15 miles

Today was my 15 mile run. I was not sure if I was going to run or not but I did receive a call from my physical therapist and she said that I should try but listen to my body. Well, the first mile and half I was concerned about the slight twinge in my right shin but it completely disappeared. She told me to be sure to do warm up stretches before I run and to be sure run slower then usual. Well, I ran slower that is for sure. I ran 15 miles in 2 hours and 45 minutes. So 11 minute miles wasn't much slower but it was slower then what I had and have been shooting for. I also spent 20 minutes warming my legs up with warm up exercises and I think that was helpful.

It was not an easy 15 miles today. In fact, I am on the verge of wanting to quit this quest. My feet burned and hurt around the 10 mile marker. I wanted to crawl. I didn't want to feel my feet touch the pavement any longer. It really hurt and my knees were stiff. Running at such a slower pace is only moving my knees a quarter of the "normal" way and it hurt to actually bend them when I stopped for a drink of water and had to bend down to drink. I had to walk through a water break for approximately an eight of a mile because of my knees. And once I started to run again, pure pain in my feet. It felt like my feet were pounding the pavement, barefoot. It was horrible. I seriously considered on cutting back in toward the city and grab a bus home. But I forged on and finished the run. As soon as I got home, I iced my knees and my right shin and still I felt so exhausted and didn't want to do anything but sleep. However, two kids and the open house at the brand new fire station were calling. I had one hour to shower and get ready to get us to the fire station for one hour of fun.

This afternoon, I decided it was time to go to Fleet Feet and get some answers on my horrific pain and to purchase some new shoes and nutritional supplements. Before I ran this morning I had a banana and nutrigrain bar. Last long run of 13.1 miles had me starving at mile marker 7. I was not going to deal with that so I added banana to my morning routine. And drinking Gatorade is just not sitting well. I can't stand the sugary taste in my mouth from the Gatorade. I also didn't like how it would sit in my stomach. I had been reading some of the running forums and people were discussing Gu, NuuN and other energy and electrolyte/energy drinks. I decided that I was going to purchase a few of these and test them out in the next month.

So, my visit at Fleet Feet was a huge success. I had been going to Runners Edge but I got hot and cold assistance from the associates. At Fleet Feet, they were great! Greg and I learned so much about our own running patterns and the correct shoes for our feet. I bought a new pair of running shoes that will be my marathon running shoe. My current shoe was a Nike trail running shoe. It was great for the short runs but the long runs were proving to be difficult. I thought Trail Running would be okay since I was running on some gravel paths and trails, but really trail running is grass and dirt. So, that was one reason it hurt so much to run on the pavement for great distances. Also, I had counted at the minimum 250 miles on my trail shoes and since it was on pavement, it was much too stiff and worn out much quicker then I had anticipated. Second problem of my old shoes, size. I was wearing a 7.5 which had maybe a pinkie finger between my big toe and the end of the shoe when I wasn't running. Since running about one hour or more makes your feet expand, my poor toes were pounding into the front of my shoe. Thus giving me my dreaded black toes, runners toes or bruised nails whatever you want to call it. I don't want to lose my toenail and welcome any advice on saving them. So, my new shoes are a size 8.5! I tried on at least six pair of shoes and the best feeling while running and best fit all around were Mizuno Wave Nirvana 4 running shoe. They were not cheap that is for sure but they did feel the best and that is what makes the difference. And I am fortunate to have earned a Visa Gift Card for $75.00 that went toward the purchase of the shoes. I can't wait to try these shoes out on Tuesday. I am hoping that they really feel as good on, on Tuesday as they did today. Because if my feet feel anything like they did today during my 15 mile run, I am out of the marathon. It truly was that horrible of a run, today.

My nutritional purchases were: Luna Sport Electrolyte Splash Drink Mix, CLIF Shot Bloks and GU energy gel. I am truly hoping that these items help my energy level when running over 15 miles. I also purchased a recovery protein enhanced drink, CLIF Shot Recovery.
The Luna Sport Electrolyte Splash Drink Mix is suppose to give Women Athletes the "right amount of carbs and electrolytes to fuel your workout and keep you hydrated, plus the vitamins and minerals you need". The CLIF Shot Bloks are electrolyte chews. It says to consume 3 to 6 Shot Bloks every hour during the activity and to follow it with water. The GU energy gel is just that. It is suppose to give you "Superior energy and maximum recovery while running long distances. I am to eat this gel every 45 minutes. I will try it and see how it "sits" during my run before I even attempt to eat more then one of these gel packs.

Well, I am hopeful for this weeks schedule. I hope that these shoes will be the difference and that I will feel better. I seriously have considered to quit today and I have come to far to do that now. This week will be hectic. I will get my miles in but come Saturday, I will be running in LaCrosse or Minnesota. Not running in Chicago is difficult. I am so allergic to the ragweed and other outdoor allergens. And, I will be taking antihistamines while I am there and they tend to screw up my system. I don't sweat as much as I am supposed to because the medicine dries me up. So, I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed. Wish me luck!