Not running so much lately

We went for a very short run on Thursday. Not sure what was wrong with it, but it felt off. Maybe it was the fact it was suddenly pretty hot, maybe it was the fact we ran in the middle of the day when we usually run in the evenings, who knows. But we only went about 3 times around the block, and only ran 3 straightaways.

Wednesday night's dance class aggravated my shin splints, so that definitely slows things down a bit.


For whatever reason, my hip is hurting, right along the groin line. We're not sure what happened, or what caused it, but it hurts when I do various things. We're not even sure exactly what is hurting. It seems better today, but Wednesday through Saturday, it hurt just about anytime I did a few different things that are hard to explain.

We danced at our local Greek Food Festival yesterday, and while the temperature wasn't bad in normal clothes, while dancing and wearing velvet (like I was) it was hot, and I was dripping sweat. I also tried out something new: KT Tape. I went to Sports Authority looking for normal athletic tape, and this was all I found. I was hoping to be able to tape my shins for Saturday, so I could still walk today. Wandering around on concrete in completely unpadded dance shoes plus dancing on a metal stage usually does my shins in. Not sure if it was the tape, or just good luck, but my shins are not in the 'omg, don't touch them' state that they can be in after such performances or feiseanna. I got all kinds of comments on my purple stripes on my legs (I bought purple tape because it's my favorite color, and the color for my dance school). But hey if it works. I'll likely be trying it again. We used 2 strips and the box comes with 20.

And today, it has been raining all day. I don't know that we have more coming, but my goodness, it is humid outside.

No Running Til Monday-ish

Yesterday (Wednesday), we didn't go running because we had swim class in the morning (~1 hour), and dance class in the evening (~2 hrs). Given all of that, and the fact there wasn't really time, we decided to not run yesterday. My shins are hurting, so running has actually been put off until likely Monday. I don't need to run and aggravate things when I have a dance competition on Saturday, and we're driving back home Sunday, so there's not a ton of time to run there either. So a few days of rest for my legs, which I suppose I need to incorporate any way. But you know how it is when you first start something. You want to go and do it and do it and do it, forget resting. Yeah...usually doesn't work so well.

Today is Joseph's 24th birthday. Happy birthday, Joseph! He's my running buddy, and since he'd had his shoes for 3-4 years, I bought him a new pair for his birthday. He found them, tried them on and all on Friday when we bought my shoes, so I knew exactly what he wanted. So I went and got them. :) So now, he has new squishy running shoes. Should be much more comfy than his old shoes.

I've been told that my next major investment should be a running bra. The place I normally buy (as in twice now) running stuff carried Moving Comfort. Has anyone ever used this brand? What did you think? The people at Go! Running kindly encouraged me to come back some time and try them on and figure out when one I like.

Another thing I'd like to try is compression socks. I've heard they can help with shin splints. Sadly, like everything good, they're pretty expensive, so that purchase is being put off a bit. Anyone ever used compression socks? If so, what kind?

Rain, rain, go away

Well, I wouldn't have gone running today anyway, because my shins hurt badly from yesterday's feis, where I got a 2nd, 3 3rds, and a 4th (in a trophy special, so I GOT A TROPHY!!!). I accidentally curl one leg under the other and sit on it at times, and it hurts like hell. Must remember to not do that until they stop hurting. I should really ice them, but I really hate ice. It's cold. So ibuprofen it is. And currently a cat lying on them on top of my blankets.

But anyway, it has rained a ton over the last few days/weeks, and we've had tornadoes. The ground is completely saturated, and today and tonight, we have a 90% chance of rain, and tomorrow an 80% chance. But my backyard is a pond at the moment. To give you guys who don't live around central Arkansas an idea of what's going on, here are some of my friend's Facebook statuses:

"My poor neighbors had to park their cars at my house and bring the boat out so they can get out if they need to. Sucks to live in the flood plain like they do... but glad my house is at the top of the hill!"

"We're hearing reports that several areas have been affected by flooding. Those include 67/167 from Jacksonville to Cabot, Highway 10 west of the LR city limit, Boyle Park and portions of Jacksonville." -a local radio station


"PET EMERGENCY:The arena where the tornado rescue dogs are being kept is taking on water fast. We are needing people with trucks or trailers to come to the Wal-Mart on Harkrider in Conway. They are donating approx 100 pallets so that we can get the dog crates off the ground." -Joey the Garden Cat 


"Lovely, they won't let you out of Cabot because it's flooded all around."

"has gotta get back into Jonesboro come hell or HIGH WATER."

"FYI - Pinnacle Mountain State Park is currently closed due to limited access caused by flooding."

Anyway, you get the idea...

I was hoping to get out and at least walk around the block (approximately .4 miles) a few times, but the rain has not let up at all. So I guess I'm staying inside and doing homework today, and hopefully not running to hide from tornadoes in the bathroom. I knew I wasn't running today- again, shins-, but I wanted to at least walk.

Monday morning, I did one run/walk around the block before coming in because I didn't want to run out of time and not get breakfast before going to school. Could have done 2, but I didn't think to see how long it took me to do the first time around.

Wednesday night was dance night. We were at the dance studio from about 3:30 until around 7 or so. The feis was this weekend, so we were going over all of our dances and making sure they were decent enough for the feis. We also had swim class at school that morning.


Thursday night, Joseph (my fiance) and I went around the block 3 times, running for a period, then walking, running, then walking. When we were maybe 100 feet or so away from our house, and had decided we were on our last lap for the night (darn mosquitoes), we decided to run, like full out, to the house. He kept pace with me, but I ran as hard as I could for going downhill. Felt like I was going to do a faceplant the whole time, but I didn't. So it totaled out to about 1.2 miles that we walked/ran. We also partially stopped because a house on the backside of my block, well, their chihuahuas had escaped the fence. And the darn little ankle-biters got more bold each time we went around, on the last go-round getting within 6 inches of my ankles. We threw water at them the last time, and decided we didn't want to deal with them any more.


Saturday was dancing from 8:30 until around 2 pm, I think. I wasn't dancing the whole time, as the competitions are divided by age and level. But it is still a fair amount of dancing. I was registered for 8 dances. Maximum I could have done was 9. And today, my shins are paying for all of that. :/ Oh well, that's how it goes, I suppose. 


I have 6 more class days of school, and then finals. I'm hoping (weather-allowing) to be able to do more running after the insanity of the last 2 weeks of the semester is over. I'm nearly burned out at the point.

My dance classmate, Marisa (L) got first, myself, and Joseph (we both got 4th).

Hope the weather is much less soggy where everyone else is!