Week 6: Portland Half – Back to Normal
Plan for this week:
Mon: Run 3.75 miles
Tues: Strength Training
Wed: Run 3.75 miles
Thu: Cross Training
Fri: Rest
Sat: 9 miles Run
Sun: Rest
This week is a highlight of my training run so far. I’m still nursing my IT Band injury but overall, I felt great and this week is my best week so far. I went to see Physical Therapy on Monday and had a painful yet awesome massage for my injury. I also learned a few different stretching technique and some different strength training routines to help my injury. I also (gasp!) decided to register for my second half-marathon race before even do my first one! Yes, I know – a bit ambitious, but hey – life is short and I can’t see a reason for NOT going after what I want to do. Not even a stupid cancer can stop me. On January 29, 2012 – I will also be running half-marathon on TinkerBell Run at Disneyland. I’m so excited and looking forward to it! I still need your help though, as my mission to raise money for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fund research for finding the cure for my cancer still on and to meet my minimum fundraising for the race.
This week, I also did my FIRST double digit run! If you asked me a couple months ago f I can run 10-miles, I would say – there’s no way I can do that. Well, lookie here – I just did it yesterday. I felt pretty awesome and not even once I have to talk myself into keep running. I am so proud of me!
How it went down:
Monday:
I woke up early and ran at my favorite running trail by my house, Snoqualmie Valley Trail. I felt really good with my pace and I was able to focus with my run. I tried to pay attention with my body on recognizing the feeling of each part and made a mental note on how I felt. The air was crisp and the trail was lovely. I finished my 4 miles within 46:12 minutes.
Tuesday:
I did my strength training routines that was recommended by my Physical Therapist. Mostly a hip exercise to strengthen my hips and prevent any future injury as well as a few cores routines. Gotta love the lunges (all 4 kinds of it).
Wednesday:
I laced up my shoes around noon and head out to this waterfront trail by my office. I set my iPhone app on and started to run. I had another great run! It was perfect day, with perfect breeze and enough sun. I was focusing on my breathing, my heart beat and the sounds of my shoes hitting the ground, one after another. I finished 4 miles withing 46:01 minutes and felt great afterwards
Thursday:
I was supposed to do cross training, but life get in a way. I decided to call it an extra rest day.
Friday:
Rest day!
Saturday:
My brother-in-law and the husband are going out for the run with me. We were at the trail at 7:45am and did our light warm up. My husband was on his bike, and my brother-in-law was running with me. The first mile went by really quick and I didn’t even realize it as I had a good time chatting with my brother-in-law as I was running (chatting and running, can you believe that? I used to HATE that). We ran side by side and just had a great time. Before long, 3 miles went by and I switched to my audio books. I love listening to audiobook when I run! The one that I am listening right now is What I Talk about When I Talk about Running and it’s pretty good so far! It kept my mind occupied during the long run and focus on the words. I hit the 5 miles mark with no problem (other than the need for the bathroom break)! I took my Gu shot, down some water with it and turn around on that trail for the second part of my run. My pace slowed down a bit on the second half, but I still felt great. Not even once, I had to talk myself to keep on running! The tweets from my friends during my run were absolutely awesome! I love you guys! I finished 10 miles withing 1:58:11! Under two hours!! 30 minutes faster than the time I was predicted for myself!! So so happy!
Sunday:
Rest