Half Way There...

Ok....so I'm behind on my blogging....  Have had some "stuff" going on...  So glad to have had running as a coping mechanism...

Anyway...we're half way there!  Week 6 of our 12-week training plan is DONE DONE DONE!  The long run was 14.5 km and I did it alone...and it was great.  Well, except for the pit bull and husky running after me, circling around me and barking like it wanted to rip my throat out.  Could have done without that...but whatever... (stupid, irresponsible pet owners!).

As of Sunday, we've logged 162.5 official training km.  And the compression tights?  I think they might be pretty great.  I wasn't able to get the full effect because I started with a sore back...but I think that I had less hip/glute pain this time around...and my legs felt GREAT!

I can't imagine being able to get those tiny little things stretched over my less-tiny body in the women's washroom at work, however....so I think the compression tights will remain only for long runs on weekends...when I can get dressed at home and fall over on my bed in the process...not end up falling in the toilet or something...

The next 6-weeks of my training will be dedicated to my friend who has a long road ahead of her too...but just like us, she'll get through it by putting one foot in front of the other.

How Do YOU Spell Relief?

I'm hoping relief is spelled C-O-M-P-R-E-S-S-I-O-N!

As mentioned, I am experiencing pain when I do my long runs... And though some pain is maybe to be expected, this is pain that could very well interfere with my ability to finish a long run (though if I wasn't so stubborn and stopped and stretched for a minute when it started hurting it would help...but whatever...we all have issues).

So, today I got my compression tights in the mail.  Aren't they fancy looking:

Now, if you've never worn compression tights before, lemme tell ya.  Just putting them on is an experience. It is a workout just getting them up....and you've NEVER seen a muffin top like a compression tights muffin top if you don't quite get them pulled up far enough.  Not a pretty sight (be thankful I didn't take a picture of THAT!).

My next run is this week's long run.  14.5k....so it will be time to give the tights a real test.  Fingers crossed please (they cost a bloody fortune and will break my heart if they don't give me some relief!). 

Seven Weeks to Go!

Finished another week of training....week 5!  Like the past several weeks, Tuesday (a relatively short run) sucked majorly...hurt, tired, etc.  Not sure why I struggle through Tuesdays.

Because our spin class (cross training) is on Thursday evenings, we've switched our Wed & Thur training...so now Wed we run a 1.5k warmup, then do a distance (varies each week) at race pace and then a 1.5k cool down.  You'd think that would be a tougher run...but I've quite enjoyed the Wednesday runs. 

Thursday spin classes always rock!  I am pushing myself way harder this fall than I ever did before summer.  Loving it!

Saturday is long run day...this week was 13k.  By the time I start getting close to the double digits in km, I start hurting.  The outside of my hips/glutes and lower back....aching big time :(  So, after some intense research via Google I decided that maybe compression tights might help. So I went to our "cycle and sports" shop here in town - which is the closest we come to a running supply store and asked if they have compression tights.  The oh-so-wise fellow helping me suggested I go to the local drugstore.

WHAT!!??  Is he serious??  He thinks I am asking for THESE:

Ugghh!!  Shows we live in a small town and are in DESPERATE need of a real running/yoga/bike store when the closest we have refers me to the drug store for SUPPORT HOSE!!  Wow.

So, today we took a ride to Invermere....A smaller town...but one that actually has a great store called Crazy Soles.  Unfortunately, despite a phone message that said they were open Sunday's....they were not.  So, we drove an hour and a half each way and I ended up with a 45 calorie DQ Fudge Bar and a bottle of water.  Oh well, it was a fun trip anyway....however, the search for ACTUAL compression tights continues....

And on to week 6 of training! Almost half way there!