Another Time...

Update: After giving up training for the Marathon I decided to strengthen my body and try to have a fourth child. Audrey was born in 2009 ;)

I have officially been sidelined with a knee injury and I don't feel like I can continue. Maybe again some day but right now no.

How many days? Really?

82 Days left until the Marathon eh?
huh.
Well then.
I guess I should be running more than once a week.

Not sure why I've completely lost the motivation or care to run. Is it the heat? I don't know.
All I know is that every time I check out the Hartford Marathon page I drool at the excitement. It looks beautiful and I know...KNOW I am going to kick myself in the butt for now training.

BUT...I have not given up yet. I AM considering switching to the half. That may a LITTLE bit more feasible to run on little training.

Oh who am I kidding.

Back on my Feet

With 93 days to the marathon, I put on my cute running skirt my hubby bought me (off Ebay of course) and heading for a 10km run.
I have to say that it felt alright.
I went nice and slow and enjoyed myself.
My crazy bleeding has almost stopped and I refuse to dwell on the idea that it may or may not have been a pregnancy.
I just want to move on, and tonight I was able to.

Although I don't think my goal of a 4hr marathon is reachable at this point due to my complete lack of training....I AM still going to run the thing. I AM going to accomplish my goal. In fact...I look forward to it again.

Probably a good thing since the race is only 3 months away!!!

Painful Run

O.K I am done being grumpy.
I took Lara to her horse riding lessons yesterday and decided to head out for a run while waiting for her.
It was interesting.
3 weeks off was certainly noticeable and not without interesting changes....painfly, sluggish ones.

A million things went through my mind, but all in all it was a good run. A good 8km run.

HOWEVER.... my KNEE hurts today.

So..seriously...what do I do? Do I push through it, and be in pain for the next 3 months knowing I'm going to most likely damage my knee?

I think I'm going to just continue running and see what happens. If I can't do it, I can't do it.

RICE

Taking the week off from running now. This is not something I'm happy about but if I'm going to continue my training I need to make sure my knee is o.k.

So.... Resting, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE)....First Aid basics but necessary right now.

I will continue to do Yoga, stretch, bike a few times, and maybe swim.

Oh well.

Knee issues

120 Days to the Marathon...and I went out for my 13 km run this morning. I got as far as the neighbors house and had to turn around. There is something wrong with my knee, and now my hamstring is compensating by tightening so much I feel as though I've been punched.

So...I got on my bike and rode the distance. That way I keep up with my cardio, and strengthen my quads.

I'm frustrated. What has changed? I ran the 10km race and felt amazing!!! I have not increased my distance that much since, and yet here I am starting the training with an injury. I've waited all this time to begin training and this is happening.

I can't straighten my leg today so I'm making an appointment with a physio.

I don't want to fall short of my goals because of injury. I would MUCH rather not do the marathon because of PREGNANCY. Hmmm....That gives me an idea ;)

Icy Cold Measures need to be taken.

So....bought my new shoes. Nice extra cushioning ones. So far so good.

Since I went to the big city where we used to live I also took the opportunity to go for a run on my old route. It was nice...too many manicured lawns with pesticide signs though. I like the country better.
What I did like was that I could weave in and out of streets and create the route I wanted at will. Here in the country I either have to run huge loops, or backtrack on the same road.

Anyway, I have decided that Ice Baths are going to become a routine thing in this house.
It is the best way to stop and minimize tissue damage in my knee...

I started panicking when I realized that I should be up to about 30km a week by now, and I'm having knee pain with only 20-25kms. So....measures will be taken.

Adam said to me..."If God wants you to run the Marathon, you will" I just cried.

Knee issues

Went for another 5am run this morning. I can get used to the early mornings. The sun is up and the air is crisp, and in this heat and humidity, the early rise is nice.

I have to admit that I'm having knee problems. I have been plagued with issues with my left knee for a few years now. All went well my 10km race but now it seems to be back. I'm frustrated because at this point I am only running 3 days a week, and logging 20kms or so. Really I should be up to almost 38kms a week.

I'm scared. I'm scared I'm not going to make it. I'm scared and frustrated that this is happening.

I am getting new shoes IMEDIATELY, as I think this is having an effect. 5yr old runners just will not cut it.

and yes...maybe a running skirt found on e-bay for a deal with be help too ;)

Marathon Training BEGINS!!!!!

For the next 18 weeks, I will be actively pursuing my marathon goal.

I have broken up my training into 4 parts. Two Six week segments, and two 3 week segments.
My next six weeks will look like this....

Run 3x week
Yoga 1x week (good for flexibility and core strength)
Chiro every 2 weeks
Cross Train (10km Bike) 1x week

My runs will consist of 1 long run running 10:1 (run/walk), and two shorter Tempo (goal race pace), and Steady (hard short run).

Beat Beathovan

The nearest big city is putting on a race. Run 8kms in 50 minutes or under. The premise is that you 'beat Beethoven'. The local symphony plays a little music in the town square, and the goal is to make it back before they finish the piece.

I'm running it with my friend. Not racing. I am just looking forward to a run with a good friend. Well that AND, the fact that I'm leaving the family for the day. I'm looking forward to a girlfriend day.

It will be June 1st....The first day of my 18 week countdown to the MARATHON. I think that is a good start.

I'll be posting more often as my life will begin to be consumed with schedules and training...and me whining a little ;)

Still not convinced

The run went well. A little more difficult than I would have liked. Serves me right for not running a long run since my 10km race three weeks ago..

Glad I made myself, but I have to admit that I am not a mornig runner. I just don't like the 20 minutes it takes to get my body moving properly.

Glad it is over with however, as now I have the rest of the day to focus on my kids and house stuff.

I'm UP Already.

Alright I'm up!!!!
It is 630am and I'm dressed for my long run and just waiting for my husband to come home from his night shift. The kids are up, and I'm allowing myself to sip a little coffee.

Have I menitoned how DIFFICULT it is for me to want to move my body before I have a coffee and get my wheels turning?

I've been up since 6am. I need to start getting used to doing my long runs in the morning.
The summer is coming, and if I'm going to log long hours I need to do it before the sun hits, and with my husbands schedule, I HAVE to do it when I can.....and in the morning.

Oh shoot. Here he is pulling into the driveway.
o.K I'm off.

Today's Long Run

I meant to get up this morning at sunrise and go for my long run. I did. I really meant to. But oh my goodness was my bed cozy.
I told you this morning run thing was not going to happen.

BUT

The air stayed crisp and the sun hid behind clouds this morning so I decided I was going out for my long run NO MATTER WHAT.

So....

10am I did.

I made it 11kms, running 10:1 and it felt just fine. I probably could do 15 kms feeling the same. Perhaps next week I'll try.

I signed up for a 10km Run this Sunday, so I'll head out for a hard 30min run on Thursday.

The hard runs make the long runs easier.

As for an after run meal?

I ate a cup of left over noodles mixed with spinach,tomatoes,and canned Salmon. About two cups of food total. Just enough to replenish my muscles.

6 MONTHS TO GO!!!!!

Under 180 Days!!!!!

O.K so my Marathon is now under 6 months away!! Oh how time flies. Looking at the ticker just made me panick!

Can I do it? will I be ready?

right now the task seems so DAUNTING!!

But I said I was going to do it. So I MUST!

Right now I can run 10 kms, by running 10min/walking 1min, and I can do it it at the Pace I need to run a 4hr marathon.

That is good, but I can't imagine going out for a 23 km long run!!! wow that is far!

I'm nervous....really nervous.

Old Lady Legs

Went for a 10km run today. I felt like an old lady. An achy,sore, old lady.

I made it though.

I've decided to stay with the 10km mark until I begin the intensive 18 week Marathon training.

The 18 week countdown to the Marathon is the beginning of June.

So...I will work on cross training and building core strength till then. And of COURSE getting in at least one or two runs a week.

REALISTIC SCHEDULE

My new Realistic Fitness Schedule

Between Adam working shifts and him doing some things on his own, I just don't have the time to get out 3 times a week by myself right now. Not unless I want to rely on sitters twice a week. No thanks.

So.....

Once a week I'm going for long slow runs

Other Two times I'm at the YMCA.

One of those times I will do Yoga for an hour,

The other time I will run on the treadmill, or cross train.

This way I get to improve my distance in running, but also stretch, and strengthen my other muscles. Especially my core.

This will help me for when I start increasing my mileage this spring.
Also helps get rid of the excuses about not wanting to go out in the cold winter weather.

Breaking things down

I decided I would like to run the Marathon in 4:00 Hrs doing 10:1. (run10min:walk1)

That means For:

1Km a pace of 5:32

5Km a time of 28 mins.

10Km in about 56 minutes

Half Marathon 2hrs


Since I can run a very slow 10km in about 60 mins I think this goal is achievable. I have ample time to train and by the Fall I should be faster and able to go much longer distances.

At this point, the idea that my long runs will be over a Half Marathon is quite daunting....so I won't think about that.

One step at a time.

Together is so much Better

Ran with my husband tonight. A nice slow 10km run. It is one of life's pleasures for us to run together.

We ran it in 56mins (9.5 or so km)...It felt good. I took two walking breaks just to make sure my knees were happy with me.

It is OFFICIAL!!!!

I AM SOOOOO nervous scared EXCITED!!!

The On-line registration just opened up for my Marathon and it is OFFICIAL!!

I...AM REGISTERED FOR MY FIRST MARATHON.

OH BOY.

Post Run Snacks

I managed to head out the door today for my longest run to date (In 2008).
I ran nice and slow, and took two 1 minute walking breaks. I managed to run 10km and I feel pretty good. Just a little stiff. It took me under an hour which is nice, especially since I was hardly breathing.

An important part to training is ALWAYS replenishing your body. Even if you are trying to lose weight it is very important to replenish those glycogen (energy) stores and help restore your muscles with some protein.
If you are trying to lose weight...just so you know, that you will not store this food as fat. It will go to help you have even more energy for later on. The last thing you want is to burn out.

My post run meals are always water water water, and within an hour after running I make sure I have something to restore my carbs and protein. My glycogen stores have been depleted so we are opting for pasta tonight with some yummy meat sauce. Delish.

Sometimes a good shake with banana,yogurt,berries and soy milk will do as well. If I'm in a hurry, cottage cheese or whole grain crackers with peanut butter is always a good replenisher.

Or a Whole Wheat bagel with some peanut butter or cream cheese. yummy.