It's Been a While

It's been way too long since I last posted... The weather around here has been so crazy. It's March and it's been 80 degrees already. Last night we had a frost warning, tomorrow it's going to be 75. Gotta love Ohio...

I got some new shoes, and I love them! They are Saucony Kinvara3, and I LOVE them! And they are purple, to boot! . These have more of a low-rise heel than the entry level running shoes I had before. I feel like I've graduated on to bigger and better things! I took them on their inaugural run the night I got them and did a short 2 miles. They felt great, so I did the next long run in them--10 miles. Awesome!

The next thing that I've done, that I'm pretty proud of is my long run. This last weekend I was not able to run with the girls that I've been training with so I had to run myself. I had 11 miles on the schedule so this was perfect. My 11 mile route that I did last year I felt like I failed. I ran the whole thing but had to stop several times. This was going to be my redemption run. The first 8 miles felt really great. The mental game was good and everything. I took a GU at 5 miles and at 8 miles the mental game started to get me. I knew I had a 5k to go and tried to psych myself up. It didn't work. I thought maybe I needed more than mental so I took another GU at 8.25 miles. At 9 miles I got back onto a trail that has been beating me up so that was part of the mental issues. Then the last obstacle was a steep uphill to get to the road. I kept telling myself I was going to walk it, then run at the top, further than I had planned. At the last minute I felt great enough to continue running up the hill and across the main road. After my watch beeped at 11 miles, I kept going. I was still 1/2 mile from home and on a busy road. I continued running to 11.25 miles and conquered the mileage by myself! I was so proud!

I'm glad I ran myself. I've been running with "the girls" but I don't plan on staying with them during the half marathon. I want to run my own race. Since I'd been training with them, I didn't know if I could run by myself this go 'round, but now I know I can!

A Couple of Race Updates

Just after I posted my last post, I ran a 5k that weekend. We've had such mild weather here that I was looking forward to nice weather. The race was on Saturday... I woke up in the middle of the night because the wind was so strong, I could hear it howling outside. I said to my husband "if this continues, I'm not running in the morning." His response was "but you already paid for it." Deep down I knew I had to run the race, not only because I paid for it, but I have to get used to running in all conditions, in case the half marathon has not-so-good conditions. So, I got up in the morning expecting to go myself. The weather was so bad, and it had snowed that hubby decided we were all going to go because he didn't want me to drive myself (it was probably a 40 minute drive on a good day). The thermometer said 13 degrees--I had never run in anything below 20 degrees, and I was scared. I hate to be cold. I bundled up good--gloves, earband, beanie, neck gator, extra layers. I even had my Yak Trax--my first time in a race. The race actually went really well. I was less than a minute off my PR time, which was awesome, considering the weather and snow. I ended up overdressing on the layers. I was happy to have the extra socks, earband, beanie, and gloves, but my core was really warm. I was actually grateful for some wind to cool me off (and there was PLENTY of wind). Hubby and kiddos waited in the car for me, right next to the finish line so they could stay warm, but watch.

The next race was just this last Sunday. Our local Roadrunners group was holding a Cookie Classic. It was a straight out-and-back but at the turnaround you had to eat 2 cookies then you could head back. Perfect, right? That was not the highlight of my run. No... Hubby was running this one, so I had the kids with me. #1 and #2 were asked if they wanted to run the race, since they are always interested in running. #1 ran cross country last fall, so he has some experience running. #2 is 3 years old and has run probably a mile, very slowly (her legs are really short), but she kept telling me she wanted to do 3 miles. I decided I would push #3 in the double jogging stroller and run with the two older kids. I'd have the double stroller because I just knew someone would want a ride. We went out at the back of the pack, but not quite last. As we went out, we were pretty slow but we were still running. #1 went ahead of us a little, but still in sight. #2 held my hand as I pushed the stroller and I went her speed. The three of us ran like that for about 1.5 miles, until it was time for a little walk break. Shortly after we started walking though, we could see the turnaround right around a curve so we started jogging again--remember, there were cookies involved :) I downed my two cookies, while all THREE kids each had one cookie.

We turned around and started running. Around mile 2, hubby came back to meet us and encourage us to keep going. He took #1 and #3 in the stroller and took off. This allowed me to focus on jogging with #2. She continued to hold my hand the whole time, which I loved. She continued running til about 2.5 miles and couldn't do it anymore. She started walking because her side and ankle hurt. I just kept encouraging her (and #1, when he was still with me) and telling her she was doing awesome. On and off she would jog, then walk a little bit. Around 2.75, I think she had enough. She stopped and asked me to pick her up. I didn't want to because I wanted her to get her 3 miles in. Finally when she was at her wit's end, I picked her up and started jogging with her. Not much further, hubby came back with the jogging stroller and asked if #2 wanted a ride. She said no. At that point, I put her down because we could see the finish line. I encouraged her to finish it out. Still holding my hand she started jogging.. then she picked it up and went faster, then she went faster. We crossed the finish line together in less than one hour (including the cookie stop)! It was amazing! Both my kids did it--#1 at age 6, and #2 at age 3, completed a 5k! I carried my girl for less than 1/10 of a mile so she did her three miles. Amazing! This here, is a proud mama. It was so much fun, and I'm so glad we could share this together as a family.

On a side note, I ran 8 miles on Saturday morning with some friends. That's the furthest in this training cycle so far. It went pretty well, much easier than last year. A couple things could contribute to that--1. I was running with friends this year, where I was running myself last year, and 2. I know that I've already done this distance and further so I know I can do it again. Special bonus on the run--we saw a beaver! I've never seen a live one before and this one ran right across from us, less than 5 feet away. Pretty cool, the things you can see in the solitude of a run.

This weekend of runs has been pretty amazing! I'm still on a high...

Ahead of Schedule

Last week's training called for 3.5 miles on Tuesday and Thursday, then 5.5 on Saturday or Sunday. I used Monday last week to redeem myself on last weekend's 5 miler, so I ran on Wednesday too. I think my legs are finally getting the hang of the new style of running. I still go back and forth between the balls of my feet and not. I think I can do this!

I went and ran on Sunday with some of the slower girls in our training group. It's so nice to have someone to train with and keep you going. Only problem is that I was torn between keeping my own pace and keeping with the girls. I finally had to tell myself to do what I have to do. Luckily one of them stayed with me too. The other girls are involved in a training plan with the local marathon training group, and their plan is based on time--mine is based on miles. They had to do 1:10 and I had 5.5 miles. We started off not knowing what distance/time we were going to run. The other girls were just going to see how they felt. The trail we took is a towpath trail along the river, so it was an out-and-back. We ended up turning around at 3 miles (not sure of the time, though) and doing a total of 6 miles, in 1:06. It was an 11:03 pace, which is great for us/me for a long run. So, I'm a week ahead of schedule in my training but I'm cool with that. We'll see how things go, I might need an rest week in there somewhere :)

This week is a stepback week. I have 3 miles on the schedule for Tuesday and Thursday, then a 5k race on the weekend. I haven't done a 5k in a while, so I'm pretty excited to see what I can do.

I also won a workout DVD from Fit Bottomed Mommas (thank you!). It was a Biggest Loser At-Home Challenge. I've done it twice already and really like the concept. There are 5 minutes of warm up, 10 minutes of Phase 1 Cardio, 10 minutes of Phase 1 Strength Training, then 10 minutes of Phase 2 Cardio, then 10 minutes of Phase 2 Strength, then 5 minute cool down. I was really sore after day 1, but I'm really starting to like it. It might become my "off day" training.

Redemption Runs Rock!

This last weekend's run was a disaster. I was supposed to run 5 miles. I went about 10am on Saturday and was pretty excited. I was going myself and was actually pretty excited. I put on my trail shoes to get traction in the 1/2 inch of snow and set out. I was feeling pretty good and running on the balls of my feet as much as I could. Unfortunately this was probably a mistake. I was going to go out 1.5 miles, turn around and go past the car for a mile, then come back. At the 2 mile point, I was in so much pain in my calves that I couldn't go any further. I tried leaning back on my feet, but then my ankle hurt. Both types of pain hurt so bad that I couldn't run anymore. I walked the next mile back to my car... in the mean time I was determined not to give up on the mileage, just the run. I was going to do 5 miles somehow but it would just take longer. I stopped at the car to text hubby and let him know I'd be a little longer than planned and told him why. My frustration got to me and I locked my keys in my car. Luckily I still had the phone with me. Texted hubby and told him I'd need the spare key in about a 1/2 hour. I ended up finished the 5 miles with several unsuccessful attempts to run.

Today I had 3.5 miles on the schedule. It was 58 degrees, on January 31st so I took advantage of the beautiful day. It was a little windy but I was bound and determined to re-do the run from Saturday. I had my route picked and everything. This time, I went back and forth between running on the balls of my feet and running more flat-footed. I tried to do more on the balls of my feet but when my calves started to hurt, I'd fall to flat-footed and run like that for a while. Unfortunately my ankle was bothering me but I pushed through it. I wanted to quit so bad, but I I did it! 5 miles in the bag! Yes! It felt so good!

If I can do it, you can do it too. Set your mind to complete your goal and you can do it!

Changed Form and PT

I've been getting antsy while trying to NOT run before I went to PT this week. It's a new year and our running group has a weight loss challenge going. Running has been a great source of weight loss for me and I've been anxious to get back to it. Tuesday last week I decided to give it a go again. It was a nice day so I ran outside. I was able to eke out one mile and was disappointed. I walked for 1/4 mile than decided to attempt running again, despite the pain in my ankle. But this time, I thought I might try the proper running form. See, I've never actually been taught how to run or had someone study my form. I've been told that you're supposed to run on the balls of your feet towards your toes but I've never paid any attention to it since it worked for me the way I was running (probably landing flat footed). Once I started running again, the ankle was pain-free while I ran on my toes. My calves were killing me, but in a good way.

Then I decided to run a second day during the week, which has always been my downfall with the ankle. Thursday, I did the same thing, correcting my running form and other than the calf pain, I felt great! My ankle was virtually pain-free. Same thing on Sunday when I ran. I was able to run 3 miles, 3 days this week. I'm ecstatic! Perfect timing because it's the first week of my half marathon training plan.

Today I saw a PT for my ankle pain. I explained to him what I was feeling, when and where. He poked and prodded, twisted and turned, I walked and balanced. It appears my Achilles' tendon on my right leg is tighter than the other one and not as flexible. On top of that, my right leg seemed a bit shorter, but turns out my hip was rotated back, making it appear to be shorter and out of alignment. He did some adjustments for that, gave me some stretches and strengthening exercises and gave me the okay to run on my own. I go back next week and hopefully things will get better and continue to improve.

By the way, the foam roller is awesome. My calves were killing me after Thursday's run. I didn't do anything about it but after Sunday's run I used the foam roller. Less than 10 minutes, but it worked wonders! No lasting effects from the run. We'll see what tomorrow's run brings.

Happy New Year!

This New Years' Eve has gotten me thinking back over the past year and what I've accomplished. I ran 610 recorded miles in 2010, way up from last year. I ran my first half marathon, my first triathlon, encouraged one sister and my brother to run their first 5k's, but the thing I'm most proud of is that I've gained a sense of self-confidence that I never had before. I doubted myself every step of the way in my training, but in the end I set my mind to do something and saw it through and completed it. I will probably still doubt myself in future endeavors but deep down I know I can do whatever I set my mind to. That is amazing to me.

What will 2012 bring? I don't know, but I'm excited to find out!

No Real Updates

So, last week I was scheduled to see my primary doctor so I thought I'd ask her about seeing a PT for my ankle. In order to get a good idea of how it felt, I decided to run on it to see how it felt. I ran on Tuesday last week, on the treadmill. I did 3 miles, with virtually no pain. It was awesome. I knew I wasn't out of the woods yet though. The true test would be running more than one day in a week. So, my next scheduled run was for Thursday, which I did at the group run, held by one of our local running stores. My usual loop is 3 miles, and I was pushing a jogging stroller. A started feeling it about 1 1/2 miles in but made myself keep running to the two mile mark. Then I remembered and I didn't want to push it and injure myself anymore. I walked for about a 1/10 of a mile and saw some of the other runners nearby. I have to admit that I didn't want them to see me walking, so I picked it up again and ran the rest of the three miles. It felt pretty good, but I'm nervous now. I haven't run since, and haven't been running my long runs on the weekends. This week, because of the holidays, it's been a bit crazy but I hope to to go back again soon. I'm off work with the kids this week, so finding time to go out has been a bit difficult and the rest of the week is booked, so we'll see. I may have to get up early and do a DVD or video workout in the meantime...

Here's hoping it's healing. I will be scheduling PT though, hopefully to strengthen the ankle though.

Race update and Major Disappointment

I've been a slacker on this blog big time... I'd be surprised if I still have any followers.

The Turkey Trot went okay. I was able to run the whole time. I wasn't trying to PR, although I would have liked to. My ankle had been bothering me and it was the first time in 2+ weeks that I'd run. I did well, less than a minute off my PR. I could definitely feel the ankle by the end though.

The week after Thanksgiving I started a weight loss challenge with some girls at work. Nothing at stake, other than bragging rights. Perfect timing because of all the holiday parties... the challenge will last up until Christmas... harsh, I know, but I think twice now when I go for those cookies or those treats someone brought in.

It was also perfect timing because my training for my second half marathon was scheduled to start. Unfortunately, the ankle has been bothering me so bad that I can barely eek out a mile on the training runs. It's time to go see someone. I've got an appointment with my PCP next week and will get a referral. Hopefully I can see a PT soon and get this taken care of. Then I can resume my training. In the meantime the elliptical and I have become better friends. I've been doing as much as I can on the elliptical at the Y so I can pick up my training where I should be when I'm given the okay, or I feel I've rested it enough that it heals.

I'll update on here as much as I can. Hopefully I can keep going with the exercising I've been doing.

Oh yeah, and I'm down 5.5 pounds since Thanksgiving. It's amazing how much my pants fit better with just losing those 5.5 pounds! Doesn't sound like the other girls are doing as well, but I feel really good about myself and have more energy too! I'd like to lose at least another 10 but I'd be happy with 5 more...

Tendonitis Again?

I went to see my Athletic Trainer at work today because of my ankle/calf issues. Bottom line is, he thinks it's tendonitis and wants me to take some time off. I'm not sure that I can do it. I get ansty and get bored with the bike and elliptical. I do have to say that I didn't even make it one day. It's November but it was 70 degrees in NW Ohio, so I really wanted to exercise outside today. Since I go right from work, it was either walking or running. Running gets the job done more for me so I started off running but didn't even make it 3/4 of a mile before I was in so much pain and couldn't continue.

I'm scheduled to run a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving so hopefully I can rest before then and go out on Thanksgiving and give it m all, hopefully healed. I don't know how I'm going to do it. I'm too antsy and want to get out and run! Any advice on how to stay inactive or how to make ankle tendonitis heal magically fast? :)

2 Race Updates

It's been a while and I've done two 5k races since I wrote last. The first one was really special to me for more than one reason. It was the Red Ribbon Run, which was my first 5k I ever ran, 2 years ago. When I did that race 2 years ago, my time was 40:16, and I ran it with a good friend of mine, who got me into running (love ya, girl!). This year, I was running it with my sister, her 2nd 5k ever, first without pushing a jogging stroller. Two days before our 34th birthday (yes, "our" birthday--we're twins), I got a PR on this race! My time was 29:26, which was a PR by 12 seconds! In two years, I took 11 minutes off my time. Sweet! I'm still pretty slow, but I don't even care about that anymore.

The next race was the following weekend. I wasn't even planning on running it, but it was a 5k that my work put on as a fundraiser for our charity we chose this year. It's a trail run and since I had done the RRR the week before, I was going to let hubby run this one while I stayed with the kids. Things turned out differently than planned and I was able to run. Surprisingly enough, my time was 30:33, which is amazing since it was a trail run. I was really happy with that time. It was fun too, since we had a costume contest and other happenings.