Week off

Last week was a crazy busy and I did absolutely no running.  I ran on Friday the 19th and didn't run again until this past Saturday.  Friday was on of those really good runs, I have started my Bridge to 10k training and was on Week 1 Day 2.  After my run, my mom and grandma got into town and stayed until Tuesday and I just couldn't find the time.  I did get a new pair of running shoes while they were here and I was so excited to use them and I didn't until this Saturday.  After they left I had to work that Tuesday night until 2am.  The next day I drove to Jacksonville to work for the next two days out of the store there because the Vice-President of the company was doing a store visit and we had to help them get ready.  I worked there all day Wednesday and Thursday and then drove home Thursday night and then worked at my own store Friday.  I finally had time Saturday morning and I was so excited to get out there and hit the pavement in my new Mizuno Inspires.  I was told at my last running store visit that I needed stability shoes because I have weak ankles.  I sat and thought how could I possibly have weak ankles, I was a ballerina, but then I realized since I last did ballet I have been rocking 5-6 inch heels on a regular basis.  I was just about to hit my first mile, while running through a neighborhood park when the next thing I knew I was on the ground.  I felt my ankle hit the pavement and I was down and out.  I sat on the ground and was terrified that I had actually broken my ankle.  I have never broken a bone or sprained anything to know the difference in pain.  All I knew was that I couldn't move my foot.  I tried to call MRM but his phone was going straight to voicemail.  Finally, I decided to try to stand up and walk home, I got up and started walking.  My left ankle was throbbing and I could barely walk on it while my right knee was so scratched up, blood was running down my leg.  I limped home and then cleaned my knee out and took a nap since I had to work 12 hours Saturday night.  Since then I have not had time to let my ankle recover.  I have been working like crazy and was hoping to get in a few good runs this week.  I am currently sitting on the couch icing my ankle, so hopefully the swelling goes down enough that I can actually try to go for a run/walk this week.  Anyone know any good tips on how to speed up recovery times.  

Heavy Heart

First and foremost my heart goes out to the people of Boston, it is such a tragedy and I can't even believe that it happened.  I have been watching the news all day and it gets more upsetting the longer I watch.  I actually know someone who ran the Boston Marathon today but she has posted on Facebook and she is fine, although in tons of pain.  At this point in my training, I couldn't even imagine running 26.2 miles, but I know that it is my ultimate goal, although very far off.  

Today was an easy day for me, as in I took it easy.  I am back to running in my Brooks and I did take an extra day off so I haven't run since Friday and my shin splints don't hurt at all.  I don't know if it is the Brooks or just the extra day of rest.  I did go running with my baby girl Kora today and it kicked her butt.  We ran to the dog park so she picked up her speed at the end and then once there just laid down.  Although hopefully next time she will actually want to take a picture with me.  Today was a good day for me, it was the last day in my Couch to 5k program.  This means that I am officially moving forward with training and onto a new running program.  

Back in the Grind

Today was my first real running day after the race and realizing how bad my shin splints actually hurt.  I didn't actually notice the pain until I did my cool down and I was limping home.  While on my run today I hit my best pace and my best distance so maybe the shin splints aren't as bad as I think they are. I am trying to slow down my training to 3 days a week and I only have one more run in the couch to 5k program.  I am also working a lot for the next week so I am hoping to still make time for my training.  Today was a special run because MRM actually waited to go running with me and he left after me and we got home around the same time which never really happens but he ran a 5k and I did just over a 5k which I am so proud of and so excited.  I have also started a tuff butt april workout which is basically a bunch of squats and lunges that I build upon every day until the end of the month.  I am doing this because I want to focus on building muscle while I am doing all this cardio.  Hopefully in a month of two when I do selfies I actually will feel better about my muscle definition.  Hope everyone's training is going well and the weather is keeping everyone outside.  

Color Me Rad 5K

Saturday was the big day, race day.  It was the day of my first race and even though it wasn't timed, it helped me understand how race day works a little better, and since me and MRM plan to be doing quite a few races this year it was a good first one.  We picked up our packets Friday night and we loved them.  Bib, Shirt, Sunglasses, and temporary tattoos, we were so excited.  We spent the night doing things that we don't always get to do here in Valdosta, GA.  Once we got to our hotel we opened our race packets and got everything ready for the following morning. 

Race Day Swag

On race day we woke up, got tatted up and headed to Everbank Field.  We were scheduled to race the last wave just because we wanted to sleep in a little longer but once we got there, we took some photos and we were ready to get colored up.  So we ended up jumping into the 8:30 wave and hit the course.  The beginning was awful, we don't have many hills here in Valdosta and the whole first half of the race was up and down the ramps at the stadium and it was killer.  It affected the way I ran and it affected my pace.  We did get to run on the field which was amazing.  Once done with the stadium part of the race we headed out and started getting bombed with color.  I did walk some of it due to the ramps at the beginning but once out of the stadium I did try to run all of the outside parts.  MRM was not happy about our pace but I finished and that is the first step to the rest of the year. 

Before and After Pictures

Since the race was a few days ago and things have been crazy here, I had to work an overnight Sunday night and Monday started a fence project.  I just went running for the first time since raceday and it appears that I have developed shin splints.  It happened mostly during the race and the running up and down the ramps and when I went to run today I just struggle.  I am taking tomorrow off and am going to do some shin exercises but hopefully it won't hinder my training too much.  

Happy Belated Easter

Well the past few days have been crazy and fun and has made me feel lucky to be where I am currently in my life and my location of South Georgia.  I ran Friday and Saturday and was planning on running on Sunday since I had the day off but needed a day off.  I am starting to feel some pains in my shins so I need to slow down, even though I ran today.  Well I hope everyone had a Happy Easter, we definitely did.  We woke up and MRM (my running man) went for a run and when he got back we got all of our stuff together and headed to the beach.  The joy of us not having any family near is that we can pretty much do whatever we want on holidays and don't have any obligations to 
feel bad about ditching.  We found an awesome dog beach just north of Jacksonville and we all had so much fun, of course now MRM and I are burnt to a crisp but it is fading slowly.  We then came home and watched The Walking Dead finale and went to bed, we both had to be up early for work today so it was kind of nice because usually our schedules are so different I am up hours after him, like I am tonight.  My first race is in 5 days and I am starting to get nervous.  I also only have 5 more runs in my couch to 5k program and I am excited to start the 10K trainer but I still need to focus on where I am, instead of where I want to be in running because I have a tendency to hurt myself then not run for a very long time and have to start over.  After the race on Saturday I think I am going to take it easy and go back to 3 days a week, because I have been running more than that, and I am still a beginner.  But again I hope everyone smiled as big as this cutie did all day on Easter!