Friday, May 28, 2010

Still Going

This past week we ran Sunday (about 5-6 miles) and Thursday (around 5 miles). There's plenty of light at 5 a.m. now, and it's already pretty warm - even that early in the day. Not too bad yet, though. Erin found a new route that takes us out of that boring loop, so that helps keep us going.

My main problem at the moment is that my ankles are sore - both of them. I'm not sure why it's happening now, when we're not running very intensely at all. So I'm wondering ... do I take a break or keep it up?

I don't want to take a break from running - I'm happier and more productive when I run, and of course I'm still eating as if I run 25 miles a week - so I'm just taking each run as it comes and trying to work through the soreness.

Friday, May 21, 2010

ChiRunning?

Have you heard all the buzz about ChiRunning?

USA Today did an article on it recently, and I'm curious about it. It's basically a way of running that uses gravity and core muscles to transform running technique and avoid injuries. I've been experiencing some ankle pain and a lingering Achilles soreness, so it caught my attention. Founder Danny Dreyer says that humans through the ages have run with no shoes or minimalist shoes, and that our current shoes actually contribute to injury by restricting the foot and causing more impact to the knees, hip and heel. His technique focuses on hitting mid-foot instead of heel-toe. I haven't tried it yet, but I think I'll see if I can get the gist of it next time we head out. Why not, right?

Here's a short video of him explaining the technique.


Thursday, May 20, 2010

Video Finish

I remembered recently that I have a video of me and Erin finishing the half-marathon, so bear with me while I revisit that day with the short (very short) video.

This video is from Marathon-Photos.com. For about $12, the company e-mails a video of you finishing the half-marathon to you and 10 other people. Then you can download a copy and keep it. This sounds really cool, but I think it's only really worth it if you're lucky enough to be on the side where the camera is located - and if the camera is a little closer to the finish line. We were about as far away from the camera as you can get, so you have to look closely. A few seconds into the clip, you can see me in a red shirt on the far, far left, and Erin (in a white shirt) is next to me. We put our hands up as we cross the finish line. Don't blink or you might miss us. Check it out!

And save your money. :)


Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Back At It

After a brief hiatus, we're back at it.

Erin and I ran about four miles this morning and five miles last Tuesday, and we ran about five miles again last Sunday morning - in the rain. Yes, the rain is pretty much a staple around here these days. It was warm, though, and sort of drizzly, so it wasn't so bad. We were soaked at the end, and I had my husband take a picture of us. Here we are - a couple of drowned rats.


Our new route is basically a half-mile loop in a circle that has no damaged homes. We just run the same loop over and over for an hour or so. Boring, but bearable.

It feels good to be working out again.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Why I've Been MIA

If you've heard about the devastating floods in Nashville, then you know why I haven't been posting. Our neighborhood was among the many that were flooded, and many, many homes just down the street from us are severely damaged or destroyed. I'm so thankful that our home was not affected, but so many of our neighbors' homes had the first floors saturated. The neighboring subdivision had even worse damage, with water up to the roofs in some cases. Fortunately, no one here was hurt.

We had no power for two days, and we couldn't leave to get ice or food because the roads were closed. So, needless to say, running has not been a priority. And then there's this: Where will we run? Our beautiful trail that I write about so often is completely under water and most likely destroyed. The neighborhood streets are littered with mounds of drywall, soggy insulation, furniture, tricycles and other belongings that are drying in the sun or waiting to be hauled off to the landfill. Some areas are open, but I'm not sure how I feel about jogging through that - even if we go early. It seems wrong somehow and so trivial in the face of all that has happened.

I'll leave you with these photos of our running trail. The first shows the entrance to the trail, completely submerged, along with the first floor of a neighbor's home. The second was taken after the floodwaters had receded quite a bit. I'm afraid we won't be back there for awhile.