Uh Oh!

My blossoming running career has come to a screeching halt!

On January 31 I went on my longest run to date: 8.5 miles, and the next morning I could not set my left foot down because it was too painful. Too make a long and boring story short, fast forward to this morning, when my podiatrist (yes, I now have a podiatrist!) injected steroids to my heel and forbid me from running ANOTHER week and a half.

Rock n Roll DC 2016 is over.

But don't count me out. I will not let all my training in arctic weather go to waste. I will not give up using the National Mall monuments as my training route. I will keep running around the rich people's neighborhoods near my apartment and saying hello to all my fake neighbors. My goals will be more modest, though: train as much as I can, but geared towards 5k and 10k. If I can beat the plantar fasciitis, then think about a half marathon in the fall, or whenever, or never.

Temporary Setback

I went for a long run on Sunday. The longest run so far, 110 minutes. There is one more longer run this Sunday and from there on tapering for the half marathon. I set out with boost gummies and planned to stop at Barnes and Noble for a water break. The gummies gave me no boost. Once I was tired and spent, I remained tired and spent until I hit my bed. The next morning, disaster! I was in pain. I have taken it easy and skipped Wednesday's run. I now feel fine and will resume my training tomorrow.

Watch Out For The Runner!

Warning heard last Friday on M Street in Georgetown, while I was trying to negotiate the snow and the tourists on my tempo run. It marks the first time I've been called a runner.

The Run After the Storm

I was mortified that I did not run on Friday. When I decided to go, it had already started snowing and it was too late. So on Sunday afternoon, I set out for my long(ish) run. The streets were eerily quiet and very few cars were venturing on the roads. It was a wonderful run. Long run are definitely my favorites. I just set out with my audio book and my running app and I enjoy running at my own pace. I feel the same with long swims. Except there is no audiobook or app when I'm swimming, just the sound of the bubbles I blow out. Once I find a pace I'm comfortable with, I could swim for miles and I tend to hit the same split times.

I am finally a runner

How do I know?

1. I went for a 90 minute run yesterday. Temperature was 21. Best run yet.
2. When I heard there would be a blizzard this weekend, my only concern was my long run next Sunday.
3. I no longer give a damn whether I'm slow or slower. It is what it is, I just need to finish the race.

Running Gear

My secret santa gave me running clothes for cold weather, and so far, they have kept me comfortable on my runs. Today was especially cold, and except for my hands (I may need to double up on the gloves) and my face, I was happy wearing a lot less clothes than all the tourists I saw in my route.

Hardware

Today I saw a picture of the medals for finishers in the event in March and they are gorgeous. I want one!!!

I would copy and paste the picture, but I can't figure out how. So just trust me on this. Absolutely beautiful.