January, Week 2 Progress

Well, good and bad things happened during week 2. 
Monday 1-9   I ran my normal 3.2 mile course around my neighborhood in 21 degree temperatures.  I felt pretty good until mile 2, when my legs started to get cold.  At mile 3, I started to feel unstable on my cold legs, so I walked the rest of the course. 

Tuesday 1-10  I had a "Brilliant" idea about 3/4 of a mile into my usual course...the track at my kids' elementary school looked completely ice free, so I thought I'd do 4 laps there (= to 1 3/4 miles), then just take my normal route home...which made my miles almost 4.  It was a great plan...until I got to the part of the school's track that cuts across the playground.  That part was a solid sheet of ice.  Crap...but I was committed so I just walked that part and ran the rest.  It felt really good, and I got in nearly 4 miles.  When I got home however, my right calf was a little sore and my left knee was having a few twinges. 
Wednesday 1-11  I skipped my planned yoga session and went afternoon skiing instead.  I had a fabulous time...the snow was pretty good considering it's all man made.  I did have this little problem where my pole got caught on something and I fell...I hit my head and slid down the hill.  Mostly it just hurt my wrist, but I took it easy the rest the afternoon. 
Thursday  1-12  I gave myself a rest day because of my skiing fall.  My neck was aching and I didn't want to hurt myself more.  I rested on Friday as well because it was the 2nd day of my 2 shifts in a row.  Friday night at work I ran on a code, and I could really feel that I strained my calf more.  Shoot.  I iced it immediately, and it felt better.  It felt so good I decided to run on the treadmill after working. 
Saturday 1-14  4am  on Saturday, I ran 3.5 miles on the treadmill...and it sucked.  After working 12 hours, and straining my calf, the entire run just seemed really hard.  Funny thing was, my calf didn't hurt at all while I was on the treadmill...just as soon as I finished. 

I took the rest of the holiday weekend off.  I've been icing my calf a few times a day, taking my anti-inflammatories, and today I got a massage.  I also went and got my feet evaluated at Striders.  I have a neutral stride, and really high arches.  I bought some insoles that will hopefully help with my persistent Plantar Fasciitis, as well as my calf issue.  I also got some KT tape and instructions on how to tape up my various injuries. 

I also bought a foam roller this week.  I usually do yoga at least once a week, so I wasn't expecting to be especially tight.  I WAS WRONG.  Oh my gosh, my IT band was extremely tight, as were my calves.  I am a foam rolling convert, I could feel the tight spots releasing. 

Overall, I'm really pleased with my progress this month.  Now, if I could just heal up these injuries....

January Goals and Weekly Progress

I have lofty running goals this year (for me).  I really want to run a 10K.  This is a big deal for me, and it scares me a little.  I'm for sure going to do the Classic 10K in September, but I'm currently contemplating running the 10K that's part of the Utah Valley Marathon.  The very idea both invigorates me and gives me anxiety. 

My running goal for January is to run 9 miles each week.  Check for week 1.  I was able to run 3 days this past week, and by the 3rd day, I ran 2.5 miles without having to stop for a recovery walk.  My endurance is definitely coming back, I'm really pleased.  The course I have mapped out in my neighborhood is 3.2 miles (according to my car), leaving me about .2 miles to walk home as a cool down. 

Another goal for January is to get in a weekly yoga workout.  Gotta keep those muscles nice and loose.  I got in an express Ashtanga practice on Wednesday. 

I also got some new shoes.  I've been running on K Swiss tubes, and I LOVE them.  I really wanted a pair to have at work, so I took the older model to work, and got these ones...

They're almost identical to my other ones, and they feel great.  I'm a little sad they're not purple (the older ones are), but I wear a LOT of purple, so maybe I need to branch out a little. 

 

I'm excited to get back on the road this week.  It snowed here today, so I'm a little worried about the cold...historically, I can keep my upper body warm, but even with several layers my legs get really cold.  I'm glad about the snow, though, I'm headed up skiing next week :)

 

Did you keep your New Year's goals or resolutions this week? 

 

What kind of shoes do you like to run/walk/cross train in? 

 

 

Running...

I started this blog as a way to showcase my creative endeavors.  Scrapbooking, baking, decorating, crafting...I wanted a place that was separate from my family blog. That hasn't changed.  This blog is about all the things that I'm doing to develop myself and my talents.  So it's also going to showcase some of the things I'm doing to improve my physical self. 

Namely...my Running Journey. 

For as long as I can remember, I've loved the idea of running, but hated actually running.  Maybe I just wasn't mentally ready for it...I've never been a fan of exercise in any form.  In my 20's I discovered yoga, which I love, but I've still had a difficult time committing to a consistent practice.  However, as I've watched my children grow, I've realized my choices will influence theirs.  I've always struggled with my weight, because I hate exercise, because I love to bake, and because I love high fat comfort foods.  It doesn't help that I dislike vegetables.  I don't want my children to struggle.  I think that finally gave me the stimulus to commit. 

I started walking last summer, worked my way up to running a 5K in September.  October I was plagued with injuries (not all of them running related), November was ok, but December was horrible with the crappy inversion and the sub-freezing temperatures.  My body couldn't tolerate running below 25 degrees...even with multiple layers of technical clothes, I couldn't keep my legs warm enough. 

Although I'm hoping for lots more snow (I do love the slopes, and I hope to be up there a lot this winter!), the warmer temperatures this week have let me get back to running.  I've lost some endurance.  On Tuesday morning, I was able to run about a 1/2 mile, then I had to alternate running and walking(mostly walking).  I've been fighting a mild cold, so my chest was really tight and I only did about 2 miles.  Wednesday morning was better, I alternated running and walking for my entire 3.2 miles.  I felt really good afterward. 

Last night, my cold settled into my chest, so I skipped running this morning.  I'm feeling pretty good now, so I'm hoping to be able to run tomorrow. 

My ultimate goal for this coming year is to be able to run The Classic 10K in September.  It was the race I ran the 5K last year, and I really want to be able to run the longer race.  I see a 1/2 marathon in my future, but probably not until my baby is in school all day...right now, with working night shift, and 3 kids that need me, I just don't have the time to do the longer runs in the training.  It won't be long, kindergarten is next year. 
My goal for January is to run 9 miles each week.