Running is sometimes therapeutic. Sometimes it is just what you need. And further, sometimes you need to run hard and kick your own butt. Tonight, that is what I needed. 4 miles in 34:30 - way faster than the 4 mile runs I have put in so far. Today also marks 3 weeks of training...I feel good about this progress.
So, tonight's run was good. I did not feel as into it as I did on Monday, but it was hot, and I was running harder than I have thus far in my training - I was pushing. On the run, I decided that I would use July as a base month. I am just going to slowly build up my miles through next week and then I will come up with a more structured plan. That means...10 more days of "base month" and then onto pushing harder in a structured manner. July is going to put me in the habit of running. August, September, and October are going to prepare me for my half marathon. So far, so good.
Stay cool!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Heat Shmeat...
It was hot out today. There were heat index warnings. Even that annoying beeping noise and national weather alert announcement. I had never heard one for heat before. Alex and I still laced up and ran :)
We did our 3.2 mile out and back, nothing big. We sweat, that's for sure. We didn't push, we would have been stupid to do so. I can honestly say that I am glad we did it :)
The shade was clutch and where we run has a lot of shaded trail. There was even a nice breeze. Once you were out in it for a few minutes, you adjusted...sort of. There was a moment, more like a full minute or 2, when the breeze stopped, and the air was still - that was the hardest minute of the run. I could hear my feet trudging through the gravel, my ponytail hitting the back of my neck, and my breathing. It was ungodly hot. In that minute I thought: I am going to remember how this feels so that I can access this memory when I am feeling tired in the Monumental. It is stored away in a file in my brain labeled "When the going gets tough."
We walked for about a minute closer to the end of the run because, well, we just did. When we finished in a time of 30:03 (including the walking) I was happy. Under 10 minute miles in this oven-like weather was a-ok with me. We cleaned up and headed to Greenwood to meet up with friends.
It's been 20 days since I started training. I'm loving it :)
We did our 3.2 mile out and back, nothing big. We sweat, that's for sure. We didn't push, we would have been stupid to do so. I can honestly say that I am glad we did it :)
The shade was clutch and where we run has a lot of shaded trail. There was even a nice breeze. Once you were out in it for a few minutes, you adjusted...sort of. There was a moment, more like a full minute or 2, when the breeze stopped, and the air was still - that was the hardest minute of the run. I could hear my feet trudging through the gravel, my ponytail hitting the back of my neck, and my breathing. It was ungodly hot. In that minute I thought: I am going to remember how this feels so that I can access this memory when I am feeling tired in the Monumental. It is stored away in a file in my brain labeled "When the going gets tough."
We walked for about a minute closer to the end of the run because, well, we just did. When we finished in a time of 30:03 (including the walking) I was happy. Under 10 minute miles in this oven-like weather was a-ok with me. We cleaned up and headed to Greenwood to meet up with friends.
It's been 20 days since I started training. I'm loving it :)
Slow going on this whole blog thing...
I haven't blogged in a while, but I am going to today :)
July 11th - July 19th summary:
M July 11 - OFF (Foiled by Whoopie Pie)
Tu July 12 - 3.2 miles (El Husbando made me run FAST) (26:21)
W July 13 - 3.8 miles (35:16)
Th July 14 - 3.2 miles
Fr July 15 - 3 miles
Sa July 16 - 5 miles (46:53)
Su July 17 - OFF
M July 18 - 3.2 miles (27:32)
Tu July 19 - 4 miles (37:00)
Although I have not been motivated enough to find the time to blog about my training, I have still been running :)
Let's start where I left off:
On July 13, I ran with my friend who has been running for at least a couple years. It went smoothly. We did about 3.8 miles and we stopped at the half way point to stretch. We talked through most of the run and it made me miss running with a team. Don't get me wrong, one of the best parts of being a runner is getting the chance to step out of the world and into your mind for x miles a day - you can daydream, ponder life, enjoy the scenery, rock out to music, people watch, ect. But, sometimes its nice to have someone with you to experience the day's training. It is bonding.
July 14 & 15 were good runs, nothing special to note...or I have forgotten by now.
July 16th (Saturday) was the longest run of my training yet - 5 miles. It felt decent. In 16 days of training I have come a long way. The last time I ran 5 miles was during the Indianapolis Corporate Challenge 5 mile race (September 2010). I completed that race in around 41 minutes (I did not train much). A time of 46:53 for my first 5 mile training run suits me just fine.
July 17th I took off.
July 18th (Monday) was a turning point for me. If I was to write a separate post for this day, I would title it "If only my shorts hadn't been falling down" because I think if I did not have to continuously pull up the shorts I was wearing, I would have been speedy. This was the first run that I actually truly enjoyed the feeling of running. I have not experienced this in years. It was wonderful. I liked the way I was breathing. I liked the way I was sweating. I experienced the notorius "runner's high" during my run. Amazing. I felt like a runner, not just a jogger, not just someone trying to shed some weight, a real runner. If this would have been a separate post, I would end it with: I am officially hooked.
July 19th: no more messing around. I found another blog to follow. Another person from my hometown. She seems like a fantastic distance runner and I am excited to follow her and learn from her and be motivated by her. I was totally motivated by the blog and by my run the previous day. Another 3.2 mile day was slated - scratch that! 4 miles: NO MORE MESSING AROUND. Although it was hot, I did it. And it felt great. Not as good as Monday, but it was good. I shaved a full minute off of my last 4 mile time. I felt strong despite the heat, and my ambition is growing.
I will post after my next workout.
I will post after my next workout.
I will post after my next workout...
(a Harry Potter review is coming as well)
July 11th - July 19th summary:
M July 11 - OFF (Foiled by Whoopie Pie)
Tu July 12 - 3.2 miles (El Husbando made me run FAST) (26:21)
W July 13 - 3.8 miles (35:16)
Th July 14 - 3.2 miles
Fr July 15 - 3 miles
Sa July 16 - 5 miles (46:53)
Su July 17 - OFF
M July 18 - 3.2 miles (27:32)
Tu July 19 - 4 miles (37:00)
Although I have not been motivated enough to find the time to blog about my training, I have still been running :)
Let's start where I left off:
On July 13, I ran with my friend who has been running for at least a couple years. It went smoothly. We did about 3.8 miles and we stopped at the half way point to stretch. We talked through most of the run and it made me miss running with a team. Don't get me wrong, one of the best parts of being a runner is getting the chance to step out of the world and into your mind for x miles a day - you can daydream, ponder life, enjoy the scenery, rock out to music, people watch, ect. But, sometimes its nice to have someone with you to experience the day's training. It is bonding.
July 14 & 15 were good runs, nothing special to note...or I have forgotten by now.
July 16th (Saturday) was the longest run of my training yet - 5 miles. It felt decent. In 16 days of training I have come a long way. The last time I ran 5 miles was during the Indianapolis Corporate Challenge 5 mile race (September 2010). I completed that race in around 41 minutes (I did not train much). A time of 46:53 for my first 5 mile training run suits me just fine.
July 17th I took off.
July 18th (Monday) was a turning point for me. If I was to write a separate post for this day, I would title it "If only my shorts hadn't been falling down" because I think if I did not have to continuously pull up the shorts I was wearing, I would have been speedy. This was the first run that I actually truly enjoyed the feeling of running. I have not experienced this in years. It was wonderful. I liked the way I was breathing. I liked the way I was sweating. I experienced the notorius "runner's high" during my run. Amazing. I felt like a runner, not just a jogger, not just someone trying to shed some weight, a real runner. If this would have been a separate post, I would end it with: I am officially hooked.
July 19th: no more messing around. I found another blog to follow. Another person from my hometown. She seems like a fantastic distance runner and I am excited to follow her and learn from her and be motivated by her. I was totally motivated by the blog and by my run the previous day. Another 3.2 mile day was slated - scratch that! 4 miles: NO MORE MESSING AROUND. Although it was hot, I did it. And it felt great. Not as good as Monday, but it was good. I shaved a full minute off of my last 4 mile time. I felt strong despite the heat, and my ambition is growing.
I will post after my next workout.
I will post after my next workout.
I will post after my next workout...
(a Harry Potter review is coming as well)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
El Husbando made me run FAST
After a day off and a big meal, I was ready to go tonight (and I had some pie to burn off). Alex and I ran 3.2 miles this evening. It took 26 minutes and 21 seconds. That is not bad for us! I was feeling the burn...well, more like the "I don't want to be running this fast" thoughts I sometimes get. (No actual burn, which I will take as a good sign.)
I ran behind him the whole way letting him get no more than 10 feet away until the last 0.3 miles - which is the distance from the trail to our driveway. He pulled away after we got off the trail, but I kept him within range and tried to close as we neared the end of the run. He probably beat me by 10 seconds or so. Throughout the run, I felt compelled to stay close to him. He pushed me tonight - and that is what a training partner should do. :)
With my fastest 5k yet, I am happy with tonight's run. Tomorrow poses a new challenge: running with an in-shape runner. It should be fun!
I ran behind him the whole way letting him get no more than 10 feet away until the last 0.3 miles - which is the distance from the trail to our driveway. He pulled away after we got off the trail, but I kept him within range and tried to close as we neared the end of the run. He probably beat me by 10 seconds or so. Throughout the run, I felt compelled to stay close to him. He pushed me tonight - and that is what a training partner should do. :)
With my fastest 5k yet, I am happy with tonight's run. Tomorrow poses a new challenge: running with an in-shape runner. It should be fun!
Foiled by Whoopie Pie
I was supposed to run 3.2 miles tonight (a 5k). It didn't happen...
For starters, today was the hottest day of the summer so far. The heat index reached 117. Crazy talk. I did not come up with these, but a few metaphors I saw used today were:
Outside is like an armpit
It feels like there is a hot towel draped over your face when you go outside
I would have ran easy just to get it in, but the in-laws were coming over and bringing dinner. I had to sweep up some dog hair and tidy up the kitchen. They arrived with chicken, fresh green beans, pesto pasta salad, and, of course, wine. That's not all, they brought over a 6 pack...of chocolate peanut butter whoopie pies. CRAZY TALK!
Dinner was amazing. The pie was delicious. It was 9PM and all I wanted was a 2nd pie. (After they left, Alex and I each had an additional pie - which made us sort of sick, but in an 'ohmygoodnessthatwassogood' kind of way)
I'm calling it my rest day. Back to the grind...tomorrow through sometime next week! I'll keep you posted :)
For starters, today was the hottest day of the summer so far. The heat index reached 117. Crazy talk. I did not come up with these, but a few metaphors I saw used today were:
Outside is like an armpit
It feels like there is a hot towel draped over your face when you go outside
I would have ran easy just to get it in, but the in-laws were coming over and bringing dinner. I had to sweep up some dog hair and tidy up the kitchen. They arrived with chicken, fresh green beans, pesto pasta salad, and, of course, wine. That's not all, they brought over a 6 pack...of chocolate peanut butter whoopie pies. CRAZY TALK!
Dinner was amazing. The pie was delicious. It was 9PM and all I wanted was a 2nd pie. (After they left, Alex and I each had an additional pie - which made us sort of sick, but in an 'ohmygoodnessthatwassogood' kind of way)
I'm calling it my rest day. Back to the grind...tomorrow through sometime next week! I'll keep you posted :)
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Day 10
I've been meaning to blog through my training for quite some time now, but in order to blog through my training, I have to actually train. On July 1st Alex and I started a training regimen to get back in shape, lose a few pounds, and prepare for events/races that we want to participate in. Perfect time to start blogging? Well, I had "started" training programs before and quit, so I had to make sure I was going to stick to it this time. Today is day 10 and I am feeling good about my training and my progress. I see no end in sight and because I frequently read a couple training blogs and really enjoy them, and thought it might be a way for me to stay motivated and motivate others...so blog I shall.
As you are aware, I am 10 days into my "training" and going strong. I am starting at square one because I let all my endurance and strength go down the drain by not working out for so long. The only thing on my side is my past - which is full of highs and lows of long distance training (swimming, running, biking). No need to bore you with old memories of events and races, maybe in other posts. For now, I will just log my workouts completed and mention a few goals of mine.
Workouts:
Fr July 1 - 3.2 miles (29:54)
Sa July 2 - 20 miles (bike)
Su July 3 - 3 miles
M July 4 - 20 miles (bike)
Tu July 5 - 3 miles
W July 6 - OFF
Th July 7 - 3.2 miles (27:25)
Fr July 8 - 3.2 miles
Sa July 9 - 4 miles (38:00)
Su July 10 - 21 miles (bike) & 3 miles (30:12 with some walking included)
That's right, a run and a ride today :) The goal is to complete a run and a ride every Sunday (or once a week). Alex and I rode through Brendanwood and then we took Kenda on a Monon Run through Broad Ripple. Kenda is our 8 month old Doberman puppy. We love her to pieces. As a large breed dog, Kenda is not supposed to run distances much until she is 1 year old - this is because their joints need to fully mature or you could damage them with repetitive impact. We have taken her on a total of 5 runs I think. On November 8 she will be 1 year old and I plan on making her my full time running partner. I think she will like it. :)
Goals:
2011 Hilly Hundred (both days) - Oct 15-16
Indianapolis Monumental Mini Marathon (under 2 hours) - November 5
A marathon in 2012
That's it for now, more training to come...
As you are aware, I am 10 days into my "training" and going strong. I am starting at square one because I let all my endurance and strength go down the drain by not working out for so long. The only thing on my side is my past - which is full of highs and lows of long distance training (swimming, running, biking). No need to bore you with old memories of events and races, maybe in other posts. For now, I will just log my workouts completed and mention a few goals of mine.
Workouts:
Fr July 1 - 3.2 miles (29:54)
Sa July 2 - 20 miles (bike)
Su July 3 - 3 miles
M July 4 - 20 miles (bike)
Tu July 5 - 3 miles
W July 6 - OFF
Th July 7 - 3.2 miles (27:25)
Fr July 8 - 3.2 miles
Sa July 9 - 4 miles (38:00)
Su July 10 - 21 miles (bike) & 3 miles (30:12 with some walking included)
That's right, a run and a ride today :) The goal is to complete a run and a ride every Sunday (or once a week). Alex and I rode through Brendanwood and then we took Kenda on a Monon Run through Broad Ripple. Kenda is our 8 month old Doberman puppy. We love her to pieces. As a large breed dog, Kenda is not supposed to run distances much until she is 1 year old - this is because their joints need to fully mature or you could damage them with repetitive impact. We have taken her on a total of 5 runs I think. On November 8 she will be 1 year old and I plan on making her my full time running partner. I think she will like it. :)
Goals:
2011 Hilly Hundred (both days) - Oct 15-16
Indianapolis Monumental Mini Marathon (under 2 hours) - November 5
A marathon in 2012
That's it for now, more training to come...
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