The week started off a bit off. We were out of town and I was unsure when I was going to get my training in, but I managed to do 3 last Saturday and 5 on Sunday. I had to change up my training schedule a bit since I was supposed to do 7 last weekend and 5 this weekend. Since my training was barely up to three miles (which is usually "normal" runs for me), I switched the two around.
I was still a little hesitant about my decision to sign up for the marathon... I still am, and probably will be until it's over. But at the beginning of this week, I was really wondering if I should. I mean, I hadn't run more than 6 miles a week since returning to running.
This week I had 3 miles, 4 miles, and 3 miles on the schedule, which got switched around due to scheduling issues, then this weekend I had to do seven miles. I was a little nervous about the big jump in mileage but the runs during the week went really well and even today's 7 miles went great. I'm slower than I was before, but I'm running by myself now instead of training with others. Usually when I run based on a plan, the mileage for the day seems like the furthest I can run--whether it's 3 miles or 7 miles. So far it seems to be easier. We'll see what happens when the mileage goes up, but I'm feeling pretty good right now!
Today was gorgeous! In January, it was 58 degrees. Overcast all day, but perfect day for a run. I didn't get out until after 5:00 or so. Since I'm a slow runner, it was getting dark. Unfortunately I didn't think to bring any reflective gear, since it was still light when I left. Luckily, I have a really awesome hubby, who loaded up the three kids and found me on the road to bring me a flashlight and reflective vest. I was only 3/4 of a mile away from home, but it was the busiest road around (our road...). I stopped to put the vest on and grabbed the flashlight. Unfortunately, it was pretty difficult to start up again. My hamstring had just started bothering me right before that so starting up again was hard. I was about 30 seconds/mile slower for that last 3/4 mile than I had been the rest of the run.
So, 22 miles this week.Slightly more confident in myself than before, but still nervous about it all.14 weeks to go!
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy New Year and Big News!
Wow, it's been a reeeealy long time since I wrote last. I had just finished up my second half marathon, with an amazing PR (in my mind...) After that race, I've had a LOT going on and not much of it has been running, unfortunately.
At the end of May, I started having some issues breathing, mostly while running. I noticed it because I was only able to run for a mile tops and I'd have to stop. I was given a round of steroids and a shot of steroids, neither of which seemed to help. My doctor put me in the hospital to give me some heavy duty steroids and monitoring. I felt ridiculous being there. I looked perfectly healthy to everyone who walked in. While walking the hallways, I could hear other people with pretty serious upper respiratory issues and wondered why I was there. After two full days, I was released not feeling any better but was told that it takes a while to start working. Eventually it seemed to get better, so I started running again. I was in training for another half at the beginning of November.
Unfortunately, some of the meds I was given in the hospital, and was told to continue taking, made it impossible for me to continue running long distances. I was told to keep exercising but my heart rate couldn't get up past 160 bpm, and again, I couldn't run any further than a mile at a time without stopping. Between that and my previous ankle issues, I decided to take some time off. I sold my registration to a friend (who decided to do her first full marathon!) and sat out.
After several months I finally called my doctor to figure out how to stop taking the meds. They were making my symptoms worse and the side effects weren't worth it. I had feared this phone call because I figured I would have to go into the office for an office visit and their scheduled didn't work out so well with us working folks. Fortunately, it was an extremely easy answer and the nurse who answered the phone was able to help.
So, the last month or so, I've been working my way slowly back into running. I wanted to take it easy and work up to my usual 3 miles because I didn't want to reinjure my ankle again. Sunday was my first day to have run the three miles. With the snow we received here, I had to wear my Yak Traks but it was a good run. I decided I was ready to run a race. It's been a long time since I ran a 5k and I was ready. My choices this week were the Midnight Special last night or the Hangover Classic today. Since I get up at 4:30 for work, I figured the Midnight Special might be a little tough. I decided on the Hangover Classic, and I'm glad I did. The route was one I had done before, with my then three-year old daughter and the road was clear (unlike last night's race).
I'm so glad I ran! My lungs aren't back up to par yet, with running faster and distances further than 1 mile but I was able to knock it out. My pace was about 2 1/2 minutes slower than my PR, but I haven't been training and I had to stop to tie my shoe (darn it!). It felt really great to be out there, despite the cold temperatures (it was about 22 degrees out)
With the 2012 ending, it was time to start figuring out what my race(s) would be. My goal is to some day do a full marathon. I probably will only do one in my lifetime but I want to do one. So... the big news.... I decided to sign up for my first full marathon! I'm so nervous. I hope I can be ready by April 28th! I really want to do this and have no idea what to expect. I don't want to fail either.... I'd be wrong if I said I wanted to be fast, but really I just want to finish and run the whole thing. We'll see what happens. Hubby is supporting me so much in this decision and I really appreciate him for this. When the date gets closer, I'll publish what my actual goals are... once I see how training is going.
So, it's time to revive this blog. I'll (hopefully) be posting updates on my training and how things are going along. It will also be a way of releasing some of my emotions about the race and the training.
Thanks for reading! Any one else have lofty goals for 2013?
At the end of May, I started having some issues breathing, mostly while running. I noticed it because I was only able to run for a mile tops and I'd have to stop. I was given a round of steroids and a shot of steroids, neither of which seemed to help. My doctor put me in the hospital to give me some heavy duty steroids and monitoring. I felt ridiculous being there. I looked perfectly healthy to everyone who walked in. While walking the hallways, I could hear other people with pretty serious upper respiratory issues and wondered why I was there. After two full days, I was released not feeling any better but was told that it takes a while to start working. Eventually it seemed to get better, so I started running again. I was in training for another half at the beginning of November.
Unfortunately, some of the meds I was given in the hospital, and was told to continue taking, made it impossible for me to continue running long distances. I was told to keep exercising but my heart rate couldn't get up past 160 bpm, and again, I couldn't run any further than a mile at a time without stopping. Between that and my previous ankle issues, I decided to take some time off. I sold my registration to a friend (who decided to do her first full marathon!) and sat out.
After several months I finally called my doctor to figure out how to stop taking the meds. They were making my symptoms worse and the side effects weren't worth it. I had feared this phone call because I figured I would have to go into the office for an office visit and their scheduled didn't work out so well with us working folks. Fortunately, it was an extremely easy answer and the nurse who answered the phone was able to help.
So, the last month or so, I've been working my way slowly back into running. I wanted to take it easy and work up to my usual 3 miles because I didn't want to reinjure my ankle again. Sunday was my first day to have run the three miles. With the snow we received here, I had to wear my Yak Traks but it was a good run. I decided I was ready to run a race. It's been a long time since I ran a 5k and I was ready. My choices this week were the Midnight Special last night or the Hangover Classic today. Since I get up at 4:30 for work, I figured the Midnight Special might be a little tough. I decided on the Hangover Classic, and I'm glad I did. The route was one I had done before, with my then three-year old daughter and the road was clear (unlike last night's race).
I'm so glad I ran! My lungs aren't back up to par yet, with running faster and distances further than 1 mile but I was able to knock it out. My pace was about 2 1/2 minutes slower than my PR, but I haven't been training and I had to stop to tie my shoe (darn it!). It felt really great to be out there, despite the cold temperatures (it was about 22 degrees out)
With the 2012 ending, it was time to start figuring out what my race(s) would be. My goal is to some day do a full marathon. I probably will only do one in my lifetime but I want to do one. So... the big news.... I decided to sign up for my first full marathon! I'm so nervous. I hope I can be ready by April 28th! I really want to do this and have no idea what to expect. I don't want to fail either.... I'd be wrong if I said I wanted to be fast, but really I just want to finish and run the whole thing. We'll see what happens. Hubby is supporting me so much in this decision and I really appreciate him for this. When the date gets closer, I'll publish what my actual goals are... once I see how training is going.
So, it's time to revive this blog. I'll (hopefully) be posting updates on my training and how things are going along. It will also be a way of releasing some of my emotions about the race and the training.
Thanks for reading! Any one else have lofty goals for 2013?
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