Blossoms

My absolute favorite run is through apples trees in the spring...the beauty and fragrance of the blossoms are amazing.....it, literally, stops me in my tracks. On one beautiful lane, I slow my pace and walk through the trees. I'm sure I look foolish....coming to a stop with my nose in the branches....but, seriously, how can I not??? The perfume of the flowers envelopes me as I walk....it is, truly, intoxicating.

.....the blossoming trees line the street....the blooms have begun to fall and carpet the walk with a white carpet of petals...it's like running on a cloud.

Can you Train for a Half in a Week???

When I started to prepare for the Green Bay Half Marathon a few months ago, it seemed that I had every excuse and setback known! Everything from : too many after school activities with the kids-so no time for a run...
to...Shingles...Yes, Shingles!

Shingles was the biggest setback. I came down with the pox two weeks ago and it sucked the life right out of me. Apparently, the virus travels down a nerve path....my pox picked my back....which meant, I couldn't even touch my toes...and, running....mmmmm...not so much.

Last week, after I felt better, I could run about 4 miles at a time without walking...yea me...

Here I thought training for a Half would be a piece of cake compared to a Full. I really didn't take it seriously... But, a race is a race....and, if you don't train...well, you're in trouble-doesn't matter the distance. So, here it is....I have exactly 10 "training" days left. Ok, well 8 or 9....realistically, I know that I won't run EVERY day before the race...


Today, I ran 8....I'm hoping that is a good sign. 8 isn't too much less than 13.1, right??? Crap.

Not Quite...

Ok....so, I didn't make my weekly mileage goal, last week....the goal was 30. I ran 27. Not so bad, I guess...but, I'm not used to falling short of a goal. The good news is I ran 7 on Saturday. I haven't run a 7 since I started PT....and, it felt GREAT! Well, during the run, it felt great.....on Sunday....my Achilles was tender.....rest and Advil were my best friends. Which means the 3 I was supposed to run on Sunday was off.
This week, I set my goal at 27. It's a busy week with the kids...and, a visit from Joe...27 is on the high-realistic end.
I think I need to take a look at a Half-Marathon Training schedule to see where I fall if I'm thinking of a spring Half. My favorite training is from Hal Higdon. When I ran my first marathon, I'd only been running for 2 years. Using his method, I trained well and qualified for Boston in Detroit! I've only used his full Marathon Training Schedule...but, I have to believe the Half is just as good.

http://www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon/inter.htm

Well, let's see if looking at the training schedule helps to motivate a full week of running!
j

Too Much Too Soon?

When, I make up my mind to start training for a race...I just have to start. My hope is that I still have a base on which to begin training ...even after so many months "off" due to injury. But, the reality is I haven't run more than a 7 since last November...and I mean November 2007! Hmmm....not sure if the base is all THAT strong! So....where to begin....my thought is that I need to build the so-called base.

As a single mom of two school-aged kids...with a full-time job as the principal of an elementary school....I don't have a lot of spare time. Clearly, my days are full...and, our nights are spent at gymnastics, basketball, piano...doing homework and just being a family. So, as I start to increase my mileage and workouts, I need to be creative. Today, I ran an easy 3 before work....after work-and before activities, I had exactly 45 minutes to go to the gym. I ran a 20 minutes speed workout and hit the weights for arms and back. All together, I was able to log just over 5 miles and some strength training.

And, tonight.....my Achilles is sore. Was it too much too soon? I did just finish Physical Therapy last week....Well, I hope not. My goal is a 30 mile week....haven't had one of those in a long time. I guess I'll have to wait and see, tomorrow.

I want to commit to a Half-Marathon, soon...maybe Green Bay??....hopefully, all will work out and I'll make my goal for the week.

jen

Time to Start.....

Time to start training! In October, I finally went to see a specialist about my super-sore Achilles Tendon...I was fully prepared for the Dr. to tell me that surgery was needed. In my head I was already picking which month would be best to be out of work! Fortunately, surgery was not the best course of action....but, I was in for a few months of physical therapy. He recommended a PT clinic that specializes in sports' injuries and told me..."If anyone can fix you, they can."

I have to admit that I was highly skeptical. I could not imagine how a few exercises and massages would make me feel better. Then, I met Mike.....On my first visit, Mike had me go through several strength tests, watched me walk, tested flexibility, etc. At the end of my session he said...."Dude, your legs and butt just aren't strong enough." Ok, seriously...dude? And, I'm a runner...I work out at the gym! How could my legs and butt NOT be strong enough. But, Mike assured me I AM strong...just not in the right places. So, I went with it....
I told Mike that I really did not want to stop running....and, I kind of have a wicked obsession with high heels....I just about fell off the table when he said both were fine...I would just be more sore than needed during my therapy. Wow.

After a few months of 3 times/week therapy sessions.....lots of new "butt" exercises and some pretty painful rubdowns of my calf and tendon....amazingly, I have been dismissed to a "home program." Mike said that I can work myself up to a half-marathon for the spring...and if I want to run a full marathon in October....no problem.

So, now, no excuses! During my therapy, I never stopped running....just took it easy...3-5 mile runs at an easy pace. In the past 2 weeks, I've increased my mileage, included a 7 mile run, and added a speed workout. Yes, I'm sore...but, managable. I'm hoping to keep increasing my weekly mileage and work up to some longer runs in the next month. I just need to keep working on my butt.

I did learn that often people have problems as they get older because they do not keep their butt, hips, and legs strong and flexible. My hope is to not only run a marathon in October, but to stay healthy for years to come....

Jen

Time off ...for injury

My Achilles Tendon has always been a bit fragil...but, after the Chicago Marathon, last year.....it was really tender. Over the past year, I have researched the injury, changed shoes, reduced my mileage-but, increased my yoga, iced-like nobody's business, didn't run a marathon-which is killing me.....I know I should have gone to the doctor much sooner....especially, when the swelling on my tendon started to become visible....but, I was afraid my doctor would tell me to stop running-which is unacceptable.
Two weeks ago, I was about 1.5 miles into a run and I had to STOP! I have never, ever stopped.....It hurt so badly.....it was like the walk of shame as I limped home.....
That day, I broke down and made a doctor's appt. Since then, I have not run with the hopes that two weeks off would begin to make a difference....I have been going to the gym and working out on a stepper and and eliptical.....but, the tenderness and swelling is still there.
My appointment is this week and I'm scared to go!
What are the chances that I will get to run a marathon this year??????

Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon

Joe and I had a fantastic weekend at the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon! The expo opened with my presentation on Simplyrun. For Kids.

We would like to thank Kristine Hinrichs and Judy Springer for giving us the opportunity to present….also, a huge thank you to Dick Beardsley for his support and recognition of the program.

Simplyrun. For Kids is a 12 week running curriculum that I wrote for students in grades 3-5. During the 12 weeks, we train students to run a 5k....but, along the way, we guide students to begin setting short and long-term goals and make healthy nutritional choices. Also, we stress the importance of stretching, pacing, and proper running form.

I have been an educator for over 20 years and know how little time school staff have to create new programs....so, I wanted to create a running club for kids that was simple to use and based on healthy choices...a program that had all the pieces so it could be successfully implmented by anyone. After coaching a program for several years....Simplyrun. For Kids was born! SRFK includes an overview, weekly lesson plans, start-up materials, Coaches' Companion, parent letters and more! Check out http://www.simplyrun.com/ for more info!