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Where has the summer gone?

The end of August always makes me sad. The days get shorter.  The temps get cooler.  We start thinking about putting our boat away for winter. This year, however, I’m hoping that the fall brings healing to my heel and more pleasant running conditions. 

August update:  My goals were…

I am hoping to be pain-free!  Nope! But not worse…

I am hoping to start running again! Yup but slowly…

I am hoping to gradually increase my mileage. Yup up to 16.5 miles weekly and a long run of 5.5 miles…

I am hoping to start training for Half Marathon #4. Sorta …see above…

I am hoping to run a 5k before the end of the month. Nope…not until I am pain-free!

More in August:

  • I have played tennis.
  • I finished my PT sessions.
  • I’ve ordered orthotics.
  • I have continued yoga.
  • The weekends on Lake George have been great. 🙂
  • My mentee had a baby boy!!!
  • We survived Irene & a mini quake

So what’s in store for September??

  1. Hope to run pain-free
  2. Continue tennis & yoga once a week
  3. Spend a few more weekends on Lake George.
  4. Run 3-4 times a week
  5. Increase weekly mileage by adding longer runs
  6. Prepare for Half Marathon #4 by doing 4 & 5
  7. Survive Half Marathon #3
  8. Run a 5k or 10K race (only if #1)

Happy Running!

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Hurricane’s Over. Back to Normal.

Update on Last Week:

I almost met my goal of 17 miles.   I ran Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat.  for a total of 16.5 slow miles (with some walking as part of each run).
I played Tennis  once but did NOT do Yoga 
0 lbs lost

Goals for this Week:

run 18 miles
play tennis
It’s week #3 of Half Marathon #4 training (week #9 of Half Marathon #3 non-training)

This Week’s Schedule:

Mon: dinner w/ running friend after work
Tues: tennis after work
Wed: all day trip to the US Open
Thurs: dentist am
Fri: Mah Jongg
Sat & Sun – at the lake (weather permitting)

Running for the Week:

Mon: 4 mi before work
Thurs: 4 miles after work
Fri:  4 mi before or after work
Sun:  6 miles in BL (Bolton Landing)

Happy Running!

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Rescheduled Run

I could have been with my hubby & friends on Lake George doing this:

hanging out in Log Bay

Instead I chose to stay home by myself and run here:

Elm Ave Park Fit Trail

I know I shouldn’t be running 2 days in a row.  BAAAD!!!

But the hurricane today got in the way of my plans.

It was very BUGGY & HUMID.  My legs were tired so I walked quite a bit.  I wanted to do 6 miles but the route was only 5 miles and my body had enough anyway…


How do you spell “relief”? Root Beer Float!!

Happy Running!

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The Best Laid Plans…

Plan #1:  Run a Half Marathon in April and then cut back on mileage and work on speed until July. Start training in July for a Half Marathon in Sept.  Run another in LA in November.

I ran the Lake George Half in April and then reduced my miles.  I ran several successful 5ks – several under 28 minutes!! Life was good. Then on June 12…pain in the heel!

Plan #2: Stop working on speed and running 5Ks until pain goes away.

I rested and then ran slowly and did not run any races…pain persisted so I went to the doctor. X-rays revealed no fracture or bone spur.  MRI showed inflammation & swelling where the heel bone meets the Achilles tendon. PT & rest prescribed.

Plan #3: Stop running all together and go to physical therapy until you are allowed to run again. No 5k races or training for Half in September.

I did not run or  play tennis for 4 weeks.  I went to PT 2x a week.  Did all the stretches, took anti-inflammatory drugs and iced several times a day. Gained 8 lbs.

Plan#4: Start running again. Build up the miles slowly.  Continue to stretch & ice.  Run some 5k races. Walk/run Half Marathon in September but run the November Half.

I continued PT until insurance stopped paying.  I started running at a slow pace with a lot of walking.  I went back to the doctor to order orthotics.  The pain still persists. 

Plan #5: Continue running and building up the mileage.  No 5 or 10K races (except the Half in September) until after the Half in November.

I considered stopping running (for a minute.) But it will be hard enough not to race.  If I enter a race, I know I will try to run fast, not stop, not stretch.  Running on my own, there will be no pressure.  So if it hurts, I can stop.  Maybe the orthotics will help.  Maybe the pain will disappear!!

Plan #6: TBA

4 days old!

Happy Running! Stay safe (if you are hit by Irene)!

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My Top 10 Running Essentials

Everyone’s doing it so why not…

Here’s what I consider Essential for Running:

1. Comfortable Running Shoes – This is very important!! I’m currently wear either  ASICS  or Saucony. When they hurt, I buy a new pair.

2. Comfortable (and Cute) Running Outfit – Being comfortable when I run is the most important and I like to look good, too.

3. A Hat – I always wear a hat.  My hair is thick and unruly so a hat keeps it in place.  It also keeps the sun off my face.

4. My Garmin – I am lost without it.  I like to know my pace and my distance.  I upload all the data to my computer and it tells me when I ran fast, when I stopped and all that good stuff.

5. My Road ID – After my high blood pressure incident in October, I always wear it. It is also important because I always run alone. So if something happened to me, it has my hubby’s phone #.

6. My IPod  – I don’t carry it during a race.  But it is essential when I run alone.  The music helps me keep a decent pace.  When I run on the treadmill, I use my iPod Touch to watch TV shows.  I couldn’t get through my run without it.

7. GU – If I am running more than 45 minutes, I carry one. For over 1 1/2 hours, two, etc.  My favorite is vanilla.  I also like chocolate outrage. I’ve tried beans, chews and really like GU!!

8. Breakfast – I have to eat before a race or morning run.  My preference is oatmeal/cream of wheat (2 packages of instant w/milk) with raisins and COFFEE! Sometime I have a banana also.

9.  My Health – This should have gone first.  I took being injure-free and healthy for granted. Being healthy, which means listening to your body, taking rest days, stretching, eating well, staying hydrated, is essential!!

on the bridge heading to the Sagamore

10.  The Scenery – This is not always possible because I have to run in the city after work or in my neighborhood before work but it is better  to have beautiful surroundings.  It is definitely more motivating to run when there’s something to look at.

Happy Running?  What do you need when you run?

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TTT: Tennis, Tempo & Therapy

  1. Tennis – Tuesday I played my first real tennis since my injury on June 12.  2 set of doubles: 8-6, 5-7.  Over 2 hours & I was sore…sore everywhere….hip…shoulder…legs…knee..HEEL – out of shape or old age??
  2. Tempo – Wednesday before work  regardless of my soreness and fatigue…I ran 4 miles!!!  It was my type of a tempo run…I ran as fast as I could for as long as I could and then walked.  It was the first time and I attempted to run with any pace.  I must admit that it felt good!!!!!!!!!!  Most of my runs in the last few weeks have been in the 13-15 min pace.  Most of the time this morning, I was in the 10s and that was with walking. YAY!!
  3. Therapy – I mean the Physical type. Yesterday was my last session.  They gave me an cortisone patch to keep on my heel for 2 hours and wished me luck. I wish I could continue but my insurance won’t pay for any more time!!!  So now I’m on my own for stretching, icing, resting when necessary and ORTHOTICS.  Who knows when my orthotics will arrive?? And will they help?

Happy Running! Happy Thursday!

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Parties, Running and a New Baby

An unexpected four day weekend…I’m finally back at work and rested!

It started Friday.  I took the day off because our marina was having its annual customer appreciation party.  I got there late because I had a dr’s appt to get measured for orthotics.  It was a good thing because I missed the rain! I didn’t miss all the food!!!!!

We then went to celebrate a friend’s birthday and ended the evening with a walk to the Sagamore (& an expensive drink) to admire the view.

at the Sagamore

The next morning I went for my usual run around the Sagamore.  This time I took my camera.  Here are some of the highlights:

at Veteran's Park

beach at Veteran's park

Buggy ride anyone?

some flowers in front of the hotel

 
I ran about 5 miles – the same slow pace – still discomfort and the scenery makes it worth the pain.
 
Then we went out on our boat.  For the first time this summer, we didn’t get an island site.  We rafted with our friends on Log Bay, swam and had lunch.
 

meatballs & sausage lunch in the water

When we got back to shore, we headed to another party – this time another friend’s marina party where there was lots of food, drink & music.

dancing away to the music of Rich Ortiz

 
While at the party, we decided to go out later for a moonlight cruise.  Our friends picked us up at our marina and we decided to dock at the Sagamore (not sure if this was allowed but we did it anyway.)
 

Sagamore at night

group photo in the lobby

 We hung out for while outdoors looking at the stars, etc.

Sunday morning, I wanted to go for a run but I knew that I better not risk it so I went for a swim at the beach next to our marina.

Rogers Beach

We spent the rest of the day waiting for the rain (which didn’t come til 5 pm) and celebrating our friends’ anniversary with special bbq.

cheers to 29 years!

Yum..steak...

grilled smores for dessert

finally rain

Monday I went out for my before work run – it was nice and cool – just perfect but I only had time for 3 miles.  When I got home…guess what?  My mentee, Amanda texted me that she was in labor!!!!

Off to the hospital I sped and I got to be there for the WHOLE thing!!!  She did it all without any medication!!!  And he’s gorgeous!! (I mean the baby is…)

Amanda & baby Matthew

just love him!!
 

Now back to the normal routine…

 
Happy Running!
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My 7 Links

This was very difficult.  With over 600 posts to scour through…
 
THE GOAL
To unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavor to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again.

THE RULES
1) Blogger is nominated to take part
2) Blogger publishes his/her 7 links on his/her blog – 1 link for each category.
3) Blogger nominates up to 5 more bloggers to take part.
4) These bloggers publish their 7 links and nominate another 5 more bloggers
5) And so it goes on!

And here are my 7 links.

Most Beautiful: Tall Mom’s 3 High Fives Virtual Race – I ran around a park during its TulipFest and posted some beautiful tulip pics.

Most Popular: The 23 Runners Commandments by Joe Kelly – I stumbled on these and I and many others could really relate to them and enjoy the humor.

Most Helpful: My Guest Post – It was written for a Blogger Exchange and I wrote about something near and dear to my heart -“You’re Not Over the Hill…Why You  Should Run… Advice for women in their later years”

Surprise Success:  It’s Monday and My Birthday – The subject of the post is obvious and it was nice to get the birthday wishes.

Most Proud:  Naples Half Marathon Report – After several years of racing 5Ks, I decided to take the plunge and run a Half Marathon!

Most Controversial: Hmmm, I don’t think I’m controversial at all…

Not Enough Attention: All of them Ha ha! or Read This If Your Feet Hurt – I wrote this about how I was quoted in Good Housekeeping magazine. I was talking about getting bunions last fall but the irony of it is that the day the article came out was when I was starting to realize that I may have hurt my foot (my current achilles problem)!

I nominate:

  1. Dutch Girls Gets Healthy
  2. The Happy Runner
  3. Canadian Runner in Exile
  4. Running On My Time
  5. Age Groups Rock

Happy Running!

 

 

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Two and Eight

2 and 8 are my lucky running numbers so I am hoping for a good week!

Update on Last Week:

I didn’t meet my goal of 15 miles since I was rained out 2x but I did run Wed, Thurs, Sat.  for a total of 12.5 slow miles (with some walking as part of each run).
I played Tennis  once & did Yoga once
3  low cal root beer floats (diet root beer & lite ice cream – 100 calories)
2 lbs lost

Goals for this Week:

run 17 miles
play tennis
It’s week #2 of Half Marathon #4 training (week #8 of Half Marathon #3 non-training)

This Week’s Schedule:

Mon: dinner w/friend after work
Tues: tennis after work
Wed: last PT
Thurs: hair appt
Fri: Mah Jongg
Sat & Sun – at the lake (weather permitting)

Running for the Week:

Mon: 3.5 mi before work
Wed: 3.5 mi before work
Fri: 4 miles before or after work
Sun: : 6 miles in BL (Bolton Landing)

Happy Running!

 
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Hotter Than Hades Virtual Half Marathon

This is a free event!! Join us and other athletes from all over the world to embrace our crazy, wild side to run a virtual half marathon during the hottest part of the summer?!?

July 15th thru August 15th (you have the whole month to complete 13.1 miles, there is no need to complete it all in 1 run)

PERFECT!

Take a month to run 13.1 miles and that’s what I needed!

Results:

8/9/2011 3.5 0:39:53 0.00791336
8/11/2011 4.1 0:50:01 0.008471658
8/13/2011 5.5 0:59:56 0.00756734
Hotter Than Hades Virtual Half Marathon 2011 Totals 13.1 2:29:50 0:11:26

Like a real half marathon, I combined running & walking. Yes, it took 4 days…

Hopefully I’m be back in shape and be able to do it in one day!!

Thanks to the Fitness Collaborative for hosting!

Happy Running!