Back out there and loving it!!

Yesterday with the kids back to school and me not having to work, I wanted to get it ALL done!! From the minute my feet hit the carpet I already had a list of things to do going on in my head.  I also knew it was going to be sunny and 46 today so for my run I wanted to go hit the bike path. 

 Here is where I came from....

Here is what was in front of me...

And here is how happy I was...

With all that I had to do today I only wanted to do a quick two miles and it was wonderful!! The sun shining and the temps being just right!  I also took the puppies for a 1.5 mile walk.  So not too bad for a Monday and with all that I needed to do.  

Hope everybody's Thanksgiving holiday was a good one.  

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my blogger friends!! Good luck to all who are running in a local Turkey Trot.  My daughter-in-law and family friend, Candice are running a Turkey trot as I am typing this.  Here is a pic of me and my daughter-in-law two years ago on the morning of our Turkey Trot.  Sure wish I was out there with her!  

Happy update....

This is what it looks like after you get done with your first run in ummmm almost six weeks!! Yes I finally got to do a short two mile run this morning!! I felt wonderful and the foot was fine. I could feel a little bit of annoyance but other than that it was great.

I started slow and ended slow and it was way okay with me!  My plan is to do two mile runs on the treadmill three days a week and do the elliptical two days a week.  Of course there will be weight training in there as well.  Today was shoulders, bis and tris.  

Today was also a foot recheck with my doctor since the foot injection almost elven days ago.  I told him how I felt and that even though it didn't feel a hundred percent it felt a whole lot better than before.   He said that is what he wanted to hear.  Said that over the next four weeks it should get better and better.  Said that he didn't want any long runs or outside runs and that everything should stay low impact for the next four weeks.  He was totally fine with me running gently on the treadmill and to keep it at 2-3 miles.  No speed work or hills.  Hey....I'm good with that for now!! 

So hopefully I will be on here a bit more just documenting my progress and such.  

Catching up in pictures

Just wanted to do a little catching up with what I have been up to lately.  I have still been dealing with foot issues and have to go get a shot in the top of my foot.  So hopefully this will help it once and for all.  My workouts have consisted of mostly the elliptical and weight routines.  After I get this shot my dr says that I will be able to start back running after about 4-5 days.  I'm going to take it slow though.  

So here are a few pics of what I have been doing lately...

 My youngest had surgery for her broken thumb! 

 Four Wheeling with my big F!

 Sitting by the bon fire with this little girl!

Baking from scratch banana nut bread!

My son's wedding....Mother Son dance!

Spending time with my little sister!

Catching up and having family time!

Randomness Picture Day

 Just wanted to share a few glamorous pics of me! Cause, you know, this blog is about me right?  Enjoy but don't be too bored!!

So rough being this little girls Nana!!

Her first trip shopping with Nana!  We went downtown where there are a ton of antique and primitive shops.  

 Yea this is where I put a lot of time for now until the foot issues get worked out!

 Also doing a lot of this as well....walking!

No makeup! Don't be jealous!  Yea this is what I do when not playing Nana...I take pics of myself! 

Okay, a little makeup! Eh! It is what it is!

Now just a couple funnies from my Pinterest board!

                                       

Yea those are my abs...someday ;)

That's it! That's all I got! Now stop stalking my page and go do something productive today!

New Issues

Just about ready to just cut this stupid foot off!!  If it's not one thing it's another.  Since doing the half I have been able to do some 4-5 mile runs and two 7 mile long runs and feel pretty decent.  My PF has been feeling better and better.  Back a few months ago I had been experiencing some ankle pain and it just being tender when I do certain leg workouts.  But this past week or so it has been getting worse.  I had set out to do a run and wound up just walking.  Well I wound up running about .75 miles then walking two.  It's at the top of my foot over into my ankle a bit.  So I had a follow up appointment with my foot dr on 10/15 but called and moved it up to this past Friday.   He took xrays and said he seen nothing and that it probably was bruised and if I keep running on it then it could lead to a stress fracture.   He gave me some medicine to take and said I should be feeling better by the end of taking my meds.  It's better but not completely.  It's really, really stiff in the morning but just a little achy through out the day, especially if I'm on it a lot.  The dr told me no running but doing the elliptical was fine.  So, thats what I have been doing.

I dont know, maybe its just time that I completely let this heal and when it does then start back a little on my running.  It's not the end of the world right?

Has any of you had a foot issue like this?  What did you do and how long did it take to heal?

Now What?

So it's been a little over a week since I completed my first half marathon.  I kept my work outs light....almost too light I think.  Here is how last weeks schedule looked.

Sunday:  Off

Monday: An hour of upper body

Tuesday:  30min elliptical, tris and abs

Wednesday:  10min elliptical, some legs, and 2mile run

Thursday:  30min elliptical, legs and core

Friday:  An hour of all lower body

Saturday:  6mile run

Sunday:  3mile run w/hills

So, nothing that was really hard with the exception of my 6mile run.  That was just more tiresome than anything.  Towards the last 2miles I kept asking myself why I had only ran 2miles this week.  I wasn't sore just tired.  But I did it and it felt good once I was done.  It is kinda true about being kinda depressing when you are done with your training and the event itself is over.  For 12 weeks there was a plan of what I was to do each day.  Be it run 2miles to 12miles to cross training to just having a rest day, there was a plan.  Not to even mention that the event itself is over.  

So now what?  Having this week to kinda take it easy and also let me rest my foot a bit, has had me thinking of what I wanted to do next.  Back when my girlfriend and I were running together we had talked about doing another half in October and another in November.  We thought there was just the right amount of time in between them that we felt we could run them.  But now with it being just me out there I'm not sure if I want to do them by myself.  I have given it a lot of thought to maybe just doing a 5k later in October then maybe doing the turkey trot on Thanksgiving.  I don't know.  I have also thought maybe I should just take this time to work on a little speed and hills but don't want to make my PF act up again.  So, I am not sure but I'm leaning on the side of having a little training plan and doing the 5k and turkey trot.  We will see.  

Today I plan on doing some core and upper body and then going for a run.  No distance.  No time.  Just get out there. Do what my body feels.  

How do you feel after you have done your weeks of training and your race is now over?  

FINALLY.....Air Force 5k & Half Marathon Recap!!

Wow!! So can't believe I am just now sitting down to recap my first half marathon from this past Saturday which was held at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base.  This is such a big and growing race that gets bigger each year it seems.   This was my third attempt at getting to this race.  It wasn't easy this time either as you all know.  With it being a year ago to this month I found out that I had three blood clots in my left calf.  Then that to finding out that I had thyroid cancer.  So I was put on meds for the blood clots, including giving myself shots in my stomach and was scheduled for a total thyroidectomy then about six weeks after that I did my radiation.  But that January 1st I was signed up for the Air Force 5k and the half marathon.  I knew the 5k was just going to be walking with my daughter, daughter-in-law and granddaughter.  I was kinda glad to do this 5k with them to not only spend time together doing something fun and healthy, but to hopefully see first hand what this Air Force Marathon event was about.  Even though I was sure glad I did the walk I kinda regretted it just a bit because I wound up getting a small blister on the bottom of my left foot =(  But anyway, more on that later, back to after I signed up.  So after all my health issues and getting radiation and getting settled into my thyroid medicine I was finally back to slowly working out around the end of January.  It was slow going but it felt good.  Once it warmed up outside enough for me to go on a run outside I was thrilled.  But that was short lived.  Around the beginning of May I was noticing a lot of pain in my right foot.  I wasn't sure what it was other than it hurt.  Especially when I first woke up or if I had been sitting for a period of time.  That's when I found out I had Plantar Fasciitis.  My podiatrist recommended the boot and icing and stretching and also pt.  So I did what I could for my foot and also did some research about people with this same condition and did they still run.  Most did.  My PF was bad but I don't think as bad as what some people get so I decided that I was still going to train for this half marathon.  So in June I got with a girlfriend and asked her if she wanted to train with me too and she did!!! Wonderful.  So I found us a twelve week plan that was good enough just to get us to the finish line.  I didn't do speed or hill work due to the PF.  We ran on our own mostly during the week but we did our long runs together each Saturday.  We trained through the hottest summer here in Ohio in thirty years!! We lucked out on some of our long runs but most were through the heat and humidity even though we ran at 6:30 in the morning.  Then, we got to our twelve mile long run and my girlfriend wound up getting a stress fracture of her left tibia.  I know she was disappointed for sure as so was I but I was also scared.  We had come to far for me not to still run this race!  But I would do it all by myself.....well not totally I get that but still!! But, either way I made it!  And my girlfriend was right there with me taking me to the race and taking some pics and was there when I started off and was there at the finish line!  She knew how important this was to me and I love her for that!! Thank you girlie!! Now for a few pics!

My bibs and my my medals!! Wore my half medal all day long!

This was taken right after the 5k

How awesome is that Stealth bomber?? That was flying over just seconds before the full and 10k took off.  Then right before all of us half marathon people you got to see several parachuters with the American Flag.  Totally awesome! 

Me about 10min before my run.  It was a gorgeous 48 degrees.

Me at mile 9 giving high fives to my family who came out to support me!

Even though it was mile 9 I was feeling pretty good.  The blister on my left foot was pretty bad but my PF foot was just barely sore.  It wasn't until around mile 11ish that I was feeling really tired and wondered why was I doing this again??

Finally!! This was right after the finish line.  I had been stretching and my girlfriend wanted a pic!

Me again and feeling pretty good except for that stinking blister!

All of us standing around talking about the race and of course them telling me how proud they are!

Me listening to my daughter Ashley and just loving the fact that my family was there!

Ummm yea! It so hurt!  But not bad if this is all I got right?

Again.....me!  So so happy!

Like I said, my goal was to just finish!  But in the back of my mind I was hoping that I finished under 3 hours.  I only walked through the water stops and then a big part of a hill.  Not bad considering!  I did finish under the 3 hours but just barely!!  Even though it was a pretty rough training time, I feel like I did everything the way I should.  I made sure I took care of my PF, I made sure to be careful what I ate especially before my long runs.  I made sure to get plenty of sleep but most important I tried to just relax and have fun.  I was so sad that I didn't get to do this with my girlfriend but we have already vowed to do this race together next year and I can not wait!! 

My Goal? Just to finish....

Wow!  I can hardly believe that in three days I will be running my first ever half marathon.  I have wanted this so bad!!! My goal is to just finish!  I have no time frame in mind.  Just finish. Oh, and have fun!  My family will be there to cheer me on so hopefully all things will go just fine.  I'm sure they will right?  It's normal to have this type of nerousness right before your first ever half marathon right?  I feel strong and believe it or not my PF has been really feeling a lot better! Not a 100% but close to it!  

Do any of you have any advice for my first half?  

Awful and not so pretty long run

Yesterdays long run was suppose to be 13.1miles.  I knew that I would not be able to run the whole thing without stopping and stretching but I had no idea that I would actually walk part of it and then call it a day at mile 10.  

My running partner had to pull out of the training due to a stress fracture in her left tibia.  She, of course, is not at all happy about this!  All the training she has done and knocking her out of the half marathon =(  I know she is sad but I have to tell you.....I am so so so sad!!  How am I gonna finish this training schedule without her by my side?  How am I gonna do the half marathon without her there beside me telling me "its just one more mile"!?  I felt unsure and nervous about this half even running with her but now I find myself with even more uncertainty and more nervousness.  It just seems like since training for this half marathon there have been huge obstacles that have come into play.  The weather this summer and my PF being the main ones.  I have told myself that this race is about having fun and just finishing it.  Not to at all, worry about the time.  If it takes me 4hrs then so be it!  And I have told myself that its super okay to take walking breaks!  Yea, all this isn't working too much.  I'm scared to death.  I don't know anybody at this race.  What if the weather is super sucky like yesterdays long run?? Oh yea, about that.  So, since my running partner couldn't be there due to her injury my hubby agreed to bike along beside me.  When we started out the door that morning as soon as we opened the door, the humidity slapped us in the face.  The humidity was 92% with the dew point being 73!!!!!!!

Anyway, we get down to the path and get started about 7:20am.   There were already several people there too.  The first 3 miles I forced myself to go very slow!  More slower than I would have had the weather been decent and if my running partner had been there.   At a little over mile 3 I stopped for some water and some chomps.  I wanted to make sure that I stayed hydrated and stretched.   It didn't matter to me how long it took to run this because it mattered to me to stay injury free and hydrated.  I stopped 2 more times for water and to stretch then at mile 6 decided it was time to get rid of the compression sleeves on my calves.  It was so hot and I thought that would be just two less pieces of clothing on me.  I was glad I did!  While sitting on the path and taking them off one of the male runners that we usually see each Saturday was walking.  I asked him how he was doing and he replied that he was on his 20 mile run and still had 6 miles to go and it was awful.  He said it was the worse run he has had and I could tell he was not at all happy.  There were several more runners we seen and they too were walking and just looking like they were flat struggling because of the weather.  I went up to the 6.5 turnaround point and then did a little walking then some running.  I did this to about mile 7.5 and just was done.  My hubby took off for the car and I continued to walk/run.  I did .25 mile of walking then running.  I managed to get that to 10.01 miles when hubby was there with the car to pick me up.  The only positive I can take from this run is that I was mentally okay!! It was hot! It was humid! And I wasn't the only one struggling.  I did what I could do considering everything.  

As far as me running the half marathon....I'm scared.  But yet kind of excited too!  I have wanted this for so long and it's just time to get over that finish line.  I need to get this under my belt.  No worries, no time, JUST FINISH!

Training for my half while dealing with my PF

It's been no secret on here that I have had a few health issues this past year.  Blood clots in left calf, Thyroid Cancer, and now PF...Plantar Fasciitis.  Here is a brief description of PF:

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. This tissue is called the plantar fascia. It connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Plantar fasciitis occurs when the thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot is overstretched or overused. This can be painful and make walking more difficult.

You are more likely to get plantar fasciitis if you have:

• Foot arch problems (both flat feet and high arches)
• Long-distance running, especially running downhill or on uneven surfaces
• Sudden weight gain or obesity
• Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel)
• Shoes with poor arch support or soft soles

Plantar fasciitis is seen in both men and women. However, it most often affects active men ages 40 - 70. It is one of the most common orthopedic complaints relating to the foot.

Plantar fasciitis is commonly thought of as being caused by a heel spur, but research has found that this is not the case. On x-ray, heel spurs are seen in people with and without plantar fasciitis.

Symptoms

The most common complaint is pain and stiffness in the bottom of the heel. The heel pain may be dull or sharp. The bottom of the foot may also ache or burn.

The pain is usually worse:

• In the morning when you take your first steps
• After standing or sitting for a while
• When climbing stairs
• After intense activity

The pain may develop slowly over time, or suddenly after intense activity.

Signs and tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. This may show:

• Tenderness on the bottom of your foot
• Flat feet or high arches
• Mild foot swelling or redness
• Stiffness or tightness of the arch in the bottom of your foot.

X-rays may be taken to rule out other problems.(Source PubMed Health)

There is lots of information out there for you to learn more of this condition.  If you ever start having any of the symptoms please act on it immediately.  It wont go away.  There are lots of things that help with this condition but calling your doctor early on is important.  Some cases are so bad that it could lead to surgery.  Although I hear that is the worst case.  I want to share with you the things that I have done to deal with this.  It's not been easy but it helps.  It's not going to go away over night either.  It can be 4 weeks to months even a couple years before you feel better from this.  I have personally been dealing with this for about 4 months.  I did go to my family doctor who then referred me to a Podiatrist. I did the cortisone shot, which relieved a lot of my pain but for only a couple days.  He fitted me for orthotics and had me do physical therapy for about 7 weeks.   My podiatrist said that I could continue to run until I couldn't stand the pain.  Actually it's a little tender when I run but not too bad.  Here are some of the things that I have done to help make this PF a little more bearable. 

1.  Stretch...A LOT through out the day but especially in morning before you get out of bed, and before and after a run.  

2.  Ice several times a day especially after a run or workout

3.  Taping my foot before a run or if I'm going to be on it all day

4.  Rest as much as you can

5.  I use the boot regularly especially while watching tv

6.  The Strassburg Sock at night while sleeping
7.  Advil and an inflammatory
8.  Massage your foot, Achilles area, your calves
9.  Foot exercises to help strengthen your foot and ankle.  Some that I do are writing the alphabet with your foot, placing a hand towel on the floor and squinching your toes to pick it up, gentle calf raises, and standing on one foot to balance.
10.  Getting fitted for orthotics 

Just a few other things I do for my comfort is I try to not walk barefoot unless its in the house on my carpet.  I try to wear my tennis shoes with my orthotics the biggest part of the day and I don't wear flip flops unless its SuperFeet the no flip flop flip flops.  But mostly I just wear my tennis shoes.  

Yes, I do all these pretty much everyday several times a day.  It's like having a part time job!! Seriously!  I think most of all it's just annoying.   I am in the middle of training for my first half marathon and so far other than just a little soreness while running, its not that bad.   I probably will take some time off from running after the half though.  Give it complete rest.  Maybe.  I know my PF isn't as intense as what some may have and I'm thankful for that.  But, nonetheless, it's been a long annoying battle especially with me trying to train for this half.  

Have any of you ever dealt with PF or any other foot pain?  If so, what were some of the things you did that helped you get through?

My 12 miler...

Have you ever had a run that started out okay but by the end you were just ready to lay down on the pavement and cry?  That was my long run Saturday.  Let me go back to the beginning of the week for a short recap of my schedule:

Monday:  30min Elliptical & Upper body

Tuesday:  5 miles in morning then 25min elliptical chest/back/abs pm

Wednesday:  All lower body

Thursday:  5 miles in morning then 25min elliptical tris/bis abs

Friday:  Upper body 1.5 mile walking puppies

Saturday:  12mile long run

Sunday:  3mile recovery

All in all it wasn't a bad training week.  I felt pretty good actually.  Then Saturday came and it was time for the long run.  My homie and I decided we would just do six out then back.  Going out wasn't bad at all.  My foot was taped and I felt pretty good with only a little soreness.  On the way back you could definitely feel that it was getting warmer.  Still, my foot was really doing surprisingly well and I was super happy for that.  About mile 7ish my glutes and hamstrings really started to feel pretty tight.  We stopped and I stretched those areas and my homie rubbed and stretched her shins.  She's been having a pretty hard time with shin splints =(  After we stretched we started back out but I had to stop another two times to stretch.  At about mile 10 was when I also mentally started going down hill.  I truly felt like doing this: 

 It took EVERYTHING I had to NOT lay down and cry!! It was the hardest and longest 2 miles ever!! Once we were done I felt like I could throw up!  I didn't but I wanted to!  As we walked back to our cars, ever so slowly, everything on my body hurt!! Once we said our goodbyes and headed back home I had a mental break down of what am I doing??  Why is this so hard for me?  What was different about this run for it to mentally get to me?  As I got home and got out of the car my hubby was there and could immediately see that I was not good.  He asked how the run went and I told him that everything on my body hurt and that I was mentally gone at this point.  I went upstairs and ran a all cold bath and put my sore body in.  I hate this part but love this part.  After sitting there and letting my muscles start to heal a little I couldn't stop thinking about those last two miles and how it had mentally got to me.  Once I was done with the cold bath I headed downstairs with massaging lotion and I went to town on both of my legs and feet.  I took about twenty minutes each on both legs as well as did some stretching.  Then I put my compression socks on and just laid there on the couch.  After about an hour I got up and went to take a nice hot shower.  Then I started feeling a lot better.  I wasn't hating my life and my legs didn't feel too bad.  I had a three mile recovery run scheduled for Sunday and thought I would just see how my body felt when I got up that morning.  As I woke up this morning I did feel a lot better and thought that it would do me some good to get back out there and just do my recovery miles.  I'm so glad I did!  

I guess there are going to be days that you just breeze right through your miles and then there are days that are just plain physically and mentally hard!  My day was yesterday.  After this coming week it will be time to taper and get ready for the big day.  I know I can do this....even if I have to crawl while crying to that finish line!! 

A little bit of everything today!!

Well we are finally back home from vacation and I am still trying to get back in the swing of things.  The girls start school Thursday, which by the way, why Thursday?  Two days and then the weekend?  Don't get it!  So it's been hectic getting them ready for back to school and all the things you do right before the first day.   But either way here is a pic of the hubs and my girls on the beach.

We got back into town Saturday evening and although it was a nice relaxing vacation it felt really good to be home.  We unpacked, grabbed some dinner, watched a little tv and then I was ready for my bed.  I had my long run I needed to rest up for.  Was so nice that my running buddy changed her long run that we usually do together on Saturday to Sunday so that we could run together.  Making it only one long run we didn't get to do together through this training session.  

Our run for Sunday was 11 miles.  I was a little nervous(as always) just from where we had been on vacation.  I had ran 3x on the TM and did an elliptical but that was it.  The TM runs were awful.  The workout room at the resort was very small.....I should have taken a picture.  They had two TM's with one of them not being very safe to run on.  Maybe walk but not run.  So the TM that I was able to run on faced a wall.  Like it was literally right THERE.  The room was hot! Hot! Hot!  I was miserable to say the least.  Where we were at I did not feel comfortable enough to run outside.  I knew nothing about this place.  And it was stinking hot and humid!  Anyway, so I was a little nervous to do this long run because I hadn't been out on the road to run in over a week.  The run itself was really great!!  I had no problem other than my stupid foot being sore!! When will this PF freaking go away?!?!  I truly took it easy on vacation and other than the TM runs I really babied my foot.  The run, like I said, was really great and it felt good to be back out there with my homie!  We ran 11.21 miles and other than the foot issue it was a good run.  Monday I did  bi's, abs, and shoulders.  For cardio I did a light 30min elliptical.  

Today's run was 5 miles.  I started at about 8:30 and even though it was a slow, slow run it felt better.  I taped my foot, took some Advil/Ibuprofen and didn't have much problems.  The weather was absolutely GORGEOUS!!! 59 degrees it was!! Here are a few pics from this morning.  

How gorgeous is this?  I love it down here!  These pics were taken at my turnaround point. 

So I want to take a few minutes and tell you about my new shoes!!

These are the new Brooks Glycerin 10!  And I love them!  I also purchased back in the early spring the Glycerin 9 and loved them also!  These are just what my feet needed!  They give enough room at the top and are cushioned underneath and truly give my feet the support that they should have!  I have ran two of my long runs and four shorter runs and have had no problems at all.   They are light, roomy, and  wonderfully cushioned!  Perfect for my right foot with the Plantar Fasciitis.  I love them so much that I purchased a second pair in a different color so that I can alternate them.

So what are your favorite pair of running shoes and why?
Also, where are some of your favorite places to run?

Monday Pics

Just a quick post with a few pics.  We are on vacation and let me tell you....it feels good to slow down.   I have enjoyed sleeping in, catching up on some of my favorite blogs, laying out and watching the girls play at the beach and swim.  

I have still been taking care of this foot!! 

And really relaxing with my guy has been nice too!!

This vacation really couldn't have been at a better time.  We have had a very crazy summer with, for whatever reason, very hectic schedule from the moment school let out.  The girls will be going back to school the week we get back and that means back to a routine.  I have stated it before that our family works and functions when we are on a routine.

Also, I wanted to add this to my last post and for whatever reason couldn't.  The morning before we left I had went out to run my 10 miles so I didn't have that hanging over me on vacation.  As per usual I get so nervous about my long runs so when I woke up that morning I just got on Pinterest and wanted to find a motivational quote on running and the very first quote I came to was this.

Love it and it was and is so true!!

Double digit run!!

This is going to be a fairly short post due to being on vacation!! Yay!! Normally I do my long runs on Saturday but with getting ready for vacation I decided to revamp my week and two of my long runs.  I didn't want to have two long runs over my head while on vacation.  So I ran my double digit run of 10 miles bright and early the day we left.  This run was awesome!! The weather was perfect and everything just felt great!! I was slow....of course!! But I didn't have to stop other than at the turnaround point and that was long enough to get some water and take a GU.  I was soooo proud of myself for actually running for 10miles and still feeling good at the end.  

While on vacation I have a few 3 and 4 milers planned so that won't be too bad.  Other than that I plan to catch up on some rest and relaxation!! 

Sucking wind...

Today's scheduled run was only 4 miles at a decent pace.  The weather was pretty decent temp wise but the dew point still a little high for my liking.  I went to this park that has a mile loop and has little rolling hills.  It's not my favorite place to run but thought it's been a while so why not?  You know from the get go if it's going to be a decent run or not.  I knew from the beginning that it was going to take everything I had to run this morning.  Not sure why because I felt pretty good and felt like I was ready.  However, once I started I knew it was going to be a struggle.  Minus my stops at the car for a drink I finished my 4.03miles in 47:16.  My average pace was 11:44 and that felt hard!  It's days like this that I constantly think like this...

But anywho it's done!! On tap for tomorrow is legs and elliptical then Friday being my long run of 10 miles......Oh boy!! On a good note I did get a pair of these today!

These are the Brooks Glycerin 10!  I have the Glycerin 9's and LOVE them!  

Also just a quick update on my foot.  It's doing better.  Not where I want it to be but it is getting better!  I can't wait for it to be back to normal that is for sure!  

So just a few questions:

1.  What do you do to get through a tough run?

2.  What, if anything, can be done for sucking wind?

3.  Should I be concerned with my pace and time right now or should is getting out there and just doing it good enough?