Half Marathon Distance

So this past Sunday I went and I ran my 21 km that was on my training program.  Actually it was supposed to be 16 but ... yeah.

The clinic group was going for a 21 run and I figured I could start whenever my DH got home and just do the same course and by half way the first people SHOULD be catching up to me, after all, I am going very slow, like 7:15 min/km slow at least... and they are doing like 6 or less for the fast ones!

It was a good day mostly.  The sun was out, it wasn't too hot at 8 am, not too windy. I tried out my HeadSweats visor (fit wonderfully) and I was experimenting with some blister prevention.  I hate blisters.  They keep coming.  Well so I tried this ReSkin product on a shorter run earlier in the week and it seemed to work alright.  On the other foot (same place, inner side of big toe) I tried moleskin during this short run.  Both stayed on ok, moleskin not as well, both prevented irritating my blisters.

Long Run Sunday trial I only used the ReSkin and I think I stopped every half kilometer or so for the first half of my run, taking off my shoe, then my sock, then trying to restick the ReSkin.  Fail.  Or not. My blisters were no worse at the end of my run!  My legs felt good, feet felt good, everything was good.  I was in my own head listening to tunes (made a 180 BPM playlist for fun) and the time passed alright, even WITH stopping to reconfigure my socks and things many times.

Around half way one of the fast guys went past, he said a few words I said a few words, he said a few words, I said some more... ugh I forget that sometimes people are fast and just want to zoom away, stop talking Kristy, seriously, stop talking.  Perhaps its because I have only children all day and all night to talk to.

By 1.5 hours and a different part of town it was starting to heat up, it was hot... really... 13 C maybe, hot for running. ;)

I stayed ahead of the rest of the group until the end, which was probably some sort of miracle.

I also did the entire run with a Run 3 minute walk 30 seconds ratio.  At 17 ish km I felt my knees start to ache.  Well I still needed to get back home! 4 km, of pain...... I would do anything for no throbbing so I tried the only thing I knew, I ran raster.  For my 3 minute run intervals I (apparently had enough in me) ran faster at maybe a 615/630 pace back to the store.... and it felt GOOD!  The throbbing went away and I just plowed ahead, also probably the only reason why I managed to stay ahead of the others.  It isn't a race on a training run, but lets face it, we all have small goals like that that help us conquer a run.

It was still a 2:29 "half marathon" but that is okay, it was a good run.  I got home, had an ice bath, and then went right back outside for yard work and playing with the kids.  I have learned that if I keep moving I don't seize up for the day.

Monday I felt pretty darn good!  No complaints. Did my 10-15 minutes of yoga and some foam rolling and took it easy.

Tuesday I did a faster 5 km on the treadmill after lunch when I had 40 minutes.

And today, Wednesday, I went to a nearby pond with a 2.5/3 km loop and did 3 with a friend at a nice relaxed pace.  No shin issues, no knees, no ankles. (knock on wood) and when she left I did another bigger loop and finished the last 2 km at a 5:30/45 pace.  I just wanted to let go and run 'fast' ..... as long as it didn't hurt.  We will see how I am tomorrow.  Another easy 5 km (probably on the treadmill) planned.... a couple on Saturday and then hopefully 26+ Sunday......wooooohooooo

I guess that is all. Sorry for the rather long post!

PS? Sure.  I also just ordered some Hoka's.  I have been wearing the Brooks PureFlows 2 and 3 but I am hoping to try the Hokas with a similar toe drop, but that extra cushion for my long runs..... maybe it will help keep my legs happy? I get them tomorrow hopefully so I can give them a spin on the treadmill later in the day. ... Hoping!

MidWeek

Sundays run was awful. I think I have already recapped it.
And Monday I began having those thoughts, those why thoughts! Why am I running a marathon? This is so dumb. I'm just going to keep getting hurt and I will end up there on race day which Is still 2 months away feeling hurt. Bad idea. And just forget any goals other than just finish. I'll be lucky to have that goal!!

Ugh, I just don't know.
Tuesday at 6 am I hopped on the treadmill and at 1 mi my knee was throbbing so I got off, made coffee and opened google.

Helped at school and after that around lunch we came home and I decided to try it again. I used one of those straps for under the knee... Well my version, and I made it 5 k on the treadmill before the throb began.

Today I met a friend at the park and we did a run 5 walk 30  for a few loops.  I made it about 7 km before the throb....
I think it's my piriformis / sciatic. Well I'm positive it is and it's derailing me.

Interesting, isn't it, that this problem Area from waaaaay back when I was pregnant for the first time has plagued me even until now!

I stretch and roll.
I do my exercises faithfully.
Hopefully it will be enough.

5 am tomorrow for the treadmill and hoping I can get closer to 10 km,..,.

April.....

I have now done two of the longest runs I have ever done.  I meant to write right after the first but I simply did not get enough time to sit down and do it.

The 'first' was 24 km.  It was blustery, damp, grey, and I ran with the full marathon group rather than the people I was used to.  I didn't have much conversation, (they were quiet people maybe).  I stepped in a puddle in the first 5 minutes.  I was a bit sore before I even started and it was multiplied by a thousand by the time I finished (ITBS, for the first time, too).  My Serial podcast ended and I was left with some random ones that I was going to try and they were horrid.  It was just not my run.  I normally do about a 6:45-7 min/km pace with the half group (up to 20 km) but this run we were closer to 7:30 and I felt it... I really, really, felt it.

Took two days off with lots of foam rolling and stretching/strengthening exercises and then got back to it.  Did some of my fave loop trails, that type of thing.  Easter weekend was away most of it and decided to do my long run on the Monday.  Had one friend from the half group join me.  We did a chill 18 km (again around 6:45/7) and from the end of that I added on 8 more at around a 7:20.  It was mostly a good run, I had good company and great weather, no wet feet except from sweat..... which still landed me with blisters but, such is life.

So now it is my next long run, tomorrow it is Sunday and I have/had? 27 km planned.  I was going to go and do 18 again with the half clinic and then run out to the ball park for another 9 to meet my DH and the kids where he is playing.  But while at the LRS it was suggested that I could join the full group for 32 km .... most on dyke trails rather than road, very appealing!  But also a huge jump from my farthest of 26.  The other nice thing about the full group is that they all run together, they don't spread out to do their own things for the most part. They all stick together and do around a 7:15 or slower min/km pace for the whole thing.... Definitely nice for support.

Too bad in the last 20 minutes things have changed....

Perhaps no long run for me tomorrow, DH has to be at the ball field for 8 am and that is 6Celcius and breezy and rather ridiculously early for a 5 and 7 year old to be sitting at a ball field needing breakfast and things because it is the weekend and they should be allowed (for my sanity really) to SLEEP!

I am always a bit shocked at just how incredibly disappointed this leaves me, not being able to do my scheduled runs because DH feels like his activities are priority (even though he knows I won't get another chance to do my run, you see, he goes to sleep as soon as he gets home because he is on night shift).... Ugh, so now I just assume no run for me.  Lame.

Spring Break Madness

It is amazing (no, actually not really) how any outdoor running just goes right out the window when kids are on spring break.  I mean, you have to watch, entertain, feed and generally keep them alive for 1-2 whole weeks, including weekends.  I have barely even found time to get on the treadmill, and also when I do get out it appears that I tend to go with a group that is doing something I maybe shouldn't.  For example : Hill Repeats. (booooo)

So this last 2 weeks I have been doing indoor Miller worksouts (I only wish it was beer) and indoor bike with my long runs Sunday.  And then just for fun I have gotten out the last 2 Wednesday nights and joined the clinic run doing hill repeats.  My legs/shins have NOT enjoyed those.

My hips are sore.  My knees are threatening.  My shins are aching.  Is this marathon training?  No, this is me needing to pay better attention and not take even small unnecessary leaps.  Back to the basics for me and just adding up mileage.

This weekend will be a grueling 23 km (ha, grueling, I can say that because I haven't gone that far since last summer) with a group that I am not too familiar with, but I do know they are generally a happy crowd.  At least I will know that I am not the only one out there on the route, possibly the last, but not the only one.

I have been using a shin splint compression thing and that was going pretty okay until it started sliding down... so then I added a compression sleeve under it.  Then I forgot it on a 19 km run and my shin made it through the run okay but I think I have been paying for it ever since.

So I just continue on.

I am also very, very slowly chipping away at my pounds... slowly.... like almost not at all.... but that is neither here nor there.  It is Spring Break after all.

Nothing much else is happening.  Just waiting for May and all the races it brings, and birthdays and a girls weekend away. May cannot happen soon enough.

The last thing that is 'different' this week is I started a fb group for local people (mostly ladies at the moment) to try and meet up with others who would like to get into running.  I know, I know.. ANOTHER fb group.  But I keep seeing moms and ladies post things like "I would really like to start running but don't want to go alone, is there anyone in this area that would like to try and meet up" and what better way to try and find people than to bring them all together.  Maybe it will flop or maybe I will seem like a big huge geek but that is okay.  Judge away fb non friend friends.  I remember how I felt when I got started.  .... Things like Where should I go? Thinking of how slow I felt and that no one else would ever want to run with me.  Where is a race that I could do? That race looks fun but I don't know anyone, or don't have a ride, or don't have a clue what to do for my first race!!

If I can help anyone get past those feelings it will be worth it.



Well that's enough of my rambling today, again I am not sure if it made sense but I think you get my drift.
Peace Out Home Slice

March 18 12.5 weeks to go

It's sunny, it's cloudy... sunny... cloudy... it doesn't matter though because I am stuck on the treadmill for pretty much two weeks.  That's right folks, its Spring Break and I am now a slave to my children for nearly 24 hours a day.  Other than that....

Jillian Michaels and I have been having workouts together (dvd obvoiusly) and I managed to score 40 minutes on the treadmill yesterday with only one meltdown (I was the one melting down because they were being bratty children).  This leads me to this morning: My body be tired!  I should rest, and I sort of will.  It appears this morning that my shin/tendonitis/whatever-it-is is slightly irritated this morning, so I am thinking that I will spin bike it out for as long as the children will allow.  So it is sort of a rest. haha. ugh.

To get me through these ever increasing long runs and spins indoors I have started listening to Serial Podcasts.  I have never done the podcast thing before but I have to say, it is quite refreshing.  Not sure my pace will stay on point because I am listening but right now I am going for quality miles rather than fast ones.  Anyways, it is about a murder that happened a million years ago in the stone age when kids still used pagers.  Hows that for a sweet introduction?

I am going to try and post more often from now, TRY. May not succeed.  But if I can hold myself more accountable to doing this I will probably be able to hold myself more accountable for eating well and keeping up my training (even if it is subbing a bike for a run).

With that, I will go and begin my day.  By getting back into bed while the children are quiet.... perk of spring break- no running to school drop offs.

Mid March

I TOLD MYSELF I WOULD KEEP THIS MORE ACTIVE THIS TIME

Fail.

I am finally on the *not really injured so much* list *knock on wood all day*.  It is so wonderful to go for a run and not wonder too much if that ache or pain is going to become debilitating.  Stretching and rolling and strengthening exercises every day must actually work!  I should probably do today's, but later. Always later.

I am up to 19 km this weekend (16 with a group and I will tag 3 more on to the beginning or end depending on where their planned route is).  Only 19, I can say it is only 19 because eventually it will be 21, and then 25 and then 30 and then freaking 42.  So yes, for me this weekend, it is only 19. 19 slow, pain free *knocking again* entertaining kilometers.  I only have a few more weeks with the group I am with before they end altogether and I can no longer run at least half my distance with them.  I figured at least getting half the distance with others is better than all of it by myself, especially when I cross over the 20 zone and they only build to 20..... We will see.  I am somewhat alone in my running after that.  I have friends that run but our schedules are so different and our goals are different.  It makes my long slow run which I enjoy at my 7 min/km pace brutal and painful for those who do theirs at a 6.... maybe they should slow down ;) or maybe I will just run alone so I don't feel like I am holding anyone back.

I have been working on some 'cross training' too.  To prevent more injury I am doing 2 shorter runs plus my long run, and then on 2-3 other days I am trying to knock an hour on the spinbike... and have just added some classic at home dvd body workouts.  I do love the feeling of stiff, hardworked muscles.  I am a geek like that.

My stomach issues have somewhat returned, mostly after the run, which is better than DURING the run, but not ideal still.  I know the answer.  Eat better.  Pretty simple actually, I just have to DO IT.

I have a fandangled new hat to wear.  I enjoy a good hat.  In the summer when the lights (sun) turn on, I fry, quick and easy, so I need hats.  I have been sporting the same ole hats that I have never loved for years and this year I am going out on a limb and have ordered 2!! yes TWO hats that I like the look of and hopefully can wear for day use and for running. Yes both, they must be multipurpose even if they are stinky.  I have a visor coming too.  Thought I would just share these fashion blurps for you :)

Also I have really started to enjoy running pants/crops that have pockets on the legs.  I mean seriously it is pretty awesome to not have to reach behind my back and fiddle with a pouch on a water belt that I can't see to try and maybe get some chews out of the bag.  Just reach into my handy pocket and voila, there they be.   This also applies to the ipod and phone (which I only sometimes put there because it is so huge).

Lastly, I just want to shout out that we are having the most spectacular spring (summer like) weather here, and it is not even spring!!!  20C today, for reals. I am in shorts, flip flops..... and a hoodie. ;)  can't win them all.  I am pretty sad that we didn't get snow this year but it is just beautiful out now.

How did you enjoy that ramble?! :D

Marathon Training Beginnings

SO, Last night I had my post all written up, from my phone, and I went and checked another window, came back, and BAM, all gone. So sad.

I guess I am now onto my actual marathon plan.  Which is already being altered because I am 'injured' or 'recovering' or whatever we want to call it. Pretty sure that is the bla story of the next 4 months so I am already over it.

I am mostly following a plan from therunningclinic.com, it seems to have a lot of interval type training rather than 3 or 4 6-10km straight runs a week.  It is supposed to be good for keeping runners injury free... well that much I need! So if doing intervals slower each week will get me there, so be it.
If at any time my calves/shins feel like they need a break from the pounding, my plan is to hit the spin bike for 1.5-2 x as long as the plan was calling for, and trying to keep my RPMs above 90.  I am going to have to find a new TV series to watch for on the treadmill and bike..... This much I know.

I have been seeing Physio and now Massage for my calves/shins/plantar fasciatis/anything else I want to add to the list. Anything to loosen up my poor muscles, as well as rolling and stretching and this and that, my list is too long.  Good thing the actual running is feeling okay and leaving me with positive feelings and the usual runners high rather than making me think of that list.

What else?  I just received my Skirt Sports rain jacket, and some CW-X shorts that I am excited to try out.  I live in the rainiest place in Canada, and don't have a rainy day jacket, hard to believe but true.  Well now I do!  It does not look like a garbage bag, which I admit I was worried it might.  Also I just picked up some Brooks Pureflow 2s on sale online for 17.99... oh yes that is correct! I don't care if they are last seasons as long as they do their job.

I took these shoes for a spin today around a local pond/park, they felt good. The park wasn't as busy today, which was nice, less dogs to pass.  The pond was covered in Swans, geese and ducks as well as the odd Blue Heron. Totally peaceful.  I think I may have to make it my Wednesday run place, each loop is just about 3km, its outside, close to home, I can pass my car every loop.... and yes I may get bored of it, but for now it works.

Lastly, my eating is ... meh! Lets just say I find chocolate, I buy chocolate, I don't stop eating the chocolate until it is gone, which is unfortunate for my body when its a Costco size box.  This is the only dairy I consume in a day.

I think that is enough rambling for the day/week..... Hope it even made sense!