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.