Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Longest Long Run

I completed my longest run today: 9 miles! It felt good, until the last 1.5 miles. My joints started to ache, my knees and ankles. Not sure what that was all about, because they feel fine now.

I've been fighting arch/heel pain for a couple of weeks now. I went to a specialty running store on Friday and got fitted for a pair of insoles. What a difference! It's incredible, really.

This run was also the first in which I made myself "fuel up" part of the way in. At about 4.5 miles I had a couple handfuls of Craisins and some water. I always worry about "sloshing," but it really wasn't a problem. I definitely noticed the difference in my energy level too.

3 weeks until the half marathon. Wish me luck!

Welcome!

So, I've ventured into blogging. I knew it was only a matter of time. As a kid/teen, I kept a journal, and I found it to be pretty theraputic. I see this as a similar outlet; except, this time around, I want people to read.

I think that learning about others' experiences helps us put our lives into perspective. We see how alike we are, no matter how different we seem. We are all human.

I start this blog with the intention of keeping track of my journey from ex-runner to marathon finisher. Let me give some background.

I grew up in New England. Small town, smaller school. EVERYONE ran track. I grew up as a gymnast. I won a state championship, retired at 14. I wanted to play high school sports, so I did them all: Field hockey, ice hockey, cross-country and track. I ran sprints and relays, but my senior year, I decided on a whim to try hurdles. I won, and won, and won. Wish I had tried it sooner.

I had the option to run track in college. I passed. Focused on my studies. I worked out at the gym, but never really ran anymore. Last April I decided I was sick of working out for the sake of working out. Although I have been blessed with a body that doesn't ever really get "fat," my body image was at an all-time low, and I found it hard to motivate myself to do any sort of exercise.

I began looking into road races. One of my friends was running a 10K in June, so I made that my goal. I found a "virtual coach" program on a running website and followed it meticulously. My energetic puppy was my running partner. When I was unmotivated, I ran for her, or I thought about the 10K I would be running. It worked. I finished the 10K in 1:01.15.

Now I'm training for a half marathon.....