Best week ever

Anyone remember that show on VH1 that would recap a week in celebrity news or TV gossip?  It was one of my favorites and a sure fire giggle.

Anyway... I might not be the Pope or Justin Timberlake, but I think I had one of the best weeks ever.

The BF and I hit the 3 year dating anniversary mark.  I used to think it was lame to have a dating anniversary, like "happy 6 months babe" like high school... Three years is a while, and I thought it was kind of a big deal.

I had some good runs and felt great.  It was a HUGE improvement over last week when I felt very down on myself.

LOTS of foam rolling made for happy legs!

I found heaven in a bag.  No really, this coffee smells AMAZING.  Oh yeah, it tastes amazing also.  Thanks Target.

You might think well what's SO great about this week?  I GOT A NEW CAR!!!

New to me, it's a 2013, which is the newest vehicle I've ever had.  I'm pretty excited about Mr. Escape!

Workout Recap 3/24 - 3/30

Last full week of March!  Holy cow, where is this year going?!  I did think March was a bit of a long month, but yet, not really.  The weather has been kind of crazy, but all in all, it was a decent month for training.

Monday - Cross training and CXWORX.  I ran 11 miles last Saturday and Sunday, so I opted for cross training on Monday.

Tuesday - 7 miles of happiness!  This run felt great!  I went to Body Pump Express at lunch, and even after some killer squats, my legs were ready for a run!

Wednesday - CXWORX and 5 treadmill miles.  I was reeeeeally hesitant to get back on the treadmill after it made my foot hurt last week, but it went ok.  The wind was 40 MPH and there was a high wind warning.  I was happy to stay inside during that.

Thursday - 6 miles outside before work in the drizzle.  It was still nice and warm in the morning, but that drizzle turned to snow later.  BOO.

Friday - REST.

Saturday - 18 miles!  This long run felt fantastic!   It was definitely the confidence boost I needed after the last two weeks.  Next week I'm set to tackle 20!  

Sunday - 4 miles at 8:22.  This was a "recovery" run and I still felt like I was bolting out strong!  My legs felt great after the long run, and I had to really contain myself not to run further.

Side effects of marathon training

I’m on week 12 of 18 and truth be told, I hit a bit of a rough patch.  Last week just sucked.  I was dealing with a sore foot, and serious paranoia about the sore foot.  It made for a long week of confidence bruising.  I’m back at it with a better attitude and hopeful for a solid long run tomorrow.  Today I decided to actually get my hair done for once… and while I was sitting there, I was thinking about the side effects of my training.  They go like this:

Blisters.  Had another one to drain this morning.  Yeah, gross.  I’m so done with blisters!!!!  But, duct tape has been working miracles for me.

Aches and pains.  It’s been something different every day.  From hip to Achilles to foot.  I am consistently paranoid that something is going to hurt longer than a day and be bad news bears.

Weight gain.  I’m guilty of this.  I rarely weigh myself, but the last time I did, I had gained about 4 pounds from my last weigh in the late fall.  I’m not too concerned with the scale, but I do know that I use marathon training as an excuse to eat Pop Tarts late at night, and I shouldn’t.

Laundry.  Gotta love the extra loads of tights, dri fit shirts, hats, compression socks, sports bras… ya know.

Lack of social life.  I probably could have more control over this one, but I just chose to use training as an excuse to have to stay home and go to bed early on Friday nights.  I’m ok with being lame.  But, I won’t mind a Friday night margarita when this is all said and done.

SPIbelt Review

I wanted to give myself plenty time pre-marathon to test out race day gear. I’ve carried my Nathan hand held shot bottle in every half marathon but one, and that pouch held my Gu or Sport Beans for the race. I knew I’d need a little more space to carry things this race. After some internet research, I decided to order a SPIbelt. 

The price is right. $19.99 and free shipping. Heck yeah! 

Colors: You can pick the color combination of your choice. I chose a black case with a pink zipper. 

Size: I was shocked at all I could fit in that little pouch! I plan on only carrying my iPhone 5S in it during the actual race, but it could hold fuel and a key in addition to the phone. I won’t have a key since my mom will be driving me, and I’m still figuring out the fuel situation. I will carry what I can in my handheld, and I think I will pin a couple of gels on the inside of my shorts or capris. I’m doing this mainly for accessibility to everything. I want to be able to access my phone to change songs, text for mercy… ya know, those things. And I want to be able to grab a gel when I need it and not worry about dropping my precious iPhone on the ground. 

Comfort: It stays in place perfectly. I have to wear it down snug to my waist. I initially put it on a little too high, well it slid up quickly and was too lose. It’s adjustable, but the basic setting worked fine for me.  It's a standard size that fits 25 to 50 inch waist. I wear a 29” waist pant. 

THE ORIGINAL SMALL PERSONAL ITEM BELT ®
The SPIbelt™ will expand to hold any smart phone, keys, cash, credit cards, and even a passport. The SPIbelt™ is ideal for fitness, travel, medical needs, and so much more. The SPIbelt™ is sleek, secure, and does not bounce.
Product Features:

• Will not bounce.
• Expandable, secure, low-profile pocket.
• Comfortable, soft elastic prevents chaffing.
• Sturdy buckle and glides for even the most active users.
• Pocket expands to 6" x 3" x 2"

Fits waist size 25" through 50".

Proudly made in Austin, Texas.
- See more at: http://www.spibelt.com/products/spibelt/the-original-spibelt#sthash.HmfJJg6G.dpuf

THE ORIGINAL SMALL PERSONAL ITEM BELT ®
The SPIbelt™ will expand to hold any smart phone, keys, cash, credit cards, and even a passport. The SPIbelt™ is ideal for fitness, travel, medical needs, and so much more. The SPIbelt™ is sleek, secure, and does not bounce.
Product Features:

• Will not bounce.
• Expandable, secure, low-profile pocket.
• Comfortable, soft elastic prevents chaffing.
• Sturdy buckle and glides for even the most active users.
• Pocket expands to 6" x 3" x 2"

Fits waist size 25" through 50".

Proudly made in Austin, Texas.
- See more at: http://www.spibelt.com/products/spibelt/the-original-spibelt#sthash.HmfJJg6G.dpuf

THE ORIGINAL SMALL PERSONAL ITEM BELT ®
The SPIbelt™ will expand to hold any smart phone, keys, cash, credit cards, and even a passport. The SPIbelt™ is ideal for fitness, travel, medical needs, and so much more. The SPIbelt™ is sleek, secure, and does not bounce.
Product Features:

• Will not bounce.
• Expandable, secure, low-profile pocket.
• Comfortable, soft elastic prevents chaffing.
• Sturdy buckle and glides for even the most active users.
• Pocket expands to 6" x 3" x 2"

Fits waist size 25" through 50".

Proudly made in Austin, Texas.
- See more at: http://www.spibelt.com/products/spibelt/the-original-spibelt#sthash.HmfJJg6G.dpuf

The SPIbelt™ will expand to hold any smart phone, keys, cash, credit cards, and even a passport. The SPIbelt™ is ideal for fitness, travel, medical needs, and so much more. The SPIbelt™ is sleek, secure, and does not bounce.
Product Features:

• Will not bounce.
• Expandable, secure, low-profile pocket.
• Comfortable, soft elastic prevents chaffing.
• Sturdy buckle and glides for even the most active users.
• Pocket expands to 6" x 3" x 2"

Fits waist size 25" through 50".
- See more at: http://www.spibelt.com/products/spibelt/the-original-spibelt#sthash.HmfJJg6G.dpuf

I have never tried a Flipbelt or any of the others out there, so I don’t have a comparison, but for the price, I thought this was a pretty good deal.

Workout Recap 3/17 - 3/23

Not much to see here...

I felt rotten all week.  Not sick, just tired, totally unmotivated, and worn out.  

Monday - CXWORX and 5 treadmill miles.  This run started the week long fiasco with my foot.  I got through the run and got off to discover my lovely ball of foot pain.

Tuesday - REST.

Wednesday - CXWORX and Body Pump with some cardio on the elliptical afterwards.  I hadn't been to a full Body Pump class in a couple of weeks, and I could definitely feel it the next day.

Thursday - 6 super crappy, awful miles.  Man, I can't even describe how rough this was.  It was the first day of Spring, and GORGEOUS outside, but I had the worst run I've had in a really long time.  I stopped after 5 miles and called for a ride.  I got home and changed shoes and did one more slow mile around the neighborhood.

Friday - REST.  Trip to the foot doc.  (A OK to keep running)

Saturday - 11 miles.  I used my new arch supports for the first time, and it was rough.  My feet hurt, and my hips and calves got really tight.  It was also incredibly cold and windy, and I think I was close to having frostbite on my hands, even with two pairs of gloves.  Another rough one...

Sunday - 11 miles of SWEET REDEMPTION!!! FINALLY!  I finally felt like ME again!  I ditched the arch supports... and just ran.  No pain in my feet or hips or anywhere.  I had some pace again, and just felt GOOD!  

This week taught me a lot.  I need to take the good with the BAD, and mentally fight through.  I truly believe over half my battle this week was mental.  I was tired and run down, and let the pains and the bad runs get the best of me.  On to a new and better week!

Struggles, doubts, and moving forward

"I don't think I want to do this anymore..."

That's me.  I want to post about the positives of my training thus far, but really right now, they seem like a distant blur.  This isn't a pity party, this is just where I'm at right now.

This week was rough.  Physically, mentally, and emotionally.  I didn't run much because of my foot pain.  I struggled through a horrible run on Thursday night and finally headed in to the foot doc on Friday.  VERY glad I did.

No fracture.  All bones looked great.

I can still run.

But with these in my shoes:

My three years worth of overpronating finally caused pain.  He knew immediately what my issue was when he looked at my feet.  The medical diagnosis was hallux limitus.

Basically, my footstrike was such that my big toe did the pushing, rather than my second metatarsal (yeah, real foot words here) and my big toe on my left foot was essentially immobile.  It was crystal clear when he demonstrated on my good foot, versus my left, where the pain had started.  It would have only been a matter of time before the same issue would have appeared on my right foot.  It's crazy that it all started now.  To recap, I had no symptoms until Monday night's treadmill run.  I got off and had a really sore ball of my left foot.  It hurt to walk, but gradually felt better through Tuesday.  I took Tuesday and Wednesday off, and attempted to run on Thursday.  Thursday I didn't feel pain on the ball, just more of a burning.  I had no swelling or bruising, and it was just a really weird feeling in my foot.

So, $330 later, I have over the counter arch supports until my customs come in, approximately 2 weeks from now.  The arch support will correct my footstrike, and help me push off the second toe correctly.  I ran today in the arch supports and noticed a huge difference.  I could feel my foot working better, and more efficiently.  But I have a lovely sore spot on each foot from the inserts.

I also have major hip pain back in my right hip.  The lovely hip that ended the Sioux Falls marathon dream last summer has decided to make a visit.  I ran on an uneven sidewalk this morning, and ran rather slow, and that's when I felt it.  I've been icing, praying, and doing some KT taping.  When it comes to the hip, I know what happened last time, and I have the resources to rehab and strengthen it again, I just don't really have a lot of time.  I have 6 weeks until the race, and this week was a big set back with the foot.  My long run was only 11 today, and I had 20 planned.  I'm so frustrated with every part of my body just wanting to fall apart all at once.  About an hour ago, when I was icing my hip on the couch, I was ready to completely throw in the towel and just say the heck with running.  I drank some coffee and came to my senses...

I hope I'm not the only runner that's struggled with these mental battles.  Running is so emotional.  When it's good, it's GREAT, and you feel like you are on top of the world!  When it sucks, it sucks big time, and seems to just consume your thoughts.  I know I need to snap out of it, and focus on brighter days ahead.  
"Smile, overcome your fears, and don't forget this is your dream..."

The highs and lows of racing

Regardless of the distance of the race, I think I’ve felt the post-race blues almost every time.  The week before a race there is always that excitement, anticipation, and nerves.  If you had a good race, the day of and after there is the “high” you ride for a while.  When everything is all said and done and a new training week begins sometimes it just doesn’t seem as exciting.

I don’t necessarily feel the blues this week, I feel the burn out again.  I ran hard on Saturday (even if it was only 5 miles) and then had to do a somewhat long run on Sunday.  Even though the “long” run was only 10 miles, Sundays are my “sleep in, sit around and drink coffee until 11am in my PJs” day.  Sunday was a pretty busy day in general, and even though I snuck in an hour nap, I woke up Monday morning feeling horrible and exhausted.  I went to CXWORX at noon and hit the treadmill for 5 miles after work.  Maybe I should have just stayed in bed all day…

My run went ok, I kept the speed pretty easy and no incline, but by the time I finished, the ball of my left foot felt funny.  I took my shoe off and iced it immediately.  I’m not sure what is going on here.  My left foot has been giving me weird twinges off and on lately, but always on the top, never the bottom or the ball.  I’m hoping and praying it’s just one of those things my body decided to throw out just because I’m tired.

Today is a full blown rest day.  I normally rest on Fridays, and cross train on Tuesdays.  I’m hoping that resting, icing, and massaging will get this dumb nag out of me within a few days.  I’m ok with the idea of not running for a few days, or even cross training.  I think the rest is needed mentally, as well as for my foot.

I’m still a little confused where this random pain came from.  My feet didn’t hurt after the race Saturday, or my 10 miler on Sunday, just the end of the treadmill run.  I’ve spent quite a bit of time on Google trying to self-diagnose, which probably isn’t the best idea.  So far ice, massaging with a golf ball, and KT Tape have given me relief throughout the day today.  Pray that a few days of extra TLC will make it good as new.

Has anyone ever experienced a similar issue with the ball of their foot?  I wore a regular pair of Wave Riders that aren’t worn out, and they weren’t tied too tight.