I. am. not. happy.

What a disastrous training run this morning. The combination of calf cramps, very little sleep, and woefully poor hydration crippled me.

As soon as we started off, my calves felt like two balloons that would burst at the slightest provocation. I got some 2 minute and 3 minute jogs in, but it hurt so badly, I ended up hobbling the rest of the way. We're talking limping. And it's my fault. Well, probably not the sleep. I went to bed pretty early, but I kept waking up. I could definitely have drunk more water. My fiance wouldn't let me beat myself up about it though, which was sweet of him.

I'm going to chalk this up to "everything needs an underachieving side of the bell curve" and move on. After I've iced my calves.
Double grr...

Stats
Total time: 1:14:00
Distance: 4.17 miles.

Those stats embarrass me . Yuck.

Squeezer

I've been fighting off calf cramps all week, and this run was no different. I had to squeeze this run in between work and evening plans, and I felt tired, hurried and crampy and my stats reflected that. Grr.


Stats
total time: 30:00
distance: 1.97 miles.

Cool links

There are a lot of great online running resources out there, and my links sidebar has some that I think are really wonderful.

Of course, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the reason I am running this race. Please check out their website for information and resources for patients, friends and family.

The Team In Training link is GREAT! Basically, the deal is this: TNT will train you to run a 5K, 10K, half marathon or marathon, and will register you for the race and in some cases handle your travel expenses, if you agree to raise a certain amount of money for the LLS. They'll even train you for a triathalon and even a century bike ride!That's a great deal! You get fit, you get expert advice, and patients benefit from the dollars donated! It's a win win! I highly recommend TNT - they're great people!

Albany Running Exchange - if you ever want to know what races are coming up in the Capital Region, find a group run, find a cool trail to run, or meet some really great people who love to run as much as you, this is the site with all the answers. The ARE people help out at the local big races, sponsor a lot of runs, and are a fountain of information. Check them out!

Fleet Feet Sports - these people are incredibly serious about sneakers. I mean it. I went in last year to get fitted for a new pair, and I got such an intensive evaluation of my gait (pretty closed) and stance (pretty pronated). They measured my feet to within millimeters and had me try on THOUSANDS of pairs of sneakers. Ok, that's an exaggeration, but you have to understand. These people don't mess around. They KNOW their stuff. Go buy your sneakers from them.

They set me up with these sweet Sauconys:



Next up, some gadget links. I have an iPhone, and there are some great apps you can download to log your training runs:
Map My Run - this app is good, but it can be clunky. The mapping feature is great, and you can upload your workout to your account.

TrailGuru - I like this app a little better than Map My Run, because it synchs with Google Earth and gives you terrain features and elevations on your maps. Also, it will run in the background while you've got your iPod going, which is something that Map My Run doesn't do as well.

So there you go - if you know of any more cool running and gadget links - share!

Looking for the auto-pilot switch

Another training run in the bag! This was pretty much like Monday's, although finding that point where your brain stops thinking "ouch ouch ouch i need to stop i need to stop i need to stop" and flips over into auto-pilot was a little harder to find this time. About 2 minutes in, I'm still trying to find the rhythm, and usually around 2:15, I'll realize that I'm not fighting it as much. I wish that "auto-pilot" switchover came sooner. I think the more I run, and the less I walk, that will improve.

I've learned that amazing things come in surprising packages. Take this for example:


go ahead - click!

I'm hoping I can surprise myself as much as this wonderful woman surprised a nation!

Stats:
Total time: 30:00
Mileage: 2.21 miles

Tax Day

I know, I promised an explanation on the links to the right. But tomorrow is....



Yeah. So I'm a little preoccupied. Next rest day, I promise!!

Gonna Fly Now!

Oh tonight's training run was SO much better than last week!!



Getting strong now! Won't be long now! Gonna fly now!! Flying high now!!! Gonna fly!! Fly!! FLY!!!!

This week, the amount of time I spend running is increased, while the walking is decreased. Last week was a little tough - I only got to jog in 90 second intervals, and it's tough to find that running groove - that space after the first 2 minutes or so when your body adjusts to the rhythm - when you're doing those short bursts. This week the training has me jogging in 3 minute segments, and that's SO much better. Can't wait till next week when there's even MORE running time!

Today has been a really inspiring day. Sue, my honored patient, came to work. Three days after her first chemo. I am totally amazed by her bravery. She's a marvel. My race mentor Gabi (who has a wonderful way with words) emailed me, "These honored patients have no idea what they do for us just by getting through their days. They think we are amazing? Not all on our own...we learn it by watching them and seeing their grace under fire." It's absolutely true. Sue is such an inspiration, and she keeps me motivated.

Tomorrow is a rest day, but I'll be back tomorrow night to walk you through the links I have posted on the sidebar on the right!

Stats:
Total time: 30:00
mileage: 2.20 miles