Stuff I've learned....and the training begins

It's been sort of a big week for me when it comes to running.  I finished c25k, I started my first week of half marathon training, AND I got some new stuff!  I LOVE new stuff!

So, let's start there!

I have kind of short hair and was having issues with hair in my face.  I tried the normal stretchy elastic type headbands, but they hurt my head and sort of made me feel like my brains were slowly being squeezed outward.  Not so good.  I'd heard lots of good things about bondibands and decided to give one a try.  Cory helped me to choose which one to get, and I already know I'll be ordering again because there are tons of them that I liked.  Wanna see the one I got?  Of course you do!

 

Isn't it awesome?  I think my next one is going to say "Suck it up, Buttercup!" 

 

I also got some amazingly cute new compression socks from Lunatik Athletiks.  I'll be honest, I was a bit peeved that I ended up paying $9.50 for shipping plus 13% tax since they had to come from Canada, but they are awesome so I'm over it. 

 

 

Obviously, that is an action shot...of me being lazy in my back yard.  I bought another running tank from Old Navy too, because they had a good sale for the 4th of July. 

 

As the title hinted, I've learned a few things when it comes to running.  I'm going to share them now, but I must warn that they are not exactly, um, pleasant things.  Let's just get right to it, shall we?

 

I know I've mentioned a few times that I have 5 kids.  Four of those, I've pushed out and one of them was a 10lb baby.  As most moms can tell you, sometimes as a result of pregnancy or pushing, or a combination of the two, hemorrhoids pop up.  What NO ONE told me is that running can make those little suckers pop up too!  I noticed this a few weeks ago, and was too mortified to share at first.  But hey, I'm posting pictures here of my fat inner tube shrinkage, so I figured I may as well go for full disclosure.  Thankfully, this is nothing that (so far) a little cream hasn't taken care of, but seriously, shouldn't there be a warning statement out there somewhere?  Like:

 

"Hey girls!  Have you had children?  Be warned that running can make those hemorrhoids that you thought were gone resurface!  Run at your own risk!" 

 

Or something along those lines...at least then people would know instead of being like me and wondering what the hell was causing all that!

 

Know what else I have to look forward to as a runner?  Toe nails that turn black and/or fall off.  Yup, learned that not too long ago as well.  Doesn't that sound super fun?  And yet, I keep on running.  I told you I am crazy.

 

And my last little tidbit of gross-ness for the day.  The trots.  You wanna take a guess where they got that name?  Yeah, apparently running can make your digestive system really, um, happy...so happy that you feel the need to trot right off to the bathroom.  Now, thankfully I have NOT experienced this little gem of wonderfulness yet, but I have this sense of total paranoia about it.  When I run, usually a few miles in, I've been getting strange rumblings in my tummy.  Thank god they have passed so far, but what the heck am I supposed to do if I've got to go and there is no potty?  Now you know the inner workings of my mind.  So far, I've figured out a few potential stops on my running routes (Meijer - yuck but tolerable, My sister's house - the best option, Port a Potty at the school - double yuck!). Let's all say a little prayers that I never have to use those options, okay?  Oh, before I move on let me share my husband's suggestion.  He says - "Just go in the woods."  Who the hell just drops their pants and craps in the woods?  Not I people, not I!

 

On to the training stuff!!!

This week was the first week of my half marathon training.  I'm following Hal Higdon's Novice 1 plan for Half Marathons, in case anyone cares to know.  It seems like a very do-able plan for me, and so far I like it.  It includes cross training and strength training in addition to the running, which has been fun so far. 

 

For my first day of cross training, I got this little beauty and my son and I did 4.3 miles together.

 

 

Then yesterday, my daughter, sister, and I kayaked about 2 miles for my other cross training day.  I think I'm going to like this cross training thing, because it is a great way to get my kids involved in my training and it is fun! 

 

Today was my first "long" run.  The plan will build me up to running 10 miles the weekend before my race.  This week's long run was 4 miles today.  My goal was to run the whole thing without walking, and I did it!  It was crazy humid and I sweated buckets, but I did it!  About 1/2 mile into the run, I was adjusting one of my earbuds and not really paying attention and stepped on a branch the wrong way, which caused me to roll my left ankle.  It hurt like a mother, and I know the old Jen would have given up immediately.  The new Jen, she is a freaking warrior or something.  I gimped along for a bit and it definitely slowed me down, but I ran through it.  Right now, it is a little achy so I may ice it later today, but I was so proud of myself for not quitting.  The long runs are a little intimidating to me, because most times I do one, it will be my new "farthest distance I've ever run."  I made it 4 miles today.  It took me like 55 minutes to do it, but given the 80% humidity and my asthma, I knew pretty much right away that I was running for distance today and not for time.  

 

I've had a few people who have sort of insinuated that I'm crazy for trying a half marathon less than 5 months after I started running.  You know what, I don't even care!  I'm crazy, but I'm going to do this thing.