This "return to running" thing is hard! And it's not even about the physical. Well, it is. I mean, let's face it: I'm carrying about 20 lbs extra weight, and it's not like I've had anyone's baby, so...yeah. That means it's harder on the joints. Yep, like that knee joint - that pesky joint that has been injured since November and is still being rehabbed...albeit on my own and not at official PT. I had to let them go after they wiped out my FSA, man. :::cries silent tears:::
The physical exertion needed to get back to running is something I've done before. It's a big cardio adjustment, moving from a machine that carries all of your weight (elliptical), to running where you've got to support all your own weight. However, it used to be much easier than this. I am currently using Couch to 5K as a guide, and today was Week 3, Day 1.
That being said, my struggle appears to be way more mental this time. Here are some of the random things I struggle with:
1. When I finished my half marathon in December 2009, I was a size 6. Now, I haven't been that small since high school/college, and I had no pipe dreams of maintaining that size once training ended. But I figured, it can't be too hard to stay at an 8 or even a 10, right? WRONG! Well, partially wrong. I was able to maintain for a while, until the bottom fell out, around September 2010. That's when the plantar fasciitis just made it pretty much impossible for me to continue running. I had to shut it all the way down. Then my grandma and dad died three weeks apart in October and November, and add the stress...I swear I gained about 15 lbs while I was in NY dealing with all of that.
2. It feels like someone flipped this evil switch on my body's metabolism. I probably work out harder now than I ever did, aside from the previous running. I do cardio and weights 3x per week and power yoga 3x per week. I definitely am getting stronger in the upper body, but the pounds are not budging. The inches ain't moving. Matter of fact I feel like in some places my clothing is getting tighter. Is some of it muscle? Probably. But still. Very, very frustrating. It's hard to want to get up every morning at 5:00am when you feel like you're not getting any results.
3. In my head, I remember when I was running 9:45 miles (which for most people is pretty slow, but I was slowly working my way down and feeling good about it). So I want my body to do that. This ain't a 9:45 mile body. It just ain't. LOL! It's more like a 11:30 body on a good day. But my MIND still wants to go 9:45. Very, very frustrating.
I think, if you've never really run and THEN had a huge set back, you can't understand this, or can't understand why I can't get over this (well, I know one person who can - waving at her if she's reading this, and sending a hug). It's a challenge. I'm so glad I've gotten back into my regular yoga practice because I know that will help me "get out of my head."
I hope, when I get to Week 9 of C25K, I can look back at this and wonder what I was so worried about.
If you're working on your own personal fitness challenge, I commend you. This thing is hard work, but we'll get it done.
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Back in Stride
As most of you know, after the weight gain, the issue with my knee, and then the broken toe (ouch!), I got back into stride with doing Couch to 5K. This has probably been the hardest time for me to get back to running again. It's not so much the injury as the weight gain. I'm trying to move 20 extra pounds and it's just not that cute. I will work it out, but it's going to take some time. I hate this weight gain and I feel like I've let myself down (and others, too), but I know it's not healthy for my joints and I'm taking the steps to get it gone the right way, so it's just a matter of time and effort.
Today I started back with physical therapy again. I don't know if I blogged about it, but the previous provider said that I had osteo-arthritis. When I tried to go back to CardioFunkytown and my knee started hurting again, his response was pretty much well, you're always going to have problems with your knees, etc. Huh? Nah. I need something better than that!
When I went to my PCP to follow up on the broken toe, I talked to her about the weight gain and also about my issues with my knee. I felt really comfortable talking to her because, in addition to being my PCP, she also does sports medicine, and she is a runner herself. She asked me if I'd be ok with doing another set of x-rays, just so she could take a look at my knees. She went over them with me thoroughly and did NOT see evidence of osteoarthritis. From the symptoms I described (pain and clicking in my knee, feeling like maybe it wasn't tracking properly), she felt that I had patella femoral syndrome. Finally - there's a name for it!
She referred me for PT with a new provider, and today was my first day. I really like my therapist. He was very thorough. He really read through my history and the notes from my doctor - I didn't have to rehash everything because he knew it already. He says that the problem with my knee is two fold:
1. like a lot of runners, I have tightness in my IT band. I never thought about it, but he pressed on it and it was tender/sore. That tightness is pulling my knee cap to track outward, when it should be tracking inward.
2. my inner thigh muscles are not strong enough to support my knee cap and sort of pull it back to where it needs to be.
Therapy is going to be 2x a week for 4 weeks to begin. I have exercises I can do at home, particularly some IT band stretches that should help. I chuckled because one of the stretches is something that we do at the end of yoga class sometimes. We are also going to do strengthening exercises like leg extensions, squats on the wall, and straight leg lifts. But for all of these I have to squeeze either a ball or a rolled up towels between my thighs, to keep my knees from sounding like a bowl of Rice Krispies (snap, crackle, pop!). I am looking forward to it because I like lifting weights and I wouldn't mind getting stronger.
One of the things he tried today, which I didn't have at the previous provider, was electrical muscle stimulation. Now, as a claims rep, I've seen this coded on bills many times, from PT providers and from chiropractors. I never thought much about it and didn't really know how it would work.
He hooked up the electrodes to my inner thigh. I was lying down on a table. He said that if I could tolerate it, he'd want to get it up to a level where it caused the inner thigh muscle to actually twitch. I told him to go for it. He turned it up and the level where he stopped was a bit too much for me to tolerate for 10 minutes, so he turned it down a notch. Then he added in the kicker - every time the stim kicked in, I was to flex my leg and tighten up my quad.
Let me just say that EMS is no joke! About halfway in that machine kicked in and I tightened up my thigh and I think I made a noise out loud...lol! The longer you sit the more intense it gets. I had to do some yoga breathing for the last 4 minutes or so. Whoo! BUT, afterwards it felt really good. I was able to get up from the table without much pain. It's feeling pretty good as I sit here and type this. I definitely want to continue with that as part of my treatment.
The best news was that neither he nor my PCP want me to stop yoga or running. I was really hoping they would say that. I made sure to ask about that, because I don't want to derail my healing/therapy, but I don't want to derail my fitness goals, either. Depending on how late I work tonight, I want to hit the greenway and start week 7 of C25K, since I went to PT instead of running this morning.
Hope you all are having a healthy, injury-free week! :)
Today I started back with physical therapy again. I don't know if I blogged about it, but the previous provider said that I had osteo-arthritis. When I tried to go back to CardioFunkytown and my knee started hurting again, his response was pretty much well, you're always going to have problems with your knees, etc. Huh? Nah. I need something better than that!
When I went to my PCP to follow up on the broken toe, I talked to her about the weight gain and also about my issues with my knee. I felt really comfortable talking to her because, in addition to being my PCP, she also does sports medicine, and she is a runner herself. She asked me if I'd be ok with doing another set of x-rays, just so she could take a look at my knees. She went over them with me thoroughly and did NOT see evidence of osteoarthritis. From the symptoms I described (pain and clicking in my knee, feeling like maybe it wasn't tracking properly), she felt that I had patella femoral syndrome. Finally - there's a name for it!
She referred me for PT with a new provider, and today was my first day. I really like my therapist. He was very thorough. He really read through my history and the notes from my doctor - I didn't have to rehash everything because he knew it already. He says that the problem with my knee is two fold:
1. like a lot of runners, I have tightness in my IT band. I never thought about it, but he pressed on it and it was tender/sore. That tightness is pulling my knee cap to track outward, when it should be tracking inward.
2. my inner thigh muscles are not strong enough to support my knee cap and sort of pull it back to where it needs to be.
Therapy is going to be 2x a week for 4 weeks to begin. I have exercises I can do at home, particularly some IT band stretches that should help. I chuckled because one of the stretches is something that we do at the end of yoga class sometimes. We are also going to do strengthening exercises like leg extensions, squats on the wall, and straight leg lifts. But for all of these I have to squeeze either a ball or a rolled up towels between my thighs, to keep my knees from sounding like a bowl of Rice Krispies (snap, crackle, pop!). I am looking forward to it because I like lifting weights and I wouldn't mind getting stronger.
One of the things he tried today, which I didn't have at the previous provider, was electrical muscle stimulation. Now, as a claims rep, I've seen this coded on bills many times, from PT providers and from chiropractors. I never thought much about it and didn't really know how it would work.
He hooked up the electrodes to my inner thigh. I was lying down on a table. He said that if I could tolerate it, he'd want to get it up to a level where it caused the inner thigh muscle to actually twitch. I told him to go for it. He turned it up and the level where he stopped was a bit too much for me to tolerate for 10 minutes, so he turned it down a notch. Then he added in the kicker - every time the stim kicked in, I was to flex my leg and tighten up my quad.
Let me just say that EMS is no joke! About halfway in that machine kicked in and I tightened up my thigh and I think I made a noise out loud...lol! The longer you sit the more intense it gets. I had to do some yoga breathing for the last 4 minutes or so. Whoo! BUT, afterwards it felt really good. I was able to get up from the table without much pain. It's feeling pretty good as I sit here and type this. I definitely want to continue with that as part of my treatment.
The best news was that neither he nor my PCP want me to stop yoga or running. I was really hoping they would say that. I made sure to ask about that, because I don't want to derail my healing/therapy, but I don't want to derail my fitness goals, either. Depending on how late I work tonight, I want to hit the greenway and start week 7 of C25K, since I went to PT instead of running this morning.
Hope you all are having a healthy, injury-free week! :)
Saturday, April 9, 2011
I Forgot
Today was a good fitness day for me. I ran Week 4/Day 3 of C25K outside today. I also went to a slow flow class this afternoon at Charlotte Family Yoga Center.
I forgot how GOOD it feels to run outside! I loved seeing all the other Charlotteans on the greenway, walking/running/biking their way into better health. I forgot how great it feels to have the sun on your face or on your back, as you inhale and exhale that (relatively) fresh air as you give your lungs a workout.
I also forgot how drastically different it is to run outside versus running on the treadmill.
Whoo! Week 4/Day 3 kicked my butt! The 5 minute segments felt like they took forever to complete. Especially the last one. But I got through all the running and I didn't stop not one time. Granted it was a sum total of 16 minutes of running (broken up into two 3 minute segments and two 5 minute segments), during the running time I averaged a 10:59 pace.
Not bad for someone who is a year older and 15-20 lbs heavier than when she could avearge a 9:45 pace.
This is my first week getting back to running on a regular basis. I wanted to be somewhere between 11:00 - 11:30, so I hit that mark. But I also realize that was really pushing and not a "comfortable" run. Definitely NOT a conversational pace.
Thanks to yoga, I am definitely learning to extend myself more grace - on and off the mat. I could be frustrated with my weight gain, frustrated with my injuries (which really - I still am many times), but today I was grateful that I was actually able to run. Albeit with a knee brace on, but I was able to run. And for that, I'm grateful. :)
I forgot how GOOD it feels to run outside! I loved seeing all the other Charlotteans on the greenway, walking/running/biking their way into better health. I forgot how great it feels to have the sun on your face or on your back, as you inhale and exhale that (relatively) fresh air as you give your lungs a workout.
I also forgot how drastically different it is to run outside versus running on the treadmill.
Whoo! Week 4/Day 3 kicked my butt! The 5 minute segments felt like they took forever to complete. Especially the last one. But I got through all the running and I didn't stop not one time. Granted it was a sum total of 16 minutes of running (broken up into two 3 minute segments and two 5 minute segments), during the running time I averaged a 10:59 pace.
Not bad for someone who is a year older and 15-20 lbs heavier than when she could avearge a 9:45 pace.
This is my first week getting back to running on a regular basis. I wanted to be somewhere between 11:00 - 11:30, so I hit that mark. But I also realize that was really pushing and not a "comfortable" run. Definitely NOT a conversational pace.
Thanks to yoga, I am definitely learning to extend myself more grace - on and off the mat. I could be frustrated with my weight gain, frustrated with my injuries (which really - I still am many times), but today I was grateful that I was actually able to run. Albeit with a knee brace on, but I was able to run. And for that, I'm grateful. :)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Plantar Fasciitis
I haven't been for a run since last Monday morning. Which was a good run, I might add - 4 miles with an average pace of 9:48. Score! That's good for me. But, the heel pain I've been dealing with for the past few weeks really started to flare up after that run. I came to work, as usual, sat at my desk and started working. An hour later, when I tried to get up and walk to the printer, I could barely walk on my right heel.
So I went to see my old friends at OrthoCarolina - they also treated me for my Achilles Tendonitis. From everything I read on the net, I figured it was plantar fasciitis, but I just wanted to make sure. Of course, that was the diagnosis. After listening to the options, I opted to go with the cortisone shot.
Uh...lemme just tell you. That would be the 2nd most painful thing I've had done. The 1st would be the dentist attempting to drain an abscessed tooth - but that's another post for another time. Anywho, his exact words: "I'm not gonna lie to you - it WILL hurt."
He didn't lie. He had a student in training following him, and I heard him explaining to her that he did not like to do the injection from the bottom of the foot, as it tends to hurt worse. So he came at it from the inside on the side of the heel. They attempt to numb it with that freezing spray (yeah, right) and then tell you to be very still as they are about to start the shot.
Can I just tell you, it felt like he STABBED that needle into my foot?!? What the? My foot was assaulted and battered! And then you can feel the cortisone going in. It's a weird feeling. YOu get some numbness for a little while after, and then it's just weird feeling.
It's been almost a week. So far I can feel the biggest difference in the morning. I no longer have the excruciating pain when I get out of bed. I was given a list of stretches to do. Basically, a lot of the same things I was doing for my Achilles. WHich would be a good time for me to admit that I had slacked off...so, yeah. My fault. I complete the "towel stretch" in the mornings before I get out of bed, and the wall stretch in the shower. I have a water bottle at work that I keep in the freezer. In the mornings I will take it out, and then I roll the bottle back and forth under my foot.
So far, so good. I still have days when it's aggravated throughout the day. I've been wearing flip flops to work. Y'all know how this hurts my feelings...I like my high heels. I am not supposed to be walking around barefoot - which is a bad habit of mine. I have to force myself to wear flip flops around the house. I'm trying to do better.
I've decided that I will hit the elliptical all week. I've been eating like I don't know any better, and it's showing up around my midsection and thighs. Booo. Hopefully next week, I'll get back to running. I plan to start my half marathon training in August.
Hope no one else is sidelined with injuries!
So I went to see my old friends at OrthoCarolina - they also treated me for my Achilles Tendonitis. From everything I read on the net, I figured it was plantar fasciitis, but I just wanted to make sure. Of course, that was the diagnosis. After listening to the options, I opted to go with the cortisone shot.
Uh...lemme just tell you. That would be the 2nd most painful thing I've had done. The 1st would be the dentist attempting to drain an abscessed tooth - but that's another post for another time. Anywho, his exact words: "I'm not gonna lie to you - it WILL hurt."
He didn't lie. He had a student in training following him, and I heard him explaining to her that he did not like to do the injection from the bottom of the foot, as it tends to hurt worse. So he came at it from the inside on the side of the heel. They attempt to numb it with that freezing spray (yeah, right) and then tell you to be very still as they are about to start the shot.
Can I just tell you, it felt like he STABBED that needle into my foot?!? What the? My foot was assaulted and battered! And then you can feel the cortisone going in. It's a weird feeling. YOu get some numbness for a little while after, and then it's just weird feeling.
It's been almost a week. So far I can feel the biggest difference in the morning. I no longer have the excruciating pain when I get out of bed. I was given a list of stretches to do. Basically, a lot of the same things I was doing for my Achilles. WHich would be a good time for me to admit that I had slacked off...so, yeah. My fault. I complete the "towel stretch" in the mornings before I get out of bed, and the wall stretch in the shower. I have a water bottle at work that I keep in the freezer. In the mornings I will take it out, and then I roll the bottle back and forth under my foot.
So far, so good. I still have days when it's aggravated throughout the day. I've been wearing flip flops to work. Y'all know how this hurts my feelings...I like my high heels. I am not supposed to be walking around barefoot - which is a bad habit of mine. I have to force myself to wear flip flops around the house. I'm trying to do better.
I've decided that I will hit the elliptical all week. I've been eating like I don't know any better, and it's showing up around my midsection and thighs. Booo. Hopefully next week, I'll get back to running. I plan to start my half marathon training in August.
Hope no one else is sidelined with injuries!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Hills Build Character!
I would have to look back through my blog, but I *think* I wrote a blog last year about running the LungStrong 15K in October. The course, was very, very, very, very hilly. Did I mention that it was hilly? And, that was the start of my Achilles tendonitis problems. That was my first road race ever, and despite the injury status and the feeling of utter exhaustion afterwards, I was very proud that I completed it. Even if the race walkers DID beat me. O_o
All along this course, there were signs along the side of the road, encouraging the runners. One that we kept seeing said, "Hills Build Character!" It was right after a particularly challenging hill. If I had had the energy, I probably would have run over and kicked it. Really? Because all they are building for me is PAIN!
The RunStrong Meet Up I participate in, was founded by the organizer of that race. He laughed when I was reminiscing one night about those crazy signs. They WERE funny...but not until after the race. Ha!
So now, I find myself doing hill repeats with the meet up every other week. 1 week is speed work, the other week is hill work. After the first 2 workouts I was thinking, "I cannot keep up with this. This is the stuff I used to do in high school, and I'm 17 years removed from this. Seriously." But I have to say, I rather enjoy the challenge. These are the types of workouts I never thought I'd do ever again. Run 3 leisurely miles - sure. Run hills? Nah.
Last night was the usual Monday night 4 Miler with the Run Strong group. As usual, Stacey and I were bringing up the rear. But I noticed that we're bringing up the rear a little faster. The first mile is mostly a steady incline. The first few weeks I ran this course I felt like I was DYING by the time I got to mile 1. DYING. And there were more inclines and small hills to go! I noticed last night, it wasn't so bad! For the first time in a while we didn't get caught at the light after the first mile. We ran the first 2 miles straight. By the time we got to the 2 mile mark, the rest of the group had rested for about a minute, and as they saw us coming up the hill, they started back. We actually took about two minutes of rest.
I love running back because it's mostly down hill from there. Except for at the very end. There is an incline up to the gas station and then back down to the flat parking lot where we end. Past runs, that incline has gotten the best of me, but yesterday I was really able to put the pedal to the metal and "beast it in," as KD would say. I surprised myself!
I know that was nothing but the speed training and the hill work. It's nice to see results from the hard work during those workouts. That is definitely motivation to continue attending those sessions.
If you're a runner, how often do you do speed work and hill training?
All along this course, there were signs along the side of the road, encouraging the runners. One that we kept seeing said, "Hills Build Character!" It was right after a particularly challenging hill. If I had had the energy, I probably would have run over and kicked it. Really? Because all they are building for me is PAIN!
The RunStrong Meet Up I participate in, was founded by the organizer of that race. He laughed when I was reminiscing one night about those crazy signs. They WERE funny...but not until after the race. Ha!
So now, I find myself doing hill repeats with the meet up every other week. 1 week is speed work, the other week is hill work. After the first 2 workouts I was thinking, "I cannot keep up with this. This is the stuff I used to do in high school, and I'm 17 years removed from this. Seriously." But I have to say, I rather enjoy the challenge. These are the types of workouts I never thought I'd do ever again. Run 3 leisurely miles - sure. Run hills? Nah.
Last night was the usual Monday night 4 Miler with the Run Strong group. As usual, Stacey and I were bringing up the rear. But I noticed that we're bringing up the rear a little faster. The first mile is mostly a steady incline. The first few weeks I ran this course I felt like I was DYING by the time I got to mile 1. DYING. And there were more inclines and small hills to go! I noticed last night, it wasn't so bad! For the first time in a while we didn't get caught at the light after the first mile. We ran the first 2 miles straight. By the time we got to the 2 mile mark, the rest of the group had rested for about a minute, and as they saw us coming up the hill, they started back. We actually took about two minutes of rest.
I love running back because it's mostly down hill from there. Except for at the very end. There is an incline up to the gas station and then back down to the flat parking lot where we end. Past runs, that incline has gotten the best of me, but yesterday I was really able to put the pedal to the metal and "beast it in," as KD would say. I surprised myself!
I know that was nothing but the speed training and the hill work. It's nice to see results from the hard work during those workouts. That is definitely motivation to continue attending those sessions.
If you're a runner, how often do you do speed work and hill training?
Sunday, April 25, 2010
CPCC Skyline 5K!
My first official roadrace of the year! Woo hooo! And I almost didn't make it. Why? Well on Wednesday, we decided to go preview the course. Myself, KD, and CrimsonPurl. I had just done hill work the day before. Our plan was to do 200s the day before, but Ridge Junior High locked the track on is, and since we were already there, we jogged through the neighborhood and found a hill. I felt great at the time we did the hills - I was able to keep up with Walt and Laura! But clearly, the next day, my body was thinking, "not so much."
So during our preview run, my calf seized up like an engine without oil. I mean, it was so tight and painful, it was making my SHIN hurt. And I never get shin splints. I had to stop running after 1.54 miles and KD and CP were nice enough to walk the rest of the way with me (thanks, guys!). The preview showed that the course was relatively flat, with a few inclines here and there, but the most major incline was right at the beginning.
LDR did NOT want me to run. He thought I was going to hurt my leg worse. We had a 20 minute negotiation, where in I promised to take epsom salts baths, slather myself down with Tiger Balm, wear my calf support for 2 days, and that I would not run if I felt pain on Saturday morning. LOL! Ultimately, I was fine.
I got up around 5:30am on Saturday morning. I took my time getting ready. I let the warm water in the shower run on my muscles, and did some stretching while I was in there. I had planned to grab a banana and some granola, but ultimately I just left the house. For shorter races, I'm ok with empty stomach cardio. I didn't feel hungry and I didn't want to force myself to eat. I knew they'd have bananas there, if I needed anything.
It was about 60 degrees when I left the house. That's comfy for me. It was drizzling, though. So much for the forecast that the rain would come in the afternoon! I arrived uptown and parked in the Target parking garage (hello? free parking? score!) and walked the two blocks to the race site. Hundreds of people were already milling around. I got my timing chip and found an area by the benches to camp out, stretch, and wait for everyone else.
Soon after, the girls from the Purple Butterfly Running Club began arriving. We took a few pictures together, and I think one of the official photographers took one of us as well. CrimsonPurl was feeling sick and unable to run with us, but she came out anyway to cheer us on! How sweet is that?
Running Diva Kristen was there. I think that's my new nickname for her. She usually runs races on Saturdays, so she hasn't been able to run with PRBC. This girl is BLAZING fast. Blazing! She coaches with Girls on the Run, is going to school, and still finds time to get it in. And the Diva showed up with eye make up on, no less! LOL! She and Ashley (from BGR) are officially my running idols. These ladies are FAST and I'd just like to be like them when I grow up.
We started lining up for the race and I felt my adrenaline start to kick in a bit. Diva got up to the front because she wanted to try and PR. The rest of us hung back in a group. However when the crowd started moving, I moved more toward the middle, and KD came with me.
Let's talk about KD for a moment. Diva #2. You know how some folks (like me) have to work hella hard to eek out our little races here and there, and then some folks just have 'it' naturally? KD has it naturally. She makes running look like it's effortless. You'll watch her and think she's not moving that fast, but sistah-gurl is BLAZING. Blazing! This is important in the next couple of paragraphs. :lol:
We got going and made it up the first hill. I tried to make a conscious effort to run faster up that hill than we had in our practice run. I just wanted it over with. 7th street was just one loooooooooong incline, and I couldn't wait until we got to the turn off to the neighborhood. By the time we got to the Run For Your Life 1 mile marker, their clock said 10:46, but we didn't start at the gun. Nike+ (which has really been working lately!) said about 10:00. I was hoping to take it out a little faster, but the combo of the crowd and the hill got me. I tried to pick it up for the 2nd mile.
By the time we got into the neighborhood and onto 5th street, KD was gone! I could barely see her in the crowd. It got to the point that my breathing was too hard and my heart rate was too high, and I realized I was going TOO fast. My calf started to tweak a bit so I walked for a minute. I hated that I had to walk, but it was better than an injury or falling out. I picked it back up right as we got to the incline by the hospital.
We had to run by a small park and then out a small side street to Morehead. There's a restaurant called Nothing but Noodles on Morehead. Initially CrimsonPurl was going to go by that corner to cheer us on, but when I got to that point I didn't see her. I started trying to push a little faster, because by this point I think we only had about .7 left in the race.
I spotted CrimsonPurl at the corner of Morehead and Charlottetown! What an energy booster. She was cheering and holding the group sign...and she took a picture of me. Hope it's not crazy - if it isn't, I'll come back and post a copy here. Ha! By this point it was literally down hill from here. Diva, who had finished probably 6 minutes prior, was walking back up the hill and I heard her cheering for me. I heard Ashley, too! She says I made a face at her - I have no recollection and wasn't trying to do it on purpose! LOL! I was just trying to kick it in and get to that finish line. At the last turn before the finish I heard KD hollering (she is the true cheerleader of the group) and I was able to sprint it in.
My original goal was to break 30 minutes. Didn't quite make it, but I beat my time from the last 5K I ran in the fall! 30:26, 9:48 pace. I'll take it! We have another 5K coming up on 5/22. It's the Girl Scouts' Thin Mint Sprint and it's going to be at Carowinds Amusement park. Should be interesting!
I'm glad I ran this 5K, and I was very happy to be out there as part of a group. These girls are just personable, funny, and great motivators. Go PBRC! :)
So during our preview run, my calf seized up like an engine without oil. I mean, it was so tight and painful, it was making my SHIN hurt. And I never get shin splints. I had to stop running after 1.54 miles and KD and CP were nice enough to walk the rest of the way with me (thanks, guys!). The preview showed that the course was relatively flat, with a few inclines here and there, but the most major incline was right at the beginning.
LDR did NOT want me to run. He thought I was going to hurt my leg worse. We had a 20 minute negotiation, where in I promised to take epsom salts baths, slather myself down with Tiger Balm, wear my calf support for 2 days, and that I would not run if I felt pain on Saturday morning. LOL! Ultimately, I was fine.
I got up around 5:30am on Saturday morning. I took my time getting ready. I let the warm water in the shower run on my muscles, and did some stretching while I was in there. I had planned to grab a banana and some granola, but ultimately I just left the house. For shorter races, I'm ok with empty stomach cardio. I didn't feel hungry and I didn't want to force myself to eat. I knew they'd have bananas there, if I needed anything.
It was about 60 degrees when I left the house. That's comfy for me. It was drizzling, though. So much for the forecast that the rain would come in the afternoon! I arrived uptown and parked in the Target parking garage (hello? free parking? score!) and walked the two blocks to the race site. Hundreds of people were already milling around. I got my timing chip and found an area by the benches to camp out, stretch, and wait for everyone else.
Soon after, the girls from the Purple Butterfly Running Club began arriving. We took a few pictures together, and I think one of the official photographers took one of us as well. CrimsonPurl was feeling sick and unable to run with us, but she came out anyway to cheer us on! How sweet is that?
Running Diva Kristen was there. I think that's my new nickname for her. She usually runs races on Saturdays, so she hasn't been able to run with PRBC. This girl is BLAZING fast. Blazing! She coaches with Girls on the Run, is going to school, and still finds time to get it in. And the Diva showed up with eye make up on, no less! LOL! She and Ashley (from BGR) are officially my running idols. These ladies are FAST and I'd just like to be like them when I grow up.
We started lining up for the race and I felt my adrenaline start to kick in a bit. Diva got up to the front because she wanted to try and PR. The rest of us hung back in a group. However when the crowd started moving, I moved more toward the middle, and KD came with me.
Let's talk about KD for a moment. Diva #2. You know how some folks (like me) have to work hella hard to eek out our little races here and there, and then some folks just have 'it' naturally? KD has it naturally. She makes running look like it's effortless. You'll watch her and think she's not moving that fast, but sistah-gurl is BLAZING. Blazing! This is important in the next couple of paragraphs. :lol:
We got going and made it up the first hill. I tried to make a conscious effort to run faster up that hill than we had in our practice run. I just wanted it over with. 7th street was just one loooooooooong incline, and I couldn't wait until we got to the turn off to the neighborhood. By the time we got to the Run For Your Life 1 mile marker, their clock said 10:46, but we didn't start at the gun. Nike+ (which has really been working lately!) said about 10:00. I was hoping to take it out a little faster, but the combo of the crowd and the hill got me. I tried to pick it up for the 2nd mile.
By the time we got into the neighborhood and onto 5th street, KD was gone! I could barely see her in the crowd. It got to the point that my breathing was too hard and my heart rate was too high, and I realized I was going TOO fast. My calf started to tweak a bit so I walked for a minute. I hated that I had to walk, but it was better than an injury or falling out. I picked it back up right as we got to the incline by the hospital.
We had to run by a small park and then out a small side street to Morehead. There's a restaurant called Nothing but Noodles on Morehead. Initially CrimsonPurl was going to go by that corner to cheer us on, but when I got to that point I didn't see her. I started trying to push a little faster, because by this point I think we only had about .7 left in the race.
I spotted CrimsonPurl at the corner of Morehead and Charlottetown! What an energy booster. She was cheering and holding the group sign...and she took a picture of me. Hope it's not crazy - if it isn't, I'll come back and post a copy here. Ha! By this point it was literally down hill from here. Diva, who had finished probably 6 minutes prior, was walking back up the hill and I heard her cheering for me. I heard Ashley, too! She says I made a face at her - I have no recollection and wasn't trying to do it on purpose! LOL! I was just trying to kick it in and get to that finish line. At the last turn before the finish I heard KD hollering (she is the true cheerleader of the group) and I was able to sprint it in.
My original goal was to break 30 minutes. Didn't quite make it, but I beat my time from the last 5K I ran in the fall! 30:26, 9:48 pace. I'll take it! We have another 5K coming up on 5/22. It's the Girl Scouts' Thin Mint Sprint and it's going to be at Carowinds Amusement park. Should be interesting!
I'm glad I ran this 5K, and I was very happy to be out there as part of a group. These girls are just personable, funny, and great motivators. Go PBRC! :)
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Adventures in Fitness
I challenged myself to do 2 workouts a day last week. The morning workouts would be strength training with a little bit of elliptical, and then the afternoon would be running. I decided that Monday, Wednesday and Friday would be upper body strength training, and Tuesday and Thursday would be for legs. I haven't been getting much strength training in, so I was excited!
MONDAY: the alarm went off at 5:00am. I had packed up my bag the night before with the things I'd need to shower at work, along with what I was going to wear that day. Thankfully last week was "Jeans Week" at work - that made my choices pretty easy. I had more energy than I expected. When I got to the gym, a woman was in there walking on the treadmill already. I got there around 5:45, did a 10 minute warm up on the elliptical, and then hit the upper body work out. Bench press, back rows, shoulder press, bicep curls, tricep extensions...and some ab work for good measure. I was able to shower and get up to my desk by 7:55. Not bad! That afternoon, I decided against running with the RunStrong Meet Up. The course they run for the Monday night 4 miler is a bit much for my Achilles right now. I ran a 3-miler at the greenway and called an end to day 1.
TUESDAY: It was a little harder to get up this morning. I was feeling the effects of Monday's activities. I got to the gym at work a little before 6:00, and no one else was in there. I was by myself, and would be for the rest of the week. 10 minutes warm up on the elliptical, and then on to my leg workout. Dead lifts, calf raises, lunges, and squats. I cooled down for 10 minutes or so on the elliptical. That hot shower felt good. And best of all, I was using someone else's hot water. :lol:
That afternoon, I decided to join the RunStrong meet up for my first ever speed work out with them. I haven't done a speed workout since high school. And what I was doing in high school was geared towards a sprinter/jumper, not a distance runner. Needless to say, I was not prepared. :lol: There were 7 of us all together. The assistant organizer - Laura - and 3 other experienced runners, and then myself and two other girls who were less experienced (read: ran much slower). Warm up was a 1 mile jog. Followed by 1 mile of Indian sprints - we all jog in a line and then the person in back has to sprint to the front, and so on. The problem was, the two other girls I mentioned and myself just could not keep up with their pace. We fatigued quickly and could not finish the whole mile. After that we ran a pyramid - 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m - each run at maybe 80% of full speed, with a 100m walk in between...although I think we may have walked 200 in between the 400 and the 300. After that, a cool down with another mile of Indian sprints. I knew I ocould not do the whole mile, so I did what I could, and then myself and Kelly just dropped for a regular jog. Interesting!
WEDNESDAY: This was probably the hardest morning to get up. Literally. Tuesday's speed workout had my quads, calves and hamstrings screaming at me! But I made it up and made it to the gym right around 6:00. Same workout as Monday, and then that afternoon I just did not have it in me to hit the greenway. I pulled out my trusty rebounder, and that evening's workout was 35 minutes rebounding while I watched the Young and The Restless. Hey - better than nothing, right? :)
THURSDAY: Legs starting to feel a little better this day, but it was time for another leg workout in the gym. I did well and I'm happy to be getting in some strength training. That afternoon the RunStrong meet up was going to do a 3-4 mile run in Highland Creek, but it's very hilly and I didn't want to take the chance. I called my friend Keisha and we went for a nice 3 mile run at the greenway. Thank goodness for K, or I wouldn't have run at all!
FRIDAY: By the time Friday hit, I was starting to get used to my routine. By the end of the week one thing was certain - I need to do a better job of getting to bed on time during the week! I also need to make some dietary changes...I was running out of energy and I knew I needed to get some more protein and some more carbs. I will try to work that out this upcoming week. Friday was a gorgeous, sunny day but I left work late, so I didn't feel like getting the afternoon cardio. I decided I'd just get up and run with the Purple Butterfly running club on Saturday. I think I'm going to treat all Fridays like that - I'll still do the morning session, but I'll rest in the afternoon.
SATURDAY: Saturday morning was gorgeous! Quite a few ladies showed up for PBRC. I somehow got lumped into the "advanced" group (lol). Myself and 3 other ladies. Everyone else was doing interval running, but we were the group that could run the whole distance. Looking at Ashley, I could tell that she was truly a "runner." The other girls and I were running closer to 10 minute pace, but Ashley said she ran a 9 minute pace. The girls hadn't run the greenway before, so I explained to them how it was marked every 1/4 mile, and then we set off. I decided that I'd try my best to keep up with Ashley for as long as I could. We ran the first mile in 9:46 and we all stayed together. When we got to the 1.25 marker, the other two girls stopped to walk for a bit, but I pushed myself to keep going with Ashley. At 1.50, I checked Nike+ (which has been working GREAT as of late - go figure!) and we were at 14:35. We could have turned around, but we ran up to David Taylor Drive and then turned back - that adds an extra .25 to the run.
When we got back to the 1.25 marker I told Ashley that I'd have to slow down and she could go on. I don't know what it was - maybe she could sense that I needed an extra push...or maybe she knew I could do it even when I didn't think I could - but she didn't pull ahead. We stayed together, and the whole time I was talking to myself. This really is a mental sport. I'd say, "ok, when we get to the 2 mile mark I'm going to slow down and let her keep going." We'd get to 2 mile and then I'd say, "ok, at 2.5 I'll stop and walk." But I just kept pushing on. Once we had 1/2 mile to get to the finish, I just felt like there was no point in stopping - we were almost there! But I'm not gonna lie, my breathing was heavy and this was definitely pushing it for me. Surprisingly, when we got to the end, I still had enough energy to pick up the pace and push it in!
And guess what that time was? 3.25 miles in 30:55 - average pace, 9:30!!
I was on a runner's high for the rest of the day! I couldn't believe I had run that. The PRBC had been planning to run the CPCC Skyline 5K next week and I hadn't signed up. After that run, I knew I needed to. I should definitely be able to beat my time from the Runway 5K back in October - that's the last time I ran a 5K race.
This turned out to be a great week for me, as far as fitness. Yes, I'm sore. Yes, I was fatigued during some of those workouts and just wanted to quit. But I'm so glad that I didn't. I saw a lot of new faces on Saturday, and I found out at the end of my run that Ashley is one of two authors who run the fabulous blog, Black Girls Run! (hey girl!)
I think I'm going to continue with my double sessions until it's time for my trip to Vegas (5/13 - 5/18). I hope everyone is doing well with their own fitness goals, whatever they may be.
MONDAY: the alarm went off at 5:00am. I had packed up my bag the night before with the things I'd need to shower at work, along with what I was going to wear that day. Thankfully last week was "Jeans Week" at work - that made my choices pretty easy. I had more energy than I expected. When I got to the gym, a woman was in there walking on the treadmill already. I got there around 5:45, did a 10 minute warm up on the elliptical, and then hit the upper body work out. Bench press, back rows, shoulder press, bicep curls, tricep extensions...and some ab work for good measure. I was able to shower and get up to my desk by 7:55. Not bad! That afternoon, I decided against running with the RunStrong Meet Up. The course they run for the Monday night 4 miler is a bit much for my Achilles right now. I ran a 3-miler at the greenway and called an end to day 1.
TUESDAY: It was a little harder to get up this morning. I was feeling the effects of Monday's activities. I got to the gym at work a little before 6:00, and no one else was in there. I was by myself, and would be for the rest of the week. 10 minutes warm up on the elliptical, and then on to my leg workout. Dead lifts, calf raises, lunges, and squats. I cooled down for 10 minutes or so on the elliptical. That hot shower felt good. And best of all, I was using someone else's hot water. :lol:
That afternoon, I decided to join the RunStrong meet up for my first ever speed work out with them. I haven't done a speed workout since high school. And what I was doing in high school was geared towards a sprinter/jumper, not a distance runner. Needless to say, I was not prepared. :lol: There were 7 of us all together. The assistant organizer - Laura - and 3 other experienced runners, and then myself and two other girls who were less experienced (read: ran much slower). Warm up was a 1 mile jog. Followed by 1 mile of Indian sprints - we all jog in a line and then the person in back has to sprint to the front, and so on. The problem was, the two other girls I mentioned and myself just could not keep up with their pace. We fatigued quickly and could not finish the whole mile. After that we ran a pyramid - 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m - each run at maybe 80% of full speed, with a 100m walk in between...although I think we may have walked 200 in between the 400 and the 300. After that, a cool down with another mile of Indian sprints. I knew I ocould not do the whole mile, so I did what I could, and then myself and Kelly just dropped for a regular jog. Interesting!
WEDNESDAY: This was probably the hardest morning to get up. Literally. Tuesday's speed workout had my quads, calves and hamstrings screaming at me! But I made it up and made it to the gym right around 6:00. Same workout as Monday, and then that afternoon I just did not have it in me to hit the greenway. I pulled out my trusty rebounder, and that evening's workout was 35 minutes rebounding while I watched the Young and The Restless. Hey - better than nothing, right? :)
THURSDAY: Legs starting to feel a little better this day, but it was time for another leg workout in the gym. I did well and I'm happy to be getting in some strength training. That afternoon the RunStrong meet up was going to do a 3-4 mile run in Highland Creek, but it's very hilly and I didn't want to take the chance. I called my friend Keisha and we went for a nice 3 mile run at the greenway. Thank goodness for K, or I wouldn't have run at all!
FRIDAY: By the time Friday hit, I was starting to get used to my routine. By the end of the week one thing was certain - I need to do a better job of getting to bed on time during the week! I also need to make some dietary changes...I was running out of energy and I knew I needed to get some more protein and some more carbs. I will try to work that out this upcoming week. Friday was a gorgeous, sunny day but I left work late, so I didn't feel like getting the afternoon cardio. I decided I'd just get up and run with the Purple Butterfly running club on Saturday. I think I'm going to treat all Fridays like that - I'll still do the morning session, but I'll rest in the afternoon.
SATURDAY: Saturday morning was gorgeous! Quite a few ladies showed up for PBRC. I somehow got lumped into the "advanced" group (lol). Myself and 3 other ladies. Everyone else was doing interval running, but we were the group that could run the whole distance. Looking at Ashley, I could tell that she was truly a "runner." The other girls and I were running closer to 10 minute pace, but Ashley said she ran a 9 minute pace. The girls hadn't run the greenway before, so I explained to them how it was marked every 1/4 mile, and then we set off. I decided that I'd try my best to keep up with Ashley for as long as I could. We ran the first mile in 9:46 and we all stayed together. When we got to the 1.25 marker, the other two girls stopped to walk for a bit, but I pushed myself to keep going with Ashley. At 1.50, I checked Nike+ (which has been working GREAT as of late - go figure!) and we were at 14:35. We could have turned around, but we ran up to David Taylor Drive and then turned back - that adds an extra .25 to the run.
When we got back to the 1.25 marker I told Ashley that I'd have to slow down and she could go on. I don't know what it was - maybe she could sense that I needed an extra push...or maybe she knew I could do it even when I didn't think I could - but she didn't pull ahead. We stayed together, and the whole time I was talking to myself. This really is a mental sport. I'd say, "ok, when we get to the 2 mile mark I'm going to slow down and let her keep going." We'd get to 2 mile and then I'd say, "ok, at 2.5 I'll stop and walk." But I just kept pushing on. Once we had 1/2 mile to get to the finish, I just felt like there was no point in stopping - we were almost there! But I'm not gonna lie, my breathing was heavy and this was definitely pushing it for me. Surprisingly, when we got to the end, I still had enough energy to pick up the pace and push it in!
And guess what that time was? 3.25 miles in 30:55 - average pace, 9:30!!
I was on a runner's high for the rest of the day! I couldn't believe I had run that. The PRBC had been planning to run the CPCC Skyline 5K next week and I hadn't signed up. After that run, I knew I needed to. I should definitely be able to beat my time from the Runway 5K back in October - that's the last time I ran a 5K race.
This turned out to be a great week for me, as far as fitness. Yes, I'm sore. Yes, I was fatigued during some of those workouts and just wanted to quit. But I'm so glad that I didn't. I saw a lot of new faces on Saturday, and I found out at the end of my run that Ashley is one of two authors who run the fabulous blog, Black Girls Run! (hey girl!)
I think I'm going to continue with my double sessions until it's time for my trip to Vegas (5/13 - 5/18). I hope everyone is doing well with their own fitness goals, whatever they may be.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
This Week in Running
SUNDAY: Dealing with the plague, a.k.a. 24 hour stomach bug/flu. I barely walked from my couch to the bathroom. There was definitely no running this day. I spent most of the day sleeping. Because it was on the couch, my back ended up hurting. Boooo on Sunday.
MONDAY: Recovering from the plague. Lower back aching. I spent most of that day laying on a heating pad. I was just happy to get through the work day. There was no way I was going to run. 2 days out of commission.
TUESDAY: Nike+ is back in my good graces. It allowed me to recalibrate. All the runs for this week are accurate! Woo hoo! I wasn't sure how it would be, because I hadn't had much to eat over the past two days. But this is what I churned out:
TIME: 34:40
DISTANCE: 3.51 MI
AVG PACE: 9:51/MI
WEDNESDAY: I went back to the portion of the greenway that has more inclines. I started running at the .75 mi marker, ran a smidge past 1.5, then back down to the start, and then back up to .75. This was definitely a challenge and I felt it! I wish Charlotte was a little more pedestrian-friendly. I would love to run along Harris Blvd and more of the local streets, but the sidewalks aren't adequate. Stats:
TIME: 29:06
DISTANCE: 3.05 MI
AVG PACE: 9:36/MI <- whoa...not sure how I pulled that off!! LOL
TODAY: I planned on slowing the pace back down today. I figured my calves would appreciate it. I was right. As soon as I started jogging I could feel the stiffness, even though I did stretch. I really felt like I was dragging along, but I guess I was faster than I thought I was. Ye olde stats:
TIME: 32:32
DISTANCE: 3.23 MI
AVG PACE: 10:03/MI
I think tomorrow will be a rest day, or maybe elliptical and strength training. I look at these times and I am amazed that I ran like this. Maybe there's something to eating less meat? Since Saturday, the only meat I've had is turkey and then some seafood. And it definitely wasn't a lot of turkey. I've been having fruit smoothies in the morning, eating more salads, etc. We shall see.
MONDAY: Recovering from the plague. Lower back aching. I spent most of that day laying on a heating pad. I was just happy to get through the work day. There was no way I was going to run. 2 days out of commission.
TUESDAY: Nike+ is back in my good graces. It allowed me to recalibrate. All the runs for this week are accurate! Woo hoo! I wasn't sure how it would be, because I hadn't had much to eat over the past two days. But this is what I churned out:
TIME: 34:40
DISTANCE: 3.51 MI
AVG PACE: 9:51/MI
WEDNESDAY: I went back to the portion of the greenway that has more inclines. I started running at the .75 mi marker, ran a smidge past 1.5, then back down to the start, and then back up to .75. This was definitely a challenge and I felt it! I wish Charlotte was a little more pedestrian-friendly. I would love to run along Harris Blvd and more of the local streets, but the sidewalks aren't adequate. Stats:
TIME: 29:06
DISTANCE: 3.05 MI
AVG PACE: 9:36/MI <- whoa...not sure how I pulled that off!! LOL
TODAY: I planned on slowing the pace back down today. I figured my calves would appreciate it. I was right. As soon as I started jogging I could feel the stiffness, even though I did stretch. I really felt like I was dragging along, but I guess I was faster than I thought I was. Ye olde stats:
TIME: 32:32
DISTANCE: 3.23 MI
AVG PACE: 10:03/MI
I think tomorrow will be a rest day, or maybe elliptical and strength training. I look at these times and I am amazed that I ran like this. Maybe there's something to eating less meat? Since Saturday, the only meat I've had is turkey and then some seafood. And it definitely wasn't a lot of turkey. I've been having fruit smoothies in the morning, eating more salads, etc. We shall see.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
I hate you, Nike.Plus.
OK, not really. But it is getting on my nerves. Last week I reset it to "default" to see if my pace was anywhere close to the default pace (they claim that the default should fit most runners). It does not fit me. At all. LOL! Not even close.
So Tuesday, when LDR and I went for our run, I used the first .25 to calibrate. Or so I thought. When I finished and hit the button to end calibration, I got that "distance does not match with what was run" message. Huh?? Uh, I know I just ran .25, so what is really going on? OK fine. We stopped and stretched and then I set it up to recalibrate on the next .25.
Same message again.
UGH! I literally hollered out loud! LDR was like, just forget about that thing. But I can't. I'm obsessed with knowing how far I've gone, with tracking my mileage, and with keeping my pace and time.
I'm gonna try to calibrate today. But seriously? If this thing doesn't calibrate I might throw it on the ground and stomp on it. OK, not really. But at this point, it might be time to go with plan B on tracking mileage. Or maybe it's time for a new sensor? I don't know. This is frustrating me, though. I simply cannot wear the Nike+ sneakers with my flat, pronated feet.
Does anyone (or anyone you know) use the Garmin watch? Is it worth the money?
So Tuesday, when LDR and I went for our run, I used the first .25 to calibrate. Or so I thought. When I finished and hit the button to end calibration, I got that "distance does not match with what was run" message. Huh?? Uh, I know I just ran .25, so what is really going on? OK fine. We stopped and stretched and then I set it up to recalibrate on the next .25.
Same message again.
UGH! I literally hollered out loud! LDR was like, just forget about that thing. But I can't. I'm obsessed with knowing how far I've gone, with tracking my mileage, and with keeping my pace and time.
I'm gonna try to calibrate today. But seriously? If this thing doesn't calibrate I might throw it on the ground and stomp on it. OK, not really. But at this point, it might be time to go with plan B on tracking mileage. Or maybe it's time for a new sensor? I don't know. This is frustrating me, though. I simply cannot wear the Nike+ sneakers with my flat, pronated feet.
Does anyone (or anyone you know) use the Garmin watch? Is it worth the money?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
PR! aka Personal Record!
So today's goal was to run 5-6 miles at the greenway. I woke up this morning with the intention of running, coming back home to shower, and then running errands. It didn't quite work out like that. I could not get myself to wake all the way up in time. I ended up running errands first, then getting back here close to noon.
I cleaned up my kitchen and front room, and then I got sleepy. I took a nap and by the time I got up, it was close to 3:30! I couldn't believe it. Now I was feeling, more than ever, like I did not want to run at all. But I knew I had to get it done. I did nothing yesterday.
I got dressed and headed over to the greenway. It was about 50 degrees, but the temp was dropping. I ran in a long sleeve shirt over my Thunder Road practice tee. By the time I got started it was about 4:30. When running by myself, I will only run out to the 1.5 marker and back, and then out and back to wherever I need to go to, to get my mileage in. The reason for this is, after about a 10th of the mile past the 1.5 marker, you cross a road and then end up on the "Research Park" area of the greenway. It's not paved (gravel and dirt), but it's also in the middle of the woods. If I'm going to make the 6pm news, I don't want it to be for coming up missing. It stays in the woods (and is not marked with mileage) until you get to the 2 3/4 mi point, at which it becomes paved again and is back in civilization. No thanks!
My plan was to keep this run between 10:30 - 11:00/mi, since I was going 6 miles. Apparently my body no longer wants to be anywhere near 11:00/mi, because I was definitely running faster than that. I haven't recalibrated Nike+ (I'm lazy, I may do it tomorrow), so I just kept checking the time every half mile to see what my pace was.
The first out and back was pretty good. It felt almost daunting to know that I had to do it again and had another 3 miles, but I kept pushing. After I got to mile 4, I was thinking that I'd slow up the pace to 11:00...but then it just got to the point where I wanted to get done, and I got some kind of second wind.
I finished the 6 miles in 1:01:14! That's a PR for me. I actually haven't run any 10K road races yet. But during half marathon training, we did complete some 6 mile runs, and I was doing well to finish those between 11:00 - 11:30. I'm psyched! If I'm doing the math correctly, I think that's a 10:13 pace? That's fast for me, especially at that distance. Did I mention that I'm psyched??
My Achilles, however, are not psyched. I have some serious stretching to do over the next few days. I need to go back to my therapy exercises. I would hate to make improvements and then get sidelined with an injury. Depending on how my legs feel in the morning, I will do a 3 mile recovery run.
Go me! :)
P.S. - did I mention that I have now coerced LDR into running? Matter of fact, I think he's signed up for 2 races (a 5K and I'm not sure about the second one). One he is going to run with his brother and his sister. Meanwhile, I am signed up for 0 races and need to do better. I keep trying to plant the "half marathon seed" in his mind, but he says he'll run a half as soon as I run a whole. Not! LOL
I cleaned up my kitchen and front room, and then I got sleepy. I took a nap and by the time I got up, it was close to 3:30! I couldn't believe it. Now I was feeling, more than ever, like I did not want to run at all. But I knew I had to get it done. I did nothing yesterday.
I got dressed and headed over to the greenway. It was about 50 degrees, but the temp was dropping. I ran in a long sleeve shirt over my Thunder Road practice tee. By the time I got started it was about 4:30. When running by myself, I will only run out to the 1.5 marker and back, and then out and back to wherever I need to go to, to get my mileage in. The reason for this is, after about a 10th of the mile past the 1.5 marker, you cross a road and then end up on the "Research Park" area of the greenway. It's not paved (gravel and dirt), but it's also in the middle of the woods. If I'm going to make the 6pm news, I don't want it to be for coming up missing. It stays in the woods (and is not marked with mileage) until you get to the 2 3/4 mi point, at which it becomes paved again and is back in civilization. No thanks!
My plan was to keep this run between 10:30 - 11:00/mi, since I was going 6 miles. Apparently my body no longer wants to be anywhere near 11:00/mi, because I was definitely running faster than that. I haven't recalibrated Nike+ (I'm lazy, I may do it tomorrow), so I just kept checking the time every half mile to see what my pace was.
The first out and back was pretty good. It felt almost daunting to know that I had to do it again and had another 3 miles, but I kept pushing. After I got to mile 4, I was thinking that I'd slow up the pace to 11:00...but then it just got to the point where I wanted to get done, and I got some kind of second wind.
I finished the 6 miles in 1:01:14! That's a PR for me. I actually haven't run any 10K road races yet. But during half marathon training, we did complete some 6 mile runs, and I was doing well to finish those between 11:00 - 11:30. I'm psyched! If I'm doing the math correctly, I think that's a 10:13 pace? That's fast for me, especially at that distance. Did I mention that I'm psyched??
My Achilles, however, are not psyched. I have some serious stretching to do over the next few days. I need to go back to my therapy exercises. I would hate to make improvements and then get sidelined with an injury. Depending on how my legs feel in the morning, I will do a 3 mile recovery run.
Go me! :)
P.S. - did I mention that I have now coerced LDR into running? Matter of fact, I think he's signed up for 2 races (a 5K and I'm not sure about the second one). One he is going to run with his brother and his sister. Meanwhile, I am signed up for 0 races and need to do better. I keep trying to plant the "half marathon seed" in his mind, but he says he'll run a half as soon as I run a whole. Not! LOL
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Slowin' Down...
This morning I went to the Mallard Creek Greenway to run with the Purple Butterfly running club. It was so nice to see all those ladies, from beginner to intermediate, out there exercising and making the committment to come out there on Saturday mornings.
I only ran 3 miles and I felt so sluggish. Nike+ is now bugging out. Not only does it need to be recalibrated, it is not uploading my workouts to the website. They're on the iPod and I can see them, and in iTunes it claims to have uploaded the data, but I can't see it online. I know they switched websites from nikeplus.com to nikerunning.com, but that shouldn't have affected everything. I ran a Google search and others have been having this problem. I need to call their customer service. In one of the Nike Plus forums the csr indicated he could see all of a runners workouts, and he did something to make them actually post to this person's profile. I hope they can do that for me.
I really wish it would warm up and we could gain more daylight minutes right now. I definitely need to get back to running outside! I'm losing my mojo and my speed. This morning's run took 33:42. The best part about it was that we saw 4 deer cross the path. They were so cute! They were about 20 feet from the actual greenway path when we went by. They were all staring at us as if to say, "what are you doing out here?" LOL! At least it was the does and not the bucks. I'm not sure how the bucks would have reacted.
I'm committing to Monday through Thursday running for this upcoming week. Friday is my bowling get together for my birthday, so I'm not even going to try on that date. I should be able to make it out with the running club on Saturday as well. I also need to find a race to sign up for.
I only ran 3 miles and I felt so sluggish. Nike+ is now bugging out. Not only does it need to be recalibrated, it is not uploading my workouts to the website. They're on the iPod and I can see them, and in iTunes it claims to have uploaded the data, but I can't see it online. I know they switched websites from nikeplus.com to nikerunning.com, but that shouldn't have affected everything. I ran a Google search and others have been having this problem. I need to call their customer service. In one of the Nike Plus forums the csr indicated he could see all of a runners workouts, and he did something to make them actually post to this person's profile. I hope they can do that for me.
I really wish it would warm up and we could gain more daylight minutes right now. I definitely need to get back to running outside! I'm losing my mojo and my speed. This morning's run took 33:42. The best part about it was that we saw 4 deer cross the path. They were so cute! They were about 20 feet from the actual greenway path when we went by. They were all staring at us as if to say, "what are you doing out here?" LOL! At least it was the does and not the bucks. I'm not sure how the bucks would have reacted.
I'm committing to Monday through Thursday running for this upcoming week. Friday is my bowling get together for my birthday, so I'm not even going to try on that date. I should be able to make it out with the running club on Saturday as well. I also need to find a race to sign up for.
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