Today started off like any other day, Dew, water, homemade applesauce. OK that last thing is new. And delicious. I ended up with a pretty powerful stomachache, so I had a gingin before I ran also. I also sprayed my B&BW mist again. In my pursuit of figuring out why I can't do a 5K, I decided to switch one thing up - I put in my contacts again. I started running with my glasses a couple of months ago, and I've often missed my sunglasses. Today wasn't that sunny, but it was super windy, so I thought I should wear the sunglasses anyway. (Turned out to be mostly sunny while I was running so it worked out well.)
So I set out. My stomach was KILLING me. I was worried. However, I had a plan, and I had to give it a go. I was going to run my original, mostly flat 5K route. I figure after taking on the hilly route, this should be a breeze. I was going to do this after I tried the hills the first couple of times, but I instead took two weeks off altogether.
As I headed down the flattest part of the route, I was already thirsty. So much for getting my water back in check. Gosh, I have a long way to go at this point. And it's super windy, which is not helping. As I chug along, I note the excellent music so far. Lenny Kravitz singing "American Woman" is a fantastic run boost.
Actually, I was feeling pretty good at this point...My breathing is outstanding, and I feel pretty light on my feet...My knees had been a little sore over the weekend, but all was right with the world at this point.
Ooh! I even remembered that I had to run up 2 more blocks, then re-trace my steps before I turn for home. Something I've forgotten in the past and was surprised to remember today.
I'm also "cool as a cucumber, fresh as a melon" thanks to my Cucumber Melon B&BW scent and ala Muhammad Ali...although, I'm not ashamed to admit, it took me 36 hours to realize I was imitating Ali ("Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee") while I kept repeating that throughout the ENTIRE run.
But, back to that wind. I was noticing the way it was blowing, and that it would be straight in my face for the very last leg of my run. That stretch comes up the main road, which is just barely uphill. At the end of a 5K. Into the wind. I tried really hard to figure out how to remedy this, but I couldn't figure out how to keep the route long enough while actually running. I finally decided that IF I even made it that far, I would just hope the wind was calm for a few minutes.
I really couldn't get over how easy I was breathing. I've noticed lately that it's been getting better, and I'm ecstatic about it. I hope it's not just because the humidity has gone down..
As I headed back around the school, I was entering the only real hilly section of this route, and while trying to fight through it, I was taking in yet another ridiculously detailed Halloween yard decoration. There was a lot of little things to look at, and as I passed the far side of the property, I noticed the larger display, and RIGHT when I went past, I noticed the homeowner mixed in with the scarecrows and she about scared the crap out of me. She was busily arranging her display, and I don't believe she realized just how effective it all was.
My legs were getting pretty heavy at this point, and the hills were taking their toll. I was also nearing the dreaded halfway point, where it is so easy to stop and walk home. Then came on a jazzy "Little Drummer Boy," which kept me going at just the right time.
Almost unbelievably, I made it to, and around the post office. I was getting pretty stoked at this point, and tried to reign it in. I still had a long way to go, but only a couple more blocks to get to my longest run (straight run/no walking). Cool as a cucumber. Fresh as a melon.
I start down the long downhill, wind at my back. I see that a car is about to pull into the driveway ahead of me, and I was going pretty slow at this point, so I didn't want to enrage them by slowly crossing in front of them. I stop. They stop. This happens a lot. I know I should be happy people are capable of politeness, but I attribute it instead to them being too stupid to continue with their forward motion. So I growl, "Come on," presumably under my breath, but I really don't care. I mean, KNOW. So this fat, inbred, hill person, with his even more inbred beast of an adult kid, pull in front of me, and the guy says "Guess ya weren't runnin fast enough." Clearly. Not. Douche. Bag.
Cool as a cucumber. Fresh as a melon.
Here I should note that this was my 4th "stop" in today's run. I had previously stopped very, very briefly for traffic. While this was my longest stop, none of them were for more than a few seconds. It was nice to only have to remember the stops instead of the times for all the run/walk/run/walks.
What's this, Poison's "Rock N Roll All Nite"? I am going to finish this thing! I just passed my longest point! I am a rock star! I am going too fast down this long hill! I am going to get to my house and puke homemade applesauce! I CAN SEE THE END OF THE STREET! (Granted, that means, there's a hill, and I still have to run back down the main street, but -) I GOT THIS!!
Every. Single. Time I get cocky, it all goes to hell. I got THE sharpest, most intolerable side cramp I have had in this whole 175 days. Well, there's NO way I am letting a pathetic side cramp stop me. I continue. I got to a bit of shade at about the same time I almost fell down/into the wall providing the shade. I was a mess. I continued on. I made it to the end of the block, where I stopped, in pure screaming agony. I was one baby-sized block from the turnaround. I was PISSED!
I had run 32 minutes. 3.96K. 2.46 miles. All records.*
There was a small wall here, so I leaned on it, and did some calf stretches. I don't know what you are supposed to do to get rid of a stomach cramp, but this seemed to help. After about 30 seconds, I stomped on. I was furious. I was a seething ball of rage. I stormed to the corner, up the hill, past Tux's house, and down the next baby block.
After my last run, where my walks were 8 and 7 minutes, I realized I really need to force myself to walk only 5 minutes, like on the Couch to 5K Plan. So I would only let myself have 5 minutes.
I got to the corner of that baby block in 3 minutes, and took off running. Screw 5 minutes. I don't need it. I walked .3K/.19m.
Well, I have a long run home, and I refuse to stop. The "uphill" isn't a problem. The wind isn't a problem. My side isn't a problem - why couldn't I stay upright a few more minutes!? There were, however, a TON of people out today. I delayed my Sunday run to Monday, when there should have been fewer people out. I was wrong. Unemployment is thriving.
Completely unbelievably, I made it the rest of the way home. It took another 6.5 minutes, for a total of 41.5 minutes/4.95K/3.07m (seriously?!). I marched right up the steps. I was awesome today.
Once inside, my left knee started hurting pretty bad. I iced it for quite awhile. My right calf was sore, too. Perhaps from the random mid-run stretches? None of this kept me from taking the dog for his walk, though.
Weather: 74, Sunny, 23 mph Wind, 58% Humidity
Time: 1:30pm; Run 32, Walk 3, Run 6.5
Distance: 4.95K (3.07m)
Elevation: +89.6/-87.6/net +2 ft
5K/10K: 41:58/1:28:42
Run Time: 38.5 minutes
Distance: 4.65K (2.88m) - I walked 6% today.
5K/10K: 41:39/1:28:02
Prior to today, I had run for 30 minutes on the last day of the Couch to 5K, which covered 3.91K. I had clocked a 28 minute run since then, at 3.52K. Obviously, my 32 minute 3.96K pre-cramp run was quite exciting. 38.5 minutes/4.65K is also my new best time and distance for total just run time.
*By me. So far.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Day 172: Run of 1000 Horrors
Run for Friday, 10/22.
Since I have completely fallen apart on my route to finish a 5K, all running, I'm becoming creative with where the problem could be. I hate the smell of my current deodorant. The store didn't have the scent I preferred last time, so I've been stuck with this one for what seems like an eternity. And it is pretty much all I can smell as I swelter through a run. Today, I decided to spray some Bath & Body Works spray that my Mom gave me before my run. Perhaps if I smell something I like while I'm out there, I'll be more inclined to stay out there.
I decided to give the hilly 5K route a try today. Probably not a great idea since I just ran yesterday, but why not. I pretty well know that I can get through the first half, because there's no way I'm stopping while going DOWN the giant hill. There's another sizable hill to go up on the other side of that, and my goal was really to just get farther up it today than I did last time. This should be doable because my mp3 player is charged today, and I smell like a cucumber.
As I ran down the hill, I couldn't help but note the amount of little bugs in the air. For a mouth breather like me (at least while running), this is definitely a concern. Between all the cobwebs from the last run, and the bugs today, I'm thinking fall running is not for me and/or I need a mask to wear while running. That would be smashing.
Anyway, I made it to the back of the city park at the bottom of the Hill Gigantic. Of course, I was tired, but I wanted to get to the top of the next hill. Um, I didn't. I made it a respectable 200 feet farther than last time, which was how far it was to the next landmark, a driveway. Going uphill just wasn't working out for me, but I had achieved my goal of going farther, and I was surprised when I looked at the time and saw I had been running for 20 minutes already. Last time, it took me 19 minutes, so I'm consistent anyway. I had gone 2.67K/1.66m.
At this point, I had only run about 3 tenths of a mile farther than yesterday's run, but it felt like I had run miles and miles farther. I hoped to walk to the top of the hill, then start running for the downhill. Of course, that didn't work out. I had full-on jelly legs, and wasn't sure if I'd be running anymore.
When I got to the lake, there was a gaggle (?) of geese on the path. We have the world's biggest geese, clearly, in this area, and I was a little leery of walking past them. There were people at the picnic shelter nearby, so always the entertainer, I knew I would at least be putting on a show if they attacked me and threw me, bloody, into the lake.
I got past them, only to encounter an even larger gaggle on the other side. With no people close by, I was more intimidated walking past them, but at least I wasn't up against the lake here.
Success again. As I wound my way around the path, here completely blocked from view, I came upon, you guessed it. Another gaggle of geese. I was going to go for it once again, and as I rounded the curve in the trail to meet them, I saw one goose right in the center of the path, stone cold asleep. Standing on one leg, face buried in his back. I don't know what goose protocol is for being startled awake by a human, but based on all the other geese, who were awake, and watching me, I had a feeling there was one and I didn't want to know about it. So, risking losing a little time on my run, and more importantly, coming across a snake, I backtracked a little, then shuffled across the grass. Sleeping goose stirred, but no one came after me.
Shew. That was close.
The trail levels out a bit at this point, and I decided to run again. Not just to get the heck out of this park of giant geese, but to get away from the creeper cop car parked way back down one of the trailways. Lunch? Strategically parked? Napping? I don't know, but since my favorite phrase is "Run like you stole something," I decided to use them as motivation. Plus, I had pepper spray in my pocket, and I didn't want to be tazed to death for it. I started running near a little parking area, after 8 minutes of walking, covering about .64K/.39m.
Starting up again was unbearably hard, and in spite of having New Kids come on the mp3, I believe for the first time, I sadly did not have the Right Stuff after all, and stopped running after 5 minutes/.71K/.45m. It seemed like I covered a long ways, and I made it a wee bit into the hill that covers a couple of blocks. It's gentle, and of course, would have preferred to run it, but this was strategically a good place to walk again.
With my oh so technologically advanced shuffle mode on my mp3, mere moments later, I got to hear more NKOTB. This time it was "Step by Step," which I found amusing, and just may have been able to use to motivate me to start running again. I was at the top of the wee hill, about to start back on the long main road I run all the time. I thought I heard someone yelling, like conversationally, and I kind of glanced around. I was preparing to cross an awkward intersection that doesn't have a very good view, so if someone was yelling, I thought I maybe should pay attention. I didn't see anyone until I got across the street, and then I noticed a woman leaning out the door of the second house on the block. Sure enough, she was yelling at me.
About the same time I realized that, I saw the dog. He was on a leash, but his leash went across the sidewalk and he was laying in the grass by the road. Granted, if she hadn't yelled, I probably would have tripped over the leash before I saw the dog, but, wait, did she say he bites?!
I paused my mp3 and yelled back, "He BITES?!" No, of course not, you oxygen deprived maniac. She yelled again, "He does NOT bite. He may lick you and he'll probably follow you down the sidewalk."
So, since the geese had already thrown my time slightly, why not stop and pet the big ol' pit bull in my path. Per usual, I gave him the "Hi doggie," that all frightening dogs in my path get, and stuck my [please God don't let me lose it] hand out to him. "Doggie" apparently didn't work for the lady in the doorway, because she yelled his name which I heard as Tubs.
"Tubs?" I yelled back. "No, TUX."
Oh, of course. Because that's a normal name for a dog. Tux gave me a lick, and followed me as far as his leash went, and I carried on, shaking my head at how absurd this run was turning out.
I passed the Halloween decoration with the dismembered leg dangling from the tree, and told myself I really needed to get to running again. I didn't think I could quite make it home, and I didn't want another walk session. I walked back to the street where I originally turned off for the hills at the beginning of the run (7 minute walk/.63K/.39m), and ran the rest of the way home (4.75 minutes/.44K/.28m). I ran through a massive amount of bugs and was concerned, mostly because I didn't notice them when I was running the other direction.
It nearly killed me to get to the back of my house, and when I got to the stairs, I put my arm on the railing, and my head on it. I didn't bend over quite as much as the near faint inducing bend I did the day before. When I stood up, there was a bug smeared down my arm where my head had been. So disgusting. This is the nastiest hobby I have ever had. But at least I smelled better today.
So, now it's Monday when I'm actually posting this, and as I look back at my notes, a couple of things stand out. I didn't write down what time I ran, and I didn't write down what I had eaten. I believe it was around 12:30 when I was running, because I seem to remember thinking people at the park were on their lunch breaks. Given the hour, I probably didn't have much more than a Dew and water, and maybe some granola before the run. I did note that I was "so, so thirsty." When I got home, I took the dog for a walk, and that night I was so sore. So tired, and achey, and just miserably exhausted. Saturday had to be a rest day, but I planned to run yesterday. I decided instead to wait until today when there were fewer people out and about. I can't get a job because I refuse to run anytime when there are people around! I did spend the weekend getting back close to my proper water intake, so perhaps I won't be "so, so thirsty" when I run next. I also got out my giant book o' Shakespeare and looked for something to work on memorizing while I run. I haven't landed on anything yet, but I still think this may be the best tool for me to get through a run. I'm open to suggestions for anything, at all, to memorize.
Weather: 73, Sunny, 18mph Wind, 26% Humidity
Time: 12:30pm; Run 20, Walk 8, Run 5, Walk 7, Run 4.75 (44.75 minutes)
Distance: 5.09K (3.17m)
Elevation: +163.1/-187.4/net -24.3 ft
5K/10K: 43:54/1:32:48 - This is horrible, but better than the last time, when I walked 39% of the route.
Run Time: 29.75 minutes
Distance: 3.82K (2.39m) - As annoyed as I am that I can't run farther without walking, the cumulative distance makes me quite happy. Looking over my spreadsheet, I am going farther, if not the way I want to. For this trip, I walked about 25% of the distance.
5K/10K: 39:48/1:24:07
Since I have completely fallen apart on my route to finish a 5K, all running, I'm becoming creative with where the problem could be. I hate the smell of my current deodorant. The store didn't have the scent I preferred last time, so I've been stuck with this one for what seems like an eternity. And it is pretty much all I can smell as I swelter through a run. Today, I decided to spray some Bath & Body Works spray that my Mom gave me before my run. Perhaps if I smell something I like while I'm out there, I'll be more inclined to stay out there.
I decided to give the hilly 5K route a try today. Probably not a great idea since I just ran yesterday, but why not. I pretty well know that I can get through the first half, because there's no way I'm stopping while going DOWN the giant hill. There's another sizable hill to go up on the other side of that, and my goal was really to just get farther up it today than I did last time. This should be doable because my mp3 player is charged today, and I smell like a cucumber.
As I ran down the hill, I couldn't help but note the amount of little bugs in the air. For a mouth breather like me (at least while running), this is definitely a concern. Between all the cobwebs from the last run, and the bugs today, I'm thinking fall running is not for me and/or I need a mask to wear while running. That would be smashing.
Anyway, I made it to the back of the city park at the bottom of the Hill Gigantic. Of course, I was tired, but I wanted to get to the top of the next hill. Um, I didn't. I made it a respectable 200 feet farther than last time, which was how far it was to the next landmark, a driveway. Going uphill just wasn't working out for me, but I had achieved my goal of going farther, and I was surprised when I looked at the time and saw I had been running for 20 minutes already. Last time, it took me 19 minutes, so I'm consistent anyway. I had gone 2.67K/1.66m.
At this point, I had only run about 3 tenths of a mile farther than yesterday's run, but it felt like I had run miles and miles farther. I hoped to walk to the top of the hill, then start running for the downhill. Of course, that didn't work out. I had full-on jelly legs, and wasn't sure if I'd be running anymore.
When I got to the lake, there was a gaggle (?) of geese on the path. We have the world's biggest geese, clearly, in this area, and I was a little leery of walking past them. There were people at the picnic shelter nearby, so always the entertainer, I knew I would at least be putting on a show if they attacked me and threw me, bloody, into the lake.
I got past them, only to encounter an even larger gaggle on the other side. With no people close by, I was more intimidated walking past them, but at least I wasn't up against the lake here.
Success again. As I wound my way around the path, here completely blocked from view, I came upon, you guessed it. Another gaggle of geese. I was going to go for it once again, and as I rounded the curve in the trail to meet them, I saw one goose right in the center of the path, stone cold asleep. Standing on one leg, face buried in his back. I don't know what goose protocol is for being startled awake by a human, but based on all the other geese, who were awake, and watching me, I had a feeling there was one and I didn't want to know about it. So, risking losing a little time on my run, and more importantly, coming across a snake, I backtracked a little, then shuffled across the grass. Sleeping goose stirred, but no one came after me.
Shew. That was close.
The trail levels out a bit at this point, and I decided to run again. Not just to get the heck out of this park of giant geese, but to get away from the creeper cop car parked way back down one of the trailways. Lunch? Strategically parked? Napping? I don't know, but since my favorite phrase is "Run like you stole something," I decided to use them as motivation. Plus, I had pepper spray in my pocket, and I didn't want to be tazed to death for it. I started running near a little parking area, after 8 minutes of walking, covering about .64K/.39m.
Starting up again was unbearably hard, and in spite of having New Kids come on the mp3, I believe for the first time, I sadly did not have the Right Stuff after all, and stopped running after 5 minutes/.71K/.45m. It seemed like I covered a long ways, and I made it a wee bit into the hill that covers a couple of blocks. It's gentle, and of course, would have preferred to run it, but this was strategically a good place to walk again.
With my oh so technologically advanced shuffle mode on my mp3, mere moments later, I got to hear more NKOTB. This time it was "Step by Step," which I found amusing, and just may have been able to use to motivate me to start running again. I was at the top of the wee hill, about to start back on the long main road I run all the time. I thought I heard someone yelling, like conversationally, and I kind of glanced around. I was preparing to cross an awkward intersection that doesn't have a very good view, so if someone was yelling, I thought I maybe should pay attention. I didn't see anyone until I got across the street, and then I noticed a woman leaning out the door of the second house on the block. Sure enough, she was yelling at me.
About the same time I realized that, I saw the dog. He was on a leash, but his leash went across the sidewalk and he was laying in the grass by the road. Granted, if she hadn't yelled, I probably would have tripped over the leash before I saw the dog, but, wait, did she say he bites?!
I paused my mp3 and yelled back, "He BITES?!" No, of course not, you oxygen deprived maniac. She yelled again, "He does NOT bite. He may lick you and he'll probably follow you down the sidewalk."
So, since the geese had already thrown my time slightly, why not stop and pet the big ol' pit bull in my path. Per usual, I gave him the "Hi doggie," that all frightening dogs in my path get, and stuck my [please God don't let me lose it] hand out to him. "Doggie" apparently didn't work for the lady in the doorway, because she yelled his name which I heard as Tubs.
"Tubs?" I yelled back. "No, TUX."
Oh, of course. Because that's a normal name for a dog. Tux gave me a lick, and followed me as far as his leash went, and I carried on, shaking my head at how absurd this run was turning out.
I passed the Halloween decoration with the dismembered leg dangling from the tree, and told myself I really needed to get to running again. I didn't think I could quite make it home, and I didn't want another walk session. I walked back to the street where I originally turned off for the hills at the beginning of the run (7 minute walk/.63K/.39m), and ran the rest of the way home (4.75 minutes/.44K/.28m). I ran through a massive amount of bugs and was concerned, mostly because I didn't notice them when I was running the other direction.
It nearly killed me to get to the back of my house, and when I got to the stairs, I put my arm on the railing, and my head on it. I didn't bend over quite as much as the near faint inducing bend I did the day before. When I stood up, there was a bug smeared down my arm where my head had been. So disgusting. This is the nastiest hobby I have ever had. But at least I smelled better today.
So, now it's Monday when I'm actually posting this, and as I look back at my notes, a couple of things stand out. I didn't write down what time I ran, and I didn't write down what I had eaten. I believe it was around 12:30 when I was running, because I seem to remember thinking people at the park were on their lunch breaks. Given the hour, I probably didn't have much more than a Dew and water, and maybe some granola before the run. I did note that I was "so, so thirsty." When I got home, I took the dog for a walk, and that night I was so sore. So tired, and achey, and just miserably exhausted. Saturday had to be a rest day, but I planned to run yesterday. I decided instead to wait until today when there were fewer people out and about. I can't get a job because I refuse to run anytime when there are people around! I did spend the weekend getting back close to my proper water intake, so perhaps I won't be "so, so thirsty" when I run next. I also got out my giant book o' Shakespeare and looked for something to work on memorizing while I run. I haven't landed on anything yet, but I still think this may be the best tool for me to get through a run. I'm open to suggestions for anything, at all, to memorize.
Weather: 73, Sunny, 18mph Wind, 26% Humidity
Time: 12:30pm; Run 20, Walk 8, Run 5, Walk 7, Run 4.75 (44.75 minutes)
Distance: 5.09K (3.17m)
Elevation: +163.1/-187.4/net -24.3 ft
5K/10K: 43:54/1:32:48 - This is horrible, but better than the last time, when I walked 39% of the route.
Run Time: 29.75 minutes
Distance: 3.82K (2.39m) - As annoyed as I am that I can't run farther without walking, the cumulative distance makes me quite happy. Looking over my spreadsheet, I am going farther, if not the way I want to. For this trip, I walked about 25% of the distance.
5K/10K: 39:48/1:24:07
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Day 171: Oh, am I supposed to be running still?
Well, I clearly did not write a blog on water on the 15th. We were travelling that day, and I just didn't get to it. I did pack my running gear for our weekend trip, but I didn't get to that either. I was mildly horrified to look at my spreadsheet on Thursday, the 21st, and see how long it had been since I had run. So, when I set out, I really didn't know how far I would make it.
Plus, Thursday was kind of a mess. I got up, had a Dew, took a nap, had some water and granola. For a late afternoon run, that probably wasn't enough food, and overall, I haven't been drinking enough water lately. I was definitely thirsty when I set out, and throughout the run.
When I left, I set out on the hilly 5K route, looping back around my house to start with. Something felt weird with my shoe, and as I ran on, it felt like something was stuck in the tread, but I couldn't seem to knock it loose. Then, it felt like I was squishing something on the side of my shoe, so I stopped and took a look - a chunk of tread was flapping off. I ripped it off, and renewed my belief that it's time for new shoes, even though I just read that it's usually 300-400 miles when you should replace and I'm only around 150.
As I dodged/ran into massive cobwebs every few steps, I was quickly realizing the 5K was out of the question. My breath held up, and I felt pretty light on my feet, but I was happy I could run at all, I didn't feel the need to push it this time.
So, now, without a route in mind, I just continued on down the main road to the end, turned around and headed back. I was having massive all over stomach cramps, but it wasn't the type I usually get, which prevent me from breathing, so I just kept on.
This town puts out an amazing amount of Halloween decorations. I mean, really, a lot of decorations. I wonder if some of the cobwebs I was plowing through were actually fake? Sadly, probably not.
As I headed back toward the house, I tried to decide if I could go farther. I was considering at least running past the house to the end of the block, and back, but the "back" would be uphill. Kind of everything is uphill from my house, so I decided to just call it done. It was only 17 minutes, although I was happy with that, I wished it was longer. I wasn't sure of the distance I had gone, but I was pretty happy with it. When I mapped it out to 2.22K, I was really happy with it. I really felt like I could have gone longer today - I wasn't totally wiped out like normal.
That being said, when I got to my back steps, I was too tired to get my key out of its little pouch, and too tired to climb the 5-6 steps into the house. I just kind of hung on the steps until when I finally stood upright I nearly passed out. Maybe I was more tired than I realized.
Also, I was really sore when I went to bed and through the night. Ouch. Haven't gotten sore from a run in awhile.
Weather: 69, Sunny, 4 mph breeze, 16% Humidity
Time: 3pm; Run 17 minutes
Distance: 2.22K (1.38m)
Elevation: +35.2/-36/net -.8 ft
5K/10K: 40:52/1:26:23
Plus, Thursday was kind of a mess. I got up, had a Dew, took a nap, had some water and granola. For a late afternoon run, that probably wasn't enough food, and overall, I haven't been drinking enough water lately. I was definitely thirsty when I set out, and throughout the run.
When I left, I set out on the hilly 5K route, looping back around my house to start with. Something felt weird with my shoe, and as I ran on, it felt like something was stuck in the tread, but I couldn't seem to knock it loose. Then, it felt like I was squishing something on the side of my shoe, so I stopped and took a look - a chunk of tread was flapping off. I ripped it off, and renewed my belief that it's time for new shoes, even though I just read that it's usually 300-400 miles when you should replace and I'm only around 150.
As I dodged/ran into massive cobwebs every few steps, I was quickly realizing the 5K was out of the question. My breath held up, and I felt pretty light on my feet, but I was happy I could run at all, I didn't feel the need to push it this time.
So, now, without a route in mind, I just continued on down the main road to the end, turned around and headed back. I was having massive all over stomach cramps, but it wasn't the type I usually get, which prevent me from breathing, so I just kept on.
This town puts out an amazing amount of Halloween decorations. I mean, really, a lot of decorations. I wonder if some of the cobwebs I was plowing through were actually fake? Sadly, probably not.
As I headed back toward the house, I tried to decide if I could go farther. I was considering at least running past the house to the end of the block, and back, but the "back" would be uphill. Kind of everything is uphill from my house, so I decided to just call it done. It was only 17 minutes, although I was happy with that, I wished it was longer. I wasn't sure of the distance I had gone, but I was pretty happy with it. When I mapped it out to 2.22K, I was really happy with it. I really felt like I could have gone longer today - I wasn't totally wiped out like normal.
That being said, when I got to my back steps, I was too tired to get my key out of its little pouch, and too tired to climb the 5-6 steps into the house. I just kind of hung on the steps until when I finally stood upright I nearly passed out. Maybe I was more tired than I realized.
Also, I was really sore when I went to bed and through the night. Ouch. Haven't gotten sore from a run in awhile.
Weather: 69, Sunny, 4 mph breeze, 16% Humidity
Time: 3pm; Run 17 minutes
Distance: 2.22K (1.38m)
Elevation: +35.2/-36/net -.8 ft
5K/10K: 40:52/1:26:23
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Blog Action Day
I recently heard about Blog Action Day...I think I may have heard about it last year, too, but since I wasn't blogging, I'm sure it didn't stick.
Anyway, the idea is that you register your blog, then, on October 15th, you blog about the assigned topic. This year the topic is Water. This brings all these different viewpoints on the subject, and hopes to bring awareness to the subject.
I think it's a cool idea. I am obsessed with water. Drinking it, saving it, having clean water, even though so many people don't. Bitching about what the meat industry does to harm the world's water supply. Worrying about what I put down the drain. I'm also obsessed, when in LA, with the stamps above the sewers that say "Drains to Ocean" instead of "Drains to some Hillbilly Creek" like all our local sewers say. Of course, in the end it all drains to the ocean, from everywhere.
OK, today is not the 15th, so I'll stop. The idea is you can blog whatever you want on Water, but there are some ideas on the site, http://blogactionday.change.org/ . I don't think I am going to register my blog, but I do think (if I remember), that I'll put down some thoughts on water on Friday anyway.
It's easy and free if you are interested in registering your blog.
Anyway, the idea is that you register your blog, then, on October 15th, you blog about the assigned topic. This year the topic is Water. This brings all these different viewpoints on the subject, and hopes to bring awareness to the subject.
I think it's a cool idea. I am obsessed with water. Drinking it, saving it, having clean water, even though so many people don't. Bitching about what the meat industry does to harm the world's water supply. Worrying about what I put down the drain. I'm also obsessed, when in LA, with the stamps above the sewers that say "Drains to Ocean" instead of "Drains to some Hillbilly Creek" like all our local sewers say. Of course, in the end it all drains to the ocean, from everywhere.
OK, today is not the 15th, so I'll stop. The idea is you can blog whatever you want on Water, but there are some ideas on the site, http://blogactionday.change.org/ . I don't think I am going to register my blog, but I do think (if I remember), that I'll put down some thoughts on water on Friday anyway.
It's easy and free if you are interested in registering your blog.
Day 156: Route 5K New Epic An
Post for run on Wednesday 10/6.
Well, today I tried to setup the perfect run. I decided to run my new 5K route in the opposite direction, so the monster hill would be taken going down. I started this route running away from my house (well, obviously), but then circling back past it, and then way, way farther away. The little jog at the beginning was necessary to get the full 5K in, and I knew I would be safe going past the house right at the start of the run. So I even had the foresight to KEEP that jog at the beginning of my run, knowing running past the house when I have less than a mile to go, wasn't going to happen. I also changed the street that I would crossover on, from the main road to the hilly street. There has been something very, very dead on the street I crossed on for awhile. I chose that street originally because it was before a really steep part of the hill. However, running backwards hit that steep part going down, so it was perfect to change the crossover street. I also wore my shorts with pockets, so I could enjoy having pepper spray while in the park. And finally, I wore some super thick socks to protect my feet bottoms.
Sounds like I was all set for a perfect run.
I guess I was pretty tired today. I didn't help by only eating toast, Dew, a dessert bar, and water before my run. I also decided to curl up on the floor with the dog, on his pillow, under a Snuggi, and take a nice long nap before the run.
I should have just stuck with the napping today.
I turned on my mp3 player, and it was actually dead. So I gave it a charge for about 4 minutes. I didn't know how far that would get me, but I didn't realize it was dead until I was all stretched and ready to go, and I didn't want to wait around. I was actually concerned about my phone going dead today.
So, I set off, with the mp3 on random, afraid to skip over any songs that I didn't want to hear, because of wasting battery power. I have an addiction to pushing buttons while I am running. I don't do it all the time, and it's usually not until I am struggling, then I go nuts. I repeatedly push buttons on the phone, I skip songs just to push buttons. It's bizarre. Now I am unable to push buttons because I'm afraid of both going dead.
It seemed that the wind was in my face no matter which way I was going. Then the mp3 died before I got to the hills. Sigh.
Well, as I was taught to always walk/run on the side of the road where you are facing oncoming traffic, I crossed near the peak of the hill, where the sidewalk ends, if you will. Turns out, on that side of the street, there was sidewalk for quite a ways farther than the other side. If I hadn't been struggling all the way up that monster hill going the other way, maybe I would have noticed and gotten out of the street earlier. Oops.
As I neared the bottom, I was able to see just how far I had run up the hill last time. A pretty impressive distance, really. I was pretty tired at this point, and felt like I had run at a pretty good clip, so I wasn't sure how far into the park I would make it. After all, I had to go uphill as soon as I got in.
I made it, well, not too far. This stretch had no shade, the sun was beating down, I had those ridiculous thick socks on, and what happened to the wind!? I was suddenly very hot, so I walked when I got past the maintenance building, my landmark. (19 minutes, 2.61K, 1.62m.)
And walked.
I could not catch my breath. I thought about just walking the rest of the way home. I was happy with my initial burst, and I was really tired.
I made it up the hill, down the next hill, to the lake. Here I will run, even though I still don't feel so great. (4 minutes of walking, .35K, .22m.) I made it across the lake, even though I was a little close and at one point seriously thought I was going to fall in. On the other side, the trail goes up, and it starts off steep. I did not make it far, before I gave in. (A whopping 1 minute run, .14K, .09m.)
Well, that's that, I am walking the rest of the way home. I don't know why, but the first time I run a route seems to be the best. Too bad this town sucks, and it's hard to find a decent route that I like. Too many sex offenders, too many broken sidewalks, too many missing sidewalks, too many hills, too many half street dead ends. Sigh. Maybe after tackling this, I should go back to my first, flat route. It seems easy by comparison. I was starting to worry I was never going to get home due to sheer exhaustion.
I walked all the way back up the main street, until I got to the original crossover street, and decided to give it one more burst home. This is where I ran it out from last time. (Walked 17 minutes, 1.44K, .89m.) So I take off, bottoms of my feet suddenly killing me in spite of the super hot thick socks. I made it to my street. Sigh. (2 minute run, .32K, .2m.) I walked the last couple of blocks home. (2 minutes, .19K, .12m.) I went ahead and tracked the whole time even though I was walking, because I wanted the distance to be 5K. The whole time I really only wanted to count the first part of the run.
I ended up running 3.07K of 5.05K (1.91m of 3.14m). It took me 45 minutes, 22 of which were run. Distance-wise, I walked about 39%.
If I just counted the initial run, I went 2.61K (1.62m) in 19 minutes. The elevation change was +78.7/-143.5/net -64.7 ft. The 5K/10K predictor would be 38:21/1:21:04. I decided to record the full 5.05K number in my stats, since I did try, a little, after the initial burst.
My right knee was a little sore as the day wore on, but it went away. I've been lucky lately with not having things nag on and on like at first.
Weather: 78, Sunny, 13 mph wind, 34% Humidity
Time: 2:30p; Run 19, Walk 4, Run 1, Walk 17, Run 2, Walk 2
Distance: 5.05K (3.14m)
Elevation: +254.5/-253.7/net .8 ft
5K/10K: 44:32/1:34:07
Run Time: 22 minutes
Distance: 3.07K (1.91m)
5K/10K: 37:16/1:18:46
P.S. Sorry for the massive delay on blogging lately. It's a real pain in the ass to put the numbers together for these stupid run, walk, run, walk, run, walks that I insist on of late. I hate pulling the numbers, I hate blogging it. I hate that I can't just run the whole thing. I also hate going for another run before I've done the blogging. However, it doesn't stop me. I wanted to run Friday, but decided to wait till Saturday morning, when I enjoy running. And didn't. Maybe I'll get one in today, 10-10-10, to mark both the Chicago Marathon, and the Route 66 Marathon that runs through MO, KS, and OK, which I think is super cool. But...it's not looking good. At least I got this blog in, so that's one excuse out of the way.
Well, today I tried to setup the perfect run. I decided to run my new 5K route in the opposite direction, so the monster hill would be taken going down. I started this route running away from my house (well, obviously), but then circling back past it, and then way, way farther away. The little jog at the beginning was necessary to get the full 5K in, and I knew I would be safe going past the house right at the start of the run. So I even had the foresight to KEEP that jog at the beginning of my run, knowing running past the house when I have less than a mile to go, wasn't going to happen. I also changed the street that I would crossover on, from the main road to the hilly street. There has been something very, very dead on the street I crossed on for awhile. I chose that street originally because it was before a really steep part of the hill. However, running backwards hit that steep part going down, so it was perfect to change the crossover street. I also wore my shorts with pockets, so I could enjoy having pepper spray while in the park. And finally, I wore some super thick socks to protect my feet bottoms.
Sounds like I was all set for a perfect run.
I guess I was pretty tired today. I didn't help by only eating toast, Dew, a dessert bar, and water before my run. I also decided to curl up on the floor with the dog, on his pillow, under a Snuggi, and take a nice long nap before the run.
I should have just stuck with the napping today.
I turned on my mp3 player, and it was actually dead. So I gave it a charge for about 4 minutes. I didn't know how far that would get me, but I didn't realize it was dead until I was all stretched and ready to go, and I didn't want to wait around. I was actually concerned about my phone going dead today.
So, I set off, with the mp3 on random, afraid to skip over any songs that I didn't want to hear, because of wasting battery power. I have an addiction to pushing buttons while I am running. I don't do it all the time, and it's usually not until I am struggling, then I go nuts. I repeatedly push buttons on the phone, I skip songs just to push buttons. It's bizarre. Now I am unable to push buttons because I'm afraid of both going dead.
It seemed that the wind was in my face no matter which way I was going. Then the mp3 died before I got to the hills. Sigh.
Well, as I was taught to always walk/run on the side of the road where you are facing oncoming traffic, I crossed near the peak of the hill, where the sidewalk ends, if you will. Turns out, on that side of the street, there was sidewalk for quite a ways farther than the other side. If I hadn't been struggling all the way up that monster hill going the other way, maybe I would have noticed and gotten out of the street earlier. Oops.
As I neared the bottom, I was able to see just how far I had run up the hill last time. A pretty impressive distance, really. I was pretty tired at this point, and felt like I had run at a pretty good clip, so I wasn't sure how far into the park I would make it. After all, I had to go uphill as soon as I got in.
I made it, well, not too far. This stretch had no shade, the sun was beating down, I had those ridiculous thick socks on, and what happened to the wind!? I was suddenly very hot, so I walked when I got past the maintenance building, my landmark. (19 minutes, 2.61K, 1.62m.)
And walked.
I could not catch my breath. I thought about just walking the rest of the way home. I was happy with my initial burst, and I was really tired.
I made it up the hill, down the next hill, to the lake. Here I will run, even though I still don't feel so great. (4 minutes of walking, .35K, .22m.) I made it across the lake, even though I was a little close and at one point seriously thought I was going to fall in. On the other side, the trail goes up, and it starts off steep. I did not make it far, before I gave in. (A whopping 1 minute run, .14K, .09m.)
Well, that's that, I am walking the rest of the way home. I don't know why, but the first time I run a route seems to be the best. Too bad this town sucks, and it's hard to find a decent route that I like. Too many sex offenders, too many broken sidewalks, too many missing sidewalks, too many hills, too many half street dead ends. Sigh. Maybe after tackling this, I should go back to my first, flat route. It seems easy by comparison. I was starting to worry I was never going to get home due to sheer exhaustion.
I walked all the way back up the main street, until I got to the original crossover street, and decided to give it one more burst home. This is where I ran it out from last time. (Walked 17 minutes, 1.44K, .89m.) So I take off, bottoms of my feet suddenly killing me in spite of the super hot thick socks. I made it to my street. Sigh. (2 minute run, .32K, .2m.) I walked the last couple of blocks home. (2 minutes, .19K, .12m.) I went ahead and tracked the whole time even though I was walking, because I wanted the distance to be 5K. The whole time I really only wanted to count the first part of the run.
I ended up running 3.07K of 5.05K (1.91m of 3.14m). It took me 45 minutes, 22 of which were run. Distance-wise, I walked about 39%.
If I just counted the initial run, I went 2.61K (1.62m) in 19 minutes. The elevation change was +78.7/-143.5/net -64.7 ft. The 5K/10K predictor would be 38:21/1:21:04. I decided to record the full 5.05K number in my stats, since I did try, a little, after the initial burst.
My right knee was a little sore as the day wore on, but it went away. I've been lucky lately with not having things nag on and on like at first.
Weather: 78, Sunny, 13 mph wind, 34% Humidity
Time: 2:30p; Run 19, Walk 4, Run 1, Walk 17, Run 2, Walk 2
Distance: 5.05K (3.14m)
Elevation: +254.5/-253.7/net .8 ft
5K/10K: 44:32/1:34:07
Run Time: 22 minutes
Distance: 3.07K (1.91m)
5K/10K: 37:16/1:18:46
P.S. Sorry for the massive delay on blogging lately. It's a real pain in the ass to put the numbers together for these stupid run, walk, run, walk, run, walks that I insist on of late. I hate pulling the numbers, I hate blogging it. I hate that I can't just run the whole thing. I also hate going for another run before I've done the blogging. However, it doesn't stop me. I wanted to run Friday, but decided to wait till Saturday morning, when I enjoy running. And didn't. Maybe I'll get one in today, 10-10-10, to mark both the Chicago Marathon, and the Route 66 Marathon that runs through MO, KS, and OK, which I think is super cool. But...it's not looking good. At least I got this blog in, so that's one excuse out of the way.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Day 154: An Epic New 5K Route
Last night I spent quite a bit of time routing a new 5K. After talking with one of my friends, and spending quite a bit of time thinking about it, I am, as I stated in my last post, certain that I have been running exceptionally short distances lately because the temptation to stop in the middle of my Figure 8, at my house, is frakking overwhelming.
So I worked out a new route, one slightly over 5K so I wouldn't have any more of this 4.9K crap. A loop, so I knew I could make it to the furthest point, then I may as well keep running, because I'm headed home now.
I decided to run through our nearby park, which has lovely exercise trails. I've wanted to run in the park for awhile, but it is too close to drive to and there is a decent sized hill with no sidewalks to deal with if I want to run to it. It's also hard to use google to measure a route in the park because of the, well, trees blocking the paths on the satellite images. I finally mapped out part of the trail, and then a route home.
Oh, the route home. This would take me up the street I run/walk on regularly (at least prior to my current 5K route), but, of course, farther away from where I usually run. I also don't often have reason to drive down this street, so when I noticed that the google images weren't stitched together correctly, I really couldn't gauge how far off the stitching is. Also, I know this road is hilly. This is the road that had my first significant hills that I fought for weeks (months?) before finally conquering, and then went straight back to avoiding. I felt like farther down the road the hills were more significant. I worried about sidewalks. Enter Google. First, it looks like on images that there are sidewalks. Good. I looked briefly at the elevation, but I really didn't let it sink in. This was the route I wanted to go, so it would be what it be. Besides, the worst part of the hills were going to be between 3 and 4 K, so presumably I would already be walking anyway.
Today started out like any other day lately. Dew. Bagel. Water. Stomachache. Struggling to get the right outfit together for the weather. I went with the same outfit as last time - capri pants, tank top, long sleeve shirt, stocking cap. It was perfect for the last run. Today was 5 degrees warmer, and no wind, compared to the tornadic gusts I faced last time. When I set out, it was cool, but I could tell I was significantly overdressed. I quickly dropped everything and tossed the stocking cap and long sleeve tee back over our fence. Turns out, this was now the perfect outfit for the weather.
Sigh. However, I was having a significant wardrobe malfunction. My pants are drawstring and that drawstring is important to the pants staying in place. I had them tied, but apparently not tight enough. Part of the problem also was that I have a little pouch for my id and key that I usually tuck in my waistband. When the waistband won't stay up, this causes additional problems. So I spent the first K or better hitching my pants up. I am sure I looked like an ass. Thankfully, no one had to look at my ass. At one point I flipped my mp3 from my jazz album to the mic. I have no idea how I did that. But just what I have ALWAYS wanted - a recording of my panting while I run. Maybe I'll upload it later. Ugh. I knew I was going to have to stop and fix it eventually but I didn't want to stop my run! Everything was okay once I finally fixed it, but I had to carry my little pouch for the whole run today, which was annoying.
I also had to stop for traffic when I got to the end of the main street, but just briefly. Once down the hill at the end of the main street, I was headed to all new territory. And the hill that leads to the park. I felt okay, and the hill wasn't bad. Traffic got over, and almost the whole way had a nice flat grass area I could step off onto when cars were coming.
Once I got into the park I was a little dismayed by the desolateness of it all. There were a few people around, but not enough to feel safe. I definitely wished I was packing my pepper spray, although I surely would have sprayed myself while messing with my pants earlier.
After entering the park, it was all downhill until I got to the lake, which was much needed. The downhill, not the lake. The lake actually made me feel the likelihood of seeing a snake today was at its peak. I decided I would stop when I got to the bottom of the hill because I thought it was a pretty sharp hill on the other side of the lake and I would just walk it all. This was mostly determined by the fact that my breathing had been replaced with grunting as my entire stomach was clenched up in a cramp.
I lived to see the lake, which was 19 minutes into my run, and 2.59K (1.61m). I was quite happy that I made it that far before walking. It only took a minute to cross the lake (.09K/.06m), and the hill wasn't that terrible, so I went ahead and ran up it. Ah yes, leave it to me to walk the flat part and run uphill.
Now I have another long downhill. I'm dreading the bottom of this hill, because it is where I will turn and head for home. This is where it's going to get rough. This is the 3rd K.
And, as predicted, I really was quite tired by this point. I was really surprised I was still running at all, with only one tiny walk.
I rounded the corner and the tallest hill I could imagine stood before me. I looked at the elevation profile again when I got home. It was 70 ft, over about .4K/.25m. Um, remember the hill on the RNBNBBQ10K route I feared because it's painful to walk? It's a 47.4 ft hill over .35K/.21m. I was never very good at algebra (or geometry or wherever we woulda learned this math), but I think this local hill was more brutal. I ran to the first intersection. It took me a long time, and my goal was strictly to have an intersection for measuring on the map, but it shaved about 10 feet off the hill. At this point, my total time was 25 minutes, and distance was 3.23K (2.01m).
Oh, and did I mention? No bloody sidewalks. Again, there was room for me to get over onto the grass when cars came, and it is a pretty wide road for most of the hill part. I just prefer to not be in the road.
As I panted up the hill, I saw a Mountain Dew can in the gutter, taunting me. Never more than at that moment, did a Dew sound so wonderful.
I finally got to the top of the hill. It leveled off slightly, but overall, I still had some more uphill before this ended. It just wasn't as severe as that first part. So, I was keeping an eye on my time so I would have an intersection I could start at, and a time to be able to remember. I finally started running at 29 minutes (so easy to remember), and 3.62K/2.25m.
Just a couple of blocks past there, I finally got back on a sidewalk, much to my relief. I also FINALLY made it back to the street where I usually turn around at, which means, dadadummm...my hills. Ah, how puny they look after the mountain I just went up. The downhill, of course was fine.
I was getting tired though, and didn't think I would make it back up the hill. This street runs straight back to the street I live on, but to make the route long enough, I had to cut over a couple of blocks to the main road, and then go back down my street. The street I chose to cut over on is the street that is before the sharpest part of this hill. I have run that sharp part many times, but not after running the rest of the hill. That part of the route was very strategically planned, and my original goal was to get to that street before I walked.
The street before it though looked like it was going to be where I stopped. It was too steep for the last section, I was too tired.
But lo and behold, I got to that street, and kept moving right along. I made it to the street I was turning on. I even made it a little ways down the street. I thought it would be flat here, but it actually was a little uphill, and I decided I had to walk again. I had made it 34 minutes, 4.36K/2.71m.
I was a bit woozy walking down this street. I haven't really been getting dizzy on runs, but I was just exhausted. I couldn't believe I'd been out there for 35 minutes. I knew I was close to home, and had covered a good distance. At the end of the 2 blocks, when I was about to turn back on the main road, I took a DEEP breath. It hurt like hell, but I needed air. At the 37 minute, 4.56K/2.84m mark, I took off for the final stretch. I was sure I would run it out...until I actually started running. I was so done, I was very worried that I wouldn't make it all the way home.
When I set this route, 5K actually hit just before my next door neighbor's house. I wanted to run to my alley, just to give it a little extra. I really wanted to run all the way to my back door. But I knew I would stop at my neighbor's. Somehow, running down the street opposite of the mini pinscher, I made it all the way to my house, and up the alley to the backdoor. 42 minutes, 5.07K, 3.15 miles.
I was sad I finished over 40 minutes, but I still beat my original goal of 45 minutes. It didn't seem like I had been out there that long at all. Overall, my breathing was pretty good today, which has probably been my #1 struggle. My throat wasn't burning, which was a problem on my first longer runs. The loop route definitely helped me, because when I got tired enough to walk for the first time, I was at the back of the loop in the park. It would have been right in the middle of the Figure 8 and I would have come on home on my other route.
The bottoms of my feet had been burning for awhile. I did not wear the proper socks for this at all. It took me a few minutes to tackle getting my feet, which felt like balloons, out of the shoes. Pulled the socks off, and there was just skin flapping everywhere. Ah, blisters. The sign of a nice long excruciating run.
Later in the day, my left achilles started hurting, and I had a headache. I doubt the headache was associated with the run, as I have been getting them a lot lately. Tuesday morning update: the achilles seems better/not So sore so far today, yay!
A couple of other running related stories before I get to my numbers breakdown...
In Australia, there was a race on Saturday called the Stiletto Run. The story I read did not include a distance, but it is what you would expect. A race, where the participants run in heels. Not recommended for the health of your legs, but Friends, a race I could finally win. I guarantee I could outrun just about anyone in a pair of well fitting heels. I have probably done more running in heels than in my sneakers. For reals, sign me up. Prize money is $5,000. That'll take care of the airfare and at least half of my Foster's budget.
Also, Husband and I have been watching a new legal tv show called "The Defenders." The one we watched after my run was about a woman who hit a runner. Granted, the runner was running at night, in all black, in the road. I haven't run at night, yet, although it's getting darker earlier and I fear it may be coming. I most certainly will not be running this route at night. I'm not sure, besides the hills, that it is worth running again at all for the lack of sidewalks throughout. It's unfortunate, because I liked the route.
I may give it one more try, and run it the opposite direction. I thought about that when I mapped it, but I thought the hills at the beginning would wear me out for the rest of the route. And they may, but that big hill is gonna be a whole lot easier going the other way!
Weather: 62, Sunny, 1 mph (it was actually quite a bit gustier than this), 36% Humidity
Time: 1p; Run 19, Walk 1, Run 5, Walk 4, Run 5, Walk 3, Run 5
Distance: 5.07K (3.15m)
Elevation: (Brace yourself) +247.6/-248.8/net -1.2 ft -- Compared to my old 5K route: +86.6/-88.8/net -2.2 ft
5K/10K: 41:23/1:27:28
Run Time: 34 minutes
Distance: 4.39K (2.72m) -- I believe I walked 13.65% of the total -- Compared to about 9% the last time I completed 5K
5K/10K: 39:08/1:22:44
So I worked out a new route, one slightly over 5K so I wouldn't have any more of this 4.9K crap. A loop, so I knew I could make it to the furthest point, then I may as well keep running, because I'm headed home now.
I decided to run through our nearby park, which has lovely exercise trails. I've wanted to run in the park for awhile, but it is too close to drive to and there is a decent sized hill with no sidewalks to deal with if I want to run to it. It's also hard to use google to measure a route in the park because of the, well, trees blocking the paths on the satellite images. I finally mapped out part of the trail, and then a route home.
Oh, the route home. This would take me up the street I run/walk on regularly (at least prior to my current 5K route), but, of course, farther away from where I usually run. I also don't often have reason to drive down this street, so when I noticed that the google images weren't stitched together correctly, I really couldn't gauge how far off the stitching is. Also, I know this road is hilly. This is the road that had my first significant hills that I fought for weeks (months?) before finally conquering, and then went straight back to avoiding. I felt like farther down the road the hills were more significant. I worried about sidewalks. Enter Google. First, it looks like on images that there are sidewalks. Good. I looked briefly at the elevation, but I really didn't let it sink in. This was the route I wanted to go, so it would be what it be. Besides, the worst part of the hills were going to be between 3 and 4 K, so presumably I would already be walking anyway.
Today started out like any other day lately. Dew. Bagel. Water. Stomachache. Struggling to get the right outfit together for the weather. I went with the same outfit as last time - capri pants, tank top, long sleeve shirt, stocking cap. It was perfect for the last run. Today was 5 degrees warmer, and no wind, compared to the tornadic gusts I faced last time. When I set out, it was cool, but I could tell I was significantly overdressed. I quickly dropped everything and tossed the stocking cap and long sleeve tee back over our fence. Turns out, this was now the perfect outfit for the weather.
Sigh. However, I was having a significant wardrobe malfunction. My pants are drawstring and that drawstring is important to the pants staying in place. I had them tied, but apparently not tight enough. Part of the problem also was that I have a little pouch for my id and key that I usually tuck in my waistband. When the waistband won't stay up, this causes additional problems. So I spent the first K or better hitching my pants up. I am sure I looked like an ass. Thankfully, no one had to look at my ass. At one point I flipped my mp3 from my jazz album to the mic. I have no idea how I did that. But just what I have ALWAYS wanted - a recording of my panting while I run. Maybe I'll upload it later. Ugh. I knew I was going to have to stop and fix it eventually but I didn't want to stop my run! Everything was okay once I finally fixed it, but I had to carry my little pouch for the whole run today, which was annoying.
I also had to stop for traffic when I got to the end of the main street, but just briefly. Once down the hill at the end of the main street, I was headed to all new territory. And the hill that leads to the park. I felt okay, and the hill wasn't bad. Traffic got over, and almost the whole way had a nice flat grass area I could step off onto when cars were coming.
Once I got into the park I was a little dismayed by the desolateness of it all. There were a few people around, but not enough to feel safe. I definitely wished I was packing my pepper spray, although I surely would have sprayed myself while messing with my pants earlier.
After entering the park, it was all downhill until I got to the lake, which was much needed. The downhill, not the lake. The lake actually made me feel the likelihood of seeing a snake today was at its peak. I decided I would stop when I got to the bottom of the hill because I thought it was a pretty sharp hill on the other side of the lake and I would just walk it all. This was mostly determined by the fact that my breathing had been replaced with grunting as my entire stomach was clenched up in a cramp.
I lived to see the lake, which was 19 minutes into my run, and 2.59K (1.61m). I was quite happy that I made it that far before walking. It only took a minute to cross the lake (.09K/.06m), and the hill wasn't that terrible, so I went ahead and ran up it. Ah yes, leave it to me to walk the flat part and run uphill.
Now I have another long downhill. I'm dreading the bottom of this hill, because it is where I will turn and head for home. This is where it's going to get rough. This is the 3rd K.
And, as predicted, I really was quite tired by this point. I was really surprised I was still running at all, with only one tiny walk.
I rounded the corner and the tallest hill I could imagine stood before me. I looked at the elevation profile again when I got home. It was 70 ft, over about .4K/.25m. Um, remember the hill on the RNBNBBQ10K route I feared because it's painful to walk? It's a 47.4 ft hill over .35K/.21m. I was never very good at algebra (or geometry or wherever we woulda learned this math), but I think this local hill was more brutal. I ran to the first intersection. It took me a long time, and my goal was strictly to have an intersection for measuring on the map, but it shaved about 10 feet off the hill. At this point, my total time was 25 minutes, and distance was 3.23K (2.01m).
Oh, and did I mention? No bloody sidewalks. Again, there was room for me to get over onto the grass when cars came, and it is a pretty wide road for most of the hill part. I just prefer to not be in the road.
As I panted up the hill, I saw a Mountain Dew can in the gutter, taunting me. Never more than at that moment, did a Dew sound so wonderful.
I finally got to the top of the hill. It leveled off slightly, but overall, I still had some more uphill before this ended. It just wasn't as severe as that first part. So, I was keeping an eye on my time so I would have an intersection I could start at, and a time to be able to remember. I finally started running at 29 minutes (so easy to remember), and 3.62K/2.25m.
Just a couple of blocks past there, I finally got back on a sidewalk, much to my relief. I also FINALLY made it back to the street where I usually turn around at, which means, dadadummm...my hills. Ah, how puny they look after the mountain I just went up. The downhill, of course was fine.
I was getting tired though, and didn't think I would make it back up the hill. This street runs straight back to the street I live on, but to make the route long enough, I had to cut over a couple of blocks to the main road, and then go back down my street. The street I chose to cut over on is the street that is before the sharpest part of this hill. I have run that sharp part many times, but not after running the rest of the hill. That part of the route was very strategically planned, and my original goal was to get to that street before I walked.
The street before it though looked like it was going to be where I stopped. It was too steep for the last section, I was too tired.
But lo and behold, I got to that street, and kept moving right along. I made it to the street I was turning on. I even made it a little ways down the street. I thought it would be flat here, but it actually was a little uphill, and I decided I had to walk again. I had made it 34 minutes, 4.36K/2.71m.
I was a bit woozy walking down this street. I haven't really been getting dizzy on runs, but I was just exhausted. I couldn't believe I'd been out there for 35 minutes. I knew I was close to home, and had covered a good distance. At the end of the 2 blocks, when I was about to turn back on the main road, I took a DEEP breath. It hurt like hell, but I needed air. At the 37 minute, 4.56K/2.84m mark, I took off for the final stretch. I was sure I would run it out...until I actually started running. I was so done, I was very worried that I wouldn't make it all the way home.
When I set this route, 5K actually hit just before my next door neighbor's house. I wanted to run to my alley, just to give it a little extra. I really wanted to run all the way to my back door. But I knew I would stop at my neighbor's. Somehow, running down the street opposite of the mini pinscher, I made it all the way to my house, and up the alley to the backdoor. 42 minutes, 5.07K, 3.15 miles.
I was sad I finished over 40 minutes, but I still beat my original goal of 45 minutes. It didn't seem like I had been out there that long at all. Overall, my breathing was pretty good today, which has probably been my #1 struggle. My throat wasn't burning, which was a problem on my first longer runs. The loop route definitely helped me, because when I got tired enough to walk for the first time, I was at the back of the loop in the park. It would have been right in the middle of the Figure 8 and I would have come on home on my other route.
The bottoms of my feet had been burning for awhile. I did not wear the proper socks for this at all. It took me a few minutes to tackle getting my feet, which felt like balloons, out of the shoes. Pulled the socks off, and there was just skin flapping everywhere. Ah, blisters. The sign of a nice long excruciating run.
Later in the day, my left achilles started hurting, and I had a headache. I doubt the headache was associated with the run, as I have been getting them a lot lately. Tuesday morning update: the achilles seems better/not So sore so far today, yay!
A couple of other running related stories before I get to my numbers breakdown...
In Australia, there was a race on Saturday called the Stiletto Run. The story I read did not include a distance, but it is what you would expect. A race, where the participants run in heels. Not recommended for the health of your legs, but Friends, a race I could finally win. I guarantee I could outrun just about anyone in a pair of well fitting heels. I have probably done more running in heels than in my sneakers. For reals, sign me up. Prize money is $5,000. That'll take care of the airfare and at least half of my Foster's budget.
Also, Husband and I have been watching a new legal tv show called "The Defenders." The one we watched after my run was about a woman who hit a runner. Granted, the runner was running at night, in all black, in the road. I haven't run at night, yet, although it's getting darker earlier and I fear it may be coming. I most certainly will not be running this route at night. I'm not sure, besides the hills, that it is worth running again at all for the lack of sidewalks throughout. It's unfortunate, because I liked the route.
I may give it one more try, and run it the opposite direction. I thought about that when I mapped it, but I thought the hills at the beginning would wear me out for the rest of the route. And they may, but that big hill is gonna be a whole lot easier going the other way!
Weather: 62, Sunny, 1 mph (it was actually quite a bit gustier than this), 36% Humidity
Time: 1p; Run 19, Walk 1, Run 5, Walk 4, Run 5, Walk 3, Run 5
Distance: 5.07K (3.15m)
Elevation: (Brace yourself) +247.6/-248.8/net -1.2 ft -- Compared to my old 5K route: +86.6/-88.8/net -2.2 ft
5K/10K: 41:23/1:27:28
Run Time: 34 minutes
Distance: 4.39K (2.72m) -- I believe I walked 13.65% of the total -- Compared to about 9% the last time I completed 5K
5K/10K: 39:08/1:22:44
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Day 152: Day of the 10K
That's right, it's Saturday, Oct 2, the day of the Roots N Blues N BBQ 10K that was my original goal for my first race. Too bad I still haven't ran a whole 5K. I have to say, though, it was nice to have a splitting headache Friday night and know I didn't have to get up and run 6 miles at the crack of dawn.
It was cold today, too. Husband thinks running is better in the cold. Maybe I've obsessed too much over whether I love or hate Hot Yoga, but it just seems like having warm muscles makes exercise better. Maybe I've just spent most of my days running in the sweltering heat and it's what I'm used to. Of course it could just be that I positively abhor being cold in general.
Anyway, I knew I wanted to run today to mark the 10K date. I even managed to convince myself I was going to complete a 10K, even if I walked three quarters of it.
Before I headed out, we watched this week's "Big Bang Theory," where Penny had to take Sheldon for a run. I was hoping that little story would last longer than it did, but it still greatly amused me. Sheldon had all his electronics ready to monitor his run, while Penny offered the sage advice that she just runs until she gets hungry. Then she stops and eats a bear claw. Love it.
I had a bagel, dew and water this morning. Then came the challenge of figuring out what to wear. Last time I wore winter stuff, I was sweltering. So I went with capri yoga pants, and a tank top style shirt. I stepped outside and even though the sun was shining bright, it was just frigid out there. So I threw a long sleeved tee over the top, thinking I could stop and take it off if I got too hot. After all, I was going for a 10K. I also added a stocking cap because I knew my ears would freeze off. I have to knit a couple little headbands, I guess, because the cap still feels like overkill and keeps me pretty hot. At this point, it's just my ears that need warmed.
I changed my mp3 from Poison to a New Orleans Brass album that Brother gave me. I love running to this album anyway, but it had to be done on RNBNBBQ10K day for sure.
I set out for the bottom part of the 8, since the last couple of runs have been the top. It's Saturday, so circling the school wouldn't be an issue. The bottom part is slightly longer, so when I get back to the middle, near home, where the temptation to quit is overwhelming, I'll have at least gone a bit farther than the last couple runs. I absolutely must find another route where I go out and back, instead of twisting around the house. I think that's why I had such good luck when I was running around 30 minutes. I ran from home, out of town, and back home. The route was tough, but I was still finishing it. I've gotten so used to my 8, though, that I don't have to stare at the uneven cracked sidewalk the whole time, because I know where all the rough spots are. A new route takes some getting used to.
I was feeling pretty tired...kinda missing that rest day, since I just ran yesterday. But, as I cruised along, in spite of the tiredness, I felt GREAT. This was by far the best run I'd had in awhile. Everything was clicking. I stayed warm, but not sweltering (I kept all layers on). My ears were still cold when I got home, though. The wind was KILLER today. When it was blowing in my face, it took my breath away. Not a great thing when I'm already pulling from the bottom of my lungs with each breath. I did see another runner - a guy who was probably in his 60s. He had shorts and a t-shirt on and undoubtedly thought I was crazy all bundled up. Just wait, a little colder, and I'm going to be rocking a Snuggi on my runs.
Of course, I established a few days back that my goal was 24 minutes. I didn't think that was going to be an issue today. Sigh. I didn't feel like I could do the 5K (or a 10K, duh), so I headed for home. I ended up only running 23 minutes, which is annoying, but I ran all the way home, instead of quitting a couple blocks away. So that was encouraging. I felt like I ran so much farther than yesterday, but once the routes were measured up, I only went half a mile farther today. Of course, I ran it all today. Anyway, it was a good run. Sunday will be a rest, and Monday I guess I'll work on a new route to remove the temptation to quit in the middle.
Weather: 57, Sunny, 20 mph (gusting to 29 mph), 58% Humidity
Time: 1:30p; 23 minutes
Distance: 3.05K (1.89m)
Elevation: +44.7/-39.5/net 5.2 ft
5K/10K: 39:14/1:22:56 -- Yay, below 40 on an all run day!
It was cold today, too. Husband thinks running is better in the cold. Maybe I've obsessed too much over whether I love or hate Hot Yoga, but it just seems like having warm muscles makes exercise better. Maybe I've just spent most of my days running in the sweltering heat and it's what I'm used to. Of course it could just be that I positively abhor being cold in general.
Anyway, I knew I wanted to run today to mark the 10K date. I even managed to convince myself I was going to complete a 10K, even if I walked three quarters of it.
Before I headed out, we watched this week's "Big Bang Theory," where Penny had to take Sheldon for a run. I was hoping that little story would last longer than it did, but it still greatly amused me. Sheldon had all his electronics ready to monitor his run, while Penny offered the sage advice that she just runs until she gets hungry. Then she stops and eats a bear claw. Love it.
I had a bagel, dew and water this morning. Then came the challenge of figuring out what to wear. Last time I wore winter stuff, I was sweltering. So I went with capri yoga pants, and a tank top style shirt. I stepped outside and even though the sun was shining bright, it was just frigid out there. So I threw a long sleeved tee over the top, thinking I could stop and take it off if I got too hot. After all, I was going for a 10K. I also added a stocking cap because I knew my ears would freeze off. I have to knit a couple little headbands, I guess, because the cap still feels like overkill and keeps me pretty hot. At this point, it's just my ears that need warmed.
I changed my mp3 from Poison to a New Orleans Brass album that Brother gave me. I love running to this album anyway, but it had to be done on RNBNBBQ10K day for sure.
I set out for the bottom part of the 8, since the last couple of runs have been the top. It's Saturday, so circling the school wouldn't be an issue. The bottom part is slightly longer, so when I get back to the middle, near home, where the temptation to quit is overwhelming, I'll have at least gone a bit farther than the last couple runs. I absolutely must find another route where I go out and back, instead of twisting around the house. I think that's why I had such good luck when I was running around 30 minutes. I ran from home, out of town, and back home. The route was tough, but I was still finishing it. I've gotten so used to my 8, though, that I don't have to stare at the uneven cracked sidewalk the whole time, because I know where all the rough spots are. A new route takes some getting used to.
I was feeling pretty tired...kinda missing that rest day, since I just ran yesterday. But, as I cruised along, in spite of the tiredness, I felt GREAT. This was by far the best run I'd had in awhile. Everything was clicking. I stayed warm, but not sweltering (I kept all layers on). My ears were still cold when I got home, though. The wind was KILLER today. When it was blowing in my face, it took my breath away. Not a great thing when I'm already pulling from the bottom of my lungs with each breath. I did see another runner - a guy who was probably in his 60s. He had shorts and a t-shirt on and undoubtedly thought I was crazy all bundled up. Just wait, a little colder, and I'm going to be rocking a Snuggi on my runs.
Of course, I established a few days back that my goal was 24 minutes. I didn't think that was going to be an issue today. Sigh. I didn't feel like I could do the 5K (or a 10K, duh), so I headed for home. I ended up only running 23 minutes, which is annoying, but I ran all the way home, instead of quitting a couple blocks away. So that was encouraging. I felt like I ran so much farther than yesterday, but once the routes were measured up, I only went half a mile farther today. Of course, I ran it all today. Anyway, it was a good run. Sunday will be a rest, and Monday I guess I'll work on a new route to remove the temptation to quit in the middle.
Weather: 57, Sunny, 20 mph (gusting to 29 mph), 58% Humidity
Time: 1:30p; 23 minutes
Distance: 3.05K (1.89m)
Elevation: +44.7/-39.5/net 5.2 ft
5K/10K: 39:14/1:22:56 -- Yay, below 40 on an all run day!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Day 151: Counting Down To 0
Well, I wanted to run on Thursday, the 30th. Mostly because I haven't really run much this month and I wanted one more set of numbers on my spreadsheet for the month. Absurd, seriously. I had an interview on Thursday, and by the time I got home I was too exhausted and decided not to. So, this post is for my run on Friday, 10/1.
Today was ridiculous. I had something resembling another interview today. It was just another slap in the face, though, where I left screaming at the top of my lungs, "How does this nutjob have a job and I don't!!??" Sigh. It actually was one of the overall most promising things I've had happen in regards to me getting work. It was just annoying to have to deal with. So, once I got home, I planned to run out my frustration before the school traffic picked up, but first, I had to unleash the story on Husband and Best Friend. By the time that was done (there was a lot to tell), school was certainly out. Ugh.
I decided to run the top part of the 8 first again (like Wednesday), so that traffic would hopefully have cleared out before I got around to the elementary school. And I was pretty confidant I was going to do the 5K today.
My right inside thigh was hurting from the start of this run. I decided to cross my street today, to avoid that stupid mini pinscher. I'm learning, slowly. I got hot, and winded quickly. This is going to be rough. I also think this is the last day for Posion'd, much as I love it.
Well, I felt like I was going too fast. I was tired and hot. After a mere 10 minutes (1.42K/.88m), I had to stop to walk. To my credit, I wasn't giving up yet. After all, I was going for the 5K, even if walking was involved. Sadly, I walked 3 minutes (.27K/.17m)...I wouldn't have walked so far, but I needed an easy to remember time and spot to mark on the map. My spot was the back of the post.
So I take off for another 4 minutes (for a total of 2.24K/1.39m) back to the same corner in the middle of the figure 8 that I finished at Wednesday (actually, just slightly farther than Wednesday).
And after all my worrying about school traffic, I didn't see hardly any people today. Of course, I never actually made it to the school part of my route.
So, today I ran 14 minutes and walked 3. Wednesday I ran 17. The route was essentially the same. I think that means I was going quite a bit faster today? All I know is that I keep running less and less. Which makes sense, because I am about to quit and end up at 0 minutes per run. Whatever, here are the numbers.
Weather: 75, Sunny, 10 mph (it was enough to affect my breathing), 34% Humidity
Time: 3:30pm; Run 10, Walk 3, Run 4
Distance: 2.24K (1.39m)
Elevation: +56.6/-47.8/net 8.8 ft
5K/10K: 40:28/1:25:33
Run Time: 14 mins
Distance: 1.97K (1.22m)
5K/10K: 38:17/1:20:56 -- haven't seen a number below 40 since 9/3, when I completed the 5K route with the least amount of walking...This has been a rough month!
Today was ridiculous. I had something resembling another interview today. It was just another slap in the face, though, where I left screaming at the top of my lungs, "How does this nutjob have a job and I don't!!??" Sigh. It actually was one of the overall most promising things I've had happen in regards to me getting work. It was just annoying to have to deal with. So, once I got home, I planned to run out my frustration before the school traffic picked up, but first, I had to unleash the story on Husband and Best Friend. By the time that was done (there was a lot to tell), school was certainly out. Ugh.
I decided to run the top part of the 8 first again (like Wednesday), so that traffic would hopefully have cleared out before I got around to the elementary school. And I was pretty confidant I was going to do the 5K today.
My right inside thigh was hurting from the start of this run. I decided to cross my street today, to avoid that stupid mini pinscher. I'm learning, slowly. I got hot, and winded quickly. This is going to be rough. I also think this is the last day for Posion'd, much as I love it.
Well, I felt like I was going too fast. I was tired and hot. After a mere 10 minutes (1.42K/.88m), I had to stop to walk. To my credit, I wasn't giving up yet. After all, I was going for the 5K, even if walking was involved. Sadly, I walked 3 minutes (.27K/.17m)...I wouldn't have walked so far, but I needed an easy to remember time and spot to mark on the map. My spot was the back of the post.
So I take off for another 4 minutes (for a total of 2.24K/1.39m) back to the same corner in the middle of the figure 8 that I finished at Wednesday (actually, just slightly farther than Wednesday).
And after all my worrying about school traffic, I didn't see hardly any people today. Of course, I never actually made it to the school part of my route.
So, today I ran 14 minutes and walked 3. Wednesday I ran 17. The route was essentially the same. I think that means I was going quite a bit faster today? All I know is that I keep running less and less. Which makes sense, because I am about to quit and end up at 0 minutes per run. Whatever, here are the numbers.
Weather: 75, Sunny, 10 mph (it was enough to affect my breathing), 34% Humidity
Time: 3:30pm; Run 10, Walk 3, Run 4
Distance: 2.24K (1.39m)
Elevation: +56.6/-47.8/net 8.8 ft
5K/10K: 40:28/1:25:33
Run Time: 14 mins
Distance: 1.97K (1.22m)
5K/10K: 38:17/1:20:56 -- haven't seen a number below 40 since 9/3, when I completed the 5K route with the least amount of walking...This has been a rough month!
Day 149
This post was for my run on Wednesday, 9/29.
Today my goal was to go for 24 minutes. I had a really healthy meal last night with brown rice and garbanzo beans, and I was sure that magically that would carry over to today when I had only had a dew and water.
It was a little cool today, so my outfit became a concern. I ended up going with shorts, thank goodness. I ended up quite hot. I'm having a hard time with the weather changing.
I am obsessed with the tread on my shoes. I don't recall how many miles you're supposed to put on your sneakers before replacing them, but mine have to be getting close. I want to take them to a real athletic store where they evaluate your tread and make recommendations. Instead of just getting the cheapest running shoes at the Shoe Carnival like I did when I started this endeavor. Unfortunately, I can't afford to replace these with the cheapos at Shoe Carnival at this point, so I'll just keep obsessively watching the tread disappear before my eyes.
I kept Poison'd as my music for today, and set off at a pretty quick clip. I like thinking of all the stuff Brett Michaels has survived while I try to push through another block. I mean really.
That stupid mini pinscher tried to kill me again today. I screamed at it when it came after me. I've noticed myself getting a lot more vocal while running lately. Like, crazy person vocal. Trip? Scream. Dog chasing? Scream. Hit head on a tree pod? Scream. Panting? Not even trying to hide it. Your Momma Don't Dance? Singing along with it. All of it. Out loud.
Well, my fast start, combined with a stomach ache, and a ridiculous level of thirst, did not serve me well. I became quite happy that I was running for time today, or else I would have quit even before I did. There was no way I was setting any distance records but I thought I could make it 24 minutes.
As I ran up the side street toward the post, I saw two plastic toy soldiers, like Christmas decorations, out at the curb. I apparently should have been listening to the Nutcracker soundtrack today. P.S. I almost went back in the car to snag those things. I love toy soldiers.
So..I only made it to the middle of my figure 8 route. Things just weren't clicking today. I was really hot, and I started too fast and couldn't ever recover. I didn't make my time. I didn't make my last time. Sigh.
When I got home a freaky looking spider fell off of me. There were cob webs everywhere but I certainly don't recall running through one. Or I would have screamed, clearly.
Weather: 74, Sunny, 6 mph, 51% Humidity
Time: Noon; Run 17 minutes
Distance: 2.23K (1.39m)
Elevation: +57.1/-48.4/net 8.8 ft
5K/10K: 40:40/1:25:58
Today my goal was to go for 24 minutes. I had a really healthy meal last night with brown rice and garbanzo beans, and I was sure that magically that would carry over to today when I had only had a dew and water.
It was a little cool today, so my outfit became a concern. I ended up going with shorts, thank goodness. I ended up quite hot. I'm having a hard time with the weather changing.
I am obsessed with the tread on my shoes. I don't recall how many miles you're supposed to put on your sneakers before replacing them, but mine have to be getting close. I want to take them to a real athletic store where they evaluate your tread and make recommendations. Instead of just getting the cheapest running shoes at the Shoe Carnival like I did when I started this endeavor. Unfortunately, I can't afford to replace these with the cheapos at Shoe Carnival at this point, so I'll just keep obsessively watching the tread disappear before my eyes.
I kept Poison'd as my music for today, and set off at a pretty quick clip. I like thinking of all the stuff Brett Michaels has survived while I try to push through another block. I mean really.
That stupid mini pinscher tried to kill me again today. I screamed at it when it came after me. I've noticed myself getting a lot more vocal while running lately. Like, crazy person vocal. Trip? Scream. Dog chasing? Scream. Hit head on a tree pod? Scream. Panting? Not even trying to hide it. Your Momma Don't Dance? Singing along with it. All of it. Out loud.
Well, my fast start, combined with a stomach ache, and a ridiculous level of thirst, did not serve me well. I became quite happy that I was running for time today, or else I would have quit even before I did. There was no way I was setting any distance records but I thought I could make it 24 minutes.
As I ran up the side street toward the post, I saw two plastic toy soldiers, like Christmas decorations, out at the curb. I apparently should have been listening to the Nutcracker soundtrack today. P.S. I almost went back in the car to snag those things. I love toy soldiers.
So..I only made it to the middle of my figure 8 route. Things just weren't clicking today. I was really hot, and I started too fast and couldn't ever recover. I didn't make my time. I didn't make my last time. Sigh.
When I got home a freaky looking spider fell off of me. There were cob webs everywhere but I certainly don't recall running through one. Or I would have screamed, clearly.
Weather: 74, Sunny, 6 mph, 51% Humidity
Time: Noon; Run 17 minutes
Distance: 2.23K (1.39m)
Elevation: +57.1/-48.4/net 8.8 ft
5K/10K: 40:40/1:25:58
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