Running into the Holiday 12/20-12/27

[colby]

I think I ran once or twice this week, mostly 3-4 mile distances, but I have been to the gym once or twice, too. At one point I felt like I was going to implode and went to the gym post haste before someone died. I've been doing the elliptical, level 8, random, for 45-60 minutes. Feels a lot like running without pounding the pavement.

After I have been running, my heel has been bothering me - I think it's everything from my arch through my achilles, so I've been trying to take it easy from running and stretch. Time to do some strengthening in that system!

Left big toenail is pretty purple, all the way down to the base of the nail, but interestingly not at the very top, almost like it was bent or jammed downward. I could feel it down to the first knuckle for a while. Goodbye, toenail. You will be missed.

[limewave]

My in-laws dumped a major project on me that has to get done in the next two weeks. Never work for family . . . BIG MISTAKE.

And on top of that, I'm the only one working in the office at my "day job". I feel like I have been completely dumped on. I'll be working all weekend long and probably on Christmas.

Anyways, all that to say that I was supposed to get in some good runs this week and it isn't working out so well.

Ran 3 miles last night at midnight.

Then got up at 5:30 this AM to run 6 miles.

I'm behind on my 25k training schedule. The good thing is that the running is helping work through my anxiety and anger issues towards the inlaws.

[zoom-zoom]

I'm behind on my 25k training schedule.

Hey, 25k...in MI? Would this be the 5/3 Riverbank Run? Don't worry, you have MONTHS to catch up and be ready to go.

[Susan Otcenas]

Goodbye, toenail. You will be missed.

A week after my half marathon in October, it became clear that I was going to lose the 2nd toenail on my right foot. I have no idea how I damaged it. After more than 2 months, it's finally gone, and the new nail is looking pretty good! Weirdly, though, it seems alot smaller. (narrower and shorter). I can't remember losing a nail as an adult. I wonder if it will ever look normal again?

[OakLeaf]

Weirdly, though, it seems alot smaller.

Now that's interesting. I'd pretty much given up on the idea of having my damaged toenail removed because I'd heard (not from a podiatrist) that once a nail bed is damaged, it's permanent and the nail would grow back the same way. Maybe there's hope and I need to think again about scheduling a time when I can be off my feet...

Anyway, it has not been a good few days but I got out for four today.

[indigoiis]

lime, I am sorry to hear of your in-law woes. That totally sucks. Once you are done with this project, can you "fire" them? Can you get them to get some other person to take on their projects in future?

Oak, I am sorry you are having a crappy week.

I ran 3.26 again today with DH, in my VFFs on paved (plowed to pavement) roads. It's 40d. and sunny. I was supposed to do weights too but we did farm chores like shovel snow in the paddock, so that was my weights. Next two days are rest days. I see my MIL Saturday though so I figure I need to run Saturday before we go, because I'll be sitting on my rear end eating fat and sugar all day.

[Deborajen]

Limewave, that bites! Glad you got a good run in. Running helps me burn things off, too.

I did a 2-miler night before last before the weather changed here. It was getting dark so I decided to run in the park on the grass, around the basketball court, around the tennis court, etc. It was kind of fun with the variety of surfaces - I usually just run on pavement.

Now it's snowing a little, and the wind is blowing 35-45 mph. I'm going to squeeze in some stairs here in a little bit. Hopefully a long run Saturday or Sunday.

[zoom-zoom]

10 miles today...4.2 miles in I hit 1800 for the year--woot! Now just one more 5 miler and I can claim having run at least 100 miles every month all year. 2009 has been a good year for running.

[colby]

A week after my half marathon in October, it became clear that I was going to lose the 2nd toenail on my right foot. I have no idea how I damaged it. After more than 2 months, it's finally gone, and the new nail is looking pretty good! Weirdly, though, it seems alot smaller. (narrower and shorter). I can't remember losing a nail as an adult. I wonder if it will ever look normal again?

I've lost both the second toenails (before the big toenails, actually, probably because they are slightly longer than my big toes) and this will make both the big toenails.

My big toe nail grew back thicker, but otherwise pretty much the same. My second toenails grew back thicker in the middle part but are formed much more closely to my toe than they used to be (it's kind of nice). Shape-wise, I think they are pretty close, maybe a little narrower. It took forever for them to grow to their full size and look right again, even the second toes. It's like you grow back a super thick layer, then it grows out, and you get the real replacement nail behind it. They do put up with more stress now... the bright side I guess

Ran about 5k with my dog yesterday and picked up a wandering black lab (turns out she was 2). As long as we were moving, she was on our team, so I ran her home and got close enough for me to read her collar. We called her people and got her picked up.

[Bike Chick]

I got in a 2-miler yesterday morning before I started cooking again. My side of the family came over for our Christmas get-together. It felt so good to run and do something healthy before I got into the Christmas cookies again. Anything leftover and fattening is going into the trash today!

[katluvr]

With the holidays I have not been around the computer to log my runs.
Thursday AM was a 5 miler w/ farklets (sp?) around mile 2. So it was 1 mile WU, at miles 2 I did 5 X 2 min w/ 2 min recovery...that only took me 2 miles so I did 2 more miles = equal my 5 miles.
My "fast" runs were only around 9 min miles. I was very slow during the recovery time. But still testing out these workouts.


Sunday was THE long run....18 miles. We drove out to this place called Fort Desoto. It is a old fort and nature perserve/state park. Very natural, very natural beach. It was in the 50's, breezy and overcast. Actually perfect running temp.
I felt good/strong most of the way. I was running abour 10:30 - 10: 40 a lot of teh time. I did take a "pee" break (and keep time on watch running) around mile 4. Took less than 3 mins. I fueld w/ 1/2 a Gu at mile 4.5 ish and then did 1/2 a Gu and drank about every 2 miles from then on. Til the last 3 miles...things were not as scheduled. I would say I felt really good/strong til about mile 10 ish. I was disappointed that I don't feel GOOD and that it is "easy" to at least teh 13.1 mile place. But that is just how it is. I did my first 1/2 in about 2:23....nto stellar. But I was running at a pace I felt I could keep up teh whole way. Between mile 15 to 16 (at miles 16 I had a turn around place and knew it was only 2 miles left to go)...anyway at this point it was tough. I had to dig really deep and fight the "walk" urge. I was defiintely slower by this point and time. But I hit mile 16 way ahead of when I did my first 16 miler a few weeks ago. I thought as I was at mile 16...that I not only had 2 miles in me but at least 4 miles. But I must admit as I was in teh last mile to finish 18 miles...I was glad to be finishing.
I think it was 3:18. A 11 min mile avg. So that is about where I am and seem to always land. I think I may be a smidge faster for race day...but I know my 4:30 goal is a dream at this time. I will continue to do my training as if I was going to make that. But I still think it'll be around 4:45. But I am pretty sure I can make it.
My toe (2nd toe right foot) started hurting and shooting the pain down into my foot closer to mile 10 this time. Used to be earlier. I know it is how my shoe/foot bends and the top of the shoe hits my toe. My toes are very short, my shoes are a 6 1/2 and I usually wear a 4 or 4 1/2 in dress shoes and maybe a 5 at times. So shoe is long enough. I have more padded socks and put mole skin on end of toe/over nail bed to help pad. Not sure what else to do (except cut hole in top of shoe!).
For recovery...walked into the gulf. It is a bit colder than my pool. I think I only lasted 5 minutes. My feet do hurt the most after the run. Like I really don't want to walk on them.
After warm shower did the compression sleeves and rested/watched football.
Today I feel pretty good and the feeling of accomplishment of running 18 miles...well as many of you know--that is priceless!

Next Sunday is the big 2-0. Should be a piece of cake!