So, thought I was injured. Turns out I'm not. Can now get on with my life. Or running rather.

Starting week 5 of Hal Higdon's Half Marathon Novice 2 Plan and I really like it. I figured since I was close to breaking down physically, and it has a much more manageable weekly mileage. I was about to this point with my long runs anyway, so I can slide easily into it without taking on too much.

54 days until the Pittsburgh Half Marathon.

I ran the farthest I have ever run in my LIFE yesterday. I went 10.26 miles. I meant to do 10 but went a littler farther than I realized. Whoops. It wasn't that much more but I still felt kinda like a BA mother runner. Unfortunately I had rolled my ankle a little when I was chasing B, so at mile 9.75 or so my ankle was KILLING me. When I got home I did Rest Ice Compression Elevation.

I went to Wal-Mart and bought myself an ankle brace to wear today and a squishy hot/cold pack. I am very glad I bought them, because my ankle feels as good as new, I might go out for a short run tomorrow.

I was so afraid I injured it, which is something I am super paranoid about with this upcoming half-mary and being a charity runner. I don't want to let anyone down, so I have to be really cautious. Anyway, lesson learned, don't do a long run on a rolled ankle.

Is it weird I'm looking forward to my 10 mile run tomorrow?

Did speed training this morning, tried imagining I was a Kenyan. Helped a little. Haha. I ended up just doing 8:00min/mile pace during intervals, which made my legs burn. I really hope I get faster doing this, because I feel like a slowpoke.

So I ran 9 miles yesterday, and it was a nice run despite it being the farthest I've EVER gone. I'm gearing up for a few 11 milers before my half, maybe a 12 if I feel like I can do it. My new shoes seem to be taking car of my arch tenderness, it is fading at a rate that makes me think today's rest day will take care of it.
I also found a video from last years Pittsburgh Marathon, check it:

Hopefully it doesn't rain this year, but having run in every type of weather it won't ruin the experience, not by a long shot.

On an unrelated note, my son will not stop asking me to play the Angry Birds Theme. Toddlers love repetition don't they?

THIS POST IS MEANT FOR FRIDAY, WHOOPSIE

So I ran in my new shoes this morning, and wow what a difference! I was having some Plantar Fasciitis, so I was definitely in need of a new pair of kicks. They have slightly more cushioning than my New Balance Minimus Road, which I think is a good thing considering how my mileage is creeping up and will peak at 38 miles/week in the next couple months. The price was reasonable, about 90.00, which made me happy.

I also ran with some new tunes, the soundtrack to Spirit of the Marathon specifically. There is something about that movie that really touches me pretty deep, and the music is incredibly inspiring. If you haven't seen this film I can't recommend it enough. I ran faster than I have been lately while listening to the music, it galvanized me somehow.

Hello news shoes...

Got new shoes yesterday.

Boom.

Behold the Brooks PureFlow. I cannot WAIT to take these babies out for a spin tomorrow. 

Is it weird I'm annoyed today is a rest day?