A Dose of Sunshine and a Lack of Treadmill

Run Time: 45 min
Run Distance: 4.88 miles

Finally!! This run was so much better than my last. I decided at the last minute to take a run around Lake Como in St.Paul after work. It turned out to be a wise decision. The weather was gorgeous in the 60's. A little bit breezy but not too bad. I did still have to deal with dodging lots of people on the path, but not too bad. I was enjoying the run in somewhat different territory. I've actually ran Lake Como many times and usually it results in a little bit of knee pain because of the uneven paths. This time I had no pain and actually felt great. Amazing!

I think I'm going to make it a goal to find new places to run this summer. It should really help with the boredem I started to experience.

We've got gloomy skies today so I'll probably be cooped up in the gym again. Yick.

The Running Rut

Friday's Run : 3 miles
Monday's Run: 2.5 miles, Eliptical: 2 miles, 150 crunches

It seems that lately I rarely have a magnificent run to report. I think I'm in some sort of a running rut or something. Anyways, yesterday I went to the gym to work out because it was in the 40's outside and my skin doesn't do well with those chilly temps.

Of course, the gym this time of year is always a freaking sauna. I think that maybe they just lack good circulation but it wasn't pleasant. BUT...by no means as bad as when I went to Florida last year. So that is what I envision whenever I start to think about how warm it is in the gym. I just think about how much worse it could be!

Anyways, I probably started my run out a little hard. I was thinking about the fact that I missed 2 days in a row this weekend and that I needed to get caught up and pushed my speed up a little too hard at the start. My legs started to get this strange weak feeling at about mile 2. I've never really experienced the same feeling. My legs felt weak at the tail end of my marathon but never quite like this. It was like they were going to give out at the hip or something. I made it to 2.5 and jumped off. My hip was a little sore but I figured I just pushed a little too hard at the start and hopped on the half eliptical thing. I did alright on there but was incredibly bored. That and my toes started to hurt pretty bad. (The nails are still growing back in.) I'm not entirely sure whether they are supposed to hurt at this stage or not, but if they continue I may be back in the doc's office again and I'd like to avoid that.

I was actually just at the doctor not long ago. She diagnosed me with eczema. Which would explain the horrible burning sensation that occurs when my skin gets all sweaty. It is starting to get a little better now that we have seen some warmer temps, but those windy days really kick it back up. It has been rainy and in the high 40s-low 50s this week and that has caused a rehash of the ouchy skin syndrome. The doctor prescribed me some ointment to help out but it really doesn't seem to do alot other than make me feel like I'm doing something to help the situation.

Anyways, on a positive note....I am running a 5k this week with General Mills. Should be an exciting time because my lil bro and dad will be running it with me! Although, my dad got me a large TShirt...which I'm guessing is going to be a little big. And it is supposed to be a Technical T...so it would have been nice to be able to wear it in training but I figure it is probably going to become a sleep T. Oh wells. It's the race that really matters...because my little bro will be running!!

Hope you all had some good runs this weekend!!

One Foot in front of the other

Tuesday's Workout: 2 miles treadmill, 3 miles eliptical, 3/15 abductors and adductors @70 lbs 

Wednesday's Run: 6 miles, Run Time: 1 Hour

Tuesday was brutal.  I got on the treadmill at the gym because we had a great deal of wind outside.  It was burning up inside of my gym so I was drenched in sweat right off the bat.  I've also had a migraine for approximately 4 days now and it seemed to show itself even worse when I was attempting my run yesterday.  I hopped on the eliptical to finish up some sort of cardio and then ended up doing a teeny bit of weightlifting.

Tonight's run went a little better.  I think I need to find a different running route or something.  I'm starting to get tired of seeing the same scenery.  It was like I was pushing myself just to finish my mileage.  I think a part of this might also be that I am running an hour later getting out of work this week because I have to volunteer at a local middle school (for my Master's program).  By the time I get home, I'm starving but I have no time to eat and digest food so I just end up burnt out on my run.  Ah, I so can't wait to be done with volunteering.  Don't get me wrong, I love working with the kids...but it is so draining to work full time, run, do homework, volunteer, and go to class.  

Anyways, tomm it is supposed to storm so we'll see whether I get a run done outside or not.  Probably end up back at the steamy gym.  

Running for NF!

I made the announcement a few posts back that I would be running with the NF Endurance Team for the Twin Cities Marathon. Well, I officially have my fundraising page up and running. Take the time to check it out at
http://www.active.com/donate/nftwincities2009/arachelontherun.

The NF Endurance team raises money for Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves in the body. Here is a bit about my story but you can read further on my fundraising website.

Why am I raising funds for NF?

For my namesake and my uncle and all the others who are struggling with the disorder. My grandmother, Rachel Sterne, was a very sweet woman. David was her youngest of seven children. They were in a car accident right around the time that I was born. My grandmother was thrown from the vehicle and severely injured. She was in a coma for months. The doctors said that she would not survive, they wanted to pull the plug on her. But my family would not let them and my grandmother regained her ability to walk, talk, and become a great grandmother for her many, many grandchildren. David came out alright, minus one small thing.

It was believed that the stress of the accident had flared up a disorder in his body --Neurofibromatosis. My grandmother had it as well. I was just a toddler when it occured--but I've seen the pictures of my cousins and I going to the hospital to visit David. Tumors flared up in his body. He was put on Chemotherapy. He had always been the jokester, the youngest sibling. His struggle with the disorder took his life before I got to know him in his life. But I do still know him--I know about the grin he had on his face as a kid by looking at the pictures. I know about the tears that my mother sheds when she talks about her little brother. I know about the sobs that come from my aunt's throats when they talk about their memories with him. I know about the love that his mother and father had for him. My grandmother, Rachel, loved her grandchildren dearly. While I lived many miles away, she was always excited to see me when I visited. She would tell me about how my name had been passed down through many generations. She fixed zucchini bread on special occasions and spent hours in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day fixing her famous casseroles. However, she also had NF. She, too, had tumors inside her body. I was in the 5th grade when she went to the hospital one last time. It was right before Christmas. My mother had sent my brother, Jeremy, and I back home after a week long visit with her. She had come home shortly after. She got a phone call from her sisters that night. My grandmother had acquired pnuemonia in the hospital. She didn't want to be treated anymore. She told my mother on the phone that night, "David is in the parking lot waiting for me." A few hours later, she passed away. My grandmother had gone to be with her youngest son. My family members had bad cases of NF, but any case can change a person's life.


What is Neurofibromatosis?
It is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on the nerves. NF is one of the most common genetic disorders in the United States and affects all races and ethnic groups and both sexes. You can read more about it at http://www.ctf.org/ and find out where donations go.

My Running Pal

Let me introduce you to my lastest running buddy:

His name is Duke, he is Andy's dog.  Actually this is a puppy picture of him and he is much larger now.  

While his pace is a bit slower than mine, I was a kind runner trying to introduce the new guy to the sport so I slowed my run down for him.  We probably made it 4-5 miles this weekend.  He definetly needed a cheerleader towards the end of the run.  I was pulling him up the hill and the only way that he would continue is if I pep talked him up.  I kept saying, "Almost home, Duke.  Don't you want to get Daddy?"  He would pick up the pace for a half a minute then and start to lag again.  Had to tell him he was a good boy to get him back up to speed.  

I think with a little bit more training, he could run the distance. 

Also bought a brand new MacBook Pro this weekend.  Should see some improvements to my blog with this new gadget.  

Registered!

I have officially registered! Yay!

Oh and some big news! They are going to allow I-Pods this year. I'm not sure if I'll run with one or not, but cool to have the option.


Update on Runs:

Wednesday I got a short 4 miler done outside. The knee started to bug me a bit so I took yesterday as a rest day. Plan to get another run in tonight.

Breathing the Great Outdoors

Run Distance: 6.25 miles, Run Time: 1 Hour

Oh how I love a good outdoor run. It was in the 60s here today and I couldn't resist it. It was absolutely gorgeous outside and I got in another 6 miles. It was another awesome run...no real complaints. My knee bugged me a teeny bit at the end of my run but nothing real bad. I think I'll probably just shorten my run a bit tomm and do some intervals. Hopefully that will keep any knee problems at bay.

6 Miles Down

Run Distance: 6 miles, Run Time: 1 Hour

Tonight's run went really really well. It felt absolutely wonderful. I made it 6 miles and actually felt like a runner again.

I only experienced one small problem while running today: sensitive skin. I think I'm allergic to Minnesota weather. I never had such bad skin problems until I moved here. Everytime Andy hugged me or barely touched my back this weekend, I yelped. It looks like I have a rash all over my legs, back, butt, and arms. I think it is due to the brutal winter we had. Sweating during my run today didn't exactly make it feel better. It stung pretty bad but I was on Cloud 9 with the rest of my body so I just ignored it. My legs were feeling amazing and my breathing was right on.

Strange development: I haven't had any knee pain while running lately. BUT it seems that I have a decent amount if I don't run for a couple of days. They start to hurt just sitting or on walks. I went for a walk with Andy this weekend and my right knee was acting up. But when I get to run, it eases up alot. I don't really understand it. Oh well, I guess it will keep me running!

Sorry it seems I always have some sort of ailment to write about. But that was an amazing run tonight! Hoping to get a nice one done outside tomm!

Getting There

Tuesday's Run: 3 Miles, 30 min. Eliptical 30 min
Wednesdays Workout: 4.25 miles, 45 min. 15 min eliptical. 3/15 Abductors and Adductors, 150 crunches

Tuesday's workout was a bit tough. It was a struggle just to hammer out those 3 miles. Yesterday's run ended up being so much better. I started to envision sunshine, summer warmth, and summer clothes and it was just what I needed to find my rhythm.

We are supposed to get into the 50's today so I'm hoping to see some more outdoor runs. I think it really helps when I can run outdoors rather than on the treadmill. Yesterday there was a nippy wind that I didn't wish to deal with when I was running.

Last Year's Mistakes

I am so excited for today's run. I just finished ordering a brand new Road ID. I got done reading this brief story and decided that I really needed to make the purchase. I contemplated it all last season but finally reasoned the need today.

Luckily the mistake of not carrying an ID on me last year had no consequences. And for the latest "newbies", I am now including a list of my favorite mistakes that I made last year (also to remind myself to not do them again!):

My Top Five Running Mistakes

1) Only doing Up-Hill training.
It was so easy to hit the hills on the treadmill or to run up the hill on my route and take my breather going down it. Little did I know that the down hills are where I needed the training. My knees suffered after the completion of a very down-hilly half marathon and now I am making it a goal to do more down hill training this season.

2) Buying a hydration belt with only 2 bottles.
This one is self explanatory. I frequently ran out of water and was like lost woman in the desert looking for water on my long runs.

3) Over-Indulging in Races.
It's so easy to click and register for races. I found myself going from 5k to Marathon in one season. While I'm happy I accomplished this feat, it would have been a little less painful to ease in.

4) Taking a long rest break post-marathon.
Oh boy! I know I didn't have a lot of time on my hands, but had I ran more after my marathon, I wouldn't be struggling so much now!

5) Running my marathon in shoes that were too narrow.
I had a pair of old Pegasus and bought the newer edition a couple of months before my marathon. The shoes hurt my feet and I kept telling myself that I had broken them in by the time it was race time. I was wrong and my toenails suffered.

This season will be dedicated to trying to avoid those mistakes!!!

Yearning to Run

I have officially not run in a week. And it is driving me bananas. Really. Tonight I will be unable to run because we are going to the Twins home opener (the very last one in the Metrodome) for my littlest brother's 18th birthday. I'm a very sweet sister, you see, and bought him lower level tickets to this game. And my favorite player, Joe Mauer, won't even be playing (he's on the injured list). So my brother better give me some big hugs for this one.

I have officially signed up to run with the Children's Tumor Foundation for NF when I run my Twin Cities Marathon. I ran into a few issues with Run4NF last year and decided that a more well known agency might actually help my cause. Run4NF was good to do what it needed to do, I just needed a change.

Anyways, hopefully tomm I will get a run in. Finally feeling better and the snow has melted from the ground so there should be no excuses!

Rachel's Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day

First of all, I'm sick. Again. I thought I was escaping this season without a cold. But I was very very wrong.

I blame it on the kid who's office is right next to mine. He was hacking up a lung last week.

I had a fever on Monday and stayed in bed all day. Tuesday wasn't much better. I woke up determined to go to work and then almost fainted in shower...spent the rest of the day in bed.

This morning I got up and got to work only to wish I really hadn't. I had a coworker actually scream and yell at me. Almost burst into tears. Then I guess there were tables delivered that I wasn't ready for yet...so I had to help move out the old tables. This didn't make me feel all that great.

On top of it all...it is snowing. Yes, snowing in April.

I have not run since the weekend. I got some nice intervals done though right before the bug knocked me out. I don't plan on running today. I can only hope I'll be running tomm.

I rest my case.