I Hurt My Knees, Hercules!

OK. OK. I know, it’s been a while. Keeping up with this Blog has been a real challenge lately, but I’m determined to keep it up-to-date until I make it to the Disney Half. So here’s what I’ve been up to.

My Bad Knees
Well, if you failed to read my last blog entry, I ran 18 (well about 18) miles 2 week ago (8/27). Somewhere after mile 13 my knees were shot. I walked the last 4 miles in the rain back to the finish line because I could no longer run. Well, as stubborn as I am to stay on track. I continued running during the week following that memorable day. The following Saturday (9/3) was suppose to be an easy 10, but it turned into a hard 7 when I started limping after mile 6. Coach Julie told me to stay off my knee and don’t run for a week. Which I thought meant, "Just run whenever you feel like it, Valerie." So I ran the following Tuesday with the same results. After that I decided Julie maybe be onto something so I avoided running until this past Saturday (9/10) when I had to see if I could make it through another easy 10. I was doing pretty well for the first 5 miles, but once again somewhere after mile 7, I had to walk my way back to the finish line. All I could think about was whether I’d be able to run in the Fair Lakes 8K the next day. I guess sometimes we have to learn our lessons the hard way.

Lesson learned. To remedy this situation, I’m not running this week. I may still go to the gym and do the bike or weight train, but no running. Next Saturday (9/17), I will not run with DCFit. In fact, I will abandon them all together to go to the Renaissance Fair in MD. I never been before. So, I think it shoud be pretty cool. I will also invest in a new pair of shoes, because I’m under the impression that I somehow ruined the complex shock absorption system in my current pair by running 18 (almost 18) miles in the rain. The following week, I will run some to break in my new shoes and get ready for the Sea Colony Tri. I may also spend this week off looking for a personal trainer. I’ll let you know if I find one.

The Fair Lakes 8K
Today I ran in the Fair Lakes 8K. Despite everything I had to overcome in order to make it to the finish line (i.e. bad knees, a knee brace, 2 hits of Mortin) I did pretty well. I was surprised by how hilly the course was, but I somehow managed to place 331st among the women. Go Me!!! My time according to the Champion Chip was 59:39, a perfect 12 minute mile. My friend Joyce and boyfriend Al also ran. They both did really well also. Joyce finished 5 minutes ahead of me and Al (who hadn’t done any road work to prepare for the race) finished 2 minutes behind me. I was happy with my time and I’m looking forward to the remaining races this year.

Schools Out!!
Today I took my 2nd final and aced it. So far I’ve managed to maintain a 4.0 for the past year. Now, I’m taking the fall semester off to focus on running and races, blah, blah, blah. Mainly this last semester has left me really burnt out and I needed to take something of the priority list.

My Thoughts on Flowers
I never use to think getting flowers was such a big deal until I got some of my own and now I feel getting flowers is the coolest thing. So, I started taking pictures of them. How sappy can I get? Pretty sappy considering you are now forced to gaze upon them with envy. Mwaaah Ha Ha! (sinister laugher)

Thanks Al.

Well, that’s it for this episode. Tune in next time when our heroin returns from her first Triathlon with a greater sense of accomplishment, amazing stories of triumph and official Triathlon bling bling.

Don’t forget to donate.
http://wish.kintera.org/runvalerie

And if you can’t support me please support the victims of hurricane Katrina.
http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/USNSAHome.htm


Later Dudes.