Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Wind advisories - NOT!

Had one meeting after another today. The final one was cut much shorter than I originally intended. There were also wind advisories out today for nearly the entire day through tonight. When I walked out of my last meeting, it was so calm and nice out that I got home, hugged my kids, and asked Bill to go on a bike ride while I ran. How could I give up this beautiful weather?

What was I expecting? Lots of shin pain, lots of achiness, very slow, hard run, 5-7 miles.
What did I get? 5 miles in town (because it was getting dark), no pain, felt strong, consciously slow. When Bill left me at about mile 3, I had a 9:04 pace. oops!

My goal is to complete 15 miles by Friday. I may (not) get that, but I at least have 5 miles down.

today's mileage: 5 miles
weekly mileage: 5 miles
monthly mileage: 61 miles
annual mileage: 191 miles

Sunday, March 25, 2012

New Heights

WOAH! That's all I have to say. WOAH!

A year ago Bill was excited to complete a trip around the bike path, about 1.5 miles. Today he completed 16 miles!! Yes, that's right, 16 miles - 3 ethanol loops and a cemetery loop. So excited to see him reach new milestones that he never thought was possible.

today's mileage: 16 miles
weekly mileage: 16 miles
monthly mileage: 56 miles
annual mileage: 186 miles

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Family is medicine

We are having a great Spring Break and it's much needed to release some stress that has been building. Family time is always good for that!

After a really fast, adrenaline-filled Ethanol Loop a couple days ago, my shins were really feeling it today. I knew in the first 10 steps that there was no way I was going to complete the 8-mile goal. In the first mile I almost turned around and went back home the pain was almost unbearable. I just kept thinking, "I have to run through this and it will get better." I got to mile 1.3 and knew it wouldn't. I stopped and rested about 5 times, but I did finish the Ethanol Loop. My shins wouldn't stop stinging. :'''( I kept telling Bill and Rachael to just run ahead without me, but they stopped every time I did. It was good to have family with me or I would have quit much earlier, and probably should have! I iced my shins when I got home.

I am wishing to exchange shins for blisters right now. I just hope this isn't a stress fracture coming on...

today's mileage: 5 miles
weekly mileage: 10 miles
monthly mileage: 40 miles
annual mileage: 170 miles

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Ethanol Experiment

Today I needed to do a little experiment. There were some variables, but it was a good experiment. I have been having some numbness in my right toe about mile 4ish. I did an Ethanol Loop with Bill and wore my old QC shoes. My toe didn't go number and I had a great run. The winds were gusting to 19 mph from SE, but I didn't notice. My shins didn't hurt, and I felt strong. It was great to be able to get out on a shorter run and have some good conversation with Bill.

today's mileage: 5 miles
weekly mileage: 5 miles
monthly mileage: 35 miles
annual mileage: 165 miles

Monday, March 12, 2012

Breakthrough

I don't know if it's the start of Spring Break or a new outlook, but I had a great run! I rally haven't been running many miles, but I always seem to get my long run in each week. I know that's not the way to do this, but that's what's working in my schedule right now.

I have not been able to run the whole run each time and have to walk, but I am finishing the run. It's a mental thing for sure. I keep pushing myself to push through it. I'm glad when it's over because well, it's over, and it feels great! The 15 miles today was a great accomplishment for me mentally. I really needed to have this run. I kept myself positive and a smile on my face. Yes I can! I even started to think positively about a marathon.

Maybe a Warrior Run?

today's mileage: 15 miles
weekly mileage: 25 miles
monthly mileage: 30 miles
annual mileage: 160 miles

Monday, March 5, 2012

A Step Back

My goal tonight was 10-15 miles. I really wanted about at least 12, but settled for the minimum 10. I did some foam rolling and lots of stretching before I left. Last night I did some lunges and other exercises so my thighs were screaming at me. I think the stretching and rolling helped loosen those muscles.

I was hoping for nice weather when I walked out of school tonight because tomorrow is supposed to be in the upper 60s! I missed my big run this weekend and I won't be able to run tomorrow because of conferences so I had high hopes for today! I walked out of school and the winds were blowing like crazy - 18 mph crazy! I was going to do it! The winds were SSE so the Ellsworth run was going to be perfect.

I left school late today so I got a later start than I had anticipated. Rachael and I took off down the road. I felt great until about mile 2. We did a walking break about mile 3.5 and that was just what we needed to get our second wind. We took a break at Kum N Go and had a gel. We did a couple miles through town and then back to Jewell. Wow, I felt stronger than ever. We were on a roll. It was just like the old days of running - no stopping us!

We got back to town and I was exhausted again. ok I think 10 will be a good number to stop. To chart our pace mileage would look like a bell curve - fast start, slow middle, and fast ending, with the exception of the last mile, our slowest mile. It was a good mile to stop on. I was getting blisters on 3 of my toes.

Last week I looked at this blog post. I realized I was maybe a little stressed as I got "warning", one step away from "danger"! Yeah, I've been a little stressed. This explains why I've felt like I've taken a big step backward in my running. I do a few miles, want to stop/quit, and am totally wiped out by the end. I am hoping this passes quickly.

today's mileage: 10 miles
weekly mileage: 10 miles
monthly mileage: 15 miles
annual mileage: 145 miles

Thursday, March 1, 2012

ouchouchouch

Overall this was a good run, but I can't shake the idea that most of my run have been tough this year. My shins have been killing me at the beginning of each run and I feel exhausted during them. I want to quit about a mile into it and it's everything I can do to keep going. I know I also have an extra 10-15 pounds that I am carrying around that needs to go. I know I have to do more cross training, including core, glute, and hamstring work. I have lots of excuses for not running or getting out of my rut. I vowed to remain positive this year and "keep my chin up", but I have to consciously and repeatedly rid my mind of the idea that I can't and focus on can. *sigh* Ok, I'm done; I'll get off my soapbox.

This morning walking to school was a beautiful morning. It was a great way to start my day. There was absolute silence outside. No wind. No cars. No bird singing. Just nature. I walked a little slower just to enjoy the beauty of the beginning. This afternoon was almost equally beautiful. There was a little , ahem, breeze, but it was really nice to be outside, especially after yesterday's icy weather.

I am excited that I have 10 miles in for this week. Last month was not what I expected, nor wanted, but I was still able to complete most of my runs. I am hoping to significantly increase that mileage. I think I have a good start.


today's mileage: 5 miles
weekly mileage: 10 miles
monthly mileage: 5 miles
annual mileage: 135 miles