Sorry I have been neglecting my blog lately, just enjoying the final days of summer. So some random things I have learned about running and me as a runner from my perspective.
1. I hope I never have to run on a treadmill again, I feel like it is not running and it is impossible to get that feeling of spiritual freedom and release you can achieve when outside from running on a treadmill.
2. Running as a sport is way more complicated than Field Hockey.
3. Having an ample chest easily should grant you a 3 minute per mile handicap in races,
4. Running alone does not make you lose weight, in fact, it makes you hungrier.
5. My legs are starting to get scary with the muscles that are appearing.
6. I am not an early morning runner, I am more of a 9am runner or a 5pm runner.
7. I subscribed to my first running magazine!
8. I now fully understand hydration and look like a complete goober when I run with my hydration belt filled with GNU water bottles.
9. I know I need to start strength training and core training, that is my next mystery to challenge.
10. I am up to 7.3 miles on my long run and ran for 2 hours straight last week.
11. I am terrified by my slow pace. I am not getting faster yet and it scares me.
12. Sometimes a run still really hurts and is mentally tough as well as physically tough.
13. This is a sport I would like to continue for the rest of my life.
14. I think it is amusing when so may people tell me they can never run long distances,, but yet have never tried and are way more fit than me and a million pounds lighter.
15. Everyone can run if you just get out there and do it and believe you can.
16. If you don't think you can do it, you won't, if you believe you can, you will!
Some random thoughts above. I have been having fun with training, dealing with a lot of anxiety of will I be ready can I do this now that the main event is only four months away. I know when the cold weather sets in I am going to have to purchase and learn about running with a whole new set of gear.
My plan now that school is coming next week is to run between 3 and 5 miles Monday and Wednesday, do a long run Friday am. Cross train and strength train Tuesday and Thursday and look for fun races on the weekends. I am hoping I can drop another 30 pounds in the next four months.
I need to turn on the juice when it comes to fundraising. Hopefully people will realize that this is the real deal now and I am really going to run 13 miles in Disney with the hope of raising a couple of thousands of dollars to fight breast cancer. The plane tickets have been purchased, my body is in training, this is plan in motion.
Come run with me! Honk at me if you see me running come to my party at flynnies in early November, buy a raffle ticket for the raffle I am going to have, mostly, please support me in my quest to fight cancer!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
A week of Ups and Downs
Downs
-Failed to accomplish my first Long 6 mile run last Saturday.
-Was alone most of the week since my husband worked a gazillion hours an went away all last Sunday leaving me little time to run when scheduled to run.
-Had horrific pain in my right shin develop causing me to fear I had a stress fracture.
-Found out the inserts I had gotten from ALIGN were too hard and most likely causing my second round of shin splints.
Ups
-Learned from my mistakes from my failed long run.
-Bought two different hydration system, a hand held bottle and a belt and poweraid and GNU.
-Got myself a running buddy!
-Had x-rays done which were normal and saw an orthopod who said my exam seemed inconsistent with fractures and consistent with shin splints, told me to keep running and start taking Advil 3x 3 a day. That's a lot of advil!
-Got myself some new softer inserts.
Really Upity Ups
-Ran my fastest 5K yet in 38:18 at a 12:22 pace!
-Shins felt good afterward!
-Ran 6.2 miles Saturday AM and it felt awesome!
-Failed to accomplish my first Long 6 mile run last Saturday.
-Was alone most of the week since my husband worked a gazillion hours an went away all last Sunday leaving me little time to run when scheduled to run.
-Had horrific pain in my right shin develop causing me to fear I had a stress fracture.
-Found out the inserts I had gotten from ALIGN were too hard and most likely causing my second round of shin splints.
Ups
-Learned from my mistakes from my failed long run.
-Bought two different hydration system, a hand held bottle and a belt and poweraid and GNU.
-Got myself a running buddy!
-Had x-rays done which were normal and saw an orthopod who said my exam seemed inconsistent with fractures and consistent with shin splints, told me to keep running and start taking Advil 3x 3 a day. That's a lot of advil!
-Got myself some new softer inserts.
Really Upity Ups
-Ran my fastest 5K yet in 38:18 at a 12:22 pace!
-Shins felt good afterward!
-Ran 6.2 miles Saturday AM and it felt awesome!
Accomplishing those 6.2 miles felt amazing, I really believe I can do this!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Live and Learn
So,all week long I have been freaked out knowing Saturday would be my first long run or 6 miles, or was supposed to be. I had two good 3 mile range runs Tuesday and Thursday and had run 3 miles or so last Saturday so I was back on track. Shins have there moments on and off but overall healthy. I was nervous and tense, well freaked out about this impending 6 mile run all day Friday.
I mapped out a gorgeous flat course along the ocean and started mentally preparing myself. Whay am I so freaked out? I ran a 5 mile race and did it, 6 can't be much worse. Something in my head was causing me to have a mental block. A bock that was filling me with anxiety and dread.
I awoke Saturday morning and started freaking out about hydration. I had been learning all week long from fellow all ears team members about hydration strategies and replacing electrolytes and how important this is. So, I was drinking water and coffee, Saturday morning which then resulted in bathroom trips and then I was full so I did not eat anything, I was nervous and could not get my sneakers tied just the right way. I was feeling pressure and the "I can't do this" voice was having a party in my brain. Stupidly, I did not head out until 9ish. It was a warm beach day and was 80ish. I did not bring any water never mind electrolyte water, nor money. DADADADUM< the death noise, I killed my run with that step.
I started out with the usual first 10 minutes hard, sneakers, needed to be adjusted, shins sore, sports bra tugging, but after 20 minutes settled into a groove, I was running super slow on purpose to conserve energy, I was just about mile 3 the turn around point at the end of Nahant beach when it hit me. The nauseating feeling of heat exhaustion, face burning, stomach upset, feeling like I might pass out, I weighed continuing, but without water, was afraid of really hurting myself.
I have been spoiled by the races with water stops along the way and hoses. I admitted defeat and the frustrating part was that I knew I could do it, make it the whole way, had I had water.
After walking the last 3 miles, trying not to feel too defeated, but I did, I went to the running store and bought myself a hydration belt. I also bought the lemon lime flavor GU20 electrolyte powder mix and some GU energy gels.
Of course, I was painfully reminded that I am still a Heffalump after three months of hard work when the first two hydration belts would not fit around my waist, as if my self esteem had not already taken a hard enough hit today with my failed run.
Anyhow, the 6 mile run is rescheduled for Tuesday, Monday I am going to try a timed mile. Still need to get a Garmin, not sure if I should splurge on the heart monitor with it or not, can't imagine wearing the chest strap to be honest and the hydration belt and the Garmin while running.
Overall, I am in a bit of a slump I would say, too many long exhausting days alone with the kids. I have gained a couple of pounds which is annoying due to the numerous nights out and weddings and such we have been doing. I need to get this 6 mile run out of the way Tuesday and hopefully that will get me more confidence.
I mapped out a gorgeous flat course along the ocean and started mentally preparing myself. Whay am I so freaked out? I ran a 5 mile race and did it, 6 can't be much worse. Something in my head was causing me to have a mental block. A bock that was filling me with anxiety and dread.
I awoke Saturday morning and started freaking out about hydration. I had been learning all week long from fellow all ears team members about hydration strategies and replacing electrolytes and how important this is. So, I was drinking water and coffee, Saturday morning which then resulted in bathroom trips and then I was full so I did not eat anything, I was nervous and could not get my sneakers tied just the right way. I was feeling pressure and the "I can't do this" voice was having a party in my brain. Stupidly, I did not head out until 9ish. It was a warm beach day and was 80ish. I did not bring any water never mind electrolyte water, nor money. DADADADUM< the death noise, I killed my run with that step.
I started out with the usual first 10 minutes hard, sneakers, needed to be adjusted, shins sore, sports bra tugging, but after 20 minutes settled into a groove, I was running super slow on purpose to conserve energy, I was just about mile 3 the turn around point at the end of Nahant beach when it hit me. The nauseating feeling of heat exhaustion, face burning, stomach upset, feeling like I might pass out, I weighed continuing, but without water, was afraid of really hurting myself.
I have been spoiled by the races with water stops along the way and hoses. I admitted defeat and the frustrating part was that I knew I could do it, make it the whole way, had I had water.
After walking the last 3 miles, trying not to feel too defeated, but I did, I went to the running store and bought myself a hydration belt. I also bought the lemon lime flavor GU20 electrolyte powder mix and some GU energy gels.
Of course, I was painfully reminded that I am still a Heffalump after three months of hard work when the first two hydration belts would not fit around my waist, as if my self esteem had not already taken a hard enough hit today with my failed run.
Anyhow, the 6 mile run is rescheduled for Tuesday, Monday I am going to try a timed mile. Still need to get a Garmin, not sure if I should splurge on the heart monitor with it or not, can't imagine wearing the chest strap to be honest and the hydration belt and the Garmin while running.
Overall, I am in a bit of a slump I would say, too many long exhausting days alone with the kids. I have gained a couple of pounds which is annoying due to the numerous nights out and weddings and such we have been doing. I need to get this 6 mile run out of the way Tuesday and hopefully that will get me more confidence.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Science of it all.
I have to be honest. When I embarked on the running quest mid-April, I thought this will be simple and straightforward. I watch what I eat, I log the training runs and I show up on 1/2 marathon day 100 pounds lighter and an Olympian runner who would run 7 minute miles without breaking a sweat. How hard can running be, no equiptment needed, no experience or gym membership required, just slap on those running shoes and go.
BOY WAS I Mistaken!
Running is an extremely complex sport. I feel like I am learning a new language or getting another degree. And it is not inexpensive either!! I had to learn about running sneakers, then I had to learn about inserts, then proper clothes, then the science of hydration and electrolites, how not to injure myself, nutrition, training schedules, training methods, training races, heart rate monitors, ipods, phew, my head is spinning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is fun to get engrossed in this new world though. There is a huge community of runners out there and they are not all the fastest and the fitest. There are plenty of people like me I am discovering.
I ran a 5K in Newburyport last night in 90 degree heat and humidity and it was hard, ok it was hell. Afterward I had serious leg cramping for the first time and today I am destroyed. I should have been drinking electrolytes so now I need to find a hydration system $$$$. I need to get a heart rate monitor $$$. I stuck with it though and finished despite wanting to quit.
I am still at a standstill with my pace. Still stuck in the 13 minute mile pace. Now I have to start researching how to improve that.
I have my first long 6 mile run I need to push through this weekend, wish me luck!
Also, random question why do the course designers need to always put a large hill at the end of a 5K. Do they think we enjoy that? I certainly do not, rolling hills are fine, but a 1/4 mile long steep hill at the end of the course just takes all of the fun out of the race.
BOY WAS I Mistaken!
Running is an extremely complex sport. I feel like I am learning a new language or getting another degree. And it is not inexpensive either!! I had to learn about running sneakers, then I had to learn about inserts, then proper clothes, then the science of hydration and electrolites, how not to injure myself, nutrition, training schedules, training methods, training races, heart rate monitors, ipods, phew, my head is spinning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is fun to get engrossed in this new world though. There is a huge community of runners out there and they are not all the fastest and the fitest. There are plenty of people like me I am discovering.
I ran a 5K in Newburyport last night in 90 degree heat and humidity and it was hard, ok it was hell. Afterward I had serious leg cramping for the first time and today I am destroyed. I should have been drinking electrolytes so now I need to find a hydration system $$$$. I need to get a heart rate monitor $$$. I stuck with it though and finished despite wanting to quit.
I am still at a standstill with my pace. Still stuck in the 13 minute mile pace. Now I have to start researching how to improve that.
I have my first long 6 mile run I need to push through this weekend, wish me luck!
Also, random question why do the course designers need to always put a large hill at the end of a 5K. Do they think we enjoy that? I certainly do not, rolling hills are fine, but a 1/4 mile long steep hill at the end of the course just takes all of the fun out of the race.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
I may be crazy, but I know I am commited
So this is how my evening went:
Last night I registered for this 5 mile race in Boston. I was drawn by the charity of the event and the gorgeous, FLAT OCEAN course, there are few flat courses in NE, so I jumped on this!!!
I asked my husband who can never dictate the time he is home to request to be let out early. He did. At 3pm I started the panicked pages, are you done, when will you be done??? No good responses.
At 3:40 desperately page babysitter, can you come? Yes she could.
At 5:20 to Husband when will you be home? No answer.
At 5:21 Leave four kids with babysitter off racing into Boston at rush hour traffic.
RACE STARTS AT 6:30
Immediately I realize I have to Pee, not good.
6:00 enter 93 South tunnel in Boston, stopped in deadlocked traffic.
STILL HAVE TO PEE.
6:15 make the exit and take the wrong *&%(*^(*)*&)&( turn
6:25 at traffic light waiting to take the right turn.
6:26 take the right turn and park.
6:26 sprinting across busy road to get my number wiping away tears of frustration.
6:27 grab my number and run to potty.
6:29 sprinting to start line
6:30 the race starts with me there still wiping away tears.
Am I nuts??? Or just really getting into this, not many people would drive into the heart of the storm, BOSTON Rush hour traffic to go run 5 miles. SO I must either A. be nuts or B. Be really commited and getting into this.
I choose B. I finished the race in 1 hour and 9 minutes and discovered the challenge of running into a headwind for 2.5 miles.
I discovered another thing. I like races. Why you might ask ok, well picture yourself on an average training day. You know you have to run lets say five miles today. You head out alone and start the battle of the run alone, work through the pain alone, maybe you have water, maybe you don't, you might want to stop after a few miles, but that is you alone deciding that.
Ok, now let's compare that experience to a race. You have to pay a small fee to enter, but hey you have been meaning to make a charitable donation right? You get a cool number and instead of running alone are surrounded by other people who also are doing the same thing, you are not alone. If they can do it you can too!! You have people cheering you on along your run, clapping for you, applauding you, when you are thirsty there are people handing you water. You get scared, there are police there to protect you. You are worried about that strange ache in your knee, there is a first aid person at the end of your run waiting to take care of you. And congrats for doing your training here is a nice t shirt for your hard work and some yummy fruit and water and snacks.
HMMMM train alone or do a race you decide which experience is more motivating for you???
I know what I like now, I have become a spoiled runner in training and I like it!!!!!
10K 's here I come!!!!!!
Last night I registered for this 5 mile race in Boston. I was drawn by the charity of the event and the gorgeous, FLAT OCEAN course, there are few flat courses in NE, so I jumped on this!!!
I asked my husband who can never dictate the time he is home to request to be let out early. He did. At 3pm I started the panicked pages, are you done, when will you be done??? No good responses.
At 3:40 desperately page babysitter, can you come? Yes she could.
At 5:20 to Husband when will you be home? No answer.
At 5:21 Leave four kids with babysitter off racing into Boston at rush hour traffic.
RACE STARTS AT 6:30
Immediately I realize I have to Pee, not good.
6:00 enter 93 South tunnel in Boston, stopped in deadlocked traffic.
STILL HAVE TO PEE.
6:15 make the exit and take the wrong *&%(*^(*)*&)&( turn
6:25 at traffic light waiting to take the right turn.
6:26 take the right turn and park.
6:26 sprinting across busy road to get my number wiping away tears of frustration.
6:27 grab my number and run to potty.
6:29 sprinting to start line
6:30 the race starts with me there still wiping away tears.
Am I nuts??? Or just really getting into this, not many people would drive into the heart of the storm, BOSTON Rush hour traffic to go run 5 miles. SO I must either A. be nuts or B. Be really commited and getting into this.
I choose B. I finished the race in 1 hour and 9 minutes and discovered the challenge of running into a headwind for 2.5 miles.
I discovered another thing. I like races. Why you might ask ok, well picture yourself on an average training day. You know you have to run lets say five miles today. You head out alone and start the battle of the run alone, work through the pain alone, maybe you have water, maybe you don't, you might want to stop after a few miles, but that is you alone deciding that.
Ok, now let's compare that experience to a race. You have to pay a small fee to enter, but hey you have been meaning to make a charitable donation right? You get a cool number and instead of running alone are surrounded by other people who also are doing the same thing, you are not alone. If they can do it you can too!! You have people cheering you on along your run, clapping for you, applauding you, when you are thirsty there are people handing you water. You get scared, there are police there to protect you. You are worried about that strange ache in your knee, there is a first aid person at the end of your run waiting to take care of you. And congrats for doing your training here is a nice t shirt for your hard work and some yummy fruit and water and snacks.
HMMMM train alone or do a race you decide which experience is more motivating for you???
I know what I like now, I have become a spoiled runner in training and I like it!!!!!
10K 's here I come!!!!!!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Diet, Increasing Mileage and more family adventures
The idea of running 13 miles when it was 8 months away seemed completely reasonable. The idea of running 13 miles now that it is just 6 months a way is starting to feel a bit scary and challenging.
I have been working hard at taking weight off slowly while revolutionizing my lifestyle and diet habits. It is going very well! It is now becoming a habit and normal to make the sensible choices and don't get me wrong I still eat all the "bad" foods and eat what I want, just in smaller portions. I don't do the "oh well, I cheated now I can eat the whole pizza and whole cake that leftover bag of chips and a bottle of wine. Now if I want cake I have one bite, if I want chips, I have a small handful, If I want a cheeseburger,I have one without the bun. The weight is slowly coming off just like it slowly went on.
On the running front, I know I have to increase my mileage slowly and have been trying to get in three runs a week and two swims and the other days I want to strength train or bike. I once again have found that increasing my mileage like so many other aspects of running is about training my body yes, but that comes naturally if I do the three runs a week. It is in fact more of a mental war against myself and the I can't do its. I find myself constantly making these crazy statements to myslef and then having to prove myself wrong. For example, I have to run first thing in the morning, because I am too tired at the end of the day. Well, no, I am mentally tired, but my body can do it, so I give myself the choice, if I can't wake up it means I am running later in the day. I just go and do it.
I have also found myself saying I can't run that much it is too far or I can't run a hilly course, I just can't. Well, last weekend I ran my first 4 mile race and this past weeeknd I ran my first 4.8 mile race with hills! I did it, I finished dead last, with grandpa passing me in the final stretch, but I finished, check me out, dead last:
I have been working hard at taking weight off slowly while revolutionizing my lifestyle and diet habits. It is going very well! It is now becoming a habit and normal to make the sensible choices and don't get me wrong I still eat all the "bad" foods and eat what I want, just in smaller portions. I don't do the "oh well, I cheated now I can eat the whole pizza and whole cake that leftover bag of chips and a bottle of wine. Now if I want cake I have one bite, if I want chips, I have a small handful, If I want a cheeseburger,I have one without the bun. The weight is slowly coming off just like it slowly went on.
On the running front, I know I have to increase my mileage slowly and have been trying to get in three runs a week and two swims and the other days I want to strength train or bike. I once again have found that increasing my mileage like so many other aspects of running is about training my body yes, but that comes naturally if I do the three runs a week. It is in fact more of a mental war against myself and the I can't do its. I find myself constantly making these crazy statements to myslef and then having to prove myself wrong. For example, I have to run first thing in the morning, because I am too tired at the end of the day. Well, no, I am mentally tired, but my body can do it, so I give myself the choice, if I can't wake up it means I am running later in the day. I just go and do it.
I have also found myself saying I can't run that much it is too far or I can't run a hilly course, I just can't. Well, last weekend I ran my first 4 mile race and this past weeeknd I ran my first 4.8 mile race with hills! I did it, I finished dead last, with grandpa passing me in the final stretch, but I finished, check me out, dead last:
452 60/60 F4049 Janet Sweeney 46 F North Falmouth, MA 1:04:27 13:24
453 40/41 F3039 Sara Coady Howe 30 F Milford, MA 1:04:27 13:24
454 76/76 M4049 Bill Connell 41 M Falmouth, MA 1:04:52 13:30
455 15/17 M6069 Harvey Ko 65 M Elliott, MD 1:05:27 13:37
456 16/17 M6069 Chris Polloni 66 M N. Falmouth, MA 1:05:27 13:37
457 17/17 M6069 Rob Grey 65 M Cambridge, MA 1:06:43 13:53
458 41/41 F3039 Amanda Gonzales 36 F Marblehead, MA 1:08:00 14:09
Ok, I lied three grandpas edged me out, sigh. That's ok, grandpa,
I will take that
one for the grandpa team.
I have been following the Jeff Galloway book and according
to the plan, I have to
increase my mileage every weekend. I have found that
if I find a race to do that
helps me
increase and build in a family adventure, it helps
me to accomplish this
daunting task.
Fellow teammates and new friends Caliin and Josh
invited me to do the Falmouth race and
I could not decide until 9:30pm the night before,
I was terrified. How can a big old
Heffalump run 4.8 miles??? I felt like I was doing
a trust fall blindly when I said ok
let's do it. Luckily I am blessed to have a wonderful
husband and family who like me love
to take on adventures and travel in a heartbeats decision.
So, at 6:30 am we were off driving to
Falmouth.
The race was amazing, so may supporters and families
were out on the road cheering the
runners on, handing out water, spraying us with hoses,
it was amazing and I did it.
Afterwards we spent the most incredible and relaxing day
with Caliin and Josh and
their beautiful family at the beach. What an amazing
adventure! It never would have
happened if I had not embarked on this journey. Thanks
Caliin and Josh for a fantastic
and inspirational day!
I am now searching for new family adventures wrapped
around a race with increasing
mileage for the weekends. I think this weekend will
be a journey to RI to visit
my old stomping grounds in Narraganset after a race.
Nik is usually more agreeable if the
their is lobster and beer at the end of the adventure for him.
Duh, of course for all of you who know me well and are
wondering of course i am trying to
make a race happen in Disney on a weekend before January.
So come run with me, if I can do it, you can do it!!!
It's all in the state of mind!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Insecurity and humiiation
Ok, so I like doing races. They are a challenge, an excitement. It is fun to scope out a race on cool runnings and make it happen. I have to say though once I get there I am a ball of nerves and insecurity.
I AM THE FAT CHICK!!!!!
Everyone there is sculpted and formed, muscles ripling, doing funky warm ups and exercises and then there is me, the Heffalump eating hay before the race. People look at me and quickly look away avoiding eye contact.
I know that once the race starts I will be the last one.
As hard as it is for me to swallow it is ok because I am the last one running the race, not the last one thinking about it or almost signing up for it, but I am doing it.
Ok, I sound brave, but really I am ashamed, embaresed and humiliated. I use those feelings though to go on.
Today was tough, I was of course the last one, all alone, but I did it. I ran a four mile race today. I DID IT! Alone, but I did it. It hurt, but I did it. I was slow, but I did it.
I feel good, still insecure, but proud. I am on my way. Three races under my belt, and I am enjoying them.
It is still not getting easier but that has to change at some point.
Come on everyone come run with me, if I can do it anyone can!!!
Success depends on a fellows will for its all in the state of mind......
I AM THE FAT CHICK!!!!!
Everyone there is sculpted and formed, muscles ripling, doing funky warm ups and exercises and then there is me, the Heffalump eating hay before the race. People look at me and quickly look away avoiding eye contact.
I know that once the race starts I will be the last one.
As hard as it is for me to swallow it is ok because I am the last one running the race, not the last one thinking about it or almost signing up for it, but I am doing it.
Ok, I sound brave, but really I am ashamed, embaresed and humiliated. I use those feelings though to go on.
Today was tough, I was of course the last one, all alone, but I did it. I ran a four mile race today. I DID IT! Alone, but I did it. It hurt, but I did it. I was slow, but I did it.
I feel good, still insecure, but proud. I am on my way. Three races under my belt, and I am enjoying them.
It is still not getting easier but that has to change at some point.
Come on everyone come run with me, if I can do it anyone can!!!
Success depends on a fellows will for its all in the state of mind......
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