Well, my plan is to run every other day, unless I get to a point where I feel strong enough to run multiple days in a row. But...I didn't run yesterday. I was pretty exhausted from Saturday for the rest of the weekend, and I thought I just may want to hold on and save this run for after work. There have been many days at work where all I have wanted is to go for a run. I didn't want to miss an opportunity. Well, and I actually thought about running before work today, but the weather looked shady and despite the news saying it wasn't severe, I sat tight and turns out, it went severe. Way to go, boys.
At work, the discussion revolved around hot runs (I didn't think it would be that bad after work, but what do I know) and how my coworker who only this year started running managed a 10 minute pace recently. Although it almost killed her, that was definitely on my mind when I ran tonight. I was going from Day 38 to Day 47 on my abbreviated/accelerated C25K, 16 minutes running tonight.
Due to the alleged heat, I pinned all my hair up. All of it. I certainly have never run with so many bobbies in my hair and it was great. I may start wearing it that way on a daily basis.
I started off with my 5 minute walk warmup (.51K/.32 mi) then took the regular route, including the two blocks further, but then switched it up. I turned into this little neighborhood instead of just turning around and running right back where I had been. It's pretty quiet and a bit nicer than the rest of my route, and yay, there were sidewalks all the way down and back - although I came back a block closer to home and that block had to be run in the street. But it was downhill, so it went relatively quickly. Anyway, once I got back on my regular path, I was pure exhaustion. This whole run was all about just trying to finish. As I got close to the school, and my presumed finish, this little dog was out in a yard - it looked unsupervised, untethered, and old. And I prayed to be mauled so I could just stop. Alas, I think he tailed me a minute - I had neither the strength to look nor to tell him to stay, but I finally shook him and finished my 16 minutes at the school. (1.95K/1.21mi - hey I'm back over a mile in one burst!)
I walked 5 minutes (.44K/.27mi) and tried to run my lagniappe 5 minutes. I was so tired (the front of my thighs are absolutely killing me on each run - there is just no muscle there yet), thirsty, there were so many frakking people out, and yes, I was hot, that I called it quits after 1 minute (.13K/.08mi). Egads. So the walk home took me 6 minutes (.54K/.34mi). As I walked up the alley to my house, I had to step over a dead bird, which displeased me immensely. As I walked up the steps to my door a dang cicada beamed me in the forehead. As I would later say, like a gross, off-center high five at the finish line.
I had a slight headache, but ate some pizza (gourds, I'm unhealthy) within an hour and did not get a bad one.
One other note, Husband bought me the book "Once A Runner" for Christmas. I've started it like 5 times, but even though it seems to be about a runner who is at the end of his running career, it has been impossible for me to get into when I couldn't run. I am burning through it now. It's hilarious, and even though there is no comparison to what I do with what the characters do, there are certain things apparently all runners do that I really get a kick out of in the book. I had debated not keeping up this blog or my spreadsheet of miles and times until the book mentioned the training logs that the boys keep. Anyway, it's a really great book, and it is inspiring me even if my goal is not a 4 minute mile!
Pushing it seemed to help, if not nearly kill me - I ran a total of one minute less than last run, but went a whopping .05 mile further. My pace over 16 minutes and 1.21 miles was 13.22, also on the decline!
Weather: 79, Sunny, 2 mph wind, 42% Humidity, Feels Like 80
Time: 7pm; Walk 5, Run 16, Walk 5, Run 1, Walk 6
Distance: 3.57K/2.22mi
Elevation: +53.8/-52.7/net 1.2 ft
Just run: 17:00
Distance: 2.08K/1.29mi
5K/10K: 43:56/1:32:52
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Let's "Runaway"
I could hardly wait to run again today.
I was super-super sore yesterday, especially in the thigh area. I was for sure old man hobbling. Even today, I was still quite sore. I definitely needed the 5 minute warm up walk to get the legs in gear (.53K/.33mi).
I didn't eat before I set out, and the first run was very hard. I had skipped from Day 33 to Day 38 in the C25K, so I was going from a 10 minute run to a 13 minute run. I did run the 2 blocks further, so I still finished my run near the school, but I had to get up the hill there a bit first because the alarm didn't go off until I was halfway up the block (1.49K/.93mi).
I finished out the workout with a 5 minute walk (.35K/.21mi), 5 minute lagniappe run (.49K/.31m), and 5 minute walk home (.28K/.17mi).
My motivation today was self-abuse. A lot of, You used to be able to run four times this far, and You expect to be able to run two plus hours at a time?
Afterwards, I ate some chocolate chip waffles and had a Dew. I did not get a headache, but I was oh so sore. And I still had a Bruno Mars concert to get to that night. <3 Great, busy day!
Weather: 59, Partly Cloudy, 5 mph wind, 90% Humidity, Feels Like 63
Time: 8:30AM; Walk 5, Run 13, Walk 5, Run 5, Walk 5
Distance: 3.14K/1.95mi
Elevation: +41.9/-37.8/net 4.1 ft
Just Run: 18:00
Distance: 1.98K/1.24mi
5K/10K: 48:33/1:42:37
Pace on 13 minute run over .93mi: 13.98.
I was super-super sore yesterday, especially in the thigh area. I was for sure old man hobbling. Even today, I was still quite sore. I definitely needed the 5 minute warm up walk to get the legs in gear (.53K/.33mi).
I didn't eat before I set out, and the first run was very hard. I had skipped from Day 33 to Day 38 in the C25K, so I was going from a 10 minute run to a 13 minute run. I did run the 2 blocks further, so I still finished my run near the school, but I had to get up the hill there a bit first because the alarm didn't go off until I was halfway up the block (1.49K/.93mi).
I finished out the workout with a 5 minute walk (.35K/.21mi), 5 minute lagniappe run (.49K/.31m), and 5 minute walk home (.28K/.17mi).
My motivation today was self-abuse. A lot of, You used to be able to run four times this far, and You expect to be able to run two plus hours at a time?
Afterwards, I ate some chocolate chip waffles and had a Dew. I did not get a headache, but I was oh so sore. And I still had a Bruno Mars concert to get to that night. <3 Great, busy day!
Weather: 59, Partly Cloudy, 5 mph wind, 90% Humidity, Feels Like 63
Time: 8:30AM; Walk 5, Run 13, Walk 5, Run 5, Walk 5
Distance: 3.14K/1.95mi
Elevation: +41.9/-37.8/net 4.1 ft
Just Run: 18:00
Distance: 1.98K/1.24mi
5K/10K: 48:33/1:42:37
Pace on 13 minute run over .93mi: 13.98.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Me: "I'm back after 6 months!"
Thirteen Year Cicada: "Impressive."
I finally had my neurologist appointment today, and he confirmed that my headaches from running are not being caused by anything dangerous in my brain. He also prescribed Imitrex so if the mighty migraines return I will still be able to function as a human being.
I could hardly get through my afternoon.
Of course, due to the stress of having to sit in a neurologist's office for a couple of hours, I did have a headache all day, although it wasn't too terrible when I set out around 6:30 (promptly after getting home, changed, and stretched - I did not even take the time to obsessive-compulsively check the weather before leaving).
All through this waiting period I knew coming back I would just take off running and see how far I could go, then start over with the couch to 5K day closest to that time. I did not have high hopes for this run at all. My last attempt was horrid, although it was cold and windy, but I haven't been working out at all since then.
I wanted to start with the 5 minute walk like was included for most of the C25K. I just didn't feel like the stretching was enough, plus the walking would put me over my initial "hill" that I have to run up. As I walked, I cursed the fact that I finally came back to run and now the 13-year cicadas are out everywhere. I'll undoubtedly be taking one of those clearly blind beasts to my gaping open gasping for air mouth at some point in the near future.
So I walked 5 minutes - .51K - .31 mile. Then I was off. I was at the top of a hill, but these are rolling hills, so I really forced myself to hold back running down it. Going up the other side was hard, really, really hard. I had actually forgotten how hard it used to be, back at the beginning. Not that it was ever super easy - my last full run was the worst. But this was like impossibly hard. I had definitely gotten to a point where these little rolling hills weren't even noticeable as I careened up and down them. This is my motivation for my return to running - to get past the painful part. Remember, you have to do this part to get to the part where it doesn't hurt so bad.
My headache definitely came back while I was running. This was one of the teeth aching bad headaches. But, I didn't care. I was entirely too excited to be running. My mp3 was on random as usual and picking good songs, and I was ecstatic, especially after each awful hill I made it over.
After I made it up the hill by the orphanage, I was pretty wiped out, though - I knew my time was limited. So I didn't bother with the turn further away from home where I pick up the extra couple of blocks to get my 5K distance. I did make it back to the school, before another small uphill. I had run 10 minutes - 1.13K - .71 mi, far more than I had expected to when I was asking people to place bets on how far I would go.
I stared walking and decided to try for a 5 minute walk, followed by another 10 minute run, followed by a 5 minute walk. Part of the avoidance of headaches from running includes a sufficient cool down, so that end walk is now imperative. My right thigh was cramped up pretty nicely at this point, but I walked the 5 minutes - .41K - .25 mi.
I jumped like a maniac several times during the course of my running and walking. I have to re-learn where all the barking dogs are along my route, and get used to bugs landing on me, etc, etc.
When I took off running again, I headed straight ahead to the busy street that I've run on so many times. Once I turned on the busy street, I was in the sun and suddenly got very hot. I clearly had overdressed with a long sleeved tee over a workout top. I only made it 5 minutes - .64K - .4 mi, but I was happy with my little extra. 15 minutes total on my first run back? That was exceptional.
It took me 5 mins - .36K - .23 mi to get home. I immediately had a piece of chocolate angel food cake (eating quickly to avoid headaches), followed with water and half a frozen pizza. When I got home, the back of my right knee, slightly to the outside, was tight and sore. Amazingly, besides my head, this was really my only complaint. It was noticeable, however, because I don't recall ever having pain there before. Yippe! By the time I had finished my food, the knee and headache were better, but my feet and muscles were very sore. (Of course, normal runners get headaches in the heat, but I got mine worse when it got cold, and I was running significantly farther.)
What better time to look up a half marathon training plan?! I went to CoolRunning.com to check out their advice, and after choosing the Beginner plan (which I am, but do not currently see me able to do a half in 2 hours), saw that they recommend being able to run about 20 miles a week without discomfort, for 4-5 weeks, before starting the training. Noted. Now how am I going to get there?!
I pulled out my C25K. Day 33 was a walk 5, Run 10 Walk 5. Even though I ran an additional 5, I thought this was the most relevant starting point. Day 33 of 70. Dang. At least I didn't have to start all the way over.
Feeling cocky, I decided to set my goals based on something of an every other day schedule of the C25K. For example, the next two run days on the schedule were Run 11s. The NEXT run, was run 13 minutes. That would be my next goal, for Saturday. Following this schedule, I should be back at 30 minute runs in 2 weeks. Not too shabby.
My total distance today was 3.05K/1.9 miles. I ran in total 1.11 miles. It's funny how that can seem like such a long distance, and such a short distance all at once.
I currently only have two other girls in my office and they are both runners. They are obsessed with pace, so I guess I'll start keep track of my embarrassingly slow pace. Based on the longer part of my run, 10 minutes over .71 mile, I have an aged three legged turtle's pace of 14.08.
Weather: 63, Sunny, 11 mph wind, 63% humidity, Feels like 63
Time: 6:30pm; Walk 5, Run 10, Walk 5, Run 5, Walk 5
Distance: 3.05K (1.90mi)
5K/10K: Not going to track for run/walks anymore
Elevation: +38.5/-36.3/net 2.1 ft
Just run: 15:00
Distance: 1.77K (1.11mi)
5K/10K: 45:36/1:36:23
I finally had my neurologist appointment today, and he confirmed that my headaches from running are not being caused by anything dangerous in my brain. He also prescribed Imitrex so if the mighty migraines return I will still be able to function as a human being.
I could hardly get through my afternoon.
Of course, due to the stress of having to sit in a neurologist's office for a couple of hours, I did have a headache all day, although it wasn't too terrible when I set out around 6:30 (promptly after getting home, changed, and stretched - I did not even take the time to obsessive-compulsively check the weather before leaving).
All through this waiting period I knew coming back I would just take off running and see how far I could go, then start over with the couch to 5K day closest to that time. I did not have high hopes for this run at all. My last attempt was horrid, although it was cold and windy, but I haven't been working out at all since then.
I wanted to start with the 5 minute walk like was included for most of the C25K. I just didn't feel like the stretching was enough, plus the walking would put me over my initial "hill" that I have to run up. As I walked, I cursed the fact that I finally came back to run and now the 13-year cicadas are out everywhere. I'll undoubtedly be taking one of those clearly blind beasts to my gaping open gasping for air mouth at some point in the near future.
So I walked 5 minutes - .51K - .31 mile. Then I was off. I was at the top of a hill, but these are rolling hills, so I really forced myself to hold back running down it. Going up the other side was hard, really, really hard. I had actually forgotten how hard it used to be, back at the beginning. Not that it was ever super easy - my last full run was the worst. But this was like impossibly hard. I had definitely gotten to a point where these little rolling hills weren't even noticeable as I careened up and down them. This is my motivation for my return to running - to get past the painful part. Remember, you have to do this part to get to the part where it doesn't hurt so bad.
My headache definitely came back while I was running. This was one of the teeth aching bad headaches. But, I didn't care. I was entirely too excited to be running. My mp3 was on random as usual and picking good songs, and I was ecstatic, especially after each awful hill I made it over.
After I made it up the hill by the orphanage, I was pretty wiped out, though - I knew my time was limited. So I didn't bother with the turn further away from home where I pick up the extra couple of blocks to get my 5K distance. I did make it back to the school, before another small uphill. I had run 10 minutes - 1.13K - .71 mi, far more than I had expected to when I was asking people to place bets on how far I would go.
I stared walking and decided to try for a 5 minute walk, followed by another 10 minute run, followed by a 5 minute walk. Part of the avoidance of headaches from running includes a sufficient cool down, so that end walk is now imperative. My right thigh was cramped up pretty nicely at this point, but I walked the 5 minutes - .41K - .25 mi.
I jumped like a maniac several times during the course of my running and walking. I have to re-learn where all the barking dogs are along my route, and get used to bugs landing on me, etc, etc.
When I took off running again, I headed straight ahead to the busy street that I've run on so many times. Once I turned on the busy street, I was in the sun and suddenly got very hot. I clearly had overdressed with a long sleeved tee over a workout top. I only made it 5 minutes - .64K - .4 mi, but I was happy with my little extra. 15 minutes total on my first run back? That was exceptional.
It took me 5 mins - .36K - .23 mi to get home. I immediately had a piece of chocolate angel food cake (eating quickly to avoid headaches), followed with water and half a frozen pizza. When I got home, the back of my right knee, slightly to the outside, was tight and sore. Amazingly, besides my head, this was really my only complaint. It was noticeable, however, because I don't recall ever having pain there before. Yippe! By the time I had finished my food, the knee and headache were better, but my feet and muscles were very sore. (Of course, normal runners get headaches in the heat, but I got mine worse when it got cold, and I was running significantly farther.)
What better time to look up a half marathon training plan?! I went to CoolRunning.com to check out their advice, and after choosing the Beginner plan (which I am, but do not currently see me able to do a half in 2 hours), saw that they recommend being able to run about 20 miles a week without discomfort, for 4-5 weeks, before starting the training. Noted. Now how am I going to get there?!
I pulled out my C25K. Day 33 was a walk 5, Run 10 Walk 5. Even though I ran an additional 5, I thought this was the most relevant starting point. Day 33 of 70. Dang. At least I didn't have to start all the way over.
Feeling cocky, I decided to set my goals based on something of an every other day schedule of the C25K. For example, the next two run days on the schedule were Run 11s. The NEXT run, was run 13 minutes. That would be my next goal, for Saturday. Following this schedule, I should be back at 30 minute runs in 2 weeks. Not too shabby.
My total distance today was 3.05K/1.9 miles. I ran in total 1.11 miles. It's funny how that can seem like such a long distance, and such a short distance all at once.
I currently only have two other girls in my office and they are both runners. They are obsessed with pace, so I guess I'll start keep track of my embarrassingly slow pace. Based on the longer part of my run, 10 minutes over .71 mile, I have an aged three legged turtle's pace of 14.08.
Weather: 63, Sunny, 11 mph wind, 63% humidity, Feels like 63
Time: 6:30pm; Walk 5, Run 10, Walk 5, Run 5, Walk 5
Distance: 3.05K (1.90mi)
5K/10K: Not going to track for run/walks anymore
Elevation: +38.5/-36.3/net 2.1 ft
Just run: 15:00
Distance: 1.77K (1.11mi)
5K/10K: 45:36/1:36:23
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