I kept a diary from kindergarten through college, and much like then, my marathon entries are intermittent. Weeks Months may go by before I kick myself in the butt for not logging my experiences, but, hey, life happens, right?
Soooo much half-marathon progress has happened since I last posted. Here are some of the highlights below:
February 17th, 2013
Took my first “big” weekend run outdoors. Big in quotations because it was only 8 miles. On that run, I discovered that my beloved, neon green Brooks were not going to be my race shoes as they did not provide the support my tenured, dancer’s/runner’s knees need. Achy knees and joints coupled with soreness was my new reality.
March 3, 2013
Finally into my training schedule rhythm – for the most part. I dedicate 3 days during the week to treadmill running. Running at 7.5, 7.8. 8.0, and when I’m feeling ballsy, 8.2 or 8.4, I alternate between 5 and 6 miles and that really depends on how motivated I am to push through the fatigue. After running, I complete 30-40 minutes of body weight/light weight circuit training. Sundays have become my designated big run days!
March 14, 2013
I bought my entry into the OC Marathon for May 5, 2013! Ish just got real dot com. And that reality check is what I needed because now that the purchase cleared on my bank statement, my mentality and willingness to prepare has gone to the next level.
March 24, 2013
I am running between 11 and 13 miles on Big Run Sunday. BioFreeze and ice are my best friends. Also, I discovered Clif Shot Bloks energy gels. I tucked those suckers in my sports bra and popped them like they were going out of style to get me over the hump.
April 14, 2013
15 miles on Big Run Sunday! I have never felt more proud or more motivated about my ability to accomplish a physical goal that before, seemed out of reach. Though I am generally anti-white carb consumption, I’ve adopted the Saturday evening ritual of eating chicken alfredo and bread for stored energy for Sunday. I’d like to think that it’s working.
April 28, 2013
Setback Sunday is what I will name this day. I was on my running course by 7:52AM to avoid getting baked by LA’s springtime sun, and 6 1/2 miles into my run, my left knee said to me, “hell to the no.” The shooting pain from my knee to my ankle/foot was pain that I’ve never felt before during my runs. This was NOT the usual ache. I attempted to walk it off then run some more but to no avail. I forced myself to walk an additional 5 miles, all the while hoping I’d be able to run at some point, but nope. I got home, took two Aleve, and resigned myself to the ice pack and to writing this post.
I am EXACTLY one week away from race day. May 5, 2013. 7 days separate me from my very first half-marathon, and I have what, according to WebMD, is an iliotibial band injury. This would’ve been the week that I tapered off with training anyway, so that’s the bright side.
Resting and praying these knees don’t disappoint me throughout the week and on Cinco de Mayo.
