3 Hurtful Miles

I ran three miles last night. It hurt. A lot. I walked. A lot. My time was shameful. Just under 30 minutes. Not really sure where to go from here. My right knee is giving up on me.
I thought it was just something I could run through. Then, I thought it was just something that would take a week or two to rest and then be fine....Trav still thinks that....unfortunately he can't feel the pain so I don't think that he understands quite how much it hurts. I can usually tolerate pain fairly well....not like Travis can, but golly, this hurts.
I really would like to run the half. I felt that I was progressing and that I could have done well...but it's been a month since ANY progression. Maybe next year...or after I can get surgery one day.

two

I was going to run three today. By 1.5 I knew I would only run 2 today. I had such a hard time breathing today. I ran two miles in 18:54, which is a 9:27 mile pace. I wore a brace on my right knee and a band on my left knee. They was starting to feel a little sore. I walked a mile home. I tried to run for a few minutes...hoping for a second wind or something...nope. My knees started hurting so I stopped. My knees felt fine after the run. After I stretched, I took a shower and then the pain started coming in my right knee. Walking/Standing=Pain. I'm going to keep trying and see how it goes this week. If things aren't working out, I may have to try and sell my spot in the half marathon and take a break from running until it heals or until I can get insurance and get surgery. My dad thinks I probably have what my sister has, which is also probably what he has going on with his knee. It will really be a bummer if I can't do the race, but I trust that my life will keep going on and I can still be happy without running :)

I'm back

Today I ran for the first time in 11 days. I planned on running one mile. I ran on the treadmill and I haven't quite learned to run on it right so that it would be equivalent to running outside yet (time-wise). I did the treadmill because I figured it would be easier on my knees. While I was running, my knee wasn't hurting so I decided to still take it easy but to do more than planned so I only did 1.5 miles. I averaged 10 minute miles so it took me 15 minutes, but my knee didn't hurt. Hopefully it stays that way.

Hanging up the running shoes...

...at least for a little while.
Last night, after I got home from my tearful run, I talked with Trav about it, and I talked with my mom this morning and we think it is probably best if I just take a little break. My sister just recently had surgery on her knee, my dad needs surgery, and so does my brother. So...for all I know, this could be genetic and I could have it too. What my sister has (knee plica syndrome?), you are born with and it gets inflamed from running. After she got it removed it was fine. So, I am hoping it is not that I need surgery and that it is something that some rest can fix. I really want to be able to at least run this one half marathon so I am going to pray for an easy fix. I will keep riding my bike and trying to do cross training though so I don't get too out of shape. We will see how long I can last.

3

first half= 13:49.83 (first mile was around 8:48)
second half= 15:30.12
total= 29:19.95
avg= 9:46 min miles

the second half of my run was terrible. I had to stop moving altogether because my knee wanted to pop off. I walked a little, cried a little, and really pushed myself to finish. it may not be the worst timing ever, but I would definitely say this was my worst run ever.

5 miles of death

Sorry if all my posts seem negative lately, but right now, everything just feels like it is going downhill.
Last night I went running just before 10pm. My sweet husband rode behind me on his bike and shined a light for me while I was running. He really is a very thoughtful guy.
My knee felt good. By my first mile I was dying. I had terrible cramps (most likely resulting from the dinner I had eaten about an hour prior...I ate ALOT!)
Anyways, it hurt so bad...i gave in and I walked. I was so ashamed :( So my next mile was pretty long. By the end of the second mile I was feeling great (probably because I had been going so slow...AND my husband had been giving me water about every half mile) So i decided that I was going to run 5 miles instead of 4, since that is what my training schedule said to do. At my turn around point, my knee started hurting a little bit. At three miles, my knee was hurting A LOT. My other knee started hurting and I basically hurt all together. This is the slowest I have run in a while and my knees hurt really bad.

mile 1= 9:24.20
mile 2= 10:20.48
mile 3= 9:56.45
mile 4= 10:31.20
mile 5= 9:44.77
total= 49:57.70
I averaged 9:59 miles :(

I am doing three tonight and 7 on Friday since I will be watching trav run the race on saturday morning.
I am really worried about my knees.

3.......discouraged

Tonight I ran three miles. I had plans to possibly run four, but I felt like I should only do three. I am having a hard time trying to figure out how many miles I need to run each day because while I am trying to catch back up with my training schedule, I don't want to over-do it, because that is how I got into the situation I am in right now...trying to catch up. I think I increased my mileage a little too quickly. My quote at the top of my blog makes sense for the most part, but I think at some point you can't ignore your body, which I did two Saturdays ago.
My dad gave me a shot Friday night. Boy did it hurt. The next day, my knee was in A LOT of pain. ALL day. Sunday morning, I woke up and it didn't hurt at all. Same as today. I also bought a little band to go above my knee that is supposed to take some of the stress off of my IT band. During my run today it didn't hurt. Only near the end of my run did my knee start to hurt...but this time it is a different part of my knee. great. I ran hard and I still couldn't get under 28 minutes. It is making me crazy. It is really dicouraging. Still had dehydration problems, even though it wasn't as hot...I am still not getting enough water. Looks like I may have to give in to those stupid water bottle waist ugly things. NOOOO!!!!
Anyways my time:
first half=13.41.51
second half=14.27.95
total=28.09.46
avg= 9:23 minute miles. a second slower per mile than Friday! :(

I am starting to wonder if I have reached my highest potential as a runner. I was keeping up with the training schedule, I have gained a TON of muscle, I ran a good 10k and the I DIED running 7 miles. and now every time I run...I feel like I am starting over. I am not running the 15k on Saturday. I really wanted to, but I feel like I need to adjust my training schedule and I think 9 is just a little more than I can do right now, but I will be there to cheer for Trav :) I will probably try to run 7 miles this weekend sometime. We will see how it goes. Wish me luck

Why do I have to be so prideful?

i ran 3 today. bad news.
the first half was pretty good. normal running. i was pretty excited that I didn't feel like dying. i tried to speed up for the second half...nothing happened, but pain.
the second half really started hurting my knee. this slowed me down A LOT. I am pretty sure my third mile was about 10 minutes. I had about a 1/4 mile left and I decided that i should walk or else something bad might happen to my knee...but i didn't stop running. of course. i am MUCH too prideful for that.
First Half= 13:52.71
Second Half= 14:12.99
Total 3= 28:05.70
avg=9:22 min miles
Afterwards i was in dyer need of water and for someone to cut my leg off.
I am pretty sure that I need to be drinking water about every two miles.I think I am getting dehydrated more quickly as the temperature gets hotter, so I have to do something about the water....how I am going to pull that off, I don't know. I don't want to run with those stupid little water bottles attached to my hip. I certainly don't want a camelback slowing me down. again, pride.
I am going to get an IT band brace and my dad is gonna give me some sort of shot in my knee tonight...so scary :( Hopefully it is the miracle drug of the century and I will be a speed racer by Monday. (he says that is when it should start working.)
As for my Saturday run, I was supposed to do 8. I will have to talk to my medical advisor, aka dad, to see what I am allowed to do or not do. I thought about doing 4 in the morning and then 4 at night, but judging by how much my knee hurts at the moment from running 3 miles....i'm not so sure that I will be running at all...depending on how prideful i am when I wake up.

2 miles :(

first mile= 8:28.52
second mile=8:38.61
total= 17:07.13
AVG= 8:34 min miles

I ran 2 today. I am having a hard time knowing what to do as I deal with my knee going crazy. The minute I started running, something started pinching in the back of my leg...it is behind the knee part of my leg (the part that bends)...anyways, something was pinching, I don't know if it was a ligament or tendon or whatever the rubbery cord type things on the back of your leg are. Anyways, I kept running for a few seconds and I decided to stop. I stretched my legs and marched in place to try and loosen it up a little bit. I wanted to go home, but I told myself that I already gave in by choosing to ONLY run 2 today, so i wasn't going to give in again. I walked back to the beginning and started again. No pinching problems until about half a mile. At this point I decided that when I reach one mile that I would stop running and walk home. As I approached the mile mark, I thought about how much harder my run on Saturday might be if I didn't keep going. I also reminded myself that if I can't learn some endurance...running the half marathon in August is really going to suck. So i decided to keep running. It was extremely hard to breathe the entire time because my allergies are progressively getting worse each morning. Finally I made it back and I told myself that I should give up running indefinitely. I know I can't...but I want to. Maybe after the half. Travis would be pretty annoyed that we paid the money and I didn't even run, so I at least have to make it that far.

Running Again

Today was the first time I ran since Saturday. My knee just felt a tiny bit sore afterward. I felt a little bit out of shape, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. I ran three miles in 26:55.09. So I averaged 8:58 min miles. I was expecting to go slower, so I was pretty happy with how I did today. I made sure to stretch my IT band very well before and after. Still feeling a little sore, I hope I am able to run 8 miles come Saturday.

7 miles and a hurt knee

On Saturday, I ran seven miles. My goal was to do it in an hour and 5 minutes. I missed my goal by one minute. My knee was sort of bothering me for pretty much the whole time. It felt like I was going so slow....which I kind of was.

Mile 1= 8.51.27
Mile 2= 9.45.33
Mile 3= 9.10.29
Mile 4= 9.47.67
Mile 5= 9.44.28
Mile 6= 9.42.53
Mile 7= 9.26.71

avg mile= 9.29.72

The first two miles could be off because I am not quite sure where the one mile mark is.
I knew I should have walked when my knee started going crazy, but I just couldn't do it. I wanted to be able to run the whole thing with no breaks. Trav was waiting for me at the cross walk, so I probably ran the end a little too fast for what my knee could handle. My knee hurt pretty bad. My dad, who is in orthopedics, checked it out and said that it is most likely my IT band. Saturday night it was so painful that I couldn't help but cry. Yesterday, I tried to stay off of it as much as possible and I have been icing it, so today hasn't been bad. The other knee is starting to have a little bit of pain. I am going to take it easy for today and try to run 3 miles tomorrow.

3 today

Yesterday was pretty busy and I didn't make enough time to go running. So I was a little nervous about today's run because last time that I took two days off in a row, it was REALLY hard the next time I ran.
Today wasn't too bad though. I felt pretty in shape. It wasn't as easy as some runs I have had, but it really wasn't bad either.

First Half= 13.13.56
Second Half= 13.19.56
Total= 26.33.12
So I averaged 8:51 minute miles.

This makes me happy because it is only three seconds longer than my course best time and I didn't even have to put very much effort into it.
It's amazing. I can feel myself actually getting into shape. A few months ago, I had trouble running a mile without stopping. Now I know I can AT LEAST run 6.2 without stopping. I used to run so slow and my speed has increased very quickly. It proves to me that my body was definitely meant to be more active than I had been in the past. It feels good. I am happier, I can get a lot more done, I have a lot more motivation to do more, and it just feels good overall, even if I am a little sore sometimes.
I am pretty nervous about tomorrow- 7 miles. But, if it goes the same as my running as been going, I think I will feel alright about it when its over.

Surprising 5

Five miles today. It was hard. I felt like I was running in slow motion and I wanted to give up. My knees hurt. So I was definitely surprised when I saw that I beat my last 5 mile time!

Mile 1= 8:48.88
Mile 2= 8:50.97
Mile 3= 9:13.16
Mile 4= 9.31.47
Mile 5= 9.09.34
Total= 45:33.82

Average 9:07 miles.

Such a hard run, but at least now I know that just because a run is hard, it doesn't mean I am going slow!!!

Easy 3

Yesterday, I woke up and my legs were pretty sore from Saturday. I decided to run after work. I went running around 9:30pm and I decided to just take it easy as I ran the 3 miles. I ran without any pain and I didn't feel very tired.

First half= 13:56.69
Second half= 13:36.94
Total= 27:33.63
Pace per mile= 9:11

This is not my fastest three miles, but it felt good and I didn't have to put much effort into it at all. It just felt like a light jog and I felt in shape. Tomorrow is five miles.

My first 10k-bear lake

it was freezing and i had pretty much no sleep. overall I would say it went pretty good. it helped to have so many people cheering me on.
first .2 miles= 1.37.93
mile 1= 8.31.88
mile 2= 9.02.38
mile 3= 9.02.83
mile 4= 9.08.80
mile 5= 9.06.07
mile 6 = 8.41.42
total time 6.2 miles = 55.11.31
that averages to be 8:54 min miles.
my knees hurt because I sprinted so fast at the finish line. I don't think i saw anyone else running that fast at the finish. i have never sprinted so fast. I finished 5th in my age division. This makes me happy. I think i have improved very quickly and it feels good to do that.
this race was hard because it was so cold. i think this was hard on my joints. I didn't stop running though even though I wanted to.
My goals were to finish under an hour and to not stop running. I accomplished my goals and that makes me happy.

Not feeling prepared....

Today I ran three miles. I ran it in 26.29.86. That is a little under 8:50 minute miles. This is my fastest pace yet, but I felt sooooo tired. I wanted to walk the whole time. None of it felt good. I didn't let myself walk because I don't want to ruin the streak I have had. I don't even remember the last time I have walked.
After running this and wanting to give up the whole time, it makes me feel a bit unprepared for the 10k on Saturday. I really want to do it in under an hour. I am fairly confident that I can, but I am really scared that I will want to walk as bad as I wanted to today.

Today was 4

I ran four miles today.
I was pretty upset when I could not find the first mile mark. I looked at my watch around the time I usually see it and it was around 8 minutes and 50 seconds. So I decided not to let this get me discouraged because I knew I was going a pretty good pace. I got to mile 2 at 18.40.37, so I am only estimating the pace of the first two miles, since I couldn't see the mark and push the lap button.

Mile 1 = roughly 9 minutes
Mile 2 = roughly 9.40.
Mile 3 = 9.09.08
Mile 4 = 8.48.58!
Total time = 36.38.03

So I averaged about 9:09 miles!

I was very please with the overall time. This is a 4 mile record for me. I cut almost two minutes off of my last 4 mile time.
When I got home, I stretched and then I went to cross off my miles on my calendar. Then I realized, today I was not even supposed to run! I was supposed to run 4 tomorrow!

Fast Three

Today's run went alright. I ran three miles. The second half was NOT enjoyable. But I was really pushing myself. I know my first mile was around 8:50. The first mile and a half took me 13.54.47 min. After the half way point I wanted to walk sooo bad. I reach a street near the end of my run at 10 minutes (of second 1/2). It usually takes me three minutes to run down this street. I ran it in less than 3 minutes and reached the end of my route at 13.00.03 min. I did three miles is 26.54.50 minutes. This is record time for me. Just under 8:58 minute miles. I was pleased but I did NOT enjoy this run. oh, and my allergies are going CRAZYYYY!

Saturday's FIVE.

Saturday was my long run. I ran five miles.
Much of the route was on my favorite route so I enjoyed most of the run.
I am very please with my time and I didn't have to push myself very hard. My knee didn't bother me until the end of the run but I don't think it hurt my time.
Mile 1 = 9.17.14 min
Mile 2 = 9.48.07 min
Mile 3 = 9.36.78 min
Mile 4 = 9.35.08 min
Mile 5 = 9.23.54 min
Total time = 47.40.61 min
So I averaged 9.32.12 min miles.
I hate running, but it sure makes me feel good.

Happy.

Today's run (3 miles) was about like yesterdays run in the timing area, but man was I tired. I woke up and laid in bed for a few minutes. Took my time stretching. Did some laundry in between. The minute I step outside, it starts raining....of course.
I know where the first mile area is of my run. I don't know the EXACT mark, but I am pretty sure my first mile was under 8:30. This made me excited and kept me motivated. I got the the half way point about 13 seconds faster today. By this time I was soaked. I stepped in a puddle and water gushed up into my shoe. I wanted to beat yesterdays time REALLY badly. But no matter how hard I would run, I just felt like I was moving in slow motion. I felt so worn out. When I got to the corner where I usually push myself and run a little faster, I just couldn't. I was about 6 seconds slower than yesterday. At first I let it get me down, but then i decided that I should probably feel this tired after running all week. I decided that I had a good week, no major injuries, and a mile under 9 minutes. So I am happy.

Heres my time:
1st half= 13.27.88
2nd half= 13.50.08
Total time= 27.17.96

I am gonna have Trav paint some mile markers. It is more motivating than just clicking my watch at the half way point.

Getting Faster!

Today was three miles.
Pushed my lap button at the half way point.
First 1/2= 13.40.76 minutes
Second 1/2= 13.30.39 minutes
Total 3= 27.11.15 minutes
Yes!!! That is like a 9:04 mile!!!
While I was running, I thought of my running over the weekend and that kept me running!

Awesome :) Saturday and Monday runs

This memorial weekend was awesome in terms of running!
We were down in Plain City and we had measured out our miles on Friday and spray painted each mile. It helped a ton.
On Saturday I ran four miles. The moment I reached the one mile mark and pushed my watch I saw that it was below ten minutes and it got me excited. It felt awesome passing each mile mark and it kept me motivated.
These were my miles:
Mile 1 ~ 9.43.56 min
Mile 2 ~ 10.16.56 min
Mile 3 ~ 9.55.69 min
Mile 4 ~ 9.19.98 min
Total= 4 miles@ 39.15.79 minutes
Average= a little under 9.49 minutes.

I was so happy with this run. I only had one mile over ten minutes! It is nice when Travis comes out and I can see him jumping up and down and cheering for me as I finish my run! He is great! He is probably my number one motivator. It felt so good that I decided to do four miles on Monday instead of three.

Monday was not as easy. I had a much harder time breathing but it still felt great, especially because I ran even faster!
Mile 1 ~ 9.22.04 min
Mile 2 ~ 9.33.12 min
Mile 3 ~ 9.49.53 min
Mile 4 ~ 9.26.55 min
Total= 38.11.24 min
avg= 9.32.81

Yay! i am getting faster! probably because there are NO hills in plain city. I love it!

Faster and Harder

Another three miles today. I was pleased with my time. It was hard.
For the most part, I was running pretty well and everything felt great. I was thinking positive thoughts and felt very confident.
I think I may have been pushing myself a little hard. I drank like a quarter cup of water before I ran. I don't know if this started the major cramps that happened right before the half way point or not. (Could be the three cup cakes I ate last night!) I reached half way at 14.49.39 minutes. The dang watch thing happened again. I started freaking out and thinking discouraging thoughts. But I knew that if i pushed stop at the end, it would record the times and everything would work out so i just kept running. I was having pretty bad cramps so I walked for about half a minute. I tried to really push myself but my body just felt so tired and then my knee and ankle started hurting. I walked a little bit more and then I told myself that I was not going to stop because I wanted to beat my time for the last couple of days. I really pushed myself at the end. My second lap was a little slower and I finished the three miles in 29.49.96 minutes. Hurray! Barely less than ten minute miles, but faster than what I have been getting. I started dry heaving BIG time and am still having cramps. It feels like I have torn something in my stomach. At least I don't run till Saturday. 4 Miles.
Travis taught me how to use my watch when I got home. Turns out I just wasn't being patient enough. It stays on the same screen for about ten seconds when you push the lap button so you know how you did for that lap. Then it switches to showing the current lap. At least now I know!
I am getting pretty bored with my three mile route. Plus there are places that I could take short cuts if I wanted so I think I am going to change it.

Feeling Good

My run today was satisfying. I did three miles, the same out and back route I ran yesterday. I'm still kind of going slow, but it didn't hurt. No cramps, no bad joint pain, no wanting to kill over and die. :)
The first half took me 14:58. When I pushed the lap button at my turn around, I thought my watch didn't do anything so I was freaking out and became a little discouraged. I decided to quit messing with it and just checked what time it was. 8:36am. I kept wanting to walk but I only ended up walking once for about a minute or so. I started gagging/dry heaving while I was running, but I kept going and it quickly passed. I think if I would have stopped I would have kept gagging, so i am glad I pushed myself. I got back at 8:51:32. So, my second half was just under 16 minutes.So I ran 3 miles in a little under 31 minutes. I felt good for the most part. I think NOT eating breakfast before I ran was the right choice.
It's amazing, all the little things you learn while running to improve for the next time. It is sort of a trial and error learning sort of deal.

So when I got home, I was mad at my watch. I kept pushing all sorts of buttons to see what happened. Come to find out, it did register that I pushed the lap button. After pushing a few buttons, I found the clock and it was still going. Lame. Not sure what happened.

CEMENT in my shoes.

Well, I didn't end up running yesterday because I forgot about a prior commitment I had made. Let me tell you, it was a HUGE mistake not running for three days straight. I feel like I am back at square one. Today was three miles. After about one minute of running I felt like I wanted to walk already! I kept running. My feet felt soooo heavy and I started getting really bad cramps (I should NOT have eaten breakfast). I ran the first mile in about 8 minutes and then I just wanted to lay down. I started walking for a few minutes so I wouldn't die. When I started to run again i felt like I was running in place. I finally reached my half way mark at 15.45.02. My second half was slower even though I walked less. (i don't know how to work my watch yet to see the exact time). My total time was 31.22. I felt so out of shape the whole run. I need to eat better, sleep better, and be more consistent. The good news of today: NONE of my joints hurt like they usually do! YAY!

So things I have learned so far that need to be implemented into my training:
NO eating before runs.
Don't run in the cold with out my ear covers.
Do NOT miss a day of running that is scheduled on my training plan.
Drink more water throughout my day.
Get some allergy medicine for my hay fever.

Friday 5k

Trav and I were helping with the BAM run 5k on Saturday so we figured we would run it the night before with some of our family members. Travis was kind enough to run it with me. I didn't stop running. That is a new record for running and not stopping! YAY! I was pleased with my time especially because I was not putting all my effort into it. We finished in 29 minutes, 30? seconds. I can't remember exactly. I think if I were in an actual race I would have had more adrenaline and would have pushed my self a lot more, but I felt really good about our time. I didn't run on Saturday. We were very tired after the 5k. It turned out awesome and we were pleased with the number of people that came.

Judging by the weather, it looks like I may be running on the treadmill today. Only a few more weeks left until the 10k in Bear lake. I hope I am ready.

slow

I didn't run yesterday. My ankles were still hurting so I just walked as much as I could. However, judging by how the rest of my day went and by the weather today...I should have run yesterday. My day just seemed to drag on. I didn't get hardly anything done and I felt a little depressed. Turns out, I need to release those endorphins!!!!
So today, even though I don't usually run on Thursdays, I was determined to make up for yesterday. Of course, the minute I step outside, it starts raining!
I didn't plan a course beforehand, I just figured I would run for 20 minutes or so. I didn't have much time because I had to go into work early. I ran for 23.47 minutes. On map my run, it says that I ran 2.34 miles. So, my miles were like 10 minute miles. I feel like that is SUPER slow. BUT I need to remember I am not concentrating on speed yet. Right now, I am just trying to get my body used to running. I am running a 10k in less than a month and I would like to work on my speed soon. Next week I am starting my actual training program so maybe I can start concentrating on speed then and I will actually plan the routes I will be running.

but i LOVE high heels!

So, I found out what my cramps and stomach ache was yesterday during my run. The only thing that I could eat yesterday was popcorn because I felt so sick. So, I ate a whole bag of popcorn. Then Trav brought me home six packages of my favorite candy (hi-chews). I ate a package. Then, I threw it all up. It was disgusting. Popcorn kernals were stuck to my teeth. I thought...am I pregnant??? Then I started my period. Nope, not pregnant. But that does explain the cramps, the bloating, and all the confusing emotions that I have been having! Sorry if this is TMI for you. I am a detail oriented kind of person.
Anyways, this morning I woke up and didn't feel like throwing up! Yay! Cramps are still there, but that is expected. But the first thought I had when I woke up was, "Are my ankles broken?" I thought that they were twisted around and that my toes were touching the bed and that my heels were pointed towards the ceiling. Travis told me to go on a walk today and see how it goes. I got out of bed and walked around like an old person. I then thought back to yesterday...i ran on my toes (that explains the pain in my calves, but I expected that.) Then as I was picking up my house, I realized what it was. I was putting away the shoes I wore yesterday. They are my favorite white high heels. I wore them on our wedding day. Yesterday Travis said..."You know those shoes are not good for your feet, right?" I replied, "But I look so sexy in them Trav!" He said, "Yep you do, but they are not good for your feet." So, I thought about my ankles. I pointed my feet in the same position they would be in if I were wearing my beloved shoes. OUCH. Pain shot through my ankles and up my shins. :( Looks like I am not wearing those shoes for 9 hours straight ever again. I will probably refrain from wearing them until after the race. So sad. I will probably refrain from wearing heels at all except for church. I can't give them up on Sundays. I have no flat shoes. I am short. I need them. I love high heels.
I put the heels away. I put on my boring tennis shoes and walked to work.

Running With Comfort

Sunday...the blessed day of rest! NO running! :)

Today I ran. My training program requires that i be able to run 30 minutes without stopping, so that is what i did. I ran without stopping. I didn't even run three miles (i think it was 2.83 or something), but I was trying to enjoy my run and just really pace myself so I would not give up.
This weekend, I talked to Jason about my ankle pain. He said that this happens when people don't land on their toes. So, I tried to run on my toes. It was awkward at first but I just kept concentrating on it. Occasionally I would forget and go back to regular running, but then I would remember and start doing it again. I didn't have any ankle pain until the very end and it was very minimal, which is WAY better than usual. I just need to find a more comfortable and natural way of landing on my toes. I think my heels on my shoes may be a little to big.
My knee didn't bother me very much until i ran down a hill. I am not sure what to do about the knee. My dad, brother, and sister all have problems with their right knee...which is the same knee that bothers me. Hopefully just strengthening it will help.
Overall, I had a lot of energy when the thirty minutes was up. I could have probably run another mile or two, but I didn't have time and my stomach started aching. It STILL hurts. Not sure whether this is related to the running or not. BUT it makes me happy that I still had a lot of energy in me!

Saturday is a special day

Yesterday was a rest day.
My brother in law said that his knees hurt when it is cold outside. So I decided to run inside on the treadmill. After about 30 seconds of that I decided to run outside. I had it going at six miles an hour which is a ten minute mile but my little legs couldnt keep up with the treadmill.
So trav and I went down to plain city and I ran while down there. I ran three miles around the "big block". I ran for about 12 minutes. I started having cramps in my stomache so walked for about two minutes. I ran for another 5 and my knee started bothering me. I walked for another minute and a half then i ran the rest of the way! While running something flew into my eye. So I had to run while trying to rub it out. Then someone almost hit me while pulling out. Despite the heat and all the not fun things about my run, it felt good and I was pleased with my time. My goal was to beat 30 minutes. Trav was waiting for me in the driveway and was cheering me on. That made me run faster. I made it in 28.23 minutes and got a pretty good sunburn to show for it.

Discouraging

I don't know what happened. So many things went wrong today during my run.
I know you shouldn't eat before you run, but with how little I eat, I figure it couldn't harm me. I had like a 1/3 cup of Life Cereal, stretched, and walked out the door. I was more tired than I have been this week. I haven't been sleeping well.
I started running and my knees were feeling pretty weak. Then my ankles began to hurt. I would say that I was running faster than usual. I got around the graveyard the first time and checked my watch.....THIRTEEN minutes???? I am pretty sure Trav and I need to remeasure the graveyard because I KNOW I was running faster than a frickin 13 minute mile!!!! This was the only place I had trained for the Plain City 5k last year, no WONDER i was so shocked at how fast I ran the 5k. I was probably really running 4 to 5 miles each flippin time I trained!!!! Anyways, if we can't get to measuring the graveyard soon, I am not running there ANYMORE.
Anyways, I kept running. After I got about 1/2 way done with the next lap, I gave up. My ankles and knees were hurting, I couldn't breath, I was FREEZING, and to top it off, they were mowing the lawn so my allergies basically took over. I stopped running, and I cut through the graveyard and went home. I don't know if my breakfast affected me or not, but I don't think I want to take anymore chances. I will either wake up earlier to eat, or not eat until AFTER I run.
LAME run. Verrry Discouraging.
Let's hope my "long run" of 3 miles on Saturday goes better.

Start Training

I am setting up this blog so I can more easily hold myself accountable for my running.
According the the running schedule I found on line to train for a half marathon, it has me resting on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Not sure if this is too much rest but we will see how it goes. It also says that I need to be able to run two miles without walking in order to keep up with the schedule. So that was my first goal. I have run a few times in the last couple months, but nothing consistent.
So, Monday was my official start training day!

MONDAY: Ran-walked the graveyard twice. Each time around is a little over a mile.
TUESDAY: Rest
WEDNESDAY: Ran a little over two miles and didn't stop!!! Forgot to put Trav's watch on, so no timing, but I know it was faster than Monday. I would estimate it was about 16 minutes.

Trav ordered me a nice running watch so it should be here soon!
Tomorrow I plan to run 2.5 -3 miles.
Right now I have just been running the graveyard. I am going to sit down with Trav this weekend and figure out an official training schedule and look for routes that will help me train for my upcoming runs.

It hasn't been long but I sure feel motivated to train every morning. Probably because I don't want to make a complete fool out of my self. I am determined to do this, even though it is not my idea of fun!