Hello again! I know I sorta dropped off the face of the blogging world for a week and some days. There are a few reasons for this, some which are good and some which aren't as good. The good news: I got a job, yay! I have a new job working at a veterinary office, which will help me make ends meet until I go to grad school in the fall. So, I'm still figuring out what my schedule looks like and readjusting to the working world again. The bad news is that I also haven't run in the last week and a few days. :( Some of this is related to my new job and figuring out when in the world I can run now. The other part of it is that I seemed to go through some sort of post-race running blues where I couldn't bring myself to run. I'm not really quite sure why, or if this is overly common. I just didn't have much motivation after my 5k race.
Eventually, over the past few days I've noticed the runners on sidewalks when I drive home and I've started to feel the push to get back out there. I wasn't sure what kind of momentum I lost by stopping for so long, but I knew that if I wanted any shot of running the 6.8 miles I need to in less than 3 weeks, I needed to get going. So, my co-workers told me of this nice, but hilly, 1 mile loop at a community college down the road from work and I decided to head out that way once my shift was over today. The sun was just starting to set, so it was nice and cool outside. I decided that instead of running to music, which I've learned the playlist so I focus on how many more songs I still need to run through, I played the podcast of the ever fabulous This American Life. I started off with my five minute warmup, and then took off. The first lap wasn't that bad, and I didn't even realize I had gone a mile until I crossed in front of my car again. Not feeling too winded, I decided to keep running and see how far I could go. The second lap was a little harder, but people I had passed earlier smiled at me when I passed them again, and it gave me momentum to keep going. When I passed my car the second time (now running for over 22 minutes, which is the longest I had run continuously prior), I knew that if I could make it around again, I would finally have run a 5k straight. I kept running and listening to Ira Glass and eventually my Ipod told me I had 400 meters left. 400 meters and I would have ran for over 30 minutes straight! I quicken my pace and practically danced when my ipod told me I had ran a 5k!!! I've FINALLY gotten over the mental block of stopping around 15ish minutes and thinking I can't go further. Now, I want to get back out there on Friday and prove to myself that isn't a fluke that I was able to run that long today. Hopefully, I can then up my mileage a bit before my race in October. So, all in all, today was a great running day. :)
Here's to being back on my game!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
First 5k!!!
First 5k is done! Yesterday I ran my first 5k since starting the C25K program a month and a halfish ago. The beginning of the day did not go as planned, however. A brief power outage knocked out my alarm, and thus I woke up with 10 minutes to get ready before I needed to leave for the race. Talk about frustrating and nerve racking! I quickly got dressed and grabbed a bottle of water and a luna bar to try and down while driving there. I got there with a few minutes to spare so I could run to the bathroom and get some stretching in before starting. Needless to say though, I was pretty flustered and had a rock of nervousness in my stomach.
Right at 8 they had us all line up at the start line. It was a pretty small race - just about 200 people it appeared. Most of the people around me looked like seasoned runners and were talking about their various training methods for races much longer than this one. I was a little worried I would bring up the rear, but trying to channel the penguin runner, I just decided to do my best and not kick myself if I didn't run as fast as I wanted.
Well, the gun went and everyone took off. The first 5 minutes were quite exhilarating! I knew I came out running too fast, but I just got caught up in all the energy around me. After about a half of a mile, I started to get winded so I eased up a bit and let the faster runners go by. At the first mile marker, I found that I ran it under 10 minutes! Go me! However, I knew that there would be no way I would be able to continue that pace. They had a water station set up right at the half way point, and that is where I took my first walking break. I really wanted to try and run the whole thing, but I just came out with too much energy. I think, knowing how that feels now, I'll be ready my next race to take it easy in the beginning, and to try and a have that negative split that everyone seems to rave about. So, after the halfway point and a 5 minute break walking break, I took off running again. I decided at that point that my goal was to run the race in under 36 minutes, a feat I had not yet accomplished and would make my mile averages under 12 minutes, which wouldn't be too terrible. I ran until the about the 2.5 mile marker and had to take a walking break again. Next thing I knew, my ipod told me I had a kilometer left and I knew I had to run until I finished the race. So, I took off and vowed not to stop. When I rounded the final corner and could see the finish line, my Ipod told me I finished the 5k, making it probably about 200 meters off of the race distance. So, I hit the button to see how fast I ran the 5k according to my Ipod (since that is what I've been training by) and it said I did the 5k in 34:47!!! I totally blew away the 36 minute mark I couldn't break! My official time crossing the finish line was 35:15, so even that time was under 36 minutes and an official new PR! So, even though I didn't run the whole race, I was a least proud that I was able to get under 36 minutes.
Of course, once the race was over, I wanted to find another 5k to sign up for and try to run the whole thing straight. ;) I think the experience of the first race will give me patience my second attempt to not exhaust myself before the half-way point. Again, it's really amazing how much of running is mental. I just need to pace myself and mentally get over the road block of stopping to walk, and I think I'll be able to run the whole time. Still, overall, not too shabby!
Now, my next race is my dreaded marathon relay - the whole reason I started running in the first place. I need to start scheduling in some longer runs so I can get used to being on my feet for longer than 40 minutes. Monday will start my training for that. Kinda scary, and yet exciting too. :)
Right at 8 they had us all line up at the start line. It was a pretty small race - just about 200 people it appeared. Most of the people around me looked like seasoned runners and were talking about their various training methods for races much longer than this one. I was a little worried I would bring up the rear, but trying to channel the penguin runner, I just decided to do my best and not kick myself if I didn't run as fast as I wanted.
Well, the gun went and everyone took off. The first 5 minutes were quite exhilarating! I knew I came out running too fast, but I just got caught up in all the energy around me. After about a half of a mile, I started to get winded so I eased up a bit and let the faster runners go by. At the first mile marker, I found that I ran it under 10 minutes! Go me! However, I knew that there would be no way I would be able to continue that pace. They had a water station set up right at the half way point, and that is where I took my first walking break. I really wanted to try and run the whole thing, but I just came out with too much energy. I think, knowing how that feels now, I'll be ready my next race to take it easy in the beginning, and to try and a have that negative split that everyone seems to rave about. So, after the halfway point and a 5 minute break walking break, I took off running again. I decided at that point that my goal was to run the race in under 36 minutes, a feat I had not yet accomplished and would make my mile averages under 12 minutes, which wouldn't be too terrible. I ran until the about the 2.5 mile marker and had to take a walking break again. Next thing I knew, my ipod told me I had a kilometer left and I knew I had to run until I finished the race. So, I took off and vowed not to stop. When I rounded the final corner and could see the finish line, my Ipod told me I finished the 5k, making it probably about 200 meters off of the race distance. So, I hit the button to see how fast I ran the 5k according to my Ipod (since that is what I've been training by) and it said I did the 5k in 34:47!!! I totally blew away the 36 minute mark I couldn't break! My official time crossing the finish line was 35:15, so even that time was under 36 minutes and an official new PR! So, even though I didn't run the whole race, I was a least proud that I was able to get under 36 minutes.
Of course, once the race was over, I wanted to find another 5k to sign up for and try to run the whole thing straight. ;) I think the experience of the first race will give me patience my second attempt to not exhaust myself before the half-way point. Again, it's really amazing how much of running is mental. I just need to pace myself and mentally get over the road block of stopping to walk, and I think I'll be able to run the whole time. Still, overall, not too shabby!
Now, my next race is my dreaded marathon relay - the whole reason I started running in the first place. I need to start scheduling in some longer runs so I can get used to being on my feet for longer than 40 minutes. Monday will start my training for that. Kinda scary, and yet exciting too. :)
Monday, September 8, 2008
The Great Outdoors
So, last Wednesday I went on my run and clocked in a tad over 37 minutes. Not my best, but not my worst. I still seem to hit this mental road block around 15 minutes into running and I just stop and walk. I think if I can just get past the next few minutes, I can run the 5k continuously. I think it will also be helpful when it isn't over 90 degrees outside and humid.
I was also supposed to run on Friday, but Hurricane Hanna messed up those plans. Saturday I was sick and spent most of the morning in bed, which sucked. So, on Sunday, I went to the gym with some family members and discovered, apparently, I'm still an active member. Sweet! This was the first time that I've tried running on a treadmill in a long time. I thought that, perhaps, this would be easier and I would get my first time under 36 minutes and break my average of 12 minute miles. Alas, I think I started off my run too fast (near a 10 minute mile) and got exhausted after 10 minutes. I stopped to walk for a few, and then tried running again. However, I was really bored. There was nothing to catch my attention and nothing interesting on the TVs ahead of me. All I could concentrate on was how slow the clock was ticking down. Alas, I finished the 5k right near my average of 37 minutes. So, I think for me, I'll keep the running outside and the just use the gym for weight training unless there is really bad weather.
Tomorrow and Thursday I'll go running again, and then on Saturday I'll run my first 5k! I'll make sure to post about that afterwords. :) Peace!
I was also supposed to run on Friday, but Hurricane Hanna messed up those plans. Saturday I was sick and spent most of the morning in bed, which sucked. So, on Sunday, I went to the gym with some family members and discovered, apparently, I'm still an active member. Sweet! This was the first time that I've tried running on a treadmill in a long time. I thought that, perhaps, this would be easier and I would get my first time under 36 minutes and break my average of 12 minute miles. Alas, I think I started off my run too fast (near a 10 minute mile) and got exhausted after 10 minutes. I stopped to walk for a few, and then tried running again. However, I was really bored. There was nothing to catch my attention and nothing interesting on the TVs ahead of me. All I could concentrate on was how slow the clock was ticking down. Alas, I finished the 5k right near my average of 37 minutes. So, I think for me, I'll keep the running outside and the just use the gym for weight training unless there is really bad weather.
Tomorrow and Thursday I'll go running again, and then on Saturday I'll run my first 5k! I'll make sure to post about that afterwords. :) Peace!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Ah, September!
It's been a few days since I've posted since I was sin computer for a while because apple had to put a new keyboard on my new macbook (it's my luck that I get the one computer in a million that happens to be faulty off the line. Else wise, I love my new mac). Anyway, I ran last Thursday and it wasn't my best run, but it was alright. I was still a bit above 38 minutes for my 5k time. Then, I hiked up grandfather mountain on Friday with my best friend on the most strenuous trail the mountain has to offer. It was a beautiful day and a great way to start the weekend! I love nothing better then the sound of birds chirping and creeks babbling. However, my friend and I didn't start the hike until 2, so we hauled it up that mountain at a blistering pace to get to the top before we had to head back before it got dark. We covered over 7 miles in under 4 hours of strenuous hills and flooded trails. It was an amazing workout. I actually had to buy a new shirt before dinner because my ENTIRE shirt was soaked with sweat and I didn't want to knock people out over dinner with my awesome sweating abilities. :)
So, the start of my weekend was really great, and I was planning on ending my weekend by running the Nike 10k on Sunday. However, when I woke up on Saturday morning, my legs had turned to stone. The crazy hiking and rock scaling that I did on Friday took its toll and walking up and down stairs was tough both Saturday and Sunday. I knew I need some time off for my legs to recoup, so although I really, really wanted to run the Nike 10k, I decided it was best not to since the most important race for me is the Relay in Baltimore in October, and I can't injure myself before then. The good news is that I felt less stiff on Monday and went out for a run, and I ran it under 37 minutes! I ran it in 36:30, which I think is my second fastest time ever. I was pretty happy :) I ran the second mile in 9:30, which is also great that I got a mile under 10 minutes! I should probably start taking out my 5 minute warm-up, since that is a factor in my statistics. I might try warming up, and then running the 5k to see if my times will be better. My other goal for this week is to get back to 3 or 4 runs a week. For the past three weeks, I've only ran 2 or 3 days (granted, I cross-trained some of those days, but I want the consistency of running). So, I'll run tomorrow morning and Friday morning and probably try adding in a long run either Saturday or Sunday depending on which day seems to work better for me. My other hope is that it will start becoming cool again since I'm pretty over this humidity. Although, Hurricane Hanna is brewing in the atlantic and it's path has it coming up through NC, so that might halt a few days of running. Oh, weather.
So, the start of my weekend was really great, and I was planning on ending my weekend by running the Nike 10k on Sunday. However, when I woke up on Saturday morning, my legs had turned to stone. The crazy hiking and rock scaling that I did on Friday took its toll and walking up and down stairs was tough both Saturday and Sunday. I knew I need some time off for my legs to recoup, so although I really, really wanted to run the Nike 10k, I decided it was best not to since the most important race for me is the Relay in Baltimore in October, and I can't injure myself before then. The good news is that I felt less stiff on Monday and went out for a run, and I ran it under 37 minutes! I ran it in 36:30, which I think is my second fastest time ever. I was pretty happy :) I ran the second mile in 9:30, which is also great that I got a mile under 10 minutes! I should probably start taking out my 5 minute warm-up, since that is a factor in my statistics. I might try warming up, and then running the 5k to see if my times will be better. My other goal for this week is to get back to 3 or 4 runs a week. For the past three weeks, I've only ran 2 or 3 days (granted, I cross-trained some of those days, but I want the consistency of running). So, I'll run tomorrow morning and Friday morning and probably try adding in a long run either Saturday or Sunday depending on which day seems to work better for me. My other hope is that it will start becoming cool again since I'm pretty over this humidity. Although, Hurricane Hanna is brewing in the atlantic and it's path has it coming up through NC, so that might halt a few days of running. Oh, weather.
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