NoBo Running, Track, and Long Runs

Today finishes up week 3 of running with No Boundaries. I have to say, I see improvement and its nice to run with a group. Even if I don't run next to or with people, I do like the fact that it feels more like a race. If that even makes sense. Its nice to be part of something.

What makes this week even better is that PT has released me. I will keep doing the exercises to keep my hips strong and not hurt myself. But as a whole I have been cleared. Not only that, but I can run the 5k and 1 mile in Savannah (you will see more about that soon). I also can try and walk the 1/2 marathon. Yes, I know, I just started running again and I want to walk some crazy distance. Well, if I don't finish, that is fine. I am trying and can hitch a ride in the sweeper.

Wednesday was track day. We all know how I feel about track. This time, I felt more like I knew what I had to do. It was a reveres pyramid. Run 100, walk 100, run 200, walk 200, continue until you run and walk 400. Some things I found out while doing this:

1. My garmen is off. This would have taken me to 1.5 miles. It is a track and a stretch that is consistent in distance. My watch said 1.4. OK, so that is good to know for the future.
2. I can't open it up and run hard. Some people can, but my body is not made that way. Last track time I did that, my leg almost fell off (remember my injury?) This time I was smart. I didn't open it up but pushed a tiny bit more. I felt it some, but not what I really needed to do. I feel good about it over all.

Today is long run day with the group. 2 miles. Again, I'm looking forward to it. My run buddy and RunJunkees Ambassador Mary rocked it with me. Turned into 2.22 miles. I am happy to say I finished. Today felt hard, but I know that I am getting better.

Track Work

The third training for the No Boundaries run group (NoBo) was track work. I HATE track work, but it is a necessary evil. Track work helps to build speed. Wednesday was the typical type of track work. The plan was run hard for 200 meters, walk 400 and repeat until you hit a mile and a half. Here is how it went:

I ran hard for 200 meters. Oh HELL! That was hard! walked 200 meters and went with an easy run for 200 meters. Walked another then ran hard. Then things went sideways. Somehow I ended up running hard 200 meters walk 200 meters and run hard 200 meters. OH HELL!!! I thought I was dying. I walked a full 400 meters then finished with a hard run.

Why did it go sideways? It was a bit unorganized. We should have had the group split, and a mentor with each small group. That being said, do I feel faster? Meh, I don't know. I do know that I will follow the plan and work hard to make sure I'm on point. The next group run is Saturday and that is 1.75 miles. My goal is to keep up at 13:09 / mile or faster. That will show me improvement......I think.

I will keep you posted as I run my journey.

No Boundaries Day 1

Last night I went to my first No Boundaries (NoBo) running group. I was not sure what to expect but I was ready to run. I missed it. All I knew was that I would be doing 1 mile. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous after not running for many months. As I got to the store, Fleet Feet Sports in Wilmington, I started to feel really excited.

It is a bunch of women in our group and everyone was at their own fitness level. We started with dynamic stretches. Super important to do so before you run and warm up your muscles. Then we ran/walked or walked half mile out and half mile back. I started out easy and really surprised myself. I did walk a little but I did not have any pain, only typical muscle fatigue. When I got to the end point, my mile time was 13:10! woah! Not bad! We cheered people on as they came into the finish. As a group, we waited for everyone to finish and then did static stretches. Again, super important to finish by stretching out the muscles.

I look forward to Saturday when we do it again! Wonder Woman Runs Again!!

Run Baby Run

I was at physical therapy on Tuesday for my evaluation. I got the OK to run again! There were no words to describe how happy I was. I happy cheezed my way through the rest of the things she gave me to do. I get to do my first run on Saturday. 7 mins, 4 of them running. And as much as I want to really run, I will listen to my body. I will build up and before I will do my physical therapy workouts as my warm up.

Since I got the OK, I also joined the No Boundaries running group at Fleet Feet Sports. I went to the meeting last night with my run buddy, Mary. I learned about the program and how it is set up. There is great support and knowledgeable people there to make sure that everything is covered from running to nutrition and injury prevention. While running with the group is two times a week, there are cross train days as well.
Wednesday night is the first run and since it is in the evening, I need to get some reflective gear. Might be time for the vest :)

It feels strange to wear running shoes. I have them on today to get my feet used to them. I cant wait for this to start!