Welcome Fall!

Fall has officially arrived! I'm excited and a little sad. There were quite a few things I wanted to do with my summer that never happened. Maybe next year...

Before I spring into my plans for this fall. I should recap my runs lately... in a nut shell because, well, I haven't written in a while and tend to forget my times quickly.

I've run pretty well lately. My runs haven't been spectacular but I think, on the whole, they've been about 10 to 15 seconds better than when I started keeping track after the Peachtree. A couple of days ago, I even ran my first 10k since the Peachtree! I've had a lot on my mind lately and I needed a moment to my self, to think and relax. That's why I started running in college anyway; school got stressful and I needed to find a way release that stress. I lived right near the gym so that made running more accessible. I was never really good at running then, but now that's I've learned, running has become more important to me.

Sooo....

Back on track.... the 10k felt GREAT! My time was about 58 minutes. That's not my target Peachtree time, to be sure, but for not running that distance in a while and having little sleep the night before, I was pretty proud! Plus, race time always ends up being about two or three minutes faster than practice times so, with a practice time of 58 and some seconds I'd say I could run the Peachtree in 55 (and some seconds). Which is already better than my time this past year! Yay!!

In the mean time, I'm looking for another 5k race to do - fun and holiday-themed. Or fall/Halloween/Thanksgiving themed. Themed races are always more fun, in my opinion. I'm thinking a longer distance might be good for Thanksgiving - earn all the food I'm gonna eat! lol

Speaking of food - this month has been all about the cookie bars and grilled cheese. It's like summertime when you end up sick of all the hamburgers and hotdogs (maybe that's just me). I can't wait for the weather to get a little cooler so I can make soups and comfort foods! Yum! And with the holidays around the corner I know I'll be making plenty of black and orange goodies for halloween and plenty of pumpkin spice filled goodies for Thanksgiving and lots and LOTS of cookies for Christmas. If that's not motivation to incorporate longer runs, I don't know what is! 

Rebuilding

Two days ago, was garbage day. Why does that matter? Under normal circumstances, it wouldn't. But, on garbage day, everyone places their trash cans on the sidewalk. Rewind to last winter. I was running on the sidewalk with my doggy and tripped on an uneven piece of sidewalk, probably because I tend to shuffle my feet when I'm running tired. I scrapped up my chin pretty bad - I think it was broken and there's a piece floating around randomly because there's a weird dent and bump that I don't remember being there. After that incident, I told myself I would never run on the sidewalk again!

As most promises to ourselves go, a couple of months later, it was forgotten. I hopped on the sidewalk here and there to avoid a car and, pretty soon, was on the sidewalk pretty permanently. I reasoned to myself that it was safer for me and cars to be safely out of the road.

Fast forward to a couple of days ago, I was running on the sidewalk, as is now usual, and dodging trash cans as I went. It had gone pretty good for me for the two and a quarter miles. Then, as if to remind me of that promise to myself, my foot slipped into the crevasse between the sidewalk and the grass. I was trying to avoid one on those trash cans. It hurt so badly, I couldn't put any pressure on it to stand. I stopped my watch right after I fell, I was hoping it would just be a momentary pause and then I'd be back on my way. But when I realized I couldn't stand on it, I was devastated. It was actually a pretty good run at that point - the weather was great, I didn't feel tired, I was light on my feet and I was poised for a 9 minute mile, or better!!

When I got back to the house, I iced and elevated my ankle. There really wasn't any swelling or bruising. It still hurt when I'd stand on it for too long or bend it inwards. I decided, even though it hurt my psyche to not run the next day. I had been doing great with my runs, I really hated that this injury might cause me to loose time. But, one of my worst fears is doing something in my youth to hurt me in the future (I know it's silly...). Well, yesterday wasn't so bad, so I decided to run today.

Just to be safe, I wore an ace bandage while I ran. The bandage actually belonged to my sister when she was in high school. She has a much smaller foot than I so I guess I should have figured that using her brace would cause me to loose feeling in my foot. Well, I figured I could handle numb toes if it meant protecting my ankle. That's pretty much exactly what happened - my foot felt heavy and sore around the edges of the brace and it made it difficult to bend my foot. That, in turn, made me use different muscles while I ran, which hurt so, so bad.

All in all, I was glad that I went out and tried a little run and that I wrapped up my ankle. I actually had a pretty good time, given everything. Just over 30 minutes! I wasn't displeased that's for sure. :)

Hopefully that's a good sign for the rest of the day and for the runs later this week! Here's hoping!

30 seconds down!

Great news - my run was 30 seconds off the my last 3.1! I really don't know what could have caused that difference since I didn't really notice myself running faster or feeling lighter on my feet or anything. I'm not complaining, for sure! But, I do wish I knew what made me faster - I really don't think it was sheer luck or spunk. I'm not really that lucky of a person.

Anyway, on a less positive note - I still haven't run 6 miles since the Peachtree... The weather is starting to get better so maybe that will give me the motivation to get out there and enjoy the run. It's really hard to enjoy running when there's so much blaring sun and pounding heat. But when the weather is better it might be easier. Although with this foot pain, who knows. Speaking of which, it is really bothersome! I can't even walk sometimes with the pain I feel. There's a little tight ball under my heel that just won't work loose. I assume that's it's a muscle cramp but, I'm not a doctor so.... who knows what's going on there...

On another positive note, my cooking hasn't slowed down any! I've got a pesto focaccia panini for lunch today and I'm super excited!

A little better

I had a temporary breakthrough for a couple of days last week. I ran with someone in order to help push them and ended up pushing myself as well. They are actually a TON faster than I. The course I run has tons of cul-de-sacs and such so you end up retracing your steps a bunch. Whenever the other runner would run past me, I'd speed up to simulate a competitive runner. Even though sprinting was thoroughly exhausting, I ended up getting a couple of great runs out of it. My two-mile ended up sub-18 and my three-mile run was sub-28. Those two days were great.... and then there was a long day at a football game and the next AM I was too tired to really push it and all I could manage was a 30 minute 3.1.

I think the presence of another person was what helped me muster the energy to sprint. On race days I know I am able to run faster and I always figured that was because of the atmosphere. I think the same must go for practice runs; when I am being watched or have someone to watch in the distance, I think I tend to forget about being tired or in any pain and just concentrate on keeping up with the person ahead of me, thereby running with better form and effectiveness.

That being said, I typically don't run with anyone so the only thing I am looking to catch up to is the clock. Not as fun/easy. Also, I noticed my foot pain seems to decrease when I shift the way I run. I don't know which is right or wrong, for all I know, it's all wrong. What I'm trying to do is concentrate on running up hill on my toes and downhill, and on the flat surfaces, on my heels. Previously, I had been thumping flatly on my feet because I was tired and felt like it was easier. I should have figured, if it's easier, it's probably a bad idea. My foot has been hurting pretty badly so, I really needed to try something new and fix it. So far, so good. I'm hoping it helps fix things!

Nothing new to report

It's been a while since I posted and I feel like I've failed myself, again. I think I have some pretty good excuses though. Most of them revolve around being out of town. A couple of weeks ago, I went up to Wisconsin to cheer on a friend competing in the USA National Championships.

While I was there, I ran almost everyday but, I don't actually know how far I ran. My foot was killing me so I just ran as far as I could without the piercing pain in my arch forcing me to walk. I think it might have been hurting worse there because of all the walking, site-seeing I was doing.

Anyway, after that, my runs have continued to be lack-luster - I've been doing around 10 minute miles for weeks with no improvement in time or feeling in my foot. I also haven't kept up my plan to complete 6 miles every two weeks. While it might be better to wait until my foot feels better before implementing longer distances, I'm afraid if I don't start soon, I'll be back in the same position from last year - training too hard in too short of a time and ending up disappointed. Hopefully, I can start getting more serious as the weather gets cooler.

After the weekend

I expected this morning's run to be better since I spent the end of last week south of the city, where it's SUPER hot. I figured running in the heat would be good training and could make me faster. My run this morning was 20:05. That's a little faster than my last 2 miles but it wasn't as fast as I expected, especially given how well I felt. Starting off at my house, there's a hill within the first 20 steps that goes for about 1/10 of a mile. Usually, about half way up, I get really tired and half to slow down and catch my breath. Today my legs felt strong and I had no problem powering it up the hill. That was kind of a mood booster for the rest of the run, since I was able to start off on a strong note. I figured, because I felt so great, I would have a strong, fast run on the books.

That's why I was so surprised, and a little disappointed to see 20:05 on my watch when I finished. I know it's not much different, but I would have greatly preferred 19:59. It's like how a $2.99 price sticker is a lot more enticing than a $3.00. They are essentially the same thing, but that two in the front makes the brain feel better about buying it. And any positive mental boost is always appreciated.

Speaking of which, I saw this blog post this morning from Disney: 12 Disney Movies That Should Inspire Your Twenties.

Seeing as I am in my twenties, Disney is always a good choice, and inspiration is always welcome, I gave it a click. I know it's a simple thing, but they took 12 Disney movies, as the title suggests, and applied the message of that film to life lessons for twenty-somethings. I absolutely loved it! I loved it so much I bookmarked it. I love it so much, I might print it out and tape it to my wall... or something. Go ahead, give it a read, and Have a Magical Day!

7.28 - 7.29

Yesterday was 2 miles, my favorite days because they're shorter and quicker and, therefore, less pressure. Unfortunately, I ran 20:29... Not bad, but over 10 minutes per mile...

Today was a little better. I struggled hard core even though the temp was a lot better and the sun hadn't really come up that much. As I was coming down the hill, I looked at my watch (which I never do until I finish - like it might jinx me or something). I was at 29:15 and finishing up the .1 of the 3.1. So... I sprinted the rest of the way to make it under 30. Luckily, I finished 29:50 - cutting it kinda close! The only reason I wasn't really proud of it was that, had I not looked at my watch it would have been over 30 minutes, for sure.

As for food over the past two days, I definitely ate TOO much sugar on Monday. I had a throbbing sugar headache from these beauties!

They're not any special flavor or anything, I had made some cookies for Christmas in July last Saturday and had WAY too much icing left over. Since we used neon pink and green I thought it would be perfect for watermelons! They're a little messy looking and super duper sweet but, I was able to use all the left over icing and they're still darling looking. I'd consider them a win ;) 

Happy hump day!