Great day for a run!

My route!

Well today was absolutely gorgeous...perfect blue skies and breezy 65 degree temperature...basically the perfect way to start the week.  I don't even know where to start with this one.  Although getting the motivation to start the run wasn't easy, the run itself was amazing.  Aside from the perfect weather, I just felt wonderful...I felt strong and a significant improvement in my stride.  I was nervous starting out because last week's 7-miler was so difficult, but the two runs couldn't have been more different.  Today, I wasn't rushed and I wasn't bored (which I think were both contributing factors to making last week's run so difficult...along with the fact that I hadn't run for almost two weeks due to my health issues discussed in the post before this one).  My attitude today was: just go out there and do this. enjoy it. celebrate it. and do not give up.

Well, it worked!  I ran to the law school and on the way there, I decided that I would run all the way up the hill on HWY 54...the one that I used as an excuse to walk during last week's run.  I ran the entire way up and felt great about it...in spite of the fact that the wind was blowing directly against me...and not a cute little breeze, but actual wind :-(

Then, on the way back from the law school, there was an older couple waiting for the bus and they moved aside so that I could run past them.  As I got closer to them, they said two words to me: "Good job!"  I couldn't even believe it...these complete strangers were being so supportive for someone they didn't even know...it was really inspiring and helped me lengthen my stride a bit.  Once I got to about 4.5 miles, I started getting really thirsty, so I ran in to the Rite Aid and bought a bottle of water and PowerBar Energy Gel Packets.  This was exactly what I needed.  The gel gave me the energy to push through and I kept going and felt strong the whole time.  I actually thought I could have kept going when the run was over!  8.5 miles down in about an hour and a half!  Longest run ever in my life!

When I got home, I decided to take an ice bath (well actually I had decided this before but actually decided to follow through with it when I got home).  Ice baths are supposed to help with muscle inflammation and soreness.  I just followed some instructions from online and drew a cold bath.  I sat in the bath of cold water for 5 minutes and then dumped the bucket of ice in and sat for another 10 minutes.  It was pretty brutal but I feel much better now.  And now I'm writing this to you guys!   I feel fantastic... I'm actually really looking forward to this half marathon now!

I am also feeling fantastic because I am starting to feel like I am accomplishing goals (I can fit into a size 2 again!).  We had our law prom this weekend and I was finally able to fit into the size dress I have been aiming for!  We had a wonderful time...danced the night away and just basically had the best time possible with our friends.  I am so blessed to have such incredible people to share such a special night with :-)  Love you all!!!  You are all so supportive and are my inspiration!

Next up? 9 miles!!!  We are getting closer to the goal!  Less than 30 days until the big race!  Can't wait...I'm actually starting to LIKE running...it's about time :-D

Here is the training schedule for this week:

Stretch & Strengthen

5 m run

3 m run or cross

5 m run + strength

Rest or easy run

Rest

10-K Race

Will you get back up?

Well, as many of you may know, I have been struggling with some health stuff lately.  I saw a slew of doctors, each suspecting a different issue creating my problem.  I underwent countless blood tests and examinations, a CT scan and an ultrasound.  I was scheduled to meet with a surgeon for removal of an abscess and then later came to be relieved that the pain I was experiencing was coming from a plum-sized cyst that was hemorrhaging, which will probably not require surgery.  


While I was physically wiped out and exhausted, I struggled through emotional pain as well.  I don't like being sick but I mostly don't like not knowing WHAT is wrong, and what is causing so much pain.  During this time I wished that Dr. House was a real person and that he could come and magically tell me within 45 minutes what was wrong.  I was living on my couch, both because I was physically uncomfortable and because the emotional stress of dealing with this and not being able to continue with my training as planned made me feel as if the world I used to know was suddenly very different.  


After getting the (relatively) good news that it was just a cyst (painful as it may be), my world started looking bright again.  The doctor said I could resume physical exercise as long as I felt comfortable and didn't push myself too hard.  So I started looking up some inspiration online for getting back on track.  I just felt like such a mess...the apartment was dirty, laundry was piling up, I had work to do for classes and I hadn't exercised in over a week.  I found lots of inspiration and the next thing I knew I had a clean kitchen (like the cleanest it's been since I moved in).  Then I moved on to the living and dining room and tidied my life back up.  Then that night (last night) I hit the gym for the first time.  I didn't do much (just some chest presses and a little back work and walked for 2 miles) but I felt invigorated just by being back there and NOT being on the couch.  Here are some of the inspirations I found...hopefully, if you are feeling lazy or bad about yourself because you have fallen into a workout slump, these will help you as they helped me.  I am happy to report that I plan on doing another light walk today and get back on the official training plan as I feel comfortable.  Thank you to all of my friends who have supported me...I can't wait to make you proud after I finish this race!


"Think of yourself as a toy train. All toy trains de-rail now and then. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back on track."


"Rather than viewing a brief relapse back to inactivity as a failure, treat it as a challenge and try to get back on track as soon as possible."--Jimmy Connors (American Tennis Player)


"Rest when you're weary.  Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit.  Then get back to work"--Ralph Marston

And my favorite:  Failure is only a fact when you give up. Everyone gets knocked down, the question is: Will you get back up?