Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Two and a half weeks and counting....

Well I am officially disapointed in myself. It's been 3 days since my last run (which was pitiful to say the least) and I'm only two and a half weeks away from my half marathon. My sister in law so selfishly (jk) had a baby at 3am yesterday and her husband has been back from Iraq for the past two weeks but goes back Saturday. It has completely consumed my life these days. I've declared tonight the night to get back in the swing of things though. I'm going to the gym for a good solid workout. The plan is 4 or 5 miles on the TM (it's ridulously cold and windy outside) and 20 miles on the bike. I figure this will jump start me back into action. My tapering will start next week so I need to get in a last one or two more long runs before then but need to ease back into it after my week of slacking. It's amazing how long it takes to get into shape and how quickly it goes away. Wish me luck! Hopefully this weekend I can do a PR for chris's challenge.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Runners are awesome!

Well I was all worried about running with someone else for nothing. She backed out on the workout last night. I was pretty bummed at first. Once I started thinking about it though - it really made me realize what a strong commitment to running I have right now. It's so easy for us to say eh, not in the mood today...or come up with one of the millions of excuses...but we don't (most of the time!). We all deserve a pat on the back! With that being said though - I only ran 2 miles last night and then went golfing. It was such a nice day I had to! Tonight I have 3 volleyball games which won't be finised until 9 so that'll have to be my workout for the day. Tomorrow on the other hand will hopefully be a good run. I'm going to go for 13 miles this weekend. While I know that I can finish the 1/2 marathon - I think it'd make me less stressed if I did it at least once first. That's the plan! I'll of course keep you updated!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Ouch!

So I finally understand the full extent of chaffing. I didn't fully realize how cut and raw my skin really was until this morning. This is probably too much information but oh well - I have scabs under my boobs and in the middle where I so wisely stashed my cell phone during the run. I also have a nice battle wound on my right hip where my radio was clipped to my shorts. Ouch!!! Not fun!! I look like I ran threw a blender. Not to mention my shin splints are out of this world right now. I did however, enjoy a night of watching Juno (hilarious movie btw) with ice packs strapped to both shins. It was enjoyable. No pain no gain - right?

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

I DID IT!

10 mile day! I wasted half of my work day yesterday on mapmyrun.com trying to find a good route where I could run 5 miles out and have to run the remaining 5 back - forcing myself not to chicken out. A guy I work with suggested a beautiful road where my in-laws own a house.


I got myself all worked up and anxious all day - I was so nervous. On my way home from work I stopped at Radio Shack to get some new headphones - which I thanked myself numerous time throughout the run. My oldies were starting to short out on the left side and it drove me crazy. I got some sony ones that wrap around your ear - highly suggest, they are awesome.

So - the run. I first drove it so that I knew where I was going and mentally noted where each mile was. I threw out a water bottle at the 2 mile mark. When I was driving I noticed a guy on a bike with a bright orange hat. Oh great - should I be wearing orange? It is turkey hunting right now and this area is total fields. I called Todd and asked him since he used to live at the farm house that I started at and he said I'd be OK as long as I wasn't wearing a brown shirt with feathers. That shirt was dirty so I was wearing my fav nike running shirt. Good thing! A minute later Craig called to see if I had started or if I backed out. I proudly told him I was just about to start. He suggested taking my cell with me just in case it got dark and I needed help. I stashed it in the back of my sports bra - since my car key and an extra battery were in the front. I looked ridiculous but I was fully prepared. The first mile my heart was beating so hard because I had gotten myself so worked up and excited about it. Once I got to my water bottle I took a big swig and kept on moving. I didn't feel good at this point - at all. In fact, it was not much further when a truck and open trailer drove past - I considering jumping in. I didn't care where he was going as long as it meant I could stop moving. At mile number 3 I was so sweaty my cell phone almost fell out forcing me to put it in the front - I had a large lumpy tri-boob thing going on but I didn't care. I managed to get to the end of the 5 mile trek and start back. I picked up the speed on the way back to make sure I finished before dark. Around mile number 8 I started to lose my mind. I was so bored. I managed to get through that mile and on to number 9 which I think I literally said every swear word 8 times. When I finally made it to the end and started walking - it was the most bizare feeling. I felt like I had prosthetic (sp?) legs. My knees were so tight but wouldn't stop moving....craziness. I finished the 10 miles in an hour and half - which to my suprise is 10 minute miles. When I'm on the treadmill I run 11 and 12 minute miles so this was huge for me. Yay - so now today I can barely walk but I'm so proud of myself it's OK. Today is storming out so I declare it as my rest day. Tomorrow I'm running with a friend of mine - which is scary. I've only ever run by myself. I'll survive though. Yay for finishing my 10 though - who would have thought?!

Monday, April 21, 2008

Blogger.com's most boring "blogger"?

I came to the realization this weekend that my life is completely boring. My sister's blog is always packed with entertaining little bits and humorous stories...mine...isn't.

On Friday I went to the gym for a few hours and ran 5.5 miles, did some weights, and rode the bike for a few miles. I did however, rent the Alvin and the Chipmunks movie which was fun. Am I really this boring? Yep.

Saturday I woke up and went for a run. 6 miles was the max...I about died. It felt like 100 degrees outside by the time I finished..it was actually only 65 but close enough. I did some raking and things around the house for a few hours. My dog was looking a little lonely so I decided to take her for the 3 mile walk to the dog park. She had a blast - my hip flexors, not so much. By the time I got back I was hobbling. Oh well.

Yesterday there was no working out. I did golf 9 holes and passed on the cart though. It's normally more hassle than it's worth with a cart anyway considering I have to stop every 10 yards to hit the ball again. I actually golfed my best game though, a solid 66. : ) Slightly embarassing.

I'm only 30 days away from the 1/2 marathon which is frightening to think about. My goal this week is to get a 10 mile run under my belt. Wish me luck!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

The beginning...

I've never been good at keeping track of anything. Organization and details have never been a strong point. Let's see if this blog will help change that. My sister informed me today that I should really be keeping track of my mileage...so here goes nothing. If the mileage box in my blog doesn't move for a few days - dont' worry...I haven't died of shin splints...I'm just too lazy.

So far the training process has been going fairly well. Better than I expected actually. I've never been a runner - I fully believed that one should only run when chased. I started out in February by running a 1/2 mile on the treadmill...which was as far as I could go before feeling slightly at risk of a heart attack..yes, I'm only 23. I've since progressed to where 5 miles is actually comfortable. Never thought that would be possible. My longest run was on Monday of this week at 8.5 miles. I am hoping that by next week I will be able to report a 10 miler. I am running in the Green Bay, WI half marathon on May 18 and the Grand Rapids, MI full marathon on October 19...so I have some work to do - and quickly. I'm slightly concerned about the half marathon but I'm confident that at this point I will at least be able to finish in the vertical position - which is good enough for me.

I should run tonight but instead I'm going out. I have a volleyball game at 6 though so that will give me a little excerise. (We're in the "D League" though so running is optional) A seasonal bar/restaurant that sits right on the water opens tonight and it's a pretty big deal in this small town - so that is where I will conclude my evening. Running starts again tomorrow evening...6 miles is the goal.