Finally a long run

Last week, I managed only one (three-mile) run, plus about 10 minutes of running steps. Not a good week when you consider I spent most of the ensuing weekend eating, thanks to one aunt in town visiting and the birthday weekend of another aunt.

Yesterday, having an hour to kill, I decided to try a long run. I managed to go for about 40 minutes. I am pretty sure I could have run another 10 minutes, but since I ended my run by going up a hill (which is how I normally start), I decided to call it a good run at that. On top of my usual route, this run mostly consisted of running up and down side streets. I ended up running backwards down a couple of streets, which is something I had not done since I was 30. Fortunately, eight years later, I was still able to do this without taking a tumble, and my knees were grateful for the break. My calfs were probably not as happy for the workout, but I needed it.

While on Facebook a few weeks ago, I was debating whether or not to run. A friend suggested I run three miles and see how it feels, and if that worked out, she said to keep going. I had to tell her that three miles is a good run for me; a test run is more like five minutes. But after yesterday's run, which, admittedly, was kind of slow thanks to all the hills, I'd like to think I can push myself into longer runs.

I will never do a marathon or even a half-marathon, but I am determined to keep going, keep improving, and just to try to be in the best possible shape I can.

Day 2 of new shoes

I took the new shoes for a spin last Thursday. The first few strides were like walking on clouds. Ah. So amazing that I am pretty sure I was actually smiling up the hill. Unfortunately, the next gazillion steps I took were rather painful. In retrospect, I probably should not have done a three-mile run my first time out in new shoes. But looking on the bright side, the pain in my feet pretty much eclipsed the usual pain in my knees, so there is that!

Fortunately, today's run was better. My feet hardly hurt at all, and my knees were relatively pain-free. Of course, I was more focused on my usual struggles on the hills and the sun beating down my face. But I did manage another three-mile run, so yeah me!

I really need to run a 5k soon. I am quite sure I won't be able to handle the summer heat, so my running days are probably numbered. Plus, I am such a creature of habit that I don't know if I will be able to run anywhere else other than the streets by my kid's school, which will be letting out for the year in exactly one month.

Better get moving.

New shoes

Nike has always been my running shoe of choice. I went with New Balance one year because I noticed the winning team in the Steelers 5k all ran in New Balance, so I promptly went out and bought a pair. Of course, most companies/manufacturers make dozens upon dozens of running shoes, ranging in price from about $30 to over $200 (though most fall in the $50 to $100 price range), so buying by brand does not necessarily guarantee you a good shoe.

Yesterday, I decided to check out Kohl's "lowest prices of the season" sale for running shoes. I typically go by looks, then price. After not finding some Nike's I liked in my size, I came upon an Asics shoe, the Gel Enduro 5. The price was right (just over $33 on sale, from $65), and I liked the gray and fuchsia coloring. But what sold me on this shoe was the feeling. The shoes were so cushiony that everything I tried on after paled in comparison. I was talking to a woman who had recently started running and told her about the shoe. She too was a Nike person, but after trying on the Asics, she went with the same pair.

I am not entirely sure if I am ready to break out the shoes yet. Most running experts recommend replacing shoes every 250 to 500 miles, depending on your weight, running style, and running surface. Assuming I have run about 5 miles a week most weeks since September, I should have logged less than 200 miles. But I also wear my shoes most days while doing errands and taking walks once or twice a week. And I do run outside and probably pretty hard while going downhill.

I will let you know how they turn out. In the meantime, I am happy to report that on Tuesday, I managed to get my first mile down to 10 minutes. My second (easier) mile was about 10:25, so not as much progress there.

Almost famous

I follow and frequently check out Pittsburgh Mom. Recently, the owner of the site asked people, via Facebook, to complete this sentence, "I run because..."

I immediately posted a comment back saying, "I can." The site owner then emailed me and asked if I would take a picture of myself holding a sign with that statement; she was launching a new site dedicated to mothers who run, I Run Like a Mother, and was compiling pics of mothers holding various signs proclaiming their reasons for running. So I had hubby snap a pic, she (or someone else) created a video, and the rest is history.

Check me out at about 19 seconds in (that is the pic above). And check out the site too.

I really have to hope my knees hold up now!

Step off!

Yesterday, I had an unexpected hour to wait at my kid's school before dismissal. I did not have my running clothes since I thought I was going to be doing something else, but I did have my running shoes. What's a girl to do? Well, when you wear baggy clothes, you can run up steps!

There are 64 steps between the middle and upper lots, plus two small landings. I ran up those bad boys about a dozen times; I lost count after about eight or nine trips.

When you lack grace and have limited coordination, running up steps is no easy task. I would pretty much sprint up the first few steps, but then I would look ahead and see the shadows lying across most of the steps and scare myself into thinking I was going to trip. As a result, I ended up jogging at times. It also did not help that my size 10 shoes seemed almost too long for the depth of the steps. More than once, I pictured myself taking a tumble backwards down several dozen steps.

In the end, it was a good workout, something different, and best of all, I stayed upright the entire time (it helped that I walked down the steps; no use pressing my luck). Unfortunately, I did not stretch when I was done, so my thighs are really feeling it this morning. But I like to think my muscles will eventually thank me for mixing it up!

Finally hit three miles

Or at least I came close, anyway.

I had a lot of time to kill yesterday, and time is often my biggest enemy when it comes to running. I tend to have about 30 minutes or so to get my run in, including a couple of minutes of walking (cooling down) and stretching, so I usually have to settle for about two miles. Yesterday I had about 1.5 hours, so I figured I should try for three miles.

I skipped most of the big hill at the beginning, but I pretty much made up for it by running up and down four other, smaller side streets. I passed some guy on the way up and back, a guy who "looked" like a runner. He had the shiny running shorts and matching shirt (or maybe it was a body suit). His form, like most runners, was better than mine. But I was just happy I was able to keep going, to run as long as I did. After I cooled down and stretched for a few minutes, I also took a brisk walk to a coffee shop, for another 15 minutes.

Last week I tweaked my knee. I was walking in the woods and my foot hit a tree root kind of funny. The pain was intense, though it fortunately subsided after a few minutes. However, I was very uncomfortable sleeping that night. I did not run the next four days, just to be safe. I was really worried that I might have to give up running and my goal of a 5k this year, but assuming I can keep going and keep my pain to a minimum, I am still hoping to run that 5k at some point.

Time will tell.

Not a fan of July in April

Because more than a week had gone by since my last run (thanks to my kid being off school), and because I have been eating a plethora of Easter candy the past few days, I knew I had to brave the 83-degree heat yesterday and get out and run.

It was most difficult. I pretty much panted the entire time. I managed to run my first mile in just a little more than my usual time (which is around 10:30), which made me pretty happy. But the second, normally easy, mile was anything but. I was so whopped by the heat, I struggled to complete the mile in just over 9 minutes. I was so glad when that run was done, I was practically singing. Or I would have been had I had much breath left.

The good thing is thanks to the heat, I did not notice the pain in my knee. Helps to look on the bright side.

I am definitely looking forward to cooling temps. I will take 30 degrees over 80, at least when it comes to running, any day.