June 21, 2012 by Darlene

Mind and Body

Running is mental, they say.

Thanks to the Happy Runner for posting this

Sometimes you feel you can’t do it, but you can. You just have to “think” you can.

Here I just willed myself to run 3.1 miles after 5 mos of no running.

But what if you think you can, but you can’t? Isn’t that how runners get injured?

It was easy when I had a broken ankle. My body said “no” and my mind was forced to agree.

It is pretty obvious that I cannot run.

The problem is that there is fine line between what the body can do (without risking injury) and what you make the brain thinks it can do (so you can achieve the max.

So when do you push yourself? When do you hold back?

Me myself, I seem to push myself in races. Otherwise, not so much.

I may have had my last PT session yesterday. I am not fully healed. My ankle is still stiff. I cannot hop on it. PT sessions push me. PT guy J says I can run so I am done. The healing will take at least 4 more months and that I can do it on my own.

Will I? Can I push myself? But not too much so I get injured.

Time will tell.

Happy Running! Ever experience the mind and body tug-a-war?

June 19, 2012 by Darlene

Mezamashii Run Project

In the quest to deliver more brilliant running, Mizuno has recently launched the Mezamashii Run Project. Over the course of the remainder of the year, Mizuno will give away thousands of shoes and exclusive invitations to join the Mezamashii Run Project to runners who are looking to experience more euphoric, brilliant, mezamashii running.

I know I am!! I have worn Mizunos for many of my runs and races and I hope I win a pair!!!

racing in my Mizunos

still in my Mizunos

If you are interested in the Mezamashii Run Project, please click HERE for more info.

Happy Running!

June 18, 2012 by Darlene

Sunday Repeat

I think I’d like to have all my Sundays like this:

go for a run
relax on the lake

That’s what I did last Sunday and I enjoyed it so I thought I’d do it again.

This time I chose a different bike path. I had already biked on it (when I couldn’t run). I had wanted to go back there and run on it. It doesn’t have the water views but it is pretty flat and shady.

I ran about 3/4 mi in one direction.

heading toward Cohoes

I knew right away that it wasn’t going to be a great run. I just tried to go slow and have negative splits if possible.

heading in the other direction toward Niskayuna

I stopped for a drink and then headed another 3/4mile in the opposite direction before turning around.

3 miles done!

The weather was perfect – little humidity, a slight breeze and it was even cloudy at the start. And I am happy to say that I pushed myself into finishing it well.

Not speedy but negative splits, yay!

I can’t help but focus on pace. That’s how I am. I am happy to be running. It is A LOT OF WORK at this point. I don’t plan to be in racing shape until the end of September. So I won’t be depressed until then. The book is still out on whether or not, I will regain full mobility with all that hardware in my ankle. I hope so because I don’t want to have to decide whether to leave it in and run slow or get it out (and face a repeat of 6-8 wks non-weight-bearing followed by PT.)

Again after my run, I headed up to Lake George.

boat left over from the French-Indian War Re-Enactment

My hubby (who had been there since Friday) & I hung out on a different island than last Sunday but the effect was the same. TOTAL RELAXATION (good food, good views, good company, good book to read, perfect weather)!!

Life is good!

Happy Running! Have a great week!

June 16, 2012 by Darlene

The Good and the Bad

Let’s start with the bad.

Thursday after work I had the worst run. Not the worst run since being injured. I mean, the worst run ever. Maybe it was the hunidity or the fact that I had walked 3 miles at lunch or maybe it was the day after a hard PT session. But I could not run…my legs felt like I had just run 26.2 miles.

So yesterday, I took the day off from running.

Today I got up early and went to the Corning Bike Trail.

view of the Hudson looking south

It was a perfect day. Very little humidity, a slight breeze. I ran a 1/2 mile south and then ran back.

now heading north

Then I ran 1 mile north (and was passed by the speedy Happy Runner) and then back. I tried not to focus on pace but just distance.

happy to be done

What a difference! I felt great!

Both of my runs were 3 miles but today’s was 9 minutes faster!!!! It’s a new post surgery PR!!! YAY!

run on 6-16-12

run on 6-14-12

What was the difference – I prefer to run in the morning and I just felt like I had more energy.

Unfortunately I had to rush home to go to work at a memorial service for a professor who had died. (My hubby was up on our boat on Lake George – where I plan to be tomorrow).

Happy Running! Any running or racing for this weekend?

June 14, 2012 by Darlene

5 Things I’m Loving Right Now

Again inspired by SUAR – Here is my list:

1. Pro Compression Marathon Socks

I have them in argyle blue and hot pink. They were on sale for half price. I got them while I was injured. I plan to wear them a lot. My right calf is sore because I am favoring my dominant leg. Also my left ankle still swells. I hope these socks help me continue to run, run faster, run stronger.

2. Chocolate Cream of Wheat

I ALWAYS eat hot cereal for breakfast. It is also my pre-race breakfast. I use 2 packages, add water and cook in the microwave. Then I add some milk to cool it. The chocolate feeds my sweet tooth. It says that it includes 9 essential vitamins so it is semi healthy, right?

3. Archer Farms Bottled Lattes

They are basically bottled Frappuccinos with the word “latte” slapped on the label. Regardless of the name, they taste very similar to Starbucks brand Frappuccinos. You can buy them at Target and they are much cheaper than the Starbuck’s brand. I’ve tried many of the flavors – vanilla, pumpkin, mocha, chai, etc. I love them. And they’re only 100 calories.

4. Watching TV on my iPad

I think I watch TV on it more than I do on a regular TV. Recently, I have been catching up on episodes of Revenge. It has been a Godsend for the exercise bike and the treadmill at work when I couldn’t walk or run – I would watch Smash, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, The Good Wife – one episode at lunch and one after work. (Now you know what kinds of shows I watch.)

5. Liberte Mediterranee Yogurt

I started eating yogurt for the first time when I spent my junior year abroad in France. I have been looking ever since (and it’s been a LONG time) for yogurt as good as the kind they make in France. I finally found it!! Coconut is my favorite. YUM!!

6. (just one extra) Running Skirts

I have quite a few running skirts but these two (from runningskirts.com) are my favorites by far. The top one has compression shorts underneath. It’s a little longer and it has a pocket on each side. I was lucky to have received a gift card for Christmas so I splurged on the top one and I won the bottom one in a raffle.

What are you loving right now?

Blog about 5 things that you are loving right now. Comment here with the link to your post!

Happy Running! Ever try any of my above favorites?

June 13, 2012 by Darlene

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Feet

3 miles for the 3rd day in a row:

before

After

Happy Running! How do you make your feet happy?

June 11, 2012 by Darlene

A Weekend of Running

My running shoes missed me!! Can’t even tell which ankle was broken…

Yes, running!

After my last post of whining about my lack of running, I decided to “Just Do It!”

I ran Three days in a row.

Friday I squeezed in 3 humid miles …slow ones… In my neighborhood. ..in 37 minutes! (Just ran a 5k in 35 min. – I just need an audience!!)

Saturday, my hubby went up to do work on the boat and I did errands and in between 3 more humid slow miles on the Corning bike trail… in 39 minutes! (getting slower!)

Not as shady as I thought

Then yesterday on my way up to Lake George, I ran 3 miles on the Nisky (scene of broken ankle) Bike Trail… in 36 minutes (and negative splits)!!!

I am hotter than I look

Is 3 days in a row too much?

here’s how my feet spent the rest of the day – yes it’s the left one…

Maybe but I am running slow and walking when necessary.

I may go for run number 4 today since I may not have time before the weekend and rain is on the way…

another look at my Sunday afternoon view…I did ice my ankle in the cold lake water

Happy Running! Do you run more often than you should?

June 9, 2012 by Darlene

Getting Back into Running

When I was running regularly (pre-broken ankle), I managed to fit in running 4 times a week, tennis, mah jongg, yoga, friends, family, WORK…. In other words, I could be busy as a bee and still find time to run!!

How?

Every Monday, I used to post my week’s schedule and my running schedule. I also included an update on the previous week. Writing down a schedule kept me accountable. Then I started just posting a review of the previous week.

So it seems that running isn’t happening without a schedule. I can’t seem to find the time.

After my surprise 5k on Saturday, you would think this would be a big running week. NOT!

Sunday, I went to NYC with my friends. Monday & Tuesday, I had a bad cold and could only manage 40 min on the exercise bike. Wednesday I had to go to PT (at least I got 1.5 miles on the treadmill done). Thursday, I had a farewell dinner to go to. Friday I played mah jongg. Today I have to set up stuff at work and then we’re probably going up to the lake. UGH!!!

Yes, I am still recovering but that’s no excuse. If I can run a 5k race, I can squeeze in 3-4 miles at some point in my day.

So next week, I will start a schedule with the goal of running regularly (and slowly adding mileage and speed).

Happy Running! Do you schedule your runs?