Superhero powers

Just like when I was younger,getting a new pair of shoes meant I could jump high and run faster. So to me ,new running shoes = Superhero powers, minus the cape.
Picked up a pair of new running shoes last night . Ed at Fleet Feet in Northfield did a great job , refitting me to a better pair of shoes. Apparently the other pair were not correct for me and caused me to pronate when I normally did not. The new shoes Mizuno Wave Rider 15  plus some nifty inserts feel ooh so good on my feet and knees.

I tried out the new shoes on a 3.7 mile run this morning and they did great. No pair or rubbing .

I decided to try some gels. With today's run being shorter, I decided to take in the gel prior to my run. I have only done dry fruit and sports beans for long runs. I picked up Island Nector Roctane GU. Well I either will not like them or have to get used to the consistency of the gels.

Having some concerns about my left knee. Not sure if it was from the incorrect shoes that have cause this issues. The internal knee  area is bruised and slightly tender. The bruising and tenderness does not follow my joint line of the knee. It almost feels tendon/ligament area. Ice for a couple days. Got a big race on Sunday to be ready for.

Sunday musings

I woke up this am, energized and ready for a long run. I put on my great new socks that I won through a recent giveaway. Actually I won 2 pairs of Wright Socks Cool mesh II socks courtesy of Bobbi from Journey in Running and Sweet and Savory by Sarah! Thank you both . I love the socks-they fit well and no blisters or sore spots. The cool mesh ones actually keep my feet warm in cooler weather. I do not like to wear thicker socks.

My run was great. Very meditative and just plain felt good. The sun was shining bright and at times warm against the 30 degree temps. I did 6.44 miles which is the most I have done since my sickness around the holidays and my vertigo. I am glad to be getting the higher miles again.

It was great to pass other people on the sidewalks today and actually have hellos or good mornings back. I fins it funny that others have a hard time acknowledging you or speaking. I am not scary looking or going to rob you, just someone out for a run being friendly.

I encountered something new this week- runners toe. My 2ND toe on each foot was sore and felt blistered but nothing there until the next day when one toe turned black. I read up on what to do and drained the blood. I was careful on how I did it and and in a clean technique. I am a nurse after all, we nurses are so big about keeping things clean. It feels so much better and I was able to do today's run with no issues. It does remind me to get to Fleet Feet to get a new pair of shoes.

Next Sunday is my first 10K. I am nervous and excited. I am going into this with no big expectations of a finish time, since this my first race of this distance.

Ohio weather is soo unpredictable. The saying in Ohio is if you don't like the weather, wait about 15 minutes. This morning was 30 degrees and sunny then around 4pm we had high winds and blizzard like snow for about a half hour which put about an inch on the ground. Wow.

More than words

This is what I was feeling yesterday on my 5.5 mile run. Just mentally letting go.
I had a nice surprise when Terri drove my running route on her way home from work. She beeped and waved with excited love in support of me! She so rocks.

One of those days

Today was one of those days. I woke up feeling sinus troubles and just plan lazy, but the drive internally to go run.  I was struggling with it. The weather showed 18 degrees out and some of the roads snow covered. I have really never run  in the snow and that low of temps. The sun was shining.
I pushed through and decided to at least get 3 miles in on a run. I did 3.8 miles. All I have to say is thank goodness for buffs. I stated when I got home, " no one touch my buff, it is gross." Enough said.
Today I am grateful for an encouraging partner and self motivation.

You spin me right round, baby.

After about 5 days of severe vertigo, I am starting to feel better. I was mainly in bed sleeping off the medications or on the recliner. I could not even read, watch tv or look at computer without getting dizzy. Spent 4.5 hours in the emergency room Monday night trying to figure out what was wrong. The best they could come up with is it is residual from my colds in December.

This has been a hard 5-6 days for me to be laid up and confined to doing nothing except sleep, drink, eat some and try to walk some when the dizziness wasn't bad.
I am starting to see through the dizziness and it is clearing with some residual dizzy moments here or there. I still don't trust myself to drive, will leave that to Terri. I am hoping the weekend brings about less dizziness for me and I can work from home on Monday.

Here is a lovely shot of me sleeping in the recliner with my blanket buddy Nermal.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

Now you have the Mister Rodgers tune in your head...well at least I do in mine.

This morning, a lot of the snow was melting away and temps high 30's. Took advantage of working the later shift today and went for a morning run. I LOVE to do morning runs. Not that I don't with afternoon or evening runs, but morning is my best time of the day~ Ran 4.5 miles .

I signed up for my first race in 2012 and my first 10 K. It is the Canton Big Game 10K on 2/5/2012. This will be my first race in the winter/cold weather and slight nervous about that.

I have also narrowed down to wanting to do the Akron Half Marathon in Sept. I was wanting to do the Canton 1/2 in June but the day before the race my sister is getting married. After discussing with my wellness coach, it was decided not to do that as my first 1/2 Marathon.

I am looking for a couple more races this spring summer to keep me motivated and to have goals. I will be sitting down and going over 2012 soon for running .

Terri and I are getting a few friends together to go over and create a new 101 goals in 1001 days. It has been fun meeting a lot the prevous goals and will be interesting creating new ones.


Here is what it looked like in the backyard this morning with the melting snow

Here is me post run. Just Jen