I've Decided to Give Up Running

Just Kidding!  April Fools!  

Good morning!  

I headed to the gym this morning to see how the hamstring was feeling and it is getting there.  I could feel it a little bit as I ran so I decided to stop.  I am going to play it extra cautious this week, I would rather take a week off then risk anything serious.  PT appointments, PT bills and my lost sanity aren't worth pushing it.  Instead I focused on some cross training, stretched and walked on the treadmill.  Thank you so much for all of your advice on Friday's post!  Icing and stretching did wonders this weekend!

Did you all have a good Easter?  We did!  The Easter Bunny brought the girls each a new running outfit, or in Katherine's case a jumping outfit.  

We also did an Easter Egg hunt!

And of course dyed some eggs, aren't they beautiful?!

We went out to an Easter buffet instead of cooking a big meal and it was a fun experience.  It was also nice to be able to spend the whole day together instead of me locked away in the kitchen.  Today I am going to get the cleaning process started and get some suitcases packed.  We leave at the crack of dawn Friday morning and I don't like waiting till the last minute.  We are staying in Montana a couple extra days than previously planned but I do believe I'll see Oregon at some point this month.  Seeing all of my friend's pictures this weekend with their green grass and blooming trees is so exciting!  When you are in a place for so long you forget to take in its beauty and I honestly live in one of the most beautiful places in Oregon.  Seriously can not wait to get home!  

I also have to share that I am about 50% of the way through the book 168 Hours and loving it.  Expect a review in the next couple of weeks.  If anyone else is currently reading it I would love to hear your thoughts!  

How was your Easter? 

Did you have a long run this weekend? 

Do you give yourself extra time to heal when you have an injury?  

How To Make An Early Morning Run Successful

Good morning!  

I am trying to figure out why getting up at 4:15 is easier than 5:30, Katie says it is because my body is so confused.  What Katie doesn't realize is my body is confused 75% of the time.  Regardless I was able to wake up pretty easily this morning and got started on my 14 miles.  Sadly I only made it to 10, boo.  At mile 5 I noticed the back of knee was feeling weird so I stepped of the treadmill to stretch.  At mile 8.5 I noticed it just wasn't fading and seemed to feel worse when I slowed down to walk and drink some water.  I told myself I would go to 10 and decide to continue or be done at the point, well the rest is history.  I stretched and foam rolled before calling it a day.

{Instagram Pic}

  To drown my sorrows I headed to Starbucks, as I was walking in I could feel it and it hurt just walking.  Well this can't be good...do you think it needs to be amputated?!  I kid.  Kind of, I really am freaking out a little bit.  

So instead of sharing my stellar 14 mile goal hitting run with you I'll share a couple tips for being able to get out of the door by 4:30 to attempt that run! 

- The first step and probably most important is to go to bed a decent time.  I can't function very well if I don't get at least 6 hours of sleep.  My alarm was set for 4:15 so I headed for bed last night at 9:30.  Not exactly 6 hours, but Tosh.0 was on.    

- Before you go to bed get yourself set up so in the morning you don't have to remember anything.  I lay out all of my clothes from socks to hair ties so I am not looking for anything in the darkness.    

- I put certain items I tend to forget in a place that I can't miss, like my body glide on the back of the toilet 

- I do everything I need for my coffee so all I need to do is push the button  

- I know beforehand what I am going to eat and make sure I have everything so I have no surprises in the morning.  My usual is ezekial toast with butter or avocado and chia seeds.  

- I also like to have my game plan for after my run, once I walk in the door it is game time for me to be mom.  I know ahead of time what my post run fuel is going to be.  At home I love to make smoothies but I don't have a blender to use currently so I bought a few of these the last time they were on sale.  If you are usually bombarded when you get home have something quick you can fall back on.  Have some hard boiled eggs in the fridge you can eat in a crunch, it'll hold you over till you have a minute to make something else.  You can have your protein/recovery drink already mixed and waiting for you in the fridge.  

- Since I've been using the gym at Jesse's office I have been giving myself the extra time to stretch after my runs.  Once I am home and doing my runs around Sherwood again I am going to do my stretches in the garage before I walk in the door.  It is so important to stretch before and after your runs, cannot stress that enough, stretch!  

-Basically be as prepared for your pre, during and post run as possible.  The less you have to think about the less of a chore it'll feel getting out and back into the door.  Also have back up plans and be flexible, not every run is going to go as planned.  Sometimes you'll walk into kids throwing up all over the place and you don't get to sit and eat until dinner time.  It is all part of being a (mother/father) runner, rolling (running) with the punches.  

Today is packing up day!  Hoping to make it to the post office to ship at least a couple of our boxes.  I am trying to get everything done a little earlier than needed.  The less I have to do next Thursday before we fly out the better.  

This is such a sad sight 

We found out yesterday Jess has to fly back here (Plymouth) on the following Monday after we leave, confusing yes?  So I'll be staying in Montana a couple days longer than planned, hoping we'll get Spring weather while we are there!  We will eventually drive home that following Saturday, super excited to be back in my house and in my own bed.  OK back to icing and packing and repeating.  

Tell me about your run today or your future run this weekend!  

What are your plans for Easter?  

- We have an Easter Egg hunt tomorrow and then the Easter Bunny will be visiting us on Sunday! 

Any ideas on what might be going on with my leg?!