Saturday, February 23, 2013

Yes, this happens more than it should...

 I go out in public in apparel only other runners/fitness lovers would understand. I walked around a few stores in Kokomo, totally unashamed of my athletic capris, Pro compression socks, and super-comfy (read: unflattering) half marathon shirt from the Freedom 1/2. And a sparkly headband, of course.

I was on the way to work, and since I knew I might end up early, I brought this book with me:
I was about halfway through yesterday before work. I had time to walk and read before my class, which was awesome. I love reading when I'm walking on a treadmill- it truly makes the time fly. If only I could run while reading- I would never complain about a treadmill again!

A few words about that book: If you are open to the idea that our feet are made this way for a reason, you will love it. The book is fascinating for its coverage of the Tarahumara, Callabo Blanco, and for its spot-on descriptions of the eccentricities of distance runners. It captures a lot of the reasons why I run. And, it also goes into the biology of why overly-supportive shoes are not necessarily the best thing.

I have a feeling that some of the most negative reviews I've read are probably from people who either refuse to believe their $450 orthotics were a waste or are the ones who help sell and profit from $450 orthotics.

But think about this: when you want a healthy back, you do core exercises to develop strength in your abs and back muscles. When you want to be able to lift heavy objects (be it weights or your ever-growing kid), you strength train and focus on arm exercises. So why is it such a terrifying idea (to some) that in order to have healthy legs and feet, we need to work the muscles in our legs and especially our feet?

*After my bone bruise and 3 months in a boot, I had plantar fasciitis. When told by the doc that I needed to wear an arch support, I smiled, nodded, then went home and threw it away, and started doing ballet exercises (plies, releves, you know, simple stuff) to strengthen my feet. It only took a few days before I was 100% pain free. And then I started running again, with less shoe.

With that, my bare feet are going to take me back to my sewing room to play with fabric. After 3.5 hours at the gym yesterday (which by the way, made me feel like I am SO READY for this marathon in 4 weeks- I wasn't tired!), I'm taking it easy today. Sometimes, the hardest part of running is taking a day off.... unless it's cold and icy, like today, in which case it's really easy!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Ch-ch-chia!

Normally, I'm dragging myself to bed by this time. But, this ridiculous energy tells me I needed yesterday as a relative rest day- no exercise, just driving to tax me.
I'm so energized, I walked 1.3 miles before I taught Zumba, then stayed for an hour of strength and conditioning, then ran 3.25 miles on the gym treadmill because I was still raring to go.
Ever had a day like that? Every once in a while, I have more energy than I know how to use. This is why I love running- it gives me an outlet for that energy, and also helps replenish those energy reserves even as it depletes them.
I also ventured to "town" to find a natural foods store and bought some chia seeds. As marathon #2 gets closer, I am trying to find something that will help fight the hypoglycemia I seem to suffer every time I run further than 16 miles. Here's hoping! Plus, I hear it tastes pretty good in smoothies and granola, too.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Winging it.

So here's the thing: my marathon training plan has been more of a run-what-I-want plan. Basically, the few times we had nice weather here in Indiana, I did a long run. If it wasn't nice, I probably didn't (though I did tackle 2 double digit mileage runs on the treadmill).

The Circular Logic Marathon is 4 weeks from Saturday. Part of me feels like I should squeeze in one more 16 miler... and I might, if there is another nice day in the next week. I might. Then again, I might not.
Nice weather= long run. Crappy weather= whatever I feel like on the treadmill (probably 3.5 miles)

How can I stay so relaxed? Because I know I have the baseline fitness to complete the marathon. I've done more double-digit runs this time around than I did last summer, even though none of them were past 16 miles. I've been doing a steady amount of strength training and cross-training, both of which didn't happen with any consistency last time, either.

And, the biggest thing that keeps me from worrying about the marathon: I run to finish. My performance does not dictate my check. Nor does it impact my self-worth.

For me, finishing my 2nd marathon, no matter how slowly, will still be as big of an accomplishment as finishing the first.

If I can keep up my sewing mojo, I'll have this beauty quilted and ready to relax under after I spend somewhere between 5 and 7 hours running that marathon:
The pattern is called Orion by Kaye Prince. Go check out her blog; she does great work. I've incorporated a little of my "winging it" mindset even into following this pattern- I suck at paper piecing, and so did my own thing for the arrows, and I'm going to try quilting this before putting on the final solid border... like I said, winging it.

Tomorrow, I'm taking our taxes to our accountant, and I get to see my momma. And, I might just stop by Teavana while I'm up there... :)

Any plans for the weekend? By the time saturday rolls around, I'll probably be ready for a nap. Let's face it, I'm always ready for a nap.


Saturday, February 16, 2013

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Sleep

I'm very picky about pillows. I prefer what I call semi-dead pillows- you know, already squished down, not too firm but also not down (and not just because I'm allergic to feathers). I broke down and bought a buckwheat pillow (my mom had one, and I loved it). It was way too full when it arrived yesterday, but, being the resourceful girl I am, I just made a larger case with a zipper so I can adjust it. And now, it's perfect! I can't wait to go to sleep tonight!

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Productive Rest

Yesterday was a rest day. After 16 miles Thursday, and Zumba and strength training Friday, I was beat. So, after a nice visit from my mom, I spent some time in my sewing room.
At some point today, I'll go for a run on the treadmill. Then it will be time to play with my new fabrics at the bottom!





Thursday, February 7, 2013

A 10k, and then some

As part of Jill Conyers' 13 in 2013 challenge, I ran a virtual 10k today- Tackle the Miles 45 degrees and sunny outside made for a great run. Finished in 1:01:32, and forgot to take a picture. Of course.
Immediately afterward, I ran 4.3 miles with the running group. And finished out the week's long run by tacking on another 5.5 on the treadmill at the gym, since our running coach would be able to verify that I completed it. Nothing like a nagging coach to keep you from quitting, even when the dude on the other side of the room is shuffling so badly his shoes are squeaking!!!

Did I mention my average pace for the whole day was 9:55 for the 10k, 9:16 for the next 4.3, and then 10:10 on the treadmill for the last 5.5.... THAT'S FAST for these sturdy peasant legs!!!


Thank goodness I had a package waiting for me when I got home.

The shoes look great with my orange compression socks, too. :D I probably won't actually start wearing these shoes for a few weeks, maybe even months, but I got them for less than $60, and by the time I need them, I probably won't find nearly as good of a deal. So they will sit, waiting, like a present to unwrap again!

And now, for a cautionary picture: 
Be careful when you sneeze. You can burst a blood vessel in your eye. It's not painful, but it sure looks icky.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

February 5 by the 5th

Cold. Snowy. So much better than the treadmill.

I had planned on (and told my husband) running inside on the treadmill, but when I got changed, I started putting on my winter running tights, and figured my body needed fresh air. It was cold and snowy, but the peacefulness was perfect.

A nice, easy 5k in 29:01. Just what I needed before I warm up and watch the Super Bowl tonight.