YMCA Runners Club Report

That sounds so impressive, huh? Like there were 20 people running this morning....lol. It was just me and Coach Jim, but it was a great run. I have had a hip flexor injury since the marathon almost 5 weeks ago. I have attempted to run twice, the first time went well, but then I was hurting again. The second time I couldn't even run more than 5 steps. I wanted to run last Wed but Jim said to wait. I'm so glad I listen to him, he was right AGAIN.

So....I took my core exercise class this morning at 9am. I love that class. Got me all stretched out and ready. OH...the new running shoes I got were not very comfy, I mentioned this to Jim the other day and he looked at them. Come to find out....they are for people who hit the ground heel first. I'm a nuetral runner and so those shoes were not right for me. He pointed out the extra lift at the heel and no gel at the inside ball of the foot. Hmmmmm.....made me wonder if that had any effect on my running lately. Or lack thereof. Jim advised me to wear my old faithfuls for today's run, and I did.

HUGE difference. I felt the initial tenderness, nothing too bad, but I noticed right away the pain on lift off and impact was gone. I'm thinking that the flexor was irritated by my feet not hitting the pavement correctly. I am expecting my new Asics Gel Stratus in a couple days. YAY!

We started off slow and steady, my muscle felt better and better with every step. My happiness level rose right along with it! We did the walk/run, staying at about a 9-9.5 mm pace. We decided on a 3 mile run. Today's quote was "Retain The Improvement". Which just means "Don't Over Do It And Screw Up The Future Of Your Running, Kim". Yeah, see?? I can read between the lines.

On the run back, I was introduced to a little something special. It's called a "fartlek". Pronounced "fahlek" The "T" is silent, didn'tcha know??? Here's what happened....a man ran past us (as if we were running slow) and I jokingly sped up and passed him (being a smarty-pants) and then slowed back down. Jim said that was a "fahlek". Hmm....seemed interesting. He said people use the technique for speed training. Hmmmm, even MORE interesting. So we gave that a shot. You run a normal pace for about 5 minutes, then do a full out sprint for a very short distance, like 50 feet. I LOVED IT! I felt like a rebel because I've been holding back, keeping a 10 mm pace for the marathon training. It felt spectacular and I can't wait to do it again!!! I feel excited about the speed training, I wanted to start Monday but that "quote for the day" kept popping into my head. You know...."Retain The Improvement". So I'll see how I feel Monday....HA!! Just kidding!!! I'll give it another week. But then I'm OFF!!!!

I'm still doing the happy dance. I'm so happy. Sherry....ready for a run girlfriend?????
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Shave Your 5K Challenge

http://www.half-fast.org/2008/02/shave-your-5k-challenge.html

Ok, obviously I can't figure out how to get the link to this challenge onto my blog. Hope this works without bringing my "assumed" IQ level down. And you know who I'm talkin' 'bout....

Still No Running =(

I don't know how much longer I can stand this. Someone mentioned a cortizone shot and I thought that might be the ticket, but I asked Jim this morning about them. He said it just takes away the pain. That's no good, because I'm planning on some serious speed/hill training. I'll wind up hurting it worse. It would be like bashing your numb hand with a hammer. Would it hurt? No. Would that stop the damage? No again.

So I guess I need to learn a little patience. That's something I have never had. I open presents on Christmas Eve and rewrap them before anyone finds out. I search for birthday gifts like a 9 year old child. I don't play any games I have to wait my turn for. I can honestly tell you, patience is NOT my best quality. It's not one of my qualities at all. Yeah....whatever.

I do have a slight problem. I can't think of a single hill here in Florida. Can you?? Maybe the bridge in Sarasota, but I don't see me heading out that way 4 times a week. Maybe I could run the beaches. That's supposed to be a workout and a half. But I'd just lay in the sand, I know me. I love the beach. Maybe the stairmaster??? GOD, I will hate that thing. Safe to say I most likely will avoid that particular machine. If the pool were not so flipping freezing I could do some stuff in there. Like float around on the raft with a beer and a book....HA!! Too bad I'm serious.

Well ya know what? My kids and husband are home this week. I will plan on going to the gym early and doing my regular stuff this week. Like a little break I guess. I'll pretend I WANT a break from running. I'll trick my mind a little.

So did I mention I ordered up some spikes???? I went left-wing and got a pretty bluish-purple color. Okay, so I couldn't get the pink in my size, but these have pretty flowers on them. And I can always spray paint them pink, right? No? We'll see. So much for tricking my mind, huh.

I'll just admit it, I want to run.
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