A 5K Day

So, as some readers may be aware, I've been suffering from shin splints and on account of that, I've pretty much nixed my 1/2 marathon training in the hopes of not aggravating the situation.

My 1/2 marathon is less than a month away and I'm getting nervous about the time off and the injury. I have to test the body at some point. Today is that day.

I stretched.
I ran 5K (40 minutes).
I stretched.
I iced.

I'm still breathing and feel not too bad. My time is in line with my normal 5K time give or take a few minutes. I'm good with that. My bowels are not playing along, but I'm hoping over the next 2-3 weeks with consistent 5-10K's my body (bowels) catch up with the training plan.

There is something sweet about looking at the sweat glistening on my shoulders as I was pumping away. I love the trickle of it running down my back. The burn of the muscles. The beat of my heart. This isn't the easiest thing I've ever done, but it certainly is one of the most incredible feelings. It is so out of my comfort zone it's unbelievable. That is priceless!

Half Training Restart

I've been relatively pain free for the last couple days, so I figured now would be as good a day as any to restart the 1/2 marathon training program.

The chicken in me came out in a big way. It was slow easy run. I ran for 25 minutes covering 3K. I'm not sitting back with my morning coffee and icing my leg. Oh, the joys of injury. I hate this so much.

My mental state going in to this was questionable yet determined and now with the injury I'm downright scared. I know it's only shin splints and they are very common. Many people train through worse. I'm not that kinda girl. I'm a worrier. I'm a nervous nelly!

I will build on this to the best of my ability. 3K is 3K and that is better than what I did last week, right?

The Doctor Said

I have shin splints. I was so excited to hear that come out of his mouth. I was freaking out a little bit (a lot), that I had done something really nasty to myself, but I haven't.

He asked me some questions. Did some fondling of my leg and foot. Asked some questions. All in all it was pretty quick. 10 minutes and I have answer to my questions and concerns.

Follow the advice and I'm golden! I'm off to get an ice pack!

Crying in my Beer

I am home from a 70 minute run, 55 minutes EARLY. I've been plagued my some sort of leg issue that is so freaking painful. I started out on my run, thinking I could just loosen it up, but 1/2 mile in, I was practically in tears, so I peg-legged it home. That felt great!

A while back I had pain in my knee or so I thought it was my knee, but I honestly think it's whatever is bothering me now. I haven't run in a week and I've still been feeling this pain, so it's not sore muscles from running and all that. When I get up and walk, even a week without running, I'm sort of limping on my left leg, so I know it is something more than just running muscles. I showed Cute Boy where the pain runs through my leg and it looks to him as though it's a tendon. I am sitting here with tears just streaming down my face. I will do my best to continue training, but I really must step it back now. Not the ideal plan in planning to run my first half marathon, but what am I to do otherwise.

I will be placing a call to the doctor's office for an appointment to see if he/I can figure out what's wrong and how to fix it. The good news is my 1/2 is still 7 weeks away, so whatever is my problem, we hopefully have time to figure it out and fix it up.

For now, I'm off with my broken heart to the deck with a big bottle of beer (kidding) to drown my heartache and take some edge off the pain. I will get some ibuprofen though and just keep it pretty low key for the rest of the day.

Depressed Debby Downer signing off!

Horses, Cows and Rides, Oh My

My longest run to date 13.1

The weather was crisp and extremely windy. I felt at times I was over dressed and then at other times annoyed with myself for forgetting little mittens. I hit the road with Keith (no last name necessary), Tim and Faith, some Rob Thomas, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, Chris Brown (bad decision maker) and Lady A.

I find with every run, I'm more and more amazed at the mental thoughts that are a burden and a blessing. At one point, I had the wind at my back and through my mind flits the Irish prayer:

Wind At Your Back
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

I wish the wind had stayed at my back. I would have much preferred it at my back as opposed to the wind that was whipping crosswind and pushing me sideways. Not fun at all.

On my travels I made friends with these beautiful creatures

And these cuties!

The best picture all day was this one

I wanted so much to know I could do this in under 3 hours and I did. It wasn't the prettiest run or the most fluid displays of athleticism, but I did it. That, right now, is as good as it gets.

I will tell you though, I was a ways from home at this point, but far enough that I was done. Spent. No more in the tank done. I called Pam when I hit the 13.1 to see where she was and what she was up to. She was just driving through my neighbourhood and I asked her to come pick me up. Being the good girl she is, she thought I was hurt and came to my rescue. She was not impressed to see I wasn't hurt and that I just wanted a ride the rest of the way home. I can't believe I did that to myself. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I should have just kept going and not wimped out like I did. I'm rather annoyed with myself, but I can't change it now. I was just calling her to tell her my 13.1 time, but got away from myself in getting a ride home.

It is funny how your perspective changes because this coming long run is only 70 minutes. Did I just say, ONLY 70 minutes. Compared to 2 hours and 38 minutes, 70 minutes should be a walk in the park. Okay, maybe not easy, but easier.

I just ran the equivalent of a half marathon on a training run. Crazy!

Run Recap

I've been somewhat forced to tweak my run schedule depending on what my ridiculous part time work schedule presents from week to week. I'm usually a real stickler for schedules and doing what is expected. If the training says, 30 minutes, 30 minutes is what I do. I'm really bad for stuff like that - until now.

My approach has to be open to change and prepared to accommodate craziness. I think it is something that has been really good for me. Break out of my comfort zone and all that versatility talk. You know what I mean, right?

Saturday's runs usually end up being done on Sunday and then it throws out the rest of my week. This past week I wasn't able to get a whole planned run on Tuesday and then Thursday I was still feeling some tenderness in my right leg.

Fast forward to today and I got a bit creative with my times. I added some of my missed time on to the run for today. I was to run 2 hours 4 minutes and ended up with 2 hours 12 minutes. I would have liked to do the full time missed, but I was experiencing some right exterior foot pain. Finishing my run, and still now a bit, I struggle to put my full weight on my foot. I'm breaking myself, oh my! I joke, yes, but in the back of my mind I am a bit concerned. Not trying to develop paranoid tendencies, I will continue to listen to my body as long as what I'm hearing is genuine and not me just being a wimp. Thin line!

So today saw me run LSD 2h 12m 10.06 miles/16.1K. I feel amazing to know that I did that. I would be happier if I were on the street, but it is what it is and I'll take it! Holy hell I ran 16.1K and minus a sore right foot, I survived it. I just might be able to do this 1/2 marathon thing after all. There are moments of question.

Just A Little Longer

Saturday's long run 1 hour 50 minutes - 8.67 miles/13.9K. I so wanted to break in to the 14K range, but it just didn't happen. So close, yet still not close enough. I'm trying to tune out the head chatter that I'm not hitting distances that are going to be good enough to finish this crazy adventure. Stop! Stop! Stop!

I was amazed at how the time just seemed to go while on this run. It probably had a lot to do with the fact that I was no the treadmill rather than the street. I think the treadmill also has a lot to do with the non-existent muscle pains, especially the knee pain.

I did have an extremely funny happening while doing my run. This is my longest run to date, so of course, the longest run on the treadmill. Unbeknownst to me the treadmill only times up to 99 minutes and I needed to get to 110 minutes. My run was timed that I was running when the treadmill hit the end of the 99th minute. Mid-stride and the treadmill time changes and grinds to a halt. I'm jarred and the gait is messed. I'm holding on for dear life, laughing and cursing all at the same time. I'm damn lucky I didn't break myself! I must have looked a sight. I told Cute Boy, when I was done, that he'd have to be careful of that happening to him. He looked at me as though I'd grown a second head and told me in no uncertain terms that it likely wouldn't happen to him. Well, he can't say I didn't warn him.

The knee that was causing problems is not bothering me at all. I think that is because I wasn't on the road. It will be interesting to see how I feel the next street run. Not sure if my next run will be inside or outside, as much as I like the idea of walking pain free, I like the extra demand on my body when on the street. Hmmm, that last statement, if taken out of context could be confused with a woman of the night. Now, that is something to think about.

Weigh In Craziness

My new Weight Watcher week started off on the right foot. Down 1.8lbs. Now before you wave the banners and compliment me on what a good job I did, read the whole entry first. I only really lost the weight I gained last week. I am gaining and losing the same 1-2lbs now. I am currently sitting just inside the 130's and I really do not want to see the 140's again. I'm so tired of this yin yang of my weight.

I hadn't tracked a single thing since Saturday morning. I was so off the points path that I just didn't even attempt to figure out a number to fit the gluttony. It was bad. Really really bad. How I ended up with a loss I'll never know. I'll take it, gladly, but it's not a loss I deserve. Now, that being said there have been gains I didn't deserve either, so I guess we're even on that one.

I have only run 2 times since last Saturday. The time and distance didn't amount to much because of the tenderness in my leg/knee. It is improving, I'm happy to report. I am planning a long run tomorrow, but not sure how successful I'll be. Mind over matter with a dash of common sense for good measure. Oh my goodness, how grown up I've become. Isn't that something!

I am so looking forward to getting off work tonight and starting my weekend. I don't work at the part time job this weekend. I'm off ALL weekend and so is Cute Boy! That doesn't happen very often. It will be a low key weekend with a road trip to Belleville tomorrow, leaving the house early. I will hit the street when I get home, sometime early afternoon. It will be a good dinner (I hope) and then Habs hockey at 8pm. I love those nights so much. Just Cute Boy and I doing the whole living together life thing. It's fun. It's days like this I realize how sweet my life is. I have to remember that feeling when I'm dragging butt between 2 jobs and operating on 4 hours sleep or less, which will be next weekend and the one after that too.

Awwwww, sweet sweet life!

The Easy Run That Was Anything But

I mentioned in an easier entry that my knee and ankle were bothering me from my long run on Sunday. I took Monday off as my rest day and picked up my run schedule today, or so I thought I was going to pick back up where I left off. I was to run an easy 32 minutes today and I couldn't make it outside 13 minutes. I was in such pain that I had to shut it down. My mind kept insisting I could do this, but I know my body better than that and I was not risking injury. I am in pain so I could already be dealing with a minor injury, but I'm not going to push to the point that I undo what I've done so far.

In my past life when I used to work out 6 days a week lifting weights and cardio combined, I was never granted the freedom to take many days off to heal. I can remember the day as if it were yesterday when I first aggravated my sciatic nerve. I was doing incline leg presses and I felt the snap and ache. I had to roll off the machine on to the floor and could barely pull myself upright. The humiliation of standing in the gym crying, and I mean crying, it was just like yesterday. I dried up the tears and finished the workout. It was what was expected of me, so I did it. No more. I am more in tuned to my body and it's cries for help. It took what seemed like forever for my sciatic nerve to stop bothering me. I had a similar situation with my right shoulder, but not the tears in the gym and not near the excruciating pain.

I am trying to listen to my body, but not be a wimp. I am trying to learn from past mistakes, and not let them control my future success. I am trying to stay positive even though my head is screaming scary thoughts at me.

LSD And A Long Winded Discussion About It

My long run was planned for Saturday but I decided to reschedule it to Sunday, due to life being hectic. The weather forecast was good for both days, but living through Saturday being absolutely gorgeous I was struggling with my decision to play with my run days. I've had to do so quite a few times in the last 8 weeks, so I'm wasn't overly concerned. I've hit every run except for 2 when I was sick, but never missing 2 in one week.

Friday, I worked at my primary job 7a-3p and then my second job a midnight 10:30-6:30am. I could have fit the run in on Saturday, but want to have some time today stuff and not have an entire day consumed by sleep and a run, I opted for the fine tuning. I had a great day on Saturday, but there were many times I was internally questioning my decision. Cute Boy, getting used to my ways, when I did voice them, put a stop to that craziness right away. He made it clear to me that I made the decision and I couldn't change it and to stop beating myself up over one long run moved around. Deal with tomorrow when tomorrow gets here, because the decision I've made can't be undone now. See, one more reason I love him like I do.

Sunday rolls around and the weather is phenomenal! Gorgeous! Sunny! Slight breeze. Fabulous. Off I head on my run. I had cut back on one layer of clothing from previous road runs and I still found I was overdressed. I stopped and took off the long sleeve and little mittens, leaving me with a sports bra and my running coat. It was perfect. Perfect I think because I was able to warm up first. I think if I'd started out with that little clothing I'd have been too cold.

The planned time was to be 1h 38 minutes and my pokey second half took me to 1h 40 minutes. Odd, really because I felt very much in the groove on my way back. I ran the entire 6th -7th mile. Oh, that being said I'm so pissed. I messed up my Garmin information. I had it on the 2nd profile and I when I logged it in the computer it didn't transfer properly and I lost all my split times. So sad! I was able to get my total time and distance, but not all the fun little individual lap information. BOOOO!!!

My pace was/is 11:40 - YIKES! I was on the street 1h 40 minutes with a distance of 8.24 miles/13.5K. I'm getting closer to the 1/2 marathon distance every week.

The combination of feelings while on a run is out of this world crazy.

• invigorated
• driven
• crazy
• doubtful
• scared
• intimidated
• pained
• mentally strong
• mentally weak
• proud
• nervous

That is just a few of the feelings that run through my mind on one single run. I know, having read a few books on running and Runner's World magazine, that half the battle is mental. I read on Tigerlily's blog, that a trainer said to her, just before her 1/2 Marathon, the mind will give up before the body will. I paraphrase somewhat, but you get the idea.

I'm a bit concerned because last night I was experiencing some discomfort in my right ankle and knee. Today, after sleeping from yet another part time job midnight, I don't feel the pain like I did. I'm glad for that, but will definitely keep an eye on it.

If you're still here, I applaud you for following along with my wild thoughts. Can you imagine what its like in my head?

Have a great one!

Soggy Run Edition

It has taken me since Saturday to get this run entered.

It was long run Saturday AGAIN! There was snow AGAIN. There was rain AND snow. Weather wise it was not pretty. If the weather wasn't pretty, the run itself was downright ugly! Ugly. Ugly. Ugly.

No excuses. I was coming off a midnight with little sleep the couple days prior to my long run. I was running with tree trunk legs. The negative mental chatter was nasty. I couldn't find a groove to save my life. I was running 1 minute walking 1 minute. I would build to 2 minutes run and then walk again. It was just all around painful.

My legs were red for at least an hour after my run. The good thing is that I can walk normal today which was not the case last week. So, are things looking up? I hope.

Lessons learned are that things are not always the way they should be on run day and you can still finish what you set out to do. 11.58K (7.24 miles) in 1 hr 27 minutes. I'll take it. It is my longest distance to date and I survived. That, right now, in my books is a victory.

Lucky 7's

I'm currently in the middle of week 7 of training for my half marathon. That blows my mind! I've learned a lot about myself in the last 7 weeks a few of the things are:

• I am mentally stronger than I realize.
• I am blessed with a non-needy boyfriend that allows me the freedom to do what I need to do.
• I missed being physically active.
• I have more time in my day than I ever thought and I'm learning to prioritize that time.
• I have a purpose in this running thing and I like it.

So, enough of the lessons. On to the fun stuff!

I put on a pair of pants today that didn't fit last month. WOOHOO!!!! I'm loving that. I guess those treadmill sessions are making a difference. I'm only kidding I know they are and it feels incredible. I've lost somewhere around an 1 inch off my hips. That makes for a very happy me. I still have a long way to go, but I'm happy with the progress so far.

I hit the treadmill today for a moderate run during which time I covered 4.2K. I love watching the numbers climb on my total distance tally. This is getting more difficult in distance for my long runs, but I'm really having a lot of fun figuring it all out.

Have a great day!

Takin' It To The Street

It's Friday! Could it get any better? I think not.

I weighed in this morning with a 6/10th pound loss. I'll take it since I'm 4 days late with my period. I don't know what is going on with my period, but with this funky happening I'll take the loss.

My workouts (runs) last week were good. I earned a week high of 15 points - ya me!

I have my long run (80 minutes) scheduled for tomorrow and I'm working up the courage to take this gong show on the road - literally. I've been running, now building up to 3 hours per week and I've not been on the streets once. Seeing that the 1/2 marathon is not being run on a treadmill and on the actual roadways of Ottawa, I'd best build up my street cred.

I have small confession to make. I'm scared!

Zero Tolerance

Today is the start of Lent and in celebration I'm giving up Coke Zero.

I have developed quite an addiction to the Coke Zero, I have. I drink a minimum of one per day. I've been telling myself for quite some time that I have to cut back or cut out the Coke Zero an as any true addict, I kept putting it off until tomorrow. Tomorrow never seemed to come until yesterday.

Over the years I've given up Vachon Half Moons, Cappuccino from Tim Horton's, Milky Way Chocolate bars and many other things that I can't think of right now. It was always through Lent that I would break the addiction to whatever ridiculous food phase I was in. This year is going to be no different.

In other non-Lent related news, I got up and ran this morning before work. I know that is the norm for many, but not me. I got my 32 minute run in, just over 4K. I loved it. I mean I didn't love it when the alarm went off I was standing on the treadmill in what seemed like a fog, but I really did love it. 3AP's later and I felt like a million bucks. Work out done for the day and I'm so happy.

I got a work out DVD from the library. It is called Iron Yoga. I've never done a single move of Yoga in my entire life. I'm looking forward to this. When I'm in my fitness groove, I'm all about weights and balancing it with cardio, so I'm hoping this Yoga with small hand weight is right what I need.

I think that's all. Have a great day!

Run Her To The Ground (language)

The craziness of what I'm attempting to do snuck up on me like a creeper in the night. I'm about ready to start my run. I've stretched. I've got the ipod in the ears. The water bottle is in it's place with a second close by. I look down at the treadmill screen that has my training program propped in front. I see 72 minutes. I hear this voice in my head say, "What were you thinking? You can't do this". It was so loud and clear. I let her chatter on for a bit and then, seriously I hear another voice in my head say, "Shut up bitch". I swear to the sky, I'm not crazy. It was the weirdest moment ever. I turned on the treadmill and I ran that bitch to the ground!

I ran for 1 hour 12 minutes and 9K later (wanted 10K), I'm done my run for the day. I ran to the serenade of Keith Urban telling me, he'd Hit the Ground Running and the Southern Voice of Tim McGraw. There was some JT Bringin' Sexy Back and some Black Eyed Peas Meeting Me Half Way. I had some rappin' Bounce along for the ride and Nelly Ridin' Wit' Me. All in all, I had great company on my run today. All the company and hotness that was streaming from my ipod drown out that negative nelly in my head.

I know this training is long from over and as much as there are times ahead of me that I will struggle and times that I will persevere through the negative chatter I am so happy to be on this journey. It's not always about the finishing time, although I want to do well with my time, it's more about what I'm learning about myself. I can stomp out the chatter, put my mind to something and do it. I'm a very driven person for the most part, but I do fall victim to not being sure I am capable. Today, I feel capable.

So, bitch, TAKE THAT!

Have a great day and be kind to those around you.

The Desire for Running Toys

I'm feeling much better today, although I'm not going to overdo it. I have my energy back and I want to keep it that way, so I'm keeping it pretty low key for the rest of the day.

I just got off the treadmill from a 42 minute run 5.2K (3.25 miles). I'm pretty happy with that distance in that amount of time. It's really funny how I look forward to getting the the treadmill for my pre-planned runs. When I was just getting on there to try and lose weight and get back to a place that I liked the look and feel of my body, I would come up with every excuse known to mankind as to why not to get on the treadmill. Now, I'm looking forward to it, really looking forward to it. I guess I'm a goal oriented girl after all. Knowing that I'm working towards and end result is what I've needed all along. Okay, I've always known that I'm a goal oriented girl! I was just clarifying for those of you that may not be aware.

The only apprehension right now, is that this particular 1/2 marathon, as with any, it is run on the street. I think I'm a shitty street runner.A shitty street runner and that's not accounting for how my GI tract reacts on long runs.... no you don't want to know about that. Trust me!!! I started on the treadmill. I love the treadmill. Enough of those hissing boo's I can hear from some of you. The street intimidates me. I think that right there is reason enough to look forward to the street so I can kick it's ass! How about that?

I've pretty much made up my mind that I'm going to buy a Garmin. Costco has the Garmin 305 for just under $200 and in my hate of street running this little toy may be a fun addition to an otherwise painful endeavour. Good idea?? Other than the Garmin, I think all I need is a new pair of shoes. I'm going to hit up the Running Room and have the knowledgeable staff there fit me for a good pair of shoes. I'm going to do some deep breathing exercises beforehand so as not so keel over from sticker shock! I'll be working a part time job just to buy shoes and fancy running watches. Will I ever learn?

Anyway, I'm off to make some lunch and cherish the fact that my running is done for today. Oh ya, and tomorrow is an off day. Yaaaa for off days!! The sense of accomplishment is incredible and the distances aren't even crazy yet. How are you going to put up with me when they are crazy? Sorry!

Have a great day, all my friend that live inside my computer, and those of you that comment that live outside of it too.... you know who you are..... MWAH