Relapse

Yay! I relapsed back to my running addiction! I have to say I was quite nervous to run today thinking, will I make it? will I still be able to run? and some doubts. It was only 4 days off, but it felt like 4 years. The number in my head was 15 miles. I also wanted to catch up with my sister so I was trying to plan my run around that too, without having to get up too early. I started out doing 3 out and back and hadn't been as far as I went on one side of the trail, where it became a little sketchy and stopped being marked off (miles) so I was glad to turn around. I am not sure if I did more or less than 3, but nike + seemed to think that I did more. I watered and gel-ed it up and went out thinking I would go for 2 out and back, but ended up doing 3 more out and back in the other direction. There were more people this way and I felt good. By the time I was done that, I had to stop to go meet my sister for breakfast. My plan was to go to the gym and do 3 at some point later on.

12 miles/ @2:00:00/10:00
Nike + (12.62 miles - wish I could go with this one - pace 9:34)

Stretched a little, got breakfast, and went to the gym to do 3. By this point, I have to say, my left IT band was feeling tight and in the last 2 miles, left knee started to bother me a bit. My right knee felt rested this whole time - a little bit of pain, but less than previous weeks. After each mile of the three, I stretched out and big stretch when I was done. It felt good to have finished my original goal, but eery to have my other knee starting up!

1: 9:50 2: 9:40 3: 9:18

I feel that the rest helped, but really I would need to take a week or 2 weeks and lay off my lower body. So.. in several months when running isn't possible (hopefully never actually) my body can get some rest. Or at least in those 2-4 weeks after giving birth. There's the rest, 6 months away - sorry knees!

I want one of the personal stretcher/trainers like baseball players have.


Total long run: 15 miles 2:28:48

Have a good weekend everyone! Run on!

Day 3: I feel like an addict

These days have been tough. I'm not going to lie, I feel like a drug/alcohol addict dependent on running for my high. I talk to people about running, I look at my 0.0 miles running log, and I watch people running on treadmills and it is REALLY TOUGH! Each day I feel like I overcame something huge by not running. It is HARD and I am jealous of people running and my schedule in previous weeks. But I'm over the hump.

Today I swam and did yoga, yesterday I just did the kickboxing. Friday since I don't have to go in to work, I still want to go for a long run. Sunday is the nike+ challenge and I really want to get up and do that!! That's 4 days off - even though I feel like my knee has not improved at all. I'm just going to continue running on it unfortunately, since I have a race coming up in about 3 weeks and I don't want to skip too much time of training. And seriously, I NEED to run!!

Post Break Goal:
Stretch twice a day!

Is being addicted bad? Would it pass if I continued to NOT RUN (which I won't) for a longer period?? Are you addicted?

To run or not to run!

GAh! It's so easy to go for a run! All you need are sneakers and a decent pair of shorts and t-shirt.
I was so excited/anxious for our first teacher day today and having nightmares about daycare, that I hardly slept. I had set the alarm for 5am to go on the treadmill, but after reading Beachrunner's comment before bed, I was thinking I could do it - the non-running this week, or at least most of it. I woke up at 4am and contemplated what to do, turned off the alarm and figured I could walk on the treadmill but get up at 5:30. I ended up tossing and turning in bed and getting up at 5:40 and doing kickboxing for 1/2 hour (a video). Tonight, we are going to the Phillies game and I have some extra time after school, and it is so easy to just go for a run!!! I heard our school got some new cardio equipment and I could attempt that if I can find it and find out if it is usable. I'm trying here! But I already have a long run slated in my mind and schedule for Friday, since it is the last day that I have a full day to myself. I was hoping to not run until then.

Last, a problem is that I walked on the treadmill for about a minute and even that irritates my knee. I feel like everything that I am doing is going to irritate it (even yoga was hard) - so why not just run through it??

week 13 stats

I went to a yoga class today in hopes that it will start to stretch out my hamstrings. It was painful, and I haven't been there since June and I really sucked. I even lost my balance on some pose we were doing leaning on our elbows and fell over. And made a big noise. Embarrassing for the feeling fat lady. I was getting frustrated by the end that I started thinking the instructor (who I have always thought was awesome and inspiring) was a showoff for being able to do crazy poses. Hah.

I am trying not to run this week, but I don't think that I will do it. Back to school (for teachers) is tomorrow and workouts now move to 5am and go back to an hour a day, and I usually go on my treadmill at home. I can go to the gym but it is so convenient to hit the basement instead early in the am to save some time. I'm not trying hard enough not to run. I'm going to think about it more later.

Week 13 stats:
Monday: swim - 3000 meters (1 hour)- elliptical 30min, lift 30 min
Tuesday: elliptical + bike 30 min, Run 7.28 miles, 1:05, (8:56) - treadmill
Wednesday: swim 3000 meters (1 hour), run 2.7 miles (25:30), lift 30 min - treadmill
Thurs: Long run - 13 miles, 2:07:45 (9:50) -outside- Valley Forge
Fri: elliptical 30, lift 30, bike 10
Sat: Run 7.2 miles 1:10 (9:44)
Sun: 5.52 miles 54:00

Totals: Swim 6000 meters, 2 hours
Cross training 1 hour 30 min
Lift 1 hour 30 min
Run 35.7 miles, 5:42:17

Why do you run?

As I was laying in bed this morning, at the beach, and checking the clock, I started thinking, hmm.. I am at the beach. I LOVE running at the beach, but do I really feel like getting out of bed? It's the weekend, and I can stay in bed and cuddle! I layed there thinking about the nutritionist that I saw earlier this summer. She asked me if I worked out because I felt I had to, or if I truly enjoyed it. I fell in and out of sleep thinking about this, and knew that I would go running but felt somewhat guilty leaving the bed. What usually gets me out of bed is thinking about how I will feel later in the day if I don't run or exercise. It gets hot later on in the day, and usually after sitting out in the sun I am pooped and don't feel like running. But I started thinking, do I make myself run? Would I be happier laying in bed? Do I feel like I have to? Why do I run?

Answers:
I do feel like I have to exercise. Being fit and in shape makes me feel good about myself. It contributes to my confidence. If I don't workout, I don't feel like I am contributing to a healthy body. Working out also makes me feel like I have the right to eat things like pizza, chocolate and ice cream occasionally and not feel bad about it. Am I enjoying every minute of a workout? Swimming with others- yes. Easily. Usually elliptical machines are a drag. Lifting can become boring. Treadmill running, I'm not singing while I'm doing it. I need distractions. But running outside, with other people around, is truly enjoyable. Getting out there - sometimes hard - but is totally worth it once I am out running. Sometimes I dread getting up early in the morning to workout (which will start next week - back to school) but I feel so good the rest of the day, that it drives me out of bed. And knowing that I can RUN to the grocery store or RUN to go pick something up (at least I can do this at the shore right out of the door) makes me feel good!

Why do you run(or exercise)?
Do you feel guilty leaving your spouse or significant other to get up early and feed your body?
Do you love every minute of your workout ?
Do you feel that you have to run/exercise?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Knee & Inner self

Went to see the doctor today and the main cause of my issues is ... TIGHT HAMSTRINGS! I have never been flexible and I'm lazy about stretching - so - all my fault! I still think that old shoes triggered it. I can still run, but rest would be good. I learned that ice isn't as effective as heat at this point - since this injury is now 3 weeks and 1 day old. I'll be trying that, running this weekend at the beach, and then MAYBE take off some of next week? We'll see how it goes!

Have you ever been running and struggling a bit and start telling yourself positive thoughts? You could run and think negative thoughts, but you can also shun them out and only think positively. I was a bit tired especially the last mile of my run yesterday so I started thinking in my head, Great job! You're doing great! And it really helped me to get through it. Positive thoughts!

Beautiful Weather & Thanks!

First of all, thank you all for your supportive comments on my last dramatic and selfish post. It was really helpful for me to read what you had to say. Moving on, I know that I have to change my perception, priorities and goals and this will come in time.

I don't know about where you live, but the weather here in PA has been amazing the last 2 days. Great sleeping weather - windows open! And great running weather in the mornings - around 60-65 with a little breeze - and blue skies. Wonderful!

I was able to go for a longer run this morning on the path at Valley Forge. It felt pretty good most of the time, and I got in 13 miles. For a little stint, my left knee wanted some of the action, so had a little pain there - but I'm hitting the doctor tomorrow to see what is going on. I'm willing (so good of me, right?) to take off next week to rest the 2 of them. I think that is pretty much what they need but I haven't been willing to do it.

LONG RUNS. Do you do point to point runs or out and backs? I think point to point runs sound nicer, where you can say, I ran from Valley Forge to Philly, instead of point to point - I ran from VF to Conshohocken and back, or went out and back 17 times. What do you prefer?

Loss of identity

Run On
***warning: Negative & whiney post ***

I'm struggling a bit with the whole thought of ballooning up in size and not being able to run as much as I would like, or do other things like I do now. It hasn't come to this point yet, but I'm anxious and scared of what will happen. I am always that person worried about something coming up, that isn't even worth worrying about at the time. Why I do this to myself I don't know!! I'm also wondering why just one person in the relationship has to be the one to give up her body, stay home from work for x amount of time, and be the main caregiver. I think it would be fair if we could take turns and next kid, my husband could carry. I'm kind of resentful.

In the first trimester, my speed (and motivation) declined. Some days I had to drag myself to the gym. I was so lucky not to be sick, but I couldn't wait to leave the gym or be done with my workout most days. That is better now and I enjoy working out everyday, but now I have this stupid knee problem which isn't allowing me to run fast. Looking at my mileage and time is starting to get me down. Thinking back to my spring running, which is when I really started to run fast (for me), and my times now, it is kind of hard to swallow. And it is only going to get harder.

Below at 13 weeks (8/15/08), totally sucking it in. I haven't really gained weight yet, but I started out being 5 pounds over my normal weight and feeling bulky for my small frame (5"4). I think those 5 pounds made their debut as back fat, which is gross and adds to my waist size. So far, I just feel like I'm over my normal weight and bloated.



Today I trucked through a 7.28 mile run in 1:05. In the spring, I would have done that in less than an hour. I should be resting my knee, but fighting the slow down already, I am forcing myself to run on. I have a great deal of nervousness as to the next 6 months and beyond! My goal has been to do the Boston Marathon next year with a charity. It is 2 months after my due date and probably not even close to a legitimate goal, but I feel like I need to keep my identity somehow and have something planned out to look forward to to make sure that I'm still in there. I was thinking of applying and seeing if I get in and taking it as meant to be or not. I am not looking for a PR.

I was elated after finishing a long run last week, even though looking at the time, it took FOREVER in relation to past runs! Still, I felt empowered that I could still run long.

I'm trying to find balance and realize the end result will be so worth it, but instead I am scared s***less and being totally selfish. I need to realize that it isn't forever, it IS a sacrifice, and my world will be rocked and have more meaning with the addition of a child. Maybe running won't be so important in my life, and running marathons won't be my main goals? I feel like I am the anti pregnant girl and that everyone else who is pregnant is just super excited and happy.

week 12 stats

Weekend of August 15-17: Pittsburgh

Was in Pittsburgh over the weekend to see the baseball stadium and NY Mets. Stadium was pretty with the view of the city in the background. The Mets won both nights we were in town, a bonus, and we could see the stadium from our room Friday night since we didn't go to the game - fireworks and all, which was pretty cool.

The city was alright, I was not impressed. They had a nice river path though, with lots of people biking, walking and running. Yesterday I didn't run, and sitting in the car for the trips there and back - was not helpful on my knee. We did a lot of walking and checking out the city and suburbs, and found the old stadium wall near PITT. Bill is like a tour guide, knowing where to go and finding neat things. I felt like I was on an adventure.

This morning I had to get out there and run. Even though I should have taken a rest day, I love exploring on the run when I am somewhere else. I went out for an easy run, and slow it was. I am going to see my doctor on Friday to find out what is going on with my ailing knee, I am not happy to be running so slow, but I am happy to truck through the running (which is bad and impatient of me).

I missed the marathon, since we were at the game. My hero Paula Radcliffe didn't medal (or come close). I have to go see the highlights and read up on what happened to her!


Week 12 stats:
Monday 5.26 miles (50 min), bike 40 min - Ocean City
Tuesday - easy 3.2 miles, (32 min) - outside by gym, 5 miles tempo (44 min) - treadmill, elliptical 30 min, abs class
Wednesday - Swim 1 hour, lift 30 minutes
Thursday - elliptical 50 min, bike 10 min, abs class
Friday - 18.2 miles (2:55) - Valley Green
Sat - elliptical 30, bike 15, lift 30 min.
Sun - run 4.1 miles -(45 minutes) - painful - Pittsburgh



Weekly totals:
Swim 1 hour, 3000 meters
Run 5:47:23, 35.8 miles
Bike 40 min
Lift 1 hour
Abs 1 hour
Craving: American cheese, chocolate

Question for this week: How do you recover from a long run or relatively hard run?

Goal acheived, 18 miler Friday

Yay!! I didn't run the last 2 days, in preparation for a long run today with Abby. It was my mini taper/rest my knee. She is training for an ironman in 3 weeks (Go Abby!) and had a 20 mile run slated. My goal was to run 2 hours and see how it went and maybe do more.

We ran near where she lives which is a nice path and we did out and backs of 2.5 miles, so 5 miles at a stretch, with our cars in the middle - water, gus, luna moons, and bathroom. It worked out well. I was planning on swimming this morning before the run, but the lifeguard didn't show up (probably a good thing in terms of my survival of the run), so I was at the path early and did 2.2 miles on my own. I did 2 out and backs (each 5) with Abby and we did one where I thought it was the end for me of out 1.5 and back. My knee started hurting around mile 11, and my lower back (new thing) around mile 14. I took some time and refueled, stretched, drank, while Abby went to finish, and decided I wasn't fully spent. I wanted to do 18 miles. I did one more out and back of 1.5. By this time, I was running slowly. I definitely slowed down Abby, and running slower sucked!!! But I was just happy to be getting the mileage in. My ipod (nike+ use only) died after 7.2 miles - my own fault.

The slow stats: 18.2 miles 2:55:27 9:39 average pace (blah)
Passed 1 dude, was passed by 3 people. Made me want a shirt with a blacklight running pedometer so people know they are passing you on your long run. What do you think?

pre-run - half a peanut butter sandwich and a piece of a luna tea cake
1 vanilla bean Gu, 1 pack of Pomegranate Luna Moons, 1.5 of sport beans (fruit punch and lemon lime), 4 bottles of water.

So for the week 31.7 miles so far, yay! Goal accomplished! I might run on Sunday in Pittsburgh, it is so great running in new places and being a discoverer. I love that.

Couldn't have done that long one alone though! Afterwards, I was really excited to try this protein bar that I picked up yesterday when I was getting my bike fixed in Cookies and Cream flavor. Yum. It was covered in chocolate and so good!! I had that and kept drinking water and driving home I had the other half of the pb sandwich. This worked well. Then it was ICE, ICE, BABY - for the knee. I also made an appt to go see my orthapaedic dude.

I decided for lunch that I wanted a powerbagel (Einstein) and cream cheese so I got that and I'm excited to have that on our way to Pittsburgh - for the weekend to see the Mets play and to see the stadium (my husband is a superfan). Yippee! There is some crazy place that has sandwiches with cole slaw and french fries in them. I want to get the cheese one (total cheese issues). Yummy!! Hmm... maybe I think about food a little too much.

Oh and I think the 2nd trimester starts tomorrow or maybe today, so this can be my celebratory run. I love long runs (especially when you're almost done them!)

Goal for week- 30 miles

Obviously I am not really good at resting injuries, I just push my body to its limits, maybe even further. I thought it was so nice out yesterday so I decided the elliptical machine looked boring and went for an outside run near my gym - it was super sluggish. I went out thinking maybe I'd try for 40 minutes, but a good turn around place was about 30, and I wasn't enjoying it so much, so I ran back to the gym, did an abs class and spent the other 30 minutes doing the elliptical in the end. That wasn't bad. But then, B came home and wanted to go to the gym - and before we went we had some back and forth crap going on (mostly due to my crappy unenthusiastic complainer attitude about being pregnant - more on that later) so by the time we went to the gym, I was completed revved up and definitely getting on the treadmill. I had the best run in the past few weeks. I can't control myself on the treadmill to not see the speed that I want, so I did a slow warmup and then ran off my worries for the time at happy speeds. I decided then that I would not run today or tomorrow (promising myself!) in preparation for a longer run on Friday. Today I swam. It was so nice. After watching the olympians I am so motivated to swim. I was wondering what it would feel like when I have a fat belly weighing me down and how long I could possibly swim. But, that is the plan for the rest of the week, cross train tomorrow and long run Friday, easy run or runs over the weekend. My goal for the week is to hit 30 again - it was a given for me in the past 8 months but with the knee, the last 2 weeks have been around 20-25 and haven't made it. The weather is great around here - enjoy it!

running at the beach!

Yea! Had a nice run this morning down the streets and back the boardwalk - I LOVE the beach!! I could run for hours on end here, when the weather is nice and cool - and it was this morning!
I love seeing all the runners and walkers on the boards in the a.m. - love it! I wish I had my camera with me but I seem to have lost the battery (gah!)

I ran for 51 minutes, just happened to be the time when I got to the end of the block I wanted to get to, and it was 5.26 miles. I was happy to do 5, so that was great. Walking back - a bit painful - but walking is worse than running. I can run fine, just the rest of the day walking kind of hurts. Came back and went for a bike ride down to the boardwalk with the B, he made me some breakfast - this guy would be a great short order cook, he makes me the best egg white omelet! We went to the beach, and tomorrow a.m. we head home (BOOOO!) I haven't been able to run back to back days yet, I guess I could, but I want to rest my lovely knee instead (can you hear me knee, I love you and it would be so great if you could work properly!) Attempting a long run with my friend Abby later this week, hopefully it will hold up!

Mo Weeks 1-12

Good thing the mofo quilt is done for now, and I like it. It grew on me even though it isn't perfect.

First some news - I'm 12 wks pregnant, I think now is when you start telling people, so this is #1, and should be an adventure. We found out on Father's Day, which was pretty cool. Frank the fetus is chilling out, hasn't changed much yet, except my speed and motivation about 2 months ago. We don't know if it will be a boy or girl and will probably let it be a surprise. Things that have been different the first few weeks:

I guess it is already around 5 weeks when you find out. I was waiting to get nausea a few weeks later but never had it! So lucky! I had major aversions to food around 7 weeks - sauteed/cooked mushrooms - a staple for dinner - was a big one. I'm better with them now. Running - I feel winded easily and can't run as fast for the past 2 months. Around 3pm everyday, I become lifeless and don't want to move but usually can't nap. Cooked vegetables started to be inedible to me - which I normally eat all the time since I'm a vegetarian. They taste and look disgusting to me. I want cheese and chocolate 24/7. Cheese I normally would have a slice every day on a veggie dog, but now I could probably eat a pound of it. I try to have a slice a day still. If I see something that looks good, I want it asap. Clothes - haven't had to wear anything tight, most things still fit. I have maybe gained 1-2 lbs, but I was 5 lbs above my weight when it started - my lower abs are kind of swollen out and when I tried on some work pants, they were tight. I think I'm more injury prone, with loosening ligaments and such - something like that. I have to pee more, and the boobs look like they were pumped up, and they are sore. I have been moody here and there, but other than that, I'm still me.

At the shore for the weekend, and I love running at the shore. 10 blocks is a little more than a mile, and it is very flat, so it is great knowing how much you are running. I went for a run yesterday midafternoon and it was just all around BAD. 1 minute in and I had horrible side stitches and had to walk. It was HOT considering I haven't run outside since Maine which was usually cooler. My knee was feeling ok, but not so good towards the end. I ended up running a little over 4 miles, bought some water along the way and walked a few blocks. I felt like I was really struggling. I was planning on getting up today and doing a longer run down the boardwalk but just laying in bed I could tell it wasn't happening (I could feel my knee!) I went for a walk - it was peaceful, but walking is nothing compared to running! And when it is a day you aren't running, everyone else is running! I am going to try again before we leave!

the mofo quilt

Have you heard about the bank robber runner in PA? Maybe he is in training. Pretty crazy!

I am in the final stage of my mofo quilt. I named it that today, or the F quilt after I wanted to yell at it and the sewing machine several times. I really SUCK at sewing and going in straight lines.
I only have a little bit more to do and it is done. At the end, you go over all the lines so that it gets sewed together with the middle layer and back - you should see the lack of straight lines people. It is kind of frustrating to sew it! But, whew, can't wait for that to be done. Too bad I ruined so many shirts to make railroad tracks that go in criss crosses and off the tracks. I wish I was more of a perfectionist when creating things like my mom is. I just half ass it and get it done. When it is all done I'll post some pictures.

I ran 7 miles today with the bum knee hanging out with me. With about 7 minutes to go, it started telling me to stop, but I trudged along, determined to do 7. When I was finishing 6 miles, I thought maybe I could go on to 10, but later the knee opted out. Also I had an abs class starting right when I planned to finish 7, so it was a no- go. I may try to run 3 later though, my mileage is so low this week due to the dumb injury! And it was low last week too after keeping up 30+ weeks for sooo long. Oh well, take it easy with that, better to rest than to be doing no running for a bunch of weeks. Thanks to all the doctors and researchers who have taught me new terms for knees. A couple of the things that I read and agreed with were 1) running on old shoes (IDIOT move, didn't realize they were 425+ miles on them). 2) Tight hamstrings (also, just stupid, I have been slacking off on stretching). and 3) this one I made up, there was one day last week that I just started running at my normal pace instead of my slower pace over the last month or month and a half, and I was pushing it maybe too fast, especially with the old shoes. A few days later, or maybe even the next day was when the weird problem arrived. Thanks again for your help and support!!

Unrelated note: I met my dad for lunch at this vegetarian place that has a buffett that is like an asian/chinese theme for the food - everything is vegan I think. I asked him to go there with me before and told him it was all veggie stuff and he was totally uninterested. I suggested going to this "cafe by me" today, not reminding him what it was, he's a huge carnivore but I've been trying to get him to eat better. At the buffett, it just says "double cooked chicken" or "general tso's chicken," there was some kind of meat looking item, and my dad didn't even realize he wasn't eating meat. They have alot of veggies and tofu too, which I focused on. I didn't tell him at the end that it was all veggie stuff - I thought he might make himself puke. Was that mean?
Maybe I'll tell him at some point, I don't know - what do you think?

Hehe.

Movement

Went swimming today, it felt good. So glad to have started up with that again. It started pouring towards the end and was so refreshing & fun!! Right at the end it thundered, in perfect time, I was trying to make every minute count as the sky got darker!

I'm going to try running again tomorrow, but here's the latest update on the knee - I'm feeling it more on the inner part instead of behind my knee (although that is still there). I felt like I was strengthening when I was kicking only at the end of the swim. I also read somewhere that left ankle instability could lead to right knee problems. Weird right? So I'm trying to figure out what is going on - it will be a week tomorrow! I'm not a doctor person, and really trying to do my partial RICE treatment to make it better. Reading all the marathon stories really is inspiring. I want it!!

Nothing exciting to report today! Stay tuned for excitement later this week!

Swimming and running tales

I went to the gym today with no intention of running, but once I arrived, I took one look at the elliptical and really just didn't want to do it. So I grabbed a magazine and told myself I'd walk and read the magazine. Walking fast was painful, so I slowly jogged. It wasn't killer, but I probably shouldn't have done it. I kept at it for an hour, thank you knee, for that allowance!!

I swam yesterday and whoa, I am sore today. A little background on the swimming - at the high school I teach at, there is a masters program that swims in the mornings before school. There is no coach, everyone takes turns with a dry erase board where a 3000 yard workout is made up and by speed, we get into lanes and swim. For the summer, it is moved outside to a local meter pool, and it works the same. All fall, winter and spring, I started swimming with the fast people, but couldn't fully keep up and started to get unmotivated. So I took off June and July (and also, I didn't want to get up so early when I could be sleeping in!) and went back yesterday. There was no in between lane between the slooowww swimmers and my fast partner so I ended up swimming with her and having to BUST my ass to get by. It felt really good to swim, but I have to say, my knee even hurt here, when pushing off the walls. Oh well! I plan to keep going, hopefully until school starts! They are in the process of demolishing our high school pool for construction and rebuilding, so it is up in the air now for swimming this fall, so I should swim while I can!

All in all, I'm so glad I could run, even though it was a quite slower pace than usual and I probably could have rested it for more time. I'm going to keep icing and take it easy until it starts to feel better!

booohooo

The random knee problem (c'mon does anyone have pain BEHIND their knee?) has not departed yet. I am pisssed!! I gave it a day off on Friday and planned to run 7 on Saturday and couldn't make it to 40 minutes. Gah! I cross trained that day and today, but it is kind of killer and I can't deal with not running for long! I'm going to start swimming or at least go swimming tomorrow and see how that goes to switch it up at least for now and hope to run on Tuesday. After reading all of the marathon stories I have marathon emptyness in my heart :( I think I could run a flat course in the next month or month and a half. If you have any suggestions up to early October, let me know!

Friday I went on splurge day and bought a bunch of clothes for work and 4 pairs of shoes (yes, 4!). In addition to the 2 new pairs of sneakers that I decided to keep - the pink and silver pair totally didn't look like the picture, so I sent them back. I NEVER go splurging - especially not with shoes. It felt pretty good! On the right side there, I did buy a pair for my husband (so sweet, I know). The rest of the weekend I spent doing things around the house, and whining to myself that I couldn't run.

Have a good start to the week everyone!

Odds and Ends

A few things from the past:

The quilt - it sucks. You can see in the picture that nothing lines up. It is in its final stage where it has to be quilted, but I have no idea how to do that. I want to get it done by the end of the summer, but some help will have to be brought in for that!

The nutritionist:
I think she was a liar. Or calculated something wrong. Well, I haven't been following the whole thing where you circle what food group you are eating at all, but I've tried to be more aware of what I am eating and making sure I'm getting the recommended servings (70% of the time, I guess). One big change I've made is eating more cereal in the morning. It does keep me full longer. But I feel like I'm gaining weight and I feel puffy, so I don't know.

Change the way you think about things:
I've been better about that, at least trying to. I think the week in Maine was just HARD overall!

For headphones, I did get the Nike Vapor ones. For me, they are ok for now. They stay in my ear. I'm just not a BUD person though.

Yesterday's knee issue is still here today. I didn't even try to run today, instead I did the elliptical, some lifting and a pilates class (which I think helped). Hopefully I will wake up tomorrow and it will be fine. Also, my new shoes are expected to arrive today, so this should help. I think the random knee issue is my body's way of saying "You were even thinking about doing a marathon right now? We'll show you!! " Because I was definitely pondering it all week long. Good luck marathoners this weekend!! I'm envious of you!

Slow and Steady

Planned on getting 10 miles in this morning, but yesterday started with some weird behind the knee pain ON MY GOOD KNEE! I did some faster running (than I have been doing recently) in the 4 mile run yesterday towards the end, but it felt good! But later on in the day behind my knee just started to hurt. At night when I was sitting on the couch for a while and got up, it was totally stiff and same this morning. The run started out as a limping run, and it felt awful!! I was going to run 10 minutes and stop but I just decided to run slower. And I ended up doing 3 30 minute sessions, right after each other, but just to make it seem like less. It was slow for me, but I was happy to finish it. I can't find anything anywhere about behind the knee pain and have no idea what it is! But at times while running I could feel it also on the inner part of my knee. Anyone have that ever? Really weird, it is right in the crease behind my knee.

While running, the last two "long" runs I have had the new Berry Luna bar with me, and it has been good so far. I want to go out and get some luna moons for the longer runs coming up in August, but the Berry Luna has been good to me so far! For July, it was my highest mileage probably all year, 161.1 miles. I hope to keep it up for August! I wish I was doing a fall marathon, but with other things going on, I decided I'd take off this fall. And with the lingering bad knee pain, and now this weird behind the knee crap, maybe it is better anyway!

My shoes are about 420 miles, I just ordered new ones. When do you replace your shoes? I think 500 is my limit, but when I start having pain in weird places or shin splints, that is when I get new shoes! I just ordered a couple of pairs, one because I like how they look (oops - pink and silver get me everytime) and the other the same pair I've ran in the last 1000 miles (Mizuno's Wave Rider 11). I love the sites that have free shipping and free return shipping (like running warehouse!). Nice!

Runners World Log

So I found some neat things to embed in my blog from runners world. They have distance totals which didn't seem to be working, but latest workouts (because I was totally slacking on that one) and also PRs. So if you have a runners world log, that's fun, you can add the info to your blog!

This week, running has been good. Yesterday did 7 in an hour and today 4 in 33 min, building it up faster as I went. Tomorrow or Friday I'm trying to do my "long" 10-12 miler, 10 has been the longest run I've done in the past several weeks, maybe even months. I think for the weekend I'm going to visit my sister in DC and maybe run there. Hubby is going to the shore for a bachelor party this weekend (boo). I know, I still want to do the SF marathon but I think the hills would eat me up. There's also a run going on down the beach, but I'd have to go for the day and come back, and it starts at 5:30pm - pretty hot right? So, I don't know. I'm all over the place and can't decide.

As I was leaving to go for some workshops today, this older couple was walking down the street with coffees - as if it was a walking town. It is a main road, Route 30 if you are local! I was looking at them questioningly. Maybe they were reading Marcy's blog and the walking profile for our town and since it was over 50, they thought they could walk around? Hmmm.

Oh well, have a good day everyone! My swimming debut should hopefully start again on Monday, we'll see!

Dealing with the Lost Mind

My mind may be coming back, perhaps. I realize that I'm not fully conditioned to do a marathon - yet it is still on my mind! Had I done a few longer (15+) runs in the past few weeks I would feel better about it. I know that I would finish it, but my real goal is to run fast, and really, that wouldn't be too possible I don't think. One poor thing is that my knee is bothering me (it has in the past and I've done physical therapy). Maybe it is a sign.

This week I ended up with 35 miles, which I was happy with. The best days were later in the week, yesterday was somewhat brutal and yesterday was difficult, but overall this past week I feel like my motivation is coming back a bit and I was able to get back into my pace.

The next real run that I have planned is the Philly distance run (1/2 marathon) in September. I'm thinking about signing up for the Baltimore half marathon and that is about it.

I'm still envisioning the SF marathon.

LOSING MY MIND

Not much going on today, but I'm looking for some August marathons. I haven't been training, which is ridiculous, but all I am missing is the long runs (key components). Maybe I am just having a crazy day, could I run a marathon with 10 mile runs most weeks as my long run??

I want to run one before school starts and I really want to qualify for Boston.

So what August marathons are out there??

I feel like I'm back in the groove from the past 2 days, today I ran 4 easy miles at 8:38 pace. The first 2 miles I wanted to break my ipod like the scene from OFFICE SPACE and the copier, but after that, and some patience, I really got into the groove and enjoyed the run.



Give me advice please, I think I'm starting to lose it. I went as far as looking up flights and hotels for the San Francisco marathon that Aron and Julianne are doing - NEXT WEEKEND!

Happy Birthday B!

In celebration of B's birthday, I went to the gym in hopes to run 10 miles. I started running and lasted a minute and felt winded. I got on the elliptical instead to warmup for 15 minutes. Then I played WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW in my head and thought about lifting or running. I decided to try running again and as I was running, thought I could do an hour. I set up the treadmill for the hour, an 5 minutes in, I decided 15 minutes would be better and I could lift. But about 10 minutes in, I thought I could make it 20 minutes, so I upped it to 20. Then at 15, I thought let's do 30, and this went on until I had 8 miles done and at that point, I said, ok I can do 2 more miles. I can DO this!! But it was pathetic the mindgames I had to play with myself. I finished the 10 miles in 1:25:00 with a minute or so of letting the treadmill run super slow while I ran to fill up my water bottle. What do you do if you need to stop on the treadmill, do you stop it and start over? The ones at the gym only give you 45 seconds, then it resets. I felt happy after. I haven't done more than 10 since I don't know when, but I know that I can do 3 more for a race.

It's off to a play and dinner tonight, I'm excited. I like this picture of us so this will be my tribute. :) That is a virgin strawberry daquiri in my hand there, I'm not a big drinker, yet that was tasty (and probably full of calories and sugar) over 4th of July.

Get fatty recipes

Apology in advance for more cookies. Tomorrow is my husband's b'day! Last year I went all out and made 5 different varieties of cookies and labeled them in little bags and put them in a big basket for him to take to work. I must have been really bored last summer too! I had to at least match my performance from last year. Enter the New York Times recipe for chocolate chip cookies. The whole cover of the food section (which my MIL saved for me) was chocolate chip cookies. I was salivating everytime that I looked at it. Yesterday I made the cookie dough which has to be refrigerated for at least 24 hours and today was bake day. I have to say one of my diet downfalls is baking so I try not to do it too much, but I enjoy it and I really like eating the dough (REALLY BAD!) and finished product.

They seem to have turned out lovely. I tried some of a hot out of the oven cookie which was delightful and I tried a cooled cookie, which was also very good, but I was surprised that it wasn't soft and chewy - it became a little crispy. Still good though.

Yesterday I ended up running 7.01 miles. Way to be an overachiever and reach my goal of between 7-8! Today I did an easy run of 3.43 miles, did some elliptical and went to a pilates class. Some sense of motivation is returning, for lately working out for more than an hour has not happened. I'm counting pilates in part of that working out bit. The plan from the nutritionist, I can't get into writing it down yet , so I'm still tracking my calories on Fitday. I guess I start eating something that I'm not sure where it fits in (luna bar, hard pretzels) and so I just don't feel like figuring it out. Whatever. Just don't bake chocolate chip cookies everyday and I should be ok.


Tomorrow for Bill's b'day we're heading to a play in Philly and to a nice dinner. I'm excited. Also, tomorrow I have a training in the district for most of the afternoon. YES! I feel like I'm working. Lately I feel like a bum, even though I'm getting paychecks through the summer, I should have obtained some kind of summer job. The boredom is getting to me. I forget if I mentioned it, but RESPECT shout out to all SAHMs out there. I can never be one!! I'm craving the school year to start!

Well, sorry about the baking this week, after posting fruits and veggies, please look at the fruit and veggie picture more often.

Does anyone know any tools for annotating photos? Mini goal to learn how to do that in the next couple of weeks.

By popular demand...

So here's some more info on the nutritionist from yesterday. I found her from doing an internet search in my area and she works at a local college and has a private practice.

Determine your needs for doing NOTHING AT ALL: (Basal metabolic rate)

females: 655+(4.3 x weight)+(4.7 x height) - (4.7 x age)
males: 66 + (6.3 x weight) + (12.7 x height) - (6.8 x age)

Then to maintain weight take that # from above and multiply by .30 and add the result to the basal rate above for moderate activity and .50 for high activity (runners).

To lose weight, take off 500 from the last #. To gain weight, add 500 to the last #.
For pregnant people, add 200-300 calories to that #.

Basic menu for 1500 calories
6 Bread servings (1 slice bread, 1/2 c cooked pasta, roll, 1/2 c potatoes)
3 veggies (1 c leafy greens, 1/2 c raw/cooked veggies, 3/4 c veg juice)
2 fruit (1 small piece, 1/2 c canned, 1/2 c juice)
3 milk (1 c, 1/2 c yogurt, 1 oz cheese)
2 fat (1 tsp margarine, butter, 2 T cream cheese, low cal dressing, 1 T salad dressing, mayo, 1 strip of bacon, 1/8 avocado, 5 olives, 10 nuts)
1 dessert (2 small cookies, 1 small piece of pie/ cake, 1/2 c ice cream)
2 meat servings (1 oz lean meats, poultry, fish, 1/4 c tuna, 1/4 c hummus, 1/4 c cooked dry beans, 2 T peanut butter, 1/2 c tofu, 1 egg, 2 egg whites, 1 oz cheese

1600 add 1 bread
1700 add 1 bread, 1 oz meat, 1 fat
1800 add 2 bread, 1 oz meat, 1 fat
1900 add 2 bread, 1 fruit, 2 oz meat, 1 at
2000 add 2 bread, 1 veg, 1 fruit, 2 oz meat, 2 fats
2100 add 2 bread, 2 veg, 1 fruit, 2 oz meat, 1 milk, 2 fats
2200 add 4 breads, 1 veg, 1 fruit, 2 oz meat, 1 milk, 2 fats
(If you want to hear more, leave a comment and I can tell you yours specifically of course).

So today I started off with 2 cups of cheerios and 1 cup of milk, had a luna bar in between, where does that fit, not sure. Now I'm trying to eat this yogurt, it is pretty good. I picked it up because of its high protein count being that I'm a vegetarian. It is called CHOBANI Greek Yogurt. Not bad! Before that I had some crackers and salsa. And some dried cranberries. I've had 3.5 bread, 2 milks, 1 fruit, 1 veg, and a luna bar(?) My numbers came out 2369(I think she used my weight from March, 127 and I'm 5"4) - 500 to lose weight about 1869. I don't even think with trying that I reach 1900 most days. I'm going to try to reach the allotment of the above stuff but not stuff my face. Let me know what you think of the formula, if your # sounds high or whatnot. Back in college when I went to lose weight I was eating 1100. oops. Total starvation mode. Explains my crappy metabolism nowadays!

I like how one piece of bacon counts for the meat serving.

NOTE: In no way am I trying to prescribe medical information. I am not a medical professional. Please seek your doctor if you plan to create a diet plan. :)

Recipe for shortbread: 2 sticks of softened butter 3/4 cup of sugar CREAM THESE TOGETHER Add 2 cups flour, gradually. Add in 6 tea bags (the insides) of your favorite tea. Shape dough into a log, place in refrigerator for 30 min, cut into slices, bake at 300 for 20 minutes. Enjoy!


Oh and I forgot yesterday when I ran on the TM I put the nike+ in action and this time it was actually telling me that I ran less than I did! By 0.6 of a mile I think! So running outside which is slower than my normal pace tells me that I'm running more and running on the treadmill at my normal pace tells me less. I don't know what pace I should try to callibrate the thing at!

What? Eat that much?

I went to see a nutritionist today, because I couldn't stand not knowing how much I should be eating, and these 5 pounds that joined me in March and I have failed to drop, I just wanted to find out a ballpark number (sorry, all about #s, math teacher) of calories to eat. Anyway, I told her that 1500 was my number for a while, and I upped to 1800 a couple of weeks ago after I played around with some calculators. She got all of my info over email and number crunched and the # she found was 2369. She said the 1500 was basically putting my body into starvation mode with my activity level and making my metabolism very slow. It makes sense, I think. I'm afraid eating more calories (while maybe it could be fun) will make me a balloon, but it should be ok. 3 scoops of ice cream instead of 1!! Haha, just kidding. That's not what you are supposed to do. Instead of calorie counting though, she gave me a list of all the types (fruit, veg, carb, fat, etc) and I'm supposed to count by serving how many I'm eating and I have a goal (3 fruit, 5 veg, etc). It seems less intense and more healthful to count servings of types of foods rather than calories.

Today I didn't run, and it was kind of nice. Last week drained me from running even though it felt good when I was out there. It started to become a drag. I didn't some lifting and the elliptical at the gym. This morning, inspired by the Maine visit, I took a shortbread recipe and added tea leaves to it - first blueberry, then green +chai tea - they turned out so yummy! I ate way too many of them though and spent the afternoon not feeling too well. But, this is a great concept to flavor shortbread! I love to bake, but sometimes it is bad when I'm my own taste tester. I eat a bunch of these and THEN go to the nutritionist. I felt like crap!

Tomorrow I'm hoping to get in a 7-8 miler of decent quality. I kind of miss teaching - it gives me some purpose to life everyday :) and less opportunities to make and eat too much shortbread!

Showers are a waste of time

Many times when I get home from a run or the gym I really just wish I didn't have to shower to get clean. I wish there was another way. I find showers to be such a waste of my time, so boring, I just want to get in, get clean and get out. Maybe if the shower was more interactive, I don't know.

After spending 7+ hours in the car yesterday, and not sleeping too well Friday night, we were pooped when we made it back to PA last night. I wasn't happy spending so much time sitting when I didn't get up to run Sat a.m. but I just couldn't do it. It was too many days of running in a row and my body needed a break! Today we hit the gym together - I love it when we get to go together, mostly only the weekends, sometimes during the week. I was running for 15 minutes when I felt like I had been running for at least an hour. After 7 miles I felt like I had completed 20 (unfortunately not). I think I'll run less days this upcoming week but more quality workouts.

Also, my goal is to start swimming again with my masters program for the month of August. Then I have to decide if I want to continue through the school year - it used to be right at the high school where I teach but it moved to another school and went from $150 to $700. Right.
We'll see about that one!

Last, what is your powersong right now - the song that gets you going? For me, I'm fading, I need some more pump up songs. 'Pump it' has been the song for about 5 months.

Recap of the week

The overall summary of the week:
Although there were many times that I had to hold my tongue, tie my hands behind my back so as not to strangle someone, or want to go for a 3 hour run (it didn't happen), there were still a bunch of positive outcomes. Here they are:

1- Re bonded with my mama, whether it was laughing over my dad's starvation because my inlaws don't eat or going crazy from the foukers.

2- Lots of outdoor running

3 - Great sleeping weather - windows were open the entire week

4 - Survived a week with both sets of parents - can now claim this and share with future children and help to guide them not to do such a thing...

5- Husbandly bonding - got to hold hands and go for walks, fun stuff like that

So, now I'm looking at all the positives, it being Friday and in 12 hours I'll be in the car traveling home! I'll probably miss my parents, after you get used to living with them again and then go back home, you miss that for a few nanoseconds.

Would I return to this area again? Nope. I love to swim and I couldn't get past the seaweed in the water. I never took off pants at the beach because of all the bugs. I like being able to walk everywhere, and you couldn't do that - kind of like an island. I like having unlimited running routes - without driving there - that wasn't an option.

What did I learn? My travel limit with the foukers - 3 days. I can survive my parents after I get used to being around them all the time and they are good people. I love them.

It's back to PA! I wish I could have my google reader in the car, I didn't read any blogs today.
Enjoy the weekend!

Fresh Air

One of the best things about New England is the cooler air (at least in summer). I have enjoyed having the windows open all day long and at night, something we definitely couldn't do at home.
Today I went intending to do a LONGER RUN but ended up still doing less than 7 miles (even though nike+ told me over 7). I ran from the center of the town out to Walker's point where the first Bush president has a home. It was a nice run, I felt like I was running along cliffs with the ocean next to it. It is a bit humid though, so by 30 minutes I've been dying!! Also, running everyday this week, my knee is starting to bother me again. It was another day where I felt like I HAD to run so that I can eat like a champ on vacation, but once I got out there, it was nice.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Change the way you THINK about it

So far, I'm just working on changing my mindset. One of my favorite inspirational quotes is "If you don't like something, Change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it." I really like that. It was on a Mary Engelbreit card. It looks like it is a Maya Angelou quote though.
Today I was running along the road, and this family or group of 4 adults was walking 4 across. At first I thought, get the F*&# out of the road!!! Then I thought, ok, let's make this positive. They are not in my way, so it became 'That's cute - family/friends taking a nice morning walk." It is the little things. Beachrunner's comment that the glass is full but that I'm looking right through it, made me think of an inspirational book that I was reading that was saying how many people spend much of their lives in a 'coma.' Wake up, go through the routine, and you aren't even thinking about it, go to work, come home, but don't enjoy the things around you. It is good to take a step back and be thankful for what is good in our lives.

Good things for today
I can see the beach!
Spending quality time with my hus. and family
Another runner this morning gave me a "keep up the good work" as he passed me :)
Only one more full day of being in one house with inlaws&parents -maybe on the negative side...

Was going to get up and drive to the center of town to do a different run this morning but woke up too late and just ended up doing the same route I did a bunch of times earlier this week. My nike+ said 7.23 but I gmapped it and got 6.56. I'm going to try to go into town tomorrow and do a longer run for this week. This morning getting up and motivated was difficult. Some days are those where I have to DRAG myself out the door and put one step in front of the other.
What motivates you?

half empty

I've always looked back to the time (sophomore year in college) when I learned about nutrition and started to count calories to lose weight - as the time that my personality changed, and I changed as a person. It all went down when I joined the crew team and after a summer of heavy drinking, was up to 148 pounds. I couldn't fathom being a "heavyweight" at 5"4, so I was determined to lose 20 pounds and be lightweight (under 130). In 6 months of counting calories and excessive exercise I lost the weight and was down to an easily maintained 123, so that I never had to starve myself before a weigh-in. The result - the new me stopped drinking (waste of calories), stopped going out (temptation to drink) and pretty much, stopped having fun in life.

I was able to round myself out a little bit in the years following sophomore year, drink occasionally, go out sometimes, but the whole food-exercise thing really changed me.

After reading the past few posts that I wrote here, I started thinking, my god, I am so negative. Granted, it is not the best place to be when you are with your parents and in laws in one house for a week, but it is not the worst. There are many positive things you can think about, but I am focusing on all of the negative. I want to change my view and be half FULL. I still obsess over what I eat, make sure that I exercise at least 6 days a week, and I feel guilty on the days that I am not active. I think this does alot my worldview and view of life. I'm too uptight and can make problems out of nothing.

Any of you counting calories and/or trying to lose weight, have you experienced this?
Any of you super positive people, what are your tricks?

Anyone can change. I want the glass FULL!!