Uphill both ways

10 miles today with my friend Nicole!  We did AWESOME! especially compared to the last time we tried 10 miles.  It took me about 1 hr 45 min.  I did the first half in 51 min and the second half in 54 minutes.  The whole time we were running the first half, I kept saying that I though we running uphill on a small incline, Nicole told me it was flat.  I said the same thing on the way back and that is where I got my entry title.  Basically, you had to be there.  I had so much energy at the end, I totally should have tried to keep up with Nicole.  But I'm of the mindset that if I am going to spend close to 2 hours or more running, it should be enjoyable and not a killer.  The reality is that I am not an extreme or professional runner.  I am a girl who wants to run her 1st marathon and complete it.  I'm getting the distance in without stopping and I'm proud of that.  I'm not too concerned with my time come marathon day, I just want to finish and be proud that I did. 

I ran 3 miles on Wednesday.  It was awesome because I babysit during the day but this week the girl wasn't there and the boy had golf camp in the morning.  I was able to drop him off and run and get paid!  Sweet.  I wish I had done it yesterday too like planned but instead I took a nap.

3 miles tomorrow (slow) and 5 on Sunday.  I'm moving at the end of July so I'm mighty stressed, I hope it doesn't impact my running.



couldn't find a good picture with a woman



So today I saw my doctor about my kyphosis (basically I slouch) and how it is effecting my running.  She referred me to a physical therapist and then told me that not all body types were meant to run marathons.  She was excited that I was doing it though and when I left she told me good luck.  I'm very confused, except for that one comment, she seemed totally cool with the marathon and that is why she gave me the referral which she said she normally wouldn't be allowed to do since my case is mild.  I can't get in until August though so that sucks.



Today

I woke up today and my back was soooo sore.  My back has never been sore from running, not during high school cross country, not while running in college, not training for my half marathon in 2009, and not really recently.  My dad said it is probably left over from my back injury at work a few weeks ago.  This is not good.  I know I have mild kyphosis (basically i slouch) and so my running form is not as it should be but its never made my back hurt like this before.  Also, I don't think it can be the kyposis because it is my lower back that hurts, not the upper back.  So booooo for my work related back injury, I hope it doesn't happen again.  Also, my friend and I ran on a dirt trail with some rocks so the terrain might be playing into this.  Because I was fine a week ago on my 8 mile run and 2 weeks ago when I ran 9 miles.  I'll keep monitoring it.  Tomorrow is field day at school.  I hope my back is still not sore.

I'm bummed I didn't get my 21 miles in this week.  Today I ran 3 miles slow on the treadmill and did the elliptical for 30 minutes.  My body was fine on a low level on the elliptical but wanted off the treadmill so badly.  This is yet another crazy week so I hope I can fit in my 4 runs and 1 cross session.

Dumb



no, this is not me,
 just how I feel



So I hurt my back on Tuesday.  But I didn't know I hurt my back until Wednesday.  So, that awesome 4 miles run on Tuesday probably did me more harm than good.  Well, I got the ok to go back to work and so I assumed I was all healed.  Yea, NO!  Running yesterday and today was not such a great idea and I only have myself to blame.  But I am so gung-ho about this marathon I don't want my training to slow down.  We'll see if I'm up for the 3 miles run I have planned for tomorrow.  I also realize I am breaking the rules I so clearly outlined to the doc I thought wouldn't approve of this marathon idea.  Blah!  I promise if my back hurts tomorrow, I will not run.

Morning runs are hard for me.  I woke up, ate an apple and peanut butter sandwich that I made the night before and placed next to my bed.  Then I went back to sleep for an hour and then watched TV for an hour.  I also drank about 12 oz of water (probably not enough).  Then I drove to the trail.  I had to walk some of the last mile of my 5 mile run so my time was slow.  I don't know if it was the heat, my food, or that my body is just used to evening runs.  Also, I ran last night around 6pm so I had less than 24 hours to recover.  I gotta figure out this morning run stuff.  If I feel well tomorrow, my 3 miles will also be done in the morning.