Back On My Grind, Well Sort Of...

Today I met Amanda at the gym after work. While looking for Gorillas, we pumped some iron and then planned on running....indoors. Let me just tell you, running inside is definitely not for the weak of heart. It may be the most boring and horrifying thing one can do. There is no comparison to being outside with the breeze blowing and changing scenery. I am not going to beat myself up over the mile and half run I had today since it was my first day back on the running scene. Tomorrow is another day. 

Guess who's back?

Finally got the green light to run from the doctor today! Seems there was some sort of Patella issue. No big deal apparently, he said eventually the swelling should go down and that with the help of a super inconvenient brace, I have to wear all the time for a while, I am back on the road. I am so relieved. I cant wait to run tomorrow. Come rain, sleet, snow, or lightening, I will be out there, with my lame brace. If I could do a cartwheel I would be doing them all around town. I am celebrating tonight with some ice cream :) So excited. 

26.2 Miles of Blisters and Bliss

Since my knee has been bothering me, I cant run until I go back to the Dr. Monday. ( cant come soon enough) Yesterday, my new book came and I couldnt be more excited. If you cant run, reading about it is a close second. Instead of going stir crazy I thought I could learn more about my new love while icing the old knee. After researching Dean Karnazes, I became inspired and wanted to know more about this incredible runner. I learned that he wrote a book called Run! and I immediately bought it off of Amazon. Unlike the other marathon and running books I have in my library, this book isn't based on tips or training schedules, but a montage of Dean's personal running stories. He shares his love of running, and all of his benchmarks and personal triumphs. He recalls people he has encountered while running and those who helped him get where he is today. He also recalls his more interesting running stints, where he ran at night, ran naked and ran for days without a wink of sleep. If you are looking for a book to make you feel like you aren't the only runner who needs motivation after 3 miles, or that you aren't the only one with blisters and runners knee in the tri state area, this book is for you. A great read for anyone who knows what its like to run free and feel strong. 

Laughing while benching

Today despite the knee, I went to the gym for some strength training and cross training action. My cousin met me there around 6. For some reason, I had left way too early and by the time she got there she decided it was nice out and she was just going to run outside. Walking to the parking lot, we chatted and shared some laughs about the meatheads that were working out earlier. On my drive home I began thinking about how lucky I am to have such a great group of supportive friends and family. At work, Becky is constantly keeping me sane and on my workout game. We chat about running routes and the excitement of telling everyone we pass (including children) that we are running a marathon. In the gym, my cousin is my soul sister. Always giving me inspiration and good laughs to get through the most horrifying workouts. At home, Hans and Kath are always asking me how the workouts are going and helping me stay positive when I have to rest my knee. Who could forget about my best friends (Heather, Luisa, Sara and Jackie) who are constantly checking my blog and supporting my races and new found love for running. The point is, sometimes its nice to just have someone who you can depend on to work out with. Or just someone who supports you in your efforts to accomplish a life long dream like a marathon. Good Support systems make showing up to the gym or hitting the running trail that much more pleasurable. If you don't have a workout buddy, I recommend you get one. When the going gets tough, its nice to have a shoulder to lean on or another set of hands to help stretch those hammies :) Luckily, I have quite a few. 

MRI acide

This week I finally went to the doctor for my knee. After x-rays the doctor told me that I needed to stay off it and go get an MRI to see whats going on down there. I wont know the results until Monday from the MRI. Hopefully, its not a serious injury and I will be back running the roads in no time. Until then, I will be cross training for the remainder of the week as per the doctors orders. Well technically he just said take it easy, but cross training seems to fit that bill. I would be lying if I said that not running isn't bothering me but I suppose an injury now is better then an injury later. Trying to stay positive! Monday cant come soon enough.

Inspirational Runners: Dean Karnazes

Today I would like to honor a special ultra marathoner, who happens to be easy on the eyes, Dean Karnazes. Starting in Disney World in February, Dean has been running across the country rain or shine, covering between 50 and 60 miles a day!!! Dean's vision to is bring attention to becoming active and living a healthy lifestyle. Dean was quoted as saying, "... maybe you can walk around the block after years of inactivity. You can begin to change your ways. I want my message to be something anyone can relate to: putting one foot in front of the other and doing the best you can." Dean has run with children and adults alike across the country with people cheering him on the entire way. He has also earned the title as the 27th most influential person in America, according to Time magazine. After 12 pairs of shoes and 3,000 miles, Dean is set to reach Manhattan tomorrow morning. Two days ahead of his scheduled May 11th date. If you are interested you can watch him cross the finish line tomorrow on Live! With Regis and Kelly.


 For more information on Dean please click here.
http://www.ultramarathonman.com/flash/

Mothers Day Iron Pigs 5K

First of all, I would love to give a shout out to my wonderful mother Kathleen Smith. Without you, I would not be where I am today or have the legs to do all this running :) I love you. This morning, my mother graciously allowed me to run in a race even though its Mother's Day. Hans and I ran the Iron Pigs 5k in Allentown. This was my first race with hills, but I remembered all the information I had read about tackling hills and  kept my pace as best I could. The people around me probably thought I was a lunatic, I think at one point I was talking to myself spouting off encouraging words. All in all, it was a great morning and a fun course.  Hans was waiting at the finish line for me cheering me on and afterward informed me that I had beat my December 5k race time by 8 minutes! Not too shabby. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!