T-minus 8 days

For Matt...

8 days until the race

Tonight I went to the Rec but was quickly distracted in the parking lot by the marching band rehearsal. Anyone that knows me knows I'm a total band nerd and don't care. I love it. Anyway, I watched for a while, and then decided a half hour was enough. I'll see the show tomorrow night at the EIU home opener.

So, on to the Rec. I spent 32 minutes on the bike and did some leg exercises and a bunch of crunches. I have a feeling my ass (muscles) will be sore tomorrow...literally.

According to plan I'm supposed to be running 3.5 miles the Saturday/Sunday the week before the race. However, I'm going to take another day off of running in order to further rest the shins. It's not as though I'm in excruciating pain or anything, but it's annoying that I start to feel it the minute my foot hits the pavement/treadmill.

Besides that, EIU's 1st home football game is tomorrow night! Go Panthers!!!

T-minus 9 days

9 days until the race...

I ran a little under 30 minutes tonight. I took a couple of walking breaks though because, again, my shins were bothering me. I tried a couple of stretches I saw here, but it still didn't keep my shins from hurting whenever I thudded my feet down on the treadmill. Maybe if I ran faster, I wouldn't feel like I was stomping along and rather gliding....ah, sounds lovely, but realistically I'm afraid I won't be able to sustain a faster speed (usually I've set the treadmill to about 5.4-5.5) and will get burnt out. Besides, from what I read about shin pain it's from doing too much too soon. The last thing I want to do is expedite that.

Suggestions are welcome for exercises, stretches, whatever for shin stress. Write me at amormino@gmail.com or, since these updates show up there, Facebook me. Thanks!

Days 15 & 16

Although my shins were burning and I took a short walking break, I finished 2.5 miles last night!!!

Tonight I did 30 minutes on the elliptical machine. Tomorrow another 20 on the treadmill!

Day 14

Well...I was supposed to run 2.5 miles today. But, I "played" some softball after work and then went for pizza buffet. My stomach had been feeling weird all afternoon and it's possible the pizza/pasta/salad buffet didn't do much to help. So, I skipped. I know, I'm a loser. But, when you don't feel good, you don't feel good. I feel much better now of course, but I'm sleepy.

I've entertained thoughts of getting up early, getting the run in and then doubling up on the 20 minutes of cross-training in the evening, but I think I'll settle for the running in the evening after my classes and some reading.

Whew. It's only getting busier.

Days 12 & 13

Day 12: I traded my Sunday "rest" day for Saturday this week. Not to say I didn't do my fair share of walking to and from my parking spot at the EIU vs. Illinois game, but I sure didn't work out. However...

Day 13: My friend Lori and I (who graciously allowed me to stay at her apartment after Alicia's going-away party in Decatur), went for an approximately 6 mile walk this morning. Whew! I know I did more than the 20 minutes of work I was supposed to do yesterday but since we were walking it didn't seem that bad.

Day 14 (tomorrow): 2.5 miles...wish me luck!

Day 11

20 minutes on the treadmill...2.25 miles total (with walking warm-up and cool down)

Check!

10 Days Down, 25 to Go

10 days down...this week: Cross-trained Tuesday, ran for 15 minutes yesterday and did the elliptical again today. I'm supposed to run 20 minutes tomorrow but I need to be sure to stretch out better than I did Wednesday. Toward the end, my shins and calves were burning.

Other than that, I'm also working on my abs and doing some toning lifting for my arms and legs.

Watch out high school reunion!