Asics – Fervent Foodie

9 things I learned while training for a half marathon

When I first started having knee problems about two years ago, I went to see an orthopedic doctor. After a lengthy round of Q&A and a few X-rays, the doctor simply concluded that “some knees just aren’t made for running.” Really, doctor? Apparently the x-rays didn’t show the stubbornness that fills my bones like a tough impervious marrow. From that day forward, I’ve wanted nothing more than to run farther, longer, and faster than I had the day before. I love running, and I wanted, no, I NEEDED to prove that doctor wrong.

In December, I signed up for the Charlotte Racefest (my first ever half marathon), but after four long months of training ending with yet ANOTHER knee injury, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to run it. This time around, I hurt my knee doing lunges in a bootcamp class at the Y. When will I learn? I took it easy the entire month before the big race, but when race day arrived I still wasn’t confident I’d be able to run 13.1 miles. At that point, I only had two 10-mile runs under my belt.

Since I’d already forked out the cash for the half marathon, I decided to at least attempt to run it. During the race, I tried not to think too much about my knees, but as the miles ticked by I couldn’t help but feel dumbfounded that I was still running. Most of the race was shrouded in a euphoric haze, but as I neared the finish line I started to feel nauseus. My pace slowed, and I began to feel dizzy. With every step, the looming finish line appeared to be one step further away. At that moment, the BF jumped out from the sidelines smiling and hooting and clapping his hands like a crazy man. I was so close. I put my head down, dug my heels in, and pumped my arms. Seconds later I crossed the finish line clocking in at 1:56:58–literally seconds below my original 9-minute mile goal!

As I hobbled to the sideline, I could do nothing but let out an exasperated “BOO YA.” Some knees just aren’t made for running, my ass.

Here are the top 9 things I learned while training for my first half marathon:

#1 Buy good shoes. This one is #1 for a reason, and I can’t stress it enough. The first time I hurt my knee, it was completely and solely due to the fact that I was wearing a cheap pair of old cross trainers. I urge you to go to a real running store and hop on the treadmill. Have the sales associate watch your running patterns and check to see if you under or over pronate your ankles. Is your stride too long? Are you heel striking? (I was!) Don’t buy shoes based solely on the sweet color or the cool gel thingy in the heel. It’s hard, I know. I LOVE my Asics Gel Nimbus 13’s, and plan to get a new pair this month!

#2 Create a plan (brownie points if you use Excel). When you’re training for a long distance race, especially if it’s your first one, you can’t just approach it all willy nilly. Are you serious about completing the race? Yes? Well then sit your butt down, do some research, and create your plan of attack. Make sure to factor in short runs, long runs, and those extremely important recovery days. Check out my half marathon training plan here.

Stop.and.go.

Stop and go. Stop and go.

Ya’ll may recall my short-lived escapade with running last summer. And you might also recall when I hurt my knee. And if you recall those two things you might also recall that I tried to get back into running by purchasing new running shoes and starting interval training. And then remember when I hurt my knee AGAIN? And then I went to the orthopedic surgeon and he told me “some knees just aren’t made for running.” And then I said screw you, doctor. I’ll show you, doctor. And then remember when I tried to do interval training again? And then I hurt my knee.. AGAIN. And then basically said yeah screw running?

That was fun, wasn’t it? Smile

Sooooooo…. about 2 weeks ago I went to the Charlotte Running Company to buy *new running shoes* … Stubborn might just be my middle name.

Note that I purchased the new shoes BEFORE trying to start running again. Let’s give Mary a cyber pat on the back for at least taking one step in the right direction.

The coolest thing about my visit to the Charlotte Running Co., was the personal fitting. This involved me running on a treadmill while they videotaped my ankles and feet. The playback was pretty interesting to watch. I learned that I do not over or under pronate (roll the ankles inward or outward), which I was always curious about. What I do do is over extend my legs when I run, which causes my heel to hit the ground first. Apparently, the balls of your feet should hit first. The salesman told me to pretend that I’m running on hot coals and take quick short steps.

Verrrrrry interesting. It’s funny to think that there’s a “right” way to run. There’s more to it than strapping on any old pair of tennis shoes and hitting the payment. Really, Mary? Cuz that worked oh so well for you last summer, didn’t it?

After trying on about 10 pairs of running shoes, I ended up going with the Asics Gel Nimbus 13:

Even with my new shoes and my new hot coal running technique, I didn’t want to just jump into running head — strike that — ball-of-the-foot first. I decided to ramp up with… you guessed it.

Interval training.

Originally, my goal was to start with 1 minute running and 1 minute walking for 20 minutes. Then each week gradually increase the run portion of the interval by 1 minute.

Good plan, eh?

Probably was, but it just wasn’t challenging enough. But as much as I just want to just get out there and RUN until my legs can’t carry me any further, I have a little nagging voice in the back of my head reminding me how devastated I’ll be if I hurt my knee again this summer. Sooooooo I reached a compromise with the nagging voice. Instead of bumping the run time up a minute each week, I’m bumping it up a minute each day that I run.

My feets in action:

I’m also running every other day (as opposed to EVERY day I tried to run last summer), and I found a pretty nice path to run on (as opposed to hard streets/sidewalks).

If I stay on this plan, I should be able to run 5K no (knee) problem by mid August! That would be the ultimate accomplishment in my mind. I know 5K isn’t much—I mean it’s no walk in the park but it’s also no marathon—but in my knee-injurfied world it’s quite the accomplishment!