Da Do Run Run Run, Da Do Run Run!!!

Remember Shawn Cassidy???? LOL When I was in 3rd grade I had a light blue satin jacket with Shawn Cassidy on the back. My best friend was so jealous. This song popped into my head this morning and I thought I'd share the chuckle with you!

Well...for the first time in 3 weeks, I really feel like I'm back on track. I kind of took it easy this week at the gym, I didn't want to stress out the achilles and I still have a little cough. I did upper body workouts, elliptical twice, yoga, and an exercise class to gently work up to a nice little run for this morning. Mike Moses is fast becoming my new running partner. He's a trainer at the gym too. He tends to push me for speed, which in the beginning was hard for me, but now I relish the competition. Someday I am going to beat that man in a 5K. Yeah, there I said it! Haha!! I'm going to beat Jim too. I'm not going to mention this again. I'm hoping they forget and while I train mercilessly, maybe they'll slack off and I'll beat 'em. I think that may be the only way I will actually beat either of them. It's a fun new goal anyway.....

This Saturday (tomorrow) my husband and I are taking the kids to a fun walk on Venice island. It's to support my local YMCA! I love those guys over there. I need to walk it because Sunday morning I'm doing a 5K on Boca. That'll be a great race, very scenic. After that I won't be running more than 2-3 miles until after the marathon. I want to keep my muscles from getting strained. I want to be in top shape and well rested for the big one!

I ran 2 miles with Mike this morning after my core exercise class. I forgot to set my stop watch (GRRRR) but the 2nd mile was about 9 minutes, which means the first one was a little faster. I did not have even one twinge of pain. My achilles is all healed. My endurance was better than I expected for not having run for 3 weeks, but the elliptical probably helped that.

I am SO looking forward to this marathon. I can't even find the words to explain it.

Getting Back On Track.....

Ok, I went back to the gym yesterday for the first time in over a week. (I had the flu) I did some upper body weights, rowing and some crunches. It felt great to get back in there. Jim basically said one word to me Monday....ELLIPTICAL. I tried that in November and just did not like it. I could only do about 20 minutes on it and then I'd need a 3 hour nap. So I used to walk past it and pretend it wasn't there.

Today I was determined to spend some time with that elliptical machine. I went in around 12:15, lunchtime, knowing the place would be pretty much abandoned. I figured that way no one would be there to see me moan and complain to myself.

This time I was prepared. I had a big gatorade, the fan blowing on me and my iPod. I even took the time to program in my age/weight and started off slowly. For some reason I had no trouble. Except that I had programmed it for 30 minutes figuring I'd be done by then, so I was shocked when I glanced down and it had stopped keeping stats. I set it for another 30 minutes, picked up my speed and it happened again! This time I set it for a WHOLE HOUR. I went a little faster too. I finished 2 hours on that elliptical. I can't believe it. I also drank the whole gatorade, keeping hydrated. I averaged 164 heart rate, which is aerobic, so I'm happy with that. I have no idea how many miles because it kept resetting, but I was going for endurance anyway.

Honestly I could have kept going but I started thinking about the laundry! Can you believe it??? Perfect excuse for skipping the housework and I get obsessive. Nice. Not that I'm doing the laundry right now anyway. Kerri and Kirstin were here when I came in so I visited with my daughters for awhile. Then I ate 4 potato skins, one cupcake, a handful of chips and some more gatorade. And I'm thinking of going back for another cupcake. WHY do I crave this stuff after a great workout????????????

I am running a 5K on Sunday. Boca Grande 5K. It's supposed to be beautiful. I think a bunch of Zoomers will be there. I missed the festival Of Lights race last weekend because I was still sick, so I'm looking forward to this one. Sherry did FABULOUS on her first race, finishing at 32 minutes!!!! YAY Sherry!!!!! Chuck did his usual superb job, finishing in 20 minutes, but he didn't realize he needed a chip!! His time wasn't recorded. I told him he should have grabbed mine. I'd LOVE a 20 minute finish time in my name....LOL. Maybe I will someday.

Tomorrow I have a yoga class in the morning, then I'm going for a 3 mile run from there. I haven't run on the street yet since the achilles pull and the flu, I'm very curious to see how that'll feel. I think tomorrow will give me a good feel for whether I'm all healed and healthy.

Cross your fingers!!!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!! My favorite holiday!! Here's a picture of my husband and I, yeah, I KNOW he's a looker....LOL...back it up ladies! Hahaha!!

Ok, I'll admit right up front the reason for this posting today. It's so I can boast about my wonderful husband (again, I know). Guess what he got me for Valentine's Day???? A gold necklace with a woman running charm!! I can't believe he even found one!! I'll take a picture of it later and post it. I love it!!! I'm going to wear it to the marathon for good luck. He got me a dozen roses too, maybe I'll save a few petals and stick them in my pocket that day for a little extra luck. Can't hurt, right? And after the last 3 weeks between my achilles and this flu, I need all the help I can get.

I can't say what he got since he didn't get it yet. I've been sick so he has to wait until this weekend. Not fair, I know.

I'm feeling much better today, I'm actually going to make it into work tonight. I plan on running Friday with the Runner's Club at the YMCA. If any Zoomers are reading this, there's an open invitation to run with us on Fridays. You don't need a YMCA membership for this, but if you DO have a membership, you might want to come an hour early for the "core" exercise class. Perfect stretches before a run, I LOVE that class. We do yoga on Thursdays too. I'll post something to the group in yahoo today also. This may sound like an advertisement for the YMCA, but I can honestly tell you I LOVE it there. The exercise classes, yoga, runner's club and all the people there are friendly and supportive. Upon sign up you'll get 30 minutes with Jim, the wellness coach who will take you around and help you set up specific workouts for your goals. He's the one who set me on this marathon road. He was the very first person who told me I could do this. Sometimes I walk in there not feeling too positive and I ALWAYS walk out fired up and knowing I can do anything. If you need this type of support, you won't be disappointed.

Geez, that DOES sound like an advertisement....haha!!

Ok, keep running! I'll see some of you Saturday night at the Festival Of Lights race!!!!

Update

I have some good news and kinda bad news.

GOOD NEWS:

My achilles is all better!! Yahoooooooo

BAD NEWS:

I've had the flu all week and I've been too weak to run! I did a quick 3/4 mile Saturday but I was too sick, I had to turn back. But my muscle didn't even feel tight. No pain at all. I've still been stretching it with lunges a few times a day. It seems to have helped.

I have a 5K Saturday night in Ft Meyers. It's an evening run! Sounds so cool. I know a few people who are going so even if I can't run it, I'm going to go to see how they do. I'm very worried what this setback will do to my time in the marathon. As soon as I'm able I'll get in at least a 10 mile run.

I saw an ad on tv about a 6 hour energy drink. Has anyone ever tried those? I'm curious to know if it really helps with energy for that long. It doesn't have caffeine in it, so I'm not sure what makes it work. My trainer Jim gave me a GU gel pack. I saved it to try it on my 20 mile run, but I haven't been able to run lately. I'm hoping I will VERY soon. I miss the solitude and freedom of running. I miss the exhileration I get from finishing a nice 5 mile run. I noticed also I'm not sleeping as well as I had been. Maybe because I've been laying around all week....LOL...

I plan to wear all pink. I embroidered my name on the back of the shorts I'm wearing in the marathon. They're PINK of course. I need to get a new top, I'll put my name on that too. I heard people yell out your name to give support, I'm all over that. I'll need all the support I can get.

I'll post as soon as I get a good run in. Kimmie, Sherry, Sherry (2 Sherry's, or Sherries????...LOL) and Jacki KEEP ON RUNNING GIRLIES!!!!! Thank you for your comments and support. It means the WORLD to me! Sherry and Jacki, we need to run together!!!! Just go easy on me....LOL!!!!!!!!

Taking A Tiny Break From Running

Well, it's been determined that I've pulled/strained my achilles muscle in my left leg. GRRRRRRRR.....I was supposed to do my longest run on Saturday (20 miles) but I have postponed it for now. I can walk normally so I just need to let it heal before I injure it worse. I won't lie, I'm very disappointed. But you know what? I've overcome some serious obstacles in my life, this too shall pass. And it better hurry up, I have a marathon to run!

As Arnie once said.....I'LL BE BACK!