I’m really glad that Easter is over. Despite my pleas candy was plentiful and my son now has a bowl full of it high on a shelf in the kitchen. I cracked yesterday and ate chocolate. That’s all I will say about that. I’ve decided it’s over and I’m moving on.

Here is what half marathon training looked like last week.

Ice skating has caused my shins and ankles to be sore. I ice them after skating and take some Ibuprofen which has been helpful. I’m not in pain, but it’s uncomfortable. It takes me a few minutes into a run to feel comfortable again. Once I get going I don’t even feel the discomfort. For the past week and a half it’s been only my left shin. I’m paying close attention to it and if it gets worse I will adjust my workouts accordingly.

My workouts went half as planned. Towards the end of the week I took some liberties with my schedule. Thursday was a great non-running day. Carlos and I went to public skate for about an hour and a half of ice skating. He kept saying, “Mommy I’m having so much fun!” Then I got a text from a friend asking if we wanted to go hiking. I’m always game for get togethers. So off we went with my friend and her two kids to a local hiking spot. The kids were incredible. They charged right up Mt. Norwottuck and we all enjoyed the beautiful views.

Carlos atop Mt. Norwottuck

The next day I felt fine despite all the activity the day before. Carlos was off from school because it was Good Friday. We spent most of the afternoon at the playground with a friend. By the time we got home, I got dinner on the table and eventually got Carlos into bed I just didn’t feel like working out. I had some errands to run and when I went outside to leave my car was as dead as a doornail. I knew it wasn’t the battery because I just got a new one a few months ago. By 9pm my car was settled in for the night at the dealer thanks to AAA towing.

My husband’s pickup truck was also having problems and was supposed to have work done on Saturday. We postponed that in hopes that my car would be sorted out by Saturday afternoon. All looked good around noon. They were certain that it was the relay sensor and were just awaiting the part from another dealer. By 3pm we received word that the new relay sensor blew a bunch of fuses in my car and no one knew why so they would have to keep the car.

Saturday morning I was on edge about my car. My husband had things to do in the morning, Carlos had a birthday party at noon and we were supposed to go to my friend’s for dinner. I didn’t get out for my run until about 10am. I decided to skip the 90 minute run and opted for the missed 50 minute run from the day before. It worked out much better.

I have since tweaked the rest of my training schedule to avoid having a semi-long run followed by a long run which always seems to pop up on Fridays and Saturdays. Things will look a little different in the weeks to come.

My car is back and it wasn’t as financially painful as we anticipated thanks to Honda and our very helpful extended warranty. My husband’s pickup truck is another story. We are still waiting to find out if a few repairs will save the transmission. If not then he will need a new (used) transmission.

One of the things I loved most about living in Mozambique was the fact that I never needed to own a vehicle. I could walk, ride my bike or take a bus everywhere. Hitch hiking was also acceptable and relatively safe depending on how many people were already in the back of the truck!

Hitching a ride in Mozambique