*Cleveland Half-Marathon*

Hey everyone! I know it's been a while since I've been on here, but I thought I'd write and update my xanga running pals on my running status. A few weekends ago, I ran the Cleveland Half-Marathon. It was my first Half-Marathon ever! I hadn't written on here during my training (which I have to say I regret), but I spent most of my time training in the lovely country of Australia. I had gone over there for two months to visit my boyfriend, Max.

Training went well. I wasn't nearly as anal about training as I had been in the past, which I believe benefited me in the end. I got plenty of cross-training and I ran what I had planned on running pretty regularly, but I really slacked when it came to the strength-training. Two weeks before the race, I flew back to the states and contracted a virus of some kind  from one of the planes I was on, which left me feeling very tired and weak. So, the last two weeks of training were the hardest. My last long run, the 10 miler, was extremely difficult. I was really weak and tired and took many walking breaks, but got through it.

A few days before the race, my mom, my friend Bren and I drove up to Cleveland and stayed in a hotel. On the day before the race, I was feeling really sick to my stomach. I was really worried that it would affect my performance the next day. However, I woke up on race day feeling great. I was pumped and ready to go, yet I told myself before the race started that because I had been so sick the past few weeks, I should expect a slight decline in performance, and I told myself that I would allow walking at water stations.

At the start line, everyone was wearing ponchos and hoodies. It was raining like crazy for a few hours before the race, and about 20 minutes into the race.

Mile 1: My first stop- I took about 30 seconds to strip off my poncho and throw it away, unzip my hoodie, tie it around my waste and fix my bandana on my head.

Mile 2: Passed the first waterstation. No need to stop! I think I'm going to try and wait as long as possible to stop. Saw mom and Bren and did "The Phoebe" for them. They enjoyed it thoroughly and I was feeling good.

Mile 4: What? I'm at mile four already? I don't remember passing mile three! This is awesome! Also, I notice a few guys are using me to pace themselves. They ran until they got to me, then stopped and walked, almost the whole way to the finish line.

Mile 5: This is the longest distance I had run in a race- the Shamrock Shuffle 8k. I cannot believe I've been running for an hour already. I'm making great time, and I had no need to stop at any waterstations so far!

Mile 6: Feeling pretty emotional at this point. I feel absolutely amazing. No pain- I feel like a literal machine and I'm having a great time. Then, I see this guy with a shirt on that says "50 States Marathon Club. I have ran a marathon in all 50 states." I had to talk to him! He was from Virginia and had already done a few races in Ohio before. Good onya!

Mile 7: Seven miles? Really? I thought back to my really difficult 7 mile run in Sydney. It feels at this point like I had gone out for a 3 mile run. I haven't felt the need to stop and walk yet, and this is the turning point. I decided that I had made it this far and would run the whole thing until the end.

Mile 10: Only three miles to go, and I feel like I still have so much left in me. The next part will be cake! The sun has come out and is in my face a bit, but I keep on moving. I cross the Veterans Bridge back into the main part of the city and I know I'll see my mom and Bren soon at mile 11. Someone was holding up a sign that said "tired yet?" and I yelled "no!"

Mile 11: I see mom and Bren and I yell "this is the best thing EVER!" I literally feel high. I've never been high, but I can't imagine it being any better than this. It's an amazing, euphoric experience. This is why I run.

Mile 12: One mile to go! I'm starting to feel pretty tired at this point, but I know it's because the finish line is near. I push away the negative thoughts that try and make me focus on my weakness and I power through. I feel like I'm on autopilot now. Also, I have to wave goodbye to the marathoners. This is where we part ways. I cannot believe some people are only at their halfway point. What rockstars. I'll be there someday!

The Finish Line: About the time I'm crossing the finish line is right when the women's winner of the marathon is nearing the finish, so there are hundreds of people standing along the fence on the side cheering. It was awkward knowing so many people were seeing me finish, but it felt great! I ran up to my mom and gave her a hug and she held on a sec and I had to say "let go- i'm going to collapse if I just stand here!" I walked out of the fence and took my finishing metal and my bottled water and when I saw mom and Bren again, I literally screamed. I was sooooo happy. I had so much joy! I walked around for a bit and stretched and took some Aleve.

So, yeah, the race was an amazing success in my mind. I finished in 2:44:31, which means I did the 13.1 miles at about a 12:32 pace. Not bad for my first half-marathon. During my training, I hadn't focused at all on time, so I'm proud of what I finished with.

I realized at the finish line and after that this cannot be my only half-marathon. I am sold for life! The feeling I get from running is unlike anything else I have ever experienced. I am so happy when I do it. It brings me the greatest sense of accomplishment, along with the best high I have ever had.

Here are some pictures for you. Enjoy!

Me in Sydney, Australia

Max and I in Adelaide, Australia

Mom, Bren and I in Cleveland

At the starting line!

Right after crossing the finish. I was so incredibly happy at this point!

After the race with my finishing metal next to the guitar. YEAH!

So, I hope you've enjoyed reading about my first half-marathon. I'll hopefully be writing on here more about my future running endeavors, which will probably include a few 5ks this summer and my entry into the world of speed workouts. I feel content with the distance accomplishment. Now I'd like to get a little bit faster, so I'll be on here chatting about and asking for advice on fartleks and such! Woo-hoo!

Currently Listening Illinois By Sufjan Stevens Chicago see related

Plantar Fasciitis

 That's my diagnosis. The good thing is- I can run again!!!

I went to the pediatrist last tuesday and got a lot of good info. He said I could start running again, but I had to start small and increase little by little. He totally knew what he was talking about, being a runner himself, and I felt like I learned a lot from him.

I realize that I sometimes jump into this running thing wayyy too quickly. After all, I've only been running since fall of 2005. I need to realize that I have a lot to learn. The good thing about injuries is that I have learned sooo much about my body and what it needs and how to keep it healthy for running.

So, I bought new shoes, because I was definitely running in the wrong pair of shoes. I spent about $95, and bought a pair of Brooks. I've never used Brooks before, since I'm a pretty hardcore New Balance fan, but I decided to branch out and try something new. I love them. The pain in my foot is completely gone.

Also, I got the stick! It works amazing, especially for someone like me who hates warming up! I really like it, and it's made a huge difference.

Here is a fun picture of my new shoes, socks and stick.

Good luck with all of  your training. I'm so proud of you who have finished your race! Congratulations!!!

Spring Break is over and it was really great. I did pilates almost everyday and can definitely feel a difference.

Unfortunately, though, I have not been able to run still. My foot is still injured. It feels a tad bit better, and the more I wear my heels, the better it feels, but I have missed 3 long runs (two 7 milers and an 8 miler), and I'm afraid I will not be able to finish my training. Initially, I was really disappointed. But, I realize that these things just happen- that's the way life is. I will run a half marathon eventually- just not on April 15th (unless by some miracle my foot heals instantly and I am able to run my 8 miler this weekend, which could happen. I believe miracles happen!). So, we'll see. Until then, I'm not going to go nuts about it.

What is good is that I have not yet registered for the race yet. What is bad is that I did register for the Shamrock Shuffle 8k that is in 2 weeks. I love that race and I want to run it soo bad! So, I am hoping that my foot is healed at least by then.

Well, I'll still be on here, using this as a running log, but I will not be updating every day (more like weekly). I'll make sure to still be on here encouraging all of you who are still in your training. I want to say thanks to all of you who have been encouraging me so far in my running. Hopefully I'll be back on the road soon!

*Update*

I'm home on spring break now. *Yay!*

Well, the update is that my foot is still not better. We're going to make an appointment on monday and hopefully get me in to the doctor's before I have to go back to school. Until then, I've been kickin' my butt doing pilates and a little bit of yoga. It actually feels good to be doing some other kinds of work outs. Although it is not necessarily cardiovascular, I know I'm getting stronger, so that's good.

So, we'll see about the race. Honestly, I'm not that worried about it. I'd like to be able to run the entire thing, but if I have to walk some of it, who really cares? I need to get over myself and this "I have to run the entire time" thing that I have going on.

I'm a psychology major, and I can't help but apply some of what I have learned to life (psych has some good stuff!). But, seriously, I've noticed that the less "have to's" you have in your life, the better life is. You ought to have a couple, but not so many that it will drive you insane.

Funny thing about my foot, though: the only shoes that make my foot feel normal are my 3 inch stilettos. Yeah, go figure! It's because my stilettos put all of the pressure on the front part of my foot (toe and forefoot area) instead of making me put pressure on the side or the back. So, I've been wearing those around for a few days, which means I'm having to dress up everywhere I go! It's soo funny.

Complications continued...

Well, I've been on the internet for about an hour now looking up information about the human foot. One good thing about an injury is that you begin to learn about your body.

I do not know what is wrong, but I know that the anti-inflammatory doses of advil have not gotten rid of my problem, although it did make it a little better. I have had my foot up and I have been resting since Friday!

This morning I woke up and thought "I feel a little better, so I think I could handle using the stationary bike." Boy was I wrong. 20 minutes on that baby made my foot hurt worse than it has in the past 4 days. I thought since it wasn't necessarily weight-bearing, then it would be okay.

To tell you the truth, I was initially very frustrated- called up my poor mother and went "all drama queen" on the phone with her. It is upsetting not being able to run. And, it is especially upsetting not knowing what the problem is.

I have learned a few things: that the pain is around the 5th metatarsal in the plantar region (plantar means bottom of the foot... I don't know if doctors use the term "plantar region" though. I kinda made that one up).

Also, I know it's not Gout (found out what that was today). Thank God.

Hopefully I'll be able to make an appointment with a doctor while I'm home. We'll see for sure what the problem is then. Until then, I'm going to just keep doing exercises that strengthen me without causing me to put pressure on that foot. I'll probably be doing a lot of pilates while I'm home. That should be fun, because I really like pilates.