12/29
Met my sister at the gym on Wednesday am for some strength training. We found ourselves wandering around the weight machines area.....taking turns picking machines that worked different areas of the body. After an hour, we called it quits and left for work.
We were going to go running that night, but due to a change in plans we found ourselves at a spin class instead.
The instructor is the love child of Hitler, Freddy Kruger and Satan himself.
I can't list the number of ways she made me hurt, and the number of ways I found I could murder her...just by using objects in the cycle room. :-)
I got home at about 8:00, played with the dogs, ate a bowl of cereal, watched a quick episode of Bones...then headed off to bed.
At some point, Sam (our black lab pup - 80 lb pup - giggle) jumped up into bed with me....because I woke up laying across the pillows....jammed against the headboard.
Bed hog much, Sam???
12/30
It was 4:25 am, and my alarm was set to go off at 4:30...so I went ahead and got up.
I arrived at the gym to meet my sister. We grabbed our jackets and flashlights and headed out.
It was 48 FRIGGIN' DEGREES this morning......awesome!!!! And, in honor of the nice weather, we decided to run around the Lake, instead of dealing with the treadmills.
Fresh air rocks!!!! I'm addicted to it!
Anyway....the run was great. We probably walked as much as we ran.....chatted, laughed, sweat, stripped out of our jackets, chatted some more, laughed some more, oh yeah - we're supposed to be running......etc, etc.
Our average pace ended up being snail speed slow....but neither of us really cared. :-)
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Mind if I "tag" along???
Anna, over at Random Thoughts of a Wanna Be Runner, tagged me on her blog this Monday.
How exciting!!!!!
So...everyone knows the rules to these things...you do what it tells you to do, then you tag others.
Since I'm quite possibly the shyest person in the world, I stink at the second part.
Who do I tag? Do they want to be tagged? Will they be annoyed with the tag? Will others be upset if I don't tag them?
How I'm not living in a padded cell is beyond me. (giggle)
So....I'm inviting anyone who reads this to join in on the fun!!!!
Back to the "doing what it says" part.
In this case, I'm supposed to answer some 'lets-get-to-know-a-little-about-our-running-blogger-friends-shall-we?' questions.
Here we go....
1) Most fond running accomplishment of 2010?
Running. That's my biggest accomplishment. I've gone through two years, two doctors, one specialist and three physical therapists to be able to do it. So running, in general, is a big thing for me. I had the worst case of incurable shin splints ever! No one could figure out the cause. I could run on a treadmill, but not anywhere else. I could run exactly 5.2 miles per hour on said treadmill, without any pain what-so-ever. If I hit 5.3, the pain was crazy. And, I could run about 2.5 miles or so.....much over that, and that same crazy pain would visit. They did MRI's, they gave me exercises to do, the analyzed my form, I rested and didn't run at all for over three months...yet nothing worked.
Until this spring.
Put me in a pair of compression socks, or sleeves, and watch me go! I might look a little goofy with them on, but I'm running...so I don't care. :-)
I've been running outside, and loving it ever since. Every day I finish a run, I'm still in amazement of what I'm able to accomplish.
Well...maybe not every day. There are days I wonder why the heck I'm out there doing it...on purpose. :-)
2. What are your 2011 running goals?
To keep running.
To keep enjoying myself.
To run at least 3 or 4 more half marathons...and maybe, just maybe, get my butt in gear for a full.
3. Favorite race?
I haven't done too many of them. (goes along with my 2011 goal being "more races." )
The day I was finally able to run outside, pain free, I entered myself in a half marathon. It was May, and the half was in October. I spent the spring, summer, and fall training for that half.
I found a plan, stuck to it, and stayed very conservative. I didn't want to push myself too far, and end up back with the doctors and the specialists again. I took a 13 week training plan, and repeated each week for the first 8 or 9 weeks of that plan.
Instead of increasing my mileage every week, it then increased every other. I stuck to running the miles I was supposed to, and didn't pay much attention to speed, or increasing the speed I already had.
Not that I think I'm speedy...because I'm not.
Anyway....it got me to the race in good health, and injury free.
Well, minus a little misunderstanding I had with a pothole.
Besides that, I made it through unscathed.
So.....I'd say that half marathon was my favorite race. I'd worked so hard, and surprised myself in more ways than I ever imagined possible.
3. Favorite holiday guilty pleasure.
Oh gosh, I'm afraid to say it out loud. I made it through Christmas weekend without any...and only had a small piece over Thanksgiving.
(gulp)
Pumpkin pie.
And whipped cream.
(drool)
4. Most embarrassing running moment
I've already mentioned the pothole thing. Wiping out, and laying in the middle of the road, bleeding and bruised (mostly my ego).....it may have been 5 am, but I guarantee you at least one person saw it. Murphy's law, right???
I'd say my second most embarrassing moment would be pretty typical of most runners. The sudden, and without warning, need to use the restroom.....while running....when there isn't a restroom around.
Well, there was one, but the stupid door was locked for the season.
And it was a public park, so there were people EVERYWHERE.
Talk about having to tap into my "mind over matter" super powers.
Ugh!!!!!!
So, there you have it. A small glimpse into the brain of this newbie runner.
Thanks again Anna! That was fun!!!!
Head on over to her blog and check it out, if you haven't already. She's a running fool. A skinnie minnie who actually wears her daughter's 4T tights as running capris. An elliptical master-ess.
She's a must read!!!
P.S. She's not a wanna be - no matter what she might try to tell you! :-)
(P.P.S. We really need to get together...since we live in the same city and all. Glad to hear you're signing up for the Lincoln Half. I've got a note to remind myself to send in my registration in January. I can't wait!!!)
How exciting!!!!!
So...everyone knows the rules to these things...you do what it tells you to do, then you tag others.
Since I'm quite possibly the shyest person in the world, I stink at the second part.
Who do I tag? Do they want to be tagged? Will they be annoyed with the tag? Will others be upset if I don't tag them?
How I'm not living in a padded cell is beyond me. (giggle)
So....I'm inviting anyone who reads this to join in on the fun!!!!
Back to the "doing what it says" part.
In this case, I'm supposed to answer some 'lets-get-to-know-a-little-about-our-running-blogger-friends-shall-we?' questions.
Here we go....
1) Most fond running accomplishment of 2010?
Running. That's my biggest accomplishment. I've gone through two years, two doctors, one specialist and three physical therapists to be able to do it. So running, in general, is a big thing for me. I had the worst case of incurable shin splints ever! No one could figure out the cause. I could run on a treadmill, but not anywhere else. I could run exactly 5.2 miles per hour on said treadmill, without any pain what-so-ever. If I hit 5.3, the pain was crazy. And, I could run about 2.5 miles or so.....much over that, and that same crazy pain would visit. They did MRI's, they gave me exercises to do, the analyzed my form, I rested and didn't run at all for over three months...yet nothing worked.
Until this spring.
Put me in a pair of compression socks, or sleeves, and watch me go! I might look a little goofy with them on, but I'm running...so I don't care. :-)
I've been running outside, and loving it ever since. Every day I finish a run, I'm still in amazement of what I'm able to accomplish.
Well...maybe not every day. There are days I wonder why the heck I'm out there doing it...on purpose. :-)
2. What are your 2011 running goals?
To keep running.
To keep enjoying myself.
To run at least 3 or 4 more half marathons...and maybe, just maybe, get my butt in gear for a full.
3. Favorite race?
I haven't done too many of them. (goes along with my 2011 goal being "more races." )
The day I was finally able to run outside, pain free, I entered myself in a half marathon. It was May, and the half was in October. I spent the spring, summer, and fall training for that half.
I found a plan, stuck to it, and stayed very conservative. I didn't want to push myself too far, and end up back with the doctors and the specialists again. I took a 13 week training plan, and repeated each week for the first 8 or 9 weeks of that plan.
Instead of increasing my mileage every week, it then increased every other. I stuck to running the miles I was supposed to, and didn't pay much attention to speed, or increasing the speed I already had.
Not that I think I'm speedy...because I'm not.
Anyway....it got me to the race in good health, and injury free.
Well, minus a little misunderstanding I had with a pothole.
Besides that, I made it through unscathed.
So.....I'd say that half marathon was my favorite race. I'd worked so hard, and surprised myself in more ways than I ever imagined possible.
3. Favorite holiday guilty pleasure.
Oh gosh, I'm afraid to say it out loud. I made it through Christmas weekend without any...and only had a small piece over Thanksgiving.
(gulp)
Pumpkin pie.
And whipped cream.
(drool)
4. Most embarrassing running moment
I've already mentioned the pothole thing. Wiping out, and laying in the middle of the road, bleeding and bruised (mostly my ego).....it may have been 5 am, but I guarantee you at least one person saw it. Murphy's law, right???
I'd say my second most embarrassing moment would be pretty typical of most runners. The sudden, and without warning, need to use the restroom.....while running....when there isn't a restroom around.
Well, there was one, but the stupid door was locked for the season.
And it was a public park, so there were people EVERYWHERE.
Talk about having to tap into my "mind over matter" super powers.
Ugh!!!!!!
So, there you have it. A small glimpse into the brain of this newbie runner.
Thanks again Anna! That was fun!!!!
Head on over to her blog and check it out, if you haven't already. She's a running fool. A skinnie minnie who actually wears her daughter's 4T tights as running capris. An elliptical master-ess.
She's a must read!!!
P.S. She's not a wanna be - no matter what she might try to tell you! :-)
(P.P.S. We really need to get together...since we live in the same city and all. Glad to hear you're signing up for the Lincoln Half. I've got a note to remind myself to send in my registration in January. I can't wait!!!)
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
12/28/10 30 min run
It's amazing how much easier it is to get out of bed when I'm going running outside...compared to when I'm headed to the gym to run inside. My alarm went off, I turned it off, and got up. No snooze, no whining, no "accidentally" falling back asleep.
I put the dogs out, put on some gear, and headed out the door.
Again, I had no idea what the temperature was outside (I really need to start checking the weather before I run....I haven't started after 9 months of running outside, so I'm guessing I'll never learn)....so I overdressed for the occasion.
(It was around 15 degrees - per Weather Underground's history function.)
Long sleeve light weight wicking tshit.
Fleece vest (new - thanks Inny!!!!!).
Saucony running jacket.
Light weight running tights.
Light weight Under Armor gloves (the camo ones I wear hunting - hehehehe)
Wool running socks.
Screw shoes.
SpiBelt with cell phone.
BondiBand.
And a balaclava for my head and face.
I could have left the last item at home, but I wanted to try running with it on, to see how it went.
(yours truly this morning.....without my shoes - can't wear those puppies inside...will scratch the heck out of our floors)
My schedule only called for a 30 minute run...but I wanted to make it count.
I ran in neighborhoods, along busy roadways, on sidewalks, on streets, on ice, on snow, on dry pavement, up hills and down hills (a couple of them were pretty substantial). I wanted my run to be a mix of everything.
I wanted to see how it was breathing through the balaclavas.
I wanted to see how the screw shoes performed (yep, I"m calling this test run #2 - give me a break, I'm a Capricorn, we're nothing if not thorough!)
I wanted to get my heart rate up.
I love the balaclavas and had no issues breathing hard when I had it on.
The screw shoes did GREAT (again)!!
My heart rate was DEFINITELY elevated.
I've been afraid I'd let my fitness level drop in the last month....and today was proof. I've got to get back at!!!!
I put the dogs out, put on some gear, and headed out the door.
Again, I had no idea what the temperature was outside (I really need to start checking the weather before I run....I haven't started after 9 months of running outside, so I'm guessing I'll never learn)....so I overdressed for the occasion.
(It was around 15 degrees - per Weather Underground's history function.)
Long sleeve light weight wicking tshit.
Fleece vest (new - thanks Inny!!!!!).
Saucony running jacket.
Light weight running tights.
Light weight Under Armor gloves (the camo ones I wear hunting - hehehehe)
Wool running socks.
Screw shoes.
SpiBelt with cell phone.
BondiBand.
And a balaclava for my head and face.
I could have left the last item at home, but I wanted to try running with it on, to see how it went.
(yours truly this morning.....without my shoes - can't wear those puppies inside...will scratch the heck out of our floors)
My schedule only called for a 30 minute run...but I wanted to make it count.
I ran in neighborhoods, along busy roadways, on sidewalks, on streets, on ice, on snow, on dry pavement, up hills and down hills (a couple of them were pretty substantial). I wanted my run to be a mix of everything.
I wanted to see how it was breathing through the balaclavas.
I wanted to see how the screw shoes performed (yep, I"m calling this test run #2 - give me a break, I'm a Capricorn, we're nothing if not thorough!)
I wanted to get my heart rate up.
I love the balaclavas and had no issues breathing hard when I had it on.
The screw shoes did GREAT (again)!!
My heart rate was DEFINITELY elevated.
I've been afraid I'd let my fitness level drop in the last month....and today was proof. I've got to get back at!!!!
Friday, December 24, 2010
12/24/10 Reindeer Run, 4.2 mi
Christmas Eve morning.....I woke up to an alarm.
I didn't have to get up and go to work, so the alarm going off seemed wrong.
Ah, the life of a runner. :-)
I put on my cold weather running gear, grabbed my newly configured screw shoes, and headed out the door.
Then I turned around, went back inside, and stripped off a full layer from my top and bottom. It was a balmy 28 degrees outside. A tropical heatwave!!!!!
A local Omaha gym running club was hosting a Reindeer Run that morning, so I met up with Inny (my sis), and her hubby (Doug) to participate.
Clear(ish) skies, an inch of freshly fallen snow, no wind......around a small lake (4.2 mi).
What a perfect way to start the holiday weekend!!!!!!!!!!
Inny in her new winter running gear....specially purchased the night before. I love that we can now go running together!!!! And I love that she's such a ham for the camera!!!!!! :-)
I forgot to switch out camera batteries when I left....so those are the only photos I was able to take. The lake was gorgeous....covered in snow, with a little fog rising from it....the geese were flying. Beautiful!!!!
Next order of business, my report on the screw shoes.
They. Completely. Rock.
100% awesome!!!!!!
They grip in snow, on ice.....and they sound really cool when you're running on dry pavement. :-)
I aimed for ice patches, instead of avoiding them.
I sought out the snow, deep or not deep.
They worked like a charm!!
If nothing else, they provided me the confidence to run outside when the streets and sidewalks aren't completely dry. I've been avoiding it, and not running outside has really affects my mood. Who knew!
Running on dry pavement was fine as well.
I was worried I might feel them while running...but I didn't. Not one little bit.
I still slowed down on the downhills, since it was only my first run in them. But I didn't really didn't need to.
I ran with Inny and Doug for the first half, then ran ahead on the second half to test them out at closer to race pace speeds. I didn't slip or slide once!!!!!
I didn't have to get up and go to work, so the alarm going off seemed wrong.
Ah, the life of a runner. :-)
I put on my cold weather running gear, grabbed my newly configured screw shoes, and headed out the door.
Then I turned around, went back inside, and stripped off a full layer from my top and bottom. It was a balmy 28 degrees outside. A tropical heatwave!!!!!
A local Omaha gym running club was hosting a Reindeer Run that morning, so I met up with Inny (my sis), and her hubby (Doug) to participate.
Clear(ish) skies, an inch of freshly fallen snow, no wind......around a small lake (4.2 mi).
What a perfect way to start the holiday weekend!!!!!!!!!!
Inny in her new winter running gear....specially purchased the night before. I love that we can now go running together!!!! And I love that she's such a ham for the camera!!!!!! :-)
I forgot to switch out camera batteries when I left....so those are the only photos I was able to take. The lake was gorgeous....covered in snow, with a little fog rising from it....the geese were flying. Beautiful!!!!
Next order of business, my report on the screw shoes.
They. Completely. Rock.
100% awesome!!!!!!
They grip in snow, on ice.....and they sound really cool when you're running on dry pavement. :-)
I aimed for ice patches, instead of avoiding them.
I sought out the snow, deep or not deep.
They worked like a charm!!
If nothing else, they provided me the confidence to run outside when the streets and sidewalks aren't completely dry. I've been avoiding it, and not running outside has really affects my mood. Who knew!
Running on dry pavement was fine as well.
I was worried I might feel them while running...but I didn't. Not one little bit.
I still slowed down on the downhills, since it was only my first run in them. But I didn't really didn't need to.
I ran with Inny and Doug for the first half, then ran ahead on the second half to test them out at closer to race pace speeds. I didn't slip or slide once!!!!!
Screw Shoes
If you've been reading this blog for any time, you know that I'm in love with running outside...and terrified of running on or near ice. But, I live in Nebraska...where there's lots of ice....for 3-4 months of the year.
Fear of running on ice, and living somewhere where there's lots of it. The two things don't play well together.
Kinda like how I love to kayak and am terrified of the water.
A good friend of mine here in Omaha, who is also a runner, talked about putting screws in his shoes last year.
I, honestly, thought he was kidding. Then, when I realized he wasn't kidding, I was trying to figure out how that would work.
I asked this year, and he sent me the link.
Somehow or another, I had this vision in my head, of putting screws into the soles of my shoes...from the inside...so the pointy parts came out on the bottom.
Sometimes I confuse even myself. Obviously, the way he does it is my simpler, and makes MUCH more sense. :-)
So...while watching TV on Thursday night, I drug out my handy dandy box of assorted screws, and a screw driver...and went to work.
I grabbed my most recent pair of "retired" running shoes to use as test subjects.
The site recommended using either 3/8" or 1/4" sheet metal screws. I could only find the 3/8", and was worried about them being too long....but even the ones up near my toes didn't go through.
They also said you'd end up having to replace the 1/4" screws here and there, as they would come out more often then the longer ones.
I ended up putting 15 in each shoe.
Overkill - yes. But they look cool. (giggle)
Fear of running on ice, and living somewhere where there's lots of it. The two things don't play well together.
Kinda like how I love to kayak and am terrified of the water.
A good friend of mine here in Omaha, who is also a runner, talked about putting screws in his shoes last year.
I, honestly, thought he was kidding. Then, when I realized he wasn't kidding, I was trying to figure out how that would work.
I asked this year, and he sent me the link.
Somehow or another, I had this vision in my head, of putting screws into the soles of my shoes...from the inside...so the pointy parts came out on the bottom.
Sometimes I confuse even myself. Obviously, the way he does it is my simpler, and makes MUCH more sense. :-)
So...while watching TV on Thursday night, I drug out my handy dandy box of assorted screws, and a screw driver...and went to work.
I grabbed my most recent pair of "retired" running shoes to use as test subjects.
The site recommended using either 3/8" or 1/4" sheet metal screws. I could only find the 3/8", and was worried about them being too long....but even the ones up near my toes didn't go through.
They also said you'd end up having to replace the 1/4" screws here and there, as they would come out more often then the longer ones.
I ended up putting 15 in each shoe.
Overkill - yes. But they look cool. (giggle)
Thursday, December 23, 2010
New Years Takers?
Thinking about organizing a Happy New Year midnight run on New Years eve.
Does that make me a dork? :-)
(hmmmm....maybe you shouldn't answer that)
:-)
Does that make me a dork? :-)
(hmmmm....maybe you shouldn't answer that)
:-)
12/23/10 Dreadmill (2.28 mi, 11:51 avg pace)
Well....that little popping going on in my knee last night on the treadmill was felt this morning. Wasn't sure if I'd be able to run....but it eventually faded away. Took it easy this morning and just kept my heart rate up...burned some calories.
Two days of running in a row. Wow...haven't done that in a while.
These past two weeks off have been a nice break....but boy has it felt good to get back at it.
Received a call from the make of my treadmill....they assure me that I only need to replace the circuit breaker on the unit, and all should be well. I think $10 is a fair price to pay, if it gets me so I can run at home again.
While I'm watching TV tonight (we're on the final episode of season 2 Sons of Anarchy - yep, season 1 was two weekends ago, and we got almost all the way through season 2 this past weekend)....anyway, while we're finishing up the last disc, I'm going to make some screw shoes. Sounds like I might get to test them out on my Jingle Bell Fun Run tomorrow am.
Snow is in the forecast!!! Not ice, just regular old snow. Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
Two days of running in a row. Wow...haven't done that in a while.
These past two weeks off have been a nice break....but boy has it felt good to get back at it.
Received a call from the make of my treadmill....they assure me that I only need to replace the circuit breaker on the unit, and all should be well. I think $10 is a fair price to pay, if it gets me so I can run at home again.
While I'm watching TV tonight (we're on the final episode of season 2 Sons of Anarchy - yep, season 1 was two weekends ago, and we got almost all the way through season 2 this past weekend)....anyway, while we're finishing up the last disc, I'm going to make some screw shoes. Sounds like I might get to test them out on my Jingle Bell Fun Run tomorrow am.
Snow is in the forecast!!! Not ice, just regular old snow. Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
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