October 2010
2 posts
Running Update
October 21, 2010.
The good news is that I’ve been running regularly for a couple of weeks now. Feels so amazing, I can’t even tell you. Running is my own personal anti-depressant.
I started again by running 3 miles, and have eased it up in about 2 weeks to 4.5 miles. I ran that 4.5 mile route this morning, and felt pretty good. My face turned a bright shade or red, redder than I...
Uhhhh... OK
OK, OK, so I said I’d keep writing more but dropped the ball again. Hot weather, being sick, working a lot - that’ll do it. Enough of excuses, though.
Yesterday I did go for a run, after not running for a whole week (was sick). Ugh, I am out of shape. The 3 miles was hard, but I made it through. I wore running pants, so maybe that was part of it, but still - I don’t want to...
September 2010
1 post
Wha Happen?
September 1, 2010
So, where have I been? Feeling ill, getting well. I ran a few times in the past few weeks - and they were good runs - but caught a cold two Mondays ago, then was truly fatigued, so I’ve been taking some time off of running. Stupid 90-degree temps don’t help. Will resume running on Saturday, when the temps go down. I’ll be 2 weeks woefully behind but my...
August 2010
3 posts
Faster
August 14, 2010
Distance: 4 miles
Successes - This run was probably the quickest 4 miles I’ve run so far.
The lower temperatures no doubt helped me run a fast (for me) 4 miles. Though I’m not absolutely sure of the timing, it is possible that I ran this in 45 minutes. Felt great to keep up a strong, quick pace. My guess is that the Tuesday interval runs have been a big help...
3 Miles Feeling Good
August 12, 2010
Distance: 3 miles
Successes: My speed is faster and more consistent. 3 miles is feeling easier and easier.
It was cooler this morning, which helped a lot. I skipped my first water stop because I felt hydrated enough, and ran 1.5 miles without stopping, wow! So awesome. Soon, I’ll be running 2 miles without stopping. Step by step.
I wonder if the overcast skies also...
Tuesdays Are Brutal
August 10, 2010
Well, I haven’t been keeping up with the blogging here. Yes, I am stating the obvious. I really the situation weren’t so. I’ll aim to do better.
I’m currently into week 3 of my 10K training. It’s been great, but as the title of this post says, Tuesdays truly are brutal, especially in this heat/humidity. Seems like this Tuesday and last Tuesday...
July 2010
2 posts
Monday and Tuesday
July 27, 2010
Distance: 2 miles on Monday, approximately 2 miles on Tuesday
Successes: Running the first mile quickly, faster than expected.
Well, I started my 10K training this week. It’s an 11 week schedule, originally 12 weeks, but due to a scheduling alteration, it’s going to be 11 weeks. And that’s OK.
Monday’s run was a normal 2 miles through the park. ...
A Summary
July 25, 2010
Well, I sure dropped the ball on blogging. I blame it on these heat waves we’ve been having here in the east. My penultimate week of training was blown apart because of the crazy heat, then I ran the following week, but it was brutal. Basically, every training run was rough. This heat and humidity - high 90s and into the 100s - kicked my ass.
The race itself actually went...
June 2010
11 posts
A Cool Morning
June 30, 2010
Distance: 4 miles.
Successes: These four miles seemed like a piece of cake. The weather helped a lot.
So, yeah, the weather - amazing! When I left the house it was 62 degrees. Just fantastic. It took me about 50 minutes to run this 4 miles and I felt great at the end. Air temperature really makes a difference.
Next run: Friday, 3 miles.
Onward!
Sweat
June 25, 2010
Distance: 4 miles.
Successes: I am back running 12.5 minute miles, which is a nice ways away from the ~15 minute mile I was running during when I first started doing 4 mile runs. There is room for improvement.
This run went pretty well, and I enjoyed this course, which includes 2 tails - one at the beginning (RDM) and midway (APS). It eliminates the need to run on the track and...
This Time, a Week Summary
June 25, 2010
Well, this week I hardly found time to blog on a pseudo-daily basis. So, here’s how the week went, starting from last Saturday, June 19.
Saturday - great run, 4 miles. A little longer time-wise because of more walking. I was running with a friend who hasn’t been running regularly for a while, so we stopped more than I normally do. It was ok, though, and refreshing,...
Red Face
June 17, 2010
Distance: 3 miles.
Successes: Running past the SW corner of the park to the concrete, then a walk. Working to build up running 2 miles straight again.
It was much sunnier and a bit warmer today, though not uncomfortable. I wonder if I scare some people with how red my face gets. I used to be embarrassed, but these days I don’t really care what people think about it - I just...
Headwinds
June 16, 2010
Distance: 3 miles.
Successes: managing the hard core headwinds under the bridge! They seem to come out of nowhere.
Another comfortable 3 miles. Love this no track bit. Felt good when I got home. My cat still loves my sweaty hair.
Next run: Thursday, 3 miles.
Onward!
Monday, Monday
June 14, 2010
Distance: 3 miles.
Successes: Running confidently for the 3 miles. This distance is feeling more and more comfortable as time goes on.
It was a nice cool morning for a run. This time I added the long tail along the south side of the park, and ran the 1/3 mile loop around the track instead of on the track. Love it. Lots of people out these days!
I’m going to continue...
Back in the Saddle
June 12, 2010
Distance: 3 miles
Successes: Being able to run again.
I had to take Wednesday-Friday off because of a strain on my left ankle/foot area. I slipped walking down the stairs one morning on my way to my run, thanks to being too groggy. Ugh. So, I thought taking some time off would be prudent.
Saturday’s run went great! No pain at all in the left foot/ankle area. That extra...
More Cool Weather
June 8, 2010
Distance: 3 miles.
Successes: Running 2 miles without stopping.
We had another cool morning, which was heavenly for running. I was able to run 2 miles without stopping, despite feeling tired in the morning. I am wondering if feeling “tired” is my mind trying to trick me into doing something it doesn’t want to. Very curious.
I’ve been adding the...
Cool, Crisp Morning
June 7, 2010
Distance: 4 miles.
Successes: Happy to run in cool weather after all this humidity. Feeling much more capable of running 4 miles.
This morning was glorious - I got to run in 58 degree weather! It makes a huge difference for me; truth be told, I love running in 50-something degree temperatures. I feel like I do some of my best running work when it’s cool like this.
My...
5 Miles! 5 Miles!
June 5, 2010
Distance: 5 miles
Successes: running 5 miles! Running 1.7 miles straight and feeling ok afterwards. Persevering under less than desirable climate conditions.
I had been anticipating this run all week - for a while it was hard to get my head around that distance, but by the time I stepped out of the apartment this morning, I was ready. Running is such a mental thing, I’m...
Combo
June 5, 2010
Distance: 3, 3, 3
Successes: Fighting fatigue on Thursday, I was able to run the longest without a break since I started.
I decided to combine reporting of the runs from Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday into one post. Somehow, I didn’t find time to devote to writing up running logs the same day as the run, so I’ll do it now.
Monday was a holiday, so it was good to...
May 2010
14 posts
Early Saturday
May 29, 2010
Distance: 4 miles (fartlek).
Successes: Doing hill work for the first time and loving it. Getting up early on a Saturday. Grateful for cool morning weather.
I think I did 4 miles but not 100% certain. It might have been more like 3.75 miles. My distance estimate was informal, to say the least. I was able to do sprints more consistently within the fartlek, and focused on form -...
Humid
May 27, 2010
Distance: 3 miles.
Successes: Running in the humidity and feeling ok.
I’m going to have to start mentally adjusting to more humid weather, now that summer is on its way. Thankfully, it was not so hot this morning - 71, which is not cool, but way more comfortable a temperature than the ~90 of the day prior.
Three miles is getting to feel more and more comfortable. I almost...
Solid 3 Miles
May 26, 2010
Distance: 3 miles.
Successes: This was a strong run, with a power end, and the least amount of walking yet.
This was the first three miles that felt, on a mental level, “normal”, for use of a better term. This three miles felt more like the way two miles used to. It seems totally manageable a distance now. The first leg, which is about 1.5 miles, was a little weak at...
Second 4 Mile Run
May 24, 2010
Distance: 4 miles.
Successes: This 4 mile run was, on a mental level, quite a bit easier. Acceptance of this distance went smoother.
In general, the run went well. No leg/knee pain, which was nice. However, a few hours later, I must have pinched a nerve. So, it is necessary to take the following day off in order to rest and resolve the issue.
Next run: Wednesday, 3 miles.
...
Second Fartlek
May 22, 2010
Distance: 3 miles (fartlek).
Successes: Finding ways to vary the fartlek; making it through. The fartlek is a very challenging workout.
I did the full 3 miles in one fell swoop this time. The workout consisted of a run to the track, the interval part of the fartlek, then a run back home. The run to the track is .8 miles. I ran both .8 mile distances at a light jog.
The track...
Sluggish
May 20, 2010
Distance: 3 miles.
Successes: making it through the 3 miles while feeling tired and sluggish. Running ~1.5 miles without stopping.
Even though 4 miles felt amazing yesterday, 3 miles today was hard. However, I got through it. I think what I need now is a real rest of a couple of days. By Saturday morning, I’ll have had my 2 days of rest. Odd thing was, that even though I...
4 Miles! 4 Miles!
May 19, 2010
Distance: 4 miles.
Successes: FOUR FREAKIN’ MILES!!! This was my first goal - to be able to get through a 4 mile run, and I did it. I am so proud of myself.
It will take more time to get comfortable running 4 miles, and that is my second goal.
I also ran probably the most distance straight without stopping - about 1.5 miles.
My route again consisted mainly of park trails...
Late Report
May 19, 2010
Distance: 3 miles.
For some reason, I’ve had some lag in posting. Meh on me.
OK, Monday’s run! Successes: Had an AWESOME run, although my quads were in a little bit of pain from the fartlek the prior Saturday. But I could totally feel the positive effects from it during that Monday run. That being said, I ran through the pain and it was all gone by the end of the...
One Day Late
May 16, 2010
Distance: 3 miles (fartlek).
Successes: Completed my first fartlek! And did not die in the process, ha!
So yes, on Saturday I ran my first fartlek It wasn’t anything fancy, and I survived. It was supposed to be a 3 mile workout, but I chose to run essentially 2 and a quarter miles and then help with the Shoreline Cleanup in place of the last 3/4 mile.
Here’s what I...
The Return of Joint Pain
May 13, 2010
Distance: 3 miles.
Successes: Knowing when to hold back and when to push forward. I appropriately addressed each of these this morning.
What a bizarre run. I felt really off this morning. I felt clumsy, my knees were a little achy, and my right ankle - the one I injured in Feb 2009 - started to hurt about 3/4 of a mile in. I decided to do more walking this time, which...
Tuesday Three
May 11, 2010
Distance: 3 miles.
Successes: I ranthree track loops in a row, one more than yesterday, so today I ran the longest distance without stopping since I started running two weeks ago. My breathing was pretty even, too.
While it was in the 40s this morning, it wasn’t nearly as painfully cold as yesterday. I think that’s because it wasn’t as windy this morning. And...
C-c-c-cold
May 10, 2010
Distance: 2 miles.
Dang it was cold - in the mid-40s this morning. Where did summer go? I am glad I remembered to wear my fleece ear warmer.
Successes: I ran with no stopping longer than on Saturday - one block longer. So, in the end I only walked a block, apart from the warm up and cool down walking I do at the beginning and end of the run. I’m so happy about this!
I...
Running Before the Thunderstorms Hit
May 8, 2010
Distance: 3 miles.
As I started my run, I spied an advertisement for “Ciroc”, which apparently is a kind of vodka. All I could think about was Cirroc, AKA Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. It was a humorous start to my run.
Successes: I ran a little over a mile without stopping; I felt stronger throughout than in recent times past.
I am finding that I like running around the...
Better Late Than Never
May 6, 2010
Last week I started running again, training for a race in July. I could have started writing about it then, but life/work is just a little bit overwhelming right now, and I just got started writing today. Not the end of the world, of course.
Why am I running? To get fit and lose some weight. I’m also running for the discipline aspect of it. I feel great after I complete a...