Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. - 1 Cor 9:24-27

Friday, December 17, 2010

Running and Rambling

http://www.runningandrambling.com/

Sunday, December 12, 2010

"And I'm back in the game!"

"And I'm back in the game!" is one of our favorite quotes from the movie, "Ten Things I Hate About You"

That's how I felt after my two mile test run on Friday.  I wanted to go further, but I listened to my head and only ran two.  So funny to hear myself say that when a little over a year ago I couldn't even run a mile.

I am so excited.  Friday's run was great.  I do need to get out my Yak Trax for Monday's run.  We've had over a 13 inches of snow this weekend.  Monday looks cold too ... 1 deg F for the low.


Monday's goal:  2 miles with a 5 to 1 run/walk ratio

Thursday, December 9, 2010

This Momma has not been happy

This injury of my left foot has dampened my spirits.  I haven't ran since Thanksgiving Day.  I couldn't put any pressure onto my forefoot.  I am going crazy.  The thing is is that I could have focused my energy on cross training.  Why haven't I?  I gave into the temptation of dwelling in my pity ... until today.

This afternoon while Lots of Hair was napping, I did the first workout of Jillian Michael's Hot Bod in a Box.  Wow, did she kick my butt!  Trouble was downstairs with me cheering me on and counting with me.  I asked if she would be my personal trainer.  Her response, "Go, Mom, Go!"

My quads are sore and my arms are shaky.  Boy, does it feel good!  My mood totally changed this afternoon so much so that I'm a bit sassy.  =)

The x-ray results came back with no stress fracture and no dislocation.  I do have a small heel spur on the ankle; shouldn't it be called an ankle spur then?

It's been snowing here and I want to go out and run in it.  My foot feels pretty good.  I probably could have run on it today since the circuit training didn't aggravate it at all.  My goal is to try two miles tomorrow.  I have Gunner (my garmin) set up for a 4 to 1 run/walk interval.  If that's successful, I'll try a 5 to 1 ratio on Monday and keep it at two miles until those feel comfortable and pain-free.

How have you come back from injury?

Monday, December 6, 2010

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas!

Today is the feast day of St. Nicholas of Myra


The company where we work had a party for the children.  The children wrote letters to St. Nick, decorated cookies, and each received a gift.


Lil' Chef reading her letter.  The P.S. asked St. Nick to join The Biggest Loser
Mr. T after eating a cookie with green frosting.
Squeaker
This is the closest Trouble would get to him.
Lots of Hair just before screaming

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Thanksgiving Day 10K Race Recap

A week has gone by and I have not updated my blog on my Thanksgiving Day 10K.  Maybe because it was my PW (Personal Worst) 10K.

After driving for eleven hours, we arrived at my mom's house in Kentucky.  My sister and I had signed up for the local Thanksgiving Day 10K race / fun run.

The morning of the race, rain was coming down pretty steadily.  My sister bailed on me.  She didn't want to get wet ... worried about melting since she's pretty sweet.

I decided that I was going anyway.  I hadn't run in over a week in prayer that my left foot would feel better to run on.  It didn't feel the greatest, but after a few Tylonel, I could run without limping.  I was so determined to run.  Running has been such a great joy and stress reliever for me.

I drove myself to downtown Cincinnati.  The race was to start and end at the Paul Brown stadium, where the Cincinnati Bengals play.  Parking was surprisingly easy.

People were huddling inside the stadium since it was raining.
Waiting for the start.

The people behind me.  The rain had stopped.
Before the start.  Lovin' my new ipod.
By the time I was at the starting line, the clock was running for almost twelve minutes.  This was my first big city race.  There were 12,000 runners.

Mile 1:  10:52
First mile was slower than what I wanted.  I was constantly weaving around other runners trying to get into my groove.

Mile 2:  10:15
Feeling good and in the groove.

Mile 3:  11:13
Left foot is starting to really hurt.  The course took us over the first bridge that crosses the river.

Mile 4:  11:36
Saw a couple dressed as an Indian (bow and arrow) and a Pilgrim.

Mile 5:  11:55
Another bridge crossing back over the river.  Left foot is crying.

Mile 6:  11:33
The end is in sight and I focused on enjoying the race.  Of course, people watching was a hoot!

The last 0.2:  11:26
Passed by a gentlemen who had collapsed from a heart attack.  The paper covered the story and he had lived.  He was fortunate that two nurses were running just a few yards behind him and administered CPR within seconds of his collapse.  Also, a young runner ran off course to get the ambulance which was only a block away.  The gentleman ended up having a quadruple bypass and is on his way to recovery.

Official Results:
1:10:21
(11:21 pace)

342 / 602 in my age group
3135 / 5488 in women
7312 / 10756 overall


Finished!