Can't keep a good dog down!

Here we go, 3 months to go till the Women's Running Half Marathon. Officially signed up, no turning back now. Still haven't hit the 13 mile mark but I know I can do it. My only worry is my knee. You see, a few months ago I fell about 10 feet, the outside of my right knee being what broke my fall. I was in a good deal of pain for a few days but after some RICE and two weeks off any strenuous running, I felt fine. I even ran in the Champion's ESPN 5K at Disney's Hollywood (with it wrapped) and did fine. The knee was behaving and gave me no sign of further problems until my runs started going past an hour long. At first it was just a minor twinge, just sort of reminding me that I might be mortal. But the hour and a half 11 mile adventure brought out a protest I could not ignore. It was no longer a whimper of ache that was gone as soon as I stopped moving but as I reached the hour mark of the run, it felt like an rather distinct, sharp tear feeling to the outside tendon. This is alarming. At the insisting of my boyfriend (who is often more concerned for my health than I am), I took some time to give my knee a chance to get over itself. A few days turned to two weeks far too easily but I'm back on the horse with a bit more caution. Since I was off my feet so long I've started over in my training and switched over from Polar to the Active.com training plan, a free offer for signing up for the race through them. Pretty straight forward plan, effort based rather that pace or heart rate with mileage goals at the end of the week that gradually increase and cross training days on the schedule. The 14 week plan does cut it close to race day, my first 13 mile goal the week before the half marathon but I feel that will be plenty of prep. The main trouble I may run in to is keeping on schedule in October, my busiest month of the year. But more on that later, just know I'm still going and I'll see ya at the finish line in St. Pete!

At the foothills

Finally getting the hang of getting out the door before 8am. It’s amazing the temperature difference a half hour can make. I only had a 35 minute run today but it’s the looming 110 minute tomorrow that I was thinking about. 18km/11 miles. This whole “half-marathon” idea is getting more and more real. I’m excited and nervous and just hoping I can push through it. Going to try driving out to a nearby trail because there just isn’t enough uninterrupted space to run that far around here. Also feeling ambitious enough to get up at 6 to get out early enough. Wish me luck and see you on the other side of tomorrow!

Week....?

Somebody turn down this heat already. And don't know what got into me today but took off in a sprint for my warm up. Spent the rest of this interval run trying to recover my pace. At least I made my full mileage, all 10km today. Sorry I haven't been posting too often. I've been a little consumed with another project lately. But my runs are on track and I'm slowly building the endurance I'm going to need come November. A lot of big stuff is currently hanging in the air for me, so just gotta keep moving.