Really? So I've been running in 30 and 40 degree weather when running outside...and for ONE day, it decides to get warm and HELLA humid out? This is SO like Chicago. I woke up Sunday morning, and for once, the weathermen/women were right. It was unseasonably warm and humid.
I wasn't worried, I guess I thought "It's just 5 miles, I'll be fine." But apparently even with a shorter run, my body will NOT readjust for humidity. I mean, I suppose if it weren't my first humid run of the season. I'm trying not to beat myself up about it...
1:04:51. I'm pretty sure that's my WORST Shamrock Shuffle to date. I could easily look down the list of past races over on the right side of my blog, but I just don't have the heart to--just yet.
Mile 1 "I'm running too fast, I'm running too fast I'm running too fast! I'm warm. Where or where are my running shorts." Mental note: find shorts TO. DAY. THIS. AFTERNOON. Mile 1 done at 10:25, according to my timer. Not good.
Mile 2 Somewhere between Mile 1 and Mile 2 I had my first walking break. This is when mentally it all went downhill. "I suck. I should just quit." Walked again at the aid station. Lame. But that Gatorade was tasty. Mile 2 done, somehow miraculously at 24:00. (Hindsight: must have been running too fast still, when I was actually running.)
Mile 3 &%*$!!! This friggin sun! "I won't walk again until the next aid station." Lie! Walked some more. Mile 3 done just under 38:00. Then the wheels fell off.
Mile 4 "I'll just run when I can." This is when I became ashamed of myself. And got a text from my friend who said she was done. Damn. Mile 4 done at around 51:00. Walked for a good long while after Mile 4, because "I WILL RUN UP THAT HILL ON ROOSEVELT IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO."
The last .97 miles of the 8K was more of the rest.
I'd hoped to have an awesome race report. I'd hoped to feel proud, excited and ready for the race season. But now I'm just feeling doubtful. Wondering if I'll ever get better. I"m sure this will pass. I'm aiming for a great long run later this week.
So....sorry to be a downer. Thanks for reading/listening.
Showing posts with label mental edge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mental edge. Show all posts
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Monday, August 24, 2009
What's my motivation?
Oh man, 1 month and 16 days. I've been struggling lately, and my quote over there on the right (with the heading "The Truth") is suddenly ringing true. Due to the wedding festivities over the weekend (and my cookies I did for them) I did not get a single run in. I'm home for the next two weeks with the girls before school starts. Next up? Long run tomorrow. 16 miles. Just gotta get it done!
This is the cookie, although the finished product was just a teeny bit different:
This is the cookie, although the finished product was just a teeny bit different:
Monday, July 20, 2009
Race Report: Fleet Feet Women's Festival 5K/10K
Sunday July 19, 2009
So this is my third year in a row running this event, and I really like it. A bunch of cool running chics, the best race shirt every year, nice sponsors and the lakefront. What more can a girl ask for? Now last week, my faithful blog readers may recall that I planned on running the 5K. But since my 12 mile long run the day before turned into a 10 mile run, I had a light bulb moment and realized I could make up those 2 miles (and then some) by opting for the longer haul.
And though my mind protested as I walked over to the same-day registration table, I did it anyway.
So after the obligatory pep talk from the overly excited emcee who was probably an annoying cheerleader in high school...you know the one...so this jibber jabber went on for awhile. I moved away from this and visited some of the sponsor booths. Tried a watermelon falvored Luna Chew and it was go-o-o-o-od! (Ok, I admit...I took two more after the first one.) There was a short line for stretches for some sports training facility with a long name that isn't Athletico (my fave type of joint that has an easy name to remember.) So I had someone stretch out my legs and I felt better already.
Cue the star spangled banner that sounded like a version you might have heard when the last tv show ended for the night, way too majestic for the occasion. (Wow, remember when tv stations used to, like, "go off" at night? That sounds weird saying that, now.)
And we're off. My hubby's cousin was excitedly running her first race ever, and doing the 10K too. While we run in the mornings together, we don't actually run TOGETHER, and so we did the same this day...started off together and soon split up. Fine by me, b/c my ipod was probably going to be my only saving grace.
Mile 1
Legs: Are you crazy??? Didn't you just run 10 miles yesterday?
Mind: Shut up! Get with the program.
Legs: Oh I hate these pseudo hills (really just slight incline) in our otherwise flat city.
Mind: Oh I hate these pseudo hills (really just slight incline) in our otherwise flat city.
Mile 2
Mind: an aid station at 1.5 miles? Aww, that's cute.
Legs: (Keep running!)
Legs: There's the turn off point for the 10K up ahead. You could turn off with the 5K and end this misery now!
Mind: What would be more embarrasing than finishing with the 5K, but being registered now for the 10K, and for a quick moment, being mistaken as finishing in the top 10 or 20 runners for the 10K? Keep going, slacker!
Mile 3
Legs: Let's walk through all the other aid stations. Good strategy.
Mind: I concur. (and there were quite a few for just a 10K. Five, I think? Walked through all but that first one.)
Legs: I hate running. Don't you hate running? You suck! What are you doing out here?
Mind: You suck! Why do you do this to yourself?
Mile 4
Legs: Just going through the motions.
Mind: Can You Feel it...Can you feel it...can you feel it?! (Singing along-not out loud-to my ipod)
Mind: Hey legs, you've been quiet. Everything ok?
Legs: Chillin!
Mile 5
Legs: (on auto-pilot)
Mind: You suck! You hate this, why are you out here? At least I'm not the slowest...the biggest...the only one wearing running PANTS...
Mile 6
Legs: We're ok! We're doing it!
Mind: Hey, we're ok! We're doing it! And I don't feel like walking, I just feel like getting it done!
Mind: There's the finish line ahead! Wow! That was easy!
1:14:52, 12:03 pace which is not bad for having run 10 miles the day before. (I mean, for me at least.) But seriously? All this negative thinking is REALLY taxing. I don't know what to do about it. I mean, I think these things even while listening to music.
Any suggestions?
So this is my third year in a row running this event, and I really like it. A bunch of cool running chics, the best race shirt every year, nice sponsors and the lakefront. What more can a girl ask for? Now last week, my faithful blog readers may recall that I planned on running the 5K. But since my 12 mile long run the day before turned into a 10 mile run, I had a light bulb moment and realized I could make up those 2 miles (and then some) by opting for the longer haul.
And though my mind protested as I walked over to the same-day registration table, I did it anyway.
So after the obligatory pep talk from the overly excited emcee who was probably an annoying cheerleader in high school...you know the one...so this jibber jabber went on for awhile. I moved away from this and visited some of the sponsor booths. Tried a watermelon falvored Luna Chew and it was go-o-o-o-od! (Ok, I admit...I took two more after the first one.) There was a short line for stretches for some sports training facility with a long name that isn't Athletico (my fave type of joint that has an easy name to remember.) So I had someone stretch out my legs and I felt better already.
Cue the star spangled banner that sounded like a version you might have heard when the last tv show ended for the night, way too majestic for the occasion. (Wow, remember when tv stations used to, like, "go off" at night? That sounds weird saying that, now.)
And we're off. My hubby's cousin was excitedly running her first race ever, and doing the 10K too. While we run in the mornings together, we don't actually run TOGETHER, and so we did the same this day...started off together and soon split up. Fine by me, b/c my ipod was probably going to be my only saving grace.
Mile 1
Legs: Are you crazy??? Didn't you just run 10 miles yesterday?
Mind: Shut up! Get with the program.
Legs: Oh I hate these pseudo hills (really just slight incline) in our otherwise flat city.
Mind: Oh I hate these pseudo hills (really just slight incline) in our otherwise flat city.
Mile 2
Mind: an aid station at 1.5 miles? Aww, that's cute.
Legs: (Keep running!)
Legs: There's the turn off point for the 10K up ahead. You could turn off with the 5K and end this misery now!
Mind: What would be more embarrasing than finishing with the 5K, but being registered now for the 10K, and for a quick moment, being mistaken as finishing in the top 10 or 20 runners for the 10K? Keep going, slacker!
Mile 3
Legs: Let's walk through all the other aid stations. Good strategy.
Mind: I concur. (and there were quite a few for just a 10K. Five, I think? Walked through all but that first one.)
Legs: I hate running. Don't you hate running? You suck! What are you doing out here?
Mind: You suck! Why do you do this to yourself?
Mile 4
Legs: Just going through the motions.
Mind: Can You Feel it...Can you feel it...can you feel it?! (Singing along-not out loud-to my ipod)
Mind: Hey legs, you've been quiet. Everything ok?
Legs: Chillin!
Mile 5
Legs: (on auto-pilot)
Mind: You suck! You hate this, why are you out here? At least I'm not the slowest...the biggest...the only one wearing running PANTS...
Mile 6
Legs: We're ok! We're doing it!
Mind: Hey, we're ok! We're doing it! And I don't feel like walking, I just feel like getting it done!
Mind: There's the finish line ahead! Wow! That was easy!
1:14:52, 12:03 pace which is not bad for having run 10 miles the day before. (I mean, for me at least.) But seriously? All this negative thinking is REALLY taxing. I don't know what to do about it. I mean, I think these things even while listening to music.
Any suggestions?
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Let the Marathon Training COMMENCE!
Email on 4/23/09 at 10:52am:
Registration Has Closed for the 2009 Bank of America Chicago MarathonOpen Registration for the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon closed today when it reached its capacity. If you would still like to take part in the 2009 event, entries can be obtained through our affiliated charities and international tour groups. For more information on these registration options, visit chicagomarathon.com.
Celebrate the Excitement with 45,000 Runners
Thank you to all those who have registered for the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Although registration is closed, everyone is encouraged to be a part of the 2009 event, whether as a runner, volunteer or spectator. The Chicago Marathon is world-renowned for its dedicated volunteers, enthusiastic spectator support along the 26.2-mile course, and the best Health & Fitness Expo in the industry.
Celebrate the Excitement with 45,000 Runners
Thank you to all those who have registered for the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Although registration is closed, everyone is encouraged to be a part of the 2009 event, whether as a runner, volunteer or spectator. The Chicago Marathon is world-renowned for its dedicated volunteers, enthusiastic spectator support along the 26.2-mile course, and the best Health & Fitness Expo in the industry.
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Down at the Marathon Office I'm imagining a scene of confetti, balloons dropping from the ceiling, corks popping, and a whole lot of hooting and hollering...er, I suppose it's not all that dramatic, but I should think it calls for a 2-hour lunch or something.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Oh the irony...
So on a day when running a mere 3 miles on the treadmill had me stopping to stretch twice, question my ability to finish, argue with myself that 1) it would be ok to just do two miles, but 2) you are already here, just do the 3 miles, or 3) maybe you are going to make your calf worse by trying to run the stupid 3 miles, is that number really all that important?
well...
I went ahead and registered for the Chicago Endurance Sports marathon training program. The one I trained with in 2007. My girl Lou is actually gonna be a pace leader for 12:00'ers like ourselves. A friend from work is already registered to traing up to the halfway point, and she also plans to run a 12:00.
But yeah, i had "one of those runs" that just humbles you and reminds you that every run has the potential to be a challenge all by itself, in one way or another. And to think I have to run 11 miles on Saturday. Yikes.
p.s. By the way, the sun came out this afternoon. I came outside and was all like "Wait. Something's different. It's not dark and damp and dreary and misty and foggy and cold and non-springlike for a second." GASP. "It's the sun. The SUN!"
well...
I went ahead and registered for the Chicago Endurance Sports marathon training program. The one I trained with in 2007. My girl Lou is actually gonna be a pace leader for 12:00'ers like ourselves. A friend from work is already registered to traing up to the halfway point, and she also plans to run a 12:00.
But yeah, i had "one of those runs" that just humbles you and reminds you that every run has the potential to be a challenge all by itself, in one way or another. And to think I have to run 11 miles on Saturday. Yikes.
p.s. By the way, the sun came out this afternoon. I came outside and was all like "Wait. Something's different. It's not dark and damp and dreary and misty and foggy and cold and non-springlike for a second." GASP. "It's the sun. The SUN!"
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
She emerges from the depths of purgatory...
...unscathed. After having dropped everything but the essentials...family; work; studying for her AICP exam; and of course, cookies, she returns to the blogging scene. Not having run more than, say, up the stairs to catch that red line train approaching the station, since late October.
The break has done her good, though. The kids are still breathing, attending school, wearing matching clothes and getting decent sleep/food/emotional support. She has not yet been fired. She passed her exam. And she's still fulfilling cookie orders here and there.
She might start running again later this week, but not a lot. She decided to take it easy a bit, until the new year, when new dreams come calling, when training for the Indy Mini should begin, etc... She has, interestingly enough, lost more weight in the last month, than in the last 3 months before that.
She is now done talking in the third person, b/c as annoying as it is to read it, it's also hard to write that way.
The break has done her good, though. The kids are still breathing, attending school, wearing matching clothes and getting decent sleep/food/emotional support. She has not yet been fired. She passed her exam. And she's still fulfilling cookie orders here and there.
She might start running again later this week, but not a lot. She decided to take it easy a bit, until the new year, when new dreams come calling, when training for the Indy Mini should begin, etc... She has, interestingly enough, lost more weight in the last month, than in the last 3 months before that.
She is now done talking in the third person, b/c as annoying as it is to read it, it's also hard to write that way.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
If you're looking for inspiration, don't stop here
This quote keeps playing over in my mind, as swiped from RBR's blog:
"...In the end, people either have excuses or experiences; reasons or results; buts or brilliance. They either have what they wanted or they have a detailed list of all the rational reasons why not."~ Anonymous (taken from Matt Erbele's, It Takes Time to Get Good)
So right now, some 900 or so people are running the Half Madness half marathon in Batavia, IL in the far west suburbs of Chicago. I am not one of them. Why? Here's my "detailed list of all the raional reasons why not", a list that grew in my head throughout the day:
1. I'm not ready. I have hardly run this week and my longest run of 10 miles was 2 weeks ago.
2. Knee still not 100%. It's wayyyyy better, but not 100%.
3. Worried about pace. This is a small race and small races tend to attract faster runners wth very few "penguins". Course closes in 3 hours. (My pace is 2:37-ish, but that's assuming no walking breaks...and i have NOT been hitting that pace with my longer runs.
4. Unfamiliar course, and running "alone".
5. Ugh. Have to pack up my clothes, the girls clothes and drive 50 miles to stay overnight at my parents.
6. Running a much more comfortable race, one I've run, starting line 2 miles from home, running buddy Lou is running with me, running buddy Meg cheering us on and meeting us for breakfast afterwards, running with some 15,000 other people, no worries of the course shutting down before I finish.
So these are how the thoughts added up in my head yesterday in the late afternoon as I sat at yet another baby shower unscrambling baby words and chatting with good friends from my college years.
Instead I came home and obsessed about Hurricane Gustav, "Decision 2008" (switching between MSNBC, the Weather Channel and CNN, all of which were covering both.) And then I made some cookies to attempt some new designs. And no, I didn't eat any.
So anyway, if you're looking here for inspiration, don't stop here.
"...In the end, people either have excuses or experiences; reasons or results; buts or brilliance. They either have what they wanted or they have a detailed list of all the rational reasons why not."~ Anonymous (taken from Matt Erbele's, It Takes Time to Get Good)
So right now, some 900 or so people are running the Half Madness half marathon in Batavia, IL in the far west suburbs of Chicago. I am not one of them. Why? Here's my "detailed list of all the raional reasons why not", a list that grew in my head throughout the day:
1. I'm not ready. I have hardly run this week and my longest run of 10 miles was 2 weeks ago.
2. Knee still not 100%. It's wayyyyy better, but not 100%.
3. Worried about pace. This is a small race and small races tend to attract faster runners wth very few "penguins". Course closes in 3 hours. (My pace is 2:37-ish, but that's assuming no walking breaks...and i have NOT been hitting that pace with my longer runs.
4. Unfamiliar course, and running "alone".
5. Ugh. Have to pack up my clothes, the girls clothes and drive 50 miles to stay overnight at my parents.
6. Running a much more comfortable race, one I've run, starting line 2 miles from home, running buddy Lou is running with me, running buddy Meg cheering us on and meeting us for breakfast afterwards, running with some 15,000 other people, no worries of the course shutting down before I finish.
So these are how the thoughts added up in my head yesterday in the late afternoon as I sat at yet another baby shower unscrambling baby words and chatting with good friends from my college years.
Instead I came home and obsessed about Hurricane Gustav, "Decision 2008" (switching between MSNBC, the Weather Channel and CNN, all of which were covering both.) And then I made some cookies to attempt some new designs. And no, I didn't eat any.
So anyway, if you're looking here for inspiration, don't stop here.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Run #77 Untitled due to lack of creativity
Date/Time August 19 at 5:50 am
Place: Lakefront/63rd St. Beach; 72 degrees and 87% humidity, but it really didn't bother me today.
Mileage: 4.01 (yes, I'm counting that .01)
Time It Took: 47:57, which includes two 1-minute walk breaks
Pace: 11:57
Miles this week: 4.01
Miles this month: 30.01
2008 Goal: 453.10/1000 (see? that .01 upped me to a full 1/10 of a mile!)
Thoughts/Comments: I struggled mightily to get out of the door this morning. It's still too dark. Run on your treadmill. "Trust your fear" was what Oprah echoed in my head as I drifted off to sleep last night. Even as I was pulling away from the house--Oh, there's a light on in the basement, what if it sets the house on fire while I'm gone.
But I went and ran and enjoyed the sun coming up and the seagulls (aka flying white rats) and cyclists and other runners and the people who said/nodded "good morning" and even the ones that didn't.
And now I get to get ready for work and head off to exciting South Bend for a big meeting for work. Oh, joy.
Posted By: B-Kay Comments
Place: Lakefront/63rd St. Beach; 72 degrees and 87% humidity, but it really didn't bother me today.
Mileage: 4.01 (yes, I'm counting that .01)
Time It Took: 47:57, which includes two 1-minute walk breaks
Pace: 11:57
Miles this week: 4.01
Miles this month: 30.01
2008 Goal: 453.10/1000 (see? that .01 upped me to a full 1/10 of a mile!)
Thoughts/Comments: I struggled mightily to get out of the door this morning. It's still too dark. Run on your treadmill. "Trust your fear" was what Oprah echoed in my head as I drifted off to sleep last night. Even as I was pulling away from the house--Oh, there's a light on in the basement, what if it sets the house on fire while I'm gone.
But I went and ran and enjoyed the sun coming up and the seagulls (aka flying white rats) and cyclists and other runners and the people who said/nodded "good morning" and even the ones that didn't.
And now I get to get ready for work and head off to exciting South Bend for a big meeting for work. Oh, joy.
Posted By: B-Kay Comments
Friday, August 8, 2008
Run #74 Crazy Eights
Date/Time: 8/8/8 at 10:00am
Place: Lakefront, starting from my old meeting place when I ran with Chicago Endurance Sports, right from the statue of Ben Franklin. Mid to upper 70's by the time I finished.
Mileage: 8
Time it Took: 1:40:04
Pace: 12:31
Miles this week: 8
Miles this month: 13
2008 Goal: 436.09/1000 miles
Thoughts/Comments: So I get out there on the path, I'm feeling fantastic, my mind is just right, only thinking about today's run and nothing else. Following the advice of an article I recently read about coming back from injury, I walked after each mile. Just one minute. My goal was to run 7 to 8 miles, but once I got started I realized that it's 8-8-8, so how could I NOT run 8 miles? BTW, happy birthday to one of my best friends, RABIYA!.
So I'm running out there on my old stomping ground, and it was like an old friend greeting me "So good to have you back, you've been gone to long!" Flashbacks from last year's group training runs, like the first run when I wore a cotton t-shirt, or when we came around the bend and happened upon the 11:00 pace group giving cpr to "Sam" who'd had a heart attack, or the 16-mile run when we dodged raindrops, ginormous puddles, and branches still left behind from the storms earlier that week. What about that 18-miler during my spring marathon training when I stopped at St. Joe's Hospital after running out of gatorade...stocking up on pretzels and lemonade. Aaah the memories!
At the turnaround point, I stopped ye olde Garmin and went to the bathroom, stretched, had a gu and chugged some water.
During the return trip my legs were a bit tired. This was my longest run since MID-JUNE. A few thoughts tried to creep in, thinking too far ahead in the future.
But by the end of the run, I felt 100% fantastic about meeting my goal for TODAY. I won't be running in this weekend's Chicago Distance Classic half marathon, but I should be on track for the half marathon at the end of the month that I'm registered for as well. I"m headed off to the health and fitness expo in awhile to pick up my packet, even though I'm not running. There's always some cool vendors.
Place: Lakefront, starting from my old meeting place when I ran with Chicago Endurance Sports, right from the statue of Ben Franklin. Mid to upper 70's by the time I finished.
Mileage: 8
Time it Took: 1:40:04
Pace: 12:31
Miles this week: 8
Miles this month: 13
2008 Goal: 436.09/1000 miles
Thoughts/Comments: So I get out there on the path, I'm feeling fantastic, my mind is just right, only thinking about today's run and nothing else. Following the advice of an article I recently read about coming back from injury, I walked after each mile. Just one minute. My goal was to run 7 to 8 miles, but once I got started I realized that it's 8-8-8, so how could I NOT run 8 miles? BTW, happy birthday to one of my best friends, RABIYA!.
So I'm running out there on my old stomping ground, and it was like an old friend greeting me "So good to have you back, you've been gone to long!" Flashbacks from last year's group training runs, like the first run when I wore a cotton t-shirt, or when we came around the bend and happened upon the 11:00 pace group giving cpr to "Sam" who'd had a heart attack, or the 16-mile run when we dodged raindrops, ginormous puddles, and branches still left behind from the storms earlier that week. What about that 18-miler during my spring marathon training when I stopped at St. Joe's Hospital after running out of gatorade...stocking up on pretzels and lemonade. Aaah the memories!
At the turnaround point, I stopped ye olde Garmin and went to the bathroom, stretched, had a gu and chugged some water.
During the return trip my legs were a bit tired. This was my longest run since MID-JUNE. A few thoughts tried to creep in, thinking too far ahead in the future.
But by the end of the run, I felt 100% fantastic about meeting my goal for TODAY. I won't be running in this weekend's Chicago Distance Classic half marathon, but I should be on track for the half marathon at the end of the month that I'm registered for as well. I"m headed off to the health and fitness expo in awhile to pick up my packet, even though I'm not running. There's always some cool vendors.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Run #73 Slow is the new fast
Date/Time: August 2 at about 6am
Place: lakefront, 70 degrees but 82% humidity
Mileage: 5 miles
Time it Took: 1:02:32
Pace: 12:30
Miles this week: 8.16
Miles this month: 5
2008 Goal: 428.09/1000 miles
Thoughts/Comments: "Don't give up, never give up...keep trying, you'll get it back" I SWEAR TO YOU these are the words coming out of the mouths of the Yo Gabba Gabba crew that Zoe is watching as I sit here and type.
Anyway, so slow is the new fast, and 5 miles is the new long run...I think I've decided that I will just increase my mileage now each weekend (yes, I have a plan but I won't bore you with the details), and Im not gonna worry and stress about "will I make it to the marathon?" b/c that does me NO GOOD mentally when I'm out there just trying to complete what needs to be done for the day. I'll just take it as it comes, and my performance on these long runs should give me my "answer" soon enough.
Anyhoo, this 5-miler included a walking break about each mile, and I'm not even mad about it, whatever.
So in getting to the lakefront today, I couldn't even go to the usual place, I totally forgot, the South Shore triathlon is today. It was just about to start, I think, when I finished up. If I'd have gone any longer in my run, I would have been stuck in the parking lot.
Place: lakefront, 70 degrees but 82% humidity
Mileage: 5 miles
Time it Took: 1:02:32
Pace: 12:30
Miles this week: 8.16
Miles this month: 5
2008 Goal: 428.09/1000 miles
Thoughts/Comments: "Don't give up, never give up...keep trying, you'll get it back" I SWEAR TO YOU these are the words coming out of the mouths of the Yo Gabba Gabba crew that Zoe is watching as I sit here and type.
Anyway, so slow is the new fast, and 5 miles is the new long run...I think I've decided that I will just increase my mileage now each weekend (yes, I have a plan but I won't bore you with the details), and Im not gonna worry and stress about "will I make it to the marathon?" b/c that does me NO GOOD mentally when I'm out there just trying to complete what needs to be done for the day. I'll just take it as it comes, and my performance on these long runs should give me my "answer" soon enough.
Anyhoo, this 5-miler included a walking break about each mile, and I'm not even mad about it, whatever.
So in getting to the lakefront today, I couldn't even go to the usual place, I totally forgot, the South Shore triathlon is today. It was just about to start, I think, when I finished up. If I'd have gone any longer in my run, I would have been stuck in the parking lot.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Run #71 Plans change sometimes...roll with it!
Date/Time: July 25th at 5:15pm
Place: treadmill in my humid exercise room
Mileage: 3 miles
Time It Took: 34:48
Pace: 11:36
Miles this week: 6
Miles this month: 12.96
2008 Goal: 419.93/1000 miles
Thoughts/Comments: OK, I don't even feel like getting into it, but let's just say I didn't make it over to the lakefront, in fact, I almost didn't make it off the Dan Ryan Expressway with my feeble car this morning. (Fridays me and the girls take that route to count the number of trains (el and metra) that we see, the more the merrier)...anyway, long story short, two different mechanics, and one movie later, I was running on the treadmill daydreaming about Christian Bale and running, while dear hubby went to get the girls in his car. I couldn't think of one good reason why Christian Bale wouldn't cheer me on while I'm running on the treadmill.
"Long" run will have to wait til Sunday morning.
Place: treadmill in my humid exercise room
Mileage: 3 miles
Time It Took: 34:48
Pace: 11:36
Miles this week: 6
Miles this month: 12.96
2008 Goal: 419.93/1000 miles
Thoughts/Comments: OK, I don't even feel like getting into it, but let's just say I didn't make it over to the lakefront, in fact, I almost didn't make it off the Dan Ryan Expressway with my feeble car this morning. (Fridays me and the girls take that route to count the number of trains (el and metra) that we see, the more the merrier)...anyway, long story short, two different mechanics, and one movie later, I was running on the treadmill daydreaming about Christian Bale and running, while dear hubby went to get the girls in his car. I couldn't think of one good reason why Christian Bale wouldn't cheer me on while I'm running on the treadmill.
"Long" run will have to wait til Sunday morning.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
I'm leaving to find myself
So tomorrow I have the day off. After I drop the girls off at daycare, I'm going to drive on over to Old Town/Lincoln Park area, find me a parking spot and then head over to the lakefront running path. Why there? That is where ALL (ok MOST) of my long training runs started from last year. (Ok let's not get technical, b/c a number of the the CES runs started from Montrose Harbor)...but anyway, I want to re-visit that serene area of the path, that western part that winds around by St. Joe's Hospital, meets back up with the eastern part at that section near Belmont Harbor where runners and cyclists mix it up, yelling at each other to "WATCH IT". I want to--if I make it that far--see the totem pole. I feel that will do my spirit some good. I already feel peaceful just thinking about it. I'll let you know if I find my running spirit.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Run #70 It's not easy
Date/Time: July 22nd at 6:15am
Place: treadmill in my humid exercise room
Mileage: 3 miles
Time It Took: 35:55, which includes a 2 minute walking break
Pace: 11:58
Miles this week: 3
Miles this month: 9.96
2008 Goal: 416.93/1000 miles
Thoughts/Comments: I woke up late, woke up to Jada telling me she couldn't sleep anymore. So I did what any good mommy runner would do and gave her some chocolate milk, turned on the tv, and ran on the treadmill instead of using the whole thing as an excuse not to run. It was really tough...now my knee wasn't hurting at all, I'm just so tired and feel so out of shape! It's hard to believe what you can lose in a month! Well, it's after 7 now and I"m icing my knee, just to be safe. I'd better get going!!!
Place: treadmill in my humid exercise room
Mileage: 3 miles
Time It Took: 35:55, which includes a 2 minute walking break
Pace: 11:58
Miles this week: 3
Miles this month: 9.96
2008 Goal: 416.93/1000 miles
Thoughts/Comments: I woke up late, woke up to Jada telling me she couldn't sleep anymore. So I did what any good mommy runner would do and gave her some chocolate milk, turned on the tv, and ran on the treadmill instead of using the whole thing as an excuse not to run. It was really tough...now my knee wasn't hurting at all, I'm just so tired and feel so out of shape! It's hard to believe what you can lose in a month! Well, it's after 7 now and I"m icing my knee, just to be safe. I'd better get going!!!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
You don't have to tell me twice!
So I have this friend from my college days, he's like this big time marathoner and he runs several organizations including a triathlon training program for underpriveleged youth, as well as owns a marathon & triathlon training program for adults, too. From now on we will call him Coach HPOA(BWBM)--Coach Hot Piece of Ass (But we're both married). And really, we're just good friends, nothing more. However just because I'm on a diet, doesn't mean I don't look at the menu. LOL!
Anyway, I joined the group primarily b/c they meet less than a mile from home AND the start times vary based on distance scheduled for that day. We even start just after 5am a few different times. AWESOME, that is PERFECT for me and my early bird self.
Anyway, they've already been training for a month, but I chose to join them at the end of this month, given my marathon and a few other races earlier on. This weekend they're just getting up to 7 miles. Aw, cute, huh? (Let me stop.) So I talked to Coach HPOA about my lead legs, overall tiredness, unenthusiastic-ness etc... He suggested that I might be overdoing it. "Overtraining" is the word he used. Take a break this week til Saturday. If you want (he says) bike those miles you would have run. Or not. Do what you feel like. (I don't think he meant go get a Portillo's Italian Beef and large cheese fries.) But he DID mean to take it easy this week. And no one has to tell me more than once to relax. Consider it DONE.
And no, I didn't really go eat that.
Anyway, I joined the group primarily b/c they meet less than a mile from home AND the start times vary based on distance scheduled for that day. We even start just after 5am a few different times. AWESOME, that is PERFECT for me and my early bird self.
Anyway, they've already been training for a month, but I chose to join them at the end of this month, given my marathon and a few other races earlier on. This weekend they're just getting up to 7 miles. Aw, cute, huh? (Let me stop.) So I talked to Coach HPOA about my lead legs, overall tiredness, unenthusiastic-ness etc... He suggested that I might be overdoing it. "Overtraining" is the word he used. Take a break this week til Saturday. If you want (he says) bike those miles you would have run. Or not. Do what you feel like. (I don't think he meant go get a Portillo's Italian Beef and large cheese fries.) But he DID mean to take it easy this week. And no one has to tell me more than once to relax. Consider it DONE.
And no, I didn't really go eat that.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Run #5 what a great day
Date/Time: Jan 7 at 5:45am
Mileage: 4.71 miles
Time It Took: 56:31
Pace: 11:59
Miles this week: 4.71
Miles this month: 22.71
2008 Goal: 22.71/1000
Thoughts/Comments: WOW, can you believe it's January and the temperature was 55 degrees at 5:45 am. So tempting to run outside, but it IS January, which means it's still dark out at that hour. As tempting as it was to put off my run til later in the day and run outside, I hopped on the treadmill. I didn't feel like running much...headache...a little achy...but I ran anyway.
Mentally, I was struggling again...at first thinking that if I really didn't feel like running, stop at 2 miles. At about 2.5 miles I stopped and went and drank a few ounces of water. It was actually HOT in my "sunroom" exercise space. HOT. In freakin January, with the heat completely OFF in the house. Go figure.Ok, 3 miles is doable...and then I sorta felt better and said ok, 4.
So why the 4.71, such an uneven number for a treadmill run? Eh, I decided I didn't want a "clean" number. My original goal for today was to run between 4 and 5 miles, and I knew I could do 5 by the time I reached the end of my run, but I just decided to stop at the end of a particular song instead. 4.71 miles was enough.
Last but not least, on the way to work along Lakeshore Drive, there were so many runners enjoying this spring-like weather. shorts, short sleeves...NICE. Too bad our winter weather can't always be like this. At lunch, even though I brought my lunch, I'm still going out to take a walk just because it's supposed to be in the 60's. Did I mention it's JANUARY IN CHICAGO?
Mileage: 4.71 miles
Time It Took: 56:31
Pace: 11:59
Miles this week: 4.71
Miles this month: 22.71
2008 Goal: 22.71/1000
Thoughts/Comments: WOW, can you believe it's January and the temperature was 55 degrees at 5:45 am. So tempting to run outside, but it IS January, which means it's still dark out at that hour. As tempting as it was to put off my run til later in the day and run outside, I hopped on the treadmill. I didn't feel like running much...headache...a little achy...but I ran anyway.
Mentally, I was struggling again...at first thinking that if I really didn't feel like running, stop at 2 miles. At about 2.5 miles I stopped and went and drank a few ounces of water. It was actually HOT in my "sunroom" exercise space. HOT. In freakin January, with the heat completely OFF in the house. Go figure.Ok, 3 miles is doable...and then I sorta felt better and said ok, 4.
So why the 4.71, such an uneven number for a treadmill run? Eh, I decided I didn't want a "clean" number. My original goal for today was to run between 4 and 5 miles, and I knew I could do 5 by the time I reached the end of my run, but I just decided to stop at the end of a particular song instead. 4.71 miles was enough.
Last but not least, on the way to work along Lakeshore Drive, there were so many runners enjoying this spring-like weather. shorts, short sleeves...NICE. Too bad our winter weather can't always be like this. At lunch, even though I brought my lunch, I'm still going out to take a walk just because it's supposed to be in the 60's. Did I mention it's JANUARY IN CHICAGO?
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Run #4 Group Run with NO GROUP!
Date/Time: Jan 5 at about 7:45am after larger training team meeting
Weather: 35 degrees and windy-NICE!
Mileage: 8 miles
Time It Took: 1:36:13
Pace: 12:01
Miles this week: 18
Miles this month: 18
2008 Goal: 18/1000
Thoughts/Comments: My group of 12:00 minute milers has been small to begin with, a few people trying the 11:30 group, and others trying the 12:00 and 12:30 5/1 run/walk group...but this week, I knew that two others might not be coming, due to post holiday commitments. I brought along my iPod just in case. Well neither were there, so I started out with the 11:30's. About a half mile in, and noticing they were going at a 12:00, I decided to move ahead and see what I could do for the day. I came across the 11:00 group and ran with them awhile. Their pace leader has a cool English accent that I enjoyed for awhile. I dropped back a bit to listen to my iPod. That lasted about 2 miles before I didn't feel like listening to it. I've gotten used to listening to the sound of the lakefront instead of music on Saturdays, fancy that.
At about the halfway point, I stopped and had a GU and kept rolling. I was starting to feel really tired, and I'm not sure if it was starting out fast, my legs not being as fresh from the slight jump in mileage (haven't run more than 12-14 miles/week since October), not sure....so I took a few walking breaks to drink Gatorade and stuff.
Mentally I was just not there either. I kept thinking, how the heck am I gonna train by myself for Cincinnati? Who the heck do I think I am to try and run a marathon? Maybe I should stick to half marathons. I guess we all have days like this as runners. Sometimes its hard to just think about the task at hand. And really, that's the whole point of marathon training...no, I probably shouldn't try to run a marathon TODAY or TOMORROW. But with good preparation and training, I can. Sigh. Today is a rest day and then off to week #2 in January. My goal for this week is 16-18 miles, which will require a longer midweek run since my last run for Winter Warriors next Saturday is only 6 miles.
Toodles!
p.s. Between Christmas and New Year's, I ate like you might imagine a rescued castaway would, big quantities, fast, a little of everything....I KNEW I was going to gain weight, and I went to my WW meeting anyway to weigh in. I figured if I "let myself off the hook" by not seeing the numbers, I might continue the tailspin.
p.p.s. I've been subject to horrible cramping in the past, see here and here from my old blog, if you care to read it-kinda long. Late last night those same cramps hit me BAD. I had my cell phone next to me, so I called dear hubby and asked him to bring me some water and some salt. Dummy! (me, not him!) Then I realized, after I ran, I didn't drink or eat until like NOON b/c I went to WW, then came home, then took a really long bath, then got the girls dressed who were still in their p.j.'s, then got them lunch, and THEN I ate. And then I hardly drank anything for the rest of the day, which is unusual. Not even my beloved diet pepsi. Live and learn. And keep learning.
Weather: 35 degrees and windy-NICE!
Mileage: 8 miles
Time It Took: 1:36:13
Pace: 12:01
Miles this week: 18
Miles this month: 18
2008 Goal: 18/1000
Thoughts/Comments: My group of 12:00 minute milers has been small to begin with, a few people trying the 11:30 group, and others trying the 12:00 and 12:30 5/1 run/walk group...but this week, I knew that two others might not be coming, due to post holiday commitments. I brought along my iPod just in case. Well neither were there, so I started out with the 11:30's. About a half mile in, and noticing they were going at a 12:00, I decided to move ahead and see what I could do for the day. I came across the 11:00 group and ran with them awhile. Their pace leader has a cool English accent that I enjoyed for awhile. I dropped back a bit to listen to my iPod. That lasted about 2 miles before I didn't feel like listening to it. I've gotten used to listening to the sound of the lakefront instead of music on Saturdays, fancy that.
At about the halfway point, I stopped and had a GU and kept rolling. I was starting to feel really tired, and I'm not sure if it was starting out fast, my legs not being as fresh from the slight jump in mileage (haven't run more than 12-14 miles/week since October), not sure....so I took a few walking breaks to drink Gatorade and stuff.
Mentally I was just not there either. I kept thinking, how the heck am I gonna train by myself for Cincinnati? Who the heck do I think I am to try and run a marathon? Maybe I should stick to half marathons. I guess we all have days like this as runners. Sometimes its hard to just think about the task at hand. And really, that's the whole point of marathon training...no, I probably shouldn't try to run a marathon TODAY or TOMORROW. But with good preparation and training, I can. Sigh. Today is a rest day and then off to week #2 in January. My goal for this week is 16-18 miles, which will require a longer midweek run since my last run for Winter Warriors next Saturday is only 6 miles.
Toodles!
p.s. Between Christmas and New Year's, I ate like you might imagine a rescued castaway would, big quantities, fast, a little of everything....I KNEW I was going to gain weight, and I went to my WW meeting anyway to weigh in. I figured if I "let myself off the hook" by not seeing the numbers, I might continue the tailspin.
p.p.s. I've been subject to horrible cramping in the past, see here and here from my old blog, if you care to read it-kinda long. Late last night those same cramps hit me BAD. I had my cell phone next to me, so I called dear hubby and asked him to bring me some water and some salt. Dummy! (me, not him!) Then I realized, after I ran, I didn't drink or eat until like NOON b/c I went to WW, then came home, then took a really long bath, then got the girls dressed who were still in their p.j.'s, then got them lunch, and THEN I ate. And then I hardly drank anything for the rest of the day, which is unusual. Not even my beloved diet pepsi. Live and learn. And keep learning.
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