Month: August 2014

Three Things Thursday, August 21, 2014

1. I haven’t been posting about my marathon training because they’re pretty much the same ones each week.  I am even bored with them.  Either I make them more interesting or just post them every two or three weeks.  Overall my runs are OK.  I did not do my easy or tempo runs last week and I did not do them this week.  I have no reason but simply just excuses.

On my last two long runs I felt some numbness on my right toes.  I didn’t think too much of it but did mention it to my podiatrist on Monday.  She touched the area and I told her I felt a little bit of pain. She was concerned because that area that hurts is the bone.  She took a couple of x-rays.  No broken toes.  But apparently two of the bones are so close together that they could be pinching a nerve and thus the numbness.  She also mentioned Morton’s Neuroma.  According to the Mayo Clinic website:

“Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of your foot, most commonly the area between your third and fourth toes. Morton’s neuroma may feel as if you are standing on a pebble in your shoe or on a fold in your sock.  Morton’s neuroma involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes. This can cause a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot. Your toes also may sting, burn or feel numb.”

I don’t feel like I am standing on a pebble nor sharp nor burning pain.  The toes do feel numb.  I went to see her because I have a bunion and need to get a cortisone shot.  Of course the other option is to get surgery but I am holding off as long as I can.

2.  Last week I went to set up my classroom.  It was overwhelming.  I have a new classroom so I had boxes from my old classroom, from the teacher I am replacing, and from the district with new math and science books.  I went three days and did enough to at least teach for three days next week.  I would have done more if we hadn’t been told to leave the school by 3pm because the custodians still had work to do.  It worked out because I was sore and tired after each day.  And I refused to go this week.  This is my last week of summer break and my plan is to just chill and do nothing.

I took a short video using Flipagram but I don’t know how to add it here so click on the link: http://flipagram.com/f/H4SfyEGoXf

And in case that doesn’t work here are some photos.

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3.  I am thinking of purchasing a treadmill.  I like my gym but hate the shows on the TV screen and sometimes the smell inside is revolting.  Plus, I get annoyed when people are just texting and checking Facebook at 1.0 speed on the treadmill.  I feel like telling them to just walk faster.  I know I am complaining too much and that is why it is best to have one at home.  I checked out NordicTrack but while they’re nice, they’re also expensive.

These are the ones I like.  Prices range from $1,499 to $2,199.  They’re all very similar and offer the same thing but I like the TV on the 2450 and the 2950.

It makes me laugh to see these prices end in “99” because obviously $1,499 is so much cheaper than $1,500.

Thoughts, suggestions on treadmills?

ZOOMA Chicago Half Marathon

Disclaimer:  As a ZOOMA Chicago Race Ambassador, I received a free entry to the race. However, all opinions are mine.

It was definitely a beautiful day for a race.  I had been stalking the Weather Channel for a few days and the forecasts mentioned not just rain but also scattered thunderstorms. Nope, none of that happened on race morning but it did rain at night.

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I was up at 5am and out the door by 5:30.  I decided to drive to the start line instead of going downtown to take the shuttle.  I was there by 6 and hanged around with other ambassadors while waiting for the race to start.

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Earlier in the week, Emily from Out and About and I made plans to run together.  We lined up between the 2:10 and 2:20 pacers and we were soon off.  Ha, I thought I could keep up with her since I was feeling really good.  I stayed with her for 2 miles and then stepped to the side to walk a little.  I then decided to just take it slowly and enjoy the race.  And that is exactly what I did.

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I love running along the lakefront.  The view is beautiful.  I ran and walked and just soaked it all in.  The first turnaround point was near Soldier Field.  About half a mile or so later there were a gentlemen with munchkins for us.  I took one.  I don’t know why I didn’t take more.

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My hips were beginning to hurt and I was experiencing some discomfort on the bottom of my right foot.  I kept on running and walking.  I was also hot and thirsty and made sure to drink water at every water stop. Luckily, there were water fountains along the way and I also stopped at most of them.

I passed the finish line for the 10k and realized I was halfway done.  I was hurting but reminded myself that I was halfway done instead of that I still had 6.1 miles to go.  About a mile later, my friend Lidia caught up to me and we started running and walking together for the next couple of miles.

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The other turnaround was at mile 10.  My foot was hurting even more.  I was convinced I had a blister and was annoyed.  My pace slowed down even more.  I kept repeating “Just 3 more miles, 3 more miles”.

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I was so happy to see the Mile 12 marker.  Lidia and I were walking more than running.  I reminded her that we only had one mile to go.  Just one.  She was cramping and I told her to stop to massage and stretch her legs.  I also stopped to check my foot.  No blister.  I then thought it was my shoes.  I guess my feet were used to the Newton’s and did not like the Mizuno’s.

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Once I saw the yellow school buses in the parking lot, I knew we were very close to the finish line. Lidia told me to go.  I started running and finally crossed the finish line.

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I got my medal, water bottle, and then waited for Lidia to finish.  She looked so happy! We then got a snack box which had a grilled vegetable sandwich and chips.  It was yummy and I was starving!

We stayed for another hour or so to enjoy the after party.  Lidia got a free massage while I rested and enjoyed my free wine.  I also chatted for a few minutes with Karen from Trading in My Heels and her friends.

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My thoughts on this race:

•  It was in a new location so the path wasn’t as crowded as it was last year.  I did not run it but just heard and read about it.
• There was plenty of signage.  However, you really can’t get lost on this path or not know where you’re going.
•  I don’t think there were enough water stations but it did help there were water fountains.
•  Again, the view is amazing.
•  Nice medal and cute shirt!  Swag also included Feetures! Performance socks and hat.
•  Fun after party!
•  There is no race day packet pick up but a friend could pick it up for you.  Love it when races have this option instead of “making” you attend the expo like some other race series that I won’t mention here but you probably know which one I am talking about.

Oh, and that mysterious foot pain.  It is one ugly blister.

Not running related but love this sign!

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July 2014 in Review

Miles Ran/Last Month:  98.83/75.34.  Another great month of training with Coach Sara.  Almost 100 miles and I would have reached it if I’d complete all of my runs.  I try to get them all done but I have good days and bad days.

Highest Mileage Week:  23.  I managed this despite completing only 12.5 miles instead of 14 on a long run.  

Races Planned/Completed:  3/3.  I ran the Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th, Chinatown 5k, and the Strike Out ALS 5k.  

Current Ache/Pain:  I ran in my Newton shoes but experienced an unusual amount of pain in my calves.  It was to the point that I had to stop (more than usual) during my runs.  The only thing I can think of that made this happen is that I did not transition properly into the shoes.  Well, I was told that since I already run in minimalist shoes, then I did not have to transition.  So now I am back to my Mizuno.  So far so good.  I have a half marathon tomorrow so hopefully I’ll have no problems.

Current Challenge:  A running challenge among friends using the Nike+ app.  The goal is to be the first one to run 50 miles.  Yes, my goal is to be that person.

50 miles
Source: http://www.goneforarun.com

Current Book:  I’ve read The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith.  I want to read The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson.  I just remembered that I need to pick up my copy (that is on hold at the library) of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz.  I am glad I’ve been reading so many books this summer and hopefully will continue to do once I go back to work.

Current Song:  Amor Mio No Te Vayas by Gilberto Santa Rosa.  Makes me want to dance!

Current Treat:  My coffee every morning.  

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Next Race(s):  ZOOMA Half Marathon tomorrow,  Fort2Base on August 24, Disneyland Half Marathon on August 31.

Current Excitement:  For now I am soaking everything in and continuing to enjoy my summer break.  I’ve made plans to run a couple half marathons after the Chicago Marathon to continue on my quest to run in the 50 states.  So if all goes well then I will be at state #33 by December.

USA map