I think I over-recovered...it took a real effort of will to get myself back out there on the pavement tonight, and when I started running I couldn't seem to get into a rhythm. It almost felt like I was starting to run again for the very first time.
Our super-hot weather is over for now, so it's just a normal level of August heat...which meant that when I stepped out of the door at 7 p.m. tonight, there was actually a little bit of a chill in the air. It felt weird - I started running seriously during the last week of July, when a cooler day was 89. I'll have to get used to not starting to sweat till the end of my first 1/2 mile (since I tend to see the sweat as proof of adequate effort, meaning if I'm not sweating I think I'm not working hard enough).
Despite the strangeness, though, the training run went fairly well. I'm still a little frustrated by my need to take walking breaks, though I know that both John Bingham and Jeff Galloway (www.jeffgalloway.com) espouse them as a way to train and even race. I guess I still want to be the Bionic Woman (and then maybe I could figure out how not to need sleep, and maybe my house would be clean and my laundry would be done, too). Even with walking breaks, though, I ran my planned 1.5 miles in 19:02. Not quite my adrenaline-rush race pace, but close enough for me to feel that the number on the clock last Saturday wasn't a mistake, and also a good pace to push myself far enough to build both speed and endurance. Certainly it's a lot faster than my old training pace of 14-15 minute miles. My left shin and right knee are a little sore...the right knee was noticeably tight when I first started, but hopefully that's just a result of not moving (I didn't even get out and walk!) for 4 days.
I'm fairly sure now of when my next race will be, and it was the thought of that race (in 4 1/2 weeks...one of these days I'll give myself adequate 8-12 week preparation time) that helped get me out the door tonight. It's the Taking Steps Against Domestic Violence 5K Run/3K Awareness Walk (www.artemiscenter.org/news.htm) in downtown Dayton. I think I need to pretty much keep setting continuous goals for myself running-wise, in other words I always need to know when the next race I'm entering is...otherwise I'll sneak in too much pizza, or too little sleep, or too many days off, and undo all the progress I've made.
In other words...I think I'm becoming a run-a-holic. =)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Saturday, August 25, 2007
First Race Day!!!
What a great day...
Was running late getting out of the house (story of my life), but got to the race in time, since things didn't start right at 8 am sharp. Had a pleasant surprise to see Holly from the Clark County Republican Women and Kyle from church, as I hadn't expected to know anyone.
Holly helped me pin on my race number and lined up in the back of the pack with me. About 50 yards into the race she realized I couldn't keep up with her pace and dropped back to tell me not to worry about her, just to run my own race and not let her mess me up. I didn't, but I did try to keep her at least in sight as long as I could.
I've been running about a 13-15 minute mile in training, and my record distance covered running without stopping for a walking break was 1 mile. So I wasn't really expecting anything at all this race, except to finish. I was planning to just run my usual pace and just finish wherever I finished...even if I was last. But I forgot to turn my stopwatch on when I started running (was still too busy people-watching) and so I had no idea how fast I was running. I was keeping pace with the group ahead of me for about the first half of the race, and I realize now they were probably running much faster than I'm used to.
However, for the first mile or so there was no one behind me except the support vehicle...a full-metal cammo-painted Hummer! Headlines flashed through my head..."Novice Runner Flattened By Hummer...Race Organizers Shocked". It was kind of nice company though, and I had to laugh thinking about how funny it must look...little tiny five foot nothing me, and this huge army green splotchy thing over my right shoulder. I did pass 2 people though (although one of them passed me back...a white-haired lady who walked at least 50% of the race and STILL beat me by one place) so eventually I stopped running in the shadow of the Hummer.
I did manage to set a new personal distance record...I ran about the first mile and three-quarters without stopping...past the turn around. The first mile felt great (if fast, but I chalked that up to adrenaline and it being an early-morning race so it wasn't as hot), the second mile was a little harder but felt like what I'm used to as far as pushing myself through the second half of my training runs. The last mile kicked my butt...I stopped for about half a dozen walking breaks, but they were brief...only a minute or two, to catch my breath and drink some water.
FINALLY after the longest mile of my running career, I could hear the music playing at the start/finish area, and I tried to speed up a little. By that time I just wanted to be done. Holly met me again about 25 yards from the finish line and took my empty water bottle from me and encouraged me to finish strong. I found a little more for a little tiny finishing kick and ran through the finish.
I was NOT last (he was a brand new runner, ran about the first 3/4 mile and walked the rest of the race, the other person I passed at the beginning) and my time TOTALLY blew me away. Remember I said I'd been running 13-15 minute miles in training? And in training that pretty much felt like my maximum sustainable pace? I figure I must have gone out WAY fast at the beginning, and I'm sure not stopping for a walk break until after the halfway mark improved my time too, but I never expected the time I got...
35:26!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOW did that happen???? Roughly an 11 1/2 minute mile???? Me????
It figures I'd set myself a PR in my first 5K that I'll have to train my butt off to beat.
I'm hooked...after the race was over I was kind of disappointed...like, "it's over already??"
Holly and I are hoping to run together on some Saturdays.
I can't wait for the next race!!
Was running late getting out of the house (story of my life), but got to the race in time, since things didn't start right at 8 am sharp. Had a pleasant surprise to see Holly from the Clark County Republican Women and Kyle from church, as I hadn't expected to know anyone.
Holly helped me pin on my race number and lined up in the back of the pack with me. About 50 yards into the race she realized I couldn't keep up with her pace and dropped back to tell me not to worry about her, just to run my own race and not let her mess me up. I didn't, but I did try to keep her at least in sight as long as I could.
I've been running about a 13-15 minute mile in training, and my record distance covered running without stopping for a walking break was 1 mile. So I wasn't really expecting anything at all this race, except to finish. I was planning to just run my usual pace and just finish wherever I finished...even if I was last. But I forgot to turn my stopwatch on when I started running (was still too busy people-watching) and so I had no idea how fast I was running. I was keeping pace with the group ahead of me for about the first half of the race, and I realize now they were probably running much faster than I'm used to.
However, for the first mile or so there was no one behind me except the support vehicle...a full-metal cammo-painted Hummer! Headlines flashed through my head..."Novice Runner Flattened By Hummer...Race Organizers Shocked". It was kind of nice company though, and I had to laugh thinking about how funny it must look...little tiny five foot nothing me, and this huge army green splotchy thing over my right shoulder. I did pass 2 people though (although one of them passed me back...a white-haired lady who walked at least 50% of the race and STILL beat me by one place) so eventually I stopped running in the shadow of the Hummer.
I did manage to set a new personal distance record...I ran about the first mile and three-quarters without stopping...past the turn around. The first mile felt great (if fast, but I chalked that up to adrenaline and it being an early-morning race so it wasn't as hot), the second mile was a little harder but felt like what I'm used to as far as pushing myself through the second half of my training runs. The last mile kicked my butt...I stopped for about half a dozen walking breaks, but they were brief...only a minute or two, to catch my breath and drink some water.
FINALLY after the longest mile of my running career, I could hear the music playing at the start/finish area, and I tried to speed up a little. By that time I just wanted to be done. Holly met me again about 25 yards from the finish line and took my empty water bottle from me and encouraged me to finish strong. I found a little more for a little tiny finishing kick and ran through the finish.
I was NOT last (he was a brand new runner, ran about the first 3/4 mile and walked the rest of the race, the other person I passed at the beginning) and my time TOTALLY blew me away. Remember I said I'd been running 13-15 minute miles in training? And in training that pretty much felt like my maximum sustainable pace? I figure I must have gone out WAY fast at the beginning, and I'm sure not stopping for a walk break until after the halfway mark improved my time too, but I never expected the time I got...
35:26!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOW did that happen???? Roughly an 11 1/2 minute mile???? Me????
It figures I'd set myself a PR in my first 5K that I'll have to train my butt off to beat.
I'm hooked...after the race was over I was kind of disappointed...like, "it's over already??"
Holly and I are hoping to run together on some Saturdays.
I can't wait for the next race!!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Today's Training Walk 8-23-07
OK, this is the real taper day...I walked 2 miles at a chipper but comfortable pace, and am now resting with a sports drink, cheese and pretzels, and ice on my right knee. Just a little bit of patellar tendinitis I think...probably from 3 straight days of training, even though Tuesday's workout wasn't very long.
Tomorrow is recovery day...I plan to do nothing whatever workout-wise...just sit on the couch, do some knitting, and get to bed early. I have to be at the park for the race at 7:30 AM!
11:11...time for bed.
Tomorrow is recovery day...I plan to do nothing whatever workout-wise...just sit on the couch, do some knitting, and get to bed early. I have to be at the park for the race at 7:30 AM!
11:11...time for bed.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Great Training Run 8-22-07
New PR for 1 mile....(drum roll) 13:13!!! Yahoooooo!!!!
I haven't run a mile that fast since I was (inexplicably) on the track team in high school...and that was 17 years ago!
Disclaimer: I would never mess around with painkillers, performance-enhancing drugs, hallucinogenic mushrooms, or any of that stuff. But I took a dose of Pepto before my run (with my last-thing-out-the-door 8 oz. glass of water) and had NO stomach issues whatsoever despite the weather and pushing myself pretty hard. I may be on to something here...
I have this weird pain in my butt, though. It didn't bother me during the run (because I was concentrating, probably) but it was still there when I was done. Obviously I've been using muscles I didn't know I had.
I waited until 9 pm to go out tonight because the heat index during the day was 110...I mean, even though one of the reasons I run is to lose weight, let's not overdo it. I can only carry so much water. =)
Decided to try to run 14 minutes at a time, but without looking at my watch every few minutes...so I decided to shoot for the 1-mile mark on my usual loop and just take a look and see where I was if/when I got there. Keep in mind that this would be the longest distance I'd run at a time without stopping for a walk break. I got to the mile mark, looked down...and saw 13:26!!
Took a longer walk break than usual, partly to celebrate and look up at the stars. Started running again at my favorite bush at 17:00, tried to keep my pace consistent, even on the slight upslope, and long story short, got back to the bush at 30:13!
13 seconds faster on the second mile than the first...NEGATIVE SPLITS!! Plus, I actually managed to put two 1-mile continuous runs together.
I read something in one of John Bingham's books today which said something to the effect that sometimes during a bad run you have to tell yourself "I'm having this bad run so that I can have a great run some other time". It certainly worked for me today.
Saturday 5K, here I come!!
I haven't run a mile that fast since I was (inexplicably) on the track team in high school...and that was 17 years ago!
Disclaimer: I would never mess around with painkillers, performance-enhancing drugs, hallucinogenic mushrooms, or any of that stuff. But I took a dose of Pepto before my run (with my last-thing-out-the-door 8 oz. glass of water) and had NO stomach issues whatsoever despite the weather and pushing myself pretty hard. I may be on to something here...
I have this weird pain in my butt, though. It didn't bother me during the run (because I was concentrating, probably) but it was still there when I was done. Obviously I've been using muscles I didn't know I had.
I waited until 9 pm to go out tonight because the heat index during the day was 110...I mean, even though one of the reasons I run is to lose weight, let's not overdo it. I can only carry so much water. =)
Decided to try to run 14 minutes at a time, but without looking at my watch every few minutes...so I decided to shoot for the 1-mile mark on my usual loop and just take a look and see where I was if/when I got there. Keep in mind that this would be the longest distance I'd run at a time without stopping for a walk break. I got to the mile mark, looked down...and saw 13:26!!
Took a longer walk break than usual, partly to celebrate and look up at the stars. Started running again at my favorite bush at 17:00, tried to keep my pace consistent, even on the slight upslope, and long story short, got back to the bush at 30:13!
13 seconds faster on the second mile than the first...NEGATIVE SPLITS!! Plus, I actually managed to put two 1-mile continuous runs together.
I read something in one of John Bingham's books today which said something to the effect that sometimes during a bad run you have to tell yourself "I'm having this bad run so that I can have a great run some other time". It certainly worked for me today.
Saturday 5K, here I come!!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Sucky Training Run 8-21-07
The good part - not raining, 7-minute 1/2 mile. The bad part - everything else. Tried to run with a stomachache and headache, was able to get myself through the longest 7 minutes of my running career so far. Then with "the runs" approaching (I MUST be the universe's joke of the week) I tried to at least walk the rest of my planned route. I made it through 1 1/2 miles (including the 7-minute 1/2 mile) before I had to give up and come in. Bathroom, a swig of Pepto-Bismol, and I guess I'll live to run another day.
It sucks. I had such high hopes for today. On my last training day (Friday 8/17) I was running 12 minutes at a time with gas still left in the tank, and I had every intention of getting to 14 minutes tonight. I'm positive I could have done it too...but running seems not to be on my body's schedule for tonight. Once again, I don't think when they talk about tapering before a race that this is what it's supposed to feel like.
I've read, of course, that improvement in running is not linear...sometimes it is two steps forward and one step back. I was just kind of hoping it wouldn't happen to me. Now the question is how do I keep it from freaking me out as far as Saturday's race is concerned. I couldn't even WALK 3 miles tonight, let alone run it.
I feel bad giving myself permission to have an off day tonight because of the last couple nights when I didn't run at all...hence the 1 1/2 miles of torturous stomach-churning motion. I know that if I'm not feeling well, then that's just the way it is...but still it irritates me that I can't pull a "mind-over-matter" on my body and just push through. I want to be the bionic woman...or at least just be able to tell my body what to do and have it do it.
I guess I'm human after all. =)
Better luck tomorrow...
It sucks. I had such high hopes for today. On my last training day (Friday 8/17) I was running 12 minutes at a time with gas still left in the tank, and I had every intention of getting to 14 minutes tonight. I'm positive I could have done it too...but running seems not to be on my body's schedule for tonight. Once again, I don't think when they talk about tapering before a race that this is what it's supposed to feel like.
I've read, of course, that improvement in running is not linear...sometimes it is two steps forward and one step back. I was just kind of hoping it wouldn't happen to me. Now the question is how do I keep it from freaking me out as far as Saturday's race is concerned. I couldn't even WALK 3 miles tonight, let alone run it.
I feel bad giving myself permission to have an off day tonight because of the last couple nights when I didn't run at all...hence the 1 1/2 miles of torturous stomach-churning motion. I know that if I'm not feeling well, then that's just the way it is...but still it irritates me that I can't pull a "mind-over-matter" on my body and just push through. I want to be the bionic woman...or at least just be able to tell my body what to do and have it do it.
I guess I'm human after all. =)
Better luck tomorrow...
Monday, August 20, 2007
Training Frustration
Last night (Sunday 8/19) I didn't run...I succumbed to a moment of weakness and had wine and cheese spread and crackers. Remember I mentioned that I run because I eat. =)
Tonight I couldn't run even though I wanted to because it has been raining since this afternoon and it's expected to continue past midnight. The weather map online is one big green blob. So I reacted by having wine and cheese spread and crackers.
I think the universe is having a cosmic joke at my expense. I am now a little worried about the 5K on Saturday (5 days away! eep!). At least I talked to Steve and Cathy on Saturday and Cathy says that if I'm running 12 minutes at a time at a 15-minute mile pace that I should be fine for the race. I'll be faster because of the adrenaline, and I'll push myself to reach the finish line instead of walking the final 500 meters. She's run marathons, so I'm sure she knows what she's talking about, and she didn't seem to think I was crazy for taking basically 3 1/2 weeks to train for my first-ever 5K. I trust her...I just don't totally trust my body.
I hate weather. I hate not being able to control things...the kids, my impulses to procrastinate instead of run/clean house/do laundry...I feel like I have enough trouble keeping on top of what I have to do without juggling everyone else. Running and my job are the only things I sort of feel like I have mastery of right now...everything else seems to be testing the speed limits of entropy. =)
Maybe it's just because it's Monday...and I've read you're supposed to taper before a race, anyway. I don't think this is quite what they mean.
I'll be doing a "no-rain dance" hoping that at least a couple times I can get out and run this week...just so my body remembers what its comfortable pace feels like.
I want to move to Arizona where it doesn't snow and never rains. Oh well.
Tonight I couldn't run even though I wanted to because it has been raining since this afternoon and it's expected to continue past midnight. The weather map online is one big green blob. So I reacted by having wine and cheese spread and crackers.
I think the universe is having a cosmic joke at my expense. I am now a little worried about the 5K on Saturday (5 days away! eep!). At least I talked to Steve and Cathy on Saturday and Cathy says that if I'm running 12 minutes at a time at a 15-minute mile pace that I should be fine for the race. I'll be faster because of the adrenaline, and I'll push myself to reach the finish line instead of walking the final 500 meters. She's run marathons, so I'm sure she knows what she's talking about, and she didn't seem to think I was crazy for taking basically 3 1/2 weeks to train for my first-ever 5K. I trust her...I just don't totally trust my body.
I hate weather. I hate not being able to control things...the kids, my impulses to procrastinate instead of run/clean house/do laundry...I feel like I have enough trouble keeping on top of what I have to do without juggling everyone else. Running and my job are the only things I sort of feel like I have mastery of right now...everything else seems to be testing the speed limits of entropy. =)
Maybe it's just because it's Monday...and I've read you're supposed to taper before a race, anyway. I don't think this is quite what they mean.
I'll be doing a "no-rain dance" hoping that at least a couple times I can get out and run this week...just so my body remembers what its comfortable pace feels like.
I want to move to Arizona where it doesn't snow and never rains. Oh well.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Today's Training Run 8-17-07
TGIF!!
Today was one of those runs that I didn't really want to do, and it didn't really fit in my schedule, but with the race coming up a week from tomorrow, it just needed to get done. Even though I reached my goal for the day (12 min run x 1 min walk x 3), it just didn't feel that great or exhilarating at any point...not bad, just not great...no runner's high today.
But I think that's why I "get" running some days...like anything, my job, my marriage, my life as a parent, there are a few high days, a few low days, but most of the days are just there...just getting done what needs to get done whether it feels all that rewarding or not. Like those other parts of my life, running is a long-term habit, not just a short-term thrill, and the long-term rewards (increased endurance, fitness, great calf muscles, whatever) are happening each time I live up to my commitment to run, whether I see "Improvement" with a capital "I" that day or not.
Anyway, after the running goal was done I kept walking on my route till I got to the 3-mile mark, just out of curiosity to see how I'd do. Today's time: 3 miles in 46 minutes. No land speed records, but at least they probably won't turn the clock off before I'm done. I feel better about next Saturday...like it's not a totally stupid thing for me to do.
I never thought I was entering to be "competitive" against anyone else...I've really only been training for about a month, as I'm not counting the fits and starts I had before. I'm not fast (15 minute mile) and I've never been in the race atmosphere before, so I'm sure there will be lots of things I don't know and things I find confusing on race day. Here we come to yet another reason I run...I can compete against myself. I am determined to enjoy next Saturday's race...the scenery will be beautiful, the weather and temperature should be great (8 am start!), and it's my first 5K, which is a milestone that I'll never have again. I am determined not to worry about the clock, or where I finish...I just want to finish, and have that "I did it" feeling.
Having said that, I had a little bit left in the tank tonight but chose to walk to the 3-mile point so I wouldn't over-train...but if it had been race day I think I could have made it to 3 miles in under 45 minutes. =)
Today was one of those runs that I didn't really want to do, and it didn't really fit in my schedule, but with the race coming up a week from tomorrow, it just needed to get done. Even though I reached my goal for the day (12 min run x 1 min walk x 3), it just didn't feel that great or exhilarating at any point...not bad, just not great...no runner's high today.
But I think that's why I "get" running some days...like anything, my job, my marriage, my life as a parent, there are a few high days, a few low days, but most of the days are just there...just getting done what needs to get done whether it feels all that rewarding or not. Like those other parts of my life, running is a long-term habit, not just a short-term thrill, and the long-term rewards (increased endurance, fitness, great calf muscles, whatever) are happening each time I live up to my commitment to run, whether I see "Improvement" with a capital "I" that day or not.
Anyway, after the running goal was done I kept walking on my route till I got to the 3-mile mark, just out of curiosity to see how I'd do. Today's time: 3 miles in 46 minutes. No land speed records, but at least they probably won't turn the clock off before I'm done. I feel better about next Saturday...like it's not a totally stupid thing for me to do.
I never thought I was entering to be "competitive" against anyone else...I've really only been training for about a month, as I'm not counting the fits and starts I had before. I'm not fast (15 minute mile) and I've never been in the race atmosphere before, so I'm sure there will be lots of things I don't know and things I find confusing on race day. Here we come to yet another reason I run...I can compete against myself. I am determined to enjoy next Saturday's race...the scenery will be beautiful, the weather and temperature should be great (8 am start!), and it's my first 5K, which is a milestone that I'll never have again. I am determined not to worry about the clock, or where I finish...I just want to finish, and have that "I did it" feeling.
Having said that, I had a little bit left in the tank tonight but chose to walk to the 3-mile point so I wouldn't over-train...but if it had been race day I think I could have made it to 3 miles in under 45 minutes. =)
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Today's Training Run 8-15-07
Right now I'm training for my first 5K. It's a charity run for Smith-Magenis Syndrome (for more information, visit http://www.prisms.org/) at our local Buck Creek State Park here in Springfield, Ohio. My goal is just to finish before they turn the race clock off...I know I'm not going to break any land speed records. I have 10 days to go before race day - Saturday, August 25.
I've been training 3-4 times a week on a 1/2 mile loop of sidewalk in our neighborhood. If there are any experienced runners reading this, I'm scared of running in the road and I trip over my feet when I run in the grass, so even though I know concrete sidewalks are hard on your legs...it's just what I do. =)
Tonight, I set a new personal record...10 minutes running without stopping, with 1 minute walking breaks, times 3! The last repeat was hard but not impossible, and in an actual race where I could see the finish line, I think I might have actually had a "finishing kick".
My post-run snack: a sports drink (sugar-free) and an open faced cheese (crumbly cheddar-ish stuff...I can't remember what it's called) and tomato sandwich with fresh tomatoes that someone in my office brought in and left in the mailroom. Yum...
I've been training 3-4 times a week on a 1/2 mile loop of sidewalk in our neighborhood. If there are any experienced runners reading this, I'm scared of running in the road and I trip over my feet when I run in the grass, so even though I know concrete sidewalks are hard on your legs...it's just what I do. =)
Tonight, I set a new personal record...10 minutes running without stopping, with 1 minute walking breaks, times 3! The last repeat was hard but not impossible, and in an actual race where I could see the finish line, I think I might have actually had a "finishing kick".
My post-run snack: a sports drink (sugar-free) and an open faced cheese (crumbly cheddar-ish stuff...I can't remember what it's called) and tomato sandwich with fresh tomatoes that someone in my office brought in and left in the mailroom. Yum...
Welcome to my blog!
Hi! I've decided to start this blog as sort of an online running journal, with thoughts thrown in about why I run, how I feel about running, and anything else that comes up that seems to fit. Occasional off-topic posts may sneak in. And no matter what, like John "the Penguin" Bingham, (www.johnbingham.com), I'll continue to "waddle on"!!
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