15 weeks + 550 miles = My 1st Marathon!

Day 1: Got a long way to go...

Today's miles weren't too bad.  Started out good. It was sunny, then overcast and breezy.  While running my toes hurt a little... Is that normal? And at the end my legs and knees felt kind of like jello. Looks like I've got a while to go!

3 miles. 30 min. The End.

Day 2: A little better.

I ran earlier in the morning, overcast and misty.  I started getting tired towards the end, but my sister kept me motivated! I am so glad to be running with someone!!  My toes didn't hurt as bad, I may try going up a size, though.  And my legs weren't as jellowy :) It is still going a little slow... but I am staying motivated!  I just have to remember to take it little by little!

3.2 miles. 35 min.

Day 3: Cross-training.

Today I did my cross training! I decided to go bike-riding.  It rained pretty hard all day today, but it finally stopped enough that I could go.  It was nice and cool and I went through several neighborhoods.  There were lots of inclines and declines so it was nice to have to push it at certain points and take it a little easier at others.  I went for about thirty minutes... I didn't have time for much more than that.  The seat wasn't all that comfortable on my tooshie, but we won't get into that :)

One bike. 30 min. So fun!

Day 4: To eat, or not to eat?

Today's run was good.  It was early morning, nice and cool with a little bit of rain towards the end.  I feel like today went better than the other two, maybe that is just because it was cooler?  I was wondering, though... If anyone could tell me, should I eat something before I run? I know I need energy, but what's a good routine as far as that goes?  Today I ran by myself.  I was surprised that I was able to stay motivated, even though having my sister there does push me to be better :)

3 miles. 32 min. 

Day 5: Mind over matter

Well, today was supposed to be an easier day, what with only running two miles and such... But since there were less miles to run, I decided that I would take it a little faster. I wanted to make it in less than 20 min, since I've been averaging a 10 min mile. The first mile went good. It was really sunny out, so the second mile proved to be more difficult for me. My legs felt fine, but it was getting harder to breathe. BUT, I made it back in 18 min! So I guess it was worth it :)I decided that running for me, will be a lot of trying to get the mental side of it. Mind over matter!

2 miles. 18 min.

Day 6: My first LONG run!

Well, today was a nice run considering... It was only supposed to be a 4 mile day, what with it being my first long run and all.  I had mapped out on gmaps the four mile route I was going to take, but missed a turn and decided I would go a different direction and just guess the four mile distance.  I was feeling so good! It was nice and cool outside and I wasn't having trouble breathing this time. I brought a water bottle with me this time so I could take a swig every once in a while. Towards the end my knees were starting to hurt, but I was worried that I wasn't going to get my four miles. When I got home and checked my time, I couldn't believe that I had been running for an hour and 26 min! So I rechecked my real route online, only to find that I had run further than a 10K!! Yikes!! I am still feeling pretty good, a little stiff, but I'm a little worried that I took it too far, too fast. What should I do to help myself recover from it?

7.2 miles. 1:26.  A little too long!

Day 7: Back on Track

There isn't much to report on today. It was nice outside, I felt good starting out and was able to finish up strong. I had my sister with me again, which was nice to have someone to run with! We ran earlier in the day and I liked the area we ran in. All in all, it was pretta good!

4 miles. 42 min. Ya huh! :)

Day 8:  Blasted Bruise!

So, today's run wasn't all that bad either.  We went on the same run as yesterday.  We ran in the evening so it was nice and cool.  I started out tired since I had to go right after work and it had been a busy work day.  My only problem was that in the beginning my knee was bothering me a little bit.  The pain went away and then came back in the last mile.  It's still a little sore as is my arm... Don't know what the deal is there.  But I had a bruise on my knee earlier from work so that was probably why.

4 miles. 43 min.

Day 8: Bad Knee...

Well, today was supposed to be my cross-training day, but my knee was really bothering me today, so I wasn't able to do anything... Going into the Chiropractor tomorrow to see what's up.

Day 9: Visit to the Chiropractor

So... I went to the Chiropractor today and found out a few things. One: I am not drinking enough water and my muscles are dehydrated.  Two: my inner leg muscles are stronger than my outer leg muscles.  Because of this, my knee cap is being "pulled" away from where it should be and is rubbing, and in turn, causing pain.  Three: the source of my problem is in my feet.  I guess that my arch isn't all the great, so my alignment is off, which is one of the causes for my knee issue.  So, the solution to all of this? Take a 2-3 week break from running (Curses!!), buy some new inserts for my shoes, and do some knee strengthening exercises.  I do the exercises for three min, three times a day, for 2 to 3 weeks.  I guess I will just have to see how things go.  I am still planning on doing the marathon!! There are just a few of these things that I need to get fixed first, and then I think I will actually be better off in the long run.  I'll just have to jump back into the training and work my little tooshie off!

0 miles. 0 min. Bummer...

Day 9:  Day 1 of Suspension

I bought my inserts.  I bought a big jug that I carry around with me to drink water.  I've started doing the exercises... I think that I am improving? The exercises do seem to help! I miss running already :(

Cross-training for Fitness.

Today, I tried to test out just a little jogging to see how that would feel and I didn't even make it more than a couple houses down.  The pain in my knee was really sharp.  I called my uncle Bill and he suggested I try bicycling.  So, I got on my bike and found that the strain in my knee didn't really hurt when I did it!! Yeah!! So now I can do 3 miles on the bike per 1 mile that I would have done running.  Today since I was testing it out I only went 9 miles on my bike, so we are counting that as 3 miles for the day.  The pain was barely noticeable throughout but it would appear just a little every once in a while.  When I got home, I did my stretches and now my knee feels like it did before I left.  I am going to try doing some ice massage on my leg muscles.  Bill told me it is my IT band that is probably causing the problem.  He helped me loosen it up yesterday... had me in tears :P but no pain, no gain, right?  I'm just glad that I will still be able to keep my fitness up even though running at the moment isn't an option!

3 miles. Didn't keep track of the minutes.  Back in the game!