Rough Roads Ahead

Let me begin by saying that I used to HATE running, with a passion. Before I began training for my first race, I couldn't fathom why anyone would ever want to run 6, let alone 26 miles, for pleasure! I started running because of a group of girls at the school in which I work. I owe them the credit for my new found love. We have earned the name Team Turtle amongst those close to us. We ran our first half marathon together in May of 2010. It was easily one of the best and most rewarding experiences.  The training took a lot of my time. In addition to running, I also spent a lot of time kickboxing, which I think helped me greatly on race day. One of the best things I did during my training was (against advice of every training program created) running the fill 13.1 before race day. This gave me the mentality that I CAN DO IT.    When I crossed that finish line for the first time 2 things ran through my head (no pun intended) : 1. I could easily run another few miles  and 2. when can I do this again! Team Turtle successfully finished that first race and we were so proud of ourselves. 

Since that first half, I have run several 5 and 10 K's as well as another half marathon shortly after my first. I have never been in such great shape in my life! But after those two halfs, I slacked off with my running. It was summer time and I had other priorities: enjoying my break from work, going to the beach and relaxing.  Recently, I have gotten back into it full speed ahead. At work we are doing a biggest loser challenge. This initially motivated me to start back on track but since I have found my motivation else where.   I am not running to win the challenge but because I remember how great it makes me feel.   This school year I have an incredibly full plate: I teach, tutor, instruct at a kickboxing gym and am working towards my Master's Degree. To say that I am overwhelmed some days is an understatement.   Although I have a to do list a mile long each day, nothing makes me feel quite as good as a nice long run. When I run, I am happy. I can take the time to think about things that are going on in my life or in my day, I can have quiet time alone (or with a running buddy at times) and just focus on nothing but that next mile. 

Now that we are all up to speed on what has been going on up until now, here is whats to come. I am running a few races in the next few months. 10K in March, half in April and half in May. My goal is to run a marathon before 2012. I not only want to run it, but I want to finish it in less then 4:30-5:00 hours. I started running again in January. When I started I was the heaviest that I have been in my whole life! since then I have dropped 13 lbs and 5% body fat. I am happy with the progress that I am making and hope that it continues and I return to the shape I was in in May. 

Why am I writing this blog? Recently, I have had many people ask me about the training that am doing and the training that I have done in the past. I thought, what better way to document then in a blog. This way, it is posted for anyone to see.  This week I am off from school, so I am trying to take advantage of my time. Up until today, I have done 6 miles on my 'long' runs and 4 on my short runs.  Today I ran 9 miles in the morning and taught a class and took a class at the kickboxing gym. I felt great after my run but each squat and lunge at CKO made me cringe at the thought of the soreness that is to come. I was worried that my shin splints would act up on my run today. They had become a problem when I was training last year. Since then I have tried KT tape, which works wonders, but takes time to apply and Zensah Compression leg sleeves. Those work wonders. I have not had a problem with my shins since I started wearing them. Along the way, I will be sure share any tips and tid bits that I find work for me, because I know that I wish I had heard some of the things I've discovered before I learned the hard way :)