SUCCESS!

So Monday after running completely out of Body Glide and finally getting tired of my tape failing (not that it was letting me get blisters but it was working it's way off my feet) I went to the running store. I had to ask where the Body Glide was in larger than teeny containers (though have to remember those next time for carrying around Disney) so I ended up asking the younger girl helping me if they had any sort of tape that was meant to protect from blisters. We looked and they didn't so she asked a guy who was about my age. He said he could tell I had sensitive skin and that I should try those expensive toe socks. My socks are about middle of the road socks. They are a cotton blend instead of synthetic but are designed to wick moisture for Diabetics in tropical climates. They work pretty well and I have a gazillion of them so I need to kill them before I buy new socks. Or at least use them until I get into much higher mileage. Besides I don't want to spend that kind of money on running socks just yet. The girl who was helping me went to the register to ring me up and on a whim suggested I try climbers tape. I figured what the heck and went to REI. I found the climbers tape and it seemed really similar to the medical tape I really liked. It was only $4.33 total for a fairly big roll. So I got some. And Success! I tested it on Monday by wrapping one set of toes and plastering it over two spots that tend to get blisters. I wore those all day with shoes on and while I know it wasn't as good as trying it on a run it did stay put where the stuff I was currently using would have started to peel up. So I tried it today. The tape is flexible and probably the most comfortable of all the types I have tried. I had a few edges peel up but I think I can solve that buy cutting instead of ripping the tape. That will keep the adhesive more intact. So yeah, I think I finally have my routine to keep my feet relatively blister free. That may change when I get into high mileage again.

So my run. I tried 1 minute run/2 minutes walk. It was a challenge but not too much of a struggle. I ran for 12 minutes total. That is the most I have run so far. So I will be continuing with the 1/2 ratio until it get's easy. Then I will be down to the Jeff Galloway number of a 1/1 for 13 minutes per mile (though I am a bit faster than that). After that I can start increasing my run time. I will probably increase it by 30 seconds instead of a minute each time but still that will be good. So now it is just mileage I have to work on. That is Friday.

I did 3.12 miles in a total time of 39:58.96 with an average pace of 12:49/mile. That is my fastest pace yet. Felt good but was a challenge. I was overheated and worn out by the time I got home but am feeling good now just a half hour or so later. I think once the this run/walk ratio gets a little easier I will work on getting my run and walk speeds more consistent. I was decently consistent but I would like to be even better. Get a good feel for it with each ratio change so I don't have to keep checking my Garmin. Well, off to drink my chocolate milk and shower.

Easy

Yesterday, Mike, a bunch of friends and I went out hiking around Jamestown. It was only 1.37 miles and we went nice and slow so we did it in 1:05:32.27. But it was enough to put some fatigue in my calves this morning. Nonetheless I went for a run this morning. After reading Jeff Galloway's 18 week guide to a half marathon for RunDisney, I decided I needed to reduce my walk time before increasing my run time. So I dropped back down to 1 minute run and dropped my walk time to 3 minutes. It meant I have hit my best Colorado time yet.

I did 3.10 miles in 40:25.87. Though that time probably needs a few seconds added on because I didn't have enough intervals in my workout and so I tried to add one more but when I hit the lap key my Garmin told me the workout was done. So I had to hit the timer start again. Luckily, it picked up where I had left off but it took a few seconds to realize the timer wasn't going to continue. But still even 40:30 is faster than my fastest Colorado time. I am not counting the Expedition Everest Challenge because according to my Garmin we didn't even run 3 miles for the race portion. Anyway, my average pace was 13:03/mi. Only 1 second faster than my fastest average pace. But it was enough.

The run felt really easy. I was breathing fairly easy. I still have to think about my breathing because if I don't I still have a tendency to pant. I think this is left over from having asthma in middle school and high school. But it felt really good and I felt really strong. Even though my workout schedule has not be regular at all. My feet are doing great. Right now I am basically blister free. There are a few small ones that pop up during a workout and then dry out overnight. And I have a few hot spots on my feet but no major blisters. Definitely nothing debilitating. Feels great!.

I think on Wednesday I will try 1 minute run and 2 minutes walk. I want to see where it get's to be a struggle again and then work on it until it get's easy again. My goal is for 1 minute run/1 minute walk to be easy. Then I will work on upping my run time. It is funny a 1/1 run/walk ratio should be a 13 minutes per mile pace. I am almost at a 13 minutes per mile pace already. But I think I will remain right around that pace until I up my run time. So after I get to 1/1 and it get's easy then I will up my run time by 30 seconds. Jeff Galloway says the next ratio should be 2/1 but with my trouble breathing I think it will be better to up it slower. I was shooting for a 12 minute pace for the race but it looks like I might be able to do even better than that.

Now I just need to get back to my distance workouts. Those will be all walking until I hit 6 miles again, then I will do half run/walk and half walk. Mike suggested I start doing my run/walk portion during the 2nd half of the distance so I start training for getting through the 2nd half of the half marathon. It was good I changed up my workouts. Now I am more excited about training again. That run felt soooo good. Well, off to shower.

Need new tape

So I went for my run today. I didn't go Monday because I was on my feet on cement all weekend and it beat up my feet. So I was supposed to run on Wednesday but sinus pressure was making my rear upper molars and lower jaw ache. I know from experience that running does not help that kind of pain. Mike was surprised that I got up and got ready for my run today. I was a little slow so it was a bit warmer than I like to run. I really do not react well to being overheated. But I guess I need to get used to it somewhat since the end of my run at Disney will be pretty warm.

I finally ran out of hockey tape and turned to my medical tape that was too wide. That was even better because it wasn't quite as sticky as the hockey tape and my toes didn't tend to stick together. But then I ran out of the medical tape. So I went out and bought new medical tape. The stuff I got does not work well. The adhesive is just not sticky enough so it starts to unravel. Must go on a quest for the right tape. Once I know the name I of the proper stuff, I will just order it online.

Anyway, my run today was okay. I tried 1:30 run time with a 4 minute walk. It was hard at first but got easier later in the run. I had a side ache for the 2nd mile or so but that worked itself out. I think I will stick with the 4 minute walk time until the run time get's even easier. I am fairly proud of myself. While I had to slow down my run and walk speed I was still able to keep my walk speed between 13 and 15:30 minutes per mile. On average that is. I had a two really slow spots. One was crossing the street and waiting for cars and the other I just really needed to slow down. My run speed stayed in between 10 and 11 minutes per mile. Right where I need to be. I was right that it is easier to slow down the longer I run. So I did 3.12 miles in 41:26.65 with an average pace of 13:18/mi. This pace is right in between my last two workouts. Not too shabby. Not my fastest but still faster than my 2nd fastest. Not counting my below sea level race that is. I felt really crappy when I got home being overheated. But now I feel good. So if heat was the only real issue I am good. It seems that whether I am running or walking more 3 miles on my legs is just 3 miles. We shall see when I get at higher run periods if that stays true but for now it is good that only my breathing is holding me back from running more. That is easy to build up.

13:04!

So today I pushed my walk pace and tried not to slow down too much at any time. So my average pace went from 13:27/mi to 13:04/mi. It was a great run. I just focused on keeping my walking pace up and keeping my breathing more even. My total time for 3.13 miles was 40:55.17. I even managed to get up and start my run just after 8am. I felt great! Well, got a busy day today. I am off to get stuff done.

Oh yeah, and I spent a little time last night and figured out how to get my hydration belt to fit again. YAY!

New clothes!

So, yesterday I went out and bought some new running clothes. Thank goodness for Marshals and Target. Cheap decent clothes that I can get quantity over quality. I figure once I lose my 20 lbs and get my body where I want it then I can start buying quality. Mike was much the same way about his running clothes for a long time. I scored two pairs of Under Armor shorts that have 9" inseams (keep my thighs from chaffing), two self bra'd tank tops, a sleeveless shirt and a pair of just above the knee shorts. The just above the knee shorts are of a heavier not so much tech fabric but are supposed to be moisture wicking. I also need to add a drawstring in them. I am quite happy with my haul.

Today I went for my run in one of the self bra'd tank tops and a pair of the Under Armor shorts. They were perfect. I have to roll the waist line of the shorts once to pull the crotch up high enough to keep my upper thighs from chaffing. But I don't mind that. I was fairly comfortable, though I had a hard time figuring out where to put my iPod. I ended up clipping it to one of the shoulder straps on my tank top. I think once I get my hydration belt re-adjusted (Mike bought his own) my outfit will be perfect. Right now the tank top slides up over my belly a little but the hydration belt will hold it down. I was so much less overheated.

I also tried out my new water bottle. The Camelbak podium chill. It is insulated. Only problem is it won't work with my hand bottle holder. So this water bottle will not be for running. Which is fine. It will be perfect for IFGS, probably Disney, biking (when I finally get a bike) and around the house. And I love the new valve on the top. Very nice to know it won't spill.

Anyway, my run was good. I did 3.13 miles in 42:06.41 (approx, I accidentally hit timer start as I put it in the cradle and it added 3 seconds, so my time shows as 42:09.41). My average pace was 13:27/mi. No new blisters. The weird ones on my ankles dried up and have not come back. Though I have been smearing that area with body glide. I need to go out and get more tape and bandaids. But I have definitely found a good set up for my feet to keep blisters to a minimum. The run felt good so I think I will increase my run time by 30 seconds next week and after my first run I might reduce my walk time by 30 seconds. Just need to see how it feels.

Nothing else special happened on my run. Though I didn't leave as early as I wanted to. I left 10 minutes before 9am. Oh, and I did manage to keep my walking pace a bit more consistent which makes me happy.

Whew! Hot!

I got up a bit early so I could do a longer walk today. They just aren't happening on the weekends so until our Wii is fixed I am switching to a Monday, Wednesday and Friday workout schedule. Or until I get a job that is. So I did 4 miles today and managed to walk it in under a hour. I am quite proud of myself for that. Only had some minor tightness in my right leg too. However, it looks like I am going to have to get up even earlier from now on. It was over 60 degrees at 8am.

My goal was to get up when Mike left but he decided to sleep in longer than he said he was going to so I had to get my snuggles in. Which meant I really had no will to get up after he got up. I either gotta bounce out of bed in the first 10 minutes after my alarm goes off or I just don't wanna get up. So Wednesday I hope to get up so I can go for my run before 8am.

Well, I am dripping in sweat and need to shower. So off to get clean I go!

Frustrating start to the day

So I got up late today but the temperature outside looked okay for running. However, I had loaned my hydration belt to my husband and he had changed the fit of it. Not that it didn't still work for me but I had gotten it perfect (and I am a perfectionist) and it wasn't perfect anymore. So I decided to try to fix it. He had only altered it by an inch or so but the buckle was way off center and the excess webbing was all loose instead of perfectly rolled and fastened. It was driving me nuts. Unfortunately, it took me over an hour to get it exactly right the first time and since the elastic has stretched a little I can't get it back to the perfect spot again. So annoying. So I spent almost an hour trying to fix it. I gave up and grabbed my hand bottle instead. I guess I will try to fix it later.

The run was good once I got out and did it. I cut my warm up walk from 5 minutes to 3 minutes and did 8 intervals of 1 minute run and 4 minutes walk. Though the last interval I had to cut the walk short because I was finished with my 3.1 miles. So I did 3.1 miles in 42:04.32 with an average pace of 13:31/mi. I definitely think I have found a decent run pace. I still struggle with it a bit because I have to remind myself to go slower. I went too fast on my first run interval. But the rest were right on. It felt pretty good. My right IT band might be having minor issues because it seemed a little tight but is fine now. The back of my right thigh tightened up a bit too. Oh well, they seem fine now.

My hand bottle gave me minor blisters on two of my fingers. I am so glad most blisters don't hurt to me. My pinky and ring toes have blisters as always but are still less than they used to be. This may be where I am with blisters. Nothing that affects how I run or walk but just minor ones in certain places. I may never get rid of them but as long as they don't hurt or make me change my stride in anyway I can live with them. As I said before I will probably never have pretty feet. I still have no idea where the blisters on the backs of my ankles are coming from. I have a sneaking suspicion it is from my socks. It may be time to invest in some real running socks.

All in all a good run once I got past the frustrations before I got out.

Well, I thought I was good.

My feet felt great after my run. But I just keep discovering weird blisters. Taping my toes is definitely helping keep the blisters down on my ring and pinky toes. I still get them but they are much smaller than they were. I am now finding blisters on the backs of my ankles. Little groupings of them. Guess I gotta figure out where those are coming from and figure out how to combat them. The other weird thing is on my left heel the blister is gone but now I am peeling. Though this happens a lot when I get blisters and they heal it is still weird. I guess I will never have pretty feet. It is a good thing I have never worried about having pretty feet.

Team AllEars Avon Walk for Breast Cancer --GO TEAM FIBOT!

As many (or even all of you know) Mike did the Disney World Half Marathon last year. What some of you may not know is that in seeing him train and finally finish his first half marathon he inspired me to run and get into shape too. So since last January I have been slowly training for next year's Disney World Half Marathon and have even run my first Disney race, the Expedition Everest Challenge 5k. I am enjoying the training at am trying to get past getting horrid blisters on my feet every time. I haven't beat the blisters yet but I have made progress on my running.

Last year, Mike didn't know if he would be travelling alone to Disney World so he joined Team AllEars for not only company but to raise money for an amazing cause. This year we both joined the team and are part of a group of 99 happy haunts (as one of our team members puts it) who are raising money for breast cancer while training for our races. We are all running in one or more of the races for the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. Some are running the 5k, others like me are running the half marathon (13.1 miles), some the marathon (26.2 miles) as an individual or two person relay and others are going crazy and running the Goofy (the half one day and the full the next). Mike is one of the craziest and is running what is unofficially called the Dopey (the 5k on Friday, the half with me on Saturday and the full on Sunday). There are also other combinations within the races. Just so many choices to run different races.

You can read about some of our team members here. http://land.allears.net/blogs/#run

As part of Team AllEars we have each committed to raise a minimum of $500. So for Mike and I that means $1000 for our household. Please consider making a donation toward our $1000 goal. We are Team Fibot (after our wild Bengal cat).

How can you lend your support?

You can support my running efforts and breast cancer research by donating the following ways:

1. By check. Checks should be made out to "Avon Walk for Breast Cancer". In the memo field, enter "Team AllEars-- Team Fibot". You can send them to Deb Wills, 3520 Sugarloaf Parkway SUITE F03-105, Frederick, MD 21704. Please e-mail me when you have donated so that I can track all donations and my fundraising efforts.

2. Online donation. Here is the link for our team captain's personal Avon Walk page:http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?px=3843338&fr_id=2160&pg=personal Click the "Donate Now" button to get to the donation page. In the "Personal Note" field, include "Team AllEars--Team Fibot", for proper tracking. Every donation helps put us one step closer to finding a cure for breast cancer. Whether it be $1, $5 or $25 any donation helps.

Sleep is essential.

I didn't run yesterday because I had insomnia in the middle of the night and if I was going to run it had to be way early so I could get a shower. Our building had to replace our hot water heater yesterday because our practically new hot water heater (installed 2.5 years ago) was illegal or against regulations or something. So there was no hot water starting at 9am yesterday. Thus, I skipped my run yesterday.

But I got up and got it in today. I am all sweaty. I guess 60 degrees with sun is too warm for me. I started out and it felt perfect. A little cool to walk but perfect to run. However, the sun made me very warm. Oh well. It was a great run. I was a bit hungry but I think I will find a right balance for early morning runs and food eventually. I actually had enough juice to do an 8th run interval. It meant this time I don't have a recorded cool down but I am okay with that. The last run felt good.

I haven't mentioned that I tried a new way to lace my shoes lately. I laced around the highest point on my instep. That seems to be helping. If my instep doesn't get sore then I think I keep a more even form and have less blister issues. I am glad one of my Team AllEars teammates posted an article on that.

Anyway so my average pace was 13:45/mi for 3.12 miles. And I finished my run in 42:56.25 minutes. I think I finally found a good run pace. Today I decided to not worry so much about my run pace and focus on my breathing. This helped me not feel as wiped after each run interval. But somehow I settled in to a pace that would drop below the 10 minutes per mile pace right before my run interval was up. So it averaged above 10 minutes per mile in pace for the whole interval. I felt like I wasn't blowing as hard after each interval and while it still felt like it was a little bit of a struggle to stay slower, I didn't feel like I was fighting myself. Not too shabby.

HOT!

So I went for my run at 11 am this morning to try to beat the heat. Should have left earlier. Cause now I am sitting here dripping sweat and trying to sip my chocolate milk without feeling like I am going to be sick. The temp jumped from around 73 to 81 between 11am and 12pm. Oh the joys of being sensitive to heat. At least now I can hide in the mostly cool house until tonight. Except, I gotta empty the kitty litter boxes and refill them. Lovely!

However, the run was not bad. Besides the sun beating down on me and having a bit of trouble with my breathing it felt pretty good. I had to slow down a lot on my cool down walk so my time wasn't as good as it could have been. I worked very hard not to go too fast but my body wanted to go faster today. There is a pace (under 10/mile) that feels amazing when I hit it but I know I should keep myself under that pace. SO HARD! I did hit my stride in my last run interval and stopped noticing how hard it was to breathe. Felt really good. My average pace this time was 14:09/mile and it took me a total of 44:13.29 to run 3.12 miles. Not too shabby.

Man, I have been bad.

Tuesday I couldn't seem to drag myself out of the house. Mike got home and I still hadn't gone for my run. It was a day where my body was demanding food ever 2 hours or so or else I got dizzy and shaky. So Mike convinced me to go on a walk with him. We did 2.5 miles. It was a very nice walk.