Workout: 3.7 miles
Time: 34:32
Pace: 9:18
Weight: 128.0
Two years Ago
Not sure where I'm at in terms of what to do next after the race, but I know that I don't want to take too much time off. I ran home from Ryann's soccer game tonight and was fine. Jason was shocked that I ran already since Saturday, but really, I felt so great after the race - not really tired, not really sore, not super hungry, just really, really good. Best I've ever felt after a long run, so why not run already on Monday?
I'm going to keep my mileage down for now as I try to focus my energy on losing these pounds rather than on training for a race. I did well with points and did well with keeping track of them. I know that 128 is high due to water retention, since I weighed 125.? after I ran at 6:30pm, so I'm not concerned that my weight is THAT high, but I would like to get down near 120. At some point I need to recognize that after 8 years of making my goal 115 and never having gotten below 119 maybe its just not possible :) So 120 is my goal and I'm going to need to really put a lot of energy into it because this is the worst time of year - halloween, thanksgiving, christmas.
Thinking about doing a 5k on Thanksgiving up in Grand Rapids, then training will begin for the 5/3 Bank River Bank Run - 15 miles. May 14, 2011. It will be good to have something to train for during the holidays.
Haven't had a chance to think about what I want to do before then, however, I do know that I need to change my thinking from training to simply working out. I need to do heavier lifting with fewer reps, make sure I'm doing 30-45 minutes of cardio on my non lifting days and 20 minutes of warm up/light cardio on my lifting days. Drinking water is a must - I did okay on that yesterday. My face has been so dry since the race - it hurt so badly after I finished and I know it is dry because I'm not drinking enough water. I need to increase my vegetables and consider cutting sugar out completely - that needs some thinking. At any rate, my mindset needs to change for a while as my goal has changed for now.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Saturday September 25, 2010 - Race Day!
Half Marathon Race
Let me start off by saying that I took the opportunity to eat WAY too much candy corn on my rest days this week. Why? Because I'm an idiot and I bought them and once they're in the cabinet they whisper to me all.day. I have no will power when it comes to candy corn.
I also spent my two rest days hammering the water. I drank 5-8 16oz glasses each day and I still felt dehydrated. But I kept pushing through, knowing that I would need it for the race. I need to continue that kind of water consumption now that the race is over.
We got to my mom and dad's around 8:30 MI time and immediately place an order for spaghetti and meatballs. I also was adamant that I go to bed on time - which is sometimes a problem when we're here. I went to sleep just before midnight MI time. And promptly woke up at 2am because... No clue. And I wasn't happy about it because I was AWAKE - WIDE AWAKE. And ticked:) Got back to sleep, though, and slept pretty poorly until the alarm went off at 5:30 (MI time - 4:30 IL time yikes!). We ended up having way too much time to get ready, but that was fine. We got to the starting line around 7:15 - race started at 8:30. Waiting time, I've determined is not a good thing for me. I panic. I threaten to bolt. I get nervous. Today we were lucky enough to have a lot of wind to send me into a panic, with many pleas to do just the 5k. There was much moaning, groaning and complaining during the wait time - I like getting to my run and just going... not having time to really think about what I'm going to do other than the planning of the route. I do not like a bunch of time to contemplate the enormity of the task ahead of me.
Jason showed up around 8 and we caught up for a bit, which was AWESOME! Totally one of my favorite people from high school and I'm so glad we're back in touch.
Anyway, he said he was going to stick with us for the first few miles, hoping that our slower pace would save his energy for the middle-end. He took off around mile 2.
Early on, I was worried that I wouldn't make it through the entire race without stopping to walk - which was my goal. At 4 miles, I had no idea how I was going to get through the next 9 miles without walking. I wasn't feeling bad or laboring, I had started thinking about the overwhelming number of miles I STILL had to run. But I kept on.
The route was beautiful - along Lake Macatawa it was through a tree-lined street with really nice houses. Although, I didn't really look around a whole lot, just straight ahead, focusing on my music.
At mile 7, I was pleasantly surprised because I thought we were only at mile 6:) At 7 1/2, Dave needed to hit the port-o-potty and told me to go ahead and he'd catch up. I felt bad leaving him, but I knew that he could and would catch up to me. Right after that we hit Holland State Park, which was fully exposed. We were running straight into the gusting wind and the sand was whipping us. As soon as we turned to go back up Ottawa Beach road, though, we were running with the wind and went right back into blocked streets and it was fine. Right at that point I hit mile 8 and decided that the only way I'd get through would be to count songs. I knew I had about 13 songs to go. I also expected Dave to catch me around mile 10.
At mile 9 I hit some nice fast, dance music and started passing people. I was surprised at the amount of energy I had in order to kick it in to go faster. I was also hoping that Dave would catch me soon so I could eat my gu. He never caught me.
Around mile 10 1/2 I passed 4 people that I had been following for a while - and I had given up on Dave catching me. At that water station, though, they caught me and passed me by quite a bit. I took the water station slow because I figured if Dave wasn't going to get to me so I could have my gu, I'd better make sure I drank the gatorade at the water station - so the 4 people I had passed got quite a distance ahead right there.
Mile 11-12 1/2 I slowly gained ground on the one lady that I was following (out of the 4). I was surprised to have a lot of energy left at that point and surprised that I could gain ground. At Indy, I was pretty spent at this point. At 12 1/2 Jason started running with me, after having finished (1:56). I told him I wanted to catch that lady, but I couldn't see the finish line... once I saw it, I'd catch her. She was still pretty far ahead of me. Right at mile 13, I started full-blown sprinting. Long strides, fast, good running. I overtook her right as we entered the parking lot and I sprinted the rest of the way. I was standing there at the end of the finish line and she came up and hit me with her shirt and said, Nice run! I told her I had been chasing her - she knew and congratulated me.
I headed back to find Dave and ran in with him.
It was awesome. I felt, going in, that it wouldn't live up to Indy, but it most definitely did. It may not have had all of the hype and stuff that Indy did, but it was just as fun and I think it was because we were there with Jason.
Anyway, I still feel great. No digestive issues during or afterward. I'm a little tired and sore, but its good. We're going to drive home tonight.
Stats:
Time - 2:04:55
Pace: 9:31/mile
Awesome!
Let me start off by saying that I took the opportunity to eat WAY too much candy corn on my rest days this week. Why? Because I'm an idiot and I bought them and once they're in the cabinet they whisper to me all.day. I have no will power when it comes to candy corn.
I also spent my two rest days hammering the water. I drank 5-8 16oz glasses each day and I still felt dehydrated. But I kept pushing through, knowing that I would need it for the race. I need to continue that kind of water consumption now that the race is over.
We got to my mom and dad's around 8:30 MI time and immediately place an order for spaghetti and meatballs. I also was adamant that I go to bed on time - which is sometimes a problem when we're here. I went to sleep just before midnight MI time. And promptly woke up at 2am because... No clue. And I wasn't happy about it because I was AWAKE - WIDE AWAKE. And ticked:) Got back to sleep, though, and slept pretty poorly until the alarm went off at 5:30 (MI time - 4:30 IL time yikes!). We ended up having way too much time to get ready, but that was fine. We got to the starting line around 7:15 - race started at 8:30. Waiting time, I've determined is not a good thing for me. I panic. I threaten to bolt. I get nervous. Today we were lucky enough to have a lot of wind to send me into a panic, with many pleas to do just the 5k. There was much moaning, groaning and complaining during the wait time - I like getting to my run and just going... not having time to really think about what I'm going to do other than the planning of the route. I do not like a bunch of time to contemplate the enormity of the task ahead of me.
Jason showed up around 8 and we caught up for a bit, which was AWESOME! Totally one of my favorite people from high school and I'm so glad we're back in touch.
Anyway, he said he was going to stick with us for the first few miles, hoping that our slower pace would save his energy for the middle-end. He took off around mile 2.
Early on, I was worried that I wouldn't make it through the entire race without stopping to walk - which was my goal. At 4 miles, I had no idea how I was going to get through the next 9 miles without walking. I wasn't feeling bad or laboring, I had started thinking about the overwhelming number of miles I STILL had to run. But I kept on.
The route was beautiful - along Lake Macatawa it was through a tree-lined street with really nice houses. Although, I didn't really look around a whole lot, just straight ahead, focusing on my music.
At mile 7, I was pleasantly surprised because I thought we were only at mile 6:) At 7 1/2, Dave needed to hit the port-o-potty and told me to go ahead and he'd catch up. I felt bad leaving him, but I knew that he could and would catch up to me. Right after that we hit Holland State Park, which was fully exposed. We were running straight into the gusting wind and the sand was whipping us. As soon as we turned to go back up Ottawa Beach road, though, we were running with the wind and went right back into blocked streets and it was fine. Right at that point I hit mile 8 and decided that the only way I'd get through would be to count songs. I knew I had about 13 songs to go. I also expected Dave to catch me around mile 10.
At mile 9 I hit some nice fast, dance music and started passing people. I was surprised at the amount of energy I had in order to kick it in to go faster. I was also hoping that Dave would catch me soon so I could eat my gu. He never caught me.
Around mile 10 1/2 I passed 4 people that I had been following for a while - and I had given up on Dave catching me. At that water station, though, they caught me and passed me by quite a bit. I took the water station slow because I figured if Dave wasn't going to get to me so I could have my gu, I'd better make sure I drank the gatorade at the water station - so the 4 people I had passed got quite a distance ahead right there.
Mile 11-12 1/2 I slowly gained ground on the one lady that I was following (out of the 4). I was surprised to have a lot of energy left at that point and surprised that I could gain ground. At Indy, I was pretty spent at this point. At 12 1/2 Jason started running with me, after having finished (1:56). I told him I wanted to catch that lady, but I couldn't see the finish line... once I saw it, I'd catch her. She was still pretty far ahead of me. Right at mile 13, I started full-blown sprinting. Long strides, fast, good running. I overtook her right as we entered the parking lot and I sprinted the rest of the way. I was standing there at the end of the finish line and she came up and hit me with her shirt and said, Nice run! I told her I had been chasing her - she knew and congratulated me.
I headed back to find Dave and ran in with him.
It was awesome. I felt, going in, that it wouldn't live up to Indy, but it most definitely did. It may not have had all of the hype and stuff that Indy did, but it was just as fun and I think it was because we were there with Jason.
Anyway, I still feel great. No digestive issues during or afterward. I'm a little tired and sore, but its good. We're going to drive home tonight.
Stats:
Time - 2:04:55
Pace: 9:31/mile
Awesome!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wednesday September 21, 2010
Workout: 2.4 miles
Time: 22:00
Pace: 9:10
Weight: 127.4
Two Years Ago
I am officially finished training for this race! I ran 4 miles on Monday morning at a 9:04 pace - my fastest ever! This morning I ran 2.4 and I'm done. I have rest days tomorrow and Friday and then the race on Saturday. I am ready for this and ready for it to be finished!
My run this morning was fine. It was pretty humid out, but not too warm. I actually had to push myself pretty hard to run the entire thing without stopping to walk. I wanted to stop and walk before I hit a mile, but I would have been pretty pissed at myself if I had. I knew that I could get through it, but it was a mental battle for a while. I also spent a portion of time figuring out which way to turn when I hit 151st. I think that took my mind off of the battle as I weighed my hill options for either route.
On Monday, I think I was in pain for almost the entire run. I could tell I was running pretty fast, but I didn't want to slow down - I wanted to see how fast I could run the 4 miles. I felt labored for the first 2.5 miles and then I felt ulcer/abdominal pain for the next mile. For the last 1/2 mile I just kicked it in and got home. It was a good, good run and I was really excited to see my pace. I won't be running the race at that pace, but I'm encouraged that we may get a faster time than our last race.
I continue to be discouraged with my weight, but I'm letting it go until after the race. I counted points for a couple of days, but I think the long runs on the weekends particularly messed with my mind in terms of points. I didn't have the energy to count points on Saturdays. So now that this is all over, I can concentrate more on this rather than on the training. I'm going to need another goal to work toward after this race is over, so I might as well make this my goal. I think 115 is nearly impossible. I've been making that my goal for so many years, but I haven't ever gotten past 119 and I haven't maintained 119 for very long. So I think I need to make my goal 120 and I need to work at maintaining that. I'm going to cut my miles down and look at things more as a workout, rather than a run and a number of miles. I need to reset my mindset on all of this.
But now, for the rest of the week, I focus on water - which I have not done a good job with for the last 2 months. I need to get rehydrated before Saturday.
Time: 22:00
Pace: 9:10
Weight: 127.4
Two Years Ago
I am officially finished training for this race! I ran 4 miles on Monday morning at a 9:04 pace - my fastest ever! This morning I ran 2.4 and I'm done. I have rest days tomorrow and Friday and then the race on Saturday. I am ready for this and ready for it to be finished!
My run this morning was fine. It was pretty humid out, but not too warm. I actually had to push myself pretty hard to run the entire thing without stopping to walk. I wanted to stop and walk before I hit a mile, but I would have been pretty pissed at myself if I had. I knew that I could get through it, but it was a mental battle for a while. I also spent a portion of time figuring out which way to turn when I hit 151st. I think that took my mind off of the battle as I weighed my hill options for either route.
On Monday, I think I was in pain for almost the entire run. I could tell I was running pretty fast, but I didn't want to slow down - I wanted to see how fast I could run the 4 miles. I felt labored for the first 2.5 miles and then I felt ulcer/abdominal pain for the next mile. For the last 1/2 mile I just kicked it in and got home. It was a good, good run and I was really excited to see my pace. I won't be running the race at that pace, but I'm encouraged that we may get a faster time than our last race.
I continue to be discouraged with my weight, but I'm letting it go until after the race. I counted points for a couple of days, but I think the long runs on the weekends particularly messed with my mind in terms of points. I didn't have the energy to count points on Saturdays. So now that this is all over, I can concentrate more on this rather than on the training. I'm going to need another goal to work toward after this race is over, so I might as well make this my goal. I think 115 is nearly impossible. I've been making that my goal for so many years, but I haven't ever gotten past 119 and I haven't maintained 119 for very long. So I think I need to make my goal 120 and I need to work at maintaining that. I'm going to cut my miles down and look at things more as a workout, rather than a run and a number of miles. I need to reset my mindset on all of this.
But now, for the rest of the week, I focus on water - which I have not done a good job with for the last 2 months. I need to get rehydrated before Saturday.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
catching up on last week
Not sure why I haven't blogged at all this past week... so here is the skinny on how it went:
Tuesday, September 14 -
Cross training (bike) 30:00, upper body weights. Not a completely inspired workout, but satisfied that I got up and went to the gym and completed it.
Wednesday, September 15 -
3 miles with the dog = horrible. The dog got shaved on Monday and came home looking very unfit. He has not been running in quite a while since Dave started running at the gym and near his office. His 10 1/2 year old skin is sagging and he is looking like Mr. Fatty Blatso, so I told him I'd take him running now that I'm faster and better than I used to be. Ugh. He was horrible. We did 3 miles and he stopped a bajillion times to sniff and mark. I'd just get into a rhythm and he would basically sit down while we were running and pull on the leash to stop. Jerk. I was so ticked at him by the end that I started yelling at him. I will not take him running until after the race - at that point, we will learn to run together and do lots of practicing so he can get back into it. He used to be a good runner - according to Dave - but he is really out of practice and I'm not dealing with that crap while training, when I need to keep my confidence up.
Thursday, September 16 - nothing. Had no motivation to do intervals, and I wanted to sleep so I stayed home.
Friday, September 17 - 3.2 miles
This is normally a cross training day, but I didn't feel like doing it or going to the gym and I didn't want to have another rest day. Besides, I wanted a better showing that I had had on Wednesday. Much better run, although a little more difficult than I anticipated.
Saturday, September 18 - 8.5 miles
Was supposed to meet a friend at Old Plank Trails. I was going to run 10 and she'd drop when she was ready to be done (she normally does 5). She didn't show up, so I went out on my own. I did not do well. I stopped at mile 1 to take my shirt off and that, I think, was the killer - once i stopped, i was done for. I took a lot of walking breaks throughout and decided that my desire to do 10 even though the schedule said 8 was just being dumb, so i stuck with 8 and made myself believe that I wasn't failing by cutting 2 miles out. Mile 6.5 - 8.5 were very difficult as I was having digestive issues and had to stop frequently to walk until I felt okay to run again, which almost immediately made me cramp up again and need to walk. My pace was terrible because of all of that. I've had that issue before, however, not for that long of a distance... not sure what I could have done differently. I also felt pretty tired from the very beginning. I started running at 6:10, but I had been up since 4 am - not sure why. My legs also felt pretty heavy and tired, perhaps from running the day before. It wasn't the worst run I've had, but I wouldn't place it in the good category at all.
4 and 2 next week and then the race. After that, I'm going to work on running with the dog and doing less miles in each run, but more runs during the week. Perhaps 3 miles/day with 5-6 on Saturday? Not quite sure. There is a 5k in Orland on October 2 that I'd like to run in, I need to discuss that with Dave and see what his schedule is. I've only run one 5k and did horribly - I feel like I need to do this in order to conquer it.
Tuesday, September 14 -
Cross training (bike) 30:00, upper body weights. Not a completely inspired workout, but satisfied that I got up and went to the gym and completed it.
Wednesday, September 15 -
3 miles with the dog = horrible. The dog got shaved on Monday and came home looking very unfit. He has not been running in quite a while since Dave started running at the gym and near his office. His 10 1/2 year old skin is sagging and he is looking like Mr. Fatty Blatso, so I told him I'd take him running now that I'm faster and better than I used to be. Ugh. He was horrible. We did 3 miles and he stopped a bajillion times to sniff and mark. I'd just get into a rhythm and he would basically sit down while we were running and pull on the leash to stop. Jerk. I was so ticked at him by the end that I started yelling at him. I will not take him running until after the race - at that point, we will learn to run together and do lots of practicing so he can get back into it. He used to be a good runner - according to Dave - but he is really out of practice and I'm not dealing with that crap while training, when I need to keep my confidence up.
Thursday, September 16 - nothing. Had no motivation to do intervals, and I wanted to sleep so I stayed home.
Friday, September 17 - 3.2 miles
This is normally a cross training day, but I didn't feel like doing it or going to the gym and I didn't want to have another rest day. Besides, I wanted a better showing that I had had on Wednesday. Much better run, although a little more difficult than I anticipated.
Saturday, September 18 - 8.5 miles
Was supposed to meet a friend at Old Plank Trails. I was going to run 10 and she'd drop when she was ready to be done (she normally does 5). She didn't show up, so I went out on my own. I did not do well. I stopped at mile 1 to take my shirt off and that, I think, was the killer - once i stopped, i was done for. I took a lot of walking breaks throughout and decided that my desire to do 10 even though the schedule said 8 was just being dumb, so i stuck with 8 and made myself believe that I wasn't failing by cutting 2 miles out. Mile 6.5 - 8.5 were very difficult as I was having digestive issues and had to stop frequently to walk until I felt okay to run again, which almost immediately made me cramp up again and need to walk. My pace was terrible because of all of that. I've had that issue before, however, not for that long of a distance... not sure what I could have done differently. I also felt pretty tired from the very beginning. I started running at 6:10, but I had been up since 4 am - not sure why. My legs also felt pretty heavy and tired, perhaps from running the day before. It wasn't the worst run I've had, but I wouldn't place it in the good category at all.
4 and 2 next week and then the race. After that, I'm going to work on running with the dog and doing less miles in each run, but more runs during the week. Perhaps 3 miles/day with 5-6 on Saturday? Not quite sure. There is a 5k in Orland on October 2 that I'd like to run in, I need to discuss that with Dave and see what his schedule is. I've only run one 5k and did horribly - I feel like I need to do this in order to conquer it.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Monday September 13, 2010
Workout: 5.08 miles - tapering begins!
Time: 49:52
Pace: 9:48
Weight: 126.8
This was horrible. Every step I took was a major effort. My legs hurt, my body was tired. I had to mentally will my way through the entire run and did much more walking than I usually do.
Tomorrow is another day.
Time: 49:52
Pace: 9:48
Weight: 126.8
This was horrible. Every step I took was a major effort. My legs hurt, my body was tired. I had to mentally will my way through the entire run and did much more walking than I usually do.
Tomorrow is another day.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Saturday September 11, 2010
Workout: 12.25 miles
Time: 2:02:14
Pace: average 10:00/mile
Weight: 126.0
Ran at Old Plank Trail again this morning. It was drizzling as I left the driveway and I thought about going back inside and going out later since Cornbread was taking the girls to the office all day, but then I realized that I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep anyway, so I decided to suck it up and head out there. I got there at about 5:50 and it was still pitch dark and didn't look to be lightening any time soon because of the overcast sky. I was a bit nervous about running by myself in the dark on a deserted trail... I wasn't scared, but was coming to the conclusion that it simply was not a wise decision. I decided to wait 10 minutes to see if it lightened up and if it didn't I would head home (20 minutes drive). At that point another car parked in the parking lot. Within the next few minutes - actually right at the point that I decided to leave and go home - a guy got out of the car and started running the trail in the direction I was planning to go. That gave me some confidence that someone else was out there (and ahead of me scaring the boogyman away if need be), so I got out of the car and started in the drizzle.
I was planning to go out 4 miles, come back, stop at the car for a drink and then go out 2 miles in the opposite direction and come back. I felt really good for the first leg. Initially I planned to try to run the first 4 miles / 10 songs and then take a walking break. As I got closer I decided mile 4 or the end of song 10, whichever came last. Song 10 ended at about 4 1/2 miles, so I decided to go to 5 miles, then at 5 miles I decided to go to song 15 (which would be about 6 miles), then at song 15 decided to go to the car. I made it to 7 miles without walking before my body just stopped and I took a short walking break. Got to the car (8 miles), drank some gatorade and then remembered I had a 100 calorie pack of almonds in my purse... not ideal, but calories nonetheless, so I shoveled them in, stopped at a drinking fountain on my way out for the last leg and went on my way.
As I began the last 4 miles I knew I was tired... although i was feeling a bit reenergized from the short break and the calories, I knew my body was being taxed and was tired. I remembered Amy writing in her running blog about learning the art of walking BEFORE being tired, so I determined I would stop for a short walk after every 3 songs. I made it 3 songs, and then I made it 2 songs and then 1 song. My body was DONE :)
I ran into a friend at 11.5/11.75 miles - right before the hill up the bridge. We stopped to chat for a couple of minutes. I had been bound and determined to run the entire last two songs to the car (probably 3/4 of a mile), which included running up that hill, but I wasn't disappointed to stop to chat during that last section right before that hill :) I did end up running that hill, I just happened to caught my breath for a minute or two beforehand.
Overall it was a great run. I felt good for a huge portion of it. I did not do well afterward, though. I was exhausted. I did not sleep well the night before. I was not well hydrated. And I was in no mood to make myself a protein shake or any other food or drink any water afterward. This = recipe for a disaster:) I went to bed at 9:30 and dozed for an hour, but when I woke up my body hurt everywhere and I really had to mentally battle to get out of bed. I went down and had a cup of coffee and felt a lot better and had a whole lot more energy. I laid low for the day, though, and just hung out by myself and picked up the house.
I am ready for this race. I am excited to get it over with so I don't have to do these long runs anymore! I start tapering this coming week which I'm very excited about. I run 5 on Mon, 3 on Wed, 8 on Sat, 4 on Mon, 2 on Wed and then 2 days of rest before the race. 22 more miles before the race! And then Jason is trying to get me to do the 5/3 RiverBank Run in May - 15 miles. I told him to talk to me at Christmas because there is NO WAY I would commit to running that right now. I hate these long runs. HATE.THEM. I don't think my body is meant to run that many miles at one time. I'm good for 8. Actually, I was pretty good for 10 this morning, but after that it is purely mental will power to continue and every step hurts. I have no idea how people run more than this and how they more than double what I did this morning. Thinking about the training for a marathon makes me want to cry, let alone the race itself. I'm glad some people can and will do them, but I don't think a marathon is ever in my future.
Time: 2:02:14
Pace: average 10:00/mile
Weight: 126.0
Ran at Old Plank Trail again this morning. It was drizzling as I left the driveway and I thought about going back inside and going out later since Cornbread was taking the girls to the office all day, but then I realized that I wouldn't be able to go back to sleep anyway, so I decided to suck it up and head out there. I got there at about 5:50 and it was still pitch dark and didn't look to be lightening any time soon because of the overcast sky. I was a bit nervous about running by myself in the dark on a deserted trail... I wasn't scared, but was coming to the conclusion that it simply was not a wise decision. I decided to wait 10 minutes to see if it lightened up and if it didn't I would head home (20 minutes drive). At that point another car parked in the parking lot. Within the next few minutes - actually right at the point that I decided to leave and go home - a guy got out of the car and started running the trail in the direction I was planning to go. That gave me some confidence that someone else was out there (and ahead of me scaring the boogyman away if need be), so I got out of the car and started in the drizzle.
I was planning to go out 4 miles, come back, stop at the car for a drink and then go out 2 miles in the opposite direction and come back. I felt really good for the first leg. Initially I planned to try to run the first 4 miles / 10 songs and then take a walking break. As I got closer I decided mile 4 or the end of song 10, whichever came last. Song 10 ended at about 4 1/2 miles, so I decided to go to 5 miles, then at 5 miles I decided to go to song 15 (which would be about 6 miles), then at song 15 decided to go to the car. I made it to 7 miles without walking before my body just stopped and I took a short walking break. Got to the car (8 miles), drank some gatorade and then remembered I had a 100 calorie pack of almonds in my purse... not ideal, but calories nonetheless, so I shoveled them in, stopped at a drinking fountain on my way out for the last leg and went on my way.
As I began the last 4 miles I knew I was tired... although i was feeling a bit reenergized from the short break and the calories, I knew my body was being taxed and was tired. I remembered Amy writing in her running blog about learning the art of walking BEFORE being tired, so I determined I would stop for a short walk after every 3 songs. I made it 3 songs, and then I made it 2 songs and then 1 song. My body was DONE :)
I ran into a friend at 11.5/11.75 miles - right before the hill up the bridge. We stopped to chat for a couple of minutes. I had been bound and determined to run the entire last two songs to the car (probably 3/4 of a mile), which included running up that hill, but I wasn't disappointed to stop to chat during that last section right before that hill :) I did end up running that hill, I just happened to caught my breath for a minute or two beforehand.
Overall it was a great run. I felt good for a huge portion of it. I did not do well afterward, though. I was exhausted. I did not sleep well the night before. I was not well hydrated. And I was in no mood to make myself a protein shake or any other food or drink any water afterward. This = recipe for a disaster:) I went to bed at 9:30 and dozed for an hour, but when I woke up my body hurt everywhere and I really had to mentally battle to get out of bed. I went down and had a cup of coffee and felt a lot better and had a whole lot more energy. I laid low for the day, though, and just hung out by myself and picked up the house.
I am ready for this race. I am excited to get it over with so I don't have to do these long runs anymore! I start tapering this coming week which I'm very excited about. I run 5 on Mon, 3 on Wed, 8 on Sat, 4 on Mon, 2 on Wed and then 2 days of rest before the race. 22 more miles before the race! And then Jason is trying to get me to do the 5/3 RiverBank Run in May - 15 miles. I told him to talk to me at Christmas because there is NO WAY I would commit to running that right now. I hate these long runs. HATE.THEM. I don't think my body is meant to run that many miles at one time. I'm good for 8. Actually, I was pretty good for 10 this morning, but after that it is purely mental will power to continue and every step hurts. I have no idea how people run more than this and how they more than double what I did this morning. Thinking about the training for a marathon makes me want to cry, let alone the race itself. I'm glad some people can and will do them, but I don't think a marathon is ever in my future.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Thursday September 9, 2010
Workout: Intervals on the treadmill
Time: 32:15
Distance: 3.25 miles
Average Pace: 9:51
Weight: 125.2
Intervals:
1:00 at 4.0
1:00 at 6.0
1:00 at 6.5
1:00 at 7.0
1:00 at 7.5
Repeat
This wasn't the best workout of my life, but considering the fact that I went to bed with really no intention of working out this morning, I would say it was successful. I had wanted to get a little more sleep this morning so I didn't feel like getting up at the crack of dawn to do intervals. I figured having a rest day wouldn't be the end of the world, but when Cornbread's alarm went off at 6 and I knew I wouldn't fall back to sleep, I figured I might as well get up and do some intervals.
I didn't do them very well, but at least I completed them.
I counted my points yesterday and did well - My daily point target is 18 + I earned 6 activity points. I ate 19.5 points. I was pretty hungry most of the day, which makes me irritated that I have to count points, but I got through it. I haven't been drinking water like I should be, but I'm happy to see the scale go down by miniscule increments nonetheless. I again ran errands for a good portion of yesterday afternoon... I need a day of just being home.
Time: 32:15
Distance: 3.25 miles
Average Pace: 9:51
Weight: 125.2
Intervals:
1:00 at 4.0
1:00 at 6.0
1:00 at 6.5
1:00 at 7.0
1:00 at 7.5
Repeat
This wasn't the best workout of my life, but considering the fact that I went to bed with really no intention of working out this morning, I would say it was successful. I had wanted to get a little more sleep this morning so I didn't feel like getting up at the crack of dawn to do intervals. I figured having a rest day wouldn't be the end of the world, but when Cornbread's alarm went off at 6 and I knew I wouldn't fall back to sleep, I figured I might as well get up and do some intervals.
I didn't do them very well, but at least I completed them.
I counted my points yesterday and did well - My daily point target is 18 + I earned 6 activity points. I ate 19.5 points. I was pretty hungry most of the day, which makes me irritated that I have to count points, but I got through it. I haven't been drinking water like I should be, but I'm happy to see the scale go down by miniscule increments nonetheless. I again ran errands for a good portion of yesterday afternoon... I need a day of just being home.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wednesday September 8, 2010
Workout: 6.3 miles
Time: 59:45
Pace: 9:31
Weight: 125.4
Had a really, really good run this morning. I could tell I was running fast, but I felt awesome. Best run I've had in a good while - perhaps taking a week off wasn't a bad thing.
Kind of got caught up in running errands yesterday and didn't count points. I'm redoing my kitchen cabinets and ran all over looking for hinges that would fit and didn't eat breakfast and didn't have a chance to figure out points for the food that I'd eaten. I sat down and have figured some of them out today, so I'm good to go now. Still need to drink more water.
Time: 59:45
Pace: 9:31
Weight: 125.4
Had a really, really good run this morning. I could tell I was running fast, but I felt awesome. Best run I've had in a good while - perhaps taking a week off wasn't a bad thing.
Kind of got caught up in running errands yesterday and didn't count points. I'm redoing my kitchen cabinets and ran all over looking for hinges that would fit and didn't eat breakfast and didn't have a chance to figure out points for the food that I'd eaten. I sat down and have figured some of them out today, so I'm good to go now. Still need to drink more water.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Tuesday September 7, 2010
Workout: 25:00 cross training + upper body
Weight: 126.4 (I think)
Went to the gym this morning. I am hopping back on the horse. All excuses are being thrown out and I am forging ahead with a renewed energy. I got my kitchen and family room painted, my cabinets are in the process of being painted and I feel some major self-discipline coming back. Seeing 129 on the scale may have had a little to do with it:) But having that major painting project out of the way frees up space in my head for other goals and thoughts so that has a lot to do with it too.
I did 25 minutes on the stationary bike and then upper body weights. My heart rate was in the 130's, which I consider a good number for the bike. I was not trying to kill it, but rather just doing some normal cross training. Weights were also good.
I rejoined Weight Watchers because I could do so without paying the registration fee. I rejoin mainly for the ability to use the recipe builder. I have just slightly more than a month to get down a few pounds and I'm going to do it - there is no half-hearted feeling about it this time. I will portion and count and get there.
Weight: 126.4 (I think)
Went to the gym this morning. I am hopping back on the horse. All excuses are being thrown out and I am forging ahead with a renewed energy. I got my kitchen and family room painted, my cabinets are in the process of being painted and I feel some major self-discipline coming back. Seeing 129 on the scale may have had a little to do with it:) But having that major painting project out of the way frees up space in my head for other goals and thoughts so that has a lot to do with it too.
I did 25 minutes on the stationary bike and then upper body weights. My heart rate was in the 130's, which I consider a good number for the bike. I was not trying to kill it, but rather just doing some normal cross training. Weights were also good.
I rejoined Weight Watchers because I could do so without paying the registration fee. I rejoin mainly for the ability to use the recipe builder. I have just slightly more than a month to get down a few pounds and I'm going to do it - there is no half-hearted feeling about it this time. I will portion and count and get there.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Monday September 6, 2010
Workout: 6.3 miles on the treadmill
Weight: who knows - 180?
Pace: 6.3 mph 0% incline
Two Years Ago
After having taken a week off, I got back to it this morning. I had intended to run outside, however when I woke up I heard and saw swirling winds in the trees. There was no way I was running in that. Its pretty crappy out anyway... wet, windy, dreary. The run was good. I had a book, which helped. I also have a whole bunch of new music - most of it is probably too fast for me, but I enjoyed listening to it.
I unintentionally took all of last week off. I woke up Monday and morning and just didn't feel like running. It wasn't that I was too tired or the weather was bad - I just didn't feel like doing it. And that feeling continued throughout the week. I intended to run 11 1/2 on Saturday, but we had a sleepover and the girls didn't go to sleep until after 12:30 and I, for some reason, woke up several times throughout the night. I was slightly bummed that I didn't get that long run in, but its okay.
I'm pretty fed up with my weight. Its been as high as 128.8, but I know some of it is due to water retention based on the fact that I gain and lose 2-3 pounds over night AND my hands, right elbow and right shoulder are falling asleep at night. Its pretty bad right now... I'm painting the kitchen and the cabinets so the addition motion in my wrist is contributing to the numbness. Drinking a lot of water usually helps that, too, but I haven't taken the time to do it. I need to get back to a good hydration level and start counting some points, I guess. I don't want to be this weight (whatever it is) on our anniversary.
Weight: who knows - 180?
Pace: 6.3 mph 0% incline
Two Years Ago
After having taken a week off, I got back to it this morning. I had intended to run outside, however when I woke up I heard and saw swirling winds in the trees. There was no way I was running in that. Its pretty crappy out anyway... wet, windy, dreary. The run was good. I had a book, which helped. I also have a whole bunch of new music - most of it is probably too fast for me, but I enjoyed listening to it.
I unintentionally took all of last week off. I woke up Monday and morning and just didn't feel like running. It wasn't that I was too tired or the weather was bad - I just didn't feel like doing it. And that feeling continued throughout the week. I intended to run 11 1/2 on Saturday, but we had a sleepover and the girls didn't go to sleep until after 12:30 and I, for some reason, woke up several times throughout the night. I was slightly bummed that I didn't get that long run in, but its okay.
I'm pretty fed up with my weight. Its been as high as 128.8, but I know some of it is due to water retention based on the fact that I gain and lose 2-3 pounds over night AND my hands, right elbow and right shoulder are falling asleep at night. Its pretty bad right now... I'm painting the kitchen and the cabinets so the addition motion in my wrist is contributing to the numbness. Drinking a lot of water usually helps that, too, but I haven't taken the time to do it. I need to get back to a good hydration level and start counting some points, I guess. I don't want to be this weight (whatever it is) on our anniversary.
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