This Saturday is the half marathon in the Smokies. I have been training for this since February. I don't know if I would really say training....because I wasn't a runner and basically had to get there. Everyone says you will get hooked and become a runner, but as you can tell from previous posts I just want the medal from the half....I am not looking for anything more.
I changed my training schedule in April because my shin splints were so bad I was about to throw the towel in. I tried everything from compression socks, tea tree oil, exercises, foam rollers, and changed my shoes to no avail. But then I found a running program that increased my mileage by 10% each week - religiously and increased the number of days I ran. I was skeptical at first, but became a believer after a few weeks when my shin splints went away.
So, I run 6 days a week with my long run on Saturdays, 3 days a week I run 1/3 of the mileage from the long run and 2 days I run 2/3 of the mileage from the long run - amazing!
I strained my hip flexor in June and honestly I don't know how I did it. I think it was doing squats, but I am not sure. After 6 weeks I went to the doctor and he sidelined me from anything for a week. I started back slow about 2 weeks ago, just in time for one more long run before tapering. I am still babying it a little because I don't want any issues on Saturday. I live in the foothills of the Appalachians and my runs include hills, I have been running flat(ish) land for the last two weeks to keep healing. My half in the Smokies is steady incline for the race - so I wanted to make sure I am ready.
I have to say, that after 7 months I feel I am ready for Saturday and I am actually ready to do some long runs again. I always thought runners were crazy when they complained about having to taper. My thought process was that you don't HAVE to run 7 miles in one day during week and you GET to run only 3...so why complain. But, I can see why it drives people crazy. Our morning are not as humid as they have been and this morning would have been a beautiful 7-8 mile run, but instead I am tapering and did a measly 3. LOL It is funny, a few months ago I dreaded doing 3 miles and now it doesn't seem worth getting out of bed for.
My husband said the running bug bit me. I guess it did. But, I think it has been a blessing because I haven't been able to put in my mileage on the AT this year with my new business and this has kept me focused.
So, I know I said I only wanted one medal, but I think Becky and I are doing a 6 miler in October, and then of course there is the DRT 30k/50k. I did the 30k 2 years ago as a hiker. I will be curious to see what the difference will be as a runner.
So, here goes nothing ..... I will let you know if I get the medal :-)
