Lost in my own little world

I know I know....It's been 525,600 minutes since I last posted.  But I've been busy.  Like busy busy.  Running crazy amounts, working, vacationing, a baby starting Kindergarten.  I have excuses okay!!  And they are good excuses. 

I will start with the 200 mile relay that was the best fun of my ENTIRE life.  I got to not sleep for over 24 hours because I wanted to, not because a baby kept me up.  (Okay actually I did get some sleep in that 24 hours, but it wasn't a good sleep.  I got to bond with friends.  Yes we were friends before but being crammed in a car and have to follow them and cheer them on you really bond!!  I realized that I'm a lot stronger then I give myself credit for.  I ran 5.4 miles up a mountain where I gained 1200 ft.  Yup I did it!!  In the end we finished in 28:16 minutes 1st place in our non competitive division!! 

Our crazy amazing team from left to right front to back
Katelin, Kim, Cleo, Myself
Stacey(my dad), Tom, Richard, Randy, Blake, Talon
Ethan

Next Lacey started Kindergarten this morning.  There were tears in my eyes and I lined her up and kissed her goodbye.  I can't believe MY baby is already a Kindergartener.  Where oh where has time gone?

After I dropped her off I did something I thought was impossible.  I ran 15 miles....by myself.  It felt so good.  Since Brandon was working I parked my car at work and ran 7.5 miles out on Old 40 and back in.  I let my boss know that I was planning on doing this.  I let him know for 1 so if something were to happen someone would know where I was, and 2 because he is a runner and if I couldn't do it he would be able to come get me.  I sent him a text at 11 miles letting him know that my hips were killing me, he asked if I wanted to a pick up...I responded with NO just tell me I can do it.  He told me I could do it and I did!!  Just having the support of EVERYONE I knew that I could do it.  Sometimes you just need to hear from someone else that you can! 

Freedom Run

I know this is 3 days late, but hey I've been busy!

On Wednesday I got up at 5am.  I think I only slept 2 hours.  I hate race day sleeps.  I am so anxious and excited that I can't sleep! 

My only time goal was a sub 55.  I knew it would be pushing it, being as my shins SUCK!!  They've been feeling fairly good, but I haven't really pushed myself. 

I got to the race and found my dear friends and my dad.  We stretched, walked, talked, did more talking then stretching.  I was feeling good.  We got in line and it was time for the race to start.  I was feeling really good.  The first mile was an 8:05, 2nd mile was an 8:30, 3rd mile was an 8:40, a sub 9 mile, I WAS FEELING GREAT!!   Then mile 4 hit, I hit a wall....My shins were sore, my legs felt good, but I knew there was no way I could finish with my shins acting up. 

I decided to walk, knowing that taking a walking break would help with the pain.  That mile a 10:39 mile.  The 5th mile was a 9:10 mile, the last mile a 9:11 mile.  I finished with a time of 55:48.  I was hoping to PR, but a minute slower isn't all that bad!!  All that matters is I finished. 

I got really emotionally afterwards thinking how a year ago I ran the 5k, and my very 1st race, now a year later I have finished 12 races. 

Me and the Girls after finishing

Me and My Dad

I filled out my Marathon training schedule.  Talk about intimidating!!

Color Run or shall I say walk

Yesterday was the Color Run in KC.  It was not at all what I expected...It was fun, but it's not something I will ever do ever again.

First packet pick up,  it was from 12 to 9pm.  We got there at 8:45, they tell us to go up the stairs Saturday on one side Sunday on the other.  Once up the stairs both days merge.  The line is forever long.  It took us 45 minutes to get through the line to get my bib number and a shirt.

Saturday morning we get up early, and get on the road at 6:15.  We stayed at my mom in laws house, they live about 30 minutes away from Arrowhead.  We didn't get parked in the Stadium until 7:30.

We make it over to the Starting line, they are releasing 1000 runners every 5 minutes.  Lacey wanted to run with me, so I knew we would run/walk it.  However NO ONE ran!!  The walkers were so thick there was no way to get around them.  We probably got to run the first mile and then we ran through the paint stations.  I did carry her a bit but my baby held her own and was able to walk the majority of it.  

I will say I will cherish the memories of doing it with Lacey forever. 

New shoes!!

I don't think that there is anything that makes a runner more excited then new running gear!!  Whether it be shorts, a new top or new shoes!!  It always makes me want to get out and go run.  On Saturday my friend and I went to MRC and I tried on a couple pairs of shoes.  I decided not to buy a pair because I was sure I could find them cheaper.  After spending hours online I decided that yes I could very easily get them cheaper however I need to support a local business. 

Today was the day I decided to go buy them.  I was going to buy two of the same pairs, but when talking to Josephine she told me that I should go with two different pairs. 

I can't wait to go running in them!!  

Shin splints for real?!?

It's been a crazy few weeks. 

But my shin pain was of course shin splints, which isn't cured, but when my quads hurt worse than my shins I think we're okay!!  It just takes Aspercreme, ice and a prescription for Aspirin.

 My Mother in law is super sweet and when I told her about my shin pain and how now looking back the cause may be my shoes....you remember my new running shoes back in January?  

 

Yes the pain has been there since February (Jaw Dropper)....Anywho my Mother in law told me she was going to the bank and putting money in our checking account so I could buy myself a new pair of shoes.  I told her there was no need to that because I was planning on buying a new pair anyway because IT IS TIME!!  But she insisted and said buy 2 new pairs.  So I am going tomorrow with my friend and buying 2 new pair of running shoes.  

Yesterday I was told I am getting a dollar raise at work!! WOOHOO!!  One month at my new job and I'm already getting a raise.  I am loving my job.  It is laid back, fun, and gets me out of the house!!

Well that is all for now.  I have a 7 miler scheduled tomorrow morning at 7, followed by boot camp.  I am also registering for the Freedom Run 10k on the 4th!!  

 

Tears

I've been training hard.  Getting my mile time under 8 minutes for more than 1 mile.  Monday I ran 4 miles with an average of 7:58!! 

My shins (or tibia bone) have been giving me fits.  I stretch, ice, stretch, ice...and the pain never goes away.  I had Brandon rub my legs down last night 12 hours after my run and rubbing them moved me to tears.  Today they still hurt.  Brandon ran to Manhattan Running Company for me to see if maybe compression socks, or new shoes would be needed.  Brandon explained everything that was wrong and the owner said "If the pain is still there hours after the run, it is probably something more wrong." 

I took today off and called the Dr.  Hopefully it is nothing wrong, or if there is something wrong it is something that can be taken care without me losing too many training days.  I already feel guilty about taking today off and probably the rest of the week.  But taking a week off to heal is better than taking a month off because of an injury I could have prevented.  I go to the Dr. on Monday, so keep your fingers crossed it isn't too serious!! 

Reasons I Run

I read a blog today and the title was "Reasons I Run."  I got to thinking about the reasons I run. 

1. I run because it makes me feel good
2. I run because it helps keep my weight in check
3. I run because it is cheaper than therapy
4. I run so I can have tranquility 
5. I run so I am a positive example to my kids
6. I run so I can see how far I can push myself
7. I run because it is in my blood
8. I run because I may just be crazy
9. I run because it gives me energy
10. I run to solve my problems
11. I run to buy new running gear
12. I run so I can eat all the sweets I want
13. I run to see the world at a slower pace
14. I run for me
15. I run because I CAN

Someday I will not be able to run; Today is not that Day

My run today was pretty crappy.  I ran a fast first mile in 7:43.  I pushed through the pain of my shins, and my calves.  I was hoping for 8 miles.  I ran the 2nd mile in 9 minutes.  I finally gave up and walked knowing that it wasn't going to get better.  At mile 3 I called Brandon and had him come pick me up.  There was no way I could do 5 more miles. 

I am going to take the next couple days off.  I would rather take 2 or 3 days off then have to take 2 or 3 months off for an injury I could have prevented.