Patience is a virtue...I don't posess

Okay, I'm working hard in the gym, but I'm getting antsy...again. Today is a 4-mile run day and I'm itching to get out and go for it. I know I need to put a toe in the water, but I want to jump in head-first.
I still pout a bit when I see my neighbors out on a run. It feels like ages since I was out and had a good go...it was the Shamrock Shuffle, actually. It seems like Runner Jody has been gone for so long, I'm worried she won't be back in time for the race. I really do feel like a different person when I'm running, someone I really like! Patience has never been my thing, but hopefully I can hang onto it a little longer!

Comeback

Okay, I couldn't let the week end this way. Not with "Struggle" as my last post. Since I last wrote, I've accepted the fact that this injury might take me out for a while - it won't go away in a week. I also noticed that, when left idle, my mind is totally consumed with my day job and I start to stress out big-time. So, I've been back in the gym with renewed energy, doing what I can to maintain my endurance. I've even pulled out what I'm ashamed to say is my dusty, old road bike so I can get outside with everyone else. I picked up some new insoles for my shoes and got some good suggestions on places to run where I can avoid concrete. I'll be back, and if I'm not...(deep breath)...the universe will not implode. It's all about the process, right? This will only make crossing the finish line (whenever that happens) that much sweeter!
Have a great weekend everyone - get out there and do!

Struggle

51 days to go...that's 7 weeks to my half marathon.
Yesterday I ran...
around the block. It was pathetic. Right out of the driveway I knew my injury wasn't healed. I came inside, yelled some expletives and proceeded to pout until my husband came home from work. I was upset, but I didn't realize how defeated I felt until I tried to explain to him what was wrong. My voice caught in my throat as I imagined sitting at the finish line watching my friend, Kari, finish the half without me. I don't think I realized how much this really meant to me until then.
My wonderful husband encouraged me not to give up, so I hit the gym and did 45 minutes on the bike. I felt really good afterward, but it wasn't anything like the brief elation I felt at being outside in my running shoes.
Calling all cheerleaders - I could use a boost right now.

Wait...I have muscles that aren't in my legs?

I'd forgotten all about them! While forced to rest my shins, I've remembered all those other muscles that, until now have been neglected. Yesterday, I hit the bike at the gym, then lifted some weights...with my arms! Today was yoga day and, what d'ya know - I rediscovered my abs. I've heard all these other elusive muscle groups can aid in running and hopefully the rumors are true. For the last week, I've been in a workout rut. I couldn't escape the idea that, if I wasn't running, there was no point. Well, in the words of my friend Christine, I decided it was time to, "buck up, little camper!" and get with the program. Since then I've been doing anything I can to keep up my strength and endurance and I'm starting to feel like myself again.
Am hoping to test the waters a little bit this week. The weather is SO nice and I'm really tired of seeing zillions of runners everywhere. Ever notice that when you can't run, it seems like everyone else IS?

Confession

It was 5pm on a Wednesday. The other shoppers looked on as she flew down the aisles, arms full of ice cream and candy, headed for the check-out. She was on a mission and no one would get in her way. As she stashed her goodies in her trunk and slid into her car, a little voice in the back of her mind said, "Don't do it! Don't do it!" But she ignored it and zoomed toward home, one goal in mind, the only thing that would do after a day like today, there was nothing for it.
She darted into the house, taking care not to look at the training calendar on the fridge, and dug into her shopping bags. In seconds she had a spoon and was on the couch with a tub of (shriek!) ice cream. After months without a major junk food binge, she was caught in a moment of weakness, stress eating to calm the nerves. Sometimes we just need a fix to get us through. Don't judge her too harshly, she's still a runner at heart!
Whew, I feel better now...er...I mean, I'm sure the crazy ice cream lady (whoever she is) feels better :)

Training...timidly

First of all, let me just say THANKS! You've all been awesome! I so appreciate your advice and encouragement. It's been wonderful. EVERY new runner should blog!
A little nervous today - I've got 3.5 miles on my training calendar but am afraid of aggravating the shin splints. I've done everything I'm supposed to: rest, ice, meds, and my shoes are already new. Hoping I can get out there and go pain-free. We'll see...review to follow.
Oh, and I've already set my sights on the American Cancer Society's 10K in April! Bring it!

...a few hours later...

GRRRR! Shin splints strike again. This time, I made it about a mile. I am totally frustrated, but I know I have to take it easy. I am looking into swimming since the bike actually seems to irritate the injury. Trying to stay positive, but this is really killing my running buzz, man.

Shamrock Shuffle Sunday!

It was awesome! I had so much...fun!? Really seems weird, but I did! Everyone was out in all their green glory and it was great to feel the excitement as we all gathered on State Street. The weather was wonderful - about 40-ish degrees and sunny. I did stick out my pouty lip a bit when the 10K was called to the start line, but in the end I'm glad I switched to the 5K. I even saw some of my Madison Marathon peeps working on the course.
I am pretty proud of myself for maintaining a steady pace throughout despite the monster that is Observatory Hill, which we all did twice. My legs held out pretty well and I didn't slow to a walk even once. I had been nervous all weekend that I'd end up having to walk the whole thing because of my shin splints, but they hardly bothered me. The best part was that, after crossing the finish line, I felt like I could have kept on going! 10K in April, people! It's gonna happen.

First packet pick up

Wow, I am such a geek. I went to pick up my Shamrock Shuffle race packet today and I was totally excited! It took all of 3 minutes, but I got my t-shirt and my bib and I got so jazzed for the race! I've seen hundreds of thousands of runners pick up their race packets, but now I get it. The race is getting close and it's exciting! I did end up dropping to the 5K out of concern for the shin splints, but I'll be back for a 10 in April. Looking forward to a fun time on Sunday! If you're shuffling, I'll see you out there - I'll be the one in green.

Stranded with splints

It started last night on the treadmill but I didn't want to admit it. Today, it was undeniable. I was at mile two and suddenly stranded by shin splints. I hobbled home and here I sit, left leg propped and chilling on ice. Really inconvenient, since I'm supposed to shamrock shuffle on Sunday. Until then, I guess it's the stationary bike for me. Any advice on how to deal with a case of the splints?

Being THAT person

So I'm out for my Sunday run, chugging along, jammin' to my tunes and thinking about my pre-running days not so long ago. I used to drive down the street and see people running in my neighborhood and think, "Ugh! I hate those people! They make me feel so lazy!" I was so jealous of their determination to run in the rain, cold or heat. I thought I could never be one of THOSE people. But on Sunday, I was.
I gotta say, it felt awesome.

Perfect pace

I have found it at last! My perfect pace. After struggling through a few painful runs riddled with side-aches and near-exploding lungs, I enjoyed an amazing 3 1/2-miler the other day. Turns out, my perfect pace is kinda slow, but that's okay! It's all about crossing the finish line in the upright position.
It was so great to relax into my stride and really enjoy my run. Bonus: I didn't feel like I was going to die when I was done!
I am now looking forward to my tweener race: The Shamrock Shuffle here in Madison. Thanks to your recommendations, I'm going to give it a go. I'm a little concerned about doing Observatory Hill out AND back, but it's just a new challenge to conquer- bring it on!
Maybe I'll see some of you out there. Cheers and good luck!

This is getting serious, people

I am just back from my first shopping experience at what I would formerly have called a "snooty running store." I guess I'm a snoot because I totally loved it!
My running shoes are old...like years old, so I thought it was time to pick up some new kicks for the big show in May. Wow, there is a lot more to picking out running shoes than the color, which is my usual criteria for shoe selection. My only requirement going in was that they be purple. Alas, it turns out the best shoe for me is yellow, which the salesperson said made my feet look fast :)
I also picked up a hydration belt. I cannot believe it. I occasionally see runners in my neighborhood with their fancy-pants hydration belts and think, "Geez, they must be serious." When I mentioned this to the salesperson, he said, "Yeah, but you ARE serious, right?" It's true. Though I still have difficulty feeling like I am a "real runner," here I am at the snooty running store buying hydration belts and sensible shoes. This is serious, people. I am becoming that which I have always feared and never totally understood.