Real Talk: I'm freaking out about...

I was going to tweet about tomorrow's race, but once I hit the character limit I thought, "you have a blog. Why not use it?" So, hello and welcome to my blog post:

I'M FREAKING OUT ABOUT CAP CITY 

Let me begin by saying, I'm not freaking out about running 13.1 miles. I can do that. I know it'll take me anywhere between 2:00-2:20 on a decent day. I have two friends pacing the 2:20 group, so if all else fails I can stick with them and enjoy the 10:40 pace.

I'm freaking out for a few reasons.

1. Cap City is my kryptonite. I've only run it twice, but both times I've crashed and burned somewhere between mile 9 and 10. I excuse 2014 because that was my first half, but 2015 was all mental. Yes, I was sick, but I wasn't dying. I used the sickness as a crutch and walked way too soon.

2. If I walk during this race, it's over. I know some people do really well with run/walk or walking the water stops, but I am not one of those people. My best halves have been running the entire time. From 1:58 to 2:08, my PRs started happening because I wouldn't let myself stop. I've run a 2:01 once with lots of walk stops, but then i just felt like crap after because I probably could have sub-2'd even if I ran a slower pace.

3. Last week I ran a surprise 10k PR. By A LOT and with two "slower" miles. I honestly didn't think I could run so close to my 5k pace in a 10k. I think most of it had to do with Megan and wanting to stick with her even when it got hard. I repeated my mantras "faster you run, faster it's done" and "just 9 more minutes" and after we crossed the line my legs hurt, but I wasn't tired. I still had energy. But how much?

4. I'm so afraid of running with pacers at Cap City. I've tried twice and the first time I went out ahead of the group and the second time I ran with the group, but they were going about :30/mi too fast and I burnt out. The Missoula Half pacers did something similar and I kept them in my sights, caught up, then eventually passed and finished a few minute before them. Ideally, I'd do something like that. Take it "slow" at first, then speed up. You know, how you're supposed to run a race.

5. I don't really have a 5. I guess the junk that's left inside is:

What if I CAN run faster than 1:55?
I think I probably can.
Will it be tomorrow?
I've only trained for 6 weeks! But I have a solid base of strength and HIIT now.
I'm not in peak shape, but I've got to be in better shape than when I lived in Ohio.
Altitude training may carry me!
Or not.
I should run this conservatively and then set my sights on the Missoula Half in July. By then I'll have a bunch of trail miles under my belt.
But what if that race is really hot? I do better in chilly temps!
OH LORD, what will I wear tomorrow?!

And so on...

I haven't felt like this before a race in a while. Probably because I've been running for fun since my knee started bugging me 7 months ago. I didn't intend to race this, so maybe that's why I'm freaking out. I know I can sub-2 if the stars align. Heck, even if they don't I should be able to do it. But will I?

If you read this, thanks. If you didn't, that's ok, too. Who wants to hear someone else whine unless you're in the same boat? ;)

Sorry for typos, time to grab pizza...

xoxo


via GIPHY

Weekly Review: More Cross Training

Showshoeing in Big Sky

Hola! I'm joining Hoho Runs and Taking the Long Way Home's Weekly Wrap linkup. Be sure to visit the hosts if you haven't already! 

February 5-11
Monday:  TRIBE + 3.3 miles
Tuesday:  3 miles
Wednesday: TRIBE + 2.5 miles
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 4.1 miles snowshoeing
Sunday: 8.1 miles bike

On Monday I went to my hour long TRIBE class, did my PT stretches, and followed it up with a short run on the treadmill. I don't remember much... but the run wasn't too bad!

(This is from Saturday)

We got a bunch of snow on Tuesday, so I went outside and ran for 30 minutes with my Yaktrax. I had a little knee pain, but I'm not sure if it was from this run or my longer run last Sunday.

Boo hoo:
Went back to TRIBE on Wednesday and we had a ton of straight crawls and cubs (same side hand/foot move together). It was a tough class, but I had some energy and headed to the treadmill for my first speedwork in a while. I had 9 x 400 at 10k pace and it started out ok, but around mile 2 my knee hurt A LOT. At 2.5 it was so painful I had to stop. The pain was in the kneecap and I wasn't sure if I should power through so I stopped to be safe. It sucked.

I took off Thursday and Friday because of my knee. I may have done my PT stretches, but my focus shifted to work. I saw Peter Rabbit midday Friday after I finished my work. It was funny, but I'll admit I saw it for one of my favorite actors vs a love of Peter Rabbit or animated movies.

Saturday's adventure

On Saturday we went to Big Sky to take advantage of a free night's stay in a condo (someone had the whole week and left a day early). We went out for lunch (and beer), then went snowshoeing on a trail I tried to run last summer. I felt really strong on the uphill (7,900-8,600ft). I thought it was because I was snowshoeing and not running, but Alex was struggling to keep up/breathe, so I think it means I'm in better shape! (TOO BAD I CAN'T RUN.) He was so much faster on the downhill, which was harder for me because of my squirrely ankle and knee. I had some sharp knee pains a few times, but for the most part my legs felt good. We went out for more beer (and cribbage), then watched the Olympics and turned in early-ish at the condo. Lovely mini vacation!

Afterwards. The sun was warm!

On Sunday we drove home and went shopping (so many great deals at Kohls!), then out to lunch. Afterwards we hit the gym. I thought about running, but my knee still hurt at certain angles so I did my PT stretches and went for a 30-minute ride on the stationary bike while watching the luge on the Olympics. I maintained a quick pace (16-17mph) and it didn't hurt my knee. Hooray!

Spoiler alert for next week's recap: I ran today and my knee hurt at first, but the pain stopped about a half mile in when I adjusted on my gait. It still hurts a little bit at certain angles, but I feel like if I keep up with my core and glute work I'll finally be "healed."

.... Right?

Are you watching The Olympics?
See any good movies lately? (new or old)

Weekly Review: Ok, I'm back for real this time

This is from two weeks ago in Yellowstone. I'm cheating. 

Hola! I'm returning after a few weeks off to join Hoho Runs and Taking the Long Way Home's Weekly Wrap linkup. Be sure to visit the hosts if you haven't already! 

January 29 – February 4
Monday:  TRIBE + 2 miles
Tuesday:  PT routine
Wednesday: TRIBE + 2.6 mi
Thursday: Rest
Friday: 3.6 mi
Saturday: 4.3 mi
Sunday: 6 mi

Total (running) miles: 18.5 miles
Elevation: 200ft

Another from Yellowstone when my mom was here 

What's new: After my last post my cold lingered and my ankle turned a few shades of purple, so I decided to stick to hiking with my mom (see Yellowstone photos above) until I felt better. My PT appointment (1/25) went well and she said I didn't have to come back. She gave me exercises to do 3x a week (for the rest of my running career) and added single leg squats to help my balance so I don't roll my ankles. I'm really bad at the squats, so I guess progress should be easy to track. Besides that, I've been working a lot to make up for the time my mom was here (worth it!). 

And one more...

On Monday I went to my hour long TRIBE class. It's a low-impact HIIT circuit -- meaning no box jumps, but we still work up a sweat with squats, lunges, push ups, weights, KBs, etc. This is my second "season" (7 weeks) and I can tell I'm in better shape. After class I tried to run on the treadmill, but I was pretty pooped and only made it 2 miles.

On Tuesday I did my PT routine for 30 minutes. Wednesday was another TRIBE class and it was one of the hardest ever. We were all groaning by the end. Afterwards, I hopped on the treadmill and did a 5 min walk/2 mile run/5 min walk. Baby steps, but already better than Monday.

Friday! Looks cold, but it was actually warm.

I took Thursday off to finish a ton of work and went on a warm run Friday afternoon and overdressed. It got tough about halfway and my mile times were all over the place, but it was so nice to be outside and not on the treadmill.

Alex and I went to the gym Saturday so he could lift weights and I– once again– hopped on the treadmill. I've never spent so much time on a treadmill and it has nothing to do with the weather. (Honestly, I find Montana winter more pleasant than Ohio.) The run was pretty good. I had to walk after mile 2 (probably more mental than anything. I watch the numbers tick up.), but after my walk break I ran 1:00 fast / 1:00 easy for another 20 minutes, then took a walk break cool down. Pretty solid workout.

Sunday WAS cold.

On Sunday, my friend Wendie came over and we ran 6 miles. It was super slippery for the first and last miles, but we got it done without falling (a miracle!). Afterwards we went to brunch to celebrate. We're both getting back to "high" mileage and this was our kickoff week.

All-in-all a decent return week. My next race is in mid March and I hope to be close to where I was before we moved to Bozeman. I think I may even follow a training plan! It's been so long, I almost forget what following a plan feels like. I'm in better shape strength-wise, so I hope it translates to my running as I build mileage.

Weekly Review: Busy and sick

Headwaters State Park on Saturday

Hola! I'm a little late joining Hoho Runs and Taking the Long Way Home's Weekly Wrap linkup, but make sure to welcome Wendy as a new host if you haven't already! 

January 8 – 14
Monday: PT homework (stretching)
Tuesday: PT homework
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 1.4 mi hike
Friday: 3.1 mi
Saturday: 4.4 mi run + 2 mi hike
Sunday: Rest

Total (running) miles: 7.5 miles
Total (walking) miles: 3.4 miles

I didn't do much on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday because I aggrivated my right knee running too fast last Sunday. I also had to clean the house before my mom came to visit. She's in town for the next two weeks, so I've been trying to think of fun things for us to do.

I ended up skipping Monday's TRIBE (gym) class for an all-hands-on-deck work emergency and Wednesday's because it was my mom's first morning in town. On Monday night Alex and I went to a pre-registration party for The Rut Mountain Series, which includes a vertical kilometer, 11k, 28k, and 50k in Big Sky, Montana. Alex and I signed up for the 11k. The race is Labor Day weekend.

My mom and I went out for a jaunt around downtown on Thursday. We had a nice brunch, went to the library, and then went to a nearby rec area for a quick snowy hike.

A bit icy

On Friday I finally went out for my first run of the week. My knee was bothering me after the aforementioned too speedy run on Sunday, but I probably didn't need to take off three days. It hurt a bit during mile 1, but by mile 3 it was ok as long as I kept my cadence up (per PT instruction).

Middle of Saturday's run

Saturday was a Oiselle meetup. There were only three of us, but it was a great time. We went 4.5 miles (4.4 to Strava- grrr) and guess what? I totally bit it at 3.6. I twisted my ankle. I had to stop for a bit, but I caught up to them after a few minutes. This marks the third time I've rolled an ankle bad enough to bruise since August and second time on my left side. It's getting old! Anyway, I wrapped it and went out for two easy hikes with my mom and Alex.

Saturday

Oh! I almost forgot! I went to bed Friday with the sniffles and woke up Saturday with a full blown head cold. I powered through during run, brunch, and hikes, but I ended up sleeping (minus an hour for breakfast) until 3:30pm on Sunday! So thankful Alex could take my mom on a nice wintery hike while I rested. I needed it!

Weird week for running and overall health, but really nice in other ways. Have a great week!

Have you ever been sick when you have a visitor?
Ever re-injure the same body part because you didn't do your PT homework? (grrrrr)

Weekly Review: The Return

Hola! I'm back with Hoho Runs and Taking the Long Way Home's Weekly Wrap linkup. Make sure to welcome Wendy as a new host if you haven't already! 

January 1 – 7
Monday: 3.2 miles
Tuesday: 3.2 mi
Wednesday: TRIBE + 1.4 mi
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Yoga, etc.
Saturday: Fat Ass 10k
Sunday: 4 mi

Total (running) miles: 18.1 miles
Total (walking) elevation: 230 ft

Injury update 

My last weekly update was November 19. Since then I continued my workout class (TRIBE) and it helped build my strength in new ways. But I was still moaning about not running and I gained a little gut. I finally saw a PT and she said I have too much movement in my left knee as a result of hip drop and runner's knee on my right. My homework includes glute exercises and upping my cadence. It seems to be working. Now I have to work on rebuilding my base!

This week

The runs on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were on a treadmill. (Gross.) Now that we have a gym membership I thought I'd take advantage so I could work on my cadence training without worrying about slipping on snow. Plus, Alex wanted to work out and drove me. ;) I maintained a 168-171 which is right in my PT's target. At first, I listened to a metronome, but now I just sneak glances at my Garmin. Much less annoying!

Wednesday was a tough TRIBE class after a week off. It was a tough circuit but I had way more energy than normal and I can finally do push ups! Six or seven weeks ago I could barely do knee pushups. It was great to finally see progress. Perhaps getting back to running helped?

I took a full rest day Thursday and did 4 short yoga videos and some kettle ball work on Friday. The yoga videos are part of a 30 day challenge from Do You Yoga. So far, so good!

Run friends. It was a heatwave. I overdressed!

Saturday was an informal "race" with the Big Sky Wind Drinkers. Officially it's the Fat Ass 50k, but I did two loops for a 10k. The trail was snowy and pretty slippery. I ended up taking it slow and joined friends for the second loop. The group is so friendly. I would have run farther if the course was easier to run on. Maybe next year!

I ran in capris!

On Sunday I ran my first solo outdoor run in a bajillion years. I ran a fast 4 miles and it was hard, but also great. Luckily, I had to wait for traffic in a few spots, so I got some rests!

Did you freeze this week? Montana wasn't too bad.
Ever have PT homework? 

Weekly Review: Zero Miles

From Saturday's hike

Hola! I'm back with Hoho Runs and MissSippiPiddlin's Weekly Wrap linkup. Be sure to visit the hosts if you haven't already! 

November 13 – November 19
Monday: TRIBE
Tuesday: Jasyoga
Wednesday: TRIBE
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Jasyoga + Dirty Dozen
Saturday: 4mi hiking
Sunday: TRIBE + rowing + dog walk

Total (running) miles: 0 miles
Total (walking) miles: 4.75 miles
Total (walking) elevation: 1,086 ft

Injury update 

I didn't run AT ALL this week hoping my legs would feel 100% healed. Well, the right leg feels fine, but now my left knee hurts in a new place (on the side). I've been putting off a PT visit; making excuses, trying to heal myself, etc. I don't want to go but, guys, I think it's time. I have a friend training for a January marathon who needs a long run partner and I really want to join her. So tomorrow I'll make the first step towards getting this dumb thing figured out. I think. Yeah. Maybe?

On Monday and Wednesday I officially started TRIBE at my new gym (I did a preview last week). I felt like I wanted to pass out near the end of the second round on Monday (even stopped for a bit) and on Wednesday I struggled with push-ups on my sore arms, but overall it was a great experience. There was an extra class Sunday to take place of next Wednesday before Thanksgiving and it went pretty well. I really love the small class size (you can't hide bad form!) and the instructor.

Second short hike on Saturday

Besides TRIBE I did a bunch of Jasyoga and some short, icy hikes and beer drinking on Saturday.

At least I can hike!

If I don't run next week I'll probably skip the weekly recap because my runs are where I take most of my scenic photos... and honestly I'm not really making any progress I care to track. Love the new workout class, but it's not particularly riviting to recount. I guess we'll see.

Boooooooo.

Weekly Review: I Joined a Gym

Saturday afternoon - not as cold as it looks (I swear)

Happy Monday! I'm back with Hoho Runs and MissSippiPiddlin's Weekly Wrap linkup. Be sure to visit the hosts if you haven't already! 

November 6 – November 12
Monday: Bootcamp + .9 mi running
Tuesday: Jasyoga
Wednesday: TRIBE + Brew Run
Thursday: Jasyoga + shoveling
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 3 mi Oiselle run + 1.3 mi dog walk + 1.2 mi cemetery walk
Sunday: 6.1 mi run

Total (combo) miles: 15.1 mi
Total elevation: 527 ft

Injury update 

Still RICE-ing, though not as often as last week. I've been consistently cross training and stretching. I still have some pain in my hamstrings, but can't figure out if it's from my new activities or the original injury. Silly, I know. I talked to my PT friend and she said to keep stretching and taking it easy with running.

On Monday I went to the gym for a trial class. I got a membership after the TRIBE preview class for Megan and Phil a few weeks ago. Monday's trial class was supposed to be TRIBE, but in my confused state I went to bootcamp instead. (I saw someone I knew and assumed we were going the same place. Whoops.) Oh well, I still got an hour-long workout with bursts of running. I felt pretty good after.

On Tuesday I did 15 minutes of Jasyoga. My legs were TIGHT.

Part of the workout (on the board). 

Wednesday morning I went to the correct gym class for my TRIBE preview (try before you commit). I felt really good most of way, but got tired during the last sequence. It's a small class so the instructor came over to help me with my form. This was my third group class ever, so I needed all the help I could get! We used kettle balls, weights, and a thing called a ViPR. Fun stuff.

yum

Wednesday night was the free monthly beer run. It was dark and snowy, but it was at Lockhorn cider, which is a nice, cozy place. Amazingly, Alex stayed with me! We ran in a pack with some others and I had such a good time. The trail was a snowy wonderland and the cider after was great.

Lazy dog

Thursday was pretty boring. I did some stretches and we went to our favorite happy hour for a burger, beer, and a free tasting. My legs were suuuuuper sore after Wednesday's workout (lots of squats).

Alex had Friday off for Veteran's Day so I worked in the morning while he went snowshoeing, then we went to Bridger Brewing for lunch and ran some errands. I took an epsom bath because of my raging DOMS. We finished the night with Wonder Woman, which I really enjoyed!

Missing one in the photo, but it was a nice group!

I woke up early Saturday morning for a Oiselle Montana team run. We had a pretty good turnout! We ran 3 miles and because it snowed overnight, the trail snow was pretty deep so we took it nice and slow. We followed the run with a nice breakfast. We're going to make this a monthly thing (open to non-O runners, too), though it looks like next month's run is the same day as a local 5k...

Sunset (looking east) from the cemetery

Alex and I went out to watch the OSU / Michigan State game, then came home and gave Tobias a walk. It was such a lovely day that after we ran errands Alex suggested we walk around the cemetery close to downtown. We wandered around until we came across a large Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. Perfect timing for the holiday.

Sunday morning miles

I woke up early again Sunday to run with Leanne and Wendie. My legs were feeling better and I know rest is best, but I hadn't run with Leanne in ages and wanted to get out with her. We ran on a long dirt road and the views were amazing. Plus, no traffic. I've been looking for a good long run location without cars, mountains, or bears and I think this may be it!

It was so nice to run farther than 3 miles. I'm going to continue to take it easy through November, but I will add a few more runs per week (assuming my hamstring agrees).

Weekly Review: SNOW + More Rest

From Sunday. We got a little bit of snow this week... 

Happy Daylight Saving! Just kidding because I kind of hate it. I loved that extra hour of sleep and feeling like an early riser, but come 5:00pm it's just so sad! Anyway! I'm back with Hoho Runs and MissSippiPiddlin's Weekly Wrap linkup. Be sure to visit the hosts if you haven't already! 

October 30 – November 5
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: Jasyoga Dynamic Hamstring
Thursday: shoveling + 1 mi hike
Friday: 3 mi run, Jasyoga Run Reset + Legs up the wall
Saturday: shoveling + 3.2 mi run
Sunday: 1.8 mi hike + LUTW

Total (combo) miles: 9 mi [insert sobbing emoji]
Total elevation: 226 ft

Injury update 

I've been RICE-ing up a storm and it's hard not to feel sad about not running. I did get out for a few hikes and runs this week, but I tried to supplement those miles with lots of stretching and more RICE. I have soreness in my knees and hamstrings today, but didn't at the end of last week. Grrrr.

I took off Monday and Tuesday and don't remember a single thing I did. Maybe I finished some books? Definitely did work...

I was rooting for the Astros.

I had to wake up at 4am to take Alex to the airport Wednesday. I went back to bed at 4:45 for a power nap and it must have worked because Wednesday ended up being my most productive work day. I worked up until the middle of the World Series game, then did the 30 minute Jasyoga Dynamic Hamstring video. It hurt a lot in some positions, so I was pretty sure my hamstrings were still unhappy and needed more rest.

Really from Saturday, but shoveling is shoveling. 

Thursday was my birthday and it was weird without Alex. Luckily, friends and family sent gifts, flowers, and well wishes so I had a nice day. There was already some snow on the ground Wednesday, but we got more so I shoveled our driveway. I'm going to count it as "cross training" because my abs and shoulders were sore. Afterwards, I went out for my free Starbucks drink and to run around town. I ended up walking around Peet's Hill at sunset and enjoying Bozeman...

Sled hill by my house.

There was more snow Friday and I knew I wanted to run after work. I put on my yaktrax and went out for 3 miles. Our neighborhood sidewalks were mostly clear, so I tried to stick to trails to avoid the click-clack of yaktrax on pavement.

I take a lot of photos here.

I woke up to a winter wonderland Saturday morning. I shoveled for AN HOUR and I was sore in all sorts of weird places. I read a book, lounged around, then went out for a run when the clouds parted (so I could see the mountains). It was a glorious run, but very slow. I ended up walking a bit because the snow was so high.

Cherry River

Alex got back Saturday night, so we had a leisurely morning, then went out for a short Sunday hike. We were originally going to snowshoe, but I was afraid of getting too sore and he was jet-lagged. We did just under 2 miles at Cherry River, which is my favorite place to take out-of-towners who want an easy hike and mountain views. Afterwards we went to two breweries and the library, made dinner, and watched a movie. Lazy Sunday!

Trying samples at Mountains Walking brewery

Summary
My legs hurt after the two days of running, but I can't tell if it's the injury or if I made different muscles sore while shoveling and running in deep snow. I think there is some lingering injury pain. I wish I could ignore it.

(I'm going to assume no), but is it snowing where you are? 

Weekly Review: Injury, forced cross training, & Run for Your Life 5k

Ousel Falls on Monday

Happy almost Halloween! I'm joining Hoho Runs and MissSippiPiddlin's Weekly Wrap linkup. Be sure to visit the hosts if you haven't already! 

October 23 – October 29
Monday: 7.8 miles (hike, some running)
Tuesday: 1.5 mi (walk)
Wednesday: 3 mi (run) + 1 mi (walk)
Thursday: rest
Friday: rest
Saturday: 1 hour circuit workout + stretching
Sunday: Run for Your Life 5k

Total (combo) miles: 16.4 mi
Total elevation: 2,185 ft

Injury update 

I mentioned last week that I had some swelling on the back of my knee. I had an informal chat with a PT and she said it isn't a Baker's cyst or anything spooky. The swelling is at my knee/hamstring connection and is potentially hamstring tendonitis. Prescription: RICE. She suggested some stretches and told me not to run far. If it doesn't get better by midweek I'm going to visit her office.

Looking downstream from Ousel Falls

Alex took off Monday, so I followed suit (yay work from home) and we went to Big Sky for a 2 mile hike at Ousel Falls. It was a bit icy in one section, but otherwise it's a nice, developed trail with a lovely waterfall (at top). Afterward we went to a brewery for samples, then another for lunch.

Lava Lake - the sun was very bright if you can't tell. ;)

On our way back to Bozeman we decided to stop at Lava Lake. I've hike it once before, but Alex hadn't. We had a time crunch: Alex had to be home for a meeting at 6pm. It was 2 something and we had almost 6 miles to go and a 40 minute drive home. We kept a pretty quick pace on the rocky climb up (~1,600ft). We took some photos at the lake, turned around and ran the flat parts down. We made it home with time to spare. Not bad.

On Tuesday my knees were still bothering me (I wore knee supports most of last week), so I skipped a run and we took Tobias out on a 1.5 mile walk. He had a blast.

Fields burning in the distance (controlled burn)

The weather was so lovely on Wednesday I couldn't resist a run, so I went out after work for 3 miles. My legs hurt after, but it felt so good to be running. AHHHH. Torture! We did another dog walk near sunset, so I got to try out reflective gear.

Thursday was more rest, ice, and compression to make up for Wednesday's run.... plus a dinner out with a beer tasting. Friday was another day off to rest up for Saturday and Sunday.

What a turnout!

On Saturday we went to Alex's gym (soon to be mine) for a circuit style workout. One of my Oiselle teammates was diagnosed with breast cancer – mere months after her husband was diagnosed with MS – and the workout was a fundraiser to benefit her family. There were at least 100 people and we were divided into 4 groups and rotated between stations for an hour. We did kettleball swings, planks with dumbbell rows, box jumps, burpees, squats, lunges, crawls, you name it... It was tough. I barely made it through the last 9 minute rotation, but 10 minutes after we were finished I was talking to Megan (teammate) about joining the TRIBE.

Dino onesies from Target were a little too warm for running.

Alex and I were sore after, but it was nothing compared to the soreness on Sunday. We had the Run for Your Life 5k Sunday morning. Before my "injury" I intended to run it fast, but that went out the window. Add in Saturday's workout and my new goal was to run as much as possible.

Stuck in "traffic" with Megan and her unicorn friend, Lindsay

Alex ended up sticking with me and two others. We chatted our way to a 10:30 pace and finished 228 and 229 of 653 participants. I forgot my Garmin, but I'm sure we started slow and got faster. The course was narrow so there was a bottleneck during the first mile, but I didn't mind. It was a fun race with scary characters along the route (example: a scary witch standing in the middle of the trail, guy with a chainsaw in the woods, and a bunch of Disney villains in the "Enchanted Forest"). I met some Oiselle teammates before, we got donuts at the finish, and it was all for a good cause (suicide prevention). I'd definitely run the race again.

Some Oiselle teammates

After the race, Alex and I hobbled around town for brunch and errands, then sat on our butts to watch football, Hell or High Water (excellent movie), and the World Series. I could barely stand up from the couch I was so sore. Heck, I'm still super sore.

Summary
Saturday's workout was a killer and unfortunately I can't tell if my original knee pain is gone because everything hurts. On the bright side: my minor injury has led me to alternative workouts and stretching... two things I avoid as much as possible. If I can somehow keep up my strength and stretching I think I can kick this pain and finally get back to running at my full potential. What a weird two months!

Do you go to group workout classes?
Ever had tendonitis?