Talking to Myself

I'm usually pretty healthy, so I hate to get on here and moan about being sick after I already complained about my "injured" knees for the past month. But I have been sick, so what can I do? I've had some sinus problems and a headache for over a week so I went to the doctor (something I normally only do a few times a year but have now done twice in the past month) and found out I have fluid in my ears, which is causing the sinus problems and my terrible ear pain; and I have some ribs out of alignment, causing my the headache and stiff, sore neck. A few days, some ear numbing drops, some nasty nasal spray for the sinus pressure, and meds for my neck and head later, I am feeling pretty good. Good = I feel like I can safely go for a run and my head will not explode all over the sidewalk. So a run is on the tomorrow's agenda after I drop off my 3-year-old (still thinking of something to call my girls on here; suggestions welcome!) at preschool. I love running in the cold weather, but it is windy and really COLD today so I hope it warms up just a little or I might have to bury my little one under blankets and put the rain cover on the stroller to keep out the wind.

Now for the non-running stuff. I have been asked about my writing a few times so I decided to share a little more about what I do when I am not playing house. Before I was a mommy, I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. I started freelance writing while looking for a job writing or editing. I got a job and worked as a technical writer for a few years and then as an editor for McGraw-Hill. While working full-time, I continued my freelance work on the side. Since having kids, I have continued writing and now do a lot of freelance editing as well. I have written for local and national magazines, newspapers and Web sites and have contributed to two books (one on extreme sports and the other on dating). I have written about sports, fitness, pregnancy, entertainment and construction (no running yet, but I hope to change that sooner than later). I just finished editing a 100-page book but also edit things like press releases, other media tools, and a lot of Internet content. That is just a glimpse of my writing life. I could go on and on, but I'm sure some of you stopped reading already and now I am just talking to myself, so I'll stop.

LUNA Bar Winners

Since I am a little under the weather, I will just get right to the good stuff. The winners of the LUNA Bar Giveaway are:

Kat at She Did Whatttt?

and

Jesse at Run To The Border

Congrats!! Just email (ihaverun@hotmail.com) me your address, and I will get your bars in the mail!!

I will be back later in the week with a running update, answers to some questions, and a blog post I have been writing in my head for over a week! Happy Monday and happy running!!

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? (No, not YOU, Running!)

I figure I'm due for a running update since I hit the two week post-doctor mark on Wednesday and since this happens to be a running blog. Tuesday night I tried out my legs on the treadmill. My goal was three easy miles. A little over a mile in, there was a little twinge in my right knee; it subsided quickly and the three miles felt really good! I stretched and iced after my run, and my legs felt great that night and the next day.

Today I dropped my 3-year-old (I need to come up with something else to call my kids on here...) off at preschool and loaded my other little one into the stroller and we were off.

My little running buddy

The goal was four miles. We ran on streets in the neighborhoods surrounding the preschool. My right knee felt great the entire time, but my left knee started to hurt at around three miles. It only hurt when I ran, not when I slowed to a walk. I am pretty sure it was my ITB since I was running on the slanted surface at the edge of the road most of the time. And my left leg was always on the slanted part since I was running against traffic. Also, it let up a little when I was on totally flat surfaces like the sidewalk, so I am even more sure it is an ITB issue.

So I'm going to take tomorrow off, focus on stretching and more icing, and shoot for another treadmill run on Saturday. Since my left knee was the one my doc was concerned about, I will reevaluate after Saturday's run.

Oh, and have I mentioned lately I Love Running?

Don't forget to enter my giveaway here!

And help me get paid to be in a good mood and blog about it here!!!

Let's Talk About...

You know what they say about how often men think about sex... I have decided that applies to me, only it's how often I think about running.

It is crazy how often I think about running during my waking hours each day! Before I started running, I thought about working out at least a few times a day. I honestly can't remember going a day without at least fleetingly thinking about going to the gym, popping in a workout video, or doing some strength training while watching a little television.

I'm not sure you get it though. I literally think about what my workout will be or that I need to workout EVERY DAY, multiple times a day. The only time it let up even a little was when I taught yoga and other group fitness classes. Those days I just obsessed about the workout routine instead.

Now that "working out" means running, there is even more to think about. When, where, how long, how far, speedwork, tempo run, pace, when I should eat, what I should eat, what to wear, do I need new shoes, training for my next race, what is my next race, and on and on and on.

I can't imagine it, but I am sure there are people who go through entire days without thinking about doing any type of physical activity. Their next workout isn't a constant thought hovering at the back of their brain, waiting for its next attack on their random train of thought process.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway here!

And help me get paid to be in a good mood and blog about it here!!!

I Love LUNA Bars - A Giveaway

A few years ago, I tried an energy bar. Since then, I have not had any desire to try another. It was THAT bad. Because tastes change and products change, the bar I tried shall remain nameless. If I ever get daring enough to try that brand again and change my mind about it, I will then reveal the bar's identity.

So in the checkout line at Target the other day, I was pretty hungry and there was a LUNA Bar sitting there. Normally it would go unnoticed, but my subconscious must have seen the words "chocolate" and "mint" in the same general area so I gave it a good look. Chocolate Peppermint Stick.

If any of you have been around since the beginning of I Have Run (not so long ago), I originally had some goals listed in the sidebar. One of those goals was to cut back on the Cool Mint Creme Oreos. I don't like regular Oreos, but there is just something about chocolate and mint together.

So I bought the LUNA Bar. And it was awesome!! So awesome that I wrote LUNA a letter telling them how much I enjoyed it. Now LUNA and I want you to try it (and some of their other yummy bars) too! I have tried a couple of the other flavors and have yet to be unhappy, but the Chocolate Peppermint Stick is still my favorite.

Two of my wonderful readers will each receive LUNA Bars in six different flavors (of course one of those for each winner will be Chocolate Peppermint Stick). All the bars are LUNA's "new recipe," which now includes Vitamin D. And just because they are designed with women in mind doesn't mean my male readers can't enter!

Here's how you can enter to win:

Required entry

• Visit LUNA Bar here and leave a comment telling me what flavor looks yummiest; or if you already enjoy LUNA Bars, tell me which is your favorite.

Optional additional entries

• Become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment letting me know. Or let me know if you are already a follower.


• Put a link to my giveaway on your blog. Leave another comment letting me know.


• In another comment: ask me a question, tell me what you like about my blog, tell me what you want to see on my blog, or just wish me a happy birthday (pathetic, I know).

Winners will be announced Monday, October 26th.

Thankful Thursday

I am going to be a copycat and have a Thankful Thursday post like some of my fellow bloggers. I love reading why many of you are thankful, and it made me think about some of my own blessings. So here are a few things I am thankful for today:

• Running, and not just because this blog is about running. Running less has made me love it more because it has made me appreciate it more.


• I am also thankful for this view during many of my runs:

• I am thankful for YOU, my fellow bloggers!! One of you, a little messed up Kelly, makes me either laugh or cry EVERY time I read your blog. Then you go and give me an award! Could I love you more right now??
  

From Kelly, I pass this award on to Run Faster Mommy Heather. She is another mommy-of-two, and reading her blog is so often like reading about my own life!

• And last but not least, I am thankful for my hubby. And not just because he brings home the bacon that pays for my ever-expanding collection of running gear. I actually really like the guy!!
  
  

Knickers

Woo-hoo!! I got my package from Running Warehouse today!! I ordered two pairs of running capris, hoping at least one would work. I bought a pair at Target last week but ended up taking them back out of fear of chafing (down there) because the seams weren't flat like they are in "real" running gear.

I tried on the two new pairs, one Pearl Izumi and one Moving Comfort, as soon as they came, and I love them both. The PIs are thinner and shorter (so obviously the MCs are thicker and longer), so I might just have to keep them both! I'll try to remember to snap a pic when I wear them running so you can see them in action. I thought about taking a pic when I was trying them on, but they looked a little odd with the shirt I am wearing today, so I figured I could at least show you what they look like on an invisible body:



Moving Comfort Endurance Capri

Pearl Izumi Aurora Splice Knicker(As a side note: I think "knicker" is a great word!)

I also got a foam roller. It has been on my to-do list since I went to the doctor last week. Better late than never. I'm going to start putting it to good use today!!

In other news, I will be announcing a giveaway on Friday...

Back Fat

I have gained three pounds since my marathon. It may not seem like that much, but it seems like a lot when it makes your weight loss goal jump from seven to 10 pounds.

So that is my weight loss goal as of today: 10 pounds.

Obviously, running is a key to accomplishing that goal. Once my legs are back to 100% (hopefully by next week), I can get back to running 20+ miles per week instead of the less than 10 miles that have resulted in those three pesky pounds.

Besides my legs, there are two things that will be key to reaching my goal. The first is what I put in my mouth. I am not a terrible eater, but I could be better. And I will. I am going to focus on eating six times a day. Right now, I rarely eat a snack between my three meals unless it's a handful of candy corn or something along those lines. I am going to try to eat a piece of fruit or yogurt or an energy bar a few hours after each meal and then eat a little less at each meal. This has worked for me in the past and will hopefully do the trick now as well. I'm headed to the grocery store to stock up as soon as my girls wake from their naps.

The second factor in my weight loss is the fact that I am still nursing my baby (my male readers are understandably welcome to skip to the last paragraph). When my weight seemed stuck a few months after I had my second baby, my doc told me it would be hard to get the scale to budge. Instead of being one of those lucky women who seem to lose a pound every time they sit down to nurse, my doc said my body was going to try to hold on to those last few pounds because of how much I weighed before I got pregnant. I was a healthy weight, but I didn't have much extra. I SLOOOOWLY lost several more pounds, but I am still 6 pounds heavier than I was the month I found out I was pregnant.

My weight the month that pregnancy test came up positive is like magic. With both my pregnancies, I acquired this awesomely annoying back fat. It's just this little extra roll above my waistband. When I finally hit that gloriously magic number on the scale in January 2008, the back fat was finally gone; within two months it was coming back. Yes, I finally hit my pre-pregnancy #1 weight the month I found out I was preggo with #2. (For those keeping track, my ultimate goal is 4 pounds less than my pre-pregnancy #1 weight.)

Anyhow, the point of the second weight loss factor is that I may not be able to fully reach my goal until I stop nursing. I actually started weaning my little one around her first birthday, but her pediatrician said it would be good to keep going until my baby's 18-month appointment if possible because she is such a little thing (8 lbs 6 oz at birth up to only 17 pounds at 1-year). She is healthy and happy (and my first little girl followed a similar weight gain pattern, so I just have little girls), but she is still an enthusiastic nurser so we'll keep going while we can.

With that in mind, I know the weight loss will be slow. I am fine with that. But making positive changes in the right direction is the first step. And putting it out there makes me more accountable. So I'll keep you posted with my progress (and will let you know when that back fat is finally gone again).

Dixie Cups

I need to start by saying I really like my doctor (I would say "love" but my doc is a guy and I don't want to raise any eyebrows). I have been going to him for a loooong time; since long before I was a mommy. Possibly even before I was a wife, but I'm a little fuzzy on that. I even followed him from one practice to another (I'm not a stalker, just a person who isn't good with change, but that is a whole other blog post).

Although he is my family doc, I was pretty confident he would have the answers I needed or would send me in the right direction if he didn't. And since he is a runner (actually a triathlete), I knew he wouldn't just tell me to stop running to solve the problem.

Now for the problem. I have tendinitis in my right knee, minor IT band issues in both legs, and swelling in my left knee joint. So in addition to 800mg of ibuprofen twice a day for two weeks, I get to (not have to since I'm trying to be positive here) ice both upper legs and knees every day and stretch, stretch, stretch. And of course I asked that burning question: "Can I run?"

I can run. Short, easy runs. Followed by ice and more stretching.

If the pain isn't remarkably better in two weeks, I go back. Even though my right knee was the one that hurt during my marathon, my doc is actually more concerned about the swollen joint in my left knee. If it still hurts in two weeks, it will be time for an x-ray or MRI to make sure there isn't something more serious going on in there.

So the first 800mgs are down the hatch and the water is in the freezer in Dixie cups (actually leftover 1st birthday cups that I can finally use and get rid of!!). The doc said to freeze water in Dixie cups and then rub the big ice cube directly on my leg and knee. Can't wait!!

Let the healing begin...

2010 Runner Series

Thanks for letting me get a little off track yesterday. Speedwork was my cure after a long, grumpy day. Today I feel much better! My speedwork consisted of a 10-min. warm-up, 3 x 1000 at 8:34 pace, and a 10-min. cooldown. I was planning to do 4 x 1000, but my knees were both feeling really warm and there was a tingly sensation in my right leg so I cut it short to avoid making anything worse. I am going to the doctor tomorrow to find out if my IT band self-diagnosis is correct and to make sure I am doing everything I can do make things better. My knees never bother me when I am not running, and I was able to run through the discomfort (it's not actually PAIN) last night. So I am hoping the issues subside with continued stretching, strengthening and post-run icing.

Now for some racing news. This past Saturday was the St. George marathon. I was so excited for those I knew who were running it (Stacey and my 100+ marathon friend Becky), but I was also a little bummed I was not there. It is a lottery, and I was not selected to run. St. George is the reason I started my marathon training this year; I signed up for Top of Utah when I didn't get selected to run St.G. Anyhow,one way you can run the race without depending on the lottery is through the Runner Series. After registering and paying $10, I just have to select and run two (of nine) qualifying races. Then I'm in.

Registration opened yesterday at 9 am. By 9:15, I had registered myself and my husband (his idea). The series is limited to 750 runners and is now closed! Now it's just a matter of running those two races, and I will be at the St. George Marathon starting line on October 2, 2010.

Did you notice the above mention that my husband is also one of those 750 runners? He wants to run, and he has some brand spankin' new Mizunos waiting in his closet for their day in the sun. So maybe that day is here. I won't say anymore since he reads this blog and I don't want him to feel TOO much pressure. But I might have an occasional running buddy in the coming months.

Why I Hate Mondays

Every Monday, I spend an hour hating myself. While I watch my darling little 3-year-old try to master a cartwheel and cautiously tip-toe along the balance beam at gymnastics each week, I sit and feel bad about myself. I don't know why I do it; not all the other mothers are perfectly proportioned or dressed like they walked out of a magazine. Still, I manage to find something about each and every one of them to compare myself to (in a negative way of course). I walk out of gymnastics wanting to go home and run until I can't run anymore, to get out my frustrations and to burn off those last few pounds that bother me most on Monday mornings.

Thanks for letting me vent.

And speaking of those last few pounds...stay tuned to find out more about my weight loss and training goals later this week!

The "Sport" of Running

Is running a sport? I recently had a conversation about this question. At first I was adamant that it IS a sport, but as the conversation evolved I started to wonder. There were a lot of "if this, then this" points brought up, such as: "If running is a sport, then hunting is a sport." Badminton was also mentioned at one point. And there was some discussion about sport vs. exercise. In the course of the discussion, we even took the time to look it up online. The first definition I found didn't really clear it up for me:

sport [ spawrt ]
noun (plural sports)
Definition:
1. competitive physical activity: an individual or group competitive activity involving physical exertion or skill, governed by rules, and sometimes engaged in professionally (often used in the plural)

So runners and non-runners out there, what do you think?

Is running a sport???

Next Please

I wish I had a cool nickname like Tall Mom on the Run so when I refer to myself in the third person it isn't quite so boring, but I'm gonna do it anyway.

What's next on Candice's running schedule?

First I should mention I am back to running. After my marathon, I took a week off. After lots of hip, butt and thigh stretching and strengthening exercises for my IT band, I was planning on getting back at it the Thursday after my marathon, but my achilles tendons (yes both of them) were bothering me. I don't know if it was extra-delayed-onset-muscle-soreness, but I spent the weekend icing both my my heels. So Monday morning I strapped my girls in the jogger and we were off. I walked the first five minutes because I read it could help warm up my muscles and possibly help prevent IT band issues. The first two miles were great; no soreness. And my legs felt pretty good. But at almost exactly two miles, my left knee started feeling warm. The most significant thing about this is that it was my LEFT knee!! It was my right leg that bothered me during my marathon. So I walked the last 3/4 mile home. The plan for the ITB issues is: lots of stretching, strengthening exercies, new shoes, invest in a foam roller, and short (3-6 mile) runs mostly on the treadmill (since it's easier on my legs).

As far as races go, the next one I have planned is on Thanksgiving. It is the 4-miler I mentioned in my last post that I have run the past two years. The plan as far as training is to focus on speedwork and tempo runs to see how much I can improve my time. I haven't started thinking about a specific time goal yet; my training (as well as how quickly my ITB issues subside) will help me determine that.

Last but not least, I signed up for my next marathon! I will be running the Ogden Marathon on May 15, 2010. I'm sure there will be some shorter races between now and then, but I am so excited to have a spring marathon on the calendar!!