Did I mention that I stink at this? I just keep thinking, "I'll blog later..." and later turns in to weeks later. Sorry for my continued "slackerness"...
Okay, now I need to get caught up on a few weeks of training. Let's start with two weeks ago. I did my training like I was supposed to during the week, and then I had a 16-mile one on the 13th. I spent the night at Kim's house so I could get an earlier start. Unfortunately, the weather was my foe and beat the tar out of me! We had a cold front push through as I was trying desperately to get through my longest jalk yet, so it was a battle in the rain, with a massive headwind for half of the time, and intermittent warm/cold air. I remember about halfway through my jaunt yelling, "Oh, come on! Give me a break here, God!!" as I was struggling against a really hard wind. My time was terrible (15.1-minute mile--my worst yet), but I got through it before my "drop dead" time. The worst part was the injury I incurred during my training. Knowing that the weather was going to be cold, I chose to buy some pants to help me keep warm. What I didn't bargain for was the gathered waistband rubbing the hide off of my back & around my belly button. It hurt so much! It's been almost a week and half since, and my back is still a little tender. Needless to say, I'm not EVER wearing those pants during a run again!
So, after feeling almost defeated, I started training last week and trying to figure out how to do better. I did my Tuesday 4-mile run on the treadmill, but I didn't get to do my interval training on Wednesday due to Praise Team practice at church that got me home too late (9:30pm) to run. Then, when I started running on Thursday, I started getting pain in the bottom of my foot. I got through about 2 miles and had to call it quits because I didn't want to risk damaging my foot. I'm pretty sure I'm developing the beginnings of "plantar fascitis", but I know how to keep it at bay (rolling tennis, baseballs, or golf balls under my foot to get it to release). I'm just praying it will stay controlled until January 10th!
I enjoyed a "short" long run (only 10 miles--still can't believe I'm saying "only" before a two-digit number!), which was a nice break, and I had a few surprises along the way. My brother called and chatted with me (I hadn't talked to him in over a month, so I figured it'd be okay to slow down a few minutes for him), and that put a smile on my face. Then, I was a little over half-way done with my run when I saw a little girl sitting on a bench. I thought to myself, "What is that kid doing there & where are her parents? It's not exactly a scenic spot for pictures." As I got closer, I realized it was my own personal cheering section, Carol, Kaylee, Kim, & baby James! :) They had signs that said, "Go Mandy! Don't stop!" I really needed that. I wish I could pack them up and bring them with me to cheer me on race day, but I'll just have to rally the FL friends to come out. I know my mom will be there, but I'd still like to see more than one familiar face in the crowd... :)
This week, I'm off work for the Thanksgiving holiday, so I'm able to do my running during the day and not at dinner time (almost makes me wish I was a stay-at-home mommy). I did my 4 miles on the treadmill yesterday, and I felt really good afterward. My foot is still a little sore this morning, but I haven't done my "ball treatment" yet. I only have a 30 minute interval training today (yippee!), so I think I can squeeze it into my schedule between baking pumpkin pies & doing some arts & crafts with James, who's home with me today for some Mommy-son bonding time. I haven't told him I'm running at Disney World yet, and once he figures it out, I'm toast. It's his favorite place, too, and I know he won't be happy I'm going there without him. The good news is that when I come home from the race, I'm bringing Nana & Pepaw with me for his birthday on the 13th. Hopefully that will help smooth things over.
Oh, and one more thing, my parents are footing the bill for the hotel room the night before the race. I get to stay (are you ready for this?) at the Wilderness Lodge! My mom told me first that the only thing she could get me was a tent at Fort Wilderness. I said, "Ooh, really?", while I was thinking, "Are you kidding?" Then, she let me off the hook. My sister-in-law works for the Mouse, so she's hooking us up with a deal on the room. Mom said even if something happens and I can't run, we're still going there to spend the night. Way to be supportive, Nana! :)
Until next time...
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