8 miles turned into 9.5!

Saturday was my long run. I was well rested and ready to run 8 miles. I woke up at 6:30am, right as my fiance was getting home from work. He was going to shower and head straight to bed. I wanted to go back to bed so badly, and he was doing a good job of convincing me to sleep. I didn't listen to him and went outside to warm up.

I have an app on my phone that tells me my mileage and pace while I'm running, and my plan was to run 4 miles out, and then just turn around and head back home. However, as I was getting to the 4 mile mark...I figured I would be too bored running the same path back home, so I thought I could take another major road back home. As I was running on the road though, it never let me make a turn to make it home, so I ended up having to run further than needed. A whole 1.5 miles more! Surprisingly, it didn't affect me that much. At around mile 5.5, I ate one gummy cube energy thingy, and I had my water whenever I was thirsty.

It was fun exploring a brand new neighboorhood. It kept me entertained and I wasn't constantly thinking about my mileage. It got really hot the last mile and my legs started to feel shaky, but overall it was a good run! I'll definitely be ready for the half marathon in 3 weeks, but thinking of running that same run plus doing it a little less than two more times for the full marathon is still a scary thought.

I realized most people in training run their long runs on Saturday because I saw around 10 other runners with their water belts. I never see that many on Sundays.

I ended up doing 9.5 miles with an 11:25mins/mile pace. I've been very lucky because my foot stopped hurting. I don't know how because I didn't stay off of it this week! LOL. I guess praying really does work :)

7 miles. Check!

Saturday, I woke up at 5:45am to attend the Breast Cancer Walk. It was a leisurely 5K stroll where I got to talk with friends and family and support a wonderful cause. When I parked my car and walked to the park, I looked around and realized that this was the last little stretch before the finish line in the half marathon I ran in the beginning of the year. I don't know why but this got me really emotional. It's weird, but just being in Bayfront Park made me really excited to run the marathon and get that "feeling" back.

I had the itch to run this 5k...but I knew I had to run 7 miles the next day...so I decided I shouldn't. It was a really nice day, the weather was perfect, and seeing all the survivors made me feel blessed to be alive and healthy.

Me with my Momma, Sharrie and Nancy

My Mom looking cute lol

Two strong and beautiful women: Christine & Ketty



My family <3

 Today, I woke up at 6:40am for my 7mile run. I was a little scared of running by myself...but I brought my credit card, phone, water, energy gel and chapstick. I knew I'd be perfectly fine lol :) The run went pretty well. I saw some new parts of Davie that I've never seen, so that was pretty cool. I had to use the bathroom really bad and after 2 miles of holding it in, I saw a gas station! It was like heaven! hahahaha. That pumped me up for the last two miles of the run. My foot pain was going in and out...but never shocking or stabbing, where I had to stop. One of my headphones when out at the last mile. That was pretty annoying. I love those headphones, so now I have to get myself a new pair. I finished with an average pace of 11:25. I felt great!

I got home, showered, and went straight to bed with some ice on my foot. Of course, my foot didn't let me have it THAT easy. Later on into the day the pain got worse! It got to the point where it was a sharp, stabbing pain on the outside of my foot where it was difficult to walk. Now, it's a dull pain that is slightly uncomfortable when walking. I'm starting to get pissed now! lol. I tried getting an ankle brace last week....but that made my foot hurt more. I think my next home remedy will be shoe inserts for my terribly flat feet.


Anyways, yesterday I got REALLY excited because I convinced Jaclyn to run a half marathon!!! haha! I remember after running my half marathon, she mentioned she wanted to do one. So while I was at the Breast Cancer run, I implanted into her head that SHE CAN DO IT. lol. She went home and signed up! I AM SO EXCITED FOR HER!!

Jaclyn is in the middle with Zaida & my Padrino, George.

I haven't done anything ALL week :(

Last Sunday, I did a 6 mile run with Harold in the keys! It was a great run. I made sure to properly stretch and do my heel exercises! lol. My foot felt a little "strange"  during the run, but it never got to the point where I had to stop completely.  After the run and later on into the night, my heel pain got worse and worse. The next day, I could not walk on my foot, and I even bought an ankle brace. I was so upset. If I can't run a marathon because of a stupid heel pain, I'm going to be pissed!!!!

I was too lazy to even cross-train this week, so I literally haven't done one minute of exercise! I focused on school, got a lot of  labwork done, and studied but now I feel lazy. I need to get back into the groove of things. At the peak of my stressful week, I wished that I had decided to run this marathon the following year, when I have a somewhat normal life and I'm not cramming for BOARDS! I definitely take on too much at one time.

Anyways, tomorrow I'm walking a 5k with my family for Breast Cancer Awareness, and I'm hoping my foot pain doesn't flare up. If it doesn't, I will attempt my 7 mile run this Sunday!

5 mile run

So this weekend I went to Runners Depot and got myself a water belt which I absolutely LOVE! It has a big pocket to hold my phone, keys and any energy gels,etc that I may have to bring with me on long runs.

It was so comfortable! I didnt even feel it on me while I was running.

I started my run at 7am, and it was such a beautiful morning. The sunrise was spectacular and I had one of those, "it feels good to be alive" moments. I ran the entire time but walked for about 20 seconds while I drank my water at mile 3 and 4 (like I will in the marathon). At mile 4.5 I got a horrible heel pain on my right foot. I stopped for a second and it didn't go away. I continued running and it hurt more, so I walked for 2 minutes. It felt a little better, but I really wanted to run so I just sprinted home.

I finished the run with an average pace of 11:11 minute miles.

My heel has been hurting the whole day. I've taken ibuprofen and have had ice on it for most of the day. I'll take the day off tomorrow and hopefully I'm ready to run on Tuesday!

I'm going to blame it on improper stretching. I was excited for my run today and just head out the door without a real stretch. Lesson learned!

Signed up for the Marathon!

It's official... I'm signed up to run the ING MIAMI MARATHON!

26.2 miles here I come!

This week I ran Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday on the treadmill since it was raining. Running on the treadmill is a lot easier, but it's kinda nice to be able to run faster than normal and work out different muscles. I've been training with Kelly and we've also been doing a lot of crunches and push-ups. Talk about total body workout. PLUS, I've been eating really well this week so I feel pretty good :)

This weekend we're doing a 5-miler. I have to get a water belt or something, cuz I've been feeling pretty dehydrated on my 4 mile runs. Off to Runner's Depot I go!

If you're thinking about running the half or the full marathon, go here:
http://www.ingmiamimarathon.com/