I Am a Runner!

I ran 10 miles last Saturday~my first double digit run in weeks~and no problems! Woo Hoo!

Over the past few months I have been a little, no, a lot discouraged with the fact that I won't be able to do my 40 by 40. (finances).  But as I ran on Saturday, I realized, ironically, I am a runner! It doesn't matter if I don't run this race or that race, what matters is that I keep running. For alone time, for weight loss, for a faster time, whatever the goal may be. It is not the race that defines me as a runner, it's the fact that my feet hit the pavement every morning and I feel good doing it! I have been running for over 14 years, I have run 11 marathons, I guess I can call myself a "veteran" now, right? No matter what though, at the end of the day, I AM A RUNNER!

Injured

Remember back a few weeks...my calves were causing havoc. Well, I have finally admitted to myself that I have an injury. Self diagnosis: micro tears in my calves. The hubby's diagnosis: my hamstrings.  (I think mine sounds more impressive, but he is probably right). 

I took a full week off from running and  decided that I needed The Stick, so I went online to order one, (ironically, I have one in storage in Utah) only to have them tell me it would be better for me (shipping wise) to find one at a retailer here in Hawaii, they gave me a list of 4 stores. Not one on Kauai! Ugh! Luckily, my friend went to Oahu last week and was able to pick one up for me. Let me just say, The Stick is an incredible tool! I have been using it several times a day. My calves are feeling better, not 100%, but better. I have run three times this week. This morning's run was great, 3 miles and I didn't have to stop and walk! Yay, me! It felt good to be running again. I am still going to take it really slow.

I have gotten into some really bad habits over the last couple of months...not eating well, not strength training as much, not taking vitamins...just dumb stuff and I know better. This week I have been really trying to get myself back on track and into a regular routine. And I am going to take the next few weeks to make sure my legs are 100% better and then I will start training for marathon #12!

By the way, I signed up for the Kauai Marathon ~ September 6. This will most likely be my only marathon this year, and there are also a few small races on Kauai that I am really looking forward too. 

Hope you all have a great weekend and a Happy Easter!