Starting Over Again...

 After 4 weeks off training due to a stress fracture, heel spur and the beginning of arthritis, I am ready to get back into my training. 

Last Sunday I took a Good Form Running class at Fleet Feet Sports in Lincoln Square. Our class was small and our instructor had run the Rock and Roll Half Marathon that morning, yet he was moving better than I was.  I was the heaviest runner there but I was there to learn how to prevent injury and improve my running.

Our instructor had each of us run in our shoes while he video'd our form.  Next he had us run in bare feet so that he could compare our form.  It was awkward and I didn't run as I would normally run, but more about that later. Most runners believe that you should strike with your heel and roll to your toes.  The problem with this form is that your knee locks and takes all of the strike as your foot hits the ground.   This occurs over 1700 times per mile, which explains why some runners have extensive knee problems.  As each runner's video was played, the instructor critiqued their form.  My form was relaxed in the knee and I didn't strike on my heel.  I did even better barefoot, striking on the midsole of my foot.  However, I had flailing arms and poor upper body form.  The instructor suggested I strengthen my core to help with my form.

This class succeeded in igniting my racing fire again.  While I haven't started running yet, I have increased my walking with the dogs every day, adding an additional half mile per day.  My foot will occasionally hurt from the arthritis, but all in all I have felt good after each walk. 

My next race is Saturday, September 17th: Mad Dash to Madison.  This race is for the Blackhawks and each runner gets a Patrick Sharp bobblehead.  I have also decided to run Chicago's Perfect Ten, which is a 10 mile and 10k run on November 12th.  I am running the 10k and there is a finisher's medal.  I have decided that the races I will run must have bling for me to spend the money.  If there is something when you finish, I feel that I will be more motivated to run and complete the race. 

I am in the process of training for a half marathon as part of my externship for school.  I will need to follow a plan, cross train, and I want to finish the race in less than three hours.  The externship requires that I journal my experience and I will have to be diligent about this blog as my grade depends on it.

My 25th high school reunion is in 14 weeks.  I would like to lose 30 pounds before the reunion and if I do my training correctly, this should happen.  I have been on staycation all week and I have lost weight and curbed my sweet tooth.  I just hope I can continue this next week.  My stomach has shrunk and I don't want to expand it again.  I will hold myself accountable and hope you all will too.