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.