It's time for a break.

Well, not really.

I'm taking a break from running.  Just for part of the week. 

According to my chiropractor, I have one leg that is shorter than the other one.  My theory is that when I run, I basically hammer my ankle on my leg, which puts my leg and ankle out of alignment, which ends up hurting like crazy.  So I'm at the point that I either rest or go get adjusted.

And then there's the whole splinter in my heel that no one can see but I can feel.

And why am I feeling nauseated at night?

And I'm trying not to freak out that I have a 10K in 31 days.

I'm saying all this, because running is totally a mind game.

No, I'm not the strongest out there.  No, I'm not the fastest out there.  Heck, I may even be the slowest!  And I'm not giving up.  I'm just....

Resting.

The dictionary defines rest as

1.  Cessation of work, exertion, or activity.
2.  Peace, ease, or refreshment resulting from sleep or the cessation of an activity.
3.  Sleep or quiet relaxation.
4.  The repose of death: eternal rest.
5.  Relief or freedom from disquiet or disturbance.
6.  Mental or emotional tranquility.
7.  Termination or absence of motion.
8.  Music
   a.  An interval of silence corresponding to one of the possible time values within a measure.
   b.  The mark or symbol indicating such a pause and its length.
9.  A short pause in a line of poetry; a caesura.
10.  A device used as a support: a back rest.

Well, I'm pretty sure I'm not looking for #4.  But more #1 and #6.

Rest is good for the soul, good for the mind.  It gives you a chance to recharge and refocus.  I mean, that's the whole purpose behind our "off" weeks of school. 

My hope, my prayer is that this week of rest will help me to become a better teacher and a stronger runner.

Or at least more focused.

Hugs,
Melinda

32 Days Until Race Day!

Movie day

One of the things we are trying to do differently this year is to have 3 weeks of school and one week of rest.  Today is the start of our first week "off."

We're having a movie day. 

We've watched Rapunzel, and Despicable Me, and Veggie Tales.  Now we're on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

By the way, have I told you how much I love audiobooks?

We discovered a while back that Little Bit will actually stop talking in the car if we are listening to an audiobook.  We've listened to so many of them, including the Harry Potter series.

In fact, we had just finished Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire last week. 

Dale and I had agreed that Little Bit could watch the movie as long as 1) she had listened to the book and 2) one of us was watching with her.

She's already brought up several things that were different from the book.

Which begs a question:  Can I count movie day as school? 

Hugs,
Melinda

Weight Loss Update

I thought I might give you an update on how my weight loss is going.

It's not.

Simply put, I like to eat food too much.  I like to eat the wrong kinds of food, too.

I guess I started running because I like to eat.

So, while I'm not starting over at the beginning, I do feel like I need to get back on top of it again.  So I'm trying a couple of "tricks" in order to jump start my weight loss again.

1. I'm going to try to drink a glass of water before I have any soda or coffee.
2. If I'm upset, I'm going to try to go for at least a walk.
3. I'm going to try to have a salad for lunch before I have anything else.

That's it!  I don't know if it will help, but I'm going to try.  Check back with me in a few months and see how I'm doing. :-D

Hugs,
Melinda

I can fly!

I can't believe I forgot to write about this.  I guess I was so excited that blogging simply slipped my mind.

I can fly!

Well, not really.  But when I ran on Tuesday, it felt like I was flying.  I did great and felt fantastic! 

The first thing that happened was that I ran a mile in 10:30.  Ten minutes!  I can't believe it.  After struggling for so long to maintain a 14 minute pace, 10:30 felt fantastic.

The second thing that happened was that I broke a personal record.  When I ran my first 5K in April, I ran it at 43 minutes.  When I ran my second one in May, I ran it at 41 minutes.  Most of my training has been between 45 and 55 minutes.  Tuesday... I ran a 5K in 36:22. 

WHAT?  Oh my goodness.  I can't believe it.  I simply can't believe it.  I have no idea how I did it.  I maintained an 11:45 pace for the whole run.  I think that was the best run I have ever had.

I don't know if I'm going to be able to repeat it anytime soon, but I know I will hold that memory for a very long time.

Hugs,
Melinda

Days without soda: 0
Bike miles: 16.04
Running miles: 28 (I think)

36 days left till race day!

I forgot!

HiI'm sorry. I keep forgetting to post my successes and my lessons. I'm going to write about what it felt like to fly on Tuesday. 

But not tonight. I'm going to have to do it tomorrow. 

Boo is having a sleepover, and I must have had too much caffeine. Little Bit is in our bedroom still awake at 10:15. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to feel like running in the morning, and if I'm going to get enough sleep. 

But for now, a picture and a teaser for tomorrow. 

I think I was flying. 

Hugs,

Melinda

Yes!!

I have to post this because I am so stinking proud of myself.

I've been recovering from shin splints the past week, and I have HATED not being outside running when I could.  I got up this morning determined to run.

And it was raining.

So I went downstairs and got on the "dreadmill."  Did some HITT work.  Stopped and stretched when it felt tight.  I ended up running a mile in 19+ minutes.  It was awful.

I didn't want to risk hurting myself again, so I quit and came back upstairs.  After about an hour, I realized it wasn't raining anymore.  Not only that, it was really nice and cool outside.

So I decided to try again.

I mainly just run around my block.  2 1/2 laps is a mile.  The backside of the block has a nice little hill.  I have been running 3 of the 4 sides of the block and walking up the hill.  I leave my water bottle on a low wall, and slow down and stop when I pass the water bottle.

I didn't stop.

I was able to run part way up the hill.

I walked when I needed to.  I wasn't in a lot of pain (although there is a little).

And I kept going.

And I beat myself!  I got a personal best!

After months of having 15 minute miles and have a 19 minute mile earlier this morning, this was FABULOUS!  I am so proud of myself.

I have to laugh because when I was telling Dale about it, I told him I "only" went a mile this morning.  (Not counting the mile on the dreadmill.)  But the reason I laugh is because in February and March, I would have been THRILLED to run a full mile.  How far I've come!  : D

Happy running!
Hugs,
Melinda

Days without soda: 0
Bike miles: 16.04
Running miles: 17.3

44 days left til race day!