Another 6am morning. When I run in the morning to the gym it is still dark out. The only people I see are the kids waiting for the early school bus. It kind of freaks me out sometimes. I tend to run in the road so that I am not close to the bushes and trees. I now know the manager of the Canterbury clubhouse/gym by name (Karen) because I see her more than my parents these days. I ran a 9:50 mile on the treadmill with elevation. I was surprised I felt pretty comfortable at this pace. I ran 4 miles today. It almost made me late to work. My runs are getting longer and longer. I am going to have to start getting up at 5 am just to get my full run in before work. sheesh
I think I need to start doing speed intervals. But I have never made this part of my training program. Does anyone know much about hill or interval/fartlek (I know, I laughed the first time I read about it too) training? How often are you supposed to do this?
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Regular Day
I took yesterday off. A day of rest does the body good!
I got up at 6am and ran to the gym and then ran on the treadmill and then ran home (3.3 miles). It is my 10 hour work day today so I thought I would get my run in early.
I just found out that there is a fun run the Saturday of my college reunion. That will be so much fun :)
I got up at 6am and ran to the gym and then ran on the treadmill and then ran home (3.3 miles). It is my 10 hour work day today so I thought I would get my run in early.
I just found out that there is a fun run the Saturday of my college reunion. That will be so much fun :)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Nutri-Run 5 mile Road race
I got to "sleep in" this morning until 8am. What a luxury. I never thought there would be a day I would be greatful for such a thing, but the time has come.
We had pancakes for breakfast since it was a race day. I have discovered that even though I expend a lot of energy during a race, I still don't go overboard. And I only had one cup of coffee. Otherwise you feel like you have to pee during the whole race.
I thought I knew how to get to the race start/registration location. I didn't. And we usually have our Tom-Tom GPS in the car, but today we forgot it, and I forgot my cell phone. So after driving around downtown Fort Wayne for a half hour and asking 6 different people directions to no avail, we stopped at the good ol Allen County Library. Love those people. One of the nice ladies that works there printed out mapquest directions for us. So I made it with 2 minutes to spare before the registration closed.
The race started at 11am. This is way past the normal time for Finn to take his nap, so he was a real trooper staying awake to watch mommy run the race. He's such a good boy.
The race route was out in the country a bit. It was real sunny and cool, on the windy side, but not too bad. My plan to run nice and easy in the first mile and 1/2 worked. I really just enjoyed the people I was running with. My pack. You find them naturally. You don't know these people, but you naturally choose each other in a race. You become running comrades...to a point :) This pack becomes your instant support system through a race. I have never talked to any of them until after the races. But there seems to be this unspoken agreement that for at least a good part of the race, this person or persons are going to hang with you. It's pretty cool. Because I didn't spend all my energy at the beginning I had some left at the end of the race. The last mile felt great. My time was 51:24 I came in 8th in my age group. I am very happy with this. My goal was to finish in a hour or more. So 51:24 will do just fine. I feel a lot more prepared for the Crazylegs Classic now.
After the race they had a loaf of bread from Panera for all the finishers and fruit smoothies, bananas and water. Oh! And a commemorative race glass. It was a very good race!
We had pancakes for breakfast since it was a race day. I have discovered that even though I expend a lot of energy during a race, I still don't go overboard. And I only had one cup of coffee. Otherwise you feel like you have to pee during the whole race.
I thought I knew how to get to the race start/registration location. I didn't. And we usually have our Tom-Tom GPS in the car, but today we forgot it, and I forgot my cell phone. So after driving around downtown Fort Wayne for a half hour and asking 6 different people directions to no avail, we stopped at the good ol Allen County Library. Love those people. One of the nice ladies that works there printed out mapquest directions for us. So I made it with 2 minutes to spare before the registration closed.
The race started at 11am. This is way past the normal time for Finn to take his nap, so he was a real trooper staying awake to watch mommy run the race. He's such a good boy.
The race route was out in the country a bit. It was real sunny and cool, on the windy side, but not too bad. My plan to run nice and easy in the first mile and 1/2 worked. I really just enjoyed the people I was running with. My pack. You find them naturally. You don't know these people, but you naturally choose each other in a race. You become running comrades...to a point :) This pack becomes your instant support system through a race. I have never talked to any of them until after the races. But there seems to be this unspoken agreement that for at least a good part of the race, this person or persons are going to hang with you. It's pretty cool. Because I didn't spend all my energy at the beginning I had some left at the end of the race. The last mile felt great. My time was 51:24 I came in 8th in my age group. I am very happy with this. My goal was to finish in a hour or more. So 51:24 will do just fine. I feel a lot more prepared for the Crazylegs Classic now.
After the race they had a loaf of bread from Panera for all the finishers and fruit smoothies, bananas and water. Oh! And a commemorative race glass. It was a very good race!
Friday, March 26, 2010
early in da morning
My day began with me half awake, in bed having a conversation with myself...it went kind of like this...
GOOD ANGIE: "Get up now! You must go run 4 miles before you go to work at 8am! You won't have time or energy to do it when you get done with work at 7pm. You made a commitment to yourself to run."
BAD ANGIE: "Oh, it feels so good to be laying in this nice warm bed. Maybe I will just snuggle in for a little while. If I don't go run this morning..I could always do it later and I could sleep another hour. Or maybe I could just take today off too?"
Who won? Good Angie! Yay!!
So I ran to the Canterbury gym and then ran on the treadmill and then ran back home. I find that mixing it up works in my favor. Your mind and body grow accustomed to repetitive physical activity. If you are trying to build up your body and lose pounds, varying your training schedule/location/time can only help in meeting these goals.
I am, barring totally crappy weather again, running in the Nutri-Run 5 mile race tomorrow in Fort Wayne. I am super excited!
GOOD ANGIE: "Get up now! You must go run 4 miles before you go to work at 8am! You won't have time or energy to do it when you get done with work at 7pm. You made a commitment to yourself to run."
BAD ANGIE: "Oh, it feels so good to be laying in this nice warm bed. Maybe I will just snuggle in for a little while. If I don't go run this morning..I could always do it later and I could sleep another hour. Or maybe I could just take today off too?"
Who won? Good Angie! Yay!!
So I ran to the Canterbury gym and then ran on the treadmill and then ran back home. I find that mixing it up works in my favor. Your mind and body grow accustomed to repetitive physical activity. If you are trying to build up your body and lose pounds, varying your training schedule/location/time can only help in meeting these goals.
I am, barring totally crappy weather again, running in the Nutri-Run 5 mile race tomorrow in Fort Wayne. I am super excited!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Juggling
Yesterday I ran around 3 miles with the baby in the jogging stroller and with Atticus. Today I am running about 5.5 miles. I want to run on the Rivergreenway today. The Rivergreenway is a set of trails in Fort Wayne that mostly follow along the three rivers (Maumee River, St. Joseph River and St. Mary's River) in the city. I have been waiting for the weather to get nicer for a long period of time. Some parts of the trail, just after winter, are still pretty muddy and wet. I am going to give it a go today.
Assuming the weather is nice, I will be running in the Nutri-Run 5 mile race here in Fort Wayne. I really hope it works out because I have only participated in one race in my "home" town (the 5K Fanny Freezer in February) and would love to experience another before we move in May (back to Madison, WI where we lived before my husband started his degree program).
When sharing stories about the running I do, the most popular comment I get is, "Oh, you are amazing! I could never do anything like that!" And although I super, authentically appreciate those kinds of comments (great for my self-confidence!) I assure you I am not that special. Anyone can do what I am doing. I feel that some people think I have some magical gene/DNA/will power to do what I am doing. SO Not true. Almost everyday that I exercise, either running/biking/aerobics, I have to talk to myself gently but firmly into getting off my ass and move my body.
Some days, up to the point where I have all my running clothes on, my running shoes on and I am stretching minutes before leaving for the run, I don't want to go. I would MUCH rather just hang out with Finn and play or watch tv or sit in the lounge chair out back and look at the river while Finn plays or take nap. So just know that I have to work at it constantly to embrace exercise. The first two weeks are the hardest to stay motivated. If you can make it past the two weeks it does get a little, tiny better. This is why I do so many races. If I didn't have a goal in mind for my running, I just wouldn't be motivated to do it.
Assuming the weather is nice, I will be running in the Nutri-Run 5 mile race here in Fort Wayne. I really hope it works out because I have only participated in one race in my "home" town (the 5K Fanny Freezer in February) and would love to experience another before we move in May (back to Madison, WI where we lived before my husband started his degree program).
When sharing stories about the running I do, the most popular comment I get is, "Oh, you are amazing! I could never do anything like that!" And although I super, authentically appreciate those kinds of comments (great for my self-confidence!) I assure you I am not that special. Anyone can do what I am doing. I feel that some people think I have some magical gene/DNA/will power to do what I am doing. SO Not true. Almost everyday that I exercise, either running/biking/aerobics, I have to talk to myself gently but firmly into getting off my ass and move my body.
Some days, up to the point where I have all my running clothes on, my running shoes on and I am stretching minutes before leaving for the run, I don't want to go. I would MUCH rather just hang out with Finn and play or watch tv or sit in the lounge chair out back and look at the river while Finn plays or take nap. So just know that I have to work at it constantly to embrace exercise. The first two weeks are the hardest to stay motivated. If you can make it past the two weeks it does get a little, tiny better. This is why I do so many races. If I didn't have a goal in mind for my running, I just wouldn't be motivated to do it.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Movin things around
The thing about running schedules, as it turns out, they can and must be flexible. I have decided to run two days in a row and then have a day off. Running 4-5 days in a row, as I was doing according to the schedule I laid out at the beginning of the month because of my hectic schedule, was not working for me. Especially now that my mileage is increasing at a faster rate.
I ran on one of my favorite trails near Concordia Theological Seminary and the river on Saturday evening after work. I ran a bit over 5 miles. This is my longest run to date and I felt really good at the end. I have been running exclusively on the treadmill or road. I had forgotten that trail running is a little harder. I don't know if harder is the right word, but it felt like I was running in water or something. It did make me more aware of my posture and how I was using my leg muscles.
I took Sunday off. Even God rested that day, right? Not saying I'm like God fyi, just that he took the day off and so did I.
I will treadmill it up today. It is another cold and rainy day. I only have committed myself to running 3 1/2 miles so it won't be too bad. Maybe I'll watch some "Family Jewels". Gene Simmons family is hilarious.
I am struggling at this point with food. When I was just starting to run again my mileage was low and I couldn't consume as many calories so I was super strict with myself. Well, now I am up-ing my mileage so my body needs more energy, but I am still trying to lose pounds. so finding that happy food medium is so very difficult for me. I am still losing weight. I lost 4 more lbs. over the past 3 weeks. At least I am going in the right direction.
I ran on one of my favorite trails near Concordia Theological Seminary and the river on Saturday evening after work. I ran a bit over 5 miles. This is my longest run to date and I felt really good at the end. I have been running exclusively on the treadmill or road. I had forgotten that trail running is a little harder. I don't know if harder is the right word, but it felt like I was running in water or something. It did make me more aware of my posture and how I was using my leg muscles.
I took Sunday off. Even God rested that day, right? Not saying I'm like God fyi, just that he took the day off and so did I.
I will treadmill it up today. It is another cold and rainy day. I only have committed myself to running 3 1/2 miles so it won't be too bad. Maybe I'll watch some "Family Jewels". Gene Simmons family is hilarious.
I am struggling at this point with food. When I was just starting to run again my mileage was low and I couldn't consume as many calories so I was super strict with myself. Well, now I am up-ing my mileage so my body needs more energy, but I am still trying to lose pounds. so finding that happy food medium is so very difficult for me. I am still losing weight. I lost 4 more lbs. over the past 3 weeks. At least I am going in the right direction.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
The Winds of the South
Sorry, I guess I have missed a couple days here :)
I ended up not running on Wednesday because of my weird day. Thursday once again Finn and Atticus and I went on a run together. It is just easier and safer to run towards and on campus when I am with those two. It was WINDY! And with the resistance of the stroller I felt like I was pushing an ACME safe ( I am realizing that this is my second reference to ACME. Who am I, Wylie Coyote?) around while I was running. That has to be good conditioning, right?. Atticus was a little less cooperative this time. He stopped on a dime at least 5 times during the run. I tried to tell him we were on a mission, but he wasn't buying it that day. All in all, a tougher run, but I am glad I did it. When I run without the baby and dog it makes my runs almost, I said almost, feel easy peasy.
Yesterday I worked a 10 hour day at IPFW.
As an aside, there are some real cry babies on campus. I say if taking out the garbage is the hardest thing you have to do in your professional career, you are getting off with grace. What a bunch of complainers.
But back to the lecture at hand...I went home after work and played with Finn outside until dinner was here. He was enthralled by the birds flying in the sky. He was making his new "Oh my gosh" face. hilarious I splurged and had Taco Bell for lunch and had pizza with the guys for dinner. We had B. Antonio's Pizza. They have a chicken, broccoli, hand tossed crust pizza that is to die for. Finn and Caleb loved it too. Then I played with Finn after dinner in his room. I love that sweet boy. Then bath time, bottle and bedtime. So at 8:45pm I got my running clothes on and stretched and ran to the Canterbury gym and then ran on the treadmill for 35 minutes and watched The Kardashians (it makes me feel good about my life watching their madness). Then I ran back home from the gym. I think I ran almost 4 miles all together. And I felt really good afterwards which was great. Showered and went to bed a little before midnight. Then I had to get up a little before 6am to come to work this morning for another fun filled 10 hour day at Walb. I can't wait. Once again after work I will go for my run. I have to run a bit over 4 miles tonight. I am hoping the rain will hold off. The weather has been bad ass this week. Oh please let it stay. No more snow!
I ended up not running on Wednesday because of my weird day. Thursday once again Finn and Atticus and I went on a run together. It is just easier and safer to run towards and on campus when I am with those two. It was WINDY! And with the resistance of the stroller I felt like I was pushing an ACME safe ( I am realizing that this is my second reference to ACME. Who am I, Wylie Coyote?) around while I was running. That has to be good conditioning, right?. Atticus was a little less cooperative this time. He stopped on a dime at least 5 times during the run. I tried to tell him we were on a mission, but he wasn't buying it that day. All in all, a tougher run, but I am glad I did it. When I run without the baby and dog it makes my runs almost, I said almost, feel easy peasy.
Yesterday I worked a 10 hour day at IPFW.
As an aside, there are some real cry babies on campus. I say if taking out the garbage is the hardest thing you have to do in your professional career, you are getting off with grace. What a bunch of complainers.
But back to the lecture at hand...I went home after work and played with Finn outside until dinner was here. He was enthralled by the birds flying in the sky. He was making his new "Oh my gosh" face. hilarious I splurged and had Taco Bell for lunch and had pizza with the guys for dinner. We had B. Antonio's Pizza. They have a chicken, broccoli, hand tossed crust pizza that is to die for. Finn and Caleb loved it too. Then I played with Finn after dinner in his room. I love that sweet boy. Then bath time, bottle and bedtime. So at 8:45pm I got my running clothes on and stretched and ran to the Canterbury gym and then ran on the treadmill for 35 minutes and watched The Kardashians (it makes me feel good about my life watching their madness). Then I ran back home from the gym. I think I ran almost 4 miles all together. And I felt really good afterwards which was great. Showered and went to bed a little before midnight. Then I had to get up a little before 6am to come to work this morning for another fun filled 10 hour day at Walb. I can't wait. Once again after work I will go for my run. I have to run a bit over 4 miles tonight. I am hoping the rain will hold off. The weather has been bad ass this week. Oh please let it stay. No more snow!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Weird St. Pat's Day
Today was a strange day. After work (5pm) I came home and changed into my running clothes right away. Finn was napping and Caleb went to class. I laid down on the couch (not even close to a normal thing for me to do) because I was exhausted yesterday. This daylight saving time is kickin' me in the ass this time, I don't know why. I woke up just before 6:45pm. Finn was still sleeping, Atticus was sleeping and I felt totally out of it. It was close to 7pm by the time Finn was up. He hadn't eaten anything since lunch time, which is a long time for Finn. So I thought we better eat before going on my run.
I started up the gas grill outside to grill some pork tenderloin. Within about 5 minutes the grill started on fire. Both Finn and Atticus were super curious and like moths went right to the flame. So I put Atticus inside the apartment. Finn I picked up and took about 50 feet away from the patio so he wouldn't touch the fire. Then I turned off the gas. I opened the apt door to set down the pork tenderloin from the on fire grill so I could finish cooking it inside. When I did this Atticus escaped and ran away. Finn still hasn't eaten at this point and now it is almost 7:30pm. We tried to find Atticus but he was way gone. So Finn and I went inside so he could sit down and at least eat a snack and I started dinner. About 15 minutes later Atticus showed up at the back door. naughty dog
We didn't finish dinner until after 8:30pm. Around 8:50pm Caleb came home from class and we gave Finn a bath, bottle and bedtime. Now it is after 9:30pm. Needless to say, I didn't run today...zzzzzzz Finn woke up at 3am after having a bad dream and was up for about an hour or so. I slept 1 more hour before it was time to get up so I didn't run this morning either. Now the plan is to run after work today with Finn and Atticus in tow. I will let you know how it goes down :)
I started up the gas grill outside to grill some pork tenderloin. Within about 5 minutes the grill started on fire. Both Finn and Atticus were super curious and like moths went right to the flame. So I put Atticus inside the apartment. Finn I picked up and took about 50 feet away from the patio so he wouldn't touch the fire. Then I turned off the gas. I opened the apt door to set down the pork tenderloin from the on fire grill so I could finish cooking it inside. When I did this Atticus escaped and ran away. Finn still hasn't eaten at this point and now it is almost 7:30pm. We tried to find Atticus but he was way gone. So Finn and I went inside so he could sit down and at least eat a snack and I started dinner. About 15 minutes later Atticus showed up at the back door. naughty dog
We didn't finish dinner until after 8:30pm. Around 8:50pm Caleb came home from class and we gave Finn a bath, bottle and bedtime. Now it is after 9:30pm. Needless to say, I didn't run today...zzzzzzz Finn woke up at 3am after having a bad dream and was up for about an hour or so. I slept 1 more hour before it was time to get up so I didn't run this morning either. Now the plan is to run after work today with Finn and Atticus in tow. I will let you know how it goes down :)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
movin' along
Sunday I ran my longest run so far..a little over 4 miles.
Monday was a day off. Grateful for those days off. If for no other reason I have more time to spend with Finn.
Yesterday I didn't run in the morning. I am with Finn and Atticus after work from 3:35pm on Tuesdays. So Finn, in his jogging stroller, and Atticus, on leash, ran with me. I'm sure it is quite the sight. The three of us jaunting about.
We ran over to the far side of the IPFW campus and back. About 2.5 miles in 33 minutes (including warm up and cool down). I guess that is alright considering I was pushing a stroller and fighting with the dog. Actually Atticus was pretty good yesterday. His M.O. is stopping suddenly while I am running and yanking my arm out of the socket. But it was all good yesterday. Finn loves it. He just sits back for the ride with his new sunglasses on lookin' all cool and sh*t.
The weather has been so very nice yesterday and today. Today I will be running with Finn and Atticus again. I'll let you know how it all goes down.
Monday was a day off. Grateful for those days off. If for no other reason I have more time to spend with Finn.
Yesterday I didn't run in the morning. I am with Finn and Atticus after work from 3:35pm on Tuesdays. So Finn, in his jogging stroller, and Atticus, on leash, ran with me. I'm sure it is quite the sight. The three of us jaunting about.
We ran over to the far side of the IPFW campus and back. About 2.5 miles in 33 minutes (including warm up and cool down). I guess that is alright considering I was pushing a stroller and fighting with the dog. Actually Atticus was pretty good yesterday. His M.O. is stopping suddenly while I am running and yanking my arm out of the socket. But it was all good yesterday. Finn loves it. He just sits back for the ride with his new sunglasses on lookin' all cool and sh*t.
The weather has been so very nice yesterday and today. Today I will be running with Finn and Atticus again. I'll let you know how it all goes down.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Rain, rain go away
It rained all day today. Including this morning for the 5Kilt. Because I had only learned about the run later this week, I was unable to register online ahead of time. It was 39 degrees F and pouring down toasters and ACME anvils at 9:30am this morning and I hadn't registered... I totally wimped out and didn't go and do the run. I didn't want Caleb and Finn to be standing out in the cold rain for a half hour and I didn't want to do the run totally alone, so I bailed on this one. But I DID run 5Ks on the treadmill to make up for it, so worry not, the mileage still got in there! I give it up to anyone who actually made it out there today. Couldn't have been the driest run ever.
I did some weight lifting after my run. I forgot how much that helps.
I did some weight lifting after my run. I forgot how much that helps.
Friday, March 12, 2010
rain day
It was raining pretty hard for my run yesterday. But that meant it was nice and cool I guess ;) My heel was feeling much better.
I wish it was possible to just sleep through or just somehow skip the first 10 minutes or so of the run because that is the least fun part of the run. My muscles seem to want to revolt against such effort at first. Once they are warmed up it's so much better.
I ran down Anthony to the Scotts at Anthony and Crescent and then cut over until it met Parnell and then ran down Parnell to Johnny Appleseed park, ran through the park, across Coliseum, over the Venderly Bridge to campus, through campus, over the Willis Family Bridge and back and then to Walb.
While I was running over by the park I passed two high school runners. As each girl passed she said, "Good Job!". I have heard other runners say this to me while doing my longer runs on Saturday and Sundays. I just thought these runners were just trying to give me encouragement since I'm like this old lady, huffing and puffing, probably 3 shades of red in the face. But now I am thinking that it is running etiquette that most runners learn in school teams/running groups. However, I started running well into my 30s and I have always trained/run by myself so I just wasn't familiar with this supportive runner's etiquette. I dig it though :)
Looking forward to the Fort Wayne Fire Dept 5K(ilt) tomorrow morning. Should be full of the blarney. They are encouraging people to wear kilts (ummm, aren't kilts scottish in nature and it is St. Pat's Day and they poster has a leprechaun on it?). I will be taking pictures of this kilt wearing shenanigans.
I wish it was possible to just sleep through or just somehow skip the first 10 minutes or so of the run because that is the least fun part of the run. My muscles seem to want to revolt against such effort at first. Once they are warmed up it's so much better.
I ran down Anthony to the Scotts at Anthony and Crescent and then cut over until it met Parnell and then ran down Parnell to Johnny Appleseed park, ran through the park, across Coliseum, over the Venderly Bridge to campus, through campus, over the Willis Family Bridge and back and then to Walb.
While I was running over by the park I passed two high school runners. As each girl passed she said, "Good Job!". I have heard other runners say this to me while doing my longer runs on Saturday and Sundays. I just thought these runners were just trying to give me encouragement since I'm like this old lady, huffing and puffing, probably 3 shades of red in the face. But now I am thinking that it is running etiquette that most runners learn in school teams/running groups. However, I started running well into my 30s and I have always trained/run by myself so I just wasn't familiar with this supportive runner's etiquette. I dig it though :)
Looking forward to the Fort Wayne Fire Dept 5K(ilt) tomorrow morning. Should be full of the blarney. They are encouraging people to wear kilts (ummm, aren't kilts scottish in nature and it is St. Pat's Day and they poster has a leprechaun on it?). I will be taking pictures of this kilt wearing shenanigans.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Another 5K
I discovered a new race that is occurring this Saturday, March 13th in downtown Fort Wayne. It is called the 5Kilt Run/Walk. I am going to run in it.
The route apparently goes through the Rivergreenway. (www.fortwayneparks.org then click on Rivergreenway) That will be a really nice run. I love the energy of races. I always run a little harder during a race as opposed to a training run because of adrenaline. My competitive side drives me too.
The route apparently goes through the Rivergreenway. (www.fortwayneparks.org then click on Rivergreenway) That will be a really nice run. I love the energy of races. I always run a little harder during a race as opposed to a training run because of adrenaline. My competitive side drives me too.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
practice run
My run on Tuesday went pretty well. I ran right after work so I was on campus. I decided to look up the Mastodon Stomp 5K route and run that cuz most of it is on or around the IPFW campus. I am thinking about my posture a lot this week. I will find myself with my shoulders practically up to my ears and pumping my arms just a little too hard. So I am trying to check in with my body every once in a while. Once I relax my shoulders and stand upright it seems even my breathing is easier/more even. It makes my back hurt less also. My heel feels stressed this week a little. I also focused on lengthening my stride and using my whole leg as I get into the run. It is so easy to get into the habit of taking shorter strides if you don't think about it.
I need to do some speed/interval training this time. I have never integrated that training element into my daily practice. I bet it would help. I tried to pick up my speed that last mile or so to push myself. I know this will pay off when I am running races.
I will take today off for two reasons: It is my scheduled day off and I want to give my heel a break. Why do I always feel guilty when I take a day off? Maybe I could do some light weight training to make myself feel better :)
I need to do some speed/interval training this time. I have never integrated that training element into my daily practice. I bet it would help. I tried to pick up my speed that last mile or so to push myself. I know this will pay off when I am running races.
I will take today off for two reasons: It is my scheduled day off and I want to give my heel a break. Why do I always feel guilty when I take a day off? Maybe I could do some light weight training to make myself feel better :)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Running for Life
I really began running in 2003. I had just lost over 100 lbs over the previous year.
Before losing that weight I had always been at least a little over weight my whole life. I think the highest weight I got to was about 270 lbs. It would have been pretty difficult to hoist myself off the couch and just start running. So I started out walking and biking. Once I got closer to my goal weight I started doing Pilates and doing very short runs...or jogging really. And by short I mean down my street and back. And that was with walking breaks. Each day I would go just a little further than I thought I could go.
In 2004 I decided that I wanted to start to train for the hardest race you can run...a marathon...ok a 100K is the hardest race I can think of, but you get the idea. I picked the Chicago Marathon because it takes place in October so the weather usually isn't too extreme and it is a pretty flat race route. I trained all of 2004 following the training program from 2 books. "Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide" and "How to Train for and Run Your Best Marathon". These at least gave me a clue as to what to do to be successul in attaining this goal. The problem was, I wasn't wholely following their programs. I didn't run in any smaller (5K, 8K, 10K etc) races prior to the goal of the 2004 Chicago Marathon. I did a little too much cross training (aerobics and biking) and not enough running. I didn't weight train enough. And I think I just tried to do too much too fast. Needless to say, I got a pretty bad stress injury the 3rd week of September 2004. I couldn't run the Chicago Marathon because of it. I was pretty devastated. I had worked towards that goal with all I could muster for 8 months. I think I had told everyone and their mother that I was going to run the Chicago Marathon. So I was embarassed on top of it.
Then Caleb and I went on a 6 month backpacking trip in Europe from November 2004 to May 2005. Upon returning to the states we got married in Madison, WI in June 2005. Caleb started his undergrad degree in Mechanical Engineering in Fort Wayne, Indiana August 2005. I basically did not run most of this time. We were constantly on the move while in Europe and I didn't have my running shoes with me.
2006-2007 we spent a year in Houghton, Michigan. Caleb participated in a national college exchange program to Michigan Tech University. I did a little running while we were there. Mostly in the spring. During the blustery winter I finally really learned how to snowboard because we lived only 2 miles from a ski hill. LOVE the snowboarding. We did a lot of mountain/trail bike riding while we were there. Michigan Tech has a number of extensive rough terrain and jumping trails for bikes. It was so awesome. That area of Michigan is so beautiful. Living there was like being on vacation all the time.
June 2007 we headed back to Fort Wayne, IN so Caleb could finish his degree at IPFW. I didn't really run during this period. In November 2007 I went out to Salt Lake City, Utah to work for the Sundance Film Festival. Caleb stayed in Indiana so I was out there by myself. So after work for the day I would have a lot of free time. I had put back on some extra poundage between 2005 and Fall 2007 so I was feeling the need to work out again. I started to run again in December 2007.
Upon wrapping Sundance I returned to Fort Wayne in the spring of 2008. I decided to run the Madison, WI Half Marathon in May 2008. So I started to really train again. This time I did a lot more weight training and was consistent in my running schedule and really watched what I ate. I also ran a couple of build up races. I ran the Mastodon Stomp 5k here on the IPFW campus in April, I ran the Shipshewana 4 mile trail run, and the Warbird 6 mile run (Fort Wayne, IN).
I completed the 2008 Madison Half Marathon race in 2 hours 26 minutes. It was truly a wonderful day!!! I did start to feel extremely fatigued around 10. 5 miles. I stopped to walk about that time for about 2-3 minutes. Then as you get closer to the finish line there are more and more people out there to cheer you on. The people cheering really does help! My mom, step-dad Dewey, my sister Makenna, my husband Caleb and my dog Atticus all came to cheer me on at different points along the route and our friends Rick and Meg met us at the finish line. That support was greatly needed and appreciated :)
I felt so good about attaining that goal. It is also the best shape I have ever been in my life. I felt really prepared to run that race. Some people told me that I probably wouldn't be able to walk the next day, but I felt great after the Half Marathon. In fact I ran the next day just for fun. Gosh, who would have believed I would say and do that?
I started planning for the next race right away...maybe even the Chicago Marathon that fall........then June 2008 came along. This is when I found out I was pregnant with Finn. So I stopped running. I was concerned that being an older (36 yr old at the time) mom so I didn't want to take any chances with a miscarriage.
I had Finn January 29, 2009. I had to have him by C-section because my water had been broken for more than 24 hours and I wasn't going into labor and Finn had turned breach slightly. I had no idea what major surgery a C-section is. It took me a couple months to start to feel myself again.
I didn't really workout and definitely didn't run again until Fall of 2009. We got a jogging stroller so I could go out with Finn and the dog, Atticus. I didn't get serious about running about until December 2009. That is when I registered to run the 2010 Madison Half Marathon again and get a better time. I found out with all this running jazz that I am a die hard goal setter/attainer. Running in races keeps me motivated to continue to strive to be a better runner and athlete overall. So I have been training pretty religiously this time. February 20th I ran in the Fort Wayne Fanny Freezer 5K. This isn't a huge race, just for fun. But it did give me an idea where I was at endurance wise with my training/performance. It is worth noting that a 78 year old, blind man did beat me by a good minute. So that ought to keep me humble :)
I think running is way more of a mental game than a physical feat. My mind will give out way before my body does. Everytime I think I can't go any further, I do. So I have learned to set a goal and then push myself a little bit past it. This has helped me just in life. That mind frame, for how strict it sounds, has actually made me a happier person. Running now means freedom and fun to me. I can't live without it.
Now that the weather is getting nicer I can start to run outside more and more. I will try to keep up with this blog daily so I can get a feel for how my runs are going and what I can do to improve my time and how my body feels during and post the run.
Yesterday I ran from the IPFW campus, over the new bridge, through Johnny Appleseed Park, down Spy Run to where it meets Lafayette and then back. The first 15 minutes was a little rough. My left calf was giving me grief. Then I felt great the rest of the run. It was a beautiful day! This is the longest training run I have done so far since December. I ran a little over 4 miles.
I decided today to run in the Nutri-Run 5 mile race here in Fort Wayne on March 27th. I signed up for the Crazy Legs Classic 8K in Madison, WI to be run on April 24th. I will also run in the Mastodon Stomp 5K on May 2nd here on the IPFW campus. Then on May 30th I run the Madison Half Marathon again!
Before losing that weight I had always been at least a little over weight my whole life. I think the highest weight I got to was about 270 lbs. It would have been pretty difficult to hoist myself off the couch and just start running. So I started out walking and biking. Once I got closer to my goal weight I started doing Pilates and doing very short runs...or jogging really. And by short I mean down my street and back. And that was with walking breaks. Each day I would go just a little further than I thought I could go.
In 2004 I decided that I wanted to start to train for the hardest race you can run...a marathon...ok a 100K is the hardest race I can think of, but you get the idea. I picked the Chicago Marathon because it takes place in October so the weather usually isn't too extreme and it is a pretty flat race route. I trained all of 2004 following the training program from 2 books. "Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide" and "How to Train for and Run Your Best Marathon". These at least gave me a clue as to what to do to be successul in attaining this goal. The problem was, I wasn't wholely following their programs. I didn't run in any smaller (5K, 8K, 10K etc) races prior to the goal of the 2004 Chicago Marathon. I did a little too much cross training (aerobics and biking) and not enough running. I didn't weight train enough. And I think I just tried to do too much too fast. Needless to say, I got a pretty bad stress injury the 3rd week of September 2004. I couldn't run the Chicago Marathon because of it. I was pretty devastated. I had worked towards that goal with all I could muster for 8 months. I think I had told everyone and their mother that I was going to run the Chicago Marathon. So I was embarassed on top of it.
Then Caleb and I went on a 6 month backpacking trip in Europe from November 2004 to May 2005. Upon returning to the states we got married in Madison, WI in June 2005. Caleb started his undergrad degree in Mechanical Engineering in Fort Wayne, Indiana August 2005. I basically did not run most of this time. We were constantly on the move while in Europe and I didn't have my running shoes with me.
2006-2007 we spent a year in Houghton, Michigan. Caleb participated in a national college exchange program to Michigan Tech University. I did a little running while we were there. Mostly in the spring. During the blustery winter I finally really learned how to snowboard because we lived only 2 miles from a ski hill. LOVE the snowboarding. We did a lot of mountain/trail bike riding while we were there. Michigan Tech has a number of extensive rough terrain and jumping trails for bikes. It was so awesome. That area of Michigan is so beautiful. Living there was like being on vacation all the time.
June 2007 we headed back to Fort Wayne, IN so Caleb could finish his degree at IPFW. I didn't really run during this period. In November 2007 I went out to Salt Lake City, Utah to work for the Sundance Film Festival. Caleb stayed in Indiana so I was out there by myself. So after work for the day I would have a lot of free time. I had put back on some extra poundage between 2005 and Fall 2007 so I was feeling the need to work out again. I started to run again in December 2007.
Upon wrapping Sundance I returned to Fort Wayne in the spring of 2008. I decided to run the Madison, WI Half Marathon in May 2008. So I started to really train again. This time I did a lot more weight training and was consistent in my running schedule and really watched what I ate. I also ran a couple of build up races. I ran the Mastodon Stomp 5k here on the IPFW campus in April, I ran the Shipshewana 4 mile trail run, and the Warbird 6 mile run (Fort Wayne, IN).
I completed the 2008 Madison Half Marathon race in 2 hours 26 minutes. It was truly a wonderful day!!! I did start to feel extremely fatigued around 10. 5 miles. I stopped to walk about that time for about 2-3 minutes. Then as you get closer to the finish line there are more and more people out there to cheer you on. The people cheering really does help! My mom, step-dad Dewey, my sister Makenna, my husband Caleb and my dog Atticus all came to cheer me on at different points along the route and our friends Rick and Meg met us at the finish line. That support was greatly needed and appreciated :)
I felt so good about attaining that goal. It is also the best shape I have ever been in my life. I felt really prepared to run that race. Some people told me that I probably wouldn't be able to walk the next day, but I felt great after the Half Marathon. In fact I ran the next day just for fun. Gosh, who would have believed I would say and do that?
I started planning for the next race right away...maybe even the Chicago Marathon that fall........then June 2008 came along. This is when I found out I was pregnant with Finn. So I stopped running. I was concerned that being an older (36 yr old at the time) mom so I didn't want to take any chances with a miscarriage.
I had Finn January 29, 2009. I had to have him by C-section because my water had been broken for more than 24 hours and I wasn't going into labor and Finn had turned breach slightly. I had no idea what major surgery a C-section is. It took me a couple months to start to feel myself again.
I didn't really workout and definitely didn't run again until Fall of 2009. We got a jogging stroller so I could go out with Finn and the dog, Atticus. I didn't get serious about running about until December 2009. That is when I registered to run the 2010 Madison Half Marathon again and get a better time. I found out with all this running jazz that I am a die hard goal setter/attainer. Running in races keeps me motivated to continue to strive to be a better runner and athlete overall. So I have been training pretty religiously this time. February 20th I ran in the Fort Wayne Fanny Freezer 5K. This isn't a huge race, just for fun. But it did give me an idea where I was at endurance wise with my training/performance. It is worth noting that a 78 year old, blind man did beat me by a good minute. So that ought to keep me humble :)
I think running is way more of a mental game than a physical feat. My mind will give out way before my body does. Everytime I think I can't go any further, I do. So I have learned to set a goal and then push myself a little bit past it. This has helped me just in life. That mind frame, for how strict it sounds, has actually made me a happier person. Running now means freedom and fun to me. I can't live without it.
Now that the weather is getting nicer I can start to run outside more and more. I will try to keep up with this blog daily so I can get a feel for how my runs are going and what I can do to improve my time and how my body feels during and post the run.
Yesterday I ran from the IPFW campus, over the new bridge, through Johnny Appleseed Park, down Spy Run to where it meets Lafayette and then back. The first 15 minutes was a little rough. My left calf was giving me grief. Then I felt great the rest of the run. It was a beautiful day! This is the longest training run I have done so far since December. I ran a little over 4 miles.
I decided today to run in the Nutri-Run 5 mile race here in Fort Wayne on March 27th. I signed up for the Crazy Legs Classic 8K in Madison, WI to be run on April 24th. I will also run in the Mastodon Stomp 5K on May 2nd here on the IPFW campus. Then on May 30th I run the Madison Half Marathon again!
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