Sunday, January 31, 2010

I had to...

Normally, I wouldn't buy an expensive race tech shirt, but I couldn't resist this one. I ordered this shirt this week and it has already arrived! It uses the sights, streets and neighborhoods of DC to form a runner's silhouette. I can't decide if I should wear it before the race or not.

Saturday's run was 16 miles and it went really well. I ran 8.25 miles with the group and then ran the course by myself again, backwards the second time. The weather was really cold, but the sun came out. At times I almost felt too hot in all my layers, but then the wind would really blow and I would have to put my gloves back on and pull my scarf over my face.

I am ready for it to warm up and for the race to be here!!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

New Class

Tonight was our first outdoor run for the new mini-prep class!! It was 40 degrees, raining, there were huge puddles everywhere, and lots of mud! We ran an out and back, about 3 miles. Then my coach was nice enough to run another 5 with me. My coach took some time off around Christmas so this was his first run in about 3 weeks. It was the fastest I had run for that length of time in a while. So overall it was a great workout! I got to talk with another one of the coach's about his experience running his first marathon at Disney. It was a great evening!

Yuck!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Warming up!

Yay for 40 degrees! It has finally warmed up! I am so glad to be able to run outside again!

I had been doing most of my runs inside because it was too dark and cold when I had the opportunity to run. My shins have been sore off and on because of the indoor running. I really thought I had injured myself this week.

I could barely finish 5 miles on Wednesday (inside) because my shins hurt so bad. I stopped running half way through to walk, and that only made it worse. I stopped and stretched and really didn't feel any better. I finished the 5 miles, but didn't feel too great about it.

Thursday I was able to leave work on time and make it home with a little daylight left. I was so excited to run outside. I felt fine at first, but then my shins were on fire and I felt like I could barely walk. I cut the run by 1.5 miles, started ibuprofen and iced. I took ibuprofen all day Friday and by Saturday I was feeling fine! I was able to have a really good 16 mile run outside!

Craig met me half way through the run with his bike. It was around 35 degrees and pretty foggy, but the birds were singing and it was a nice quiet morning.

I have always been afraid that an injury would slow me down or stop my training. So hopefully, whatever was going on with my shins is over with. Also, hopefully I can do the rest of my training outside!

The endurance class that I joined at the YMCA ended in mid-December and starts up again on Tuesday. This new session is geared toward getting people in shape for the Indy Mini Marathon. My mileage requirements will be a lot different than the class's until I am done with the marathon. (Which is only 61 days away!!!) Before Christmas break, Craig and I sat down with the Coach and laid out a schedule. We will meet Tuesday night to discuss goals for everyone. I'm excited to run and have the support of the group again.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Too Cold!

I knew when Craig and I first discussed doing another marathon, that doing a spring marathon would present some challenges. I knew it would be hard to find time to run during the busy holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, our anniversary, and New Year's. However, now that all that is over, I think it all went pretty well. I didn't get all the mileage in that I should have, but I made sure that I at least completed the long runs. The worst challenge has been this week with the temperature! I started out Monday for a 5 mile run, but the wind was just so strong and cold that I barely finished 3 miles. I should have run inside that evening, but since I got off of work early and there was still daylight to run outside, I really wanted to run outside.

Today was way too cold too, but it was a long run and I really didn't want to try to run inside. The sun was out and Craig was willing to get on his bike and go with me! We waited until the warmest part of the day, but it was still only about 18 degrees with a very nasty wind. My whole body was pretty warm, except for my face. I wore a scarf that I could adjust around my neck and mouth, but in some open areas it was terrible. We should have done and extra mile or two, but we were pretty frozen. Hopefully by my next long run it will be warmer.

I really appreciated Craig going with me today. He told me during the freezing adventure that it wasn't as much fun as he was expecting. Just like he experienced at the 5K race in November, Bloomington has LOTS of hills!

NYE

The building on the left is the One America building. This was our view from our hotel room! On the 36th floor is the Skyline Club. We had dinner there to celebrate our 5th anniversary! We had a beautiful view of the city, nice live piano music, and great food!


It was a wonderful evening!