Most of my runs up until now have worked like this: run a mile, walk for 1 minute. Repeat until the mileage has been achieved. It was such a nice reward after each mile to get that one minute of relief, get my breath back, and then attack again, renewed. But for my run on Saturday (3 miles, done outside in the afternoon) and my run today (3 miles, on the treadmill this evening) I did the full distance with no pauses, no walking. Woo hoo! It wasn't even that difficult. I found my breath to be in control for almost the entire run, I really only had to pay attention to it that last mile. It give me confidence going into Saturday's 5-mile run that I'll be able to handle it, no problem. I only hope that the forecasted snow (!!!!!) does not occur, so that I can do it outside. That long on the treadmill is just too boring, no matter what I'm listening to.
Off to hit the shower...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
2 miles - the Chi is with me...
Yesterday was just 2 miles, and I was back on the treadmill. Hopefully tomorrow's run (which is only 3 miles actually - gearing up for the big 5 miles next Saturday!) will be done outside.
I spent most of yesterday's run concentrating on my posture and form. I'm reading a book that a friend recommended called Chi Running, which I thought I would hate based on the title, but have actually found quite interesting. The short overview is that you should try to use your core muscles as much as possible rather than running just with your legs. Difficult to describe, interesting to attempt! ;-) I felt a difference in yesterday's run, so I'm continuing to read it and figure out exactly what it is I'm supposed to be doing!
I spent most of yesterday's run concentrating on my posture and form. I'm reading a book that a friend recommended called Chi Running, which I thought I would hate based on the title, but have actually found quite interesting. The short overview is that you should try to use your core muscles as much as possible rather than running just with your legs. Difficult to describe, interesting to attempt! ;-) I felt a difference in yesterday's run, so I'm continuing to read it and figure out exactly what it is I'm supposed to be doing!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
OUTSIDE!!! - 3 miles
I ran outside today! I'm so excited, it felt so good to be moving and breathing fresh air. And the best part? Average of 12 minute miles! I'm so relieved.
Of course, it's an 80% chance of snow tonight, with freezing rain as well, so who knows if I'll be outside again on Thursday, but at least I got a little taste of it. So much better than treadmill, I've got to say. Now I'm just looking forward to the end of snow and the end of mud season (which will follow the snow) so that I can get back on the trails. I don't like running on the road where there are so many people to see me!
Of course, it's an 80% chance of snow tonight, with freezing rain as well, so who knows if I'll be outside again on Thursday, but at least I got a little taste of it. So much better than treadmill, I've got to say. Now I'm just looking forward to the end of snow and the end of mud season (which will follow the snow) so that I can get back on the trails. I don't like running on the road where there are so many people to see me!
Monday, March 17, 2008
saturday - 4 miles
It is done. I have officially crossed the 4 mile mark. Hooray! It didn't feel quite as triumphant as the 3 mile mark. Wasn't quite as energizing either, as was evidenced by the nap I took on the playroom floor at about 2pm. :-)
I'm anxious to get outside to run, in part because the treadmill is getting a little monotonous, and also in part because I'm curious about my actual pace. Back when we were running outside this fall, I was doing about an 11 minute mile. Nothing fast, but that's not really what I'm going for here. According to my ipod (with the Nike+ tracker) I'm still running about the same pace as I was when we were outside, but the treadmill says I am running 14.5 minute miles! That sounds pretty darn slow to me. I'm looking forward to getting outside where I can run a course that I've tracked on the Gmap Pedometer at the same heart rate that I've been running at, and see what the equates to as far as pace. If I'm unlucky, I've actually been running slower. If I'm lucky, the treadmill is off and I've been running further than I thought, which would be so nice. I guess if I'm REALLY unlucky, the treadmill is off and I've been running much slower and much shorter distances. Sigh. Trying not to get my hopes up!
So yes, in order to run what the treadmill told me was 4 miles, I had to run for an HOUR. Plus warm up and cool down. That's a long time to stare at a brick wall. When I was leaving, one of the older men who was working out commented that I'd been on there a long time, and I definitely agreed with him. If you had told me this fall that I'd be spending an hour on the treadmill by choice, I'd have laughed in your face.
I'm anxious to get outside to run, in part because the treadmill is getting a little monotonous, and also in part because I'm curious about my actual pace. Back when we were running outside this fall, I was doing about an 11 minute mile. Nothing fast, but that's not really what I'm going for here. According to my ipod (with the Nike+ tracker) I'm still running about the same pace as I was when we were outside, but the treadmill says I am running 14.5 minute miles! That sounds pretty darn slow to me. I'm looking forward to getting outside where I can run a course that I've tracked on the Gmap Pedometer at the same heart rate that I've been running at, and see what the equates to as far as pace. If I'm unlucky, I've actually been running slower. If I'm lucky, the treadmill is off and I've been running further than I thought, which would be so nice. I guess if I'm REALLY unlucky, the treadmill is off and I've been running much slower and much shorter distances. Sigh. Trying not to get my hopes up!
So yes, in order to run what the treadmill told me was 4 miles, I had to run for an HOUR. Plus warm up and cool down. That's a long time to stare at a brick wall. When I was leaving, one of the older men who was working out commented that I'd been on there a long time, and I definitely agreed with him. If you had told me this fall that I'd be spending an hour on the treadmill by choice, I'd have laughed in your face.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday - "Just two miles"
That's what I said on Wednesday night when Nate asked me how long I had to run in the morning - "Just two miles". Ha! Never thought I'd be saying that. It was fine, I ran at a higher intensity, so it didn't exactly fly by, but it wasn't so bad.
Tomorrow will see the dawn of the 4 mile run. Gulp! I was considering an outside run, but I just checked the weather and there's an 80% chance of snow. Sigh. So it's off to the treadmill for me. I got a couple of new gear bits to bring with me - a replacement Nike + sensor (since my old one died about 10 miles ago...) and a super-duper little pouch to put the sensor in. I"m glad to have it back, I've missed having Lance Armstrong telling me what a good job I'm doing. :-)
Tomorrow will see the dawn of the 4 mile run. Gulp! I was considering an outside run, but I just checked the weather and there's an 80% chance of snow. Sigh. So it's off to the treadmill for me. I got a couple of new gear bits to bring with me - a replacement Nike + sensor (since my old one died about 10 miles ago...) and a super-duper little pouch to put the sensor in. I"m glad to have it back, I've missed having Lance Armstrong telling me what a good job I'm doing. :-)
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
3 miles - awesome run
I'm back! After a week of no running (and no cross training unless you count my boogie time on Friday night) I hit the treadmill this morning with a bit of trepidation. This whole daylight savings time switch has been really hard for me. I can't seem to get to bed before midnight, 12:30, and then 6:30 comes really really quickly. It just hurts to not only get up at that time, but to go EXERT.
But, mile 1 of today's run was one of the best I've ever had. I found myself thinking "how was one mile ever a challenge?" - that's how quickly and easily it flew by. Mile 2 was a definitely not as comfortable, but still not awful. Mile 3... well, about halfway through that my legs decided they were too tired and they'd rather stop, but I ignored that and powered through. So clearly endurance is needing some work! But it was great to feel so good for the first mile / two miles, especially since I've got a four mile run coming up on Saturday!
My friend who was in the hospital (Kristy) is back home, thank goodness. She is feeling better but has some life changes to adjust to - if you want to read about what's going on, you can go here. I'm just glad that it isn't something life-threatening - you hear spot on the brain, and your mind just runs wild with it.
But, mile 1 of today's run was one of the best I've ever had. I found myself thinking "how was one mile ever a challenge?" - that's how quickly and easily it flew by. Mile 2 was a definitely not as comfortable, but still not awful. Mile 3... well, about halfway through that my legs decided they were too tired and they'd rather stop, but I ignored that and powered through. So clearly endurance is needing some work! But it was great to feel so good for the first mile / two miles, especially since I've got a four mile run coming up on Saturday!
My friend who was in the hospital (Kristy) is back home, thank goodness. She is feeling better but has some life changes to adjust to - if you want to read about what's going on, you can go here. I'm just glad that it isn't something life-threatening - you hear spot on the brain, and your mind just runs wild with it.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
the good, the bad, and the ugly
the good - the library budget passed! Yay! That certainly makes my life much easier for the coming year. I'd hate to think how many bake sales it would have taken to keep the doors open...
the bad - I'm sick, so no running today. I'm very bummed, not only because I really don't like being sick, but also because I was really feeling in the groove. Today was supposed to be a 2 mile day at a higher intensity, and i was looking forward to feeling like 2 miles was a short run after my last two 3-mile runs. Hopefully I'll be back in business for Saturday's run. Also for my cross-training on Friday night - my sis-in-law is having a disco night for her birthday, so I've got to get my strength up so that I can boogie the night away!
the ugly - one of my dearest friends was admitted to the hospital yesterday after she had a seizure. The CAT scan has found something on her brain, and she's still in the hospital having tests done today. We should know more tomorrow. I'm wishing I had more energy today so that I could distract myself a little more - lying around on the couch staring at the ceiling just gives me a lot of time to worry about her.
More soon...
the bad - I'm sick, so no running today. I'm very bummed, not only because I really don't like being sick, but also because I was really feeling in the groove. Today was supposed to be a 2 mile day at a higher intensity, and i was looking forward to feeling like 2 miles was a short run after my last two 3-mile runs. Hopefully I'll be back in business for Saturday's run. Also for my cross-training on Friday night - my sis-in-law is having a disco night for her birthday, so I've got to get my strength up so that I can boogie the night away!
the ugly - one of my dearest friends was admitted to the hospital yesterday after she had a seizure. The CAT scan has found something on her brain, and she's still in the hospital having tests done today. We should know more tomorrow. I'm wishing I had more energy today so that I could distract myself a little more - lying around on the couch staring at the ceiling just gives me a lot of time to worry about her.
More soon...
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
3 miles and I stayed up too late
First of all, I didn't get my cross training in yesterday. It's Town Meeting time! Official Town Meeting day is today (Tuesday) but in my town, Tuesday is spent voting by Australian ballot on the measures that we discuss in a meeting on Monday night. I was at that meeting last night from 7pm - 10:30pm. Go Democracy, right??!!? I'm Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for our local library, and I had to appear at the meeting to speak on behalf of the library and basically beg the voters to approve our appropriation. We'll see what happens after the vote today. Anyway, I didn't get to go to pilates class because of the meeting, and I was too disorganized to find another time to work out during the day. Excuses, excuses.
BUT, after staying up until midnight (I had to unwind after the crazy long meeting) I got up at 6:30 and headed to the gym with C to run my three miles! Yeah, you know, it's old hat by now, I'm totally cool.... ;-) It felt pretty good. I can't say I'm LOVING it, but 3 miles isn't as awful as I imagined it to be. Talk to me at 4 miles. :-)
BUT, after staying up until midnight (I had to unwind after the crazy long meeting) I got up at 6:30 and headed to the gym with C to run my three miles! Yeah, you know, it's old hat by now, I'm totally cool.... ;-) It felt pretty good. I can't say I'm LOVING it, but 3 miles isn't as awful as I imagined it to be. Talk to me at 4 miles. :-)
Saturday, March 1, 2008
3 miles!!!
I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles! I ran 3 miles!
I feel like I can do anything. Well, anything except run another 10 miles. :-)
I feel like I can do anything. Well, anything except run another 10 miles. :-)
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