Day 24.

Short run day: an easy 1.8 miles. Too bad it was 23 degrees and snowing, or it might have been a more enjoyable run. Oh, well. It still feels good to get outside, versus being inside on the treadmill. When I came home from my run I also did 20 minutes of strength training.

Day 23.

I started this morning with 20 minutes of Pilates and Yoga, then did my 3.13 mile run, with a walking warm up and cool down. Boo, hiss on the snow that started to fall while I was out on my run!!

I also wanted to say something to those of you who have been reading my blog, and especially those who have given me feedback, whether through comments or otherwise. I know that a day to day detailing of my training workouts will get a little boring, especially around day 200! But I'm keeping this record to track my training and plan to have it made into a hard copy after I run the marathon. Those who have mentioned that I have inspired them to do more, thank you so much, although I have to say that I am equally as inspired by many of you, and being able to share this journey with you is a great motivator for me, as well.

Day 22.

After a late night ER visit for our 4 year old with a roaring ear infection, and then only about 2 hours of sleep, I got up this morning with a surprising amount of energy. It's a short run day, so I did 15 minutes of yoga to get my body warmed up and stretched, then walked to the park, ran 1.82 miles, then walked home. When I got home I was feeling good, so I did a 20 minute strength training DVD. Hopefully I won't be paying for it tomorrow, if the lack of sleep catches up with me, but right now I'm feeling strong.

Day 21.

Today is Sunday, a day for rest. Although, I have to admit I did do an (easy) 30 minute Pilates DVD. My muscles, especially my legs, were feeling sort of tense, and the Pilates helps me relax. I just knew I needed it to get through the rest of the day. Here's a quote of inspiration for the day:

"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it."
-Oprah Winfrey

Day 20.

This morning I did a very short workout: 15 minutes of yoga and 15 minutes walking on the treadmill. Saturday is a busy day, but like yesterday, I'm going to fit in an additional 30 or so minutes of working out tonight.

Day 19.

Cross training today. I started with 30 minutes of Pilates, then did an intense 20 minute strength training DVD. That's all that I had time for this morning, but I'm hoping to squeeze in a 30 minute session on the elliptical later today.

Day 18.

Today I ran 3.13 miles, with a 10 minute walk before and after the run. Starting out, I was cold and my legs felt a little tight, but about 8 minutes into my run I started to loosen up. It's sunny, but still pretty cold, 30 degrees, so I was probably tense from feeling cold. I've noticed my recovery time on the longer runs is gradually decreasing, which means things are progressing. That's good, because next week my longer runs increase by 1/2 a mile.

Day 17.

I had some soreness when I woke up this morning, especially in my quads, so I did 20 minutes of warm up: Pilates. Then after I took the kids to school, Nick and I headed to the park. I walked there, ran 3 laps (1.87 miles) and walked home. After returning home I also did a 20 minute strength training DVD. No problems with my hips today; it must have been the shoes. I felt good running today. I can feel my strength building, and my confidence as well. Of course it started to rain during my last lap and on the way home. I'm so ready for spring and some sun!

Day 16.

Today I started my morning routine with 20 minutes of yoga/pilates for a warm up. My schedule called for a 3 mile run, so I took Nick in his stroller and walked to the park, ran 5 laps (3.13 miles) and walked home to cool down, which is about a ten minute walk. About half way through my run my hips started to burn; I'm not sure what that was all about, I've never had that problem before. I'm hoping it's because I wore a different pair of running shoes than the ones I'd been wearing, and they don't have quite as much cushioning in the soles. My feet felt fine, but maybe there wasn't enough shock absorption to keep my hip joints happy. Tomorrow I think I'll go back to my other shoes and hope that makes a difference.

Day 15.

I was able to go running outside today. It was a bit cold, but at least it wasn't snowing, so I put Nick in his stroller and off we went. I walked to the park as a warm up, then ran 3 laps, which is just under 2 miles, then walked home to cool down. When I got home, I also did 20 minutes of strength training.