Woo-hoo! Another month with over 100 miles logged.
My foot with the removed sliver was really sore yesterday afternoon. I looked at it again and after much squeezing and a few choice words, the remainder of the removed sliver came out. Altogether, this sliver was about 5/8" to 3/4" long. No lie. It immediately felt better.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
last weekend training run
I ran my final weekend training run this morning. I finished 9 miles in 1:18 (an 8:40 pace). It felt great to finish on a high note. The tapering has been mentally tough so this morning's run gave my confidence a much-needed boost. I'm looking forward to running the whole 26.2 miles one week from today!
It looks like my purple toenail is going to be hanging around for awhile. I drained it last night so now much of the soreness has faded. I read that it takes about 6 months to grow a new nail. As if this wasn't enough, yesterday I got a huge sliver on the bottom of my other foot. It was deep! I feel a pinch with every step on that foot. I thought it might bother me more while running, but it wasn't bad. I can deal with the purple toenail and the removed sliver, but please nothing more until after the marathon!
With today's run over, I now have just a couple of easy and short runs this week until the big one next weekend!
It looks like my purple toenail is going to be hanging around for awhile. I drained it last night so now much of the soreness has faded. I read that it takes about 6 months to grow a new nail. As if this wasn't enough, yesterday I got a huge sliver on the bottom of my other foot. It was deep! I feel a pinch with every step on that foot. I thought it might bother me more while running, but it wasn't bad. I can deal with the purple toenail and the removed sliver, but please nothing more until after the marathon!
With today's run over, I now have just a couple of easy and short runs this week until the big one next weekend!
Friday, February 24, 2006
a marathoner's badge of honor?
I've heard if you haven't lost a toenail due to running, you aren't running enough. I've also heard you aren't really a runner until you lose one.
For the past two weeks, my left foot's big toe has been sore. Any and all pressure applied to the nail is painful. It doesn't hurt while running or walking, but hurts when I press on it with my shoes off. I've kept all my toenails really short these last few months and my shoes are a good fit with ample room in the toe box, but it seems to be inevitable after miles and miles of running.
I removed the dark nail polish this evening to find a discolored toenail. It isn't black, but more of a red-purple sort of color. M lost one on his big toe after running his first marathon. It grew back, but it isn't the same. He thinks there is a blister under my toenail and it will definitely fall off at some point. Ugh, I'm definitely not looking forward to that.
I had planned to have a pedicure after the marathon, but now I'm not so sure that's a good idea. The toenail is definitely lifting and I wouldn't want it to become infected. I just hope it hangs on until after the summer sandal season.
For the past two weeks, my left foot's big toe has been sore. Any and all pressure applied to the nail is painful. It doesn't hurt while running or walking, but hurts when I press on it with my shoes off. I've kept all my toenails really short these last few months and my shoes are a good fit with ample room in the toe box, but it seems to be inevitable after miles and miles of running.
I removed the dark nail polish this evening to find a discolored toenail. It isn't black, but more of a red-purple sort of color. M lost one on his big toe after running his first marathon. It grew back, but it isn't the same. He thinks there is a blister under my toenail and it will definitely fall off at some point. Ugh, I'm definitely not looking forward to that.
I had planned to have a pedicure after the marathon, but now I'm not so sure that's a good idea. The toenail is definitely lifting and I wouldn't want it to become infected. I just hope it hangs on until after the summer sandal season.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
google search: how to run faster
I have friends in California who have been training to run this marathon with me. Several months ago D sent me an e-mail recapping a race she had run over the weekend. It was a great race for her and she averaged an 8:30 pace (or somewhere around there, my memory is failing me here but I remember it being fast). I don't even recall the distance, but I'm thinking it was somewhere between 5 and 10 miles. I was floored.
I immediately got on the internet and google'd how to run faster. I'm not a competitive person, but I have my moments. While running around the neighborhood, I'll pick up the pace if I see a person ahead of me just to see if I can catch and pass them. And when I hear a friend has run a faster pace, I want to know how and when I can do the same.
Yesterday I received an e-mail from her. She ran a 10K over the weekend at a 7:40 pace (what?!?!). Again, I'm googling how to run faster...
I immediately got on the internet and google'd how to run faster. I'm not a competitive person, but I have my moments. While running around the neighborhood, I'll pick up the pace if I see a person ahead of me just to see if I can catch and pass them. And when I hear a friend has run a faster pace, I want to know how and when I can do the same.
Yesterday I received an e-mail from her. She ran a 10K over the weekend at a 7:40 pace (what?!?!). Again, I'm googling how to run faster...
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
4 faster miles
Whew! Four miles in 32:24 this morning (8:06 pace). I need to work on maintaining this speed for longer distances. I haven't incorporated speedwork into my training, but plan to add it to my running routine after the marathon. Maybe in a couple of years with more speed training I can qualify to run the Boston Marathon. My goal is to run it in 2012. Sshhh, don't tell anyone. It's a secret goal.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
final long run
Today I ran my final long run. For the next three weeks, I will be tapering in preparation for the marathon.
This morning's run was a long and painful 22 miles. I felt great the first two hours but then I started feeling really sick to my stomach. I seriously considered calling home for a ride which I hadn't done before. I thought I might vomit so I walked for a few blocks and that helped, at least temporarily. I managed to pull it together mentally (after all, this was the last of my long runs) and finished my run. It's been a few hours since I finished, but I still feel a little sick. It wasn't the best of my runs and the pace was slower than I would have liked, but I got it done and can now enjoy some lower mileage weeks.
Today's run was completed in 3:42:40. I'm certainly not going to win any awards at that pace, but it's all about the journey and not the destination, right? Four weeks ago I ran 20 miles at a 9:30 min. mile pace so I know I'm capable of having a much better run. I'm hoping the excitement of the marathon will also push my time. My (realistic) goal at Napa is 4:20. Of course, I have a secret goal to finish faster than that but we'll see how the day plays out.
Let the taper begin!
This morning's run was a long and painful 22 miles. I felt great the first two hours but then I started feeling really sick to my stomach. I seriously considered calling home for a ride which I hadn't done before. I thought I might vomit so I walked for a few blocks and that helped, at least temporarily. I managed to pull it together mentally (after all, this was the last of my long runs) and finished my run. It's been a few hours since I finished, but I still feel a little sick. It wasn't the best of my runs and the pace was slower than I would have liked, but I got it done and can now enjoy some lower mileage weeks.
Today's run was completed in 3:42:40. I'm certainly not going to win any awards at that pace, but it's all about the journey and not the destination, right? Four weeks ago I ran 20 miles at a 9:30 min. mile pace so I know I'm capable of having a much better run. I'm hoping the excitement of the marathon will also push my time. My (realistic) goal at Napa is 4:20. Of course, I have a secret goal to finish faster than that but we'll see how the day plays out.
Let the taper begin!
Friday, February 10, 2006
4 fast miles
Fast is relative. Prior to the baby, I averaged 10 minute miles. I knew this wasn't fast but it was a comfortable pace and I always ran at this pace. After the baby, I started running with a group and my pace increased.
Even with the increased pace, I always seem to run the same pace. It doesn't matter if the route is hilly or flat, short or long. It makes no difference if the sun is out or if it's raining and windy. Being sick doesn't seem to make a difference either. I have been consistently running more or less the same pace for the last couple of months.
But something was different this morning. My run was faster. I ran my 4 miles in 32:33 (8:08 pace - hooray for me!). Could it have been the new shoes? The quick bite this morning that was different than what I normally eat? I need to identify whatever it was and keep doing it!
Even with the increased pace, I always seem to run the same pace. It doesn't matter if the route is hilly or flat, short or long. It makes no difference if the sun is out or if it's raining and windy. Being sick doesn't seem to make a difference either. I have been consistently running more or less the same pace for the last couple of months.
But something was different this morning. My run was faster. I ran my 4 miles in 32:33 (8:08 pace - hooray for me!). Could it have been the new shoes? The quick bite this morning that was different than what I normally eat? I need to identify whatever it was and keep doing it!
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
short vs. long runs
I find long runs to be more enjoyable and, dare I say, easier than shorter runs. My marathon training schedule has three short runs during the week and a long run every weekend. This past Sunday's long run was 16 miles and I averaged a 9:34 min. mile. I have a cold, but the sun was out and the run felt pretty good. This morning's run was 4 miles, but I only ran 2.5 miles and it was tough. I averaged just under 9 min. miles, but I don't think it was due to the faster pace and I wasn't sore from the weekend run. It was just a hard run.
I think it's mental. I'm much more relaxed on long runs. I know I have a long way to go so I settle into a comfortable pace and simply enjoy the run. I also take a mile or two to find my rhythm so the short runs feel like they are over just as I'm getting warmed up.
I think it's mental. I'm much more relaxed on long runs. I know I have a long way to go so I settle into a comfortable pace and simply enjoy the run. I also take a mile or two to find my rhythm so the short runs feel like they are over just as I'm getting warmed up.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Why did I start running?
I read an online running website for tips, running news, and to check into the discussion forum. Someone recently posted the question Why did you start running? For me, it's simple.
Runner's legs. Yes, I am serious. This is why I started running and why I continue to run. I doubt I'll ever have them, but this is what I strive for.
Post-baby, there are additional reasons why I run. I run to have something for myself. I run because it keeps me fit like nothing else does. I run to clear my head. I run so that when our kids are running around, I'll be able to keep up with them. I run because I love the feeling of accomplishment, particularly after a long run. I run because I can.
And, I run because I want to be the 70+ year old lady still running local races and having a ball.
Runner's legs. Yes, I am serious. This is why I started running and why I continue to run. I doubt I'll ever have them, but this is what I strive for.
Post-baby, there are additional reasons why I run. I run to have something for myself. I run because it keeps me fit like nothing else does. I run to clear my head. I run so that when our kids are running around, I'll be able to keep up with them. I run because I love the feeling of accomplishment, particularly after a long run. I run because I can.
And, I run because I want to be the 70+ year old lady still running local races and having a ball.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
100 miles!
I haven't always enjoyed running, but took up the habit about 10 years ago. I've been running off and on since. I enjoy the local organized running events and have run everything from an 8K to a full marathon. I am not a fast runner, but I do what I can and I get myself across finish lines.
Once I was given the thumbs up from my doctor to resume physical activities such as running, I started again. I say *started again* because this was post-baby and also after a couple of years of not really running. I ran a little here and there, but I had gained some weight and wasn't really exercising like I needed to before I got pregnant. So, I started running again.
I also signed myself up to run a marathon!
I surrounded myself with some good running friends who really kept me on track (okay, not literally on a track) and they helped me establish a great training rhythm. I keep a running log online to track my mileage. It has been my goal to run 100 miles in one month and I finally did this in January!
My monthly mileage totals since I started running again...
Once I was given the thumbs up from my doctor to resume physical activities such as running, I started again. I say *started again* because this was post-baby and also after a couple of years of not really running. I ran a little here and there, but I had gained some weight and wasn't really exercising like I needed to before I got pregnant. So, I started running again.
I also signed myself up to run a marathon!
I surrounded myself with some good running friends who really kept me on track (okay, not literally on a track) and they helped me establish a great training rhythm. I keep a running log online to track my mileage. It has been my goal to run 100 miles in one month and I finally did this in January!
My monthly mileage totals since I started running again...
June 10.25
July 29.25
August 44.50
September 70.25
October 88.00
November 89.50
December 95.25
January 120.75
July 29.25
August 44.50
September 70.25
October 88.00
November 89.50
December 95.25
January 120.75
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