Oh winter.

Winter weather is here, which means my miles will have to pile up on the treadmill (a.k.a. The dreadmill).  I dislike the dreadmill.  It is not as easy as running outside.  I can't focus on the dreadmill. 

Tonight, I ran on the dreadmill while watching a show on Netflix. I only made it through two miles before I got frustrated and hopped off.

In more exciting news, I'm running my first 10k on Sunday! I'm really hoping to be under an hour, but I'll just have to wait and see.

Ugh

Just when it seemed like things were finally falling into place, something decides to be a jackin-ape.

Let's back up a little so everything makes sense.  Right before we moved to the beautiful state of Indiana, I had to get some repair work done on my car.  New brakes, arm bushings, etc all replaced to the tune of $650. That was roughly a month ago.  Now, my car has decided to go spaz-tastic on me and the air bag light keeps going on and off. I mean my car needs to seriously get it together.

Okay, that's it for venting.  In my little running bubble, I've been working at building my base back up. Sunday, I ran four fantastic miles at a little slower than my previous average pace. I'm hoping to hit the dreadmill tonight, but I'll have to wait and see what else is happening.

And finally, some happy news! I am now working as an instructional assistant in a nearby elementary school.  I love it there, and I am hoping to (eventually) have my own classroom.  Now, if I could just get a payday from any job, life would be great.

Small steps...

I finally went for a run today.  3.2 miles in new shoes and a new place, with a terrible (for me) pace.  Not sure what really caused my pace to be so slow today.  There were a lot of variables...the weather, the new shoes, the new area (and getting kind of lost), hydration, etc. No worries though, know that I'll get faster once I know my routes and get back in the swing of things.  I know that I need a routine, and once my new job starts, I'll have that.

On the job front, I was supposed to start today, but my background check has to get completed before I can go into work. I have my work ID and paperwork done, so it's just a matter of waiting.

Impatiently waiting for another change...

I have been pretty terrible at this lately. I have yet to run in my new locale, but that ends tomorrow. I need to get off my butt and get moving again. I have set some new goals, and it's time to set them in motion.
I am going to run the Indy Mini-Marathon.  It's a half marathon through town and the Indy speedway.
November's mileage is going to be 45 miles.  End of story. That's just how it has to be.
December is going to be 50, January is 60, February is 65 and so on.

In other news, I am waiting to hear back from a position I really want and one more interview on Tuesday.  Please keep your fingers crossed, pray to whomever you believe, etc. that I hear good news tomorrow.

Happy running, followers!

Wow.

It has been way too long since my last post, and for that I am sorry.  There's been a lot of craziness going on in my life, but I think I will be getting back into a routine soon.

Since my last post, the hubster had more interviews and accepted a position in Indiana.  We found out on September 27th that he got the position, and then spent the following (October 5th) weekend looking for a place to call home. We settled on a place, drove back home and moved into our first place together October 11th.  It's been quite the adventure so far, and I am looking to start substitute teaching again really soon.

I am also looking at getting back into my training.  Having taken most of September and October off, I feel like I'm not where I should be.  The plan is to get thirty miles in by Halloween.  I am pretty confident that I can reach that small goal to jump-start my training.

Fall Allergies

Ugh.  It's fall allergy season here, and it's hitting me hard.  I have been off the road for the last few days with a nose so stuffed up, I can't go anywhere with out a box of tissues.  I hate the treadmill (dreadmill), but I think I'll be hitting it up until the first frost.

Outside of running, the hubster and I are needing positive vibes, thoughts, and prayers.  There are some exciting things happening, but I don't want to post anything more than that, yet.  Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Allergies stink

With school back in session and my subbing days increasing, running has been happening on my days off during the week.  I really should pay closer attention to the allergy forecast, though. Yesterday was a super high ragweed pollen day.  I've never done well with my allergies, but Zyrtec™ has been working out for me.  Even the mighty Zyrtec™ wasn't able to help me yesterday.  So here I am with a stuffed-up, running-like-mad nose with a half gone box of tissues by my side.  Pretty pathetic, but I am just hoping that our first frost comes soon.

I may have more good news, but I don't really know anything yet.  I'll keep you all posted.

I've been slacking

With the school year starting, I've been slacking on my workouts.  I've already been in school subbing.  While I love to substitute,  it's hard to get a good morning run in before school.  The district I live in has two bus schedules, so I would have to finish my runs before 6:45 am in order to beat the buses and teachers.

In other news, pumpkin spice coffee creamer is out! I love fall and can't wait for the weather to get a little cooler.

Much better

I really missed running! I am glad to be back at it again, and hoping to crank out ten miles over the next week.  I think I'm going to do a shorter run Tuesday (2.5-3miles), 3 or 4 Thursday, and 5-5.5 Friday.
Today, I did 4 fantastic miles!  Nothing hurt, and my pace was pretty good at 10:14 per mile.  Hopefully, I'll get back to the 9:45 pace soon.

Busy week

After taking some time off, I hit the road Wednesday morning for a nice, easy 3 mile run.  I felt pretty good during and after.  I really missed getting out and running, but I knew I had to take a break to heal properly.
Thursday was the first day of school, and I had a half day assignment!  I am so thankful for the opportunity to substitute while the hubster looks for our more "permanent" location.  I subbed for the same teacher Friday, and have a few more days coming up.
I'm going to try and get 4 or so miles in tomorrow, so I can at least reach 30 miles for the month. Not your normal long run, but since I'm recovering, I have to rebuild my base up.  I'm hoping that the next few weeks lead to good things in running and life.

Holding off

Until tomorrow for a short run.  When I woke up this morning, my foot still hurt a little.  I'm going to hop in the hot tub tonight and pray that it feels better tomorrow.

I have determined that I don't have a stress fracture, though. I tried the jump test from runners world, and it didn't hurt.  I would hope that after 13 years of figure skating, repeatedly landing on my right foot, would make my bones strong.

Counting Down

After Monday's run, I put myself on a rest week to heal my minor injury.  My right foot has been achy, especially when it gets cold from the AC blasting all the time.  What has helped is keeping it up, wrapping it for a few days, and KT taping it.  I bought some clearance KT tape at Walmart, and have gone through almost an entire roll.  It's the regular type as opposed to the pro version, which might be why it isn't staying super stuck.  Because it isn't staying stuck to my foot, I've been taping the edges down with medical tape (see photos).  It really has been helping out though.  The KT tape has been providing support without adding a lot of bulkiness in my footwear, unlike like an ace bandage.

 

My feet look like they've been through a battle.

I plan to go out for a short run on Monday to see how things are feeling.  If they are feeling good, I'll continue with base training.  If not, then it'll be another "rest" week, and I'll be buying some more KT Pro tape.

And the winner is...

Molly Campbell!  Congrats to our winner and all who entered!  Make sure to share this page with family and friends, as I am trying to build my readership.

Day two off...

Ugh.  Taking time off is killing me (okay, not really killing).  I really don't want to have an injury since we could be moving (still a "could").  Right where our families live, there are very few jobs for chemists and even fewer for teachers.

I'm falling short on my goals...tomorrow is the half way point of the month and I have 13.86 miles done.  That's less than a mile per day.  I've been trying to do some light lifting/toning exercises with my upper body to not put too much pressure on my foot while I let it heal.

I bought some KT Tape today in an attempt to see if it might help.  I haven't applied it yet, but I'll keep you posted on how it works.

And then...

Life happens.  I have been battling this foot issue for a week now, so I have to take a break from running.  The bottom of my foot has been cramping when it gets cold and hurts after running on it.  I am currently wrapping it to provide compression and resting it, all in the hopes of getting back to running soon.  I'm hoping a week off will do the trick.

The raffle is on, and I will be giving away a pair of LockLaces™ very soon!  Please take the time to enter--it takes two minutes of your time for your name to be put in twice.

Lock laces review

First off, I had to take some time off  because my foot was in a lot of pain.  I'm not sure why since I've been scaling back my mileage the last two weeks.

So a few weeks ago, I entered a contest on Facebook to win some LockLaces™.  They were so generous that they sent me two pairs, even after the contest had ended!  I was floored by how awesome they treated me--there aren't many companies out there that act in such a customer-friendly way.

I put the hot pink ones they sent me in my shoes.  I love how bright the colors are, and the installation was really simple.  I have run with them twice now, so I feel like I can give them a fair review.  I love how I don't have to tie my running shoes anymore! I don't have to stop and retie either! The elastic in the laces adjusts to my foot and keeps them feeling snug in my shoes.  And the LockLaces™ make my shoes slip on and off extremely easy.

These would be great to put in young children's or older adults' shoes.  No tying, no bending, just awesome!

The best part--you can get a pair for free!  I'm giving away a pair.  Just follow the directions below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ouch

So after the 5k Sunday evening, I had to drive back home.  Not the greatest idea, because I started to stiffen up while driving.  I walked around after the race, but here I am on Tuesday still sore from running.   I am laying on my heating pad on my bed trying to get some relief.

In other news, my LockLaces™ came in and I installed them in my shoes.  I really want to try them out, but my muscles are achy.  I'm hoping that a detox bath might help so I can get back out and running.

So excited to try these out!  Stay tuned for a review and another special surprise!

A Mighty Hilly 5K

Last night, I ran the Michael R Hardesty Memorial 5K.  It has to be one of the hilliest 5Ks ever.  Mile 2 was super slow, but my mile 3 was about 9:01.

I didn't decide to run until 4:00 pm yesterday, and race registration started at 5:00 pm.  The hubster and I arrived around 5:15 pm and had to wait until 7:00 for the race to start.  It was quite chilly when the race started--what happened to summer?

 The first mile was good time-wise at 9 minutes & 12 seconds.  My second mile was slower as I hit a pretty hilly section. Mile three was awesome!  I hit my stride and my pace increased.  As I rounded the corner towards the finish line, I hit an all out sprint.  

Here's some pictures courtesy of the dear hubster!

Three miles down, 57 to go

This morning I went for a quick 3.7 mile jog.  It was great to be back and running in my hometown.  It's not super hilly here, but we still have decent hills.

I have found a 10K to run, but I don't want to register quite yet.  Since finding jobs is the first priority right now, we have to be ready to move at the drop of a hat.  Which means I can't sign up for a race here until the day of.

On the downside, I have had some bad headaches the last two days.  They seem to get worse in the evening.  I think it's from all of the stress of not knowing where we're going yet.  I hate feeling like I'm in limbo, but sometimes my habit of running gets me out of those feelings.

Happy August!

Since it is a new month, I thought that I should set some goals for this month.

Goal #1--run 60 miles this month.
     This should be a pretty attainable goal, especially since I ran 50 miles in July.

Goal #2--speed up my pace.
     I'd like to get my average pace to under 10 min per mile.  Once upon a time, I had a seven minute mile.  While that isn't realistic right now, I'd like to get to 8:45 a mile.

Goal #3--run a 10K.
     I haven't run a 10k ever.  I've run 5Ks and the Disney Princess Half Marathon, but no 10Ks.  Hopefully, I will find one to ride this month.

Those are my running goals for the month.  Hopefully, the hubster and I will hit some other goals on our big-kid check list too, like getting jobs.  The only thing we can do is apply and keep our fingers crossed.

Clean up, clean up

No runs today, but I did get my workout for sure.  The hubster and I have to move out of our tiny abode tomorrow, so we spent the day getting rid of things and cleaning.  We have destroyed the awful sleeper sofa!  No more sleeping like a bat!  We're sleeping on the mattress on the floor.  

Tomorrow we have to pack up the rest of our stuff in our cars and head to my hometown.  The hubster and I are on the job hunt.  

This is the hubster and I on our way to a college formal.  Just thought you might like to see who I'm talking about.

Most miles to date

Today (and most of last week) has been pretty cool for end of July. So, I got a long run in today.  9.15 miles at a 10:23 per mile pace.  Then the hubster and I walked two-thirds of a mile to get lunch and back.  And with all of that I'm back on top of the Nike+ leader board, but not by much.  (Did I mention that I am super-competitive?)

Anyway, I have covered 50.8 miles this month! I'm hoping to get one more mid-range run in once we've moved, but I'm not sure that it will happen.  The downside to this is I am beating up my shoes pretty bad.  I bought them at the end of May, and they have 97.5 miles on them.  I'm rotating them with my old shoes.  Let's just hope that the hubster and I find jobs soon, so I can buy new running shoes.

Well...

I have been off track on my training recently.  Life has gotten in the way.  My hubster and I are moving out of the tiny abode, and so we've spent much of the day cleaning and moving stuff out of the place.  That counts as a workout right?

Hopefully, once the first move is completed, I will get to be back on track.

Rest day

Today has to be a rest day because I have 5 bug bites on my feet.  Socks and shoes make my feet itch.  It really stinks because we have a cool streak of with perfect running weather (in my opinion).  Temperatures here haven't been more than 75 degrees for the last few days. It has been fantastic!

Outside of running, the hubster and I have been applying for jobs and packing up the teeny apartment.  He should be finishing up all of his graduation requirements today, and tonight my sorority is presenting the extension plans at Kent.  I am so excited to be involved in this opportunity, even if it won't be for a long period of time.

What a difference

A day makes.  Yesterday, I got up early to get a run in while it was cooler out and had a terrible time. Today I wasn't feeling good from the start, but went later (cool-snap anyone?).  Ran 4 miles and it felt pretty good.
This afternoon I walked to and around downtown Kent.  There are a lot of interesting places to look and shop in the updated part of town. I'm really going to miss the ability to walk and do things, but moving is a part of life.
The hubster just ordered some dinner.

Trying to get back on track

Last week, I only ran once.  I had planned on running Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, but life and the weather got in the way.  I ran Tuesday; it was a good run.  Thursday rolled around and there was a heat advisory.  The heat advisory continued into Friday as well.

I attempted to get back in the swing of things this morning with a 3 mile run.  As I headed out the door, something felt off. Less than a quarter mile in, and my heel was hurting.  I slowed my pace, and continued on my way.  The more I ran, the more my leg started to hurt.  Then I would walk, and my leg would feel better. I would start running again, my leg would hurt, I would start walking--and it continued in a vicious cycle until I got home.

I thought that using my foam roller would help, but there is still some tightness that won't go away in my calf muscle.  It kind of feels like I had a charlie horse in my leg, but I haven't had one in a while.

Hopefully, it will feel better tomorrow so I can get another run in before the next heat wave starts.

Curveball

I love running outside.  I hate running on a treadmill, and I don't have one handy at the moment.

I woke up to a heat advisory, and the temperatures were already too hot and humid to run. I could have skated instead, but my skates are at my parents house in PA.  I feel like a total slacker today-- not that I have been because I made lunch for the hubster and myself, started dinner, and cleaned the shower.  But it stinks when I can't go for a run or skate.

Tomorrow, we are heading out on a grand adventure. We have a friends' wedding to go to in Cranberry Saturday, so we are going to run some errands tomorrow.  First stop is his parents' place to get some of his out of season stuff out of our tiny abode.  Then we have to go to two different DMVs--he has to get plates, I have to change my name on my license--in two different states.  Finally we're off to my parents' where we'll be staying for part of the weekend.

Hopefully, I can get a run in tomorrow and remember to bring my skates back with me. I really miss the ice, and I am terrified to go back out and have lost everything.

Me skating in 2009 at ISI Adult Champs in Lake Placid.  I won this event 😄in old skates with no edges or rocker on my blades.  

Humidity is the enemy

Seriously though, the humidity is the worst.  I got up a little earlier today to try to beat the heat.  The temperature was okay at 73 degrees, but the humidity was 93%.  Today was a three and a half miles on a trail and the bike lane.

Humidity is bad because I 1) have a hard time breathing and 2) turn into a male lion.  Because I have spent most of my athletic career in cold ice rinks, breathing in warm, moist is really difficult.  The other issue with humidity is just a general thing, but my hair does some seriously weird stuff.  It gets bigger and bigger unless I put a ton of conditioner in it. Not as bad as a friend of mine, but still.

Summer running is hot

So, the heat of summer has hit hard.  I'm not an early bird, but I think it will become a necessity.
Today is a semi-rest day since I had to walk downtown to pick up some Vera Bradley I ordered.  So I walked roughly 3 miles in 90 degree heat-not my best idea.

With it being so hot out, I have been trying to use the slow-cooker and tonight's meal was a hit.  I put some boneless chicken breast, pasta sauce, and parmesan cheese in the slow-cooker on low at lunch.    I made some pasta to go with it.  Even the hubster liked it!

Hopefully, I can get up early enough tomorrow to get a good run in before it heats up.  Then Thursday and Friday will be back to back runs.  Saturday, the hubster and I will be off to another wedding.

Weekly recap

This has been an interesting week.  The summer tutoring program I was working is now finished. That means I can run more consistently :), but I'll have no income until I can substitute again :(.

 July  7
     Long, easy run of 10 in Kent

July 8
     Rest day/travel back to home for work

July 9
     AM tutoring. PM 3.3 run then soak in the hot tub

July 10
     Rest day and tutoring

July 11
     Last day of Summer tutoring :(

July 12
     4.1 run, mock interview, and travel back to Kent.  Also walked to town from the university.

July 13
     Rest day before long run Sunday

July 14
     6.1 mile run

This week (except Sunday) was supposed to be a lower mileage week. When I followed the Galloway plan for the princess half,  it seemed like every other week the mileage dropped to 3 for the long runs.  I didn't like that since my 30 minute runs were 3-5 miles.

Currently, I am trying to convince my hubby to walk a 5K with me by the end of the year.  I think he'll do it.  I'm looking for a 10K or a closer half to do before then, but with not knowing where going to be yet, it's difficult to pick a race.

Disappointments and triumphs

I am extremely competitive.  In high school and college, I competed in taekwondo and figure skating. I would travel a lot for events; Florida, Ohio, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Arkansas, and all around Pennsylvania for tournaments and competitions.

In my senior year of HS, I decided to try to make top ten in taekwondo.  I had just earned my first degree black belt the year before, and had placed in all of my tournaments prior.  My parents took my brother and I out of school to compete at fall nationals; we were excited.  Once we got there, I found out I had two judging assignments before my ring.  I was not happy, but part of being a leader is stepping up to the challenges that are laid out in front of you.  Things didn't go according to ATA's plan, and I was late to my ring.  It had me rattled.  I had never felt that before; normally, I am pretty calm under pressure. But here I was in unfamiliar territory, with competitors I had never met, and I felt completely out of sorts.  I didn't have time to warm up or anything. I went out and competed.  But it wasn't my best performance.  I felt awful-my parents took me out of school to Disney World just so I could make the top ten.

That tournament sealed my fate.  There would be no top ten for me.

That adventure showed me that I need to give 110% in everything I do.  Because I took the pressure off of my skating to focus on taekwondo, my skating improved.  I started doing better at competitions in skating.  I started placing in events and trying out new ones. I struggled with a jump for a year, and I finally started landing it consistently in competitions. It was a turning point. Skating brought my confidence back.

I transfered all that I learned from my disappointment to make my running better.  Every time I run a race, I know I have to give it every ounce of energy I have.  I have to constantly train to improve my time.  I compete against myself when I run.  I have to beat my last time, wether it's my 5K or a half marathon.  Just like in skating or taekwondo, each time I pushed to make my program better.  I can't control all of the situations, like the weather, the judges' moods, my competitors' performances.  I can only control what I do.  The rest is out of my hands.

(Just so everyone knows, I still skate.  Not as much as I wish I could. I really hope to get back on the ice ASAP.)

I never thought...

I'd be a runner.  You see, I have been a figure skater for over half of my life. I started running to help stay in shape for skating, but then something happened.  My kindergarten teacher and former co-worker was diagnosed with cancer.  I started to relive feelings I felt when my mom was diagnosed with Hodgkin's over 15 years ago.  At one point during my mom's treatments, she told me that you only have one life, so you need to take advantage of each moment.

I decided to run the Disney World Princess Half Marathon this year. The Princess Half Marathon benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, as well as other charities. I had originally wanted to run as part of Team in Training, but I started too late to fund raise for it. My mom was worried that I wouldn't be able to do it at first.  I had only run two 5Ks prior to deciding, one of which I sprained my ankle.

From October on, I have developed a love of running.  I spent time and energy running farther and farther than I ever imagined I would run.  I sought advice from runners who had run Disney before (This site has great advice).  I began to feel better about running and my decision to run the Princess Half as my first half marathon.

February came, and I completed the Princess in 2:44:27 (chip time). I started in corral F and enjoyed every moment of the race.  There was always something to see or people cheering us on. I made some rookie mistakes (cotton t-shirt), but I was running for a purpose.  Even though I didn't run for Team in Training, I felt like I was supporting them.

Since the Princess, I have finished three more 5Ks, achieved a 5K PR of 27:28.10, and married my husband.  This year has been full of many adventures, and I can't wait to see what else this year has in store! 

Thanks Marathon Foto for the only picture I have during the race!