no race for me

Its official...no race for me tomorrow. I can't even describe how disappointed I am. I went to pick up my race packet so I could at least get my shirt and other goodies. Everyone seemed so excited and I couldn't help but think about how much energy would be flowing in the morning as the race started. My eyes got a little watery hen I got back in my car because I hated having to tell everyone that wished me "good luck" that I wouldn't be running.

This coming week I will probably have an appointment with an orthopedist. I will just heal, train, and race in March. I will keep on blogging...my 2 feet haven't finished their journey yet!

not looking good

I tried to run on the treadmill today to test out my foot...its a no-go. I lasted about 3 minutes and knew it wasn't going to work. Then I had a mini-meltdown and decided I would try one last time on Saturday. Really though, I already know that I probably won't be able to run on Sunday. It is SO frustrating and disappointing to train for so long and not be able to finish what I started.

feet don't fail me now

Well, it is suspected that I have stress fracture in my 5th metatarsal :(

There is no way to tell for sure without an MRI (and that isn't happening). I am currently wrapped in kinesio tape and will ice, wrap and rest until Sunday. I am going to try to run tomorrow and see if the pain is better, worse or the same...and if things go well, I will still plan on running the race on Sunday. I have trained too hard to give up now!

And either way, there will be a walking boot in my future.

hoping for the best

Well, I ran my 8 miles yesterday and finished in 01:22:31...a personal best for me! I felt great as soon as I finished mile 3, so that must be my magic mile. After that, I was on auto-pilot :)

I am a little bummed because I have this pain on the outside of my left foot. I have been icing it and taking some ibuprofen and if it is still feeling the same I am going to have it looked at tomorrow. I am hoping it is just a bruise and not a stress fracture! Arrrghh!!!

I took today off from cross training and will either cross train or run tomorrow based on the foot status.

the final countdown!

Here I am...1 week away from my race! The past month has been quite challenging and I haven't been able to train like I wanted. However, I have tried to not let that discourage me! My confidence is definitely down some, but I feel like I will still finish within my goal. Today I will run 8 miles and it couldn't be any better weather here. I am eager to cross the finish line next week!

Training schedule this week:

Sunday - 8 miles
Monday - cross train
Tuesday - 5 miles
Wednesday - 2 miles
Thursday - rest
Friday - rest
Saturday - rest
Sunday - RACE DAY!

balancing act

I have had quite the struggle with finding balance lately...personal life, work, training. It's been a busy few weeks, but good. I truly envy people that can find that balance between everything because it is hard! I am getting back on my schedule, but I haven't been training on the pace that I should be. I hope that I haven't pushed back my progress because the race is less than a month away! I have my first 10 mile run in the morning, so that will tell me if I am still on track. I think that I will be fine, but I am getting a little nervous. Tonight, I am sitting down and revising my training for the last few weeks. I am still up for the challenge, but I must get my balance back to truly succeed.

Training: Week 9

At this point, I feel that my training is going to become physically difficult. My weekely mileage is increasing to 20+ miles and I will be training 4 days a week. I think I am really going to have to focus on my diet so I won't feel "run" down...haha, I'm a dork!

Here is the plan for this week:

Tuesday - Easy Run
2 miles @12:03 (ran this tonight in the 'hood)

Thursday - Tempo Run

• 1 mile warm up
• 5 miles @ 10:37
• 1 mile cool down

Friday - Easy Run
2 miles @12:03

Sunday - Long Run
9 miles @ 12:03

running the island

Yesterday was a perfect morning to run the entire island of Wrightsville Beach...it was 74 degrees at 7:45am with cloudy skies that would send a few random drops of rain down just when I needed it. My total distance was 8.1 miles and my time was 1:30:27. There was a strong headwind as I ran the first half towards the north end of the beach, and for just a second I let it mess with my head. I felt great throughout the run - my breathing was controlled and my legs felt strong. My knees did feel tired on the homestretch and my lower back feels a little tight today, but not bad.

The plan was to beach it after my run, but the weather didn't cooperate. We spent the rest of the day rehydrating at Dockside and Lagerheads.

Training: Week 8

I have really been off with my training and I have been a little down on myself. Brian was out of town for 2 weeks and I ran myself to exhaustion between taking care of the dogs and working 15 of the last 17 days, including 3 community events. I have 2 more days of work and then 2 days off and back to my regular schedule...whew!

So, last week I did nothing for training...nothing! I worked, came home, ate, slept. I did attempt to get up at 5:45am to run, but it was dark outside and I rolled back over.

This week started with a crazy work week, but it has leveled out now and I am back on track (for the most part). I am really looking forward to my long run on Sunday and then I am hitting the beach for two days!

This week was supposed to consist of three 4-mile Easy Runs, but since I was slack last week I am going to modify this week to make up some training. I missed my Tuesday run, but I had a good 5 mile run at The Loop today.

So here is the plan for the rest of the week:

Friday - cross training

Saturday - OFF - working at the gym

Sunday - 8 miler! Check it out: WB8

officially registered

I am officially registered for the Battleship North Carolina Half Marathon...no turning back now!

November 1, 2009 at 8am in Wilmington, NC

Here is the course map: half marathon course

Training: Week 7

Last week went well, although I have felt so busy and overwhelmed with Brian out of town for training with his new job. I ran 2 miles in the neighborhood on Tuesday. I went into the gym early on Thursday and completed 4.28 miles of speedwork before I had to get ready to work. I will just have to get there earlier next time. My 7.2 mile run on Sunday was good and I was pleased that I wasn't exhausted at the end! My time was 01:26:08.

Here is the plan for this week:

Tuesday - Easy Run
cancelled this week because of work :(

Thursday - Tempo Run

• 1 mile warm up
• 4 miles @ 10:38
• 1 mile cool down

Sunday - Long Run
8 miles @ 12:10

So, I have missed my easy run, but will be going to the gym early to get my tempo run in before work. I am worried about my long run on Sunday because the weather is a little suspect with tropical storm Danny...I will keep my fingers crossed that I will not have to complete 8 miles on the dreadmill!

Training: Week 6

This week is going good so far. On Tuesday I ran my 2 miles in the 'hood and tomorrow I have 6 miles of speedwork...not my favorite, but a necessary evil.

Here is the plan for the week:

Tuesday
Easy Run - 2 miles @ 12:10

Thursday - Speedwork

• 1 mile warm up
• 3 x 1600m @ 9:57 with 800m jogs
• cool down

Sunday - Long Run
7.2 miles @ 12:10

Here is my planned route for Sunday: WB 7.2 miles

I want to run early, have a yummy breakfast, then hit the beach for some chill time. The waves should be HUGE this weekend because of Hurricane Bill...and I need some sun!

sunday, sunday!

Well, with a banana power muffin and 3 ShotBloks fueling me, I finished my 6.5 mile run in 01:11:50...half of the half marathon! It was a perfect morning at 76 degrees and there was a slight breeze for almost all of my run. I am really happy with my time and performance - a steady pace of around 11 minutes per mile and no walking/recovery breaks.

Thanks to Wrightsville Beach Baptist Church for giving out ICE COLD water...I guess that was my "holy water" this morning.

shopping spree

I did a little shopping today and got some goods for my training...

Balega running socks - my new favorite!

Pink LIVESTRONG visor - since my sunglasses make me feel hot when I run.

CLIF ShotBloks for some energy on my longer runs coming up.

A 13.1 sticker for the Trailblazer - because that's my goal!

And a book that I am really looking forward to reading: The Runner's Body. It breaks down the systems of the body - musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, metabolic, central nervous, immune - and how each contributes to and is affected by endurance training, specifically running. I'm sure that I am going to be learning some interesting things from my new reading material and I will be sharing some info on here.

7 MILES TOMORROW MORNING!!!

Training: Week 5

This week is thrown off a little bit because of circumstances beyond my control. I will get my mileage in, but I don't think it will be on the original schedule.

The original plan for this week is:

Tuesday
Easy Run - 2 miles @ 12:10

Thursday
Tempo Run - 6 miles total

• 1 mile warm up
  
• 4 miles @ 10:38
  
• 1 mile cool down

Sunday
Long Run - 7 miles @ 12:10

So things are switched around some. I am going to run 2 miles in the morning and plan the rest of the week accordingly...7 miles for sure on Sunday.

brain fart

Well, I had a brain fart yesterday and only ran 2 miles instead of 3. Oh well, 4 on Sunday! I like that the easy runs really are easy...whereas several weeks ago they would have been hard for me.

I have some good friends in town this weekend, so I will be hydrated...just not sure that it will be proper hydration for running. Good thing its only a 4-miler on Sunday!

Training: Week 4

This week is just a schedule of easy runs, which is good. I am going to incorporate a light leg workout this week and I am refocused on my meals and diet. I have been off track with my diet and I am looking forward to some structure again. I went to Try Sports this weekend and got Endurolytes, which are electrolyte replenishment pills. Hopefully, this will help me succeed with my longer runs...and, of course, HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!

Here is the schedule for this week:

Tuesday
Easy Run - 3 miles @ 12:17

Thursday
Easy Run - 3 miles @ 12:17

Sunday
Easy Run - 4 miles @ 12:17

6 miler

I had a good 6 mile run yesterday morning, as scheduled. I planned a route at Wrightsville Beach that started at the Loop and went down to the Coast Guard station and back. Here is the link to the route: WB 6 Mile

I knew I had to get down there early so it wouldn't be so hot, but a a little rain gave me a late start. Nonetheless, I was off and running at 8:07 AM. It felt great, but it was humid once the sun came blazing down. According to my training plan, my pace was scheduled to be 12:17/mile and I completed my run in 1:17:25, so I was close to pace. I did have to walk for three 1 minute recovery periods because there were a couple sections that were so hot with no breeze at all! All in all I felt like it was a good run and I am happy that I am still moving forward.

Here is a post-run pic!

Training: Week 3

Here we are in week three already. Speedwork was tough this past week, but it felt good to complete it. I am a little disappointed in myself on the long run days, but I am just going to keep on going!

Tuesday
Easy Run - 2 miles @ 12:17

Thursday - Tempo Run

• 1 mile warm up
  
• 3 miles @ 10:39
  
• 1 mile cool down

Sunday
Long Run - 6 miles @ 12:17

lesson learned

Plan route? Check.
Charge iPod? Check.
Good Playlist? Check.
Breakfast? Check.

Now off for a good 6 miler? No.

Today sucked.

I waited too late in the morning to run - 10am. It was too hot, too humid, and I got overheated. I ran about 2 miles and walked 3. I tried to push through, but it was brutal...and once I got light-headed and the chills hit me, I knew I had hit my limit for the day. I was zapped for the rest of the day and just felt "off" for a while. Oh well, I have learned to over-hydrate and run early! So, I guess I will look at today as "climate conditioning" for the upcoming weeks.

Here is the route that kicked my ass: Sunday 7/26

Training: Week 2

Week 2 is underway! Week 1 was a little less intense than originally planned, but I still got 2 miles in on Tuesday and 4 miles in on Sunday. This week's training is on track so far and is as follows:

Tuesday
Easy Run - 2 miles @ 12:17

Thursday
Speedwork

• 1 mile warm-up
  
• 2 x 1600 @ 10:03 with 800m jogs
  
• 1 mile cool down

Sunday
Long Run - 6 miles @12:17

I also got referred to a cool website that will allow me to map out my runs. Check out RunningMap and map out a route in your 'hood!

speed bump

Well, I guess if I'm going to be off track at all, this week would be best. Tuesday's run happened as planned - 2 miles on the treadmill - so not real exciting, but not really long either.

Today, I had several appointments to keep and my time just got away from me. I was going to try to run this afternoon, but we had some thunderstorms move in. So, I am going to do a long run tomorrow - 5 miles (outside hopefully).

Sunday's run is cancelled due to my work schedule, 9am-6pm, and we have family coming into town to visit. Next week all 3 runs will happen as scheduled.

Just a little speed bump, I guess.

Thanks to everyone for all the support as I start this challenge!

Training: Week 1

My training days will be on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Training started yesterday and the program for week one is:

Tuesday
Easy Run - 2 miles @ 12:17 pace

Thursday
Tempo Run - 5 miles total

• 1 mile warm up
  
• 3 miles @ 10:39 pace
  
• 1 mile cool down

Sunday
Long Run - 6 miles @ 12:17

D-Day

So, several weeks ago I decided that the day after my birthday I would make a definite decision on tackling the Battleship Half-Marathon. I have accepted the challenge and will chronicle my training throughout the 16 weeks leading up to the race.

I was first inspired to run a half-marathon while watching this past season of The Biggest Loser. If they can do it, I can do it - and they completed a marathon at the end of the season, too! I have run a couple 5Ks and ran the Cooper River Bridge 10K, so this is the next step up.

It will definitely be a challenge - mentally and physically. I'm excited about blogging during my training and, just maybe, I'll inspire someone else to run 13.1 miles.