Ugh!
Today was my Tuesday run.
I thought I'd escaped it, but it found me.
My right shin was screaming at me....and then my right calf joined in.
You see, I've not done the exercises my physical therapist gave me to do, in......well....let's just say it's been a little while, shall we?
Lesson learned. Listen to medical professionals.
Check!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
09/28/2010 (5.02 mi, 10:24 pace)
I started my run DETERMINED to not let this be just another Tuesday morning run.
My Tuesday runs are usually the worst of the week. It always takes forever to get into the running grove, and my times are usually pretty bad.
But not this week, oh no, I was going to make sure that didn't happen. I didn't care what my time was, I just wanted it to feel good. I wanted it to wake me up and get me ready for the day. I wanted it to not s*ck. :-)
I'd found a 5 mile route the week before that I really liked....so that's where I headed.
I noticed right away that the sky was clear. I could actually seen the moon and stars. I haven't been able to say that in quite some time.
The hills along this route and steep and long....but they didn't bother me nearly as much as they usually do.
Along the stretches of road where I actually have to run in the road, I met no oncoming traffic.
I didn't have to wait for any skunks, and there were no deer jumping out of the bushes to scare the crap out of me.
All in all it was an uneventful run.....but it felt good.
And that's what I wanted most of all!!!!!
My Tuesday runs are usually the worst of the week. It always takes forever to get into the running grove, and my times are usually pretty bad.
But not this week, oh no, I was going to make sure that didn't happen. I didn't care what my time was, I just wanted it to feel good. I wanted it to wake me up and get me ready for the day. I wanted it to not s*ck. :-)
I'd found a 5 mile route the week before that I really liked....so that's where I headed.
I noticed right away that the sky was clear. I could actually seen the moon and stars. I haven't been able to say that in quite some time.
The hills along this route and steep and long....but they didn't bother me nearly as much as they usually do.
Along the stretches of road where I actually have to run in the road, I met no oncoming traffic.
I didn't have to wait for any skunks, and there were no deer jumping out of the bushes to scare the crap out of me.
All in all it was an uneventful run.....but it felt good.
And that's what I wanted most of all!!!!!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
09/26/10 (8/16 mi, 10:30 pace)
Have you ever had one of those mornings? You know the kind.
I woke up later than I'd planned.....my allergies were engaged in some sort of war with my sinuses...and I couldn't, of the life of me, get my stupid iPod to load the stupid podrunner episodes I wanted it to.
After making enough noise by sighing loudly, doing a little whining, and possibly stomping my feet, Mot got up to help me with the iPod. Isn't he a gem! Eventually he was able to persuade it to do what I wanted it to do in the first place. Modern technology, ain't it grand? :-)
I grabbed my hydration belt, a couple towels, jumped in the car, and was off.
As I turned onto the street where the trail begins, I noticed cops blocking traffic. I noticed hundreds of people walking dogs. I noticed yellow signs everywhere.
The trail starts just on the other side of a creek from the Nebraska Humane Society.
Sunday, unbeknownst to me, was it's annual fundraising event. There was an auction, bouncy houses for the kids, displays, and a 5K Walk for the Animals. And...you guessed it...the walk was going to be held on my trail.
OK, so it's not actually mine...but I pay taxes, so it kinda is....right? (hehe)
I found a parking place (by complete luck!), grabbed my hydration belt and bolted for the trail head. Maybe I'd be able to get on the trail before all those dogs.
Actually, it's not the dogs that bother me....it's the people walking the dogs. The ones that don't know how to control a dog on a leash, on a public trail. The ones that don't know they should reel them in before passersbys come along, and get tripped by the leash. And then give you an ugly look like it's your fault you were running in the grass, 4 foot from the trail, and their dog STILL got tangled around your legs. :-)
I'm just sayin'.
I get to the trail head, and there are no canines in sight....sweet!!! I start walking, as I clip my hydration belt on, grab the iPod, and then do the dance.
The "put the wrap-around headphones on, under the bondiband, without sending my sunglasses askew, all the while trying to walk in a straight line without hitting anything, and while I'm at it also turn on the iPod and get it playing" dance.
Actually, it might be more of a jig, then a dance...now that I think about it.
Anyhoo.
It was also then I realized, in my haste, I didn't stretch.
"That's OK, I'll just walk a little longer to warm up, and take it easy the first mile running."
Bad plan.
I spent the first 3 miles in agony. The muscle, or tendon, or whatever it is that allows a person to, while standing, lift the balls of their feet (while leaving their heels on the ground).....yeah, the one on my right foot wasn't working.
At all.
So my run was more of an ungraceful plod. Frankenstein or a newly raised zombie probably has more grace than what I was exhibiting at that point.
I continually had to stop and stretch against sign posts, trees, and benches.
I considered sitting down on the next bench, calling Mot, and having him come and get me.
Oh yeah, I was ready to throw in the towel.
But then the pain went away.
One minute it was there, the next it was gone.
I finished the last half of my run. Even after all the stopping to stretch, I ended up with a pretty decent time.
Sweet!!!!!
I woke up later than I'd planned.....my allergies were engaged in some sort of war with my sinuses...and I couldn't, of the life of me, get my stupid iPod to load the stupid podrunner episodes I wanted it to.
After making enough noise by sighing loudly, doing a little whining, and possibly stomping my feet, Mot got up to help me with the iPod. Isn't he a gem! Eventually he was able to persuade it to do what I wanted it to do in the first place. Modern technology, ain't it grand? :-)
I grabbed my hydration belt, a couple towels, jumped in the car, and was off.
As I turned onto the street where the trail begins, I noticed cops blocking traffic. I noticed hundreds of people walking dogs. I noticed yellow signs everywhere.
The trail starts just on the other side of a creek from the Nebraska Humane Society.
Sunday, unbeknownst to me, was it's annual fundraising event. There was an auction, bouncy houses for the kids, displays, and a 5K Walk for the Animals. And...you guessed it...the walk was going to be held on my trail.
OK, so it's not actually mine...but I pay taxes, so it kinda is....right? (hehe)
I found a parking place (by complete luck!), grabbed my hydration belt and bolted for the trail head. Maybe I'd be able to get on the trail before all those dogs.
Actually, it's not the dogs that bother me....it's the people walking the dogs. The ones that don't know how to control a dog on a leash, on a public trail. The ones that don't know they should reel them in before passersbys come along, and get tripped by the leash. And then give you an ugly look like it's your fault you were running in the grass, 4 foot from the trail, and their dog STILL got tangled around your legs. :-)
I'm just sayin'.
I get to the trail head, and there are no canines in sight....sweet!!! I start walking, as I clip my hydration belt on, grab the iPod, and then do the dance.
The "put the wrap-around headphones on, under the bondiband, without sending my sunglasses askew, all the while trying to walk in a straight line without hitting anything, and while I'm at it also turn on the iPod and get it playing" dance.
Actually, it might be more of a jig, then a dance...now that I think about it.
Anyhoo.
It was also then I realized, in my haste, I didn't stretch.
"That's OK, I'll just walk a little longer to warm up, and take it easy the first mile running."
Bad plan.
I spent the first 3 miles in agony. The muscle, or tendon, or whatever it is that allows a person to, while standing, lift the balls of their feet (while leaving their heels on the ground).....yeah, the one on my right foot wasn't working.
At all.
So my run was more of an ungraceful plod. Frankenstein or a newly raised zombie probably has more grace than what I was exhibiting at that point.
I continually had to stop and stretch against sign posts, trees, and benches.
I considered sitting down on the next bench, calling Mot, and having him come and get me.
Oh yeah, I was ready to throw in the towel.
But then the pain went away.
One minute it was there, the next it was gone.
I finished the last half of my run. Even after all the stopping to stretch, I ended up with a pretty decent time.
Sweet!!!!!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
09/23/10 (5 mi hills, 10:49 pace)
Sat down at the computer last night before going to bed. I needed to find a new route for my morning runs. Something with sidewalks, good sidewalks....flat ones.
You know when you walk on a garden path, and there is green plant life growing up through all the cracks in the stones, and you think it's really pretty and rustic? Well...when running, those sidewalks are called crap. As in "Crap, is that really a sidewalk at all?"
And, if these sidewalks were along a street, with streetlamps, that would be even better. I've come to really appreciate being able to see where I'm going. :-)
After looking at the city maps for a while, I found one I thought would work. While running it this morning, more than once I found myself thinking "wow, I don't remember this hill being here."
It's amazing what you don't notice about the lay of the land while driving in a car. Hats off to the inventors of the automobile, that's all I have to say!! :-)
I pushed myself pretty hard on the uphills.
At the top of one of them I heard myself saying "You aren't going to puke, you aren't going to puke, you aren't going to puke......"
I didn't puke. Yay me!!
It's a good thing I run in the morning before people are up, or I'd get a reputation around the neighborhood for being that crazy lady who talks to herself while running.
They probably already think I'm the crazy lady, in all reality, I just don't want to add any more fuel to the fire if I can help it.
Although, it's probably an effective home defense system. Don't break into her house, she's ca-razy!
I also found myself repeating "I'm not going to die, I'm not going to die, I'm not going to die...." at the top of the final hill.
A bit over dramatic?
Probably.
But, you can't deny the effectiveness of the strategy...I mean, I'm still alive aren't I? :-)
At one point, early in the run, I physically had to stop running and wait for the deer to cross. There were a dozen of them (no kidding) running across the road six or so foot ahead of me....and I wasn't about to play my own version of Frogger with that bunch. No way!
It was almost 80 degrees this morning. 80 degrees? And, I didn't even want to know the humidity level...it probably would have made me cry.
Now, last I checked, it's nearly the end of September. We've been playing "red light, green light" with our air conditioner all week. Off one day, on the next. Mother Nature is experiencing some sort of Jekyll/Hyde syndrome...I'm just sure of it.
I think maybe we need to get her some Clozaril, Risperdol, or Zyprexa. Maybe one of each?
(no fear, I actually had to look those up, antipsychotics aren't my thing, I promise)
You know when you walk on a garden path, and there is green plant life growing up through all the cracks in the stones, and you think it's really pretty and rustic? Well...when running, those sidewalks are called crap. As in "Crap, is that really a sidewalk at all?"
And, if these sidewalks were along a street, with streetlamps, that would be even better. I've come to really appreciate being able to see where I'm going. :-)
After looking at the city maps for a while, I found one I thought would work. While running it this morning, more than once I found myself thinking "wow, I don't remember this hill being here."
It's amazing what you don't notice about the lay of the land while driving in a car. Hats off to the inventors of the automobile, that's all I have to say!! :-)
I pushed myself pretty hard on the uphills.
At the top of one of them I heard myself saying "You aren't going to puke, you aren't going to puke, you aren't going to puke......"
I didn't puke. Yay me!!
It's a good thing I run in the morning before people are up, or I'd get a reputation around the neighborhood for being that crazy lady who talks to herself while running.
They probably already think I'm the crazy lady, in all reality, I just don't want to add any more fuel to the fire if I can help it.
Although, it's probably an effective home defense system. Don't break into her house, she's ca-razy!
I also found myself repeating "I'm not going to die, I'm not going to die, I'm not going to die...." at the top of the final hill.
A bit over dramatic?
Probably.
But, you can't deny the effectiveness of the strategy...I mean, I'm still alive aren't I? :-)
At one point, early in the run, I physically had to stop running and wait for the deer to cross. There were a dozen of them (no kidding) running across the road six or so foot ahead of me....and I wasn't about to play my own version of Frogger with that bunch. No way!
It was almost 80 degrees this morning. 80 degrees? And, I didn't even want to know the humidity level...it probably would have made me cry.
Now, last I checked, it's nearly the end of September. We've been playing "red light, green light" with our air conditioner all week. Off one day, on the next. Mother Nature is experiencing some sort of Jekyll/Hyde syndrome...I'm just sure of it.
I think maybe we need to get her some Clozaril, Risperdol, or Zyprexa. Maybe one of each?
(no fear, I actually had to look those up, antipsychotics aren't my thing, I promise)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
09/22/10 (3 mi hills, 10:45 pace)
Wow....today was sooo much better than yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!
Although, now that I think about it, it wouldn't take much for that to happen. (hehehe)
I had a short 3 mile run on the training schedule, so I decided to run my normal 2 mile route, and just repeat the hilly loop three times to get the extra distance in, and some added hill work, all at the same time.
The weather in the area is almost laughable these days. This weekend, we were in jeans and sweatshirts. You could see your breath when you were outside. And then Monday we were back to shorts and tshirts dealing with 90 degree weather. And the rain...it's almost as though it's spring, not fall. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On the other hand.....because of all the weather weirdness, it was muggier than heck this morning! :-)
I guess that's it for me today, short post....but, again, I can't tell you how much better I feel today, compared to yesterday. What a difference a day makes, or so they say. :-)
Although, now that I think about it, it wouldn't take much for that to happen. (hehehe)
I had a short 3 mile run on the training schedule, so I decided to run my normal 2 mile route, and just repeat the hilly loop three times to get the extra distance in, and some added hill work, all at the same time.
The weather in the area is almost laughable these days. This weekend, we were in jeans and sweatshirts. You could see your breath when you were outside. And then Monday we were back to shorts and tshirts dealing with 90 degree weather. And the rain...it's almost as though it's spring, not fall. I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On the other hand.....because of all the weather weirdness, it was muggier than heck this morning! :-)
I guess that's it for me today, short post....but, again, I can't tell you how much better I feel today, compared to yesterday. What a difference a day makes, or so they say. :-)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
When you just don't want to keep going.....
Well.
Yeah.
Huh......
My alarm clock said 4:56 am.
I laid there for 4 minutes trying to find the perfect excuse.
That incontestable reason to not get up and run.
No matter how hard I tried, or how many pathetic attempts I made.....nothing came to mind.
How can a person be so gung-ho about something for so long, only to wake up one day and not want to do it at all?
I turned the alarm off before it sounded, and plodded into the living room. I was up before Sam could slam her wet nose into my eye. That never happens.
I put them both outside. I put my running gear on. I put my cell phone in my running belt (learned my lesson the hard way not taking it, won't do that again). I walked out the door, and down the block.
I walked back to the house. I grabbed the water bottle I'd left lying on the kitchen counter. I walked out the door and down the block (take 2).
It's so darned dark in the am now....my running is slower, and I'm paying more attention to every step.
The first mile and a half, although noticeably slower, went without a hitch.
And then it hit.
The wall.
Can the wall actually hit after only 1.5 stinkin' miles? :-)
I turned around and went home...right then. Today's run just wasn't in the cards. I got three of my four and a half scheduled miles done.
Wondering if I shouldn't go home and run the rest, just so that I can say I wasn't defeated??
The half marathon is coming up faster and faster. The 10K this weekend wore me out...how am I going to handle 13.1 miles?
I'm psyching myself out, aren't I?
Yeah.
Huh......
My alarm clock said 4:56 am.
I laid there for 4 minutes trying to find the perfect excuse.
That incontestable reason to not get up and run.
No matter how hard I tried, or how many pathetic attempts I made.....nothing came to mind.
How can a person be so gung-ho about something for so long, only to wake up one day and not want to do it at all?
I turned the alarm off before it sounded, and plodded into the living room. I was up before Sam could slam her wet nose into my eye. That never happens.
I put them both outside. I put my running gear on. I put my cell phone in my running belt (learned my lesson the hard way not taking it, won't do that again). I walked out the door, and down the block.
I walked back to the house. I grabbed the water bottle I'd left lying on the kitchen counter. I walked out the door and down the block (take 2).
It's so darned dark in the am now....my running is slower, and I'm paying more attention to every step.
The first mile and a half, although noticeably slower, went without a hitch.
And then it hit.
The wall.
Can the wall actually hit after only 1.5 stinkin' miles? :-)
I turned around and went home...right then. Today's run just wasn't in the cards. I got three of my four and a half scheduled miles done.
Wondering if I shouldn't go home and run the rest, just so that I can say I wasn't defeated??
The half marathon is coming up faster and faster. The 10K this weekend wore me out...how am I going to handle 13.1 miles?
I'm psyching myself out, aren't I?
Monday, September 20, 2010
UPDATED!!! 09/19/2010 - My first 10K!!! (6.2 mile, 9:56 pace)
My watch was apparently malfunctioning at some point or another along the route. It says I only ran 5.74 miles. Pretty sure I'm going to trust the race directors on this one. (hehe)
I've been told it could be a while before they post the official results. Which always surprises me. With timing chips, isn't all the hard work done for them by computer anyway? :-)
I noticed the clock said 1 minute 26 seconds when I crossed over the start line....and it had just clicked over to 1 hour and 3 minutes when I came running in.
I think a 10 min pace in my first 10K is pretty good. I'm pleased with my performance.
** The official times are up....I ran 10K in 1 hour 1 minute and 40 seconds. A 9:56 pace!!!!!!! Very, very happy with that!!!!!!!!
The weather was great. Not sure on the temp, but guessing in the upper 50's....rainy and misty through the whole race.
I've participated in this 10K before....two or three times at least. Usually, my company sponsors a team, and I end up being the (by default) walking team captain. Normally we send a group of 10 or so along walking along the route. They didn't sponsor a team this year, because there wasn't enough interest.....so I entered in the open division.
(figures, the ONE year I can actually, finally run it)
Not quite the same when you don't know others in the race...but it was still fun getting out there and doing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No longer a race virgin. Sweet!!!!!
I've been told it could be a while before they post the official results. Which always surprises me. With timing chips, isn't all the hard work done for them by computer anyway? :-)
I noticed the clock said 1 minute 26 seconds when I crossed over the start line....and it had just clicked over to 1 hour and 3 minutes when I came running in.
I think a 10 min pace in my first 10K is pretty good. I'm pleased with my performance.
** The official times are up....I ran 10K in 1 hour 1 minute and 40 seconds. A 9:56 pace!!!!!!! Very, very happy with that!!!!!!!!
The weather was great. Not sure on the temp, but guessing in the upper 50's....rainy and misty through the whole race.
I've participated in this 10K before....two or three times at least. Usually, my company sponsors a team, and I end up being the (by default) walking team captain. Normally we send a group of 10 or so along walking along the route. They didn't sponsor a team this year, because there wasn't enough interest.....so I entered in the open division.
(figures, the ONE year I can actually, finally run it)
Not quite the same when you don't know others in the race...but it was still fun getting out there and doing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No longer a race virgin. Sweet!!!!!
Friday, September 17, 2010
09/16/10 (4.51 miles, 10:26 pace)
I took to the streets after work yesterday, instead of before work. My Wednesday run was late in the evening, and I didn't want to put more stress on my body again so soon.
(how very responsible of me, eh?)
But, with the weather being INSANELY amazing right now, I didn't mind waiting.
I came home, said hi to the hubby and the dogs...then headed out the door.
As I was running, one thing occurred to me. "Running in the morning is awesome for one really important reason....no one can see me."
I mean, I wear reflective stuff and such......but people really can't "see" me.
I'm the most un-fashion conscious runner EVER!!!!
Seriously!
I mean, here's a top to bottom verbal account of what I looked like running last night.
Ponytail. Headband. Dark sunglasses. Ugly turquoise tech shirt (where the heck did that thing even come from?). Black spandex bike shorts (because running with jiggly thighs just isn't acceptable!!!!) Purple scars on left knee (a running badge of honor I suppose?) Black compression calf sleeves. White running socks. Running shoes.
The compression sleeves and headband combo make me look like a modern version flashback of a 70's runner. And that tech shirt I was talking about...yeah, it didn't help the flashback image either! :-)
So....I ran a little different route than I normally do...mainly because the first section of sidewalk is better to run on when it's light out. For safety sake.
I snaked around and through a neighborhood just north of my neighborhood. And let me say, driving in there in the winter must be murder. Not a flat section of road to be found....hills, hills, hills.
I only got lost in the maze once.......
......or twice.
I'm sure that guy who was vacuuming out his car thought I was nuts. I kept running by, and then realizing I'd been on that street before. After the third time, I wanted to put my hand up near my face....which, as we all know, makes it so he couldn't see me. (giggle)
My pace seemed very sluggish...which I could blame on the NON-STOP torture of hill after hill after stinkin' hill.
I could blame it on that....but I can't.
I started paying attention to my pace, and found I actually kinda run faster going up, then I do down.
Explain that one to me. :-)
(how very responsible of me, eh?)
But, with the weather being INSANELY amazing right now, I didn't mind waiting.
I came home, said hi to the hubby and the dogs...then headed out the door.
As I was running, one thing occurred to me. "Running in the morning is awesome for one really important reason....no one can see me."
I mean, I wear reflective stuff and such......but people really can't "see" me.
I'm the most un-fashion conscious runner EVER!!!!
Seriously!
I mean, here's a top to bottom verbal account of what I looked like running last night.
Ponytail. Headband. Dark sunglasses. Ugly turquoise tech shirt (where the heck did that thing even come from?). Black spandex bike shorts (because running with jiggly thighs just isn't acceptable!!!!) Purple scars on left knee (a running badge of honor I suppose?) Black compression calf sleeves. White running socks. Running shoes.
The compression sleeves and headband combo make me look like a modern version flashback of a 70's runner. And that tech shirt I was talking about...yeah, it didn't help the flashback image either! :-)
So....I ran a little different route than I normally do...mainly because the first section of sidewalk is better to run on when it's light out. For safety sake.
I snaked around and through a neighborhood just north of my neighborhood. And let me say, driving in there in the winter must be murder. Not a flat section of road to be found....hills, hills, hills.
I only got lost in the maze once.......
......or twice.
I'm sure that guy who was vacuuming out his car thought I was nuts. I kept running by, and then realizing I'd been on that street before. After the third time, I wanted to put my hand up near my face....which, as we all know, makes it so he couldn't see me. (giggle)
My pace seemed very sluggish...which I could blame on the NON-STOP torture of hill after hill after stinkin' hill.
I could blame it on that....but I can't.
I started paying attention to my pace, and found I actually kinda run faster going up, then I do down.
Explain that one to me. :-)
Everything I know about life, I learned from running.....
OK, OK...so that title might be a bit of a stretch.
(ya think?)
But, the award I won yesterday inspired me to list ten things in life that make me happy.
And then, since this blog is pretty much centered around my new running addiction....and my inability to avoid pot holes (sigh)....I thought I'd go from listing the ten things in life that make me happy...to, more specifically, the ten things about running that make me happy.
Simple, right?
OK....let's see.....where to start.....
1) Is it vain to list losing weight and looking better as my number one reason? I mean, I could make it #7...but it would still be #1 in my head. And, if I put it at #7, when it's actually #1, I'd just feel like I was lying to you all. I'd spend my days guilt ridden for telling such a large fib.
So...there you have it...#1...weight loss and looking so much better than I did!!!!
(whew, only 9 more to go!!)
2) Feeling better. I feel great these days. I really do. I have more pep in my step, more vim in my vigor....or something like that. (hehehe) If my allergies weren't currently forcing me to scream "uncle" every morning, I'd be invincible.
OK, so I wouldn't literally be invincible...but I'd feel like it. That counts, right??
3) Donuts. That seems like a strange #3 doesn't it? Donuts? But, you know what, I had one this morning. And I don't feel bad for doing it. Regret-free donut eating (within moderation)...that's an AWESOME #3 if you ask me!!! :-)
4) Shopping!!!!! I've never been excited to go shopping...clothes shopping....until recently. I used to put it off until the last possible second. I'd have one pair of pants that fit, and find myself having to wash them constantly......THAT'S when I'd finally break down and go shopping for more. Now, it's fun! Now I can walk to a rack, grab my size, and 9 times out of 10.....no, scratch that.....7 times out of 10 they fit! (I think 7 out of 10 is fair. I'm not sure who came up with the women's sizing for pants, but they should be shot. I mean, riddle me this.....why can't a size 10 here, be a size 10 there? )
5) High heel shoes. I'm addicted to them. I love to shop for them, buy them, and wear them. And, having 50 or so fewer pounds pushing down on the balls of my feet...I can wear them more often!!! Hmmmmm.....maybe I should make this #2 instead of #5?
Half way done!!!!!
6) Half the day's gone by. Do any of you recognize that? I'd hear it every Saturday and Sunday am throughout my childhood. "Nej, time to get up!!" "Dad, it's 6:00 am on Saturday....come on!" "Get up, get up...half the day's gone by!" Now, I'm voluntarily getting up at 5:00 am during the week to run. And, at least one day on the weekend. On those days I don't hit the snooze...it goes off, and I'm ready and willing.
Oh, and my dog HATES the alarm clock, so I also get a wet nose jammed into my eye if I even THINK about hitting the snooze. :-)
7) Sense of accomplishment. Every week my total miles goes up. Every week my long run gets longer. Every time the distance increases, the smile on my face and the glow in my heart (what? too corny?) gets bigger and brighter. I'M DOING THIS. No one else, me....all me. I have a goal to run my very first half marathon in almost exactly one month. (holy crap - one month?????? ahhhh!!!!!) I'm visualizing myself running across that finish line. I'm visualizing the finisher's medal around my neck. I'm visualizing the grotesque pictures of me as I sweat and torture myself along the 13.1 mile route.
Maybe I'll stop visualizing that last one. It's kinda scary!! :-(~
8) The way he looks at me. This one is actually kinda tied into #1...and I should probably list it first, now that I think about it. Hubby loves me, always has. (Well, unless I'm b*tching at him because he's left the lid on the toilet up again, and I don't want the dog drinking from it, because our kitchen floor is already covered in water and drool....I'd rather keep the bathroom floor free from it, if at all possible. But every other time, he loves me.)
But.....now he looks at me with a twinkle in his eye more often....if you know what I mean. 'Nuff said.
9) Camaraderie. I've met so many people since I started running. Both online and in person. For the most part, runners are a pretty accepting bunch. There are those that think you need to run so fast or so far.....but I keep thinking they must be really lonely people. No, most of the people I've met are quick to lend encouragement, advice and a smile.
10) Fresh air, and climate acclimatization. I hate hot weather. No, hate isn't strong enough a word. I DESPISE hot weather. Give me snow and below freezing temps any day of the week over 100 degrees with 100 degrees humidity. U.G.H.!!!!!
But, this summer was so much easier for me. Why? Because I was out in it. Usually people are hermits in the winter, and poke their heads out the front door in the summer months. I'm exactly the opposite. Our gas bill for heating the house in the winter is tiny....our electricity bill for chilling the house in the summer is ASTRONOMICAL!!! When people we know come to visit, they bring a jacket or sweater. We've been told that we could hang beef in our house.
I usually stay inside...unless I'm walking between my car and another air conditioned building. But this year I was out there.....running, walking, shopping, laughing, and hanging out. I wasn't Oscar the Grouch anytime the weather person said it was going to be anything over 72 degrees.
So, there you go Heidi, 10 things about running that make me happy. :-)
Thank you soooo much for the award, and the fun things you said about my little 'ole blog!!!!
You hit the nail on the head when you said "It's like her internal thoughts just spew out into her blog."
Spew is right! (giggle)
Also, thank you for the motivation you provide on your blog! It's one of the first I read, when I can find the time TO read them.
(which is why I tend to comment on a week's worth of posts all at once - hehehehehehehe!!!!!!)
(ya think?)
But, the award I won yesterday inspired me to list ten things in life that make me happy.
And then, since this blog is pretty much centered around my new running addiction....and my inability to avoid pot holes (sigh)....I thought I'd go from listing the ten things in life that make me happy...to, more specifically, the ten things about running that make me happy.
Simple, right?
OK....let's see.....where to start.....
1) Is it vain to list losing weight and looking better as my number one reason? I mean, I could make it #7...but it would still be #1 in my head. And, if I put it at #7, when it's actually #1, I'd just feel like I was lying to you all. I'd spend my days guilt ridden for telling such a large fib.
So...there you have it...#1...weight loss and looking so much better than I did!!!!
(whew, only 9 more to go!!)
2) Feeling better. I feel great these days. I really do. I have more pep in my step, more vim in my vigor....or something like that. (hehehe) If my allergies weren't currently forcing me to scream "uncle" every morning, I'd be invincible.
OK, so I wouldn't literally be invincible...but I'd feel like it. That counts, right??
3) Donuts. That seems like a strange #3 doesn't it? Donuts? But, you know what, I had one this morning. And I don't feel bad for doing it. Regret-free donut eating (within moderation)...that's an AWESOME #3 if you ask me!!! :-)
4) Shopping!!!!! I've never been excited to go shopping...clothes shopping....until recently. I used to put it off until the last possible second. I'd have one pair of pants that fit, and find myself having to wash them constantly......THAT'S when I'd finally break down and go shopping for more. Now, it's fun! Now I can walk to a rack, grab my size, and 9 times out of 10.....no, scratch that.....7 times out of 10 they fit! (I think 7 out of 10 is fair. I'm not sure who came up with the women's sizing for pants, but they should be shot. I mean, riddle me this.....why can't a size 10 here, be a size 10 there? )
5) High heel shoes. I'm addicted to them. I love to shop for them, buy them, and wear them. And, having 50 or so fewer pounds pushing down on the balls of my feet...I can wear them more often!!! Hmmmmm.....maybe I should make this #2 instead of #5?
Half way done!!!!!
6) Half the day's gone by. Do any of you recognize that? I'd hear it every Saturday and Sunday am throughout my childhood. "Nej, time to get up!!" "Dad, it's 6:00 am on Saturday....come on!" "Get up, get up...half the day's gone by!" Now, I'm voluntarily getting up at 5:00 am during the week to run. And, at least one day on the weekend. On those days I don't hit the snooze...it goes off, and I'm ready and willing.
Oh, and my dog HATES the alarm clock, so I also get a wet nose jammed into my eye if I even THINK about hitting the snooze. :-)
7) Sense of accomplishment. Every week my total miles goes up. Every week my long run gets longer. Every time the distance increases, the smile on my face and the glow in my heart (what? too corny?) gets bigger and brighter. I'M DOING THIS. No one else, me....all me. I have a goal to run my very first half marathon in almost exactly one month. (holy crap - one month?????? ahhhh!!!!!) I'm visualizing myself running across that finish line. I'm visualizing the finisher's medal around my neck. I'm visualizing the grotesque pictures of me as I sweat and torture myself along the 13.1 mile route.
Maybe I'll stop visualizing that last one. It's kinda scary!! :-(~
8) The way he looks at me. This one is actually kinda tied into #1...and I should probably list it first, now that I think about it. Hubby loves me, always has. (Well, unless I'm b*tching at him because he's left the lid on the toilet up again, and I don't want the dog drinking from it, because our kitchen floor is already covered in water and drool....I'd rather keep the bathroom floor free from it, if at all possible. But every other time, he loves me.)
But.....now he looks at me with a twinkle in his eye more often....if you know what I mean. 'Nuff said.
9) Camaraderie. I've met so many people since I started running. Both online and in person. For the most part, runners are a pretty accepting bunch. There are those that think you need to run so fast or so far.....but I keep thinking they must be really lonely people. No, most of the people I've met are quick to lend encouragement, advice and a smile.
10) Fresh air, and climate acclimatization. I hate hot weather. No, hate isn't strong enough a word. I DESPISE hot weather. Give me snow and below freezing temps any day of the week over 100 degrees with 100 degrees humidity. U.G.H.!!!!!
But, this summer was so much easier for me. Why? Because I was out in it. Usually people are hermits in the winter, and poke their heads out the front door in the summer months. I'm exactly the opposite. Our gas bill for heating the house in the winter is tiny....our electricity bill for chilling the house in the summer is ASTRONOMICAL!!! When people we know come to visit, they bring a jacket or sweater. We've been told that we could hang beef in our house.
I usually stay inside...unless I'm walking between my car and another air conditioned building. But this year I was out there.....running, walking, shopping, laughing, and hanging out. I wasn't Oscar the Grouch anytime the weather person said it was going to be anything over 72 degrees.
So, there you go Heidi, 10 things about running that make me happy. :-)
Thank you soooo much for the award, and the fun things you said about my little 'ole blog!!!!
You hit the nail on the head when you said "It's like her internal thoughts just spew out into her blog."
Spew is right! (giggle)
Also, thank you for the motivation you provide on your blog! It's one of the first I read, when I can find the time TO read them.
(which is why I tend to comment on a week's worth of posts all at once - hehehehehehehe!!!!!!)
I'm following you!!! :-)
The list of blogs I read, that have to do with running and fitness, is growing by leaps and bounds. I can't help it.
I love to read about the experiences of others. It reminds me that I'm not alone, and that anything can be overcome.
It's refreshing to be able to laugh along with them, about the dumb things we've all done along the way.
It's motivating to read about hurdles they've gotten past, and challenges they've conquered.
And, apparently, it also gives me the opportunity to win some really cool swag.
(side note, at first I put "schwag"...then realized that, NO, I did not win low grade marijuana by following a blog)
(giggle)
Busy Running Mama gave me a prize for being her 100th follower. How absolutely kind and sweet (and rockin' cool) is that???!!!!????!!!!????!!!
Look, here's the post!
If you haven't already, go check out her blog! She talks about a little of this, and a little of that, and a little about running and her road to injury recovery. Plus, she's crafty as all heck! :-) :-)
BRM, it's an honor to be your 100th follower, and I wish you at least 100 more!
I love to read about the experiences of others. It reminds me that I'm not alone, and that anything can be overcome.
It's refreshing to be able to laugh along with them, about the dumb things we've all done along the way.
It's motivating to read about hurdles they've gotten past, and challenges they've conquered.
And, apparently, it also gives me the opportunity to win some really cool swag.
(side note, at first I put "schwag"...then realized that, NO, I did not win low grade marijuana by following a blog)
(giggle)
Busy Running Mama gave me a prize for being her 100th follower. How absolutely kind and sweet (and rockin' cool) is that???!!!!????!!!!????!!!
Look, here's the post!
If you haven't already, go check out her blog! She talks about a little of this, and a little of that, and a little about running and her road to injury recovery. Plus, she's crafty as all heck! :-) :-)
BRM, it's an honor to be your 100th follower, and I wish you at least 100 more!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
09/15/10 (3 mi, 9:06 pace)
I didn't run before work, I'd made plans to run with a friend from DailyMile.
Sleeping in felt marvelous, let me tell you!!! :-)
I came home after work and did Day 2 of the Shred Workout. I've been going back and forth on whether to do it every day, as some do, or just do it certain days of the week. I'm going to try just doing it on my strength training days for now, and see how it goes.
It's a pretty simple workout....as I'm starting with level 1.....but I can feel it doing quite a bit of good already actually. :-)
At 8:30 pm, I loaded myself into the car, and headed over to my friends' house to run.
She wasn't home. In fact, the house was completely dark.
Crap.
So....I stopped at the gym and hit the dreadmill for 3 miles.
It was strange walking into the gym....I haven't been there since I was cleared to run outside.
I realized, immediately after walking through the door, I don't miss it.
My goal was to run it, no walk breaks. I almost made it. :-)
At about 2.5 miles, I got the worst side stitch...and slowed down to take some deeper breaths and get rid of it. After 10 or so seconds, it was gone, and I was back at it.
Tonight's run will need to be much more relaxed. Running in my first 10K this weekend, and don't want to kill myself off.
Sleeping in felt marvelous, let me tell you!!! :-)
I came home after work and did Day 2 of the Shred Workout. I've been going back and forth on whether to do it every day, as some do, or just do it certain days of the week. I'm going to try just doing it on my strength training days for now, and see how it goes.
It's a pretty simple workout....as I'm starting with level 1.....but I can feel it doing quite a bit of good already actually. :-)
At 8:30 pm, I loaded myself into the car, and headed over to my friends' house to run.
She wasn't home. In fact, the house was completely dark.
Crap.
So....I stopped at the gym and hit the dreadmill for 3 miles.
It was strange walking into the gym....I haven't been there since I was cleared to run outside.
I realized, immediately after walking through the door, I don't miss it.
My goal was to run it, no walk breaks. I almost made it. :-)
At about 2.5 miles, I got the worst side stitch...and slowed down to take some deeper breaths and get rid of it. After 10 or so seconds, it was gone, and I was back at it.
Tonight's run will need to be much more relaxed. Running in my first 10K this weekend, and don't want to kill myself off.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
09/14/2010 (4.5 mi, 10:43 pace)
My Tues/Thurs morning runs have been increased to 4.5 miles....so I needed to find a new route to run. New streets, new shadows, more hills, LONGER hills.....and my first dark morning run since wiping out. All in all, it went pretty well. I walked more than I wanted....one section was missing a sidewalk (under repair) so I was forced to run in the hospital lawn, just beside where the sidewalk normally resides.
(I'm not a trail runner.)
I also noticed that my "pot hole nemesis" has been filled in.
One small pothole in the city...one small pothole along that entire stretch of road....and someone stopped to fix it.
I'm convinced they read my post describing my injury, caused by that one little pot hole, and immediately rushed out to have it fixed.
Yeah, I'm pretty important 'round these parts.
(snicker)
If there was anyone awake when I ran past, they would have been startled to hear me laughing and cheering when I ran by the repair. :-)
Side Note:
Between the blogs I read, the posts I make on DailyMile, and some friends on Facebook....it seems the 30-Day Shred is becoming very popular (again?).
So....I did what every career woman, who is forced to sit in front of a computer for 8 hours a day, does. I googled it.
I found reviews, I found preview videos, and I even found a Japanese YouTube-like site that had the whole video posted for my perusal.
It looked pretty cool, so I emailed myself the link home to try it out one night and see how I liked it.
On the way home, I stopped at Target and bought it.
Yeah, I'm silly that way. But something about spending my $9 on the physical (and legal) copy, made my motivation that much stronger.
In the checkout, the cashier looks at me, looks at my video, then throws (throws!!) it into a bag. "Girl, you don't need this!"
She caught me off guard.
It was almost as though she were upset I was buying it.
I smiled and told her thank you.
"No really, you don't need this. If I was lucky like you, and was blessed with that figure...mmm hmmm....I'd be rockin' it all over town."
I laughed and told her that I wasn't "blessed" with anything. I've worked pretty hard to get to where I am....and have quite a ways to go yet. We talked a little, I thanked her again....and walked to my car with a little extra bounce.
"The shred" was actually quite good. It's only 20 minutes, so you get out of it what you put in. Also, it recommends you start with 3 lb hand weights, and I only had 5's....so I started from day 1 with a little extra challenge for my horribly out of shape upper body. :-)
(I'm not a trail runner.)
I also noticed that my "pot hole nemesis" has been filled in.
One small pothole in the city...one small pothole along that entire stretch of road....and someone stopped to fix it.
I'm convinced they read my post describing my injury, caused by that one little pot hole, and immediately rushed out to have it fixed.
Yeah, I'm pretty important 'round these parts.
(snicker)
If there was anyone awake when I ran past, they would have been startled to hear me laughing and cheering when I ran by the repair. :-)
Side Note:
Between the blogs I read, the posts I make on DailyMile, and some friends on Facebook....it seems the 30-Day Shred is becoming very popular (again?).
So....I did what every career woman, who is forced to sit in front of a computer for 8 hours a day, does. I googled it.
I found reviews, I found preview videos, and I even found a Japanese YouTube-like site that had the whole video posted for my perusal.
It looked pretty cool, so I emailed myself the link home to try it out one night and see how I liked it.
On the way home, I stopped at Target and bought it.
Yeah, I'm silly that way. But something about spending my $9 on the physical (and legal) copy, made my motivation that much stronger.
In the checkout, the cashier looks at me, looks at my video, then throws (throws!!) it into a bag. "Girl, you don't need this!"
She caught me off guard.
It was almost as though she were upset I was buying it.
I smiled and told her thank you.
"No really, you don't need this. If I was lucky like you, and was blessed with that figure...mmm hmmm....I'd be rockin' it all over town."
I laughed and told her that I wasn't "blessed" with anything. I've worked pretty hard to get to where I am....and have quite a ways to go yet. We talked a little, I thanked her again....and walked to my car with a little extra bounce.
"The shred" was actually quite good. It's only 20 minutes, so you get out of it what you put in. Also, it recommends you start with 3 lb hand weights, and I only had 5's....so I started from day 1 with a little extra challenge for my horribly out of shape upper body. :-)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
09/12/10 (7 mi, 10:49 pace)
I'm back. I ran my long run today, and no pain in the knee what-so-ever!!! My nike+ipod thing tells me I ran 6.88....but something isn't right there. At the halfway point, I turned around at 3.60 miles. Then I ran back the exact same route...but it tells me I only ran a total of 6.88. I think not! :-)
Sam woke me up at about 6:00 this morning. She used to wake me up every am at 5:00.....somehow her internal clock is off an hour, and I'm not going to complain. (giggle)
I donned my running clothes, shoes, watch and hydration pack (first time using it, test run!!)...and headed out the door. Since my daily runs during the week are all hills, I try to give myself a break (and a morale boost) by running a pretty flat route on the weekends.
Since I haven't ran since August 26th, the flat route was a definite!!!!
The first half was painful....not to my knee, but to my brain mostly. My breathing was great, my heart rate was better than expected, and my legs (including injured ankle and knee) were great! But it felt sloppy....forced....and not natural.
The second half felt MUCH better. I ran for longer distances with less walk breaks, and felt like I was getting back into my stride.
There were very few people on the trail this morning, Sundays are great! With about a mile left, I could hear someone behind me.
I kicked my pace up a little.
I'm not the most competitive person out there, but I didn't want him to pass me. He could run right beside me for all I cared, but passing wasn't an option.
Instead of taking that one last walk break towards the end, he pushed me harder than I would have pushed myself. I could hear his breathing getting heavier....and his steps getting heavier.
By the time I hit the end of the run, my breathing had started to edge towards labored as well. I wanted to tell him thanks for the mental push....but when I turned around....he had already turned and headed back on the trail....walking it out. He stretched for a while, and then got into his car and left...without so much as one instance of eye contact.
Oh well. :-)
When I pulled into my driveway, I stopped at the mailbox. I'd forgotten to get the mail yesterday. In it, was a package for me.
??????
My headbands had arrived!!!! I'm SOOOO sick of using the sleeve of my shirt to wipe the sweat from my eyes. Mostly because there's allot of sweat to wipe, and my sleeves end up all soggy.
So, I ordered some Bondi Bands...and they'd finally arrived!
If I'd checked the mail yesterday, or this morning, I'd have had them for my run. Darn it! (giggle) I'll let you know how they work after my first run with one.
Here is my favorite one....of course!
It's actually been, probably a month or two, since I've had one.....but today, it sounds really good!!! :-)
Sam woke me up at about 6:00 this morning. She used to wake me up every am at 5:00.....somehow her internal clock is off an hour, and I'm not going to complain. (giggle)
I donned my running clothes, shoes, watch and hydration pack (first time using it, test run!!)...and headed out the door. Since my daily runs during the week are all hills, I try to give myself a break (and a morale boost) by running a pretty flat route on the weekends.
Since I haven't ran since August 26th, the flat route was a definite!!!!
The first half was painful....not to my knee, but to my brain mostly. My breathing was great, my heart rate was better than expected, and my legs (including injured ankle and knee) were great! But it felt sloppy....forced....and not natural.
The second half felt MUCH better. I ran for longer distances with less walk breaks, and felt like I was getting back into my stride.
There were very few people on the trail this morning, Sundays are great! With about a mile left, I could hear someone behind me.
I kicked my pace up a little.
I'm not the most competitive person out there, but I didn't want him to pass me. He could run right beside me for all I cared, but passing wasn't an option.
Instead of taking that one last walk break towards the end, he pushed me harder than I would have pushed myself. I could hear his breathing getting heavier....and his steps getting heavier.
By the time I hit the end of the run, my breathing had started to edge towards labored as well. I wanted to tell him thanks for the mental push....but when I turned around....he had already turned and headed back on the trail....walking it out. He stretched for a while, and then got into his car and left...without so much as one instance of eye contact.
Oh well. :-)
When I pulled into my driveway, I stopped at the mailbox. I'd forgotten to get the mail yesterday. In it, was a package for me.
??????
My headbands had arrived!!!! I'm SOOOO sick of using the sleeve of my shirt to wipe the sweat from my eyes. Mostly because there's allot of sweat to wipe, and my sleeves end up all soggy.
So, I ordered some Bondi Bands...and they'd finally arrived!
If I'd checked the mail yesterday, or this morning, I'd have had them for my run. Darn it! (giggle) I'll let you know how they work after my first run with one.
Here is my favorite one....of course!
It's actually been, probably a month or two, since I've had one.....but today, it sounds really good!!! :-)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
09/07/10 (test run)
I told myself I wouldn't do it. I promised myself that hiking up and over a mountain was enough. I swore that I'd take this week off and actually let the darn thing heal....but did I?
Of course not.
(sigh)
Two days after my "wipe out" I left in a car (a small car....full of four adult humans....and a week's worth of gear each) towards Big Sky Country...Montana!!!!
On Friday I still couldn't walk, and on Saturday morning, I was heading out for a week's worth of backpacking.
Which, last I checked, required walking....
.....with two legs.
(double sigh)
With the help of knee braces and good pain killers, I made it. I hiked up the mountain like I was in mint condition.
Coming back down was another story all-together. That, unfortunately, was excruciating. I played it down, I acted as though I was OK. But I couldn't hide the limp....and it got impossible to hide the pain on my face.
On the hike, after the hike, while walking up and down the three stories of stairs to our lodge room one night, during the many zip-line runs (where stopping requires you to hike up your legs, and slam your knees into a bright red "cushion"), and after two days of driving home in a car where I was unable to elevate or straighten my legs......during all of these things, I promised myself over and over that I was going to be smart. I was going to get home and rest my knee. I wasn't going to run for a week. I was going to let it heal.
Yeah...well, I didn't.
I made it almost exactly 2 days.
I could walk....there wasn't any pain....the road rash had almost completely healed over.....the bruising was very small......why the heck not???
I got home Tuesday from work, put on my running gear, and headed out for a quick 2 mile test run.
It ended up as more of a "1.78 mile, walk at least half of it, why the heck did I try this, will I ever learn, I hope I can walk tomorrow" run.
I'm happy to report that I can walk fine today.....and that the swelling doesn't seem to be bad at all. I thought I'd maybe get on the bike tonight, but now I'm worried that bending and straightening my knee over and over will be a bad idea. I went from "tough gal I can handle it" to "wuss woman I can't do anything".
Sometimes you have to push through the pain, and sometimes you have to sit and let it get better on it's own. How do I know what time this is??
How do I know if I'm being a wimp, or being smart?
I have a half marathon in October. I knew I was going to have to take a week off, while out of town....but now I have to add another week of non-running?
It's a little daunting.
Of course not.
(sigh)
Two days after my "wipe out" I left in a car (a small car....full of four adult humans....and a week's worth of gear each) towards Big Sky Country...Montana!!!!
On Friday I still couldn't walk, and on Saturday morning, I was heading out for a week's worth of backpacking.
Which, last I checked, required walking....
.....with two legs.
(double sigh)
With the help of knee braces and good pain killers, I made it. I hiked up the mountain like I was in mint condition.
Coming back down was another story all-together. That, unfortunately, was excruciating. I played it down, I acted as though I was OK. But I couldn't hide the limp....and it got impossible to hide the pain on my face.
On the hike, after the hike, while walking up and down the three stories of stairs to our lodge room one night, during the many zip-line runs (where stopping requires you to hike up your legs, and slam your knees into a bright red "cushion"), and after two days of driving home in a car where I was unable to elevate or straighten my legs......during all of these things, I promised myself over and over that I was going to be smart. I was going to get home and rest my knee. I wasn't going to run for a week. I was going to let it heal.
Yeah...well, I didn't.
I made it almost exactly 2 days.
I could walk....there wasn't any pain....the road rash had almost completely healed over.....the bruising was very small......why the heck not???
I got home Tuesday from work, put on my running gear, and headed out for a quick 2 mile test run.
It ended up as more of a "1.78 mile, walk at least half of it, why the heck did I try this, will I ever learn, I hope I can walk tomorrow" run.
I'm happy to report that I can walk fine today.....and that the swelling doesn't seem to be bad at all. I thought I'd maybe get on the bike tonight, but now I'm worried that bending and straightening my knee over and over will be a bad idea. I went from "tough gal I can handle it" to "wuss woman I can't do anything".
Sometimes you have to push through the pain, and sometimes you have to sit and let it get better on it's own. How do I know what time this is??
How do I know if I'm being a wimp, or being smart?
I have a half marathon in October. I knew I was going to have to take a week off, while out of town....but now I have to add another week of non-running?
It's a little daunting.
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