Great coupon code and other random mumblings...

I can't be alone when I say that sometimes sticking to a training plan feels like an appointment that you don't really want to keep. Or maybe I am alone in that feeling? I think this is why I have about three half-marathon training plans that I am 'following'. I must be on track for at least one, right? ;)

I am actually doing ok with my training. I have been struggling with the weird calf issues that I dissected in my last post (two long weeks ago...) but have seen improvement. I ended up going back to wearing inserts for plantar fasciitis. For some reason I was really committed to not wearing them anymore (even though I have worn inserts for 2 years) but after having bad run after bad run followed by even worse runs I figured that maybe somethings are ok after all.

Still, though, I am struggling with my right calf. I get about 5 minutes into a run (after warming up by walking and dynamic stretches) and my calf is so tight that I have to slow down to a walk until I can run again (at a very slow pace). Today it took nearly 2 miles of this before I was able to run without any tightness/pain). The last 5 miles of the run felt great and I never have any pain or soreness after a run. I am kind of clueless about this sort of thing, any suggestions??

In more exciting news, I am going to be brave and try ProCompression's marathon socks. I have wanted to try them for a while but I have been dragging my feet because well, they are pricey and I am not exactly an elite runner who requires fancy socks. ;) But after seeing coupon code after coupon code for 40% off and free shipping, I decided to go ahead and try a pair. The code expires tomorrow (nothing like waiting until the last minute!) but there are usually a few running blogs with a code to offer.

A little off stride....

Some runs just come easier than others. I know this and believe me, I never take a great run for granted, but I have been struggling a little bit lately. I am still on track with my training plan and am even hitting (well as close as I am likely to get in this lifetime) my paces as dictated by Runner's World. But.....

I feel as if my stride is off, even after I am warmed up and at the point where typically I am going strong. In my mind, I am sure that I must look like Phoebe from Friends when she runs. I have weird leg/calf issues that crest and wane as I run. I know my shoes are not likely to be the cause so I am left hoping that each run will just be better.

There are definitely 'things' I should be doing better as a runner. Primarily, strength training! Second, I need to do some cross training to give my legs a break. In an effort to be proactive I will do some strength training while my girls bathe (we have a huge master bath) and I will make Fridays my elliptical days. I think trading an easy 3 mile run for 3 miles on the elliptical makes sense for me now. Hopefully, next week I can report back that I back to normal!

New shoes!

I finally got organized (and I am not even joking when I say this-I wasted a whole lot of time and gas driving to the store without my purse in an attempt to get new running shoes!! Who knows how this happened? Seriously? Any ideas, because I can't even claim this was the first time I did this?!) enough to not only shop for new running shoes but to actually purchase them!

I went to my local running store because I wanted to make sure I spoke with someone knowledgeable about all things related to running and shoes. My chief complaint about my old pair was that I had to lace them very loosely or they were just too tight and my feet would go numb/fall asleep. I tried on 5 pairs of shoes, all of their stability styles. I fell in love with the pretty Mizunos but they came up higher on my ankle and that just felt off for me. I did not care for the looks of the Nike shoe I tried on, but they felt great. In the end, I went with my current shoe the Brooks adrenaline in a wide. I was not thrilled to go with a wide but I will blame it on my higher than typical arch/instep (or whatever the salesman said).

I did an easy 3 miles on the treadmill at the gym this morning and was pretty pleased with my shoes. I have read that some people log their miles so they know exactly how many miles are on their shoes. I have just relied on my feet/legs to let me know when I need to replace. How about you? Do you track mileage or do you replace when you feel the need?

Hello Again

Hello again, I have not blogged for awhile.  Life has been crazy for a few weeks now.  I went to physical therapy and started to get better and run again, pain free!  Just when I could start running again, illness hit our house and hit it hard.  This was my week three weeks ago.  Monday- one daughter has slight cough stay home to be safe.  Wednesday another daughter has a UTI and Friday both daughters have Influenza.  Sunday one daughter gets worse so we run to ER, only to be told she is fine.  She does not have pneumonia, she is not dehydrated and to calm down the flu takes 5 to 7 days to get over.  I disagree so we got back to the doctor on Monday.  While driving to the doctor I am praying, and praying.  My little D ( 4 years old) does not look good, I know something is very wrong.  We see the doctor they take one look at her and one listen to her dehydration and pneumonia!! They say hurry to the hospital we will call ahead.  I am all by myself. Rob is home with the others kids.  I call him.  I get to the hospital the nurses look her over, one nurse informs me they have to call the Rapid response team because of her respiration rate and because she is so lethargic, think little rag doll.  Soon the room is filled with about 10 more people all with gowns and masks and equipment.  They are from the ICU they attach monitors all over  her.  It is hard for me to be close to her with so many people.  I am not totally sure what is going on. One nurse asks me " Mom how are you holding up?' OH man, don't ask me this now.  I am strong, I am fine.  I have to be strong for D.  I squeak out a little "OK" .  One nurse hugs me and says " I am sure she has had better days".  The tears start to silently flow.  Is she going to be OK?  Why did that ER doctor send me home? Then then try the IV.  She is so dehydrated they can not gets it.  One nurse tries, another nurse tries.   They get an anesthesiologist to try, then they get the head anesthesiologist on duty to try.  ALL in ALL it is 12 times!  Three in her left hand, two in her left arm, three in her right arm, two in her left foot and two in her right foot.   She cries and screams with each one.  I pray and pray.  They then decided to stop trying and just try to get her to drink.  We end up staying at the hospital a week.  She goes on Oxygen and gets up to 3.0 Liters and then goes down  and then back up.  They try an IV again a few days later and they get it on the second try and that seems to really help her.  She is home now and doing well and even went back to preschool today.  I know this is not about running, it is  about a hard week in my life that I learned many things.  I learned to trust myself,  I knew she was really sick no matter what the ER said and I took her back and thank God I did, her personal doctor said I could have saved her life.  I am so thankful for my parents and all their help taking care of A and  P while my husband (  when not working) and I stayed at the hospital.  I am so very lucky to have them and it would have been so much harder without their help.  I also have a new focus on my half marathon this year.  I am thankful I did not sign up for the full :)  I originally wanted to have a goal time and really own this one. Monday my official training starts and I am the least  prepared physically to start training that I have ever been.  My shorter runs have been hard, and I feel like I have lost a lot from not running for awhile.  Mentally I got this.  Mentally I am tough.  I know I can do this, I have run Lincoln two times before and I know I can run 13.1 miles. I just made it through a very tough week and we all are doing well now.  I got this.  I think I may actually slow down and enjoy this one.  Wave at more people, give more high fives and maybe even dance to the music.  I will encourage others and just enjoy my running. Life can be hard at times, but that makes me what to enjoy the good times all that much more.