Call me "10.6k" Dani

Hello Dear Reader,

As you know by now, Sundays are reserved for my long runs. Since I did a little backtracking on my training program, in order to build up strength and endurance, I'm now at week 5...or 6 miles (10k).

Having not run much last week planted a seed of doubt regarding my ability to run 6 miles today. I guess that's why I was so anxious about running a few posts ago...could I do it? I mean...I've never run 6 miles in my life. Is my body ready for that type of distance? Will my legs fold up like a picnic table? Well, as someone from the South(ern America) once said, "Ain't nothin' to it, but to do it..."

My game plan was to first tackle a route near my office building which was mapped out a long time ago...approximately 4k. That took me 21 minutes. Next up, hit the treadmill for 6k (interval program, level 2, pace 9.4-9.6). I completed 6.6k in 43 minutes. All of that combined (10.6k) took 64 minutes! Woohoooooooo!!!!

Wow! I can't believe that I actually did it! I feel sooooo good!!! The best part about it was that there was no knee or hip pain, and I wasn't tired during or after the fact. If coaxed, I'm sure that I could have done more. Additionally, it would have been better if the trip wasn't broken up...from outside to the gym.

So, you may be wondering why I broke the trip up in the first place...or better yet, why am I not running outside completely. There are two reasons: 1) In lieu of a pedometer (my iPod will be here next week by the way...yea Nike +!!!), the treadmill allows me to keep track of my distance and time; and 2) Safety, safety, safety! As a single girl running around in spandex pants with headphones on, I am asking to make myself an easy target for all of the would-be weirdos in this town. Guess it's time to find a running partner?

And on a side note, as you may be able to tell, I ended up not going on vaycay as planned. There was a mass exodus at the boarder into South Africa. It literally took me 2 hours of sitting in my car with the windows down, only having moved 1/2k to 1k, to make staying around for the weekend look like a really fun idea. Be that as it may, I'm really geeked to have accomplished my running goal for the week! Next Sunday, I only have to run 3 miles (4.8k...but we'll make it 5k for good measure!).

Dear Reader, I hope that you're enjoying your weekend as much as I am!

Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it movin'!

Yours in training,

Dani

Dani knees a break

Hello Dear Reader-

Just as I said in yesterday's post, the next couple of days will be "knee friendly" (i.e. no running). This morning's workout routine consisted of a 15 minute warm-up on the elliptical machine, followed by a 3 sets of 15 reps on about 5 different chest and arm machines. My chest, arm and shoulder areas are clearly not very strong. I had to stop in the middle of a few sets...mad-dog trainer said that she'd forgive me because this was my first "arm" day (said with one warning eyebrow lifted). 25 minutes were devoted to wrap-it-up treadmill time (completed at varying incline and speed settings (5.5 setting and under). No knee problems then and now. Keeping an eye out while continuing to train and keep up my motivation.

The rest of today and Friday will be spent taking it easy on the knee. Saturday, however, is a different story. I'll be hitting the road (by car) at 4:00 am in order to get to Bultfontein, Free State: Bultfontein Boertjie Fees 5K. Registration starts at 6:00 am and race kicks off at 7:00 am. I certainly don't have any time goal...just to finish with running most to all of it.

Until next time...one foot in front of the other...keep it moving!

Your in (knee friendly activities until Saturday) training,

Dani

Less that 200 more days to go!

Hello Dear Reader,

The Georgia Marathon countdown clock has officially dropped below 200 days...199 days to go until I'm expecting myself to run 26.2 miles. No pressure. Plenty of time to go. Enough time to get there? Hmm...

Mad-dog trainer and I set out to strengthen my leg muscles this morning...particularly those meant to support my knees (read: plenty of squats and leg presses). Several times I had to stop between repetitions because of the burn. Mad-dog's consolation: "Embrace the burn, and if you stop again, you'll add 5 more reps." Feel the pain. Embrace the pain. Move through the pain. Finish.

Knee updates: My knee held up through the intense workout this morning and all the way to lunch time. As I'm trying to be more in control of my diet these days, I went home to eat a well balanced meal for lunch (lucky me...I live less than two minutes from my job...driving). Sitting on my couch, watching a rerun of "Miami Ink", I went to lift my legs up on the couch and....crack...my left knee made a big cracking sound. Umm...that doesn't sound good. Luckily, there isn't any pain or swelling...but the advice I keep getting from everyone..."Listen to your body"...well, I literally heard my body...and a clear message said..."Stop". A few days ago, I was marveling over my ability to make demands of my body and it responds to the request...I'd certainly say so.

What does a cracking sound mean for my training preparation, you ask? Well, it means that I'm going to give it a rest for a few days...literally. I'm still going to hit the gym, but focus more on strength training instead of running. Here is my mind's proposed training schedule for the rest of my body's work week:

Wednesday: Rice crispy treat, couch, a good book, early to bed.

Thursday: Instead of running, I'll focus on arms and abs. Perhaps take Beef on a walk after work.

Friday: Strength training...arms and abs again.

Saturday: If things seem to be settled, I'm going to try my hand at a 5K race (the one I spoke about in the last post). My pace will be slow and not focused on time, but rather finishing.

Sunday: Core training and a walk (maybe even a swim).

The good thing about this experience is that I'm now more aware and respectful of my body's abilities and needs/requests/demands. Secondly, this has not weakened my spirits at all. I'm still going to make it across the finish line on March 20th, 2011...don't you worry.

Here is a quote that has some resonance today (and possibly my mantra until the end of the race):

"Every step forward is a step closer to the finish line! Run, walk, or even crawl if you must, but no matter what: keep moving forward!"










Yours in (knee resting, rest of body) training,

Dani