Running, with a side of rice.

I had big plans for Saturday. Big plans.

I was meeting my friend, Amanda, for her first run since November. November! She is signed up for the Mohawk-Hudson half marathon in October and the NYC marathon in November. So, Saturday, we -- along with our friend, Bridget -- were heading out for her first run.

It was perfect running weather. I left my house early to run the 3.5 miles to our meeting spot. About 1.5 miles into the run, Bridget passed me in her car. She slowed down, we chatted and I ended up hopping in with her and driving the rest of the way to meet Amanda. 

We were early so we set out to run a mile. A few steps into the run, I felt something weird in my hip.

Pain. Weird pain. Burning, searing, weird pain.

I kept going because that's what happens when you're out for a run on a perfect Saturday morning with friends. The pain, unfortunately, kept going too. About a quarter mile from where we were meeting Amanda, I told Bridget I needed to walk.

I kept my cool but really, inside, this was totally me:

Yup.

Bridget and I met Amanda and after hugs all around, we set out for our run. Fortunately, since Amanda is just getting back to running, she was game for a little run/walk. It was the only thing I could handle and even that didn't feel so good.

I didn't think much about my hip because I was so happy that Amanda was back to running and Bridget and I had about a million questions for her so we chatted and before we knew it, we'd run/walked 2 miles.

It was wonderful. I was really proud of Amanda for getting back out there!

Bridget, me, Amanda

It is tough to start back up with running after a long layoff, especially one that has been filled with personal ups and downs. But, Amanda is doing it. Way to go, Amanda!!!

Since the run I've been hunkered down in RICE City. Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation. Although, honestly, other than to stand it is a little awkward to try to elevated the hip. And the compression thing is tough, too. So, I'm resting and icing. I guess I'm in RI City. 

Anyway, my hip is still sore and that really rots. I didn't run on Sunday, even though I had plans for a local 5K, and I'm taking today and the rest of the week off. If I feel solid by Wednesday, I'll test the hip out on Friday. Yes, that's right, I'll wait an extra day. 

At least that's what I say now . . . 

No, I will. I really will. I need this hip to be fine. No injuries, please!

And now, I'm off to ice the hip. Healing vibes, anyone? I'll take them. And, while you're at it, if you have some good luck vibes to spare, send some Amanda's way as she rediscovers her running self.

Thanks! Have a great week.

April recap.

April was a good month for me. Although my mileage was way down from March, it was an expected decline and made sense for my training -- I had a taper week before the half marathon followed by a recovery week after. 

The half marathon was great and my runs since have been increasingly good. I'm sure the turn to warm spring weather has had a little something to do with that! I got out for a really good run with my friend, Karen, last weekend and it was one of those recharging runs. Karen is training for a marathon at the end of May and she had a 20 miler on her schedule for last weekend. I ran almost 10 of those miles with her, over one of the hilly routes we'd run several times last year while training for the NJ marathon. It was such a good run! 

May is pretty wide-open for me. I hope to get out and run with friends as much as possible this month and I also plan to get myself in gear for the Freihofer's 5K the first weekend of June. 

Until then, here's a look at the month that was:

Strong Running Mamas in NYC.

At the half marathon expo with Bridget and Elisa.

Enjoyed a few fun runs in my new kicks!

April stats:

Running (miles): 86
Racing: 1, the More/Fitness half marathon

Happy May Day, everyone! Thanks for stopping by.

Silence is . . .

. . . well, it just is.

And it is what's been going on around here. I haven't had it in me to post -- everything I've thought about writing has been just not quite right. So murky have things become since the marathon bombings. 

Yes, I'm still running. And still focusing on what's wonderful.

And, yeah, I've gone on a few runs for Boston:

http://instagram.com/felicepd

In fact, I've had several good runs and my half marathon recovery has gone well. I'm ready for what's to come -- including marathon training this summer. 

But, writing about running hasn't happened. Like I said, it has all seemed not quite right. So, instead of writing here I've turned to blog silence. 

I'm shaking it off, though. Silence may be golden and all that but it makes for a crummy blog! Crummy, crummy. And who wants a crummy blog? Not me, that's for sure. 

So, I'm off to shake off the crummy! Thanks for stopping by.

PROBAR winner.

With everything that happened this week, I've been distracted and have just gotten around to picking the PROBAR winner. Thanks to everyone who entered. I used random.org to pick the winner and that is . . .




Jeff Gallup



Congratulations, Jeff! Please email me at felicehalf [at] yahoo [dot] com with your mailing address so you can get your bars!

Have a great weekend, everyone. Thanks for stopping by!