PS

Six months from today is the Dublin Marathon!

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Week in Review- 4/27/08

I've learned something really important this week. Always always try on your running sneakers before you purchase them. Yes, even if you're just walking in and getting the same exact pair, try them on! I learned this lesson the hard way. My dogs are barking big time because I neglected to try on my shoes before leaving the store two weeks ago and apparently the shoes just aren't a good fit for my feet. Although it's the same kind, size, brand and even color sneaker that I've gotten for the past three times I've replaced my kicks, there's something just off about the way these particular ones were built.

Which is ironic because I should know better. Susannah (my cousin and current running partner) just completed this school assignment where she had to take three pairs of the same size and style of jeans, try them on and then note the differences. The point was to show how even though something is supposedly the same, nothing is really made exactly alike.

So tomorrow I'll be going back to the running store, dropping my sneaks, thanking them for the super fabulous shin splints and trying on another pair. Wish me luck!

In terms of my runs this week, I think I only got three runs in and one walk. All the runs were fine for the most part. But my feet were not cooperating. I had to actually stop and take my sneakers off because it felt like my feet were on fire, like my arches were going to collapse. So I ended up walking more than I wanted to for any of them. I was trying to sorta power through the shin splints thing...which some say is stupid (Steve) and some don't even take it into consideration when giving me my running plan for following week (Hal). So I'm just taking it easy and not being too hard on myself. I got out four times this week. Which I'd like to point out is my magic number I think. I'd really prefer to just work out four days a week.

Which brings me to my next topic...I talked with Hal earlier this week and he had just come back from the Boston Marathon where his lady friend had participated after having foot surgery less than four months ago. Hal wanted to touch base with me because he said the lady friend's approach made him think about how I should tackle the marathon. This was very interesting to me for a few reasons:

1. Lynn (the lady friend) is about half my size and double my height.
2. She's a huge runner who has participated in a lot of marathons (a lot to me would be one at this point, but I know Lynn has done way more than that).
3. She's obviously crazy (unlike me, of course) if she had foot surgery four months ago and didn't use that as an excuse to stay off her feet and skip the f'n marathon this year).

Anyway, in all seriousness though, I really was curious because Lynn's a runner and has been for a really long time. So if Hal was comparing her marathon approach and thinking it'd work for me, I was doubtful.

But I'm really happy to report that I've heard this proposed plan and I'm love love loving it! Lynn ended up running five miles and walking one- yes in the Boston Marathon. She kept that up for the entire marathon and then ran the last 2.2 miles. Hal said that he estimated my finish would be about six hours easily if I ran a 12 minute mile and walked a 20 minute mile. I love that he was so conservative, cause really, my goal is to just finish. I was touched that Hal thought about this so thoroughly for me and went as far as to estimate my finish time. And I'm not going to lie, the thought of running five miles and walking one and repeating that takes a shitload of pressure off me and really makes me even more excited for the marathon.

So although my shin are throbbing and my feet feel super tired, I'm excited about the week ahead. I have a four mile run to get in. Which'll be the longest distance I've run in about 10 years or so. I have an appointment tomorrow to get fitted for orthotics. I'm going to return my piece of shit sneakers and get some new ones that will hopefully not make my feet feel like they're going to fall off. And I'm even thinking about going back to Double W.

And on that note, I say good night and have a great week!

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Thursday PM

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Things That Put me in a Bad Mood

My shin splints are back. So on top of my regular fun plantar fascitiis, I am now dealing with stupid shin splints...again. I need to call Hal tomorrow and talk. But in the meantime, I made an appointment with Cyrena's chiropractor (for Monday) who deals with sports related injuries and can fit me for orthotics. His price was about $250 less than what my podiatrist said, but it'll still set me back at least $350, not including the office visit.

I'm in a bad mood.

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Week in Review- 4/20/08

I had another successful week with running, which makes me happy on all fronts. I completed all of the runs I was scheduled for- three 2-mile runs and one 3-mile run. Only this week I was able to manage it with very little walking. We did the usual Marguerita route twice and one kick ass evening run trying out a different route. This started out uphill and tested my will power. Every time I thought we were going to turn onto Georgina and head downhill a bit, another street I never knew existed in Santa Monica would appear. But I pushed on and didn't walk at all. In fact, Susannah and I really pushed ourselves until the end. Our 3-mile run today went significantly better than last week's 3-miler.

In terms of progress this week, and things that make me happy, I decided to show up for my first Meet Up run. The group was planning on doing a 10-mile run, which I was obviously not going to be doing, but I figured we could show up and just do whatever distance we wanted. So Susannah and I met just one other runner there (others may have shown up later) and she was doing the full distance. We said hello and then I let her know that we'd be running in her dust :) The first half of the run was mostly uphill, a slight incline, and it was a little difficult for me. But I stopped and walked for three blocks and then was able to complete the rest of the workout.

As usual, by the time it was done, I was really happy. I felt good, I felt accomplished, I felt happy. But it was easy to remember how I felt during the run. I am not in that phase where running feels good. Talking is out of the question while I run. Listening to people talk is basically out of the question too (sorry Susannah!). I have a hard time breathing. I am not running for any sort of time here. I'm just running to get in the distance, to get through the workout. It doesn't feel great and I fear that if I feel this way after running two or three miles, where I just barely get through that, how in God's name am I ever going to be able to run an entire marathon?

Read this, I have no doubt that I'm going to be doing this marathon. I will cross that finish line no matter what it takes. And I am certain that with more time and proper treatment of my body, the running will feel enjoyable and easier with time. It's just every now and then, a little bit of doubt comes in.

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Feelin' Alright

Susannah and I did a two-mile run yesterday straight down Marguerita and it felt great. I only had to walk for two blocks and when we reached the ocean, instead of feeling completely deflated and exhausted, I felt accomplished and energized.

Last week when I ran, it was hard to not feel down on myself. But this week, at least the one run in so far, was a different story. I know that beating myself up about my weight or exercise doesn't help in the long run. So I'm trying to stay focused on what is working and going well.

I just came back from seeing Get Mortified. If you live in a city where this show takes place, run, don't walk, to see it now! It's fantastic beyond words.

G'night!

PS- Happy Birthday Leah!

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Week In Review- 4/13/08

In many ways, this has been the kick ass week that I need it to be. The plan, outlined by Hal last Sunday, was to run three 2-mile runs and one 3-mile run. I knew that would likely be a struggle for me since I had attempted to run two miles with Susannah and Jena a week or two ago and couldn't even do that entirely. But had it in my head that I would go out to do those runs no matter what, and if that meant walking, then so be it.

I started off the week by going on a 2-mile run near the apartment. The first run was a bit rough, but I was determined, as I was all week, to just get the distance in regardless of running or walking. I did that run on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Friday Susannah and I went for a late night run that actually felt great. I don't know if it's because I was pissed off and angry after the lame appointment to get our taxes done or if it was the weather or something else, but because we felt so good, I didn't even realize that we had logged in an extra 1/2 mile.

Yesterday was a kickass day that started off with a Hike to the Hollywood Sign.



I've wanted to do this forever and now that I'm being consistent with my California Adventures each weekend (or as frequently as I can go), I am so glad we went. It was me, Penny and Susannah. We got up early because of the insane heat in LA this weekend and tackled the hike before I burnt to a crisp. Me and my SPF 45 had a great time! It was a strenuous hike and a bit harder than I had anticipated, regardless of the fact that we "hiked" on a paved road for most of the uphill portion of the hike. All told it was about an hour and a half.

So today when I got up to run the 3-miler with Susannah, I was really excited. I had accomplished all of my workout goals this week, and then some. I had picked up a new pair of sneakers (Susannah too), but when I actually started running...it wasn't that great. Today's run was probably the slowest and hardest of the previous three I did this week. Here's why I think it was so challenging:
1. I am still eating like crap. My body needs energizing fueling food that will help make running easier (I'm working on this in the upcoming week).
2. I have worked out a lot this week- more than I have in a little while. The hike yesterday kicked my ass and left me with legs feeling really tired.
3. The run started out uphill for the first 3/4 of a mile and as much as I had hoped I was ready to tackle that, apparently I wasn't. So, I'm not going to start my runs uphill until I've lost a little bit of weight and have been running a bit more. No need to make it harder on myself than is necessary, right?
4. New sneakers that need to be worn in a little. I'm wearing the same exact pair of shoes that I've been getting, but the newness of them caused my feet to be uncomfortable just a little bit.
5. Running on an empty stomach. I tried the Clif bar blocks, but they did hardly anything for me. Which was disappointing. I was hoping to get some energy out of those things, but I'll have to try something different for a boost of energy before my runs that doesn't give me any cramps.

I know I've just written out a list of all the reasons why my run was hard, but overall, I'm fine with it. I'm happy that I went out and did it at all and that this week was filled with five fabulous workouts. It's a step in the right direction.

Other reasons why this week was a success? I am back to wearing the lovely boot for my plantar fascitis (which, yes, is still bothering me). I'm being more consistent with that and I was feeling a difference in my feet after I started wearing it, so it can only get better from here if I keep using it. And one of the biggest things is that I sort of joined a running group. Have you heard of Meet Up? As they say on their site, you have an interest, you search for a group and then get matched up with a group of people who share a similar interest. Anything goes, really. So I put in a search for running in Santa Monica, and I'm happy to report that there's a Santa Monica running group that I joined. The only run they have scheduled (as of last night) was for a 15-mile run today that I am obviously not going to attend. But in the future, I can n whatever distance I want even if I'm not doing the full mileage others in the group are doing. Because I know it'll be easier for me to run if I have others to do it with, and people waiting for me, I signed up without any hesitation.

So that's my week. Up for the upcoming week is continuing with my running and expanding that to include doing an overhaul of what I'm putting into my body.

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Out of Shape

I'm out of shape. I haven't been doing a good job with my training. In fact, I called Hal on Sunday and told him that I need a serious ass kicking. We came up with a short-term plan and we'll be checking-in each Sunday to make sure I do what I'm supposed to.

I know that I need accountability (in basically every aspect of my life except for work) to make sure I stay on track. So in addition to getting an updated running plan from Hal (which is only one week out at a time) and a weekly date to check-in, I asked Susannah to be my accountability and running partner. I gave her permission to show up on my doorstep and drag me out of the apartment if I cancel a run.

On the non-running front, I made my hotel reservations for the night before and of the marathon in Dublin. We'll be staying at the Grafton House which seems to be situated near the start/finish of the marathon. And I printed out three copies of the marathon route (assuming it's the same as 2007) and am putting it up in front of my computer, on the fridge and next to my bed.

It's time to kick this training into high gear.

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