Change

So last week after months and months of thinking it over, I decided I would finally sign up for my certified personal training course. I am excited to learn more about the one thing I am passionate about - fitness. I am ready to help others reach their goals. :)

My current goal is be done and certified by September. I have already signed up for my CPR/AED training, which takes place in August. I would aim for an earlier time, but have to have that class first before I can take the final.

Here's to my future! :)

P.S. Haven't forgotten about my other recaps. Life has gotten in the way. I will try and get them up soon though.

First Real Injury?

It seems I am experiencing my first real injury. On March 29th, I experienced some discomfort in my left foot. I didn't really think I did anything crazy to it. I was on my feet for 6 hrs that day at work, so I thought I just got knocked around some how by a dog or two. I decided I would take a few days off of running to see if maybe it would magically go away on its own. Unfortunately, even though I thought it was gone....it wasn't.

As each week went by I could tell it was getting better, but again not totally healed. I still kept on running because when running or walking I didn't feel it. I only felt something when I would flex my foot back.

I was even unsure if I was even going to be able to run my next half marathon. I hate dropping out of something. So I kept on getting out there to run. Pushing myself to see if I would even feel any discomfort. Nadda.

I did finish my half marathon. I even shaved 4 minutes off my first half marathon time (recap coming soon...hopefully). However, after the race when I was trying to stretch my foot out I could tell it was hurting, but again I was able to walk/run on it without feeling anything.

FINALLY this past Sunday I got Mike's Dad to take a look at it. He immediately knew what I had done and told me I needed to take 2 weeks off from running. I can still workout but I must make sure my shoes have some support in them for the time being.

So what did he find out? He found out I had a very common injury to runners and tennis players, and probably any one who pushes off their foot a weird way. I have "turf toe". Basically I have sprained the joint right below my big toe. Even though I thought I was okay...running was just making it worse.

Fun stuff, right? lol. I have to ice it two to three times a day for 20 minutes. I also have to make sure I am still taking my glucosamine and also my Wobenzym (enzymes).

Not sure how I am going to manage 2 weeks of no running, but I guess I will have to make due with the stationary bike at the gym for the being.

Half Marathon Training: Week 12

Can't believe race week is here!


Sunday- Didn't really do anything except for my 30 day ab challenge work out. Lazy rainy day.


Monday - A little core work from the 30 day ab challenge


Tuesday - 3 mile run with the group run. It was a muddy run so I took it easy so I didn't hurt myself.


Wednesday - Rest day.


Thursday - Last training run before Sunday. :) Easy 2 mile run.


Friday - Rest


Saturday - Rest/Expo day. 2nd Half Marathon on Sunday!!! :)

Half Marathon Training: Week 11

Last real week of training. So ready to kick this weeks butt! :)

Sunday- Another beautiful day out so I went for a 2 mile run to make up for not running it on Thursday. :)


Monday - Thirty minute hardcore core work out. My abs were on fire during this.


Tuesday - Group run day. Easy 2 mile run in the AM and 3 mile run at the group run.


Wednesday - Total body work out.


Thursday - No run. Just did a little ab work out.


Friday - Work a Saturday shift so I did my 10 mile run. It was a tough one but I got it done.


Saturday - Rest Day

Half Marathon Training: Week 10

Sunday- Quick 5K run in the neighborhood. It felt amazing out.


Monday - Started week 2 of Recreating You. Today was a lot easier than last week. Thank goodness.


Tuesday - Quick 2 mile run before doing my other work out. My 2 mile run was awesome. I find its easier if I get a run in before I do some sort of cross training work out.

Recreating You work out was a lot easier for me today than last week. I still hated doing the 300 jumping jacks though.

Went to run group in the evening for a 3 mile run.

Wednesday - Started off with the 10 minute solution ultimate boot camp -six pack attack. Great 10 minute core work out. Afterwards I did the Recreating You work out. Great double day work out.

In the evening, I decided I would go for a 3 mile run since the weather for Thursday didn't look too pretty. Cold and rain equal not a good combo.

Thursday - I wanted to go for a 2 mile run, but it was crazy windy out so I decided I would just do my work out and call it a day.

Friday - Woke up not feeling well. So I decided I would do a little core work.


Saturday - Amazing 9 mile run at the park. So glad I got out there. :)

Half Marathon Training: Week 9

Week 9 is complete. Hard to believe I have 3 weeks until the Publix Half. CRAZY!!!


Sunday- Today marks one month until the Publix Half. I was scheduled to run 9 but honestly didn't have that in me. So I decided I would do 6.5 hilly miles.


Monday - T25 Beta Dynamic Core....killer. On Sunday, my best friend sent me a work out program that she was going to start so to help keep her motivated (even states away) I decided I would also do it. Tons of leg stuff along with another round of core stuff. I love switching things up a bit. Pushing my body to do something it isn't use to doing.

Tuesday - Even though I woke up with a headache, I got up and got my work out in. Day 2 of helping my friend stay motivated. :) Woke up a little sore this morning in areas that obviously haven't gotten a good work out in a while.

After the killer work out, I went for an easy 2 mile run.

Wednesday - I feel like a slacker. :( I was suppose to do 3 miles last night at my group run, but I ended up staying home due to a migraine. I woke up with it this morning as well. Sucks when it doesn't go away. Anyways, headache or not I got up and did day 3 of the Recreating You work out that my best friend and I are doing together. I am really starting to hate squats, lol. If the weather changes (its kind of rainy out right now) I may try and get that 3 mile run in today. It will also depend on if my head is done pounding.

Thursday - Woke up this morning feeling refreshed. I didn't waste any time getting up and getting my work out over with. I decided I would start off with day 4 of Recreating You just to get that over with. After finishing that I put on my winter running clothes and took off to run 5 miles in the neighborhood. I have to say that had to be most boring run. I felt like it was taking forever. Probably didn't help that my legs are still a little sore from doing the squats the other day. I wanted to quit about halfway through but I knew that wasn't an option.

Friday - Last day of the week doing the Recreating You work out. :)


Saturday - Stretched some after working. Also registered for my 10th Peachtree Road Race!! :)

Half Marathon Training: Week 8

Sunday- 8 mile run on the Big Creek Greenway out in Cumming, GA. Decided to run somewhere different so I don't get sick of the same ole stuff.


Monday - Did a little weight lifting at the house. Nothing too crazy. My body was still tired from running 8 miles the day before.


Tuesday - Ran 5.2 miles on the greenway that I normally run on with the Suwanee Big Peach group. Half through the run I was wish I had worn a tank top. It got hot quick.


Wednesday - Waited until the evening to get my work out in, but it doesn't matter when I do it as long as I get it done, right? T25 Upper Focus. It was just what I needed. I can also tell I am going to need to up the weight next time I do it. :)


Thursday -I guess its that time in my training that I start to lose all motivation to get out and run. I am 4 weeks away from the GA Publix Half and now I am not wanting to run. I have 3 more long weekend runs, so if I have to miss one..I am not going to beat myself up over it. Anyways, instead of 4.5 miles, I only ran 2 slow miles.


Friday - Helped a friend move after work so I guess you can say I got my work out in helping move boxes and furniture.


Saturday - Nothing. Decided I would push my run to Sunday.

Half Marathon Training: Week 7

Week 7 was a good week even if I wasn't able to get my Thursday run in due to the weather. Hopefully no more snow for the rest of my training!! :)


Sunday-Rest day after 10K the previous day.


Monday - Since the weatherman said we would be having some snow/ice, I decided it would be best for me to get my 4.5 mile run in. I decided I would just run the miles in my neighborhood. I had a pretty run. My legs felt great.


Tuesday - I did a 20 minute weight lifting session at the house.


Wednesday - Day 2 of being snowed in. I turned on T25 and did a little of the Beta Speed 2.0. It was nice to do something that a bit more challenging.


Thursday - Day 3 of being snowed in. I am really getting cabin fever. Since I am not able to run due to the roads having snow and ice on them, I decided to do another weight lift session, but this time I did the T25 Upper Focus.


Friday - Rest day. A little sore from the upper body lifting I did the on Thursday.


Saturday - After being on my feet at work, I decided I would just run on Sunday.

Half Marathon Training Recap: Week 2

Monday:

I wasn't able to get to the gym due to work but I did do a little Insanity at home. Something is better than nothing. :)

Tuesday:

I got up did 3 miles in the neighborhood. During the run I thought I was running a little slower than normal. but when I finished I looked at my avg pace and was surprised I was actually in a race pace. I'll take it. :)

Later in the evening I went down to Big Peach Suwanee to run with the running group. I decided I would only 3 miles. I didn't want to over do it. Plus it gave me a chance to demo some compression sleeves from Zensah. LOVE THEM! I didn't feel any spin pain in my left leg (I normally have some kind of shin split if I over do it).

Wednesday: 

I decided to switch it up. Instead of doing strength training on Thursday, I decided to do it on Wednesday. I did chest and back. After lifting I went up up to the treadmill to run my 2 miles. I felt great afterwards. I may actually keep my strength training days on Wednesdays instead of Thursdays.

Thursday:

Since I woke up with a headache, I was a little late getting out there to run my 3 miles.  Around 11:20, I crawled out of bed to go for a run. It wasn't a super fast run or a super slow run. I was pleased with my time and avg pace.

I was suppose to go for a run with the Big Peach group, but I decided to skip the second run of the day. I just wasn't feeling it.

Friday:

Off Day! :) I love this day.

Saturday:

I had to work today so I basically did my cross training at work. Walking is considered cross training, right? If so, then cool. If not, well, nothing I can do now.

Sunday:

I really didn't want to get out there to run 4 miles. I was still really tired from having to work on Saturday. I did get out there though. I can't say it was an easy one or even fun one, but I got it done. That's all that matters right?


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Week 2 was much better than week 1. Week 3 is going to be a little crazy. I am going to be out of town starting on Wednesday so I am probably going to be switching up a few things. I am going to try my best not to miss a run day.

5 Miles plus possible AllState 13.1

Normally I like to stick to my smaller runs on the treadmill, but since it was a tad chilly this morning I decided I would go to the gym and get a few miles in. I didn't think I was going to last 5 miles on the treadmill because I get soooo bored, but once I got to 4 miles I decided I wasn't going to stop. I am happy I didn't. I wish I could have gone on another mile, but my legs were getting tired. I haven't ran more than 4 miles since last year.

This was my last run of the week. Tomorrow I am going Insanity's Pure Cardio to finish out my cross training week. Hoping to kick some butt in that tomorrow. :)

Sunday will mark one week until my next 5k. I am really excited even though I wish I was doing the half marathon instead. Maybe next year I will decide to tackle that tough course.

Speaking of halfs, I may be doing the AllState 13.1 in October. I am not too totally sure yet. I am hoping to make my decision by May if I am going to participate in it or not. If I do, it'll be my first. :)