Have you ever . . .

while running, scraped up your dog's poop off the sidewalk with a rock and flipped it inhe air toward the dirt onl to have it land on the im of your hat?  I have.  Happy New Year, Sophie. 

New Blog!

I am going to be blogging over here from now on should you wish to continue to follow my almost unbelievably boring exercise life.

"I thought you were going for a WALK"

So said my husband, as I walked in the house after going 3 miles outside. I was all "I did walk, how do you know I didn't walk?" and he goes "because I saw you". He apparently just happened to be looking outside and there is this one spot where you can see the street that I run down, and he saw me. I did run some, but also walked, probably half and half. Maybe more walking.

Anyways, I was just going to do two miles, but after going through the long process of getting ready to go outside, because the stupid gym has the gall to be closed on Christmas day, (two bottoms, two tops, hat and these things Chris calls 'yak tracks' that slip over my shoes and allow me to run and walk over the inch of packed snow and ice that is all along my route right now), I decided it was all too much effort to go to for less than three miles, so that is what the dog and I did. It was about 25 degrees outside, but no wind, so it was okay.

It was definitely a happy and joyful time, very quiet (although incredibly slow). For the last half mile I turned off my ipod and just listened to the sound of crunching snow under my feet. It was nice.

Merry Christmas (or Happy Christmas for all our British Janathon friends)!

Weight Loss Observation of the Day

the more weight i lose, the more people try to sell me stuff.

also, i have been running on the treadmill this week. terrible weather and going in to work early prevents me from going to my home gym for the elliptical, and i dislike the ones at my work gym. but i do plan on doing 5.5 or six on the elliptical tomorrow. christmas day seems iffy at this point, the gym will be closed and too icy to go outside. maybe i'll try my home treadmill. or maybe i will behave like a sane person and just let it go for that day, you never can tell!

The ones you don't want to do are the ones that are best for you

So said the rather handsome gentleman who was in the work gym with me yesterday. I did 2.5 miles and he was holding the door for me when we were both leaving together and he goes "it's good to just get that over with" and I said "yeah, and today especially, I wasn't really feeling good about it today". I think what he said is just something people tell themselves, though. Maybe not, I guess. I mean, it is true that you just have to sort of slog through the times when you are hating on the exercise and count on the fact that it always gets better.

Anyways, I didn't want to tell him that part of the reason I think I wasn't feeling good about it is because I had a hard time focusing because him and his personal trainer were yakking loudly the entire time I was in there. It was annoying.

I have to go again today, even though I really don't want to, but tomorrow is Solstice, and I will be at Red Rocks drumming up the sun, so I'm really not going to feel like running after having to get up so early. At least, that is my reasoning right now. But in truth, I am just not feeling well this week. It's a typical December, full of illness. Both kids have some kind of stomach virus and we are all just hoping we feel better by Christmas.

3 Miles, Outside!

I ran in what might be the last of the decent weather around here for a while. Of course, I think that every time, which is why you really can't waste an opportunity around here, you never know when it might be your last for a good month or so. I took the dog, who was very happy, as this is his first run post-injury (he was probably ready before this, but the weather did not cooperate and he didn't fit in with my training there for a while). He did fine, we took it nice and slow.

Where the hell is everyone? I hereby threaten to change this blog's name to "Marianne's Boring Exercise Blog" if nobody else shows up soon.

I dreamt a dark on the horizon, I dreamt a desert where the dead lay down

but i don't plan to be one of those, i plan to live.

him: i was going to go to the gym, but my foot is hurting, so i don't think i am going to

me: that's all good, but i must tell you that i did go running today

him: i stopped comparing myself to you a long time ago.

:)

I'm not in the big girl club anymore

Or at the very least, I can no longer just assume membership. Yesterday I was meeting with a woman I know very casually, I don't know her well, and she is a very big girl, and she was telling me that she had asked her boss for some flexibility in her schedule so that she could go to some physical trainer appointments at her gym, and so we were talking about that, and I said something along the lines of "oh, yeah, I know what you mean", and she got this look on her face.... a look I recognized. It was the look that said "sure... sure you know what I mean. you spend your life THINKING you are fat, I spend my life KNOWING I am fat and being hated on every day for it". I used to give that look to people when they would say similar things to me. I still find it to be one of the most annoying things ever to have to listen to what I consider to be pretty skinny people talk about how fat they are and how they just really need to stop with the cookies. It bugs the shit out of me. And now I am one of them, at least sometimes. Because this girl, she didn't know me before, so my comment to her would not have made sense in the same context in which I meant it. She has only known me looking like I do now, so to her, I must sound like one of those people.

I've also had some minor conflicts with people that I am close to in my life that I believe stem from this same issue.... in that when I am speaking, I am still speaking as the very large woman that I was, and I assume people are going to take what I say in that context, and I don't realize that people obviously can't read my mind and know exactly where I am coming from, they only know what they see, which is a person who is clearly doing very well with weight and fitness, and who continues to talk as if she is not. It really is annoying, I can understand that. So, I'm glad for this insight, so that I can try and be more sensitive to others. I don't really want to be one of those people.

Anyways, I did three miles on the elliptical this morning and my weight is still going down, I am doing quite well in that department right now, even though I had to get some fluid removed from my lap band on Monday because I had a reflux flare up that was so bad that it inflamed my lungs and every other damn thing. The doc who did the unfill said that she has another patient who does triathlons who says the same thing, that every time his training reaches a certain point he starts having issues with the band and has to have fluid removed, so apparently this is something that happens, although nobody seems to know exactly why. I just chalk it up to basic inflammation, which makes sense when you are pushing your body hard.

Back on Track

three miles on the tready, and i am with sandy, i don't know what it is with running that you take a few days off and it feels like you haven't gone for a year.

i'm planning to get up tomorrow and hit the home gym elliptical, but that requires a 5:00 am wake up time, and sometimes i end up going with a plan b on those days, so we'll see.

All good, no hate

I got this video from RW Daily, and I initially thought it was going to be another big fat hate fest, but it really isn't. I found it to be really a good video, I love that all the research focuses on nothing more than walking (I love me some walking), and I think it is just a very valuable message. One of my biggest and hardest lessons to learn throughout my weight loss/surgery/exercise/running journey has been how to decouple exercise from weight loss. I think one of the saddest things I see is people joining gyms hoping to lose weight, and if there was one thing I could change about our current culture surrounding weight/obesity/exercise, it would be this idea that if we just exercise we can lose weight. Exercise should be about feeling good, relieving depression, anxiety, boosting good brain activity, reducing stress and all those other good things that the guy on this video describes... it should not be used as a prescription for weight loss, since it will inevitably fail for the most part at that task, leading people to stop doing it before they can really see the other benefits.

Anyways, watch and give it some thought.

I was victimized by lack of preparation

LOL that's what our fellow green hat said and I agree!! Plus, I read that there was contaminated water given out on the course, and that several people got sick. So, many reasons for my piss poor race last weekend.

Anyhoodle, on to recovery. I did yoga on Wed night and woke up really sore on Fri. I did 2.5 miles yesterday, and was incredibly sore this morning. So I did 2 today, ran one and walked one.

I'm really sick....

Sick enough to not go this weekend. On a WEEKEND! I'm taking myself off to urgent care and I'm sure hoping next week will be better than this one.

Elliptical Winter

It has started, people. Four miles. Aching hips rejoice!!

also, janathon is coming... just sayin'.

Vegas Baby!

Good things about this race:

1. Altitude. I might never do another race unless it is at lower altitude. It's not that it made me go faster, I don't believe it did, but I was so happy during this race, it was like some kind of drug.... and I am totally attributing that to the lower altitude. It wasn't even hard until mile ten, and at the end of the race I was still happy enough to sort of hop and jump on the finish line, which has never happened to me before. Usually I limp and piss and moan through finish lines. Also, I ran through one of my walk intervals at the 10K mark, another thing that has never happened to me before.

2. I accomplished my goal, and that is a good thing.

3. I was able to banish negative self talk throughout the race, I was able to just keep telling myself I was doing well and I did not give up or give in to negativity at any point, which was a real victory for me.

4. I was not cold, because I trained up here in Denver, and had run in so much more colder weather than what was going on in Vegas, it was really no big deal for me, but I know other people really struggled with that.

What was crappy about this race:

1. There were so. many. people. It was absolutely crazy and it really did slow me down for the first three miles (my 5K split was the slowest 5K I have done in a while, and I know that is the reason), and according to my Garmin, I actually ran 13.21 miles, which I know is due to all the weaving and dodging that I had to do the entire race. So bottom line, I probably would have been a good two or three minutes faster at the finish if it weren't for how crowded the race was.

2. Because the race was at night, I really did not get much sleep that night because my feet were hurting (along with everything else), which makes it difficult to sleep. Plus, it is just difficult to wind down after such a lot of physical activity, so that kind of sucked.

3. I woke up this morning with approximately ten thousand cold sores, I am certain this is due to just the stress I put my body through.

But it was overall a good race, I had fun, which is something I have never been able to say about a previous half marathon.

All props and honor to my blista sista!!!!

She rocked it. Met her goal and beat my ass to boot!!! So proud and happy for u sista. Hard work pays off. Me, I didn't fare so well. 3:02. Turns out one needs to train for these things!!!

You can feel sore tomorrow or sorry tomorrow

Which is it fellow blistas?? I did 2.5 just now and it was ok. I was worried at first because it felt harder than it should. I mean, I should be floating by now right?

Here's an entertaining convo from today:
he: will you go through my back and make sure I packed appropriately?
me: are you kidding?
he: ?
me: what is it you think you may have forgotten?
he: shoes and socks
me . . . ?
A match made in heaven, this is.

On a final note, I can't decide what to wear on Sunday night because it has to match my medal. Cause yeah, I'm gonna wear that bad boy Lionel Ritchie style - all . . . night . . LONG!!!!

SEE YOU IN VEGAS!!!!

An unexpectedly bad one

Tonight I went to the gym almost giddy with happiness that this is my last run before the half. Granted, I should have gone last night but it wasn't in the cards. So I hopped on my old faithful treadmill tonight (because it was freesing outside - 55 degrees!) And set my level 2 incline incline. But it was hideously difficult! I took a walk break after .63 miles and I called it quits after 1.5. Stupid treadmill. So, I decided I will do my 3.5 mi route after work tomorrow cause the office closes at 4 and we're not leaving til 7 and I need to end on a high note.

Running and Acid Reflux Disease

So my blista sista and I had a long chat about this because I’ve been increasingly convinced I have it, and after her coughing/gagging session following 11 miles, I’m convinced she has it.  I actually talked to my Dr about it a couple years ago when I was training for the marathon and it had become a problem resulting in a constant coughing and clearing of the throat.  She gave me a prescription I can’t recall and I took it for a month, problem solved.  Now I’m trying to figure out what it was.  We decided on a regimen of Prilosec OTC.

 

Running & Acid Reflux Disease

Aug 11, 2011 | By Kevin Beck

Acid reflux disease--often called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD--is a condition in which stomach acids move in a retrograde direction, rising above the level of the junction of the esophagus and stomach and sometimes into the mouth. Runners who do not otherwise experience reflux often fall victim to its symptoms during their workouts.

Features

The chief symptom of GERD is "heartburn," the painful sensation that arises in the chest when stomach acid comes into contact with the tender lining of the esophagus; others include belching, nausea and bloating. Not everyone who experiences reflux has GERD; those with chronic reflux may experience it in any situation, including lying down to sleep, whereas others require certain triggers. As explained on HealthCentral.com, exercise--and running in particular--can be one of those triggers.

Causes

Factors that precipitate reflux in active, otherwise asymptomatic people include a high body-mass index (BMI), the most significant risk factor; the type of exercise performed, with running posing a greater likelihood of reflux than either cycling or lifting weights; and the time elapsed between the last meal and the onset of the run, with two or more hours being the recommendation for avoiding reflux problems. In addition, certain sports drinks, unlike water, can trigger a reflux episode.  (This is interesting because I definitely notice that sports drinks cause me problems.)

Effects

According to the American Medical Athletic Association, the increase in running's popularity has spelled an increase in reflux-related problems. These include damage to the mucosa, or lining, of the esophagus; chronic cough; laryngitis; damage to the teeth owing to erosion of enamel by stomach acids reaching the mouth; and sinusitis. More acutely, a runner in competition who experiences reflux is clearly not going to be able to perform up to her capabilities.

Considerations

According to Runner's World, pre-race nervousness alone may predispose people to reflux once the gun goes off. Carbonated beverages, chewing gum, coffee, tea and spicy foods are other common culprits. Less common but still frequently encountered precipitators of reflux and associated problems such as bloating include broccoli, bell peppers, sports drinks and onions.

Prevention/Solution

Eating too much, too soon before a workout or race is by far the surest way to trigger a reflux episode, so eating frequent small meals is a better choice than consuming widely spaced feasts. A lot of runners have a serious coffee or caffeine habit; those who experience reflux should be careful to moderate their intake. A variety of common medications can induce reflux as well, so runners taking prescription drugs are advised to consult with their physicians to determine whether a change in their medication regimen may be in order.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/153803-running-acid-reflux-disease/#ixzz1fJycvEsN

 

3, 3.5

Three on tready yesterday and three and a half on the elliptical this morning. All good. I do have some kind of hurt going on my right foot, it happened for the first time during the 11 mile, so I don't know what that is about, but hopefully it won't bother me too much.

Because I am doing this, people. This is happening.

Against the odds, a good one

Today, I really didn't want to go.  I had a somewhat grumpy day at work, as most of them are these days.  I stopped at McDonalds to get dinner, which I am loathe to do but I gave in and got myself a cheeseburger and a McFlurry and decided I just won't go tonight.  Its a helluva lot easier to give in to this demand for fast food than go home and cook a meal and convince people to eat it. 

I got home and was immediately accosted by a starving orange cat, an overly excited dog, and even a bunny who put his little paws up begging for my immediate attention.  The girl immediately griped that the house stinks and demanded to be taken to the gym.  The boy demanded his McDonalds and disappeared into his room.  I searched for my divorce decree, as I need the original in order to change my name back, and was frustrated to find that I don't think I have an original, or if I do I can't tell it apart from any of the copies I have.  Goddammit. 

I finally changed my clothes and ate my cold cheeseburger.  But, I changed into running clothes, which is always key, because that way I have the INTENT if not at least the OPTION of running.  Changing into the flojo is outright admitting I'm not going. 

I took the girl to the gym and decided to just run from there, that way I don't have to go home, go run, then drive back and pick her up.  All that time is wasted anyway.  So, I take off, no phone, no watch, just my ipod.  I did glance at the clock and knew I left at about 7:40 (yes thats PM folks, its not only dark but cold, so I'm facing two primary obstacles head on here).  I decided to run up this hill that is normally the end part of my 6 mile route.  I was still good and grumpy and just figured I'm going to effing walk if I want to.  I grumpily started jogging up that damn hill, the one I always swear I'd never be able to run up when I'm on my way down.  But I jogged up it, all 1.5 miles of it, and I felt ok.  I decided I'd keep going, and I went to where I figured was 2.5 or 3 miles, then turned around, still feeling pretty decent.  Remember, its dark AND cold, two variables that work to my advantage in long runs (stay with me here).  I got back down and looked at my watch and it was 8:41.  Because I don't have Mari's fancy technology to be slave to, I then drove my route and found it was 5 miles round trip, so that's darn good given the hills.  Both K and I commented that having run in the Denver altitude was incredibly beneficial for running back home.  If I keep that pace in Vegas, I will finish in 2:36ish, which would be great. 

I have still not found satisfactory cool matching hats for us all to wear, so that's a quandry that needs to be solved this week.

My sista rocks

We went for a "long" in denver today. She did 11 mi while I pooped out at 4.25. So, we shall see how next weekend goes. I am hopeful that my running in this godawful altitude will help.

11

And I think I am ready for this stupid thing, or at least as ready as I am going to get. I did the eleven in 2:22:35, according to the Garmin, which would leave me 37 minutes to do the last 2.1 miles and get it in under three hours. I think I can do that. I hope I can do that.

It was a good run, we went down to city park and ran around the lake, so it was nice and flat. It was pretty cold, but not too windy, and overall I feel pretty good other than my feet being a bit sore. My hip is kind of sore, but certainly not the worst it has ever been, so I think I am good to go!

The tradition continues

My tradition of running every Thanksgiving continues, even though I had to get up at the ungodly hour of 730am on turkey day to fly to Denver. K and I did a 4 mi route when we got in (running 2 mi downhill and walking the uphill home). And while dinner was absolutely fabulous as prepared by my blista sista, the ravenous appetite made it even more so.

I also did the same route this morning with a little more running on the way home.

thankful

as disturbing the prospect that i am in some odd way addicted to exercise is, i am thankful this morning that i do not appear to be addicted to any one particular activity. i can walk, run, elliptical, bike, treadmill, swim and all are perfectly acceptable ways to get my fix. so, that's healthy, right?

i walked three miles today. it was lovely and brisk, both the weather and the pace at 40 degrees and 14:30/mile.

I like this one

I get this quote of the day from Runner's World, and this one I really liked.

You don't love running when you first start because it hurts. Your legs hurt, your lungs hurt. But once you make the decision and start to move forward, you become a different person. It's not about having to hit your goal weight to start feeling good again. Ben Davis, Founder of bendoeslife.com

Turkey and Stuff

I have done okay this week. Three tready miles on Monday, four elliptical miles yesterday and three outside miles today. I plan to take a rest day tomorrow and then try desperately to do twelve on Saturday. I certainly feel better about this week than last week, I can tell you that. And either way, this thing is getting done, all I can do is my best.

Anyways, happy t-day and all that.

Thankful I went

Cause lemme tell ya it was dicey. I got out at 730 tonight just before I turned into a pumpkin. Which is good cause I had pumpkin pie today at lunch, along with copious amounts of other food, for my dept potluck. And, I had more pie after my run. I did 3 mi and I walked probably half of it but the victory this night is in going and having earned my pie.

Letter to myself for the next time I get this stupid idea in my head

Dear Marianne,

I am writing to you just before your third half marathon. You are NOT having a good time. You are routinely exacerbating a hip injury by continuing to run long distances. All the fun has been sapped out of your exercise, because it has become an awful obligation due to this upcoming race, on which you have already spent hundreds of dollars and therefore cannot, in good conscience, back out of.

I am writing you because you seem to forget about this each and every time you sign up for one of these half marathons. You need reminding.

And so here I am, future you, begging you to read this prior to signing up for any more half marathons! If you want a challenge, go for it. Set a new PR on the 5K and the 10K. Sign up for as many of those as you want! Try to run faster, try to do longer run intervals, try to make it so hills are not the death of your soul, run a half marathon distance on the elliptical at your local gym, but do NOT, please god do NOT, sign up for another half marathon thinking it will be a fun challenge! THEY SUCK. They hurt your body (which, let's face it, was just not meant for this kind of running) and they take the fun out of running. So just stop, okay? Just stop.

Sincerely,

Marianne

Eh

So I did a somewhat hungover 3 yesterday, since I had my annual girls Christmas dinner on Fri at which a couple glasses of wine is mandatory. The good news is I can say "hungover 3" cause 3 miles is a pretty good run in the grand scheme of things right? Under normal circumstances? Today I just couldn't manage to get myself psyched up for a long run. There were dishes to do, household maintenance, kids to tote, writing to do, and the baking of delicious baked goods to bring to Denver for Thanksgiving. Ultimately I decided a shorter run was better than giving up on the whole idea, so this evening I did 3.5 and felt fairly good. None of this speaks well for the half marathon coming up in exactly two weeks and copious amounts of food to be eaten between now and then but . . .

Shit on this stupid week!

I hate this week. I did 2 miles on the tready on Wednesday after slacking off on Tuesday, and my fucking hip was hurting so bad that I could not do more. I then did three on the elliptical Thursday and did not do anything yesterday. I tried to go out just now and do my 11 mile long, but tried a new route that had too many hills and I gave up. Did 3.3 mostly walking. I fucking hate the hills! I just need some goddamn flat ground to run on! Is that really too much to ask for? Apparently, it is.

Godammit!

I am going to city park tomorrow to give it another go.

My damn hotel has cookies!!!!

Such a blessing and a curse.  Lovely to walk in and be welcomed by a warm delicious free treat, but rather shitty to be in your face when you have to hit the hotel gym.  I am in lovely Coeur D'Alene, Idaho this evening (I have to figure out what's the deal with that name) where it's 28 degrees out and yes, I forgot my coat.  We don't use such things in Phoenix!!  The good news is I did make it to said gym before I could be waylaid by aforementioned cookies.  I did four miles in 50:20, so 12:35 min miles.  I also did my usual 2 and 1 inclines on the first two miles, so I'm ok with that.  Hell, I'm ok with it regardless.  I forgot to mention I did 3.5 outside at home last night also, so decent week so far. 

List of things I forgot on this trip that I know of so far:
winter coat
suit jacket
socks
blackberry charger
pajamas

No dice

Me: damn, I was gonna go running tonight
He: you can still go
Me: (aghast) its 730!
He: so you can't run in the morning, or at night
Me: or when its cold, or hot. Right.

10

I had a rather awful 10 today. If I could have given up at mile eight, I would have, but I had to get back to my car, so I couldn't (which is something to be said for out and back routes, if you ask me). Time was 2:10:20, 13:02 per mile. Now, this is still on pace for an under three hour finish, so it's all good, but it was still sort of disappointment. I had to start walking through run intervals around mile seven, and once you start doing that, it is only too easy to keep doing it. This I know.

But I had some technical difficulties. I need to get a holder for another water bottle, which I will do this week. I did the whole run with a 20 oz bottle of gatorade, which was simply not smart. I also decided to take along some energy chews that had expired back in March. I thought they would just be a bit chewy. But I couldn't eat them at all, they were hard as little rocks. So, too little nutrition, too little fluid which apparently equals a terrible last two miles.

I also think I might be overtraining a bit. I need three rest days, not two if I am going to be doing these long runs and one of them simply MUST be the day before the long run. I was really regretting my elliptical efforts yesterday, my legs were simply more tired than they should have been if I am going to attempt to run for two hours.

Anyways, lessons learned. On the positive side, I am learning to spit really well (I've had some pretty awful incidents with spitting in the past, and how come girls are never taught how to spit? that's what I want to know goddammit), and while the same pair of jeans was still on the trail as last week, the underwear was gone.

When you love one another, only good rain comes down

That's Trevor Hall. I did 3.5 just slow and easy this morn, in the aftermath of a lovely rain.

I've been particularly haunted by the events revealed at Penn State this week. How does a man walk in on the rape of a 10-12 year old boy, his little hands on the wall, lock eyes with victim and rapist, and then leave?? And then how does that mans father advise him to leave the building immediately? And wait until the next day to report it, not to the police for the crime that was perpetrated on a young boy, but to the head coach?

I wish I knew that boy is ok. But nobody knows because not a single man involved in the reporting and so called investigation thought to find out who he was and whether or not he was ok, or how long he had endured this treatment at the hands of a monster.

But I digress, this is a running blog. These were the thoughts I couldn't get out of my head this morning as I jogged, and this is the song that brought me a little peace. It gave me hope that forgiveness and wholeness can be found even with this kind of evil in the world.

When your heart is troubled by feelin
You must remember there's a way to spark healin
Lovin one another is the only thing real.

Elliptical

Did four on the elliptical today. I always forget how much I like that machine until I go on it again. It is just so nice and easy on your body, you feel like you can just go forever. And it did get me to wondering just how far I could go.... could I do a half marathon on the elliptical? How fast could I do that? I'm thinking that might be a winter challenge, when I'll be doing lots of gym time. Plus, I told my PT I was going to take a break from running after this half, which he seemed to think was a good idea (although who cares what he thinks, he's not the boss of me!), but if I had some kind of cool challenge, that might make going to the gym a bit easier to bear. I did my strength training as well, I've been pretty good about it, if I do say so myself. Only a couple of days of slacking on that.

Shortfalls and little sins

Stayin tall but runnin thin. I'm wearin thin. - the Decemberists

So yeah I did 8 today. Probaby not a good idea given the week I've had and I'm feelin it now. I just don't think morning runs are my thing. I have to wake up first, ya know? I started out planning to do 6 and figured if I was up to it I would try to do 8 since I'm out there so long anyway. And I felt ok, figured I could power walk the last 2 and that's what I did. I specifically and deliberately didn't time myself as I didn't want that pressure. I was on the trail of the pink mafia the whole way too, there were these little pink stickers and feathers. I hate shit like "don't be a chump. Check for lumps!" Which is what today seemed to be about. Or the cutsie "feel your boobies!". Ugh.

In case I should ever forget what support sounds like

skinny sister (after detailing the stressors preventing her from running, which were many and varied): "so anyway, yes, you might very well kick my ass, but you'll deserve it because you have worked harder."

did three on tready again today.

Kate gosslein is doing it

She's running the vegas half folks. Yeah so who cares, I agree. If I see her I will trip her, although I'm sure her skinny ass will be way ahead of me. I've had a bad week ok? Mon I woke up with a UTI and went to doctor and didn't go. Tues I drug my ass to gym and did a single grand mile on the tready. And yes I walked most of that mile but at least I went!!! THEN Wed I had to go back to the doctor because the antibiotics they gave me weren't working.  Yesterday and today things were so bad at work it was all I could do to drag my ass home to the couch to hide under a blanket. So there dammit.

3

i'm trying to decide if i am going to do 10 after work tomorrow or put it off until saturday.

did three on the tready today.

sandy, what the hell? i'm going to be kicking your ass in this thing if you aren't careful... you can't get your ass kicked by the fat sister!! get it together, woman!

2.3

I meant to go three, but around two miles I started to feel kind of yucky, which was the reason I didn't go yesterday at all. Some kind of nausea, my stomach just isn't feeling well. Plus, it was 25 freakin' degrees outside. Jaysus.

Time was 28:15, 12:18/mile and it will just have to do for today.

When its bad, it ain't bad enough

That's some badass INXS for you on this lovely Sunday evening. So, a moratorium was declared on the moratorium on Friday drinking, plus we had a football game to get to, so Saturday run was off. Today I entertained thoughts of 8 whilst driving back from Tucson, but by the time I got home all I could think about was a nap. I decided I'd just go tomorrow, but then thought how difficult it will be tomorrow to get my mojo back after taking 3 days off. So, it was by far the most difficult time I've had getting my ass out there but I decided I'd do just 2 miles and walk the whole damn way if I felt like it. But after I started I figured I'd give 3.5 a shot. I had to make a pit stop at the park on my way home, which I will attribute to Dads delicious ground almond and flaxseed pancakes, but then I ran the rest of the way home.

So, I can do 3.5 with relative ease, and a decent 6 with some effort. But what does this say about my personal best goal in exactly 4 weeks?!? Not lookin good folks.

So knock me down, tear me up

This wind is killing my soul.

Since it's not really an option for me to take a rest day on a weekend, I decided to do a "recovery" run, since I'm always reading about people doing that after a long run. I don't really know what it means, but I just reversed my intervals and did 2W/1R. I did three miles. It was windy and miserable and now I have to go to my strength exercises and put chapstick all over my face.

Stats for the Week:

Total miles: 22.5

9 Mile Underwear Run

I did nine miles today. It was overall fairly miserable. It was windy, but the time has passed that I can just refuse to go because of a little wind, since I have no idea if the next day I am going to be buried in snow, so if I can go I have to go. So, the first five miles were windy which was miserable.

Then, on my way back, I passed by a pair of men's jeans AND UNDERWEAR! Now, keep in mind, this was the second time I had passed this area on the trail, I was on my way back..... and I feel certain that I would have noticed a pair of tighty whities on the trail on my way there if there were any tighty whities to see. This means that in the hour since I had been there last, someone had lost both their pants and their underwear and this person was presumably somewhere near the trail. So, I spent the last four miles feeling a bit nervous and turning down my Ipod, trying to make sure that if there was some creepy flasher about that I would see him before he saw me. While I am confident that I could kick a flasher's ass, even while in the middle of a miserable run, I felt I would rather not.

Anyways, so about a half mile from the underwear, I feel okay enough to have my Ipod on again, and I hear a man's voice behind me... and because I was kind of nervous about the whole underwear thing, I naturally let out a shriek and jump about a mile and the guy goes "sorry, sorry, that is exactly what I was trying NOT to do" and I was all "it's okay, really it's okay" and I wanted to tell him that I usually don't act like such a ninny, but I was feeling a bit nervous on the trail today due to the pants and underwear lying a half mile back, but he was kind of a fast runner and he was already way too far ahead of me before I could gasp the words out.

Anyways, so my time was okay, 1:54:51, 12:46/mile, but it wasn't great. But the run wasn't great, so it's okay. My legs just felt really heavy and the first five miles felt like they were all uphill because I was running into the wind. Also, it was pretty cold, and the sun never did come out for longer than a minute or two.

Chilly

Did a very chilly three outside. It was 42 degrees when I started out, and rather breezy. But it was a good run, I did 3.5R/1W intervals, and felt pretty good, although my lungs were more burn-y than usual, whether from the cold or the longer run interval, I don't know. But anyways, time was 36:56, 12:14/mile. I was slowed down also by having to jump/tiptoe/walk through many ice spots, and also there is this one busy street I have to cross when doing this particular route, and today I had to actually stop and wait for a bit.

Blue eyes, you're the secret I keep

That's the Cary Brothers, awesome song. Tonight I did my 3.5 mi route at an easy pace, probly 12 or 12:30 and it felt pretty good. I was contemplating how well this is all goong when it occurred to me that I only have 4 weeks left until this damn race!!!

"Its so sublime when the stars are aligned
But you don't know the greatness you are
Cause Blue eyes, you and destiny sing
And I just wanna be the one."

2 for tha show

And before work this morning!! My body was all like "what the FUCK?!" And I was all like "Shut it, Beatch! We're doing this!". And my body was all like "I do what I want!". So I walked the last half mile.

Walk and Three

Did a couple of miles walking on the treadmill yesterday, even though it was supposed to be a rest day. I just didn't feel like resting, so I compromised. I enjoyed myself, I always forget how much I love a good walk until I do it again.

Then today I did three outside, a very good and happy run. It was dark and cold out when I started, but it was okay. Time was 36:38, 12:10 per mile according to the Garmin, but I think that is because my actual distance was 3.01, that must account for the extra seconds.

Spooky

Did 6 tonite in 73:23 or about 12:14 min miles.

A moratorium on friday drinking must be declared

Because it effs up any decent Saturday running. I didn't go at all on Sat thanks to shots called redheaded slut (which I referred to all night as redheaded stepchild). And today I was just too damn grumpy. I did get out around 5 and did my 3.5 route slow and easy. But no long this weekend. Maybe I will try tomorrow night for a long.

8 Miles

And oh my goodness, those last two were kind of rough! But I did okay, time was 1:40:43, 12:36/mile, so I am definitely on pace to finish this thing in under three hours, assuming all my training goes as well. I was proud of myself this run because at no time did I walk through any of my run intervals, or any part of them. I might have been going slow, but when my interval timer said to run, I was running.

I do have to say, I am feeling pretty darn good, I really think the strength training is just making all the difference in my running. I really hope I can hang on to that and work it into my daily routine and not give it up after my hip starts feeling better. My hip is sore, but it's not horrible.

So, overall a good run and a good week.

Treadmill Miles: 6

Outside Miles: 13.6

Total: 19.6

The Usual

I did three miles on the treadmill on Thursday and Friday. Forty minutes. That's right, FORTY. I just was feeling like some slow treadmill miles, I wanted to go easy on my hip. My PT has me doing strength training again, and I am really hopeful it will stick this time. So, I have been working my core and gluts pretty hard, but I will say my hip is definitely back to just feeling like my regular aggravating hip, rather than the twisted painful thing it had become, hurting all the time. Now it just fusses at me like it always does. But I'm hopeful that I can keep up with the strength training and maybe get it stop fussing altogether.

Anyways, and I did three outside today which went very well. Time was 36:44, 12:16/mile.

So shall I run, or shall I fall?

That's Trevor Hall, one of my new favs that K introduced me to. Tonight I did a slow and easy 3 during Js practice. It was relatively easy in that I didn't feel any need to stop and I felt I could have kept going after I stopped. So that's good news. Tomorrow I will rest and then get in a long on Sat, which will be a challenge given its Lo's annual bday celebration tomorrow night.

About a mile and a half

But I'm counting it dammit, because part of that distance was jogged. Its always a problem when bf and I plan to run after work and we don't go directly to the running spot. Too many ways to get tired or sidetracked. Case in point, tonight, we goofed around until it was dark, then jogged .75 miles to a restaurant to get dinner.

Caught in the rain

I went out after work tonight on a lovely cool evening around sunset. Did my 3.5 mi route and was trying to get it done in 38 min, but I came in at 39:30 which I think is 11:20 min miles. I would like to get that route in 38 min or under 11 min miles. I think that will help me get Vegas done in 2.5 hours. I caught the beginning of a good rainstorm in my last half mile which was beautiful and perfect. Although fat dog didn't enjoy it so much.

2.6

And much better. Time was 31:21, 12:04/mile. I'm glad I went, I had almost talked myself out of it, and finally was able to convince myself to go only by doing a shorter distance than usual. But tomorrow is almost certainly going to be a treadmill day, since we are supposed to get up to six inches of snow here, so I didn't want to waste the opportunity to go outside today.

Best workout ever!!!

Yesterday bf and I did a 5.8 mile hike in the mountain preserve. Its about 800 feet elevation climb on really rocky trails (loose rocks). We ran about 1/3 of the way up and most of the way down. It took 1.5 hours to get up and we ran down in 45. I was dead-ass-tired beat. Then we grillled up an awesome dinner and sat in the hot tub. So awesome.

3 Slow

Did a very slow and easy three today. It was all good. This week hasn't been the greatest as far as time, though. I hope next week is better.

Stats for the week:

Treadmill: 2.5

Outside: 14.5

Total: 17

6 long

I did an ugly 6 today. And also 2 on thurs. I registered for the race though, so I'm in. Dec 4 is coming awfully quickly.

Galloping Goose

It got done. I would not say I did well. My time was 1:20:26, which was fine, I suppose. It was another dirt trail, and I have come to the conclusion that dirt trails are both harder and slower than my usual running on pavement and that this accounts for my slower times.

But the point is that promises were made and promises were kept.

It was me and blonde girl again (I kid you not, the same blonde girl was there, with her same friend, I recognized them at the start line), although I was ahead of her for much of the race and beat her again. But there were also two people who were not at all far ahead of me, so I didn't feel quite so much like I was the only one going this slow, since I wasn't. Near the finish line I saw this park ranger guy and I said to him "there is one more back there" (thinking that it was just me and blonde girl again at the finish), and he goes "no, there are four or five back there". Now, I am not going to say that didn't make me feel pretty good! It did.

So, it wasn't the unmitigated and amusing disaster that the last race was, but I didn't do as well as I know I can do (I guess maybe I never do at races), but I am happy that I did what I said I would do.

I talked to blonde girl and her friend after the race, they asked me if I was going around doing all the 10K's I could find, and I said hell no, I was training for a half and these were the ones that fit in. They were way impressed that I was training for a half marathon, which I found somewhat amusing. They also agreed that the dirt trail courses are just tougher than running on pavement (I told them how easy the Vegas course is supposed to be, and that all the Rock and Roll races I have done are on pavement), which did make me feel better about my less than stellar time.

Anyhoodle, it's done now, and I'm glad. I don't think I'm a big fan of the 10K. Next week, it's eight!

My Bum Hip

I did 2.3 miles today, after going to my physical therapist. Man, that stupid hip felt a million times better right after the appointment, but then I went running and it wasn't a quarter mile in before I felt it slip again. Damn! It's okay though, I'll just keep going in and getting it adjusted until it's better. He also told me to start icing it after runs, and I can totally do that.

Tomorrow is the Galloping Goose 1oK, which is my long run this week. Then next week I have to jump it up to 8 miles.

Like being pecked to death by a duck

As dad once said to me about running on a treadmill. I went back down to that damn fitness room today because it was freakin 37 degrees out today. As much as I tried, I couldn't muster enough courage to go run in that. So this dude hogged the treadmill the entire time I was in there, so I tried the elliptical and I have to say it was not fun. It said for short intense workouts so maybe it was some special kind but I could hardly get it moving at all and the damn thing kept telling me to pedal faster. So I did a 30 min program and then did it halfway again so about 45 awful minutes but I did break a sweat and get the heartrate up, felt some burn in my ass and most importantly had an awesome new playlist that I made for bf to pass the time. Nuff said.

Less than ideal conditions

Today started with a bang. Went to airport, almost missed my flight. Gate was closed but thk goddess they let me on, sans breakfast. Flew 3 hours. No food on plane. Drove 3 hours. Had new hot n juicy burger at wendys (delicimoso, I highly recommend). Got to tiny northern minnesota town where there's work to be done, and where its also freezing (45 degrees and light rain). Went straight to dinner, had delicious indian taco. Running outside in dark and cold was out of the question. It was 9pm. Ventured down to "fitness room" which as usual contained exactly one treadmill, a bike, and some lame weight equipment. Dark and in basement, nobody around. Would swear I'm the only staying here. Windows looking out over what I cannot see due to lights so for all I know I'm putting on a show for someone. Ipod dead. TV remote nowhere to be found. Have exactly 5 tunes on blackberry, one of which is "dirty picture" by tao cruz/kesha. Basement inspection reveals a couple hooligan boys in pool next door. Treadmill faces corner opposite door, so I turn on tready and dirty picture and watch myself in window and dead tv reflection to be sure nobody comes in behind me. Identify towel rack on floor to be used as weapon in the event. Notice old sweat stains on tready and utter lack of towels or water in room. Imagine all the grody germs on this particular piece of equipment. Resolve not to touch it ever again. Unable to reset machine, start jog at 50 min and some random miles. Resolve to get to 80 min. Get down with dirty picture and end up doing 37 min, probly 3 mi. Better than anticipated given todays travel, taco, and lingering intestinal troubles.

Whenevr u r gone I just wanna be witcha
Pls don't get me wrong I just wanna see ur pitcha

A recovery run of sorts

So last week I had this awful bug that today was confirmed to be some sort of bacterial infection I picked up in Africa. So as much as I tried to catch up after being gone for so long it was for naught. But today I'm back in the saddle and bf and I did a good 4.5 mile hike. It took almost 2 hours which is a bummer even though we ran some of the way down. It was a decent elevation gain and very rocky ground. So anyhoo there ya go. Mari we can't all be as cool as you. I leave tomorrow for Minneapolis and have packed my running gear.

Who can go the distance?

From The Long Run, which made it on to my running playlist recently. I did my stupid seven miles, and I did well. Because god hates me, I think I am getting sick again, so I wasn't too confident about this run, but I did well. Total time was 1:27:01, 12:26 per mile.

I checked my Garmin at the 6.2 mile mark, and I did the 10K today at 1:17:20, much better and much more in line with what I thought I could do. And the good news is, I got the course map for my 10K next week, and it is flat flat flat! So, I should be able to match today's time, which will be good.

It was really cold out, and I realized when I got to the trailhead that I probably should have worn sleeves. But it warmed up, and by halfway in I couldn't see my breath any more and I wasn't cold, so all was well.

Sucking it up

God, my running has sucked this week! I did three miles today, two on Wednesday, and that's it! And now I have to go do seven miles tomorrow, which will surely suck. When I went to run at the hotel treadmill on Wednesday night, I discovered that my Ipod had been left on and at some point had played until the battery was dead. Now, having run the worst race ever without my Ipod, not having one has certainly ceased being an excuse to not go running outside (my Ipod was again dead this morning for reasons unknown, since I did plug it in last night, but I still did my three miles outside, albeit rather grumpily), but I would still rather stick sharp things into my eyes than run on the treadmill without it, and thus, no running got done Thursday or Friday. I have no excuse for Tuesday. Monday was actually a planned rest after my long run, but that was the only rest day that was planned.

Anyways, so I am preparing for an extra miserable long run tomorrow, so anyone who actually reads this blog should prepare for an extra whiny post about it.

A good time

BF and I did the Gateway Loop trail after work tonight. Ran probably half the way up and all the way down, it took 45 min and I'm guessing was 3-3.5 miles. A decent workout and really something to look forward to after work instead of dreading the tready. I could go the rest of my life without running on a treadmill. Although I do love my gym.

And the bad follows the good

I got out there around noon today intending to do my 3.5 mi route. My body, however, disagreed. Vehemently. I took a walk break after a quarter mile and the rest went about like that. I quickly decided that 2 would do just fine on this sunny fall day.

The deed is done

The commitment is made. I am registered for Vegas! Now I just need to get my flight and hotel worked out and I'm all set.

I did 3.5 today, only 2R/1W intervals, because I wanted to take it easy, as my quads are pretty tight from the hills yesterday. Time was 43:29, 12:26/mile. Next week I scheduled myself to do seven miles. I think I might drive down to City Park to run those.

Stats for the Week:

Outside Running: 15.3

Treadmill: 3

Total: 18.3

Here we come to a turning of the seasons

At last, at long last!! I returned home at noon today after traveling for over 30 hours straight. It was wonderful to come home to the cooler fall weather. I am hellishly impressed with myself that I went running at 530, and I got to go outside. I did my 3.5 mi route at what felt like a pretty good pace. Its time to get serious people!!! Only 2 mos to Vegas!

It was the best of races, it was the worst of races

Things did not start out well. When I woke up it was snowing quite hard where I live. But I checked the weather where the race was (about an hour north) and it said they would just have rain and cold, not snow, so I figured I would just make the trip and see what happened.

Twenty minutes into the drive I realized I had left my Ipod at home. I pouted some, but then decided I would just have to get through it. I did consider only running the 5K at this point. The drive there only made me worry more, it was really snowing hard and the wind was blowing it everywhere and it was still dark, so visibility was very poor. Not a good start to the day.

Anyhoodle, so we finally get there and locate the start line (which was not marked and we only found it after much meandering around). Once I was at the start line, I realized I might have a pretty serious problem, that being because the weather was so awful (it was indeed raining, and it was indeed very cold), the only people who were there were hard core types, who typically run pretty fast.

And then there was me.

So, we finally start off and things are going okay, although I am immediately at the back of the pack. Some guy on a bike is riding with me, and we are chatting it up, which was fine, and at some point I said "yeah, I'm sure I'll be at the back for the duration of this race" (I think he had asked me how I was doing, and I told him I run in intervals), and he was all "okay, then you're my girl." At that point, I realized he was a volunteer of the race, who was to ride his bike through the course, at the back, and in this way the rest of the volunteers would know when to pack it in, after he passed (I'm sure there is some official name for this person, but I have no idea what it is). He dropped back behind me after telling me I was his girl, and I didn't see him for a while.

So, about a mile in, I look back thinking perhaps some other people had joined late, and who happened to be as slow as me..... but no. The only person behind me was the guy on the bike. At that moment, I really started to appreciate that old Kris Kristofferson song, about freedom being just another word for nothing left to lose..... because people, I had nothing to lose. This was when I also realized that I was having a pretty good time, and a pretty good run! I was doing perfectly well! Twelve minute miles, and things were going fine! I was just last.

The first four miles were perfectly wonderful. The course was nice, and I enjoyed myself despite the cold and despite the lack of tunes. We ran through this farm and there was a big pumpkin patch and other stuff growing, and it was really pretty. At one point I looked over and realized I was about five feet from two huge black cows. While they gave me a start at first, I was glad to see that there was something on the course that would move even slower than me. Probably.

At the first water station:

Water Lady: "Oh, you have your own"

Me: "Yeah, well, when you run this slow, you have to carry your own!"

Water Lady: (awkward laughter), "you are doing great!"

Then, about four and a half miles in, things started to get kind of awful. The entire two last miles of the course were huge hills that I quite literally could not run up. I ditched my interval timer and adopted a strategy of running downhill and walking up hill. And this was fine. It was right around this time that I passed someone. This poor girl was young, blonde and pretty slim. She probably had no idea just how bad her race could get until she got passed by the middle-aged chunky redhead. There was no triumph, as I could feel nothing but sorry for her.

Things managed to get worse from there. I passed the second water station and about a quarter of a mile up from that is a place where you just had to turn around and come back. So, I get there, turn around and pass the second water station again. The ladies at that water station were evidently too busy packing it up to tell me that I had turned the wrong way. And keep in mind, I had no earphones on, if they had hollered at me, I would have heard them. They did NOT. So, I am running through this freakin' parking lot and I'm thinking "geez, I really don't remember going through a parking lot before", and meanwhile the poor girl that I had passed was now following ME, because the water ladies evidently did not bother to correct her either! And keep in mind, there is NOONE around, we are literally the only two people on the course, the other runners were not even in sight and had not been for at least two miles.

Eventually, right when I was about to turn around on my own and go back to the water station to ask directions, bike guy shows up again, and directs me through some grass to get back on the trail. And now I have the last mile, three quarters of which is up a huge and monstrous hill, that goes all the way up to the finish line.

So, for the first time in any of the races I have done, I walked through the finish line. And Rachael, may the Goddess bless her precious heart, who had gotten up early with me, driven an hour through the snow and then stood for longer than that watching everyone finish up the race, was there at the finish line, cheering me on. She was chilled to the bone, but she stayed there and waited for me.

Ultimately, I finished in 1:21:32, 13:09/mile. Not a great race for me, although the only other timed 10K I have is the one I completed while doing the half marathon last year, and I did beat that time by four minutes. So, still a personal best! And I came in second-to-last. Blonde girl never did catch up, mostly due to the fact that she didn't seem to be able to walk very fast, and when I was walking, I was walking like I walk, which is kind of a hustle, and I was perfectly accustomed to walking up hills and was still able to do it in good enough time. She and the friend she came with practically ran to their car after the race, I think she was pretty embarrassed, poor thing. It did not, of course, even occur to me to be embarrassed and in fact, I was thinking that the race director should be embarrassed to have such low participation! I mean, I know the weather was bad, but I've never done a race where I was the only slow "penguin" type runner, there have always been at least a small group of us.

I have another 10K scheduled in two weeks (since I told myself I would do two this year), and I am just hoping to god for a flatter course and better weather, although I honestly don't see how it could possibly be much worse than today, there is truly nowhere to go but up from here.

But enough of that! There were good things about this race and learning experiences to be had! To wit:

1. We stuck around after the race for the raffle prizes and I won a $10 gift certificate to my running store!

2. It was kind of a nice experience going without my Ipod. I actually talked and interacted with the volunteers on the course, rather than feeling like they were annoying distractions. That was nice.

3. There was literally zero stress with this race. Even at the beginning, I had no nervousness or anxiety at the start line. With the weather being what it was, I had already decided that all I needed to do was finish, and I quit worrying about anything else. It was very freeing, and I'm hoping that it is a sign that my goal in doing more races this year (getting more accustomed to the experiences and the distractions, etc. and not letting my nerves get the better of me and fall apart) is working. The more I do, the more accustomed I become to them and the less stressed I am, which can only be good for my next half marathon.

4. I wasn't last. And I got it done, so really, I won.

3 Tready

I did three on the tready yesterday. I have determined that my hip hurts more when I run on the treadmill than when I run outside. It must have something to do with having to stay running straight on that belt. I always assume that I look perfectly fit and normal while running, but I must really look more like this:

This is why we do it

Yesterday J and I hiked Table Mountain, potentially one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. Its a giant plateau framing capetown and striking in its beauty. There is no better way to experience this wonder than to climb every sweaty step. It took 2.5 hours and 3500 ft increase in elevation. It was definitely one of the most difficult hikes I've done in my life. It was probably 5-6 miles, much of it quite steep and rocky. The views from the top were stunning. J was a real trooper and somewhere along the way has gotten stronger and faster than his mom. So this is why we run - so that we are in strong physical condition to be able to enjoy the physical challenges and adventures that life presents. Only 5 of us out of our group of 50 had the courage to do it.

5.5

For the long. A very good run. Add "St. Elmos Fire" to the list of running songs that make me embarassingly happy. Total time was 1:07:34, 12:17/mile. Next week is my first 10K!!

Stats for the Week:

Total and Outside Running: 15 Miles

Capetown

I did 2.5 yesterday and abt 3 today

Slackin'

I did not go running for three days in a row! Yikes! Monday was a planned rest day and then Tuesday and yesterday I could bring myself to neither wake up early enough to get it done nor run on the treadmill at work. Alas.

But today I did three miles, and honestly, it felt so good that I wondered if perhaps I needed the three day rest. My hip stopped bothering me yesterday and nothing was sore or achy. Time was 36:12, 12:04/mile and I did 3R/1W intervals.

A good week

I did three miles today.

Stats for the Week:

Outside Miles: 15

Treadmill Miles: 3.5

Total Miles: 18.5

I don't know how much I am going to blog in the next couple of weeks, as Sandy is going out of town and I hate feeling like I am the only one writing here. So, we'll see. I'll definitely blog after my long runs, if only so I can bitch about them.

Mistakes were made

1. I decided to take tues off because I had gone 4 days in a row even tho those were very short runs and even tho I knew I was leaving outta town on Weds.
2. I packed 2 running shirts, 2 shorts and 2 socks because I was going to N Cal where the weather would be nice for running outside.
3. On Weds I got back to my room after work and promptly fell asleep, thus ruining any chance that I'd go.
4. On thurs I got back to my room and promptly changed into my running clothes, which is when I realized that I had brought zero running bras. And, I only had one regular bra cuz I travel light.
5. On Friday I got home around 7pm and was just too tired to make an effort.

So this morning I got up and I did do about 5 I think. I ran after dropping J an his game early and was in an unfamiliar hood.

There are some issues with running at night

Some annoying issues. Firstly, you have to think about feeding yourself properly during the day before the run. Turns out, eating three crispy shrimp tacos from Chili's for lunch followed by a Chick Fil-A peach milk shake will leave you feeling like your legs are sacks of flour and you'll have a wicked stitch in your side right around mile four that will last about half a mile. Flatulence while jogging also appears to increase exponentially when following this dietary path.

Duly. Noted.

Secondly, there are the bugs! Now, I should have anticipated this one, since the last "fourteener" that Chris hiked he came home looking like he had some kind of mumps or measles, so bad were the mosquito bites all over his back. We were honestly worried he would be turned away from the neighborhood pool due to concerns over infectious disease. Anyways, they are crazy, these bugs! Mosquitos the size of hornets, everywhere like gangs of marauding Hell's Angels, some of them flying kamikaze-style right into your mouth and nose. It's all rather unpleasant.

Anyways, when all was said and done, I went five miles, time was 1:01:47, 12:22/mile. Not bad.

Much better

Same run as yesterday, but much better time, and I did it at 6PM instead of 6AM, so perhaps I will do well in Vegas, maybe I do better at night and I don't even know it! Total time was 42:10, 12:04/mile.

Sandy......dude, what the hell?

3.5

I told myself that one of my short runs needed to be 3.5 and one needed to be 4 this week. And at least one needed to be 3/1 intervals. So, that is what I did today, 3.5 miles. I did not do as well as I felt. I felt really good and like it was a really fast run, but my time was 43:53, 12:33/mile. Oh well. It was really early in the morning and it was dark and pretty chilly out. But it's cool to live here where the seasons change. You go out on a morning like this one and feel that specific chill and it makes you understand how the trees know to start dropping their leaves, because that particular chill doesn't feel like any other in the year.

5 mi

So, I did my long over a period of 3 days. 2 miles on sat, 1 yesterday and 2 tonight.

It's probably a combination effect

Of both hills and ipod that affect my speed. I did 4.5 miles on that same plum creek trail, time was 55:35, 12:21/mile. I did 2R/1W intervals. And you guys, it was such a good run. I felt so good, it was just awesome. I will now be doing all my long runs on that trail! WOOT!

Weekly Stats:

Outside Miles: 13.5

Treadmill Miles: 3

Total Miles: 16.5

Calories Burned: 2168

I'm so right about the hills

Either that or I am just really slow without my ipod. I went on the plum creek trail today and I went a different way that I haven't been before and it was really pretty flat. I confirmed on the garmin that it was only about 79 elevation gain and 59 loss, so it was definitely flat. And my time was slower! I did three miles and time was 37:24, 12:28/mile! Now, I forgot my ipod so maybe I just go slow without my ipod, but I don't think so. I think that the downhills on my usual neighborhood route make me appear to be able to run faster than I actually can run for the same distance on a level surface. And the fact that I run uphill as much as I run downhill, which you would think would make up for the time difference, does not actually do that in practice. And that is part of the reason why I am consistently slower in races than I think I will be.

So, bearing that in mind, I am going to do my 4.5 mile long run tomorrow on the same trail. This time I'll remember my ipod.

Brownies of righteousness

That's what I'm eatin right now, on the couch of righteousness. After eating the Mexican food and drinking the beer of righteousness. Alas, I only did 2 miles on treadmill at lunch. Righteous indeed.

Shake it 'till the moon becomes the sun

Haha. From the lovely Rihanna. I did three miles outside today, 12:22/mile. I also did three stupid treadmill miles in the awful fitness room in Dallas with no fan. That was on Wednesday.

A good one, surprisingly

Tonight I was kinda mentally beat from my run last night but I know consistency is key so I was just gonna get out there and do whatever I felt like doing. So I just took it slow and easy and did 2.5 mi straight and then walked the last mile. As I was walking I had an awesome idea for a book about the marathon we did, and as I was mulling it over in my mind I saw this giant green ball of light shooting through the sky. It was kinda like a falling star but way bigger and longer - I thought for sure it was a plane crashing. Green chunks started falling off of it before it disappeared behind a house. Crazay!!! I drove over to where I thought it had landed and there was nothing - no fire, no crowd, no sirens. Very perplexing. On the news tonight it said a few people have reported a green light in the sky and it was seen as far away as palm springs and Las Vegas, they called it meteor activity. So if that's true it must have been freakin huge!!! The way I see it, it was the luckiest star in the world, so that means I'm going to write a book and have it published.

Its on like donkey kong

Oh yeah baby. I did 3.5 outside tonight, so blessed were we with some rain and cooler temperatures. I think it was about 78 out. And I was blessed to have my beautiful K running with me this night. I was all nervous when she asked to go since I hate feeling rushed or that I'm holding someone back when I run, and I was convinced she would kick my proverbial ass. But as it turns out I think I challenged her. We took a couple short walk breaks in the 3.5 mi route and I felt the pace was good. So yes Mari we need to get going!!! And I'm going. Vegas baby!!!

Sweaty Three

Outside. Time was 35:56, 11:59/mile. I did 3R/1W intervals, cut one of the run intervals short on nemesis hill. It's really cloudy out there, although nice and cool, but I am assuming the humidity is what made it such a sweaty run.

I am off to Texas today for two days, so it will be a treadmill run or two for me as I am presuming it is still far to hot there for any human to be out running.

Sun coming up on another day, Got a second hand chance gonna do it again

From "No More Rain" by Kylie Minogue. A good running song. I did my four mile long (although not as long as Sandy's long, haha), and it was good! Time was 48:29, 12:08/mile. Not bad, not bad at all. I did 2R/1W intervals, but no dog, so nothing slowing me down.

Stats for the Week:

Running Outside: 17 Miles

Calories Burned: 2369

Trickery

Well I started my longs today. Not because I planned to or even because I wanted to. I was bamboozled into it. BF and I are in New York to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11. When we got in we decided to take a run in Central Park. How cool is that? So we walked about a mile from our hotel to get to the park where we inspected the map to determine our best route. BF has run there before and he ascertained that its about 3 miles to run around the park. So we started off. We stayed together for about 20 minutes and then I suggested BF go ahead. I was struggling a bit after only 4 hours of sleep and 6 hours of travel. Oh, and cinnabon for lunch. We agreed to meet back at a statue where we entered the park.

So I jogged on. And on. And on. Daylight began to fade and I felt the first tendrils of panic in my belly. I am going to be alone after dark in central Park in New York. A place I've never been. Without my phone. And no way to locate BF. Without a key to our hotel room. And the daylight fading. Every turn I rounded my hope fading that the statue would be there.

But, all ended well. At last I caught sight of BF waiting for me. Oh so relieved! And how far was the run you ask? 6.1 miles. That's right.

I did one of them farty runs

Or at least, I tried. And it pretty well sucked. I basically tried to really go fast on a few of my running intervals. One description I read said that for your "fast" intervals you should be "pulling for air." And I thought, well I don't know what the hell that means, does it mean gasping? Because that is what I feel like I am doing. I'm sort of always "pulling for air", for me that just means I'm doing my usual. Also, they keep talking about your slow "recovery" jog. Well, I don't really have any other pace than "slow" jog, so I just figure my walking intervals are my recovery. Whatever. I did make really good time, I did 3.5 miles, time was 41:51, 11:58/mile. Tomorrow I will do four for my long at 2R and it will probably feel like a picnic. Today I did 2.5R/1W. Next week on my shorter runs I will push it up to 3R/1W for at least one of them.

Okay, and I am all registered for my two 10K's! I have one on October 8th and another one on October 22nd. I did not yet register for the Vegas half. Looking at the website closer, it looks like they have a limit on the number of entrants for the full marathon, but no limit on the half, so I'm not too concerned.

Suzanne, if you are reading this, and you are planning to do the Vegas half or full, you better let me know so I can hunt you down!

Does it count?

If I drove all the way to the gym and went upstairs to change and only then realized I had forgotten my shoes? So after all the expended mental energy it takes to drive to the gym after a long day at work, I had to turn around and go home and then rev myself up to go back. But, I did. And I did a slow but not easy 2.

Rockin'!

Did another three outside today, 2.5R/1W intervals, time was 36:05, 12:02/mile. Felt really, really good. My long on Sunday will be four miles, and then I'll commit to my first 10K and figure out a training plan for that.

Sandy, did you know that registration for this Vegas half is $155!! I went to register this morning and I about pooed my pants! I don't remember other ones being that expensive, but I guess that's the magic of Vegas. I didn't register yet, I was too shocked by the price. I probably will soon, though, because I'll bet you they have a limit to the number of people that can register, and it might sell out.

I really need to do consistent 13 minute miles for this thing to get in under three hours, which is my goal. I think I can do it, but it sure sounds daunting. My plan for the half is to do 2R/1W intervals, but my shorter runs will be 2.5 or 3R/1W intervals, for training purposes. But I'll do my longs at at the 2R. Also, for this one, I plan to train up to 12 miles. No more of this "if you can do ten miles, you can do the half" shit. I think it is true, but I think that is probably only a good idea if you don't have any time goal, right? I mean, sure you can kill yourself for last three miles, walk a whole lot of it, and you will finish.... but if you have a time goal, then it seems to me that you need a more realistic picture of what you can do consistently, up to nearly the whole 13. Anyways, that's my theory and I'm going to do it!

Hey, if Holden is going to be doing this too, then he has to blog!!

Goddamn I rock

Did another 3 at inclines on tready tonite in 3510 or 11:43 min/mi. I am hoping these inclines prepare me to run faster outside once the inferno summer is over. Hey, it was only 105 today! Crisp fall air!! Turning cactus leaves and all.

A mighty fine jog

3.5 miles outside. Time was 42:53, 12:15/mile. I did 2.5R/1W intervals, which was really good. I was surprised at how well I did, I was expecting to really be huffing and puffing, but I wasn't. I did all the intervals as planned, and all was well. I have been taking claritin every day, so that has been really helpful, and today I was especially glad I did, since the maintenance workers were out mowing lawns all along my route. Also, rest day yesterday probably helped. I think tomorrow will be my other day off, work schedule will make it hard to fit it in tomorrow. Today was perfect weather! A little bit chilly, cloudy and a nice cool breeze.

I'm all motivated now that Sandy is talking about doing that damn Vegas half!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh

Well I finally got off my ass and got a decent run in tonight. I was actually looking forward to the treadmill, believe it or not. I did a pretty strong 3 at inclines, 11:50 min miles. I did a lot of the last mile at 10 mm pace interspersed with a couple walk breaks. I was damn wiped by the time I was done though my time doesn't really reflect that. I could feel my body breathing a sigh of relief to have been pushed a little after so long.

Its time to start getting into training mode if I'm gonna pull off the Vegas half in December. I'm totally excited that this one is at night!! I always do better at night, and when its cold.

'nother three

Outside. Almost exactly the same time as yesterday, 36:41, 12:13/mile. I am doing 2R/1W intervals right now. Starting this Sunday, I need to get back to doing "long" runs and start training for those damn 10K races I told myself I would do! And on the shorter runs, I need to get back to doing 2.5 or 3R/1W intervals. I don't actually do much better on time when I do those longer run intervals, but I think doing that builds up more stamina, so that when I do my long runs at the 2/1 intervals, I make better time.

Go Get Em'

Did three miles today outside. Time was good, 36:33, 12:12/mile, but we had the great idea to sleep with the windows open last night and that combined with spending a good amount of time yesterday tramping about the woods has brought on a wicked allergy attack. My chest was tighter on this run than it was at the worst of my cold. But I did run by a guy who said "Go get em'", which was kind of funny and nice. Most people just stick with the wave or "good morning".

Stats for the Week:

Treadmill Miles: 8.5

Outside Miles: 3

Hiking: 5

Total: 16.5

I did a begrudging 2 miles on tready today. Ran one and walked one at 2 pct incline. As it turns out, August here broke all kinds of records. Highest daily temperature (117F). Highest high temp. Highest low temp. Highest monthly average temp. Most days over 110 degrees (over half the month). So yes I shall continue to whine and moan.

3 Tready

I did three treadmill. Good inclines, blah blah blah. I will say that I ran my fastest treadmill mile ever, I did mile three at no incline at at a 10:56 mile. It was all good. Total time was 36:15.

2 for the road

I did 2 on tready today at lunch. It was difficult. I ran the first one and walked most of second. Ugh. Consistency is key. I know this. Its almost September.

Rebellion and cold both lessening

Ran three very slow treadmill miles, time was 40:15, but did all three at 1 percent incline.

Swam a mile today. It was refreshing if not tiring.

Still not a hundred percent

But feeling much better. I did 2.5 miles today, time was 31:33, 12:38/mile. My chest was pretty tight on the nemesis hill (the cold has now moved to my chest, huzzah), but even with that it was an enjoyable run, which is the first time I can say that this week. I enjoyed my music and my rebellion must be close to being over, because I didn't start out until close to 9:00, which last week was considered to be "too hot". I forgot my hat, which made the thing more miserable than it needed to be, but it was still a good run.

This cold is slaying me y'all

Another three miles outside, still taking it nice and easy. Time was 38:58, 13:00/mile, and I am just so wiped, you would think I had just done double that mileage.

7 days of torture, 7 days of bitter

Its been a really really messed up week!! - Hot Chelle Rae.

Hit the gym today at lunch and got in 2 on the tready. It mostly sucked.

I did get a cold

And despite my defiant tone at the end of the last post, I really have been taking it easy. I'll get four runs in this week, which is okay for a week that I am sick. Today I did three miles outside, and I went really really slow, since I have a cold and I am still not sure about the dog, but I did take him, hopefully I didn't hurt him. Time was 40:05, 13:22/mile.

Nastay

I ran durning Js football practice again. Was hot and miserable. Good news is I had a sweet man to run woith. We did 3 moiles. Oit was 113 oin phoenoix today. Probably 105 when we ran at 730. These typos you see are from my phone malfunctoionoiong due to saturatoion woith boob sweat. Oi took a page outta Marois playbook and stuffed my phone in my bra while I ran. GOL!!

Booooooooo

I went to the gym this evening after work and did 3 miles at my normal inclines and faster pace, but with some walking on 2nd and 3rd miles. It was good, a decent workout given its been a week since I ran. I have a good reason for not going yesterday though. I was in the right place at the right time and got recruited to get a free haircut and style by a trainee at my salon. Couldn't waste great hair by getting it all sweaty now could I?

I'm pretty sure I am getting a cold

Which would explain my recent slacker-ish behavior. I was telling Chris a few days ago that felt like something was wrong with me. I was all achy, that bum hip I have was just giving me fits, and I was having other weird aches and pains, not to even mention not having the gumption to get out and run as often as I usually do. Anyways, so this morning I woke up with a sore throat and I'm pretty sure I am getting a cold. So, obviously my recent lack of motivation was my body telling me to slow the hell down so it could try and fight off whatever this is. So naturally, I went out and did three miles this morning, because fuck that shit.

Time was 37:00, 12:20/mile.

Finally

Every time Mari rebels I seem to have permission to do same!! I finally got my ass out there today for the first time since Mon. But today, I swam instead and it was a really nice change. I was able to go at 430pm when the sun was off the lap pool and I did 2/3 mile. When I was swimming regularly I was doing a mile but I was pretty beat today trying to get back into it. Is so low impact too, and full body workout. Good stuff. Then J and I made the worlds best tacos and I pigged out.

Elliptical

5 Miles on the elliptical this morning, a pretty good workout! Total time was 52:00. Yet again, I could not bring myself to run outside until it was too hot.

Anyways, more pathetic stats for the week!

Outside Running: 3 miles

Treadmill Running: 4.5 miles

Elliptical: 5 miles

Walking: 1.3 Miles

Total Miles: 13.8

Total Time: 2 Hours, 45 minutes

Finally managed to get outside

It's Saturday, and apparently I ran out of excuses. I did three miles, total time was 37:11, 12:25/mile. Totally fine.

Treadmill Blues

Honestly, I don't know what is the matter with me these days. Just the usual rebellion, I guess. I did two miles on treadmill on Monday and another two and a half just now. I just cannot bring myself to get up in the morning and go running, even though I know it makes me feel better to just have it done and over with in the morning and I know I am going to regret so much treadmill running when it is mid-winter and too cold to go outside. It is totally gorgeous here right now, no excuses for not getting it done outside! But I just keep sleeping in, missing the opportunity, and then going on the treadmill at lunch. Oh well. At least I'm going.

an angry heat

Is anyone tired of me complaining about the heat?  Hell, I’m sick of me.  But that’s all there is right now, just hot hot effing heat.  I went running at J’s football practice again last night, got 3 miles in.  Walked most of the last one.  It was just so goddamned oppressively hot, and the air was so still that a soggy cloud of heat surrounded my head the whole time, I couldn’t outrun it.  Its an angry hot.  Probaby 103 after sundown.  I stumbled onto the field and went to J’s cooler to chug down his water and use his iced towel.  He’s young and healthy and can handle this shit. 

4 Tready

At the gym. I woke up late, and missed the opportunity to go outside before it got too hot. I did good inclines, and had a good run.

Stats for the Week:

Treadmill Miles: 11.5

Elliptical Miles: 4

Total Miles: 15.5

Overall, not a bad week at all, especially considering that I was traveling for most of it.

Got 2 in

At gym. Wasn't pretty. Ugly in fact

3 tready

time was 38 minutes, and it was a good pace for today, i enjoyed the run, despite the large puddles of sweat.

This is the story of how we begin to remember

This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein. After the dream of falling and calling your name out. These are the roots of rhythm and the roots of rhythm remain. - Paul Simon, Under African Skies

Tonight's run felt an awful lot like that. It was HOT, although not as hot as prior nights. There was the most faint of breezes blowing, keeping the soggy cloud of heat behind my head as I ran. It was sunset when I took off, and after dark when I finished, under Arizona skies. But the rhythmic pounding of my feet, the smoothness of my breath, the pounding of my heart, is always a comfort. Its a place I know well. One where other cares fall away, are drowned out by the rise and fall of my breath, the pulse of music in my ears. Its a place where I am in control, where I alone determine my fate, whether I'm gentle with myself or demanding and hard. Pushing my body always brings a certain joy, along with pain. Because it proves that I am strong, vibrant. Alive.

2.5 Treadmill

Awful. Just awful. But I'm glad I did it.

A nasty sweaty hot 2 mi

I decided to try getting my run in while J is at football practice, because I have to be there the whole two hours anyway. And let me tell you it was not fun. It was still over 100 degrees at 8:00 at night. I feel so bad for those boys running around in all that equipment. He sure does it better than I do. Bf suggested I run in a football helmet tomorrow in symmpathy. That's not going to happen.

2 Tready

At the stupid hotel. What is it with hotel "fitness" rooms, anyway? No matter how nice the hotel, they are consistently as hot as the fucking steam room. The one I am in has these really nice treadmills, touch screens, ipod chargers built right in, etc. and they are standing right next to a thermostat that seriously looks like it is from 1890 and does not appear to have EVER been used. They also univerally eschew that other fantastic 19th century invention, THE FAN.

Anyways, it got done.

Everybody gets high, everybody gets low

These are the days that anything goes – Sheryl Crow

And by that I mean these HOT FREAKIN SUMMER DAYS.  It is so hot here it is almost impossible to get motivated to go do anything.  So I’m just doing what I can.  Even the gym is nasty hot and treadmill workouts are extraordinarily hot and sweaty.  I did 2.5 today at my usual inclines and I will say it wasn’t easy!!!  

As if you have a choice

That's what my body said to me this evening. After I had deliberately taken the weekend off, just too tired and too damn hot around here. But at 830 I just had to get out there. I did 2 miles and felt better than I expected.

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear
- Snow Patrol

3 Tready

I took a page out of Sandy's book and did 13:20 at 2% incline for the first mile, 12:00/mile at 1% incline for the second mile, and zero incline and 11:20/mile for the last mile. It was funny, because the total time was the same 37:00 it always is for three miles on the treadmill, but it was a MUCH harder work out! I was sweating like crazy and I did notice that I burned off a few more calories than I usually do as well. I am going to be in Dallas all next week and from where I am sitting not one of those days will be appropriate for running outside, so it will be a treadmill kind of week for me. But I'll do the treadmill work outs this way, and that will make it more challenging, I think. Thank you, Sandy! I would never have thought about doing it that way.

Also, I have to tell you guys, my weight is down to 191.6! Isn't that crazy? WOOT! Although, I was told by some co-workers yesterday that I had to stop wearing the pants I was wearing, so I guess I am going through THAT again.... I just ordered some new pants from the Gap, though, so it's all good.

2.27 Outside

I would have gone further, but the dog is recovering from an injury, so I didn't want to push him too much. Also, we went really slow for the same reason. Time was 28:50, 12:41/mile. But he sure seemed glad to be out there again. Poor pup.

The Rebellion Cometh

And that right soon. It's long overdue, so I shouldn't be surprised. I have only gone the one time so far this week. Lord. I just keep reminding myself that I have been through similar rebellions, and I always come around again.

I fully plan on going today at work, but I have fully planned on going every single day this week, my gym bag being deposited in the corner of my office each morning, and each evening being taken home, unopened. So, we'll see. I can still get four in this week if I go today and both weekend days.

Update: I did get it done. Three miles on tready, 38 minutes.