Hurts so good

I'm walking a little funny today! Last night I went out and ran 10.5KM - my longest since the 1/2 marathon (a whole month ago already! can you believe it? I can't!) The route has a few good hills - one in particular at the 5K mark. It's a brutal 20m climb over only 200m. Ouch! Thankfully, there's a stop light at the top that's almost always red. ;) It took me just over an hour, without pausing the watch at stop lights.

It was an absolutely beautiful day (I love this weather!), the sun setting (it was pitch black by the time I got home) and I had a great run. I was all dressed up in my newest Running Room digs, thanks to gift cards from Sarah & Colin and Leanna & Shane from my Birthday, and I was lovin' it.

But yeah, my legs are a-hurtin' today!

We're really going to do it

The Great Wall Marathon® is a tough, beautiful and definitely extraordinary experience. The 3700 steps of the Great Wall will put your physique to the test, and the breathtaking surroundings of Tianjin Province will compete with your tired muscles for attention. The Great Wall Marathon® is the ideal way to combine an unusual running event with exploring one of the world’s most astonishing sights.

3700?!?! Yowzas!

You may think we're crazy, but...

...we're going to do it. Hubby and I are heading to China for the 2009 Great Wall Half Marathon!





The way I see it, this is the best time of our lives to do it. We're young, healthy and motivated and we want to take advantage of these years of freedom before we have children. The only reason we're not going for '08 is because we are moving into our new house in January and spending $6000+ to go to China right now would probably not be the most responsible decision! Plus, this gives us some time to actually train for it. Because this ain't no ordinary half marathon!

The first section which covers approximately 9 kilometres takes the runners up to, across and down the Great Wall of China. This part of the course is marked by steep ascents and descents of up to 10% and consists of thousands of steps. Runners are advised to run slowly going up and down the mountain, as well as to walk when passing the steepest parts of the Great Wall.

I don't know if my Mom is still reading this thing, but she is going to have a heart attack when she reads this. Hi Mom! And yes, we are still going to England in September '09! ;)

Running through the pain

Hubby is always talking about running through the pain. He is quite often ailing with one ache or another. Something always seems to hurt and he likes to brag that he runs right through it. I've been pretty lucky because *knock on wood* nothing ever hurts. The only running injury I have endured was a twisted knee last April and it was so bad that I could barely walk, let alone run, so I was off my feet for a few weeks completely. Basically, I've never really had to run through the pain. Sure, my legs were killing me by the last few KM's of the half marathon last month, and I often have stiff legs after a long (or fast) run, but other than that I have been pretty lucky.

That is, until today.

It was a beautiful morning so I headed out for a run. Excrutiating pain! My outer thighs (below the hip) were killing me. I'm thinking I may have overdone it on this machine at the gym this week:



So, I ran through the pain! At first it was so bad that I actually considered turning around, but I couldn't bear to waste such ideal running weather! So I slowed down, hung in there and after about 15 minutes I didn't feel it anymore.

We'll see how the legs are tomorrow...

And for the record, this still seems like a good idea. :)

Ambitious would be an understatement

http://www.great-wall-marathon.com/

Yeah, I know. It's crazy! And I'm not saying this is something I want to do next year. Maybe 2009? Who knows. But I'm putting this on the to-do list in my head. Because....why not? I want to do something spectacular, kwim? This would be one hell of an experience. And there is no reason I can't do it. I'm going to take some advice from Tatiana and sleep on it to see if it's still a good idea in the morning.

Here's what's up

Just a little (overdue) update on my runs in the last week...

Monday (last): 5K (treadmill) + weights
Tuesday: 8K (treadmill)
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: 5K (treadmill) + weights
Friday: elliptical + weights
Saturday: 7.5K outside
Sunday: sick :(
Monday: 5K (treadmill)

I think hubby and I deserve a gold star or something for last night. It was almost 10:00 and we were driving home from visiting friends. We had already written off the idea of going to the gym... but we decided to just go! So we had a great workout in a completely empty gym and got home around 11 (and went straight to bed).

That is dedication, baby! We haven't missed a planned gym day yet!

Tonight I'm thinking of a long-ish run on the treadmill... maybe 10K?

No more pretty toes

Well, it's official: I've lost my first toenail. I came down with a bad case of Black Toenail, a.k.a. Runner's Toe or Subungual Hematoma back in late August or September in 4 (yes, FOUR!) of my poor little toes.

A subungual hematoma is a collection of blood (hematoma) underneath a toenail or fingernail which often results from a traumatic injury such as slamming a finger in a door. A laceration of the nail bed causes bleeding into the constricted area underneath the hard nail plate. Because the blood disrupts the connections between the nail bed and nail plate, throbbing pain is common. The nail develops a black discoloration overlying the laceration.

It is a very common condition among runners. It is basically caused by repetitive and prolonged pressure and friction against the toes. Tight shoes or socks only make matters worse.

The funny thing is, I didn't realize I had it until a couple weeks later. After a long run, I noticed that my toes were very tender and blamed it on needing new shoes. It was until a couple weeks later when I took my nail polish off that I discovered 4 of my toes were completely black under the nail. Now, another month or so later, the first nail has finally come off. I assume the other 3 will shortly follow suit. No more pretty feet for me, but at least flip flop season is over!

ETA: And yes, I know, it's gross! LOL!