I think writing a blog should be done more than twice a year. I was feeling way too narcissitic and couldn't keep up the level of self-indulgence that writing about my running was making me feel. Training has been fun. Occasionally, I have felt like taking a pass on a day, but usually got out there and did whatever I was scheduled to do. Due to work or life, I would have to shorten some runs, but all in all, I did my speed work, hill work, tempo runs, yoga, lifting, etc. If some asshole had not stolen my bike, I could have kept up with my cross-training. Double asshole.
It is a good thing I don't have a gun. I would use it.
My period started on Tuesday (maybe Wednesday). It sucks. I'm drinking my raspberry tea. Last month, when I drank it, it made my entire period - the heavy part - leave in one night. Fingers crossed that will happen again.
I keep imagining 3:48. Lord knows why - that would be a shitload faster than I have gone in my training runs. I'm not even going to figure out what the pace would be for that. I want to stay right around 8:45/mile, which is faster than I have done in my other races. When I used Brandon's Garmin on my 20 mile run, I kept it right around there, except for mile 14 or 15 when I had to stop to stretch and forgot to turn off the watch. What a sweet kid (young man) - he's lending me his watch so that it can keep me honest and striving. I truly feel blessed that I have met the people I have met through running this past year and a half. Such upbeat ladies and gents. I wonder why I never did this in Chicago. It would have been a great way to meet people.
Off to bed. I need to make tonight's sleep count.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Easy breezy
Today, I did a training run with two of the ladies in my group. I was scheduled to do 12, they were scheduled for 13. I did the full 13 with them, because, really, what is one more mile when you are past ten? Debbie took us out almost to Parnell Tower and met us at each mile along the way for SAG support. The wind was gusting pretty hard from the south, but we didn't really have to run into it.
We saw a rafter of turkeys (whoa! am I smart or what? No. Well, maybe a little. There is a website that has what all of the groups of animals are called) http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/about/faqs/animals/names.htm
Or, it could be a gang of turkeys. Anyway, we saw this rafter/gang of turkeys on the way out and I was hoping that they had decided not to mess with us when we were running. They were gone by the time we ran past where we had caused them to scurry and fly. Strange birds. They look almost prehistoric. We saw a few dogs of course, no deer, a few cows. We scared one group and a couple of them took off running into their barn. One fell down, but scampered back to her hooves and made it to safety. I knew I was having a bad hair day, but not enough to scare cattle.
Debbie had admonished us to stick together and keep the pace easy and not push it. As a result, I felt like I could have kept going. At mile ten, I was itching to pick up the pace, but I knew how important it was to keep Kelly going. Chuck does it for me on our runs, so it was my turn to give back.
My shin splints (knock wood) seem to be gone. Debbie and I are going to work on a strength training regime since I am leery of plyometrics that entail jumping or the jumping into chataranga in ashtanga yoga. I hate to be a wimp, but if it hurts don't do it again.
Off for a bite to eat and a much deserved cold beer.
We saw a rafter of turkeys (whoa! am I smart or what? No. Well, maybe a little. There is a website that has what all of the groups of animals are called) http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/about/faqs/animals/names.htm
Or, it could be a gang of turkeys. Anyway, we saw this rafter/gang of turkeys on the way out and I was hoping that they had decided not to mess with us when we were running. They were gone by the time we ran past where we had caused them to scurry and fly. Strange birds. They look almost prehistoric. We saw a few dogs of course, no deer, a few cows. We scared one group and a couple of them took off running into their barn. One fell down, but scampered back to her hooves and made it to safety. I knew I was having a bad hair day, but not enough to scare cattle.
Debbie had admonished us to stick together and keep the pace easy and not push it. As a result, I felt like I could have kept going. At mile ten, I was itching to pick up the pace, but I knew how important it was to keep Kelly going. Chuck does it for me on our runs, so it was my turn to give back.
My shin splints (knock wood) seem to be gone. Debbie and I are going to work on a strength training regime since I am leery of plyometrics that entail jumping or the jumping into chataranga in ashtanga yoga. I hate to be a wimp, but if it hurts don't do it again.
Off for a bite to eat and a much deserved cold beer.
Monday, February 6, 2012
shin splints
I have been sidelined for a week with shin splints and willl do swimming and biking instead of running. I get to ice a couple of times per day, too. Oh joy! They don't hurt at all when I run, but it is more of an awareness than anything. I had them in high school and had to do an ice bath. That sucked. It hurt worse than the shin splints so I just ran with them. I'm older and wiser now, so I'll do what I'm supposed to do so I can actually do my training and qualify for Boston.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Wind
Oy vay! A month has passed since I've blogged. It's a good thing that a month has not passed since I've run. I got my training schedule from Debbie in early January and have been faithfully following it except for cross-training on Sundays. I take walks with my dog and do about 5 hours or so of massage on Sundays so I am considering that cross training. Besides, I hate cold and do not want to go swimming in a cold pool.
This past Saturday I was supposed to run 12 miles. The forecast called for 15-20 mph winds with gusts about 25 mph or more. I figured it would be easier if I began heading into the wind rather than trying to finish into it. The wind was pretty much coming straight from the west strong enough to make every American flag I saw without a single furl. They all looked kids' paintings with the flag perfectly defined and straight out from the flag pole. I would not go so far as to say it was easier beginning that way. I felt like I was back at Naperville North with the wind pushing me backwards as I took the first turn on the 440. At times I had to walk stooped over like an old woman. I was cursing and swearing for most of the first 4 miles. The wind was unrelenting. Of course, the route I chose was through open farm fields with not much windbreak to speak of. After winding through a wooded area and up another hill straight into the wind, I was faced with a dilemma--continue heading west on high ground through more open farm land or detour through another wooded area and try to make up the distance by adding loops through a couple of subdivisions. I chose the latter.
I'm glad I did. County Rd M was pretty and crossed over a little river. I saw a cool house that, of course, I redecorated mentally - changing the white trim to cream and the white garage doors to Mission-style real wood doors with a nice warm stain. I drove the route today and found out I had only done 10.8. Shoot. But, I figured it was a tough 10.8. I was actually a little dizzy during the first 3 miles from the wind.
Other than hearing the wind whistle through my polarfleece ear band, I was able to pretty much blank out. I didn't have to think, talk (other than swearing at the wind), or be what someone/anyone wanted me to be. I was able to be alone, in the present, doing something by and for myself. It was grand. I think that is what is really gratifying about this mid-life running. There is plenty of time for just being in the moment and no need to fill it up with chatter or lots of people.
It's not that I don't enjoy company or talk. I do. Just in limited amounts. I prefer companionable silence. Which is why I chose massage therapy as a career. And - writing - so I need to get back into that as well.
This past Saturday I was supposed to run 12 miles. The forecast called for 15-20 mph winds with gusts about 25 mph or more. I figured it would be easier if I began heading into the wind rather than trying to finish into it. The wind was pretty much coming straight from the west strong enough to make every American flag I saw without a single furl. They all looked kids' paintings with the flag perfectly defined and straight out from the flag pole. I would not go so far as to say it was easier beginning that way. I felt like I was back at Naperville North with the wind pushing me backwards as I took the first turn on the 440. At times I had to walk stooped over like an old woman. I was cursing and swearing for most of the first 4 miles. The wind was unrelenting. Of course, the route I chose was through open farm fields with not much windbreak to speak of. After winding through a wooded area and up another hill straight into the wind, I was faced with a dilemma--continue heading west on high ground through more open farm land or detour through another wooded area and try to make up the distance by adding loops through a couple of subdivisions. I chose the latter.
I'm glad I did. County Rd M was pretty and crossed over a little river. I saw a cool house that, of course, I redecorated mentally - changing the white trim to cream and the white garage doors to Mission-style real wood doors with a nice warm stain. I drove the route today and found out I had only done 10.8. Shoot. But, I figured it was a tough 10.8. I was actually a little dizzy during the first 3 miles from the wind.
Other than hearing the wind whistle through my polarfleece ear band, I was able to pretty much blank out. I didn't have to think, talk (other than swearing at the wind), or be what someone/anyone wanted me to be. I was able to be alone, in the present, doing something by and for myself. It was grand. I think that is what is really gratifying about this mid-life running. There is plenty of time for just being in the moment and no need to fill it up with chatter or lots of people.
It's not that I don't enjoy company or talk. I do. Just in limited amounts. I prefer companionable silence. Which is why I chose massage therapy as a career. And - writing - so I need to get back into that as well.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas run!
What a great run! Bonus Christmas present - an hour of alone time in the sunshine and brisk wind. It gave me a chance to ruminate on the holidays. I have neglected myself and my training schedule. The coming week won't be much better. I will have to make sure to sneak in short runs and long walks with Sophie.
My mind is not on this blog right now. It was definitely there for the run. So, laundry time.
My mind is not on this blog right now. It was definitely there for the run. So, laundry time.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
cold night running
Well, I didn't think I would say that 4:45 was night running, but here in Sheboygan in early December it is. I had about an hour and a half between clients so I took a little run. It was brisk and dark; the moon had risen and was shimmering on the lake. It was really beautiful and I was so happy to have the moment to myself - or 45 minutes worth of moments. Just the sound of my shoes hitting the pavement, my breath lightly chuffing, and the swish of my windbreaker and windpants.
As I ran down Broughton Drive, there were 3 cars parked alongside the side of the road with their engines idling. There was no good reason for them to be there. There was someone in each driver's seat, but no other people. They did not appear to be gazing out at the moonlight. I really hate it when I'm in situations where there aren't many people around and there is something suspicious. The good thing about this area is that there is very little that gets my guard up. If the people sitting in these cars realized that their behavior is unsettling to female runners, would they continue doing it? Rather than continue running along the lakefront, I went up the hill into a residential neighborhood and continued my loop. It really was a lovely run and I'm glad I did it.
One thing I realized is that while running during the day there are more visual breaks, but, at night, the focus is more inner and on the moment. Perhaps a little bit of adrenaline from the night, some vestigial instinct to be aware of imminent danger keeps me more focused and slightly on edge.
I like and need these solitary runs from time to time. So much of my day is spent somewhat alone, but working one-on-one with someone. It is good to have the space clearing that a run provides. Just me, my breath, the road, my thoughts (or sometimes no thoughts). I'm not sure if people understand my need to be alone at times. If I don't have it, I get bitchy. A bit like food.
As I ran down Broughton Drive, there were 3 cars parked alongside the side of the road with their engines idling. There was no good reason for them to be there. There was someone in each driver's seat, but no other people. They did not appear to be gazing out at the moonlight. I really hate it when I'm in situations where there aren't many people around and there is something suspicious. The good thing about this area is that there is very little that gets my guard up. If the people sitting in these cars realized that their behavior is unsettling to female runners, would they continue doing it? Rather than continue running along the lakefront, I went up the hill into a residential neighborhood and continued my loop. It really was a lovely run and I'm glad I did it.
One thing I realized is that while running during the day there are more visual breaks, but, at night, the focus is more inner and on the moment. Perhaps a little bit of adrenaline from the night, some vestigial instinct to be aware of imminent danger keeps me more focused and slightly on edge.
I like and need these solitary runs from time to time. So much of my day is spent somewhat alone, but working one-on-one with someone. It is good to have the space clearing that a run provides. Just me, my breath, the road, my thoughts (or sometimes no thoughts). I'm not sure if people understand my need to be alone at times. If I don't have it, I get bitchy. A bit like food.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
strange sensation
The other day when I was running I had the strangest feeling. As I ran down Pine Street, it was as if I was in a video game. The street seemed as if it was on a GPS device. It swerved and moved into focus. Very strange. Very cool. I had never felt like I was in a moving 3D landscape.
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