stress, recover, rinse, repeat

Was wiiiped out today. Think I ran and worked painting walls so hard all weekend that it hit me like a bus. Plus, the heeaaaat, which I haven't trained in for the past 3 weeks with the injury I just overcame (FINALLY) last week. Managed the run ok but pretty slow. Felt pretty tired all day at work, which is a museum where I clean ancient Greek vases with q-tips for 7 hours straight, so it doesn't help.

Ate food like a maniac then went into a food coma and collapsed at 7pm and stared at the ceiling. Puttered around before going to bed at 10:30ish (after eating more and more). I think I eat way too much and the wrong foods when I'm overtired. Actually, I know that I do.

 *NOTE: this blog is new and was created for help with training by the running diehard Haynes. I've been running/ training /racing competitively for over 5 years and prefer distance because I have endurance and lack speed, though I race whenever and wherever I can. I am coming off a frustrating injury - the first in over 2 years - and want to work up my speed to run well in the Falmouth Road Race in mid-August. Pressure's on.

Normal.

Did core and lifting - about 3 hours. 

 sooore. streeetch.

Ran at a pretty good pace in the morning. Earlier than usual so it was cooler. Went to the physical therapist about the SI joint injury that is nearly healed (95%). I made the apointment 2 weeks ago when it was a serious issue and this is as early as they could see me. Itp was a waste of time. She just stretched me and basically said that I was doing everything right. Since I've had the injury before, about 3 years ago, I know the stretched and muscles and basically how to treat it. I will not be going back once a week like she suggested so I can pay to have someone stretch my legs for me...

The difference between this and last time is that last time it healed in about a week and this time it took almost a month of unbearable working out on the elliptical and nearly going insane from lack of running! I worked out unbelievably hard to make up for not running, figuring that at least I could try to improve my fitness / endurance. Hence going to the gym twice a day for hours and hours on end. I think it worked since running is not as difficult to get back into as I had dreaded. 

Ran again in the evening a few miles. Probably about 5. Muscles felt loose.

Cannot break out of this horrible habit of waking up at 2 , 2:30, or 3am and eating too much food! cheese, bread, greens, yogurt, cereal, milk, carrots, hummus, stir fry, cookies basically anything in my fridge... a little of everything.

Ran pretty hard at a good pace. Or at least I felt like I was going pretty fast! Started later than usual - about 11:30am. Blistering heat! love it. Felt good so I added about a mile.

Trying to train in the heat as much as possible because of the Falmouth Road Race on August 15th - eye on the prize. Not literally because I'm not Kenyan buy it is definitely my motivation to improve my speed beat last year's time (45:18 for 7.1 miles). Especially after the recent 3weeks and 2 days that I took off from running from the SI Joint issue. (NOT from exercising however- I worked that elliptical like no tomorrow)..

Think the heat got to me because I couldn't sleep well - got a pounding headache. Did the 2am meal again. No reason to eaither since I eat before I go to bed at 11 or 11:30. It's been going on every night for about a week now - reallly bad habit that I've gotten into.

Normal run. Same route. 7.85 miles. Can't recall how I felt because this was a few days ago. Think it was normal / average.

Went to the gym in the afternoon and did a full core workout - about 2 hours. Glad I'm getting back into the core work after 3 weeks of not doing any with that darn SI joint injury!

Again, did the terrible 2am huuge meal... cheese, bread, greens, yogurt, cereal, carrots, hummus, etc...

I cut the usual AM run a bit short (6.94 miles)  A) since I was running late and B) because I wanted to run in the evening. Pace was pretty decent, hot and muggy weather but I like it.

Went to the gym in the evening and did lifting for about an hour and a half. Worked arms/ upper body and also the hip-related muscles that I've been targeting since my injury. Gluts, tensors, groin, piriformis, etc. After gym, went for a looovely birthday evening jog at 8 pm. Heavy humidity after a 'microburst' rainstorm. Started rather slow but by halfway point, got to normal pace. 4.35 miles courtesy of map my run... amazing technology we have!

Fell apart at night - craved sweets, crap, and more crap. Feasted on sugar and all around no-good things at 11:30pm and again at 2:30am. Need to break these ridiculous 2 or 3am full meals!

mediocre run, not fast, not slow. just average I guess.

Finally have my bike so now iI'm biking around everywhere instead of walking. Probably did about 5 or 6 so miles so far today. Noted: Providence / Eastside is hiiiillllllyyyy. You really notice even the subtle inclines and declines with a bike. Can't yet make it up Waterman... 

2 hour core/ stretching routine

woke up and went to a 45 minute vinyasa yoga session - felt nice and stretched out for my run. Felt like I was going kind of slow motion, probably partially the after effects of yoga?

Ran just a few miles pretty slow since I am planning on racing tomorrow (a 4 miler). It's been a long time since I raced so I'm really anxious to see how I do. Chances are, poorly...

Went home to MA for the weekend and did a 5 mile race in Mattapoisett at 9am - really hot but not too humid thankfully. Unhappy with my performance - I added on 40 seconds to my time last year. Probably combination of my injury and also I had someone pushing me pretty hard last year. I came in 2nd female - very upsetting because I was in the lead and the girl (who I have beat for the past 3 years) barreled ahead of me within the last quarter mile and I didn't have enough speed to fight. It was the first race I've done in a long time, and in the heat too so I pretty much didn't have it in me :(

As I tend to do after a poor performance, I ran, ran, and ran some more afterward. Right tensor hip muscles started hurting during my cool down so I ran again in the evening (5.7 miles) which was nice. Did some fartleking! Or what Daniels would call “sporadic interval training.” Nothing serious, just did some random hard running in between the slower paced intervals.

Started Jack Daniel's Running Formula. Skim-read the first couple chapters - it's is very scientific/ technical, which I like but it is hard to really understand 100%. Trying to learn VO2 Max, Threshold, etc.. not sure I grasp it yet.

Got a late start today - 11am and it was HOT HOT HOT. Started out really slow because I was incredibly sore from yesterday, but it was mostly my quads. Every step down the stairs was like a giggly funny-bone feeling.

Ran the ‘home’ route that I’ve been running for years and years but I never mapped the miles until now – 7.27, about what I thought.

Ran again at 6:30 pm on the Falmouth Bike Path which was really nice. Went with my parents who walked it. Started out unbelievably slow (8:20 mile) but sped up to 7:30-8 minute miles. It took a mile and a half or two to get into the rhythm. It always takes me a while but when I do, I could go on forever. Cut it to 6 miles then did 50 pushups.

Felt like I was hit by a bus when I got home. Mentally and physically tattered. Could barely think, move, or speak! Think I over did it - I just wanted to collapse but couldn’t for some reason. Heat (and home stress in general) made it hard to sleep.

Left Cape Cod after my am run and came back to Providence! :) Love it here and glad to be back. I hadn't been home for a long time (I've hardly been home at all since living there last summer) I really need to get a core routine in, hopefully tomorrow when the gyms open after the holiday weekend.

I’m not as sore as I imagined. Was a lot worse yesterday but not quite so bad now. The run was pretty slow anyway. I started Once a Runner, it’s good but I’m only a few pages in…

Unbelievable 95 degrees at 7:30 am! Ran the usual and tried to do some sporadic intervals of hard running on Blackstone. Again, felt pretty slow – I think it’s the heat? Slept poorly as well because it’s sweltering. Still eating full meals at 2am …

Did a 2 hour core routine in the evening and followed with easy 2.15 miles. It cooled off enough but still feels oveny-warm! I really shouldn’t complain; I do LOVE the heat… I’d take this any day over the cold.

I realized that I really miss racing. I hadn't raced for a while and I love the rush of adrenaline, the competition, and the feeling of the running / racing atmosphere. I have a lot to improve on and learn of course, namely not to psych myself out. My biggest issue = mental. I psych myself out and never do as well as I know I could.

Perfect example: Last year when I ran the race that I just ran last Saturday, I mistakenly thought it was a 4 miler. It is 5 miles! I ran hard, treating it kind of like a like a 5k, thinking that it’s less than a mile longer so it won’t be too bad if I start like it’s a 5k. I ran fast to the 4 mile mark and realized, oh crap, this race isn't done. Surprise! I had a woman right on my back so I couldn’t let myself stop. I finished ahead of her (came in 2nd – the 1^st place female was a ways ahead) but was very pleased with my effort and time. Moral of story = I performed better than I thought I could because of a silly mistake in my own knowledge. Wish I made those mistakes more often... 

Did some interval hard running again today on Blackstone but was much more successful than I was yesterday because I did the intervals for 1 or 2 minutes (depending on where the crossroads intersected the pathway determined how long the intervals were) and I probably did this on-and-off for about a little under 4 miles),

In the evening went to the gym and did upper body lifting with free weights and some machines. Used the rower for 20 minutes and also did the elliptical for 25 minutes for 'old times sake' - brought back bad memories of working out on that elliptical incessantly twice a day during my injured period! It felt pretty easy but I really noticed how different it is from running in regards to the muscles it works. I have a better sense of my body and my muscles now that I'm back running and paying close attention to how each muscle feels when I work out. 

Ran 6.9 miles in the morning and 5 in the evening. Knee felt a little funny, loose almost.

Finally broke the 2 am meal pattern this morning! I think it's because I wore ear plugs = slept better. Hope I can keep it going...  

Knee was hurting and feeling really funny so I decided not to run after going out and doing about a half mile. :( It felty kind of funny (almost loose) yesterday but got worse at night. Any side movements feel really uncomfortable and sometimes there's a jolt of shock, though not really pain I would say (almost like something is going to fall out of my knee) so sleeping on my side was probably not good, but any front - back motions are fine. Hope this heals tomorrow...  

Woke up and ate a 4am meal, grrrrr..

Because I took yesterday off to give my body a little ‘breather,’ my knee (ITB I presume) tightened up and I could run today but I took it easy and tried to avoid steep down hills which for some reason feel the most ‘dangerous’ for a loose knee, maybe because the knee isn’t locked when it hits the decline so over extensions is more likely? Uphills are fine. Re-routing my route added a bit (8.3 miles total). I also did a fair about of biking around today – errands and such.

Did normal easy run in the morning, probably about 7.7 miles. In the afternoon I did a 2 hour core workout and then ran 3.85 miles later, to calm me down because it’s been a stressful day. Surprised that my knee is ok, but I’m still very attuned to when it suddenly feels ‘off.’     

Was pretty hot in the AM. Ran a ‘tempo’ on Blackstone if that’s what you’d call it, but I am very displeased with the results. After about 2.5 miles warm up I did a 1.65 mile length in a molasses pace of 6:58 (11:30). I don’t understand why it was so hard but I really felt it. Then I jogged for a few minutes and did 1.48 miles back in 10:30 for a pace of 7:05. I dragged myself the 2.5 miles or so home. Bummed about the poor performance – doesn’t bode well for racing which I really need to get back into for practice for the Falmouth Road Race in August.

Went to the gym in the afternoon and did about 1.5 hours of upper body / lifting. I used to do core and upper body all at once, but now I prefer to do core and lifting on separate days because A) My core workouts work my arms and upper body a ton anyway, B) I don’t need to work upper body as much as my core for running purposes, and I aim to do core every other day, and C) I just get a better workout for my upper body if I don’t tack it onto the end of a long core session but give it its own session.

Again, I felt pretty drained during the run – the usual 7.8. I’m getting more anxious about my speed and performance and my slowing pace. L I felt tired but managed to do a core workout at the gym, glad I made it through. Was absolutely ravenous at dinner and ate a ridiculous amount very rapidly standing up until I felt like I was going to explode! BTW<, the 2am meals continue every night; I just can’t break the pattern!

Did a ‘tempo’ on Blackstone again but felt better than Monday’s session. Really wish I timed myself but I chose not to wear a watch. It would have been nice to compare times. I ran Blackstone to the end and back without stopping – 3.71 miles. It was much cooler today than but still very humid and started sprinkling. No gym today! (kind of miss it…)

PS Dreamt of the Falmouth Road Race last night. I’m not sure what happened but I think it was about my racing and I felt pretty negative so I think it was not a good dream…

Trying to figure out my races for this weekend: Haynes: what do you think about a race on both Saturday and Sunday mornings ?? Both have enticing prizes and usually the top runners pick one instead of both, except for Julie Spolidoro who runs both and wins both each year… (I’ve checked the results and in the past they’ve been on the same weekend) Hmm... I kind of want to get in allll the racing I can to prep for Falmouth, but this would be 2 speed workouts in 2 days. I could also play it by ear and see if I feel injured or something depending on how fast I run on Saturday. But on the other hand, I may hold back and run slowly (even if not on purpose) in preparation for Sunday. Thoughts?

Had a good night sleep, plenty of energy but kept it short and easy for the race tomorrow.

Today was the first 5k I have run since early May and it was brutal. My performance was horrible and I was absolutely disgusted with myself! Firstly, I was anxious since yesterday evening and stress-ate the entire night. Hence I was in the bathroom all morning before the race and my stomach / intestines were a mess. I didn’t get a proper warm-up because of a somewhat late arrival and I felt pretty unmotivated. After a mile I wanted to stop. Mentally and physically I felt horrific and was aware of how slow my pace was. The first mile was about 6 minutes but the second was a drastic slow-down and the third became nearly a jog. My time was 20:00. There was no one really around me but I did finish third female (weak field) but the top 2 were sub 6 minute pace and the next female finished a few minutes after me so I was kind of alone in a big gap. I’ve never run a 5k in the 20’s…I’ve hit the mark and am very disappointed. After finishing I already started anticipating tomorrow because there’s another race I had been thinking about running and now I really want to to see how I do. It’s an addicting game.

I did a shorter cool-down than I would’ve liked and made myself eat something right away which I never do, I usually don’t eat for a few hours after I run but I know I will feel better for tomorrow if I do. I can’t get over my decrease in performance in the 5k…I should be aiming at 19 minutes, which I was pretty close to last year. Not 20 minutes!!

I ran another race today and did horribly but I actually think I ran better than yesterday. My time was slower: 20:07 but I felt better during the race. My stomach didn’t feel a sick as it did yesterday and I made a conscious effort to think positive and not remind myself how poor I was doing, though I’m not sure how much good it did L The conditions today were also much harsher – the race was an hour later at 9am so it was hotter. Also, the course was in New Bedford along the water with no shade throughout. It was roughly a triangle-shaped course where one side of the triangle was a steep hill and another side was against the wind in the beach stretch. The first mile was ok. I was conscious about not going out too fast and ran the first mile in 6:10 but I slowed a lot in the second and third miles.

There were a lot of very good runners because of big money prizes. I came in sixth female and the top 3 females flew (sub 18). I still want to do as much racing as possible. I just want to see if I can get my times back down. But I think that requires seriously re-structuring my training plan. I think I might need to cut down my mileage and focus on more quality (speed) work. Hopefully I can get in a speed workout Weds? 

I ran a little over 2 miles for a warm-up and then re-ran the race course for a cool down. I wanted to run a lot more but I held back. It will be hard cutting down mileage because I enjoy long runs so much more than short fast ones but I’d like to get faster. I’m not confident in my pre-race routine and warm-up and that’s something (yet another thing) I need to figure out. And running flats! I must buy flats! I’ve never run in them and I think (or rather I have been told) that it will help me in races. My feet wont feel like they are in concrete blocks.

I tried to run my usual 7.85 miles a little faster than I would’ve normally – still really bummed about my performance last weekend. Did a core workout in the evening.

Ran 7.85 at a good pace - not too strenuous but I felt like I was going at a pretty decent speed. I need to start upping the regular pace if I want to run the 7 mile Falmouth Road Race at a 6:20 pace. In the evening I did upper body – lifting and rowing. Also did some striders just for fun.

I ran a 3.71 mile tempo on Blackstone in 23:48 (6:24 pace). Granted it was 11am and over 85 degrees but I have to be able to run in this kind of heat much faster. At least it was better than I did last week (6:58 pace) and I had a jogging break in the middle too. I can’t believe how tired I was though – my goal was to do that pace for 7 miles but I definitely wouldn’t have been capable of it today. I was exhausted after less than 4! What kind of workouts should I be doing? Should I continue with these tempos to try to maintain (and increase) my speed, or should I do interval workouts on the track? Probably both I suppose. I was going to run in the evening but the day got away from me…I almost don’t want to do double runs anymore because I’m afraid they are slowing me down.

I combed all the MA and RI racing calendars and this weekend is really slim pickings. I wanted to race again but there is nothing at all feasible L For some reason this week is packed with races in the evenings but I can’t make evening weekday races with work and whatnot. I’m surprised there are so many because I would think attendance would be much higher if they were held on the weekend. Oh well, I’ll have to wait until the next weekend. This means I’ll do a speed workout Friday maybe?

Normal. Maybe a bit sore form yesterday? Nah. Did a shortened core workout in the morning for a change. Maybe I’ll do another tomorrow…

Tried to push my average pace again. It is good to try to speed up the norm. Interesting thing I keep thinking about from Once a Runner (I admit, at first I thought it was corny but I’m hooked…) about pain/fatigue. We fear pain because it is an unfamiliar sensation but once we experience it enough and push through when we hurt and our muscles are fatigued, then it becomes familiar and we adapt/improve. Word, Denton. 

Went to Rhode Runner and bought flats! Woop woop, Saucony Fastwitch. They’re real helpful and nice. Its nice to have knowledgeable salespeople – I went into City Sports the other day to see the flats/ask questions and was never greeted (but was aware that they were aware I walked in and was looking around, but they were way too busy in conversation with other employees to acknowledge me) and they never approached to see if I had questions or wanted to try anything on. I did. Psh, I left. 

Did a long core workout and then ran a mile on the indoor track. It was a 7:20 mile but it felt faster…not good.

Ran in the new flats today – LOVE them! It’s like running in socks, with more support. I think it will help in my racing, mentally if nothing else. My regular training shoes have begun to feel like cement blocks.

I did a speed workout at Moses Brown track – the first in embarrassingly a few months – the last time was with Diana in May I believe before I got injured. I was surprised that my times were not worse, but I wish they were better. Haynes suggested a 5x1000 with 600m recovery at 6 minute pace on the indoor track. I actually did it on the outdoor track because the indoor track didn’t open until noon, I prefer 4 laps to the mile instead of 8, and I should train in this weather if I’m going to race in it. Even though it was hot and incredibly humid – whopping 95%. Here’s how it went (I was aiming for 3:45 for each 1000)

First 1000: 3:40

Second 1000: 3:44

Third 1000: 3:44

Fourth 1000: 3:46

Fifth 1000: 3:47

So not too horrible considering the workout would have been a lot faster had it been inside. I also did an extra 400 or so because I had started and got impaled with a lacrosse ball in the leg so stopped and jogged until the next line to re-start. Didn’t feel it. At the end I did a 400 (1:27) just for an extra kick. 2 mile warm down. I want to do another workout in a few days – is one day easy enough or should I wait 2 days?

7.7ish in the AM

3.54 in the PM 

Morning run was fine, then weird thing in afternoon- my throat all of a sudden started killing to breathe and swallow and I basically started feeling like crap, no energy, grouchy, sleepy, and all-around unmotivated. It all happened in a matter of about 2 hours. I went to gym because I was planning on doing a core workout (it's been 3 days!) and i literally laid there on the mat in a terrible mood, throat hurting, super tired, until I got up to leave and took my rainstorm elsewhere...

I hope this freak sickness improves to do a workout very early before work tomorrow morning that looks pretty intimidating... I'm already getting nerves about it 

I'm onto the final race in Once a Runner... I don't want it to end! Born to Run next. Any other good running novels?? 

Did a speed workout early this morning - weather was not too hot and pretty dry at 7am. Haynes suggested 4 or 5 x 2000 at 6:24 pace with 400m rest. The first 3 went well then I fell off the precipice:

1st – 7:58

2nd – 7:57

3rd – 8:00

4th – 8:04 or 8:05?

I wish I could’ve done 5. I think because it was “4 or 5” I mentally checked out at 4 but if I was told to do “5 or 6” I might have done a faster fourth…who knows. Oh the mind games…

I did a 400 after the fourth 2000 to gauge my tiredness and see if I might do a 1000 or 800 or something. I ran 1:32 and felt pretty tired, definitely incapable of sustaining that pace for 4 more laps! Went for a slow cool-down.

I don’t understand and how I will be able to run 7 miles at the pace I was running for my 2000s (6:24). Somehow I did it last year though! I struggled today and that was only 5 miles, and WITH rests! L

Did core workout in PM at the gym.

Was pretty tired - haven't been sleeping well lately but did the normal 7.8ish. Trying to figure out a way to race this weekend...

7.85. Humid. Wish I felt like doing a tempo. Racing in New Bedford Saturday morning - a 5k. I think I made a mistake though - I should have chosen a 5 miler to prepare for the 7 mile Falmouth Race in TWO WEEKS - AHHH!

Long core workout in PM. 

4 easy for race tomorrow. Biked a lot in the hot sun and got a opunding headache. Then went wayyy too long without eating. Then my dad came for a visit and we biked more. Probably shouldn't have done this since I have a race tomorrow...

Finally had a good race. 19:02 (but I swear it was 19:00 or 19:01)and I felt great – could’ve pushed myself a lot since I wasn’t winded or tired at the end but I didn’t need to since the first place woman was about 10 seconds ahead and I had a fair enough lead on the third place female. I got $150 cash which I did NOT expect (usually I hope for apples and oranges in race booty). I don’t even look at $ quantities anymore because as soon as I see “cash awards” advertised, I figure it will attract very fast runners who will scoop it up. Wonder where they were…

It must be the new flats. They do make a big difference. Also, I was well-rested and had less stress than the last time I raced. The biggest factor was that I hung onto a woman who beat me 2 weeks ago but she ran 19:44 so I knew I should try to hang with her. I was basically breathing down her neck the whole time wither next to her or a pace behind. I was really calm and “om-ing,” focusing on slow, deep breathing.

I learned that for a fact, racing is all mental for me. The whole time I was assuming “she’s running the same 19:44 5k she ran 2 weeks ago…just stick with her” Plus, there were no mile marks and no time checks so I didn’t know my pace, which turned out to be a good thing because if I knew I probably would have psyched myself out (“oh no, I’m going too fast, I’ll die later” or “Oh no, I’m going too slow, I’ll never make up the time”). I finally pulled away in the last quarter mile or so and was pretty shocked when I saw 19:00 on the clock. The woman must have pushed herself because I was so close to her but mentally this never occurred to me! Looks like I need to find someone to pace off of but that’s tricky because I psych myself out that I can’t pace with someone too fast and it’s tough finding someone about my speed.

I think I needed this race as a boost of confidence because I honestly didn’t think I was capable. Now I know I am but it’s all mental.

Got lost on the cool down (love it when that happens) and it turned out to be 5.4 miles.

2ish hour core in the afternoon... and a fair about of hilly biking.

 stressseddd...(life)

core workout today

Sometimes I can't stand how the body works. Basically, stress manifests itself physically in my body (unfortunately) and literally I gat “injuries” when I am extremely stressed. It’s been a rough few days for various personal reasons involving job search, roommate search, apartment and rent situations, etc etc.. Aside from constant shaking anxiety, my left ankle and Achilles began to hurt yesterday afternoon, not exercise induced. It became more and more painful as my anxiety increased and by night, I was limping around. Today I didn’t run (GASP) or exercise at all (GAAASP) and it was the first day in god knows how long. Anxiety skyrockets. But I’m determined not to injure this silly ankle thing, whatever it is... working on deep breathing and trying to let go of things that are out of my hands. Maybe it'll go away overnight – most of my finicky injuries do…I really wanted to do a speed workout today (I woke up at 6:30, put shoes on, ran to the door, was in pain, and went back into bed) so hopefully I can do it tomorrow since I want to race this weekend.

Day started good, I was able to do a workout – 5 x 1 mile with 2 minutes rest. The weather had been very fall-like for the past few days: DRY for a change, and cooler. But today it changed and the humidity is back.  I did the mile repeats much slower than I hoped:  6:08, 6:14, 6:27, 6:30, 6:30

I did take a full 400m recovery before the final one though. Stopping for just 2 short minutes is almost worse than not stopping, especially since it takes me 2 or 3 laps to even get into the rhythm, and then I’m before I know it I’m stopping to catch my breath and re-start. I guess it’s good practice though.

Ab / core workout later.

I had a complete freak out (job I thought I had – I don’t) and might move to Boston suddenly...it will be a pain because I'm not familiar with all the different Boston regions and places to live, and this whole apartment / job searching, pressure to sign a lease, stupid Providence bill that raises property tax 70% (higher rent), blah blah blah, makes me nauseous. Right now my life is ridiculously in flux. And this is supposed to be a running blog.

Ankle felt funny again...keeping a careful eye out...

Lifted / worked upper body in the afternoon. Still soooo stressed. Spent way too many hours researching Boston / running stores I can apply to / thinking about so many things it's overwhelming, especially with such a time crunch! Only a few weeks to get my life in line (leases start Sept 1 so I want to have a living situation and a job before then.)

Racing a 5k this Sunday. Chose it over a 5miler which was probably a bad idea because a 5 miler would be better prep for the 7 miler next week...oh well.

Tried to do a core workout but was so unmotivated and sleepy. I really just half napped on the mat for a half hour then did a few abs for another half hour... sad

4 easy - race tomorrow in Johnston RI.  5k.

Raced today - ran a horrible race for which there is no excuse. 19:57. I thought I was improving after the 19:02 5k last weekend but now I think that it might have just been a fluke. Maybe it was mis-measured…

I made the mistake of letting a girl pass me early (about 1 mile in)and I didn’t stick into her which I should have and could have but for some reason, I didn’t! Mistake. The entire first half of the course was all uphill (gradual at first and then steeper) which could have factored in and slowed me a bit, but the even still , there were downhills at the end so I should’ve been able to make up some of the time. Finished third female.

Ran 5ish miles in the evening.

Also did a core workout in the PM

I decided to do the same speed workout as last week (5 x 1 mile) but instead of 2 minutes rest, I took 400 meters (about 3.5 minutes rest). It wasn’t horrible but defiantly not as good as I wanted (shocker…)

6:08, 6:11, 6:14, 6:20, 6:30

I did an extra 400 at the end for kicks (hah, pun) in 1:30. That's it for this weekend (Falmouth Road Race - 7 miles). Trying to visualize myself doing well - lots of 'daydreaming.' 

Life update: moving to Boston! Hoping to work at a running store (interviewing with Marathon Sports) and maybe another odd job. Hopefully finding an apartment will work out and things will be ok...I'll be looking for good running routes, training partners (track club?), and races. Dreading the apartment search though.

Tried to do a core workout but was exhausted...it will probably be about a week before I will be able to do another! Eek.

7.85 Regular.

Came home last night for the Falmouth Road Race weekend: my favorite time of the year! Ran an easy 3.5 miles in the morning. Went to the running expo with my dad to pick up our numbers and load up with freebies! Lots of Cliff Bars, sports drinks, sunscreen, and other random stuff ranging from floss and protein shakes to socks and first aid kits.

Today I tried to eat more carbs than normal but I’m not that used to eating many carbs, so my stomach is taking it ‘differently.’ I’m also really anxious already…had a rough day – stressed, still anxious about the job/living situation and being home exacerbated it all. Tried to eat fewer veggies and fiber than usual for dinner (I normally load up!) I stress-ate though – lots of sweet stuff (cookies, cinnamon raisin bagels, peanut butter, milk, ugh…)

Race Day. Didn’t meet my goal – fell 25 seconds short (or long rather). I think it came down to the fact that I didn’t push myself and had no one to pace off of. After I finished I found out that 2 people actually paced off of me the entire time and did better than they hoped! Shucks. It was neat starting with the elites. I love watching all the Kenyans and Ethiopians warm up. They are so beautiful then they run; I can’t get over it. I was pretty self-conscious about my low number (42) and felt like I should do better than I knew I would.

When I was warming up I ran a bit out of the chaotic starting area and turned a corner and there was Bill Rogers standing with a few guys eating a bar. He stopped me as if he knew me and was like “you’re….you’re…” I was thinking “Nope, I'm definitely not her.” Turns out he thought I was someone he knew from Yale but I said no, I went to Brown though, and then he proceeds to tell me a story about a meet he once ran at Brown, about the gravel track, and so on. He certainly is a friendly guy – kept shaking my hand. I told him I’m moving to Boston to find work at a running store and he said I should work at his Running Center and to talk to his brother Charlie who runs it. (I’m already interviewing with Marathon Sports but this is another option in case that doesn’t pan out). Bill told me (a few times) “not to go out too fast, hang in there” and then I got back to my warm up. It was pretty exciting to be stopped by Bill Rogers! 

I ran 45:25 but my watch had 45:19. I think the discrepancy is due to there being 2 'timing' mats 10 feet apart at the starting line, and I thought that the second one activated the chips we wear, so I started my watch at the second one, but I guess it must have been the first? It was so crowded/ congested that I couldn’t start running until shortly after the second mat, which added some seconds on. My goal was 45 minutes even. Last year I ran 45:18 so I added about 7 seconds on. (6:24 pace – same as last year because of the 7.1 mile distance) I really missed my opportunity to get a great time because the weather couldn’t have been more perfect for a summer race at 10am: dry, hot but not nearly as hot as it’s been every other year I’ve run because there was a thin cloud cover pretty much the whole time which really helped, especially since some of the course is along the beach in the sun. I guess I shouldn’t be too upset but of course I am. Overall race stats:

Place (female): 31

Place (overall): 214

Total Runners:  9637

After the race is the best part – a huge expo-type of party/event at a big baseball field that all the runners go to immediately after finishing. All the race sponsors set up tents and give away free goodies. It’s a freebee free-for-all and my dad and I go to town! (We bring lots of bags). Kashi, Cliff Bar, Poland Springs, Gatorade, Ocean Spray, Bear Naked Granola, Dunkin Donuts, New Balance, etc… there’s also a ton of other food like hot dogs, chicken salad, yogurt, frozen fruit bars, etc.

Went home and ran another 4 miles in the afternoon. Then went to the annual race party that our friends have – I think I ate my body weight! They always have the most delicious natural/organic foods. Frank Shorter was there – he’s looking so old now. Last year he looked 10 years younger! His posture and gait have aged.

No run! Not because I was tired: actually, I didn’t feel a thing from the race yesterday: proof that I didn’t push myself! No run because I went to Boston early to interview for a job and apartment search.

Got a job at Marathon Sports (a running store – shoes, gear, apparel)! Should be good. I’m really looking forward to working in athletics, and especially focusing so much on running. I/ the staff will be trained in biomechanics, how to analyze foot structure and gait, etc. I am eager to meet other people (on a daily basis) who love running too. Apartment searching was awful. I didn’t like the places I saw in Cambridge – I want a quieter, more residential area not right by a major road - I must have walked about 10 miles all day throughout the city. I decided to narrow the search to Brookline…really feeling the time crunch, yikes! Stressss. Just want a place asap so I can be at ease. Long day…

Usual 7.85 thing. Core in the afternoon – it’s been a while since the last core exercise but it was pretty easy. Now it’s setting in that I will be leaving the comfort of Providence L Have to find a new running route and maybe a gym – likely not because of $...ugh. Change can be a pain.

Looks like I won’t do speed work this week. Life is kind of devoted to going to Boston to find a place to live. Traipsed around Brookline in search of an apartment. After many Craig’s List creeps and many terrible apartments in bad areas, I liked the last one of the day – a nice 4 bedroom with 3 guys around my age. They’re all nice, funny, and have it together. I’m so glad it’s done and I have a place where I feel comfortable! Maybe stress level will decrease?

Did a lot of lifting and packing today to prepare for the big move in about a week. Should have done core work but didn’t! Argh! I’m slacking on the core and upper body lifting but hopefully the packing I’ve been doing will help a bit.

Went for a run in the evening (4ish miles). It looks like there will be a lot of good races in Boston which I’m excited about! There are so many all close by that I can get to with the T and bus system, so I won’t be limited like I have been in Providence with no car.

Apparently the stress is getting to me – I’ve been really dreading my runs pretty much all week! I’m just tired of the same thing (normal route) and my motivation is low. Also feel like I am going very slow. Last night I only slept for1.5 hours (2am-3:40ish) Then I ate a ton (need to break the night eating – it’s terrible!) Packed for a while and went for my run by 6am. Such a weird hour that I'm not used to. Saw a beautiful sunrise though! Slept for a couple hours after. Core in the afternoon.

Packed and moved boxes and furniture all day again. Really need to do more upper body work but didn’t! My eating patterns are terrible. For example, today: big meal at 2am (woke up, ate, and went back to sleep), no breakfast before run. Didn’t eat again until 4ish but ate so much I thought I’d puke. Ate sporadically for the rest of the evening and felt bloaty and sick. This can’t be good for my running (or body). Goal: eat more frequent, smaller meals throughout the day and avoid these 1 or 2am meals!

I was real tired in the morning because everything’s catching up with me but I planned to do a long run with Diana and Alan. We went to the Blackstone River State Park which was nice, and ran along the bike path there. Pouring rain – felt like shoes were blocks of cement! This was actually the first time all summer that I’ve had to run in the rain! I guess it was a dry summer, and when it did rain it seemed to come in the evenings or nights and clear up by the morning when I run. It certainly makes up for last summer when it rained every day in June alone (except for 3 days)!

We ran 13 miles in the downpour (total time 1:37 or 1:38?), talking the whole time. It was nice to catch up with Diana and Alan after the summer. Diana did an intense amount of racing – at one point she ran 4 races in 8 days! She cleans up though – she made more than $1000 profit, not including loads of free merchandise and gift certificates. Ah, must be nice! Alan got a job as the Brown Men’s XC interim coach since the current coach left at the last minute before the season begins. I’m really glad for him – he’ll put in 110%.

Rained again today but I still ran. I miss the sun and warmth already! I dread the colder weather. It’s always much harder for me to run in the cold. My body gets stiff and just doesn’t seem to want to move fast. I do much better in heat when I’m more limber.

Did core work in the afternoon. I'm not doing it as much as I should be. I am not getting much out of it though. I work out my core for about 2 hours and never feel any strain whatsoever. I guess I should be going faster, without taking long rest periods between every exercise but I don’t seem to do that very well. Maybe I need to mix up the workouts and try something else?

Rained again but thankfully only a drizzle when I went out in the morning for my usual Lloyd to Blackstone and back to Benefit loop. Ran another 7 miles in the evening after some upper body lifting. I hardly would consider it a “run” though. I ran with a friend at her pace (about 9:30) and we stopped several times. I hope this doesn’t actually slow my speed, but I’m concerned it does more hurt than help. It was nice to talk while jogging but I’m afraid these are what you’d call “junk miles” because I never really increased my heart rate at all?

My fitness is such that I never fully exert myself but have the endurance of a machine and can go and go and go and never stop. I need to reverse this and get more speed power but I’m not sure how. It’s tough to make myself “push it.”

Ughh, rain was hard this morning so no morning run!! I was pretty tired though, so I really needed the extra hour of sleep. Anxiety is a bit lower so I’m able to sleep a bit more now. Missing my run affects me so much. The rest of the day I’m anxious, tense, and shaky. After an entire summer of beautiful weather now we have a mere 3 days of rain and I can really see how much I am affected by the weather. My mood absolutely plummets when it rains or even if the sun disappears for a while! I have S.A.D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) to the extreme. Motivation disappears and I just want to sit and be a grouch when the weather is poor.

By the afternoon the rain stopped and it was just cloudy so I was itching to get in my run! I’m surprised how fast I ran (at least I felt like I was going fast!) Most of the time I’m sluggish in the afternoon but I went at a good pace. Might have been the few sips of coffee I had (I have absolutely NO tolerance for even the smallest amount of caffeine). Went to the gym after running and used the elliptical for 40 minutes (resistance 7, aimed for at least 150 paces/minute). I could’ve kept going with the workout (once I get in the rhythm, I can go foreverrr) but it was getting late.

Made a very poor effort at a core workout…really unmotivated with so much else to think about. I started but then got into talking with people in the gym and felt even more un-motivated after! Left and went to work on other tasks (wall and door spackling and painting.)

Hectic day – did a ton of errands, packing, etc!

Ran about 8.8 miles in the AM pretty ‘fast’, though I didn’t time it. Was back on the home turf, the route I ran so many hundreds of times in the past but now only do a few times a year. Packed all day then got really frustrated and went for another run (4 miles) on the bike path in Falmouth. Really slacking on the speedwork and the racing with all this moving business, eek!! Next weekend there look to be no feasible races so I might have to wait 2 weeks to race L

Was pretty exhausted and dragged myself through a mere 5.75 miles. Must be stress plus a lot of packing, lifting, moving, and running on top of it. Spent the rest of the day moving to Brookline! Then back to Prov in the evening.

Last day of work doing art conservation at the RISD Museum, and last core workout for a while L I don’t think I’ll be able to join a gym in Boston and I know I won’t get myself to do any core or lifting without a gym (I need to be in a ‘workout environment’ to get motivated to do it and can’t get myself to workout at home.)

The campus gym is packed – the track (XC) team is doing their workouts and core routines…I feel a little glad that I’m leaving now with all these students back because I’d love to be a student again and live in that little bubble, but I know I’m done!

Got my first ever massage today (graduation present from sister) but it wasn’t really ‘deep tissue’ like it was supposed to be. She said I was unbelievably tight and I think she didn’t want to 'mess me up' by going too deep because my muscles were probably like stones…I think it relaxed me a bit though.

Biked around a ton today, doing lots of errands and such. Big packing day for 'The Move' tomorrow.

Ran for the last tine in Providence L Was pleasantly surprised when Alan and Diana joined me for a length of Blackstone. I realized how much faster I run when I’m running with other people! I was dragging along at an unknown pace and when they popped up, we must have been going between a 7 and 7:30 pace and it felt fine! Actually it felt much easier than what I was doing before. It shows that I really need others to push me / keep me focused.

I’ll miss it here so much. Had an unbelievably longgggg day of moving, going up and down flights of stairs an uncanny amount of times (quad work!) but I should have stayed hydrated a lot better than I did. It was 95-100 degrees. Also ate nothing all day until about 9 pm..I guess I was fueling on pure adrenaline. It was a lot of stress trying to pack the cars and work with the parents but we made it through alive. Looking forward to the new life change. My roommates (3 guys) seem great, and I feel really comfortable in the Brookline neighborhood. Can’t bear unpacking and setting up everything tonight so I’ll head home and return in the AM.

Ran the ‘home loop.’ Surprisingly I slept pretty well and had dreams that I remembered (I haven’t remembered my dreams for months!) The run was easier than I imagined considering my day yesterday. Headed to Brookline (still a sweltering 95 degrees) and unpacked and hung out with my roommates, which was fun. Biked around Brookline a bit - will be getting to know these hills pretty well!

Ran for the first time in Brookline – an hour and 25 minutes because I wasn’t sure where I was going and went too far. It took me a while to find the Carles River and I ran to the Esplanade where the Pops play which was really nice. It’s a little “easier” of a run than I prefer. Bike path running isn’t my favorite because it’s pretty monotonous and I get bored (and slow down) without much change in scenery. Had dreams again last night, that is a new thing... wonder of it means I’m getting better rest or worse? I’ve been looking into the Greater Boston Track Club. I know a girl on the team and she’s encouraging me to join or at least visit a workout but I’m a bit intimidated. I’d really like to get ‘professional’ coaching though, and running with people is something that I really need to do to improve my speed I realize.

Everyone on Cape / in MA is in a tizzy over this hurricane that is supposed to blow through and do damage. I predict it won’t be nearly as bad as they think.

Ran a bit different route than yesterday – I wanted to avoid the main busy roads a bit more. It takes a bit too long to actually get to the River (about 25 minutes) so if I wanted to run my usual 7.5 miles or so, I’d need to turn around as soon as I get there. I love running along it so I couldn’t help but continue. I turned around at 40 minutes. On the way back, I made a wrong turn and ended up in Brighton/Allston and added a lot on which was unintended. I just can’t be doing this when I have somewhere to be! Time was about 1:25 for 9.75 miles. I got tired towards the end.

Biked over 10 miles afterwards. I wanted to see how long it would take to get to work (45 minutes - too long) especially if I’m commuting it right after my morning run! I think I will be taking the bus so I won’t be exercising for 2+ hours before even getting to work. Hoping it won’t be yet another weekend without racing- I’m hoping to make it to a race on Monday. It will be a challenge navigating public transportation to get there in time (and factor in walking and finding my way) but I think I can do it, I’ll just leave a lot of extra time and probably arrive absurdly early!

Great news – I think I’ve broken the night eating (I hope). I still wake up 5 or 6 times a night but I don’t eat. I tell myself to drink water and go back to bed and I do. Having roommates helps I think (I don’t want to disturb anyone). It poured late at night and broke the heat, which felt great. We went up to the roof of our apartment and stood in the rain and had a great view of the entire city at night :)

Racing 5k tomorrow, just an easy jog today.

Terrible run today. I still don’t really have my bearings so I ended up running on the highway…it was awful. It was a full-out freeway with me trotting along side! I tried to make it to the river again but ended up not quite…instead, I ended up in Allston/Brighton area and had to make it back home for my first day of work!

Boy is there a LOT to learn about running shoes and all the factors that play into how someone is correctly ‘fit’ for the right pair. I had no idea! It's very interesting for me though – it’s like I'm taking classes all over again. I have a binder about gait analysis and biomechanics, running-related injuries and their treatment and prevention, minimal running (the Newtons, Vibrams, barefoot running theories), and a lot of literature on running shoe technology. I really do like the challenge. We sell over a hundred running shoes (not including tech apparel, gadgets, gear, etc) and each brand and each style has a different cushioning system, tortional flexibility, medial post durometer, and individual support technology (Nike Air vs. Mizuno Wave vs. Asics Gel vs. Adidas AdiPreme, etc!!) 

My job is to analyze each customer’s foot, gait, and exercise / injury history and use my shoe knowledge to fit them to the ‘perfect’ shoe that provides adequate support (not too much or too little, just enough to neutralize their gait), while fitting the shoe shape to the shape of their foot (taking into account width, arch height, bunions, etc.) I'm being trained in gait analysis and how to analyze bone structure of the legs and feet so that I can effectively recommend sneakers to correct any overpronation, suppination, external or internal rotation. It's kind of like being a personal shoe consultant for each customer. Right now the sheer amount of information is a bit overwhelming but I’m realy eager to learn it. The people I work with are awesome too – kind, funny, unique, and active.

I attempted to run to the river to run along the bike path but yet again I got lost and ended up in Allston / Brighton except it was worse today because I literally ran along the highway, along overpasses and ridiculously awful freeways. Then tried to add on some residential roads at the end. It was a really frustrating run. I just want to find a route I like and am comfortable with! Just over an hour, not sure the mileage though - too many unknown roads.

Work was overwhelming - I'm trying to learn SO many running shoes and styles. We sell over a hundred and each one is different in some subtle way (cushioning, shock absorption, pronation/suppination support, narrow vs wide, tortional flexibility, medial post density and size, etc!!) It will take me a long time. I took lots of notes. I really want to learn it all now though! It's exciting but at the same time daunting. Gait analysis is also really tricky. It is so hard to watch someone walk and run a short distance and be able to successfully analyze their degree of pronation, neutrality, or suppination, as well as their foot shape and bone structure. Let alone suggest a handful of shoes to try and explain why I recommend those shoes.

Ran 4ish miles in the evening after work - real slow though, down Beacon St. to the Chestnut Hill Reservoir (a flat dirt path around a water body) which was nice, but I wish the loop was longer; it's 1.56 miles. I will try running down in this area more now, especially after the nightmare run this morning.

Finally found a running route that I am comfortable with. I ran through residential Brookline which was so much nicer than the awful highway / stop-go running that I’ve been doing lately. There’s a lovely dirt path around a reservoir (short though - .93 miles) and then I ran along tree-lined streets which felt so wonderful to have so much space. It reminded me of Providence running J It offers some hills (nothing severe but good for training) and also the dirt path was a nice break from the pavement. I enjoy these natural areas much more since it allows me to zone out whereas running along busy streets takes so much energy up just to make sure you don’t get hit or run into someone/thing!

Found a jewel of a run – Jamaica Pond. It’s great – a paved 1.47 mile path around a pond with a smaller dirt path beside the paved path in many sections. There are a lot of walkers and joggers all the time and it’s so peaceful! I just have to do some mileage tweaking and I think I’ll have my usual every-day route!

Had a rough day at work…it’s hard to try to learn so much so fast and I often felt rather stupid! There are so many shoes to memorize and so many subtle details but I hope it’ll sink in in due time.

The run this morning was a short 3ish miles to rest up for a 5k I’m racing tomorrow. Work was insanely busy – we had a big ‘sidewalk sale’ and sold a ton of shoes and apparel. I like the hectic pace though. I go-go-go and don’t stop and I like the adrenaline – it gives me energy!

Raced the EMARC 5k in Melrose today. Took a while to get there because of the Commuter Rail and Ts but it was sponsored by Marathon Sports so I wanted to do it. Ran basically what I did last week – 19:09. The course was a bit more challenging though – there were some hills unlike last week which was basically plat, so I may have run a bit better even though my time was a few seconds slower. Felt fine after wards so I really wish I pushed myself a bit more. Had way too much energy when I finished. My goal this fall is to race a 5k in sun 19…wonder if I’ll make it? Glad I came all the way here to race (public transportation is a nuisance) – got a gift certificate to Marathon Sports – kind of funny since I work there, but I’ll definitely use it! - as well as some other food freebees.

Ran a lot when I got home too – still had energy, perhaps more because I ate a meal and went out for a nice jog around Jamaica Pond.

Enjoyed the run, not too tired from yesterday.

Worked in the Boston location for the first time – long day because we had a BAA half marathon clinic in the evening sponsored by Adidas and it got pretty hectic. I was running around grabbing shoes and trying to fit/ help people with the little knowledge I have.

Some people are just too much. When we fit a shoe, it’s all about how it feels on the foot and whether it provides adequate support for the customer’s biomechanics. It’s frustrating when we get someone who looks at EVERY shoe we bring out and says “OMG ewww! That’s the ugliest thing! I absolutely cannot put it on my foot. I can’t believe you actually sell shoes this UGLY! I want to look good when I run and I’d be so embarrassed if I wore that.”

Seriously?? These are completely normal sneakers and we sell them, hundreds of them, daily to happy runners everywhere…she said this for every shoe she was presented with. I didn’t get upset though, she was really amusing.

Didn’t run in the morning because I went to a workout with the Greater Boston Track Club in the evening. It was really tough to forego my AM run but I did. The whole day I was super anxious about the workout – was dreading it actually. The ‘professional’ running atmosphere, if that’s what you’d call it, intimidates me! I was also super hungry during the day – not sure if it was anxiety-related? It wasn’t bad though! We went for a 23 minute warm-up run which was very fast! People were huffing and puffing afterwards but I was fine (it’s the power speed I lack, not the endurance). We warmed up around a pond but we didn’t start until after 7pm and it was so dark that I couldn’t see a thing by the time we finished. After some drills we did 1200s.

It seemed pretty unorganized. Everyone broke off into groups but I didn’t know what to do so I just hopped in with a group that ended up running too slow for me because I led the whole time and always finished a fair stretch ahead of the others but wasn’t out of breath at all. There were no lights on at the track which made everything hard! I didn’t time a single interval because I couldn’t see my watch but someone else said we ran them in about 4:25-4:30. I think if I come next time I’d like to run with the faster group. I know I’d be at the back of the pack because they were going pretty fast (maybe early 4:20s?) but I think (or hope) that this would help me improve. I definitely felt like I could go faster in this situation because running with all these girls made me feel not necessarily competitive, but more of a pressure/motivation to perform well.

Ran 5x1200 with 400 rest but I felt like I could do a couple more easily L when will I ever run and feel like I gave a full 110%??

Felt ok on the run this morning considering the speedworkout was less than 12 hours prior. Right ankle is really hurting though - painful to point the toe outward/downward. Pain is ‘inside’ the ankle, more an achy all-over pain. It’s more on the outside toward the heel but generally throughout the whole thing. It actually started hurting before the workout yesterday – I started getting all of these odd pains in my body because I was so anxious before the workout. The ankle felt worse this morning. It helped when the ground was at a slight angle/slope so that my weight fell more on the outside of my right foot. Maybe the ‘injury’ has something to do with overpronation?

Had a good day at work – learned a bit more about shoes and feet. Slowly but surely. Jane came to visit briefly after work which was great to see her since it’s been eons. 

Felt pretty good – surprisingly the speed workout 2 days ago never hit me. I thought I’d feel it today since I didn’t feel it yesterday but nope. I didn’t push hard enough.

I focused on ‘form’ today. Yesterday at work a few of us were talking about chi running / minimalist running and the whole idea of forefoot-striking as opposed to the heel-strike. I am naturally a heel-striker (my feet are flatter than pancakes) so I tried to run and land on my forefoot which was hard. My ankle has been acting up so it hurt a bit here and there but after I got going, it was actually really easy! It felt kind of like I was pounding (perhaps scuffing?) more than I usually do though, which is ironic considering it is supposed to lighten up one’s stride. I also tried to keep my body upright and be conscious about striking when my body was directly over my foot. Ran about 8 or so miles; I need to get better about tracking exact mileage though.

Easy couple miles - race tomorrow

BUSY busy day at work! Absolutely exhausted from being on my feel alllll day. I never sit down (or stop running around for that matter) at work. 

Same old same old. Thinking more and more about my lack of strength training though…I really wish I could join a gym!!! That is no excuse though – I could do core and lifting at home with free weights but I really need to be in another setting to actually get up the motivation do it. It’s nearly impossible for me to do it at home… L ugghh!

Run was normal in the morning, and afterwards I interviewed for a second job to make some extra money part-time (Trader Joe’s). I was amped all day because I had a sample of coffee (sad, but I have no caffeine tolerance) and also because I believe there's a full moon soon and I usually have a ridiculous amount of energy a few days prior. After work I went on a second run with a co-worker which was great. I never run in the evening but had a ton of energy despite hardly eating anything all day :/ We went about 5 or 6 miles.

I’m in a very bad yet hard to break pattern of going literally the entire day with eating nothing, or nearly nothing, and then absolutely stuffing myself for about 2 or 3 hours straight until I am ready to go to bed…I don’t get hungry at work because I stay so busy and can just go-go-go but then when I get home at night my blood sugar is absolutely rock bottom which isn’t good. I should try to eat more during the day L

Ran on my forefoot for my entire run today. My ankle has been hurting a lot recently so I thought that forefoot running would be pretty painful. It hurt when I first started the run but once I got going, it hurt less than it would’ve if I were running with my normal heel-strike form. The constant ankle aching is really stressing me though (mainly mentally) because my biggest fear is an injury!! Especially since I don’t have a gym to cross-train…I don’t even want to think about it.

Ate a big 2am meal – the first in a long time, so I’m not too upset since I have been good since I moved here at the beginning of the month. I think it had to do with the double run and not eating enough during the day.

Felt like absolute sh*t this morning. Could be the full moon (two days ago I was AMPED with an unbelievable amount of energy, which always happenes to me 2 days before a full moon), could be just everything is catching up with me (running, working, life), or a combination of both. I made it only about 4 miles and it was a sloww 4 miles. The ankle is getting worse. It really hurts to sit, walk, or do virtually anything. It’s probably due to the fact that I do not sit down at all from about 7am until midnight. After running an hour in the AM, I’m on my feel allll day and I think that is exacerbating the ankle L

Stomach is out of whack too. Ate another enormous 2:30 am meal (ugghhh 2 days in a row, and I was doing SO well!)

Tried on Newtons today at work – they are definitely pretty cool. I like the whole theory behind the ‘minimalist running’ craze; it’s interesting. The goal is to improve overall form and be more conscious about form in general. The entire time I forefoot strike, I do feel like I have good form (or at least better form than when I heel strike).

Got a fair amount of sleep last night so I felt good on the run (later than usual).

My ankle felt fine during the run but afterwards it hurt.

I vowed to never wear another pair of VERY crappy sneakers. Now that I’m working at a running store and realizing the importance of having adequate cushioning I think I’m noticing the effects on my feet/body more and more (or maybe it’s a mental thing that I’m inventing yet it is still manifesting itself physically?) Either way, the cushioning on my shoes that I’ve run in for over 3 years and thousands of miles is pretty shot to the point where I can’t even walk around in them because it hurts my ankles (the shoes are ‘supportive’ shoes which means that they have a medial post for arch support. This medial post – a.k.a. the grey foam in the inner arch of the midsole- is firmer than all the surrounding white foam. Over time, the cushion, which acts like a sponge, doesn’t bounce back as well after it compresses during runs. Because the cushions are different densities (grey=firmer and white=less firm), as soon as I put the shoes on, I can feel my ankles being situated at an angle, which is actually painful! Right now, I’m only running in one pair (Mizuno Inspires) which I love – they’re lightweight and have a firm feel (I don’t like soft cushiony shoes). Before, I was alternating between a few pairs, all of which (except the Mizunos) were at least 2 or 3 years old, have virtually NO cushion left, and were completely worn away on thee sole to the point of my toe was nearly through to the pavement… bad I know. Looks like I’ll be taking advantage of my running store discount and treating my feet a little better!

Day off today…I don’t like having days off. When/if I start working a second job that’ll change. Workaholic! Maybe I’ll even be able to join a gym…will see how September expenses look when they’re all tallied.

Just a few to shake out. Race tomorrow (5 miles, so I'm excited. Tired of these fast 5ks).