I have heard back about my 'job' and training is just over the horizon! This means more than I can say ( it has been a lot of time, effort and money going into getting this job) now that it is finally here! So what does this have to do with my running? Aside from making sure I have the time booked off...this means THE RACE IS ON! I was feeling very unmotivated and unsure about my running and training because I assumed that I very well might not be able to do the half-marathon...so why bother? Don't worry...I didn't entertain this thought for long, but it has made me so happy to not have to even contemplate quiting/continuing because I lacked a good job.
Aside from that riveting and exciting news ( you can role your eyes ;) ) I have my regular 4k run to do in the morning, as the bf has his last slo-pitch tournament of the year so I have to get my run in early. My girlfriend is back in town for the weekend, so perhaps I will get to do my second 10k run with her on Sunday sometime. I admit that I am actually anticipating the long run on Sunday because it will be my second time around and I hope to make it in better time. Ok...and not have to find the toilet every twenty minutes!! Seriously...how do people properly hydrate themselves before a long run and then NOT have to "go" ?? My bf never has to...I almost hate him for it :p . I may never be able to run without using the bathroom, but I sure wish it were possible. Increasing my time or accurately timing my runs may not be possible with regular bathroom breaks. I'll never know how far I can actually GO without a rest break of some kind.
I realize, of course, that this whole project was not about being a sprinter or making out with the best time. I am not fit enough yet to be fast. I drill that into my head as often as this thought occurs, but it's difficult to not be hyper-sensitive about how slow I really am. (mental slap) I'll get over it :p.
---on another side note, my foot is feeling better after a few days of rest so I have no hesitation for my runs this weekend ---
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Progress or so slow it doesn't matter?
Well I have reached my first big running plateau. The last month and more has been spent getting "used" to being active again, using muscles dormant for years, eating and drinking properly. I have discovered through all of this that I am a really slow runner; and I suppose that's to be expected given my inexperience and lack of athleticism. What I have noticed, however, is that it is less difficult to run at my snail's pace than it was when I started. ( high-five's all around!! ) This last weekend was a defining moment in my very short and unremarkable running career - doing a personal best on my 4k run, and doing a 10k instead of 9k for my long run! What was exciting ( and I can't believe I'm referring to running as exciting ) was how I felt after my runs. I wasn't going around each corner praying and hoping for the finish to be there, and I didn't feel so exhausted that I couldn't keep going if I had to. That is a HUGE difference!
Sunday marked the 9km distance for my long run, so the bf and I had planned out a route in the river valley that would be approximately that distance. --On a side note...I still haven't mastered running without having to use the toilet yet. How does anyone drink that much water and NOT pee???--- Anyways. It was a perfect morning for a run so I was quite pumped. There was a great mix of dirt/gravel trails along the river and bike paths and roads. I will fully support trails over pavement/cement any day! It is so much easier to run on and hurts your joints so much LESS when you run. We had to stop for my bathroom break, but other than that we went the first 5k without a hitch. There were quite a few small hills on our run, which is good for training even if hills are the devil. I have begun to see that you have to run quite differently up hills than on flat stretches. Slower strides and deep breathing seems to be the key...boy those hills make you work! Ugh. I admit it was a bit daunting seeing all the runners around us just whipping by at a good clip...where I remained the slow and steady snail :( haha...this too shall pass...or I hope.
On a random note -- during our run there was this punk kid on a bmx bike or something. He seemed to follow us for a time and had the most squeaky bike I've ever heard and he creeped me out. Oh well...he left after a while and I got back into the 'zone'. I noticed during the run that I could actually carry on short conversations with the bf as we went along, not full sentences at a time mind you...but enough to keep up :)
The first half of the run was hard, but definitely the easiest stretch. I had so much less energy on the way back...and those hills...oooh boy did those hills give me a run for my money. But we did it! Instead of 9k, we did 10k! 70 minutes for my run in total...I felt incredible afterwards. I don't know if that's runner's high...or just feeling really good for going the "distance" but I was practically euphoric! Hoo rah!! ( small victory dance...oh yeah...)
Though I heard some of my friends ran it faster than me ( yes I'll admit it disappointed me ) I am just really pleased I did it. I "can" run 10kms! A month ago that never would have been possible.
--- on a side note...my left foot has been hurting me, and I fear it's a hairline/stress fracture...possibly from running. I'll get it checked out if the pain persists, but in the meantime I'm taking a rest day to see how it goes. ---
Sunday marked the 9km distance for my long run, so the bf and I had planned out a route in the river valley that would be approximately that distance. --On a side note...I still haven't mastered running without having to use the toilet yet. How does anyone drink that much water and NOT pee???--- Anyways. It was a perfect morning for a run so I was quite pumped. There was a great mix of dirt/gravel trails along the river and bike paths and roads. I will fully support trails over pavement/cement any day! It is so much easier to run on and hurts your joints so much LESS when you run. We had to stop for my bathroom break, but other than that we went the first 5k without a hitch. There were quite a few small hills on our run, which is good for training even if hills are the devil. I have begun to see that you have to run quite differently up hills than on flat stretches. Slower strides and deep breathing seems to be the key...boy those hills make you work! Ugh. I admit it was a bit daunting seeing all the runners around us just whipping by at a good clip...where I remained the slow and steady snail :( haha...this too shall pass...or I hope.
On a random note -- during our run there was this punk kid on a bmx bike or something. He seemed to follow us for a time and had the most squeaky bike I've ever heard and he creeped me out. Oh well...he left after a while and I got back into the 'zone'. I noticed during the run that I could actually carry on short conversations with the bf as we went along, not full sentences at a time mind you...but enough to keep up :)
The first half of the run was hard, but definitely the easiest stretch. I had so much less energy on the way back...and those hills...oooh boy did those hills give me a run for my money. But we did it! Instead of 9k, we did 10k! 70 minutes for my run in total...I felt incredible afterwards. I don't know if that's runner's high...or just feeling really good for going the "distance" but I was practically euphoric! Hoo rah!! ( small victory dance...oh yeah...)
Though I heard some of my friends ran it faster than me ( yes I'll admit it disappointed me ) I am just really pleased I did it. I "can" run 10kms! A month ago that never would have been possible.
--- on a side note...my left foot has been hurting me, and I fear it's a hairline/stress fracture...possibly from running. I'll get it checked out if the pain persists, but in the meantime I'm taking a rest day to see how it goes. ---
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
One Month In And I've Already Hurt Myself
**SIGH** Just a quick update here this evening...The 'wrenching' of my knees the other night turned out to be more than just a quick muscle 'ouch'. I had serious aching all day today, but went ahead and tried out my 4km run none the less. BAD idea!! 1.5 Km through my run I started having shooting, sharp pains in my lower front of my knees. So I turned around and walked back home. I am disappointed, for sure, that I wasn't able to do my run today. I feel that any delay is going to absolutely RUIN my training and ability to run the race. The real truth, however, is that my body is much more important and I need to do everything possible to keep it in good working order. The bf thinks I strained some ligaments in my knee and that resting COMPLETELY ( as in no runs, hard walks or vigorous activity) is in order for at least a full day. I sat around and iced my knees and ankles ( they are hurting a bit as well, from how I 'fell' the other night) this evening, and while there is still a mild ache in both knees, it hurt considerably less to walk up my stairs afterwards.
I have never had knee problems a day in my life! I'm in my 20's for goodness sake, not my 40's. It is so frustrating feeling pain in an area that always 'works' for me. I'll get over it...I just don't like the feeling of getting behind everyone else ( this is all in my mind, just for the records...let it be noted that I am becoming a TEENY bit neurotic about all of this :p). The plan is to do some core work tomorrow and maybe some light arm work, but nothing involving my legs or knees. I'll keep you updated on how the old hams feel after a day of rest!
Night
I have never had knee problems a day in my life! I'm in my 20's for goodness sake, not my 40's. It is so frustrating feeling pain in an area that always 'works' for me. I'll get over it...I just don't like the feeling of getting behind everyone else ( this is all in my mind, just for the records...let it be noted that I am becoming a TEENY bit neurotic about all of this :p). The plan is to do some core work tomorrow and maybe some light arm work, but nothing involving my legs or knees. I'll keep you updated on how the old hams feel after a day of rest!
Night
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
8 Km Under the Belt
The title says it all! I have survived my 8km run. Now I was supposed to run on the weekend, but things didn't quite work out that way. I did my Saturday run as per usual, and then went with the bf for a soft ball tournament outside the city all that day. Sunday was the last day of the tournament, and we'd originally planned to run that night. The last game of the day and he goes to slide and gets a nice gash on his leg, so running was totally out of the question. We spent a good chunk of the evening getting his foot cleaned up at the medi-centre and for some reason we agreed to go over to a friends for supper....which lead to drinking....lots of drinking. So Sunday night was a no-show in every possible way :p
It was really hot yesterday, somewhere around 30 degrees Celsius, so running during the day was not an option for me. I haven't got the conditioning yet to run during heat like that, so I opted for an evening run instead. I will admit that I was just terrified to run alone. I can push myself for 20 or so minutes on my regular weekly runs, but the prospect of running an hour or more just freaks me out. But I bucked up and did my run right at dusk...which was a great choice because the temperature dropped nicely and there was a cool breeze all through my run. I will say, however, that it is a good idea to be aware of available bathrooms. I had to make a pit stop during my run, and luckily there was a gas station right around a street corner! PHEW. Aside from struggling to see the pavement the last 10 minutes of my run, things went really well . I wrenched my knee a bit when I wasn't paying attention and stepped off a sidewalk the wrong way. I was worried I'd injured myself, but things seem fine this morning aside from a bit of stiffness and general muscle soreness.
All in all....I ran my 8km in 64 minutes, give or take a few due to bathroom breaks. I am actually quite proud of myself! Here I am miss un-motivated, miss 'I need company to run' and I went out and did it all on my own. Did I mention that my mp3 player was left at home? I ran over an hour in silence...just watching my breathing, working on posture and taking in the sights of my neighborhood. Woo for me! (cough cough) Anyways. I have a 4k to run today, but the stomach isn't feeling so hot today so I might hold off until later this afternoon...We shall see, but it will get done!
It was really hot yesterday, somewhere around 30 degrees Celsius, so running during the day was not an option for me. I haven't got the conditioning yet to run during heat like that, so I opted for an evening run instead. I will admit that I was just terrified to run alone. I can push myself for 20 or so minutes on my regular weekly runs, but the prospect of running an hour or more just freaks me out. But I bucked up and did my run right at dusk...which was a great choice because the temperature dropped nicely and there was a cool breeze all through my run. I will say, however, that it is a good idea to be aware of available bathrooms. I had to make a pit stop during my run, and luckily there was a gas station right around a street corner! PHEW. Aside from struggling to see the pavement the last 10 minutes of my run, things went really well . I wrenched my knee a bit when I wasn't paying attention and stepped off a sidewalk the wrong way. I was worried I'd injured myself, but things seem fine this morning aside from a bit of stiffness and general muscle soreness.
All in all....I ran my 8km in 64 minutes, give or take a few due to bathroom breaks. I am actually quite proud of myself! Here I am miss un-motivated, miss 'I need company to run' and I went out and did it all on my own. Did I mention that my mp3 player was left at home? I ran over an hour in silence...just watching my breathing, working on posture and taking in the sights of my neighborhood. Woo for me! (cough cough) Anyways. I have a 4k to run today, but the stomach isn't feeling so hot today so I might hold off until later this afternoon...We shall see, but it will get done!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Bitch Is Back
....
I have no idea what that means, but it sounded neat in my head...so there ya go. Onto business then, shall we? I just got back from my 3k run . Perhaps you wonder why it is so late...well...there was a little problem with me being really tired last night, ignoring my alarm clock...and being a lazy sack of ____ . The important thing is that I did go running. I have conferred with some of the girls I'm training with and some of them have had some complications due to their work schedules so have not been running as regularly ( they are all a bunch of tree huggers who go out into the bush to study umm..stuff). So as I was eating my breakfast ( around 11am I might add ) I kept thinking that it would be alright if I missed ONE day of running. ( smack smack punch in the face!!) That is crazy talk! I can't let the ups and downs of my friends dictate how I train. The sad fact is that those girls can get away with missing some runs, because they have not spent the last 20 some years being total couch potatoes....nuff said.
SOOOO off I went on my run this morning, telling myself that if I can run 3k without stopping on my long runs,t hen I can damn well do it on my regular runs. The problem, I think, is that I know my destination and I know where the cut off point is. My mind gets all neurotic and screams "break time" because it knows where I am. The run went fine...minus a minor problem of having to pee like a HORSE 3/4 of the way through my run. What did I do? High tailed it back to a convenience store and took care of business! It was short, and I didn't count it as a rest because I didn't plan for it. Does that count as cheating? With my potty break I finished my run at 22:39 , so I figure I ran the thing in 20 minutes give or take. I'm happy with that....though after hearing that my one gf (the one that got me into this) ran hers in 16 min...makes me wanna smash and mash!!! ( think hulk, but more attractive and pale).
This weekend will be interesting for a few reasons. The first is that this will mark my 8k run...which is a little scary, and makes me worry I'll have that 'chilled' feeling again during my run. Second reason...the bf has a slo-pitch tournament all weekend and we aren't sure yet how we'll schedule the run in. I "could" go alone, but let's be honest here...I would suck on my own. I can run short distances on my own, but the longer ones require company and motivation. I'm going to hope for the best and see what shakes down.
I'm off for some relaxing fun this evening, ciao!
I have no idea what that means, but it sounded neat in my head...so there ya go. Onto business then, shall we? I just got back from my 3k run . Perhaps you wonder why it is so late...well...there was a little problem with me being really tired last night, ignoring my alarm clock...and being a lazy sack of ____ . The important thing is that I did go running. I have conferred with some of the girls I'm training with and some of them have had some complications due to their work schedules so have not been running as regularly ( they are all a bunch of tree huggers who go out into the bush to study umm..stuff). So as I was eating my breakfast ( around 11am I might add ) I kept thinking that it would be alright if I missed ONE day of running. ( smack smack punch in the face!!) That is crazy talk! I can't let the ups and downs of my friends dictate how I train. The sad fact is that those girls can get away with missing some runs, because they have not spent the last 20 some years being total couch potatoes....nuff said.
SOOOO off I went on my run this morning, telling myself that if I can run 3k without stopping on my long runs,t hen I can damn well do it on my regular runs. The problem, I think, is that I know my destination and I know where the cut off point is. My mind gets all neurotic and screams "break time" because it knows where I am. The run went fine...minus a minor problem of having to pee like a HORSE 3/4 of the way through my run. What did I do? High tailed it back to a convenience store and took care of business! It was short, and I didn't count it as a rest because I didn't plan for it. Does that count as cheating? With my potty break I finished my run at 22:39 , so I figure I ran the thing in 20 minutes give or take. I'm happy with that....though after hearing that my one gf (the one that got me into this) ran hers in 16 min...makes me wanna smash and mash!!! ( think hulk, but more attractive and pale).
This weekend will be interesting for a few reasons. The first is that this will mark my 8k run...which is a little scary, and makes me worry I'll have that 'chilled' feeling again during my run. Second reason...the bf has a slo-pitch tournament all weekend and we aren't sure yet how we'll schedule the run in. I "could" go alone, but let's be honest here...I would suck on my own. I can run short distances on my own, but the longer ones require company and motivation. I'm going to hope for the best and see what shakes down.
I'm off for some relaxing fun this evening, ciao!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Junk Run
I think the title says it all....today's run was junk. I started out my run mid morning and it was just my luck that it happened to be a very warm warm morning. So off I go, doing my warm up for the run (walking for a ways) and as soon as I start to run my body just feels.."off"..not sure exactly what was off, or weird, but it was. My right leg or quad I should say, felt really tense/flexed the whole time I ran. About half way through my run I had to stop and walk for a good minute just trying to breathe and fix my leg somehow ( did various stretches, but nothing seemed helpful). It really didn't help that as I ran (re: crawled/walked/wobbled) I kept thinking about how terrible I was running!
I know...I know. First basic rule of undergoing any task is to have your head on straight, so to speak. Psychology is hugely important to success in any venture, especially when trying something challenging and new. I understand this all very well intellectually, but when it comes down to physically running, being outside, sweating, being sore and depressed?? Things are different. I shouldn't get so down on myself...but I can't help wanting evident results NOW. I want to be a faster, less exhausted runner NOW...not three or four weeks from now. Things don't happen over night, or in a few weeks.
(Mental Face Slap!!! )
In other news - Something that has cheered me up immensely, has been signing up on Runner's World online forums. I now have access to hundreds if not thousands of runners around the world...definitely a bonus. Since none of my friends are experts in fitness/running, I feel somewhat more confident asking questions on this forum, knowing I have a huge pool of runners to sample from!
The agenda for tomorrow is an hour long uphill walk, or failing that walking on the treadmill at a good incline for the same time. I will probably opt for the TM because it is much easier to access than good walking trails in the heart of the city. Along with my alternate activity...I really need to work on eating habits. I don't eat like a pig ( no over eating really, not lots of junk, pop, chips, fatty foods) but I need to learn how to eat in a way that benefits me the most.
A neat fact I learned is that when you finish a run, something great to drink is 1% or 2% chocolate milk! Who doesn't LOVE chocolate milk?! Granted you can't drink a litre or jug, but 250ml or 500ml is a great post-run snack! It has calcium, some sugars, carbs, protein, and tastes so so yummy :)
I have been reading a lot of running articles, forums, blogs, etc. The depressing thing that has most stuck out to me in these various forums has been just how long it truly takes to transform your body and your mind into that of a "runner". Curse you time...and effort...and sweat, blood, tears, blisters, and all the less than fun things associated with getting " in shape " :p
Later my friends...I'm off to bed
I know...I know. First basic rule of undergoing any task is to have your head on straight, so to speak. Psychology is hugely important to success in any venture, especially when trying something challenging and new. I understand this all very well intellectually, but when it comes down to physically running, being outside, sweating, being sore and depressed?? Things are different. I shouldn't get so down on myself...but I can't help wanting evident results NOW. I want to be a faster, less exhausted runner NOW...not three or four weeks from now. Things don't happen over night, or in a few weeks.
(Mental Face Slap!!! )
In other news - Something that has cheered me up immensely, has been signing up on Runner's World online forums. I now have access to hundreds if not thousands of runners around the world...definitely a bonus. Since none of my friends are experts in fitness/running, I feel somewhat more confident asking questions on this forum, knowing I have a huge pool of runners to sample from!
The agenda for tomorrow is an hour long uphill walk, or failing that walking on the treadmill at a good incline for the same time. I will probably opt for the TM because it is much easier to access than good walking trails in the heart of the city. Along with my alternate activity...I really need to work on eating habits. I don't eat like a pig ( no over eating really, not lots of junk, pop, chips, fatty foods) but I need to learn how to eat in a way that benefits me the most.
A neat fact I learned is that when you finish a run, something great to drink is 1% or 2% chocolate milk! Who doesn't LOVE chocolate milk?! Granted you can't drink a litre or jug, but 250ml or 500ml is a great post-run snack! It has calcium, some sugars, carbs, protein, and tastes so so yummy :)
I have been reading a lot of running articles, forums, blogs, etc. The depressing thing that has most stuck out to me in these various forums has been just how long it truly takes to transform your body and your mind into that of a "runner". Curse you time...and effort...and sweat, blood, tears, blisters, and all the less than fun things associated with getting " in shape " :p
Later my friends...I'm off to bed
Sunday, August 23, 2009
End Week Two - Can I stop yet?
Alright...so this last week has met with some conflicts - mainly my terrible sinus cold and my inability to heal instantaneously (there go my hopes of joining X-Men,. sigh..). I ran Tuesday, as planned, but the rest of the week was a gong show! Not only was I congested and gross, but because I went away for the weekend to a wedding I ended up being exhausted and tired to boot. I will give this one piece of unsolicited advice.... when going to a family event, even in the spirit of thriftiness, do NOT share a room with one's parents. Especially when one's mother snores like a freight train and you forgot how truly horrible it is! End of story!
I had thought Saturday morning could work ( as I was feeling improved and had brought my running gear) but with the lateness of the wedding reception that night, being in a strange city, NOT knowing where to run or how far, it ended up being just as lame as my previous run-days. SIGH.
On an aside here....I was pretty excited to share my new life style changes with my family when we met up for the wedding. I was chatting with aunts and uncles, being questioned about my recent activities and BAM I spilled the beans that I am a reformed couch potato! TA DA! ( and there was silence in the room, an awkward cough or too...and no real response to my life altering news). It would appear that running is the new ' hip thing', the new pop culture craze and not particularly surprising at all! :/ So you mean to tell me that my most difficult life change to date wont even get a 'blip' on the radar screen ???? Where is the justice in that?! Ha ha...anyways.
This morning marked my official 'two week' mark for training - though in actuality, it's been only over a week with my cold ! I still have this terrible cold, but as I am no longer chained to the Kleenex box I figured I'd give my 7K a try. OH MOTHER OF GOOD GRAVY it was hard!! I think it was a terrible combination of my cold ( can't breathe properly or much at all) and the course we chose to run ( a huge chunk of it was uphill ). I did well the first 3k or so...the path was flat, there was a good breeze and I was able to stop for a quick sip of water. The second half is what I like to call....never ending hell :) It sure was fun!
I made it, which is great. I'm glad that I was still able to complete my run, cold or no cold, but my time was terrible and I am not even going to mention it on the blog because I know it's a reflection of being really sick....not super super super slow. :p
This week brings some more 3 and 4 k runs ( I'll have to double check my training schedule) more weights and getting back into the swing of things. I hope to have this cold beat in a day or so...but we'll see what my body decides to do. I'll keep you posted or give notice if I start to die .
Cheers for now!
I had thought Saturday morning could work ( as I was feeling improved and had brought my running gear) but with the lateness of the wedding reception that night, being in a strange city, NOT knowing where to run or how far, it ended up being just as lame as my previous run-days. SIGH.
On an aside here....I was pretty excited to share my new life style changes with my family when we met up for the wedding. I was chatting with aunts and uncles, being questioned about my recent activities and BAM I spilled the beans that I am a reformed couch potato! TA DA! ( and there was silence in the room, an awkward cough or too...and no real response to my life altering news). It would appear that running is the new ' hip thing', the new pop culture craze and not particularly surprising at all! :/ So you mean to tell me that my most difficult life change to date wont even get a 'blip' on the radar screen ???? Where is the justice in that?! Ha ha...anyways.
This morning marked my official 'two week' mark for training - though in actuality, it's been only over a week with my cold ! I still have this terrible cold, but as I am no longer chained to the Kleenex box I figured I'd give my 7K a try. OH MOTHER OF GOOD GRAVY it was hard!! I think it was a terrible combination of my cold ( can't breathe properly or much at all) and the course we chose to run ( a huge chunk of it was uphill ). I did well the first 3k or so...the path was flat, there was a good breeze and I was able to stop for a quick sip of water. The second half is what I like to call....never ending hell :) It sure was fun!
I made it, which is great. I'm glad that I was still able to complete my run, cold or no cold, but my time was terrible and I am not even going to mention it on the blog because I know it's a reflection of being really sick....not super super super slow. :p
This week brings some more 3 and 4 k runs ( I'll have to double check my training schedule) more weights and getting back into the swing of things. I hope to have this cold beat in a day or so...but we'll see what my body decides to do. I'll keep you posted or give notice if I start to die .
Cheers for now!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
