Running, Running, Running

My superhero friend, Amy in Iowa, asked what kind of running shoe I wear. I was "fitted" at THE local running store when I first started running. The shoe that was determined to be the best match for me is the New Balance 1221. This is an actual photo of my shoes. :)

If you have never been professionally fitted for a running shoe by someone who knows what they are doing -- you need to do it!!! They take into account how much & what type of running/walking you plan to do. They will watch you walk barefooted so they can tell if you overpronate (which I am prone to do) & other running anomalies. I learned that your running shoe is usually a size or more larger than your regular shoe.

After I wore out my 1st pair of running shoes (a sentence I NEVER imagined being able to utter), I bought another pair of the same shoe on-line. After I wore the 2nd pair out (again, who ever would have thought!!), I eagerly went back to my local running store to be "fitted" again. I figured since with a 45 lb drop in weight & a Half-Marathon behind me, surely something flashier awaited me. But my guy said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", and I am actually on my 3rd pair of this shoe!!

So, superhero friends, that's my story & I'm sticking to it.

I'm Back & Ready for 2006

Big apologies to my superhero fan base who have been inundating me with nasty emails & phone calls about my lack of blogging. I just was BUSY!!! Getting everyone back in school & getting our home put back together after the holidays sucked all the superhero energy out of me. Not to mention mild depression over "the injury". Sorry, sorry, sorry...please forgive me...you could always get your own blog!! :)

GOALS for 2006

Run the Chattanooga Half Marathon with Marathong (her 1st) on March 4. I want her to beat my 1st Half Marathon time of 2:39.

Run the Country Music Half Marathon in less than 2:30. I actually think I can do it closer to 2:15, but stated goal is under 2:30.

Run a my 1st MARATHON in the fall. Probably October or November. I haven't picked the actually event yet, but I will. This is the year of the Marathon for me!!

Participate in the Chattanooga Sprint Triathlon in August. This was my inaugural event 2 years ago & I would love to do it again. This time faster & stronger.

Lose 20 lbs. This, however, will require eating less. I'm not sure I want to do that. I love food. Note that this goal is really still a wish -- no time attached to it yet. I'm still working on committing to this one. :)

Read the Bible through in a year. So far I'm a week off of the schedule, but will go on vacation soon & will get caught up then. I had this goal many times in the last decade, but this time I know I will finish.

Fix Healthy Meals for my Family. Less processed foods. Whole grains. Yada, Yada, Yada

There they are, my superhero goals for this year. Don't cut me any slack...hold me accountable...share yours with me & I'll do the same for you!!! We superheroes have to stick together!!!

A Little Snag in Training

I was so pumped last week as I zealously began the New Year. Superhero sized goals -- which I will share in my next post -- and superhero running partners to help me meet those goals. All was well. Until my 10.5 mile run on Saturday. I was pretty tired going into it. After all, I had already logged 19 miles which was 5 miles more than I had logged in any week since before Thanksgiving & the dreaded stomach bug. I should have known better than to attempt such a long run, but I'm relatively new at this...and although I've been reading a lot about running...I haven't put quite everything I've read into practice!!

I was really struggling our first 5 miles. In fact, as my fantabulous weekend running partner went on another quarter mile or so to our milestone turn around on the Riverwalk, I stopped to stretch out a very achy left leg. Once we were headed back, I seemed to pick up a bit of energy -- my Tennessee cowboy, Superspouse, likens it to a mule headed to the barn (I'm not quite sure how I feel about his livestock analogies.). As we were into our last mile, the ache turned to specific pain behind my left knee on the outside & up into my thigh. By the time we finished it was searing. ARGHHHH!! We stretched out & I went home took IBprofen & iced it.

I rested Sunday & Monday & prayed ferverently that it feel better quickly. It felt a little better yesterday when my alarm went off -- so I met Marathong & attempted a scheduled 4 mile run. I ran/walked/limped 2 miles & came back home.

So, superhero friends, here I sit & blog, with my leg elevated & on ice. For 3 days of complete rest. My plan is an easy run on Saturday. Just a little snag in training...how does a superhero handle this frustration?? I'm open to advice! :)

1 down, 51 to go!

Miles logged for the 1st week of the year....29.5!!!!

New Year's Eve

My superhero girlfriends & I talked our Superspouses & kids into participating in a New Year's Eve St. Jude's fundraiser. Marathong, her superhubby & kids, along with Superspouse & our 4 kids did the 2 mile fun run/walk. My oldest, who turns 12 tomorrow, ran it in 22 minutes. I was so very proud of him.
My fantabulous weekend running partner & I ran the 4 mile race. My "official" time was 39:05 although Superspouse said the clock said 38:54 as I passed. Anyway you slice it, I came in under 10 minute miles. What a way to ring in 2006!!!
Superhero Girlfriends Rock!!

December Stats

I wish I could say more.

December, 2005 51.5 miles