Race for the Cure

I am finally catching up on my back-posts. In October Megan, Ellie and I participated in the Race for the Cure 5K. It was Ellie's 2nd 5K and she isn't even a year yet!

It took us over an hour and a half to walk a 5K. This isn't because we are slow walkers, but because of all the other people! It was crazy. I think we crossed the start line 1/2 hour into the race.
Ellie and Godmom, Megan
Eleanor and her friend, Sophia, before the Race.
The night before the race, we went over to our friends, the Beltman's, house for a spaghetti dinner. Watching Ellie and their little girl, Sophia, interact was adorable. See how they were trying to give each other kisses?

3.2

3.2 miles.

We did our first family 5K this past Sunday, and a proud to say that Eleanor got first in her age group! To be honest, she was the only one in her age group (5 and under) and was the only stroller in the race. Also, we were not able to run the entire race, as my knee started bothering me during the run and we had to walk a decent amount. But, we finished and now have a time to beat. 43:11.

A huge thanks from me to my wonderful husband, who instead of actually running and getting a decent time- made it a family event and stayed back with me. What a great guy!

Here are some pictures of the fun event:

All of us after the race!
Team Larson prior to the race, Eleanor is set to go- toys and all.

Team Beltman doing the final pre-race touches.

The 5K racing pros: Team Jones.

Team Beltman ready to race.

Eleanor and Mommy. No, I wasn't the one pushing the jogging stroller.

Onto the next one!

Going so good, and then…

I hit a snag in the running. Well, I should say it got a little (or a lot) painful. From doing a little research on Runner’s World, I believe this may be the issue:

“Patellar tendinitis is inflammation of one of the knee-joint tendons. Tendinitis occurs when tissue breakdown outpaces regrowth, and is caused by increased mileage, hills (especially downhills), and pace. Running through tendinitis will make it worse and prolong your recovery, says Davis. But treated early, it can heal in a few weeks. Here's how: cross-train, ice, wear a patella strap, take anti-inflammatories, stretch, and do exercises to strengthen the joint and quadriceps, such as leg extensions.” - Runner’s World Website

This would make sense because the description matches my pain and reason why it happened (an increase in distance too quickly).

As a result, I have been avoiding of running for the past week. Late last week I took a long walk, with minimal pain and I considered it a success. Tonight I attempted to go for a light run, I made it about 1/3 of the distance I was doing before the pain started in and I decided to stop. It is all very discouraging, but I would rather slow down than make it worse. And so my timeline to be ready for the 5K in a few weeks is shot. I would still like to run/walk the event, and then continue to train for another one in the future (maybe with a little more time to up my distance).

In the meantime, I am going to see if I can dig out an old swimsuit (and see if it still fits), then maybe get in a few laps at the pool in my effort to cross-train as suggested by the website. Let’s hope for a speedy recovery and a less painful future run.

Keep on Running!

That is what I am trying to do anyway. Here is an update on where I stand:

This past week I had to go out of town on a business trip. Being the schedule oriented person I am, I packed my tennis shoes and running attire--- I didn’t want to miss my every other day planned run and get off my schedule. I was very excited to see that the resort we were staying at had a health room (what health room wouldn’t have a treadmill I could crack out 45 minutes on at some point in the two days!). On Thursday I found just enough time to get a quick workout in, only to discover that said ‘health room’ was three bikes and a weight machine in the corner of the indoor pool. The resort was located on a highway and the wind reminded me of walking to class from the quad in college- so running outside was out of the question. Disappointed, I decided to settle on a quick ride on one of the bikes, only to find that all three bikes were set-up for short people and it was impossible to adjust them. Even more disappointed, I decided that the workout for the day just wasn’t going to happen, and I would have to do my 28 minute run (not consecutive minutes, I am not that good) once I got home on Saturday.

So I am a day behind, but should still be on track to run the 5K three weeks from yesterday! I am adding 2 minutes each time I run, and just finished my 30 minutes a few minute ago (I only run every other day so I don’t get too burnt out and quit). I still don’t do all the running at once, but I am able to do longer periods of time and have a faster recovery between running sets.

My favorite part: In order to keep track of my minutes I have my handy red plastic cups next to the treadmill and for each minute I get to transfer one cup from the ‘time left to run’ pile to the ‘yippie, I ran that many minutes’ pile. It works, and I do get motivated when I see the pile get over half done. I have been trying to crank out running a mile to a mile and a half straight in the beginning in order to make the pile smaller from the start.

Oh, and I am now to the point where I don’t really get a side ache anymore, and instead can feel my legs get tired. On a positive note, I think I started to hit the point tonight where the legs don’t really feel that tired anymore (this is after they felt tired). My stretch goal by Sunday is to run 20 minutes straight, and then 5 minute intervals (run 5 minutes, walk 1-2 minutes). Wish me luck!

Love-Hate Relationship

I have decided that I have a love-hate relationship with running. I love the feeling of accomplishment after my run-walk and the progress I am making. I hate actually doing it because it is hard and makes my side hurt. On the plus side, my side hurting from my lack of being in shape is decreasing each time. On the negative side, the amount of time I have to run is increased each time.

Here are the basics on my ‘plan’: I started out doing a run/walk for 30 minutes, 10 minutes of which I was required to run at a whopping 12/min. mile pace (the 10 min. of running did not have to be all at once). Over the past few weeks I have increased the run/walk time to 40 minutes and the running time during those 40 minutes is now at 20 minutes (still have the 12/min. mile pace). The way I figure it, by adding 2 minutes onto my running each time I should hit the 38.4 min. (3.2 miles at a 12 min./mi pace) I need to run consecutively for the 5K a week before the actual 5K event. Given that I had less than the 8 weeks training time most beginner programs suggest- I am think I am doing well. I know… it isn’t a perfect program and there are flaws in it. But it is my program and if it works for me than that is all that matters. Thus far it has been working. I can already run for a longer period of time and have shorter walk intervals between the running intervals.

So there you have it. I am actually looking forward to the 5K and hope to do a few more this year (why stop with just one). I am sure it will become more of a love-like relationship as I get in better shape.

A challenge and a bunch of butterflies

I interrupt the previously schedule picture post of Eleanor to make an announcement: Nick, Eleanor and I are signing up for a 5K!

Slowly close your dropped jaw--- I am serious.

About 2 weeks ago Nick asked me what sort of workout program I wanted to start with him. Keywords: workout and with him. He was thinking a video-type workout, my mind instantly jumped to my treadmill that hasn’t seen much use. With the treadmill came the thought of running a 5K race (yes, I was thinking of the t-shirt that you sometimes get when running a race). The thing with Nick is I can say I am going to do something, and if I don’t there are no real repercussions- he will love me no matter what.

Then this past Saturday night we were sitting around with the Beltman Family and the topic of races and running came up. I made the mistake of mentioning that Nick and I MIGHT be doing one this summer/fall. The excitement got a hold of us, and soon we were planning which race we would do (the Living History Farm Race just may have been on said list : ) .) I left feeling a little excited, but not knowing if it would actually happen.

Then the Facebook message came re: 5K, and I knew we were committed. The challenge was there and my stomach had little butterflies all of the sudden. I should have figured that the LuCinda wouldn’t let me back out after I had been interested. And honestly, I need someone like her to motivate me to actually do it instead of just talk about it. So thanks, LuCinda!

There it is… I am officially running a 5K. It is in writing on Facebook and here, and we have a commitment to Brad and LuCinda. I have included Nick in the group because he was the one that wanted to do a workout program and Eleanor because it is easier to take her with us than try to find a babysitter. I also figure if Nick has to push Eleanor than maybe that will slow him down a little (he is a far faster runner than I am). If you are interested in joining us on this venture, let me know! Also, if you have any good recommendations for a reasonable jogging stroller- we are on the hunt.

I guess this mean means I should start training. Oh won’t that be a fun future blog post!