my flag compression sleeves. They’re my favorite

and shin splints

I woke up to run my weekly Saturday run yesterday. I was immediately ailed by shin splints. Normally I wear compression sleeves on my calves to prevent these but they were all in the wash on that morning. I got about a mile before I needed to ice my shins. 

If you haven’t tried compression sleeves, I highly recommend them. They have been one of the most helpful things I’ve bought for running. 

I still have this terrible cough from the cough I had a few months ago. I am just praying everyday that when I wake up, the cough will be gone. It’s not only annoying, it’s impossible to complete runs without feeling like I’m suffocating. Tomorrow is a short 3 mile run, I’ll be sure to update about it!

Run 4 The Pies

Yesterday, I participated in the Run 4 The Pies. It was an eventful day to say the least. I missed logging my last run, it was an angry hill climb on the treadmill. 3.1 miles in 35 minutes and change. Success if you ask me.

Now, back to yesterday. My lazy butt crawled out of bed (on my day off) at 5:45am to drive 35 minutes to a 4 mile run. It was freezing cold that morning and that combined with a few other things, maybe I will discuss them later, made for a difficult run. One of my sorority sisters joined me on this adventure and she is currently recovering from strep throat. I ran with her for the first mile and a half and then we decided I should keep going and she would walk the rest. All in all I’m pretty happy with completing the run in 46:33.2, even though my first split was a 19.31.1, leaving me at an average of 11:38 per mile. I’m happy with that. I’m trying to start running under 12 minute miles so I am ecstatic with this. My legs are sore today but its a good sore. I also got to break in my new running shoes. I bought a pair of Brooks to replace my New Balance sneakers back in July but I hated them. They made my feet hurt after the first mile. Not ok. I just decided I was going bite the bullet and buy the upgraded version of my New Balance sneakers. It’s like returning home. I love them and I couldn’t be happier.

Tomorrow I have another 4 mile run and I want to complete that around the same time as the one I had yesterday.

Finish time: 46:33

Splits: 11:38

Packet pick-up: I was unable to go to pick up my packet the day before the race (since I work full-time) so I got to the race super early to pick up my shirt and packet. The packet pick up on race day was well organized and very quick and easy. I was disappointed in the fact that I did not receive an extra small shirt, since they had run out, and since the small was unisex, I swim in it. Needless to say I won’t be wearing it often, even though it was a cute shirt.

The Medal: This was the first year the Run 4 The Pies had a medal and I was pleasantly surprised by it. I love medals and if a race gives out a finisher’s medal, chances are I’m going to run it. (insert picture of medal)

The Swag: (insert picture of shirt) The goodie bag was given out in a plastic shopping bag and the main contents were coupons for a running store and some for services and fliers for upcoming races. Nothing too exciting. The shirt design is cute and it is a dri-fit. I appreciate the option for extra small, even though they ran out

The Good: Overall I liked the run. The post race area was a fun atmosphere and there were tents where runners could purchase merchandise. There was plenty of refreshments and the medal distribution was seamless. I really liked that this race was a 4 miler which is so different than the usual 5K races.

The Bad: I was not too impressed by the course itself. It wound through neighborhoods which let the residents sit in their yards as the race went by. I saw some pretty interesting things, like a bacon stand, but the course itself was boring. And I missed the first mile marker completely.

The Ugly: Nothing ugly about this race. I’ll be back again.

The yoga trials: part 1

While I haven’t started training again, I did attend a yoga/pilates fusion class last night. These classes are cruel and unusual punishment for someone like me. Let me explain…

I have no balance. This is in no way an exaggeration or a joke of any kind. I can’t balance for anything. I have no arches and double jointed ankles which makes trying to stand on one foot a wobbly mess. I am not quite as bad as my mother, who is hilarious to watch during the class (btw, do not laugh in yoga. It is apparently frowned upon). I wobble, and fall, and pretty much make a fool of myself for the whole hour. I am not in the least bit flexible either, which is essentially why I started the class. I want to be able to fully touch my toes. Currently I get to about just after the midway point in my shin.

But today, today I am tired. I mean that isn’t uncommon for me to be tired but I am. Juggling a full-time job, sleep, dating, friends is hard enough let alone doing all of those things around my running schedule. I live my life through my planner. It’s the only way I’d survive.

In the beginning…

As I will probably mention many more times, I do not pretend to be funny. While I entertain myself quite frequently with what I think is funny, others may not get the joke.

That being said, in the beginning there was a girl…who ran as slow as a turtle. I am in no way a fast runner. I am excited when I can run any kind of distance at a 12 minute mile. The other day, I was excited to run 2 miles in under 20 minutes (part of it was up and over a bridge). My goal, as of today, is to finish a half marathon in 2 hours and 45 minutes. Mind you, this goal is huge considering the marathon I ran last Saturday. Let me give you some background.

Saturday, I ran the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in Walt Disney World. I had been preparing for months and I was confident I could finish under 2:45, until about three weeks ago. I came down with the Black Plague of all flus. To this day, I still have the residule cough from it. This was my second half marathon and it was the most difficult thing I’ve done. I felt lucky to complete it in 3:26 and change. My first half I prepared less and finished in 3:09 and change. Disappointment is an understatement.

So starting Monday, I will be beginning a new training regimen to complete a half marathon on February 23 in 2:45. This is making to be a long post because I feel I need to explain. I recently graduated from UCF and I work full-time. That leaves very little time to run, or eat or sleep or do much else. I love exercise so I make time but its still a struggle. I am also considering signing up for Team in Training for the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in Washington, D.C. in April. I would have to raise $2,800 and that is a terrifying amount. I guess we will see what happens.