Sunday, March 01, 2009

Productivity

I love those weekends where you seem to get everything you need to get done, done. This was one of those weekends. Of course, I don't work on Fridays, but this week I had a huge list of things I needed to do, and luckily, I pretty much got them all taken care of. Here is what I did on my "day off" on Friday:

• Made my dog a grooming appointment.

• Made my myself a grooming appointment for next Friday.

• Had Maintenance come look at and try to fix our water heater (we have to shower in the empty condo next door until the part comes in. Yesterday as I got out of the shower and headed out to leave, the leasing agent walked in with someone he was showing the condo to. HELLO!?!?!? That could have been awkward!)

• Called about consolidating more of my private student loans. Didn't work. Need to try and refinance.

• Walked Zero to the dog groomer and dropped her off for her grooming

• Changed my registration for the National Marathon to the Half Marathon. Thought twice before hitting send.

• Left the dog groomers and ran 5.5 miles in 60 degree temperatures...beautiful out! But I was a bit overdressed.

• Stretched.

•Vacuumed and dusted my house.

• Cleaned the kitchen.

• Hand washed six sweaters.

• Finished ALL our laundry.

• Picked Zero up.

• Went grocery shopping for the week.

• Came home and prepared some chicken for a dish I'm making later in the week.

• Read blogs :)

Yesterday wasn't quite as busy as far as chores go. But we were pretty active all day.

Yesterday was the last 20 mile run of our training before we started to taper. This is another reason why switching to the Half was such a big decision. I mean, I only had ONE more long run to do.

But I have to tell you, knowing all week that I didn't have to do 20 miles, really changed my outlook. I felt relieved and relaxed all week about running. Suddenly it didn't seem so much like a chore and I actually got out for four solid runs this week instead of my usual 2-3. I just let myself take it easy and not worry so much about time so that I could run without letting my foot/ankle flare up. I even did a couple of shorter runs instead of doing my normal 6.5 run. I realized, sometimes it's ok to just run 5 miles after work. This new approach is really helping me realize running doesn't have to be so regimented. My training was turning into a scene from Groundhog Day and I was totally not into it anymore.

So yesterday, Jeremy ran out 3 miles towards Valley Forge and then back for 6, then I met up with him and ran the 14 mile loop around Fairmount Park. The run went better than I expected and I felt pretty good the whole time. My legs felt strong and I wasn't too tired. Around mile 10 I had started to wonder if I had made a serious mistake about switching to the Half. While I was enjoying not running 20, I knew I could have easily done it. It was only ONE more long run...

Then, as if my body was totally in tune with my brain, it let me know why I was smart to cut it back. My foot started to flare up. Every time I bent my big toe to push off, I got a searing pain in the ball of my foot under my big toe, which would then cause pain to shoot through my ankle and eventually make it numb.

THEN, I suddenly got a sharp pain in my LEFT foot, a pain I had never experienced before. This pain was in the inside arch of my foot and felt almost like I had pinched or broken something.

The tendonitis in my right foot, I have learned to run through, but this new pain in my left foot was different. I ran for about 2 minutes and had to stop. I was really scared.

J said it was probably a muscle spasm or a cramp, but I had felt those before, and this was nothing like that. I walked for about two minutes and then slowly started to jog again. After about 2 minutes the pain mysteriously went away and I ran the last mile home.

After that, I realized I had definitely made the right decision about the race. I need to take a little time to let my body heal for sure and if I got out there and at mile 19 ended up injuring myself so badly that I screwed up my time (and J's) and couldn't run for a few months, I would have never forgiven myself. You know how stubborn runners can be. :)

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After our run yesterday, we took the train into Center City again for another day of wandering the city and eating. (Dutch pretzels for lunch, red velvet cupcake and hot chocolate for a snack and chicken pot pie and a mac-n-cheese appetizer at Jones for dinner, COMFORT FOOD, anyone?) We ended up walking around for FOUR hours. Needless to say, by the time we walked home from the train last night at 7:30pm, we were totally beat. I passed out at 11pm and slept till almost 9 today to the smell of Jeremy making blueberry muffins. Can you tell by our eating habits we are getting close to a marathon taper? We're insatiable.

Today, I have a few more chores to do and even have some work I brought home with me to get done before tomorrow (ggrrrr). Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Monday, 2/22 - 4.83 miles/43:01 - 8:54 pace
Tuesday, 2/23 - off
Wednesday, 2/24 - off
Thursday, 2/25 - 6.5 miles/59:01 - 9:04 pace
Friday, 2/26 - 7 - 5.54 miles/50:11 - 9:11 pace
Saturday, 2/27 - 13.75/2:06 - 9:10 pace
Sunday, 3/1 - 30 minutes stationary bike/weightlifting

Total Weekly Mileage: 30.62 miles
Total Monthly Mileage - February: 115:32 miles

24 comments:

Christie said...

Yeah, you definitely made the right decision. I hope the pain in the left foot is nothing serious. And I feel you on the eating tip. I feel like I can't get full anymore. Anyway, enjoy your taper.

Unknown said...

The fact that having the burden of the 20mile run off your shoulders caused a change in outlook (more positive) means you definately made the right decision.

Hope the foot pain isn't serious!

Unknown said...

WOW you got a lot done. That looks like about two weeks worth of stuff in my house.

Denise said...

You were SO productive on Friday!

I think the fact that you had a better week of running really shows you made the right decision. You're going to do SO well at the half!!

I have off every other Friday...let's meet up for arun and then get cocktails!!!

joyRuN said...

Great job with the productivity AND with the lighter outlook :)

Oy with the foot! Good luck with that.

Denise said...

I want a snow day tomorrow!! A day off work and a nice long run. Start praying!!

ShoreTurtle said...

I like Jones.

N.D. said...

Sounds like a busy and productive weekend! I love those. Great job on the long run, and glad you feel good about the decision - clearly your body is trying to reassure you!

Aron said...

very productive!!

the half is definitely the smart choice... i hope your feet get better soon!!! that is not fun :(

Progman2000 said...

Can't wait to hear how you do with the half (I really want to do National one day...)

Sonia said...

Geez what's up with our feet? I had the same sort of situation yesterday during my run. I had the usual achilles tightness and the PF is tender. But now the arch of my other foot started hurting!!! GRRR. I feel like a freaking old lady....

Hope Zero looks FAB after her appt at the hair salon LOL

I Run for Fun said...

Seems like a warning sign from your body to take things easy. You have made a smart decision by switching to the half.

Anonymous said...

What a productive weekend! Sounds like you are enjoying running again. For me, if running isn't enjoyable, it's not serving its purpose.

Enjoy the taper!

X-Country2 said...

What a productive weekend! If I get a load of laundry done and grocery shopping, I consider myself pretty good. :o)

Marlene said...

Sounds like a productive weekend. Glad to hear you are feeling good about your decision, but sorry to hear about the foot!

Ali said...

Sounds like a productive and great weekend. Especially the waking up to blueberry muffins being baked ... very jealous.

Heather said...

Great productive weekend, and the comfort food sounds delicious! Sounds like you made the right decision about the marathon. Hope your foot is okay!

Anonymous said...

Wow, you had a great weekend of being productive. Again smart decision dropping to the half. Running needs to be fun. Take care of your foot. Hope it is feeling better.

My Life said...

All I can say is I want to take a train to Center City with you and do that walk around/eating thing. Yum!

And I'm never going to get that ambition-bear-fish image out of my head. Good grief. ;)

Hope you're enjoying your taper.

Run Mommy said...

Glad your feeling better about it. You had a very productive day!

Unknown said...

Sounds like your brain listened to the body and your soul did not overrule them. Great job. Take it easy with short easy runs and the half is all yours.

Unknown said...

Is this the best feeling in the world when you get a lot of things accomplished ??? I need to kick my ass and do the same thing.

I am now having second thought, I think it time for me to make some blueberries muffins.

You really kick ass with those mileage.

RunningLaur said...

Very impressive with all of the things you accomplished on Friday, wow!

I definitely feel your pain cutting back from the full to the half, but it's important to take care of yourself. I think you'll be happy with the decision in the end!

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