February 28, 2012

I had to do it

I expected to be pretty sore today when I woke up after yesterday's 12-miler, but I felt pretty good. My hips are a little sore, and my problem-knee felt kind of strange, but not painful. My muscles felt a little stiff, but I like that feeling--it always happens after a good workout!

By the way, I've gotten quite a few e-mails lately asking me if it's normal to have sore hips when you first start running. As far as I know, yes, it's normal. I remember my first couple of weeks of running, my hips were VERY sore. But now I'm pretty used to it, and I only feel a little sore after a particularly long or tough run. Being sore is different from being in horrendous pain, however. If you think something is wrong, you might want to get it checked out by a doctor. But normal soreness goes away after a couple of weeks.

Anyway, this morning I took a shirt to a local sporting goods store to get lettering put on it. I found the Under Armour shirt on sale at Dunham's and it happened to be my size, so I bought it to have as a go-to shirt for races. I usually wear previous race shirts or something lame, so I wanted a personalized one. I wasn't thrilled with the one I made recently, so I decided to have it done professionally. And I love it!

I wish I had a good picture to show, but basically it's just an all black technical shirt with my website on the back (right above my butt):

They had about a million fonts to choose from, and I had such a hard time deciding. But I really like the one I chose. I'm going to wear this at my race tomorrow night.

And speaking of races, Jerry sent me a text today saying that his work offered to pay for employees and/or spouses to run the Corktown 5k (which I'm already registered for) and/or the Martian races (marathon, half-marathon, 10k, 5k)!!  How cool is that? They're trying to make incentives for everyone to get healthy and exercise. I hadn't registered for the Martian because it's expensive and I'm already doing a LOT of races... but when someone else is paying for it, I'm IN!

I was really tempted to run the half-marathon, but I have an 12-miler that week as well, so I decided to run the 10k. I did the Martian 10k in 2011, and it was a great course! And this year, they are giving out medals for the 10k finishers--woo hoo!

But check out my running schedule from here on out until the Cleveland marathon...yikes!!
I had to shuffle some things around to fit everything in, but I think it'll be okay. The only thing I'm concerned about is the fact that I'm racing a half-marathon just two weeks before the marathon--and it's the same week as my 20-miler!! But the half-marathon I'm doing is INDY, and you all know that my heart lies with the Indy 500 Festival Mini-Marathon ;)


After the marathon, however, I don't have another race until October when I run the relay for the Detroit Free Press Marathon, and that's only 4 miles. I like taking the summer off of racing or even long distances, because it's SO hot and miserable.

Other than the 5k (where I'm hoping to PR as part of my 30-in-30 list), the races are just for fun. I don't plan on running super hard to try to PR or anything. The last thing I want to do is wind up injured and not able to run the full marathon that I'm training for!

29 comments:

  1. WOW! I know I'm doing a 5k in June and September and the half in October. That's about it! I would love to do the Damon Runyon Yankee Stadium 5k again, but that's money I don't want to spend this year. I'm trying to tighten my belt over here! Oh, but then there's the 10k I did in September that I'd like to do again...

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  2. Wow that is a lot of races! I'm super jealous about Indy. My family has Indy 500 season tickets. We don't go often since we're in Texas now so they typically go to my family in Illinois. BUT next year my Dad and I are going to make the trip. I'm excited! I wish the HM was closer to the Indy 500 race.

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  3. I think everything is a little bit sore when you start running LOL!

    I miss doing events. The one thing I do miss about not running is the races. Those were always fun.

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  4. Oh My gosh you are crazy girl! Congrats to your guy's work for stepping up and caring about their employees enough to put their money behind it!

    Lettering: Playful and fun, but not overly so. Very you.

    I ran home the other day because it started to hail on me. I was surprised that I was able to run as far as I did. When pressed I guess you discover you are capable of more than you thought.

    I think you will find the same with all of your races you have scheduled - except you are very well prepared and I am an oaf in the rain. OK not the best comparison.

    I will be rooting for ya!

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  5. Love the shirt, Katie. I'm with Munchberry - very 'you' :)
    Good luck with your training. I know you'll do great. You already have the will and we all know that's half the battle!

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  6. Wow! Your calendar is very impressive! I have decided to do a race a month in 2012, starting this month. I ran a half marathon in February, am doing a 10K in March, and will run a half marathon in October. I may do a half in June, but everything else will be 5Ks and 10Ks. I'm so impressed with you - all those miles AND a marathon! You can do it, Katie!

    Also, my hips are sore after long runs, too. Not usually after 'easy' runs, but the longer the run, the more my hips ache the next day. But it fades away by the second day!

    Amanda

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  7. I had really sore hips when I started running too. After some research I learned that stretching helps alot. I found a list of basic running stretches online.

    That is one awesome calendar!

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  8. Looks like you are really embracing the racing :) I do much better when I have a race to train for.

    On the note of hips- yes, it is normal for them to be tight when you start running. But it is SO super important that you address that as you're starting out and STRETCH! Otherwise you'll end up with crazy tight hips like the rest of us!

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  9. LOVE the shirt! It turned out awesome!!

    Your calendar looks amazing! Way to go!

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  10. Awesome new shirt! I love how many races you're signed up for. Always something on the horizon to keep you on your toes! Have you heard of the Goofy challenge? You can read more about it here under event details: http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/wdw-marathon. Basically you wake up, run a half marathon, then the next morning you wake up and run a full! 39.3 miles! I also had sore hips when I started running. My first thought was, "omg, my body can't handle this, I'm such a failure!" haha! I actually forgot the soreness went away til you mentioned it!

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    Replies
    1. I heard of the Goofy challenge, and I think it's crazy! I couldn't imagine doing the two races back to back. But then again, runners like to do crazy things ;)

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  11. I'm really lucky here in Austin, TX. The Georgetown Running Club sponsors a 5K on the 3rd Saturday of every month, called the Vern's No-Frills 5K. It's only $1! (Not a typo!) It's a great way to introduce 5K running to beginners and for vets to practice their racing. I love it.

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  12. Great Schedule layout defenitly going to develope this in excel for myself. You have so many great tips:-) thanks!!

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  13. Wow that is a lot of races! You go girl!
    I love your shirt. It turned out really cute.

    My next race is the Big Heart, Big House run on April 15th in Ann Arbor. You finish by running out the tunnel onto the 50 yard line at University of Michigan stadium. I did it when it was in the fall and they moved it to spring. Not sure if I will do the 5k or the 10k yet, but you are a huge inspiration to get my butt into gear and sign up for more races!!

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    Replies
    1. I ran the Big House Big Heart 10k in the fall. It was TOUGH (a huge hill that we had to run up twice), and I'm not planning on doing that one again ;) It was really fun to run onto the football field at the end though!

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    2. Yeah that hill is a tough one! Thank goodness when you run the 5k, you only run it once and it is at the beginning of the race!!

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  14. LOOOOVE the shirt! So cute!

    That's a heck of a race list there sassy pants!

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  15. The shirt looks good =) ... I look forward to the day when I can say "it's ONLY 4 miles" ... =) I read that and laughed because I would love to be able to run 4 miles ... I still look at people who run marathons and think of them as super heros or something with crazy strength - I know I will get there in time though. Can't wait to see pics from all these races you have scheduled =)

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  16. Love the shirt!
    Amazing, all the running and races you're doing. Right now I'm walking but I'm looking for 5ks to walk in. Went online and found ones close in my community. I know you walked the Indy 500 HM before you started losing weight. There's one in June that can be walked (4hr limit) I'm wondering if I'm crazy to even be thinking of it. It wouldn't be in my mind if I hadn't "met" you. Thanks!

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  17. Your shirt turned out great!! Is the logo on the front and back?

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    Replies
    1. No, it's just on the back. I didn't put anything on the front, since that's where I have to pin my bib. Did you say that you're doing the Martian too??

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  18. The shirt turned out so cute! Great job!

    I was wondering where you found or how you came up with your race training plans. I'm in Week 5 of Couch to 5k, & I know you mention in one of your posts about Hal Higdon programs. I'm interested in speed workouts for once I get enough endurance, do you just do intervals or follow a plan?

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated, LOVE your blog - found it on Pinterest a couple months ago & it's so motivating. :)

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  19. I'll be at Corktown cheering you on!

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  20. OMG! one more follower and your at 1,000 YEA! SlimKatie!!

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  21. Hi Katie,

    Love that Jerry's employer includes spouses in that deal and love your shirt too.

    Funny story....I was at the dr for a refill on my reflux med and asked him about my hips hurting from starting running. So he says "Show me." I show him and he goes "That is actually your pelvic bone, not your hip." LOL!! He probably thinks I am such a dingbat. But I think of that whole general area as being my hip.

    Has anyone else had their pelvic bone hurt? It is the bony part that juts out. I also lay on it at night as I am a side sleeper.

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  22. Love the tee and so inspired by your race calendar! :) Also how cool is it that your husband's employer is invested in fitness?! That is so awesome!! Ok new follower here but LOVE your blog!! You are so inspiring!!

    So I am running my first 10K in April and have it narrowed to Big Heart Big House and the Martian one...I see you have done both ;) - are the courses this year for both similar to what you did last year? Would you recommend one over the other? Thanks for any input! :)

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    1. That's awesome that you're going to run your first 10K! I would highly recommend the Martian over the Big Heart--the Big Heart has a HUGE hill that you have to go up twice. That was my least favorite race course I've ever done (not only because of the hill, but because you feel like you're running in circles). The Martian was pretty flat and a pretty course, because you go through a park. Loved that one! I'm doing the Martian 10K again this year :)

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    2. Thank you Katie for the recommendation (and for the tip about the hill, hehe! I'm trying to be a stronger runner and incorporate more hills in my training but I'd rather not suck rocks at my first 10K LOL!! :-P) I will say hi if I see you at the Martian 10K! :) I think it's pretty cool that they are giving out medals this year too! :)

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  23. Cleveland Marathon! That's about 40 minutes up the road from me! Good luck!

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