And the training begins...kinda...

Happy Friday! As I type, I am watching the temperature drop, drop, drop here in Houston. Winter is not over yet! Yay! I love me some fires in the fireplace, and that doesn't make much sense if its in the 70s. And I still have some cute cold-weather running attire to put to use.

Following my inexplicable PR in the half a couple of weeks ago, I've been really excited to get my training for Boston underway. So far, that includes one 6 mile recovery run last Saturday morning with the Knuckleheads, but I'm planning an 8 mile run tomorrow morning. But 26.2 princess, you ask, why only one run in two weeks? Long story short, my mom is back in the hospital here in Houston for some infections, and I've had bronchitis/bronchial asthma for a week (yes, I get alot of upper respiratory infections, I know). But, no worries. Everything will be fine. I haven't really tested my knee, but I have completed my pack of anti-inflammatories and have been getting regular massages on my IT band. I'm almost positive that is the culprit.

So, what am I going to do about training for Boston? I've considered joining a couple of spring marathon training groups, like Kenyan Way or HoustonFit's spring program, but I think in the end, what is best for me is to plan my own schedule, run/train with my regular group of friends (Knuckleheads), enjoy running the next three months and get ready for a decent showing in Boston. I really don't want to bust my ass training for it since I don't have any time goals other than not to completely bonk and hopefully finish in 4:00-4:15. I know I can be physically and mentally ready to run, even by making up my own training schedule. I've done it before, I can do it again!

Plus, I like the freedom of doing my speedwork and hills when it best fits my schedule, not waiting around for a group in the evenings or risk being late to work in the mornings. There is a hilly half marathon I'm going to run in Bryan at the beginning of March, and I can easily add a few miles to get in an 18 miler that weekend. I figure one more after that, closer to the end of March, maybe an 18-21 miler, will be sufficient. I remember half-ass training on my own for the Marine Corps one year, adding mileage to the runs I ran with my regular training group, and I ended up running a 4:08 which was a PR at the time. I guess its flexibility for me this spring as I try to keep up my running but also not let it take over (remember, I'm OCD and could easily fall into training like a demon for Boston and doing nothing else). I just don't want that to happen. I've reached my goal and I'm going to enjoy every training step on the way to the big show.

Speaking of, I ordered some Boston Marathon clothing, because I'm afraid of stuff selling out, and I want that much more room in my suitcase for stuff I buy at the expo. I got a nice running jacket and a couple of tops. I really wanted to wear the jacket last weekend, but I didn't, and while talking to a couple of my running friends, we agreed that you shouldn't wear clothing from a race you haven't run yet. But in a way, I'm thinking, this is Boston! In the end though, the items will stay in my closet until the race is over. What are your thoughts on wearing race gear that you ordered in advance? I didn't think much of it until I talked with my friends and got their opinions. In a way, I'm afraid it might jinx me, so honestly, I'm not even going to look at the items until April 20.

iPhone: I finally own one. Share your fun apps! Sadly, what I consider my most fun app right now is a to-do list organizer.

Fun thought of the day: Apparently my 3-year-old nephews are beginning to discover they have the ability to aim and pee anywhere. This should make for stories Auntie Kiki will think are hilarious, but not so much the boys' parents...

Picture of the day: I love meerkats! They are so cute, for rodents...

The best laid plans...

Today, I was just going to run the Houston Half Marathon as my first official Boston Marathon training run and test out my knee. I admit that I did not train for this race at all, not like I would have had I been healthy for the past couple of months. My longest run leading up to this was an 8 miler a couple of weeks ago. So I was just hoping for a sub 2 hour run, which would have made me very happy.

I should have known better...

It was a great day, no expectations placed on myself by myself, my knee held up until I finished, and I managed a PR in an official half marathon race: 1:53:31. Dang! I think I've only run two halfs faster, and those were both in the Chicago Marathon. Wasn't expecting or anticipating this kind of run today at all. I am very pleased and excited to get my marathon training underway again. Great way to start! (Edit - every timing mat recorded my pace as 8:39...if I'm anything, I'm consistent!)

I will be heading back to the doctor on Tuesday and will insist on some soft tissue scans, because there clearly is still a problem with my knee. The minute I finished, it buckled and was hurt like hell. No way I would have even finished a full marathon today. But I have time to get the knee fixed and back to normal (I hope!), and its really liking the ice right now.

Thanks so much to my friend and fellow running coach Dave for running the entire race with me! It was fun! And of course, my two biggest supporters, Aimee and her son Senator, were out there to cheer me on at the finish. And I would be remiss if I didn't thank my "special friend" Craig for the beautiful flowers and the tasty post-race Bloody Mary ;)

Congrats to my friends Jenny, Evan, and Neeraj, and Alaina, Cassie and Robyn, and so many others on their great runs this morning!

New Beginnings...

I challenge anyone to be as happy about a new year and new decade as me. Last year SUCKED on so many levels. The only good things I can think of were qualifying for Boston and my mom not dying, and of course, Jamoosh's 12 Beers of Christmas party and Dennis and Emily's New Years Eve party.

So, I think it is appropriate to say that this new year has started off fabulously, and that's all I will say for now. I'm looking forward to good health, silly happiness and zero drama. Yes, the drama princess herself is checking out of the drama department, with a clear head and rejuvinated sense of self. I'm also looking forward to catching up with my running friends in the blogging world. I've been very delinquent about reading posts and posting things myself obviously.

Mom update: She was released from the hospital on December 23 and is back at home. She still cannot feel or use her leg and is primarily using a wheelchair and occasionally a walker. She is continuing her physical therapy and we all hope she gets her strength and use of her leg back. Its been an emotional time, but it was wonderful to all be together for Christmas.

Running update: I'm finally hitting the streets again. Wait, that doesn't sound right does it? Anyway, I'm running and that's about it. I've had knee problems for the past couple of months and have been quite discouraged, but I managed a very decent 8 miles this past Saturday (the most I've run at once in two months) and plan to get out there again this evening. I'm hoping my knee is either getting better or the anti-inflammatories are finally working. I will run the half marathon in Houston in a couple of weeks then will focus on getting ready for Boston. Still hard to believe... Oh yeah, and I need to focus on shedding the massive food and drink intake evidence that is hanging around my hips.

Social life update: Insert big goofy grin here.

Picture of the day:


Fun family pics coming soon!