Evergreen Pumpkin Run




Before the race



My 5K time: 40:31

The race was fun!! I took some Advil before hand to help out my hip thing. It seemed to help but I have a feeling that it is going to be a little difficult to walk tomorrow. After sitting for short amounts of time, I get really stiff and it hurts to walk it out. I just wish this would heal up already!! 





After the race



MIL before the race



MIL after the race

My next race is this Thanksgiving 1/2 Marathon!!! My goal is to finish. I really would like to finish under 3.5 hours but we shall see!!

Week Who's counting?

Its like seventy something days until the Disney half marathon and I am no where near ready. I have a 5K on Sunday. It will be a good test. I plan on walk/running it with my MIL.

The Thanksgiving half is coming up next month. THAT will be my real test. I hope I finish under 3:30 hours.. that's my goal.

Tonight I did 1:1 - almost 2.5 miles in around 28 mins. My hip flexor is still bothering me. I hope that I wont need a wheel chair when we head to Disney!!

Week ? : Stalled

I've been recovering from my IT Band injury for a few weeks now and I think that I am getting better! It hurts less and less each day. I purchased a foam roller and it is doing wonders! It hurts SO BAD when I first start using it but the pain lessens each time & each day I get on it! On Saturday, I walked in the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk which was a 5K. I ran when I could with the jogging stroller and my leg didnt hurt. Afterwards, I was a little gimpy getting out of the car so I went right to my foam roller and did a few sets. Ta - da!  No more pain! I have felt great ever since!

Tonight, I am going to try some interval training... 1:1 and see how I feel.

Week 5: Over & Injured

I haven't run again since Tuesday. My hip is just not right. I'm going to reevaluate on this upcoming Tuesday. What really sucks is that I have a race on Saturday. A Mud Run at that... not just a simple 5K along the street. <Insert large sigh here>

I was thinking about my injury this morning. A few months ago, I noticed that if I was standing and rotate around to walk, my hip would pop. I think I looked that up and it was just one of those getting old things. I wonder now if it was the start of whatever this is.

Explanation of whats bothering me.. lets see.. the side and the back of my left hip. It hurts when pressure is applied as I walk. Also, the front outside of my left shin is bothering me too. Its tender to touch and gives a good pull when I point my toes. I've tried rolling it out but nothing seems to be helping that either.

I'm pretty depressed about all this.

Week 5: Weak hips

Today was my first day back after that long run on Sunday. I was supposed to run yesterday but I pooped out. I felt like poopin out today but I forced myself to get out there.

About half way through the run, my hips started to bother me again. Not really in the same spot though...more like the joints. Here is what I read from Cool Running.com:

Pain at the side of the hip
Description:Pain in the side of your hip, usually at the joint of your hip and thigh but sometimes a bit higher toward the hip bone.
Likely causes:A basic overuse injury. You've inflamed the fascia in your hips, the flexible fibers in the joint. The specific reasons for this pain vary for different runners. The culprit may be weak back muscles, the type of surface on which you run, the shoes you wear, or the length of your running stride. One of the remedies below will likely work for you, but it's difficult to predict which it will be. However, if you have pain in only one of your hips, you probably have either an uneven pelvis or unequal leg lengths. See the section above on lower back pain for details on treating this.
Remedy:As mentioned, hip pain can come about for a variety of reasons. Try these remedies; one of them (or a combination) should get rid of the pain, albeit with a bit of persistence. Try shortening your stride when you run. Try switching running surfaces (if you've been running on a hard surface, try a softer one or vice versa). Reconsider your running shoes; your feet may demand a different style or fit. Finally, try some abdominal and lower back exercises to strengthen those muscles.


So, what am I going to do? I'm not sure. I dont think my shoes are that old. I just bought them in April I think and I dont put that much mileage on them. I think I'm just going to take some Motrin and remind myself to take it easy.

Week 4: End with 5 miles and an ass kicking

This week was kind of slack. I was only able to run for about 17 mins on Tuesday and my Thursday run got "tech supported out". Meaning, I was on the phone with AT&T trying to get my computer to start working again for over an hour. By the time I got off of the phone it was after 9pm and I was just burnt out.

So, today I ran 5 miles as scheduled per my Jeff Galloway training program. I met up with a local group of chicks that run around the JCP at 6am. In other words, I smoke too much crack and make crazy decisions to hang out with other nuts. These ladies are wicked  nice but they are so much more advanced than myself. I felt like a loser. Well, maybe not a loser but I didnt want to hold anyone back. My friend "M" stayed with me which I think was cool with her because she was a bit hung over and probably welcomed the excuse..er well.. break.
"M" did push me and kept me going. Towards the middle my hips started to hurt and we switched to a run/walk method. She said that she noticed that I was running faster once we started that method. Hmmm, maybe thats something to concentrate on during my long runs. I just don't want to be that girl that says OH its been 3 mins I have to stop running now.

Overall, it was a good run. I think it took somewhere between an hour and 5 mins and an hour and 10 mins. Not sure because I was too clouded to start my watch when we took off. "M" offered me some good advice and it was nice to be broken out of my own pace for a change. 

Week 4: (Off Day) Race Times

Race                           Distance                     Time                Pace

Jax Sym                       4mi                               45:39               11:24

NeverQuit                    3.1mi                            38:53               12:32

MemDay                      3.1mi                            34:50               11:14

Celebration                   3.1mi                            43:07               13:54

NeverQuit                    3.1mi                            43:52               14:09

Stadium Chall               3.1mi                            43:10               13:55

BelieveinHeroes            4.97mi                          1:03:09           12:42

My pace is improving! The Memorial Day 5K was a race that I was training in a running class for. I think that is why I did so well. The Florida Striders are an AWESOME group. Shortly after that, I hurt my knee & I got pregnant. The Celebration 5K was my last race due to those reasons. As you can see, the Never Quit was my first race back after the pregnancy. It was pretty tough and wicked hot!! I didn’t do so well, but it felt good to be back. Looking at these numbers, it looks like I’m getting better. My next race is the Jax Mud Fest and I don’t think it will be helping my numbers any! I am debating on signing up for the Evergreen Pumpkin 5K at the end of October. I would do the 10mi but according to my training log – its an easy week!

Reviewing the numbers though, I guess I have a 13 min pace which has me finishing the ½ Marathon at around 2 hours and 50 mins. My goal is 2:45. I think its doable!

What has been your best time?

Week 4: Splat Splat Splat

Its very very hard to make a noise like that...


I only ran for 17 mins tonight instead of my required 30mins. The lightening was getting crazy and I was scared that I was going to die. So, my plan is to run another 15 mins tomorrow to make up for it.

Week 3: Completed

Today's run was an easy 2 miles. I finished in 22:55 with one itty walk break. I wanted to run the whole 2 miles without a break but I pooped out. I have the hardest time not focusing on what I am doing so then I just start thinking too much about being tired. I do so much better when I have something else on my mind or someone to talk to.

Next weeks long run is 5 miles. I hope to run it with some friends but they are faster than I am so I am a little intimidated. I'm sure they would hang with me but I don't want to hold them back. We'll see.

On to the next....

Week 3: It's wicked dark

It is dark at 8pm now when I finally get a chance to go run. I need a headlamp or something. I have an LED light thing that I wear around my arm but that doesnt help me see the road!

I put in my 30 mins like I was supposed to tonight. Ya know, the phrase about how you dont regret any run you go on but you regret the ones you don't - its so true. For me, especially during the week, I am dragging my butt to get out the door. Maybe it has something to do with it being 8pm and I've been awake since 4am with about a 3 hour nap called bedtime.. I dunno. But once I get home, I'm happy that I went. Yeah, I have other chores to do... before I sat down to write this I started more laundry, loaded & unloaded the dishwasher, folded the kids clothes & put them away, emptied the litter box & trash cans. Its only 9:20pm.  I also need to work on some school work but I am so tired right now that I have sand in my eyes. Yes, I am one of those crazy people that can go run for 30 mins and be ready to take a nap when I return.

Saturday is an easy 2 miler. I'm looking forward to it.

Week 3: Ouch

I did my 30 mins tonight - walked a lot. My legs and feet still hurt from the 8K. But pain is weakness  leaving the body... right??

End of Week 2: Believe in Heroes 8K



The end of week 2 was supposed to be 4 miles but since I had registered for this race - I did 5 miles instead...er well 4.97ish.

The race started at The Landing, went over the Acosta Bridge, Main Street Bridge, down Riverside Ave, then back to the landing via a stretch along the river. The Wounded Warrior Project aims to put the veteran back in Veteran's Day by highlighting the sacrifices, challenges and triumphs the warriors and their families experience.



Pre-Race Concert



 This is my mother in law pre-race. She is a run/walker...but mostly a walker. I think she is a race addict. :)

And this is me pre-race - feeling confidant!


















Artifact from the World Trade Center



Main Street Bridge Pre-Race view




Acosta Bridge Pre-Race View




Me - Post Race



MIL Post Race

Over all, it was a great race. I finished 1:03:10 but I think 1st Place Sports says I finished 1:03:08. Whatever.. doesnt matter too much. The bridge training that I have been doing really paid off. I ran up and over each bridge/incline that presented itself. In total, there were four. I finished before the fire fighters that were running/walking in full gear and I finished before the old man with the knee brace. That to me was the most important goal to accomplish because he has beaten me before.

I have a feeling that its going to hurt to walk tomorrow...

Week 2: Landmarks

Leaving for a quick 30min-er

So, I have my normal routes that I take when I run. I've learned what distance I've gone according to which landmarks I pass. I know when I'm a street before the church, I've gone a mile. I know when I hit Walgreens, its been a mile and a half.. so forth and so on. Its when I do an out and back that I get confused. I've never been good with math.  :)



Lady of Fatima aka Mile 1ish

From Wikipedia..
Our Lady of Fátima (Portuguese: Nossa Senhora de Fátima) (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈfatimɐ]) is a title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary as She appeared in apparitions reported by three shepherd children at Fátima in Portugal. These occurred on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917, starting on May 13. The three children were Lúcia Santos and her cousins Jacinta and Francisco Marto.

I thought thats who that was... and now I know!


Week 2: Holy shin splints Batman!

Run #1 for week #2 - 2.26 miles but I agonized during most of it. Darn shin splints. The only thing that kept my mind off of it was watching the bats fly around and get their dinner.

So whats a shin splint? According to wikipedia -
Shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) refers to pain along or just behind the tibia (shinbone), the large bone in the front of the lower leg. Shin splints occur during physical activity and result from too much force on the shinbone and connective tissue attaching muscles to it. Shin splints are common in runners and in those who participate in activities with sudden stops and starts, such as football, basketball, soccer, tennis and marching band, along with sports that apply extreme pressure to the legs, such as gymnastics. Ten to fifteen percent of running injuries are shin splints.

So what can you do about it?

REST!

What am I going to do about it?

Probably nothing. I have a training program to attend to.

Week 1 Complete

3 Mile Lowes Loop completed today. I passed two people who were run/walking. That made me feel like this guy..

On to week two..

Day 2: Downtown Bridges & Dolphins!

Today was day 2 of the Galloway training that I am doing. I started my run at Friendship Fountain.

Friendship Fountain

Ran over the Acosta..


Acosta Bridge

Around the Landing...


And over the Main Street Bridge. 

Main Street Bridge

It adds up to about 2 miles and I finished it in around 21-22 mins. Not bad considering the inclines! I did see some dolphins as I was running up the Acosta bridge which took my mind off of what I was doing. Before I knew it, I was at the top!


Dolphins in the river

It was a nice run. I wish I saw these dolphins every time I ran over that bridge. Oh well. Next time I will just have to watch for them and hopefully it will have the same effect! 

You know you're a runner when...

post taken from: runningjunkies

You know you are a runner when…….

Posted on August 31, 2011 by runningjunkies

- Your long runs start at 3 in the morning
- You run around cars (for your warm up)
- You have packed your entire race day outfit two weeks prior to the race
- In Florida hill repeats are actually bridge repeats (if you could find one) There are no hills in Florida with exception of Space Mountain at Disney
- Drivers yell at you to get out of the way even when you are running on the sidewalk
- You’ve been trampled/ almost trampled by another runner
- You come back after a race and rest week to find out you can run your routes with your eyes closed.
- You’ve been to Starbucks at least once
- You’ve run with the pain of chafing
- A dog has either bitten you or followed you back to your home or car 
- You register for a race even after you swore you were never to run it again
-You’ve forgotten what its like not to run 
- You can get in an ice bath with your running clothes on and  launder them at the same time 
- You get a severe case of shin splints  at east once a week
- Body Glide can also be utilized as Butt Glide
- You think its funny when runners from the northeast can’t handle the heat and they think its funny you find 75 to be too cold to run 
- You know where to find the best running stores and what is in each aisle
- You have tried every flavor of GU gels and still love Espresso Love
- An easy run is an oxymoron 
Feel free to add on…..

Week 1

Today marked the 1st day in my 1/2 marathon training. I am following the program written by Jeff Galloway for beginner runners. It consists of running 3 days a week with one of those days being a long run of assigned miles and the other two days are just 30 min runs.

I ran down to St. Joes and back and I think thats a little over 2 miles.

The front of my left hip has been feeling a little weird and I remember it acting this way last year when I was in a running class. I need to pay special attention to icing it down and stretching it well. NO INJURIES!


Until Thursday... Downtown Bridge run is in the works!

Daily Mile

I joined Daily Mile today and added a widget to the blog. I need one more thing to keep track of like a need a hole in my head.. but hey.. thats what I do!

Stomach Flu vs. Stadium

5k Stadium Challenge 2011

Everbank Field, Jacksonville, FL

Aug. 13, 2011

 

Sorry about the post delay.. I haven't had internet at my house for 2 weeks.

August 13th was a crazy day. Around 3pm that afternoon, I started feeling sick to my stomach. My race wasn't until 9:10 that evening so I didn't think too much about it. I started chugging the Pepto and sipping some Sprite. Around 7pm, I decided to run a mile to see how I felt. It felt alright...weak...but doable. So, off I went to the race!

I think I look a little pale..

Anyway, while I waited I struggled with the idea of starting. I felt horrible. Part of me was saying DON'T DO IT and the other part was saying YOU CAN DO IT- JUST SUCK IT UP. Its that whole angel/devil concept.

So, I did it.

It was fun! The first mile and a half was flat through the parking lot. Then it was 6 or 7 ramps up to the top of the stadium, 4 down, around the mezzinine, up 4 ramps, then all the way back down and onto the field, back out and done. They had music playing the whole time and Jaguars highlights playing on the jumbotron. I finished in 43:10 - 538th out of 1384 total finishers. I got my first medal!

After race stretch

And the final picture was taken shortly before the world starting turning black...

Needless to say, I walked very slowly to my sisters car. Unfortunately, I did not make it home without having to heave my upper body out of her car window and lose my Gatorade.

Oh well, such is life! On to the next!

Pet Peeves

Race tonight!! It got me thinking.. what are your pet peeves when it comes to races? I think the biggest one for me is people who wear the race day t-shirt the day of the race. In my opinion, you haven't earned the t-shirt yet.

Do you have any racing pet peeves? 

The Goal

January 7th, 2012 is the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. I have a huge trip planned with my family to attend!

I have started using the Jeff Galloway training program to prepare. The training is an 18 week program that offically begins on August 30th. I've been doing my own thing now for weeks and honestly, I haven't been very consistent. I'm having a good week if I run 3-6 miles that week. Things need to change soon!


Tomorrow, I am running in the 5K Stadium Challenge at Everbank Field. This 5K Stadium Challenge is a "stadium run" that will take runners up all seven levels of EverBank Field, home of the Jacksonville Jaguars! This event is a fundraising event with proceeds benefitting the Duval County Athletic Foundation to help save athletic programs in Duval County Public High Schools. I am pretty excited!!

My next race is on September 11th - Believe in Heros 8K. I should be well into my 1/2 marathon training by then. :)

The first post

I decided to start a blog to log all of my running tales & training. The title comes from what my son Brandon says to me before every run.. "You gonna run, Mommy?" - "Yes Brandon, I'm going to run."