back at it...

Now that I am cleared from the doctor to start running, (foot tendonitis) I'm preparing this week to run next week. That may sound silly, but it's true. If you just start running, without prep, you may hate and not go again. For me, I have to start hydrating. I have a bad habit of drinking coffee and milk, but not enough juice, water and other things that actually hydrate you. When I run without being hydrated, I feel it in my hands. Fat, painful and swollen, BAH!

This week, I'm eating better, hydrating, transitioning my thinking (no I'm not a loony) I'm just preparing, running is mental. I need to prepare, mentally and physically to get back to it. I don't even want to entertain how I have undone all of my hard work, but I'll know in the A.M. when I step on the scale.

It's a good time to start again. Spring, summer is close and I want running to be a habit not a chore.

Oh no.. I'm starting to get nervous

Oh my gosh. Panic is setting in. I am a very slow runner, about 4 miles an hour to be exact and that might include a little walking here and there. Which means, no problem finishing the Seattle 1/2 and Vegas 1/2 before the courses close. However, I'm getting nervous. A little panicky to be exact. I ran 8 miles last Saturday. Took about 4 hours. Now foot hurts, big surprise. Foot will live. Just need to ice and stretch blah blah blah.

Anyway, there are 5 weeks left of training and 5 long runs. 8 miles, 9 miles, 10 miles then the taper off to 6 and 4 then race week. Panic is here. Okay deep breath! That's not working...

Oops...

There are a lot of things going on. First and foremost, I'll be doing the Seattle Half Marathon in November, not the full. My original training schedule was for a full, then I was updating the schedule and updated off the half marathon schedule so I've been under training. Anyway, I'm doing the half. Which I'm fine with. I only started this crazy adventure to make sure I kept running and got in shape. That is definitely happening. Can you say "Incredible shrinking ass?" I can. Mine is smaller, kinda flat looking. Definitely need to fix that part, but the shrinking part is great.

So to recap: Seattle Half (running) in November, Las Vegas Rock & Roll half a week later (walking with a bunch of friends and Rock & Roll full in Seattle in June!

The unbearable hip and back pain are going away. All the thanks to the chiropractor and his magic stretching along with the adjustments. My back is so much better and my hips don't hurt as much when I walk and run. Last weeks Wednesday run was only 3 miles, but it felt great and there was no walking involved.

Enjoy your week. Looks like it's going to be a cold week for running in Burien.

Yep, I'm back.

I really didn't go anywhere, but it's been a busy few weeks with The Dessert Kitchen. Running has been good. The pain in my hips and back though have been increasingly more painful each week. I finally went to the chiropractor last weekend and got an adjustment for my back. It felt better right after, but was so bad on Sunday, I didn't run. I haven't ever missed a run for my hip/back pain.

The pain is still hanging in there though a little less. I'm going to take the dreaded ibuprofen. Dreaded for me because I'm allergic. I'm going to run my scheduled 5 miles today and then go to the Chiropractor. Hopefully some movement will loosen things up and put the pain in the right direction.

Thoughts that are creeping into my head include: I don't know if I can run a marathon, what if I'm not ready? What if the pain continues? No matter what I will not stop running. Even if I don't do a marathon, I'm not going to stop running at least 12 - 20 miles a week.

Just writing these thoughts has me motivated to run my butt off today!

Enjoy your week and the beautiful weather if you are in Seattle.

Running is hard.

I already knew running was hard. Especially when you are over weight and out of shape, but it's still hard. This weeks running turned to miles and it's proving to be difficult. Mental strength is a must. It took a lot of coaxing to get my body on track with my mind. Despite the struggles, I ran most of the 4 miles. This week is 17 miles, 5, 5 and 7.

Tomorrow's run is in miles?

Today was one of the final days of running in minutes instead of miles. I've mapped a 4 mile run and I'm ready to go. The last few runs have been tough. I believe my lack of stretching has something to do with it. I'm looking forward to the run and making it, hills and all.

I'm back!

Today is the first day I have run since last Saturday. I woke up last Sunday with a sore throat that could make Godzilla cry. Sore throat and everything between my shoulders and chin swollen. So I took the week off. I decided each day if I would take the day off. Today I was sore throat free and new it was time to get back at it. 90 minute run and it felt great. Gorgeous morning. Not too hot and major satisfaction for getting in the 90 minute (mostly run).