geek girl runner

Monday, January 16, 2012

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A Decision
I'm not going to run the Gold Coast marathon this year. I'm not going to run any marathon this year. I know this sounds stupid, but it feels incredibly FREEING to say that. I know I said I was going to. But as soon as I said it, I felt weighed down by it. The next seven months stretched ahead like the worst homework assignment ever. It wasn't like that last year. I don't know what changed. But lately running is feeling less fun and more like a chore. It feels like something I only do because you guys expect it, and because I've made my running so public. It doesn't help that I keep adding a new injury every six months. I hurt my right knee ten days ago, and it's still not recovered. Every day that I don't run, I feel a terrible guilt knowing that I'm "falling behind" on my goals. Isn't that silly? I went out for a run this morning knowing that I shouldn't, just because I felt ashamed at not getting in any miles this week. (I got plenty of exercise, just not running.) That's just stupid, right? Who am I doing this for, anyway?! So when I got back to the house this morning, wincing as my knee climbed each step, I said to the Snook, "I don't think I want to run the marathon." And he said, "Okay." And I immediately felt SO MUCH BETTER. I feel like that's a big sign that I'm making the right choice. Right now to run would be to force the issue, and I don't feel like forcing it. I want to have some fun. I want to face some new challenges. I will continue to run, but I'm not going to set any expectations on it. That feels good to me.

Monday, January 9, 2012

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Week 1: And back to the beginning I go for the third year in a row! The first week of 2012 was an interesting one. I did my first "long" run of marathon training - 7 miles. It was on a very hot day, so I took it nice and slow. I missed my mid-week run in favour of trying to give blood once again, and I'm happy to report that this time it was successful! On Friday I went out for an easy 5K, but it was just awful. My legs and feet hurt and I just didn't want to be out there. In retrospect, I realise what the problem was. I accidentally wore my old running shoes! Unfortunately that mistake resulted in me developing a slight case of runner's knee. I exacerbated it on Saturday with a long bike ride and a strength workout. I've been icing and resting it ever since.

Jan 2: 11.51km
Jan 6: 5.80km
Jan 7: 14.44km (cycling)
Jan 7: strength workout
Total cycling this week: 14.44km (9mi)
Total cycling in 2012: 14.44km (9mi)
Total running this week: 17.31km (10.8mi)
Total running in 2012: 17.31km (10.8mi)

I'm not going to start comparing myself to the necessary goal pace just yet or it'll make resting this knee more difficult. I'll get there once the long runs start extending, I know it.

Friday, January 6, 2012

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Awesome, just discovered that Sydney parkrun is now open for registration! This is a weekly timed 5K at Sydney Park in St. Peters. It's free to join and run. I met the organisers last year and they're pretty cool. I'm looking forward to participating!

discuss this post [1]
Aww, neat! Kristen got interviewed about her running experiences and credited me as one of her inspirations. How nice is that! It actually makes me laugh a little, as Kristen kicks my butt all over the place. She bikes! She swims! She runs more than I do! And she has two kids and a big dog too. She is Super Woman. :)
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