2-27-10 Running 10 miles is hard.

Today was my 10 mile run. Wow, it was hard, much harder than I thought it would be.

The plan was to start from home run to the park and do two laps then run over to meet my friend Kari and her friend Mandi to do the remaining 7 miles.

My knees hurt this morning and so did my hip, I have no idea why but I figured it was just how I slept. I left home but then ran back really quick to see if I could find my headband to keep my ears warm. I couldn't find it anywhere. I finally found a hat instead and put it on and headed back out. It was really nice weather today but it was still a little chilly with the wind. By the time I had run 2 miles I was sweating and knew that hat was a bad idea, I finished 3 miles right as I got to Kari's house.
We left her house and ran down the way that she and her friend usually go for their long runs. I knew they were faster than me so I told them to just go ahead if I was holding them back but they were too nice to leave me. I know we were going slow for them but I was feeling like I was really pushing it. I finally had to walk at about 5.5 miles,  and then a few more times after that. Each mile was so hard, I felt like I was just barely keeping up. I don't know why 10 miles is so much harder than 8. We ran past my neighborhood first so I ran the last .60 mile by myself and headed home. The last .25 were just torture, I had to walk, I couldn't figure out how the time was going by so slow, my knees hurt, my hips hurt, I was so hot and I was exhausted.

I finally  finished. 1 hour 47 minutes and 16 seconds.

I walked in the front door and laid down on the living room floor while the kids brought me icepacks and water.

James convinced me that I should take an icebath (yeah James, the one who can't even put ice in his drinks without getting cold.). We didn't have much ice in the freezer but I filled the tub with cold water, James threw the ice in. I got in and it was FREEZING. I lasted about 10 seconds. I got out and thought about it, 10 seconds isn't going to do me any good. I got back in, I lasted about 1 minute. That was all I could handle.  So much for the ice bath.

Now I am sporting two icepacks on my knees and my sweet new pink  Recovery socks. (Hope they work.)

I need a long long nap.

2-25-10

I wasn't up to facing the weather today, it was rainy and cold. I headed to the gym, expecting it to be crowded but there were only 4 other people there besides me. Weird.
I finished 3 miles, I tried to speed up the pace to 6mph for a while. It is harder for me to run fast on the treadmill, I think I run faster outside.
It was extra hot at the gym, I was soaking with sweat, I wished I would have pointed one of the fans directly at me.
Both of my knees were hurting this morning when went down the stairs. I didn't feel it so much while I ran but afterwards my right knee was really bugging me. I took some Ibuprofen, hopefully that will help and I will be ready to run 10 miles on Saturday.

2-24-10 (5 miles of snowy fun)

When I woke up today there was a little bit of snow falling. I was planning on doing my 5 mile run today. Once I got Rach to school and was ready to run, it looked like this outside:

I figured it didn't look so bad so I headed to the park to run around the track. Halfway to the park the ground looked like this:

It was pretty slippery, I had to slow down and really watch where I stepped but I figured even if I didn't get 5 miles done I could do 3. I wasn't really cold but the snow in my face made it hard to see. It wasn't too bad so I just decided I might as well do the full 5, I was already wet 2 more miles wouldn't make much of a difference.

At 3.5 miles I looked like this:
I just kept going, it was so quiet and if it wasn't for the little icicles on my eyelashes blocking my vision it would have been the perfect run.

When I finally got home it looked like this:

Looks like I will be shoveling my driveway today. But I am glad I got out there and finished my run.

This week I need to do 3 miles tomorrow or Friday and hopefully 10 miles on Saturday. (It is supposed to be snowing that day too.) I am excited and nervous about that distance.

2-22-10

I wasn't sure how I would feel today because Sunday I was starting to feel sick, a low fever and a lot of sinus pressure. I put off my run until later in the day. Finally I just figured I needed to get it done so I had Mom watch my kids while I got in a quick 3 mile run. Once I got out there I was glad I did, I felt great, I had plenty of energy. If I had more time I would have just done my 5 miler for the week, but I figured I needed to get back to relieve Mom and to eat dinner.

On a sad note, the dog I found was put to sleep. The shelter called and said they had too many dogs and they had to put the ones that had been there the longest down. I talked to everyone I knew to see if they wanted a dog and I begged James to let me just go get him and bring him home. But it didn't work and they put him to sleep in the afternoon. So very sad.

2-20-10 WRC 10K

Today was the 10K in my Winter Racing Circuit.

I got up there about 30 minutes before the race started. The temperature was just so cold. Even with gloves on, my hands were just freezing. I could barely pin my number on and I was wishing I would have worn another layer.

I went in the bathroom to get warm for a little while and took this lovely picture.

The race started at 8am. I think everyone was just ready to get running so they could get warmed up.

The course started with small hill, then down a big hill. I was loving it (but I did realize that I would be coming back up this big hill). Most of the course was on a downhill slant or relatively flat. I warmed up as I ran but my hands were still cold. We ran out for 3 miles then looped around and came back, even coming back there were only a couple parts where the hills got to me.

There were two water stops, I am finding that I do not have the coordination to run or even walk and drink. A little more than half way there was also an older couple standing on the corner with their dog. They had a big cowbell and pompoms and they were waving and cheering. I don't know who they were there to watch but they cheered for everyone that passed them and they made me laugh. There was also some guy in pajamas who came out of his house with a cup of coffee and just stood on the side of the street and watched everyone run by, it was odd.

With a little less than 1 mile left we came to the big hill, not one person in front of me was running, everyone was walking up it (all the hard core runners had finished a long time before this, I am sure they ran right up the hill) so of course I was walking up the hill, then comes this guy just chugging along running right past me. I tried to follow his lead but I just couldn't keep it up. My legs were burning, I finally decided to run for 1 minute then walk the next until I got to the top of the hill. It worked, I didn't pass out and roll down the hill.

For some reason my Nike+ was telling me I only had 400 meters to go when really I had probably twice that much. I must have started my timing too soon at the beginning. That was a little distracting but I just ignored it when it said I had completed 10 kilometers yet I was still not to the finish line.

I finally saw the finish line! It said 1 hour 11 minutes 45 seconds so I ran as fast as I could so I could get there before it hit 12 minutes.

I made it! I finished with a smile and I wasn't the last person to cross the finish line!

(The website doesn't have the race results up yet, but I snapped this photo of my age group with my phone)

Afterwards I figured I deserved a treat so I picked up a big box of bagels and I pretty much have been eating them all day.

Today was a good day. My muscles feel a little tight, I have a big blister on the arch of my foot because I taped it too tight, but other than that I feel great!

2-19-10

3 miles at the gym this morning.

Tomorrow morning is my 10K. I would rather run 3 extra miles than run those horrible hills.

My only goal for this one is to finish, I think I can do that.

2-17-10 8 Miles! (and a dog)

Because I am supposed to do a 10k on Saturday(which I am dreading) I did my long run of 8 miles today.

It was a pretty cloudy, cold and drizzly day but once I started running I was fine.

Started out from home went over to West Park and did 3 1/2 times around the track then headed down toward Vennesa's house again.

At about 4 miles into the run I saw a big dog. I was scared of him at first so I just stopped. (Isn't that what you are supposed to do?) Then I waited for him to go away. He just looked at me. So I walked, he walked right beside me. So I ran, he ran right along with me. He turned out to be a good running partner and ran the next 2 miles with me. I thought when I crossed the street at the busy intersection he would stay behind but he didn't.

He ran all the way to Vennesa's house and the continued to run the last 2 miles with us. So the dog ran half of my miles with me, it really made the time go by fast, except when he tried to trip me by running between my legs.

Overall my run was slow, but I completed the full 8 miles. I was hurting the last mile but Vennesa kept me going. Glad I just got out there and did it. 8 miles isn't much worse than 7 miles. :)

When I left, the dog was standing on Vennesa's porch. When she went out later he was gone. Maybe I will meet him next week and he can run 9 miles with me.

2-15-10

I was back at the gym in the nice warm (actually it is hot) building. I met Vennesa and ran with her for some of the time. My knees are still sore and so are my feet but I feel okay.

This week I have to figure out how to get my 8 mile long run in in addition to my 10k on Saturday.

2-13-10 My 7 mile Saturday!

I did my seven miles on Saturday. I was excited to see if I could do it. I hadn't run that far for almost two years.The biggest motivator was that I was supposed to meet Vennesa at mile 5. She was going run the last 2 with me so I knew I couldn't quit because I had someone waiting for me. I was able to pace myself okay, I did take some walking breaks but I still kept my average between 11 and 12 which is the perfect pace for me.

I left home at 9am and ran over to West Park, I ran around the track 1 1/2 times then headed down 48. About 3 miles into my run it started raining a little but I just put my hood on and I was fine.

At the stoplight I talked to a guy dressed like the Statue of Liberty doing advertising for a tax company. I asked how long he was going to be outside doing this, he said he does it for 8 hours! I told him that I was impressed with how much energy he had and he said "yeah, I could run a marathon". He probably could. This isn't him but he looked a lot like this guy. Image from rapidcityjournal.com

I figured running 7 miles was a lot easier than dancing around on the street corner in a Lady Liberty costume for 8 hours, so he gave me hope.

Then I ran past mom's house and down to Vennesa's house.

We ran around her neighborhood for the last two miles. My hips were hurting and I was tired but we finished. It felt great!
I am confident now that I can run my next two long runs of 8 and 9. My feet and knees are sore but I am feeling pretty good overall.

Next Saturday is a 10k, with hills. Hills.

2-11-10

3 miles this morning, at the gym. It was snowing outside, I am wondering what this weekend's weather will be like. I took the inserts out of my shoes and just ran, now my feet are paying for it. I bought some new inserts that you cut to fit your shoes then put in the oven (?) and then put your foot into them and they are supposed to form to your feet. Hope they work. Hope I don't get 3rd degree burns from oven heated shoe inserts. Saturday is 7 miles. 7 miles!

2-10-10

Nothing new to report. I did my 4 miles, it was long and uneventful, the gym is hot..

2-8-10

3 miles at the gym on the treadmill. I really need to be going outside but it is so cold and dark at 6:30am. My right foot is a little sore from Saturday's 5k but I was able to run without pain (if you don't count the pain of my shoe inserts digging into the arch of my foot, they are so uncomfortable!).

I wasn't sure how to proceed with my training since I missed some of my scheduled runs because of this foot issue. I decided I would just skip those runs and move on to what I have schedule for this week. Which is:

3, 4, 3, and a long run of 7.

I hope to do the 7 miles this Saturday outside and perhaps if there is a day my husband is off work I can do one of my other runs outside too in the afternoon (when it is hopefully not so cold.)

2-6-10 (Winter Racing Circuit 5K)

This morning was the first run in the Winter Racing series I signed up for to help me prepare for the Marathon. It was a 5k.

We started out at 8am it was cold but I was warm enough with my two shirts, long pants, gloves and headband but that cold in air in the lungs still gets to me. When they blew the horn to start running I was at the back of the pack, behind a guy with a dog and another guy with a stroller. Little did I know I would never even catch up to them.

Not too far into it we started up a hill.

I knew that there would be hills, but I didn't realize that most of the course was hills. I wish I would have driven up there before to see where we would be running. I was not ready for the hills, every time I would get to the top of one hill I would think "that had to be the last hill" but nope, there were more, and more. I hate hills.

I had to stop and walk so many times it was pathetic, my legs were not prepared for this. I am usually able to turn on my music and sort of zone out but I could barely catch my breath. Even when it was time to come down the hills, they were so steep that I was worried about slipping on the wet road and my foot was killing me slapping down on the ground.

When I had about a quarter mile left I felt like I wanted to throw up and cry. I just kept telling myself that soon I would see James and the kids and maybe it give me enough energy to just get across the dumb finish line.

Well the finish line was finally in sight but I couldn't see anyone I recognized, James and the kids weren't there. They were late and missed me finishing. My time was 34:40. I had hoped to be 30 or under. I didn't make it but I did finish so I guess that is worth something. I just wanted to do so much better than that.

When I finally found my family, Rach showed me the poster she and Liv (and even the baby ) had made me. It was sweet.

One good thing is that my feet feel okay. When I got home I took some ibuprofen, iced them and wrapped them back up. Then I took a long nap.

I guess there is nothing to do but start preparing for my 10k in 2 weeks. (help!)

2-3-10 (My first outside run this year! and my ninja outfit)

It is so COLD!

I decided since there was no ice on the ground and it wasn't snowing I would head over to West park and run. I wore my usual black shorts and long sleeved black hooded shirt but I added a headband and a fleece neck warmer. It was so cold that I pulled the neck warmer over my nose and mouth. There weren't many people out today but there were two guys walking little dogs. As I ran past them one of them said "you look like a ninja!"

I took a picture of myself with my phone.

Yep, I did look like a ninja. But I bet I was warmer than they were.

As far as my run went.... I couldn't find my pace, I went to fast, then too slow. I just couldn't find a good pace. My feet just feel weird. The inserts in my shoes are big and make me feel like my shoes are going to fall off and the tops of my shoes are tight. I didn't have much pain during the run but I am feeling a little bit of soreness in my right foot. Oh well.

I got in almost two miles.

Tonight I went and picked up my packet for the Winter Training Circuit 5k. It is on Saturday, the trail is supposed to have a lot of hills, I am a little nervous about the cold, my pace and how my feet will hold up.

Yesterday's Doctor Visit...

It had been a week since my last doctor visit. I wore the tape/wrap for five days and took the anti-inflammatory medicine. By the end of the week I was feeling okay (except for the days that I had to be on my feet for long periods). One thing that I did notice was that, because I was hesitant about putting much weight on my injured foot, my good foot started hurting.

I went back into the Dr. yesterday. He took a look at my right foot and said that all the swelling was gone. I told him that I was having some pain in the other foot now. He wasn't surprised and said that is pretty common after favoring one foot for a week.

I finally told him that my plan was to train for a marathon and that I needed to get back to running as soon as possible. I also asked what he thought about my feet in terms of running, wondering if I have feet that will continually give me problems. He said I have "great feet" (never heard that before) and that my main problem is a high arch and that can be solved with shoe inserts. He wished me luck with my marathon and wrapped up both feet

recommended I get some inserts for my shoes,

and told me not to increase my miles too quickly.

After my feet were wrapped I asked how soon I could start running ( I expected him to say another week). He said "start tomorrow". Tomorrow!!

I just need to keep them wrapped for 5 more days, but I can start running as long as I pay attention to any pain.

So I have my shoe inserts I have my (very tightly) wrapped feet and I am going to try to fit in a run today! (Which may be prove difficult since I have a sick baby and now a sick 6 year old.)

I am a little nervous because that last thing I want is to be in pain again but I am excited to try and get back on my (now slightly modified) running schedule.

And I think my family will be happy to have me stop moping around the house and being grumpy.

Wish me luck!