My Shoes are Green

My running shoes are not green in color, but according to the November 2008 Runner's World magazine, my shoes are environmentally friendly. I have worn several brands of running shoes over the years, but my favorites have been the Brooks Radius and the Nike Air Pegasus 25. For the past two years, I have worn the Nike Air Pegasus 25 and have not been tempted to try something new. This week, I realized it was time for new shoes.

With a spring in my step and a smile on my face, I jumped in the car and headed on down to the local running store. For me, getting new running shoes is equated to being age 10 and waking up Christmas morning to a new bike. Call me strange. I also told my husband that the Garmin he gave to me and strapped on my wrist was like him putting a big fancy emerald and diamond ring on my finger.

So, I purchased my new shoes. They're a new color. A vibrant blue rather than pink. Although pink is my signature color, I like the blue. When I got home, I unboxed the shoes, got out my Sharpie marker and dated them. It helps me keep track of miles.

I will now have to go through my shoes and rotate them. Some will still stay on my shoe shelf in the laundry room as wearable knock-arounds. Some will get thrown into a basket in the garage and become yard shoes. Some may go into the trash. One pair of shoes that will forever remain on my shoe shelf is my pair of Brooks Radius that I wore in my first marathon.

I was up early this morning and decided to head out the door for a run before it got too hot. The full moon was beautiful. I was most excited to wear my new shoes. They felt great - nothing new, but just in time to start a marathon training program...hopefully!

Running Smart

I spent the summer months developing my base so that I would be ready to start a marathon training program in mid to late September. I wanted to run a mid-January marathon in Georgia. My goal is to run smart, so I didn't push myself. I focused on a LR of 8 to 10 miles, with strong tempo runs and hill repeats during the week. I have done a great job with swimming as a cross train.

As luck would have it, I developed a pain behind my left knee during a LR about two months ago. I took a week off, but I still had the pain. So, I took three weeks off, swimming and following a weight training program to develop some muscles to help keep me strong. The pain lessened and so I started to run again 3 to 4 miles. I have not had any pain, so I am hoping now to build up my mileage and set a new goal for myself. Running smart is difficult. It goes against what I really want to do. But, I know if I don't, I won't reach my goal.

I am keeping my fingers crossed and praying that the miles ahead are good to me.

In 1979, Joan Benoit Samuelson ran her first marathon, finishing in 2:51. Almost 30 years later, she ran the Olympic Marathon Trials in 2:49:08. How cool is that?

If your daughter is looking for a role model, she might want to consider following the running life of Joan Benoit Samuelson. This woman is amazing, not just in terms of her record race times, but in the life she has led since winning the Olympic Gold in 1984.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

I read my friend Tom's blog and his site is so cool that it inspired me to create my own. So, here it goes...

I am not really sure what to write, so I'll tell you a little bit about myself. I graduated from the University of North Carolina Asheville (go Bulldogs); I am married (14 years!); I am a Social Worker; I like to travel; and, I love to run. I am a member of the Florida Track Club and serve as the Secretary. I help my friend, Mark, direct the annual Tom Walker Memorial Half Marathon. I also enjoy reading, but couldn't tell you my favorite book at this moment. My all time favorite movie is ROCKY. I am a neat-freak and everything has it's place.

I started running consistently on June 21, 2003 after moving to Alachua, Florida, which is just outside of Gainesville. I ran off and on throughout my childhood, but never really took it seriously. It was more for fun and to stay in shape while I was in college.

As an adult, I have found an appreciation for being outside at freakishly early morning hours to run with friends - an appreciation that is really hard to put into words and might only be understood by fellow runners. Now, running for me is not about keeping in shape. That is just a benefit. It's about challenging myself and spending time with friends who share the same passion.

In 2006, my brother and I ran our first marathon in Detroit. His time is 4:05:06. I ran it in 4:17 (coming off of Achilles Tendinitis - my excuse for not beating him). Last year, I was determined to beat his time. I registered for the Marathon of the Palm Beaches. I had some fairly significant pain during training, but ignored it. When I ran the marathon, I didn't realize that my Tibia was almost broken. Needless to say, I didn't beat his time and, in fact, didn't set a PR, coming in at 4:23.

So, it's back on! I started back to running on March 1st, doing a lot of swimming during my recovery. I have kept the swimming as a cross train and love it. It has sort of got me thinking about a triathlon, but that's another day...

I haven't decided which marathon to run, but will keep you posted. I have a lot of running still to do.