Saturday Long Run...Finally!

There are 20 days until The Love Run Half Marathon. I have run a grand total of 5 miles for my longest run to date for it. It's been exceedingly frustrating. Every time I went out for a long run, my ankle/calf where I slammed 37.5 pounds on it last month hurt. I didn't know what I did and was afraid I did something to the Achilles. I did not want a ruptured Achilles.

Today, I went out for 7.5 miles. I needed a good long run before the 30th to feel confident I won't be swept off the course. I also needed to know I could run that distance without my ankle/calf hurting.

I went with my intervals of half mile run/1 minute walk. Some weeks I've done 4 minute run/1 minute walk, but I went longer today. I got to half a mile, felt good. I got to one mile, felt good. I got to 1.5 miles, felt good. From here on out is when I have to start worrying. It always kicked in after 1.5 miles, closer to 2. I got to two miles, felt good. 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 miles. All pain-free! Woohoo!

I was so happy that I could run that far without any pain. I ran around town until 7 miles, half a mile shorter than I scheduled, but my hips were starting to bother me. I decided to cut it short to rest the hips. The last time I ran 7+ miles was Nov. 11th when I ran the National Veterans Day 11k Run. I'm ok with cutting this one a tiny bit short.

As a funny aside to today's run, it was the very first time on a training run of any length that I had to stop for a bathroom break. I've been running for 5+ years and this is the first time I had to seek out a bathroom so I could continue running. Thank you Sheetz for having a clean bathroom I could use!

How did your long run go today? Anyone else have warmer temperatures?


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Good luck charm?

While I was sitting on the spin bike on Monday, the instructor was encouraging us to go faster and push ourselves. The one thing that made me think while trying to bike as fast as I could was, "this is your workout." He had a point.

So, as I let my legs do their thing, I started thinking about what I could do to keep that thought forefront in my mind. It's easy sometimes to allow yourself to forget what you're training for, why you go to a class, why you want to eat better, why you shower so often. I decided that everyday until my next half marathon (The Love Run March 30, 2014), I am going to wear my two inspirational rings.

The first pictures are of the first inspirational ring I ever bought: To thine own self be true. Thanks Shakespeare! I bought this ring while I was training for my very first 5k in 2009. For the next year and a half I would wear it to every race I ran. Then I couldn't find it for a race and it's been iffy if I remember to wear it. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I will be wearing it now!

More recently I bought a ring that recognizes my 13.1 accomplishment. I wore it constantly, then stopped. I bought it because I do have a few necklaces that say 13.1, but wearing a necklace to work doesn't always work for me, so I thought a ring would. I liked the idea of reminding myself that I have run 13.1, that I am capable of it.

 

Originally I wanted to wear them both at the same time as a constant reminder of my goals. Then I realized they fit the same finger and that won't be possible. But, I can wear them in tandem, some days Shakespeare, some days 13.1. But they will be a constant reminder of what I want to accomplish - run my next half marathon strong!

Do you have a piece of jewelry or clothing that helps remind you of your goals?

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Sunday's long run...sorta

For some reason I've been digging my Sunday run rather than my Saturday run this time around. Last week hubby and I went out on Sunday for our runs and I felt pretty good about it. This week, my hip killed me Thursday and Friday, so when I woke up pain-free Saturday, I decided to let rest it one more day.

Got up today to run. Hip hurt. Ugh. What the heck?? I didn't let it stop me. I did my stretches and added in some new ones. Nothing more that I can do but stretch and hope for the best.

I went out to the same area I ran last Sunday for 4 miles. As soon as I started running I had pain. Pain in the outside of my left calf/ankle. WTF??? I had one tiny little twinge in my hip, but it lasted seconds and then nothing. Instead, ankle/calf pain for 25 minutes.

I lasted 25 minutes (Garmin was dead [though I didn't know that until I got there. Ugh] so I used my Nano run app for time). Yes, 25 minutes out of 60. So disappointing. But, I decided to call it a day because I have never had pain in that area and it didn't go away. I'm still in the early going for The Love Run training and I don't want to make something worse.

Came home and iced the area. I'm hoping it helps and that I can try again tomorrow.

Higgy the cat helping ice my calf/ankle.

What do you do if something starts to hurt during a run? Do you gut it out or call it a day? Does how close to your goal race is make a difference in your approach?

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Got my run in at least

Yesterday I headed to the gym to take the drop-in TRX class. I haven't done TRX since last summer and I was really looking forward to it. The Y now offers a drop-in class Tuesdays at noon and since I don't work on Tuesdays, I thought it was the perfect time to add it back in.

I got there about ten of twelve and entered the parking lot. Then drove around for 10 minutes looking for a space. My gym has a small parking lot, but this is the first time I could not get a space. I got so frustrated I left. I came home. It was noon and I was missing the class I went for anyway.

After arriving home, I told hubby I was going for a run, want to come? He agreed, so we headed off for a 2 mile run each. It was a tad bit chilly at 12*. Eep! We headed off on our own runs and the sidewalks were about the same as Mt. Wolf. Eh. It's a bad winter, whacha gonna do?

And you know what? I rocked my run! A nice negative split from first mile to second and I cut one minute and 18 seconds off my two mile time from last Monday! Oh hello! I was pretty happy with that. I know I won't see this type of improvement every week, but damn it felt good today!

So, even though I didn't get my TRX class in today (must find a way to get parking space next week!), I did get in an awesome run.

Have you been running outside in the cold? How do you stay warm?

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Let's talk yoga

Late last year I won a free six month membership to Run Smart online. I was so excited! Then I promptly didn't use it. Ugh.

At the end of December/early January I started working on my The Love Run training plan. I knew I needed to get those runs in, but I also knew I needed to cross-train. So, I added in some TRX, spin, and PiYo Strength classes at the Y to help, along with my running three times a week. I also knew I needed to work on core and flexibility since that was what kept me from running Philly last November. I started looking at the strength routines on Run Smart and saw their twice a week for six weeks yoga class and decided to add that in.

Normally Saturdays are my long runs and today was my first long run of half marathon training. But, I was so tired from work and getting back into working out that I slept 12 hours and didn't get up for my run. Oops. So, I decided to switch that run to tomorrow and do tomorrow's yoga today.

Glad I did! I did a 48 minute yoga routine and my whole body feels wobbly, but less tense. I did Day 1 on Thursday night and Friday I felt much more loose than I had. After today's 45ish minutes, I feel much looser than I did before I did the yoga and I'm hoping it will make tomorrow's run feel better too.

I'm excited for the yoga I've added into routine. I really like the classes being on-line so I can do it at home and fall over without a bunch of people seeing me. ;-) Plus, I can do it on my own time. This six week class will lead me very nicely up to The Love Run, which hopefully means come race day my hips and back are stretched and ready to go!

Do you do yoga? What do you think about yoga as cross training for running?


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Training begins!

Alright people! Love Run half marathon training has officially begun! My plan started with a 2 mile run yesterday. I knew it wouldn't be a great run since I haven't run in ages and last week I had a cold/flu light. I also knew 2 miles wasn't that far and I could do it pretty easily even if I haven't run.

I put on my new jacket that hubby gave me for Christmas. It's awesome!

Then it was off to my normal running route! I knew all I really needed was a one mile out, then turn around. It's easy to get behind that. LOL! I parked the car, headed up to the school I start at, and headed off. I run on sidewalks because I honestly don't trust people who drive. I suppose they could hit me on the sidewalk too, but I figure it's a bit harder to do.

I ran really slow. Way slower than I used to run. I say used to because since June I have been an extreme runner slacker. I admit it. I own it. I've been battling internal struggles and it didn't cause me to run. I knew this run wouldn't be fast, but I went anyway.

And I was right. I was slow. As slow as when I first started running 5 years ago. Eh. Whatever. I have faith that based on past running I'll speed up. Anyway... I got my two miles in. Two 15 minute and 10 second miles. LOL! Oh yes. Speed demon!

But, you know what? Who cares? I ran my two miles then came home and did my stretches. My plan also called for hitting the gym for a spin class, but due to last week's illness I decided this week is a run only week. No classes so as to ease into the program. Classes will happen next week.

Anyone else running the Love Run this March? Have you started official training? If not the Love Run, are you training for a big spring race? Which one?
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Nervous

Last week hubby went to the doctor with the flu. He was given five meds and sent on his merry way. He was really sick too. It was just awful.

Saturday night, my throat felt a little scratchy. Then Sunday, it felt a little worse and I started coughing. By Monday morning when I woke up, my throat was killing me, I was coughing consistently, and my nose was a bit drippy. My Twitter friends gave me lots of suggestions for home remedies and I tried them all day Sunday. I took two aspirin for the throat pain, then headed into jury duty with a bunch of zinc throat lozanges.

Here we are on Wednesday and my throat is still a bit sore (fine yesterday, woke up today in pain so took another aspirin), coughing WAY more than ever, and still a bit of a drippy nose. It has not been a fun week and I've had jury duty everyday. In my county, jury duty lasts a week.

What am I nervous about? I start training for The Love Run half marathon on Monday! I have it all scheduled out and it's pretty aggressive. Typical week:

Monday: x mile run (starts at 2 and moves up to 5 by the end); core; spin class
Tuesday: 30 min TRX class; 30 minute easy bike
Wednesday: 30 min treadmill run; PiYo Strength
Thursday: Res
Friday: Core/Stretches
Saturday: Long run (length depends on week, first week 4 miles)
Sunday: Core/Stretches

I feel like crap and can't go more than 5-10 minutes without coughing. How am I going to start this aggressive training plan on MONDAY????? Seriously, if you have any ideas, I am totally open to them. I'm scared if I don't start this coming week I'll be completely screwed. I know, I know. A few days won't kill me overall, especially in the first week, but I need to start training off on the right foot. Help!


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Half Marathon #7 Scheduled

The past few months have been pretty bad in terms of running. I haven't been out on the streets much, even when I had a race. But, I ran the KidsPeace Trick-or-Trot 5k Saturday and had fun. It was the first time I've run in awhile where I had fun.

And since I had fun, I signed up for The Love Run! I've been looking at this race for a few months and wanted to sign up. Hubby isn't running Shamrock again, so I didn't want to make us drive back to Virginia Beach for me. The Love Run is in Philly and since I had to skip the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November, this gives me the chance to run in Philly in March in a first time race.

I'm really excited! And I'm in need of a good race, so I know I need to:

lose weight

strengthen my core

add flexibility

gain stamina

build muscle

I started using My Fitness Pal to keep track of my food and exercise. The past two days have gone well. I've tracked both in the program and it's interesting seeing the stat of "if you ate like this everyday you would be x pounds in 5 weeks." I like that, Right now it's saying I'll be about 10 pounds lighter. I'll take that.

So, I'm committing to all the above to run a strong and happy The Love Run Half Marathon. I want to finish that race (hopefully with a PR) like I did at the end of the Shamrock Half Marathon in March 2012. I had a 25 minute PR, but more than that I felt like I could run for another 2-3 miles. I felt good. I felt exhilarated. I was happy. I want that again (and the 25 minute PR wouldn't be turned down!). 

I've got five full months to get myself in tip top shape. I can do it. I'm looking forward to it.

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No Philly Half Marathon & Physical Therapy

I had been contemplating running the Philadelphia Half Marathon in November. I have run a half marathon in the spring and one in the fall for the past two years and it felt weird not training for one. But, with us going on vacation in September, I didn't want to focus on a race that's too far away (Philly is about 1:45 from me). So, Philly again it is.

Then my hip kept hurting. So, I went to the ortho walk-in clinic to see if I had a major issue or something minor. They did a bunch of movements to see my flexibility and took some x-rays. The x-rays showed no breaks or fractures (yea!), but the flexibility tests did not come back as positive. I have limited movement in my hip area so she recommended physical therapy to work on my core, flexibility, and hip flexors.

So, I had my first session with the PT for the assessment on Oct. 7. I apparently have limited range of movement in my hip on the right side (the side effected by my back issues), but also some tightness on my left side that we're not sure why. Maybe compensating for my right side? I also found out that I apparently deal with pain very well. The PT said with my test results, there are few people who would be doing my level activity. Huh. Who knew? Anyway... my PT made up a plan based on the assessment and yesterday I went in for my first real working session.

I spent 30 minutes learning 6 stretching exercises I am to do every day or at least 5-6 days out of 7 so he can get a feel for how they worked for me. It's strange because I anticipated doing more core work, as that's what the ortho stressed at that appointment, but here we're just doing stretching exercises. Hubby said if I feel like I should be working my core more, then I should just do core work on my own. He may have a point.

So, we shall see how this goes. My co-pay is so expensive that I will only do 2 more PT sessions, then transition into another program they offer that's less (like less than one PT session for a whole MONTH of sessions). I'm hoping to get a program that I can use through the PT sessions that will help me on an on-going basis. Something I can do to keep my hips/back/legs flexible over time.

So, that's why I chose not to run the Philadelphia Half Marathon. I want to get my hips less tight and get some flexibility back into my lower body. I am thinking to make up missing the Philadelphia Half Marathon I will try for The Love Run in Philly on March 30. This gives me plenty of time to:

• Work with the PT to get a routine down
• Work with the personal trainer in the other program to get strength back
• Lose weight
• Start running again
• Implement the training program I bought for the Philly Half Marathon
• Get back into the habit of going to the gym after work

I've got plenty of time to get ready for The Love Run. I've got plenty of time to get myself mentally back in the game. And if you have any advice, I'm all ears. I can use all the help I can get right now!

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