Friday, November 6, 2009

Day 11

Okay, so my last post was one of anger. I'm feeling much better since then. I went to my Orthopedist on Wednesday. He was not concerned at all about my issue. I told him I had a baby in July. I just ran a half marathon and since then I took a break and now I'm having this awful pain!

His answer... "You're using muscles you haven't used in a long time. You were pregnant and ceased hitting the pavement. Now you're out there with a vengeance and your legs are trying to get used to it again." It makes sense. He told me to start off training for this full marathon nice and easy.

This week I began taking Bikram Yoga. He said to keep up with that, do the eliptical then introduce the treadmill (because it is soft) in a few weeks. Go uphill because it's less impact, then graduate to a flat surface. Then in 6ish weeks, I can run outside again if I'm feeling better.

In 6 weeks, I should be running 11 miles as my long run. Hopefully with the eliptical and yoga and soon the treadmill, I will have built up the endurance to do that. In my doctor's opinion, I should have no problem meeting my goal in February. Hmph... hope he's right.

Today I did the eliptical for 40 minutes. I did it also on Monday with yoga on Tuesday and Wednesday. I worked out with my boflex weights Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Tomorrow is yoga and probably weights. Maybe I can work the gym in there too and work out on the eliptical.

As far as my weight goes, I think I'll run easier once I shed a few more pounds. I've lost 32 of the 50 I gained while pregnant. I'm at 138 now. If I could get back down to 120 that would be great. 115 or 110 would be even better!!

10 year high school reunion is in a few weeks... there's a bit more motivation to get my ass in gear.

Well, it's Friday night. JP is down for the night I hope. He already woke up twice since I put him down originally. The Soup is on soon, then it's lights out. Early morning for me. Yoga isn't until 10, but I have to wake up around 7:00 to pump for Justin while he's at my dad's while I'm at yoga; then eat breakfast (2 hours prior to class or else I'll puke) then I have to get ready, get Justin ready and head to dad's which is 40 minutes away. It's on the way to yoga, so it's no big deal. No task is easy however with a child.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

One week since my first post, six days into training

Grrrrr.... I'm mad...and sad...and happy... go figure. I'm mad because I didn't get my 5 miler in today. I'm sad because my legs hurt and I knew they wouldn't bring me more than 10 feet today. I'm happy because my step brother ran the NYC Marathon today and had a great time and pace. I tracked him the whole time and watched the whole event on TV. It was a great motivator... rather would have been if I could have ran.

My last run was on Friday. I did a slow and again stiff three miles. It's now Sunday. Today would have been my first "long" run of my training plan and I didn't do it. I'm beating myself up about it, no doubt. I have to make a doctor's appointment STAT. Tomorrow I will call and get in asap. Get some x-rays or a CT scan or something. I've never felt this pain/sensation before. I fear something is really wrong.

Yesterday I went for a walk in an effort to stretch out and feel better. I did my usual three mile route with Justin in the stroller and came home almost in tears. I kept chanting my two favorite chants the whole time we were out there... "Just one leg in front of the other... over and over and over." and "Just go a little further than what you think you can do." I finished what I set out to do but could barely carry my 13 pound son up the stairs afterward. I had to have my husband carry the stroller up the stairs for me. My legs would have gave out otherwise.

Justin is fussing in the crib. Must go tend to him.... I'll finish complaining later...

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Day Three

It's mid afternoon. Justin is down for a nap... hopefully for more than 5 minutes. Last night was a difficult one in terms of sleep, so I'm surprised he hasn't been making up for it all day today. I think he allowed me a whole four hours of sleep last night. I was up at 7:00 this morning for the day and as tired as I was, I still dragged myself to complete the day's training. I did three sets of suicides for three minutes each and ran a slow, albeit stiff three miles. At first I thought the suicides was going to prove to be a great warm up, but geesh, I just couldn't shake the stiff feeling. I feel like my body is not made to run or something. Even now, several hours after my run, I still feel like I need all my energy to lift my legs to walk to the kitchen. Oh well, in a few more days I'll be back to my normal self... I hope.

Tomorrow is a walk/rest day, so Justin and I will go walk a fast 30-50 minutes. Yesterday we did about 40 minutes. It was quite chilly out and I expect tomorrow will be the same. It'll only be a few more weeks until Justin can't join me anymore on walks because it will too cold for his precious little face.

Yesterday I ate okay. Special K for breakfast. Tortellini and shrimp for lunch and a veggie delight from Subway for dinner. I did also indulge in two Subway cookies for dessert. I drank lots of water too.

Today I had a Gu before my workout. Not something I'd usually do for any run under 60 minutes or so, but I was tired and needed a boost. After my workout, I ate a banana and coffee then started with the water. I'm on my second 32 oz helping. Lunch was a tuna sandwich and I just had a granola bar with a handful of pistachios.

Usually I'd be eating lots of whole foods and veggies, but I haven't been to the grocery store in a bit and I'm somewhat putting it off.

Today consisted also of entertaining the little guy, vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom and working on my jewelry. It's close to the Holiday season, so I have to build up my inventory of handmade creations to sell at a few trade shows and to some spas in the area.

Never a dull moment...

Monday, October 26, 2009

Day One

So, it's early evening. The day is hardly over but I do have progress to report. I slept until 9:00 this morning which was great. My husband went to Dunkin Donuts to get coffees and came home with breakfast sandwiches too. Uhg. Hardly the breakfast of champions-- egg and cheese on a plain bagel. Definitely some fuel for the run, but other than that, no real nutritional value. Coffee was great though. Such a guilty pleasure of mine.

Justin napped for a few this morning then we headed over to my mom's so I could run. My mom only lives about 10 minutes from me, so it's pretty convenient to have her watch him. I ran my three miles but I can't really say I felt good about it. I started slow and stayed slow. I felt stiff and I wondered how I ever ran 13.1 miles only two weeks ago. Since the half marathon on Oct. 10, I've only run once. I ran 3.5 miles two or three days after the race. After that, I felt like I was coming down with the flu so I took a break. Now, back to square one. I felt today like I'd never run before.

Nonetheless, I'm on my way to the Hyannis Marathon. 18 weeks to go! Tam said she was going to run 3 today. Not sure what Kate was going to do.

Other than my breakfast sandwich and coffee, I ate a banana, a granola bar, a handful of pistachios, a Fruitabu fruit thing and just now, shrimp and veggie pizza. I will drink close to 100 oz. of water by the time the day is over and I'll probably have a fudgsicle too. I also worked out with my Boflex weights for 15 minutes, doing various exercises for reps of 10.

Right now I'm nursing Justin and typing with one hand. I probably should get going. Tomorrow is a walk day. I'll probably walk with Justin in the running stroller for 3-5 miles.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Big day tomorrow!

It's almost 10:00, Sunday night. It took three tries in an hour for me to get Justin to fall asleep this evening. I think he's finally down for a while. I'd like to get to bed soon myself, but the Yanks game is on and it's only the 4th inning. We're up 3-1 and if we win this one, we're in the World Series. So maybe in a few hours, I'll be hitting the hay. I won't be running until noon time or so tomorrow, so I may get a chance to sleep late if Justin allows.

Tomorrow marks the first day of my marathon training. I'll be training for and completing the Hyannis Marathon on Cape Cod February 28, 2010. Yes, a full marathon in the dead of winter in New England. Crazy, right?? nah....

Only two weeks ago, I completed my third half marathon. Training during the summer was not in my best interest. I hate the heat and humidity. Not to mention I gave birth to my baby boy Justin in July, so I carried a lot of extra weight while training and that just made things a lot harder for me. Because of that, the February marathon is looking pretty attractive.

Joining me tomorrow in the start of my journey will be two of my best friends, Tammi and Kate. We have been running together (whether physically or mentally) ever since we set our sights on the Philadelphia Marathon in 2007. No, I did not complete the 26.2 that year. 5 months prior to the November race, I was told I had a fracture in my tibia. I had to rest and cease training. I did however complete the half marathon with Kate. Tammi did the full 26.2.

Since that race, I've done many others, but now it's serious... I have set my sights on the finish line of my first full marathon. I want really bad to meet my goal this time around. I completed my first half marathon since the birth of Justin on the day he turned three months old. I'd like nothing more than to cross the finish line of my first full when he is only six months old.

Yanks are still up 3-1. It's now the 6th inning. Let's wrap this up boys and send mama to bed. The first three miles of my long journey begin tomorrow.