February--that was my last post. Unacceptable!
I'm baaaaack......to running that is. No, I didn't give it up, but had to take it easy for quite awhile due to all that shizzle with my hip. I'm glad to say that things are going well.
I still have to be really careful about the mileage, and building up again slowly, but I'm coming back a much smarter runner!
I'm planning to tackle the Seattle Marathon course in November....yes, the full marathon. All 26.2 miles of it. I'm now running 4 days a week (instead of 6 like before), and doing a lot more strength and cross training. I'm about 4 weeks into my training plan. Finished an 11 mile run on Sunday--an amazing run up in the Skagit Valley. It was hot, but the route I took was beautiful, and quiet. I even stopped and took a few pics with my camera phone....will post those soon.
My training motto this time around: Slow and steady "wins" the race...stay the course--as a reminder to keep it real ya'll. I'm no olympian, so if I can convince myself to stay within my own capabilities and not let my ego take control, I should (knock on wood) be able to finish well, and in one piece.
One other goal (separate, but plays a role in my exercise) is to get my daily diet back to a "normal" place. I've been really letting myself eat a lot of crap--so this week, Cory and I both are back to counting our Weight Watchers points. I just need some help reigning in my portions a bit, and also cutting back on the sugar intake. I'm thinking of doing a separate food blog soon--not sure the details, but updates soon.
Unfair difference between men and women #39 on the WW plan: Men get like 30 bazillion more daily points than women. Le Sigh. :-)
(NOTE: the original November plan was for the NYC marathon, but for several reasons, Mariah and I decided it's better sometime down the road! We'll keep you posted!)
Okay, more regular updates coming your way....stay tuned.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
'Aint No Light at the End of This Tunnel
Headline in last weekends Seattle PI: John Wayne Trail Tunnels Close Indefinitely.
"Nooooooooooooo". That means the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon is scrooooged!!! Okay, before I lose all hope...it's not completely out of the question. Talks are in the works on rerouting the course. However, the whole point of the original set up is to provide a fast course for people wanting to qualify for Boston.
Make no mistake....I'm not shooting for a Boston qualifying time--I think I'd have to give up my day job and the rest of my life to be able to train THAT hard. Maybe when I'm older I might have a better chance of meeting the time requirement. My attraction to this event is 1) the scenery; 2) the adventure 3) the "easy" downhill grade for 26.2 miles. (Don't think that because it's downhill that running 26 miles is a breeze--running downhill is hard on your body! it's harder on your joints and muscles than running uphill, but the exertion feels easier).
I guess the tunnels are deteriorating and they are concerned for people's safety, and until they receive funds from the state for repairs, they will remain closed. I get the safety concerns, I won't raise a stink about that. It's just disappointing.
We'll wait to see what the decision is and go from there.
Cross-training has been going well. Last week was hard mentally. The first few days I just felt like I'd never get better, but this week has been fantastic. My leg really doesn't hurt at all. My hip still mildly bothers me--no pain, just this weird "popping" sensation--but it seems to be on the mend. I've been very diligent about taking it easy, doing some strength training, and stretching.
I did some easy jogging on Tuesday--alternating walking/running. It was hard to control myself and not run all out. Cross-trained on the eliptical yesterday, and today will do some easy running. I have a sports medicine appointment today. I want to make sure I'm not doing more damage and get the okay to move forward on training. The next few weeks I'll be continuing with very easy, slow running/walking.
My sister registered for the Sunriver 1/2 marathon. I'm really excited for her. It's been fun chatting with her about running...I never thought I'd be someone people would turn to for questions about long distance training....go figure!
"Nooooooooooooo". That means the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon is scrooooged!!! Okay, before I lose all hope...it's not completely out of the question. Talks are in the works on rerouting the course. However, the whole point of the original set up is to provide a fast course for people wanting to qualify for Boston.
Make no mistake....I'm not shooting for a Boston qualifying time--I think I'd have to give up my day job and the rest of my life to be able to train THAT hard. Maybe when I'm older I might have a better chance of meeting the time requirement. My attraction to this event is 1) the scenery; 2) the adventure 3) the "easy" downhill grade for 26.2 miles. (Don't think that because it's downhill that running 26 miles is a breeze--running downhill is hard on your body! it's harder on your joints and muscles than running uphill, but the exertion feels easier).
I guess the tunnels are deteriorating and they are concerned for people's safety, and until they receive funds from the state for repairs, they will remain closed. I get the safety concerns, I won't raise a stink about that. It's just disappointing.
We'll wait to see what the decision is and go from there.
Cross-training has been going well. Last week was hard mentally. The first few days I just felt like I'd never get better, but this week has been fantastic. My leg really doesn't hurt at all. My hip still mildly bothers me--no pain, just this weird "popping" sensation--but it seems to be on the mend. I've been very diligent about taking it easy, doing some strength training, and stretching.
I did some easy jogging on Tuesday--alternating walking/running. It was hard to control myself and not run all out. Cross-trained on the eliptical yesterday, and today will do some easy running. I have a sports medicine appointment today. I want to make sure I'm not doing more damage and get the okay to move forward on training. The next few weeks I'll be continuing with very easy, slow running/walking.
My sister registered for the Sunriver 1/2 marathon. I'm really excited for her. It's been fun chatting with her about running...I never thought I'd be someone people would turn to for questions about long distance training....go figure!
Monday, January 26, 2009
A New Year, A New Plan
I can't believe we're 2/3 of the way through January already...when did that happen? Okay, a quick jumbled post, and I promise to be more frequent with the postings again:
Gearing up to start training for the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon (http://www.littlemarathon.org/) in June. The official training schedule will begin mid February.
In the meantime, I'm spending the next 2 weeks trying to get my hip and IT band back to 100% health. In retrospect, I realize I overtrained for Sunriver last year. I spent too much time running--I should've done more cross training and resting. It's likely why I was injured.
My hip/IT band has been bothering me again lately--I never really spent time allowing it to heal, so the next 2 weeks I am giving up running. It's going to be hard. It's kind of hard just to say it. But, I want to be smart, put my ego aside, and be ready to go come June! I gave myself 3 days of complete rest. I did do a tiny bit of walking--the dog needs exercise!! But mainly rested and did some easy stretching to help loosen the band. Today was the first day of cross training. I did 45 minutes on the stationary bike, and left time for a good stretch afterwards. I feel really good today.
I know that if I am smarter about my training--I will not only have more energy, but will be stronger, and more likely to improve my time, as well as remain injury free! No Pain No Gain--not a good way to look at it!
On another note, the fam has committed to Sunriver this year. Cory and I both registered for the 1/2 marathon. And we booked our house last week. I'm so excited, and really looking forward to spending an extra day or two down there this year.
Lastly, my friend Brooke is training for her first 1/2 marathon and has started her own blog....funny as all get out...check it out if you get a chance. You can link here: http://www.broolog.blogspot.com/ . There's also a link to her page under "Links" to the right.
More soon....
Gearing up to start training for the Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon (http://www.littlemarathon.org/) in June. The official training schedule will begin mid February.
In the meantime, I'm spending the next 2 weeks trying to get my hip and IT band back to 100% health. In retrospect, I realize I overtrained for Sunriver last year. I spent too much time running--I should've done more cross training and resting. It's likely why I was injured.
My hip/IT band has been bothering me again lately--I never really spent time allowing it to heal, so the next 2 weeks I am giving up running. It's going to be hard. It's kind of hard just to say it. But, I want to be smart, put my ego aside, and be ready to go come June! I gave myself 3 days of complete rest. I did do a tiny bit of walking--the dog needs exercise!! But mainly rested and did some easy stretching to help loosen the band. Today was the first day of cross training. I did 45 minutes on the stationary bike, and left time for a good stretch afterwards. I feel really good today.
I know that if I am smarter about my training--I will not only have more energy, but will be stronger, and more likely to improve my time, as well as remain injury free! No Pain No Gain--not a good way to look at it!
On another note, the fam has committed to Sunriver this year. Cory and I both registered for the 1/2 marathon. And we booked our house last week. I'm so excited, and really looking forward to spending an extra day or two down there this year.
Lastly, my friend Brooke is training for her first 1/2 marathon and has started her own blog....funny as all get out...check it out if you get a chance. You can link here: http://www.broolog.blogspot.com/ . There's also a link to her page under "Links" to the right.
More soon....
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