as i went to bed last night, i thought of where i wanted to do my 7 mile easy run. treadmill? nah. through my neighborhood? nah. my 5 mile loop to the golf course? meh. it seems for someone who was perfectly content to run all her miles on a treadmill just a year ago, i've already become bored with my options. i finally settled on running at the lagoon even though i would have to drive there and it might be kind of deserted.
i ganked my brother's long sleeve underarmour shirt and tucked a plain powergel into my pack and headed out. the first three miles sucked and i seriously considered just bagging it at 5k. but i am only 29 miles away from making 100 miles this month and 200 for the year. so i knew i just had to suck it up and get all 7 done. and if i'm ever gonna make 900 miles by the end of the year, my 100 plus mile months have to start soon.
but after the three mile mark, the tightness in my calves loosened and i settled into a groove. enough that i decided to charge up a hill i had never seen the other side of. part of me pictured a family of hungry mountain lions waiting to devour my lil fleshy body, but instead i was surprised by a cute little grove of trees and picnic tables. i meandered through there for awhile when i saw another trail lead out to somewhere else i've never been. this trail led to another, and then another, and soon i was winding my way through the hills and brush. and even though it was a cloudy day, it was still really beautiful and peaceful (thanks to allergy meds) i'm no hardcore crunchy granola nature guru, but even i am amazed at how calming and energizing being outside can be.
my splits:
1: 12:13
2: 12:xx (i think i accidentally paused my watch)
3: 11:59
4: 12:18
5: 12:49
6: 12:23
7: 12:26
T: 1:26:48
as for the "plain" powergel, it still had a sweet flavor, but not really as intense as the others. i was first attracted to the powergels over the gus because the powergels boasted having up to 4x the sodium and being the sweaty hog i am, i liked gobbling as much sodium as possible. so maybe i will still mix them up.
and speaking of sweaty hog, the under armour compression shirt was FREAKING AWESOME! felt even better than not wearing a shirt or singlet at all. perfect moisture management. UA items are a bit pricey and rarely on sale from what i've seen, but i think there is an under armour outlet 'round here that i might have to make a trek to.
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so as i mentioned earlier, i'm very close to making march my first 100 mile month. and if i get that done, i'll have 200 in the bag for the year so far. on target for making 2007 a 900 mile year. i'm planning to run a 7 mile speed workout on wednesday, an easy 3 on friday, and 12 on saturday. and that will put me 3 weeks away from my first half marathon of the year. a race that i feel very prepared for. i probably just jinxed it but i do feel ready. the only point of anxiety is that my family will be there so if anything does go wrong i feel like it might be amplified by the 10th degree. only because part of me feels like i have to prove to them that this running thing isn't totally crazy.
but besides that, i feel like i'm back in the shape i was before i moved and finally have a handle on a lot of the things in my life that were causing me angst. i didn't come to some grand epiphany, but slowly and surely march became the month where everything just started to make sense again :) i'm happy and thankful for that because i was starting to fear that i was going to roam aimlessly, endlessly.
so now, i'm ready for more. and i have to say i am constantly inspired by reading how all of you kick serious ass: 2 workouts a day, 3 sports at a time, juggling a job, and school, and kids, and families, running on little sleep, running in snow and ice, or heat and humidity, running distances i get tired just DRIVING, running faster than i even dream of, and still having great humor and spirits about everything. you guys really keep me going and help me believe that i too can kick some serious running ass.
in that vein, i'm adding another component to my regimen that i've been dreading for, oh forever. because the reality is that even though my mileage is back up to where it was before i started slacking off, the pounds have still accumulated. i am up 12 pounds since my move and i am seriously not happy. mainly because i dumped all my bigger clothes during the move and my clothes now just do not fit. not well, anyway.
so in the weeks leading to my half, i am determined to add 2 days of weight training in on mondays (easy run day) and thursday (easy bike day). in my very distant past, my weight training regimen consisted of 4 one hour lifting sessions throughout the week, alternating between upper and lower body, but that just seems like too much to do right now. i think for now i've got to put together a total body circuit that i can do in about an hour just twice a week. by may, i hope i'll have wrapped my head around the whole weight training thing and want to add at least another day. but we'll see. me and pain don't get along too well....
15 comments:
I've done those mystery trail runs too, and they can be awe-inspiring. But do be careful....
I just bought the margarita flavored Clif Shot Blocks, which have 3x the sodium. I'm anxious to try them out since I can't do Gu or PowerGels. You might try them if you can't find high-sodium gels.
As for losing weight, what helped me last fall was mixing it up a lot. I was working with a trainer (who came free, courtesy of my Very Good Looking Chiropractor) who varied our weekly workouts big-time. He also said to cardio at least every other day. So I think you're on the right track. I also followed a modified version of Weight Watchers, called Eat More/Lose More. It's not an official program; I found it on their message board, and it's geared toward women who are very active. It worked. I'm down 9 lbs. since September.
the best sign I saw from the crowd during the marathon was "pain is weakness leaving the body forever." I think once you push through your first few strength training workouts you'll feel good about continuing them...
I felt a little bit like you mentioned with the family being at the race, but I think running is intensely personal - even two people that run together might not be doing it for the same reason.
And, what is the difference anyway. As Jimi Hendrix said, "You have to go on and be crazy. Craziness is like heaven."
You don't know how happy it makes me that somebody else runs 12 minute miles! I think others are out there like us, they just don't post their times...
YAY!
Way to push through it, girl! You're totally going to rock March with your 100 miles!
Passing that painful warm-up portion of the run is the worst, isn't it? I think the most difficult part for me is mentally convincing myself to keep going. But it's worth it on, say, mile five when you've hit your stride and can run and run and run!
We have a nearby hike/bike trail that wonders through some strange wooded areas, and whenever I run or bike it, I'm a little wary about what's around the corner. Or those big hills. And then, of course, there are those super-creepy areas where animals are making a collection of noises that are either mating sounds or warning shots. Be careful out there. I think I just gave myself nightmares!
You should try those margarita clif shots, they should help you with any muscle cramps due to electrolyte depletion. Sounds like you need to get a hand held water bottle or a camelbak too with the warmer weather coming.
I'll be running in the San Mateo area this week. I need to check motionbase for a good local run on trails if possible. I'm looking forward to some sunshine. I hope I don't blind anyone with my Pacific Northwest skin tone.
Way to go!! It sounds like you're right on track to make your March goal. Who rocks??? That's right. It's you. :)
I can't tell you how many times I've felt like bagging a run after 2 miles only to finally loosen up and have a great time. Your body can certainly trick you some days.
Exploring new running areas is certinaly fun ... even when there is a potential of lions on the other side of a ridge.
Ah, this is what I miss about running, and why I hope to get my knee run-able. I love that you post your splits-- I know I will never be fast on my feet or on my bike but its not important. What is important is being out there and doing it and feeling good about it. Yes, vertically-challenged speed-deficient ladies eat hills for breakfast!
Isn't it funny for how much all of us run, we still struggle with our "weighty" issues? People who don't run can't fathom that runners need to watch what they eat and vary their training. The "outsiders" figure we run, therefore, we're thin.
Good luck with the weight training.
I sounds like you had a successful quarter. I think the Dow and Nasdaq will both rally based on this positive quarterly report. Have the auditors been around to see you yet?
> i have to say i am
> constantly inspired by
> reading how all of you
> kick serious ass
I'm inspired by YOU when you say things like "I decided to charge up a hill i had never seen the other side of."
> i am determined to add 2 days of
> weight training in
If you're pressed for time, at the very least start with fixing muscle imbalances by working the muscle groups that get overpowered by your running muscles. For example, you calves are probably really strong now but your shin muscles might be weak. So work those shin muscles. Also, if you're like me, the lower inside (medial?) part of your quads is probably too weak compared to your calves so work those too. That should help with knee cap tracking. Just my two cents.
oh i hope you have better luck putting strength training back in because i failed at it miserably.
i couldnt give up the running! i felt like if i didnt run, then i would all of a sudden NOT be ABLE to run! and no after running its hard for me to then go do weights unless i am running on the tready!
good luck girl!!!!!!!!!
>i. heart. wii.
What is your console #? We can parade!!
sounds like you are doing awesome. keep up the great work!
-- I'll bury this response to your comment in an old post --
If we're living the same life, can I be the evil half, please, please please?
I actually haven't gained weight - at my highest I was probably close to (if not) 190 (6-7 years ago). I've lost about 15lbs since I started working from home a year ago, but barely a pound since November. Nothing fits me because it is all too big (not the worst problem in the world).
Ironically, I cut down to like 1200-1600 calories per day from July '06 until a month ago - I lost the weight, but I maintained once I started running regularly. About a month ago I started working with Kristin (that is the cyber training link) and I upped my calories to about 2500 per day. I've lost about a pound, but I've gained muscle and I'm running much stronger.
Anyway, that's probably way more than you wanted to know, but maybe you'll find something positive in it. Enjoy your day relaxing in the sun.
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