I’m back in Minneapolis and happy to be home. The warmer weather has arrived and I couldn’t be more excited about it. I’m finally running in shorts! My foot is feeling a lot better thanks to exercises, taping and rest. I only ran 67 miles in March, my lowest monthly total since January of 2009 when I was fighting hamstring tendinitis. I’m optimistic that April will bring more running miles as well as some time on the bike and in the pool. At the beginning of the year, I was hoping to hit 100 miles each month. I was a little over in January and a little under in February. March is obviously a big disappointment. I’ve gotten the green light to pick my miles up a little bit, so hopefully I’ll make it in April.
I’ve got my 10 mile race coming up on April 10th. This is the one where you submit your time and then are handicapped, so the slowest person starts first. Ideally, everyone would finish at the same time. I’m looking forward to starting in the front of the pack and then hopefully not being passed by every single person. I’m glad it’s not any farther than 10 miles since I’ve been limited in my training due to my foot. I haven’t signed up for any races in May. I think I’ll see how it goes with the foot and maybe pick up a race or two at the last minute.
I’ve had a couple questions about how I got into the NYC Marathon. I was granted an entry through one of the race sponsors and I’m very grateful to them for giving me one of their spots. I feel fortunate that I didn’t have to go through the lottery process and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for everyone in the lottery, hoping that they get in.
In non-running news, I had to get my first pair of reading glasses this week. I finally admitted to myself that it’s probably not stress that is causing my eyes to twitch for 3 months non-stop. My inability to read anything closer than 20 inches to my face is really the culprit and I couldn’t ignore it any longer. I went to CVS and tried to figure out the eye chart. Am I supposed to by the power by the letters that are hard to read but that I still can, or do I get the power that I can’t read it at all? I am not excited about this new development. I can handle the foot injury because it’s due to the fact that I’m an athlete, that I’m a runner. Having to wear readers is because I’m getting older and there isn’t a single thing I can do about it. As my eyesight stabilize, I’ll have to investigate getting a contact for reading. In the meantime, someone please help me figure out how you know what power to get!
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Hi Beth,
Welcome back!! You arrived back just in time for the nice shorts weather:) I also wore shorts today on my run and I felt hot! It might take me some time to get used to this warmer weather…I can’t believe that I just wrote that!!
I am sorry to hear about your eyes and having to get glasses. I have had to wear glasses since I was in third grade. My eyes are in bad shape:( At least you have had great eyesight up until now….you were lucky!! Enjoy the rest of your week Beth!
Welcome back! I am loving this nice weather. Hope you can get some good miles in this month!
Glad you are back to running again. Take care of those precious legs and feet. I am reading Born to Run now, thanks to you…it’s such an amazing read! I don’t know if I will ever run barefoot, but I am trying to walk around the house barefoot (well, in socks). Feels free-er.
I haven’t succumbed to the reading glasses yet (wife has though), but my latest glasses were bifocals. I don’t wear them much, though. I really don’t have to I tell myself.
Awesome that you got a sponsor admit to NY! I am now satisfied I am in — they actually changed the wording on the website, and I didn’t see the new language. Believe me, I read it at least 100 times while I was emailing them, and the new language that says I am in was NOT there before.
Be cool to do a handicapped race. I read an article about one where they weigh everyone first, and then put weight, age and gender into a program to handicap people. That is whta I need!
I absolutely love the fact that we can even utter the word “Shorts” finally! I am ashamed to say that I have yet to step foot outside for a run yet since the weather shaped up! That is probably sacrileges when you live in Minnesota like us. I tried to head out the other day and (yes, boo hoo) it was so windy I couldn’t stand up straight, so I visited my friend the treadmill. I’m doing it soon though… I have to. With only 3 weeks left till the Get in Gear, I need to have run outside at least a couple of times in preparation. The treadmill doesn’t always cut it.
As for the glasses… I am happy to report that I don’t need them yet, but only since my Lasik. Doug has some and he gets them so that he can see to read his computer screen and close up documents or books. He can see far so needs something like a 1.5 power or so. Not too strong or you’ll get horrible headaches.
I hope April is a better month for you.
Nice weather has arrived here too. So thankful!
April is a whole new month full of wonderful miles ahead. Good Luck in the 10 mile handicap run. Sounds like fun.
By the way, I am 0 for 1 in the New York Lottery. It is on my list for someday though.
My eye dr. said I needed some readers. I went to Michael’s and tried the 100-150 power glasses (can’t remember which), tested them out on some tiny print right there and bought the best ones. Wish I could be more helpful, but that’s what worked for me.
I just happened to see them at Michael’s when I was shopping. They were cheaper than CVS and had some I liked. Well, as much as you can like readers. ; )
Glad you’re able to get back out there Beth!
Can’t help you with the reading glasses, because the eye doctor adapted my regular glasses for reading…but I figure, grab a bottle from the shelf and if you can read the small print with the glasses, then they’re okay
Oh glorious weather! So marvelous to run in shorts.
Now I need one correction for reading and another for computer and piano. Some things keep getting more complicated?!
Glad to hear you are on the mend. March was my lowest month of running in a long time, so I feel the pain. We can still hit the goal this year.
I didn’t realize you were already in for the NYC marathon. How fantastic!!!
Enjoy the shorts
The weather has been amazing, glad you’re able to take advantage again!! That handicap race sounds like a lot of fun, enjoy it! Hope the foot cooperates
Looking forward to hearing about it!
I’ve been fearing the that reading glasses become necessary. So far so good. Maybe if I quit reading I’ll never need them.
Good luck for April, looking forward to reading about your 100+ miles.
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