Let's do the damn thing!

That's what Coach Al always says before a track workout or run... "Let's do the damn thing." It makes me giggle every time.

So the shin splints are all gone, calf feels great in the new new shoes. However, now I am trying to figure out a how to take care of a new aggravation... my left foot!

I went to San Diego this weekend for a wedding with my fundraising manager Sarah, and since she too is training for a half marathon, we set off on a run on Sunday morning. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out, and we were in beautiful Escondido. As it turns out, the run that we chose had some CRAZY hills. It was all nice, fun, and flat for a while them BAMN! HILL! And anther HILL! But I made it, I took the hills slow and steady and finished the run without walking. 5.27 miles! It was awesome. HOWEVER... there always seems to be a however... after the run I noticed my left foot was sore. Oh wait, then it was too painful to put any weight on it. Shat!

When I got home from San Diego I started icing the foot. I had about 24 hours of panic, worrying I broke something. But, by the end of yesterday (Monday) my foot was already feeling better and today felt as good as new. So now I have to figure out what caused the foot pain to make sure it doesn't happen again. Hopefully it's just a tweak of the shoes that is needed.

And to top things off, now I think I may be getting a cold. Oi! Well, if that is the case, I'll stay at home, rest up, and focus on making some more entertaining videos ;)

On happier news, I sent in my recommitment paperwork today so I am official doing the damn thing! YAY!

Some more happy news... I hit 60% of my fundraising goal already! A huge thanks to everyone who has taken part in this great experience with me!

The leg...

Is on the up and up!

Tis' true. At yesterday's run I decided to wear my old shoes. On the way to the run I could feel my calf hurt again and I was nervous I wouldn't be able to run at all. After the majority of the runners started, Mama Lisa spent some time with us injured folks to help us out. She told me my calf pain was shin splints and wrapped my leg in an ace bandage. I figured I would try to run/walk 3 miles depending on the pain. The first mile my leg felt OK, but there was still a little pain... then going on the 2nd the pain went away! So I thought, wait a minute, maybe I will do all 5 miles today... and I did!!! I ran 5 miles and I think I probably could have gone further! At the end my leg felt great! So, my conclusion was: Ace bandage good, new shoes bad. Directly after the run I returned the old shoes, went to a new store and had much success. I found out from La Foot that the shoes I was originally given were very low on the supportive side and completely wrong for my feet as I am an over-pronator.

Now, having still not run on the new shoes, I can not give them any thumbs up yet, but hopefully I can soon enough.

Yay for no more shin splints!!!
Yay for 5 miles!!!
Yay for reaching 50% of my fundraising goal today!!!

The latest sports drink phenomenon...

Lizorade.

The shoes...

So I went to the doctor yesterday to get my calf checked out and he said he didn't think it was anything serious. I probably just pulled something to keep icing, etc. The news definitely cheered me up. Then this morning, as I was walking to work, I realized that the pain in my calf had gone! All day I enjoyed perfect calf walking. I had planned to go to the gym after work to do some low impact cardio to keep in shape and hopefully be ready for the run tomorrow. So I put on my new shoes, did the bike, did some leg machines and again still felt great...

Then I started to walk home... in my new shoes... PAIN! The calf pain was back. I was so confused. Then it hit me, maybe its my new shoes that are the problem. When I got home and put my old shoes on instantly they felt more supportive. When I walked I couldn't feel any pain, however when I tried running I did. But I think it is because my new shoes already agrivated my calf for the day.

So, the new plan is to ice tonight. Try to run in my old shoes tomorrow. If they feel good then I am taking the new shoes back to the store and will demand to get some new shoes more similar to my old ones. From previous trips to Fleet Feet in Sacramento, they have always put me in super supportive shoes. However, at Transports they said I had too much support in my shoe and I could go for a moderate supportive shoe. Shame on them.

Hopefully all will be mended tomorrow and I will be back on the training schedule.

On a happier note, I saw The Spirit of the Marathon documentary last night and it was so good! I got chills during the movie thinking about how that will be me in a few months... minus 13.1 miles... but close enough.

Injured...

I was hit by a huge blow to my new running ego this week when I hurt my right calf. I am not sure when it happened or how, but after Tuesday morning's run, I definitely felt a not good kind of pain in my calf. With some tips from Coach Mama Lisa, I have been icing it and soaking in Epsom salt baths every day. However, this morning I could still feel some pain, so I decided to make an appointment with a doctor to get it checked out before I hurt it anymore.

UGH! It is super frustrating to have to stop training just when I feel like I am making huge strides.

Hopefully it is nothing serious, and I just shocked my muscles from all the running... which they are not used to.

I will update more after my doctor's appointment today.

On more fun news, Liz and I are meeting up with TNT folks tonight to see "The Spirit of the Marathon" documentary tonight.

Week 2 in Review...

I am sorry for not updating more this week. I started like 3 other posts, but never got around to finishing them. Plus, I didn't really have anything exciting to say until now. Why you may ask? BECAUSE I RAN 4 MILES YESTERDAY!!!!!!!!!!

That's right folks, 4 big ones. My excitement over 2.91 miles seems so silly now. At the run yesterday, half marathoners were supposed to run 2-4 miles. I decided ahead of time that since I had already run almost 3 miles, that I should push myself to the max and go for 4. AND I DID IT! It was awesome. We went running at Pt. Isabel, on the coast near Richmond/El Cerritto. Gorgeous location along the water. I ran the whole way, no walking. I only stopped for a second at mile 2 to take my jacket off and tie it around my waist. I def felt the burn around mile 3, and went down to a slower pace, but I never stopped and couldn't be more please with myself. During the run I snacked on Sharkies which are electrolyte filled fruit snacks. I think these are now my second favorite running snack right after post-run PB&J's.
Here is what Liz and I looked like post run this week:

There is Liz, who doesn't seem to have the strength to open her gatorade...


And me, who is way cooler and stronger, enjoying my delicious beverage...



In other news, my running shoes started to fall apart on me yesterday as we were doing our stretches pre-run. I wasn't planning on getting new shoes until March but I had no choice now... my old shoes seemed to have the last laugh this time...



So, after the rather rude farewell from my old sneaks I went to Transports in Berkeley to upgrade to new and improved sneaks which I must say, are way bitchin'.


Hot, right? I gave my knee a rest today since it got a bit hot 'n bothered after the 4 miles yesterday, but will get out running in the new kicks tomorrow. Ha cha cha.

Now, while running 4 miles and purchasing new shoes are both pretty thrilling, there was even more exciting news this week...

After my co-worker Shannon saw my "promotional video," she sent it to her wife Chrissa. Chrissa was so pleased with the video that, get this, the money she planned on giving to Hillary Clinton's campaign is now going to go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Yipeeeee!!!!! This is extra delightful because I am a HUGE Barack Obama supporter :) Thanks Chrissa!

Ciao for now!

Week 1 in review

I can't really believe it has only been the first week of training. I have so much more to look forward to.

First, can I just say that I really like running? Isn't that weird?

So, there were many a huge milestones this week for me.

1) Thanks to my wonderful friends and family I have already raised $701 and am at 30% of my total fund raising goal!!!!! So I want to give a shout out to everyone who has donated, sent supportive notes my way, and to those who will hopefully donate in the future *winkwink*

2) In case you didn't read it in my previous blog, I RAN 2.91 MILES THIS WEEK!!!!!! Ya, so I am still pretty pleased with myself about that one. I am going to try to run the same distance tomorrow.

3) I debuted my first TNT video and everyone has found it fairly amusing thus far which was the goal. Good Morning America still hasn't called me asking me to be their next big YouTube star, but it's ok, I know they are busy with election results these days so I expect a call from them in the coming weeks ;)

4) I WON THE SPIRIT AWARD FOR MY TEAM THIS WEEK AND RECEIVED THE COOLEST HAT EVER AS MY TROPHY!!!!! (too bad I was late to the run today because I got lost and I missed the announcement of me winning. my bad.) BUT ITS STILL SUPPER AWESOME, THANKS TEAM BECAUSE WE CAN!!!!!!

5)I graduated from Marathon University today!

I endorse Lizzie Keenan for Team in Training.

If you watch a lot of TV like I do, you have probably been bombarded with presidential commercials lately. So, to be like those cool kids on TV... I too made an endorsement video for myself. Enjoy.

2.91 miles !?!?!

Today was our first Buddy Run. Every Tuesday morning about 6 of us are going to meet down by the Berkeley Marina at 6am for a run. I didn't have to many high expectations for myself today. I mean, how much can you run that early in the morning?


Apparently 2.91 miles! 2.91 miles of running, no walking. That blows my mind.

Equally as cool, we ran from Berkeley to Emeryville and back.

2 weeks ago I couldn't finish a mile without stopping to walk. Only 2 days ago I was still at just a mile before I stopped to break.

2.91 miles!

Just wait till I get to 13.1 miles. I assume I will be speechless by then. And for me... that is some serious business :)

Just one more time.... 2.91 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mileage today: 2.91 miles (ALL RUNNING)

Sore!

Yesterday was the real kick-off to training. We rendezvoused at the Alameda Bay Harbor at 8am. It was cold. No... it was very cold! We stood in 40 degree weather as we learned about things to look for in shoes, apparel, etc. Then for the warm-up and run! The run was beautiful. Even though it was cold running along the water, the view was worth it. And after about 3 minutes it didn't seem so cold anymore. It was a 2 mile run. Liz and I stayed together for the most part. We finished one mile, then on the way back ran most of it with a couple of fast walking breaks.

I think my favorite part of the whole run was the end where they had drinks and snacks for us. And what kind of snacks did they have??? PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICHES!!! Who know that is exactly what I wanted and needed after running? So good.

After the run my smaller group met with our mentor and another group at a cafe to get to know each other, get questions answered, and to warm up with some hot bevies. I really like my mentor, Rebecca, and the rest of my group. We are all fairly young, and if I do say so... pretty cool :)

I woke up today ridiculously sore. Coach Al told us yesterday that our bodies are his now. Why would he make me sore then? That isn't very nice.

I drove home to Sac last night to watch the SuperBowl with my parents and to meet with Sarah, my newly appointed personal fundraising manager. But before I can do any of that, I am going to go running this morning! Yay!

my mentor Rebecca
shoe clinic guy
Coach Al motivating runners on the trail

me, my kinda invisible foot, and Liz

Over and out,
Lizzie McSorelegs

P.S. Mileage over the weekend: 5.2 miles (at least half was running)

1st Traiing Day!

Good Morning! It is 6:45am, Saturday morning. Today is our first day training with our coaches. It is cold and a little rainy right now. I really really really want to stay in bed under my warm blankets.

Time to put on the spandex.

More to come... post training.