Will Run For Ice Cream

Today's run was supposed to be a long run - 13 miles actually. And when I started out, I had talked myself into doing it. Although when I got up today, I said that I wasn't going to get a long run in this weekend. I'm tired, not over-trained tired, but just tired. First of all, I'm dieting. I know. I know. Dieting and marathon training are not a good combination. As I look over my food log this week, no only have I cut my calories, but I'm not even hitting my 'target' carbs for the diet. So that's one possible solution to my lack of energy. And this week, I got a sore throat. The sore throat comes and goes. One minute I'm sneezing. The next minute I am fine other than I'm tired. I am just really lacking energy. I suspect it is a combination of my diet lately plus possibly a little cold or something. But I started off today with good intentions. It was cold, but I was committed to get this run done. It took me over 10 minutes to get dressed ...

Well, it's coming along... training that is. I've joined a new gym, and I'm trying out some different classes. So far Piloxing, Pilates and Pi/Yo have been on the list. Today was a six miler on the treadmill. It wasn't fun, but I got it done. I did have to stop mid-run to use the facilities (one of the perks of running at home in your basement is the bathroom is right upstairs). Hubby was kind enough to let me sleep in today AND still get my run in. Woo Hoo. Once my six miler was finished, Lil Man and I went to the new gym. This was his first time, and I wasn't sure how he would handle it. But apparently he did fine. They did give him his pacifier (which is fine). He only has it in the crib, the car and in 'stressful Mommy is leaving me with strangers' situations. I actually had to drag him out of the child's center at the gym. So hopefully he is going to do fine there. The count down continues for the Marathon.. only... ten... weeks... left... we...

Note to self, when trying out a new gym, don't tell the instructor that you are training for a marathon. I simply told her because I wanted her to be aware that I was cautious about injury. I was  not  trying to imply that I was in great shape or that I wanted to do ton of squats and lunges. I was supposed to do an early morning class at a local gym today, but they called me yesterday to inform me that my class didn't make and was being cancelled. This threw me into a frenzy trying to find something to fill the void in my workout schedule. Yes, I know there are more important things in life. Yes, I know that it isn't that big of a deal. But not only am I training for my first marathon, but I'm also trying to tone up my core and upper body. I'm weak in those areas. And for a runner, especially one who is wanting to run distance, it's important to be strong in those areas. After a couple of hours of searching and asking friends for suggestions, I came upo...

Well I did it, double digits that is. This past weekend I met a running buddy and ran my first 10 miles since my tendonitis injury. And I have to say it felt pretty good. The pace was a little faster than I usually run for a Long Run. And although I was tired and had a few twinges here and there, overall it felt pretty great. I was even able to run my 3 miles on Tuesday without too much difficulty. I had some tenderness in my hip and stopped to stretch but it was a nice run. I'm planning on an early morning 6 mile run tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

Let me begin by saying, I'm a runner. I'm not fast, and even though I'm training for a marathon for the  second  time (insert groan), I still don't see myself as a distance runner. But I registered for this thing, a marathon, 26.2 miles of the unknown. I never in my life imagined that I'd be training for anything like this. Who does this? Who willing decides to dedicate months of their life to run a race. What was I thinking? But I muddled through it a few months ago. That's right, this is my  second  go around with training. I had some medical setbacks which required surgery and missed training which resulted in an injury when I tried to come back to running. I didn't run my first planned marathon this past November. And I didn't want to wait an entire year to try again. So I found another race and I registered. That's right. I willingly signed up for this thing. And guess what? It's 12 weeks away. And this course is hilly. So not only...

Ok, so this is a wee bit harder than I thought it would be. First of all, it's cold. I had a scheduled 5 mile run this week and the windchill was around 13. I didn't force myself out the door. Instead I got on the treadmill. But at this point I do believe I am developing a true hate for the moving belt. My 8 miler last week did me in. I have a 9 mile run scheduled for this Sunday. It looks like the temp will be in the lower to mid 20's around the time that I will be running. I can't say that I really look forward to it. Ok, honestly I can't say that I'm even a little bit looking forward to it. And the truth is, the runs just get longer and longer from here. So I have two options; quit or do. There really isn't any gray area. Unless I am having pain somewhere and my general logic says cut it short, it basically comes down to are you going to run it or not? I really hope that I come out of this marathon adventure realizing I'm stronger than I think I...