I have fluid on my knee, then I don’t. I run with a brace or a sleeve, then I don’t. I remember to go to chiro or massage, then I don’t. No idea. No gumption. I don’t know where I am and I am not sure where this is going. Stick around; surely there is a story here. Still to come, as promised; the British Runner. Why the HELL do people run on the Wrong Side of The Running Path??????? expletive, expletive, expletive, expletive……expletive. Yeah. I’m talking about YOU!

Things are getting busy around here. I’m getting She Runs stuff ready for the new season and Spanish homework is tedious, though I know it will help. Kind of like training can be at times.

I am trying to consistently do the 30 min. shred and I’m trying level 2. There are a couple of plyometrics moves Jillian does that are insane. All of it hopefully adds up to a lean, kind of mean, faster Sally machine. Maybe I should put that on my t-shirt for race day!

Today I ran a “6 mile pace run,” which became a 5.25 mile bust-ass run. The sun was out, I didn’t need my trail runners, and there were so very many cute doggies. I thought about Banana. I thought about this possibly being my last marathon-my knee was a little click-y-I thought about how fun it is signing up for a series of races, knowing that I’m getting a kick-ass set of medals for completing each. I listened to my iPod. I enjoyed sunshine and 30°F. Man that feels hot when you’ve been running in sub zero!!!!

I would say today was just what I needed. Thanks, Banana, for coming along.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8537591.stm

Sometimes I miss her so desperately. We need her here. The world needs her. I still don’t know why she’s gone.

“Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast” – W. Shakespeare

(yeah, right.)

Friday was an off day for me, and by “off” I mean no WERK. I snuck in a Chiropractor appointment and Oh!, how wonderful it was. I know that some of you are diametrically opposed to Chiro treatments. I was there at one point myself. I would prefer to go to an Osteopathic doctor, however they seem to be few and far between here in Minnesota. Given all that, I had a treatment and it was timely. The Chiropractor did my knees and I have to say…touché…that seems to have done the trick. Ached for a few days as the muscles and tendons acclimated to correct alignment.

But my six miler today (yeah, my schedule is off by choice) was the best my knees felt in a while. And I did my six without much more than a 1 minute break at 3, when I stopped for water at the Jeep.

Woo Hoo!

Shin splints update: the slight thaw we have had (yay, pavement!), along with Ace bandages and stepping back to mostly walking, has made things tons better. Of course, it’s disheartening not to be running a lot, but I decided to be lazy over the semester break and now I have to pay the price. Slow, gradual progress isn’t fun for us impatient folk, but it’s either that or give up. No brainer.

Let the training begin! Ok, maybe not…it’s still too early.

Let the running continue!

Still running 3 to 4 times a week, really just “maintaining” and keeping it to short, easy, fun runs. I’ve had excellent running weather and my little Punxsk8erdude has been able to join me on my runs more frequently. I enjoy running with him even though he always feels he must race me to the end and of course he always “wins”….

Still hitting the gym twice a week for strength workouts focusing on my upper body and core which up until this past year I had totally neglected. I still have quite a way to go to where I want to be, but I swear it’s making all the difference in the world for my running, in a good way of course! I’ve also recently purchased the Jillian Michaels’ Banish Fat Boost Metabolism DVD. I’ve only done the “routine” twice and even though I survived all 7 circuits, it totally wiped me out both times. I’ve only been able to fit that in to my couch potato time once a week. I’m curious about her the “Shred” workout too, maybe we can trade off DVD’s sometime, Sally?

Yep. Lego child’s headlamp. It was perfect. We had a slow, comfortable, well-lit run tonight. 6 tomorrow.