Dear Lord Won't You Buy Me...

No! I don't want a Mercedes Benz.  I actually have a new set of wheels, aka running shoes.  I got shin splints really bad last week and I knew that I wasn't getting enough support with my lovely Ravenna 2's.  I'm happy I got them at a really cheap price at the outlet.  I had got a gift card for Christmas to Road Runner Sports and I was too "afraid" to step foot in the running store.  I know...silly, but true.

So, I decided to go to Road Runner today and get an actual professional fitting done.  I had never experienced this before, but I should had it done a long, long time ago.  So, what happened first, is that I stood on a plate that identified my arch.  I found out that I do have an arch, as I always thought I was flat footed.  I found that I do need the arch support though, so finding a shoe with support was a plus. 

After the arch analysis, I ran on a treadmill where my feet are videoed and we discovered I'm a over-pronator.  After all the analysis and measuring, I need a stability plus running shoe, size 11 (I know, huge feet!).  I got Brooks Trance 10, which are wide and comfortable for my feet.  I gave them a go on the treadmill and I can go and go!  I will try them out tomorrow when I do 10 miles of the combo jog/walk.  Hopefully it goes well as I head out in the morning.  I need to break them in, so I will take my time.

As I sit here...

I did good yesterday!  Seriously! Although, I have lost 3 lbs since I started using myfitnesspal.com (I still use WW online too, but I'm really liking myfitnesspal.com), the run/walking has been my saving grace.  I am loving the training for the 1/2 marathon.  Yesterday, I ran/walked using my gymboss and accomplished 8.10 miles (logged using my new Garmin I got as a gift).

I'm nervous that I'm still not fast enough, but I will keep at it to become faster.  I need to do more cross-training (hello gym!), so that is my goal for the week.  I told my husband to look at me next week and ask, why are you here and not at the gym?  :-) 


Yesterday was so beautiful, but today is back to gray and gross.  :-( I'm so not happy with the weather right now.  The path I took for my run/walk yesterday was kind of scary because of the traffic and lack of run/walking space.  I don't think I will got that way again.  Some of it did have sidewalks, about half, but with the other half I was afraid of being hit by a car.  I need to figure out another area for my 10 miles next weekend.

Using MyFitnessPal

This week, in addition to my Weight Watchers eTools, I signed up and started using myfitnesspal.com.  I have been using it for 5 days now and so far, so good.  I like it, but I want to give it some time to see how it goes.  I think I just needed something new and different than eTools, and to actually do some calorie counting.  The new Weight Watchers plan, I'm still on the fence about.  I like it, but I'm not totally in love. 

Running in the Rain

Oh man!  I did 6.35 miles this morning, outdoors in the rain. It was yucky and I was soaked!  It wasn't pouring, but it was enough to keep me damp and uncomfortable. My glasses were all fogged up!  I was layered up, had on gloves and a jacket and I just did it (Nike had it right).  I ran/walked using my lovely hot pink Gymboss.  I love that thing! According to my hear rate monitor, I burned 1065 calories. :-)

It felt good to get out there.  It is very different running outside than on a treadmill, so it is good that I'm doing both to train for my race. I'm not really into running in the rain, but since I live in the PNW, it is hard to find a time to run outdoors when it isn't raining.  LOL!  So, I got to do it when I can.

As for the weight, I'm staying the same.  No changes. :-(  I'm hoping that since I am back to running, I will begin to drop weight again, as long as I watch and log my points/calories.  

Deals, Illness and Running

Hi All!  OMG, what a week.  Okay, I had my long run last Sunday to train for the 1/2 marathon.  Well, I went knowing that I had been coughing & sniffling, but I have my training schedule to stick to and I wanted to stick with it.  Well, Monday, I could hardly drag myself out of bed.  I went to the doctor and found out I had the beginnings of bronchitis with a sinus infection. My doctor shook her head at me when I told her I had gone running the day before.  Her suggestion -- take it easy or I could make myself worse. 

So, I've been taking my antibiotics and trying to get myself better. I do feel better, but sickness is all around.  My husband also had to make a trip to the doctor and found out he has pneumonia.  We are both sad and pitiful.  I hate being sick and he is the worst "patient".  I told him I want to move to a warmer climate so I can dry out and get warm.  Although, I like the pacific northwest, the weather is getting to me.  It is just damp all the time and gray.  A friend of mine bought one of those UV lamps that she sits in front of 15 minutes a day.  The things we do to try and get some "light".

As for weight and activity...activity has been 0 this week and the weight has remained the same. Right now, that is the last of my concern.  I just want to get healthy so I can get back to training. 

My friend that I'm running the 1/2 marathon with, we stopped by the Brooks Outlet because she heard they were having a sale.  I got a great deal on some running shoes, which were marketing samples of the new Ravenna 2 for $29.99 and they had my size, which was surprising because I have huge feet (10.5 to 11). They are really comfortable and I like the orange color.  I was also able to get a Moving Comfort sports bra for $10.00.  Who could pass that up?

I never really went into the Brooks Outlet, because I felt like a "poser" and only thought it was for runners.  However, I am a runner (although slow) and they had some other great items, but many were too small for me -- lots of smalls and mediums.  My friend got a bra and a couple of technical running shirts.  I did find a long sleeved shirt on clearance, also orange that matched my shoes. I can't wait to take them for a spin.  Only when I get rid of this dang-on cough!! Hopefully soon!! 

Running for the hills...

I started my running program this week (thanks MissHaneefa for the program), which started off  rocky because of my hacking cough.  My whole family has been sick, so of course I pick up the cooties too.  We've been passing it back and forth (not fun) to each other for over a month, but I think I'm working through it.  I was supposed to do my long run today, but I will do it tomorrow. I'm feeling better, so think that this is a turn for the sickness in our home (fingers crossed).

My friend also signed up for the Seattle Rock-n-Roll 1/2 marathon.  We are really excited! She has been running for years and has been offering advice, so I feel that I have a mentor to help me become a runner, or a better runner. It feels good to have someone there watching my back and cheering me on.

Weigh in was okay today...I lost 1 lb, so I'll take it. I am looking into purchasing some runner gear (i.e. running skirt, top, new sport bra),  but money is tight, so I have to find some items on sale possibly? I've seen some really cute running outfits, but I need some items that will wick away the sweat. What I've been running in is mostly cotton, so I just need to invest in something decent, that will hold up.