76 and holding

Injury Derails 100 mile challenge

Last Monday actually, it’s been a month now, I went out to start my 76-mile. The day after I had run 5 miles for the first time.  I was just going to run a "quick" miles.   I got .40 of a mile, fell and sprained my ankle.  We went to the ER.  They prescribed R.I.C.E., Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.  They gave me crutches to use for the first 3 days.  I did.  I even used the special Wal-Mart scooter.   The first two days all I could think about was when am I going to be able to run again?  Then I realized the immediate problem that was in front of me was that we leaving for Prague exactly a week from the time I fell.  I went from when would I run - till I hope I can make it through Prague.  I hope my ankle doesn’t re-swell on the plane.  I hope, I hope, I hope. 

Made it through Prague with the ankle holding on.   It was absolutely beautiful.  Amazing!  I could write many a blog post on beautiful Prague.

The day we got home I called the Orthopedist.  My ankle was still slightly swollen and sore. I got an appointment (a week later).  He gave me a better brace and sent me to Physical Therapy.  I have Googled everything about sprained ankles.  How long does it take to heal?  Running after a sprained ankle.  Recovery of a sprained ankle.   Treatment.  I really got no great answers.  Honestly, the ER lead me to believe I would be good to go in about 2 weeks or maybe that’s is what I wanted to hear.  Now they are saying 4-6 weeks.  I’m doing my exercises; icing it, take my ibuprofen and going to therapy.

I took me a while to get the words down for this.  I sound dispassionate writing this but I was so devastated.  Running is a release for me as I am sure it is for many.   It helps keep me grounded as well as my weight in check.  I was running and getting better each day with longer runs - then BOOM!  

I’m starting back to school tomorrow.  Summer vacation is over!  I am going to do everything I can to get this ankle better.  I know there are thousand of worse things than my little sprained ankle.  I’m just trying to positive.  

5 Miles

My first time running 5 miles

It wasn’t pretty.  I stopped a couple times and took a water breaks with my new water belt.  That took a little getting used to.  The first ¼ mile water keep splashing on me because I didn’t know the top could close more.  It's nice, right?

BUT I RAN 5 MILES!!!!!  It must be something about putting your goals in writing.  Last night, I actually had trouble sleeping because I was thinking and mapping my route to get to 5.  I fell a ½ mile short when I got to my house so I stopped and ran another ½.  I’m now at 75 miles.  I’m ¾ of the way through my goal.  There are lots of fractions going on here.  Wouldn’t be awesome if I could finish my 100^th mile in Prague?  Another secret goal.  

70 miles, losing weight and a kale smoothie

I’ve run 70 miles as of today.  Today was two outside and one on the treadmill.  We are having a major heat wave.  It was so hot and humid and I ran before 7 a.m. Yesterday, I accomplished a lot.  I ran 4.25 miles.  My longest to date.  I ran from my house to the high school (at 6:30 a.m.), ran around the track for a mile than ran home.  I am usually not a road runner (scary).  

I have lots of mini goals.  I also have secret goals.  Shhh!  My one secret goal is to run 5 miles.  My secret secret goal is to run 6 miles!  I’m proud of myself my getting myself up in the morning and running.  It’s summer, I’m a teacher and it’s super hot - it would be pretty easy to sleep in and take it easy. 

Next subject, weight gain.  Last summer I was thinner, skinner and my clothes were fitting better.  I have been running like crazy for the last couple of months. I have not been losing anything and actually gaining. What the heck?  People say oh, maybe it is  because muscle weighs more than fat.  Not in the booty!  So…back to Weight Watchers Online. Darn.  Funny, when you start writing down everything down, it does make a different.  I’ve lost 3.5 pounds in two weeks.  GO DEB!  We’re leaving next week for Prague.  Can I run in Prague??  So excited for a wonderful trip with my husband.  Going to try to stay reasonable with food.  Maybe, but how often will I be in Prague?  I’m going to eat whatever I want!   But while I’m still here…

This morning I made a kale, peach, blueberry, and banana Greek yogurt smoothie.  I’ve been thinking about a kale smoothie for a while.  I know weird, right?  I stopped at a local produce stand yesterday and they had a huge bag of kale of for $1.50.  I took it as a sign.  I may have used 3 leaves.  There might be lots of stuff with kale this week.  Pasta with kale, kale chips… who knows?  Pinterest may be involved.  The results of the smoothie:  Tasty!  I might try a little more kale next time but I was a little scared. 

Here’s what I did:

I used my magic bullet and put in

5 ice cubes or so

¾ cup Greek yogurt

a handful of blueberries

one banana

one peach (could have been a bit ripper)

3 kale leaves

Mix, mix, mix.  Pretty good.  

As I continue my challenge, I can see 100 miles and probably more.  It has been one of the best things I done for myself to keep my motivated.  

1/2 Way There! 50 of 100 miles

I got to 50 miles tonight!  Wahoo! Yippee! And Hallelujah!  I had a little difficulty around mile 33.  I hurt my back vacuuming.  Vacuuming, I say.  I could have been playing some Candy Crush, reading a book or really anything but I was vacuuming.  I was out for a couple days then onward!  I got to mile 33 right before vacation.  I was 1/3 of the way done.  My goal was starting to seem kind of attainable.   I have all kinds of mini goals.  My next was to run 10 miles while on vacation.  We went to South Carolina:  flat land and beautiful.  I rose early each day and even set my alarm.  I had to get out early before it got too hot.  First day: 3 miles. Second day: 3 miles. Fourth day: 4 miles!!  Four miles in a row without stopping. (The flat part really helped.)  So, I thought I was cool, super cool.  We got home and I had 43 miles under my belt: my running belt. Ha!  Only 7 more to go.  I got up early on Sunday and went to my to one of my favorite trails.  It’s 2 miles around.  Yep, I did it twice.  4 more miles.  It took me awhile and it was hard ‘cause there are lots of hills.  Now for the last 3 miles of the 50.  I went to my to another place I love but the hills, oh the hills.  I was slow but as my dad would say, I got’er done.  So here I am, with 50 more to go!  Bring it!

My 100 miles of summer

Summer Running Challenge

I wanted to keep myself motivated this summer.  I’ve seen some challenges lately.  30 days of squats.  Push up/ sit up challenge.  I thought I’d make up one of my own, just for me.  However, I did Google to see if other people had done this.  The first thing that popped up was “run 100 miles in a day”.  WHAT?  Seriously?  I thought I was doing something here, way to burst my bubble, Google.  Ok, whatever, this is for me!  So, I got myself going.  I printed off a hundreds chart and got my box of crayons. Ready. One day, when I got back from my run, my daughter asked if I’d like her to color in my chart.  No, thank you, honey, I’m going to color ever space!  I’ve done 20 miles with 80 more to go.  As I ran tonight, I wasn’t thinking mile one, mile two, I was thinking mile 18, mile 18.25, mile 19. I’ve run early, I’ve run late, I’ve run on vacation.  It’s keeping me going.  One mile at a time.    

On a side note, it’s funny how bad I may want a cookie, beer, s’more, ice cream before a run and how I want nothing to do with it after.  

It's National Running Day

Some reasons I might be a runner

I know it's National Running Day – June 5^th

I have clothes for running- shirts, shorts, pants, shoes, and socks.  I especially like the running socks.

I may have swallowed a bug or two when running – maybe even tonight.  Spit, ick, swallow

I have a running app or 3 on my phone.

I schedule my day around when I can run

I have a running belt – enough said!

I follow running sites on twitter and facebook.  My new favorite FB site is WRC  - Women’s Running Community

I have a blog basically about running.  I never thought I’d have a blog and if I did it would have nothing to do with exercise or running.

I run through pain (now) - stitch in my side, knot in my calf, throbbing bunion.  It kinda goes away as you run.

My norm is 3 miles.

I have running preferences.  I hate the treadmill, will do the track, and love paved trails and sidewalks.  Scared of the road.

I think about running races.  

Am I a "real" runner?

I was talking to a “real” runner at my daughter’s softball game.  You know, she runs 4 ½ miles a day.  She runs ½ marathons.  She does hikes with her family.  A real runner.  I made some comment about not being a real runner…yet.  She said flatly – Have you bought running shoes to run in?  Yes, I answer.  Well then, you’re a real runner.