Every Mile Earned

This is sort of a review. I've not really done reviews so I'm not sure what to include, but here goes... I spent way too much time trying to pick a workout that fit my time schedule (full-time on-line college takes up SO much time because it's ALL reading, plus the assignments. I feel like I'm just teaching myself all these new concepts because there's very little professor interaction. Ok, sorry, mini rant over). Running is the easy part right now of trying to be healthy again. Don’t get me wrong, going through C25K (again) is hard because of how out of shape I am. BUT it's easier for me than trying to pick a good strength training routine. I like parts of everything I find!   I've used Melissa Alcantara and Sandy Sklar in the past, both from the Playbook app, with great success. I especially loved Melissa Alcantara's workouts but they are usually an hour long. There are other workouts I've used too but everything seems to take so much time.  Then I...

ADDITIONAL MARATHON NOTES If you read my post, Philadelphia Marathon Recap , then you saw that I did a few things different this cycle.  I forgot to include two of the changes I have made. I bought an Orange Mud Hydraquiver this summer and have been using that with handheld water bottles, when they are needed.  I have a bladder that I've never fully enjoyed using. The hydraquiver works perfectly for me. Most of the time I forget that I'm even carrying all that fluid on my back. I'm super thrilled with this purchase. The biggest change I made this cycle has to do with my footwear. Anyone who has known me for 5 minutes, knows I wear VibramFiveFingers . They are what I started running on the road with in 2009, and except for when I sprained my foot in 2015, they are all I have ever run with. I have tried Merrill Gloves but they just don't work for me as well as I'd like.  This cycle I an old injury in my big toe joint, on my right foot, started acting up. On the...

This has been a good week. A week of hard workouts. A week of some good decisions. Drill Sargeant decided to keep me on his team and I decided to keep him as my coach. I can't believe it's really been four weeks of our trial period together. I like the workouts he's scheduled for me. They are not workouts I'd do on my own or a schedule I'd have the discipline to follow. And there is the accountability that I need to make sure I actually do the workouts. Yesterday was my long run. 10 miles and I was able to sustain an average 9:30 pace. As I was running, I was falling behind the pace I wanted to keep, and in my minds eye, I could see Drill Sergeant yelling at me to "Suck it up Buttercup" and telling me not to quit. I'm sure if he'd been there, it would have been something like that. It was just what I needed at the time. It's also why I've decided his blog name is Drill Sergeant. This is how I view my running coach when I'm stru...

For the last three weeks I have been running about 6 days a week. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again, this is new to me. My mileage hasn't increased that much, maybe 5-7 miles a week but the quality of my runs has increased 100%!  I feel better, stronger, more fluid, less swelling and less stiffness.  Working with a coach is the most exciting thing to come along in my running since I hit a sub 30 5k.  He's helped me to define goals and visualize myself achieving them. Normally I just hope to hit some goal with poor training and minimal running. I had a good week of running, which I was surprised because of my race last weekend.  My weight workout on Tuesday was rough but the rest of the week was about what I expected.  I was also battling some sort of stomach bug. My energy was low and early in the week, when I'd eat, I'd get extremely dizzy. I'm glad it only stuck around a couple days.  I was very pleased with my workout on Wednesday...

This year I knew I wanted to my running to benefit someone else besides just me.  I looked at a few popular charities that I see a lot of runners support.  They are all very good charities and need to be supported but they didn't speak to my heart. I wanted it to be something I could be passionate about.  Then it hit me. DUH! PKD.  Polycystic kidney disease. The following information is from National Kidney Foundation (I've abbreviated some the page here) What is polycystic kidney disease? Polycystic kidney disease (also called PKD) causes numerous cysts to grow in the kidneys. These cysts are filled with fluid. If too many cysts grow or if they get too big, the kidneys can become damaged. PKD cysts can slowly replace much of the kidneys, reducing kidney function and leading to kidney failure. How common is PKD? In the United States about 600,000 people have PKD. It is the fourth leading cause of kidney failure. It is found in all races and occurs equall...

Three days post half marathon and I feel great.  I love living where if I run from home, I have hills all around me.  I think it helps my legs more than extra miles I may have run.  The course was rolling hills scattered through out and yet I still feel really strong today.  The only part of me that hurts is the ankle that I rolled later in the day on Sunday.  Not sure if I need PT or what but it's the 4th time I've rolled it really hard in the last year.  I'm back to wearing my Vibrams all the time instead of shoes. Ever time I roll it, I'm wearing shoes. I plan on going for a run tomorrow to see how I feel.  Looking forward to getting back on the road. I signed up for my first 10k on June 6th.

Today was the type of run that every runner should have for a first race, no matter the distance.   The weather was perfect, I enjoyed every step, I met my goal yet took time to celebrate with spectators, take selfies with family and friends and ran with some amazing women who helped me enjoy the race. I’ve run longer races and short races but today was the perfect race. As of right now, this is my favorite race that I’ve done.   So on race day you should do nothing different from what you’ve done in training runs. Today I did three new things.  I ran with flatties. (Pictures of running friends from around the country). I ran with a new camera. Took video for the 1st 4 miles instead of pictures because I was on the wrong setting.  (took almost a 100 pictures) I ran with shoes that only have 3 miles on them. I hear the collective gasp now.  Seriously, they are Vibrams and I they don’t really need to be broken in.  Pre-race: *I was up at 5 am ...

The run that didn't happen.  I spent Thursday not being able to breathe without pain. Something was out in a rib or vertebrae. Luckily I have an amazing chiropractor that was able to get me aligned again.  I am hoping to get a short run in today to stretch my legs and get out a few nerves. I'm excited to be heading to the expo today.  Lots of new goodies to be had!

Last night was my second run of the week. I'm scheduled for two more but I'm only going to do a short one tomorrow to work out any tightness. My run last night was great.  Totally different from the other night.  I was so tired and didn't really feel like running, I wanted a nap.  But I laced up when Mr. Basbe got home and had him drop me off in town.  I actually ran the first three miles of the half I'm doing on Sunday. I ran the back 7 a few weeks ago so I've got almost a complete picture of the course.  It's nice being able to preview the race ahead of time.  On our way into town I downed a GU, with 20mg of caffeine which I regretted at 10pm since I don't drink coffee anymore I've very sensitive to it.  I felt full of energy and ready to take on the course.  The road has a slight uphill but I actually felt strong.  By the time I was a half mile into it though, I felt slow and sluggish. I felt like I was working too hard and running too...

I have a love/hate relationship with taper week.  I love the lower mileage, it's nice to take a break from training but I hate the feeling like I'm not running like I should. I feel like the lower miles makes me less prepared.  I know that's not true at all. I've seen how the short break before a race can really improve my running.    Last nights run was supposed to be 3 miles. I made it 2.5 miles at a 9:41 pace, which shocked me. I felt like I was running a 11:30 pace. My legs felt like lead, my bad ankle ached, I got a bad side stitch (which I rarely get!), the muscles between my shoulder blades knotted up and I couldn't catch my breath at all. Plus, after the way I ate last week, my stomach has been a mess for two days.  I finally broke down and called Mr. Basbe to come pick me up. I've not called him to rescue me since my marathon training days.  I really didn't have a choice, I had to go. Where I was running is called Corporate Drive and there are a...

Next Sunday I will be running my first half marathon, Binghamton Bridge Run. I honestly don't feel like I'm ready. I probably am though. I was plagued with a back injury that kept me from the first 3 weeks of training. Then the weather was so horrible that I wasn't getting outside to get my runs in and frankly, anything over 6 miles on the treadmill is downright torture. I've gotten most of my long runs in since then but not all of my weekday runs. I have a goal of 2:30 or better for my time. I believe I can accomplish this if everything goes ok.  Since it's my first half, it will be an instant PR no matter what I run! Looking forward to this year.  I have more longer races planned than I was initially going to run.  The Vestal XX will be a personal triumph (I'll explain later), the CanLake50 will be my first ultra and the RW Half & Festival will one big party of running and meeting more of my friends-in-my-phone. But first, to get through the first race...