The First 43: My Life Now

10k training continues! Weeks and weeks of training and I'm so close to 10k. 8.63km is my current record and Nike+ online informed me that I ran my fasted 5k ever too. Yes!  I finally got around to buying myself a new pair of Nike+ running shoes and I can't begin to tell you what a difference it made.  My other runners were getting worn out and giving me some nice blisters from about the 3k point onward.  It made me run slower and frankly, just made me focus on pain the entire time instead of the run.  New shoes = no pain = better run pace.  They are also light weight and wonderful (Lunarglide) and really make a huge difference in my run.  I have just enough time to break them in before the full 10k. Aside from the accomplishments of running distances I never thought I'd see, I am really noticing a difference in muscle tone in my legs. Trouble zones I'd never been able to target or work on, are tightening up. This makes me happy, an added bonus.  I haven'

10k training. Some days it's easy and some days it's incredibly challenging.  I was lucky enough to have one mild (ish) day last weekend to run outside. It was glorious and so much nicer than running on the treadmill which gets so boring after a kilometer or two. I really wish I could train outdoor a bit more often. Hopefully this polar vortex will loosen it's grip on us soon, give us some seasonal weather and let me hit the pavement.  Here is a photo of the lovely sunny day that gave me the one and only outdoor run I've had since October. My biggest challenge has been the stitches... oh the stitches. I have no idea why but on my left side I constantly get that shooting pain about 10 minutes into my run.  I try to run through it or walk for a moment to stretch it out.  I have no idea what causes it. I don't eat heavy meals before a run, I make sure to get lots of water to stay hydrated but without fail, it happens.  I read that sometimes it ha