Posts
October 9-November 4, 2012
November 4, 2012
This has to have been the worst run I have ever had. Ever.
It actually started out pretty well. I had eaten breakfast, and then helped my husband clean several carpeted rooms. By the time we were done, it was past lunchtime, but I didn't want to delay running any more. It was still cool out today, and I knew it would be colder as the day went on. So I drank V-8 fruit juice, some water, and took my inhaler and headed out. The first 3 miles were fabulous! I was running, no pains, not much huffing or anything. I decided to do a 3.6 one way and go back for 3.6 home. But....when I hit the 3 mile mark, I began to feel very hungry. And I had to go to the bathroom! All the liquids that I thought would hold me during the run, were just running through me! (pun intended) I turned around, but of course at this point in time, I still had 3 miles to make it back home. I continued on, trying to decide if running was worse on my bladder than walking. No verdict. With about 2 miles left until home, I started getting light headed (I do that when I am hungry). So I just wanted to get home. Now. But I had to trudge away. You may be thinking, why not just call your husband? Well, we have zero cell phone service where I run, so I never take my phone. At one point I considered knocking on a door to ask to use their restroom, but I didn't. Somehow I made it home, and raced to the bathroom. My husband's comment was, "I guess you really had to go!" I also ate a scoop of peanut butter and drank more juice (!). But I made it through this and logged a 6.23 mile run today! |
November 2, 2012
It
is really hard to believe that it is already November. I began this
running adventure in late May, and time has just flown. Three days ago I
read a post on Active that there were free Gillette training plans
available, and found a 12-week course for the 1/2 Marathon. So I signed
up! The runs seem a bit shorter in time than I am already doing, so I
am just adapting and making mine longer. It did add in some cross
training on alternate days that I haven't been doing up until now. So
that is giving me a little more in the work out department.
Today was a Friday, so I headed home from school and and got myself ready to run as usual. I was able to run 3.11 miles and tried to keep a pretty good pace. It was pretty cold today (about 50 degrees and getting colder), which has been my worst fear about running. I know cold air can affect my lungs and make breathing difficult, so I have been leery of running in the cold. My lungs did ok-- I actually did better than I thought. I had several layers on my top and pants on the bottom. The worst thing for me was my cold bum! I couldn't believe how cold it got, in addition to my stomach. I have noticed the stomach being very cool to the touch before, but never my bum! So of course, I came home and decided to research this and try to figure out how to keep those two areas from getting so cold. Lots of reputable running sites and blogs had information about why this happens. To put it in a nutshell, the blood is all moving to your legs, where the most work is being done, and these areas are not as necessary and therefore get colder. Next, I decided that I would need to cover my bum even more than underwear and pants cover it. I looked for skirts that I might find to wear over the pants that would warm me up. I found a great overseas site that sells skirts for winter activities, but each one ran about $100. The site is: skhoop skirts They are really, really cute, and a great idea, but I don't want to spend that much for another piece of running gear. So, my next plan was to research quick and easy skirt patterns. I plan on getting some fleece to create a simple skirt to run in. When I have it done, and if it works, I will post the directions on this site. Here is to a warm bum! |
October 28, 2012--MCM 10K
Wow.
The Marine Corp does a great job with their runs. We came to DC on
Saturday and went straight to the Expo to pick up our packets and look
around. We saw many different booths with all kinds of great running
clothes, massage treatments, upcoming runs, and other stuff. Chris
ended up waiting in line to get his legs taped by a therapist with KT
tape, so I walked around and looked. I ended up buying two types of
carriers to try during running, I still can't quite find one that
doesn't bug me too much. I think I am just a little bit picky! I also
got a subscription to Women's Running magazine and a lot of free
things. The Allergy and Asthma Network had a booth there and I was able
to have two breathing tests taken. One was a new test that measures
the nitric oxide you exhale, a new way to measure whether your asthma
medicines are working or not. I measured 11ppb, which she said was
great! Then I took the regular spirometry lung function test (the one
where you blow out as hard as you can and keep going). This test is
always hard for me...and I had to redo it here! But, when my tests were
done, they said it looks like my medicines are keeping my asthma in
check! I also believe that my running has helped tremendously too.
The next morning, Chris and I got up early (5:40) and had a small breakfast of rolls. We forgot to bring our breakfast bars, so these were from dinner last night. We got ourselves dressed and headed out to walk the two blocks to the race starting line. It was actually invigorating and inspirational to walk along the streets and right next to the Washington monument while it was still dark and mostly deserted. We made it to the starting line and found our UPS truck that would hold our items and take them to the finish line, the last one of course, out of 10 total. I thought at first that our running bib number was so high because we were really slow runners, but then later figured out that it was by last name. (Our trucks were organized by running bib numbers) Once we got to the truck, we realized that we didn't have our bags that we needed to put our stuff in on the truck. We weren't the only ones who didn't realize that the bag we got the day before with our shirts was the one we needed today! Luckily, they brought more bags and we were able to get a new one. It was pretty chilly, so we waited by the truck as long as we could to keep our extra clothes on. Many people were running in their jackets and then tied them on their waists, but we didn't want to do that. Once we put our things on the truck, we headed to the end of the start line. The National Anthem was a wonderful rendition by a quartet (I couldn't hear the announcement telling us who it was). But they were great. Made me proud to be an American. We heard the gun, but it took us 6 minutes to make it to the actually starting line. It was very crowded--the most crowded race that I have run so far. Once we got a bit past the start it thinned out a little, but not much. I almost tripped one person because we were trying to go through the same gap in people at the same time. I did holler out an apology. The excitement and enthusiasm of the crowd was uplifting! The Marines were everywhere--at the mile markers cheering us on and yelling out times, at the water stations holding up water and Gatorade cups, and in between! I noticed many people running with a fallen soldier's picture on their shirt that they were running in memory of. At one point, I noticed one photo that was about my son-in-law's age (he is a Marine and came home a day ago from his tour in Afghanistan). I began tearing up, happy that he wasn't one of the casualties and being "memorialized" in the run. At that point, I decided that if he could spend months in Afghanistan, I could run the entire route. I have never run the entire distance of 6.2 miles without some walking (1-3 minutes in length). About midway along the run, there was a fabulous band of women playing the drums...and dancing/moving with the beat. Put a smile right on my face! I was able to complete the whole run with running! All 6.2 miles! The only time I walked was when I got a water/Gatorade. I learned in an earlier race that you cannot run while trying to drink...it doesn't work! So, except for that 30 second time period, I ran the entire time. We passed the Smithsonian castle, and ran along the Mall. At one point we were on I-395 on the Rochambeau Memorial Bridge. So very cool and amazing. I saw an exit for I-66 to Front Royal (the way we go home from DC) and even got a picture of it! The amount of people running was amazing. I kept running and running, keeping my pace around 10-11 minutes. I was afraid that would be too fast, but I was able to keep it going the entire run. When we reached the last 1/2 mile, we had to run up an exit ramp, the first really big hill on the run. Then we rounded a curve and I could see the Iwo Jima Memorial and the finish line right before it. When we funneled to the finish line, I couldn't really speed up much, the number of people made it very difficult. So I basically just finished and then funneled into a line to receive my medal from a Marine. Next I funneled into a line for a photo at the Iwo Jima Memorial. I kept turning around hoping to see Chris, but it was almost impossible. I took my photo and was headed away when Chris found me! We were able to get a photo together in front of the memorial and then we were funneled into another line to get our water, Gatorade, and bananas. We then walked quite a ways to try to find our UPS truck and the exhibits. The whole time during this run, there was the threat of Hurricane Sandy pouring rain and wind on us, but it held off. When we finally found the line of 40+ trucks, ours of course was the very last one. They put the marathon trucks first, then the 10K trucks. Putting on the jacket and capris felt great. I had a great time at this run, and will definitely do this again. I finished my first 10K in 1 hour 8 minutes. Better than my goal of 1 hour 15 minutes! And Chris was able to finish...the KT tape made it possible for him to finish the whole race, without pain! This was a great weekend. Now to plan to run another race!
We did it!
 |
October 23, 2012
This
is a tough week...we have Book Fair every day, which means I am
standing all day and exhausted by the end of the day. But I really
wanted to run today, so I made sure I told my self that all day long.
Even when my legs and feet were feeling tired from standing. I got home
as soon as I could after closing up the Book Fair, and my husband was
already home and getting ready to run. So I quickly got myself
dressed--almost forgetting to take my inhaler! I recently read an
article by Runner's World that said most asthmatic runners will have
their attack in the first 6 minutes of running--and the best thing to
do is go ahead and have the attack, take your inhaler, and continue
running. I wonder if that is why the first mile is always hard for
me...my breathing never seems to be in a good rhythm, and it just is
harder to run.
But, back to the run. I got outside and decided I would run at least 3-4 miles, not really sure how far I was going to go tonight. Once again, it was hard for the first 1/2 to 1 mile point, then things seemed to get easier. My breathing became more rhythmic, and my front of my ankles were doing better. I did wear my Merrell's tonight since I plan on wearing them in my 10K race this weekend. I decided to wear them without socks, to see how that felt. It actually was pretty good. I made it to the 1.5 mile point (I go out and back, so I was aiming to go half my running distance and then turn around) and decided to keep going. I passed the 2 mile point and kept going. When I reached 2.5 miles, I decided to push on. I finally turned around when I reached 3.1 miles, since this would total a 6.2 mile run tonight. I walked a few times, for 1-2 minutes between 10-12 minute run intervals. I made it home with an average pace of 12 minutes per mile, which I was quite happy with. I finished the 10K distance in 1 hour and 13 minutes plus a little change. My goal on Sunday for the Marine Corp Marathon (MCM) 10K is 1 hour and 15 minutes, so I should be able to do this! I am assuming that where I run here at home is quite a bit hillier than the roads in DC will be. But we will see! Progress. I am making progress! |
October 21, 2012
Wow.
It has been a busy couple of days. I set up our Book Fair
Friday--which meant staying late at work (7 pm!). Then my husband and I
got up at 4:30 am and flew to visit our daughter in MA for Family
Weekend. We got up early Sunday and flew home, stopped at the store to
pick up a few prizes for the Book Fair, then stopped at the school to
decorate for the Book Fair. We got home around 4 pm and I was really
not feeling like running. But my hubby motivated me and we got out there
and moved our tushies! I ran about 3.41 miles. My front of my ankles
were giving me some problems today. I'm not sure if it was something I
was doing with my stride, or just tired muscles, so I kept my pace slow
to not cause any bigger problems. The weather was absolutely
beautiful--about 65-70 degrees and tons of sunshine. Even though I
didn't want to run, I was SO glad that I did run today. Great job honey
getting me motivated.
|
October 17, 2012
Today
I ran a tiny bit over 4 miles, 4.06 to be exact. I took my inhaler and
prepped myself like I normally do before running. I pushed myself
again on this run, and was able to go a bit faster than I went two days
ago, with an average pace of 11:45. My fastest mile tonight was
10:59--not the fastest I've ever run, but pretty fast for me! I'm
realizing that I'm going to have to figure out how to continue running
when the sun sets earlier and the weather gets cooler. I may have to
run with something over my mouth to warm the air that I breathe in.
This October weather is challenging; one day it is 60 degrees, the next
it is 80 degrees! Which means that one day I am running in capris and a
long sleeve shirt, then the next day I am running in a tank top and
shorts! Trying to figure out how much or how little clothes to wear is
one of the hardest things before a run!
|
October 15, 2012
Today
I got out and ran as soon as I could when I got home, but it is getting
dark earlier and earlier. What in the world will it be like when we
have the time change and "fall back"? I ran 3.1 miles today and tried
to run pretty hard the first mile and the last mile. I didn't go as
fast as I could, but that is ok. My fastest mile this time was my third
mile. I am still feeling sluggish during the first 1/2 to 1 mile
point. I guess my body is still trying to warm up, my lungs are getting
into a pace, and my adrenaline hasn't kicked in yet. But, I got out
and ran!
|
October 13, 2012 WCDS 5K
Today
was a fun run. I just heard about this the other day from a coworker
whose husband runs a lot. I drove to Wakefield Country Day School and
dropped off our registrations on Thursday so we would be preregistered.
When we woke up, it was 34 degrees! Chilly! We got up early to make a
good breakfast of sausage and scrambled eggs. We leisurely ate
breakfast and sipped water then suited up and headed out. It is really
hard to figure out what exactly to wear since I know I will warm up
while running and actually sweat. I wore my capris with another pair of
warm ups on top and a long sleeve shirt with a jacket.
When we got to the school, we signed in, but were not given a number or chip or anything. Well, we did receive our T-shirts for preregistering! And they are red, my favorite color. This was definitely a much smaller race than I have ever run (only 4 so far...), but it was fun. All the runners were transported by school bus to the start line. It was really cool when Chris pointed something out on the visor at the front of the bus. It was a picture of our son-in-law with a bumper sticker that said "My son is a Marine." This was my daughter's mother-in-law's bus! It just made me smile. The start was in front of a house on Resettlement Road. The athletic director gave us a few directions and pointers about the markings for the race, then said, "On your mark, get set, go!" And we were off! Luckily I remembered to get my watch started with the GPS, and set up in the mode I wanted to use. I didn't realize until last night that I had many more options than I was using on my watch. I set it to show the chronograph, distance, and pace. I hoped it would help me run at a good pace. I ran pretty fast at first, and ended up having to walk for about 30 seconds going up a hill because I got too winded. Then I picked up with my running and continued until another hill. I walked half way up then began running again. I grabbed a cup of water from the water station, then continued on. It was chilly, but the sun was out so it helped to keep me warmer. I was glad I remembered my sunglasses, but I forgot Kleenexes. Before boarding the bus, I grabbed a napkin out of the car and stuffed it in my jacket pocket. Of course, when I wanted to use the napkin, it was gone. So now I am a litterer! Ack. I tried not to watch my watch too much, but just to check on my pace or my distance. The course was fairly flat, with a couple of hills. The scenery was beautiful. The final 8 tenths I was behind a young boy. Every time I got close to passing him, he would run frantically until he couldn't run any more and then stop. Of course, I would catch up with him again, then he would repeat his running. This continued all the way to the finish line. It sure made me chuckle! I made it to the finish line with a time faster than any I have done on a 3.1 mile run. Even faster than my fastest time this week. I was very proud of myself! When we crossed the finish line, the athletic director called out our time, a student handed us an index card, and we went to a table to fill out our name and age. Chris came in a few minutes after me, and we talked to my coworker's husband. I learned that he started running only 2 years ago, runs every day, and even ran 4 miles that morning before the race. And here I was worried about tiring my muscles out two days before the race! And he is older than I am. He actually has won his age group a couple of times (that I know of--today being one of the times). He was very inspiring to talk to and gives me hope! A low-key, but fun race. |
October 11, 2012
Tonight
was a cooler night, so I wore my new capris and a long sleeve shirt
with a jacket. I am still using my inhaler a half hour before running
along with Benadryl. The most annoying thing still is the drippy nose.
But, so long as I have a kleenex, I can handle it.
I ran a 4 mile easy run, keeping my pace as steady as I could. Chris ran with me, so that was nice to have a partner for a while. We decided when we got home that we definitely needed to get a few more pieces to keep us warm. That led me on a hunt for a couple of pair of gloves that I know I have somewhere. I can get so stuck on looking for something that I know I have--I will spend hours trying to find it. Of course, I never found the two pair of gloves that I know I have. I think I may have loaned them to one of my daughters, so I emailed them both. One would be perfect for running since they are Smartwool gloves. I love Smartwool socks, they keep my toes warm when it is cold. |
October 9, 2012
Today I decided to run while Chris was still coming home from work. He was going to be late, so I went ahead and got ready and headed out. My goal tonight was to push myself and see how fast I could go. I also planned on running 3.1 miles to make it the same as running a 5K race. As I was running, the hardest thing to do was to try to figure out how to pace myself. I still haven't figured that out. It seems that I'm thinking about how my foot strikes the ground, how my breathing feels, or if my shoulders or arms are tight or relaxed. Then add into that trying to pace myself....it is hard!But, I was so proud of myself! I ran the first mile in 10:10, then I was much slower in the 2nd mile, but my third mile I ran in 9:42!! I don't think I have ever run that fast in my life! Of course, I couldn't keep it up for miles on end, but now I know what I can do. I couldn't wait for Chris to get home so I could tell him. He is my biggest supporter in this endeavor. :-)
It was great that my lungs were able to handle this. Probably because I have tried to slowly increase my miles to give my body a chance to get stronger, including my lungs. This is good!
