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I actually got in 14 miles yesterday. I went out in the early AM to run it all solo. I got two miles done and quit. Yes me... quit. Hard to believe huh? I just couldn't do it. I knew it was a mental thing - probably some physical but I hadn't let that come in to play at the two mile mark.
I called my friend Sherri and we set a plan in motion to get a sitter to watch the kids so we could run a bit later in the afternoon.
We set out around 1:20 or so and found our pace. I knew jumping back in to running with so much time off would be huge - especially jumping in to 14 miles. What the hell was I thinking? Oh yes, I'm thinking that TCM is literally a month away and I have been bombarded with the HELLS of life and have let that take over everything. Understandable.
Anyway, I'd decided to do a run 4 walk 1 combo. I'd never really done this but decided I needed this run to be easy mentally breaking it up in to little chunks and easier physically as I wasn't sure I could do it.
The first 8 miles were okay and then I just felt really fatigued. I'd been feeling really worn down all day. I think partially due to some medication my doctor has me taking and I think I'm going to drop it... it's no good. Just makes me feel like I have a haze over myself. Yeah, it's good for bringing your emotions under control but at what cost? Anyway, I think part of that fatigue was due to medication and I'm not sure how much was due to me just being woefully out of shape.
The last 4 were pretty much hell. My legs felt like lead my my friend Sherri kept up the positive talk....she's a counselor, ya know? I got emotional a few times out there but one time I got really upset. Not because of the run or the hurt but because I'd let my husband take the one thing I truly loved besides him and the girls away from me.
SPOF - Spousal Piss Off Factor -- this is the factor given to running. If there is a race that you really want to do and it has a SPOF of 3 - then do it. IF it has a SPOF of 10 - you'd better stay home.
For the last two years it seems like even getting out the door to run a short 4 or 5 mile run had a SPOF of 10+. I got comments like 'if you cared about the laundry as much as you do running we'd never have to look for socks' or just really put out comments that he'd have to watch the kids or do something that required any effort. It was my only outlet and I let that get taken away from me. I wanted my marriage to work and I felt like running was such a sword in his side I let it dwindle and dwindle. No, he never asked me to stop running -- it was just more of his attitude and his asking me not to talk to him at all about running. He didn't care to hear about it.
As I was running yesterday I got so mad at the place where I was. I'm back at square 1 with my running and two years ago I was kicking out marathons like they were 10ks. I'm mad that all that work and training I did has disappeared and I have to do it all over again.... for what? For a husband that was cheating on me AS he was putting me down and squashing my love of running. I did that so I could attempt to make my husband happier with me -- to work on my marriage and all the while he was lying to me and screwing around with woman after woman. He NEVER worked on our marriage. It was a game to him... and just a vessel of lies. I'm so mad at him for doing this to me and the girls but I'm just as mad at myself to letting him and for letting him defeat me - NEVER AGAIN!
So.... here's to 2009. Free of SPOF and free of my lying cheating cursing asshole of a husband. Good riddance. Here's to a 2009 of fun with my girls, dance for them and running for me. NO SPOF to work around - no tension when I say I want to go do a 1/2 marathon with a friend. No more.
Life is about living and learning. Well, I've learned a hard lesson. Now it's time to start living again.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Too Long
It's been a long time since I have posted anything. Basically my life as I knew it fell through the floor in July. I found out my husband of 10 years was in love with a 24 year old girl and I made him leave.
So, this is yet another test of endurance. I'm finding a lot of strength in being on my own with my girls. Going through finances and getting things separated and ready for divorce is not a small thing. But it's necessary. I haven't been too emotional, mainly just really focused on things I can effect. I'm sure the wave of emotions will come later. I mean they do come, but it's not all the time.
My girls took an extended vacation to be with their grandparents and I think that has helped them adjust. They just came back and knew he wasn't going to be here anymore. They'll still see him but how often still remains to be seen.
My running and exercising has taken a back seat to life yet again. TCM is like 8 weeks away - or possibly less. The longest run I'd done prior to the upheaval was 12 miles. I'm going to attempt 14 this weekend. We'll see if I can just get back in the saddle again. I NEED to do TCM. It won't be pretty, that's for sure, but it's going to be my race - the race I did while going through the hardest thing I've ever had to do.... saying goodbye to my husband.
So, this is yet another test of endurance. I'm finding a lot of strength in being on my own with my girls. Going through finances and getting things separated and ready for divorce is not a small thing. But it's necessary. I haven't been too emotional, mainly just really focused on things I can effect. I'm sure the wave of emotions will come later. I mean they do come, but it's not all the time.
My girls took an extended vacation to be with their grandparents and I think that has helped them adjust. They just came back and knew he wasn't going to be here anymore. They'll still see him but how often still remains to be seen.
My running and exercising has taken a back seat to life yet again. TCM is like 8 weeks away - or possibly less. The longest run I'd done prior to the upheaval was 12 miles. I'm going to attempt 14 this weekend. We'll see if I can just get back in the saddle again. I NEED to do TCM. It won't be pretty, that's for sure, but it's going to be my race - the race I did while going through the hardest thing I've ever had to do.... saying goodbye to my husband.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Finding my grey area
I had a long chat with my nutritionist on Thursday and she told me again what I already know, and that is I'm black and white. I either do something 100% or not at all. I'm having a really hard time finding that happy medium -- my grey area.
I need to be more consistent with my running AND my nutrition. I know that life throws things at us... almost every day that we need to just pick up, dust off and continue on. It's this way with running -- a day that you slog through a run and wonder WHY am I even doing this... why am I out here? Or you have a piece of cake at a co-workers birthday party and decide you entire diet for the day is blown so why not eat the chips too. It's time to look at these as events to learn and grow from. WHY was that run bad -- did you hydrate properly? not enough sleep last night? Why can't you just enjoy the cake and stop there... maybe a salad for dinner instead of the heavier dinner you'd planned? The entire day is full of decisions that will make or break your fitness and nutrition regime. The plan is to tailor these decisions to make your day the best it can possibly be.
I'm going to really try this week to plan - plan exercise and plan nutrition. I need to do it daily because things fluctuate so much in the summer with school out that it's hard to make a weekly schedule and stick to it.
I'm ready to take the black and white out of my life and blend it together -- grey area, here I come.
I need to be more consistent with my running AND my nutrition. I know that life throws things at us... almost every day that we need to just pick up, dust off and continue on. It's this way with running -- a day that you slog through a run and wonder WHY am I even doing this... why am I out here? Or you have a piece of cake at a co-workers birthday party and decide you entire diet for the day is blown so why not eat the chips too. It's time to look at these as events to learn and grow from. WHY was that run bad -- did you hydrate properly? not enough sleep last night? Why can't you just enjoy the cake and stop there... maybe a salad for dinner instead of the heavier dinner you'd planned? The entire day is full of decisions that will make or break your fitness and nutrition regime. The plan is to tailor these decisions to make your day the best it can possibly be.
I'm going to really try this week to plan - plan exercise and plan nutrition. I need to do it daily because things fluctuate so much in the summer with school out that it's hard to make a weekly schedule and stick to it.
I'm ready to take the black and white out of my life and blend it together -- grey area, here I come.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
I've been tagged!!
I was tagged by my new friend Lori -- AKA Toughnoodles. She came across my blog just a little while ago after I'd started posting a bit more regularly and I truly enjoy reading hers as well.
1- How would you describe your running 10 years ago?
10 years ago my running would be categorized as non-existent. I didn't run. I dabbled in running during college, but it was more like run a mile or two every month or so. I mtn. biked and snow skied a lot and that's it. I started running 9 years ago this December. I signed up with Team in Training - the Leukemia Society's running group and decided to run the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage - June of 2000. That experience changed my life. I ended up run/walking my first marathon in 6:01:01 -- my goal was 6 or under as I was painfully slow and a new runner and WAY overweight. I ALMOST made that goal, but it was the process that was life-changing.
2-What is your best and worst run/race experience?
BEST: Probably the marathons that go well. All of them. Capital City Marathon 2003 - first post-pregnancy marathon after baby #2 and my first attempt at training myself. I took my time from that just over 6 hour time to a 4:45. I was really, really proud of myself. Skagit Flats Marathon 2005 my first SUB 4 marathon -- I was thrilled and came in at 3:59. Portland Marathon 2005 - a month after Skagit I did that one in 3:57 -- I was on a roll.
WORST: Injuries. After Portland 2005 I started training for an ultra and just plain and simple, over trained. I ended up with a cast for a really bad Achilles injury. Yes, it was bad enough to immobilize completely.
I kept with weights and cycling so I stayed in good enough shape to do three marathons in 2006.
September of 2007 I broke my tibia at a boyscout fundraising event and had to stop everything. I'm still trying to recover from that.... almost a year later, 20 lbs heavier and a bought with depression I think I'm finally winning.
3- Why do you run?
I run for my sanity and because it's something that I can do that I feel I'm good at. No, I'm not fast, but I don't let up with distance. I would LOVE to get that ultra under my belt. I've attempted one -- had a DNF. But, about 2/3 of the field dropped due to hail, sleet, and snow - so I was in good company.
When I run it lets me clear through my thoughts... it lets me think about God and His creations. It lets me think about my girls and my husband and I can work through a lot of life's problems when I run. It's all about clarity and sanity.
4- What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?
Probably the worst advice I was given when I first started out running was at Lady Foot Locker -- no, I don't go there anymore... but to a 'real' running store. Anyway, I was told I needed really, really supportive shoes if I was going to be covering 26.2 miles. Think shoes that would not bend, had no flex in them at all. It was like walking on boards. Um, no.... shin splints galore and a trip to Sound Sports in Seattle and I was cured.
Best: Start slow at race - don't go with the crowd - you'll pass them eventually.... and you know what? I usually do. I remember Seattle 2005 - I started really, really slow with a friend that was training for an ultra. I was aching to go faster but we kept our 10 min pace. At the 13 mile mark we kicked it up and our negative split was huge... and we passed a ton of people in the last miles and we felt GOOD.
BODY GLIDE -- everything! Body Glide on your toes prevents blisters!
5- Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.
Let's see -- I guess the one thing that might be surprising about a Marathon Maniac that has completed 16 marathons... would be that I don't consider myself a runner. I wish I did. I don't. I don't feel like I look the part so it's almost embarrassing to tell people I run. It's something I'm trying to get over.... I have a thyroid condition and will never be thin like most runners are. I'm strong and have great endurance but deep down I wish I looked the part.
Now I'm supposed to tag 5 other people so these are the people whose answers I'd really like to read: Rach, Andria, Sherri, Another Sherri, and I'm still trying to decide the 5th person!
Here are the rules guidelines: If you have been tagged, you will find your name at the end of this post. You should then, copy the rules (or your version of them), and the set of questions onto your blog post, provide your own answers, and then tag 5 new people.
Just to be sure that everyone tagged knows they have been invited to play, go to their blogs and leave them a special comment letting them know, and refer them to your blog for details. One more thing, once they've answered the questions on their own blog, they should come back to yours to tell you
1- How would you describe your running 10 years ago?
10 years ago my running would be categorized as non-existent. I didn't run. I dabbled in running during college, but it was more like run a mile or two every month or so. I mtn. biked and snow skied a lot and that's it. I started running 9 years ago this December. I signed up with Team in Training - the Leukemia Society's running group and decided to run the Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon in Anchorage - June of 2000. That experience changed my life. I ended up run/walking my first marathon in 6:01:01 -- my goal was 6 or under as I was painfully slow and a new runner and WAY overweight. I ALMOST made that goal, but it was the process that was life-changing.
2-What is your best and worst run/race experience?
BEST: Probably the marathons that go well. All of them. Capital City Marathon 2003 - first post-pregnancy marathon after baby #2 and my first attempt at training myself. I took my time from that just over 6 hour time to a 4:45. I was really, really proud of myself. Skagit Flats Marathon 2005 my first SUB 4 marathon -- I was thrilled and came in at 3:59. Portland Marathon 2005 - a month after Skagit I did that one in 3:57 -- I was on a roll.
WORST: Injuries. After Portland 2005 I started training for an ultra and just plain and simple, over trained. I ended up with a cast for a really bad Achilles injury. Yes, it was bad enough to immobilize completely.
I kept with weights and cycling so I stayed in good enough shape to do three marathons in 2006.September of 2007 I broke my tibia at a boyscout fundraising event and had to stop everything. I'm still trying to recover from that.... almost a year later, 20 lbs heavier and a bought with depression I think I'm finally winning.
3- Why do you run?
I run for my sanity and because it's something that I can do that I feel I'm good at. No, I'm not fast, but I don't let up with distance. I would LOVE to get that ultra under my belt. I've attempted one -- had a DNF. But, about 2/3 of the field dropped due to hail, sleet, and snow - so I was in good company.
When I run it lets me clear through my thoughts... it lets me think about God and His creations. It lets me think about my girls and my husband and I can work through a lot of life's problems when I run. It's all about clarity and sanity.
4- What is the best or worst piece of advice you've been given about running?
Probably the worst advice I was given when I first started out running was at Lady Foot Locker -- no, I don't go there anymore... but to a 'real' running store. Anyway, I was told I needed really, really supportive shoes if I was going to be covering 26.2 miles. Think shoes that would not bend, had no flex in them at all. It was like walking on boards. Um, no.... shin splints galore and a trip to Sound Sports in Seattle and I was cured.
Best: Start slow at race - don't go with the crowd - you'll pass them eventually.... and you know what? I usually do. I remember Seattle 2005 - I started really, really slow with a friend that was training for an ultra. I was aching to go faster but we kept our 10 min pace. At the 13 mile mark we kicked it up and our negative split was huge... and we passed a ton of people in the last miles and we felt GOOD.
BODY GLIDE -- everything! Body Glide on your toes prevents blisters!
5- Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know.
Let's see -- I guess the one thing that might be surprising about a Marathon Maniac that has completed 16 marathons... would be that I don't consider myself a runner. I wish I did. I don't. I don't feel like I look the part so it's almost embarrassing to tell people I run. It's something I'm trying to get over.... I have a thyroid condition and will never be thin like most runners are. I'm strong and have great endurance but deep down I wish I looked the part.
Now I'm supposed to tag 5 other people so these are the people whose answers I'd really like to read: Rach, Andria, Sherri, Another Sherri, and I'm still trying to decide the 5th person!
Here are the rules guidelines: If you have been tagged, you will find your name at the end of this post. You should then, copy the rules (or your version of them), and the set of questions onto your blog post, provide your own answers, and then tag 5 new people.
Just to be sure that everyone tagged knows they have been invited to play, go to their blogs and leave them a special comment letting them know, and refer them to your blog for details. One more thing, once they've answered the questions on their own blog, they should come back to yours to tell you
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
out and backs
Today I did 9 miles... out and back. I felt really stiff the entire time, like I was hardly moving yet every time I looked at my watch expecting to see 11's I saw 9:15s or so. Yeah, not really quick, but it wasn't slow as molasses like it felt. I'm getting over 'something' - a bad cold or semi-flu... not sure what but it could have been that. Also, I did some weight training yesterday and my calves have been aching all day today so I know that didn't help.
I was around mile 7 or so and I saw someone who yelled out my name. I didn't recognize him at first and then he said -- "hey, it's Bruce". I realized who it was. It's a buddy of a guy who's wife I used to run with. I had talked to these guys (three of them who ran together) a couple years ago and talked them in to qualifying for the Marathon Maniacs. They were 2 - 3 marathon a year runners and now they hit almost one a month. I realized I've spread the running/marathon disease to a few people. Along with these three guys, I've encouraged two runners from my YMCA group to qualify for the Marathon Maniacs, and one co-worker - who I encouraged to do her first marathon and she just keeps kicking them out and she has also qualified for the Manaics.... that's 6 Maniacs. My friend Shelly is a Maniac too, but I'm not sure I can say I influenced her. It was Chicago that did her in... she ran that awfully hot race last year and then decided she needed a re-take. Anyway, I guess where I'm going with this is it's really nice to be out running, struggling your butt away - wondering why you do this, and then someone sees you and lights up and is excited to see and greet you - you then realize you've really made some differences in other people's lives.
Running is good for your soul -- it's good for friendship -- and it's always nice when you're on the return from an out and back.
I was around mile 7 or so and I saw someone who yelled out my name. I didn't recognize him at first and then he said -- "hey, it's Bruce". I realized who it was. It's a buddy of a guy who's wife I used to run with. I had talked to these guys (three of them who ran together) a couple years ago and talked them in to qualifying for the Marathon Maniacs. They were 2 - 3 marathon a year runners and now they hit almost one a month. I realized I've spread the running/marathon disease to a few people. Along with these three guys, I've encouraged two runners from my YMCA group to qualify for the Marathon Maniacs, and one co-worker - who I encouraged to do her first marathon and she just keeps kicking them out and she has also qualified for the Manaics.... that's 6 Maniacs. My friend Shelly is a Maniac too, but I'm not sure I can say I influenced her. It was Chicago that did her in... she ran that awfully hot race last year and then decided she needed a re-take. Anyway, I guess where I'm going with this is it's really nice to be out running, struggling your butt away - wondering why you do this, and then someone sees you and lights up and is excited to see and greet you - you then realize you've really made some differences in other people's lives.
Running is good for your soul -- it's good for friendship -- and it's always nice when you're on the return from an out and back.
Well, it's official.
I'm going to Twin Cities to run this fall. It will be so much fun. I purchased my flight today so I guess there is no turning back.
Three things must happen before Oct 5th.
Cross your fingers I get this all figured out.
Twin Cities here I come!
Three things must happen before Oct 5th.
- MUST lose some weight as I don't want to be the lone fatty there.
- MUST get my pace back up to where I was - #1 should help with this.
- MUST get in all my training runs. I'm only doing 4 runs a week with cross-training so I should be able to accomplish this. This should help me with accomplish #1.
Cross your fingers I get this all figured out.
Twin Cities here I come!
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Meet Tank!
As most of you know, our wonderful Lab Cody died about a month ago. Robb and I had talked and decided we wanted to find a smaller more 'house friendly' dog when we finally decided to get another one. We'd been looking at bassets, pugs (just me... Robb wasn't too fond of them), all sort of smaller-type dogs.
Anyway, Robb called me yesterday and said he'd found a dog. I guess he was delivering appliances to a customer and they had a dog (miniature beagle mixed with some sort of hound) that was just adorable. He commented on him and they asked if he knew anyone who wanted a dog. Apparently they had a few other dogs and this dog was a little high strung around the other dogs. Anyway, he called me and talked to me about it and I said to just go get him. He's 8 months old, house trained, crate trained and is just great around the girls. His name is Tank.
We took him for a walk today and every time he saw a bird he just bolted.... definitely likes those birds. He's a great lap dog... okay, a bit big for a lap dog, but he doesn't realize that.
We're so glad he's a part of our little family.... what a nice little guy for the girls to hang out with.
Welcome, Tank!
Friday, May 30, 2008
Another one bites the dust
Yeah, I'm talking about a running workout. Not sure how to exactly squeeze it in today. I SHOULD have gotten up and done it on the TM this morning. Maybe I'll get it in really, really late tonight or possibly I'll do a double tomorrow? I really want to get in all or near the mileage I had planned for this week because I'm doing a consistent ramp up over the next few weeks.
I got a call from Seth, the guy I do weights with once a week. I'd cancelled on him on Tuesday because Q was really sick so he called to see if I could workout Friday. Yes! I know weight lifting is really going to help me in the long run so I traded in my hour run time for weights. The rest of the day has been filled with running Q to the Dr - double ear infections - and then off to the store to get the Rx filled -- off to school to get Amelia and then off to take the girls to dance. After dance they'll both head to a sleepover but I'm not sure Quinn is staying all night. Just a hectic 'life' day. So.... if I get my run in... I'll have to call myself Super Mom all day tomorrow.
I got a call from Seth, the guy I do weights with once a week. I'd cancelled on him on Tuesday because Q was really sick so he called to see if I could workout Friday. Yes! I know weight lifting is really going to help me in the long run so I traded in my hour run time for weights. The rest of the day has been filled with running Q to the Dr - double ear infections - and then off to the store to get the Rx filled -- off to school to get Amelia and then off to take the girls to dance. After dance they'll both head to a sleepover but I'm not sure Quinn is staying all night. Just a hectic 'life' day. So.... if I get my run in... I'll have to call myself Super Mom all day tomorrow.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Joy of Spinning
Could there be a more fun type of cross-training? I'm not sure there is. It is such a rush to be in a class and just spin your little heart out. Our instructor, Steve, is a really nice guy but he'll throw out these comments like 'let's see... I don't think anyone here wants to sprint do they' looking directly at me. Of course I'm a good sprinter when I spin. My legs just pound around the bike like there's no tomorrow. I close my eyes and just find my happy place. I just love how I sweat and drip after a cycling class. Just wish I could do it more than once a week.
Oh, as I left class I told Steve I could have swore he was racing me there during one of the last sprints. His reply: 'I might have been' with a devious little smile on his face. I love that he's competitive in his own 'teacher' way.
Oh, as I left class I told Steve I could have swore he was racing me there during one of the last sprints. His reply: 'I might have been' with a devious little smile on his face. I love that he's competitive in his own 'teacher' way.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Night Running
Felt really home-bound today with Q still being sick. It's really frustrating to be motivated and then have something get in your way of exercise. Now, I will say, I do enjoy mothering my children, especially when they are ill. I love how the climb in my lap and just want to be held and comforted. They won't always be little enough to sit on my lap, I know this, so it's days like today that I try to savor even though she's sick... it's still nice to be needed.
I got out the door around 8:30 PM. I was supposed to do 6 today but only got in 3. I'll just try to tack on a few extra miles on Saturday. I think I only have 5 scheduled for that day, so 8 will fit in nicely. The sun was just getting beyond the trees and it was cool and crisp out. Not too much traffic to deal with and the air just smelled fresh. Definitely been cooped up a little too much the last couple days!
I was able to run the entire 3 miles without stopping. Big whoopee, huh? but it's been awhile since I've been able to do that consistently. Only 18-1/2 weeks left. Must keep trucking along. I need to really watch the ol' diet a lot closer.
I got out the door around 8:30 PM. I was supposed to do 6 today but only got in 3. I'll just try to tack on a few extra miles on Saturday. I think I only have 5 scheduled for that day, so 8 will fit in nicely. The sun was just getting beyond the trees and it was cool and crisp out. Not too much traffic to deal with and the air just smelled fresh. Definitely been cooped up a little too much the last couple days!
I was able to run the entire 3 miles without stopping. Big whoopee, huh? but it's been awhile since I've been able to do that consistently. Only 18-1/2 weeks left. Must keep trucking along. I need to really watch the ol' diet a lot closer.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday - Sick day
No, not me... but Quinn. She wasn't herself yesterday - or I should say she was a LOT more herself - spunky and sassy to the point where she was in trouble a lot. Anyway, she came down with a fever last night and it was fairly high throughout the night so she stayed home from school today. This meant I had to miss my weight training today and essentially take an unscheduled rest day. I think I'll stretch good in a little bit and just run well tomorrow (provided she goes to school). If she stays home I have a date with the treadmill!
What's a Title?
I haven't written for a while. I'm not sure why except that life is busy and sometimes I feel all I write is jut gibberish anyway so why subject the one person that reads this blog to all that gibberish? Who is the one person? I'm not sure... possibly just me. I started thinking about my running and the slow-as-molasses pace I've acquired over the past 8 months. I was never fast, mind you, just faster than I am now. I was also thinking about my weight and how that is most probably the thing that is MOST responsible for my running demise. Yes, I'm 10 lbs heavier now than I was in September of last year. Truly my goal is to be 20 lbs lighter than I am now but then. I still have a long way to go as I've been on this 'diet' for 6 weeks now and haven't lost an ounce according to my scale. Now, could I be building more muscle mass now that I'm actually working out again? Yes. Time will tell.
Bringing this back around to running -- it's been said that for every pound you lose you gain time in running. That makes sense.... less mass to carry adds up in every distance. I fiddled around with a calculator that figures out what you'd run a race in if you gained or lost weight projected off of a known race time and weight. I plugged my marathon time of 3:57:48 in there and my weight two years ago... which is 8 lbs less than I am now and it predicted the BEST I could do in my current shape if I'm at the same fitness level as then would be a 4:07. Now, I'm no where near the same fitness level I was then so I'm thinking the best I could do right now would be sub-5. I still have 18 weeks & 5 days left to go though..... not really a lot of time. I need to buckle down and when I say buckle down I really mean buckle down. I'm a procrastinator by nature but now is not the time to procrastinate. I know marathon training time is NOT the time to focus on weight-loss. That being said, I certainly can't carry all this extra baggage across ANY finish line and be proud.
This picture is of me last August doing Hood to Coast relay. I look pudgy, yes, but man... look at those strong legs. I want those again!
I just need to focus everyday on being a strong, happy, confident person that is a runner. I should not, nor can I be ashamed of my body to the point it makes me not want to go run.
The title I will have is RUNNER.
Bringing this back around to running -- it's been said that for every pound you lose you gain time in running. That makes sense.... less mass to carry adds up in every distance. I fiddled around with a calculator that figures out what you'd run a race in if you gained or lost weight projected off of a known race time and weight. I plugged my marathon time of 3:57:48 in there and my weight two years ago... which is 8 lbs less than I am now and it predicted the BEST I could do in my current shape if I'm at the same fitness level as then would be a 4:07. Now, I'm no where near the same fitness level I was then so I'm thinking the best I could do right now would be sub-5. I still have 18 weeks & 5 days left to go though..... not really a lot of time. I need to buckle down and when I say buckle down I really mean buckle down. I'm a procrastinator by nature but now is not the time to procrastinate. I know marathon training time is NOT the time to focus on weight-loss. That being said, I certainly can't carry all this extra baggage across ANY finish line and be proud.
This picture is of me last August doing Hood to Coast relay. I look pudgy, yes, but man... look at those strong legs. I want those again!
I just need to focus everyday on being a strong, happy, confident person that is a runner. I should not, nor can I be ashamed of my body to the point it makes me not want to go run.
The title I will have is RUNNER.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Old Highway
There is an old highway that runs by my house. It's a hilly little highway.... but it's a good one to run on... when there is no traffic.
I haven't run on this road for quite a while. The hills were intimidating me again. Today I was out of time to dive to a less-hilly, more flat section of town so up the road I went.
I am still working my endurance back up and am adding as much mileage as quickly as I can without risking injury, so I've been doing a run/walk method. Today was run 11 minutes, walk 2 minutes then for all the other segments it was a run 9 minute/walk 2 minute schedule. This worked well although it seemed I was walking more of the downhill sections and running ALL of the up hill sections.
The weather was nice this morning -- overcast and sprinkling a bit, but not enough to get really wet. I did the 9 mile route in 1:32:30 which is a 10:16 pace. For reference, even when I'm in great shape these hills kick my butt and I'm around a 9:30 - 10 pace. I have run 20 miles down this road at a 9 pace but all the hills give way to flat road in the later miles making it easier to make up some time. I'm fairly happy with my progress thus far and hope to continue to see some improvement in the coming months.
Elevation:
S
I haven't run on this road for quite a while. The hills were intimidating me again. Today I was out of time to dive to a less-hilly, more flat section of town so up the road I went.
I am still working my endurance back up and am adding as much mileage as quickly as I can without risking injury, so I've been doing a run/walk method. Today was run 11 minutes, walk 2 minutes then for all the other segments it was a run 9 minute/walk 2 minute schedule. This worked well although it seemed I was walking more of the downhill sections and running ALL of the up hill sections.
The weather was nice this morning -- overcast and sprinkling a bit, but not enough to get really wet. I did the 9 mile route in 1:32:30 which is a 10:16 pace. For reference, even when I'm in great shape these hills kick my butt and I'm around a 9:30 - 10 pace. I have run 20 miles down this road at a 9 pace but all the hills give way to flat road in the later miles making it easier to make up some time. I'm fairly happy with my progress thus far and hope to continue to see some improvement in the coming months.
Elevation:
S
Monday, May 19, 2008
Excited to be Excited!
I guess that run on Saturday really made the difference to me. I'm just aching to go run today. I have 5 on my schedule and just can't wait to get out the door. Not sure if I'll do it at the track or just up the road.... probably just up the road, but oh, man... I can't wait!
I've been doing pretty good with my stretching lately too. I need to really keep up with this so I don't get injured or sore. I'm increasing my mileage a little aggressively but I hope with some good weight training and some yoga I'll be okay.
I get to workout with a personal trainer tomorrow. I'm REALLY excited to be doing this. I really want to get on a good weight routine schedule -- twice or three times a week. I know I have to lift more than once a week, but after I reach my goal weight I think I can scale it back a bit. I tend to bulk pretty darn quickly. I don't want to be Popeye!
Bike -- I got my poor Cervelo down from the garage ceiling this weekend. It still has a flat tire from last season and I really need to go get it tuned up but if I can get the flat fixed by Thursday I can get a good ride in Thursday afternoon. I think I'll be home that day so it would be a good day to go up Old Belfair. If I don't watch out I'll be wanting to do another endurance du this year and I just don't think I can fit it into my schedule.
Oh, it's exciting to be excited again... hope my run this evening is good so I don't squash all these fuzzy feelings! LOL
I've been doing pretty good with my stretching lately too. I need to really keep up with this so I don't get injured or sore. I'm increasing my mileage a little aggressively but I hope with some good weight training and some yoga I'll be okay.
I get to workout with a personal trainer tomorrow. I'm REALLY excited to be doing this. I really want to get on a good weight routine schedule -- twice or three times a week. I know I have to lift more than once a week, but after I reach my goal weight I think I can scale it back a bit. I tend to bulk pretty darn quickly. I don't want to be Popeye!
Bike -- I got my poor Cervelo down from the garage ceiling this weekend. It still has a flat tire from last season and I really need to go get it tuned up but if I can get the flat fixed by Thursday I can get a good ride in Thursday afternoon. I think I'll be home that day so it would be a good day to go up Old Belfair. If I don't watch out I'll be wanting to do another endurance du this year and I just don't think I can fit it into my schedule.
Oh, it's exciting to be excited again... hope my run this evening is good so I don't squash all these fuzzy feelings! LOL
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Feelin' Groovy
Got in a really great run today. I was actually one of those runs where you literally raise your hands over your head and whoop whoop. It felt good..... just a really invigorating run. Robb had the day off today so I got to go run early this morning down on Beach Drive. There were lots of wonderful smells and sounds to enjoy. I ran with my iPod on low and just went slow and kept my HR low. At the end of the run I picked up the pace and did the last mile a little faster. I felt like running more than 8 miles but knew that I shouldn't or COULDN'T run more because I want to be strong for next week and don't want to up the mileage too quickly. I walked another 2 miles and just enjoyed the sites and sounds.
I think the key to happy running for me is being outside. I NEED that fresh air that the outdoors bring. I really will concentrate on getting myself in gear and getting out the door in the mornings. I know this will be nearly impossible during the summer because of the girls, but maybe I'll look into getting a babysitter/nanny for the mornings.
I think I'm rambling now.... but I'm really excited... wish I could feel this good every day. Maybe soon?
I think the key to happy running for me is being outside. I NEED that fresh air that the outdoors bring. I really will concentrate on getting myself in gear and getting out the door in the mornings. I know this will be nearly impossible during the summer because of the girls, but maybe I'll look into getting a babysitter/nanny for the mornings.
I think I'm rambling now.... but I'm really excited... wish I could feel this good every day. Maybe soon?
Friday, May 02, 2008
On the Road
This week has been a test of time. Such a struggle to get everything done. Obstacles that weren't planned on, getting in the way, and not being able to recover. I DID get my 7-mile run in that was scheduled for Tuesday.... on Thursday. Today I did a really hilly 4 miles. It's a crazy route that is just hill after hill. If I'm short on time and want a good workout, this is the run to do.
I'm planning on a run tomorrow - not sure the distance yet, 6 would be nice. I haven't once this week gotten in any weights. I need to take another look at my schedule and re-vamp a little for next week. I'm feeling very motivated and good about what I'm doing. No, I'm no where near my fitness level of the last two years -- however, I'm still running a consistent sub-9 on shorter distance and my 'tired' pace at the end of longer runs is around 9:45. No, this isn't the optimum pace I'd like. I'd like to get to sub-9 all of the time... but for being off for 7 months I'm surprised at how well I'm doing. When I do my run/walk on my longer distance - running 11 minutes and walking 4 minutes of every 15 minute segment - I'm still clipping along right around 10-10:30. This is good considering the walk breaks. So... all in all I'm happy with the progress of the last couple weeks and just once on a Friday I'd like to report that I got in ALL intended exercise for the week. Cross your fingers next week finds us with clear skies and not a lot of hidden obstacles that wreck the best-laid plans.
Shel
I'm planning on a run tomorrow - not sure the distance yet, 6 would be nice. I haven't once this week gotten in any weights. I need to take another look at my schedule and re-vamp a little for next week. I'm feeling very motivated and good about what I'm doing. No, I'm no where near my fitness level of the last two years -- however, I'm still running a consistent sub-9 on shorter distance and my 'tired' pace at the end of longer runs is around 9:45. No, this isn't the optimum pace I'd like. I'd like to get to sub-9 all of the time... but for being off for 7 months I'm surprised at how well I'm doing. When I do my run/walk on my longer distance - running 11 minutes and walking 4 minutes of every 15 minute segment - I'm still clipping along right around 10-10:30. This is good considering the walk breaks. So... all in all I'm happy with the progress of the last couple weeks and just once on a Friday I'd like to report that I got in ALL intended exercise for the week. Cross your fingers next week finds us with clear skies and not a lot of hidden obstacles that wreck the best-laid plans.
Shel
Monday, April 28, 2008
Small Victories @ the Track
I've posted before that I'm doing a run/walk combination as I start back up. Today I ran 3 miles - no walk breaks. When I say ran - I mean RAN! I walked .25 to warm up but then ran the 3 miles and then cooled down with a walk too. I had to stop after the first mile to put Q's big bouncy ball away as the wind was fierce and it was blowing all over the track, but that was such a quick break I'm not counting it! LOL. I felt really great about the run even though it was only 3 miles. Tomorrow I'll do 7 -- the first time I've done 7 in a VERY long time. I'm sure I'll be fine. Tonight I think I'm finally going to sit down and put a schedule together for a fall marathon. I need to get something written up -- look ahead to where I need to be at certain times during the summer and then just keep going. I'm on a good path right now.... I'm still a massive ball of flabby jiggle, but I hope in time it'll be all but a distant memory. How's that for positive thinking?????
Week TWO in Review...
....hey, that rhymes!
Week two was good -- overall I ran 20.25 miles, walked 3, did one spin class, and lifted one day. Ultimately I'd like to walk and lift more. I was 2.75 miles short of my goal mileage, but that's closer than I've been before!
My schedule for this coming week looks like this:
Sunday - rest
Monday - 3 miles
Tuesday - 7 miles & weights
Wednesday - 6 miles
Thursday - spin or cross train & weights
Friday - 3-miles, possibly yoga
Saturday - 6 miles & weights
I still need to write up a solid training program so I don't just wing-it every week.... but so far, so good.
Week two was good -- overall I ran 20.25 miles, walked 3, did one spin class, and lifted one day. Ultimately I'd like to walk and lift more. I was 2.75 miles short of my goal mileage, but that's closer than I've been before!
My schedule for this coming week looks like this:
Sunday - rest
Monday - 3 miles
Tuesday - 7 miles & weights
Wednesday - 6 miles
Thursday - spin or cross train & weights
Friday - 3-miles, possibly yoga
Saturday - 6 miles & weights
I still need to write up a solid training program so I don't just wing-it every week.... but so far, so good.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Treadmill Comeback
I think you all know how much I loathe the treadmill. Well, today the girls didn't have ballet due to a dance competition so I couldn't drop them and literally run. DH is working so I had to hit the Dreadmill or do nothing at all. I procrastinated until around 11:30 and then finally jumped on. I walked the first .25 for a warm up then put on a podcast - 137 bpm - and just ran to like jungle chanting music -- just beats. It was AWESOME. I could feel it pumping through my veins and down my legs. I felt like I was flying. Now, I'm still doing a big of scheduled walking just so I don't injure myself starting back after 7 months off running with 6 or so miles. I just can't have another injury so in order to get the distance in I'm running 6 minutes and then walking 90 seconds. It doesn't seem like much but mentally breaking things down in to 7-1/2 minute chunks seems to work for me.
Anyway, I just wanted to pipe up and say the treadmill isn't as bad of an option as it once was. I feel really great about myself today that I got my 6 miles in instead of moping around my house looking out the windows to the gorgeous day outside and feeling dejected because I couldn't be out in it.
BUCK UP PEOPLE and just RUN!
Anyway, I just wanted to pipe up and say the treadmill isn't as bad of an option as it once was. I feel really great about myself today that I got my 6 miles in instead of moping around my house looking out the windows to the gorgeous day outside and feeling dejected because I couldn't be out in it.
BUCK UP PEOPLE and just RUN!
Friday, April 25, 2008
History
I decided to post a brief history of my marathon running. I realized that some people don't know my past -- so here is a quick synopsis.
I started running after my first daughter was born - around December 1999. I'd run on and off through college and lost 45 lbs right after high school. I loved to rock climb and mtn bike so I was active. When I was dating my husband, we of course ate out a lot and I didn't get in as much exercise as I had been doing and my weight steadily increased. I was also really tired all of the time. I was eventually diagnosed with thyroid tumors. The biopsy came back inconclusive for cancer so we had to have it removed (nearly the entire thyroid) in 2000. I've struggled with my weight because of the thyroid condition for quite awhile -- thus, the marathon. I did my first marathon in June 2000 - Alaska -- It was exhilarating! I didn't do my second until May of 2003 after my second daughter was born. After that I started doing 2 a year, 3 a year -- 6 one year and so on and so on - I've done a total of 15 since 2000. I LOVE distance. I'm not a terribly fast runner but I have fairly good endurance.
In 2005 I started training for an ultra - 50K - and a week before the race (April 06)I came down with a nasty case of Achilles tendinitis that landed me in a cast -- yes, it was so bad my doctor put me in a cast so it wouldn't rupture as I walked through daily life. It was hard not running... but I eventually got back and did 3 marathons that year. 2007 was the worst year ever! It started off great... I ran the Yakima marathon but had some intermittent hip pain that slowed me down -- recovered from that, did a lot of biking and an endurance du, ran Hood to Coast and then fractured my leg at a boy scout camp fundraiser. Yes, not even running-related. I was off of running, biking, even the elliptical -- my doctor wanted me to do nothing weight-bearing and he's a running doctor so usually pretty lenient with how soon you can get back at it. I got depressed.... truly depressed and stopped just about everything. I think my running really keeps me mentally sound and without any physical activity I just fell in to a complete funk. I finally saw a doctor and got on a low dose anti-depressant. Still don't feel great, but better. I fractured my leg in September, a month before I was scheduled to run Chicago. Now, we all know what a disaster Chicago was, so that wasn't that big of a deal. I still went and saw my friends run and most finish. Mental illness runs strong in my family so I know it's 'real'. It's just hard to realize it when it's happening to you. I've been off of running now for 7 months. I want to be back where I could just pound out a marathon every month if I wanted too..... I just want the old 'me' back and I finally feel like I'm on the right path.
Shel
I started running after my first daughter was born - around December 1999. I'd run on and off through college and lost 45 lbs right after high school. I loved to rock climb and mtn bike so I was active. When I was dating my husband, we of course ate out a lot and I didn't get in as much exercise as I had been doing and my weight steadily increased. I was also really tired all of the time. I was eventually diagnosed with thyroid tumors. The biopsy came back inconclusive for cancer so we had to have it removed (nearly the entire thyroid) in 2000. I've struggled with my weight because of the thyroid condition for quite awhile -- thus, the marathon. I did my first marathon in June 2000 - Alaska -- It was exhilarating! I didn't do my second until May of 2003 after my second daughter was born. After that I started doing 2 a year, 3 a year -- 6 one year and so on and so on - I've done a total of 15 since 2000. I LOVE distance. I'm not a terribly fast runner but I have fairly good endurance.
In 2005 I started training for an ultra - 50K - and a week before the race (April 06)I came down with a nasty case of Achilles tendinitis that landed me in a cast -- yes, it was so bad my doctor put me in a cast so it wouldn't rupture as I walked through daily life. It was hard not running... but I eventually got back and did 3 marathons that year. 2007 was the worst year ever! It started off great... I ran the Yakima marathon but had some intermittent hip pain that slowed me down -- recovered from that, did a lot of biking and an endurance du, ran Hood to Coast and then fractured my leg at a boy scout camp fundraiser. Yes, not even running-related. I was off of running, biking, even the elliptical -- my doctor wanted me to do nothing weight-bearing and he's a running doctor so usually pretty lenient with how soon you can get back at it. I got depressed.... truly depressed and stopped just about everything. I think my running really keeps me mentally sound and without any physical activity I just fell in to a complete funk. I finally saw a doctor and got on a low dose anti-depressant. Still don't feel great, but better. I fractured my leg in September, a month before I was scheduled to run Chicago. Now, we all know what a disaster Chicago was, so that wasn't that big of a deal. I still went and saw my friends run and most finish. Mental illness runs strong in my family so I know it's 'real'. It's just hard to realize it when it's happening to you. I've been off of running now for 7 months. I want to be back where I could just pound out a marathon every month if I wanted too..... I just want the old 'me' back and I finally feel like I'm on the right path.
Shel
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