So it's been over a month since I've written anything... which doesn't surprise me really. I'm bad at being consistant.
I feel like I shouldn't say that though, because I label myself as "inconsistent" and thus make myself feel less accountable and more likely to be inconsistent in the future. So I am consistent. Just inconsistently. haha.
I started my marathon training and I'm on week 4. I have decieded to incorporate speed work into my marathon training beause I feel, for one, that the training isn't challenging enough and, for two, I don't want to just finish my first marathon - I want to finish and be proud of my time as well as the distance.
I haven't done speed work in a while. I did it yesterday though and found it very rewarding and revealing. I found that I certainly have more in me than I think - I just need to push myself a bit harder than I'm used to. Greatness lies beyond the comfort zone and all that.
My main struggle, though, hasn't really been running. I've been having good runs and I feel great; I feel strong. My main problem is nutrition. I can't seem to eat healthily for very long. It doesn't help that I'm pretty much the only one that is health-minded (shall we say) in my house... no one else cares about eating junk food and frozen stuff. I am too soft spoken to be like "hey i know we have a limited budget and we only have X amount of money to get us through two or three weeks, but we should buy some (quickly perishable) veggies and fruits 'cause they're healthy!" Whoever said eating healthy was cheap was wrong. So wrong.
So I'm going to try not to nosh on ice cream, sweets, and completely empty foods. I am going to stick to good protiens (healthy meat, eggs, milk) and calories... getting my veggies as I can via beans, sauces, and such.
I also feel weird wanting to eat healthy when other people see no problems eating tubs of cookie dough. It's not like they're overweight or anything and cookie dough is delicious! It just makes it hard for me to think healthily when i'm like "anything in moderation is ok..."
That's about it for now. I'm going to try taking pictures and illustrating my posts more, especially now that I have a decent phone with an ok camera that I can use on my runs.
Happy running!
Showing posts with label hills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hills. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Thursday
Thursday (last) I ran 9.11 miles. The number is coincidental, by the way. I wasn't trying for that, that's just how it turned out.
Anyway, it was hard. By mile 5 or 6 I didn't care how slow I was going because my muscles hurt. I wasn't getting injured or anything like that; it was just fatigue! Part of it, I'm sure, was the heat. I was sweating so bad by mile 3 even that I had cold sweat dripping from my hair to my neck. Ugh.
Anyway, as I was going up the Big Hill on mile 4, and the second, though not the last, time I was to go up that hill, I was walking for a bit. I admit, my muscles were starting to hurt. Lately, my feet have been hurting if I go past 3 miles (I think it's shoe related) so that was going on too. Then this man, who's probably about 50 or 60, and is watering his plants, says:
"How far are you walking?"
Me: "Not walking..."(sheepish grin)
Man: "Running?" Knowing nod.
Me: "Yeah... kind of taking a walk break."
Man: "Yeah. That's what I do."
Me: "I'm going 9 miles today."
Man: "Oh, really?" (surprised, pleasantly.)
Me: "Yeah, well, I'm training for a marathon."
Man: "oh, really? Which one?" Even more excitement here.
Me: "(Tells which one)"
Man: "Oh! I've run it! It's awesome; you'll love it!"
So I was able to do mile 5 in a neat 13:~. Which was nice because, you know, I was on mile 4... and you already know how slow I am, haha.
So it was hot and sweaty and miserable and fun.
I also saw a firetruck from the volunteer station filling up/testing the fire hydrants or something. woo!
Also, R, while he was working, was introduced to another runner who, apparently, is very good. She's still in HS, but she has a running scholarship to a prestigious school. How cool is that?
It's been half-arranged for us to run with her on Sunday...well, today...later... well, R will. I'll be left in the dust, for sure. I'm intimidated.
Oh! Also! I finally got a handheld water bottle! It's a 10 oz'er from Roadrunner Sports. In pink, of course!
Also, I won JOSHATALIE's giveaway for a Road ID woo! I didn't even realize it until 4 days after she announced it because I was getting bad about keeping up on things... yeah...
Okay, so here's the Break Down:
Warm Up: None. I will never do this again; I don't think it helped things.
Mile 1) 14:53
2) 13:43
3) 15:11
4)16:14
5) 13:28
6) 16:33
7) 17:28
8) 14:33
9) 16:07
Anyway, it was hard. By mile 5 or 6 I didn't care how slow I was going because my muscles hurt. I wasn't getting injured or anything like that; it was just fatigue! Part of it, I'm sure, was the heat. I was sweating so bad by mile 3 even that I had cold sweat dripping from my hair to my neck. Ugh.
Anyway, as I was going up the Big Hill on mile 4, and the second, though not the last, time I was to go up that hill, I was walking for a bit. I admit, my muscles were starting to hurt. Lately, my feet have been hurting if I go past 3 miles (I think it's shoe related) so that was going on too. Then this man, who's probably about 50 or 60, and is watering his plants, says:
"How far are you walking?"
Me: "Not walking..."(sheepish grin)
Man: "Running?" Knowing nod.
Me: "Yeah... kind of taking a walk break."
Man: "Yeah. That's what I do."
Me: "I'm going 9 miles today."
Man: "Oh, really?" (surprised, pleasantly.)
Me: "Yeah, well, I'm training for a marathon."
Man: "oh, really? Which one?" Even more excitement here.
Me: "(Tells which one)"
Man: "Oh! I've run it! It's awesome; you'll love it!"
So I was able to do mile 5 in a neat 13:~. Which was nice because, you know, I was on mile 4... and you already know how slow I am, haha.
So it was hot and sweaty and miserable and fun.
I also saw a firetruck from the volunteer station filling up/testing the fire hydrants or something. woo!
Also, R, while he was working, was introduced to another runner who, apparently, is very good. She's still in HS, but she has a running scholarship to a prestigious school. How cool is that?
It's been half-arranged for us to run with her on Sunday...well, today...later... well, R will. I'll be left in the dust, for sure. I'm intimidated.
Oh! Also! I finally got a handheld water bottle! It's a 10 oz'er from Roadrunner Sports. In pink, of course!
Also, I won JOSHATALIE's giveaway for a Road ID woo! I didn't even realize it until 4 days after she announced it because I was getting bad about keeping up on things... yeah...
Okay, so here's the Break Down:
Warm Up: None. I will never do this again; I don't think it helped things.
Mile 1) 14:53
2) 13:43
3) 15:11
4)16:14
5) 13:28
6) 16:33
7) 17:28
8) 14:33
9) 16:07
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Double Post...
...and it's late, so I'll be brief.
Yesterday, I ran a recovery run, 3 miles. R decided to run right along with me because we were going to try a different route and we wanted to do the same one, because I had the Garmin and we wanted to be sure of the mileage for both of us. He decided that since it was a recovery run, he would just go at my pace, which was perfect.
We did a little experiment where, right before we ran, we weighed ourselves and didn't drink or go to the bathroom after that. We ran, and then weighed ourselves again - still not having drank or evacuated anything since just before the initial weigh in. R lost 2.4 lbs and I lost 2.2. Amazing! Admittedly, it was warm, so we probably sweated a bit more than, say, if the temperature was more mild, but on the other hand, it was a recovery run, thus quite easy.
Break Down:
Warm Up: Lunge Matrix
Mile 1) 14:00
2: 16:00
3) 14:01
Last .16) 1:53 @ 11:59 pace
My calves were a bit sore for this one; don't have any idea why. For the last part, it was my heart rate that was really holding me back. It was harder to keep down. I'm guessing because of the sweating and loss of water.
___________________________
Second Run:
Today, I ran with K and her son (him in the jogging stroller). It was so fun! I didn't pay too much attention to my heart rate monitor because it kept slipping down and giving me bad (like in the 200's) readings. Also, I was kind of tired of watching it so closely!
It was nice and cool. I'm not sure exactly what the temperature was, but while I was driving over to meet K, I had 3 out of 4 windows down and I was getting cold! Two of the three, by the way, I couldn't roll up. Yeah, that's my clunker of a car for you!
I tried not to push it too much on this run because I have a long run tomorrow. We still did good though; a time of 41:39, which is pretty good for 3.18 miles. Especially with a jogging stroller and multiple hills!
Break Down:
Warm Up: (Abbreviated, 5x4) Lunge Matrix
Mile 1) 12:43
2) 14:22
3) 12:57
Last .18) 1:35 @ 9:03 pace.
Yesterday, I ran a recovery run, 3 miles. R decided to run right along with me because we were going to try a different route and we wanted to do the same one, because I had the Garmin and we wanted to be sure of the mileage for both of us. He decided that since it was a recovery run, he would just go at my pace, which was perfect.
We did a little experiment where, right before we ran, we weighed ourselves and didn't drink or go to the bathroom after that. We ran, and then weighed ourselves again - still not having drank or evacuated anything since just before the initial weigh in. R lost 2.4 lbs and I lost 2.2. Amazing! Admittedly, it was warm, so we probably sweated a bit more than, say, if the temperature was more mild, but on the other hand, it was a recovery run, thus quite easy.
Break Down:
Warm Up: Lunge Matrix
Mile 1) 14:00
2: 16:00
3) 14:01
Last .16) 1:53 @ 11:59 pace
My calves were a bit sore for this one; don't have any idea why. For the last part, it was my heart rate that was really holding me back. It was harder to keep down. I'm guessing because of the sweating and loss of water.
___________________________
Second Run:
Today, I ran with K and her son (him in the jogging stroller). It was so fun! I didn't pay too much attention to my heart rate monitor because it kept slipping down and giving me bad (like in the 200's) readings. Also, I was kind of tired of watching it so closely!
It was nice and cool. I'm not sure exactly what the temperature was, but while I was driving over to meet K, I had 3 out of 4 windows down and I was getting cold! Two of the three, by the way, I couldn't roll up. Yeah, that's my clunker of a car for you!
I tried not to push it too much on this run because I have a long run tomorrow. We still did good though; a time of 41:39, which is pretty good for 3.18 miles. Especially with a jogging stroller and multiple hills!
Break Down:
Warm Up: (Abbreviated, 5x4) Lunge Matrix
Mile 1) 12:43
2) 14:22
3) 12:57
Last .18) 1:35 @ 9:03 pace.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Yesterday's Run
...was a Long Run turned Semi-Long-Run for reasons that will be enumerated...
So, it was my mom's b-day. I wanted to do an early run (Honest!) and get out of bed and get it over with (I'm slow so 9+ miles will take me at the very, very, optimistically least 2 hours, probably), and then I didn't. I was kinda sure that I wouldn't be running. Why? Well, it's mom's b-day, as I mentioned, and she wanted people home - which is certainly not an unreasonable request - to help out with things, etc.
So, I was bummed that my week was going to be kinda crazy (as far as running goes) again. In other words, I payed little to no attention to the quality of my diet. Jeez.
I ended up eating a lot of (quite salty) tortilla chips.
I didn't drink enough water.
Later in the day, mom is like: "Don't you have a long run...?" and I'm like: "You don't mind if we go?" and she's like: "No! Of course not!"
So I guzzled some water (bad thing number 1, not including the late morning, the bad diet, and (dun dun) the chips) and we left. I drank some more water right before running.
At first, all was well. I did my warm up, got the Garmin all connected with the satellites, and started running.
Then for the first ~1.5 miles, I had a side stitch and couldn't run without horrible amounts of sharp, sharp pains. I'm sure we've all been there.
So my first mile was atrocious, as you will see when I put in the break down.
The next few miles, I picked up the pace, but the first mile had set me back so much, and the second mile wasn't so peachy either. I just knew that I couldn't do a long run. Thus, my mileage wouldn't be what it should have been for the week. Sigh.
As I went along, I debated at stopping at 2 miles. I actually doubled back for a second when I hit 2, and then went back again because I was like: "No way this is going to be a mere 14 mile week! Nuh uh!" so I kept going, trying to think about how long I could go and still live.
I had gotten some water at mile 1.7, and that helped. But I knew I couldn't do 9+ miles. At the very least, it would be too late.
So, it was humid, and hot, and in my dehydrated state, I did about a 50 minute 5k... which is really bad for me... anyway, I decided that I could do 4 miles. This would constitute a semi-long run. I could just switch my semi-long run with my long-run day and then it'd be cool!
Here's the thing: Sunday is a weird in-between day for me. It's both part of next week and part of the current week. It's the way my brain is wired; probably because I'm Jewish... so, anyway... technically this means that I've been getting in 2 long runs a week in, and also only 1... so yeah... weird...
I finished mile 4 like a champ! Well, imho. I made sure to get those miles in! I didn't stop at mile 3.95 when I got to my car because of a very slight miscalculation. I didn't even walk the last bit. I jogged around the fire hall parking lot until I hit 4.0 and some change. Booyeah!
So, I felt horrible, I finished strong. That's what counts, right?
When I was about halfway through the run, I was thinking to myself: "How am I ever going to finish a marathon like this? What if I get a side stitch then? OMG! My first marathon is, to me, going to be like an ultra, for pete's sake!" This may or may not turn out to be true. I'll let you know in ~9 weeks...
Break down:
Warm Up: Lunge Matrix
Mile 1) 17:19
2) 15:37
3) 14:52
4) 14:31
last 8.38 ft (hehe)) 1:42 @ 14:54 pace
And when I plugged that into the Garmin program, I'm like: "Hey look! Negative splits!" hahahaha
So, there it is...
So, it was my mom's b-day. I wanted to do an early run (Honest!) and get out of bed and get it over with (I'm slow so 9+ miles will take me at the very, very, optimistically least 2 hours, probably), and then I didn't. I was kinda sure that I wouldn't be running. Why? Well, it's mom's b-day, as I mentioned, and she wanted people home - which is certainly not an unreasonable request - to help out with things, etc.
So, I was bummed that my week was going to be kinda crazy (as far as running goes) again. In other words, I payed little to no attention to the quality of my diet. Jeez.
I ended up eating a lot of (quite salty) tortilla chips.
I didn't drink enough water.
Later in the day, mom is like: "Don't you have a long run...?" and I'm like: "You don't mind if we go?" and she's like: "No! Of course not!"
So I guzzled some water (bad thing number 1, not including the late morning, the bad diet, and (dun dun) the chips) and we left. I drank some more water right before running.
At first, all was well. I did my warm up, got the Garmin all connected with the satellites, and started running.
Then for the first ~1.5 miles, I had a side stitch and couldn't run without horrible amounts of sharp, sharp pains. I'm sure we've all been there.
So my first mile was atrocious, as you will see when I put in the break down.
The next few miles, I picked up the pace, but the first mile had set me back so much, and the second mile wasn't so peachy either. I just knew that I couldn't do a long run. Thus, my mileage wouldn't be what it should have been for the week. Sigh.
As I went along, I debated at stopping at 2 miles. I actually doubled back for a second when I hit 2, and then went back again because I was like: "No way this is going to be a mere 14 mile week! Nuh uh!" so I kept going, trying to think about how long I could go and still live.
I had gotten some water at mile 1.7, and that helped. But I knew I couldn't do 9+ miles. At the very least, it would be too late.
So, it was humid, and hot, and in my dehydrated state, I did about a 50 minute 5k... which is really bad for me... anyway, I decided that I could do 4 miles. This would constitute a semi-long run. I could just switch my semi-long run with my long-run day and then it'd be cool!
Here's the thing: Sunday is a weird in-between day for me. It's both part of next week and part of the current week. It's the way my brain is wired; probably because I'm Jewish... so, anyway... technically this means that I've been getting in 2 long runs a week in, and also only 1... so yeah... weird...
I finished mile 4 like a champ! Well, imho. I made sure to get those miles in! I didn't stop at mile 3.95 when I got to my car because of a very slight miscalculation. I didn't even walk the last bit. I jogged around the fire hall parking lot until I hit 4.0 and some change. Booyeah!
So, I felt horrible, I finished strong. That's what counts, right?
When I was about halfway through the run, I was thinking to myself: "How am I ever going to finish a marathon like this? What if I get a side stitch then? OMG! My first marathon is, to me, going to be like an ultra, for pete's sake!" This may or may not turn out to be true. I'll let you know in ~9 weeks...
Break down:
Warm Up: Lunge Matrix
Mile 1) 17:19
2) 15:37
3) 14:52
4) 14:31
last 8.38 ft (hehe)) 1:42 @ 14:54 pace
And when I plugged that into the Garmin program, I'm like: "Hey look! Negative splits!" hahahaha
So, there it is...
Thursday, July 28, 2011
I thought I wasn't going to get to run today...
...because the alternator went out in my car.
Wow! Now that I think of it, I've had a long day!
I just had to confirm with R that all the stuff happened today and not yesterday. I'm not even kidding; I got confused there!
So, what happened? Well, yesterday when I went running, I had to go with my sister, because when I went to start my car, it wouldn't start. The lights on the dash were flashing a bit, the automatic part of the seat belt was going all back and forth and wonky and the car was making a weird clicking noise. Bah.
So, today, I get up, get dressed, go downstairs, and Dad says: "Got any plans today?" And I say: "Umm... no, I got a long run later... that's it..." and he says: "Good! You're going To Town with me to get an alternator!" and I say "Cool! Okay!"
Let me back up a bit. My dad broke his leg, so I'm going with him to carry things, because he can't carry things and use crutches at the same time.
In order to get to town, we have to take the van because the truck is a stick, which my dad can't drive, due to the clutch, of course. So, we have to, first, drop R off at work, drop my mom and all her stuff off at her job, and then go. Whew. So, we do that.
Another thing, by Town, we mean (out here in the sticks) the larger town abotu 50 miles away where everyone does their Big Grocery Shopping and stuff like that, because there's hardly anything out here except for a slightly (but just enough) overpriced Ray's.
So we go to town, get the alternator and some coolant, grab some lunch (vegan tamale, Tias salsa picante chips, some soy milk... in other words, awesomeness), and go home. As we're about 30 miles from home, the gas thing dings and the computer thing says we're 24 miles to empty. Lovely. Dad says it's fine: he's driven it 30 miles when the thing has said 0 miles to empty.
So, we get to our hometown, get gas, pick up mom, head home.
Dad couldn't start working on the alternator right away - and I don't blame him - because it was 94 degrees out, but, to me, it felt like at least 99 or 100! We relaxed inside for a while, and Dad had to go check on something at his work, so he left. Meanwhile, it's nearly 3:00 pm.
Mom suggested I take a nap, because I look tired. She says she'll wake me up around 3:30. Turns out, I sleep until 4:00 That's what the heat will do!
So, the car, obviously, isn't fixed yet. But D comes home around 6:30 and says she'll take me and R running and we can pick up some stuff he left at one of the houses he works at. Cool!
So, long story not-so-short, I went running today! It was a semi-long run of 3.2 miles, which is actually an average distance for me, but I didn't want to push it, what with the nearly 2 long runs a week that have been going on... or at least will be going on this week. I may or may not go on the recovery run tomorrow. We'll see. Friday is always quite busy, and it might be nice to have a 2-day rest before the 9 miler on Sunday.
So, break down:
Warm up: Lunge Matrix (Except 5x4 instead of 5x5)
Mile1) 14:08
2) 13:40
3) 15:41
Last .2) ~3:00
And a couple more notes.
Since I got the Garmin, thanks to the graphs on the software that comes with it, I've been able to really see how much my heart rate fluctuates and stuff. It was doing it a lot, I mentioned that, I believe. I also mentioned I'm working on smoothing it out. It's getting quite smooth, actually!
Today, the heat made the last mile a little annoying. The heat was driving up my heart rate, just enough to make me have to walk more than I normally would have. I was feeling comfy around 175, but I know that's not optimal aerobic training, so I backed off. The funny thing is, I don't really feel the heat when I run. I'm focused too much on how I feel, what I'm doing, heart rate, and all that. I do notice that I'm drenched in sweat when I'm done, but other than that, nothing. And it was 88 degrees when I got done around 9:00 pm!
Eventful things on my run? A bull mastiff (?) puppy wanted to play with me as I was going up the first big hill. S/he was so cute! At first I was freaked out by the type it was; I thought at first it was a pit bull. But it just wanted to play and jump around and such. So cute!
Oh! And further down the hill, as I was going up, I look over the partition and there's another runner! I don't know who she was, but she was really going up that hill! Okay, I was keeping pace beside her pretty well and my heart rate was 165 at the time (I specifically checked), but I had to stop and walk just a touch, whereas she didn't. My legs were sore from all the running I've been doing. Haha. It feels so good to say (write) that!
But I think it's so encouraging to see other runners on your run. Don't you?
(also, sorry for the change between past/present up there in the story... it's late and I don't have the gumption to fix it... Even though I'm normally pretty good about that sort of thing...)
Wow! Now that I think of it, I've had a long day!
I just had to confirm with R that all the stuff happened today and not yesterday. I'm not even kidding; I got confused there!
So, what happened? Well, yesterday when I went running, I had to go with my sister, because when I went to start my car, it wouldn't start. The lights on the dash were flashing a bit, the automatic part of the seat belt was going all back and forth and wonky and the car was making a weird clicking noise. Bah.
So, today, I get up, get dressed, go downstairs, and Dad says: "Got any plans today?" And I say: "Umm... no, I got a long run later... that's it..." and he says: "Good! You're going To Town with me to get an alternator!" and I say "Cool! Okay!"
Let me back up a bit. My dad broke his leg, so I'm going with him to carry things, because he can't carry things and use crutches at the same time.
In order to get to town, we have to take the van because the truck is a stick, which my dad can't drive, due to the clutch, of course. So, we have to, first, drop R off at work, drop my mom and all her stuff off at her job, and then go. Whew. So, we do that.
Another thing, by Town, we mean (out here in the sticks) the larger town abotu 50 miles away where everyone does their Big Grocery Shopping and stuff like that, because there's hardly anything out here except for a slightly (but just enough) overpriced Ray's.
So we go to town, get the alternator and some coolant, grab some lunch (vegan tamale, Tias salsa picante chips, some soy milk... in other words, awesomeness), and go home. As we're about 30 miles from home, the gas thing dings and the computer thing says we're 24 miles to empty. Lovely. Dad says it's fine: he's driven it 30 miles when the thing has said 0 miles to empty.
So, we get to our hometown, get gas, pick up mom, head home.
Dad couldn't start working on the alternator right away - and I don't blame him - because it was 94 degrees out, but, to me, it felt like at least 99 or 100! We relaxed inside for a while, and Dad had to go check on something at his work, so he left. Meanwhile, it's nearly 3:00 pm.
Mom suggested I take a nap, because I look tired. She says she'll wake me up around 3:30. Turns out, I sleep until 4:00 That's what the heat will do!
So, the car, obviously, isn't fixed yet. But D comes home around 6:30 and says she'll take me and R running and we can pick up some stuff he left at one of the houses he works at. Cool!
So, long story not-so-short, I went running today! It was a semi-long run of 3.2 miles, which is actually an average distance for me, but I didn't want to push it, what with the nearly 2 long runs a week that have been going on... or at least will be going on this week. I may or may not go on the recovery run tomorrow. We'll see. Friday is always quite busy, and it might be nice to have a 2-day rest before the 9 miler on Sunday.
So, break down:
Warm up: Lunge Matrix (Except 5x4 instead of 5x5)
Mile1) 14:08
2) 13:40
3) 15:41
Last .2) ~3:00
And a couple more notes.
Since I got the Garmin, thanks to the graphs on the software that comes with it, I've been able to really see how much my heart rate fluctuates and stuff. It was doing it a lot, I mentioned that, I believe. I also mentioned I'm working on smoothing it out. It's getting quite smooth, actually!
Today, the heat made the last mile a little annoying. The heat was driving up my heart rate, just enough to make me have to walk more than I normally would have. I was feeling comfy around 175, but I know that's not optimal aerobic training, so I backed off. The funny thing is, I don't really feel the heat when I run. I'm focused too much on how I feel, what I'm doing, heart rate, and all that. I do notice that I'm drenched in sweat when I'm done, but other than that, nothing. And it was 88 degrees when I got done around 9:00 pm!
Eventful things on my run? A bull mastiff (?) puppy wanted to play with me as I was going up the first big hill. S/he was so cute! At first I was freaked out by the type it was; I thought at first it was a pit bull. But it just wanted to play and jump around and such. So cute!
Oh! And further down the hill, as I was going up, I look over the partition and there's another runner! I don't know who she was, but she was really going up that hill! Okay, I was keeping pace beside her pretty well and my heart rate was 165 at the time (I specifically checked), but I had to stop and walk just a touch, whereas she didn't. My legs were sore from all the running I've been doing. Haha. It feels so good to say (write) that!
But I think it's so encouraging to see other runners on your run. Don't you?
(also, sorry for the change between past/present up there in the story... it's late and I don't have the gumption to fix it... Even though I'm normally pretty good about that sort of thing...)
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Who Knew...
Recovery runs could be just as nice as a good long run?
Well, maybe not quite as rewarding, but nearly. Especially when it went as nice as this one.
I'm going to be perfectly honest. I do a bit of walking when I run; especially during my long runs. Why? Well, because I feel like I have to. I feel like, about 80% of the time, my walking is due to psychological barriers ("Just walk for a minute!" "I feel (generally) tired..." "UGH!" those kind). The other 10% has to do with leg cramps, stomach cramps, or...um...other types of cramps and things.
So, on this run, I just focused on keeping my heart rate in what I thought to be a good recovery zone. On my "normal" runs, my target heart rate is 170-173. Today, I tried to keep it in the high 160's at the most, which I did pretty well on. Usually, my heart rate on my Garmin graph thing looks like a lie detector test gone horribly, horribly wrong. This time? It looked like a slightly nervous Nelly who's perfectly innocent, but sweating because of social ineptitude...or...something. Yeah, back to the bad metaphors again, hehe.
So, this run went great! I walked the (absolutely unavoidable! Seriously, it's a bit annoying, but nice for strength, right?) uphills, ran the downhills. Ran for exactly 2 miles, thanks to my trusty Garmin 305. So. Awesome!
And the rundown (no pun intended):
Warm up: None; it was so hot, I just kind of felt like my muscles were warm enough!
Mile 1) 14:24
2) 13:06
I know I was properly hydrated too! How? I sweat enough to practically soak my clothes... in only 2 miles... of a recovery run... Okay, it was a bit warm; not uncomfortable, though. Perhaps a touch humid, but again, not that I noticed. So. Lovely, lovely hydration.
Also, I ate a bit better, and, oddly, a bit worse, today than usual. Oranges are my new favorite thing. Sliced, of course! Somehow, they taste better that way...
Also, do you know how nice it is to finally realize "I'm training for a marathon!"
I actually went online today and looked at the pictures from the race from last year. So. Many. People. I'm scared, really. Seriously. I'm going to have to make seriously doubly sure that I'm in the back of the lineup! Especially since it's Boston qualifier, so I don't want to get in anyone's way at all whatsoever.
Well, maybe not quite as rewarding, but nearly. Especially when it went as nice as this one.
I'm going to be perfectly honest. I do a bit of walking when I run; especially during my long runs. Why? Well, because I feel like I have to. I feel like, about 80% of the time, my walking is due to psychological barriers ("Just walk for a minute!" "I feel (generally) tired..." "UGH!" those kind). The other 10% has to do with leg cramps, stomach cramps, or...um...other types of cramps and things.
So, on this run, I just focused on keeping my heart rate in what I thought to be a good recovery zone. On my "normal" runs, my target heart rate is 170-173. Today, I tried to keep it in the high 160's at the most, which I did pretty well on. Usually, my heart rate on my Garmin graph thing looks like a lie detector test gone horribly, horribly wrong. This time? It looked like a slightly nervous Nelly who's perfectly innocent, but sweating because of social ineptitude...or...something. Yeah, back to the bad metaphors again, hehe.
So, this run went great! I walked the (absolutely unavoidable! Seriously, it's a bit annoying, but nice for strength, right?) uphills, ran the downhills. Ran for exactly 2 miles, thanks to my trusty Garmin 305. So. Awesome!
And the rundown (no pun intended):
Warm up: None; it was so hot, I just kind of felt like my muscles were warm enough!
Mile 1) 14:24
2) 13:06
I know I was properly hydrated too! How? I sweat enough to practically soak my clothes... in only 2 miles... of a recovery run... Okay, it was a bit warm; not uncomfortable, though. Perhaps a touch humid, but again, not that I noticed. So. Lovely, lovely hydration.
Also, I ate a bit better, and, oddly, a bit worse, today than usual. Oranges are my new favorite thing. Sliced, of course! Somehow, they taste better that way...
Also, do you know how nice it is to finally realize "I'm training for a marathon!"
I actually went online today and looked at the pictures from the race from last year. So. Many. People. I'm scared, really. Seriously. I'm going to have to make seriously doubly sure that I'm in the back of the lineup! Especially since it's Boston qualifier, so I don't want to get in anyone's way at all whatsoever.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
On Evening Runs
So I have decided that I am no longer running in the evening. It's too dangerous...and too stressful... But let me begin at the beginning.
So, this morning, I was going to wake up and me and R (my brother who is made of awesome) were going to get up and get our runs in early. We had kind of put off our long runs, for different reasons for each of us. Me, because I just didn't feel right. Him because his legs were sore from the 12.5 miles he had run on a whim a few days before. We had plans to leave around 10 am. That's kind of late considering the time of year, but I really, really have a hard time getting up early. I really, really like sleeping in. Which the better part of me objects to...
So, I ended up getting up around 9:20 am, deciding that I would not run this morning; I just didn't feel right, and when I don't feel right, as in I don't feel like there's a run in me - it's not a feel bad thing, it's just a feel - I don't run. But I would take R running, because he wanted to run before he went to do a job. I said I would let him use my Garmin because then I could use it later anyways.
It turns out, however, that the whole house is in a bit of an uproar because Dad's wallet is missing. As in it can't be found anywhere and no one knows where it could be and he was at the store yesterday, but he's sure he put it in his pocket before he leaves, and around and around it goes. The whole house is stressed out. Everyone's looking everywhere half a dozen times. Finally, R says:
"I...think I'm going to run later... it's stressful around here...and we should really find the wallet." At this time, it's about 11:20, I think. I'm like "Okay..."
So, we keep looking around. We watch a few back episodes of this seasons' Eureka (loooove that show!) and eventually, I find the wallet in the trash can beside Dad's desk. Ahah! As a reward? I get a 2 liter diet Pepsi. Awesome. Of course, I'm sharing it! And not drinking it all at once; I do have some will power!
Now, down to the actual run, at about 6:15 pm. We get there probably around 6:25.
Where we park for the run is next to a firehall. They were having training tonight, which, by the looks of it, involved washing fire engines. I didn't want to do my usual warm up (Lunge Matrix) in front of a bunch of people and look silly. This may have been part of my downfall.
So, as I go up the first straight stretch I'm feeling good. It's kind of flat. I'm going at a pretty good clip. I don't know exactly how fast I'm going because I let my brother use the Garmin anyway. I know he really, really wanted to and I don't mind. I kind of feel bad that he doesn't have one. He's a better runner than me, at least, well, faster at any rate. I feel like he might get a touch more use out of it... anyway... it's mine, I'm not giving it up!
I know I'm going at a slightly brisk pace, and I decide to take it easy up The Hill. My time turns from average to slightly sub-average, which I don't mind. By sub average, I mean for my 5k route. I have to do that loop twice today, so I'm thinking that I want the first mile to be around 15:00 (because of the big hill) and the others slightly faster, not counting the second time I have to go up the hill. I make it in 14:30 and some change, as they say.
That's great. But I'm worried. My calves are hurting, especially my left one (the one that's been giving me trouble; I have no idea what's wrong). By the time I'm most of the way through the 1st loop, I can tell that my calf muscle (whichever one it is; I'm looking that up on wikipedia in a bit) is causing my foot to go towards the outside edge as I roll across a step, if you know what I mean. I mean, I land on the outside edges of my foot anyway - it's evident by the wear of my shoes - but this was extreme, and I was very conscious of my foot placement on the ground and of every step of my left foot. It didn't necessarily hurt, but it was weird. I had to walk a lot because I was afraid of injuring myself.
I'm nearly done with the first loop when I see R. walking towards me. I know that this means he's probably given up on his long run. I had seen him earlier and he was going pretty fast, too fast for a long run, and seemed to be feeling good. I knew what had happened, though. His legs still weren't feeling good from the 12.5. He said he was just going to walk down to where he had to work. I said that I would walk down after my run and check on him and stuff.
So, I refuse to give up on my run (I hate cutting runs short, no matter how I feel! It has to be pretty bad for me to say "Okay! Cutting the mileage!") and am still a bit surprised as I work my way up The Hill again. Surprised because I'm like "Wow. My calves hurt. I'm making bad time, and yet I'm still doing this!".
On the descent of The Hill, my calves started to loosen up. I found my pace. I felt much, much better. Not, maybe, 100%, but still pretty good. Relaxed, even. My heart rate was pretty steady.
I finished it up in 1:33:51, worse than my previous time, but my previous time I had been taking it easy and feeling good pretty much the whole time, so there's that.
I decide to walk down to where my brother is, involving me walking down another fairly impressive hill. I talk to R who says he's going to finish early because it's going to get dark soon (it's about 8:00 pm at this point). I say that I'll wait for him by the car.
I wait for a while, listening to bits of podcasts, and then I notice that it's 8:45. Late. It'll be dark soon. I decide that it's too late and I'm picking up R. So, I go down, and he's walking up the hill just as I start down it in the car! What a coincidence! But a nice one.
As it turns out, we get home around 9:00 pm. We were search partied, as I will now term it. Meaning someone was sent out to look for us.
Now, let me backtrack a bit. R's job involved some landscaping work at a house that my mom cleans. She told me where to find a key and to look at the house to see how dirty it was to see how hard she would have to work when the time came.
When I got down to the house to check on R, I completely forgot. Not that she had told me to check the house; I fully intended to do that. I forgot that she told me where to find a key and I'm like "Hmm... no key...". As I think back on it, it's entirely possible, no, factual that I forgot on the way out the door. That I forgot that I didn't have to get a key from mom; I just had to go down and fish the on that was there out of wherever. I didn't even look in the windows.
So, long story short (yeah, I know, not really) we were gone for about 3 hours, we worried people, and I didn't even complete my very simple mission. Fail.
And that is why I won't run in the evening again.
Oh, yes one more reason. Mountain lions. They've been known to roam these parts, especially around evening time, so yeah. That worried me when I was thinking about R having to walk the ~.5 mile back to the car in the near-twilight.
So, run summery:
Warm Up: None. Bad idea; don't do this!
Distance: 6.36 miles
Time: 1 hour 33 minutes 51 seconds (slooooow, but okay; I had calf issues...again...)
Average Pace: 14:45 (Again... sloooow)
Feeling: Sore. But generally okay. Mood was good. Breathing/heart rate were pretty good. Just the dang legs... especially the left one.
So, that's that. I know I've complained about my calves practically every post...but really, it's a running blog, right? I can complain about aches and pains in my legs right? Right? Guys...?
So, this morning, I was going to wake up and me and R (my brother who is made of awesome) were going to get up and get our runs in early. We had kind of put off our long runs, for different reasons for each of us. Me, because I just didn't feel right. Him because his legs were sore from the 12.5 miles he had run on a whim a few days before. We had plans to leave around 10 am. That's kind of late considering the time of year, but I really, really have a hard time getting up early. I really, really like sleeping in. Which the better part of me objects to...
So, I ended up getting up around 9:20 am, deciding that I would not run this morning; I just didn't feel right, and when I don't feel right, as in I don't feel like there's a run in me - it's not a feel bad thing, it's just a feel - I don't run. But I would take R running, because he wanted to run before he went to do a job. I said I would let him use my Garmin because then I could use it later anyways.
It turns out, however, that the whole house is in a bit of an uproar because Dad's wallet is missing. As in it can't be found anywhere and no one knows where it could be and he was at the store yesterday, but he's sure he put it in his pocket before he leaves, and around and around it goes. The whole house is stressed out. Everyone's looking everywhere half a dozen times. Finally, R says:
"I...think I'm going to run later... it's stressful around here...and we should really find the wallet." At this time, it's about 11:20, I think. I'm like "Okay..."
So, we keep looking around. We watch a few back episodes of this seasons' Eureka (loooove that show!) and eventually, I find the wallet in the trash can beside Dad's desk. Ahah! As a reward? I get a 2 liter diet Pepsi. Awesome. Of course, I'm sharing it! And not drinking it all at once; I do have some will power!
Now, down to the actual run, at about 6:15 pm. We get there probably around 6:25.
Where we park for the run is next to a firehall. They were having training tonight, which, by the looks of it, involved washing fire engines. I didn't want to do my usual warm up (Lunge Matrix) in front of a bunch of people and look silly. This may have been part of my downfall.
So, as I go up the first straight stretch I'm feeling good. It's kind of flat. I'm going at a pretty good clip. I don't know exactly how fast I'm going because I let my brother use the Garmin anyway. I know he really, really wanted to and I don't mind. I kind of feel bad that he doesn't have one. He's a better runner than me, at least, well, faster at any rate. I feel like he might get a touch more use out of it... anyway... it's mine, I'm not giving it up!
I know I'm going at a slightly brisk pace, and I decide to take it easy up The Hill. My time turns from average to slightly sub-average, which I don't mind. By sub average, I mean for my 5k route. I have to do that loop twice today, so I'm thinking that I want the first mile to be around 15:00 (because of the big hill) and the others slightly faster, not counting the second time I have to go up the hill. I make it in 14:30 and some change, as they say.
That's great. But I'm worried. My calves are hurting, especially my left one (the one that's been giving me trouble; I have no idea what's wrong). By the time I'm most of the way through the 1st loop, I can tell that my calf muscle (whichever one it is; I'm looking that up on wikipedia in a bit) is causing my foot to go towards the outside edge as I roll across a step, if you know what I mean. I mean, I land on the outside edges of my foot anyway - it's evident by the wear of my shoes - but this was extreme, and I was very conscious of my foot placement on the ground and of every step of my left foot. It didn't necessarily hurt, but it was weird. I had to walk a lot because I was afraid of injuring myself.
I'm nearly done with the first loop when I see R. walking towards me. I know that this means he's probably given up on his long run. I had seen him earlier and he was going pretty fast, too fast for a long run, and seemed to be feeling good. I knew what had happened, though. His legs still weren't feeling good from the 12.5. He said he was just going to walk down to where he had to work. I said that I would walk down after my run and check on him and stuff.
So, I refuse to give up on my run (I hate cutting runs short, no matter how I feel! It has to be pretty bad for me to say "Okay! Cutting the mileage!") and am still a bit surprised as I work my way up The Hill again. Surprised because I'm like "Wow. My calves hurt. I'm making bad time, and yet I'm still doing this!".
On the descent of The Hill, my calves started to loosen up. I found my pace. I felt much, much better. Not, maybe, 100%, but still pretty good. Relaxed, even. My heart rate was pretty steady.
I finished it up in 1:33:51, worse than my previous time, but my previous time I had been taking it easy and feeling good pretty much the whole time, so there's that.
I decide to walk down to where my brother is, involving me walking down another fairly impressive hill. I talk to R who says he's going to finish early because it's going to get dark soon (it's about 8:00 pm at this point). I say that I'll wait for him by the car.
I wait for a while, listening to bits of podcasts, and then I notice that it's 8:45. Late. It'll be dark soon. I decide that it's too late and I'm picking up R. So, I go down, and he's walking up the hill just as I start down it in the car! What a coincidence! But a nice one.
As it turns out, we get home around 9:00 pm. We were search partied, as I will now term it. Meaning someone was sent out to look for us.
Now, let me backtrack a bit. R's job involved some landscaping work at a house that my mom cleans. She told me where to find a key and to look at the house to see how dirty it was to see how hard she would have to work when the time came.
When I got down to the house to check on R, I completely forgot. Not that she had told me to check the house; I fully intended to do that. I forgot that she told me where to find a key and I'm like "Hmm... no key...". As I think back on it, it's entirely possible, no, factual that I forgot on the way out the door. That I forgot that I didn't have to get a key from mom; I just had to go down and fish the on that was there out of wherever. I didn't even look in the windows.
So, long story short (yeah, I know, not really) we were gone for about 3 hours, we worried people, and I didn't even complete my very simple mission. Fail.
And that is why I won't run in the evening again.
Oh, yes one more reason. Mountain lions. They've been known to roam these parts, especially around evening time, so yeah. That worried me when I was thinking about R having to walk the ~.5 mile back to the car in the near-twilight.
So, run summery:
Warm Up: None. Bad idea; don't do this!
Distance: 6.36 miles
Time: 1 hour 33 minutes 51 seconds (slooooow, but okay; I had calf issues...again...)
Average Pace: 14:45 (Again... sloooow)
Feeling: Sore. But generally okay. Mood was good. Breathing/heart rate were pretty good. Just the dang legs... especially the left one.
So, that's that. I know I've complained about my calves practically every post...but really, it's a running blog, right? I can complain about aches and pains in my legs right? Right? Guys...?
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
And Everything Turned Out Better Than Expected... mostly...
Had a planned run with K this morning. Just met her; she's cool. We try to run once a week. The route we run has basically stayed the same. It's been about 3.1 miles. A bit hilly, but only one brutal one. I like it because the smaller hills push you (well, me) just enough so I know that I'm really getting my hill muscles built up, but not so much that I have to stop.
Well, that's not entirely true; last time, and I think the time before, I had to stop and walk a couple of times, because of dehydration (mild) and stuff. Last time it was just awful. This time, all good... well, mostly - we'll get to that in a minute.
So, usually we go along this 2-lane country road that sort of ends in a gate. It doesn't really end because you can slip past the gate. But we haven't, until today. The road sweeps down at a pretty steep .22~ mile hill, which is nice as you're going down, because you get a nice break. So, we went past the gate; there's a little hill there, which I had to walk about 3/4 of the way up. My calves were starting to feel really sore (thus the mostly... I hate having to walk!). Ran down that little hill to a big hill...where we turned around. I ran up the other side of the little hill, ran again, walked a bit since I could not make it up the .22 mile hill... unfortunately... it's quite steep! But after that, I was mostly good. Had to walk a couple more times, but really focused on pushing myself further than last time, and getting a better time.
Lately, I've had a hard time pushing myself and dealing with legs getting sore, labored breathing, just psychological "do-not-want-to-run" laziness, mostly, and having a hard time getting through that on my runs. I love to run! I just am not used to it yet, I guess... My brain isn't used to physical, athletic challenge. I'll get better though! This time, it was easier!
I want to talk about those burning calves for a minute, though. They are just not up to multiple hills! I mean, the hills on this run were there, but (except for that one) they aren't severe. On my 'normal' route, I have 2 hills, one of which I repeat. The first is kind of steep, but not really, and is about .5 miles. Perhaps a touch less. The second is quite short, but quite, quite steep. This is the one I do twice on my normal 3 mile runs. I can do these okay without my calves giving out too bad, but apparently I still need to build up strength because the repeating hills (about 6 maybe, counting the fact that you have to go up them twice) is really getting to me! So, if anyone knows of any good non-running exercises to really target those muscles, let me know! I really want to be able to do hills without my legs feeling like they're on fire when I'm done.
So, the run was 3.56 miles long. Break down:
Warm Up: Lunge Matrix
Mile 1: 12:06 pace
2: 12:55
3: 16:42 (The mile I walked a lot... blegh)
Last .56 miles: 12:11 pace (took 6:46 to do this bit)
Total time: 48:31. Not fast, but descent, well, for me at least, and with the consistancy of pace and all. K is really good at keeping a fairly even pace, which I appreciate a lot... also having someone right there, running with me, is a good incentive to not stop when my mind is saying "Come on! Just walk for a minute!"
Long run tomorrow. 6 miles. Because I didn't get it in on Sunday. I know this is kind of a bad idea, especially since it will be sandwiched between 2 run days. I know I'm pushing it. I'm trying to keep my nutritional and physical stresses (the bad kind!) down as much as possible (though I do have my weaknesses...) so that my recovery is high quality.
So, all in all, excellent day! I really like getting runs done early (although I tend to have a hard time getting up in the morning...) because it makes the rest of the day nice. Residue of the 'feel good' hormones from exercise, I guess! Either way, I'm happy.
Well, that's not entirely true; last time, and I think the time before, I had to stop and walk a couple of times, because of dehydration (mild) and stuff. Last time it was just awful. This time, all good... well, mostly - we'll get to that in a minute.
So, usually we go along this 2-lane country road that sort of ends in a gate. It doesn't really end because you can slip past the gate. But we haven't, until today. The road sweeps down at a pretty steep .22~ mile hill, which is nice as you're going down, because you get a nice break. So, we went past the gate; there's a little hill there, which I had to walk about 3/4 of the way up. My calves were starting to feel really sore (thus the mostly... I hate having to walk!). Ran down that little hill to a big hill...where we turned around. I ran up the other side of the little hill, ran again, walked a bit since I could not make it up the .22 mile hill... unfortunately... it's quite steep! But after that, I was mostly good. Had to walk a couple more times, but really focused on pushing myself further than last time, and getting a better time.
Lately, I've had a hard time pushing myself and dealing with legs getting sore, labored breathing, just psychological "do-not-want-to-run" laziness, mostly, and having a hard time getting through that on my runs. I love to run! I just am not used to it yet, I guess... My brain isn't used to physical, athletic challenge. I'll get better though! This time, it was easier!
I want to talk about those burning calves for a minute, though. They are just not up to multiple hills! I mean, the hills on this run were there, but (except for that one) they aren't severe. On my 'normal' route, I have 2 hills, one of which I repeat. The first is kind of steep, but not really, and is about .5 miles. Perhaps a touch less. The second is quite short, but quite, quite steep. This is the one I do twice on my normal 3 mile runs. I can do these okay without my calves giving out too bad, but apparently I still need to build up strength because the repeating hills (about 6 maybe, counting the fact that you have to go up them twice) is really getting to me! So, if anyone knows of any good non-running exercises to really target those muscles, let me know! I really want to be able to do hills without my legs feeling like they're on fire when I'm done.
So, the run was 3.56 miles long. Break down:
Warm Up: Lunge Matrix
Mile 1: 12:06 pace
2: 12:55
3: 16:42 (The mile I walked a lot... blegh)
Last .56 miles: 12:11 pace (took 6:46 to do this bit)
Total time: 48:31. Not fast, but descent, well, for me at least, and with the consistancy of pace and all. K is really good at keeping a fairly even pace, which I appreciate a lot... also having someone right there, running with me, is a good incentive to not stop when my mind is saying "Come on! Just walk for a minute!"
Long run tomorrow. 6 miles. Because I didn't get it in on Sunday. I know this is kind of a bad idea, especially since it will be sandwiched between 2 run days. I know I'm pushing it. I'm trying to keep my nutritional and physical stresses (the bad kind!) down as much as possible (though I do have my weaknesses...) so that my recovery is high quality.
So, all in all, excellent day! I really like getting runs done early (although I tend to have a hard time getting up in the morning...) because it makes the rest of the day nice. Residue of the 'feel good' hormones from exercise, I guess! Either way, I'm happy.
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