June 2nd - Group run & shop

This morning we met at Runner's Gate in Lakeville at 8 am. Unfortunately I don't think we did enough stretching before the run because my right calf/Achilles tendon was tender on and off through out the run. I made it almost the full 6 miles except about .25 miles to the end I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my right calf. I decided it would be best to walk from there. After walking a while it seemed to go away but a dull pain has been coming back randomly as I've been doing other things for the rest of the day. I've been trying to stretch it but I think I'm also going to need to ice it a bit.

On a more positive note, 3 great things: I got my first online contribution (thanks Grandma & Grandpa!), I finally got some quality running shoes, and I met a really wonderful teammate today. About 1/3 of the way through the run today, I ended up by this woman, Sarah. She and I later ended up turning around together since the other people were running 8 miles. On the way back she asked me about why I was running and I told her about my Uncle Jeff. Then I asked her if she was running for anyone in particular. It turns out she's running for her son who was just diagnosed with Leukemia this past December. She told me about how he was diagnosed, the treatments he has had, and that they are hoping they can finally let him out of the house in about 3 weeks. Before every group training session we have someone share a mission moment -- the reason why they are running -- and every time someone shares their story it brings everyone there to the verge of tears. There are so many brave people who have fought or currently fighting cancer. And every time I hear one of their stories it reminds me why I'm doing this.

June 1st

Yesterday I was able to fit in my 3 mile run before babysitting. I'm really excited for our group shop Saturday after our group run because I really need better running shoes. My knees have been getting a little sore during and after my runs, so I'm hoping that with better shoes and more stretching that will get better.

Today was a rest/stretch day so not much to report. I was really enjoying stretching and found myself some more at work through out the day. Again, it's a night that I'm feeling really tired and so I will be going to bed early. I need to be in Lakeville at 8 am and with 35W closed between downtown and crosstown, I'll have to find an alternate route. Tomorrow I'm supposed to run about 6 miles and that will be the farthest I've ever ran in one shot. So I'm looking forward to it but a little nervous at the same time. I think that if I'm very conscious about my pace that it will be just fine.

May 30th - Group Run

Tonight we had a group run around Lake Harriet. I went once around the lake, ran for 5 more minutes, and then turned around and ran back to the bandshell. The coach estimated that should roughly equal the 4 miles I was scheduled to run today. I'm definitely feeling the aches tonight and I'm wishing tomorrow was a rest/stretch day. But alas...need to run 3 miles tomorrow morning before work since I'm babysitting in the evening. Last night I only got about 4 hours of sleep and then I went to a strength training class at the YMCA. Needless to say, my body is feeling a bit exhausted. So for the first time in a long time, I think I will be going to bed before 10 pm. Goodnight all.

May 29th

Well after my 3 mile run today, which I did on the track at the YMCA, I am definitely looking forward to our group shop this Saturday. Saturday we are planning on doing our 6 mile run in Lakeville and then Runner's Gate is going to open specially for us and give us a discount. Since I was running at the YMCA today, I used some old tennis that I keep there and I can tell it's time to throw them out. At the end of my run I had sore knees and a wonderful blister on my left foot. So Saturday I will be investing in some new running shoes.

But overall it actually wasn't that bad -- I'm happy with the pace I kept and it really does seem to be getting easier. I'm looking forward to our group run tomorrow at Lake Harriet.

May 28th

Today my program has a 3 mile run scheduled. Since I slept in a bit, I foolishly went for my jog right around 11:30 am. Note to self -- do the run either early or late, but not at one of the hottest, sunniest times of the day. The run itself actually went alright. I tried a pace that was faster than usual. I broke it up a little by running most of the 3 miles, meeting someone for lunch and then running the last bit back home.

It is also a big day for me to get my fundraising going. I'm hoping to have my letters ready to mail on Wednesday, so I have quite a bit of preparation to do before then. Luckily it's a holiday weekend and I can use today to get it done!

Hope everyone else is enjoying their Memorial Day weekend