Forgot to mention that I have problems pacing myself. It's either running 10 min/mile or walking 16 min/mile. And as you can guess, I can't hold the running for very long at that pace. So I'm trying to consciously run slower and walk faster. Running slower is harder... but since I am such a rhythmicly inclined soul, I've been pinpointing songs that are upbeat but not too fast. Van Morrison's Brown Eyed Girl and Fight for Your Right (to Party) by the Beastie Boys are good examples.
Someone should invent sunglasses that you can wear and see your stats as you're running. That would be really cool. They probably already invented it and it's a bazillion dollars and only Saudi princes and Bill Gates can afford them. I would say Warren Buffett, but he is way too practical and rich to have spent his life buying stupid shit like that. He would wear a watch. An ANALOG watch. Because he is old school like that. Yes, I'm rambling about Warren Buffett on my running blog. What?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
agua/maji/vatten/wasser/eau
Yes... water! I need to drink more. And eat a better lunch. Well, my lunch was fabulous--I mean to say that it needs to be healthier. Tonight's run was not as good as last Tuesday... oh yeah, maybe I should be better about doing my workouts too! I am recommitting to this schedule and making it a priority. Must. Complete. Every. Workout.
I cut the aforementioned route a little bit short (only 2.6 miles) because the sky was very scary (and because I suck today). Fortunately, it didn't thunder or lightning, and it only rained a little. Rain, I can handle. Lightning, not so much. Also, remember the big hill I talked about? It really
SSSSUUUUCCCCKKKKSSSSS!!!!!!!
When I can run that hill all the way without stopping (or dying), then the marathon will be a piece of cake. I guess in a way I'm lucky to have such a hard hill to practice on in my neighborhood.
I had this idea of walking the actual marathon route sometime. Maybe on a Sunday, I can do my 30 minutes of recovery run and then walk the rest. I'd really like to be able to visualize running all of it. Maybe I will do it a few times over the course of my training. It's always easier for me to continue on when I know what I'm facing. If the end isn't in "sight" then sometimes I just give up. Working on that trait too...
Anyway, tomorrow is either rest or cross-training, and I'm opting for cross-training. There's a spin class at the gym at 5:30 tomorrow, perfect!
I cut the aforementioned route a little bit short (only 2.6 miles) because the sky was very scary (and because I suck today). Fortunately, it didn't thunder or lightning, and it only rained a little. Rain, I can handle. Lightning, not so much. Also, remember the big hill I talked about? It really
SSSSUUUUCCCCKKKKSSSSS!!!!!!!
When I can run that hill all the way without stopping (or dying), then the marathon will be a piece of cake. I guess in a way I'm lucky to have such a hard hill to practice on in my neighborhood.
I had this idea of walking the actual marathon route sometime. Maybe on a Sunday, I can do my 30 minutes of recovery run and then walk the rest. I'd really like to be able to visualize running all of it. Maybe I will do it a few times over the course of my training. It's always easier for me to continue on when I know what I'm facing. If the end isn't in "sight" then sometimes I just give up. Working on that trait too...
Anyway, tomorrow is either rest or cross-training, and I'm opting for cross-training. There's a spin class at the gym at 5:30 tomorrow, perfect!
Pump it Up
Trying to get motivated for my run tonight. I always feel great afterward, but the hard part is getting started...
I think I'm going to try this 3.5 mile route through my greater neighborhood area:
It's basically up Silverbrook (as everything is from our house) and to the church, then back down Silverbrook with a longcut on Laurel Crest. Right around the 3 mile marker on the map is where a big hill starts. Should be good for me!
I think I'm going to try this 3.5 mile route through my greater neighborhood area:
It's basically up Silverbrook (as everything is from our house) and to the church, then back down Silverbrook with a longcut on Laurel Crest. Right around the 3 mile marker on the map is where a big hill starts. Should be good for me!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
A Nice Day for a Hike
Mom came to visit this weekend, and we went for a girls-only hike on Saturday. We headed to Sky Meadows State Park, about an hour/hour and a half away from our house and into the mountains. The weather was perfect, it was warm and sunny but there was a great breeze at the bottom of the trails as well as on top of the ridge. The map of Sky Meadows is below:
We took the North Ridge Trail (1.7 miles) to the Appalachian Trail, then headed north for about 2.5 miles to the trail crossing at Route 50. After a quick rest and a muffin, we headed back southbound on the AT and took the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail (1.1 miles, dumps into the North Ridge Trail) back to the parking lot. The trail up to the AT was VERY steep in sections, but the AT was fairly level until close to Ashby Gap (where it crosses 50). Then back up the gap, across the ridge, and down the hill to the road. Overall, it was a good hike, and I feel like the effort getting up the steep hills was better than the 5 miles I was supposed to run!
The only bad thing about the hike was my boots; I have some massive blisters on my heels. My left heel has a blister the size of a pepperoni! And that was after putting moleskin on to prevent the rubbing! So... I'm not sure if they need to be broken in more, but I am pretty sure I'm not willing to find out.
We took the North Ridge Trail (1.7 miles) to the Appalachian Trail, then headed north for about 2.5 miles to the trail crossing at Route 50. After a quick rest and a muffin, we headed back southbound on the AT and took the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail (1.1 miles, dumps into the North Ridge Trail) back to the parking lot. The trail up to the AT was VERY steep in sections, but the AT was fairly level until close to Ashby Gap (where it crosses 50). Then back up the gap, across the ridge, and down the hill to the road. Overall, it was a good hike, and I feel like the effort getting up the steep hills was better than the 5 miles I was supposed to run!
The only bad thing about the hike was my boots; I have some massive blisters on my heels. My left heel has a blister the size of a pepperoni! And that was after putting moleskin on to prevent the rubbing! So... I'm not sure if they need to be broken in more, but I am pretty sure I'm not willing to find out.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday's Run
Was awesome! I felt really good and I set a new record for my avg min/mile time. I even ran a few extra hills that I didn't have to!
I'm supposed to run today but I have too much stuff that needs to get done at home. (Didn't get home from work until around 7 so I just need those precious hours between getting home and sleeping.) And, I'm supposed to go on a hike with my mom on Saturday, so if I do that I won't run my mileage. I will have to do it on Sunday...
Helen gave me some great tips on the hip injury, since she has experienced something similar. She suggested some stretching, which I've tried but I've recently found a better resource for stretches. She also suggested some strength training for the hip adductors because it could be that the muscles are too weak to do what I'm asking them to do. In any case, my hip is still sore from Tuesday, so it's probably good that I'm not running tonight.
It makes me nervous to miss a scheduled workout, but I know that in the long run (ha!) it's more important to be healthy... plus this is just one that I've missed since the beginning. (I've made up any others I've missed on the next day.)
I need to work on my fundraising letters and mail them out. If you are actually reading this, then please hop on over to my fundraising page and help out! You also will probably be on my list to get a letter, so be warned. :-D
I'm supposed to run today but I have too much stuff that needs to get done at home. (Didn't get home from work until around 7 so I just need those precious hours between getting home and sleeping.) And, I'm supposed to go on a hike with my mom on Saturday, so if I do that I won't run my mileage. I will have to do it on Sunday...
Helen gave me some great tips on the hip injury, since she has experienced something similar. She suggested some stretching, which I've tried but I've recently found a better resource for stretches. She also suggested some strength training for the hip adductors because it could be that the muscles are too weak to do what I'm asking them to do. In any case, my hip is still sore from Tuesday, so it's probably good that I'm not running tonight.
It makes me nervous to miss a scheduled workout, but I know that in the long run (ha!) it's more important to be healthy... plus this is just one that I've missed since the beginning. (I've made up any others I've missed on the next day.)
I need to work on my fundraising letters and mail them out. If you are actually reading this, then please hop on over to my fundraising page and help out! You also will probably be on my list to get a letter, so be warned. :-D
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Go do it.
I was procrastinating and decided to search "motivation" on YouTube. (I said I was procrastinating...) This interesting tidbit came up:
I was going to do it anyway. 40 minutes today.
I was going to do it anyway. 40 minutes today.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
First Mileage Weekend
My first mileage weekend has come and gone... I did 4 miles yesterday. It was a lot closer than I thought it would be, which is great. It was misting out, but not full-on raining, so that was fine. I didn't eat breakfast before though and I really felt the effects. I also didn't take any water with me... I guess I'm going to have to figure something out about that. I need to look into small Camelbaks soon.
Anyway, it was my first outdoor run since the race, and I did the 4 miles in almost exactly 1 hour. I ran up to the house just as Andy was loading the kitties in the car for their vet appointment (they were so happy...) so I got to go along. I have found that having somewhere to be motivates me to go a little faster toward the end of my runs. I did the same thing on Mother's Day when we had somewhere to be. Just running outside in general motivates me because I'm not able to just stop whenever I feel like it.
My hip/groin is sore today, as I knew it would be... It's getting better (I think?) but I'm ready for it to be done. In any case, it feels good to have the first outdoor run out of the way. I'm planning on coming home and running outside from here on out, unless of course it's raining again!
I also need to get to work on some fundraising letters. My goal is $2500, and I have raised $400 so far... I don't enjoy asking people for money, but I feel like it's a good cause and I don't often ask people for money, so I can suck it up!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
B.O.B.
Had a great run last night! It felt really good, although I was sweating more than usual and my face was WAY more red than usual... maybe it was extra hot in there... :) Anyway, the TNT training schedule called for 40 minutes easy run, so I did just that. Not too much walking, either. A good mix.
One thing that really helped me get going last night was the EXCELLENT songs that kept (randomly) coming up during the workout:
B.O.B. - Outkast
Mrs. Robinson - the Lemonheads
Hard to Explain - the Strokes
Jump - Van Halen
A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More "Touch Me" - Fall Out Boy
Spiderwebs - No Doubt
Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado/Timbaland
Helena - My Chemical Romance
We Built This City - Jefferson Starship
Livin on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Love is a Battlefield - Pat Benetar
Paint it Black - Gob
Good music is such a driving force for me. I believe that the Marine Corps Marathon rules prohibit the use of iPods or other music players, and I know that if you attend the TNT training runs you can't listen to music. Not sure how I'm going to get around that one... during the race itself I'll be fine, the half marathon wasn't bad and I'm sure the marathon will be the same. Music would have helped pass the time, but it's not imperative since the excitement of the actual race is pretty entertaining in itself. It's the miles and miles of practice...
It's been so rainy lately. I've been running inside the past few weeks since I've been sort of injured, but also it's been so wet that I can't count on running outside. Even after the great run last night, my hip is really sore today. I tried to stretch it last night and tried to ice it a bit, but I'm not sure that any of that is helping. Argh...
The schedule for today calls for either a rest day or 30-40 minutes of cross-training. I'm opting for cross-training since I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things. Hopefully I can work through the hip funkiness!
One thing that really helped me get going last night was the EXCELLENT songs that kept (randomly) coming up during the workout:
B.O.B. - Outkast
Mrs. Robinson - the Lemonheads
Hard to Explain - the Strokes
Jump - Van Halen
A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More "Touch Me" - Fall Out Boy
Spiderwebs - No Doubt
Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado/Timbaland
Helena - My Chemical Romance
We Built This City - Jefferson Starship
Livin on a Prayer - Bon Jovi
Love is a Battlefield - Pat Benetar
Paint it Black - Gob
Good music is such a driving force for me. I believe that the Marine Corps Marathon rules prohibit the use of iPods or other music players, and I know that if you attend the TNT training runs you can't listen to music. Not sure how I'm going to get around that one... during the race itself I'll be fine, the half marathon wasn't bad and I'm sure the marathon will be the same. Music would have helped pass the time, but it's not imperative since the excitement of the actual race is pretty entertaining in itself. It's the miles and miles of practice...
It's been so rainy lately. I've been running inside the past few weeks since I've been sort of injured, but also it's been so wet that I can't count on running outside. Even after the great run last night, my hip is really sore today. I tried to stretch it last night and tried to ice it a bit, but I'm not sure that any of that is helping. Argh...
The schedule for today calls for either a rest day or 30-40 minutes of cross-training. I'm opting for cross-training since I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things. Hopefully I can work through the hip funkiness!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Big Plans
Been sickly the past couple of days, but I'm taking my running shoes on our camping trip this weekend. Hopefully I feel up to a run tomorrow morning! I'm so sick and tired of not working out. Ready to run!!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Slacker!
I've been slack about the blogging lately... and the running! Yesterday was my first "official" day of training "with the team" and I did not run. BUT, that's because I went on a bike ride with Andy instead. Basically, I need to get back into the swing of things, running-wise. I can't believe that just a few weeks can affect me this much. Blah.
So today I'll run the miles that were supposed to happen yesterday (3 miles) and then pick back up tomorrow. The "long runs" are on Saturdays, so I will almost definitely be doing that with the actual team just to keep myself going the distance. ("Go the distance...") They practice at like 9 a.m. though, in different places, so I'll be getting up VERY early for the next few months. On a Saturday. YUCK.
Oh well. I leave you on this quote from my friend Amanda: "No rain, no rainbows." :)
So today I'll run the miles that were supposed to happen yesterday (3 miles) and then pick back up tomorrow. The "long runs" are on Saturdays, so I will almost definitely be doing that with the actual team just to keep myself going the distance. ("Go the distance...") They practice at like 9 a.m. though, in different places, so I'll be getting up VERY early for the next few months. On a Saturday. YUCK.
Oh well. I leave you on this quote from my friend Amanda: "No rain, no rainbows." :)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Running Once Again
I did my first running since the race yesterday, although it wasn't very much. I'm kind of falling apart physically, but the excercise helped some things and worsened others, so at least I'm sort of breaking even. It's discouraging to me to feel like I've been set back so much, but Andy made the point that as long as I keep the cardio up in some way, reminding my muscles how to run shouldn't be a problem. So I'm trying to focus on just excercising in some fashion. I think I might go for a bike ride today after work instead of running on the treadmill... although I think it might rain... AGAIN... :-p
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