Thing to Do While Injured (or not to do)

I printed out a calendar last night. A calendar for the next 12 months. What am I putting on my calendar you may ask. Races, yes Races. Red for races I am already signed up for, then I use pencil for those that I might like to sign up for. I spent close to two hours doing this, one of those hours spent on the phone with one of my running besties, M--

Last week I ordered a new pair of running shoes which are staring at me from the box. I also bought 3 new skirts and a new top. A long with my new outfits I planned what I am going to wear at my future races. (Hence we already have our outfit planned out for the Chicago Marathon....in October). Oh and I also went out and bought a bike, because now I am going to do a tri.

Being injured is really hard, but this has made me realize something. I love running. In fact I am passionate about running. Whether it is training, planning or researching this is truly my gig. So for right now this is how it is going to be. I am going to keep doing my research, keep writing down my races and of course pick up some new skirts here and there. (did you see the new line is coming out at RunningSkirts?) and before to long, I will be back in action. I just need to hang in there:)

Happy Friday!

Three Things Thursday...Bike Edition

1. There she is. My new baby. A 2010 Trek 1.2, she is black and aqua. We have some names chosen. I was a little thrown off guard when my 10 year old told me that "Ebony" was a real sexy name? I liked the name too, but I am a little worried about the term SEXY. These kids know A LOT.

2. Ebony is going to be a complement to my running. I am not giving up running to be a biker by any means. Running is my true boyfriend, my bike is going to be my therapist, helping me out through a bad time. Hopefully I will grow to love it, but it won't take over. (Although Rob who fitted me for my bike said he thought he could convert me, insert eye roll here).

3. Of course I got her home at 6 pm last night, so I couldn't really take her for a spin. Now it is raining here and is supposed to rain tomorrow too. Looking like my first ride will be on Saturday, something short. Have I mentioned I am a little afraid of hills. I am trying to find a flat area to ride so I can get used to changing gears etc....

Happy Thursday....any races etc... coming up?

3.

It's that Time of Year

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. The time in the Catholic Church that starts Lent as we get ready for Easter. My ten year old is giving up candy with her friend Maggie. (she just told me she was her support system.) I have decided to give up sugar, (that is why I ate 2 cupcakes today to get ready) and as my mom says "fussing." I call it yelling, and I am going to attempt to give it up over the next 40 days. I don't know how easy it is going to be. Swimming, spinning and P90X don't seem to be giving me the scream free release that running does. No...this is going to take a lot of mental fortitude on my part and maybe some better behavior from my 4 little crazies.

On a training note I went to spin this morning. I defintely had a great work out. I needed more focus than when I am running, but I made it through. Tomorrow is swimming, slow and steady.

Jumping on the Bandwagon

Well it seems like once again I am jumping on the bandwagon. First it was signing up for a marathon, then getting P90X and now.....well it looks like I am in the market for a (wait for it, wait for it....) a bike. Yes, a road bike because I am going to sign up for a sprint tri in June. As much as running is my first love, I have decided I need to "cross train," maybe mix it up a bit so that my body is not totally failing me in the next 10 years. This tri is easy as far as tri's go, a .3 swim, a 16 mile bike and then a 5 K run, but I got a couple of friends on board and we are going for it.

So now for a bike. I should probably start by telling you I did own a road bike and sold it because I never rode it....now of course I am kicking myself and my husband is probably going to kick me too. My first step is to get fitted, which is my plan and then go from there. We still have a lot of snow and ice on the ground so I would not be able to ride outside right now anyway. I also am not working with a big budget so I have to find something that is good for what I am doing in the right price range.

Anywho....Swimming, Spinning and P90x on the docket for this week. What is everyone else's plans for the week?

Happy Sunday!

I Have a Plan

Andy's first lost tooth. He pulled it out at dinner.

It's official...I have a March healing plan thanks to a good running buddy who also has a March plan. I am about to become best friends with Tony Horton and his workout crew, hit the pool and even a bike if possible. This is going to be my March. I also will be going to PT once a week and the Chiro twice a week.

I have to admit Sunday night when I could not even walk there were tears shed. What about my 2 upcoming races, what if something is broken, what if, what if, what if, but finally I knew that I had to go a different route so that I can run my races in May, in June and finally get ready for Chicago and the Richmond Marathon. (Did I mention that the Richmond Marathon is the friendliest in the country according to Runner's World?) I have a big year planned and getting strong and cross training is just what I need.

Lastly, today we are going into Boston. It is the last day of February break here. While I was gone for part of it we actually have had a really nice week. The most exciting thing....Andy lost his first tooth (he's 6). The beauty...he pulled it out himself. I don't know about you, but I have never pulled any of my kids' teeth out. It stresses me out and grosses me out. If T. is not home then I bring them down to my FIL and he has a special dental floss trick that he uses. The kids' think it is magic. I do too, because it means I don't have to do it:)

Happy Friday!

Resetting

"Reset" seems to be a trendy word right now. Taking the time to figure out who you are and where you are in your everyday life, your fitness etc...Right now I am ready to start and get down to business. Rest some of my running injuries and eat better, keep a journal (running/exercise) and get ready for summer.

Before I could start my plan though I needed to finish the Disney Princess Half Marathon. What an experience. I have never run a race with over 13,000 people before, never have had to get up at 2:45 am to catch the shuttle and never felt so overwhelmed. I did not have a great race. I have/had done something to my feet which is going to take some healing time, but I finished in 2:23 with one of my running besties! The weather was incredible, can you say 80's every day and the flowers etc....just totally perked me up. I think the break from home is just what I needed to come home and hit the reset button.

So...now to start some swimming, hit some workouts with my new love Tony and maybe start my running from scratch. I will get there and be a better person for it.

Three Things Thursday.....Florida Edition

1. Tomorrow morning I take off for Florida. I am excited to have through Monday to get some rest and to be somewhere warm. The past couple of weeks have been crazy here with illness, husband travel and my bad hip.

2. My suitcase is packed with my running clothes, shoes, garmin etc..and some shorts and t-shirts. I am hoping to pick up one or two more running skirts ( imagine that) at the expo.

3. While my hip has healed, I have done something to my feet. The other day in my half marathon I stopped to retie my shoes and noticed that I had tied them to tight, but I just kept going and hoped that it would loosen up. Well now it feels like I two uncomfortable foot cramps. Dare I say my left one feels like Plantar Fasciatis....I am praying that I am wrong. I have had that before and even ended up with a cortisone shot to help fix me, but I couldn't run for a while. Honestly, I don't thinkt that I would be able to take that....I am honestly praying that I will feel good when I wake up tomorrow morning.