Well hello there. Sorry it has taken me so long to update but I was really sick for a while and some other issues have come into play. I think I complained to you all earlier about my super tight calf muscle. I thought it was okay after I rested for over a week with the ol' bronchitis, but it's back. This is no good.
Let me back-track a bit. The last time I wrote I think I was asking for advice regarding whether or not I should have gone ahead and run the St.Patty's Day Run in Tacoma. Although every piece of advice I recieved was discouraging me from going ahead with the race, the rebel in me made me do it anyway. It actually turned out okay. I didn't get any more sick than I already was, and beat last year's time by over a minute. I did however stay sick for about a week or so after the race so I don't think running improved my health at all. So that was that.
I have tried to go running 4 or 5 times since then and every time I have another stinking issue that makes me dread the running. Usually it's my calves tightening up (and yes I stretch a ton) or my body is just super exhausted. I am probably still a little bit sick, but I also lost a lot of conditioning. UGH. We are what, 15 weeks from the Rock and Roll Marathon? My epic, first, life-changing marathon?
On to other things... for cross-training and to improve my strength, I have been doing that P90X every morning, and following it's nutrition plan. This is more my husband's idea because he wants to get "ripped" but I figure it's good bonding time and will help me shed some unwanted pounds, hopefully improving my running performance. It's really hard and making me really grouchy, but it isn't always easy to be a sexy beast, ya know? Yeah.. I don't either.
So I figure I'm gonna try to follow my training schedule this week and really force myself to get the miles in. This will include a 10 mile run on Sunday. If I can't get caught up by next week, I may have to change my registration to the half-marathon. And I will be sad.
10 miles! You can do it!
ReplyDeleteDont be afraid to downgrade if you need to. 13 miles is still more than some people run in a whole year! Its nothing to scoff at. In fact, all I have is halves on my schedule. I know I'm not ready to tackle 26.2 and thats OK.
ReplyDeleteTaking it easy will allow you to keep running. But pushing yourself now may lead to an injury that will prevent you from running at all. Not worth it!
I remember going thru the same thing when I was training for the Vegas rock and roll half marathon. I had one issue after another. I would go to the chiropractor and get one issue resolved and another would pop up! It all made me begin to dread running. I then started going to physical therapy and each week it seemed like I had another part of my leg taped!! I ran the half in December and not one issue popped up that day. I know how discouraging it can get. I have been told by many veteran runners that it is all a part of the journey. Knock on wood...these days things are better..but I still have aches and pains and one day for no reason my knee went out, but two hours later it was fine!! Hang in there. It will get better :)
ReplyDeleteI agree..do not feel bad if you decide to do the half. With either you are still a winner!!
My trainer discouraged me against doing P90x during training season advising me to do it more during an off season when I am not training for a big race. Good luck. I know you will do great :)
Wow! Thanks for the great comments, guys. I guess only time will tell. I definetly don't want to do ANYTHING that will make me dislike running. I've come so far to love it. I hope that makes sense. I'll keep the blog posted! :)
ReplyDeleteYou can do it! And if it turns out you're not up for the marathon, then I'm sure you'll PR for the half. Thanks for the great advice for my half last month - I finished - finally - in 3:34. It was ridiculously hot and humid (felt like I was running in a down comforter) but I took to heart what you suggested and finally found my groove.
ReplyDeleteAwww wow! Congrats! Didn't it feel awesome to cross that finish line, though? I my first half was in June but it wasn't very hot.. THANK GOD. I hope I can pull through and do the full this year, if not, I'm not gonna beat myself up over it. Sooo Michelle, when is your NEXT race? :)
ReplyDeleteMmmmm, I am debating that right now! I'm thinking of doing a tri in July and see how that goes...I really want to do a full marathon. Some days I'm like I could totally rock it and then there are days like yesterday - we drove a portion of the Boston Marathon (I live in MA) and then I'm like maybe not so much...ver intimidating. how is your training going? how are feeling? Can't wait for your next post!
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't posted in a while! So much stuff going on in my life. I have started the half-marathon training for now and have decided on the long runs on the weekend, I will be flexible. If I feel as good on all of my runs as I did today - I think I could totally run the full. :) I'll post about all of this soon. Michelle, A TRI??? So exciting!!
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