Milestone

I ran 5 miles! That is all. I rock.

Music choice: Andy Hunter - Exodus

Banzai Burgers and Biggest Loser

My picture belongs on Failblog. Yesterday was to contain a lovely trip to the gym. I was going to ride the bikes, row a bit, and do some strength training.

So there I was...about to change for the gym, when someone said, "Hey, want to go to Red Robin with us?"



One giant Banzai burger (1,040 calories) with yummy fries later (Oh, can't forget the tower of onion rings for an appetizer!), we decided it would be appropriate to invite our house guests over for Biggest Loser drinking night! Besides, I had already skipped my workout for the night...might as well just make it worse! So we turned on Biggest Loser, and every time one of the contestants cried, we had a drink. Ever watched that show? They cry a LOT! And so the evening went, until we finally went to bed (much later than I should have, just to make sure I really destroyed the night).

All day today I felt horrible. It is the first time I've deviated from my workout schedule. Until now, I was rather proud of the fact that I've never missed a workout. Alas, the pride was immediately followed by the fall, in the form of accumulating coronary artery disease and liver failure.

Ok, maybe I didn't take years off of my life beacause of one Red Robin trip. But nonetheless, I regretted it. And it didn't even taste that good. The beer was kinda good, though. Not gonna lie.

So my post-binge workout today was no doubt a tough one. I was dehydrated, bloated, and had very little energy. But I finished 4 miles. And tomorrow I'm going to eat healthier. And no more beer. For now.

Final 4 and Fastest 3

Yesterday I ran my third 4-miler for the week. I accomplished my goal! It was tough, especially since I was on call. But I hooked my pager on my belt and off I went! And it was GREAT! I went the whole 4 miles without stopping. And it was POURING with rain! Did you see the rain on Sunday? I almost didn't go. But there I was, standing under the cover of the hospital parking garage in my running shoes, staring at the puddle in the middle of the road that is so deep it is coming up over the curb and onto the sidewalk, thinking to myself, "If I don't go, I'll be really upset with myself at about 8:00 tonight."

The puddle was so large that it had attracted a crowd watching the enormous tidal wave that shot up about 15 feet every time a car drove by. I waited until there were no cars, then braved the puddle. And after I took the first ten steps out into the rain, it was smooth sailing from there. In fact, it was quite refreshing. After a while, I didn't even notice the rain. Good thing I didn't melt.

Tonight I went for a shorter run, only 3 miles (only! Three weeks ago I would have been completely amazed with myself if I ran 3 miles). But I felt on top of it today, so I decided to push myself. and I set a personal record! I ran 3.2 miles in 29:45. That's well under 10 minutes/mile! The best time I had done before that was 10:15 per mile. It is a huge boost in confidence to see that I am able to run stronger, longer and faster. Who knew! It really jazzed me up, and I'm excited to see if I can run a 4-miler at a faster pace as well. Shamrock run, here I come!!! MWA HA HA HAAAAA!

Second 4

I tried again today, after trying to motivate myself the WHOLE DAY. I really didn't want to run today! But I did anyway, and I was able to make my goal of 4 miles. Again with the side aches, but they're getting more bearable. After I was done, I felt great! And I ran it quite a bit faster than the 4 miles I ran on Tuesday. It was a very good feeling, especially after my lack of motivation yesterday.

I decided I'm going to stay at 4 miles for another week so I can try to get more comfortable running the whole distance, and work on getting rid of these side aches. This weekend will be tough; I'm on call from Friday evening until Monday morning, so I can't stray too far away from home in case I get called in. I will have to get creative with my workouts.

Thanks to everyone for your supportive comments. All your advice and support has really helped me keep motivated!

Tomorrow will be better...

Not such a good day today. Went three miles, with lots of stops. Side aches came back. Just wanted to quit. Wasn't into it. Oh well, I suppose not every day can be a good one. I'll try again tomorrow.

There was a gift from Chris waiting for me when I got home! He wanted to get something for me to help me on my journey. So he got me....a scale. A weight scale. Very romantic. Granted, it is a nice scale. His idea was that as I get more in shape, I'll see that I am losing weight. But it told me that I weigh 4 pounds more than I thought I was! Oh well, it was a sweet thought. Muscle weighs more than fat, right?..........

First 4

Tonight I went for a 4 mile run. And I actually enjoyed it! I made it the whole way, and I wasn't completely out of breath. I even noticed the stars and the moon were out. By the end of my run, I felt great! I wasn't completely worn out like I usually am. But I did slow down. My average pace was more like 10:45 per mile instead of 10:15 per mile, which is what I was running this weekend. But I am okay with that. It felt so good to actually enjoy a run, that it didn't matter how fast I went. I have confidence that sooner or later I will be able to maintain my speed and still enjoy it.

My goal is to run 4 miles 3 times this week. One down, two more to go!

HALLELUJAH!

I RAN 3.2 MILES WITHOUT STOPPING!!! Why didn't I stop, you ask? BECAUSE I DIDN'T GET A SIDE ACHE!!!!!! This is an epic day in my very short running career. I was atually able to concentrate on other things, like how hard I was breathing or how tired my legs were, which is okay, because these are all things I an overcome or try to ignore. Hopefully this is the beginning of better running for me. I was starting to get very discouraged, especially after yesterday's workout.

We went to the track yesterday morning, and Chris had the idea to run a mile, then walk 100 meters, then run another mile, then walk....etc. until I reached 4 miles. I couldn't even do that without getting a side ache just about every 200 meters. But I finished the workout, nonetheless. Every time I would have to stop, I wouldn't advance any further until I could start running again, just to make sure I at least make the mileage. I did, but it was humbling.

Several hours after the workout we went to the store, and my side stitch was coming back just walking around the store! I was beginning to think I had injured myself or something. So I was very happy when today's workout didn't turn into a reapeat of yesterday.

And I also don't feel so bad about Chris kicking my butt every time we run laps. We timed ourselves yesterday, and Chris is already running 7:30 minute miles...consistently for 5 miles! I am not ashamed that I cannot keep up with that. Did I marry a superhuman? My pace yesterday was about 10:15 minutes per mile over 4 miles. Not that great, but I'm not going to fret about it. My Nike+iPod chip tried to tell me I only went 3.75 miles, when I know I did 4, so that means...

I'M GETTING FASTER, TOO! My gait must have changed, so I'll have to re-program my chip when I get a chance.

Also, I'm starting to notice changes in my body. Chris doesn't like it when I say that, he says it sounds like the title of a puberty movie they show you in 5th grade. He's probably right. Either way, my jeans are getting a little looser, and I can feel a difference in all of my muscles; not just my legs. My core is stronger, and chris swears my arms have a little definition now! I really hope I can get rid of my flabby arms!!!

So...good day today. I'm definitely looking forward to my scheduled rest day tomorrow!

Rainy Day

Tonight was a very rainy run with Chris. I had a hard day at work, and all I wanted to do was come home and do the usual...sit on the couch and do nothing. But I pushed myself out the door and now I'm glad I did. I feel good about myself, although it wasn't the most enjoyable run. I got another side stitch, and it was POURING! I ran through so many puddles, one puddle was eight steps long! It was dark...otherwise I would have been smart enough to go around it. I'll have to figure out a good way to dry my shoes. Chris ran with me for support and motivation, and we ended up going just over 3 miles. Not bad for an end-of-the-week, don't-want-to-do-this run. Tomorrow I hope to step it up a notch. I will let you know if I manage to do so!

Shamrock Run!

Yesterday I signed up for the Shamrock run! It's a run here in Portland, and you can choose from a 5k, 8k, or 15k. I was invited by a couple friends to do the 5k run last year (that's only 3 miles), but promptly chickened out because I didn't think I could do it. So to punish myself, I signed up for the 8k (about 5 miles). By March, I should be able to run 5 miles with ease...unless something goes seriously wrong.

I have also been very encouraged; I have had a couple friends tell me that they also want to start running and keep healthy. I love hearing that other people are as crazy as me=). I know there are lots of other people out there that want to run, but don't have time, or don't think they can. That was part of my reasoning for posting the blog; so people can see how bad I suck, and give them a little more confidence in themselves. While I was running on Tuesday, I heard a blunt, yet very truthful lyric from one of my longtime favorite artisis: "Insecurities are about as useful as trying to put the pin back in the grenade." I love this line, because I am usually very insecure about my abilities. I realized, however, that to get better, you have to open yourself up to people and accept your failures as learning experiences and stepping stones to improvement. My insecurities will just help me to quit faster.

So, kudos to you friends that are striving for the same goals as me; no matter whether you've done it all before (CHELSEA!) or if you're just starting out and wheezing down the street with me. Your inspiration inspires me in return=).

First person to name the band that wrote that lyric is pretty much the coolest person on earth, and may even get a prize! "May" is the key word here.

New shoes and side aches and gadgets, oh my!

Long blog today, most won't be this long.

Today I went for a jog around my home in Mountain Park. My goal was 3 miles, and I ended up running just under 4. It was a good achievement, except for the first mile. I started strong, then promptly doubled over with a side stitch at 0.5 miles. Great. I have many ailments while running, and nothing comes close to getting a stitch. I've tried everything...shoving a fist under my ribcage (very painful), not eating for 5 hours before a run, eating only yogurt, stretching before a run, stretching while running (just about impossible), forcefully exhaling while my right foot hits the ground...the list goes on and on. The internet is filled with ideas. None of them work for me.

So I spent the first mile dragging myself along the sidewalk in pain. I ran twenty steps, stopped, ran some more, stopped again, and eventually, somehow, got the pain to go away. From there, I was able to run 2.75 miles without stopping.

Although I struggled through the first mile, I was excited to try out some new gadgets I inherited. First thing I tried was a pair of new headphones. Apparently I have tiny misshapen ears, because every single pair I've ever owned have fallen out and/or caused lots of pain. Until now! I knew of one last type of headphones I hadn't tried, so I bought them and took them for a spin. They worked great! They didn't fall out once, and I didn't have an ounce of pain either. In fact, the sound quality is the best I've heard yet from a pair of headphones.

I also needed more light while I run. I didn't want to carry a flashlight in my hand, so I opted for the ever-so-trendy headlamp! Worked well, but between the headlamp and the decrease in oxygen intake I was experiencing, I felt like I was 700 feet underground mining for coal (I thought of mining diamonds, but decided that was too pleasurable of an event to relate to).

Another addition to my gear is a Nike+iPod chip! It is basically a pedometer that speaks to you through your iPod. A chip goes into your shoe which sends signals to your iPod telling you anything from how far you've gone to how many calories you've burned.

With the new Nike+iPod chip, I also needed a new pair of Nike shoes that will support the chip. So I got those too! Very comfortable and light, and they match my iPod=)

It was a fun day trying out all my gear, until my iPod reminded me that my first mile took me 13:30 to complete. Thanks, gadget. Shouldn't there be a "pity minute" button for when you get a side ache? It could take a couple minutes off your time to compensate for time wasted rolling around in pain in the middle of the street. I should talk to Nike about that.

I have gotten a request from a doctor I work with to post some pictures of me "sucking air" and making a fool of myself. "Those are the funniest pictures," he tells me. So since he pays my paycheck, I suppose I will get those pictures up for everyone as soon as I can convince my wonderful, loving husband to help me disgrace myself.

Week One

About a week ago, I decided I was going to run a half marathon. I'm not a runner. I'm not fit. I have a long way to go.

It all started with an episode of The Biggest Loser. That's right, I watch that show. Mostly as a drinking game, which I will go into detail about at a later date. These very overweight people were training and running marathons! "That's it," I told myself, "I am not going to be outgunned by someone that weighs four times as much as me! If they can run a marathon, I can at LEAST run a 1/2!" And so it all began...

I decided to start a blog for a few reasons. Most of all, I desperately need motivation to keep running! I started running (what I really mean is trudging) a little over a week ago, and thought I was doing all right for a beginner. Then my husband (also not a runner) went with me to the Lake Oswego High track for a workout on Sunday...and lapped me THREE TIMES! Once was humiliating enough. I quickly lost motivation that day. So here I am, trying to convince myself to keep going. I figure if I have a blog, then I have to keep going. If enough of my friends know what I'm trying to do, then I will feel guilty giving up.

So the battle continues...