It has been 2 weeks since the last time I ran.  I stopped running because I had pain in my hip, thigh, and knee.  It isn’t an injury but just tight muscles.  I was told that I could run 2-3 times I week for about 30 minutes.  I decided to just take time off and not run at all.  Oh my, I think I became a whole different person!  I miss running!   I miss the energy from a post run.  I miss the sweat on my face (yeah, it sounds gross) letting me know that I was getting a good workout.  I miss the numbers increasing on my training widget (still at 71 miles).  That is all about to change when I hit the gym on Tuesday.  I am excited and looking forward to it!!!

This Friday I signed up for 2 more races.  I have yet to decide if I want to do the Wisconsin Marathon on May 7 or the Chicagoland Spring Marathon on May 15.  I have heard good things about the one in Wisconsin but don’t feel like making the drive home after a marathon.  But the one on the 15th is a new marathon so I don’t know how many people will be there and/or what to expect.  Plus the latter one gives me an extra week to train/taper.  Well, whatever I decide to do I need to make a decision soon so that I can revise my training plan.

By the way, Princess is still hanging in there.  It makes me happy but also sad.

That is the name of my cat.  She has been with me for almost 15 years.  She makes me laugh and smile.  I talk to her everyday and call her “Beautiful” because she is beautiful.  Lately she has not been feeling good.  She does not eat.  I took her to the vet and found out she has cancer.  I did not take it well.  Cancer?  But how?  Cats are like humans in that they can get every disease, infection, etc that humans get.  I am very sad about it.  She makes me smile and that is why I am writing about her here.  I don’t know how much longer she will be around but I just want her close to me as possible.

Below is a photo.  So cute!!!

I did not make it to the Athletico today because of the weather.  Holy macaroni!!!!  We got so much snow yesterday and today.  School was canceled today and tomorrow.  Ugh, that means we will be done by June 17th.  Below is a photo taken last night.

The SunTrust National Marathon is less than two months away and I still don’t know if I am going to do it.  Why you ask?  You see, the marathon is on a Saturday which means I need to miss work on Friday and fly out that morning.  Also, that Friday is the last day before Spring Break and I am technically not supposed to be off before or after Spring Break.  So, I wrote a letter back in October to the Superintendent asking for “permission” to be off on Friday.  I did not get a response so I sent it again in December.  Still no answer.  Really?  How long does it take to make a decision?  It is a simple answer “yes” or “no”.  So frustrating.

I believe that things happen for a reason.  Yes, I am a true believer of that even though many times I don’t like the things that happen.  I got a late start to my marathon training.  I am cramming an 18 week training program into 12 weeks.  I have had to increase mileage and I think I am paying for it.  The last week or so I have had a pain on my right hip.  Now I feel the pain extending to the inner thigh down to the inside part of the knee.  Yesterday I had to run 11 miles but could only do 4.  I wanted to keep on going but was feeling the pain and did not want to make it worse.  So, I asked myself Is this a sign?  Should I skip the marathon in March and instead take my time and do one in May?  Or is it just an unfortunate injury?

Any idea on what kind of injury it might be?  My guess is Iliotibial Band Syndrome but need to see a doctor to be sure.  I am a member of Athletico so I will start there and them do an injury screen.  Well, with this pain it means that I cannot run.  🙁  This makes me sad because I enjoy running and look forward to it.  However, being injury free is much more important. 

That is what I kept telling myself today during my long run.  I had to do an 11 mile run and at some point was running faster than usual.  I knew I could have but knew that I shouldn’t especially when it is cold and windy outside.  However, glad to say that it was a little bit warmer than last week.  🙂  Bottom line, it is difficult to run outside during the winter.  I am running again tomorrow.  I guess maybe I could get used to this.

I decided to run the Hartford Marathon this year.  Yep, no more Chicago Marathon and the crazy weather.  I had signed up for the Hartford Marathon 2 years ago but due to back problems I couldn’t do it.  Since it was on a Saturday and during the weekend before Columbus Day I had to leave on Friday and miss a teacher institute day.  Also, I am not supposed to be off the day before or after a holiday.  Well, I sure got grief about it from the superintendent.  I was told that I was not fulfilling to my obligations as a teacher and why did I have to go out of state for a marathon when there is one in Chicago?  Oh, I was so annoyed and maybe that is what contributed to the injuries.  JK.  Well, this year’s marathon is AFTER Columbus Day so I anticipate no problems from ANYONE.

I read a few blogs about the movie “Hood to Coast” and regret not watching it.  I hope either it will be shown again or available on DVD soon.  I have seen “Spirit of the Marathon” twice and got inspired each time I saw it.Well, so far have ran 42 miles and have 958 miles to go.  I KNOW I will achieve that goal.