That Redheaded Sister

Hi everyone!  I hope you all had wonderful weekends and a great Mother’s Day.  This weekend was fun, busy, and lazy for me.  I was knocked out (not up) again this weekend and this morning by allergies.  I am really sick of them and they can leave anytime.

Last week was the first week of training for RnR Chicago.  While my numbers werent very high, I am really happy with how it turned out.  I am happy with my training plan and how my leg has been acting

Sunday – 2 Miles.  I wrote about my first unofficial training run last Sunday here.  I set out for a one mile test run to see how my leg would do after taking a month off and a lingering injury.  It did great for TWO miles.  Not only did my leg do really well, I found a new place to run.  It does stink I got into an accident on the way home from that run though. 

Monday -  1.5 miles.  My training plan has a lot of interval running which I like because it conserves my leg a little bit.  Monday I did 1 min run/2 min walk x 6.  Since it was still early into the getting back into my running groove, I felt ok about walking longer than running but had the itch to keep going.  Conserve Conserve

Tuesday – Rest day.  I was happy about a rest day.  I used it to roll my legs and put heat on my leg.  How funny that ice doesnt help any pain in my leg, but heat does.  Makes me think its not a bone injury. 

Wednesday – 2.2 miles.  Another day of intervals.  This time it was 3 min run/2 min walk x 5.  When I got on that treadmill, my leg gave me a heck of a time.  Once I actually started the pain melted away.  I think it was trying to psych me out.  I pushed my speed a little harder on this one. 

Thursday – 3 miles.  I ran this almost naked.  I had my Garmin, but forgot my music.  I am so glad I did.  I enjoyed every step of this run.  I was pain free.  I could hear my breathing (and yes I sound like I am about to keel over when I run) and I could focus on how great it felt.  I was a little irked when the map said my turn around point was 1.5 miles away and it was actually 1.1.  I have a feeling Garmin may have done a little lying. 

Friday – Rest.  I had a lot of cleaning to do around the house and finishing of my million projects

Saturday – 3.18 miles.  I signed up for a running group with a local running store, Phiddipidies to “Run the Course.”  It is a training program that incorporates parts of the Peachtree Road Race we are running in July.  I woke up at 6 am on Saturday and I was talking myself into skipping this.  It was 30 mins away, I knew I was going to be the slowest, my last running with a group from a store experience was bad, and I didnt know anyone.  I made myself go and boy I dont regret it. 

We started at the store and there were people from all different running backgrounds there.  Some were even walkers.  I talked to one of the guys from the store saying I was nervous because I am not fast and I dont want to be last (why do we ALWAYS think we will be last?  And even if we are, who really cares?  Its the act of DOING!)

We broke off into groups on the run (3 milers and 6 milers) and took off.  What I love the most about this group is the people from the store will always be with you.  My last experience you were on your own.  I chatted for a good 2 miles with a guy from the store about training and races.  Our course was HILLY!!  I was scared about my leg, but I walked some of the major hills just to slow everything down a bit.  They provided a water stop at mile 2 and it was awesome from there on out. 

When I got back to the store the first guy announced I was in fact NOT last and did a great job.  People started pouring in and while stretching a group of women were talking about their runs and said they were trying to keep MY pace but couldnt keep up.  WHAT?!  (I had no idea what my pace was because Garmin wouldnt locate a satellite).  I am usually the person holding people back on their runs, NEVER has anyone paced TO me.  I was so happy to hear that!

Plus we got some pretty awesome swag from Mizuno:

I also got to try Coconut water.  Not a fan.  Its too weird to me which is strange because I love coconut. 

Sunday – Rest.  I had a little too much fun the night before at a Zac Brown Band concert.  And it wasnt alcohol that knocked me out.  It was standing ALL night and jumping/dancing.  My legs were sore and screaming for me to roll them.  After a good roll, they felt amazing.  Plus my allergies kept me in bed most of the day.

Here are just a few images from this weekend.  If you follow me on Twitter (@Redheadedsis) you would have seen more.  LOL

No Matt was not at this event.  He has been in Florida all weekend visiting his parents and the kitties and I miss him.  I am ready to pick him up from the airport today.  It was so quiet around the house yesterday.  But we get to make it up next weekend because we are going whitewater rafting/camping in Tennessee with these people plus more.  I cant wait. 

How was your weekend?  Did you have a great Mother’s Day if you are a mother (and yes you are a mom to furbabies and fishy babies).