It's Getting Better

I ran Wed at the gym...3.8 miles. It was hot but enjoyable. There's a park about halfway called 5 Senses. I ran in there and walked a bit before getting back on the road. It's a peaceful place, I think I'll go there more often.

I ran this morning at 9am. I just went about 3 miles, I was supposed to be getting ready for the beach. Everyone was still sleeping and Bobby had taken off to ride with his cycling group. I figured I'd get a shorty in. I saw a man up ahead, I picked up speed and "chicked" him. Does it matter that he was walking? No? I didn't think so...LOL...I turned around and walked back to him. I asked if he was training for anything and he said no. He had some surgery and was getting his strength back. I told him about the half marathon training and invited him. He said he didn't think he could do 13.1 miles. I told him I did a full marathon in 4.5 months, so I am proof it CAN be done. I saw a twinkle in his eye, he said he'd give it a thought. So maybe a seed was planted....we shall see.

My husband was off for the day but went for a bike ride with his group. He did 50 MILES!!!! That's a half century!! It took him 3 hours and he L-O-V-E-D every minute of it. Here's the kicker....he has a regular road bike. Not a racing bike. He still averaged 18 MPH. I'm so proud of him. The look of satisfaction on his face when he got home was awesome. I wish he would run. It would be so cool to run a marathon together. He wishes I'd bike. We have agreed to not bug each other about our chosen sports....LOL.

I think this half marathon training project has me fired up. I am back into running again and loving it. Jim (my coach) made me a running coach for this project and I am so very thrilled. I was watching him make the flyer the other day, and when he put "running coach" beside my name I just felt so proud. I don't think he realizes just how much this means to me. To think that just one year ago this month I was still recuperating from being sick. 9 months later and I've run a marathon and become a running coach. Blows my mind. My husband told me today he'd never have believed it. Thinking back to how I used to view exercise I can understand. The sense of accomplishment is astounding.

Tomorrow I plan on a 2 mile run in my Vibrams. I'll be back with an update on that......

Running In The Heat Is Not Too Fun

Ok, I did run on Sunday morning. I think it was about 9:30 or 10:00am when I left the house. I left my watch at home so I wouldn't get too insane with numbers and I walked to the end of my street to warm up. I should have stretched but I didn't feel like it! Ha!! I was fine anyway.

I ran about 1.5 miles to a bridge that over looks a small canal. I peeked over the edge looking for gators, of which have been elusive. Never saw one. I think I saw a catfish though. The whiskers on this fish were long. I took off again and was feeling pretty dizzy within another half mile out. It was about 95 degrees out, but breezy.

There's a man I see every time I run, no matter the day/time. He has a funky color yellow hair and he's very darkly tanned. He went by me on his bike doing 110 MPH, we waved. About 1 mile later, no kidding, he RAN past me on the other side of the street. I was walking because I was dizzy and when he ran by me I got a little irritated. I felt like screaming "Where's your freakin' bike mister?????" I wanted to ride it home. This guy always comes out of nowhere and passes me in the weirdest spots. I never hear him coming or see where he's come from. He must run a 5 minute mile, the show-off. If I wasn't wearing my bleaching trays and could've talked, I would've stopped him for a chat. But I didn't want to be spitting all over him while trying to speak with bleaching trays in my mouth. So he's been spared...for now.

I ran down to Publix and got some water. Ran to the middle school and did once around the track. I was so hot, I ran home from there. Ended up being a 5.25 mile run. Very leisurely. Very, very hot. Very enjoyable believe it or not. (hey, that rhymed) It was good to get out there. On the run back I saw some cyclists coming my way. I stopped on the bridge and waved as they went by. Then I saw HIM. The most handsomest biker EVER. Our eyes met, our hearts jumped. He pulled over for some smoochies. Ooohh, what a kisser! Yep, my husband Bobby! He was with the Coastal Cruisers, they were on the last mile or so before their bagel gathering. Very fun to see him!! Oh, he's such a lucky man to have me....LOL. I know this because he tells me that everyday. And I believe him.

I have yoga tonight, I think I'll run after that class. It's perfect stretching for a run. It might be a little cooler by tonight. I have a buncha things to do today, I won't be able to run until tonight anyway!

NP Endurance Project and Vibram's Update

This is an image from my embroidery design program, so it looks strange. It's our logo for the half marathon training program. I saw the swirly sun on a YMCA brochure and Jim thought up the name. That part took 3 minutes. Getting it into my software took me 3 hours....lol. Stitching it out took 5 minutes, that was the easiest part.


I'm so very excited to be a part of this project. Being a co-captain makes me feel like the 7th grader who tried out for girl's softball and was so bad the coach made me an honorary "co-manager"....true story....lol. I sat on the bleachers keeping score. So sad. But I got a purple hat!! Had a ton of fun too. I hope to help bring a fun, positive attitude to this group. Jim's way of training worked for me, I'm proof it can be done. If I can run a whole marathon after 4.5 months of doing everything he taught me, this group can too! I think I'm going to enjoy seeing people evolve into endurance runners. The friendships that I've found through running is another bonus. We're going to have a great time! If you live in this area, please email me or leave a message, I'll give you all the details!

VIBRAM 5 FINGERS

*Nitmos, you are right, I need a new picture with my Vibrams!

I ran a slow and easy 2 miles in these bad boys last Wednesday. My coach advised me to go very easy and I'm glad I listened. Even though I felt great and the run was so comfortable, my calfs were KILLING me until Saturday! I can't believe how sore they were! I haven't run in them again yet. I'm waiting for my power bar and coffee to settle and then I'm going for a sweet run. A sweet run is a run where I don't bring my watch, I don't have a plan and I stop and smell the flowers along the way. And look for gators in the canals. Oh, and I go before it's 94 degrees out. Sweet.

My husband is out on his Coastal Cruisers bike ride. They usually do about 35 miles. He loves it. He has to work later, another reason for me to get my run in early. Hey, I have a picture of him on his bike.....

There he is!

Oooohh, I Like 'Em...

I ran in my Vibrams today. I ran one mile out, walked about 1/2 mile back and ran the rest of the way in. I felt great, but I wanted to take this first time run a little on the easy side. It really felt wonderful. It felt smoother and so free! Very natural. My legs seemed weightless. The bottoms are pretty thick rubber so I didn't feel too much through them as I ran.

The down side is my baby toe on the right foot is hurting a little. It doesn't seem to fit in the spot for it very well. When I was looking into these shoes, I read a few times about this happening. All of the people who had this problem said it worked itself out over time. All my other toes fit fine. I did pull the back lace too tightly at first too. I had to loosen that up so I don't know if that had any bearing on my toe hurting. Maybe it was too tight?

All in all, I think I'm going to like these shoes. I plan on running very short distances in them maybe twice a week and do the 5K beach runs in them. Anything more than that and I'll be wearing my Asics. I don't need an injury 3 weeks before I start the half marathon training. And Jim advised me to be careful with these Vibrams. Since I have not had any bad advice from him yet, I'll keep listening!

They Have Arrived!!

My Vibram 5 Fingers are here!!!!!! My husband had today off and wasn't really doing anything...(haha) so I asked him to hang around in case Fed Ex came by. He kinda breathed into the phone and said "ok"....PERFECT! What a sweetie! This is why I married this man. I knew someday I'd order a pair of Vibrams and I'd need to count on someone to be there for me. He's the one...sighhhh...

Anyway....I looked up from the desk and there he was....my Knight In Shining Armour. With a box. Oooohhh....I got all tingly. I knew what he had there under his arm! I was excited for a couple reasons...
1. I love packages
2. I couldn't wait to try these bad boys on
3. I couldn't remember what color I ordered (black and tan) (only cuz they don't come in pink)

I took off my sandals and thought I'd "throw" the Vibrams on. W-R-O-N-G! They don't just get "thrown on". It's hard to get these on. My toes had a mind of their own and wanted to stay together. It took me a few minutes, but I got 'em on finally. I walked around the office in them, pretending to run. My husband sat watching me with a smirk on his face. He's just jealous my sports stuff is way cheaper and more easily acquired than his. Whatever.

I had to stay in the office, I couldn't go running down the road like I wanted to. In the meantime, I wore them around the office. After about 3 hours, I noticed some discomfort in a couple toes. I was expecting this, so I wasn't deterred. I was late but I made it to the last half of my yoga class (the best half may I add) because I worked late. I slipped the Vibrams off. I need to be barefoot for yoga. Trouble was, there were people waiting to get into the room once yoga was over and I could not get those shoes back on so fast. I walked to my car barefoot. No biggie.

A handful of people at work saw my Vibrams and thought they were pretty cool. I think. They're all so sweet, they'd never make me feel bad, so who knows what they really think...lol.

When I got home, I put them back on and went for a quick run down the street. It was awesome. I felt barefoot but protected. It was so weird to actually feel the road beneath my feet. I can see how my feet land now. I love this feeling! I will be careful not to go for too long of a run. I know there isn't any support in these. I'm wondering if I could put a pair of Dr Scholl's in there. I'll look around and see....in the mean time....I'm out of work by noon tomorrow...I plan on getting a little 2 miler in with these on. I'll be back after that to give a full report!

For now, 2 thumbs up for my Vibrams!!!!!