Giveaways are Awesome

And lo, I entered another giveaway on Jill Will Run, and I won! Blogging giveaways are so cool. I really appreciate the people who take the time and energy to create giveaways for their readers. Keeps us coming back for more! I've just entered another giveaway on one of my favorite blogs - "Racing With Babes" for a beautiful tank top made by a company called BackPocket Sports. This one is a random drawing and there are already 220 entries (probably will get up to 1000, just like Tonia's yearly milage!).

And holy smokes, another giveaway from "Goals for the Week"! This is insane, people are so generous! I love it. $150 at Athleta is something I can only dream about at this point.

In other non-material news, I have not been on a run since Wednesday. This in an attempt to rest my knee and give me the best chance at returning to running this afternoon. I plan on doing a REALLY SLOW 2 miler up the Haul Road. I've been strengthening, icing, arnica-ing and tiger-balming for a week now. Tightness doesn't seem to be a big part of my problem because I stretch so much. I really really really am hoping for the best today and will check in later.

super-sweet shwag

My lime green tank top finally came in the mail today, and though it looked far too big when i tore the packaging off, it fits great! Super duper light weight, and green enough even for me. I like it. I actually had two slips in the PO box, but only one package, so I'm still waiting for my Nathan water bottle from the giveaway. I keep getting really tempted to buy clothes, but there is no money right now. I still need new running shoes and I know that should take priority over clothes I don't really need. Hopefully our new business plan will add a little cash to the pot for special extras...

This week is basically an entire week off for me. I'm worried about my training, my endurance, my ability to actually run my 13.1 miles in 6 weeks. But I know that this isn't an injury I can run through. I've been icing about twice a day, lots of arnica rubs, and doing my exercises for my gluteus medius. In addition to resting this week, I really don't know that there's anything I can do.

Bad News

Bad news.

In an effort to rest my knee I skipped my "easy run" of 4 miles on Monday. This, following a slightly painful episode on my 8 mile Saturday. The knee didn't hurt so much during the 8, but afterward I knew I'd need to take it easy. So it's fortunate that this week only had 3 four milers. So I rested Monday, assuming I'd add mileage later in the week.

This was sort of a disaster. I made the first two miles great, felt pretty good. I should have stopped there, but I thought I'd try for 2.5 (?!?!!?!?!?). A slight downhill ensued, and that was the end of my good run. Damn. I ran/walked the next 2.3-ish miles back to the car. E and I talked about various gaits that might help my ITB and I tried out a few.

So, downhills hurt it the most but I seem to be able to account for this by running on my toes downhill. Next time I should try this. We're going on a downhill walk this afternoon which I'm looking forward to.

Gasp

Morning runs are fine. They are doable. I might actually prefer them to evening runs. Wow, did I just say that out loud?

The thing is, I gave myself time to wake up. I opened my eyes at 6:30 am, and exited my bed at 7:10 ish. Yes, it was tough. Yes, the covers get softer and warmer as I contemplate getting out of bed. I ate a piece of bread with peanutbutter, and an about 4 oz. instant coffee with milk (sick). I packed up my shit and headed out the door with the d.o.g.

I forgot my headphones, but ran nonetheless. I decided to bring my liquid fuel, and a Luna Protein bar - bad call. I tried wedging this chocolate-covered bar in my pants and my tank strap before finally stuffing it down my sports bra right between my ......... It melted.

The run was great - I experienced a bit of knee pain here and there on the downhill grade during the last half, but always took it slow (ie; walk, slow jog) when I felt phantom pain. Maia was an awesome running partner.

Post run I immediately consumed a banana, and then a huge breakfast later on. My body feels slightly broken and beat. My shins hurt (splints?) and my knee is stiff and painful. As I was dressing for work I imagined being able to get back into bed, showered and beat, and sleeping another two hours. Bliss. I've been trying to stay off coffee for the past two+ weeks, and it's a see-saw. I'm not sure what's causing this morning's abdominal craps and *ahem*, but it could be the coffee. Or last night's lentils? Or the protein bar while running? So many questions! Today is also the first day in three that I didn't wake up with an eye-splitting headache.

7:25 a.m.?!?!?

seriously? this is ridiculous. i'm actually awake for my first morning run since the whale run in march. it is cold, wet, foggy, cold, grey, early and wet. hmmm. awesome.

can i make 8 miles? what about my knee? we'll see how it goes. have fun, because you love it.

In Jury

I've two miles on the training plan for today but I'm going to skip it because of my knee. The right one still feels pain today after a good arnica run-down last night before bed. I didn't ice it because the pain went away after my hot shower and a good stretch. But it has be worried.

Also, I keep touching muscles in my legs that I didn't know were there. My legs seem so ripped, and my arms are somehow ripped too! Like, this morning I was reaching down to pet the dog and my hand hit my shin on the way and touched a muscle - I thought for sure 'that can't be mine!'. Cool.

I'm still on the hunt for new running shoes - the ones I want are $104!!!!!! Holy Hell. Why do they have to be so much? I also need new hiking boots (probably). Secret: I did splurge and buy a green lightweight tank that I hope will be the perfect running top. I'm pretty excited. Combined with the waterbottle coming in the mail I am totally decked out! Now just need to get this knee into shape....

Signed Up

It's official. I've paid the money to run 13.something miles. Funny how that goes. I'm planning on camping the night before, then post-race we'll have a delicious brunch at Woodrose Cafe in Garberville and then take a nice dip in the Eel River (or maybe vice-versa)! Then we have two complimentary nights at the Benbow Inn to enjoy - beautiful room, king bed, breakfast/coffee in bed, afternoon tea, golf game, disc golf, long hot baths... seems perfect. I hope we have fun.

8 miles!

I ran my long run on Saturday. After a long day at work I was totally bonked out, probably due to all the backpacking, rafting and driving of the week. I came straight home and napped for an hour, and then dragged my butt out of bed, ate a rice cake with peanut butter and got dressed. I picked up M. and her friend and their bikes and loaded them down with almonds, Cliff Shot electrolyte drink (in my stainless steel waterbottle - watch out front teeth!) and a banana.

We set out on the BRHR, and knowing my GPS wouldn't get a signal at all on such a foggy day I strapped it to one of the bikes just to keep track of the time. At mile 3 I started drinking a couple swigs and did so every mile after that. I made it up to 4.05 miles and turned around, totally stoked. I had to stop every time I needed a drink, and I also stopped many times to eat huge juicy ripe blackberries and thumbleberries right off the bush. I think it worked as a running snack and I never ended up needing or wanting the banana or the nuts.

My knee flared up twice during the run - vague pain in the back of the right side. I ignored it and it went away, only to reemerge Sunday morning as I got out of bed. It seriously hurt. I rubbed arnica all over it - twas really stiff. I skipped disc golf and instead took a long hot hot bath. Yeah.

Today was a short 2 miler and I decided to run up the hill from town to the house. Nice little jaunt. I ran it in 22:26. I get a wonderful amazing massage this afternoon, and am taking the rest of the day off.

Do backpacking miles count?

We just returned from an amazing 18 mile - 3 day trip in the Trinities with the dog. I have to say, I totally kicked it, and am not even a bit sore after all the ups and downs and carrying 50 pounds. Whoop. So beautiful out there. I really really really really really needed some sunshine, mountains and fresh air. Got my fix.

Then we rafter the Trinity River with E.'s brother who is a whitewater guide. What fun. Refreshingly cold water swims off a raft in 90 degree heat. What could be better?

I can't believe that only two posts ago I was commenting on purchasing a handheld waterbottle and then I enter a giveaway and win! What are the frickin odds? Like, zero. Oh well. It was really nice of 'failed muffins' to offer the bottle in the first place ~ I'll have to come up with something for tomorrow's long run of 8 miles. M. promised to accompany me on her bike and pass me water and fuel while I slug out my longest run ever. My legs feel fresh and strong, and although I didn't do my 7 mile speed workout on Wednesday I think I can do 8 tomorrow.

What Up

July Recap - starting July 5

Miles Planned/Ran: 50/46
Rest Days Planned/Taken: 15/16

Highest Mileage Week: 14 - 2x's
Long Runs Planned/Ran: 3/2

Current Book: Cold Mountain - but just finished the Cellist of Sarajevo, Memoirs of a Geisha, Wild Thoughts from Wild Places.

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: gluten-free chocolate brownie cookies & coconut water (it's expensive!)
Current Obsessions: winning Giants games & planning a backpacking trip
Current Drink: coffee & coconut water
Current Song: Something Good Can Work - By 2 door cinema club. i literally start dancing and throwing my arms over my head every time i hear it - even if i'm running.
Current Wish-List: new computer, and new camera
Current Need: new running shoes
Current Triumph: sticking to my running plan all month - 46 miles logged!
Current Bane of my Existence: my period
Current Goal: get the barn inspected
Current Blessings: three days of sunshine in a row
Current Excitement: four trips planned - go backpacking, see Manda, see Meghan & go to Sam's wedding - all in the next two months!