I started running back in August of 2008.  I made it through Couch to 5K at the end of the following October, then ran in a few 5Ks by May 2009.  Then I found out I had developing stress fractures in both lower legs.  Yay!  (Not.)  So, I took a few weeks off on the advice of a sports doctor.  Since then I’ve been working back up to my previous level of endurance (I had gotten up to a 7-mile long run before having to take break), and although I’m suffering a slightly irritating piriformis problem, I began training for a half-marathon the last week of September 09 (I’m following this training plan).  I’m running it in December with two “new” friends whom I knew in high school, Amy and Valerie.  Before I quit facebook, I used Log Your Run to track my progress.  I think now I’ll use a page here on the blog.

October 31, 2009

I ran a 50-minute training run on Thursday on the TM.  Everything felt great and I enjoyed the run.  Today I’m supposed to run my 8-mile long run, but I woke up with a killer sore throat that started last night before bed.  It’s just after lunch right now, so I still have time to try the long run if I decide to, but it’s raining and cool out.  I might wait till tomorrow after lunch and see if I feel better then.

October 28, 2009

Okay, I’m behind in my log here!  I believe I ran last Wednesday or Thursday also?  I did skip a training run on Friday, but it was only a 30-minute easy run and I did do yoga that night. :)  I’ve been really bad about doing any cross-training, because just getting my runs in is challenging enough.  But the big news is that we ran the 10K on Saturday and it was GREAT!  I had so much fun running with my friends, and it rained, which I love.  It feels like childhood, running in the rain.  It also makes me feel die-hard, like I’m so dedicated I’ll even run in the rain, ha!  I finished in 1:04, which is about a 10:18 minute mile.  Now I have something to shoot for in the next 10K I run, whenever that happens to be.

Today I ran a 40-minute training run on the TM.  I threw in a speed interval every 10 minutes, of about 1-2 minutes each time.  That’s not really a big deal in comparison to real interval training, but it’s more than I usually do, so it makes me feel good that I pushed a little.

October 20, 2009

I ran my 40 minute “moderate” run on the treadmill today.  Felt yucky and I blame it on the calendar.  But I did it.  Looking forward to my 10K with Amy and Valerie on Saturday!

October 17, 2009

Ran my 7 mile long run for the week today.  It was 48 degrees, overcast and misty.  Awesome weather for running!  I love, love, love cold weather running.  It beats August any day of the week.  I ran a mile, walked a minute, rinse and repeat until I hit 7.  I felt so tired at the end, but exhilarated, too!  And after I hung out and rested for a few hours, I actually felt energetic.  Love the way a good run makes me feel. :)

October 16, 2009

This week has been pretty good as far as training goes–I ran every day I was supposed to according to the training plan I’m following.  I missed both days of cross training, though.  I shouldn’t place less importance on XT, but I seem to when pressed.  I did do about 15 minutes of yoga on one of the XT days, but I wouldn’t call that real XT.  Tomorrow I’m supposed to run 7 miles, and I think I’ll try a Galloway approach, and walk one minute at the end of each mile.  That worked well for me the last time I ran that far…back in April or May!

One great thing about running this week is that I’m running with new, short hair.  It’s so much easier!  I love it!

October 10, 2009

It is so boring to run 5 miles on a treadmill!  But I did it.  Had to–hubs was gone all day and I needed to do my long run.  So I pulled netflix instant up on the laptop and let the kids watch old Inspector Gadget episodes (yep, the ones from the 80s) and a Hermie movie while I ran.  It was good–had to stop once to get a barrette for my annoying overgrown bangs, and once to choose a new something for the kids to watch.  Also took two short, one minute walk breaks.  I’m just so glad I did it–I wanted to quit so many times.  Did the whole thing at 5 MPH, too.

October 9, 2009

Had a 30-minute easy run on the training schedule today.  Did it at 8:30 PM on the TM bc I had no other option.  Not bad, though.

October 8, 2009

Ran 40 minutes easy on the TM.  Missing the great outdoors but grateful for no hills, unless I choose them.  I did not choose them today.  Wondering why I’m not sore in the middle from the core yoga DVD yesterday???  All those half-boats and nothing at all!

October 7, 2009

Did my 30 minute Core Cross Train yoga DVD by Rodney Yee.  It was awesome.  I don’t know why I don’t do that one more often!

October 6, 2009

Missed a day of cross-training, but I did run today for 35 minutes along with my training plan.  I was able to run outside bc my husband got home early from work.  It was cool and refreshing and wonderful out.  I did have some pain in the knee, nothing too bad, but still there.  Argh.

October 3, 2009

I had a great little run this morning over near Eastside HS with a Chi-O sister, Debby, and her friend Holley.  We ran 3.3 miles.  Then I came home and ran another 2.7 to make it an even 6.  I guess a split run of the target # of miles is better than a run of only half the target # of miles!  No pain in the knee or hip.  Kind of a hitch, but nothing like I was having before.  I’m feeling better about the upcoming 10K now that I can actually run without pain.

October 1, 2009

Decided to go ahead and try to run my easy 40 minutes today as laid out in my training plan.  Had to do it on the TM because of scheduling issues.  I warmed up with some stretching and then walked 5 to warm up, ran 40 and walked 5 to cool down.  I took two 1-2 minute walk breaks during the 40 minute run to try to conserve energy, and I felt almost no leg or knee pain at all.  Just felt a little catchy feeling in my knee.  Average HR was 127, right in the “easy” zone according to my training plan.  Tomorrow I rest, and Saturday I run 6 miles.

September 30, 2009

Had a cross-training requirement for today.  Did my 25-minute Power Yoga: Flexibility DVD.  My leg and knee were bothering me all afternoon.  Argh!

September 29, 2009

Today I ran 35 minutes on the treadmill at a moderate pace.  My heart rate averaged 146 BPM, which is right where I was supposed to be for a “moderate” training run.  (My resting HR, taken in bed in the morning, is usually around 55 BPM, and my max HR is 184.)  My piriformis issue wasn’t too bad.  I felt the twinge in my knee, but it could have been worse.  Have been taking a little ibuprofen and doing lots of pigeon poses to stretch out my hip area.  Next run is 40 minutes, and Saturday I’m supposed to run 6 miles.  We’ll see!