I want to run!!!!

I am happy to report that I have made it through the whole week without any pain!

So I convinced my foot to do a 30 minute spin session the other day.  The first 10 minutes were going fine.  Easy cadence with low resistance and a gradual build-up.  I attempted to do 10 minutes standing with a higher resistance for safety...seemed to be okay.  When I sat back down to finish the last 10 minutes with rolling hills, I was reminded that I am indeed still nursing a stress fractured foot. 

The rest of the night when by with minimal pain so I think overall I am on the mend.  I may actually try to do a little running this weekend!  I can't wait.  Really!!!  It's been two weeks since I've been able to run and I really miss it.  I read about my friends on Facebook who are able to get out and run right now (even the ones who are so dedicated they get out and run in the snow---Rory) and I can't help but think, when will that be me again? 

So maybe tomorrow or Sunday...until then, I'll just keep smiling.

Arm workout

Since my running is on hold right now and did I mention I've had ice cream the last few nights...

ICE CREAM + NO EXERCISE = BAD NEWS FOR ME!!!! 

So:

Cybil is right--No excuses!  Nothing should stop me from exercising...not even a stress fractured foot.  I decided, injury or not, I have to get some kind of exercise in somehow, someway!  Since wearing a shoe is what seems to bother me the most lately I had to figure out what I could do as a form of cardio to get my heart rate up quickly and safely.  The solution...my spin bike I got for Christmas! 

I laced up the dreaded shoe and and hopped on the bike.  It was a VERY short ride.  I realized I won't be attending a formal spin class for a few more weeks, that's for sure.  I was only on the bike for 5-10 minutes with almost no resistance, sitting upright and pedaling very easily...but it worked.  My foot was uncomfortable but not unbearable and my heart rate was up!  I dismounted the bike and took my shoe off :)

For todays wokout I decided to focus on arm strength training.  I pulled my Reebok arm weights out of the closet (blew off the dust) and tried to duplicate a routine that I would do in one of Amy's core/strength training classes that I usually attend on Sundays.  I was pretty successful I think. 

MY WORKOUT

3 sets of 15 reps each of the following:

1/2 Bicep Curls

Hammer Curls

Full Bicep Curls

Alternate Bicep Curls

Shoulder Press

Tricep Kickbacks

Overhead Tricep Extensions

Shoulder Lifts

So workout accomplished and smile is definitely acheived!!!  I feel great and I'm happy to be exercising again, even if it's only for a short workout.  I didn't kick my own butt the way Amy would do on a Sunday class but I also didn't want to overdo it today since I'm not even supposed to be doing anything but swimming right now.  :)

Waiting to run...

So I am almost done walking like a zombie! Maybe a few more days of rest and I can try to take a "stroll" around the block?  Keep your fingers crossed for me :)

So after looking at my tiny little mileage stats for last year...I have decided I need to set some goals for this year.  I know I need to keep in mind that I didn't start running until August of last year so of course my mileage isn't very high.  What should a good realistic goal be?  Right now, my goal is 1000 miles for the year.  That puts me at 20 miles a week.  I think right now that is a good goal for a full time working mom of 4...don't you?

Well that's all I have time for tonight. :)

Yukon Do It Stats!

Well I must say...for my first 1/2 marathon, I am pretty happy with my overall results.  Here are the stats from the Yukon Do It!

My time: 2 hrs 20 mins 03 sec according to their clock (2 hrs 19 mins 20 sec on my Nike App)
Overall place 126 out of 182 people
Age group place 15 out of 33 people aged 30 to 34
Gender place 57 oiut of 102 women

Not too bad for finishing with a stress fractured foot!  I know that for my next race I will actually get the proper training in and shoot for a faster pace. 

On another note, the "stressed out" right foot is feeling a little better today.  I would like to thank the weather for this.  It's been so cold out today that I don't think I ever warmed up.  It just feels like I have had a bag of ice on my foot all day!  :)

Confirmed!

Yep...it's a stress fracture.  I knew it.  Dr. Brad confirmed it.  I guess I won't be writing any running posts for a while.  Don't worry though...I am still smiling :)  Hopefully it heals fast and I can get back out on the road soon.  I am really excited to start training for my next race.

I guess I will have to find something else to write about in the next few weeks.  Any ideas?

Oh yeah...here are a couple of pictures from the Yukon Do It! 1/2 Marathon Courtest of Jason Tackett...amazing brother-in-law!

Happy New Year!

Well I am still taking it easy today.  The rest of my body has recovered nicely but boy is that right foot taking it's own sweet time.  I'm pretty sure it's got a stress fracture in it.  I wish it didn't because I want to get out on the road and start running again! 
I spent most of the day researching my races for the new year.  I am not one to set resolutions but I decided to set a goal for the New Year...to become a Half Fanatic!  For anyone who got to these races then you have seen these amazing people out there along the course (along with the Marathon Maniacs).  The minimum criteria is: 2 half marathons in 16 days or 3 half marathons in 90 days.  Time doesn't matter as long as you are having fun!---Well, at least I have that criteria met :) There are other classifications too but that is just the minimum.  For more information you can check it out at: http://www.halffanatics.com/
Here are the races that I am interested in so far:
Tacoma City Half Marathon - May 1st
Heroes Half Marathon (Everett, WA) - May 8th
Capital City Half Marathon (Olympia, WA) - May 15th
North Olympic Discovery Half Marathon (Sequim to Port Angeles, WA) - June 5th
Rock n Roll (Seattle, WA) - June 25th
Ocean Shores Big Half Marathon  - July 10th
See Jane Run Women's Half Marathon (Seattle, WA) - July 17th
Tacoma Narrows Half Marathon - August 6th
Disneyland Half Marathon (Anaheim, CA) - September 4th
You Go Girl (Tacoma, WA) - September 18th
Maui Half Marathon (Maui, HI) - September 18th
Portland Half Marathon (Portland, OR) - October 9th

Of course, this is my wish list...I wonder which ones I will be able to run?

The Pain!!!

I keep telling myself that the accomplishment far outways the pain.  It does, right?  The answer is yes.  Today I woke up feeling like I had been hit by one of those trucks that I was talking about yesterday.  My hips hurt, my ankles hurt, but most importantly my right foot is killing me!  I feel like I have a stress fracture in it.  I am hobbling around like a 100 year old woman but the accomplishment was so worth it, right...YES!

The pics are up from the race.  Here is the proof that Runners DO Smile!

http://leahyphoto.exposuremanager.com/p/yukon_do_it_marathon/yukon10ladies88_90