Just do it? Not always the best idea.

I came up with a great rule of thumb this morning (with the help of Runner's World forums). IF I CAN EAT, I CAN RUN. It made so much sense when I heard it, I immediately adopted it as my new running sick mantra. It automatically rules out running when vomiting, having surgery, battling Montezuma revenge and a whole slew of other very practical reasons not to run.

So I woke up about three this morning with an attack of the eye and nose. I didn't want to take any more NyQuil for fear of not being able to wake myself up in the morning. So what did I do? I compromised, I took DayQuil tablets. Boy did those make me feel weird. I didn't get much sleep, but by the time I was ready to jump out of bed I felt pretty good and the whole nose/eye thing had subsided. Whew - was I relieved I took the DayQuil instead of NyQuil. (That and NyQuil triggers my gagging reflex big time).

So I ran the 5k with Bree. I ran it strong too. I even tried to talk Bree into doing the 10k but she said I was too sauced on the DayQuil to make rational decisions.

This is the point in the story where everything goes awry.

I go home. From here on out it is a battle between the seriously severe sinus pressure, the earache and the intense amounts of liquid coming from my nose and eye.

Now it's 8:20, I just took a shower, so I've cleared up enough to stare at the screen properly, but well, it's time for my date with my NyQuil bottle now.

Moaaaan!

I'm sick! Two full days with the flu and going on three. My eye is still dripping on the keyboard as I type. (This blog is not for weak stomached people). At any rate, most of the aches are gone so I'll be running tomorrow. I'll have to wear my shorts with pockets so I can pack tissues for along the way. I talked to Bree earlier and she has tendonitis and since I'm sick, we're just going to do a boring 5k tomorrow. I was SOOOO excited to do my first 10k.

On Sunday night, Bree and I also have a big 5k race planned at Point Mugu. It's year to year run so it starts on December 31, 2006 at 11:50 P.M. and you finish in the year 2007! It probably a lot cooler to think about doing something like that than to actually do it. Like going to Four Corners so you can be in all four states at once. Just a big tourist trap. It's just a big tourist trap for runners. I LOVE tourist traps!

What I think about when I run

Bree and I did a 3.6 miler this morning. Our route started at the Marina Park in Ventura and followed Pierpont down to the San Buenaventura State Beach where we took the long way around the park down to San Jon and then turned around and came straight back.

When we got back, we discussed what we think about when we run, especially when we are thinking about running. (I spend a lot of my time disassociating from running and thinking about anything but). Bree thinks a lot about her arms and form and never about her feet. I like think about my feet and listen to each footstrike as I feel myself roll through each step. I sometimes also think about how much distance I travel with each step. I can eat up a lot of running time trying to figure out distance math in my head.

Week End Stats 12/24/2006

Long Run: 5.26 Miles

Week's Total: 13.85 Miles

Training total since official TNT signup: 16.95 Miles

This weeks long run went a lot better than last time we tried this route. We walked a lot less, we were able to talk a lot more and we were just overall in better spirits about the whole thing. We stretched this run out so we ran down to the entrance of the RV park just to make sure it was a full 5 miles. The entire there and back route came out to 5.26 miles. (See long run link for exact route)

Somehow, I feel much more accomplished for being able to say that I ran "a little more than 5 miles" instead of "almost 5 miles."

About the last 1/2 mile of the route, Bree stopped for a quick breather and I almost killed her for it. In my mind I was ready to plow through to the end, so as soon as I stopped, all of a sudden I could feel every little muscle in my legs. In fact, each of these little muscles was screaming at me for stopping and telling me that they weren't going to start running again. Fortunately, by the time Bree was ready to run again, I was able to bargain with them to run just the last little bit.

Caroling for a Cause

We raised $42 each and a round of cookies!!! Bree and I and three others went out to downtown historic Oxnard and went caroling door to door. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous at first - about asking for money - not so much about singing. But as it turned out, everyone was very open and generous. (Well, that and Bree was our Leukemia and Lymphoma spokeswoman, I was merely the guide)

We met all kinds while caroling. One very sweet lady invited us in and showed us her Christmas present - a cute little light one of her daughters sent her. We really made her day. On the opposite end of the spectrum, we later caroled at a halfway house where we met the wolfman. We also had a couple of people sing along with us and really get into it. Families rushed off to get the kids so they could experience the carolers and great amounts of holiday cheer we were spreading.

It was so much fun. We only wish that there were more caroling holidays before next Christmas.

New Shoes

Merry Christmas to me! My husband bought me two new pairs of running shoes for Christmas and it has made running a whole new experience for me.

I was running on a pair of Asics trail runners I picked up on sale at Sport Chalet about six months ago. But when I bought those, I was just planning on riding my bike in them. Then one day I decided to start running. What I didn't count on was the extra half size I needed for big swollen running feet so my toes would start to touch the top of the toe.

Anyway, I went to Roadrunner sports in Newbury Park and they fitted me in two nice stability shoes. The white one is a pair of Asics Gel-Kayano XII in a size 8.5. The other one is a pair of Mizuno Wave Alchemy 6 in a size 9. I didn't even look at the size of that one until I got home. I was shocked. I've owned one pair of 8.5's prior to this and I swam in them. But these two pairs hit the nail on the head for comfort, cushiness and support.

I've run a couple of times in both pairs and they are both GREAT. I feel like I could run forever in them. Fortunately for my feet, I'll just need a few hundred miles out of each of them.

Knee pain!

Injury scares me. I haven't run since Saturday because my knee is bothering me and I never know if it pain I should be having and should run right through, or if running on it will cause a life altering injury. The really bad part is that the more I read about all of the various knee injuries, the less I know.

My first donor!

My first official TNT donation came in today from non other than an ex boyfriend! My first official $25!

Best Book I've Ever Read

The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer by David Whitsett

Hands down the best book I've ever read. This book covers injury prevention, hydration, physical preparation and most importantly, mental preparation. It was a true page turner and I really feel more confident about running the right way and preventing injuries.

The best part? Well, the book is based on a college class that two professors have offered 4 or 5 times. Out of over 200 students that participated in the class, only 1 of them didn't complete the marathon. Why? Because he didn't follow the advice given on hydration. He got about halfway through the marathon and had to stop because he was dehydrated. The book is also packed with inspirational quotes from some of the class participants and most of them had little or no running experience before the class began.

At first I was worried I wasn't athletic enough, I would hurt my self and a long list of other worries. Now I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that anyone can do this, and I plan on being one of them.

First Non-Official Long Run

Bree and I had our first officially non-official marathon long run. We ran 4.81 miles along the beach. Here is the route we took: Ventura Beach Route. We started out strong, chitchatted for maybe the first 1/4 mile and then we geared up to do our own thing. I have to admit, there was some walking involved, but we did pretty well for our first non-official time out together.

Why a marathon?

Why the heck not? I don't claim to be a runner. Had you asked me to run a marathon a 6 months ago, I would have laughed in your face - loudly. 6 months ago I couldn't even run to the end of my driveway without keeling over, gasping for breath.

Originally, my goal was to run a 10k. Then I requested information about Team in Training. A couple days later, a very chipper, very excited girl called me to rope me into their program - and it worked. I'll be running for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In exchange for raising money for their society, they will provide me free training and pay my entrance fees and lodging for race day. I'm signed up for the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon on June 3rd, 2007.

I tried to think of other ways I would stay focused and still be able to train and complete the marathon, but I don't think - especially for my first one, that I could do it on my own. I need the accountability of the Saturday meetings and the commitment of the fundraising to get me to race day.

I'm going to finish this marathon - because I can. Just do it, right?