Big Day on Saturday

This Saturday is going to be a huge day for me. I am doing 20 miles. Completing it will be a huge boost for my confidence. Once I complete this, I feel that I will know that I can do the marathon. All of my training after this Saturday is to help improve time and to better condition my body for the journey.

I am really wanting to lose another 15 lbs before the race. I have lost almost 20 so far. These longer runs, and walking home from work are really helping with that.

I am still walking home from work just about every day. I am resting the rest of this week before my 20 miler this Saturday. Next week will also be a light week (3 miles per day), and I won't walk home. Or if I am hurting then I will just walk home from work.

6.75 miles: Wednesday, July 12

Today I ran with Chad for the first time. We ran 1.75 miles together. I didn't want to run farther for two reasons. One, this was the first time that I had run since I hurt my knee last week. I don't want to push it and hurt it again. Two, this was Chad's first time to run. I think that he could have gone farther, but I don't want him to get hurt and have to drop out as my running partner.

Then I walked to work (about 2.5 miles), and I will also walk home another (2-3 miles depending on which way I go).

3 miles: Tuesday, July 11

I walked home again today (3 miles). I know walking isn't the same as running, but it does help me shed a few pounds. Every little that I can lower my weight, then it will just be that much easier on my race day. I think that I am finally starting to drop weight again.

Monday, July 10

I didn't run today, but I did walk home from work. That was about 3 miles.

1.7 Miles: Wednesday, July 5

Today I only did 1.7 miles. I got out about 3/4 of a mile, and my left knee started really hurting. I really wanted to keep running, but I don't want to hurt myself more. I just walked home.

I was going to run 1.7 miles, and then meet up with Chad at his home. We were going to run about 3 miles, and then I wanted to run an additional 3 miles after Chad went home. I showed up late at Chad's pad, because I had to walk back instead of run. Sorry Chad if you were waiting for me.

My knee doesn't hurt to walk, but it did hurt to run. I'm a little nervous about this. It is my first injury on my road to the Marathon.

I am going to take IB Profen. As I have worked with my doctor in the past, we found out that sometimes my knees hurt, but it is only inflammation from exercise. Taking the IB Profen helped in the past, and that is what the doctor recommends. We did a whole bunch of x-rays when I've had this problem in the past, and there is nothing wrong with my knees. So the plan is to rest, and hope that the pain goes away so that I can run the rest of the week. I will probably not run tomorrow, but I may go for a walk if I have time (we are going to a wedding, so it is going to be a busy day).

7.4 miles: Tuesday, July 4

Today I ran 7.4 miles, and I felt really strong at the end of it. I'm excited that I am getting stronger. It was a little crazy, because Provo was getting ready for the parade, and I had to change my route. It was also a little hard dodging all of the people who refused to share the sidewalk, but I am grateful for all of the people that were willing to give up 6 inches of sidewalk for me. Thank you for sharing! It helps to avoid sprained ankles that can come from running on the uneven ground.