3.5

again today. It finally felt good. I may try a long this weekend.

So . . .

I did 3 on Sunday (along with 1/4 swim and 7 mile bike). I did 3.5 on Monday and 3.5 again today at about an 11 min pace. That's all I'm committing to right now.

Plan for the week

I went five miles today. Will do 3.5 on Tuesday morning and will do eight on Thursday morning with Missy in Tucson. Then, I'll do ten miles on the 9th or 10th, and then nothing until the half. Sounds good? Sounds good.

fatigue

I just did 3 miles at a 13:54 mile pace, which makes me very happy. I had set out to do 5 but turned around when I hit the light at Valencia, so I knew it would be about 3 miles. My muscles were still complaining at that point (they usually complain for the first 1/2 mile or so). They need more recovery time from the miles in Castle Rock. I'll probably take tomorrow off and eat lots of protein in the next few days to encourage muscle growth.

I, Marianne, do hereby solemnly swear......

to walk once today or tomorrow, again on Tuesday, and at least once while in Tucson.

I went!

yesterday that is. And, I only went half a mile. On the treadmill. Before I just said screw it. Do I still win cause I went?? :)

I haven't gone.

But when Marianne leaves for work, I am going to go.

Update from Hawaii

I did 3 miles on Monday Dec. 14. Haven't gone since although I am currently wearing my running clothes and the plan is to head to the hotel gym from here. So.

moving along

I went 2.5 miles on Tuesday and 3 yesterday, and I'm off today. I am thinking about doing 5 tomorrow and then take Saturday and Sunday off because we'll be traveling. Then, on Monday try to do my long in Castle Rock. We'll see how it goes. I think if mom comes through for me with the GPS for Christmas, I can stick it to my forehead so I won't get lost.

Six

is what I did today. Somewhat struggled for the first half and found my groove in the second half after I dropped a deuce. Not sure how its going to go from here. I'm going to New York Tues/Wed for work and leaving Fri for Hawaii for a week. I'm sure I'll hit the hotel gym but I really hope I can keep it up.

6 miles

Well, I did my stupid six miles. It didn't go all that great, although I am not too sore. But I had to stop twice to pee, once because I accidentally pulled the emergency stop thing on the treadmill, and twice because I somehow managed to disconnect my ipod and it went flying off somewhere, so I went to look for it, and when I had decided that it must be under one of the other treadmills, some chick comes and gets on the one right next to me that I was pretty sure it was under. SO, I got back on and waited until she was done and then I had to stop again, dig out the ipod and then finally finish the walk. It felt like it went on forever.

I'll do seven next week. We'll see how it goes.

7.8

is what I did today. Just barely over 15-minute miles. Think I'll be all right.

3.5

I did three and a half, in an hour. Which was probably just fine for a Thursday. I'm going to do six this weekend, so we'll see how that goes.

I didn't go

My 8th grade benchmark results are in so I have been looking at numbers all morning. It looks like my kids did relatively well. I'll have to do a short one tomorrow because I'm still planning on my long for Saturday... running around in a big circle after I drop my car off to get serviced for our big trip.

It's the climb

I am ashamed to share with you that I like a song by Miley Cyrus, but this one is actually good. I think it's a pretty good encapsulation of what drives us to do things like half marathons.
Anyhoo, sharing my goal with my students was the best thing that ever happened to my teaching, and it's not hurting my training either. I put a long entry about it on my other blog.
I went 2.6 yesterday and worked pretty hard. I think I will take today off... my hips and knees are not happy and my muscles are feeling awfully tired. If I take today off then I can go 3 or so tomorrow, take Friday off and be ready for my long on Saturday. Saturday night is my work Christmas party so I'll be having a couple beers and won't want to go Sunday.
Sandy, "the moment had passed?" There's no moment. Just put your shoes on and go. One mile, anyone can do a mile. If you go, you win.

Back to bad

Well I didn't go last night, dammit. K had a basketball game to cheer for and then we stayed and watched the next game (cause they are really entertaining!). And by then the moment had passed. Our tradition on Mondays has been that I go the gym and run, then we stay for the MNF party at my gym. So I blew that one.

I went at lunch today grumpily and resentfully. I so totally didn't want to go. So I did a bitter 2.5 miles and called it done. I am growing increasingly concerned about getting this damn thing done!!

I finally went

I did five miles on the treadmill last night. At about a 3.6 mile pace, so I know I am doing okay. I am okay this morning, a little bit sore, but nothing I can't live with. The plan right now is to do 3.5 on Thursday and 6 on Sunday.

I think the sub-zero temperatures around here might have finally cured me of my aversion to the treadmill once and for all, exercise epiphanies aside. There is no way I'm walking out there! You just would not believe how cold it is around here.... you'd think it was winter or some such thing.

My plan is to forgo the bike from now until the marathon, treadmill only, to make sure I can do this thing. I don't hate it as much as I used to, so I can do it. Plus, it's good for me to have some variety and such.

Missy, the cold here really might be a problem, but not to worry. What I'll do is, I'll get you a guest pass for my gym for the time that you are here (I think I can purchase it, it's not expensive and no big deal), that way you can just go to my gym and do your run on the treadmill. That's what Sandy and I did when she was here and it worked out just fine, we both held each other accountable. So no worries!

Sandy, that is so funny that you fell! But also very awesome that whoever you were with was only concerned about you being hurt, and not laughing at you. Although he probably laughed when he got home.

I didn't go today at all!

Seriously, when I got up this morning and walked down the stairs I got this huge cramp in my calf that didn't go away for a couple hours. So I decided to wait until the afternoon. And after my second nap, I decided I needed to use today as recovery time. Yah, that's it.

Anyhoo, I forgot to write the best part of my run yesterday. I was running with this guy, and about 4 miles in was feeling really tired and not picking my feet up very high. And I tripped over a lip in the sidewalk and went sprawling, full out, hands in front, body on ground. So badly that said guy was worried I may have injured my wrist. But let me tell you, I popped right up and kept running. I do have a bruise on my knee cap and a small raspberry, but mostly its my pride thats injured.

5.8

So I did 5.8 today, which was satisfactory given the hiatus I took. I thought I went farther but I mapped it when I got home and nope. I did just over 15-minute miles which is also satisfactory. I'm feeling pretty good about things.
I am looking forward to training in Denver. I am going to try to do 2 long runs while I am there. It will be hard because I know I will be very sore and will have to go really slow and probably not run a whole lot because I won't be able to breathe. So I'll need a lot of encouragement from you two.

5.25

An odd number, I know, but a friend invited me to go with a running group this morning at 6:30. So yes I got up at that ungodly hour and went. It was nice to have a group of people to run with. Except that I really was way off my pace, and was doing 10.5 min miles. It felt ok for awhile but I got fatigued much more quickly than normal. I ended up at 5.25 in 11 min miles, which is great, but now I'm befuddled as to what to do tomorrow. As in, I'm not sure 5.25 counts as a "long" at this stage of the game. But, my legs are really tight from the workout this morning. So I'll probably try to do 6 or 7 tomorrow but real slow.

wishin' hopin'

I am taking today off in preparation for my long run tomorrow, and hoping it doesn't ruin everything!! I can hardly assign the kids homework today anyway... it's Friday and benchmark testing starts Monday. Dumb testing.
Anyway my plan is to go until my body says F U. Somewhere between 5 and 7 miles.

Nike

The Goddess Nike has intervened on my behalf. After I posted yesterday I felt so relieved that I went ahead and did 1.8 miles, which is 1 trip around the loop in which I live. While I was out there, it occurred to me that there was a common thread running through my teaching and my personal life, as is often the case. I have been doing a lot of talking with my students about setting goals. How to set smart goals and how to meet them are frequent topics of conversation as testing nears. I noticed that my students truly do not understand the connection between effort and achievement. When I asked them this past week to set their goals for their benchmark 2 test scores, almost all of them said they wanted to meet or exceed the standards. Some of them said they wanted to exceed when currently they are falling far below the standards. I askes them to write down the steps they will take to meet their goal, and they wrote about coming to tutoring, doing their homework, paying attention in class, etc. So far, no action has been taken, and nothing has changed. Setting the goal has no effect because they do not know how to make it happen. They are not motivated to put their words into action because they don't believe they can do it; and if they think they can do it, they don't believe it will make a difference.
So, I cut my students a deal. We spent class time writing down goals for the math benchmark scores and detailing the steps we were going to take to meet them. Most of the kids said they were going to do their homework and pay attention in class. I told them about my goal of a half marathon in January and asked if they thought I could do it. Of course they said no, and didn't want to tell me why because they would not be that mean to me. We talked about how I don't LOOK like someone who could do a half marathon. Then I took out my medal and said, guess what. I CAN do a half marathon. I just have to work at it. They were awe-struck. I passed around the medal, and we talked about how it doesn't matter how you look or what others perceive you to be. What matters is what YOU think about yourself. Then I separated a little corner of the white board and told them that this is where I will keep track of how many miles I run each day. If they come in and there is a number there, any number greater than one, then I will assign homework and they are expected to complete it. But if they come in and it says 0, they are homework free for that day. They were pretty game, as they don't think I will do my part. We talked about working toward meeting a goal and how important it is to think about it every day, congratulate yourself each time you take even the smallest step toward meeting it, and check your progress periodically to show yourself that your efforts are indeed producing results.
I am typing out their goals (for privacy) so I can print them in big letters, and hang them up on the bulletin board that they face when they are hanging up their backpacks and getting ready for class. We're going to think about our goals every day, congratulate ourselves when we work at meeting them, and keep track of our progress.
And now I have a date with the pavement.

four

I was able to do four at the gym tonight which is kindof a miracle because a) I'm so fatigued and b) I had to go after work when it was dark, which is always a challenge. But I didn't have anywhere else to be, and I went straight from work, so I was able to do a slow and easy four. I'm taking tomorrow off and maybe Friday since I have my test on Friday. Then definitely getting in a long this weekend.

It's just not happening.

I can't make myself go. I can't even make myself walk. I think it's about time to give up the ghost on this one. You guys will do great.

The wheels on the bus go round and round . . .

Back at the gym for lunch today, I did three. I think I'm getting a shin splint. I'm icing it in my office right now.

Back on the bus

I went to the gym yesterday. Did my usual 45 on the bike. Will do treadmill on Wednesday. I have to re-do my training schedule now and make it a bit more vigorous. I need to make sure I can do at least 9 miles here in Denver, because I'm pretty sure if I can do that, then I can do the 13 in Phoenix. I have six Sundays until the marathon. So, I have to increase the training walks by one mile per week. I'm going to do five miles on Sunday. We'll see what happens I guess.

And I still can't get over the fact that I exercised on Thanksgiving. I'm one of those people now. Maybe I'll do it every year now. Sandy, how about it? You and I will make it a Thanksgiving tradition and act all self righteous every year at Thanksgiving dinner and we'll be all "well, you know, I need to load up on protein because I exercised pretty hard today, so I better take extra turkey" and then everyone will be all awkward and silent and we'll think they are being awkward and silent because of their simultaneous admiration for our commitment and shame at their own lack of exercise, when really their awkward silence is that they are wondering what we are trying to prove.

making up for lost time

Tonight I did 4 on the treadmill at the gym. Was not easy! Then I had sloppy joes, a bowl of fresh fruit and a beer for dinner. I know, right? I'm a little disgusted too.

Victory

I did 3 tonight at the gym, which was really a victory in itself given the weekend's events. My last exercise was on Thanksgiving. I drove back late Friday, went to the game on Saturday, and then went golfing and watched the Cards game today. I generally put my social life ahead of exercise because social opportunities aren't as common as I'd like them to be, and I can exercise anytime right? BUT PEOPLE, the clock is ticking!!! The holiday is over, we must get it together. Jan 17 is in 7 weeks!!

thanksgiving

Marianne is officially one of "those people" who exercises on Thanksgiving. Apparently she has something to prove. She did 3.5 miles and I (Sandy) did 2.5. Missy is still in a phase of outward rebellion, as she did not do anything but prepare a Thanksgiving feast.

I forgot about the turkey.

I forgot to get the turkey out to thaw. So it's in the microwave now and I will stick it in the brine, frozen, before I leave for work. I hope it will be ok.
I got the birthday caramels made last night for Lo and Pete. Also the kids and friends put the houses together. So yeah, I still haven't run since last Thursday. A whole week.

gonna be a tough week

Ok ladies. I didn't go tonight. There's no way I can go tomorrow. We REALLY need to hold each other accountable for going on Thanksgiving and the Friday after ok?? Seriously. Because I don't think I'll go on Sat due to the game.

On a good note, I did get the 7-layer cookies made.

head is not in the game

I haven't run since Thursday. I skipped my long in the interests of giving the children a clean place to sleep. I ate fast food for dinner last night after class and I'm not going this morning because I have to do my lesson plans - they were due Sunday night. So in general I have lots of excuses but I just have to be honest - my training is just not at the top of my priority list right now. T-day is my favorite holiday of all time and I want to be ready! Fat and out of shape, but ready!

3

is what I did tonight. And I have to say my legs are really fatigued. I'm going to go tomorrow and then take Weds off, and then go Thurs morning before the feasting festivities begin.

Where are you guys?

only a half marathon?

So today as I'm getting ready to go running, my kids are asking why I have to go and can't I just miss one day. I told them that I'm doing the half marathon and that I haven't run since Thursday and I need to be ready. To which J responded, "you're only doing the half?" Such high expectations I have created for these kids!

Anyhoodle, I did 6 miles tonight and I ran the whole way. The last mile was quite painful and I would have stopped probably except that I had already written this post in my head and was so happy to announce that I ran the whole way. I think I did about a 13 min pace. So, I'm not where I probably need to be at this point. I need to commit to increasing a mile per week on the longs, and really being disciplined about my weekday runs. Yuck.

Ouch

So I got a little full of myself and decided to do my lunch workout today at an 11 min pace, including the uphill. So I did the first mile and was beat, took a quick break, then did another half mile, slowed down, another break, after 2 I pretty much was beat and gave up on running so I only did 2.5!!

Manic indeed.

I think maybe I'm having some mania. I went 3.4 this morning with nary a complaint. I'm getting a LOT of work done. I'm doing much better with my food, so far this week. Marianne, do you want me to call you tonight and refuse to get off the phone until you are in the car, on your way to the gym? ;)

Manic Monday

I have such a mental problem with missing Monday workouts. It just feels like I've already messed up for the week and its so easy to blow it for the rest of the week. But if I start out strong on Monday then I know I've got the week under control. Anyway, I went tonight but it was real hard to motivate myself to get out there after having missed yesterday. I did 3.5 on the street tonight, in the dark, and am hugely excited to report that I did a 10.8 min mile pace!! I really want to finish in 2.5 hours in January so I've been working on my pace.

Terrible, just terrible.

I am having a terrible week. That is all.

MONDAY

Three and a quarter this morning and it felt great!

3.5

That's what I did today, on the road. I felt pretty fatigued after yesterday for some reason, but I went anyway. I focused on trying to lengthen my stride just a little, lift my knees just a little higher. I felt ok, ran the whole way, average pace. But tonight my legs really ache! So I think I might take tomorrow off to recover a little. I wonder if its the difference between running on the road and treadmill? But I did 5.5 two days in a row about a 6 weeks ago and I don't recall such fatigue. Oh well.

A little slice of hell . . .

It was one of those days where you feel real lazy and tired and can't quite get off the couch. So I was a tad dubious starting off on my run at 3pm this afternoon. I couldn't tell if it was going to be one of those glorious days where I remember why I do this, or one of those hellish trips where I question why I do this. Let's just say it wasn't pretty. I started my 6 mile route and only went 5.5, probably only ran 3 of it. But hell, I went.

Musta been that left turn at Albuquerque.

I mapped out a 6-mile route, and then missed a turn and ended up doing 7. It went really well. I was able to run at least partial minutes, the whole way and speedwalk the rest. I did a 14:48 minute mile pace which isn't too shabby for going that far! So I am definitely on target with my training.

Rockin it

I did 4 tonight on the treadmill at 11:45 min pace, and that's with the first two on an incline. I so rock.

moving along

I did 2.3 Monday and Tuesday, and 3.6 today. The weather is so great! I missed my long over the weekend because I wimped out Saturday and Sunday I was sick in bed. So I don't know if I can do 7 like I planned, this weekend. I will just see how it goes.

3.5 tonite

Felt good, pretty good pace. I'm in the groove.

Ok, Yo!

So last Thurs I did 2 after work, only ran one of it. Don't recall why it was that I had such a crappy time except that our bike rack didn't work on the car and I hadn't packed or done laundry so the trip seemed to be getting off to a bad start and I didn't get to the gym until 8 and I had to pick K up from dance and take J's friend home, etc etc.

Did the Triathlon on Sat and it was brutal. Turns out there are hills galore on Catalina Island. Who knew? I did the swim pretty well but the 10 mile bike was three laps up this giant hill, then the run had two giant hills that I couldn't even run up. I was spent but it was good and I'm glad I did it!! Had a bottle of wine to celebrate on Sat night, sang some karaoke and danced my ass off. But I digress.

Today I was back at it, did a good 3. Now I'll start focusing on getting my long runs in on the weekends. And back to the focus on eating well. I looked like such a chubster in the triathlon pics I was embarassed. Time to get serious. I'm getting my thyroid levels checked again tomorrow.

Good Week

Exercise-wise anyway. Got my three gyms in, although one was only a half hour an a half-hearted half hour at that since I had forgotten my ipod. Just did my 4.5 mile walk and it was good.

Food-wise, still not doing as well as I would like. I need to go get a fill for this band, I'm going to see about that next week to give myself a little extra help.

Where the hell is everyone?

Two In

I've gotten two of my gyms in this week, did them exactly as planned. Last night I really ruh-HEALLY did not want to go, but I went and did my hour. Which is good since my food was not great yesterday.

Hope everyone is doing well, I plan to get to the gym tonight again (for treadmill), take Saturday off and then do 4.5 on Sunday.

Day off

I did 2 miles yesterday and taking today off. I would like to do 3.5 tomorrow which means I'll have to get out there pretty early. I am starting to feel like I am actually training again, which makes me excited for the race. My master's program is killing me, so it's really helpful to be exercising and looking forward to something.

weekend

So I didn't do anything on Sat because, ya know, football game, mounds of candy and all. But on Sunday I ran a good 3, then rode 6.5, then swam 1/2 mile, almost the total triathlon I'm doing Sat. So feeling good about that. Then today I did a strong 3 at lunchtime. So having a good week so far! But am really eating like a hog. That time of month and all.

The Long

I went just over 5 miles. About 2 miles of it was against a 10 mph headwind, which really made it difficult. I walked probably the last mile and a half and didn't feel a bit bad about it. Take that, stupid voices! Now I am going to eat, stretch, shower, and make chili and cornbread.
I read Marianne's comment to my last post and thought about it a lot while I ran. But I can't remember anyone saying anything about how I am eating. The only voices are mine. But berating myself for my diet is no different than what Patty and Mom do when they ask me, after traveling 13.1 miles on the power of nothing more than my own two feet, if I ran the whole way. It's the same exact thing. The message is that what I'm doing isn't good enough, when it is. I don't accept that message from them, so why on earth would I accept that message from myself? It is the same self-defeating thinking I have struggled with my whole life. So thanks Marianne, I needed that. Damn the voices to hell - I don't need them.

My turn for a bad week

Well, I didn't end up making it to the gym at all this week. I can blame the weather for part of it, and Chris traveling for part of it, but the fact remains that there were two nights that I could have gone and chose not to. And, I could have chosen to go yesterday and again chose not to, figuring that I had already blown the week so why bother now. Which is not a good or productive way to think.

BUT, I am going out here in a minute for my four mile training walk, I have it mapped out. So, all is well. And then I'll start over trying to get my three gyms in for the week next week.

Update: I went. And that extra half mile was a bitch....there is a big hill there.

going along

Is it possible to be training and eating junk food at the same time? It must be because that is what I am doing. It is so counterproductive and I am incredibly frustrated. I was doing all right yesterday until I graded some tests, a task which almost always results in my eating copious amounts of chocolate. I did 3 miles yesterday morning and plan on 5 tomorrow. I'm not going to stop training just because my diet isn't as healthy as I would like it to be.

I spoke too soon

Went for my lunchtime workout and started walking after my first mile. I was just out of breath and dehydrated and no energy, probably because I only had a small cup of oat squares for breakfast and tea. Rookie mistake. So I did 2.5 in total.

There is just no way I can make it to the gym tonight. I had my chance last night and I blew it. I already took my life in my hands driving to and from work, there is no way I am risking it again driving on icy roads just to spend an hour sweating. No way!! So, let's see....the corner I have backed myself into is having to get my three gym times in tomorrow, Friday and Saturday and then doing my four mile train on Sunday. Hm.

Well, I didn't go last night. No good reason, I was just tired. I plan to go tonight, but there is a big storm here, so we'll have to see if I feel like risking driving to the gym. I'm not doing great so far this week, that's for sure.

I so rock (again)

Well today I was back to my old self. And I have to chuckle because it was only one bad week, but it sure feels like a lifetime when you're in that funk. I did a strong 3 on the treadmill in 35 minutes, then I rode the bike for 5 miles. I think I'll be up for a long one this weekend if I can raise my head from the candy trough long enough.

One for the record book!

Ok, I am determined to get it together! If I am going to taper on time, I need to be doing 8 mile runs at the end of November! So, it's not too late, but I really have to get in gear. So this morning I got ready to run and grabbed my iPod, only to find that the battery was dead. So - get this - I went anyway! 2.5 miles, very quiet miles. After a while I didn't hear my breathing anymore. I was just thinking and running, thinking and running. It was actually ok! Then I planned out my food for the day, doing a smaller dinner and eating about every 3 hours. That's how often I get hungry. So far, so good... but it's the night times that get me. And there are brownies in the house.

And as I'm reading this I'm thinking

we've got to get it together people!!!

So then

I went to the gym today at lunch and I actually seemed to feel better. I did a full 3 miles and felt ok even though I didn't run all of it. Yesterday I decided that couch time was more important.

I turned around and walked home

is what I did on Sat. I got up and procrastinated long enough that it was a little warm outside (11am) when I started my 5.5 mile route. But dammit I was going to do it, even if I had to walk it. I needed to get back in my groove. I ran the first mile uphill and then stopped to walk a bit, and then realized how ungodly it was going to be to get the whole 5.5 miles in. With the heat and all. Plus I drank beer Friday. So. That was it. I turned around and walked home. First time ever. And I mean WALKED. Even though it was all downhill. Probably got in 2.5 miles total.

I didn't go

I was going to do my long (5 miles) yesterday and didn't go. I was too busy relaxing. Then last night I tied one on and was sick this morning. So, this week I will try to do 2.5 miles on Mon and Weds, and 2 on Tues and Thurs, then 5 on Saturday. I'm eating lucky wishbone right now, so my food situation has definitely not improved! I do fine all day at work but when I get home it's on.

I did not go on Friday. I got a Blizzard (Pumpkin Pie!!!) and fell asleep on the couch early instead. I'm pretty irritable with myself about it, since now I won't have my three gym trips in for the week, but whatever.

I did do my 3.5 training walk yesterday instead of today since it is supposed to snow again today and I didn't want to risk having to do it on the treadmill. So, today I will go to the gym and do the bike and then try to get my three plus my walk in next week. I did the 3.5 miles in just under an hour yesterday, which I think is okay.

Groovin'

I went 2.5 this morning. It feels so good now that I cut back to a 1:1 ratio and I remember why I liked it so much.

Well, I went last night, I really really didn't want to. It was snowing to beat the band here, the roads were rather disconcerting and they stop plowing after 6PM, but I went anyway. I only did my regular 45 but I do have a confession. About ten minutes into my workout a woman came to the bike next to mine. She seemed to be around my age but she was smaller. And I decided right then and there that I would stay on that stupid bike longer than her, even though I didn't want to and had no reason other than an absurd idea of beating someone skinnier than me. I was working harder than her the whole time we were on the bike, and she got off before my 45 minutes was up, so I was spared the worst of my own behavior. But still.

Anyways, in good news, I am down half a pound for the week, so I lost the stupid pound that I gained plus another half pound. So, that is good.

Why does it have to be so !@$#&^%ing hard??

So I didn't go last night. After two mojitos it didn't seem like such a good idea. Then Kailey bailed on yoga so I had no reason to go to the gym. HOWEVER, I did go at lunch today, primarily motivated by the fact that I had an OB appointment this afternoon and I got up too late to shower this morning. So I decided to shower at the gym. And I will say, I only did 30 minutes and just over 2 miles because I really didn't care and didn't feel like being there. Isn't it funny how some weeks you're just all over it and feeling great, and other weeks you just suck?? For no discernable logic or reason?? I guess that's what separates us from the rest of the world who doesn't exercise. We battle through it.

Going tonight

I haven't been to the gym since Friday, but did my training walk Sunday, so only two days off. I would have gone last night, but it was Chris' birthday and he was really sick, so I ate cake and ice cream instead. Sympathy cake, mind you.... so it's all good!

I do plan on going tonight. It is snowing like crazy here, and I am grateful to have a gym membership, it's really a necessity here, not so much a luxury. If there is weather like this on my training walk days, I am going to have to do training walks on the treadmill. I really hope that doesn't happen too often.

Anyways, so now I have to get to the gym today, Friday and Saturday and then go on my training walk on Sunday.

Me neither.

Yesterday, my phone died overnight so my alarm didn't go off. I woke up at 5:30, too late to go. It was OK because I had gone the past 3 days in a row, so it was time for a day off anyway. Today, a text that Jessica sent me last night finally came through at 3:45 a.m. and I couldn't go back to sleep. I got up and everything hurts. My head, my spinal column, my shoulders... what the hell? I am drinking coffee and if I feel better I am definitely going to go. Maybe even if I'm not feeling better I will try to go.

Update: I went.

I really don't want to

I didn't go last night, even though I had to drop K at the gym for yoga. I hadn't been grocery shopping since we've been back because I've had no car, so I did that. But mostly I was just tired!! And then, I didn't go at lunch today, as has been my Tuesday habit. Again, just cause I didn't want to. So now I'm feeling urgency to go tonight and its weighing me down. But I just re-read Missy's last post and am inspired. So I will just go, maybe only around the block !

Update: I didn't go.

mini tri

Today I rode my bike to the gym and back, which was about 3 miles. I only did 2.5 on the treadmill because I was having a vision problem (I just couldn't see going any longer). Then I swam a slow and easy 10 laps, which is about 1/3 mile I think. So I wasn't as ambitious as I hoped today, but at least I got out there.

I went!

I got up from the couch, all by myself, got my shoes on and went. 2 miles, with the timer set to 1:1 and I cleared it before I could see how long it took. I feel really good now, and happy. My lesson plans are almost done, I still love my job, I have two new friends, and am building somewhat of a social life. I can do this.

Training Walk

Okay, so I did my walk today. 3.5 miles. I didn't time it. And it was freakin' hot even though the computer says the temperature was only 68. But the high today is supposed to be around 78, so it is more like a Fall day in Arizona. And last week was like a winter day in Minnesota. Freakin' Colorado.....

Anyways, also wanted to mention that I passed by this lady who was pushing a four wheeled cart/stroller thing with triplets inside. It looked like one of those rickshaws (sp?) in China, you know? It was funny. And while I admired her a little bit, I couldn't help but wonder what the fuck she was trying to prove. But whatever.

I gained almost a whole stupid pound since I last weighed, probably because I have mostly been eating for fun this week. So, going forward I'm pretty motivated to keep any eye on the eating, because I really want to lose another eight or ten pounds before Thanksgiving. I try not to make those arbitrary "number" type goals, but I really need to get a handle on the stupid little things like taking a Hershey nugget out of the bowl at this one girl's desk every time I pass it, or grabbing one or two of the cookies in the break room just because they are there. I hate that sort of mindless eating and have been engaging in it a LOT lately. It never really goes away, I don't think, the struggle with that sort of thing.

I just realized that Sandy had signed in to my computer and that last post got posted as her. It was my post. I'm sure everyone was really confused.

Epiphany

I did my treadmill walk on Thursday, which was so not bad that I started thinking that maybe I would add this into my regular routine, even after the marathon, doing one workout a week on the treadmill. Then I started wondering why I, an avowed hater of treadmills, would even consider such a thing. And I thought, well the workout is a bit more consistent on the treadmill...the belt is going and you have to keep up with it once you have set it, so it makes for a bit more of a consistent cardio for me. And then I realized that this is why at the beginning I was so resistant to the treadmill. On the bike, I decide all. I decide exactly when to slow down, exactly when to speed up and I always based it on nothing more than what my body was telling me, I never did pre-programmed work outs. So, I realized that this was actually very much a crucial step in my relationship with exercise as a whole. You spend so much of your life being told what to do and that you aren't doing it right or fast enough or good enough, and for me, it was just of the utmost importance that any exercise that was done was on MY OWN terms, with no person and no machine telling me anything about what I should or should not be doing.

But now, see, now that exercise is such a regular part of my existence I have gotten a bit more confidence that just because there is a belt under me regulating how fast I walk, it doesn't mean the machine is telling me what to do. I know that I am in control and doing what I want to do and I don't have so much insecurity about the process in general or how it works for me specifically, because I have spent enough time listening to my own voice above all others I can think more about what is going to work for me without these sorts of psychological hang ups. Not to say there aren't still plenty of psychological hang ups to go around. When Sandy and I were working out I was marveling at how she chose the treadmill right next to the window and how I would have NEVER chosen that treadmill for that specific reason. But when I mentioned it to her, she just said something about the fan placement and she didn't want to be right under it, so that is why she chose that treadmill. She didn't even think about the window! It's so funny, the hang ups that I have. But whatever.

Anyhoodle, I did an hour of cardio on the bike today and I have my route mapped out for tomorrow's 3.5 mile walk.

All good

I did do about 3.3 yesterday although I walked quite a bit of it due to the lack of oxygen to my brain, plus the hills.

I went so I won

I don't know how far, and I don't know how fast, and it doesn't matter. It was hot. My legs feel really good. I feel much better. But I still miss Marianne.

Not bad

So, I whiffed the San Francisco weekend even though I did bring my running shoes, I didn't exercise once. The good news is that I did 3.5 on Tues, 3.3 on Weds, and 3 on Thurs plus 4 on bike. I'm going to go again today, probably a really light one, so I can take tomorrow off, and that will give me 4 times this week. Will try to get in a long one on Sunday once we're settled back at home. So yay for me and Mari for keeping each other motivated this week! Missy where you at?

Did second training walk that was 3 miles. This time Chris came with me so I didn't get lost. It was definitely a better walk than last week, but it took about 50 minutes, so my time still is not great, although about half of it was uphill, so I guess maybe it's not too bad.

Friday's walk on the treadmill was not great, although it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Although I did get really sick of being on it after about half an hour. I don't understand why that doesn't happen on the bike, but whatever. It wasn't as great a cardio workout as I usually get though, my heart rate never did really get up to where it usually does. So, yesterday I did an hour on the bike and that was really good.

It was COLD on today's walk! I had to wear a sweater and mittens and a hat and I was still cold. The sun came out on our way home, so it got a bit warmer, but it was darn cold! It is still only 23 degrees out here. And yesterday it never did get above freezing at all the whole day.....the frost that was there in the morning never went away, it never got warm enough to melt it. Crazy times, crazy times.

3 at lunch

Got my 3 in today so feeling good even though I skipped my swim last night. Upcoming challenge is that I'm going to San Francisco tonight for a golf tournament/boondoggle girls weekend. But I am committed to exercising at least once! Then Monday I head out for Denver for 6 days. So Mari we are hitting the gym! I can't fall off the wagon again!

train wreck

I skipped my run yesterday morning in order to be ready for a meeting I have this morning. I'm ready for the meeting but I woke up with a stuffy nose and feeling like I got hit by a train. I have too much to do. It's excuses and I need to get my priorities straight... but really there's just too much to do. I had to bring work home last night, which I NEVER do, and worked for 2 hrs, thinking I will be ready for my run this morning. Oh, and ate like a hog... 3 tamales, 4 peanut butter cups. Then had nasty classroom dreams all night and the bottom line is I just don't know if I can get out there this morning.

The fire is going out

I did my cardio tonight and for the first time I did not get the flaming burning in my lungs. So, I figure that has to be progress.

3 at lunch

I have to say, I've never thought I'd be one of those people that can make a lunchtime workout work. But its working really well for me once I got over the fact that I have to take a shower and do hair/make-up again for work. I do 3 miles, about 35 minutes, shower up, and am back at work in about 1.5 hours. Then I have my night free. So that's what I did today.

At least I'm running.

I ran 2 yesterday and 2 today. Yesterday was kind of painful, I guess my muscles thought we had finally given up on this running thing so they were complaining quite a bit. Today was good though. Last night I ate really good healthy food all day, including dinner. Then after dinner I had my yo-plus thinking that might get rid of my sweet craving. But it didn't so I ate half a bag of kit-kat fun size bars, a reese's peanut butter cup, and some pizza rolls. So.

Well, I walked my stupid three miles on Sunday and I am seriously sore. Stupid hills! There are parts of my walks that are UPHILL! Plus, with the altitude still not being entirely adjusted to around here, all adds up to the lactic acid winning. My ass is sore. But I will go to the gym tomorrow and do my cardio anyway. I did decide to make at least one of my cardios a treadmill workout, so it will be another training walk, so I will be walking twice a week and doing the bike twice a week. That should do it. I hope this altitude adjustment happens soon. Chris went through the same thing...he went to work out for the first time up here and did weights and ended up really sore for a week. I mean, I expected to be a little bit sore, especially my butt, but not this sore. This is seriously sore. And all I walked was three stupid miles!

swim

Tonight I swam a mile. Then came home and ate like a hog.

Feelin pretty damn good . . . until . . .

So tonight I did my 5.5 mile route again only this time it felt really good. I was disciplined and ran the whole way at what felt like a pretty good pace, and was probably going to run the whole 5.5 but I had to stop at around 5 because nature was calling. Damn.

5.5

I did 5.5 yesterday. It was quite ugly with lots of walking interspersed, but it was a good ambitious start. And it was so nice outside yesterday! So my total miles for last week were 16 including the swimming miles. I think I'm gonna try the 6 mile route again today, just relaxed and running when I can. And continue the 3 and swimming during the week.

I'm in!

Okay, I just registered!! I missed the stupid cheap deadline, but oh well.

Here is my training schedule. I am thinking right now that I am only going to do one training walk per week, with my regular cardio workouts three times a week as well. Last time I had a hard time motivating myself to do my own workouts as training walks....I just have a hard time getting the exercise in if I am not going to the gym and I am trying to not be to ambitious for this training schedule, since then I won't stick to it and will throw in the towel altogether, which is what happened the last time I registered for this 1/2 marathon (before the OC one, I had thought I would do the rock and roll and ended up giving up because I was scared I would get picked up by the paddy wagon). SO, all that nonsense being said, here is my training schedule. I am getting ready right now to get a route for today's walk.

10/4 3 miles

10/11 3 miles

10/18 3.5 miles

10/25 3.5 miles

11/1 4 miles

11/8 4.5 miles

11/15 5 miles

11/22 5.5 miles

11/29 6 miles

12/6 6.5 miles

12/13 7 miles

12/20 7.5 miles

12/27 8 miles

1/3 8.5 miles

1/10 9 miles

I am assuming I don't need to do any longer than a 9 miles training walk, if I can do 9 then I can certainly do the 1/2 on race day, right? Right.

UPDATE: Upon leaving my neighborhood to do my training walk which I had mapped out in advance, I immediately got lost and ended up wandering around. I mapped it when I got home and it was still three miles but sheesh! I can't go ten feet around here without getting lost.... STILL!

OK here goes

I'm in too, I registered for the race. I was doing real good maintaining at 3 miles around 11.5 min. Then I went to Europe for a week and didn't exercise a single time. Then last week I couldn't seem to get off the couch. But I started back in on Saturday with an awful 3 miles. And another awful 3 on Sun. Then I did a swimming class Mon night, about 1/2 mile probably, ran 3 on Tues, swam a mile last night, and heading at lunch today to do another 3. I'm going to focus right now on my triathalon Nov 7 but will try to start running longer on the weekends as the weather cools.

Ready for 7

I did 6 miles this morning, 13:30 minute miles. So I am ready for 7 next week. I did my long run today instead of tomorrow because I got invited to a barbeque at someone's house who is not my family! And I am going to drink beer and have fun. So I didn't want to have to get up and run 6 miles the day after drinking beer. I never run the day after I drink... it's too hard!! I hope youse guys start posting soon.

Maybe this week

Ok, so last week didn't work out quite like I planned. On Thursday right after I blogged, I went to the dryer to put on my running clothes and they were still wet. I put the clothes in the dryer but didn't actually turn it on. Then Friday morning I was just too tired... my first week of work in 5 months whipped me! So I did 5.5 on Sunday - planned to do 6 but I got new shoes and insoles, and my feet were hurting real bad so I stopped and walked the rest of the way home. This week I have 11 miles so far. If I can get myself up from the couch, I will do 2.5 this morning and then I need to do my long run on Saturday instead of Sunday, so I will take tomorrow and Sunday off. I've lost another couple lbs so all is well. Woohoo!!

On track

I'm on track to do 15-16 miles this week. Since I started work last Thursday, I have lost 2 of the lbs I gained over the summer. I ran just over 3 miles this morning and did 13:36 miles. Yay!!

It's on!

Ok, I registered for the race. Woohoo!! My 5 miles went well on Sunday, I finished with just over 14 minute miles. I need to get some more clif shot blocks because that's what I decided to go with this time. I am doing either 2 or 3 this morning, depending on how I feel when I get out there. It's tough adjusting to being on my feet all day again... so I don't know how that will affect how my legs feel. Anyhoo I doubt anybody is even reading this but I think you'll all start posting again eventually.

Time to train

18 weeks until the big day. 16 weeks until it's time to taper. That's four short months, people! I'm practically starting over, having quit running and gained another 5 lbs. the last 2 weeks of my unemployment. So I am now 10 lbs over my last race weight, but I am still running faster, so it's ok. The weight will come off now that I'm back to work and on my feet all day again.
I ran 3 days this past week for a total of 6 miles. I am doing my long today which will be 5 miles. My goal for this race is to finish in 3 hours. That is just under 14-minute miles.
Looking at how the mileage will be increasing during the training period, we should probably be peaking right around thanksgiving through christmas. That will be awesome because then we can eat some holiday food guilt-free!!

stupid math

I did do the math wrong the other day. And who knows how many other times. My timer cycles every 4 minutes. So if the timer says it's gone through 7 cycles, then I have been running 28 minutes plus whatever is on the timer toward the next cycle. Well I think I have either been just taking the cycles and not adding the additional minutes, or I might have even been subtracting them!! IDIOCY. Anyway it's ok. I ran 12:42 miles today and it's my 4th day in a row so I'm happy. 15 miles so far for the week. Don't know if I'll be able to get myself out there in Pinetop or not, but I'm going to try.

I went fast!

I did 5 miles yesterday and 2.3 miles this morning. When I got home today and mapped my run, I found I did 11:30 minute miles! That is my fastest time ever. I did the math 3 times because I couldn't believe it. So, even though I have gained about 8 lbs. since the race, I am not slowing down. I am having such a terrible time with my food. It's so hard being home all day and having all that math to do, and not be munching all day. I just crave sugar. It's awful. But I really do feel it's temporary and as long as I keep trying, I will get it together eventually.

At the YMCA there really aren't that many young people there, mostly middle aged and older people. There are some, but I don't really pay attention these days to who is going longer than me or who I am going longer than. I guess it comes and goes in phases. There is this one younger couple who comes in sometimes when I am there and the girl in particular is a HUGE peeker, it really annoys the crap out of me, she is constantly looking over at me. And I do consistently beat both their stupid asses, both in intensity and duration, so I guess that's okay.

You know, I was thinking the other day about the student rec center....we had this totally awesome rec center at ASU and I think I maybe stepped foot in there twice in all my years there and it was FREE! Oh well, what are you gonna do?

Owning the young folks

One of the things I like about working out at the rec center is watching all the youngsters come and go while I work out. (Mari, your workouts at the gym are getting long - do you relate to this?) Often the ones right next to me are peepers. But, even if they are peeping, they give up and quit before I do. The average workout there is probably 1/2 hour. I just have to smile when I'm on the machines longer than anyone else. It's not that I'm saying I am better than them, but... yeah. I'm better than them. HAHA!!!

track

I did run on the track yesterday instead of getting up early. I did 5 miles. My left calf was sore from the elliptical, but I ran anyway, and now it's REALLY sore. The rest of my muscles feel like they've been working, but they are not sore. So that's the only place on my body that couldn't take it. I was going to ride the exercise bike today but instead I'll take the day off. Not sure I could ride it anyway - the calf muscle is that sore!

the track

I did 3 miles today on the track at the UA rec center. There aren't any treadmills - just a track! 11 laps is 1 mile. So I did 33 laps. It was incredibly boring. Tomorrow I am going to do the elliptical. I think on my running days I am going to get up early and run outside. Being outside makes it go faster and is much more fun.

14

I did 5 today at 13:36 pace. I am getting so much faster!! It really makes me happy. That makes 14 miles for the week. I did 14 miles last week as well. I would like to have my weekly mileage up to 20 before too long. I think that is a good maintenance number.

aaaalrighhhhhhht

Marianne I am just posting my maintenance and how it's going. It helps me stay motivated. Weird but I just need to write it down - doesn't even matter if anyone reads it. Today I did 3 miles at 13:24 pace. Something happened with my stride... I fell into a new rhythm that I have never felt before. It felt like longer, more regular strides. Also hit that breathing sweet spot where I felt I could go for quite a while at that pace. So, that was really awesome. I really don't like running in the hot... school starts Monday and when that happens I'll go to the rec center at the U of A. I am going to try to do the treadmill just because I can still run without being in the heat. Also will be easier to cross train 2 days a week or so.

Ooops

I didn't realize we were posting on this still. Or posting on it already to work on the Chang. I've just been doing my thing, going to the gym. I have not been walking much, I am saving that training for when it gets cooler. I am really enjoying the gym these days, upping my intensity and length of time I work out. I used to have a goal of having one 45 minute session out of the total of three that I do each week. Now, I do 45 minutes almost every time and I work hard! So, it's all good. I need to go tonight, but just realized my ipod battery is dead. Have to fix that before I can go. 

Also, I just have to tell you, I was telling Christa last night that while I would never say that the surgery changed my life, I would say that about the gym. Go figure.

maintenance

I did 5 today and I couldn't have been more stupid about it. I waited too long to go, and it was up to 90 degrees by the time I got back. I didn't eat first or bring water with me. What the hell?? I know better. I was trying to burn off the 2 brownies I ate last night. I keep forgetting it's not about calories or my weight. It's about enjoying what I am doing, and if I don't focus on giving my body what it needs to perform properly, then I am just wasting my time. Still, even with all that stupidity, I did better than 14 1/2 minute miles. Gee I wonder how I would have done had I fueled my body? Well at least I went. So all is well in the end. Although I feel quite sick now and am holding very still until it passes.

first long

It's good to hear from you Sandy. I am envious of the way you can take 2 weeks off, then get up and run 5 miles, just like that.
I attempted my first long since the 1/2 marathon today. I planned to go 6 miles and my goal was to be under 15-minute miles. I also wanted to run the whole thing. My long term goal is to do the next 1/2 marathon in 3 hours 4 minutes, which is 14-minute miles. Somehow I forgot to make the turn I needed to make, and kept going up Houghton instead. By the time I realized, it was too late, so I continued on Houghton to the freeway and then turned around. After about an hour I was just too tired to go on, so I stopped my timer and slowly walked home. I mapped it and the whole thing was actually 6.5 miles.
I ran most of 4.4 miles, which is close enough to the 6 I had planned, and did 14.7 minute miles, which is progress. So all together I feel pretty good about it. I think I'll do 5 mile longs until I can do them with 14-minute miles, and then slowly increase the distance. I also think I will do a run:walk ratio of 2 minutes: 30 seconds. There's really no reason for me to run the whole way because walking works a different set of muscles, so I want to do both. Also my ankle is none too happy, so maybe the walk breaks will allow it to heal from whatever is wrong with it.
A mile is a mile, and 100 calories per mile means 670 calories for today, so that somewhat compensates for the Lucky Wishbone, 5 donuts, and Panda Express I had this past week. It's bound to be another hard week... the last 3 days of school will push my patience to its limits, and then I have Jessica's graduation, which I am prepared for in every way except emotionally.

back in the saddle

Well I hit the gym today for the first time since the marathon. Felt fairly decent, good to be back. I had the unexpected gift of a lazy day at the gym, meaning my two kids went to friends houses so I got to spend as much time as I wanted. I spent an hour on the treadmill and got in 5 miles, then I sat in the hot tub, steam room, and then took a leisurely shower and shaved off every stray hair on my body followed by scented moisturizer. Then I sat on the patio and read the paper whilst eating a tuna wrap and fresh fruit. It rocked. I love my gym.

I pushed

I just went all out after not running since Friday, and did two 12:20 minute miles. Woohoo! For once it was my lungs getting in the way, not my legs. I gotta work my weekly mileage up slowly, so as not to get sick again.

I've crawled to the mountaintop

Well I did it! I met my goal of running a marathon before I turned 40, beat it by almost a year in fact. I'm so relieved that I don't have that hanging over my head anymore. But I also don't think I'll have the need to do it ever again.

The first half went beautifully. Me and my sis bonded at the start line and offered up a prayer to goddess for strength, power, grace and endurance. Then we took off. I felt really good for the first few miles. There were lots of downhills and it wound through beautiful neighborhoods, along the coast and through a natural wetlands area. I was frustrated because I had to stop and poo around mile 6 even though I'd taken an immodium. I think I wasted about 10-15 min in line, it seemed like forever.

I started getting real tired around mile 10 but kept going although I walked through all the water stops. At mile 12 the marathon split from the half marathon and I was really envious of those folks turning left towards their finish line. I was tired. I thought of my sister who would be done soon, and my other two sisters who were already done with their 5k. And I thought about how long they would be waiting for me to finish, and whether or not they'd be drunk by the time I got there.

My path took me up a giant hill over a freeway (which I walked) and then wound through streets. At mile 13 I asked a cop what time it was and he said 9:25 so I knew I had done well on the half despite the bathroom break. After the first half my agreement with myself was that I would walk/run the rest as I felt I could.

I passed our hotel and I thought briefly that I could just go on up and lay down, it was tempting. Then we wound through a mall and a guy cheered for me and said "only 10 more miles" and I said "Really? Only 10 more?" and he laughed but I was serious because I hadn't seen a mile marker in awhile and I wasn't sure. I knew I could pull off 10 more.

But then the sun came out. Miles 17 and 18 dragged on and on. When I saw mile marker 19 I was furious because I thought for sure it would be mile 20, so I gave a mental "f-u" to mile marker 19. When I hit 20 I started to feel some desperation with the heat and knowing I had 6 miles left. But I knew I could do 6.

I ran the downhills and some flat parts until my body was just screaming at me to stop. My hamstrings were aching and my feet were burning. Until mile 23 we were running along this moldy wash with desert on the other side and not a body in sight aside from the desperate marathoners around me. I was pissed that they couldn't come up with some better scenery for this part. I was quite tempted to hitch a ride on the ambulance parked there for runners in trouble. I was repeating over and over in my head "never ever never ever never ever again".

In mile 24 we went through this sort of bad neighborhood and I was staring longingly at the grass along the sidewalk just imagining how nice it would be to lay down for just a minute. But I knew that if I did, I wouldn't get up again, and someone would call the paramedics and I'd get carted off.

Mile 25 I started running again, thinking I have at least another mile in me. But, I didn't. As I approached the fairgrounds I could see the finish line and I started running again only to be fooled by such trickery as a detour to take us all the way around before we got to the finish line. Mean spirited marathon planners!

As I passed the 26 mile marker I was listening to "Dick in a Box" and I had to chuckle at that, as I know I'll always remember what I was listening to as I brought this challenge to a close. So, I started running again because I had to be running when the sistahood saw me.

I heard them before I saw them and broke into this wide goofy grin, and temporarily forgot about my bodily pain. They were screaming at the top of their lungs, and one of them jogged alongside me outside the barriers. It was so awesome to have them there, and hear the announcer call my name as I crossed the finish line. When I crossed I didn't feel that joy and elation and emotion that some marathoners report, but I did feel a huge sense of relief and I did get a little teary hugging my sisters. When I finally was able to lay down in the grass, they stripped off my shoes and started rubbing my feet!! Then one snagged a massage table for me and I was able to get my legs and feet stretched and massaged, it was incredible.

I love my sistas and am so grateful that they accompanied me along this journey.

Peace, out. Until next time.

My first 1/2 marathon

I'm pretty sure there will be more half marathons. Maybe even a whole one... who knows?
I planned on going 3 this morning but my stomach is upset from eating crappy food for 2 days. So I got a mile in and had to take the shortcut home, and quick. I'll try again tomorrow.
Sandy wanted us all to write our account of the race, so here is mine:

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." - John "The Penguin" Bingham

Riding the shuttle to the start line was exhilarating. There was so much energy on that school bus! It reminded me of when I was a kid, on the way to school. All the freedom, optimism, and gleeful anticipation of life, all in one place.
When Sandy and I got to the start line, we were a little disconcerted that there was no water. There was a port-a-potty village, so we did our business and made our way to where we would be lining up. We discovered there were only 3 corrals, and we were in the same one, so we sat down on the curb to wait. The time went by really fast... we watched all of our fellow racers talking, jumping up and down, stretching, bouncing, passing the time. We saw one guy with a fro-hawk, which was really cool. I ditched my sweatshirt before the race even started.
People started to line up and we joined them. We stayed on the right - I was worried about being in front of much faster runners and I didn't want to be in the way. We sang some lines from Eminem, activated our wonder twin powers, hugged, spread the love, and encouraged each other. The horn sounded and before long we were moving forward. We crossed the start line and Sandy took off in front of me. It took a while for me to settle in because there were so many people! Tons of people were passing me and I felt bad about being in the way. But I was also passing some people so I figured I was ok.
I got caught up in the excitement and ran the first mile way too fast. Right when I passed the Mile 1 sign, a lady ran by and said, "We got an 11-minute mile going." I didn't even know I could go that fast! I knew I had better slow way down or I would be more than miserable at the end. I turned on my timer and started my 1:1 walk-run ratio.
The first part of the course was through neighborhoods. People were out on their front lawns but they weren't cheering for the most part - just watching everyone go by.
Halfway through mile 2 I saw the ocean. It was so beautiful. Mile 4 I passed the Balboa Island Bridge, which was the first time limit. I knew for a fact I was well under my goal time, and I felt great about that! I could see probably a mile behind me and there were many people on the road, so I stopped worrying about having a police car following me because I was dead last.
Running through the Wildlife Preserve was amazing. I saw ducks and other kinds of birds all over. It was really refreshing to see all the wildlife and greenery.
When I got to the giant hill in mile 11, I said to the person next to me, "This is pure evil!" Then I thought to myself, "But it's not going to break me." I could see that every single person in my field of vision was walking up that hill - nobody was trying to run it. It was long and tiring and I'm pretty sure it's why my shins are still sore! There was a Kool n' Fit station not long after that, which helped revitalize and refresh me for the few remaining miles. There was a sign at the water station that said, "You've come this far, you might as well finish!"
After that we started running through neighborhoods again. People were cheering and rooting us on. They kept saying things like, "You're almost there! Only 2 miles left! You're looking great!" That was really helpful. I wish I could thank all of them.
The finish line was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. People were lined up the last tenth of a mile, probably three deep, and cheering. All I could think was, "These people are cheering for me! Then I saw my sisters in their matching pink hats, screaming their heads off for me. I thought, "I actually did this! I completed a half marathon! Me!!!" I don't think I have ever smiled quite so big. When I ran past my sisters, I pumped my fists in the air. I looked at the clock and saw that I was well ahead of the time limit, and knew that I had come very close to 15 minute miles for the entire race. I crossed the finish line, got my medal, and promptly started crying. I had a little trouble for a few minutes, trying to catch my breath and cry at the same time, but I was ok after a few minutes. I got water and food, and went out in to the grounds. I walked for a short time because I knew it was the best thing to do, but after that I just planted myself on the grass and stretched. I was still in awe of the fact that I had finished. My sisters took very good care of me, and then I went to the finish line to cheer for Sandy, would would be coming in soon. Cheering the runners on was exhilarating! I had a blast.
Running the half marathon was a life-changing event for me. Never again will I allow self-doubt to inhabit my brain and say, "You can't do that," for I know now that I can do whatever I decide to do.

too much rest?

I still get tired between 8 and 9 at night, but the last 3 days I have been up well before the crack of dawn. I've got plenty of energy during the day so I guess it must be the lack of running because that's the only thing I am doing differently. It's weird... I can actually feel my body sort of healing and tightening up and storing energy, like my muscles are springs waiting to be released. Yesterday's 2 miles felt really good. So I think I will feel really good at least through the first part of the marathon.

going to the mountain

"I've been to the motherfuckin mountain top, heard motherfuckers talk, seen 'em drop." - Eminem

I'm done

I did 6 on Sunday and 3.5 on Monday and I'm done. 5 solid days of rest. I'm so excited that its going to be overcast and high 60's!!! Couldn't be more perfect running weather. Don't forget your old long sleeve shirt that you can take off and leave on the road! I decided I'm going to wear my Underarmor ASU t-shirt. It would be cute if we all had our ASU or UA stuff on.

I've got a pile of stuff ready to go, including my long sleeve, my gels and beans, my anti-friction stick, blister band-aids, muscle relaxers, immodium, etc.

Sorry I haven't been more active here, since my laptop broke its been harder since my kids hog the computer.

Well, the preparation is over...

I am off to do my last 2 before the race in a few minutes. I'll have 2 days off and should be well rested by Sunday. I'm thinking a good long swim on Saturday night after the expo sounds really good! I have to remember to get that bathing suit from Laurie because mine doesn't fit.
My suitcase is packed except for a few things. I'm deliriously excited!

2

I'm going out to do 2 in a few minutes. I still had some tightness in my thighs yesterday but today appears to be fine. Man that elliptical really worked out my quads.
I finally got a grip on my food, the bad run on Sunday and the fear of this coming Sunday is enough motivation to keep me on the straight and narrow. I want to fill my body up with good carbs, salt, and good protein so I can be as strong as possible.
Fried twinkies and candy bars just sound so gross to me... I have never even tried them.

Okay....still just me then?

I did two and a quarter yesterday, walking fast for cardio. It was all good. I was waiting to post about it until today to make sure that I was still okay when I woke up this morning, but I am okay, nothing wrong (other than being rather tired from being up with David, who is having an asthma flare up). So, now I'm really looking forward to the trip! I was really quite nervous about working hard walking again after hurting myself...I guess I must have hurt myself more than I gave credence to at the time.

Anyhoodle, I'll get to the gym today and maybe do a good 45 on the bike. Maybe also do upper body weights.

Also, update on surgery for anyone who cares, I am scheduled for another fill on Tuesday. I moved it up. I called the doctor and told him I am not getting enough restriction in the afternoons and evenings, which are my hardest time anyway so we moved up the fill. I'm glad. I mean, it is helping, but I feel like I am doing everything I am supposed to be doing and the band is not holding up its end of the bargain at this point. It is supposed to make me less hungry, which it does in the morning, but it isn't very helpful to me if it isn't working as well in the evening.

Also, just to let everyone know, we went to the fair on Friday night and all that fried crap is not all it is cracked up to be. I had a bite of fried oreo, a bite of fried twinkie and a bite of fried snickers and was all extremely unimpressive. Chris is holding out hope that perhaps that vendor just didn't do it "right" but I doubt it.....I think frying up a twinkie just isn't as gourmet as we have been lead to believe!

So.....are we not doing this anymore?

I did 45 minutes on the bike today....sweated more than I have ever sweated I think. Maybe it was extra warm in that room, I don't know. AND, my therapist assigned me homework of trying one weight machine at least three times, and I did three weight machines! So, yay for me for getting over the intimidation factor. There was nobody else in the room....but still!

Anyhoodle, hope everyone is doing well.

to taper or not to taper

I prefer not to waste time and energy tapering. I prefer to just stop suddenly.

I did 6 miles tonight, and it was a pretty strong 6.

So, I'm gonna do great on May 3. Here are the things working in my favor:

1. The first two miles of my running route are uphill, and there are several other hills. The first 5 miles of the marathon route are downhill and the rest is flat. So, there's some built in momentum there.

2. The marathon is at sea level, which will be easier than Phx altitude even though Phx isn't very high.

3. There will be sea breezes and beautiful scenery and thousands of people to look at.

4. There will be water and gel stops every couple miles.

5. Right now I do most of my runs with a dog bouncing like a rubber ball on a string, so I do expend energy trying to control her for the first couple miles. Its much easier to run without her.

6. I will have the power of the SISTAHOOD propelling me forward, and hopefully I can jump aboard a cloud of oblivion.

7. I will run with the knowledge that I am accomplishing a lifetime goal, and also with the knowledge that I NEVER HAVE TO DO THIS AGAIN.

8. I am one strong motherfucker.

Sigh

I did 7 at the gym yesterday and I will say it was not fun. I am wondering htf I am gonna do this.

45

Went to the gym today, did 45 minutes on the bike, and I feel t-riffic. So, I'm pretty confident that I will be fine for this 5K cardio-wise. I think next week I'll try walking two and a quarter at least twice and then the week after I'll do some three mile walks to make sure I am okay, but I am still trying to take the walking pretty slow, since it would really stink to get hurt now and not be able to recover in time for the big day.

OMG The pressure!!!!

I went to the gym again on Thursday and did half hour on a good resistance. Had to really work on not working too hard, it's really nice to be back at the gym. I've walked two times this week, at an okay pace, so I think I'm all set for a 5K with no time limit.

Good for you getting so fast, Missy! You are going to kick ass!

tapering

More like dropping off a cliff is what I've been doing. Haven't run since Tuesday and didn't go this morning for a couple reasons. Primarily because I got my hair done yesterday and it still looks freakin awesome, so I want to keep it good for hanging with my girls tonight. Secondly because I've spent the morning harassing the friends of the asshole who stole J's phone last weekend and has been using it all week and downloaded $40 of music. They waived all the charges, I'm just pissed at the audacity of a person who would do that thinking they wouldn't get caught.

Doing okay

Well, the bike did not hurt me, so that is very good. I walked a bit yesterday and will again today since I'm not sure I'm going to have time to make it to the gym.

Tallahassee Time

Greetings from the Florida panhandle. I did 5.5 miles before my flight this morning. Yay me. I have to say on the whole I've been remarkably dedicated to this thing despite the fact that I haven't gotten the long runs in I had hoped to. I would so kick ass if I were doing the half. Actually if I were doing the half I wouldn't have been nearly as dedicated.

My plan is to go when I get home tomorrow night but we'll see how I do after getting up at 4am AZ time, working all day and then flying for 5 hours. Seems daunting.

Ok nevermind. I just checked my itinerary and I don't even get home until 11pm. Oh well.

Trying This Again

Well, I went to the gym today and did 20 minutes on the bike at a lower resistance than I was doing before all this. So far it is fine, but the last time I walked for cardio and hurt myself, I felt fine that day, it didn't hurt until the next day. So, we'll see how I feel tomorrow for the real test.

It was good to go back to the gym. I got a little teary during my twenty minutes. I really miss doing those really good 45 minute cardio workouts. I miss arguing with myself about how many minutes to do and how high to set the resistance level. *sniff*

Redneck Runnin'

So energized was I by my reaffirmation into redneck society today that I ran 8 miles tonight. Well, I only ran about 7 of it but still that's good since I only planned on doing 6.

Yesterday I did 6 but it was quite pathetic in that I only ran about 2 of it. I started off with the dog on my left hand and a bottle of water in my right in case I decided to go more than 6. And it was just too freakin much. I felt annoyed and tied down. And as I listened to my body I heard it saying, "WTF?? Seriously. You can't expect me to perform under these conditions. Especially after you went out drinking last night!!" And I had to agree with myself.

I think I'm gonna do 15 on Weds and make that my last real long run. We'll see.

Ow

Well I did 10 tonight. I felt pretty decent and ran clear up to 9. And then I was just done and kindof pissed that I was still a mile from home. I bought a special water bottle with a handle and a variety of gels/beans/chewy things. I had two servings of these chewy nuggets called Clif shots and they were great in that it was helpful to have little bites throughout, but after awhile I felt like a cow chewing cud. I think I'll stick with the gel shots, choke 'em down and done.

I talked to my work friend who does marathons today and he was really helpful in mapping out my schedule for the next 3 weeks. He also suggested I get a really cool new running outfit that I feel good in so I can wear it on race day, which I hadn't even thought of but what an awesome idea!! He seemed to feel pretty good about what I've done so far when I showed him my chart (yes I've been charting my progress, it keeps me motivated). He also said I shouldn't do 20 again because I don't want to get that "deep exhaustion" (as opposed to the regular kind I suppose). He did say I should do 15 again this weekend and also that I should GET UP EARLY ON SATURDAY to do it. That's a tall order. I mean, Saturday and all. But he said I need to get my body used to running in the mornings.

The hats are pink. Not a great color I know, but the point is to make it easy to find each other and there weren't other good options. They say "Sistahood of the Traveling Blisters." I hope that's cool. I thought it was really funny and witty when I ordered them but I've been having second thoughts. They're lightweight adjustable running hats with a sweat band inside and a folding visor so you can put it in your pocket. I should have them this week.

"This is war, this is death, this is real, you better bet on the winning side." - Airborne Toxic Event

Well, I definitely hurt myself

I went a mile and a half yesterday, sort of pushing it, because the doc had said I could do some aerobic activity after two weeks. Well, now I have some pain today, so I know I likely over-did it. I should have gone slower. So, now I am having all sorts of doubts about this whole thing, which really makes me upset, because I really want to wear the hat!!

I am going to not do anything today or tomorrow and try again after that.

homestretch

I can't believe less than 4 weeks to d-day!!! I did 9.5 last night. I really crashed at the end because I hadn't had anything to eat or drink (I went out only planning to do 6 but felt good and decided to stretch it to 10, so I hadn't brought any water or gel). My feet hurt a LOT last night for some reason, and I'm pretty tight today.

I got us all matching running hats to wear on the big day so it will be easy for us to find each other.

"how long will I be picking up pieces?" - Blue October

Sigh

Well, I did 3 on Saturday. On the treadmill in Las Vegas I might add. So, all things considered, not bad. Then I did 3.5 when I got home at 8 last night. Again, all things considered, not too bad. This was the 4th weekend trip I've had since I started training for this thing! But, as my sister once said to me, excuses aren't going to carry me across the finish line now are they? No. So I've recovered from the 20 last weekend and must get back at it this week.

We're in the home stretch ladies!!

"Hammer down, here we go, runnin for the finish rope
all you're gonna see is asses and elbows."

Back in the Saddle

Just walked a mile and a half. It was totally fine, the last part was slow, but that's okay. Mostly it just felt good. Although I did get the tinglies in my butt and thighs which I always think of as my muscle's way of saying "well, we haven't done THIS in a while, now have we?" My muscles speak with an English accent, sort of like that judge Carrie on the Food Network Challenge shows or that dog trainer, Victoria Stillwell.

I am doing very well and everything is fine. I'm eating pureed foods but can progress to soft foods next week. The week after that I can start adding in normal foods. I'm scheduled for my first fill on April 21st

Yeah

I didn't do anything last night. So.

3.5

again last night. Feeling fine but a little fatigued. Fell asleep at 9:30 and got up at 7!! Gonna try for 6 or 8 tonight. Gotta keep the momentum!

slow and easy

I did 3.5 tonight and aside from some tighness in my thighs I felt fine. Remarkable the body's ability to recover and heal itself.

"Got no regrets I'm blessed to say. The heart of me is strong today." - JT

20

I did 20 miles last night. It took me 4.5 hours. I left at 8pm and got home at 12:30. I am grateful to Missy for goading me, and maybe the reason I went 20 is because I didn't really have time to get all psyched out about it. I just downloaded some new music and went. I felt really good for the first 10 and then got increasingly worn. I walked the last 3 at a decent pace and was just really feeling wiped. I think I'd do better if I'd had more gel packs, as I only took one at 9 miles. Anyway, I'm glad I did it and I won't be doing it again!! It just really sucks to run that long. I don't know why people want to do that.

I feel very blessed to have my wonderful and divine sistas on this journey with me. You guys have kept me going when I so badly wanted to give up. Thank you for helping me accomplish this dream.

"I got nothin but affection for those who sail with me." - Cheryl Crow

3/4

I did a complete circuit of my neighborhood this morning for the first time since surgery. So that is 3/4 of a mile. I went very sloooooowly, since the doc says another week before aerobic activity. But still, it was nice to do it at all. I've been walking every day, but just a block or two.

good news

I took the gel pads out of my shoes and went just a little over 2 miles yesterday with very slight numbness at the very end. We'll see how it goes on my 8 tomorrow. The good thing about yesterday was that I ran the whole way. I felt like an actual runner.

I am full of it

I did 6 last night but I walked the first part because the wind was blowing so hard and it was uphill. So that's my reason. Yeah. Seriously I got home and I had welts on my body from the flying pollen particles. I didn't go Weds. Its just so freakin hard to go when that's my only free night. Tonight I'm golfing and tomorrow I'm going to the basketball game with Lo. So we'll see what I can muster up for the weekend. Need to get another long one in.

stupid feet

I put the new insoles in my shoes, and then put the ball-of-foot gel pads where the ball of my foot goes. Then I went 3 miles. My toes were numb after the first half mile and stayed numb, but never started hurting. But, it was only 3 miles. So after reading more about how to avoid foot pain, I moved the pads to right behind my toes. Then I went 3 miles. My toes still went numb and still didn't hurt, but it was only 3 miles and today I went so slow it wasn't even funny. So I will try just the insoles tomorrow morning.
I just don't know what I will do if I can't get this figured out.
I am going to try 8 miles again on Sunday and I'm cross training Saturday with the tai chi - yoga - pilates class at the gym.

Foot

I did 3.5 today just for the hell of it. Cause I felt like it. Even though this is my normal day off.

"I walk like this cuz I can back it up." -Beyonce

Meant to tell you about my foot. The MRI just showed bruising and swelling on my metatarsals but no evidence of fracture or other major malfunction. My doctor suggested crosstraining with swimming and/or water running (which is never gonna happen). But, I've found that now that I'm doing some running on the treadmill (which has a much better cushion) and on the road runs I stick to asphalt rather than concrete sidewalks, its gotten a lot better. You'll have to let me know how the insoles work.

And yeah, I definitely recommend the gel packs. You can just swig them down in one nasty gulp and then chase them with water, whereas the jelly beans you have to chew and eat, which can be rather nasty when you're hot from running and your mouth is all sticky. They give those gel packs out at different places on the course and the water stations tend to alternate between water and gatorade or have both so you can choose. I plan to bring a gel pack with me in my pocket but that's all.

the running store

I went to the running store yesterday. I got new insoles, ball of foot gel pads, endurance drink powder, a gel packet, and some electrolyte jellybeans. This training is getting to be an expensive hobby. After exhaustive research and talking to other runners, it seems that I need to have either a) electrolyte drink or b) electrolyte gel or c)electrolyte other, such as jellybeans, every 3 miles or so. That seems like a lot to me. In between those, I should have water, otherwise I won't get what I need from the other junk. When I tell the other runners about the 5-mile wall I can't seem to get past, they are absolutely certain that it's because my body doesn't have enough fuel to keep going. So I am going to try this on the weekend. Hopefully the new insoles and the gel pads will help my feet situation and I will also have an easy week - 3 miles on Tuesday and Thursday and then 8 on Saturday or Sunday. Maybe I should go for 6 instead of 8 but I sure hate the thought of going backwards.

So . . .

I did a really strong 6 at the gym today. This was after I had decided that I was going to do nothing today but sit in my pajamas on the couch and watch basketball. Then, after ASU lost and UA freakin won, I decided maybe I'll at least show up and do a mile or two. I don't understand me. But I guess its easier when the pressure's off.

There will be blood

I'm just sayin. This thing is going to be masterfully ugly. Tonight I had been preparing myself for a nice long run mentally. But I Just. Couldn't. Get. Going. I procrastinated about 30 minutes looking for my ipod, which my darling daughter had on last I saw it, before giving up and going without it. And I just started walking and talking to myself. Let's Go! Just Go! Start already! Just start! And so after about a half a mile, I started running. And about a half a mile later I started walking again. And I walked the rest of the 6 miles. I guess I won because I went, but I'm not sure that strategy works with marathon training. It is so hard to get my head around starting a 15 mile run. Thinking that in two hours, I'll still be running but I'll be in a lot more pain than I'm in now. And yeah, its gonna really suck. But have fun!

"Its not over tonight, just give me one more chance to make it right." - Maroon 5

You have as many chances as you need little girl! I'm never gonna give up on you. You have the courage to try this thing and that's so impressive! You live life with gusto, you experience it, you feel it. You push your body to the limit, you push your mind to the limit, you push your heart to the limit. How many people do you think have the courage to live that way? So you just take as many chances as you need. Life is full of chances - second chances, once in a lifetime chances, 10th chances, millionth chances. I will still love you and you do me proud every day.

Thought I'd let you all in on some of my self talk there.

I think the problem is that I've taken something that I have historically loved and turned it into pressure and work. So, as is my nature, I'm rebelling. Who do you think you're rebelling against? I asked. The man, came the answer. But. . . aren't you the man? Well, yah.

Perspective

"You're not a real runner unless you've pooped while out on a run. It's a rite of passage!"—Jeff Hall, Sun City West, Arizona

7.5 ugly miles

It was supposed to be 8 miles, but I only really did 5. Here's what happened. I am consistently so fatigued at mile 5 that I decided I probably need something besides water at some point in the run, since I am out there for at least 2 hours depending on my time. I thought maybe that would help my endurance... after all, that's what those electrolyte replacement drinks are out there for. So I looked for recipes to make my own "gatorade." I put a cup of orange juice, 9 tablespoons of sugar, 3/8 teaspoon of salt, and 2 liters of water. I tasted it and it was ok so I put it in my camelback instead of water. So the first 2 1/2 miles were really good. My mouth didn't feel dry, I didn't feel thirsty, was taking it real easy because I really wanted to go the whole 8 miles today. But by the 3rd mile, my mouth was getting all sticky and slimy, and I was already feeling tired, which is not normal. By the 4th mile I decided the drink was a really big mistake, so I decided to get rid of it. I was going by a Domino's pizza and the OPEN sign was lit, so I went in and asked for some water. "Oh," the youngish man behind the counter says, "We really don't have water." Really? You don't wash your hands? I didn't say anything, just left because there is a gas station/convenience store not much farther down the road and I was pretty sure they had a bathroom. But I started choking up and trying not to cry, because of the sheer meanness of that kid not being willing to give me any water. I walked along, trying to get my breathing back to normal because it was kind of hitching, because I was trying not to cry. I got to the gas station, found the bathroom, dumped out most of the juice drink, and filled up with water. I drank quite a bit because I was really thirsty by then. So I got back on the road, but I just never recovered from the long stop. After the fifth mile, I stopped running all together and powerwalked for a while. Then I even gave that up. My feet were absolutely searing with pain, I hurt from the waist down, and I realized I had waited too long to go because it was getting really hot out. My stomach was cramping up, which has never happened before. I trudged home, thinking the whole time that I must be crazy thinking that I could actually do a half marathon. I thought, I am going to quit. I'm just not going to do this. So I got home and cried, and then remembered that Sandy told me everyone has a bad run now and then. I went and ate sushi with Marianne and Chris, and now I am resting in bed. It's been a tough day. I did some more research about when and how much to drink, and I definitely need for some of my hydration to be a sports drink. I think next time I will buy gatorade, and make one part gatorade to 8 parts water or something like that. I'm going to take it real easy this week, to see if that helps my feet. I am also going to buy new insoles and some of those gel cushions you can put in your shoe to cushion the ball of your foot. I have to believe everything will work out because I really want to do this half marathon.

running vs happy hour

Both have their virtues. Both bring a special exhiliration and glowing feeling. Both leave me feeling exhausted. Both make me feel good about myself. Both bring confidence. Both have the capacity to induce severe pain in the aftermath. Both are an enjoyable way to spend a Friday evening.

And tonight, my friends, happy hour won. I mean, two AZ teams were playing in the NCAA tournament. Come on.

3

I did 3 again this morning but ran more than 2 of it. I figure that if I run as much as possible on the short runs, then the long runs will be easier because I'll do a 1:1 ratio. Then I'll have more energy to last through more miles. Does that even make sense?

6

Well I did 6 tonight and I'm pretty happy with that. I had to pick K up from track practice at 4:30 so being out of work early was a good reason to get a good one in. Will try to do a short one tomorrow night and then a long one Sat nite.

"Let the lovin', let the lovin' come back to me" - Sublime

3

I did a very slow and easy 3 this morning... my back is feeling better but I didn't want to push it! I did 14 minute miles and barely broke a sweat so I know I'm making really good progress. I'll probably do a 2.5 mile pacing run tomorrow, take Friday off, and do 8 on Saturday.

15 this morning

I can't have my sister kickin my ass. Thanks for the motivation :) That's all I have to say about that.

"I have every reason to feel like I'm that bitch." - beyonce

My achin' back!

My back muscles are incredibly sore from my 8 miles on Sunday. From what I have been able to gather, it's probably due to not using my quads and hamstrings properly to propel myself. This makes sense, since the last 2 miles of the 8, I could not feel my legs! Ugh...

2.5

I went 2.5 this morning. I went as fast as I could and did 13.2 minute miles which was really exciting. Then we had a field trip today at school so I walked another 3 miles. Slow walking of course! But my feet are tired and the bones above my arches hurt. So I will take it easy for at least tomorrow, possibly the next day. I don't want an injury.

that's all i got

I did 3 at the gym today. And, I was tired and just sick of it, so I quit. Ugh. I'm in trouble I think.

8

I did 8 miles today. The first 3 were awesome. The fourth and fifth I was just a bit tired. The sixth was hard. I walked most of the 7th. The 8th I ran sporadically but didn't give up. I feel good because I pushed myself past 6 which was a pretty big plateau for me.
Sandy, I think you might be falling into that trap... the one where you think, well I can't go this far, so I might as well stay home. Remember your words! If you go, you win, even if it's only 2 miles.

6

I did 6 today at about a 12 min/mile pace. Was going to do my long run today but I stayed in bed til 10:30 and then didn't have time before I picked up J. So maybe tomorrow. Its so hard to get up early enough to go before it gets hot, ya know? And its really hard to do 10+ at the gym. So we'll see.

I gave up

So today I went to the gym after work with a plan to do 6 miles. I started out real strong, 1% incline, 11 min mile pace. Then after two miles I had to stop and poo. So it was hard to get back in the groove again and I was exhausted by 4 miles. And, after 5, I had to stop and poo AGAIN. So I quit.

Damn the cookie dough

So I didn't go tonight. Didn't have the kids. Just. Didn't. Go. Was really hungry after work so picked up some Outback Steakhouse and watched my shows whilst pondering the fact that I COULD STILL GO. But then I walked to AJ's instead and got some cookie dough. Which I eat as I write. So damn.

Here's The Dealio

I had a lengthy conversation with my surgeon today about exercise and what I can do and when. What he says is this:

From day of surgery until two weeks after, only very light walking as tolerated, so just around the block or whatever and walking very slowly.

Two weeks to four weeks after surgery, increase pace and intensity of walking as tolerated, I can do aerobic exercise at this point in moderation and as tolerated.

Four weeks after surgery, I am in the clear and can do whatever aerobic activity I choose and for however long I want.

SO, I interpret this to mean that if I have the surgery on the 23rd, as scheduled, I can do a few good train walks for the 5K the last three weeks in April and then I should be able to do the 5K with his blessings on May 3rd. So, I am still totally in for the weekend!

progress

I went 3 miles yesterday and 2.5 today. I don't usually go on Wednesdays but had such a bad food day yesterday that I forced myself to go. This morning I went for speed and did 13.75-minute miles, which is my best time yet! I bet it would have been even faster if I wasn't so tired from class last night. Of course the time isn't really important. This is what I am planning for this weekend. OOH, 8 miles!! I wonder if I can do it! Wish me luck.

runnin and runnin

"The beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair." - Reliant K

Ponder that! I ran 3.5 tonight, and snowboarded yesterday and today. Tomorrow I hope to get in 6 or so.

6

Today is the third time I did 6. I keep waiting to feel like I could go farther but after 6 I always feel like I am going to collapse. My legs hurt for hours afterward and I have to take a nap. How am I going to go 13 miles?

I need to get my shit together

I did 12 yesterday which was awesome except that I felt certain I would die after. I probably ran about 10 of it. I did 3.5 this morning and it really wasn't so bad. A slow jog helps recovery I think. Anyway, prior to that I hadn't done anything since Tuesday because on Weds I had to go have a drink with my boss because he has cancer and it entertains him greatly to hear my pathetic dating stories. And after two glasses of wine I just couldn't see going running. Could I have had only one? Or just tea for that matter? Sure, but that wouldn't have been nearly as fun. And Thurs I had a police officer come to the house to scare K a little, then she had practice and I went to see a friend's baby in the hospital. And Friday K had a competition and I was going to to at 9 when we got home but figured why bother when I was going to go Sat morning? Which turned in to Sat afternoon, but whatever. I digress. I need to be more committed and consistent with my training because that's the only way this thing is going to get done. And no matter how hard it is, I'm DOING IT because I can't get myself geared up mentally, emotionally or physically to attempt this again before I turn 40.

So, this Weds I think I have to go to San Diego for work, which will make it tough. And next Weds I have tickets to a Suns game in a suite, so really that has to take priority right? Ugh. Life happens. How do you fit something like this in??

No, really

I really am going to do 3 miles tonight. I have not been doing well...in the sense that I haven't been doing anything. I have not responded as well as I could have, exercise-wise, to my own family drama but I'm not beating myself up about it, because life happens.

I do hate to say it, but my final decision is to have the surgery as soon as possible now that I am not at all certain what is going to happen with our benefits and I am sure as HELL not going to go through this damn approval process again with a different insurance company. If I am going to do it, it needs to be soon and that is what I am planning. I'll know Wednesday when the surgery is scheduled for and I'll let everyone know then when the surgery is and what my plan is as far as this marathon.

But none of this is reason not to exercise, which I do plan on doing again. Starting tonight goddammit!

motivation

I did 14 all together this past week, which isn't bad. My goal is at least 13 a week. My allergies have been so bad they are getting in the way of everything. I am so tired, stuffy, and itchy, and going outside makes it worse. I went 3 on Thursday morning, and 2 yesterday. I may or may not go to Body Flow today... but either way I will do 6 again tomorrow. I'm having trouble finding my motivation!! I hope my foot doesn't hurt when I do the 6. We'll see.

foot pain

Definitely let me know what the doctor said. Because this is what I am afraid of.

short n sweet

I did 3.5 at a pretty good pace tonight. Given the family drama lately I feel pretty decent about that. I have a doctor appt in the morning about my foot so I'll let you know what she says. I was doing some looking on WebMD and am afraid maybe its a stress fracture . . . ?? It says that's fairly common in women who dramatically step up their running regimen without allowing the body time to adjust and the foot muscles time to develop to support the metatarsals. Anyhoo.

"I'm shuttin' off the phone, leave me the fuck alone . . . tonight, leave me alone!" - P!nk

3

I did 3 this morning. I am taking tomorrow off, then will do 3 weds.
Sure is getting lonely on here.

Serendipity

"you can do anything you put your mind to, man" - eminem

Missy I SWEAR that was the quote I picked from my run today!! But here was my second choice: "Here I go, its my shot, feet fail me not!"

Anyway, I have been having exactly the kind of pain you described, in the ball of my left foot, and it starts only after 3 miles. I ran on the treadmill today and thought it would be better, but it still hurt pretty bad. I've been debating whether I should go see my doctor about it.

I did 5 miles in 60 minutes on the treadmill today with the first 3 on a 1% incline. I felt much better than yesterday but am concerned that I'm not doing better with only 60 days left!!!

Mari its been awhile since we heard from you, what up????

I'm having some issues.

I went 6 miles today. I am having excruciating pain in my left foot, around the ball of my foot and my middle toes. It starts about the 3rd or 4th mile. There's got to be a fix. It stops hurting when I do a regular walk for about 2 minutes. Should I investigate new shoes?? There is no way I can do 13 miles with that kind of pain. No way.
I took advil and put aspercreme on my knees. I feel OK. This is the first time I have gone longer than 4 miles and not fallen asleep when I got home. I took my camelback with me today and so I was hydrated the whole way. I think it made a big difference. If it wasn't for my foot pain I could have gone further.
"you can do anything you put your mind to, man." - eminem