kinda freaking out

I got new running shoes and I registered for a race.

Now I'm freaking out.

I haven't tried out the shoes yet, but they felt good in the store. I decided that meant I had to start my training schedule again. And basically I'll probably have to start over since I did nothing for about two weeks now.

That's okay though... I charted it all out last night and am ready to start next week.

I registered for the Dismal Swamp Stomp in Chesapeake. It's a half-marathon in April. I have no idea if I'm going to be ready for it. So I'm all worried now that I'm going to die trying to run it. Ugh.

But I'm planning to register for a 10K in Richmond that takes place April 5. Hopefully finishing that will give me confidence for the half. C is running both of those races.

The new schedule starts next week and I'm trying to convince myself that I'll be able to wake up early before work and do it... you can all stop laughing right now. I think I can do it...

Anyway, I'm going to start out with slower and shorter runs this time because now I'm paranoid about injury.

But I am getting kinda pumped up again :)

running... what?

So I haven't gone running since last Wednesday. I'm kinda thrown off by the shin splints and am not 100% sure what to do. I've gotten a lot of advice and I want to try it all, but I also feel like I should wait for the new shoes since I think they will help with everything. It's also getting real cold -- and I'm not ready for that.

But, M keeps telling me about how crazy his schedule is getting with all his onsite interviews and it's depressing me. So I need to start running again to get my mind off it. And I think it will help me stay level-headed.

I'm going home for Thanksgiving and getting my new shoes and hanging out with the fam... When I get back I'm going to start a new schedule. Not sure what the schedule will be like, b/c I'm pretty sure I'll have to build back up to where I was. Ugh. Shin splints are not cool. They hurt. A lot.

Lame.

But I'm really gonna conquer this annoying stuff.

shin splints grrr#$%^*!!!

So I was running last night and it hurt so freaking bad. Like burning in my lower left shin. I wanted to die. Not happy. J and I only ran 15 minutes. Had dinner with M and we decided it sounds like shin splints. Ran into his sister at dinner who had shin splints when she played soccer. She described it as "this burning" in your shin. Which is exactly how I described it. AWESOME.

So basically I feel like I need to take it easy the next few days. I wish I had access to the gym so I could at least do some cardio on a bike or the elliptical. I think I'm gonna have to break down and join a town gym. Ugh.

I'm getting new shoes over Thanksgiving when I'm home. I think that will really actually help. My whole routine is just gonna have to be changed now, I guess. Like I'm gonna have to back off on some of the times and start with fewer this time. M talked to me about how I step when I run. I really have no idea, but I need to focus on that. And then there are specific stretches for shin splints. I'm gonna have to add those to the stretching I already do.

I do not have time for this and am very unhappy about it. Lame. Laaaaaame. LAME! Super lame.

Oh and it's snowing today. I'm not ready for that kind of cold!

Not happy.

Not at all.

Trying not to hurt myself...

Ran on Monday night around the DF. Had some pretty big issues that night: tingly sensation in my left foot for probably the last 7 minutes of the run. Could tell I was running heavier on my left foot but couldn't seem to adjust my running form to address the issue. Need to email C for some ideas.

Talked to M while he was waiting for his layover on his way back from an interview Monday night. He said it could be a few different things like old shoes, my form, or pushing too hard too fast. I think my pace was a little bit quicker than normal. Ended up doing about 2.75 miles in 26 minutes. I think I defintely need to slow my pace. M told me to slow it way down and not run so hard for a few days so that I don't serioulsy hurt myself. Definitely going to take his advice for my run tonight.

Wednesday: Run 28 minutes, walk 2. Not sure where I'll go. It may also rain. Ugh. Tired today, but going to stick to the schedule and hopefully today won't hurt.

sticking to the schedule

G got into to town on Friday afternoon and I left work around 2. Went for a run when I got home and G came with me. It was tough... run 24 minutes and walk 6. I had to go slower for G sometimes because she doesn't run very often. Good for her for coming though. We ran around town a bit. I still need to go figure out the mileage.

Rest on Saturday (AWESOME GAME!)

Sunday was run 12 and walk 18. G came again. Really cold this time, my ears hurt. But we did it.

Proud of myself for sticking to the schedule even when I had friends visiting and almost lost motivation. Definitely picking up on the "mental" work out this schedule entails. M mentioned that in the beginning. That part of the schedule was just making yourself stick to it and hang in there until the time is up. That's what Sunday was all about for sure.

Today is run 26 and walk 4 -- gonna be rough. Hopefully J will come this time :)