speed of 16.2 mph. This bike didn't show watts, so I have no clue what they might have been. I don't even know how to figure it. Not important though. I had a great time on the bike and burned roughly 350 calories in 30 minutes. That was great! I needed that. It really did give me a positive feeling and I was happy.

I next went to the machines. I did seated dips, 45 reps; row (of some sort, I forgot the name), 45reps; the ab machine, 45 reps; and then went to the legs. I wish I had a good memory of what the machine and movement was. I know that I did 20 reps and it didn't feel great. I should have left my legs alone. I think this was part of my downfall. Also, I again tried to take "normal" smooth flowing steps, like I used to. It HURT! I had to go back to my limp. I sat for a bit to relax and make sure I wasn't going to fall over, got my recovery water ready (nuun tablet), and trudged up the stairs. I was limping. I need to park in a different spot too, the ramp down to that parking lot really hurts for me to walk down; slopes are bad!

So, I get in my car and get my foot on the clutch. OMG! The searing burning pain! WTF did I do?!?!? WOW! It hasn't hurt like that in a LONG time. It just about brought me to tears. I let off the pedal and just sat there a minute. The burn passed after a few seconds and I tired again. There was still pain, but I was ready for it this time and was able to get the car moving. The drive home was excruciating. I fought tears and just kept moving on, as best as I could. Red lights were my enemy! By the time I got home it was the bottom of my heel through my ankle up to the lower leg that was hurting. The soft spot was swollen and I was in tears. Real tears. They were part pain and a big part frustration. I was making positive progress, and now this! I got my shoes and sock off and wrapped an ace bandage on me then applied an ice pack.

Today, shortly, I will make a call to the doctor. I will update this entry after that call.

I am terrified.

~Happy Running?

I am going back to the doctor tomorrow morning. Not waiting until next week. It feels worse and not better. I'm glad they can get me in so quick.

Power Cycle ROCKED!

My ride for the hour Tuesday evening :)

Power Cycle

That was the name of the game. Since this was only my second class I had no idea what to expect. Just what is a power test? What does she mean by watts?

Well, as it turned out, it didn't really matter. Yes, I pedaled for the time she stated, and yes I increased my watts every time. We went for 8 minutes the first test and dropped a minute each time, while trying to increase watts each time also. Here are my numbers, as well as I can recall: 57, 70, 97, 115, 137, 150, 183, 235. I have no idea what I was doing. I do know that my ankle did NOT hurt and that was the goal. I do know that next time I will start with a higher average and work up from there. I think I have fairly strong legs. I mean, I have been running over a year, and occasionally lift. It all helps. I was getting the hang of things by the end of class. Now I have a better understanding of what to do and what resistance level I should be using next time. I plan to attend this on Tuesdays regularly. I am also going to see about Sundays as well. At least until my bike is fixed. Then I can still keep Tuesdays.

Pain Assessment

Now onto the part where I talk to myself about how my ankle felt.

I was, of course, limping into the Y, and into the group cycle room. I got on the bike and felt great! There was no pulling, burning, or pain. I warmed up with everyone and got going. After the first 8 minute power ride, we were given a 2 minute recovery and were encouraged to stand and give our bottoms a break from the seats. That is where I had problems. I tried it again on the next break, and still felt the same discomfort. Like a dummy, I did it one more time, just to be sure. The two minute breaks were then just me pedaling slowly with little resistance to bring my heart rate back down.

As I left I had a worse limp for a bit, then tried to walk "normal" and hurt myself. I went back to my limping gait, and felt fine the rest of the night. I really did! It was amazing! I didn't need to ice anything!

I felt that I was making improvements and was headed in a positive direction!

~Happy Running!

*now wait for the summary of yesterday's events...

Swimming and Cycling

Swimming

I am hoping it isn't too late to get signed up for swimming lessons. The classes start this Saturday. I feel this is an important step for me. I am not really afraid of water, but am not entirely comfortable in anything above my chest. This will help with that, and I will have a new skill and exercise opportunity available. I really am looking forward to it.

Cycling

So far, the one time I tried wasn't terrible. The equipment was old and wobbly, but the pedals ran smooth. I was able to spend 19minutes 12seconds on it and I went 5 miles in that time. My foot started to ache, and I promised I would keep the pain level down, so I gave myself the 5 mile goal and just left it at that. I did work up a sweat and that felt good. 

I was hoping to get back to one today, but after going out last night, it doesn't feel great. I wore high heels last night ans was able to walk "normally" for the first time in a week and a half! I was shocked! I still limp around a bit when wearing normal shoes, but will test it again tomorrow by wearing the heels to work. I will have a spare pair of shoes with me in case it doesn't work well this time. It is definitely a question for the doctor. The height allows my Achilles to shorten, but i don't know if that is a good thing or not. I want to be able to walk normally barefoot! 

~Happy Running to those who still can!~

I'm still participating

I'm going to cheer on my training group today. I can't run, but I can still have fun! Going to check on swim lessons too! And get a bike!

Injury Update

I finally got in to see Dr. Biggs. He is a sports doc at the Medical Group. Great guy.

I just didn't like what he had to say, LOL! 2 weeks of NO RUNNING!

Let me describe the visit a little.

I brought my shoes with me, but did not have them on. I have this pair of sandals that feel most comfortable and have been wearing them as much as possible. I get in and tell the nurse my story and give a fairly good recap of my runs. (I found out reading the summary after I left that she got info wrong) I am glad I thought to bring my training log with me. I was able to show Dr Biggs what i was running the month before BTG Training started. It fairly well summed up my running in the months prior to that as well. Visual aids are FABULOUS tools! There was some confusion about the last time I ran, but was able to show him my charts to see what I did. I described my lone 11 miler and my Easter run. Uneven surfaces, fatigue, and all. He agreed that the surfaces were probably partly to blame. However, he is still not sure if it is just soft tissue damage or a stress fracture to my calcaneal bone. {In humans, the calcaneus (from the Latin calcaneum, meaning heel) or heel bone is a bone of the tarsus of the foot which constitute the heel} He said this is not a common injury. Go figure. Another area of my body injured in a way that is "special". I'm good at that. 


I am paying for the decision not to participate in Holy Thursday Service of the washing of the feet. I DO NOT like my feet being touched AT ALL! I have had my feet handled more than I care to think about with this recent injury. Not that I think God is mean and caused me to be hurt, I think it is his way of reminding me to say YES. LOL

Anyway, Dr Biggs had to manipulate my lower legs and feet. He did a lot of pushing, squeezing, twisting, and turning. He pushed and prodded and made me cry. He had to. How else can they determine where the pain is originating? He thought that maybe he was just pressing too hard and maybe hurting me that way. He started doing the same things to my right leg/foot. It didn't hurt at all on that side, so he figured that he knew where the problem was. After walking on my toes, then on my heels for him, he sent me to get x-rayed. We discussed what they could mean. The official assessment is this: ?soft tissue vs early calcaneal fracture. Meaning we are still not sure. The next 2 weeks will help in determining what it is.

Here's the plan we discussed:

• Take 2 weeks rest from any running
• Trial of rowing and cycling for cross training keeping pain under a 3 on scale of 1-10
• Call office in 1 week with status report on symptoms with walking and cross training
• May have to unload and modify activities further for continued discomfort
• Cold to area for 10-15 minutes for mild post-activity soreness ok
• Come back in 2 weeks for re-eval and further diagnostics if needed.

I figure this is a great learning experience for me. I kept telling myself that I needed to get into cycling and learn to swim. Now I have 2 weeks to get on a bike and see what I can do.

**

I went to the gym at work on my lunch break. I was able to go for almost 20 minutes and got 5 miles in before I noticed the start of some discomfort. I got back to my desk and got the shoe off and back into my sandals and immediately started to feel relief. I was also able to take a few steps normally prior to the exercise without discomfort. Afterwards, however, I am feeling mild discomfort. I am glad I listened to my body and quit when I did.

I am scheduled to go to a RAD class in a few minutes. I'm not sure how well that will work, but will update here later.

~Happy Running!

I did run 12 miles...

Although, I can't say for sure I survived.

The weather threatened to stop the run entirely. Thankfully we got lucky and were able to get out in between storms. :) The later part of the day was beautiful, too.

I have always loved running in the rain. Lightning is the only thing that will stop me from running outside. Watching the radar led me to believe we may have a chance. I didn't find out until we were on the run that Carrie had actually cancelled it. There was quite a group of us, despite the weather. Carrie also adjusted the route for safety. Instead of a 6 mile out and back we ran 3 miles out and back twice. This let us be closer to cars if the storms did pick up and we would need to get off the road.

that coat wouldn't last long!!!

I had no pain when we started. I only had mild discomfort after 6 when we stopped for a bit of a refresher. I had no pain as we got going again and finished the 12. It wasn't until I was home and resting that it started hurting...

About the run though!

Starting again after a break @ 6 miles

As I said, the weather made it look iffy to even run. I started my day by actually eating breakfast. I had oatmeal with syrup and a splash of milk. YUMMY!!! Of course, I had some coffee too. I am a firm believer that coffee helps me run. Things were looking really good for me. I had no pain, I was on top of nutrition, I was dressed and ready to GO! I pulled into the park and was so very happy to see Greg! He is just a wonderful man. Susan showed up too. I KNEW this was going to be a great day to run.

The first 3 miles were great, although it was just about a mile and half down the road that I had to take my jacket off. Bad decision to try to wear it! It was warm enough, and it wasn't raining. The second 3 miles were pretty good too. Although, somewhere in this stretch, the back of my left knee started acting funny. I can not really describe what it did. It just felt like something was moving behind my knee that shouldn't be moving. It didn't hurt, and I still have no pain in that knee. At this point I'm not going to worry about it. I did however, feel my heel a little during this stretch. When we got back to the park, Susan too a break, and Greg and I GU'd up waiting for her. I gave her a GU, too, when she rejoined us. I think it was perfect timing for it. Breakfast was at 7am, GU was close to 9, after almost an hour of running. That brings us to the picture above. Look at is all smiling and feeling great. That includes me and my ankle. I really do feel good at this point. No worries in the world.

Greg and Susan are chatting it up fairly well down the road. I am just taking it all in. The scenery, the company, the smells, it is all just too beautiful for words. I think it was about mile 8 that they got concerned that I was so quiet. I tried to reassure them that I was ok, just enjoying. I generally don't have much to talk about while running, as talking while running is not a skill I have mastered. Most of my runs are solo, and who is there to talk to then? LOL

No, I don't know why my shorts look funny

As we near the turn around we picked up another runner. I wish I could remember his name. We made quite the group and it was just that much more wonderful to share in this time. They all poked fun at me because I took a wide turn. It's a quirk of mine to hit midpoints of the road when I turn around. I don't know why, I just do! I am still feeling good at this point, too. 9 miles is good. 10 is coming pretty easy. THEN Greg decided it is time to pick up the pace and get it done. He and the other guy do this just fine. I'm sure Susan could have, too. My suspicion is that she stayed with me just to be sure I was ok. I am forever grateful for that. I did try to pick it up some, but fell back. I tried again, but again had to rest a bit. I think it was about 11 that I almost thought I could not finish. Then it started to sprinkle. God in all his glory cooled me off a bit and helped me to see that I could, indeed, finish this run. I persevered. I even found a little boost for the last quarter mile.

I was elated that I was able to finish 12 miles, all under my own power, RUNNING all the way.

I did some standing stretches when we finished. I know I forgot to do some of the ones I should have done. Doug (the awesome photographer) had some chocolate milk. I went for some, to go with what little water I brought with me. He is just awesome! At this point I STILL DID NOT HURT! I felt so wonderful, I was hoping it meant I was good to go from here on out. Then I got home. I figured that, to be safe, I should wrap my ankle and ice it. That worked in so far as it did not swell. I started to hurt. I took a nap, and hurt worse. My body was angry with me. I felt like I got hit by a truck or something. That nap was probably the worst decision I could have made.

I may have slept wrong also, as when I got up my right leg hurt. The back of my right knee specifically. 

I hobbled at church, and hobbled at the theater. I hobbled, and hobbled and am still hobbling. I have an appointment Thursday to see just what damage I did to my ankle. I am still hoping to be able to run the Half on May 12th. I may end up being super slow, but that is ok. I just want to do it. If, however, the doc says no, I will make myself ok with that. Maybe I can still run/walk it. Maybe I will have to switch to a 10k. Who knows...

I am praying for the best.

~Happy Running

102.9 miles

Yeah, 102.9 miles on the Brooks PureFlow.

I'm thinking it's NOT the shoes that are making me hurt. It's the lack of sustained training that is doing it. If I hadn't been sick and missed a week, I don't think I would be having this problem with my Achilles. I am not exactly happy right now. It didn't hurt Yesterday until a couple hours after I ran. I even went home to wrap and ice it right away. I thought that would help. It seems that if I stay off of it, it hurts MORE! Does that make any sense? I sat at the movies with my mom last night and when we left I had trouble walking. Again this morning I had trouble getting started. I hope I am able to run tomorrow. We are supposed to go 12. I want to go 12. I want to be able to finish this damn half marathon I am signed up for.

The run was great yesterday though. I took a day off to do things I know my dad would be proud of. April 12 is the anniversary of the end of his life. I miss him so much. It may seem odd to some that I went shopping that morning after having coffee and a light breakfast. Dad always ate breakfast, usually drank coffee, and always liked to find a good bargain. I tried my best! There were no good deals to be found for me. I did find a watch at walmart that claimed to be able to tell me distance traveled and speed without GPS. Yeah, well I took it back to the store. It said I went 2.6 miles when I mapped a 5 mile run. I also found that no store in Quincy (unless I missed something) actually sells GPS watches aka Garmins IN store. They all have to be ordered online. Now, I'm not opposed to that, I just want to get my hands on one.

Oops, got off track.

So anyway, I had a really great run. There was no pain. I am not sure why it still hurts now. the run was great... I started out at my house. I had an idea in mind for where I wanted to run. My phone GPS wasn't working for me either, so instead of taking the Cedar Creek trail, as I had planned (because it is oh so pretty and Dad would have loved it) I stuck to the roads that I could map later. Dad really would appreciate that too. He was big on keeping records of things. I'm sure that's where I get the tendency to do so as well. :) It was weird though because at a couple of points, I had to stop and walk due to a stitch in my side. As I decided to skip the trail (which is a paved bike path), I thought about possible alternate routes. There was 12th street I could try to climb, but that big hill was not what I was aiming for, or I could go the "back way" in to the cemetery off the highway. I think it is actually the main entrance, I just never go in that way. You see, My destination was my father's grave. I have gone to visit from time to time, and this was an important day for me to go there. I had some things to get off my chest. It all came out in tears. He is in my heart, he is always with me. I will forever miss him. Then as I was crying, it was like someone told me that it is NOT what dad would want. He would want me to go on. So I went. I ran, and ran, and ran some more. I followed some internal guidance and got myself home. I didn't cry any more that day.

{I must say that writing this one is hard, but really easy at the same time. I am not crying any more at the thought of losing my father, but rather, smiling with all the memories}

When I got home, I got my foot wrapped and iced. I got cleaned up and took the watch back. I got my kid picked up, fed them both and sat around the house. I think the sitting and not being on my foot actually contributed to it hurting. By the time I sat through the movie, it was hard to walk. This morning was no fun either. I'm worried about tomorrow. I will take it slow and easy (that's the plan anyway). I'm going with the BTG group because of the sheer number of people that will be on hand in case of something catastrophic. I will have stuff in my car to help me as well.

Pray with me

~Happy Running

Another week done pt 3: Tuesday and Wednesday

Tuesday & Wednesday

This is the day that found me going to the Sports Injury Clinic at the Medical Group. YAY! <sarcasm> I swear I am more prone to tendinitis that a normal person.

I was given the orders to RICE it. Yup, that's the cure every time. Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate. I went by Walgreen's after the visit and picked up an ace bandage and a new ice pack. I spent the day at work with my ankle wrapped, hobbling to and from the freezer to ice it regularly. What a core that turned out to be. It was swollen and sore, and I had to keep walking around!! I guess that's what happens to me. I missed my Tuesday run.

Wednesday finds me doing more of the same. However, things are looking up, WAY UP! The swelling is gone and I am now able to walk without pain.

I am going to go for a slow run tomorrow. I have a destination in mind, and it is a trip I have to make. More on that at a later date if I am able to bring it to words.

~Happy (and safe) Running!

Another week done pt 2: Saturday and Sunday

Saturday

OMG! I got to FLEET FEET!!! I was like a kid in a candy store!!! Total sensory overload here! WOW!

I went ahead and let the gal that greeted us do a fitting. I figured since I came all that way, I better get it done! All I am going to say about that part of it, is that the computers don't always know what's what. I really do not like the big bulky shoe and think they hinder my running. Laura tried to get me into a stability shoe, said it looked like I needed it. I ended up happy with the Brooks Pure Flow I have now (as she was recommending the cadence) and impressed her with how well my form was in the New Balance Minimus. HA! I love those things! I can't wait to start my training in them! I got a few other things that I have been searching for. The only thing I am upset about is the sleeves I got were too big. I am hoping to make a return trip there soon and get that fixed. I am tall, but my arms are apparently skinny. I am not a "large" anything! LOL

Ok, and here I point out that my ankle was sore. I mentioned it to the shoe fitter. Nothing was said further or done about it. My ankle continued to bother me every now and again that day.

I had a great day with Trista. I wish our schedules meshed better and we could run together more often. 

I ended up staying up close to 24 hours. See what happens when I miss my Saturday morning run?? I got to bed a little after 5 am and got back up at 8 on Easter morning.

Sunday

Sunny Easter Sunday! I put on my capris and a tank for this one. I figured it would be a good day to try my new sleeves. yup, too big. They really bugged me. I had to take them off about halfway thru the run, but that was also because I felt warm. Man, this was a great run. I got started pretty much when I knew I should to make it on time. I had 5 miles planned and was figuring it would take about 45 minutes to do it. I got done in 42!!! What an awesome time! I haven't run that far that fast for a LONG time! I really felt that I was BACK! Until later in the day when my ankle started acting up again. Here's a quick route summary: I started on Locust at 4th street. I went down Locust to 12th and turned here to Seminary. I took that up to 18th and ran on 18th until I hit Vermont. (I think that's right. One block past Broadway) Then I took out to 24th street. Here's where I think I ran into trouble. As I go down 24th I get close to State Street. I ran on a super crooked sidewalk. It was slanted towards the road. It didn't feel good to be there at all. I should have trusted my gut and got off of there and went to the road. The reason I didn't is that the intersection is busy and I didn't like the feel of traffic at that point. Well, I got past there and went down to Jefferson and came back to 18th. I took that down to Payson where the in-laws live. That was another spot that got me. I was going down 18th and was ready to cross over to be on the "wrong" side of the road, which would be closer to the finish point. I turned to check traffic and set my foot down just wrong. I jumped off that foot quickly, turning to run right again, and just jogged the block until the cars passed. OUCH! Man, I hate my tendons! I seem to be weak in the tendons all over my body. The run was great though, really. I didn't feel any pain until I got home and settled down.

Monday

I got out of bed Monday and had trouble walking! This is not a good development. Also, Ian is sick and needs to go to the Walk-in Clinic. Oh what a day! I took Ian in, and we sat for 2 hours before even being seen. Poor kid. He had the beginning of an ear infection to go along with upset lungs from allergies. He had been so good for so long, I got him a fast food lunch he loves, and headed home to eat. Now, My ankle is still killing me. But when I am up and moving longer it stops hurting. I take the kids to the park. We walk there. It is just about a half mile just to get to the park. Zachary had been wanting to run, and I know I'm not really up to much myself today, but I put on my Minimus anyway, just in case. I played the part of coach and told Z I wanted him to run 2 laps, walk one and then run one more. This ends up being just over a mile. I ran the last of his laps with him, just to figure out how far he went. It is .28 miles and I did it in 2min18sec! The only other running I did that day was to chase after a child that was getting too far away from us. Again, I say, I didn't hurt while I was running. I hurt AFTER. By the time I got home I could actually see that my ankle was swollen. I wrapped it with pre-wrap, all I had handy.

(more in the next post)

~Happy Running

Another week done pt 1: Friday

I will break it down day by day (but a separate blog for each day)

Friday

I had the day off Friday. I figured it would be the perfect opportunity to get my 11 mile run done. It started out as my running days do. Rather hectic. I was getting myself up and ready, and also getting my youngest ready to go to daycare so I can get out. Dropping him off was the easy part. Then I had to detour back to my house to take care of a "problem" before I could get started. It was about 15 minutes after my planned start time when I finally set out.

I have to backtrack just a bit here. You see, the day before I had been online posting on facebook how I was fighting the urge to go to Best Buy and grab, or at least look at, a GARMIN. I really want one! As it turned out, I had recently "friend-ed" a MOST AMAZING woman! She saw my post and told me not to buy yet unless I have tried one. She brought me hers!!! I had never met her in person before! She trusted me! You better believe I took VERY good care of that thing. I got it back to her ASAP after I was done too!

Ok, back to the run! As I said, I got a little bit of a later start than planned. Still, I figured I would be done by 10. I got the Garmin on and it picked up satellites FAST! Much better than the phone apps. I started out from the same spot as the 10-miler; Washington Perk. I basically followed that same route, too. I went down Maine to 8th, and headed down 8th to RJ Peters Drive. This was a fun stretch. It is already gone from my memory if I ran on the correct side of the road, or if I stuck with the sidewalk on the side with traffic flowing the same as me. I know I got some crazy looks from people. I guess they are just not all used to seeing someone running. :) I do remember being on the side facing traffic as I was running past my church and my son's school. I got to RJ Peters and went across the street to keep on the sidewalk. Last time I ran this we stayed in the road, but since it was later in the day this time and I was solo, I figured that the sidewalk would be just fine. Cars tend to speed through there during the day. When I got up to the entrance to South Park, I turned in. This is different than the 10-miler, and was the point where I was adding on to make a mile. I went through the top loop. I love that park! I left it as I got to 12th street and went back up to Harrison. Here I stayed until I got to 48th. Man, once I hit 36th, I had to stop because of traffic. I took the opportunity to get a GU opened and started. I walked across that street and up a little ways to get the GU gone. I took a sip and got back after it. At this point I was still feeling on top of things. I had everything in pretty good order. Then after I got down 48th just about to Maine, I felt AWFUL! I had to strip off the windbreaker I had on. In order to do that, I had to walk a few paces again. I got it off though, and got back after it!

I'd love to say the trip back up Maine was blissfully easy, but it wasn't. I had to GU again at 30th street. I hadn't expected to need it again so soon. I also had some stomach issues. I should have kept better track of the flavors I used and the timing of them. I had to stop again at 36th street. I don't like that street, it is too busy! Anyway, somewhere along there I think I stepped wrong on my right foot too. I'm still trying to figure that out. Of course, it could have been the time spent on the brick/cobble sidewalk. I never have like that style. I had to prance about a bit to keep myself on bricks that were sitting the right direction. NOT COOL! I make it through mile 10 and am not sure if I can keep going. I am determined though, and keep pushing onward. I keep waiting to hear that final beep, the beep that has kept me going this far, the beep of the next mile on the Garmin. I make it back to 5th street... and there is NO BEEP! I keep going, it has to beep soon! It has to! It DOES!!! It finally beeps as I am just about to 4th street. I guess I miscalculated somewhere. Glad I had that Garmin to tell me just what I did! I finished 11 miles in 1:43:05. WOW! 2 full minutes before I figured I would. I am happy with the 9:22 per mile average. It is a bit slower than the 10 mile run, but hey, I had to stop a few time for traffic, and I RAN 11 MILES! SOLO!!!

I think that was the part that got me the most. I ran that whole time, with just me and my thoughts. AND the eery noises coming from the power lines along 48th street. I need to get out there again and try to record it. It just sounds both scary and wrong! I had so many thoughts run through my head, I should have recorded some of them at that time, or at least written something down when I got done. What actually happened was this: I took a walk to see my husband at his work, just to let him know I survived, took the Garmin back to Letty via her husband at work, then went to get my grub on cooked by the best chef I know, my Mom.

I don't accurately recall any pain this day. Saturday there was a minor ache...

~Happy Running! (Saturday is the next blog)

I think I have trouble with plans

I say that because I went out for a run today when I was scheduled off. I am going to skip tomorrow. Then I am going to run Friday, which is something I never do. Saturday will then be skipped.

Hopefully Sunday will find me sticking to the revised plans.

But hey, when you get asked to go to STL and visit Fleet Feet, you are going to adjust your schedule to accommodate said trip.

~Happy Running!

What a week! I have to adjust.

Well, I ran on Monday the 26th of March, then didn't get back out until Saturday the 31st. I somehow ended up with walking pneumonia. Fun stuff there! I missed most of the week at work also. Finally broke down Thursday and went to get started on antibiotics. By the time Saturday rolled around i just had to get some miles under me to help me feel better.

My husband was concerned with me running out in the fresh air. I conceded and went to the Y. It wasn't bad on the treadmill this time. I had my Mortal Kombat soundtrack to keep me company, and basketball on the TV. I set myself up for an 8:45~ish pace and enjoyed. It really did feel good. I felt like I could have gone another mile, but played it safe and quit at 3. I was just happy to be on my feet again. The training group went 11 that day. I still haven't, but I will get there.

Sunday found me feeling super great and quite refreshed. I went ahead and ran outside. It was hot, but just too beautiful to pass up. I got my 4 miles in and felt great doing it. The fun part was that my oldest son started out with me. I am so proud that he was able to go 1.37 before he decided he had enough. He wants to run! YAY! So, after I got back and we got cleaned up, I took him out to get a pair of running shoes. I stressed to him these should only be for running. You know how rough boys can be on things!!!

I was going to completely rest yesterday (Monday), but Zachary wanted to try out his new shoes. I mapped out a quick 1.5 route we could do. Zachary really tried hard, but has trouble listening when I coach about pacing. He'll get there. He went another 1.34 in about the same time as the day before. He's got heart. So, for me, it wasn't much of a run, and I am A-OK with that. It didn't stress my body much, although it was HOT!

This morning I got up for a 5am run. Oh, how I love this time of day. The birds were just starting to chirp and wake up. There are hardly any cars out. It is just peaceful. I started out not sure if I would go 3 or 4 miles. As I went up Locust I looked at my watch 2 blocks short of a mile and my time looked good, as near as I could figure, so I decided maybe I can go for 4! THEN after a mile and it said 8:33. WOW! Not bad, right? I kept right on going to the turnaround that leads me back down Locust and headed off into the Vet's home grounds. Well, something hit me somewhere in this time that gave me a cough. It wasn't a pleasant feeling at all, and That is when I "bailed." Instead of hitting 5th and turning around, I turned and ran up that big hill and got myself home. I was out for 23:29 and mapped 2.93 miles.

I was mad at first that I bailed on 4, but really am happy with 3, as I am listening to what my body is telling me. I will be a better runner if I am not pushing myself past where I should. I am still recovering. It may take a while yet. Tomorrow is a rest day, and I will try again Thursday.

I made a complete overhaul to my training schedule. I will run 30 miles less than the plan had called for, but my miles will be better. I will not have a run where I am just "too tired" or "well, it's on the schedule". Every run promises to be a run for fun. Lots of rest and some cross training will be added. This is a learning experience and I am still over the moon with excitement at the promise of running 13.1!

~Happy Running!