Thursday, December 30, 2010

A Running Update/Year-End Running Reflection

It's been more than 2 months since my last blog post. However, I have run since October 16 - the day of the marathon! Since the marathon I have run a 10k and a half marathon. The half marathon was on December 11 and was probably a mistake. I hurt my knee around the 3 mile mark and I haven't been the same since. I ran with my work friend, Lisa, and we had a great time, despite my kne pain! My time was 1:56:55 (I think) and felt decent until mile 8. At mile 8 nature called and I had to make a pit stop. I was never able to get back in my rhythm, but overall, I was happy with my time due to my limited training.
Here's a few pictures of Lisa and I with her Lewes Ladies Running Club! They were all super nice and I hope to run another race with them all!
Here is our group shot after our pasta night out:


And here we are post-half marathon!




Back to the discussion on limited training... I only ran a handful of times between the marathon and half marathon and I think that was a mistake. I should have been running at least three times a week, but instead did a long run once a week and worked out at the gym on the other days. The time change really put a damper on running and I haven't been able to get motivated to run outside in the cold.
This morning I met a friend for a run (keep up the good work, Alexis!) and my knee started hurting again. This was the second time I tried to run since December 11. The other day I could only go 1.75 miles before my knee started bothering me. This has been difficult for me to deal with because I want to go out and run. The Food Bank is training for the Caesar Rodney Half Marathon in March and I'm nervous I'm not going to be able to participate. I have finally made an appointment to see a sports medicine doctor on Monday. My inkling is it's nothing too serious, because I've been able to do other forms of exercising. Running is the only thing that hurts my knee. We'll see on Monday.
So 2010 is almost over and it has been a good year filled with lots of running. As I look back on all of the running I've done, it's really been an exciting year in terms of personal and physical growth. I ran 1 5k, 1 10k, 1 10-miler, 2 half marathons and the highlight of the year, the marathon. At this point, I don't think I will train for a marathon in 2011. I think I need to rest my body, but I will do several half marathons as long as everything is okay with my knee. But, never say never. I might get the itch for 26.2!!!
2011 fitness goals:
  • Run several half marathons and improve my time from the first half
  • Broad Street Run
  • Get certified to become a personal trainer
  • Do a mud run (Tough Mudder or Warrior Dash)
  • Start TRX suspension training at the gym
Happy New Year, running friends! And remember you must run far so you can eat!
Peace. Love. Run.