Kitchen

Not much to report on running.  After my long run turned short on Monday I'm taking it easy, again, and just walking this week.  I want to give it time to heal but also know that I need to keep up with my moving and hopefully get in a last long run if I'm going to be able to run the marathon next month.  I have 25 days until race day and I plan to be healed up by then.  Sure, it's early in the season and plenty of marathon opportunities left in the year but I'm confident/hopeful/optimistic that I'll be refreshed and healed by race day. 

In other news, we've begun remodeling out kitchen.  Our fridge ice maker broke and started leaking into the freezer creating a frozen pool of water. Last weekend we went shopping and bought a new (open box) fridge.  It's a french door model similar to the picture at the right. 

Now we couldn't bring in such a nice fridge to an outdated kitchen so over the weekend we ripped out the old tile flooring and will be replacing it this week along with painting the walls.  Out cabinets are old and ugly so we decided to remove the upper cabinet doors and going with an open look.  Next (Phase Two) we'll be replacing the dishwasher and microwave, resurfacing the bottom cabinet doors, and down the line (Phase Three) replacing the countertop and sink.  

Phase One should be done by this weekend and I'll post some pics. 

Lastly,  I've been working with BuildASign on my stickers and they should be here soon.  I'll have plenty to give away so send me your address for a free one (xm41907@gmail.com)!!

Why You Little Hammy!

Today's recovery run sucked.  I didn't run all week because my legs were sore from last weeks run.  I did walk quite a bit though.  Today I was hoping to get in between 6-8 miles but only made it 3.43 miles. The same spot that's been bothering me since my treadmill incident three weeks ago is still acting up.  It was slightly worse than it was when I began my long run last week.  I decided to shorten the route down and just get back so I wouldn't be pushing it any further.  More rest/walking this week and see how it goes next week.  It was supposed to be my last and furthest long run (20-21 miles).  I can push it back one week but after that it's too close to the race to do a long run.  This week will be a lot of pampering of it!

I haven't gotten a foam roller yet, but a friend at work let me borrow their "The Stick" and I've been using it on my legs.  It does hurt, similar to how I imagine the foam roller would until things are worked out with the muscles.  I'm not sure which would be better, roller or stick?  

I'm starting to get concerned that this injury won't be recovered enough by race day.  At what point should I start considering a DNS??

A Year Ago Today

Now that my blog is over a year old I can reflect back on what I was doing at this time last year.  Today, one year ago, I was discussing why I am excited about running.

Here are some highlights and my current thoughts on the matter:

"I do miss the camaraderie that goes along with training on a team, but I'm definitely not in this for glory."

With everyone I interact with on the blogs, I've regained a sense of camaraderie that helps keep me going.  Many times, when I'm out there and feel like stopping, or thinking of not running, I think of my blog and what I can say about the run.  It helps keep me moving forward.  As for glory? Nope, I nowhere close to winning a race, or even my age group for that matter.

"I've come to the conclusion that when I'm running, weather it be a dead slow pace or a sprint, I love the feeling of being out there." 

Still true today.  When I'm running and feeling great, I feel like I'm free and open.  I liken it to what a bird might feel like flying through the air.

"The joy I get from just being out on the road, going where I choose, when I choose to, and how fast I get there is liberating. It makes me feel like I can do anything, if only I persevere."

I still get the joy, but with my marathon training and the issues I've had, it's been harder to keep the feeling like I can do anything.  Marathon training isn't for the weak willed.  It takes a lot out of you to keep running for 3 plus hours.  While I'm still happy I'm running one, I am definitely waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to this training.  Other than the immense self gratitude I'll get from finishing the marathon, I'm really looking forward to being to run when I'd like and how far I'd like.  The freedom of just going for a run for the sheer enjoyment of it has been missing.  I'm ready to get it back.

Comparing last year to this year, I can see a mental difference.  Last year I was just getting my feet wet again.  Trying to find my running self.  This year, I'm with purpose. Dedicated and vigilant but hoping to return to that childlike mentality come March 21st 2011 (The day after my marathon).

Cupcakes

Our office had a Cupcake war for a fundraiser today.  I purchased 4 of them to take home for the family.  Since 11:00 this morning I've been smelling the sweet smell of temptation.  Unbelievably, I've resisted the urge to eat one.
I resumed my lunchtime walks today.  It was awesome out, during my walk it was above 60F!!  Winter time is nearly over!  

Eighteen on the Books

Finally!  I hit the big 18 today.  I headed over to Centennial Park in Columbia, MD.  It’s a nice park, full of walkers, bikers, and runners.  There is a 2.5 mile loop around a lake that’s paved with a large width.  Perfect for my needs, minus one part.  The back side is HILLY.  Nothing major, but a bunch of small sharp incline/declines.  A good hill workout was definitely had. 

Here are two views of the park.  Not anything like the conditions today.

 

I’ll not lie, the run was anything but easy.  With my hamstring tendon issues, I took it cautious and slow.  1:1 intervals the entire time.  My goal was to run 7 laps getting me up to almost 17.75 miles, then finish off with a short extra out and back.  Laps one and two were nice and easy.  Lap three I started feeling my hammy issue creep up.  It was a slight pain and I’d thought about stopping but made the decision to keep at it unless it became sharp.  I took a short stretch/bathroom break after lap three. Laps four and five were mixed. The hammy was staying the same, a slight dull pain.  I couldn’t even feel it during my running interval but I could during the walks.  Again, another stretch/bathroom break after lap five.  Lap six I was wearing down.  Those back hills were tough.  I started adjusting the intervals so that I could walk up the hills.  I finished lap six thinking “This is it.  I’m going to finish 18!”  The back hills were even tougher.  I came into the last bit of lap seven thinking I’ll only have .25 miles to finish.  That was not the case!

Here’s were I interject and mention I bought an android phone yesterday.  Motorola Droid R2D2 model to be percise!  I love it!  My first smart phone and I’m a tinkerer so I love messing with all the apps.  But I digress.  I’m mentioning it because I have a app that integrates with my running log (Runningahead.com),  Handy Runner. Today was my first time using it and it seems to work rather well.  Now back to my recount of the run.

As I came to the lap end, I pulled out the phone and checked the mileage to see exactly how far I had left, another .5 miles!  Of course it was disheartening but I pushed through, ran out and back to finish with a 18.02.  And in a not to shabby 13:32 pace. Slower that I’d have liked but with my hammy I’ll take it.  Boy were my legs tired! But I finished!  Now I can put that barrier behind me and focus on my 20 miler.

Do you use a smartphone?  How do you measure your runs?