Never Leave the Site of a Decision Without Taking Action!

So, last night, I was so excited about my new training plan that I skipped my rest day but I was able to restrain myself enough to keep it at an Easy 3 Miler.  I am a firm believer that you should Never Leave the Site of a Decision Without Taking Action!  Doing so allows you to take advantage of your nervous energy and excitement to start making a dent into whatever it is you want to accomplish.

So, upon looking at my Excel Sheet Gone Rouge, I found that I will be completing 500 miles in what is left of 2011.  Total Score ;)

I do need to schedule some Strength Training ... not sure what I will be doing yet but I will keep ya'll posted!

Happy Tuesday!

An Excel Sheet Gone Rouge

So last week I started my training again.  It was a good first week back logging in almost 12 miles on the treadmill.  I'm not happy that they were all on the treadmill but I will take what I can get for now and work on changing it up some in the next few weeks ... though considering August is on the horizon, I may be seeing more of the treadmill than I like in the next few weeks.

So today, as I decided to listen to Anthony Robbins Get the Edge, something I like to do when I need a little motivational kick in the rear, and considering I just finished Grad School, I was hoping for a little bit of direction ... and as I listened ... I returned to thinking of all the things I was working on before starting Grad School.

Then I had an AH HA MOMENT!!!  I was training for the ING MARATHON!

Life and Grad School got in the way and I had a less than stellar performance then ...

But now, a google search and an Excel sheet later, I am thinking of going for the ING MIAMI in January 2012.  I had already set a Goal of doing the 13.1 Fort Lauderdale in November which fits well into the plan so why not?

I have penciled in last week to be Week 0 and will start some serious base building in the upcoming weeks.

I have 28 wonderful weeks of training ahead of me.

Wish me luck!

Tuesday Tummy Trouble

My goals for last nights runs were to try to push my pace until I found my limit.

Stats
Warm Up	0:05:00
Mile 1	0:13:38
Mile 2	0:13:02
.500	0:07:38
Mile 3	0:12:57
Cool Down	0:05:00

I think I may have found it and considering I haven't runing 18 months I think I am doing pretty good.  After my run, I did not feel tired or sore but I did feel like my stomach and I were no longer on speaking terms. 

I had planned to make Chili for Dinner (and leftovers for lunch) and even started cooking it but I could not eat it.  Instead I took some frozen berries from the fridge and 1 cup of Soy Milk plus a scoop of Protein powder and threw it in my Magic Bullet.  Then I took my smoothie and hung out on the sofa watching some TV till bedtime. 

I'm going to try to recreate the run tomorrow AM and see if that helps. 

On Deck
Thursday 4 Miler
Sunday 5 Miler (going to see if I can head out to the real world and do this one :)

Wish me luck :)

Proceed With Caution: Migraine Ahead

I am happy to report I have had a successful training day two.

I was a little concerned because I was starting to get a migraine but I reasoned that I have run with a migraine before and it has helped ... but then I've also run with a migraine and made it worse so I proceeded with caution.  

I had a tempo run@14:16 penciled in but decided not to push it, considering the migraine ...

Stats
Mile 1 15:49
Mile 2 15:34
Mile 3 15:06
Mile 4 13:54

I have to say it felt great!  It felt familiar and comfortable and wonderful!  The last mile in particular was TERRIFIC!  I am sad to say the migraine did not improve but it also didn't get worse either which I will add to the win column.  I was also surprised how I felt like I could run another mile and how I felt like the run wasn't "difficult" per se ... I sweat and I worked out but I didn't feel exhausted or anything ... I'm thinking muscle memory is a wonderful thing ... but we will see how true that is tomorrow ;)

I averaged a 15:05mm which makes me think I may need to revamp my training plan but I want to give it a little more time considering my last two runs were on the treadmill.  I want to do some real world runs before I make any pace adjustments.   

It may be too early but I'm thinking it is looking pretty good for making it to the A1A :)

On Deck
Rest Day Tomorrow, 4 Mile @16:05 on Sunday

Happy Friday!!!!

Race Report: Turkey Trot

A year ago, at about this time, I was coming down from the major running high of My First Half Marathon in a rather respectable amount of time (2:35:58 for those that didn't click through) and I was thankful that Recovery Runs are Better Than Chocolate.

Fast Forward one year, after an 8 month sabbatical from running and 30 pounds heavier, i.e. yesterday, when I was just trying to survive a 5K. 

Which I did by I alternating running and walking the distance in 44:20.

It wasn't a PR or even a great run by the standards I held a year ago.  But looking at it in the perspective of this year and this time around, I've cut off ~4 minutes from my last race (The Waterford 5k about 2 weeks ago @ 48:52) and I am thankful for that!

On Deck is a 6 miler, I gott start building up my distance if I'm going to get through the half! :)

Hoping you all have a Festive Holiday Weekend!

Getting Over The Hump

Still trying see where I stand and build my base, today I had planed to do a 5 miler that was not meant to be.

It was probably a bit optimistic to try to get through a 5 miler running straight through this early in the game but what I am if not optimistic :P

I did manage to get through 3 miles using a walk/run cycle but I really need to work on my stretching pre-run because my legs were hurting from the get go. 

Mile 1   14:53.44
Mile 2   16:21.86
Mile 3   15:56.51

Nothing impressive but still feeling pretty good about my progress.

On Deck
3m Run

Happy Wednesday!

And Their Off!

Training has officially begun.  

Today I had a easy two mile run which I thought would be a great way to gauge exactly where I am considering I didn't try to run during the Waterford 5K and I kinda took it easy yesterday.

I had set a goal of hitting sometime between 14:15 and 15:36 which would land me in a respectable range. 


I ended up at:

Mile 1   13:55.21
Mile 2   14:42.66

... which I am rather happy with. 

I did cramp up ... ALOT ... which forced me to walk WAY more than I should have so there is still much tweeking to be done.

On Deck is some cardio and strength training for tomorrow, followed by a 5 miler I am hoping to run most of :)

Wish me luck!!!



Have a great day!

T-Minus 11 weeks or 77 Days till ING Miami Half Marathon Take Deux

Last week I realized we are 12 weeks out ... now 11 weeks out ... of the 2011 ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon to which I have been signed up for since last years ING Miami Marathon 2010.

The last few months have been rather eventful including:

• Reaching and passing the half way mark in my Graduate School Program and getting nominated to the Golden Key Honor Society
• Closing and moving into my own place
• A rather unexpected change in employment to a job I AM ECSTATIC ABOUT!!!!!

This eventfulness (is that a word?) has further gummed up the works in my Return to Running Plan.

Until ...

I just got out there an did it.

Last week was the Waterford 5k, a yearly run company's in the Waterford area take part in. 

Last week,  I also had an Epiphany.  I have a million reasons why I don't have time to run ... but all those reasons are in fact EXCUSES! 

So, when Friday came ... I had not trained ... I had not worked out ... But I had to run ... well I had to walk.   There was no reason why I shouldn't,  only excuses ... and I wasn't going to let an excuse stop me!

So I did, paced by a co-worker and did OK considering I haven't put on my work out clothes in about 7 months.

Saturday I rested ... I woke up with a dehydration hang over.  I hadn't had enough water in the days preceding race. 

Today, I followed it up by walking/jogging 5 miles which also went OK but made me realize I really have to kick up my training to get back to my fighting weight.  Mrs. Mom is doing it too but she has been training for a few weeks already so I have a lot of catching up to do.

For those of you who have been following me for a while might recall I pace Mrs. Mom or at least go back for her at the end of the race ... but either way ... I HAVE A LOT OF TRAINING TO DO!!!!

On Deck

2 miles @ between 14:15 to 15:36


Have a great day!

3 days and I'm STILL SORE!!!

Ok, so it's been 3 days since my Muay Thai class at ZEN'S PLACE and I am STILL SORE!

Muay Thai (Thai Boxing): Known as the art of “eight limbs”. One uses the hands, shins, elbows and knees as part of their arsenal. Thus Muay Thai allows one to execute strikes using eight points of contact.

Re-enforcing the fact that it has obviously been WAY TOO LONG since I have worked out!

It was a great class and a super fun workout and I can't wait till next Tuesday to do it again!!!

As for tonight, I am going to do some sort of Yoga (which I probably should of thought of earlier) and get in some sort of easy cardio (not sure what yet though).

Next race is already dawning on the horizon and still no running! Maybe a nice jog will lessen these aches and pains!

Happy Friday!!!

Update On What's Going On

So It's been 115 days since I started Grad School and a lot has gone on over the last few months:

• Mom & I ran at the 7 Mile Race in Marathon, FL.



MOM MADE IT!
I paced her and was very much Drill Sergent like! But she didn't get picked up by the bus! So YAY!


• My Family went to Cuba to visit where my grandparents used to live and where my mom grew up!





• I turned 32!

Sorry, no photos!

• Mom and I ran the Tour of the Gables!



Ran this one with mom too! :)

• Mom & I ran the Twilight 5k! I probably shouldn't have because I hadn't trained but still made it.

So I haven't run consistently, since Mid January so I am way off on my 1000+ Challenge but I'm not going to let that get to me, I will recalibrate and set a new goal. I have been keeping up on my Race-A-Month Challenge, even if my race results haven't been stellar (You can't expect to PR when you run once a month!) and I've gained about 15 pounds in the last 6 months.

But I finally decided to do something about it. Yesterday, I went to a new gym where the workouts are Martial Arts based. Yesterday's class was Mauy Thai! VERY FUN! I tried to stay for the Jujitsu class which is what I really wanted since Jujitsu is a close parent to Judo which is what I practiced in College but I barely made it through the warm-up! YIKES, I used to do this for 3 hours and barely broke a sweat! Time to get back on the wagon!

I am hopeful that this will give me some extra motivation, since it's been running in short supply lately! :( I hate that feeling!!! GEESH!

Today am hoping to get out for a short 2 mile walk-run to release the soreness from last night's work out.

Wish me luck!

Grad School Count Down: 381 days to go!

Happy Wednesday!

Cold Weekend

The cold front this weekend took it's toll on me. I am so not a cold weather person!

• Friday: I squeezed in a 6 miler because I knew the temperature would be dropping considerably Saturday but I was hoping to get out again on Sunday.
  
  Followed by a Celebration of a our dear friends 77th Birthday. Many musicians of all kinds got together to JAM for the occasion. Even I played a song on Bass (not my biggest forte but I was able to hang, I think)
  
  
  
  It took us about a minute to get the song together so please be patient ;)
  
  I felt great all night. My feet were sore from the run (I suspect I wore the wrong shoes) but everyone who hasn't seen me in a while said I was losing weight which made me feel terrific ;)
  

• Saturday: It was so cold we didn't leave the house. Both Mr. Boyfriend and I started to get sick :\ The temps dropped to the 30s.
  
• Sunday: Still sick and still cold! Again in the 30s.
  
• Monday: My throat and Migraine got even worse! Managed to stay in the 50s.
• Tuesday: Feeling better than yesterday but not 100%. Absolutely not running today. Going to try to recover so I can get a run in tomorrow. I have a 7 miler penciled in.
  
  I'm 19 days out from the my first FULL Marathon and my training has fallen apart over the last month. I still have time to get one more 20 miler in this Saturday (Expected temp in the 70s with 40% chance of rain) to make for a total of 2 (I was hoping for 3 before the full!) but I'll take what I can get.
  

Happy Tuesday!

Twenty

Friday, I set my mind on it and even daydreamed running portions of it, running strong and happy. I was quite excited to finally reach my goal.

But Saturday ... oh, Saturday.

I will go through the break down as a list:

• I woke up to find I had snoozed away an hour causing me to start my run an hour later than I had planned. But I still got up.
• I got dressed and realized my pants running pants weren't fitting right ... not a bad thing necessarily but bad timing to say the least.
• I started to prepare my pre-run meal of a PBJ but found that we were out of Jelly. I replaces it with Guava but found that the bread was stale so after two bites I couldn't eat it anymore.
• I started to work on my race hydration camelbak filling it with water and Gatorade powder and found that I hadn't taken care of it last week as I should have after my dismal run and mold had gotten to it.
  
• I was out of Shotbloks ... so I just went without.

Something was just out to stop this 20-miler from happening!?!

But did I let that stop me!?!

HECK NO!

What saved the day?

• The cold front that is currently in our area was just getting started making the weather absolutely wonderful.
• My Nathan's Handheld bottle I got a giveaway by Fair Weather Runner's(Thank you AGAIN!?!)
• My absolute stubbornness! :)
• and finally, Mr. Boyfriend who got worried after I hadn't come home and went out to get me and found me two blocks away from home cause I stopped running right after twenty miles and couldn't get started again.

When I got home I gave my legs a rinse in cold water for a good 10 minutes (just let the cold water run on my legs) and I put on my compressions socks and by the afternoon I was A-OK!

Today I'm set for a 6 mile recovery run! Hope that cold front behaves itself ;}

Have a great day!

The Clouds They ThreatenedRain

All morning the rain clouds threatened.

It rained for a few hours in the afternoon.

Then it stopped resumed to threaten.

When I got off work, I looked up at the clouds in defiance and got changed into my running clothes. I was going to go to the running park this afternoon no matter what.

When I arrived at the park, the clouds seemed to grimace and as I stretched a sparse drop would fall every few moments on my back but I was not deterred.

I started my warm up and ended up walking a half mile before I decided that if any running was to get done I needed to get to going.

Warm-Up - .5 mi Walk - 8:32.34

Then I got moving:

Mile 1 - 10:44.37
Recover - 6:15.68

I thought I would repeat the same, as I would in a tempo run but then:

Mile 2 - 10:40.23
Mile 3 - 10:35.94

Then I caught up with a couple of guys and we got to talking about the Miami Runner's Club and I finished off the last mile with them:

Cool-down - 1 mi Jog - 11:40.04

As I stretched and got into my car, the rain began, as if it was waiting for me to finish before it began to pour down.

This is the first time I've ever done negative splits. I am very much loving this improvement. Another great run to round out the week!

We are in for a cold front this weekend but it's not slated to start until Saturday evening, leaving me Saturday morning for my long 20 miler. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Happy Friday!

I may have lost the battle but I will not lose the WAR!

This Saturday, I set out on my first 20 mile run ...

... and it got started relatively well ...

... until at about the end of mile 4 ...

... I RAN OUT OF GAS!

Now, I normally run more than 4 miles. My short runs now range from 5 to 7 miles. But something just went wrong :(

But I pushed on.

The miles felt like forever and each one stretched longer and longer as I slowed more and more.

Then it happened.

I ran out of fluids :(

Mind you I was carrying 64 oz of Gatorade.

But I ran out in 10 miles, it took closer to 18 miles last time.

I was dehydrated.

I remembered I hadn't really hydrated at all during the previous days.

And that was it.

I hobbled home after barely completing 10 miles.

I recalculated in my head and decided I could consider this a rest week and attack again next week!

I may have lost the battle but I will not lose the WAR! :)


Have a great day!

Happy Hanukkah!

Ok, so I spoke to soon the Garmin ... turns out it did have a little Glitch (probably user issues ;} But I am very much enjoying the fact that I don't need a foot pod and the extra features are fun (and I'm still discovering more :) Yesterday's run was alot more accurate :) A friend told me about the pace feature that predicts when you will finish the lap so it's easier to know how much you need to push yourself to get the pace you are looking for. LOVE IT!?!

So it turns out I did about 7 miles on Wednesday and Thursday ... so today I rest and tomorrow I go for 20!

I am still on target for my 900 mile in 2009 Challenge ... but that also means I will be running some 100 miles over the next 20 days ... YIKES!

Wishing everyone a Happy Friday and a Happy Hanukkah!

Test Drive: Garmin Forerunner 305

So I got my Garmin Forerunner 305 yesterday and of course I couldn't wait to take that puppy for a test drive.

I didn't have a route planned and I really didn't feel like going out but the newness of the the Garmin got me out there.

As I walked from my door to the where my running path begins, I fiddle with the Garmin but it keep displaying LOCATING SATELLITES.

I was concerned but as I arrived to my Start Point it started to receive the signal.

I did a few stretches and positioned my self at the start line only to find that it was LOCATING SATELLITES again.

I waited a few seconds and decided that if I waited I would lose my nerve and end up walking home (i.e. FAIL!) and I was not about to let that happen.

I pressed start and just got going!

I kept a watchful eye on the screen for the first half mile and NOTHING.

Oh, well and I just kept running!

At about 3/4 miles I took another peak and the screen was lit up with numbers but something must have gone WONKY because it read that I was running an 8 minute mile and that I had covered 2.5 miles (when I KNEW I HADN'T). I could believe the 8 minute mile part because I do run that fast in short bursts but I knew I hadn't covered that distance by any means.

When I went over my stats later, I noted that for a burst in that first half mile I was recorded as going 242 miles per hour (That's the weird distance jetting south on the map and which is OF COURSE, IMPOSSIBLE!)

It also said that I had covered 7.72 miles, while my DailyMile Map says I did something closer to 6 miles.

When my other Garmin did WEIRD things like that I would just remove that portion of the run and allow it to recalculate but because I had not set it to AUTO LAP I couldn't ... POOH! (I set it up now!)

I am also excited to start playing with the Virtual Partner and Tempo run settings.

Thank goodness it's Thursday!

Migraines Mondays & Temperate Tuesdays

BAD NEWS: I haven't been feeling too great for the last 24 hours or so. I had a MILD migraine (i.e. Level 3 migraine on my migraine scale). It is my regular monthly migraine (the one I get every month right before my visit from Mother Nature).

GOOD NEWS: I have officially pretty much reduced my migraines from 4 out of 7 days a week (i.e. 180 days a year ... i.e. 15 days a month ... i.e. every other day) to 1 day a month and I no longer have Excruciatingly-Painful-persistent-hot-flashes-can-not-stand-light-or-sound-nausea/vomiting-crying-from-pain-Need-to-go-to-the-Hospital-Migraines (i.e. Level 10 migraine on my migraine scale)

That being said, my little Level 3 did knock me off my workout plan yesterday, POOH!

I was totally lazy and ended up having Pizza for dinner and Publix Moose Tracks Ice Cream for dessert (i.e. creamy chocolate ice cream with scrumptious peanut butter cups and rich Moose Tracks Fudge) making yesterday a total Eating Healthy and Light FAIL!?!

But I did do something good!

While I lazily watched TV and Facebooked and toyed on the computer, I noted the price had gone considerably down on the Garmin Forerunner 305 (probably due to the Garmin Forerunner 310XT which is waterproof).

So, I went ahead and ordered it as my Christmas Present to Myself!?!

I do admit I am a bit of Stat-Lover! It keeps me motivated and getting out there regardless of the fact that they aren't the most impressive STATS ... they are MY STATS and I LOVE THEM!

I also promised myself I needed to start taking my paces more seriously and working on some speed is going to be my next FOCUS!

So, this morning I drowsily opened my eyes to check the time to see if I could squeeze in another 5 minutes before the alarm rang and WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT: I WAS LATE!!!!

Alarm was set for 5:15 ... Alarm clock read 6:05! YIKES!

But instead of rolling over and getting another hour of sleep, I jumped up and rushed out the door!

Score 1 for me!

It was a beautiful TEMPERATE morning: 69° degrees with 93% humidity.

Today's run was a recovery run so I decide to keep it easy.

Mile 1: 0:12:19
Mile 2: 0:12:50
Mile 3: 0:13:25
Mile 4: 0:12:06
Extra: 0:05:18

I didn't get into it until another runner passed me as I started Mile 4 ... she wasn't the first one of the day ... but she made me realize I could run faster and that I was just being ... well ... LAZY!

I realized I need to focus more and push my body!

I haven't run a Great-Outstanding-Wanna-Puke run in ... well .... AGES!

I know that doesn't sound attractive but it's how I know I've run my all!

I realized haven't been pushing myself and just let myself run COMFORTABLY which is probably ABSOLUTELY why I have been slowing down the more I run!

Final stats:

Distance: 4.45
Time: 0:55:59
Pace: 12:35

Lesson learned: I can't just let my body decide my speed, I need to keep my head in the game!

Today I plan to do a DOUBLE-UP!

Don't worry it probably won't become a habit! But because I ran in the AM I am going to do some of my Strength Training to make up at least a little part of yesterday's workout ;)

Happy Tuesday!

Notes on my 18 Miler

Today I would like to do a re-cap of my 18 miler (mostly for my own posterity and incase I need to review my long run strategies at a later date)

Pre-Run Meal: 1/3 cup of Apple Juice & Spirulina and half of a PBJ on Potato Bread.

I used my 2 liter (64 ounce) camel back with Orange Gatorade. I was concerned about the calories being that I am going on nice long run and burning about 1600 calories but then I did the math and the Gatorade would be 400 calories and the 4 shot blocks would be another 132 calories that I would be in taking through it so I figured it would be ok. (Yes, this is the stuff I think about while I run).

I wanted to start running at my regular pace like on Friday (I'm not very fast and I really perfer not to slow down anymore than I have to) but I knew it would probably be better if I didn't and I guess my body agreed and my run went something like this:

Mile 1	0:12:13	4.91
Mile 2	0:12:31	4.79
Mile 3	0:13:06	4.58
Mile 4	0:12:51	4.67
Mile 5	0:13:02	4.60
Mile 6	0:13:27	4.46
Mile 7	0:12:20	4.86 *
Mile 8	0:12:23	4.85
Mile 9	0:13:51	4.33
Mile 10	0:12:46	4.70
Mile 11	0:13:12	4.55
Mile 12	0:12:40	4.74
Mile 13	0:13:08	4.57
Mile 14	0:12:27	4.82
Mile 15	0:12:48	4.69
Mile 16	0:12:53	4.66
Mile 17	0:12:28	4.81
Mile 18	0:13:00	4.62
Extra	0:00:20	3.60

* Stopped the clock for potty break.

I tried to keep my Garmin at about 4.8 and after the first 6 or 7 or so miles started using a walk-run method. My watch was set to beap at a 5:1 ration but I tended to skip every other walk break giving me a 12:1 walk ratio instead.

For the first time, I experienced HUNGER on a run. At about mile 10 my stomach was rumbling as if I hadn't eaten in days. I started to use the shot bloks more frequently at this point (I had only had 1 up to this point) so I started having a portion of one ( i cut mine in fours to make them bite sized) every half mile or so.

I also feel like maybe I was over hydrating because towards the end my stomach felt sloshy but when I got home, Mr. Boyfriend did his PALENESS inspection and I got the seal of approval. I was happy to earn since I didn't get it on my 15 miler, he said I looked pale and tired and I had dark bags under my eyes, but not this time. I think HYDRATION was the KEY!

In Review - Week of November 30th:

Full Marathon Training Week 10 of 18:

WORKOUT	DISTANCE	AVG Speed	TIMES
	36.93 Miles	4.82	4
	0 Miles	N/A	0
	0 Meters	N/A	0

Total Workout Time: 07:47:12
Total Running Time: 10:07:17

I was so happy when I got my Daily Mile Weekly Training Report.

I was at the top of the leader board this week! It was my first time :)

I no longer have any doubts about being able to complete the FULL MARATHON! My 18 miler got me hyped up! I CAN SO DO THIS! :)

Next thing to work on is improving that time ;)

Happy Monday!

Weekend Debriefing

I started off the weekend getting my 5 miler in before partaking in any festivities. It went really well.

Distance: 5.15 miles
Time: 1:00:00
Pace: 11:39

Finally a sub-12 min run. I hadn't been able to get sub-12 since the 13.1 Fort Lauderdale almost 3 weeks ago.

Then Mr. Boyfriend and I headed up for a well earned evening out to listen to some live music and spend some time with friends.

I pushed my Saturday 16 miler to Sunday because I knew we'd be getting home late ... and I was right ;}

Saturday slipped away in languid restful glory watching way too much TV and Taco Bell for dinner.

I tired to do a little core work but after trying a repeat of this core workout, I only got through the first set.

I was able to get to sleep early and up at 5am to find absolutely perfect long run weather. For me that now is: 61 degrees, 91% humidity, and overcast.

I set out for my longest run to date: 16 Miles.

I was worried, afraid and doubtful but I set out anyway and was holding my planned pace steady until at about 6 miles I got a rumbly in my tumbly and took the turn back home to use the rest room. I was afraid I would be cut short and end up with something in the 7 mile range.

Oh, Pooh!

But restroom break and a refill on my Camelbak later, I was out again.

I started running the same path all over again but this time after finishing it I ended up above and beyond what I was hoping for!

Finally tally:

Distance: 18.02 miles
Time: 3:51:02
Pace: 12:49

I have slain the 16 mile monster and the 18 mile monster with one shot and within my pace range! Yay me!

Hope everyone enjoys what's left of the weekend!

Black Toe Nails and Blisters and Calluses, oh my!

**WARNING**
This might get gross!
**WARNING**

So my feet look like a carnival of foot issues!

I am currently suffering from two toe nails in the process of falling off (one with blood, one without), a recurring blister on my pinky toe that have graduated to a blood blister and a strange kind of cork-screw calluses on the side of my toe (is that even possible) along with the regular calluses all over the place!

I am wondering if after two months (approx 170 miles logged) of running my shoes no longer fit right?

Is that possible?

Since my Post-Half-marathon-Slow-Down (two weeks ago) my foot issues have quadrupled!?!

Why don't I go get a pedicure, you ask?

Because the poor woman will freak the hell out at the sight of my feet! They never understand WHY I RUN! I have a sneaking suspicion they don't believe that I run (because in their heads Chubby Chicks aren't Runners) and they are silently thinking I am some sort of S&M Foot Demolishing Menace!

I didn't have this many issues before?

I've also developed a recurring hip-pinch which seems to be easily cured by a foam rolling session post run.

I know I am not stretching nearly enough!

I wonder if all this is happening because of my slow down?

Which I also know is happening because I have stopped my cross-training which was highly beneficial in that it's what was keeping my knees and other body parts from aching!

Hmmm ... Better get moving all increasing cross-training and stretching!

Or we will have more repeats of last night:

Distance: 8.12 miles
Time: 1:46:02
Pace: 13:02

Why do I keep seeing Slow Poke Ramirez (Speedy Gonzalez' Slower Cousin) in my head!

Happy Thursday!