Michelle's Running Blog

My hip is still not 100% although it is getting better.  I don't want to run and ruin all of the resting I have been doing.  This morning I went to the gym and did the elliptical for 4 miles.  It was my first time on an elliptical.  I liked that I got a good workout and it was easy on my hip.  However, I am missing actually running.  The first half of the workout I didn't have the elliptical on any resistance and my heels kept coming off the machine.  Then I figured out you could add resistance and it make the workout much more enjoyable and more like actual running.  I might do the elliptical a little next week as well and then add in some running.

I did the elliptical again today.  I think I will do the elliptical tomorrow as well and then try running on Thursday.  My calves are really sore from the Saturday elliptical workout.  I can tell that different muscles are being used than in running.

 I also did a 60 minute P90X workout, core synergistics.  I have taken two weeks off of P90X because my friend I do the workout with was out of town so I just ran more and then hurt my hip.  It is good to get back to the P90X, but it was tough!  I can tell I took a little time off.

  I have a goal to eat more fruits and vegetables.  Really, if you are going to get the recommended servings you have to have a fruit or vegetable every meal and for snacks.  I have only eaten an orange so far today but I am trying to be more conscious about increasing my intake.

I did the elliptical again this morning.  My hip is feeling a lot better and I am going to try running on Thursday.  Yesterday I jogged about two blocks to get my son from school and my hip didn't hurt at all so that is promising.  I am excited to run on Thursday.

I slept in this morning and it was wonderful!  I was ready to do my P90X workout at 8:40 when my friend usually shows up.  I waited, then made my bed, then got me kids dressed, then looked at birthday cakes for my daughter.  I was wondering where she was when I realized at 8:55, I was supposed to go to her house this morning.  It was pretty funny.  So I called her and then got to her house quickly and we did the cardio workout from P90X.  It was a good workout.

Incidentally, I can feel that my hips are tired from the workout.  Not sore but there was a lot of kicking front, side and back, and I can feel my hips are being worked.  Hopefully that helps strengthen my hip.

I ran 3 easy slow miles on the treadmill this morning.  My hip hurt a bit when I woke up but I stretched it before I ran, after I ran and iced.  It didn't hurt at all while I was running so hopefully it is getting better.

It is really cold outside this morning and there is a it of snow on the ground.  Yesterday Carolyn gave me some Yaktraks for my birthday, I wanted to try them out but my neighbor likes running indoors when it is cold and snowy.  I am sure I will find a time soon to use them.

I got a nice birthday surprise this morning.  When I came home from running there was a cake in the oven that my husband made before he went to work.  We call it yellow cake and eat it for breakfast.  I love it warm with milk poured on top.  I am going to go enjoy a piece now(maybe two.)

This morning my friend I do P90X with called and canceled.  It is always a hard moment when I realize I am on my own to motivate myself to complete the whole workout.  I still did the planned workout so I am happy about that.  It was an hour and fifteen minutes of shoulders, arms, and abs.  I prefer cardio to strength training so it is really good for me to get strength training in.  I don't really enjoy it, but now it is done.

 My kids did the cool down with me and my oldest commented that he was doing a really good job with the exercises.  I like to see them try and exercise with me.

It was nice to get a longer run in today after taking the last two weeks a bit easy.  I ran with Carolyn and Michelle today.  We ran a route I had done once before that wanders quite a bit through some neighborhoods.  I was glad that I remembered the route from the last time I ran it.  The terrain was a little difficult in a few spots with some snow and ice covered sidewalks and a short distance on a gravel path that was covered with frozen snow.  Luckily no one got hurt.  I slipped one time but didn't fall.

It turned out to be a nice run with a bit warmer temperatures than expected, and great conversation.  Thanks for running with us Carolyn, I always enjoy Saturday morning runs.

When I got home my family was leaving to go buy Krispie Kreme doughnuts.  My husband, Ben, loves to take the kids out and buy doughnuts on Saturday mornings.  I kind of have a love/hate relationship with that habit because I love doughnuts but, I hate starting my morning with so much fat and sugar.  I also hate the fact that I can't just eat one, doughnuts call to me and I must eat more and more:)

I ran my standard 4 mile route this morning.  It went well.

Over the weekend I bought new shoes.  The running store employees laughed at my old shoes because they were very worn and not good quality.  They had a video analysis of you running on a treadmill.  I could see me ankles roll in each time in the old pair.  In the new pair, they have more support and my ankle rolls straight instead of collapsing in.  Hopefully they are good shoes for me.

My hip is still achy at times, but getting better.  I was also going to do P90X this morning but my friend canceled again and since I had already been running and I have a busy day today I skipped the extra workout.  I have already got a lot done in the time I would normally be doing P90X, a good way to start a busy day.

I was really tired this morning but still got up.  My hip was feeling sore this morning, and I'm thinking I should take it easy a little longer to make sure it heals properly.  So my neighbor, Michelle, and I walked fast for 3 miles and then I came home and road a stationary bike for 45 minutes.  Michelle is a great exercise buddy for me because she really doesn't mind walking or changing our routine.  I am going to do the elliptical for awhile and she will do it with me.  It is nice to have a friend to work out with and not feel like I am robbing her of her miles.

I stretched afterward and iced.  My hip feels better now than before the exercise.  I hope that is a good sign.

I did a P90X workout this morning for legs and back.  I had to do wall squats for a few minutes at a time.  I think my legs will be sore tomorrow. 

Today I took a midterm exam for a class I am taking to keep my teaching certificate current.  I am glad to be halfway through the class!  It is independent study and I only have until February 10 to complete the 2nd half.

I did the elliptical today for 3.3 miles.  It was a pretty easy workout.  I went to bed a little early last night so I felt energized and ready to go this morning.  My hip is feeling really good, I can tell taking a little break helps, it is just hard to do.

P90X yoga with my friends Ali and Carolyn.

This morning I ran on the Hiline Canal trail.  There was more snow then expected covering the trail, it was a bit slick in some areas.  I ran with Ali and Carolyn.  It was an enjoyable run.  We planned on running 6 miles and I was feeling really good at the end of the run.  I like to speed up at the end and run it in fast.  I was feeling the desire to speed up and was thinking about running faster to the end and then Ali caught her foot in a frozen rut of dirt and twisted her ankle at 5.65 miles.  Carolyn and I walked with Ali the rest of the way.  I hope her ankle heals quickly and isn't hurt too much.  This was Ali's first run outside since she has started training for a half marathon,  Too bad her first experience didn't turn out better.

I love it when there are days off of work.  Today three great things have already happened because of no work. 

1.  I got to sleep in an hour

2. I got to run with Carolyn

3. I got to run for 6 miles

I love the extra time!  The six miles felt good not too hard, but a good run.  My husband left 2 hours ago for a 3-8 mile run.(He hadn't decided how the blister on his foot would affect his run)  I am thinking he chose more around 10 miles but even then he has been gone for a long time.  Hopefully he is not limping slowly home on a sore blister foot.

*Update* My husband is in deed crazy.  It turns out the 3-8 miles he was planning on went so well and he was feeling good, so he decided to make it 10.  After he ran 10 miles he was feeling good so he, "decided to add a 6 mile cool down"  Crazy.  The most he has ran in the last few months is 8.  He is now limping all over with blisters on his feet but feeling really good about running 16 miles.

It was nice to wake up this morning feeling tired like a Monday, but then realize it was actually Tuesday.  

I did the standard 4 mile route this morning.  I was tired and fatigued but got is done.  I had clothing issues today.  The running pants I wear most often have been getting old and when I put them on this morning a hole ripped where they had been getting threadbare.  Goodbye to my favorite running pants.  While running, I dealt with some chaffing on the right side of my back near my shoulder.  I tried to adjust my clothing to stop the chaffing which kind of worked.  Hopefully this doesn't become a regular occurrence.   

Today I did the Kenpo workout from P90X.  It is a lot like kick boxing.  This is my favorite P90X workout.  I was glad it was on the schedule for today.  

In other news, my short term goal of running a marathon this summer is going to be put on hold because I am pregnant.  My new goal is to run as much and as long into pregnancy as I can.  In the past I have usually ran until about 4-5 months.  I would like to run longer this time.  I am 9 weeks right now and due August 20.

Today my neighbor who I run with could not go running.  So I decided to wake up a little earlier and run 6 miles instead of 4.  I think I was a little anxious about waking up earlier because I kept waking up throughout the night thinking it was time to run when it was only 2:15 then 4:45 and then 5:45.  My run was one that makes you fall in love with running again.  It was very calm and serene.  I didn't feel tired and I was able to watch the sun rise and listen to the Wicked soundtrack which I enjoy running to.  All in all, a great run!

I did the P90X cardio workout.  It was a good workout, I was nice and tired afterward.  My friend and I decided that we will change our P90X schedule from the lean (easier) version to the normal version next week.  I think I will be a little sore for awhile after each workout.  I tried one of the P90X videos on my very first time that is for the normal version and I couldn't do it.  It was soooo hard.  It will be interesting to see if I can do it now that I am stronger.

I coordinated successfully with Carolyn and Michelle about our run this morning but only did half of the coordination with Ali.  I felt bad that we weren't able to meet up with her as planned because I forgot to call her and confirm the time and place, woops.  

We ran an 8 mile loop that I have ran before but the other direction.  It was a good run.  Physically I felt strong but mentally I didn't really feel like running today.  As always, I am glad I went out and did it.  There were a few times on the run that I felt like running faster.  I know I can run faster than I do but I don't think I can sustain the speed for very long.  I worry about running out of steam in the middle of a long run so I usually keep my pace a little slower.

The start of my run today felt really cold.  While running I warmed up and took my hat and gloves off but then I was cold and had to put them back on.  I couldn't quite get it right.  I am excited for warmer weather but we still have awhile to wait.

The beginning of my run is uphill and usually my neighbor and I start too fast and I get pretty tired by the time I reach the top of the hill.  I have been making an effort to slow down at the beginning so I don't drain too much energy at the very beginning.  I think it helped today.  We weren't super fast still but I felt great on the run.

My run was a bit of a struggle.  I just wasn't feeling the love of running this morning.  

I saw Carolyn dropping her son off at seminary this morning.  My neighbor, Michelle, had to point Carolyn out because I was too focused on running.

When I got home I found my husband still in bed.  He is not feeling well and is taking the day off of work.

My P90X friend, Ali, is not going to workout this week because her mother is in town.  I thought about waking up early to run but I just wanted to sleep in today.  So I did!  My kids even went downstairs without coming in my room and I got some nice extra sleep.  I  chose to ride the bike so I could read the book I haven't been finding time to read.  I rode for 8 minutes and then I had to stop and feed my kids breakfast because they were asking for soda, and candy, and chips.  After breakfast, I rode 40 more minutes.  It wasn't too strenuous today, just a little nice easy exercise and a book:)

This morning I didn't know if my neighbor would be up for running outside because there was a dusting of snow.  Our general rule is if there is snow on the ground we will run inside.  I dressed for an outside run hoping she would be ok with a tiny amount of snow.  Luckily she was dressed for outside as well.  It was a great run today.  There was a lot of fog and I really enjoyed running in the fog.  There were places where I couldn't see more then a block in front of me.

When I got home I took the garbage cans out to the street and decided to throw a few things away that were in the garage.  I have been wanting to clean the garage for a long time but never make the time.  I started throwing things away and organizing a little and now one hour later, I have a clean garage!  It was a great post run activity while my kids are still asleep.

Today was another nice day of riding the bike for 45 minutes and reading.  I read for a class I am taking.  I only have to write one  more paper and take the final exam.  I am excited to be done with the class.  I also am excited about the weekend!

I did a 12 mile run this morning and it turned out really well.  I needed a good longer run to get my confidence up.  I have been doing 8-10 miles on Saturday runs so bumping it up to 12 was good.  I felt great during the run, most of the time.  After I was finished my skin really bothered me.  I had a bit of a rash or something all over.  A shower, lotion and change of clothes seemed to take care of it.