Indoor Run

Yep, only 38 here this morning so the weather has definitely changed.  When we left Appleton yesterday morning the car registered 70 and as we drove it kept dropping and dropping.  In 90 minutes it was down to 48!  It was back up to 54 by the time we got home but fall has arrived.

So, I opted for 3 miles on the TM this morning.  I have another PT session at 11 am so we'll see what that brings.  My left thigh and leg bothered me the whole run this morning but not seriously.  Just not normal.  Feels weak.  I took 2 Aleve about an hour before running but that seems to take 2 hours or more to really kick in and help me.  So I will have to get up at 5 am in Ashland just to get drugged up!  Well, we'll probably be getting up about then anyway I suppose.

Now, are you going to be interested in doing a little running on the Gandy Dancer next Tuesday or Wednesday?  Probably not Tuesday because we won't get home here until 11 pm or later.  If Wednesday, I don't want to do any more than 3 or 4 miles and then rest on Thursday and Friday.

Catching up

I think Thursday was my last update. I think! So long ago! I did run Friday. I ran 4.3-someting miles. It was good and fun with my audiobook and beeping! And then I actually used our hotel gym yesterday. It's been awhile since I've done that and I'm glad I went. Really nice gym, nicer machines than my gym here! So I lifted weights. We'll see what tomorrow brings. I have not been feeling well at all and now I'm sneezing and nose dripping like crazy. So maybe I'll run tomorrow or maybe I won't. Just not sure. It's my last chance for a long run, though, so I want to do it.

3 Miler

I ran the Fitnatics 5K route this morning before we left for Appleton.  Just a perfect morning out there.  Wish it could last through the Whistlestop but doubt very much that it will.

Hurray!

Finally, I am living the dream! I spent some time checking out if there was an app that would play a beat for me while I was also listening to an audiobook and, low and behold, the answer is YES! So I got out my old phone, downloaded that app and Audible and had an evenly paced book listening run! Really happy about this. I sure hope it helps my pace. I was faster today, but not by a lot. Maybe over time. I felt like I was running harder, though. Possibly that's because I ran when it was super hot out today. It's really warming up. I also went to the gym this afternoon. A lot for one day, but I think I'm going to aim for running 5 days a week, gym 3 days a week. Well, after the half, for sure. I don't know how much time I'll need off before my last long run. Which I think will be Monday. We are going to LA this weekend to the horror convention! Should be fun. And scary! I have Monday off so maybe I'll do a long run then. Sort of my plan, anyway. That's it! Wait, that's not it. I also ran 3 miles yesterday. But forgot to post. Now that's it. Really!

Gandy Dancer 6

I did the Gandy Dancer 6 miles from Centuria to the Info Center in SCF this morning.  Nice run but it wasn't as pretty as I had hoped.  Cloudy so no sunshine but also the trees were not as colorful as I was hoping they would be.  Maybe a few more days will turn them.  Anyway, I got it done.  Leg is somewhat better but hard to tell because I'm living on Aleve.  PT tomorrow morning so we'll see what she does for me.

Gym day!

Good gym day. Just the usual. I wonder if I am burning less calories since I've replaced 2 runs a week with the gym. Maybe that's why I'm so weight frustrated. I'm going to add another run into the mix each week and see if that changes anything for me.

Hills

Well, I sure could tell it's been some time since I've run hills, let me tell you. Very challenging. All three trips. But it's been so hot that there no way I could have run hills in the heat. Seems like we're having a bit of a weather uptick here again but only to 80 or so. Which I can deal with. Anyway, good hills. I could really feel it in my legs. And I'm listening to such a good audiobook - zombie apocalypse! I feel like I'm prepping for the premiere of The Walking Dead! Gym tomorrow.

Marion Run

We went down to Boyson Trail this morning here in Marion (where we ran our 5K in June) and I ran it and Mom and Amy walked it.  Gorgeous morning here.  Just perfect.  And that's such a nice trail.  I took 1 Aleve last night and 2 again this morning.  Some discomfort in my thigh muscle on the left side but better than it was yesterday morning for sure.  I have the results of my Doctor visit online here this morning.  My hip is normal so nothing wrong there at all.  Blood, urine, etc. all normal.  AlC test for diabetes blood sugar is "excellent" in my Docotor's word so I was glad to see that.  He has ordered physical therapy "to get you ready for your race" so I will call and schedule that as soon as I can after getting home tomorrow.  Nothing  but good news here this morning!

2 miles on the TM

We're in Marion today and this wouldn't normally be a running day for me at all but we were up early and had all kinds of time before going to the late church service.  I wanted to run outside but it's sooooo windy.  If it was at my back the whole time that would be fine but I knew it wouldn't be so I opted for the TM in the basement here.  My knee was bothering me much of yesterday in spite of the ibuprofen I took in the morning.  Today while running I felt it more in my groin.  The first half mile is always the hardest.  I suppose the muscle warms up after that or something so I'm just toughing it out for the first few minutes and then it gets better.  Not good but better.  I have 2 Aleve in me this morning.  I sure wonder how it will be on a long run though.  I'm not going to get anywhere near 10 miles before the big day.  Hoping to get 2 more 6 milers in though.

Yay me!

Yep, total self congratulatory title. But I ran 10 miles today! So I say again, yay me! I started with the Texas route and did Texas twice. Then I did the Kensington route and ran up Adams twice (you know how Adams dead ends at the end of the horseshoe? That's there I started on Adams). It's so much cooler, and that was a giant help. But, for once, I actually brought beverage and snack with me. Yes. I have been running longish distances in the heat with no liquid. Sometimes I do things that are, oh, foolish. And I know it while I'm doing it. I know it before I'm doing it. I know it before I just go ahead and do it again! I'm a hard learner! For my beverage I had mostly water with a little salt melted in. I couldn't taste the salt and, frankly, that was sad. I love salt. My snack was a whole wheat pita. I think both of these things helped a lot! I do feel better, post run, than I have on my other long runs this season. So that's that. The rest of my day is dedicated to video games! Yay me for that, too!

4 Miler on the Gandy Dancer

I went to Centuria and ran two miles north and back on the Gandy Dancer this morning.  Only one tree turning color so that needs another week or two.  Then it will be gorgeous.  Maybe you'll be here to see it!  Run was slow and did some walking at a couple points because of the discomfort in my left leg, etc., but it's getting better.  I think.  I hope.

It's not 100!

Or 102! Weather Underground tells me it's 82 right now, feels like 85. I could not be more thrilled! And, to celebrate this downturn in temperature, I ran outside today. First time since Saturday, I think. It was a good run, pretty good pace. I only saw 2 other runners out there today. Today I opened my shades for the first time in a week. It feels good - I've been living like a recluse! Oh, I forgot to tell you that I thought my iPod was dying! I did the cheap fix first and got new headphones. And, yep, that solved my problem! So $8.99 vs a new iPod, I'm pretty happy!

Gym Day and Doctor Day

I did go to the gym this morning and did my routine.

Then I went to see my Doctor this afternoon and he 99.9% sure that the problem in my left groin and knee is from a small tear or hernia in the groin muscle itself.  He found the spot for sure!  He did take x rays to rule out hip trouble but thinks physical therapy will take care of it.  The fact that it's better now than it was 2-3 weeks ago tells him it's not really a hip problem.  So, take ibuprofen or aleve as needed and keep running as tolerated.  Take ibuprofen in the morning before you run and again at bed time so you can sleep.  Sleeping has been a problem lately so I will start doing this.  Planning a 4 miler tomorrow.

102

It was 102 today! Hotter over in La Mesa. Boy, am I over this heat wave. Tomorrow is supposed to be "much cooler" at 92 degrees. But then I see 82 for Thursday, so I'll cross my fingers that is true. I'm pretty bitter because it's pouring rain 2 miles away from me but not a drop here. I love rain! It's too hot for outside exercise, so today was a gym day. I wasn't the only person who thought that - it was pretty busy there! I ran for 10 minutes and then lifted weights. I did see several people running outside today and I wanted to stop and shake some sense into them! But that would have required me to get out of my air conditioned car. So I'll just have to hope they made it ok!

Slow 4 Miles

It wasn't pretty but I ran around the 4 mile block this morning.  Didn't go until almost 10 am though and that's late for me.  Long story.  Anyway, left thigh continues to bother me.  I've made a Doc appointment for Thursday afternoon to see what he thinks.  He'll order PT no doubt but I want to know if there's something structurally wrong in my spine or hips or whatever.  Mom thinks maybe I'm getting some arthritis which is also a possibility.  I've had pain and stiffness in my left groin and/or hip most of the summer so something is not right somewhere.  I'm planning for a 6 miler on Friday unless the Doc tells me different.  Tomorrow I won't be doing anything because I have to take Mom to Stillwater for her appointment at 8:40 am.  Unlike you, I won't be getting up at 4 am to get a run in!  Then Thursday I will go to the gym again so Friday will be my next run.

Back in business!

And not only with my router! Which, thanks to Bart, is working again. But I also mean I'm back in business with my long run. It's been awhile! I woke up at 4:30 today, without an alarm. I actually decided that if I slept in, I slept in and that's just the way it would be. But I got up early so I was able to get in a run. It was pretty nice out for the entire run. Different running that early - not much traffic. Which doesn't impact me on the Kensington side but is nice when I do the Texas part of the loop. I did do 8 miles and I ran Texas twice. That was my goal, so I am very pleased. Oh, I will mention that I also went to the gym after work yesterday. But, alas, no wifi to post!

Gandy Dancer Run

I ran the 6 miles from Centuria to St. Croix Falls on the Gandy Dancer.  Very nice.  About 60 degrees, no wind, beautiful.  A tree down over the trail in one place so I had to take a little detour into the woods to get around it.  Otherwise, smooth sailing all the way.  Pace was 10.54 overall so not the best but I got it done.

I wore the new shoes without the orthotics and they felt fine.  No groin discomfort today at all.  Legs felt weak in the last mile but not from groin pain.  At least not today.

The Whistlestop is 4 weeks from today!

Good run

At least it felt good! Time wasn't great, but I've come to accept this fact. But I felt strong and that's what counts. It was 85 by the time I got home from running. I'll have to get up at 3 or 4 on Saturday so I can do my long run before the heat of the day. To which I say bummer! Although that's way better than getting up for work! Feet feel sore - different sore. I think it's just an adjustment. I bet it will be better tomorrow.

TM still works

Only 41 here this morning so I chose to run inside.  It's partly cloudy and not too windy out there but I decided to see if the TM still works and it does.  I almost quit during the first half mile though because of the ache in my left groin.  Not going to call it pain but the discomfort was back for sure.  But I just kept going and it eased up a lot after the first half mile.

I am enjoying going to the gym 3 days a week.  Not too busy when I go usually about 8:15.  Several Peace members (all women) come at 9:00 for a class and they want me to join it but I don't know.  Maybe in the winter when we're locked inside so much I will.  Zumba on Monday and Wednesday and RIPPED on Tuesday and Thursday.  Angie goes to the RIPPED class sometimes.  Might help me lose some weight?

I did stuff!

Yay! I ran and I went to the gym! This just really isn't good running weather, I have to say. I went at 9:15 and it was 85 and I just don't like that. Too hot! Oh well, it is done! I was "interviewed" by my local insane guy when I was running. He lives over in Kensington. He was doing something with his lawn with a garden hose. It wasn't attached to anything - he was just carrying it. And that was the microphone he used when interviewing me! Funny! Can't really report on my shoes yet, because I had a couple days off. But I still like them a lot! Also I had some gym times. The usual. It was good. Very busy there today! I've been doing so much good for me stuff and not eating sweets (at all really, I can't believe it! Real change.) but I'm not losing any weight. Frustrating.

Gym Day

And it's a good thing, too.  Rained all night here starting about midnight.  Cold (45) and raining and very windy this morning.  Fall has arrived in Wisconsin.  Not sure what tomorrow will bring.  Probably be on the TM.  Anyway, left leg and groin are bothering me some today but I'm ignoring them.

Slow but I did it

I ran the Fitnatics 3 miles this morning.  It was slow but I got it done.  Some discomfort but no pain so now I'll see what the rest of the day brings.  This might have been my last outdoor run in shorts!  Supposed to be a cold front moving in tonight and rain and "going to feel like fall."  So, we'll see about that, too.  I wore my orthotics in the new shoes this morning and can't decide yet about that.  They seemed a little high in the arch at first but then I didn't notice that after a bit.

Oy, the heat!

Well, I wanted to do a long run today but it was just too hot. 85 by 9:30. And since I slept till 7:30 (much to Zoey's dismay!) I was just going to get a later start running, that's all there was to it! So I went to the gym instead. Stairway to Hell for 10 minutes to warm up and then I did my normal stuff. That's my report!

New shoes from a new store!

I did it - I broke down and got some new shoes today. Even with switching out my insoles, I was still having a lot of foot pain. Better, but still there. And last week that back twinge started coming back. So I just couldn't wait anymore. We have a new running store on El Cajon Blvd! http://www.milestonerunning.com/ So I went to check them out. Turns out they have a 30 day "wear em/love em" guarantee. Which is so great. I'm always wary about buying shoes away from RoadRunner because, in the past, I've been burned when the shoe didn't work out. So I got my first ever pair of Brooks. They are called PureCodence. No clue what that means! I'm going to try them without orthotics first. They are light, very squishy, and have a darn decent arch. I ran at the gym today because it was so hot by the time I was ready to go. Did a 5k on the treadmill, 5% incline/6.0 pace. I'm really anxious to see how my feet feel tomorrow! I've been listening to another really good book (The Golden Compass). Made the 3 miles go quickly!

I did it!

I am having a very crabby work day and I really didn't think I was going to be able to get to the gym. And then I decided....I'm always going to have a ton of work to do. So I went! Ha. Of course, I'm doing some work now, so I just delayed it! Good gym, so glad I went. I just did my usual things. Which includes ignoring everyone to the very best of my ability! I'm still thinking of their 99$ for 3 personal training sessions....maybe. I am not really getting muscles so I want someone to tell me what to do! I feel so good after my massage last night. I'll have to look for shoes tomorrow.

Run

A long and busy day yesterday so I'm just posting yesterday's update now. I forgot to do so before I shut down my computer and I really dislike posting from my phone. That's when we end up with posts about my "ear"!! I ran yesterday it it was....really difficult. I did not want to do it, it felt slow, it WAS slow. I just felt sore and tired, both. And I think that lead into the poor run. I did get a fantastic massage last night, though. I hope it helps me. He did a lot of work on my legs and, this morning, I feel great. Gym day today but, hopefully, I'll feel the improvement tomorrow when I run. If I have time, I'm going to try and get a new pair of shoes today. It's needed, my old ones are just dead. I'll see if they have the brand you got! Gym day today so I'll post about that later.

Day Off

I'm telling you, my left groin area is so tender when I get up in the morning I can hardly walk to the bathroom.  Until I get some Aleve (2 this morning) or Ibuprofen in me, it is very uncomfortable.  So I'm not running today and might just take a few days off and give it a rest.  I'm registered for a 5K in Osceola on Saturday morning but not at all sure I'm going to show up now.  I went through this last year in the right groin area so what's the deal here?  Wish I knew.

Gym Times

Today was chaotic! I really wondered if I would get to the gym or not. I knew I was not going to run because I missed my window of opportunity before it hit 80. But I had a date with Arlene today at 2:30 so I was not going to be able to go after work. Well, it all worked out because I decided to go on my lunch and just make up any time I was over on my lunch break. So that's what I did. I did the elliptical for my warmup and I was by an absolutely insane woman. She kept laughing SO LOUD at nothing. The entire time. I kept my eyes closed and went to my happy place. Weights are still challenging after being off due to sickness. Suppose that will take a couple more times before I get back in gear.

Another Gym Day

And now I'm wondering about the eliptical machine.  I've never used one until these last two weeks.  I was told to warm up with 5 minutes on the eliptical or treadmill before doing the weight lifting, etc.  So I've been doing the eliptical and I'm wondering if that's using different muscles and is what's making me so stiff and sore all the time.  Got to blame it on something, right?  Can't just be old age.  also, I have decided to just stick with the orthotics until after the Whistlestop.  Not going to try any thing else different before then.

Saw my neighbor coming home from a morning run as I left for the gym.

4 mile run

I ran arond the 4 mile block again this morning and pace was slightly better.  10.56 per mile.  Gorgeous morning here.  Perfect actually.

I'm thinking I might try running on Thursday with my orthotics in the new shoes.  These shoes feel ever so slightly higher in the heel and I like that because I feel like I'm being propelled forward with each step but they are really making the muscles in the front of my legs sore.  Not sure what to do.  I would really like to get away from the orthotics altogether but maybe I won't try to wean away from them until after the Whistlestop.  I like the new shoes though.  Feel very good.

I'm back....I think

This sickness has been so frustrating. I felt better Friday and did run, although I was not 100%. Then, Saturday, my headache was the worst it had been. Really debilitating. Then, Saturday, I woke up feeling absolutely fantastic. In fact, I went to the gym yesterday, I was feeling so good. The gym was so challenging yesterday. I see from my journal the last time I was there had been 8/22! So 8/22 to 8/31. I know the 24th and 25th were probably running days or days off. But that's a long time to be too sick to hit the gym! I had been using 15 lbs for my bicep curls but did two sets at 12.5 and the 3rd set at 10. I also did my leg extension at 30 rather than 35 pounds. Otherwise I did the rest at my normal weights and I sure can feel all my muscles today! I did run today but only 4.3 miles. Texas only once. I think I'm still a bit in recovery mode and I was up late last night and it was SO HOT by the time I decided it was actually unhealthy to continue. Although weather tells me it is only 3 out. Seems a lot warmer! Or it did when I was running. Maybe the temp dropped from 150 to 73 since I've been home!

Gym Day

Yes, I know it's Labor Day and supposed to be a day of rest from our labors but....I need to keep doing this for a month to see how it goes.  I didn't do all the leg stuff today though because my legs are just tired.  I did all the upper body stuff.  There were a couple of different older guys showing off in there today!  One especially.  Not the same guy I saw on Friday.  So I have role models to aspire to!