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September 17-October 6, 2012 posts
October 6, 2012
Today
was Saturday, and time for my long run. We had a yummy breakfast and I
sipped water for a few hours while doing a little work. I suited up
and took my meds, thrilled that it wasn't raining or cold. A cooler
front is supposed to be moving in tonight, so luckily it hasn't gotten
here yet. My daughter was home from college for her fall break, so she
decided to go with us. It was sunny while getting ready to run, but
when we got out there, it was cloudy. My husband and daughter were
planning on walking while I ran, but we got started all together.
Once I got out on the main road I realized that there was some type of bicycle race/tour going on. Mile after mile, I passed young men and women, and older men and women pedaling up and down the hills of Slate Mills road. I said "Hi" to each one and waved, and was surprised how few answered At first, I thought it was mainly the women and older men that answered, but that didn't hold true for the whole run. I guess some where just so busy pedaling they didn't have time to answer. Or maybe they were listening to music--but I was listening to music and I could hear them if they answered. I guess bicyclists are just like any people, some have manners and some don't. I just found it so interesting to observe--a great diversion as I was running. Sometimes I would pass one or just two in a group, other times, it was 4-6 in a group. While I was running west, I was running towards the bikers, so we were on the same side of the road. Once I got to the end of the road and turned around, then I was on the opposite as the bikers. With the bikers behind me, if there was a larger group, the fast spinning of their wheels sounded like a car. One or two riders was harder to hear, but I still tried to wave and say hi as they passed me. I was able to run 8 miles today! Wahoo! I tried to run slower, but that is really hard to do. I had to force myself to sometimes slow down. I've been doing a little more reading on what I need to do to help me train for the Disney Princess Half Marathon, and one was to run at a slower pace but for a longer distance on the weekends. Between the bikers and my music, I had enough diversions to help pass the time. I practiced talking as I ran, to make sure that I was running at a pace where I could hold a conversation. It sprinkled a little bit while I ran, but not much. It was pretty nice to be able to run without being extremely hot. Since I have been tracking my miles that I run on active.com, I've run about 196 miles. Which seems like a lot of miles. I know many people have run a ton more than that, but I am very proud of what I've been able to do. So far, I haven't had any major injuries, so I am blessed. My legs were pretty sore--probably from the hills more than anything. Well, I guess the mileage might have had something to do with it too! Now, to add in 5 more miles in the next four months. I should be able to do that. I really don't want to run the half marathon and be totally exhausted when I finish. I would like to be still strong and only a little exhausted. I can do it. i CAN do it. i can DO it. i can do IT. That is the mantra I chant when I am struggling to get up a hill, or finish a running segment. I emphasize the capital lettered words and just repeat it over and over...actually saying it out loud so I hear it too! I can do it. i CAN do it. i can DO it. i can do IT. |
October 4, 2012
Today
was another glorious day. I left work on time! Yea me! My hubby
telecommuted today, so he was here when I got home. I wasn't really
sure how much I wanted to run tonight, but knew I wanted to go at least
for 30 minutes. I took my inhaler, Benadryl, and suited up. The sun
was still shining, so I wore my sunglasses and it was warm enough that I
didn't need a jacket today. Yesterday I sat at the computer and added a
few more songs to my Nano running playlist, so I had a brand new set of
tunes to listen to. I usually rely on my daughters to help me with
iTunes, but none of them are home right now, so I did what I always do;
got frustrated, then checked the help for directions! I finally figured
it out (yea me!) and now have 50 songs on there. That is more than I
need to have right now so I don't have repeating songs while I run. The
other day on the long run day, I had 33 songs, and it started repeating
close to home. So 33 songs equals about 1.5 hours of my running.
Back to today's running. I got out there and once running, I decided to try for 2 miles, then turn around. We have several students from my school that live on the road I run on, and today I got to see one family. So sweet...the oldest girl asked me yesterday while we were at school, "When do you usually run?" I explained that I run every other day, and ran the night before. She said she missed saying hi to me the other night, and she said, "Thursday?" I answered yes. On Thursday, she was out in her front yard working on her homework when I passed. When I passed the second time, her sisters had joined her and another student who is her neighbor! Sweet, sweet. I guess it is a little surprising to see one of your teachers running by in a tank top and shorts every other night. But I consider them my support group. A blast of happiness as I pass by. Chris told me that she asked where I was when he passed them the second time, so they were waiting for me when I came by after him. I felt funny running tonight. No, not my lungs, just how I sometimes feel. Some runs I feel as if running isn't natural, my feet feel awkward, my shoulders are hunched and tight...just not as comfortable as other days that I run. But it didn't keep me from running! I ran a bit slower, but I did finish my 4.17 miles! Yea me! |
October 2, 2012
Boy,
it is hard to believe that it is actually October! I worked today, so I
knew I wasn't going to be able to do a really long run. My goal
tonight was to run 3 miles at least. Luckily I was able to do that. I
still struggle with the first 1/2 mile that I run. It is like I can't
figure out my breathing technique, or my lungs are trying to catch up
with my legs. I seem to breathe much easier once I've made it past that
point, unless I push myself too much, then I struggle to breathe from
exertion. So, my lungs are something that I'm still working on. I am
amazed at how much easier it is to breathe at all since running, how few
times I've had an asthma attack, and how much better I feel over all --
except for the muscles that get tired! But that is a good ache.
I ran a total of 3.17 miles tonight and was able to keep a little over 12 minute pace per mile. I keep hoping that one day I will look down at my time and have shaved off more than a few seconds. My pace seems to fluctuate a lot during the week. I told Chris the best thing to help motivate me right now would be to have a 5 mile FLAT stretch of road that I could run on and do two to three rounds on. It would be nice to see how I would run without all the hills and challenges that I have here. I am hoping that all the hills are helping to strengthen my lungs and legs, and it will be easier when I reach a flat course. I guess I will see if that is true when I actually run a flat course! |
September 30, 2012
Well,
today was a glorious fall day. I decided to try my hand at the "lost"
run course I did one time before. I suited up, put on my Merrell Pace
Gloves, took my meds, and let my husband know my intended route. He
couldn't come, his knee was bothering him. I started out on pavement,
but then hit the long portion of gravel. The gravel on this road was
pretty large, and the Merrells were by far much better than the VFFs for
gravel. But I did find myself watching where I placed my feet every
step, so I wouldn't twist my ankle on a larger rock. I had also
forgotten how extremely hilly this route was. But I was determined to
do this run. I had to walk up a few of the hills--the strain of trying
not to misstep and the incline really got to me. I also brought a new
"palm water bottle" that I carried as I ran. I really am struggling
with how to carry my kleenex, chapstick, and other small stuff. This
one has a zippered compartment on the strap that goes around my hand.
It wasn't too bad to carry and run, and the bonus was that I had water
to drink as I ran! I didn't want a repeat of the longer run where I
sweated salt and probably dehydrated myself.
Well, back to the run. I made it back to the house, which was 4.8 miles. Chris and I had talked about what I should do next since I had several options; stop at the house, or go 1/2 mile more, or continue even farther and then head back home. I was set on just going 1/2 mile and turning around. But I didn't. I kept running. I ran to the 1 mile mark past my home and then turned around. I didn't go straight home, but passed my road and then turned around again. I reached home after running 7.2 miles. Pretty darn good! So I know I can do my MCM 10K (6.2 miles) at the end of this month. At some point, I need to run at least 13.1 miles so I can be confident that I can run the Disney Half Marathon. |
September 28, 2012
Today
the weather threatened to rain all day. As I drove home from work, it
did sprinkle some, which worried me a little about running. I got home
with no rain falling at home. Chris and I got all ready to run, then
looked outside. It was raining a steady rain. We decided to run
anyway, and I changed my long sleeve shirt for a sleeveless shirt and a
running rain jacket and my hat. It was a different experience running
in the rain. I've run when it was so hot I was sweltering, and cooler
weather trying to warm up. But I haven't run when it has been raining
steadily. A spitting rain, but not a steady rain. I ran a total of 3.6
miles (I was worried about the possibility of lightning, but luckily it
never happened). I didn't go as fast as the other two days this week,
and since I ran yesterday, my legs were reminding me of that fact each
step. Instead I tried to run at a steady pace and was able to run for
12 minute segments and then walked for 2.5 minute lengths. I kept my
music low so I could hear the rain. As I passed the woods that lined
the road, the pitter-patter of the drops falling on the leaves was
calming. Click clack as the raindrops hit the metal barn roof in the
neighbor's yard. Spish-splash of my feet through the many puddles in
the road. By the time I got home, my VFF's were soaked, my watch and
Nano were dry under my jacket, my hat was soaked, but my shirt was
somewhat dry. It was really pretty cool to run in the rain. I didn't
really get overly hot, my hat kept my face mostly dry, and the sound of
the rain was incredible. What a fun run!
|
September 27, 2012
Tonight
my husband was at the airport picking up our middle daughter who was
going to visit for a short weekend. So I took my inhaler, Benadryl, and
suited up. Since no one else was home, I texted my husband when I was
leaving, where I was going, and how long I thought I would run. I
figured that was the best thing to do just in case something happened.
Luckily, nothing did! I decided to try to push myself again on a faster
run versus a longer run. I ran for 3.25 miles and kept an 11:45 pace.
It wasn't as fast as I had hoped, but oh well. Chris, my husband,
recommended a new strategy since our roads can be so tricky with
traffic. If I run on the inside of a curve, the oncoming traffic can't
see me, so I move to the other side of the road. The same goes for
going up a hill--oncoming traffic can't see me, but the traffic behind
me can, so I switch sides. I am very careful to check traffic both ways
before switching. If someone tracked my route, they would see a
serpentine track as I wind my way back and forth. Our neighborhood is
full of curves and hills, having one or the other ever 4 to 5 tenths of a
mile! I guess that is all a good thing training wise. Just once in a
while, I would love to run somewhere there are no hills and few curves.
But, this will make me stronger. My lungs held out again, even though
they were definitely pushed outside my comfort zone. Another good day!
|
September 25, 2012
Today
after work, I decided to try to run fast...or at least faster than I
usually do. My husband says I run slow and steady...and I always add,
"like the tortoise, slow and steady wins the race." Which in this case,
isn't actually a race, but the feat of finishing a run. After suiting
up and getting all prepped, we headed out. I pushed myself and after
doing a 2 minute walk warmup, I ran faster, which in this case means a
faster cadence for 1.5 miles. Then I walked for 1 minute, then ran
again as fast as I could back to home. I was able to run 11:00 miles
tonight, which is pretty darn good! Pushing myself to run faster did
push my lungs more than normal. I am amazed by how much my lungs have
improved and gotten stronger over the past several months. But my lungs
did complain a bit on this run--but luckily not enough to stop running
or having to quit. So this type of run is probably good to work on my
short term lung use and speed. It is similar to the speed drills that
Jeff Galloway recommends in his training. So I need to continue working
on this too while training. About 150 days until the Princess Half
Marathon!
|
September 22, 2012
Today
was a beautiful Saturday! My husband let me sleep a little late and
fixed a yummy bacon and oatmeal breakfast. We decided to let breakfast
settle before we ran, so I spent a couple of hours studying for the
GRE. I already took the GRE once, but I need a higher score in the
writing and math sections to make sure I can get into a doctorate
program. It has been a long time since I have done algebra, or written
critical papers, or used so many large words! Math has never ben my
forte, so I have to study a bit more to catch up what I must have missed
the first time around. I never realized that square roots are the
opposite of exponents. It makes sense, but I never actually put that
all together. After studying for a while, I suited up, put a few more
songs on my new Nano (that isn't broken--yeah!), and took all my meds. I
realized that since I've been running, I have not had one asthma
attack. Not one. That is fantastic! My only worry is the upcoming
cold weather, since breathing in the cold air is always difficult. That
will be my next challenge to overcome.
Today's challenge was to fun farther than I have run before. And I did! My husband and I set out from home together (after my GPS watch found a signal). My husband got the Garmin GPS watch, and his finds the signal a little faster than mine does. I just need to be patient. Well, we set out, and I decided to continue with my running at 12 minute intervals. I walked for 1 or 2 minutes in between the run intervals. I ran to the end of 231, which is 3.6 miles, then back home. Before turning down my road, I decided to go farther down Slate Mills for a few tenths, then turn around and head down my road. I passed the house then turned around to meet my husband at the end of our road. I felt pretty good for the first 3 miles, then it just seemed harder. I think part of the issue was that it was warmer than it has been all week, so I wasn't used to the heat. Another thing might have been that I didn't drink enough water last night and this morning. I realized this about the 4th mile when my shoulder was twinging weirdly. Kinda weird that it was my shoulder and not my knees or ankles. My breathing was great, but my body just felt tired. I decided to just continue on. I wasn't in pain, and didn't feel horrible, so I pushed on. When I got home, I had made it 8 miles!! Woohoo!! My farthest before that was 7.4 miles on my "lost run" night. I beat my time for that same distance today--by 20 minutes! So I have definitely improved my running speed. I do think I need to hydrate more before running. After cooling off, I could literally feel the salt that was left on my arms. At first I thought it was dirt or sand, but my husband felt it and said it was salt. My daughter's dogs enjoyed licking if off my legs...Weird. So now I have upped the bar. My next long run needs to be 8 miles or farther. To think, in 155 days, I will be running 8 + 5.1 miles = 13.1 miles. That still seems like a much longer distance than 8 miles. Somehow I will do it. At least right now, it seems to be a much more plausible idea than it seemed in June. So, if I continue running a little farther each week, I should be able to do the Disney Princess Half-Marathon! My biggest challenge ever! |
September 19, 2012
Today
is "hump day"! I had a little headache, but came home and my new Nano
had finally arrived. Yeah! The first one had a bad battery, so Apple
replaced it for me. I got a little frustrated trying to register it and
get it ready to run. I am not really an Apple person, but we have a
Mac, so things are a little frustrating for me on it. iTunes kept
freezing, and I thought I was closing the program by clicking the little
red X, but apparently it doesn't really close the program! My husband
came in and pointed to the word iTunes at the top and told me to close
it from there. But I digress, I finally got my Nano loaded with 10
songs and quickly changed to run. I forgot to take my Benadryl, but
remembered my inhaler at least. We headed out in the cool autumn air
(which is such a change from the past few weeks). I walked for about
three minutes and then ran at a good speed for 1.5 miles and turned
around. I walked once in the middle for about one minute. So, my total
mileage for tonight was 3.1, or 5K. I didn't beat my best 5K time, but
that is ok. It was definitely cooler tonight, so I wore one of my
running jackets, a very bright yellow one so all the cars could see me.
Last night my husband said to me, "My wife is a runner." Wow. I guess I am. Somehow the days of barely making it down the street without stopping (it is only 2/10 of a mile) are gone. Somehow I went from running 1 minute and walking 10 minutes to running 10 minutes and walking 1 minute. I don't even know when it happened, but it did. And I am glad. |
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