Another 5K...

Yes, it's been a couple weeks since my last post. Not much has changed...I'm still dealing with ankle issues, trying to figure out what works best for it. I tried taking it easy for a couple weeks, but it seems that my ankle actually looks and feels better when I'm running. This week, I've run twice, with plans to do the long run this evening...I did run a 5K this weekend, always love those...this one was tougher than the last one, lots of hills, and my time wasn't what I hoped it would be. I'll post the official time once the official race results have been tallied, but it's about 30:30. It was still fun, and it really helped to inspire me to keep going. I've been a little down about training since my ankle started acting up...but this race helped me to remember why I'm doing this, that it's all worth it, and my ankle has been doing a lot better recently, so...I'm back in the game!
In other news, found out that someone in the same area is training for the same 1/2 marathon in Vegas! I'm excited to meet one of my national teammates in person, hopefully in the next couple weeks.
My training is definitely on track at this point, I'm excited about that part of it. Seems the difficult part for me will be the fundraising. I'm not excited about my progress to this point...it's mostly my fault, I've only posted the website address and handed out a few flyers. I'm going to try to do some catch-up this weekend, with some emails and letters, hopefully I can pull it together. Wish me luck!

The ugly truth...

So...I haven't been posting this past week...because I haven't been training! I was trying to keep it on the DL, but my left ankle is injured/irritated. I didn't twist it or anything, but it's been swollen and tender for a couple of weeks. Last week I tried to ignore it and continue running, but my ankle didn't seem too happy about that. So this week, I took it easy, no running, light gym workout, lots of stretching. Yesterday was the first big test, I was at a wedding, in heels, dancing all night, and my ankle was only minimally swollen the next day, actually looked better than it had all week. So I went running tonight, only 4 miles, below my training goal for this week, but I didn't want to overdo it. I iced my ankle when I'd finished, it looks pretty good right now and it's not bothering me too much. We'll see how it does at work tomorrow. One good thing about working in physical therapy is that I have plenty of people to bounce ideas off of and get advice where my ankle is concerned. Here's hoping I can resume the full training this week, starting with a short(er) run on Tuesday.

Labor Day weekend, Gator football and more...

It's been a quiet week of training...two 4-mile runs this week, no big deal, getting 'em done. This morning the air was decidedly cooler than usual, and I'm not super-excited about that. I'm probably the only person in the universe who prefers to run in extreme heat and humidity, but I do. Once it gets too cool, I'll have to revert to the treadmill, which I HATE! I'm going to put that off as long as possible, but I've always had trouble with my inner ears, as well as my breathing, when it gets cold out. By the way, what is up with the weather anyway...last time I checked, it was the beginning of September! I'm hoping for at least another 6-8 weeks of nice, hot weather, fingers crossed.

Leaving town tomorrow morning to spend a long weekend visiting family down in South Florida. I'm still going to do the long run on Sunday, and get this...my cross training will be the hours of shopping I plan to do! Can you think of any better cross training than walking miles in the mall carrying heavy packages? I certainly can't...

On a final note, it's Gator football opening weekend, and I'm disappointed that I won't be in town for the festivities. But don't worry, I'll be celebrating with the family on Saturday night, and my heart will be in Gainesville.

5K

So...at the last minute I found out about this 5K happening in my area; found out last night, ran it this morning. Just wanted to get some experience with this sort of thing, so I won't be as "green" going to Vegas in December. I ran the race in 28:24, which comes out to just over 9 minutes a mile. I guess I'm not made for short distances...I do think I could do better, and I want to try again soon. In any case, I had a great time, and I'm really glad I jumped in at the last minute, thanks to a lot of encouragement from my friend Reina...who kicked butt with a time of 22:05, and 2nd place! After she finished, she ran back to find me and cheer me on!

World's Greatest!

I know I haven't blogged much since Monday...nothing really has happened, just been training as usual; had a couple 3.5 mile runs this week that went fairly. The only exciting thing that happened was at the end of my run on Thursday...I was almost through, had changed the route a little so that the end of the run was uphill, instead of the way I was usually running it with the downhill portion at the end. I was started to "run out of gas" when the next song on my iPod began to play...it was "The World's Greatest" by R. Kelly. This song is special to me, it has to do with Camp Oasis, and it's impossible to explain to someone who hasn't experienced camp. But for anyone who has, you'll understand why I got this surge of adrenaline and finished the run on a high note!
Today was my rest day, and tomorrow is supposed to be my easy cross training day...However, I talked to my friend this evening, who happens to be running in a 5K tomorrow, what a coincidence! So I've decided to join her; this is my first race ever! It shouldn't be too tough, only 3.1 miles, but my biggest fear is that I'll finish last...she promises that I won't, so we'll see...I'll let you know how it goes!

Back to the grind...

Just arrived back from my weekend cruise this morning. It was so much fun, and I'm exhausted, not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow. Here's how the training went while I was on the boat...I did not train on Friday before I left for vacation, as previously stated, because of time and energy constraints. Friday night on the cruise was decidedly tame compared to the other nights, so when I woke up on Saturday I decided to go ahead and do the long run that morning. I usually do the long run on Sunday mornings, but didn't know what kind of shape I'd be in this particular Sunday, since I knew what the plans were for Saturday evening...So, I was feeling pretty good Saturday morning and decided to hit the treadmill at the gym on the boat for the 5 miles. Let me just say that it was so much fun running on a treadmill while the boat is rocking back and forth underneath it. I'm not being sarcastic; it was great! Once you get used to the motion, it's fun...plus the treadmill was facing the floor to ceiling windows looking out over the ocean, so I had a beautiful view. Could have run all day with that kind of view.
Turns out it was a good decision to run Saturday instead of Sunday, since I was not up with the sun on Sunday morning, due to the previous night's festivities. However, Sunday afternoon we were at the beach, and I found myself swimming for 30+ minutes, so I guess I can count that as my cross training...well, that and the countless times I had to climb 9 flights of stairs on this cruise, since the elevators were slow and always full.
So, now I'm back in town, sadly...and running on 2 hours of sleep...but the plan is to nap a little and then hit the gym for some easy strength training...and doing my first run of the week tomorrow, 3.5 miles again.

Vacay!!

At this very moment, I'm packing to leave for a weekend cruise to the Bahamas with some fabulous women...It's Norisse's bachelorette party, and I could not be more excited...or exhausted. I have been up most of the night trying to get "stuff" done prior to my departure, and today is the first day I'm going to skip training. Today was supposed to be an easy cross training day, and I thought I'd have enough time to squeeze it in this morning before leaving, but unfortunately even staying up all night did not allow me enough time. I'd like to postpone my departure for a few minutes in order to fit it in, but I'm sure the ship will not wait for me...I'm going to attempt my usual long run on Sunday while on the cruise, we'll see how that goes...Be back on schedule Monday!