Every Mile Earned

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...