It's A Heat Wave!!!

Today was awesome - 60 some degrees and sunny. The weather is so unusual, and I think I have grown accustomed to cooler weather lately. So, in true Chicago fashion, 60 degrees feels hot! I was getting some Christmas shopping done this morning, and I hurried home to change clothes and run a few miles. I was so excited to break out a pair of running shorts and a sleeveless shirt to wear outside! I pushed a little further today running a little over five miles. While extending a half mile more, I also ran at a slightly quicker pace. As of this evening my knees are feeling pretty good. Even the top of my foot isn't bothering me. I think it will be an interesting experiment to find out what it will feel like later this week when the temps drop down to a more appropriate 30 degrees. I really do think that there is a temperature variable at work, but I am not sure how to also rule out self-fulfilling prophesy...

What I Am Thankful For...

If anyone lives(ed) in the Midwest, you know typical November weather. Well, this year Thanksgiving day was sunny and in the 50's (a rare occurrence). I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to take advantage of the great weather and run a few miles. I know I really shouldn't have because I should be taking it easy on my knees, but I have to say it was awesome. I went 4.5 miles, which was a compromise. Part of me really really wanted to keep going, but the logical part held me back. I set out to run 3 minimum and 4 maximum, but as I was running the distance goals kept stretching out before me. I wanted to run 5 and then 6, but I want to be able to run again in a few days so I negotiated with myself to run 4.5. My leg muscles were a little sore, but I haven't had the knee pain that I experienced last week (thankfully!). I was extremely happy to get out and run.

I find that my body is taking longer to fall into my easy stride. I feel like I am working longer than usual (this will just take a little time). What I can't figure out though, is that the top of my foot is still sore from my running shoes. I have tried switching to another pair of running shoes I have, changing the way that I tie my shoes, making sure the tongue of the shoe is laying across my foot, and different pairs of socks. I have no idea why the top of my foot keeps feeling 'bruised' when I am running. This has just occurred once the temperatures dropped, and I remember it happening last winter. The pain stays in one spot on only one foot, but doesn't hurt if I rub the top of my foot. I have searched the net and not found anything on this topic. What is going on?

Trying To Get Back On Track

I always find new ways to be amazed at the level of dedication it requires to run. I can be in pain, but I work through the pain in order to get myself back to running. Part of me is always wondering why. The other part of me has resigned to recognizing that it takes a certain level of crazy to subject one's self to this, and that I happen to be in possession of this particular level of insanity.

I went out for my first run last Friday. I went a modest five miles. The next day I noticed that my legs were sore and my knee a little tender. Well, when I was doing some dips at the gym later that day I noticed that my knee was also very swollen. How did this happen again? So, I have spent the past week lifting weights - trying to build up my quads, working on flexibility and boosting my endurance again by hitting the elliptical and stationary bike. The problem is, I need to blast away this curry fat that accumulated over my vacation to India, and I know that running is one of the quickest ways to do so.

I ventured out again today - I ran two miles to the gym, did some ab strengthening, and then ran two miles back home. So far so good. The knee hasn't been as bothersome, but I am icing and taking it easy for good measure. I would have liked to have signed up for a Turkey Trot, but I didn't want to take the chance in paying and not being able to run. Perhaps if I feel adventurous I will strap on the running shoes for a few conservative miles tomorrow morning so I don't feel I am missing out on anything.

When I am running and find a groove, it does feel really good to be back on the roads. I miss having the time to think, and the level of mental alertness that I have found only running can bring.

Falling Behind In My Postings

I survived the Chicago Marathon!

The weather was not ideal this year, but I couldn't back out of the race just because it was windy and might rain. It was a challenge mentally because I had anticipated running with my training partner, and she backed out that morning when I got to her house. I had visualized running the race with her, and had to quickly adjust to the idea of running the marathon solo. I began the race and told myself that if I truly wanted to back out after the half-marathon point I could. However, for the first time in three years, I had a big turn out of family members who came to support me. I was so surprised considering the weather conditions (I still don't understand why the race was pushed back to the end of October this year) and past involvement. I ended up finishing the marathon literally because of my family. I had to keep running to the next spot where they were waiting - if I dropped out and left them waiting for nothing, I feared that they wouldn't ever come out to support me for a race again. They had made signs, ran a little with me and were so excited to be there! I won't ever forget this race because their being there meant so much to me. Physically, the bottoms of my feet cramped up so horribly for the last couple of miles though. I need to figure out what happened there - I was told that I needed to stretch out my calves and feet more? Has anyone ever experienced this?

I then went on vacation for three weeks - good way to rest and incorporate lots of walking! Now I am back to cross training and strengthening. My endurance has suffered a little bit - I actually feel a strain. I am hoping to get out for a few runs this week. I am really getting jittery, but my jet lag has got me all out of wack. I think I am also nervous about testing out my feet - I fear that there will still be pain after a few miles. There is only one way to find out...

Curious About Running Beyond the States???

Out of curiosity, does any one suggest any good running routes/parks in Paris, Mumbai or Delhi. Also, what is the impression of a woman running in India? What is appropriate wear? If any one has any suggestions or experiences I would appreciate any insight.

Against (and with) The Wind

Images of Forrest Gump running and the song 'Against the Wind' kept flashing through my mind...until 'Eye of the Tiger' came on my I-Pod. Then it was all Rocky running uphill. Where is all of this wind coming from, and why is it that my cross training days seem to be much calmer weather-wise? Gusts were up to 15mph yesterday (I didn't know this until I looked it up after my run), but I still strapped on the shoes for a run. Whatever doesn't kill me only makes me stronger, right? It might be windy on race day, or it will be calm and the run seem relatively easy - either way, getting out there is a win-win.

Overall, it was a good run. I love the fact that I can run ten miles and the only cumbrous is time. I could have kept going, but I know that I have to keep things moderate. I felt fine during my run and after. No joint or muscle soreness. On Friday my hips had started to get tight early. Maybe because of the hill work.

One more week to race day! I think I still need to work on keeping myself better hydrated. I run with my small bottles of gatorade, but I don't think I sip from them enough. Next time I run I am going to do the whole weight yourself before and after to see if I am loosing too much water. The cooler temps are really helping though. However, I think that the cooler temps have my body reacting differently. Perhaps my feet were swelling more in the warmer temps so that my shoes fit differently? Is this possible? I find that my left shoe's tongue keeps moving to the side all of a sudden and pushing on the tendon at the top of my foot making it sore. I am experimenting with different ways to tie my shoe to prevent this from happening.

Today, cross training and weight training at the gym (and look, no wind, sunny and warmer outside today!)

Beginning Entry

I should have done this months ago, but better late than never...

As I am preparing to run the Chicago Marathon in about a week, I have been tapering my training. I have tried to cut back on calorie intake to parallel my reduce calorie output, but I am not sure I have done a great job at this. Sweets are just too tempting! My pre-race jitters are starting to mount, and usual thoughts of impending doom are floating around my head. I just have to keep reminding myself that I have done this before, I am going into this race knowing what to expect ahead of time, and that it is really all just for fun anyway - so whatever happens...happens!

After being relatively inactive for about a week due to a horrible head cold, I finally went out yesterday and ran hill repeats with a warm-up and cool-down for a total of seven miles. My run ended at the gym, and I added a half-hour of abs and some static stretching. Felt awesome to be back out running...however, the Chicago wind and the fact that it was the coldest day since last winter (it actually snowed earlier in the day) made for a few challenges...I had to break out the balaclava in early October...who doesn't love wind burn?!