I need a little motivation...

Burrrr, it's cold out there! Sorry it's been forever since I've blogged. School and work have hindered things a bit.

As you all know, I tried to start a half marathon training plan a while back. I have still been getting sick from time to time but I think mainly it is because of poor diet(?) Still not sure. And regretfully, I never completed the training.

As of recent, I underwent emergency surgery and had my appendix taken out. I wouldn't wish appendicitis on anyone and I'm so glad it's over with. My first surgery ever wasn't too bad and the recovery process has been faster than I thought. Unfortunately, the doctor told me that the surgery does not correlate with the problems I've been having with running, so it's still kind of a mystery. Now, I'm COMPLETELY out of shape and need a little will power. I want to start running again and my surgeon said that I can do activities like running if I feel up to it, just no high impact contact sports for now.

I've got to tell you that this year has been hard for me physically. I am about 15-20 lbs heavier than I am comfortable with and I have had some health issues within the past year. I really want to make a come back for 2010. I have so many things to look forward to like graduating and applying for teaching jobs this summer that I can't let the fall backs from this year get me down.

So, I'm going to start out slow with cardio and after I get the clear from my doctor, I will start weight training again. My posture is horrible and I need more energy. I've almost forgotten the joy that running and working out have given me and I want it back. Here's to a new start. Bring it on 2010!

Thanks for reading :)

I'm so sorry it's been way too long since I've last posted

Hello everyone!

Sorry I have seriously been slacking on my blog. Let me update you on what has been going on the past month or so...

I am actually getting stronger and gaining more endurance and stamina. I feel that I am getting faster as well. I haven't gotten sick in a very long time. Hooray! I can't even remember the last time I got sick on a run. It's been awhile. My secret? I don't really have a secret exactly... I have been sticking with late afternoon runs with nothing in my stomach but a chocolate GU. My favorite. THEN, I eat after my run. This allows nothing in my system to get in the way of a good run and the GU gives me just enough calories/caffeine to get me going. I could be better about drinking water though. It's easier to stay on that when I'm working but when I'm running around with school things, it's a bit of a challenge.

My half marathon training hasn't been going according to plan. I don't think I'll be ready for a half on November 1st but I'm just thrilled that I'm not getting sick anymore. That's all that matters to me right now. After experimenting and researching ALL summer, I finally found what works for me. I can finally do hills and longer distances now! (By longer, I mean 5K) A few months ago, I couldn't even run a mile without having to stop. Very discouraging.

My next goal is to start running in the morning. I don't know how my body will handle that, but only time will tell. I just need to get my bum out of bed and start off my day on the right foot! (Pun intended)

Thank you everyone who has kept up with me and have been giving me so much encouragement and insight. I greatly appreciate you all! Once again, I'm sorry I haven't been keeping up with all of your blogs/blogging, but I'll try to stay on track. Happy running :)

P.S. If you have thought about running a marathon or at least considered it, PLEASE watch The Spirit of The Marathon. It is an inspiring look into the lives of 5 different runners, from elite to first time marathon runners, and it will motivate you to run a marathon. It talks about the history of the marathon, the boston marathon, and it also has interviews from Dick Beardsley and other influential runners. VERY inspiring! Here's a 7 minute clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8XSit8XyeM

Trying Too Hard...

Hello all,

Two days after my awesome 3 mile run, I tried to run a fast 2-3 miler and I got sick in the first mile. That's what I get for running a 7:30/8:00 min pace :( I'm not in the shape that I used to be in so I need to remember to take it sllllooooowwww.

I actually talked to a customer at work today who is going through the same thing I am! I'm not alone! She asked ME for advice and I just told her what I knew, which is based on experimentation and guesses. I could totally relate with her frustration and told her what all I have done to overcome this situation. She said that she just started out slow and picked up the pace towards the last mile or two. She is only capable of doing 2-3 miles as well and plans to up her distance, just like myself. I hope she and everyone else figures it out as much as I wish I could figure it out. It's so frustrating being limited like that.

I'll try a morning run tomorrow and see how that goes. Hope all is well and thank you so much for your comments and support. Thanks for reading :)

Great Run! Fingers crossed!

Hello all!

Recent Update:

I actually ran three miles tonight without getting sick! Woo hoo! It felt really good. I felt really strong the first two miles but mile 2.5 to 3 was challenging. I'm just out of shape.

Power Song: "I Wish" Stevie Wonder

I didn't eat ANY dairy today, not even on my Subway sandwich. I didn't eat that much today though. I woke up late and had a little bit of dry cereal, 6" Chicken Breast sub on wheat with Marinara Sauce only for lunch, and then a Chocolate GU with a few Rice "Quakes" before my run. I tried to drink a lot of water but I think I could have drank more. The weather was AWESOME! We've been having less humid weather in the mid to lower 80's lately so it's not as hot.

I didn't stick to the 5-6 smaller meals a day, but I'll work on it. I just need to get some groceries :) The only down side to my run was that I felt like I could have gotten sick toward the end of my run and I my form was a little sloppy on the home stretch. Only time and training will tell.

My half marathon training plan (if I am up for it) will start August 9th and I'm pretty excited about it. I'm ready to have a goal to work toward. The first run on the plan is a 3 miler and I have a lot of cross training in the plan. Hopefully that will work out well for me. Hal Higdon got me through my first half, he can definetly get me through another.

I really hope I'm not intolerant of wheat. I absolutely love all things wheat. I am such a picky eater that wheat is my main food group. I'll have to experiment with cutting back. No dairy seems to be helping a little.

Thanks for reading!

More News and Still Experimenting...

Sorry I haven't been blogging much. I need to get my computer friend to come help me set up my wireless because I am electronically challenged, believe it or not. So I try to check my email once a day (if I'm lucky) on campus. Anywho...

I have been experimenting with my diet and the no dairy thing has helped. I haven't been running consistently though because I have been in and out of town for the past three weeks or so. I talked to my boss about my issue and he said it sounded like it was diet related. He said that I should keep experimenting and try different things to figure out what works. Everyone is different and I need to find something that works for me. He said that I could skip the colonoscopy and keep experimenting. As for sports doctors in the area, he didn't really know of any that didn't deal with anything other than the foot and/or leg related problems. He did refer me to a general practioner that has seen track athletes and maybe he might know a little bit about my problem. But he wasn't entirely sure. I need to call and find out about this doctor and schedule an appointment.

I ran yesterday and today and both runs were unsuccessful. I ran a little less than two miles each time and I got sick around mile one each time. I was thinking that maybe I should try warm up one mile runs to get things out of my system before I attempt longer distances. I also want to experiment with eating 5-6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 larger meals. I felt like I have had more success with eating smaller/healthier meals throughout the day as opposed to three larger/healthy meals. I'll keep you posted.

I have been working quite a bit lately at Fleet Feet and I have been meeting new and inspiring customers in the store. This morning I met a 70-something year old man who fought adversity and won. About 5 years ago, he fell from about 12 feet and shattered his calcaneus bone (heel bone)on his right foot. The doctors said that he would probably never walk again on that foot. Well, the doctors were wrong and he started walking on a daily basis three years later. Now, he is walking in half marathons. He walks just about everyday and he walks LONG distances, so he needed a good shoe. He came to me to get fitted and wanted some advice. He told me he was training for a half in Springfield, MO at Bass Pro Shops. That is why I love my job. If he can work through something like that, it gives me hope that I can work through my situation if I have the want to. No one can stop me, but me. I am not giving up.

He told me about a website (omrr.org) that gave lists of races, training events, fun runs, and other running information in the Ozark Mountain area. The group is called Ozark Mountain Ridge Runners. As of recent, Joel and I have been considering moving to the Springfield/Southern Missouri area after we graduate to look for teaching positions. I was a little worried that Springfield wouldn't have the running community like North West Arkansas has. But after hearing about this website, it made me more excited to move there and network with more runners! I am also considering running the half at Bass Pro. It's November 1st! I think that will be a decent amount of time to get ready for it, then maybe a full in the Spring! We'll see! I'm excited that I have a goal to work for now!

My goals for the next few weeks are to:
1) Eat smaller meals throughout the day
2) Do warm up runs before distance runs
3) Run consistently
4) Stay hydrated

I will keep you posted with further experimentation. In the mean time, I will TRY to keep up with your blogs. When I get my wireless set up, then I will have a better chance at keeping up with you all. Thanks for reading! Happy running :)

First Great Run In A Long Time

I had a great 2 mile run today! No sickness! The secret? No dairy and more water. This is the first day with no dairy, so I'm going to keep experimenting with that. It's sad that I am so happy about a 2 miler...but I am grateful that I felt better this time around. Hopefully, I can get back to my half marathon/marathon shape..and soon! I haven't talked to my boss about my issue yet because he has been out of town at a National Fleet Feet Conference. If the problem persists, I will definitely talk to him and ask him about Sports Doctors in the area. If the no dairy thing is working out for the long haul, I may not have to talk to him? Only time will tell.

Thank you, my blogger friends, for keeping up with me and giving me advice. I'm going to keep experimenting and I'll keep everyone posted. Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July! I'll be in Joplin with Joel and his family. I'm taking my running shoes, but no promises. :)
Thanks for reading!

Still Seeking Answers...

Hey everyone,

I went to the Colon specialist here in Fayetteville and I have yet to find some answers. The doctor performed some tests and asked me questions but could not pin point what exactly was wrong with me.

I didn't have a good experience at the doctor. I had to ask about the tests that were about to be performed because no one would walk me through it. The doctor talked above my head the entire time and I had to keep asking questions to get REAL answers from him. He said the only way that he could treat me was after I had had a Colonoscopy. If you don't know what that is, google it. It doesn't sound fun at all.

I told him that I didn't want to do that and if there was ANYTHING else that could be done first before going through a procedure like that. He kept saying that he didn't have any advice for me until I did the procedure but I could try to drink more water? I told him that I wasn't trying to "self diagnose" myself but I read on the internet that this is common among athletes and that if I alter my workout routines to more lower impact activities then maybe that would help. I told him that I ran a half marathon last year and had no problems. I don't understand why I'm having problems now? I asked, "If I watch what I eat and do lower impact cardio for awhile, will I eventually be able to run the distances that I have in the past?" He said, "Maybe...maybe not." My heart sank and tears welled up in my eyes. I don't know if he could tell that I was getting a little emotional but I was trying to fight it.

I absolutely love running. It is my quick escape from a world of chaos and stress. I feel like I could accomplish anything after a good run. It's my outlet and I take pride in running and being known as a "runner". It's part of my identity. Now, every time I run, it's a huge let down. I can barely run 2-3 miles.

I have been dealing with this for about 6 months now. I am not giving up. I am going to talk to my boss about this issue. He used to help train the Lady Razorback track team. Why I haven't talked to him about this sooner? I don't know. I just kept forgetting that he used to train elite runners, I guess. I'll also research this issue further and see if I can see a sports doctor that deals with athletes. The doctor gave me two months to think about it. My next scheduled appointment is August 20. Until then, I will do my best in experimenting with things and asking around for answers.

If you have any input or advice, I would love to hear it. Thanks for reading.