So, we have a new box. There's a local CSA that decided to try and expand to schools. So, they have partnered with several schools around town. Families sign up. The boxes are delivered once/ week and they are $25. The school gets a $3 donation. You can "add on" other things like extra fruits and veggies, bread, etc., and the school gets a cut of that too.
It's great! If you remember, I get a box from the farmer's market on Saturdays (we switched to this when our CSA stopped being a CSA). But I find that we run out of fruit and veg by Thursday. Conveniently, box delivery is Wednesday.
This is awesome! And...this sucks. The first few weeks I was plagued with sick family members and traveling husband. Oh. My. God. So much washing and chopping and cooking. I'm trying to get into a good rhythm that isn't "just spend every waking moment not at work or helping kids with homework washing and prepping vegetables."
As an example, this is what we got this week:
Saturday box:
Apples - 1 lb
Oranges - 2 lb
Broccoli - 1 large bunch
Cherry tomatoes - 1 basket
Carrots - 1 bunch
Lettuce - 1 head
Radishes - 1 bunch
Baby mixed greens - 1 bag
Kale - one bunch
Plums - 1 lb (about 5)
Peppers, baby - 1 basket
Wednesday box:
Strawberries - 1 basket
Cantaloupe - 1
Celery - 1 bunch
Carrots - 1 bunch
Zucchini - 1.5 lb
Apples - 2
Cherry tomatoes - 1 basket
Broccolini - 1 bunch
Avocado - 1
Sigh.
It's Saturday again.
The hardest thing is the fruit. My kids eat free lunch at school - we got 30-40 servings of fruit between the two boxes. Not counting the bananas I buy. It's WORK. I'm eating 4 pieces a day and shoving it at everyone.
My lunch today was zucchini cashew soup and a gluten free bagel with 1/2 avocado and roasted cherry tomatoes with garlic. Dinner is going to be a massive chicken stew (carrots, celery, onion, and probably potatoes from today's box, if it comes in time!)
On to the running. I've run 2 half marathons this year. The next one is in two weeks. It's my therapy with the fucking political climate right now. It's healthier than wine, which I love but messes with my sleep. My May 1/2 was a 2:28 something finish. My September half was 3:23 (this one is all uphill with a 4000 ft elevation gain, so it's not the same!)
My goal for this one? Have fun, beat 2:28. I'm going to try and line up with the 2:15 pacer, but that's a bit of a stretch goal. My very first 1/2 ever was November 2009, and I finished in 2:17 something. My all time PR was 2010 with 2:11:04. Maybe I'll hit that someday? I did break a 10:00 mile recently on a 10k, so yay me!
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running. Show all posts
Saturday, October 6, 2018
Thursday, September 7, 2017
The BIG RACE report
The race report! As a reminder, this was an up hill half marathon. Ya know, approx 4000 ft of elevation gain over 13.1 miles.
So, we got a heat wave. It was supposed to hit on Tuesday and break on Thursday. Well, it hit late (Weds) and didn't break until...afternoon of race day. Boo! In fact, the hottest day all week was race day. No fog.
So remember those goals:
- Plan A (stretch goal) 3:30
- Plan B (totally do-able) 3:45
- Plan C 4:00
- Plan D - just finish! (This was the result. I came close to Plan C, but couldn't pull it out).
So the weather: It was hot and muggy - about 75F at the start (6:30 am), and by the time I finished, it was 95F at the top. Most of the race was really really hot. It was easily 85 at mile 4. I melt in the heat. Peak temp in town that afternoon was over 100, then we had a freak wind/rain storm that did a heck of a lot of damage, but cooled everything down 20 degrees.
It was interesting to see how it affected everyone. My coworkers all did great...but they were probably off their goal paces by 1:00 per mile. My training team was similar. Our leaders were off by 1:00 to 1:30 per mile (slower than normal). One woman hit her goal dead on (sub-3:00). The woman who usually runs a little faster than me beat her goal finishing time by 30 minutes. In the heat. That's crazy. (She did a sub-3:00.)
My finishing time was off by about 2:00 per mile from what I might have been able to do in better weather. But one of our group was off by 3:00 per mile. She was having a worse day than me (still finished ahead of me though!) There were several times that I didn't think I was going to finish. After mile 9, it was really just "finish". I drank a ton of water and electrolyte, but it was still miserable. Those last 4 miles took me >80 minutes. (Of course, the two steepest mile-long sections are in there.) I wasn't going to be a DNF. It was so hot I didn't even know how hot it was. Not until we got into the car to drive back down. The other issue I struggled with was the tight hamstrings. I usually do a run/ walk. I had a strategy on the mountain for the spots when I would run. But it was too hot to run in most of them. Too much of either (running or walking) makes my hamstrings unhappy.
Am I going to do it again? My neighbors up the street (husband has done it 2x) brought pina coladas that evening and asked me that. Maybe. If you had asked me last week I would have said "heck yea!" The training program is great and I feel SO STRONG. But I cannot help but be disappointed by the result. My husband is super proud (and I am too), but it's still disappointing to look at that finish time and realize that it doesn't reflect the training I put in. And honestly, that's because life sucks. Sometimes the weather sucks, or you get sick or injured, or you are just having a bad day.
Maybe my coworkers who always slept in later (and thus, did most of their training later in the morning when it was hotter on the mountain) were the smart ones!
The next day, aside from chapped lips and really sore toes (everything swelled up, including my feet - I shouldn't have sore toes from an all uphill half!), I felt great. Still haven't lost any toenails, so win!
So, we got a heat wave. It was supposed to hit on Tuesday and break on Thursday. Well, it hit late (Weds) and didn't break until...afternoon of race day. Boo! In fact, the hottest day all week was race day. No fog.
So remember those goals:
- Plan A (stretch goal) 3:30
- Plan B (totally do-able) 3:45
- Plan C 4:00
- Plan D - just finish! (This was the result. I came close to Plan C, but couldn't pull it out).
So the weather: It was hot and muggy - about 75F at the start (6:30 am), and by the time I finished, it was 95F at the top. Most of the race was really really hot. It was easily 85 at mile 4. I melt in the heat. Peak temp in town that afternoon was over 100, then we had a freak wind/rain storm that did a heck of a lot of damage, but cooled everything down 20 degrees.
It was interesting to see how it affected everyone. My coworkers all did great...but they were probably off their goal paces by 1:00 per mile. My training team was similar. Our leaders were off by 1:00 to 1:30 per mile (slower than normal). One woman hit her goal dead on (sub-3:00). The woman who usually runs a little faster than me beat her goal finishing time by 30 minutes. In the heat. That's crazy. (She did a sub-3:00.)
My finishing time was off by about 2:00 per mile from what I might have been able to do in better weather. But one of our group was off by 3:00 per mile. She was having a worse day than me (still finished ahead of me though!) There were several times that I didn't think I was going to finish. After mile 9, it was really just "finish". I drank a ton of water and electrolyte, but it was still miserable. Those last 4 miles took me >80 minutes. (Of course, the two steepest mile-long sections are in there.) I wasn't going to be a DNF. It was so hot I didn't even know how hot it was. Not until we got into the car to drive back down. The other issue I struggled with was the tight hamstrings. I usually do a run/ walk. I had a strategy on the mountain for the spots when I would run. But it was too hot to run in most of them. Too much of either (running or walking) makes my hamstrings unhappy.
Am I going to do it again? My neighbors up the street (husband has done it 2x) brought pina coladas that evening and asked me that. Maybe. If you had asked me last week I would have said "heck yea!" The training program is great and I feel SO STRONG. But I cannot help but be disappointed by the result. My husband is super proud (and I am too), but it's still disappointing to look at that finish time and realize that it doesn't reflect the training I put in. And honestly, that's because life sucks. Sometimes the weather sucks, or you get sick or injured, or you are just having a bad day.
Maybe my coworkers who always slept in later (and thus, did most of their training later in the morning when it was hotter on the mountain) were the smart ones!
The next day, aside from chapped lips and really sore toes (everything swelled up, including my feet - I shouldn't have sore toes from an all uphill half!), I felt great. Still haven't lost any toenails, so win!
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Exercise Goals Update
Since I need to update my totals for the year so far!
1. Exercise: as of Sunday 8/6/17
Running: 300 miles: To date: 243.2 miles So, I'm training for this crazy race. I'll definitely blow past this goal.
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 48.44 miles (been mostly running)
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 12.51 miles (the morning swim crowd probably don't remember what I look like).
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 147.13 miles (going to blow past this too)Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 603 minutes - way behind here
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 48.44 miles (been mostly running)
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 12.51 miles (the morning swim crowd probably don't remember what I look like).
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 147.13 miles (going to blow past this too)Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 603 minutes - way behind here
So, I joined a (paid) running training group for this crazy-ass uphill half marathon. Boy, it's gonna suck. My challenges are:
1. nutrition. I bonk. Need to figure out how often to do the gu
2. hydration. How much water to carry and how often to drink. Did I mention that it's going to be fucking hot?
3. hips. 7 miles is when it starts.
I'm hoping to beat 4 hours.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
2017 Goals Week 10 & 11
Whoops, I guess I missed a week? How did that happen?
1. Exercise: as of Saturday 3/18/17
Running: 300 miles: To date: 54.19 miles Whoo boy this went up a lot!
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 38.84 miles (this week we had a birthday and sleep issues)
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 7.31 miles (very sad. Last week the pool was closed one day and the lifeguard didn't show one day. This week I made it once).
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 44.14 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 368 minutes
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 38.84 miles (this week we had a birthday and sleep issues)
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 7.31 miles (very sad. Last week the pool was closed one day and the lifeguard didn't show one day. This week I made it once).
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 44.14 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 368 minutes
So, yesterday I ran a 10k race. I finished in 1:12:19, a 11:39 pace. Which is about 50 secs per mile faster than my training. And I am PAYING for it today (ow). I hit the carbs REALLY hard yesterday too. I was pretty tired.
This was 3 minutes faster than the 10k that I did in September. And it goes to show how they are all different. I really enjoyed the course...along the ocean for a lot of it, quite a bit of it in dirt. I run/ walk, so I played leap frog with 5 people for 4 miles until I could no longer leap them. The old guy? Turns out he's 73.
September was big, and I finished 47/87 in the 45-49 age group.
Yesterday was small, and I finished 10/10 in the same age group. My coach was 3rd.
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $96.77 & $83.69. My produce box was missing something this week too. Hopefully I'll get a credit. $1323.51 so far, or $120.32/ week. Not bad. Hm. I wonder if I'm missing some receipts.
3. Weight: I have no idea.
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: fail. fail. fail.
Do game night once a week: More like daytime games on weekends.
I am enjoying the hikes with my friends on weekends with the run group, but have to get the kids out! There's water in the creek!
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket - working on it. It's looking good!
- crochet a purse: nothing
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: I cut a bunch of blocks. We are all making 20 half square triangle blocks for each other.
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? Right now we are cleaning out closets - never did dig through stuff after Christmas. Donating stuff to the elementary school rummage sale. Not our school, but a different one.
6. Sleep: Um. So little guy had a cold. Monday night, he woke up crying every hour. So little sleep. Tuesday night I slept like the dead. Turns out it's because hubby slept with him. Weds night was worse than Monday, because he just wouldn't let me leave his room. I was awake for hours. Friday night I couldn't sleep because of race nervousness and last night was awful because big kid had a sleepover. Please don't ask me how last week was - I don't remember!
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. I'm not sure when or if I'm going to jump back on this train.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Ditto. See #7. I'm making a lot of things over and over again.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet. REALLY need to.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill! Haven't gotten the written estimate.
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket - working on it. It's looking good!
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: I cut a bunch of blocks. We are all making 20 half square triangle blocks for each other.
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? Right now we are cleaning out closets - never did dig through stuff after Christmas. Donating stuff to the elementary school rummage sale. Not our school, but a different one.
6. Sleep: Um. So little guy had a cold. Monday night, he woke up crying every hour. So little sleep. Tuesday night I slept like the dead. Turns out it's because hubby slept with him. Weds night was worse than Monday, because he just wouldn't let me leave his room. I was awake for hours. Friday night I couldn't sleep because of race nervousness and last night was awful because big kid had a sleepover. Please don't ask me how last week was - I don't remember!
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. I'm not sure when or if I'm going to jump back on this train.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Ditto. See #7. I'm making a lot of things over and over again.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet. REALLY need to.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill! Haven't gotten the written estimate.
Honda is going to be fine, still driving the rental. It's an SUV and pretty sweet, but kinda big.
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch. Now we are discussing hiring a landscaper to do the work. Friend in the neighborhood.
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date. We went to the school fundraiser last weekend and had a great time. Wasn't much of a date - we tend to socialize with others!
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): Uh, lots of coffee this week.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships. I don't even drink that much anymore, but I did open a bottle Friday night. Bought two bottles at the school fundraiser.
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch. Now we are discussing hiring a landscaper to do the work. Friend in the neighborhood.
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date. We went to the school fundraiser last weekend and had a great time. Wasn't much of a date - we tend to socialize with others!
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): Uh, lots of coffee this week.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships. I don't even drink that much anymore, but I did open a bottle Friday night. Bought two bottles at the school fundraiser.
- Drink two 24-oz bottles of water a day, minimum. I managed this on my running days.
14. Mom's nights/ dad's night once a month: Jan, check. Feb, fail.
15. Host friends. Jan, check. Feb, fail. We did make it to the neighborhood potluck today.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
2017 Goals - Week 9
1. Exercise: as of Saturday 3/4/17
Running: 300 miles: To date: 33.15 miles (4.1 miles in pouring rain today)
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 19.4 miles
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 6.74 miles
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 37.89 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 353 minutes
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $127.23. My produce box was missing 2 baskets of strawberries! First ones of the season. They said they'll give them to me next week. I was really looking forward to them! 😪
3. Weight: 139
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: fail. fail. fail.
Do game night once a week: More like daytime games on weekends.
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket - working on it
- crochet a purse: nothing
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: nothing. I don't even remember what this is.
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? Right now we are cleaning out closets - never did dig through stuff after Christmas. Donating stuff to the elementary school rummage sale. Not our school, but a different one.
6. Sleep: Meh, okay this week.
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. I'm not sure when or if I'm going to jump back on this train.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Ditto. See #7. Did make some blood orange/ lemon muffins that we improvised on.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet. REALLY need to.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill! Haven't gotten the written estimate.
Biking: 500 miles: To date: 19.4 miles
Swimming: 50 miles: To date: 6.74 miles
Walking: 150 miles: To date: 37.89 miles
Weights/ yoga: 30 minutes a week (1560 this year): 353 minutes
2. Grocery bill: Keep it under $7000 ($134.62/wk): $127.23. My produce box was missing 2 baskets of strawberries! First ones of the season. They said they'll give them to me next week. I was really looking forward to them! 😪
3. Weight: 139
4. Family:
Go on 12 family hikes: fail. fail. fail.
Do game night once a week: More like daytime games on weekends.
5. Crafts:
- Crochet a blanket - working on it
- participate in my quilting group's exchange: nothing. I don't even remember what this is.
- make 12 snowflakes: nothing
- attempt to make socks: I've pinned a bunch of instructions? Right now we are cleaning out closets - never did dig through stuff after Christmas. Donating stuff to the elementary school rummage sale. Not our school, but a different one.
6. Sleep: Meh, okay this week.
7. Food: eat vegan 2 days a week. I'm not sure when or if I'm going to jump back on this train.
8. Cookbooks: Try 1 recipe from every cookbook I own. Ditto. See #7. Did make some blood orange/ lemon muffins that we improvised on.
9. Work:
a. Skills: Learn enough programming to automate the data pulls for problem lots (which requires pulling data from 2 different databases). Haven't worked on this yet. REALLY need to.
b. Personal: Don't engage. Really.
10. Home: Contact contractor/ architect on adding a second bathroom.Nothing. But we did talk to the plumber about (finally) replacing the sewer line. Nothing like $8k bill! Haven't gotten the written estimate.
On top of that, our car just got crunched pulling out of the driveway today. Same thing happened EXACTLY 8 years ago. A row of 3 big-ass SUVs parked in front of our house, blocking view of oncoming traffic. Here's to hoping it's not totaled. The car is 8 years old with only 60k miles on it. It needs to live another decade. It's a honda!
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch. Now we are discussing hiring a landscaper to do the work. Friend in the neighborhood.
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date: nothing. We need a date. We will at least get one at the school fundraiser this coming weekend.
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): Okay on this one.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships. I don't even drink that much anymore, but I did open a bottle Friday night. Something about having to drag my 4 year old out of preschool - carried him screaming and kicking to the car. (He wanted daddy.)
11. Garden: actually plant tomatoes this year. Baby steps. Nothing
Ooh, need to add: put some ground cover in the back dirt patch. Now we are discussing hiring a landscaper to do the work. Friend in the neighborhood.
12. Spouse: once a month lunch date: nothing. We need a date. We will at least get one at the school fundraiser this coming weekend.
13. Beverages:
- Drink less coffee and more tea (one cup coffee per day): Okay on this one.
- Do not buy any wine aside from my two wine club memberships. I don't even drink that much anymore, but I did open a bottle Friday night. Something about having to drag my 4 year old out of preschool - carried him screaming and kicking to the car. (He wanted daddy.)
- Drink two 24-oz bottles of water a day, minimum. I managed this a couple of days. I do best when I just fill my big bottle twice.
14. Mom's nights/ dad's night once a month: Jan, check. Feb, fail.
15. Host friends. Jan, check. Feb, fail.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Post race meal
Turkey sandwich, melon, and I already ate the green beans.
Pre race meal was toast with peanut butter and banana.
Time was 1:02:58, a full 45 sec. faster than last year. Splits aren't up yet, but I can tell you I lost time on the bike-run transition. My spot on the rack was taken, I knocked someone else's bike off while trying to squeeze mine back in, then had to put theirs back on, and mine back on, all the while trying to ignore my coworker yelling my name from the sidelines.
Pre race meal was toast with peanut butter and banana.
Time was 1:02:58, a full 45 sec. faster than last year. Splits aren't up yet, but I can tell you I lost time on the bike-run transition. My spot on the rack was taken, I knocked someone else's bike off while trying to squeeze mine back in, then had to put theirs back on, and mine back on, all the while trying to ignore my coworker yelling my name from the sidelines.
Updated to add splits:
Swim: 1:05 faster than last time! Next year: try to break 14:00 mins (this year was 14:13).
T1: 30 secs faster, even getting on the Vibrams. Not sure if I can break 3 min getting those on.
Bike: 32 secs slower than last year. Short of getting a road bike instead of a mountain bike, or getting pedals with the straps on top, not sure what I can do here. Not interested in spending $600-1000 on a bike to get faster here. I mostly use my bike to ride to work.
T2: 5 sec faster, even with the problem getting my spot back.
Run: 23 sec slower. Last year, I'd just come off a half marathon. This year, I had a side stitch and kinda felt like puking for half the run. I was a hair slower than a 10 min mile.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, August 29, 2010
1:03:43
Finishing time on the Santa Barbara Sprint Tri. I kick butt :)
My friend, the swim coach, won our division. She kicks more butt.
My friend, the swim coach, won our division. She kicks more butt.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Tri training, physical therapy, and a 5k
Well, tri training is going well. My Sprint Tri (500m swim, 6 mi bike, 2 mi run) is in two weeks. And boy, has it been cold.
While the rest of the country is sweltering, So Cal has been cool and foggy. GREAT for running, NOT so great for swimming in the ocean. Rumor has it that the ocean is usually around 65-69 degrees right now. Nope, it's 59-60. And ROUGH! The last couple of weeks we've had 2 ft swells, and that makes it hard to swim, especially for a newbie. My abs get tired, and I have a hard time keeping form. I have a hard time going in one direction, and sighting slows me down. But hey, I'm swimming in the ocean.
Physical therapy is going well with my sciatic nerve pinch in my leg. I am strengthening my hips and glutes, and learning to run correctly - apparently I generally just use my leg, which causes stress on my hip, which means my performis? is constantly trying to contract, which pinches the sciatic nerve. OH, and I don't stretch enough. But I knew that. My run times aren't getting any worse (but I'm sure I can't go run 8 miles anymore, also, my abs get tired running the "correct" way - like "run like you are running away from something").
Today I ran a 5k. I mentioned it to Kalli, as she and Bill we looking for a race to run. This race was *very* casual, which is why I like it. I generally finish middle-of-the-pack on my runs, and this one I came in 4th. Again. Where I came in 2 years ago. In fact, if I hadn't mentioned it to Kalli (who came in 3rd) and another friend Becky (who came in 2nd), I could have placed!! Ah well. I would have won if I'd been running in the 20-24 age group. :) Official time: 27:27. Which is why I like this race. Makes me feel fast. And there's ice cream at the end.
Bill won his age group! (and came in 3rd overall). He finished in 18-something. AWESOME.
Time to go shower. Part of dinner's in the crockpot, friends are coming over for dinner. Need to clean up the house a bit too.
NEXT Friday is a wine-tasting benefit for Heal The Ocean. My tri team is sponsoring it. For $50, lots of great wine-tasting and food sampling in the downtown wineries. I'll be there. Join me if you are local!
While the rest of the country is sweltering, So Cal has been cool and foggy. GREAT for running, NOT so great for swimming in the ocean. Rumor has it that the ocean is usually around 65-69 degrees right now. Nope, it's 59-60. And ROUGH! The last couple of weeks we've had 2 ft swells, and that makes it hard to swim, especially for a newbie. My abs get tired, and I have a hard time keeping form. I have a hard time going in one direction, and sighting slows me down. But hey, I'm swimming in the ocean.
Physical therapy is going well with my sciatic nerve pinch in my leg. I am strengthening my hips and glutes, and learning to run correctly - apparently I generally just use my leg, which causes stress on my hip, which means my performis? is constantly trying to contract, which pinches the sciatic nerve. OH, and I don't stretch enough. But I knew that. My run times aren't getting any worse (but I'm sure I can't go run 8 miles anymore, also, my abs get tired running the "correct" way - like "run like you are running away from something").
Today I ran a 5k. I mentioned it to Kalli, as she and Bill we looking for a race to run. This race was *very* casual, which is why I like it. I generally finish middle-of-the-pack on my runs, and this one I came in 4th. Again. Where I came in 2 years ago. In fact, if I hadn't mentioned it to Kalli (who came in 3rd) and another friend Becky (who came in 2nd), I could have placed!! Ah well. I would have won if I'd been running in the 20-24 age group. :) Official time: 27:27. Which is why I like this race. Makes me feel fast. And there's ice cream at the end.
Bill won his age group! (and came in 3rd overall). He finished in 18-something. AWESOME.
Time to go shower. Part of dinner's in the crockpot, friends are coming over for dinner. Need to clean up the house a bit too.
NEXT Friday is a wine-tasting benefit for Heal The Ocean. My tri team is sponsoring it. For $50, lots of great wine-tasting and food sampling in the downtown wineries. I'll be there. Join me if you are local!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
I'm baaack...fitness while on vacation.
In case you've wondered why not very many new posts...here's the deal. I was on vacation for two weeks, visiting family. And I know better than to post it on Facebook or on the internet.
I'm going to discuss fitness while on vacation. I could discuss diet while on vacation. But really, I gained 4 or 5 lbs, so I'm probably not the best person to discuss it. I did a pretty good job of mostly avoiding sweets. But I still ate too much on this trip. And of course, the salt that you end up with from "travel food" doesn't help either. Hopefully by Tuesday I'll be less bloated.
But exercise, that I can discuss. I like to have vacations that are active. And even though I like to relax on vacay, I find that if I don't schedule my workouts, it doesn't happen. Easy options if you don't have access to a gym (and I didn't) are running, walking, biking, videos - I took DVDs, but never used them. Swimming, frisbee, hiking, surfing.
So here's a summary of what I accomplished on my 2 week journey through the states of PA and NY:
Friday 6/4: walked 4 miles. This was a workday, but we drove to LAX after work.
Saturday: 20 min walk/run in the hotel plus 15 mins of weightlifting, before getting on the plane.
Sunday: 25 min yoga podcast from yogadownload.com (thanks to fitnessista for leading me to them!). You see, we arrived to tornado watches. It was nasty.
Monday: Ran 8 miles through the woods in rural PA, while my spouse gamely followed me on a too-small bicycle. Saw a deer run across the path in front of me. This run was almost all through the woods.
Tuesday: Walk 5.2 miles with my sis. Yeah, lotta gabbing.
Wednesday: Nuthin. It was raining. Threw me off my game. Let's call it my "rest day".
Thursday: Run 3 miles with the spouse (my sister in PA has this "loop") plus pushups, dips, and crunches.
Friday: Walk the 3 mile loop with the spouse, before heading off to rent a car and go to Cornell in Ithaca, NY. My husband's college reunion. He's old.
Saturday: Run 3 miles through Cornell. Remarkably, my hubby showed me the way on a map that was generally flat. Remarkable for Cornell. Beautiful university. Fun fact: Cornell costs about $50k per year (tuition, room, board) these days. And the dorms are still crappy.
Sunday: Walked about 7 mins before the downpour started, ended up doing the 25 min yoga podcast before driving to Syracuse to briefly visit friends (before heading off to family in Schenectady later that day).
Monday: Run 3 miles through my hubby's old 'hood.
Tuesday: Walk 3.75 miles with hubby, around Collins lake.
Wednesday: Run 7 miles along the Mohawk River Bike path. Plus crunches, pushups, and dips.
Thursday: didn't get started first thing in the morning, so did a short 2 mile afternoon stroll.
Friday: Run/walk 3.25 miles through the 'hood. Run one song on the old Ipod, walk one song.
Saturday: Walk 3.75 miles around Collins lake with the hub, before heading to the airport to fly home. Running on a day I'm flying is bad...all sorts of leg cramps ensue.
Sunday (today): Too many chores, hubby is working. Met my friends at the beach with the kids, did some shopping, including buying patio furniture so we have a place for our guests to sit at my 40TH BIRTHDAY PARTY THIS WEEKEND.
I'm going to discuss fitness while on vacation. I could discuss diet while on vacation. But really, I gained 4 or 5 lbs, so I'm probably not the best person to discuss it. I did a pretty good job of mostly avoiding sweets. But I still ate too much on this trip. And of course, the salt that you end up with from "travel food" doesn't help either. Hopefully by Tuesday I'll be less bloated.
But exercise, that I can discuss. I like to have vacations that are active. And even though I like to relax on vacay, I find that if I don't schedule my workouts, it doesn't happen. Easy options if you don't have access to a gym (and I didn't) are running, walking, biking, videos - I took DVDs, but never used them. Swimming, frisbee, hiking, surfing.
So here's a summary of what I accomplished on my 2 week journey through the states of PA and NY:
Friday 6/4: walked 4 miles. This was a workday, but we drove to LAX after work.
Saturday: 20 min walk/run in the hotel plus 15 mins of weightlifting, before getting on the plane.
Sunday: 25 min yoga podcast from yogadownload.com (thanks to fitnessista for leading me to them!). You see, we arrived to tornado watches. It was nasty.
Monday: Ran 8 miles through the woods in rural PA, while my spouse gamely followed me on a too-small bicycle. Saw a deer run across the path in front of me. This run was almost all through the woods.
Tuesday: Walk 5.2 miles with my sis. Yeah, lotta gabbing.
Wednesday: Nuthin. It was raining. Threw me off my game. Let's call it my "rest day".
Thursday: Run 3 miles with the spouse (my sister in PA has this "loop") plus pushups, dips, and crunches.
Friday: Walk the 3 mile loop with the spouse, before heading off to rent a car and go to Cornell in Ithaca, NY. My husband's college reunion. He's old.
Saturday: Run 3 miles through Cornell. Remarkably, my hubby showed me the way on a map that was generally flat. Remarkable for Cornell. Beautiful university. Fun fact: Cornell costs about $50k per year (tuition, room, board) these days. And the dorms are still crappy.
Sunday: Walked about 7 mins before the downpour started, ended up doing the 25 min yoga podcast before driving to Syracuse to briefly visit friends (before heading off to family in Schenectady later that day).
Monday: Run 3 miles through my hubby's old 'hood.
Tuesday: Walk 3.75 miles with hubby, around Collins lake.
Wednesday: Run 7 miles along the Mohawk River Bike path. Plus crunches, pushups, and dips.
Thursday: didn't get started first thing in the morning, so did a short 2 mile afternoon stroll.
Friday: Run/walk 3.25 miles through the 'hood. Run one song on the old Ipod, walk one song.
Saturday: Walk 3.75 miles around Collins lake with the hub, before heading to the airport to fly home. Running on a day I'm flying is bad...all sorts of leg cramps ensue.
Sunday (today): Too many chores, hubby is working. Met my friends at the beach with the kids, did some shopping, including buying patio furniture so we have a place for our guests to sit at my 40TH BIRTHDAY PARTY THIS WEEKEND.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Race Day!
Today is the Chardonnay 10-miler. My friend Monica and I are racing together (and by "together", I mean - we're driving to and from the race together, where she will run the 10 miles in something under 90 minutes and I will do my best to beat 100 minutes).
We're hoping to meet Kalli and her friend Krystle, who are coming up for the 5k.
This is my "warm-up" for the Wine Country Half in 3 weeks. Woo!
UPDATE:
Did get to meet Kalli and Krystle (you can see pics if you follow the link above to Kalli's blog). It was really fun to talk to them, but they were off like a shot at the beginning.
I had a GREAT race. Finished in 1:36:09 per the Garmin (probably a bit longer on the clock, 2-3 secs), for a pace of around 9:34 or 9:37/mile. Much faster than I was hoping for. I actually teared up when I saw the clock at the end.
We'll see what I can do in the half marathon in 3 weeks. Here's my stats from the Garmin. I think I should be offended at their very own definitions of "fast jog" and "slow run" (you try being female, almost 40, short, and stocky and tell me that I'm "jogging"). I can also see how my pace lines up with the hills...particularly that last killer one.
We're hoping to meet Kalli and her friend Krystle, who are coming up for the 5k.
This is my "warm-up" for the Wine Country Half in 3 weeks. Woo!
UPDATE:
Did get to meet Kalli and Krystle (you can see pics if you follow the link above to Kalli's blog). It was really fun to talk to them, but they were off like a shot at the beginning.
I had a GREAT race. Finished in 1:36:09 per the Garmin (probably a bit longer on the clock, 2-3 secs), for a pace of around 9:34 or 9:37/mile. Much faster than I was hoping for. I actually teared up when I saw the clock at the end.
We'll see what I can do in the half marathon in 3 weeks. Here's my stats from the Garmin. I think I should be offended at their very own definitions of "fast jog" and "slow run" (you try being female, almost 40, short, and stocky and tell me that I'm "jogging"). I can also see how my pace lines up with the hills...particularly that last killer one.
Monday, April 5, 2010
12 miles
Saturday I ran 12 miles. With a cold. And no drugs. And I did it in 10:28/mile, which is exactly my last (and only) half marathon pace. Not bad. It felt pretty good too, until the last 3-mile uphill slog (it was getting hot).
It's only the third time I've run that far (the 2nd one being the half).
Two weeks till the 10-miler and five till the half...
It's only the third time I've run that far (the 2nd one being the half).
Two weeks till the 10-miler and five till the half...
Friday, April 2, 2010
Running, Food, and a Cold
Well, I have today off. And of course, I go to bed last night feeling like a cold, hoping that it's just allergies. Bummer.
So yesterday at work, I ran on my lunch break. 3.15 miles in 28:03 minutes (8:54/mile). Which is really fast for me. And, I've been under a lot of stress at work lately.
Work stress + hard run = cold. Happens a lot to me. ON top of that, I've been hitting the See's candy (with a glass of milk) pretty hard, and I think it's causing me to break out. Ugh.
I haven't been posting many new recipes. I've tried a few, but they've been "meh". The carrot soup was okay, but needed a little bit of oomph. More ginger?
The spinach patties needed parmesan. I forgot to put it in there.
The potatoes were good, but they were just steamed, sliced, fried, and tossed with parsley and garlic and a teeny bit of butter. Interesting note: parsley from the garden is reallly dirty. Needed 4 dunkings to get it clean.
Last night's salad was awesome... clementines, avocado (I love my boss. He brings avocados. This one was HUGE and so buttery...), radishes, carrot, olives, walnuts, blue cheese...
This morning I made a bowl of oatmeal with raisins which was promptly stolen from me by my child. So now I'm trying to figure out what to eat, or just wait until he's done and microwave the rest.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Training
I haven't talked about running lately. I'm still running. Here's my training schedule.
I've registered for a 10-miler in April (The Chardonnay run) and my 2nd half marathon in May (the Wine Country Half)...hm...seems to be a wine theme, even though I don't plan on drinking. I LOVE wine, but not after running 10-13 miles.
I'm all geared up with new running shoes, my new Garmin 305 (great for tracking mileage) and a case of Gu (thanks to Monica and Pete). My 8-mile pace has been around 10:15 to 10:20/mile. My best pace at this distance was the 8.3 mile leg I ran in the marathon, at 9:50.
My goal for these two races is to finish one of them on an average 10:00/mile or better. Really, my primary goal is to finish and not be in severe pain, and not to injure myself. It may sound silly, but I am turning 40 this year, and I don't have a runner's build. For me to do that I have to work pretty hard at training, stretching, yoga. I have to be careful about my hips and my hamstrings. Despite running regularly since this time last year, and being at a long run of 8 miles/ week for months, I still have issues with my heart rate. My resting heart rate is the lowest its ever been, at 59 bpm. But when I run, my heart rate gets to be 190+ pretty easily when I aim for 10:00 miles or better.
But if I could do that AND beat 10:00, that would be great. So I am incorporating more pace runs (intervals) and tempo runs (race pace) into my week. I am still sticking to 3 runs/week.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
A Variety of Topics: on Health, Size, Weight, and Running
Boy, I've been thinking a lot lately about health, food, size, weight, and other topics. So, in no particular order...
1. Weight vs. Health: I've got a few favorite blogs (listed on the right). Two that I read nearly daily are Kath Eats and Eat Live Run. They have both covered the topic of weight recently. Both are younger women with very healthy diets and very healthy, active lifestyles. At some point, both got on the scale, and discovered a weight gain of 7-10 lbs.
In Kath's case, she decided awhile back to just not get on the scale and go by "how she feels". She was shocked to see the 7 lb weight gain, but decided that she feels great, so the number doesn't really matter.
For Jenna, she recently moved from Florida to California. Working in the wine industry, she discovered our fair state put about 10 lbs on her (I gained 25 when I moved here...and it wasn't the wine or fine food. It was pizza and burritos.) She also decided that she is going to enjoy the "fuller" look that she has.
So, is that okay? It's a trick question. The honest truth is that these women are beautiful, and even with the weight gain, both are still at very healthy weights, well within the BMI guidelines. It can be difficult, however, to accept a weight gain - to go from "thin" or "ideal" (from a media standpoint) body to what I consider a "normal" body. I know I have struggled with the same thoughts in the past.
7+ years ago, I lost 57 lbs. (Weight Watchers). I leveled out at a nice 125 lbs. Then there was trying to get pregnant and gaining, losing some, actually getting pregnant, taking longer to lose the baby weight... I eventually found myself back at 125 lbs. Then a vacation put me back at 130. Since, I've been 130-132, for the most part. I have maintained this weight almost effortlessly. When I occasionally hit 135, I do take care to watch the intake of wine, chocolate, and bread. There's still this tiny voice in my head telling me that 125 would be better. And I'm almost 40. I should know to ignore this voice. My husband and friends *really* don't like 125. Sometimes they are nice about it (sometimes not). But the fact is, my face gets really gaunt at 125 - so if I want "trim" hips and thighs (and they just aren't naturally thin), then it comes at the price of my face. I start looking old. So, okay.
I really like seeing young women with great habits also having good body acceptance (the earlier the better). Those two women are gorgeous, healthy, and fit and a TOTAL inspiration to this pushing-40 mama. There is so much disordered eating out there, from obesity to anorexia, bulimia, extreme food control, that finding a person with balance is refreshing.
This brings me to ...
2. Size. I've been thinking quite a bit lately about "vanity sizing". I discovered how ridiculous it has become when shopping for clothing at a CAbi party. I found a great pair of jeans, and the consultant suggested I buy a size 6. Um, I'm not a size 6. I was a six for awhile my freshman year in college when I was 20 lbs lighter and so skinny that I was amenhorreic. I ordered the 8. I got them home, tried them on, hemmed them. Then the first day that I wore them, they "stretched" and they are too darned big.
So why do I think this is awful? Well, I'm fit. I'm 5'2.5", and 130 lbs or so. I have a very curvaceous, muscular, lower half. I'm not offended at being in the double digits, really. But at this CAbi party, I have several friends who cannot even fit into a size ZERO anymore. So, I started thinking back.
In 1988, I was 110 lbs and a size 6.
In 1992, I was 130 lbs and a size 10-12.
In 1996, I got married at 135 lbs and my wedding dress was a 10 or a 12.
In 2002, I was 182 lbs and a size 18. When I lost weight, at around 130 lbs I was a 10. At about <127 lbs, I could comfortably fit into an 8.
In 2009, I am 130 lbs and a size 6 to 10.
To me, that looks like vanity sizes have dropped by at least two sizes (from a 12 to 8) in the last 17 years. I was the same size in 1992 as I am now. I mean, I bought running shorts in a small. A SMALL. Anyone who has seen my hips KNOWS I am not a small. I have to have my family order me shirts in a small because mediums (which I wore all the time 20 years ago) will swim on me.
So this made me wonder how long this has been going on. A simple google search did not turn up much useful information. Instead, I decided to google "1940's women's dress patterns". I used to sew clothing a bit in college, and from what I remember, you had to buy a pattern about two sizes up from what you bought in the store. If you were a 10 (as I was), you'd have to buy a size 14 pattern. Maybe that means vanity sizing started long ago, but the pattern makers did not catch up.
So I found this pattern.
I picked it because I measured my waist and hips, and they about match what this pattern said. When you look at the large image of the pattern, what does it say:
Size 16!! Yep. 16. (So don't listen when people tell you that Marilyn Monroe was a 12, when they talk about "size 12 isn't fat". Marilyn's size 12 wasn't what it is today.)
3. Running
I ran a 4-mile race on Thanksgiving. I felt GREAT. I finished in 36:46, beat my old best 4-miler time by 3 minutes. I passed people. A LOT of people. One of the guys that I caught up to was an old guy. He was hunched over. I stuck with him for about a mile, and was just thinking about passing him when we hit, oh, about 3.2 miles. Then he kicked it in. He just took off! I couldn't even keep up with him. Wow!
I went home and looked him up. 75 years old. He finished 5 people ahead of me. I hope that I'm running like that when I'm 75 (well, heck, I'd like to run that pace now). Older folks who are out there running are absolutely inspiring. Heck, all runners inspire me.
Today I ran 10 miles and I think I'm going to lose a toenail. Dang half marathon.
1. Weight vs. Health: I've got a few favorite blogs (listed on the right). Two that I read nearly daily are Kath Eats and Eat Live Run. They have both covered the topic of weight recently. Both are younger women with very healthy diets and very healthy, active lifestyles. At some point, both got on the scale, and discovered a weight gain of 7-10 lbs.
In Kath's case, she decided awhile back to just not get on the scale and go by "how she feels". She was shocked to see the 7 lb weight gain, but decided that she feels great, so the number doesn't really matter.
For Jenna, she recently moved from Florida to California. Working in the wine industry, she discovered our fair state put about 10 lbs on her (I gained 25 when I moved here...and it wasn't the wine or fine food. It was pizza and burritos.) She also decided that she is going to enjoy the "fuller" look that she has.
So, is that okay? It's a trick question. The honest truth is that these women are beautiful, and even with the weight gain, both are still at very healthy weights, well within the BMI guidelines. It can be difficult, however, to accept a weight gain - to go from "thin" or "ideal" (from a media standpoint) body to what I consider a "normal" body. I know I have struggled with the same thoughts in the past.
7+ years ago, I lost 57 lbs. (Weight Watchers). I leveled out at a nice 125 lbs. Then there was trying to get pregnant and gaining, losing some, actually getting pregnant, taking longer to lose the baby weight... I eventually found myself back at 125 lbs. Then a vacation put me back at 130. Since, I've been 130-132, for the most part. I have maintained this weight almost effortlessly. When I occasionally hit 135, I do take care to watch the intake of wine, chocolate, and bread. There's still this tiny voice in my head telling me that 125 would be better. And I'm almost 40. I should know to ignore this voice. My husband and friends *really* don't like 125. Sometimes they are nice about it (sometimes not). But the fact is, my face gets really gaunt at 125 - so if I want "trim" hips and thighs (and they just aren't naturally thin), then it comes at the price of my face. I start looking old. So, okay.
I really like seeing young women with great habits also having good body acceptance (the earlier the better). Those two women are gorgeous, healthy, and fit and a TOTAL inspiration to this pushing-40 mama. There is so much disordered eating out there, from obesity to anorexia, bulimia, extreme food control, that finding a person with balance is refreshing.
This brings me to ...
2. Size. I've been thinking quite a bit lately about "vanity sizing". I discovered how ridiculous it has become when shopping for clothing at a CAbi party. I found a great pair of jeans, and the consultant suggested I buy a size 6. Um, I'm not a size 6. I was a six for awhile my freshman year in college when I was 20 lbs lighter and so skinny that I was amenhorreic. I ordered the 8. I got them home, tried them on, hemmed them. Then the first day that I wore them, they "stretched" and they are too darned big.
So why do I think this is awful? Well, I'm fit. I'm 5'2.5", and 130 lbs or so. I have a very curvaceous, muscular, lower half. I'm not offended at being in the double digits, really. But at this CAbi party, I have several friends who cannot even fit into a size ZERO anymore. So, I started thinking back.
In 1988, I was 110 lbs and a size 6.
In 1992, I was 130 lbs and a size 10-12.
In 1996, I got married at 135 lbs and my wedding dress was a 10 or a 12.
In 2002, I was 182 lbs and a size 18. When I lost weight, at around 130 lbs I was a 10. At about <127 lbs, I could comfortably fit into an 8.
In 2009, I am 130 lbs and a size 6 to 10.
To me, that looks like vanity sizes have dropped by at least two sizes (from a 12 to 8) in the last 17 years. I was the same size in 1992 as I am now. I mean, I bought running shorts in a small. A SMALL. Anyone who has seen my hips KNOWS I am not a small. I have to have my family order me shirts in a small because mediums (which I wore all the time 20 years ago) will swim on me.
So this made me wonder how long this has been going on. A simple google search did not turn up much useful information. Instead, I decided to google "1940's women's dress patterns". I used to sew clothing a bit in college, and from what I remember, you had to buy a pattern about two sizes up from what you bought in the store. If you were a 10 (as I was), you'd have to buy a size 14 pattern. Maybe that means vanity sizing started long ago, but the pattern makers did not catch up.
So I found this pattern.
I picked it because I measured my waist and hips, and they about match what this pattern said. When you look at the large image of the pattern, what does it say:
Size 16!! Yep. 16. (So don't listen when people tell you that Marilyn Monroe was a 12, when they talk about "size 12 isn't fat". Marilyn's size 12 wasn't what it is today.)
3. Running
I ran a 4-mile race on Thanksgiving. I felt GREAT. I finished in 36:46, beat my old best 4-miler time by 3 minutes. I passed people. A LOT of people. One of the guys that I caught up to was an old guy. He was hunched over. I stuck with him for about a mile, and was just thinking about passing him when we hit, oh, about 3.2 miles. Then he kicked it in. He just took off! I couldn't even keep up with him. Wow!
I went home and looked him up. 75 years old. He finished 5 people ahead of me. I hope that I'm running like that when I'm 75 (well, heck, I'd like to run that pace now). Older folks who are out there running are absolutely inspiring. Heck, all runners inspire me.
Today I ran 10 miles and I think I'm going to lose a toenail. Dang half marathon.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Book Review: The Complete Book of Running for Women
The Complete Book of Running for Women by Claire Kowalchik is a book that I got for Christmas. I've read it a bit here and there, but recently dug it out for a deeper perusal. I like the philosophy of running part. But right now, I dug it out for the more practical purpose. I'm training for a 1/2 marathon.
I know, it's not food. But running is frugal (need shoes and a place to run), healthy (assuming your body can take it), and very simple.
I am not really a runner. I didn't run in high school or college. When I downloaded some training plans to run a half, I was a bit intimidated by the "tempo" runs, "pace" runs, etc. I mean - just tell me how many miles to run. So I was gradually increasing my mileage, but the last two weeks - splitting headaches about three hours after the run. Debilitating. I mean, can barely function for several hours. So clearly, I'm doing something wrong.
This book has really good, simple explanations. She explains how to set your pace by your breathing...which is something that I never thought about. She explains a "pace" run, gives several different types, and mentions that your "speedwork" should not be more than 10% of your total weekly mileage. She discusses cross training, stretching, clothing, hydration.
She's got three training plans for the 5k/10k and three training plans for the 1/2 marathon/marathon. Bronze, Silver, and Gold simply refer to the maximum # of miles per week you can run. And I'm on the "working mom" plan. Which means Bronze, but even less. Her plan involves 5 days/ week, and I can only do three.
What I've gotten out of the book so far is this - I now know that my "easy" running pace is about 10:00 mile, and my "fast" pace for the pace runs (which is equivalent to my 5k pace) is about an 8:50 mile. And I also learned that I shouldn't be trying to run hard and fast all the time. So today, I actually ran 2 miles "easy" on the treadmill. And I *loved* it. It reminded me of what I like about running (except the treadmill part). I wasn't beet red when I finished, and I had energy to actually lift weights when done. I don't remember the last time that happened.
I've got plans for my "pace" runs on Wednesday (which will probably peak at 4 miles, not the recommended 6). I'm scaling back my long runs a bit...rather than adding a mile a week, I'm staying at 7 this week, then 8, then 6, then 8... And I'm going to start taking water with me. I didn't really need to hydrate during my runs for 5 miles and under. But these longer ones are taking a toll.
In the next couple of weeks I should get a feel for whether or not I can really run this thing. Might as well be sure before forking out $45.
I know, it's not food. But running is frugal (need shoes and a place to run), healthy (assuming your body can take it), and very simple.
I am not really a runner. I didn't run in high school or college. When I downloaded some training plans to run a half, I was a bit intimidated by the "tempo" runs, "pace" runs, etc. I mean - just tell me how many miles to run. So I was gradually increasing my mileage, but the last two weeks - splitting headaches about three hours after the run. Debilitating. I mean, can barely function for several hours. So clearly, I'm doing something wrong.
This book has really good, simple explanations. She explains how to set your pace by your breathing...which is something that I never thought about. She explains a "pace" run, gives several different types, and mentions that your "speedwork" should not be more than 10% of your total weekly mileage. She discusses cross training, stretching, clothing, hydration.
She's got three training plans for the 5k/10k and three training plans for the 1/2 marathon/marathon. Bronze, Silver, and Gold simply refer to the maximum # of miles per week you can run. And I'm on the "working mom" plan. Which means Bronze, but even less. Her plan involves 5 days/ week, and I can only do three.
What I've gotten out of the book so far is this - I now know that my "easy" running pace is about 10:00 mile, and my "fast" pace for the pace runs (which is equivalent to my 5k pace) is about an 8:50 mile. And I also learned that I shouldn't be trying to run hard and fast all the time. So today, I actually ran 2 miles "easy" on the treadmill. And I *loved* it. It reminded me of what I like about running (except the treadmill part). I wasn't beet red when I finished, and I had energy to actually lift weights when done. I don't remember the last time that happened.
I've got plans for my "pace" runs on Wednesday (which will probably peak at 4 miles, not the recommended 6). I'm scaling back my long runs a bit...rather than adding a mile a week, I'm staying at 7 this week, then 8, then 6, then 8... And I'm going to start taking water with me. I didn't really need to hydrate during my runs for 5 miles and under. But these longer ones are taking a toll.
In the next couple of weeks I should get a feel for whether or not I can really run this thing. Might as well be sure before forking out $45.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Nites Moves 5k
My friend Yejin and I did our 2nd Nite Moves 5k. It's on Weds nights all summer long, and we signed up for a "5-nite series" which is every 3 weeks.
Got passed by two guys pushing strollers, but did pass one of them again on the downhill.
My friend improved her time by 1 min 30 sec!
Looks like week 2 there were 6 more particpants, and I ran faster than 1 of them. Still in the middle of the pack, but moving up because they are slotting people in 5 year age groups. So I'm not being compared to the 30-year olds anymore.
Got passed by two guys pushing strollers, but did pass one of them again on the downhill.
My friend improved her time by 1 min 30 sec!
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