Thursday, September 16, 2010

Just Won't Give Up, Will I?

I find myself at the beginning of my own race year. It starts in October for me - at the same race I've run for 3 years - that was also my first race that I ran since high school.
That is when I feel the urge to try that marathon dream again. I get that mental aching that won't subside to reach that goal once and for all.

Here we go again.....

If I pull this off, it would go in this order:
5k in October
10k in November
15k in December
Half Marathon in February
.....then if I'm still on track, I would want to run a marathon in April or early May - at the lastest.

Hmmmm.....can I do it?
Should I do it?
Are my shins/ankles/legs just not strong enough run a whole marathon just once?

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

On the Path

I'm nervous about this running goal.
Then again...I love, love, love things to look forward to and work towards.
I've even made reservations at the best place to stay at in Fort Collins!
Yesterday was three mile run.
I almost feel like I should skip the first two weeks of this training schedule since I just finished running a 10k last week....but I won't.
I'll be good and stick to the schedule....I guess.

Plan for week one:
Mon: 3miles
Tues: 3miles
Wed: off
Thurs: 3miles
Fri: off
Sat: 6miles
Sun: off

Wed, Fri and Sun will, for the most part be my days off. The marathon itself will be on Sunday.

This week I didn't run today for two reasons: one-I ran the 10k race this past Saturday and I had band practice tonight also. I traded tonight's run for tomorrow's day off. I'll run 3 miles tomorrow.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

At it again!

I'm back. Healed and ready to go.

I have now completed four 5ks and one 10k.

My goal? Yep...another try at the marathon.

I'm thirty pounds lighter, have done more reading/research and have an easier training schedule planned out. My first goat edit: goal (not goat) was San Antonio (which was this month). My new marathon goal will be Fort Collins, CO.

Let's go!

This officially starts week one!

Wish me luck!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Doc was wrong....

....Doc said about two weeks and I should be able to run again.
Nope.
End of May was my last running bit?
UPDATE:
No running in June. I did do some walking starting the beginning of July. Two nights ago I ran (lightly) on the treadmill for the first time. I went for an hour just over three miles but it was alternating walking and running laps for two of those miles.
I'm not hopeful that I'll pull off my original November marathon goal....but I WILL pull off that marathon eventually.
So far I'm just glad to be able get through without pain.
I gained weight while not exercising, but since I've been walking its going down. I can also blame poor dietary choices (waaay too much ice cream) on the weight gain.
Now....let's just hope Mother, who has been running and eating right, doesn't challenge me to a 5k. She'd whip me!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Injury

Boo.

My running is taking a forced break.

Diagnosis: Shin Splints.

Prognosis: Tearful.

I can not tell you how painful and frustrating shin splints can be. I can't walk, run, sit still, sleep, think....all I feel is pain. The doctor gave me pain drugs and I remembered after taking them that I hate pain drugs. I don't take pain drugs well at all. In fact, I tend to get sick even with a full stomach, get left with that mediciney head feeling and still feel the pain. Yuk!

I have been doing lots and lots and lots of reading of the causes, prevention and caring for/of shin splints. I completely understand the need to rest it so it can heal. Resting my leg is probably the hardest thing ever. My yard still needs mowing, house still needs cleaning, kids must be fed, don't even get me started on Walmart trips.

At first, when the doc said shin splints I was a little relieved to hear that it wasn't anything more severe. When he said no running for two weeks....at least, I honestly teared up and almost started crying. He started in with some story of a buddy he knew that...yada, yada, yada....all I could hear in my head was: No running for two weeks? That sets me back! Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.....I felt completely devasted. I actually think I went through a period of depression from between the last attempted long run until a couple of days after the doc appointment when I realized that:

Things really could have been so much worse.
This is only temporary.
I still have 167 days until my chosen marathon.
I will continue, even if I have to start over.
If I can't make my chosen marathon, they are others.
I have gotten so much encouragement.
I can still do other forms of exercise to keep me on track.

Not so bad, and not the end of this blog. It will.......run on. :-)

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Week Six's Long Run

18 miles.

18 miles?

18 miles.

I had the route mapped, had a tough week before hand and was looking forward to getting this run over with so I could get on with my easy week with light runs. I drove ahead and stashed snacks and water so I didn't have to carry any.

I left the driveway after a good stretch and started out trying to slowly jog only to realize that running was very painful in the back of my leg. It was as if someone was stabbing me everytime my foot hit the ground. I actually felt pretty good after stretching.

Probably a bad idea, but I decided I would continue on. I could still walk a fast pace and probably just wasn't warmed up enough. I'd try again in a little bit. About a quarter mile more and i tried again. No luck. Still pain. It was frustrating to feel this pain when i ran and not when I was walking. I kept going and kept trying and kept feeling that same pain. The first six miles were all near my home. After fours miles i started getting pain in the front part of my leg and then I felt the most concern since it seemed to be getting worse. I decided it was time to head home and give in.

Shoulders slumped, feeling very frustrated and a little beaten I started heading back home. I noticed the storm clouds that were in the distance were now right on top of me. It was probably good considering if i continued i might get caught in the rain. Then it was probably really good because the pain seemed to worsen with every step.

Yea...within a mile of my house the clouds opened up and fell upon me. It started with a sprinkle and gradually grew worse until there was a downpour right on me. I'm not sure I've ever felt any greater defeat than to limp a mile home in the pouring rain. I cried. I probably should have ducked under a tree and called for a ride, but I had trouble controlling the tears.

I decided if it still hurts in a couple of days then I'll call the doctor.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Week Five Update



The week itself was pretty good. In fact, it started out fantastically strong and extremely hopeful. I ran my 16 miles, I had three great practice runs scheduled over the week and felt more ready for those than ever. To end the week I had a 5k race with my sweet mother to look forward to.

Tuesday brought two workouts-The six mile regular run and then a light run of Saturday's course...more of a very easy run/walk. Almost through the course, I got the worst pain in my left shin. Horrible enough to make me tear up. Ouch doesn't even cover it. At first I just assumed it was some sort of cramp that needed more stretching.

Stretching didn't help.

So not wanting to over do it, I took a rest day the next day and skipped a scheduled eight miles. That night I was still in pain so I took another rest day knowing I had a rehearsal for a musical I've been cast in and the race on Saturday.

Over the week the pain got worse, walking was even hard, sitting with the leg propped was not good. I stretched, iced and advil'd everyday. Saturday arrived and I made the decision to do the race in pain. I stretched first, I warmed up and tried not to push too hard. I slowed to walk a couple times and finished in under thirty minutes....the time clock was not displayed very well and I have yet to find a list of finishing times.

I walked and walked after the race and then stretched and stretched. The rest of the day still hurt and I still had the long run for the next week to look forward to. Normally, I would be excited. This time....notsomuch.

This week's pic is courtesy of my arrival home after the long run....stay tuned to my next post on the long run.

Forecast: Stormy run leaves me drenched.....