Back in the Saddle...

That would be a more appropriate title if I were back to biking – thank goodness that pain is over. Biking was definitely not my thing. I may never to destine to do triathlons. I took two test runs this week and I’m feeling pretty good. I’m not allowed to run full out yet, but I’m steadily working my way back. On the first run I started with a nice 10 minute warm up and then ran ½ mile and alternated with ½ mile walk for 3 miles. On the second run I was up to a ¾ mile run and a ¼ mile walk after my warm up for 3 miles. This week my goal is to be running a full mile with no walking. Then I have to try to catch up with Tracy and her Kick Butt 12-minute miles!

Double Time!

Yesterday as I ran, I was smiling and thinking about my glory days of high school track. Then my mind wandered over to the fact that my birthday is this week. I decided to do a little practical math. You can imagine my shock when I realized that I am running a mile in double the time from when I was half my age. I had to laugh! Now follow my logic, when I was seventeen I ran two miles in a little over twelve minutes. Now at double that age I am running twelve minute single miles on a regular basis during training runs. Boy is that ever a kick in the butt to start moving a little faster. Right now, I am setting the goal of reaching ten minute miles for this next year. No more casual jog in the parks for me, after all this isn't supposed to be a cake walk! (Pun intended.)

Pretty in Pink...

I had good news today and had to celbrate with a little pedi! I think anyones toes look good in pink! I've been cleared to start walking for exercise up to 3 miles. When I can walk 3 miles without pain I can start adding back in 5 minute intervals of running. I'm very excited to be back on the road! The plan is to add a 1/2 mile each time I exercise in order to build slowly and not reinjure my leg. Then slowly add in the running. Unfortunately, this puts the 1/2 marathon I wanted to do at the end of September out of the plan. However, I will be able to run one later in the fall. I've promised myself I won't pick a race until I'm back to running 3 miles. We'll see if I can wait that long!

This Week's Work.

Holy Cow! This summer is absolutely flying by. I'm really finding myself less and less inclined to be inside on the Internet. I just want to be outside playing with the kids all day everyday. Our summers are so short and often so wet around here that I can't stand to waste a single minute.

In order to get my running in I've started setting my alarm to be up by 5:30am. This gives me enough time to get my workout finished before the kids are up. The other obvious bonus of starting early is beating the heat.

My current running week starts on Monday with a quick two mile run and one mile walk. On Tuesday and Thursday I make an effort to take the kids somewhere energetic and I call it cross-training. My mileage on Wednesday is a three mile run and one mile walk. For my final run on Friday I do four miles with the one mile walk. Saturdays and Sundays are spent enjoying the summer with my family.

Hopefully as things start to settle into fall the posts will once again become less sporadic. Until the time I'll keep logging the miles and planning my races!

Movin' Movin'

I've been in a bit of a funk lately and was trying to think of some songs that make me feel like moving. The one that came to mind right away was the song from Madagascar. If your kids love that movie as much as mine, you know exactly what I'm talking about! Here's a few other songs that keep me moving when I'm feeling a little less than motivated.

Faith by George Michael

I like to Move it by Bang Gang ( my girls love this song - makes me smile to think of them doing their "Move it" dance)

Hips don't Lie by Shakira (good hips!!!!)

Maniac by Michael Sembello (steel town girl - I could be her)

Walk this Way by Aerosmith (reminds me of highschool - maybe good, maybe bad)

Can't get you out of my head by Kylie Minogue

Walk Away by Kelly Clarkson (I just like her)

Rehab Plan...

After a trip to the physical therapist I’ve learned what I’m doing right and wrong and how I’m going to get back to running – hopefully. The diagnosis was a lack of flexibility in my left leg (that part I knew) caused by a slight underpronation of my foot. This all caused excessive strain on the tibialis anterior resulting in my shin splint like pain. The right leg still has some issues and we’re going to treat it at the same time as the left – might as well right? The hope is with proper rehab, flexibility training and strengthening I’ll be able to return to running in 2 to 3 more weeks. Very slowly….

Right now I’m trying out the Superfeet insoles. I had tried them at the height of my pain and decided they didn’t work. Ned – my physical therapist – suggested trying them again. I walked 5 minutes without and then 5 minutes with to see what the difference was. The pain was notably better though not gone. This was a good sign that corrective measures will work. In addition I’ve been instructed to heat, massage, stretch and ice my shin area 2 times a day. This sounds easy until you try it with kids. In the middle of icing I’m getting up to get sippy cups and Barbie clothes.

I return to Ned to show all my great progress on Friday. He’s promised more exercises! Can’t wait!

Hello Old Friend...

I'm finally back from time at my parents with the girls. Much like the above picture that has nothing to do with running neither did I the last two weeks. I made jam with my Mom, hiked with my Dad, met friends at a water park (in my swimsuit), played tag with the kids and generally relaxed. It was great, but boy was I ever itching to put my shoes on and go for a run. I finally got on my treadmill this morning and put in a couple of miles. Movement felt really good.

From all of the reading I've been doing it has been reported that you can take a couple of weeks off from training and bounce back. More then three weeks off and generally the recommendation is to start back a few weeks on the schedule. Rest at regular intervals is also highly recommended. I took advantage of that school of thought and fully enjoyed myself. Now will be a real test as to what I have lost and how soon I can jump back into the training schedule.

Take the Train...

Cross train that is. My ongoing saga of shin splints that have turned out to not really be shin splints continues. My stubbornness has gotten me into a bind and now I find myself having to bike. I’m not excited about it. For whatever reason I don’t get the same sense of satisfaction from a ride as I do from a run. However, it is a means to an end.

My shin pain hit its pinnacle just over two weeks ago when the pain during the run and between runs was just unbearable. I haven’t run since. I finally saw my doctor, which resulted in an immediate x-ray of my left leg (with the kids in tow – much to the dismay of the x-ray techs). My right leg has healed and is pain free since I stopped running. My left is very much the same today as it was two weeks ago. Not a good sign! The x-ray came back normal – phew! Now I’m waiting to see the physical therapist on the 25th.

In the meantime, I bike. According to what I’ve read in books and the internet pedaling between 80 and 100 rpm’s is very similar in exertion level to running. So, now when I want to run 3 miles I ride the bike at 80-100 rpm’s for about 40 minutes (the length of time it would take me to run 3 miles).
Lesson learned. Listen to my body and cross train to give it a break when necessary.

Sorry Jack...

Here is my most recent play list. I started off experimenting with Jack Johnson for the warm-up and cool-down but I found that I just wanted to crawl back into bed. He didn't motivate me, he made me mellow and crave banana pancakes. Now don't get me wrong I adore Jack Johnson and he has his place (in yoga maybe). So I found that what I really needed where my girls Gwen and Fergie. Yeah, after this week we're on a first name basis. Hopefully you will enjoy them as much as I did.

What Are You Waiting For? by Gwen Stefani
All Star by Smash Mouth (ignore the Shrek in your head and enjoy it.)
If I Was A Rich Girl by Gwen Stefani and Eve
Gold Digger featuring Jamie Foxx by Kanye West
Smile by Lily Allen
Clumsy by Fergie
Kerosene by Amanda Lambert
Gone Daddy Gone by Gnarls Barkley
Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie

4th Of July Shopping...

I love being outside! Beside running, I also enjoy camping, hiking, kayaking, skiing you name it. I'm always looking for places to buy gear for reasonable prices. I was recently turned onto a phenomenal web store that offers great outdoor items at bottom of the barrel prices. This site is worth checking in on often as you never know what you will find. They have running apparel regularly as well as lots of other outdoor enthusiast items. Check this one out, I think you will like it.

http://www.steepandcheap.com/

Eclectic...

I've never been a real music nut. I don't know all the words. I don't stick to one genre of music. I've never been a concert goer. So to say that my iPod has an eclectic mix of music on it is maybe not an understatement, but close. I've been relegated to riding the bike until my shins are pain free so I found myself skipping through my iPod and finding some music I hadn't heard in quite a while. Like Tracy, my days are all about the girls. We listen to kid music or occasionally country in the car and home is puzzles on the floor or play dough with some Barbies thrown in to liven things up. So, when I run I get to listen to whatever I want. It's liberating.

Here were my favorites today...

“This One’s for the Girls” by Martina McBride (I’m a country girl at heart and the song reminds me why I’m doing this)
“Let’s get it Started” by Black Eyed Peas (well let’s shall we - maybe I can get Fergie’s 6-pack)
“Start Me Up” by Rolling Stones (classic get it goin’ music)
“RockStar” by Nickelback (mile high club – need I say more)
“Sabotage” by Beastie Boys (time to pick up the tempo and burn some calories)
“American Idiot” by Green Day (I love the tempo – still burnin’)
“You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” by Judas Priest (another classic)
“SexyBack” by Justin Timberlake (I’d like my sexy back)
“U + Ur hand” by Pink (defiantly a little dirty but I run well to it)
“Kerosene” by Miranda Lambert (don’t mess with me music)
“Promiscuous Girl” by Nelly Furtado ft. Timbaland (almost to cool down)
“Love is in Control” by Donna Summer (ahhhhh finally)

Seriously, Don't Bother!

I pushed myself through this book much like the author Dawn Dais got through her marathon. I purchased this book off of Amazon because of the awesome reviews. Well, I need to add my two cents and it ain't pretty.

This review is going to be short because I hated this book from start to finish. I found the author to be whiny and really not funny. Ms. Dais did not inspire me in fact she scared the crap out of me. The back cover claims that this book is inspirational. I say not so much.

I have now read four books on marathon training. In no way do I claim to be an expert. I'm barely scratching the surface as a runner. As Ms. Dais relates her marathon training experience she makes everything out to be absolute torture. I believe that a more apt title would have been "How Not To Train For A Marathon aka Don't Do Anything I did".

There is no reason for someone to start at zero and expect to be completing six miles within seven weeks. The author is spelling out an absolute recipe for disaster. I didn't find her pain and nasty observations of other runners funny. In fact I found her humor rather adolescent.

There are many other wonderful and entertaining books to read on marathon training. Please don't follow a book that has the potential to hurt you because it claims to be a light-hearted take on running. I really intend to complete my marathon with a smile not sobbing from pain because I was to stubborn to train properly and give my body time to adjust. There is a better way and there are many ways to complete a marathon with grace.

Pick your route wisely...

Just as you would spend time mapping out driving routes through wine country or through Europe so too should you spend time considering and planning a running route. I've never been to Europe or wine country so I clearly did not know what I was doing. All I wanted to accomplish was a simple 2 mile run. It was the worst 2 miles ever!

First, safety is key. If running alone safety must be considered. Either run with someone or run where you're easily visible to motorists and houses. Our area of the NW has many, many trails. They all are great for running, however, some are very secluded. My husband and I have a deal that I'll never run alone on a trail.

Second, traffic. When road running consider the volume of traffic that will be whizzing by you at 35-50 mph. This was part of my 2 mile run problem. Also, the shoulder of the road - where I ended up running - is not a very even surface. I had overgrown grass tripping me, pot holes, low branches, and wildlife.

So, next time I venture into running outside - most of my miles are logged on a treadmill while the kids are in the gym play pen - I will spend a little more time considering where/when I'm running.

Protect That Skin...

I'm a bit sun phobic these days. Being super pale and freckle-y the sun cannot be the best friend I thought it was as a teenager. As the PNW is finally heating up my thoughts are seriously focused on not getting burnt. I actually wear SPF 15 for 365 days of the year. But with my new found sweat glands I've got to find some good coverage for the long runs I've got ahead of me.

Yesterday was actually my annual skin check visit with my Dermatologist. We had a very good common sense discussion regarding running and the summer sun. The following are some rules that he laid out for me while running.

Always wear a hat.
Be done with running before 9am, avoid the mid day sun.
Find trails with shade.
Try to wear a light colored long-sleeved dri-fit shirt.
Always wear sunscreen after 9am.

We also discussed proper use of sunscreen.

In order for sunscreen to be effective it must be reapplied every 2-3 hours.
Wear an SPF of 25 or higher.
Ingredients to look for: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Oxide, and Mexoryl.
Make sure that the coverage is for UVA in addition to UVB protection.

Right now I am rotating between Burt's Bees Natural Sun Care Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 30 and Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50. I actually hate the Burt's Bees because it cakes and wipes off with sweat. I like the Coppertone Water Babies but it is super high on toxicity and chemicals. I'm going to order a couple of different types and when I find the perfect sunscreen I will let you know.

Now, I personally don't want to look like a football in a few years. I already know that I've caused a lot of damage to my skin. But if I make a concerted effort to be smart about the sun I can at least slow down the aging I've already started. I really don't want people cheering for me when I run the marathon because they mistake me for an 85 year old.

A little bit intimidated...

I have to say the help at specialty running stores still intimidates me a little. But now that I’ve been doing this a little while I am so glad that I’ve embraced the experience and just gone for it. I’ve been struggling with shin splints for a couple of months now. I gave up my old worn out Nike shoes in favor of Saucony shoes that were recommended for me by the owner of one of the running stores. He watched me walk, run, stand, fight with the kids, etc. and evaluated my arches, pronation, and parenting skills. The shoes have been a dream! I love them and him for helping me out. My shin splints are no longer debilitating.

If you don't have access to a specialty running store in your area I would strongly recommend visiting http://www.runnersworld.com/ They have a whole section on evaluating your own feet and what type of shoe would work best.

Git 'er Done...

Some day's running is a lot like a beautiful Walt Whitman poem. Other days are more like a Maya Angelou leaving you tired but empowered. And then there are days like today... best stated by Larry The Cable Guy, "git 'er done."

I had a rotten run this morning. I woke up and just didn't want to do it. I started an hour late and proceeded to drag my way through it. Maybe it had something to do with the Panda Express for dinner last night or my three year-old interrupting my run swinging my favorite necklace around the room, the Little Einsteins on TV that I've watched a thousand times before. Really it's hard to say what caused my crappy run.

This run certainly wasn't pretty but I simply got 'er done this morning and for that I am proud.

Let's Talk About Socks, Bay-Bee!

I have recently come to the realization that getting good socks can make or break a relationship. Personally I've always been a no-frills cotton kind-of-girl. But then the sales staff at my local Lady Foot Locker talked me into my first pair of CoolMax socks! There is no going back to the old way now.

Honestly, I thought I was being sold up. I had no idea that the hype on performance athletic wear was real. My feet are super soft so I am always getting blisters. I thought that I just had to deal with it. Along came the socks and I have not had one blister since. These socks are made out of a blend of cotton, Lycra, nylon, polyester and the trademarked CoolMax fibers. The CoolMax fibers work in a way that wicks the sweat away from your skin and does not create hot spots.

These awesome socks are sold in three different styles. My personal favorites are the ankle socks. After a quick Internet search I found that you can buy lots of different socks with CoolMax in them. This particular Lady Foot Locker branded package were modestly priced at 3 pairs for $10.

Now that I have socks that are rocking my world I can't imagine what it will be like when I buy a proper watch and real running clothes. I'll keep you up to date as I test things out.

Burn the bra...

So seriously, what is the deal with sports bras? I get them on and then can not for the life of me get them off! I've finally - I think - found one that works. Now, as a disclaimer my ladies are not on the large side, quite the contrary. After two children who loved to nurse they are seriously deflated. But still in need of support! I've tried several expensive brands and have finally settled for now on Champion bought at Target for $12. Who would have thought that a basic item would be so difficult to shop for. I like Champion because they are very stretchy but still fit snugly enough to be supportive. The stretch allows me to actually remove the bra after my run when I'm too exhausted to fight with an undergarment. And so far I haven't had any issues with chaffing! We'll see how long that lasts...

Have You Heard?

After downloading my run to Nike+, I was finally curious enough about this whole "join the Human Race" thing to read about it. The concept is actually super cool. I should have know coming from Nike it would be. I signed right up and ordered my T-shirt tonight. The race will be August 31, 2008.

The Nike+ Human Race is a 10k which translates to 6.25 miles. The neat thing is that it will be done at your own pace wherever you are on race day. There are races in 24 different cities around the world that day but none where I am. For me to participate all I had to do was sign-up and choose a charity. On race day everyone will run and log their miles on Nike+. If you choose to run on your own, the only money to spend is on the T-shirt and only if you want it. I happen to want an entire closet full of race T-shirts so I spent the $35.

I am really looking forward to my first race in years. I love that it will be done on my own and the distance doesn't scare me. I'm going to run a 10k! How rad is that? Now I need to map my course.

The Best $7 Ever!

One big motivation for me to run is the chance to listen to grown-up music. I get so excited when I spend a couple of bucks on music for my Ipod. I could barely sleep last night with my new music loaded and ready to go.

This is the play list that made me move this morning:

"Beautiful Day" by U2 (it helps to give thanks and get in the right mindset.)
"Maggie's Farm" by Bob Dylan (so I'm 33 years late to the party. It was still fun to listen to while I warmed up.)
"Piece of Me" by Britney Spears (celebrity gossip is a dirty habit of mine that I'm trying to break.)
"Buttons" by Pussycat Dolls (they are so dirty.)
"Elevation" by U2 (just think of Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.)
"Don't Stop The Music" by Rihanna (she makes me feel young.)
"Feel Good Inc" by the Gorillaz (makes me want to dance wherever I am.)
"Gotta Get Through This" by Daniel Bedingfield (getting near the end.)
"Once In A Lifetime" by Keith Urban (seriously, if I quit now would I ever start again?)
"My Next Thirty Years" by Tim McGraw (a reminder that thirty-three years and ten months are gone.)

My life during daylight hours involves lots of children's music and country. But I really like music that makes me feel like a bad ass when I work out. I'll just keep the headphones on!

gotta have a little crazy...

You have to have a little crazy in you to want to run long distances. I’ve just registered for my first ½ marathon and have started my training. I’m a research freak, so I’ve bought 5 books on running, marathoning, women’s running, etc. I’ve gone to the running specialty store and bought the appropriate shoes – however I’m still suffering from shin splints. Somehow I think if I read enough I’ll get better at this running stuff. Since it’s not something I come by naturally I feel I have some catching up to do. What kind of nut am I to be jazzed by having Lance Armstrong tell me at the end of my run that I’ve set a new personal best!

That's Us!

We did it!

We went for our first outdoor run.

I wrote that first exciting bit over two weeks ago. It was such fun and so awesome to be out for a real run. Yikes, who would have thought that life would get in the way so quickly of those fancy new shoes? This certainly all started with the best of intentions to blog frequently and run often. Well, I guess this blog needs to become as much of a habit as the running part.

Here's to blogging often and running even more!