Ode to Running

If I were a poet, I'd share my talent and write a sonnet for you about my running experiences the past week.
Unfortunately, I'm not. So I cannot amuse you with joyous poetry today. My apologies. If anyone wants to take an attempt at it after reading the piece below, I would be most appreciative and thankful that you would use your talents to help communicate my roller coaster ride. Feel free to post it in the comments!

So, here's the scoop...last week I decided there was a problem with my newer shoes. I was getting lots of knee and ankle pain after running in them. I tried heel lifts and determined this past Monday night that they may slightly help the situation but they cause other problems. So, scratch the heel lifts. Matt, the awsome coach, and I have come to the deduction that the insoles on the shoes are shot. The sad part...The store I go to is discontinuing the insoles I REALLY like. Now, I don't hold this against the store at all. If you live in Indy, shop at Athletic Annex on 86th and Ditch for your running and athletic needs. They are a group of great people and they are there to help you out! At this point I will be switching the insoles between shoes and hopefully that will help.

Well, that was the newer shoe saga. Now, back up a little...last Saturday was a half marathon PLUS! We ran 14 miles! When we were finished, I was seriously afraid to get in my car. I had a great fear my legs were not going to straighten 15 minutes later when I got home and needed to get out of my car. My feet were also on fire! The AMAZING thing is I felt pretty good on Saturday night. Sunday morning came with little to no movement limitation or great aches. However, I did find out my knees were still a little tired. As I was singing and dancing with the three and four year olds, I apparently went down one to many times and felt a little pull in my knee. Not to worry, all is well. I think. As far as the fiery feet. After going through some possible causes suggested by the Amazing Coach Matt, I think my shoes might have been a little loose for the run. I'll be sure to tighten those laces a bit on the next run.

Sunday, I cycled at Eagle Creek with a couple friends to help recover from the long run. Monday was still a rough day as noted in the newer shoe saga above. Tuesday, I swam. And, then there was today, the sonnet ends in joy. I slipped on those good ol' shoes, tightened the laces a bit, turned on the tunes and ran six miles with an 11 min. average! I felt great the whole time!

I guess this shows that when you persevere and keep pushing toward your goal, there are up and down days. The goal includes focusing on the good days. They'll get you to the next run(or goal point). I think that's my moral of the story today. Could someone remind me of this moral in three weeks when we go for 16-18 miles? Thanks! j

Half Marathons Every Other Weekend!

I came to a realization yesterday...
Every other weekend from this one on, our training runs will be over the half marathon distance! That's just insane! Who signed me up for this???
Oh wait, I guess I did and it's all for a great reason! Leukemia & Lymphoma patients do not sign up for their disease and chemo or radiation treatments. I keep reminding myself of this point on the mornings I really don't feel like running.
If you know a story of a Leukemia & Lymphoma survivor or even one who lost the battle, would you email it to me or add it to the comments of this post? I'm going to need those reminder stories to get out of bed every other weekend and run 14+ miles.
Again, a great blessing is the 4 other Alaskan teammates who run about the same pace. Today we had many times where we took over the Eagle Creek roads running side-by-side. We also enjoyed persevering to the pit stops for Oreo cookie breaks. After four or six miles fo running, Oreos have never tasted so good!
Time to keep moving so I don't get stuck on the couch. Have a great day!

Sundays and Long Runs

I learned something about myself today. I should have known this, but I guess I was hoping it wasn't true.
I had the opportunity to travel up north to visit family Friday night-Saturday. I took advantage of the opportunity so I missed group training on Saturday morning. My plan was to run this afternoon, but as I mentioned, I should have known better. After working this morning-which included several times of reaching up high to touch the sky and bending down low to touch my toes all because I know Jesus loves me - I was WIPED OUT when I arrived home. I did the usual...I set the alarm to take an hour nap, fell asleep, ignored the alarm and slept for 2 hours and 45 minutes. I told you I was tired! After that I knew the run wouldn't happen. I was in comfy clothes and I found plenty to do to keep me from puttin' on the running shoes and going for that eight mile run.
So, I learned my lesson. If I miss a Saturday group training I most likely will not make it up on Sunday. As for missing this run, I plan to add a mile or two to my runs this week. Hopefully that will best prepare me for next Saturday's 14 miles!
Have a GREAT week!

BTW - Love the car! It did quite well on the highway drive this weekend and I got over 320 miles on ONE tank of gas!!! Don't forget, if you have name ideas for the car, add it to the comments!