I hurt after the 12.5 mile run. I really hurt. It was not fun! So no wonder on Monday and Tuesday I didn't set my alarm and overslept! Maybe subconsciously I didn't want to get back out there and hurt again!
But I'd forgotten. I wasn't going to run 12 miles every morning. Only 45 - 55 minutes. About 4 miles. And I had forgotten how good that makes me feel.
So I went out there and did it on Thursday, and felt GREAT. So don't give up because of a hard, long run. That's why we don't do them every day.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Wardrobe Malfunction at Mile 9
Last Saturday we ran 12.5 miles on the Blackwater Trail in Milton. I'd never been out there and it was a great trail. I hope to go out and bike with my family there someday.
It started easy. I've been running 2.5 minutes and then walking 1 minute at home, so running 1:1 seemed too easy. But that changes gradually mile after mile. All was normal the first half - then we turned around, did a few more miles, and things started getting strange... First it was the HeeHaw song, "You met another and pbbt! you were gone!" then the Green Acres theme song followed by the Facts of Life theme song and our group leader chimed in with "It's so hard to be humble - but I'm doing the best that I can!" Robin was the first to succumb to oxygen-deprivation to the brain and got quite giddy. Others followed suite and even I felt the effects.
It was somewhere around mile 9 that I noticed chaffing... I commented that I shouldn't be having chaffing issues while wearing capris. About that time, I checked and found out my 10 yr-old cotten "tights" that my mother had JUST turned into capris with pockets on the outsides had blown a hole up in the nether regions! Now exposed, the material on the other leg turned into sandpaper and was rubbing me raw with every step!
It was uncomfortable but gradually got more and more painful. When walking, I waddled from side to side to keep things apart. I even RAN from side to side for several minutes and discovered that is NOT the most efficient form of running! I had a long-sleeve t-shirt that was knotted around my waist. Relief finally came when I stopped and stuffed the sleeves of the t-shirt into the hole. That covered most everything and allowed me to finish with a normal stride. :)
(On hind-sight, I could've put my head-band earwarmers around my leg and that probably would've worked too!)
I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON! I was trying to save money and not buy expensive running pants. But, now I have to put a gauze over the wound and wrap it with tape to keep it in place while it heals. Thankfully, it didn't happen early in the run or it would've prevented me from finishing. We have enough to handle with hydration, nutrition and endurance without our gear causing more problems!
It started easy. I've been running 2.5 minutes and then walking 1 minute at home, so running 1:1 seemed too easy. But that changes gradually mile after mile. All was normal the first half - then we turned around, did a few more miles, and things started getting strange... First it was the HeeHaw song, "You met another and pbbt! you were gone!" then the Green Acres theme song followed by the Facts of Life theme song and our group leader chimed in with "It's so hard to be humble - but I'm doing the best that I can!" Robin was the first to succumb to oxygen-deprivation to the brain and got quite giddy. Others followed suite and even I felt the effects.
It was somewhere around mile 9 that I noticed chaffing... I commented that I shouldn't be having chaffing issues while wearing capris. About that time, I checked and found out my 10 yr-old cotten "tights" that my mother had JUST turned into capris with pockets on the outsides had blown a hole up in the nether regions! Now exposed, the material on the other leg turned into sandpaper and was rubbing me raw with every step!
It was uncomfortable but gradually got more and more painful. When walking, I waddled from side to side to keep things apart. I even RAN from side to side for several minutes and discovered that is NOT the most efficient form of running! I had a long-sleeve t-shirt that was knotted around my waist. Relief finally came when I stopped and stuffed the sleeves of the t-shirt into the hole. That covered most everything and allowed me to finish with a normal stride. :)
(On hind-sight, I could've put my head-band earwarmers around my leg and that probably would've worked too!)
I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON! I was trying to save money and not buy expensive running pants. But, now I have to put a gauze over the wound and wrap it with tape to keep it in place while it heals. Thankfully, it didn't happen early in the run or it would've prevented me from finishing. We have enough to handle with hydration, nutrition and endurance without our gear causing more problems!
Monday, November 19, 2007
3 Weeks of Running
Thanks, Kris for asking me if I was still running! (She asked because my blog hasn't been updated.) That was just the boost I needed to blog again. Yea! Somebody actually is reading my blog! :)
Nov 3rd I was hoping to run the Great Pumpkin Race. I really wanted a new PR. But at the last minute we drove to Huntsville, so I ran 6 miles by myself in Huntsville. Good news: I actually got out there and did it! :) Better news: I did it in 1:19:50 - 5 minutes faster than when I last ran those same 6 miles in September. Even Better news: I had satellite shots of my mile markers, so I gave myself a 3 mile race in the middle of the 6 miles... and I ran those 3 miles in 38 minutes. BEST NEWS: I pushed myself harder than I've ever done by myself, and after each walk break, I felt more refreshed than ever! I did better than ever and it was easier than ever. :)
Nov 10th I ran 11.25 miles - a new personal record for mileage! Also I had the fastest start ever - I was driving to the meeting place when I saw my running group going down the road. (I was 30 minutes late.) So I turned into the next parking lot of some apartments. Grabbed my car key and water, started to take off, then went back for my goo! I caught up with the group before the first mile marker. One person in my group turned around and saw me jogging with them, and did a double take! (That was funny!) It was a great 11 miles. We had great support (thanks Debi!) And at the end I just kept on running until I got back to my car. :) Total time was 2:30:-- . Unfortunately I lost my watch, so I also lost how I did each mile.
I was absolutely wiped the rest of the day. I guess it's just the mileage. 8 miles or more and I can write off the rest of the day... But maybe if I changed my eating.... (we'll see.)
On to November 17th! My watch is still lost - so I used my husband's that doesn't beep. I also listened to my iPod. There was one runner from our group in front of me for the first 1.5 miles. For some reason, I got mad! She was NOT going to stay in front of me! During the first mile, we kept do-si-do-ing. They'd run and get ahead of me, then walk and I'd run and get ahead of them, then I'd walk, etc. At the first mile marker, I was shocked: 11:22! That didn't seem right. But she was still ahead of me, so I stayed mad and pressed on. Gradually about 1.5, I was staying ahead. I tried to pick someone else from our Galloway group to catch up with (the lady with the white hat) but she and her group kept getting further and further away. Mile Marker 2: 23:00. Looking good! But the third mile really got me. I didn't have anyone to really try and catch. I tried to run for 2:1, but that didn't last - and so I abandoned the 1:1 intervals. I guess I should've stayed with the 1:1 intervals... I remember my phone ringing loudly at about 2.5 miles. I passed a race worker, smiled and said, "I'm not going to answer that!" :) There was one lady I didn't know with a bright green t-shirt. I thought I'd try and catch her, but with all of the twists and turns, it was hard to tell if I was gaining or not. Finally near the end of mile 3, I was almost on top of her. The last 0.1 mile, I ran and passed the lady with the green t-shirt! I almost feel guilty - but I love having competition in the last 0.1 mile! It feels good to pass somebody near the end!
The finish line time said 35:39! 2.5 minutes better than my prior of 39:09. 11:30 pace. I honestly was almost ready to quit running last week. I needed a good race and a good PR to keep me motivated! Now I know, DON'T SKIP THE RACE EVENTS! It's a great motivator.
Nov 3rd I was hoping to run the Great Pumpkin Race. I really wanted a new PR. But at the last minute we drove to Huntsville, so I ran 6 miles by myself in Huntsville. Good news: I actually got out there and did it! :) Better news: I did it in 1:19:50 - 5 minutes faster than when I last ran those same 6 miles in September. Even Better news: I had satellite shots of my mile markers, so I gave myself a 3 mile race in the middle of the 6 miles... and I ran those 3 miles in 38 minutes. BEST NEWS: I pushed myself harder than I've ever done by myself, and after each walk break, I felt more refreshed than ever! I did better than ever and it was easier than ever. :)
Nov 10th I ran 11.25 miles - a new personal record for mileage! Also I had the fastest start ever - I was driving to the meeting place when I saw my running group going down the road. (I was 30 minutes late.) So I turned into the next parking lot of some apartments. Grabbed my car key and water, started to take off, then went back for my goo! I caught up with the group before the first mile marker. One person in my group turned around and saw me jogging with them, and did a double take! (That was funny!) It was a great 11 miles. We had great support (thanks Debi!) And at the end I just kept on running until I got back to my car. :) Total time was 2:30:-- . Unfortunately I lost my watch, so I also lost how I did each mile.
I was absolutely wiped the rest of the day. I guess it's just the mileage. 8 miles or more and I can write off the rest of the day... But maybe if I changed my eating.... (we'll see.)
On to November 17th! My watch is still lost - so I used my husband's that doesn't beep. I also listened to my iPod. There was one runner from our group in front of me for the first 1.5 miles. For some reason, I got mad! She was NOT going to stay in front of me! During the first mile, we kept do-si-do-ing. They'd run and get ahead of me, then walk and I'd run and get ahead of them, then I'd walk, etc. At the first mile marker, I was shocked: 11:22! That didn't seem right. But she was still ahead of me, so I stayed mad and pressed on. Gradually about 1.5, I was staying ahead. I tried to pick someone else from our Galloway group to catch up with (the lady with the white hat) but she and her group kept getting further and further away. Mile Marker 2: 23:00. Looking good! But the third mile really got me. I didn't have anyone to really try and catch. I tried to run for 2:1, but that didn't last - and so I abandoned the 1:1 intervals. I guess I should've stayed with the 1:1 intervals... I remember my phone ringing loudly at about 2.5 miles. I passed a race worker, smiled and said, "I'm not going to answer that!" :) There was one lady I didn't know with a bright green t-shirt. I thought I'd try and catch her, but with all of the twists and turns, it was hard to tell if I was gaining or not. Finally near the end of mile 3, I was almost on top of her. The last 0.1 mile, I ran and passed the lady with the green t-shirt! I almost feel guilty - but I love having competition in the last 0.1 mile! It feels good to pass somebody near the end!
The finish line time said 35:39! 2.5 minutes better than my prior of 39:09. 11:30 pace. I honestly was almost ready to quit running last week. I needed a good race and a good PR to keep me motivated! Now I know, DON'T SKIP THE RACE EVENTS! It's a great motivator.
Monday, October 29, 2007
The Latest
Four weeks ago I ran 8.2 miles at a 14:30 pace. Two weeks ago I ran 8.7 miles at a 14:09 pace. This Saturday, it was 9 miles at 13:32 pace. Am I improving that much? Short answer: NO.
The first two runs I did on my own - except that I was joined by Logan's Full 1:1 group at the end of the 8.7 and in keeping up with them for the last few miles brought my time down to 14:09. This Saturday, my group ran with Logan's Full 1:1 group the entire time (except they did the loop twice - and we only did it once.) I knew they were going too fast - even the walk breaks were at breakneck speed. I ended up very sluggish all day Sat and Sun. I wasn't energized, I was drained.
My run this morning was 45 minutes at 2:1 intervals. But I started out just shuffling. Barely a run. I still haven't fully recovered from Saturday. BUT at least I was out there!
I'm really looking forward to Saturday's 5K. I'm hoping to break my 38 minute personal record. Eden's best friend will spend the night with us Friday night. That will be FUN! (She's 2 1/2.) And I can't wait to see them run in the Fun Run after the 5K. Eden will just be ecstatic to be running with other people! (And when she's tired, I'll scoop her up and walk back. ) :) I'll try to take my camera and take pictures of her in her first "race" :)
The first two runs I did on my own - except that I was joined by Logan's Full 1:1 group at the end of the 8.7 and in keeping up with them for the last few miles brought my time down to 14:09. This Saturday, my group ran with Logan's Full 1:1 group the entire time (except they did the loop twice - and we only did it once.) I knew they were going too fast - even the walk breaks were at breakneck speed. I ended up very sluggish all day Sat and Sun. I wasn't energized, I was drained.
My run this morning was 45 minutes at 2:1 intervals. But I started out just shuffling. Barely a run. I still haven't fully recovered from Saturday. BUT at least I was out there!
I'm really looking forward to Saturday's 5K. I'm hoping to break my 38 minute personal record. Eden's best friend will spend the night with us Friday night. That will be FUN! (She's 2 1/2.) And I can't wait to see them run in the Fun Run after the 5K. Eden will just be ecstatic to be running with other people! (And when she's tired, I'll scoop her up and walk back. ) :) I'll try to take my camera and take pictures of her in her first "race" :)
Sunday, October 14, 2007
It's Cold in the Mornings...
This is the time of year that every runner waits for - fall! It has finally arrived in Florida. The moment the temperature dips below 70, I have to get out my trusty, ugly earbands and wear them faithfully until spring. (earbands? well - I don't know what else to call them. They're like big, fluffy headbands that cover your ears.) I've always had sensitive ears that ache when they get cold. Any little bit of cold. 69 degrees out? I have to have my earbands.
No chance of heat exhaustion this Saturday! It was COLD! :) I loved the feel of the air biting through my tank and long t-shirt, nipping at my knees, pretending to be an enemy - but I would convert it into a friend. About mile 5 I took of my t-shirt and ran in my tank - rejoicing in the bite again.
I ran 8.7 miles, mostly by myself. I don't know why I don't get bored. Maybe with the busy, hectic life, it's mentally the only unstructured time I have. No ipod for me. Not even tiresome conversation. Just the joy of a child with a blank piece of paper and a crayon. (Is this why my daughter draws a few lines then goes to another sheet?) What did I think about? I have NO idea! I'm just glad I did it. (And THANKFUL to the Lord above that I was able to do it! Logistics have been crazy this week. In fact, I went to bed Friday night sure I wasn't going to. But when I awoke at 5:15 AM to give my daughter her blanket and was wide awake and felt fine... I decided to go ahead. :)
Next weekend is my "Magic Mile" - the real test to see how much I've improved over the last two months. :) The time to beat: 11:22. I should blow past it as I didn't push hard enough when I set the 11:22 last time. I want to make it under 10. That's a 12% reduction. Well - at least 10:30. :)
No chance of heat exhaustion this Saturday! It was COLD! :) I loved the feel of the air biting through my tank and long t-shirt, nipping at my knees, pretending to be an enemy - but I would convert it into a friend. About mile 5 I took of my t-shirt and ran in my tank - rejoicing in the bite again.
I ran 8.7 miles, mostly by myself. I don't know why I don't get bored. Maybe with the busy, hectic life, it's mentally the only unstructured time I have. No ipod for me. Not even tiresome conversation. Just the joy of a child with a blank piece of paper and a crayon. (Is this why my daughter draws a few lines then goes to another sheet?) What did I think about? I have NO idea! I'm just glad I did it. (And THANKFUL to the Lord above that I was able to do it! Logistics have been crazy this week. In fact, I went to bed Friday night sure I wasn't going to. But when I awoke at 5:15 AM to give my daughter her blanket and was wide awake and felt fine... I decided to go ahead. :)
Next weekend is my "Magic Mile" - the real test to see how much I've improved over the last two months. :) The time to beat: 11:22. I should blow past it as I didn't push hard enough when I set the 11:22 last time. I want to make it under 10. That's a 12% reduction. Well - at least 10:30. :)
Monday, October 8, 2007
Running through the Rain
We ran 4 miles on Saturday and I was struggling about mile 2.5. That let me know that I need to take my week-day runs seriously in order to be ready for the 8.5 miler coming up this weekend. After one week off due to a stomach bug and another scaled-back week due to a cold, I have to press on to regain the level of conditioning that I need.
LOTS OF WATER this week! That is the goal. I really enjoy my morning "Cubicle Mocha" which I make with one coffee cup of coffee and one packet of Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa mix. :) Yum! But with all that caffeine - I have to really drink my water during the rest of the day!
Diet? Oh - let's not talk about diet. (Birthday party last Saturday, and of course, I go to a cake shoppe with "to-die-for" buttercream icing!!) I'm in the process of developing my 5-year plan. Year 1: Finish a Half-marathon. Year 2: Do two or three more Halfs and start considering a Full. Year 3: A full Marathon. (Disney?) Maybe Year 4: New York Marathon. Meanwhile, during Year 1, I want to keep setting new PRs during the local 5Ks and during Year 2, I want to set challenging time goals for those Halfs and make it. I figure somewhere in there, I will improve as much as I can on my current diet, and then, I'll improve my diet so I can continue improving in my races. :) I can never improve diet for diet's sake alone. I always have to have a "bigger vision"!
I did get up and run this morning. 3 Cadence drills and 3 Acceleration Gliders. Plus more of a race-pace and at 1:15 sec of running / 1 min of walking. :) Faster, faster, faster. I need to get faster! (I'm such a wimp when it comes to discomfort!) I think next week I may try 1:30 of running and 1 min of walking.
LOTS OF WATER this week! That is the goal. I really enjoy my morning "Cubicle Mocha" which I make with one coffee cup of coffee and one packet of Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa mix. :) Yum! But with all that caffeine - I have to really drink my water during the rest of the day!
Diet? Oh - let's not talk about diet. (Birthday party last Saturday, and of course, I go to a cake shoppe with "to-die-for" buttercream icing!!) I'm in the process of developing my 5-year plan. Year 1: Finish a Half-marathon. Year 2: Do two or three more Halfs and start considering a Full. Year 3: A full Marathon. (Disney?) Maybe Year 4: New York Marathon. Meanwhile, during Year 1, I want to keep setting new PRs during the local 5Ks and during Year 2, I want to set challenging time goals for those Halfs and make it. I figure somewhere in there, I will improve as much as I can on my current diet, and then, I'll improve my diet so I can continue improving in my races. :) I can never improve diet for diet's sake alone. I always have to have a "bigger vision"!
I did get up and run this morning. 3 Cadence drills and 3 Acceleration Gliders. Plus more of a race-pace and at 1:15 sec of running / 1 min of walking. :) Faster, faster, faster. I need to get faster! (I'm such a wimp when it comes to discomfort!) I think next week I may try 1:30 of running and 1 min of walking.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
A little run and a little better. :)
The one good thing about my daughter waking up so many times during the night is she helped me not to oversleep (I was up anyway!) and get my run in this morning. I pushed a little harder and my cold is MUCH better. However, my shins were killing me! I probably need to get fitted for shoes again as this has only occurred after getting my last pair of shoes.
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