Update

A few months ago I posted about how a local cemetery was now accepting credit cards. Last week, the Visa and MasterCard signs were gone. I guess they decided accepting credit for burial plots was not good for business.

Still not running...

cookies?

I ran last night, just two miles, in my VFFs. Today my leg is sore, but my ankles seem okay. Not great. I didn't go tonight, though I should have.

I think I've replaced my running addiction with a sugar addiction :(

No running for a week

So I went to the doctor this evening to get a referral to a PT for my ankles. I was hoping to get some advice around strengthening them etc. He didn't give me a referral, rather he said stop running. For at least a week, and then "start over." This means my "long run" has to be equivalent to my short run now (about 4). If it doesn't feel better, he will send me for a bone scan to see if there are fractures. I hope I can still be ready for the May 2nd half marathon. I'm not sure I'll get long runs in the next two weekends since I will be out of town.

He also said I shouldn't alternate shoes- either start from scratch with the VFFs or the sneakers. Or maybe my frees? those could be a good compromise.

The good news is that I had the lowest blood pressure of any patient he'd seen all day. It has gone down since I've been running I think. In order not to get too low, however, I think I should eat some nice, salty chips.

Anyone have good ideas for what exercise I could do for the next week?
Anyone have thoughts on which shoes I should use?

Things that are bad for your environment

Driving a humongous SUV. While smoking a cigarette. With the windows closed. On a sunny warm day.

A for effort?

Yesterday I tried to squeeze in a run between work and an event. I even got as far as putting on my clothes and VFFs, but as I trotted down the driveway, I realized my ankles were really sore. I tried to run on some dirt, but that didn't help so I turned around and went home.

Today I put on my Nike Free Playgrounds after work and set out. It was an amazingly beautiful day and Bil was on a walk with Raviv. I had a really nice 4.5 mile run but again, my ankles were sore. Now, sitting on the couch I'm wonder what I'll do tomorrow. I hope to run to my mom's group, which is about 3.5 away, but I may need to give my ankles a rest. I am going to look up some strengthening ideas now. Anyone have ideas?

A few weeks ago (months?) the New York Times published an article about why running does not automatically lead to weight loss. It basically suggests that when we exercise, we are hungrier and eat more, thus negating the benefit of exercise for weight loss (not that there aren't plenty of other reasons to exercise).

This has been the case for me. In fact, I think I might be GAINING weight.Yesterday I went for my weekly long run. I ran nearly 8 miles and felt good the whole way. Plus, my pace is getting quicker (which is how I ended up going nearly 8 instead of the 6-7 I thought I went). But today I woke up with a headache and LOOK OUT KITCHEN! I have eaten everything I can get my hands on. If it isn't toxic, it has been consumed. I'm just now starting to feel more satiated and less physically drained.

Also- I decided that every month I stay on track I will reward myself with new running gear. At the end of January I bought the VFFs. Today we were at the outlets and I went into the Nike store. While I was there I wanted to try on a pair of Nike Frees. These shoes are more structured than the VFFs, but less than a traditional running shoe. They didn't have any in stock, but they did have the boys Nike Free Playground. They are ugly, and may not work for running, but I haven't been able to do long runs in the VFFs (I do wear them for outdoor runs less than 3 miles). I'll try them sometime this week. Luckily they were quite on sale, so even if they don't work out I won't be too upset.

Oops...mommy brain while running

So yesterday I had a great 4 miles at work. Tonight, I decided I would run, even though I didn't want to, so I unpacked my exercise clothes and shoes from my bag from yesterday and put them on (they weren't too gross). Anyway tonight I had the LONGEST 4 miles (I swear the earth must have been spinning slower) on the treadmill,. I watched the new show "parenthood." Seems like junk, so I may not watch again.

After I got off the treadmill, I was stretching a bit and while looking at my feet, I realized I was wearing two different sneakers. Not even the same brand- the left food was a New Balance and the right shoe was Saucony. Oy.

Anyway, at least I'm still on track with training! The race is exactly two months from yesterday!

Bad for business?

Quick post- The other day I went into our local coffee shop, where I was shocked to see the new cashier drinking coffee out of a disposable Dunkin Donuts cup. I suspect this woman will not be on staff for long.

And, I was going to run to our baby group today, and have Bil pick us up, but Raviv and I both took good afternoon naps! So now, I have to run on the treadmill. Belch. Any suggestions for good shows to watch? I've been watching "Modern Family" while I run and love it...

Running during work

I went for a great run today! It was sunny, warm, I wasn't exhausted from a long day (last night I got on the treadmill at 8:50pm, and after 6 minutes had to get off, I was just DONE). I have been more productive (other than writing this post) and focused as well. While running I thought about a project I have and how to approach it.

It was also nice to run by a farm. The smell of animals, manure and grass is gross in August, but as it just begins to melt on a warmish March day it smells like my childhood.