Boston.

I'm very much in love with Marathon Monday. It might be an odd thing to love, but I am proud of it. I send text messages out saying " Happy Marathon Monday!" Well okay only to my sister-in-law who lives in MA so it's not much of a surprise to her that her running loving sister-in-law in fact loves Marathon Monday! lol

I was so excited to watch this year!! ( like I am every year). I planned my workout around what would be best for me to have undivided attention to my lap top. I figured my usual morning workout would be best suited as a treadmill run. So my plan as according went something like this : 5:00 am workout 5.5 miles on the treadmill (5.0 running)which took me 75 mins total. I set my pace for 13.5 mph on the treadmill. I do  tend to run faster when on the rail trail or trails. It's usually closer to 12.5 mph. Anywho, I did have minor knee pain which bummed me out. I was almost 2 weeks out without knee pain and then today happened. I'm going to increases my strength this week and give it another go maybe...Friday? I was thinking Wednesday in my original plan but that was before knee pain crept in. Which I might add may just be because I was on the treadmill which my knee doesn't like. I ran the 5.25 a week a go Sunday on the rail trail with no problem. My problem maybe TM related. I'll keep you posted on that one.

So once home, stretching ensued as well as resistance and foam rolling. A shower and some laundry. Then P off to school. The moment I got back home I was immediately onto the live stream of the 119th Boston Marathon!! I got on 5 minutes before the elite women started. I was tearing up. I don't know if this emotional reaction I have to the Boston Marathon is normal or not. But I do it....every year.

My area for the race. I feel more engaged on the floor, I don't know why. I've got a fresh cup of coffee (always in a travel cup, this started when P was little and I was nervous about it tipping over or her getting burned, now it's a habit) and you can't see the tissues which are next to my lap top. 

I was compelled to buy a "boston strong" t-shirt while watching the race. I realized P and the hubs have one, so I too needed one. :) happy girl! 

I was so impressed watching all the competitors!! Truly amazing!! And to see so many American's kicking butt made me smile extra big. The finish with the women was intense!! How does anyone run that fast!!! SERIOUSLY!?!? Just awesome.

I hope everyone got to enjoy Boston one way or another today! I know I did!! 

running can be a spectator sport too

When people think of watching sports, I'm sure they don't think 'I'm going to get a pizza delivered and ask some friends to come over to watch a marathon!' haha

I on the other hand might be one of those people. Marathon Monday is (now) one of my favorite days. Last year was my first time streaming the race onto my computer and watching at most 85% of it. My watching consisted of the start, most of the middle and definitely the finish! I teared up as runners crossed the finish line, which I am not sure, is normal. But it was emotional for me to watch.

As a runner I am obviously more aware of the sport and the emotional and physical aspects that go into it. All the time and all the energy. It's truly a dedication. Nothing anyone does on the fly. I was glued to my computer last year for the most part (sometimes my daughter thought it was boring....kids lol)

I've got my watchlive.baa.org link all ready and waiting. :)

In 2013 the Boston Marathon bombing broke my heart. Watching the news was awful. I had just began running and I couldn't fathom what had just taken place. (I'm going to not get into how I feel, because I will rant...no one want that I'm sure).

My sister in-law live in MA, close to where some of the incidents post race happened. I've never known anyone (none the less family) who were that close to something so horrific.

I never want to run Boston. I know that may seem odd for a runner to say, but it's not something I would like to do. Is it because I've never planned on running a marathon? I'm not sure. But I WANT to be a BOSTON spectator!!! I think the people that line the race are awesome!! I want to give my energy to those runners with cheering and good vibes! :) One day I will be in Boston, one day I will watch those amazing runners give everything to this brilliant race!

GOOD LUCK to ALL RUNNER!!

I will be watching from my home in MI wish to be there in person.....one day....one day.

ultra-marathons and what it means

Ultra-running and Ultra-marathons are intense. The distance is intense, the training is intense, the mental ability is too intense.

So why do it?.....

I have never ran more than an 8k. I ran a few dozen 5k road races and two 5k trail runs. I loved the trail runs. It felt so free to me. I remember running on a cross county course and thinking if I was back in high school I may have run cross country. I didn't do any sports in high school. Too busy with my horses and working to be honest.

But the trail running oh how I love trail running. After an 8k in March 2014 that's when my knee pain started. I was already scheduled for at least 3 more road races. The next on my docket was a 10k on Mackinaw Island (how amazing right?) And then I really had high hopes for a 1/2 marathon in early spring (2015). This was all going down the tubes. I liked racing but wanted something different. I work with a one Dr who does duathlone's and another who does triathlon's. I looked into doing a tri, but I'm really not a strong swimmer.

I found my interest in ultra's peak after running across Desert Runners on Netflix. I was completely amazed by these runners. Some were professional runners, some after an experience they'd never forget. Some wanted to conquer an adventure maybe after dealing with cancer or a death in the family. The runners they show are (to put it lightly) incredible!!!!

Dean Karnazes was the first to run all four deserts in one calendar year. They named this the deserts grand slam. He did it for a new adventure. He, in one word, is unbelievable. I've now read two of his books. He's inspirational. I highly recommend his books. He is so humble in them. It's hard to believe he could write without coming off cocky, but he does.

I started looking around MI for ultra's. I was curious to see if anything around here existed. And they do! Only 16 scheduled in 2015. I check availability and a lot of the 50 km were sold out ( no so much the 100 miles though, those were definitely still open). I couldn't believe that many people knew about it. I figured since I just found out about that means most other people did too, right?! haha my little bubble.

Why I think I can run an Ultra with only having 5-8k's under my belt:

• I am conditioned. I have done a good job getting myself fit. 
• I am determined. I really want to experience this race. 
• And I am a nerd. I have done my research so I am mentally prepared.   

I am really looking forward to all this! I can't help being positive with how good I feel right now!! 

Happy Running! :)

63 and sunny

Yesterday and today were wonderfully beautiful. Spring has finally sprung here in Michigan :) And I am loving it! Today was a work day and I really was hoping to stop by the rail trail on my way to pick up P, and my wish came true. I love when you have people in your life who don't realize just watching your baby for 45 extra minutes can make a world of difference. An when they do so, it's like they are a little support system saying " I got you, you go get in that run."

It means more to me than I can explain.

My run felt a bit forced and I think it's because I knew I needed to pick up P. I got over it kinda quickly once I was out there. My pace was also quicker and I think I was just a little too much in my head.

I am still running with complete body awareness. I am always thinking "did that hurt","does my knee feel funny" "Oh gosh what was that." Maybe soon I'll just run. And run without thinking about it. I am so thankful to be on the mend. To feel like I am progressing and getting stronger. To feel like a runner again with huge goals in my future. I can do this. I can get over a 13 month injury. And I truly feel like I am doing so. :)

My family is so supportive like mentioned my mother in law being a trooper. My husband always checking in on me and helping me stretch, and my little P. Once again today when she saw me she asked me how my run was, how many miles I did, and how my knee felt?:) She is such a delightful little girl. Not mad I was late picking her up but encouraging.

Such a wonderful support system. I am a lucky runner.

runners high continues

I am still super excited about yesterday's mileage!  I am equally as excited that my body is really recovering well. I have increased my iron intake by eating spinach salad for 1-2 meals a day. This has helped me get my vegetable and really makes my body happy. I've always misunderstood my body and eating habits but lately I feel much more fulfilled and satisfied. :)

It has been 13 months since I've ran more than 5 miles. March 2014 I ran an 8k, then 2 weeks later my knee flared up. I stopped running for 4 months and just did cross training. Then tried to run intermittently for 2 months, stopped do to pain. Off again for 4 months cross trained again (somewhere in those 4 months I re-fractured my right metatarsals. awesome). January 2015 I started running again but still had manageable knee pain but still pain non the less. I started the resistance training in February and in March I really increased my glute/ hip strengthening ie squats, leg press, lounges, donkey kicks ext and core exercises.

I also believe what helped me push a little harder at the end was my song "Can't hold us " by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis came on, I instantly began to smile and smiled until I was done. I had to pass two speed walkers which I was worried  I wasn't quick enough to do so. But managed because the best running song (in my opinion) was getting my hyped! :)

I am excited to think about the future and look forward to my additional progress. My plans for this week, which are always hectic because it was a work week, are as follows: I want to get a run in tomorrow night after work, and Wednesday/Thursday gym time (strength) and Friday run while P's in school. Working this weekend limits my workouts. But I think this is an overall good plan. :)

Then Monday = Marathon Monday!! I LOVE watching the Boston Marathon :) It's my most favorite Monday of the year! Good Luck to all the runners gearing up.

Hope everyone has a fabulous week!

*Anyone else watch the Boston Marathon??!!


 

5 mile's in 5 month's

Please be aware before reading this I am giddy! Like totally out of my mind giddy over today's events!!

Proceed... if you can handle:

This morning it was a gorgeous day, one that just calls runners out for a run. I answered. And my knee answered big time! I went out to the rail trail, since I am still ironing out my knee I stayed off the trails. The rail trail was wonderful, beautiful, peaceful.

I started my run in the hopes of doing 4 miles. 4 Miles was my goal and I told myself anything over I would be ecstatic. As I was going, I was hitting a wall early on, like mile 2 I wanted to quite and go home and eat. (I was starving for some reason, I think it was more thirst because I ate popcorn before going to bed ((while watching desert runners,my love)) so I think the pang's were thirst). Any who, I pushed through and I can't explain how GLAD I am that I did.

Friday I reached 3.55 before I stopped. I ran past that with no problem this morning. I reached 4.0 miles with a smile, then 4.33 (holy crap) then 4.85 (gees of petes) Then 5.0 I was still going :) I ended at 5.25!! 5.25 miles I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES! I had some pressure around my knee, but NO NO NO pain! This is amazing. I even did the super fast and hard claps at myself when I slowed down to walk to my car. (I was that person but no one was around, and honestly I didn't care!!!!!) LOL

I then went home and literally could not wait to see my family. P met me at the door (because she wanted help putting a princess dress on) but none the less. I said " guess how many miles mama ran?" she pondered the questions and before she could say anything I answered " 5.25 miles!" she asked " did your knee hurt?!" I said "NO!" and we both danced around :) I couldn't ask for a more supportive little girl.

I then busted into the bathroom where the hubs was just stepping out of the shower and announced I RAN 5.25 MILES! He too was very excited, congratulating me :) Then asking me to please leave the bathroom so he could dry off.

I used the foam roller then I took a hot shower and ate a sweet potato with shredded chicken and bbq sauce, spinach salad and tomatoes with a little italian dressing and a pear.  I tried coconut water, but it was gross. I drank 1 L of water and then we were off for our day with my sister in law who is in town from MA.

Throughout the day I felt great! I usually feel kinda terrible after a longer run, but I think since my diet has changed my recovery has changed. I feel awesome!

What a fantastic run!! Today marks 5 months until my Ultra on September 12th :)!!

Phase 2 of resistance band strengthen training

So I mentioned I've moved on to phase 2 of the RBST after doing a combine 2 months of phase 1. Which I was only suppose to move on if the pain was gone. Which many people know it was not, and I still moved on. Rebel, I know! I moved on only because I felt like I was plateauing on phase 1.  So I figured moving on would most likely not harm anything.

I am not using the resistance band like they suggested.  I can not properly feel the muscle movement when I use it so my hubs suggested not using it for a few days until I know and can feel what I am looking for. I am still sore in my glutes, now I really don't know if its the weighted lounges, yoga, or the stretches. But I guess I don't mind because my rear end is what needs toning and I guess it's getting toned one way or another.

Gluteus Medius Strengthener: This is the 45* angel RBST minus the band of course. I have to use a chair for now do to balance issues. (ps you may have seen these 3/4 leggings before and will many more times, they are my MOST favorite and I try to wear them once a week :) 

Hip Extensor: This move goes straight back. (who knew I'd be taking pictures of my rear end, not flattering.)

I looking forward to seeing this progress. I feel good about my recent additions to training and making new head ways in other areas. 

I am liking  yoga because I know overall its a good thing, my core exercises are getting more frequent (and there are new ones I can do at home in the new issue of Women's Running magazine) Hooray! I like doing certain poses at home, I'm not a fan of being on a gym floor or mat (gross) and I wont lug around my yoga mat. I like doing floor exercises at home. Or any exercise where my rear end is up. I think I'm finding a theme for today: rear ends! haha 

Also running, I can't stop smiling after yesterday but I can be a pessimist and told the hubs yesterday it was probably just a fluke. I need to be a bit more positive like he is. He thinks I've made a turn, I'm thinking he'd like to stop talking about my knee! I did have an epiphany after speaking to him yesterday. I was telling him if the ON shoes are like golden miracle shoes I don't know what to do because my new Pure Grit Brooke's I got for trails ( I had knee pain after 1.35 miles Tuesday) might not cut it but I don't know what to do because ON doesn't make a trail shoe. He calmly says "are the bottoms grippy on the ON shoes?" I said yeah, more than PI. He said "do the shoes for the Ultra have to be trail or would another pair of ON work?" (because trail shoes in spring just get too dirt, obviously I'd need a designated outdoor pair :) ) I was floored! I know, but give me a break, I have a tendency to get my mind set on one things like, trail running, need and can only be ran with designated trail running shoes. But he has a point, I'm not scaling a mountain (which he pointed out) A working knee I maybe a better option. So something to definitely think about.  Because I cant take the brooke's back because they were clearance.  But still $40 in my book, is a good deal :) 

Things seem to be moving in a good and positive direction and I need to get myself in that mind set and appreciate it. :) It's suppose to be sunny and 60* this weekend. The rail trail is calling and I'm excited to see how my knee replies! 

Happy weekend, Run happy!