I promise I didn't fall off the face of the planet...

It's been far too long since I posted! I know you've all been dying to read another post. Right? Right.

Luckily it hasn't been quite as long since I ran. I pulled my groin muscle when I went on a long (my longest!) run with my friend Monica a few weeks ago. I knew I needed to rest it but I ran on it twice anyways. After finding out the hard way that I needed to rest it, I have taken two weeks off from running.

it's been awhile!

FINALLY got new running shoes! My husband and I went to Miami for a day trip a couple weeks ago, and I went to the Running Connection, where they analyzed my stride. They recommended a pair of Saucony's and a pair of Nike Vomero's. They didn't have a color scheme I liked in either shoe, so I didn't buy any. Decided to see if the Foot Locker here in Key West carried either, and they had the Nike's in the same color but for almost half as much - so I opted for those. I LOVE THEM!

Anyway...I've been following Jeff Galloway's running app on my iPhone

welcome back!

Welcome back, running. I missed you so much (still can't believe I am someone who can say that).

On Friday my husband and I took a trip to Miami to spend the day with my friend & roommate from college. She was here with her boyfriend for a day from CA before their cruise left. Obviously, Miami = shopping. One of our stops was Foot Locker (since we were finally at a real, live MALL!) where I stood on a mat and had my feet analyzed.

frustrated!!

My foot/ankle still has not healed. It's been two weeks.

I went to the doctor last Friday to be sure it wasn't a stress fracture, and he said he thinks it's just a sprain on the top of my foot. I'm so miserable! My left foot has started hurting from having to limp a little for my right foot. Such a mess!!

I went for a nice 3+ mile walk/jog last Thursday with my new running partner, Danyle, and it was great! We did it in about 41mins - not bad for an outside run. I was so nervous to have a partner because everyone's paces are so different, but we were perfectly in synch!

We planned to go Friday and today but I had to cancel both days because my foot is so bad. I'm going insane not being able to run, so this better heal soon. I don't know what to do to make it better!

Have you had any running injuries before? How do you handle the mental aspect of not being able to get back out there and run?

Have to share this ecard! Oh, and all my new BondiBands (plus one with my pup)!!

first running injury :/

Yup. I've got my first running injury. Does that make me a real runner now?

Well, it's nothing serious, so probably not. My ankle has been hurting a little for about a week now, but I ran on it a couple of times anyways. Yesterday and today it was a little worse though, so I decided not to run today. Which I'm actually bummed about, since it's my day off so I would have been able to run outside. I've been icing it off and on this morning and I'll wrap it if I head out to do any errands.

I did run on Saturday though, and it was nice because my husband came and met me at the gym at work to join. I followed the C25K plan for the day, and it was the first time where I did exactly as the program called for. It ended up being 2.1 miles in 28:15.

Last night I caved and bought the Jeff Galloway half marathon training app for (brace yourself) $14.99. I'm a little hesitant but also excited to use his guide instead of the C25K. He's the official RunDisney go-to guy, so I'm sure it will be great.

Amazon and Pinterest have become my goal boards - when I reach a milestone (the first one is running 3x/week for a month), I get to buy something off one of those places. They're all things related to running, such as new Under Armour shirts.

OH! I booked our hotel yesterday for the Disney Princess Half Marathon!!! We will be staying here:

Shades of Green Resort, on Disney property. It's a military-only resort so it was a great price ($110/night for a room with 2 queen beds) and is really nice. And even better: my husband decided to come! He won't be running the race, but I'm so excited he will be there to watch me finish. And that he'll be there to celebrate my birthday with me.

If you're feeling discouraged in your running, keep this amazing quote in your head:

"Dead last is greater than did not finish, which trumps did not start."

a mile is a mile!

Today is my day off, so I woke up around 7am (thanks for that, internal body clock...), spent a few minutes waking up with Matt, Natalie, Al, and Savannah (of the Today Show...I'm not a huge orgy fan, people!), and laced up my shoes. I decided just to take my Molly pup for my run this morning, since it's too hard to take both dogs anymore.

Since I ran at 730am, the heat wasn't too awful. I was still sweating like a freaking pig at the end, though. I didn't set my C25K app correctly, which I quickly realized, and accidentally did the Week 1, Day 1 program. It actually worked out well though since I'm still not acclimated to running in the elements - so it was a 5 min warmup walk then 90 seconds running and 2 mins walking (for a total of 20 mins), followed by a 5 min cool down. I ended up only doing 2.5 mins of the cool down, but I noticed I was pushing myself to run faster for the 90 secs since I knew it was an "easier" rotation that I've been doing. I forgot to start my RunKeeper app to measure distance and pace, but based on last time's outside run, I think I clocked about 2.15ish in 28 minutes. Not bad for being outside!

I need to be sure to remind myself of the above quote when I'm hard on myself about my times!! 

My friend Krystal and I attended a military spouse appreciation lunch at the Hard Rock today, and it was served buffet style. I was pretty proud of myself! I had 2 servings of salad, one piece of pork, some fruit and small cheese pieces, and 2 teensy brownie bites. I skipped the pasta and bread!! 

Anyways...I'm looking forward to hitting the treadmill tomorrow on my lunch. I set a goal of running at least three times a week for a month straight - once I complete that I'm treating myself to a super cute tank top that says "Keep Calm and Run On." It's all about small goals, people! Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday.

stronger

A little motivation for all of us this morning! I love this. I also read a quote earlier that stuck with me: "Be proud of your strength, and every bit of exercise that you do to make your body better than ever. Even if you don’t look like a fitness model, you are stronger and more powerful  than before your workout." How true is all of that? Every mile you run, walk, or jog, is another mile closer to the you that you want to become.

So yesterday I hopped on the treadmill on my lunch break. Week 3, day 1 on the C25K program. So although I went for less time, I jogged/ran more. Pretty satisfied with that distance in that amount of time! I find myself still having energy during the cool down (5 mins), and since I still have plenty of time in my lunch break I usually keep going. I love that I actually want  to keep going. 

I spoke with our trainer after Summer Slam last night to ask her if my training will be enough time for the half marathon in February. She said I definitely should run outside more to get acclimated to the elements, but if I keep up the 3-5x/week of running then I should clock about a 10.0 pace. I'm so stoked on that, since my goal is just 12.0!! Speaking of Summer Slam...sheesh. She killed us last night! Lots of cardio - kickboxing and running. For the running we put a resistance band around our hips and the kickstand, then had to run as hard as possible with high knees for 30 seconds at a time. That was my favorite part! Hard class but I loved every second of it.

As more people are reading my blog, I'm loving seeing that people are actually following my story and finding some inspiration in me. It's so humbling!!