12 Days

Sunday I was in lovely, flat Delaware visiting my parents and I did a long run of 10 miles.  BRUTAL is the only word I can use to describe it.  It was in the 20s and so windy my ponytail was horizontal for most of the run.  I had my dad drive me a couple of miles so that I could end my run at the house.  I dreaded getting out of the car.

Well, I did it.  My longest run yet.  The run itself wasn't bad - 1 hour 49 minutes, 10:51 pace - but the cold and wind made it tough.

I'm a little sore but not bad and no knee or calf pain.  I have to admit, the training is wearing on me.  Two 5 mile runs this week leading up to my last long run next Sunday.  I'm nervous about it because I'll be running it at home.  Unlike Delaware, this area is hilly and I think it contributes to some of the pain and injuries I experience. 

One more.  Fingers crossed it goes well.

2 weeks!

I can't believe it's almost here.  Two weeks from today I'll be packing for my trip to Disney to run the Disney Princess Half-Marathon. 

My first half-marathon. 

The past couple of weeks have been tough.  Knee issues came up suddenly and I've been trying to balance training with resting.  So far so good.  Then, a strange pain between my ankle and calf.  Can't figure out what it is and it was so bad after my long run on Sunday that I could barely walk.  I finally iced it and it disappeared.

My goal is to finish.  My dream is to finish in 2:30.  It is possible if everything goes well.

Right now, I'm focusing on just getting through the last few runs then shifting to simply enjoying my vacation.  One thing I have kept in mind since making the huge decision to register for the race was that if it all goes to hell in a handbasket and I can't finish, I will be in Disney World with my 2 little girls for the first time.  I'm as excited for them as I am for myself.  I'm looking forward to their excitement and the wonder in their eyes.  They have no idea we're going either.  It's going to be a huge surprise!  I can't wait.

Disney, here we come!

January 11

Today was a running day for me.  I had zero motivation to go, but I did.  I was short of my planned 4 miles at 3.5 miles but I tried.  Still trying to build back up after my illness.  Using the extra calories for a glass of wine tonight.

Eating is back on track. 

3 veggies

2 fruits

2 proteins

1 yogurt

water, water, water ...

Also adding green tea to lunch and dinner. 

Weight - 131.5 

I've been avoiding the scale due to recent overindulgence, but it hasn't budged much.  Whew!

Accountability

Back in September, I took a great online course that did wonders for me.  I learned how to eat right, stretch to avoid injury (huge for me!) and got on a consistent exercise schedule.

Then, in December, I, along with the rest of my family got deathly ill.

I was off-track with food and exercise immediately.  I couldn't exercise with the fever and terrible cough I had for a full week.  It took another week beyond that to feel semi-normal.  When I was able to consume more than toast and water, I was back to my old eating ways.  I did just start running again, but I've had to go easy there since I don't want to risk a worse illness that puts the my trip and race at Disney on the line.  There's no excuse for what I've been eating though.  None.

Today, I got an e-mail from the trainer running the online course asking how I was feeling and asking if she could use all the comments I made in the evaluation I submitted 2 months ago ... when I was doing great.

Guilt.

I realize that this is what accountability is about.  I no longer work with the trainer, but I realize that this is why people some people need them - to avoid going back to unhealthy lifestyles.  Her e-mail was like a kick in the pants to get back on-track.

So, no more cookies.  Well, that's a lie, but I'm going to say that I'll start being resonable and eating more veggies starting right now.  I'm also going to increase my workouts.  I can't run more due to rugrat care, but there are things I can do like yoga and strength with them around.

I know I can do it.

P.S.  January resolution is going well.  A heathy breakfast every AM.  That's something!

January Resolution

I'm generally pretty good with resolutions.  I set a couple of reasonable goals and focus on them.  However, I read something on Ben Does Life that seems like a great idea.

  Setting small goals for the month.

This doesn't take away from the goals I've set for the year.  They're just small changes that I hope to make healthy habits.

For January - Eat a healthy breakfast every day.

Easy enough, yes?

In other news ...  I haven't run in 10 days.  I swear it's not because I'm lazy.  I'm dying to run, but I got so incredibly sick a week ago (thanks, kids!).  I was in bed with a fever for a week.  This death virus also came with a bad cough, so running just isn't the best idea.  I'm finally feeling a ton better today so I'm back on track for tomorrow's scheduled run.  I'm a little scared about how it will go but I will just take it easy and do the best I can.

*fingers crossed*

Post-Christmas Run

I was pretty excited about the new fuel belt my brother got for me for Christmas.  I always go out for a run when I'm in Delaware.  I only recently started running distances where I feel I need a drink, so I was eager to try out the belt.  It's flat and beautiful on the back roads with farmland as far as the eye can see.  The drawback is that it's pretty isolated and I feel a little uncomfortable out there all alone.  My dad or husband usually comes with me on a bike or in the car (depending on how cold it is).

I decided to give the belt a test run.  I got a 4 bottle belt, but only filled 2 and I strapped it on.  My husband and I left the kids behind with my dad.  I decided on a 6 mile run out and back. I ate way too much and way too much of what isn't good for me and was sure I wasn't hydrated enough to go any further. 

  I was happily running along and noticed how comfortable the belt was, not riding up or shifting at all.  I took sips of the first bottle here and there.  It was going great and half-way through, I reached for the second bottle. 

It was EMPTY! 

It appears to have leaked around where the cap connects to the bottle.  After running a little further and considering this, I sent my husband home to get me a refill while I continued back.

Running, running, running ...

... and no husband.

I started to think, where is he? 

Running ...

My mind started to wander.  Maybe something happened to the kids?

What could I do?  Keep running.

Still thinking ... By now I'm convinced something happened to the kids.  He isn't coming!  OMG!

I was upset, not about the lack of fluid, but about the horror that he arrived to back at the house and that I wasn't there.  I wanted to stop running, but I kept going so it would get me there faster. 

After 2 miles (and 20 min) I spot him on the horizon?  "What happened?  What took you so long?"

"What do you mean?  Nothing."  he says.

I still can't imagine why it took him over 20 minutes to ride back and fill a small bottle but I was also relieved to know all was well ...

... and to have a drink.

Lessons learned:

• Double and triple check the seals on the bottles next time. 
• Stop being such an overreactive freak parent.



And things were going so well ...

Cookie day here.

Lots of baking. The weekend will involve lots of food. I've decided that it's ok. My running is on track and the food situation will be back to normal Monday. Happy Holidays!