Marathon Training- week two!

Week two.  It certainly was better than week one (no head injuries or being splashed by puddles).  I got in my speed work, ran on the indoor track at Shad, and my long run felt pretty great yesterday.  The weather was perfect, the ice was mostly melted, and I felt comfortable during the run. After, though...

Injuries, though, can be a funny thing.  Keep in mind, that I am not a doctor and I am not giving any medical advice.  I'm just a clumsy person who has experienced some weird uncomfortable injuries.

I'm definitely dealing with some leftover pain from my stupid ice fall.  My knee is a little painful, my back hurts, and my shoulders are kind of tight.  I'm heating, icing, rolling, and stretching, plus backing off on the weights in my class when I need to.  It's getting better.

Something that I hadn't thought about in a long time is chafing.  It's a terrible thing.  And, for me anyhow, it's only sort of predictable.  I trained for (and ran) two half marathons before last year and I had only had trouble with it once (I tried to wear my fuel belt on my hips to try to look a little less lame.  Not a great idea).  Once I hit the 14-15 mile long run, chafing became an unwelcome part of my life. 

Just get some.  Right away.

Body Glide is a great thing.  I finally bought some last year when I noticed vampire bite marks where the bottom of my sports bra sat.  After that, I discovered new and exciting chafing opportunities during almost every run, long or short.  If you're thinking of running any kind of distance, just get yourself some Body Glide (it's cheap) and put it any place anything touches your skin.  Seams, bands (bras, pants, shirts), even on your feet if you get blisters.

The WORST problem I had was during the actual marathon.  It's cold when you train for Boston. I did most of my runs in long sleeves.  I definitely did some trial runs with my race day outfit, but by the time the temperature was right, the runs were tapering off.  It never occurred to me that my iPod armband would cause trouble.

Arm

Under my armpit

Toes.  Just forget about your feet looking ok in sandals.  Get ready for the horrified looks you'll get from nail techs as you try to explain why your feet look the way they do.  My poor second toe on my right foot really got the worst of it.  I didn't blister until the actual marathon, but there was pretty much constant pain in that toe after the long runs hit 13 miles.  I did eventually lose the nail and it felt about 1000 times better when it finally went.  I'm trying out some new shoes (Brooks Defyance 7.  The Defyance 6 were pretty great all fall) and am hoping to avoid some toe problems in the future.

If ugly feet and lost toenails gross you out, you should probably just look at this picture of Winston and not scroll down anymore.

Gross.

Tah-dah

It's just nail polish... but still gross, sorry

Marathong training begins!

It's that time again... marathon training! 

First a quick catch up.  I've run a couple of half marathons since I last blogged, both in October, and a 5K January 1st. 

The BAA Half

Wave corrals are a good thing

The start!

The end of the run definitely smelled like we were in a zoo.

And the the Baystate Half Marathon in Lowell.

The start!

I'm sleepy and cold!

They were a week apart and both great courses.  I improved by more than 7 minutes from the BAA to the Baystate.  Part of it, I'm sure, were the hills.  Plus, I got a GPS watch for my birthday (between the two races) and kept an eye on my pace for the Baystate.  The Baystate also was a marathon at the same time.  I crossed the finish line, got some food, and picked up my bag and as I walked past the finish line again, the marathon winner crossed.  I will never understand how people run that fast.


As I mentioned, marathon training started officially last week!  It didn't start off so well.  I'm following a new plan this year that includes runs that are just timed, speed work, and runs with mileage goals (and pace recommendations).  I really would like to improve my time this year. 

My first run was simple... 40 minute jog.  Easy!  It was pretty cold and a little icy.  I piled on my gear and headed out the door.  Out 20 minutes and back 20 minutes, no problem.  I was careful to watch for ice and, as always, cars that don't look while they turn or come out of streets and parking lots.  It was fairly uneventful until around the 3 mile mark.  I was turning on to a street I had been on earlier in the run.  I knew there was a little ice, so I was sure to avoid it until a truck cut it a little close and almost drove up onto the sidewalk with me. I quickly moved out of the way, but must have caught some of the ice.  I slipped and somehow hit my right knee, both palms, right shoulder, and then, finally, the side of my head.  I got up on my feet quickly, because very often embarrassment kicks in first, and tried to assess the situation.  My head was killing me and I was nervous.  I called my husband to come home, but continued to walk home because it was pretty cold. 
We did take a trip to the ER and I was just banged up and sore, no major head injuries. 

Tuesday was obviously a day off, but I had signed up for Lowell's 1st Run on New Years Day!  I didn't want to miss it.  I had signed up for the 10k, but decided to switch over to the 5k since I wasn't sure how I'd feel.  I was also able to run it with my friend and that was way more fun.  I usually run alone and remember to take pictures, but it was chilly and we were chatting, so I forgot!

That's Catie on the mug.

Gloves, a hat, and a wine stopped medal!

It was a really fun run.  We warmed up during and I stored all my swag plus the gloves I brought in my front pockets part way through.  I wonder how many people I passed thought "Good for the pregnant lady".

After that, we got hit with a lot of snow and I was a little bit afraid to run in the snow and ice after Monday.  I did get over to Marathon Sports to get some new sneakers (Brooks Defyance 7), a face mask, and some Yaktrax to combat the ice and snow!  I haven't tried them out yet, but I'm looking forward to feeling a little more secure in the ice this year!

I pushed my long run to today (Monday) as I will probably do until March when I am done with rehearsals and shows for a while.  It was pretty warm and a little rainy when I started.  I decided I wouldn't need my Yaktrax for this run because it was mostly puddles and not a ton of or snow.  It was not my best run.  My feet and sneakers were wet for the whole thing and I got splashed by passing cars.  The rain was off and on, the ice was random and slowed me down.  The puddles were pretty ridiculous.

First week in, not wonderful, but it can only get better from here!  

So many things....

Well, it's been a while and a lot has happened. First- I got married!  Kevin and I eloped in Hawaii in June. It the perfect week. Very romantic and relaxing. Perhaps too much food and beer... Here are some pictures for now, but I need to put an actual "Hawaii" blog together.

Now I have to admit... I'm having some trouble on the Weight Watchers front.  I'm having some issues staying on track and I know that's ridiculous.  I've been pretty good about keeping up with my exercise, though I've had trouble fitting the running in because I've been subbing a ton, but the food and drink is slightly out of control.

I know I can do it. I'm just struggling a little.  I'm hoping that admitting it here will help.  Ok.

On a positive note- I have BodyCombat training coming up!  On a scary note- I totally injured myself!  I think it all started with Bye Bye Birdie.  I was positive I could still do a split, even though I haven't tried in years. Turns out, no, I can not. Also, I pulled my hamstring.  I let it rest a day, switched to a jazz split and it seemed ok, just a little tight.  (Bruised and cut the other knee, though. I'm old) That was about a month ago.  Yesterday in BodyCombat, I pulled my calf (same side- left if you're interested). I stopped and went home and took care of it.  I have an appointment set for tomorrow with a PT place.  It feels a lot better today, but I really want to take care of this now so I don't keep injuring myself.

Oh- and this is what I looked like while injuring myself in Bye, Bye, Birdie-

WISH ME LUCK! CLEAN SLATE TOMORROW!