My training schedule has me increasing Mondays run to 45 minutes, from 40. Arrrh. So I figured I had to move even faster in the AM to get out the door and back in time for my husband to leave. Set the alarm for 5 AM last night and hopped in bed a bit after 10.
For some reason I kept waking up at 5 'till the hour.
1:55
2:55
3:55
And at that point I had enough and turned off my alarm.
It was supposed to be cold this morning and hopping into bed last night I was already dreading the run. I had such a great run on Saturday, I really do not like running alone (especially in the dark), and to top it off it would be the coldest run of the season. I think I was nervous (or simply full of dread) and just couldnt turn by body off to get some sleep.
Now I have to see if I can get a run in tonight, which might not be possible due to scheduling. If not, I have to run tomorrow morning. That means I have to tinker some more and likely do a Tu/We/Fri weekday schedule. The current forecast is saying it will be 35 (with a "feels like" 28) tomorrow at 5AM. So I'll be running by myself. In the dark. In freezing temperatures.
On another note. Because I felt guilty about sleeping in this morning and in addition no longer have a toning/strengthening class (it ended the week before Thanksgiving) I did buy myself some resistance bands today at Target. That is something at least I can do while Brooke is around. And I'll get started on that ... maybe later this week ;)
November 30, 2009
November 28, 2009
Thank You Mongolian Chicken & Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice-Cream Sandwich!
This morning we were pretty late getting to the group run. So late, in fact, that our group had already left. It was 100% my fault, I spent some extra time cuddling with Brooke this morning (who we now know has bronchiolitis) and ended up losing track of time.
So when we got there we tried to figure out what we should do. We didnt know how long they had been gone, so decided to try to catch up with them ...
And we did ... 3 miles into it after some pretty fast miles. And after we caught them I was feeling so good that I followed them for a little bit but actually ended up passing them and heading out on my own. In fact, it seems as if I was a little too fast for all of my usual running buddies today, none of whom could keep up with me ;)
I am not too sure what made for my energy today. My morning routine was pretty normal, but I did have Chinese food in addition to a Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich. So that must be it. Guess I have a new Friday night pre-run routine!
Running Log
Time:1:02:22 Distance:5.96mi Pace:10:28
First mile was really fast but when we noticed there wasnt any body from our running group in sight we slowed down a bit. Then we kept running at a faster than usual pace and I got some requests to slow it down a bit more ;) Caught up with the pace group and slowed it down even more in mile 4-5 and then finished on my own. I finished feeling good and it was definitely one or my more successful long runs so far! Splits:
1 9:19
2 10:35
3 10:09
4 11:00
5 10:44
6 11:06
So when we got there we tried to figure out what we should do. We didnt know how long they had been gone, so decided to try to catch up with them ...
And we did ... 3 miles into it after some pretty fast miles. And after we caught them I was feeling so good that I followed them for a little bit but actually ended up passing them and heading out on my own. In fact, it seems as if I was a little too fast for all of my usual running buddies today, none of whom could keep up with me ;)
I am not too sure what made for my energy today. My morning routine was pretty normal, but I did have Chinese food in addition to a Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich. So that must be it. Guess I have a new Friday night pre-run routine!Running Log
Time:1:02:22 Distance:5.96mi Pace:10:28
First mile was really fast but when we noticed there wasnt any body from our running group in sight we slowed down a bit. Then we kept running at a faster than usual pace and I got some requests to slow it down a bit more ;) Caught up with the pace group and slowed it down even more in mile 4-5 and then finished on my own. I finished feeling good and it was definitely one or my more successful long runs so far! Splits:
1 9:19
2 10:35
3 10:09
4 11:00
5 10:44
6 11:06
November 27, 2009
Training Schedule Modification
My Winter Warrior schedule has me running 4 days a week. 3 shorter runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and a long run on Saturday. For some reason they figured with the local Turkey Trot being on a Thursday, that we should ADD that run into our schedule and run 5 days this week. From what I know, most people run less during the holidays, not more ;)
I ran on Monday and then just couldnt find the time or energy to run on Wed. In the back of my head I knew I might be doing the Turkey Trot on Thursday (which at 5 miles, is more than a normal mid-week run) and figured it was ok not to run. Then, with a 5 miler on Thursday I didnt want to run on Friday and Saturday (we have a cut-back 6 miler this weekend).
Instead, I ate the strawberry pretzel salad my hubby acquired for me last night, had a few glasses of wine and watched some pre-recorded episodes of Law & Order. Not such a bad deal after all.
Today I'm still dealing with a sick baby who is coughing like a lifelong smoker. Its pretty cold here today, one of the first real cold days of the season. With the combination of the cold, her being sick, and the crazies out there shopping, today is definitely a stuck-in-the-house kind of day.
Tomorrow I have a scheduled 6 mile group long run. Although today is pretty cold, tomorrow's high is supposed to be in the low 50's ... and sunny! Looks like I still have another few days till I need to break out that cold-weather gear ;)
I ran on Monday and then just couldnt find the time or energy to run on Wed. In the back of my head I knew I might be doing the Turkey Trot on Thursday (which at 5 miles, is more than a normal mid-week run) and figured it was ok not to run. Then, with a 5 miler on Thursday I didnt want to run on Friday and Saturday (we have a cut-back 6 miler this weekend).
Instead, I ate the strawberry pretzel salad my hubby acquired for me last night, had a few glasses of wine and watched some pre-recorded episodes of Law & Order. Not such a bad deal after all.Today I'm still dealing with a sick baby who is coughing like a lifelong smoker. Its pretty cold here today, one of the first real cold days of the season. With the combination of the cold, her being sick, and the crazies out there shopping, today is definitely a stuck-in-the-house kind of day.
Tomorrow I have a scheduled 6 mile group long run. Although today is pretty cold, tomorrow's high is supposed to be in the low 50's ... and sunny! Looks like I still have another few days till I need to break out that cold-weather gear ;)
November 26, 2009
(Not So) Happy Thanksgiving
I decided last minute to do the local Turkey Trot this morning. When I decided last night it said it would likely be raining, but I figured that might be fun. I dont know if "fun" was the right word. It wasnt the worst thing I have ever experienced, but the course was a mess and it wavered between cold and hot the whole time. There were a lot of portions of the course in which we were running through puddles and mud pits. And during a lot of the course people were running off course, or making their own course. So that was a bit chaotic ;) We followed suit at one point in which there was a paved trail a bit to the west of the gravel path we were supposed to run on. We followed about 1/2 of the people to the paved path ... and I think we shaved off a bit of distance by doing so. We ended up a bit short of the 8K distance and I think that is where it happened!
Here is how I ended up after the race. A bit muddy, and a bit wet :) My legs didnt look 1/2 as bad as most of the people I saw, but then again, I wasnt charging full steam through puddles and mud like some of those around me!My legs were like some sort of battle wound, proving that I was ambitious enough to get out and run in the elements. But unfortunately those "battle wounds" were a bit leaky. As my pants dried the mud became dirt and started flaking all over, including my friends car and all over the floors in my house. Oops.
Back to the race...
The whole course was crowded and it never thinned out - not even once during 5 or so miles. The end was the exact same. You got to sort of run across the finish, but then were stopped by a wall of people.
And you couldnt get out of the finish coral! There was a huge backup trying to get out, and the line for bananas and water was like trying to get into the New Moon Premiere. If you look in this picture you can see the finish line (way back). Yeah, this is the finish. The huge cluster of people :( This picture is taken behind me, of the people who are waiting in line for bananas and water. Seriously. (Ok, some of these people are trying to get out of the messy gated in finish - but either way, its like a herd of trapped cattle).Though it was a bit messy, this wasnt the (un)happy element of Thanksgiving! So far, it was the best part of today! The problem is that Brooke hasnt been feeling so good lately. Last night she kept me up all night with her super heavy breathing. She has had a cough, but this was different. She seemed like she slept ok, but she definitely is having difficulty breathing. And then waking up today she has been coughing more. Not just during the night, but during the day. While she is playing or eating ... things that normally distract her. She has a bit of a fever. We were supposed to go see family today, but there were going to be quite a few other babies there. Since you cannot convince a baby to cover her mouth when coughing, there is a bit of concern with what she could/would spread to the other kids. So I opted to stay home with Brooke today and sent my husband to his family. He gets to spend some time celebrating the holiday in exchange for one special request - bring me home some strawberry pretzel salad! While I would rather be there than here, this is the best option we had.
Funny (or not so funny) thing is, Brooke was sick last year on Thanksgiving...at just a few weeks old. Seems to me she might just be anti-turkey.
Race Log
Time:54:06 Distance:4.87mi Pace:11:06
Runkeeper time and my chip time were off by 2 seconds. Not too bad :) I went with my chip time, but the distance is what Runkeeper gave me. I could claim I ran 5 miles since thats the 8K distance, but that would make my pace 10:54 and a little less accurate.
Splits:
1 10:35
2 10:55
3 11:12
4 12:01
5 10:39
Honestly, I'm pretty happy with the result. This course was so crowded I could not have run any faster. It was wall-to-wall people. If I was feeling more rebelous I could have tried to dodge around other runners, but the mud, puddles and other obstacles would have made that more of a moronic move than a runner move. So I let the race and the other runners be my guide and still ended up running faster than I have on my long runs with my "11:00 pacer" ;)
November 25, 2009
Say It Isnt So!
I admit, I watch American Idol. Every year it gets old, and every year I claim I wont watch it again, but the new season comes along and I watch it. So essentially, I spent a lot of time trying to convince myself of something that isnt really going to happen.
But some news I just got has me peeved!!!
Due to the retun of American Idol, Glee (a new favorite) is going on hiatus. After December 9th we wont see another episode until April 13th! That is a lifetime in television!
So do I protest American Idol since they have taken away a show I truly enjoy? Or do I suck it up and watch it, since there wont be anything else to watch anyway?
Oh, the dilemma...
But some news I just got has me peeved!!!
Due to the retun of American Idol, Glee (a new favorite) is going on hiatus. After December 9th we wont see another episode until April 13th! That is a lifetime in television!
So do I protest American Idol since they have taken away a show I truly enjoy? Or do I suck it up and watch it, since there wont be anything else to watch anyway?
Oh, the dilemma...
November 23, 2009
5AM Run? No Way...
Got my gear together last night, set the alarm for 5AM. Brooke woke up fussing a bit at 4:15. I looked at the clock, turned off my alarm, and went back to sleep.
Generally I dont sleep well. I toss and turn, I over think, I cant get comfortable. Last night was unusual in the fact that I pretty much slept from 10:30 until 4:15, and then from 4:15 until Brooke woke me up in the morning. It was a good nights sleep and I dont regret missing the pre-dawn run at all.
It was a busy and productive day, so despite missing my run I actually felt pretty great all day. Often a day goes by and I think about all the things I have to do, but dont actually get them done. Today was a "do" day versus a "think" day ... and to top it off, I still got a run in tonight!
Running Log
Time:39:46 Distance:3.76mi Pace:10:34
Head out tonight with my friend (and fellow Winter Warrior) Gina. We had 45 minutes on our schedule and figured we would basically just run around a bit and see what happens. We didnt have a planned route, but did generally know where we were going. As we ran and chatted, Gina noted that she was pretty happy we were running. She wasnt too sure she wanted to or should go for a run, but since we were running she actually felt like she was doing the right thing. "I feel good" she said.
I felt the same. I felt good. And since Gina is much faster than me, I was pretty proud that I was keeping up with her pace and still feeling good! My RunKeeper application has a feature in which it calls out my time at the end of each mile. Just seconds after our conversation and self-congratulations we hear:
"Total time 11:06"
So here I was, running with someone faster than me and feeling good ... and we were BOTH running slower than we would at any other time. Guess we were having too much fun chatting it up. So we picked it up and pushed it a bit more for the rest of the run :)
Splits:
1 11:06
2 10:35
3 10:00
4 10:35 (pacing>
Generally I dont sleep well. I toss and turn, I over think, I cant get comfortable. Last night was unusual in the fact that I pretty much slept from 10:30 until 4:15, and then from 4:15 until Brooke woke me up in the morning. It was a good nights sleep and I dont regret missing the pre-dawn run at all.
It was a busy and productive day, so despite missing my run I actually felt pretty great all day. Often a day goes by and I think about all the things I have to do, but dont actually get them done. Today was a "do" day versus a "think" day ... and to top it off, I still got a run in tonight!
Running Log
Time:39:46 Distance:3.76mi Pace:10:34
Head out tonight with my friend (and fellow Winter Warrior) Gina. We had 45 minutes on our schedule and figured we would basically just run around a bit and see what happens. We didnt have a planned route, but did generally know where we were going. As we ran and chatted, Gina noted that she was pretty happy we were running. She wasnt too sure she wanted to or should go for a run, but since we were running she actually felt like she was doing the right thing. "I feel good" she said.
I felt the same. I felt good. And since Gina is much faster than me, I was pretty proud that I was keeping up with her pace and still feeling good! My RunKeeper application has a feature in which it calls out my time at the end of each mile. Just seconds after our conversation and self-congratulations we hear:
"Total time 11:06"
So here I was, running with someone faster than me and feeling good ... and we were BOTH running slower than we would at any other time. Guess we were having too much fun chatting it up. So we picked it up and pushed it a bit more for the rest of the run :)
Splits:
1 11:06
2 10:35
3 10:00
4 10:35 (pacing>
November 21, 2009
Pacer Accuracy = 28%
7 miler this morning done in beautiful weather and perfect conditions. My pastry carbo-loading must have been right because I easily had the energy/endurance to complete 7 miles. This time our pacer did run 11:00 miles. Twice out of seven opportunities, making her accuracy about 28%. We "walked" through the water stop twice, if you could call coming to a near halt "walking".
Following my run I rewarded myself with a latte and pastry (of course) and felt pretty good looking back on my run. In the beginning I mentioned that although my pacer was supposed to be pacing us at 11:00 miles, I was kind of glad she was doing 11:30's. I wasnt sure that I could handle the distance at 11:00 at that point-in-time. I think I was feeling good because at the end of the 7 I was confident that I could have easily run all of the miles (not just two of em) at 11:00. Then I got ticked because my pacer robbed me of that opportunity ;)
I'm either going to send an email during the week or talk to one of the coaches before next Saturday's run about this situation. My goal isnt to run 13.1 at 11:30, its 11:00 (or faster). With a pacer pacing me too slow I'm not getting any closer to that goal.
Running Log
Time:1:18:48 Distance:6.88mi Pace:11:27
Mile two and mile 5 or 6 ish would have included the "walking" water stop - not our slowest miles. Technically we would have run those a few seconds faster had we not been forced to walk for a bit. Our slowest mile (mile 4), had nothing to do with any sort of stop or delay, just a pacer who seems to be struggling with consistency.
Splits:
1 11:49
2 11:31
3 11:02
4 11:49
5 11:21
6 11:03
7 11:38
The good thing is, there were a few miles that were on pace and everything felt pretty good today. 7 miler down, just a few more long runs to go ;)
Following my run I rewarded myself with a latte and pastry (of course) and felt pretty good looking back on my run. In the beginning I mentioned that although my pacer was supposed to be pacing us at 11:00 miles, I was kind of glad she was doing 11:30's. I wasnt sure that I could handle the distance at 11:00 at that point-in-time. I think I was feeling good because at the end of the 7 I was confident that I could have easily run all of the miles (not just two of em) at 11:00. Then I got ticked because my pacer robbed me of that opportunity ;)
I'm either going to send an email during the week or talk to one of the coaches before next Saturday's run about this situation. My goal isnt to run 13.1 at 11:30, its 11:00 (or faster). With a pacer pacing me too slow I'm not getting any closer to that goal.
Running Log
Time:1:18:48 Distance:6.88mi Pace:11:27
Mile two and mile 5 or 6 ish would have included the "walking" water stop - not our slowest miles. Technically we would have run those a few seconds faster had we not been forced to walk for a bit. Our slowest mile (mile 4), had nothing to do with any sort of stop or delay, just a pacer who seems to be struggling with consistency.
Splits:
1 11:49
2 11:31
3 11:02
4 11:49
5 11:21
6 11:03
7 11:38
The good thing is, there were a few miles that were on pace and everything felt pretty good today. 7 miler down, just a few more long runs to go ;)
November 20, 2009
Pre-7-Miler-Carbo-Loading
Tomorrow I have a 7-miler on schedule. I know its not the most horrible of distances, but I havent run more than 6 since the Las Vegas Marathon ... in December of 2007. Its been a while since I've been up there in the distances and I get that nervous, jittery feeling in my stomach all over again. Sure, I have run 7 miles before. But it was two years ago. I was younger. More fit. And I didnt have a toddler sucking all of the energy out of me :)
Tonight we are having pasta and garlic bread for dinner. And to make sure I have enough carbohydrates for tomorrow's run I also ate a donught and like, 1/2 of a coffee cake. Now I'm sure I will be fully fueled.
Today has been a busy day already. I was up at 5AM for a 3-miler, had a toning class at 8AM and a playdate (for Brooke) at 10:30. The playdate went till 12:30, then Brooke had lunch and she is now down for a nap. I am now taking a moment to rest, blog, and watch this weeks Glee.
Running Log
Time:29:27 Distance:2.83mi Pace:10:25
Another 5AM run, this one a bit more challenging than my last run. I started out with led legs and didnt really lose them till about 1/2 way through the run. Suprisingly, I paced at 10:31 that first mile. Generally I have been pacing slower my 1st mile due to the time it takes me to warm up, and I figured since my legs were so heavy I was going even slower than usual. Guess not. I am actually happy that my pacing seems to be becoming more regular instead of all over the place.
Splits
1 10:31
2 10:37
3 10:01 (pacing)
Tonight we are having pasta and garlic bread for dinner. And to make sure I have enough carbohydrates for tomorrow's run I also ate a donught and like, 1/2 of a coffee cake. Now I'm sure I will be fully fueled.
Today has been a busy day already. I was up at 5AM for a 3-miler, had a toning class at 8AM and a playdate (for Brooke) at 10:30. The playdate went till 12:30, then Brooke had lunch and she is now down for a nap. I am now taking a moment to rest, blog, and watch this weeks Glee.
Running Log
Time:29:27 Distance:2.83mi Pace:10:25
Another 5AM run, this one a bit more challenging than my last run. I started out with led legs and didnt really lose them till about 1/2 way through the run. Suprisingly, I paced at 10:31 that first mile. Generally I have been pacing slower my 1st mile due to the time it takes me to warm up, and I figured since my legs were so heavy I was going even slower than usual. Guess not. I am actually happy that my pacing seems to be becoming more regular instead of all over the place.
Splits
1 10:31
2 10:37
3 10:01 (pacing)
Want Somone Else To Do Your Holiday Baking?
Kim, over at ilaxSTUDIO is doing a Homemade Holiday Sweets Giveaway! Enter to win some yummy treats (details on her blog). If you are on a diet, a cautious eater, have some sort of allergy, etc., enter anyway and feel free to give her my address if you dont actually want the goodies. I'll accept someone elses winnings without guilt or self-pity.Pretty much, the closest I get to baking is heating up a scone from Starbucks in my microwave. Occasionally, when I feel really homemakery, I whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. The Nestle kind that I grab out of my refrigerator and are pre-cut and ready to go.
So I'm hoping I win her giveaway so that I can stuff myself full of nice homemade sweets instead of the kind I get on a daily basis from Starbucks. Its the holidays and I deserve it ;)
November 19, 2009
I'm Ready For YOU, Chicago Winter!
Today is a "work day". That means I have my sitter and I sit at a Starbucks for 4.5 hours contemplating how I will ever get this dissertation done. I spend some time blogging, eating, surfing the internet, and doing a bit of research for my dissertation. When the dissertation stuff gets too overwhelming, I go back to blogging, eating & surfing.
Today I decided to leave the comfort of my Starbucks for a different one. I did this because there is a Starbucks located right next to a really nice running store and I needed to get a hydration belt. I keep thinking about all of the cold-weather gear I need, but the nice (and unseasonable) weather here forces me to postpone reality. Again, this weekend for the long run its supposed to be in the 50's. But, this is Chicago. We have nasty, cold, 24-inch-snow, freezing rain kind of winters ... and I better be prepared.
So I loaded up on stuff today:
Hydration Belt
Although the people in my running program really recommend the Fuel Belt products, I didnt like the lack of storage for anything besides liquid they had. I have a Nathan single bottle pack and it has really nice storage pockets, so I decided to look into those. I verified that my iPhone fits into the pocket (how else can I blog while I run?) and purchased the "Speed 4" which has four individual 10oz bottles, enabling me to carry water, Gatorade & possible an alcoholic beverage or two (in case of emergency).
Weather Resistant Jacket
I tried on a few of these by different companies including Brooks & Sugoi. I went with one from Saucony - the ViperLite Softshell.
Of the three I tried on, Saucony was not only the best price, but it also had the best fit (for me). It was long enough (which is often a problem for me) and still provided a full range of motion. Both of the other two not only were a bit shorter and more restrictive, but actually gaped a bit at the bottom and didnt create a straight-lined fit. The last thing I need is a winter breeze whipping up my jacket.
Cold Weather Running Tight
Again, tried on a few brands. Two different Saucony and two different Sugoi. At the last minute the guy brought me a pair of Nikes to try. I found the waisband on the Sugoi's both to be too high, and the Saucony one to be a bit too low. I do like a lower rise and contemplated the Saucony, but they also seemed to be a bit short. When they guy brought me the Nike's he suggested they might be better in length (this was before I had even tried on the Saucony) and he was right. Turns out they are men's running tights ... guess thats what you need when you have long legs ;)
Running Gloves
And finally, I asked them about gloves. I have several pairs of running gloves. Nothing seems to work. They are never just "right". Either too cold, or too warm. And they tend to make my hands cold when they get wet (which happens when you have nasty, sweaty hands ... which it appears I do). The guy suggested going with a SmartWool liner glove. The fabric is supposed to regulate body temperature and is "odor-free". For really cold days I can/should layer them with a glove shell for optimum warmth. I figured I would give it a whirl.
So bring it on Chicago Winter! (But free to take your time...I'm ready, but there is no need to rush it or anything)
Today I decided to leave the comfort of my Starbucks for a different one. I did this because there is a Starbucks located right next to a really nice running store and I needed to get a hydration belt. I keep thinking about all of the cold-weather gear I need, but the nice (and unseasonable) weather here forces me to postpone reality. Again, this weekend for the long run its supposed to be in the 50's. But, this is Chicago. We have nasty, cold, 24-inch-snow, freezing rain kind of winters ... and I better be prepared.
So I loaded up on stuff today:
Hydration Belt
Although the people in my running program really recommend the Fuel Belt products, I didnt like the lack of storage for anything besides liquid they had. I have a Nathan single bottle pack and it has really nice storage pockets, so I decided to look into those. I verified that my iPhone fits into the pocket (how else can I blog while I run?) and purchased the "Speed 4" which has four individual 10oz bottles, enabling me to carry water, Gatorade & possible an alcoholic beverage or two (in case of emergency).
Weather Resistant Jacket
I tried on a few of these by different companies including Brooks & Sugoi. I went with one from Saucony - the ViperLite Softshell.
Of the three I tried on, Saucony was not only the best price, but it also had the best fit (for me). It was long enough (which is often a problem for me) and still provided a full range of motion. Both of the other two not only were a bit shorter and more restrictive, but actually gaped a bit at the bottom and didnt create a straight-lined fit. The last thing I need is a winter breeze whipping up my jacket.
Cold Weather Running Tight
Again, tried on a few brands. Two different Saucony and two different Sugoi. At the last minute the guy brought me a pair of Nikes to try. I found the waisband on the Sugoi's both to be too high, and the Saucony one to be a bit too low. I do like a lower rise and contemplated the Saucony, but they also seemed to be a bit short. When they guy brought me the Nike's he suggested they might be better in length (this was before I had even tried on the Saucony) and he was right. Turns out they are men's running tights ... guess thats what you need when you have long legs ;)
Running Gloves
And finally, I asked them about gloves. I have several pairs of running gloves. Nothing seems to work. They are never just "right". Either too cold, or too warm. And they tend to make my hands cold when they get wet (which happens when you have nasty, sweaty hands ... which it appears I do). The guy suggested going with a SmartWool liner glove. The fabric is supposed to regulate body temperature and is "odor-free". For really cold days I can/should layer them with a glove shell for optimum warmth. I figured I would give it a whirl.
So bring it on Chicago Winter! (But free to take your time...I'm ready, but there is no need to rush it or anything)
November 18, 2009
Tonight I Was The Tail
I checked the weather forecast last night and was told to expect rain in the early morning. Since the weather forecast is never right, I set my alarm for 5AM anyway. At 5AM I got up, looked out the window, saw rain, and went back to bed. I may be dumb enough to run in the dark, but I'm not crazy enough to run in the dark when its raining.
I knew I needed to get todays run in since my schedule is already a bit messed up. I missed my run on Monday and did it on Tuesday instead. In order to get three runs in this week I had two runs and only Wed, Thurs and Fri left. If I skipped today, that would put me at a Thurs and Fri run followed by a long run on Saturday ... and I'm just not ready for that much running yet.
I knew full well at 5AM I was going to have to do a PM run and yet spent my day consuming garbage as usual. I watched the weather all day and hoped it was going to give me a break tonight, and it did.
Running Log
Time:38:10 Distance:3.66mi Pace:10:26
A little over a mile into my run I had a bit of déjà vu. I was in about the exact same area as I was yesterday when another runner turned a corner right in front of me. I ended up tailing her. We were pacing about the same and I was about 20 feet behind her. She kept looking back over her left shoulder at me - either freaked out at the sound of footsteps behind her or wondering if I was going to pass her. Yesterday morning I mentioned that I thought the other runner (behind me) should have crossed the street or turned a corner. Since I was going to turn in only a few blocks, crossing the street was not an option. So, I decided to do what any runner would do. Pass her.
I picked up my pace a bit assuming (since we were pacing the same) that she would be easy to pass. Unfortunately, when I picked up my pace, she picked up hers. I got faster, she got faster. What???? So eventually I pretty much had to sprint to blow past her. I didn't know how far behind me she was or if she was even still behind me. But, in the event she was still behind me I started to worry. I couldnt run this fast for much longer and was pretty sure I was going to blow my load.
So I turned a corner a few blocks early to make sure I could avoid her and dropped my pace back down. Yes, I admit, I am a coward.
Splits:
1 10:43
2 10:38
3 10:03
4 10:16 (pacing)
Overall I felt pretty good during the whole run. Either I properly fueled today (latte, orange crush, cranberry bliss bar from Starbucks, cheese and crackers), or the promise of a hot pizza sitting at home was enough motivation. Im thinking its the latter.
I knew I needed to get todays run in since my schedule is already a bit messed up. I missed my run on Monday and did it on Tuesday instead. In order to get three runs in this week I had two runs and only Wed, Thurs and Fri left. If I skipped today, that would put me at a Thurs and Fri run followed by a long run on Saturday ... and I'm just not ready for that much running yet.
I knew full well at 5AM I was going to have to do a PM run and yet spent my day consuming garbage as usual. I watched the weather all day and hoped it was going to give me a break tonight, and it did.
Running Log
Time:38:10 Distance:3.66mi Pace:10:26
A little over a mile into my run I had a bit of déjà vu. I was in about the exact same area as I was yesterday when another runner turned a corner right in front of me. I ended up tailing her. We were pacing about the same and I was about 20 feet behind her. She kept looking back over her left shoulder at me - either freaked out at the sound of footsteps behind her or wondering if I was going to pass her. Yesterday morning I mentioned that I thought the other runner (behind me) should have crossed the street or turned a corner. Since I was going to turn in only a few blocks, crossing the street was not an option. So, I decided to do what any runner would do. Pass her.
I picked up my pace a bit assuming (since we were pacing the same) that she would be easy to pass. Unfortunately, when I picked up my pace, she picked up hers. I got faster, she got faster. What???? So eventually I pretty much had to sprint to blow past her. I didn't know how far behind me she was or if she was even still behind me. But, in the event she was still behind me I started to worry. I couldnt run this fast for much longer and was pretty sure I was going to blow my load.
So I turned a corner a few blocks early to make sure I could avoid her and dropped my pace back down. Yes, I admit, I am a coward.
Splits:
1 10:43
2 10:38
3 10:03
4 10:16 (pacing)
Overall I felt pretty good during the whole run. Either I properly fueled today (latte, orange crush, cranberry bliss bar from Starbucks, cheese and crackers), or the promise of a hot pizza sitting at home was enough motivation. Im thinking its the latter.
November 17, 2009
Did I Die And Go To Heaven?
Last night my husband informs me that he need to be at work early. This means I need to be home from my am run by 5:50AM. Since it was supposed to be a 40 minute run and it takes me a few minutes to get out of the door, I set my alarm for 4:50AM. I am either very dedicated or very stupid.
I got to bed by 10:30, which is a record for me. Brooke wasnt too bad of a sleeper last night and she didnt wake me up until about 2. I was actually glad when I looked at the alarm .. because I still had 3 more hours to sleep, which seems like a lot compared to some nights. She woke me up once or twice more until my alarm went off.
This is the part where I pretty much died
At 4:50 the sound of my alarm woke me up and I quickly popped out of bed. In the total darkness I stumbled towards the bathroom to get ready. I actually didnt even consider skipping my run, which is a good thing. I got dressed, pondered whether or not to wear gloves (I opted not to, which I think was the wrong decision) and hit the pavement. I survived my run.
I got home at 5:50 (a bit before actually) and was in and out of the shower by 6:15. Despite all of my complaining, I have to (guiltilly) admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the hour I had in the morning to myself before Brooke woke up. I dont get that kind of time anymore and it was really great. I made oatmeal and actually sat down and took time to eat it, while I caught up on some of your blogs. I got Brooke's breakfast ready so I didnt have to try to do it with her hanging on my leg and whining. I got a load of dishes started. It was pretty nice.
This is the part where I found myself in Heaven
Starbucks has a new Holiday latte - its "Caramel Brulee". I have not liked any of their new inventions in the past, so I wasnt too sure I should pass up the usual for something new and different. But, since I'm all about pushing my boundaries lately, and I successfully managed to wake up at 4:50 AND go for a run ... I gave it a whirl.
Oh. My. God.
It so good, typing right now I think I might go back and get another one. If I dont get back today, I know I wont be able to sleep tonight in anticipation of getting one tomorrow. This is officially the best Holiday Season I have ever had. I am serious.
Running Log
Time:35:41 Distance:3.40mi Pace:10:30
Looks like I am going to have to extend my running route :( Today called for 40 minutes and I planned my route according to a pace of 11:30. Good thing is that I am getting more comfortable with running again, thus the increased speed. Bad thing is that now that I am a bit faster I have to run farther.
Splits:
1 10:59
2 10:33
3 10:13
4 9:46 (pacing)
So a really strange thing happened this morning. I was about a mile into my run, maybe a smidge more. Its pitch black. There is a car here and there, the same homeless person snoozing in the bus shelter I saw last time, and the same girl on the treadmill in the personal training gym. I'm already becoming familiar with my route and the infrequent people I see. Then I hear footsteps behind me.
I try to ignore them. I'm on a busy road, its pretty well lit, and I keep going. But the footsteps continue. They are loud, and a bit heavy. So I glance behind me - its another runner! So this woman trails me for about .5 miles. I hear her feet hit the pavement on every step, and she is freaking me out. There is nobody else out on the streets ... and this lady decides to trail me? Am I wrong, or is that freaky?
Eventually I turn the corner and lose the tail. I did see two other runners besides the trailer this morning, which is much more than the zero I saw last time. I dont mind being out there so early as long as I am not the only one doing it. It was nice having some company! I just want the company to keep their distance ...
I got to bed by 10:30, which is a record for me. Brooke wasnt too bad of a sleeper last night and she didnt wake me up until about 2. I was actually glad when I looked at the alarm .. because I still had 3 more hours to sleep, which seems like a lot compared to some nights. She woke me up once or twice more until my alarm went off.
This is the part where I pretty much died
At 4:50 the sound of my alarm woke me up and I quickly popped out of bed. In the total darkness I stumbled towards the bathroom to get ready. I actually didnt even consider skipping my run, which is a good thing. I got dressed, pondered whether or not to wear gloves (I opted not to, which I think was the wrong decision) and hit the pavement. I survived my run.
I got home at 5:50 (a bit before actually) and was in and out of the shower by 6:15. Despite all of my complaining, I have to (guiltilly) admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the hour I had in the morning to myself before Brooke woke up. I dont get that kind of time anymore and it was really great. I made oatmeal and actually sat down and took time to eat it, while I caught up on some of your blogs. I got Brooke's breakfast ready so I didnt have to try to do it with her hanging on my leg and whining. I got a load of dishes started. It was pretty nice.
This is the part where I found myself in Heaven
Starbucks has a new Holiday latte - its "Caramel Brulee". I have not liked any of their new inventions in the past, so I wasnt too sure I should pass up the usual for something new and different. But, since I'm all about pushing my boundaries lately, and I successfully managed to wake up at 4:50 AND go for a run ... I gave it a whirl.Oh. My. God.
It so good, typing right now I think I might go back and get another one. If I dont get back today, I know I wont be able to sleep tonight in anticipation of getting one tomorrow. This is officially the best Holiday Season I have ever had. I am serious.
Running Log
Time:35:41 Distance:3.40mi Pace:10:30
Looks like I am going to have to extend my running route :( Today called for 40 minutes and I planned my route according to a pace of 11:30. Good thing is that I am getting more comfortable with running again, thus the increased speed. Bad thing is that now that I am a bit faster I have to run farther.
Splits:
1 10:59
2 10:33
3 10:13
4 9:46 (pacing)
So a really strange thing happened this morning. I was about a mile into my run, maybe a smidge more. Its pitch black. There is a car here and there, the same homeless person snoozing in the bus shelter I saw last time, and the same girl on the treadmill in the personal training gym. I'm already becoming familiar with my route and the infrequent people I see. Then I hear footsteps behind me.
I try to ignore them. I'm on a busy road, its pretty well lit, and I keep going. But the footsteps continue. They are loud, and a bit heavy. So I glance behind me - its another runner! So this woman trails me for about .5 miles. I hear her feet hit the pavement on every step, and she is freaking me out. There is nobody else out on the streets ... and this lady decides to trail me? Am I wrong, or is that freaky?
Eventually I turn the corner and lose the tail. I did see two other runners besides the trailer this morning, which is much more than the zero I saw last time. I dont mind being out there so early as long as I am not the only one doing it. It was nice having some company! I just want the company to keep their distance ...
November 16, 2009
Is This For Real?
I ran a 5K a few months back, and (as usual) my race pics were atrocious. Yet, they continue to try to get me to actually PURCHASE them. People must buy them, or this businss would not exist. But I dont understand who out there actually forks out the hefty cash for one of the photos.
To top it off, they are suggesting one of my (awesome) pictures would make a nice Holiday card. Seriously????
This is what the site says about their Holiday cards:
To top it off, they are suggesting one of my (awesome) pictures would make a nice Holiday card. Seriously????
This is what the site says about their Holiday cards:
Our Holiday Card package contains 40 4x8 prints featuring the image you select along with envelopes for mailing. This is a great value and a great way to share holiday wishes with family and friends while still showing off. All of our prints are professionally reproduced at our in-house photo lab on Kodak Professional Endura Paper - perfect for sharing with friends and family. They are sharpened, color-corrected and adjusted for optimum quality.Be Honest. Would you send out a Holiday card with a race photo on it?
New Look, Lots Of Wasted Time
Visiting all of your awesome blogs has made me realize how much mine stinks (visually, of course). So though I complain and whine about not having any time for anything in my life, I spent HOURS yesterday tinkering around with a new template. And I'm not done. There are a few kinks I just cant work out and since I have no clue what I am doing I'm not too sure how to fix em. Oh well, more hours to spend on this blog administration to come...
I mentioned previously the issues we are having with Brooke. Its been days since any of us have had a good night sleep. She had to go back to two naps because she has been so exhausted, yet I am not recovering from these rough nights and its starting to wear on me. Last night I pondered an am run this morning. I've got 40 minutes on the schedule and (like usual) cant really find 40 minutes to spare. I was wrapping up my day at 10:30pm and checked the weather - it was supposed to be about 40 and raining in the am. Then I realized I didnt know where any of my running gear was since I hadnt finished the laundry. I tried on some new running tights, rummaged through the laundry room for some other stuff, then got wrapped up in other tasks. Next thing it was 11:30pm. I decided I needed the sleep and would find another way to get my run in.
(Brooke had another rough night of sleep, but better than its been the past few days. She now has a cough and I'm not sure if thats part of the previous problem or something entirely new. Thanks to all of you guys for your suggestions and offers of encouragement! We keep thinking it could be teething (she is definitely getting new teeth) but she has never been like this with teething before. Then the appearance of a cough just messes up all of the guessing I've done over the past few days. Today she woke up in a better mood but still is very sensitive and has quite a short fuse. She is lucky she is so cute because she is actually driving me a bit crazy.)
Tonight I am attending a meeting at a local school in regards to a proposed cellular antenna on the roof. Since this school is very close to our house I want to make sure I hear all of the information and make my opinion known. The meeting is at 6:30 and the only way I think I can get a run in today is if I show up at the meeting in my running gear and head out from there. But I wonder if this is hugely inappropriate and have been pondering the issue all day. Oh, what to do?
I mentioned previously the issues we are having with Brooke. Its been days since any of us have had a good night sleep. She had to go back to two naps because she has been so exhausted, yet I am not recovering from these rough nights and its starting to wear on me. Last night I pondered an am run this morning. I've got 40 minutes on the schedule and (like usual) cant really find 40 minutes to spare. I was wrapping up my day at 10:30pm and checked the weather - it was supposed to be about 40 and raining in the am. Then I realized I didnt know where any of my running gear was since I hadnt finished the laundry. I tried on some new running tights, rummaged through the laundry room for some other stuff, then got wrapped up in other tasks. Next thing it was 11:30pm. I decided I needed the sleep and would find another way to get my run in.
(Brooke had another rough night of sleep, but better than its been the past few days. She now has a cough and I'm not sure if thats part of the previous problem or something entirely new. Thanks to all of you guys for your suggestions and offers of encouragement! We keep thinking it could be teething (she is definitely getting new teeth) but she has never been like this with teething before. Then the appearance of a cough just messes up all of the guessing I've done over the past few days. Today she woke up in a better mood but still is very sensitive and has quite a short fuse. She is lucky she is so cute because she is actually driving me a bit crazy.)
Tonight I am attending a meeting at a local school in regards to a proposed cellular antenna on the roof. Since this school is very close to our house I want to make sure I hear all of the information and make my opinion known. The meeting is at 6:30 and the only way I think I can get a run in today is if I show up at the meeting in my running gear and head out from there. But I wonder if this is hugely inappropriate and have been pondering the issue all day. Oh, what to do?
November 15, 2009
Anthony Edwards Acts His Way To The Finish Line
This video has been around the running community for a while, but I have actually talked to a runner or two who hasnt seen it. Shocking! Its a video Anthony Edwards did about his participation in the recent NYC Marathon. I was thinking about it during my long run on Saturday and wondered how he actually fared in the race.
Check out the video if you havent seen it yet!
Well, he did a pretty good job of acting like a runner. Anthony Edwards finished in 4:08:20 :)
Some other celebrity finishes:
Matthew Reeve (son of Christopher Reeve) = 4:23:36
George Hirsch (founding publisher of New York magazine and "brainchild" behind Runner's World magazine, age 75) = 4:06:14
Edward Norton = 3:48:01
Alanis Morissette = 4:28:45
On an interesting note, David Blaine was supposed to participate and he didnt. The guy can levitate, go for days without eating or sleeping, and bury himself alive, but he can't swing the NYC Marathon? Interesting...
Check out the video if you havent seen it yet!
Well, he did a pretty good job of acting like a runner. Anthony Edwards finished in 4:08:20 :)
Some other celebrity finishes:
Matthew Reeve (son of Christopher Reeve) = 4:23:36
George Hirsch (founding publisher of New York magazine and "brainchild" behind Runner's World magazine, age 75) = 4:06:14
Edward Norton = 3:48:01
Alanis Morissette = 4:28:45
On an interesting note, David Blaine was supposed to participate and he didnt. The guy can levitate, go for days without eating or sleeping, and bury himself alive, but he can't swing the NYC Marathon? Interesting...
November 14, 2009
My Pacer Cannot Pace Herself
Second weekend of long runs with the same issues as last week: caught by stoplights, stopped at water fountains and paced much slower than we were supposed to (even with me stopping my timer at the lights AND at the water stop. TWICE).
Again, I guess there is that old "dont look a gift horse in the mouth" thing. I'm not sure I could do 6 miles at 11:00 pace right now. BUT, that's what I signed up for and if I can't keep up with the pacer its my own problem. I'd like to push myself a little bit during this program (since I rarely push myself in any other way) and it seems like something is standing in my way.
Enough griping. Its still unseasonably warm in Chicago and a great day for a run. I finished my 6 miler and stuffed my face with a latte and cinnamon roll afterwards. And I was happy.
Running Log
Time:1:07:07 Distance:5.82 mi Pace:11:32
I couldnt get my iPhone RunKeeper ap to sync up my location in the beginning, so I started my clock a bit late - we did run right about 6 miles. My friend has a Garmin and couldnt catch a signal with hers either, so something fishy was going on in the beginning ;)
We started out the run and commented to each other that we felt like we were going really slow. Like, you-can-walk-faster-than-this kind of slow. My friend with the Garmin checked our current pace at that moment and we were "running" about 12:40 miles. WHAT??? Througout the 6 miles we could feel the sharp contrast in our speed ... picking up and dropping off. I cant explain how irritating it was. At the end she says to us ".5 miles left, if you want to sprint it in, go ahead. just make sure to stretch". Which I think meant "I went out last night and am hanging really bad. I could barely do the 5.5 we have done so far and dont think I can make the last .5". I cant figure out why else her running was so messed up, and she is a "pacer" with an organization we paid to join ... with the perk of having a "pacer". We ended up pacing at 11:32 average, which would be fine, if I wasnt running with an 11:00 pace group. ARRRH.
Splits
1 12:08
2 11:31
3 11:18
4 11:08
5 11:22
6 11:48
Again, I guess there is that old "dont look a gift horse in the mouth" thing. I'm not sure I could do 6 miles at 11:00 pace right now. BUT, that's what I signed up for and if I can't keep up with the pacer its my own problem. I'd like to push myself a little bit during this program (since I rarely push myself in any other way) and it seems like something is standing in my way.
Enough griping. Its still unseasonably warm in Chicago and a great day for a run. I finished my 6 miler and stuffed my face with a latte and cinnamon roll afterwards. And I was happy.
Running Log
Time:1:07:07 Distance:5.82 mi Pace:11:32
I couldnt get my iPhone RunKeeper ap to sync up my location in the beginning, so I started my clock a bit late - we did run right about 6 miles. My friend has a Garmin and couldnt catch a signal with hers either, so something fishy was going on in the beginning ;)
We started out the run and commented to each other that we felt like we were going really slow. Like, you-can-walk-faster-than-this kind of slow. My friend with the Garmin checked our current pace at that moment and we were "running" about 12:40 miles. WHAT??? Througout the 6 miles we could feel the sharp contrast in our speed ... picking up and dropping off. I cant explain how irritating it was. At the end she says to us ".5 miles left, if you want to sprint it in, go ahead. just make sure to stretch". Which I think meant "I went out last night and am hanging really bad. I could barely do the 5.5 we have done so far and dont think I can make the last .5". I cant figure out why else her running was so messed up, and she is a "pacer" with an organization we paid to join ... with the perk of having a "pacer". We ended up pacing at 11:32 average, which would be fine, if I wasnt running with an 11:00 pace group. ARRRH.
Splits
1 12:08
2 11:31
3 11:18
4 11:08
5 11:22
6 11:48
November 13, 2009
For Once, I Did Something Right
I wasn't too sure I should tinker with my training program. The
people running it have been doing so for a while, and the coaches all
seem pretty smart. There was a reason we have a short run on Friday
(vs Thursday, with Friday as a rest day), but looking at my life I
thought it might not work for me.
people running it have been doing so for a while, and the coaches all
seem pretty smart. There was a reason we have a short run on Friday
(vs Thursday, with Friday as a rest day), but looking at my life I
thought it might not work for me.
So I got my run in yesterday - and it's a good thing I did. Brooke
has been a bit off the past few days. Despite a bit of a fever, some
clinginess and irritability, she has no other symptoms. We aren't too
sure what's up with her! Last night she woke up screaming and crying
- EVERY HOUR between 10pm and 7am. So she was up at 10, 11, 12, 1 ...
You get the picture.
I didn't go in to get her, she seemed to be crying almost in her
sleep. She wasn't fully awake and me walking into her room would
change that quick. Instead, I woke with her each hour and watched/
listened on the monitor. Needless to say, it was a horrible night.
And though it's not yet 11am, today hasn't been so great either.
There is no way I was going to get in a 5am run this morning. And
judging from my day thus far, I wouldn't get one in later today either.
So getting that run in yesterday was the best idea I've had all week!
If Brooke wasn't so miserable today (right now she is passed out in
her carseat and I'm sitting in a parking lot so we both can enjoy a
stress-free moment) I'd be feeling pretty good right about now!
November 12, 2009
I'm A Tight Corner Hugger
My training schedule for Winter Warriors has me running 4 days a week - Monday, Wednesday, Friday and then Saturday (long runs). When I trained for the marathon (back in the day) we ran consecutive days so that there was a rest day before and after long runs, which I think I'm going to do for this new training program too.
As a reluctant runner, I worry that my procrastination and avoidance will create issues with the Friday run. If I cant get it done during the day I have to do it at night, which leaves 12 (or less) hours between runs. In addition, if I dont get it done during the day I'll likely blow it off alltogether. Instead I plan to do that run on Thursday with a Friday rest - helping me mentally and physically prepare for Saturdays. And in the chance I dont get the run done on Thursday (or one of the other days of the week) then I have some room to play with my schedule since Friday will be open.
I began my Friday-run-on-Thursday today. My sister was still around and so I left during Brooke's nap to do my 30 minute run. So yes, I got out of the 5AM run once again ;)
Running Log
Time:27:44 Distance:2.62 mi Pace:10:36
Before I left I mapped out a run on Favorite Run that was a little less than 2.9 miles. I assumed an 11 minute pace would make that about 30 minutes. Little did I know that I would run so fast, or hug the corners so tight. I guess when you are trying to get a run over with you will do just about anything you can ;)
So I ended up about a quarter mile less than planned and I'm not really sure where it went. I also ran faster than planned with a 10:36 pace (and that includes waiting at two stoplights) and thus ended up not making my 30 minute suggested run. Personally, I think 27:44 is good enough and so I'm pretty happy with myself. The first two miles were 10:42 and 10:50, so I actually wasnt too far off of my expected pace ... I just ran too fast for that last .62. I'll remind myself to slow it down next time so I dont have to find a longer route for my 30 minute Friday-on-Thursday runs. Yes, I am that weak.
As a reluctant runner, I worry that my procrastination and avoidance will create issues with the Friday run. If I cant get it done during the day I have to do it at night, which leaves 12 (or less) hours between runs. In addition, if I dont get it done during the day I'll likely blow it off alltogether. Instead I plan to do that run on Thursday with a Friday rest - helping me mentally and physically prepare for Saturdays. And in the chance I dont get the run done on Thursday (or one of the other days of the week) then I have some room to play with my schedule since Friday will be open.
I began my Friday-run-on-Thursday today. My sister was still around and so I left during Brooke's nap to do my 30 minute run. So yes, I got out of the 5AM run once again ;)
Running Log
Time:27:44 Distance:2.62 mi Pace:10:36
Before I left I mapped out a run on Favorite Run that was a little less than 2.9 miles. I assumed an 11 minute pace would make that about 30 minutes. Little did I know that I would run so fast, or hug the corners so tight. I guess when you are trying to get a run over with you will do just about anything you can ;)So I ended up about a quarter mile less than planned and I'm not really sure where it went. I also ran faster than planned with a 10:36 pace (and that includes waiting at two stoplights) and thus ended up not making my 30 minute suggested run. Personally, I think 27:44 is good enough and so I'm pretty happy with myself. The first two miles were 10:42 and 10:50, so I actually wasnt too far off of my expected pace ... I just ran too fast for that last .62. I'll remind myself to slow it down next time so I dont have to find a longer route for my 30 minute Friday-on-Thursday runs. Yes, I am that weak.
November 11, 2009
How To FEEL Fast (Even When You Really Arent)
A few months ago, when I was a little more on the running bandwagon, I did a 5-miler with a friend of mine. Though she is a fast runner, she had never really done distances, and it was the first time she was attempting to run for 5 miles. She did great the first 3, struggled the fourth, and then was really struggling for the fifth. Her pain and suffering made me feel more powerful. The fact that I finished that five miler and still felt like I could go longer, in addition to the fact that I had tried to encourage her to keep going ("you can do it!") made me feel like (for once in my life) I was the better runner.
From what I can tell, I experienced secret schadenfreude in which I privately experience pleasure from the misfortunes of others. A prime example is when you celebrate at the end of film when a villan gets "what he deserved". I'm not saying my friend is a villan, quite the opposite in fact. But yet, her struggle gave me a feeling of happiness ... in some demented way.
This morning I had a bit of secret schadenfreude again. I went out for a run with my sister (who is about as much of a runner as I am) and she found herself struggling a bit with our run. Because she was struggling, I felt stronger. Whereas all of the runs I did last week I literally felt weak (and OLD). I have found that if I am the one offering words of encouragement to someone else it creates a very positive experience for me. I feel more confident in that particular run, but also more confident in my ability to "be a runner" as well.
So I need to find a way to keep myself surrounded by people who dont run very often, or very fast. Then I need to convince them to go out for a run with me so that I can feel good about myself. Thats not a bad thing to do, is it? Hmmmmm.
Running Log
Time:40:24 Distance:3.57 mi Pace:11:19
My husband is off of work today, so instead of getting up at 5AM I got up at 6:30 for my run. My sister is also around and so I had a running partner. First of all, running at 6:30 was like night-and-day compared to 5AM (pun not intentional, but yet accurate). It was sunny, there were people out, I could see where I was going, I didnt think I was going to get jumped. In addition, I've mentioned before that I'm not a solo runner, so running with someone was just fantastic.
Regardless of how I felt during the run, I was just so happy it wasnt 5AM. I was optimistic heading out and I think that made the whole run a bit more enjoyable. But then I got to thinking about how this nice AM run (with a partner) is really going to make my next 5AM run (on Friday) seem all the more horrible. Instead of panicking about my next run, I'm just going to pat myself on the back for completing all of my runs since training began. Yay me!
From what I can tell, I experienced secret schadenfreude in which I privately experience pleasure from the misfortunes of others. A prime example is when you celebrate at the end of film when a villan gets "what he deserved". I'm not saying my friend is a villan, quite the opposite in fact. But yet, her struggle gave me a feeling of happiness ... in some demented way.
This morning I had a bit of secret schadenfreude again. I went out for a run with my sister (who is about as much of a runner as I am) and she found herself struggling a bit with our run. Because she was struggling, I felt stronger. Whereas all of the runs I did last week I literally felt weak (and OLD). I have found that if I am the one offering words of encouragement to someone else it creates a very positive experience for me. I feel more confident in that particular run, but also more confident in my ability to "be a runner" as well.So I need to find a way to keep myself surrounded by people who dont run very often, or very fast. Then I need to convince them to go out for a run with me so that I can feel good about myself. Thats not a bad thing to do, is it? Hmmmmm.
Running Log
Time:40:24 Distance:3.57 mi Pace:11:19
My husband is off of work today, so instead of getting up at 5AM I got up at 6:30 for my run. My sister is also around and so I had a running partner. First of all, running at 6:30 was like night-and-day compared to 5AM (pun not intentional, but yet accurate). It was sunny, there were people out, I could see where I was going, I didnt think I was going to get jumped. In addition, I've mentioned before that I'm not a solo runner, so running with someone was just fantastic.
Regardless of how I felt during the run, I was just so happy it wasnt 5AM. I was optimistic heading out and I think that made the whole run a bit more enjoyable. But then I got to thinking about how this nice AM run (with a partner) is really going to make my next 5AM run (on Friday) seem all the more horrible. Instead of panicking about my next run, I'm just going to pat myself on the back for completing all of my runs since training began. Yay me!
November 9, 2009
Just Me & A Raccoon
This morning my alarm went off at 5:00 AM. After crying for a bit, I hopped out of bed, got into my running gear and took off. The good and bad thing about having to be home by 6:00 AM is that I dont have much time. That means I dont have the time to screw around or rethink the stupidity of 5AM running, but I also dont have time to eat, check a running route, or make sure I have everything before I head out the door.
Its still unseasonably warm in Chicago, and when I left it was almost 60 degrees. That was the only thing that made it a little bit easier :) I took of down my desserted side street expecting to see some more activity when I hit the main roads, but I was wrong. I ran down a desserted sidewalk along a desserted street. About .5 miles into it I saw a guy running for the train, obviously late for work already (that sucks to be him). Then ran in silence again. About 1.5 miles in I could see a girl on a treadmill in a local private / personal training gym. I also saw a homeless person quietly sleeping in the shelter of the bus stop. I kept running. A few cars drove by here and there, but the sidewalks remained empty.
My last mile is down a pretty busy street and I was sure I'd see some people. Nope. Traffic was starting to pick up, but not enough that I couldnt keep running through intersections despite red lights. About .75 miles from home a racoon with a death wish sprinted across the street, narrowly missing getting pancaked by a paddywagon (one of three I saw on my run, so the cops were out ... not sure if that made me more or less safe).
I made it home to a still desserted street. Not a single house had a light on, not a single car crept by. It was a strange feeling. And though I thought 5AM would be better than 7PM, I still found myself low on energy and sluggish during my run. To top it off, its now 11:30AM and I'm in desperate need of a nap.
Running Log
Time:36:44 Distance:3.41 mi Pace:10:46
Todays run was supposed to be "40 minutes EZ". Since I cannot pace myself whatsoever, I figured I better map out a route and aim for distance versus time. When I have no time restriction on my run, I know I can run out for a certain amount of minutes and then wrap back ... but due to the fact I only had 45 minutes of time to work with this morning I didnt think that would be such a swell idea.
I ran a little bit faster than expected and ended up short on time, but (since I didnt want to be out there running anyway) that was fine by me. Mile one was 11:12 and mile two was 11:10, which actually means that I DID pace myself pretty well. YAY! Then mile 3 was 10:09 and mile 4 (pacing) was 10:10. I obviously was trying to get the run over and picked up pace at the end (not really intentionally) but kept that pace for about 1.5 miles - not too bad.
So I am still a bit stuck with the running thing. I'm still struggling (which I get, I took a break and I'm still getting back into it) but no matter what I just feel weak when I run. Tired, sluggish, wimpy. I think most runners understand when I say that a good run makes you feel strong, powerful and in control. Thats one of the things I like about running. I want that feeling back. I dont care about how fast (or slow) I run - but I want to feel good when Im doing it. When is that gonna happen????
Its still unseasonably warm in Chicago, and when I left it was almost 60 degrees. That was the only thing that made it a little bit easier :) I took of down my desserted side street expecting to see some more activity when I hit the main roads, but I was wrong. I ran down a desserted sidewalk along a desserted street. About .5 miles into it I saw a guy running for the train, obviously late for work already (that sucks to be him). Then ran in silence again. About 1.5 miles in I could see a girl on a treadmill in a local private / personal training gym. I also saw a homeless person quietly sleeping in the shelter of the bus stop. I kept running. A few cars drove by here and there, but the sidewalks remained empty.
My last mile is down a pretty busy street and I was sure I'd see some people. Nope. Traffic was starting to pick up, but not enough that I couldnt keep running through intersections despite red lights. About .75 miles from home a racoon with a death wish sprinted across the street, narrowly missing getting pancaked by a paddywagon (one of three I saw on my run, so the cops were out ... not sure if that made me more or less safe).I made it home to a still desserted street. Not a single house had a light on, not a single car crept by. It was a strange feeling. And though I thought 5AM would be better than 7PM, I still found myself low on energy and sluggish during my run. To top it off, its now 11:30AM and I'm in desperate need of a nap.
Running Log
Time:36:44 Distance:3.41 mi Pace:10:46
Todays run was supposed to be "40 minutes EZ". Since I cannot pace myself whatsoever, I figured I better map out a route and aim for distance versus time. When I have no time restriction on my run, I know I can run out for a certain amount of minutes and then wrap back ... but due to the fact I only had 45 minutes of time to work with this morning I didnt think that would be such a swell idea.
I ran a little bit faster than expected and ended up short on time, but (since I didnt want to be out there running anyway) that was fine by me. Mile one was 11:12 and mile two was 11:10, which actually means that I DID pace myself pretty well. YAY! Then mile 3 was 10:09 and mile 4 (pacing) was 10:10. I obviously was trying to get the run over and picked up pace at the end (not really intentionally) but kept that pace for about 1.5 miles - not too bad.
So I am still a bit stuck with the running thing. I'm still struggling (which I get, I took a break and I'm still getting back into it) but no matter what I just feel weak when I run. Tired, sluggish, wimpy. I think most runners understand when I say that a good run makes you feel strong, powerful and in control. Thats one of the things I like about running. I want that feeling back. I dont care about how fast (or slow) I run - but I want to feel good when Im doing it. When is that gonna happen????
November 7, 2009
4.87 Miler - Week 1 Complete!
Today was our first group run for Winter Warriors - and it was about 55 and sunny. That was definitely a perk, but there were a few hiccups along the way.
I have never run with a pace group. Even when I trained for the Marathon with Team In Training, a couple of other girls and I went rogue and did our own thing instead of running with a pack. Team In Training seemed pretty flexible in that way, where as Chicago Endurance Sports (the group I'm training with now) seems less so. So I stared off with the 11:00 pace group and figured I would go from there.
Hiccup One
We start off in the neighborhoods, just a bit from the lakefront path. We were told that there was a specific starting point that was measured exactly from a mile marker on the path, so that they could create running routes for us. Totally logical. Except ... the starting point was about one block from a hairy three way intersection. So we ran one block and then stood at a stoplight for (what felt like) forever.
Hiccup Two
Due to the approaching winter, there isnt really any water available along the lake. We were told to bring our own water, but we still stopped for water anyway. There is one big water trough that is open year round - about 1.5 miles into our running. Our pace leaders said we were stopping because a lot of people didnt have their own water, but that we should make sure to bring it in the future. There were tons of people at this fountain and we had to sit there and wait. And wait. And wait. 1.5 miles into a 5 mile run.
Hiccup Three
We stopped at the same fountain on the way back
Hiccup Four
We were a bit short of 5 miles. I know that .13 miles is pretty much nothing, but I guess I'd rather go over the distance than under it. Oh well!
Hiccup Five
Despite the fact that I was with an 11:00 minute mile pace group, we ran 11:30's.
Running Log
Time:56:02 Distance:4.87 mi Pace:11:30
Mile Splits
1 11:59
2 11:19
3 11:27
4 11:26
5 11:18
I am going to be honest and say I'm glad my pace group was doing 11:30's instead of 11's, but that isnt what I had intended. I'm still struggling a bit to get back into the swing of things and needed the slower pace, but I'm hoping that in a week or two that wont be true any more. The first mile was so slow because of that stinking stoplight - after that huge delay I actually stopped my watch at the water stop (twice) and the intersection on the way back. If I had kept it running I would have paced at 12 minute miles for the whole run, easily :(
Though I did struggle a bit today, I have now officially completed my first week back on the wagon. I felt fine at the end of the run, and still feel fine now a few hours later.
Next weeks plans? At least one 5AM run, and a 6 miler on Saturday!
I have never run with a pace group. Even when I trained for the Marathon with Team In Training, a couple of other girls and I went rogue and did our own thing instead of running with a pack. Team In Training seemed pretty flexible in that way, where as Chicago Endurance Sports (the group I'm training with now) seems less so. So I stared off with the 11:00 pace group and figured I would go from there.
Hiccup One
We start off in the neighborhoods, just a bit from the lakefront path. We were told that there was a specific starting point that was measured exactly from a mile marker on the path, so that they could create running routes for us. Totally logical. Except ... the starting point was about one block from a hairy three way intersection. So we ran one block and then stood at a stoplight for (what felt like) forever.
Hiccup Two
Due to the approaching winter, there isnt really any water available along the lake. We were told to bring our own water, but we still stopped for water anyway. There is one big water trough that is open year round - about 1.5 miles into our running. Our pace leaders said we were stopping because a lot of people didnt have their own water, but that we should make sure to bring it in the future. There were tons of people at this fountain and we had to sit there and wait. And wait. And wait. 1.5 miles into a 5 mile run.
Hiccup Three
We stopped at the same fountain on the way back
Hiccup Four
We were a bit short of 5 miles. I know that .13 miles is pretty much nothing, but I guess I'd rather go over the distance than under it. Oh well!
Hiccup Five
Despite the fact that I was with an 11:00 minute mile pace group, we ran 11:30's.
Running Log
Time:56:02 Distance:4.87 mi Pace:11:30
Mile Splits
1 11:59
2 11:19
3 11:27
4 11:26
5 11:18
I am going to be honest and say I'm glad my pace group was doing 11:30's instead of 11's, but that isnt what I had intended. I'm still struggling a bit to get back into the swing of things and needed the slower pace, but I'm hoping that in a week or two that wont be true any more. The first mile was so slow because of that stinking stoplight - after that huge delay I actually stopped my watch at the water stop (twice) and the intersection on the way back. If I had kept it running I would have paced at 12 minute miles for the whole run, easily :(
Though I did struggle a bit today, I have now officially completed my first week back on the wagon. I felt fine at the end of the run, and still feel fine now a few hours later.
Next weeks plans? At least one 5AM run, and a 6 miler on Saturday!
November 6, 2009
Week 1: Almost Complete
I finished my 30-minute run today, and again found it challenging. I know in a few weeks it will become easier, but I still am struggling to figure out how this all works. The whole mother, wife, student, friend AND runner thing :) I had a hectic day today and didnt get out for my run until about 7:15PM, here is how my day went up until that point:
6:30AM - Wake up, eat breakfast, take a few minutes for myself
7:00AM - Brooke is up! Breakfast time
7:45AM - Head out for my exercise class
8:00AM-9:00AM - Up in the gym, working on my fitness (while at the same time watching a toddler, hoping she doesnt get into trouble.
9:00AM-9:30AM - Brooke plays during "open play", I chase her around
9:30AM - Grocery store, almost out of milk!
10:00AM - Home, need to get ready for a trip to the zoo
11:00AM-1:00PM - Walk around zoo, carrying 26lbs of baby on my back
1:30PM - Get home, put Brooke down for nap
1:30PM - 2:40PM - Try to relax, make lunch, start a taped episode of Grey's Anatomy, but ...
2:40PM - Brooke wakes up, too early, and screaming hysterically
2:40PM - 3:00PM - Rock Brooke till she calms down
3:00PM - 4:00PM - Sit in rocking chair while Brooke sleeps on my lap
4:00PM - 5:15PM - Chase Brooke around the house
5:15PM - Make Brooke dinner, while chasing her around the kitchen
5:30PM - Feed Brooke dinner
6:00PM - 7:00PM - Chase Brooke around the house
7:00PM - Put Brooke to bed
7:15PM - Go for a run
I dont wonder at all why my even runs are so impossible. Just chasing Brooke all day is exhausting, but then you add carrying her around the zoo ... and an AM exercise class ... and a grocery store trip (and not to mention the little details that I didnt include, like the 10 or so diaper changes). I'm just wiped out at the end of the day. So the whole 30-minute-run thing becomes something so much bigger, and it just looms over my head all day.
Anyway, I got my run in. In less then 12 hours I have my first Winter Warriors run - a 5 miler - and will have completed my first week of training. Luckily, its first thing in the morning ;)
Running Log
Time:30:12 Distance:2.83 mi Pace:10:41
All I can say about tonight's run is that I am very thankful it was a 30-minute versus 40-minute run. After today, I wasnt going to be running for 40-minutes. It seriously just wasnt going to happen.
We have had a bit of a warm-up in the past few days, following unseasonably cold temperatures. It actually felt pretty good being out for a run (well, except for the running part). Again, I was pretty tired for the whole run but pushed myself a little bit more because I knew it was only 30 minutes. And though I have run faster than 10:40 pace before, tonight that really was about the fastest I could go.
6:30AM - Wake up, eat breakfast, take a few minutes for myself
7:00AM - Brooke is up! Breakfast time
7:45AM - Head out for my exercise class
8:00AM-9:00AM - Up in the gym, working on my fitness (while at the same time watching a toddler, hoping she doesnt get into trouble.
9:00AM-9:30AM - Brooke plays during "open play", I chase her around
9:30AM - Grocery store, almost out of milk!
10:00AM - Home, need to get ready for a trip to the zoo
11:00AM-1:00PM - Walk around zoo, carrying 26lbs of baby on my back
1:30PM - Get home, put Brooke down for nap
1:30PM - 2:40PM - Try to relax, make lunch, start a taped episode of Grey's Anatomy, but ...
2:40PM - Brooke wakes up, too early, and screaming hysterically
2:40PM - 3:00PM - Rock Brooke till she calms down
3:00PM - 4:00PM - Sit in rocking chair while Brooke sleeps on my lap
4:00PM - 5:15PM - Chase Brooke around the house
5:15PM - Make Brooke dinner, while chasing her around the kitchen
5:30PM - Feed Brooke dinner
6:00PM - 7:00PM - Chase Brooke around the house
7:00PM - Put Brooke to bed
7:15PM - Go for a run
I dont wonder at all why my even runs are so impossible. Just chasing Brooke all day is exhausting, but then you add carrying her around the zoo ... and an AM exercise class ... and a grocery store trip (and not to mention the little details that I didnt include, like the 10 or so diaper changes). I'm just wiped out at the end of the day. So the whole 30-minute-run thing becomes something so much bigger, and it just looms over my head all day.
Anyway, I got my run in. In less then 12 hours I have my first Winter Warriors run - a 5 miler - and will have completed my first week of training. Luckily, its first thing in the morning ;)
Running Log
Time:30:12 Distance:2.83 mi Pace:10:41
All I can say about tonight's run is that I am very thankful it was a 30-minute versus 40-minute run. After today, I wasnt going to be running for 40-minutes. It seriously just wasnt going to happen.
We have had a bit of a warm-up in the past few days, following unseasonably cold temperatures. It actually felt pretty good being out for a run (well, except for the running part). Again, I was pretty tired for the whole run but pushed myself a little bit more because I knew it was only 30 minutes. And though I have run faster than 10:40 pace before, tonight that really was about the fastest I could go.
November 5, 2009
Pre Run LIQUID Meal?
I have a bit of a sensitive stomach when it comes to running. Despite an entire season (and then some) of training for the Marathon I never quite figured out what to do about fuel pre run. I ended up going with a small amt of oatmeal or 1/2 an english muffin, trying to keep my consumption to a minimum. Now I am back at the same game again, but hoping to make it right this time. Since the longest run I have to do is 11 miles, I'm not as panicky about it as I was facing 18's and 20's ... but yet it still seems like something I need to figure out.
Almost all of the blogs I read talk about what they eat pre-run / pre-race, but I am thinking maybe I need to move to something liquid? I have tried oatmeal, toast, english muffins, bananas ... and just not eating at all. What are the options out there for pre-run liquid nutrition? I saw a few things that suggested making a shake - but they mention yogurt or milk powder. I'm thinking dairy is a no-no for anyone pre-run, but maybe some people with iron-clad stomachs can handle it.
Anyone out there know of a pre run liquid meal? (Since we know beer is only good post run)
Almost all of the blogs I read talk about what they eat pre-run / pre-race, but I am thinking maybe I need to move to something liquid? I have tried oatmeal, toast, english muffins, bananas ... and just not eating at all. What are the options out there for pre-run liquid nutrition? I saw a few things that suggested making a shake - but they mention yogurt or milk powder. I'm thinking dairy is a no-no for anyone pre-run, but maybe some people with iron-clad stomachs can handle it. Anyone out there know of a pre run liquid meal? (Since we know beer is only good post run)
November 4, 2009
5AM Run = FAIL
I didnt run this AM, but I swear ... it wasnt my fault! Last night I got all of my gear together and put it into the bathroom. I was mentally prepared to get up and run at 5. When I got into bed I told my husband that I was going to get up early and run - and he reminded me that he had to get to work even earlier than normal. Instead of leaving at 6, he had to be there at 6. There is no way I'm getting up earlier than 5 to run, so that put the kibosh on my plan real quick.Instead, I planned to run in the evening. Though it is the worst time for me to run, I honestly just didnt have another option. So after a long (busy) day, Brooke's dinnertime, Brooke's bathtime, and subsequent crazy time, I went out for my prescribed "40 Minute EZ Run"
Running Log
Time:40:30 Distance:3.58 mi Pace:11:18
My time, distance and pace are more of a guesstimate than actual data. RunKeeper lost a signal or something, right towards the end of my run. Because of that I didnt have a complete route and my end time wasnt captured. So I tried to generically remember what my screen said when I stopped the run.
As for the run, it was again extraordinarily challenging. I was so tired that I could feel the weight of my feet as I tried to drag them along the sidewalk in a forward-like motion. It was a slow (and quite grueling) run that I found rather unenjoyable. Again, I can confirm that the later in the day I run ... the worse it is. I am just out of energy after a day with Brooke, and to top it off my poor eating habits do not provide me with the proper nutrition for running. I found myself frustrated with the fact that I was doing 5-milers at 10:30's and 3-milers at 10:00 just a few weeks ago, but lost (what little) I had built to end up back at this point.
I guess it just makes the Winter Warrior program more important. Having long runs on the weekends should keep me more motivated during the week and I'm sure I'll be back to my old self in no time. For now, I'm actually looking forward to the 5AM run. There is no way it could be as bad as the 7PM run. Or could it?
November 3, 2009
Running In The AM: Maybe, Maybe Not
So I'm supposed to put a run in tomorrow. It's actually a really hectic day, but I figured I need to try this 5AM thing to see if I can survive it. So I checked the forecast and it looks like there is a really good chance it will be raining tomorrow morning. Raining and 39 degrees, supposedly "feels like" 33 degrees.
So I will put out all of my running stuff tonight and set the alarm for 5AM, but I am not promising anything ;)
So I will put out all of my running stuff tonight and set the alarm for 5AM, but I am not promising anything ;)
November 2, 2009
My Instinct Was Right
Brooke was up at 6AM today, just as I feared. Compared to last Friday (for example) she had about 2 hour less of sleep last night than she has been getting recently. That made for a pretty unhappy day, and I wasnt even with her for most of it. I did manage to get my run in while the sitter was here and Brooke was sleeping for 1/2 of that time anyway, so I only feel guilty about the not-getting-work-done part, not the paying-a-babysitter-to-run part :)
As for the run, it was as you would expect a run to be after a month-long hiatus from running. Hard. According to my new training schedule I was supposed to do a 40 minute easy run today. I ran for 40 minutes, but it wasnt easy. In fact, it was one of the longest 40 minute periods of my life ;)
Running Log
Time:40:57 Distance:3.64 mi Pace:11:16
Pacing seems to be pretty normal for me, but that was my average pace. My individual mile splits were all over the place: 11:54, 10:36 and 11:21 (11:08 pacing for mile 4). The funny thing is, I thought that I went out pretty fast. Ha. 12 minute miles are not so fast ... even for someone who just came off a one month hiatus. Mile 3 and Mile 4 were actually faster than that due to some built-in waiting at lights. Since I was pooped and really needed the rest anyway, I didnt stop my timer - something I actually do when I get caught up by a light when I know I'm feeling good ;)
Good thing I get a pacer for the long runs with this training program. Looks like I need it right about now!
As for the run, it was as you would expect a run to be after a month-long hiatus from running. Hard. According to my new training schedule I was supposed to do a 40 minute easy run today. I ran for 40 minutes, but it wasnt easy. In fact, it was one of the longest 40 minute periods of my life ;)
Running Log
Time:40:57 Distance:3.64 mi Pace:11:16
Pacing seems to be pretty normal for me, but that was my average pace. My individual mile splits were all over the place: 11:54, 10:36 and 11:21 (11:08 pacing for mile 4). The funny thing is, I thought that I went out pretty fast. Ha. 12 minute miles are not so fast ... even for someone who just came off a one month hiatus. Mile 3 and Mile 4 were actually faster than that due to some built-in waiting at lights. Since I was pooped and really needed the rest anyway, I didnt stop my timer - something I actually do when I get caught up by a light when I know I'm feeling good ;)
Good thing I get a pacer for the long runs with this training program. Looks like I need it right about now!
November 1, 2009
Winter Warrior Panic Attack
We had our kickoff meeting today and I was left with an uneasy feeling
in the put of my stomach. I figured I had a few weeks to get back in
the swing of things, figure out how this is going to work in my
schedule, and get my mileage up. I kind of assumed (dumb me) that we
would start off with a 3-miler.
in the put of my stomach. I figured I had a few weeks to get back in
the swing of things, figure out how this is going to work in my
schedule, and get my mileage up. I kind of assumed (dumb me) that we
would start off with a 3-miler.
Nope. 5 on saturday and 6 the weekend after.
I'm supposed to do a 40 minute run tomorrow but don't think I can try
the 5am run yet. Not just because I'm a wuss, but more so due to the
daylight savings change. Brooke woke up early today because it's now
light an hour earlier. I'm hoping I can get her back in schedule
tomorrow morning, but in the chance she wakes up early I can't exactly be out for a run when she does so.
I have TONS of schoolwork to do tomorrow and am now debating whether or not to use an hour of babysitter time to run :(. Or do I try to squeeze it in at night, between in the middle of the dinners and bedtimes and whatever else the evening brings?
Ah, I truly did think I had a couple of weeks till I had to worry ...
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