Twelve Months of Training and Travel

[dizneeat]

Happy that your tests are all okay!

So the doc said you have weird looking feet. Let him know that THIS is what fast feet look like.

I remember that your SIL and daughter have a love for "special" animals. It must have been "special" for your future DIL's mother.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Good for you for taking rest days when you know your body needed it!

That adventure run looks like it was a lot of run despite the rains. I always hate to run in the rain as I'm scared I"m going to kill my ankle. Winning raffles is always great! And don't let that woman bother you on how you enjoy your Disney races - everyone has different goals & what works for them. For the price of them, do what makes you happy!

Glad all your doctor visits went well & you don't have to go back for a couple of years! Too funny about your doctor's response to the foot though. I guess of all things to have weird on your body, the feet are the best part for that

 

[Ariel484]

I noticed someone wearing a pair of the Disney New Balance shoes. She is at all of these runs too... I started a conversation with her to ask what race she went to in order to get them. I got the impression she goes to pretty much all the races. At least that is what I gathered from her rattling off all the different ones she has purchased.. the red minnie the goofy..cinderella.. pink minnie. :scrachin is there any more that she could have purchased? I think she may have thought I had not yet ran a disney race. So I told her that I just registered for the WDW half. She noted that she had registered for the dopey. I kinda made a whoa noise and said that I just could never do that much. She told me that I could always do just the goofy. I again made the whew noise and explained that is a lot of training... that maybe I take it all a bit too far with, but to train for the goofy would be too much for me given that I would take it as seriously as I do and I would train to run the entire thing. She then basically told me that I need to not do Disney races like that. I think she may have even tossed out the "Disney races are just for fun" comment. Honestly, it kinda made me feel like my goals or what I find to be fun was a bit invalid. Oh well....

Still need to read the rest of your update but I wanted to comment on this...who does this chick think she is, telling you how to run your races?! Like...kudos on all the runDisney shoes and whatnot, but you are not the queen of runDisney! Ann, it's your race, your race fee, you are the one training for it...run it the way you want to! UGH...I'm mad for you!!! And this is coming from me, who, as you know, stops for all of the character pictures!! Just because that's how I run the Disney races doesn't mean that's how you have to run them, too.

 

[Ariel484]

OK...LOL at your weird feet! Sounds like your podiatrist is a keeper!

The Adventure Run sounds really fun, and wow...you really cleaned up at the raffle!! Woohoo!

I hope you start feeling better soon. It's no fun being under the weather, especially for as long as you have been.

 

[KatMark]

Ann, congrats on the good doctor's report.

Weird feet? Doesn't everyone? I'm sorry....I just think feet in general are weird. But glad you don't have to have anything done in that area either.

I'm glad you all had a great Easter.

 

[annmarieda]

Weird feet. I'm still laughing!

It was funny. I just kinda casually brought up my feet to ask if I should be concerned. She immediately said that they looked weird and I needed to see a podiatrist. :yes:: "weird" Her exact words) At the end of the appointment I asked her if she was concerned. She again just said they looked weird but not in a concerning way. I think she may have said something about not being concerned that they were being eaten away by some bacteria or fungus... but still weird so she felt more comfortable with me being seen. Worked out well enough for me so that I could touch base with a specialist. I have corns and bunions and turf toe and black pockets and missing toe nails.. It was probably about time to touch base.

Happy that your tests are all okay!

Thank you. I was a tad nervous to be honest.

So the doc said you have weird looking feet. Let him know that THIS is what fast feet look like.

Funny thing is... the specialist basically affirmed what you just said. (well, not the fast part) Basically... this is what runners feet look like.

I remember that your SIL and daughter have a love for "special" animals. It must have been "special" for your future DIL's mother.

They certainly do. Poor Kimberly and her family. When we all went on a walk, Josh found a snake. He snuck it back home in his camera bag. He left that on the porch and when Kimberly brought it in to be nice... and found that there was a snake in it.. she ran through the house screaming and then ran right out the front door. Poor thing!!!

Good for you for taking rest days when you know your body needed it!

That is the thing... I just don't know how much of this is me just being a baby. I mean if it is all allergies I can't really sit around and say poor me. I have to buck up and do what needs to be done.

That adventure run looks like it was a lot of run despite the rains. I always hate to run in the rain as I'm scared I"m going to kill my ankle.

During the grey months... I pretty much run at least half if not more in the rain. I come home soaked often. It just sucks when there is wind, sleet or hail mixed into it.

Winning raffles is always great!

They are! I feel very blessed to be able to take home so many goodies.

And don't let that woman bother you on how you enjoy your Disney races - everyone has different goals & what works for them. For the price of them, do what makes you happy!

I will be honest... it really did bother me. I felt like she was looking down on me... telling me that I was wrong in how I approached the race. However, we all bring things to each conversation. Our own "garbage" So while what I heard made me feel that way... her intent very well could have been to just "enlighten" me.

Glad all your doctor visits went well & you don't have to go back for a couple of years! Too funny about your doctor's response to the foot though. I guess of all things to have weird on your body, the feet are the best part for that

Thank you. I am glad too. I mean... I will still have other types of appointments but since I have remained clear long enough... I guess I don't have to be checked as often now.

Still need to read the rest of your update but I wanted to comment on this...who does this chick think she is, telling you how to run your races?! Like...kudos on all the runDisney shoes and whatnot, but you are not the queen of runDisney! Ann, it's your race, your race fee, you are the one training for it...run it the way you want to! UGH...I'm mad for you!!! And this is coming from me, who, as you know, stops for all of the character pictures!! Just because that's how I run the Disney races doesn't mean that's how you have to run them, too.

I really appreciate you saying all of this. It is how I feel. I wouldn't think to tell another person that the way they want to do ANYTHING is wrong. I have my own beliefs.. my own goals... However I realize that my zany way of doing things may not be for everyone else and certainly not everyone else's way of doing things are perfect fits for me.

Thing is... as I mentioned above... we all interpret things in our crazy subjective ways. Our interpretations are fueled by our past experiences. So while I really felt like she was almost chastising me... she really may have just been trying to tell me all things are possible when running a disney race because it doesn't HAVE to be too serious. Course... telling me it doesn't have to be serious and telling me I cant do what I do are a little different... but maybe she brings her own stuff to the table that makes it so she has a hard time communicating that.

OK...LOL at your weird feet! Sounds like your podiatrist is a keeper!

Yup, I think he is. I appreciated that he was no nonsense. Basically telling me that if I don't want pain or to have feet like this then my option is to not run. If I can't not run...then I have to deal. Seemed reasonable to me.

The Adventure Run sounds really fun, and wow...you really cleaned up at the raffle!! Woohoo!

They are a lot of fun. Great thing too is you can make them as challenging as you want. I have never made it to the furthest check point ever. Given I am usually with parts of my family (sometimes we pair up..other times we stick all together) I just can't take off running which is what I would need to do in order to get to that point (which is usually about 5 miles total distance) Since we are only given an hour to collect tickets... that makes it very tight at my pace. I mean even if you say 9 minutes per mile.. that is 45 minutes and then each stop to grab tickets takes some time. I did get out too far once with Steve. I think we were about 2 miles out and had just under 20 minutes to get back. I think that was what it was. I had to leave Steve and book it to get our tickets in. I barely got there in time. Since then I just do a limited loop and have fun with my kids. It isn't worth getting stuck.

I hope you start feeling better soon. It's no fun being under the weather, especially for as long as you have been.

I thought the inhalers were working... but not so much if I increase my pace. I am not just hoping the allergy medicine will do the trick.

Ann, congrats on the good doctor's report.

Thanks.

Weird feet? Doesn't everyone? I'm sorry....I just think feet in general are weird. But glad you don't have to have anything done in that area either.

Feet are weird, but mine are extra nasty looking. I guess though that they could look far worse... so I will be happy that they are just as bad as they are.

I'm glad you all had a great Easter.

I hope you had a nice one as well.

 

[swwake]

Ann - so glad you got a clearance from your docs!! This is good news, as I have followed your journeys now for like 2 years, right?

Also, quickly, I want to thank you for inspiring me and being a cheerleader for my running on FB and RK.

 

[annmarieda]

Ann - so glad you got a clearance from your docs!! This is good news, as I have followed your journeys now for like 2 years, right?

Thank you so much! 2 years? Probably 3? The Christmas trip was in 2011... and I had my PTR going for like a year. I tried to look at how early in it we connected... but it is a bit long so I didn't figure it out. I did find it interesting to see that a lot of the same people here are the same people who were there way back when. Who knew?

Also, quickly, I want to thank you for inspiring me and being a cheerleader for my running on FB and RK.

Of course... I love to be a cheerleader Inspiring though? I am excited for you! You are really doing a great job putting in the miles! I just know you are going to do awesome at the ToT!!!

 

[MEK]

Glad that your doctor's visits went well! What does the vic's do to the feet? Is that good for plantar fasciitis? Probably not, but you never know.

Wow - you really won a lot of stuff. Very cool. Especially the new shoes. Who wouldn't want a new pair of shoes.

Every runner is different in their goals and how they train. You do want is right for you.

Aren't those Disney shoes super expensive? I'm sure I'm too cheap to purchase a pair.

Fun update!

 

[annmarieda]

Glad that your doctor's visits went well! What does the vic's do to the feet? Is that good for plantar fasciitis? Probably not, but you never know.

Thanks! The vic's is to help soften up my nail beds. One nail in particular that was damaged in January dried out very badly and looked "weird" because it was hard and concave and kinda felt like odd pressure was pushing down on my toe. Turns out...just terribly dried out. So to help it "plump" up... the vics trick. It has worked pretty nicely. He also said that it works well for any other really dry or hard area. (so like calluses)

Wow - you really won a lot of stuff. Very cool. Especially the new shoes. Who wouldn't want a new pair of shoes.

They advertise that they raffle off several thousand in prizes each run. I believe it....easily. I mean I was far from the only one to win something. The shoes add a good chunk of change to the value of the prize package, but I think there had to have been at least 5 pairs given away that night? I do kinda feel bad though... I don't normally run in new balance shoes. I wish there was a way to use the new balance voucher toward a pair at the expo. That would be rather cool. However... the ones I picked out (that Steve should be picking up for me today) probably are a better fit for me...but still not ones that I would choose for myself if paying. The asics I won have few miles on them. They are cute and the right style of shoe (minimal with low H2T drop)...but ultimately even running a few miles in them aggravates my IT band.

Every runner is different in their goals and how they train. You do want is right for you.

I know... and I am sure she meant well. I guess it just surprised me that people will feel like their way is the only way. I suppose there is that saying though... "my way or the highway" for a reason. I have known some people like that. I really shouldn't find it surprising that people operate that way. I guess we all have our own approaches as to how we encourage others as well as how we respond to different forms of encouragement. Me...I don't do well being told I HAVE to do something one way. It is a sure fired way to get me to find a different way. Some though might like having their options more limited...and thus being told this IS the way. I don't think there is wrong with either route. Being inspired is pretty subjective. So I don't hold anything against this gal who probably (at least I like to think) was just trying to help... It was on me that I felt like she looked down on me. After all, no one can MAKE us feel anything. We allow ourselves to feel what we do.

Aren't those Disney shoes super expensive? I'm sure I'm too cheap to purchase a pair.

I think they are. Worse if you buy them on ebay.. of course I think Cynthia has a plan to purchase a pair in August. I think... Personally, I go through shoes so fast that the money I invest in them has to go toward shoes I can run in and thus far, the new balance disney shoes have too high a H2T drop so I know I can't wear them... and thus I have not paid attention to anything regarding them. I really should... but I don't. Now the new ones that just came out... I honestly have not even looked to see if they would be a better fit for me. Given I can't return them though... I still probably would not be inclined to try.

Fun update!

Thanks

 

[ZellyB]

Congrats on your run and on the prize scores! I think your time is great!! Hills are no fun on a race though, that's for sure. We have a lot of hills around here, so I'm used to running them, but we are going to try and do even more of it this year. My DH always says as I'm complaining on my way up a hill, "It's good training! This will help you race stronger!!" I usually just want to punch him when he says that, but unfortunately, I know he's right.

And I never knew about vics and feet. I learn new things from this board all the time. Glad the podiatrist was good to talk with and not someone who wanted to insist you should stop running.

 

[MEK]

Thanks! The vic's is to help soften up my nail beds. One nail in particular that was damaged in January dried out very badly and looked "weird" because it was hard and concave and kinda felt like odd pressure was pushing down on my toe. Turns out...just terribly dried out. So to help it "plump" up... the vics trick. It has worked pretty nicely. He also said that it works well for any other really dry or hard area. (so like calluses)

Ahhhh - that makes sense. Fortunately I don't have too much trouble with calluses, just PF. But that's a great tip. Thanks for sharing.

Bummer about the asics shoes. They are my favorite because my feet are so wide. I literally have not tried another brand in - oh - say 20 years. Sometimes I think I should, but most of the time I think - why bother?

 

[annmarieda]

Congrats on your run and on the prize scores! I think your time is great!! Hills are no fun on a race though, that's for sure. We have a lot of hills around here, so I'm used to running them, but we are going to try and do even more of it this year. My DH always says as I'm complaining on my way up a hill, "It's good training! This will help you race stronger!!" I usually just want to punch him when he says that, but unfortunately, I know he's right.

I think I would want to punch too..but... he is right. I KNOW I need to get hills in. I have trouble with my left hamstring on them though. The first race I ever ran with a major hill I injured it. (lowest point before it started up hill was 27ft and the top of the hill was 284 ft. RK noted the run had an elevation climb of 509.. but not sure how that is calculated) Anyway...now when I do any hills my hamstring gets angry.

And I never knew about vics and feet. I learn new things from this board all the time. Glad the podiatrist was good to talk with and not someone who wanted to insist you should stop running.

I learn things too! I love it. As for the podiatrist. Yeah.. he was great. Honestly though, I could have walked away frustrated. I mean... it is not like he had a fix. He basically told me that if I don't want my feet to look and feel like this then I have to stop running. If I don't want to stop running then I can't complain about how they look and feel. It wasn't that he implied I was wrong or anything for not stopping running it was just that he basically said that it was all to be expected. (age, miles..body type) These things factor in to how our bodies deal with abuse.

 

[annmarieda]

Ahhhh - that makes sense. Fortunately I don't have too much trouble with calluses, just PF. But that's a great tip. Thanks for sharing.

PF is a tough thing! I am sorry you battle that. I have been lucky in not having much heel pain.

Bummer about the asics shoes. They are my favorite because my feet are so wide. I literally have not tried another brand in - oh - say 20 years. Sometimes I think I should, but most of the time I think - why bother?

I think I would be with you. If they work for you.. then why bother trying a new brand? I bet though you (and I to a lesser degree because I do jump brands) are the exact reason the shoe reps come to these runs and give out new pairs. I mean... if I had not been given a new pair... I would not have tried the asics.

 

[eandesmom]

I recently went in for a visit to see my primary care. Mostly just your usual yearly visit... but few years back I had some negative (as in bad) test results that have required me to be rechecked regularly to make sure all is still well. This visit, the test results came back completely clear so I have been put on an every 3 year check now. Also at this visit, my doctor too a look at my feet and told me I had to see a podiatrist because my feet looked "weird" So in I went last friday to see the podiatrist. (after I got to have coffee with Cynthia ) Now.. without grossing out all you non runners... suffice it to say that when my primary doc says my feet look weird... it just means I don't have the prettiest feet any more due to the running. However, how much is just to be expected and how much is damage and how much is injury is what was in question.

The podiatrist was great. He basically told me that the only thing that would fix my feet would be to stop running and he looked at me and said... "and I can tell that just like every other runner I tell that too, there is no way you are going to stop running". Nope.. So his next question was just to ask how painful each damaged area was. I can live with it.. so his conclusion was.." well, then we won't do anything". He gave me some pointers as to what I can do to "help" those areas. (who knew that vicks vapor rub is good for running damaged feet?) He said that he doesn't expect me in for another few years. (again.. a few years... like I have some sort of free pass for a few years)


I briefly mentioned that I started using a couple different inhalers in an attempt to get my lung/sinus crud under control. I have been slightly if not fully under the weather since the january trip. So while those have been helping I still think there is more going on...so I also am not going to try taking some allergy medication. I figure it can't hurt, right? I never have been bothered enough by allergies to hassle with meds...but I also have never been trying to train for 4 half marathons.

So that is my medicals stuff.

I'm just so happy you got it all checked out and made time to meet with me! It was a blast seeing you, as always.

Easter was great... went to Kira's. Josh's family and Kimberly's family came as well. So fun to have such a large group together. We ate far too much food and even had an egg hunt. Josh and I get a wee bit competitive though... and we noticed an egg stuck to the window outside the house. We both rushed the door and tussled to keep the other in. My knee got all scrapped and bruised. We were laughing so hard! It was so funny... but ultimately he barged past me and I lost out on that egg. We also took a hike down to the river near their house. Along the way, Josh was of course finding as many snakes as he could. I think that Kimberly's poor mother wasn't sure what to make of all of us. Josh's parents are old dear friends. For those who don't know... Kira and Josh have known each other since they were 10... because his folks and Steve and I have been friends for that long. Kimberly's mom got really serious at one point and quietly (although I over heard) told Zach and Kimberly that their children would be cousins to Kira and Josh's children. I guess all the horse play and snake hunting has her alarmed for her future grandchildren.

Ok that's a riot!!!!

Thanks! The vic's is to help soften up my nail beds. One nail in particular that was damaged in January dried out very badly and looked "weird" because it was hard and concave and kinda felt like odd pressure was pushing down on my toe. Turns out...just terribly dried out. So to help it "plump" up... the vics trick. It has worked pretty nicely. He also said that it works well for any other really dry or hard area. (so like calluses)

Hmmn I am going to remember that for calluses

I know... and I am sure she meant well. I guess it just surprised me that people will feel like their way is the only way. I suppose there is that saying though... "my way or the highway" for a reason. I have known some people like that. I really shouldn't find it surprising that people operate that way. I guess we all have our own approaches as to how we encourage others as well as how we respond to different forms of encouragement. Me...I don't do well being told I HAVE to do something one way. It is a sure fired way to get me to find a different way. Some though might like having their options more limited...and thus being told this IS the way. I don't think there is wrong with either route. Being inspired is pretty subjective. So I don't hold anything against this gal who probably (at least I like to think) was just trying to help... It was on me that I felt like she looked down on me. After all, no one can MAKE us feel anything. We allow ourselves to feel what we do.

I know I made my feeling on this very clear at coffee (I am so subtle aren't I? ). Maybe she meant well but maybe not. Sounded to me like she though her way was best and how it "should" be. Which of course she should feel for HER but to impose that on anyone else....nope. Her race, her pace, your race, your pace. If she wants to walk some, most, all or whatever to do Goofy or Dopey...go for it! Nothing wrong with that. If that's not what you want, nothing wrong with that either. There is no right way, no perfect training plan, no one size fits all. And...it may well have been the reverse. She may have been worried you'd think less of her as she doesn't think the training you think is needed, is needed. And that defense mechanism can sound like disapproval but it goes back to the putting something down to make your own choice seem better. SUCH a female thing, I truly believe often it isn't even a conscious thing. Hardwired. Ingrained.

It's funny. A colleague of mine and I were chatting Disney in general and he was mocking a friend of his that was kind of doing the same thing to him, except about DCL. Except this guy knows DCL, has done 3 cruises, knows DVC, and what he wants. Yet she felt compelled to tell him how he SHOULD do this or that or MUST do whatever.

He did confirm that I don't do that to him. Or anyone.

After he told me several of them were making fun of me all week (in a loving way of course) as I was at Disney AGAIN this week.

I think they are. Worse if you buy them on ebay.. of course I think Cynthia has a plan to purchase a pair in August. I think... Personally, I go through shoes so fast that the money I invest in them has to go toward shoes I can run in and thus far, the new balance disney shoes have too high a H2T drop so I know I can't wear them... and thus I have not paid attention to anything regarding them. I really should... but I don't. Now the new ones that just came out... I honestly have not even looked to see if they would be a better fit for me. Given I can't return them though... I still probably would not be inclined to try.

Thanks

Maybe maybe not. It's one of those things that if I get there, it works out AND I like them...maybe. Not a must do at all. There may well be something else I'd rather spend my money on. I've not tried NB before but in reading about them...a couple of the pairs "could" work...but I really don't know. As I'm not a tennis shoe girl other than running...it's probably a silly thing to even consider. Probably just as much fun to know I "could" buy them...if I wanted to.

 

[annmarieda]

I'm just so happy you got it all checked out and made time to meet with me! It was a blast seeing you, as always.

I am always happy to see you too! I am sorry I was a tad frazzled coming in though... and that I was late. I am sure it won't be the last time you see me frazzled like that... or late.

Ok that's a riot!!!!

It really was. Everything from the snakes to the wrestling. Fun day for sure!

Hmmn I am going to remember that for calluses

Gotta put bandaids over it though to trap it all in.

I know I made my feeling on this very clear at coffee (I am so subtle aren't I? ). Maybe she meant well but maybe not. Sounded to me like she though her way was best and how it "should" be. Which of course she should feel for HER but to impose that on anyone else....nope.

Hey.. I like not subtle. No need to try and read between lines.

Her race, her pace, your race, your pace. If she wants to walk some, most, all or whatever to do Goofy or Dopey...go for it! Nothing wrong with that. If that's not what you want, nothing wrong with that either. There is no right way, no perfect training plan, no one size fits all.

I think this is what made me feel off about it because I know there are people who do not feel that way. Maybe not everyone... maybe not even that many... but the fact that some people will scream about how you can't tell them their way is not correct but then turn around and tell others how incorrect their way is just tends to make me worry when someone has a very opposing view point.

And...it may well have been the reverse. She may have been worried you'd think less of her as she doesn't think the training you think is needed, is needed. And that defense mechanism can sound like disapproval but it goes back to the putting something down to make your own choice seem better. SUCH a female thing, I truly believe often it isn't even a conscious thing. Hardwired. Ingrained.

I think women do tend to be hardwired to act defensively. You could very well be correct... maybe she was feeling defensive thinking I was thinking less of her. I hope not. If anything, maybe I envy her a bit. For all I know she runs quite fast and it affords her the time to stop for characters.

It's funny. A colleague of mine and I were chatting Disney in general and he was mocking a friend of his that was kind of doing the same thing to him, except about DCL. Except this guy knows DCL, has done 3 cruises, knows DVC, and what he wants. Yet she felt compelled to tell him how he SHOULD do this or that or MUST do whatever.

I like to think it is just a different personality type and that there is not any malicious intent in the pushing of opinions onto others. Like maybe she doesn't realize that he knows as much as he does and then feels like she HAS to let him know all the "must or should" dos?

He did confirm that I don't do that to him. Or anyone.

It definitely makes it easy to get along with you!

After he told me several of them were making fun of me all week (in a loving way of course) as I was at Disney AGAIN this week.

I think those know know me just know that it is a given that I will be in Disney if I am on vacation. At first there was the "again? " comments... now we all just about it.

Maybe maybe not. It's one of those things that if I get there, it works out AND I like them...maybe. Not a must do at all. There may well be something else I'd rather spend my money on. I've not tried NB before but in reading about them...a couple of the pairs "could" work...but I really don't know.

Just to be clear... the was not in regards to you getting the shoes (or attempting to get them) It was in the fact they are even more costly on ebay... and even that... I don't blame people for buying and then selling for a profit on ebay. (as long as they are not taking up spots from those who want them at the expo) If someone wants to spend their time to get a shoe that someone else would other wise not have access to... I am not necessarily opposed.

it's probably a silly thing to even consider. Probably just as much fun to know I "could" buy them...if I wanted to.

As for you attempting to get them... not at all silly! I think if it is something you want... then go for it! Kinda a fun way to commemorate your first disney race..and first half marathon!!

As I'm not a tennis shoe girl other than running....

I know I mentioned it last week...but I never use to be a tennis shoe gal. I always had some sort of heeled shoe on...or a nice flat. (although I did do disney minnie jane crocs for walking in parks) now though... I have so many shoes laying around that I find I wear them more and more with jeans. I mean... I can't bare to get rid of them but they aren't good for running either.

 

[annmarieda]

Total Miles 28.5 with an average pace of 8:59.

Now... I have stopped editing RK. I do go to check and make sure it isn't horribly off and that it looks to be at least the number of miles that were recorded. So 28.5 may actually be a little closer 29 when all is said and done. I just don't want to take the time to manually edit each run when it is the difference between 6.24 miles (as in today) and 6.26 (what it was looks like it was closer to when I actually started to check the miles) Doesn't make a big difference on the day to day stuff...but at the end of the week it might be a bit off. Maybe I will start editing again when I really want to get those miles more accurate when I am more worried about hitting my goal for the year. Who knows...

Sunday, 4/20 -

Even though it was Easter, I really felt like I needed to get a run in. Take some time to myself and really test myself. I have been feeling a bit in a rut with running and feeling like maybe I no longer am able to actually run full distances. So out I went and I completely surprised myself. 10.06 with not a single pause to tie my shoe...untangle myself from a dog... bio break... NOTHING. Just straight non stop 10 miles!!! Now.. was the pace spectacular? Maybe not. I know I just wanted to keep running without stopping and I knew I wanted to get some miles in. So I kept my pace over 9 minutes per mile.

Monday, 4/21 -

Given that I had gone 10 the day before and that I had a long work day I just skipped any running. Probably was a good choice since I didn't give myself many rest days this week.

Tuesday, 4/22 -

A little over 4 miles... pace under 9 minutes. I waited to go out until after I got home from work. I thought that maybe the weather would cooperate more. Sadly, it did not. It was windy and rainy. I came home with feet that were completely soaking wet!

Wednesday, 4/23 -

A much needed rest day!

Thursday, 4/24 -

Just over 6 miles.. pace under 9. It was more of the same weather wise. It seems like one minute is it blue skies and then wind picks up and then it rains. It is just odd. Seriously I am getting sick of coming home soaking wet!

Friday, 4/25 -

Normally I would not run again. However, Steve brought home my new shoes for me on thursday and I really wanted to try them out. In case you all are curious... I never have tried a pair of new balance shoes on. NEVER. I have run in nikes, asics, saucony, mizuno, adidas and brooks. I have tried on newtons... but NEVER new balance. I have to say I am very very pleased with these shoes. New Balance 1400v2.

I think they are the most light of any shoe I have ran in. Not sure if you can tell by the pic, but they are a beautiful purple and pink color. (with electric yellow in there too) I think they would be perfect to match the rapunzel shirt I got. I worried that they would be too narrow because they certainly look that way. However my bunion that is bothered by the brooks... is not at all bothered by these. I do wish there was some more cushion in the sole. As with all of the new balance I tried on, the tongue of the shoe is a bit on the long side for my liking...but overall I give this shoe a A. (would be an A+ if the tongue wasn't as long and there was more overall cushioning)

So how did my run go? Well, it was my best pace EVER! I ran just over 2 miles with under an 8 minute mile pace. While I didn't feel like I had springs on my feet (like in the adidas energy boosts) I felt like my feet were as light as air.

Saturday, 4/26 -

Okay so maybe I didn't need to go out... but after yesterdays run and being so close to hitting some sort of weekly mileage record for me, I just had to.
It was an interesting day. Again with the weather giving me everything from blue skies and sun to wind and a bit of rain. I didn't mind the sprinkling though because it was a bit on the warm side for me (or maybe it was the humidity) The wind though? UGH... there is about a one mile section I was running directly into the wind. Then for some reason I came back around in my route to run it again. Only this time the wind was even stronger. I also had a strange person encounter. I am rarely am bothered by any persons on my route. Maybe the occasional car... but never actual people. I live in a safe town where I don't worry about people.... but when I saw someone walking into town (the trail I run goes to the edge of town) with a backpack I took note. It was odd... when I turned onto a road that he had turned onto he kept looking back at me. He then started picking things up and aggressively throwing them at cars that were going by - like...charging the cars. I paid close attention to the surroundings. No bushes... alleys... nothing that he could drag me into. It was a clear open side walk with plenty of cars driving by. I figured it was safe enough, but I made sure to slow enough to build up some reserve in my energy should I need to sprint. It showed in my pace... but I am glad to have done it. Just before I got to him he turned onto a side path (that was very visible and I was aware was coming up... he still could not have drug me "down and into" it) All in all I hate to be paranoid. This guy was odd though. I never looked back at him...maybe he reemerged from the path? I don't know... I don't know if he threw anything at me. I just know I wasn't the most comfortable with him Kinda wasn't the way I wanted to run my last mile or so.

Finished with a pace under 9 minutes per mile and over 6 miles. Not too shabby... my 7th best 5 to 7 miles run. (just a side note.. it is hard to get my runs into a top 10 best any more. I have so many tracked runs... and the difference between any two might only be that a total of one or two seconds)

The shoes... still great! I really am totally impressed. I do think I need more cushioning to go further than in a 10k but I can see really putting these shoes to good use! Which makes me happy not only because my brooks that I bought are starting to wear down but because the asics I won ended up being something I couldn't really wear. So all in all the win was a true win!!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Awesome week mileage wise especially with the pace you had for that first day of the new shoes!

Glad the new shoes will work for you on your shorter runs.

I get about being in a safe town (Naples is one of the safest towns in Florida & most arrests here are DUI or Drug Related) but a guy like that would freak me out too!

 

[annmarieda]

Awesome week mileage wise especially with the pace you had for that first day of the new shoes!

Thank you. I think I really needed to regain some confidence and this week definitely helped with that.

Glad the new shoes will work for you on your shorter runs.

Me too! I am so picky with shoes. I feel the slightest inkling of pain and they go back. I am kinda shocked that these worked so well.

I get about being in a safe town (Naples is one of the safest towns in Florida & most arrests here are DUI or Drug Related) but a guy like that would freak me out too!

That is here too. Violent crime and robbery just doesn't exist here. I debated calling downtown to let them know that this character was in town. Maybe I should have. I think I just didn't want to warn anyone unnecessarily. On of the last times an "out of towner" came... the school district super intendant sent out a message via phone to everyone...just to warn us all.

 

[Ariel484]

Sounds like you had an awesome week!

I hope that Easter 10-miler was a rut-buster for you! Even if it wasn't at your normal pace it sounds like a pretty good run. We all get in those running ruts...those stink.

Rainy run on Tuesday and Thursday...yikes! Way to tough it out!

Yay for new shoes!!! LOVE the colors so much, they are so pretty! Those are definitely Rapunzel colors.

Boo to running in the wind...so difficult!

Your strange person encounter... I'm sorry you happened upon that guy but I'm very glad you were aware of your surroundings! I live in a very safe community too but sometimes I wonder if I should get pepper spray to carry with me on runs, just to be safe... I can't see ever actually getting some though.

Sounds like the shoes are winners! Maybe you can go to a New Balance store to get fitted for a pair with more cushioning for your longer runs? Finding the right pair of shoes is SO hard.