I did it!

Thursday I decided to give my knee a try and attempt to run our marathon pace run. I ended up completing a 1-7-1 which is 1 mile warm up, 7 miles at race pace, and 1 mile cool down (The actual planned run was a 1-8-1, just one mile short) at an 8:15 pace! I was really excited but the next day I was sore like the first week of training! Then the next day I completed the 6 mile easy run. This morning I woke up really sore but I decided to give the scheduled 20 mile run a try and I DID IT! My pace was 8:18 which is 5 seconds faster than my marathon pace. And, on top of that, I felt great! Of course it hurt and I was sore before I even started but it was the first 20 mile run that I have ever run when I didn't have an injury bothering me (I consider my knee good as new since I didn't really have to "rehab an injury" I just had to let the swelling go down enough so I could bend it back). Now I know what it feels like to go on those long runs and just really enjoy it. I think God may have had a hand in slowing me down. I require more rest and recovery time than Dustin and this was break for me, both mentally and physically, for running. Now I am excited again and feel rejuvenated. One day when I write my book about marathon training (lol, I can dream) I am going to develop a system where you take a week off right in the middle of Monster Month and just cross train. Runners will have a difficult time doing this, but I really see the benefits of the running break, as long as you keep up your cardio. Experts will ponder the reasoning and do extensive research on the benefits....okay, I'm back to earth now.

Anyways, I think I deserve Andy's! They announced the new Boomer the Bear concrete and they are giving it away for free from 4-5 today. Too bad I'm leaving town at 3:00 :( It is vanilla custard, strawberries, almonds, and Heath pieces. mmmmm...you know you want some too.... so "Getja some!"

Eat Road!

Saturday the 12th Dustin and I were on an 18 mile run that took us downtown on commercial, around phelps grove park, and through the neighborhoods off of west Primrose street. Just past our commercial street venture we were picking up speed going downhill on National. The side of the road was filled with rocks and wires and junk but was better than going up and down on the sidewalks in this area. Within one stride my foot caught the edge of a small circular wire, which flipped up and tangled my other foot, hurling my body to the ground with all my weight on my left knee. I rolled and took a chunk out of my elbow (strangely the same exact spot on my elbow where I have a scar from tripping on the same type of wire on the south side of town 4 years ago...I just replaced the scar...weird) and was thankful that I didn't roll one more turn because there were cars speeding down the street. I tried to get up and my knee wasn't having it. We hobbled to a nearby Kum n Go. I was a sight-Dustin assisting me as blood ran down my arm and down my leg, soaking the top of my sock and shoes while trying to wipe the snot away from crying like a baby. None of the cars stopped to help, the customer inside the gas station just stared at me and the attendant looked over and said, "good morning!". Here's the best part- we were the farthest point away from our house on our run, go figure! So I hobbled and ran all the way home. I had a gash in my knee big enough for stiches but we had a cardinals game to get to in STL so I decided to suck it up.
I figured my knee would be sore for a few days- no biggy. I just hit it, right??? I won't have to miss any running, right??? Wrong. Apparently its worse than I thought. I have swelling and inflamation. Friday I was finally able to walk without limping. A week and a half later I still wasn't able to run on it. I've been doing the natural runner at the fitness center, but it's not the same. With only 5 weeks out from the marathon, I wonder if it will be worth my time since I have lost so much training.
Yesterday I tried to run and I was able to do a few laps around the indoor track. I was stoked!!! It wasn't the prettiest thing, and my knee locks up from time to time causing me to resemble forest gump, but I was able to run!!! Today was a rest day but I think I will try to run a few miles tomorrow. If I can get better by this weekend and get a long run in on Saturday (suppose to do 20 miles but I have only completed 17 since I went down on the 18 miler) I am going to stick with the Bass Pro Marathon. If not, I am just going to run the half marathon at Bass Pro as a tune up and run the Dallas White Rock Marathon in December. Even though the Dallas WR was my original choice for this fall marathon, I'm really not looking forward to an extra 6 weeks of training! Maybe it will be good for me. All I know is that I have been working really hard and my times have been really good but I don't want to waste my legs on Bass Pro if I'm not ready.
Hopefully I will be ready for the Washam 5k!
I'll let you know how it goes :)

Washam 5K Registration closed!

Last year we had 20 participants actually run the Washam 5K. We were hoping to increase in size by about 5 runners a year. This year we had 36 participants signed up!!! WOW! I can't wait...its gonna be fun! I think we are going to try and get a poker game going at the post party so if you are interested in playing, bring your poker face. The shirts are REALLY cool...we can't wait to show them to everyone on race day!
I am really excited about the post-party but I really hope that the Washam 5K keeps its original intent: to get friends together interested in running a 5K. I hope that the easy-going, fun spirit of the race will encourage people to run a 5K, whether it be their 1st or 31st. Of course, it's cool to walk it-we are just glad you are there! We simply enjoy sharing our love of running with others :)
See you on October 3rd! Be there by 5:15 and don't forget a lawn chair. Oh, and be ready to work up a thirst during the 5K ;)