This week I added running back in to my workout schedule, and started Jeff Galloway's 5K training plan. Last time I started a running program, I used the Couch to 5K program. I thought about doing that again, but then I looked back over my blog posts about that program, I realized that I had one major difficulty with it. It started out with time-based intervals, but then switched to distance-based intervals. Since I'm a pretty slow runner, when the transition came, the distance was quite a bit farther than I had gone during the time intervals. Ultimately, I wasn't successful with the program, and I think that's why.
So, I turned to Jeff Galloway's program. It takes a little longer (15 weeks vs. 9 weeks for C25K), but the increases seem more reasonable. Jeff also advocates a run/walk method, which I used when I trained for Disney 2009 and it worked very well for me. I should finish up at the end of April, and I found a race that sounds good on April 30.
I did all my runs with a 2 minute run/2 minute walk interval. I know when I was finishing up my Disney training, my run segments were twice as long as my walks, but I evidently did not write down exactly what I was doing.
Anyway, here's what I did this week.
Monday
Plan: 10-15 minutes running
Actual: 14:30 minutes, 1.01 miles, flat on the treadmill (plus 5 minute warm up & 5 minute cool down walks)
Tuesday
Plan: cross train
Actual: 1-hour Pilates class (beginner mat)
Wednesday
Plan: 10-15 minutes running
Actual: 14:30 minutes, 1.01 miles, flat on the treadmill (plus 5 minute warm up & 5 minute cool down walks)
Thursday
Plan: cross train
Actual: rest day (I couldn't take my usual mat class because we had a staff meeting. I was going to work out with one of our apprentice instructors instead, but she ended up not being available.)
Friday
Plan: rest day
Actual: 1-hour Belly Dancing workshop
Saturday
Plan: 1 mile run
Actual: cross train, 1.5 mile walk (among other walking)
I did a museum day with Archer & a friend of hers. The 1.5 miles was the walk from the restaurant where we ate lunch to where Archer's friend parked her car after we missed the bus and it was a 30-minute wait for the next one. We weren't walking fast, but at least we were moving. I say it counts.
Sunday
Plan: cross train
Actual: 1 mile run
Since I knew I could do a mile from my runs earlier in the week that I could do a mile fairly easily I wanted to add a little bit of a challenge to the weekend run. So, instead of doing the treadmill flat, after a 5-minute warm up walk, I put it on a random incline program. I set it for 16 minutes, thinking that I'd have to go slower than I did when I was keeping it flat. I was thrilled that I actually did the mile in 14:30, just like earlier in the week! I finished up to 16 minutes with some brisk walking, then actually did 15 minutes of cool down because I wanted to find out which house the guy chose on House Hunters International!
I'm pleased with my results for the week and hope I can keep it up!
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday, June 28, 2009
This week's workouts
So like I said in the last post, this week I picked back up my running with the goal to (hopefully) do the Marine Corps 10K at the end of October.
With the weather here, I've been waiting as late as possible in the day to go out. I really wish I was a morning person, because the humidity is generally lower then (at least it seems to be when I stumble out to walk River). But, I just can't motivate myself to do a true workout then. So, I have to settle for going out just before sunset, around 8 PM.
Here's what I did this week:
Monday: cross-train - 1 mile walk; 15:17:45; didn't record weather info.
Tuesday: skipped
Wednesday: skipped
Thursday: goal was 15 minutes run/walk - did 1.12 miles in 16:08:56; it was 80 degrees with 55% humidity when I finished. I'm doing 2 minutes running, 2 minutes walking which is why I ended up doing 16 minutes instead of 15. I felt OK during the first 3 sets, but then the run in the 4th set was very difficult and I was feeling quite winded. I definitely slowed down during the last walk. Overall, I have trouble with my breathing. I tend to get a tightness around my diaphragm and I often feel I can't get my breath.
Friday: cross train - 1 mile walk; 15:15:17; 73 degrees with 93% humidity (after a huge downpour about an hour before); I felt pretty good, except for my continuing breathing issues.
Saturday: a rest day according to the training plan, but I did walk nearly 3 miles around downtown DC visiting a bunch of museums with my good friend "Archer". That's not counting the walking we did in the museums. Now, it's not like we were speed walking or anything, but I think it counts for something!
Sunday (today): goal was a 1 mile run; I missed my turn and went a different way; ended up doing 1.18 miles in 16:12:105. It was only 69 degrees, but the humidity was high (I forgot to write it down). This time, I was most winded on the first run.
Since writing down what I'm doing in the blog makes me feel accountable and thus motivates me, here's the plan for the upcoming week:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: cross train
Tuesday, Thursday: 15-minute run
Saturday: rest day
Sunday: 1 mile
I will have to suck it up on Friday and work out in the morning because we have tentative plans for the afternoon/evening. I might up Sunday's workout to the same distance as whatever I manage Tuesday & Thursday. It seems silly for my "long" run to be shorter than what I do those days.
With the weather here, I've been waiting as late as possible in the day to go out. I really wish I was a morning person, because the humidity is generally lower then (at least it seems to be when I stumble out to walk River). But, I just can't motivate myself to do a true workout then. So, I have to settle for going out just before sunset, around 8 PM.
Here's what I did this week:
Monday: cross-train - 1 mile walk; 15:17:45; didn't record weather info.
Tuesday: skipped
Wednesday: skipped
Thursday: goal was 15 minutes run/walk - did 1.12 miles in 16:08:56; it was 80 degrees with 55% humidity when I finished. I'm doing 2 minutes running, 2 minutes walking which is why I ended up doing 16 minutes instead of 15. I felt OK during the first 3 sets, but then the run in the 4th set was very difficult and I was feeling quite winded. I definitely slowed down during the last walk. Overall, I have trouble with my breathing. I tend to get a tightness around my diaphragm and I often feel I can't get my breath.
Friday: cross train - 1 mile walk; 15:15:17; 73 degrees with 93% humidity (after a huge downpour about an hour before); I felt pretty good, except for my continuing breathing issues.
Saturday: a rest day according to the training plan, but I did walk nearly 3 miles around downtown DC visiting a bunch of museums with my good friend "Archer". That's not counting the walking we did in the museums. Now, it's not like we were speed walking or anything, but I think it counts for something!
Sunday (today): goal was a 1 mile run; I missed my turn and went a different way; ended up doing 1.18 miles in 16:12:105. It was only 69 degrees, but the humidity was high (I forgot to write it down). This time, I was most winded on the first run.
Since writing down what I'm doing in the blog makes me feel accountable and thus motivates me, here's the plan for the upcoming week:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: cross train
Tuesday, Thursday: 15-minute run
Saturday: rest day
Sunday: 1 mile
I will have to suck it up on Friday and work out in the morning because we have tentative plans for the afternoon/evening. I might up Sunday's workout to the same distance as whatever I manage Tuesday & Thursday. It seems silly for my "long" run to be shorter than what I do those days.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008 Wrap Up
Wow, I can't believe it's been a little less than a year since I stared this blog and outlined my resolutions for 2008. I'm proud to say I've kept them all.
Start a Blog
Well, this blog has 105 posts! I know I've neglected it of late, but with preparing for the holidays, work trips and training for Disney, I haven't had a lot of time to keep up with it. I hope y'all have enjoyed reading my ramblings.
Try a New Recipe Every Week
I haven't gone back and counted, but I think I've done this every week, minus a few when I was traveling for work or we were on vacation. I cooked the final one of the year yesterday. It's been a lot of fun to try new things and I'm happy to say that most of them have been a success! I actually still have a few that I haven't posted. I guess I'll have to get to them next year!
Start Running
I pretty much summed this one up the other day. I did go for a 10.45 mile run on Sunday and with a combination of running and walking, I finished in 2.5 hours and had an average pace of 14 minutes, 20 seconds per mile. I'm certain I'll do a fair amount of walking during the race, but I'm now actually confident that I'll finish (and maybe even have time to pause for some character photos)!
I wish everyone a safe, happy, healthy 2009!
PS - I have no resolutions for 2009 yet, except to keep the 2008 ones going strong . . .
Start a Blog
Well, this blog has 105 posts! I know I've neglected it of late, but with preparing for the holidays, work trips and training for Disney, I haven't had a lot of time to keep up with it. I hope y'all have enjoyed reading my ramblings.
Try a New Recipe Every Week
I haven't gone back and counted, but I think I've done this every week, minus a few when I was traveling for work or we were on vacation. I cooked the final one of the year yesterday. It's been a lot of fun to try new things and I'm happy to say that most of them have been a success! I actually still have a few that I haven't posted. I guess I'll have to get to them next year!
Start Running
I pretty much summed this one up the other day. I did go for a 10.45 mile run on Sunday and with a combination of running and walking, I finished in 2.5 hours and had an average pace of 14 minutes, 20 seconds per mile. I'm certain I'll do a fair amount of walking during the race, but I'm now actually confident that I'll finish (and maybe even have time to pause for some character photos)!
I wish everyone a safe, happy, healthy 2009!
PS - I have no resolutions for 2009 yet, except to keep the 2008 ones going strong . . .
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Less Than 2 Weeks to Go!
I really can't believe that the Disney 1/2 Marathon is now only 13 days away. It's been over a year since I decided to try it - I remember talking about it on the phone with M.K. at Thanksgiving '07. It's been a long, sometimes hard, road for me to get the training - I tend to get really frustrated if I can't do something well, and running definitely has been, and continues to be, a challenge. But, I'm proud of myself for sticking with it, and as my step-mother-in-law has been saying "to finish is to win." As long as we finish, we'll get the medal and it doesn't matter if we were the fastest (not!) or the slowest (hopefully not!) people out there.
I have one more long run to do, today. I'm shooting for 10 miles. Hopefully it will warm up some since right now it's in the low 30's here! After that, I'll start my "taper" and just do short runs each day until we get down to Disney.
Right now, race day weather is looking less than ideal (37 degrees at the start, feeling like 27 degrees), but I'm hopeful things will change. I did buy some new running pants yesterday, and also some earmuffs that fit around the back of my neck so I can wear my running cap, too (since I'll need the visor once the sun comes up). The pants were on major clearance - only $1.44! Alec found them & didn't even realize that was the price - I didn't, either, until they rang up on the register. That sure made me feel less guilty about the $20 I spent on a new travel bag to carry around the parks!
If anyone is interested in tracking me, or Alec, throughout the races, you can sign up for e-mail or cell phone alerts at this website:
http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/events/eventDetail/detail?name=WdwMarathonDetailPage&pid=pip-3-3
About half-way down, you'll see an option for Runner Tracking. I'm doing the Half Marathon and Alec is doing the Full Marathon. Just a couple of warnings:
I have one more long run to do, today. I'm shooting for 10 miles. Hopefully it will warm up some since right now it's in the low 30's here! After that, I'll start my "taper" and just do short runs each day until we get down to Disney.
Right now, race day weather is looking less than ideal (37 degrees at the start, feeling like 27 degrees), but I'm hopeful things will change. I did buy some new running pants yesterday, and also some earmuffs that fit around the back of my neck so I can wear my running cap, too (since I'll need the visor once the sun comes up). The pants were on major clearance - only $1.44! Alec found them & didn't even realize that was the price - I didn't, either, until they rang up on the register. That sure made me feel less guilty about the $20 I spent on a new travel bag to carry around the parks!
If anyone is interested in tracking me, or Alec, throughout the races, you can sign up for e-mail or cell phone alerts at this website:
http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/events/eventDetail/detail?name=WdwMarathonDetailPage&pid=pip-3-3
About half-way down, you'll see an option for Runner Tracking. I'm doing the Half Marathon and Alec is doing the Full Marathon. Just a couple of warnings:
- Evidently, the system didn't work so well last year, and some runners' finishes were never recorded. So, if you sign up, and you never get notified that we finished, don't panic!
- The races start at 6:00 AM Eastern, so you may not want to use the cell phone option if you don't want to be alerted that early!
I can update my Facebook page (for those who are "friends" with me on there) from my cell phone, so I plan to do that as soon as I can after the race to report that I've finished. Alec is bringing his laptop, so hopefully he'll be nice & share and I can update the blog as well. My cousin K. recently discovered she can blog from her phone, so I'll try to figure that out between now & the race, too!
I'm not sure how much time I'll have to blog before we leave on the 8th (though I do want to get my last few weekly recipes up!), so I want to go ahead and thank everyone for being supportive of this goal - whether you've left a comment, sent an e-mail, or just sent up a supportive thought or prayer when you've read this blog, I really appreciate it. I know I'll have a lot of people with me in spirit on the 10th!
Monday, December 1, 2008
Running Update
I haven't had much time for blogging lately - between my work trip, trying to keep on my training schedule and getting ready for Thanksgiving, my "free" time has pretty much been taken up.
I haven't calculated the pace on these yet, but here's what I've done lately:
Training Week #2
Monday, 11/10
intervals - 3 x 12 minutes, with 2 minute breaks, on the treadmill
2.75 miles
41:50 minutes
Tuesday, 11/11
run/walk combo
2 miles, outside
time not recorded because Alec did a 5 mile route and so he got back way after me (usually we finish around the same time if I do 2 miles & he does 3, or if he gets back first, he stops the watch for himself and then figures my time, too.)
Wednesday, 11/12
30 minute walk
This is just supposed to be a leisurely walk, so I took River to the local park for a lunchtime outing.
Wednesday night I left for my work trip that got changed at the last minute. Luckily, however, the property had a gym, so I was able to keep up somewhat.
Thursday, 11/13
run/walk combo, on the treadmill
1.66 miles
25 minutes
(I ran the whole first mile)
Friday, 11/14
rest day (I love these!)
Saturday, 11/15
This should have been a 5 mile run/walk. Since I was working, I planned to get up & be ready to run around 5:30 or 6 since I knew it would take me about 1 hour & 15 minutes. I did get up, but it was *super* windy and I knew it was too windy to try & accomplish. So, I went back to bed. Later, I did the cross training scheduled for Sunday.
20 minutes elliptical / varied incline
20 minutes treadmill / varied incline
Sunday, 11/16
I did get up and get out by around 6:15 for the 5 miles! But, I walked most of the way. Still, I got the distance in.
walk
5 miles, outside
time unknown, since I was watch-less. I was about 1.5 hours, from the time I left the hotel room (on the 23rd floor, mind you) until I got back there.
Week 2 Summary
I did pretty much what I was supposed to do each day. I think this was a good week.
Training, Week 3
Monday, 11/17
I was supposed to do intervals, but when I went down to the gym after I got done working, they had it all torn up & were replacing the flooring. So, I couldn't use it.
Tuesday, 11/18
run/walk, on the treadmill
3 miles
40:37 minutes
Wednesday, 11/19
I traveled home. I was supposed to do a 30-minute walk, but I was exhausted when I got back, and so I just crashed.
Thursday, 11/20
The schedule said 30 minute run/walk, but it was running club day & we met at a different place, so I didn't know the route well enough to adapt it like I do on our regular one, so I went the full 5K everyone else did.
run/walk (mostly walked)
3.1 miles
not sure of exact time, it was at least 45 minutes
Friday
rest day
Saturday
5K race
run/walk (mostly walked, I had a cramp in my right calf that would not go away. I actually considered quitting the race, but I was determined to finish. I also had a sharp pain in my left knee. I was pretty much a mess. I'm pretty sure I came in dead last in the race.)
42:07 (estimate based on crossing the line at 42:17 & subtracting 10 seconds for the time it took me to get over it at the start. The race was not chip-timed).
Despite the walking, I was more than a minute faster than the 5K I did in April, but then this course was not nearly as hilly.
Sunday
rest day (really, it's on the schedule like that b/c of the race the day before!)
Week 3 Summary
I missed 2 days, and I probably should have made them up on one of the rest days. I think this was an OK week. I was proud of my faster 5K time.
Training, Week 4
Monday, 11/24
I was scheduled for intervals and I went to the gym with every intention of doing them. I didn't even make it through the first one before the pain in my left knee was just too much for my wimpy self. I talked to Alec about it when I got home and he said it sounds like an IT band issue, the cure being rest, painkillers and wearing a brace when I run.
Tuesday, 11/25
run/walk, outside (mostly walked due to aforementioned IT band pain)
3 miles
not sure of time. I didn't write it down
After running, we went to the sporting goods store & bought a brace for me.
Wednesday, 11/26
Should have done a 25 minute run/walk, but the gym closed early and I didn't realize it was going to.
Thursday, 11/27
Should have done a 30 minute leisurely walk & had every intention of doing so upon arrival at the in-laws for Thanksgiving. But, I didn't have time to do that & get Thanksgiving dinner on the table.
Friday, 11/28
Planned cross-training consisted of walking around the mall & various other stores while Black Friday shopping. . . not sure that really counts.
Saturday, 11/29
Wimped out on planned 6 mile run.
Sunday, 11/30
Planned on resting, and did . . . while riding in the car home from the in-laws.
Week 4 Summary
Horrible, horrible! Must get back on track! (Except that I should be at the gym now for today's workout and I'm not. I swear I'll make it up Wednesday or Friday. Really.)
I haven't calculated the pace on these yet, but here's what I've done lately:
Training Week #2
Monday, 11/10
intervals - 3 x 12 minutes, with 2 minute breaks, on the treadmill
2.75 miles
41:50 minutes
Tuesday, 11/11
run/walk combo
2 miles, outside
time not recorded because Alec did a 5 mile route and so he got back way after me (usually we finish around the same time if I do 2 miles & he does 3, or if he gets back first, he stops the watch for himself and then figures my time, too.)
Wednesday, 11/12
30 minute walk
This is just supposed to be a leisurely walk, so I took River to the local park for a lunchtime outing.
Wednesday night I left for my work trip that got changed at the last minute. Luckily, however, the property had a gym, so I was able to keep up somewhat.
Thursday, 11/13
run/walk combo, on the treadmill
1.66 miles
25 minutes
(I ran the whole first mile)
Friday, 11/14
rest day (I love these!)
Saturday, 11/15
This should have been a 5 mile run/walk. Since I was working, I planned to get up & be ready to run around 5:30 or 6 since I knew it would take me about 1 hour & 15 minutes. I did get up, but it was *super* windy and I knew it was too windy to try & accomplish. So, I went back to bed. Later, I did the cross training scheduled for Sunday.
20 minutes elliptical / varied incline
20 minutes treadmill / varied incline
Sunday, 11/16
I did get up and get out by around 6:15 for the 5 miles! But, I walked most of the way. Still, I got the distance in.
walk
5 miles, outside
time unknown, since I was watch-less. I was about 1.5 hours, from the time I left the hotel room (on the 23rd floor, mind you) until I got back there.
Week 2 Summary
I did pretty much what I was supposed to do each day. I think this was a good week.
Training, Week 3
Monday, 11/17
I was supposed to do intervals, but when I went down to the gym after I got done working, they had it all torn up & were replacing the flooring. So, I couldn't use it.
Tuesday, 11/18
run/walk, on the treadmill
3 miles
40:37 minutes
Wednesday, 11/19
I traveled home. I was supposed to do a 30-minute walk, but I was exhausted when I got back, and so I just crashed.
Thursday, 11/20
The schedule said 30 minute run/walk, but it was running club day & we met at a different place, so I didn't know the route well enough to adapt it like I do on our regular one, so I went the full 5K everyone else did.
run/walk (mostly walked)
3.1 miles
not sure of exact time, it was at least 45 minutes
Friday
rest day
Saturday
5K race
run/walk (mostly walked, I had a cramp in my right calf that would not go away. I actually considered quitting the race, but I was determined to finish. I also had a sharp pain in my left knee. I was pretty much a mess. I'm pretty sure I came in dead last in the race.)
42:07 (estimate based on crossing the line at 42:17 & subtracting 10 seconds for the time it took me to get over it at the start. The race was not chip-timed).
Despite the walking, I was more than a minute faster than the 5K I did in April, but then this course was not nearly as hilly.
Sunday
rest day (really, it's on the schedule like that b/c of the race the day before!)
Week 3 Summary
I missed 2 days, and I probably should have made them up on one of the rest days. I think this was an OK week. I was proud of my faster 5K time.
Training, Week 4
Monday, 11/24
I was scheduled for intervals and I went to the gym with every intention of doing them. I didn't even make it through the first one before the pain in my left knee was just too much for my wimpy self. I talked to Alec about it when I got home and he said it sounds like an IT band issue, the cure being rest, painkillers and wearing a brace when I run.
Tuesday, 11/25
run/walk, outside (mostly walked due to aforementioned IT band pain)
3 miles
not sure of time. I didn't write it down
After running, we went to the sporting goods store & bought a brace for me.
Wednesday, 11/26
Should have done a 25 minute run/walk, but the gym closed early and I didn't realize it was going to.
Thursday, 11/27
Should have done a 30 minute leisurely walk & had every intention of doing so upon arrival at the in-laws for Thanksgiving. But, I didn't have time to do that & get Thanksgiving dinner on the table.
Friday, 11/28
Planned cross-training consisted of walking around the mall & various other stores while Black Friday shopping. . . not sure that really counts.
Saturday, 11/29
Wimped out on planned 6 mile run.
Sunday, 11/30
Planned on resting, and did . . . while riding in the car home from the in-laws.
Week 4 Summary
Horrible, horrible! Must get back on track! (Except that I should be at the gym now for today's workout and I'm not. I swear I'll make it up Wednesday or Friday. Really.)
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Running Results for the Week
Alec found a program for his Mac that can track my workout info. It's really neat, especially because it figures the pace, which is what I really want to be looking at.
So, here are my results for the week:
Tuesday
run/walk combo
2.1 miles
31 min 30 sec
15 minutes/mile
Wednesday
treadmill - 2 x 10 minute intervals with 2 minute walk break between them & after the 2nd
1.5 miles
23 min 33 sec
15:41 minutes/mile
Thursday
run/walk combo
2 miles
29 min 8 sec
14:33 minutes/mile (woo hoo - faster than the Disney goal pace!)
Friday
rest day
Saturday
cross training
20 minutes - elliptical w/ varied incline
20 minutes - treadmill w/ varied incline
Sunday
run/walk combo
5.1 miles
1 hour 13 minutes
14:27 minutes/mile
Tonight's 5.1 mile run was the farthest I've gone, ever, since I set out on this goal in January! I did have to both run and walk. The first 3 miles, I was pretty good with alternating between running and walking each time the song changed. The last two miles, however, were mostly walking with a few spurts of running. But, at the end, I felt decently good about what I'd done.
Next week I think will be a good week. The plan seems reasonable. The following week will be a challenge. I have to go on a last-minute trip for work. I don't know yet if the property has a gym and I don't know my class schedule. I'm sure I'll have to conduct some evening classes, as we typically try to accommodate the staff members who only work during that time. Sometimes when that happens, we get a break during the day, but I will be the only trainer on the trip so that may not happen. Obviously, I'll do the best I can. We are signed up for a 5K on the 22nd, the day after I get back, so I hope I'll at least get to run some. I'd like to do better in this 5K than I did in my first one back in April.
So, here are my results for the week:
Tuesday
run/walk combo
2.1 miles
31 min 30 sec
15 minutes/mile
Wednesday
treadmill - 2 x 10 minute intervals with 2 minute walk break between them & after the 2nd
1.5 miles
23 min 33 sec
15:41 minutes/mile
Thursday
run/walk combo
2 miles
29 min 8 sec
14:33 minutes/mile (woo hoo - faster than the Disney goal pace!)
Friday
rest day
Saturday
cross training
20 minutes - elliptical w/ varied incline
20 minutes - treadmill w/ varied incline
Sunday
run/walk combo
5.1 miles
1 hour 13 minutes
14:27 minutes/mile
Tonight's 5.1 mile run was the farthest I've gone, ever, since I set out on this goal in January! I did have to both run and walk. The first 3 miles, I was pretty good with alternating between running and walking each time the song changed. The last two miles, however, were mostly walking with a few spurts of running. But, at the end, I felt decently good about what I'd done.
Next week I think will be a good week. The plan seems reasonable. The following week will be a challenge. I have to go on a last-minute trip for work. I don't know yet if the property has a gym and I don't know my class schedule. I'm sure I'll have to conduct some evening classes, as we typically try to accommodate the staff members who only work during that time. Sometimes when that happens, we get a break during the day, but I will be the only trainer on the trip so that may not happen. Obviously, I'll do the best I can. We are signed up for a 5K on the 22nd, the day after I get back, so I hope I'll at least get to run some. I'd like to do better in this 5K than I did in my first one back in April.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
My Peppy Playlist
First of all, today's run results: 2 miles in 29:08! Faster than I need to be! Woo hoo! I was supposed to walk 5 min / run 20 min / walk 5 min. I ended up walking for a bit (one song) in the middle of the run. I'm not sure exactly what my times were for each interval, because I don't have a watch for running so I just ran for a certain number of songs.
So this is my playlist now. I need to make it about twice as long, because right now it's only 41.7 minutes and I need at least an hour and 15 minutes for a 5 mile run.
Hot N Cold - Katy Perry
Stronger - Kanye West
Thnks Fr Th Mmrs (Thanks for the Memories) - Fall Out Boy
Don't Stop the Music - Rihanna
Because the Night - Patti Smith
Ray of Light - Madonna
Disturbia - Rihanna
Beautiful Day - U2
The Boxer - Carbon Leaf
We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel
I do have a few more songs in mind. I just wish I could find my 80's mix my friend S. made me years ago - there are some good songs on there and I really don't want to pay to download them when I know I have the CD somewhere!
Leave me a comment if you have any ideas for peppy (but not too peppy - I'm shooting for 120-140 beats per minute, which is on the slow end of what's good for running, but I am a slow runner!)
So this is my playlist now. I need to make it about twice as long, because right now it's only 41.7 minutes and I need at least an hour and 15 minutes for a 5 mile run.
Hot N Cold - Katy Perry
Stronger - Kanye West
Thnks Fr Th Mmrs (Thanks for the Memories) - Fall Out Boy
Don't Stop the Music - Rihanna
Because the Night - Patti Smith
Ray of Light - Madonna
Disturbia - Rihanna
Beautiful Day - U2
The Boxer - Carbon Leaf
We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel
I do have a few more songs in mind. I just wish I could find my 80's mix my friend S. made me years ago - there are some good songs on there and I really don't want to pay to download them when I know I have the CD somewhere!
Leave me a comment if you have any ideas for peppy (but not too peppy - I'm shooting for 120-140 beats per minute, which is on the slow end of what's good for running, but I am a slow runner!)
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A Quick Running Update
We've been without Internet most of the day (the horror!) and now it's bedtime. But I wanted to get a post in.
I've made a training plan for the 1/2 Marathon. Here are the results so far this week:
Monday
Goal: 4 x 10 minute running intervals w/ 2-minute walk breaks between
Result: Had a nervous breakdown over my unpreparedness instead. Never made it to the gym. Came home, got a pep talk from Alec and a nice e-mail pep message from M.K. Made a new playlist for iPod w/ upbeat music.
Tuesday
Goal: 2 mile run
Result: Success! Did a run/walk combo for 2 plus a little miles (went a block past the turn-around point b/c it's been so long since I'd run the route I forgot where it was). Time: 31:30. Peppy Playlist helped a lot!
Wednesday
Goal: Training plan says 30 minute walk, but decided to try to do Monday's intervals instead.
Result: Went to the gym (even though Alec didn't - extra points for self-motivation). Did 2 x 10 minute intervals w/ 2-minutes walking between them & after the 2nd one. Decided to go ahead and cool down so as not to kill myself & become unable to complete the week's training. Plus, my iPod died near the end of the 2nd interval. That's what happens if you leave it on, and maybe even playing, for 24 hours. Oops. Time for first mile: 15:45. Total time & distance after 2nd walk period: 1.5 miles, 23:33.
Goals for the rest of the week:
Thursday: 5 minute walk / 20 minute run / 5 minute walk (seems ambitious but I'll try)
Friday: rest day (absolutely do-able!)
Saturday: 5 mile run (I think I can do it, if I alternate running & walking. Must add more songs to Peppy Playlist; currently only runs 41 minutes. Need at least 1 hr. 15 minutes for 5 miles.)
Sunday: 40 minutes cross training (probably do-able, though 10 minutes on the elliptical about did me in the other day.)
Okay, so that wasn't so brief. I'm going to be now! I need my rest!
I've made a training plan for the 1/2 Marathon. Here are the results so far this week:
Monday
Goal: 4 x 10 minute running intervals w/ 2-minute walk breaks between
Result: Had a nervous breakdown over my unpreparedness instead. Never made it to the gym. Came home, got a pep talk from Alec and a nice e-mail pep message from M.K. Made a new playlist for iPod w/ upbeat music.
Tuesday
Goal: 2 mile run
Result: Success! Did a run/walk combo for 2 plus a little miles (went a block past the turn-around point b/c it's been so long since I'd run the route I forgot where it was). Time: 31:30. Peppy Playlist helped a lot!
Wednesday
Goal: Training plan says 30 minute walk, but decided to try to do Monday's intervals instead.
Result: Went to the gym (even though Alec didn't - extra points for self-motivation). Did 2 x 10 minute intervals w/ 2-minutes walking between them & after the 2nd one. Decided to go ahead and cool down so as not to kill myself & become unable to complete the week's training. Plus, my iPod died near the end of the 2nd interval. That's what happens if you leave it on, and maybe even playing, for 24 hours. Oops. Time for first mile: 15:45. Total time & distance after 2nd walk period: 1.5 miles, 23:33.
Goals for the rest of the week:
Thursday: 5 minute walk / 20 minute run / 5 minute walk (seems ambitious but I'll try)
Friday: rest day (absolutely do-able!)
Saturday: 5 mile run (I think I can do it, if I alternate running & walking. Must add more songs to Peppy Playlist; currently only runs 41 minutes. Need at least 1 hr. 15 minutes for 5 miles.)
Sunday: 40 minutes cross training (probably do-able, though 10 minutes on the elliptical about did me in the other day.)
Okay, so that wasn't so brief. I'm going to be now! I need my rest!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Couch to 5K, Week 5, Day 3 Reprise #1
I tried this one last night - 5 minute warm up walk, then 20 straight minutes of running. I didn't quite make it. After 10 minutes of running, I had to slow down to a walk for a minute to take a sip of Gatorade (note to self - pour into sports bottle next time!). After I went back to running, I only made it 3 minutes more. But hey, I can run for 10 minutes!
I'll give it a try again tomorrow . . .
I'll give it a try again tomorrow . . .
Friday, August 8, 2008
Couch to 5K - Week 5, Day 2 Reprise
Yesterday I went to the gym to do my running. It was less than 100 degrees, but still over 90. I've told myself I'm not going to run outside until it's 85 or below. Of course, that could be *ages* from now. But, better to run on the treadmill than pass out.
So anyway, I did Couch to 5K Week 5, Day 2. Since I am doing it with the podcasts this time I'm basing on time, not distance like I did before. The interval is:
5-minute warm up walk
8-minute run
5-minute walk
8-minute run
After the warmup, the distance is supposed to be 2 miles. The problem is that 2 miles in 21 minutes is just over a 10-minute mile, which is *way* too fast for me. So, I am counting the 5-minute warm up walk in my distance.
I was disappointed with my 2-miles-in-31-minutes time from Tuesday because I know I ultimately need to be faster than that. So, yesterday I tried to kick it up a bit. About 5 minutes into the 2nd run interval, I started to feel like I couldn't do it. But, instead of slowing down to a walk, I just reduced the speed a couple of notches so I was still running, but not as fast. I made it through 2 minutes and then reduced it one more notch for the last minute. But, I did run the whole 8 minutes!
I still wasn't quite up to 2 miles when the podcast ended so I kept at the walking speed until I got there. In the end, I did 2 miles in 28:38 minutes, which I was happy with.
So anyway, I did Couch to 5K Week 5, Day 2. Since I am doing it with the podcasts this time I'm basing on time, not distance like I did before. The interval is:
5-minute warm up walk
8-minute run
5-minute walk
8-minute run
After the warmup, the distance is supposed to be 2 miles. The problem is that 2 miles in 21 minutes is just over a 10-minute mile, which is *way* too fast for me. So, I am counting the 5-minute warm up walk in my distance.
I was disappointed with my 2-miles-in-31-minutes time from Tuesday because I know I ultimately need to be faster than that. So, yesterday I tried to kick it up a bit. About 5 minutes into the 2nd run interval, I started to feel like I couldn't do it. But, instead of slowing down to a walk, I just reduced the speed a couple of notches so I was still running, but not as fast. I made it through 2 minutes and then reduced it one more notch for the last minute. But, I did run the whole 8 minutes!
I still wasn't quite up to 2 miles when the podcast ended so I kept at the walking speed until I got there. In the end, I did 2 miles in 28:38 minutes, which I was happy with.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Back on the Running Bandwagon
I've been a real slacker lately about my running. About 3 weeks ago, I decided I needed to go back to Couch to 5K and decided I'd pick up kind of where I left off, at the beginning of Week 5. Now that I have an iPod, I looked for podcasts for the program, and found one at http://www.djsteveboy.com/1day25k.html. I liked it because it actually had different ones for each day of weeks 5 & 6, which are different every day.
Last Thursday, I didn't want to go to running club, but Alec made me feel guilty so I did. It was over 100 degrees that day. I knew the distance I was aiming for was about 2 miles, so instead of going our whole course, which is a full 5K, I decided to just go to the one-mile point and then turn around and go back. I managed the first running interval (5 minutes) but after the 3-minute walk break, I was so hot that just couldn't bring myself to run anymore. So, I just kept walking.
I got back to our starting point around the same time as Alec and our new friend, M. My time was about 28 minutes. That's not bad for mostly walking.
As we always do, we were standing around chatting after the run and I started to feel a little nauseous, so I decided to sit down. I perched myself on the edge of a pickup tailgate. A few minutes later, I started to feel like I was going to pass out. I called for Alec and he came over and helped me lay down. Various people offered towels, cold water and Gatorade. I laid there for a while while Alec rubbed ice cubes over my arms & legs, put a cool cloth on my head and poured water into my mouth. I never actually passed out, but I sure felt bad. Finally, I felt better and we went off to dinner an everything was fine. I figure it was the heat.
The next day, we were helping M & H (H is actually Alec's new co-anchor) move in to their apartment (again, in the 100+ degree heat) and I started to feel sick again. I never actually got dizzy, just felt kind of weak, so I sat inside for a long while.
I had to go to the doctor yesterday anyway, so I talked to her about it and she said it's likely heatstroke and I just need to be extra careful about hydrating if I'm going to run outside.
But, I decided that instead of risking running, or even walking outside when it's this hot (which is for the foreseeable future) I will just go to the gym and run on the treadmill.
So, that's what I did last night, and the happy news of this post is that I did the Couch to 5K, Week 5, Day 1 successfully, if slowly. For 2 miles, I took exactly 31 minutes. At this point, my plan is to just work on getting my endurance up in the gym while it's hot outside and then once I can get back outside, hopefully I will be able to get my speed up. Most of the 1/2 marathon training programs I've looked at start with the assumption that one can run 3 miles, so my goal is to spend the next 5 weeks getting to that point so I can start the serious training in mid-September.
I still haven't picked out an official training program for the 1/2 marathon. I've looked at several, that go over various lengths of time. My friend R. said that she always makes sure that she has more weeks left before her race than the plan asks because there's always going to be that day, or that week, that you don't train for whatever reason and it's better to repeat a week or two than to get to your race week without having logged the appropriate number of long runs. I think this is good advice, especially since my training period covers Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's!
Last Thursday, I didn't want to go to running club, but Alec made me feel guilty so I did. It was over 100 degrees that day. I knew the distance I was aiming for was about 2 miles, so instead of going our whole course, which is a full 5K, I decided to just go to the one-mile point and then turn around and go back. I managed the first running interval (5 minutes) but after the 3-minute walk break, I was so hot that just couldn't bring myself to run anymore. So, I just kept walking.
I got back to our starting point around the same time as Alec and our new friend, M. My time was about 28 minutes. That's not bad for mostly walking.
As we always do, we were standing around chatting after the run and I started to feel a little nauseous, so I decided to sit down. I perched myself on the edge of a pickup tailgate. A few minutes later, I started to feel like I was going to pass out. I called for Alec and he came over and helped me lay down. Various people offered towels, cold water and Gatorade. I laid there for a while while Alec rubbed ice cubes over my arms & legs, put a cool cloth on my head and poured water into my mouth. I never actually passed out, but I sure felt bad. Finally, I felt better and we went off to dinner an everything was fine. I figure it was the heat.
The next day, we were helping M & H (H is actually Alec's new co-anchor) move in to their apartment (again, in the 100+ degree heat) and I started to feel sick again. I never actually got dizzy, just felt kind of weak, so I sat inside for a long while.
I had to go to the doctor yesterday anyway, so I talked to her about it and she said it's likely heatstroke and I just need to be extra careful about hydrating if I'm going to run outside.
But, I decided that instead of risking running, or even walking outside when it's this hot (which is for the foreseeable future) I will just go to the gym and run on the treadmill.
So, that's what I did last night, and the happy news of this post is that I did the Couch to 5K, Week 5, Day 1 successfully, if slowly. For 2 miles, I took exactly 31 minutes. At this point, my plan is to just work on getting my endurance up in the gym while it's hot outside and then once I can get back outside, hopefully I will be able to get my speed up. Most of the 1/2 marathon training programs I've looked at start with the assumption that one can run 3 miles, so my goal is to spend the next 5 weeks getting to that point so I can start the serious training in mid-September.
I still haven't picked out an official training program for the 1/2 marathon. I've looked at several, that go over various lengths of time. My friend R. said that she always makes sure that she has more weeks left before her race than the plan asks because there's always going to be that day, or that week, that you don't train for whatever reason and it's better to repeat a week or two than to get to your race week without having logged the appropriate number of long runs. I think this is good advice, especially since my training period covers Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's!
Friday, June 6, 2008
This Week's Running Update
Yesterday Cousin J. pointed out that I haven't done a running update in a while. Well, that's because I haven't been running. While M.K., Alec and I all had good intentions of running while we were in Kansas, we didn't. Yeah, we're slackers.
Last week, I was a slacker, too. Tuesday I had a migraine. I don't remember what my excuse was on Thursday, but I bet it wasn't a good one. Probably a combo of Alec's not really wanting to get up and my not being motivated to run and thus not pushing him to get up.
So this week we got back on the wagon. We sure picked a great week - hot and windy.
Tuesday, I ran with Nancy. She'd already done 2 miles but she said she'd do the 3 with me if I went slow. Duh, I'm always slow. I had good intentions of running the whole first mile, but with the heat, I pooped out at the end of the first street. We walked a couple blocks, and then ran the rest of the mile. Then, we walked a while longer. Then, we cut off one of the loops of the route. We walked a little more, then ran a bit. This was followed by more walking and then a slow jog to the finish. There Alec was waiting to greet me with my Gatorade and the news that my time was 35 minutes. I admitted we cheated a bit. He said he thought we must have because this was not a day to set a record!
Thursday, most of the group wanted to walk. I tried to say I would walk too, but they all said "no, you have to run." So, I did. For my first spurt, I ran a block father than on Tuesday. I walked to the same point as Tuesday, then ran the rest of the mile, plus a block past that. I was actually feeling pretty good, though it was hot and very windy (in the 20-30 MPH range). I walked for a bit and crossed paths with the walkers. Kate and Don cut off and joined up with me. We ran a long block and then we walked the rest of the way. You know it was hot if Don wasn't encouraging me to run! But, I did go the whole 3 miles and my time was about 43 minutes.
Tonight, I started looking for training plans for Disney. I found one that's 12 weeks, which means I'd have to start in mid-October. It assumes you can run 3 miles, which I think is certainly doable by then. I'd like to get to 3 miles well before then, though. But, I know that may not be a realistic goal for the summer. The heat makes me nauseous and I don't want to kill myself! Although, I did realize on Thursday that I run better by myself. When I run with people, we usually talk and that takes up a lot of my energy. However, I like the motivation of having someone to push me to run. I might just have to set a "no talking" policy.
Last week, I was a slacker, too. Tuesday I had a migraine. I don't remember what my excuse was on Thursday, but I bet it wasn't a good one. Probably a combo of Alec's not really wanting to get up and my not being motivated to run and thus not pushing him to get up.
So this week we got back on the wagon. We sure picked a great week - hot and windy.
Tuesday, I ran with Nancy. She'd already done 2 miles but she said she'd do the 3 with me if I went slow. Duh, I'm always slow. I had good intentions of running the whole first mile, but with the heat, I pooped out at the end of the first street. We walked a couple blocks, and then ran the rest of the mile. Then, we walked a while longer. Then, we cut off one of the loops of the route. We walked a little more, then ran a bit. This was followed by more walking and then a slow jog to the finish. There Alec was waiting to greet me with my Gatorade and the news that my time was 35 minutes. I admitted we cheated a bit. He said he thought we must have because this was not a day to set a record!
Thursday, most of the group wanted to walk. I tried to say I would walk too, but they all said "no, you have to run." So, I did. For my first spurt, I ran a block father than on Tuesday. I walked to the same point as Tuesday, then ran the rest of the mile, plus a block past that. I was actually feeling pretty good, though it was hot and very windy (in the 20-30 MPH range). I walked for a bit and crossed paths with the walkers. Kate and Don cut off and joined up with me. We ran a long block and then we walked the rest of the way. You know it was hot if Don wasn't encouraging me to run! But, I did go the whole 3 miles and my time was about 43 minutes.
Tonight, I started looking for training plans for Disney. I found one that's 12 weeks, which means I'd have to start in mid-October. It assumes you can run 3 miles, which I think is certainly doable by then. I'd like to get to 3 miles well before then, though. But, I know that may not be a realistic goal for the summer. The heat makes me nauseous and I don't want to kill myself! Although, I did realize on Thursday that I run better by myself. When I run with people, we usually talk and that takes up a lot of my energy. However, I like the motivation of having someone to push me to run. I might just have to set a "no talking" policy.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Yesterday's Run
Darn it, I just lost my post. Even more briefly than before - yesterday I did 5K in 41 minutes. I ran the whole first mile thanks to encouragement from Don, my new unofficial running coach.
Hoping to run some this weekend in KS. In addition to the family reunion, it's Jubilee weekend in Grandma T's town and there's a rumor that there's a 5K race. But, it's not listed on the website, so I guess we'll find out when we get there!
Hoping to run some this weekend in KS. In addition to the family reunion, it's Jubilee weekend in Grandma T's town and there's a rumor that there's a 5K race. But, it's not listed on the website, so I guess we'll find out when we get there!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Running Update
I haven't posted about running lately because there's not been much to post.
The Tuesday after the 5K, we went out with the running club. I decided to go ahead and try to run with them on their 5K route just to see how I did. One of the guys in the club, Don, was nice enough to run with me, even though I'm slow. He was very encouraging and a great partner! I ended up beating my time from the race that day. I don't remember my exact time, but I think it was around 39 minutes. A huge part of that is the fact that the course is basically flat and of course I didn't have a pit stop.
After that day, for various reasons we didn't run the next few times. Last Tuesday, I tried the route again and partnered with another girl in the club who is normally pretty fast but had shin splints. We actually ended up walking a bunch and we cut a few blocks off the route. So, not really a noteworthy performance.
Last Thursday was a horrible run. I didn't have anyone to partner with, so I walked a lot - it's easy for me to take it easy when there's no one there to encourage me. I ended up really psyching myself out to the point where I was hyperventilating. Not my most stellar moment. It was a good thing no one was there to see me (except the strangers who were passing me on the path!)
This week, I skipped Tuesday. My allergies have been bothering me and I'd had a migraine since Sunday, so Alec went without me.
Thursday we ran in a different neighborhood, where one of the members lives. Everyone had been talking about this huge hill on the course, so I was pretty scared. Of course, I feel behind the group early. The hill was at the beginning of the course, but it was downhill that time - so, that wasn't so bad (though I need to learn how to use the downhills to my advantage - I feel like I expend too much energy trying not to go fast, because I don't want to be running pell mell down the hill).
Anyway, as I got to the bottom, I walked a bit and there I saw Don coming back to run with me - he really is a nice guy! Anyway, I did OK the rest of the course - Don let me walk when I needed to, but not far. When we got back to the hill Don said "We're going to start at that first mailbox [this was still on the flat] and we're going to run to the pole with the mirror [which was on the hill]." I said I'd try. And I actually did it - discovering when I got to the top of the hill that the pole was in fact at the top of the hill. The hill was on a curve, so I thought I couldn't see the top.
Which means I ran the whole way up the hill! I was really proud of that. But, then I had to walk for a bit. As we neared the house where we started, Alec was running back - he didn't realize Don had stayed behind with me and he was worried. I sprinted to the end, and that's when I got a little disappointed. My time was over 47 minutes, so slower than the 5K. Now, this course was 3.3 miles, and I hadn't really had a good run in almost a month, and I've been sick, but I still felt like that equates to a 3.5 - 4 minute difference in the time.
If I don't think about the time, I feel good about the run, but that time sure bugs me.
Of course, it encourages me to try to do better on Tuesday's run. Hopefully someone who knows the 5K route will feel like going slow so I can find my way. Since I've only done it twice and the 2nd time we cut off one turn, I don't know it very well. But, I'd like to try and beat 39 minutes if I can.
The Tuesday after the 5K, we went out with the running club. I decided to go ahead and try to run with them on their 5K route just to see how I did. One of the guys in the club, Don, was nice enough to run with me, even though I'm slow. He was very encouraging and a great partner! I ended up beating my time from the race that day. I don't remember my exact time, but I think it was around 39 minutes. A huge part of that is the fact that the course is basically flat and of course I didn't have a pit stop.
After that day, for various reasons we didn't run the next few times. Last Tuesday, I tried the route again and partnered with another girl in the club who is normally pretty fast but had shin splints. We actually ended up walking a bunch and we cut a few blocks off the route. So, not really a noteworthy performance.
Last Thursday was a horrible run. I didn't have anyone to partner with, so I walked a lot - it's easy for me to take it easy when there's no one there to encourage me. I ended up really psyching myself out to the point where I was hyperventilating. Not my most stellar moment. It was a good thing no one was there to see me (except the strangers who were passing me on the path!)
This week, I skipped Tuesday. My allergies have been bothering me and I'd had a migraine since Sunday, so Alec went without me.
Thursday we ran in a different neighborhood, where one of the members lives. Everyone had been talking about this huge hill on the course, so I was pretty scared. Of course, I feel behind the group early. The hill was at the beginning of the course, but it was downhill that time - so, that wasn't so bad (though I need to learn how to use the downhills to my advantage - I feel like I expend too much energy trying not to go fast, because I don't want to be running pell mell down the hill).
Anyway, as I got to the bottom, I walked a bit and there I saw Don coming back to run with me - he really is a nice guy! Anyway, I did OK the rest of the course - Don let me walk when I needed to, but not far. When we got back to the hill Don said "We're going to start at that first mailbox [this was still on the flat] and we're going to run to the pole with the mirror [which was on the hill]." I said I'd try. And I actually did it - discovering when I got to the top of the hill that the pole was in fact at the top of the hill. The hill was on a curve, so I thought I couldn't see the top.
Which means I ran the whole way up the hill! I was really proud of that. But, then I had to walk for a bit. As we neared the house where we started, Alec was running back - he didn't realize Don had stayed behind with me and he was worried. I sprinted to the end, and that's when I got a little disappointed. My time was over 47 minutes, so slower than the 5K. Now, this course was 3.3 miles, and I hadn't really had a good run in almost a month, and I've been sick, but I still felt like that equates to a 3.5 - 4 minute difference in the time.
If I don't think about the time, I feel good about the run, but that time sure bugs me.
Of course, it encourages me to try to do better on Tuesday's run. Hopefully someone who knows the 5K route will feel like going slow so I can find my way. Since I've only done it twice and the 2nd time we cut off one turn, I don't know it very well. But, I'd like to try and beat 39 minutes if I can.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
5K Report - Updated with my Chip Time
Yesterday was the big day - my first 5K race. Well, I've walked a few Race for the Cures when we lived in NC since Ingrid's company was usually a sponsor. But that was more of a "stroll along with mom and Ingrid and whatever friends we ran into" than a "try to finish as quickly as possible" event.
We headed down to the city on Friday night. We were able to check out a really cool arts festival that was going on in the beautiful downtown area. Lots of good food and good music and amazing artwork. It was a great evening! But, a short one since we knew we'd have to be up early Saturday morning.
The race information had said to allow 45 minutes to park. Since we weren't able to do an early packet pickup and that ended at 7:45 am, I figured we needed to be there no later than about 10 minutes to 7.
I set the alarm for 5:45, and when it went off, promptly set it for another 10 minutes. I drug myself out of bed and got dressed, then woke Alec up. Our hotel had a decent continental breakfast, so we had a good pre-race meal - bagels & cream cheese. Then, it was off to the zoo. I had pretty much guessed where the parking would be based on the vague instructions on the website. We ended up parked right next to the race area! I think it was officially the backup parking because a lot of people seemed to be coming to the field from the opposite direction.
We got our registrations and our chips and then we had plenty of time to kill. We watched the 10K racers start off, then wandered around a bit. The first 10K finishers got back in about 30 minutes - impressive. I saw a kid cross the mat at about 45 minutes - my goal for the 5K! We took a quick warmup jog and then I got in line for the restroom. While I was in line, the started calling the 5K runners to the start. I didn't think I'd get to the front of the line in time, so I gave up.
Alec and I started out together, but they called the faster runners to move up closer to the line so he went up there - I didn't want him to have a bad time b/c he was trying to stay with me. The starting gun went off . . . and I stood there . . . there were so many people that I didn't move for a couple of minutes. Finally, across the mat I went.
The first part of the course went through the zoo and was pretty flat. Since it was early and the zoo wasn't open yet, there weren't any animals out - all I saw were some flamingos. Part of the zoo is set up like a Texas town and there I found a bathroom so I made a quick stop. I also took the time to take off my hoodie because I was starting to get warm.
As we left the zoo and went into the neighborhood around it, the hills began. And they were some big hills. So, I did a lot of walking in the 2nd mile. I had seen the mile 1 marker but nothing after that and not having a watch I had no idea how I was doing time-wise. I actually got pretty discouraged for a few minutes. I was convinced there was no way I'd make my goal time and I was kicking myself for not trying harder.
Finally, there was a huge downhill - I had to resist the urge not to run pell-mel down it and tried to control my stride somewhat and use the momentum. Finally, we rounded a bend and I could see the finish line. I got really excited when I realized we were on a different course than the 10K and didn't have a big loop to get there.
As I approached the finish, I started to look for Alec - we had agreed that if he got done quickly enough, he would go grab the camera from the car. I spotted him and gave him a wave. About the same time, I could see the clock at the finish line. I thought it read 48-going-on-49 minutes and I felt disappointed - I was pretty sure that it hadn't taken me 4 minutes to cross the start line - I wasn't going to reach my 45 minute goal.
Then, I realized the 8 was a 3! And I got so excited I just started to sprint for the finish line. I crossed the mat at around 44:12! I headed to a volunteer to get my chip cut off and then found Alec. I was so relieved to be done and to have beat my goal (despite the hills and the walking and the pit stop) that I cried a bit. My chip time should come out around 43 minutes. We didn't stick around long enough to get the results because we had to get back to pick up River from the kennel. We haven't found them on-line yet, but hopefully they will post them sometime this week. (Update - just found the results on-line. My chip time is 43:23.1. My offical gun time was 44:13.5. I placed 1209th overall (out of 1606) and 77th in my age group. Alec's gun time was 28:20.2 and his chip time was 27:39.4. He placed 401st overall and 21st in his age group.)
Overall, it was a fun experience. I still have a long way to go before January, but I've crossed the first hurdle.
Here's a video of me crossing the finish line:
We headed down to the city on Friday night. We were able to check out a really cool arts festival that was going on in the beautiful downtown area. Lots of good food and good music and amazing artwork. It was a great evening! But, a short one since we knew we'd have to be up early Saturday morning.
The race information had said to allow 45 minutes to park. Since we weren't able to do an early packet pickup and that ended at 7:45 am, I figured we needed to be there no later than about 10 minutes to 7.
I set the alarm for 5:45, and when it went off, promptly set it for another 10 minutes. I drug myself out of bed and got dressed, then woke Alec up. Our hotel had a decent continental breakfast, so we had a good pre-race meal - bagels & cream cheese. Then, it was off to the zoo. I had pretty much guessed where the parking would be based on the vague instructions on the website. We ended up parked right next to the race area! I think it was officially the backup parking because a lot of people seemed to be coming to the field from the opposite direction.
We got our registrations and our chips and then we had plenty of time to kill. We watched the 10K racers start off, then wandered around a bit. The first 10K finishers got back in about 30 minutes - impressive. I saw a kid cross the mat at about 45 minutes - my goal for the 5K! We took a quick warmup jog and then I got in line for the restroom. While I was in line, the started calling the 5K runners to the start. I didn't think I'd get to the front of the line in time, so I gave up.
Alec and I started out together, but they called the faster runners to move up closer to the line so he went up there - I didn't want him to have a bad time b/c he was trying to stay with me. The starting gun went off . . . and I stood there . . . there were so many people that I didn't move for a couple of minutes. Finally, across the mat I went.
The first part of the course went through the zoo and was pretty flat. Since it was early and the zoo wasn't open yet, there weren't any animals out - all I saw were some flamingos. Part of the zoo is set up like a Texas town and there I found a bathroom so I made a quick stop. I also took the time to take off my hoodie because I was starting to get warm.
As we left the zoo and went into the neighborhood around it, the hills began. And they were some big hills. So, I did a lot of walking in the 2nd mile. I had seen the mile 1 marker but nothing after that and not having a watch I had no idea how I was doing time-wise. I actually got pretty discouraged for a few minutes. I was convinced there was no way I'd make my goal time and I was kicking myself for not trying harder.
Finally, there was a huge downhill - I had to resist the urge not to run pell-mel down it and tried to control my stride somewhat and use the momentum. Finally, we rounded a bend and I could see the finish line. I got really excited when I realized we were on a different course than the 10K and didn't have a big loop to get there.
As I approached the finish, I started to look for Alec - we had agreed that if he got done quickly enough, he would go grab the camera from the car. I spotted him and gave him a wave. About the same time, I could see the clock at the finish line. I thought it read 48-going-on-49 minutes and I felt disappointed - I was pretty sure that it hadn't taken me 4 minutes to cross the start line - I wasn't going to reach my 45 minute goal.
Then, I realized the 8 was a 3! And I got so excited I just started to sprint for the finish line. I crossed the mat at around 44:12! I headed to a volunteer to get my chip cut off and then found Alec. I was so relieved to be done and to have beat my goal (despite the hills and the walking and the pit stop) that I cried a bit. My chip time should come out around 43 minutes. We didn't stick around long enough to get the results because we had to get back to pick up River from the kennel. We haven't found them on-line yet, but hopefully they will post them sometime this week. (Update - just found the results on-line. My chip time is 43:23.1. My offical gun time was 44:13.5. I placed 1209th overall (out of 1606) and 77th in my age group. Alec's gun time was 28:20.2 and his chip time was 27:39.4. He placed 401st overall and 21st in his age group.)
Overall, it was a fun experience. I still have a long way to go before January, but I've crossed the first hurdle.
Here's a video of me crossing the finish line:
Friday, April 18, 2008
Running Update - Tuesday & Thursday
Just a quick update on the running progress (or lack thereof) this week.
Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days that the local running club runs together. Alec ran with them a couple times last summer, but when they switched to 5:30 instead of 6 pm for their runs when daylight savings time ended, he felt like it was too early for him to make it. And let me tell you, it's hard enough to get him in gear to go at 6, so 5:30 would not have happened. Anyway, now that they're back to 6 pm, Alec wanted to start running with them again.
Tuesday was a beautiful day and we met up with the club at the same park where we've been starting from on our own. Alec ran with the club and I ran my 2.5 mile route - they were doing a full 5K and there weren't any slow runners that night so I didn't feel comfortable trying to keep up. And, not knowing the route, I didn't want to get lost back in the neighborhood. I started out pretty well, but then came my nemesis - the wind. It was awful. Luckily, it was a warm wind so I didn't have the ear issues I'd had on Sunday. But, it still made it hard to run. I'd taken a couple brief walk breaks in about the first 2 miles, but I'm pretty sure I walked at least 1/2 mile at the end. We didn't really figure out my pace, but Alec said he didn't think I was too far off.
Yesterday, well, it was an adventure. Just before we were leaving to run, dark clouds covered the sky. I asked Alec if we should even go. He checked the radar on line and said we weren't going to get anything. So, we set out. This run was at the local golf course and there was going to be a cookout & running club meeting afterwards. We were running late, so when we got there, the group had left. We weren't too far behind, so Alec took off at a quick pace to try & catch up. I trotted along at my usual pace.
The official route everyone was running wasn't that clearly marked but I figured the paths would eventually wend their way back to the clubhouse where we were parked. And, I'm sure they would have. But, it started to rain. At first, it was just a few drops and I figured I'd tough it out. However, just as I got to a little cul-de-sac in the cart path and wasn't really sure where to go, the heavens opened up and it started to pour. There was also lightening. Where should you not be during a lightening storm? In the middle of a golf course. Where was I? In the middle of a golf course.
I spotted the clubhouse across the grass and decided my best bet was to just hightail it over there. So I did, arriving drenched under the shelter of the patio, without the slightest idea how far I'd run or what my time was. Oh, well.
Eventually, the rain let up and so we were still able to have the cookout & meeting. The people in the club all seem really nice and hopefully one day I'll be fast enough to run with them!
The 5K is Saturday so we're heading down to the city tonight to spend the night. Hopefully, it will go well. I've decided I will be happy with a 45 minute time, which is a little slower than what I've been doing, but apparently mile 2 is very hilly!
Tuesdays and Thursdays are the days that the local running club runs together. Alec ran with them a couple times last summer, but when they switched to 5:30 instead of 6 pm for their runs when daylight savings time ended, he felt like it was too early for him to make it. And let me tell you, it's hard enough to get him in gear to go at 6, so 5:30 would not have happened. Anyway, now that they're back to 6 pm, Alec wanted to start running with them again.
Tuesday was a beautiful day and we met up with the club at the same park where we've been starting from on our own. Alec ran with the club and I ran my 2.5 mile route - they were doing a full 5K and there weren't any slow runners that night so I didn't feel comfortable trying to keep up. And, not knowing the route, I didn't want to get lost back in the neighborhood. I started out pretty well, but then came my nemesis - the wind. It was awful. Luckily, it was a warm wind so I didn't have the ear issues I'd had on Sunday. But, it still made it hard to run. I'd taken a couple brief walk breaks in about the first 2 miles, but I'm pretty sure I walked at least 1/2 mile at the end. We didn't really figure out my pace, but Alec said he didn't think I was too far off.
Yesterday, well, it was an adventure. Just before we were leaving to run, dark clouds covered the sky. I asked Alec if we should even go. He checked the radar on line and said we weren't going to get anything. So, we set out. This run was at the local golf course and there was going to be a cookout & running club meeting afterwards. We were running late, so when we got there, the group had left. We weren't too far behind, so Alec took off at a quick pace to try & catch up. I trotted along at my usual pace.
The official route everyone was running wasn't that clearly marked but I figured the paths would eventually wend their way back to the clubhouse where we were parked. And, I'm sure they would have. But, it started to rain. At first, it was just a few drops and I figured I'd tough it out. However, just as I got to a little cul-de-sac in the cart path and wasn't really sure where to go, the heavens opened up and it started to pour. There was also lightening. Where should you not be during a lightening storm? In the middle of a golf course. Where was I? In the middle of a golf course.
I spotted the clubhouse across the grass and decided my best bet was to just hightail it over there. So I did, arriving drenched under the shelter of the patio, without the slightest idea how far I'd run or what my time was. Oh, well.
Eventually, the rain let up and so we were still able to have the cookout & meeting. The people in the club all seem really nice and hopefully one day I'll be fast enough to run with them!
The 5K is Saturday so we're heading down to the city tonight to spend the night. Hopefully, it will go well. I've decided I will be happy with a 45 minute time, which is a little slower than what I've been doing, but apparently mile 2 is very hilly!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Running Update
I'm not really doing the official Couch to 5K thing anymore. With the 5K this weekend, I've just been trying to up my distance on my own.
We were lazy the rest of last week. Finally, we went for a run on Sunday. Alec suggested that we try 2.5 miles. This did not go well. It was very windy, for one thing (and I thought Oklahoma was "where the wind comes sweeping down the plains"!) and it was a cold wind, which bothered my ears. So, I had kind of a meltdown around mile 1. Not pretty. I walked a lot and ended up finishing the 2.5 miles in 33:49. Which is actually a fairly respectable 13:31 pace. I hadn't figured that out until just now. Which is actually a bit faster than we want for the 1/2 marathon. We're going for 13:44. Wow, I feel a lot better about myself.
Today, we did the 2.5 mile route again. I still walked quite a bit, but I shaved a whopping 20 seconds off my time and finished in 33:29. That averages out to 13:20 minute miles.
I'm still not sure I'm going to be able to run the whole way on Saturday, but we'll see.
We were lazy the rest of last week. Finally, we went for a run on Sunday. Alec suggested that we try 2.5 miles. This did not go well. It was very windy, for one thing (and I thought Oklahoma was "where the wind comes sweeping down the plains"!) and it was a cold wind, which bothered my ears. So, I had kind of a meltdown around mile 1. Not pretty. I walked a lot and ended up finishing the 2.5 miles in 33:49. Which is actually a fairly respectable 13:31 pace. I hadn't figured that out until just now. Which is actually a bit faster than we want for the 1/2 marathon. We're going for 13:44. Wow, I feel a lot better about myself.
Today, we did the 2.5 mile route again. I still walked quite a bit, but I shaved a whopping 20 seconds off my time and finished in 33:29. That averages out to 13:20 minute miles.
I'm still not sure I'm going to be able to run the whole way on Saturday, but we'll see.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Couch to 5K - 2 Mile Run - I did it!
Last night, I ran two miles!! Yeah for me!!
My original goal when I started running was to be able to run 5K by my birthday. But, since I struggled so much with hitting the 2-mile mark, it was pretty clear that wasn't going to happen. So, I dialed that back to 2 miles.
Well, over the weekend we were just flat lazy, and we didn't run. We swore we'd go Monday. Except we were under a tornado warning, so going for a run didn't really seem like the best idea.
So yesterday, my big birthday celebration was to go running!
I had lamented on the Nest that I couldn't seem to get past the 2-mile hurdle. One piece of advice I received was to change up the route I run. The problem with that was that we didn't know of any other places in town where the mileage is marked off, like it is at the park where we've been running. One of the other Nestie runners told me about a cool website, http://www.mapmyrun.com, where you can use a Google map to map out a run and it will tell you how far it is. So, I mapped out a 2-mile route (actually, it was 2.08 miles) starting from another park and running through a really nice neighborhood. (Obviously, I like to run in places with good scenery!)
I did walk a tiny bit (about a block) but other than that, I ran the whole way! It was a great way to celebrate my birthday.
Then we went to the grocery store and bought a cake and some chips for dinner. That was pretty funny - two people who had obviously just finished exercising checking out of the grocery store with two bags of chips and a Boston Creme cake.
My original goal when I started running was to be able to run 5K by my birthday. But, since I struggled so much with hitting the 2-mile mark, it was pretty clear that wasn't going to happen. So, I dialed that back to 2 miles.
Well, over the weekend we were just flat lazy, and we didn't run. We swore we'd go Monday. Except we were under a tornado warning, so going for a run didn't really seem like the best idea.
So yesterday, my big birthday celebration was to go running!
I had lamented on the Nest that I couldn't seem to get past the 2-mile hurdle. One piece of advice I received was to change up the route I run. The problem with that was that we didn't know of any other places in town where the mileage is marked off, like it is at the park where we've been running. One of the other Nestie runners told me about a cool website, http://www.mapmyrun.com, where you can use a Google map to map out a run and it will tell you how far it is. So, I mapped out a 2-mile route (actually, it was 2.08 miles) starting from another park and running through a really nice neighborhood. (Obviously, I like to run in places with good scenery!)
I did walk a tiny bit (about a block) but other than that, I ran the whole way! It was a great way to celebrate my birthday.
Then we went to the grocery store and bought a cake and some chips for dinner. That was pretty funny - two people who had obviously just finished exercising checking out of the grocery store with two bags of chips and a Boston Creme cake.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Couch to 5K - 2 Mile Run, Attempt #4
Still no success! Blech!
We went last night. It was very windy, so that really killed me. Running into the wind really made it harder. I walked a lot. I don't even want to discuss how much.
I don't really have anything else to say. Tomorrow will be another attempt.
We went last night. It was very windy, so that really killed me. Running into the wind really made it harder. I walked a lot. I don't even want to discuss how much.
I don't really have anything else to say. Tomorrow will be another attempt.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Couch to 5K - 2 mile run, attempt #3
Yesterday was my third attempt at running 2 miles - and the third time was not the charm!
Alec did not feel like running, but I made him go with me anyway. We took River and he walked with her while I ran. At least I ran faster than they can walk! Of course River has to stop and smell everything so that slows down the pace quite a bit. River was funny barking at the ducks and geese at the park. She doesn't have much experience with them; I don't think she knew what to make of them.
Anyway, enough about River. This post is supposed to be about running. I ran the first full mile, then went a little further after the turn back than last time. Probably not more than a few yards, but still further. Then I had to stop for a short walk. I started running again at the same place as before. I stopped for a walk at the same spot and walked for the same distance. By this time I had caught back up to Alec and River, so Alec made me run a little further than I wanted to (of course). After another short walk, I ran to the end.
I hope that by the end of the week, I'll be able to do the whole 2 miles. I wanted to be doing 5K by my birthday, but that's not going to happen, so I hope I can at least say I did 2 miles by then!
Alec did not feel like running, but I made him go with me anyway. We took River and he walked with her while I ran. At least I ran faster than they can walk! Of course River has to stop and smell everything so that slows down the pace quite a bit. River was funny barking at the ducks and geese at the park. She doesn't have much experience with them; I don't think she knew what to make of them.
Anyway, enough about River. This post is supposed to be about running. I ran the first full mile, then went a little further after the turn back than last time. Probably not more than a few yards, but still further. Then I had to stop for a short walk. I started running again at the same place as before. I stopped for a walk at the same spot and walked for the same distance. By this time I had caught back up to Alec and River, so Alec made me run a little further than I wanted to (of course). After another short walk, I ran to the end.
I hope that by the end of the week, I'll be able to do the whole 2 miles. I wanted to be doing 5K by my birthday, but that's not going to happen, so I hope I can at least say I did 2 miles by then!
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