Poster Child

So, there will be no mistaking where I'm from during the marathon. My mom got me texas flag running shorts and texas flag running socks to wear, to go along with the kiss me I'm a Longhorn shirt- how funny is it that I absolutely love it?! And she got me this major gift card to runtex (score!) I'm going to pick up my second new pair of running shoes tomorrow. I just got a pair maybe two weeks ago, and I haven't run in almost a week, so it'll be good to have two new pairs at the same time to alternate between- and with the rotation of the two, neither should exceed their maximum milage until April- which means that I won't have to get new shoes the week before the race and have to worry about breaking them in, or getting blisters, or the fact that I've been on a taper and haven't completed a long run in them; you get the just of it. 78 Days! I'm Stoked! Lindsey

Knee Pain-Melinda

So my 10 miler went great. Felt pretty solid the whole time. The last half mile I felt like I had bricks on my feet and my socks were rubbing my feet hard. But luckily no blisters! Well my knees have been a little sore since the run. I tried to run again today and they just bothered me so I stopped. I was going to just run through it yet I felt like I should stop. So I looked online and it said things about mabey not proper having proper form? Also said it is common in beginners increasing their mileage. It said I should stretch and strengthen my quads. Would love to do that! So I guess Ill chill until the pain subsides and conentrate on strengthening and stretching for a few days. I had a such a feeling of accomplishment after the 10. Only 16 more. WOW!

The Wierdest Thing

So, my ankle has been a little tender, like I said in my last blog, but today I woke up and had this huge bruise all around it. I asked my uncle and he did not have an answer but did comment that he used to get bruises in his quads when a muscle would get too tight and make like a ball (not quite a cramp). Its bizarre either way. Just thought I'd share.-Lindsey

Still Elliptical-ing Around - by Sarah

So, it's been more that 2 weeks now that I have not run. I feel like my hip/leg is feeling better than last week though. I know longer have to walk with a limp and/or my knee locked out, which is definitely an improvement. Also, I am no longer taking advil every day to walk correctly AND today I tested myself by going down the stairs quickly and I can definitely do that with very little pain. Every day I trip at least twice, which usually hurts really bad and I feel like it sets me back, but today I tripped and it hurt, but my hip just FELT stronger and I recovered quickly. I kind of feel like I'm improving by going 2 steps forward and 1 step back. BUT, I can do the elliptical machine like a champ and spin class feels fine too. i have been doing interval training on the elliptical and I get a fantastic cardio workout, so hopefully when I can start running again, I won't feel too out of shape!

Silent Night

This morning I went my eight and then went to 6:30 service and had communion. This routine is proving to be a great way to get over that midweek hump. I made a new running friend through work and he has recommended doing a cold bath after long runs. He goes down to Barton Springs to soak, but he said that an ice bath is just as good for reducing swelling and speeding recovery. I think this is something that I need to do from now on. My sore ankle is starting to feel stronger, and I think that these next two weeks of cutting back on my milage are going to help. This evening I think I'm going to do some pilates to get a good core work out and some much needed stretching. It's such a great time of year to go for an evening run and look at all the Christmas lights! My mom and I used to love to do this when I was in high school and we would sing Christmas carols- I bet we looked like a bunch of dorks but it's a good memory for me. I'll see y'all Sunday! Lindsey

New Coach for Team Lear

Saturday I got new shoes, and Mike had his first Run-Tex experience. Its interesting now that I'm knee deep to see him seeing my world. Of course $100 shoes every two months is not something he comprehends well, but I think after seeing me try on shoes, having someone watch me jog up and down the store in six different pairs, evaluating my step, my stride, my feet, he might get it a little better. He did find out that I have a slight stitch in my step on my right foot (something I've known about) and Coach Lear thinks I should work on that. I made the mistake of asking the guy at the store his opinion on heel inserts, and concluded that I did not need any, but I wouldn't be surprised if they showed up in my stalking. I love Mike for his support, but I'm scared he's going to start trying to coach me,which would be annoying. Last few things- 18 was awesome, my right ankle is a little tender until it gets warmed up, my new shoes are higher in the heels and rubbed a blister yesterday, I'm going to have to get some new socks. I know I saw y'all on Thursday, but it seems like so long ago. I miss y'all! Lindsey

I feel like an old lady...

So since it has been a few days after my 8 miles I have been noticing somethings. My body has been talking to me. Yesterday my back butt area has been cramping up on one side. It probably happened 2 or 3 times yesterday and lasted briefly but it hurt when I went to sit down or get up. I dont know if it was from my 8 miles or using this new free motion butt machine that I have never used before. Also my left back of my upper ankle was pretty tight yesterday. My knee has stopped aching also. And I have a blister from a shoelace rubbing on my foot during my run this has defiantly reminded me that I need to take care of my body after the runs and really prep my body for the runs as well. My body is probably like what the heck are you doing?
Hope you guys have a good Thursday.
-Melinda

2 A Days

Did 8 this morning doing 4 this afternoon! I'm loving running this week. The weather is perfect for me right now. I don't even mind the misty! Hope y'all are loving it like me!
Lindsey

Wow!

Great Job Linds! Thats awesome. Sounds like it was a really rewarding run!You must have a great feeling today. So I just had a great lesson of patience while on the phone for an hour with a customer service person. Huge test of patience! Ill use that tonight on my run. I am going to do 8 miles on a treadmill. I know sounds fun. But I havent run since Thursday so I am ready to put up the miles today after work at 530. Im writing this also as I eat a good bowl of carbs. Hope the carbs and watching a movie on the treadmill help tonight. Love you guys! Thanks for the strengthening encouragment from you both!

I can't feel my legs!

Hey girls! Here's the recap of my eighteen miler today. It was hot, I ran at eight last night and ate dinner at five- needless to say I was thirsty and hungry the whole way. After about 14 1/2 I had to walk run the last 3 1/2 miles. At 12 I stopped at the house and drank some water and changed my soaking wet shirt. When I was finished my second shirt was just as drenched. From the first step out the door I didn't feel it. I even put the wrong playlist on by mistake. At 15 I told myself I was going to finish even if I had to crawl the last 3. I'm freakin'tight- not hurt at all, not even my knees, just stiff all over. I can't wait to try again next week, I know if I plan it right and have carbs for dinner instead of all protein I'll do much better and finish a lot stronger. My mom always used to say that sometimes a hard earned C means more to you than an easy A- I think my hard fought battle with eighteen today means more to me than if I had easily worked through it. Here's to earning it every step of the way! Lindsey

Hippy girl - by sarah

So, since Sunday my hip has been sore. After running through the pain and stepping through the pain, I realize that I am not that champion Ironman Triathlon winner that can ride a bike with a dislocated shoulder that I saw on TV the other night. i realize that my pride in being able to run a certain amount is not worth not being able to walk correctly for the next few days and being called "Waddles" (the same nickname I achieved when pregnant) by my husband! I am sure I will feel better tomorrow and most definitely next week, but it has taken a lot of pride-swallowing to be able to not run and get BEHIND a whole week in my training! I was so excited about running 8 this week and now I still won't know what that's like yet. But, I know God is teaching me to be patient. I always want "it" now. It's so hard for me to just sit and take certain things easy and I am way too competitive with myself. But, I give in now. It doesn't mean I'm giving up on this, but I have learned a lesson in listening to my body instead of my heart (I guess that lesson should only apply to running :-)). So, hopefully I will feel better next week and will continue in my training, but if the pain in my hip comes back, I have come to the conclusion that I don't have to be Super Woman and that I absolutely should NOT be Super Woman at the cost of my health and well-being, for the purpose of being able to be there 100% for my family. :-)

Downer

I am so bummed about your hip, Sarah! Talking to my mom today, she said that my aunt has a similar injury and she went to a chiropractor and does this electic shock therapy on it. I don't know all the details, but I hope a little rest helps, and you don't have to go to any extremes.
My running is really good. I did 6 monday, 4 tuesday, and 8 today. I'm going to take tomorrow off no matter what (I keep telling myself). My knee was a little achy today for the first time in a week, so I've determined that the cold weather has something to do with it.
Check out the quote I posted. It's a modified version of the famous Vince Lombardi speech about religion, family, and the green bay packers. Mike suggested it!
The latkes should be a good carb loaded food for running and I can't wait to have some! See y'all tonight! Lindsey

?

So why was it harder for me to do 3 miles for me yesterday. Man at like 1.5-2miles I wanted to stop so badly but instead I increased the spead on the tread mill thinking I will get into it more. That didnt work. I just kept running and stopped at my 3 miles what I had planned for yesterday. Mabey I was going too fast? Or just an off day? Not a good run.

Question

Do you guys recommend any foods inparticular that are good protein or foods for good fuel. Foods that a runner should consume.
Love you guys!

7 miles-Melinda

So our 7miler that Sarah and I did went great for the most part. We ended up talking the first 35 minutes or so. Which thinking about that means that I guess my cardio shape has improved since I could have a conversation. Around 5 miles it started to feel like I was running 5 miles. Around that time my music switched off of a playlist and started playing slow songs when we were on Brodie running on and off the grass because of little space. So the music thing got annoying. After we were done I felt good but I had immediate cramping which felt like soreness in my hampstrings. Then it went away after I cooled down. About an hour after the run, I went downhill. My energy dropped dramatically. I dont think I drank enough water right away and had the right food fuel. So that was a lesson. The rest of the day I was done, and that night my knees where sore and weak. But the next day I woke up and didn't feel anything anymore. I took the rest of the weekend off. Today I am starting back up again.
Happy Running this week!

New Week

Last week was hard for me. The running wasn't hard or too tiring, I just felt bored and somewhat out of rhythm and my eating was terrible. Last night I was going to do an extra four miles just because, but after I was all dressed and ready to go, I decided to go to bed instead(it was only 7:00). This morning was so much better. I enjoyed myself and I'm really looking forward to this week. I have an eighteen on Saturday! My first one! Keep on Keepin' on-Lindsey