First Double Digit Run

Today I ran my first double digit run ever - 10 miles.  I was a bit worried going into this run as I only had one other run this week of 4.3 miles.  I just had a crazy busy week plus jet lag caught up to me and I was running low on energy.  I was hoping my lack of regular running would work as a taper and leave me fresh today - and it did! 

I ran the 10 miles with my friend who is also training for the half.  We kept at a slow pace of 12 minute miles but I almost felt like I could have gone faster.  My friend wasn't feeling it though so I stuck with her at a slower pace.  It felt awesome to finish 10 miles and still feel pretty strong.  It gave me hope for completing the half marathon without feeling completely dead!

I did get a blister on the run on my right toe.  Hoping it was a fluke.  Not a fan of that aspect of running.  We'll see how my next long run goes and determine if I need to make any adjustments to my socks or shoes. 

Here's A and I right after we finished!

Run Post-Florence

When we talked about whether or not we were going to Florence, one thing we had to consider was how the trip would affect our training.  I knew if we went that I'd have to stay true to my half marathon training and that would mean getting in a long run in Florence and then jumping right back into my mid-week runs once we returned. 

When we got home yesterday afternoon we were exhausted after not having slept much on the plane.  We were both asleep not long after the boys went down - definitely before 8pm.  I was hoping the extra sleep would ward off jet lag this week. 

Today I had to run around 4 miles.  I didn't have time to run at lunch so that meant I had to do it after work which is my least favorite time to run.  By the time I commute home the last thing I want to do is go out for a run.  Plus the house was quiet because M took the boys to swim lessons.  Taking a nap or even just relaxing on the couch in the quiet house sounded so good!  But I immediately changed into my running clothes and headed out.  I didn't run very fast but I finished. 

Hopefully I'll keep up with my mid-week runs this week even as the travel exhaustion hits me.  I have to run my first double digit run on Saturday!  I need to be prepared for it.

Running in Florence

This weekend M and I had a great opportunity to travel (for free!) to Florence, Italy for a teacher's convention.  We were grateful to my parents who offered to watch our sweet boys while we went.  We couldn't pass up a free trip to one of my favorite cities. 

We arrived at 1:40pm in Florence and were at the hotel by 2:30pm.  After we checked into our hotel M asked me if I wanted to go for a run (I had to run 6 miles this weekend).  Even though I was exhausted I knew if we took a nap it would wreck havoc on our nighttime sleep.  So we laced up our shoes and headed down to the lobby to ask the tour directors if they could recommend a route for us.  They definitely were surprised to see us in running clothes after just arriving. 

It felt awesome though.  We ran next to the Arno river.  The first mile and a half was a bit hectic as pedestrians definitely do not have the right of way in Italy but once we got outside the city center we had a beautiful run.  The sky was blue and it was chilly but not too cold to run in.  We loved it.  We definitely made up for the miles we put in with all of the  yummy food we ate the rest of the weekend!

8 Miles

I ran 8 miles today.  I can hardly believe it.  A year ago I couldn't even run 1 mile and now I can run 8 miles.  I may not be fast but I can do it. 

I was worried about today's run.  I got a pedicure yesterday and the nail technician was a bit aggressive about cutting my cuticles on my toes and I had a sore spot on my left big toe.  Then this morning I was picking Evan up and tweaked my neck.  I felt like I had a pinched nerve on my right side of my neck.  I just wasn't feeling very well.  But I knew I needed to get my miles in.  I told myself to just go and run.  If I had to take a walk break, I could take a walk break. 

I did it.  After about 5.5 miles I was in a lot of pain.  My form was off because if I landed normally on my left foot my toe hurt.  Then if I turned my neck my pinched nerve hurt.  I think it just threw everything off.  I finished strong though and it felt good. 

Next weekend M and I are going to be in Florence and I have an easy run week of 6 miles before running 10 the following week.  That 13.1 miles isn't seeming too unattainable now!

Facing 8 Miles

I've been pretty lucky so far in my half marathon training.  A lot of my runs I've been able to do with other people.  A coworker/friend of mine is also training for the same two half marathons that I am so we will run a few times a week together to get our mid-week runs in.  We both have the same prep period so a lot of times we'll run during the day.  Also on Saturdays I've been doing a lot of long runs with her.  I started a Running Club on campus and I'm working with 22 high school students to train for Oakland Running Festival's Half Marathon March 24th.  So every Saturday we meet up for our long runs.

This weekend though I'm facing an 8 mile run.  I can't run with my students because M has to work in the morning Saturday and I'm watching the boys.  I need to run these 8 miles on my own Saturday afternoon.  One minute I'll be excited knowing I've put in my weekly runs and I handled 7 miles pretty well.  But then the next minute I freak out thinking about how long 8 miles will be and I'll be doing them all on my own.  I know I need to do this on my own though.  Running 7 miles last Saturday was a right of passage - it was the furthest I've run.  I needed to hit that mileage to know I can do more.  Tomorrow I need to run 8 miles alone.  The furthest I've run and relying on only myself to get me through.  Here's hoping it goes well!

Fitting runs in

I've had a busy week.  M is out of town so I'm solo parenting the little ones.  This means I haven't been able to get in my runs after work like I normally do.  I've resorted to running 4 miles during my prep period.  I like that I get my run done as opposed to missing it but it's putting me behind in doing some school work as well.  I'm definitely seeing that everything is give and take.  It's hard to do everything perfectly all the time. 

I ran 2 days back to back - 4 miles each.  I'm resting today and tomorrow in preparation for 8 miles on Saturday.  I alternate between fear of being able to run 8 miles to feeling super confident that it won't be a problem.  Saturday will tell which of those it is!

Challenging Week

At the beginning of this week I was worried about how I was going to get my 3 required runs in not to mention cross training days.  I know how important my runs are because with my right hand still not at full use I can't do a lot of my normal cross training things (yoga, push ups, weights, etc).  I'm not allowed to extend my right hand or put any weight on it.  I'm still limited to carrying things 1 pound or less.  With those limitations it is crucial that I get my 3 runs in and try and add on an additional run each week instead of cross training.

This week was crazy.  Tuesday I normally run after work but M had a dentist appointment so that meant I had to take the boys to their swim lesson.  We grabbed dinner after with my parents and didn't make it home until it was dark.  So I couldn't run then.  Wednesday I had to be at work at 6am and wasn't able to do my run with my students (we're training to run the Oakland Half Marathon) since I had to rush home because we had a repairman coming to fix our oven.  But when M got home with the boys I laced up my shoes and headed out for 4 miles.  Running at 5pm after a long day at work is definitely not ideal but I did it.  Thursday afternoon I usually run after work but I had a doctor's appointment with my surgeon so I wasn't going to be able to then.  Instead I ran during my prep period at work.  I ran 4 miles and then showered in the girl's locker room before inhaling my lunch and then teaching the next period.  Definitely not something I've done before! 

I was kind of amazed that 4 miles used to be my long runs yet here this week I ran 4 miles twice back to back.  I rested Friday because Saturday was my long run of 7 miles - my furthest distance so far.  I ran twice around Lake Merritt and then a little bit further.  It was a great run.  I felt incredibly strong the first 5.5 miles.  The last mile and a half was hard but I finished strong. 

Today I knew I needed to cross train.  I decided to go for an easy 2 mile run.  M is always telling me that when I run on tired legs I build up strength.  I went for it.  My legs were heavy and sore and after half a mile I had serious doubts if I was going to be able to run the entire time.  I ran 2 miles at a 10:36 pace.  I felt good after and in many respects these 2 miles seemed harder than the 7 miles yesterday.  I can't believe I'm 5 weeks into the half marathon training program.  I'm beginning to feel like I really can do this.