Gu is the nastiest stuff on earth. Yuck. I could barely stomach it. But it did give me an extra boost, and I finished 8 miles! I guess I'll be eating Gu again. But definitely not Apple Cinnamon flavor. I have about 12 different flavors to try, and I will not be purchasing that one again! So far:
Apple Cinnamon = FAIL
Orange Tangerine = bearable, but far from tasty
Music of choice this morning: Black Eyed Peas
Distance: 8 miles
Pace: 10:03/mile
2.22.2010
Hubby Run
This evening was an easy 2 miler with Chris! He said he was skipping class tonight, so I gave him an ultimatum...he either goes to class like a good student or he goes on a run with me. He chose the run. Lucky for him it was an easy one!
I left my iPod at home tonight because Chris somehow ruined his headphones and couldn't use his iPod. Apparently he had his headphones in his school bag, in the SAME POCKET as a pair of wire cutters (genius!). Why he did this and how the headphones actually got snipped are questions I cannot answer. Needless to say, the wire cutters won. So off we ran, without our music. I wasn't sure how well I was going to do...or even if I'd be able to run at all without music. I thought perhaps my feet have become so accustomed to following the beat that in its absence I would stumble and trip over myself ultimately leading to a few twisted ankles and a smashed in face. Alas, the music was not missed. My feet led on, and Chris and I were able to carry on a conversation! Granted, it was rather labored and choppy, but it was such a good distraction that I might make him go with me more often! We talked about our upcoming snowshoeing trip this weekend, which I am very excited about! There hasn't been enough snow this year...
I went to REI on my lunch break to get some Gu in preparation for my run tomorrow. 8 miles! It will be the first time I've fueled up mid-run, and for some reason I'm kind of nervous about it! What if this Gu stuff is completely disgusting? What if I lose the packet? What if it gives me so much energy that I can't stop running? Haha, ok, maybe not. I am, however, very excited for the sense of achievement. Hope it goes well!
I left my iPod at home tonight because Chris somehow ruined his headphones and couldn't use his iPod. Apparently he had his headphones in his school bag, in the SAME POCKET as a pair of wire cutters (genius!). Why he did this and how the headphones actually got snipped are questions I cannot answer. Needless to say, the wire cutters won. So off we ran, without our music. I wasn't sure how well I was going to do...or even if I'd be able to run at all without music. I thought perhaps my feet have become so accustomed to following the beat that in its absence I would stumble and trip over myself ultimately leading to a few twisted ankles and a smashed in face. Alas, the music was not missed. My feet led on, and Chris and I were able to carry on a conversation! Granted, it was rather labored and choppy, but it was such a good distraction that I might make him go with me more often! We talked about our upcoming snowshoeing trip this weekend, which I am very excited about! There hasn't been enough snow this year...
I went to REI on my lunch break to get some Gu in preparation for my run tomorrow. 8 miles! It will be the first time I've fueled up mid-run, and for some reason I'm kind of nervous about it! What if this Gu stuff is completely disgusting? What if I lose the packet? What if it gives me so much energy that I can't stop running? Haha, ok, maybe not. I am, however, very excited for the sense of achievement. Hope it goes well!
2.18.2010
Week At A Glance
So, I've been lazy lately, getting a little behind on my posts! I guess it's difficult to find interesting things to write about after a while...there's only so much you can say about putting one foot in front of the other!
Overall, this week has been a good week. I've made great progress, along with the same old hiccups that happen all the time. On Saturday, I ran 6 miles! It kind of sucked, but I finished it without stopping. I was low on energy, dehydrated, and really hot! Nevertheless, it was a great accomplishment.
Sunday I went for a shorter run (3 miles), and did all right. Monday I took the day off.
Tuesday is my largest accomplishment of the week. I had to bump up my long run to Tuesday (usually done on Saturdays), because I am on call (again) this weekend, and can't go out for a long run. So after work, in the sunshine, I attempted 7 miles. And I made it! AND I FELT GREAT! I didn't stop once. The route around work is very flat, with only a couple slight grades, which I'm sure attributed to my success. I was surprised I actually made it that far after a tiring day of work. I think that was the first time I actually believed that I could run 13.1 miles. Up until now, it's been a very distant goal. But I think I can call myself a runner now!
After my great run on Tuesday came the inevitable: Side Stitch Wednesday. And it didn't disappoint. My goal of 3 miles turned into 1.5 miles before I had to stop and walk out the pain. I hate Wednesdays.
Today (Thursday) was a little better My goal was 4 miles, and I made it 3.5 miles before getting a side stitch. Better than yesterday!
Running longer distances has raised a few issues I will have to address soon. First off, since I'm running longer than 1 hour, I will need to refuel and drink water on my run. But I don't want to just carry stuff in my hands while I run. One person suggested a fuel belt, which is essentially a glorified fannie pack. I won't be doing that. No matter how practical. Another friend suggested a sort of glove-water-bottle thing, which is basically a water bottle with a fitted glove your hand goes in, so you don't really have to hold the water bottle, it will just be attached to your hand. I don't really like the idea of this either, but it's better than a fannie pack! I could also leave some water and Gu behind a bush somewhere, and circle back around halfway through my run and hope that it's still there...
Whatever I decide, I will have to do it quickly, hopefully before my next big run (8 miles on Tuesday). So far both runs that have lasted longer than an hour have made me feel pretty sick about an hour afterwards. I think I am just draining my nutrients too quickly without replacing them.
Now that the hump is over (6.55 miles is half of a half), I really do feel like I'm on the downhill slope! My fitness is improving, and I don't think it will take so much of my energy anymore to add on an extra mile. What a good feeling! Can't wait to see if I can run 8 miles next week!
I think I've gone sick in the head...
Overall, this week has been a good week. I've made great progress, along with the same old hiccups that happen all the time. On Saturday, I ran 6 miles! It kind of sucked, but I finished it without stopping. I was low on energy, dehydrated, and really hot! Nevertheless, it was a great accomplishment.
Sunday I went for a shorter run (3 miles), and did all right. Monday I took the day off.
Tuesday is my largest accomplishment of the week. I had to bump up my long run to Tuesday (usually done on Saturdays), because I am on call (again) this weekend, and can't go out for a long run. So after work, in the sunshine, I attempted 7 miles. And I made it! AND I FELT GREAT! I didn't stop once. The route around work is very flat, with only a couple slight grades, which I'm sure attributed to my success. I was surprised I actually made it that far after a tiring day of work. I think that was the first time I actually believed that I could run 13.1 miles. Up until now, it's been a very distant goal. But I think I can call myself a runner now!
After my great run on Tuesday came the inevitable: Side Stitch Wednesday. And it didn't disappoint. My goal of 3 miles turned into 1.5 miles before I had to stop and walk out the pain. I hate Wednesdays.
Today (Thursday) was a little better My goal was 4 miles, and I made it 3.5 miles before getting a side stitch. Better than yesterday!
Running longer distances has raised a few issues I will have to address soon. First off, since I'm running longer than 1 hour, I will need to refuel and drink water on my run. But I don't want to just carry stuff in my hands while I run. One person suggested a fuel belt, which is essentially a glorified fannie pack. I won't be doing that. No matter how practical. Another friend suggested a sort of glove-water-bottle thing, which is basically a water bottle with a fitted glove your hand goes in, so you don't really have to hold the water bottle, it will just be attached to your hand. I don't really like the idea of this either, but it's better than a fannie pack! I could also leave some water and Gu behind a bush somewhere, and circle back around halfway through my run and hope that it's still there...
Whatever I decide, I will have to do it quickly, hopefully before my next big run (8 miles on Tuesday). So far both runs that have lasted longer than an hour have made me feel pretty sick about an hour afterwards. I think I am just draining my nutrients too quickly without replacing them.
Now that the hump is over (6.55 miles is half of a half), I really do feel like I'm on the downhill slope! My fitness is improving, and I don't think it will take so much of my energy anymore to add on an extra mile. What a good feeling! Can't wait to see if I can run 8 miles next week!
I think I've gone sick in the head...
2.11.2010
Mornings...Bite me.
I have come to a realization...
My side aches seem to happen most frequently midweek, sometimes on Tuesday and just about every Wednesday. Haven't figured out exactly why yet, but it leads me to believe it has something to do with my eating habits/patterns. Perhaps I'm eating too much too early in the day, or maybe it's what I'm eating. Either way, it's a place to start.
I've tried changing my diet a little, and eating more in the afternoons (normally I starve myself from lunchtime until after my run, which is about 7:30) but so far I haven't figured it out.
I know I will severely regret this, but I do have one more extreme measure I could try. I could...*gulp*...get up in the morning and run. For anyone who knows me at all, you know how incredibly hard this is for me. Many, MANY attempts have been made in the past, all complete failures. I'll even get my running clothes set out on a chair, my shoes tucked neatly under my bed, and my alarm clock on the opposite side of the room, and have high hopes for rising early for a refreshing run. But when the time comes, there is no way I'm leaving the bed. I'll get up to turn my alarm off and go right back into bed. As it is, I hit the snooze button about 5 times just to get up for work! Yes, getting out of bed in the morning is my own personal hell. Other than pickles, I can't think of anything worse. Although I did just come up with an idea...perhaps I can fashion an alarm clock that will dup a jar of pickles on my head in the morning. Then it would be worse to stay in bed than to get up.
All said, I'm doing well on the weekends. I think I should leave my long runs for Saturday mornings, that's when I seem to run the best (after sleeping in, of course). I will think seriously about this Wednesday morning thing...perhaps it's not worth it. Severe abdominal pain for half an hour while I run and still being able to sleep a little longer might just be a lesser evil for me. Any of you early birds have any advice for a novice early morning waker?
My side aches seem to happen most frequently midweek, sometimes on Tuesday and just about every Wednesday. Haven't figured out exactly why yet, but it leads me to believe it has something to do with my eating habits/patterns. Perhaps I'm eating too much too early in the day, or maybe it's what I'm eating. Either way, it's a place to start.
I've tried changing my diet a little, and eating more in the afternoons (normally I starve myself from lunchtime until after my run, which is about 7:30) but so far I haven't figured it out.
I know I will severely regret this, but I do have one more extreme measure I could try. I could...*gulp*...get up in the morning and run. For anyone who knows me at all, you know how incredibly hard this is for me. Many, MANY attempts have been made in the past, all complete failures. I'll even get my running clothes set out on a chair, my shoes tucked neatly under my bed, and my alarm clock on the opposite side of the room, and have high hopes for rising early for a refreshing run. But when the time comes, there is no way I'm leaving the bed. I'll get up to turn my alarm off and go right back into bed. As it is, I hit the snooze button about 5 times just to get up for work! Yes, getting out of bed in the morning is my own personal hell. Other than pickles, I can't think of anything worse. Although I did just come up with an idea...perhaps I can fashion an alarm clock that will dup a jar of pickles on my head in the morning. Then it would be worse to stay in bed than to get up.
All said, I'm doing well on the weekends. I think I should leave my long runs for Saturday mornings, that's when I seem to run the best (after sleeping in, of course). I will think seriously about this Wednesday morning thing...perhaps it's not worth it. Severe abdominal pain for half an hour while I run and still being able to sleep a little longer might just be a lesser evil for me. Any of you early birds have any advice for a novice early morning waker?
2.06.2010
Bad Day, Good Day
Yesterday was my second 5-miler, and I ran it at a 9:36 min/mile pace! That's definitely my most successful run so far. Feels good to know that just because I have a bad run one day, doesn't mean I've backstepped or gotten worse. Just means I need to take a day off and try again.
Spring is starting to show itself. My route was sprinkled with budding trees and tulips starting to pop out of the ground. I'm really excited to see it in full bloom!
Today I'll go to the gym and cross-train and do some strength training. Perhaps I can convince Chris to play some tennis with me!
Spring is starting to show itself. My route was sprinkled with budding trees and tulips starting to pop out of the ground. I'm really excited to see it in full bloom!
Today I'll go to the gym and cross-train and do some strength training. Perhaps I can convince Chris to play some tennis with me!
2.04.2010
Barefoot running?
So I've been having a difficult time staying motivated this week, especially after my run on Wednesday night. I only made it 1.5 miles before I had to stop because I had not one, but TWO side aches! One on each side! I gave up that night. So I took tonight off to try to recouperate and prepare for my 5-mile push tomorrow morning. I really wasn't looking forward to it, until I got a phone call from my trusty friend Chelsea (the awesome Seattle runner). I talked to her, told her my woes, she listened, and made some suggestions for me. She gave me some great insight about the Rock and Roll 1/2 in Seattle in June (which I am thinking about signing up for), and it totally motivated me again. Hooray for wonderful supportive friends! I am now excited again for my 5-mile attempt tomorrow morning.
I've also been dialoguing with people about barefoot running. Apparently there are die-hards out there that say it is way better for your form and for injury prevention. I don't know that I'll ever actually run barefoot, but I became interested in the different techniques used by shoeless runners and those with nice padding under their feet. My dad sent me this article and video which I found very interesting. Check out the shockwave that travels up the guy's leg when his heel hits first. The difference between hitting the ground with your heel and with your forefoot is very visible.
So I decided to try (with shoes on) to run like barefoot runners do, by hitting the ground forefoot first. It was hard! It's like training yourself to run all over again. But I could definitely tell that different muscles were being used. Afterwards I was sore! The article suggests that running forefoot first reduces injury by strengthening other smaller muscles, as well as reducing impact. I think I believe that.
Needless to say, it got me thinking about my running style. I don't know that I can handle running like that all the time, but perhaps it would be helpful for me on downhill stretches to protect my knees more (I have sore knees most of the time). I'll let you know if it works for me!
I've also been dialoguing with people about barefoot running. Apparently there are die-hards out there that say it is way better for your form and for injury prevention. I don't know that I'll ever actually run barefoot, but I became interested in the different techniques used by shoeless runners and those with nice padding under their feet. My dad sent me this article and video which I found very interesting. Check out the shockwave that travels up the guy's leg when his heel hits first. The difference between hitting the ground with your heel and with your forefoot is very visible.
So I decided to try (with shoes on) to run like barefoot runners do, by hitting the ground forefoot first. It was hard! It's like training yourself to run all over again. But I could definitely tell that different muscles were being used. Afterwards I was sore! The article suggests that running forefoot first reduces injury by strengthening other smaller muscles, as well as reducing impact. I think I believe that.
Needless to say, it got me thinking about my running style. I don't know that I can handle running like that all the time, but perhaps it would be helpful for me on downhill stretches to protect my knees more (I have sore knees most of the time). I'll let you know if it works for me!
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