Finally...nice running weather!

I had a wonderful 35 minute run along the Capital Crescent Trail tonight. The weather was just perfect. Here are some photos of the section of the trail I ran tonight (Key Bridge to mile 9). I am feeling pretty good about my training (so far! - still early on in the season). I am going to just take it one week at a time and see how my body feels. I got some new shoes on Saturday and am hopeful they will make a difference.
We had our first training run last Saturday. It was great to be back with the TEAM on Saturday mornings. I am enjoying being a mentor (my third time!) and have gotten my fundraising off to a great start (my friends and family continue to amaze, inspire, and support me beyond my wildest dreams)

Heading out to Asheville for 10 days next week...it will be the one year anniversary of finding little Miss Molly. Wow...time flies!

Long overdue race report from Zooma Annapolis Half-Marathon

some pictures from race day with my DG sisters, Ruthie and Linsdey

I have been meaning to write this report for many weeks! I ran my third half-marathon on Saturday, June 5th in Annapolis. As I discussed on this blog, all season long I struggled with pain in my feet, shins, and knees. I tried to remain as positive as I could leading up to race day.

It was a different experience for me running a race anywhere else than Disney World! Annapolis was a gorgeous city and I had never really had an opportunity to explore it before, so running a half-marathon through it was fun! As soon as the race began, I knew it was going to be a painful day. My shins just killed me! I stuck with my 2:1 ratio and just plugged along. We ran out of the stadium and into the outskirts of Annapolis. At around mile 2 or 3 it decided to rain for about 5 minutes. I didn't mind it at all. Once we got to the Bridge at around mile 5, I was feeling a little better. Seeing TNT teammates along the way was helpful. We got to the other side and I knew we would be running along a highway and then into a bike trail and then turning around to come back. It was around mile 9 that I realized I had 1) a huge blister forming on my right big toe 2) chafing issues b/c I pulled a rookie mistake and forgot to put my bike shorts on under my nike running shorts and 3) I was not in a good place.

I saw my friend and TNT coach, Skye, at the base of the bridge and just burst into tears. It was so nice to have her there. We walked up the bridge and I made the decision to just walk the rest of the way. It wasn't worth it to kill myself. I was feeling a lot of pain and even walking was difficult. I walked for about a mile with my friend and TNT coach, Abby. I am sure I wasn't good company at all! Thanks for being so cheerful Abby! I did get the energy to run the final 300 yards into the finishing chute. I was happy to have it over.

I am glad I tried a local TNT event as it gives you a different type of feel. I also had a great time serving as a mentor for the season.

I am now on to my 4th and 5th half-marathons (!) for the Winter Season. First training is this Saturday. We shall see!

13 miles, foot pain, and 2.5 weeks to go!

Last Saturday I ran 13 miles. I went into the training run with the mindset "let's just see how far you can go without feeling too much pain". My feet (mainly plantar) have not been feeling great...shoe issues? arch insert issues? Who knows. My body just hasn't been "feeling" the running this season.

I started off the run on Saturday in "lots of pain". I wasn't sure I would last more than 4 miles. I got to the 4 mile point and could have stopped and returned to my car and gone home, but instead, I plugged along. My body began to feel a little better and the next 5 miles went by "fairly quickly". I had some cute dog sightngs that kept me going :) The last 4 miles were pretty much done in a somewhat zombie like state. Thank you to Coach Josh for telling me a funny joke that lasted about 4 minutes!

I was really proud of finishing the 13 miles. I am definitely confident in my ability to do the race in 2.5 weeks in Annapolis. I am looking forward to it!

I am also strongly considering running the Savannah half marathon in November and then MAYBE doing the Disney Full Marathon (yes, FULL marathon) in January. I love doing it with TNT and I figure if I am going to run a full marathon, it might as well be at Disney World :)

Here is a recent picture of Molly. She is getting so big and becoming so good. We went out for brunch on Sunday and this is her sitting patiently by my side.

9 miles!

It has been an interesting training season for me. It has not been as "easy" to run the mileage this year...although it is never really easy for me to run, I feel like this season has been a bit tougher. I am proud to say that I was able to run 9 miles yesterday. They felt pretty good and the aches and pains aren't too bad the day after. YAY!

My race is a mere 5 weeks away from today...wow! I just need $139.99 to meet my fundraising goal of $1,000.

I am also contemplating my next TNT race...even with all of the phyisical pains, I so love being a part of the TEAM and look forward to future seasons!

Ups and downs

Well, I did jinx myself in my last post...it was a not so great running week for me the following week! But, I did get 8 miles done last Saturday without too much pain. Stretching, foam rollers, ice, and hot showers have been my friend lately :)

In Molly news, she is 9 months now and I can see a change in her personality. She is more mellow and sleeps more. Hallelujah!

Good running week

I am probably jinxing myself by titling my post this way, but I have been pleasantly surprised at how good my runs have been feeling lately. Running and me aren't always the best of friends :) I do this because it is a GREAT cause and I always feel so accomplished when I realize that I have run XXX miles on a Saturday a.m.

We ran on the Mall last Saturday which was great. DC definitely is a great place to run...so many options and always something beautiful to take your mind off of the pain.

I am enjoying being a mentor again this season. I have some great people on my team...that is another reason why I keep doing this crazy running thing...you meet some amazing people!

Well, if you are going to get sick it might as well be early in the season!

I have been hit with the cold that about 75% of the population has had over the last month. It was just a matter of time. Today I am feeling a bit better. I am hoping I can run my 4 miles this Saturday...we shall see.

We had a great first group run...well, I should say my teammates had a great run, I on the other hand was not having a good day. My shins and knees were not happy (this seems to be a common occurance these days --do you think I need new shoes?!) and the 3 miles felt much, much longer. But, I did it. And that is all that matters in the end.

I am 66% to my fundraising goal of $1,000. Woo-hoo. Love my family and friends.