Family, healing, Thanksgiving Day race & budgeting

I have had an odd week. My husband has been very ill and I have needed to take sick leave all week to care for him and our toddler. I am thankful I have the days to take and I am praying that he is healed SOON!

I just registered for the Giblet Jog instead of the Turkey Trot. Some gals from Weight Watchers are running in the Jog and plus I did not feel like facing the hills of the trot. At this point, I am just hoping I can make it to the race since my dh is not recovering at this point. Also, I am out of the training loop with being in the house mostly. I have tried to do some workout videos but it is just not the same as running.

Also, I regret that I am going to have to end my membership in Weight Watchers due to budget constraints. My last meeting will be the one after Thanksgiving. I could not have made it thus far in my weight loss journey without my local WW unit. Our Saturday leader is the MOST wonderful teacher and a positive influence. She inspires me to continue. I love the WW e-tools (point tracker, recipe builder, etc.) Maybe sometime next year I can rejoin.

Long recovery, new race

I have had a dickens of a time with recovery since the 10 miler. My hamstring continues to bug me and I just feel like I am running so sluggishly. I am planning to run in the Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving day. I have not prepped for this race like I have others I have run. I can't seem to get into a regular routine of running with the cold temps, rainy weather, and since the time change. I have not been getting in miles each week like I was doing a month or so ago.

I have gone to the Y on several occasions in the last week or so to do speed drills on the treadmill and also to do work on the elliptical to give my knees a break. I still feel sluggish. This past August when I ran my last 5K before the 10 miler, I was pleased with my mile pace of just under 10 minutes. I am just hoping to get even close to that for the turkey day race. (esp. since the upcoming race seems to have a fair number of hills.) I think I just lack a little race "fire" and drive for competition---or maybe I just need some good old-fashioned Jamie Summers/Bionic Woman "music" when I am running!

No rain delay - running in the rain

When I heard that the remnants of hurricane Hannah would bring us rain, I saw it as an opportunity to try my first run in the rain. Although this was my first "rain run" it was not my first foul weather run. When I was in Boone this past Christmas, I enjoyed a 2 mile run on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the sleet and snow.

I ran the 10 miler course again today with the temperature in the mid 60s and a nice, steady rain. The first 4 miles were not bad at all, although I warmed up more slowly because normally I am warmed up 1 mile into a run and today it took 2 miles. I added only a visor to my regular running attire. I did make sure to wear my smartwool socks, knowing that wool wears better than cotton when wet. (I learned that lesson backpacking in downpours in the back country in Denali Park.) I also applied vaseline to known and predicted friction spots.

Things I learned today:
1) My rain soaked shorts "grew" longer after 5 miles.

2) My inner upper arm is a friction spot --I will remember next time as pain creates change.

3) I prefer running in the rain to any running on days with temps over 70 degrees.

4) Trying to avoid puddles is not worth the extra effort especially after 5 miles.

5) Running in the rain requires less water than hot days but more nutrition. Although I drank 2 liters of fluid (1 propel & 1 water) after finishing, I was jonesing for food after 6 miles.

6) I missed my MP3 player, but it was not as bad as I thought.

7) Running with a partner is a good practice in rain or shine.

8) I ran slower in the rain.

9) It is best not to run until there is at least some daylight.

9) I can do this!

Free your mind...

I have finally reached a point where I enjoy running. Getting past the first 1/2-1 mile warm-up is often a mental hurdle for me. After reading RUN RIGHT NOW by Joe Henderson, I felt much better knowing I was not alone in my distaste for the warm-up period. The 2-3 mile portions of my runs are my favorite. During that time my mind easily wanders away from any thought of pain, length of the run, or the like. Free your mind and the rest will follow. I know that most of my challenges in running are mental. The music I listen to on runs on my mp3 help a great deal. Some of my fav songs which help me conquer my mental battles are(sometimes it is the lyrics, sometimes the rhythm, and sometimes both):

Top 3 fav running songs
Ain't Nothing Wrong With That (Robert Randolph & The Family Band)
Free Your Mind (En Vogue)
I Will Run (Misty Edwards)

Other favs
Rhythm Nation (Janet Jackson)
Smooth Criminal (Alien Ant Farm)
Fight for your right (Beastie Boys)
List of Demands (Saul Williams) i know the topic
Switch (Wil Smith)

Yesterday, I hit my longest run of 7.5 miles in 1:21:54. At mile 6 my mp3 player ran out of power, but I had control of my mind and kept moving on with spirit even through the final 1/2 mile.

In mid to late July, I have been adding swimming as a different cross training activity several days each week. Today, I clocked 600 yards in 25 minutes with some concentration on arm work to balance out my running leg work.(I swim while my son takes swimming lessons.) I am hoping to get my bicycle repaired so that I can begin adding cycling/commuting to work for cross training.

A friend from Weight Watchers told me she read that every pound lost decreases 4 lbs of pressure off of your joints. I have a goal of being between 171-165 for the 10 miler. I have lost 2 lbs since setting this goal, only 6-12 lbs more to go!