2.2

On Saturday morning's run I got to 2.2 miles on the trail. That's progress for me! Yeah, some of you hardcore runners who read this (coughcough Pat O'Malley coughcough) are way beyond that and could probably do that in your sleep, but for me it's kind of a big deal.  I ran most of it too - we're doing a run/walk and we're doing 4 minutes running, 1 walking. I'm over 2/3 of the way to the 5K and not very far to the half marathon, but I've got time to get there.

Saturday morning I also went to a stride clinic put on by the MCRRC. I'd signed up for it when I had that hardcore knee and shin pain when I started, but the shoes fixed that. I figured I may as well go anyway, and I'm glad I did - as part of the clinic, I met with a podiatrist, running coach, massage therapist, physical therapist, and shoe specialist. The podiatrist said I was fine, the running coach gave me tips on what to look out for and correct, the massage therapist worked a major knot out of my back, the physical therapist stretched out my IT band and showed me how to do that on my own so I'll minimize injuries there, and the shoe guy didn't have too much to say. My shoes are still rather new so there's not too much for him to analyze as far as wear and whatnot. He said definitely bring those shoes when it comes time to get a new pair so the store can see where I put the most pressure. Oddly, the part that was more worn was in the front of the shoe rather than the heel. The running coach also said I'm a heavy foot striker and I should be striking on the midfoot rather than the whole foot, and I don't know how to do one without the other. Runners, any suggestions? I've also got to work on my cadence, which is wicked slow. Meh. The other thing the running coach told me was, "Don't take it too seriously and remember to have fun." My response was, "Oh. Right." I feel like I've been so goal-oriented that I completely forgot about that part.

I hung out with my good friend Priya on Saturday and we walked around Brookside Gardens. She said she'd come to Disney World with me in February! Woohoo! I was fully expecting to have to go alone, which I would have done but it would probably be kind of depressing. At first she said she'd come cheer me on, then I told her it starts really early in the morning and she said, "Well, maybe I'll come see you at the finish line." She also said she's really proud of me for following through on this wacky idea of mine. I like positive reinforcement. :) I'm also really grateful to have such a good friend who will come to Florida with me and hang out with Mickey, Minnie and Harry Potter. I'm telling you, we are SO going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. And it will be AWESOME.

My reward for being able to run 3 miles is an iPad. I was on the Apple site today trying to decide what color iPad I want and what color cover I want. I have still not figured out which to get, and I'm fully aware that other people probably don't spend this much time debating colors for things. I did this with my car, too - I was between orangeburst metallic and blue raspberry. I'm happy with the orange but everytime I see the blue one on the road I think about how pretty that is. Anyway, I've been saving for it and I have the Race for the Cure on June 2, so I should be able to get it in less than a month!

I'm supposed to have the running group at the track tomorrow, but it's my brother's birthday (Happy 25th, Eric!!) and we're going to go to dinner around 7:30 or so. I think I'll probably go run around Brookside - it's so pretty and they've got that Heart Smart trail that's about a mile around. It's also probably rather safer than the trails.