Still Truckin’ Along
November 2nd, 2010 § 2 Comments
I haven’t forgotten about this blog, I promise! I just don’t feel the need to document every run like I did in the beginning, and of all my goals on my list, the running is the one I am focusing on the most right now.
I’m on W5D2 today, and I think I’m going to repeat D2 again before my 20 minute run. I have since started running outside, and honestly, it’s been harder outside than on the treadmill, so I am just working on building up endurance. Since going outside, I have to say I’ve really begun to enjoy my runs. Because it’s finally cooling down more and more, often times my runs are done in 65 degree weather, which in my opinion, is perfect. I really enjoy the fresh air, the smell of fresh cut grass, and the cool breeze. I really don’t want to have to get back on the treadmill, to be honest!
My mom has committed to flying down to Houston to watch my girls the weekend of the Half Marathon. She and the girls will drive up to Austin, but they three will stay at their own hotel (definitely with a pool!). My mom is awesome enough to let me have a grown up girls weekend, but also bring my girls so they can see their mom run the race. (and Auntie Steph) Of all my supporters, they are probably my biggest. Everyday after school they come home and ask “Did you run today?!” It’s cute. I think they’ll be excited to see us run the race and cheer us all on.
I’m thinking about signing up for a 5k in the near future, seeing as I am nearing the end of the program. Maybe the Turkey Trot in Dallas since we’ll be up there for the holiday? Not quite sure. I’ll keep you posted.
Oh Crap, I’ve Committed!
October 13th, 2010 § 3 Comments
Well, it’s done. I’ve officially registered for the Austin Zooma Run. The event is a 5k and a half marathon, and yeah, I signed up for the half marathon. Um, what?! I haven’t even run my first 5k yet. Luckily I have until April to keep training, but the whole thing is freaking me out!
Last week I had to take the entire week off from training because I got what most people have this time of year; the sore throat, no voice, lungs that feel like they’re going to implode, and a cough that won’t stop. Sooo, I feel like I’m way behind. But, I’ll be back on a roll tomorrow. (yeah, I would have gone today but Abby stayed home sick from school)
All in all, even though the idea of a half marathon freaks me out at this point, I am still really excited. For one, a lot of my girlfriends are running the race with me! A bunch of us have jumped on the c25k bandwagon! I love it. It’s great to have support from others who are going through the same program. It’s really encouraging. The race weekend will be a lot of fun because I get to share it with them.
Another reason I’m excited is because my cousin, Steph, will be flying down to do the race with us! She’s the closest thing I have to a sister, so it will be great to get to spend an all girls weekend with her. I hardly get to see her anymore since I’ve moved to Texas. To sweeten the deal, she and I are going to finish the weekend off by….skydiving. YIKES! (I’m beginning to question my sanity when I put this list together)
Did I mention that not too long ago while lying in bed, I began to have, what I imagine to be a mild panic attack at the thought of actually skydiving? I laid there imagining the first step out of the plane and my heart began to race. WTF am I thinking? It’s going to be fun, right?! Someone reassure me here.
You can do this, you can do this, you can do this…
Back on the Wagon- c25k w2d2
September 15th, 2010 § 4 Comments
So yay, my knees no longer hurt and I finally got a hold of a pair of Vibram Five Fingers! (Which was no small feat it seems. Some places won’t even get their first shipment till MARCH!) I was ready to get back to my c25k training. I felt weird wearing them because they look strange, I’ll be honest, but they were so comfortable I was able to overlook it. Today’s run was probably the most enjoyable yet, I have to say. I don’t know if it was because I have a new attitude about running, or if it was the shoes, or a combination of both, but whatever it was, I will take it. I didn’t feel like I struggled through the runs this time like I have before. It wasn’t a walk in the park, obviously, but I felt lighter. I’m sure that WAS because I didn’t have bulky running shoes on.
The downside? Because my gait has changed with the minimalist shoes, my calves are really feeling it! I mean, I suppose that isn’t really a downside, but it was the only ‘negative’ I could think of. Oh, and on my left big toe, I felt like I was maybe rubbing a blister on the seam. I think it was just how my toe went in. It sort of lifted the seam up and rubbed against it, but the other toe was fine. I just have to be more mindful when putting them on.
I had a friend on Facebook tell me to research “top of the foot pain” before I started running in the Vibrams, and I’m glad she did. Everything I’ve searched has said that you really have to start slow with the barefoot running because your feet really aren’t used to it, which, for a lot of people, contributes to the top of the foot pain. Thankfully I’m still at the beginning of my training so I think it’s a good place to start with the shoes. Also, some people have speculated that the top of the foot pain could be because of the strap that is on the KSOs (which is what I have) and that they alleviated the pain if they just barely attached the velcro. I was sure to do it the same way today and didn’t notice any pain. Let’s hope it stays that way!
I really cannot wait until the weather cools down (if ever) so that I can begin training outside. It’s still in the 90s so I don’t know how soon that will be, but I will be looking forward to it!
So that’s my report on the Vibrams and barefoot running. I will definitely keep you posted as I continue on to see if there are any changes. But so far, I really like them!
-Autumn
