Figured out source of odd foot pain....

                        I was getting this odd pain on the outer, middle part of the bottom of my left foot and started to worry. But during my 5 mile run this morning I figured out why it was hurting me. During my trail race, this past Sunday I had to do a lot of very, very steep walks. At some points these hills just became too much and I would push off primarily with the balls of my feet. I must have done this at least 5 times during the 13.1 miles and did not think of it again until now. I am somewhat relieved that it's not a more serious injury, and in fact, I have noticed that after a manageable run, where I don't push myself too hard, it hurts a bit less.

My North Face Endurance Challenge Half-Marathon in Sterling, VA

               This was my first trail race and it was so fun!! Lots of obstacles such as very steep hills going up and down, some muddy areas, and some areas where you had to cross a small body of water over rocks. 

At the beginning everyone waiting for the race to begin. 

Beautiful views all around

More beautiful views

A golf course...perfect skies

The sound of rushing water

Very calm view

Single track for most of the trails

More rushing water

Back inland for more single track 

almost there....

View of water from up above

up and down.....very hilly course

Dusty, dirty ankles....

My bib and my medal.....The race was actually more like 15 miles....

I am in love with trail running!!

                         This past Sunday I ran 10 miles, most of it on trails and I come out of this experience a changed woman. I can't imagine a better running scenario than this one.  It was 65 degrees, misty rain coming down. The best part of the experience though was the fact that I did not experience any pain or discomfort right after. The rest of the day was like I have not run 10 miles at all. Not to mention that I was not excited about going that morning. My bones felt heavy when I woke up, I had watched a movie late the evening before, so I was operating on little sleep and not in the best of moods. Nonetheless, it was an awesome run!! The experience also made me feel sure I could finish my trail-based race in 2 weeks well within the 4-hour cut-off. If anything, I will not be a PR at this half-marathon, my pace is at least 2 minutes slower in the trails, but the workout overall felt much more comprehensive. Every part of my body was sweating while trekking up and bounding down like a child down these steep hills but I had a smile on my face the entire run. I can say with no doubt that this was the most fun I've had so far on a run. Can't wait for next weekend to go back and discover more of Rock Creek Park. 

Trail Running Tips and Facts....

* Aim 75% of your normal speed
* Running trails helps improve balance 
* Wear trail shoes
* When you first begin, only do about 10-15 minutes to get your ankles used to the extra work
* Lift toes a slightly bit higher than in road running 
* Keep eyes about 10 feet ahead of you
* Walk if approaching tricky obstacle 
* Stay to right of trail 
* In races, carry your own water and refill at aide stations
* Drink with bottle to your side, so you can keep your eyes on the road
* If you see a branch in front of you, put your hand out and prepare to push it away
* Eat a light meal 2 hours before run
* Bring ID, cash,cell phone
*High cadence and short steps
* Pass on the left 
* Make people aware you are passing, 'on your left'
* Go through puddles and not around them
* Place bibs on your thigh area, not your chest
* At a trail race, there might be some chattering runners
* Take care of chaffing early on before they become a big deal

Just signed up for the North Face Endurance Challenge Half-Marathon

              I just signed up to run a half marathon in a nature park. The race is called the North Face Endurance Challenge Half Marathon. I am super nervous because I have never run a race on mixed terrain before. I am very used to running 13+ miles at one time, I do this now weekly for my long runs. Yet, not at all sure whether I can even finish the race within the allotted 4 hour time. The great news is that once finished, I will qualify to be a Half-Fanatics: 

Here are some interesting facts about this race in case anyone want to join me...can't wait. 

*The North Face Endurance Challenge returns to Algonkian Regional Park, Great Falls Park and the Potomac Heritage Trail again in 2013. The course keeps runners on their toes with ever-changing terrain. Overall, the course consists of 50% singletrack, 30% dirt or gravel double-track, 10% gravel carriage road and 10% paved road.
*The North Face Athletes Dean Karnazes and endurance challenge race director,Nick Moore. I can't believe it, I might actually get a chance to meet Dean Karnazes.
* The race offers 2 kid races, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. 

MarathonFOTO.com.....anyone ever LIKE their photos?

       I just got an email with my photos from MarathonFOTO.com for my half marathon in Frederick this past weekend and as always, I hate them. Not like I would even buy them anyway if they were stunning, they are quite pricey. Nevertheless, the pics make me a bit worried, perhaps when I run I just feel so good that I THINK I look amazing.....and these photos let it like it is, OR maybe the photos are notoriously bad because of the angle they are taken, from below.....I am 5'2, but in each one of the photos I look like I could easily be 4'11".....does anyone else have this experience?

Got my dose of TRIUMPH this morning....

                     I love, love, love running in the mornings. This morning I ran 5 miles ending this week at 28 miles total, three more than last week. I have been slowly trying to both maintain a good running base as well as slowly raise the amount of miles I do weekly so that I am race-ready for any last minute half-marathon I might want to join. I am trying to do about 3 runs during the week at 5:30am that total to about 15 miles, and a long run of 13 miles on the weekend. 

                   Lately, I have been very slow in my runs. I've had to be very mindful of my form in order to not get any injuries. I believe my increased pace is due to the fact that I've been having salad dressing daily with my salads, making me retain water; salad dressings have massive amounts of salt content. In addition, I partied with some friends twice this week and had some alcohol, which I'm also sure is making me retain water. Therefore, I am not surprised that my speed has been slower. 

                       Nevertheless, all is great....summer is almost here....I finished this huge project that was due for my job, am running a half-marathon this Sunday in Maryland, going to the race expo Saturday with Nora, Luke has a Little League game this weekend and the weather is getting warmer and the flowers are everywhere.... 

                 

                 

Just finished my first half-marathon baby!!

 I just ran my first half marathon. This was the DC Rock and Roll half marathon.....some awesome adventures before and during....will do recap later....after I get some sleep....

This is what 30,000+ people look like......surprises at every turn. 

Plenty of live entertainment at every turn.....

In a race one can run on streets where normally only cars can go....here we are in Rock Creek Parkway near Dupont. 

Men in pink tutus......now that made me smile. 

  My camera took pictures of my shoe as I was running....oh, and there is a water cup....

The starting line...              

New hairdo.....getting ready for my first half-marathon

                      I went to my favorite hair salon, Simply Bliss to see Evelyn (my hair cutter) and get my hair trimmed. I want to look sharp for my up and coming half-marathon.....cannot wait to kiss my medal. 

2 weeks away from my first half marathon

                              I am just 14 days away from my first half marathon ever..........I cannot wait!! Then three weeks later I have The Cherry Blossom 10-miler, also in DC. After the two races I think I will start upping my miles very slowly to see if a fall marathon is even possible for this year. Right now, because I have not yet done a complete 13.1 miles EVER, it's hard to imagine doing 26.2 miles. But I think if I can successfully work my body up to even 20 mile long-runs this summer, when I have more time during my vacation. I will have a lot more confidence in my abilities once I can show myself that my body can handle the long miles. 

                        I know in my heart that I will do a marathon very soon, if not this year, next year. I just want to be ready and not injure myself. Doing a marathon when not ready is a perfect recipe for an injury and I do not want to stop running due to injury. Being able to continue running is more important that earning a medal ASAP. 

                      I am also turning 40 this summer. Yes, the big FOUR ZERO! Funny things is that I am stronger and more active now then I ever was in my twenties or thirties....I look forward to many, many more years of races, and weekly long runs. When did you start running?

Manifesting that first marathon into reality

                  I am debating whether or not I will run a marathon this year. Funny how in running, just as in regular life, only what you imagine to be possible ever really manifests. Part of me wants to just register for a marathon for the fall of 2013 and feel confident I'll be ready, but another part of me still can't imagine getting there, at least not that soon. I have full confidence that I can do a half-marathon, but a full marathon? I not yet sure, not in the fall for sure. Perhaps I am thinking too far in advance and I should just take it one day at a time. Perhaps, I should just look at all I have already done and be happy with how far I have come, but a huge part of me wants to experience finishing a marathon so bad I can taste it. I know it will be a life-changing experience for me and the sooner it happens the better. 

                   I know myself and I know that very soon, in the next year or two I will run and complete a marathon, no doubt about that. The question on my mind is how soon? I am sort of impatient and want that experience under my belt yesterday. But, to avoid injuring myself I will absolutely take it slow and maybe do a couple of 1/2 marathons before I ever think of running a full one. I could do the run-walk-run method and do it sooner but the perfectionist, purist part of me wants to actually run the whole marathon, not walk a chunk of it. I very much respect people's decision to do that if they so choose to, but I know for me, I need to be running it. 

                    In the meantime, I am happy with my weekly running schedule of 20-23 miles a week and hoping to complete 1000 miles by November of 2013. I am also slowly learning more and more about how to increase my 'wind' and might be trying out some of what I learn on the weekends. I am not going to let the competitive, perfectionist part of me ruin the overall positive experience I have so far been having with this new found passion. 

                       
**How about you out there? 
**How did you know when you were ready to run a marathon?  
**From when you started running, how long did it take you to run a marathon?