Thou shalt not neglect the Saturday run update....

Yesterday I ran around the rural roads not too far from our house instead of doing the Team run. Jeff is on call this weekend and I needed to be closer to home in case he got called. Let's just say that the team run is a lot more fun. I did manage to squeak out 8 miles, dodge lots of roadkill, cars going over the speed limit, and a lot of dogs not on leashes. My left hip and whatever muscles it involves is also in quite a bit of pain. I am doing my darnedest to stretch it out and see if I can get it back to normal. I did my 3 today with Ridley and am going to relax and watch the USA vs Canada gold medal game. GO Team USA!

Another reason to run

A dear family friend emailed me this week and told me that a friend of their family was just diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. She is 28 years old. You never know when or where or who one of these horrible diseases will pop up. If ever I was feeling unmotivated to run, I have yet another reason to get out there, run hard, work hard, pray hard, and keep raising more money for this great cause. Please take a look at Ashley's caring bridge page. pray for her, encourage her, and support her and everyone else who is dealing with a blood cancer.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ashleysullivan1

The Little Things

So, you've started running a lot, and you think about just getting through it. My recent knowledge has enlightened me to the little things.... What about shoes, socks, and who ever would have thunk it...laces. So...I added some amazing socks and some hassle free laces to my routine..... such a difference- who knew! The laces are the bungee type laces that you only have to "set" once. I am totally on board with these, and the only cost around $6!!!! It is such a thrill to find the little things that make running so much easier.

My shoes and my new laces.

2 Months

Two months from now I will have completed the Country Music Half Marathon and will be celebrating a great run with my TEAM. Everything seems to be running smoothly with my training. I'm slightly ahead of schedule on my mileage and nothing aches or hurts too badly. Yay!
If you happen to be in the Birkdale area on Saturday mornings or Tuesday nights and see a bunch of people running around, give us a shout out and root us on!

8 Minute Mile

No, no, it wasn't me running the 8 minute mile. I prefer a 10-ish minute pace, however I had a bit of an unexpected workout with resistance training this afternoon while I took Ridley for a run. Who would have thought that the lazy old dog who lays on the love seat all day and can barely be bothered by anything but food would be such a fast runner? I spent the first 2 miles pulling back on the leash to try to get him to slow down. Those 4 legs can move fast! When he wasn't running at warp speed, he was playing a game of "name that scent," so it was hard to get a good pace going today, but we met our 3 mile goal for the day. Ridley gave me a little break for about a half mile before he decided to ramp it up again. I'm going to have to get in better shape if I want to keep up with my "lazy," old dog!

At least he was tired in the end. He spent about an hour in this position, conveniently located next to the water bowl.

Seven Mile Morning

Ahhh, the sunshine!!! So what if it was still 30 degrees this morning, the sun was shining! I have been out of the game all week due to a lovely stomach bug that kept me couch bound all week, but I went out for the team run this morning and made 7 miles look easy! I guess resting my legs all week really paid off. That, and the fact that there was no snow on the ground. I am very proud of myself as 7 miles is the farthest I have ever gone on foot. It definitely helps that I have met some really cool people through the team, and have some running buddies that enjoy the slow and steady pace that I have. Now I'm going to enjoy the rest of this sunny day and will be back at it tomorrow with 3 easy miles. The challenge: I'm taking Ridley with me tomorrow.

Another snow day.

Seriously, this is North Carolina, not Minnesota! What's with all the snow? Our Saturday morning Team run was canceled due to 4 inches of snow on the ground, but we did have our gear clinic at "Run for Your Life." It was very informative and I did learn a lot. I managed to get my 6 miles in on Sunday with another team mate who lives close by. Today is Zumba for crosstraining and then running tomorrow again. Things are coming along and I am making progress!

Best foot forward

It is official! I DO NOT have 2 left feet. I had my feet analyzed today by a chiropractor that works with Team in Training. He has worked with the TEAM for several years and offers free injury prevention info and free gait analysis. Results: I am likely not to fall apart any time soon.

According to the computer, I am somewhat balanced, more so on the left, and a little wonky on the right. Tell me about it. I carry Ben on my left hip. Tsk, tsk, Mommy.

As it turns out, I am a mega-pronator. Hmmm. I could have sworn that I was a supinator, but either way I need "motion control" shoes. I'll be at "Run For our Life" on Saturday for the Gear Clinic. I think my feet have finally shrunk back down from being pregnant too, so maybe a new pair of shoes is in order? We'll see.

By the way, I did my 3 miles today. I HATE the treadmill. Please, please weather, get warmer. I have to do the treadmill on Thursdays because I am not mean enough ro submit my children to tundra-esque weather and sub zero wind chill. Come on Mr. Golden Sun, please, please shine down on me!

Brrrr.

Wow. This has been the longest, coldest winter I have ever been a part of. Ok, so I'm from Florida, so that is not saying much. However, this is rare for North Carolina as well. What does that mean for my training? It means that I put on a hat, gloves, and a raincoat if necessary, and make it work. This was never my ideal, but I must say it's not so bad. We have not had a day above 35 degrees since I started my training and I admit I am getting used to it. I always remember that doing what I am doing is much easier than chemo. I can do it. I can do it for LLS.

Welcome!

Welcome to my Team in Training blog! I have been training with TNT for 3 weeks now and am going to run the Country Music Half Marathon on April 24, 2010. Having never run such a distance before, and still blaming "baby weight," I was a little nervous taking on this endeavor. No more. I am excited, proud, and ready to run. Sure, I may not, ok, and definitely not the fastest or most graceful runner out there, but I'm passionate about this cause! i am running with experienced runners, couch to marathon programmers, people like myself, AND cancer survivors! It is a great group of people, and an organization I am proud to associate my tired, sweaty self with.