The Long Run

I finally logged a Long Run on Memorial Day. 

Before I left for the run, I gathered up everything that would be necessary to take Little Miss Spitfire with me if she woke up before I left.  (She didn't.)  I also left a detailed note for Hubby about what he should put in the stroller if he wanted me to take her with me. Then I placed an insulated bag on the front porch with water and Gatorade and set out to run 3x 4-mile loops, stopping by the house after each one for water and in case I needed to pick up LMS. 

The first loop, I kept thinking that it felt like I was flying.  Not because I was going fast.  I was not.  But because I was stroller free.  I could run up and down curbs, cut corners, and use both arms. Fabulous. 

My first loop ended up being 4.4 miles because I took an extra quarter mile around a pond and then took a detour around some free roaming dogs.  I shouldn't have been surprised that my insulated bag was not on the front porch when I returned.  I continued up the driveway to see the stroller sitting out which was actually good because I needed a potty break.  While I went inside, Hubby got LMS situated.

Rather than continuing doing loops, LMS and I ran the last 7.6 miles down our main street, around our Town Square and then back through our neighborhood.  My only complaint about the route was that I ran by Panera Bread, The Corner Bakery and Starbucks.  Yummy aromas all around.  I was already hungry.  That didn't help. 

But at least that 12 Miles is out of the way.

Random Notes

Do I really have a Half in less than 2 weeks?  Yes, I do.  It's snuck up on me so quickly.  I'm not ready - not really - but I'm not overly worried either.  I just want to finish and get this out of the way.  Then maybe I'll take a month off from this "training" schedule and simply enjoy my runs before I begin the schedule for the 20 Miler in October.  Maybe. 

We switch to our summer schedule at Stroller Mates this week.  As the heat increases, we move class earlier if at all possible.  This summer we're trying something new and having class 2 days per week at 7:30am.  Here in Texas it can already be in the mid-70's by that time of day.  I'm a little worried about what time I'll have to get myself and the girls up in order to make it on time.  I also like to run a 2 mile loop before class but I don't realistically see that happening at 7am.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays we're also trying something new - circuit classes at the playground.  We've got quite a few kids 3 and over.  This should allow them time to play (and get some physical activity) and decrease the amount of time they spend in the stroller. 

Registration for the Full Marathon on my Birthday Weekend in December opens this Wednesday.  I'm not sure if I'm excited, nervous or crazy, but . . . I'm registering.  At least My Neighbor is going to do this race also.  I will not be alone.  She's already run a full though, so she knows what she's doing.  I, on the other hand, really have no idea.

A New Toy

I had given up on getting a Garmin.  I couldn't justify it after having bought a new Polar HRM with GPS in March, even though it only gives real time mph and distance.  It doesn't give me a pace for each mile or do the other cool things that Garmins do.  I wanted one, but I wasn't going to tell Hubby that.  Well, I wasn't until his sister's husband told me that his company is working with Garmin and he can get them at a considerable discount.  So I ordered the Forerunner 610.  I can't wait for it to come in!

Shout Out

Thanks for the shout out!  I had a great time Jazzercising with CW during grad school . . .  and lamenting statistics courses and field work, of course. 

Recovery

I had hoped for a long run of 8-10 miles on Sunday morning, so I was disappointed that I didn't leave the house until 6:50am knowing full well that I needed to be back no later than 8:00am.  I managed 6.2 miles.  A 10K seemed like a decent goal considering I'd only run 3.5 miles a day since getting over that nasty sinus infection & bronchitis. 

The bad news it that I have a 10K on June 4 and a Half on June 12.  I'm pretty sure the 10K will be fine.  Luckily, we're going a little bit north (2 states north actually) so I'm hoping for slightly cooler temperatures and less humidity.  The Half is another story entirely because it will be here in Texas where the humidity has been over 80% lately, and it's been in the mid-70's by 7am.  At least the race begins at 7:30am in an effort to avoid some heat. 

My first ever Half Marathon was in February at Disney World.  I was suprised to finish in 1:57.  My second Half was in my hometown and I was disappointed (despite everyone commenting on the ridiculous headwind for the entire race) to finish in just over 2 hours with 2:01.  I had hoped to finish this coming Half in under 2 hours, but I'm beginning to think my goal should be simply "to finish".  My Neighbor will be running as well and she keeps (sensibly) reminding me that my actual goal is a Full Marathon in December and that these summer races are just for fun. 

Takin' it easy

Finally, I'm running again.  I tried an easy mile on the treadmill Monday morning before Stroller class.  Later in the afternoon, I decided to try running with the stroller, so that was our mode of transportation to dance class.  One mile.  I decided to walk home rather than overdo.

On Tuesday, I ran 1.75 miles with the stroller before Stroller class.  I was still taking a pretty slow pace and left with ample time to get to Stroller class. 

Yesterday, I ran 3.7 miles (no Stroller class).  It felt pretty good.  I think I could have run further and longer, but again, I didn't want to overdo it.  I'm taking it easy and slowly after 10 days off. 

I have a 10K on June 4 and a Half on June 12, and I'm a little worried that I won't feel ready for either.

My only consolation is that because I didn't run for 10 days, my heart rate is higher than it was just 3 weeks ago so I'm burning more calories per mile than I was.  Of course, that also means I lost some cardiovascular conditioning (which we already knew, right?).  Every day that I wasn't running, that thought went through my mind.  Sometimes hourly.  Sometimes more. 

A few months ago, I got a new Polar HR Monitor.  This one has a GPS option.  Plus, it's pink and pretty.  It comes programmed with training options where it has a total goal time for the week and a goal for total calories to burn for the week.  If you reach certain percentages of your goals, it either says "nice" or "well done" and gives your stars.  After the week that I couldn't workout, it said "incomplete training week" and has been telling me to "train a lot more".  I'm not sure why that's amusing to me, but it is.

Day 9 . . . really?

Yep, Day 9 of No Running.  It's Sunday, my usual "rest day".  I'm feeling better but still not back to normal completely.  I've still got a touch of crud in my chest.  Today is my last day of antibiotics though, so after talking it over with hubby, I've decided to give 1 or 2 miles a try tomorrow. 

My next Half is June 12, and we recently decided to do a 10K on June 4 (while on a trip visiting family).   I don't want to wait too much longer.  I should be training for that half. 

I was reading a post over at Mom vs Marathon who is in a similar situation.   OK, only similar in that she's having to take time off from running.  Truthfully, I had lost some motivation.  I didn't have a real schedule going on.  Maybe all this happened to give me some time "off" from running to get motivated again and actually come up with a plan.  Or maybe it happened because I needed to slow down (literally and figuratively) for a little while to give my body a break, to give our schedule a change, and to appreciate being able to run and be active.   

On Thursday Angel Girl looked at me and asked if we were ever going to go anywhere again.  Maybe she needed some change too.  I decided to try Stroller Class on Friday.  It turned out to be only me and the (other) instructor, so we took a 2 mile walk and then let the kids play at the playground.  On the way home, Angel Girl sang "I love my mommy" over and over.  When we got home, I put Little Miss Spitfire down for her nap.  Then Angel Girl and I had lunch.  She told me it had been the best morning ever.  Maybe both of us needed some change to appreciate what we have.

You probably figured out that I skipped that 5K yesterday.  There's a first time for everything.  Going to packet pickup made me a little sad, but I wanted the race goodies. 

Day 7

I'm on Day 7 of No Running.  The bronchitis is pretty much gone although I still have some chest stuff going on (my doctor thinks it's related to the sinus infection).  I seem to be primarily dealing with the residual effects of my sinus infection which means I'm still coughing periodically, my head gets a little pressure now and then, and I'm not sleeping quite like normal yet. 

I had registered for a 5K tomorrow and went to pack pickup a little while ago.  I was tempted to try running on the treadmill to see how I feel, but everything I've read discourages running with a sinus infection or bronchitis . . . much less both.  And since I'm still not feeling "good", I guess I'll wait.  But I'm not happy about it. 

Forced Rest Days

I must admit.  I'm not that great at rest days.  I typically make Sunday my Rest Day because I can't realistically run before church (I have 3 people to get clean, dressed and presentable including myself and getting up earlier than usual just seems wrong on the weekend).  And let's face it, if I've put on make-up and a decent outfit (ie, not workout clothes) I feel like I should stay in that presentable state for at least a few hours.  But then there are the Sundays where I often suggest just a short family bike ride or say I'll just go to the fitness center for some light cross training.  I do know that I need to rest.  For some reason it's one of those things that's easier said than done for me.  Unless. . .

I'm now looking at my fourth consecutive Forced Rest Day.  This is not a cross train and do some light workouts.  It's no workouts.  Absolute rest (although I'm not sleeping) days.  I've got a killer sinus infection, bronchitis and pharyngitis (which is - I had to look it up - a fancy name for a bad sore throat).  I do not feel good.  My head is pounding and I have frequent coughing fits.  For a couple of days my throat and ear felt like they were on fire.  That seems to be better at least.  As for the other symptoms,  I hope everyday that the next will be The Day I Feel Better.  I keep hoping. 

Both Hubby and Wonder Woman have told me to rest.  They know me too well.  I've been told NOT TO WORK OUT AND GET SOME REST.  Just like that. 

I've got a 5K on Saturday.  I've yet to sign up for a race that I don't actually do.  Of course, I've only really been a running addict since last September, so I'm sure it's just a matter of time and circumstance.  In the meantime, I've been reasoning with myself that I can, at the very least, walk the 5K if I'm sidelined for much longer.

8 Miles

I managed to run 8 miles with My Neighbor on Friday, and I felt great (at least while I was running). 

We ran two 4-mile loops.  I warned My Neighbor as we were beginning that (a) I hadn't been feeling that great and (b) I wasn't sure how long the girls would last.  My Neighbor wanted to do a 9 mile run.  I was hoping for at least 4 or 5 miles, my daily standard. 

Can I just say how nice it is to run with someone else who's running?  And not just the someones in the stroller.  Don't get me wrong, I love my girls.  I took up running because I could do it and keep them with me.  But they don't really converse with me and my newly 4-year-old Angel Girl has no idea how hard I'm working to push her. 

Back on topic.  The first 4-mile loop seemed to pass by quickly.  I had been keeping a mental list of things I wanted to ask advice on and I plowed through them as I got the chance.  My Neighbor reminded me several times that slow is good for long runs.  Not a problem.  I was not feeling tip-top and I had both girls in the Bob Duallie (read: heavy, a lot of weight to push). 

When we stopped for water after the first loop, I was feeling good.  No one was whining.  I decided to start the second loop at the very least.  More chatting and the first 3 miles passed quickly.  As we hit the 7th mile, I could feel it.  I was getting slower on the hills (however minor they might be).  At 7.5 miles the whining began.  Luckily, that meant only 1/2 mile to home.  So while My Neighbor grabbed some water, I ran the last .05 mile to round out my 8 miles and then started a walking cool down.  I'm sure she enjoyed that last mile in peace and quiet. 

I'm just thankful that, once again, she got me out for a long run.  We've got a Half in June that I know is coming, but I've yet to come up with any real schedule to train for it.  This is so unlike me.

To Run or Not To Run

I've been debating the Long Run with My Neighbor since I woke up at 2:30am with a coughing fit and couldn't go back to sleep.  I was awake for over an hour.  Luckily, no one else woke up despite everyone being in our bed.  I've still got 3 hours to decide . . . I really want to go.  I want to run.  I want to discuss Garmin watches.  I want to accomplish another Long Run before my next Half in June. 

An Awful Run

Let me just be plain honest and say that my run yesterday was awful.  I didn't feel that great - throat a little scratchy, a little sinus pain, achy joints, so I decided to wait until my older daughter was at her dance class in order to run with only baby in the stroller.

I ran the mile to the dance studio with both girls.  It was fine.  I felt OK.  My heart rate was a little higher than usual, but it's getting warmer and I chalked it up to the temperature. 

After Angel Girl was twirling away in class, I took LMS and ran away from the dance studio and away from my house - the only way to be sure I'd keep running.  About a mile into the run, I was feeling pretty bad and already worn out.  At 2.5 miles, I really just wanted to stop and lay down in the grass.  But alas, I was too far from the dance studio and I had to be back to pick up Angel Girl.  So I kept running.  I was probably a quarter of a mile from the dance studio when I hit the 4 mile mark (5 miles total if you include the first mile I ran to the studio) but I felt too bad to keep going.  That was my goal for the day - 5 miles total, and I was done. 

I walked the rest of the way to the studio and proceeded to sit in the middle of the waiting area, stretching.  Luckily, not many other moms were there and those that were didn't care.  I thought I might feel better if only I could stretch my aching legs.  No luck. 

What made the whole thing worse was we still had to get home, and there was only one way to get back.  Well, I guess I running was an option, but I felt way too bad for that.  I let Angel Girl walk on the way home which meant a very slow, meandering walk home.  In my favor, she was wearing rain boots on a perfectly sunny day and that meant she was even slower than usual.  It took longer with her walking, but at least I wasn't running. 

I tried a hot bath once we got home.  That usually works for my hips.  It did help but only marginally.  I took baby back to the playroom and rested on the floor while she and big sister played happily. 

I cannot tell you how happy I was that my in-laws called and suggested coming over to our house for the afternoon and dinner.  I waited until they arrived, took the baby to my room and the two of us took a nap together.  It was only 45 minutes or so, but I felt so much better. 

Today I decided to take it easier.  I taught stroller class today, but decided to forgo my usual 2 mile run before class which not only meant less physical activity but I got to sleep a little more.  I was feeling a lot better by baby's nap time today, so I did an easy 2 miles on the treadmill - thankful for the A/C. 

My Neighbor emailed me earlier (ok, she posted on my wall on FB) and suggested a long run tomorrow.  I hope I'm up for it!

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