Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then Jog 8 minutes, Walk 5 minutes, Jog 8 minutes
This was a good, but somewhat challenging run today. It was perfect weather for it this http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifmorning and I enjoyed it. Though I will not turn down this one road again because every house had at least 2 dogs and every single one was barking at me. No chasing though. This time anyway. It still kinda freaked me out a bit though.
Anyway.
I came across these shoes last week and I think I want them. They are about as minimalist as you can get without going naked. Check out this blog and maybe you (or me) can win a free pair!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
To run or not to run?
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 5 minutes, walk 3 minutes, jog 5 minutes, walk 3 minutes, jog 5 minutes
That was the question for today.
My calves were still sore today from Saturday's run (where I went further than I meant to, both accidentally and intentionally) and I was worried that it would turn into top of foot pain like last time. So that and the fact that it was pouring almost all day, I had my excuse not to run. And I really wasn't feeling to treadmill, this new running style feels awkward on there.
But this evening, the weather cleared up and I was feeling pretty decent. So after watching Caitlin do Week 4 Day 2 on the treadmill, I decided to go out before it got dark.
I did my warm-up and stopped to stretch really good (feet and calves) before I started running. My last few runs, I have been getting a cramp behind my left knee almost immediately, but it always goes away after a few minutes. Annoying. Once that felt better, my run today was great! The air was dry and cool, perfect for a run. I saw a rainbow and a beautiful sunset. How cool is that?
Finished at 2 miles and stretched and drank some hazelnut coffee.
This week and next is really going to ramp things up. I am eagerly anticipating it and I am slightly worried. If my calves are already sore, what is going to happen now??? I plan on taking it one day, one run at a time. I will listen to my body and drink lots of water. And make sure I am always close to a toilet!
That was the question for today.
My calves were still sore today from Saturday's run (where I went further than I meant to, both accidentally and intentionally) and I was worried that it would turn into top of foot pain like last time. So that and the fact that it was pouring almost all day, I had my excuse not to run. And I really wasn't feeling to treadmill, this new running style feels awkward on there.
But this evening, the weather cleared up and I was feeling pretty decent. So after watching Caitlin do Week 4 Day 2 on the treadmill, I decided to go out before it got dark.
I did my warm-up and stopped to stretch really good (feet and calves) before I started running. My last few runs, I have been getting a cramp behind my left knee almost immediately, but it always goes away after a few minutes. Annoying. Once that felt better, my run today was great! The air was dry and cool, perfect for a run. I saw a rainbow and a beautiful sunset. How cool is that?
Finished at 2 miles and stretched and drank some hazelnut coffee.
This week and next is really going to ramp things up. I am eagerly anticipating it and I am slightly worried. If my calves are already sore, what is going to happen now??? I plan on taking it one day, one run at a time. I will listen to my body and drink lots of water. And make sure I am always close to a toilet!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
You don't scare me anymore!
Dear Week 4 of the Couch to 5k program,
The first time I encountered you, you nearly killed me. When I finished on my treadmill that day, I literally collapsed on the floor and couldn't move for the next 20 minutes. I struggled each time I ran. I even repeated that week, not to further torture myself, but because I wanted to beat you. Sadly, I couldn't. When I finally moved on to Week 5, it was so much easier than you were. Even after I completed the Couch to 5k, if I ever slacked off on my running, I would force myself to go back to you to get back into my game. I hate you Week 4.
But I am no longer afraid of you. See, I got these awesome new shoes that have done wonders for my running. And guess what? I not only beat you this time around, but I picked you up, threw you on the ground, and ran this whole week right on top of you. I trampled you so far into the ground, you will never show your ugly face to me again.
Sincerely,
Barefoot Runner Girl
P.S. I feel better now!
The first time I encountered you, you nearly killed me. When I finished on my treadmill that day, I literally collapsed on the floor and couldn't move for the next 20 minutes. I struggled each time I ran. I even repeated that week, not to further torture myself, but because I wanted to beat you. Sadly, I couldn't. When I finally moved on to Week 5, it was so much easier than you were. Even after I completed the Couch to 5k, if I ever slacked off on my running, I would force myself to go back to you to get back into my game. I hate you Week 4.
But I am no longer afraid of you. See, I got these awesome new shoes that have done wonders for my running. And guess what? I not only beat you this time around, but I picked you up, threw you on the ground, and ran this whole week right on top of you. I trampled you so far into the ground, you will never show your ugly face to me again.
Sincerely,
Barefoot Runner Girl
P.S. I feel better now!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Successful run today!
Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then: Jog 3 minutes, Walk 90 seconds, Jog 5 minutes, Walk 2-1/2 minutes, Jog 3 minutes, Walk 90 seconds, Jog 5 minutes
In the past, when I have done the Couch to 5k program, week 4 has always been a struggle for me. Really struggled. But I have a lot more confidence this time around and besides, I know I have done it before. So I wasn't nervous at all.
My feet felt really good this morning, so I decided to get it over with since I have a full day tomorrow and won't have time to run. I really concentrated on my form and I probably looked like a complete dork to all of my neighbors. Elbows tucked in and bent at 90 degrees or less, knife-edge hands in loose fists, thumb on top. I am aiming for my foot to strike near my center of gravity, which meant lifting my knees higher as I ran and also a shorter stride.
I didn't feel clumsy or awkward (not physically anyway). The shorter stride will take some getting used to. I think it will take a little time to find that perfect spot for my foot to land. My footfalls seemed louder than usual to me, but I think that will quiet down as I improve my form.
Overall, it was a good run. I didn't struggle AT ALL with this run! WOOHOO! I didn't get out of breath at all. It felt great! My total distance was 2 miles, so I think my speed was good, or at least decent. For me anyway.
My feet are sore this afternoon, but not the tops. I am sore around the arches. Which is a good thing, it means I am building up my feet muscles. Break tomorrow and back on the road on Friday!
In the past, when I have done the Couch to 5k program, week 4 has always been a struggle for me. Really struggled. But I have a lot more confidence this time around and besides, I know I have done it before. So I wasn't nervous at all.
My feet felt really good this morning, so I decided to get it over with since I have a full day tomorrow and won't have time to run. I really concentrated on my form and I probably looked like a complete dork to all of my neighbors. Elbows tucked in and bent at 90 degrees or less, knife-edge hands in loose fists, thumb on top. I am aiming for my foot to strike near my center of gravity, which meant lifting my knees higher as I ran and also a shorter stride.
I didn't feel clumsy or awkward (not physically anyway). The shorter stride will take some getting used to. I think it will take a little time to find that perfect spot for my foot to land. My footfalls seemed louder than usual to me, but I think that will quiet down as I improve my form.
Overall, it was a good run. I didn't struggle AT ALL with this run! WOOHOO! I didn't get out of breath at all. It felt great! My total distance was 2 miles, so I think my speed was good, or at least decent. For me anyway.
My feet are sore this afternoon, but not the tops. I am sore around the arches. Which is a good thing, it means I am building up my feet muscles. Break tomorrow and back on the road on Friday!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Still hurting
I hate this. Woke up Sunday and my feet hurt. Not too bad, but noticeable enough. Today, they are a little better but still hurt. I am at a loss. I am not sure if it's injury pain or if my feet muscles are simply sore. Ugh.
So this morning, I have a dilemma. Run or not run? Barefoot shoes or try my regular shoes? Why can't my feet just get completely better?
Dilemma Update: I decided to go on the treadmill (raining outside) with my barefoot shoes. Today is my final run in Week 3. I felt good during my warmup, noticed a little burning in my right foot. I am guessing (hoping) that is from working my muscles. During my run, I felt pretty good. Noticed I was scrunching up my toes and had to keep forcing myself to relax my feet. Did my cool down, stretched pretty good. My feet actually feel better post-run, not sure if that is due to the advil I took ahead of time or just from working and stretching my muscles. I will go with the latter, it makes me happier. I am hoping I am past the actual injury and my current pain is from building up my feet. That makes me happy too.
So this morning, I have a dilemma. Run or not run? Barefoot shoes or try my regular shoes? Why can't my feet just get completely better?
Dilemma Update: I decided to go on the treadmill (raining outside) with my barefoot shoes. Today is my final run in Week 3. I felt good during my warmup, noticed a little burning in my right foot. I am guessing (hoping) that is from working my muscles. During my run, I felt pretty good. Noticed I was scrunching up my toes and had to keep forcing myself to relax my feet. Did my cool down, stretched pretty good. My feet actually feel better post-run, not sure if that is due to the advil I took ahead of time or just from working and stretching my muscles. I will go with the latter, it makes me happier. I am hoping I am past the actual injury and my current pain is from building up my feet. That makes me happy too.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Well, it's Saturday...
And both of my feet are feeling great! I wouldn't say they are 100%, maybe about 90% to 95%.
Thursday, I wasn't so sure I would be healed by today. I was still in quite a bit of pain and limping. Still praying for healing, I had happened to come across some ballet stretches for feet. I tried a couple out on and off throughout the day. It hurt so bad, my right foot was so tight, I could barely get on my tippy toes. After a few reps, I felt my foot release and there was less pain. I woke up Friday feeling shockingly good, continued stretching whenever I had a few moments (busy day) and it no longer hurt to stretch. I woke up today feeling even better. Right now, there is still a little stiffness in my right ankle and I am still walking kinda funny. But there is almost ZERO pain. And that's the most important part.
Prayer works!
I haven't gone for my run yet today, I am hoping to meet up with Pastor at the track later. He is feeling better after some injuries as well and I figured we could lend some support to each other during an easy run. I will update post-run!
UPDATE: I did Week 3 of Couch to 5k, I figured I would repeat a couple runs of that since I lost so much time from healing. I admit, my feet did hurt. But it was tolerable and it didn't get worse. I figure one one Week 3 run and I will move on to Week 4. As long as my feet cooperate. So here is to continued healing!
Thursday, I wasn't so sure I would be healed by today. I was still in quite a bit of pain and limping. Still praying for healing, I had happened to come across some ballet stretches for feet. I tried a couple out on and off throughout the day. It hurt so bad, my right foot was so tight, I could barely get on my tippy toes. After a few reps, I felt my foot release and there was less pain. I woke up Friday feeling shockingly good, continued stretching whenever I had a few moments (busy day) and it no longer hurt to stretch. I woke up today feeling even better. Right now, there is still a little stiffness in my right ankle and I am still walking kinda funny. But there is almost ZERO pain. And that's the most important part.
Prayer works!
I haven't gone for my run yet today, I am hoping to meet up with Pastor at the track later. He is feeling better after some injuries as well and I figured we could lend some support to each other during an easy run. I will update post-run!
UPDATE: I did Week 3 of Couch to 5k, I figured I would repeat a couple runs of that since I lost so much time from healing. I admit, my feet did hurt. But it was tolerable and it didn't get worse. I figure one one Week 3 run and I will move on to Week 4. As long as my feet cooperate. So here is to continued healing!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Foot pain
My foot is slowly getting better. It hurts less to just walk around, I am almost not limping! However, I still get a sharp pain when I land mid-foot. I am trying my best to hold out till Saturday before I run again. I am praying that by then it will be healed enough to go out. This beautiful, cool weather is killing me!
I still believe it was caused by over-tight calf muscles. Another tidbit of interest I picked up was to make sure your heel lands on the ground with the mid-foot strike. Otherwise, your calf muscles won't lengthen and will get too tight. I know my heels weren't even touching the ground when I run uphill (unfortunate side-effect of living where I do). So when I get back out there, I will need to make a conscious effort to lower my heels.
I am starting to get a little antsy too. I even gained a few pounds already from only running once in 10 days. I need to keep my stomach in-check, but it's hard when one of my medications seems to make me hungry! I did buy a giant bag of broccoli to snack on. But I have a feeling it won't satisfy my craving for something sweet. Grrr.....
Hurry up foot! I am begging you!
I still believe it was caused by over-tight calf muscles. Another tidbit of interest I picked up was to make sure your heel lands on the ground with the mid-foot strike. Otherwise, your calf muscles won't lengthen and will get too tight. I know my heels weren't even touching the ground when I run uphill (unfortunate side-effect of living where I do). So when I get back out there, I will need to make a conscious effort to lower my heels.
I am starting to get a little antsy too. I even gained a few pounds already from only running once in 10 days. I need to keep my stomach in-check, but it's hard when one of my medications seems to make me hungry! I did buy a giant bag of broccoli to snack on. But I have a feeling it won't satisfy my craving for something sweet. Grrr.....
Hurry up foot! I am begging you!
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