It looks like I've still got some residual issues from Sunday's messy run. My left achilles tendon feels big and stiff when I tried to run today, as does my left knee. So, I walked most of this one and I've decided that I will most likely be sitting out on Thursday as well. Disney is too close to seriously injure myself.
It's been raining all day and I waffled back and forth about whether or not to put this run off. Maybe I'd do it Tuesday? Maybe next week? But it wasn't raining that hard, light rain the weather channel called it. And it wasn't cold. Easy peasy. Get out and do it and the back in again. Right?
It was a long 2 hours and 18 minutes and the last two miles were not good. At the end, I got a little lost, the reason for the extra .25 mi. My left leg started to yell at me. From the ankle to knee to hip. I was literally giving myself pep talks getting myself to the end. And at the end, I was a drenched mess and my hands weren't quite working properly. Don't know if I'll be getting off the couch for the rest of the day.
Happy Holidays! I didn't get a chance to write on Tuesday so today is a two-fer. I promised you a tale of young infatuation with the boy next door and so I will deliver:
I've enjoyed my share of anime and one trope that continually pops up is how the school girls tend to idolize their male classmates who fit a certain ideal. And when I say idolize, I mean they turn into screaming fangirls frothing at the mouth. I was going to find a gif to illustrate this, but I ran out of time. Anyways, this trope is both amusing and I always figured completely unlike American culture. Riiiiiiggghht.
Allow me to introduce exhibit A: the quarterback. Handsome and smart, I was lucky enough to live two doors down from this guy while we were in high school. For the most part, our lives did not intersect until one day I saw a shirtless blur pass by the front windows. And then again. And again. Curious, I went to see what was going on. Our street turns into a slight incline toward the top and he was running up it and then walking down and then sprinting back up. The slobber my mom later cleaned off the window did not come from the dog.
Only a few months ago did I realize what he was doing: Hill Intervals. And last week I decided that I would do the same. Not nearly as prettily, but hey it's a neighborhood athlete tradition. At first, I thought the hill would be too small. Please note what the title of Tuesday's entry would have been: We're gonna need a bigger hill. As I started though, I could feel my muscles burning just a little. Eight more reps later and I was very tired. Still, I didn't know if that was because I was running a little harder than usual or because I was actually working my legs and butt.
My first gift on Christmas Day was a load of pain. It hurt to sit, it hurt to walk and I actually whimpered climbing the stairs. Oh yes, that hill was just fine indeed.
Today featured a running field trip, a rain storm and some fabric recon. I had to dig out my summer running gear due to the nearly 70 degree weather (welcome winter!). I made sure to fuel up for my magic mile and hit the road for the town with my track and the source of the last of my Christmas shopping. Even so, my mile was rough and the 3 that followed even harder. I don't think high fiber cereal is good fuel right before a run. Research recommends simpler carbohydrates that can be more easily broken down. Noted. Of course at the farthest point from my car, the skies opened up at soon I was drenched. It's crazy, but I'm about 8 weeks into my training and this has been the wildest weather so far. Guess I'm lucky. Especially since the warm weather made the raining run actually pleasant. Getting stuck in the rain is good for the soul.
I spent the rest of the day tying of some seasonal loose ends before going to see The Hobbit 2 (very good movie!). One of my stops was to the fabric store where I scoped out their tulle section. I've decided to make my own tutu for the race. It seems ridiculously easy (famous last words) but first I have to decide who I am going to be. I'm still torn between Belle and Rapunzel. It all comes down to the top. I'd like to wear a tank, but that depends on whether or not I can recreate the arms of Michelle Obama.
On Tuesday, you may find yourself reading of my latest training (torture) session. I've got something brutal planned. You may also hear the story of a young freshman highschooler and the sexy senior two doors down.
I was planning to post sooner, but my computer got some nasty malware. Anyways, another short run today, but also another full 30 minutes at a decent clip. Even though I do go further when I incorporate my run/walk intervals into my 30 minute sessions, I feel like I'm making the most progress when I push myself and my endurance. This Sunday, I do 4 miles with 1 magic mile, which means that I'm supposed to try really hard on the one mile and then take it easy the other 3. I'm actually very interested in what my time will be. I'm hoping for under 13 minutes...
Another morning another run. After my not-quite-8 miles on Sunday, today was a ride on the struggle bus. My form was all over the place, I even caught myself running on the side of my foot and it took forever to work that kink out. But the run was done and I am one day closer to to the half.
I am also struggling with my sudden discovery of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. It is a web series that updates Pride and Prejudice and I am a little addicted. Luckily I am on episode 94 of 100 so it will soon be over. Which is a bummer because it's so good! I especially like how they updated some of the plot points to better fit modern sensibilities. In most adaptations, they tend change very little. But really would a modern day Charlotte Lucas marry Mr. Collins? No, but she might accept a business proposal to become his partner. And Lydia running away with Wickham isn't quite so scandalous, but Wickham trying to profit off a sex video of them is. I'm not saying it's perfect, they do comedy much better than melodrama.
I was supposed to do 8 miles today. It was a running field trip to the Cross Island Trail, I mapped it out, 4 miles out and 4 miles back. It all went well. It was a beautiful day and I was feeling good. (Oh right, the Dr. said it wasn't a fracture in my toe so I just have to wear a pad under the ball of my foot for a while. Yay!) Got home and remapped the course only to find out I'd gone 7.75 miles! Ugh. Oh well it was still a good run. I'll be more careful on my next long run.
Today has been full of good news so far. First, I had my x-ray done yesterday and I do not have a fracture or arthritis. The Dr. thinks it might be a chronic strain and that I should just make sure I have good shoes and run on a good surface. Knowing this, I ran with much less pain. It is definitely true that the more you worry, the worse things can seem. I also managed to run the entire 30 minutes this morning and did so with a pace of 11:57 per mile. If I could have run like this in high school, then I would have passed gym class.
I needed this victory as my motivation was flagging. It's hard to keep going when you're hurting and it's cold, but really when you do more than you thought you could, you run better and faster, doesn't that make it all worth it? This weekend is my 8 miler. I'll admit I'm nervous but there is no turning back!
Not a pretty run today. Partly due to the weather, partly to my mood and partly to the persistent pain in my foot. I've finally buckled down and called the Dr. I have an appointment this afternoon and hopefully she'll tell me it's all in my head and there's nothing to worry about.
It was a balmy 54 degrees this morning and yet the bank is playing holiday music out its windows. Weird.
Well it was another day where it was hard to drag myself out of bed and get out there but I'm so happy I did. Some of my neighbors have already decorated for Christmas and they left their lights on into the early morning so it was quite beautiful. Not only that, but there is a lot that is selling trees along my route. As I passed, I could smell the evergreens. I do love Christmas. I can't wait to see the rest of the town come alive with the lights and the smells and sounds.
I guess this is one of those instances that proves that you can accomplish more when you don't know your limitations. I was all set to write about my worries of embarrassing myself in Florida. I don't want to be dead last again. I know, I know, run your own race and all that jazz but still it's a bit rough.
This morning I decided to do my route backwards, which tends to freshen things up a bit. I mapped the 2.23 mile run out in my head and set off nice and easy. Considering my 10K wasn't that long ago and this was taking the place of my long run, I figured I could just have a slow run. Still, I didn't think I'd be pushing myself to complete it in 30 minutes. I've done this run a bunch of times, but when I ended at 30 min 33 sec, I chalked it up to residual soreness and poor nutrition.
After my run, I went to log the run and I was puzzled that the run I did wasn't the one I thought. It was the same roads, but a different combination, so I mapped the new one out. 2.5 miles. Not a huge improvement, but still a quarter mile better AND it was at a 12:15 min/mile pace! I don't know if I could have done it if I'd known I was reaching for something longer. The stress and pressure I would have put on myself probably would have weighed me down.
So, I started out worried about where I would be in February and now I'm feeling much better about my abilities. Maybe I'll even run the Turkey Trot again next year.
Happy Thanksgiving! I completed my 10K and did it in under my goal time. According to MapMyRun, my pace was at 13:03/mile which I am very pleased with. It was very cold and I was so nervous being surrounded by all those people. Luckily, that didn't last too long. I had a nice group around me as I did my thing running 2 minutes and walking 1 minute, but when it came time for the 5Kers to split off, I suddenly found myself running alone.
I always like to joke that I am the mouth-breather bringing up the rear and this time that was literally what happened. The good news is it didn't bother me too much aside from a minor swear when the front pacer lapped me after about a half-hour in. That dude could run!
Towards the end, though I managed to pass two people, one of whom asked me if there was anyone behind me. She wasn't too happy when I told her that I didn't think so. So I told her we were miles ahead of the people who didn't start. She didn't appreciate that either. Some people just take this stuff too seriously. Or they don't read the right motivational memes.
So I was last and got a police escort to the finish line. The point is I ran, I did it under goal and had a good time doing it (no injuries!). Now my legs are sore and all I want is turkey and beer. If you'll please excuse me :-) I have some pants that I should be busting out of soon.
I should probably just give up now. I will never be able to dress appropriately for the weather. Either I am too warm and have to strip during my runs, or I'm so cold I can barely move. Today was one of the former. The weather apps all said it was freezing with a bit of sleet and snow on the way. Once I got outside, however, it was much more temperate. All in all, though, a good run and a nice precursor to Thursday's Turkey Trot.
For a run that didn't feel like it was very good, I seemed to have good results. My pace is down to 13.09/mi. I think two things keep my from really feeling strong. The first is the fact that (again) I did not eat before running. I had to do my run early and it was only 3 miles so I figured I could just do without. Bad idea. The second is the Turkey Trot this Thursday. I'm doing a 10K to send in to Disney so that I can move ahead in the corrals. This is my first race where the results matter, not just whether or not I finish it and so I'm just stressing myself out. I'm shooting for an hour and a half finish time. That's a 15 min/mile pace which shouldn't be a problem and yet still I worry...
Another good, but cold, run. My warmup route is really just a small loop around my apartment complex. This means that I have to pass the door to go inside and get warm at least once. Everytime, I think about just going inside, getting in bed and pulling the covers up over my head. It's an urge that sometimes I can barely ignore. Only when I've started my stopwatch and picked up the trot that I like to call a run can I refocus.
A wicked wind was my main opponent this morning. Well, that and the ever increasing aches and pains in my hip and toe. Wrapping the toe seemed to help, but my hip after a mile and a half began to feel like a tightly wound spring. Aside from a brief walk when that happened, though, I managed to run the entire course and not only that, but went a little faster and so a little farther. .1 miles might not seem like a great deal of improvement, but my pace dropped to below 13 minutes/mile, so today showed marked improvement!
Whups, I forgot to post an update yesterday. It was my long run and I was visiting family which meant I had to find a place to run. On Friday, I tripped on a curb while walking to work and sprained my toe. Really, who does that? It's not even an exciting story. My left second biggest toe swelled up and I couldn't even walk on it that day. I had to take the day from work and buddy-wrapped it. Luckily, it was doing much better by Sunday and I was able to run (but carefully of course).
It was very hard pulling myself out of bed this morning. Weather app says it was 30 degrees outside and my apartment was quite chilly since I hadn't turned the heat on yet. That meant my bed was especially warm and inviting and just so comfortable! Couldn't I just sleep in a little more? What about running this afternoon? I had time for that, right? Not really. The next three days are booked pretty solid and the only time I can run is early so it was either right then or never.
A few months ago, I mentioned that wearing my Phillies baseball cap when I run was like my disguise, that I felt like Clark Kent without his glasses. Well, I decided I needed a winter hat for this run. I don't know how I ended up with a New York Mets hat but it was the only one I could find. Wearing it this morning felt like I'd put on a black mustache that I could twirl maniacally from the shadows.
Anyways, I'm still doing a walk/run combination and 2 minutes running and 1 minute walking seems to be working out pretty well. I'm at about a 13.36 minute pace doing this.
Whups, I forgot to log yesterdays run. This is probably because it was pretty uneventful. Thankfully there was no sleet even though the weather folks said that it was falling.
This run did not freak me out as much as the one before it. Maybe it was because I felt more ready? I had a plan and best of all I had new shoes! I'd known for a while that I had to get new ones. You're supposed to replace them about every 400-500 miles and the fact that I had mine for at least a year and a half means that it was more than past due. Not only the age, but also the fact that when I ran, I felt absolutely no support in my feet. Considering that I have high arches, support is pretty important and I'm hoping that some of the persistent discomfort I've been experiencing can be written off as a sign that I need new shoes.
So, I took myself down to the local running store. Actually I drove into the big city and a very nice lady helped me find the right pair of shoes. There is more to the process than just picking out the prettiest pair at the right price that feels right. She looked at how my foot handled my weight both standing and sitting as well as walking. I apparently slightly pronate which means that my feet roll in a little which most people's do. So, I just needed a neutral style of shoe. After a little trial and error *insert fashion montage here* I found a pair that I'm pleased with. They're not the flashiest, but they get the job done. Sort of like me I guess.
I can't say that the shoes made a huge difference, but they definitely helped and some of my problem areas barely made a squeak.
Next on the list is to work on strengthening those problem areas so they cause less trouble.
I had an early day this morning, which means an earlier run. Funny thing was, I had no problem waking up at 5:15, but now that I'm done and on the couch, I really want to go back to bed and pull the covers over my head, find that super comfey spot that I'd left and return to dreamland. Alas, it is not an option.
Today's run went well. I managed to cut my time on the trail by about 20 seconds, though my right hip started to hurt after a while. I have to keep an eye on that and maybe scale things back a little. I definitely need new running shoes, too so that might be happening on Saturday. My current pair is probably about 2 years old, though it's only lately that I've been putting miles on it. Though they look okay, I can tell that there is nothing left of the insides. So... that means I get to go shopping! Last week it was resistance bands, this week it's shoes (and maybe a foam roller).
One thing that I've had to combat recently is the runner's munchies. Basically, because you're running, you just get hungry all the time. The sad thing is that you're really not expending that many calories in a day so always being hungry can get dangerous. Online advice recommends focusing on eating more healthy foods in these instances.
It's cold out there guys! I could even see my breath and for a moment I was worried that even my new "cold weather" running gear wouldn't be enough. A few minutes into the run, though, and I was hot. Tuesdays and Thursdays are all maintenance runs. It's not how far I have to go on those days, but how far I can go in 30 minutes. Right now it's about 2 miles. Hopefully further down the road that distance will grow. It has to or I won't be fast enough in February.
My first long run is done! Strangely enough, I was nervous about this one. I've done 3 milers before and I had a walk/run plan but still the idea of it had a certain weight to it. According to Jeff Galloway (who created the running plan I am following), I was supposed to slow down by at least 3 minutes with the focus being on finishing with strength, not on speed. I was shooting to complete the course in 48 minutes, but ended up 3 minutes ahead of time. Still feeling good!
Happy Halloween! Was up at 5:30 today, which was easier than is should have been considering I've been used to waking up whenever I pleased and that the vampiric toddler still likes to run around screaming at all hours of the night. Today's run is just 25 minutes. Easy Peasy. My original goal was to run for 5 minutes at the most at a stretch. I made it 10 the first go around and about 8 the second with walks in between.
Still feeling good.
It feels so good to be back. The surgery went well and the recovery has been smooth. I've been walking regain my strength but today was my first day heading back with a plan in mind. It was just a half hour run and I took it very slow and easy. Heck I didn't even run all that much. I'd run for about a minute and a half and walk for a minute. Sometimes I could good longer other times I couldn't. I ended with some energy still left in the tank, but my body was happy to be done.
So, all these setbacks apparently require some surgery. Nothing major, but still I'm in no shape to be training right now. So, I'm grounded to walking until my recovery. I'm currently looking at Nov 1 as Day 1.
Found a couch to half-marathon running plan and since I'm starting over (again) I figured I'd shoot right for the big leagues.
Don't mistake me. I'm back, but I'm not better and to be honest, I don't know that I'll be better for a long time. Still, while my health issues aren't going away, neither is the half-marathon, nor is the fact that the only time I feel strong and good about myself is when I'm running. Even if I can barely do a minimum.
. I tried running yesterday and only made it about 11 minutes before I had to stop. Today, my goal was two 10 minute runs. I made one 10 minute run and one 5 minute run. I'm trying not to look back at how awesome I was just a week and a half ago (4 miles! a 5K!) but instead focus on how strong I'll be at some point. So no, today was not a good day, but it was also not a day when I gave up.
I might be more like Pickett trying to make it up that hill at Gettysburg than a conquering Alexander the Great, but the fight still continues.
The first rule of racing is to Run Your Own Race. It's easy to keep in mind when you're alone on the road, but come race day, it's something that you have to constantly keep in mind.
Today was the Run4Shelter's event. I decided to run the 5K as it seemed to be within my abilities at the moment and a good test of my distance running. More importantly, however, I am currently fighting another setback and I was running because I was afraid. I was afraid that I couldn't do it and I was afraid that if I didn't, then I wasn't just giving up for the day, I was just plain giving up. I needed to prove to myself that I'm still strong enough to keep going and even if I passed out on the track in the attempt, I was doing it.
Luckily, there was no need for the paramedics. the trail was beautiful and even as the faster runners blew past me in the first few minutes, I'm still pleased with my results. The last 5K I ran was in about 47 minutes. There was some walking involved. Today, I ran the full course. My strategy was to mimic Secretariat. Yep, I was going to take strategy advice from a horse. It's sort of ridiculous. Here is what ESPN considers one of the greatest athletes in history, a creature bred to run and to run beyond fast and me, a dumpling who is descended from sturdy German peasant stock. Truly there is no comparison. But here is what wikipedia says about when Secretariat ran the Kentucky Derby in 1973:
"On his way to a still-standing track record (1:592⁄5), Secretariat ran each quarter-mile segment faster than the one before it. The successive quarter-mile times were 251⁄5, 24, 234⁄5, 232⁄5, and 23. This means he was still accelerating as of the final quarter-mile of the race. No other horse had won the Derby in less than 2 minutes before, and it would not be accomplished again until Monarchos in 2001."
I took the first mile nice and easy. Pressed the gas pedal a little harder in the second and then with Zac Brown Band's "Natural Disaster" humming along, I stepped it up until I could hardly breathe. And believe me, no matter what your time is, the feeling when you cross that finish line is indescribable. I might be the mouth-breather bringing up the rear, but my time is an improvement over my last 5K and I am looking forward to the next.
Yay 4 miles! Okay true confession: I really only did 3.96 miles of running, but I swear I covered the distance! I got to try out my new flip belt today. It felt nice running with supplies just in case something were to happen. Also, the belt will be helpful during any actual races that I run as I have no other place to store my car keys (aside from my hair). The belt only rode up once, but that's actually better than I was anticipating because I have a small waist and round hips so anything that's slung low on my hips is bound to ride up at some point. I even erred on the size of smallness when choosing my size. All in all, I think it will be a useful addition to the team.
Another early morning. I need to get used to this. It's now over an hour for my runs including warm up and cool down. Of course this also means early to bed, so I've been working on getting between the covers early and then reading. It's a good chance to unwind, thing about the day ahead and psych myself up for the next run.
Today, I completed my first day of week three. That's 3 17 minute runs with a 1 minute walk between them. Without a copilot telling me when to stop and start again, that meant I had to do some simple math on the fly. I like doing math when I'm running. Figuring out how long I've been running and how much further I have to go. It keeps my mind off the aches and pains, the hunger and the bodily necessities that seem to crop up right when I'm furthest from home. But man, I am terrible with my sevens. It took me counting on my fingers to get the right minutes for when I should walk. Another reason I'm really enjoying running in the dark.
Isn't it funny how you can start something thinking it won't be good. Definitely not your best, and then you surprise yourself? That is something that I've been learning over the past few months. Just how strong and fast my body can be and that I continually underestimate myself. I did not want to get up today. It was one of those days when the bed felt too good, my legs too creaky and dammit I just wanted to enjoy a cup of coffee. I figured it would be one of those days that you get up and you struggle through the run, it might not be the fastest, but it would be done and another building block to the foundation that will get me through 13.1 miles.
Even while I was running, I didn't think I was doing my best. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Run the 15 minutes, walk 1 minute and repeat. But, then I got home and mapped my course (while icing my feet) and see that it is one of the farthest distances I've gone and I've just about cleared the 13 minute/mile pace (13.12 to be exact). I can't wait to get into the 12 minute mile pace.
Well this is the last run of week 2 of the Bridge to 10K program. I'm still running without a copilot and enjoying the quiet. It makes me enjoy the road that much more. Next week, I'll be stepping it up a notch. 3 17 minute runs punctuated by 1 minute walks.
I was up and out the door before I even knew what I was doing. 5:15 is not my idea of a good time to be up and about. Even the cats were a little shocked (though still pleased at the early breakfast). It was a little chilly outside, a hint of the cold I could expect in later days. But then I looked up at the sky and damn, the stars were beautiful this morning.
There is something magical about that pre-dawn hour. The cool, free air and the silent streets. I think I talked about it in my last entry too, but it bears repeating, if it wasn't for the whole waking up early thing, then I could see myself doing it regularly. But, I also love my sleep and with the vampiric toddler running around and screaming at midnight, I don't see this happening regularly. Still, this morning, I conquered my usual reservations and went for it.
When I'm running, I have all these great ideas about what to write about. How the field I often pass reminds me of one of those Dutch masterpieces, about the little dogs that like to chase me (and the big dogs who could really care less). There are also the cats for whom I break into the fake French that I use on my own kitties. Sometimes it's good that I'm running alone. That said, I do want to get one of those reflective vests for night running. I usually stick to the sidewalks, but still running at night without something to alert drivers to my presence does not pass the Obituary Test.
Happy Friday!
Well my Inner Trainer is pleased, but Dr. Me is a bit miffed. I really did intend to continue with the first week of the bridge to 10K program. Once I got started though, my plans changed. Instead of doing the 4 10 minute runs, I ended up doing 3 15 minute runs. I also did most of it before the sun came up. I have to say, running in the dark, before the rest of the world is awake, is an incredible experience. The air is quiet and cool, but also somehow charged for the coming day. Stepping outside into that chill, breathing deeply, I relaxed and knew it was time to get to work. This is good, because with the coming fall and winter, running in the dark is going to become more standard.
After last week, I decided to take a small step back and redo the first week of bridge to 10K. I've also decided to do it without a co-pilot. I like running with the quiet, which surprises me. It gives me a chance to think and to plan or even just to let my mind roam where it may.
I also decided to make today a running field trip. There is a small park just outside of town with trails, so I decided to give it a try. I liked that it was quiet and flat, though the trails were rather short and more about loops, so I had to do laps instead. All in all, though, the run went well. The end wasn't pretty, but I made it and I'm feeling good about the finish too. Ready to do it all again on Wednesday!
Yep, another setback. At least this time I did not end up in the ER so I guess I can count it as a win? Also, my toe had been hurting a bit, I think it is one of my tendons so the week off was probably good for me in the sense of letting that recover. Dr. Me believes that the pain stems from trying to do too much too soon after my last setback. Still, it does mean rebuilding both my confidence and my stamina. I read that taking a week off doesn't really hurt you too badly if you've been a regular runner for at least 4-6 weeks prior because you've got a foundation. I'm barely at that so I can definitely say that I lost a bit of my oomph.
I had a late start this morning. Originally up at 6:30, I lounged around for 3 hours before realizing that the only reason I wasn't running was because I didn't want to run. That really pissed off my inner trainer so even though it was 10:30 and starting to get hot, I'd geared up and was hitting the pavement before I really knew what I was doing. My inner trainer can be such a bitch.
Still, I'd like to think that I'd learned something from last time, so instead of launching right into something ambitious, I decided to do a longer trail, but walk most of it with 2 10-minute runs at some point in between. I have to say that it worked out pretty well and the 10 minute warm up walk I did before starting my first run felt much better than my typical 5-minute warm-up so I think I'll incorporate that into my future runs.
Another beautiful day. Another good run.
Decided to try a new run today. This one took me back through a wooded trail and along some water. It was gorgeous, though I did forget one very important thing: bug spray. I'd have to say the most "princessy" part of me is my dislike for bugs. Especially the ones that sting. Still, I wasn't stopping. My mom taught me a saying when I was learning to drive and trying to accommodate mergers. She said you could either slow down or speed up, but don't stop. I suppose there is also the get out of that lane tactic as well. Either way, I could not stop then and I would not stop today.
I made a slight mistake in my last post. You don't repeat the 10 minute run 3 times, but 4. That made me a little nervous, not just because it was more than I'd run yet, but also because I've been experiencing some foot pain lately and that last think I want to do is come so far and then get hurt and be sidelined for a few more weeks. So, I decided to take it slow and keep an eye on everything. And still I made it. Luckily, while this was a good distance, it's also the farthest I'll be running for the next week, unlike last week when I was constantly pushing myself to run farther.
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team
I've decided to participate in the Bout of Books Read-a-thon. It last an entire week, so unlike the 48-Hour Reading Challenge, I will not be destroying myself by staying up for 7 days straight (see? there is a bit of common sense left in me!). The Bout runs from today, Monday, until Sunday at mid-night and the goal is simply to read more than usual.
My Goals
My Goodreads goal was to read 75 books this year. I am currently 4 books behind so my goal is to bring that back up.
Books to Read
-Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
-The Great Cat Massacre by Robert Darnton
-Austentatious by Alyssa Goodnight
-Covet by J.R. Ward
-Anything else that strikes my fancy
I'm no longer the fast reader that I used to be and there's that whole "work" thing that'll bring me down. :-)
Updates
Monday, 8/19
Books Read Today:
Completed: Code Name Verity (also known as one of my favorite books of the year)
In-Progress: Does The Great Cat Massacre count? I've been working on it for over a week already.
Total Books Read: 1
Total Pages Read: 230
Tuesday, 8/20
Books Read Today: 2 still working on Cat Massacre and started Covet
Completed: 0
In-Progress: 2
Total Books Read: 1
Total Pages Read: 400
Wednesday, 8/21
Books Read Today: 1: Focused on Covet
Completed: 0 (so close!)
In-Progress: 2
Total Books Read: 1
Total Pages Read: 572(ish)
Thursday, 8/22
Books Read Today: 1 I finally finished Covet. A fun, diverting read, though I don't think I need to continue the series.
Completed: 1
In-Progress: 2 (Great Cat Massacre and Austentatious
Total Books Read: 2
Total Pages Read: 712
Friday, 8/23
Books Read Today: 2 Austentatious (100 pages) and Great Cat (20 pages)
Completed: 0
In-Progress: 2
Total Books Read: 2
Total Pages Read: 732
Saturday, 8/24
Books Read Today: 2
Completed: 1 Finished the last 187 pages of Austentatious. It was cute and puts me in the mood to go to Scotland for a rockstar of my very own. Can you get those duty free?
In-Progress: Great Cat of course!
Total Books Read: 3
Total Pages Read: 919 (maybe I'll crack 1K pages!)
Sunday, 8/25
Books Read Today: 1
Completed: 0
In-Progress: 2 Started King Peggy but I didn't get much time to read today. Only read 30 pages of it.
Total Books Read: 3
Total Pages Read: 949
All in all a good time! I'd definitely do it again next time. Maybe I'll even crack 1,000 pages.
Happy Reading!
It was a perfect day for a run. A cool breeze, good sunshine and for the most part, quiet. When I first started out today, I thought about my 30 minute goal and the distance that it would take to cover it. It seemed so far, so long. As I started, though, the minutes flew by, as did the miles. Distance and time really are mostly mental. That's not to say that I wasn't sore and ready to stop when I reached the finishing line, but I did so knowing I was capable of more.
On Sunday, I'll start the Bridge to 10K program. There are plenty of these programs out there but they are all designed for Couch to 5K graduates to move on to the next level. The first week seems like a step back, you run for 10 minutes/walk for 1 and repeat that 3 times. If you look at the rest of the program, though, you'll see that that first "easy" week is only a building block to gradually and safely increase mileage until you are running a full hour, which for most people will be 6 miles but at my current rate will probably be closer to 4. Even so, I do notice I'm getting faster and my stride is getting longer. I'm not quite shuffling anymore. When I pass a big window, I slow down and wonder: who's that runner in the ball cap?
Happy Friday!
Still working on getting back on track. Friday, I'll gun for 30 minutes of consecutive running, at which point I can do the Bridge to 10K program. While I'm not quite doing 3 miles in 1/2 hour, the B210K goes by time and just following the plan, I think, will prove helpful.
I ran good and hard yesterday, then I looked at the calendar and realized that it was unlikely that I would get a chance to get out on Sunday, so I decided to do a small run today. I planned to take it easy, but my legs had other ideas. I should keep them more in line, I suppose, but it was a beautiful day and I wasn't going far. My usual pace is about a 14-15 minute mile. Today I ran more of a 13.5 minute mile. It's a marked improvement, though still not at the 12 minute pace that would have allowed me to pass gym class back in high school. One of my side goals is to go to a track one day and finally hit that pace. It would be a triumph over the soccer players and track stars who made it all look so easy as they blew past me again and again (I was repeatedly lapped). It was always a painful experience because I didn't feel like I was capable of even running the bare minimum. Those old mantras of "I'm fat, I'm lazy, I'm stupid, I can't do this" would roll through my head, gouging into my self-esteem. It's taken me a long time to get to where I am and to know that I'm none of those things.
Anyways, I ran well today and feel good about continuing on. My ball cap, however, is disgusting. My new present to myself is going to be a proper cap that hopefully won't get sweat stains in the crux between the bill and the rest of the cap. Wearing a hat while I run makes me feel like I'm incognito. I'm just another runner on the road.
This morning, I managed to get 20 minutes of straight running in. This means I'm over halfway back to where I was before my last spell. I'm still frustrated by what I've lost, but I'm also looking ahead. I think it's my own anxiety that's been holding me back right now. There's no use planning for the bad times, so I'm going forward thinking that every day will be a good day and if it's not... *shrug* So it goes.
My hope is to get at least somewhat back to where I was by next week so I can start the Bridge to 10K program. If I can stay on that timeline, then I'll be ready for a 10K at the end of September. That's my short term goal.
I started out today hoping to get at least 10 minutes of running into my route. Take it easy, pay attention to my body and how it's doing. I managed to get a full 15 minutes of running in before I had to walk. I told myself that it would only be for a few minutes, then I'd shoot for a second session. Yeah, that didn't work out. Still, it felt good to be out there again, becoming stronger.
It's been a while and I'd like to think I have a good reason for taking a week off (and not an excuse). The condition that keeps biting me in the ass struck again at the end of last week, requiring rest and recovery. A week can seem to go by so quickly (hello, vacation to Hawaii) or so slowly like this past one. It's frustrating to know your body's capabilities and yet be completely wiped out for a period of time. Especially when your legs are screaming to be allowed to go outside and play. There is no magic pill that will bring you back to where you were, only time and care and my least favorite thing: patience.
Yesterday was the first day that I tried to get back out there. I lasted 10 minutes of jogging before I had to walk. It's funny how two months ago, 10 minutes would have been a miracle, something to celebrate, but that day, it was a kick in the rear. So, today, I strapped my sneakers back on and tried again. Instead of expecting myself to be even close to the top of my game, I broke my run down. 5 minutes running, 2 minutes walking and then repeating the process. It wasn't pretty, but it was better than yesterday. Tomorrow, I'll reach for a DVD and Saturday, I'll strap those shoes on again and shoot for a bit further.
One of the benefits of running so early in the morning is that by the end of the day, I feel pretty fresh. I even forget that I'd run and start thinking of other healthful things I can do that evening. Do I ever actually do those healthful things? I refuse to answer that question, but the opportunity is there and I'd like to think that at some point, I'll start to think that exercising twice a day isn't taboo, but more like brushing your teeth.
I'd hoped that today's run would put me in the mood to start planning an even further run, but despite my improvement over Tuesday (1.5 minutes faster!) I'd like to have at least one more 2.5 run. Finishing today, there was less in my tank than there usually was after a run.
Later on, I know these super early mornings will have to become regular, but I'm looking forward to sleeping in for the next week.
On the plus side, I got my run out of the way before the expected high-90's. It was humid, but pretty bearable. That said, I had to wake up at 5:30 to do it. If you know me at all, then you know that I am not much of a morning person. Not only that, but I'd only gotten a few hours sleep last night and my dreams involved burqas and dogs being kicked thanks to the Thousand Splendid Suns that I just had to stay up finishing.
Anyways, my alarm was a shock not just to me, but also to my cat, who had taken up residence on my chest. So, not only did I have to get out of bed early, I also missed kitty cuddle time. She didn't care too much, though, as my getting up means food is imminent.
So, I finally got out on the road and was pounding pavement by 6AM. Ran a little bit further this time and while I still wish I could pick up my pace a little, I know that speed will come with time. And I've never been a speedy person in the first place. Right knee is a little twingy, I'll have to keep an eye on it.
Yesterday, I power-walked through Longwood Gardens for 3 hours. I felt pretty good until I woke up this morning. It felt as though someone had put their pointer fingers over a hot fire to get them blazing hot and then stabbed them through the middle of my calves. I was tempted to take the day off. Let myself rest up and get started again tomorrow morning, but as a television show I once watched said: if you do something often enough, it will become a habit. So, off I went.
Towards the end, I realized that I really wanted to finish this run in under a half hour. I had 30 seconds to go and thought I could just pick up the pace and really push myself. And I flew. I was probably going about as fast as a normal person on a slow day, but this dumpling was rolling faster and longer than she usually did. One look at the start of this post will tell you I did not reach my goal, but that's okay. I'm still happy with the result and proud that I pushed myself toward a personal best.
Last time, I came back drenched with sweat, today, I came back drenched with rain. Today's run was delayed due to thunder and lightning, but after work there was only a constant rain. So, I strapped on my shoes, put on a top that would stay opaque and just went for it.
Crossed the 2 mile mark! Despite all the "wickiness" of my clothes, I was still completely soaked with sweat. Wicking clothing is designed to pull the sweat off your body. Parts of my body that I didn't even know could sweat were dripping (though the more I think about skin and pores, the more I think... duh!).
Run 2: Monday, July 8, 2013
MW: 137
Distance/Time: 1.84 mi/26.15 min
Days to Race: 230
I visited my parents for the weekend, which also meant I got to go running in their neighborhood. Without intending to, that meant I was going to be doing some hill work as their neighborhood streets go up and down sometimes gently and other times not so much. It is the sort of neighborhood that has a high hill on which all the fancier houses use to rest. Even when I was little, riding my bike all the way up there for the brief thrill of plummeting back down was too much effort. I'd always avoided that Suicide Hill. But not on that day.
Halfway through my run, I was steadily getting one foot in front of the other as I climbed up and around the bend. As I neared the top, I felt a brief moment of joy at my accomplishment. It was quickly deflated, though, when I realized that there was no break at the top. No resting moment. I still had a ways to go and after this, there was no option but to keep going (or give up, which was not going to happen). So, my run continued. Suicide Hill was not the end, nor was it the beginning. It was simply there to be climbed.
Today, my run was pretty straightforward. Still going further and longer, though my goal is to clear the 2 mile mark. I'd thought I might have done it today, but apparently not so much. Time to start mapping some new runs.
I usually don't run two days in a row. Every book I read states how important rest days are. And by rest, I don't necessarily mean doing nothing, but rather working on flexibility or strength (I like my yoga and Pilates DVDs). But, tomorrow is not going to work as a running day, so I needed to make an exception. So, I didn't push myself too hard and ran this week's course more as a matter of fact.
I was going fine, chugging along when another runner passed me by. She was very nice in our brief greeting, but what caught my attention was that my feet were hitting the ground far more often than hers were and yet she was moving at nearly twice my speed with much less effort. Part of it is probably the fact that she had about 3 extra inches of leg, but I also noticed that her strides were longer too. My general running movement is more of a bouncing shuffle. It's ridiculous and combined with the mouth breathing, I'd be embarrassed if I wasn't wearing my lucky Phillies cap (and too focused to really care how I look). And after spending so much time running alone, figuring out how my body moves, it was nice to see how someone else managed to be a bit more efficient. So, one of my next steps will be to focus on lengthening my stride.
Also, Happy 4th!
Felt good finishing this run. I think next time I'll shoot for a full 2 miles. Not only that, but I'm hitting that magic mile more often. The magic mile, to me, is the point where the running actually becomes fun. You feel strong, powerful and even on the nastiest day, things start looking up. I can tell when I'm getting fitter because of how long that magic mile stays (and it can stay for longer than a mile). It means setting the bar low and exceeding it because you want to, not just because you can.
My goal was to run for 15 minutes, but when I checked my watch at the point I was going to end, I saw I had 3 minutes left and still some energy to burn. So, instead, I hit 20 minutes and feel good about it.
Still recovering from another setback, but hopefully things are all fixed or just about fixed. Now we just have to hope that they stay that way! This run might not have been my longest or my fastest, but it was a full on run with only 5 minutes warm-up and 5 minutes cool down. I think in the future I won't count that part in my distance or time.
Also, it is official. 10 days after my 30th birthday, I will be dressing up like a princess and running my rotten little heart out.
I still don't know if it's endurance or allergies or the humidity, but my lungs are just not performing as efficiently as they used to. It's probably a combination of the three. Still, I worked hard and went a bit further than I thought I could, but still no 30 minute run.
I've been reading Running and Being by George Sheehan and he makes a good point that it's not on the days that everything goes right that we build the most, but on the days that it is a fight to make any sort of improvement at all. It's an interesting book, part sports memoir and part philosophy.
Still rebuilding after my "week off" (that makes it sound like a vacation). Also, it has gotten much hotter than it used to be, even at 7 in the morning. I've come back feeling like I've gone swimming, not running and I think the temperature change will take an adjustment as well. Definitely need to focus on more water consumption.
As they say in Batman Begins: "Why do we fall sir? So we might learn to pick ourselves up".
It's been a while. Again, my health got in the way of my track record and I was laid low (read: bed ridden) for two days and just feeling crappy for a full week. Just when I was getting somewhere too. But, the past few days I've been feeling much better and best of all, my legs WANT to run! They're like two kids at Disney World begging to go on Space Mountain one more time (please? please? please?). And this morning, I was finally able to relent.
I took it nice and easy and walked for a few portions. While my legs wanted to go, my lungs were a bit more hesitant. So, it was a shorter, easier run, but one that was a promise of more to come. To paraphrase the movie, Ever After: The point is not that she ran well. The point, gentleman, is that she ran. Registration opens this Tuesday, I think, and I was worried that I'd lost my motivation to keep working towards this enormous goal. But no, I feel good, ready even, to commit.
My plan is to first, finish 3 consecutive days of the final C25K podcast. Then, it is to start running for distance, not time. My 30 minutes do not really cover the 5K that they are intended to. So, I want to get my 5K under a half hour and keep it there for a bit before beginning the bridge to 10K.
I was at the beach for the weekend. Regrettably, I did not take advantage of the opportunity to run by the ocean, instead opting for the flat road running parallel. Still, there is something about being at the beach that makes life just a little better. I was amazed at how many fit people were on the road at all times there. In my little town, you'll sometimes see a person here and there but not with the same frequency. And the dogs. So many delightful dogs.
I'd planned to run twice on my trip, but two nights ago, my body gave me a big f-you and I decided to put my plan on hold for a day. Even today, I was a bit worried about going full out 30 minutes, but I'm glad I did. As always, the first 5 minutes were the worst, but after that first mile, magic happens. I find my rhythm and feel like I could go on forever. Luckily, my calf muscles keep me in line.
I couldn't help but think, however, that this is only a quarter of my goal distance. I'm doing well. Running on track and constantly improving, but it's hard to imagine running for 13.1 miles, let alone 10K. Every week, I'm going further and faster than ever before and the victories are small. Today, I'm bringing in a cake for a co-worker's birthday so maybe I'll consider my slice a celebration of how far I've come.
I usually run on Mondays, but I had a good friend staying over and that not only meant a busy morning, but also an unhealthy night before (all my own fault, mind you). So instead, I scheduled my run for Tuesday and that extra day really made a difference. Or maybe it was the whole grain toast with natural peanut butter (a common entry of recommended pre-run breakfasts).
As I started out, everything seemed to be in order right down to the same point in my run that I have to pee and how I have to give myself the biggest pep talks the first five minutes in. For some reason, they always seem to be the most difficult as I huff and puff and struggle to find my rhythm. But then, disaster struck. And by disaster, I mean I accidentally restarted my podcast. The music vanished and instead, my co-pilot began talking to be about talking back to my negative self-comments. And of course, I'd forgotten to wear my watch so I had no idea how long I'd been running and since it was the first run of the week, about how far I would get.
I tried to do the math, but if you've tried to run, keeping those numbers aligned in a bouncing brain is not easy. Instead, I knew I had about 3 extra minutes of running to go so I took the point that I think I'd gotten to last week and then extended it to give myself a ballpark. And then I surpassed it. I definitely ran over 30 minutes today and felt like I could have done more. Just knowing this gives me a great deal more chutzpah for the rest of the program. I just have to stay smart about it.
I was supposed to have finished this run yesterday. I had every intention of doing so. After work, I laced up, put on my hat and started to run. And when my friendly co-pilot in the MP3 Player told me I was halfway done, my body decided that I was completely done. I ended up walking the rest of the way. My legs down to my feet ached and my form was all over the place. So, I called that session and gave myself a re-do for today. Sometimes, you've just got to listen to your body and not your ambition.
Today's run went much better. I also did the course backwards, which I think helped shake things up a bit. I was still a little twingey, but my form stayed true and the aches passed. Next week is a little bit further, a little bit longer.
Woke up early this morning thanks to a forgotten eye dr. appointment which had me moving my usual schedule up an hour. Happily, I managed to get up and out according to schedule and as I was running, I realized that this early wake-up would become more common the further I go. Of course I always thought that being up by 5:30 would come much later. When it was dark outside. And bitterly cold. And ideally I won't have as much fat on me to stay warm...
Anyways!
I finished my run feeling good. My left calf had been a bit tight the night before so I took the time to go through some stretches/poses that I learned from my Pilates and yoga DVDs and the next morning, it all went fantastically. In the future, I think I'll make a point of doing yoga the day before as a pre-warm-up.
Finished this run pretty well. Happily, I've stopped feeling twinges in my knees. I think it's because I've been taking the time to stretch before I go out and I've spent a fair amount of attention on my running form. My left calf always feels a little tight and now my right ankle is starting to make some noise. I'll have to looking into what I can do to make those run smoothly.
All in all, I feel great about this run. I even got to meet the woman who keeps waving to me on the road. Apparently she'd always thought I was someone else. Her dog, Andre, however, quickly realized that I was not worth the effort. As I was going through a neighborhood by a field, I saw a bi-level plane swooping low overhead. That's a new sight. :-).
I needed this. A concise victory that proved to myself that I can in fact improve and succeed. You might have noticed I've been a little cranky about some weight gain. I don't know if it's been the new pill I'm taking, or the fact that I've been overcompensating a little exercise with a lot of extra calories (I know I have a sugar problem), or just random water retention but it's been a bit of a blow to get on the scale every morning. It's also been a bit more difficult to complete my runs. Today though, I hit it and I hit it hard.
I might have wanted to cry at a point or two in the middle. I might have had to play games with myself to keep going (okay, I can get excited when I see the Acme, OMG how cool would it be if I reached PNC?, etc., the woman just told me we'd finished the 5 minute run which means I have x much time left). The point is, though, that I finished the longest run yet and cleared that hurdle. Just three more weeks to go of this program!
I feel good about this run. It was definitely a push to get through it, but I completed it. My body is now weaker than my endurance, so I want to work a bit more on strength training. I'm not so sure about Friday's session, however. Running for 25 minutes is a lot and I no longer have the burst of energy that comes with starting a project. I do believe, however, that once I get past this hurdle, the rest of the C25K will go more smoothly.
Ugh. Rolled out of bed and I did it. Not much more to say. Oh, and I ended up going further than I originally thought and had to add an "oops" extension to the run. Tomorrow, I'll put in a second annex to my route. This does make me happy. Two things I need to work on, though: diet (as always, I need to start putting better things into my body) and getting to bed earlier. It's supposed to rain today, though, so I'm happy I pushed myself through the crappy-feeling morning and got the run done.
Here's a little secret. I am a huge sucker for comic book movies, especially the Marvel ones. Iron Man 3's premier has been on my calendar for the past 6 months, so I decided to roll that trip into a chance to try a different town/running route as there are no movie theaters where I live. I rolled out of bed and was out of the house early. The temperature had dropped quite a bit overnight and as I started off, I wish I'd remembered some gloves. My hands were bright red and achey, though the rest of me was fine in short sleeves and running capris.
I did 3 10 minute runs punctuated by periods of walking and felt good about it. Friday's 20 minuter was hard so it was nice to push myself without trying to actually kill myself. During my run a very friendly boy paced alongside me as he roller-bladed to church. He told me that I was not running, I was jogging, and then showed off how fast he could go. I'm happy to say that I was able to keep up a conversation with him while jogging, a sign that I'm running a good pace.
After my run, I hit up Target and the the movies! All I can say is it was great. A bit more cartoonishly comic than the others, but still very enjoyable. Gwyneth Paltrow is totally ripped and Ben Kingsley is really the bees knees. Can't wait for the rest of Phase 2! And Man of Steel. And Guardians of the Galaxy. Geeze, it's no wonder that Gmail thinks I'm an 18 year old boy.
I was worried about today. I hadn't run 20 minutes straight since the last time I did this (two years ago?!). Even then, it was because I was angry. Rage can make a great motivator and today, I wasn't angry. But still I did it! About 5 minutes in I started plotting when I could take a short break and for how long, but it wasn't necessary. I feel like I've cleared a hurdle and now it's time to keep working toward the other ones. This little dumpling can run!
