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!