Perspective

Why is it people on the outside can see things clearer than we can?

I have been having issues with motivation and getting my runs in for training.  I tend to be lazy and trying to get my runs and then sit on my arse and then time gets away from me and then my runs get left behind.  I decided that with my packed schedule today that the only way I would run would be first thing in the morning.  I had to be at the park by 9:30 or it wouldn't happen.  I didn't quite get there when I wanted to, but with only a 4-6 mile run planned, I knew I had 90 minutes max.  10am gave me until 11:30 to finish, noon to get to my mom's house for a shower and then work by one pm. 

I was working both jobs today, so planning was important.  If I didn't meet my time goal, it would throw a major wrench in the works.  At two miles, I was right on pace, but I knew I had a problem.  At Thanksgiving, I had a new set of CUSTOM ORTHOTICS and I did my first official training run.  I ended it with my first official blister and had a week of recovery because I can't run with a blister on the arch of my foot and have the new orthotics hititng it and creating more of a problem.  Come to find out, they cut my orthotics too short and when I run, they move.  NOT BUENO!!!

I've done very little running with them, but body glide on my arches is my friend.  What did I forget today??  The body glide on my arches.  Bad news.  2 miles into my run, this time it is the right orthotic and not the left and I have a decent blister on the arch of my foot... SHIT!!

Okay, screw the previous orthotic plan of making do through the Princess and having the fixed.  They are getting fixed NOW!!! I'll make do without for the time being and get to the Princess.  Tomorrow I am running a 30 minute run with my semi-custom orthotics from last year and we'll go from there.  I need to get better about my training. 

So, for perspective.  Following my crappy 2 mile run which was far shorter than I had planned, I was in quite a foul mood.  I went to work with a sour mood about my run and when asked about it, I groused about he fact that I wasn't happy about the shortened run when I have an event I am training for and pretty much got a wake up call from one of the guys I work with.  He told me that 2 miles are better than no miles.  ...... DUH!! 

Why couldn't I think about that.  Maybe I just couldn't see the forest for the trees at that moment... I don't know.  I have family members that have issues with walking sometimes, I should know this.  I guess sometimes I take this for granted.  I really enjoy my running and I guess sometimes I need to see the trees and realize that I am in the forest and enjoy everything around me.  Smell the roses per se.

Is it really 65 days to Princess?

Holy Cow!!  I was reading another blog and saw a countdown that read 65 days to the Princess Half Marathon.. WHAT???

On another note.  We never know what the weather is going to be at Disney and we can't guarantee that it's going to be Disney perfect.  Now, The Plastic Potty's will be perfect because if you read my post from the race in February everyone at Disney poops rainbows, but as we all know from the last three Princess runs, the weather can vary wildly. 

Ice 3 yrs ago, sun and 70-80 degrees two years ago, last year was overcast with sprinkles towards the end of the run for us turtles.  But still, only RunDisney can pull off this race in the fashion they do. 

So, for grins and giggles, this is what I ran in tonight. At least there isn't any white or purple on the map, but is that enough green for you?  I ran 2 miles in 36 minutes.  It was kind of slow, but it is what it is.  I ran 2 miles in the rain and did it even though the rain was crappy.  By the time I finished, I was feeling it.  I loved it.  I was standing at the top of the driveway looking up at the sky and the rain, letting God wash over me. 

I needed that more than I ever thought. 

First official training run

So I did my first official training run for the Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World on February 24, 2013. 

I have done a couple of other runs in the past couple months since the official training plans were released, but with school and family stuff, it's hard to squeeze it in.  I have to start making it a priority in the coming weeks.  I have a month off from school and I can do it. 

Tonight I did a 1.76 mile run in 29.13 minutes.  I was trying to work out some kinks.  I have been having an orthotic issue and figured it out tonight.  I have to contact the PT tomorrow and have them remake them. 

I wear a 7 when I run, but typically wear a 6.5 for my regular shoes.  When they came in, we realized they were too short, but we decide to try them out and see if they would work, but no.  In my two runs, I've ended up with a blister on the arch of my left foot.  It is because the orthotic moves when I run because it is TOO SHORT for my shoe.  This is not good.  So tomorrow I call the PT and see if they will let me hang on to the pair I have so I can continue training until the new pair comes in, especially this close to Christmas.

Welcome back and more

Well, it has been a while.  I have been notoriously absent from the blog side and twitter for quite a while.  My first semester of college and some family issues have had me entirely too caught up in life. 

Between my daughter's activities, which include dance, swim team practice and meets, kidznpraize and dance recital.  Additionally, I did two amazing mission trips over the summer and lots of fun prior to returning to college for the first time in 20 years. 

In mid-August I returned to college to finally finish my Associates degree.  Actually, by the time I finish, I will have enough hours to complete two degrees.  My Associates in General Education and Associate in Pharmacy Technology.  Nothing like returning to college after a 20 year hiatus and double-majoring.  What was I thinking?

As if that weren't enough, a little over four weeks into the semester, following some concerns by my mom, sister and I, my dad was evaluated for what we thought were effects of a possible TIA or mild stroke.  WRONG!!! Early Alzheimer's or Cognitive Impairment.  WHAT?!?!?  I can't deal with this and a full course load.  Are you kidding me?  I guess not.  The good news is, I can at least have a sense of humor in all of it.  My mom has MS, my dad has Alzheimer's, which means I am essentially screwed in the Brain Department when I get older.  Thanks Mom and Dad. 

Going forward, not only will my blog be about my training for triathlon, 5k and half-marathons, it will be about my coping with my dad's degradation.  It's happening quicker than I'd like, even with the Aricept.  That's what is the most scary about this.  He is already on medication to slow the progression and I don't know that it is working.