Week 7 - 8.5 miles

So, I guess this post is the actual end of Week 7.  I woke up with my nephews at about 6:45 am. This gave me time to get them ready and get my yoga practice in for the morning.  I think it might have been the first time they had seen yoga.  It was really easy to try and rationalize why I didn't have time. But it only takes 20 minutes and I knew my body would thank me for it later.  Then I dropped my nephews off at my mom's house, stopped at Sheetz for a small bottled water, and set off for Sand Run Trail.  As a side note, I only bought the bottled water because I don't have a bottle small enough to carry while run/walking. I don't like buying plastic and usually carry around my large reusable water bottle which is not good for carrying.  This means I need to purchase a small reusable water bottle for runs.

I got to the trail at 8 am. One wouldn't think that this is much later than 7:30 am. Well, what a difference a half hour makes!  I had to wait for a spot to park, it was warmer, and the trail was very crowded.  Also, my trusty friend Allison who is typically at the trail before me was not there.  There was one morning where she completely forgot to get up. So, trying to stay positive, I just told myself that I would do the best that I could. That I would still be able to do it even if she wasn't able to join me.  I think I even kept repeating. But I decided to give her a few minutes before I started out on my own.  And she arrived a couple of minutes after that.

She was admittedly a bit cranky today due to a lack of sleep. And I was just happy to have my friend run/walk with me. We did our warm-up, stretches, and I took a bathroom break before we got started. Okay, if you really want to know how much of a dork I am, here goes. . .  I want to know if the ammonia smell in the port-o-potties is from all the "waste" or from their cleaning supplies.  It is sooooo strong.  It is hard to believe that that is normal compost smell.  Anyways, I need to finish my blog before I go searching about that topic.

Armed with our water and electrolyte gel chew thingys, we were off. I was pretty energetic and pumped to be setting out on our 8 mile adventure.  I think I went a little fast and hard that first mile. I certainly wasn't able to maintain that chipper pace.  It also seemed like people were not as friendly at 8 am in the morning or something.  I think the first 5 or 6 people that I said good morning to ignored me and had no response at all.  Some people may wave or nod, if talking isn't able to be done while running. But even the ones that weren't wearing head phones. I don't like that feeling when I feel invisible. But I was pretty determined to greet everyone on the trail. Because I seemed so eager and chipper, Allison deemed me the trail prom queen.  The only time in my life that will ever be uttered! It was hysterical. Have I ever mentioned how hard it is run while laughing? It is very difficult!

It seemed that first 2 miles were pretty smooth. Still tough on the hills, but smooth otherwise. The section of Sand Run is pretty hilly.  I hear that the actual Akron Roadrunner is pretty flat for the Half-Marathon. I liked hearing that info! We passed the 2.5 mile marker, and Allison asked me if I remembered when we thought that was exciting. I do. It was fun to be able to push past what we thought was possible!

Very grateful for the sunshine today even if it made it a little more challenging.  We made it to the end of mile 3. The trail we have been using is only 6 miles round trip. So we decided to run the last half mile two times to make up for our 2 extra miles today. It seemed safest to stay on the end of the trail, so we couldn't back out of the higher miles being closer to the beginning of the trail. Doing it this way made for even more hills though. We hadn't really planned on that part. It reinforced our positive thinking/talk though.  Continuing to use phrases such as; "I'm gliding", "I love the way I feel when I am done", "Every step gives me benefits", "Endorphins help me relax", etc. It does help. Also, imagining the people ahead of us pulling us forward helps.

One of the funniest things that happened today, as we were running along the trail we came around a bend.  On the other side was a young girl running towards us while singing.  I have no idea what she was singing. But she was singing, out of tune and enjoying every second of it.  And you know what, she stopped singing just to say hello back to us! It was awesome. I think she cheered us up for a good half-mile.  She also inspired us to have our own trail karaoke.  Yes, it may have been Miley Cyrus's "Party in the USA", but it was upbeat, we knew the words, and it was funny as well as fun. I think we definitely got our share of funny looks, but we didn't care. We had just finished 5 miles and had 3 more to go.

I think we have become regulars. There were quite a few people who are starting to look familiar. This is pretty cool. I never really thought I would become a regular on a running trail!  At mile 6, Allison's knees started bothering her, so we slowed our pace and increased our walking stints.  She toughed it out and we ran/walked through mile 7.  Near the beginning of mile 8, she decided she needed to give her knees a break. So we walked the rest of our route.  Jeff Galloway emphasizes that it is more important to stay together than to run faster during long runs.  So, I stuck with Allison to the end of our walk. And we did our cool down walk, then stretches.

I iced my knees. I also made sure I moved my legs around today while I was driving to and from Canton. Took some arnica and Ibuprofen.  My muscles are somewhat sore, but not anything that is going to keep me from doing my daily life.

I don't know if I can convey how grateful I am to be healthy enough to be able to do my training. Grateful to have had all of the support, all of the experiences that have helped me get to this point, grateful to have the physical ability to run/walk, grateful that my yoga practice helps me mentally and physically be able to do everything in my day, grateful for the trails, grateful for Allison, grateful for all my training cheerleaders-Tony, Jana, Shana, Cassie, Julie, Scott and Michelle. Grateful. Namaste.

Week 5: Able to run again!

Monday, the 27th, was absolutely awesome.  I got to do a 25 min. walk/run at my original slower pace, but I was able to do it! I still had some pain in my right knee. Not enough to stop, but enough to be concerned about. So, I now have scheduled myself an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. Sadly, I'm pretty sure that my 9 year-old iPod actually bit the dust. It's tragic.  I think I may have to have a memorial service for it.  So this run was a la Channel 3.  Luckily, I got to watch The Doctors show and the beginning of Ellen. Let's face it, Ellen is pretty hilarious and how could I not be inspired while watching Ellen trying to learn a hip hop dance and perform live on TV.

The other noteworthy experience during my day at the gym was while stretching. I've recently incorporated a hamstring stretch into my warm-up and cool down. It has me putting my leg up on a bar while standing and resting my heel on the bar. I was able to do this at the trail that I run on on the weekend and on the side of the track at the gym. This time I was stretching at the mirror where there are double bars. I stood there for seriously 30 seconds trying to figure out how I was going to do my said hamstring stretch.  30 seconds may not seem like a long time, but when there are other people around working out, stretching, etc. It feels like forever. The top bar was definitely too high for me to stretch on, but the second one was fine. The only problem was that they weren't staggered and they are pretty close together.  Enter, another woman stretching who I watched out of the corner of my eye just to see how she was going to maneuver these bars.  I almost laughed out loud in the middle of all those people.  All she did was slide her foot under the top bar and rest her heel on the bottom one. Seriously, it was simple. Thank you to random woman stretcher who was able to save me from my brain short circuiting!

I have still continued my morning yoga. I can do a squat without my knees being in pain or way to tight.  I feel much stronger in my legs during everyday activity and while running. Still taking it a day at a time with stretching. It is nice because now I pretty much have my yoga routine memorized.  So, I can practice it while watching something else, or if I'm not at home and don't have my DVD. I just checked out a book about Qigong which I may start incorporating into my daily life. It is completely new to me, but the book is very descriptive and there are pictures, so we will see. I don't think there are any Qigong classes in this area.  Either way, I am really, really grateful for yoga to help me maintain my flexibility and strength.  Namaste.

Week 4: Low Key

Week 4 started out with a 30 min. walk/run on Monday, 20th. I also worked in my crunches.  I did my walk/run at my original slow pace.  It was difficult to be running slower, but for the sake of my knees I figured it was worth it!  Wednesday, I was still pretty nervous to walk/run.  My knees continued to feel better, but they were still sore.  Then I was blessed with a 30 min. sports massage by my friend, Shana Jane Steinhouse.  She is a miracle worker. I decided to post pone my Wed. walk/run.  On Thursday, I did a 10 min. walk/run, crunches.  I'm continuing to do yoga every day and extra stretches to work on my tight hamstrings.  Apparently, tight hamstrings can be a major cause of knee pain.  Later in the evening, I did about a 50 min. walk with a friend.  It was great to just walk and talk. Friday I noticed that my every day movements seem to be getting stronger which is very nice.  I have a huge fear of having to quit this half-marathon training.  On the other hand, it is also difficult to back off and go slower/shorter to wait for my knees to heal. But I'm trying my best at practicing.

So, Saturday's long run was 2.5 miles. My usual long run partner actually forgot to get up. It was funny.  But thankfully, another friend showed up.  She also brought along her Boston Terrier/Pug mix to enjoy our morning run with us. I also was still trying to go easy.  So, I went pretty slow on my run interval, and took longer walk breaks.  And we actually did 3 miles.  As there are no 1/4 mile markers.  So, Rocky lived it up on the trail.  It sniffed everyone and wanted to meet every other dog on the trail.  He doesn't seem to have the best manners on the trail, he's a newbie.  Most people seemed to like Rocky, there were others that looked like they were going to completely trip over him, but there were no injuries incurred.  It was also hard for me because my friend and Rocky had a quicker pace than I did when running.  But as long I envisioned a string between the two of us with her pulling me forward, it wasn't bad.  Plus, I was just glad to be able to part of my 3 mile walk/run.

It is very easy for me to blow off my stretching and yoga, because it doesn't take that long.  And I like to try and tell myself that it doesn't really make that big of a difference.  But from the improvements that I've made, it is has to be making a difference.  Plus every stretching, and running book that I read usually suggests the exact stretches that are in my yoga practice.  So, I have only missed one day in the last week.  It is definitely practice.  I really don't like when things are the same all the time, and usually as long as I tell myself that I only have to do it for today, then I can do it with ease. I'm still dealing with a lot of thoughts and mind-racing while doing yoga. I keep telling myself that that will get better with time.  And that I just need to keep focusing on the moment.

For now, I'm still in the Half-Marathon game.  Til next time, Namaste.

Training Plan

In my obsessive-compulsive way, I successfully checked out several books about running marathons from my local library. I love books. I really do. The ones that have helped the most so far are Marathon: You Can Do It by Jeff Galloway and The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women: Get Off Your Butt and On With Your Training by Dawn Dais. The book by Dawn Dais has had me laughing so loudly that I wonder if my upstairs neighbor can hear me! Her take on running is definitely from that of someone who doesn't do it for fun. I will have to share some quotes, as they are worth sharing! And Jeff Galloway, well, what can I say? I think the man is a running genius! Seriously, I'm pretty sure that he was the first person to implement the run/walk method. This is extremely important to me, because I want to run injury free. My body is very important to me. I like being active, I like being able to do downward dog, I like being able to do somersaults with my nieces, and I like to be able to walk. It is imperative to stay injury free.

I'm using the Galloway Run/Walk method to train, and my focus is to finish. It is difficult to listen to all of the experts, because I really want to be able to do a 10 minute mile today. Not in 3 or 4 months, today! So, I'm working on following the suggestions from those that have experience. One of those suggestions is that first timer's focus on finishing, not a time goal. With this said, I'm running, which is more of a jog right now than a run, at a pace that is pretty comfortable for me. I use comfortable loosely, since running doesn't necessarily feel comfortable.

I will try to catch you up to date without writing a novel. Last week I walked a few times on the treadmill and I organized a walk at Sand Run Park this past Saturday for a 3 mile hike. We ended up hiking for an hour and 35 min. I think we actually did 4 or 5 miles, but that's okay. It was great to have support with friends and have people to talk to. Let me also stress how great it was to be in the woods! We saw live chipmunks(unfortunately, dead ones too.)

The plan will be to do 30 min. run/walk - two times a week(Mon/Wed) and then do my long run on Saturday. According to Galloway, this is what I'm supposed to do. No more, no less! This is so hard for my over-acheiving and addict mind. I already had to talk myself out of running more than that on Monday. So this past Monday, I did a 10 min warm-up, stretched my major muscles, then completed my 30 min. I finished with a 20 min. walk to cool down. It's amazing how much one can sweat, and how hot I got. It went good. Nothing hurt while I was running, and I even did 10 min. of crunches when I was done. I also am listening to the info about making sure you are hydrated and eating properly. I don't think that I've had a diet soda in over 8 or 9 days. This is a record. For those of you who know me well, I heart diet soda. My heart may not heart diet soda, but I do.

I did go to my Free Akron Yoga class last night. It was wonderful to do yoga in a group and see all of my amazing yogi friends! What a great community! It was difficult because I have a wrist injury that makes Chataranga(Plank Pose) pretty close to impossible. And we are preparing for the 108 sun salutations that will be done at the Summer Solstice event in the CVNP that is in 13 days. But I modified and it still felt good. I love the positive energy and that people aren't afraid to laugh. Oh, and my wrist is surely not strong enough for crane pose. It is when you balance on both of your hands flat on the ground, and rest your knees on the back of your elbows. Apparently, Carrie has a book that says it's easy. Google it and you will see just how easy it looks! Anyways, it's nice to be able to notice how much strength I have, even though I haven't been practicing regularly. And where I have strength, I really do need to keep practicing to become more flexible again.

This morning, I got out of bed at 6:54 am. I had set my alarm for much earlier then that, but it never went off. It never went off because although I changed my alarm time, I didn't turn my alarm on! My higher power is pretty great, because I still woke up at 6:50. That is a very cool thing to me. I'm not typically a morning person. But the more healthy stuff I do for myself, the more I am a morning person. So, drank a glass of water, ate a tablespoon of almond butter, and drank about 1/2 cup of bolthouse green goodness juice, then I got dressed and walked over to the Natatorium. I did about 8 min. walking warm-up, stretch, then got on treadmill #1 for my 30 min. walk/run. I had to stop two times. Once, to go to the bathroom and then again to drink more water from fountain. Really, I am amazed by the sweating! I can't remember the last time I actually had sweat dripping from my face. Not counting the breaks, I did 2.1 miles. Monday, I did about 1.75 in my 30 min walk/run. I know it's not much of an increase, but it's something. And I will certainly take it. I did the same crunches routine that I did on Monday. I cut my cool-down walk to about 8 min. because I had to go to the bathroom again.

Today I realized two big things. One is that I really prefer music to Law and Order while running. I finally brought my iPod with me to the gym today. I don't have cable at my apartment, and I love Law and Order, so typically when walking it's great to be able to watch USA channel. But what a difference listening to music makes! P!nk, Journey, Sheryl Crow, it was the perfect line up. Plus, I don't think that crime shows actually improve or add anything to my life, let alone my exercising. The second thing that I learned today is that I think my body will be able to handle this. It's my mind that concerns me. It's scarey to say that about my body because I feel like I have beaten up my body so much. But my mind didn't want to keep going like it did on Monday. I was able to implement some of the positive sayings that Galloway suggests in his book. I think his book has at least 3 chapters alone on the mental aspects of the marathon. So, I may be re-reading those again. I could definitely use some positive brainwashing, as he calls it.

I also reminded myself today that I was only doing my run today. I kept re-directing my thinking from the half marathon to today. And for today, I have completed my training. I get a little stiff if I sit too long. But other than that, nothing in my body is on fire. Well, except for maybe my spirit. I haven't felt this alive and healthy for a while. I'm hoping to be able to do some stretching again before I go to bed to help with the soreness.

Stay tuned to see how my 4 miler goes on Friday.