Workout: 3 miles on the treadmill
Incline: 2%
Time: 30:00
Weight: ?
Ran an easy pace this morning as it was my first time running in two weeks or so. I kicked up the incline to 2%, though, to make it a better workout. It was a good run. I did well. It hurt a little bit (lungs/throat), but I got through without any stops other than a quick 20 second hamstring stretch after 1/4 mile.
I intend to go to the gym tomorrow and hit the bike and the weight machines. I need to put together a plan and pack my gym bag so I'll have no excuse. Its time to get back into a daily 5:15 wake up call & workout. I feel better afterward. I like getting it over with and not trying to fit it in during the day. I need to be consistent.
I also drank 4 16oz glasses of water today, which is an improvement by 4 16oz glasses:) It is definitely time to work on seriously rehydrating myself. My goal is 10 16oz glasses everyday. After going for months without hardly drinking any water during the day, I'm proud of the 4 I had today (I'll have one more before bed).
I'm not spending a lot of energy worrying about my eating right now. It is Christmas. I'm making biscotti. Dave is getting treats all the time. Its just insanity to believe that I could be THAT disciplined through all of that. Our new vegetarian meal planning service begins on January 1st and I'm incredibly excited about that. I need to get my cholesterol back down (up to a whopping 263 again - ugh) and I know that eating a plant based diet is the way to do it for me. I just need to get back to it.
We have some pretty awesome friends!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday November 30, 2010
Workout: 4.06 miles
Time: 40:36
Pace: 10:00
Weight: 126.8
November: 61.10 / 60
Did an easy 4 miles on the treadmill this morning. It felt good to have an easy run instead of being labored and miserable and counting the seconds until it was over.
Was planning to do about 3-3.5, but decided to do 8 songs or 3.5, whichever was longest. By the time I got 8 songs done, I still had 2 minutes until I think 3.5, so I went for another song. Then by the time song #9 was done it was ridiculous to not finish out the 4 miles/10 songs. The .06 miles/36 seconds was the length of the rest of song 10.
My hamstrings are TIGHT. Perhaps in this time off I should focus on stretching. A lot. I wish I could do yoga, but time and money make it impossible - why is it so expensive? And why are classes only around 5 in the afternoon? I have yet to find a DVD that I don't think is wacky, so that option is kind of out. I should look around more and find something do-able. I need to stretch.
Time: 40:36
Pace: 10:00
Weight: 126.8
November: 61.10 / 60
Did an easy 4 miles on the treadmill this morning. It felt good to have an easy run instead of being labored and miserable and counting the seconds until it was over.
Was planning to do about 3-3.5, but decided to do 8 songs or 3.5, whichever was longest. By the time I got 8 songs done, I still had 2 minutes until I think 3.5, so I went for another song. Then by the time song #9 was done it was ridiculous to not finish out the 4 miles/10 songs. The .06 miles/36 seconds was the length of the rest of song 10.
My hamstrings are TIGHT. Perhaps in this time off I should focus on stretching. A lot. I wish I could do yoga, but time and money make it impossible - why is it so expensive? And why are classes only around 5 in the afternoon? I have yet to find a DVD that I don't think is wacky, so that option is kind of out. I should look around more and find something do-able. I need to stretch.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday November 29, 2010
Workout: 4.06 miles
Time: 35:00
Pace: 8:37/mile
Weight: 126.8
In an effort to get over my running misery and to finish out my 60 miles in November, I jumped on the treadmill this afternoon. I wanted a confidence boost, so I kept the incline at 0 and ramped the pace up to 7.0. It felt good. Its a good pace at 0 incline, especially if I have the right music (Running Down the Dream by Tom Petty is THE perfect song for this pace).
I ran in my older pair of shoes, which has about 450 miles on them, but I feel MUCH better than I do after running in my newer shoes with less than 100 miles on them. I need some new shoes for sure.
My feet are really, really sore from the weekend - I went downtown for an overnight with Kim and we did a lot of walking. And I was wearing high heeled boots, which was STUPID :) I've been wearing my new heat therapy slippers that I bought at the German Christmas Village downtown and they feel really nice. And if only I could sit still long enough for them to work it might be better.
I also think that I have a strained right hamstring. It definitely isn't pulled or torn, but I am experiencing some pain that is not typical soreness from running. So its going to be good to take a break for several days. I think I took all of December off last year and started training right away in January. Not planning to go that extreme, but at least having a couple of weeks off will help. My joints are really tired.
Time: 35:00
Pace: 8:37/mile
Weight: 126.8
In an effort to get over my running misery and to finish out my 60 miles in November, I jumped on the treadmill this afternoon. I wanted a confidence boost, so I kept the incline at 0 and ramped the pace up to 7.0. It felt good. Its a good pace at 0 incline, especially if I have the right music (Running Down the Dream by Tom Petty is THE perfect song for this pace).
I ran in my older pair of shoes, which has about 450 miles on them, but I feel MUCH better than I do after running in my newer shoes with less than 100 miles on them. I need some new shoes for sure.
My feet are really, really sore from the weekend - I went downtown for an overnight with Kim and we did a lot of walking. And I was wearing high heeled boots, which was STUPID :) I've been wearing my new heat therapy slippers that I bought at the German Christmas Village downtown and they feel really nice. And if only I could sit still long enough for them to work it might be better.
I also think that I have a strained right hamstring. It definitely isn't pulled or torn, but I am experiencing some pain that is not typical soreness from running. So its going to be good to take a break for several days. I think I took all of December off last year and started training right away in January. Not planning to go that extreme, but at least having a couple of weeks off will help. My joints are really tired.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday November 28, 2010
Just finished reading my latest issue of Runner's World magazine (which is the only magazine that I read from cover to cover - never would have thought that would be the case a few years ago). I read a few articles about some elite runners and their experiences running a marathon. These are people that are running marathons in sub 3 hour times - amazing runners, fast runners. Yet they struggle. They get to a point where they feel like they can't move their legs forward.
Got me thinking... what is the difference between them and me - I mean, other than the speed? The difference is mental. They are mentally tough. They get through it through sheer will and determination. It isn't their garmin watches telling them their pace that makes the difference, it is their mental drive to complete the race and get a PR.
I don't have that. At least not right now. I haven't yet completed a 5k without stopping to walk (which is ridiculous because I've completed 2 half marathons without walking at all). I've always had a mental dificiency when it comes to running. I've always battled this aspect of running. I love running (now) and I've gotten so much better at it, but I have always, always battled the mental part of it and running through the block that inevitably comes.
So I want to focus on this over the coming year. I'm not quite sure how, but I need to.
In addition, I need to focus on nutrition and fuel. I am not fueling my body well at all. There are days when I'm certain I'm probably not eating enough calories. And then there are days when I'm eating way too many. Either way, it is not intentional or thought out. I need to do some reading on this.
All in all, I have to remember that this is a hobby and a source of enjoyment, self-competition, and accomplishment for me. I will never be a person who finishes in the top of the age group. I won't ever run a whole lot faster than I am right now. I'm not going to be a competitive runner in these races - it needs to be about setting and achieving goals. And most of the time those goals are not time goals for me. The half marathon goals were not time goals, they were finish-without-walking goals. I need to do that in the 5k, too.
So I will finish out my 60 miles for the month between today, tomorrow & Tuesday and then take a running break until December 15th. At that time I'll start training for the 5/3 River Bank Run and will do so with some new mental goals. I'm also going to read Run Less, Run Faster and incorporate that into my training. I think taking some time off will allow me the opportunity to plan before beginning.
Got me thinking... what is the difference between them and me - I mean, other than the speed? The difference is mental. They are mentally tough. They get through it through sheer will and determination. It isn't their garmin watches telling them their pace that makes the difference, it is their mental drive to complete the race and get a PR.
I don't have that. At least not right now. I haven't yet completed a 5k without stopping to walk (which is ridiculous because I've completed 2 half marathons without walking at all). I've always had a mental dificiency when it comes to running. I've always battled this aspect of running. I love running (now) and I've gotten so much better at it, but I have always, always battled the mental part of it and running through the block that inevitably comes.
So I want to focus on this over the coming year. I'm not quite sure how, but I need to.
In addition, I need to focus on nutrition and fuel. I am not fueling my body well at all. There are days when I'm certain I'm probably not eating enough calories. And then there are days when I'm eating way too many. Either way, it is not intentional or thought out. I need to do some reading on this.
All in all, I have to remember that this is a hobby and a source of enjoyment, self-competition, and accomplishment for me. I will never be a person who finishes in the top of the age group. I won't ever run a whole lot faster than I am right now. I'm not going to be a competitive runner in these races - it needs to be about setting and achieving goals. And most of the time those goals are not time goals for me. The half marathon goals were not time goals, they were finish-without-walking goals. I need to do that in the 5k, too.
So I will finish out my 60 miles for the month between today, tomorrow & Tuesday and then take a running break until December 15th. At that time I'll start training for the 5/3 River Bank Run and will do so with some new mental goals. I'm also going to read Run Less, Run Faster and incorporate that into my training. I think taking some time off will allow me the opportunity to plan before beginning.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Workout: 5k race
Time: 29:22
Pace: 9:28
I suck. Thats really all that I can say about this race. I really suck.
To be honest, I wasn't geared up for this race very well. I think I was a little overconfident - the whole "its only 3 miles" thing - so I didn't really prepare myself mentally at all. I should have thought about it a little more.
I started out well, but I have to say it was possibly the longest 3 miles I've ever run. I didn't think it would ever end. My right calf hurt for the first 2+ miles. It wasn't sore or burning... it felt solid, like concrete. And the hills on the course were not helping that feeling. I stopped to walk at some point to try to get my calf shaken out. And I felt lame... I'm the idiot who has been running long distances for the last year or two, but can't get through a 5k without walking? Bugger.
So after I stopped to shake it out a bit, it released and I was starting to settle in. And then my right foot fell asleep. Clearly, I am dehydrated and have circulation issues:) So right around mile 3 I had to stop to walk again to stomp my foot a few times to wake it up. Idiot. I was so pissed and I am still incredibly embarrassed.
I never would have said this two years ago, but I think I'm best and most comfortable at mid distances - 4-7 miles. The first 2 or 3 always are torturous, but then I can finally settle in and take on the rest somewhat comfortably. 3 miles is a killer for me - even when I'm tapering.
I also recognize the following (but am trying not to make excuses): We were up at 4:30 because the clock in my parents bedroom was not changed at the time change; I have had a difficult time running for the past 3 weeks - not much different than this race, and I just suck.
I'm going to finish out my 60 miles for the month and then try to figure out how to take a break without losing everything I've gained in the last few months. My feet, my knees and my ankles need me to take a break and need me to get new shoes. I am tired. I just need to be motivated to do other workouts in the off time. I'm also going to read Run less, Run Faster, which Jason lent me, and try to figure out a training plan for the 5/3 River Bank Run.
On a happier note about yesterday... Nora & Georgia both ran in the Kids Turkey Trot 1k and were adorable. They were cold and tired and grumpy, but I'm so glad they came to watch me and then had fun doing their own race. Nora had been so excited to do it since I told her about it. She ran the entire thing and beat the Turkey. I was so proud of her! And Georgia was quite possibly the cutest racer in the history of racers coming down the final stretch holding onto Dave's hand and running with a giant smile on her face. They were adorable.
And then we all got to go to Jay's house and hang out with his wonderful family. Holy crap we enjoy them and have such a good time with them. On the way home we were talking about how much we enjoy spending time with the Tieri family... while it is no shocker that I enjoy it - I've always loved hanging with Jay - its remarkable to me how MUCH Dave enjoys them when he hardly knows them. I asked him why... his response: "They are really GOOD people and I feel 100% comfortable with them". I might suck at running, but I've gotten a few good friends out of it and that rocks!
Time: 29:22
Pace: 9:28
I suck. Thats really all that I can say about this race. I really suck.
To be honest, I wasn't geared up for this race very well. I think I was a little overconfident - the whole "its only 3 miles" thing - so I didn't really prepare myself mentally at all. I should have thought about it a little more.
I started out well, but I have to say it was possibly the longest 3 miles I've ever run. I didn't think it would ever end. My right calf hurt for the first 2+ miles. It wasn't sore or burning... it felt solid, like concrete. And the hills on the course were not helping that feeling. I stopped to walk at some point to try to get my calf shaken out. And I felt lame... I'm the idiot who has been running long distances for the last year or two, but can't get through a 5k without walking? Bugger.
So after I stopped to shake it out a bit, it released and I was starting to settle in. And then my right foot fell asleep. Clearly, I am dehydrated and have circulation issues:) So right around mile 3 I had to stop to walk again to stomp my foot a few times to wake it up. Idiot. I was so pissed and I am still incredibly embarrassed.
I never would have said this two years ago, but I think I'm best and most comfortable at mid distances - 4-7 miles. The first 2 or 3 always are torturous, but then I can finally settle in and take on the rest somewhat comfortably. 3 miles is a killer for me - even when I'm tapering.
I also recognize the following (but am trying not to make excuses): We were up at 4:30 because the clock in my parents bedroom was not changed at the time change; I have had a difficult time running for the past 3 weeks - not much different than this race, and I just suck.
I'm going to finish out my 60 miles for the month and then try to figure out how to take a break without losing everything I've gained in the last few months. My feet, my knees and my ankles need me to take a break and need me to get new shoes. I am tired. I just need to be motivated to do other workouts in the off time. I'm also going to read Run less, Run Faster, which Jason lent me, and try to figure out a training plan for the 5/3 River Bank Run.
On a happier note about yesterday... Nora & Georgia both ran in the Kids Turkey Trot 1k and were adorable. They were cold and tired and grumpy, but I'm so glad they came to watch me and then had fun doing their own race. Nora had been so excited to do it since I told her about it. She ran the entire thing and beat the Turkey. I was so proud of her! And Georgia was quite possibly the cutest racer in the history of racers coming down the final stretch holding onto Dave's hand and running with a giant smile on her face. They were adorable.
And then we all got to go to Jay's house and hang out with his wonderful family. Holy crap we enjoy them and have such a good time with them. On the way home we were talking about how much we enjoy spending time with the Tieri family... while it is no shocker that I enjoy it - I've always loved hanging with Jay - its remarkable to me how MUCH Dave enjoys them when he hardly knows them. I asked him why... his response: "They are really GOOD people and I feel 100% comfortable with them". I might suck at running, but I've gotten a few good friends out of it and that rocks!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday November 22, 2010
Workout: 4.5 miles
Time: 41:15
Pace: average 9:10
November total: 49.88/60
Ran on the treadmill at a 2% incline. It wasn't the best of runs in terms of continuous running, but I got it in, which is saying a lot considering how I'm feeling - physically and emotionally. I'm resting tomorrow and Wednesday and then the 5k race on Thursday. Not sure if I'll get any running in over the weekend. Perhaps on Sunday afternoon. I have 10.12 miles left before the end of the month.
I explained how I'm feeling physically yesterday. Emotionally, I'm a lost cause at the moment :) Not that I'm a wreck, I'm just in complete, utter shut down mode. Shut down mode = completely incapable of getting anything accomplished. This is all due to being overwhelmed with life. I feel like I have too many plates spinning in my head: people asking for christmas lists, thinking of gifts for others, biscotti thoughts, getting ready for christmas, my mom not telling me what to bring for thanksgiving, getting some gifts done by the 12th, some done by the 18th, the girls, Dave, meal planning (I have completely failed at the whole dinner situation for the last 2-4 months) etc. etc. Just completely overwhelmed. The girls are home from school this entire week, which adds to it all because I don't feel like I can get much accomplished.
Not sure how to break out of this spin right now. It has a lot to do with decisions and planning. I wish someone - anyone - would just make some decisions, so I can go about executing them.
Time: 41:15
Pace: average 9:10
November total: 49.88/60
Ran on the treadmill at a 2% incline. It wasn't the best of runs in terms of continuous running, but I got it in, which is saying a lot considering how I'm feeling - physically and emotionally. I'm resting tomorrow and Wednesday and then the 5k race on Thursday. Not sure if I'll get any running in over the weekend. Perhaps on Sunday afternoon. I have 10.12 miles left before the end of the month.
I explained how I'm feeling physically yesterday. Emotionally, I'm a lost cause at the moment :) Not that I'm a wreck, I'm just in complete, utter shut down mode. Shut down mode = completely incapable of getting anything accomplished. This is all due to being overwhelmed with life. I feel like I have too many plates spinning in my head: people asking for christmas lists, thinking of gifts for others, biscotti thoughts, getting ready for christmas, my mom not telling me what to bring for thanksgiving, getting some gifts done by the 12th, some done by the 18th, the girls, Dave, meal planning (I have completely failed at the whole dinner situation for the last 2-4 months) etc. etc. Just completely overwhelmed. The girls are home from school this entire week, which adds to it all because I don't feel like I can get much accomplished.
Not sure how to break out of this spin right now. It has a lot to do with decisions and planning. I wish someone - anyone - would just make some decisions, so I can go about executing them.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday November 20, 2010
Workout: 7.36 miles
Time: 1:12:20
Pace: average 9:48
November total: 45.38/60
Went out at 1:00 in the afternoon. It was somewhat chilly and pretty windy heading to the East. I did well for most of the run, but had decided kind of early on that I would take a short walking break after every 5 songs. Songs 6-10, though, had a few breaks in there because it was a lot of hills during that point. But the last part of the run was especially good. I feel like I really get my groove going around mile 4, which kind of sucks :)
I also feel like I'm in a rut. Like donating blood disrupted my flow. But not only that, my legs are tired and sore. My right foot has pain near the bottom of my toes. I'm considering taking a running break during December, but am worried about losing my fitness. I can't get as good of a workout on the bike or the eliptical at the gym. But I guess it will be like starting training from scratch. Or maybe I just need to significantly cut down my mileage this month. Perhaps taking on this 60 miles in November goal was a bit too much... I didn't cut down hardly at all after the half in September. I ran nearly 70 miles in October, which is an awful lot of miles for not training for anything.
And I think I might need new shoes already. Which bugs me because the shoes I ran in yesterday - my newest pair - have less than 100 miles on them. I don't have the money to go out and buy a $100 pair of shoes right now. But my knees hurt while I was running yesterday and my ankles are really sore and tired afterward. Maybe its just more of an overtraining issue and I need to calm down this month and start up from scratch on December 28th for the 5/3RBR. I'm going to get my 60 miles this month and then figure it out. I should also get back into weight training and cross training. And should actively try to lose 5 pounds. And try to get my cholesterol lower (was 265 when I donated blood - ouch... hasn't been that high since 1999).
Time: 1:12:20
Pace: average 9:48
November total: 45.38/60
Went out at 1:00 in the afternoon. It was somewhat chilly and pretty windy heading to the East. I did well for most of the run, but had decided kind of early on that I would take a short walking break after every 5 songs. Songs 6-10, though, had a few breaks in there because it was a lot of hills during that point. But the last part of the run was especially good. I feel like I really get my groove going around mile 4, which kind of sucks :)
I also feel like I'm in a rut. Like donating blood disrupted my flow. But not only that, my legs are tired and sore. My right foot has pain near the bottom of my toes. I'm considering taking a running break during December, but am worried about losing my fitness. I can't get as good of a workout on the bike or the eliptical at the gym. But I guess it will be like starting training from scratch. Or maybe I just need to significantly cut down my mileage this month. Perhaps taking on this 60 miles in November goal was a bit too much... I didn't cut down hardly at all after the half in September. I ran nearly 70 miles in October, which is an awful lot of miles for not training for anything.
And I think I might need new shoes already. Which bugs me because the shoes I ran in yesterday - my newest pair - have less than 100 miles on them. I don't have the money to go out and buy a $100 pair of shoes right now. But my knees hurt while I was running yesterday and my ankles are really sore and tired afterward. Maybe its just more of an overtraining issue and I need to calm down this month and start up from scratch on December 28th for the 5/3RBR. I'm going to get my 60 miles this month and then figure it out. I should also get back into weight training and cross training. And should actively try to lose 5 pounds. And try to get my cholesterol lower (was 265 when I donated blood - ouch... hasn't been that high since 1999).
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