Annoying cholesterol

So my cholesterol is back up to the pre-medication levels (230 total) which is discouraging. I really thought that the running would overcome the issues I've been having with it over the years. Back on the statins... :(

Yes, a week later

Now that I am finally dry, I think I might be able to start again. :)

Actually, I ran 3 miles on Sunday, which was gorgeous (why couldn't the half had been on *that* day?), but my left knee is still bothering me quite a bit. I have to plan what to do for the winter. I'm thinking about trying to finally learn how to swim, which might complement my running well (low impact). I also have to figure out this knee thing...

I'm really glad I have this blog for training. There were several things that helped me train for the half, directly related to this blog. It was nice to see someone else struggling with injuries, and overcoming them, so that I didn't feel quite so alone. I also liked Becky's comment that the first couple miles of a run are often the worst, which helped me on more than one occasion to keep going. I also like looking back at the beginning to see how far I've come.

Now I have to find a race in the spring to train for! If I learn to swim, perhaps I'll look into triathalons. :)

A Week Later...

... and I am finally feeling back to normal.

Wow! I can't believe that the Newport half has come and gone. This run shot right to the top of the list for most interesting. Despite the insane weather, I managed to come close enough to my goal time to call it a victory. 2 hours and 24 seconds... I suppose I shouldn't have called Dan at mile 10! I spent until Wednesday limping around with sore knees and ankles, but I am feeling much better.

Did a 4 mile run on Thursday afternoon. My legs were really tired after about 2 miles! Today I went out for another 4 mile run. It was pretty good, but my muscles are still a bit sore. Thinking it would be a good time to get a massage!

Today I found out that the 10k I wanted to run just before Thanksgiving is actually a 5k, which is a bummer. There aren't any other races in the area longer than a 5k around the same time. Guess this is going to be a true test of dedication, as I try to maintain a base through the winter.

I am going to cut down on mileage (I guess probably upping the mileage as of late) and try to do an equivalent of 20 miles per week. That should be enough to destress and stay in relatively decent shape so that my interviewing suits fit me!

First Half Marathon!

So I got home from my first half marathon, which I did in 2 hr 23 minutes (gun time, PR). It was wet, cold, and windy right along the ocean in Newport. After the first mile, the wetness didn't affect me until the last 0.1 mile, when the wind picked up and it sleeted horizontally. My knees got bad at times, but I noticed that for some odd reason, if I ran along with the song "Duck and Run" by Third-eye Blind, my knees wouldn't hurt. I'd notice immediately if I ran too fast, or too slow, but right at that rhythm I had no knee problems. Weird! Of course it meant that I had to listen to that song for an hour! :P

When I got back home, the hot shower never felt so good. The girls had painted a nice congratulations sign for the door, and heated up a neck warmer for me when I got home. Very nice welcome!

Two days and semi-confident

Two days to the half, and I ran 6 miles on the treadmill Wednesday without a lot of pain. I needed to walk every 2.5-3 miles to keep my knees going ok. Weather is supposed to be horrible on Sunday, but I'm going to make it!

Today I was asked what my goal for the race is. I answered "to finish".

Discouraged...barely able to run 7 miles due to knees...and one week to go

My knees started hurting today at the 2-3 mile mark, got worse for a while, and then were off and on. I walked part of it, and decided to run fewer miles (planned on 10), and hopefully I can give these knees a break somehow. I'm just wondering what it's going to be like for 13!

Can't Believe It's Next Week

Another week in the books. It has been insane how fast time seems to be flying. Had a decent running/working out week. Did some cross training on Monday, treadmill on Tuesday, 5 mile outdoor run on Thursday, and a 10 mile run today. The best workout of the week was by far the Thursday 5 mile. I felt fantastic for the entire run. The 10 mile run today was a bit tough. I did a hilly course and I have a blister on the back of my left foot from wearing non-running shoes that killed me on the uphills. My knees were really tired at the end. Just planning a few easy runs this week and lots of hydrating and maybe eating something other than pizza or Chinese food!

More of the same...knees!

So I did 10 miles yesterday, and my knees were a pain, and still are. With my schedule, I was slacking on my quad exercises. Now I need to get back into them for the next two weeks or the half will be a real challenge. It seems to kick in after 5 or so miles, so in the winter when I run less I probably won't have the issue as much.

It's the sort of thing that makes me feel a bit nervous about the half. I'm glad you have to put some money down to go, because it does help get one over the motivational hump!

Squeezin' it in

This week was an improvement for me in the running department. I worked out Mon, Thurs, Fri, and Sat. Thursday was a 5 mile outdoor run in the nice 40 something degree, drizzly weather. Friday was an hour on the elliptical. Saturday was a 10 mile run in a quite warmer and sunnier day.

Not quite sure, since I fell off the training schedule wagon a few weeks ago, but I think that this is my last long run before Newport. Now it's going to be tapering and trying to not reinjure myself. The knees held up pretty well today. Just had a little blistering in the arch of my left foot and was a bit thirsty. I have to start drinking more water! Goal for the week.

It's official!

So I finally registered for the half-marathon on Oct 18. I'm still a little nervous about it, especially given my knee issues of late (which have mostly disappeared). Next year, if I do a half, I want to do one in September rather than October. I have underestimated how much time school takes, and kids take, and how dark things are early.

Although I ran 5.6 miles last night on the treadmill, I find it very very hard to run any more than that on a treadmill. Now that things are dark, I am afraid I won't be able to run at night or in the morning again until spring! I might try a head lamp to help me out.