I hope you all like my new digs over there and looking forward to some good stuff to come! Stop on by, update your Readers, Feeders etc. Let me know what you think!
Change is good, yes?
Saturday, June 20, 2009
I Have MOVED!
Surprise! You can find me at my new home at WordPRess: RookieRunner
I hope you all like my new digs over there and looking forward to some good stuff to come! Stop on by, update your Readers, Feeders etc. Let me know what you think!
Change is good, yes?
I hope you all like my new digs over there and looking forward to some good stuff to come! Stop on by, update your Readers, Feeders etc. Let me know what you think!
Change is good, yes?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
A Stream of Bullets
Has it really been one week? I have been too busy - time to streamline. This will be a bullet post today. I've been trying my best to keep up with my Google reader, I'm down to 121 posts to read! I need to streamline my life too...it is getting to0 busy.
- I am still working on finalizing my next training plan for an October 11th half. It is basically the Higdon Intermediate plan - stretched from 12 weeks to 16. Working around small races, a vacation, building in cut back weeks etc. I wanted this to be an even 16 week plan, so although I've been getting some small runs in, I'm officially on the clock next week and I hope my mind is in the right place by then!
- Running feels good when I get out, but I'm still having difficulty with the 'getting out' part. This is puzzling me still. I love running, why is it suddenly difficult to get out and go?
- This slackerness basically translates to one month *off* since the half marathon. (25 miles run in 4 weeks since the half..... *lame*)
- I did have a great 6 miler this past weekend - longest distance run since the half.
- I hope to do it again this weekend. Slowly building my base back up.
- I just joined the Half Marathon Full Challenge over at Runner's Lounge. So that helps with my motivation. Click the badge to the right for the deets!
- I have been too busy to get to the gym and this is bugging me! I feel 'flabby'. I know it's in my mind, but I definitely have lost a bit of my upper body strength.
I have learned in my little semi-hiatus from running, that running actually alleviated many of the very issues that I complained about in my PFM post last week. It has been a particularly 'bad' month all around for me, physically, mentally, emotionally.....I am very interested to see what happens when I get my miles back up to pre-race level. I'm betting I will be feeling like a million bucks!
Weight loss...still down just 3 pounds. 14 pounds to go. I'm hoping to be down 7 more for a total of 10 by August 1st. Eating has not been going perfectly, but I'm holding steady at least.
Like I mentioned, I have been trying to keep up with reading/commenting as much as possible. My next post is going to be a whole lot of shout outs, kudos and high fives...there is so much awesomeness going on around the blogs lately and I feel the need to spread some link-love!
Until then....run on! (or bike or swim or walk...just MOVE right?)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
I *Heart* Endorphins
I finally got a 3 mile run in this morning, early - out the door at 5am. Thankfully, I slept well last night, so that helped a lot! This was my first run since Friday, and THAT run really did not 'count' for much of anything. My run today was awesome though and I feel so much better than I did yesterday.
I reviewed my log this morning...since the 1/2 marathon on May 17th, I have only run 16 miles! In three weeks...that is IT. I have had such a difficult time getting my game back on . Is this normal? Is this post race blues? I've heard of that happening after a marathon, but a half? I guess for me, the half WAS my 'marathon' - it was a big effort, long weeks of training etc.
Well anyway, great run this morning, and the endorphins are flowing! This is what I really needed, and too many days between runs results in running the endorphin tank down to ZERO. Time to get it filled up again!
Must.Run.More.
Cheers~
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
You Make Me Feel Like A Nat-ur-al Woman....(NOT)
I confess I haven’t been in the best of moods lately. It’s affecting my running groove. It’s affecting my overall energy. I feel like someone zapped me and took all my good mojo and left me with….well, left me with PERI-F-ING-MENOPAUSE!
Yep, perimenopause has arrived full force. Herinafter known as ‘PM’. It has been a gradual, subtle little entrance for some time, but suddenly, it seems to have taken over my body in grand style! I guess I’ve ignored symptoms for so long, it finally decided to be a little more of an obvious presence in my day to day life. And oh, it worked….I have now sat up and taken notice.
(At this point, guys – feel free to click on to the next blog in your reader….unless of course you have a 40-something someone in your life, in which case – hey, stick around, you may get some much needed insight to why your significant other has become like an alien in your home!)
This blog is really about running now, but some of the things I am experiencing right now are affecting my running – as is the case with women runners in general. I don’t see a lot of discussion of this though in blogs, and I know, we are all trying to be considerate of our male population of readers, and the LAST thing we women want to do is to blame anything on the very thing that defines us as women…we want to appear to be strong and tough after all, weaker sex be damned!
And so, I give you my hellish list of symptoms, pretty much in order of appearance over about the last year or so. And let me just say also, I appear to be living a very ‘textbook’ example of PM (greeaaaaat….), starting with the fact that the average age of menopause for women is 51, and perimenopause symptoms generally start up to 10 years prior. How nice for ME given that I will be 42 in 3 months! My only hope is that since I started having periods pretty much the day I turned 12, maybe I will be through all this nonsense well before age 51.
- First, my normally 29 day clockwork cycle became predictably unpredictable. I
now have shorter cycles (23 days) and longer but lighter periods. Basically, I ovulate as soon as I finish my period. Holy Hormonal Fluctuation! My Ovulation symptoms are usually worse than PMS.
- My hair is falling out. Not too concerned – I have freakishly thick locks. It’s just embarrassing when I go to get my hair done and the poor stylist things he did something to it!
- Irritability and impatience.
- Interrupted sleep. Yep, waking at 3am and not able to fall back asleep until 10 minutes before my alarm goes off. Makes it kind of hard to get up for morning runs which is what I would prefer to do – because I really am a morning person.
- Night Sweats. This is relatively new – or happening more frequently. Especially in the week before my period. Woke up in the middle of the night last night absolutely drenched – especially on my chest, but I felt cool. Very weird.
- Heart palpitations. Again, this is new in the last 4 months. Nothing like sitting in a meeting talking and suddenly feeling like your heart is going to explode right out of your chest! And no, this is NOT anxiety. Believe me, I know the difference. This always happens around those ‘fluctuation’ times in my cycle. Same with the night sweats.
- Fog brain . Yep, poor memory, can’t concentrate on mental tasks, my normally great ‘recall’ that everyone comes to me for – gone. I feel like I have ADD. Seriously. I think this is why running feels so good to me. Because I can just go and let my mind wander and be free to think however it wants. When I get to work and have to focus on spreadsheets, figures and multiple tasks – things get a little challenging for me.
- Fatigue. This could be from many different things obviously, starting with interrupted sleep, the still ‘new’ physical stress I’ve been putting my body through over the last 10 months, the hormonal swings (I think of my teenage kids and their need to sleep ). Whatever is driving it – it sucks. I need energy to run!
- Increased body fat. NICE. Especially around the middle. It has been so difficult for me to drop these last 10 – 15 pounds over the last year.
I’m sure I’ve forgotten something, but really…the list is long enough already! I was thinking about all this last night and I have to wonder how I’d be if i were NOT exercising and eating a healthy diet? I’d probably be a mess!
So….what to do about it? Well for starters, I’m due for a physical so of course I’ll be discussing all of this with my doctor, who is also a runner which is pretty cool. I want to manage all of this as naturally as possible, so of course I will continue to exercise and keep a close eye on my diet. Which is not perfect all the time, but I am paying attention to it! I have to keep up with taking my mega ultra-vitamins. I’m SO bad about taking vitamins.
And, I have to try my best to run through it. I refuse to let all of this sideline me. I wanted to run this morning early…but could NOT get up, since I was semi-awake from 3-4am. Now I sit here at my desk yawning, wondering how the hell I will feel like running this evening after a long day at work…work which is NOT making me happy or providing any fulfillment in life at the present time. It is mentally exhausting at times and causing me to re-evaluate some things….
I have ideas about what I would LIKE to do when I ‘grow up’…but it almost sounds like a mid-life crisis, crazy idea , so I am still thinking about taking a leap of faith. I’m still chicken, let’s put it that way. More to come there….
And so ends my sort of running related post for the day. Bottom line is, this shiz better not last too long...because PM is gonna s*ck!
Yep, perimenopause has arrived full force. Herinafter known as ‘PM’. It has been a gradual, subtle little entrance for some time, but suddenly, it seems to have taken over my body in grand style! I guess I’ve ignored symptoms for so long, it finally decided to be a little more of an obvious presence in my day to day life. And oh, it worked….I have now sat up and taken notice.
(At this point, guys – feel free to click on to the next blog in your reader….unless of course you have a 40-something someone in your life, in which case – hey, stick around, you may get some much needed insight to why your significant other has become like an alien in your home!)
This blog is really about running now, but some of the things I am experiencing right now are affecting my running – as is the case with women runners in general. I don’t see a lot of discussion of this though in blogs, and I know, we are all trying to be considerate of our male population of readers, and the LAST thing we women want to do is to blame anything on the very thing that defines us as women…we want to appear to be strong and tough after all, weaker sex be damned!
And so, I give you my hellish list of symptoms, pretty much in order of appearance over about the last year or so. And let me just say also, I appear to be living a very ‘textbook’ example of PM (greeaaaaat….), starting with the fact that the average age of menopause for women is 51, and perimenopause symptoms generally start up to 10 years prior. How nice for ME given that I will be 42 in 3 months! My only hope is that since I started having periods pretty much the day I turned 12, maybe I will be through all this nonsense well before age 51.
- First, my normally 29 day clockwork cycle became predictably unpredictable. I
now have shorter cycles (23 days) and longer but lighter periods. Basically, I ovulate as soon as I finish my period. Holy Hormonal Fluctuation! My Ovulation symptoms are usually worse than PMS.
- My hair is falling out. Not too concerned – I have freakishly thick locks. It’s just embarrassing when I go to get my hair done and the poor stylist things he did something to it!
- Irritability and impatience.
- Interrupted sleep. Yep, waking at 3am and not able to fall back asleep until 10 minutes before my alarm goes off. Makes it kind of hard to get up for morning runs which is what I would prefer to do – because I really am a morning person.
- Night Sweats. This is relatively new – or happening more frequently. Especially in the week before my period. Woke up in the middle of the night last night absolutely drenched – especially on my chest, but I felt cool. Very weird.
- Heart palpitations. Again, this is new in the last 4 months. Nothing like sitting in a meeting talking and suddenly feeling like your heart is going to explode right out of your chest! And no, this is NOT anxiety. Believe me, I know the difference. This always happens around those ‘fluctuation’ times in my cycle. Same with the night sweats.
- Fog brain . Yep, poor memory, can’t concentrate on mental tasks, my normally great ‘recall’ that everyone comes to me for – gone. I feel like I have ADD. Seriously. I think this is why running feels so good to me. Because I can just go and let my mind wander and be free to think however it wants. When I get to work and have to focus on spreadsheets, figures and multiple tasks – things get a little challenging for me.
- Fatigue. This could be from many different things obviously, starting with interrupted sleep, the still ‘new’ physical stress I’ve been putting my body through over the last 10 months, the hormonal swings (I think of my teenage kids and their need to sleep ). Whatever is driving it – it sucks. I need energy to run!
- Increased body fat. NICE. Especially around the middle. It has been so difficult for me to drop these last 10 – 15 pounds over the last year.
I’m sure I’ve forgotten something, but really…the list is long enough already! I was thinking about all this last night and I have to wonder how I’d be if i were NOT exercising and eating a healthy diet? I’d probably be a mess!
So….what to do about it? Well for starters, I’m due for a physical so of course I’ll be discussing all of this with my doctor, who is also a runner which is pretty cool. I want to manage all of this as naturally as possible, so of course I will continue to exercise and keep a close eye on my diet. Which is not perfect all the time, but I am paying attention to it! I have to keep up with taking my mega ultra-vitamins. I’m SO bad about taking vitamins.
And, I have to try my best to run through it. I refuse to let all of this sideline me. I wanted to run this morning early…but could NOT get up, since I was semi-awake from 3-4am. Now I sit here at my desk yawning, wondering how the hell I will feel like running this evening after a long day at work…work which is NOT making me happy or providing any fulfillment in life at the present time. It is mentally exhausting at times and causing me to re-evaluate some things….
I have ideas about what I would LIKE to do when I ‘grow up’…but it almost sounds like a mid-life crisis, crazy idea , so I am still thinking about taking a leap of faith. I’m still chicken, let’s put it that way. More to come there….
And so ends my sort of running related post for the day. Bottom line is, this shiz better not last too long...because PM is gonna s*ck!
Monday, June 8, 2009
You guys rock!
Thanks everyone for the input on my long whiny post last night! Today my hip/leg feels better - I did a piriformis stretch before bed last night, and again a little bit this morning. I've googled lots of TFL stretches (Thanks Kristy - I went back to your blog and found the information you mentioned!) and have pulled out my IT band stretches and will start taking 15 - 20 minutes per day to work these areas. I'm on a hunt for a sports med doctor, and have added a foam roller to my 'must have' list. If I don't pay attention now, things will start to hurt later and I don't want that! I did not take any Advil or anything, because I first wanted to see if even mild stretching helped. And it did. I think everything is tight because of what I have NOT been doing (low miles, little strength training, no stretching) then anything that I AM doing.
This is what I love so much about blogging. Everyone has been there done that, and has their own story to share or relate to any situation. Many of my blogging friends have been dealing with much worse issues, so I felt silly even bringing up my little tight *ss issue (lol). And sure enough I STILL get great advice and resources from all my peeps, and I'm so grateful for that!
You all rock!
Plan for tonight....'Stretch and Strength'. I plan to hit the gym. They have those kick butt (literally ha ha) stretching machines , and I will be armed with my little handbook of stretches.
Wednesday night I hope to hit the Pilates class at the rec. I still have to go buy a mat. I will probably be a shaky quivery MESS by the time I walk out of that class! :-) But, I made Alison take the teen spin class to try something new, so now it's my turn to try something new. I've never done formal pilates before....
Off to catch up on all the blogs now!
This is what I love so much about blogging. Everyone has been there done that, and has their own story to share or relate to any situation. Many of my blogging friends have been dealing with much worse issues, so I felt silly even bringing up my little tight *ss issue (lol). And sure enough I STILL get great advice and resources from all my peeps, and I'm so grateful for that!
You all rock!
Plan for tonight....'Stretch and Strength'. I plan to hit the gym. They have those kick butt (literally ha ha) stretching machines , and I will be armed with my little handbook of stretches.
Wednesday night I hope to hit the Pilates class at the rec. I still have to go buy a mat. I will probably be a shaky quivery MESS by the time I walk out of that class! :-) But, I made Alison take the teen spin class to try something new, so now it's my turn to try something new. I've never done formal pilates before....
Off to catch up on all the blogs now!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Be Still My Achey Tensor Fascia Lata
It sounds like a fancy Starbucks coffee! (Grande Non-Fat Chai Tea Latte is my drink of choice) I wish that was it - but no, something is amiss in my right leg, UGH.
Ever since my lame run on Friday evening, which ended after just 2 miles on the track because the smell of the rubber or whatever it is (something black and smelly) made me ill. (Sneezy, wheezy, nausea, runny nose, sore throat etc.), well ever since that fiasco...my outer right leg has been sore from the hip, down the side of the thigh, even some tightening in the lower hamstring and some nerve-like feelings in my butt. I'm not sure sore is the word really, it is just this 'aware' feeling - like all I feel is my RIGHT LEG HIP BUTT, almost like I have icey hot on it. Every once in awhile I get this twinge, almost like an electrical shock in my right hip.
UGH. I'm sure this is the usual ITB / glute / hip flexor related tightness that I've had pretty much since I started running. No pain, no limping, just this annoying, constant 'I-really-need-to-stretch-it" feeling. Today it has been worse than usual.
I am on my feet constantly all weekend. I sit at my desk all day at work, and then on the weekend, I am a warrior for sure...between the workouts, running errands, doing housework etc. I very rarely sit. And that aggravates this issue, whatever it is. My self-diagnosing Google search points to inflammation of the TFL, and mentions it's involvement in the 'IT Band Syndrome'. My knee doesn't bother me really anymore - everything is up around the outer hip now.
So this basically stinks! First, after a decrease in weekly miles, both before and after the half, I start running like gangbusters, going faster than I probably should have - even though my mileage has been pathetically low. Then, I totally ignore stretching now. I am a slacker stretcher, or my attempts to stretch are pretty lame in any case. I am paying the price now. Even my hamstring feels tight and I never had issue with the hammies before. I have not done any significant core strenthening work - not consistently anyway. I have not done any lower body strength training for over a month. What is it about runners that as time goes on, we think we are 'invincible' and don't need stretching and strengthening?
Well, now I know. My shoes only have 132 miles on them, so I don't think it's my shoes. I think it is all related to muscle imbalance, which may be affecting my gait...who knows. I guess I need to go see a doc but I have no idea who to see. Do I go to an orthopedic doc? Do I go straight to a PT ? I just feel silly because I'm not in pain , but I know I shouldn't feel THIS. It does not hurt or bother me while I am running. It is a day or two after I run, or, after a long run (over 5 miles) I may feel it when I fatigue or as soon as I stop running.
I have a very limited range of motion in my right hip. For example, sitting in a chair and placing the right ankle on my left knee? My right knee will not lower down so that my lower leg is parallel to the floor. My right knee is almost straight up! Repeat to the other side, and I can lower my left knee so that my leg is parallel to the floor, or at least, pretty close to parallel. I'm pretty sure I need some professional guidance and instruction for a stretching regimine to get this corrected once and for all.
I feel like it's not going to keep me from running, and it's hopefully early enough that I can get it taken care of before it gets worse. I don't think I can attempt any speedwork, or hills, until I at least get it evaluated. The smart me knows that I would be pretty stupid to ignore it - after all the reading I've done about running injuries, stretching and massaging etc.
I will take it easy this week and do lots of stretching and cross training and *maybe* take the week off from running. I'm just frustrated because I haven't gotten fully back into a groove yet since my half mary, and I was afraid that would happen. But I know I need to address this before I feel comfortable diving into another training cycle, especially since it will be a little more intense since I'm working to increase my pace.
I have seen some great early race results on FaceBook from some of BlogLand, so I'm looking forward to some good reports this week! I was hoping to run a 5K this coming weekend, but now I'm not so sure that will happen. Any running I do this week will be slow, easy and short!
UGH.
Ever since my lame run on Friday evening, which ended after just 2 miles on the track because the smell of the rubber or whatever it is (something black and smelly) made me ill. (Sneezy, wheezy, nausea, runny nose, sore throat etc.), well ever since that fiasco...my outer right leg has been sore from the hip, down the side of the thigh, even some tightening in the lower hamstring and some nerve-like feelings in my butt. I'm not sure sore is the word really, it is just this 'aware' feeling - like all I feel is my RIGHT LEG HIP BUTT, almost like I have icey hot on it. Every once in awhile I get this twinge, almost like an electrical shock in my right hip.
UGH. I'm sure this is the usual ITB / glute / hip flexor related tightness that I've had pretty much since I started running. No pain, no limping, just this annoying, constant 'I-really-need-to-stretch-it" feeling. Today it has been worse than usual.
I am on my feet constantly all weekend. I sit at my desk all day at work, and then on the weekend, I am a warrior for sure...between the workouts, running errands, doing housework etc. I very rarely sit. And that aggravates this issue, whatever it is. My self-diagnosing Google search points to inflammation of the TFL, and mentions it's involvement in the 'IT Band Syndrome'. My knee doesn't bother me really anymore - everything is up around the outer hip now.
So this basically stinks! First, after a decrease in weekly miles, both before and after the half, I start running like gangbusters, going faster than I probably should have - even though my mileage has been pathetically low. Then, I totally ignore stretching now. I am a slacker stretcher, or my attempts to stretch are pretty lame in any case. I am paying the price now. Even my hamstring feels tight and I never had issue with the hammies before. I have not done any significant core strenthening work - not consistently anyway. I have not done any lower body strength training for over a month. What is it about runners that as time goes on, we think we are 'invincible' and don't need stretching and strengthening?
Well, now I know. My shoes only have 132 miles on them, so I don't think it's my shoes. I think it is all related to muscle imbalance, which may be affecting my gait...who knows. I guess I need to go see a doc but I have no idea who to see. Do I go to an orthopedic doc? Do I go straight to a PT ? I just feel silly because I'm not in pain , but I know I shouldn't feel THIS. It does not hurt or bother me while I am running. It is a day or two after I run, or, after a long run (over 5 miles) I may feel it when I fatigue or as soon as I stop running.
I have a very limited range of motion in my right hip. For example, sitting in a chair and placing the right ankle on my left knee? My right knee will not lower down so that my lower leg is parallel to the floor. My right knee is almost straight up! Repeat to the other side, and I can lower my left knee so that my leg is parallel to the floor, or at least, pretty close to parallel. I'm pretty sure I need some professional guidance and instruction for a stretching regimine to get this corrected once and for all.
I feel like it's not going to keep me from running, and it's hopefully early enough that I can get it taken care of before it gets worse. I don't think I can attempt any speedwork, or hills, until I at least get it evaluated. The smart me knows that I would be pretty stupid to ignore it - after all the reading I've done about running injuries, stretching and massaging etc.
I will take it easy this week and do lots of stretching and cross training and *maybe* take the week off from running. I'm just frustrated because I haven't gotten fully back into a groove yet since my half mary, and I was afraid that would happen. But I know I need to address this before I feel comfortable diving into another training cycle, especially since it will be a little more intense since I'm working to increase my pace.
I have seen some great early race results on FaceBook from some of BlogLand, so I'm looking forward to some good reports this week! I was hoping to run a 5K this coming weekend, but now I'm not so sure that will happen. Any running I do this week will be slow, easy and short!
UGH.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wishy Washy
I have a confession to make! I ALMOST did not run on National Running Day! The reason? Something stupid like I felt ‘tired’, my stomach was bothering me, the weather was dreary….but I sucked it up and went anyway, just saying to myself ‘I will feel better after I run’ over and over and over. And guess what? No surprise here, I felt GREAT both during and of course after the run. So….*phew*, that was close! I almost dissed National Running Day, but I didn’t. I also ran 11:19 minute miles…I think it‘s safe to say ADIOS to those 12+ minute miles! Well, except for maybe long runs…
At the risk of sounding wishy-washy, I have decided to follow the Higdon training plan (Intermediate) instead of the SmartCoach plan. The reason is because the RW plan has my paces SO slow. My ‘easy’ pace right now is right at 12:00, and the training plan has it at 13:49? Sorry, that is just too slow for me now. I want to run how I feel on a given day, and the Higdon plans are not based on pace. I will tweak the Higdon plan a little, since I believe there are 4 running days a week on it – I will replace one of the easy runs with biking or other aerobic XT.
I’ve also decided NOT to do the Akron Roadrunner race in September, because if I’m interpreting the maps correctly, it appears to be a hilly course. I don’t want to bust my butt trying to improve my pace and then go struggle/walk through hills! The website even says ‘rolling course’. Uh, NO thanks! Maybe next year….
So instead, I will do THIS race. Towpath Marathon, Half & 10K. It is a ‘flat, fast course’ with a great surface to run on and right in the peak of fall leaves. It is a smaller race too, so it will be kind of cool to experience a different sort of race. That will be October 11th!
So I feel good now, like all my ducks are in a row!
Weather looks great for weekend runs around here, hope it is the same for all of you!
I have twenty 14 year olds invading my backyard tomorrow evening, boys included – UGH, here we go!
At the risk of sounding wishy-washy, I have decided to follow the Higdon training plan (Intermediate) instead of the SmartCoach plan. The reason is because the RW plan has my paces SO slow. My ‘easy’ pace right now is right at 12:00, and the training plan has it at 13:49? Sorry, that is just too slow for me now. I want to run how I feel on a given day, and the Higdon plans are not based on pace. I will tweak the Higdon plan a little, since I believe there are 4 running days a week on it – I will replace one of the easy runs with biking or other aerobic XT.
I’ve also decided NOT to do the Akron Roadrunner race in September, because if I’m interpreting the maps correctly, it appears to be a hilly course. I don’t want to bust my butt trying to improve my pace and then go struggle/walk through hills! The website even says ‘rolling course’. Uh, NO thanks! Maybe next year….
So instead, I will do THIS race. Towpath Marathon, Half & 10K. It is a ‘flat, fast course’ with a great surface to run on and right in the peak of fall leaves. It is a smaller race too, so it will be kind of cool to experience a different sort of race. That will be October 11th!
So I feel good now, like all my ducks are in a row!
Weather looks great for weekend runs around here, hope it is the same for all of you!
I have twenty 14 year olds invading my backyard tomorrow evening, boys included – UGH, here we go!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Happy Running Day! (Walk much?)
Happy National Running Day! Is anyone tired of seeing this logo scattered throughout the blogs? I'm not! A year ago, I had no idea what 'running' was. Seriously. Sure, I had heard about my sister in law running 'some race' and thinking oh that's cool, good for her. But in no way did I relate running to ME - it never crossed my mind that this was something that I could do.But now of course, we all know that has changed. I AM a runner. NO matter how fast, how slow, how often....we are all runners! So I am going to enjoy this sort of goofy 'made up Hallmark holiday' and have fun with it!
For starters, of course I will be going out for a run tonight. I have a confession....I have been a running slacker since the half marathon. Yes, I have run...but no, I have not put it any significant miles, or anything over 3 miles at a time for that matter. The intention has been there, believe me...life has just gotten in the way the last two weeks or so. It is the end of the school year, I had two kiddo's birthday's to celebrate, my work side of my life has been extremely stressful lately. My mind and my body has been tired.
Last night I had a little 'come to Jesus' with myself. This is how that old pattern of 'I don't have time to exercise' turns in to making reasons not to, then, the pounds creep up, and before you know it - here we are fat, out of shape, unmotivated and depressed!
Ok, I'm nowhere CLOSE to that right now, lol....but even though I had a GREAT run last Friday, and a wonderful 8 mile bike ride with my daughter over the weekend (instead of a long run), I am feeling a bit 'disconnected' from my sport. And I don't like it!
So, I have reset my training plan date in my online log, and I have a run scheduled tonight, Friday and Sunday. And hopefully some gym time Thursday and Saturday. I have goals for my next half. I have weight goals....and speed goals, some muscle buildin' goals - even some changing life goals as well. So I need to get movin'....back to the program! What better time to do it then on National Running Day! Woot!
This was going to be a separate blog post, but since I've been a blog slacker too, I will just throw this in for discussion. I've been seeing a lot of articles and discussion around walking during marathons, and long runs. It's a touchy subject between elite runners, experienced runners and back of the packers like myself! For myself, I was awfully hard on myself back in the beginning months, after finishing C25K, I felt like walking should be over. I RUN now. But when my miles started building up to the 8, 9, 10 mile range....taking 30 second to 1 minute walk breaks early (before I felt the need to walk) and often was my lifeline to successful completion of a long run, and also made for a good recovery!
So for rookie runners especially, I am ALL FOR a Galloway-type method in those long runs, and during 1/2 marathons or marathons. Walk breaks make me run stronger when I run. I finished an 8 mile run faster with walk breaks, then I did the first time with NO walk breaks, or very few anyway. I advocate walk breaks especially for the adult onset athlete....like the 40+ folks like me....I need to take care of the old legs if I want to run into old age. That is why I still only run three days a week. That is why I cross train on a bike or stairmaster (I try anyway).
So for me, right now, anything 6 or less miles - I can run the whole thing. Hey that's more than I could even comprehend one year ago! Beyond 6 miles - I take the walk breaks, depending on the day at hand, it could be a 7 minute: 1 minute ratio, or a 5:1, or a 4:1 even. Eventually as my fitness improves, I will get to a 1 mile run: 1-2 minute walk ratio. Who knows? And by walk breaks, I don't mean walk only when tired...these are scheduled breaks, taken from the get go...whether I feel the need or not.
Here is the article that prompted me to throw this out for discussion:
Better Running Through Walking
And so....what say you? What is your walk strategy? What works for you, and how did you struggle with letting yourself walk at first?
Run on~
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