While I can't run....

I feel like it's been ages since I ran...and really it has been 6 days.  I am a total head case.  While I can't run in order to keep myself occupied I've been doing a lot of therapy:  stem, deep blue, magnesium oil, arnica, stretching, resting, motrin, and this crazy rubber wrap - you wrap it as tight as you can then stretch for 2-3 minutes.

Everything seems to be helping and my heel is already feeling a lot better - but I know I need to stay the course and keep at it for at least another week. I seriously can't wait to run again. 

I've also been doing a lot of cross-training.  I joined a new crossfit gym and have gone every day.  I've been on the spin bike and rowing machine and I even went and swam laps (haven't done that in 6 years).

Funny story about swimming.  I'm at the pool everyday since my boys swim on a club team so I grabbed my hubbies goggles and my swim gear and did laps for 45 minutes.  It was brutal.  During the swim I looked over at my 9 year old in the lane next to me and he was goofing off so I took off my goggles and told him to work harder and stop playing.  He hadn't noticed it was me swimming next to him for the last 30 minutes.  Ha. 

2 weeks of no running

I had a bad morning.  I've been fighting my heel hurting since before the marathon last month and it's not getting better.  It hurt more this morning than it did at mile 26 of the marathon.  We were out for a 7 mile run and by mile 2 I knew I shouldn't be running.  So I told the girls I was going to run less miles and walk for a bit and not to wait for me.  I slowed my pace way down and ended up running 6 miles.  By the end of the run I was so mad at myself.  Mad that I can't even run 7 freaking miles.  Mad at myself for not taking care of my foot.  Mad at myself for not being able to run as fast as I wanted to.  Just plain mad at myself.  

It doesn't happen often but when I feel worse after a run than when I started it's really hard  for me to break out of the funk.  Today is one of those days for me.  I'm super emotional and grouchy and hate thinking about the fact that I have to rest my foot.  I've decided that am NOT going to run for the next 2 weeks to see if that will fix my pain.  If it still hurts this much after that then I will go to the doctor.  I'm not a patient person and I don't do rest well so let's hope 2 weeks is all it takes.  I am going to keep doing stem on it at night and tape it up and take motrin during my 2 week running hiatus.  Wish me luck!

Today I saw this cool video on runners world on how to tape yourself.

Race numbers

I have saved all my race numbers since I really started racing back in 2007.  I keep them all hung on a hook in my office at work where I can see them.  My race medals are all in the back of my closet.  And I rarely wear my race shirts again.  I have most of them somewhere but don't do anything with those either.  But I love saving my numbers and I've always had high hopes for how I will display these someday when I have a workout room or somewhere cool to hang them.  But for now I have them right where I can see them. 

I write my race information on the back of each number too.  Just in case I ever want to look back and set new goals.  

What do you save from races?

My Race Bag

I've done quite a few races this year and have been trying to make the perfect "race day" drop bag. So far I've been lucky and have never had my bag lost at a race but I try to make sure there really isn't anything too important in it just in case.  I usually get to the start on the early side so some standing/sitting/hanging out is involved.  If you tend be on the last bus you won't need all of this stuff. 

So here it is:

Old blanket - you can wrap it around you and or your friends or sit on it and if you throw it on the side of the road - who cares!

Thanks Delta - you kept me warm in Boston

 trash bag - you can wear it or sit on this as well

Sherry and I on the bus heading to my first marathon in 2009

Kleenex - way too often the TP runs out in the porta potties and why wait for one that has it when you can just have some in your bag

throw away warm gear - gloves, ear warmers, shirt, and pants

I found these at Wal-Mart for $1.50 each!!

I know some people like to bring a magazine or something to pass the time...but I bring friends instead!  

Heading up the start of the UV half marathon - June 2013

I always put my GU's, electrolytes, and ipod in a ziplock bag the night before then I can put it in my pockets up at the start instead of trying to think about it all on race morning

Water bottle - hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Chapstick, advil, body glide, etc - just in case  

Another smart thing to do is bring a ribbon or something to tie around your bag so you can spot it easier. 

My October Pink Challenge

As you know I decided to do a 30 day challenge to see if I could wear something pink during every workout during the month of October for breast cancer awareness.  One stipulation was that I couldn't buy anything new to wear during the month.  The challenge was really fun and I made it no problem.  

A spattering of pink I wore through the month:

After I did the wash I would put the pink items in a bag
so I wouldn't wear them again:

 I went through my workout clothes last night and found 14 more options - without even looking at socks, sleeves, gloves, shoes, etc. 

Conclusion:  I love pink workout gear and I might have too much workout gear.  It is nice to be able to wear anything I want again.  I love wearing all black almost as much as wearing pink when I workout :)

Snow Canyon Race Recap

I ran my last race of 2013 and I must say I am glad to be done racing for a little while.  Snow Canyon is a great half-marathon.  It's far enough away to make a girls trip of it and hit some warm weather but not too far.  It's a nice fast course and Snow Canyon is simply gorgeous.  The race was great and I got a new PR of 1:40:08 (7:38 pace) - supah fast for me!  I ran every step of the way with my girl Laurie and we chatted for 10 miles until I felt like shutting down then I had to listen to music to get me through the last few miles of neighborhood running.  I love having training partners who challenge me and entertain me all at once.  It was perfect weather 40's - 50's too.  I did a GU at mile 9 - which is the only way I made it through the last few miles.  

You really can't go wrong with this race.  It's not very expensive and never sells out.  There were about 2000 runners of all levels and it's well organized.  Good amount of water stations, lots of porta potties, areas to cheer on your runners throughout the course and lots of food and drinks at the end. 

Laurie and I at mile 12.5

All the Housewives - 6 of us ran the half, 1 the 5K and everyone else ran for fun on their own :)