This week's running report

This weeks' running went well. I ran 2 miles on Monday, 2 on Tuesday, 1.12 on Thursday and 2 today. So I didn't run on Wednesday due to Cassidy having a stomach bug but I did fit in a 25 minute Jillian Michaels workout and I did some kettlebell and weight exercises. I didn't want to run so I could be right there for her and be able to hear when she needed me, which was often and there was an morning of holding and rocking. Sorry running shoes, but I'll give you a day off any day to hold my kiddos while they are sick. Then on Thursday I thought I'd increase my speed by an extra 1 mph and as you see I only made it 1.12 miles that day. But I'm okay with that. The speed was great for my legs, no pain or anything. In fact, I loved going faster. However, the breathing just wasn't right. Going an entire 1 mph faster than my normal speed was a lot to get used to with my breathing. Instead of deep breaths I was only getting short chesty breaths and I ended up with a horrible throbbing pain on the ride side of my neck. So to be on the safe side, and you know, in an effort to not pass out from lack of oxygen, I called it a day at 1.12. Which then leads us to today, Friday, and I ran 2 miles again. Wanting to change things up a bit today so I compromised and upped it just .5 mph over my regular speed for the first mile and then for the second mile I went up 1.5 mph over my regular speed to do some speedwork sprints and I did this for 2 minutes, then slowed it back down to regular speed for 1 minute and then repeat. That was fun to do and I'm doing this to help get my lungs used to the faster speed and build up my lung capacity. It's amazing how good my legs feel running that faster speed. Now to get my lungs caught up and I'm good to go. Monday I jump up to 2.25 miles and I may take a 1-2 mile run outside if it's nice enough this weekend.

for my fellow runners

I've been asked to post about the The Fresh Air Fund Half Marathon. I tried to copy and paste some info but couldn't get it to work. you can find out info about The Fresh Air Fund and the half marathon which benefits children at http://www.freshairmarathon.com/ If I lived in NYC or was ready for a half yet I'd be running this. I'm not quite there yet but a lot of my fellow runners are and since you love to run, why not run for a good cause.

A running road block

I have made it to 2 miles (all running) and my knee has decided to hurt. I ran on Monday and it started hurting a bit then on Tuesday morning it was feeling worse than the day before but I ran anyway figuring I'd play it by ear when I got on the treadmill and if it hurt too bad I'd get off. Well it actually felt better running on it but then afterward it started throbbing again. I iced it which made it nice and numb but the pain returned when the numbness wore off. So I'm taking the rest of the week off of running so I don't hurt it so bad that I can't run for months. It's actually feeling just fine again now, no pain at all but I want to give it plenty of time to properly heal so I can go back full speed ahead on Monday. I'll pick back up at 2 miles and move right along. I have run when I'm extremely tired, through knee pain and through just not feeling like it but did it anyway. I'm liking the change in attitude I see in myself and the dedication and follow through. I truly enjoy running and can't wait to beat my time from last year in my 5K on April 30th.