Run, run, and run some more...Right?

As I mentioned earlier, I'm going to get into detail about my training plan for the half. I got a training plan right away, as I only had 12 weeks from sign up to the half to get my butt in gear. I took Hal Higdon's training plan and adapted it to fit my schedule (as pictured). I'm currently using the RunKeeper app to log my runs and see my progress. Tracking things (food, exercise, etc.) are really helpful for me to see my progress. My training was going well, and I ran almost 12 miles in one week, which for me is unheard of! Keep in mind that I've never run more than 5 miles at once (although I will this weekend!) and I've probably never run more than twice a week every week until just a few weeks ago. Yes, I have no business running a half marathon! And that makes it all the more fun :)

So, training was going well for the first week. I had the urge to get out and run. I didn't waste time getting out the door. I just headed to a nearby pond every day and did it. I felt accomplished when I was done. I feel happy to see other runners running the same trail. It was all good. Then my shins said "what the heck are you doing every day to me?!" Yeah, shin splints like nobody's business. Sure, I've gotten them before, probably from walking, but not like this. One of my legs was actually in pain while I was sleeping. I ended up elevating my legs while sleeping and icing the sore areas a few times, and that worked wonders. The pain really got me down, but after a quick Pinterest sweep for running information (wait, quick Pinterest sweeps don't exist... oooh, chocolate covered marshmallow recipe... oh, sorry), I wasn't so down about the splints anymore.

I realized that the shoes I'm using are probably shot for running purposes anyway. I have a nice pair of Nike Airmax's, but I've had them for over a year and a half. I used them for gym training, so they are still in great condition, but they're not taking the impact of my stride. I also realized I was definitely not warming up enough. Confident to run even with the splints, I did a Jillian video (Yes, Jillian Michaels. I love it. There, I said it), and I felt so much more warmed up and ready to run. I was not a happy camper during the video, but my run went great afterwards. That was yesterday, but I'm still recovering from the splints so I took the day off of running today and spent it with good ole Jill again.

Side note: something else that's been bugging me is the overwhelming number of sites that show you shouldn't up your mileage by more than 10% each week. Okay, got it. Small increases. So why does every training program have you upping the mileage well over 10% each week? I feel like upping my mileage way too much too soon has definitely caused my splints. I don't really know how to avoid this though, because I need to keep my mileage up. I guess I've just got to see how my body does and try not to push it too hard. 

So, what's imperfect about running? Um, gee, about everything! Here's a list to humor you (but mostly me).

What's Imperfect about Running 

1. You get sweaty. Really freaking sweaty. I never sweat more in my life than when I run (except maybe when I did Insanity).

2. Then your clothes are super-must-wash-them-now-and-not-wear-again nasty.

3. Usually, your brain wanders into can-I-stop-yet mode after about two minutes. (At first. This has already started to go away...sometimes).

4. You bounce. All of you. Do I need to say more?

5. You have to pay attention to a million different things at once: your stride, your breathing, the dog about to run into you, the fire hydrant you're about to run into, making sure you don't trip, passing people, your iPod, when your shoe comes undone...

Okay, I could go on, but I won't. I just had to get that out there. Sometimes the pessimist in me comes out and takes over. I could choose to focus on all the imperfections about running, and trust me, I feel slightly frustrated by the things mentioned in my list every time I run. But the truth is, running is great. While I do feel bogged down by focusing on a lot at times (#5), sometimes I feel like my mind just clears and I am free when I'm running. Sometimes my run is the most perfect part of my day, where, no matter what happens, I had that time to myself to prove to myself once again that I can do it. Now I just need to re-read all that before I run 13.1 miles :)

What's your pet peeve about running? What do you love about running?