With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams...

30 minutes on elliptical

not feeling too bad after my 20 yesterday, but I think it's best to not run today

lots of stuff to do anyway

"Each afternoon I would run my demons hard until I left them heaving by the roadside. "  This is the Runner's World quote of the day...I love it.  It describes so many of my runs.

2 hour delay, but someone told me it was raining this morning, and the weather had forecasted sleet, so I slept in and did the shred along with 20 min of strength training/physical therapy stuff.  Of course it wasn't actually raining, and if I would have gotten up, I could have run. 

Hopefully I can get in a run after school today.  It's the beginning of my taper, but I have to make sure it's a real taper and not a drop-off.

Up at 2:40 this morning & couldn't sleep.  Finally decided to just go out and run, hoping I could sleep after I got done heaving my demons by the roadside.  So I went out running at 3:30.  It was 36^o outside, and not too windy...pretty nice weather for a 3:30 am run.

I had a 5 mile w/3 tempo mile run on the agena.  I did that, and still needed to run a while more, so I added another loop on the end.  I was finished and going in the house about the same time I am usually leaving for my run.  I showered and laid back in bed.  After 30 minutes of listening to Mr. breathe, he got up and left for work, and I was able to fall back asleep for another 25 minutes until it was time to get up and have breakfast with mini-me.

I'm not feeling really tired yet.  Pepsi Max is good stuff :-) 

Average pace was 8:50.  I can't remember all the times.  I know the first was 10:06 and the last was 7:57.

I was sleeping so well that I didn't want to stop.  Too many snooze buttons pushed, and I only had time for a 3 mile run.  I ran fast so I could be home for breakfast with mini-me.

It was 33^o at 5:30.  My average pace was an 8:24.  I tried sprinting a few times to make my short workout meaningful. 

After mini-me left for school, I did the shred level 1 video and raced to get ready on time.  All the crazy racing to get ready was worth the extra sleep.

Lots to do this morning.  Had time for 4 miles, and that was it.  Maybe I'll try to get a shred in after work.

Overall pace: 9:24 (I think this is exactly one minute/mile slower than yesterday's hurry up and run 3 miles).  It was just starting to rain lightly when I was running my last mile.  45 minutes later, it was pouring.  I'm glad I got out early.  It's going to be another wet week-end around here.  I'm glad it's my easy week with only 8 miles on Saturday. 

I have a friend in MD who is expecing her second week-end of snow and ice.  Last week-end she had to do 18 on the treadmill, and this week end looks like 20...I would go crazy!!  It would be a mutiny at the gym.  I'd have to take over and make sure none of the TVs were playing Hannah Montana or Suite Life of Zach and Cody...because that's what is always on at the MD gym on Saturday morning.

Good Idea: getting in a run before the rain, then going out for pancakes afterward.

Bad Idea: sleeping in, going out for pancakes, then trying to run in the rain & sleet.

Guess what I did Saturday???  It was a little tricky dragging around my "former DC Mayor Marion-Barry" (marionberry) pancakes in my belly while I was trying to run.  The cracker barrel sure does have good pancakes!!  I swear I think they were actually fried. 

 I cheated on my taper run.  It was supposed to be 8, but I did a 10k instead.  I really don't think it's going to matter at all next week for the race. Looking forward to the race.  So far, the weather looks pretty good, but I'm going to knock on wood.  Forecast today said Saturday should be low 50's with partly cloudy.  Nice, huh?

Pace average was 8:35.

Up and at 'em early again today.  I had to go to the store and buy dum dum suckers for some school assignment that is due today...I have no idea what it's all about, but it's for Spanish class.  Go figure.

4:20 am- 28^o, 81% humidity

Took it slow because it's taper week.  9:50 average pace.

I decided today that I wanted to sleep and enjoy the taper. I also know that getting plenty of sleep the week before is really important, and I know that getting enough sleep will help fight off colds.

It seems almost everyone I come in contact with is sick, and I am afraid that I'll be next. So I'm trying to stay healthy, get rest, and find great excuses for sleeping in.

I did make it out for 20 min easy elliptical and then some strength/physical therapy stuff after my oatmeal breakfast.

Here's my plan for dinner fuel(please let me know if you have suggestions):

Thursday: whole wheat pasta, chicken, marinara sauce, salad

Friday: chicken soup with brown rice

I'm looking for a good lunch on Friday. I have avacados that I'm looking to incorporate into my food somehow. Any ideas?

4:20 am again.  windy and light rain.  there were a couple times when the wind was blowing so hard it made the rain sting on my face. 

9:35 average pace.  Just starting to feel really good toward the end of the run. now i'm going to try and work on some numbers to put in the nap time category while I wait for seminary boy to get home.

I'm not sure I'm doing this taper thing right. I'm feeling like I'm not sure about anything.

I'm going to have a Lindsey Vonn moment and admit that the outside of my leg, from my hip to just above my knee area has been irritating me for the last week, and I'm not sure what it's all about.  It hasn't bothered me at all when I've been running, it's just sore the rest of the time. 

I was reading my March RW last night and felt like the advice I was getting was rest, not push.  I'm just afraid somehow this will all screw me up on race day, although like I said, it hasn't bothered me at all running.  I just haven't run any long distances in the last week.

The quiet pirate's mind has been very noisy the last few days with shouts of frustration, dismay, uncertainty, and doubt.  It makes me wonder if it's ALL in my head.  I feel like I need to get the crew of voices all on board, or make them walk the plank.  Uncertainty does not bode well with me.

I decided to just do an elliptical warm up this morning, then work on my core/pelvic strengthening exercises.  That seemed like the logical thing to do rather than pushing out a tempo run 2 days before the big event...but soon after finishing that, I started to question and wonder if I should do what the plan says, because hey, it's the plan, and if I want to be successful, I need to stick to the plan.  So maybe I should run today....oh I just can't seem to stop the mutiny.

Someone tell me I'm doing the right thing.  Or tell me I'm doing the wrong thing, and what I should do instead. 

Aye Mateys, I set sail and traveled down to Davey Jones' Locker last night where I set the crew straight, threw a few muitneers overboard, and got the rest of the crew on board with the program. 

There is one crazy pirate running the show now, and it's the one who is going to run all 26.2 miles in the snow! 

AAARRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH 

Power to the Pirates!

On a less crazy note, I did one mile warm up, 3/4 mile strides, and 1/4 mile cool down.

Found out at 3:30 am that the city had decided to cancel the race because of snow.  So when my alarm went off at 5 am, I just went back to sleep. 

3.5 inches of snow total.  I think a 2 hour delay would have been fine, but I understand they are not prepared for slushy roads down here.  The hotel has a nice indoor pool, and I will enjoy a nice week-end get away.

Always another day for another race.

Went for a jog on the beach.  It was beautiful.  We ran on the wet sand for more stability sp we ended up getting wet a few times.  It was around 9 am, and the sun was glowing off the water...it was beautiful.  Really slow times, but we were looking for seashells as we ran.  We ended up finding 6 huge conchs.  Mr. gave 2 away to a lady who was out looking for some.  So we both ran with a conch in each hand.  It was a neat experience.  And a nice hot tub waiting for us when we returned.

Drove home after stopping off at the krispy kreme for lunch (oh yeah) and a side trip into Harry and David's for a Valentine's Dark Chocolate bar.  Dinner was desserts at new beginnings...holy cow, I didn't eat one healthy thing all day....great way to end a great vacation! 

Had a podiatry appt today.  I'd made it months ago, and the soreness problem I was having when I made it is pretty much gone, but I didn't want to pass on an opportunity to see a specialist.

I have some kind of ganglenous cyst on top of my ankle (where the shoe laces tie)..that's what was causing me so much pain last October.  She said they can drain it, but the cysts almost always come back.  It's not bothering me much at all anymore, so I'm just going to put the cream on she gave me and leave it be.  I also have a bone spur on my heel (other foot) from that plantar faciatis I struggled with for over a year.  It doesn't really bother me much at all since I got my shoe inserts from Fleet Feet last fall.  I'd heard spurs would grow if they went untreated, and I guess that's what happened last year.  Interesting to know & neat to see on the xray.

I rode the recumbunt bike for 4.6 miles while I waited my turn for the post run (LOL) massage I got for v-day.  It was a good massage, but she really worked on my shoulders and they're still sore a day later.

Finally had a salad for dinner...my body was ready for something healthy!

My sleep time was 7.5, but I didn't really sleep the whole time.  I was up a lot last night with indigestion from that salad!  That's what I get for eating junk for 3 days and ending the week-end with a big salad.  My body is in shock.

My paces were 10:17, 8:34, 8:26, 8:11.  Felt good running, but when I stopped running, I felt sick.  I'm sure it had a lot to do with the lack of good fuel.  Week-end's over, back on track with eating better today.

Did shred 1 after I got home.  My shoulders are still sore from the massage yesterday...is that normal???  It made the arm work in the video a bit more difficult.  No pain, no gain, right?

slower pace run this morning.  warm up was over 10, the rest were between 9:30-9:45.

4:30 am 28^o  56% humidity

I had trouble with my lungs for a good part of yesterday morning, and I didn't want to breathe the cold air again this morning, so I wore my gator and took off my glasses.  I figured I didn't really need to see as well as I needed to breathe.  Good choice, I think.  I'm looking forward to spring.

My hip and leg were really irritated yesterday, through the night, and still this morning.  I don't know what it is that's irritated, but it starts inside my but/hip area and radiates down the side of my leg.  I wonder if it's the piriformis Ive read about. 

Either way, I decided this morning that since I really don't have any actual races scheduled until May, I'm going to give it a break for a while and work on strengthening exercises, elliptical, or just rest.  I noticed it didn't bother me as much last week when I was decreasing my mileage for the taper, so I'm hoping "easy does it" will be the key to getting rid of the pain.

My home-made make-up marathon will have to wait.  I don't see the point in pushing an injury so I can say "I did it."   I got my finisher's medal from Myrtle Beach in the mail yesterday.  It's cute....I just wish I would have earned it. (another time, right?)

Tried the elliptical today. I could feel my hip singing to me, especially when I started. I did 30 minutes moderate, then stretched and worked on strengthening.

nada- nuttin-

helped set up and clean up for blue & gold banquet, then set up chairs for 2mrw....if that counts for anything...

I feel like my day never started since I never got out and did any exercises this morning.  Like when I stay in my pj's all day.  I think being lazy is okay one day now & again, but I think I've had enough for this week.

Time to get the party started...

easy 2 mile walk - beautiful weather

strengthening- hip beginning to feel better

needed to do something this morning, so I put on my running shoes and walked for 20 minutes then did strengthening & stretching

hip is still improving & bothers me less   I'm looking forward to wrapping this pain up and getting back to the regularly scheduled program.....when sleep in and get an extra hour or so of sleep, I feel just as tired (maybe even more so) than I do when I get up early and run.

There's a lesson to learn in patience while I wait so I'm trying to enjoy the journey.

20 min walk @ brisk pace.  Strengthening & stretching.  I can feel the recovery happening...now I've just got to battle it out with this cold I can feel coming on...

Bring it on nasty virus, we're gonna have a girl fight!

Runner's World Daily Kick in The Butt- " I don't believe in restricting calories, I believe in burning them.   "  - Chanamalla Samagond

I can't wait to get back on the road & back to burning calories :-)

strengthening & stretching this amnamalla Samagond

walked another 20 minutes at a brisk pace and did strengthening/stretching.

Still some occasional tenderenss but pain is most of the way conquered.

I think I'll run a little tomorrow and see how it goes.

ssllllooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww and easy, but it went well, and was a beautiful day for a run.

Hip was aching, but not in pain.  Stretched well before and after, and it hasn't bothered me much at all today. 

Paces were 9:50, 10:30, 10:28, 10:44.

nice brisk walk 1 mile...ended up walking faster than I'd planned because the wind was making me cold and I wanted to get home & warm.

Love the Sunshine :-)