Brutal!

Well, my dear running mate is in Idaho spending the holidays with family, so I'm on my own this week and next. I was hoping to run with Heather a couple days last week, but she was sick. We may be able to this coming week, though. Being that we just got a brand new baby, this week I've been doing some afternoon running. Ugh. Not my thing. It's hard getting up in the morning sometimes, but it sure as heck beats running in the afternoon. I think my performance is only at like 75% of what it would be in the a.m.

At any rate, I ran 4 miles on Monday and Wednesday, and Friday was starting to feel like I might be fighting off the cold that 4 out of our 5 kids have right now. I figured if I was going to get a long run in this week, I better get it done. I really haven't run by myself in months...the 4-milers were doable, but much less enjoyable without someone to talk to. But, I brought my MP3 player, and it wasn't too bad. Yesterday I planned 7.1 miles. Not really a "long" run compared to some of our other runs, but considering I was going by myself, I didn't want to be too ambitious. So, I got my water belt ready, grabbed my MP3 player, and Chris dropped me off at my aunt and uncle's house in Rocklin. When I was about to start my run, though, I realized my MP3 was out of juice. Not good planning on my part. So, the next 7.1 miles were left alone to me and my thoughts as I literally chased my own shadow for what seemed like miles upon miles.

It was only in the 40s when I ran, but it was sunny. The first few miles I felt great. I had a fabulous downhill part between miles 1 and 2, and then it was pretty flat with a few small hills the rest of the way. At about mile 5, though, the muscle in my inner thigh/groin began to get aggravated. I can't remember if I've mentioned it on here before or not, but for the last month or so, any time I get above about 4 miles, this muscle starts hurting. I'm not sure what it is, but I hope it gets better soon.

The last few miles were seriously brutal. I couldn't think of anything to think of besides the anguish I was in, and was tempted to just start having a conversation with myself out loud just so I could get my mind off things. I kept thinking about how there is NO way I'll get through a half-marathon on my own...I barely got through 7 yesterday! What the heck am I going to do?! The race is only a month away...I'm gonna need to figure something out. Maybe if I would have had my MP3 it wouldn't have been quite so bad...

At any rate, I did end up making it home. My knees were burning a bit last night, but I'm recovered today. And whatever muscle that is in my inner thigh is back to being normal again. I am hoping to do 9 miles next Saturday...we'll see if I can mentally get myself there. =)

Catching Up...

Well, after a wonderful trip to Disneyland last weekend, it was back to the grind this week. I ran 5 miles with Amber last Saturday (was supposed to do 10), and then just did 4 miles on Monday at the hotel. I missed Tuesday's run since we were driving back from L.A., but was back in the running (pun intended) on Thursday.

Today we did a really nice 10.6-mile run up in Lincoln. We started at about 6:30 a.m., and it was just starting to get light outside. The moon was especially bright because of it's location, so that gave us some added illumination. The first 7 miles or so were good...nothing eventful. I tried out my new knee supports, hoping I would notice a big improvement. But alas, mile 8 hits, and my knees say, "ENOUGH!"

I'm not sure what to do about that...I know it's just overuse. After I get home from a long run, I can normally barely walk. But, after I stretch and take a shower, usually within an hour or so, my knees feel pretty normal. Some days I'll have some residual pain throughout the day, but it's nothing chronic yet. Maybe I should talk to a doctor to see what I can do? Maybe Amber's dad would have some advice since he's a regular marathoner. I don't want to quit at this point. I'm too close to the finish line! But I also don't want to push my body too much. It's just so darn frustrating to be mentally motivated and ready to go, but to be held back by physical ailments. I guess I should be happy it's nothing worse. I mean, it really could be MUCH worse.

At any rate, the run was good. I misjudged the amount of time we had left toward the end. I thought we had about 2.5 miles left, but it took *forever*, and every time we came over a hill, I thought for sure the end would be in sight. When I got home, I checked my route, and realized the last leg was almost 4 miles, not 2.5. Whoops. Sorry, Amber.

We had two pit bulls come running at us about 1/2 way through our run. I was scared out of my pants, but Amber didn't seem phased by them at all! They ended up being nice doggies, and ran with us for a good couple miles. Wonder if they ever found their way back home...

It was supposed to be raining and windy this morning, but I woke up to clear skies, and we had great weather for our whole run! Very chilly, but no wind or rain! Here's a pic:


Only 7 more weeks until race day!

Ho Hum...

Today was one of those mornings where I asked myself, "Why am I doing this to myself??"
Got to bed at 9:00 (yay!), fell asleep quickly and slept DEEP until 1:45 when I woke up to Boy #2 crying because he had a pee pee accident in bed. By the time I got him and the bedding changed, I was wide awake. Not good. All I could think about was that I only had 3 more hours until I needed to get out of bed to run. I pretty much laid awake for the rest of the night, woken a couple other times by Boy #1 and Girl #1.

Other womanly issues awaited me bright and early, and it was a morning that if I would have had Amber's cell phone number, I may have called to cancel. Maybe I shouldn't get that number from her after all...I had no way out of my run since I didn't want to call her house and wake her family up. I had to buck up and suffer through it. My knees are still having issues from yesterday's 5-miler at the gym. Have I ever mentioned how running 5 miles on a treadmill is pretty much like running 10 miles outside? Maybe worse? I know, I shouldn't complain. I mean, I'm lucky that I can go to the gym and get a break from the kids while I zone out watching Regis and Kelly. But really, were we meant to run endless amounts of time without getting anywhere? Seems like some kind of weird conspiracy to me...

I feel better now that I'm showered and am drinking a cup of coffee. I only drink it on the days I run, and boy do I look forward to it. There's something about sitting down and drinking a warm cup o' joe after a run outside in the cold...

On a side note, I'm considering still running the Davis Stampede 1/2 marathon in February without Amber. I feel terrible, because I don't want to do it without her, but I'm worried my knees may not make it until May running long runs every week for 6 months. At least if I do the one in February, I can taper off for a month or so, and then gradually work back up for the event in May. I'm looking for someone to run it with me, though...I'm scared to do it by myself! I need someone to talk to so I can keep my mind off of the miles I run.

Double Digits!

I can't even believe I'm writing this, but we broke double digits today!! 10.3 miles...
I had the world's worst sleep last night...I don't know what it is, but the nights before runs, I seem to always have odd dreams about my routes and I wake up all night. Quite annoying. So last night, I kept tossing and turning trying to get our route out of my head to no avail. At 4:45, I hear a bedroom door open, and out come two of the kids. Ummm...I DON'T think so! After Chris put them back to bed TWICE, there was no turning back. I was awake for good. So I lay there until about 5:15 and finally gave in and got up.

Now I did have a few things to look forward to this morning before my run. Yesterday I went to Fleet Feet and got myself a new pair of shoes! They're still Saucony, but they supposedly have extra cushioning that is supposed to make them last an extra 50-100 miles. We'll see...(Ok, is it sad that I like to share pictures of my shoes almost as much as I do of my kids??) Aren't they purrty? =)



While I was at Fleet Feet, I asked the gal helping me what I could do about this blister on my big toe that has been plaguing me for the better part of 2 months now. She recommended some running socks that don't have cotton in them...they have that cool "wicking" material that supposedly wicks the moisture away from your skin and then it evaporates. I wasn't really sold on it until I got home from our run and took my shoes off. Holy cow! My socks were almost completely dry! Amazing.

After buying my two new favorite things, the cashier kindly informed me that I'd earned a $25 credit to buy something in the store! Figuring that it will be awhile until I go back, I decided to not let the reward burn a hole in my pocket. =) I went ahead and bought a new running bra. Oh my goodness, the difference that makes! It's like I'm a man when I run now! I'll just leave it at that instead of going into a long description of why I like it so much. =)

Anyhoo, I actually made it the WHOLE run today without stopping to walk at all. I was so happy that I actually did it! Again, around mile 8, my knees felt big time pressure, but I think the shoes helped a bit in that it wasn't sharp pain like I felt before. When we were done, I was hurting pretty bad, but after stretching and my regular post-run routine, they feel good! Just some residual tightness.

Well, this post got to be kind of long...sorry about that. Lots to be excited about! New shoes, new socks, new bra....and 10.3 miles!

Ow-eee!

The training schedule called for 8 miles today, but we ended up doing 9.1 instead. =) Amber picked a beautiful run in Newcastle that was a great balance between gentle slopes and a few killer hills. This morning was the first time the cold weather seemed to affect me at all. It was a cold, crisp morning, and the cold air seemed to freeze my insides. =) After the first few miles, I didn't notice the burning anymore, but I still notice the wheezing a bit now that I'm home.

Knees did pretty good today...around mile 7 or 8 they pulled their same ol' protest, and we walked for about 30 seconds so I could give them a little break. It really irritates me...I hate to make Amber stop, and we're always on the home stretch when I feel like I need to just give them a break so they don't completely go out on me. But, at least it's not happening at mile 4 & 5 like it was before...maybe that's a good sign?

I was limping when I got home, but after stretching and eating breakfast with my cup o' joe, they felt great. Now that it's a few hours later, though, I'm thinking it would be beneficial for me to take an Ibuprofen...I feel the burning in my kneecaps coming on, and I don't want to repeat what happened a few weeks ago. I think Ibuprofen and I are forming a special bond. So, I'm off to pop a pill and maybe ice up a bit...

It's amazing what a little practice can get you...

Ok, yesterday Amber and I ran 9.5 miles around Loomis and Penryn. I got a gorgeous picture of the sunrise coming up over some beautiful rolling hills and a little pond...and for some reason, the thumbnail of the photo in my phone is great, but when I try to send it or open it, it zooms way in and can't be seen. So, I guess I can't post it here until someone who is more technologically advanced than I am can figure it out for me.

But, onto our run...the middle section between miles 3 and 6 had some great up and down slopes. I had to make Amber walk once on a hill, but I should have just pushed through it. That's easy to say now that it's Sunday, and I'm not suffering through burning calves...oh, well. My knees did pretty good until about mile 7, and I had to ask Amber once again to walk for a few seconds so I could give them a minute to breathe.

I decided this week, I would preempt the excruciating pain I experienced last week and took an Ibuprofen and rubbed some Bengay on as soon as I got home. I don't know if it was that, or if this week's run was just not as difficult as last week's, but my legs were actually just "normally sore." I woke up this morning, and felt great! Yay.

Next week we go back down to 8 miles for our long run...pshaw! Piece of cake! =)

Amber and I have been looking for someone else to run with us so that in case one of us is sick or can't run, we still have a running buddy. Luckily, she knows someone at her church who wants to start running. So, Heather joined us this morning. We left at 5:30 a.m. and Heather did the first 3.2 miles or so with us. Amber and I intended on running about 4 miles today, but when I got home I mapped our run, and saw we ended up doing 5 miles! I love it when that happens. =)

Onto race day...I can't remember if I wrote on here or not about how we are looking for a 1/2 marathon that takes place on a Saturday. There aren't too many options out there...I found one that's on Jan. 17th, and although I think I could be ready by then, that particular race is in Pacifica, and has a large elevation gain during the race. After last week's hill experience and the pain that ensued when we were done, we decided it may not be the best choice for my first 1/2 marathon. There is one on May 2nd in Sacramento, and although I didn't really want to wait that long to do the race, at least now I'll have plenty of time to get my mileage up and get some speedwork done. Plus, weather will hopefully not be an issue. I set up a new 16-week training program at Runner's World that seems pretty good.

I really need to get some new running shoes, and could order a pair just like my current ones online, but I really would like something a little different. Guess I'll have to make a trip into Fleet Feet soon...I don't want to have to buy another pair before race day in May, so I don't want to do it too soon...