Week 6 Half Marathon Training Complete

Another week down! I can't believe my race is 4 weeks from tomorrow! This week was difficult, I'm not going to lie, I had a really hard time getting my body to do 24 miles. After last Sunday's 10 miler, Monday's 4 miler was torture. I've never had to stop so many times throughout a "short" run before. My right knee and ankle were aching and I wasn't sure I would be able to finish. Wednesday and Thursday thankfully were better. Wednesday I followed my run with a 50 minute yoga DVD, which helped significantly with the soreness.

Today was hell. I began with downing the 5 Hour Energy Drink and then got on the treadmill at the gym and did 6 miles, but my stomach had been acting up since this morning, so I had to stop twice to go to the bathroom, not fun. But it was so nice out today that Tony and I decided that we would run the rest of our mileage outside on the running trails on base. And while the weather was gorgeous at about 60 degrees and sunny, I was miserable. My right knee was killing me, along with my sour stomach. I had to stop to walk more times than I care to count and had to pause once to again find a restroom. I broke down on the trail at least twice, crying in pain and crying out of frustration on how I couldn't quit. Tony was worried and told me numerous times that I didn't have to complete my mileage and that we could stop anytime I wanted, but I refused. I am super stubborn, and once I have my mind set to something, by God I will finish it! So alas, I pushed through, took my time, and walked when I needed to. But I am proud to say, today I ran my furthest distance ever, 11 miles! I must say, I think the 5 Hour Energy shot was pretty good, the taste wasn't great, but I did feel quite energized and never really got tired, my issues weren't from fatigue at all. I may try it again next week, or an another type of energy gel if I can find any around town.

As I type this there is an ice pack on my knee, and I've already taken my first round of Advil. I plan to stay off the knee for as long as I need to to allow it to rest, I guess that means even if I have to miss a couple runs next week. I also smashed my right wrist on the treadmill screen/ledge thing will running, and now I have a huge bump and bruise on it; as well as a painful blister on my left big toe. The main thing is to stay injury free through the race. At the same time though, I am confident that, maybe I won't get a fantastic time for the half, but I will finish it! As far as weight loss, this week was a wash, the scale hasn't been moving again, although it is probably due to the copious amounts of icing I continue to eat thanks to my cake class. I really need to learn to avoid eating every flower I mess up. Hopefully next week will show a loss. I leave you now with the stats for this week:

Week 6, Day 1: 4.02 miles, 40:42, av pace: 10:07 min/mi
Week 6, Day 2: 5.01 miles, 47:42, av pace: 9:30 min/mi
Week 6, Day 3: 4.01 miles, 38:49, av pace: 9:40 min/mi 
Week 6, Day 4: 11 miles, 1:56:44, av pace: 10:36 min/mi