Injury free!

Finally! Finally I can say I am now running injury free. :) After for running nearly a month with shin splints and trying to overcome them with ice, rest, and cross training.. Last weeks runs were great and I experienced no shin pain whatsoever. Even though I was upset with work, I am very happy that it intervened and forced me to not run.. Because it allowed for adequate recovery time! I went on 3 runs last week all of which I experienced no discomfort (except for 1 but it was because I nearly twisted my ankle trying to dodge someone in my way). I am building up slowly of course. I only started with 1.5 mile runs last week. I normally do 3 miles so this was a huge scale back for me. That's okay tho. Next week (This week) I am planning on doing 2 more runs at 1.5 miles and then doing my last run at 1.75 miles. I've also been paying a lot of attention to my gait. Things are getting better..

and guess what?

I ran my fastest this week! All of my runs were under a 13 min/mile, my fastest being at 12:19 min/mile. This break was definitely worth it! I just got to get my diet under control and things will be golden. I am losing weight as well. I like that my job does not allow for any snacking. :)

A happy post.

The only negative thing I am adding is that I might not be doing my 5k Brooklyn Bridge on Sunday. I don't want to push it from my injury.. and that's okay with me. Even though the Brooklyn Bridge is my all time favorite bridge.. I will sacrifice the race and run the bridge by myself when I'm ready. :) Pretty sure after my recovery I will have a nice PR on it. ^__^ Plus, there are always more 5k races to sign up for. I am looking forward to doing a local run in my neighborhood in October.

Looks like I won't be running my Brooklyn Bridge 5k. My job makes me work on Sundays and since I just started last week.. I definitely can't already ask for a personal day off. Hopefully I get an afternoon shift that day because sometimes it varies and I'll be able to make the run in the morning.. Only thing that sucks is that I can't pre-register because I don't want to spend the money if I'm not running it.

Speaking of work..

It has made it increasingly difficult to work out at all. I worked out 1 day last week and that was a pathetic run. I haven't run since. My work schedule is making me work the night shift and I'm not a morning exercise person at all. I'm going to have to figure something out and start scheduling in my runs and my workouts earlier in the day. Maybe I can squeeze them in before work but I don't like the idea of having to bring my sweaty gym clothes to work since they check everything in our bags and it'd be pretty embarrassing to have my sweaty underwear and stuff in there. Gross. But, I promise myself that this week I will at least try for 3 workouts. Let's see how that goes. I'm so used to worked out 5-6 days a week.. but if I can squeeze in 3 runs/gym workouts and maybe do some yoga with the Wiifit and Netflix at home it won't be so bad. When I get my bike to ride to the gym or the track my workouts will become a lot easier since I won't waste nearly 45 mins walking to and from the gym or the track/dirt trail (easier on my shins which I really need right now).

Other than that my weightloss has been slow. I'm having a really hard time controlling my diet and sticking to my healthy foods. I will promise myself to get back on track again. I need to stop eating my feelings and giving into temptation.

Chronic shin splints..

Every time I really get into running.. the shin splints return. I try to be good. I try to give myself rest. I try to watch my form. I take anti-inflammatorys. I ice my shins. But they keep returning. I get really bummed out. I know I have to take time off and seriously cut back on mileage but I'm really addicted again and I love going out. I went out in the rain today and felt great. The streets were basically empty and I felt awesome but the shin pain became too much every time I took a walk break.

I'm going to do more cross-training at the gym this week on the elliptical, do some yoga/pilates, and some cycling.. but nothing beats running. I think I may just limit myself to 1.5 miles on my run days. Is that still too much? I just feel like I can't keep myself off the road that long. I promise I will do my 1.5mi on the dirt trail. I sweaaaar. Just don't keep me off the road. :( I swear I won't run on cement this week..

Sigh. I just really feel like running is the time where my brain gets some time to be free. I over think and analyze every little thing in my life (which is one of the main reasons I have major depressive disorder) because I can't turn my brain off. When I'm running.. I can get a break. The only thing I focus on then is my pace, stride, breathing, and if that bike is going to hit me or if I'll make it across the street before the stoplight changes. I don't wanna lose it. Plus, I want to PR my 5k time at the Brooklyn Bridge 5k run I'm doing next month.

But.. I do understand I need to rest. I wish I could have a perfect stride, perfect weight, perfect everything so that I don't end up with an overuse injury..

Time for the pink outfit!

Time to live up to my name! I have severe farmers/runners tan and it's time to even it out and wear my pink outfit which will help to get my shoulders some sun. I also have to remember to put sunscreen on my face before going out. My cheeks are really burnt and I'm soon going to have raccoon eyes from my glasses. :P

It was waaaaay hot out there today. Did a 5k but really had to walk a huge majority of it. I could barely breathe. Eitherway I am happy I got out there. :)

A quote!

I always run alone, away from phones and stress. Running is a major part of my life because it keeps me sane.

-- Michael Roux Jr.

Love itttt.

Just updated my paper training log after months of neglect and found out I have logged over 209 miles!!!

So excited. :) Many many more to come!

Another post!

Yes! I also have a RANT to post today.

Why is it that I get so many dirty looks when I'm on my runs? Some people just give me the total STINK eye and look me up and down. The only people who smile at me during my runs are OTHER RUNNERS. I feel so weird sometimes and discouraged when I get really mean looks from people I don't even know. Shouldn't people be happy that I'm overweight and doing something for my overall health and fitness? I don't know. It made me feel really bad.

I just realized my 5k Brooklyn Bridge run is a bit more than a month away! Really need to kick the training up a notch.

Am I weird?

I went for my run today and I felt such satisfaction when I walked in the door and saw how sweaty my shirt was. It is always one of the things I check and get great happiness out of seeing drenched with sweat from my hard workout. I know some people probably get all grossed out and rip off their shirt and go immediately into the shower but I love seeing how much I worked and kicked ass out there.

Am I weird? Am I the only one who does this? I even look at my shirt before going into the shower and I'm just like "Yeah Jennuh. You kicked ass. ;D"

It makes me so happy and proud of myself for going for my run. Today was great, btw. I took a week and a half off mainly because I was visiting my sister in NC and because I had a really bad shin splint in my right leg. But all seems a lot better now. I went out there and tore it up. :D Definitely pounded the pavement today. Might do some cycling at the gym tomorrow and get the new class schedule. I feel really excited to get back into my workout routine and really get onto my weight loss adventure. So going to be thin and healthy soon and happy. ^^