So happy!

Ok, I'm going to do a little bit of shameless AW-ing here for a sec, so bear with me.

In keeping with Hal Higdon's training schedule for the half, I went for my 3 mile run yesterday at the gym (it was 93*, felt like 98* with 90% humidity - I was not about to run outside.) I usually like to get on the treadmill in front of the mirrors so I can watch my feet and my running form, and as a bonus, that treadmill is also directly under the air vent. Unfortunately, the only treadmill available was the one in front of the window. No problem, the tennis class was out there, so I had something to watch. While I was running, I started zoning out and just thinking about running in high school. I remember dreading practice and dreading meets. In the 3 years I ran cross-country, my times were usually around 30-31 minutes, and only in one meet did I run for the entire 3.1 miles (for that meet, my time was about 29").

As I was running I started thinking about where I am now in my running. I realized that I now view 3 miles as easy, even 4 miles I still consider relatively easy. Not only that, but for the last month or so, I have consistently been running 3 miles without stopping. Those 3 miles usually take me between 30 and 31 min to complete. A couple times when I have been really pushing myself, I have done it in just under 30. This is a huge accomplishment to me, especially since I used to view running as self inflicted torture. I look forward to running. I know I have said that in a previous blog, but still, its true, and I can't believe I'm saying that.

Anyway, enough of that. Jonathan has said he wants to run the half marathon with me! That makes me so happy. He is doing so good with his running, and he is down almost 20 lbs since we started running seriously in April (while I am down only 12 lbs - so not fair). He has admitted that he never thought he would be running as much as he does now. I'm really hoping this has started a lifetime commitment for us to stay in shape and not gain as much weight as we did in the first 1.5 years of our marriage.

In other news, my leg pain is still there... somewhat. Its the same thing, its uncomfortable during the day, hurts when I start running, but works itself out and feels ok while I'm running. When I'm done, I stretch, but as soon as I cool down and sit still, my knee really hurts when I start walking around again. Argh, so frustrating. I have been icing it daily, wearing compression sleeves on my right shin, and stretching. I am even taking 1 ibuprofen on the nights following runs. All that seems to help, but hasn't made it go away completely.

After reading other blogs and posts on injuries and shoes, I think I need stability shoes. I was fitted at a specialty running store, and they put me in my Asics Gel Cumulus 11 shoes which are for neutral runners. I love my shoes and they feel really good, and I think they are fine for running outside on our trail since the base of them are so wide. After reading these blogs, I think I want my next pair of shoes to be for stability. I've recently been looking at some shoes. More specifically, the Nike Lunar Glide, but I have no clue how those will do for me. Nike Shox give me evil debilitating shin splints, so I worry that these may too. After all the reading I've done on the Lunar Glide, they seem like they would be good, and I would only wear them on the treadmill or on the road where the ground is free of roots and rocks. Anyone have any opinions on these shoes? Maybe I've just gotten caught up in the hype of these shoes and I just need to go back to the store and tell them what I'm experiencing and maybe get fitted again.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, I know its very word heavy. I just start typing and it all comes out at once. Everyone have a wonderful weekend!