The last couple of weeks have been interesting with running. On the 14th I just did not feel like getting out and running. I think it was because Brian flew out for an overnight trip that morning and I just wanted to take him to the airport to spend time with him instead of going running. Whatever it was, I had a really random - let's say, reflective - run that Monday. I wasn't mentally committed to my long run that day (which was supposed to be 18 miles) so when it was raining a little bit hard, I called it quits.
By Wednesday, I was having some shin splint issues much like I did when I was training for the National Marathon. I guess it's not surprising since I am technically over-training. However, I didn't worry too much about it until I did 30 Day Shred the next day. I could only get through about half of it without seriously feeling the pain in my left leg. I decided it was a good excuse to take a couple of days off.
On Monday, I wasn't overly optimistic about what was supposed to be my 20-mile long-run. I went out and was having a lot of shin split pain again, but found when I would Chi Run (essentially falling on my forefoot instead of my heel) it took the pressure of my leg and felt much better. However, I didn't feel strong enough to sustain that for very long. Again, I decided taking the week off would be in order. I'd rather finish the marathon than not be able to run at all because of an injury.
On Saturday, I went out and planned on going 5 miles, but I miscalculated my distance (again!) and ended up going 7.5 miles. I'm glad I did though, because it took me the first half of the run to get warmed up, but I really enjoyed the second half and felt like I could have kept going. I definitely feel more "me" and "in the zone" during those times. I wish I could harness post warm-up runs like that from the moment I step out the door.
Also, I got my registration card yesterday so I can pick up my packet in Boston. It's coming up! I have no fears about finishing the race, I just don't know how long it will take. It's hard to believe that just over a year ago I ran 8:20 min/mi for 26.2 miles.
Monday, March 14th: 4 miles at 10:17 min/mi
Tuesday, March 15th: 30 Day Shred
Wednesday, March 16th: 5 miles at 9:53 min/mi
Thursday, March 17th: 30 Day Shred
Monday, March 21st: 6 miles at 9:42 min/mi
Saturday, March 26th: 7.5 miles at 10:16 min/mi
Total for Two Weeks: 22.5 miles
Total for the Year: 110.99
(I should have gone .01 more miles this week!)
One day last month I made the kids super simple sock puppets from some socks I thought were extras. Well, they've found their pairs and so Sydney often wears her sock puppet on her foot. On this day, she took it off her foot and put it on her hand (since that's where it's meant to go) and kept it on most of the day during various activities, as seen here. That girl keeps me smiling!
The Boy Scouts were doing a Pinewood Derby and Brian thought it would be fun to help Wes build a car. He knows his son well because Wes loved the whole process. He talked about the "pine dervy" (as he kept calling it) almost constantly from the moment they began the project. Apparently, we failed to get a picture of the car, but Wes and Sydney both had a lot of fun building it with their dad!
