Hey there, Massey Fit fam! It's your favorite novice runner coming at you with a tale of my not-so-smooth training journey. 🏃‍♀️💨

So, picture this: I'm in the home stretch of my training plan, only 4 weeks to go before the big race. Everything's been going pretty well, but guess what? I hit a bit of a bump in the road...

It all started with a glorious 10-mile run on a Saturday morning. The weather? Perfection – I mean, chef's kiss and all! 🌞👌 I was cruising along at a comfy 9:30 pace, enjoying my jelly beans and sipping on electrolytes like a champ. But here's where things took a turn, with just two miles to go, I thought, "Why not kick it up a notch and aim for an 8-minute mile?" Well, folks, that was a recipe for trouble because I had a jam-packed day ahead.

After the run, I joined my family and friends for the UGA football game – yay! 🏈 But that meant lots of walking, tons of steps, and standing around. By the end of the day, I was practically hobbling. 😬

Come Sunday morning, I wasn't as sore as I'd expected, but deep down, I knew I should give my poor knees a break. Did I listen? Nope! I went ahead with my planned 5-mile run on Monday and, oh boy, that was a big mistake. 😅 Monday and Tuesday felt like I'd gone ten rounds with a kangaroo. Instead of being smart and resting, I stubbornly set myself back, and now I'm stuck sitting on the sidelines for a whole week, hoping to be fully healed by Saturday. 🙈

My recovery game is strong, though. I've got the whole shebang going on – icing, compression sleeves, Deep Blue by DoTerra, cryotherapy, sports massages, chiropractor visits, and total rest. Yep, I'm doing it all! 💆‍♀️❄️

Why, you ask? Because I'm determined to get back on track and hit that 11-mile run this Saturday! 🙌🏃‍♀️ I've missed my runs and the quality time with my running buddies. Plus, I feel like a bit of a lazy slob right now. 😂

Moving forward, if this Saturday's run goes smoothly (fingers crossed!), I'll be taking Mondays off for extra recovery. Cycling will be my go-to, keeping it gentle on the joints while delivering an awesome cardio workout! 🚴‍♀️💨

No home game this weekend means no tailgating or endless standing – a blessing for my knees. I'm also planning to give my knees some extra love with KT tape for added support during my run. 🙏

Oh, and a little mishap: last time I wore a tank top and ended up with chafed underarms. Ouch! 😳 So, I'm on the hunt for a runner-friendly t-shirt that can handle my excessive sweat and movements during longer runs. On the bright side, I adore my bike shorts, and my New Balance shoes are a dream for long distances. For shorter runs (6 miles or less), I'm all about my Saucony’s. Currently, the plan is to use a running belt, stashing my water bottles in the side pockets to spare my sensitive bladder. My phone, nutrition, and trusty beats go in my biker short pockets. 🎶📱 Hydration and nutrition during my runs are on point, by the way – so that's a win! 💧🍌I've got about 4 weeks to fine-tune my perfect running ensemble, and I'm determined to figure it out! 🏁👚 Here are the links to shop the below items! Now I just need to add the perfect T-Shirt!

Wish me luck! 🍀 Hopefully, my next update will be right before the race, and I'll have it all dialed in. Remember, you've got this too! 🌟💪

Until next time, stay active, listen to your body and keep those running dreams alive! 🏃‍♀️💭🌈

YES YOU CAN,

Morgan