Thinking like a runner

I was thinking just the other day about how much my way of thinking has changed since I signed up for MM.
For example, shoes. Before, I got dressed for work, and never gave a second thought to the height of the shoes I was wearing, or how they would affect my knees or feet. Now, I keep a pair of sandals in my office, so I can change into them during the day. I worry how heels are going to make my knees feel, or how my feet feel in a shoe.
I no longer care if I don't look "stylish" when I go somewhere, as long as my feet are comfy I'm happy.

Remember when Mark said we should "embrace the stench?" yeah, I remember Christa and I saying we just couldn't imagine ever doing that. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't like to stink but when I get back from my Sat. morning runs, I don't care what my hair looks like, or what I smell like. I'm a marathoner who just had a great run and I'm proud to embrace the stench. LOL

I have already mentioned the addiction to running clothes that apparently others are also experiencing. There is just something about "looking " the part that boost my confidence that I can finish this marathon, even when my knees are giving me trouble.

They are just achy, I think it may be partly bc of dehydration. They don't hurt as bad as they have before (which is good) but hurt enough to be annoying. So I didn't do anything yesterday. I know, I shouldn't be skipping but better now than have to sit out later, right?
I'm hoping the adrenaline rush on Saturday will help the aches go away.

Either way, we are marathoners. No one said this would be easy. Only 1% of the population does this. That statistic still blows my mind. Come October, we are going to be in that 1%. WOW

YUCK!

One thing I hate about the summer in MS is the humidity. I can't stand the humidity. Most people think it's strange because I was born/raised in Panama, where it's hot year round. BUT it's a different kind of heat. In the hot season, the winds are blowing all day. I'm talking about 20 mph winds, and since the country is so narrow, it moves the heat out. At night, we get the breeze from the Pacific Ocean (at least where I grew up), so it's nice. And yes, we have the rainy season, but like its name implies, it rains for days which cools things off. So I can live with the heat back home.

So enough about the weather. I'm sure we all dislike the humidity but soon will learn to deal with it since we are going to be training in it for a while. I was thinking yesterday Chicago is going to be a piece of cake compared to training in the MS summer.

I got my shoes inserts. The good news is the pain on my foot is gone. The bad news is my knees are aching. I think it may be a combination of inactivity (didn't train Mon or Tues) and the fact I've been dehydrated the past few days. So I'm drinking tons of water today, and training again today, so hopefully it'll get better before Sat.

I walked for 30 min yesterday though, even though it was XT. I tried to run but my knees were bothering me so I walked instead. Better than nothing, right?

I'm looking forward to the race on Sat, it's my first one!

One year ago today...

... my sons were born. Happy Birthday Braden and Cade!!! Even though I knew the time was close (preterm labor and bedrest for 7 wks) I was still surprised when the dr. said we were having a C-section that day. Now a year has gone by and all I can say is WE SURVIVED!!!

It's hard to explain to someone what is like to be the parents of twins (right, Robin, Mark?). You have to be there and live it. It's hard work, and rewarding all at once; it takes TONS of patience that you didn't know you had, and it takes a lot of strength for those times when they are both crying and you only have one set of arms available.

We had their birthday party Sunday. We had a little cake for each of them. Braden dug into that cake like a mad man! He ate the whole thing! It was so funny. Cade kept looking at Braden as if he had lost his mind. LOL He only ate half of his, I think it was been established who has the sweet tooth.
They got TONS of toys, even though I asked everyone to get clothes instead of toys! Sneaky family, they got toys and clothes.
But the boys loved everything they got, it's just more stuff for me to pick up.

I tried to run yesterday but the arch on my right foot was hurting. After 10 minutes I could hardly walk. So I went and bought some inserts for my shoes, hopefully they will work and I'm guessing it will probably work for my knee pain too.
I went to Target and bought more running clothes. I guess you are officially a runner when buying running clothes becomes as exciting as shopping for other things.

Have a great week everyone!