Meeting with the Trainers

We had our first meeting with the Team in Training last Saturday. Got some good tips on strengthening the muscles to cushion the knees (yup, I need that). Talked a bit about what we will be doing the next few months, and then we went on a 3-mile run through a pretty nice area. It sure felt like more than 3 miles, but I think that's because it was unusually warm and I felt like I was cooking in my own skin.

Joanne, the trainer, is crazy-athletic, which I guess is good. We know we're in good hands.

I had a good time hooking up with everyone in the group. Nothing like a little esprit de corps on a Saturday morning.

Haven't Run Since Last Week

Went on vacation last Thurday and returned yesterday. I ran on Thursday but haven't run again since so needless to say, tomorrow is going to be unpleasant.

Early a.m. Run, Leg Unhappy

We got up about 6am this morning for a run. It was chilly at first but it wasn't as bad as the last early morning run.

I angered my right leg a bit. It started to give up on me when we were nearly done. I don't think I stretched enough. We got there, had a cursory stretch, then went about it.

Tried Gu's shot blocks, or whatever they are called. Nasty. Not as nasty as the gel. Nonetheless, they do what they are supposed to so I shouldn't complain too much.

Hot Saturday Run

Did our run Saturday but we ran late morning and it had already been heating up. I felt like an engine in the red with just a few droplets in the radiator, i.e. I was quite warm.

Too much junk food

I went nuts with the junk food last night, probably cancelling out my entire run for Thursday morning. I sure to love the sweets though. I still have leftover candy from Easter. There is nothing finer than Easter candy.

6 A.M. !?

Thought we might try our run before work instead of after, so I was up at 6 A.M. this morning, a time usually foreign to me (I dislike mornings), especially when I can't yet see the sun on the horizon.
We picked a doozy of a morning to try it out. It was unduly cold and quite windy. A man ran past us on the path, his hands wrapped up in his long sleeves...I feel ya, buddy.
I forgot to get a picture. I'm pretty sure I was grouchy about the experience. I'm thinking we hold off on the morning run until it warms up a little.

My knees are happy campers

When I started pre-training for the LLS run about 5 or so weeks ago, hoping my lungs and muscles remembered the days I was a runner, sometime during the George Bush administration (that's G.B. Sr., mind you). However, my legs were also lugging around a frame that was probably 70lbs lighter. Needless to say, my knees felt the brunt of it.
Then I bit the bullet and bought new shoes ideal for long-distance running. I never thought it would make such a difference. Thank you Asics! (if this were a movie that would be my product placement.)
The pre-training is 3 days a week and going strong. Piece of cake really.