running

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My Trip to Milwaukee and More

my 1st beer, the 1st nite

at the conference dinner with my colleague

dinner on the river with new friends

I had originally hoped to run the Superun 5k on the night I arrived.  I didn’t register and I’m glad I didn’t because my flight was delayed in Cleveland and I arrived too late.  Anyway, I am nursing a sore “heel.”

Thursday morning I dragged myself to the hotel gym (which was on my floor) and slowly ran 3 miles on the treadmill while watching Wimbledon live.

I love conferences and now I remember why I didn’t run at all 2 years ago in Boulder.  No time!  You get caught up in the excitement of the workshops & meeting new people.

The bad thing or maybe good thing (if you like food) is that you get to eat every hour! Breakfast, workshop, food break, workshop, lunch, workshop, food break, workshop, food break, workshop, dinner!

We did walk every day after lunch and in the evening.  But it didn’t put a dent in the calories that I consumed!!!

Friday morning I had a headache & Saturday morning, I had to pack.  So I had a great time but didn’t do the running that I had planned.  It wasn’t so bad because I could justify it with the fact that my “heel” hurt, right?

Sunday morning we got up bright and early to go to Lake George.  I was psyched because I had Monday off.

The real reason I had Monday off was that I had wanted to do the Adirondack 10 miler with AJH.  I definitely wasn’t prepared to run 10 miles and I was jet lagged and tired from the conference.

We got to our marina where the race ended just in time to hear the awards.  Believe it or not, they gave awards for each age and there was no one in my age group!!! I would have won!!! DARN!! This race is on my bucket list!

We ended up having a great day on one of the picnic islands (Black Mountain Pt) with friends.

lunch on the island

 

me & my hubby

our view of the lake

Saturday evening, we hung out in Bolton Landing and had pizza and listened to a live band.

Sunday morning, sore foot or not, I wasn’t going to miss a run on a perfect morning.  I did my usual 5 mile trek down to the park, around the Sagamore and down 9N.  I took it slow & walked when my heel hurt but it doesn’t feel any worse so it was worth it!

Sagamore nature trail

Afterwards, we rode around on the boat to another island and then met friends back at the marina for a BQ.

a pic before leaving for tennis

Unfortunately we had to leave early because I had a USTA tennis match. (I had to play singles – UGH!!)

 This is the last week before I need to get serious about running!  Please, heel heal!

Happy Running!

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A Motivational Post


Read this post– http://todayshealthrocks.blogspot.com/2011/06/oh-benefits-of-running.html and you will want to run and keep running.

Running is not about who can run the furthest and the fastest. It is a place where we can escape our problems and enter into a world where we are invincible!!!
Thanks Devin for reminding me.
 
Happy Running!  It’s good for your health!
 
 
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Happy Summer

I LOVE SUMMER!!

flowers

weekends on the lake

fireworks

picnics with friends

playing tennis outdoors

warm weather

5K races

 

Happy Running!  Happy Summer!

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Monday & Back to Running

Update for Last Week:

My goal was 19  miles but  I only ran  for a total of  11.5 miles. (With my injured heel, I am glad to have run at all!!)
No Races
I played tennis 2x and did yoga 1x.

Goals for the Week:

This week’s schedule:

Mon – USTA tennis match
Tues – tennis
Wed-Sat – in Milwaukee for a work conference
Sun – at Lake George (weather permitting)

This week’s running:

Tues – 3.5  mi before work
Wed – 3 mi  before flight or wait try to get to 5k race in Milwaukee??
Fri – 3 mi in Milwaukee
 
Week Running Goal = 9.5 miles 
June Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a race or 2

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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Injury Update and Lake George Weekend

One minute I was planning my next races and the next, I was wondering when or if I can run again. 

A DMer suggested taking 3 days off to see if the injury was serious.

So though it was HARD, I did NOT run for 3 days!!! I did not play tennis.

I have taken 3 days off before but that was because of weather or scheduling. It’s different when you are unable to run because of injury.  You never know when it is safe to run again and how much to run the 1st time back. 

Saturday was a beautiful day on the lake.  We got a day site on West Dollar Is and 5 of our friends joined us.  We ate and drank and relaxed.  The “guys” jumped off the cliff to go swimming.

my "chair"

 
 

our picnic site

 
our friends arriving
 
 
 
 
This morning it was perfect for a run at Lake George. Originally it was going to be a 9 mile run to prepare for the Adirondack 10 miler (with AJH) next Sunday. But then again my injury forced me to skip my 8 mi run last Sunday.
 
So I nervously headed out for a run. My heel still hurt but it didn’t hurt worse. The pain was on my mind every step but it was bearable so I just took it slow and enjoyed the scenery.
 
 

at the Sagamore

view of Lake George

I ran about 5 miles and spent the rest of the day on our boat and at the picnic site.  I even got some reading time in my orange chair (I am currently reading The Help)  More friends stopped by during the afternoon. I was sad to see the weekend come to an end!

So my heel isn’t better but it isn’t worse.  It never hurts except when I run and the pain is bearable.  Sooooooo what do I do?

I think I will take it slow.  I’ll cut back on my runs (and races) for a while and if the pain gets worse, see a dr & maybe stop running for a longer period.

I want to stay in shape but not jeopardize my training for my next half marathon.

So sorry AJH!  Not a good idea to run a hilly 10 miler next weekend 😦  (This race is on my list for next year!!)

Happy Running!

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Am I injured?

I tried to run last night before yoga & the BACK & sides of my heel HURT!!! I walked a lot and then went to yoga – NO PAIN when I walked, no pain when I stretched!? When I got home, I iced my heel and took ibuprofen.

This is how it started.  I ran a 5k on Sat – no pain that I remember.

It was sore when I ran on Sunday so I ran slow and cut my long run from 8 to 4 miles.  I played tennis all afternoon – NO PAIN!

I did NOT run on Monday but played tennis Monday nite – NO PAIN!

I ran a slow 3 miles Tues am.  Heel was the same – SORE.  I played tennis after work – Again NO PAIN.

Now as I sit at the desk, of course, my heel feels fine!

What’s wrong with my heel?

I should see a doctor but who has time for that.

What should I do?

  • Stop running all together
  • Stretch
  • Ice it
  • Take ibuprofen

Well, at least for today, I will do the above.  For the books, I’m not a good patient and don’t follow advice well. 

 I trained for my first half when my foot hurt and ignored it.  I bought new shoes and ran the half in them.  I did the same for my 2nd half. However, this pain is scarier… it feels more serious…

Training for my 3rd half starts July 4.  I hope the pain is gone by then!!!

Happy Running?  Do you ignore injuries?

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Read this if your feet hurt…

Today the article about How to take care of your feet came out in Good Housekeeping:

I am only quoted in the first paragraph but I found the article very informative.

Click HERE to read the rest of the article or buy it at the newstands.

Speaking about my feet, my right achilles is no worse.  YAY!!

I played tennis for 3 1/2 hours Sunday and also for an hour last nite.  Now I have a BLISTER on my left  foot which bothered me on my pre-rain run this morning.  😦

Time to switch to a different pair of running shoes…

Happy Running! Do your feet hurt??

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400 Miles….

I have run 400.5  miles so far this year. This is year 4 of my running life.  The first year I didn’t calculate but I bet it was about 100, year 2 was about 200 and last year, I ran 678.5. 

Obviously I got serious last year and kept track on my miles and I ran ALL year (even during the winter).

My goal is 1011 miles which means I am behind a bit but I have 2 half marathons scheduled so the miles will hopefully increase.

Update for Last Week:

My goal was 21  miles but  I only ran  for a total of  17.5 miles.
I ran a 5K race (finished under 28 min.)
I played tennis 2x and did yoga 1x.

Goals for the Week:

This week’s schedule:

Mon – nails
Tues – tennis
Wed –yoga
Thurs – dinner with friend
Fri –  mah jongg
Sat & Sun – at the lake (weather permitting)

This week’s running:

Tues – 3 mi before work
Wed – 4 mi after work
Thurs – 3 miles before or after work
Sun – 9 mi ????
 
Week Running Goal = 19 miles 
June Monthly Running Goal = 70 miles, a race or 2

Yearly Running Goal = 1011 miles

Happy Running!

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Kinderhook Bank OK 5K (or Beat the Rain) Race Report

This was the 2nd year I’ve run this race.  Last year, I didn’t know anyone there.  This year, I was excited to run with Mary, a race addict like myself.

This past week was hot and humid, but yesterday, the weather cooled down and today promised to be great for racing (except for the chance of showers 😦 )

I remember the course being flat and being my first under 29 minute race!!!

I woke up to the sound of rain…oh no would it be another Lake George Half kind of day??!!  I changed my clothes 3 times.  First a tank & skirt, then a sleeveless top with another skirt and finally, a short sleeved top with the original skirt. I also brought a hat, a jacket, pants, and a change of shoes & shorts.

I was prepared to get wet!! The rain continued as I drove 40 minutes to Kinderhook.

When I arrived, it was a downpour!!! I debated about staying in my car or running the race.  I texted Mary and she said she was racing no matter what.   PRESSURE!!!

I waited until the last minute and dashed to get my bib and timing chip.

I found Mary, I stashed my pants & umbrella under a table, tied my jacket around my waist and ran to the start.  No time to use the restroom, or take my Gu or drink some water.

Miraculously the rain stopped!!!!!

We started near the front and I was caught up with the fast runners (unlike last week).  Not good!! By 1 1/2 miles in, I was dying.  Hard to breathe (humidity??), nausceous…had to stop and walk.  I hate that!

I struggled for the rest of the race!!! I forgot about my goal and just wanted to finish before the rain came!!

Finally I saw some flashing lights.  The finish line?? False alarm  Just cop car.

And so I dragged myself through the finish line not sprinting like last week! But excitedly I was under 28 minutes!!! 27:57.  Hooray!

I waited for Mary and then had some refreshments – bagel, donut, watermelon…

They give out handmade pottery as AG prizes so I waited around till they put up the times. It appeared that there were at least 3 women  ahead of me in my age group and it was now raining HARD, so I left.

Race Splits:

mile 1 – 8:43
mile 2 – 9:11
mile 3 – 9:11
.1 – 8:15

So glad, it didn’t rain during this race and that I beat my last year’s time of 28:42.  No PR but under 28 minutes.  I’m happy with that.

No boating this weekend.  After a hot, sunny week, it may be raining all weekend.

I hope to squeeze in more miles later or tomorrow!

Happy Running!  Good luck on any weekend races!

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Three or More Things Thursday

1. It’s been REALLY Hot!  Unusual for June. 90’s for 3 days in a row. This has made me extremely tired and listless (esp. in the afternoon). I could barely stay awake!

2.  I used to have allergies (to grass pollen) but they went away.  They’re BACK!!! This has made me extremely tired and listless (esp. in the afternoon).  This makes it hard to go outside & leave my air-conditioned office.

3.  Despite it all, my weary hot sneezy self ran 3.5 miles after work on Monday, played 3 sets of tennis on Tuesday and did 1 1/2 of yoga on Wed.  ZZZZZZZZ

4. I love thudnerstorms! We had some doozies yesterday (with golf size hail) but I missed all the storms – 1st during yoga, 2nd while having coffee w/friend after yoga, 3rd at home)

taken after storm #1

 

 I feel better in the Mornings.  So I ran 3.5 miles on both Wed & today before work. I have never been so sweaty and felt so good! (I made Sweat Once a Day proud, I bet.)

5. A cool down is predicted for weekend.  Good for my race & long run 🙂 but bad for boating. 😦  You can’t have it all!

Happy Running! What are your weekend plans?