A Little Running!

Yesterday I decided to hit the local trails again, and try my luck at a 2-mile walk. I headed to Cary, NC, and started on the Black Creek Greenway, then turned onto the Northwoods trail. When I got to the end of the Northwoods trail (a new one for me, pretty!), I turned around, and decided to try alternating minutes of running and walking and see how my foot would take it. I made it all the way back to the car doing 1:1 run/walk! It felt great to run again, even if it was just for part of a mile! I finished 2 miles in 40:35, still a pretty slow pace overall, but the second mile was a big improvement over the first.

Mile 1) 21:03
Mile 2) 19:30

Today, I didn't get to the gym until mid-afternoon, riding the recumbent bike for 6.67 miles in 37:00. I warmed up for the first mile, then did 1 minute intervals (fast/slow/fast) for the rest of the workout.

It feels great to be tired from working out again!

Water Aerobics

Tonight I made it to a water aerobics class at the gym, my first class at this gym, and my first water aerobics class in, like, forever! My right ankle is still pretty tender with achilles tendonitis (self-diagnosed), but I'm going nuts over lack of exercise! So, late this afternoon at work, I checked the group exercise schedule at the gym, and decided to try to make either the 6:30 water aerobics class or the 7:00 yoga class. Either one would have been great for me tonight, I think. I made it in time for water aerobics, and really enoyed the it, even though I was the only student! The instructor asked if I still wanted to have the class, and I was totally game if she didn't mind. She seemed good with going forward with the class too, so we grabbed some pool "toys" (noodles and foam weights) and hopped in the pool. I was glad it worked out, as I got a really good workout, as well as some good ideas for things to do on my own in the pool. And it was an hour long class, to boot. It felt great to exercise for a whole hour--my arms (especially) are still pretty tired! :)

Saturday Speedwork

Saturday's workout was a little different! I signed up to join some other Raleigh Galloway runners for a running clinic held by another Raleigh Galloway runner, Luis, where we learned some speed work exercises plus a hill repeat drill. Since that didn't start until 10:00, I walked 2.29 miles beforehand. I'd meant to walk indoors on the gym treadmill, but by the time I got to the gym, there was only one treadmill left--and it was broken! Not a bad thing, though, walking outdoors, as it was a beautiful morning (though a little windy). I covered the distance in 45:08, a 19:42 average pace. I was happy to get under 20 min. for the average mile pace, as I'm trying to work my way down to sub-18 for some half-marathons with 4-hour cut-offs that I'm interested in doing.

The running (speed) clinic was great! Got lots of ideas for strengthening exercises. Unfortunately, the tendonitis in my right ankle really got aggravated, so yesterday turned into an unexpected rest day from exercise. My ankle was still quite tender this morning, until I took a warm shower and the ankle warmed up a little took, so I decided not to exercise this morning too. I think I'll use the dumbbells at home after work this evening, convenient to do and restful for the ankle.

I'm a little discouraged about missing some more endurance training with the half marathon coming up in a month, but I still have time. Perhaps I need to remember that rest is part of training too!

Meanwhile, I am working on other healthy habits, and my weight was down a little this morning.

New Orthotics, New Shoes

I picked up my new orthotics on Monday, and last evening I got a fresh pair of Brooks Dyads to put them in. I've worned the orthotics since I picked them up Monday morning, and even walked twice yesterday--once on the treadmill yesterday morning before work, and then outside late yesterday on a break. I'm pretty tired today, probably a combination of getting accustomed to the new orthotics, and getting my strength back from being out last week with the flu. I've had laryngitis for a week now, a secondary viral infection from the flu, and trying to talk at work makes me tired too. I'm eager to lean into my half marathon training and test the limits of my new orthotics, but my body is telling me to ease into things! Meanwhile, I'm trying to get more rest and drink plenty of liquids.

Nothing Like Forced Rest!

I've had the flu since Sunday night, though I tried to deny it by going into work yesterday morning. (My workday only lasted about 3.5 hours!) Today, I woke up with a 102.2 degree temperature, so George was nice enough to take some time off work to drive me to the doctor. This afternoon, I'm feeling better, but still not 100%. I'll stay home tomorrow, and hopefully be back at work Friday or Monday.

Meanwhile, I haven't exercised since Sunday morning, and while I miss it a lot, I think it's actually helped to have some rest! The tendonitis in my ankle (which has bothered me since the OBX Half in November), for example, seems much better!

Clipart from Clipartheaven.com.

Working on Speed

Yesterday morning's running clinic with Luis was cancelled due to weather, so I ended up doing my scheduled 4-mile walk as usual, though in the afternoon instead of the morning. I drove to the gym, planning to walk on the treadmill since it was still chilly and icky, but as I was getting out of the car, I noticed my light jacket in the back seat. Since I had my Garmin with me too, I decided to walk what I could outside, then head indoors later if I needed to finish up 4 miles.

My Hal-Higdon-Plan assignment today was 4 brisk miles, so I headed out on a paved path near the gym, and decided to see how far I could go at a zippy pace. I'd taken this path before, but had never gotten to "the end." Well, I made it to "the end," which (not a bit surprise) took me back to my gym! I ended up walking 2.63 miles from and back to my car, where I decided I'd head inside to use the facilities, then the treadmill. I did the 2.63 miles in 52:33, a 19:57-ish pace. I was happy to see that sub-20 pace on the asphalt! Inside, I walked 1.75 miles on the treadmill in 31:07, a 17:46 pace, a much better pace--but treadmill-assisted. My right toes hurt by the end, but I iced them afterward and that helped a bit.

My current goal is to hit a 4:00 (or below) half marathon, an 18:00 pace or below. I'm not sure if I'll hit that at the Tobacco Road Half Marathon in March, but it's definitely a doable goal before the end of this year. And who know's, maybe I'll be running by spring!

A Date with (and for) New Orthotics!

Well, I finally have a date to get my new orthotics--February 14, Valentine's Day! As much as I love running, I can't wait to get them in my running shoes and start breaking them in!

Meanwhile, I'm looking at fall races and wondering if I'll be able to do some running by then! Time will tell. I'm working on my walking form, in the mean time, and am currently reading the book, The Complete Guide to Marathon Walking, by Dave McGovern. I've just started it, but so far, it's a pretty good read. I'm trying to be optimistic about running comfortably again, but realistic too, planning for what I CAN do. I may never do another marathon, but I hope this book will help me with half marathons.