Treadmill Killed the Blog

Yes, I had every intention of keeping this going while I ran the treadmill.

I even started a post, but was interrupted before I could get far into it.  And I never returned.

I really seem to think about updating at the most inconvenient times; while driving, showering.  You know, those times I am sooo close to a computer.

So, a quick update.  I have been running three days a week at the gym.  Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.  Tuesday and Thursday I run 2 miles.  About 20 minutes.  On Saturday I try for at least 3 miles, then relax in the hot tub.  I'd love to run longer during the weekday, but I have an hour lunch, and by the time I get to the gym, change and account for the time I have to change back and get back to work, I have 20 minutes, give or take a few to stretch.

Because my time is limited, I haven't gotten the stretching in I would like, so of course I suffer from shin splints, or tendentious, or something in my legs.

Today I ran at a pretty steep incline, and started to decrease it at the end of my run.  That is when I discovered that it hurts less to run at a 5 incline than it does at a 0 incline.  I have no idea why, and if any seasoned treadmill runners out there can give me any info on that, it would be much appreciated.

I am thinking of running in the "tata trot" 5k this Saturday.  Since all my running for the past two months has been indoors, this could be really challenging, or a nice reprieve from the "dreadmill"

As for keeping up on the blog, I can't really promise anything. (obviously)  There really are a couple of similar, but different topics I want to spend my time on, and I think I shall be creating new blogs for those.

One is, tomorrow I am starting the 100 fit days challenge.  I've been debating a blog on that.  It is my goal to somehow catalog all 100 days on instagram.  I suppose I have 24 hours to decide what to do on the blog side of things.

So until next time, I'm around here somewhere.

The "dreadmill"

I've seen that phrase I don't know how many times when people talk about the treadmill.  I joined the gym on Tuesday and have run twice on the treadmill.  The first time it was about a 17 minute run.  By the time I did all the paperwork to join the gym, that was all the time I had to run before I had to be back to work.  In that short run I did learn a somethings to help my second run.

First, don't forget your water bottle.
Second, take those makeup remover wipes with and wash your makeup off before your run.
Third, grab a towel when you walk into the gym
Fourth, when you are done running, take it slow. The room will move backwards for a bit after you turn the treadmill off
Fifth, pack your makeup to reapply if you are returning to work.

Sadly I don't have time to stretch properly after my run and make it back to work in time.  So Tuesday, I didn't stretch at all, and Wednesday my legs were killing me.  Thursday my shins hurt, my calves hurt, my legs were MAD.  I iced my shins that evening, and after my daughter went to bed I did a nice hour long Pilates mat class in my living room.  On Friday my legs were a little stiff when I woke up, but pain free the rest of the day.

Saturday I was going to wake up early, and go running, but I could not get out of bed.  Then I was dragging all day.  I figure my body needed a rest.  So, Sunday will be my long run day.  here is hoping the road isn't mud puddles, because I do want to keep running outside on weekends as much as I can before the negative zero temps kick in.  I don't care what they say on all the inspiration memes, below zero temps and hurricane force winds are not something I am remotely prepared to run in.

Luckily, It is August, so there should be plenty of warm weekends left.

The last weekday run

Tuesday marked my last weekday run.  Shortly after I got up, and was getting ready, my husband came into the room and asked me what I was doing up.  It was about 4:45 am.  I told him I was going running, and he said, "it's dark outside".  

I went out and it was fairly dark, but I wasn't worried about it.  I had grabbed a glow stick because my cloths have no reflective anything on them, and I really should be somewhat noticed by passing cars. Although I had debated going out for a few minutes, so by the time I got started I was running late.  On my run I saw three creatures that were eating weeds on the path.  I don't know what they were, they scurried off toward the canal just as I noticed them.  I grabbed my phone, turned the light on, and tried to see what they were, but they had vanished.

I'm not sure if they were porcupines...  (I don't think we have those) raccoons, skunks (there was no scent) or what, so I ran very quickly away.  I got to the end of the dirt path and glanced at my watch.  Then I just turned around and ran back up the path.  As I was running back I thought I just made a waste of a glowstick.  Because the bugs are getting extra thick now, I was going to pass the backyard path where they attack, and go through the front yard.  When I hit the path to go to the main road, I glanced at my watch and had more time then I thought left.  So I kept going around the block instead.

It's quite possible I startled a lady in a robe and curlers as she was pushing the trashcan out to the curb. I knew for sure that this was my last run when I made it home before the sun started to show.

I held hope for Thursday though.  I got all ready, looked outside, and decided Zumba was a safer option.

I was planning to run today, but my husband had to take care of a few errands, and by the time he got home, It was too late for me to get the time in before I had to be somewhere.  So, tomorrow we have no early plans, so I shall be out running.  Then on Tuesday, I get to meet the treadmill.  I guess I'll see how that goes..

10k?

On Monday I got into downloading app mode.  It started with syncing up my Nike Fuel band with it's app, and following a link to find the Nike Run app.  Then I was looking over the c25k app and the next thing was the 10k app.  So I downloaded that as well.

I ran on Tuesday and Thursday using my usual GPS app, and the Nike Run app.  I'm debating dropping the GPS app, because they basically do the same thing.  But, when the GPS app tells me I've run a mile, the Nike Run app will tell me I've run a  mile, and how long it took, and what my average mile per minute is.

From what I can tell they record the same information, so there really isn't any need to use both.  It's also pretty silly on the weekends to have three different apps running while I run.

Because the 10k training is around hour long runs, I can't do that on the weekdays.  Well, I guess I could, but I really don't want to wake up at 4:15 in the morning so I can be out the door by 4:30.  4:45 is already early enough.  I want that extra 30 minutes of sleep.  So, Saturdays are my long run days. Even though today it was run 10 minutes, walk 1 minute, repeat 4 times.  The weekdays I did not walk except to warm up and cool down.  Today I walked a little more then the app wanted, but I was okay with that.  I went 5 miles, so that's longer then I have gone all summer.

But now, the late summer bugs are emerging.  When I get back from my run, and I'm walking through our field, I am attached left and right.  I spend more time swatting bugs and trying to get home as quick as possible.  Today I was kicking myself because I was going to put bug spray on, and forgot.  They attached big time during my third walk cycle, I was worried about that, as there was a ditch on one side, and horses on the other.... horseflies...  Ugh.

As soon as I was running, I was running as fast as I dared to get away from the bugs.  It seemed to work.  The last half a mile I started walking about ten seconds before my app said to walk.  Then I just had to walk back home.  I had a little schnauzer dog came barking up to me.  Then it just followed me for a yard (most likely his yard) and left me along.

The mornings are getting darker and darker.  I listen to the Radio from Hell show on X96 out of Salt Lake City in the mornings (I stream it on my phone, as I am not even in the same state) and they have a segment called "Things that must go"  One thing that was read recently was runners without reflective clothing running in the dark.  And I realized, I'm one of them.  I didn't think about the fact that my running "jacket" didn't have anything like that on it.  The hoodie I was using does.  I'm going to have to find something reflective.  But, with the darkening mornings, I think I might end up joining a gym going into the fall so I can keep up running on a treadmill.  I was looking at buying one, but I'd like to see if I can keep it up first.  I know that running a treadmill is much different then on the road outside, so I want to give it a fair shot at the gym before I seriously think of purchasing one.

The 5k

Today was the 5k color run.  I got there with my husband and 3 year old about half an hour before the run was to start.  I signed in, got my shirt, and walked around waiting for the start.  I had a slight shirt issue, and had gone into the bathroom to fix it.  When I came out everyone was walking to the start line.  As I headed over, I ran into a co-worker who was also participating.  We chatted for a bit as the run started.  I started out walking, because I had a difficult time getting to my playlist on my phone.  I had been walking around with the phone in my armband, and when it came time to run, and I looked at it, I could not see anything on the screen.  The plastic cover was causing a mad glare.  So, rather then running right at the start, I was fighting to take my phone off my arm, and starting my music.  Then putting the phone back on my arm.  As soon as I got the music started, I told my co-worker I would see him at the finish line, and I started to run.

The first mile went well.  The squirt guns were a shock of cold, that quickly felt good.  Although the hit of water got in my ear, and it knocked my ear bud out of my ear.  After a few tries, I gave up trying to get that one in, and tucked it into my shirt, and kept going.  I was passing quite a few people, even though I wasn't in it to be the fastest.  At the second water and color station I grabbed a drink of water, which was nice, but distracting because I don't know how one drinks water and run at the same time.

At the 1.5 mile mark the road started to go up a hill that started to kick my butt, and caused me to start slowing to a walk for a bit. It seemed to have that effect on everyone around me though.  There was a few of us that would play the passing game, but for the most part at this point in the run, we were mostly set in where in "line" we were.

The next station that had water to drink, I decided against getting a drink and kept going.  Then I went around a turn and I could see the finish.  Since I was not nearing any more hills, I kept running at a decent pace.  As I closed in on the final half a mile, there was another color station.  I lost my 2nd ear bud at this one.  If fell out, got covered in color, and I had so much color on me that I had no where to clean it off with.  So I tucked it into my shirt and kept going.

I'm not sure why I slowed down to a walk the final time.  It just happened, and I didn't argue it.  As the end came closer, I sped up and finished running.

Immediately following was the best tasting water and apple I have ever eaten.  I think between the hills, and the fact that the run was at 9am, which was 3 hours later then I run on the weekends, so the heat was more intense then I had been running in, it wore me out.  Now that last sentence wasn't a run on or anything.... My blog, my grammar.  ;-)

Anyway.  My first mile was my fastest.  9.7 minutes.  then it went up 10.7 for the 2nd and 11.3 for the 3rd.  My husband was impressed by how fast I ran it (even with my walking moments) I think for my first 5k I did really well.  Then we went to leave and I realized.  I forgot to take towels to put on the car seat.  I am covered in all kinds of color.

So we are looking for a hoodie, or something and my husband pops the trunk and hallelujah there is an emergency blanket I had forgotten about in there!  My car seats will not be a mixed shade of blue, yellow, and pink!

And then I discovered the hardest part of the color run.  Washing all the color off

(And that's just one hand)

What was interesting was that after it was over, and I had cooled off, I though, huh, that was fun.  I want to do it again.

What!?  Is this the same person who swore she would never run after making it out of the mandatory school classes that force you to run?

So, next Tuesday, I will be at it again.

Day 21, 22, & 23 the final week before the 5K

No, I did not take this week off.  The rest of my life got crazy busy this week, and I just haven't had a chance to write anything.

On Sunday, I was up and out the door, deciding that after the 5k, this is the last Sunday I will run.  I spend my Saturday nights talking with my family, far too late into the night to be waking up early. 

During my run I ran further then I ever had, but had to walk four times.  Two of them I don't really count because they were walking to make sure it was safe to cross the busier street.  The other two were just because I needed to catch my breath.  On Tuesday I ran the same time, but went considerably shorter distance, so I think I was just running a little too fast.

One very cool sight on Sundays run was the setting super moon.  And of course I don't have a photo because I decided I would get that on my way back after my run.  By that time the moon was too far into the horizon, and the lighting was just right that you really couldn't see it very well.  And it would not have shown up on my phone. 

One change on my Sunday run, was another person walking!  This is the first time I've seen anyone out the same time as myself.  For the most part my weekend runs vary on when I go out, so it was bound to happen.  It was just a nice nod and hello to a fellow person on the street.

And during this run, really during one of the walks on my run, I came to the conclusion that I will never subscribe to the mindset of "if you don't faint, puke, or die, keep going"  No.  I want to feel good after my workout.  Not spend the rest of the day recovering from a failed attempt at suicide via over working out.  Yes, I realize I will never have the compleatly cut body of those that faint, puke or die. But I will not be dead.  I don't enjoy fainting, and lets not even think about puking.

Just had to get that off my chest.  I do subscribe to the mindset, though, that if you are going to sit on the couch, and not even walk yet critique how fast I am running, I will remind you that I am running faster that you.  Yes, there was a conversation with someone who apparently is an armchair personal trainer.  Needless to say, I shall not be discussing my running with them again anytime soon.

Now.  Tuesday.  I didn't write down notes for Tuesday like I did for Sunday, so I do not remember much about it.  I ran the entire time without walking. And I recall it was nice out.  On Sunday I did eat a decent breakfast after my run, and did not acquire the headache.  So on Tuesday I searched around for food to eat something, thinking this might help.  I then recalled something I read a few years ago about chocolate milk being good for a post run drink.  So I gave it a shot.  Then I googled it.  I also drank the chocolate milk today, and no headache.  So whether that has helped or not remains to be seen.  I think I will continue with it, unless I get a headache (which would prove it doesn't work...)

Today's run was a bit different.  I had to manipulate the training because of that week I took off sick.  So I did two days of week 7, and today was week 8  That way I could work in the longer run before my 5k.  On top of that I ran a different route then usual.  The way I prefer to go, I have it memorized how far I need to go, when I need to start my cool down, and all that.  It will help starting next week when I don't use the app anymore, and just run.  But today, was followed by yesterday.  And yesterday was full of tornado warnings, hail, heavy rain, and flood warnings.

I don't live in the tornado ally of the country.  I live in an area that, in the last nine years, has had one tornado that touched down and did damage to buildings.  the other two or three have been in remote areas where there are no structures or people.  And usually all the tornado warnings happen in the early spring.  So for there to be a tornado warning yesterday was out of the ordinary.

For the storm system, that did produce a funnel cloud, to be less then a mile from my house, was downright freaky.  There was no damage, but I was worried the entire time the warning was going on. 

But it made my run today change at the last minute.  I walked my warm up the same as usual.  Toward the end I was admiring the strange (almost chevron) patterns that were left in the path I run.  I imagine from the force of the rain and water running down the slight hill.  Then I hit a pretty good sized puddle, where I have not previously seen a puddle.  I was maneuvering my way around it when my warm up was over, and I was instructed to run.  So I did the best I could, and not fall into the slippery muddy mess.  Then I came around the slight bend, to a mini pool of a puddle, and decided that I would run around our "block" instead.  I made two complete circles around it before my run was over.  A total of three miles (counting the warm up walk).

It was just something different, and now I know how many times I need to go around the block, when future puddles derail my chosen path. 

I will continue to post my running journeys, after my 5k.  But I might end up with less frequent posts.  I can't really say right now.  I will just see what the future will hold.  But I don't have to remember what day I'm on anymore.  I do know that I plan to run longer on weekends, and as the sun is rising later and later in the morning, I will eventually not being running weekdays.  Not unless I acquire a treadmill, and nobody want's to read about someones adventures running in place. ;-)

But, I am looking too far ahead.  So until Saturday, when I run the 5k....  I apparently need a sign off.

Day 20: Week 6, Day 3 22 minute run

Yesterday was a nice run.  The weather was warmer, and humid.  I had made it out the door before 5am, in fact I was awake before my husband.  The night before I managed to restub my toe on my right foot.  I don't know why I manage to keep jamming the same toe.  I was worried about running because it hurt so bad when I woke up, but my shoes were tight enough that as soon as I laced them up, the pain seemed to diminish.

I started my walk, knowing how long I needed to run.  I figured about where I would turn around at.  That knowledge came in helpful, when  the place that I usually have to end the warm up walk passed and my app didn't say anything.  I pulled the phone out of my pocket and the notification said start jogging, and the time was listed as now.  So, the audio was not going to play today.  So, I ran until I got to the street I have never managed to make it before, turned around and about the place I usually start my cool down, I started walking.  As I did so, I pulled out my phone and discovered that I timed that pretty much perfectly, because it declared that now was the time to start my cool down.  So, when I am finished with the app, I know that I will not have a problem making it back to home in time without an app timing me.

As I was running away from home, I saw a big rig just barreling down the street that intersects the one I run on.  That was enough for me to know I will never run down that street, and might not even dare to cross it.  This guy was in a hurry.

On the way back home I was running toward one of the most beautiful sunrises I've ever seen.  I have to say, working out in the mornings, and especially running, has made me appreciate sunrises more.

I remember the first time I saw a sunrise.  If I remember correctly, I woke up to see the sunrise that day.  I was a teenager, and of course, I never woke early.  But I was a bookworm, and had read so many books about how gorgeous sunrises were, that I wanted to see them.  I have always loved sunsets, and sunrises were always written as more spectacular.  Something people climb mountains at 3am to see.  So, I got up early one summer day to see the sunrise.  And yes, I would have woken up before the sunrise through the winter and such for school.  But what kid really looks out the window before school?  They're too busy denying that it's not the weekend.  Anyway, I woke up waited for the sunrise, and was completely disappointed.

Now, at the time, I didn't think about the fact that you don't always get a spectacular sunset.  Sometimes there just aren't enough clouds in the sky, or the conditions aren't perfect to get all the purples and pinks.  So I didn't think about that going along with sunrises.  I just remember that it was like the sky was a washed out yellow, that faded into blue.  I then declared mornings a complete wash, and other then school or work, didn't worry about them.

Ah, how much has changed since then.

Sadly, my great run, and my great yoga stretch afterwards, was ruined by a headache on top of a headache.  Not kidding.  Got the migraine aura.  Took a pain killer to beat the rush of headache before it hit me.  The aura faded to a throb.  Then about 15 minutes later, a new aura came along, followed by a mad headache that really wasn't helped by the fact that I hadn't eaten anything yet, so the alieve was sitting in an empty stomach making me feel nauseous.  Ugh, I was kicking myself for not forcing more water down when I first came in.  I thought I was fine.  Of course, I'm not completely sure it's dehydration, so who really knows what the headache thing is about, but it sucks.

Hopefully I can avoid that after my run tomorrow.  Speaking of, I had better get to bed.  At this rate I won't wake up in time to run.

Day 17 & 19 beginning of week 6 the busy week

I had every intention of writing on Monday. Especially since I was off on Tuesday, but the entire day just got away from me. I did turn my computer on in a sleepy haze Monday night. But tha was because my nike fit band was not syncing with my phone and I wanted to sort out the issue. 

Tuesday was super busy with my little girl, so I didn't have a chance to think about writing. And now on Wednesday all I can remember about Mondays run was it wasn't the piece of cake I thought it would be. I think I had too many late nights over the weekend. So I was dragging on Monday

Now today's run, I worried I be dragging because Tuesday was spent outdoors, roasting in the sun. First a parade, then the carnavel. And not enough sun screen, so I'm a bit red. I really thought I would be so drained that walking would be a struggle. My only issue this morning was my first alarm not going off, so I was a little late heading out the door. Only 3 minutes though, so not horrible. 

The crazy thing was on the warmup walk there was a strange flash of light, like a camera going off or something. I looked around and couldn't figure out what it was. A bit later there was a rumble tha was either a car starting or thunder. But the sky was clear, so my foggy brains suddenly went all Independence Day (the alien movie) on me and tried to freak me out. But as I looked around and behind me I found the sky wasn't as clear as I thought and it was just a bit of lighting and thunder. But it was well off in the distance, and didn't even bother heading in my direction. 

The run itself was fairly nice. On the way back there was a cat, dog, fox, or something of that sort running ahead of me. Nothing like that reality check to make you realize how slow humans run. 

The sunrise was gorgeous and I managed to get a pretty nice picture of the reflection of the rays on the opposite side of the sky from the sun. 

My yoga plans were detailed by exhaustion or laziness. Can't be sure which. I rolled out he mat and had everything ready to go only to just sit there and just do a gental streach. 

Friday I am to run 22 minutes without a break. Which means I might finally make it to the road I never quite get to. 

My 5k that I am running is I the 19th. So just over a week away. I think I'll be ready for it. 

Day 17: Week 5 Day 3 Day After Fireworks

Well, Happy Late 4th of July!

Fireworks on Friday started a little after 10 pm.  Which means that I didn't get into bed until sometime after 11 pm.

So 6 am was just not my friend.  I did eventually get up, about 20 minutes later then planned, but it is Saturday, so I wasn't too worried about time.  When I did getup, I spent another couple of minutes on pinterest looking at running motivation.  Because that is how unmotivated to wake up I was.  But I made it up, out of bed, and out the door.

And I was one of the few people up that early.  The only signs of life I saw that were human, was a sprinkler in someones yard, and a car down one of the side streets.  Other then that it was quite.

The first five minutes, the warm up walk, was spent talking myself into the fact that I would run 20 minutes without a walking break.  I was still worried about this, but I was working on telling myself I could do it.  The first few minutes after I started running, I was too focused on the fact that I was running.  I realize that when working out, it is best to be focused on what you are doing.  But I think that applies more to weight lifting, pilates, yoga... Zumba even.  I really don't think it does to running.  Of course you want to focus on good form and breathing.  But, I think if you focus too much on running, that is when your brain wants you to stop because your legs kinda hurt, or whatever.  So while I was thinking form and all that, I was at the same time trying to distract my brain from what I was doing.

That distraction did happen, but I can't for the life of me remember what my mind wandered off to think about.  I know at one point there was a butterfly that looked like it was just trying to find a nice plant to spend the morning on, but it was scared of me and kept flying ahead just a little.  Enough that it just hopped from plant to plant for a bit before taking off.

I was brought back into running when my app announced 1 mile.

When my halfway point was reached, I did slow down to an almost walk to turn around.  But it wasn't by any means a I'm taking a break walk.  It was completely a, If I try to run a U-turn I'll probably trip over my own feet because I'm graceful like that, walk.  At that point I was just looking ahead to see where I was striving to reach before turning around.  After the turn I was focusing on destinations.  First the turn onto the canal road.  Then the curve in the path.  Then the fence of the house one property over from us.  Then the end.

But I am glad to say that, except for the turn around, I ran the entire 20 minutes.  And halfway through it, I decided that this is the last weekend run that I will be wearing a workout jacket.  5 am it is chilly enough that you need it.  6 am it is too warm.  Next weekend I'm going to have to find my arm band for my phone.

After my run, I came into the house and was looking at the GPS app and discovered that it tells you how fast each mile went.  So the first mile, that included the 5 minute warm up walk was 13.3 minutes a mile.  the 2nd mile that was all running except for the turn was 10.2 minutes a mile.  I don't think that's too bad for a beginner.

After I got my shoes off and drank water, I did a pretty intense yoga session.  I debated on that particular class a few minutes, then decided to go with it.  It had me sweating pretty good on top of my run.  Which was good and bad.  I don't think I drank enough water, so I got another aura/migraine.  I think I need to watch my water intake better.  I always think I'm doing good about drinking water, but I think the headaches are a sign that I'm not as hydrated as I should be.  I drank a lot of water after the headache signs started, and even gulped a glass of iced tea for the caffeine (and I make a very strong Iced tea).  When the headache did come, it wasn't too bad, and didn't stick around long.  Which I am very happy about.  So, I think I just need to get more water into my system, especially on run days.

Now, on Monday it's back to the 5 min run, 3 min walk cycle.  I think that after today, that should be a piece of cake.

Day 16: Week 5 Day 2 Trickery

On Tuesday I wrote about how I thought I will make it through this week.  Today I am back to being concerned.  That must be the cycle of running or something.
Today I started out, and of course, did not want to wake up.  First, my alarm went off, and my husband was still in bed.   So I turned it off, and didn't immediately get up.  Not sure if it was my alarm that woke him, or not, but he got up a few minutes later, and when he did I forced myself to get out of the warmth of the blankets and wake up.
I was ready to go fairly quickly after that, and headed out.  I anticipated the same run cycle, so when I cleared the dirt road portion of my path and was still running past a few houses on the paved road portion the thoughts that ran through my head went like this:  "oh, I must be running faster!  No, no I am not running faster, my app must have shut off.  Okay, I will give it until the end of this block, and if it doesn't talk to me I am checking on it."  And just before I got to the end of the block it told me to walk.  And the walk seemed extra long too.
I knew something was up when my halfway point was not during a run cycle like it was on Tuesday.  But I kept going, didn't check my phone.

I had headed out about 1 minute later than usual, but I felt like the traffic had increased.  Of course, that increase was from 1 car to 3 cars, but that's quite a difference if you think about it.  And that is totally a random train of though as I was walking.

That thought was quickly followed by the annoyance of a bit of pain, when I managed to kick a rock into the top of the back of my shoe.  I have no idea how that happens, except the paved road had been recently graveled, so there was quite a lot of loose gravel on it.  But still, how do the little rocks kick up into the back of my shoe?  I ended up having to stop to try to get it out.  All that did was drop it into my shoe, where I tapped my toe and dealt with it.  I can deal with bits of gravel in my shoe, just not between my ankle and the back of my shoe.  That area is a bit too tender.

Then I was back to running, and I ran almost the entire way back to my house.  Stopping one house away for the cool down.  When I was finished and back in the house I looked at the app and found I went from the 5 minutes of running and 3 minutes of walking on Tuesday to 8 minutes of running and 5 minutes of walking.  I had not skipped a day, that is just the way the app is set up.  So I looked at what Saturday will be.
The 5 minutes warm up walk, followed by 20 minutes of running (no walking)  o_0
Okay.  That is why I am worried.  Really, I feel like that escalated quickly.

So now's the time to start taking bets.  Will I make it, running 20 minutes straight through, or will I end up having to walk at some point?

As you can see, I have great faith in myself.  (insert eye roll here)

On a off topic note, today was my last day of Pilates on the machines for awhile.  My teacher quit the gym I was attending these classes at, to move onto bigger and better things.  I will be contacting her next week to see what those bigger and better things are, and how much they cost.  Hopefully in a few months I will start it up again.  I ended on a great note, a private lesson on the Cadillac.  I really enjoy that particular Pilates "machine"

In the meantime, I will have to go back to working with my DVD's and doing strictly mat Pilates.   Along with my Yoga and Piyo.  I enjoy a mix, so much so that there is not enough time for it all.

Day 15: Week 5 Day 1, 46° F

I had one heck of a time waking up today.  Honestly, the thought crossed my mind to just go back to sleep.  You don't want to be awake before 5am.
Somehow, I got up though.  I dragged my tired body out of bed, put my running cloths one, and bleary eyed stumbled into the living room.  There I unwound my ear bud cables, tied my shoes laces, texted my husband that I was headed out, and started my apps.  As I walked out the door I received his reply "be careful, and stay warm".
Now, I don't recall if I mentioned this last time, but he mowed the path in our backyard for me.  So I, once again, walked that path as my warm up.  I hadn't gotten far on the path when my brain kicked in telling me "he wasn't kidding about keeping warm".
I was feeling a bit of trepidation about today's run.  Because Sunday was so difficult for me after being sick, I was worried that I would really struggle with today, since it was an increase in run time. 
I figured one thing at a time, and at that moment, I was trying to remember why I thought I enjoyed 5am better than 6am.  I wasn't quite awake yet at this time, and my bed was still taunting me, even as I walked further and further away.

Then it was time to run.  At first I was more concerned about keeping my footing.  Some places were still mud puddles, and others were dried clumps of road that were mud puddles.  When my run was over I was surprised at how well I felt.  As I started the walking portion, I was trying to calculate when the halfway point was.  Then I was running again.  Imagine my surprise when, as I was going along, the voice told me I was halfway there.  So I turned around and continued to run.  On the third walking portion, my enjoyment of 5am over 6am returned, and I was able to look around and enjoy life.  Now that I was awake. 

After my workout, during the cool down, I was walking the path through the backyard when I came across a barrel cactus.  So I had to backtrack to the random golf ball I has passed earlier to mark it.  I have a cactus garden, that grows with each one I come across.  I only dig them up from our yard.  It started with rescuing them from our driveway (or rescuing our car tires from the cactus's) I'm always surprised when I stumble across another one to add to my collection.  I figure I'll be picking it up this weekend.  Provided the golf ball doesn't roll away, and the cactus goes into hiding. 

After I got home, I felt better then I had on Sunday.  So that gives me hope that I'll survive week 5!

Day 14: Week 4 Day 3 The Week Off

Yep, what was me trying to get over the summer cold from hell turned into a week off. I had planned to go running Saturday. But it was the first night I slept through the night without a five to ten minute coughing attack waking me up. So I stayed asleep. 

Today I jumped right in where I left off. And I felt every minute of it. It was defiantly a day if "this will never end". 

I had been so excited to go out there too, because I had just gotten new shoes. Yes, a part of me wanted to see if the childhood belief still held. I swear when I was a kid and got new shoes, I could run faster, jump higher, and go longer. Granted. I didn't get new shoes then not use them for a week while I tried to recover from some horrible cold. But still, I felt the new shoe feeling would do something. I'm not sure it did anything but look good. 

And no I didn't just buy the shoes for that. I needed new running shoes from the minute I started this. I just hadn't had a chance to get to the store. 

I think this running is helping me appreciate mornings more. And I enjoy 5am more then 6am. I never thought I'd say that.  Well on to see what Tuesdays brings. 

Day 13: Week 4, Day 2 Getting sick and my current playlist

Of course, Friday morning when I went out to run, I didn't know I was getting sick.

Friday's run was better, I think.  I never hit the "is this over yet" wall, and I figure that's a good sign.  It really was a very good run overall I thought.  Rather then doing a lap around the yard, like I did last time, I took a slightly differently route.  The run was almost 40 minutes long, and I went almost 3 miles.    I felt great afterwards, did my yoga, and went to work.

Now, I didn't start to feel sick until I got home from work.  And even then, it was just my voice that decided to take leave on me.  Saturday I had a lot of running around to do, and I had originally planned to not run on Sunday, and run on Monday do to a work related overnight trip.  On the drive down I started to get the lovely scratching feeling that, unless I drank water, would lead to a cough.

Although that led to me drinking almost an entire pitcher of water at the dinner and awards banquet that I went to.  Then, of course, my company went out for a celebratory drink.  Since that is not really my thing, I was the first to leave the bar and head back to the hotel room.  The downside is that every time someone else came in, it woke me up, so not much sleep for me.

Then I woke up before 6am to drive home.  On not much sleep.  I just started to feel worse on the drive, but I thought that was a case of lack of sleep.  I managed to get a little nap in when my daughter was napping, but that didn't seem to help much.  I ended up going to bed before 8pm.  I had a feeling that running this morning was not going to happen, so I didn't set my alarm for a run.  And I was right on that one.  I woke up to a fever and a cough that will not leave me alone.

So, I am home sick from work, and hoping that tomorrow I will be back in the game, and Wednesday I will be back out on the run.

In the meantime, here is my current playlist for running:

Burn Witch Burn--Ego LIkeness
It's Been Fun--Ayria
Addicted--Alice In Videoland
Tears--The Cruxshadows
All the Things She Said--t.A.T.u.
Stand Up--Stromkern
Stop The Fall--Absurd Minds
Freaks In Uniform--HorrorPops
Dr. Online--Zeromancer
Russion Roulette--Tsunami Bomb
Zerospace--Kidney Thieves
Afterglow--Sunshine Blind
I Want You--Starlit
Seduction--Beborn Benton
Let The Record Show--Emilie Autumn
Cherry Lips--Garbage
The Current--Blue Man Group
Cry Little Sister--Carfax Abbey
Ravenheart--Xandria

This Friday I made it to Tsunami Bomb, which is the furthest on the playlist I've made it so far.  The playlist was originally created to use while I did Slim in Six, (since you can turn the music off on those tapes)  But I haven't done that program in a long time.

Day 12: Week 4 Day 1 Longer Runs

The runs have gotten longer today.  About a week ago I was looking at the "training schedule", and all I could think is, I will never make it! 

All that had taught me, is to not look too far ahead. One day at a time and I'll get there. 

Today was fairly cold. Apperently in some areas of the state it was snowing. Not here, but we had a cold wind. My focus today was breathing. For the most part I was doing pretty good at breathing through my nose. The five minute runs were interesting, mostly because I didn't look to see what the plan was today, so the time just kept going on and on. The first one, I started to wonder if the app shut off. But I've had that feeling before. 

When I returned home, I was still in the cooldown, so I made a lap around the yard and it timed just right. Just as I got to the front, and was walking past the porch it announced my workout over. 

The thing that sucked about today's run, is a headache. I had it yesterday and just ignored it. But it persisted and was here when I woke up. After my run I took something for it, and proceeded with my yoga. After I finished that, I started to get an aura indicating a migraine. All I could think was "great, a headache on top of a headache". 

Off to work with head pain galore.  About half an hour later I drank water, ate my banana, and was halfway through my tea when I noticed the pain had gone. I'm not sure if it was dehydration or hunger, but I'm glad it left me alone. I was not in the mood to spend the whole day in pain. 

Day 11: Week 3 Day 3 High Kneeing it through the grass

The title sounds far more dramatic than the reality of yesterdays run.

And, as you can tell from that sentence, I'm a day late in posting.  What can I say, I'm a mother, wife, and I hold a full time job.  Sometimes I just run out of time.

Lets start at the beginning, shall we?

It was a fairly mild day.  There was a chill in the air, but it was a normal, 5am chill.  Not the chill of post rain or wind.  The sky was overcast, leading me to believe that it would rain that day.  I started my run as usual, setting my phone up so the pedometer would run, then the c25k app would run, then starting my music.  I thought I would do something a bit different and go with the most often played, playlist.  First off it's the Dresden Dolls.  Not surprising that is a most often played song.

Into the first round of running, I immediately feel my shins.  I'm not sure what to do to avoid that type of pain.  Now, this isn't necessary the start of shin splints.  About ten years ago I got tendinitis in the front of my legs from standing and walking for 12 hour shifts while wearing steel toed shoes.  It's an irritation that creeps up every now and then.  The worst being when the heal of my shoe broke one day and I did the splits down the staircase at work. 
So, I figure, it's probably just that acting up, and I just need to work on stretching that muscle better.  But it does make for an irritating run.

Onward I go.  I've made it to the end of the trail, and turned around to head back.  I hit a walk cycle just as Nelson Eddie's starts to sing the bobcat song.  I'm going to go ahead and assume that no one reading this has any clue what that is, so here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wDmyPBXK7k
Yes, I have an eclectic taste in music.  Partway through the walk cycle, a rooster crows just as I pass the property it lives on.  So I can say, that on June 16, 2014, the rooster crowed at 5:15 AM MST

On I went.  Now someone apperently felt the great need to water the dirt road this day, and it was a muddy mess.  I had walked through it the first time, slipping a bit.  I hit that patch of road in a run cycle, so rather than slipping in the mud and twisting something, I decided to run through the grassy area next to it.  That grass is over knee high on me, thus, I was high kneeing it through the grass (see, I told you it wasn't that exciting)

I was slower on this run then I was on Saturday.  I think that was in most part because rather then listening to my "workout" playlist, I listed to my most listened, and those aren't all the fastest of songs.  I plan to create a new playlist, but that is one of those things I need to find time for.  In the meantime I shall return to the workout playlist.  Perhaps I will post that in an upcoming blog post.  And of course I'll have to follow that up with whatever new playlist I make. 

Strangely enough, the last song to play as I was walking into my house was another Dresden Dolls song. 

Day 10: Week 3 day... 2?

Yep, that says day 2.  Somewhere along the way, in my not being a morning person, I stumbled outside at 5am and clicked start on the wrong day.  I had though of going back and doing that day today, but since I already went through day one on Thursday, I figured I'd just go with it.

But really, it explains why Thursdays runs felt so long.  Today I was not in the groove at all and it was a slower run then on Thursday, after which my lower back was killing me.  But I think it had more to do with the fact that I am female, and sometimes have female issues.  And due to that, I'm sure that is why I was not in my groove, and was slower.

Today was chilly to start with, due to a 3am rain/hail storm that came through the area, that woke me up.  That rain was coming down hard.  My main concern waking up was mud.  From the sound of the rain, and the fact that the road I travel is a dirt road, I was just worried it would be a muddy mess.  While the ground was damp, it wasn't what I feared, which was a good thing.  It's been dry enough that the ground just soaked the water up.

I still really need to work on breathing through my nose, that is a constant problem.  Breathing through my mouth just dries out my through too much, but breathing through my nose feels like I'm not getting enough air.  I work on it every run.

I seem to have gotten over the blister hump quite well, but I want to know how in the world I get all the dirt in my shoes every time?  I seriously have to dump about a teaspoon out each time I go out.  I don't know if I'm kicking it up into my shoes somehow, or what.  But it is super noticeable at the end during the cool down walk.  I wonder if a different pair of shoes would help with that.  But then I'd probably be forced to go through the blister hump again.

But, Monday should be a relative breeze after today.  Not easier, hopefully a little faster, but I'm almost certain no back ache.

For not being a morning person though, I do quite enjoy being outside early.  It's kind of strange, because your out there thinking, "I want to be outside enjoying this all the time.   I really need to get to bed earlier." And that though is followed by, "but I really enjoy sunsets and looking at the stars."

Yep, it's a difficult argument to have with yourself.

Day 8&9 remainder of week 2

Well as I was starting the second run cycle of today's run I realized I compleatly forgot to post on Tuesday. So, today will cover both days. 

On Tuesday my pulled muscle seemed to be gone as I was lacing up my shoes to head out. I did a few easy  stretches to test the pulled muscle out and I didn't feel anything, so off I went. 

The first run cycle I immediately could feel the muscle. It was just a slight pulling, kind of warning me that if I don't watch it, I could pull it again. I thought about my bi-weekly Pilates class, and pulled in all the muscles that we are being reminded to pull in, and the pulling went away. So for that day, anytime I started to feel that muscle, if I pulled those muscles in it would stop and I had no injuries or pain. So this is good to know, need to remember form!  But for the most part I keep it at the front of my thoughts while running, but it's a learning process to make sure my stance is right, that I am pulling everything in, and remembering to breath through my nose. I'm sure I'll get it down, but it'll take practice. 

For Thursdays run it started with the moon being huge and orange. I did try to take a photo, but it just didn't do it justice at all. It was a gorgeous morning that, as I went along the path, made me think of all kinds of things to write. Far more eloquently then that last sentence came out. I started thinking of that Stephen King novel, tommyknockers.  The female character creates a machine that writes all her thoughts onto paper, thus giving her the ability to write her novel. The though that crossed my mind this morning is how nice that would be. But then, you have to remember the serious consequences to the people of that book, and I just have to settle for knowing that I had some great things to write, but by the time I have the time, I don't have the energy or the memory. 

Day 7: week 2 day 1 the walk

Today started out great. I woke about 10 minutes before my alarm, and was up and ready to go. It was overcast out, and there was a slight onging drizzle. The first couple run walk sequences were fine. Had one mishap on the uneven ground, but I didn't sprain my ankle, so I kept going. Then after I had turned around on the path, on the next run sequence, I started to feel a tug in my upper leg. I made it most of that run, but did stop before the voice said to begain walking. Each run sequence became shorter and shorter until the last attempt to run was about one step before pain shot up my inner thigh and a bit on the front of my thigh. So, I walked. Walking didn't bother it, and really made it feel more like a good streach. 

I'm going to keep streatching it, and on Tuesday we'll see how well I can run. Or if I will be walking. 

Day 6: Week 1, Day 3.... The end of Week 1!

The first week is over.  Today was a bit more difficult then the last, and I think that is thanks to my Pilates class on Thursday.  My quads were hurting to start, so every time I started the run cycle of the training they just screamed.  The day was cloudy, and a promise of rain hung in the air the entire time I was out.  Although the clouds left in the afternoon without fulfilling that promise, only to return in the evening and open up the flood gates around 10pm.

I mentioned last time about the 5k I was training for being on the same day I'll be out of town.  Well yesterday a co-worker involved me in an email from another 5k event that was seeking sponsorship from our company.  So, basically another run landed in my lap.  but, this is one much earlier, and I will have to adjust my running days a bit.  I was originally going to stick with a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule, but this will make it a literally every other day schedule.

I know I had more I was going to write this morning, but the day was hectic, and I have forgotten most of what I intended between 5am and now.  It is 11pm, so I think sleep is in order.

Day 5: Week 1, Day 2 New Places

I glanced back at previous posts in the blog, and I will apologize for any stilted, or strangely phrased posts.  Please remember that the majority of these are from my phone, and typing on the little touch screen keyboard can be irritating.

Today, Wednesday, I did not want to wake up.  I did extremely well in not laying back down "for just a moment" and reminded myself that I MUST leave the house at 5am.  I dragged my aching body through the morning routine of getting dressed, and whatnot.  By the time I made it to the front door, I was feeling a little more awake.  Covered the blister I had acquired on Monday with a band aid, made a note to myself that we need to buy more "adult" band aids, or we will all be running around with Barbie and Hello Kitty ones soon.  That could look strange if my husband needs one.

Texted my husband I was out, turned on the GPS pedometer app, the C2K5 app, and off I went.

I chose a slight variation of Route 3 today.  Not cutting through the back yard to start with, just heading up one of the roads that leads to the path.  The first 60 second run/jog was quick.  I was surprised it was over when the app told me to walk.  On I went.  The path ended, and I decided to follow the paved road until I was halfway through, then just make my way back.  That went well until the Pedometer app decided to work like it's supposed to.

For the first time since this adventure started, it chimed up, very loudly, "One Mile".  Made me jump.  I'm glad I was in a relatively house free area at 5:15 in the morning or someone would have spilled their coffee laughing at me.  I turned around at that point and started back, only to have my other app announce I was half way through about a minute later.  The trek back is where you start to get tired of the run portion.  You get 30 seconds into the run and one half of your brain says "oh man, this is killing me, this will never end!"  The other side says "it's 1 minute.  Chill out"  Then, just when you've got your rhythm..  at about 55 seconds, you think "I got this, I can keep going longer" the app says "Start Walking".  Fine.  Be that way.

I returned through the sagebrush and cacti in the backyard.  But since my adventure through it over the weekend, I have mostly found the path with the least cacti, so it wasn't as slow picking my way through as it was.

My post workout was a nice 20 minutes of yoga.  Much better then Monday when I had too much I thought I wanted to do, then did nothing for half an hour.

My plans for the 5k have been pushed.  I didn't realize that it was the same weekend as a trip we are planning to take.  So, I need to either find a new 5k, or just call this training in training for the 5k.

I will post again Friday. 

Day 4: Week 1 day 1 Fog and Pain

Today I woke up at 4:45 am. Not just, the alarm went off, but, got up and out of bed. Right before I headed out at 5am I looked out the window and saw fog. 

Not even 1 minute into my warm up walk my ankle started to feel irrited. So I adjusted my socks kept going and, no, the irritation didn't go away. But my mind wandered and I managed to not even notice it until I was finished and walking home. 

I ended up combining the routes, so the first day was about 3 minutes longer then planned (that's not a bad thing)  after the first 5 minutes then I began the -run 60 seconds, walk 90 second- pattern. Most of the time my mind was on form, lean forward, breath in through the nose, out through the mouth, ect. The 30+ minutes went by fairly quickly until the end when I went into the 5 minte cooldown (followed by the extra few minutes walk home). Then the pain in my ankle said "hey, I'm still here". And my right leg just felt sore. But then, it's been a bit sore all weekend, so I was anticipating that. 

I ended at home on Pinterest looking for good post run streaches. 

I think between focusing on form, and the feeling I was chasing the fog, I had managed to not notice what my leg/ankle was feeling until I had slowed down. 

The fog was a cool element this morning. There would be a clear line, until you entered it. Then it wasn't as thick as you expected. Almost like you were always seein the fog just ahead, but never reaching it. Like a rainbow. Very cool. (Picture below taken during a walking phase)

Tomorrow I will not be running or walking. I will be doing weight lifting, and I'm not going to post about that. So I'll be back on Wednesday with that days adventure. 

Day 3: nearly 2 miles with a chance of lightning

 Today's walk started out later then planned. About an hour later. When I walked into the kitchen, my husband looked at me a little sideways and asked me what I was doing. I guess he forgot what I told him yesterday. 

So, off I went on route version 3, keeping an eye on the dark mass of clouds to the west rumbling in the distance. I wasn't too worried though, they were over there, not over me. Although when I saw lightning, I took one of my earbuds out and kept an ear open to listen for corosponding thunder. 

It was a pleasent walk, and I think it might be a route I'll take most often. Which means my husband is going to have to mow the path sooner than planned. 

The path was a mile, and as I was walking back home, I noticed the storm clouds were very quickly eclipsing the sun. At that point I got a little nervous, and picked up the pace. In fact, there was a short jog thrown in. I made it home faster then I thought I would and about five minutes later the thunderstorm arrived bringing a downpour. 

Tomorrow I begin the couch to 5k app. I'm pondering taking route 3, but I will see what the day brings at 5am before setting that in stone. 

Day 2: Route V2

So my post this morning, was supposed to post yesterday.  I'd love to blame my computer or the internet, bur really, I had saved it with the thought of working on it later in the day, and life got in the way.

So today, I walked a slight variation on my planned route.  It was a whole .2 miles longer....  Not to mention you can't really run through the sagebrush and cacti.  Although there is a trail, it just needs to be mowed so I can easily navigate the wilds of our backyard.

Tomorrow I am planning on walking a third option.  Although I'm not sure if I will walk on the busy road section of that route, or just walk to the road and turn around.  That just depends on the length of the first part of it, and the road its self.  I've driving down the road, but never really looked closely at the possibly of pedestrian traffic.  I'm definitely not walking or running along it if I don't feel safe. People drive like maniacs around here sometimes.

Day 1. The early morning walk and a bit of an introduction

Hello all to my running blog.  When I decided to start this blog, at about 10pm last night, I thought it would go two ways.  There would be a million blogs about people working toward running a 5k.  Or there would be none.  Well, there may not be a million, but there appears to be quite a few. 

So why am I joining the forces of the running bloggers?  I am in the hopes that my post run rundown, so to speak, will motivate me to wake up when I have to, to get the run in.

You see, in order for me to run, I have to wake up before the sun does, and get out there and back before my husband leaves for work.  As I have a toddler, I don't want her in the house alone for one minute when I'm not either in the house, or at least in the yard close by.

So, I start on the couch to 5k app next week.  That will give me enough time to get through the whole program and my goal is to actually run in the 5k in August that we will have in our town to raise money for the hearing impaired.  Last year a group of us walked in the 5k.  This year I will be among the runners.

I have in the past professed a deep hatred for running, closely followed by envy of those who can loose themselves in it (or at least claim to meditate best while running).  I have tried to pick up running a few times, and the closest I came to succeeding is with the couch to 5k app.  The only reason that failed is I started it too late in the year, and in the dark of the early morning hours (which was much darker then what I saw today, and will be seeing this summer) objects that have always been along the route started to look ominous.  So, I went inside and dropped running, returning to my turbo jam/fire Zumba, what have you.  This year I am starting at a time where I will just see more and more sun, and when I end, it should be about the same amount of light out as when I started. 

Then it's back inside for the winter.

For today, I simply walked the route I'm planning on taking.  Or one version of the route.  There are always options.  This was a test to see, first, how far the distance was, and second, prove to myself that I could wake that early and get my butt out the door. 

The walk was 1.4 miles.  Not bad.  Looks like I'll end up doing laps on days I do that route, but it's early enough that I don't think anyone but the birds will notice.  Have to say, it felt pretty good to be up and outside at that time of day.  I fluctuate between trying to work out in the evenings, and knowing that mornings just work better with my schedule.  Especially since my toddler now thinks an optimal bedtime is around 9:30, no matter how I try to get her to sleep by 8:30. 

I will state now, that I will not guarantee any kind of insightful thought provoking posts on most days.  In fact, it will most likely be a quick post from my phone sometime between brushing my teeth, and brushing her hair.  But I hope to occasionally have a gem of something find it's way on here.

For those who decide to follow my journey, I welcome you.  And for those who just rolled their eyes and clicked away, I totally understand.

Tomorrow I plan to walk the alternate route, and see what the numbers look for that.  So, you know, stay tuned, or not.