Tuesday Catch Up

Okay, I guess I really lost track of time over the last week! Things at work are picking up and, after spending all day working on the computer, I've been keeping the laptop closed at night. I'm sure many of you can relate!

The weather at our TEAM run last Saturday started out really crummy. It was cold, rainy and windy when I awoke at 5:30. But, by the time I arrived at our practice and we got started with announcements, the rain stopped and the wind calmed down. Sidestepping the rain puddles in the dark was the only challenge, and a fun one at that. I think I had more water in my shoes than the lakes around here. But once dawn broke, the weather turned beautiful.

We're tapering at the moment, so I only had six miles to hammer out. I thought it might be a struggle -- especially since my iPod wasn't charged -- but it felt soo good. It was the longest I've run since my 14 miler over a month ago. I just took it nice and slow, and didn't have to stop once to walk. I never felt any pain in my ankle during -- just a little stiffness after -- and it seems my lungs are finally catching up. Coach was truly happy to see me back out there -- I just wish I hadn't missed as much as I did. I found part of me wishing I could still do the full ... maybe next time ...

A good portion of my TEAM left Friday for the Rome Marathon -- I haven't heard how everyone did, but I'm sure they all rocked the house! I couldn't imagine a cooler race than that. But I'm sure Big D will hold it's share of thrills ... or at least I'll be able to read the street signs ...

Anyhoo, I've been thinking a lot lately about my goal finishing time. And I'm not really sure where to start in predicting it. It took me over 3:20:00 to do my 14 miles, but I stopped and hobbled quite a bit. It took me 1:21:00 to complete my sixer, which is probably a pace I can keep up for awhile. I definitely want to finish in under 3 hours. So maybe 2:55:00 for the half? Seems kind of slow on paper, but is probably realistic.

Speaking of times and half marathons, I must say I was pretty darn impressed with The Biggest Loser contestants doing half marathons last week. I couldn't believe some of the finishing times!! Not to take away from anyone's amazing accomplishment, but I think the inside track runners had a slight advantage over those running outside in the elements and non-flat terrain. But still, kudos to them all. Tara's 2:24:00 finish will surely beat mine!

Tomorrow I get to finalize all of my paperwork / donations and pick up my race-day jersey ... exciting!!

(Un)Happy Feet

Hey everyone!! Sorry for being MIA. I did try to write a post last week while at Starbucks, but my computer shut down and I lost everything. Needless to say, I've been lazy since then so this post may be a bit long ...

I bet some of you are wondering how my 14-miler went two Saturdays ago. I actually went to bed that Friday night excited about it and eager to just get out there. The weather started off in the low 40s and, with no wind, it was the perfect temp to start the day.

After TEAM announcements, I set my watch, stuffed the directions up my sleeve and headed out into the darkness to Van Halen's "Right Now". I wondered how my knee would hold up, though it was feeling strong. I spent a few minutes chasing a small rabbit out of the middle of the road before settling into a slow pace. I wasn't in any hurry.

As the sun rose splashing the streets with gold, I began to feel a little exposed to the passing cars. I kept tugging on the bottom of my TNT hoodie, trying to hide my Spandex-covered bum. I gave up after a few miles -- modesty and running don't always go hand-in-hand.

Boredom crept in around mile 5. I was thinking too much and I was quickly running out of things to think about. But, it was nothing a little Lady Gaga couldn't fix. By mile 7 I was feeling a little lost trying to follow the directions, clutching the small paper in my hand and squinting to read street signs. It turned out to be a good distraction, and I was super relieved and happy that my knees were feeling great, my lungs were working and I was sauntering along at a good pace.

Famous last words. My feet began to feel a little achy at mile 8 and turned to shooting pain at mile 9. I finally stopped to walk around the middle of 9, and by walk I mean hobble. What the hell? I stopped to stretch my feet out a bit, then alternated between jogging and walking until I couldn't take it anymore. I even tried jogging in soft grass but to no avail. Halfway through 11 I began wondering if there was a short cut back. Surely you can make it the last 3 miles? I wasn't quite ready to give up, which probably wasn't a smart move.

I loosened up my laces a bit, but I was moving s-l-o-w. An old lady collecting pecans was moving faster than I was. I couldn't quite figure out the problem -- it just seemed pain was shooting from every surface in both feet. I tried everything from walking on my tippy toes to just my heels, but the pain was still there, and I wasn't making any forward progress. Each step made me want to cut off my own feet, and I'm sure anyone within earshot thought I had turrets.

With less than a mile to go, I took off my shoes. Finally, a little relief. I walked the last bit gingerly in my white socks and, as I approached our meeting spot, was greeted with a few surprised looks and a shout of "Your shoes work better when they're on your feet." Thanks Coach. I sat on the curb and he examined my feet and shoes, which were surprisingly pretty worn on the bottom. Coach thought it might be plantar faciitas because, at the time, it seemed the extent of my pain was radiating from my heels. So, he ordered tons of rest and no running for the week. He also suggested looking into getting a new pair of shoes. Once I got home and the initial shock wore off and the pain began to set in, it seemed to be radiating from the middles of my feet and not my heels.

Fast forward over a week later ... My left foot is feeling better but still some pain and tightness, though my right foot is still giving me several problems. My right ankle began swelling the other night out of nowhere and is still a little puffy today. I haven't run since my 14-miler attempt, but I did join the gym at work last week. I figured if my feet are weak, my legs probably are too and all can benefit from some cross training. I've been taking it easy on the stationary bike, catching up on celebrity gossip from the gym magazines. I did try to test my feet a bit and do some walking on the treadmill, but after a few minutes the pain set in again, and more in my right foot / ankle than anything.

After spending way too much time during lunch today Googling symptoms, I'm starting to get a little worried as to what it might be. Has anyone ever experienced something similar? Suggestions on what to do?? My marathon is only eight weeks away -- I'm open to anything at this point!

Deflated

Saturday was our long TEAM run, and I am soo disappointed at how it turned out. The weather Friday had been beautiful, so when I awoke to freezing temperatures Saturday morning I was a little disgruntled. I had three layers on top –- but once I stepped outside into the howling wind, I quickly discovered it was the wrong three layers.

It was hard to tell which direction the wind was blowing, as it seemed to be forcefully blowing in whichever direction I was running. I couldn’t get warm. Two miles into the ten I was supposed to run, my right knee began to ache and pop again. It did the same thing when I ran around my neighborhood on Thursday, but it seemed to be feeling worse.

I tried to focus, tried to distract myself with my iPod, even tried talking to myself between breaths. But I kept shivering, and my knee was getting worse. As I neared the end of the first five miles, I took a left for the parking lot instead of a right to continue.

I felt a bit like a quitter. Kim, a TNT mentor and mom of our honored hero Austin, provided water and encouragement. She said to take it easy on the knee this week and try to incorporate more cross-training into my schedule to help strengthen it.

I was feeling better but still a little bummed when I got home. My thighs were wind-burned through my pants and my knee was starting to stiffen, but at least I went. Half of our team didn't even show up. I never thought I would be disappointed about only running five miles -– up until last week, that was the most I’d run in eight years.

Justin took me to Rudy’s for breakfast for some brisket and egg tacos. The cashier commented on the cold wind, and Justin told the guy that I was out running five miles in it at 6:30 in the morning. The look of horror and awe on the guy’s face was enough to make me feel that at least I had accomplished something.

I took it easy tonight with a simple weights workout. Tomorrow is our Tuesday night TEAM run ... hopefully it'll go smoother than Saturday!

Goodbye Weekend ... Hello Double Digits!

Well, I did manage to steal away for an hour Friday afternoon. Roadkill and unleashed dogs aside, it was extremely nice to enjoy a quiet 4-mile run in the warm sunshine. But that wasn't even close to my run Saturday morning.

Drum roll please ...

I made it 10 miles! Whoooo, hellllooo double digits!! It's about time, right? And it was glorious ... sore and slow, but glorious. The first six miles felt good, seven and eight I walked / ran, and ended up semi-briskly walking the last two. At 2 hours and 23ish minutes, I was the last one in, but my Coach was super excited for me.

I think the key for me this time was regular refueling. And perhaps the Powerbar I had for breakfast helped too. I just didn't let my feet stop, didn't let my legs give up. Though they wanted to around mile eight. My right knee kept popping, and I kept hitting my ankles with my shoes.

But I made it. And lived to tell about it. And now there's no turning back. :-)