Something About Running

I know, it’s been a while, right?

If you don’t have time to read the whole post, just know this: things are going good. I’m getting stronger and more confident. I’m running longer.

If you’re still reading, here’s the long version: I still spend most of my time on the elliptical – after the bike, it was my next step in my recovery before running – but the last couple of weeks I’ve been able to run two days a week. Some days, if I have time, after I finish on the elliptical I’ll spend 5 minutes on the treadmill just to keep my legs used to the motion. I’ve been running for time, rather than distance, because I think I put a little less pressure on myself that way and I know I’m really slow right now, so this way I don’t have to worry about running a certain route or distance. I can just run where I want to run and just keep an eye on my watch. Plus, if things aren’t going so well I can change course and finish early or, if I’m feeling good, I can go a little longer!

Saturday was my longest and best run yet. When I saw it was cool and really foggy, I got excited. I just thought it would be cool to run along the river with it covered in fog. I had tea, a bit of a protein bar, and used my tennis ball to loosen up my legs and hips for a good 10 minutes and once I started running, I knew it was going to be a good one.

I’ve been running pretty much the same route each week but changing it up a little. I run up the East River to the Manhattan Bridge, turn around, head back south and then take a few streets inland and finish at the gym. The whole run Saturday just felt good. I wasn’t tight, nothing hurt. I wasn’t fast, but I did have a little more speed than I have before and the two “hills” I ran were pretty easy, actually. I’m starting to feel a lot more confident in my strength and abilities. I’m not going to go all crazy now and think I’m invincible, but it’s a good feeling.

So far I’ve signed up for one race – the Portugal Day race on June 17, a 5-miler. I didn’t sign up soon enough for the AHA Wall Street Run, which I really wanted to do, and I got locked out. While I love the Mini 10K, I don’t think I’ll be ready for that one yet so I’m skipping it this year but hope to run it in 2013. NYRR opens registration for summer races today at noon, and there are a few I have my sights set on. This time I won’t wait too long. 

Also, being that I love to run on vacation I started searching for a race to do while we’re at our cottage in July. I found a few options, including the Running Bear 5K in Glen Arbor and the Fishtown 5k in Leland. The two towns are pretty close to each other but I think we’re going to register for the Running Bear 5K! Not only does it start at one of our very favorite stores in Michigan, but it benefits the local high school and is uniquely taking place on a Tuesday morning! I think that’s the perfect day because we were already planning to hike the Dune Climb at nearby Sleepy Bear Dunes while we’re up north, so this would be the perfect start to that day! I haven’t run many 5K’s and there are lots of speedy runners in that area, so this will be a fun challenge!

• What did you do over the weekend?
• Did you see “The Avengers” over the weekend? (Given the box office, I think Woody and I may have been the only ones who didn’t!)
• Have you ever added a race to your vacation?
• What’s your favorite post-race refreshment?

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Today’s workout -

• 42min elliptical
• 3x10 leg press
• 2x15 lateral arm raise
• 100 ab exercises
• lots of stretching