What Have I Been Up To Lately?

Lots of sweating! The temps have really shot up lately and my mid morning run has needed to be pushed back a couple of hours to earlier morning so that I don't become to overheated. I am still drenched when I finish my run, but I love that! I actually like running in the heat because I feel like I am working harder, but common sense tells me that I need to be careful out there. The cooler mornings are working well and I am enjoying about 16-20 miles a week right now. I took some time off from running after my half and just rode my bike. I think that was a good break for me. I am STILL having issues with the area where my injury was, but I think it is just going to be a weak area and I am going to need to be super disciplined with my post run stretching and not pushing too much...and listening to my body.

I have also tried to get in 2 bike rides a week of about 17-20 miles each. I love cycling...not quite as much as running, but it is a close second. I am really excited to be riding with a friend this week at the river trail...it should be a nice time of fellowship as well as a great workout!

One thing I am doing much more of is resitance training...lots of free weights, push ups, jump squats, planks...things like that. I really feel much stronger and more fit since increasing these type of workouts.

All in all, I feel great and am blessed to be able to enjoy being active and taking care of myself. Good health is not a given and I want to be a good steward of the good health God has given me--not just for my benefit, but for my family as well.

My kids are having a pretty active summer as well...swimming almost everyday...tumbling class for my 8 year old, basketball camp and summer baseball for my 6 year old. Gracie has been running with me some, which is always nice. Abigail has a summer job which is keeping her super busy and right now we don't see her as much as we would like, but she is getting some great life experience and learning how to manage her own money/save for college.

There is lots more going on in my life....besides striving for a healthy active lifestyle. Maybe I can post on my Lifesong blog soon and discuss more important issues of the heart.

Began Physical Therapy

I went in to see the physical therapist this morning for an evaluation. After multiple muscle strength tests, he concluded with *I don't know what it is*...but he did notice that my pelvis is rotated and one leg(the right one)is shorter than the other leg which could be causing my running troubles.

A wonderful therapists worked with me teaching some exercises and stretching my psoas out really good...The best part was the ultrasound, heat, and electrodes applied to the area. That is supposed to help with the healing.

I am going 2 days a week for a few weeks and we will see how it goes. At some point I will try and run again and see if it has helped. Untl then, yoga, stretching, and some weights will be my only workouts.

LR Half Marathon

I am so happy to say--I survived the half marathon. My hip did not break, nor did my uterus fall out! My intestines seem all still intact and my pelvis is not falling apart with stress fractures.

In fact, I had so much energy at the end (the last 3 miles), I ran at my old pace and finished well. I was thrilled!

Mike and I had a great weekend. Our room was right on the street where the marathon began, in fact we could see the start line from our window...and we heard the music for the early start at 5:30 am. Mike wasn't too thrilled with that, though. The great thing about having the room was the fact that I didn't have to go outside until right at the time to start...we stayed in the warm lobby and watched everybody line up, then Cheryl and I hopped in line 5 minutes before race start! The temp was a chilly 32 degrees and cloudy.

Cheryl is a friend of mine that I found out was running the half a few weeks ago...we had never run together and had actually been out of touch over the last few years. One day she inboxed me on facebook and told me she was training for the half. We began encouraging eachother during the training and really didn't ever discuss running together.

As my injury started bothering me more and more during my training, I knew if I did run, it would have to be a much slower pace than what I had originally wanted. Cheryl had mentioned that she has been training running 12 minute miles. It was a blessing that we decided last minute to meet up and try to run together...at least in the beginning and if either one felt like going ahead, we had the freedom to do that. I had in my mind that I might even need to walk at times and I didn't want to hold her back at all. We agreed to that and had a wonderful time running side by side for most of the race. I think we were together for 10 miles.

When we reached Chester, the street where I knew we were almost done, I told Cheryl that I was going to try and pick up my pace a little and just see how I would do. She said fine...go ahead...so I took off alone. I began really hurting at about mile 9 earlier in the race, but God allowed me to somehow tolerate the pain and push myself. I wanted to finish in about 2 1/2 hours so bad! I knew I could if I pushed the last three miles.

The last 3 miles felt so good. I passed quite a few people...even Rick from last season's Biggest Loser. He did a great job, by the way, and has kept his weight off. It was great to see him during the race! It just felt good to get my pace to a place I remembered from before injury! Loved it! It felt surreal, knowing that just 2 days before, I told Mike I was just not going to do it...it would be too hard...it would hurt...and I didn't even think I could actually finish it. All of those thoughts were whirling around in my head as I crossed the finish line. God did protect me...He did give me the required endurance....He even gave me joy in the pain. It was wonderful in everyway!

I ran the whole way...did not need to walk at all....although I did walk a few seconds to drink at the drink stations....I can't run and drink!

Thank you so much to those of you who prayed for me and encouraged me. I have no regrets in going through with it, but if I hadn't done it, I would have regrets forever. God is so good! Thank you for being such sweet godly friends! I give Him all the glory for what He has done!

My time: 2:31:04 Future goal is 2:15 and hopefully be injury free!

Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is my first half marathon. I'm excited, but very nervous. Mike and I are going to Little Rock today to pick up my packet. I'm going to just do my best and have fun--running or walking...whatever feels right! Biofreeze and ibuprofen are my dear friends right now.

I'm praying God will give me the endurance to finish and that He will protect me from further injury. He cares about the tiniest details of my life and I am so thankful for that.

2.5 miles

My plan is to run short 2.5-3 mile runs until the race. I am also icing where it hurts after the run. I will probably be using Jeff Galloway's aproach to run and walk some to prevent further injury during the race.

Half Marathon Email Confirmation

I received IT this mornong...IT is the document that has to be shown to pick up race packet the day before the race. So, it is official and only 11 days away. Yikes.

Why is it that I am having all these new aches and pains? I do not feel the least bit ready for this. My left foot has been hurting a lot even on short runs...my left hamstring has started hurting on mile 3 and continues to throb and pull during my run....and my injury from almost 2 years ago has flared up again and I am feeling a pull/tightness and pain in the inguinal ligament area...does this mean my uterus is going to fall out?! Also, my lower back is killing me.

As you can see, my mind is racing with all kinds of what ifs...I have convinced myself of a total body MRI after the race.

This is going to be UGLY.

6 miles today

I ran/walked 6 today. I'm planning on just short runs now until the half. Please pray I can do this. I'm really looking forward to the fun of the day/weekend...it is just exciting to be a part of something like this!